Original subtitles

# Did you know I feel old today?

# Unachieved and far away from my own goals

# In my life

# I'm really tired, I should do some work

# I'm uninspired, I can barely talk

# No-one told me... #

KNOCKING

Oh, no.

Miss Walters, I know you're in there.

Oh, no, Tonya, don't answer the door!

Flippin' heck. Morning, love. Is your mum in?

Yeah, what do you want? Never you mind.

Morning, Mrs Walters.

I think you know why I'm here. Oh, nice one, Ton.

Why don't you just offer to make a brew while you're at it?

Are you for real? I was going to come down to the office.

Sorry, love.

Too little, too late.

You've had the eviction notice.

We're being evicted?

Tonya, just go and get dressed, will you?

Now!

Can't we just work something out? I don't think so.

It's not just me you owe.

That's why these lads are here.

They'll be taking goods to the value of your arrears

and I'll be changing the locks.

Been a bit plastic fantastic have we?

Get lost.

What the hell are you doing?

Don't touch that! That's my laptop.

You can't just manhandle my stuff.

There's nothing you want in that drawer.

What are yous doing in my house?

Mum!

Just let 'em take it, Pres.

Mum, what's going on? Look, I've messed up, all right?

I thought we had more time, but they want us out.

What, now?

Pack what you can.

That place ain't worth what he's charging.

He's done us a favour.

Really? Well, what are we going to do with all this stuff?

Where are we going to go? Tonya!

Mum, where are we sleeping tonight? I don't know, all right?

My God. Maybe if you give me five minutes

instead of keep going on at me. I wasn't going on, just asking.

Hey, let's not do this here.

It's not like we've got anywhere else to go.

BOTH: Tonya!

Right, come on, let's find somewhere to stash our bags at school.

Oh, no, Mum. Please!

If I don't go to work, I don't get paid.

Yeah, but how are you going to work

and look for somewhere for us to stay? I will manage.

By the end of today, I'll have sorted something.

Right? Now come on, get your stuff.

That's it, come on. I said I'm sorry.

I just don't understand how you could forget.

I told you we were going back today.

I've not even got a proper ironed shirt.

All right. Well, just wear your jumper.

All right, what do you want from the bakery?

Tell you what, I've got to pick up a package as well while I'm here.

Nothing for me. We're going to be late.

It's you who said you couldn't go without a proper breakfast!

I meant cereal or something. Yeah, well, we don't have any.

Or milk to go with it! Right, I'll tell you what,

I'll do some shopping on the way home, yeah?

How about that? What do you want?

Tommy? You fancy a sausage roll? Yeah.

Yeah? Good boy. I'll get something from school.

Dad, you did remember to put some money on my lunch card,

didn't you? Oh...

Oh, my God! Dad, you need to remember!

I told you about it. You do it on the website.

Izzy, just give it a rest, will you?

You know, I have got other things to think about -

like the inquest that's hanging over me.

I don't need you having a go at me every chance you get.

I'll walk myself to school.

Izzy!

Er, unfortunately the BU is already proving to be popular,

so we have got a new...

Inmate.

..addition this week.

Er, if we are going to fill the place to capacity,

then that classroom is going to need a little bit of TLC.

It's a behavioural unit, not Butlins.

Half the light bulbs have gone, and it's freezing.

Wherever you sit, there's a draught.

Sounds like a good reason not to go there.

OK, Joe, I'm sorry. Everyone, I'm sorry.

You know, we're already a caretaker down since Jeff retired,

plus Rolf is still off sick,

so if you could just bear with me.

OK. Oh, last thing, all being well,

Izzy Charles should be back in school today, OK?

I'm sure we all want to make her feel welcome,

so I am looking for a point of contact.

A staff support.

Er, I'll do it.

I'm happy to do it. Yeah? Brilliant.

No worries. Happy to help.

Thank you, Amy.

OK, that is it.

Have a good day, everyone. And thank you.

Oh, that was good of you.

Oh, well, you know,

I want to get more involved with the pastoral side of teaching.

As long as you're doing it for the right reasons.

What do you mean?

Well, just as long as it's because you want to help Izzy,

not to make yourself feel better about what happened to her mum.

What is wrong with a game of footy? Or cricket?

Or, you know, just a bloody good cross-country run?

But basketball? It's like netball for posers.

