- 9 hours ago
- #believeme
- #newmomlife
- #firstnightout
Sarah's first night out as a new mom is a whirlwind of emotions and unexpected encounters. Join her as she navigates motherhood, catches up with friends, and contemplates past relationships. Will she find the freedom she's looking for on this memorable evening?
This episode delves into the challenges and joys of new parenthood, highlighting the importance of friendship and self-care. Witness Sarah's journey as she balances her identity as a mother with her personal desires.
#BelieveMe #NewMomLife #FirstNightOut
This episode delves into the challenges and joys of new parenthood, highlighting the importance of friendship and self-care. Witness Sarah's journey as she balances her identity as a mother with her personal desires.
#BelieveMe #NewMomLife #FirstNightOut
Category
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Short filmTranscript
00:00Now a man's helping her off the bus with their pram.
00:05Say thank you to the nice man. Say thank you.
00:09Jordan Bolger, Laurie Kiniston with Daniel Mays.
00:14Believe me.
00:15Now they're strolling through a sunny park as she pushes the boy in the pram.
00:20Here up or here down? Tonight I mean.
00:24Can't decide.
00:26Look, I like it up, but why it makes me look fierce?
00:29She crouches, turning his pram so they're face to face.
00:32What do you think?
00:35Two fears.
00:37She's tugged the hair back from her face.
00:39So this is where you were born?
00:41Nice enough round here, but I thought you'd want some fresh air and trees.
00:46And that was us up there, number 17, do you remember?
00:48Now she's pointed out second and third floor windows on a building on a street,
00:53then stopping a few doors down.
00:55And this is where Daddy still lives.
00:58I never remember what number he is.
01:0123, eh?
01:036th of May, 2003.
01:06Did he say that?
01:07Anyway, he is going to be so excited to see you.
01:11They must get together properly.
01:13Me and him.
01:15Hmm?
01:15Having a love with us?
01:17He says he'd like to.
01:19Since I do love him, but we argue a lot.
01:24Hmm?
01:24What do you think?
01:26Hmm?
01:26I used to have nothing to do with my hair.
01:28Yeah.
01:30So who else is going tonight?
01:31Frankie just had a few friends.
01:33Guys and girls, or?
01:35No, just guys.
01:36Now inside the flat.
01:38Not feeling jealous of you?
01:40No.
01:41Connor, this is my first fucking night out as a mother.
01:44Do you have to swear?
01:44I'm not going to just jump into bed with anyone.
01:46Probably you'd care.
01:48Who says I wouldn't care?
01:52Yeah, well they wouldn't be interested in me.
01:54Why?
01:54Why wouldn't they be interested in you?
01:57I mean, yes, they're all guys, but they're also all gays.
02:01Now she's dressed up and Connor's still holding their son Jack,
02:04having given him a bottle of milk.
02:07There's more milk in the fridge if you need it.
02:09But that was formula.
02:11I started him on that now because I'm not producing enough anymore.
02:15She smiles at Jack.
02:17Well, that's a bit more me, isn't it?
02:19Yeah.
02:22So that one earlier, that was your milk?
02:24Yeah, I expressed it earlier today.
02:27You put this thing on your tits and it sucks away at me like I'm a cow on a milking
02:30machine.
02:31But it took ages, didn't it?
02:33Because I pretty much went dry now.
02:35She kisses Connor on the lips.
02:37Should be too late.
02:39Actually, I'm terrified I'm going to fall asleep at nine o'clock.
02:42Have you got some money for a cab?
02:43I don't want you messing around with the bus.
02:4520 quid in the secret compartment.
02:47Yeah, you got your key?
02:48She holds them up.
02:50And a black cab, please.
02:52And also, also, also.
02:54You look lovely.
02:56Sarah smiles at Connor, who is biracial with light brown skin, then goes.
03:00Yeah, I want a milk in the sheet.
03:02She's left her phone behind on the table.
03:04Now in a lively club surrounded by her male friends.
03:08Very nice.
03:09The big boy.
03:10Beautiful.
03:11Okay, I'm going then.
03:13It's a shot time, shot, shot, shot, shot.
03:14Okay, yeah.
03:15Yeah, no, you'll be fine.
03:17Right, cheers.
03:18Thanks for coming.
03:20Sarah grimaces as she necks her shot.
03:22Her brown-haired, pale-skinned friend Frankie smiles bashfully as the others begin singing.
03:28Happy birthday.
03:30Happy birthday, happy birthday.
03:32Happy birthday to you.
03:34Happy birthday to you.
03:36Happy birthday to you.
03:36Let's go, kids.
03:37Now Frankie and Sarah are at the bar.
03:40Hiya, can I have one vodka and coke and...
03:43No, just coke, please.
03:44No, what?
03:45Two vodka and coke.
03:46Yeah, but I'm getting battered on my first night at all.
03:48Yes, you are.
03:48Anyway, I've got some magical marching powder for later to keep you awake.
03:52Come on.
03:52You said you were having fun with me tonight.
03:54It's my birthday.
03:55You're having fun with me.
03:56Absolutely fucking not.
03:57You fucking are.
03:58Anyway, right, so.
03:59Dominic.
04:00Who?
04:01I'm making myself all vulnerable.
04:02I'm giving him everything.
04:03I'm giving...
04:04I love you.
04:05I'm giving...
04:05I want to have your babies.
04:06Yeah, what did he say?
04:07He wants to be friends with benefits.
04:09He's an arsehole.
04:10I was devastated, though.
04:11You've had one without him.
04:12I know, but you're so fit.
04:13You've got your coat.
04:14Cheers.
04:15Happy birthday.
04:16Happy birthday.
