‘If you insist then. But I wonder what your old man’s playing at? I wouldn’t ask of my wife what he’s asking of you.’ His voice was low, serious.

‘Maybe you and your wife didn’t have the same kind of relationship. Georgio and I are very close. Even with all that’s happened to him, and all I’ve found out, I still love him. In fact, I think I love him more if that’s possible.’

Alan tossed back his whisky. ‘That’s what surprises me. Doesn’t it bother you - all you’ve found out?’

She shook her head firmly. ‘Nothing I could find out about Georgio after this could really bother me.’

Alan picked up another sandwich. ‘Are you sure about that?’

Donna slammed the cup back into its saucer. ‘Yes, I am sure of that. Are you going to start all this again? I mean, what is it with you? You tear into me today because of what I’m doing. Now you try and make snide remarks about my husband - your so-called friend. If you have anything to say, Alan Cox, I wish you’d just open your big mouth and get it over with. I’m fed up with playing games! Christ knows I played enough of them with my husband to last me a lifetime.’ She was near to tears and she knew it.

Standing up, she walked across the room and stood at the window staring out into the darkness of the night. She heard Alan moving and sighed. When his arms came around her she pulled herself away from him.

‘Oh, please. Give me a break, would you?’

‘Look, I’m sorry if I upset you.’ Alan looked contrite. ‘I don’t know what’s got into me.’

Donna licked her lips slowly. ‘Can’t you just try to get on with me? I know you think I’m a liability, but believe me when I say I will be all right. Georgio trusts me implicitly, so can’t you just try and have some of his faith in me? This is difficult enough as it is, without you making it harder for me. I am trying, really trying, to help my husband, to get him home. I tried to do it legally, now I am willing to do it illegally. Whatever you say or do, you can’t change that. Georgio is all I ever had, all I ever wanted. He gave to me for more years than I care to remember, now I want to give something back to him. I want to help him, I need to help him. He’s all I’ve got.’

Alan stared down into her beautiful, unhappy face. Took in the highlights of her hair, the lines around her mouth, and the pallor of her skin. He could smell her odour of cigarette smoke and Chanel Number Five.