Original subtitles

THUD WOMAN SCREAMS

ECHOES: - 'We all need you, Tom.'

- CHRISTINE: - 'Stay with me, Tom.'

Tom!

- It's a big deal bagging the Head's job.

- 'I didn't exactly bag it, did I?'

'If I fail, I fail.'

Don't you think I deserve a chance?

I said I love you.

- I'm sorry, Christine, but I don't love you.

- SIMON: 'You look like you could use a drink.'

I saw you arrive so I stuck another bag in the pot.

- I thought I'd be first in.

I've got my meeting with Robert Bain from the council to

prepare for, what's your excuse?

- Ah, well, I never get as much done as I'd like to on the inset days, so...

- Ah well, I'll try not disturb you.

- Ditto.

Oh, actually, re your meeting with Bain,

I was going to put these on your desk.

They're copies of the yearly budgets for St Dominic's and Havelock High.

Thought they might help you.

- Thanks, Simon, that's really good of you.

- Hey, we're a team, aren't we?

- Oh...Mitzi,

hello.

Hello.

# Happy birthday to me

# Happy birthday to me... #

You didn't forget, did you, Mitzi?

- CAR ALARM WAILS OUTSIDE

Sorry, guys, the milk's off.

- Aw, man!

- LISA: - It's not your fault.

- What are we going to do?

- You'll have to have them with no milk.

- I'm not hungry.

- Lisa! You must be hungry.

You had nothing to eat last night either.

KNOCKS AT DOOR

- Who's that? - Shh.

Shhh!

DOOR THUDS

Move, kitchen, go.

- Don't tell me. You were you in the bath?

- Hi, Sol. Look, I'm sorry about...

I had my earphones in.

- You know why I'm here, Larry.

- Look, you'll get what's owed to you.

And 10% on top.

Right, by 5:00 this evening. That's a promise.

- Shut it and stop messing me about, all right?!

- Oi! Leave my brother alone! - Lisa!

- SOL LAUGHS

- Now, you never told me you had a little sister, Larry.

Interesting.

- This has got nothing to do with her.

- Well, it might have.

If you don't get your act together.

5:00, Larry.

Or me and your sister...

might have to go on a "wee date".

- Larry? - Shut up.

We're in trouble here, Lisa. Big trouble.

Look, just keep your heads down today, yeah?

And you, keep your mouth shut, no blabbing.

GENERAL CHATTER

- Morning all. - Morning.

- You look smart, Audrey.

- Well, it's quite a special day

so I thought I'd better mark the occasion.

- Yeah. We were just saying how weird it's going to be without him.

- Tom...yes, quite.

- I suppose I'd better get back inside.

- I'm surprised there's room.

What? With Simon's ego taking up all that space.

- Now, now, Nikki.

- Ooh, Mrs Mulgrew.

- Ah, Sue!

Darren Hughes!

First warning of the term.

Knocking over teachers will not be tolerated.

- I never knew she were a teacher.

- Well, you know now. So walk, don't run.

Sue Spark, our new science NQT.

Nikki will look after you.

- Nikki Boston, Head of the PRU.

- That's the first time I've properly been called a teacher.

- It's not the only thing you're going to get called in here.

Come on, I'll show you round.

- What's the occasion?

- It's my birthday.

- You'll be expecting your telegram from the Queen any day, then.

- Are you doing anything special?

- Well, I was thinking,

if anyone's free after work, we could head to the pub - drinks are on me.

- Sounds nice(!)

- George?

This is Sue Spark.

This is George Windsor, he's head of modern languages.

And this is our Deputy Head - Simon Lowsley.

- Oh, Simon and I know each other.

- You did your training at my old school, didn't you? Yeah.

Welcome to Waterloo Road.

- Do you want a cup of tea? - Yes, please.

- We really would've expected you to get in touch last term, Mr Brown.

- Look, I'm sorry, it's just, they're dead keen to join

and it's all been a bit last-minute.

- And there's only the three of you at home?

- Yes, I'm the legal guardian, since Mum...

My Mum's got mental health issues. She's not home.

- I see.

Well, you'll have to wait until after my next meeting I'm afraid.

- Really?

It's just I've got a job on this morning,

and if I'm late, I'm in trouble.

- Well, Sonya can do the basic paperwork for now,

and you can come back later in the week for a follow-up chat, OK?

