Georgio heard the conversation around them gradually starting up once more; heard the clatter of ashtrays and the striking of matches. He saw the men in the room turn back to what they were doing, trying to put Timmy’s plight out of their minds. Lewis was once more engrossed in setting up his game of dominoes. Georgio observed him intently. With Timmy now upset over the loss of Sadie, he realised he had an ally.

As he looked at the hardest of Britain’s criminals it amazed him that one man could cow them all so quickly and so utterly. When he was sprung, he would make a point of letting everyone know he had got one over on that sick-minded individual Donald Lewis. The thought was a balm to him, because until he was well and truly away, he had to toe the line like everyone else.

He watched Sadie rolling a cigarette and felt respect and also affection for the boy.

Sadie was on his side. Timmy was on his side. He wasn’t so alone.

Georgio went back to his letter, only looking up when he saw Timmy come into the room with Sadie’s tea. The expression on Timmy’s face was one of suppressed hatred, and for a second Georgio hoped that he was going to do something to Lewis. Blades were plentiful in here, as were home-made one-shot guns.

If Timmy was upset enough, he might just take Lewis out of the ballgame.

It was a thought that stayed with Georgio through the evening.

‘Hello, Paddy.’

Paddy turned in shock on hearing the voice.

‘Hello, Maeve. What brings you to this neck of the woods?’

Maeve smiled slowly. ‘What do you think brought me here?’ She picked up a dirty donkey jacket and dropped it on to the floor before sitting on the chair. ‘How the hell you ever make rhyme or reason of these sites I don’t know. Me poor boots are ruined.’

Paddy sat behind the small desk in the Portakabin. Wiping a hand across his face, he waited for Maeve to speak again.

‘What’s the matter, Paddy - cat got your tongue? I asked you a question.’

He felt uncomfortable. Maeve Brunos was well-known to him. He had eaten in her kitchen, and in her restaurant. He had known her and Pa for a good deal of his life. He respected them, cared for them, and, most importantly, he worked for their son.

‘I don’t know what brought you here, Maeve. Thinking of branching out into the building trade, are you?’

She pushed up her bosom, an unconscious gesture reminiscent of Old Mother Riley.

‘What’s going on with Donna, with Georgio, and with all the businesses?’ She stressed the ‘all’.

Paddy’s face was blank. ‘In what way? Donna was overseeing everything as you know . . .’