** APRIL 13TH **

*** SUN HILL POLICE STATION - 2:05 PM ***

Stuart is briefing the relief before the start of the shift. Polly is standing silently in the crowd of officers as three new A relief recruits are introduced.

Sgt. Lamont:

Well it's all quiet on the Cockthorn Estate. Which is quite surprising when you consider Ben and Polly's little 'accident' yesterday..

Stuart turns to look at the twosome and tells them off in a stern voice.

Sgt. Lamont:

It's bad enough letting kids run riot on that Estate without supplying them with the police cars to joyride in. Try to be more careful next time.

Polly bites her lower lip and looks nervously across at Ben, her discomfort obvious. Stuart smothers a grin and a few chuckles can be heard from the rest of the relief.

Sgt. Lamont:

Okay, we have three new recruits from A relief 'cause you lot are practically useless when things get hot out there. Say hello to A relief's finest.

Stuart gestures at Tony, June and Dave, who look somewhat out of place in amongst the B relief crowd.

Sgt. Lamont:

Well give them a big welcome, lads. We don't want them telling Inspector Monroe what an unfriendly bunch we are! They'll be with us for the week, until our lot gets over that flu epidemic.

Tony smirks proudly as a few friendly B relief officers nod and grin in welcome. Stuart shakes his head tolerantly as the obligatory wolf whistles greet June. She rolls her eyes at their antics.

Sgt. Lamont:

Be nice with them, June. They're very fragile.

WPC Ackland:

Don't worry Sarge, I know how precious they are to you. I won't damage them!

Stuart chuckles at her wit.

Sgt. Lamont:

Okay, that's all. Stay out of trouble, you hear?

Tony's eyes glance casually over the familiar faces. He nods to Dave. Stuart leaves the room with the rest of the relief in tow.

*** LOXTON ROAD - 10:00 AM ***

Tony and Polly are walking the beat together. Tony is surprisingly nervous at being assigned to the beat with the rookie WPC.

PC Stamp:

So you're fresh out of school are you?

Polly chuckles lightly, more than aware of the big man's nervousness.

WPC Page:

Yeah, I guess so. This is my first posting.

Tony is perspiring slightly. He mops his face with a hanky.

PC Stamp:

Where did you go? Local school?

Polly nods, growing more amused by the minute.

WPC Page:

Plover Way. Why do you ask?

Tony looks embarrassed and replies awkwardly.

PC Stamp:

Just wondering. Do you like it here?

WPC Page:

Sun Hill? I guess so. I've always lived around here.

Polly pauses and raises her eyebrow quizzically.

WPC Page:

What's with all the questions? We're not in an interview room, you know.

Tony is caught off-balance.

PC Stamp:

I'm not trying to chat you up but I have to say that you look familiar. Have we met somewhere before?

Polly smirks.

WPC Page:

Is that the best you can do?

PC Stamp:

What do you mean?

Tony looks confused and slightly hurt. Polly sighs.

WPC Page:

Don't worry. Look, are you sure you're ok? You're looking extremely uncomfortable!

Tony adjusts his collar and clears his throat.

PC Stamp:

I'm fine, really. I'm just a bit hot in this coat. It's silly, I should have left it at the station.

WPC Page:

We could always meet up with a panda and dump it in there? If you want to, that is.

Tony looks relieved and eagerly adopts Polly's suggestion.

PC Stamp:

Sure, great idea. Or maybe we could go for a ride later on in the Area Car? I'm a Class One driver, did you know?

Polly cringes, annoyed by Tony's forwardness.

WPC Page:

Yeah, you mentioned that yesterday.

Tony takes a deep breath.

PC Stamp:

So, would you care for a spin sometime?

Polly tries not to look overly bored by this rather feeble chat-up line.

WPC Page:

Maybe sometime.

PC Stamp:

Or maybe a drink after work today?

Tony anxiously awaits Polly's reply.

WPC Page:

What is it with the blokes around here? You have any idea how many times I've had that question thrown at me in the last twenty-four hours. Can't you grow up?

Tony looks taken aback.

PC Stamp:

Well, I can't speak for the others but all I want is a quiet drink.

Polly sighs, pauses then comes to a decision.

WPC Page:

Oh what the heck. I have to let me hair down sometime I guess. Tonight?

Tony's eyes brighten up and a wide grin appears on his face.

PC Stamp:

Really? That'd be great! How about we meet up at the Pike's Head after the shift?

WPC Page:

Sure, about ten-thirty then?

Tony smiles at his blonde companion.

PC Stamp:

Great, that'll give me a chance to do my hair. I don't want to embarrass you!

Polly chuckles softly.

WPC Page:

Don't be pathetic.

Polly smiles warmly. Tony grins back, interrupted by a screech of brakes.

WPC Page:

What was that?

Polly is startled. She looks in the direction of the sound.

PC Stamp:

Nothing to worry about. Just a pair of jokers!

