The regulation trousers did nothing for her, white blouse tucked in giving her the look of a sack of spuds tied around the middle. She was pale with thin dark hair which straggled to her shoulders and anxious, tired eyes. He knew she had not slept in her free morning. However tired she had been she had not relaxed.‘Sit down,’ he invited, after introducing himself.Instantly he could tell the difference between her and Walton Pembroke. Pembroke had been so sure of himself, sure of his job and position too whereas she was a nervous wreck. Randall wondered. Was it simply the senior officer’s years on the job plus the fat carrot of a good pension or some confidence inbuilt?Stevie was new, nervous, uncertain what to say. And frightened.Of what?That she’d lose her job?He watched her sit down and wondered how on earth she would survive her years as a ‘screw’. She simply didn’t look tough enough. He tried to put her at her ease with a smile and a preamble. ‘Stevie,’ he said.
