*** JUNE AND VIV'S APARTMENT - 10:50 PM ***

Viv is awkwardly pouring herself a cup of tea and heads over to the sofa, channel flicking until June gets home. June arrives home in the rain and knocks on the door. Viv heads to the front door to meet June.

WDC Martella:

Evening. How was it?

June opens the door and dries herself off.

WPC Ackland:

Same as usual. Lots of men running around waving their batons at crowds of hippies.

June hangs up her coat and walks into the kitchen sitting down on a chair. Viv takes June's tea over to her, grabbing a seat opposite.

WDC Martella:

I'll bet.

June shakes her hair dry and smiles as Vivian.

WPC Ackland:

And how about you? Is the patient recovering?

WDC Martella:

Getting there. I feel stupid hanging around here with nothing to do!

June smirks.

WPC Ackland:

You've got it easy, Vivian. I was out there having bricks chucked at me earlier today.

WDC Martella:

Yeah, I don't miss that!

June bites her lip.

WPC Ackland:

I found something out today, Viv. I'm not sure if I should tell you, though.

Viv drops her smile, looking seriously over at June.

WDC Martella:

What?

June sighs and continues.

WPC Ackland:

Polly Page has got herself into a.. situation.

June stops. Viv thinks back to their conversation a few days ago, with a gentle sigh.

WDC Martella:

What have you heard?

June turns her eyes downwards.

WPC Ackland:

Viv, I don't know how to say this. She, she tried to commit suicide last night.

Viv looks slowly back down at the table.

WDC Martella:

Is she ok? I mean, what are the details?

WPC Ackland:

She's alive. They got to her in time but only just. I thought that you should know, all things considered.

Viv nods. June has a relieved look on her face, as of someone who has discharged a painful duty.

WPC Ackland:

She's in St Hugh's. It could still go either way so Norika's down there. She'll let us know if there are any developments.

WDC Martella:

Yeah, I, I shoulda taken more notice of, June, I probably shouldn't be telling you this but, she told me that Ben Prior assaulted her a few days ago.

June looks shocked.

WPC Ackland:

What did he do to her?

Viv shrugs.

WDC Martella:

Attempted rape, from what I gathered.

June is confused.

WPC Ackland:

So why didn't she tell anybody? Why didn't you tell somebody?

WDC Martella:

You know what it's like, June. I couldn't take over again. I told her as much. I gave her the options, I thought I was doing the right thing.

June walks over beside Viv and gives her a small hug.

WPC Ackland:

What did you tell her?

WDC Martella:

Just that it was up to her. She could file criminal charges but that considering it'd be her word against his, it'd be difficult, or she could just forget about it.

WPC Ackland:

She took it that badly?

WDC Martella:

She musta done, hadn't she? I mean I can't keep rescuing her all the time, can I?

June looks sympathetically at Viv.

WPC Ackland:

I guess not. Are you okay?

Viv gets up from the table, rinsing her cup out.

WDC Martella:

Yeah, it's her life, isn't it? I just can't help but feel, attached.

June squeezes Viv's arm.

WPC Ackland:

She'll be fine. Just believe that and you'll be okay.

Viv sighs.

WDC Martella:

Yeah, you're right. Night June.

June gives Viv a wink and heads upstairs.

WPC Ackland:

I'll be upstairs if you need anything, okay? Night Viv.

June leaves Viv alone in the kitchen. Viv paces back over to the table, folding the magazines and newspapers slowly, her insides in knocks. Taking a deep breath and sitting back down on the chair, Viv rests her head in her hands and cries quietly. Each cool tear hitting her fingertips summons ten more from her eyes, until she drops her head to the table, her body shuddering with sobs.

** APRIL 18TH **

*** POLLY'S ROOM - ST HUGH'S - 2:30 PM ***

Polly is lightly sleeping, when a few of the male officers slowly enter the room, taking spots around the bed. The rustling waking her, Polly gazes around at the faces, Ben's overconfident grin, causing her to glance away, lowering her eyes to the blankets.

PC Prior:

Hey there Blondie, how are you feeling?

Ben leans over and kisses Polly on the forehead. Polly looks awkwardly between Ben and the other officers, very foggily and sleepy. Ben places a large bunch of flowers on the table next to her bed.

PC Prior:

Well? How are you feeling?

Polly sighs, feeling very uncomfortable.

WPC Page:

Alright, just a bit of a headache.

Ben puts his hand to Polly's forehead.

PC Prior:

Yeah, you've got a bit of a temperature. How are they treating you here?

Polly looks away from him.

WPC Page:

Ok.

Steve tries to crack a joke.

PC Loxton:

Yeah, well the food at St Hughes is nearly as bad as the stuff they serve us down at Sun Hill!

Steve trails off at the look on Polly's face. Polly nods absently, her eyes heavy. Dave steps forward nervously.

