Alan frowned and snapped back: ‘Well, you’re having some. You need a livener, girl. We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us, dangerous work. You could end up in clink, love. So if I was you I’d think long and hard about how deep you get in all this shit. Talk it over with Georgio, tell him to find someone else to do his running around. He will, he’s a known face. You’ve done your bit by coming here.’

Donna stared down at the tablecloth, biting back the retort that was on the tip of her tongue.

‘He can’t trust anyone but me. I already know that.’

Alan sighed. ‘Then he’s a lucky man, and you’re an unlucky woman. If we’re to plan this thing together I need someone who won’t cry their eyes out at the first sign of trouble, do you get what I’m saying?’

Donna nodded.

‘It’s going to be dangerous, and it’s going to be hair-raising. It’s going to cost the earth and it’s going to take a lot of our time. The Old Bill will be sniffing round, the Serious Crime Squad will be yapping at our heels, and the Sweeny will know something’s afoot within twenty-four hours of me putting out feelers. There’s enough grasses in Soho alone to turf Wembley stadium. Do you think you can handle all this?’

Donna kept her head down, frightened to look at the big man opposite her.

‘You will be dragged through places you didn’t even know existed, with people you can only imagine in your wildest nightmares. I ain’t trying to frighten you, just letting you know the score. If you’re going to shit out, I’d rather it was now, before you know too much about what’s going on.’

The waiter came to the table with the brandy and glasses. While he served them, Donna was grateful for the respite, and forced herself to appear calm.

Alan gave her a balloon glass half-full of brandy. She took it gratefully.

‘So, what are you going to do, love? See Georgio and tell him to get someone else?’

Donna took a gulp of brandy, wincing at the burning in her throat. ‘I think I will be all right, Mr Cox.’

‘The name’s Alan,’ the big man grinned, ‘and I’ll take your word for the other. But I warn you now, love, one sign of you cracking and you’re out. Georgio can give me a back up in case I need it. I can’t visit, so everything has to be done with a go-between. Now I don’t care who it is as long as they’re reliable. I’d prefer a geezer, but I expect you know that already.’

‘Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.’