Donna followed Anthony into the front room of the house. The room was comfortable if not luxurious. It was obviously used by people in transit; it had the look of a furnished flat or rented room. A smell of cooking fat underlay the hint of furniture polish, giving the room a stuffy feel. In a chair by the window sat a man of indeterminate age with short grey hair, massive shoulders and an easy if unwelcoming smile. He had steely grey eyes and he wore a cheap Tesco tracksuit.

‘Alan, it has indeed been a long time.’

Donna was taken aback by his cultured tones.

‘This is Eric. Eric, Donna Brunos. Anthony you already know.’

Anthony shook hands and they all sat down. Donna noticed that Eric, whoever he was, didn’t afford her so much as a glance. Instinctively she took the seat nearest the door and let Alan and Anthony sit nearer to him.

He poured out three vodkas and handed them round without asking if anyone wanted a mixer. Donna placed hers on a small table by her chair and licked her dry lips. Never before had she felt such strength in a person, such a sense of danger.

‘So, now you’ve got me, what exactly do you want?’

Anthony sat forward in his chair. ‘We are organising a jump. So far we have the facilities, the armoury and the manpower. What we need is your expertise in the planning and execution.’

Eric linked his fingers together and placed them across his chest.

‘It’ll cost you.’

Alan smiled; this was talk he understood.

‘We’ve got the dosh, Eric, don’t worry about that.’

Eric smiled faintly. ‘I’m glad to hear that. I’m not a charity.’

The room was quiet as if everyone was letting this little gem sink in.

‘Where’s the jump from? As if I need to ask with dear Georgio’s wife here.’ For the first time he smiled at Donna and she smiled hesitantly back.

‘How is your husband?’ he went on smoothly. ‘It’s a long time since I had any dealings with him. I’d offer you my deepest regrets, but Georgio was always a man who would one day be locked up. It stood to reason.’

Donna didn’t like the way the conversation was going. She looked towards Alan for support, but he was listening intently to what Eric had to say.