04:17Now she's chatting to friend Finn by the dance floor.
04:20We exchanged rings.
04:22I even took him to meet my mum and dad.
04:24What happened?
04:25I looked through his phone when he was asleep.
04:26I know.
04:27He's been cheating on me with at least five other guys.
04:30He's an arsehole.
04:31Yeah.
04:33Am I right?
04:35Frankie's missed you so much.
04:36We all are.
04:39Shit.
04:39What?
04:40You have a phone at home.
04:41In the toilets.
04:43And I'll be honest, I broke it off.
04:45He just...
04:46He got too clingy.
04:46Do you think that makes me an arsehole?
04:48No.
04:48He is.
04:50I mean, I don't know what for.
04:52I'm sort of good with him being the arsehole.
04:53Thank you, honey.
04:54From a cubicle...
04:56Left a line in there.
04:57Oh.
04:58There you go.
04:58I don't know.
04:59Why did you have some of the ladies toilets out of interest?
05:02Because your toilets are so much nicer than ours.
05:04Ours stink of piss.
05:07Right.
05:08Now, are you sure we're...
05:09No, I already said no thank you.
05:11Come on.
05:11Don't be a party pooper.
05:12George.
05:13George.
05:14Fuck off, will you?
05:15Okay.
05:15We're not going to let you leave until you do.
05:17I don't like it.
05:18Please, Sarah.
05:19It's my birthday.
05:20I'll be very sad.
05:21Don't ruin his birthday, Sarah.
05:21You don't look very sad.
05:23Oh, come on.
05:24Sarah reluctantly takes a dab from Frankie's paper wrap.
05:27Yay.
05:29I can't say it.
05:30There.
05:31Now let me out, please.
05:32I want to spend all night in the bogs with you two.
05:33That's our girl.
05:34Now, hazel-eyed Sarah, in her halterneck green top, is dancing enthusiastically under disco lights.
05:40With Mike, who she and Frankie had been in the loos with, Finn and Frankie.
05:44Now, she's sitting glumly in a booze, her handbag that's missing her phone on the table before her.
05:49Frankie, now minus his pink feather boa, approaches.
05:52There you are.
05:54Hi.
05:54No, I don't want another drink.
05:56I definitely don't want a more coke, and I'm all out of advice.
05:59They're all arsehole looking.
06:02I was actually just going to ask you whether you wanted me to get you a cab.
06:05Yes, she did.
06:07Come on, Mama.
06:08Let's go.
06:10Now, Frankie and Mike are talking to a black cab driver outside the club.
06:14All right.
06:16Is that all right?
06:16Can you have a drink, have you?
06:17Sarah!
06:18He's going to take you.
06:20All right.
06:20Thank you, mate.
06:20She hugs Finn.
06:22I'm safe.
06:23Yeah, yeah.
06:24Bye, bye, bye, bye.
06:25Frankie kisses her, getting the passenger door.
06:28Thanks, mate.
06:29Love you.
06:29See you later.
06:30Catch in a bit, babe.
06:32Her friends all wave to her in the back of the black cab as it heads down the bustling London
06:37street.
06:37Now she's dozing as the cab trundles along, city lights casting orbs of colour across the window.
06:44The driver talks to her.
06:46You're very popular.
06:47She wearily opens her eyes.
06:50Good night.
06:51Certainly look like it.
06:53All them blokes are like bees around honeypot.
06:57It was friends birthday party.
06:59They were all over you.
07:01Actually, they were all gay, so it wasn't quite pretty.
07:04Really?
07:04Look, they don't know what they're missing.
07:06If you don't mind me saying, I think you look absolutely gorgeous tonight.
07:11You know, I reckon you could probably have term one or term if you wanted to.
07:16Well, I'm not sure about that.
07:18It's just nice to have a night out.
07:21Why's that then?
07:22Just got out of prison or something?
07:23Yeah, not far off.
07:25I've got a nine month old baby.
07:27I'm a single mum.
07:28This is the first time I've been out since he was born.
07:30Sorry, look, before we go any further, what number Walgate Road was it?
07:34Oh, just, erm, just take me to number 17.
07:37They'll be fine.
07:3717?
07:39Right.
07:40She watches him appear to write that down in a notebook.
07:43And you live on your own, do you?
07:45Yeah.
07:47Right, yeah.
07:49She's giving him a nod, looking vaguely disinterested, then attempts to doze off again.
07:54So what's that like then?
07:56You know, spending a night with a load of gay guys?
08:00Oh, they're lovely.
08:01But you do end up just being an agony aunt.
08:04I bet.
08:05Yeah.
08:06Would it be nice if someone at some point, that's how I was doing.
08:11Okay, well I'll ask.
08:13The driver glances through the rear view mirror at her.
08:16How are you doing?
08:18Oh, you know, getting on I suppose.
08:23But it's hard being on your own.
08:25Why a single mum then?
08:28Well, it's no choice as much as his.
08:30I don't want us to be together because we want to be together, not because we have to be.
08:35Yeah, I get that.
08:36Beads of rain have formed on the windows as the wipers sweep rhythmically across the windscreen.
08:41Well, I've had a great night tonight.
08:45I had a big win at the casino earlier.
08:47Would you believe?
08:48Alright, good for you.
08:50Here.
08:50Look at this lot.
08:5240 grand!
08:54Can you believe it?
08:55I know.
08:55Yeah, I've been wanting to celebrate, but I've got to finish my shift first, don't I?
09:00Can't drink and drive.
09:01I'll lose my licence and be back to square one.
09:04I was wondering if you'd have a drink for me.
09:07Oh, no.
09:08Would that celebrate for me like?
