Defeated, Jessica shrugged. She didn’t mind the twins having the odd drink or two, but she wasn’t about to let their friends do the same. Say one of them got drunk and was ill, how would she explain that to their parents? It would make her and Eddie look awful and tarnish their responsible reputation. ‘OK, I’ll let your dad know,’Jessica said miserably. The twins were at an age now where they wanted to do their own thing.

‘Where is Dad?’ Frankie asked. He never worked weekends and was usually glued to her mother’s side.

‘He’s popped out to see a mechanic. There’s a problem with the Land Cruiser and he wants to get it repaired. I should imagine he’ll be home soon – he’s already been gone ages,’ Jessica said.

Aware that his mum was upset about the birthday party, Joey stood up and hugged her. ‘Frankie and I aren’t doing anything today. How about when Dad gets back, we all go out for something to eat? Frankie and I will treat you and Dad for once. Because we’ve been so busy doing homework, we’ve saved loads of pocket money.’

Jessica smiled. ‘That would be lovely, Joey.’

Eddie Mitchell sat in the car park of the Robin Hood pub in Dagenham. He was looking for a geezer called Tommy Trott. Trottsy, as he was better known, was out of Canning Town and had borrowed five grand from Eddie six months ago. He had paid back the first three instalments, then had disappeared off the face of the earth.

Eddie had received a phone call only yesterday, telling him that the cheeky bastard had resurfaced in Dagenham and was larging it in the Robin Hood. Usually Eddie dealt with the mugs who tried to knock him alone, but Trottsy had annoyed him more than most, so he’d brought Raymond with him. Eddie had known Trottsy for years and had helped him out on many occasions in his younger days. That’s why Trottsy’s deception was that much worse.

Raymond looked at his watch. ‘What time did this geezer say Trottsy normally gets here?’

Eddie tapped his fingers on the steering wheel in annoyance. Twelve o’clock was the information he had received and it was now quarter to one. ‘He’d better hurry up. I told Jess I wouldn’t be long, she thinks I’m getting the car fixed. Twelve, I was told. We’ll give it another half-hour and if there’s still no sign of him, we’ll have another bash tomorrow.’

‘I can’t make tomorrow, Ed. Polly’s dad has a boat and we’re all going sailing,’ Raymond said awkwardly.