He was an average-looking guy. Tall, slim build, dark hair, nice smile. But it was his power and status that ensured most women he set his sights on, couldn’t, or wouldn’t, resist him. He wasn’t used to being turned down. Grace knew that it was all about the chase for him. She was simply one in a long line of women who’d turned his head. But men like Sol had very fragile egos and as she was only starting out in the business back then, she’d wanted to keep him sweet. In the end, thanks to her experience of dealing with men just like him, having been married to one for years, they’d parted on good terms and Sol had moved on to his next conquest.

‘Sugar?’ Neville barked.

‘No thanks,’ Grace and Michael chorused.

Neville placed the mugs of tea on the small table situated between the four comfortable chairs and took a seat in the empty one.

‘Nasty cut you’ve got there, Neville,’ Michael commented on the deep gash above Neville’s eye, which was clearly visible now that he was in close proximity. ‘Lose a fight, did you?’ he smiled.

‘No,’ he snapped. ‘Never lost a fight in my life.’

‘Well there’s always a first time,’ Michael quipped.

‘Fuck off, Carter,’ he growled.

‘In the mood for a fight, are you, Michael?’ Sol asked. He’d never quite forgiven Michael for moving on and setting up shop with his brother, Sean.

‘Always.’ Michael grinned. ‘As you well know, Sol.’

Sol laughed. ‘Still a cocky bastard, aren’t you?’

Grace sighed. She hated these pissing contests. Men were driven by their bloody egos. How much simpler and more efficient would things be if women ruled the world?

‘Look, you three,’ she snapped. ‘Stop waving your dicks at each other and let’s agree a deal, shall we? I don’t know about you, Sol, but I have somewhere to be.’

Sol turned his attention back to Grace. ‘Of course,’ he said, barely able to hide his annoyance that she had interrupted his little reunion with his former employee. But Grace didn’t care. Sol was no longer the one with the power in their relationship. She was.

‘So how much do you need?’ she asked.

‘How much can you get?’ he countered.

‘As much as you can sell.’

‘I’m not sure you can get me as much as I could sell.’ He laughed.

‘I’m not sure you could sell as much as we could get you,’ Michael interjected, earning him a withering look from Grace.

‘How about we start with twenty kilos, Sol. We’ll get you more as and when you need it. As much as you can handle.’

Sol nodded. ‘That will work for us as a starter. Same price as my other supplier?’