*** BACK IN THE PANDA - 3:15PM ***

Jim is a nervous wreck. The car that he and Viv were chasing has sped off, leaving two very puzzled coppers in its wake.

PC Carver:

How did we lose him? I mean, where did he go?

Viv shrugs and gradually slows the car down.

WPC Martella:

Forget it. He's on Barton Street's patch now. He's their problem.

Viv slows downs and turns into Cheetham Road.

PC Carver:

Yeah, I guess. Well, it's three-fifteen so the kids should be coming out of school round about now.

Viv nods as her eyes are drawn towards the school gates. Suddenly Jim cries out.

PC Carver:

Hey, slow down Viv! You'll hit that girl!

Viv notices the familiar blonde girl carelessly crossing the road in front of the car. She slows down and the car screeches to a halt. Jim looks across at Viv curiously as she pulls in at the side of the road.

PC Carver:

That girl's crazy! She didn't even look to see if there was any traffic on the road before crossing.

WPC Martella:

Could you wait here for a minute Jim?

Jim looks puzzled but he nods and does as he's told. Viv gets out of the car then approaches the small blonde girl that she remembers from a few weeks ago. Viv's face is a mixture of compassion and concern.

WPC Martella:

Polly? It is you, isn't it? We almost ran you over back there. Didn't you see the car?

Polly Page:

Thorry.

Polly looks down at the road, her face expressionless.

WPC Martella:

Be more careful in future, yeah? You could have been hurt.

Viv takes Polly's hand and leads the girl across to the footpath opposite the school. Polly looks up sullenly at Viv and pulls her hand away.

Polly Page:

Can I go now?

WPC Martella:

Wait up. I want to talk to you about Jenny. Is she still picking on you?

Polly idly kicks at a stone on the pavement.

Polly Page:

Yeth. But you don't weally care about that do you?

WPC Martella:

Of course I care. It's my job to care. Did Mrs Eggins talk to you about what happened the other day?

Polly Page:

Not really. She thaid a few fings to me but that wath all.

Polly's lisp becomes more and more pronounced as the conversation progresses.

WPC Martella:

Did Jenny get into any trouble because of the fight?

Polly Page:

No, I did.

Viv is shocked.

WPC Martella:

You did? How come?

Polly Page:

She blamed me for everyfink and thent me to detention.

WPC Martella:

Well I saw what happened and so did the other policewoman and I know you weren't to blame. Would you like me to talk with Mrs Eggins about it?

Polly shakes her head angrily.

Polly Page:

No, pleathe just leave it. I don't want to get into any more twouble.

WPC Martella:

If you're sure. You shouldn't get into trouble when it's not your fault, though.

Polly Page:

I'm sure. Can I pleathe go home now?

WPC Ackland:

Do you walk home?

Polly Page:

Yeth I do. It'th not far.

WPC Martella:

We could give you a lift if you want?

Viv glances over at Jim in the parked police car.

Polly Page:

Look, I'll be alwight! Will you thtop being so bloody nothey?

Viv is taken aback by the harshness in Polly's voice.

WPC Martella:

Are you in a hurry? It's no trouble, really. We could drive you home and maybe have a talk about things along the way?

Polly Page:

Look, I'm fine. I don't need to talk to no-one.

WPC Martella:

Listen, I'll let you go if that's what you want. But I just want you to know in case you ever want to talk to me that my name is Viv and I'm from Sun Hill police station. Okay? Just come there and ask for me if you want.

Viv lightly rests her hand on the girl's left shoulder. Polly winces and yelps agonisingly.

Polly Page:

Owwwww! Pleathe don't do that Viv.

The girl is obviously in a lot of pain. Viv looks concerned as she quickly removes her hand.

WPC Martella:

Are you all right? You're not hurt are you?

Polly Page:

It'th jutht a bruise from hockey. I want to go now!

Polly lowers her head again, rubbing her sore shoulder. Viv reluctantly begins to walk away from the little girl.

WPC Martella:

Sure, go on.

Polly trudges off. Viv gets back into the car with a sigh. Jim is understandable puzzled.

PC Carver:

What was all that about?

WPC Martella:

It's a long story. But there's something not right with that little girl. I know it, I just know it.

PC Carver:

Do you know that girl from somewhere?

