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*** RECREATION ROOM - 1:45 AM *** |
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Polly looks up from the extremely boring television show when she sees the blonde-haired officer enter the room. June shakes her head, dropping down on the sofa next to Viv. |
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WPC Martella: |
Any luck, June? |
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WPC Ackland: |
Nothing. Absolutely nothing. |
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Viv sighs. |
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WPC Martella: |
Are you sure? What did social services say? |
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June snaps back angrily. |
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WPC Ackland: |
Just what I said, Vivian. Nothing. Not at this time anyway. |
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WPC Martella: |
Fine. But what are we going to do with...? |
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Viv nods across at Polly. June rolls her eyes, her voice softening to an authoritative whisper. |
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WPC Ackland: |
I'll drop back some blankets and a pillow from custody, okay? Doesn't look like she's about to set fire to the place or anything. You'll be okay here for the night, won't you? |
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June raises her voice slightly, looking down at the girl. Polly shrugs, thoroughly confused. |
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Polly Page: |
I guess. |
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WPC Ackland: |
Settled. I'll leave things to you then Viv. |
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June nods at the younger officer before turning and leaving the room. Viv sighs again and turns to face Polly. |
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WPC Martella: |
What are we going to do with you, eh? |
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Polly frowns defensively. |
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Polly Page: |
Look, if it's too much trouble just let me go. |
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Viv shakes her head and gets to her feet. |
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WPC Martella: |
We can't do that Polly. We have to make sure that you have a warm place to sleep and are well-fed. |
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Polly sighs. |
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Polly Page: |
Whatever. |
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Polly returns her attention to flicking television channels. Viv walks over to the water fountain and pours Polly a small cup of water. She returns to the small girl's side and hand her the paper cup. |
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WPC Martella: |
Anything good on the box? |
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Polly nods and takes the cup from Viv with a small 'thank-you' before switching off the set, with a shrug. |
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Polly Page: |
Nope, boring. |
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WPC Martella: |
Have you tried the other channels? |
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Polly grumbles under her breath with a sigh. |
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Polly Page: |
Yes, they're just as annoying. |
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WPC Martella: |
Well is there anything else that you'd like to do? Do you feel like a game of something? |
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Polly screws up her face with a scoff. |
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Polly Page: |
You're as bad as the others. That's kids' stuff. |
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WPC Martella: |
No it's not! Have you ever played poker? |
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Polly rolls her eyes getting slightly pissed off. |
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Polly Page: |
Look, you don't have to baby-sit me, ya know! Just go and do your job. I'll be fine here. |
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WPC Martella: |
My job is to stay here and look after you, Polly. Like it or not, you're stuck with me! |
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Polly chucks the remote control down on the floor, looking away as she folds her arms tightly. |
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Polly Page: |
Fine. |
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WPC Martella: |
You don't have to be so difficult, you know! What is it with you, Polly? You seemed like such a nice girl when I first met you. |
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Polly shrugs. |
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Polly Page: |
What do you care? |
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WPC Martella: |
I care, because to be perfectly honest you've been really narky to me and June when all we've done is save you from spending the night in some dark alleyway. I can understand that you're upset about the death of your dog but you're not being very helpful. |
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Polly looks up at her slowly. |
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Polly Page: |
Well what do you expect? |
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WPC Martella: |
I expect a little bit of co-operation. Care to tell me why you hate your stepfather so much? |
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Polly Page: |
What that fact that he just killed my dog not good enough! |
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WPC Martella: |
Well perhaps. But even when I first spoke to you, you seemed to dislike him. |
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Viv takes a deep breath as she stares at the small girl. |
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WPC Martella: |
Are you sure he's never hit you, Polly? |
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Polly shrugs, looking back down at her hands. |
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Polly Page: |
Would you believe me if I said he had? |
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WPC Martella: |
