Although not a big fan of his father, Joey had never imagined him as a violent, nasty, vicious bully. Dominic wasn’t lying, Joey knew that, and he was flabbergasted by his dad’s behaviour. To force his way into Dom’s flat with a knife was bad enough on its own. But then, to make him lie naked on the floor while threatening to chop his penis off was the most callous act that Joey had ever heard of.

‘You will always hold a special place in my heart and I will always love you, Joey. But, promise me, for my safety, you won’t contact me again,’ Dominic had begged him.

Finishing his drink, Joey slammed the glass on the table and stormed out of the pub. He couldn’t wait to get home and tell his mum the story. She was married to an animal who had a screw loose and she had every right to know the truth.

As Joey got on the train, his thoughts turned to his sister. If his dad was capable of doing what he had done to Dom, Christ only knows what he was capable of doing to Frankie’s boyfriend. Joey had no idea if Frankie had told their parents after he had left this morning, but he knew he had to warn her. He didn’t particularly like Jed, but at this moment in time he preferred him to his sadistic headcase of a father.

As the train stopped in a tunnel, Joey listened intently as an announcement was made: ‘Due to signal failure, there will be a short delay.’

‘Shit,’ Joey muttered. He needed to get home – and fast. Jed could be in serious trouble and he had to warn Frankie immediately.

After his minor show of emotion, Eddie had now got his act together. Just in case things turned sour, he needed to get anything dodgy off the premises. ‘Right, stick the jewellery and diamonds in that sports bag, Ray. Get that picture down from in the front room as well. That’s hooky – came out of an art gallery, I think.’

As his son reached above his head to take the painting off the wall, Stanley looked at his wife in horror. ‘I always said Eddie was a crook, didn’t I?’ he whispered.

‘Why don’t you just shut the fuck up,’ Joyce said, punching him in the arm.

Jessica was having a lie on the bed and Joyce was worried about her. She had almost fainted earlier with bad stomach pains, but had begged her mum not to tell Eddie.

Joyce turned to Stanley. ‘I think him and our Raymond are going out somewhere. Do you think I should tell Eddie that Jess ain’t well?’ she said in hushed tones.

Stanley shrugged. He hated this house, hated Eddie and couldn’t wait to get home to his pigeons.