June looks up from the noughts and crosses games she is playing with Ian. She spots Viv and Polly entering the canteen. Ian looks up too with a big grin plastered all over his face.

Ian Page:

Look! June, look! It's Polly! It's Polly, June! Look!

Ian runs across to Polly, almost knocking her over in the process.

Ian Page:

Howdy Polly! How are you Poll? What's been happening? And why are you looking so pale?

Polly sighs as her brother fires off a salvo of questions.

Polly Page:

Oi, slow down pest! I've only got one mouth to reply with.

Ian looks disappointed. Polly rolls her eyes then engulfs him in a big hug.

Polly Page:

What's the matter?

Ian Page:

Sorry Polly but so many things have happened! I came home and this police lady picked me up. The one over there with the blonde hair! She's called June and she's real nice. She's a bit old and a bit chubby but she's as nice as pie!

WPC Martella:

I take it that this is your brother Ian?

Polly nods up at Viv. Viv smiles at the small brown-haired boy.

Polly Page:

He gets kinda overexcited sometimes.

Ian Page:

Howdy miss! I'm Ian! My name's Ian, miss! Pleased to meetcha! What's your name?

WPC Martella:

I'm Viv. Pleased to meet you too.

Viv shakes Ian's hand, somewhat confused by his enthusiasm.

Ian Page:

Viv's a nice name. My friend Peter has a pet black Labrador called Viv. Are you looking after Polly, Viv? Are you taking care of her? Why are you looking after Polly? Where's Greg?

Viv reels back, unsure of which question to answer.

Polly Page:

Ian, I've told you before. When your brain's switched off, please keep your mouth shut! What mischief have you been getting up to?

Ian grins cheerfully at his sister.

Ian Page:

I've been beating June at noughts and crosses! I've won thirty times in a row now. She keeps falling for my special winning technique.

Polly Page:

Cool. Want another game?

Ian Page:

With you? Wow, yes please. I've only beaten you eighty-four times this month. I know a sure-fire way to win noughts and crosses, you know�

Ian's voice fades into the distance as he heads back over to the table with his sister. June gratefully vacates the table, leaving it for the children and heads over to Viv's side.

WPC Martella:

Intense kid!

June and Viv smile as they watch Polly and Ian absorb themselves in a new game. June winces slightly at the associated commotion. The two women make their way further across the room until they are out of the children's hearing range.

WPC Ackland:

How did the examination go? What did the doctor say?

WPC Martella:

She more or less confirmed our suspicions.

WPC Ackland:

What did you find out?

WPC Martella:

We won't know everything until her blood test comes through tomorrow but I'm certain that he's been beating her for years. I just wish we could interview him now. I'm sick of standing around waiting for Tommy Burnside to appear.

WPC Ackland:

What about the other stuff? Did they do a pelvic examination?

WPC Martella:

Yeah, Polly was very brave. Here's the report if you're interested.

Viv hands June the report. The blonde officer glances through it, shaking her head despondently from time to time.

WPC Ackland:

So it is rape, then� The poor kid.

WPC Martella:

Any idea of when Burnside is making a reappearance? It's just that I'd like to interview Matthews as soon as possible. Preferably before we have to let him go!

WPC Ackland:

I heard whispers about some drugs raid he's running. Apparently he's taken half the station with him.

Viv's shocked expression betrays her outrage.

WPC Martella:

So he just dumps Polly then goes off on his little raid? That man is sick!

WPC Ackland:

Calm down, Viv. I'm sure he has his reasons. You sure you're feeling all right?

WPC Martella:

Yeah, I'm fine. I just want to get that animal locked up. But all Burnside seems to care about is his crappy drugs case! I wonder if he'd be this complacent if his own daughter was the victim?

June sadly nods her head in agreement. Suddenly, she has an idea.

WPC Ackland:

Well, there's nothing actually stopping us from finding a babysitter for these two and starting on the interview ourselves.

Viv considers June's proposition carefully.

WPC Martella:

Wouldn't Burnside blow his top though?

WPC Ackland:

Well he isn't here, is he? If he makes a fuss afterwards we can simply point out that he's the one who deserted us.

Viv smiles grimly.

WPC Martella:

Yeah! Let's do that. Now where can we find a babysitter?

June and Viv look around the half-empty canteen. Suddenly, the canteen doors swing open and Reg walks in. He looks up at the two WPC's curiously as they dazzle him with their smiles. The two women walk over towards Reg and Viv scolds him in a mock-harsh voice.

WPC Martella:

Why are you still lurking around, Reg?

PC Hollis:

Oh, I was just hanging around to have my overtime approved to go out on the drugs raid with the others. But then at the last minute DS Burnside decided he had enough people and he told me that my services would not be required. I won't repeat his exact words, they were rather� direct. So I'm catching up on some paperwork instead.

June smiles teasingly at her colleague.

WPC Ackland:

Catching up on an afternoon snack you mean?

Reg looks guiltily towards the canteen serving area.

PC Hollis:

Well� Something like that.

WPC Martella:

Could you please do us a little favour then, Reggie?

PC Hollis:

For you, my dear Viv, anything. How can I be of assistance?

