They’d both hated the place, but before long they were practically running the joint, and had been best mates ever since. As far as Nathan was concerned, Ben was the only choice for best man.

They had got into, and out of, more scrapes together than Nathan could even remember. Although Ben was semi-legit, he worked in a garage during the day, he was a reliable fence too. Nathan had called on him occasionally while working for Tommy. The term built like a brick shithouse could have been written about Ben; he was a mountain of a man, but a gentle giant – not that you’d know to look at him. He’d never had the appetite for hurting people that Nathan did; he’d usually be the one trying to calm the situation down. But he’d always had Nathan’s back when he’d needed him to.

Even as he was buttoning up his shirt that morning, Nathan could hardly believe he was getting married. Once he’d made up his mind to marry Grace, there seemed no point in hanging around. Everything about the two of them together made sense to him. Tommy had looked at him like he’d grown another head when he’d told him he’d asked Grace to marry him.

‘You’ve only been together five minutes, lad. Are you sure?’ his boss had asked him.

‘Yes, I’m sure. I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life,’ Nathan replied.

Tommy had insisted on paying for the do, and he’d shelled out a fortune. The best that money could buy. Tommy had pulled some strings to get them The Devonshire Hotel at short notice. Every face in Liverpool was going to be there. Tommy had always felt a sense of duty to Grace after her dad died and Nathan got the impression he was trying to make up for the fact her dad wouldn’t be there. Not that Grace had any clue, of course. She still had no idea of her dad’s connection to Tommy and Nathan was happy to make sure it stayed that way. She thought Nathan had paid for everything and Tommy was happy to let him take the credit.

After what seemed like forever the time came for everyone to head into the church. Nathan beamed with pride as he walked down the aisle and noted the number of guests in attendance. It was like the who’s who of the Liverpool criminal underworld, and they were all there because of him. He had finally made it.

As he was standing at the altar, Nathan heard the music signalling Grace had arrived and was walking down the aisle. He was facing in the opposite direction, but Ben was looking right at the entrance.

‘She looks stunning, mate, you’re a lucky man,’ he said.