‘I wish it was that easy,’ said Adele, pursing her lips. ‘From what my cellmate tells me, some people have been calling me top dog and it’s winding her up. She’s got people on her side too, like that Denise, who I had a bit of trouble with.’

‘Fuckin’ hell!’ said Peter. ‘I thought I told you to keep a low profile.’

‘It’s not my fault,’ said Adele, exasperated. ‘I was just looking after myself like you told me to.’

‘Right, you listen to me,’ he mumbled to her across the table. ‘I know her fuckin’ sort and if she thinks you’re a threat she’ll be after you. It sounds like it’s too late to avoid her. What you need now is a bit of fuckin’ damage limitation. What are your mates like?’

‘What do you mean?’ Adele’s words were rushed, her face now pale and her breathing harried.

‘Are they the sort who will have your back? When I was inside I always knew who I could rely on whenever I needed back-up.’

‘Well, yeah. A couple of them are,’ she said, but they’re no match for Shazza and Denise.’

‘Doesn’t matter. You need to make sure you’re never on your own; safety in numbers and all that. If Shazza and her mates catch you on your own they’ll probably jump you. And I don’t think that mad cow would stop at just a slap.’

‘Jesus, Peter. You’re scaring me,’ she whispered.

‘I just want you to be prepared, that’s all. Besides, you’re a fuckin’ kickboxing expert, aren’t you? She probably knows that so she won’t try anything when she’s on her own. But if she’s got people on her side then you need to have mates on your side, too.’

Adele gulped. ‘OK,’ she said. ‘Thanks for the warning,’ but, although she was thanking him, at that moment she didn’t feel as though she had much to be grateful for.

*

‘Bloody hell, Adele. You look as if you’ve lost a pound and found a penny,’ said Caroline as Adele sloped into her cell with her shoulders slumped, and plonked herself down on Caroline’s bunk. ‘A bad visit was it?’

‘No, it’s not that,’ said Adele, looking across at Caroline’s cellmate, Cheryl, and giving her a feeble smile.

Cheryl left the cell so that Adele and Caroline could talk.

‘I’m seriously fuckin’ worried,’ said Adele, once Cheryl had gone.

‘Why, what’s happened?’

‘Shazza,’ Adele whispered. ‘That’s what. According to our Peter she’s a bit of a head case. He’s got a mate that used to go out with her.’

‘I told you she was bad news,’ said Caroline.

‘But not only that,’ said Adele, ‘I had a warning from Anna, but I promised her I wouldn’t tell anyone, so please don’t let it go further.’