‘That’s it - Eric. What a bleeding name, eh? Eric.’

Georgio closed his eyes for a few seconds then stood up. ‘Look, Lewis, is there any point in this conversation? Only I don’t know about you but it’s beginning to bore me rigid.’

Lewis stared at him with a tight frown. ‘Sit down and shut your trap. When I want you to leave I’ll tell you to, all right? Until then, button your mutton and listen to what I’m telling you.’

Georgio sat down heavily. ‘Let’s get this over with, Mr Lewis, only I ain’t got time for all these fun and games.’

Lewis grinned. ‘You got eighteen years to listen to them, sonny boy, and listen you will, if I tell you to.’ He called out over his shoulder: ‘Harry, bring in some fresh coffee, and a cup for Mr Brunos.’

Harry popped his head round the door. ‘Righto, Mr Lewis.’

Lewis grinned again. ‘There, let’s have a nice cup of coffee and resume our little chat. Have you had any more thoughts on where the money is?’

Georgio grimaced. ‘I told you before. I know where the money is and I’ll get it for you once I’m out of here.’

Lewis nodded, as if this was what he expected to hear. He observed Georgio’s expression and smiled inwardly. The strain was beginning to tell.

‘I was talking about you the other day to an old crony of mine - he came up on a visit. He was telling me all about how your wife’s running the car lot with that prat Jackson and his bleached-blonde wife. How she’s running the sites with Big Paddy Donovon. I never liked Paddy, you know, too full of himself. The site in Ilford’s going on well, I hear. Your old woman’s doing a smashing job. Brains as well as beauty, eh? A winning combination. There’s men out there, on the outside, who’d like a sniff round her, I bet. And how’s your brother Stephen? Still in the sex game, is he? I hear he’s the Telephone King of Soho. Good scam that. The Old Bill can’t touch you, I hear. No legislation for it.’ He paused before adding, ‘Yet!’

Georgio sat watching Lewis’s mouth move.

‘My old mum saw your mum the other day - Maeve. They knew each other years back, when all us kids were small. She was saying the restaurant is doing very well. Be a shame if anything happened there, wouldn’t it? Your old man was a nice bloke for a bubble. Gave my brother Frankie a job when he got out of the Scrubs. So don’t you worry, your mum and dad’s place is all right - for the moment. I remember people who’ve done me a good turn. It would pay you to remember that.’