There were so many things she didn’t understand, and she accepted that she was too young to have them explained. But it didn’t stop her from taking in what was happening around her, and wondering what was going on. She was frightened of the unknown, but she knew that her mum would never let anything happen to her and neither would her daddy or her brothers. They were so much older than her but she knew they adored her – and they treated her like a princess. She worshipped her brothers – especially Davey – and she loved it when they were all around the house for their dinner, making a big fuss of her and her mum.

But any happiness at the prospect of the treat in store was lost as Tania could feel the tension in the room. It was clear that her Auntie Ria was feeling as bad as she was, and that just made it seem ten times worse.

Chapter Forty-Five

Daniel poured himself a large Scotch and, as he sipped it, he looked around him at his offices. They were a far cry from Peter’s upmarket domain, but he’d decided he preferred being in the heart of East London. He felt he could see to things much easier from here. That they were in a scrapyard, and the offices consisted of two Portakabins berthed side by side, meant nothing to him. All he saw was the fact that they were well guarded, not just by guard dogs, but by a large metal fence and electric gates. No fucker was coming in here without his knowledge, and that was just how he liked things.

He heard the cars that heralded the arrival of his sons, and he watched warily as they parked up, and walked slowly towards his lair. He wondered what had brought them all to see him – together. They looked as miserable as sin.

‘What the fuck is the matter with you lot?’

‘You know what’s wrong with us, Dad. Davey told us what you did to Derek Thomas, and we’ve come to tell you that none of us is going to put up with your fucking stupid behaviour any more.’ Danny spoke for them all.

‘Hang on a minute, are you fucking threatening me?’ Daniel Bailey’s voice was bordering on the incredulous, and as he looked at his four sons it occurred to him that he was actually outnumbered. For the first time ever, he saw that his boys were not kids any longer.