Do you think so? Yeah, and it's hardly worth a young lad

ruining his education over.

What's this? Oh!

I'll see you later. Yeah.

Preston Walters.

See, the thing is, ever since you made him captain

of the basketball team, his grades have started to fall away,

and his homework is...

Well, it's late more often than not.

It's the first I'm hearing about it.

Oh, well, now you know.

He just needs to spend a little bit more time hitting the books,

instead of the gym.

Social services rang last night about his mum.

Jamilah's supposed to be here, but she's been called away

on an emergency at another school, so it's down to me.

Cheers.

How do you think he'll take it?

I really don't know.

Would it help to have someone else there?

Yeah.

Cheers, Val.

Oh, God. Poor Danny.

KAI YAWNS I'm knackered, me.

I barely got any sleep, again.

What was that guy going on about? Oh, don't want to know.

Hey.

You know if you did want to go home...

I can't. Yeah, I know.

But if there were a way...

I'm not leaving you on your own in this place. End of.

Well, look at you two in your little uniforms.

Look like a right pair of tossers.

I mean, it's not couture but... I hated school.

Threw me out for hitting one of my teachers in the end.

He was asking for it.

Yeah, well, I'm sure he was, but we've got to go.

Didn't they tell you you're not allowed overnight visitors?

Be out of your ear if they find out.

Yeah, but that's only if someone tells 'em, isn't it?

True.

Nice shoes.

What size are you?

I can't believe he took your shoes.

Right, come on, get your stuff.

I'm not going in school looking like a bag lady. For God's sake!

I've got your stuff. I'll sort it.

And after that?

What? Where am I supposed to go at home time?

Just go to your lesson, Tonya.

And keep this to yourself!

Don't want everyone in school knowing our business!

Oh, babe.

I miss you, baby.

Hey, Izzy.

Glad to be back? How you doing?

Yeah, fine.

Well, I hope you know that it's OK if you're not fine.

That's what I'm here for.

What do you mean? Miss Campbell has asked me to give you

just a little bit of extra support over the next few weeks,

just till you get back into the swing of things.

So, if you've got a problem, or you need to chat,

you can come to me.

How does that sound?

Yeah, great.

Great, OK. So let's check in at break-time,

after your first lesson, see how you're feeling.

I'm looking forward to it.

Do you want me to walk you to registration?

It's fine, Miss. I know where I'm going.

OK. Cool.

Thank you.

Mrs Walters, what's all this?

Er, this is...

We've been having a clear out.

It's stuff for the charity shop.

OK. What is it doing in my school?

Oh, don't worry.

It'll be gone by tonight.

We're dropping it off on the way home.

It's very generous of you.

Well, got to do your bit, haven't you?

Always somebody worse off than you,

no matter how bad things are.

OK, well, find somewhere safe for it,

and make sure you get to class.

Yes, Miss.

Nosy cow.

Maybe we should've taken the day off. Shut up.

Come on, let's get going.

SCHOOL BELL RINGS

KNOCKING

You wanted to see me?

Where are your shoes, Danny?

Er...

It's a long story.

Oh, what size are you?

Nine.

Right, er...

There you go.

Right, they're a 8.5, but they run big.

Was going to start jogging home from work.

Well, now you've got a good excuse not to. Yes.

Well?

Yes, we've got something to tell you.

Miss Omar has been in touch with your mum.

She's in Birmingham.

Birmingham?

Danny, this is going to be really hard for you to hear.

Your mum would prefer not to have any contact with you

at the moment.

Right.

Sorry, mate.

Is she still with him?

Vinny?

Yeah.

Well, I should've known she'd choose him.

Danny, I need you to know, right,

that this is nothing to do with you.

No, Danny...

Right, it's not because you've done anything wrong.

It's your mum's problems and where she is in her life.

That's right.

Well, thanks for the shoes.

Right, should be all right under there for now.

I need this one. Basketball kit.

Right. Er, there you go.

Thanks for being helpful, love.

Unlike your sister.

She's got a point, though.

If we haven't found somewhere to stay by tonight, then...

I'm on it.

Yeah, I know, but...

Look, why don't I go into town?

Get somewhere, an agency - see what we can afford?

I can tell you that already - bugger all. Mum.

Look, the first thing they're going to ask for

is a reference from the previous landlord,

and what do you think that's going to say, eh?