09:09No.
09:10I've got some champagne here.
09:12No, I've already had too much to drink tonight.
09:14Raise a glass for me.
09:15I've been stuck here behind this wheel desperate to wear someone say cheers.
09:18No thanks.
09:19Come on.
09:21Do me a favour and have a drink on me.
09:24Why don't they give me a bottle of bubbly at the casino with me winnings?
09:26No, at least let me see someone enjoying my good luck.
09:28The lights have changed from red to green as he offers her a plastic glass full of liquid.
09:36Okay.
09:37Reluctantly easing her belt, she takes it.
09:41She takes a chaste sip of the drink, frowning slightly at the contents, as the cab starts moving again.
09:49So what are you going to do with all that money?
09:52To start with, your journey home is on me tonight, alright?
09:55Oh, thanks.
09:57Oh, I don't know.
09:58Take some time off.
09:59Going on holiday?
10:01I'll find someone to go with me.
10:04Would he keep being a cabbie?
10:06Probably.
10:06I like meeting people.
10:08I like talking to them.
10:09The cab grinds to a halt.
10:11Oh, sorry.
10:13I spilt the drink.
10:14No, no.
10:14No problem.
10:16You can knock this one back.
10:18There, go on.
10:19He offers another glass back through the dividing screen.
10:22Oh, come on.
10:24You've got to drink it now.
10:25You're going to give me bad luck.
10:28But go on, knock it back.
10:30Looking uncomfortable, she accepts it.
10:33You got it?
10:33Okay.
10:34She drains the glass and holds it up.
10:38Cheers.
10:39Cheers.
10:42Looking increasingly more like she just wants to be back at the flat and the journey over,
10:47Sarah gives a fatigued sigh with her elbow propped up on the window pane.
10:51Resting her head against her hand, she once more closes her eyes.
10:57Are you okay?
10:58Do you want anything else?
11:00Um, no, nothing, thanks.
11:03Her head gently shakes with the movement of the cab.
11:08Can I have a drink?
11:10No, thanks.
11:12Do you smoke?
11:15I'm trying to give up.
11:18Her eyes are still closed.
11:21Now the cab's headlights pierce the gloom as it drives into what looks like the rear service
11:27area of a building complex.
11:29It has several external air conditioning condenser units and large waste bins.
11:34Sarah rouses woozily as overhead industrial-style lights from a covered walkway blur past her window.
11:40A multi-storey building looms beyond.
11:43What's going on?
11:46Thought we'd stop for a little city break.
11:51Here.
11:52The cab now stopped, Sarah groggily leans forward.
11:57Come on.
11:59She reaches for the cigarette poking out of its packet.
12:02I'll take you.
12:04Thanks, sir.
12:06Where are we?
12:07Barely able to keep her eyes open, Sarah sinks back onto the seat as her head drops to her chest.
12:13The pale-skinned, dark-haired driver gets out and peers through the passenger window.
12:21She lifts her head and opens her eyes as he gets in.
12:25I'd like one with you.
12:26I'll take her to sit down.
12:29He sits beside her as she struggles to sit up, then unsteadily leans forward, allowing him to light her cigarette.
12:38Inhaling it weakly, she slumps back as he lights his own, rolling her head across the headrest.
12:45Lovely man.
12:48All part of service.
12:50She looks up at him as his face blurs into focus,
12:54his hazel eyes hooded by thick brows boring into her.
12:57Her world flickers as she sinks into sleep.
13:00End of part one.
13:07Sarah rouses on a white sheeted bed in a hospital ward,
13:10her brow creased.
13:11She looks pained as she takes in the sun,
13:14seeping through the blinds of a window nearby,
13:17a pink balloon hovering at the top of the frame.
13:20Briefly dashing her hand across her brow and eye,
13:23she looks round as staff busy themselves about her.
13:28As she sits up with effort in the same clothes
13:32she'd been wearing in the cab,
13:33she tugs an IV cannula from her arm
13:36and gets out of the bed, looking troubled.
13:38She has bruises over her left shoulder and upper arm.
13:45Making her way unsteadily into the hospital's stark corridor,
13:49she has no shoes,
13:51her socks and boot-cut jeans brushing the dark red floor,
13:54which is illuminated by overhead lighting.
13:59Having located a toilet,
14:01she goes in and starts unbuttoning her jeans.
14:03She's wearing black tights beneath them,
14:06and as she pulls them down,
14:07she finds them ripped.
14:09Looking confused,
14:10she sits down on the bowl.
14:16She winces slightly,
14:18gripping her bare thighs with her fingers,
14:20the harsh light accentuating the redness of her bruising.
14:24She goes to wipe herself with some tissue,
14:26then draws back her fingers,
14:28seeing thick, moist liquid on them.
14:32She leans forward, looking pained,
14:35as she lets out a gasp.
14:40She looks down,
14:41then her eyes slowly widen with a horrified realisation.
14:52Now she's wandering back into the ward,
14:54looking tearful and distressed.
14:56As she paces anxiously,
14:58a nurse approaches her.
15:00Are you okay?
15:01Police can you help me?
15:03I've left my phone at home,
15:04and I need to call my boyfriend here,
15:05just to calm down for me.
15:06You seemed a bit drunk when you came in last night,
15:08so will you just take a seat?
15:09I wasn't drunk.
15:11The nurse tends to the patient opposite,
15:13leaving Sarah looking bewildered.
15:15Now Connor meets her on a bench outside,
15:18with Jack in the pram.
15:19Sarah, hey.
15:20What's going on?
15:21Where have you been?
15:22He hugs her.
15:24God, don't touch you.
15:24I'm doing it.
