‘You’re pretty. I like you.’

With her eyes growing more used to the dim light, Mags could see that it was the woman called Aggie and knew that she liked to fondle the other women, often causing outbreaks of violence as the women fought her off. But Aggie was strong, and her physique was more manly than feminine.

‘D – don’t touch me, please, Aggie.’

But Aggie wasn’t listening. She sat down on the bed and leaned over Mags. Her breath stank as she panted, open-mouthed, bringing her ugly face, covered in warts and hair, closer and closer to Mags, who cringed away, pushing the woman with her hands. ‘No. Please, go away.’

‘Me want you. You touch Aggie and make her feel nice. Me touch you and make you feel nice.’

Screaming out for help brought none to Mags. Helpless as to what to do, and not wanting to hit out, she lay still. The wet kiss on her cheek made her want to heave. The weight of Aggie leaning across her had her gasping for air, but even worse was feeling Aggie’s hand massaging her breast.

‘Please don’t. Go back to bed. I – I can’t give you anything.’

‘Yes. Touch me.’

The grip Aggie had on Mags’s wrist was strong, and Mags found it impossible to stop her hand from being forced between Aggie’s legs. Repulsion shuddered through her, as the effort became too much and her fingers touched Aggie’s bare vagina. ‘No, I don’t want to, leave me alone.’

Others began to stir. Some cried out in distress. Wanting to increase this, Mags knew that only a full disruption of the ward would bring staff to assist her. ‘Help me, help me!’

Her cry did the trick. Women began to holler in fear, some of them agonizing cries, and although Mags felt sorry to upset them all, she’d never felt so grateful in all her life to have the door open and light flood the room.

‘What’s going on?’

‘Help me, I – I can’t get her off me.’

‘Aggie, you at your tricks again? Well you’ll not get away with it this time – not touching the princess of the ward, you won’t.’

Aggie laughed. Spittle sprayed from her mouth onto Mags’s face. Still Aggie kneaded her breast, but thankfully she’d let go of Mags’s hand, and Mags could now withdraw it. ‘Please get her off me – please.’

‘Not easy. If Aggie wants to play, she plays.’

The light went out and the door shut. Mags felt despair enter her, but then anger boiled inside her. With an almighty effort, she bent her leg under Aggie and kicked her in the stomach. Aggie let go and slipped off the bed. The sound of her gasping for breath propelled Mags into action. Jumping out of bed, she ran towards the door, only to find it locked. Banging on it didn’t bring anyone to her aid.

Exhausted, she leaned on the door and looked back towards her bed. Aggie hadn’t risen. Fear of a different kind dried in Mags’s throat. Oh God. Please let her be all right.