‘Long way to go, have you, love?’ Bella asked. ‘Remind me where.’

‘Only as far as Preston,’ said James. ‘Yes, OK, thanks, we will stay for a drink.’

Bella showed them to a table and ordered drinks. She sat and chatted for a minute or two about ‘business’; how her sister had had a lean time with her shop in the Lake District over winter. ‘We can’t afford to pay out top prices until things pick up a bit, love,’ Bella said. ‘But if the market improves over summer, you can be sure we’ll be interested when you bring us summat a bit special.’

‘I’ll bear that in mind, Bella,’ said James.

Bella glanced up as a shifty-looking man came through the thick curtain at the entrance. ‘Please excuse me. It’s been lovely to see you James, love … Jenny.’ She sauntered over to the newcomer on her red high-heeled shoes. ‘Max, love …’

Gina drank her drink, determined to finish it because it was at Bella’s expense, but not really wanting to be here any longer.

‘Heck, she’s annoying,’ she said as she and James emerged into the stagnant air of the Blackpool side street. ‘What’s she keep calling me Jenny for, when she knows darn well what my name is?’

‘Take no notice,’ James laughed. ‘It’s just a little power play, that’s all. She’s all right really. Tighter than a duck’s eyelid, but we all know the game, and at least she pays cash up front.’

‘Yes, and I hope you’ve not forgotten my part in this business,’ Gina laughed. ‘You’ve made a few pounds today and I don’t want to find you’ve headed back to London and forgotten to pay me.’

‘As if I would.’

‘Well, make sure you don’t. And I heard you saying we had to get back to Preston. You don’t trust her, do you, James?’

‘It’s just better to be careful …’

‘She doesn’t know you’re James Stellion of Stellion’s Brewery, does she?’

‘Gina, for goodness’ sake keep your voice down,’ James hissed. ‘There’s no need to even say it, never mind broadcast it to half of Blackpool. Of course she doesn’t know. Do you think I’d lay myself open to blackmail? You’ve got a lot to learn, my girl.’

Gina thought that perhaps she had, but she would make sure she was a fast learner.