*** HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM - 4:50 PM ***

Chris and his wife Nora are sitting in the little room. They are waiting for Anne to appear.

Chris Power:

Not long now, dear. Soon we'll have our own little baby girl.

Nora Power:

I know, Chris. I know.

Nora tries hard to hide her excited smile.

Chris Power:

Just be patient for a little while longer.

Nora grins tightly. After a few moments Anne walks into the room and smiles at the couple.

Anne Page:

You made it. Great.

Anne sits down next to Chris.

Chris Power:

We did indeed. How are you Ms Page?

Anne Page:

I'm fine. Well, everything's been pretty hectic but Pollys just gone into theatre so hopefully it'll all be over soon. I apologise for the rush but it just couldn't be helped.

Nora Power:

There aren't any problems are there? With the birth, I mean.

Nora is looking anxious.

Anne Page:

Oh, no. There are no problems. Everything's fine. They just decided on a caesarean section given the circumstances of the birth.

Nora relaxes slightly.

Chris Power:

It's okay love, the baby's going to be all right.

Anne Page:

It'll be fine. You'll be able to see the baby soon enough. However, because she is fairly premature, they'll probably insist that she remains in hospital for a few days. Just for observation purposes. You'll be able to take her home after that.

Nora Power:

So there's definitely nothing for us to worry about?

Nora reaches across and takes her husband's hand.

Anne Page:

Of course not. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to find my son before he tears this hospital apart.

Chris Power:

Sure. Thanks for everything, Ms Page.

Chris smiles at his wife as Anne leaves the room in search of Ian. Nora smiles back.

Chris Power:

Just a few more days, love.

*** NURSES STATION - 5:10 PM ***

Samantha is walking down the corridor towards the nurses' station. She is looking for Anne. At the same time, Viv and Sally are pacing up and down the corridor. They spot Doctor Geoghan and approach her. Samantha looks up at them curiously.

Doctor Geoghan:

Can I help you?

WPC Martella:

Doctor Geoghan? I'm WPC Martella. One of the nurses told me that you've just performed a caesarean section on a young girl called Polly Page. Is that true?

Samantha looks a little confused.

Doctor Geoghan:

Well, yes. I'm sorry, but I wasn't aware that this was still a police matter.

WPC Martella:

It's not really. The police investigation finished some time ago. I'm here more in my capacity as Polly's friend.

Samantha is fairly sceptical.

Doctor Geoghan:

Well, I'm afraid that I'm not able to tell you much at this stage. All I can say is that the baby was a little girl and that she was delivered about ten minutes ago.

WPC Martella:

Is Polly going to be okay? Did the birth go smoothly?

Doctor Geoghan:

Oh yes, she'll be fine. They have taken her to recovery for the moment. I was just about to break the news to Polly's mother but I can't seem to find her.

As she is talking to Viv, Samantha spots Anne walking down the corridor towards her.

Doctor Geoghan:

Ms Page.

Anne Page:

It is all over? How did it go?

Doctor Geoghan:

It went fine. She had a little girl about ten minutes ago.

Anne looks suspiciously at Viv.

Anne Page:

What are you doing here?

Viv replies somewhat stiffly.

WPC Martella:

I came here to see Polly.

Anne Page:

We thought we'd seen the last of you. How did you know she was here?

Sally Martella:

I rang her just after I rang you. She's got as much right to be here as you do. More!

Anne rolls her eyes. She turns back to the doctor.

Anne Page:

And they're both okay?

Doctor Geoghan:

Yes, though your daughter will be in the recovery room for the next thirty minutes or so. They've brought the baby through to the nursery if you would like to see her?

Anne nods hesitantly.

Anne Page:

Sure.

WPC Martella:

Can I come too?

Samantha smiles across at the policewoman.

Doctor Geoghan:

I can't see any reason why not.

WPC Martella:

Great. Come on Sal.

Doctor Geoghan:

It's through here.

