Original subtitles

The authorities will want to speak to all of you,

particularly about the pills that Dee took.

Any signs of unease, distress?

HELEN: 'Not that I clocked.'

I didn't tell them to kill themself.

What do you intend to do with that recording?

He's gonna be lost, and I... I just wanna help him.

I want a copy of the drama AS exam paper.

You know I can't. How would I even gain access?

Leave Helen alone. It ends now.

"You knew who you were and always made me laugh.

"You're my ride or die."

'You might as well kill yourself now

'because it doesn't get any easier from here.'

CLAMOURING

DISTANT SIRENS

You lied to the police, obstructed an investigation,

and a vulnerable student took their own life.

No more lies, Mrs Simpson.

You're going to tell us what happened.

PHONE VIBRATES

Sam. You there?

KNOCKING ON DOOR

All right!

DISTANT LAUGHTER

SHE BREATHES HEAVILY

BELL RINGS

Filthy TERF. Bitch!

Bitch.

How can they let her walk in like that?

You're a disgrace.

Good. You get in, you shut the door.

I know how yesterday looks, but if I could explain...

What the hell were you thinking?

It wasn't out of nowhere.

Cressida has been targeting me for weeks.

HE SCOFFS

Sorry, is something funny?

Oh, you make it sound like you're the victim of a 17-year-old child.

She is not just a child.

She has been bullying me, Simon.

Just little jabs at first, criticisms, whispers...

Oh, so, normal teaching, then.

..undermining me in front of others.

But it quickly got out of hand, more hostile, like the petition.

I'm not talking about Cressida, Helen.

I'm talking about Dee. I knew about that recording.

She threatened me with it, tried to blackmail me.

Just... Just...

Actually, Sebastian, would you mind?

What was...? What was he even doing here?

Due to the severity of your actions,

the guidelines state that your responsibilities be reassigned

while under investigation.

You're giving him my job?

Yes, Helen, I am suspending you.

I have no choice while we investigate your actions.

I know I made a mistake. And I'm devast...

Do you really think your words to a vulnerable child,

a child who then took their own life,

can be described as a "mistake"?

We have a duty of care, Helen,

which you totally and utterly neglected.

Please, Simon, just hear me out.

No, I've heard enough.

I think we all have.

Cookson suspended me. Good.

It's not what it looks like. You didn't say those things, then?

Yes, yes, I did, but I... It wasn't...

I am absolutely broken about what happened, but she...

They!

THEY were just a child.

You know, I told you those things in confidence.

And you used them to go around... No, not Dee! I meant Cressida.

Is just a child too, Helen.

From a broken family.

I mean, do you really not understand how that can affect children?

You. Really?

She needs support.

Not whatever this is.

On the day that we found Dee...

..I told you... that it was my fault...

..that I'd failed them.

I took responsibility.

And you let me.

Tess, I'm so sorry. Are you?

Or are you sorry you just got caught?

So, from now on, we'll be using my student-led learning method.

You guys get a say.

The reading list, for example.

Let's get more voices from the margins -

queer writers, diverse texts, authentic representation.

Leo?

Sorry, are you busy?

So, as I was saying, I want you guys to take more control.

Take the reins.

Leo. Everything OK?

Yeah, everything's worked out just great, hasn't it?

For you.

Oh, come on, Leo, don't be like that.

You think I wanted this?

I'm just stepping up where I'm needed.

I'm seeing Cookson.

Leo, that's not a good idea.

You think I give a shit what happens to me?

Getting expelled would be a relief. Not like I've got nothing to lose.

Can't say the same for you, though, can I?

Look...

You're mad at the wrong person here.

It wasn't me that pushed them over the edge.

We both know who did.

Maybe we should stop blaming ourselves.

PUPIL 1: She's been kicked out.

PUPIL 2: She has been suspended. PUPIL 3: Hey, bitch.

Have you lost your page, Miss? Yeah.

Need some help, do you? PUPIL 4: Yeah, fuck off, TERF.

Did you really get fired? No, no. Suspended.

So what happens to me?

Because I can't stay here and pretend you didn't go viral

for telling Dee to kill themself.

Sam, I get that things are tough right now, I get it...

After everything that happened at my last school?

This is hell for me, Mum, and it's your fault.

Sam. Sam! No.

Wait, please. No, actually.

Sam? Sam? Just stay the fuck away from me.

