*** CANLEY CENTRAL MAGISTRATES COURT - 4:00 PM ***

The judge has heard the opposing arguments from the police and from Ben's lawyer and is deciding whether or not to grant bail to him now that charges have been laid. Not surprisingly, the police are opposing bail. Polly and Norika look on with concern from the public gallery. He stares seriously at Ben and begins to speak in his soft, cultured voice.

Justice Edwards:

Mr Prior, you have been committed to stand trial for the sexual assault of Miss Polly Page. You wish to be given bail and we have heard the arguments from learned counsel for and against the granting of bail in this courtroom today.

The judge takes a deep breath and takes a sip from the glass of water close to his arm.

Justice Edwards:

The police have argued that you are likely to interfere with the witnesses in this case if released from custody. They have also relied on the fact that this is a very serious allegation and that you should be kept in custody to ensure that you do not try to abscond.

Polly glances over at Norika, her hands held tensely in her lap.

Justice Edwards:

However your defence counsel has pointed out your previous good character and the fact that you have a family living in this area, making it unlikely that you will abscond. Moreover, he has told the court that your sudden removal from the family would traumatise both your wife and daughter and be detrimental to your entire family.

The judge clears his throat.

Justice Edwards:

So it is my decision that bail should be granted with the proviso that you do not seek to interfere with any of the witnesses in your case, in particular Miss Page. Bail will be withdrawn if you try to make contact with them in any way.

Polly's face falls, as she whispers under her breath to Norika.

WPC Page:

Great.

The judge looks down sternly at Ben.

Justice Edwards:

Bail granted. This Court is no longer in session.

Court Usher:

All rise.

Everyone stands as the Magistrate slowly leaves the room. Ben grins up at the public gallery and gives Polly a deliberate wink. Polly slings her bag across her back, pushing past Norika towards the doorway.

WPC Page:

Let's get out of here.

*** JUNE AND VIV'S FLAT - 6:10 PM ***

Viv slides the chopped up vegetables into the saucepan, turning back to June.

WDC Martella:

I still don't get why she waited so long to tell anyone.

June shrugs.

WPC Ackland:

Well it's a delicate issue, Viv. I mean, what would you do if it happened to you?

Viv scoffs, almost chuckling, then suddenly coming to her senses.

WDC Martella:

Sorry, well, honestly I'd take whoever it was to the cleaners! I mean, there are lots of little things, everyday in CID. But if it ever went too far, no, I wouldn't hesitate. Would you?

June thinks for a minute then shakes her head, tongue-firmly-in-cheek.

WPC Ackland:

But Polly's scared. She's vulnerable. And to be honest I think she's terrified by men. So it's no wonder she's been a bit funny about all this.

Viv nods slowly.

WDC Martella:

I suppose so. I just wish it'd happened to anyone but her.

WPC Ackland:

Well you're not alone there. That girl's seen enough sexual crime already to last her a lifetime. But maybe that's what attracted Ben? Her vulnerability?

Viv drops the cold meat into the sizzling fry pan.

WDC Martella:

Yeah, that'd be right. She was probably thrown by his advances, he picked up on that and used it to his own gain.

June sighs and wanders over to Viv's side.

WPC Ackland:

You're making a right mess there! I hope you don't expect me to eat that!

Viv hands the tongs to June angrily.

WDC Martella:

Here, you do it then.

June grins and steps backwards.

WPC Ackland:

No, I leave the cooking up to Chef Martella. My job is complaining about the food!

Viv rolls her eyes.

WDC Martella:

Well then save it. I'm not in the mood.

June sits down at the table, opens up the daily newspaper and begins to read. She looks up, startled when the phone suddenly rings. June reaches for the receiver and answers the phone as Viv continues with her cooking.

WPC Ackland:

Hello?

WPC Datta:

June, it's Norika. I just thought I'd let you know the results of the hearing.

June bites her lip.

WPC Ackland:

How did it go? Is Polly okay?

WPC Datta:

He got bail, we couldn't believe it! Polly, well she's ok. She's pretty furious though.

June groans.

WPC Ackland:

So they let him out? Was the judge drunk?

Norika scoffs.

