London, present day
The prison is in Kent, an hour or so east of London. It makes sense for Madeleine to meet Isobel at her place first, not least since she has offered to drive. Although the moment she sees Isobel’s car, she wishes she had suggested she get them a cab.
‘It hasn’t broken down once since I bought it,’ Isobel says, noticing Madeleine’s expression as she opens the passenger door as if handling an unknown reptile.
‘And that was when, 1980?’ she says, deadpan, picking up a couple of cassette tapes discarded on the seat and tucking her legs under the dash. ‘I’m joking, it’s very evocative. What is it?’
‘A Renault five,’ Isobel says. ‘Anyway, at least I have a car.’
‘Touché.’
The visiting room is large and open-plan, a space designed to be inclusive and welcoming, to help convey the prison’s mantra, ‘Our aim is to change lives for the better.’ As if sterile design and a snazzy tagline can distract from the lack of staff training and access to legal advice that are among the perils of an increasing number of privatised prisons like these.
‘Thank you so much for agreeing to see me,’ Isobel says, taking the lead as they sit opposite Eva. The woman looks younger than twenty-two, and Madeleine’s first thought is of the child she knows Eva gave birth to less than a year ago. Madeleine checked when she made her application to visit and Eva isn’t being held in the Mother and Baby Unit.
‘Eva, this is Madeleine—’ Isobel says.
‘I know your friend Dana,’ Madeleine interjects gently, sensing Eva’s understandable wariness. Her eyes narrow with interest. Once satisfied that she is listening, Madeleine continues.
‘I work for the National Crime Agency, specifically investigating human trafficking. Dana is among a number of women I have met through my work.’ It is not strictly ethical, let alone legal, for Madeleine to be sharing details of an informant with anyone outside the agency, but seeing as Dana put herself forward to Isobel, via Maureen, and Dana and Eva were victims of the same gang, it seems like extenuating circumstances. Or at least, if Eva can help them bring the traffickers to justice then the ends will surely justify the means.
Eva looks to Isobel for confirmation, and Isobel nods.
‘I hope you don’t mind me bringing Madeleine with me.’ She pauses. ‘But first, I wanted to say how sorry I am, for all of this.’
‘It’s not your fault,’ Eva says, matter-of-fact. ‘It was me who killed Vedad, not you.’
‘Yeah, but he deserved it,’ Isobel says. ‘I just … If I hadn’t pursued you, you wouldn’t be here.’
Madeleine senses it is time to step in. She speaks gently, guiding Isobel back to less emotive territory.
‘I asked Isobel if I could come with her because we think you might be able to help us catch some of the people responsible for a number of crimes.’ Madeleine lets her words settle, before sitting forward. ‘What do you think?’