Queenie smiled. Kevin was as polite as her own boys. ‘You’re welcome round ’ere anytime, lovey, and I mean that.’

Vinny glanced at the clock, then kissed his grandmother on the cheek. ‘Thanks for my socks and pants. Bye, Nan. See you soon.’

‘Where you going?’ Roy asked Vinny. ‘I’ll come with you.’

‘No. You can’t.’

‘Why not?’

Vinny tutted. ‘’Cause I said so.’

‘What time will you be back?’ Queenie asked.

‘Dunno. I’m meeting a mate.’

Queenie peered out the window to see which direction her son walked in. It was unlike him to be secretive and as far as she was aware, he didn’t have any close mates. The one good mate he’d had, had recently emigrated to Australia with his parents.

‘Maybe he’s meeting a girl?’ suggested Viv.

Queenie doubted that. Neither Vinny nor Roy were yet to show any interest in girls. Michael was the little lothario. He had a different girlfriend every other week.

‘Shall I follow him?’ Roy suggested.

Queenie shook her head. ‘Vinny’s not a kid any more, therefore doesn’t have to tell us his every move. If he wants some space, let him have it.’

‘Vinny, meet my Auntie Marnie.’

Vinny held out his right hand. Auntie Marnie was tall and glamorous, probably in her late forties. Her hair was long, brunette, and she wore lots of diamanté jewellery and a real fur jacket. Vinny had never seen such high-heeled stilettos and he couldn’t help but feel a bit nervous. She was a formidable-looking woman.

Auntie Marnie looked Vinny up and down. ‘Walk towards the door, then turn around and walk back towards me,’ she ordered.

Thinking what a croaky voice the woman had, Vinny did as she asked.

‘Right, tell me a bit about yourself,’ smiled Aunt Marnie.

Vinny rattled off a few lines about his life and family. He didn’t mention his surname though, or his parents’ names. He also mentioned that today was his sixteenth birthday and he wanted a decent job so he could help his mum out more.

‘Sit down,’ ordered Auntie Marnie. She sat next to Vinny and smiled. ‘I run a club, but it’s no ordinary club. I have a lot of important members who have high-profile jobs. Therefore, if you work for me, you say nothing to nobody about who you might meet or what you do. What goes on in my club, stays in my club. Get my drift?’

Not really understanding what the hell Auntie Marnie was talking about, Vinny nodded. ‘I ain’t no snitch. I’m an expert at keeping me trap shut.’

‘Good. That’s what I like to hear.’ Aunt Marnie turned to her nephew. ‘Bring Vinny down on Wednesday and show him the ropes.’

‘What will I actually be doing?’ Vinny enquired.

‘Talking to people. I’m in the entertainment business. I’ll give you a week’s trial. If you cut the mustard, you’ll then get paid four quid a shift. I will expect you to work at least four shifts a week, but if you want to work five or six you can. The only day we’re shut is on a Sunday.’