Alfie smiled, but it was as icy as Franny’s tone had been cold. Everything in him wanted to believe Franny, but everything in him wanted to shake the truth out of her, because right then, he knew she was lying … Lying about putting the money back in the business. And the reason he knew that was because he had in fact put the money in the safe, the morning after Vaughn had left. The morning after the fire. So, what Franny was saying was impossible. But why she was saying it and why she had taken the money without telling him was an entirely different matter. And maybe, just maybe, there was something in the anonymous texts he’d been getting that was nearer the truth than he’d wanted to believe. Perhaps, after all, Franny had done something and perhaps she really did have a secret.

He took a deep, long breath. He had to keep a lid on it. Whatever it was would have to wait. He needed to keep his mind on Taylor, and he wasn’t going to risk being distracted for something he could deal with later. But he would deal with it. He would eventually get the truth out of Franny, one way or another.

Franny, wanting to break the strained silence, said, ‘You need to get some sleep, Alf – we both do if we’re going to be any use to Taylor …’ She paused before adding, ‘And Mia.’

Alfie nodded, feeling a pain in his chest, though he wasn’t entirely sure if it was physical. He loved Franny so much and he was afraid that when he did eventually find out what she was hiding, his heart might get well and truly broken. ‘You get some rest. As for myself, I’ve got to go and sort some money out, as well as pay someone a visit … Will you be all right, Fran?’

Exhausted and on the verge of feeling like she was going to lose it, Franny nodded. ‘Yeah, I’ll be fine. Who are you going to see?’

‘Alan. I’m going to pay Alan another visit. It’s about time him and me had a little chat.’

Trying only to concentrate on the matter at hand, Alfie made his way across the estate towards a group of kids huddled in the corner smoking joints.

He nodded to the oldest-looking kid, who Alfie didn’t think could be much more than fourteen. ‘I’m trying to find Alan. I dunno his second name, but I reckon he lives around here.’

The kid, taking a large drag of the joint he was holding, stared at Alfie, his eyes full of disinterest. ‘Can’t help you, mate.’

Alfie went into his pocket, pulling out a twenty-pound note. ‘How about if I give you this? Can you help me now?’

The kid shrugged but took the money. ‘Depends. What does he look like?’