Original subtitles

I can't wait to see everyone.

Me too, and our new form teacher. I wonder who it will be.

- Are we nearly there? - Not far now.

I can't wait to show them all my frock.

Why are you wearing that dress, Gwen?

I can smell the sea.

Daddy, is the car supposed to be making that noise?

No, it's not.

Better pull the old girl over.

It's the carburetor.

Are we stuck?

No... it just needs to cool down, then we can be on our way.

Gwendoline, come. You should learn how this works.

Car mechanics? I don't think so.

I'm a lady now, you know.

You still look like a girl to me.

Afternoon.

Goodness.

Doesn't that lad ride well?

He's a good-looking chap but I can't stand horses

or horsey types.

Oh, to have had a son.

Welcome, girls.

Now I'm delighted to have you back.

It's lovely to be back.

Mr Lacey.

Miss Grayling is waiting for you in her study.

Why is your father meeting Miss Grayling?

Is everything all right?

Well, I wasn't supposed to say anything.

- But... - What is it?

The reason we were driving in

and the reason we were able to pick you two up en route

is because Daddy has a meeting with Miss Grayling

- about being on the board. - The what?

The board of governors.

A group of people that advise Miss Grayling...

And helps her to run the school.

- Daddy is going to be... - There you all are!

Gracious, Gwen, what you wearing?

- Well, actually, it's from... - We missed you all on the coach!

Such a shame Sally has the mumps.

I heard she won't be back for weeks.

- But I've promised we'll write. - And to Alicia too.

Just think...

while we're studying equations and the pluperfect

she'll be practising toe loops and axels on a Canadian ice rink!

It's a super opportunity for her.

I couldn't do it, though. I'd miss you all more than anything.

Heavens, who's that?

Our new form mistress, Miss Johnson. She met us off the train.

Doesn't she look marvellous?

I must offer to show her around.

No need, Gwen, she's been here all hols.

Well, it's polite to say hello, at least. Don't wait.

Well, we know who Gwen's going to be silly over this term.

Miss Johnson, good afternoon.

Gwendoline Mary Lacey, at your service.

Hello, Gwendoline.

Perfect timing. I was just looking for a sixth-former

to help with these books. Would you mind?

A sixth-former?

- Well... - Gwen is in the third

Miss Johnson. Your form.

Inside, young lady, into your school uniform

and take off that...

hat?

"A sixth-former."

It feels so strange without Alicia and Sally.

It means we don't have a head of form.

Or anyone to play tricks.

Ellen's chemistry set looks promising.

Sorry.

Isn't it the best?

I saved and saved for it.

I so want to be a chemist.

So, can you make clouds of smoke or stink bombs or...

Girls.

Health certificates, please.

- Is Wilhelmina not here? - Who?

The new girl. Darrell, you must help her settle in.

She has never been to school before.

Did she have a governess like me?

No, I believe she had a tutor. Along with her seven older brothers.

Seven? What's she like?

All I know is she is bringing her horse to school.

How?

There will be some poor groom riding over with it

I shouldn't wonder. Very la-di-da.

Thank you.

Irene, please tell me you have your health certificate with you.

It's here somewhere, Matron, I promise.

Irene, will you ever change?

Come on, they'll be ages. Let's go outside.

Go and have a look in your trunk, please.

Linnet.

Dunlop.

Have a good rummage in there.

Don't throw things everywhere.

Look at the state of it.

Go and pick it up.

- Hello? - Crikey!

You scared the living daylights out of me.

Ron. When did you start working in the stables?

I got a promotion over the break. I'm really chuffed, but...

But what?

There's something odd about this place.

What do you mean?

Things being moved when no one's here.

Noises when I think I'm alone.

- The horses are restless. - What could it be, do you think?

This the third-form stable?

Yeah, that's right.

Wait, we saw you on the road. You passed us in the broken-down car.

Give me a horse over horsepower any day.

I'm Bill.

This is Thunder.

I'm Darrell, this is Ron and Ellen.

Are you the new girl's groom?

What's she like?

I'd say she's a pretty decent sort.

Not too hoity-toity?

I've never heard anyone say that about her.

Matron said she's a bit "la-di-da," so...

Your matron's never met her though and I see her all the time.

Will you be staying? There are other boys who work here.

It's not so bad.

They're jolly nice girls, mostly.

Well, I hope so. I'll be joining them.

What do you mean?

Wait, you're not... are you?

- Afraid so. - You're the new girl?

Guilty as charged.

But I thought your name was Bill.

Short for Wilhelmina.

- I'm so sorry. - Don't worry.

I'd rather be taken for a boy

than have to faff around with appearance

like some girls I've seen.

If that means I don't fit in, I'm fine with that.

I think you'll fit in just perfectly.

Everyone, this is Bill. Our new girl. Short for Wilhelmina.

Hello, all.

Hello, I'm Jean. This is Mary-Lou.

- Hello. - Hi.

- Irene. - Welcome.

- Hi. - And Gwen.