PC Quinnan:

Any word on when they're letting ya outa here?

WPC Page:

I dunno..

Polly trails off, letting her eyes fall closed. Ben is sitting back watching the proceedings with a smug grin on his face.

PC Prior:

So when do you think you will be out there pounding the pavements with me again, Poll Doll?

Polly cringes through closed eyes, gradually drifting back to sleep. Ben takes Polly's limp hand, kisses it and stands up.

PC Prior:

Let's leave sleeping beauty to it, shall we?

Ben and the other men slowly make their way out of the room. Dave shakes his head, as they continue towards the lifts.

PC Quinnan:

I still don't get it, why'd she go a do a stupid thing like that for!

Ben laughs.

PC Prior:

'Cause she's a woman! And women do silly things, especially when they're in love!

Steve almost bursts into a fit of laughter.

PC Loxton:

Love! Just what are you talking about Prior? And come to think of it, how come you know so much anyway?

Ben smiles slyly.

PC Prior:

Because she confessed her 'true feelings' for me a couple of days ago. Silly girl's fallen head over heels in love with me! When I told her that I was married and happy to stay that way she obviously took it hard. But hey, who can blame her?

Ben smirks at his male colleagues. Dave scoffs.

PC Quinnan:

What'd she be interested in a prat like you for, anyway. Don't flatter yourself. I'll have you know, Stamp's in with a chance still.

Ben snorts loudly.

PC Prior:

Old 'fatso' Stamp? He couldn't see past his belt buckle if his life depended on it and neither will Blondie if I understand anything about women. She's got it bad, boys, real bad! It's almost a shame I'm too ethical to take advantage of her.

Steve looks sceptical.

PC Loxton:

I ain't seen nothing that's lends any credibility to your story, Prior. You're just making it all up. Make us thinks she's taken.

Ben sneers at his friend.

PC Prior:

You're welcome to her if you want, Steve. If you fancy a slice of apple tart that is. She'd drop her knickers for anyone if they asked her nicely. Take her, you're welcome to her!

Steve chuckles.

PC Loxton:

What, you serious? You're not interested? I mean, your wife's almost double her age, ain't she?

Ben speaks in a low, angry voice.

PC Prior:

I love my wife and I love my daughter. And I'm not going to throw that away for some cheap slut like Blondie in there! Anyway, she's more your type Dave. I thought you liked blondes?

Dave looks up, slightly annoyed at Ben.

PC Quinnan:

You know, I'm surprised at you. You're treating her like some sort of tart.

PC Prior:

Well I'm not gonna pretend to respect her when she acts like a tom on the streets. You should have seen her the other day, she was all over me! What do I care if she goes off and tries to kill herself?

Dave isn't amused at Ben's light humour.

PC Quinnan:

Well, whatever the reason behind all this, it's not for us to joke about. specially you.

Ben shrugs.

PC Prior:

If you feel like that, you should become a bloody social worker Quinnan. You'd make a great WPC!

Ben and Steve laugh heartily.

PC Quinnan:

Just leave it out, will ya! Look, I don't care what's going on here, just leave me outa it!

Dave storms off towards the lifts. Ben raises an eyebrow.

PC Prior:

Look Steve, he's already got the mood swings. I'm beginning to have some doubts about our Dave's sexuality!

Steve shakes his head with a chuckle.

PC Loxton:

Don't go there mate.

PC Prior:

I'm not about to but Dave's girlfriend might be a bit concerned. Jeez, what's wrong with the man? Why can't he lighten up?

Steve shrugs.

PC Loxton:

Well he's kinda cut up about the plonk, I guess. He's surprisingly sensitive, ya know.

Ben snorts contemptuously.

PC Prior:

The silly prat only worked with her for a week. Sensitive guys are wimps. They're as bad as women!

PC Loxton:

Tell me about it and from all the gossip 'round here, she's too screwed up to bother with. Well, you'd know, eh?

PC Prior:

I would. Trust me mate, I'd sooner go out with Reg Hollis than with her. One minute she's all over me, trying to unzip me! The next she's as frigid as an ice-block. Then she goes off and OD's. She's as screwy as they come. I kept telling her that it was a one-night thing but would she listen? No, she had to keep pestering me. She's a loony, mate and she won't last five minutes out there on the streets by herself if you ask me.

PC Loxton:

I'll take your word for it buddy, I'm staying well clear!

Ben laughs.

PC Prior:

Yeah, who needs women? They're more trouble than they're worth!

Steve slaps him on the back.

PC Loxton:

That's easy for you to say mate, you've got a wife and daughter!

PC Prior:

I love my wife and I love my daughter. But I reserve judgement on all other women.

** APRIL 19TH **

*** SUN HILL CORRIDOR - 3:00 PM ***

June is striding down the corridor towards the stairs to the CID office. Norika quickly catches up with her nervously.