15:25It's disgusting.
15:26Sit down, sit down.
15:27What's going on?
15:28What happened?
15:30I think I was raped last night.
15:32Rape?
15:32What do you mean, think?
15:33By who?
15:35I was drugged and raped.
15:37By who?
15:37By the cab driver.
15:39You must have put something in my drink.
15:41Oh, he's got my handbag.
15:42I haven't got my purse and my glasses.
15:44She raped you.
15:45Yeah, but I can't remember any of it,
15:46because he must have drugged me.
15:48Now in a room inside.
15:50He said he'd won some money at a casino,
15:53and he wanted to celebrate,
15:55and then he gave me this drink.
15:57He said it was champagne,
15:58but I remember it tasted funny.
16:01I spilled the one glass, and then he gave me another, and in the end I just drank it to
16:09shut him up.
16:10Toxicology tests will establish if there was anything in the drink.
16:14Can you describe him, please?
16:17She recalls a blurry image of the driver smoking.
16:21I'd say he was 40 to 50 years old.
16:25Of medium build.
16:28His hair was neat at the back.
16:31He looked like he'd just been cut.
16:33A suited woman makes a note.
16:35Can you tell us what he did to you?
16:39Well, no, I can't because I don't remember any of it.
16:42But I'm certain he drugged me.
16:45And, um...
16:47And this morning...
16:50My vagina felt sore.
16:53And there was what felt like lubricant around it.
16:57And my tights were all torn around my crotch area.
17:01Is there a chance you might have had sex with someone earlier in the night and maybe forgotten about it?
17:05No.
17:06Definitely not.
17:08A suited man.
17:10No, I can tell you, Sarah, you were brought to a police station last night by a young man who
17:14lives at 17 Walgate Road.
17:17The driver and a young man.
17:19He said number 17.
17:21But that's where I used to live.
17:23Yeah, but why did you go to 17, though?
17:25Because...
17:26Well, I can never remember what number you were, so I must have said 17 and then I knew you
17:30were a couple of doors down.
17:31So before I was brought to the hospital, he took me to the police station.
17:35Him and the taxi driver.
17:36The taxi driver?
17:37Well, that's the guy that raped her.
17:39Does he have his name?
17:41We should do.
17:42Yeah?
17:43We're going to need a urine sample and a mouth swab.
17:45Okay.
17:47Did you bring her a change of clothes?
17:49Yeah.
17:49PC Belitha will be taking you to a specialist rape centre for an examination.
17:54You've not had a bath or shower since last night, have you?
17:58Sitting opposite the man and woman interviewing her, who are both white and brown haired, Sarah shakes her head.
18:08Now she's gripping the side of an examination bed that she's lying on.
18:12She's in a hospital gown with her legs slightly parted as a grey haired doctor sitting at the base of
18:18the bed is looking closely between them wearing clinical gloves.
18:25She has more bruises on her inner thigh and just above her eyebrow.
18:29As the bearded doctor, now on his feet, examines them and the ones on her arm, she flinches.
18:35Could you turn over please? I need to excel in your back passage.
18:40Your anus, in case he penetrated you there.
18:43No, I don't know if someone had anal sex with me, I'd feel it.
18:46I'm sorry, I have to.
18:48As tears well up in her eyes, Sarah forlornly obeys, slowly turning on her side so she's facing away from
18:56the doctor.
18:58She tenses her lips and squeezes her eyes shut, her face contorting with quiet agony.
19:04Now with the suited woman, Belitho, in another room in the hospital.
19:09We'll be arranging what's called an Achieving Best Evidence interview with you, where you come into the station while it's
19:14all fresh in your mind.
19:15Have I already done that?
19:17Sorry, but it needs to be done. And should you wish, we can arrange an appointment for you at the
19:21Sexually Transmitted Diseases Clinic.
19:25Yeah, I do wish.
19:26Okay, there are also victim support services that we can connect you with.
19:32Now your bag, glasses and purse are not missing. I've been told they were taken for forensic examination.
19:37Okay, because I need my glasses to read.
19:39Now, is there anything else you want to tell us?
19:42Anything you want to tell us about now, Sarah, that might be relevant?
19:45If you mean did I have sex with anyone else last night, I've already told you no I didn't.
19:50But I, I do want to tell you one thing. I really regret it, but I did have a little
19:55bit of cocaine last night.
19:57Okay?
19:57My friends just kept on at me and I gave in and just had a little dab to shut them
20:02up, but it was only a tiny amount.
20:03You're better off telling us now rather than us not knowing and finding it in your samples.
20:08So embarrassed.
20:10Now, Belitho and Sarah arrive back at the flat.
20:13Hey.
20:15Can I search her?
20:16Yeah, no, I still haven't had a shower.
20:18Mr O'Carroll, would you be able to come back to the station with me now to make a statement?
20:22Why?
20:23We just want to be as thorough as possible.
20:25He can confirm certain timings and details and so on.
20:28Okay, yeah.
20:29That makes sense.
20:31Alright, I won't be long.
20:33Her eye makeup smudged, Sarah offers brown-eyed Connor a weak smile as he follows Belitho out.
20:40Now at the station.
20:41She came to London for college, was in digs in the area and initially we were just neighbours.
20:47And what about family?
20:48Did she have family down here with her?
20:50They're all still living in Newport, so she hardly ever sees them.
20:55How would you describe Sarah's alcohol intake?
20:58I mean, she likes to drink, but, like, in a fun way, I'd say it's normal.
21:02Does she binge drink?
21:04Nah, I mean, like I said, she likes to have a laugh on a night out.
21:08And she actually hadn't been on a night out quite a while before that because of the baby.
