*** SECTION HOUSE - 11:45 PM ***

Norika is sitting in the common room kitchen making a cup of tea when Polly staggers into the room, her hair and clothes in disarray.

WPC Datta:

Are, are you all right? Excuse me!

Norika is surprised by the sudden arrival. Polly quickly wipes her eyes and heads straight for the stairwell leading to the dorms. Norika calls out after her.

WPC Datta:

What happened? And who are you?

Polly sighs and replies awkwardly, not in the mood for conversation.

WPC Page:

Polly Page, B relief.

Polly continues to climb the stairwell. Norika stares bemusedly at Polly's dishevelled figure and torn clothing.

WPC Datta:

You look a mess.

Polly pauses on the stairs and looks down. Norika walks towards Polly and takes her by the arm.

WPC Datta:

Why don't you sit down and tell me what happened to you? You're in a frightful state!

Polly pulls her arm away from Norika with a single quick motion.

WPC Page:

Look, forget it. Leave me alone!

Norika steps back, surprised by Polly's aggressiveness.

WPC Datta:

I'm only trying to help. There's no need to get so touchy!

WPC Page:

Well I don't want anyone's help! Go and help someone else.

Polly increases her pace, flying up the stairs towards her room. Norika shakes her head in disbelief.

WPC Datta:

Must be PMS.

Norika mutters a few choice phrases under her breath then returns her attention to the lukewarm cup of tea standing on the kitchen sink.

** APRIL 14TH **

*** PC'S LOCKER ROOM - 6:00 AM ***

Tony is slowly putting on his shirt and glaring moodily at the other PCs. He is especially worked up when Dave sticks his head in the door and starts to laugh. Ben turns, observing both Dave and Tony.

PC Prior:

What's up Tone?

PC Stamp:

Nothing. I'm just sick of women, saying one thing and doing another!

Tony briskly polishes the buttons on his coat. Ben scoffs.

PC Prior:

Tell me about it mate.

Ben clips on his tie awkwardly and combs his hair back vainly. Tony looks sideways and gives him a cheeky grin.

PC Stamp:

Your missus been giving you a hard time, eh?

Ben sighs.

PC Prior:

Something like that. Bloody women!

Tony grunts his acknowledgement.

PC Stamp:

Life would be much simpler if we didn't have to worry about women.

Ben slams his locker door closed.

PC Prior:

I take it last night didn't go according to plan?

Tony looks embarrassed.

PC Stamp:

Yeah, well you know what women are like. It's almost enough to make me prefer men!

Ben chuckles softly.

PC Prior:

I think it's just plonks, mate. They think they have something to prove.

Tony laughs.

PC Stamp:

You're probably right, mate. She seemed eager enough at the start, though! So what did you get up to last night?

Ben shrugs as they make their way out of the room.

PC Prior:

Nothing really, just a domestic.

Ben makes an attempt at a smile. Tony gazes at Ben's black eye.

PC Stamp:

You must have done something pretty terrible to deserve that. Been putting it about have we?

Ben smirks.

PC Prior:

Well, wouldn't wanna make you jealous, Tones.

Tony slams the locker shut.

PC Stamp:

And what's that supposed to mean?

Ben turns to him angrily.

PC Prior:

Nothing, leave it.

Tony shrugs and leaves Ben alone in the locker room.

*** BRIEFING ROOM - 6:08 AM ***

Stuart is speaking to a half-empty room.

Sgt. Lamont:

Well a lot of officers seem to have decided to take today off, so you'll all have to work twice as hard to make up the difference.

Stuart is reading from his clipboard.

Sgt. Lamont:

263 and 546, you're assigned to 3 beat and try not to get side-tracked into the Canley Arms this time, will ya?

Sgt. Lamont:

213 and 989, you'll be patrolling the markets. Keep a lookout for shoplifters.

Stuart ticks off another thing on his clipboard.

