Michael put his arm around Declan’s shoulders, and she saw him pull Declan around till they were both facing the bar which meant they had their backs to her. It was the ultimate insult. Michael Flynn would not be in any company that reflected badly on him, or his world, he had made that more than clear. She walked away quickly; all she wanted now was to go home and lick her wounds.

Declan watched her walk away in the mirrors behind the bar area and, shaking his head slowly, he said gratefully, ‘Michael, that was fucking priceless.’

Michael laughed. He knew they were being observed, and he played the game, but was annoyed that the situation had ever arisen, especially on a night such as this. They were being watched by everyone, which was all part and parcel of the world they inhabited. People knew who they were, and they wanted to be a part of it, no matter how small that part might be. They were interesting because of who they were. They were the people who between them ran more or less everything around them, including this new nightclub. He certainly wasn’t about to let a slag like that make a scene, and show him up. He would cut her fucking head off first and ram it down her neck.

He was smiling jovially though as he said, ‘You, my old friend, need to fucking grow a pair, and grow them fucking soon. Never, and I mean never, let a cunt like that think she has the right to cause a scene. It’s a sign of weakness but, worse than that, it’s a reflection on us. We are men who rely on our reputations – without them we are nothing. The fact she thought she could cunt you in front of me is fucking outrageous. Like I am going to swallow that, for fuck’s sake! I wouldn’t take that shit off my Josephine and I’m fucking married to her.’

Declan didn’t answer for a while, he didn’t know what to say. But he knew that Michael was right. Deirdre would have caused the Third World War if Michael hadn’t stopped her, and she would have loved every second of it. He should have nipped it in the bud. ‘I’m sorry, Michael. You know me – I like the lairy ones. But you’re right. It will never happen again, I will make sure of that.’

Michael gestured for two more drinks, and the barmaid was there in nanoseconds. ‘Good. I’m glad to hear it. Now, let’s enjoy the night. We have to mingle with the punters, give them their money’s worth, but I need a few more drinks first!’

Declan laughed. ‘Welcome to my world!’