‘I know Lewis of old,’ Alan said. ‘Georgio should have had a bit more savvy than to have done any kind of business with him. He’s an arsehole, if you’ll pardon my French. A ginger beer and all. I heard Lewis loves it in there, like a holiday for him. I also heard he bought himself out of Broadmoor. The man’s a psychopath. I can understand why Georgio wants out. If Lewis is on his tail, he’s better off as far away as possible. Has he decided where he wants to go?’

Donna shook her head.

‘Well, I’ve got a villa in Spain. He could hole up there for a while. I own a timeshare complex out there. Nothing fishy, all my places are top class. I don’t rip anyone off, never have. I got into the timeshare there a few years back. I have a large place myself I use to take me kids on their holidays. My little grandson is four now. You’d love him. Right little hard man he is.’

Donna found herself smiling at his proud voice. ‘How old are your children?’

‘My Lisa is twenty-five and my son Alan Junior is twenty-one. I am forty-nine years old, before you ask.’

‘I never knew Georgio had done so much for you. He never said anything.’

Alan smiled. ‘Well, he wouldn’t, would he? It’s between me and him, the same way all this will be between me and you. I ain’t making any promises. I’ll look into this thoroughly, and if there’s a chance, then we’ll be off.’

Donna finished her brandy in one gulp, grateful for its burn. She had never felt so misused in all her life. Georgio could be cruel at times, so cruel. He’d lived a completely separate life from her and she had never realised it until now.

Another part of her mind was telling her that the things she had found out about him, had she known them at the time, would only have caused her sleepless nights. Georgio had probably guessed this, which was why he’d never told her, but had looked after her according to his lights. As far as her husband was concerned, he had done well by her. She had to hold on to that thought.

Anything he had done, had been for her as well as himself. She had lived a good life with him, she had had everything she’d wanted, more than anyone could want in fact. They had travelled the world, lived like kings, she had accounts at Harrods and Fortnum’s to name but a few. She had never questioned where all the money came from, she had just spent it. If she had known, she would have been worried and Georgio had always been at pains to stop her worrying about anything.