‘The more I thought about us killing Jed, the more I had a bad vibe about it. I mean, people don’t just disappear off the face of the earth, do they? I just had a feeling that if we’d have done what we planned to, the filth might have started sniffing around us and we can do without that. Jamie Carroll don’t matter, as we have no history with him. Seriously, I think Baldwin falling into our laps like he did is a fucking act of God.’

‘What about Flatnose Freddie? Is he still gonna dispose of Jed?’ Ricky asked.

Eddie smirked. ‘No need, is there? Baldwin can just shoot him and leave him on the driveway. We ain’t involved, are we? We’re all going to a nice restaurant tonight, so we’ll have our alibi.’

‘What if Baldwin bottles it, though?’ Gary questioned. He had to admit his dad’s plan sounded half sensible, but he still had reservations about trusting a man they barely knew.

‘Look how composed Baldwin was last night and he thought we were gonna kill him. You gotta give credit where it’s due – the geezer’s got nerves of steel. Plus, he has more motive than anyone to want Jed six feet under; he’s lost his daughter and grandson and he blames it all on that pikey lump of shit.’

‘Have you told Baldwin that Jed and Jimmy are in Southall today? He knows they’ll be in the horse-box, don’t he?’ Stuart asked.

‘Of course I’ve told him and I told him they’re bound to be pissed. He’s gonna get there just after seven on that motorbike of his. He said he wants to be in place well before they get back. You gotta remember, this geezer ain’t no mug, he’s been holed up at the O’Haras, waiting for an opportunity to kill Jed for the past four or five days. Tonight he’ll have that opportunity, won’t he?’

‘Don’t forget Georgie and Harry will be at home. Let’s hope they’re in bed, eh?’ Raymond said, reminding Eddie of the possibility of his grandkids witnessing their father’s death.

Eddie shrugged. ‘Obviously I’d rather the little ’uns not witness it, but if they do, then it can’t be helped. Even though they act older than their years, they’re only nippers and they’ll soon forget about that wanker of a father of theirs as soon as our Frankie gets out of the nick.’

Gary and Ricky smirked at one another. So their father hadn’t gone soft after all, they both thought silently.

‘So, what restaurant we goin’ to?’ Gary asked chirpily.