Original subtitles

Darren. Darren.

Darren!

Darren, man! Come on, it's about time you were gone.

DARREN GROANS

And you kept me awake half the night. Cheers for that, mate.

- Morning.

Lenny? You're going to miss breakfast

- If she finds you in here, I'm dead, mate.

You're going to have to jump.

- You're joking, right?

- It's only a floor. Hurry up. - You got somebody in there?

- Hurry up, Darren, jump.

- Lenny Brown?

Open this door.

I'm coming in.

- Mrs Budgen, I didn't hear my alarm

and I just thought I'd tidy my room up before I can down for breakfast.

- Taken a sudden liking to fresh air, have we?

Oi! Darren Hughes.

Have you forgotten something?

Yeah, now trot off home where you belong.

You, my lad, have some explaining to do.

- Well? Will I do?

- Absolutely. You're one sexy headteacher.

Nervous?

- Er...no. You?

- Not sure what the teachers made of me on the inset day.

You know, the one that got the job because of her boyfriend?

- We are a package.

And you are easily one of the top 25 art teachers I have ever seen.

- Thank you.

- Ew, Mum! - Get a room!

- Thanks, guys. Nice to know we can count on your support!

- Well, if you don't want to be seen with us,

maybe I should cancel the restaurant?

- Oh, yeah, as it's a new start for us

Vaughan thought we should celebrate tonight.

- Nice one, cheers, Vaughan. - Yeah, thanks.

- Grab your coats, you two, we'll see you at the car.

This is the right move.

Now that we're here we can leave all the other stuff behind us.

- You're not seriously going to use this in your lessons?

- I'll have you know Rhapsody in Rust won me

a major prize at art college.

- Tell them you found it in a skip.

- Have a good day.

Any problems, don't bring them to me.

- See you later.

- Morning.

Morning.

- Morning. - Good morning.

Morning.

Morning.

Good morning.

- Did Darren kip over yours last night? - What's it to you?

- Could have broke his leg jumping out the window like that.

- She fancies him, telling you.

How can anyone fancy Darren Hughes? He's a pervert!

- Hi.

I'm Vaughan Fitzgerald, your new headteacher.

- I'm Kev. - Yes, I know who you are, Kevin. I've done my homework.

And well done for getting through those gates on your own after

everything you've gone through.

- It's been hard.

- Well, this school is here to help you get well.

- Thank you, sir.

- CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Thank you!

What a lovely welcome for your new head!

I look forward to meeting you all later.

- You know what, I really like him.

- He's a headmaster.

- So? He's nice.

- Yeah, he's nice. Come on, you.

- George!

You heard from that insurance company about the cruise yet?

- No, still haven't heard.

- I've bills to pay. I need the cash. Put a rocket under 'em, eh?

- By the time I've paid off what you ran up on my credit card,

I doubt there'll be any left.

- Three weeks living in a sewage pipe? I needed some distractions.

- Non-stop vomiting and diarrhoea

wasn't a bundle of laughs for me either.

- I'm still having nightmares, all that sick sloshing about.

- Thanks for the reminder.

- Have you heard about Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome?

I'm entitled, George. - To what?

You'd bled me dry by the time we got to Bilbao.

There's nothing left. It's finished. - What do you mean, finished?

- I'm not just talking about the cash. I'm talking about us.

- Was that him?

- Must've banged it.

I thought you'd be gone.

- I need money, dinner and that.

- Sorry.

- What's up?

Why you still going around with losers like that anyway?

- MAN: - Sammy? What are you doing?

- Just a minute.

Get yourself a sandwich, something.

Don't be spending it on bloody rubbish.

OK, right, get yourself off to school.

- All set?

- Ready to rock'n'roll.

- Morning, everybody. Good to see you all again.

Just to let you know that I will be coming round your classes

today to introduce myself to the students.

Assemblies - not really my style.

I don't want to waste time dwelling on the past.

But I do want all of us to reflect on why we come here every day.

Why, out of all careers available to us, did we choose to be a teacher?

- The holidays.

- Why, specifically, did we choose to be a teacher at Waterloo Road?

And why should the children of the parents in this community be

taught by teachers like us?

HE YAWNS LOUDLY

Mr Windsor?

Perhaps you'd like to start us off on the 'why' questions?

- I'm not big on communal breast-beating sessions so,

no, I wouldn't.

- No, I didn't think you would.

- Er, 'scuse me, Mr Fitzgerald? You've got a visitor.