Tony stares angrily as a police car slides into view. The Area Car pulls up and Dave sticks his head out of the passenger-side window.

PC Stamp:

And what exactly can we do for you?

PC Quinnan:

Oh, nothing much. We just thought we'd better make sure you weren't leading the probate astray!

Tony scoffs at the insinuations contained in that last remark.

PC Stamp:

You'd know all about that, wouldn't you Dave?

Dave bites his lip and blushes slightly.

PC Quinnan:

Don't be silly. That was a rumour started by a very jealous PC.

PC Stamp:

No, it was started by a very desperate PC. You!

Tony looks satisfied and Polly stifles a grin.

WPC Page:

Oh, cut it out you two. I'm sure he's harmless in that department. Besides, I'm already spoken for. Aren't I Tone?

PC Stamp:

So you are. I'll see you two jokers back at the station. Make sure you don't get lost!

Dave grins boyishly but can't resist a final dig at his mate..

PC Quinnan:

Speak for yourselves. If you're not back in half an hour we'll send out a search party.

Dave winks as Ben pulls the panda away from the curve. Tony is left on the pavement slowly shaking his head, his embarrassment at Dave's words obvious. Polly seems to be enjoying the situation and greatly increases Tony's discomfort by taking his hand in hers and smiling up at him prettily. Tony looks just about ready to faint.

*** CAD - 4:00 PM ***

Viv walks into the room clutching a bundle of papers and heads over to one of the terminals. She gives June a name and asks her for a PNC check on it.

WPC Ackland:

Right, Watkins; Steven James. Previous for assault, burglary and manslaughter in 1974. Lovely character you've got there, Viv.

WDC Martella:

I'm not planning on going out with him, June. My standards haven't sunk that low.

June forces a smile and turns back to the terminal.

WPC Ackland:

Nothing would surprise me when it comes to you and men, Vivian. Did you want a print-out of this?

WDC Martella:

Sure.

Viv stands back, her impatience obvious. June prints out the sheet and turns to look at her friend.

WPC Ackland:

Are you alright Viv?

WDC Martella:

Me? Yeah, I'm fine. Just another typical day as the butt-end of the brains department.

WPC Ackland:

Don't be too harsh on them, Viv. B relief has its fair share of animals too.

Viv looks across at Sergeant Lamont sitting at the CAD desk.

WDC Martella:

He's not that bad, surely? He seemed quite nice before.

June turns back to her screen.

WPC Ackland:

Nah, not really. I wasn't talking about the Sarge anyway.

June pauses, lowers her voice and whispers to her friend.

WPC Ackland:

Viv, did you hear about the new plonk on B relief?

Viv's demeanour grows serious..

WDC Martella:

You recognised her too, did you?

WPC Ackland:

Not at first. But I recognised the name. I haven't had a chance to speak with her yet, though. Not that I'd have any idea what to say.

WDC Martella:

Yeah, I'm going to try to avoid her from now on, even if it means getting a transfer to another nick.

June stares at Viv in confusion.

WPC Ackland:

Well, I don't have to work we her after the week. This was just a one-off. But you can't just run away from her, Viv. That's not right.

WDC Martella:

Believe me, it's what she wants June. We had a little encounter yesterday and she told me in no uncertain terms that I was to keep away from her. I think you'd be wise to do the same thing. There's no point in getting emotionally involved at this stage.

Viv is getting worked up. June is stunned by her words.

WPC Ackland:

She said that? What did you say in reply? I guess you must have freaked her out appearing out of the blue like that. It wouldn't have been easy for her.

Viv snaps back at her friend.

WDC Martella:

Yeah, well it wasn't exactly a picnic for me either!

WPC Ackland:

I'm not saying it was but a little compassion and understanding goes a long way. What's she like?

WDC Martella:

Well she looks the same. But god knows how much emotional damage she's hiding under the surface.

WPC Ackland:

I just can't believe she's in the job and all. I would have thought she'd seen enough of police stations and court rooms to last a lifetime!

WDC Martella:

Apparently not. Well, it's her decision. Just leave her well alone June, that's my advice.

June scoffs and shakes her head adamantly.

WPC Ackland:

That's a harsh attitude, Viv. You're going to have to work with her you know. You can't just forget about it and confine it to the past.

June pauses and understanding creeps across her face.

WPC Ackland:

That's it, isn't it? That's the problem. You don't want to be reminded of it all.

WDC Martella:

It's� It's all in the past.. And that's where I'd like it to be kept. I don't want to reopen old wounds.

WPC Ackland:

But sometimes the only way to move on is to confront your shadows from the past.

Stuart glances across at the two officers. Viv is lost for words.

WDC Martella:

Just.. drop it June.

Sgt. Lamont:

Could you two please finish your little gossip session at the end of the shift? June, are you gonna take that call or what?

June sighs and turns back to her terminal.

