Petey could hear the threat in his father’s voice and he respected that. ‘I have made all this crystal clear, Dad. Danny is determined to see that it goes smoothly from now on, and I trust him. He is backed up by his brothers, and they know the seriousness of it, I promise you.’

Peter Bailey shook his head in despair. ‘Real, ain’t it, son? The fact I even have to have these conversations is bad enough, but I know it’s a necessary evil . . .’

Petey could see the weight of responsibility on his father’s shoulders, and he genuinely wanted to help. He also wanted to earn his father’s trust again, be allowed a bigger part in his operations. ‘Look, Dad, I need to ask you something serious.’ He wiped his nose and, taking a deep breath, he said nervously, ‘Do you want me to take Uncle Daniel out, Dad? I can do it on the quiet – no one would ever know it was us. Let’s face it, most people wouldn’t even fucking care either way. I reckon even his sons would breathe a sigh of relief in private . . .’

Peter Bailey looked at his son, saw how sincere he was. A part of him was impressed; after all, it took a lot to suggest something like that, especially to him. He gave nothing away as he asked, ‘So, young Petey, you want my permission to kill your uncle, do you?’

‘No, no, Dad, I just want you to know that if it ever comes to it, I would do it for you. Happily do it, in fact. I hate him, he’s like a fucking leech. He sucks the life out of everything and everyone around him. He’s a fucking tosser.’

Peter Bailey held his hand up, he didn’t want to hear any more. ‘You remember this, son, for all Daniel is – and he is a fucking handful, granted – he would never take a halfpenny off me that he hadn’t earned. He wouldn’t skim a pound that wasn’t his, and he would never think that I wouldn’t suss him out if he had tried it on. I know, better than anyone, what a fucking handful he is, but he is still my brother, and if, and I mean this with all my heart, if and when, I feel that he needs to be taken care of on a permanent basis, I will do it myself. I owe him that much.’