Original subtitles

This call is from a person currently in a prison in England. If you do not wish

to accept this call, please hang up now.

It's just a few more sleepovers and then I'm coming to pick you up, babies,

okay?

What? We're allowed to come home with you, Mum?

Of course.

I'm coming to get you as soon as they let me out of those gates and then I'm

going to squeeze you and I'm never, ever, ever, ever going to let you go.

I'm squeezing the phone, Mummy, are you?

Yeah, I'm squeezing it.

They're making us go back in, babies. I'm going to see you in three days,

I love you.

Love you, Mommy.

Hang on. What can I do for you?

Can I get a £10 top -up?

Yeah, of course.

Sorry, do you mind if I charge my phone quickly?

Yeah, of course, babe. Just around the corner.

It's just there.

OK, yeah.

Oh, hello. Hi.

I don't know if I've moved to the right place. My name's Molly Brown.

Hi, Molly.

What can I help you with? Well, yeah, my children were put in...

in with you a couple of months ago okay yeah i'll just look in the system we'll

get you an appointment sorted okay yeah but is roof there because she just said

to call when i get out so can i just come pick him up now uh so you're gonna

need to make an appointment with your social worker an appointment what what

i need an appointment for

if you do it with me. Have fun!

Are you ready?

Yes!

How can I help you today?

I just want to see someone.

Wally?

Oh, my God, I can't believe it's you.

How are you? Yeah, I'm good, I'm good. How are you? What's happening? Are you

going away?

Camping. Oh.

That is not for me.

No.

Clearly.

Nice to see you.

How's her babe?

Like... I've not seen you since your wedding.

Oh, yeah, it's fine.

He's good.

You know what, Molly, like, I know we've not spoken for such a long time, and I

know, like, life can get in the way as well.

I've really missed you. I've missed you.

Can I have a hug?

You and your hugs, I've got.

Maya, come.

Maya? Mm -hmm.

Hello. After Maya.

Yeah, music got through it, man, didn't it?

Maya, this is Molly.

We used to be friends at college. I stayed with her mum for a little bit

couldn't stay at home.

Oh, my days, you were pregnant last time I saw you.

Yeah, yeah, I've just turned 11 now, and I've got a little boy, Leo. He's five.

Congrats, Molly.

How's your mum?

Same old. The job that she got me as a carer, well, now I'm doing a nursing

apprenticeship there as well.

I'm really grateful to her. You can have her.

You can fucking have her.

Let me get your number.

Yeah. And then we can get the kids, meet up with the kids.

Yeah, yeah. There you go.

I've got a lot going on the next couple of weeks, but after then, just... Yeah.

You all right? Hi.

What's your current living situation?

We've got a piece of paper. I can bother.

Yeah, what for?

I did have a home.

I was only away for four months, but they made me give it up.

So what happens now?

So what? You're staying in a tent now?

God, I don't know how you could do that.

Do what?

Just be away from your kids for that long.

Right, so that means you made yourself intentionally homeless then.

What does that mean?

Well, you went to prison, and in doing so, you made yourself intentionally

homeless.

So I'm going to need to see some ID for your homeless application.

There's other mums away and talking.

Oh, so you're going to have to go there.

I'm going to be late. I'm going to miss it. What do you mean? I can't

wait to start. What do you mean?

I can't wait to start.

You've tried for so long, but it just won't budge.

There's one in front of you.

I can take her, Mina.

It's all right, Molly. It's fine.

OK, so I had to basically... Do you want to go to the park?

Yeah.

No. Mina.

Mina,

look, I can just take her to the park and then I can drop her off at yours

after. You feel at the same place with Habib, yeah?

No, Molly, just leave it, please.

Honestly, I do it as a job, like it's not a problem at all.

Well, you can't miss your exam.

Maya, please don't... What time's that thing?

Molly, you look like you're about to cry.

May not.

What, Molly?

Molly, wait.

I'm sorry.

What is it?

We live in a hostel, Molly.

We're homeless families.

Right, well, listen, Mina, I don't care about all that, so give me your keys.

Are you sure? Yeah.

OK.

Maya, you're going with Aunty Molly, darling.

I love this.

It's so cute.

There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one.

Did you make all this together?

Yeah. Yeah.

I'm trying to see if there's any photos of your dad.

He's still got that big belly on him.

No photos of your dad?

Okay.

Right, have you got any homework?

No. Come on, I'll help you.

More street smart than book smart.

Same. Yeah, I... OK.

Like your pen?

It's a gift from my mum.

Wish me luck on my first day.

This stuff? Yeah.

This is

Leo's nursery assistant.

Hi, Molly.

And you'll recognise your probation officer.

Sorry, hi.

And that's the children's foster carer, Sheila.

Hi, Molly.

Good to see you, darling.

What's going on? I thought... Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Take a seat, please.

Where are my kids?

We've just got to iron a few things out there.

Where are my kids?

We're going to get it sorted.

Molly, please take a seat.

Where are they?

It's OK.

Please, take a seat.

Yeah, there's probably a few forms to sign first, ain't there? That's what

said. Where's Ruth?

Ruth's been signed off work for a bit, unfortunately, but I've read your file,

so I'm all up to speed.

I know how frightening all this can be.

Frightening? This isn't frightening, is it?

Oh, God, no, sorry.

Um, now we're here to review Ava and Leo's progress under a section 20.

Sorry, what are you... What are you talking about?

