Luckily his car keys were still in his coat pocket. He had the sudden worrying thought that the battery might be dead after so long without starting it up, but the car didn’t let him down, sputtering to life after only a few attempts. Alfie sighed with pleasure as he put it into gear and released the handbrake. He’d missed being behind the wheel. He was glad he wasn’t one of those people who was affected by drink. He’d be perfectly safe; he’d only had a few pints. He hadn’t even had any whisky today – that proved how sensible he was. Anyway, there were no other vehicles about to get in the way.

After hitting the kerb only a few times, he drew up at the junction to Empire Street. His sense of self-preservation told him not to turn on to the street itself. Not many people owned cars here; his would be easily recognised. Better to park it on the main road and walk the last few yards on foot. It would be easier to get away without having to turn or reverse as well.

He eased himself out of the driver’s seat and left the car unlocked. What he wanted to do wouldn’t take long. He’d be back here with Kitty in no time. He walked unsteadily to her front door and paused. Should he knock? There was no sign of life inside. It was later than he’d planned, and she’d have most likely gone to bed. He tried the handle but the door didn’t budge.

He thought of the times he’d visited Danny here, back in the days before he’d let him down so badly. They always sat in the kitchen, he remembered, and his family and friends often went in and out of the back door. He could make his way around and try that. He didn’t want to cause unnecessary noise, as that might draw Pop out on to the street, the last person he wanted to see.

He stumbled his way around to the alley at the back and found the gate to the Callaghans’ yard. It was bolted, but he soon worked out how to open it. He realised he was making a bit of a noise as he shoved the gate hard, but didn’t think it would be enough to wake anyone. There wasn’t much light but he could make out the shape of a bicycle against the inner wall – that would be Tommy’s. He’d got the correct place all right.