Of course I'd believe you, Polly. Has he ever hurt you? |
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Viv adjusts her position on the couch and gives Polly a concerned look. |
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Polly Page: |
Yeah, now and then. He doesn't make a regular habit of it though. Only if I wind him up or stuff. |
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WPC Martella: |
So he does hit you? Why didn't you tell me before? |
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Polly Page: |
I dunno, wasn't any the point. And I deserve it if I say stuff I shouldn't. He just pisses me off sometimes, so I lose it. |
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WPC Martella: |
What exactly does he do to you? |
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Polly Page: |
Nuffink, just knocks me about if I step outa line or something. But he was really rough tonight and I was answering him back heaps more than usual, so it was probably all my fault that he hurt her. |
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Polly trails off as she starts sobbing again. Viv gives Polly a small hug. |
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WPC Martella: |
You can't blame yourself for what he chose to do to her. It's not your fault, Polly. Do you know why he was so wound up tonight? |
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Polly raises her voice. |
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Polly Page: |
Because of the party, I already told ya all this! |
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WPC Martella: |
What exactly happened at the party? |
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Viv remains cool and calm but her voice trembles slightly. Polly squirms slightly. |
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Polly Page: |
Nothing. I just wanted to go home and he wanted to stay. |
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Viv nods, noticing the dark bruising on Polly's forearm. |
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WPC Martella: |
I see. Can you show me your arm please, Polly? |
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Polly looks down, confused. |
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Polly Page: |
Why? |
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WPC Martella: |
I just want to have a look at it. Don't worry, it won't hurt. |
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Polly bites her bottom lip, raising her arm from her lap slightly. Viv gently takes Polly's arm and rolls up the shirtsleeve. |
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WPC Martella: |
There's evidence of bruising here, Polly. And that scar... It's almost like a bite mark! How did you get that? |
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Polly shrugs. |
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Polly Page: |
With a cigarette. |
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Viv is shocked. |
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WPC Martella: |
Greg did that with a cigarette? |
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Polly shakes her head, her reply sharp and closed. |
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Polly Page: |
No. |
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WPC Martella: |
How did you get it then? |
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Viv is not going to let go. Polly shakes her head. |
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Polly Page: |
I'm not telling ya nuffink else, okay! Just leave it! |
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Viv lets her hand drop from around Polly's shoulders. |
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WPC Martella: |
If you're sure. Is there something that you want to tell me, Polly? |
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Polly shakes her head again. |
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Polly Page: |
No. |
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WPC Martella: |
Polly, there's something you're not telling me. How did you get that mark on your arm? |
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Viv is becoming very insistent. |
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Polly Page: |
I already told ya! Forget it! |
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Viv puts both of her hands on Polly's shoulders and shakes the small girl slightly. |
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WPC Martella: |
Polly, listen to me! What are you hiding? |
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Polly wriggles out of Viv's grasp. |
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Polly Page: |
Let go of me! |
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Viv lets her hands drop to her sides. |
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WPC Martella: |
Polly, I'm sorry. Please tell me, I know there's something wrong. If you don't tell me then I'll have to ask your Uncle Charlie. |
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Polly glares at Viv, her jaw trembling. |
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Polly Page: |
No you wouldn't, he's not my Uncle anyway! |
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Viv is slightly confused. |
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WPC Martella: |
How do you mean? He told me that you were his niece, which is why you were allowed in the reconstruction. |
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Polly Page: |
I mean, he's not my Uncle. He just told me to call him that. Satisfied? |
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WPC Martella: |
But why Polly? Why pretend to be your Uncle if he's not? |
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Polly shrugs. |
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Polly Page: |
I dunno. Makes it easier for everyone I guess. |
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Viv rests her hands in her lap. |
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WPC Martella: |
So how do you know Mr Brownlow? |
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Polly looks vacant. |
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Polly Page: |
He's a friend of Greg's. |
