All language subtitles for The-Child-In-Time-2017.HDRip_.AC3_.X264-CMRG

Sir? Do you want me to stay with you? Sir?

Er... no. No, thank you.

Once we get to your home,
I'll give it 15 minutes

- and I'll follow you inside.
- Yeah.

You took your time, didn't you?

I was about to send out a search party.

- Where is she?
- She was there. She was there.

- Stephen, where is she?
- She was just there.

She was right there.

- What do you mean?
- I don't know.

What do you mean? Where is she?

Where is she now?

Oh, I hope you don't mind me saying,

but you're telling the world
you're not at home.

Your note. People see your note
and they know you're out.

- People?
- I'm just saying.

Why advertise you're out?

Fucking because.

Dick.

Just keep going, ploughing on.

You write reams of the stuff if you feel
the need 'cause, hey, your editor will edit.

Look, trust me, Stephen, there are hundreds
of thousands of children out there.

They're all eagerly awaiting
the next Stephen Lewis masterpiece.

I wish.

It's true, you know it is, myself included.

That's excellent. Thank you.

But what I don't want you to be doing, right,

is sitting up there,
with your thumb up your arse,

waiting for the news. I'm having the duck.

Yep, me too. And a fizzy water, please, Paul.

I feel like getting drunk.

I'm afraid I can't,
but don't let that stop you.

- Work?
- Reading and an early night.

I'll have a good drink with you, Stephen.

Thank you, Thelma.

So, how's the committee work progressing?

It's fine.

Are you managing to stay awake?

I am riveted.

Drop it if it's not for you,
although you are the poster boy.

Not really.

Believe me, when the brave
new report is finally published,

they are going to trumpet your involvement.

Minimal involvement.

Then drop it. I only asked you
to get you out of yourself.

Er... you should also know that
I'm... I'm leaving the government

and my sideline in publishing, so there.

- Why would you want to do that?
- Retiring.

Retreating to the countryside.

It's something we've been
wrestling with for some time.

The decision's made.

I don't mind you giving up running
the country, but why the books? Why me?

20 years of 18-hour days
have made Charles a very dull boy.

You adore 18-hour days.

He hasn't even told the Prime Minister
yet. You're very privileged.

I'm sorry. I really do have to take this.
It's New York.

George? Yeah, all right, ten seconds.

We'll find some privacy.

He really does need to stop everything.

- He's not ill, is he?
- No.

He's just tired, that's all,
of being Charles,

of being responsible.

Hey, you can visit, you know.
We're not leaving the country.

Yeah, but who's gonna look after me?

Who's gonna take me out for nice
expensive dinners and get me drunk?

You'll have to find another companion.

Perhaps the person
who asks me on a weekly basis

how you are.

You talk to Julie every week?

Well, you should go and see her.

- I'm waiting for the invitation.
- Maybe she's waiting for a call.

Or are you planning on avoiding
each other till the end of days?

Call her.

Hey, don't look now, but the table
behind are having jam roly-poly.

I said not to look. I'm having it.

- How was New York?
- Rude. Yeah, very rude.

No longer my problem.

- To another life.
- I'll drink to that.

Tight hold.

You're not too warm in that jacket, are you?

No, that's okay.

Good. Silly Daddy thought it was gonna rain.

Daddy, are we going fast?

How fast? Very, very fast?

Yeah.

Stupidly, ridiculously, illegally fast?

Yeah.

- Hair-flying-in-the-wind fast?
- Yes.

All right. Well, there's no one around.

Now, ready, steady, go. Hold on.

Kate, darling, stand still.

Wait for Daddy.

That's 53.76 pounds.
Are you collecting the school vouchers?

No.

- Do you have a points card?
- No.

- Cashback?
- No, no, thank you.

- And PIN number, please.
- Mm.

- Okay, and remove your card.
- Thank you.

- Thanks.
- Yeah, thank you.

- Right, thank you. Bye-bye.
- Okay.

Oh, shit.

Kate? Sorry.

Kate?

Kate? Has anyone seen a little girl,
a four-year-old girl?

She was wearing a yellow coat.
She was... she's called Kate.

She... No? Please? Kate?

Kate!

Kate!

Please! Has anyone seen a four-year-old girl?

She... she was wearing a yellow coat.
Her name's Kate.

Please? Please, you must have seen her.

She was standing just there
when I was paying. No?

Kate?

Kate!

We'll find her.

I promise you.

'Hello?'

Hi. It's me.