And even if they don't want a reference,

they're going to want the first month's rent and a deposit,

which we don't have either, so...

So, what are we going to do?

Well, I'll call in some favours.

You can go to lessons.

Because if you don't, people will start asking questions.

People like Kim Campbell.

This is my problem, Pres,

and I don't want other people sticking their oar in, OK?

Don't worry, I don't want anyone knowing either.

Oh, you should be in class, young lady.

Playing postman for Guthrie.

Where were you this morning? I was worried.

Oh, I forgot to set my alarm.

Slept in. You idiot.

I know.

See you at break?

Yeah.

OK, so, think about the best staging for your play

and think about how best to engage with your audience.

And remember, theatre doesn't have to be in a theatre.

Er, OK...

Does anyone know what she's talking about?

What is she on about?

Are we supposed to put on a play in the supermarket?

Put it down.

Well, it's theatre, isn't it? There ain't any wrong answers, are there?

OK, OK. Do you need any help?

Izzy, you OK?

Yeah. Fine, Miss.

I'm over here if you need me.

Look at you, little teacher's pet.

Tonya! What? Isn't that a bit...?

I can speak for myself, you know?

Er, put car park down anyway. Car park.

Oh, yeah, what did happen in the car park with you this morning?

You know, the taxi and the bags and that?

Didn't think anybody had seen us.

If you must know, we got evicted this morning.

What? No way.

You all right?

Yeah.

SCHOOL BELL RINGS

OK, next lesson, we go over some past exam papers

and talk about revision.

GROANING

I know.

Exams will be here before you know it.

You'll be thanking me in summer.

Preston.

Still with us?

I wasn't joking about exams.

They're right round the corner.

I know, I'm going to get sorted.

Good, cos you've got a lot on your plate.

Studying, training.

Get your priorities straight.

I'll do that.

You're right.

See you lunchtime.

Basketball practice.

Right, yeah, of course.

I'll be putting you through your paces today.

Glad to hear it, Sir.

DOOR OPENS

STIFLED SOBS

PHONE RINGS

VOICEMAIL: Please leave your message after the tone.

BEEP

Mum?

PHONE BEEPS

BAG ZIPS

What you doing?

What? What's that?

Nothing. Get off.

OK.

What do you want?

So, I just heard that you got turfed out your flat!

Who was...? Who'd you hear that off?

Just some Year Nine's were talking about it in the bog.

It's all over school, P!

Wait, is it true?

Yeah, but we didn't want everyone knowing about it.

Oh, my God. You're homeless, then?

No.

I'm going to sort it.

OK. But, wait, I'm just worried about you.

You can just...

How about I just call my mum and see if she can blow up the air bed?

I just don't know what to do.

It's fine, I'll deal with it. I can help you.

There you are. Don't you ever check your phone?

You know how much I hate waiting around.

Sorry, I've got to go.

Preston, don't just walk away. God's sake, Sam!

Can you just not? Just for today.

I'm sorry you had to spend 20 minutes without me,

but some of us have got actual problems to deal with.

All right?

What's his problem? Don't know, mate.

KNOCKING

Mr Charles, how can I help you?

Er, am I supposed to put money on a card?

Or, like, a website or something?

It's just I can't figure out how to do it.

Oh, it's quite simple, really.

For someone with half a brain, you mean? No.

No, that's not what I meant.

If I can't even...

I-I'm sorry, it's just...

You know, Chlo, she used to sort stuff like this out.

And what's the point of me if I can't even sort

my kids' dinner money out?

Come on, we'll have none of that.

You're not the only one. I have at least one parent in here a day

who can't make sense of it.

Everything OK?

Do you want to come through to my office, Mr Charles?

Shall I put the kettle on?

Thanks.

Oh. All right, sweetheart?

What are you doing here?

Yeah, shouldn't you be at school?

Free period.

I've come to ask for a favour, Nan.

Shocker. Er, well, you know you've only got to ask.

Er, not so fast, Mum.

This favour you're after,

is it for you, or our Nicky?

Cos if it's for her, the answer's no.

What do you mean no?

It's only a few nights, Bernie.

FINGER SNAP

Of course the kids as well.

I'm not going to leave 'em on the street, am I?

Hello? Just a minute.

Look, I know it'll be a bit of a squeeze, but...

Right, well, thank you for nothing.