WPC Martella:

You see those kids over there? Well, we need to do an interview but we have to find someone to look after them before we can get started. We were wondering if you could you do it? Please?

Viv looks appealingly at her friend and points out the two children.

PC Hollis:

They look harmless enough, I suppose.

WPC Martella:

Thanks, I'll make sure to put you in my will for this! The girl is called Polly and the boy is Ian. She's been sexually abused by her stepfather so try to be as tactful as possible, okay?

PC Hollis:

Say no more, Viv. Tactful is my middle name!

Viv somehow manages to keep a straight face.

WPC Martella:

If you say so Reg. We'll probably be a while, though.

PC Hollis:

That's fine. I've had my overtime approved until six and these two don't look like they'll be any trouble. I should be able to polish off the paperwork at the same time.

Ian looks up with interest at the unfamiliar voice.

Ian Page:

Who are you, mister? What's your name? What are you called?

June chuckles as Reg struggles to reply.

WPC Ackland:

I doubt whether you'll get much paperwork done tonight, Reg.

Ian Page:

Why have you got funny hair, mister?

PC Hollis:

That's called gel, my boy.

Ian Page:

Your name is Gel? That's a silly name. It sounds like something you use in the shower. Do you like playing noughts and crosses, Gel?

PC Hollis:

No, no son. My name is Reg! What's yours?

Ian Page:

Ian. Ian Page. Reg is a pretty silly name too! Why did your Mummy choose that name?

Reg considers Ian's rather pertinent question.

PC Hollis:

You know, I'm not sure. I've never asked her.

Polly looks up from the game with a sad expression on her face.

Polly Page:

Hello there Weg.

PC Hollis:

Hello Polly. It is Polly, right?

Polly Page:

Polwy. That's wight.

PC Hollis:

So, who's winning this game?

Polly Page:

Ian is. He'th beaten me every time tho far!

PC Hollis:

So he thinks he's good does he?

Polly shrugs nonchalantly.

Polly Page:

He'th too bloody good if you ask me!

PC Hollis:

Well let's see if we can take him down a peg or two, yeah? I used to be a fine noughts and crosses player in my day.

Polly Page:

Sure.

Viv joins Reg and the kids at the table as they chatter amongst themselves.

WPC Martella:

Polly, Ian. June and I have to go and do some work for a little while but Reg will stay here to look after you while we're away. Okay?

Polly Page:

Are you leaving us?

Polly looks as if she's about to cry.

WPC Martella:

Don't worry. I'll be back in an hour or so. If you need anything, just let Reg know and I'm sure he'll be happy to oblige.

Polly Page:

Alwight. But why are you going?

Viv thinks quickly.

WPC Martella:

June and I just have to go catch up on some paperwork.

Polly Page:

Okay. Bye Viv.

WPC Martella:

I'll see you later on Polly. Bye Ian.

Viv waves across at Ian but he is too rapt in the new game to acknowledge her. She grins as she turns back to June but her expression becomes one of concentrated determination as they make their way from the canteen.

WPC Ackland:

This is a taped interview commencing at fifteen twenty-five on Friday August seventeenth 1984. Officers present are WPC Ackland.

WPC Martella:

WPC Martella.

WPC Ackland:

Also present in the room are�

WPC Martella:

Say your names for the tape please.

Greg Matthews:

Gregory Charles Matthews.

Jessica Davies:

Jessica Davies, his solicitor.

WPC Ackland:

Right, let's begin. Are you fully aware of the allegations that have been made against you by your stepdaughter, Mr Matthews?

Greg Matthews:

I think so, yeah. She must have been telling you stories. I'm afraid that she lives in a fantasy world most of the time. It's all nonsense.

WPC Ackland:

She made it all up did she? She invented the rape and the sexual abuse that you've been subjecting her to practically every night over the last couple of years?

Greg looks shocked but he manages to keep his cool.

Greg Matthews:

Now you've really lost me. I've never laid a finger on the girl.

WPC Ackland:

Really? So you know absolutely nothing about these allegations? Polly just conjured them out of thin air on a whim?

Greg Matthews:

There's no other explanation for it. She's probably just attention seeking. If only Anne was home, she'd soon sort the little brat out.

WPC Ackland:

Anne is your wife? When did you first meet her?

Greg Matthews:

Is this relevant to anything or are you just fishing for information?

Greg looks across at his solicitor. Jessica shrugs and he sighs.

Greg Matthews:

Okay, fine. I'll play along with your little game.

Greg pauses to collect his thoughts.

Greg Matthews:

We met back in 1977 when I was flying back from a holiday in France. She was in an unhappy marriage and we hit it off almost immediately. Then things went from there.

WPC Ackland:

You were married soon afterwards?

Greg Matthews:

In January 1978. Look, what's my life history got to do with all this?

WPC Ackland:

We're trying to build up a picture of exactly why you hate your stepdaughter so much, Mr Matthews.

Greg Matthews:

I resent the accusation that I hate her.

June sighs.

WPC Ackland:

Well, if you don't hate Polly then would you mind telling us exactly how you do feel about her?

Greg leans forward and rests his hands on the table.