We seem to have sleepwalked
our way into a situation

where we are apparently quite
happy to hand over our children

to complete strangers.

Parenting is being outsourced.

Parents have more important things
to do, essential things to do,

like earn money to pay for housing
and food and childcare.

It used to be that Granny would help,
but Granny is now miles away

and so childcare is being contracted

to a faux extended family
of police-checked strangers,

agency workers, whose major qualification

is a willingness to work
for as little as is legal and often less.

Financial pressures are eroding family life

and threatening the welfare of our children.

Families need help.

Financial help.

'Young families need...'

Hello?

'Hey, it's me.
You're still coming, aren't you?'

Yeah, definitely, yeah.

'Good. Would you mind bringing
my old music sheets?

- 'They're in the sideboard, I think.'
- Okay.

- 'You don't mind?'
- No, no problem.

'Thank you. Kettle's on.'

Now I've got some top tips 'on how you
can take charge of selling your own home

'and save thousands of pounds in bargains.

'Single mum Lily Spencer wants
to live in a smaller house...'

She's not a cat.

I know she's not a fucking cat.

- I'm trying to find her.
- Well, you lost her.

'You might buy a nice car...'

'...and have shops and schools nearby.'

I didn't mean that.

Why don't I just sit on my arse
all day and watch TV as well?

'But everywhere there's clutter
and this makes your house...'

- Morning, morning.
- Prime Minister.

- Morning. How are we?
- Prime Minister.

- Morning.
- Morning.

Okay.

Let me read to you an extract.

It's from the first draft of what
I'll be personally recommending

to be "The Authorised Childcare Handbook.

Now, there's this one line.

"We could do worse than conclude,
as many have before us,

"that from respect for school and home

"we derive our deepest loyalties for nation."

Simple and profound.

Sorry. Am I being dim here?
What does it mean?

- Discipline.
- Respect.

Doesn't it have a hint of ultra?

Am I the only one hearing this?
I mean, it sounds harsh.

Like parents, it's the responsibility
of the government

to create boundaries.

Families and schools who operate
within these boundaries

will be rewarded.

- Those who don't...
- The naughty step.

The naughty step. Hm? Ha-ha.

Keys.

I love you.

I love you more.

I'm so competitive.

Not find her, then?

Play your piano.

What is it you want? You want me to give up?

Yes.

I want you to give up.

Because you always let me down.

You never bring her home
and you're drinking too much.

I'm supposed to drink too much.

I can't live here anymore!

Fuck!

Oh, fuck.

Oh, for fuck's sake.

Hi. I'm... I'm here.

'Where?'

I... I'm in the village.

'I think I turned right instead of left.'

Oh, you prick.

Er... no, well, I'll...
I'll be with you soon.

How far is it?

About ten minutes. Everything all right?

Hm? Yeah.

Yeah, no, yeah, I'm just,
er... I'm being a prick.

'Kettle's on.'

Ta-dah.

Oh, my goodness.

Yeah.

What happened to you?

I swear, when I left the flat
this morning, I was spotless.

You never said there'd be mud.

You're covered in it.
You'd best get out of those clothes.

- I'll put them through the wash.
- Thank you. Shoes off here?

Definitely.

Strip.

You can wear my dressing gown, which
fortunately used to be your dressing gown.

Yeah, for all of a week.

- You never wore it.
- Never had the chance.

This is nice. It's lovely.

I like it.

Thank you.

- Been working out?
- Being funny?

Er... have I... have I
been here before, the village?

Not that I know, not with me. Why?

I don't know really.
It looks familiar. I thought I had.

Part familiar.

I'd lose the socks if I were you.

Okay.

You look nice, by the way.

- You look well.
- Well?

You... lovely. You look lovely.

Well fit.

- How long's it been now?
- Almost a year.

Hm. Christ.

Beautiful is the word I was looking for.
You look beautiful.

Thank you.

- You could use a wash.
- Yeah.

It's all in your hair.

Mucky pup.

You've lost weight.

Just a little.

You smell like you.

That's because I am me.

Here.

I've been here for almost an hour

and you haven't even offered me
so much as a cup of tea.

- Oh, bugger.
- What?

Need the loo. Don't wanna move.

Bugger.

Mummy? When are we going to the shops?

My turn. Then I'll make you that tea.

It can wait.

You must be hungry?

I teach a few hours at a few schools locally.

I play Saturdays at a hotel
about five miles from here

and I give lessons.

I make ends meet. What else is there?

Sounds good.

