John sighed. ‘This jail is fucking full of spice-heads. I hope I get shipped out as soon as possible. I can’t be arsed with jawing these fuckers all the time. I swear, the last time I was in here I caught one in my pad going through my stuff. No fucking shame. They’d have your eyes out and come back for the sockets the thieving pricks.’

Donny looked at him. ‘So, you’ve been in here before then?’

‘Yes, pal. It’s like home from home, this place to me. I’m in and out all the time. You’d think I’d learn, wouldn’t you?’

‘How long you in for this time then?’ Donny asked.

‘Not a big one this time. I just got three years shoved up my arse. I swam the channel really; I was looking at a five stretch. It’s a shit and shave sentence.’

After they’d sorted out the various formalities, it was time to go to the wing. Donny shuddered as he walked through the prison. Men were shouting and screaming, banging things.

The screw stopped and unlocked a door with a long brass key. As it opened, Donny could see his cell for the first time. He couldn’t handle it, it was a small confined space, he was scared of being closed in. He put his hand against the cold wall and looked at the screw, panicking. ‘I can’t go in there. I need something bigger. I’m claustrophobic.’

The guard looked at his colleague and sniggered. ‘Oi, Ryan. Mr Fucking Golden Balls here wants a bigger apartment with an en suite. Can he be booked into the VIP lounge?’

Ryan doubled over laughing, his shoulders were shaking. He loved the banter in this place. ‘I can check the waiting list if you want?’

The screw used the flat of his hand to push Donny through the door. ‘Do yourself a favour, mate, and get your head down. This is a jail, not the bleeding Hilton. Nobody likes being locked up. I’ve never met a prisoner who did, so, join the bloody club, mate.’

Donny watched the door slam shut. He pummelled the back of the door. ‘Let me out, please, I can’t do this. Can you hear me, let me out?’

But his words fell on deaf ears, one more angry guy in a jail full of them. You live by the sword, you die by it.

Donny sank to the floor. Shit just got real. Welcome to the pen, Donny Knight.

Epilogue