WPC Datta:

June, wait up. Have you got a moment?

June stops in the middle of the corridor and looks back at Norika.

WPC Ackland:

Well I'm supposed to be discussing the Nelson case with Viv but I suppose I can spare you a few minutes. What's the matter?

Norika motions towards an empty interview room.

WPC Datta:

It's kinda complicated.

June nods and the two women enter the room.

WPC Ackland:

Okay, for starters is it professional or personal?

Norika takes a breath, closing the door behind them.

WPC Datta:

I'm not quite sure. Take a seat.

Norika sits down opposite June.

WPC Ackland:

Well I'm not a mind-reader Norika, tell me what's troubling you.

WPC Datta:

Well, the thing is June, I'm not, I mean, I don't know what to do.

June rolls her eyes.

WPC Ackland:

Stop playing guessing games, Norika. What's the big dilemma?

WPC Datta:

Well, suppose, just suppose, somebody told you something but well, if you were asked to keep a confidence but keeping it could result in somebody getting hurt, even dying, then what should you do?

WPC Ackland:

Well you would have to do what seems right to you. What your conscience tells you to do. Why do I get the feeling that this isn't just a hypothetical situation?

Norika sighs.

WPC Datta:

Well, it's not. Although, I'm not really sure, I mean, once I've opened my mouth I won't be able to take it back. But then again, I think it was my advice in the first place that led to the whole problem.

June bites her lip and gives Norika a serious look.

WPC Ackland:

If you feel responsible for someone then you have to keep an eye on them. Now, if you want to tell me about something and you think I can help somehow then I'm willing to listen. But I really do have to see Viv so please come to the point, if there is one!

Norika drops her head.

WPC Datta:

Well, the other night, when Polly.. well, I don't think I helped, I mean, well, something happened.

June looks concerned.

WPC Ackland:

What, you've given Polly some bad advice and you're wondering what you can do to make things right? What's this got to do with her suicide attempt?

WPC Datta:

Well, I didn't think anything of it at first, not until later that night. But well, I still don't feel right about this. I feel like I'm breaking a promise..

Norika trails off nervously. June sighs and looks tolerantly at her colleague.

WPC Ackland:

Well you're the one who wanted to speak to me, remember? Either tell me or stop wasting my time!

June folds her arms crossly.

WPC Datta:

June, you know it's not that easy!

Norika pauses, looking away.

WPC Datta:

Ben Prior. The night of the suicide attempt, the lads were all down at the pub, pretty far gone. Polly and I showed up and things got sorta out of hand. Prior was all over her and by the time we made it back to the section house, she was a right mess. Apparently, the night she arrived at Sun Hill, he, he attacked her. She says he raped her.

June looks shocked.

WPC Ackland:

I knew that he tried to assault her but I thought it stopped before things went too far. What's all this about a rape?

WPC Datta:

What, what do you know? I'm just telling you what she's told me. I mean, I remember the night she was talking about. She came back about twelve, looking really messed up. She wouldn't talk to me, wouldn't tell me a thing.

June nods her head slowly.

WPC Ackland:

So how did you find out about the rape?

Norika looks exasperated.

WPC Datta:

She told me! After the pub incident.

Norika pauses, retrieving the crisp white piece of folded paper containing the pearl pendant.

WPC Datta:

And then when Reg and I found her in the morning, there was this.

Norika slides the small package across to June. June picks up the piece of paper and begins to read with a puzzled expression on her face. June's face grows very pale and she nods her head slowly.

WPC Ackland:

Was this found with Polly after the suicide attempt?

Norika nods miserably.

WPC Datta:

I didn't know whether to come forward about it or not.

WPC Ackland:

Well you probably should have. Have you had a chance to speak with Polly since her OD?

Norika shakes her head.

WPC Datta:

Not that I'd know what to say anyway. What should I do? I wish I'd said something sooner. I can't help but think that maybe I shoulda seen it coming. I shoulda done something to stop it. To help her.

June slides the note into her pocket and takes Norika's hand comfortingly.

WPC Ackland:

I'm sure you did your best, Norika. Do you know whether or not she's going to be pressing charges?

WPC Datta:

Well, that's what I was worried about. You know what this job's like, June. A WPC cries rape, we've got no chance. I told her just what I'd been told for years about this job. I didn't think she'd go and do something like this!

WPC Ackland:

Yeah, well she's had a difficult life, especially when she was a child.

Norika looks confused.

WPC Datta:

You knew her or something?

June nods her head.

WPC Ackland:

Let's just say that Viv and I were involved with her when she was younger. She had some pretty horrific family troubles.

WPC Datta:

And what's that got to do with all this? I mean, what am I meant to do now?

June looks thoughtfully at Norika.

