by Woods, Karen
Darkness fell in the police cells. Sandra dragged the small blanket over her body. She looked like it was all hitting her now and she started to regret her actions. The following morning she would go to Manchester Magistrates and every one would know what she’d done to her husband. Looking at the tattoo on her foot she smiled. As she mumbled under her breath you could see a single tear falling onto her pillow. “Bastard, you won’t get the better of me. I promise you.” Her eyes closed.
Morning came and shouting could be heard outside Sandra’s door. As the door opened a female officer stood looking at her. Sandra and Tina were the talk of Grey Mare Lane police station and everyone wanted to see the woman who’d shoved super glue down her husband’s penis. The officer placed her hand on the cell door frame and smiled at Sandra.
“Come on love we need to get you to court. I have to tell you there is a lot of press attention and the reporters are outside in full force.”
Sandra looked confused, “Fucking hell why are they interested in me?”
The woman smiled. She checked no one was listening and stood inside the doorway. “They are interested in you because you gave your cheating husband exactly what he deserved, the scum bag.”
Sandra smiled before replying, “he deserved a lot more, the wanker. And I’ve not finished with him yet. We’ll see whose laughing at the end of this. What’s that saying now…” she looked to the ceiling as she remembered, “Those who laugh last, laugh longest. I’ll show that shit- stain don’t you worry.”
The officer led her to the car park and protected her as the press tried to get a photo of her face. Sitting in the white sweat box, she smiled. Her mind was working overtime now and she shouted to see if Tina was inside the van too.
“Tina are you in here love?” She placed her ear to the door. There was no reply. She shouted again and this time she could just about hear her friend’s voice.
“Sandra I’m here love. I’m shitting myself.” Sandra sat in the small space and gazed out of the window. Her eyes were struggling to see anything outside. She replied as she blew her warm breath onto the window.
“Tina we’ll be fine. Don’t worry love, just keep calm.” She could now hear the broken words of her friend. She couldn’t make out what she was saying as the traffic from outside was too loud. Her fingers now wrote her name in the mist she’d created on the window.
The two women were soon sat inside the courtroom. They were secured in the dock by a thick piece of glass. Two Group 4 guards sat at either side of them. Reporters were present in the courtroom and they were watching their every move. They hid their identity well from the usher because if he knew for one minute they were reporters they would have been carted from the courtroom without a doubt.
Tina’s hands were shaking and Sandra gripped them tightly as they watched Steven and James enter the court room. Tina tried to stand up to go to the glass but the security quickly told her she had to remain seated. Sandra smiled at James. His face looked endearing. He was dressed in jeans and a grey t-shirt. He looked sexy with the stubble that was present on his face. Sandra now spotted Maxine. She was waving her hands above her head to get their attention. Sandra smiled at her and waved back slowly so no one could see. Maxine now stood up from her chair and told them she was on it and would help get them out as soon as possible. She gave them a quick wink as the female usher told her to sit down.
Judge Maloney now came into the courtroom as everyone stood up. Everyone kept their heads low as he sat. They treated him like royalty. Sandra and Tina’s solicitors were both rearranging pieces of paper and preparing to speak on behalf of their clients. They were both applying for bail. The solicitors knew they were fighting a losing battle but promised to give it their best shot.
The prosecution was the first to speak. He was dressed in a long black gown and a grey wig. The man spoke in a posh voice. As he read from the white pieces of paper in front of him his voice was distressed. He was speaking about Tina and Sandra as if they were murderers and a danger to the public. Sandra whispered to Tina. “Fucking hell what’s he going on about? Why is he making us out like we’re fucking nutters?” Her face looked angry as she sat forward listening to all the evidence against them. The judge kept lifting his head and staring at the two women sitting in the dock. As the prosecution told him that the women both had the same tattoos on their feet he tried to make out they were involved in some kind of cult that were against cheating men.
