Donna felt that she was only being treated as she was by this girl because her name was Brunos. She spoke the name with respect. Donna smiled again.

‘How about that coffee?’ She took a ten-pound note from her bag. ‘I’d also like a cheeseburger. Would you mind nipping round to McDonald’s?’

Cathy took the proffered money and hesitated for only a second. Mr Brunos had told her not to leave the office while this woman was looking over the books.

Donna saw her hesitate, and pulling out another ten-pound note, she gave it to the girl, saying, ‘No one need know you left me here, and I’m dying for a cup of coffee and something to eat.’

The girl snatched the other ten-pound note and left the offices. Donna smiled as she saw the keys still on the settee where Cathy had left them. Getting up from her chair, she stubbed out her cigarette, picked up the keys and let herself into Stephen’s office. Turning on the lamp on his desk, she began going through his drawers, looking for anything that might catch her eye. She was certain now that Stephen was hiding something from her, and she also had a premonition that whatever it was, he was hiding it from Georgio as well. She couldn’t put a finger on why she felt as she did, it was just a gut reaction. Stephen was acting out of character. Maybe it was because she’d found out that his business dealings were not strictly kosher, maybe it embarrassed him, but she didn’t think so.

Pulling on the last drawer in the desk, Donna was met with resistance. Taking the keys, she tried two before the drawer lock clicked open. Lying at the bottom of the drawer were two blackbound ledgers. Picking them up, Donna stiffened. Seating herself behind the desk, she began looking through them.

Twenty minutes later when Cathy arrived back breathlessly with a couple of cheeseburgers and a large polystyrene cup of coffee, Donna was once more in the outer office, looking over the books left out for her by Stephen. Cathy was aware that Mrs Brunos had something on her mind; she wasn’t as chatty as she had been.

Locking up after the visitor, Cathy made her way to O’Flynn and after a gram of amphetamine felt much better. By eleven o’clock Donna was gone from her mind.

Alan was not surprised to see Donna standing in his office. He had had a feeling she was going to show up. He poured her a small brandy and as she lit herself a cigarette, he sat back in his chair, enjoying the sight of her. She was really a sweet-looking little thing, even if she did have a tongue like an adder.

‘So Mrs B. What can I do for you?’