Daniel was convinced he had already paid his penance ten times over. As far as he was concerned, Lenny Jones was a fucking old man; he should have had more sense than to mouth off to him and treat him like a cunt. He had got no more than what he deserved, and not before time either.

Peter sighed. ‘I’m saying, Daniel, that I will bring you back into the fold, but only on the debts. I can’t justify having you back on board in any other capacity unless you can guarantee to me that you will toe the line. I have to listen to the people I’m working with now. They don’t want you. They see you as a liability; you bring too much attention on not only yourself, but everyone you are associated with. I have argued your case, believe me. But your reputation, as always, precedes you. It’s a different ball game, Dan. You can’t just do what you like any more.’

Daniel didn’t answer his brother. He didn’t trust himself; all he could see was the complete and utter disloyalty of it. How could his brother, who had been closer to him than anyone in the world, allow him to be treated like this? Could treat him like this himself? It was an outrage. He felt a murderous rage rising inside his chest at the utter shame his brother had put on his shoulders.

He had to get out of this place, and soon. But first he had to negotiate a settlement of some kind. He was not leaving here empty-handed; without him his brother wouldn’t have had a pot to piss in and they both knew that.

‘OK, then. Whatever you might think of me now, Pete, I’ve always had my fucking creds, mate. Now, I have been good enough to swallow my knob over Lenny. I know I overstepped a boundary. But do you know what? Fuck it all, mate. Stick it up your arse.’

Peter didn’t answer his brother. He just stood and waited for him to say his piece.