- Yes, I am quite busy, Sonya.

- It's your wife.

- Well, that's one 'why' question that Mr Fitzgerald wasn't expecting.

"Why has my wife suddenly turned up out of the blue?"

- Hey, hey!

It's OK.

What's happened?

Why are you here?

- You didn't tell him we were coming?

- I can't do this anymore, Vaughan.

- Boys, can you give your mum and me a few minutes together?

- If you've something to say, you owe it to your sons to let them hear it.

- Olga, this is not appropriate.

- Don't worry, I'm not here to cramp your style on your big first day.

I'll be gone soon. But they're staying here with you.

- What?

- I can't cope anymore. I'm at my wits' end.

- Why can't you come home with us, Dad?

You should be home with us. You're OUR dad, not theirs.

- How can you walk away from your own children to shack up

with someone else's?

- I have not walked out on them.

I am here for you whenever you need me.

- "Here for you"? You're bloody miles away. How does that work?

Face up to what you've done.

- Olga, take the boys home.

- I'm not going home. My doctor's booked me into a clinic.

I can't eat, I can't sleep, I'm having anxiety attacks.

I'm on the edge of a complete nervous breakdown.

Are you happy now?!

- Olga?

- Mum?

- Is everything all right?

- Let's go back and talk.

If you're not well I want to help.

- You can't help. I need total rest, medical care.

- Then I want you to get the best there is. I will pay for it.

- Because you have a guilty conscience? - Because I care.

- I'll tell Rosebank Park to send you the bills.

What's your tart going to say about that? - Olga.

- Mum, we can talk about this, please.

- Doesn't matter what I say, Jus. Your dad's never coming back.

He doesn't want us. Any of us.

- Justin, that's not true.

If Mum's ill, of course I want you and Leo to come and live with me.

- I want to live in my own home.

Mum, please don't do this. Come on, please.

- I'm doing it because I love you, darling.

I have to get better.

- Mum, come on, please. We're here for you.

We can do this together. Please!

Mum, listen. Wait!

- What's happened? Where's she gone?

- I don't know. Some clinic.

She's not very well.

The boys are going to have to stay with us.

- That's OK. Of course it is.

It'll be a squeeze but we'll muddle through for a few days.

- I think it's going to be longer than a few days.

I am sorry to dump this on you. Look, we will figure something out.

You go to registration. I'll deal with things here.

Justin...

Justin, you can't stand here all day.

- Just a normal morning...

back in school...

..then she came downstairs with our bags packed.

- Look, we're going to have to ring Clayton Vale.

Let them know what's happened. - I'm not coming to this school.

- BELL RINGS

At least let's go and get...

- You still here?

- Don't worry, I'm going.

- PUPILS SNIGGER

- Anyone care to enlighten me?

- Just a reminder of your holiday, sir.

- SNIGGERING

- Your photos from the insurance claim?

They seem to have gone viral.

- You've got a great new nickname, sir - Skidsy Windsor.

- ALL LAUGH

BOY: Skidsy!

Check the jeans. OMG.

- Teachers shouldn't be allowed to wear clothes like that.

It's not professional.

- Miss, what's your name?

- My name's Ms Westbrook.

Sorry I didn't introduce myself before being prompted.

- Yeah, aren't teachers supposed to teach us good manners?

- You're absolutely right...

- Shaznay.

- Shaznay. In fact from now on you can be Manners Monitor.

Keep us all in line.

Right, have a look at this.

This is inspired by the 1950s Pop Art movement,

led by artists such as Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein.

Now, they often used cartoons to challenge

the traditions of fine art.

In fact Andy Warhol was a bit of a Looney Tunes himself.

- FAKE LAUGH

- So...using any materials you like - acrylics, charcoal, whatever,

I want you to copy the style of this screen print

and draw or paint as vivid a picture of absolutely anything you want.

OK, get going.

- Hey, I know. What about Windsor's comic cruise ship cabin?

FARTING SOUND

LAUGHTER

- Charles Dickens was writing soap operas long before television

was invented.

All those things soaps rely on - end-of-episode hooks,

big, bold characters, pacy narrative, Dickens was the pioneer.

So I would like you all to read chapter one and write down the

things about it you think would make a good soap opera and why, please.

- But I don't watch soaps.

- Then sit with someone who does.

Has anyone seen Darren Hughes this morning?

Keep quiet.

- Hi, Christine. Good holiday?

