*** MATTHEWS' RESIDENCE - 7:30 AM ***

Polly flops down across her parents' bed. She cups her chin in her hands with a sigh and looks up blankly at her mother.

Polly Page:

How long thith time?

Anne continues to place toiletries and clothing into a suitcase.

Anne Matthews:

I don't know Polly, a few days. It all depends on whether we are re-routed via New York or not. It could be longer.

Polly crawls across to the bedside table, taking a brush and running it through her hair. She replies bluntly.

Polly Page:

How long?

Anne closes the suitcase and places it by the doorway.

Anne Matthews:

Maybe a week but I'll have a few days off after that. How about you and I do something then? Some shopping or maybe a movie? Up to you.

Polly shrugs, slipping the hairbrush back into her mother's bag.

Polly Page:

That'd be great.

Her heart isn't really in it. Anne sighs, kissing her daughter on the forehead.

Anne Matthews:

I know I'm away a lot sweetie, but it's only until we get back on our feet. And Greg will get a permanent job soon so just hang in there.

Polly nods with a brief smile. Anne grabs her suitcase, the two head out of the room and down the stairs, collecting Polly's younger brother and stepfather along the way.

Greg Matthews:

All set.

Anne kisses the children quickly, making her way to the front door.

Anne Matthews:

Yep, now you two fix your breakfasts and be good.

Ian bounds off towards the kitchen.

Polly Page:

Thee ya next week.

Anne and Greg leave the house and drive off towards the airport. Polly runs into the kitchen upon hearing a carton of milk hit the floor.

Polly Page:

Ian!

*** PC'S LOCKER ROOM - 1:55 PM ***

Taffy Edwards and Jim Carver are getting changed.

PC Edwards:

So I hear that you and the lovely Vivian are going out today, Jim-Jim.

Taffy grins and Jim blushes from embarrassment.

PC Carver:

Knock it off will you?

PC Edwards:

Funny, that's exactly what she's planning to do to you!

Jim gulps, somewhat shocked by Taffy's careless banter.

PC Carver:

You what?

PC Edwards:

She's got the hots for you, old son! Don't pretend you haven't noticed.

Jim concentrates on clipping his tie to his shirt. His thoughts turn to Viv and he grins sheepishly.

PC Carver:

You reckon she fancies me?

PC Edwards:

I know she does, Jim-Jim. Been there, done that.

PC Carver:

I doubt that, Taffy. I don't think nibbling on a leek is Viv's idea of a good time!

Taffy chucks his helmet at Jim. Jim ducks and the helmet hits the wall behind him. It hits the floor with a thud.

PC Edwards:

Less of the lip, Jim-Jim! I'll have you know I've had offers from every WPC at this station at one time or another. Even that cheeky wench June had a go once.

Jim chuckles at the thought of June asking Taffy out for a date.

PC Carver:

I wish I'd been here to see that. Well, we'd better get to parade.

PC Edwards:

Of course, Jim-Jim. I know you can't wait to get your hands on the lovely Vivian!

Taffy and Jim leave the locker room, still bickering. They bump into Viv, June and several other officers in the corridor outside and make their way towards the briefing room.

*** OUT IN THE YARD - 2:00 PM ***

Viv and Jim are making their way down the ramp towards one of the pandas. Taffy follows behind them, keeping his distance.

PC Edwards:

Have fun, you two! And don't get up to anything.

Jim blushes furiously and increases his pace.

PC Edwards:

I think our Jim-Jim is still a virgin, Vivian! So handle him with care.

Viv sighs and snaps back at Taffy.

WPC Martella:

It takes one to know one, Taffy.

Taffy grins.

PC Edwards:

I'm just concerned for the poor lad. I know how rough you can be, Vivian. Especially with probationers!

Viv rolls her eyes and opens the car door. She gets in quickly.

PC Edwards:

Quick Jim-Jim! Catch her before she does a runner.

PC Carver:

Oh belt up Taffy!

Jim gets into the other side of the panda.

WPC Martella:

Belt up, Jim.

Jim cringes, wondering what he has done wrong. Viv smiles briefly and nods at his seat belt. Jim buckles himself in and looks very nervous. They drive along in silence for a while. Eventually, Jim works up the courage to break the silence.

PC Carver:

This is the first time we've been paired together. I mean, this is the first time we've worked together isn't it?

WPC Martella:

Jim. It's all right to breathe you know.

Jim is confused by Viv's comment.

PC Carver:

What do you mean, Miss Martella?

