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*** DETENTION ROOM - CUSTODY SUITE - 8:40 PM *** |
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| Polly looks up as the young blonde officer enters the room. | |
| Polly Page: | Where'd they dig you up from? |
| June looks gravely at Polly and speaks in a quiet undertone. | |
| WPC Ackland: | Come with me, please. I'd like to talk with you Polly. |
| Polly gets to her feet hesitantly. | |
| Polly Page: | Where are we going? |
| WPC Ackland: | To an interview room. |
| June's reply is professional and concise. She escorts Polly out into the corridor and into an interview room. The small girl looks a little apprehensive as she takes a seat at the table opposite June. | |
| WPC Ackland: | Now I'm here as your friend, Polly. Do you understand that? Anything that you say to me is confidential, between us, unless you want to take it any further. |
| Polly Page: | I guess so... |
| Polly trails off, looking down at her hands. | |
| WPC Ackland: | Now, WPC Martella and Sergeant Cryer have brought me up to date with your case, so I know most of the details already. I just wanted to talk with you and see how you feel at the moment. Would you like a cup of tea or something? |
| Polly shakes her head. | |
| Polly Page: | No, I had one just before for tea. With that horrible fish stuff. |
| June stifles a small chuckle. | |
| WPC Ackland: | That sounds like canteen food alright. Now, you don't need to worry, Polly, we haven't contacted your mother yet but she really will be worried about you. Would you like me to call her and ask her to come to the station to be with you? |
| Polly glares up at the officer, pushing her chair back. | |
| Polly Page: | No, no way! I ain't saying nuffink if you get her involved! |
| June turns her eyes coolly towards the small girl. | |
| WPC Ackland: | Do you think your mother loves you Polly? |
| Polly shrugs. | |
| Polly Page: | I dunno, never thought about it. She was always fussing over me. Wanting to brush me hair and stuff. But then she's never around, so maybe she doesn't care about us. |
| WPC Ackland: | Your mother is frantic with worry, Polly. I spoke with the officer in charge of finding you, DS Burnside, before. He told me that your Mum has been ringing him every single day since you went missing asking if there are any leads on your location. He said she was sick out of her mind with worry. |
| June lowers her voice slightly. | |
| WPC Ackland: | She's very sick and very depressed and has been ever since you ran away. |
| Polly looks slightly surprised. | |
| Polly Page: | For real? |
| WPC Ackland: | For real. She blames herself completely for you running away. She thinks that you left home because you didn't see enough of each other and she's convinced herself that she's a terrible mother. DS Burnside said she sounds like the living dead over the phone. That's the effect your disappearance has had on her. |
| Polly scoffs lightly. | |
| Polly Page: | No way, you're just saying that to make me feel bad! She can't care that much. |
| WPC Ackland: | She does Polly. DS Burnside said she was in such a state when you first went missing that she drove around Sun Hill all night and all the next day just looking for you. A few weeks ago she had a nervous breakdown because of all the stress. She's given up everything for you, Polly. |
| Polly looks away from the officer, her voice lowering. | |
| Polly Page: | Well, what you expect me to do about that? |
| WPC Ackland: | Don't you feel a little bit sorry for her? |
| Polly Page: | Why should I? She let it all happen. She didn't care about me in the first place. Leaving us home everyday with him. |
| WPC Ackland: | Your stepfather? Tell me a bit about him, Polly. I know what he did to you but how do you feel about him? |
| Polly Page: | I don't wanna talk about him. He's a bastard. Worse than any of 'em out there on the streets. He just used me. |
| WPC Ackland: | Would you say you hate your stepfather, Polly? |
| Polly Page: | What you fink? Expected to be madly in love wiv him, am I? After everything he did! |
| WPC Ackland: | Answer the question. Do you hate your stepfather? |
| June's voice is stern yet calm. | |
| Polly Page: | Yes! For crying out loud. |
| WPC Ackland: | So how do you feel, knowing that he's going to get away with everything that he's done to you. He's raped you, used you, prostituted your body to fatten his wallet. How do you feel about him walking free after all that? |
| Polly Page: | But he's not gonna walk free, is he? Viv said that she'd get him locked up. |
| WPC Ackland: | And how is she supposed to do that if you yell at her and refuse to help in the slightest? Greg's laughing, Polly. He's gotten away with it all. He's grinning his face off at the moment, thinking that you've gone forever. How does that make you feel, knowing that he's as free as a bird whereas things are just going from bad to worse for you? |
| Polly places her elbows on the edge of the table and rests her chin in her hands. | |
| Polly Page: | I dunno. Mad, I guess. But how can I change it? |
| WPC Ackland: | There's only one way, Polly. Co-operate with us and I promise you, we'll nail him to the floor. He'll be locked away for the rest of his life, unable to come anywhere near you. You'll be safe, your Mum will be safe and your little brother will be safe. But you have to co-operate, otherwise we've got nothing! Do you understand, Polly? |