Hey.

Apparently, I'm some kind of raging TERF bigot now.

How're you holding up?

No-one's asked me that. No?

Feels like no-one cares.

Well, you don't always make it easy.

Sam told me what happened.

Yep, so now it's a disciplinary.

And the police wanna speak to me again.

Right.

Why?

More questions about Dee, about Cressida, about all of it.

Whatever happens, just give them what they want.

And if it all goes tits up, fuck it. Maybe it's for the best.

Just walk away from it all. I won't give up my life.

Fine! What about Sam's?

Or are you happy to just chuck that down the drain,

like you did with mine?

Like you did with ours? It's time to go.

Oh, more than happy to.

Oh, did you hear from him yet?

Sam? No. Why?

He's at mine, just so you know, and he's staying there.

You dropped this earlier.

Thought you might need it.

The truth can be painful, can't it?

I gave you the exam papers, you deleted that video.

We had a deal.

You really think I wouldn't have kept a back up?

Wow, that's actually kind of sweet.

This is not a fucking game, Cressida.

This is my life!

I'm warning you!

What are you going to do?

Put me in detention again?

Oh, wait. You can't do that any more, can you?

Let me know when you've figured it out.

SHE SIGHS

JACKSON: 'Your mum came round to ours and spoke to my mum and dad.

'She apologised, so just fucking leave me alone now.

'Just stop calling and texting me.

'I don't want you.'

Hey.

Look, I know your mum and I have our drama,

and this isn't my place to say, but I...

Didn't you start a petition to get her sacked?

Well, yeah.

Which is why I wanted to see if you're all right,

you know, because it's, er... it's OK if you're not.

And it sucks...

..you getting caught up in all of this.

But there's something I want to say, if you'll hear me out.

Dee, you...

..Leo, it's unfair.

You're people who get torn apart

just for being who they are.

And that's wrong.

But all it takes is for someone to see you for who you are.

BELL RINGS

Come on.

I'll walk with you.

HELEN: '..precious little girl any more.

'It's about time you lot learned to fight your own battles,

'because out there, in the real world,

'there is no-one in your corner.

'You are alone.

'And if you can't handle that, you might as well kill yourself now

'because it doesn't get any easier from here.

'I don't think your parents will take your call,

'not since you decided you weren't their girl any more.

'It's about time you lot learned to fight your own battles,

'because out there, in the real world,

'there is no-one in your corner.

'You are alone...'

AUDIO DISTORTS

So, why'd you even leave your old school?

Er, just, you know, like, stuff, drama.

Bad stuff?

Er, I don't really wanna talk about it if that's OK.

Sure, of course. Sorry.

What was it like, though? Nice school?

So different to this.

It was just like a normal state school,

so no squash courts, no borders.

I mean, half the windows didn't even open.

What? No equestrian centre?

HE LAUGHS So...

We're supposed to just ignore the fact that your dad is war criminal?

So much for being an ally.

You're full of shit, Bancroft.

This is brilliant.

Well, who did this?

I'll send one to my dad.

It's true? Of course it's true.

Why do you think I hate them so much?

Just because your parents are complete twats

doesn't mean that you should have to take the stick for it, right, Sam?

Cressida? Yes, Sir?

Mr Cookson wants to see you.

Oh, you figured out how to use Google.

Well done. You've got one already. Good.

Yes, thank you. Don't worry. I'll recycle it.

Your dad funds regimes that execute the kids you pretend to fight for.

Impressive.

Most scandals are hiding in plain sight.

Is that really the best you can do? No.

That's waiting for you in there.

Let's see how much you care about the truth.

What's Ms Simpson doing here, Sir?

It doesn't make me feel very safe.

This isn't about Ms Simpson, Cressida.

This is about you.

Your detention with Dee,

you recorded it, but you didn't report it.

Why?

I, er... I should have.

But I was scared.

I've been targeted by Ms Simpson since term started because...

..I questioned her lack of respect.

Misgendering Dee.

I filmed the detention... hoping that she'd reflect.

So that she'd see.

But... I... I...

I... I was just trying to help.

So you didn't use it...

..to blackmail her for these?

No.

Then what were they doing in your dorm?

Er...

I... I've no idea, Sir.

Probably put there by the same person who made this.

She hates me.

I'm... I'm telling you, I'm being targeted.

And I've... I've worked so hard, and it's not fair.

