‘So, you wanted my number, then?’ She tried to keep her tone even, without sounding too eager to please.

‘Well, babe, that was the idea. That was until I was rudely interrupted.’

The party was now in full swing. Arty had the pick of two girls fighting for his attention, and Liam was left with the quieter one, with the wide hips and big breasts, which he certainly wasn’t going to complain about. Ricky was stealing a bit of conversation with Kendall, in between her serving the customers.

So caught up in the flirting and banter, the young lads were too distracted even to look their fathers’ way.

***

Mike and the firm watched the comings and goings. Mike had his eyes firmly on the men’s toilets, trying to suss out who the drug dealer was. Yet no one seemed to be passing anything. However, a few men were going into the gents’ and coming out wiping their noses.

‘Lou, ’ave ya seen anyone handing out anything?’

Lou was nursing his second pint. ‘Not a fucking thing, but some of those lads look fired up, and they’ve only been sitting on one pint.’

Staffie was still scanning the bar. ‘Nothing, Mike. I can’t see anyone who’s holding any gear.’

‘That bloke and his mate over there by the door. Look! They’ve been in the gents’ three fucking times. And I’ll tell ya this for nuffin, whatever they’re on, it ain’t cocaine. But they’re on something that is causing a nasty fucking comedown. Look at that fella. He’s got the shakes and he’s sweating like a pig.’

Mike looked in Willie’s direction, and, sure enough, a young man, roughly twenty-five, was leaning against a wall. His hands were really shaking, and his grey T-shirt had serious sweat marks.

‘I’ve been watching him. He went into the loo with his mate ages ago. He was fine when he went in, but now look at the fucking mess he’s in.’

Lou looked over at him. ‘Might be on heroin.’

Willie shook his head. ‘Lou, I’ve taken every drug under the sun. That kid ain’t no heroin addict. He came in looking smart, but now look at him.’

The men surveyed the young customers around them. Some looked energized and some seemed entirely fucked.

Mike got up from his stool. ‘There ain’t a dealer in ’ere. The fucking suppliers are in the men’s toilets.’

Staffie frowned. ‘Nah, Mike. The only bloke in there is that skinny black fella who sprays ya with perfume for a fucking fiver.’

‘Yeah, that’s right. The unsuspecting toilet attendant is the fucker supplying the shit.’

‘Are you sure?’

Mike laughed. ‘Well, there’s one way to find out. I’ll hang the bastard upside down and see if any drugs land on me feet.’