WPC Ackland:

Talk with Polly. If she mentions the rape to you again, see if you can find out more about it. Ask her if she'd be willing to talk it over with a senior officer or put it on record. Basically, find out what she wants to do and be her friend.

June is about to offer further advice when the door to the interview room swings open and Bob Cryer can be seen in the doorway. Norika looks up, surprised.

Sgt. Cryer:

Oh, sorry June. Am I interrupting anything? I didn't know you were in here.

June shakes her head.

WPC Ackland:

I think we've finished. Haven't we, Nori?

Norika nods slowly, getting to her feet.

WPC Datta:

Thanks June, I'll let you know.

Norika turns and briskly makes her way from the room. June smiles tightly at Bob and follows her.

WPC Ackland:

The room's all yours, Sarge.

June walks up the stairs leading to the CID office. Bob shakes his head with a small smile.

*** CID OFFICE - 3:20 PM ***

Viv looks up from her desk, glancing at her watch as June enters the room.

WDC Martella:

You took your time.

June shrugs and dumps the file on Viv's desk.

WPC Ackland:

I was held up. Viv, can we talk about the case later? Something's come my way and I'd appreciate your advice on how to handle it.

Viv looks mildly put out, glaring down at the open folders spread out in front of her.

WDC Martella:

Make it quick June, I've only got today to finish this case.

June gestures towards the DI's office, which is fortuitously empty.

WPC Ackland:

Well this is a little bit more important than the Nelson case. It's of a personal nature.

Viv stands and briskly follows June across to the office, giving them some privacy. Closing the door, she leans up against the desk with a long, drawn-out sigh.

WDC Martella:

Right, so what's so important?

June hesitates for a moment before speaking.

WPC Ackland:

It's about Polly Page. You might want to sit down.

Viv looks concerned.

WDC Martella:

She's all right isn't she? I mean, word from the relief was that she was going to be fine.

June nods her head slowly.

WPC Ackland:

It's not to do with the suicide attempt. It's more to do with the cause of the overdose.

Viv frowns.

WDC Martella:

You mean the assault? That thing with Ben Prior?

June nods again and her face hardens.

WPC Ackland:

Well it didn't just stop at an assault. She was raped, Viv. Ben Prior raped her in this station.

June sighs as Viv looks hesitant.

WDC Martella:

That's not what she told me. Where, I mean, how did you get wind of all this?

June spreads her hands out on the table and chooses her words carefully.

WPC Ackland:

Norika found a note with Polly after the attempt. It was very graphic about what he did to her. She just showed it to me a few minutes ago.

June pauses, slipping the package from her pocket and passing it to Viv. The WDC looks hesitant, before slowly unwrapping the note, her eyes melting at the sight of the golden pendant.

WPC Ackland:

Viv? What's wrong?

Viv quickly scans the suicide note, her gaze meeting June as she delicately turns the pedant over and over in her hand.

WDC Martella:

I, I gave this to Polly along time ago. After her trial. I never thought she'd still remember after all these years.

Viv pauses.

WDC Martella:

June, you knew how close we were. I should've done something before it got this far. I should have made sure that she was comfortable in the way the assault was handled. I mean, for heaven's sake, she trusts me, maybe too much. But she always knew that you, me, police officers in general, were the good guys. She of all people shouldn't have to go through something like this. No wonder she's taken it so hard.

The room is silent for several moments as June collects her thoughts.

WPC Ackland:

I thought you did the right thing in letting her deal with this herself. If you'd just stepped in and taken over again, she'll never learn to stand up for herself. To defend herself. It may be a hard lesson to learn but maybe this'll just be enough to make her grow up a bit. Take responsibility. Don't blame yourself, Viv.

Viv sighs.

WDC Martella:

I don't, I just, well I should've taken it more seriously at the time. I didn't want to pry into it, maybe because I didn't want to know. To be honest, a part of me feared that she may be overreacting or something. But now that I think about it, she wouldn't. She's seen enough violence to know the difference. If she says she was raped, she was raped.

Viv sets her jaw firmly. June sighs.

WPC Ackland:

Well, it's not up to us, anyway. Polly has to make the first move. Norika's going to keep an eye on her and hopefully this'll be resolved. One way or another.

Viv nods.

WDC Martella:

You're right, it's up to Polly. But whatever she does decide on, we'll be behind her one hundred percent. Besides, I for one would like to see Prior get his just desserts!

June nods in agreement, turning towards the door.

WPC Ackland:

I'll keep you posted with any new developments.

June pauses, gazing over at the former WPC.

WPC Ackland:

It's funny, isn't it. Those days of pounding the beat together seem decades ago, Almost as if they never happened.

WDC Martella:

Almost. Unfortunately for some, it was more then just fairytale.

June nods solemnly, brushing Viv's arm affectionately. The two women pace out of the office together, June heading nostalgically back down the stairs towards uniforms' quarters.

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