What to do now, though, was the real melon scratcher. Alfie Clarke had to be reprimanded, and he had to be reprimanded in such a way that people would remember it, and know that it was because he had pushed his luck with the Baileys. Delroy had suggested giving the job to Daniel, believing it would give Daniel a chance to prove his worth. Furthermore, knowing Daniel as they did, Alfie Clarke would get his comeuppance in a spectacular fashion.

Peter nodded to himself, his mind made up. Delroy was right. This was where Daniel really shone; he loved any reason to prove himself, and this would be perfect for him. He would make sure that he was in a public place when it all went down; after all, if Daniel went too far, there was no reason for them both to get a capture.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

‘I can’t believe we’re off to Spain, Ria, it’s like a dream come true. And just what I need before Tania’s Christening. All the arranging has worn me out! Shame the boys can’t come out with us though. I was looking forward to all of us being together, like old times.’

Lena was packing Tania’s case as she chattered and Ria was glad that she couldn’t see her face. Peter had no intention of going away with Daniel, and he had said as much. They were still not right, and she knew from what Imelda had gleaned from Delroy that it was not going to get better any time soon. She lifted Tania up and hugged her; she was a dear little thing. ‘I tell you what, Lena, we’ll have a nice girly one, eh? I’m glad the boys aren’t coming – we can just relax and do what we like without them. Let’s face it, when they come all we ever do is cook or go out to bars so they can have their meetings; at least we can do what we want if we’re on our own. Anyway, Peter wants me to look for a bigger villa, and we can do that in our sleep! I know exactly what I want – an older place with an orange grove, you know? Somewhere really beautiful with a bit of land, room for a pool, a real Spanish hacienda, with marble floors, big hardwood doors, shutters . . .’

Lena laughed at her friend’s excitement; if she knew Ria she would already have a place picked out! She’d have been furnishing it in her mind for months. ‘You are a case, Ria! How often are you out there? You’ve already got a villa, and it ain’t exactly small, is it!’