She was vaguely aware of Connor and Paul Carter as they fidgeted in their seats. Chomping at the bit to get in on a slice of the action, no doubt. She was pleased they were keeping their mouths shut though as they listened to their grandfather. She’d agreed to take the twins on at the request of their father, Michael, after they’d become embroiled with Jimmy Dillon. Jimmy was a loose cannon who didn’t abide by any rules. And he was a raving lunatic – anyone was fair game in his opinion. Old women, kids, gangsters – he didn’t care who he ripped off. One day he was going to upset the wrong person and Michael wanted his boys far away from Jimmy when he did, particularly as they’d recently had a run-in with Nathan, one of the most dangerous and unpredictable men in Liverpool.

‘Now that we’ve sorted the usual business out, I need to talk to you about a much more delicate, and urgent, matter,’ Grace said to the three men.

‘Oh?’ Patrick frowned. He was usually aware of the agenda items for their weekly meetings.

The twins looked at her wide-eyed, eager for something to do and a chance to prove themselves.

‘I want Kevin Mitchell to run the Manchester deal for a few months. He’s going to be our liaison with Sol for the time being.’

‘What?’ Patrick said, his mouth hanging open.

‘You heard me, Pat.’

‘But why? We’re already doing more business than I’d like with that slimy bastard.’

‘Yeah, he’s a fucking knobhead,’ the twins chorused. ‘Doesn’t know his arse from his elbow.’

‘Well you two had better start getting along with him because you’re going to be working with him. Think you can handle that?’

‘’Course we can,’ Paul said.

‘Hang on a minute,’ Patrick interjected. ‘The Manchester deal is a nice earner for us. We’ve never had beef with Sol. Why do we need Mitchell all of a sudden?’

‘We don’t need Mitchell, but we could use his muscle. It’s just a short-term arrangement. Things will go back to normal in a few months. Mitchell and his lads will do as they’re told. Trust me, Pat. He won’t give you any bother at all.’

‘But why, Grace?’ Patrick shook his head, and the twins looked on in disbelief.