Davey shook his head ruefully. ‘Believe me when I say you don’t want to know, love. Just a bit of hookey gear we’re shifting for a friend.’

She frowned, and as Davey went to take her arm, she shrugged him off. Even Davey was surprised at the action.

‘Hookey gear - hidden on my car lot, with insurance people crawling all over the place? Hardly an intelligent act, is it? What kind of stuff is it anyway?’

Stephen placed another box in the van and turned towards Donna, his face dark with anger.

‘Listen, Donna, this is fuck all to do with you, love. Now go inside and have a cup of coffee, and keep your big nose out of this, all right?’

She felt the heat burning in her cheeks as she flushed with embarrassment.

‘Don’t you speak to me like that, Stephen Brunos. I’ve taken just about all I can from you over the last few months . . .’

Stephen sighed dramatically. He looked at Davey.

‘How my brother swallowed this nosy bitch breathing down his neck I don’t know. Well, listen to me, Donna, you have no right to know anything, get that? Anything. So get back in your car, and get back to your own businesses. Go and play at grown ups if you want, but not with me, all right? Can you get a simple message like that or shall I put it in simpler words still? Piss off!’

As he turned back towards the van, Davey Jackson grabbed him by the arm and spun him round.

‘Don’t you talk to her like that, Stephen. I won’t have it, and your brother wouldn’t either if he was here.’

Stephen laughed nastily. ‘Oh, my Gawd, don’t tell me you want to get your hands up her skirts and all. By Christ, Donna, you’ve never had it so good, have you? Wait until I tell Georgio this one. Not content with swanning off to Scotland with Cilla Black’s answer to a good blind date, you’re sweet-talking fucking Davey Jackson. Well, look out for Carol, love. She’ll eat you for breakfast and spit out the bones.’

Davey stepped towards Stephen but Donna pulled him away roughly.

‘You’re dirty-minded, do you know that, Stephen? Well, wait until I tell Georgio that you’re hiding knocked-off stuff on the premises. Let’s see what he has to say about that!’

Stephen laughed contemptuously. ‘Oh piss off, for Christ’s sake, you stupid tart. You’re getting on my nerves.’

Davey’s voice was low as he spoke again.

‘I told you not to talk to her like that, Stephen. Now take note of what I’m saying because I’m beginning to lose my temper.’

Donna saw the subtle shifting in Stephen’s face and realised that he was frightened of Davey, of what Davey might do.

‘Leave it, Davey,’ she told him. ‘I can look after myself.’