Bailey tiptoed a little closer towards them, her trainers silent on the metal floor, creeping up closer behind Shelley. She craned her head to peer over Shelley’s shoulder and catch Toni’s eye. She gave Toni a large exaggerated wink and nodded in the direction of the banister. An almost indiscernible frown of puzzlement flickered over Toni’s face. But it was all the confirmation Bailey needed that Toni had acknowledged her presence.

Bailey grabbed onto one of the metal pillars and pulled herself up onto the banister. She stood balancing precariously, hanging onto the pillar for support. She looked down and could see the tiled floor four storeys below.

Toni’s eyes widened. Shelley tensed as she realised something was up.

‘I’m gonna jump!’ shouted Bailey. ‘I’m going to do it! I can’t stand being in this place any longer!’

Shelley spun around. Her eyes widened. ‘What the…? Get down right now!’

Bailey looked down. She wobbled a little. She had never been great with heights. She had no intention of actually jumping, but if she did go over she’d have two floors to fall before she hit the anti-suicide netting. She hoped it was attached strongly.

She glanced at Toni. Shelley was trying to negotiate both Bailey and Toni, her attention flicking frantically back and forth between them, desperately trying to keep an eye on both of them at the same time.

The moment Shelley’s back was turned to her, Toni started furiously mouthing at Rong, who had appeared on the other side of the landing. Rong swiftly made her way around the landing to come up behind Toni.

Bailey saw that just a few more seconds were needed.

‘I’m going to do it,’ shouted Bailey. ‘I’m going to jump. I can’t bear it any longer.’

‘You’re going to do nothing of the sort,’ barked Shelley, taking a step towards her.

‘Don’t come any closer!’ said Bailey. ‘I’m warning you!’

She released her grip on the pillar, so she was balancing with just her feet on the slippery metal surface of the thin banister. She stood there wavering, her arms going in circles one way and then the other in order to try and keep her balance.

She now had Shelley’s full attention.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Rong finally catch up with Toni, who rapidly offloaded a pouch of contraband onto her. Rong folded the pouch of drugs and cash into her tracksuit top and melted away back into the crowds of inmates who had gathered to watch.

Mission successful.

Shelley spun around back to Toni, who gave her a wide smile, pulling her pockets inside out with an innocent look on her face.

‘Look. Nothing.’

Shelley’s eyes narrowed furiously. She knew she had been given the slip somehow.

Bailey suddenly felt the sole of her trainer slip on the smooth metal surface of the banister. Her balance was starting to go.

‘Oh shit,’ she muttered. She grabbed for the pillar, but her fingertips brushed it in vain, not quite able to get a grip on the glossy metal.