21:14So, maybe she got drunk quicker.
21:16And what about drugs?
21:19What kind of drugs?
21:20Marijuana.
21:21Cocaine.
21:22No, no, no. I've never seen her take any kind of drug.
21:25Not cocaine.
21:28No, not that I know of.
21:31Meanwhile, back at the flat, Sarah's emerged from the bathroom in a towel and checks herself in the mirror.
21:37We have to ask this, Connor.
21:39Would you say that Sarah's a sexually promiscuous person?
21:44No, I wouldn't say promiscuous.
21:47What do you mean?
21:49Again, we have to ask, is she the type of person who, for example, might meet up with someone on
21:54night out and have sex with them?
21:57Sarah's looking at her bruises.
21:59I don't know.
22:01I maybe feel bad about that afterwards.
22:03I don't know.
22:04No.
22:05No, no, no, no.
22:08Not if she's in a relationship.
22:10Now he arrives back to his living room where Sarah's sitting in a dressing gown.
22:15How are you feeling?
22:17If he drove me to the station in a taxi, then they must have his name.
22:20Or his badge number, or his license number.
22:23Me? Yeah.
22:25I suppose so.
22:25Yeah, they must do.
22:27He should be going around his house now and arresting him.
22:30He gives her an uncertain smile.
22:34I'm going to get a beer.
22:35Do you want something?
22:37A glass of wine.
22:39Connor, who has a toned physique, no hair on his head and a goatee beard and moustache, fishes a beer
22:45from the kitchen fridge, then a bottle from nearby.
22:49It's a bit odd though, ain't it?
22:52You know, if he raped you, then take me to a police station.
23:00What do you mean if?
23:01No, I don't mean anything like that. It's just a figure of speech.
23:06He hands her a red wine as she stares up at him.
23:10What did the police ask you?
23:12Um, just general stuff really, about last night.
23:16Times and stuff.
23:17He watches her as she knocks back her wine.
23:24You see, when you're feeding Jack, it doesn't matter if you've been drinking alcohol.
23:30A little bit doesn't matter.
23:33Connor nods, taking a swig of his beer.
23:37Anyway, I pretty much stopped feeding him now.
23:39Yeah.
23:43Why'd you just ask me that?
23:44I'm just wondering.
23:45Just wait, for fuck's sake!
23:47No, no, no, I'm sorry.
23:48I'm all over the fucking place!
23:50He's followed her into the kitchen.
23:52I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Come on.
23:54He hugs her.
23:56When the taxi driver drove to the station, they must be able to find out who he is.
24:00We'll be out.
24:04End of part two.
24:10The urine sample, we test for chlamydia and gonorrhea.
24:14And with the blood sample, we can check for syphilis, hepatitis B or C, and HIV.
24:20HIV? HIV?
24:22We'd fucking die from that.
24:24If necessary, we can provide you with PEP, which is a medication that can help prevent HIV infection if commenced
24:32soon after exposure.
24:35The nurse will also be providing you with emergency contraception and morning after pill.
24:42Sarah's sitting opposite the doctor, who's talking to her in a consultation room at the hospital.
24:47Now at the flat, she's on the phone.
24:50Hello?
24:51Oh, hello. Is this PC Blitho?
24:54Yes, that's me.
24:55Uh, hi, yeah, um...
24:56This is Sarah Adams.
24:57Hello, Sarah. How are you feeling this morning?
24:59Yeah, um, I just wanted to ask if you managed to trace the black cab driver that dropped me at
25:03the police station.
25:04I actually don't have that information, but in any case, I'm actually not handling this investigation.
25:09It's been passed on to my colleague, DC Stevens, and he'll be in touch with the new Ducals.
25:15Right, but this man's still out there. I just want to know that he's been arrested.
25:20DC Stevens is the man to ask.
25:23Now, Sarah's outside a building a few doors down with Jack in his pram.
25:27The young man the driver was speaking to emerges.
25:31Hello.
25:32Hi.
25:32I was looking for a guy who helped me the other night. I was in a bit of a state.
25:36Oh, do you want me knocking on your door like this?
25:37No, no, it's fine. Uh, yeah, that was, that was me. Um, you look a bit different now, that's what
25:41you did then.
25:42Oh, God, I can only imagine. Have you got a couple of minutes to talk about it?
25:47Now inside, they're provided hot drinks by a young woman.
25:50Thanks, Bea.
25:53She leaves them to it.
25:55It's so funny. I used to live here.
25:57Really?
25:59Zero students, Sharon.
26:00Yeah.
26:01And you got the short straw when you opened the door.
26:04I thought someone was trying to break in.
26:07In a flashback, the young man, Billy, is heading downstairs where the driver's at the door.
26:12What are you doing, man?
26:13Uh, there's a girl in my taxi who lives here.
26:16She says this is her front door key.
26:18Look, but she said number 17.
26:22No, she don't live here.
26:24Billy sees Sarah on the floor of the back of the cab by what looks like a puddle of vomit.
26:29Well, yeah, she was like that when I picked her up.
26:31Yeah, warring drunk.
26:33You need to go to the police station now.
26:38I could see it was more than just drink.
26:40So I immediately wondered if you were drunk.
26:43I was.
26:44By him, I'm sure of it.
26:46Brown-eyed Billy leans back in his chair.
26:50I'm pretty sure you assaulted me on the way home.
26:53Fuck.
26:54I could sense something was not right about him.
26:56Listen, the woman's outside there in his taxi.
26:59She's basically unconscious.
27:00Let's have it right.
27:01She's thrown up all over the back of my cab.
27:03I can't pick up any more jobs till I get it cleaned up.
