‘Nothing, it’s just for back-up. Now remember, Ray, be as threatening as you can when you get there. If the door ain’t open, then smash the fucking windows. You’ll have to hit ’em hard, ’cause it’s probably that plastic shit. That cocky pikey cunt is bound to stick up for himself and I want you to clump him as hard as you can with the bat. Knock him out, so he don’t wake up. Now, you go first and when I see you’ve got Frankie and driven off, I’ll go in and finish off the job.’

Raymond felt sick as he drove towards the trailer. Usually violence didn’t bother him. He could kill a man in the blink of an eye, but not when it involved his own family. He didn’t like Eddie’s plan one little bit, but he was too frightened to argue. When Eddie Mitchell made his mind up to do something, there wasn’t a man in the world who could change his mind.

As the tyres screeched to a halt outside, Frankie screamed, grabbed her mother and got down on the floor. Jed took the knife he always carried out of his pocket and stood by the door.

‘Open this fucking door – now!’ Raymond screamed menacingly as he smashed the baseball bat against it.

‘Oh, my God! It’s Raymond. Your dad’s gonna kill me. What am I gonna do?’ Jessica whispered, sobbing.

‘Quick, hide in that room, Mum. There’s a gap under the bed,’ Frankie urged her.

As Jessica crawled into the bedroom, she shuddered as she heard the window go through. ‘Please God, don’t let anyone get hurt. Please God, don’t let anyone get hurt,’ she repeated over and over again.

Frankie screamed as Raymond threw himself against the door and it flew open. ‘Leave us alone. Go away!’ she screamed.

Desperate to be the big hero, Jed lunged at Raymond with the knife. ‘You fucking mug!’ Raymond yelled, easily knocking it out of Jed’s hand.

As Jed picked the kettle up, Raymond obeyed Eddie’s orders and clumped him over the head with the baseball bat. He could have hit him harder, but guilt stopped him from doing so. All he wanted to do was stun Jed; it was Eddie’s job to do anything else.

Jed wasn’t stupid, so he fell on the floor and played dead.

‘Jed! Jed!’ Frankie screamed hysterically.

As Raymond walked towards her, Frankie went for him. ‘Get off of me! I hate you and my dad. I wish you were both dead,’ she yelled, pummelling her fists against his chest.

Raymond took the rope out of his pocket and carried out the instructions he had been given. ‘It’s all right, Frankie, all I’m doing is taking you home,’ he said, as she repeatedly kicked and punched him.

‘Jed, wake up, please wake up,’ Frankie cried.