‘Well, I hope it is because I’ll get to the bottom of it and when I do people will get hurt if I’ve been had over. I know people too, you know? Plenty of people will do anything for a few quid or a bag of brown.’

Frankie had heard enough. He bit down hard on his bottom lip and started to walk into the school. ‘Pay the money back, simple as. I’ve already had my collar felt about it and I’m not taking another beating because you got had over. You need to get selling again, otherwise face the consequences.’ Frankie looked about, dipped his head and carried on walking.

Ged hurried behind him. ‘I’m not doing shit. Give me the names of who I owe the debt to, and I’ll sort it out myself. I don’t need you being the middleman. You’re fucking shady.’

Frankie stopped dead in his tracks then ran at Ged pushing him up against the wall his hands round his neck. ‘Muppet, I’ll do more than stab you up if you carry on. Who the fuck do you think you are, talking to me like I’m a fucking nobody? If you want beef with me then carry on. Your old man is out of jail now, isn’t he?’

Ged didn’t like the look in Frankie’s eyes. He wrestled free. ‘Leave my dad out of it. He’s keeping his nose clean so don’t be involving him in anything. It’s fuck all to do with him. You wouldn’t like me bringing your parents into it, would you?’

Frankie was spoiling for a scrap, but he spotted Donny was walking down the corridor. He spat in Ged’s face and scurried off. ‘Sort it, prick. Trust me, the big man knows who you are, he knows you’re the weak link in the chain and he’s not a patient man. He’s got a lot to lose if this operation goes tits up. He’s watching you.’

Ged knew Frankie meant every word he’d said.

‘Morning, Ged, nice to see you back.’ Donny looked rough and not his usual pristine self. He still had his wits about him though. ‘Did I just see you talking to Frankie? Is everything alright, looked like you were having words with him.’

Ged couldn’t wait to get away. ‘No sir, nothing I can’t handle.’

Ged heard the confidence in his voice hiding how he really felt. Despite the act, he knew a storm was brewing.

Outside, deliberately off the premises, Donny rammed a fag into his mouth with shaking hands. He paced up and down; he was going to wear a hole in the tarmac at this rate. He typed out a text as he smoked before looking up in time to spot Dan walking towards him. There was nowhere to hide.