“Excited. You should tell them birds not to get excited. On my back like a pair of ravening wolves they was. And I’m telling you, Mr. Labar, there ain’t anything against me. Not a thing. I’ve got a clean sheet, I have, since I did that last lot.”

“Glad to hear that, Teddy. Got enough money to retire on, have you? Or have you got a job? Let’s see. It’s nine months since you came out of stir. What have you been doing, besides drink?”

Well aware that Labar knew a great deal about him, Teddy shrugged his shoulders. “I’ve had a glass now and again,” he said defiantly. “Why shouldn’t I? You know how hard it is for a bloke like me, guv’nor. Tried hard I have. What chance is there for a bloke like me?”

“Where was your last job? Have you got any references?”

“Fat hope. The wife had a bit of money by her and that’s kept us going.”