“For fuck’s sake,” Tina whispered, “it’s a tattoo that’s all. They need to get a grip.” Sandra locked her fingers together now. She wanted to stand up and shout out that her husband was an out and out twat but it looked like she was struggling to speak.
The prosecution carried on reading extracts from Sandra’s diary. The hair loss, weight gain, and spitting in his food were all mentioned along with lots of other things that made the courtroom giggle. The solicitor applied for bail.
The judge told the woman that their case would now be adjourned and they would both remain in custody until the date he’d set. Tina shook her head. She was fuming and couldn’t hold her tongue any longer. Her flat palms now fixed themselves against the glass as she ranted at the judge. “Remanded, are you having a laugh you old cunt. You need to see this for what it really is. Kevin is a lying bastard. He’s made her life a misery for years” she pointed her finger at Sandra so everyone knew she was the one who’d been abused. “You need to get your facts right before you start judging us. Kevin is the one who needs locking up, not us!” Tina was being pulled from the courtroom.
Sandra stood up and smiled at James. “I’ll write to you” she mouthed. James nodded as he blew a kiss to her.
Maxine looked angry and pushed the usher out of the way as she left court. The reporters were having a field day. The pens in their hands were writing ten to the dozen and one of them followed Maxine outside.
Jenny had worked for The Sun newspaper for years. Following Maxine down the stairs she hurried to catch up with her. “Excuse me love” she shouted after her. Maxine halted. As she faced Jenny for the first time she scowled. Jenny could see she was in no mood for anything and approached her with caution. “Hi love. I’m a reporter and would love to help your friends. I’m interested in the truth and I could help getting your names cleared.” Maxine carried on walking and once they were outside the courts she searched her pocket for her cigs. Lighting one she looked at the woman in front of her.
“Right what are you going on about?”
Jenny smiled. Maxine was rough as fuck but she there was something likeable about her. The reporter stood against the wall and spoke casually. “I know there is more to this story than meets the eye and I would love to help Sandra and Tina.”
Maxine held her head to the side. “How the fuck can you help them? You’re a reporter” she moaned taking a deep drag from her cig. Jenny asked if she would come and have a cup of coffee with her to discuss it further.
Maxine told her straight as she took the final drag from her cig. “Listen I’m not a grass or owt. I’ve not got a pot to piss in at the moment so I can’t be buying any coffees.”
Jenny knew she was dealing with a strong woman and told her straight. “Oh don’t worry I’ll get the drinks. I don’t want you to grass. I just want you to clear your friend’s names.” Maxine stood in thought for a minute. Checking her watch she agreed to have a quick brew with her.
“Right you can have five minutes, but if you’re chatting shit I’m getting off, alright?” Jenny smiled and walked with her to the nearby Costa coffee.
Sandra and Tina were getting shipped out to Styal prison. They both sat together before they were parted and cried in each other’s arms. Sandra was the brave one and comforted Tina. “We’ll be fine love. Trust me. We’ll sort something out I promise you. Plus Maxine is helping us. You know what she’s like. She won’t let us rot in here trust me.” They both entered the sweat box that was taking them to prison. Reporters took photos and Sandra couldn’t he
lp but smile at them and yank her two fingers into the air. Their faces would be all over the tabloids the next day and she prayed someone out there would help them to get free.
Jenny took shorthand notes as Maxine spoke. Some of the things Maxine told her made her piss laughing. Jenny warmed to her. She was a diamond in the rough without a doubt. The conversation was coming to an end and Jenny came to the conclusion that Sandra was the victim and not Kevin. After all, he’d shagged her sister for years and there were rumours that she was pregnant. Surely that alone would be enough to push any woman over the edge? Maxine told Jenny that the tattoos were just something that stated that they wouldn’t take shit anymore. She told her of all her own personal turmoil she’d dealt with in her life and that “Carpe Diem” meant that from that day onward all the three of them would become stronger in relationships. Jenny nodded. She had been hurt in the past and could identify with the women. Jenny held her foot out to the side. “I might get that tattooed on the side of my foot too.”
