Adele and Caroline were on their way to the kitchens where they worked. Up ahead they could see Shazza, Denise and Louise heading towards them. As they watched, Shazza stepped in front of one of the other inmates and blocked her way. Adele saw Shazza take something from the inmate. Then she pushed her viciously aside and carried on walking, her face full of glee.

It was obvious that the other inmate had parted with the item reluctantly. Even from the back Adele could see her shrug then drag her feet. A few moments later Shazza drew level with Adele and smiled smugly at her while she walked past.

‘Did you see what she did?’ Adele said to Caroline, affronted. ‘She’s just taken something from that girl!’

‘I know, I saw it,’ said Caroline with a resigned air.

‘It’s not on!’ said Adele. ‘I can’t believe she’s still taking advantage of people after she’s already been punished for attacking me. She shouldn’t be allowed to get away with it. I’ve a good mind to have a word with her, or to tell one of the guards.’

Caroline glared at her. ‘Don’t you dare!’ she said. ‘You’ve had enough trouble with that lot as it is. Do you want them to set about you again?’

‘No,’ said Adele, fingering the faint mark that was still on her cheek weeks after the attack. ‘But someone’s got to stop her. She’s been getting worse lately. The whole bloody prison’s frightened to death of her and Denise. And as for Anna! I can’t bloody go anywhere without taking her with me. It’s like having a limpet stuck to my side.’

‘I know,’ said Caroline, trying to stifle a grin at Adele’s choice of words. ‘It’s the same with Cheryl. She’s really shaken by what they did to you.’

‘I’m fed up of having no freedom either,’ Adele added, building herself up into a fury. ‘It’s been going on for bloody weeks now and I’m sick to death of it! Tell me, Caroline, why should one woman rule the entire bloody prison? It isn’t right!’

‘I know, Adele. I’m not exactly thrilled about it either. But sometimes in prison, it’s about self-preservation, as I’ve said before. You do what you have to do to get through your time as easily as possible.’

Adele shrugged but didn’t say anything more. There was no point taking things out on Caroline; it wasn’t her fault they all had to go about mob-handed to protect themselves. It was really starting to get her down, though. Even Peter had advised her not to get involved, and he and Caroline knew a lot more about prison life than she did.