‘You what!’

‘Vinny is working in Marnie’s poofter bar in Soho. Don’t worry, I ain’t told a soul, Albie. I wouldn’t do that to ya.’

‘Nah. That can’t be right, Mick. My Vinny might be a lot of things, but he ain’t no iron. Who told you this?’

‘A friend of mine, who shall remain nameless, is a queer who goes to that bar. He recognized your Vinny. He calls himself Terry inside the bar and entertains the poofters. Not saying Vinny touches ’em or anything untoward happens, but you don’t want him working in that environment, do you, Albie?’

Albie had never been more gobsmacked in his life. Queenie would go ballistic like never before, that was a dead cert. ‘No, Micky. I fucking well don’t.’

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

‘Come in for a beer, Vin. I need to have a chat with you about tomorrow night,’ said Macca.

‘OK,’ Vinny replied. Nothing had happened between himself and Macca since that night, neither had the experience ever been spoken about again. That suited Vinny as even though Macca had only been showing him the ropes, it hadn’t felt right afterwards. It had made him feel sordid.

Macca handed Vinny a beer. ‘Right, tomorrow, there’s a lot of money to be earned at that party. There’ll be loads of rich old birds there, many of whom are desperate for a bit of fun, if you get my drift? It would also please my aunt if you joined in a bit more than you do with the geezers. Whaddya say?’

Feeling his heartbeat increase, Vinny shrugged. ‘There’s loads of lads there, you said. Can’t I just chat to the women, be nice to ’em like I am to the men at the club?’

‘Didn’t you listen to a word I just said?’ Macca retorted sharply.

‘Yeah, but what do you want me to do, like? I ain’t fucking old women.’

‘You don’t have to fuck ’em. You ever fingered a girl?’

‘No.’

‘Well, it’s easy,’ Macca said, explaining to Vinny what he had to do. ‘And if they want to give you a wank or a blowjob, just gratefully accept. It’s good experience for you and, most importantly, it’ll earn you dosh and make my aunt a happy woman. I actually think Aunt Marnie might make a beeline for you herself. She’s always raving about how good-looking you are,’ Macca chuckled.

Vinny began to feel nauseous. Aunt Marnie must be the same age as his mum or Auntie Viv. ‘How much money will I earn if I finger a few?’

‘All depends if you make ’em come or not, I suppose. Most of the ladies tip well. I earned over a hundred and fifty quid at the last party.’

Vinny’s eyes bulged. ‘Hundred and fifty quid! Really?’

‘Yeah. I wouldn’t lie to you. So, you up for it or what?’

Thinking of all the things he could buy with that money, Vinny rather reluctantly nodded his head. ‘I’ll give it my best shot, but I know I’ll be nervous.’