Abigail is reading her book in her cell as Sue arrives in the doorway

Sue-On your feet Freestone

Abigail - You again? What do you want this time?

Sue - Get on your feet and you'll find out

Abigail - Why must I stand?

Sue - Because I am ordering you to, I will not speak to you while you are sitting down. This is a serious matter and for that reason I want you to stand so that I know you are paying full attention to what I have to say

Abigail stands up

Abigail - Go ahead then, I am listening

Martha stands, staring in disbelief at the note, as Judy arrives in the cell

Judy - There ya are honey, i was looking for you

Martha quickly stuffs the note in her pocket and turns to Judy with a smile

Martha - Hiya Jude!

Judy - What was that you stuffed in your pocket

Martha - Oh nothing love, nothing important!

Judy - Are you ok? You seem a bit upset

Martha - Jude I'm fine, really

Judy - Because if there is anything bothering you, you know you can talk to me anytime

Martha nods her head

Martha - I know Jude, everything's fine I promise you...what did you want me for anyway?

Judy looks sad

Judy - You will probably think I am stupid love, but I need your support with something. Today is a sad day for me, you see today is the birthday of a very special friend I once had, a friend who is now dead and I still miss her

Judy looks tearful as Martha hugs her

Sue walks over to Abigail, an aggressive look on her face

Sue - 6 months Freestone, that's how long he has to wait to find out whether you infected him or not

Abigail tries not to smirk

Abigail - Gee that's a long time to wait for such news, I am so sorry for him. It's gotta be rough to wait so long!

Sue - He is sick with worry as you can expect

Abigail - Yes, I feel real sad for him, poor man! Where is he now? Maybe I can offer some comfort!

Sue - You've done enough already. from now on I want you to stay out of his way

Abigail - Well I can try of course, but it will be a bit difficult in here

Sue - And to answer your question he has taken the day off because he wasn't up to coming in here today. He is in too much of a state

Abigail - Well give him my regards when you see him

Sue - I just want to make one thing perfectly clear to you, so that you are left in no doubt, My son and i are not intending to let you get away with this, no way

Abigail - And you intend to do what exactly?

Sue - That is something we will decide in our own time, there is no rush yet. I'm an officer who has always stuck to the rule book, played it straight down the line. When it comes to people harming my son, that's when I stop being the nice screw. That's when I turn nasty

Abigail - Thanks for the warning I appreciate it

Sue gives her a filthy look before leaving the cell

Judy and Martha are with Sasha

The three of them are laughing

Judy - So she flushed his entire memoirs down the toilet to make sure she got a heavy sentence!

Sasha - She sounds like a real character Jude

Judy smiles warmly

Judy - Yes she was, this place could sure use her now. Its never been the same without her

Martha - How did she die?

Judy - That was a horrible accident, it's too painful to talk about. Its just good to have my friends with me to help me through this hard day

Abigail wonders a corridor and bumps into Katie

Katie - G'day, how's it feel being in Coventry?

Abigail - It's great, I love the peace and quiet. The less I have to speak to that lot the better

Katie - I'm sure it will start getting to you eventually

Abigail - And I'm sure it won't. I don't let silly, childish things like this get to me...anyway, Anderton you're talking to me right now aren't you. Doesn't make it very effective, does it? You are breaking the rules and I bet the other women would be annoyed with you for it

Katie - Don't worry, I shan't make a habit of it. But you and I Abi, eventually we will have a very long talk....when I get my final and brutal revenge on you

Abigail chuckles mockingly

Abigail - Yeah Katie I'm sure we will!