Samantha leads the three women through into the nursery. She points out the smallest baby in the room, a beautiful little girl with light brown tufts of hair on her head.

WPC Martella:

She's gorgeous!

Viv and Sally peer through the glass at the baby.

Sally Martella:

How adorable.

Anne stands back, unwilling to approach the baby.

Doctor Geoghan:

She's a little underweight at the moment but we'll keep her here for a few days just so we can monitor her. Apart from that she's perfectly healthy.

WPC Martella:

And so sweet. Look at her little hands!

Viv has a nostalgic expression on her face.

Sally Martella:

What do you think, Ms Page? She's so cute, isn't she?

Anne manages a small nod.

Anne Page:

Yes, she's adorable.

Anne turns to face the doctor.

Anne Page:

If you'll excuse me. Thank you for your efforts, doctor.

Anne nods sharply at Viv then briskly makes her way back down the corridor. Viv watches Anne go with an angry look on her face.

*** POLLY'S HOSPITAL ROOM - 6:10 PM ***

Polly stirs. She slowly opens her eyes and yawns. Her hands travel to her greatly diminished stomach. Nurse Mark Osbourne notices Polly stirring but he doesn't do anything yet. Polly coughs and turns her head to one side. She feels very ill. Mark quickly gets to his feet and picks up a bowl, sliding it beneath Polly's mouth. Polly groans and vomits into the bowl.

Polly Page:

My� stomach.

Polly sobs as she continues to throw up.

Nurse Osbourne:

Just relax. This is perfectly normal after giving birth.

Polly keeps vomiting violently for several minutes. As soon as she stops, Mark cleans up her mouth with a tissue.

Nurse Osbourne:

All finished?

Polly nods weakly as she lies her head back on the pillow. Mark empties the bowl then returns to Polly's side. He seems puzzled.

Nurse Osbourne:

You're a bit small to be having a baby aren't you? You're not much more than a baby yourself.

A sudden expression of panic comes over Polly's face.

Polly Page:

My baby! Where's my baby?

Nurse Osbourne:

She's in safe hands, don't worry. She's in the nursery.

Polly Page:

But, I want to see her!

Nurse Osbourne:

You'll see her soon enough, love. Just lie back and don't stress yourself out.

Mark starts to mop up the traces of Polly's vomit on the floor.

Polly Page:

But I have to see her now. Otherwise they'll take her away. I have to see her before they come to get her!

Polly drags herself awkwardly into a sitting position and swings her legs over the side of the bed. Mark is very surprised.

Nurse Osbourne:

Hey, calm down love. Nobody's going to take your baby away from you.

Mark moves around to the side of the bed. She tries to push past him.

Nurse Osbourne:

Hey, cool it miss! I've seen some pretty strange reactions after giving birth but this takes the cake.

Polly Page:

You don't understand. They'll take her. She's gonna let them take her!

Nurse Osbourne:

Who is 'she'?

Polly Page:

My mother.

Polly is looking very worried.

Nurse Osbourne:

And why would your mother want to take your baby away?

Mark has a sceptical look in his eye.

Polly Page:

Coz she doesn't like her. She wanted to kill her.

Mark chokes in shock.

Nurse Osbourne:

She what?

Polly Page:

She wanted to kill her but I wouldn't let her.

Nurse Osbourne:

She tried to kill your kid?

Polly nods as she settles back down on the bed.

Polly Page:

Yes.

Mark thinks about this statement for a few moments.

Nurse Osbourne:

Do you mean she actually tried to kill your baby or did she want you to have an abortion?

Polly Page:

She wanted me to have an abortion.

Nurse Osbourne:

Well, that's no good. Just between you and me, my Mum felt the same way about me!

Polly is intrigued.

Polly Page:

You mean she wanted to kill you too?

Nurse Osbourne:

She did. When I was a little baby.

Polly Page:

That's so wrong. People shouldn't kill other people. Especially babies.

