Page 126 of Maybe Tomorrow

Outside the large prison doors, Pauline and Leo stood beside each other, their arms linked. Jennifer and Freya were stood behind them at a respectful distance.

‘They said bang on seven o’clock,’ Pauline said, looking at her watch. It was quarter past.

‘They’re probably short-staffed,’ Leo said. ‘You know what the prison service is like.’

‘I hope nothing’s happened.’

‘Like what?’

‘I don’t know. I’ve just got a strange feeling that that door isn’t going to open today.’

‘Now you’re being paranoid. If anything had happened, we would have been told about it by now.’

‘I just… I honestly never thought this day would come,’ she said, gripping Leo’s arm a little tighter.

Leo looked down at her. ‘Smile, Pauline. This is a good day.’ He grinned at her.

She smiled wide. ‘It is, isn’t it?’

The door began to open.

‘Here we go,’ Leo said.

Pauline took a deep breath. She remained rooted to the spot as a small door within the large wooden doors opened. At first, nobody appeared. After a few long seconds, a prison officer stepped out followed by Anthony. He was wearing the clothes she’d sent him and carrying a heavy plastic bag in his left hand. The officer held out a hand and Anthony shook it. They exchanged a few words and Anthony turned. Then he saw his mum, and his smile lit up the dull morning.

He walked towards her, slowly at first, and with a slight limp. As he came closer, he broke into a trot. He dropped the bag, held out his arms, and Pauline ran into them. He wrapped them around her and squeezed her tight.

Leo stood back and watched. He turned to Jennifer and Freya, both of whom were in floods of tears. He bit his bottom lip to stave off the emotion.

The hug between mother and son seemed to last forever. Eventually, Pauline pushed herself out of Anthony’s embrace. Her mascara had run, and she dug in her pocket for a tissue. She wiped her eyes. She stood back and took in her son. She held his hands at arm’s length. He looked thin, gaunt, and he’d aged so much in the last ten years. It was a shock to see him so drained. Yet, he was still her son.

Pauline didn’t know what to say. She tried to think of something profound, something from the heart, but she didn’t have the words.

‘Can I go home, Mum?’ Anthony asked.

That short sentence made the tears flow again.

Leo stepped forward. He held out a hand for Anthony to shake. ‘It’s so good to see you out at long last, Anthony.’ He pulled him into an embrace, hugged him hard, and slapped him on the back.

‘You too, Leo. Can we go onto the moors this afternoon?’

‘Maybe not this afternoon, but we’ll have a trip there very soon. We’ll take a picnic.’

‘I finished that photography course I was taking. I know all about landscapes and lighting. We should be able to get some really good pictures,’ Anthony said, excitement evident in his voice.

‘We will. We’ll put some in frames if they come out really good.’

‘I’d like that,’ he beamed.

‘Oh, Anthony, I’m just so happy you’re out,’ Pauline said, struggling to hold back the tears. She hugged him again, resting her head on his chest.

‘Come on,’ Leo said. ‘Let’s go somewhere to get something to eat and drink and have a good chat.’

Jennifer and Freya were both wiping their eyes as they approached them.

‘Anthony, it’s so lovely to see you,’ Jennifer said with a smile. ‘I’m so happy for you. You remember Freya Sloan, don’t you? She’s been working with us to get you released.’

‘I think so,’ Anthony said, studying her.