Look, um, get Ruth on the phone, will you? I just signed a bit of paper to say

you lot could look after them for a bit.

The family agreement you made with your mum didn't work out. What are you on

about?

Why am I in a meeting with all of you lot? What's going on with my children?

They're coming home with me and that's the end of it.

We hope so too, Molly.

But you do need somewhere to live first.

Mum! Yeah?

Where's my passport and that?

Dunno. You've got to be up there.

Thanks for coming.

You're on me.

Oh, Rodney would have loved this.

I wish he was here.

Oh, he would have loved this.

Bless you, mate.

Are you going to sing a little song, Lollipop?

You've got a lovely voice. Are you going to sing a song for your mum?

I am not singing, Mum.

Oh, don't be so difficult all the time.

I'm not being difficult, husband.

All right, sing a little song for Rodney.

No.

My daughter's going to sing for you.

We're going to have a little song for my Rodney.

Shall we introduce her?

Have we got Molly?

Have we got Molly?

She's good, you know.

You wait.

Do it like you did when you was little.

For my Rodney.

Come on Molly.

Amazing grace.

Yeah, come on.

How sweet the sound.

Yeah, you're better than that. Come on.

Wonderful, is she? But now I'm found

Was blind But now I

see That's equal. One more verse.

Twas

two glasses of wine last night and a glass of brandy.

I don't remember the rest.

Oh, mind you.

I did eat loads of gherkins, though. It must have been them, eh?

I know you don't like me very much at the moment, Lollipop.

I didn't do it on purpose, you know.

I love them kids more than anything.

It was a really hard time for my Rodney.

His dementia got really bad.

Well, you know, when you was away.

Well, easy for me.

I had all your house to pack up. I had to put it all in boxes.

All on my own.

Your kids were playing up because they was missing you.

I was really stressed, darling.

And you're thinking I've put Rosie before the kids' son and I...

I can't even go out no more.

I feel like they're all talking about me and I know what they're saying.

Oh, she's a bad mother, that one.

We've taken everything into consideration and we believe it's in the

interest of the children.

To keep them in foster care.

For now.

You're... We want to ensure they face as little disruption as possible and

have... You're the fucking one disrupting them!

Oh, my God.

They need to have somewhere suitable to live.

Which we think is fair.

You think it's fair?

You think it's fair?

You're telling me, right, I can't look after my children because I've got no

money, and then you're going to go and pay someone else to look after them for

me, to riddle me that one.

You'll have visitation... Visitation.

..in a contact centre.

Two hours, twice a week.

These are my children.

They're my children.

If all goes well, we can look at supervised contact in the community with

activity of your choice.

Am I being tested?

Is this what's going on?

Surely you understand.

We can't send them home with you if you don't have a home to go to.

Mum, I've missed you so much.

Where's Leo? He's had to stay behind with his foster carer for now.

He's got an appointment that he's had to attend.

Why? What appointment? What appointment? What's wrong with him? It's for a

health care assessment.

A health care assessment?

It's been postponed twice now, Molly. In my time?

It's nothing personal. I will try and get him here later, but unfortunately

had to go today. So you chose now? Why have you done that? I've not done it

personally. Why have you done that? It's nothing that I've done personally.

I'm going to try everything in my power to get him here on this visit today.

Today? Yeah, definitely.

What's your name?

My name's Aisha. Thank you.

No worries.

I can't.

Hello.

Hello. Hello. You're important.

You're amazing.

So are you. You are beautiful.

So are you.

Oh, look at you. I can't wait to squeeze you.

Are you thirsty? Are you hungry?

I have eaten and drank some before this. Have you? Yeah.

Ready? Press your eyes. Press your eyes. Press your eyes.

How did you know this is my favourite?

How did I know?

Oh, look, I've got the Leo.

How cute are they? I mean, they're not brand new, but, like... You do realise

wants to be a bit now.

I'm sure he'll still like the tap shoes.

He wants to be a fit.

Yeah, but they're still really nice.

When does he want to be a fit?

I'll get him to do routines in them, and then we can show you when we come to

yours.

Yeah, we can do... Yeah, that would be great.

Shall we put these back into them?

Yeah, you can pop them back in and then make sure that you take more with you,

yeah? Mm -hm.

Do you have to do that right now?

Just a few notes, Molly.

Just need to let Tamara know how you got on today.

Mum?

Mum?

Look at me.

Look at me.

Mum? Am I coming home with you today?

Just a few more sleepovers.

I really want to see your house.

Our house.

And I am sorting all of that out, yeah?

I promise you. Do you trust me?

Of course I do.

I'm not doing anything else.

Promise?

Mum!

Hi, Molly.

Hi.

Oh, no, Molly, we've got to go. Say a quick hello. We've got to get going.

got his tap dancing in five minutes. We're running late. I'm really sorry.

No,

no, no, you can't do that. You can't just turn up with him like that.

Molly, you've had such a good afternoon. Don't ruin it for yourself.

Hi, Ava.

Hi, Shula.

You're the biggest cuddle in the world.

I love you, I love you. I love you too, Mama.

Molly, come on now.

Please, just give me a minute with him, yeah? Just give me one minute with him.

I won't take him out of the car, I won't. I'm not going to take him out of

car, OK? Are you going to go to tap dancing, baby?

It's okay.

It's okay.

Baby, baby, baby, baby. Okay, look, I'm going to go, baby.

