He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a note. She heads for a doorway in the far wall rather than the bar. That’s where she’ll find the cocaine dealer, Ruby assumes. This sort of club will have at least one.

‘I’ll have her drink, if your tart’s gone to powder her nose,’ she says sharply.

Billy chooses not to rise to this comment and instead gestures her over to the counter. ‘What would you like to drink, Ruby? Gin?’

She moves to stand beside him at the bar. ‘A kind gentleman took pity on me, here on my own, and bought me champagne just now, so I’ll have another of those.’

‘Who bought you champagne?’ He stares around the room. The bruise on his cheek has turned yellow and purple.

The barman pops open a fresh bottle and pours her a glass. It’s a sound that always makes her smile.

‘Peter Lazenby. He owns this place. He was very charming.’

‘He would be.’ He hands her the glass, frowning. ‘Watch him, Ruby. Keep away from him. He’s trouble.’

She takes the champagne and waits for him to down his whisky and ask the barman for another, like he always does.

‘What are you doing here anyway?’ He sips this second one.

‘I came to find you.’ She plucks the card from her skirt and holds it up to his nose.

He sucks his teeth. ‘I thought I’d lost that. You took it from my jacket, didn’t you? That’s how you knew I’d be here. What do you want?’

‘I want to know what you’re up to. Why have you been so secretive lately? You’ve got something going on, some sort of deal, and you’re not cutting me in. I can’t believe you’d do that, after I said I wanted us to work together.’

‘For the last time, Ruby, we are not working together. Keep your damned nose out of my business. Go home.’ He growls the words through his teeth before gulping another mouthful of whisky. ‘Christ almighty, Annie Richmond should keep you on a leash. Go back to the Borough where you belong.’

‘Don’t you tell me where I belong. I belong wherever I want. And right now, I want to know what you’re up to. I want you to cut me in.’

‘Alright,’ he says, wearily. He will always give in to her eventually. And she knows he’s weak when he’s only recently rebuttoned his trousers. ‘Alright, I’ll tell you. Just to keep you quiet. But I’m not cutting you in. The boys want me to make enquiries into some business arrangements this side of the river. That’s all it is.’

‘What sort of business?’

‘Buying and selling, this and that. Whisky, mostly. The sort that’s not been past the tax man. Cigarettes. That sort of thing.’