It's nice, I like it, and the train
is just a muddy field away.

The village, ten minutes' walk.

So, how did you manage
to turn right instead of left?

Oh...

Disoriented by my fall.

And how did you manage to fall?

Er... I was running because
I thought I'd seen her.

There was a girl in a yellow raincoat.

I turned the corner
out of the station and I...

She went towards the village
so I followed her.

- You followed her?
- I'm an idiot.

I'm still looking for her.

Not actively, just out
of the corner of my eye.

I am a little bit better.

Have you still got your private detective?

No. No, he gave up. I think
he got bored of taking my money.

So, that was good of him.

After he'd finished paying off his mortgage.

Probably.

If it's any consolation, I see her too.

But I make sure
I'm doing other things as well.

She's out there.

Yes.

Are you busy... writing?

Yeah, yeah, er...

I'm writing a story about a boy
who wants to become a fish.

Why does he want to become a fish?

I can't tell you that. It's top, top secret.

- Why not a dog?
- It's been done before.

And dogs sniff other dogs' balls. Arses.

- Who'd want to do that?
- It's gross. Kids would love it.

Yeah. Yeah, they would.

I'll just check on your clothes.

Wouldn't want them to shrink.

What time's your train?

At four o'clock and... and there's
another at six-ish, I think.

- Dry as a bone.
- Thank you.

- Are you finished with that?
- Yeah, yes.

Are we gonna talk about
what happened just now?

Did I miss something?

It was very nice and that's all
I have to say on the matter.

I'm surprised I remembered what to do.

Which is my way of saying
there hasn't been anyone else.

Same. There's no-one else.

- Just me.
- Good.

I mean... if you're happy.

I know what you mean.

- Hello?
- 'It's me.'

Question. What would you say
if I asked to stay the night?

- 'Not a good idea?'
- Not really.

What if I threw myself in another puddle?

It seemed to make me irresistible last time.

Still not a good idea.

- Sorry.
- 'Thought I'd ask, but you're right.'

Is it always gonna be like this...
between us?

Yes, of course it is. It's... it has to be.

Yes. It will always be like this.

But maybe that doesn't
have to be a bad thing.

A bad thing happened
and we've got to live with it.

Move on?

Is that possible?

Do we want to do that?

- 'Still there?'
- Yeah, still here.

'It was lovely to see you.'

And you.

'I'll call you.'

Soon.

It has been shown, proven,

that we use but a fraction
of our intellectual, emotional

and intuitive resource.

Now, it's clear we get by
on very little of our grey matter.

Members of the committee,
we have undernourished

our capacity for empathic

and magical participation in creation.

'We are preventing
the growing mind of a child

'from receiving...'

By forcing literacy onto children
between the ages of five and seven,

we are shattering the unity
of the child's world view.

Madam Chairman, literacy should
not be introduced to a child

until the ages of 11 or 12,

corresponding with the brain's natural and...

11 or 12?

You're saying that we shouldn't
introduce the written word

to children until they're 11 or 12?

- Correct.
- I don't think that's correct.

That's most definitely incorrect.

Based on what evidence?

Well, experience.

An anecdote, then?

There have been trials
in Sweden that have proven...

Based on the joy of a three-year-old child

when she almost writes her name
for the first time,

or the joy of a four-year-old
when she picks words

or parts of words from a sign or a poster,

which then in turn leads to the most
wonderful, wondrous conversations.

Or imagine the child
sitting on a parent's knee

when it's having a story read aloud to it

and... and tracing all the words
on the page quite wrongly and...

...marvelling at those
meaningless black splodges

which... somehow enable closeness,

bring...

warmth, happiness and comfort and...

ease the separation at night.

I suggest that you are looking
at the scenario

from the adult's perspective
and not the child...

You can suggest what you want, but I know
what I saw and I know how she felt

so that's how I know for certain
that you're talking complete bollocks.

What a brilliant way to finish the day.
Well done, you.

I wasn't too rude, was I?

Not at all. And if you were, he deserved it.

I've never heard such tripe.

Could I treat you to a coffee?

Er... yeah. Why not?

Good.

- Are you writing at the moment?
- Yes, yes, I am.

- A book?
- Yes.

Of course a book. About what?

Can you tell me or would you have to kill me?

No, it's... it's about a boy
who wants to become a fish.

Ah, what kind of fish?

Er... well, a colourful fish,
tropical fish, actually.

How lovely. How far have you got?

He holds his breath under the water
for about 43 seconds in the bathtub so...

