Page 116 of The Dead Ex

‘How many extra staff would we need if we moved the exercise slot to 3 p.m. instead?’ I asked.

‘Two.’

‘Fine. Then I’ll help out.’

My deputy threw me a don’t-be-crazy look. ‘You’re the governor.’

‘I’ll lend a hand too,’ offered Patrick.

The deputy looked uncertain. ‘I would do the same, but Sharon …’

He stopped. We all knew that his wife was startingher chemo treatment the next day and he’d been granted temporary leave.

‘It’s fine,’ I said quickly. ‘We’ll sort it.’

It might be a good idea to show willing with the outside exercise issue, even though, as my deputy had pointed out, high-ranking staff weren’t meant to get involved at the coalface. It caused much more of a problem if one of us was taken hostage.

When I got back to my office,there was a message on the answerphone. David! ‘Sorry. The trip is taking longer than I thought. Expect you’re in another meeting or sorting out some emergency. Love you.’

Immediately I rang back, but his mobile went through to voice message. How frustrating! I was going to be tied up for the rest of the day and the evening too. Still, with any luck, we might be able to catch up tomorrow.

Meanwhile,word had got round that the exercise slot was being moved to later in the day. It would be done in strict rotation for half an hour instead of a full hour. Soeven though I’d slotted it during daylight hours, the inmates were still angry.

Zelda was furious at being left in the last group. ‘It’s not bloody fair,’ she yelled while being shepherded out of her wing towards the series of double-lockeddoors towards the courtyard.

‘Stop moaning,’ snapped Jackie, who’d also volunteered for extra duty. ‘If it wasn’t for the guv, you wouldn’t be going out at all.’

‘That’s cos she had no choice. It’s against my human rights to stay in all day.’

Oh!

‘You all right, Guv?’ asked Frances, who was there too.

I held my hand against my stomach. Another flutter. ‘Fine, thanks.’

‘When are you due,Guv?’ called out one of the women.

‘Early summer,’ I said. No point in keeping it quiet. Nearly everyone knew now.

‘At least you get to keep your kid,’ snarled Zelda.

Not again! I’d tried to be understanding, but now I’d had enough. Something inside me snapped.

‘Look,’ I said, going right up to her and staring her in the face. ‘I’m sorry that you can’t be with your daughter. But actions haveconsequences. You did something wrong and you have to pay for it. Maybe you should have thought a bit more about your kid before you broke the law.’

‘You’ll be sorry you said that,’ hissed Zelda. Her hard eyes locked with mine. ‘I’ve warned you before but now I mean it.’

‘How dare you threaten me.’ I was livid. ‘You can go inside right now.’

Zelda laughed. ‘Make me. You haven’t got enough back-up,have you?’

An icy chill ran down my spine. I looked around for Patrick, but he was further down the line. It was cold, and the afternoon light was fading fast.

For a moment Zelda just stared at me. I forgot to breathe.

Then she turned and started running back towards the building.

‘Walking only,’ roared one of the officers.