‘Why can’t we see her? What’s the problem?’
Cathy Smith was a patient woman, but she was beginning to lose her temper. It was never an easy journey to Holloway – two buses and a Tube to negotiate – and even when you did get there, things never ran on time. She had a number of cleaning jobs and two small boys to feed, wash and clothe – her time was precious, but nobody seemed to appreciate that. Visiting hours that were supposedly set in stone were seldom honoured and when you tried to find out what was going on you were met by vacant stares. It was as if the authorities wanted to punish the relatives too, though of course they were the innocent parties.
They had been here for over an hour already. The visitors’ centre was an uninspiring place for the twins, though the presence of a small, plastic Christmas tree had cheered them a little today. It had raised their spirits after a long journey and Cathy had been touched by their excited discussion about what Santa might bring them this year. However, as soon as the boys had discovered that the generous-looking presents beneath the tree were actually hollow boxes, the complaints started up. Normally, Cathy let them play on her phone, despite the fights this caused, but it was out of juice today. Nothing seemed to be going her way, so in angry mood she’d collared the visitors’ clerk for the third time, demanding information.
‘I’ve asked for someone from the Governor’s office to come down, but to be honest I’m as much in the dark as you are at the moment. I can’t get through on the phone …’
‘Right hand doesn’t know what the left is doing,’ Cathy muttered as she walked away without waiting to hear more. Why did they always have to make things so bloody awkward?
She was considering what to do for the best, when she spotted Mark Robins hurrying through the centre. It was the quickest way out of the prison and he was obviously in a rush, but Cathy darted across the hall to intercept him. He had always treated both Leah and Cathy with kindness and could be relied upon to give a straight answer to a straight question.
Robins jumped as if scalded when Cathy touched his arm. The talkative officer seemed lost for words today, so Cathy jumped in.
‘I can see you’re in a hurry, Mr Robins, so apologies for intruding. We’re here to see Leah, but we keep getting fobbed off with excuses. I don’t mind waiting but it’s the boys …’
Normally Robins would have jumped in to reassure her at this point, but still he remained silent.
‘If it’s not going to happen, I’d rather know,’ Cathy continued quickly. ‘The boys will be disappointed for sure, but I don’t want to keep them here if we’re not going to get in. We could always come back.’
Cathy’s last words seemed to have some effect and finally Robins spoke.
‘Look Cathy it’s best you stay here. I’ll radio up and get someone to come down and see you.’
‘See me? Why would they need to see me?’
‘It’s best that they do this,’ Mark continued quickly. ‘I’ve got to run now, but a family liaison officer will be with you very shortly. You have my word on that.’
‘A family liaison officer …?’
The words died on her lips – Robins had already disengaged and was heading for the door. Cathy watched him go, gripped by a sudden fear. Robins was normally so helpful, but today he looked uncomfortable, even a little scared. What the hell was going on? What had happened to her Leah?
The boys were laughing in the background once more, playing at being Santa with his presents under the tree. But for once Cathy couldn’t bring herself to look at them. Already something inside told her that it would be a bleak Christmas for them this year.