Georgio nodded, his face set. ‘In here he does, yes, and if you’re sensible you’ll bear that in mind. Lewis owns this nick, he has the dosh that’s needed to do it. He owns about two-thirds of the prison service in one way or another. Believe me when I tell you he could walk out of here in the morning if he really put his mind to it, but he’s shrewd enough to realise he’s too well-known to go on the trot. And he’s British through and through, like a fucking stick of Blackpool rock. He couldn’t hack living in Spain or South America. Anyway, his mother wouldn’t go and you know what he’s like about her. He’ll do his time here, with a holiday now and again in Durham or somewhere else to break the monotony, and he’ll own them nicks.

‘He went out a while ago on a fucking day trip to see his Harley Street surgeon. On the way back him and the two screws had dinner with one of the biggest blaggers this country’s ever known. Lewis is no silly old bastard. He’s a dangerous, vindictive and shrewd customer. It would do you good to bear that in mind, if you’re thinking of stepping into his shoes.’

Chopper lit a paper-thin roll-up and grinned. ‘Anyone would think you were worried about me.’

Georgio shook his head. ‘That’s just it, Chopper - I am. I don’t want to see you sliced up in the john one morning, because that’s what’s going to happen to Timmy, and he knows it. Lewis will be off on one of his jaunts soon, Durham probably, then we can all breathe more easily for a while. But take the advice of someone who knows. Lewis isn’t worth the hag he’s gonna be causing you if you carry on this vendetta with Big Ricky. Even that black ponce will draw in his horns once he knows Lewis is on his way home.’

Chopper listened to Georgio in silence, taking in the words and also the inflection in his voice.

‘So I take it you’ll grass for him then?’ he said.

Georgio shook his head and smiled. ‘Of course not - what do you take me for, eh? I’ll give him a load of old fanny. I don’t want a knife in me ribs off someone else, thank you very much. I have enough trouble getting through the days with Lewis on me back. Enemies I got plenty of, I don’t need to make any more.’

‘Why are you telling me all this?’ Chopper’s voice was low, genuinely interested.