- Settling into Audrey's took a bit of getting used to, but, yeah.

- Leo...Fitzgerald.

- Hi, Leo. - Hi.

- I'm Mrs Mulgrew.

Rough day?

Well, I know all about those if you want to talk at all...

- Mrs Mulgrew?

- I was just checking if Darren Hughes had called in sick this morning?

- No.

Leo's really upset, Mr Fitzgerald.

- Yes, well, the boys will be spending the day here

while we decide what's best.

So can you please bring in the timetables?

- I told you I don't want to be at this school!

- I'm sorry to have caused so much hurt.

But Mum is going to get the best help there is

and you're going to have to stay here for now,

so let's just see if I can start to make things up to you.

I thought that maybe joining some classes might help

take your minds off things?

- I'll go, Dad.

- Justin isn't feeling very well right now.

- He's going to go mental. - It's funny, innit?

- Oh, yeah, it's funny. Where are you going to put it?

- Need to put it somewhere everyone can see it.

- Tiffany! Oh, Floyd?

- Hiya, you all right? - So far so good?

- Yeah. I mean, I like history, Ms McFall.

- Good. Well, kids, I've got some news for ya.

- I knew something was up.

- Vaughan's sons are coming to stay with us,

so you'll finally get to meet them. - How long for?

- Just a short while. Their mum's not well.

- What's wrong with her?

- Not sure.

But the important thing is we make Leo and Justin and Leo feel welcome.

- Yeah. 'Course.

- They've been through a lot.

And it's not going to be easy coming to live with us.

- No-one's forcing them, are they?

- Tiffany, you and Floyd have got to be really mature about this,

help us out, yeah?

The boys have had a real shock.

- I'll see you later.

- Well?

- I wish I could tell you I've sorted everything out,

but Justin's closed right down, he won't go to classes.

- Why don't we bring all the kids together at lunchtime?

We don't want them just bumping into each other.

They can meet properly. - Yeah, good idea.

I know Justin's my son

but I've got 500 children to look after in this school.

Something's going to have to give.

SHE HUMS A TUNE QUIETLY

- Feeling better, Leo?

- OK.

- Everything all right?

- Just wanted to see if Justin's coming out for break.

- Oh.

Your brother's here for you, Justin.

I think he could really do with your support.

It can be tough on your first day, yeah?

- Come on.

- What is going on?

The insurance photos, they are all over the internet.

It's like open season out there.

- Don't look at me.

- Well, how did they get there?

- Dunno, must have been our Kacey.

- Really?

Well, perhaps you could instruct your Kacey to remove the images

from her web wall, or whatever it is they call it, straightaway.

I notice there are none of you, incidentally.

- She knows I'd skin her, you're fair game.

- Am I?

How did she gain access to the photographs in the first place?

- Kids these days, they know all the tricks.

- These pictures have to be deleted, you know that.

- Might not be that easy.

See, they've gone viral.

They'll be out there for ever.

- Wonderful.

- Everything all right, George? - Yes, great. Carol and I split up.

Being trapped on a plague-ship with a bunch of geriatric

Americans was...

testing, to say the least. We never really recovered.

- Not exactly a match made in heaven, though, was it?

- We had our moments.

- Well, you've a new term

and a progressive new head to take your mind off it all now.

- If by progressive you mean having an affair with a colleague

while your wife and sons are in the same school, then yes,

you're right, I have.

- Didn't really hit it off at the briefing, did you?

- He's trendy, Christine.

Exactly what this school doesn't need.

- Sonya, do you know where Justin went?

- Yeah, out to the playground with Leo, I think.

- Listen, can you get me

the numbers of all the comprehensives within ten miles of here?

And the names of all the headteachers.

- Yeah. Can I ask why?

- Thank you.

- Look, Tiffany, I don't like this any more than you do.

But I think we should all just try and get on, yeah?

Do it for Mum, she's really happy right now.

- I suppose.

Do you think Vaughan's going to be different to us

now his sons are moving in?

- I hope not. I'm sure we'll be fine.

- That's them. Come on.

Hi. Are you Justin and Leo?

- Yeah.

- We're Allie's children. I'm Tiffany.

And this is Floyd.

- Hi. - You all right?

Look, mate, we're both really sorry about your mum.

- Yeah, you must be dead worried about her.

- We don't want your pity. Just leave us alone. Come on, Leo.

- Listen man...

it's not our fault she's not well, OK?

