Chapter 27: Parents.

Mark, Emma, Dan and Jade met for breakfast at 8 on Friday morning, all looking bleary-eyed as they had got used to late nights and late mornings since they had been on holiday. They were all in Mark’s new car by half past 8 with him driving and Dan in the front passenger seat. The girls were in the back, chatting continuously. After an hour, they stopped at the services for a coffee and for the girls to buy some flowers for the boy’s Mum, then Dan went to take over driving for the rest of the journey.

“Emma, you sit in your seat in the front, so that you can get used to it” Mark suggested.

Emma was pleased that he had designated it as ‘her’ seat but teased him anyway. “You just want to make out with Jade in the back!”

“Guilty!” he replied, but Jade gave him a thump on his shoulder.

The plan was to visit the boy’s Mum, Susan in the morning and then see their father, John, in the nearby men’s prison in the afternoon. When they arrived at the Women’s prison, they parked the car and went inside to reception. Emma was surprised at how little security there was, but she was still quite apprehensive. Jade noticed and held her hand as they followed the boys. They were shown into a lounge with basic furniture and the boys rushed over when they saw their Mum who stood up to hug them. After a couple of minutes, the boys stepped to either side of her so that she could meet the girls, who were still holding hands. Jade went up to Susan and gave her a big hug.

“It’s lovely to see you again Jade, how are you?” Susan asked.

“I’m fine thanks, and you’re looking fit!” Jade replied.

“There’s not enough to do here so I spend a lot of time in the gym and jogging in the grounds” Susan replied. “And you must be Emma” she added holding both hands out to greet her. Emma smiled and went up to hug her too.

“It’s so nice to meet you” Emma said.

“I’m so pleased you came. Mark has told me lots about you and I wanted to be sure you were coping with these three troublemakers” Susan said, looking from Jade to Mark and then Dan.

“You’re so nosey!” Mark said, laughing, “and to satisfy your curiosity, Emma is my girlfriend as I told you, Jade is my best friend and she’s sort of with Dan now.”

Susan laughed “Given your history with Jade, I must admit I was wondering how Emma was coping, but the way they came in holding hands, I guess they’ve figured it out.”

“We have!” Emma replied. “Jade and I have become really good friends and all the four of us together have lots of fun!”

“I bet you do!” Susan laughed, then added, “I’ve got some good news, the powers that be have finally decided we’re not a flight risk, despite owning properties abroad, so we both get our licence to spend 5 days a month at home from next month then we should get parole before Christmas!”

Everyone was pleased and excited to hear the news, but Emma was also wondering how this would restrict her sleeping with Mark, their naked swimming and their wild parties.

Susan got them all a drink and they chatted for another hour before they had to leave so that they could find somewhere to have lunch, before visiting John at the mens prison, a half hours drive away.

The mens’ prison was also in large grounds, with modern, but functional buildings too. The receptionist called John’s room and he came to meet them, giving the boys man-hugs and kissing the girls.