Viv is walking down a nearby corridor when she catches sight of Polly lying in bed through the glass window. Viv stops and stands there looking at the small girl.

WPC Martella:

It's not right. This is so wrong.

Viv watches Polly as she chats with Mark. The police officer has a sad, distant expression on her face. Eventually Polly raises her voice.

Polly Page:

No, I wanna see her now!

Viv hears Polly's cry and starts to walk towards the little girl's room.

WPC Martella:

No, I can't do this. I have to keep my distance.

Viv stops in her tracks. She turns around and walks away without looking back. Polly gives Mark a pleading look.

Polly Page:

Why can't I see her?

Nurse Osbourne:

I'm sure you'll be able to see her later, don't worry.

Polly Page:

When? When can I see her?

Nurse Osbourne:

Whenever you like. After all, she is your baby.

Polly Page:

You mean I could see her now?

Polly's eyes brighten. Mark sighs.

Nurse Osbourne:

Well, I don't see why not. Just for a little while. She'll be in the nursery. Don't move, I'll be back in a minute.

Mark walks out of the door. Polly waits impatiently until her returns a few minutes later. He is wheeling a cot. It contains the tiny baby.

Nurse Osbourne:

There she is, miss. One new-born baby, freshly delivered.

Mark carefully reaches into the cot and lifts the baby out. Polly's jaw drops open in amazement as the little baby is placed in her arms. Polly whispers.

Polly Page:

Is she really my baby?

Nurse Osbourne:

She is. You've done a great job there.

Mark stands back. He is beaming. Polly looks into her little daughter's eyes and slowly runs her fingers along the baby's soft head of hair. Polly coos softly.

Polly Page:

It's okay sweetie. I won't let them take you away.

Polly snuggles the baby closer to her. She stores the moment in her memory as she gently touches the baby's nose and big blue eyes.

Nurse Osbourne:

I'm sorry but I'll have to put her back soon, Polly.

Polly looks across at Mark. She is disappointed.

Polly Page:

But then they'll take her away. You can't do that! She's staying with me.

Mark is about to reply when the door opens. Anne walks in. A look of horror spreads over her face as she takes in the scene in front of her.

Anne Page:

Just what is going on in here?

Nurse Osbourne:

I was just introducing these two. But it's time to take the little baby back.

Anne approaches Polly's bed.

Anne Page:

Polly, please remember what we agreed. You can't keep this baby.

Polly's eyes fill up with tears.

Polly Page:

But Mummy, I don't want them to take her away. Why can't I look after her? She's my baby.

Anne Page:

Polly, it's not fair on her. You can't afford to be selfish about this. You know you're too young to be a mother at twelve. Besides, you did get what you wanted the most. They didn't kill her.

Polly hesitates as she gazes into the baby's eyes.

Polly Page:

But you won't let them take her right away will you?

Anne Page:

No darling, she has to stay in the hospital for a few more days yet.

Polly kisses her daughter's forehead then hands her to her mother.

Polly Page:

I'll see you later, sweetie.

Anne places the baby back in the cot and starts to wheel it away.

Anne Page:

You had no right to bring the baby in here without my knowledge, nurse.

Nurse Osbourne:

But Polly asked to see her. And she is the baby's mother.

Anne Page:

You have no idea what you're talking about. Get out of my way.

Anne heads towards the door. Mark gives her a dirty look.

Polly Page:

Mummy, bring her back. Please!

Polly sobs desperately.

Anne Page:

Polly, I'll see you later. Make sure you get plenty of rest.

Anne wheels the little cot through the door and down the corridor towards the nursery. Polly nestles into her pillow and weeps quietly.

Nurse Osbourne:

Don't cry love. I'm sure everything will turn out to be all right.

Polly Page:

But she's going to give my baby away. Why can't you get her back?

Nurse Osbourne:

It's all right, love. I'm sure you'll see her again.

Polly shakes her head resolutely.

Polly Page:

No, I won't. I'll never see her again.

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