I'm going to go.

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

Good boy.

Good boy.

Okay.

I love you.

I'm going to let go of you, baby.

Let go of me.

Okay, look at me. I'm going to... Okay, let me go. Let me go. Right, I'm going

to shut the door. I'm going to shut the door. I'm going to shut the door.

I'm going to shut the door.

Okay.

It's okay.

It's okay.

Mummy, please.

Bye, Molly. See you soon.

Bye -bye to Mummy.

Bye -bye, Mummy.

I'm so sorry.

When you make your application...

Without your children, you're classed as a single woman and only entitled to a

one -bedroom flat.

What will men do then?

Because they're saying I can't get... Right, they're saying I can't get my

children back until I have somewhere to live, and now you're saying I can't get

somewhere to live unless I have my children.

So... What I'm saying is you're eligible for a one -bedroom flat.

There's nothing else I can do for you. I'm sorry.

But I know... You need to do more for me. You need to do more for me.

Because I don't know what else I'm going to do.

I'm sorry.

I really, I really need you to help me, OK?

I understand.

They're saying I can't get my children back unless I have somewhere to live, so

I need you to help me, OK?

I understand you're upset.

But there's nothing I can do more for you.

It's either you have to just keep trying and keep pushing.

Fucking where? Fucking where?

Push where?

It's not, it's not long at all.

But you said we'll be home with you by now.

Yeah, yeah, I know I said that, I did, and it's not going to be long now.

So do you not really mean it, Mummy?

Of course I meant it, baby. Look, I'm trying as hard as I can, OK?

And I promise you, I'm going to see you very soon and I'm going to give you both

a big squeeze.

Getting anything?

No.

What are you doing here?

I just want to ask you something real quick.

You what?

Well, they've said I can take the kids to the park.

Mm -hm.

And I need you to come with me.

What?

You know I don't like going out, darling.

You know they were talking about me, hadn't they?

Yeah, I just... I just need to show them we're like a normal family.

We're not a normal family, darling.

It's all I fucking need, isn't it?

The neighbours seeing me out with the social.

I'm not asking for me, I'm asking for them, OK?

Can you please take them to the park with me?

For fuck's sake.

What are you starting for? I'm not starting.

Don't start on me now, lollipop.

I'm not starting, Mum.

I'm asking you.

Just be normal with me for an hour or two.

Just stop going on.

Can you just stop it?

Oh, it's good to see you.

Why have you got your sunglasses on, Nanny?

Oh, I'm going to be over there, little one. Do you know why?

She's in disguise.

Oh, no.

Mum, can we go on the sweat?

No, what sweat?

Where's Aisha?

Smear test.

Right, so, who are you?

Nina.

Get on, get on, get on.

Do you want me to push you off? Yeah, yeah. Yeah? Bit, you want to sit? No,

no.

Get your dog away.

Move it. Your dog away. Are you stupid?

Get the dog away. Move it.

He doesn't normally do that.

Okay, Leo.

Come on, darling.

It's all right. Don't look at the dog. Look at me. Are you okay?

I'm not scared of dogs.

Is it?

Look at me. What is it? What's wrong?

Mum, when we come to you, I'm scared of the sniff dogs.

Trust me.

Never, ever, ever, ever let anything happen to you, OK?

Yeah?

Excuse me, can you wait?

Can you wait until we're done?

Don't ignore me.

You're really putting him off. You can see that. It's not normal, is it? Sorry,

I'm just doing my job. I don't care. He's writing it all down, Lollipop. He's

writing it all down. Can you wait until, like, literally I've just... I've just

started seeing my children, yeah?

I've told you to stop fucking writing them down. Mum.

No. I wouldn't speak to me like that if I were you. And I'll get some melons if

I were you, darling.

Mum, don't swear in front of Leo. I'm not swearing. Come to go, please.

Oh, come on. You can't do that. Is that it? Yeah.

We just got here.

Yeah.

Come on.

Get your bag.

They've literally just got here. I know, but I really need to use the loo.

And it looks like it's going to rain as well.

You're doing this on purpose.

You believe you just saw them here and you're taking them away.

I don't care about the fucking rain.

Okay, you need to calm down. Don't say it. You need to calm down.

You sit there. Sit on there. Both of you sit there. They're not going anywhere.

They're not going anywhere. No.

Look, I'm really sorry, but we've got to go. Get your bags, please.

You can't make me die.

Mum, please don't say it.

Please, can they not say it? My mum's tonight.

It's up to me. You have to speak to your social worker.

How many rooms is it? Two bedrooms.

Yeah. Five more minutes.

No. Five minutes.

Five minutes. I don't want to keep repeating myself. I need to go.

I don't want to stay at Gina's. I want to stay with Mum.

I really don't want to have to do this, but I really need to use the toilet.

Come on. I need to use the toilet at my house.

It's only there.

I'm not allowed.

What do you mean not allowed?

Not while I'm working. Well, you're not allowed to go to the toilet while you're

working. Don't move.

Okay,

you don't move. No.

Come on.

Come on, Leo.

Get your bag, please. I don't want...

Just five more minutes!

How far is it? Another corner.

All right.

Five more minutes, all right?

Sheila be waiting.

Oh, yeah, can't be late for Sheila.

No, come on. Can we stay on the swing for the last five minutes? Yeah, you

on the swing.

Mum, come back.

Stay on the swing.

Come on, Mum.

