*** WPC'S LOCKER ROOM - 4:50 PM ***

Viv walks into the room and closes the door softly. She sits down next to the young officer and stares at her compassionately. Polly has a funny expression on her face as if she's about to start crying.

WDC Martella:

What am I going to do with you Polly?

WPC Page:

Can't you take a hint?

Viv runs a hand through her hair.

WDC Martella:

I'm sorry, I didn't mean for this to be difficult. I'm just surprised to see you again. I never thought that I might be working with you one day!

WPC Page:

Well it is difficult. I mean, it's my first day. I just wanted it to be a smooth, easy transition. I could really do without those particular emotional problems being dug up again.

Viv takes Polly's hand reassuringly.

WDC Martella:

No-one need ever know but us two. I'm surprised, that's all. I mean, I didn't expect to run into you again. Certainly not like this anyway.

WPC Page:

I just want to put it all behind me. Can't you see that?

WDC Martella:

Of course. It's your prerogative.

Viv trails off, desperately searching for something else to talk about.

WDC Martella:

So what made you want to join the Met?

WPC Page:

I liked the uniforms.

A trace of sarcasm can be heard in Polly's voice.

WDC Martella:

No, seriously. What made you want to become one of us?

WPC Page:

Well it was all your fault I guess.

Viv is momentarily stunned by Polly's words.

WDC Martella:

My fault? I don't understand.

WPC Page:

I always looked up to you, y'know. I always thought that I wanted to be like Viv was. If I'm honest, that thought is more or less what kept me going through High School. But I never counted on actually seeing you again� I'm not sure how to handle this.

Viv nods, her voice betraying her emotion.

WDC Martella:

I could say the same thing. I can't deny that there were times when I wondered what had happened�How it had all turned out for you. I knew that I had to keep my distance, though. For your sake more than anything.

Polly stares Viv in the eye and speaks in a determined voice.

WPC Page:

Yeah, well I just want to keep it all in the past. Where it belongs.

Viv sighs then slowly nods her head again..

WDC Martella:

How's Ian by the way? I've never forgotten his enthusiasm at the dinner table!

Polly smiles briefly at the mention of her brother.

WPC Page:

Same as always. He hasn't changed a bit.

Viv chuckles, recalling happy memories.

WDC Martella:

I could believe it.

WPC Page:

He's training to become an aeroplane pilot, y'know!

Viv snorts and idly scratches the back of her neck.

WDC Martella:

Doesn't surprise me in the slightest.

WPC Page:

He still remembers you, Viv. All the stuff you did for us..

WDC Martella:

It was nothing Polly, really.

Polly looks up sharply at Viv's words.

WPC Page:

What, just another case was it?

Viv turns to face Polly, her arms folded in a maternal fashion.

WDC Martella:

Polly, you know that's not what I meant.

WPC Page:

Well what did you mean then?

WDC Martella:

I meant, well, I did my job to the best of my ability. Why do you think I remembered you? It was never just another case.

WPC Page:

Yeah sure. You don't care about me! You didn't try to contact me once! Just get away from me and leave me alone.

Polly stands and tries to leave the room, tears streaking down her cheeks. Viv heads across the room and catches her by the arm.

WDC Martella:

Just hear me out will ya! I didn't think. I mean, your Mum made it pretty clear that she didn't want me around after the trial. I thought it'd be better if I let you get on with your life.

WPC Page:

That's just an excuse. You abandoned me and forgot about me!

WDC Martella:

Polly, you can't honestly believe that. What did you expect me to do?

Polly looks tearfully at Viv.

WPC Page:

I dunno, I just needed ya and you weren't there!

Viv cringes, Polly's words cutting deep inroads into her soul.

WDC Martella:

Why didn't you come and talk to me? You knew where I was.

WPC Page:

No I didn't. You just left me!

Viv gently rests her hand on Polly's shoulder.

WDC Martella:

Look, I just thought� I thought you'd be better off if I stayed out of it. I wish I had known you felt this way.

WPC Page:

It's just that you left me so abruptly. One minute you were there, then you were gone!

Viv looks across the room then refocuses her attention back on Polly.

WDC Martella:

You mean after the trial? I thought that it'd be better if I didn't come back into your life, just out of the blue like that. I didn't think that I'd be welcome, all things considered.

WPC Page:

Yeah but you didn't have to just leave me, did ya?

Viv hesitates then decides to come clean.

WDC Martella:

I� I didn't just leave you, Polly.

WPC Page:

Yes you did! You left me high and dry so you could get on with ya career! And to think I used to look up to you.

Viv takes Polly by the shoulders and stares directly into her eyes. Polly cringes.

WDC Martella:

That's not how it was. I was there. I came to the hospital with Sally when you were giving birth. I was going to come and see you but your Mum was none too pleased with me around and I thought� I don't know what I thought. I thought wrong.

Polly is speechless. Viv drops her head slowly until she is gazing at the floor. Ben knocks quickly on the door then boldly sticks his head in.

PC Prior:

Oh, sorry ladies. Don't mind me, I'm just.. admiring the view.

Viv turns her head, furious at the interruption.

WDC Martella:

Admire it all you like. I was just leaving.

Viv makes her way quickly from the room, leaving a tearful Polly and a bemused Ben in her wake.

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