Day Three
The next day began in the same way: sudden light followed by banging on the door. In my prison uniform slopping-out wasn't such an ordeal: there were comments from the women, but none of the frenzied clawing, though my outsize knickers fell down twice, which drew hoots of laughter and catcalls, and once someone lifted up my skirt.
Breakfast arrived: porridge again, but mercifully free of piss. Then, shortly afterwards, Dawes and Clark appeared.
"Fanny inspection," announced Dawes. "Get your knickers off and your legs spread: both of you."
We did as we were ordered. Dawes gave Rose a cursory inspection, ran her finger over her mound, and said: "You'll do." Then she turned to me, and screwed up her face in what seemed to be an expression of puzzlement.
"You know, for a University tart you don't strike me as being very bright. Haven't you worked out yet that when I tell you to do something you do it?"
"Yes Sir," I said.
"Perhaps there's a problem with your memory then?"
"I don't think so Sir," I said, with growing apprehension.
"Stranger and stranger," said Dawes. "Because I don't have a problem with my memory. And I distinctly remember telling you to keep your twat shaved. Or am I wrong about that?"
"No Sir," I said - finally realising what this was about. "But -"
"But nothing," said Dawes. "This twat hasn't seen a razor for at least twenty-four hours."
"No Sir, but - "
"Stop interrupting me," shouted Dawes. "I told you to shave your twat. You haven't shaved your twat. Which means another visit to the Examination Room for you. Clearly you enjoyed yourself so much last time you can't wait to go back."
"No Sir," I said desperately, "please Sir, you told me not to take off my uniform Sir, I didn't dare disobey you Sir. Please."
Dawes stared at me. She had a trace of stubble across her upper lip which seemed to bristle when she was angry.
And then, to my immense relief, she nodded her head.
"Until I tell you different," she said, "you keep your uniform on all the time EXCEPT when you shave your twat. I'll be back here in the morning: and if I find a single hair where it shouldn't be, you'll be for it. Got that?"
"Yes Sir," I said. "Thank you Sir."
"Come on," said Dawes to Clark. "It smells like a cesspit in here."
And with that they left.
"Phew," said Rose when they'd gone: "that was a close shave." And though my heart was still pounding, for the first time since I'd arrived in prison I managed to laugh.
Once I'd recovered from Dawes' visit I eyed the razor.
"I suppose I'd better make a start," I said. "How come Dawes didn't bawl you out? I don't remember you shaving?"
"My hair doesn't grow as fast," said Rose. "I can get away with every other day."
"Lucky you," I said.
"You'd do better to wait until later in the day," said Rose. "Less time for it to grow again. And Chloe: it isn't easy trying to shave yourself: usually the girls help each other out. The front isn't too hard, but it's impossible to see down below. You can say no if you like, but given what Dawes has said it would be better if you let me shave you."
"Oh," I said. Here was yet another invasive aspect of prison life it seemed I was going to have to put up with. "Well, if you think it's best."
"I do," said Rose. "It's not as easy as it seems - especially with cold water."
It was late afternoon, after a miserable lunch of bread and jam, when Rose decided the time had come for us to shave.
"I'll do you first," she said, "then you'll have a better idea of how to do me. There's quite a knack to it. First of all we've got to choose the best position. Basically there are two ways: you can lie on your back with a towel under you, which is more comfortable but you have to be careful with the water or the bed gets wet; or, you can squat over the bucket: not so comfortable, and not too pleasant for the person doing the shaving because of the smell, but you can be more generous with the water. There is another way, but I don't recommend it."
"What is it?" I asked.
"You squat over the washbasin," said Rose.
I looked at the washbasin: what she was suggesting seemed all but impossible.
"What about the shelf?" I asked.
"The shelf can be removed," said Rose. "Then you sit between the brackets with your back to the wall and your legs spread over the sides of the basin. It's good for water and access - but none too comfortable. I couldn't do it, I'm too heavy. But you might be alright."
"I think I'd rather lie on the bed," I said.
"OK," said Rose. 'Start by squatting over the bucket and splashing your fanny with water."
I took off my skirt and knickers and did as she asked, feeling very clumsy and self conscious. Rose folded my towel and placed it on my bed.
"Now rub soap over yourself," she said. "And whatever you do don't drop the soap in the bucket."
Very carefully I soaped myself.
"Now lie down."