Donna frowned. ‘I never suggested there was, Stephen. I just wanted to know exactly what my name is being used for. I don’t think you or Georgio give me credit for even a few brains in my head. I find my name is being used for all sorts and neither of you thinks I have a right to be informed. I have already had this out with Georgio and now I’m having it out with you. If I am to run these businesses properly then I need to know what’s going on.’

Stephen interrupted her. ‘You’re not running this business! You’re nothing but a sleeping partner. Georgio put up an amount of money in your name. You have no say in running it, Donna.’

‘I have the right to see the paperwork though, and I want to see it this weekend, as arranged.’

‘You’ll get all the relevant information, Donna, don’t worry.’

‘But I’m not worried, Stephen. It’s you who seems worried.’

He stood up. ‘If you’ll excuse me, I’m very busy, Donna.’

She stood up too and walked to the door. Opening it, she saw another girl sitting outside waiting to be interviewed. The girl was small, with backcombed black hair and heavy make-up. She wore a tight red Lycra dress and high heels. She was chewing gum loudly.

‘Another favour for a friend, Stephen?’ Donna’s eyebrows rose as she spoke.

He watched her as she walked from the office. His breath was coming fitfully, so great was his temper.

Carmel carried on with her phone call, seemingly unaware of the atmosphere around her.

Donna drove out of London and on to the A13 bound for home. She was going to go through Georgio’s office with a fine-tooth comb, and then tomorrow she would visit him fully primed. Before she agreed to his newest scheme she wanted to know everything that was going on. It seemed she had been a fool over the years, and in a way she didn’t blame Georgio for keeping her in the dark.

She had been like a child in a lot of respects. He looked after her, patted her on the head when she’d been a good girl, and gave her a present when the fancy took him. For her part she had allowed this treatment of herself and now she was wondering why.

Why the hell had she allowed herself to be treated so shabbily? Why hadn’t she done something about it - asserted herself before now? Her husband was in prison doing eighteen years, their lives were destroyed, his businesses were going down the pan, and she had known nothing, nothing at all. She had not even guessed that something was wrong.