Suddenly the lounge door flung open and Eddie flew into the room like a man possessed. ‘This best not be some kind of a sick fucking wind-up, ’cause if it is and my daughter gets her heart broken once again, I’ll break more than your heart and I mean that,’ he snarled at Katie.

‘Dad, stop it. See, this is why I didn’t want him involved – I knew he’d lose the plot,’ Frankie screamed. Katie looked petrified and if Eddie continued shooting his mouth off and making dumbass threats, then he would lose them the only bloody lead to her kids that they had. ‘Katie’s not lying. I know her well enough to know that much. She hates the O’Haras just as much as we do,’ Frankie said, glaring at her father.

‘I’d better go now. Do you wanna meet up again tomorrow?’ Katie asked, standing up.

‘Oh no you don’t,’ Eddie spat, standing in front of the girl so she couldn’t leave.

Frankie stood up and with fire in her eyes, ordered her father to sit down and calm down. ‘I’ve got Katie’s address, home number and her mobile number,’ she told him.

‘And have you checked out the address and tried ringing the fucking number?’ Eddie asked cockily. He hated pikeys so much that he found it hard to believe that there was a decent one among their breed.

‘Ring my mobile now if you like, and my landline. My sister will answer ’cause she’s looking after the kids for me at my house,’ Katie said worriedly.

Frankie did what Katie had suggested and was relieved as her mobile rang. She then tried her landline and handed the phone to Katie as a woman answered. ‘Tell my mate how we’re related, and also tell her whose house you’re at now and the address,’ Katie asked.

Frankie put the phone to her father’s ear as Katie’s sister confirmed what they had already been told. She gave the phone back to Katie, waited until she’d ended the call and took her by the arm. ‘Right, you get home to your kids now, mate, and I’ll call as soon as I have some news. If the news is good, I’ll take you out for a nice meal to say thank you.’

‘Follow her,’ Ed ordered Stuart as Frankie showed the girl out. Anyone could change their phone number, but it was more difficult to change their bloody abode.

‘Where you goin’?’ Frankie asked, as Stuart walked towards the front door.

‘I’ve just gotta pop out for a bit, I’ll be back soon.’