Original subtitles

It's too low on the right side.

No. It's too high on the left side.

Careful, girls.

The hundred-yard dash always draws the biggest crowd.

- I hope I can beat my time. - I hope I win.

And beat you.

We'll salute those tall towers

Those golden days as girls

Your clifftop days And your golden hours

Will guide us through Our future years

Hand in hand, we'll lead a legacy

Of promise and vitality

We came here as girls To be women in the world

And we'll do so with prosperity

With Open Day upon us, step forward, all those

whose parents will be in attendance today.

These are your half-term results.

The rest will go out in the post.

We have to give our results to our parents today?

It saves on stamps.

What if I haven't done well?

Then you'll have a jolly awkward picnic.

Don't' fret.

You've worked harder than any of us.

I really have tried.

I can't wait for you to meet my parents.

Mother's bringing cold chicken and pickles for lunch.

Two weeks' rations.

Lucky you.

Lucky us, you mean, we're taking you out for lunch.

- Oh, did I forget to tell you? - Tell me what?

Betty's parents have decided to come.

I'm spending the day with them instead.

She's my best friend, after all.

But what if you joined my family for the picnic

and then Betty's for the concert?

I promised her the whole day.

Why don't you just ask someone else?

Mother so wanted to meet my one particular friend.

It's ever so important to her.

Steam, a spy's best pal

and awfully useful for schoolgirls too.

Your results?

Not bad. At least I won't end up in dreaded remedial.

What's "dreaded remedial"?

It's for girls who aren't up to task.

They give you piles of extra work.

Katherine's cousin did it and she said it was horrid.

Gwen, you're up.

Seems rather underhand.

But technically you're the one doing it, so...

You should ask Mary-Lou to your picnic, Darrell.

Her granny's ill and can't come.

She'll faint with joy if you do that.

You're right, she would be pleased.

You know, I think I will.

Gwen.

Darrell?

I don't want to go behind my parents' back.

And you're right, I've tried hard.

I did my best.

I just want today to be perfect.

You know, we're one girl short.

Helen got whooping cough

and now she sounds like Humphrey Bogart.

Would you sing with us?

Me?

Me!

Oh Mary-Lou. There you are...

I heard your granny isn't coming...

- She's been sick. - Oh, poor thing.

I can't bear for you to be alone.

You must keep with me and Mother all day.

How kind, but I thought I might sing in the concert.

Marvellous!

Don't be silly.

A little mouse like you?

Now, how are you going to wear your hair?

Gwendoline, I really don't think...

Because Mother will notice.

Go upstairs and brush it out.

Take this.

Well, go on.

I look like a French poodle.

Oh, Mary-Lou, I've been searching everywhere for you.

Have you, really?

Sorry to hear your granny can't come.

How would you like to join me and my family

for a picnic on the beach instead?

Oh, yes, oh!

Oh, but Gwendoline wants me to go with her.

What? But she knew I was inviting you.

I would much rather go with you.

Wizard. Go tell Gwen.

I can't. She's going to be so angry.

For goodness' sake, Mary-Lou.

What's happened to trying to be just a little bit braver?

I'm sorry.

You were quite hard on her.

I know, I'm just in a stew with...

My family will think I'm awfully lonely

if I can't find a friend to bring, and Mother will worry so...

At least your family are coming.

Yours aren't anymore?

How would you like to join me and my family?

How sweet. Was I your first choice?

The parents.

Sally, please, I'd honestly love to have you there.

I can't. I'm going for a walk.

You can walk with me and my family.

Alone.

- Sorry. - I'm sorry.

Foolish place to sit.

Shouldn't you be outside with the others?

The parents are here.

Ah, my mother, well, she works long hours.

She works?

I say, would you like to join me and my family?

I'd be delighted.

- Mother. - Darling.

You simply must meet Mary-Lou.

It's so lovely to have a best friend.

Daddy!

Mother!

I've missed you so much. I can't believe it's been six weeks.

We've got a surprise for you.

Felicity!

What are you doing here?

Daddy's got a conference at the Truro Grand this week

so we thought we'd make a weekend of it.

Who's this?

I'm Emily. Good to meet you.

Mother said that Darrell was bringing her best friend.

Are you her?

- I don't quite think I'm her... - Oh, we're all good friends here.

