Georgio read this in her face and his features softened. ‘Listen, Don Don, Dolly will be given a lump sum, a golden handshake. She ain’t going to be badly off, I promise you that. All I’m interested in at the moment is getting out of here. I have Lewis and his henchmen breathing down my neck. Let me get out and I’ll sort out Dolly and everyone else, OK?’

‘Okey doke. Back to Scotland. We’re going to arrange your route once you’re off the Island. Probably most of it will be overland. I’ll have more to tell you next time I visit, OK?’

Georgio found himself smiling. ‘You sound like a bleedin’ gangster’s moll!’

‘I feel like one!’ Donna giggled. ‘Whoever thought I’d be laughing about something like this, eh? Me, timid little Donna, afraid for years to open my mouth unless you’d already briefed me on what to say! Wheeling and dealing in the London underworld no less! But in fairness to Alan Cox, he tried to frighten me out of it all. Once he knows I’m capable of looking after myself, he’ll change his tune. To be honest I get the impression he isn’t too chuffed with you for having me as the number two. But then, he doesn’t know me like you do, does he?’

‘Be careful this weekend, won’t you, love? This ain’t a game, you know. You’re going to meet some dangerous men and some violent people. Watch your step, and for Christ’s sake dress down. You’re too good looking for the cretins you’ll be meeting up with. Their idea of foreplay is not to smash the old woman around the head before sex!’

Donna smiled at his words but picked up the meaning behind them.

‘Stop worrying, Georgio. I intend to work at anything and with anyone to get you home. After my initial upset, I realised I would have you on any terms. Nothing you could do, could ever stop me loving you or wanting you.’

Her eyes were wet with tears and Georgio put an arm around her shoulders.

‘I never deserved you, Donna. In fact, if the truth’s only known, I still don’t deserve you.’ He smiled proudly. ‘Who would have thought that my Donna could have come up trumps like this?’

Before she could answer her husband she heard a cultured voice call his name.

‘Georgio! Introduce me to your lovely companion.’ The words were clipped, and without real emotion.

Donna glanced up at the man before her. He wasn’t very tall, or very well-built, but his whole demeanour spoke of a violent nature.

‘Donna, this is Donald Lewis.’ Georgio’s voice was flat. She could feel his embarrassment at having to kowtow to the little man before him.

‘How do you do, Mr Lewis?’