Eric nosed the Volvo back into the speeding traffic. ‘On the maps it’s classed as an area of outstanding natural beauty. After the jump the Old Bill will never be able to pass it by without a shiver of apprehension - and that, to me, will be the best part of all.’

Alan nodded his agreement and watched out of the window as the countryside passed by.

Georgio watched Donna as she walked jauntily towards him with the teas and KitKats. He saw her slim legs encased in sheer black tights move beneath the short skirt of her emerald green fitted suit. She looked stunning. The suit had large gold buttons on the jacket and she wore gold earrings and bracelets to complement it. Her shoes were four-inch-heeled black suede, plain-looking but obviously expensive. He noticed the looks she gathered from both the men and the women in the visiting room. He saw a young pretty blonde girl give her a wave, and frowned.

As Donna reached the table he said, ‘Who’s the little blonde?’

Donna shrugged. ‘Oh, just a young girl. I give her a lift sometimes, help her with the kids. Why?’

For some reason he didn’t understand, Georgio felt a deep resentment. More curtly than he meant to, he snapped, ‘She’s a blagger’s slag, don’t give her a lift any more. Her old man’s an ice cream. Stupid little fucker. Keep away from her.’

Donna sat down and looked at her husband in undisguised surprise. ‘I beg your pardon?’

Either not noticing the tone of her voice or unwilling to heed it, Georgio said nastily, ‘I said, keep away from her. What the fucking hell would you have in common with the likes of that, eh? I don’t want you giving her or any of these slags in here, a lift - all right?’

Donna slammed a KitKat in front of him. ‘Listen, Georgio, I don’t know who’s rattled your bloody cage today, but don’t you ever think you can tell me what I can or can’t do. I have a lot in common with that little girl, as it goes, mainly the fact that both our husbands are banged up for a very long time. She misses him like I miss you, and unlike me she has to keep two children on a bloody pittance. If I want her living in my house I’ll have her there, Georgio. The days of you telling me anything are long gone.’

Georgio and Donna stared at one another in shock, both aware that something had changed between them and neither willing to take responsibility for it. Donna was frightened and exhilarated all at the same time. Georgio’s face hardened and for the first time Donna saw him as others saw him.

‘That was a big speech, Donna. Who put them words into your trap then? Alan Cox, I suppose.’