I think the best thing to do in this situation is just try

and get on, because we're going to both be living in the same house

and it's best for all of us...

YELLING

- Justin, get off him.

- Get off! Hey, get off, that's mine.

Get off!

- Break it up! Break it up!

Leave it.

Right, you two, with me.

- Get off!

- I want everyone to hand that money to me.

Any more?

Thank you.

Right, I want everyone, except you, Darren Hughes,

to make your way to classes.

The show's over for today.

My classroom now.

- Aw, that's rubbish. He just took a punch at me for no reason.

- No, I didn't. He was slagging off Mum.

- That's crap. - Justin, sit down.

- If it's any help, I specialise in mediation.

I could take them for a cuppa in the canteen,

if you want, try to reopen the lines of communication?

- Right, thank you, but if anyone is going to

"take them for a cuppa," it'll be me.

And I'm not going to.

Sonya, can you bring those names in,

please?

BELL RINGS

Floyd, go back to your class. I apologise for Justin's behaviour.

- That's not fair. - I know what's happened.

- You believe him over your own son.

- Justin, you don't want to be here, and I don't want you here

if you're going to stop me being the headmaster to this school.

Hello, is that Mrs Welsh?

Hello, it's Vaughan Fitzgerald, from Waterloo Road.

Yes, I wonder, do you have any spaces for a sixth year boy?

- There's nearly £400, Darren.

Where does a schoolboy get that amount of cash?

- I saved up. To buy my mum a present.

- Pull the other one.

You skip school this morning,

then you rock up with a pocketful of money.

Where did you get it? - I told you, I saved it up.

- And I'm telling you I don't believe you.

- Oh, that's excellent news. Of course.

Just as soon as we've got the paperwork sorted.

Justin will be thrilled. Thank you.

OK, bye-bye.

Happy?

- I want to go back to my old school.

- Well, that's not possible. So I've got you the next best thing.

- What about Leo?

- He's staying here.

- OK.

- OK, what?

- I'll stay here.

Doesn't mean I'll like it, though.

- Just as long as there's no more fighting.

You feel up to joining a class?

Bring your timetable.

- You are not leaving this room until you tell me the truth.

- My mum give me some money for new trainers.

Look.

- Your mum doesn't have £4 in her purse, never mind 400.

And that's the second lie you've told me today.

Are you going to tell me a third? - This is crap.

- Yeah.

We can sit here all day if you like.

- All right, fine, I robbed it.

From my mum's boyfriend.

- Darren.

- What?

I was angry.

Just lifted it from his jacket and legged it.

- You've probably caused so much trouble.

Your mum's going to be really angry. - So?

She deserves everything she gets bringing that sleazeball

back to our flat.

- Come on.

Let's go.

- LAUGHTER

- Yes, very funny. In German it

actually means "father".

- Mr Windsor, this is my son, Justin.

- Ah, the refusenik?

Managed to winkle him out of your office, then?

- You'll find he's an excellent student.

- Shall I be the judge of that?

Sit over there.

- Do I have to?

- Yeah, does he have to?

- You'll do as you're told. Sit over there, please!

Don't remember listing "refereeing" on my curriculum vitae.

- Yeah, I'm just flagging up - there could be a problem here.

- Well, if you can't discipline your own children, what hope is there for the rest of us?

- My problem's not with my son.

LOUD FARTING NOISE

CLASS LAUGHS

- Nope. No answer.

You still got a landline, Darren?

- Got cut off ages ago.

- Ah, Mr Fitzgerald - could I have a quick word, please?

Stay here.

- Circumstances some of these kids live in breaks your heart.

- To be honest, Darren's are the worst I've ever seen.

We got social services involved last term

but I don't know what difference that made.

We've tried to get his mum on the phone but she's not answering.

Vaughan, I think I should go home with Darren. Take the money and find out exactly what's gone on.

- Do you think that's wise? - It'll be fine. I know his mum.

- Right, well, if you're sure. I'll fix cover for you.

I should go myself, but I've not had the best start today,

as I think you know.

- I sympathise, believe me.

- This school is going to do something for kids like Darren.

- OK, Darren, you're coming with me.

- What? Where to?

- To see your mum.

- I don't want to go home, Miss.

- Well, it's either that or I call the police.

- Mum?

She's not even here. Let's go.

- I came to see your mum. I'm not leaving until I do.

- See, look, his clothes have gone.

Mum's probably just gone out.

