But the kid couldn’t speak if he’d wanted to. All that came out were choking noises, the kid’s eyes were bulging in their sockets, his windpipe closing up, his lips now tinged with blue. He was whacking the side of his arm, trying to nod his head, he was ready to talk. Kevin finally released the grip enough to let him speak. The lad was gasping for breath, he fell to his knees, sucking in large mouthfuls of air. Kevin stood over him, ready to act if he needed to. He booted him in his stomach as a reminder that this was no game; this was serious shit. The kid’s voice was shaking as he cowered, waiting for the next blow.

‘I get it from Frankie, he sorts it all out. I don’t know where he gets it from. Honest, that’s all I know. Please leave me alone. I’m just trying to earn a few quid that’s all.’

Kevin picked him up and threw him into the corner. He knelt down to his level and gripped him by the ears. ‘Don’t lie to me, tell me what you fucking know.’

The kid was desperate now, still trying to get his breath. He had to give him something if he wanted to survive. He kept his voice low. If anyone heard him grassing his life would not be worth living. Snitches got stitches.

‘Frankie is the only one I know. Please, I don’t know any others. I’ve only been doing it a few months. He meets the big man and gets it off him. I just pay my money to Frankie, we all do. Honest, I swear down on my mam’s life, no crosses counted.’

Kevin could tell he was telling the truth. He was shaking like a scared animal, cowering with his hands held up high trying to protect himself. He’d pissed himself too.

‘Where can I find Frankie?’

‘He’s at the park. I just spoke to him about ten minutes ago. You are the second person who’s been looking for him tonight. Another guy was on the square about an hour ago looking for him too.’

Kevin patted the kid down and made him empty his pockets. There were a few bags of weed and around seventy pounds in cash. He pocketed it and smiled. ‘I’ll be taking this and when I get my hands on Frankie, I’ll be taking his shit too. I don’t know who you fucking young ‘uns think you are, running shit around here. It’s time you all learnt a lesson. This is my patch now.’

The boy pulled his legs up to his chest and dropped his head low. He sat there shaking. For the first time he understood that this world was a very dangerous one indeed.