Mum, come here.

Not round. OK. OK, not round. OK, Leo.

We're going to be really quiet and really quick, OK?

How quick can you get your bag? In five, in four. Get your bag.

What are you doing? Hurry up and get your bag.

No, no, please.

We're going.

I don't need people controlling my life anymore.

I'll figure it out, OK? You can't do this.

Yes, I can. I'm your mum.

But what about money?

You don't need to worry about that. But I do need to worry about that.

Don't argue with me.

You are coming.

Why are you rushing your face at me? Now, let's go.

I can't believe I'm doing this.

We're gonna work out the rest, okay?

Hold on, hold on to me.

Hold on to me.

Okay, okay.

Stop, stop, stop, stop, stop.

Hold this, hold this, hold this. Come here, come here.

My phone?

Yep, give me your phone.

You can't play on the phone just yet, baby.

Mummy, I don't want to go.

Ava, you're getting on my back.

But I don't want you to go back there again.

Ava, don't play me up, OK?

I mean it, and not in front of your brother either.

Baby?

I don't want you to go. Listen.

Leo, look at me.

I'm just going to be over there, OK?

Think twinkle, twinkle for me really loudly, OK, baby?

Can you do that?

Twinkle, twinkle, twinkle star.

How I wonder what you are. We're going to be fine.

OK? It's going to be us. Don't you cry.

Don't cry.

Are you fine?

I don't want you to get in trouble.

I'm not. I won't. OK?

I don't want you to go down.

No, I'm not going anywhere.

Look at me.

Look at me.

They're going to forget all about us, and it's just going to be us three.

Yeah? Do you promise me? I promise you.

I promise you.

Are we getting on that bus?

Yeah. Do you trust me?

Of course I do.

I love you, Mummy.

I love you.

I love you always.

You're going to get on the bus with me? Yeah.

Yeah?

Come on. Good girl.

Okay. Good boy.

Hello.

Come on.

Thank you. Thank you.

Morning.

that fairies live in those. Do you think you might be able to see anything over

here, Ava?

Look at it. You can see, like, the trees and stuff over there.

Oh, that's beautiful.

It is, isn't it? Mum, put me down. Can you get down? I found something.

What have you found?

Uh -oh, elephants scared.

Elephants apparently are scared of mice.

When you're a vet, you have to stick your hand up a cow's bum.

Stick your hand up a cow's bum?

Yeah. What?

I told him that if he wants to be a vet, he has to stick his hand up a cow's

bum.

Well, I've been mum.

Have to.

If you want to be a vet?

Yeah.

Yeah, probably you would have to do that. Told you you'll have to do it.

Do you not want to be a vet anymore, then? I think I want to be a tap dancer

instead. Yeah, you'd be the world's best tap dancer.

Sorry.

What are you sorry for?

Mum said that she's sorry.

You don't need to be sorry.

What are you sorry for, Mum?

Everything.

You have to get some sleep now, okay? Okay.

Ava, give me your hand.

No, it's all for you, baby, okay?

Do you want one of those?

Why don't you eat them all up?

Take one. All of them. No, just one.

Good boy.

Hey, vegetables tomorrow.

Oh, come on!

Don't give me that face.

Fine. You got any homework?

I'm going back to school.

Of course you are.

Both of our families go to university, aren't you? What about tax? Dancing

classes. We can do those as well. I'll tell you what, we can go to brand new

schools, really good ones, and we're going to start new.

Yeah? OK.

Listen, if I had the opportunity to do that when I was your age, I would have

absolutely jumped at it.

No -one needs to know anything about us, and we can just start again, can't we?

What about my friends?

Ava, you're going to make so many new friends, OK? There's no need to worry

about that. They're going to love you.

But they won't even know my real name, and I don't even have my phone.

Why have you got to be so negative all the time?

Please, eat your chips.

Why don't we look in that shop and find something fun for us tonight?

Excuse me, that's not for you, is it?

I thought you might need it.

What is that face for?

What have you done?

Can I have Aza, Lionel, and Shuttle? Oh no.

Come on, Mum. Please, please, Mum. No.

Come on. No. Come on, Mum.

Thank you.

I found...

Hello. Hello, it's Leo.

Oh, is it Leo?

Yeah. Hi there.

Hi, Mum.

Hey, Mum, what's up? Hello, baby.

Got to go to work. We've got to go to work. Love you. I've got to go to

Peace out, Mum. Peace out. Love you.

Love you.

Bye.

Bye.

That's your breeze.

Yeah? Yes, please.

Do you want to pick some oranges? I haven't got any of them in the cart.

Okay. Please.

You don't want to make a scene, Miss Brian.

Please don't make this any more traumatising than it already is. No.

Come on.

Come on. Come on.

No!

No! Don't touch her!

No! No!

All right, Molly,

I'm just going to cut straight to the chase.

You running away with the kids has not helped your situation. In fact, it's

escalated matters.

You should be grateful your mum showed us the letter so we could find you.

Because of the abduction, we believe that your children are at risk and we

now going to start care proceedings, which is where a final determination

be made by the family courts as to whether or not Ava and Leo should be

to you or whether they should remain in foster care permanently.

I need you to calm down, OK?

I know this is hard, but behaviour like this is what is concerning us.

Along with the homelessness, you're going to prison, domestic abuse.

I left over that way before she was even born, so that's bullshit.

OK, but abducting the children, poor mental health.

