Stuart sat down next to Eddie and listened as he explained who was who. ‘Look at the size of your dad’s cigar. He looks as though he were a real character, Ed. He reminds me of one of them old-style villains, a bit like the Krays or Freddie Foreman.’

Eddie chuckled. ‘He was more than a match for any of them, boy.’

‘Was he really that famous?’ Stuart asked innocently.

‘I should coco,’ Eddie replied proudly.

‘Who’s that?’ Stuart asked, pointing at a pretty girl with long dark hair.

‘That’s my Frankie. Get that other album out the drawer, Gina,’ Ed urged.

Stuart was taken aback as Ed showed him lots more photos of Frankie and Joey. Stu had never seen Frankie before. She had visited Ed in prison a few times, but Stu had never had a visit himself on those particular occasions and Ed had always moaned how she’d put on weight and let herself go since she’d been with Jed. Studying a picture of Frankie standing next to her mother, Stuart smiled.

‘They’re both beautiful, aren’t they? Is that Jessica?’

‘Let me get yous boys another drink,’ Gina said tactfully. She could tell that Eddie wanted to speak about Jessica and she didn’t want to make him feel awkward.

Eddie stared wistfully at the photographs, then turned to Stuart. ‘My Jessica was beautiful inside and out. She was a real head-turner and I felt like a king when she agreed to marry me. I loved her dearly and we were so happy together, but shit happens in life, don’t it?’

Stuart put an arm around his pal’s shoulder. ‘It’s time to move on now, mate.’

‘I have and I love Gina very much. She’s my life now,’ Eddie replied, with tears glistening in his eyes.

Stuart turned the page and stared at another photo of Frankie.

‘You like my daughter, don’t ya, boy?’ Eddie said knowingly.

‘Don’t be silly. She’s very pretty, but I would never think of her anything other than your daughter, Ed. I’m not like that, you know I’m not.’

Gina walked back into the room and handed Ed and Stuart a beer each.

Eddie chuckled. ‘Stuie’s got the hots for my Frankie, Gina.’

‘No I haven’t,’ Stuart said, blushing.

Eddie laughed and threw his arm playfully around his pal’s neck. ‘If my Frankie had ended up with a bloke like you, I’d have been truly fucking elated. Instead the silly little mare ended up with that pikey piece of shit, and with three kids by him, she’ll be lucky if a decent geezer ever looks at her again.’

Chapter Fourteen

CHAPTER THIRTEEN