‘Getting brave all of a sudden, aren’t we?’ He pushed his bowl of porridge away and said nastily, ‘Sit down, Brunos, and shut the fuck up. When I want your opinion, I’ll ask for it.’

Ricky stood inside the doorway. ‘Do you need anything, Mr Lewis?’

Donald shook his head. ‘If I need you, Ricky, I’ll call. Stand outside and keep nosy parkers at bay.’

Georgio sat down because he knew he had no choice.

‘Now, Georgio, me and you have been getting on very well since I’ve been out of hospital but there’s still the outstanding matter of my dosh. I have decided that I want it, and I want it soon. If I don’t get what I want then I’ll see that you never walk out of here again. I can fit you up as easy as I can eat my breakfast.

‘A young man called Danny Kilbride is on a murder charge. I’ve already arranged for him to co-operate with the police and now they’re talking manslaughter. I have got word to Kilbride to put all the blame on you for three robberies in the North of England. You might get off them, but it won’t do your appeal much good, will it?

‘I want me fucking money, Georgio, and I want it as soon as possible. The ball is well and truly in your court. By the way, your house was turned over last night - floorboards up, the lot, turned over by Laughton, your old friend and mentor.

‘I’ll give you so much grief, boy, you won’t know whether you’re coming or fucking going by the time I’m finished! I’ll have your parents’ restaurant razed to the fucking ground and I’ll have your sister Mary and her kids go on the missing list. I swear before God now, either me and you make an arrangement and become bosom pals again, or I’ll make you into my biggest enemy - and you know what that’ll mean in here, don’t you?’

Georgio felt the dryness in his throat. He didn’t need this now. In another two weeks he’d be out of this place, home and dry. Lewis would be just a bad memory . . .

Lewis watched Georgio battle it out with himself, then he played his trump card.

‘Don’t give me all that old fanny about if I kill you I’ll never get the money. I ain’t doing this because of the money any more, Brunos. This has become personal now. I’ll kill you if I don’t get it, and Timmy’s death will seem like a joy after what I’ve dreamt up for you, boy.’