‘I want the debts, but I want them all. I want every last one of them, Pete, and you know as well as I do that I’ve earned them. If anyone needs money brought in, I get the call. You see to that. I also want the betting shops, North as well as East London. I want my fucking fair share. I also want a percentage of the other businesses, and I will promise you now I will not interfere in any way, shape or form provided I get my poke. You fucking think I’m a mug! I can’t believe you have the gall to treat me like this, your own brother, the only person you have ever really been able to trust, and you know that’s true, Pete. No matter what you think now, you will always be the fucking coon, the outsider, and I hate that you have made me say that to you.’

Peter Bailey looked at this man, his brother, his closest kin, and he knew he was speaking the truth. It had taken a lot for him to say what he had said, because Daniel had never once seen his colour, only that he was his brother, and he loved him for that. Daniel had always had his back, of that there was never any doubt. What was in question was Daniel’s ability to make enemies without discrimination, to cause upset and discord without thought for the consequences. Peter shook his head sadly as he said seriously, and against his better judgement, ‘I’ll give you what you want, Dan, but on one condition.’

Daniel didn’t answer him, he just stared at him, and Peter saw that his eyes were wet with unshed tears.

‘You can have the debts and the bets – all the bets across London – and we will work side by side. I don’t want to row with you, Dan. I just want you to see that we have to box clever, make you understand that we can’t be seen to be weak in any way. I want you beside me, for fuck’s sake, Dan! You’re my brother. But we have to be on the same page. You have to be seen as a sensible head. No more fucking mindless violence; we have to be men who are seen as trustworthy, reliable, to be seen as able to work in tandem, so people know that we are a real partnership. If we can’t achieve that, Dan, then you can go your own way now. You have to see what’s at stake here. You have to make sure you do not fuck up again.’

Now he had tears in his eyes too, and he knew that Daniel could see them. He hoped against hope that tonight had cleared the air, and they could both move on.

‘You can rely on me, bruv.’