Your children are suffering at the moment.

I've done my time, OK? You can't punish me for the rest of my life. You can't do

that. Molly, Molly. Please, please.

Molly, we're not trying to punish you. We are not trying to punish you at all.

This isn't about you.

This is about your children.

Yeah, I know, but they want to be with their mum.

And that's what you've got on your side right now.

Look, you've got six months until a final determination will be made by the

judge.

You need to get a lawyer, Molly.

It's a tricky system to navigate.

Kick in. Yeah, a lot.

Oh,

I thought you were

dead. Fuck's sake, don't start.

I ain't doing this anymore, Mum. Can't do it.

What's the matter?

What's the matter?

over to the social when you were meant to fucking look after him? Can you not

shout? Why the fuck would you tell the police?

Why would you do that?

Why would you do that, Mum?

Look, calm down.

Let's have a little drink. Come drink.

Let's have a little drink together. Do you want a little drink? You want a

fucking drink. Just let's just have a nice little drink. You want a fucking

drink? All right. It's all right. Let's have a fucking drink. Let's have a

fucking drink. Go on, Mum.

Go on. All right. Yeah. What are you doing this for?

You chose that. You want to fucking choose that over me?

They're fucking children, so drink your fucking drinks! Do you want me to

finish? Do you want me to drink this? Just fucking drink, Mum.

Watch me.

There you go.

Are you happy now? Yeah. Are you happy now? Yeah. Well, go on, fuck off.

I'm in my world, in my house, with my Rodney, all right?

I didn't tell you to come here, did I?

Listen! Say it's all my fault again! Yeah, it's all your fucking fault!

Leave me alone!

What are you doing?

What are you doing?

It ain't my fault!

How old are you? Twelve?

You're not twelve anymore!

Lollipop! Get out of my fucking way!

Get out!

I need someone to see me right now. I need you to make an appointment.

a fucking appointment. I want someone to see me right now.

I don't give a fuck. I want someone to see me right now. I need someone to just

fucking help me because nobody is fucking helping me. I need you to

me. Let me make you an appointment.

You just need to take a seat. Excuse me, I want to go first.

You are?

I want to go first. No, you fucking wasn't, darling. What do you mean I want

go first?

I want to fucking go. Let's go.

Let's go. Let's go. Let's go. Let's go. Let's go. Let's go. Let's go.

Let's go.

You don't need to call the police. Don't call the police.

Please don't call the police.

Molly?

Listen to me.

Fucking nothing.

Oh, fuck.

Fuck. What do you think happened?

Please don't call the police. I'm so sorry.

I'm really fucking... I'm really fucking sorry. Calm down. Calm down.

Talk to me.

Calm down.

Just breathe.

Everything's going to be fine.

I'm so sorry.

I'm really sorry.

I've forgotten now what I'm in here for, haven't I?

Huh?

Where's my shirt? I'm sorry.

Sorry.

Sorry.

Sorry.

I can't do it anymore, Mina.

I ain't got it in me.

Mr. Mollie.

Let's get up.

Come sit up.

I hear what you're saying, babe.

We all feel like that sometimes.

God knows I've been there so many times, mum.

Now with Habib leaving, losing our home,

being in this place.

Sometimes, Molly, I feel like giving up too.

I don't have a choice but to fight.

Just have to keep fighting.

And I think to myself, like, fuck it.

You can take whatever you want from me.

You're never going to take my choice.

Women are like lotus flowers at the thick of the month.

The more beautiful we grow, babe.

Hey, Maya.

Hi, Hoya.

Can't do it.

Show you a trick, okay?

Get your arms in, yeah?

Fold it down like that.

And then from there.

Right? Okay.

And then you get the bottom.

And we get the top.

Yeah, exactly.

And then you're going to fold it in the middle this way. And then you've got

that space there.

Thank you. Okay.

Give it a go.

In the middle,

yeah. In the middle.

And then fold it up. And then fold it up.

Magic. Do you want to come to our party?

What are you celebrating?

Nothing.

So why are you having a party?

We have one every day, and this goes every Friday night.

The best day of the week, isn't it, Mum? Best day of the week.

Give it to me.

I know it's a bit mad, Molly, but I try and treat her now and again.

English breakfast on a Saturday and self -care on Sundays.

Yeah, we make face masks with whatever we've got left in the fridge.

You want to come?

Definitely.

Why, oh?

Yeah? Your phone.

Oh. Guys, I'm going to make a phone call, yeah?

Be back in a minute.

Hi, Kim.

Me again.

Do you know what?

This is getting really on your throat now.

Who's she on the phone to?

It's the one Mum used to rent from. She won't give Mum her money back.

She calls her every day.

Why doesn't she just go round there? I think she's scared of her dad.

Is it a lot of money?

You ain't ready for what me and Molly are about to throw down.

Me?

Molly, we've been practising since we were 17. Come on!

Come on, Molly, give it to me right now.

You've got to let the body go.

Make the body move. You've got to let the body go.

Make the body move. You've got to let the body go.

Make the body move. You've got to let the body go.

Make the body move. You've got to let the body go.

Make the body move. You've got to let the body go.

What the fuck? What the fuck's going on? Hello? Sheila?

Sheila? Molly?

What's wrong with Ava? Why is she crying like that? I know I shouldn't be

calling you, but...