27:06A flashback of Sarah being helped by officers into the station as Billy watches,
27:11then turns seeing the driver head off in his cab.
27:16I didn't see them take his name.
27:18They didn't even get my name.
27:19What?
27:20When they got you inside, I hung around for a bit.
27:23She's not drunk, okay?
27:24You can tell by looking at her she's been drugged.
27:27So why aren't you checking out the cab driver?
27:29There's no way a cabbie would pick someone up in that state.
27:31Something's not right.
27:32An ambulance has been called.
27:34We'll take you from here.
27:34They weren't interested in anything I had to say.
27:37Eventually, the ambulance turns up.
27:39They asked me to go home.
27:41I think they thought that you were off your head on drink.
27:43Or you were a junkie.
27:46I got a good look at him.
27:47If you showed me a picture, I'd be able to identify him.
27:51Thank you so much for helping me.
27:55Is it okay if I give the police your name?
27:56Of course. Anything I can need to help.
27:58Okay.
28:00Now on the phone as she's crouched by Jack in a park.
28:04Hello.
28:04Can I help?
28:05Yeah.
28:06DC Paul Stevens, please.
28:08This is Sarah Adams.
28:09She's investigating my case.
28:10He's not available right now.
28:11Okay.
28:12Well, I have some information that might be helpful.
28:14So if someone could call me back as soon as possible, please.
28:16Right.
28:16So we've got your number.
28:18Someone will be in touch.
28:21They won't.
28:22I know they won't.
28:25She's hung up and now talking to Jack on the bandstand of the leafy sun dappled park.
28:3012th of May, 2003.
28:32It's daytime and Sarah's coming down the main staircase of the flat to answer the door to a man and
28:38woman, both white and smartly dressed, waiting outside.
28:42Have you seen Stevens?
28:43This is DC King.
28:44I've been trying to speak to someone for a couple of days.
28:46Yeah, sorry.
28:47Things have been extremely busy.
28:49Now in a car.
28:50Did anyone get the taxi driver's name when they took me to the police station?
28:54There's this guy at number 17, Billy, who helped me on the night it happened.
28:58Billy says that he thinks that you didn't, but I'm hoping that you did, or you have something on CCTV.
29:03I don't know, I'm afraid, but we can certainly look into them.
29:06Well, there must be something.
29:07Alright, well, you leave that with us.
29:10If you take a left up at the lights, and avoid the violence.
29:13Sarah spots the multi-storey building.
29:16Oh my god.
29:17That's it.
29:18It was round the back of those flats.
29:19The roadie took me down.
29:21Where should you go down there?
29:22Alright.
29:23We'll make a note and we'll send someone down.
29:26Yeah, there might be DNA there or something.
29:28I can tell you exactly where he parked.
29:30Okay, okay.
29:30We'll look into it.
29:32Sitting in the back of the car as DC King drives, Sarah shifts restlessly.
29:38Oh, I went to a GP and he made a note of all the bruises I've got all over my
29:41body.
29:41Though you might want to take some photos of them.
29:44Well, they could have been caused at the hospital, of course, as you were unconscious when they were moving you.
29:49But about today, it's called Achieving Best Evidence Interview.
29:51Yeah, they told me what it was.
29:53Right.
29:53Well, there'll be other officers doing the interview, but if you like, I can give you a heads up on
29:57what to expect when they question you.
29:58Oh yeah, okay.
29:59Thanks.
30:00Now being interviewed on camera.
30:03Had you already had a lot to drink that night?
30:06I had a few drinks, yes, but I wouldn't say that I was drunk when I got in the cab.
30:12You had some cocaine too.
30:17Yes, like I say, I was pressured into it by my friends and I regret it.
30:23She's in a room with Stevens and another man, PC Wright, who's asking the questions.
30:28You drank the champagne that he offered you.
30:32Yes.
30:33It tasted sort of funny.
30:37Sort of bitter, but after that is fragments.
30:41Where did you wake up?
30:45In the hospital.
30:47I went to the toilet.
30:49I went to the toilet and I could see that my tights were torn around the crotch.
30:52I had lubricant.
30:54I had lubricant around my vagina and on my thighs and my vagina felt sore.
31:00Why do you think you were raped?
31:04Because of how my vagina felt.
31:06Now consulting with King and Stevens in another interview room.
31:10I've never seen a rape victim behave like that before.
31:12She's not crying.
31:13There's no emotion.
31:14Was she like that when you picked her up?
31:16Then back to Sarah.
31:18Okay.
31:19They're happy we haven't missed anything.
31:22How do you think it went?
31:25Well, if I'm honest, it was unusual.
31:28What do you mean?
31:29Most women in your situation, they get angry.
31:32They get upset.
31:34I was told not to show any emotion.
31:36There's no right or wrong.
31:37It's just what it is.
31:39That's how you reacted?
31:41He said you wanted facts, not tears.
31:44That's what he said to me.
31:45His exact words.
31:46I wouldn't worry about it.
31:47It's done now.
31:48I'll organise a lift for you.
31:51No, thank you.
31:52I'll find my own way home.
31:55Now, over dinner at the flat, Connor watches Sarah take a swig of her red wine.
32:00Then she briefly leaves the table to grab her handbag.
32:04How are you feeling now?
32:06Shit.
32:08Presenting a packet of cigarettes, she removes one, readying a lighter.
32:15Probably shouldn't be smoking.
32:16Fuck off!
32:18Sarah, calm down.
32:21She runs her hand over her face, looking flustered.
32:26You know what?
32:27I do want to ask you something.
32:30Tensing her lips, she turns to him.
32:36How come you stayed out so late that night?