Greg Matthews:

I'll be frank here. It's all right if they're your own kids, yeah? But they ain't my kids. Okay, so I'm not particularly crazy about them. Big deal. Last time I checked disliking your stepdaughter wasn't a crime.

WPC Ackland:

How do you feel about Ian?

Greg Matthews:

Well if you've met him you don't forget him in a hurry! He's pretty heavy going for a kid.

WPC Ackland:

I noticed. But do you like him or not?

Greg Matthews:

Well he's a bit of a handful. But yeah, he's cute enough. He's got good legs.

June cringes. Greg grins across at her.

Greg Matthews:

Good legs for playing football. God, you police officers must have dirty minds.

WPC Ackland:

And what about Polly?

Greg Matthews:

Well, I have to admit that I get along better with Ian. We have the same interests� Cars, football and all that other macho stuff.

WPC Ackland:

But how do you feel about Polly? Answer the question please.

Greg Matthews:

So she gets on my nerves now and then. Happy?

WPC Ackland:

And what do you do to her when she starts getting on your nerves? Do you ever hit her?

Greg Matthews:

No, of course not. I don't hit kids.

WPC Ackland:

So how did she come by these injuries?

June starts reading selected passages from the medical report.

WPC Ackland:

Lacerated eye, fractured ribs, severe bruising to her stomach� How did she come by these injuries, Mr Matthews?

Greg Matthews:

I have absolutely no idea.

WPC Ackland:

You must have some idea. For heavens sake, you live with the girl. You must see her all the time.

Greg Matthews:

I honestly don't how she hurt herself. I'm sorry.

Greg's voice is steady but he begins to look slightly less sure of himself.

WPC Ackland:

She claims that you hit her. That you repeatedly assaulted her and that you wouldn't stop hitting her even though you knew she was seriously distressed.

Greg Matthews:

She told you that? The little brat's making the whole thing up.

WPC Ackland:

You think she's a little brat? So you don't like her? Come on, tell us the truth this time.

Greg Matthews:

Okay, so maybe I don't like her all that much. The silly little cow makes up rubbish like this all the time. I'm just imagining the looks on your faces when you realise that she's been playing you both for fools.

June ignores Greg's reply and presses on with the interview.

WPC Ackland:

That's not all she's saying, Mr Matthews. She claims you have been raping her on a regular basis ever since she turned ten years old.

Greg glares at June, outraged by her words.

Greg Matthews:

That is complete and utter rubbish. How could you even suggest something like that?

WPC Ackland:

We're not suggesting it, Mr Matthews. The allegations have been made by your stepdaughter. Well, what do you have to say for yourself? Have you been abusing your stepdaughter for the past couple of years?

Greg looks snidely over at his solicitor before answering.

Greg Matthews:

No comment.

WPC Ackland:

Answer the question, Mr Matthews.

Greg Matthews:

It's not true. She's lying. That's all I have to say about it.

WPC Ackland:

So how did she come by her injuries? I think there is a serious history of abuse in this case.

Greg answers crisply.

Greg Matthews:

I don't know. Maybe it's down to bullies at school? I know she gets picked on a lot because of her lisp and the way she waddles around.

WPC Ackland:

These injuries are serious, Mr Matthews. Cigarette burns on her arm, black eyes, fractured ribs... These injuries didn't just come about as a result of schoolyard bullying. Tell me the truth! You've been hitting her haven't you?

Beads of sweat begin to break out on June's forehead but Greg remains unfazed.

Greg Matthews:

Look, I've told you once and I'll tell you again. This is all a big fairytale that was dreamt up by Polly's sick little mind. I didn't touch her!

WPC Ackland:

That's not what she says. And she's got the injuries to prove it. What have you got to say in your defence?

Greg deliberately ignores June's question.

Greg Matthews:

Can I have a cigarette? This place is beginning to stress me out.

WPC Ackland:

Answer my question, Mr Matthews.

Greg raises his eyebrow mockingly but doesn't reply. June is infuriated by his calmness.

WPC Ackland:

Answer me, you filthy child-rapist!

Jessica Davies:

WPC Ackland, you are well out of order. My client is simply exercising his right to silence. You don't have to say anything at all, Mr Matthews.

June glares angrily at the solicitor.

WPC Ackland:

We have a right to ask him whatever questions we like and put them to him in whatever order we want.

Jessica Davies:

That's fine but you have to appreciate that he has a right not to answer them. And you have to learn to respect his right to do so.

June is temporarily lost for words. Viv intervenes before things get out of hand.

WPC Martella:

Look, we're all a bit overheated. How about we take a break for a few minutes to give us all a chance to cool down?

Jessica Davies:

I think that's a good idea under the circumstances. WPC Ackland?

June shifts her glare from Jessica to Greg. He is sitting quietly in his chair with a scornful grin on his face.

WPC Ackland:

Yeah, you might be right Viv.

WPC Martella:

Interview suspended at fifteen-forty.

Viv turns the tape recorder off as June gets to her feet. The two officers quickly arrange for a member of B-relief to take Greg and his solicitor back to the custody area then head towards the ladies to freshen up.

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