Maxine giggled as she slurped her coffee. “Go for it chick.”
Jenny was looking anxious. She told Maxine that she had a plan to get every woman all over the world behind the pair of them. She rubbed her hands together as a story unfolded. “The way I see it - Sandra and Tina are icons for women worldwide. I mean, come on; it’s about time that men see that we won’t take any shit from them anymore. Kevin abused her for years, where is his punishment? I’m going to do a big story and get the right people behind us.”
Maxine thanked her from the bottom of her heart. She was on bail for the charge and she had to go back to the police station in a few weeks to see if she was to be charged as well, so any help at the moment would be more than appreciated. “Thanks Jenny. When I first met you I thought you were up ya own arse and all that, but ya sorted you are. Thanks love.”
Jenny hugged her as they made to leave. Maxine looked at her with cunning eyes. She didn’t trust anyone and she let her know that if she was having her over, she would find her and make sure she dealt with her. Jenny looked scared and she could tell by Maxine’s face she meant every word. They exchanged phone numbers and Jenny told her she would be in touch in the near future. They both left. Maxine had bigger fish to fry now and she set off with speed to try and get her friends out of prison.
*
Kevin sat in his front room. The house had an eerie silence to it. His two sons sat looking at him. He could see Paul had hate written all across his face. He’d always been a mummy’s boy in the past and he clenched his fist as he looked at him.
John seemed in a world of his own. His eyes looked dark underneath and he looked like he’d lost a lot of weight. Kevin spoke to him. “What’s up with your eyes? You look fucked.”
John stretched his eyes open and struggled to speak. “Nar. I’m alright. I’m just tired and that. It’s all this with my mam and you. It’s fucked my head right up. You should drop the charges and get her out.”
Kevin stood from his chair. Holding his crotch he screamed. “Get her out! Are you having a fucking laugh or what? She tried to kill me ya muppet. Look at my nob! Look at what the barmy bitch has done.” Pulling his cock out he walked to John. Paul had a look of disgust on his face and left the room. John cringed as he saw the shrivelled penis.
“I know what she’d done dad, but she’s your wife. You can’t leave her in there can you, I mean what did you expect? You shagged her sister.” Kevin wobbled back to his chair. As he sat down he yelled out in pain.
“She can rot in there for all I care. Anyway you need to deliver this.” Kevin held a bag of smack out in front of him and watched as John took it from his grip with eager hands.
Kevin started to tell John about Zac and how the money from the paper stories would at least pay some of his debts off. “John stood at the door as Kevin answered a phone call. You could see small droplets of sweat forming on his forehead and he looked anxious. Kevin held his hand out to him and told him to wait as he spoke on the phone. It was just another drugs order and John listened as Kevin shouted out the address.
John took the other parcel from his dad’s hideout and helped himself to another two bags for himself. He’d been tanning the gear left, right and centre these last couple of months and he was now an addict. Going back into the front room he told his dad he was going to drop the drugs off. Kevin didn’t answer him and he could be seen examining his nob in more detail. John left without saying goodbye.
*
Sandra and Tina began their prison life. The jail was horrific to look at. As they went through the motions they could see prisoners nearby looking at them like vultures waiting to pounce. Tina stood by Sandra and the tears left her eyes. She knew this was a dog eat dog environment and she wasn’t going to let anyone take the piss out of her or her friend. Sandra’s face looked hard and she now had a menacing look in her eyes. If this was the place she was going to be for the next few months she was sure as hell going to make the most of it.
The two of them were escorted to their cells. As they walked along the long landing the inmates stood at their doors clocking them. Sandra gazed over at them and could see most of them had that hard look in their eyes. There were around fifteen rooms on each landing. As they passed an inmate, she patted Sandra on the shoulder and shouted out at full pelt. “Good on ya girl. You should have cut his cock off not just glued it.” Sandra smiled as other inmates joined in.
