Crazy Mel moved out of the sun and looked down at Bailey with her manic bloodshot eyes. Bailey guessed she was stoned, as usual.

Mel nodded at the origami creature.

Bailey took a closer look at it. It had a rectangular body, four triangular legs, a head with two tiny ears, and a pointed tail. She marvelled at the intricacy of it. It was evidently supposed to be some kind of animal, but which one, she couldn’t tell.

‘That’s fabulous, Mel. What is it?’

‘It’s a tiger.’

‘For me?’

Mel nodded. ‘Protection.’

‘Against what?’

‘Him.’

Bailey picked up the origami tiger. It was insubstantial, almost as light as a feather. Some protection! She looked up at Mel and smiled.

‘Why thank you, Mel.’ She spoke in the manner that you would to a child or a mentally handicapped person.

‘Be careful,’ said Mel. ‘It bites.’

Bailey examined the tiger’s tiny head.

‘I don’t see any teeth, Mel.’

Mel nodded sagely and winked at her. Then she turned and limped off across the yard. Bailey watched her jerking along awkwardly in her weird lopsided gait until she disappeared around the corner of B-Wing.

She turned over the little origami tiger in her fingers. It didn’t exactly look like a tiger, but there was no doubt as to the level of craftsmanship which had gone into its construction. She contemplated leaving it there on the table. But then in a moment of superstitious panic she carefully pressed it flat and slipped it into her back trouser pocket. Mel had met the Hairdresser and survived. Maybe some of that survival instinct would rub off on Bailey. Perhaps the little tiger would offer her some kind of talismanic protection, if nothing else. At this point in her investigation she needed whatever luck she could get.

Chapter 94

If only Doctor Bodie would get rid of that stupid ‘World’s Okayest Dad’ mug he insisted on using, Bailey thought, as she sat there in his office. In her eyes, it came across as a feeble and slightly condescending ploy to try and appear more approachable to the inmates. And it didn’t seem to be working, because from what she’d overheard, most of them thought he was a patronising middle-class wanker. Still, she couldn’t fault him for trying.

He scrutinised her earnestly through his wire-rimmed glasses.

‘If you remember, Bailey, you promised that the next time you came to visit me you would talk openly about yourself.’

‘Yes, Doctor. I remember. And I don’t break my promises. That’s why I’m here today. I think I am finally ready to tell you everything.’

He grinned and rubbed his hands in anticipation.

She felt slightly guilty as she did have an ulterior motive for coming here today. But she knew she couldn’t string him along for too much longer.

She put on a pained expression. ‘Just one thing first though.’

‘Is there something the matter?’ he asked, concerned.

‘I really need the toilet,’ she said.

He frowned. ‘You should have gone before you came here.’