The redhead walked out from behind the counter and said gently, ‘Leave it now, Christopher, I’ll deal with this. You go back inside and leave it all to me. I’ll see Mrs Brunos off the premises.’

The man turned, opening his mouth as if to disagree, then stormed away, the bouncer following him after a swift movement of the redhead’s arm.

‘Come on, love, I’ll see you to your car.’

Donna allowed herself to be led from the foyer of The Heartbreaker, her chest tight with fear and shock. Outside in the cold night air the woman walked her along Wardour Street and into a small café.

‘I’m fine, really.’

The redhead made her sit down. ‘Have a coffee, you’ll feel better.’

She ordered two coffees. Sugaring her own, she said to Donna, ‘What brought you to The Heartbreaker? Not Stephen Brunos, love. He hates your guts. What do you really want?’

Donna lit a cigarette with trembling hands. ‘Who are you?’

The redhead grinned. ‘Answer my questions first and then we’ll see about introductions.’

Donna sighed heavily. ‘I just want to know what’s in the flats here, that’s all.’

The woman lit herself a cigarette from Donna’s packet.

‘Why? Why are you so interested?’

Donna stared down into her coffee cup without answering.

The woman pulled her face up and looked into her eyes.

‘I asked you a question - what’s the big interest? Now if I don’t find out, Christopher will. And I know him, love, better than anyone. He’ll want to know what the score is. I’m trying to help you here if you could only see it.’

‘I want to know who the girls are, working them, and where they come from. That’s all.’ Donna looked steadily into the older woman’s face and saw her relax.

‘Let me give you a small piece of valuable advice. Where Christopher Scott is concerned, don’t ever try and find out anything. Even the filth leave him in peace. Now, Mrs Brunos, you get yourself home and forget tonight, OK? I’ll tell Chrissy it was all a misunderstanding. He’ll believe me, and then we’ll all forget this ever happened, OK?’

Donna didn’t answer.

‘I don’t think your old man would thank you for aggravating Christopher - in fact I know he wouldn’t. Neither would Stephen. He’s in Chrissy’s bad books as it is.’

‘Does my husband work with Christopher, in those flats, I mean?’

The woman shook her head and laughed. ‘Nah. Georgio is nothing to do with the flats, love. That’s between Christopher and Stephen.’ She saw Donna’s relief and smiled again. ‘Happy now?’

Donna didn’t answer.

‘Forget about tonight and the flats,’ the woman urged again. ‘Believe me when I say that I am giving you sound advice. Christopher Scott is not a man to cross.’