What has someone done to your hair?

I like it like this.

And is that horse I can smell?

Nice, isn't it?

I've brought up Thunder's blanket for my bed.

That way, any time I'm missing him, it's like he's right there.

Try it, it's heavenly.

Keep that filthy thing away from me

and you have horsehair all over your clothes.

That's funny. Only a few hours ago

you thought Bill was a "good-looking chap."

This is the boy from the road?

Come on, you're next to me.

Irene Edwards, has that health certificate materialised?

You must be Wilhelmina.

Change out of those jodhpurs immediately.

- You're due to see Miss Grayling. - But I only have...

You cannot go like that. Change now.

If you're sure.

Irene!

But, Daddy, you must accept.

I'm in the area until tomorrow.

If I decide I have space alongside my other duties

I shall return and confirm with Miss Grayling.

My father, head of the Board of Governors.

Wouldn't it be marvellous?

If I do...

can you do something for me?

Can you really commit to life here this term?

Finally take full advantage of everything

the school has to offer.

What do you mean?

Muck in.

There's far more to you than just your looks, Gwendoline.

Become the sort of girl that Malory Towers can be proud of.

Less preening, more action.

Do you think you can manage that?

Of course, I can.

That's my girl.

Carry on.

Come in.

- You wanted to see me? - Oh, good evening, Wilhelmina.

What are you wearing?

Miss Grayling, I...

Wilhelmina, pyjamas are not appropriate.

I did try to say.

You insisted no jodhpurs but my trunk's arriving later.

I only have my night things with my pyjamas, and nothing else.

Perhaps it's worth hearing her out next time, Matron.

Well, when she learns to speak like a young lady

perhaps I will.

It must be strange.

Being away at school for the first time.

I'm sure your tutor didn't expect you to wear a uniform.

My jodhpurs were my uniform.

So, sit down and tell me all about this horse of yours.

But what we didn't know

is the very stable where Bill is keeping Thunder

was one and the same place

where Lady Jane's highwayman, Fast Jack

stabled his horse, Lightning.

So his horse was Lightning and mine is Thunder.

But legend has it, on stormy nights

you can still hear Lightning whinnying

in the darkness for her master.

Be quiet, Darrell. It's lights out.

Gwen, you're not head of form.

No, but I'm going to be the daughter of the head of board of governors.

So the sooner you start listening to me, the better.

I don't think what one's father does matters one jot in this dorm.

Well, you would say that, when none of your fathers were asked.

Good morning. I'm Miss Johnson.

Hello, I'm Darrell Rivers.

Good morning, Mary-Lou Linnet.

We met earlier.

- I don't think so. - Good morning.

- Morning. - Morning.

I'm Gwendoline Mary Lacey.

You thought I was a sixth-former.

How could I have made that mistake? Such a sweet schoolgirl.

Good morning, girls.

I'm glad you've all met your new form teacher.

Miss Johnson is joining us from Harpton Hall.

- Good morning, Miss Johnson. - Good morning, Miss Johnson.

Delightful to meet you all.

As some of you know, Sally, our head of form

will be away for some weeks.

So I'd like one of you to step in as acting head in her absence.

About time.

Perhaps you could all nominate someone you agree on.

- Jean, you'd be perfect. - Yes.

- Is that a universal decision? - Yes, absolutely.

A very suitable choice.

That is, if you're prepared for this responsibility, Jean.

I'd be proud, goodness.

I'll do my very best.

Excellent.

With that arranged, I'll leave you to it, Miss Johnson.

Now, everybody, get yourselves sat down, please.

Cripes. Have lessons started already?

Wilhelmina.

I didn't know girls were allowed in the stables first thing.

I needed to feed Thunder and muck him out and change...

Malory Towers does have grooms and stable boys.

Next time, be back in time for the start of class, please.

If I could wear my jodhpurs to class

it'd much be quicker and much more comfortable

- than a dress... - Correct uniform, Wilhelmina

or it will be an order mark for you.

What's an order mark?

They're like warnings before a punishment.

Each order mark a class gets get tallied up

and if we get lots, we all get punished.

What?

Even if you had nothing to do with whatever was done?

But that's daft. It doesn't make sense.

Wilhelmina, take a seat here.

You'll be sitting some tests, so we can see what level you're at.

Wilhelmina.

Oh, sorry. No one uses Wilhelmina.

I'll know it's me you want if you call me Bill.

In future, Wilhelmina, please pay attention to all I say

and I shall not need to address you by any name at all.

As for calling you Bill...

don't be impertinent.

Can I really not ride till after tea?

Your laundry, girls.

And, Wilhelmina, I will thank you not to slip your saddle blankets

in with the laundry. Horsehair everywhere.

But I didn't.

It's yours that's been washed, all right.

I don't understand.

How did it get into the laundry basket?

Not by itself, that's for certain. Who would do something like that?

It doesn't smell of Thunder anymore.

That was the point.

Gwen, how could you? You've upset her.

