Even Jake thought Graham looked pleased to know that Tony was going away for a while. He was permanently hanging around, checking things. He must have driven them all crazy.

‘Come on, Jake, things to do, people to see.’ With that, Tony walked out of the casino, followed by Jake.

Jake turned around to look at Graham, who was still standing by the table with the ‘dust’ on it. He wiped it and looked at his hand. He couldn’t see anything unusual. ‘Sorry,’ Jake mouthed to Graham, and he smiled.

‘Tony, you’re becoming a pain in the arse,’ Jake said, when they were back in the car. ‘Everyone is doing their job; they’re afraid not to. You’re always there, breathing down their necks. Go easy, mate, or else they’ll all leave you to it. If you show them you think they’re not up to the job, trust me, they’ll leave. You’re like a coiled spring, you’re so wound up. The sooner we go away, the better.’

‘You’re right, Jake. You always are. I need to keep my mouth shut. I tell you what, it’s only a few months till Christmas, I think they’re all due a big fat bonus, don’t you? Will that suit you and them?’

Jake nodded. ‘Good idea. By the way, I’m going to get Sharon to book our trip for next week. We’re not going to get away much around Christmas, so now is the time to let them all get on with it.’ He punched Tony in the arm. ‘And it’s time to tell Angus about that wacky plan of yours, though I’m not sure he’ll understand it. We would be better off telling his wife!’ That made them both laugh.

‘You want that Bennie’s boys hanging around your pubs and that stripper agency in town. But, why? They’re nothing but trouble, Mr Lambrianu, everyone knows that.’ Angus’s face was going red again. The very thought that someone was going to cause trouble for Tony annoyed him. He felt he owed him a lot; his loyalty was unquestionable.

Tony smiled that smug, charming smile of his and looked at Jake. He had said he wanted to cause concern and worry to the businessmen he collected from. Angus was already upset about it, and he was in on it. He had been right; there would be some form of public outcry. Tony and Jake felt it was like explaining to a child. ‘No, Angus, listen to me,’ Tony said.

‘God help us all.’ Angus’s wife was keeping herself busy, dusting, making tea and making it absolutely obvious she was doing her best to listen in on the conversation. She looked up at the ceiling, then hit Angus with her duster. ‘You Scottish idiot, you’re going to shake those people up. You’re going to scare them, even I got that bit. And I’m not listening.’ She looked at Tony and Jake and folded her arms, as if daring them to contradict her.