Staffie tugged at Mike’s arm. ‘Wait up. Mike, what if the dealer is a straight-up geezer, someone we know? Are you sure we’re doing the right thing? I mean I ain’t totally comfortable working for, well, you know who.’

‘Staff, mate, this is my turf, and I’ve every right to know who’s dealing, if the info comes from the Filth or Joe Bloggs. Now, who’s gonna hang that fella up by his boots?’

Staffie nodded, now satisfied. ‘Why don’t we just ask him for some, then?’

Mike laughed. ‘All right. Play it your way first, but if that fails, then it’s my way.’

Willie shook his head. ‘I prefer Mike’s idea.’

‘You would!’ spat Staffie.

Lou, a man of few words, piped up, ‘Willie, you look the typical junkie. Why don’t you go in and ask?’

A crooked smile formed across Willie’s face. ‘Good thinking, Batman.’

Mike rolled his eyes. ‘Well, go on then, but no bashing him up if he refuses. You come back out and let me have a word.’

Willie didn’t answer; instead, he strolled over to the gents’. Once inside, he noticed the skinny attendant in his brown overalls mopping the floor.

The attendant looked up at Willie, who was glaring his way. A shiver ran up his spine. The man looked wild, his eyes wide and menacing with that cruel-looking scar down his face. Then the attendant held his breath as the guy pulled out a score and shoved it under his nose. He froze. This ugly monster wasn’t one of his punters, and for a moment he thought he was from the police, but then, the man seemed too much of a fruit loop to be Ol’ Bill.

He almost jumped when the monster spoke.

‘What’s up? My money ain’t good enough?’

The attendant thought it best to play dumb. ‘What aftershave would you like? I got—’

‘You know what I want and it ain’t fucking fairy lotion.’

The attendant shrugged. ‘Sorry, I don’t know what you mean.’

‘Oh dear, never mind, play it your way.’ With that, Willie left, leaving the attendant trembling.

Just as he was about to pull the toilet cistern lid off to hide the drugs, the door flew open. A young lad, dying for a piss, was grabbed by the collar and flung out by another huge man with a face like thunder.

Gasping like a girl, the attendant was glued to the spot. There in front of him was the ugly man but two others, just as large and menacing, were with him.

Another young lad tried to push his way in, but Mike forced him out. ‘The toilets are full. Now, fuck off.’ The kid didn’t argue; he spun on his heel.

The thick, intimidating voice had the attendant needing the toilet himself.