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Viv sighs. |
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WPC Martella: |
Don't tell me he plays golf with him? |
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Polly scrunches up her nose. |
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Polly Page: |
Nope, Greg doesn't play golf. Charlie's more my friend now, though. Greg doesn't see him that much. |
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WPC Martella: |
So do you see Mr Brownlow often? |
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Polly Page: |
Yeah, once a week, sometimes more. Just depends. |
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WPC Martella: |
That's funny. He's never really stuck me as the type of man who goes around befriending young girls. What do you talk about with him? |
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Polly shrugs absently, playing with the beads on her skirt. |
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Polly Page: |
Nothing really. |
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WPC Martella: |
So why say he's your uncle if he's not? It seems a bit odd to me. |
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Polly Page: |
It's just a nickname, what's the big deal! |
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WPC Martella: |
It's no big deal but I get the feeling that you're holding out on me, Polly. I just want to know what it is that's bothering you. |
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Polly sighs miserably. |
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Polly Page: |
It's just Greg, okay? |
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WPC Martella: |
What about Greg? What's he done to you to make you hate him so much? |
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Polly Page: |
Just like I said, Bella and the party. |
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WPC Martella: |
You've already told me all about that. Come on Polly, if there's something you feel I should know, then please tell me. |
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Viv gives Polly a concerned look. |
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Polly Page: |
Oh yeah? What could you do about any of it? |
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Polly's tone is extremely bitchy. |
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WPC Martella: |
I can help, if you'd bloody well let me. |
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Viv is getting worked up. Polly shakes her head, trying to change the subject. |
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Polly Page: |
So what's gonna happen now? Can you arrest him tomorrow? |
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WPC Martella: |
We'll see. I'll only be in a position to do something about him when I know a bit more about what he's done. |
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Polly Page: |
I already told ya, he killed Bella! |
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WPC Martella: |
Well that's not enough for us to arrest him. Is there anything else that you think might be relevant? |
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Polly Page: |
You mean he won't get into trouble for what he did? |
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WPC Martella: |
Not just for killing your puppy. I wish it wasn't like this but that's the law, I'm afraid. |
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Polly nods, her chin dropping to her chest as she slides further back against the sofa. |
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Polly Page: |
So you can't do nuffink about him? |
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WPC Martella: |
Not at the moment, no. I'm sorry. |
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Polly starts crying again, looking back over at the officer. |
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Polly Page: |
So I'll have to go back home tomorrow? |
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WPC Martella: |
I'm really sorry Polly, but it looks like that. There's nothing that we can charge him with! |
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Polly nods slowly, glancing back up as the blonde officer places the blankets and pillow on a table, before smiling at Viv and again leaving the room. |
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WPC Martella: |
You're not too cold are you Polly? |
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Polly shakes her head as Viv hands her the blanket and pillow. |
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WPC Martella: |
That's good to hear. Well how about we put you to bed? It must be well past your bedtime. |
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Viv smiles at the small girl. |
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Polly Page: |
Whatever. |
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Polly shrugs and organises the pillow and blanket on the sofa, resting her head in her hands. |
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WPC Martella: |
Well you need a good night's rest. You'll have a big day tomorrow. |
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Polly scoffs. |
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Polly Page: |
Yeah, once he finds out I'll be lucky to get outa it alive. |
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WPC Martella: |
Don't be silly. It's just a thought but maybe you could go and stay at Mr Brownlow's place for a little while, until your Mum comes home? |
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Polly looks momentarily horrified. |
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Polly Page: |
No way, he'd never let me. Not with his daughters and all there. |
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WPC Martella: |
But you could play with his daughters and I'm sure his wife wouldn't mind. Maybe I'll ask him when he comes into the station in the morning. |
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Polly grabs Viv's arm desperately. |
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Polly Page: |
No, don't! You can't say anything! It's a secret! |
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Polly chews on her lower lip, looking at Viv pleadingly. Viv is surprised. |
