Original subtitles

Dear Alicia, Malory Towers is very different

with Miss Johnson in charge.

We miss your pranks.

Send us some tricks to have some fun with dull Miss Johnson.

Darrell, have you finished?

Hand it over.

I want to tell Alicia about all the mysterious goings-on

- at the stables. - I've asked her

to send us some tricks.

What if Miss Johnson finds out?

She'd probably expel Darrell, and quite rightly too.

I thought I asked for silence whilst you write your letters.

Jean, you must remember to tell your mother

what fun the dance lesson was.

All right.

Irene, come.

Let me see what you have told your parents.

It's about my music and how I hope to hear

from the conservatoire soon

because that would be just wonderful and...

I can read, Irene.

Sorry.

She's inspecting every letter. I can't let her see what I wrote.

Irene, if you mention order marks

your father will surely worry that you're misbehaving.

Start again.

Ellen.

Darrell, you'll have to write another one. Quick.

Why don't you tell Alicia about the plans you have for your sister?

Good, Ellen. Sensible.

Let's keep our letters upbeat, girls.

Gwen.

Lovely, Gwen. Your father will be thrilled to hear

how well you're doing.

And what do we have from you, Darrell?

You haven't written very much.

I imagine it will be fun to have your younger sister join the school.

If she passes today's exam, of course.

Felicity's been looking forward to coming here ever since I started.

She's been swotting like anything. I'm sure she'll pass.

I expect you to finish your letters during free time, girls

then hand them over to me for posting.

Thank goodness you hid what I wrote.

I can't believe she's censoring what we write.

That is not the spirit of Malory Towers.

I will not let her, I'm going to finish

this letter telling the truth.

I'll find a way to give it to Alicia somehow.

I wish I had a little sister.

Me, too.

I'd tell her how to be and what to do.

That's not really what a big sister does.

Mother says there was no need for another sibling

because I was so perfect.

- Thanks ever so. - Felicity!

Darrell!

It's simply wonderful to see you.

Shame Daddy couldn't bring you himself, of course.

Lucky for me Mr Peters was driving this way.

- How are you feeling about the exam? - I'm so very nervous.

Don't be. You're marvellously clever.

It isn't for a few hours anyway

and we've got some wizard things planned for you.

A tour of the grounds and visiting the horses

and I hope you brought your bathers

- because... - Darrell.

Felicity is here to take an exam that will decide her future.

She can't very well be gallivanting around all day.

But it's ages until the exam

and Matron assured me we could have permission slips.

I'm afraid that the stables and the pool are out of bounds

except to Malory Towers girls.

But Miss Grayling always let us show the new girls around...

She's not at the school yet.

Come, Felicity, I have some prep set up for you

to ensure you do your very best this afternoon.

- We still have tonight. - Oh, yes.

The midnight feast.

Ron? I thought you'd be at the stables.

We wanted to show Felicity the horses.

Ron?

Ellen.

I borrowed Ron's jacket, it's freezing in here first thing.

It suits you.

I've just had a super idea. Mary-Lou, I need your help.

- Hurry up. - We're going as quickly as we can.

- Does it fit? - Yes, but hurry.

Miss Johnson will be waiting.

Thank you for doing my prep, Mary-Lou.

- Pass me your cardigan. - I don't know where I've put it.

- Any sign of Gwen? - Do you really think

- she would tell on us? - She seems to think it's her duty

to tell Miss Johnson every little thing that we do.

Where's her cardigan?

We really need to hurry.

- Is Felicity ready? - Nearly.

Why is Mary-Lou not dressed?

She... she's not feeling well.

Yes, she's developed the most awful tummy upset.

Well, she was fine earlier.

Must be the kippers she had for breakfast.

Kippers?

We had porridge for breakfast.

- You two are up to something. - Of course, we're not.

As head of form, I demand to know what's going on.

Are you all right, Mary-Lou?

I'm fine, honestly. I just need some rest.

Poor you.

Are you sure you shouldn't go and see Matron?

Maybe you should go and fetch Matron.

You know how tetchy Matron gets when you ask her about tummy upsets

but as Mary-Lou said, she just needs some rest.

Okay, I'll give it a few minutes.

I really thought we were for it there...

We'll be fine.

- I'll go help them finish up. - And I'll go get Bill.

See you all down there.

See you in a moment.

We're here.

You took your time. Where's Felicity?

Amazing what a change of clothes can do.

You look just like a Malory Towers girl.

We still need to make sure she's hidden.

I was feeling so nervous before, but

as soon as I put on this uniform, my nerves disappeared.

- I feel amazing. - It really suits you.

As long as Miss Johnson doesn't see Mary-Lou dressed as Felicity

then we might get away with it

and Felicity will have the Malory Towers day she deserves.

