‘Shit!’ said Adele.

Caroline strode across to her and put a comforting arm around her shoulder. ‘It’s OK. Try not to worry,’ she said. ‘It might not come to anything. But if it does, I’ll be right behind you.’

Adele smiled nervously. ‘Thanks,’ she said, but despite Caroline’s reassuring words, the unease that had been festering inside her since Peter’s visit was growing and she was seriously worried.

*

Denise watched Shazza saunter across to her and Louise in the recreation room. She was their friend. Despite what others said about Shazza, Denise found her alright although even she was wary of getting on the wrong side of her. Shazza was always up for a laugh and, as long as you didn’t wind her up, she was fine. They greeted her effusively.

‘What the fuck are you doing back so soon?’ Denise laughed, hugging Shazza tightly.

‘Got into a bit of bother, didn’t I?’ Shazza sniffed.

Denise smiled and raised an inquisitive eyebrow.

‘Wasn’t my fault,’ said Shazza. ‘I was just in a pub with my fella minding my own fuckin’ business when this tart walks in and starts playing up to him. And that docile bastard starts flirting back at her. I told him to pack it in but he took no fuckin’ notice. So I warned her, and the silly cow laughed in my face then walked off. I wasn’t gonna stand there and let them make a fuckin’ mug of me, was I? So I went after her.’

‘Don’t fuckin’ blame you,’ said Denise.

‘So what did you do?’ asked Louise, staring at Shazza with wide-eyed admiration.

‘I let her fuckin’ have it, didn’t I? Teach her to fuckin’ flirt with my fella!’

‘What did he do?’ gushed Louise.

‘Mike? He tried to stop me, but not straight away. I think he was enjoying it too much, ha-ha. Gets his rocks off from seeing two birds scrapping. I’d already broken the cow’s nose and had her screaming before he got hold of me. You know me; I’m like fuckin’ lightning when I get pissed off. Then some other blokes stepped in. Mike tried to drag me away from the pub before the coppers got there but I was fuckin’ blazin’ and wanted to have a go at him too for giving that tart the come-on.’

‘So did the coppers get you?’ asked Louise.

‘Well, I wouldn’t fuckin’ be in here if they hadn’t, would I?’ asked Shazza.

Denise could see that Shazza was starting to become a bit irritated by Louise’s questions so she gave her a nudge.

‘Shut the fuck up, Louise,’ Denise said. ‘What is this, twenty fuckin’ questions, or what?’

But Louise was too foolish to take Denise’s warning seriously. ‘Are you still seeing Mike?’ she asked.