‘I can’t hold my hands up,’ Roy snivelled. ‘I think my arm’s broke. It’s killing me.’

Vivian Wade put her hand over her mouth. ‘Gawd stone the crows! Whatever happened to ’em?’ asked Vivian, as she clocked the state of her nephews.

‘They got jumped by some older lads and we happened to drive past,’ said Johnny Kelly. ‘The boys’ll explain to ya. They’ve not said much to me and Bill,’ he fibbed.

‘Is Queenie in?’ asked Billy Kelly.

‘No. She’s out looking for ’em. Where’s Michael?’

‘He ran off. My arm hurts, Auntie Viv. I can’t move it,’ Roy said mournfully.

Regarding himself as an up-and-coming face, Bill Harris bolted towards the front door. He would love to get in with the Kelly brothers, although the Krays from Valence Road had started to make a big name for themselves too. ‘Johnny, Bill, come in, chaps. What would you like to drink?’

‘Nothing, thanks. We’re gonna have a drive round; see if we can spot young Michael. We’ll pop back though, definitely,’ said Johnny.

‘I’ll come with you, if you like?’ Bill Harris asked eagerly.

‘Nah. You stay here, look after the boys and the ladies,’ Johnny replied.

Bill Harris was elated as he sauntered back into the kitchen. He put his arms around Vivian’s waist and held her tight.

‘Stop it!’ Viv giggled as Bill rubbed his groin against hers. They had done things, but not that yet. Viv did want to go the full way though, despite Queenie having forbidden her to. Bill Harris excited her like no man had ever done in the past, every time he held her close. ‘I gotta see to the boys, Bill. Queenie’ll go mad if she sees the blood on ’em. She’ll have heart failure. I’m gonna clean ’em up. Why don’t you have a wander, see if you can find Michael?’

Bill Harris was currently working for a local firm that got hold of hooky gear from the docks. It wasn’t a bad little earner, but nothing on the level he could be on if he got in with the Kelly brothers. He kissed Viv on the forehead. If he became the hero of the hour this evening, the Kelly brothers were bound to look at him in a decent light. ‘Yeah, you’re right, treacle. I’m going to look for Michael right now.’

To arrive home to two battered sons and one missing was the last thing Albie Butler needed. His day had been bad enough as it was. He couldn’t get the image of Micky and Cilla out of his mind. Did Cilla suck Micky’s todger the way she sucked his? The thought of that made Albie sick with jealousy. He cursed himself for getting Cilla a job in the Hoop and Grapes. Sheila had been a wonderful wife to Micky, so supportive. She didn’t deserve this shit and it was all his fault.

‘The Kelly brothers are out looking for Michael and so is my Bill,’ Viv informed Albie.