Sonya.

- Sorry, it's a bit stuffy in here, innit?

What's your full name?

- OK, guys, let's get started.

- Thanks, Simon, I'll take it from here.

Sorry I got held up. I'll try and make this brief.

Welcome back to another term.

- Hurrah. - Can't wait.

- You're going to need a sense of humour over the next term.

There's no way of sweetening the pill, I'm afraid.

We are going to have to cut back

in virtually every area now we don't have Lorraine Donnegan's slush fund.

- Yeah, Waterloo Road was living in a bubble as an Independent.

- We have all worked in state-run schools before, Simon.

- It's true this is a transitional term,

but there's no reason we shouldn't rise to the challenge,

and I don't want the pupils to suffer as a result.

Our job is to make sure they've had the best education possible

when we come out the other side.

- And will you still be the Head when we do?

Sorry, I just understood you were only Acting Head?

- Yes, well, I'll be in the position for this term at least.

What matters is we all have a job to do.

George, can I get your departmental budgets, please?

- You know, I'd rather open a vein than let you down.

- You are the one department I'll be investing in so help me out here.

- Why I left Shanghai, I'll never know.

- Sorry I'm late. I got slowed down by my travelling companion.

- I didn't want to miss the special assembly.

- CONNOR: I'm worried about her.

She was up at the crack of dawn this morning.

- Morning, everyone.

- ALL MURMUR GOOD MORNING

- Good to see so many familiar faces.

But I'd like to welcome all newcomers to Waterloo Road.

- Oh, what?

- I hope the next term is fruitful for you and I'm sure your teachers...

- (Oh, they're minging.)

- ..and classmates will help make you feel at home here.

I'd especially like to welcome our new teacher, Miss Spark,

who is joining the science department.

- WOLF WHISTLES AND APPLAUSE

- But it is also appropriate that we say goodbye to someone.

Tom Clarkson was a much-loved teacher and valued colleague

who sadly died in an accident at the end of last term.

Most of you will know Mr Budgen who has been off sick, and I'm

glad to say he is here to lead us in our...

farewell to Mr Clarkson.

- Bear with me.

I'll keep this simple because, actually, it is.

For those of you who didn't know Mr Clarkson...Tom...

I'm only sorry that you didn't get the opportunity.

For those of us who did,

our lives will have been enriched because of it.

Mr Clarkson was the proud

and dedicated coach of the Waterloo Road football team

who will be playing a boys vs girls friendly this afternoon.

In the meantime, I would like to invite you to join me

in a minute's silence of remembrance.

- HE BELCHES THEY GIGGLE

- Kacey?

- That's where he fell. Right there.

- Why don't you come back inside?

- Cos one poxy minute isn't going to bring him back.

- There's the football match this afternoon, that's in his memory.

- How can we do a football match without a coach?

- Well...I'm taking over for now.

- Yeah? Well, good luck with that.

Can you leave me alone now, please?

- We all miss him, Kacey.

- KACEY SOBS

- Christine, about the Brown twins...

- Sorry?

- Lenny and Lisa Brown - I knew them

when I worked at Havelock High, I saw them here in assembly?

- Oh, of course - they enrolled this morning.

- It's just the state of them.

- I know. They certainly could use a good scrub.

- The thing is, when I had them at Havelock,

they were bright chirpy wee things.

- Well, I dare say they hadn't hit puberty then.

- Yes, but... - And they had their mother at home.

She's in long-term psychiatric care, apparently,

so they're doing the best they can without her.

- Oh. How very sad.

- WOMAN: - Miss Mulgrew?

- LENNY: Don't know where it is.

- Lenny and Lisa Brown - remember me?

- No.

- Miss McFall from Havelock High?

- Yes! Well remembered.

- You gave me detention for cheating when I never.

- Really?

Well, water under the bridge.

Now, haven't you two changed?

I remember your brother at Havelock was hoping to go to catering college.

What's he doing?

- What about your brother? What's he up to these days?

- I don't have a brother.

- Yeah, well, that's your look out. We've gotta go.

- MUSIC: "Everybody Looks Better (In The Right Light) by Frankie and the Heartstrings

# And then he entered the room

# And looked like his kinda place

# The bluest jeans that I've seen

# Had a smile on his face. #

- Welcome, class. - Hello.