Excuse me, Mr Lewis.

My name's Joanna Buckley.
I work at Number 10.

The Prime Minister
would like to see you, please.

- Prime Minister?
- Yes.

- What, here? Now?
- Yes, he's not far.

- Er...
- Looks like I'm outranked.

- Another time maybe?
- Yes, definitely another time.

That would be nice.

You address him as Prime Minister
unless he tells you differently.

- Right.
- It's just here.

Mr Lewis. Thank you so much
for sparing the time.

- Prime Minister.
- It's the Home Secretary.

His children are avid readers of yours.

- Thank you.
- It's nothing to do with me.

It's their nanny.

Important work happening on your committee.

Well, I hope so, hopefully.

It's vital that someone
like yourself is involved.

Now, we've a mutual good friend, I believe?

- Charles Darke.
- Yes.

When did you see him last?

Oh, er... some time ago. We had dinner.

How was he?

He was Charles.

Er... can I ask why?

Did he mention discontent at all?

No, no, he... he was in good form.

Er... we talked books and...

Well, he was himself.

Will you be seeing him any time soon?

I'm... sure.

Yes, I'll... I'll visit him
once he's settled in.

I'd like to know how he is, in... in himself.

In... in confidence. Could you do that?

I can't... I can't spy on him, no.

And we wouldn't dream of asking.

But you can let concerned
colleagues know how he is.

Can't you?

Charles is important to me personally

and, I believe, to the country.

- Okay.
- Good man.

As soon as you can manage.

I'd very much appreciate your opinion.

Right.

Charles, don't bolt your food.

You'll give yourself indigestion.

Sorry.

- Had a good day?
- Mm.

Very. Got blisters on my hands, look.

Oh. Well, don't do too much.

It doesn't hurt.

I'm building a shelter. It's like a den.

I thought about... like a tree house.

But then you'd need ropes, pulleys, tools,

none of which you're gonna find
on a desert island or a jungle forest.

Yes, well, you'll have to
watch out for wildcats.

Wolves.

I mean, you don't have to force it.

Is it forced at all? Your behaviour?

Or is it natural?

Yeah.

Natural.

- What are you looking at?
- You.

What you gonna do about it?

What's that?

No, it's Mum. I was just, er...

She's doing five things at once,
as usual, making dinner.

Oh, I met the PM the other week,
the Prime Minister.

- He's an arsehole.
- Very charming arsehole.

Aren't they all? What did he want you for?

Charles Darke, my publisher, ex-publisher,
is also retiring from government

and the Prime Minister wants
to know if I can find out why.

Well, maybe he's developed a conscience,

taken an anti-twat pill.

I want to see him. Charles, I mean.

But I feel like now, if I do,
I'd be spying on him.

If you wanna see Charles,
you should go and see him.

Don't let some ponce dictate

when you should go and see a friend.

That's it, all done.

It's nice, very nice.

I think we can be pretty bullish
on the asking price.

Can you not say how much
it's worth, not out loud?

Could you write it down, please?

Yeah, if that's what you'd like, sure.

That's my card.

If you do decide to go with us,
we can send a photographer round any time.

Thank you.

I'm sorry, can I just say that I'm sorry?

But you're the writer and wife.

I remember you from the news
and when I saw the bedroom...

I don't know where you get
your strength from.

My wife cried buckets,
and those fuckers on social media.

Excuse my French, but "trolls"
doesn't quite cover it.

Thank you.

Anyway, don't for a second blame yourselves,

not for a nanosecond.

Thank you.

I went to see Julie.

- Saw her when?
- Where?

At her cottage.

It's just outside a village
called Stanton Lowe in Kent.

- Nice?
- Very nice. Peaceful.

Mm. How's she doing?

Oh, she's doing well.
She's doing bits and bobs.

We just had a cup of tea. She sends her love.

- Will you be seeing her again?
- As and when, yeah.

Good.

The village was really familiar.

Er... there's a pub there called The Bell.

Did we ever go there before?

Together, I mean, when I was little, younger.

- Stanton Lowe?
- Yeah.

No.

No, I remember a pub called The Bell,
but from years ago.

Remember our one and only bike ride, Geoff?

- We stopped off at a pub.
- Stanton Lowe?

I don't remember the name of the village.

When did we go on a bike ride?

- Before we were married.
- Christ.

We borrowed the bikes
from your shifty friend Paul

and we stopped off at a pub called The Bell.

Definitely.

Did you give her our love?

Julie. Stephen?

