‘Derek’s dad was a real hard case in his day, wasn’t he?’

‘So the stories go, real, serious hard man – took no prisoners.’

Linford remembered hearing a story about him, but he couldn’t remember what it was. Shrugging, he said carefully, ‘As long as you’re sure about this scam, that’s all. Derek is young, and he hasn’t got any real reputation yet. From what I’ve heard, he was only a whipping boy for a long time.’

Jonny sighed. Linford could be an old woman at times. ‘Look, I’ve done me homework, and he’s a kosher kid, OK? He’s had a few good earns and this is his big one. He’s getting a good little rep and I want him where I can see him, and that means working for me.’ Jonny was getting pissed off now and, seeing two young men at another table watching him, he snapped at them, ‘Had your fucking look? Want a photograph do you?’

The young men looked away. They knew who he was, and that was what had aroused their interest. Jonny was a name to them, he was famous. They dreamt of being him one day. The difference was that, at their age, Jonny would have challenged anyone who had spoken to him like he just had, no matter who they were.

The owner of the restaurant came over then. ‘Everything all right, gents?’

Jonny nodded. ‘Yeah, sorry, mate, feeling a bit fragile today.’

The owner smiled coldly. ‘Well, that’s understandable, ain’t it?’

Jonny’s fist, when it hit him, was so unexpected he took the full force of it. Linford was out of his chair and holding his friend back in seconds. The other diners in the restaurant were watching in fascination and terror.

Jonny knew he had done a wrong one, but he was sick of the way people were judging him; they didn’t know him, they didn’t know the half of it. This little story would be all over Silvertown by the morning and he was glad. It was about time people remembered just who they were dealing with. He was sick to death of it and, right now, anyone was fair game. He had been too nice; he should have shown his strength from the off. He had tried to play Mr Nice Guy because he had been feeling guilty. Well, that was then and this was now, and he wasn’t going to take it lying down any more.

Outside the restaurant, Jonny looked over the A13 towards the concrete jungle that was Ford Motor Works and, spitting on to the pavement, he said angrily, ‘Fucking shithole this place, can’t believe we even bother to come out this far.’