“We’re proud of you girls. It lets these men know that we won’t be taking any shit in the future!” The woman patted Tina’s shoulder as they made their way inside their new cell. They were like returning war heroes. Once they were inside the cell Tina smiled.
“Fucking hell Sandra, how the fuck do they know what we have done?”
Sandra shrugged her shoulders. “It’s probably been on the news. There must have been reporters inside the court room?”
Tina walked to the small window in the middle of the cell. She started talking. “Yeah but fucking hell Sandra, I didn’t think people would recognise us. I bet our photo is all over the fucking TV.”
Sandra threw herself onto the bed as she patted her hair down. “I hope I looked okay” she giggled. “I bet that bastard Kevin has given them a photograph of me when I was about twenty stone. The sad cunt.”
Tina now lay on the bed opposite her. Looping her hands behind her head she sighed. “I’m sorry Sandra. It’s my fault you’re in here. I never meant for it to go this far. Maxine just got some stuff from some guy and the rest just followed. I suppose we just got caught up in the moment.”
Sandra was now sat up on her bed. She looked upset. “Listen here you daft cow. I was the one who wrote it all down in that stupid fucking diary. Without that none of us would be here. So it should be me apologising to you.” Tina joined her on her bed and they hugged. Sandra now banged her fist on the side of the bed. You could see her knuckles changing colour as she gritted her teeth.
“He thinks he’s a smart arse. But I swear Tina, he’ll get what’s coming to him. I won’t rest until I know he’s been paid back. Who does he think he is having us locked up in here?”
Tina agreed. “I know, love. For the first time in my life I’ve been really happy and have a fella and that crank of a husband goes and fucks it all up, I swear if you don’t do him in, I will.” Tina now wrapped her arms around herself. “Orr I’m going to miss Steven you know. Did you see him in court? He looked fit as fuck.”
Sandra giggled. “I know he did but what about James. No way did I think he would come to court. I hope he comes to visit me in here.”
Night was drawing in and the cell was going dark. Tina flicked the light on and stared at the walls around her. It was social time soon and they would be able to mix with the other inmates. Sandra looked tired. She hadn’t slept a wink in days and her lack of sleep was catching up with her. Stretching her arms above her head Sandra farted. Tina chuckled and held her belly. “You dirty bastard. Oh no, it smells like the sewers!”
T
ina covered her nose with her hands as Sandra laughed rolling about on the bed. “It’s my nerves love. And if we’re pad mates we’ll have to get used to each other’s habits and all that.”
Tina giggled and fell back on her bed. “You’re a skunk Sandra.”
The cell door opened and three women were outside. Tina stepped out first and thought they were waiting to do them in. She walked outside with caution. As soon as her feet touched the landing, arms were flung around her neck. Tina felt uncomfortable. Sandra could now been seen getting the same treatment. The women were being treated like action heroes. As they walked down the stairs in the middle of the landing the rest of the convicts started chanting and whistling. Sandra stared at Tina with disbelief as she lifted her hands up at the side of her mouthing, “What the fuck?”
They were welcomed into Styal prison with open arms. Prisoners gathered round them as they told their story. One woman even said she would pay big money for her husband to experience the same kind of treatment. Lots of the women told stories about their own partners cheating on them and how they felt. For the first time in her life Sandra didn’t feel alone.
One convict told her own story and dipped her head as she told them of the abuse she’d suffered for years from her partner. “My old man was a mental cunt. He used to stub cigs out on me when he was pissed. One night I woke up and the bastard had soaked me in lighter fuel. I thought I’d pissed myself at first when I started to wake up.” Everyone laughed but as she continued the smile left their faces. “He shaved my hair too. I stayed in for fucking months. Nobody knew anything about it, I just kept it to myself. I suppose that’s why I’m in here now. He fucked with my head that much, drugs were all I had left.” Arms from different directions now cradled the woman. Tears formed in Sandra’s eyes and you could see all the women in her presence feeling her pain.