Ava won't come out of the bathroom. I don't know what's wrong with her. What

have you done? What have you done? What have you done to my child? What have you

done to her? Why should... Hello? I've tried everything. It's really out of

character. I don't know what to do.

Sheila, Sheila, please, please, please put Ava on the phone. Listen, what she

needs is to hear you nicely and calmly. I'm calm. I'm calm. She's really not,

and you can't... Please, please, please put her on the phone to me. Please.

Ava, can you hear me?

Ava?

Ava, no, you know you can't have the phone. Baby, baby, calm down. Mum's

OK?

Has she done something to you? Has she done something to you?

Ava, you're going to need to tell me what's wrong, OK? Because I'm getting

worried. I'm getting very worried now.

OK, tell me what's happened.

OK.

I'm going to come... I'm going to come... I'm going to come round to you,

I'm going to see if... Don't panic. Sheila?

Sheila? Just please step back for a minute, please, yeah?

Sheila, I don't... Please do not butt into my conversation with my child.

Step away. Ava, I'm going to come round.

I'm not going to make it... Baby, I'm not going to make it worse.

You need your mum. I'm going to make it better, OK?

No,

you are not meant to be sorting this out. I am.

I've got to see to over now.

Once I've done that, I will call you back. Please don't put the phone down. I

promise.

All right, baby. We've got your special seat.

Yeah. Yeah.

Have you got your top? Yeah. All right, cool. I'm going to get Leo, and I'll

come back and get you in an hour.

OK.

What are you racking about?

What are you doing?

Molly, what are you doing?

Mum, just one minute. Mum, get out.

Molly, you know that you can't do this. Baby, just one minute.

I've got your sparkly case. It's got pads in it. Molly, you need to get out

the car immediately.

Get the fuck out!

Ava?

You like to break promises over and over again.

I'm not breaking a... What do you want?

This is different. This is different.

You called me.

I called and I shouldn't have called. You called me. You needed me.

You needed me. I told you not to come and you come.

Is that not breaking a promise?

You promised me.

Can you just go? I don't even want to see your face right now.

Ava, don't say that to me.

Don't touch me!

Why? Why?

I thought we were supposed to be a happy family.

But you are. But you're... You keep on breaking the rules.

Look, I love you and I want you to take it, OK? You never listen to me!

I'm not taking it. Molly, just leave it and get out the car, please. Thank you,

Pino. I've got to go and get Leah.

I'm not taking it.

Just leave it and get out the car. Baby, take it, please. No, I'm not taking it.

I do it all the time and I don't think it's fair.

No, don't touch me.

I said don't touch me!

Go.

Please, don't call him. Five. All right, just go.

Four.

Three.

Are you OK?

Not in the mood.

No, I don't blame you. Can we just go get Leo?

Yeah. You don't want to go dance?

Nope.

Well that's fair enough, come on then.

up at the top. Yep.

I've finished the cotton with that.

Good night.

Good night.

Mummy, I've got a wobbly tooth.

Wow, another tooth baby.

You think the tooth baby will know I'm staying at Sheila's.

Will you tell her mummy?

Yeah, I'll tell her.

Love you, Mummy.

Oh, baby, me too, more than anything.

Is Ava there? Can I speak to her?

She doesn't want to come to the phone, Mummy.

She said to stop asking.

I know she doesn't want to see me, but just tell her I'm doing everything I can

to make it better.

I love you both so much.

I've got to go play now, Mummy.

Love you.

Morning. Morning.

How was work?

Fuck, nice shifts, man.

So tired, Molly.

You hungry?

Yeah, I'm starving.

Well, Maya's heating up the enjawa. Don't worry, I didn't touch it.

Thank God.

How are you, though?

You know, Molly, all them social service meetings you go to, it's basically like

a full -time job, isn't it?

Now you've got your cleaning.

Are you sure you still have time to help me with Maya?

Yeah, of course, babe. You're all I've got.

Go on, then.

Molly, you know you should go and see your mum.

Um, what for?

I know it's not easy, but it hurts more to hold on to the pain. You know that,

right?

Oh. So have you spoke to your mum recently, then?

OK. Thanks, Molly.

Well, yeah, I'm just saying.

It's my baby's first day of school today.

Hello, is that my big boy?

Hello, Mama.

Ava helped me tie my shoes.

Oh, did she? I bet you look so handsome.

Yeah.

Um, Mom.

Hmm?

I really don't want to go.

Oh, baby, you're going to be fine at school, OK? And you've got Ava to look

after you as well. Yeah, I do.

Hi, Leo.

I'm Amina, and your mum's told me what a wonderful boy you are.

I know you're going to make lots of new friends, OK?

OK. Hi, Leah.

Hi. I'm Maya.

I was scared on my first day to beauty and yummy snacks, and it goes by really

fast.

You're amazing, baby.

I know.

I love you.

Where have you gone, baby? She was tickling me and making me laugh.

Oh, do you like her again?

I really like her, Mummy.

Can I buy her a present?

Yeah, of course you can, baby.

I've got to go now, but I'm squeezing the phone. Are you?

Yep.

Love you.

Love you, Mummy.

You're going to be fine.

Have you... Have you said your blessings?

Yes, I have. Well, do them again then, just to be sure.

Got it.

I'm going to drop you to court, then go down to the housing office.

Especially to wait in here for a year with no fucking information.

I'm working after, so if you could pick up Maya from judo, then I'll bring us

dinner home, okay?

Yeah.