- Mrs Hughes? It's Christine Mulgrew from Waterloo Road.

- What's up? Is she all right?

- Er, no, Darren, we need an ambulance.

- Why? What's wrong? - Don't come in here!

- Mum? Mum? Mum? Wake up!

Mum? Mum?

- I need an ambulance AND the police. Address is 8 Barr Street, Greenock.

- Mum!

Mum!

- HE SOBS

We are all here to support you through this, Darren.

Anything you need, any way we can help...

- Wait a minute.

It must have been him. - What?

- Because I nicked his money.

- Do not jump to conclusions, Darren, OK?

- No, my mum had a sore arm. He's hit her before!

- Look, the police will be here soon. They will find out what has happened.

Darren, wait, come back!

- Tell you, if I hear one more farting noise...

- Been having a look online. They're having a right laugh at you.

- Well, at least the world and his wife will know now

what a terrible cruise ship company it is.

- If only there was some comfort in that, Audrey.

Although there may be some comfort in the cruise ship company knowing

that I am the victim of cyber bullies.

That my position as a highly respected and much valued teacher

has been shot to pieces. That I'm suffering from psychological trauma...

- So that payout might be loads more?

- Yeah, I think I might give my lawyer a ring.

In the meantime, I shall encourage our little bullies to new heights.

- If we can win Justin round, everyone else will follow.

- In other circumstances, they'd all get along fine.

I tracked down the clinic. It's back in Edinburgh.

Gave them a call, they were just settling Olga in.

She'd given them my name.

- What, as next of kin?

What did they say?

- Nervous exhaustion, depression.

They told me she was in very good hands and not to worry.

And I haven't even asked you how you're getting on today?

- Great. Don't worry about me.

- Ready?

OK.

OK, everybody - we all got off to a bad start this morning.

- Yeah, cos of him.

- But we all have to move on now

because we're all going to be living together under the same roof.

- Oh, God!

- Floyd, you'll have to move into the box room.

- Aw! That's great. Thanks very much. Yeah, cheers(!)

- Well, at least you get your own room.

Leo and Justin'll be sharing.

- Things are just getting worse.

- It won't be for long.

Before you know it, you'll be back at home with your mum again and everything'll be back to normal.

- I know it's been tough, and I will make it up to you, but there are kids in this school

who have it so bad you wouldn't believe.

- There's nothing worse than your own father walking out on you.

- There is, believe me.

- We are going to try our best to make this work for all of you,

but you've got to get on board, Justin.

Behaving like this, it could ruin things for both families.

And I don't believe that's what you want.

- I'm sorry, OK?

I don't want everyone to feel bad.

- Thank you, Just.

- If it's bunks, I bagsy the top one.

- Right, you lot, go and grab some lunch.

- Slow down. What? Oh, here he is now.

One second...

Mr Fitzgerald. It's Christine. It sounds serious.

- Christine? Everything all right?

- # Hide away

# Well, they'll seat us in the sun

# By the way

# Know you've always been the one

# You'll ask your reasons why

# What once was yours is mine

# My baby is gone

# Right away

# Gonna take me from my man... #

No, it's fine. I've got it.

- Hey - don't be so hard on yourself.

You've got these things to negotiate.

- It's fine, sir. Thanks.

- OK.

Look, you've got to learn.

There's some things you won't be able to do yet.

Because, if you don't learn that, you're going to frustrate the hell out of yourself.

- What, like right now?

- How about we hit the gym? I'm free next period, are you? - Yeah.

- I'll have you climbing those wall bars in no time.

Let's get you a seat.

- I like Tiffany. She's pretty, don't you think?

- Stop sucking up, Leo. She's just like the rest of them.

- I thought you said you were sorry for making everyone feel bad?

- You are joking me?

Bad's exactly how I want them all to feel.

- Hey. I was just wondering if I could join you?

- Sure.

- And, erm, I just wanted to say that I'm sorry about the fight too.

- Sir, what you doing?

- Aren't you going to take it down and rip it up?

- Art is meant to challenge, Lisa.

I have to take it on the chin.

- THEY TITTER

- Come on.

- So, the son was the last person to see his mother alive?

Do you know Darren's whereabouts now?

- Erm... not exactly.

Obviously, he was upset, I think he's just gone to clear his head.

- Or run away?

- That's just the worst thing, mate. Mind-blowing.

- I'm going to go get and this guy.

- What are you talking about? Let the police take care of it.

- The police!?

