Now chewing on another of his dirty fingers, looking more agitated than ever, Alan stared at Alfie. ‘Look, he ain’t here. Like I say, he sent me instead, so if I were you I’d be nice, otherwise I might have to tell Barry he shouldn’t be doing business with you.’

Alfie looked at Alan evenly. He could feel his irritation and disgust towards this man rising. Every part of him wanted to give Alan a good beating, but instead, he spoke quietly.

‘Whatever you say, but I ain’t happy – you see it feels like you’re taking the piss, like you’re wasting my time.’

‘Think what you like, mate, no one’s forcing you to be here, are they?’

‘No, I know that, but what’s supposed to happen, now? When am I going to meet Barry? More to the point, when am I going to sort out this product?’

Alan licked his lips. He stared at Alfie for a moment before saying, ‘The thing is, there’s a lot of people out there who says they’ve got the money, but really all they want to do is have an eyeball at the goods. Barry needs to know you’re good for the dough.’

‘Of course I am, otherwise I wouldn’t be here, would I?’

‘Then Barry needs to see it.’

Alfie frowned. ‘What are you talking about?’

‘He’s here. Barry’s here, but he just didn’t want to come to the pub himself, not yet anyway. So, think of me as his messenger. You give me a deposit, I take it to Barry and he’ll come down and see you.’

Alfie sneered. ‘I’m not going to do that, am I?’

Alan began to move away from the bar. He pushed his hands into his pockets. ‘That’s the way it works; if you don’t like it, it’s no skin off my nose, mate. I’m just here to tell you what you have to do. If you’re not interested anymore, that’s fine.’

Alan turned to walk away and against his better judgement, Alfie called him back. ‘Wait! Wait! How much do you need?’

Alan blinked, and a nasty sneer on his face appeared. ‘A monkey.’

‘Five hundred quid?’

‘It’s going to cost you a lot more than that eventually. Barry needs to know you’re serious but as I say, no one’s forcing you. Say goodbye now.’

Nodding, Alfie thought of the little boy and Mia. This could be his only chance, so there was no way he could afford to let Alan just walk away. Barry wasn’t going to give them another chance and if it meant giving this lowlife, Alan, some money to show Barry he was good for it, well that was fine by him. ‘Okay.’

Alan raised his eyebrows. ‘So, you’ll give it?’