| Polly nods slowly. | |
| Polly Page: | What do I have to do? |
| WPC Ackland: | Well first of all, I'd like to go through everything that's happened to you over the last couple of years so we have a solid copy in writing, known as a statement. This is the most important thing and the one thing that Greg won't be able to wriggle out of. Are you willing to give a statement and go on record about this Polly? |
| Polly Page: | Well, I guess so, but I dunno if I'll remember everything. It was ages ago now. |
| WPC Ackland: | Well we don't have to do it all in one session. We can do it over time and go however fast or slow you want to go. |
| Polly chews on her lower lip. | |
| Polly Page: | So what happens first? |
| WPC Ackland: | We'll get to that. There's another thing I'd like you to do, as well, but only if you want to. |
| Polly looks up suspiciously. | |
| Polly Page: | What? |
| WPC Ackland: | Make things up with Viv? I know she likes to act as if nothing gets to her but she was practically in tears when she told me about all this and asked me to interview you. She thinks you hate her. |
| Polly sighs. | |
| Polly Page: | Well she let me down last time. All she wanted was for me to tell her who'd done what so she could lock 'em up and look really good. She doesn't care about what happens to me. |
| WPC Ackland: | That's rubbish and you know it Polly. She cares a lot about you. She hasn't given up looking for you these past few months. She hasn't done it because she wants to lock Greg away, she did it because she cares deeply for you and she wants you to be safe. Deny it all you will, that's the truth, plain and simple. |
| Polly looks down at the tabletop. | |
| Polly Page: | If you say so. |
| WPC Ackland: | Will you apologise to her? Please? This has all really affected her, you know. She wanted to help you but you turned her away. |
| Polly Page: | Okay, okay, whatever. I don't care. I just wanna get outa here, yeah? |
| WPC Ackland: | Good. Now, back to your statement. I'd like you tell me, in your own words, exactly how this all began. Take your time, Polly and just tell me at your own pace as you remember it... |
| June nods sympathetically as Polly begins to recount her tale, stumbling here and there but managing to give June a fair idea of the events in her life so far. | |
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*** CORRIDOR LEADING TOWARDS CUSTODY SUITE - 9:20 PM *** |
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| Polly looks up at the blonde-haired officer as they walk down the corridor. | |
| Polly Page: | So what happens now? |
| WPC Ackland: | Well we need a special doctor, called an FME, to take a look at you and make sure you're alright. They'll also make sure that your baby is okay. |
| Polly cringes and looks up at June. | |
| Polly Page: | He won't do anyfink bad, will he? |
| WPC Ackland: | No, don't worry Polly, you're in perfectly safe hands. We just need to take a look at you and make sure that everything is okay and that you haven't picked up anything nasty out there on the streets. |
| Polly nods slowly. | |
| Polly Page: | Will you be there? |
| June hesitates. | |
| WPC Ackland: | Someone will be in there with you Polly, but I promise you, you have nothing to worry about. |
| Polly looks reassured and continues walking behind the officer. Viv enters the corridor from the other direction, her head slightly lowered. She walks for several paces, not seeing June and the little girl approaching her. Polly notices the other officer and begins chewing on her lower lip, feeling guilty. She and June arrive at the custody suite, and June turns to the right, heading down the corridor towards the FME's room. Polly pauses, leaving June's side and taking several steps back into the corridor, approaching Viv, and brushing her arm lightly. Polly lowers her voice and looks up awkwardly at the policewoman. | |
| Polly Page: | I'm sorry if I was mean to you before. |
| Viv stops, hearing the small voice behind her. She turns around slowly and faces Polly. | |
| WPC Martella: | Polly? |
| Polly Page: | I just wanted to tell you I'm sorry for yelling at you before. |
| Viv stares incredulously at the small girl. | |
| WPC Martella: | That's okay... Have you been talking with June? |
| Polly Page: | Yeah, she said that I made you feel bad. I didn't mean to, I just thought you didn't care. |
| WPC Martella: | Typical June, she just can't leave anything alone. Oh well, I'll take her to task for that later on. Have you decided what you're going to do yet? |
| Polly looks at her strangely. | |
| Polly Page: | How do you mean? |
| WPC Martella: | Well about yourself. Are you going to let your Mum know that you're here? |
| Polly lowers her eyes, grimacing slightly. | |
| Polly Page: | I dunno, I don't want her to find out about everything. She'll hate me. |
| WPC Martella: | That's nonsense, Polly. She'll hate you if you never go back to her, she'll blame herself and she'll never understand why you ran away, You owe her an explanation at the very least, yeah? |
| Polly Page: | But she'll hate me! She'll think I let her down. She'll wanna know why I didn't tell her at the beginning and stuff. She won't understand anything! |
| Viv speaks quietly and calmly. | |