WPC Datta:

Probably, I dunno what he was thinking. Prior's brief played the whole 'break up the family' card.

WPC Ackland:

How did Ben take it? Did he seem pleased?

WPC Datta:

That's one way of putting it, I guess. He was smirking.

WPC Ackland:

The bastard. At least the real trial will wipe that smirk off his face.

WPC Datta:

Yeah, with any luck. There's still so little evidence though. At this rate, we'll be lucky if he even gets a custodial.

WPC Ackland:

Don't tell that to Polly, whatever happens. She's got little enough self confidence as it is without knowing that.

WPC Datta:

I suppose, she seems pretty sure of herself though.

WPC Ackland:

Just keep an eye on her. We've already had one suicide attempt and we don't want another one.

WPC Datta:

Yeah, I considered that too actually. But I'm not too worried about it. She's too determined to let anything get in her way.

June paces back and forth as she continues the conversation.

WPC Ackland:

Well she's a strong girl. How are you bearing up, by the way?

WPC Datta:

This isn't about me, is it. Although it's nice to see a bit of justice around here for a change.

WPC Ackland:

Yeah, it must bring back some painful memories for you what with Phil Young and all.

WPC Datta:

Like I said June, this isn't about me. I just thought you'd appreciate the update.

WPC Ackland:

I do. Thanks for letting me know Norika. See you tomorrow.

WPC Datta:

Yeah, night June. Bye.

June hangs up the phone and sits in silence at the table. Viv paces across the kitchen, poking her head into the room.

WDC Martella:

He got bail?

WPC Ackland:

He did. He's probably out there celebrating as we speak.

Viv sighs.

WDC Martella:

That's the British justice system for you.

Viv goes back to preparing dinner.

WPC Ackland:

Well it didn't let Polly down last time so hopefully things will work out for the best this time too.

*** SECTION HOUSE - 9:20 PM ***

Polly pads casually down the hallway from the bathroom towards her room, tying her dressing gown over a night-dress as she walks. Pushing open the door, Polly rubs the towel over her wet hair, enters the room and locks the door behind her. Striding across towards her bed, she continues towelling her hair dry, feeling slightly more refreshed after the stressful day.

PC Prior:

Did you have a nice day in court, Polly?

Ben is sitting in the middle of Polly's bed smiling up at her. Polly lifts her head, the towel falling to the floor, her mouth dropping open in a horrified silent scream.

PC Prior:

What's up? Not expecting to have to face me again? Don't worry, all I want to do is talk with you.

Polly is still lost for words, merely taking a step backwards and pulling the robe tightly around herself, looking away.

WPC Page:

Get out of here.

PC Prior:

Don't be stupid, Polly. All I want to know is why you're doing this damn silly thing. Why are you doing this to me?

WPC Page:

I, I want you to leave. You've got no right being anywhere near me.

Ben looks directly at Polly, his expression unfaltering.

PC Prior:

I have every right to be here. And you know it.

WPC Page:

Look, you're not gonna get away with this. You'll be banged up for sure now. You heard the judge.

Ben sighs.

PC Prior:

Polly, I just came here to talk to you. If you really want me to leave then I will but won't you just hear me out first? Listen to what I've got to say?

Polly shakes her head firmly.

WPC Page:

I haven't got anything to say to you and nothing you say's gonna make the slightest bit of difference.

PC Prior:

I'm not asking you to say anything. All I want you to do is listen.

Ben is being perfectly calm and reasonable about this. Polly takes several nervous breaths, before turning towards the doorway.

WPC Page:

No.

Ben gets up off the bed and grabs Polly's wrist to stop her leaving. She cringes.

PC Prior:

Look all I want to do is talk to you about everything. I'm sure we can come to an arrangement. It was just a little misunderstanding, there's no need for all this.

Polly doesn't reply, merely looking away from him.

PC Prior:

Look, just drop the charges, please? I promise never to go near you again but please don't do this to me. It's tearing my family apart.

Ben's eyes are glistening as he speaks with Polly. He looks seriously miserable. Polly raises an eyebrow with a hint of a smile.

WPC Page:

Are you joking or something?

