Chopper got off his bunk and lit himself a roll-up, his face eerie in the light of the match.

‘You seem to be doing all right. I hear you owe him a lot of money - money he wants back. And you’re not telling him anything, I notice.’

‘That’s for the simple reason that once I tell him, I’m finished. There ain’t a lot of people that can frighten me, but Lewis is one of them. I mean it: go careful, Chopper. I’m telling you that not because I like you, but because I have a feeling you could end up causing us all trouble. Let it all lie. Once we know what’s going down, we can all make our plans.’

Chopper took a deep drag on his cigarette.

‘And what are your plans? I get the impression you’re waiting to go somewhere. You don’t get involved in anything, you’re distant to most of the men. You seem to me like you’re only here on loan.’

Georgio laughed. ‘I’m waiting for my appeal, Chopper. I thought that was common knowledge.’

‘Yeah, and the Queen Mother is coming in tomorrow for soliciting! What do you take me for? I’ve spent the best part of my adult life in places like this. I can read people. I see more than you’d think.’

‘Then this is one time you’re wrong. I want to do me time with as little fuss as possible, that’s it. End of story.’

Chopper sat on the bunk next to him.

‘You intrigue me, Brunos. What are you bothering with Sadie and Timmy for, eh? Why don’t you use your reputation to make life easier for yourself in here? I know all about you, what kind of stuff you’re involved in. You’re doing eighteen years, boy. That’s not a nonce’s sentence. Why are you toeing the line with Lewis?’

Georgio sighed. ‘As I already told you, I know him better than anyone. Lewis isn’t dead until he’s buried, take my word for it. Even then I wouldn’t put it past him to carry on from the grave. You know so much about me? Well, my advice is to find out about Lewis - really find out about him. You might just get a shock. Ask around about Jimmy Lansdown. I take it you’ve heard of Jimmy?’

Chopper nodded.

‘Then you know how he died. Lewis was behind that or I’m a fucking Dutchman. Don’t let his homosexuality make you think he’s no threat, because one thing I’ve learnt over the years is this: the queers are always underestimated, especially by the macho men like you. Lewis is a dangerous man, remember that at all times. He’d slip a knife into you while he was smiling.’

Chopper listened carefully. ‘Do you think he’ll come through this, really?’