Jack smiled at the children and said with pride, ‘My daughters Jade and Ruby.’ Two tall girls with budding breasts and long legs smiled a hello. Both had inherited the slanted eyes of their grandmother except theirs were a startling shade of blue.

‘My sons, Jack Junior, Petey, Davie, and the youngest, Harold.’

Jack Junior, Petey and Davie were coffee-coloured, handsome boys with thick lustrous hair like their father’s. The youngest boy, Harold, had the tight curls and deep black skin of an African. He also had blue eyes like his brothers and sisters. Each child was exotic and stunningly beautiful, taking Donna’s breath away with their sheer perfection.

‘They are very beautiful children, Mr Coyne. You must be very proud.’ She smiled at him as she spoke and watched his chest swell with pride. Donna was secretly pleased that these children would have the buffer of money, knowing immediately the trouble their appearance would have caused them in a less privileged environment or even a middle-class area. With money their appearance was another asset, to set them apart, and these children would always be set apart from everyone else. They were a tangled mixture of colours and cultures and they looked happy and healthy.

Inside the house, Donna’s eyes were drawn to many lovely different features as they made their way down to the bottom floor and the living rooms. Everywhere was light, space and glass. The house was absolutely individual.

Inside the forty by twenty foot lounge Donna was seated on a white leather sofa and given coffee. The outer wall consisted of glass doors overlooking the landscaped grounds. It was a house made especially for these strange people.

‘I designed the house myself,’ Bethany said, almost reading Donna’s mind, her thick Liverpool twang at odds with her frail appearance.

Donna took a deep breath. ‘It’s fantastic. Are you an architect?’

Bethany laughed, a breathy sound reminiscent of fluttering wings.

‘I can’t barely write my name, Mrs Brunos. I drew a picture and the man worked out the plans for me. We were very satisfied with it. Jack had it built to please me.’

He nodded and Bethany stood up.

‘If you don’t mind, I have to get the children ready. The girls have got dancing tonight and the boys go to karate. I won’t be long.’

Such normal behaviour and homely talk seemed out of place with the mission that was on their minds. Donna looked at Alan and knew he was experiencing the same feeling.

‘So, Alan, what can I do for you? JoJo won’t be here for a while yet, so drink your coffee and relax. I know you’ve had a long journey. Bethany’s made up a couple of rooms in case we run late and you want to stay the night. Before I forget, what’s the scam with Dirty Freddie? I heard he was out of the game now?’