- Take a seat at your work stations.

Write your name on the stickers provided and I can get to know who you all are.

I'm your new teacher, Miss Spark.

Hopefully, you're all going to be my bright sparks this term.

- Oh, my God.

- And, speaking of bright sparks,

it's fitting that our first lesson should be

a simple introduction to electricity.

We're working in groups of three today.

- No, no way.

- Sit back down please.

- Are you joking me? They're rank!

- No, I've planned this lesson for groups of three, so sit back down,

Rhiannon, or I shall be forced to give you a warning.

- I don't feel so good, Lise.

- You need to eat. Where's the stuff Larry gave you?

- Aren't you a bit old to be in Year Four?

- Shut your face, I'm in Year Six.

- So, what - you're special needs or something?

- She's in the PRU, so she's repeating, like, everything.

- Just this science module, actually, Mr Perfect. Plus...

Maybe I like hanging around with munters?

- Skills.

- What's that?

- Nothing. - Lemme see.

Cereal? That's one sad snack item, loser.

Oh, my God, there's BUGS!

- RHIANNON SCREAMS

MISS SPARK: - Class, calm down, please.

- There's bugs and he was eating them!

- BELL RINGS

RHIANNON: - Oi, Bug Boy.

- What are you doing?! You've ruined it! - Minger.

- Leave him alone.

- Bloody hell, what's that supposed to be?

- Oh, Kacey. - I made that frame myself.

It was supposed to be a proper memorial and now he's ruined it.

SIMON: - Hey! Hey!

- There's nothing to see here.

- Lenny.

OK, put your head down.

- Lenny! - It's all right, he's just fainted.

- It's like he's replaceable or something.

I mean - Miss Boston's taking his English class,

Miss Boston's coaching the football team

but she is not Mr Clarkson and she will never match up.

SIMON: - Is she supposed to?

Look, Kacey, I know you're hurting, all right?

But it's not going to make anything better by blaming Miss Boston,

in fact, I reckon it's going to make you feel worse.

- How could it? - Because you're a fair person...

and you know Miss Boston is only trying to help.

She really cared for Mr Clarkson too...

so she's probably got a really good idea of what you're going through.

You've just got to give her a chance.

- KNOCK AT DOOR

- I brought the things from Mr Clarkson's memorial.

I fixed it.

- I made it myself in CDT.

- You better take better care of it.

I thought we could print off another photo from the school website

and put it in the trophy cabinet.

- Yeah, with his strip and his ref whistle.

- Good idea.

- Look, Kacey - I've been thinking.

I know you said you weren't playing in the friendly today but...

I'm just worried that you might end up regretting it.

Because...

Well, like you said yourself, the team really mattered to Mr Clarkson.

So don't you think he'd want the captain that he trained

himself to go and show the boys what's what?

- I suppose, if it is for him...

- I think you could make that pretty clear, yourself,

if you'd just agree to say a few words.

- So much for keeping our heads down.

- There we are, one for you as well, flower.

Bit of scran and he's looking better already.

- Even so, I'd like to speak to your brother,

see if he can take you home as you're feeling poorly.

- Larry works mornings all this week.

- I don't need to go home. I'm fine now.

- OK. But I think it would be a good idea

if he took you to see your family GP just in case.

I'll call him shortly. - OK.

- I've been trying to explain to Lenny and Lisa how much better they might

feel if they had a nice hot shower before school, washed their hair.

- And we told her, our boiler's getting fixed.

- But you can use the facilities here.

Mrs Budgen said she'd find you some PE clothes to wear whilst

we have yours washed.

- If they wanted.

- I'm not taking my clothes off!

- Thank you, Ms McFall. Lenny was lucky you were there

when he blacked out but I think you can leave this to us now.

- Some things never change.

- Best leave him to it.

- Don't worry.

You could set a firework off right next to his head

and he still wouldn't wake up.

- There's been such a lot of change around here recently.

It must be difficult for you all.

- Look...

I know I've been off with you...

- That's understandable. I took your job.

- No, I thought you were a prat.

It was a bit of both really. Either way, I'm sorry.

You're not a bad guy.

- Thanks.

Let's just remember, we're on the same side

so try and work together, yeah?

- Well, the main thing is that Kacey gets looked after.

