Think closed secret societies and what do you come up with – the Calabrian ‘Ndrangheta, even more closed and secretive than the Mafia, the Freemasons, the legendary Knights Templars, sworn to chastity and the protection of travellers on the road to the Holy Land?  

Well, add the ABC to the list – secretive, sure, closed, most definitely, at the highest echelons, members communicating with others from long-standing relationships, including marrying and cohabiting with other members of the club, links and connections that go back to when they were all (mainly) boys together, setting out to win fame and fortune in...