Nikki leant back in her seat looking defeated. Despite Helen’s best efforts, this afternoon had been no improvement on the mornings events. All they had left was Sally-Ann Howes, a former colleague of the victim, to rely on.

*************************************************************************************

The mood on G Wing had been somewhat subdued throughout the day. Everyone that knew Nikki, which was pretty much the entire wing, could think of nothing but her appeal. Needless to say, the inmates had little faith in the justice system. While they were confident of Nikki’s innocence, they were less confident in the fact that it would be seen in a court of law.

"I’m out" Alice declared, throwing down her hand of cards.

"Shane?" Denny asked.

"Sorry, what?" Shane turned to her.

"Come on Shane, get your head in the game" Alice poked her.

"Sorry, I seem to be a little distracted. I can’t help worrying about Nikki" Shane admitted.

"I know, I just wish we’d heard something" Bette agreed.

A few minutes later the game had dissolved and the women simply sat at the table, lost in their own thoughts. Tina approached them hurriedly.

"Girls, the news is on!"

The women jumped up and joined the rest of the wing to gather around the television. After a story about climate change and one about a fluctuation in the stock market, the women were growing restless.

"Come on, give us something about Nikki!" Alice yelled in frustration.

"Keep it down Piezecki, some of us are trying to watch this" Officer Hollamby scolded.

Alice cursed her under her breath and returned her attention to the screen.

"And finally" said the newsreader "we go the High Courts where Nicola Wade has been appealing against her conviction for the murder of a police officer three years ago"

"Thank you John" said the reporter based outside the courts "Just this minute all parties have left the court, with Miss Wade’s conviction being reduced to one of manslaughter"

Excited mutterings spread amongst the women as they tried to work out what this meant. On screen, the reporter continued.

"Following testimony from a former colleague of the victim, a Miss Sally-Ann Howes, the High Court Judge was convinced of a different view of the character of the victim. He accepted that Miss Wade did in fact act in self defence. Additionally testimony as to the character of the appellant was provided by her Governor at Larkhall Prison. Following on from this decision, Miss Wade’s sentence was reduced to one of three years, time already served. This evening, Miss Wade left the court a free woman"

Screams and cheers went up amongst the inmates. The women were hugging each other and jumping up and down. As she threw her arms around Shane, Bette’s eyes met Tina’s. They grinned at one another, and Tina motioned for Bette to follow her to one side. The inmate excused herself and made her way to the side of the wing.

"Hey…" Tina started with a small smile.

"Hey you"

"So, what do you make of that?"

"It’s brilliant, I mean, I’m so happy for Nikki. And Miss Stewart must be over the moon too"

"I’m sure she is. Has it made you think any more about your own appeal?" Tina asked, biting her lip.

"T…." Bette took a deep breath "Don’t push me ok?"

"I’m not trying to. I just want what’s best for you. And for us"

"I know…I just….I don’t know if I could go through the pain of being sent here all over again"

"I understand. I just want you to think about it, ok? And know that if you do decide to go for it, I’ll do everything I can to help you"

"I know" Bette smiled "And it means that world to me"

"I think you’d best get back to the celebrations" Tina nodded in the direction of the other inmates.

Bette smiled "Yeah, I probably should. Goodnight T"

"Goodnight Bette. Sweet dreams"

"They always are when you’re in them" Bette said with a wink.