WPC Martella:

Sort of. A few weeks back, June and I were dropping a kid that we had caught stealing back at the school and we saw that girl, Polly, being picked on by an older girl. As it turned out, the headmistress was the bully's mother and it doesn't look like Polly got a fair hearing.

PC Carver:

I see. She did look pretty depressed. Do you think we should have a word with the headmistress?

WPC Martella:

I'm not sure. I really have no idea how to play this one. We don't have the power to get involved though. It's school policy to settle things like this inside the school, which pretty much leaves Polly high and dry.

PC Carver:

Stuff school policy. You should have just clipped that bullying girl round the ear and told her to scarper! That's what I would have done with a boy who was giving me lip.

Viv grins across at Jim.

WPC Martella:

Believe me, I would've liked to. Right little brat she was!

PC Carver:

I bet you told her where to get off though, Viv.

WPC Martella:

I did. I was lucky that June was there or I might have gotten into trouble because of it!

Viv reaches the end of Cheetham Road and turns to the left.

PC Carver:

Okay, so where are we headed next Viv?

WPC Martella:

I dunno about you but I fancy a coffee.

PC Carver:

Sure. Where's the best gaff for a caffeine boost round here?

WPC Martella:

Hmmm, I know of a few good spots. Why don't you let me broaden your education, my dear Jimmy?

Viv smiles cheekily at Jim. He smiles back then turns away, blushing madly, as they head towards the nearest café for a coffee break.

*** MATTHEWS' RESIDENCE - 3:40 PM ***

Greg Matthews is smoking as he reads through the sports section of a local newspaper. Polly enters the house through the back door and quietly makes her way up towards the staircase, dumping her bag next to the hat rack downstairs. Greg looks up angrily.

Greg Matthews:

You're late Polly!

Polly groans and pokes her head into the living room. Greg glares at her.

Polly Page:

We got kept back after school.

Greg Matthews:

Again? Who did you piss off this time?

Polly takes a deep breath and replies quietly.

Polly Page:

Mrs Hagley gave us some extra time to finish the test. That's all.

Greg snorts and blows a cloud of cigarette smoke towards Polly.

Greg Matthews:

What a load of crap. What's the real reason Polly? Why are you always arriving home late?

Polly shrugs then resumes her interrupted journey towards the stairs.

Greg Matthews:

Well? Answer me girl or you'll wish you'd never been born.

Polly sighs and turns to face her dark-haired stepfather.

Polly Page:

Well what? I'm home now. What's the big deal?

Greg stands up and walks menacingly towards Polly. Polly clasps her hands behind her back and nervously takes a step backwards. Greg grabs a handful of her long blonde hair and tugs on it lightly.

Greg Matthews:

Answer me or you know what comes next.

Greg's voice is harsh and threatening. Polly takes a deep breath before replying, her eyes staring up at her stepfather with undisguised loathing.

Polly Page:

It'th the twuth! She kept us in.

Greg grimly twists Polly's hair between his fingers, considering her words. Suddenly, he pulls down hard on the lock of hair.

Greg Matthews:

Well, you can make up for it then can't you?

Polly struggles and pulls her hair free from Greg's grasp. She mutters under her breath as she heads towards her room.

Polly Page:

Pith off Gweg.

Greg chases after his stepdaughter and grabs hold of her shoulder. Twisting Polly around, he slaps her cheek and glares into her eyes.

Greg Matthews:

Show me some respect you little cow!

Polly trembles under Greg's gaze and his iron grip. She mumbles a brief apology.

Polly Page:

I'm thorry.

Greg sneers down at his stepdaughter.

Greg Matthews:

I've heard 'thorry' once too often, young lady. Come over here!

Polly timidly paces over towards him. Greg wraps his arms around Polly and draws her small body towards him, nuzzling her forehead.

Greg Matthews:

You can do your punishment now or later, Polly.

Greg grins evilly and roughly presses himself against Polly. She pushes him hard in the chest and he staggers backwards, losing his balance.

Polly Page:

I thaid leave me alone!

Polly races back up to her room and slams the door closed behind her. Greg runs up the stairs in pursuit of the little girl.

Greg Matthews:

Open the door Polly or I'll do it to you twice as hard!

Greg mutters under his breath.

Greg Matthews:

That's a promise.

Polly curls up on the bed and buries her head under a pillow in a vain attempt to block out Greg's voice. With a heave, Greg forces the door open. He enters the room and makes straight for Polly's bed.