Sgt. Lamont:

And 228 and 469, you're assigned to the van. PC Prior will be showing you the ropes, WPC Page, so be gentle with him!

Stuart smiles briefly and there are a couple of laughs as a look of unmitigated horror creeps across Polly's face. Ben shows no emotion, merely nodding in response.

Sgt. Lamont:

That okay with you, Polly?

Polly feels an icy chill run through her body but outwardly forces a calm expression.

WPC Page:

Course, Sarge.

Sgt. Lamont:

T'riffic. Well, I think that's all. Go out and do your jobs boys and girls!

Stuart closes his clipboard and leaves the room. Polly heads slowly out into the hallway, waiting for Ben to catch up. She takes a deep breath, goes up to Ben and taps him on the shoulder.

WPC Page:

You've got a nerve.

Ben departs from Tony and turns around, somewhat surprised.

PC Prior:

Excuse me?

WPC Page:

I said you've got a nerve showing your face today.

Ben appears somewhat bemused.

PC Prior:

I'm really not sure I follow ya but we should get out there. Lamont'll be on our backs.

Polly looks taken aback.

WPC Page:

Yeah, on yours in particular. I don't know why I don't go up to him this minute and tell him what you did!

Ben feigns a brief smile.

PC Prior:

Did? I haven't got time for this, come on, we've a busy day.

Ben motions towards the emptying corridor. Polly shakes her head in disbelief. Ben starts towards the yard.

PC Prior:

You coming or what?

WPC Page:

You're amazing! How can you just brush it off like that and pretend that nothing happened?

Polly keeps shaking her head and follows Ben out into the Yard. Ben makes his way to their assigned vehicle, not speaking.

*** CANTEEN - SUN HILL POLICE STATION - 10:00 AM ***

Reg is sticking posters up around the room. June picks up a cup of tea and makes her way over to him, admiring his handiwork.

WPC Ackland:

'Get them in the front door now, before we're hauling em round the back.' What's this all about Reg?

PC Hollis:

It's my new advertising initiative for the Open Day tomorrow.

Reg looks pleased with himself.

WPC Ackland:

Open Day, tomorrow? How come we didn't hear about this sooner?

Reg scratches his chin thoughtfully.

PC Hollis:

I'm really not sure. I mean I suggested it to Mr Brownlow months ago and he told me it was a great idea but he didn't really do anything until this week when he told me to organise it.

Reg shakes his head.

PC Hollis:

It's almost like he's not keen on the idea or something.

WPC Ackland:

I see. Well, good luck with it. I'm surprised, Mr Brownlow allowing two dozen or more curious, squirming youngster's into the place. He's asking for a siege!

Reg pauses in his posting and looks at June.

PC Hollis:

Is that an offer, June? I'm looking for someone to help me with the crèche.

June backs away very quickly.

WPC Ackland:

Oh, no you don't. Forget it! Go find some young energetic plonks to chase them all day!

Reg shakes his head and continues to stick up posters.

PC Hollis:

I need an energetic young plonk but I just can't find one. Well would you like to help out at the magic show that I'm putting on for the kids?

Reg looks hopeful.

WPC Ackland:

No way, Reg. You'd be better to find someone more.. appropriate. Viv or Cathy?

PC Hollis:

Well I asked them but they didn't seem too keen. I just can't understand women sometimes.

June grins cheekily.

WPC Ackland:

Only sometimes Reg?

Reg is lost for words. June sidles off towards a table to enjoy her refs. Viv looks across at the confused Reg.

WDC Martella:

Now that's one good thing about getting out of uniform. No more Hollis.

Tosh chuckles.

DC Lines:

Ahhh, Reg isn't that bad. Now if you'd met my eldest, you'd know the meaning of irritating!

WDC Martella:

Bit of a handful, Tosh?

Tosh smiles gently.

DC Lines:

Only as much as can be expected from a sixteen year old girl. She's just discovering boys!

