Reg glanced at Eddie and shrugged. ‘I suppose even if the kid gets a pasting, it’ll show us what he’s made of.’

Eddie shook his head. ‘For fuck’s sake, Raymond’s only twenty-three – can’t we test him out on someone else? Making him confront Mad Dave on his tod is like slinging him into a cage of starved lions.’

Looking at his dad for support, Eddie was surprised when, for once, he didn’t receive any.

‘I was thrown in at the deep end when I was a lad. Never did me any harm,’ Harry said honestly.

Aware that he was alone in fighting Raymond’s corner, Eddie had no choice other than to agree to the ridiculous idea.

‘Fine, it that’s what everyone wants, then I’ll sort it,’ he said.

* * *

Unaware of the big task he had coming his way, Raymond was up a 5 a.m. the following Monday morning.

‘Christ, what’s up with you? Shit the bed or something?’ Stanley asked, as his son plonked himself down opposite him.

‘I’m just really excited, Dad. Starting me new job today, ain’t I? Couldn’t sleep last night at all, so I thought I’d get up and pester you before you went to work.’

Stanley offered his son a piece of toast. ‘What’s this job all about then? I know you said you’re going to be debt collecting, but what sort of people are you going to be dealing with?’

‘I don’t know yet. Eddie’s picking me up at nine. He’s taking me out to buy me some good clothes. He says I have to look the part for this kind of job.’

Suddenly losing his appetite, Stanley threw his toast in the bin and turned away from his overly enthusiastic son. He didn’t like the sound of this new job, not one little bit and he feared for the safety of Raymond.

Stanley buttoned his shirt up and put on his uniform jacket. He sat down opposite Raymond and shook his hand. ‘Good luck, son. I hope it all goes well for you, but will you promise me one thing?’

‘What’s that, Dad?’

‘Promise me if the job turns out to be dangerous in any way, you’ll walk away and look for something else.’

Raymond nodded. His father was such an old stick-in-the-mud, but he meant well. ‘I promise, Dad,’ he said untruthfully.

Whether the job was dangerous or not, Raymond had no intention of walking away from it. He had been waiting for an opportunity like this all his life, and he would do literally anything to impress Eddie and secure his place in the family firm.

‘Goodbye son, see you tonight,’ Stanley shouted.