I'll remind you of that when you're ringing me

at five o'clock on a Friday, wanting your roots done.

Yes? Ice.

What about it? Have you got any?

I've got a kid with a twisted ankle.

Right. Well, sorry. I'm on my break.

Fine, I'll get it myself. No!

Kitchen staff only in the walk-in.

Teresa! Hiya, love. It's Nicky. You all right?

Yeah, listen, remember when your car broke down

and I had to come and pick you up from town

with all your Christmas shopping? Wow!

Yeah, and remember you said, if ever I needed anything...

For God's sake! Well, I got evicted from my flat.

Right...

Ooh! Right.

Ice.

Oh, lovely. Well, tell you what, next time

you can get the flipping bus.

DOOR RATTLES

BANGING

What are you playing at?

Hey, I told you not to go in there!

Health and safety!

BANGING

MUFFLED: Mrs Walters, what are you playing at?

Hi.

Look, I get that you and my mum don't always get on.

It's not me. I've always been all right with our Nicky.

Fought like cat and dog since they were kids.

Yeah, and why do you think that is?

Cos she thinks she's something special, her.

A cut above the rest.

And look where it's got her.

It's not just her, though, is it?

There's me and our Tonya.

We're going to end up on the streets.

Well, I'm sorry to hear that, love.

It's not my fault, is it?

Please, auntie Debs. I don't know where else to go.

Last time I saw your mother,

she said some horrible things about me.

She took it a bit too far.

Yeah, she called me a sour-faced cow,

and that weren't even the worst of it.

Well, she shouldn't have said that.

Look, if you're going to stop here,

then I'm going to need an apology off her,

otherwise you're going to have to find somewhere else to go.

All right, I'm sorry.

About what I said at the funeral.

It's fine. Nah, it's not.

I just feel like I haven't said...

..or done anything right since she went.

I'm sure that that's not true.

I mean, I'd completely forgotten that Izzy was coming back

to school today.

I mean that's pretty bloody basic, isn't it?

But it's understandable.

And we were here for her.

I mean, how am I supposed to replace their mum

when I'm not even half a decent dad?

Look, I know it seems and feels impossible now,

but that is grief.

And tomorrow,

or next week,

or even the week after, it will feel just a little less impossible,

I promise.

Yeah?

And how are you going to promise that?

Because I've been there.

I lost my son.

Oh, Kim, I'm so sorry. I didn't even know.

I hope that you know that you are not on your own in all of this.

Nor is Izzy.

Despite everything, you are both still part

of this school community.

And whatever else happens,

I want you to know that, whilst she's here,

Izzy will be looked after.

And heard.

And we won't let her go without her lunch, either.

Thanks.

But it shouldn't be up to you, though.

I need to get my act together.

No, not you. Oh, hey! Hey!

Do you know anything about doors? Sorry, what?

You know, doors? DIY, that kind of thing.

Well, yeah, I've worked as a handyman. Why?

Brilliant. Here, follow me.

Come on, will you?

Follow me.

Can you go and help open up the other canteen? Yeah.

Sorry. Just while I'm sorting this.

Come on.

Miss Walker, hang in there.

I've got somebody here to help.

The fire brigade?

No. No, it's somebody better than that. It's, er...

Donte Charles.

Izzy's dad.

No offence, Mr Charles,

but I would rather you call the professionals in.

Look, maybe she's right.

I've got no idea how long this is going to take me.

The fire brigade, they'd have all the right equipment for it.

And how do I explain a fire engine on the playground?

Look, if it was an accident...

Please! I can't afford to lose this job.

OK. Look, I'm going need some tools, though.

Where's the caretaker?

One's off sick and the other one's retired.

Oh, but their office is just around the main condo.

Right.

Did you hear that? Help's on the way.

Oh, I heard.

And you don't need to worry about your job.

As far as I'm concerned, you have already lost it.

WHISTLE BLOWS

Ah, nice of you to join us.

Sorry, Sir. See, this is what I was talking about this morning.

Yeah, I know, but I had something I had to...

I'm not interested in excuses, OK?

You're the team captain,

you are supposed to set an example.

If that's too big of a responsibility,

just let me know. No, it's not.

It's not, I promise. Prove it.

Come on.

Hey, I heard what happened.

Thought I could help.

How's she doing?

She's gone a bit quiet.

But it's probably cos she's giving me the silent treatment!