WPC Martella:

Okay, I think it's time to lay down some ground rules. Firstly, if we're going to work together, you call me Viv. Secondly, don't let the others get to you, they're just winding you up! Especially the Welsh wonder.

PC Carver:

Yeah, I know that Vivian. I'm sorry.

WPC Martella:

Just forget it, yeah?

PC Carver:

Sure.

Jim stares out of the window for a while, desperately trying to think of something to say.

PC Carver:

The Sarge was looking a bit grumpy today. Reg said he's been having problems with his son.

WPC Martella:

Cryer? Yeah, the joys of teenagers.

PC Carver:

I guess. It's funny thinking that I was a teenager too only a little while ago.

WPC Martella:

Same here.

PC Carver:

I noticed that.

Jim realises what he has just said, clasps his hand to his mouth and turns bright red. Viv suppresses a giggle as she turns a corner.

PC Carver:

So where are we headed today?

WPC Martella:

Just the usual round. Jamaica Lane, Hoxton Road then back down Cheetham Road.

PC Carver:

I don't think I know Cheetham Road yet. It goes past a girls' school doesn't it?

WPC Martella:

That's right.

Silence descends again. Viv takes a deep breath before asking another question.

WPC Martella:

So how have you been finding the last few weeks?

PC Carver:

Pretty good, actually. It's actually a lot more relaxed in the job than I imagined it would be. Taffy and June are good mates and you're�

Jim trails off suddenly. Viv looks over at him curiously. Jim quickly changes the topic.

PC Carver:

Nice park over there. What's it called?

Viv raises an eyebrow and turns her head back to the road in front of her.

WPC Martella:

It's called Canley Common.

PC Carver:

It's very� erm� pretty.

WPC Martella:

Thanks Jim, but you needn't have mentioned it.

Viv pats her hair cheekily and winks at her passenger.

PC Carver:

No I didn't mean� I err�

WPC Martella:

Jim, relax. I was joking!

Viv grins over at Jim. He looks confused and miserable.

PC Carver:

Oh.

WPC Martella:

But if you did want to mention it, I wouldn't object.

Jim's eyes widen hopefully.

PC Carver:

Do you mean that?

Suddenly a call comes through from the CAD room.

WPC Ackland:

All units from Oscar. Attention requested to a TDA. Blue escort, travelling east along Hoxton Road. Index number Echo One Eight One Charlie Tango Hotel.

PC Carver:

Oscar from 600. We'll take that. Go Viv!

Jim looks on apprehensively as Viv speeds off down Hoxton Road.

PC Carver:

You're a good driver, Viv. Especially for a WPC.

Jim gulps and his face becomes very pale.

PC Carver:

You're driving a bit fast though!

WPC Martella:

You'll get used to it. Just hang on and enjoy the ride.

PC Carver:

I'll try! Look, there's the car.

Jim points to a blue car and the police car rushes after it in hot pursuit.

*** CANTEEN - SUN HILL POLICE STATION - 3:05 PM ***

June is happily munching her way through a sandwich at one of the tables in the canteen. Taffy takes a seat opposite June and flashes a charming grin at her.

PC Edwards:

I wonder if Vivian has started to flash large amounts of cleavage at our Jim-Jim yet?

June looks up at Taffy and shakes her head in disbelief.

WPC Ackland:

What have you been saying to the poor boy?

PC Edwards:

There's nothing to worry about, my cheeky friend. I've just been busy winding him up all morning about Viv. It's obvious that he fancies her.

WPC Ackland:

Well, you didn't hear this from me. But the feeling's mutual on her side.

Taffy claps his hands together and lets out a low whistle.

PC Edwards:

Wonderful. I'll put a call out on the radios: 'WPC Martella, would you please get off PC Carver and deal with this burglary?'

June scoffs. She smiles mischievously over at Taffy.

WPC Ackland:

The way those two side step around each other, I'll probably be old and grey before they go out on their first date.

PC Edwards:

Older and greyer, you mean?

Taffy ducks beneath the table. June sighs, picks up her sandwich and moves across to another table. Taffy follows her from a safe distance.

PC Edwards:

So you don't think they'll be wrapped in each others arms by the end of the shift?

WPC Ackland:

I have no idea but I doubt it. They're both too professional to let their feelings interfere with the job.

PC Edwards:

Why not? If Jim-Jim likes the look of Viv and Viv's in the right mood� Stranger things have happened!

June rolls her eyes as Taffy's speculations grow wilder and wilder.

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