Yeah.

- Eh, Simon, I'm just off to my council meeting.

- No worries, we've got it covered here.

- Well, that looked cosy?

- Oh, he's still a smug know-it-all, but you know what, I think

he really cares about the kids, so I have decided to bury

the hatchet somewhere other than his actual head.

- Good, I'm glad to hear it.

- It seems Mr Lowsley's lining up his allies, then.

You mark my words, he's got his eye on your job.

- Isn't there a dialysis machine missing you at home?

- Just warning you, Christine.

- No need, Grantly. I'm on to him.

- 'Lenny seems OK now, but'

it would be good if you could call the office back

to discuss a few things.

Thanks.

- What are you doing? I said I would call the brother.

- I just wanted to make sure.

- Look, I understand your concern, Audrey,

but these things need to be handled sensitively.

- I've put your papers together.

- It just seems obvious to me that those children are being neglected.

- They've only been here a morning - we can't go making assumptions.

- Christine - I knew them when their mother was still at home.

The deterioration is unbelievable.

- There are plenty less than fragrant teenagers in this building.

You can't violate their privacy by demanding they strip off

and jump in the shower.

- The boy's sickly. He fainted from hunger.

- Yes, and now he's here, he'll get at least one hot meal today.

- Tres bien, Hamish.

Et, Shaznay,

qu'avez-vous fait pendant les vacances?

- Sorry?

- It's the same question as I've just asked three other people -

what did you do during your holidays?

- Got wasted with my mates and nicked my uncle's car.

PUPILS LAUGH

- In French.

If you don't know the words for "wasted" or "nicked",

then be creative.

Perhaps, whilst in your cups, you purloined the vehicle

belonging to your mother's brother against his consent?

- If you say so.

- No, if you say so, Shaznay, tomorrow, in French,

in front of your colleagues, word perfect, ten times.

You - qu'avez-vous fait pendant les vacances?

- I know what you're asking but we don't speak French.

- Yes, hence the classes.

But as you seem to be lagging behind even these gibbons,

I have a suggestion to help you catch up.

- MISS MCFALL: - 'Now make sure there's enough'

information on the monarch of your choice to support your project

or you'll find yourself struggling.

- Dynasty, is your head itching?

- No.

- Seriously, I think there's something in my hair. Can you have a look?

- Hello, you two. I thought you'd been sent back to class?

- The French teacher told us to come

and catch up on some basic vocabulary off the internet.

- Cos we're new. - Oh, right.

- We don't care. It's not like anyone wants us there anyway.

- They just need to get to know you better, I'm sure.

As do I.

I wanted to apologise if I upset you both earlier.

It's good to see the colour back in your cheeks, Lenny.

Do you know, I'm a cat fan as well.

My cat, Mitzi, I spoil her rotten.

- I'm not a "cat fan". It's just a T-shirt.

- I see. You don't have any pets?

- We used to have a dog called Muff but she got run over.

- Sad - when was that?

Anyway.

Feel free to come and find me if ever you need to.

Or if you just want to talk.

- We don't.

- GIRL: - Miss.

- Maybe she's just trying to be nice?

- Yeah, or maybe she's trying to stick her nose in it.

Mind you, if she wants us to be friends,

maybe we should take her up on her offer?

- 'Fraid so, babes, I've just seen one.

- I've got NITS in my hair?

- So? Wear 'em with pride or shave your head.

That's what they do inside. - That's helpful.

- They gotta feed somewhere, circle of life.

- It's them.

- You don't know that.

- I so do - that stupid new teacher made me sit next to them,

you just know they're crawling.

- SHE GROANS

MAN: You've clearly got big plans for embedding

Mandarin into the curriculum.

- Mandarin is going to be the first language of business

by the time these kids enter the workplace.

- And how many of Waterloo Road's progeny do you envisage

going into international commerce?

- They'll have a major advantage over many of their peers.

- And you're also pitching for a wider vocational

syllabus for the less academic students.

- We want to be progressive but...realistic at the same time.

- I have to be honest, Christine.

We're cutting back in all areas at the moment

and you're asking for a budget increase?

- A temporary one, just for this first year

to help us through the transition from being an independent.

- Sandra, can you bring us some teas, please?

- Well, hello.

- We just wanted to say thank you for being so nice to us.

