** DECEMBER 11TH - 1984 **

*** CANLEY CROWN COURT - 9:45 AM ***

Viv is leaning against a coffee machine outside the courtroom. She is anxiously awaiting the arrival of Polly, Anne and Ian. They are running slightly late and Viv keeps glancing down at her watch impatiently. Waiting with her is Daniel Harker, QC, the barrister for the Crown Prosecution Service in the case of R. v Matthews. A tall, proud man with a cheerful smile, Daniel Harker is an experienced lawyer whose presence inspires immediate confidence. Suddenly, Ian bounds excitedly into the entrance hall. He looks around, spots Viv then dashes towards her.

Ian Page:

Viv! Woohoo, it's Viv!

Ian tears madly up the hallway. Viv grins at the sight. Her smile fades, however, when Ian runs headfirst into a young, serious-looking woman. The woman recoils from the impact and falls backwards as the large pile of papers she was carrying drops to the floor.

Alison Ashley:

What the�?

Alison Ashley gives Ian a spine-chilling glare. Ian backs away from her, terrified by the look in her eyes.

Ian Page:

I'm sorry, ma'am! I really am. I'm really sorry!

Alison Ashley:

Well if you are that sorry then you can pick up those case notes, can't you? Every single one of them. Now.

Ian crouches down and carefully begins to pick up the sheets of paper scattered over the floor. Alison stands back and watches him complete the task. Ian rather nervously hands the papers to Alison when he has finished.

Ian Page:

I sorry ma'am, really. I just wanted to see Viv. I'm so sorry.

Alison dismisses him with a wave of her hand.

Alison Ashley:

Stop telling me how sorry you are, child. You tire me. The best way to avoid irritating me further is to hurry up and get out of my sight.

Ian scurries off towards Viv. Alison smiles grimly then walks off towards the courtroom, stopping outside the door. Viv hides a smile as Ian approaches her.

Ian Page:

Viv! Hi Viv! How have you been? I haven't seen you in ages! You're looking a bit older and a bit fatter than you used to but it's great to see you again!

Viv rolls her eyes and bends down to the boy's height.

WPC Martella:

Ian, I'm fine. And I'm glad to see that you're looking so big and healthy. But keep making remarks about my weight and that'll change! Are your mother and Polly on their way?

Ian nods his head happily.

Ian Page:

Oh yeah, they're coming! They were held up by all these funny men outside but I managed to give 'em the slip.

Daniel looks down at the little boy with amusement.

Daniel Harker:

I take it that you are Ian Page?

Ian looks up at the unfamiliar face.

Ian Page:

That's right, sir. That's me! How do you know my name? Are you Viv's boyfriend? I thought Viv already had a boyfriend!

Ian busily shakes Daniel's hand.

Daniel Harker:

It's nice to meet you at last, Ian. But I'm not Viv's boyfriend, I'm the man who is on Polly's side in court.

Ian Page:

Cool. Hey, guess what! There are all these cameras outside and strange men in hats. They said that we would get to be on the TV!

Daniel Harker:

That's great! I'll make sure to watch out for you tonight.

Ian turns to Viv, his enthusiasm bubbling over.

Ian Page:

Ain't it cool Viv?

Viv feigns interest to hide her growing concern for Polly and Anne.

WPC Martella:

It's great, Ian. I just wish it could be under different circumstances.

Viv breathes a sigh of relief as Anne and Polly appear at the end of the corridor and approach the small group. Anne is sweating profusely and she seems to be in a terrible mood.

Anne Page:

Bloody reporters! What the hell makes them think that they have the right to plaster my daughter's face across their stinking newspapers? I wonder if they'd be so eager if their own children were in this situation?

Daniel Harker:

I've met plenty of reporters in my time, Ms Page, but I'm yet to find one that I'd trust an inch. Is this Polly?

Anne Page:

Yeah, this is her.

Daniel Harker:

What a pretty little girl.

Daniel bends down and smiles at Polly. The young girl looks up nervously at the strange man.

Polly Page:

Who are you, mithter?

Daniel Harker:

I'm your barrister, Polly. The person who gets up in court and represents you in front of the judge and jury. My name's Daniel but please feel free to call me Danny.

Polly smiles up at her lawyer.

Polly Page:

I'm thorry we're late, Danny. The men outside kept bugging me and they wouldn't let me go.

Daniel Harker:

That's okay, Polly. I understand. Do you know why we're here, Polly?

Polly nods thoughtfully.

Polly Page:

Mum explained it all to me.

Anne Page:

Don't worry, Daniel, I've told her about the procedure. How's your little boy?

Daniel Harker:

Sammy? He's fine, thanks. He's been surprisingly well-behaved this week so I guess that means he wants something from me.

Anne smiles then glances across at her son, who is amusing himself by kicking a rolled-up piece of paper around the courtroom floor.

Anne Page:

I hope that Ian hasn't been making a nuisance of himself.

WPC Martella:

Not at all. He's been a perfect little angel apart from his little attempt to win the trial by head-butting the defence lawyer before.

Viv nods across the corridor in Alison's direction. Anne puts her hands on her hips and gives her son a stern look.