- You need help...

- Well yeah, yours. I need your help.

You're too much of a coward.

- You're not thinking straight.

- Thanks, mate(!) Thanks for nothing.

- Right, wait there.

Let's go. The guy's probably not even here.

- Lenny, he's there. I know he is.

- What if he is? What is it you're going to do?

Darren. Darren!

Darren.

- Yes, well, only one piece cos I'm still on my diet.

Can you put those in the recycling, flower?

OK, you lot keep on stirring. I'll be back in a minute.

No lumpy bits.

- Lenny Brown hasn't returned to school this afternoon.

Does anyone know where he, or Darren Hughes is?

- A slow boat to China, with any luck.

- We're worried about them, everybody.

If you do hear anything, please let us know.

You can get back to your crossword now, Mr Windsor.

- CLASSROOM GIGGLES

Where is it?

- Chucked it.

- What? What you even doing here?

- I'm here to see you. You see, I know what you did.

You killed my mum!

- What are you talking about?

Right, you...

- What are you doing?

- Get back, come on!

- THEY SHOUT

- What did you do that for? You're here to help me, aren't you?

- We need to call the police.

- Oh, yeah, and what are they gonna do, eh?

- Don't be an idiot. He's going to end up killing you!

- We'll see. - Darren, get off my phone!

You've lost it, you've lost it!

Mrs Mulgrew! Mr Fitzgerald!

- You!

- Come on now, son.

I never did nothing, I swear.

- You did and I know you did!

- You've got it all wrong. I liked your mum. Really, I did.

I know you don't believe me, but it's true.

- You're right, yeah, I don't believe you!

- Darren - no! No!

- She's dead!

My mum's dead!

- Listen, George, can we talk?

- Yes, well, I'm sorry but it was never really going to work, was it?

I think splitting up is probably for the best.

- Do you really mean that?

- Not that we can't be civil with each other in and around the school.

- You coming, Mum?

- Ah, little charmer who gets off on humiliating people by posting private photographs on the internet.

- Me? It was Mum. To get you back for dumping her.

- Kacey! - What?

- So, a gold-digger and a liar!

Hardly surprising, given you're a denizen of the criminal underworld.

- Excuse me?!

- I was going to share some of this compensation payout with you.

But you just kissed goodbye to every last penny of that.

Along with whatever remains of our friendship.

- Hello, Darren. We're very sorry about your mum.

We just wanted to let you know that we're almost certain

she died of a drug overdose.

- He's lying. There's no way.

My mum was getting clean, she was on methadone.

It's that Lennox! He's a murderer.

- She was a registered heroin addict, Darren. People make mistakes.

There's a very good chance she misjudged her tolerance.

There'll be a full post-mortem, of course,

but all the signs are currently pointing to

a self-administered overdose as cause of death.

We'll be talking to Mr Lennox, taking a statement, but we're not actively looking for anyone

in connection with your mum's death.

- I'll call Social Services. What about family?

His father?

Is there anyone who could look after him?

- I don't think so. It was just him and his mum.

He'd be best around people he knows for now, his friends.

Why don't I check and see if there's a place at the school house?

- Of course, I'd forgotten about that. Good plan.

Um...

You were excellent today.

- So it's a reflective essay, yeah?

That means it's not about making a list or making a bald statement like

"I want to be the next Beckham or Beyonce".

The reflective bit is what it means to you to fulfil your dreams...

- KNOCK AT DOOR

- Sorry to interrupt, Mr Lowsley. I'd like a word with the class.

I was hoping to meet you all one to one today...

things got in the way.

I'm sorry that my first meeting with you is to give you bad news,

but Darren Hughes' mum passed away this morning.

As you can imagine, Darren is in a very bad way.

He's going to need all the support we can give him in the coming days.

- Can I go and see him, sir?

- That's very kind of you...

- Rhiannon.

- ..Rhiannon, but I think we should leave him for now.

Now, we're looking to get him a place in the school house

so all those of you who live there, take special care of him tonight.

- I know it's the understatement of the year - but you look shattered.

- Not exactly the start I'd hoped for.

- Why don't we cancel the restaurant, just stay in and get takeaway,

settle in with our new extended family.

- Wouldn't mind.

- I think it's best if we stay close to home until things calm down.

Or we hire a lion-tamer?

- Give me two minutes? I just want to talk to the staff.

I'm sorry to interrupt.

