As she watched him sit in silence, she knew that one day her decision might pain her, but some things were worth the sacrifice. And Mr Huang disposing of Alfie, mainly because of his own recklessness for taking such a huge loan out with such a notorious gang, was a sacrifice she was willing to make, and a sacrifice Alfie had no option but to make, especially as it meant she wouldn’t have to look over her shoulder forever. And besides, it wasn’t all bad – this way Alfie could still save Taylor with the money he had because ultimately, that’s what it was all about. Saving the ones you loved at whatever cost. Whatever it took.

She touched his back gently and kissed his cheek, closing her eyes as well as trying her hardest to close off her heart to him. ‘What’s done is done. You’ll think of something, Alf, because if you don’t pay him back, you’re a dead man walking.’

43

Having waited outside Queen’s Hospital for Franny to pop up and see Charlie again, Alfie sped through the traffic, clenching down on his jaw, trying to tell himself that the only thing he should be focusing on was Taylor. However, this was proving to be somewhat difficult.

‘Alf, slow down, you’re going to be pulled over and then you’re really in for it. We’ve got this far so it’s not worth messing up when we’re so close to getting Taylor back.’

Breathless, Alfie, still pale and wishing that he could think about more than Mr Huang, nodded. ‘Yeah, sorry, Fran, I’ve already fucked up enough, but I can’t mess up with Taylor.’ He took his foot off the accelerator, his stomach twisting into knots.

‘Try not to be too hard on yourself, Alf. You borrowed the money for all the right reasons.’

Giving a wry smile, Alfie said, ‘Yeah, but I’m not sure I’ll be thinking that when I’ve got me hands tied behind me back at the bottom of the Thames, will I?’

Franny swivelled around in the passenger seat to look at Alfie. ‘Listen to me: there are a lot of things that might happen in life or have happened that we don’t and won’t understand, but above all, Alf, I want you to know that I’m genuinely sorry I can’t help you with the house.’ She looked at him knowing what she was saying was the absolute truth, because she was sorry that she couldn’t help, but there was simply no way she could pay off Mr Huang instead of using the money for a new life for her and Mia.

Alfie sounded sad. ‘Thanks, darlin’, I appreciate that. You’ve always been there for me when it matters.’