Did you tell Julie we're always
thinking about her?

Yeah. Yes.

Good.

I feel for that girl.

"It was not always the case
that a large minority,

"comprising the weakest members of society,

"were able to devote
much of their time to play.

"It should be remembered that childhood
is not a natural occurrence.

"Childhood is an invention

"and above all childhood is a privilege,

"albeit a necessary privilege."

Prime Minister, I say childhood is a right.

Prime Minister?

Hey, what brings you to the big city?

You do.

It was a very nice surprise to get your call.

I needed provisions and I have a proposition.

- Intriguing. Mm.
- Mm-hm.

- Is this you pausing for effect?
- Is it working?

This way.

Okay.

So, how would you like
to learn to play piano?

Piano? Why?

I mean, do you think I need
to learn to play the piano?

You don't need to, no, but it might
be something you'd enjoy.

- Do you want to give it a try?
- Er... I don't know.

You don't have to. You always threatened to.

It's your call.

Are you suggesting it would be therapeutic?

It's just something for us to do,
maybe, together.

I'd teach you and if you hate it, we stop.

No pressure. If you're too busy...

No.

No, not at all.

Good.

We'll make a start, shall we?

Now you.

Nice and slowly at first. There's no rush.

Try not to hit the keys so hard.

That's not bad.

That's good.

Am I a natural?

- You could say that.
- If you were a liar.

Charles? What on earth are you doing?

I don't like it, the fuzz.
Some of it's old-man grey.

Well, be careful with those scissors.

One false move...

Oh, yeah, I wouldn't wanna chop off Mr Thing.

- Ah, you found us.
- Eventually. You're well hidden.

You didn't see the yellow ribbon
I tied around the tree?

Oh, it's so good to see you.
Have you lost weight?

Of course I have. You buggered off
and stopped feeding me.

- Where is he?
- He's, er... out, in the woods.

- He loves it.
- Ah, lord of the manor.

You're to find him, go to him,
after you've eaten.

Right.

He was so pleased to hear you were coming.

He's changed.

So have you. Is that a twinkle in your eye?

No, no, it's just conjunctivitis.

She's started to teach me
how to play the piano

and I'm finding myself
desperate to impress her.

Why's that, I wonder.

Who knows? What's your news?

Oh, reading, mostly.

You know, books I've always wanted to read.

- Mm.
- Bit of writing.

While Charles is, er... off enjoying himself.

How long is it gonna be, his exile?

Oh, I wish I knew.

Well, the PM, no less, wants to know.

The PM can go fuck himself.
It's none of his business.

Though they... they've been here snooping.

I've asked them not to.

Is there anything I can do?

You're here.

Charles?

Charles?

Charles?

Charles?

Hello?

- Over here.
- Oh.

- You walked straight past me.
- Good to see you.

You too. Ha-ha-ha!

Oh!

Well, look at you. "Boys in da wood".

Do you want to see my place, my den?

- You've got a den?
- This way.

Keep up.

It's amazing.
I've been building it for weeks.

Could be worse. Could easily
say he was out jogging.

But he's not out jogging. He's out playing.

Could be worse.

Could destroy the report, if it continues.

Well, then put a stop to it.

Tell him he's grounded.

Oh, for...

Oh, for...

You're not very good
at this sort of thing, are you?

- I used to be.
- We're here. Come on.

Big on the inside, like the thingy. Come on.

- Wow.
- Yeah, it's got everything.

Call box, tool box. It's a full box.

- Full box?
- Yeah, games, puzzles. Drink?

Er... no, thanks. I just had
a cup of tea with Thelma.

Try some. I made it myself.

- Okay.
- Go on.

Guess what's in it.

Lemons and piss, going by the taste.

Half right.

Oh, my God.

When the weather improves,
I'm gonna sleep out.

Did she tell you I've written a book?

- Any good?
- Not really.

Might even become a joke book.

- Climb a tree?
- In these shoes? No, thanks.

- You can see for miles.
- I think I'll give it a miss.

You'll love it.

No, I won't.

Are you chicken? Chicken.

- Chicken.
- What's going on?

What is it that you're doing here?

I'm just having fun.

I'm being myself.

- This is you?
- Yeah, it's a part of me, yeah.

It's mixed up. I mean, it's complicated.

At the same time, you know, it's really easy

and I understand it.

And I expect you'll get it, easy.

I'm searching for a child.

And he wasn't taken. I mean, he was, sort of.

He... was forbidden.

He was denied and...

...I need to find him.

