It has now been six weeks since Boomer was released, so far she's doing good – hates the bedsit but she needs to stay there for at least another 14 weeks – she's not happy about it, but the last thing she wants to do is break parole and end up back inside. Today, Bridget has her first session with Bea, even though we said it wouldn't be until the 24th, we decided to bring it forward a few weeks, since we now have Boomer to help with Olivia it makes life that bit easier.
"Good morning Franky – you're up early, it's your day off." My wife says, walking into the kitchen.
"Morning, I know – think I'm just so used to getting up for this time, it's like I have an internal alarm clock or something." I hand Bridget a cup of coffee, she instantly perks up at this.
"Oh thank you! I definitely need this right now – I forgot what early starts for work were like."
"Yup, that's what we get for having such a good kid – not many rude awakenings from her." I go and stand behind Bridget and wrap my arms around her, loving the feel of holding her close like this.
"Hmm – I know, can you believe it's almost 8am and she's still asleep? That's from her last feed at 11pm last night – she clearly takes after you darling." Bridget says, spinning around to capture my lips in a sweet kiss.
"You're right there – I am so not a morning person, never have been, never will be."
"You don't need to tell me!"
"Yeah, yeah! Anyway – you should probably start to head – don't want to be late for your first session of the day."
"You're right -it's at 10am but the time I get everything sorted I guess I should go – oh and Vera said I can use your office babe." I look at her with raised eyebrows.
"Oh come on! That's not fair – you're reclaiming already? It's your first day!" I pout at her.
"Well, technically – it was mine before it was yours – anyway, it's already got our photos and stuff in it."
"Fine – just one thing though." I say with a devious look.
"And what would that be?" Bridget replies.
"Well, just please don't look in the bottom drawer of the desk, okay?" I give her the most serious look I can manage.
"Umm, okay – why though?" she looks at me puzzled.
"Oh – it's nothing, honest – just don't look though. Anyway – time for you to go. I love you and I'll see you tonight." I say, pushing her towards the front door, handing her a jacket and bag as we go.
"In a rush to get rid of me Franky? But yeah, I shouldn't be late, probably be back before 6pm – I love you too, and be good. Give Olivia a kiss from me when she finally wakes up." With one final kiss, Bridget leaves – opting to take the Porsche, just in case I decide to go out with Olivia.
My daughter finally decided to make herself known close to 9am, I hear her cries coming through the baby monitor as I watch TV, and make my way to her.
"Hi baby, did you have a good sleep? Shall we get you fed and changed, huh?" She's looking at me with wide eyes as I talk to her, I pick her up to go and get her ready for the day ahead.
Bridget POV
I arrive at Wentworth just after 9am, it was so much fun taking the Porsche, I haven't driven it in so long – since most of the time we go out as a family of three, it's not ideal. I get settled in the office, admiring the photos that take pride of place on the desk my wife and I will now share. I can't help but dart my eyes down to the 'forbidden drawer' wondering if Franky was being serious or not. Chances are she was not, but I'll leave it to investigate another time. I make myself a coffee, trying to wake up a bit more before my session with Bea begins. I have a feeling she will be even harder to get through to than Franky was – and she was certainly stubborn. I am slightly concerned we won't make much progress – but I do know she doesn't want to be here for another 20 years, and the only way I can help her is if she opens up to me. I've read her file multiple times now, and the thing that has always striked me is just how smart she is – she's not one to jump into something head first, she's methodical – and plans her course of action down to the tee, take the murder of Brayden Holt as an example – she basically played Franky, got into her head – which trust me, is not an easy thing to do. She made Franky think she was making a move for Top Dog, where in fact it really had nothing to do with that – it was all part of the bigger plan – kill Brayden. Franky was more or less collateral damage, and it turns my stomach when I think of the injuries my wife sustained during that fight.
I am taken out of my thoughts by a knock at the door, then in walks Will, followed closely by Bea.
"Hi Bridget, just dropping her off – I'll be back in an hour." Will smiles, then walks out the office, leaving just the two of us.
"Hi Bea – please make yourself comfy then we'll start. Can I get you a drink?"
"Hey, thanks, no I'm okay."
"Great – let's get started then." I say, taking a seat across from her.
"So what do you want me to talk about Bridget? I'm not very good at this sort of thing."
"Just start wherever – anything at all, I'm more or less here to listen, and of course what is said here is strictly confidential."
"Umm okay, well there is one thing actually that I just want to say, remember when you said one of the options to apply for would be moving to another facility? Could we not do that anymore? I want to stay here at Wentworth." Bea says seriously.
"That's no problem – can I ask why the change of heart? Not even two months ago you seemed happy that could be an option, what's changed?" I genuinely am confused by her changing her mind. She blushes as I look at her, quickly directing her eyes to a spot on the carpet.
"Bea?" I say softly, trying to get an answer.
"Imetsomeone." She says so fast I can barely understand; did I hear her right?
"You met someone? How so?" I push her for more.
"Ugh, okay you're the first person I'm telling about this, it's making it feel more real saying it out loud."
