Prison break

Would Marilyn choose freedom or love?

Marilyn finished reading Wuthering Heights for the second time in as many weeks. The prison library didn' t have anything more interesting to offer and the moors of Brontë' s England made the four grey walls of her cell feel like paradise.

She considered starting all over again for a third time, but decided a nap would be more beneficial. She was just about to close her eyes when David discreetly arrived wearing his prison uniform and a suspicious look on his face.

Two visits in one day?' she winked at the 30-something guard.

You said you wanted out.' He looked over his shoulder.

Everyone in here wants out,' she joked.

I can get you out,' David blurted out.

Marilyn sat up in her bed. This wasn' t the first time that

David had taken her breath away, but it was the first time it had happened while he was still fully clothed.

What?' She couldn' t believe her ears.

David produced a large piece of paper from the pocket of his uniform, still acting shiftily, probably worried that someone was about to enter the cell and catch them both red-handed.

What do you know about this prison?' he asked her.

I know it sucks in here. And the food isn' t exactly awarding-winning.'

No.' He almost scolded her. This place was built on an old mining site.'

And?' Marilyn wasn' t following.

He unfolded the piece of paper and placed it on the bed in front of her. She thought it looked like a floor plan but she wasn' t sure.

What am I looking at?' she asked.

There' s a tunnel.' He pointed at a specific area of the piece of paper. They' re bringing builders in tomorrow to close it up. So you don' t have a lot of time.'

Marilyn couldn' t believe her eyes. Not only was David the beautiful man she' d spent months falling in love with. He was also a genius.

Are you serious?' Her eyes lit up.

But like I said, you don' t have much time.' The colour still hadn' t returned to his face he was nervous.

I' m actually going to be free?' A twinkle.

You are.' He tried to smile. David put his hand in his pocket again and produced a wad of money.

You' ll need some cash when you get out there.' He handed it over.

David¼ she sighed. Why are you doing all this for me?'

I love you,' he admitted. And if you want freedom, I' ll give it to you.'

Marilyn stashed the money under her mattress. She couldn' t believe her luck.

She' d finally found the perfect man who said the perfect things. Even Emily Brontë couldn' t have dreamt up a better soul mate for the criminal.

Wait until the bell for lunch. There' ll be no one within walking distance of the door to the tunnel. I' ve left it unlocked for you.'

Are you OK?' Marilyn could sense worry.

I just don' t want you

She couldnÕ t believe her luck. SheÕd finally found the perfect man who said the perfect things

getting caught. I don' t want us getting caught.' A bead of sweat now forming in the crease of his forehead.

Once I get out¼ where do I go?' Her mind was now working overtime.

That' s up to you.' David didn' t make eye contact.

Where will I meet you?' Her stomach was now a farm of butterflies.

David' s eyes fell to the floor.

Once you go, that' s it,' he said, almost apologising. I can' t see you again. The police will be all over this place. They' ll be watching all my moves.'

Oh¼' She wanted to plead with David and try to change his mind, but she could see that he was already on edge. OK.'

The couple said their goodbyes and were just about to kiss when the cell door opened and Natalie Proctor stood in the doorway.

Oh, sorry, Mr Jenkins.'

She blushed. I was just wondering if Marilyn fancied a game of pool.'

I was just leaving.' His face now red.

David left without another word and

Marilyn' s eyes began filling with tears.

What have you got to be blubbering about?' Natalie saw her lip quiver. I' ve got two kids on the outside and you don' t see me blubbering.'

You have kids?' Marilyn was surprised, it was the first time she' d heard Natalie talk about them.

A boy and a girl.' A smile. And I miss them every day, but you don' t see me crying.'

Marilyn wiped her eyes. Sorry.'

So, do you want a game of pool or not?'

No,' Marilyn said firmly. Close the door behind you, Natalie, I' ve got something to show you.'

It was half past one exactly when David looked at the clock on the wall of the staffroom. He didn' t know whether he was nervous for Marilyn' s big escape, miserable that he' d never see her again or a combination of the two. He didn' t take his eyes off the clock, whatever the reason.

Officer Bailey entered the room just before two, looking flustered and out of breath.

You need to come to D Block.' Panting.

What' s wrong?' David pretended he didn' t already know.

We' ve got one missing.' Still out of breath. Three head counts and

I' m sure there' s one gone.'

David jumped to his feet, feigning shock, knowing that it would divert any suspicion later. He followed the frantic Officer Bailey who was already blaming herself for the escape to D Block.

By now a very loud alarm bell was sounding all over the prison, and news of the escape was spreading like wildfire. When David and Officer Bailey arrived on D Block he noticed a swarm of prisoners looking both confused and excited all at the same time.

Has someone gone?' one asked.

Lucky s**!' another piped up.

Officer Bailey wiped her now sweaty brow and looked to David for advice. He had worked here a lot longer than she had.

What am I going to do?' She was close to tears.

Look, it' s nobody' s fault. These things happen,' David reassured his co-worker.

I knew Proctor was trouble from the moment I got here.' David froze on the spot. Proctor?' He was sure he' d misheard.

She' s gone. And now I' m probably going to lose my job.' Shaking her head.

Proctor escaped?' David couldn' t follow his own thoughts.

Yes,' Bailey snapped.

Keep up!'

What about Marilyn Hagan?' David scanned D Block. I don' t see her.'

She was in her cell the last time I checked.' Tutting.

David ran a few fingers through the curls of his hair and tried to untangle the situation that was unfolding. He walked to Marilyn' s cell, certain that Bailey was mistaken. She wasn' t.

What are you doing here?' he asked Marilyn, who was once again reading

Wuthering Heights.

Nice to see you too.' She smiled.

He walked a few steps closer. What' s going on?'

Did you seriously expect me to go and leave you behind?' Marilyn shook her head at the very thought.

You said you wanted out.' I do want out. But I want you more.' She batted her lashes.

David didn' t know whether to laugh or cry.

I can' t believe this.' He put his head in his hands.

Natalie has a family. She has two kids waiting for her outside those walls. I don' t have anyone except you,' Marilyn said.

David paced the floor, searching for something to say, but he found nothing.

I' ll be out of here in six months anyway. And then we can be together. No running.' She beamed with pride.

David didn' t know how he felt but he threw his arms around her anyway.

I could just kill you,' he sighed.

I don' t think you' d survive in prison,' Marilyn winked.

And then they kissed.

An alarm was sounding all over the prison, and news of the escape was spreading like wildfire