Her eyes narrowed and darkness swept over them. She looked up at him, her catlike eyes unblinking, as she replied, ‘Deadly serious, Victor. Fucking deadly serious. That man has written his own book of rules, and I intend to make sure I break every one of ’em!’

‘So, what’s in place? What can I do?’

She took a deep breath. ‘Start by doing some digging. Be the unsuspecting taxi driver and find out what you can. I have other plans in place, so don’t worry about me.’

A cruel smirk crept across his face: it was matched by an evil grin of her own.

***

Two days later

Ricky was helped from his hospital bed, the swelling on his face now going down, and his eyes were no longer slits.

‘Here, boy, take my arm!’ said Mike.

Ricky gave him as much of a smile as he could, considering his cheeks were still sore on the inside.

‘I’ve got to do it by myself, Dad.’

Mike sat back down, carefully watching to make sure that his son wouldn’t lose his balance.

Constance was assigned to Ricky to help him fully recover. She handed him a Zimmer frame, which made him chuckle. ‘No way. I’m not old. Let me, please, try walking by myself.’

Mike looked at the nurse and shrugged.

‘Okay then, Ricky. Walk towards me,’ she replied.

Much to their amazement, Ricky stood completely upright and shuffled one foot in front of the other. ‘Excuse me, I want to use the loo. I ain’t pissing in that cardboard potty thing again.’

The nurse stepped aside and allowed Ricky through; however, she was close on his heels, as he made his way along the corridor. After a few shuffles, he actually lifted his feet, and although his movements were slow and somewhat uncoordinated, he did manage to walk properly. Mike was right behind and clapped him, just as he’d done the day Ricky took his very first steps.

Constance turned to face him, her eyes glowing from the beaming smile across her face. ‘That’s it! He needs encouragement, Mr Regan.’

Mike nodded, pleased with the way the young nurse was dealing with her patient. ‘Hey, please call me Mike, love.’

She blushed. ‘Okay, Mike. He’s doing well and so much better than we anticipated. I think the doctor will discharge him soon, but he’ll have to take it slowly.’ No sooner had she said those words than she saw Ricky quickening his pace. Ever the vigilant, caring nurse she was, she called out after him. ‘Slowly, Ricky!’

‘I need a piss!’ he called back.

Mike laughed and was joined by Constance, as he jokingly said, ‘Why not say it as it is!’