WDC Martella:

Oh great, well, you're in for it now, Tosh. Years of dating, arguments about clothes, money.

Viv shakes her head with a grin. Ben pushes the canteen doors open, walking quickly over to get a cuppa. Polly follows him with a sullen look on her face. Ben turns to the young plonk, one eyebrow raised.

PC Prior:

After you, my dear.

Polly ignores him and walks up to the canteen.

WPC Page:

A cup of coffee, please.

Polly deliberately ignores Ben until her coffee is ready. Ben glances from Polly to the other officers thoughtfully. Polly glances around the room and spots Viv and Tosh. She snubs Ben and sits down at the table next to Tosh. Ben smiles politely and takes the seat beside Viv.

PC Prior:

Not intruding, I trust?

DC Lines:

Not at all.

Tosh smiles at Polly.

DC Lines:

I'm Tosh, Tosh Lines. And you must be the new WPC?

Viv glances up, surprised but then smiling warmly. Tosh shakes Polly's hand across the table.

WPC Page:

Pleased to meet you; Polly Page.

Polly smiles back.

WPC Page:

So what were you two talking about before we rudely interrupted?

WDC Martella:

Oh, Tosh was just telling me about his daughter. The joys of teenagers.

Viv looks awkwardly around the table. Tosh senses the unspoken tension and tries to start up a conversation with Polly.

DC Lines:

So tell me about your family, Polly.

Polly looks down into her coffee.

WPC Page:

There isn't much to tell.

Viv glares at Tosh. Tosh takes the hint and asks Ben a question.

DC Lines:

Ahhh, the joys of uniform. What have you two been getting up to lately?

Ben munches on a biscuit.

PC Prior:

Notting, been pretty quiet. Just been driving around all morning.

DC Lines:

Ahhh, you two were in the Van? The best thing about CID is that we never have to drive around in that smelly thing.

WDC Martella:

Ah, too true, Tosh. All those years cooped up in that thing with the rest of the male relief, enough to drive anyone to CID.

Viv chuckles.

WDC Martella:

And then there was that time when we got stuck in there for an hour with a bunch of prostitutes while there was a station inspection. If I recall correctly, we got down to twenty-three green bottles, hanging on the wall.

Tosh laughs and Ben sniggers.

DC Lines:

Ahhh, I'm looking forward to tomorrow, just me, the wife and the kids for a day.

WDC Martella:

Looking forward to it, with those five monsters!

Viv giggles.

DC Lines:

Watch it, Vivian! Only their mother and I have the right to call them monsters.

Tosh carefully sips his cup of tea.

DC Lines:

So are you coming along to the Open Day tomorrow, Ben?

Ben nods.

PC Prior:

Course, wouldn't miss it. Renee's looking forward to it. It'll give Sophie a chance to mix with other kids a bit too. She's a bit of a loner at school.

DC Lines:

Yeah, I know what you mean. Bullies?

Polly looks seriously uncomfortable.

PC Prior:

Not sure, she hasn't said anything. She's just very quiet, withdrawn.

Viv nods slowly. Polly spills her hot coffee down her blouse.

WPC Page:

Oh jeeeeez!

Polly brushes futilely at her top in an attempt to get the coffee off. Tosh offers her a hanky but Polly declines.

WPC Page:

I'll have to wash this off, so you'll have to excuse me.

Ben shrugs. Polly gets up quickly and leaves the room. Unnoticed by the others, there are tears running down her cheeks. Viv looks strangely between the two other officers at the table.

WDC Martella:

I'll seeya upstairs Tosh.

Viv nods at Ben, as she briskly follows Polly out of the canteen.

DC Lines:

Sure. Make sure she's okay, will you Viv?

Ben grunts.

PC Prior:

Women, eh?

DC Lines:

We couldn't live without 'em.

Tosh gets up and leaves the room. Ben is still sitting there slowly finishing his tea.

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