Adele averted her gaze from Anna’s obese body as she walked into the cell. She didn’t want to encourage her. Although Adele had made it obvious to Anna that she wasn’t interested in any sexual encounters inside prison, it didn’t stop Anna from flirting. Adele couldn’t imagine anybody being attracted to Anna but it seemed that she remained ever hopeful.

‘I see you’ve been with Caroline again,’ she commented.

‘So, what’s the problem?’ Adele replied.

She knew that Anna was jealous of her friendship with Caroline. Putting any sexual attraction aside, Anna was still drawn to Adele. Once she had found out about Adele’s crime, she had spent the first couple of weeks of Adele’s sentence parading her around like a pet pony, proudly showing off her friendship with a violent killer.

Anna was one of those people who was always desperate to impress. For her, having a callous killer for a cellmate was exciting and gave her bragging rights amongst the other inmates.

Adele hadn’t figured Anna out at first. She had appeared intimidating because of her size and her manliness, and it had taken Adele all her courage to stand up to her. But it soon became obvious that it was all a front. Deep down Anna wasn’t tough at all.

When Anna had read about Adele’s crime and found out that she was the sister of notorious gangster Peter Robinson, she held her in high esteem. Within no time most of the prison knew what Adele was inside for, thanks to Anna, and those who didn’t know of her reputation soon found out when her brother turned up at visiting time.

‘No problem,’ Anna sniffed in response to Adele’s question, pulling a newspaper up to cover her face.

Adele stepped over and pulled the top of the newspaper down, revealing the smirk on Anna’s face. Anna knew something, that was obvious, but Adele realised that she wouldn’t reveal what she knew straight away. Instead she’d enjoy the feeling of power at withholding the information.

This was one aspect of Anna’s character that Adele didn’t like. It was pitiful really. Anna wasn’t too bright and didn’t often get the chance to get one over on anyone. She therefore made the most of any chances that came her way. Adele, recognising this, was gradually learning how to play her.

Anna had her good points, too. She was fiercely loyal, and once you were a friend of Anna’s you had a friend for life.

Adele decided to ignore Anna’s remarks and feign disinterest. Anna would probably be so anxious to string her along that she wouldn’t be able to resist feeding Adele a few more snippets. Adele had guessed right.

‘Like two peas in a pod, you and Caroline, aren’t you?’ asked Anna after a while.

‘Don’t know what you mean,’ Adele responded.