Hello again, Felicity Rivers.

Miss Johnson asked me to bring you something

to keep your energy levels up.

She really is so caring like that.

What's wrong with you?

Nervous.

There's no need to be.

Some of the girls at Malory Towers aren't very bright at all

and they passed.

I got top marks of course

but some of the others only scraped by

despite their fathers spending a fortune on tutors.

I'm sure you'll do fine.

Thank you.

And to be perfectly honest

life at Malory Towers isn't always the best.

Some of the girls here can be rotten sometimes

especially Darrell Rivers.

Oh, I know she's your sister

but I imagine you've been on the receiving end

of her sharp tongue before.

Haven't you?

Yes.

Absolutely rotten sometimes.

Swapping clothes?

Crikey, that's a clever trick.

My brothers would be so impressed.

Not that I can write and tell them anything.

Why not?

Miss Johnson is censoring our letters.

She inspects everything we write.

I could post the letter for you.

Miss Johnson isn't inspecting me.

- That's a great idea. - Thank you so much, Felicity.

Problem solving, you're thinking like a real Malory Towers girl too.

We should get back.

Probably shouldn't leave Mary-Lou for too long.

Can't I go for a ride?

Miss Johnson would have a heart attack if she caught you.

Don't worry, I've got something even better planned for you.

When you come to Malory Towers, Felicity

think of me as your big sister.

Stay away from those trouble-makers.

There is one girl who is a decent sort

but she's always hanging around with blasted Darrell.

Mary-Lou is so easily led.

Yes, she can be so silly and naive sometimes.

How could you be so mean?

How could you be so deceitful?

- A tummy upset? - I'm sorry.

I had to keep the secret for Darrell and her sister.

It doesn't make me any less of a good friend to you.

If you were, then you wouldn't have kept this from me.

Where is Felicity Rivers, anyway? She's supposed to be doing her prep.

As head of form, I have a duty to report this.

Please, Gwen, please don't tell Miss Johnson.

It'll get us all in trouble.

Well, I don't want to get you into trouble, Mary-Lou.

You've clearly been forced into doing this by that ghastly Darrell.

It wasn't like that.

I should tell

but I won't say anything about you, Mary-Lou.

You have my word.

But what about the others?

We've found a way to get a letter to Alicia.

We can't let Miss Johnson take away our freedom.

Exactly right. Alicia is your friend

and you shouldn't have to write boring letters about the weather.

We'd better make sure Miss Johnson never finds out.

- She'd hit the roof. - Which is exactly

why we need to resist.

Speaking of which

Darrell and I are taking Felicity swimming.

- Want to come? - I'd love a dip.

Sorry, I'm helping Irene with her prep.

Gwen.

- Where are you off to? - Just getting some air.

You really are all scheming, aren't you?

Well, don't blame me if you all get in trouble.

Again.

Ready, steady.

Best day ever!

It was most curious, Miss Johnson

I saw the two Rivers girls walking towards the pool.

I'm assuming they have their permission slips.

Felicity Rivers is supposed to be prepping

for her exam in the dining hall.

You went in to check on her yourself, didn't you?

Yes, I...

Remember, I have put my trust in you, Gwendoline.

Nobody was in there.

And you didn't think to tell me?

Well, at first, I thought she was in the lavatory.

Then I put down the tray and I saw them both.

I will deal with this.

Please don't tell anyone I said anything.

Please.

You'll smash that exam.

Thanks for the wizard time.

See you later for the feast.

Mary-Lou is in the dining hall. Just go in and change quickly.

Good luck.

If Felicity wasn't in there

you should have come to me immediately.

Yes, Miss Johnson.

Felicity Rivers?

Hello, Miss Johnson.

Mary-Lou just came to wish me good luck.

Thanks for the iced bun earlier, Gwen.

It was my idea.

What was your idea?

To wish Felicity good luck.

I see Mary-Lou has beaten us to it.

Time to go.

Felicity has an exam to sit.

Good luck, Felicity.

Here, take this. It's for good luck.

My lucky coin.

Mary-Lou.

Your dress, is it on inside out?

Oh, silly me. Yes.

It was my fault.

When Mary-Lou was getting ready earlier this morning

I wouldn't let her open the curtains.

Come on, Mary-Lou. Let's get your dress sorted out.

Well done.

We got away with it.

Now, Felicity, if you would turn out your pockets, please.

I know you wouldn't cheat in the exam but it is school policy that I check.

- But... - Now.

- "An awful, old demon", am I? - We didn't mean it like that.

"With pointless and stupid rules that are driving us all potty"?

We just wanted to make Alicia laugh.

At my expense?

I'm sorry.

