Free Bang Up: Prison walls don't just keep criminals in, the keep the outside world at bay by Karen Woods

life. Bone idle she was. Every day was the same with Rachel; doom and gloom and negative thoughts. She was no role model for anyone. A waste of space she was, nothing more, nothing less. Sarah watched the TV and she was aware that Rachel was waiting on an answer from her. Thinking about her every word she smirked and knew she could outsmart this woman with her hands tied behind her back. Sarah was educated and knew a lot more than she was letting on. “Mikey said we’re moving away when he gets home. We’ll have a new start and by then my dad will have seen how much we love each other and give him a job. How cool will that be? My Mikey all suited and booted for work every day.” Gary sat on the edge of his seat, this was going to be good. He’d underestimated this girl. She was a lot cleverer than he had given her credit for.
    Rachel was chain smoking and popped another cigarette into her mouth. She let out a sarcastic laugh. Did this daft bitch just say “her Mikey”? No, there was no way she was having that. He was her son and nobody was taking him away from her. “My Mikey,” she stressed as she continued, “would tell your dad where to shove his job! He knows what he’s been saying about him and he’s like me like that, he won’t forget. Mikey is fine the way he is, so do yourself a favour and stop trying to meddle in his life. He is who he is - deal with it.”
    Sarah was on form today and giving as good as she got. “You must know a different Mikey than I do then because when we used to talk about this lying in bed, he was all set to meet my dad and tell him how much he loved me. He’s not going to tell you everything we speak about is he Rachel? Come on, he’s a man now, not a small boy. He told me he doesn’t have a close relationship with you anyway!”
    That was a killer blow and you could see the pain in Rachel’s eyes. This war now and the two women were ready to scratch each other’s eyes out. Gary had to step in and change the subject. He came behind Rachel and placed his hand softly on her shoulder as he spoke to Mikey’s girlfriend. “Sarah, we’re trying to get some money together for a parcel for Mikey, as you know, we’re a bit short and we were hoping you could chip in?”
    Sarah flicked invisible dust from the corner of her jacket and looked Rachel straight in the eye. She wasn’t scared of her, no way. “Yes, of course I will Gary. I don’t agree with being part of anything illegal but I’m aware sometimes you need to turn a blind eye and this is one of them. I’ve got fifty pounds here, will that be enough?”
    Gary rubbed his hands together and scratched the side of his nose. “Smashing that Sarah, that will help him right out of the shit, won’t it Rachel?”
    Mikey’s mother was silent. She hated this rich bitch with a passion and the sooner she was off the scene the better. Mikey loved his mother, this tart was lying. The mobile phone started ringing at the side of Rachel. Gripping it in her hand she checked the caller ID. She was hysterical. “It’s Mikey, I just know it is.” Sarah moved closer and tried to get in on the call but Rachel twisted her body around and made sure she couldn’t hear a word being said. “Hello, oh son, I knew you would be in touch with me. I’ve been out of my mind with worry.” Rachel smirked and raised her eyes up to Gary. “Where have you landed, son? Is there anyone you know in there?”
    Sarah was getting restless and she shouted out so he could hear her. “I love you Mikey, when can I come and see you?”
    Rachel listened to the call and whatever Mikey said to her she wasn’t happy about. She rammed the phone into Sarah’s hand. “Here, he wants to speak to you. Hurry up, because I still need to sort stuff out with him.” Sarah took the mobile phone into her hand and walked out of the room. Rachel stood and held her ear to the door. She twisted her head back to Gary and snarled. “Can you hear her? What a soft cow she is!