"Take your time – no pressure, why don't you start by telling me her name, I'm going to stretch a guess and assume it's a woman."
"Well no shit it's a woman." She says rolling her eyes as we both let out a laugh.
"Of course – sorry, please go on." I say encouragingly.
"Well her name is Allie, she's only been here for a few months but she's amazing – we have this incredible connection and we're always laughing and she's beautiful." Bea looks up at me, she's bright red from blushing and I give her a knowing smile.
"You love her." I simply state.
"I think I do – I never thought, after all the messed up shit that's happened I would ever smile or laugh like this again, but as soon as I see her my day instantly brightens – we've kissed a few times, but I think she's wanting to take it to the next level." Bea says, I raise my eyebrows – genuinely surprised she is sharing such intimate details.
"How does that make you feel?"
"I'm not sure – I mean, don't get me wrong I want to, it's just that sex has never been something I've enjoyed, mostly because Harry just forced himself on me – it was never pleasurable on my end."
"But it'll be different with Allie, she won't hurt you."
"No, I know she won't – I guess I'm nervous, I mean it's different – god this is so embarrassing! I'm worried I won't do it right and she'll hate it. She has experience with women, I don't – none at all."
"Bea – I wouldn't worry – it is clear for me to see how much you love and care for her, and I know I don't know her, but from what you've said I think she feels the same, she'll guide you through it, okay? The more you worry the worse it'll be – just relax." Where is my wife when you need her? This is definitely her specialist subject.
"You're right, I know – but yeah that's basically why I don't want to move facilities." I nod and smile.
"Okay, that's good – I'm happy that you feel able to open up to me – it'll make the sessions that much better."
"You're easy to talk to, I can see why Franky fell for you. Oh and about Franky, you can tell her about Allie, I know she'll die when you tell her." I chuckle at this.
"Ha! You do realise she won't believe me? She'll think I'm winding her up!"
"True! Well I'll confirm it myself when I see her next, maybe she can give me some pointers." Bea winks.
"Pointers?" I ask, confused.
"Yeah, you know – the best way to get a woman off." It's my turn to go bright red.
"Umm, well yes, Franky is somewhat of an expert on that." Bea just laughs.
"Do you know about how I met Franky for the first time?"
"No – I don't actually."
"Oh god! You'll die! I opened the door to my newly assigned cell, only to find her going down on that Kim Chang in my bed! Couldn't even have the sheets changed for a bloody week!" I had just taken a sip of water and spit it right back out.
"Oh my god! No way! I'm glad I have her tamed now!"
"Yeah, if I remember right she asked me if I wanted to join in, I didn't know where to look – I just left, closed the door and let them finish." Bea is laughing so hard and I'm totally shocked by this revelation.
"I'll be having words with her when I get home! I can't believe that – wow."
"Oh god she'll kill me for telling you about that – tell her I'm sorry but I just couldn't keep that to myself." I laugh, just imaging my wife's reaction when I bring it up tonight.
"That's time up for today Bea, take care and I'll see you next week." We exchange a smile as she leaves the office, Will waiting outside for her.
I arrive home at 5.30pm, immediately greeted by the lovely aroma of food as I walk through the door.
"That smells great Franky – I'm starving!" I say walking to the kitchen.
"Hi babe, yeah it's ready now – I've fed Olivia so she should be happy while we eat." We sit down at the table and begin to eat the food Franky prepared.
"So – how was your first day then? Feel as though you'd never left?" Franky asks, breaking the comfortable silence that had formed.
"Yeah it was good – loads of paperwork though. Oh, I have something to tell you." I say, a smile forming on my lips.
"Ooh! Is it prison gossip? Please say it is!" Franky asks excitably, like a small child.
"It is – it's about Bea." Franky leans closer to me, immediately captivated.
"She has a girlfriend." I say with a massive grin; my wife's face right now is priceless!
"Shut the front door! No way! Red finally decided to play for our team? About bloody time! Tell me everything!"
"Well her name is Allie, and I really think that Bea loves her, they've kissed a few times but nothing more yet – although she's quite sure that's next on the list – and she's really nervous in case she's terrible at the whole sex with a woman thing– that's all I think. And don't worry, I'm not breaking confidentiality, she said I could tell you."
"Holy shit! I can't believe Red is gonna be a vagetarian!" I just look at Franky with raised eyebrows as she says this.
"You know Gidge, vag – as in." I raise my hand, getting her to stop before she explains any further.
"Yeah, pretty sure I get where you're going with that babe."
"Good to know. So anything else juicy happen?"
"Oh – well now you mention it, yes. Bea was kind enough to tell me the story of your first encounter – I must say Franky; I was totally not expecting to hear what I was told." Franky's eyes go wider than I have ever seen them.
"She umm, she told you about that?"
"Yup, and you even asked her to join in? wow – such a warm welcome for the new girl." I laugh as Franky looks at me, horrified I've found this out.
"I admit, not one of my finer moments – I think it's fair to say I've come a long way in those seven years." We smile at each other, and she leans forward to capture my lips in a kiss.
"You have indeed baby, you have indeed."