It's lovely to meet you, Emily.

Is that Sally Hope?

I've just had tea with her mother and baby, Daphne.

How strange. She says she doesn't have a baby sister.

But darling, you must have misunderstood.

Sally!

Sally Hope.

Oh, come on, then.

I'll show you all the secrets of Malory Towers.

Everyone agrees I'm a natural on the field.

Pitch.

But I'm not on the team.

What? I'll speak to that Potts woman immediately.

No, no. it was my decision.

I'll join next year, when the others have reached my level.

Right, Mary-Lou?

Now, there's a nice athletic girl.

Let's speak to her.

No, Mother, she's...

Darrell, Darrell!

Mrs. Lacey wants to meet you.

I'm Silvia Louise Mary Lacey.

Gwendoline's mother.

I'm Darrell.

Are you taking part in the athletic display?

Yes, I... One-hundred-yard dash.

Hoping for second, or good third.

Lucky you that Gwen focused on swimming this term instead

or you would have a real race on your hands, hm?

Focused on swimming?

Takes her two hours to get one toe wet.

I beg your pardon?

But she's very good at other things.

Aren't you?

Lovely to meet you.

Now, let's not waste another moment.

To the beach!

- Super. - How lovely!

Oh, Darrell, are these your results?

Don't touch. They're not for you.

I'm the top of my class in French and second in Maths.

And soon I'll be a Malory Towers girl just like you.

And you'll learn that Malory Towers girls don't boast.

I'm sorry, Fee. Come on, our picnic awaits.

Well, of course, I adore their clothes.

If only I could get the fabric to make dresses like theirs.

It seems to me that Margaret may be prettier

but Elizabeth's the one to unite the country.

A woman on the throne.

Queen Elizabeth. Imagine that.

Now, we've covered history, politics, the royal family.

What's left?

What do your parents do, Emily?

Oh, my... my mother's a nurse.

Which hospital? I might know her.

She's at... she's with...

Goodness, I've gone blank.

Are you all right, darling?

Of course.

I'm just nervous about the race.

But you're the best runner in the form.

She's marvellous at lacrosse too.

Darrell's always been good at sports.

Her fire serves her well on the field.

And in the pool, right, Darrell?

She gave the most exasperating girl exactly what she deserved.

Oh, dear.

It wasn't her fault, Mrs. Rivers. You see, poor Mary-Lou

had been dunked under the water and Darrell was...

Emily saw a ghost.

A real one?

I... Yes, I think I... did.

Lady Jane herself.

She visits our dorm room at night...

Mam'zelle's very pleased with me, of course.

Sorry. I must have bitten my tongue when I ate the...

Pickled crab in aspic, dear.

I see.

So wonderful about your French, my darling Gwendoline.

Oh, and top of the class in English too.

Sorry.

So, the window in the dorm room was banging open?

Yes, but I put a ghost trap and it's never been sprung.

Don't worry, Fee. Ghosts aren't real. But it is the mystery.

If anyone can solve a mystery, it's Darrell.

She's like a dog with a bone, that one.

She's certainly determined.

- She works ever so hard at her prep. - Does she?

Oh, yes, I'm sure her results will reflect that.

Felicity, want to skim some stones?

- Yep. - I'd forgotten all about your exam.

Do the marks arrive in the post?

- They... - Oh, Mother they're in...

In the dorm room. I left them there.

Didn't want them getting wet.

Come on Emily, let's go.

Eat your prune flan, dear.

Aids the digestion.

Now, how rude of that girl to make fun of your swimming.

Nobody likes Darrell Rivers.

She thinks far too highly of herself.

She hasn't even got a best friend.

Isn't that right, Mary-Lou?

That's all right. We'll wait.

I have to go.

I can't bear to...

Yes?

...to have my hair in such a mess.

I must go and re-do it.

That's the first sensible thing she's said all day.

Come on, move it!

- Oh, bravo! - Well done, Tabitha.

Don't go "pulling a Sally" on me, now.

I wanna beat you fair and square.

Is it your turn soon, darling?

We don't want to miss it.

I think we'll just have time before our meeting with Miss Grayling.

You're meeting Miss Grayling?

First 100 yards...

Johns, Rivers, Cunningham, Bradley, Winlow.

