Harry had made a point of distancing himself from Georgio on the night he was arrested, feigning shock and horror and any other emotion that would put him in a good light with councillors and contractors. But he was in over his head with Georgio and he knew it, and now the phone call from Peter Downs was confirming his worst suspicions. Georgio was selling up. Donna wouldn’t shit unless Georgio gave her permission. It was Georgio who wanted shot of the property. Maybe money was tight. That was one reason for a quick sale.

But the house aside, Georgio knew an awful lot about Harry’s business dealings and other activities . . . The man began to feel extremely worried. He regretted dumping Georgio and Donna so quickly. He should have made a point of standing by her - in private, of course. It wouldn’t do to be seen openly consorting with the wife of a local villain, and that’s how Georgio had come over in the trial. If he hadn’t been so greedy they would have been raking it in by now.

Harry groaned. Raking it in was an understatement. They would have been worth small fortunes, and neither he nor Georgio was exactly short of a few bob.

Harry’s secretary Sally walked into the room at that moment, swinging her hips and smirking delightedly, and for the first time ever, Harry didn’t register a pretty, eager face.

He was too absorbed in what was going on in his mind.

Once Donna moved, she was out of his orbit and he couldn’t afford that at this time. While he knew where she was he could keep an eye on her. Did Georgio have any idea of doing a deal to get out earlier? Was he going to sell Harry down the river? It was all very worrying. He had a few big deals coming off and a scandal could ruin him. But more than that, if Georgio opened his mouth about the software industry they were going to create, he would be behind bars, disgraced and doing a long prison sentence into the bargain. His bowels were growing looser by the second.

‘Harry? Do you need me any more or can I go for lunch?’

Sally’s sweet features were a blur to Harry who felt as if he had been punched none too gently in his nether regions.

‘Oh, it’s you. Look - piss off girl and get your lunch, for Christ’s sake.’

Sally’s eyes widened, and her face took on the hurt expression of a dog that’s just been beaten. Pink and tearful, she raced from the room.

Harry put his head into his hands. He’d have to apologise to her now, before she mouthed his words all over the Town Hall. Sod Peter Downs, and sod Georgio bloody Brunos!