Page 72 of Maybe Tomorrow

Leo pulled away from the kerb and drove slowly towards the end of the road. Pauline tried not to make eye contact with the people on the pavement, her supposed friends, her neighbours. They all avoided her now. They crossed over the road if she was coming towards them. Not one of them was on her side, on Anthony’s side. She only had Leo now.

The eighty-mile trip to HMP Starling House where Anthony was on remand was not a pleasant journey. This was Pauline’s third visit. The first time, she’d cried all the way there and, on the way back, she cried so hard she fell asleep from exhaustion. The shock of seeing her son, her only child, locked away with all those hardened criminals was worse than she’d imagined. He was innocent. It was cruel locking him away because the police had lied. He should be allowed home until they could fight his corner in a court of law. This was wrong. It was all wrong.

The second visit was less emotional. She knew what to expect and she’d spent the two-hour journey to get there in complete silence. Seeing what just a few days in that prison had done to her Anthony was horrific. He seemed to have aged twenty years. His skin was grey, his hair was unkempt. His stubble was patchy. He was exhausted, physically and mentally. He had begged and pleaded for his mum to take him home. On the return journey, Pauline cried.

‘I’ve brought him a couple ofSpider-Mancomics,’ Leo said, breaking the heavy silence.

Pauline gave a small smile. ‘He’ll like that.’

‘I didn’t ask, last time, if we could bring him any food. I was going to bring a bag of those mint humbugs he likes.’

‘I don’t know,’ she said, only half-listening.

The silence enveloped them again.

‘I’m a Mint Imperial man, myself,’ Leo said. ‘I started on them to replace cigarettes. I think I’m addicted to them now instead,’ he chuckled.

‘I didn’t know you smoked.’

‘It was years ago. It was seeing my sister get lung cancer that made me give them up. I doubt Mint Imperials damage your insides. Though what they’re doing to my teeth is anyone’s guess.’ He gave another nervous chuckle.

‘Do you think I should tell Anthony about the library?’ Pauline burst out with the question that had obviously been bothering her.

‘I wouldn’t, if I were you. He’s holding onto the fact that everything will be back to normal when he comes home. Let him keep thinking that for a little while longer.’

Pauline shook her head. ‘I never thought Jane would turn like that. The favours I did her mother when she was ill.’

‘Pauline, I don’t think it’s Jane. I think she’s facing pressure from the boss, and the other members of staff. You know what that Carol’s like. She’s always been, well…’

‘A bitch,’ she spat, venomously.

‘That’s one word for it.’

‘I was thinking in bed last night. Once Anthony’s out of there and back home, we’re going to move. Have a fresh start somewhere new.’

‘Where?’

‘I haven’t decided yet. We can’t stay around here, though. How can I have a chat and a laugh with my so-called neighbours in Tesco after knowing how they shunned me when I needed them the most? I can’t forgive that.’

Leo looked hurt. He opened and closed his mouth a few times to say something, but no sound came out.

‘Leo,’ Pauline began. She looked down at his hand on the gearstick and placed a gloved hand on top. ‘Would you like to come with us?’

He turned to her, then quickly turned back to keep an eye on the traffic. He had to slam on the brakes and they both shot forwards.

‘You want me to come with you?’

‘You’re the only person who’s stuck by us. You’re the only true friend I’ve got.We’vegot. I know you’ve got your work, but you can be a factory manager anywhere. I really think a lot of you, Leo.’

He opened his mouth to say something.

‘Don’t answer now. Give it some thought.’ She removed her hand and turned away to look out of the window.

The visiting room at the remand centre was a huge area with tables set out equal distances apart. The visitors entered first and silently made their way to a free table where there were two chairs on one side and one on the other. There was an uncomfortable silence. There were close to one hundred people in the room and every one of them would have rather been anywhere else in the world than there. Yet, for forty-five minutes, they would all smile, laugh, joke and chat with their friends and relatives as if life was continuing as normal and they were simply passing the time of day in a coffee shop.

Pauline watched, expectantly, as the prisoners, all dressed the same, entered the room. Their expressions were blank until their eyes landed on a loved one and suddenly a spark appeared. A brief glimpse of happiness in the darkness. When Pauline saw Anthony enter, she visibly baulked and let out a sound like a wounded animal. Leo grabbed hold of her and pulled her close.

Anthony approached the table, pulled out the chair and sat down.