Miss Walker? KNOCKING

Miss Walker? Are you OK?

You need to keep talking to us, all right? How you doing?

How bloody well do you think I'm doing?

What was that?

I said, get me out of here!

Right.

Er...

Look, Miss Spratt, what I said on the day of the funeral...

It's completely understandable, given the circumstances.

But I owe you an apology.

OK, apology accepted.

Right, Miss Walker, it's about to get a little bit noisy.

Are you ready? DRILL WHIRS

Mate, I'm about to start eating me bag.

Yeah, watch this. You ready?

Food! Food!

Come on, just do it with me!

Food! Food! Food!

ALL: Food! Food! Food!

Food! Food! Food! Food! Food! Food! Food! Food! Food! Food! Food! Food!

Food! Food! Food! Food! Food! Food!

That's enough. That's enough.

That is enough. Knock it off.

Kelly-Jo.

I'm just joking. What the...?

All right, can someone just tell me what is going on?

No, shut up.

Kelly-Jo, step down, please.

What's going on?

Oh, thank you, Mr Charles.

You all right? I think so.

What the hell are you doing?

I'm trapping your body heat in, Coral.

I've got to get your core temperature up.

I am not a bloody baked potato.

Can somebody tell me why the canteen shutters are still down, please?

And why one of your pupils is hobbling around outside

on a swollen ankle?

I was getting ice for said ankle

when Mrs Walters decided to shut me in the freezer. I didn't...

I told you not to go in there!

Oh, so you thought you'd teach me a lesson?

All right, can we just all calm down, please?

I could've frozen to death.

In ten minutes?

OK, Amy, can you take Miss Walker to the staffroom, please,

and get her a nice warm drink, please?

Put the foil down.

Thank you. I know you've not come here to rescue teachers.

No, it was nice to feel useful again.

OK, right, let's get the canteen open, please,

before we've got another riot on our hands.

And, actually, Nicky,

when you're done with lunch, come and see me in my office.

Nice! Nice, nice, nice!

Uh!

Have you got a problem with me?

It's you that's got the problem. What are you on about?

You keep falling over your own feet. Or maybe it's your shoes.

Preston?

What the hell you doing? Get your head in the game!

Ouch! That's got to hurt.

What did you just say?

Say it again.

WHISTLE BLOWS

All right, that's enough.

Hit the showers.

Preston, what the hell is going on?

PRESTON SIGHS For the last time, nothing, Sir.

Sorry, Sir.

I didn't mean that. Yeah, I hope so.

That kind of aggression on the court is OK, but outside of it?

I know. I just get a bit wound up sometimes.

Yeah, cos you allow yourself to get wound up.

OK?

You need to control your emotions.

Do you hear me? yes, sir.

I can do that.

Cool off in the showers.

Actually, I was thinking of running a few laps.

Make up for being late.

That's more like it.

PANTING

Can you smell that?

Smells like victory.

What the hell are you doing?

I thought you wanted to smell like a winner.

Do that again and I'll shove it up your arse.

It was a joke.

You are a joke.

You're obviously having a bad day, so I'll let that one go.

What's that supposed to me?

Er...

Well, we all know you've been chucked out your place, mate.

No, it's not...

Everyone knows.

And I suppose you had a good laugh about it, didn't you?

You need to get over yourself.

What? You reckon you need to knock me down a few pegs?

Is that the only way you can get on my level?

What are you on about? No, well, you couldn't handle it.

Right? Everyone watching you, waiting for you to screw up.

Nah, you have no idea what it's like being me, Kai.

You pathetic, little...

That's enough!

KNOCKING

Look, I can't believe that I'm having to say this,

we do not verbally abuse people in this school,

even if we're having a hard time at home.

If that had have escalated into something more

than a bit of shouting, then we'd be having

a very different conversation,

and it would involve your mum.

You have got to get your temper under control.

If you can't do that... I can.

Didn't look like it to me.

I have, like...

..coping mechanisms.

It won't happen again, I promise.

I'll apologise to Kai.

See to it that you do.

Go on. Go to your lesson.

What do you think?

Bit of a blip?

Yeah.

He's a good lad.

I've got a lot of time for him.

Wow. It's not like you to play favourites.

Maybe I see a little bit of myself in him. Oh, really?

And what is it about the heart-throb of the sixth form

and the captain of the basketball team

that reminds you of yourself, Lindon?

