‘Are you talking to me, mate?’ he asked, trying to keep the fear out of his voice. Not much rattled Donny normally – he could handle himself – but he prided himself in never getting into a tight spot unless he knew his opponent. Out here, alone, in the dark with a stranger with a grudge, this wasn’t good.

The man’s growl was deep. ‘Yes I am talking to you. And I’m telling you now, keep your fucking hands off Melanie. She’s mine and always will be.’

Donny dropped his coat on the floor and faced the man fully. But it was dark, and he couldn’t see much more. Still, knowing this was to do with Mel’s shit rather than his own problems, gave him his confidence back.

‘So you’re the bully, are you? The one who won’t leave her alone?’

The man shook his head. ‘She’s a liar. Did she tell you she was in bed with me on Saturday night? No, I bet she didn’t, did she?’

Donny was really not in the mood. ‘It’s none of my fucking business who she spends her time with outside of work. Now unless you’ve got something useful to say, you can see I’ve got my hands full sorting out this shit. Did you see who smashed my windows?’

The man nodded. ‘Kids, three of them. They were on pedal bikes. I was sat in my car over there and seen it all.’

‘Little bastards.’

The stranger carried on talking. ‘Mr Knight, I’ve heard a lot about you recently and a word of advice, stick to sorting out fights with kids and whatever else those toerags at your school get up to. I’m telling, you nice and friendly like, to step away from shit that doesn’t concern you otherwise you won’t know what’s hit you.’

Donny looked the bloke up and down, weighing him up. He was big but he reckoned he’d knock this chancer right out if he wanted a straightener. He bit down on his bottom lip as he thought about what he wanted to do; should he nut the guy or walk away?

‘Mate, you’re the one talking shit. I’m married. I’ve never been interested in Mel like that, she’s a great girl but we’re just workmates.’

‘I’ve seen you dropping her off and she’s been saying things about you too. Donny this, Donny that, a proper superhero you are aren’t you?’

‘As I’ve just said, I’m happily married so you’re barking up the wrong tree if you think we are an item because we’re not and we never will be.’