Alfie interrupted as his gaze rested on the letters that Shannon held in her hand. Anger surged across his face. ‘What are you doing with those … Answer me!’ He bellowed the last part of his sentence.

Shaking, Shannon said, ‘I was putting them back. I was just …’ She stopped as shame rushed over her.

‘You were what?’

‘I was just looking for some money and I’m sorry, Alf, I didn’t want to rob from you, you’ve been so good to me, but I began to cluck, and I couldn’t stand it any longer.’

Still glaring, Alfie snapped, ‘Okay, but then what are you doing with those? Have you read them?’

Thinking it was pointless to attempt to lie at this stage, Shannon nodded her head sullenly. ‘Yeah, and they’re pretty weird. Who are they from?’

Dropping hold of Shannon’s arm, Alfie shrugged. ‘There was this guy, a long time ago … I got him put away.’

Wide-eyed, Shannon said, ‘You’re a grass?’

Alfie gave her a small smile. ‘Not exactly, but the point is, he’s out now and, well …’

It was Shannon’s turn to interrupt. ‘He wants to do you some damage?’

Closing his eyes just for a moment, Alfie nodded, sounding breathless as he said, ‘I think so.’

‘You scared?’

Certainly not wanting to admit how he felt to Shannon, Alfie pulled a face. ‘Me? No! What do you take me for? Of course not.’

Shannon sniffed, the effects of the crack low making her shake. ‘You look it.’

Needing to shut down the conversation, Alfie, not particularly unkindly said, ‘Well I ain’t, and anyway, don’t change the subject. I want to know why you thought it was okay to nick from me.’

‘I never thought it was okay, it’s just that I feel so shit.’

Alfie sighed, feeling not too clever himself. Whatever kind of coke Charlie had given him, well it was certainly stronger than what he normally took. He looked at Shannon. How could he be angry with her? Not that it made it all right for her to steal from him when he was asleep, but the least he could do was give her a break.

‘Look, you’re out of order, but I’m not angry, just a bit disappointed that’s all. Here, take this twenty, and I ain’t giving you any more – not so you can feed your habit anyway … Come on, I need to go home for some sleep and you can’t stay here. How did you get in by the way?’

‘With Vaughn, and that snotty bird was here too.’

Alfie frowned. ‘Who are you talking about?’

‘Franny.’

Alfie laughed. ‘Oi! Watch your mouth, that’s my snotty bird you’re talking about.’

Smiling shyly, Shannon took the twenty that Alfie was handing her. ‘Well more fool you, mate!’