Trudy feels strange as this third stretch in solitary comes to an end

Trudy is anxious about life after lockdown. She doesn’t want to stay isolated, but perhaps she’s just become too used to it. By Christine Manby

(Tom Ford)

Back in pre-Covid times there were moments when I imagined what it would be like to do a short stretch in prison. There were days when the thought of a six-month sentence was almost as tempting as a spa holiday. A few weeks off work, no bills and no obligation to spend time with the people I didn’t want to spend time with.

I’d finally get round to writing that novel. I might even work on my abs. Most importantly, somebody else would be thinking about what to cook for breakfast, lunch and dinner. How many marriages have finally broken down over those three little words: “What’s for tea?” Can’t just be mine.

Of course, I know that prison isn’t really like a spa hotel and that I’d likely have to share a cell with someone much bigger than me who had an enthusiasm for death metal, as my neighbours’ builders do. And, having experienced lockdown, I now know that not being able to see who you want when you want to is a cruel punishment indeed.