After all it wasn’t just Vaughn and Franny who knew about Bree’s miscarriage. His ex-wife – who still had a lot of contacts in Soho – knew about it, and so did his friend, Lola Harding, and as much as he told them on countless occasions not to make him and his affairs the centre of their gossip, they had mouths like the Mersey Tunnel – big and wide – and they just couldn’t seem to help themselves. Though even taking all that into account, it was strange, because something still didn’t feel right in his gut, and over the years following his gut was what had kept him alive and on top for all this time.

Sighing and following Franny down the stairs into the kitchen, Alfie poured himself a drink of orange juice, still thinking about Shannon and Charlie.

‘You’re a bit quiet. Are you okay, Alf? Listen, I’m sorry if I’ve worried you recently and I know what I did about the letters was so wrong. We can talk about it if you like, if that will help?’

Alfie shook his head, not wanting to go there. ‘I’m fine, but I did want to ask you what you know about Shannon.’

Franny held a fixed smile on her face. ‘Who’s Shannon?’

‘Remember that girl in the club?’

Franny laughed, though her laughter seemed too loud in the large, newly fitted kitchen.

‘We have so many girls in the club, Alf, or rather we did. I wouldn’t remember all their names, sorry.’

Alfie nodded, watching Franny’s reaction. Watching the way her eyes darted around, watching the way she played with her hands, something she only really did when she was nervous. So maybe he wouldn’t push it with her quite yet, but maybe what he would do was go and pay Charlie Eton another visit. Take him some grapes and a magazine, and who knows what he might find out?

The ringing of Alfie’s phone broke up his thoughts. He pulled it out of his pocket and answered it.

‘Hello?’

Nodding and making humming sounds, he listened intently before clicking off the phone.

‘Who was that, Alf?’

Lighting a cigarette, Alfie matter-of-factly said, ‘The fire investigation team. Apparently they’ve found a body.’

Trying to keep her voice even, Franny feigned shock. Her heart began to race. Being here when they found Vaughn’s body was never supposed to be part of the plan. She’d imagined she’d be in Norway, safely away from Soho, and the sooner she was able to make a run for it, the better. Everything felt like it was closing in. ‘Oh my God, that’s terrible. Do they know who it is yet? Have they done any identification?’

‘No, I think that will take weeks.’

‘What else did they say?’

Alfie shrugged. ‘They didn’t, they said they’d let us know when they had any more news.’