Katie - Oh we will alright

Abigail - I bet you dream about it every night. But that's all it is, dreams. You're all talk nothing more

Katie - I'll prove you wrong on that one, you just wait

Abigail - Sure Katie, catch you around eh

Abigail walks past and then turns back again quickly

Abigail - I almost forgot to say...thank you for the chat, it's nice to know that when I am in Coventry at least one person will still talk to me and entertain me

Abigail winks at Katie and carries on past

Katie watches her go with a cold look on her face

The women are on an outside Rec as Judy, Sasha, and Martha stand by Lizzie's tree

Judy - Well here it is, this is the tree that was planted in her memory

Sasha - What a beautiful little tree

Judy - Sometimes when I feel down I come here to the tree and remember Lizzie and it cheers me up for a little while. Bea used to come out here to the tree a lot too

Judy wipes a tear off her face

Judy - Lizzie was always such a great friend to us, always there for us when we needed her. I could do with her back here to talk to sometimes, that's for sure

Martha - The more you speak of Lizzie the more lovely she sounds. I would have loved to meet her

Sasha - She sounds sweet and kind

Judy smiles warmly

Judy - She was....a bit of a cheeky devil with it though. In a lovable way. I wish I had some flowers or something to lay here

Abigail has been hanging around in the background listening

Sasha spots her for the first time

Sasha - What do you want Freestone?

Abigail shrugs

Abigail- Nothing really, just listening to your touching little chat. I gather that this tree was planted here in memory of one of your old friends Bryant?

Judy - Yes that's right, although it needn't concern you

Sasha - Yes that's right, it is certainly none of your business. Freestone....why don't you do one and leave us in peace

Abigail - I have as much right to be here as you, I am not doing you any harm

Sasha - You're presence here is annoying me, you are supposed to be in Coventry anyway

Abigail - Well you were the one who spoke to me, dear, breaking your own rules!

Sasha - Just get lost before I brain ya

Judy - No, just leave her Sash. It's not worth causing a scene over

Abigail- I'm going anyway, you lot are boring

Abigail moves off a bit

Sasha - Trust that bitch to ruin this moment of quiet reflection for you Jude

Judy - She hasn't ruined anything, I won't let her bother me. Anyway, all the time this tree is here, I can come out anytime to sit here and remember my old friend

Abigail is still listening in the background

Judy - I know it's just a tree but it's what it represents that is the special bit. All the time this tree is here I feel like Lizzie is still with us in some way, she lives on in the tree

Abigail - What a load of bollocks! I have never heard such crap in my life! You really are a silly bitch Bryant!

Sasha flies at Abigail

Sasha - I TOLD YOU TO BEAT IT FREESTONE!

Abigail runs away across the garden and Sasha chases her for a bit before giving it up and returning to Judy and Martha

Sasha - Just ignore that bitch Jude, there is nothing silly about having a special place to come to remember a friend. I doubt Freestone has ever had anyone special in her life she cared about or who cared about her, so we can't expect her to understand

Sometime later the women are in the laundry as Vera arrives in the room

Sasha - Hey Miss Bennett, where is Freestone?

Vera - She was moved to the workshop at her own request. It was obvious she couldn't remain working in here with you lot

Sasha - Yes good idea, best to keep her far away from us

Martha - I feel rather sorry for her

Sasha - Why?

Martha - Well it can't be nice for her can it, ostracized like this

Katie - She deserves it, Martha

Martha - I still feel bad for her and I think Jude does too

Sasha - Yes well Jude and yourself are both too good-natured for your own good at times

Jess is standing in the background as Martha glances over at her and smiles

Martha - Hello there Jess dear

Jess - Hello...

Martha - How are you today?

Jess - Fine.....best get on with my work I suppose

Jess returns to her work, turning her back on Martha

Martha - Yes.....well I suppose I should get on too

The staff room

Vera and Janice are there, drinking coffee

Vera - So the boy has hardly even been here long and already he is taking days off!