- It's easy being nice, Lisa. Much easier than being unpleasant.

- Yeah.

So I do like cats, actually.

I don't know why I said I didn't.

- Well, it's hard when you're new, isn't it?

Everybody asking you questions about yourself.

- We're a bit shy, I suppose.

- Well, I'm always here.

And it doesn't have to be in school hours either.

If you need any extra tuition, I could come round after school.

- No!

- Larry works from home sometimes, we can't disturb him.

- OK.

Well, I live just around the corner in Barrington Road and

I'm free most weekends so if you've any trouble at school or at home...

- There's no trouble at home.

- ..you could meet Mitzi.

- Yeah, thanks, Miss.

- Lenny?

- I just went a bit dizzy again.

- Put your head between your knees.

Look, I don't think you can wait until lunchtime.

I've got some nice coffee cake in the staff room.

How does that sound?

- No, I'm all right, thanks.

- I'm not going to take no for an answer.

Let me just get my bag.

- RHIANNON: - Oi, mingers!

- LAUGHTER

- Rhiannon! For goodness' sake!

- Well, someone's got to do something.

- Why did you have to do that?!

What did she ever do to you?!

- She gave me nits is what!

- Get to the cooler at once!

- LAUGHTER

I see you've called your manifesto "Putting Pupils First".

Do you think your predecessor had a different set of priorities?

- No. Of course, Michael tried his best to...

- HE CHUCKLES

His best was pretty good, Christine.

Look...

..I appreciate your enthusiasm. It's admirable.

But this proposal is naive to say the least

and naivety is not an asset in a head teacher.

- Well, I'd rather call it being proactive.

You'll see that I've made savings in other areas...

- Christine, you're only the Acting Head.

I'm not about to make radical decisions about Waterloo Road's

budget without someone permanently at the helm.

I'm advertising the post to start next term.

Of course, you're welcome to apply.

- Well, I hope I can persuade you that I'm the right

person for the job before then.

- Well, leave this with me.

I'm not saying an outright no to everything -

your Mandarin initiative has legs, I think -

but you'd be better served learning to run

Waterloo Road on a tight budget than robbing Peter to pay Paul.

So...

..how's Simon Lowsley settling in?

- Yeah, he's, em, he's rising to the challenge, I think.

- Good. I'm glad to hear it.

I knew he'd be a useful resource to you given the circumstances.

GIRLS LAUGHING

Oh, my God. - She's such a skank.

- Maybe she had to wash or something?

- All right, ladies, clear off, please.

Come on, you shouldn't be here anyway if you haven't got PE.

- It's an old PE kit, but it'll do whilst I sort out your own things.

There's shampoo in the dispensers.

- Come on dear, there's no-one here.

You need to get warm. You change round there.

(Is that bites?)

- (Bedbugs or fleas. Septic, by the look of it.)

SHOWER STARTS RUNNING

- Lenny?

Lenny?

I need to know right now, what is going on at home?

- Nothing, Miss. - Really?

Well, that's not what Lisa just said.

Lenny, I'm very worried about you and your sister, I need to know.

- Miss, Larry's only doing it for us.

Honest. I mean he's a brilliant big brother.

- I know he is.

- He's not going to get in trouble, is he? Just for a bit of weed?

MOBILE PHONE RINGS

- Has anyone heard from Christine?

- No. - Still no word from the Brown twins' brother?

- Not yet.

- Let's hope he's busy fumigating his siblings' clothing.

- Well, Mr Windsor, you might want to spend a little more time

on your teaching skills rather than poking fun at vulnerable pupils.

- Do you have olfactory nerves?

- I do but I've been channelling my energies into addressing

the problem rather than ostracising the children themselves.

- I suppose we're worried about offending the parents.

- There are no parents.

- PHONE RINGS

- Then why is everyone pussyfooting around then?

- Waterloo Road - how can I help?

This afternoon?

Yeah, that should be fine.

- I walked out of that office and right in front of me...

there's about 100 bottles of wine just sitting there for...

some daft function.

I could have swiped the lot of them.

But I didn't. I...walked right out of the building

and I even managed to walk right past the offie on my way here.

That's when I knew for the first time, I really...

I can beat this thing.

- APPLAUSE MOBILE PHONE VIBRATES

SIGHS

DANCE MUSIC PLAYS

- Hello?

