Donna’s heart was in her boots. She stared out of the car window, fighting back tears of frustration and fear because she knew that what Alan said was true. She could no more grass up any of the men than she could take an active part in the jump.

She had started the ball rolling; now she could only wait patiently until it stopped.

And it would only stop with Georgio in Ireland.

Alan’s voice broke into her thoughts.

‘And what do you think Georgio’s going to say when he finds out that his brother’s dead, eh? And his hotel’s been razed to the ground? Talk yourself out of that one, Big mouth! Because he’ll find out all right, don’t worry yourself on that score.’

Donna still didn’t answer. Looking at her out of the corner of his eye, Alan felt a great sorrow for her. She was too naive for her own good. That had been the trouble from the very beginning.

Now he had to frighten her into keeping a low profile while he sorted out Georgio’s demise.

Because, now that Stephen Brunos was dead, they were all in big trouble.

The only hope he had was through Nick Carvello. Nick, whose hatred of beasts was legendary. Only he could save the day.

For the first time in years Alan Cox was frightened, deeply afraid.

And all thanks to the woman sitting beside him. If he was a different kind of man, he reflected, he would have slapped her across the chops before now.

As he looked at her set face, he told himself there was a first time for everything.

Dolly heard the key in the lock and her body froze in terror. Ever since Paddy’s visit she had lived in mortal fear of him coming back after he found out she was lying.

Donna walked into the warmth of the house and Dolly’s tearful embrace.

‘Oh Donna, Donna! Am I pleased to see you, lovie!’

Donna pulled herself gently away.

‘Calm down, Dolly. I tried to ring from Sri Lanka but the phones out there are so erratic. You have to book the calls hours in advance. I’d have been home before I could have called, if you see what I mean.’ She tried to lighten the woman’s mood.

Dolly walked into the kitchen and put the kettle on with shaking hands.

‘There’s been trouble here, Donna. Paddy came over with Davey Jackson, looking for you. He . . . he threatened me, Donna. Paddy threatened me. He grabbed my hair . . .’

Her voice broke and Donna watched her dissolve into tears once more. She tried to comprehend what Dolly was telling her.

‘Paddy? Paddy attacked you?’