Donna nodded again, licking the salty tears from her lips.

‘With you beside me, I’ll walk away from this, and then Laughton will never come near or by me again.’

Donna rested her head on his chest, the tears coming faster now, needing the feel of his hands on her tiny waist. He was hers, and she loved him, and any disloyal thoughts she might have had, she forced from her mind.

For the first time in nineteen years, Georgio needed her. It was heady stuff indeed.

The car lot was deserted, as if everyone had heard what had happened and were keeping away. Donna locked up her Mercedes and stepped carefully across the forecourt. Davey Jackson watched her from the office window and swore softly under his breath. His eyes swept the small office and registered the mess everywhere. He broke into the conversation he was having on the phone.

‘Yeah, all right, Paddy. I’ve got to go, her ladyship’s just turned up. I’ll ring you back.’

Donna walked into the office just as he replaced the receiver. ‘Hello, Donna. All right, love?’

She nodded, smiling slightly, and Davey wondered just how Georgio had landed a stunner like her and kept her all these years.

‘I suppose you’ve heard?’

Lighting a cigarette, he took a deep drag on it. ‘Slags they are, especially Laughton. He prides himself on being the dog’s gonads and everyone knows he’s a prize prat. He came after me a few years ago. He’s renowned for fitting people up.’

Donna sat on the edge of the desk. ‘Dolly says the same thing. Everyone does. But why Georgio?’

Davey shrugged nonchalantly. ‘He’s a face, Donna. He might have a little tickle now and again, nothing too elaborate like. It’s par for the course in this game, we don’t even entertain ringers. He’s done well, he looks like he does well. That’s enough for that ponce Laughton. Georgio knew it was only a matter of time before someone had a sniff, only we thought it would be the big boys, the Revenue. So there you go, love. What’s the score anyway?’

‘They’ve been to court and got the extension, another forty-eight hours, then they have to charge him or let him go.’

‘He’ll be home before you know it, love. Carol was only saying this morning, when he gets back we’ll have a night out, eh? Just the four of us.’

Donna nodded, wishing she was as sure of everything as Carol and Davey Jackson.

‘How’s his mother took it?’