As she drove to work, Polly's thoughts kept wondering back to memories of her childhood. She wished they wouldn't, it hadn't been the best time for her.

*Flashback*

Polly lay curled into a tight ball in the far corner of her bedroom, her tiny hands were curled into fists covering her tear stained face and her eyes were closed. She didn't dare open them, for she was too frightened of what she might see if she did.

She could feel the warm blood trickling down her forehead from her scalp, from where she had been thrown none too gently against the garden wall only minutes ago. Then she had run, into her bedroom and hadn't moved since.

Polly didn't understand why her mother was so angry with her…

*End flashback*

Polly felt a shiver go down her spine as the memory faded. How had her mother found her again? And why had she chosen now to turn up? She had had virtually no contact with her since she was 15 and her mother had turned up at the school gates, in search of money for drugs. That meeting hadn't gone too well…

Touching an old scar on her arm, she turned off the engine, put the keys in her bag and walked towards the ambulance bay.

"Morning guys" Polly's cheerful voice radiated throughout the station, quickly hiding

the fact that anything was wrong.

"Morning Pol" Dixie and Jeff replied in unison, both laughing at the expression on the other's face.

Jeff and Dixie were both very fond of Polly, and could be quite protective of her if need be.

The shift was unusually uneventful, with only a head injury, broken leg and other minor injuries. It was quiet, too quiet, and Polly frequently felt that someone other than her paramedic partner was watching her.

Dixie walked into the rec room where Polly was sitting, staring at the floor, scowling.

"You alright sweetheart? You're quiet"

This made the young girl jump and look up, as if she had only just registered her friend's presence.

Dixie watched as Polly's eyes darted around the room, taking in details of where she was, before turning to face her and smiling.

"Yeah, yeah, fine thanks" she replied, then turning her gaze back to the floor.

Dixie was beginning to think something was wrong, but decided to leave it for now. Besides, she had no idea what could be going on.