Anne Page:

What have you been getting up to, pest? Can't I let you out of my sight for a minute without you getting yourself into sticky situations?

Ian stares accusingly at Viv.

Ian Page:

Viv, you grassed me up! It was nuffink, Mum. It was an accident!

Anne Page:

Yeah, it always is "nuffink" with you, isn't it? Maybe that's 'cause you've got nuffink up there!

Anne clips Ian around the ear. Ian clasps his hand to his sore ear, lowers his head and wanders towards a bench. He sits down and decides to spend some time sulking.

Anne Page:

Boys! Well, what time's the trial beginning?

Daniel Harker:

It should be starting pretty soon. Don't worry, though, the first day is usually fairly uneventful.

Polly Page:

So I won't have to stand up and talk in there today?

Daniel Harker:

I doubt it. All that we'll be doing today is swearing in the exhibits and choosing the jury. You've got nothing to worry about, little miss. Just take things easy and leave the talking to me.

Anne takes her children's coats, walks across to the cloakroom and hangs them up. Polly gives Viv a quick smile then makes her way over to the bench to sit beside her brother. Daniel watches Polly walk away then has a word in Anne's ear.

Daniel Harker:

Could I possibly speak with you alone for a minute, Mrs Page?

Anne looks at Daniel curiously, makes sure that Polly and Ian are settled then follows him into a small private office.

Anne Page:

What's this about? And it's Ms Page, in case you'd forgotten.

Daniel Harker:

Of course. I'm sorry. I just wanted to have a talk with you about your daughter's jumper.

Anne is confused.

Anne Page:

Her jumper? What's wrong with it?

Daniel Harker:

It's very baggy. To be honest, it's a bit too baggy. It hides the fact that she's pregnant.

Anne Page:

I am well aware of that. Believe it or not I'm not exactly eager to advertise the fact that my twelve-year-old daughter is pregnant!

Anne is becoming annoyed. Daniel sighs.

Daniel Harker:

I know that this is a delicate issue, Ms Page. But I've dealt with many similar cases before so at least listen to me and give me a fair hearing. Trust me, if we hide the fact that Polly is pregnant then we won't get as much sympathy from the jury. We need her to be pregnant and showing it off as much as possible to achieve the maximum possible emotional impact on the jurors.

Anne stares at Daniel with a look of disgust on her face.

Anne Page:

This isn't some point-scoring exercise, Mr Harker. This is a court case. Polly is here to get some justice against my bastard of an ex-husband. She's not here simply to act like a victim in order to win the jury's affection!

Daniel Harker:

I know it sounds callous and horrible, Ms Page, but we need Polly to act like a victim if we're to have any hope of winning this case. I know your ex-husband's barrister Alison Ashley well. She plays dirty so we're going to need all the help we can get to win this case. But the thing we need the most is sympathy from the jury. And we'll only get that if we exaggerate your daughter's pregnancy. So could you please dress her in something a bit more� revealing tomorrow?

Anne stands still with her mouth hanging open.

Anne Page:

You are utterly amazing. You're as bad as that lot out there! This isn't a publicity exercise, nor is it a game! My daughter's psychological welfare is at stake here.

Daniel Harker:

Exactly. And we need your co-operation if we're going to win this case. So will you do it? For Polly?

Anne scoffs and turns away towards the door.

Daniel Harker:

Ms Page?

Daniel puts his arm in front of Anne to stop her from walking away.

Anne Page:

This is ridiculous.

Daniel Harker:

Do you want to see your ex-husband get off just because you couldn't be bothered to help? Believe me, I know this game and if your daughter's pregnancy is obvious then the case is half-won already. Without it, we're fighting with one hand tied behind our back.

Anne sighs, too stressed-out to care.

Anne Page:

Fine, if it will help to get that bastard behind bars where he belongs.

Daniel Harker:

I want that as much as you do. Trust me Ms Page, every little bit helps.

Daniel and Anne rejoin Viv and the children. Suddenly, there is a brief commotion as Greg is escorted into the corridor by two police officers. The children watch silently as Greg walks past them. Polly chews her bottom lip and looks down at the floor. Greg stops and looks down at the little girl with hatred in his eyes.

Greg Matthews:

You'll regret this. You're going to regret this for the rest of your life.

Polly slowly raises her head and looks into Greg's eyes. She is terrified and she clumsily steps backwards to get away from him. As quick as a tiger, Greg pushes the police officers aside and lunges towards Polly.

Greg Matthews:

You lying slut!

Polly gasps and falls backwards. She lands on the bench with a thud. The two police officers manage to restrain Greg but he takes aim and spits directly into Polly's face as he is dragged away.

Greg Matthews:

That's just a taste of what you're going to get when they let me go!

Greg is hauled away towards the courtroom. Polly's chin quivers as she watches him go. She raises her trembling hand and touches the spit on her cheek. Anne rushes to Polly's side and dabs at her cheek with a handkerchief.

Anne Page:

The bastard. As if he hasn't done enough damage already. Did he touch you, Polly?

Polly shakes her head.

Polly Page:

No. He mithed me.

Anne hugs her daughter fiercely.

Anne Page:

We'll stop him. Don't worry, Polly. We'll put a stop to him once and for all.

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