Listen, I know it all feels like it's biting on Ava at the moment, but you

round.

Now, listen, Molly, you want to make this woman your best friend.

She's the guardian who speaks on behalf of Leo and Ava, and she has a really big

sway with the judge, so you want to get her on your side, right?

Right? Yeah. OK.

Hello.

It's really lovely to meet you. Lovely to meet you too, Molly.

Thank you for everything you're doing. I really appreciate it.

You don't need to thank me. I've met Ava and Leo.

They're lovely. They're a great testament to you.

Thank you.

Don't say that.

You're in a bit of a difficult situation now, Molly.

Has Ava, um... Like what she said, does she want to come home with me?

I'm still in the process of collecting the children's wishes, but Ava has said

that she does want her voice to be valued in court.

She's angry with me because I keep breaking my promises because of what's

on, so... I understand how hard it can be, Molly, but at some point you have to

take accountability for your actions.

Yeah, I know.

And I have.

I've been to the appointments, I've been to every meeting, all the classes.

But, you know, I tried with therapy and the waiting lists are so long that I

can't even get an appointment until after the judge has even made a

It's difficult and these things are happening all the time.

Do you know Ava's decision?

I can't say right now, but what's important is that we focus on

children and making sure that we put their future first.

Maya, can you take your uniform off, please, and hang it up?

Maya, can you take your uniform off, please, and hang it up? Maya?

What did your mum just say? Take your uniform off and hang it up now.

Thank you, Molly.

She needs new shoes, you know.

I know.

Look, look at that.

What can I do about it?

Everyone's laughing at me in school because of their shoe toilet.

Maya, it's character building, darling.

Mate, it's madness. You can't have her walking around with shoes like that when

that woman owes you money. It's a joke. I mean, who is she? Where does she live?

Her name's Kim Davis.

Is this her?

Yes, that is her.

Let's have a look. Let me see.

That's her with her shopping bag. She's got coffee and a piece of chocolate.

She's so rude.

She's always telling me she ain't got no money.

She's taking the piss.

Fuck it, Molly. I'm going round there. On your own?

No, you're coming with me. Just like the old days, Molly. Me and you against the

world. Come on.

May not.

I've got too much to lose. You know that.

I can't do it. I can't.

No, you're right.

She'd have fucking done it sooner, man.

She's living it large, having her best life, and I'm stuck here, Molly. I can't

even buy my own shoes.

No, that's it. Fuck that bitch. Mina, Mina, wait. Look, what are you going to

if he kicks off? Seriously.

I haven't thought about that yet, but I'm going to fucking go and get my

That's it. I've had enough.

I can't take any more of this. Mina, please don't go.

She'll come back.

Hello, Cheryl.

Dear God, please help me.

Yeah, I know you had a hymn on me.

Be with me.

Mina, look at me.

It's going to be fine.

Stop freaking out.

God, be with me.

Fucking hell, it's not that bad, is it?

Who are you calling?

I hope music.

You ready?

You ready?

God, you must be freezing.

Yeah, it is cold.

I'm Amina. I'll stop you there.

Unfortunately, I won't be buying tonight.

What the hell? Do you not recognise me?

Should I?

Well, I've left you no fucking messages.

Sorry, I don't know what you're talking about.

Just give her a deposit back, you dodgy cunt. I'm going to shut the door now.

Stop playing dumb, Kim.

OK? I've asked you nicely, now give me my deposit back.

Oh, got it. Is that your car, Kim?

Isn't it gorgeous?

I had every right to keep your deposit.

That's fucking bullshit.

Now go and get your checkbook and give me my fucking deposit back so we can get

this over and done with. Leave me alone or I'll call the police. Wait, no one's

calling the police?

Yeah, call the police. I can fucking tell them and explain to them that you

stole from a homeless woman.

Don't you dare slam the door in my fucking face, Kim.

Don't slam the door in my face.

We're homeless, you know me and my daughter.

Look at me. I said I can't have any trouble.

What? This is private property.

I'm all right. Oi! I'm all right.

Don't fucking push her!

Don't you dare fucking push her!

Give me my fucking money, Kim!

I now mean that she's got it back. Come on, let's go. You can go, Molly. I'm

getting my fucking money back.

Yeah?

Right,

we want to go home, yeah? So, as you want to do it, cash or check?

I'll write a cheque if that's okay. Great. Yeah.

Do you mind?

Thanks. How much was that?

Fifteen hundred.

Thanks, Kim.

There you go.

Thank you.

Be out of your hair, Kim.

You won't hear from us again.

This money's going to go to really good use.

Thank you so much.

Just so it's clear, Kim, we just came to get the money that was rightfully owed

to Amina.

We didn't hurt you.

We didn't steal anything.

We just came to get the money that was rightfully owed.

That's right.

Great. Thank you very much, Kim.

I love what you've done for your health.

Are you okay?

Oh, my dear.

Thank you so much. I could not have done that

without you. Oh, I think you could. You went like a full -on rag -o back there.

What was that?

I didn't really get that.

She came back.

She was not happy.

Give it back. Give it back.

Thanks for watching us, Sylvie. You're an angel.

Oh, she's been no trouble whatsoever.

You've got a gold in you, darling.

You going to give Nana a hug?

Why don't you take your mum home, Molly?

Are you coming in for a nightcap, darling?

There you go, darling.

Okay.

A little berry?

I don't know.

Okay.

