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now.
    Jack lit a cigar noisily, and puffed on it for a while before saying harshly, ‘Look, son. I like you, you know that. But last night had better be a fucking one-off. Because I ain’t bailing you out again, do you hear me?’
    Lenny had the grace to look sheepish, and this endeared him to Jack all over again.
    ‘I can’t have loose cannons, son, not in my line of work.’
    Lenny nodded; his whole demeanour was contrite, sorry-looking. ‘I know, Jack . . . I mean, Mr Johnson. I can only say again, it was the drink. I ain’t a fucking drinker. I don’t even like it. I could cut me hands off. It is not me, that kind of carry-on . . .’
    Jack held his hand up. ‘All right, all right, I get the picture. Some people can’t hack a drink. You are obviously one of them. But this is a warning, OK? I had to lay out some serious fucking bunce last night. Consequently, I ain’t a happy fucking bunny. Do you get my drift?’
    Lenny nodded, another wave of shame washing over him. ‘I can’t thank you enough, Mr Johnson . . .’
    Jack Johnson sighed. ‘Relax, son. But you need to make me believe you are a changed boy. You’re on a warning, son, OK?’
    Lenny nodded. ‘I promise you, I will work my bollocks off.’
    Jack smiled then. ‘See that you do. Now, get that wife of yours home. I want you in bright and early tomorrow.’
    Lenny nodded gratefully, aware of just how lucky he was.

Chapter Nine

    Sharon lay in bed beside her new husband, listening to the sound of his breathing. It was a wonderful feeling being married, and having her own home. But she couldn’t deny that the events of the night before had frightened her. Not that she would ever have not married this man of hers, but it had shown her a side to him she had not known existed. Unsurprisingly, her mum had been very vocal about her feelings; Sharon had just kept her head down and not risen to the bait.
    She shivered suddenly. The old saying of someone walking over your grave came to mind, so she settled into her handsome new husband’s body and, like many a bride before her, wondered at what the future would bring. She loved Lenny Scott with a vengeance, and she would do everything in her power to make sure their marriage worked.
    Nevertheless she was unable to sleep. She put it down to being in a new home, in a new bed, with her new husband. But she was still awake as the sun came up and the estate came to life.

Chapter Ten

    ‘They said you ain’t pursuing charges, Keith, and I can’t thank you enough, mate.’
    Looking at Keith, Lenny Scott felt shame washing over him once more. He had really made a mess of this bloke’s face and head.
    Keith shrugged. He had not been an oil painting to start with, but he now looked like something out of a Hammer Horror film. Jack Johnson had offered to pay for his plastic surgery, but he would be left with a glass eye. It was hard not to hold a grudge, but what could he do? Lenny Scott was an up-and-coming Face, and Keith had to live round here. But it still burned him. Jack Johnson had referred to it as ‘an unfortunate accident’; he had warned Keith off, simple as that. He had slipped him a couple of grand and wished him well. If only Keith could shrug it off so lightly. His whole life was ruined, and there was nothing he could do about it. That was the bugbear.
    ‘Look, Lenny, it happened. Let’s get over it, eh?’
    Lenny Scott knew how hard those words had been for Keith, and he admired his stoicism. He wasn’t sure he could bring himself to be that magnanimous if the boot had been on the other foot. He shook the man’s hand and was glad to get away from him, if truth be told.

Chapter Eleven

    At six months pregnant, Sharon Scott had just a tiny bump; but, according to the midwife, the baby was fine and a fair size. Sharon felt she had been short-changed; she hardly even looked in the club. She was full of energy and she looked amazing. Her skin was glowing, and her hair was thick and shining. She