Eddie Mitchell smiled as Stuart sauntered towards him. He’d got to Ford Open Prison early and just staring at the building brought back awful memories of Wandsworth, which mainly involved Jessica.

‘It’s great to see you, boy,’ Eddie said, as his old cellmate flung his arms around him. Stuart was like a son to Eddie and had been a wonderful comfort to him while he was inside, trying to come to terms with his fatal mistake.

‘I hope no one’s watching us. We must look like a right pair of soppy pricks,’ Stuart joked as he pulled away.

Eddie sized his pal up. ‘Christ, you look like a brick shit-house.’

‘I took a leaf out of your book, Ed. I was bored shitless after you got released, and since I got moved, I’ve spent every spare minute training. I thought it would help with me new career.’

Eddie chuckled. ‘Oh, it will, mate, I can assure you of that. I thought we’d stop for a beer then grab a bit of lunch on the way home. Gina’s got all your room ready and she ain’t expecting us back till teatime.’

‘Sounds perfect! I could kill a nice juicy fillet steak.’

‘Get in the motor and I’ll fill you in on all the gossip. You won’t believe the shit I’ve had with them O’Haras and rest assured, once my Frankie’s out and gets them kids back, we’ll have more than fucking fillet steak to kill.’

Frankie Mitchell sat opposite her solicitor and twiddled her thumbs nervously. Larry had just informed her that Jed was contesting the appeal for Frankie to have visiting rights with her children.

‘So what happens now?’ Frankie asked miserably. She had been so looking forward to seeing Georgie and Harry and she couldn’t believe, after everything that had happened, Jed would have the balls to try and mess it up.

‘Jed has appointed a solicitor by the name of Malcolm Thompson. I don’t know the man personally, but his reputation is of high quality. We still have a great chance of winning this case Frankie, especially with Carol Cullen on our side. Carol is very highly respected in her field and her evidence will be very much taken into consideration. Obviously, the end decision will be made by the judge or magistrate, but I’d say we have the edge with this one. As for your trial, I spoke to your QC over the weekend. He is positive that he can get you a not guilty, but he needs you to dish some more dirt on Jed. Both you and I know that you haven’t yet told us why you did what you did, and the quicker you start spilling the beans, the better. The truth might hurt, but surely it’s better than being stuck in prison and losing your children.’