‘I’ll also need another few thermometers if you can get them,’ Duggan said.

Tony frowned, the thought of what he’d gone through to get the first set still fresh in his mind.

Duggan clearly misunderstood his response though for he said, ‘Mercury. For the tilt switch.’

With a shock, Tony thought again of the bomb attack in the city centre the night of the party where Duggan was cheered as he arrived, the night he had asked Tony and Karen to drive to Paisley. He realised, for the first time, the role he had already played in events that evening.

‘They’re going to start noticing them gone.’

‘Another two or three will be fine. It’ll be time enough for a few days, anyway. We need to do the recon on–’

‘Marty, Marty. Smelly Kelly!’

The girl’s voice rang out across the bar as she entered. Almost before looking up, Tony knew who it was. Shauna Laird came in, surrounded by her friends who made a beeline for the bar. Shauna headed straight for Kelly.

‘All right, girl?’ he said, by way of greeting.

Shauna extended her arms, stepping light footedly from side to side as she approached, like a temple dancer. Her expression changed when she recognised Tony.

‘Sir!’ she said, though she glanced from Martin to Tony and back, as if attempting to reconcile in her mind why the two were seated together.

‘Hi, Shauna,’ Tony said, trying to ignore the wink of Duggan across to him and Karen as the older man mouthed ‘Sir,’ mockingly.

Her demeanour changed, though she knelt down level with Kelly and muttered something to him. Almost without Tony noticing, he’d already his hand in his bag and was pulling out a small wrap. He slipped it to her as he leaned across, as if to give her a hug. In turn, she palmed him a note, which he pocketed.

She stood up, fixing herself, and glanced across at Tony, as if waiting for him to react.

‘College still going OK?’

‘The best,’ she said, smiling. ‘Gonna catch up with my friends. See you after, sir.’

‘She doesn’t call me sir,’ Kelly said, watching her as she walked away. ‘But she’d suck the chrome off a tow bar.’

Karen winced in disgust at the comment, while Duggan chuckled before he drained his pint. ‘You’re a dirty bastard, Kelly,’ he said, standing. ‘My round.’

‘I taught Shauna last year,’ Tony explained, sitting up a little in his seat. ‘She’s a good girl. Very bright.’

‘Yeah, she’s a fucking genius, right enough,’ Kelly said.

‘She shouldn’t be messing with that shit you’re peddling.’

‘She’s an adult, trust me. She can make her own choices.’

‘She’s too smart.’

‘Only stupid people do coke? Seriously.’

‘It’s not how I’d choose to make a living.’

‘It’s how I choose to support the cause. Rather this than stealing thermometers out of school science labs.’

‘I’m not hurting anyone,’ Tony said, without thinking.

Kelly laughed. ‘Really? Tell that to the guy lost his two legs in Hugh’s last piece of work. He might beg to differ.’