Sadie also knew the men, which was why she was frightened. She had first encountered them years earlier as a fifteen year old in Soho. Sticking to Georgio’s side, she watched the two men warily. Out in the exercise yard she said to him, ‘I know them two. They’re bad news, Georgio. Jesus, they’re the biggest nonces this side of the water, and sadistic with it. They were pulled in for that paedophile ring murder last year. How they’re still walking around here, I don’t know. If anyone knew who they were . . .’ She rolled her eyes.

Georgio looked at the two men.

‘I know who they are all right, and I’m sitting on the information until such time as I can do something about it - so keep stumm, all right? I think they’ll take Lewis’s mind off everything else when he gets back, don’t you?’

Sadie saw the logic in this and nodded.

Georgio walked casually over to a guard and asked for a light. As the man struck the match Georgio whispered, ‘Keep a lid on them two until Lewis gets here. He asked me to be his eyes and ears while he’s away, OK? Let him deal with them when he comes back. He’s got a score to settle with the bald one.’

The screw nodded almost imperceptibly and said, ‘Timmy died an hour ago.’

Georgio walked back to Sadie. Despite her strange appearance and ways, Georgio liked her and was sorry for the news he had to impart.

Sadie cried like a baby, as everyone knew she would.

Anthony Calder was talking to Jonnie H. on the phone while watching his baby daughter crawl around the floor.

‘I can see what you’re getting at, Jonnie, me old mate. But are you sure it’s for the best? This way we only have one stab at the jump. Tell you what, you let me talk to Alan and I’ll get back to you, OK?’

He put the phone down and picked up his daughter, kissing her soft downy head.

‘Hello, beautiful girl.’ The child crowed with delight. Settling her on his lap, he punched out Alan’s number. Alan was there within the hour.

Anthony Calder was changing his daughter’s nappy and still talking on the phone when Alan arrived. He rolled his eyes at the ceiling as Alan smiled to himself.

‘Just get yourself home, will you? I have work to do. No, I don’t mind if you buy the blue suit - buy the whole fucking shop, Sharon, if you like, but get home, will you? The baby is driving me up the wall.’