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WPC Martella: |
What's a secret? |
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Polly cringes up at the officer. |
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Polly Page: |
About Charlie. |
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Viv gently rests her arm around Polly's shoulders. |
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WPC Martella: |
Look, if there's something you want to tell me, you need only say it. |
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Polly Page: |
But I don't wanna tell on him, I mean he's really nice. He'll be made if anyone knows. I don't want him to get into trouble, only Greg. Charlie doesn't hurt me like Greg does, he's nice! |
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WPC Martella: |
Greg hurts you? Polly, what are you talking about? |
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Polly moves back against the sofa, away from Viv. She stares down at her hands once again. |
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Polly Page: |
What I said. Greg's meaner than Charlie. |
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WPC Martella: |
So Greg does hit you, then? |
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Viv smoothes down her skirt and looks at Polly compassionately. |
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Polly Page: |
Yeah, I already told ya that! |
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WPC Martella: |
I mean regularly. |
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Polly Page: |
Nah, not all that often. Only a few times, if I get sick or something. Or if I won't do what he says. |
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Viv hesitates slightly before asking the next question. |
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WPC Martella: |
What does he make you do? |
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Polly Page: |
Like when I wanted to go home from the party. Or that time I locked myself in the bathroom. If I don't do what I'm told. |
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WPC Martella: |
What exactly happened at the party, Polly? Why didn't you want to stay? |
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Polly Page: |
Coz of the other kids. |
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WPC Martella: |
What were the other kids doing? |
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Polly looks repulsed, remembering it. |
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Polly Page: |
Stuff. Touching each other and stuff. Seriously gross! |
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Viv is shocked. |
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WPC Martella: |
When you say touching each other, what exactly do you mean? |
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Polly rolls her eyes. |
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Polly Page: |
They were all making out with each other. It was sick! I didn't wanna go along with it, so I wanted to leave. |
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Viv is worried. |
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WPC Martella: |
Did one of the other kids try to touch you up or kiss you then? |
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Polly Page: |
Yeah, Donna and Sam were doing stuff. That's when I said about leaving. Doing stuff with other kids is gross, especially with all the others watching. |
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WPC Martella: |
So two of the kids were making out and you thought that was disgusting so you threw a tantrum? |
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Viv is slightly less concerned than she was. Polly smiles proudly. |
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Polly Page: |
Yeah, pretty much. And it worked! |
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Polly drops her smile. |
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Polly Page: |
Except that it made Greg really angry, so he killed Bella. |
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Viv sighs. |
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WPC Martella: |
Didn't you tell Greg that seeing two kids do that sort of thing together was wrong? I mean, didn't he understand that you were uncomfortable with it? |
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Polly Page: |
No, he wanted me to join in with them. He said that it was okay, because all the other kids were doing it. |
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Viv is confused. |
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WPC Martella: |
He wanted you to make out with the other kids? |
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Polly nods with a disgusted expression. |
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Polly Page: |
Yeah and I mean, I couldn't, I didn't wanna. Especially with them drunk too. They were just stupid! Everyone was! |
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WPC Martella: |
The children were drunk? What exactly was going on at this party, Polly? |
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Viv gives Polly a steady look. |
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Polly Page: |
That's it. Everyone was drinking and then we had to perform. But I didn't wanna, so I started screaming and yelling and stuff. Greg got really embarrassed, so we went home. |
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WPC Martella: |
You had to perform? In what way? |
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Polly frowns over at Viv, getting frustrated at having to repeat herself. |
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Polly Page: |
With the other kids, like I just said! |
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WPC Martella: |
No I mean... I know this is a difficult question and you don't have to answer if you don't want to... But when you say perform, do you mean sexually? |
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Polly rolls her eyes angrily with an exasperated smile. |
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Polly Page: |
Well done! |
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Viv is stunned. |
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WPC Martella: |
