‘Yes, you have. I know you have a very good reputation around these parts and I will be quite frank with you. I don’t have to pay any more invoices for three months - the seven thousand I just paid you guarantees that. I have been to see the Murphy brothers and they have offered me - me alone, not my husband - twenty thousand pounds credit. I am not going to lose my husband’s business, Mr Pemberton. In fact, I shall labour twenty-four-hours a day if need be to keep it all going for him. I am willing to go to the Murphys if you give me no joy, but I thought it only fair to let you know exactly where you stood. I would be more inclined to pay the Murphys if that’s who’s supplying me. You, I am afraid, would have to wait.’

Francis Pemberton stared at Donna with new eyes. ‘You’re threatening me.’

She shook her head emphatically. ‘I am not threatening you, Mr Pemberton, I am merely stating my case clearly and succinctly. Either you extend my credit or I go elsewhere. It’s sound business sense. I have no interest in closing any more of the sites. If I finish off the main site in Ilford, I come out with close on one hundred thousand pounds clear. That’s after everyone and everything has been paid. I will finish those houses, Mr Pemberton. That, as my husband would say, is a promise.’

Francis put his cigar in a large cut-glass ashtray. Linking his fingers together, he placed them on top of his desk. His face was closed, his eyes hooded. Donna felt her heart beating like a military tattoo inside her blouse. She hoped she hadn’t gone too far. The Murphys had in fact laughed her out of their offices, both men being enemies of Georgio’s from years gone by. But she hoped Pemberton didn’t know that.

Francis smiled once more, his pretend smile. ‘So Seamus Murphy offered you twenty grand, did he?’

Donna nodded, her mouth dry.

‘You sure it was twenty grand, love?’

‘Yes, I’m sure. It was twenty thousand. Even I can count, Mr Pemberton.’

He whistled softly. ‘I thought they didn’t get along with Georgio?’

Donna swallowed deeply. ‘They don’t. This is business, Mr Pemberton. I’m sure you do business with people you don’t like, all the time. It doesn’t make their money worth any less.’

‘True, good point. But I know for a fact Seamus would see Georgio in the gutter before he’d lift a boot to help him - and then he’d only kick him up the arse to help him on his way.’

‘Please don’t speak crudely to me, Mr Pemberton. It offends me. I have come here as a business associate, not a barmaid. I would appreciate your giving me your respect if not your money.’