Lowry gave a snort of contempt, tempered with a wry grin. ‘No doubt, Staffie, you will. I know what you and the others got away with, even your fathers. They had a name back in the day, but you never broke the rules, to the extent these druggies are doing, so do what you have to. If you or the others get stuck, take my number, and I will intervene. Now, let me fill out this statement. Just the facts will do.’

Staffie smiled. ‘Er, thank you, Simon.’ He never thought the day would come when he would be thanking a copper. Still, he never thought the day would come when the streets would be crowded with murdering druggies either.

***

Mike sat with his head resting on Ricky’s bed, holding his son’s hand. He had made a deal with God and even the Devil. Anyone, in fact, who would make his son better. Wired up to machines and with tubes coming from every part of Ricky’s body, all Mike could do was wait.

The surgeon had operated to stop a life-threatening brain bleed and hoped the swelling would go down soon. It was now just a waiting game. But all the while that machine was bleeping, Mike believed his son would recover.

The family room just outside the intensive care unit was full. Arthur was holding Gloria in his arms as she sobbed her heart out. Arty and Liam sat together whispering how they were going to smash the life out of whoever had hurt their mate. Willie couldn’t sit still; he paced the floor, and every ten minutes, he went outside for a smoke, to the frustration of Lou. ‘Willie, mate, sit ya arse down. You’re irritating me when you keep moving about.’

Willie didn’t argue or engage in banter; he sank into the chair next to Lou and placed his hands over his face.

Staffie arrived, looking totally drained. ‘How’s he doing?’

Arthur looked up and gave him a sympathetic smile. His face was racked with pain and sorrow. ‘We’re just waiting, mate. They’ll have a better idea, once the swelling goes down.’

‘Christ, he’s just a boy, a fucking kiddie. Who would do this?’ cried Gloria.

‘Well, whoever did won’t get away with it, I can promise you that,’ said Staffie, in a menacing voice.

An hour passed, and the side door opened. Everyone looked up, hoping to hear good news from the doctor. Instead, it was Eric. ‘I just saw the message. What the hell happened?’ he asked, in an overexaggerated, exasperated tone.

Arthur glared, with his nostrils flared. ‘Where the hell have you been? I’ve called your phone a hundred times. Ya brother needs your support, and I’d have thought you’d have been the first one here!’

The room fell silent as everyone turned to see the expression on Eric’s face. They all had the same thoughts as Arthur.