** APRIL 12TH 1992 **

*** DI'S OFFICE - 9:55 AM ***

WDC Martella:

Push a bit harder, guv!

Frank grunts, bracing himself against the wall.

DI Burnside:

I am, darn thing won't budge!

WDC Martella:

It can't be stuck guv, It moved before!

DI Burnside:

When Martella? That last time anyone laid a finger on this thing was, hmmm, at least ten years ago.

WDC Martella:

Well it's moving, guv. Slowly but surely. We just need to warm it up a bit and it'll be fine.

DI Burnside:

Ah, there it goes. Brilliant. Thanks for helping me Viv.

WDC Martella:

Anytime guv. You know you only have to ask!

Frank smiles curtly then opens the office door. Viv heads back out into the CID office.

WDC Martella:

Next time get one of our male colleagues to do the heavy work, okay?

Frank follows Viv outside and stares around the room. Ted Roach and Alistair Greig are sitting at their desks, chatting in low voices to each other.

DS Roach:

I swear Alistair, she's got the cutest ar.. ahh Viv!

Viv folds her arms as she leans against the door, looking across from one red face to another.

WDC Martella:

I'll bet. What you two on about?

DS Roach:

Oh, just the cute new plonk on B Relief. Slim and blonde, she's a real looker! It's nice to have an attractive woman about the place for a change.

Viv is not amused.

WDC Martella:

Slim and blonde? You've got no chance Sarge.

DS Roach:

Fancy having a go yourself, do you Viv?

Viv gives Ted a wink then sits back behind her desk. Frank dusts his hands off proudly and smiles warmly at Viv.

DI Burnside:

Thanks for that Martella. The desk definitely looks better against the window.

*** FRONT FOYER - SUN HILL POLICE STATION - 1:30 PM ***

Polly Page walks briskly towards the front desk.

PC Hollis:

How may I assist you madam?

Reg looks up disinterestedly at the newcomer. Polly flashes her warrant card.

WPC Page:

Polly Page. I'm here to see Sergeant Lamont.

PC Hollis:

Well you're a bit early, love. Care to take a seat?

Polly nods politely and takes a seat in the foyer. Reg sneaks a second look at Polly over the top of his newspaper. He shakes his head, impressed by the new arrival then he returns to doing the crossword puzzle. Dave and Tony waltz into the front office, newly returned from the beat.

PC Stamp:

Bloody women drivers!

PC Quinnan:

Tell me about it. She didn't even look, silly cow.

Polly looks up briefly as the men pass her.

PC Stamp:

Typical woman, it was probably that time of the month..

Tony trails off as he catches sight of Polly. Dave nods at Reg, who buzzes them through. Dave and Tony quickly make their way into the front office.

PC Quinnan:

Oi, Reginald?

Dave whispers at Reg then drags him out into the corridor. Reg does not take kindly to this treatment.

PC Hollis:

Yes, what is it David?

PC Quinnan:

Is that her Reg? The new plonk that B relief are getting?

Tony sneaks a look at Polly, his view slightly obscured by Reg's curly hair.

PC Hollis:

Yes I believe so. Her name is Polly Page.

PC Quinnan:

Lucky B Relief. She's a bit of alright, ain't she? Can't be more than eighteen.

PC Stamp:

I like 'em young.

Tony risks another look at the blonde women sitting in the front office. Dave grins, slapping Tony across the back in a friendly way.

PC Quinnan:

You've got no chance, mate. You're old enough to be her father.

PC Stamp:

I've got more chance than you have, Dave. I bet I can convince her to have a drink with me after she gets off. And we can take things from there.

Dave chuckles at Tony's proposal.

PC Quinnan:

Oh please don't make me take your money, Tone. I'll bet you ten quid she won't even let you show her round the nick!

Reg looks faintly disgusted by this display of testosterone-induced behaviour.

PC Hollis:

Typical. Can't you lot ever get your minds off sex?

PC Stamp:

Sex is a hell of a lot more interesting than model trains, Reg. Or crossword puzzles.

Tony stares pointedly at the folded newspaper under Reg's arm.

PC Stamp:

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a bet to win.

Tony clears his throat and walks over to Polly's side.

PC Stamp:

Hello love. This your first time?

Polly looks up suspiciously at the arrival of Tony's bulky figure.