Come on.

That's it.

Miss Grayling meets the parents of all the new students.

Nothing to worry about.

On your marks, get set...

False start.

Take your places.

Darrell. Do that again and you'll be disqualified.

On your marks, get set...

Go, Darrell!

She won!

Well done, Darrell.

And first place in the hundred-yard dash goes to Darrell Rivers.

Good on you. Giving it your all.

And aren't your parents sensible sorts?

They know that exam results aren't everything.

Darrell.

Darling?

I'm sorry. I am so sorry.

What do you mean? You won. You wonderful girl.

I'm not wonderful.

I lied about not having my results.

I've got them and they're awful.

Miss Potts just said as much.

I'm sure they're not.

Well...

Emily's lovely, but she's not my one particular friend

because I haven't got one.

I just wanted today to be perfect for you

and it's all gone so wrong.

Perfect for us?

Today's about you.

Darling, you go to the meeting, I want to talk to Darrell.

Sorry, I promised that I wouldn't let you down and I have...

And you haven't.

- But I lied to you. - Yes.

And then you told us the truth.

You mustn't be so hard on yourself.

And as for best friends...

do you know, I didn't have a best friend until I was 18?

- Really? - Really.

It can take time to find someone who truly knows you

and truly puts you first.

Four tall towers Teach us how to strive

To be women the world can lean on

Women who will thrive

The games of our girlhood Will stand in good stead

The lessons we learn today Will forge our lives ahead

And with faded eyesight

We'll look back across the years

We'll salute those tall towers

Those golden days as girls

Your clifftop days And your golden hours

Will guide us Through our future years

Hand in hand, we'll lead a legacy

Of promise and vitality...

Don't you have a lovely voice?

To be women in the world

And we'll do so with prosperity

Mother, wait!

I didn't know you had a meeting with Miss Grayling.

That's not the point, Gwendoline.

You've always said results don't matter.

So long as I'm ladylike and pretty.

They matter to your father.

I made this for you.

Look. D-R for Darrell Rivers.

For you to keep all our special things in.

It's so lovely and thoughtful.

Fe, you'll make a wonderful Malory Towers Girl someday.

What did Miss Grayling say?

That you're "talented, spirited, and clever."

She did?

However, your results were lower than expected

so there are some changes to be made.

You'll be sitting away

from a distracting young lady called Alicia.

That makes sense.

And since sport has been interfering with your studies

we've agreed you'll give up lacrosse.

Oh, but I can't, please.

We're so proud of you, darling.

It's just about striking a balance.

Life will always put out obstacles.

You have to find your own way through.

What a day.

Did you hear Gwendoline's dear mama tearing a strip off?

Great job at the race, by the way.

You finished like a rocket.

Darrell?

Look.

Oh, no. Did she put you in dreaded remedial?

No.

There's a blessing, at least.

Imagine all that extra work.

Oh, I can't think of anything worse.

Ever since Miss Potts gave me a talking-to

I've been waking up two hours early to do my prep.

I know there's problem, but giving up lacrosse isn't the answer.

Sport helps me work through my temper.

That's very observant.

What do you propose as alternative?

I'd like to be put in dreaded remedial.

Just "remedial" will do.

I can improve my results, I know I can.

I just need a little help.

It's quite an uncommon request

but I accept your terms.

I'll let your parents know that you'll be continuing with lacrosse.

I won't let you down.

Darrell.

It took a great deal of courage to come to me today.

I'm proud of you.

Thank you, Miss Grayling

but I'm just finding my own way through the obstacles.

Darrell.

Pamela.

Super race today. Simply super.

Oh, thank you.

Miss Grayling's asked me to be your student teacher

for the rest of term.

I've been through the remedial programme myself and now I run it.

You were in remedial?

Yeah, and it really helped.

I hope I can help you half as much.

- I wish I were in remedial. - Oh, Mary-Lou.

Come on. Sit down.

- How was your picnic? - Dreadful.

They made me eat prunes and crab.

Not together, I hope.

Next year, you must come with my family instead.

No fair. I bagsy Darrell next year.

- I told Betty already. - I was going to ask Darrell.

I heard your mother brings pickles.

- Budge up. - You won't fit.

Of course, I will.

You'll all roll on the floor and I'll fit just fine.