Well, her stinky blanket was upsetting me.

Go and find Bill and apologise.

I was doing Wilhelmina a favour.

Apologise.

Bill.

I'm so sorry about Gwen. Are you very upset?

It's fine, I'm just swapping the blankets round.

Thunder can have this one back

and I'll take this one. It's nice and horsey still.

Come on, let's get back in.

No one's supposed to be in the stables till after tea.

I thought you said no one was supposed to be here.

Only me.

Cripes, we thought you were an intruder or something.

I came to check things over.

Thought I heard an engine.

I hope it's not horse rustlers, casing the joint.

Horse thieves?

What was that?

- I told you. - What do we do?

Only thing we can do if it's horse thieves. Scare them off.

Gwen?

My hair!

I'm sure, I do hope everything goes well in your new role.

- Daddy? - Gwendoline, what on earth?

It was Darrell Rivers and that new girl.

They made me fall in the manure.

How does somebody make you fall, Gwendoline?

Did they push you?

Not exactly. They surprised me.

Daddy, why are you back?

Does this mean you've accepted the role?

I have.

- That's wonderful news. - Wait, Gwendoline.

Those two girls just left you like this?

I told them to leave me.

I didn't want any more of their help, thank you very much.

Oh, Gwen, when I told you to "muck in"

I didn't think you'd take it so literally.

It's not funny, Daddy.

I'm completely covered and it...

- it's simply horrid! - Oh, come on, Gwen.

It's just a bit of dirt.

Grow a sense of humour.

Sorry, a bit of unpleasantness.

She'll be all right.

You girls shouldn't be at the stables all hours of the day.

Look what happens when you are.

Actually, if anything, we need to be there more often.

What do you mean?

Ron the stable boy said he heard noises

when the stables were supposed to be empty.

We're worried there might be horse thieves about.

That's very unlikely.

I really wouldn't give it another thought.

But if there are...

There are more important things to focus on.

Wilhelmina, having reviewed your test results

I'm afraid it's clear you're rather behind.

I'm a fast learner.

It'll be extremely hard for you to catch up.

I don't think I'm that bad.

I'm afraid I disagree.

Your tutor clearly spent far too much time...

focusing on your brothers.

Action needs to be taken.

What "action"?

I think you'd be better suited to the second form, for now.

You're sending her down a year?

The work will be more appropriate

and she'll still be able to see you and the other third-form girls.

No, you can't do this.

This is not a decision for you girls.

But...

But first and second-formers can't have a horse at school.

If Bill goes down a year, Thunder must go home.

What?

No.

I'm afraid the decision has already been made.

- Bill... - If my horse is going home...

- so am I. - You can't.

I'd love to stay here with you all

but I can't bear to be at Malory Towers without Thunder.

Go to Miss Grayling, explain things.

It worked for me last year.

Speaking to Miss Grayling will do you no good.

As a governor's daughter

I get all the information from the top.

- And? - Either you accept going down a year

or you leave, and I don't mind which.

That wouldn't be fair and Malory Towers is fair.

Miss Grayling is brill, she'll understand.

Come on. Let's go to her study together.

We have to speak up for ourselves. This is wrong.

So, as first days go, yes, it's been...

Come in.

Miss Grayling, we wanted to...

Go on.

I'm not sure if Miss Johnson's told you, but...

she says that Bill, Wilhelmina, must go down a year.

That's not unusual.

And sometimes it's kindest

when a girl needs time and space to catch up.

But what about Thunder?

If she must go down a year

can't you make an exception and allow her horse to stay?

But what would I say to the other second-formers then...

whose horses are still at home?

Would that be fair?

I could never have come if I'd known Thunder couldn't be with me.

Miss Johnson...

can you see a way through this muddle?

Perhaps I can.

Wilhelmina...

what if I gave you extra tuition

so you could keep up with third-form work?

And I could stay in the third?

- Would you really? - I would.

But in that case

there will be extra work to do so you will have less time

at the stables at the end of each day.

Are you prepared to accept that?

Yes, yes! Anything to keep Thunder.

Thank you so much, Miss Johnson, you're a sport.

Miss Grayling, thank you.

I'd better hurry now to see Thunder, while I have the chance.

You were right.

Speaking to Miss Grayling was exactly the thing to do.

Darrell.

Yes?

Miss Grayling's told me about your word blindness.

I know you've had some challenges too.

I'm honestly much better than I was.

I don't doubt it.

And I know she's worked hard with you

but Miss Grayling needs to focus on leading the school this term.

I see.

So, how would you feel about staying after class to do extra work with me

alongside Wilhelmina?

You'd have to forgo some of your freedoms, of course

but it will be in your best interests.

I... I suppose so.

That sounds like a good idea. Thank you.

Am I allowed to feed him?

Here.

Thanks...

- for everything today. - It's nothing.

It's not.

He likes you.

He wants to be friends.

I've never had a horse friend before.

I've never had a human friend before.

Come back to the dorm.

There's lots more human friends just waiting to be made.