- DOOR THUDS

Look, you'll get your money then you leave us alone.

- Laurence Brown.

- I know you. - And I knew you, once.

- DIALS NUMBERS

- Look, Larry. I'm here about the twins. Lenny...

- I knew it! He can't keep his mouth shut.

Wait till I get my hands on him.

- Lenny wasn't well. He's better now. that he's had something to eat

and he was telling me all about you and how well you look after him and Lisa.

But...what's happening here,

it can't go on. I think you are aware of that.

- I'm "aware" you're a nosy old cow!

MOBILE PHONE RINGS

- Larry, I'm going to get my phone and I'm going to walk out of here.

- Yeah?

And then what? Call the police?

- You need help, Larry.

No young man like you should have so much responsibility.

- Give me that!

THUD

PHONE CONTINUES TO RING

- Lisa's clean and dry, and we can get some cream for their bites,

but she's embarrassed and upset.

And can I really blame her?

- Christine's going to need to speak to their guardian

sooner rather than later.

I know it's a sensitive issue, but the twins aren't going to

learn anything if they're being bullied because of their hygiene.

- I know we can't stick Lenny under a shower against his will,

but we could suggest he plays in the match

and that way he gets a good run-around,

and they all head for a wash afterwards.

- Good idea. Where is Christine anyway?

She should have been back ages ago?

- I used to think these meetings were...

an embarrassment.

Like they were beneath me.

But the truth is...

..they saved my life.

- Miss McFall?

Miss McFall?

Please?

Look, you're OK. You've just hit your head but you're gonnae be fine.

You're OK?

- Yes, yes, I'm OK.

- I'm really sorry, Miss McFall. I didn't mean it.

- I know you didn't.

- It's been really hard, you know, bringing the twins up on my own.

And my mum, she's left us with all these debts.

That's why I had to, you know...

- But drugs, Larry?

Dealing with criminals.

Look at the state of the place.

Maybe it would be better, just for a short time,

for Lenny and Lisa to go into care? - No.

- Just till you get back on your feet?

- They are not going into care, Do you understand?!

SHE WHIMPERS

- My head is pounding.

Do you have...?

Do you have an aspirin?

Water, a glass of water, please?

I suppose I should be surprised to see any of you at all, given

you were invited to the football match this afternoon instead.

- Well, since his mum decides the whole school needs to learn

Conversational Mandarin, we don't have much choice, do we?

- The course will look good on our uni applications.

- Zhong wen dui wo geng you bang zhu.

- Quite. Although frankly,

I fancy getting out there and cheering on the lads,

I don't know about anybody else? What do you say?

- Great, so even the teacher isn't interested(!)

- Unlike Gok Wan over there.

- Wo men neng yong zhong wen jia you.

- Yes, all right, Kevin. No-one likes a show off.

- Kasey.

- Mr Clarkson was the best coach ever.

He knew it's what's in here that counts.

It doesn't matter if you're a boy or a girl.

He went out on a limb for me

and I know he did for much more of you.

I miss him.

And I want to win for him today.

But whoever wins or loses...

..let's just please remember the man

who should be here today, cheering us all on.

But for now, we've got a new coach.

So let's get on with the show.

- All right, let's keep this clean and fair.

Let's make Mr Clarkson proud.

- CHEERING

- Isn't my mum supposed to be here?

- She had a meeting with the council. She must be running late.

- Come on, Kase.

- Good effort.

- Where the hell is Christine? - Audrey, what's happened?

- I need to talk to her.

- I'm here to pick up the twins.

I was really worried, after those voicemails...

- Yeah, they're at the football.

They'll be back soon though if you want to wait.

- I need to get them - if you could tell me where it is.

- Come on, then. I'll walk you over.

- Sonya!

- Audrey, are you sure you're all right?

Listen, why don't you come with us,

a bit of fresh air might do you good?

No?

Up to you.

- CHEERING

Where have you been? I've been worried about you.

- Why? I'm fine.

- You weren't here for kick-off. I had this feeling that...

- You and your feelings, Connor!

- Lisa, get Lenny!

- C'mon.

- Hey - you can't come on the pitch.

- This has nothing to do with you. - Hey!

- Tell her she's getting in the way of the match.

- I don't care about your stupid match or your stupid dead teacher.