And as for mysterious goings-on

you girls really do have wild imaginations.

It was my idea to post it.

No, I asked her to. It's my fault.

I am deeply disappointed in both of you Rivers girls.

Once you've finished your exam I shall organise

- for you to return home, Felicity. - But she's supposed

- to stay the night... - No arguments.

You have led your little sister astray.

You're fortunate I'm letting Felicity take the exam at all.

I'm beginning to think that one Rivers girl

would be enough at Malory Towers.

I think I did all right once I'd calmed down.

- Thank Mary-Lou for her lucky coin. - I will. I'm sure you passed.

Even if I did, Miss Johnson might not let me come here.

You heard what she said about one Rivers girl being enough.

If you pass the exam

then it'd be utterly unfair of Miss Johnson

not to give you a place.

Daddy wouldn't stand it, he hates injustice.

In fact, I should tell him and Mother about Miss Johnson

and her silly rules.

How she's taken away your privileges.

Do you think they'd do anything?

I think Daddy would pick up the phone right away.

Darrell, I'll make sure he does.

Thank you.

Miss Johnson seemed jolly suspicious, so someone must have told tales.

And I know who.

Don't look at me.

You said you wouldn't tell.

I saved your skin with your inside-out dress, Mary-Lou.

So maybe next time you could include me in your little pranks.

We can't include you because you're a tattle-tale, Gwen.

Well, if you let me join in, then maybe I wouldn't be, Sally.

It doesn't matter, anyway. thanks to my letter

Miss Johnson might not even let Felicity in. It's all my fault.

Stop that right now, Darrell.

Everything you did today would have been fine

when Miss Grayling was here.

Miss Johnson has changed Malory Towers.

She's taking away everything that makes it special.

Why, Jean, I didn't know you could be so...

shouty.

I'm sorry, but I've had my fill of Miss Johnson, I really have.

If it were up to her, we'd never have any fun.

She would probably ban smiling if she could.

And we can't even tell anyone how ghastly she is.

We'll never get any letters past Miss Johnson.

Not with her seeing every word.

Well, we just have to make every word

as innocent as possible then, don't we?

What do you mean?

"Dear Alicia, I have written you a poem.

I hope you find it cracking good fun.

I call it Malory Towers."

More plotting, no doubt.

Actually, Gwen, Ellen was just reading us

a poem she'd written to Alicia.

"Spring crashes heavenly over our lovely island.

Sweet little irises keep erupting

and proud roses illuminate softly our nook."

What on earth are you talking about?

I thought Alicia might like it.

Ellen, I'm saying this as a friend.

You are very good at science experiments

but this poetry, it really isn't your strong suit.

Well, I, for one, like your poem, Ellen. It's...

It's unusual.

It's more than that.

It's brilliant. It's an acrostic code.

The first letter of each word spells out another word.

So what it actually says is...

"School is...

like a... prison."

Exactly.

That's wizard.

Just wait till you read the second verse.

I meant to say make sure you don't seal the envelope.

Miss Johnson will want to approve what you're all writing to Alicia.

And who can blame her, after how you've all behaved today?

Good luck.

Come.

Oh, what wonderful imaginations young girls have

but on a serious note

I may seem strict with your daughters at times, Mr Rivers

but I couldn't allow Felicity to go swimming

getting cold and wet before taking a very important exam.

And horse riding?

I would never forgive myself if a young visitor to the school

were to become injured.

I still recall Miss Grayling's accident with such anguish.

As for the letter that Darrell gave her sister

I am sure that the feelings were genuine

even if the facts are quite different.

The reality is

if Darrell learns to follow the rules and respect her teachers

she has a bright future ahead of her.

Wonderful.

I will, of course. Goodbye, Mr Rivers.

What did Daddy say?

He asked me to pass on his regards and I put his mind at ease.

Darrell, you are such a spirited girl.

As is Felicity.

Which makes me wonder if it would be better for her

to attend another school.

Sometimes, it can be good to keep sisters apart.

No, no. Please...

You can't turn her down if she's passed her exam.

She did pass, didn't she?

She did.

So you are offering her a place?

Passing an exam is of course very important

but the final decision is mine.

If you want your sister at Malory Towers, Darrell

you must prove that you can follow my rules.

I can and I will.

I can promise you that.

Please, just don't punish Felicity because of me.

You have made me a promise now, Darrell.

Don't break it.

I won't.

For me?

A letter for Alicia and a poem...

Well?

Did she suspect?

Not at all. That code was genius.

Great work, Ellen.

But we really need to be careful from now on.

I made a promise to follow all the rules.

And Alicia still needs to decipher the code.

But we've done it. We've beaten Miss Johnson.

For today, at least.

Miss Johnson's smart, but we're smarter.