WPC Page:

I guess you could say that. I'm Polly Page. I'm just starting with B relief.

PC Stamp:

I see. Would you like me to show you around? This place can seem pretty daunting on your first day.

Polly hesitates before replying.

WPC Page:

Well actually, I'm supposed to be meeting with Sergeant Lamont so I probably should stay here until he's available.

Tony looks crestfallen.

PC Stamp:

You sure? I'm Tony Stamp by the way. I'm with A relief. I hope I can have the pleasure of driving you around one day.

Polly nods slowly with a wary expression on her face.

WPC Page:

Right, well I'm sure I'll see you around.

PC Stamp:

I hope so. I really do.

Tony gets up and walks back over to Dave sheepishly with his tail between his legs. Dave suppresses a fit of giggles as Tony arrives back at his side.

PC Quinnan:

Pay up.

Dave smirks cheekily at his friend.

PC Stamp:

No way! Not unless you have a shot at her.

PC Quinnan:

That wasn't part of the deal. Anyway, I'm biding my time. Give me a month or so.

Tony raises one of his bushy eyebrows.

PC Stamp:

Care to raise the stakes?

PC Quinnan:

I'll think about it. Come on, we'll be late getting off.

PC Stamp:

I'm never late getting off, Dave.

Tony laughs as they leave the office. Reg watches them leave, the shocked and disgusted expression on his face showing his strong disapproval of their behaviour.

PC Hollis:

You alright, love?

Polly sighs at Reg's kind words.

WPC Page:

I'm fine. So what was that? The initiation ceremony?

Reg laughs.

PC Hollis:

Yeah, don't worry. You passed it with flying colours.

*** SUN HILL POLICE STATION - 1:35 PM ***

PC Ben Prior and Sergeant Stuart Lamont are gossiping at the coffee machine.

PC Prior:

According to Stamp and Quinnan she's a real looker. Quinnan's already got a book running on who'll get first crack at her.

Sgt. Lamont:

Really? Well I grew out of that particular form of entertainment a while ago, Prior. It's a bit immature if you ask me.

Stuart bangs the machine and picks up the cup of strange-smelling brownish liquid vaguely resembling coffee that emerges.

PC Prior:

What, don't think she'd go for the older man, eh?

Sgt. Lamont:

If she's got any sense, she'll stay well away from young tykes like you! Besides, I think your lovely wife might have a few things to say about that.

Viv heads down the stairs from CID. Stuart nods a polite 'good afternoon' at her.

WDC Martella:

Not more of you on about this new plonk. I had to come down here to escape from the comments in CID. You'd think she was five foot ten with blonde hair and blue eyes from the amount of gossip in the station!

Sgt. Lamont:

You just described her to a tee, Vivian.

Stuart chuckles and Ben sighs approvingly.

PC Prior:

So that's why Reg got a hundred to one odds against, eh?

Viv frowns at Ben's comment.

WDC Martella:

That's hardly fair, is it?

Sgt. Lamont:

No but it's true. At least, if rumour is to be believed.

PC Prior:

Well, after listening to Stamp she looks about fifteen. Can't exactly imagine her being able to deal with some of the customers we get in here.

Viv turns towards Ben, her anger evident by the low tone of her voice.

WDC Martella:

Fifteen you say? Well then hopefully by the end of the shift the lot of you will be banged up on unlawful sexual intercourse charges!

Stuart sighs.

Sgt. Lamont:

Well she looks like she can handle herself. Problem is that she sounds like a parrot. I mean, what sort of a name is 'Polly Page'?

Viv looks sharply across at the Sergeant.

WDC Martella:

What was that Sarge? Polly what?

PC Prior:

Polly Parrot, Viv. Your ears malfunction when you joined CID?

Viv gives Ben a bone-chilling glare then returns her gaze to Stuart.

WDC Martella:

Polly what?

Sgt. Lamont:

Polly Page. Why, do you know her Viv?

Viv doesn't answer the question. She grills the Sergeant for further information.

WDC Martella:

How old is she? Come on, dish.

Stuart sighs, slightly surprised by Viv's intense interrogation.

Sgt. Lamont:

She's all of nineteen years old. If only I was younger, I might stand a chance with her.

Viv takes a deep breath, turns around awkwardly and heads off down the hallway. Stuart looks puzzled and calls out after her.

Sgt. Lamont:

What's the matter Viv?

