‘I think it’s gonna look a bit phoney if we all sit together in a restaurant like the fuckin’ Waltons. I mean, we ain’t even got a birthday to celebrate unless we say it’s a belated bash for you, Gal. What I suggest is me, Gina, Raymondo and Polly eat in the Bell in Rettendon, and you, Ricky and Stu have a bite in Nico’s gaff in Canning Town. If you get bored, you can go and have a beer in the Flag afterwards. All three places are perfect for an alibi. The Bell is always fairly busy and full of nosy old cunts, plus the landlord knows me and Gina. As for Nico’s and the Flag, everyone knows you and Ricky there, even if they don’t know Stu, so just make sure you introduce him to anyone you speak to.’

‘I must admit, I didn’t think I’d like the new plan, but I do. Having said that, there’s one more question I need to ask you, Dad, and please don’t think I’m trying to be funny, ’cause I ain’t,’ Gary said.

‘Go on, ask away.’

‘Paulie and Ronny. Surely you ain’t gonna let Baldwin get away with what he did to ’em?’

Eddie hated having to answer this question. Images of his father’s face entered his brain and he quickly banished them away. ‘Listen, Paulie and Ronny chose their own paths in life and, unfortunately for them, they chose the wrong ones. That ain’t my problem and it shouldn’t be yours, either. Yes, they were my brothers, and yes, in my own way I loved ’em, but I know and you know they were mugs and their downfall was all their own doing. I shook hands with Baldwin last night and, providing he don’t fuck up, I’ll let him live. Ronny and Paulie dug their own graves, and that ain’t our fucking fault, or Baldwin’s.’

Seeing his father’s eyes cloud over, Gary said no more. He knew when it was safe to push his father that extra inch, but he was also aware of when it wasn’t. ‘So, are we done, then?’ he asked chirpily.

‘Yep. Now, as per usual, no phone calls tonight. I’ve already arranged a time and a place to speak to Baldwin in the morning, so what I suggest is we meet here again tomorrow about two-ish. I’ll have all the info by then.’

‘Do you fancy a quick pint in Stratford, Dad? Me and Gal are gonna pop down the Railway for a couple, we’ve gotta see a couple of geezers in there,’ Ricky said.