So it was your first time? |
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Polly Page: |
First time what? |
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WPC Martella: |
At one of these parties. |
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Polly Page: |
Yeah. And my last! I don't give a toss about the money or nuffink. That Mr Price is a right prat anyway. |
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WPC Martella: |
Was he the man in charge of the party? |
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Polly nods. |
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WPC Martella: |
Polly, those marks on your arm. How did you get them? |
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Polly looks back down with a frown. |
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Polly Page: |
Can't remember. One of the others I fink. Ah yes, that bastard Beech. He did 'em. |
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WPC Martella: |
One of the others... Polly, can I ask you a personal question? |
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Polly Page: |
What? |
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Viv takes a deep breath. |
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WPC Martella: |
Are you still a virgin? Do you understand what I mean by that? |
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Polly looks up at her awkwardly. |
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Polly Page: |
No. |
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WPC Martella: |
No, you're not a virgin or no, you don't understand? |
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Polly Page: |
The first one. At least I don't fink so. Would you be one if you got pregnant? |
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Viv slowly and deliberately shakes her head from side to side. |
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WPC Martella: |
Can you tell me about the first time that you had sex? |
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Polly raises both eyebrows, looking extremely surprised. |
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Polly Page: |
You expect me to remember? |
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WPC Martella: |
Well how long ago was it? |
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Polly shrugs. |
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Polly Page: |
A few years. It was either when I was nine or ten. |
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WPC Martella: |
And who did you have sex with? |
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Viv is remaining remarkably composed, all things considered. |
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Polly Page: |
Greg. But I didn't know that's what it was 'til later on. Vicky told me. |
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WPC Martella: |
What exactly did he do to you? |
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Viv brushes Polly's hair away from her eyes gently. Polly pulls away with an awkward frown. |
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Polly Page: |
Less of the touching, yeah? |
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Viv looks awkward. |
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WPC Martella: |
I'm sorry, Polly. I didn't realise... What did he make you do? |
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Polly shrugs. |
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Polly Page: |
Can't remember. Wasn't that bad, just hurt. He'd been working up to it for ages anyway. |
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WPC Martella: |
You mean he'd been abusing you? Sexually? |
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Polly Page: |
How'd ya mean? |
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WPC Martella: |
Was he touching you sexually before that? |
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Polly Page: |
Yeah but that wasn't as bad. |
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WPC Martella: |
What did he do? |
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Polly looks hesitant but still replies. |
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Polly Page: |
Just touching and stuff, like I said, wasn't that bad. |
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WPC Martella: |
That's terrible, Polly. Has he stopped touching you? |
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Polly Page: |
Kinda. It's not as often anymore. But he's been really mad at me, so he doesn't like me anymore. |
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WPC Martella: |
Why has he been mad at you? |
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Polly Page: |
Lots of stuff. He got really mad before when I was sick. After Beech. And then really, really made when the doctor said I was pregnant, it just depends if anything happens. |
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WPC Martella: |
Hang on, backtrack a bit. Who's this Beech? Has he been abusing you too? |
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Viv's face is pale and she begins to sweat. |
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Polly Page: |
He used to be one of my old clients but he was really mean, so I didn't have to see him anymore. That was awhile ago. |
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WPC Martella: |
Your clients? Polly, you mean this was a regular thing? |
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Viv's head is reeling. |
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Polly Page: |
Yeah but I don't see Beech anymore. |
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WPC Martella: |
But... How can you be so calm about this? |
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Viv is looking horrified. |
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Polly Page: |
About what? |
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Polly looks confused. |
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WPC Martella: |
About everything... Was it Greg who made you go out and have sex with all these men? |
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Polly Page: |
It wasn't that bad at first, like Charlie was his mate so it was okay. Then there was Beech and he was horrible and some of the others are pretty weird. Richard and Matt and George are okay though. |
