“Thank you, my darlin’,” her mum said.

“That’s your third helping,” Nikki said. “Where do you put it all? Plus nearly a whole tray of Yorkshire puddings.”

“That’s the best bit,” Mack said with a smile.

Isla took the opportunity to slip some of her meat under the table for Dexter, who was lying at her feet.

“Isy,” Aunt Chrissy said, “what have I said about feeding Dexter at the table?”

Mack winked at Isy after she was caught.

“Sorry, Granny, but I always share with him. Mack always does.”

Nikki shook her head. “Do you see what a bad influence you are?”

Mack laughed. “I hope I always will be.”

Mack and Nikki gathered up the dirty plates and dishes while their mothers dished out the dessert.

“What’s for dessert, Mum?” Mack asked.

“Apple crumble and ice cream,” her mother replied.

“Yes, my favourite. I hope you’ve made enough,” Mack said.

Aunt Chrissy replied as they walked out of the kitchen, “Oh yes. Plenty.”

Nikki smacked her on the arm. “You’re a glutton—you know that?”

Mack laughed. “Guilty as charged.”

Nikki became more serious. “You said you had something to talk to me about.”

“Yeah, I was just waiting until we were on our own.”

“Okay, quick, while we’re alone,” Nikki said.

“I was at The Reef on Friday, teatime. Jay was there, and she wanted to let me know what she’d heard.”

Nikki held up her hand. “Wait, you’re not supposed to be involved in this kind of thing.”

Mack held out her forearm to show Nikki her tattoo of a shark tooth. “I’ll always be involved, Nik. I might not be working with you every day, but you know I’m always going to be involved.”

“Yes, I know. I just want you to be happy in your new life, but I suppose being the Sharkey enforcer never leaves you. What have you heard?”

“Malky McDade is back in Glasgow to take up his dad’s position as head of the family.”

Nikki sighed. “Christ. That’s all we need. His dad was happy with his little patch, but Malky was pressing him to go further. No doubt this will cause problems up ahead. I don’t want this family drawn back into turf wars. We’re professional businesspeople now. But at same time. I’m not going to let them push their shit on our streets.”

“There’s more. Kevin Drury is selling for him. Which makes me wonder—how long has he been working for Malky?”

“You mean Malky could have ordered the attack on Isy and Charlotte?”

Mack nodded. “It’s a possibility.”

“Little prick. I want his head on a platter, but I’d be the first under suspicion,” Nikki said.

“Do you want me to have a quiet word?”