I'm... I'm being punished

and bullied by a person in power, and...

SHE SIGHS SHAKILY

..I-I...

I-I don't know how much... how...

I don't know how much more I can take.

I've...

I really understand why... why Dee... did what they...

OK, look.

I know that this is an incredibly upsetting time.

So we'll call this a warning.

All right?

RELIEVED SIGH

Thank you, Mr Cookson.

I, erm...

I hope Ms Simpson gets the help she needs.

DOOR UNLOCKS

DOOR OPENS

SHE GASPS

Leo.

Ple... You don't wanna do this. Don't I?

Leo, whatever it is, let's talk.

OK, let's talk about Dee.

How they were finally starting to feel like themself.

And then you came along and fucked it all up.

Told them to toughen up or die. I was trying to help.

How the fuck is that helping?

Because life is tough, Leo. You have to be able to fight your own corner!

So that's your job, is it? What, to break us in?

No, my job is to prepare you.

Look, I should never have said what I did to Dee.

But telling you kids everything you wanna hear, like Blake does?

Wrapping you up in cotton wool just to win your approval?

That's not teaching, that's negligence.

Why are you talking about Blake?

What's he said? What?

You know about the ball?

About what he did. About what...?

About what I did?

No, Leo, I honestly don't.

But you can tell me.

If you want to.

Dee was struggling.

Stuff at home, parents.

And the ball was meant to be...

fun.

So we'd snuck some drinks in. Blake was cool with it.

He was always trying to impress us like that.

But Dee, they were just so...

..wrecked.

So I thought maybe if they stopped thinking...

they'd chill out.

So I gave them...

It was an accident.

SOBS

Dee just went... white, started shaking, and their eyes...

And Blake? What did Blake do? Cleaned it up.

Kept it quiet, told me not to say anything.

But he just wouldn't leave it alone, kept pushing me.

Leo, I won't say anything.

You can't. He's right - if I get expelled after everything...

You were trying to help.

You care about your friends. I saw it with Dee.

And I see it with Sam.

Can you get rid of these for me, please?

Hey, Sam. Hi.

Can I ask you a favour?

Er... yeah, yeah, sure. What's up?

LAPTOP BLEEPS

You've got 150 windows open.

I mean, it's brave or... lazy. OK, rude!

You know a few of us are heading out tonight?

To celebrate Dee.

You wanna come?

Erm... I'll buy you a drink, as a thanks?

Er, yeah. Yeah, sure. Maybe.

I'm just not exactly sure I'd be welcome.

Plus, I was supposed to be going to see Leo.

Honestly, Sam, just forget him.

It's his loss anyway.

Is it? Yeah.

It's Leo, he's, like... a lot.

Always so much drama.

And you seem genuine. You deserve better.

LAPTOP CHIMES

We're in.

DANCE MUSIC PLAYS

INDISTINCT CHATTER

CRESSIDA: Everyone!

To Dee! ALL: To Dee.

CHEERING

Hey.

Come on.

Sorry, isn't this, like, kind of in bad taste?

No.

Dee loved it here.

They'd want us to have fun. Come on.

Hey, come on.

Come on.

PHONE CHIMES, VIBRATES

Fuck.

BREATHES SHAKILY

LINE RINGING

TERRY: 'What is it, Helen?'

Cressida is going after Sam. She's targeting him.

He's out with her right now.

Well, it's not just her, is it? It's a thing for Dee.

Then why has she just sent me a photo of them kissing?

What photo? 'I'll forward it to you.'

It's gone. She deleted it. She's dangerous.

She is using him to get to me. You have to put a stop to it.

Look, I will sort it, OK? How?

DOOR OPENS, GIGGLING

They're here. I've got to go.

He brought her home?!

Look, I said I will sort it. SAM: Shh! He might still be awake.

SHE GIGGLES

Come in.

How was it?

Er, yeah, yeah, it was cool.

Nice to be with friends and remember Dee.

Well, let me know when you're ready to head off,

and I'll call you a taxi.

Actually, I thinking maybe she could stay?

No, not tonight, son. I don't...

I don't think that's a very good idea. Why?

Well, your mum wouldn't be very happy, given...

everything that's gone on.

OK, she doesn't need to know.

Look, er, I know all about your little photo.

The one you sent to wind up Helen.

You two kissing and what not.

I didn't send anything.

I swear.