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Viv chokes. |
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WPC Martella: |
Charlie? Uncle Charlie? You mean Charles Brownlow! |
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Polly nods slowly. |
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Polly Page: |
I probably shouldn't have said that, right? |
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Viv shakes her head disbelivingly and shifts away from Polly. |
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WPC Martella: |
I can't... No, I can't believe that. |
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Polly shrugs. |
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Polly Page: |
Believe what you want, I don't care. You're the one asking all the questions. |
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Viv rests her head in her hands for several seconds. |
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WPC Martella: |
You said before that Greg got mad at you when you were pregnant. What happened to the baby? |
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Polly considers the question. |
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Polly Page: |
Nothing happened. The doctor fixed me, so it went away. |
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WPC Martella: |
You mean you had an abortion? |
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Polly Page: |
Yeah, I fink that's what Greg called it. He said it was very expensive. I didn't like it anyway, the doctor was mean. |
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WPC Martella: |
Which doctor did you see? |
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Polly Page: |
I dunno. His name was Barry, or something. No, Larry. That was it. |
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Viv is struggling to take all this in. |
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WPC Martella: |
Was Greg careful after that? I mean, did he take precautions? |
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Polly Page: |
Well yeah, I had to with the other punters. But then there was this thing with Vicky's brother. That's how I got pregnant again. |
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WPC Martella: |
You got pregnant again? How... |
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Viv trails off. |
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WPC Martella: |
I mean, what's Vicky's brother got to do with it? She's your friend, right? |
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Polly Page: |
Yeah, that's the whole point. I was over her house for a sleepover and she fell asleep. But her brother knew about what I do, so he sorta, I dunno, forced me. I knew it was bad at the time but I couldn't do anything and I didn't wanna tell Greg because he'd think it was all my fault. |
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WPC Martella: |
So Vicky's brother raped you? Did you have another abortion? |
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Polly shakes her head. |
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Polly Page: |
Greg beat me up. And then there was all this blood so he said that it was the same. He said that he was doing like what the doctor did. And after he punched me and stuff my tummy hurt really bad and he sad that the blood meant that I wasn't pregnant anymore. |
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Viv gasps in shock. |
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WPC Martella: |
You mean he hit you until you miscarried? |
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Polly Page: |
I guess so. The doctor was still better than that though. I wish he'd have let me go back to him. |
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WPC Martella: |
So this party you went to... It was with other kids and the adults all wanted you to have sex with each other? |
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Viv is having great difficulty understanding this concept. |
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Polly Page: |
I think so. There were lots of kids and we all got into groups together. That's when Donna and Sam started doing stuff. And the adults just watched. |
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WPC Martella: |
But you said no, which annoyed Greg and he killed your dog in revenge. You ran away and we found you, by luck. God knows what would have happened if we hadn't found you. |
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Viv slowly pieces it all together in her mind. |
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WPC Martella: |
Why didn't you tell me all this the first time we met, back in the ambulance? |
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Polly Page: |
I dunno. It was okay back then. Charlie's really nice and he buys me presents and stuff. And that's when Carl gave me the police uniform so it was pretty cool. |
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WPC Martella: |
A police uniform? Why did he give you that? Did you have to dress up as a police officer? |
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Viv is looking physically ill. Polly nods slowly. |
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Polly Page: |
Yeah, he was the weirdest. Greg said that it paid really well though. It wasn't that bad, all things considered. |
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WPC Martella: |
What did he make you do? |
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Polly Page: |
Just stuff. You really don't wanna know the details. I didn't even tell Greg all of it. It was different because he had all these cameras and stuff, like and he wasn't like the others. |
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Viv sighs mournfully. |
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WPC Martella: |
What happened with the money that they gave Greg? |
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Polly Page: |
I dunno, he kept it. I got Bella after the first time and then stuff for her now and then. It was okay. Then later on after the doctor I used to get a cut each time. Vicky was heaps jealous of that. |
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Polly grins up at Viv who smiles back sadly. |