Greg Matthews:

You're gonna regret that little incident Polly. It's made me angry!

Polly chews nervously on her bottom lip, her chin quivering and her eyes wet with tears. Greg slowly and deliberately pulls the belt off his trousers. Polly cringes, wishing herself a million miles away.

Greg Matthews:

You can't get away from me that easily!

Greg lashes out wildly with the buckle end of his belt. Polly screams, shielding her face with her arms. Greg's belt buckle catches Polly just above her eye. Polly clasps her hands over her right eye with a yelp as blood trickles down her cheek.

Greg Matthews:

Take that you little slut!

Polly sobs as the blood drips down onto her school uniform. Greg laughs at the sight of his stepdaughter in pain then angrily pushes her down onto the bed with his hand.

Polly Page:

But I'm thorry, I'm thorry!

Greg clenches his fists and grins down at Polly. Just as he is about to punch her, there is a noise from downstairs. Ian slams the front door loudly and calls out.

Ian Page:

Hello! I'm home! I'm home everybody!

Ian bounds through the living room, throwing his bag onto the sofa. Greg swears loudly as he leaps off the bed. Polly reaches across to a box of tissues and presses them against her bleeding eye.

Ian Page:

Greg? Polly?

Greg Matthews:

You stay there and shut up.

Greg casually saunters downstairs.

Greg Matthews:

Hey there li'l buddy. How was school?

Ian Page:

It was so cool! We had the practise for sports day! Guess what. They're letting me be the baton twirler for our marching group!

Polly slinks downstairs, heading into the bathroom to get a wet towel.

Greg Matthews:

Lucky you. At least you've been behaving yourself unlike little miss Polly perfect here.

Polly heads slowly back up the stairs, looking daggers at Greg.

Greg Matthews:

Typical woman. World'd be better off without them, hey Ian?

Ian Page:

Too right!

Ian chuckles along with his stepfather.

Greg Matthews:

You wanna play ball, kiddo?

Ian grins and makes a dash for the back door.

Ian Page:

I'll see ya outside!

Greg grins and follows Ian out the door, pausing only to glare at Polly as she emerges from the stairwell. Polly nervously pushes a loose strand of hair behind her ear as Greg continues to scold her.

Greg Matthews:

I hope you've learnt your lesson, Polly.

Greg lights his cigarette and walks towards Polly. Polly drops her eyes submissively.

Greg Matthews:

Bad girls get punished, missy.

Greg lifts Polly's arm. She winces as the lighted cigarette is pushed against her wrist. Greg notices Polly's eye injury and presses his hand roughly against her eyebrow.

Polly Page:

Uh.

Polly moves her head as a thin line of blood trickles down the from the open wound.

Greg Matthews:

Get that seen to. You look a right mess.

Polly nods, heading back up towards her room, Greg slaps her backside as she bounds up the stairs.

Greg Matthews:

Don't be so cheeky next time, missy.

*** CANTEEN - SUN HILL POLICE STATION - 10:10 PM ***

Jim and Viv are sitting in the canteen by themselves, except for Reg Hollis in the corner. Jim is munching on a bacon roll and Viv is stirring a cup of coffee.

PC Carver:

Today was a long day wasn't it Viv?

WPC Martella:

You're not kidding.

PC Carver:

I don't mind though, it's not every day that I get taken for a ride by a beautiful WPC.

Reg listens intently.

WPC Martella:

Yeah, sorry about that, it started off a bit fast, didn't it?

Viv pauses, deep in thought.

PC Carver:

I couldn't believe how quickly you drove today! I've never been driven that fast before in my entire life!

Viv is rather distracted. She ignores his last comment and slowly sips her coffee.

PC Carver:

Are you still thinking about the kid?

WPC Martella:

Yeah, I guess. I dunno. I just don't know what to do. I mean, in a way I think maybe I should just forget about it. But then, deep down, I know it won't just go away.

PC Carver:

It was my fault, I guess. I should have been more sensitive about it. I didn't know about it until today, anyway.

WPC Martella:

Forget it. You never know, it may just be a one off, it might just go away.

PC Carver:

I don't think so Viv. I think we're stuck with it. I reckon we should do something about it before things get out of hand.

Reg stands up noisily and leaves the room at tremendous speed.

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