| WPC Martella: | Just tell her why you left home and what Greg did to you. If she doesn't understand then at least you have gotten it off your chest, yeah? |
| Polly shrugs with a frown. | |
| Polly Page: | Yeah, but I won't have to go back with her, will I? I won't have to live with her? |
| WPC Martella: | Well I can't answer that, Polly. You do have to live somewhere and you can hardly go back out there on the streets... But you don't have to decide where to stay just yet. |
| Polly Page: | Well I ain't going back home, that's for sure. |
| Polly pauses. | |
| Polly Page: | Viv, are you still mad at me for before? |
| Viv shakes her head with a big grin. | |
| WPC Martella: | I wasn't mad at you Polly, I was just feeling a bit... hurt I guess. Like I had let you down. |
| Polly looks slightly confused. | |
| Polly Page: | Nah, I'm the one that left before. I was just scared that you'd make me go home or something. |
| WPC Martella: | You don't have to do anything you don't want to anymore, Polly. No one's going to make you do anything against your will again, I promise. |
| Polly nods slowly, looking up at the officer before stepping forward and hugging Viv tightly around the waist. | |
| Polly Page: | Fanks... |
| Viv smiles and rests her hands on Polly's shoulders. | |
| WPC Martella: | That's okay Polly. You just take care of yourself, yeah? |
| Polly looks up at Viv. | |
| Polly Page: | Uh-huh, June's making me see the doctor. |
| WPC Martella: | Well you probably should... I mean, look at that bruise on your cheek! And your arms look sore too. Look at all that bruising! |
| Viv bends down to examine Polly's arms. The young girl quickly draws back her forearm. | |
| WPC Martella: | Come on, Polly, let me look at your arm. That must be so sore! |
| Viv tries to pull Polly's arm upwards again but the small girl resists. | |
| WPC Martella: | Polly. Show me your arm. |
| Polly Page: | It's nothing.. just a bruise. |
| Polly steps backwards, looking for June. Viv is slightly confused by Polly's reluctance. | |
| WPC Martella: | If it's only a bruise then you won't mind showing me, will you? |
| Polly guiltily clasps her hands behind her back. | |
| Polly Page: | You'll just be mad. |
| WPC Martella: | Polly. Arm. Now! |
| Viv's voice has obtained a touch of steel. Polly sighs and slowly brings her arms in front of her, extending her hands out, to expose the insides of her arms. Viv examines Polly's arms carefully. | |
| WPC Martella: | These look like needle marks, Polly. |
| Viv's voice is flat and emotionless. Polly shrugs. | |
| Polly Page: | So? |
| WPC Martella: | Are they needle marks? |
| Polly nods slowly. | |
| Polly Page: | Are you mad? |
| Viv slowly releases Polly's arms. They sink to the sides of the young girl's body. | |
| WPC Martella: | I want you to be honest with me, Polly. Why are there needle marks on your arms? |
| Polly draws a long breath and looks away. | |
| Polly Page: | Because... because I was doing stuff. But only later on, not since I left or nuffink! |
| WPC Martella: | When you say "doing stuff"... What do you mean? |
| Polly Page: | Taking stuff. I dunno what it was, just this weird white powdery stuff that Tom got. |
| WPC Martella: | You were taking drugs? Do you know what he called the powder? |
| Polly Page: | There was lots of stuff. E's mainly, then Tom got this new stuff in small plastic bags. He said it was H-something. Heron.. Heroin, I fink. I didn't like it much but Tom said it was really expensive so I had to appreciate it. It just made me feel really funny and I couldn't move properly or think right or nuffink. |
| Viv clenches her fists silently. | |
| WPC Martella: | Why didn't you tell me this? |
| Polly shrugs. | |
| Polly Page: | Does it matter? |
| WPC Martella: | Of course it matters, you silly girl! Don't you see, he's gotten you addicted to drugs! To heroin! Don't you understand what a mess you're in? Have you considered what effect it might have had on the baby? |
| Polly looks slightly confused. | |
| Polly Page: | I dunno, I didn't have a choice. He made me take the stuff and I couldn't tell him about the baby because then he'd throw me out, which he did anyway. |
| WPC Martella: | But Polly, do you have any idea what this means? Your baby could end up addicted to heroin! |
| Polly frowns, moving away from Viv. | |
| Polly Page: | Stop yelling at me, will ya! I already told ya, it wasn't my fault. |
| Viv calms down slightly. | |
| WPC Martella: | I know, I'm sorry Polly. I'm not angry with you... It's just, this really complicates matters. |
| Polly nods slowly. | |
| Polly Page: | So what's gonna happen? |
| WPC Martella: | Well first, we'll have to get you seen by the doctor. You might have to have some blood tests... You're not afraid of needles are you Polly? |
| Polly shakes her head slowly. | |
| Polly Page: | Just as long as they don't do bad stuff. |
| WPC Martella: | They won't. Look, here's June now, she'll be there with you so you won't have to worry about a thing. |
| Viv nods across at June, who has walked back to join the group. June meets eyes with Viv, having heard the last few sentences. | |
| WPC Ackland: | Viv, would you prefer to go in with her? I'm not fussed. |
| Viv pauses, considering. | |
| WPC Martella: | Alright, I'll take her. Come on Polly, it's this way. |
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