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WPC Martella: |
Was there anyone really bad? I mean, who hit you or did horrible things to you? |
| |
Polly frowns. |
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Polly Page: |
Just Beech and, well just Beech. |
| |
Polly catches herself quickly. |
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WPC Martella: |
And? |
| |
Viv gives Polly a curious look. |
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Polly Page: |
Beech. He was the worst. That's how I got the burns. He was really rough and he used to bite me and pinch me and stuff. But Greg made me not see him anymore, so it's okay. |
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WPC Martella: |
Do you have any other injuries from Beech? I mean, on your body? |
| |
Polly shrugs. |
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Polly Page: |
Maybe, why? |
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WPC Martella: |
Could you show me? |
| |
Polly shakes her head firmly. |
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Polly Page: |
No way. |
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WPC Martella: |
Are they on your back, Polly? Please can you let me look, I promise I won't touch them or make them hurt or anything. I just want to see what he did to you. |
| |
Polly looks at strangely at Viv, biting her thumbnail. |
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Polly Page: |
They're not on my back. |
| |
Viv thinks carefully. |
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WPC Martella: |
On your legs, then? Are you bruised or cut? |
| |
Polly shakes her head again, pushing herself further back into the couch. |
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WPC Martella: |
Where then? |
| |
Polly looks away, remaining silent. |
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WPC Martella: |
Please, tell me, Polly. It's important for the case. Don't you want this Beech person to pay for what he did to you? |
| |
Polly begins sobbing again, her voice small. |
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Polly Page: |
Please, just leave him outa everything! That's all I want. I don't care about him. |
| |
Viv sighs. |
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WPC Martella: |
Look, we're going to have to get a Forensic Medical Examiner to take a look at you tomorrow. We need to know where you're injured. |
| |
Polly narrows her eyes, chin trembling. |
|
Polly Page: |
A what? |
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WPC Martella: |
A doctor. She'll have to examine you and look for evidence to help us put these men away. |
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Polly Page: |
Away where? Why? |
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WPC Martella: |
Away in jail. Because of what they have done to you! |
| |
Viv tries to explain the situation. Polly looks extremely confused. |
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Polly Page: |
You mean that's worse then what Greg did to Bella? But why? |
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WPC Martella: |
Because you're a child, Polly, Bella was just a dog. I know it sounds harsh but what happened to you was a lot more serious than what happened to Bella. We can lock Greg away for a long time because of what he did to you. |
| |
Polly looks over at Viv blankly. |
|
Polly Page: |
Really? |
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WPC Martella: |
Really. I mean, especially if he's been doing it to you for years. We'll make him pay, don't worry Polly. We'll make them all pay. Especially that Beech character. |
| |
Viv's voice is firmly determined. Polly becomes obviously distressed at Beech's name. |
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Polly Page: |
Look, I said forget about him, okay! Please! |
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WPC Martella: |
Who, Beech? |
| |
Viv is surprised. Polly nods quickly. |
|
WPC Martella: |
But why? if he's hurt you. If I was in your shoes I'd want to see him hung, drawn and quartered! |
|
Polly Page: |
Well I don't, okay! He's not worth it! |
| |
Viv shakes her head. |
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WPC Martella: |
We'll talk about it in the morning. You must be exhausted, it's time for you to go to bed. |
| |
Polly still looks worked up but rests her head on the pillow, cuddling up under the blanket. |
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Polly Page: |
You promise? |
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WPC Martella: |
Promise what, Polly? |
| |
Viv gives the small girl a puzzled smile. |
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Polly Page: |
That you'll forget about the other stuff. About Beech. |
| |
Viv hesitates. |
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WPC Martella: |
We'll see. We'll have a big chat about it in the morning when you wake up and I'll arrest your stepdad. I can promise you that. |
| |
Polly looks desperately over at the officer. |
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Polly Page: |
Please? I'll tell you anything else you wanna know, if you promise not to mention about Beech, okay? |
| |
Viv sighs. |
|
WPC Martella: |
You know I can't forget about it now that you've told me Polly. It'll be all right, I promise. We'll lock him up in jail for a very long time. Just think of the look on his face when he finds out that you've told me everything, that should help. |
| |
Polly is rendered speechless and simply glances a horrified look at Viv, before letting her head sink to the pillow and dropping her eyes closed. Viv sighs and softly reaches across to stroke Polly's fringe away from her eyes. |
|
WPC Martella: |
'Night Polly. |
| |
Polly slips am arm around Viv's waist, cuddling up nearer her and drifting into sleep. Viv smiles and takes a deep breath. She lies back, unwilling to move and disturb Polly and her head gently rests on Polly's shoulder as she makes herself comfortable. |
|
WPC Martella: |
Don't worry, they won't get away with it. I'll see to that. |
| |
Viv mutters softly as she slowly drifts into sleep. Polly and Viv lie there together until they are both fast asleep. |
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Continue...
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