‘I know you do, but I’m a grown woman and I can look after myself. Now I must go - I’ll see you later. If Davey rings or Paddy, tell them they can get me on my mobile.’

‘Okey doke. Give your man all my love, won’t you?’

Donna smiled. ‘Of course I will.’

Five minutes later she pulled out of her drive, unaware of the black Sierra that followed her.

Donna noted the looks she gathered as she walked into the visiting room at Parkhurst. Taking a seat at a small table, she observed the families around her. Children played with their fathers while their mothers looked on. Women visiting sons stared around them in bewilderment, as if wondering what they were doing there. Prisoners watched their wives with interest, drinking in the sights and sounds of their families. A man nearby bounced a young child on his knee as he chatted to his family; he could have been anywhere, the casual way he was acting. As if being in this prison environment was natural. Which she supposed it was, to a majority of the men.

A slim young man, effeminate-looking, walked over to her.

‘Hello, my name’s Albert but they call me Sadie. You’re Donna Brunos, aren’t you?’

She nodded. ‘How do you do.’

‘I know your husband Georgio. He shares a cell with a friend of mine, Timmy. I expect he’s mentioned him?’

Donna nodded, unable to decide how to treat the young man before her.

‘I just wanted to say I love your suit, dear. The blue colour brings out your eyes. You should always wear suede. You can carry it off, love, you’re so thin, see, and that short skirt shows off your legs perfectly. What is it? Italian?’

Donna nodded wordlessly.

‘I thought so. Lovely hand with suede and leather, the Eyeties. Well, I’d better get back to me visitor. Nice meeting you anyway.’

‘Nice meeting you as well.’ She smiled at him as he sat back down with his visitor, an elderly man in a business suit.

She was grateful to see Georgio being led in, and stood up and waved.

Georgio’s face was a study in pleasure as he saw who his visitor was. Rushing over to Donna, he kissed her hard on the lips for two minutes until a screw called out: ‘All right, Brunos, that’s enough. You ain’t got conjugal visits yet, mate.’

Donna felt her face go scarlet at his words.

‘It’s so good to see you, darling. I’ve missed you so much.’ As they sat down he grasped her hand tightly. ‘You’re the only woman I know who still blushes. Nowadays the girls are too knowing by half. It’s one of your most endearing qualities. You look fantastic, Donna. That suit’s a bit near the mark though, ain’t it?’