While Shazza had Denise and Louise on side, Anna knew that she couldn’t win. No, the best thing she could do would be to accede to Shazza’s wishes and treat her as nicely as possible.

*

Adele was reading a book in the cell that she shared with Anna but it was difficult to concentrate. The prison was noisy but, apart from that, something about Anna just wasn’t right today. Ever since she had returned from her work she had been on edge. It was impossible to read while Anna kept disturbing her with trivialities. When she wasn’t fiddling about with her things on the top of the cupboard, she was asking stupid questions.

‘This is nice, isn’t it? Where did you get it?’ Anna asked, lifting one of Adele’s sweaters out of the cupboard.

‘For God’s sake, Anna!’ said Adele. ‘Will you leave things alone and stop fidgeting?’

Anna stuck out her bottom lip before replying. ‘Alright, be like that. I was only making conversation.’

Adele felt a twinge of guilt for snapping. Anna might have been a nuisance but a part of Adele felt sorry for her, especially when she had seen how Shazza treated her. ‘Sorry,’ she said. ‘But I’m trying to read and this book’s really good. Can’t you find something to do?’

‘Suppose,’ Anna shrugged before grabbing a magazine and throwing herself onto the bottom bunk.

Adele felt the bunks shake and cursed under her breath, but thankfully Anna then left her alone. She was just beginning to enjoy her book when Shazza arrived with Denise and Louise in tow. Anna shot out of her bunk and stood to the side while the other three women walked into the cell. Adele felt a shudder of fear.

Without any preamble, Shazza walked up to Anna and said, ‘I’ve come to collect that stuff.’

Adele put her book to one side while she anxiously watched the scene from the top bunk where she lay. She saw Anna turn towards the cupboard, then rummage about in a drawer before pulling something out and handing it to Shazza without speaking.

‘Is that all?’ asked Shazza, staring scornfully at the small packet in her hand.

Anna looked back at her with fear in her eyes, then shrugged.

‘I know you’ve got more so hand it out,’ demanded Shazza, moving menacingly towards Anna.

As Anna turned back towards the cupboard, Adele asked, ‘What’s going on?’ Why are you giving things away, Anna? And what is it?’ She had a feeling she knew what was in the packet but she wasn’t sure.

‘She fuckin’ owes me!’ snarled Shazza before Anna had chance to reply.

‘Is that right, Anna?’ Adele asked.

‘What fuckin’ business is it of yours anyway?’ asked Shazza.

‘It’s OK,’ Anna quickly interrupted. ‘Shazza’s right. I owe her.’