She hesitates at first. She will lose her privileges, but something about the terror I’m showing convinces her. She jumps up, reaches under the bed and takes out her phone. She switches it on and hands it to me. Standing in a long blue nightdress, Aoife crosses her hands over her shivering body and stares at me.

I bless myself, then dial the number that’s printed under Detective Siobhan Lee’s name. If I’m right, Tara Moore is in a lot of danger.

Chapter Sixty

The call goes straight to voicemail. My hand is shaking. I leave a message asking the detective to ring me back, saying that I need to ask her something. But I can’t wait around for her to reply. I have to do something. I have to talk to Tara. Her number is on my phone which is now locked up somewhere in this building so I can’t call her. Catherine took great pleasure taking it out of my hand after the disciplinary meeting. I had made her look like a fool in front of her boss and she was not happy about it.

‘What will I do?’ I say out loud. Aoife is looking at me, chewing her nails.

‘What’s happening?’ she says, nerves apparent in her startled eyes. ‘What’s going on, Faye?’

‘I need to contact my friend,’ I say. ‘She could be in danger.’ I’m already pulling on a pair of jeans.

‘You can’t leave, Faye.’ Aoife is trembling now, feeling a responsibility to stop me.

‘Don’t worry Aoife, this is absolutely necessary.’ I lift my sweatshirt from the chair in the corner. ‘Have you any cash?’ I say, pulling the top over my head.

‘You’re going to get into a lot of trouble,’ Aoife says. ‘Don’t do it, Faye.’

‘I have no choice. My friend is in danger.’

I pull open the drawer where I keep my money. We’re only allowed five euros per day for the shop that comes around on a trolley. Stocked with sweets, fruits, magazines, it’s like the meal on an airplane. Things I wouldn’t normally care for but have now become the highlight of the day. I’ve only ten euros left. That won’t get me into town in a taxi.

‘Can’t you ring someone? Ring the police, or your mam – someone’s number you have in your head.’ Aoife is right. I should ring someone, but I know what will happen. No one is going to believe me. They’ll think I’m just freaking out, looking for attention again and then they’ll contact the clinic and I’ll be watched all night.

‘I did ring the detective. They didn’t answer… Can I have your money? I’ll give it back to you,’ I say.