Yeah, you know what, you're absolutely right.

It's like looking in the mirror. It's the beard.

Probably.

Miss Campbell.

Mr King.

Come on, what did yous talk about?

Was it to do with your mum?

Well...

What's he doing here?

All right, lads.

One of you's got a big gob.

Don't know what you're on about.

I've been thrown out the hostel, haven't I?

Told me it was for thieving.

That wasn't to do with us.

Don't lie to me.

Look, I said we didn't say anything.

You've probably been robbing off everyone in that hostel,

haven't you? Who do you think you're talking to?

Couple of nights in the hostel...

Immediate assistance required in the playground.

I don't know why you're on school property, but you need to leave.

In a minute. I won't tell you again.

You won't tell me anything, darling.

Outside of school gates, you're just like anyone else.

That's what you teachers always forget.

I always hated teachers,

talking to me like I was stupid or something.

Well, a lot's changed since you were last at school.

For a start, we've got CCTV.

Ooh, that'll make a nice shot.

Tell me, are you a familiar face to the police?

No, this is my spot.

Don't see your name on it.

You don't get to do whatever you like

just cos your mum died, you know?

Oh, my God. You're awful!

So everyone keeps telling me.

But thank you.

For what?

Saying that she died.

You know, not that I lost her, or that she passed.

Hate that.

Makes it sound like... A sock.

Sorry, sometimes stuff like that just pops into my head and...

And out your mouth?

No way.

LAUGHTER

That's the first time I've laughed in ages.

Here, do you fancy going somewhere more fun?

There's only ten minutes of lunch left.

Yeah, but we've got history with Guthrie next.

It's not like we'll be missing anything important.

I don't know. I've never skived before.

I do it all the time.

No-one ever misses me.

Come on.

Look, if we get caught,

just look a bit sad and remind them that you lost your mum.

Come on.

So, let me get this straight,

you're both living at Sardinia House because your parents kicked you out?

They're always on me, Sir.

You know, cos of my lifestyle choices.

But we're good, me and Danny. We're all right.

We're looking out for each other.

Yeah, and it wasn't my fault that Mac came here.

He's just... I mean, he's not right in the head.

Whoa! Whoa, Danny!

You're not in trouble.

We're just trying to find a way to keep you both safe.

Why don't you come back after class

and we'll see what we can figure out?

OK, thank you.

Right, well...

Just call Jamilah, tell her we've got another homeless pupil.

Hold your horses.

I think we need to hear the other side of Kai's story.

Wendy, can we get Kai's parents on the phone, please?

What, you don't think that's...? There's no chance.

We've met his mum and dad.

Mum?

Oh, hey, love.

How's your day going?

Better than mine, I hope?

Have you found anywhere for us to stay?

No, not yet.

Tried to call in a few favours,

but turns out a friend in need is an endangered species.

Called the council about getting on the housing list,

but I reckon you'll probably have kids of your own

by the time they find us somewhere.

Oh, yeah, and Miss Campbell wants to see me later.

And I don't think it's to tell me I'm employee of the month.

Don't, Mum. It's going to be OK. Huh.

I think I've found somewhere.

You're kidding. Where?

I went to see auntie Debs.

And I know what you're going to say. No, over my dead body.

Mum? How could you?

How could you do that?

She is the last person I wanted to know.

Oh, and I bet she was just over the moon, wasn't she,

when she found out I'd screwed up?

Yeah.

And she's going to put us up, is she?

Ha! What's the catch?

She wants you to apologise.

For what you said to her last time. Yeah, forget it.

Mum?

I would rather sleep on the street.

Oh, take a seat, Preston.

Turn to page 26, chapter two.

Preston Walters!

Get back here!

Miss Walker?

I've got this.

PANTING

Sir! Sir, I think I'm dying. It's OK.

It's OK. Do you have an inhaler? An EpiPen? No.

Do you have any allergies? No.

OK, OK, we're going to take some deep breaths, all right? OK?

In through the nose, out through the mouth, OK?

OK, good.

I'm going to go get your mum, OK? No, no, no. Sir, you can't.

OK, OK. OK, it's fine.

We'll just keep breathing, OK?

Hey, hey, hey.

BREATHING SLOWS

Right, OK, I'm here.

Can we make this quick, please? I've got a lot on my plate.