You alright?

You know, Mum, I look at... and I feel so sad.

All the adventures she wanted to go on.

Mm.

There's no -one there to keep her safe, though.

Mm.

You're not going to start, are you?

No?

Look at her, that.

Cheeky. Not much change now, actually.

Aye. Oh.

Shall we have a diggy, darling?

I promised myself I never wanted you to go through what I went through.

Yeah.

I promised that to myself and all.

Yeah, I know.

But you did your best, darling.

Sometimes your best ain't good enough, Mum.

Why do you think it's called your best?

It's just the best you can do at the time

Hello? Oh my God, I've been trying to call you.

I fell asleep.

What do you mean you fell asleep?

I met my mum.

Don't do that to me again.

You worried me.

Why? I didn't know what happened to you. What if you got arrested or something?

What did you think would happen to me now?

Don't laugh at me, Molly.

Where are you?

Welcome to my crib.

You've always wanted to say that, haven't you? Fuck, I've always wanted to

that.

Come on, then.

Yeah,

fucking hell, though, the rooms are massive.

Can you afford it?

I mean, how did you find it, Amina?

It's mad. It came on the website this morning, so I ran over here to have a

at it. Do you like it, Molly?

Mate, I love it. I've been looking at places online and it's full of pages and

pages of shit that I can't afford.

I thought this money was going to sort us out. But once I pay for the deposit,

then what?

I work all the hours that I can.

And who knows how long I'll be waiting in that hostel.

It's fucked.

Mate, it's going to take me months to save for a deposit.

Molly, we've both been through a lot.

I'm finding you again.

has helped me more than I'd ever realised.

You see me.

You see me more than anyone in my whole life has ever seen me.

I'm not just a mum.

I'm Amina.

I'm me.

And it's not all about the kids.

You're not proposing to me, are you?

Shut up.

No, but honestly, Amina, I couldn't have done it without you.

Your love is magic, do you know that?

It does magical things to people.

It might sound mad, but it could work.

What?

I was thinking we could split the rent 50 -50.

And we'll use my money for the deposit, a bit like a loan.

I really want to live here, Molly.

We deserve this.

We all do.

That's why I chose here, Molly.

It's big enough for all of us.

Our whole family.

Eva and Leo as well.

Thank you.

Thank you for joining our final day of proceedings and for the work all parties

have put in over this time.

The Children's Guardian is now going to read out a statement that was written by

Ava Brown and is signed by Leah Brown at the bottom also.

My mum isn't perfect.

And her going to prison was the hardest thing we've ever had to deal with.

Especially when no one turned up to pick us up from school that day and we

didn't know where she was.

I didn't know pain like that existed.

Now I know it does.

We've not had it easy, even before that, but we've always had each other.

I look after my mum sometimes, even though she's supposed to look after me,

which she does, and then sometimes I look after Leo.

and sometimes Leo looks after me, and that's just what we do.

She encourages me to love school and taught me about cool scientists that

women whilst everyone was learning about princesses.

I know everyone thinks they have the best mum in the world, but I think my

would be a pretty strong contender.

Things don't always come out the right way. And sometimes she makes decisions

that maybe other people wouldn't make.

But she's always done the best that she ever could.

And her best is good enough for us.

If I could live anywhere, it would be anywhere together.

And I know my baby brother feels the same.

Thank you to Sheila.

We really love her.

And she's been so kind to us.

But we would like to go home now.

Thank you for listening.

Ava Brown.

in emphatic terms, to say that she is sorry for abducting the children, for

going to prison and for being in an abusive relationship with Ava's father.

The mother loves her children greatly and she wants to be mother to them.

However, I remain deeply concerned with the mother's erratic behaviour whilst

abducting the children.

The mother had no plans when she abducted the children and she took them

barely any money and nowhere to live.

The mother's actions were reckless and selfish.

I am also of the opinion that the mother has made significant changes in her

life, including making more desirable friends, one of whom is Miss Amina Ali.

who has provided a statement in these proceedings to support the return of the

children to the mother's care.

And also noting her housing arrangement.

My judgment is therefore that the children will be returned to the mother

the phased plan set out by Lydia Bass.

And the children will be made subject to a supervision order for a period of 12

months so that the local authority can continue to support the family.

To the mother, I will say well done for coming this far.

It will not be easy and this is only the first step.

However, you have two children.

who from the report I have read are intelligent and friendly and are a real

credit to you.

Thank you.

Bye forever, Sheila.

Oh, yeah.

Bye.

Well done, Molly.

Thank you.

Thank you for loving my baby.

Bye -bye.

Thank you, Sheila.

Thank you for looking after me.

Ready?

Yeah.

This is your new house, Elephant.

Do you like it?

Mom, who are these two people?

Well, this is Maya.

And this... is my best friend, Amina.

Hello, Avon, Leo.

You're just in time for our party, and we've got chocolate cake.

Do you like chocolate cake, Leo?

Yeah. And guess what?

I told Maya all about your dancing.

Mm -hmm, it's true.

So do you want to play music with that, too? Yeah!

Yeah?

I know this is going to take some getting used to, darling.

Do you want to come with me to your bedroom?

Yeah.

Bye -bye.

Everything's okay, baby.

Okay? You're home now.

All you need is love. All you need

is

love.

And this love, this love will carry you through.

All you need is love.

All you need is love.

All you need is love.

I don't know.

I don't know. I

don't know.