“So from then on, your families have been enemies?” This kind of criminal underbelly of Glasgow was not something Flora had any knowledge of, and if nothing else, it was interesting. Two people could have such different experiences in Glasgow, depending on where they grew up. There were areas of extreme deprivation, where drugs, crime, and alcohol were a way of life, compared to Flora’s existence in the leafy suburbs.

She often made herself think of that when she was feeling sorry for herself, missing her mum and grandpa. Flora might have lost so much, but she never worried about having money in the bank. The shop kept doing well, and her mum and grandpa left money when they passed on, although she would give it all up for five more minutes with them.

“So how does that relate to what happened when you went to jail?” Flora asked.

An embarrassing noise trumpeted across the call, and Mack’s eyes went wide. “That was Dex, honest.”

Flora started laughing. “I know. He’s terrible for that.”

Mack rubbed his little pink belly and kissed his snout. Again, Flora couldn’t equate this soft-hearted person with the one that committed grievous bodily harm.

“Erm…where was I? Oh yeah, there’s been bad blood ever since, but the Sharkeys grew to prominence, and the McDades remained more small-time. The Sharkeys have never been into drugs. We were always into bricks-and-mortar—pubs, clubs, property—while bending the law, and a generous view on taxes, but the McDades are heavily involved in drugs.”

“I see,” Flora said.

Mack put her hand on her heart. “I’m not saying we were saints. We guarded our territory jealously, and my role in the family was to enforce the law of our streets, but we never hurt any innocent member of the public. Selling drugs is taboo with us even more so than it used to be. My granny’s little brother died of an overdose. It devastated her, and Uncle Thomas promised her that he would redouble his efforts to protect our streets.”

There were fine lines in criminality, but Flo could never be friends with someone who was involved in the drug trade.

“Flo?”

“Yes?”

“I want to be your friend, and I want you to know I’ve never talked this openly to anyone outside my family before. I really hope this won’t change your opinion of me, but I promised you I’d be truthful.”

“Tell me why you went to jail, and we can talk it through.” Flora prayed it was something she could live with.