The black guy nodded. ‘Fair enough. You must have your reasons. Now, about a weapon. I can get you a blade, a dangerous blade. Will that do you?’

Georgio nodded happily. ‘We can really have the place jumping over this.’

Ricky laughed. ‘Just watch out for that big Scouser. He’s out to assert himself soon, I’ll lay money on that.’

‘Chopper’s the least of our worries - we can do him with Lewis if we want.’

‘That sounds just right to me, Georgio. After all, we don’t want to overdo it, do we?’

The two men laughed together.

Georgio looked serious as he said, ‘One last thing, Ricky. Don’t let on to anyone by thought or deed what Hall or his mate are. We want this to come as a complete surprise to all concerned. You can bring your posse in on it on the day, not before, OK? If the screws get wind we’ve sussed them out, they’ll be moved off here like lightning.’

‘You know what young Benjy calls them, don’t you? Beavis and Butthead.’

Georgio sniggered. ‘That sounds about right to me. But promise me you won’t call the shots till the day?’

Ricky smiled nastily. ‘Don’t worry, Greek boy, no one will know a thing until I deem it necessary.’

Maeve, Pa and Mario were setting tables in the restaurant for the evening’s business. They worked in companionable silence. Pa had put the finishing touches to the linen napkins and stepped back to survey his work. Even though by daylight the restaurant looked shabby, in the muted light of evening it felt cosy, the deep red lampshades on the wall lights giving it a feeling of warmth.

‘In the New Year, we ought to think about a redec.’

Pa nodded slightly.

‘What do you say, Mum?’

Maeve stretched upwards, her back creaking painfully. ‘Jaysus, I could do with one of those meself! But you’re right, Mario. The place is getting a bit too shabby, even for us!’ She laughed as she spoke. A thick, false laugh.

Mario and Pa stared at one another for a few seconds and she watched them, watching her. Pa sighed and led his wife to a chair by the small bar area.

‘Come on, Maeve, out with it. What’s wrong with you?’

She shrugged. ‘Everything. Honestly, Pa, you know what I’m like. Ignore me. I’m up to ninety today what with one thing and another.’