Of all the things he expected, it wasn’t this. He’d never dreamt that Franny was still in contact with Bree because anytime that Bree’s name had come up, Franny had acted in one of two ways: blasé or vitriolic. Yet there she was with keys to what was probably Bree’s front door. But why? Why keep it from him? More to the point, why keep it from Alfie? That’s what he didn’t understand. There was no reason on earth for Franny not to tell Alfie. Bree and Alfie were long over. She didn’t want to be with him because of his lifestyle; even he got that. So why all the hiding? The secrecy?

Although, there could be another reason why Franny was being suspicious lately. Maybe it wasn’t to do with Bree at all; perhaps they’d just bumped into each other and she was in Woolwich purely for a social visit … Who knew?

With most people, he’d probably think there was a simple explanation. An innocent one. But this was Franny he was dealing with. And the word innocent could never be linked to her.

He had been trying to question Shannon some more about Bree, but by the time they’d driven through the tunnel, she was crashed out. A drug-induced nap. He’d even had to carry her inside the club, laying her on the couch opposite the one he’d found Alfie collapsed on, who also seemed to be in a drug-related sleep.

Feeling the burn from the whiskey, Vaughn heard the door open. He whipped around. It was Franny.

Wanting to play it cool until he’d worked out exactly what was going on, he said, ‘You’re up early, or haven’t you been to bed yet?’

Not expecting to find anyone here, Franny was shocked. She’d only come back for some cash. She’d made it her business not to use her bank cards whenever she was in South London in case Alfie saw any statements, but annoyingly, Bree hadn’t told her yesterday that she’d run out of nappies, which meant coming back to get some more money.

It was a nuisance to have to drive back and forth to Woolwich, but the traffic was light for once, and she had hoped she could get away without anyone seeing her. That’s why she hadn’t gone home to pick up her purse in case Alfie had been there, but now she wouldn’t be able to go in the safe without Vaughn asking her a million questions.

Tightly, she said, ‘I could say the same about you …’ About to continue, Franny frowned, turning to look at Vaughn directly. ‘Who’s that, and why the hell is she asleep on the couch? Come to think of it, why’s Alfie here too?’

‘You tell me, Fran. You seem to be the one who holds all the answers.’