Jesus, he said. Will you take a look at that.

A six-foot transvestite or transsexual stood on the kerb outside a luxury car showroom. She had long, shimmering silver-blonde hair and wore a halter top, miniskirt and thigh-high boots to match.

Her dicks probably bigger than yours.

Whats the difference? he muttered. A holes a fucking hole.

I dropped him in Rose Street opposite a three-storey terrace that would fetch a fortune when it stopped being a dosshouse. Ive seen plenty of those places in my time; the metho bottles in the backyard can outnumber the sweet sherry flagons. White had wound his window down and stuck his face out on the drive in an effort to clear his head. He climbed stiffly from the car and leaned through the open window.

Im broke, Hardy. That seven hundred was all I had. Can you lend me a few bucks?

Sure, I said. Just tell me who staked you in the first place.

Youre a bastard.

I have to be. I deal with them every day. Dont lie to me, Barry. The way things are, every word we exchange is important.

A woman. Ive made her certain promises.

Shes an idiot.

Maybe, but she doesnt think so.

Human beings are hard to understand. Ive known a few intelligent, resourceful women whove fallen for useless, violent men, some who just couldnt get interested in any other type. I took two twenties and a ten out the change from the drinks and passed them to him. Dont drink it all, Barry. You need to rinse out that shirt and you could do with a deodorant and a mouthwash. See you tomorrow.

He took the money and didnt speak. I watched him in the rear-vision mirror as I drove away. For a few seconds he wavered between turning left or crossing the street. Left took him to the corner and the pub. He squared his shoulders and crossed the street. There were signs that Barry White wasnt a completely spent force, but that didnt make me trust him one bit more.