He was feeling older than he cared to admit. It was comfortable being with Theresa – he liked that they were of an age. Tommy’s penchant for young girls was long gone – he wanted someone he could talk to properly, someone who understood the Life, who he didn’t have to buy with expensive trinkets and exotic holidays. Theresa was still a good-looking woman, and she didn’t take any shit. Coupled with her lust for life, and her sense of humour, that made her a diamond. Tommy was, for the first time in years, settled, contented. He realised he genuinely loved her. He still had a good earn, which he valued, but he was ready to hand over the reins. All he wanted these days was a few drinks, a good laugh, and the occasional sexual encounter with his Theresa.

As he listened to her singing along with the radio, he smiled, his mind made up. Daniel could take over his business if he really wanted to; in truth, he would be doing him a favour.

As he walked down the stairs and into the kitchen he was a much happier man. Now that he had finally made the decision to get shot of his businesses, he felt freer, as if someone had taken the weight of the world off his shoulders. Daniel was a hardcase, and that was exactly what was needed in his game; Tommy would teach him, take his cut, and gradually fade into the background.

‘You look happy.’ Theresa was in a good mood; she was always in a good mood since she had taken up with Tommy Barker.

‘That, my darling, is because I am!’

Chapter Sixty-One

‘Well, I can tell you now, Liam, Imelda doesn’t like her, but she’ll get over it. Look, if you’re happy, son, I’m happy.’

Liam was embarrassed; he could feel the heat as it washed over him, and he knew that he looked a fool. He’d been confident that his mother wouldn’t care about Mandy’s profession. She had heard him out, welcomed Mandy and her little lad as if they were visiting royalty, and now he knew she would defend his choice of partner if the need should arise.