32:40I don't know.
32:42It's just how the night went.
32:44You could have texted me.
32:45I was worried about it.
32:45Because I left my phone at home.
32:47What is this, Connor?
32:48I'm trying to understand what happened.
32:50I'm trying to understand what happened.
32:52She stares at him, open mouthed, her eyes betraying a look of hurt and disbelief.
32:57Their meal turns sour.
32:59They sit awkwardly at the dinner table.
33:01End of part three.
33:07Sarah's trudging down a street lined with boarded up or graffitied buildings.
33:11Taxi?
33:13Looking slightly shaken by a young woman hailing a black cab nearby, she quickens her pace
33:19as she walks past it, pulling up.
33:21She remembers the hazy image of the driver peering through her passenger window.
33:26Then she spots something, staring up at it.
33:32She's in the rear service area where the driver had taken them, now under a blue sky.
33:37She surveys her surroundings with a frown, taking in the bins, the air conditioning units
33:43and the heavy concrete elevated walkways with metal railings.
33:51She goes to light a cigarette, then recoils slightly at the memory of the driver lighting
33:57her cigarette in the cab.
34:03Lovely man.
34:06She removes the unlit cigarette from her mouth, looking troubled.
34:10Now with Connor at the flat.
34:13Maybe they can show me pictures of all the black cab drivers in London.
34:16Babe, it's thousands of them.
34:17I don't care, I'm sure I'd recognise him.
34:20On my jeans.
34:21When I dropped the drink that he gave me, there'll be some of that on them.
34:24On my top.
34:25They were sick on it, so if they test that, they can find out what he drug me with.
34:27I think we just need to leave it to the police now.
34:29They're going to know the best way to go about these.
34:31Yeah, they don't seem to have much urgency about them.
34:33Well, I mean, is there any chance you've got things mixed up in your head because you...
34:39What?
34:41Because of what?
34:43Because you took coke.
34:46How do you know I took coke?
34:47I just put two and two together.
34:50I mean, the police didn't say it in that many words, but I just assumed from how they spoke...
34:54Fucking bastards!
34:55I can't believe they talked to you about that!
34:56It was just a little because Frankie had fucking on and on at me!
34:59Look, I told them I've never seen you do coke.
35:01That was private information!
35:02Well, hang on.
35:03Jack's my son too.
35:06Meaning what?
35:06You're breastfeeding.
35:07So what...
35:08Why would you do coke?
35:09Because I'm a shit mum, obviously.
35:11I'm not saying that.
35:12Look, I told you.
35:12I pretty much stopped breastfeeding.
35:14But okay.
35:14I shouldn't have had any.
35:15I don't know why I did.
35:16I fucking hate myself.
35:17I'm a shit mum.
35:18No, that's not what I'm saying.
35:19I'm just saying...
35:21Maybe that made you go a little bit weird.
35:25Do you know what made me go weird?
35:28Test and see if I had HIV.
35:30Or fucking syphilis.
35:32Or worrying if I'm fucking pregnant.
35:34Pregnant?
35:35Wait.
35:35What are you?
35:38They gave me something.
35:40She looks at him miserably.
35:43All the tests were negative.
35:46That's good.
35:47Yeah, I could say that.
35:48No, I mean...
35:49I mean like...
35:50Because there may be...
35:52And I'm only saying maybe.
35:53But maybe that means that you weren't assaulted by him.
35:57But I was.
35:58Yeah, but I just keep thinking.
35:59If he did do something,
36:00why would he drive you to a police station?
36:01Stop fucking saying if!
36:03Now she's standing outside the flat with Jack and Connor.
36:07Please, Sarah, look.
36:08Just stay a couple more nights until it calms down a bit.
36:10It's not gonna calm down a couple of nights.
36:12Sarah.
36:14It's daytime and she storms off down the street,
36:17pushing Jack in his pram as Connor watches helplessly.
36:21Sarah!
36:23Now she's hanging washing up on a line in a garden bathed in sunshine.
36:27She looks utterly deflated and tearful.
36:31Jack's in his pram nearby.
36:37Sorry, love.
36:40Gotta be quiet, haven't I?
36:42She goes over to him.
36:44She's got lots of my mind.
36:47Grown up stuff.
36:49Sorry I'm such a misery.
36:52Tell you what.
36:54How about this?
36:56Ready?
36:56She does a forward roll over a blanket on the grass.
36:59Sarah!
37:00How's that?
37:02Okay, what about this?
37:05Then she does a cartwheel.
37:07Sarah!
37:08Is that better?
37:11More?
37:12Okay.
37:14She's about to launch into another cartwheel.
37:17Oh!
37:18Who's that?
37:20That doesn't count by the way.
37:23Leaving brown-eyed Jack in his pram outside, Sarah heads to the door.
37:28She opens it, spying an awkward-looking Frankie waiting there.
37:32He smiles sympathetically, then pulls her in for a hug.
37:37She closes her eyes, looking emotional as he holds her.
37:42Now in the garden with Jack.
37:44You know, they told me they did have the taxi driver's name.
37:47And then they said he gave them a false name and address, and they finally told me last week.
37:51Except nobody took his details at the station that night.
37:55I can't believe how crap they are.
37:58Well, I'd recognise him. And Mike would.
38:00We had a big chat with him before you got in, when we were paying him.
38:03Paying him?
38:05Yeah, I gave him 20 quid.
38:07What?
38:09He told me he was taking me home for free because he'd won some money that night.
38:12He'd even lied about that.
38:15Surely there must be some CCTV of his cab from the police station.
38:19That's why I keep asking, but they just don't seem interested.
