They both thought she looked scary. She had a headscarf on, and a full-length floral apron that fastened at the back. Her face was set, like stone, and she looked like she had never been taught how to smile. Her tone was harsh, and the dull red lipstick she wore was smudged just in the middle of her lips, like a little rosebud. It looks as if she just bit the head off a bat, thought Jake.

‘Hello, Mrs Angus,’ said Tony. His voice was weak; even he was wary of this matriarch.

‘Elsie, my name is Elsie, Mr Lambrianu.’ Even though she was introducing herself, she didn’t sound very friendly about it. She stood there, feet apart, wielding her duster.

‘Well, Elsie, as you can hear, we have business to discuss with Angus.’ Tony wanted her to leave. Elsie turned on her worn slippers and left the room, muttering to herself.

Jake leaned forward to whisper in Tony’s ear. ‘Her name might be Elsie, but I’m wondering what everyone else calls her.’ He glanced up at Tony and gave a little grin.

‘Angus, I want you to make sure that Bennie’s men are seen hanging around in my absence. All strangers. I want a couple of the old South London mob having a drink in the pubs, and playing snooker in the halls. Then I want some fighting to break out and a few threats to be made to the customers. Do you understand? You do all of this when I telephone you and tell you to. Okay?’

‘Aye, boss. There is one man I have in mind, always borrowing money, has debts all over the place. Greasy little shit, but he isn’t known by anyone. Christ, even I don’t want to know him, but he comes in handy for stuff like this. His name’s Luke, thinks he’s some kind of ladies’ man, but he’s a total waster. Aye, lads, he’s the one for the job.’ Angus seemed pleased with himself.

Tony was curious. ‘What do you mean, “stuff like this”? Who is he and what have you used him for?’

Angus looked a little sheepish, and worried. ‘He sometimes does some work for Bennie and his lot. I’m not into all that, so I’ve used him as a kind of go-between. He’s trying to get in with the lads, thinks he’s a part of the team. No way, though; like I say, he owes money everywhere and so he gets a few pounds for dropping stuff off for Bennie.’

‘How did you meet him? What makes you think you can trust him with this arrangement?’ Tony wasn’t happy; he eyed Angus up suspiciously while he waited for an explanation.

‘Look, Mr Lambrianu, if you don’t want to use him, that’s okay, it was just a suggestion. He’s in with the money lenders and owes them money. They give him real lowlife jobs to do for them to pay off his debts. I only know this because when I personally go to pick up your money from them, he’s usually hanging around like a lap dog. They use him for the crap stuff, that’s why I thought maybe we could, too. Your name wouldn’t come into it. It would be that mad dog Angus stirring up trouble and needing a tough man for the job. He’s an idiot and a wife-beater. I hear he would jump at the chance to prove he’s a hard nut.’