She concentrated on the dominoes. ‘You know me better than that, Mr Lewis. But Timmy and I were good friends.’

Lewis outlined the delicate features of her face. ‘Do you know why I picked you, Sadie?’

He watched her shake her head.

‘I picked you because for all you look like a little tart, and I know that you are one, you have a certain vulnerability I like. I can be a bastard to you, and as much as I’ll enjoy it, I’ll also feel a tinge of guilt. Which makes it all the better. I don’t expect you to understand that, but I decided to tell you anyway.’

Sadie looked full into his eyes, and Lewis was surprised at the understanding in them.

‘Mr Lewis, people have been doing that to me since I was a child. I know more than people think. Whether it was the businessman I picked up for a quick blow job, or a big hairy-arsed plasterer, ashamed at what he wanted to do. I cashed in on it in the end because it became all I knew how to do. You scare me, Mr Lewis, but for all the wrong reasons.’

Sadie wondered if she had gone too far. Lewis’s face was tight now, the skin shiny over the cheekbones. She knew Lewis was gritting his teeth.

He smiled then.

‘As long as you’re scared, Sadie, that’s all that matters. Why you’re scared is your own affair.’ His voice rose. ‘Now where’s that cup of tea?’

Timmy walked in slowly, holding the tin cup and saucer, careful not to let any tea slop over. He placed it beside Lewis with exaggerated care.

Lewis looked into the cup as if worried what he might find in there.

‘Where’s Sadie’s cup of tea then, Timmy?’

Sadie barked out. ‘I don’t want a cup of tea, Mr Lewis, thanks all the same.’

There was an argument going on in Neighbours, the voices loud and strident in the already tense atmosphere of the recreation room.

‘Turn that crap off!’ Lewis’s voice was harsh. The TV was turned off immediately. In the silence of the room, his words were menacing.

‘If I say you want a cup of tea, Sadie, then that is exactly what you want. Get her the tea, Timmy.’

Georgio watched the changing emotions on Timmy’s face, before he saw him turn and walk from the room. Twenty pairs of eyes watched him leave, amazed at his calm acceptance of what had taken place. Yet not one man felt any less respect for him; they all knew they would do the same. Would have to do the same to survive.

Lewis, enjoying himself now, picked up a domino. ‘Double six. Looks like I won, Sadie.’

Sadie gazed once more into his eyes. Voice soft and feminine, she said slowly, ‘You always win, Mr Lewis.’