38:22Whereas they've mentioned about 50 times what they've been called keen in my system.
38:27I'm so sorry about that. I'm such a twat.
38:29It's my fault.
38:31I should have said no one's stuck to it.
38:33Hello.
38:34Um, yeah, DC Stevens.
38:35It's Sarah Adams.
38:37Hi.
38:37Yeah, I do need to talk to you quickly.
38:38I'm with my friend Francis Peacock, who was with me the night it happened.
38:41And him and another friend, Mike Rafter, spoke to the taxi driver.
38:44And Francis Frankie says that they would both be able to identify him.
38:48Look, Sarah, you've got to let us do our job.
38:50I know it's frustrating, but we are doing everything we can.
38:53Did you talk to Billy Houghton, the young guy that lives at 17 Walgate Road, who also got a good
38:56look at him?
38:57I'm sure we will get to all of them in due course, but for the time being...
38:59Will you? Because it just feels like you've lost interest in everything.
39:03I can assure you that's not the case.
39:05It just, it feels like you don't believe me.
39:08I'm really sorry that it feels like that.
39:11Hi, yeah, it's Francis Peacock, the guy she just mentioned.
39:14I'm more than happy to come in and talk with you about the conversation I had with the taxi driver.
39:18What's the fucking point?
39:21Right, yeah, I'm going to have to go because she's really upset.
39:26Guys, what's the point?
39:28Sitting with Frankie on a riverbank scattered with autumnal leaves, she rests her head on his shoulder as he comforts
39:34her.
39:353rd of June 2003, at the station.
39:38All right, Spencer, what have we got?
39:40No DNA from her swabs and nothing on her clothing.
39:42It's not unusual, it just means he probably wore a condom.
39:45Toxicology?
39:46Trace cocaine, but alcohol, 260 over 100, which is pretty high.
39:51Any other drugs, sedatives, anything we've seen before in cases of date, right?
39:55That all came back negative.
39:56I mean, we did find Citalopram, which is actually an antidepressant, and a little bit of codeine and morphine,
40:01but all the levels you'd expect from over-the-counter medications.
40:04All right.
40:06Thanks, mate.
40:083rd of September 2003, Sarah's sitting alone on a bench in the dim light of day, looking thoughtful.
40:14She hears her phone buzzing.
40:20Hello?
40:20Hello, it's DC Paul Stevens.
40:22Yeah, hello.
40:23Sorry for the delay in calling you, it's been very busy.
40:25Right.
40:26So, first thing to say is that all avenues were explored.
40:31But did you speak to Billy Houghton and Frankie Peacock and Mike Rafter?
40:36I did visit the nightclub you attended, and I established that the area outside is covered by CCTV,
40:40but when I reviewed it from the camera angle, it wasn't possible to identify the cab picking you up.
40:47Right, what about when he dropped me off the police station?
40:49Uh, the forensic samples taken from you came up negative except for the presence of alcohol and cocaine,
40:55and the medical examination conducted upon you found no evidence to cooperate your research and that you were sexually assaulted.
41:02All right.
41:03Therefore, uh, in light of all of this, I do have to tell you that our investigation is being closed
41:07down.
41:10You know, it feels like you're calling me a liar.
41:12Like, what about the bruises on me? I asked to come in so you could take proper pictures of them.
41:16I believe something may have happened to you that night, but I do not believe that you were raped.
41:20Is it possible you had sex with one of the men you were out with?
41:24They were all gay.
41:25You must bear in mind that you were over the drink drive limit, and this will affect your recollection of
41:30events.
41:31You didn't even find out where he was, did you?
41:33I can tell you that the details of your case will be kept on file at central office.
41:37If you would like to come and collect your clothing and possessions, I can arrange for somebody to hand them
41:41over to you.
41:42No.
41:43No?
41:44No.
41:45You're gonna need to hang on to them, because one day you're gonna need them as evidence when you realise
41:48you were wrong about me.
41:51She slams her flip phone shut and rests her chin defeatedly on her hand before shaking her head incredulously.
42:00Still perched on the bench in the leafy park where she's been with Jack, she looks close to tears.
42:11Daylight seeps in through a kitchen window above a sink, where a tall man is hunched over a black laminate
42:17worktop nearby.
42:18Packets of various pharmaceutical drugs are by a blue plastic bag full of bottles, and he's crushing up pills in
42:26an ashtray using a metal spoon.
42:31Having mixed them together, he scoops out the powder onto the worktop.
42:37Now it's night time, and scenes of revellers, some a little worse for wear, drift past a blurry car window.
42:44Colorful neon lights illuminate the street.
42:47The driver's in his black cab.
42:48DC Stevens' voice echoes.
42:52If a licensed black cab driver is involved in sexual attacks on women, then this represents a real risk to
42:58the community.
42:59However, the facts of the case do not support this.
43:02The actions of the cab driver, witnessed by police, appear to be those of a responsible, law-abiding individual.
43:09In addition, the woman's loss of consciousness is consistent with the alcohol and cocaine she consumed given her recent abstinence.
43:17The risk is therefore low.
43:20Now a young white woman with long curly copper hair is in the driver's cab.
43:26Good night.
43:27She looks up from her phone.
43:29You look like you've enjoyed yourself.
43:31Oh, yeah.
43:32Erm, it was just to catch up with friends.
43:35Male or female?
43:36Female.
43:36I was gonna say, if it was a fella.
43:38What a lucky guy he is.
43:40The blue bag full of bottles is by his feet.
43:44I've had a great night tonight myself.
44:06The blue bag full of bottles!
44:08Have fun!
44:09Yeah!
44:20See you then!
44:21Having HolčæäøŖ
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