Franny grabbed hold of Charlie’s left leg, squeezing the amputation site through the sheet. He screamed out in pain, but immediately, Franny slammed her hand over his mouth. ‘I wouldn’t start threatening people, Charlie – those days are long over. Looks to me like your reign has come to an end.’ She released her hand and through his agony Charlie screamed.

‘Fucking bitch, how dare you come in here after your fella put a bullet through my leg. I won’t let you get away with this. Either of you. You’ve ruined me.’

Dripping with sarcasm, Franny smirked. ‘My heart bleeds for you, Char, especially after you’ve lived such a respectable life.’

Charlie snorted with derision. ‘Oh, you think it’s funny do you? Let’s see how hard you’re laughing when I let Alfie know about you and Bree. Ma told me that he doesn’t know anything about the baby. I think he’ll be very interested to find out, don’t you?’

Franny raised her eyebrows at Charlie before she stood up and walked across to the oxygen tube. Taking it into her hands as she smiled. She squeezed it, kinking the tube and watching as Charlie began to struggle for air, his face turning from a shade of red to purple. ‘I don’t think that’s going to happen, do you? I think that would be stupid of you to do that … What’s that, Charlie? I can’t hear you.’

As Charlie spluttered, banging his hands on the bed, writhing about, Franny kept hold of the tube and kept smiling. After several seconds, she let go, allowing the oxygen to rush back through it.

Taking a deep gasp of air, Charlie rubbed his chest, his words staggered as he struggled to speak. ‘You stupid bitch! You’re crazy … you could’ve killed me.’

‘And if you threaten me again, I will kill you, just like that, and I won’t think anything of it. You see, right now I’ve got too much to lose to worry about a piece of scum like you, so let’s have no more talk of telling Alfie, shall we, and then you and me will get along fine … Now I want to know where Barry is.’

Sounding slightly panicked, Charlie shook his head. ‘I have no idea where that man is, like I already told you, I haven’t heard from him for years.’

Again, Franny squeezed Charlie’s leg, sending a shooting pain around his body.

‘And is that the truth, Charlie? Because you know I’ll come back if I find out that you’re lying to me.’

With his face squeezed up in agony, Charlie nodded, barely able to get the words out. ‘It is, it is! Jesus Christ!’

Watching the blood begin to stain the white sheets, Franny let go and nodded. ‘Okay, but have you any idea where I might find him?’