- Whoa, whoa, whoa.

- Hey!

Hey! Get your hands off my sister!

- Sam, we're going now.

- Is there a problem, Mr Brown?

- It's a family thing. We got to go.

- Larry? - What's up, Larry?

- That old witch McFall's been in the flat, right, we need to leave it.

POLICE SIREN WAILS

- Larry!

- No! Leave him alone!

- Laurence Brown. I'm arresting you on suspicion

of possessing drugs with the intent to supply.

You do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defence

if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court.

Anything you do say may be given in evidence. Do you understand?

- You backstabbing old cow, how could you?! - Enough.

- Don't let them split up the twins, please! - What have you done?

- Is it always like this?

- Like what?

- Yeah, tell me about it. OK, thanks a lot. Bye.

SIGHS

Social Services are going to get back to us.

I said it was an emergency.

- Yeah, and Kacey is waiting for you in the cooler.

- I'll have to leave her to you for now, Nikki.

Sit down, Audrey.

- I don't want to have to punish her,

but she can't just lash out like that.

- She's got serious anger issues.

I'm going to talk to her again when she's calmed down - she needs to

find a way to express her feelings without leathering her classmates.

- How dare you take it upon yourself to go wading in like that!

- Those children needed help.

- You just got their brother arrested in front of everyone.

How helpful do you think that was?

- Are you trying to defend that boy growing drugs to sell to

innocent children?

- Don't insult me, Audrey.

What Larry Brown's been doing is illegal

and putting the twins in danger.

But that was not the way to handle the situation.

You spooked a desperate and volatile kid, anything could have happened!

You should never have gone round to that house

but having done so, you should have immediately spoken to me.

- I tried and you weren't here!

- We should have left it to Social Services to deal with the police.

- You were supposed to be back, and...

he turned up, I was scared and I didn't know what to do.

I mean, Christine, where were you?

- My meeting went on. Is that OK with you?

I suppose what's done is done.

- Perhaps I could apologise? Try and explain?

- I would stay well clear if I were you, Audrey.

- GENERAL CHATTER

IN MANDARIN: I would rather be a ghost, drifting by your side as a

condemned soul than enter heaven without you. Because of your love,

I will never be a lonely spirit.

- I beg your pardon?

- It's Chow Yun-Fat's death speech in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,

I learned it.

- OK.

- How was my pronunciation? - Woeful.

- Chalky says that Mandarin's the future so I've

been learning it off the internet during the break.

- The internet. I thought teenage boys only used that for one thing.

- Well, I'm looking forward to your next lesson, sir. - Mmm.

Ah, Audrey - I just heard the UN are looking for more peacekeepers

if you're at a loose end.

- Don't, it's her birthday.

- George, this is not a good time...

- Sorry, lovely, I know you must be up to your eyes in it

but wondering if I could just run something past you -

some of my Mandarin students are more advanced than others

and it seems sort of unfair to hold them back because of the beginners.

I'd like to be able to give them the attention they really deserve.

- What do you want, George? - A Teaching Assistant,

to pick up the over spill.

I know someone who's very reasonable.

- Why not?

Mandarin seems to be the only thing in the budget

the council aren't going to cut so have him come in and see me.

Sonya, make an appointment, will you?

- Right.

What's his name?

- He's a "she" actually.

- Come on.

- What's going on? I thought I was on a detention?

- Yeah, you are but we might as well make it productive.

You need to find a way of expressing your anger,

Kacey, without hurting anyone.

You've got to learn some discipline and control.

I used to box in the Army.

You up for it?

Social Services on their way?

- Yes, yes, they are.

- Lenny lost two stone when we were split up before, and he never spoke

for six months, so why don't you just stick us in the jail as well?!

- We can look after ourselves at home.

Take Larry's gear away, whatever,

but why can't we just stay at the house if that's what we really want?

- That is not an option, Lenny.

But staying together might be as pupils of Waterloo Road.

- Well, there's only the guest room available at the schoolhouse,

and that's really meant to be for boarders' family visits.

- Yeah, but you won't get any visits until half term, will you?

And the twins could double up with other boarders during busy times

until more space becomes available.

- We can give it a go.

- Thanks, Maggie. I'll speak to the social workers.

But it makes sense in terms of your education as well.

