His dad was speaking to him man to man now, Ged appreciated that; he was growing up and it was about time everybody stopped treating him like a kid. Before he knew it, the screw shouted that visiting time was over. This was the hardest part of seeing his dad; it was a struggle to leave his old man behind.

Kevin reached over and gripped his son in a bear hug. ‘Mate, I’ll be home before you know it and then me and you can make everything work together. You’ve missed out on so much because of me and all that I can say is that I’ll make it up to you. My hand on my heart, son. I’ll do right by you and your mother from the minute I get home. You just watch. I’ll make everything right.’

Ged choked up. This was not the time or place to break down. He was a big boy now and he held back the tears. His words were sincere and from the heart. ‘Dad, just keep your head down and get home. Don’t be getting in any bother in here and getting time added to your sentence. I want you home now. I want us to be a family again.’

The screw was beside them now and he shot a look over at Kevin. ‘Visit over,’ he spat. Kevin eyeballed him, his nostrils flaring. This guy was known throughout the whole nick as a hard-nut and very few prisoners dared to mess with him. Kevin squeezed his son one last time and they said their final goodbyes. As he walked out, Ged didn’t look back once.

Chapter Eleven