Eddie Mitchell was a man who had too much pride to have ever considered defeat in the past, but as Jimmy smashed his mobile phone, then tied the thick rope around his hands, he feared the worst for the first time ever. Images of Gina, Rosie and Aaron flashed through his mind and he felt like fucking crying. He’d wanted to ring his family earlier, tell them how much he loved them, but Gary had stopped him from doing so. Now he would probably never have the chance to speak to them ever again.

* * *

Frankie smiled at Georgie as Harry wolfed the last of the chicken sandwiches. When Georgie was young she’d had strange eating habits, gorging on food for days then starving herself. Seeing Harry eat a whole tray of sandwiches by himself, Frankie wondered if her son was of the same mould.

‘Are you still not hungry, Georgie? You should really eat something. Do you remember when you was a little girl you used to be addicted to them Heinz bangers and beans? I’ve got some in the cupboard. Shall I get Joey to open a tin for you?’

‘I ain’t a little girl no more and if I say I ain’t hungry then I ain’t. I’ve got a boyfriend who I’m gonna marry as soon as I’m sixteen, I’m a grown-up now.’

Frankie was appalled, but tried not to show it. At least Georgie was talking to her now. Her children’s accents were absolutely awful. They sounded just like their father and the way they pronounced their words and some of the things they said brought back terrible memories of her time with Jed.

‘So what’s your boyfriend’s name? Is he the same age as you?’ Frankie asked pleasantly.

‘His name’s Ryan and he’s fifteen. I really love him and he loves me. Look, he bought me this,’ Georgie said, flashing the eternity ring her boyfriend had given her for her birthday.

Frankie felt sick as she stared at the ring. When she had last seen Georgie, she’d been an adventurous, fun-loving, four-year-old girl. Now she had massive breasts, a gypsy accent and was discussing her bloody wedding. Wishing more than ever that she had succeeded when she’d tried to kill Jed that time, Frankie forced herself to smile. ‘Is Ryan a travelling boy?’

‘Yeah! I would never marry him if he weren’t. All gorjers are scum; Nanny Alice and Dad taught me that.’

‘And what about you Harry, have you got a girlfriend yet?’ Frankie asked, trying to include her son in the awkward conversation.

‘Mind your own business,’ Harry replied, glaring at her.