Jenny’s screams subsided into a distraught whimper. When Mike tied the rope tightly around Jenny’s wrists, her eyes were wide with fear as they stared in terror at her attacker. While tears sprang from her tormented eyes, blood pumped from her busted nose and a tremor ran through her body.

Peter was glad when they had finished tying the staff up. He didn’t like the way this was going; Mike was a bit too fuckin’ free with his hands for his liking. Peter and his gang grabbed the bags of cash between them, then fled through the first-floor corridor and down the stairs. Mickey was now waiting for them at the back door. He eased it open and they dashed out to the waiting car where Sam was seated behind the wheel ready to speed off.

As he took his seat in the front of the car Peter heaved a sigh of relief. At last! They’d done it. He was elated to have got away with the cash, but disturbed by Mike’s behaviour. While they congratulated each other, Peter went along with it, thrilled with their haul. But he hadn’t overlooked the vicious way Mike had handled the young girl. The recriminations would follow later.

Chapter 16

When Adele and Caroline walked into the recreation area Shazza and her friends were gathered in one corner. While Denise and Louise glanced in Adele’s direction, Shazza whispered something to them. Adele saw Shazza look at her and she felt a sharp pang of fear before the three of them approached.

‘Oh, no, here’s trouble,’ warned Caroline.

Adele took a deep steadying breath as she watched the three women make their way over. Shazza strode purposefully, nudging other inmates out of her way while keeping her eye on Adele.

As Shazza neared her, Adele could feel her heart racing. Then Shazza’s eyes locked with hers, sending a shiver down Adele’s spine as the intense turquoise of Shazza’s irises shot through her like a laser beam.

Shazza’s thin lips formed into a smirk as she swung at her. Shazza’s fist dug sharply into Adele’s stomach, making her gasp and stoop forwards clutching her abdomen. Adele straightened up, trying to regain her breath as she watched Shazza walk past with an evil grin on her face.

Hardly giving herself chance to recover, Adele sped after her. She shoved into Shazza’s back sending her hurtling forwards. Shazza screeched, then spun around and launched herself at Adele.

The other prisoners stood back while Shazza clawed at Adele’s face and yanked at her hair. Denise and Louise held onto Caroline, stopping her from going to help her friend. Adele felt a sharp pain as Shazza pulled out a tuft of hair. Her eyes smarted. A brief flashback to another era: Jessie Lomas, the school bully. Taunts and humiliation. The feeling of helplessness. The sting of defeat.