- Well, I'm glad to see you two are going to a good home tonight.

If anyone can take care of you, Mrs Budgen can.

- From what I hear, the brother was doing a pretty good job.

- We're going to a nice place tonight and Larry's in a cell.

- Lenny, you must understand.

- No.

I don't.

- Neither do I.

- If you want to ignore the damage

drugs inflict on our society then I don't...

- Audrey. Audrey, have you ever stopped to

think that just maybe sometimes that you don't get it?

Those kids, they love their brother. And he loves them and now he's gone.

- Yes, but surely they're much better off with you?

- You've been on your own way too long and no wonder.

Who could ever, ever live up to your standards?

- Audrey.

Here - how about we go for that drink? I've changed my plans.

- No, sorry. Sorry, Sonya, I've got marking to do.

- Go on!

Get your guard up, you're leaving yourself wide open.

And again!

Right, hook. Hook.

Go on.

Guard.

- Sorry. - Every time.

- Sue!

- I don't know what you're worried about,

we've been officially introduced now.

- I'd just prefer to keep my private life private, Sue.

I don't want to seem unprofessional. - OK, bossman.

- How did it go anyway? - Pretty crazy.

Oh, my dad rang, he's cooking me

dinner to celebrate my first day in the job.

And, of course, his future son-in-law's invited too.

- Just getting ahead on some marking.

- Look, I shouldn't have been so abrupt.

I should have been here.

I'm sorry. - No, I'm sorry.

I just feel...

I feel invisible sometimes.

Everybody just seems to be so busy - busy with their jobs...

..and their friends and their families.

- AUDREY SNIFFLES

- I just wanted to make a difference to someone.

I wanted to matter.

- Audrey, believe it or not...

..I know exactly how you feel.

I felt so insignificant today...

..all I wanted to do was drown myself in a bottle of vodka.

So, I stopped off at the offie.

That's why I was so late back.

- Christine, you didn't!

- No.

I went to a support meeting instead.

I decided that was the better option.

- You talk to me next time, won't you?

- You too.

You're not alone.

- It might not be the best reception,

but at least you can play DVDs if you want.

- You'll have to share a room until another one comes free.

- I'm not leaving Lenny. No way.

- Look, you are perfectly safe here. I promise you that.

- And what about Larry?

How safe is he in a cell somewhere just for trying to take care of us?

- One thing at a time, eh?

Dinner's downstairs at seven.

- I've used all the nit shampoo and they'll need a new bottle.

- Ah, Rhiannon, back here.

I've been over these two with my nit comb and they're both clean as a

whistle so it looks like you're the only one with the nits, Rhiannon.

- Oh, what?! - Bye.

- Thanks, Mrs Budgen. - You're very welcome..

- We can get out this way, down the ledge. - What?

- Well, you don't want to stay here, do you?

- Yeah, I do.

I mean it's warm and clean and there's dinner.

Like she said, it's safe.

Just for now, Lise?

They're really, really nice people here. Please?

- OK.

But I'm not letting her away with it. McFall.

- Well, what can we do?

- She told us to come round any time.

Dad.

- 'Sue, is that you?'

- It smells great.

- Darling.

Well, did you survive?

- Just about. That place is a madhouse. I was saying to Simon,

anything after today would be a piece of cake.

- How did the meeting go with Christine Mulgrew?

- Now, now, no speaking out of school, eh. Get it?

Come on, there's a bottle open.

- We can get round this way.

- What now?

- I don't know.

We could shove something gross through her letter box.

Or smash her windows in.

Give her a heart attack! - I don't want to get in trouble, Lise.

- Come on, I've got an idea.

- IMPERSONATING AUDREY: - My poor cat. Where's my cat?

- I'd like to introduce you all to your new mandarin teaching

assistant, Mrs Windsor.

- WOLF WHISTLES

If you'd like to locate your nearest emergency exits which are

there, there and there.

- Not just anyone can be a flight attendant you know.

There are standards.

Like a height/weight ratio for a start.

- Come on, guys, we're on strike.

- Well, you're excluded. - You're excluding me?

- 'All of you.'

- Is anyone there?

- ALARM WAILS

- Hello?

Is anyone there?

- This isn't a drill. - Oh, my days, it's a fire.

Argh! There's a fire! - Don't run!

- Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd