Original subtitles

I can't believe we're about to start our final term.

It's not long till the Higher Certs.

Still have so much to get through before these exams.

- And we just spent our last holiday together.

- Soon there'll be no more playing pranks, no midnight feasts

and no more days on the beach together.

- Well, thank heavens, I'm off to finishing school.

Exams are no concern of mine!

- My mother went to finishing school.

Sounds like a bore, if you ask me.

- Well, you would say that, wouldn't you?

- Come down, five minutes, tops.

And then we can go to breakfast.

- You too, Gwen.

- No, thank you.

- You won't have this at finishing school.

- You won't have friends like us.

- I'm hardly dressed for paddling.

- Well, if you two won't join us...

- You wouldn't?

No! - Bill!

Stop splashing!

- Stop! - Help!

- We're coming!

- LAUGHTER

SCREAMS

- We are Malory Towers!

- I'm heading straight to the library.

No distractions today.

- Darrell!

- Oh, Felicity! I've missed you!

Did you enjoy your holiday?

- Yes, June and I had the most fun!

- I slept in your room. I hope you don't mind.

- Of course not!

Clarissa, Susan, Josephine, how was your journey?

- Daddy let me travel by train.

It was most thrilling.

- She insisted we play 20 Questions the entire way here.

- Nancy!

- I'm so happy you're back!

- Welcome back, girls.

Unpack and head to the dining hall for refreshments.

Darrell, a quick word.

- Yes, Miss Grayling?

- I wonder, can you organise an activity for the third form, please?

Get the sixth involved, too.

Something fun but educational.

Is there a problem?

- Not at all. Leave it to me.

- Thank you.

- So much for no distractions.

- We'll think of something. Come on.

- I was hoping that you might be able to ask my father to sign that for me

in the governors' meeting today.

It's my application for finishing school.

- Is finishing school really the sort of challenge you that you need?

- I don't want to be challenged.

Thank you.

Could I have some sugar, please?

Besides, my mother's always wanted me to attend.

It's very important to her that I find the right man to marry.

Thank you. One more.

- And what is important to you?

- Erm, may I?

- Marriage and starting a family are great commitments.

And as for challenges go,

Mr Parker will tell you, babies are hard work.

- One step at a time.

- You're a bright girl, Gwendoline.

I do wonder...

..if you should explore other opportunities?

Ones that could broaden your horizons,

perhaps give back to others.

- Well, you grew up at Malory Towers and you stayed here.

- Ah.

I have travelled in my time.

Worked away from here.

During the Great War, I was a Wren.

- You were in the Navy?

- Yes.

It was my way of showing support for my country and doing what I could.

And with your determination,

I just think you have such great potential.

- Oh, thank you,

but I do think it would be unfair on my parents for me

to change my mind now.

- Ah.

Well, if it's been decided, who I am to argue?

But it is your responsibility to get your father to sign this,

and once he has done so, I will add my signature.

And I don't mean to alarm you -

the deadline is quickly approaching

and you wouldn't want to miss it.

- I have no idea what activity to do for the third form.

Being Head Girl is such an honour, and I love it...

- I sense a "but" coming.

- I have no time for myself

and I need every spare minute I can to revise.

- Well, let's get some help.

Girls, any suggestions for an afternoon activity?

- Erm, lacrosse?

- A cookery class?

- No, thank you!

- What about a spelling competition

like the one you did in Canada?

- A Spelling Bee?

That's a great idea!

A round-robin competition for spelling.

It's super fun, and it's educational.

- Felicity, you're top at spellings. Let's do that.

Thanks, June. I'll let Mr Parker know and set up the hall.

- Great. We'll gather the troops.

- Spelling? Won't Darrell struggle with her word-blindness?

- Oh, that's behind her now.

She's spent years learning strategies. Don't worry.

- Father, I need you to sign this.

- Good afternoon to you, too.

What is it?

- My application for finishing school.

- Not now, Gwendoline.

Miss Grayling and the others are waiting for me.

- If you don't sign it now, then I'm going to miss the deadline!

- You haven't written a single word.

You require a personal statement, alongside a recommendation

from a board member or former attendee

of an accredited finishing school.

I'm not putting my name to something that's incomplete.

- But, Father...!

- We'll discuss it later.

BELL RINGS

- Participants, please take your seats.

- I'm just going to check on Mary-Lou.

- Mary-Lou!

- Gwen, you here to join us?

- I need to borrow Mary-Lou. You must come with me at once!

- But the Spelling Bee's about to start.

- I wouldn't ask if I wasn't desperate!

You need to help me with my form.

- I can't just leave. - Darrell...

..you know that I'm not one to plead, but you would be doing me

a great favour if you were to let Mary-Lou off her duties.

- It's up to Mary-Lou.

- That is very noble of you, Darrell.

Let's go, we haven't got much time!

- Gwen!

- BELL RINGS

- Right, let's run through the rules.

You will each take turns to spell out a word aloud,

which you will need to state letter by letter, clearly and distinctly.

Incorrect answers will result in immediate elimination.

No consulting with one another, and the last girl standing wins.

Understood?

- ALL: - Yes, Mr Parker.

- EXCITED CHATTER

- We should mention that I'm Deputy Head Girl

and list my responsibilities.

- Which are? - Erm...

Er...

Well, sometimes...

What does Darrell do?

- Well, you can't lie.

How about, "I support the Head Girl when required"?

- That's lovely!

Shall I mention that I'm fluent in French?

They'll like that.

- Erm, maybe stick to your strengths.

Needle-work, directing the school play.

- Yes! That should impress them!

Now I just need to think of a recommendation.

- Didn't Bill say her mother went to finishing school?

- Yes! I must find her.

- What about your personal statement?

- You just continue making notes,

and I will finish it afterwards.

Be back in a jiffy!

- BELL RINGS

- Incorrect, I'm afraid.

Clarissa, please take a seat with the rest of your class.

Alicia.

Alleviate.

- A-L-L-E-V-I-A-T-E?

- Correct.

- APPLAUSE

- Darrell.

Parallel.

- Pa...ra...llel.

P-A-R-A-L-L-E-L.

- Correct.

- APPLAUSE

- Sally.

Outrageous.

- I told Felicity you have nothing to worry about.

- What do you mean?

- Your word-blindness.

She thought you'd struggle, but you're acing it with your technique.

- Correct!

- APPLAUSE

- Felicity.

- Go, Felicity!

- Succession.

- S-U-C-C-E-S-S-I-O-N.

- Correct.

- Yes!

- APPLAUSE

BELL RINGS

- Bill.

Bill!

I will never understand why you don't just leave

that up to the stable boys.

- I want to spend as much time with Thunder as I can

before lessons start again.

- Lovely Thunder.

- HORSE WHINNIES

- Isn't he...

..lovely?

- That's Merrylegs.

Thunder's inside.

Anyway, what are you doing here?

- I need a recommendation for my form.

Be a dear and ask your mother to sign it for me, please.

- My mother hardly knows you.

- Well, just tell her that I'm a good friend.

- No, I'm busy.

- Please, Bill, you only live a short ride away.

Doesn't Thunder need to stretch his legs or something?

- Sorry?

- I can't apply without a recommendation

and Father won't sign this until it's complete.

- Honestly, Gwen!

- So, is that a yes?

- All right.

But, seeing as we're such good friends...

..I'll go if you finish mucking out Thunder's stable.

Hmm?

SHE SIGHS

Crikey! You must really want this!

- Incorrect, I'm afraid.

Sorry, Nancy.

- APPLAUSE

- I'll be introducing a timer on these final rounds.

- A timer?

- Now the competition really begins.

- I didn't plan for a timer.

- Will you be all right?

- Yes.

- It's just that you hate being rushed.

Whenever we play board games at home,

she refuses to use the egg timer.

- This is hardly a board game, Felicity.

- But you don't like time pressure...

- I'll be fine!

- Please, stand.

Ten seconds on the clock.

- Ten seconds.

- Just focus on your strategies.

- Ready?

Alicia.

Consensus.

- TIMER TICKS LOUDLY

- C-O-N

S-E-N

S-U-S.

- Correct.

- APPLAUSE

- Darrell.

Quadruple.

- Er...

Q-U-A-D

R-U-P-L-E.

- Correct!

Sally, analysis.

- A-N-A

L-Y

S-I-S?

- Well done, Sally.

Just in time.

Felicity.

Mediocre.

- M-E-D

I-O-C-R-E.

- Correct.

Alicia, pharaoh.

- P-H-A...

- TICKING GROWS LOUDER

- ..R-A-O-H?

- Correct.

- I can't concentrate!

The ticking is so distracting! I hate it!

- Orangutan.

- TIMER TICKS

Orang... Orang...

- O-R-A-N... - Felicity!

That was Darrell's word.

- Sorry, I thought it was my turn.

- Let's take a break.

We'll reconvene in 15 minutes.

- Thank goodness. I need water.

- Did you do that on purpose?

- No.

- I DON'T need your help.

- Darrell, it was a mistake, honest.

I'll get us some drinks.

- Gwen?

What are you doing?

- Erm, Bill has lumbered me with her chores for a minor favour.

- Here, let me help.

I don't know what's worse -

this or the fish that I'm delivering.

- Definitely this!

- So, what's the favour?

- It's a signature for my application to finishing school.

- Finishing school?

- It's an establishment for fine young ladies in Switzerland.

- But you're already at school.

- No, this is different.

I'll learn how to be a fine young woman,

with eligible bachelors falling at my feet!

I'll learn about social graces,

wardrobe management,

how to get in and out of cars.

Erm, how to walk.

It's all about refining oneself.

- Sounds a bit strange, if you ask me,

and you walk perfectly fine.

There's nothing wrong with you.

- That's kind of you to say, but there's always room for improvement.

- Well, I'll be refining myself by going away, too.

I'll be joining the Army

for my National Service.

- Oh.

- Well, I'd better get the fish to the kitchens.

- HOOVES APPROACH

You're still here?

I thought you would've gone the second I left.

- A deal is a deal.

So?

