He pulled on to the hard shoulder of the motorway. Cars and lorries whizzed past his Mercedes. Grabbing Donna’s arm, he pulled her round to face him. Sorry for the fear in her face, but also annoyed at her childishness.

‘Listen, Donna, I know you’re a nicely brought up girl and all that, but at this moment you are on your way to meet some people even Lewis would balk at upsetting. Now we both know Georgio is skating on thin ice, and knowing him as I do, he probably brought it on himself. Well, that aside, me and you are in the throes of springing him from one of the most secure nicks in Britain. Now if you want to act like we’re going on a picnic, that’s your prerogative. Meself, I intend to watch my arse, my back, and anything else that I can watch without breaking me neck. I suggest you do the same. All this being frightened and shocked and ladylike ain’t worth a piss. The sooner you realise that, the better off we’ll be. I can’t look after you all the time, and I don’t see why I should. Now I can drop you off at the nearest train station or I can carry on up this bleeding motorway towards Jockland. It’s up to you.’

Donna pulled herself free. Her face was pale, but this time with anger.

‘You bastard, Cox! You love all this, don’t you? You set out to scare me, and when you know you have succeeded, you always turn on me after. Well, I might be a little ladylike woman in your eyes, I am in my own. But if I wasn’t intent on what I’m doing, I wouldn’t be here. All the same, that’s no reason to keep pushing down my throat the danger we’re in. I know that, for Christ’s sake. I can’t sleep properly for thinking about it. But I’m here, and surely that must tell you something? I came with you, I’m trying to do my bit, and believe me when I say you are not making it any easier. You’re an arsehole, mate. A twenty-four-carat arsehole, and I wish at this moment I had never clapped eyes on you. You have no respect for anyone or anything, and worst of all I think you enjoy frightening me. Facial scalping! Are we talking about Lewis or bloody Haiti? Do you know what I think? I think all this violent talk is just to scare me off. I think you’re frightened - frightened I might just do it all right.’

Alan shook his head as if in sympathy.