Blood Sisters(23)

What were they nattering about?

‘Well done, everyone,’ said Barbara. Her face was flushed. ‘You did fantastically. Yes, Kitty. You too, for trying. Even famous musicians dry up sometimes. It’s quite normal. Now we’ve got a photographer from the local paper here. He’s a very special visitor. And he wants to take a picture of you.’

So that was the person the carer had referred to. What a relief. It wasn’t bastard Flabby Face after all.

‘What … about … the rest … of us?’ demanded Margaret. ‘Doesn’t … he … want to … photograph us … too?’

‘Of course! Say “cheese”, everyone!’

Johnny put his arm around her shoulders. Kitty could have died of happiness.

‘Smile, everyone. Perfect! Great, Kitty. Now it’s your turn.’

‘Why just her?’ sniffed Duncan.

‘Because I’m special!’ gabbled Kitty. Hadn’t someone told her that once? The memory made her hum with happiness.

‘Not that … bloody sound again,’ groaned Margaret. ‘Sounds like … the Death March … They played that … at my grandmother’s … funeral.’

Kitty’s hum stopped. Death? Funeral? Both words rang bells. But why?

‘Please don’t start headbanging again, Kitty.’ This was Smiley Carer. She didn’t look very smiley now. ‘Time for a little lie-down, I think.’

No way!

‘Now, Kitty, you know that when you don’t behave, we have to give you something to …’

And after that, it was black.





13


December 2016


Alison


Since the attack on Barry, my men have been subdued. And so have I. Every time I run a class I hear his screams. See his blood seeping across the floor.

Tonight we’re doing potato prints, but my mind can’t stay still. I think back to my conversation with Angela. I’d rushed to find her as soon as the police and governor had finished interviewing me.

Communication, like I said before, is slow in prisons. Unless bad news happens. Then it travels at the speed of light.

‘Something awful has happened …’ I’d begun.

But Angela had reached out to touch my hand. ‘I heard. Well, bits of it. Not surprising, really. He was a nasty piece of work. Now, tell me exactly what happened.’

So I’d told her about the scissors which I was sure I’d locked up in the cupboard.

‘Are you certain?’ Her face had been sympathetic. ‘It’s easy to forget something in this place. So many rules and regs to follow. Distractions too.’

The photograph. The red drawing pin in my face. I’M GOING TO GET YOU.

Had the shock made me forget to lock up properly? But I couldn’t tell anyone about that, especially now.

‘One of them did it when I was cleaning up the spilt tea,’ I’d added, in a bid to justify myself.

Angela had sucked in her breath. ‘Sounds like the culprit did it on purpose to make you look elsewhere, love.’

‘Maybe.’ Then I’d whispered the thing I’d been thinking ever since it happened, ‘Do you think it could have been Kurt?’

She’d given me a sharp look. ‘Why?’

I’d flushed. ‘Well, he’s always looking out for me.’

Angela had tutted. ‘Watch for that. I’ve warned you about grooming. But I still don’t reckon it was him. Not his style.’

How did she know?

‘There’ll be an investigation, of course.’ Angela had spoken as though working out the consequences in her own head. ‘Who’s in your group again?’

I’d listed my students’ names.

She’d whistled quietly at the last. ‘Facial mutilation was Stan’s thing. Remember that case in the nineties? Whole family in London. They … never mind.’ She’d smiled uneasily. ‘Was there any friction in the class?’

Exactly what the governor had asked.

‘Only a bit of bantering.’

‘I heard the police interviewed you too.’

‘They asked me the same things the governor had. I gave them the same answers.’

She’d nodded. ‘They’re still here, apparently, questioning the men.’

On an ordinary day, I’d have wondered how Angela got her information. But this wasn’t an ordinary day. It had been a mistake to confide in her, I realized. Angela hadn’t helped. She’d made me feel more uncomfortable. Like this had been my fault.

‘You ought to eat something, love.’

But I’d felt too sick. The prisoner on table duty hadn’t even approached me for my order. It was as though I was bad luck.

I’d stood up then, conscious that the people on the neighbouring table were looking away quickly, as if they’d been staring. ‘Got to get ready for the next class.’

Angela’s eyes had widened. ‘You’re going to carry on working?’

‘The governor said I could. Besides, I need the money.’

She’d shrugged. ‘Like getting back on a horse again, I suppose.’ Her fingers had begun to drum. ‘Still, if you feel up to it, it’s probably the best thing.’