Daniel Bailey came home to find his wife and his mother entertaining a young girl, and his son Noel sitting in the kitchen watching it all like some kind of fucking imbecile. He was the first of the boys to go looking for a wife, and she was a nice-looking girl, no doubt about that but, as he was introduced to her, and feigned interest in what was going on around him, his mind was on other things.

Tania came in from the garden and she slipped on to his lap. As he hugged her to him, he felt the loneliness of his life envelop him. He had once had it all – everything he had ever dreamed of, had ever wanted, and now it was ruined. First, his brother had abandoned him and now, it seemed, his sons had followed in their uncle’s footsteps. He was still a man to be reckoned with, was still a man who was known as somebody you didn’t mess with, but he was also now a man who was afforded no real respect. He had finally realised, at this late date, when his own sons, his flesh and blood, had confronted him, that everything he had ever believed in was a sham. Especially where his boys were concerned.

Chapter Forty-Eight

Petey Bailey was watching the poker game with interest. His father was testing him by putting him in charge of the gaming clubs, that was clear enough – seeing if his son had the strength to resist the lure of the tables. So far, Petey felt he was doing pretty well; his urge to gamble was somewhat assuaged by the fact that he was creaming at least twenty per cent of the profits thereby ensuring himself a nice little earner on the side.

It was in his nature to want a sideline of his own. His father would see it as a weakness but, even knowing that, Petey still felt the familiar thrill as he pocketed his ill-gotten gains. He had the gambler’s need to earn money for nothing, and he knew that he would always need that rush. He wondered how long it would be before his father found out he was on the rob. He knew he had to be careful if he was to regain the trust of the family and that made him hate them all the more.

Chapter Forty-Nine

Lena and Imelda were both laughing at Theresa as she described her latest beau. Ria poured wine for them all as she marvelled at the older woman’s lust for life.