Janice - Well I'm sure there is a reason for it Vera

Vera - Yes sickness so he says

Janice - Well there you go then, we are all entitled to time off when we are sick

Vera- Yes well he sounded perfectly fine on the phone to me. If you ask me he is just taking a day off cos he feels like it, probably got some girl on the go and they fancied a day off together

Janice - I am sure that is not the case, Lee seems a hard-working young man to me

Vera - And let's not forget that the deputy governor happens to be his mother as well! Of course, it will be easier for him to take a day off whenever he feels like it won't, she will bend the rules for him. Oh yes, it seems to me that young Lee is in a very privileged position indeed

Janice - Oh really Vera, you do take it too far at times. Sue is not the type to bend the rules

Vera-Not even for her own son? Come on now, I am sure in the case of her son she will

Janice - I am sure you are wrong

Sue suddenly speaks from the doorway

Sue - Yes Janice, you are right. Vera is quite wrong

Vera looks surprised and awkward

Vera - Oh Sue! I didn't know you were there

Sue is angry

Sue - Yes I know. But it was useful for me anyway, now I know what you really think of me and my son

Vera - Oh Sue look...

Sue - Don't bother. Just be aware of one thing, I am a professional and so is my son. Lee took a day off because he was not up for coming in today and for no other reason. In the future, I would thank you to keep your incorrect opinions to yourself. There should be no place for stupid gossip in this prison and at your age, it's about time you grew up a bit Vera!

Sue marches off again

Vera sits red in the face

She sheepishly looks at Janice

Vera - Well really, there was no need for that reaction from her!

Janice smiles and shakes her head

Janice - You never learn do you, Vera

The dining room

Abigail is sitting alone with a meal as Martha joins her

Abigail - What do you want?

Martha - I wanted to talk to you

Abigail - Breaking the rules again, I am in Coventry remember, what would Sasha say about it?

Martha - I can handle her its ok

Abigail - Really? Because she is looking over right now and she does not look very happy

Martha glances over to where Sasha is watching across the room, with a deeply disapproving look on her face

Martha - I can handle Sash, it will be ok

Abigail -Please tell me what you want Martha?

Martha - I want to let you know that I don't entirely approve of how the others are treating you, they are being so mean

Abigail - I can handle them, you needn't worry

Martha - You shouldn't have to handle them, they should not be treating you like this in the first place

Abigail - I'm a big strong gal, I can live with it

Martha - You have to cope with it all on your own. I just want you to know that should you need a friend then I am here

Abigail - That's kind of you but I will pass thanks, I don't need any friends in here

Martha - Come on now, you are vulnerable without a friend

Abigail -And what use would you be to me if I needed you?

Martha - I can offer support can't i

Abigail - Big deal!

Martha - And now you are isolating yourself by working in the workshop. The main group always work in the laundry

Abigail - Yes, the clique you mean. I am not part of the clique remember, you reminded me yourself seconds ago. I am fine in the workshop, all the others not in the clique work there too and they keep themselves to themselves and get on with the work in silence, and that's just how I like it...

......Across the room, Sasha is sitting with Jess and Katie

Sasha - Martha means well, but I am a bit annoyed that she is breaking the rules and talking to Freestone. It makes her being in Coventry rather pointless

Katie - Don't be too hard on her Sash, she is just a very sweet, kind lady that's all. She wants to see the best in Freestone and help her

Sasha - I know, but she is misguided. She would be better off leaving that filth alone

Katie - You know that and I know that, but Martha is not like us, she is a much softer touch

Jess pulls a face

Judy is crying in her cell as Vera arrives in the doorway

Vera - Why aren't you at lunch Bryant?

Judy - I'm too upset to eat today

Vera - What's the matter with you then?

Judy - It's Lizzie's birthday today Miss Bennett, reminded me of how much I miss her

Vera - She's been dead a while now Bryant, I thought you had moved on from it

Judy - I had...I have....but birthdays are always sad, always a reminder

Judy smiles at Vera

Judy - Remember Lizzie's surprise party, Miss Bennett? The women pretended they had forgotten and Lizzie was so touched when she found out. She got loads of presents, Ellen and Captain Barton came and she got ''drunk'' on nonalcoholic wine...of course, I missed it all because I was stuck in the pound, but dear sweet Lizzie still tried to get a piece of the cake to me the next day. Of course, you wouldn't allow her to give it to me, but the kind thought was there bless her. But anyway, I was so happy that she had such a lovely birthday, even if I missed it. I was there in spirit and she knew it

Vera - Yes... well, I hope you pull yourself together soon. No point dwelling on the past

Judy - Don't you miss her too?