You understand that, don't you?

I don't have a fucking clue
what you're going on about.

Are you angry with me?

Can you even hear yourself,
sitting there with your bottle of piss

and talking about searching for a child?

- Are you disgusted by me?
- Yeah.

Yeah, I'm disgusted,
I'm disappointed, I'm... disillusioned.

Every "dis" under the sun.

- Why?
- Why do you think?

You need a shave, Charles.
You have a man's stubble.

Look down the front of your pants
and you have a hairy pair of bollocks.

Yeah, well, that is where
you're wrong. So there.

Where are you going now?

Climb a tree!

Charles?

Charles!

This is ridiculous.

Charles! Fuck's sake.

Be careful!

It's easy with practice!

Charles! Charles, that's high enough!

Wolves.

Where does all this leave you now, Thelma?

What are you? Are you his wife?

Yes, I'm his wife. Course I'm his wife.

It's why I'm still here.

Putting up with it?

Waiting.

Thank you.

Every day, I remind myself
that it's what he wants.

And he's out of time. And that's all.

- Not out of his mind?
- Why can't it be real?

I mean, we all look older
but how many of us actually grow up?

- Look at the books you write.
- He's a grown man.

He's a brilliant and sophisticated man.

And you want him back.

He'll be disappointed
that you won't stay longer.

Oh, well, I'm sure he'll get over it.

Sorry. I really am being an arsehole.

Yes, you are.

Well, you're right. I just...
I want him back, and you,

and I'm feeling very sorry for myself.

So, there you go. I'm being childish.

Must be contagious.

Sorry.

I was... I was a bit of a bully
to him out in the woods.

- I should tell him I'm sorry.
- You are the grown-up.

Charles?

- Charles?
- Busy.

Charles, look, I'm... I'm sorry.

When we were in the den, and you were
talking about finding a missing child,

all I could do was think of Kate and...

I thought you were comparing.

- I would never do that.
- No, I know. I know.

It's my fault. I'm sorry.

It's okay.

It's fine.

- Shall I come in?
- Er...

- I betrayed you.
- What?

- No, you haven't.
- I have.

- You'll see.
- Bollocks. Hairy or otherwise.

I should walk the plank.

You think you'll ever find Kate?

Well, I hope I will.

I'll never believe
that I'll never find her so...

She'll have grown.

Yes.

If you find her ten years from now,

she'll be a young woman, almost.

Yes, but she'll still be Kate.

She'll still be my little girl.

You wanna take her to the park

and to the slide and swings and just...

...just catch up
on all those things you missed.

- I'm not comparing, you understand?
- No, I understand.

And, er...

...I'll try to understand. I...

...promise.

Thanks for coming, Stephen.

You're my best friend.

Charles.

What?

Night-night.

Night.

- Stop, stop the car.
- What?

- Stop the car.
- I can't, mate. I'm on a red route.

- Stop!
- Mate, there's cameras.

Stop the car! Stop it.

Too young, too young.

Good morning, Mrs Forrester.

Right, show me this one.

And this one. And where did we see this one?

So, your creative writing exercise is
to write about your day at the zoo.

So, if you can get to your tables, please.

Thank you, everyone.

And you can do some pictures too.

Hello. Do you know who I am?

Excuse me. Can I help you?

- What are you doing?
- I'm saying hello.

Now's not the time or place.

No, I don't think you understand. I'm her...

I'm sorry. Can I speak to you
in private, please, outside?

Please.

Children, on with our work, please.

Er... look, I might...
I might as well just say it.

The girl that I was just talking to just now,

that girl sitting right there,
she's my daughter.

- Ruth?
- No, her name's Kate.

Her real name is Kate
and... she's my daughter.

I think I should call the Head.

She's my daughter and she was
abducted three years ago,

which is probably
why she doesn't recognise me.

But she will, she will.
I know she will, because it's her.

It's...

It's Kate.

Mr Lewis.

I do remember your daughter going missing.

The girl you say is your daughter
is Ruth Lyle.

If that's what they've called her, yes.

Can I say I know who they are?

I've known Ruth's father
Jason Lyle for many years.

He's a parent governor.

I know my daughter

and I know that that little girl
out there is my daughter.

Now, look. I'm not gonna shout.
I'm not gonna make a fuss.

I just want her back.

If I bring Ruth into this office,

you're not going to make
a scene or interrupt.

I'd rather not involve the police.

No, by... by all means, involve the police.

But, no, I'm not gonna make a fuss.