WPC Ackland:

Sun Hill Police, how can I help you?

Viv gives the Sergeant a frosty glare as she heads for the door.

WDC Martella:

I was just leaving, Sarge. Satisfied?

Viv closes the door on her way out, making a fair amount of noise in the process.

Sgt. Lamont:

Who rattled her chain?

Stuart shrugs and gets on with his work.

*** WPC'S LOCKER ROOM - 10:05 PM ***

Polly slips off her skirt, clips it to a hanger and places it back in her locker. She does the same with her scarf and tosses her stockings into a plastic bag before placing her shoes neatly at the base of her locker. She hums softly to herself, her mind lost in thoughts of her upcoming date with Tony. Ben pauses outside the locker room and listens to her gentle humming. After a moment's thought, he pushes open the door. Polly turns around with a short gasp. Ben shuts the door behind him and perches against the wall as he turns to face the cringing WPC. He eyes Polly up and licks his lips slowly as his face breaks into a wide grin.

PC Prior:

You really are a tasty little thing aren't you?

Polly struggles to find her voice.

WPC Page:

Just what do you think you're doing in here? This is the WPC's locker room!

Ben smiles evilly, amused by her discomfort.

PC Prior:

I'm just admiring the view again, sugar. It's more personal with just the two of us.

Polly turns completely pale. She is lost for words.

PC Prior:

Care for a little sightseeing tour, babe? You lie back while I enjoy the hot spots?

Ben rises to his feet and strides towards Polly arrogantly. Polly steps back towards the lockers and reaches for her jeans. Ben steps forward and grabs the tight jeans out of her hands. Polly cringes but manages to summon up enough courage to defy Ben once more.

WPC Page:

Get your ugly mug outta here!

Ben laughs and roughly pushes Polly back against the lockers. He wraps a grimy hand around Polly's mouth and whispers into her ear, his tongue lightly brushing against her earlobe.

PC Prior:

Just sit back and relax, honey. I'll make you feel.. comfortable.

Polly feels adrenaline rush through her. She raises her arms, trying to push her tormentor away. Ben forces himself on Polly, his lips meeting hers in a violent and passionate kiss. She pulls her head away and attempts to scream. Ben pushes his body close against Polly's shaking form. She draws a breath quickly and pulls her mouth away from his eager lips.

WPC Page:

Stop now, just stop! Please stop this!

Ben forces Polly down to the ground and knees her in the stomach. Polly gasps, the sharp pain in her abdomen bringing back bitter memories.

PC Prior:

Shush now, sweetie. You're in safe hands!

Ben starts unbuttoning Polly's shirt, all the while pushing against her body with his own. His state of arousal is obvious. Polly raises her voice desperately in a final desperate cry for assistance.

WPC Page:

Somebody help me!

Ben quickly slams his filthy hand back over Polly's mouth.

PC Prior:

Shut up, you little slut. You think that I'm not good enough for you, do you?

Polly aims her elbows hard at the centre of Ben's chest, twisting and trying to fight him off. Ben rips at Polly's shirt, leaving her in her underwear. She bites down on his fist and the warm wet taste of blood spreads throughout her mouth. Ben jerks back with pain and knees her in the stomach again. Polly is winded by his efforts and her will to resist is almost gone.

PC Prior:

You'd rather go out with that lump of lard than me would you? I'll teach you a lesson you're never gonna forget!

Polly manages to drag herself into a sitting position and slides away from him. Ben pushes her to the ground again and roughly slides his fingers into her knickers.

PC Prior:

Well let's see if you go all the way on the first date, shall we?

WPC Page:

Stop� Oh for the love of God, not again�

Ben takes no notice of her pleas and violently rips her underwear off. He grins and lowers his body onto that of his helpless victim.

*** THE PIKE'S HEAD - 10:45 PM ***

Tony is staring at his watch and looking forlornly at the door. Polly is obviously not going to keep her date with the handsome Area Car driver.

PC Stamp:

Women! I wish she'd just turned me down full stop.

Tony kicks his table absent-mindedly. He is understandably upset. A barmaid named The barmaid collects the empty glass from his table.

Barmaid:

How long have you been waiting, love?

PC Stamp:

Too long. I think I've just been stood up!

Tony's frustration is getting the better of him.

Barmaid:

Don't fret about it sweetie. I tell you, it happens all the time. Even to nice guys like you.

The barmaid nods at Tony's empty glass.

Barmaid:

Can I get you another?

PC Stamp:

Sure. Make it a large one.

The barmaid smiles warmly.

Barmaid:

Will do. Don't worry, some girls just don't know when they're lucky!

Tony smiles back briefly at the chirpy barmaid. The barmaid heads back to the bar, feeling rather sorry for the miserable looking man sitting alone in the corner. Tony's head slowly sinks into his hands. If he wasn't such a proudly macho tough-guy we might assume that it was to hide the tears welling in his eyes.

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