Danny shrugged. He thought about it for a few seconds before lighting a cigarette. Drawing on it deeply, he said honestly, ‘Once we get them in here we can ask them what they were talking about, but I think they are stupid enough to pull a stunt like this. They have a few creds, Dad, but they forget that their creds are only because of their association with us. That Terry is definitely cunt enough to think he can fucking walk over us. It’s the nature of the beast, ain’t it? He is a fucking scoundrel; he would con his own mother if he thought it would further his career.’

Davey laughed nastily. ‘I don’t trust him either, Dad, he is always a bit too slippery for my liking. Always got a fucking snide remark, you know? Acts like he is a fucking hard man, but it’s Billy who’s the hard nut. Without him, they wouldn’t be fuck-all.’

Daniel was impressed by his son’s acumen, pleased that Davey had sussed that out.

Danny’s mobile rang. He sighed. ‘Seems Billy Allen is on his way here. It took four of the lads with a fucking Taser to even get him in the van. He is well pissed apparently.’

Daniel Bailey looked at his sons’ faces, as he said angrily, ‘Fuck him! He ain’t as hard as he thinks.’

Danny nodded in agreement, but said seriously, ‘I’d rather his brother, though. Terrence is like all bullies – deep down he is a fucking coward of the first water.’

Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-Two

Peter Bailey watched Ria preparing dinner. He was concerned about her. Since Lena’s death, Ria had been quieter; she was feeling her friend’s absence acutely. They had always been very close, and her friend’s death had brought the reality of their lives once more to the fore. She knew, as they all did, that the bomb had been meant for him. Clearly the person responsible had a different agenda to what the outside world seemed to think.

Lena dying in his place had really affected Peter too; the guilt was overwhelming. If he had not given her his keys that night, she would still be here, her daughter would still have a mother, his brother would still have a wife he adored, and his own wife would still have her best friend.

Ria had taken it very badly. Lena’s death had brought back memories she had struggled to forget. They had never discussed Jack and his antics in great detail; she had accepted his death, as she had always accepted everything Peter had chosen to do. Like Lena, she was a woman who looked to her husband for guidance and, like Lena, she trusted her husband to keep them safe. Now he was sure that belief had been shaken.