The helicopter’s rotors became a blur and then the thing started to lift up into the pale blue sky before skimming off over the buildings and away. She watched as the Jet Ranger became a darker blue dot in the hazy distance.

‘He’s ordered one just like it. One point one million,’ said Terry.

Nula had to laugh. That was Charlie all right. The tosser.

‘Do you ever think . . . ?’ she started, then hesitated.

‘What?’ Terry looked at her.

‘That it’s all too much? That it’s gone too far and something’s got to stop it.’

‘What, the trade, you mean?’

Nula nodded. ‘Yeah. The trade. The product. When we all started out, we never dreamed, did we? That it would turn out like this. That we’d have so much. Or be so . . . so fucking at risk. Armed guards. I’ve seen the gun you carry, Terry. I saw it. And Sammy looking under the car for explosives, and checking the brakes, and . . . I dunno. Sometimes it feels like we’re sitting on top of a volcano, and one day soon it’s gonna blow us all to fuck. Don’t you ever feel like that?’

Terry looked at Nula’s face. She’d said exactly what he’d been thinking for a good few years. He’d said as much to Charlie. Warned him. Said maybe it was time to cut their losses and get out of the business once and for all. But Charlie? He’d laughed and slapped Terry on the back. Getting cold feet there, bud? Don’t fret yourself. Everything’s under control.

‘No,’ Terry lied to Nula. ‘I don’t feel like that.’

‘Must be just me then,’ said Nula with a sad little laugh. She could see the blue dot in the sky coming back into focus, could hear the twin-engine roar start to get louder as Charlie turned the craft back toward the landing point.

Terry let out a sigh. ‘There’s nothing to worry about. Charlie’s got things in hand. And as for him getting his pilot’s licence? It’s never gonna happen. There’s a lot of reading to be got through and six written exams to take before you can get a pilot’s licence. Charlie hates to read anything, even the back of a cereal packet. He’ll never stick it out.’

‘Yeah. You’re probably right,’ said Nula. This was the longest conversation she and Terry had had for years. Nula thought that while middle age had stolen Charlie’s youthful good looks, it had only enhanced Terry’s. Ah, she was a stupid old cow. She had her fair share of wrinkles herself, now. But she still had a soft spot for Terry Barton. Even now, after all this time.

‘Did you know that Harlan has a bit of a crush on Belle? I saw him talking to her earlier,’ said Nula.