‘Then that’s even more reason why you need to fuckin’ watch yourself. Why? Has someone tried it?’

Adele kept her voice low. ‘No, but there’s an inmate called Denise. I had some trouble with her and I’m a bit worried about reprisals. She’s got a reputation for being a hard case.’

‘Be very careful, Adele,’ he said. ‘You can’t trust anyone inside. Even those who you think are your friends can turn on you.’

Adele stared blankly at him before speaking again. ‘I don’t get it,’ she said.

‘What?’

‘Well, first you tell me to look after myself and not let anyone take any liberties then, when I do, you tell me I’ve done the wrong thing.’

‘Sorry, I didn’t mean it to sound like that. It’s just that it’s a fine line,’ he said. ‘You’ve gotta look after yourself. You don’t wanna be one of the weaklings who’s everybody’s dogsbody. But, at the same time, you don’t wanna draw attention to yerself. Know what I mean?’

‘Not really,’ she replied, more confused than ever.

He put his hand on top of hers in a rare display of affection. ‘Don’t worry,’ he said. ‘You’ll be OK. You seem to be managing up to now, anyway.’

She smiled back at him, hiding the unease that gnawed away inside her.

*

Adele hadn’t been back from visiting long when Anna dashed into the cell. Her eyes were wide and her movements animated; something had obviously got her worked up.

‘You’ll never guess what!’ she announced.

‘What?’ Adele asked, humouring her. Since Adele had threatened her, Anna was going out of her way to be nice. Adele felt a stab of guilt. Perhaps she had gone too far in pinning her up against the wall but Anna’s behaviour had shocked her and Adele knew she couldn’t afford to let anyone take liberties like that.

‘There’s a new inmate.’

‘Oh, I know. She’s sharing with Caroline. I’ve seen her about. The pretty, blonde girl? Cheryl, isn’t it?’

‘No, not her, you daft cow. Shazza!’

Anna spoke the last word with an air of menace, her eyelids twitching, and Adele suddenly realised that Anna was quite agitated. This new inmate must be really intimidating.

‘Who’s Shazza? Is she the one who’s been in here before?’ Adele asked, recalling her last conversation with Caroline.

Anna lowered her voice even though she had shut the cell door behind her. ‘A right fuckin’ hard case. That’s who.’

‘Oh, right. I’ll try to stay out of her way then,’ said Adele.

Anna moved nearer to Adele and leant forward, her body language appearing conspiratorial. ‘She was the top dog,’ she whispered.

‘So I’ve been told,’ said Adele.

‘She’ll knock you off your fuckin’ perch if you’re not careful,’ Anna continued.