Homeward Arrest

"No one's ever asked me what it's like having a dad in prison. Not till now. It's not the sort of thing you want to tell people.

The first time he was arrested it was Halloween. I was out trick or treating. I was dressed as the devil. We went back to get my hairy hands. A policeman opened the door. He wouldn't let me in to find them. Mum just stood in the hall in her witch costume, crying. I stayed that night at my mate's. No one explained what was happening.

The next time I saw my dad, he was in prison. First it was like mum wasn't there. She just sat by the phone. Didn't talk, didn't eat. Couldn't take us down the shops, couldn't take us to school. She thought everyone was talking."