Vera - Not particularly, why should I?

Judy -Well come on, out of all the prisoners she was the only one you showed a soft spot for. I think if there is any prisoner whose death would get to you it would be hers

Vera - Oh she was alright I suppose. Look she's gone and it's sad but life goes on. People die all the time, we have to focus on the people who are still here and the future, not the past and the people we lost, its pointless

Judy - Yeah, well I suppose you're right. I still miss the old girl though

Judy is crying again

Judy - I miss all of them. Sharon, Lizzie, Bea, Mouse, Hazel, Maxie...all of them

Vera looks sorry for Judy. She opens her mouth to say something but pauses. She hardens again

Vera - Just pull yourself together Bryant, it won't do to carry on like this

Vera leaves

GATESLAM

PART 2

Vera is standing looking at Lizzie's tree as Janice joins her

Janice - There you are, I wondered where you got to

Vera - Do you know why this tree was planted?

Janice - Yes, of course, I was governor at the time. It was planted for Birdsworth

Vera - Yes, well did you know it was her birthday today?

Janice - No I did not, I barely knew much about her at all. I didn't know her for that long, but it was clear to me that she was a bit of a character, I am not surprised that people still miss her

Vera smiles sadly

Vera - I didn't know either until Bryant told me a few moments ago. I felt I needed to take a few quiet moments to remember her. She was a bit of a nuisance but she was a harmless old girl. I never admitted it but I liked her and I wanted the best for her. The silly woman was always getting out, messing it up, and coming straight back in again. I felt disappointed in her every time she did that, I secretly wanted her to make a go of it on the outside

Janice - That's sweet Vera

Vera - Oh well, I've had my quiet moment. Time to get back to work

Vera walks back towards the prison

Janice watches her go and then turns to look at the tree

Janice - Well Birdsworth fancy that, Vera isn't as hard as she makes out is she

Janice walks away from the tree

The Recroom

Judy is sitting with Ros

Judy - You knew Lizzie didn't you Ros?

Ros - Yes I did

Judy - You know it's her birthday today?

Ros - No I didn't know, but thanks for filling me in

Judy - Don't you think perhaps we should mark the occasion?

Ros - No, what would be the point? She's dead isn't she, she can hardly come and join us can she

Judy - But it would be a nice way to remember her and celebrate her life

Ros - Look Bryant, she's been dead a long time now right? Really I do not see the point in making a thing about it

Judy - Yeah well from what I heard Lizzie was a good friend to you, Ros

Ros - Yes she wasn't bad I suppose, better than that interfering cow Smith anyway

Judy - Then how can you be so callous about it?

Ros - Because I don't live in the past Bryant. I suggest you don't either. It is pointless and it will only make you unnecessarily upset

Ros gets up and moves away

Abigail sits beside Judy with a grin

Abigail - seems you're really annoying and boring everyone with your obsession over the Birdsworth woman, eh Jude!

Judy (aggressive) - Why don't you drop dead Freestone!

Judy gets up and moves off

Sasha is with Martha in her cell

Sasha - I wanted a word love

Martha - Yes, look I think I can guess what about. Me talking to Freestone right?

Sasha - I'm not angry with you love, even though I should be. But when someone is meant to be in Coventry and people talk to them it makes it ineffective

Martha - I know that, but I just feel so damn sorry for her. Ok I know she brings trouble on herself but I can't help how I feel. I hate to see anyone excluded like that

Sasha - Even if we did involve her in things she would not want to be involved. She has made it perfectly clear what she thinks of us all

Martha - Well I know, I still feel the need to reach out to her though

Sasha - So you tried reaching out today?

Martha - I did yes

Sasha - And how did she react?

Martha - With her usual hostility. I felt like I was wasting my time

Sasha - That's because you were. You will never get through to that one, best just keep well away from her. She is beyond help, a truly lost cause

Martha sighs and looks distressed

Martha - No I can't accept that. No one is beyond redemption, that's what I truly believe