- Well, lucky for you, my mother was home.

- Oh, thank goodness!

- You're welcome!

- Darrell, you're doing that thing with your hands -

when they're clammy and you're nervous.

Are you sure you're all right?

- I said I'm fine!

- Settle down, everyone.

We'll start where we left off.

Darrell.

Exquisite.

- SOFTLY: Exquisite.

Exquisite...

Er... E-X-Q-U

I-S-I-T-E.

- Correct.

- Well done, Darrell!

- APPLAUSE

- Sally.

Conscientious.

- C-O-N

S-C

I-E-N...

- TIMER RINGS

- I'm sorry, Sally, you're out of time.

- APPLAUSE

- Bad luck, Sally!

- Felicity.

Maintenance.

- M-A-I-N

T-E-N

A-N-C-E.

- Correct.

- Well done, Felicity! - Wizard!

- Alicia.

Sovereign.

- Er...

S-O-V...

..R-I-E...

I mean E-I...

- TIMER RINGS

- I'm sorry, Alicia, you're out of time.

- So close!

- APPLAUSE

- It's the battle of the River sisters now.

Come on, Darrell, you've got it.

- Gwen, my personal statement?

- Here, I've finished it.

- Oh, Mary-Lou!

- Just don't forget me when you move to Switzerland.

- I could never.

- Now, go, before your father leaves.

- Father! Wait!

- Gwendoline, what on earth?

- My application, it's finished!

Do you have a pen?

- Truth be told,

I'm not entirely convinced finishing school is the right idea.

I think you should focus on your Higher Cert

and we can maybe apply next year.

- Next year?

Mother is expecting me to go now!

- I'll talk to your mother.

- But you said that I could go.

- No, I said I'd think about it.

- I have worked so hard on this.

- Gwendoline, enough.

There'll be no more talking on the matter.

It... It's for the best.

ENGINE IGNITES

- Species.

- Erm...

DARRELL CLEARS THROAT

S-P-E-C-I-E-S.

- Correct.

Necessity.

- N-E-C-E-S-S-I-T-Y.

- Correct. - Yes, Felicity!

- APPLAUSE

- Phenomenon.

- Er, fe...nom...e...non.

Er...

Sorry, erm...

P-H... DARRELL HESITATES

TIMER RINGS

- Sorry, Darrell, you're out of time.

Felicity, spell the next word correctly, and you'll win.

- APPLAUSE

- Come on, Felicity!

- OVERLAPPING CHEERING

- Liaison.

- L-I—A...

Erm...

- TIMER RINGS

- Out of time! And we're still tied.

Back to Darrell. - Sorry, Mr Parker, one moment please.

That was definitely intentional. - No, I tripped over the letters.

- We both know that's not true!

Sorry, Mr Parker,

Felicity is deliberately trying to lose so I win.

- Why would she do that?

- I just thought...

- What? You don't think I'm capable because of my word-blindness?

- Please, don't... - Can you stop being so condescending?

- Darrell!

- Sorry, Mr Parker,

can you please reset the timer and give Felicity another word?

- I think we should just take a second... - Please!

- If you insist.

Ready?

Right.

Onomatopoeia.

- O-N-O-M-A-T-O-P-O-E-I-A.

- Correct.

We have a winner.

- Congratulations.

APPLAUSE

- Well done!

That was a really tricky word.

- Did your father sign the form?

- Erm... Thank you for helping me.

I really appreciate it.

- Well, you did the hard work -

mucking out and getting manure in your hair!

You deserve to go just for that.

He did sign the form, didn't he?

- Yes, yes, of course!

I had better head to Miss Grayling to get it approved and posted.

- I'll leave you to it.

- I do deserve it.

Charles Lacey.

- Darrell, I'm so sorry.

- I should be the one apologising.

I feel rotten about how I spoke to you like that

in front of everyone. It's just unbearable

to think that you wouldn't want to do your best because of me.

- I was only trying to help.

- But why? I don't mind you winning.

- It's just...

..you seemed so annoyed.

- Yes, at myself!

You were right, working under the timer terrified me, and I panicked.

- Was it your word-blindness?

- No, it's not just the words any more.

I just need time to think.

What happened today has me worried about my exams.

If I panic again, it's over.

- That won't happen.

- No matter how hard I revise,

it doesn't make a difference if I'm against the clock.

I should just give up.

I don't have what it takes to be a doctor, clearly.

- Darrell!

If Mother and Daddy could hear you right now they'd be so upset.

- I'd rather be honest than disappoint them later.

- That's nonsense!

You managed your word-blindness.

You'll find a way to manage your exams, too.

You just need to use different strategies.

I don't know, maybe use an alarm clock to revise?

- It doesn't quite work like that.

- You'll find a way. You always do.

- And you.

Just because I'm your older sister,

doesn't mean I always need to come out on top.

You must always try your best,

even if that means beating me, all right?

- Deal.

I won't spare you next time.

I'll beat you at everything!

- Steady on! There's still some things you can't beat me at!

- Like?

- I'm bigger, stronger, and faster than you.

So run!

I'll even give you a head start!

Go!

THEY LAUGH