Rebecca gasped. ‘What? No, you mustn’t. I mean, look, please, Kendall, don’t do that, you will—’

‘Ruin my future and blot your social standing? Yes, I know, Mother, and does this fucking face look like it’s bothered? No! Fuck you and fuck your career as well. That’s all you care about. God forbid, I should be a hairdresser! Well, I’m not going into law, and I don’t give a shit about your precious career either.’

Standing in shock, Rebecca jolted as the front door slammed shut. Kendall was right, though. No matter how much she pretended that her eldest daughter was a rebellious, spiteful young woman, she also knew that every word coming out of the girl’s mouth was the sodding truth. Pushing Kendall into a professional career in law – demanding she take a post in chambers – had obviously run its course, and there was no way she could stop her leaving now. The family was falling apart, and, even worse, she was powerless to stop it.

***

Willie Ritz was holding the punchbag while Ricky was tearing into it. His T-shirt and hairline were dripping in sweat.

‘Cor, son, you can hammer this all right,’ said Willie, using all his strength to hold the punchbag still.

As they swapped positions and Willie began throwing punches, Ricky noticed how the scar that ran down the man’s face reddened. He was right when he said the quack had basically made a pig’s ear of it. Still, as much as Willie was frighteningly ugly, he was, as far as Ricky was concerned, kind on the inside.

Ricky was just strong enough to hold the bag, but as soon as his father walked into the gym, he let go.

Willie held his hands up. ‘No way I’m gonna be holding the bag for that fucker.’ He pointed to Mike, who, in turn, laughed.

‘Listen, Willie, can you meet me in me cell with Staffie and Lou? We need to talk.’

‘Er . . . and me, Dad?’

Mike gave Ricky a full cheek-lifting smile. ‘Goes without saying, my boy.’

‘What’s up, Mikey? Everything okay?’

Mike surveyed who was in the room and then looked back at Willie. ‘Yeah, of course.’

Willie knew then that it was serious. Between the lads, they understood every wink, nod, and expression – it was like an unspoken code. Growing up together from babies, they were as close as brothers.

***

An hour later, they were gathered inside Mike and Ricky’s cell. Ted Stafford and Lou Baker sat on Ricky’s bed, while Willie and Ricky sat on Mike’s. Mike shut the door and remained standing as if he was about to give a lecture. They all waited for the announcement.

‘So, I had a visit from the Police Commissioner, no fucking less.’

Willie licked his fag paper and raised his brow. ‘Oh yeah? What the ’ell’s that all about, then?’

‘Well, lads, he wants our help—’