‘No, I wouldn’t. Why, what did she say?’

‘Well, she went all round the houses first, as though she was frightened of warning me off, but the gist of it was that Shazza’s gunning for me.’

‘Shit!’ said Caroline.

‘Peter’s told me to make sure I’m never on my own. He reckons Shazza and her friends will jump me as soon as they get a chance.’

‘OK,’ said Caroline, adopting a reassuring tone. ‘Well, I’ll be with you as much as possible. You know that, but I can’t be with you all the time.’

‘I know that,’ said Adele.

‘What about Anna? Won’t she have your back?’

‘I think Anna’s frightened, Caroline. She’s been on edge for days. It’s weird. She keeps telling me Shazza’s her friend and yet Shazza’s taking stuff off her: cigs and drugs. Anna tries to pretend that they’re doing each other favours when it’s obvious she doesn’t want to part with the stuff. But, at the same time, she’s being really creepy with me; trying to do me favours all the time. It doesn’t make sense.’

‘It does to me,’ said Caroline, confidently. ‘Can’t you see? Anna’s hedging her bets. She’s waiting to see who comes out on top.’

‘Bloody hell! She’s not as daft as I thought.’

‘No, she isn’t,’ Caroline said. ‘It’s like I’ve told you before, it’s all about self-preservation in here.’

Adele’s face dropped.

‘What’s wrong?’ asked Caroline.

‘I suppose I’m a bit disappointed with Anna really. It feels like she’s playing me.’

‘She’s not a bad sort, to be honest. But it’s fear, Adele. That’s what’s motivating Anna at the moment. She’d probably love to be on your side. It’s obvious how much she looks up to you, but she’s frightened of what Shazza would do to her. So, instead, she’s trying to keep you both sweet.’

‘That doesn’t leave me a lot of allies then, does it?’ said Adele.

‘Well, that new kid, Cheryl, isn’t so bad, y’know. Like Anna, she’s frightened. There aren’t many who aren’t frightened of Shazza. But she’s not kowtowing to her like Anna seems to be doing. At least, not yet, anyway. I think perhaps we should bring her in; let her know the score.’

‘OK, as long as you think we can trust her.’

‘I think we can although it’s not always possible to be sure, especially in this place. We’ll try to get her to stick with you when I’m not around. Maybe that will help.’

‘OK, Caroline. Thanks,’ said Adele. But she left Caroline’s cell feeling only marginally less ill at ease than when she had entered.