PC Prior:

My wife can't cope with all this. She'll leave me if you keep this up. Just drop the charges, I swear I'll stay away from you. I'll even transfer to another station if that's what you want.

Ben looks pleadingly up at Polly. She narrows her eyes.

WPC Page:

You're not going to get out of it that easily.

PC Prior:

Just drop it, Polly. This is such a bloody exaggeration, there's no bloody need for all this!

Ben is getting angry. He stands in front of Polly, blocking her exit. Polly raises her voice, slightly nervously.

WPC Page:

Fine, you've said what you came to say. Now go.

PC Prior:

Don't think I'm going to let you get away with this that easily, Polly Page. If you think it's gonna end here then you've got another thing coming. I'll ruin you, you stupid, stupid tart. No matter how long it takes, one day I'll catch up with you and you'll wish you'd never been born!

Ben's voice has become suddenly harsh. He glares at Polly with undisguised hatred. Polly struggles to find her voice.

WPC Page:

Leave... please.

Ben shakes his head angrily and grabs Polly's chin. He pulls her head up and forces her to look into his eyes.

PC Prior:

You listen to me. You will stop all this crap, stop playing mind games with me. I offered to forget everything but you don't seem to realise when someone is doing you a favour. Fine, we'll go to court and the judge will laugh you out of the building. I've got the best lawyers and my mates at Sun Hill are prepared to back me to the hilt. What have you got apart from a couple of statements from that slut Datta and fatso Stamp?

Ben squeezes Polly's chin tighter and his eyes bulge. Polly bites her bottom lip, pulling out of his grasp.

WPC Page:

You are going leave right now and we won't mention this to anyone. Otherwise, well, we'll leave it to the courts.

Ben laughs softly.

PC Prior:

No we won't. You're gonna forget about the charges and tell that to that cow of a DCI tomorrow. Otherwise...

Ben leaves the threat hanging in the air unfinished. Polly scoffs lightly.

WPC Page:

Is that an attempt at a threat? Even you're not that stupid.

PC Prior:

Baby, I don't make threats. I carry them out.

Ben releases Polly's chin and glares at her coldly. Polly draws a deep breath, once again walking towards the door.

WPC Page:

You're pathetic at intimidation, ya know that?

Ben grabs Polly roughly and pulls her backwards. She gasps as his hands tighten around her waist.

PC Prior:

Blondie, you're still very cute. And corpses find it difficult to testify, you get my drift?

Ben is calm once again but his words have a menacing edge. Polly looks up fearfully into his eyes, suddenly hearing a noise in the hallway and turning her head, letting out a desperate shriek.

PC Prior:

You'll regret that.

Cindy, who is making her way back to her dorm, hears the muffled cry and hesitates when she realises it's Polly's room. Making her way over to the door, Cindy taps lightly on it.

WPC Craine:

Polly?

Ben and Polly continue to scuffle from behind the door, Polly's muffled sobs escaping every now and then. After getting no verbal reply, Cindy aims a foot squarely to the lock of the door and bursts into the room, all three occupants remaining frozen for several moments. Ben is standing above the pitifully weeping form of Polly with blood dripping from his knuckles. He looks up and grins sheepishly at Cindy.

PC Prior:

Hey babes. I was just talking to Polly.

Polly continues to sob, her hands covering the blood pouring from her nose and upper lip.

PC Prior:

I think we've said everything we need to say.

Ben begins to sidle towards the door. Cindy slowly takes in everything that she's seen and heard, the sudden truth of Ben's guilt shocking her.

WPC Craine:

You, you're not going anywhere.

Ben tries to brush Cindy aside.

PC Prior:

Get out of my way, babes. Don't give me any of your equality crap.

Cindy moves in front of him, preventing him from leaving the room.

WPC Craine:

You're coming with me whether you like it or not. Polly, I'll get Norika to come help you.

Ben shakes his head and chuckles throatily.

PC Prior:

Leave it out. You didn't see me, you hear? You did not see me!

Ben pushes Cindy hard in the chest and barges towards the door. She falls awkwardly to the floor, losing her grip on him as he tears out of the room. Ben smirks and runs towards the exit of the section house as Cindy walks over and helps Polly to her feet.

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