Well, that's actually what I wanted to talk to you about. I get it.

I get it. I've given you the excuse you needed to sack me.

But you know what? If you were half the headteacher you reckon to be

then you'd hear my side of it.

OK.

That's fair.

Right, OK.

Well, I told her not to go in that freezer

and she didn't listen to me.

So I didn't even know she was in there when I shut the door,

and it's not my fault that everything

in that kitchen is falling to bits.

And anyway, you don't pay me enough to be cook,

bottle washer and freezer repair woman.

You don't pay me enough to keep a bloody roof

over mine and my kids' heads.

Why do you think all my stuff's in bags?

I am doing my best, Miss Campbell, and if that is not good enough

for you then maybe we should just call it quits.

To be honest with you, getting sacked

is the least of my worries today, so...

Mrs Walters...

Wendy, not now.

Two girls have gone AWOL.

One of them's Tonya Walters.

You are having a laugh.

Thank you.

Where are we going?

I've not gone any money for shopping or anything.

Costs nothing to look.

My mum hated this place.

Why? Didn't she like animals?

No, she loved 'em,

she just reckons they don't look after the pets right here.

Oh, come here.

Oh, it stinks in here.

Look at all these!

Know what he does with them?

What?

You reckon?

Looks pretty well fed to me.

Come here.

Hold this. What? Why?

Just do it.

Sh!

Oh, no!

You can't do that!

LAUGHTER

Oi! Run! Run!

Come back!

LAUGHTER

So, I think you've had a panic attack.

No, no, no, it felt like I was... Like you were dying?

Yeah, that's how they feel.

It's caused by the brain releasing hormones,

like adrenaline.

It's pretty common.

Yeah? Yeah.

I really need to speak to your mum.

Sir, you can't. Why not?

Have you met her?

She'll turn it into something that it's not.

And it's just a one-off.

I can usually cope.

I have things that I do that help when I'm stressed.

What do you mean? Like, breathing exercises or mindfulness,

or something? Yeah, something like that.

But today I just...

I couldn't find the time I needed.

Sir, you cannot tell my mum.

You can't.

It'll make things so much harder for me.

OK.

But I want you to go to the doctor's,

tell them what happened.

And if you ever feel like this again...

..just talk to me.

I will.

The girls were seen leaving the school grounds together.

So, Tonya's not in the back of some bloke's van, then.

That's something, I suppose.

I don't want to pile things on,

but I think that you should know I had Preston

in my office this afternoon.

He'd been verbally abusive to another pupil.

Well, looks like you'll be able to get rid of us all in one go, then.

Good day's work for you, that.

Nicky, I've got no intention of sacking you.

Or excluding Preston and Tonya.

I just want to know what I can do to help.

Nothing.

I can manage.

Always have done.

I know.

And I've seen how hard you work, how strong you are,

how you always come out fighting.

And if there was any justice in the world,

then that should be enough to keep you afloat.

But the way that things are at the moment...

..it's just not.

And that is not your fault.

Look, I know how hard it is to admit

that you are not in control of everything.

Believe me, I have to deal with it every day in this place.

And I have had to realise that I can't do it all on my own.

There is no shame in asking for a bit of help.

All right, I'm going to go and see if there's any news.

Thanks.

Yeah.

Go on, be free!

Watch out for cats!

LAUGHTER

Look at them go. Look at them.

RADIO CHATTER

OK, brilliant, thanks.

I'll let them know.

Mr Charles. You're supposed to be keeping an eye on her.

And she just walks out of school?

Now nobody has any idea where the hell she is!

She's in the back of a police car, on her way back to school.

That was the station on the phone.

What about Tonya? Yeah, her as well.

Who's Tonya? Oh, my little idiot.

This will have all been her idea.

Here.

You look like you need it more than I do.

Four sugars.

Cheers.

Oh, man!

It's OK. Breathe, she's safe.

Yeah, no thanks to me.

Oh, don't be daft.

Can't watch 'em 24/7,

especially when you're on your own.

Yeah? What are you supposed to do, then?

Knock some sense into 'em and hope they make the right decisions.

No, it's not enough.

I need to sort something out.

I need to sort myself out.

And I need her to know

that I'm always going to be there for her.

Yeah, well, just don't expect her to thank you for it.

KNOCKING Come in.

Kai, we asked your sister to come in,

just to clear all this up.

