Ria shrugged in annoyance; it irritated her that Lena never saw the big picture, but was happy to just jog along. ‘It’s an investment, Lena. Spain is already a big holiday destination – people are not content with a week in Bognor any more. They want guaranteed sunshine, and Spain is as cheap as chips once you get there. They pour your drink straight out of the bottle – no optics, no fucking weights and measures like here! Marbella is beautiful with the sea and the beaches. You should talk Daniel into buying a place. I tell you, Lena, you will make your money back on it. I love waking up to the sun, looking out at the sea while I’m eating my breakfast, and then walking into the town for a bit of lunch. It’s what we have worked for, mate; for me it’s my reward for all those years of childrearing. I go out there and I relax completely.’

Lena closed Tania’s case. She understood what Ria was saying, and she quite easily had the means to buy a villa out there if she wanted to. But she was still tortured by the fear that their lives could collapse around them at any moment. Her fears were in no way assuaged by the fact that Daniel and Peter seemed to be permanently at loggerheads these days.

No, Ria was an amazing woman, and she loved her dearly, but Lena knew that her expensive lifestyle wasn’t for her; she would never be able to rest if she didn’t have her nest egg. But she decided to be amenable to the idea – on the face of it at least. ‘You’re right, Ria, I should have a nose around for a little place. I think it would be lovely to have somewhere to take Tania for her holidays.’

Ria smiled. She really hoped that Lena would buy a place of her own – if ever anyone needed a bolt hole, she did.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Alfie Clarke had a set routine these days. Every morning he put his little son into the passenger seat of his Mercedes, and together they visited his different businesses. He loved to show him off, loved people to remark on his boy, how handsome and strong he was already. Every accolade heaped on Alfie Junior was a compliment to him. Everyone talked about his devotion to the lad, and they were a fixture now in the urban landscape that Alfie ruled.

As he pulled up outside their regular café on Ilford High Street, he was feeling very happy. They had a drink and a snack here every day. He unbuckled his son and lifted him into his arms and, as he went to open the car door, he felt the first prickle of fear.