What the fuck had they been thinking? No, this was one time he was on Daniel’s side. Those lads needed a fucking fright and Daniel was just the man to distribute it, but it wouldn’t harm to lend his support. He walked towards his brother.

Chapter Sixty-Eight

Delroy and Davey were smoking a joint together outside. Davey was very subdued; he was more worried about Tania than his brothers – he hated seeing her so upset. Danny joined them and they sat in shocked silence.

Everyone was absolutely stunned by the younger boys’ foolishness; how they could even have contemplated a blag without running it past their own brothers was unbelievable. Delroy almost felt sorry for them; he could understand the appeal of robbing a security van – it was a fucking grand adventure for them. But it was not something to be attempted without detailed planning and, more to the point, permission.

The Dalys were good at what they did – no one could dispute that – but what had possessed them to rope in Daniel Bailey’s sons? They were fucking living on borrowed time now; Daniel Bailey would not swallow this – it was a fucking out and out piss-take.

Noel and Jamsie joined them warily. They were all outside on the street when Peter and Daniel Bailey exited the club at the same time. Delroy was amazed; it was a long time since they had done anything together but, at times like this, you put aside personal problems.

Ushering them on to a side street, Daniel came towards them like an avenging angel. His anger was almost tangible – he was obviously seething.

‘You fucking morons! Look what you’ve caused! Not just the fucking robbery but ruining Tania’s day as well. Do you even understand the seriousness of what you’ve done?’

Noel and Jamsie were at least too shrewd to answer him. It was best to let him vent his spleen and get it out of his system; any replies from them would only add to his fury. Daniel Bailey asked questions, but he didn’t expect any answers. They just nodded in agreement.

Peter Bailey laid his hand gently on his brother’s arm; he knew that at any moment Daniel was liable to attack them again. ‘You need to calm down, Daniel. No use hammering them here in public. The last thing we need now is for someone to call the Filth. Noel, tell me now, where’s the money?’

Noel looked gratefully at his uncle, aware that his presence would keep his father’s famous temper in check. ‘It’s still in the boot of our cars. We had to get back here in time for the service, like.’