Reaching for the door handle, Vaughn squinted. There were two people coming from the flats. That one was definitely Franny. But who was the second one? He couldn’t quite make out who she was with.

As Vaughn watched them jump into Franny’s car, the rain making it difficult for him to see easily, another person who was watching had a much better view. Shannon saw it all.

13

‘Mr Eton, I’m sorry I couldn’t stop him.’ Charlie Eton turned around to see one of his men trying to pull back Alfie Jennings from entering the room. Puzzled, he looked at Alfie, who stood drenched to the skin.

‘It’s fine, you can leave us now.’

‘Are you sure, Mr Eton, because I can get him out if you like?’

Charlie, as was his habit, picked up the nearest object – a chair – and threw it in the direction of his henchman. ‘Get the fuck out of my sight before I do something you won’t like!’

The man scurried away leaving Charlie, red-faced and breathing hard, with Alfie.

‘This is a nice surprise, Alf. I take it you’ve come to a decision.’

Alfie shook his head, hardly able to speak as he stared at Charlie, who stood only in a pair of white faded underpants.

Pulling on a Ralph Lauren purple velvet tracksuit, Charlie gave a sideward look to Alfie.

‘Then to what do I owe the pleasure, because as you told me the last time, my merchandise is a little bit too young for you … You look fucked by the way. Jesus Christ, Alf, what’s going on?’

Pallid and sweating, Alfie’s voice was strained. ‘You need to tell me the truth, Char. I promise it won’t go further than these two walls. Please, just tell me. I don’t want you hiding anything from me.’

‘Alf, calm down. You’re not making sense, mate.’

Trembling, Alfie stared at Charlie, wiping the sweat and the rain off his face. ‘Just tell me if you’ve got one of these as well.’ He pulled out the letter he’d shown Franny, shoving it into Charlie’s hand.

Charlie read it, and shrugged. ‘This is a joke. Some muggy prankster.’

He pushed it back to Alfie, who began to pace.

‘It ain’t a joke, I just know it.’

Still none the wiser, Charlie said, ‘Well who do you think it’s from?’

Alfie’s face turned into a picture of bemusement. He clutched his head, his whole body tense and strained. His voice shaking, loud and anxious, he said, ‘Are you fucking kidding me? Are you being serious? There’s only one person it could be from, and you know it as well as I do. I know it’s from him, and you’re probably gonna get one too—’