She's lying.

Come on, Sam. How else would your mam know?

I'm sorry, maybe I should just go. No, I want you to stay.

Your mam just doesn't want you getting hurt.

OK, so maybe she should stop trying to ruin my life.

I mean, first, she drags me to this school

and then drops a bomb on it.

Wrecks my only friendship, bullied somebody to suicide.

Dad.

And now this.

Have you... Have you seen the photo?

I want you to leave, then.

Sammy... Go!

DOOR SLAMS

Parents...

..they fuck you up.

Mine have it down to a science.

SHE SIGHS

My mum left three years ago.

Just walked.

Didn't even pack.

I woke up one day, and there was one less place

set at the breakfast table.

No-one said anything.

That was it.

No note, no goodbye.

That's...

I'm sorry.

Your mum might be a fucking mess...

..but at least she's still around. Hm.

I'd kill to have that.

Erm...

Sorry, erm, it's just this has... this has happened before.

I trusted somebody, and I thought I knew them, but...

..turns out I didn't, like, at all.

I just... I really don't wanna get it wrong again.

You won't.

You can trust me.

KEYBOARD CLACKING

PHONE CHIMES

SHE GASPS

SHE PANTS

KNOCKING TERRY: Sam?

SHOWER RUNNING

Sam, can we talk?

Sammy, I'm coming in.

Oh! Oh, my God, sorry. Why didn't you say you were in here?

SHOWER STOPS

You OK? Yeah.

Your dad just walked in on me getting changed.

Oh.

Right, well, I'm sure he just didn't realise.

He was hovering outside the bathroom yesterday too.

He really creeped me out.

Right, erm...

Well, he's taking me to work later, after school,

so I can talk to him then if you want?

No, it's fine. I'm probably just being paranoid.

Ignore me.

PHONE CHIMES, VIBRATES

What do you want, then?

Oh, to cry about Sam?

I called your dad.

I was gonna send him the photos you sent me.

I took screenshots before you could delete them.

It's illegal to share sex pics and nudes,

especially without the consent of your partner.

I wonder what the police

and school's senior management team will make of it.

Who the fuck do you think you are? Don't worry.

Your daddy didn't care to talk to me,

or care to hear about you, rather.

All your drama and chaos, it isn't activism.

It's performance.

It's a desperate cry for attention

from a father who couldn't even be arsed to take my call.

Does he even take your calls? Or do you get put on hold too?

Hm, shut up. He didn't give a shit!

Does he let you go home in the holidays?

Or are you one of those rejects that gets abandoned on campus?

Cos you don't go to your mum's, do you?

How is your mum, by the way?

You don't know anything about me.

I know you think you're in control,

but all I see is a scared shitless little kid

trying to punish someone who isn't even here.

And you've been making the rest of us pay for it ever since.

Mostly me, because I abandoned Terry too, right?

That's it, isn't it?

That is your sick, fucked up reasoning.

You think you hate me, but the truth is you hate yourself!

You hate that I see you,

but most of all, you hate that I'm right.

CRESSIDA GRUNTS, HELEN GASPS

SHE GRUNTS Cressida!

DS O'Brien, please.

Yeah, I've been assaulted.

SHE BREATHES SHAKILY

SHE PANTS

CRESSIDA SOBS

What the...?

Hey, what happened?

SHE HYPERVENTILATES

Sorry.

It's OK.

SNE SNIFFLES

What are you doing here? Where's Sam?

What's happened to your face?

You should ask your ex.

Nah. Nah, she'd never.

Not buying it. Doesn't matter.

Sam does.

What have you told him? How you've been looking at me.

And, of course, that you threatened me.

Before the memorial.

Put your hands all over me.

I might've adjusted a few details of the nature of it.

SAM: Cressida?

Get away from me.

Sam, help! What do you think you're doing?

Don't touch me.

What the fuck's going on? I don't know.

I didn't touch her.

He just grabbed me!

Son, listen to me... No, stay there.

Dad.

Sammy. Son, it's me.

Come on. Sammy.

You little... Ah! THUD

HE GRUNTS

We can get away from here.

Go somewhere safe.

Just me and you.

OK.

SHE SOBS

TERRY'S VOICEMAIL: 'Hiya, I probably can't find my phone,

'so leave me a message.'

Terry, I got her. I think I really got her this time.

SHE SOBS

She's done. Call me back.