Their breakfast arrived, and they both tucked in with relish. Danny was surprised at how hungry he was – since the bombing he had been almost on autopilot. Like everyone in the family he had been so shocked he had not really been able to think properly. He missed his mum; she had been a good woman, and she had cared for them deeply. It was still too raw to take in.

He sipped at his tea and, as he chatted idly with Delroy he had an idea. He hoped that it might give them a clue as to who they were to look out for.

Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-Two

Davey and Jamsie were both watching over their sister, and Tania knew they were under orders from their dad. She wished they would both go away and leave her in peace; she loved them dearly, but neither of them could ever be accused of being scintillating company. She did appreciate that they were trying to look after her. It hadn’t occurred to them until their mother had died, just how little contact they had with her on a regular basis. She’d been closer to Davey than any of them growing up but, as he’d become more a part of the business with Danny, they’d spent less time together. There was a large age difference, after all. Their clumsy attempts at comforting her were sweet, but after the last week all she really wanted was to get the funeral over and attempt to pick up the strands of her life.

None of her college friends had been near; she understood why. Her mum’s death had been plastered all over the papers and, in those same papers, her family name had been linked with violence and crime – alleged, of course. It had still hurt – it was hard being a Bailey sometimes.

She wished her nana and her auntie would hurry up; then her brothers could go out with clear consciences, and she could go through the funeral arrangements and make sure they had not forgotten anything.

She went to the kitchen and, putting the kettle on, she looked around her and made sure everything was shining and clean; it was the least she could do for her mother. Lena had always prided herself on her home, and she knew it was up to her to carry that on. Tania was the lady of the house now whether she wanted to be or not. At least while she was scrubbing and washing, she wasn’t thinking too much – that was something, she supposed. But she had to face her cousin Petey at some point, and she was dreading it. The shame she felt was still eating away at her.

Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-Three