** APRIL 5TH **

*** NURSERY - 6:25 PM ***

Chris and Nora are talking with Anne in the nursery.

Anne Page:

Don't worry, it's all settled. I've spoken to the doctor and she told me that there is no problem with the baby going home with you tonight.

Chris Power:

It's fine? We can take her now?

Anne Page:

The sooner the better. Once again, I apologise if the premature birth caused any inconvenience.

Chris Power:

I don't mind one bit so long as we get our beautiful baby daughter at the end of the day.

Chris shuffles across to the cot and tickles the child's chin. She gurgles at him. Suddenly, Viv walks into the room. She has come back to the hospital with the intention of seeing the baby one last time.

WPC Martella:

What's happening? Is everything all right?

Anne gives Viv a dirty look.

Anne Page:

Yes, thank you. We're fine.

Viv looks curiously at Chris and Nora.

WPC Martella:

I don't believe we've been introduced.

Chris holds out his hand.

Chris Power:

Chris Power. And this is my wife Nora.

Viv shakes his hand somewhat reluctantly as she realises who he is.

WPC Martella:

The adoptive parents?

Chris Power:

That's right. Sorry, I don't think I've met you.

WPC Martella:

WPC Martella. I'm the police officer who dealt with Polly's case.

Chris Power:

I see. She must have been a brave little girl to survive all that.

WPC Martella:

When are you taking the baby?

Chris Power:

As soon as everything is organised. In about an hour I think.

WPC Martella:

An hour? That soon?

Chris Power:

Yes. Excuse me, but I have to sort out some things with my wife.

Chris walks over to Nora and they begin to speak in hushed tones. Viv is left standing there speechless.

*** CAR PARK - ST HUGH'S - 6:55 PM ***

Viv steps outside into the freezing, snow-covered carpark. She rubs her arms together in a futile attempt to get warm. She shields her eyes from the glare of the snow and carefully surveys the area. She spots Anne, Chris and Nora standing beside a car and she walks over to join them, brushing the snow from her face as she goes. As Viv gets closer and closer, she can hear them talking. Anne walks away from the car and Viv decides to follow her. The two women stand together in the hospital entrance as they watch Chris, Nora and the baby.

WPC Martella:

You shouldn't be doing this. You should have let Polly say goodbye.

Anne speaks in a dull monotone. She sounds almost robotic.

Anne Page:

You wouldn't understand. It's the best way in the long run.

WPC Martella:

Tearing a baby away from her mother solves nothing. It only creates far greater emotional and psychological problems in the future.

Anne Page:

She's not a mother; she's a confused child.

WPC Martella:

Perhaps. But you can't steal her baby away in the night like a thief.

Anne Page:

Look, I'm not having this discussion with you. It's none of your business. My daughter will be fine. She'll get over this and with any luck, she'll have forgotten about it all in ten years time.

WPC Martella:

She'll never forget about it, Ms Page. A thing like this will stay with her forever. I just hope you can live with yourself after ripping apart a mother and daughter like this. You can't deny that there are blood ties!

The two women glare at each other.

Anne Page:

What should I have done then? I have Polly's best interests in mind here.

WPC Martella:

She obviously loved that little girl a lot and taking her away from Polly like this will cause a lot of damage to them both. Couldn't Polly have kept her, at least for a week or two?

Anne Page:

You think she would have wanted to give her up then? It would have turned into a month, maybe two. She would have kept her until the novelty of having a little real life doll wore off. She's still a little girl and I want her to stay that way. She's too young to grow up yet.

WPC Martella:

She coped with the pregnancy and I'm sure she could cope with motherhood. You just want to get rid of the baby because it reminds you of your ex-husband. Go on, admit it.

Anne folds her arms angrily. She turns to leave.

Anne Page:

Thank you for your support throughout this ordeal, WPC Martella.

WPC Martella:

I just wish that you'd listened more Ms Page. Good luck.

Anne strides back into the hospital. Viv slowly walks down the stairs towards the car. She watches Chris and Nora getting into their car with the baby secured on the back seat. Sally comes out of the front entrance and catches up with her big sister. She slides her arm around Viv's waist as she follows her gaze.

Sally Martella:

I guess it's all over now?

Viv watches the car drive off through the snow-filled carpark.

WPC Martella:

Somehow, I don't think so Sal. I have a hunch that this is only the beginning.

Viv hugs her sister and they walk back inside the hospital.

THE EMD