Come in, Mrs Forrester.

Come in, Ruth.

We won't keep you a moment
and then you can get back to class.

And if you could stay, Mrs Forrester.

Ruth, I wonder if you could
tell me your full name, please.

Ruth Elspeth Lyle.

And how old are you?

Eight, miss.

And what's the name
of your older sister at this school?

Chloe. She's ten, miss.

And when did you first come to St Edward's?

To the school or to nursery?

Nursery.

When I was two.

Mrs Forrester? And how long
have you known Ruth?

Since nursery.

No. No, no, that's not right.
That's not right.

Thank you, Mrs Forrester. Thank you, Ruth.

We have school records.

School photographs.

Would you like to see?

I'm good friends with Ruth's family.

I remember her mother Jaclyn
being pregnant with Ruthie.

That's what they call her...

...and have always called her.

Is there going to be a problem, Mr Lewis?

No.

Sit here as long as you need.

Oh, Kate! Oh!

- Taxi for Julie?
- Yes.

Yeah, almost there.

Okay, no rush. I'm a bit early anyway.

For five minutes or more,
I thought I'd found her.

Five minutes at least of euphoria.

I thought, "I've done it"
and I thought of you and telling you.

Lucky I wasn't arrested.

I think she might have
to be the one to find us.

Can't give up.

Can't give up hope, no.

How certain are you that she's alive?

I know that if she wasn't, I'd feel it.

Yeah.

I would too.

I know that she's out there.

But I've no idea where
or where to begin looking.

It's hard to accept that
we're helpless, but we are.

And all we can do is be here, ready...

...and sane.

You should know I'm going away
for a while, a few months.

Going where?

Undecided.

Somewhere warm.
Somewhere I can get to by train.

France? Not sure.

Why? Why now?

I want to.

What if I asked you to stay?
A while, a while longer, I mean.

I need to.

You want me to send a postcard?

You'd better.

Dinner's almost ready.
Just waiting on the potatoes.

Why don't you wait in the warm?

Oh, I am warm. Besides,
I need to tell you something.

Hm, ominous.

I took a trip out to that pub, The Bell.

- When?
- A few weeks ago.

Had to. Couldn't get it out of my head.

You have been there before, in a way.

In... in what way?

You... were with me, love.

Very much with me.

I remember it so well,

because that was the day
I told your father I was pregnant.

You weren't planned and
you know we weren't married.

I was dreading telling him, but...

...it turned out to be a wonderful day.

It was the first time I saw you.

It's true.

I was sick with nerves.

I wasn't sure how your father would react.

Being pregnant was bad news, really.

We'd made plans.

And then...

...I saw you.

This...

...beautiful child at the window looking in.

This... face.

I knew it was you.

That's why I remember.

I'm not mad and it wasn't
the lights or hormones or...

No, no, no, no.

No, I believe you.

I do.

Oh. Oh, I am glad, because...

...it made me think, and this is important...

...if it was you that I saw...

...if you were actually there
before you were even born...

...then Kate must be somewhere.

But you have to keep on loving her.

Loving her is different to missing her.

It will find her.

She is... somewhere.

If you're in a bookshop, do you ever
sneak a peak at your own books?

Oh, yeah, every time.

- Do you?
- Yes, course I do.

If they're hidden, I make them more
visible and cover up the competition.

How long have you been a teacher?

I've already asked that question. I'm sorry.

You have. Er... the answer is forever.

- Sorry.
- No, I'm good at it.

I made the mistake of becoming
head of department a few years back.

- Mistake?
- Well, that can be hard work.

The staff are more difficult
than the children.

Oh, I can believe it.

So, how's your boy
who wants to be a fish doing?

How long can he hold his breath for now?

51 seconds.

- What's funny?
- You were so certain.

It's a fact. Last bath time,
he held his breath for 51 seconds.

I look forward to reading it.

If I ever finish it.

- Do you not think you will?
- Hopefully.

But it can happen.

It's, er... train time.

- It's been nice.
- Yes, it has been nice.

- I'll walk you.
- I know the way.

Er... I'll see you at the next meeting.

Yes.

- Bye.
- Bye.

'"What's your name?"

'said the curly-haired boy
in the red T-shirt.

'"Fish," said Fish.

'"Cool," said Boy.

'"Why Fish?

'"What's it short for?"

'"I forget," said Fish.

'"I forget everything.

'"Every day I wake up
is like a brand-new life."

'He was telling lies, of course,

'big fat lies,

'but he wanted it to be true.

