‘There aren’t. She’s visiting her father.’
‘Nothing serious, I hope.’
‘Murder.’
The long silence that followed allowed William to compose his thoughts, and plan what he would say when Beth saw him standing outside the prison. She would be shocked at first, possibly unable to believe he wanted to share her problems, and not walk away.
The cab swung off the main road and headed down a side street towards a high brick wall that almost blocked out the sun. They came to a halt at a barrier, when the driver said, ‘This is as far as I’m allowed to go.’
William stared up at a vast wooden gate. A sign outside announced HMP PENTONVILLE.
‘Will you be going in, guv?’
‘No, I’ll wait outside.’
‘Do you want me to drive you both back into town?’
‘Not possible, I’m afraid,’ said William after he’d checked the meter and handed over his last couple of pounds. ‘I’ve barely got enough to cover the bus ride back.’
‘Have this one on me, guv. I’ve got to go back in any case.’
‘That’s very generous of you, but it could be some time before—’
‘Not a problem. And it might make up for me not minding my own business.’
‘Thank you,’ said William, as a side door opened that allowed only one person at a time to leave the prison. A trickle of visitors began to emerge onto the street.
For many of those who had been visiting relatives or friends this was just another Saturday afternoon. But some crept away with their heads bowed, while others clearly wanted to escape as quickly as possible. Mothers, fathers, wives, girlfriends, some carrying babies, all of them with a story to tell. And then she appeared, looking drained, tears streaming down her face. When Beth first saw him she froze, clearly horrified that she’d been found out.
William walked quickly towards her and took her in his arms.
‘I love you,’ he said, ‘and I always will.’
He felt her body slump, and he almost had to hold her up.
Several visitors walked past them as she continued to cling on to him, like a prisoner who had just been released.
‘I’m so sorry,’ she said, not letting go of him. ‘I should have told you when we first met, but it became more difficult as each day passed. I didn’t plan to fall in love with you. Can you ever forgive me?’
‘There’s nothing to forgive,’ said William, taking her hand. He opened the cab door for Beth before joining her in the back.
‘Where to, guv?’
‘Thirty-two Fulham Gardens,’ he said as Beth rested her head on his shoulder.
‘When did you find out?’
‘This morning.’
‘I’d understand if you wanted to move out.’
‘I’ll say this once, Beth, and only once. You’re stuck with me, so get used to it.’
‘But—’
‘There are no buts.’
‘There is one but,’ she said quietly. ‘You have to understand that I’m in no doubt my father is innocent.’