Zara went over to the traumatized kid and hugged her. ‘It’s okay, love.’ She stroked the girl’s hair, trying to calm her trembling body, and hushed the sobs that were now becoming louder and louder.

‘Lads!’ she called out. ‘I want one of you to drive her home!’

‘Oh my God, I thought they were gonna kill me! Who-who are-are they? Wh-why us?’ Tiffany cried out.

Zara pulled her against her own soft cashmere jumper. ‘Now, listen. Those men have gone. They were probably nothing more than some opportunists who were pushing their luck. Don’t worry, darling, you’re safe now. I’ll make sure you get home safely.’

Tiffany’s make-up was running down her face in streams. ‘Are we calling the police?’

‘No, there’s no need. They won’t be able to do much, but you’re safe enough now.’

Tiffany pulled away and looked Zara up and down. She was surprised that the woman looked so in control, and then she eyed the men around her, realizing that the one-handed woman was the boss.

‘Er, who are you?’ she asked, with a nervous tone, although the sobs had now stopped, and she felt very comforted by the tall, dark-haired lady.

Zara gave Tiffany a compassionate smile. ‘This is my restaurant, sweetheart. Now then, I think you deserve a little compensation.’

Tiffany’s eyes widened in astonishment. ‘What d’ya mean, like? What, you want to pay me off to keep me mouth shut?’

Zara studied the youngster’s face to see if she could easily be fobbed off.

‘Look, you seem a bright young lady, so, darling, I won’t fuck about. Yeah, I want you to keep quiet. There’s no point in making a drama out of a crisis, is there? In return, I’ll give you five hundred pounds. Now, how does that sound?’

Tiffany was suddenly in awe of the woman who spoke with an air of confidence that oozed sophistication. If the truth be known, she would love to model herself on her. ‘How about a grand and you have a deal?’

Zara tapped the youngster’s nose. ‘Good girl, you played the game brilliantly. That’s what I like to hear, a negotiator. Well, you’ve got yourself a deal. But!’

Tiffany suddenly felt very cold. She nervously swallowed hard at seeing the posh woman almost become a different person as she stood over her, her mouth set sternly and her eyes cold and penetrating her own. Tiffany was shaking, and it wasn’t because of what had happened earlier.

‘But . . . if I pay you out, and I hear you’ve opened your mouth to anyone, then you’ll wish you hadn’t crossed me. Understood?’

Tiffany nodded so hard, it appeared as though her head might fall off at any moment.