Salma?

Well, I've just heard quite the tragic story

from your teachers,

about your terrible abusive parents and your miserable home.

I didn't say abusive.

They don't get it.

My dad doesn't even...

My dad doesn't even say the word gay.

My mum keeps telling me to tone it down.

I can't be my true self around them.

That's because your true self is bloody annoying.

Have you any idea what it's like living with you at full volume?

We don't talk.

I feel oppressed.

They're not even home. They've gone away for a family funeral.

I was meant to keep an eye on Kai, but I work shifts and...

And you. You end up in a homeless shelter.

Mum's going to be mortified when she finds out.

Yeah, so then maybe don't tell her! You must be joking.

The minute she gets off the plane.

Oh, my God, you're loving this, right. This is what you want.

That's enough, Kai.

Danny, I'm... What is this to you?

Some sort of joke?

No. I was being your mate.

Yeah, but what about when your mum and dad come back, Kai?

What about that?

I'm sorry. I really am.

I'm sorry.

We'll make some phone calls, Danny.

We will find you somewhere else to go.

Don't worry about it.

I'll just do it myself.

Val, we cannot make promises like that.

No. There is nowhere else for him to go.

What else was I supposed to say?

I can't ignore what I've seen and heard, Joe.

I'm really glad that the two of you are getting on.

I think you both need a good friend at the moment.

Keep it on school grounds.

OK? No more adventures.

Otherwise you're going to be BFFs in the BU, do you understand?

Yes, Miss Campbell. Yes, Miss Campbell.

OK, until the end of term,

I want you to get your school journals signed

at the beginning and the end of every lesson, OK?

Off you go.

Hey, wait for me outside.

Er, listen, thank you for what you said earlier.

No shame in asking.

No, there's not.

See ya. See ya.

Is it true that you're looking for a new caretaker?

Yeah. Why, do you know someone?

Me.

Really? Yeah.

I can pretty much fix anything if I put my mind to it.

You know, like freezer doors.

Well, you do know it's a bit more

than just rescuing teachers from the deep freeze?

There's also faulty toilets and waxing floors.

Yeah, I know.

And I don't care.

I just want to sort my life out.

You know? For my kids, for Chlo.

I think it's a brilliant idea.

Rescuing mice?

Who do you think you are? David Attenborough?

I was trying to cheer up Izzy, cos of her mum.

Well, that was nice of you.

But don't ever do it again.

So, what are we going to do with all this?

Roaming the streets, and we've still got nowhere to go.

Actually, your brother's found us somewhere.

We're going to your auntie Deb's place.

Are you sure?

Yeah.

Come on.

See ya. See you tomorrow.

Danny?

I'm just sorting my stuff out.

I don't like leaving it at my room in the hostel,

so I'm keeping it in my locker.

I'm... I'm going to go now.

You can't live like that. I manage all right.

It just doesn't seem right, not when I've got two bedrooms doing nothing.

No, this is stupid.

Grab your stuff and you can come and stay with me.

Isn't that a bit weird, Miss?

And sorting out your laundry in the school corridor isn't?

But are you even allowed to do that?

Probably not.

I don't know.

But you're not safe there, are you?

Come on.

Mum! Mum! They're here!

Hiya! Mum!

This is going to be mental. No, it's all right.

I've got this one. Yeah?

All right. Me and you are sharing.

You all right?

It's very decent of you to help us out, Debs.

Thank you. Sounds like you had nowhere else to go.

Well, we won't be stopping long, so...

You won't be stopping at all if I don't get my apology.

Really? Swallow your pride for once in your life, Nicky.

Might actually do you some good.

Please, Mum.

I'm sorry...

..for what I said last time I was here.

I were out of order.

Mind you, you said some stuff and all, didn't you?

I'll pop the kettle on.

You happy now?

It's for the best, Mum.

I'm actually going to go and see Samia now.

Will you be OK? Oh, marvellous.

Yeah.

Great.

PRESTON RETCHES

I'm sorry.

Second time today you've kept me waiting.

I know.

Listen, about earlier.

I heard about you being evicted.

Why didn't you just tell me what was going on?

Cos I didn't want you to worry.

I'm your girlfriend, Preston.

I'm supposed to worry about you.

Oh, yeah. Well, you don't have to.

It's all sorted now.

Yeah?

Yeah.

Everything's under control.