Everything I've witnessed today has convinced me

that Waterloo Road needs to be much closer to the community it serves.

We have a bereaved pupil, Darren Hughes,

whose mother who was a drug addict.

They were living in poverty, seemingly with very little support.

It's not the main problem, I know, but if this school had been available as a haven,

as an educational resource, even just as a place to be,

then perhaps Mrs Hughes might have felt less alone.

- I agree. We don't reach out enough.

We could use Waterloo Road, the people and the building

as a local facility, a community cafe...

get the students to volunteer.

- My thoughts exactly. - Speaks volumes.

- From first thing tomorrow morning, we are going to make a start.

- Well I, for one, am up for anything which contributes

to the positive ethos of the school.

- I don't ever want there to be another Darren Hughes story at this school.

Good night, everybody.

- Right, I'm going to pop to the gents' to throw up.

- Get a grip, George.

- For your information, Simon, my grip has never been better.

- Sue? Simon? You fancy a pint at the Anchors?

- Yeah, sure, just the one pint, though.

I want to work up some ideas for Vaughan's community initiative.

- Oh, you are such a swot. - Mm. Creep, more like.

- Charming(!) I'll grab my laptop and meet you out front.

- I'm all in favour of extracurricular activities. How about you?

- I'm married - remember?

- Come in.

Oh...

I'm so sorry to hear about your mum, Darren.

Come in, sit down, come on.

This is your home now.

And you won't be sleeping on the floor.

I've got you a room all ready, nice clean sheets.

Anyway, you can either head up there now

or you can stay down here with the rest of us.

It's entirely up to you, pet. It's your choice.

You're not on your own.

- And when you're ready, if you want to,

we can find someone to talk things through with.

You might find it helps.

- Hey, we might even get you a new pair of trainers. The state of them!

SHE CHUCKLES

Don't you worry, pet. We'll look after you now.

- Um, I don't think we're all going to fit in here

so I'll just... I'll get the bus.

- No, I'll get the bus. - You don't know the way - let me get the bus.

- Come on, Justin. Tiffany can sit on your lap.

- Is that OK with you?

- Well, if I have to...

- No. We can't do this. What if we have an accident?

Tiffany, you get in the front, I'll walk.

- No, you drive, I'll walk.

I need the fresh air after the day I've had.

- Trying to get into the Guinness Book of Records?

Price you pay for living the dream.

Grab some wine.

- Help yourself, Darren.

My secret stash is your secret stash.

- I'm not really hungry, but thanks, Rhiannon.

- Anything you want, you don't need to ask.

We're all here for you.

- Look, I'm sorry about grassing on you before.

- Don't matter.

- You sure you're all right, mate?

- Maggie's set me up a room, but...

- You can bunk up with me tonight if you want?

- Can I?

- Yeah. Just make sure you buy me some ear plugs.

- ALL SPEAK AT ONCE

Leo, do you want to go upstairs and order in some pizzas?

- Great idea. Thank you.

Everything OK? - Nope.

- Can I help?

- Yeah - get lost.

- Ow!

Whatever you do, Justin, it's not going to work.

Your dad and I love each other.

Two shots?

All right, Daz?

There you go.

You're dreadful, man.

- You bunking in with Lenny tonight?

- Suppose so.

- You know, your snoring's never bothered me before.

- Just not tonight, you know?

- No, not that!

Just a cuddle or something.

- Thanks.

- Get stuck in, Leo, don't wait for us.

- I only ever have ham and pineapple pizza from there.

And the burgers aren't bad either, are they?

- Justin.

Justin, would you like a slice of mine?

- All right, we have wine, we have wine.

Hell of a first day.

What happened there?

- Oh, uh, walked into the wardrobe door -

that was before a glass of wine!

Grab a slice of pizza.

To new beginnings.

- New beginnings, cheers, cheers.

Cheers.

- Hope it's always like this.

- Why wouldn't it be?

- Good morning. - Hello. - Good morning.

Welcome to Waterloo Road.

- Is it a girlfriend-boyfriend type thing?

- Havelock High is looking for a new deputy Head.

I've been asked to put forwards names of potential candidates.

I thought of you.

- Mate, you're just angry cos your dad left you.

Nobody is trying to take your dad away from you.

- You don't get it, do you?

- I'm here to report a theft.

Your girls came round to my house and they robbed me.

- I don't want anything to do with you and I meant it.

- If you think you're going to drive a wedge between me and Vaughan, you're the one who's deluded, mate.