Gary, Ricky, Stuart and Terry were already waiting in reception. Seeing Terry in deep conversation with the owner of the B&B, Ed strolled over.

‘So you’re property developers, are you? Your friend was just telling me about your plans to build flats,’ the woman commented.

Eddie smiled politely. He could tell the woman was a nosy old cow and made a mental note to find somewhere else for Stuart and Terry to stay when he and the others went home. ‘We have to go now. We musn’t be late for our meeting,’ he replied, dragging Terry away.

‘Don’t forget, breakfast is served at eight,’ the woman shouted out.

Eddie ignored her, and half-shoved the lads out the door. ‘I don’t like her one little bit. If we don’t get no joy in a day or two, I’ll check us into a hotel somewhere.’

‘She was all right. She was only trying to be friendly, I think,’ Terry said.

‘Nah, she was a complete wrong ’un. I can sense ’em a mile off, mate,’ Ed replied knowingly.

‘So, what’s occurring now? I dunno about yous lot, but I could kill a quick pint. My mouth feels like a nun’s fucking crotch,’ Ricky said blatantly.

‘We ain’t ’ere to party. We’ll pick the vans up and plot ourselves somewhere near that boozer. The quicker we find O’Hara, the quicker we get home,’ Ed snapped.

‘But it’s only one o’clock. Jimmy ain’t gonna go for a lunchtime pint and leave this early, is he?’ Ricky replied.

Ed glared at his son. ‘I don’t care if we stake out that boozer until ten o’clock tonight. We’ve come ’ere for one reason only – to get them kids back – and the quicker we achieve it, the better.’

Unaware that Eddie Mitchell was on his tail, Jed O’Hara was in an extremely buoyant mood. Marrying Lola had been the best decision he’d ever made and, for the first time ever, Jed was loyal to his woman, and felt no urge to play around with others. ‘I always told you you’d be happy with a nice travelling girl, didn’t I? We need to stick with our own kind, not them gorjer shit-bags,’ his mum told him on a regular basis. Jed had to admit that for once she was right.