Eddie pulled back the catch. ‘Tell me what your son saw, else I’ll kill you. I want the truth and I’ll know if you’re lying, you cunt.’

Terry’s mouth was as dry as a bone. It was a struggle to swallow, let alone talk. ‘I need a drink,’ he gasped.

With the gun still fixed on Terry’s meat and two veg, Eddie handed him his can of Special Brew. ‘Drink that and talk, you prick,’ he ordered.

Covering his prized possessions with both hands, Terry blurted out all he knew. ‘Darren saw Joey. He was with a bloke called Dominic in a wine bar in Liverpool Street. Him and your Joey were groping and kissing and stuff. Please don’t hurt me, Eddie, none of this is my fault. My son saw them, not me.’

Eddie stared deep into Terry’s eyes. ‘Why did you tell Ronny? You knew what would happen.’

‘I’m sorry, Eddie. I’d had too much to drink. I didn’t think. I’ll ring Ronny now, tell him Darren got it all wrong. I’ll say it was someone who looked like your Joey.’

Eddie took the silencer out of his pocket and attached it to the gun.

Realising what Eddie was doing, Terry fell to his knees and begged. ‘I am so sorry. Don’t kill me, Eddie. I’ll move – you’ll never see me again – but please, I beg you, please don’t shoot me.’

Eddie Mitchell had never been a man to be dissuaded by tears and apologies. With little emotion, Eddie held the gun to the right side of Terry’s temple.

Seconds later, he pulled the trigger.

THIRTY-FOUR

The twins took their last exam in June and both Joey and Frankie whooped with joy as they walked through the school gates for the very last time. They had never really caught up from all the time they’d had off, but had completed all their homework and done their very best.

‘How do you think you did?’ Frankie asked her brother.

‘Shit,’ Joey replied. He had always hated maths and, even if he hadn’t have bunked off, was sure he’d have still failed.

Noticing her brother looking a bit downcast again, Frankie did her best to cheer him up. Ever since their mum had warned Joey that his father was on his case, Joey had been down in the dumps. ‘Why does life have to be so awkward, sis? I’ve only been able to see Dominic three times in the last month.’

Frankie linked arms with her brother. ‘Look, it won’t be for ever. You said you want to work in an office. If you get a job up town as an office junior or something, you can see Dom all the time. You can meet for lunch, then shag his brains out after work.’

Joey smiled. ‘I suppose so.’