WDC Martella:

Nothing Sarge. Everything's just fine.

Viv makes her way slowly away from the officers.

PC Prior:

Typical bloody woman, they never tell you anything!

Ben and Stuart make their way towards the briefing room, carefully balancing their cups of coffee as they walk.

*** CHESWICK ST - 3:45 PM ***

Polly and Ben are strolling down the side of the road.

PC Prior:

So what do you think of the job so far cutie?

Polly shrugs, slightly intimidated by Ben's familiarity.

WPC Page:

There's more paperwork than I expected but it's okay so far.

PC Prior:

Yeah, the paperwork is a killer. You haven't seen any action yet?

WPC Page:

Nope. Only the training sessions we got at Hendon.

Ben gives her a sly look.

PC Prior:

They teach you a lot there, did they?

Polly replies nonchalantly.

WPC Page:

I guess, though I was pretty terrified about starting today. Didn't sleep a wink last night.

PC Prior:

You keep busy at nights, do you?

Polly nods, suspicious of the motive behind Ben's last question.

PC Prior:

Care to invite me round to the section house tonight so we can keep busy together?

Polly glances over at him with an expression of disgust on her face.

WPC Page:

Is everyone going to be this forward or is it just your speciality?

PC Prior:

You shouldn't turn a man down 'til you've tried him out, love. And I'm the best you're gonna get round this dump!

Polly grunts and mutters under her breath.

WPC Page:

Well then I'll be telling the Sarge to get started on my transfer papers as soon as possible, okay?

PC Prior:

It's alright. I like fast women.

WPC Page:

Spend ya life chasing after em and never quite making it, do ya?

Ben is confused by Polly's witty replies. Polly notices his confusion and grins.

*** CANTEEN - SUN HILL POLICE STATION - 4:10 PM ***

Polly is sitting at a table in the far corner of the canteen eating a cheese sandwich. Viv strolls casually into the canteen, purchases a cup of tea and scans the rows of heads. She takes a seat in front of the unfamiliar girl with a blonde bob. Polly looks up.

WPC Page:

Can I help you?

Viv smiles warmly, extending her hand.

WDC Martella:

I just thought I'd introduce myself. Us women are kinda scarce around here. WDC Viv Martella.

Polly literally drops her sandwich from shock. The name has a huge effect on her.

WPC Page:

Viv� Viv Martella?

Polly is in a state of confusion. Viv nods slowly, now certain that the name was not merely a coincidence.

WDC Martella:

I heard the lads talking about you and I wasn't sure. But now I think it's pretty clear that I was right. Your mother was Anne Page wasn't she?

Polly nods as her mouth drops open. A brief look of terror crosses her face.

WPC Page:

You didn't tell the others about..?

Viv glances quickly around the room and lowers her voice.

WDC Martella:

Don't be silly. I� I just� Well I wasn't sure. I guess I'm a little surprised.

WPC Page:

You're surprised? Hell, I never counted on seeing you here!

Viv takes a sip of her tea to steady her nerves.

WDC Martella:

So this your first day as a plonk?

WPC Page:

Yeah.

WDC Martella:

How's it been going?

WPC Page:

Great. If you don't count the hoards of sex-staved men trying to chat me up that is.

WDC Martella:

You get used to it. This lot aren't exactly tactful but they usually get fed up after a month or so. Believe me, men are far happier in the company of other men. It's a testosterone thing.

Polly sighs.

WPC Page:

Well I'm fed up with it and I haven't even finished me first shift.

WDC Martella:

We've all been there, trust me. At least there are a few of us around nowadays. Just do ya job and you'll be fine.

Polly pushes her plate away, sitting up in her chair.

WPC Page:

Just stay away from me, yeah? I want to forget about the past. I want you to stay in the past where you belong!

Viv looks worried and leans closer towards her companion.

WDC Martella:

Look, you don't have to worry about that. It's all water under the bridge now.

WPC Page:

Just piss off will ya? And leave me alone!

Polly storms out of the canteen. A pack of male police officers wolf whistle as she leaves the room. Viv stands up and follows Polly, stopping briefly at the men's table to tell them off.

WDC Martella:

Put a sock in it you lot!

PC Howl:

It's only harmless fun Viv! She must get far worse out there on the streets.

Viv mutters under her breath as she pushes through the swinging doors.

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