Stephen shrugged. ‘It’s all bullshit. Probably another of Lewis’s games.’

Alan saw the logic of this and nodded. ‘I also heard today that Georgio is involved with beasting,’ he went on. ‘Is there any truth in that?’

He watched Stephen’s eyes widen to their utmost.

‘What the fuck do you think, Alan? Can you see Georgio involved in anything like that? I mean, you know him as well as anyone does, don’t you? It’s another bloody load of shite. I bet Lewis is having a field day. Can you imagine what it will be like for Georgio inside if that mud ever sticks?’

Alan sipped his scotch again, his mind reeling from all the shocks of the day.

‘Georgio has made some bad enemies, Alan,’ Stephen went on, ‘and I think you know exactly what the score is with him and Lewis. But that aside, we want him out. We all want him out, don’t we? When is the jump, Alan, tell me that.’

He shrugged. ‘I don’t know - early in the New Year, I should think. What has Georgio said to you about it all?’

Alan watched Stephen battle it out with himself. He knew that Stephen knew nothing, and that’s how Georgio wanted it. Why Stephen should think Alan would tell him remained to be seen . . .

‘How much do you know, Stephen? Only Georgio is keeping a very close mouth about everything to me. In fact, I think only Donna really knows what is going on.’

He watched Stephen’s reaction.

‘I don’t know any more than you do, Alan,’ Brunos admitted bitterly. ‘Donna and me aren’t exactly friends these days. She sticks her nose into everything - the bitch is a pain in the arse. Once Georgio is out I hope to Christ he drops her like last week’s news. Do you want to know what really makes me laugh? She’s seen more of him since he’s been banged up than she did in all their years of marriage. You know Georgio, he was always off gallivanting somewhere.’

Stephen laughed delightedly. ‘That woman is like a fucking leech, do you know that? She has hung on to him for the last twenty years by her fingernails. Well, I could blow her world wide open but I won’t. Not just yet. I’m waiting till I can do her the most damage. Then I’ll open my mouth and I’ll enjoy watching her squirm.’

Alan was shocked at the hatred in Stephen’s voice as he spoke about Donna. He hadn’t realised just how bad Stephen’s animosity towards her had grown.

‘What’s Donna ever done to you, Stephen?’ He was genuinely curious.