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‘There aren’t She’s visiting her father’

‘Nothing serious, I hope’

‘Murder’

The long silence that followed allowed Williahts, and plan what he would say when Beth saw hi outside the prison She would be shocked at first, possibly unable to believe he wanted to share her problems, and not walk away

The cab swung off the h brick wall that almost blocked out the sun They came to a halt at a barrier, when the driver said, ‘This is as far as I’o’

Willian outside announced HMP PENTONVILLE

‘Will you be going in, guv?’

‘No, I’ll wait outside’

‘Do you want me to drive you both back into town?’

‘Not possible, I’m afraid,’ said William after he’d checked the meter and handed over his last couple of pounds ‘I’ve barely got enough to cover the bus ride back’

‘Have this one on o back in any case’

‘That’s very generous of you, but it could be some time before—’

‘Not a proble my own business’

‘Thank you,’ said William, as a side door opened that allowed only one person at a tie onto the street

Forrelatives or friends this was just another Saturday afternoon But some crept aith their heads bohile others clearly wanted to escape as quickly as possible Mothers, fathers, wives, girlfriends, so babies, all of the drained, tears strea down her face When Beth first saw him she froze, clearly horrified that she’d been found out