‘Deano is dead,’ cried Tony. ‘And we’re next.’

‘Do us a favour.’ Jez glanced at the closed door. ‘Keep your voice down.’

‘Bruv,’ Abs said in a fierce whisper. ‘You are totally overreacting.’

‘Look me in the eye,’ hissed Tony. ‘Tell me you believe Deano’s death has nothing to do with what we did.’

Abs was clutching at straws now. ‘Maybe he took his own life.’

‘It’s possible,’ said Jez. ‘Deano came here a couple of weeks back. He told me he was going to the police to confess.’

Abs couldn’t believe what he was hearing. ‘Why didn’t you tell me?’

‘I didn’t want to scare anyone,’ Jez told him.

‘And what happened?’ asked Tony, who was as white as a sheet of A4.

‘I persuaded him not to, gave him a couple of hundred quid, and sent him on his way.’

‘Why didn’t he come to see me?’ Tony looked annoyed. ‘He was my mate.’

‘I think he wanted to be persuaded not to go to the police, and the money helped him make up his mind. No offence, Tony, but you don’t have two pound coins to rub together. It’s not the only time he’s come here, neither.’

‘How many times did he come round with his hand out?’ asked Abs.

‘Two or three times, maybe more.’ Jez shrugged. ‘It doesn’t matter now, does it? The point is, he was struggling with his conscience.’

‘There you go, he probably did himself in.’ But if Abs was being honest with himself, he didn’t believe his own words. ‘So we’re good?’

Jez stared at the floor and Tony gave the faintest of nods. We’re good.

‘I tell you what I’m going to do,’ said Abs. ‘I’m going to go to the police to find out whether they think it was an accident or suicide. See if I can find out what’s going on with the, whatsit, the investigation.’

‘What if you give us away?’ said Tony miserably.

‘Mate, I’m deeply offended.’ Abs slapped himself on the chest. ‘It’s me you’re talking to, Abs, you’re in safe—’

But then there was an almighty smash outside the room, making the three of them jump to their feet. A moment later they heard a shriek. Jez rushed to the door and swung it open to reveal Bethany standing with an old woman in an apron. At their feet was a broken vase, a puddle of water and the geraniums spread across the sopping parquet floor.

‘You fool.’ Bethany’s voice was shrill. ‘Look what you’ve done.’

‘I’m sorry, I slipped,’ said the woman.

‘This isn’t the first time, though, is it, Pauline?’ Bethany’s face was puce with anger. ‘You are the clumsiest woman I’ve ever met.’

The housekeeper stared down at the floor, humiliated, and Abs felt sorry for her. He’d worked with a lot of bullies in television, divas who liked nothing more than to lord it over others, and he’d always been careful to treat people with respect. Jez looked embarrassed by Bethany’s behaviour, too.