'Fish had so many memories
that he wanted to forget,

'even the good ones.'

That's fucking perverse.

Said the almost middle-aged man.

Who wouldn't climb a tree,
due to unsuitable footwear?

Are you working, Daddy?

Does it look like I'm working?

I want to remember everything about you.

Everything.

Hi. I'm so sorry to be
bothering you like this.

You're bleeding.

I'm sorry. Do you have a cloth or a flannel?

Yeah, of course I do. Come in. What happened?

Oh, I tripped and fell.

Not looking where I was going.

Useless on dance floors and pavement.

- You might need a trip to A&E.
- No, no, no, no. No hospitals.

I'll reconsider in the morning.

You weren't at the committee meeting.

Er... no, no.

Well, that's what I came to see you about.

- It's all a waste of time.
- Well, probably.

No, no. No, it is. It's a sham.
It's already written.

"The Authorised Childcare Handbook."

It doesn't matter what we recommend.

It's already been written.

- Authorised by who?
- Government.

Not that we have a government.
We have a politburo.

- Have you read it?
- It's a love letter to the past.

It's impossible to implement.

I mean, pass it to the press,

they'll lap it up like matrons on the ward.

Nothing will change. It's a fucking joke.

I... I didn't know who else to come to.

No.

Er... can I...

Can I use your bathroom?

Yeah, sure, of course.
It's just first on the left.

Thank you.

No, it's not... it's not Watergate,
but it's still a sham and with children.

Oh, my Lord.

Why can't they get on with doing
something worthwhile,

instead of all this posturing?

Why go into politics in the first place?

I'm not going mad.

It's just...

something that got out of control.

I'm sorry. I... I saw the lights
and had to look.

I... I shouldn't have.

No, don't worry about it.

It's me, self-harming.

It looks very lovely.

She'd have been ecstatic, seeing this.

Yeah, she would.

- How long has it been?
- Three years.

Just.

She'll be seven somewhere.

Somewhere.

I like that. She could be somewhere.

- She could be loved.
- She is loved.

Of course she is.

Are you able to... think of anything else?

Besides her?

I must and I do, yes.

Although I do live in a rare world.

Yes.

I think I know who wrote
the joke book, the report.

- Who?
- He's a friend.

Best friend.

Charles?

Charles!

Charles! I'm not leaving the track!

Charles!

Okay, game's over! You win!

Charles?

Fuck.

Charles!

Charles! Show yourself!

Come on!

Please. Please, please,
please, please, please.

Charles!

Oh, sweet Jesus, no.

Oh. Oh, shit.

Oh, shit.

Charles George Andrew Darke was...

...quite simply, too good a man
to be a man in this world...

...because what he had managed to hold onto

was the honesty

and the purity that we are all born with...

I'm sorry.

...but that in time we lose,

without noticing and often without caring...

...and, like a child,
he was without cynicism.

First and foremost, he would
always see the good in people.

He would place his trust in them.

He would care.

His love was his ever-loving wife Thelma...

...and his passion was literature,

and in particular children's literature.

He recognised how precious
those early years are...

...and he often spoke of the importance
of a, er... a supportive,

stimulating, caring and loving environment.

The very last time I saw him,
in fact, he... he told me

he had written a book himself.

A joke book, he called it.

I've often wondered
about finding that joke book and if...

...if I did, if there would be any clues
in there as to why he took his own life.

Something we have all pondered, I'm sure.

But I won't do that. I have decided...

...to remember Charles as I loved him.

For his warmth, his smile,

his generosity...

...and his brilliance, his...

...his ability to make my world
appear to be a better place.

I will remember him as my friend.

My best friend.

Forever.

The end.

Dad to Kate.

'Dad to Kate. Ha.'

'We just wanted to tell you that we...

'...love you very much...

'...and we miss you.'

And that we hope to see you
very, very soon...

...for lots of hugs and games.

Over.

Take your time.

We'll be here.

'Daddy, Daddy, I'm here!

'Look at me. I'm here with Mummy.'

Julie? Oh.

'How are you doing?

'I'm so sorry about Charles.'

Oh, I'm... I'm okay. Thank you. I'm okay.

I saw you yesterday at the church.

Well, glimpsed you briefly and
then you were gone. How are you?

'I'm good. I'm fine.
I've not been back for long.

'I've been wanting to call you for a while.'

Where are you? Are you at the cottage?

Then I'll come.

'I'm in town. There's nothing to worry about.

'Er... but I'm in the hospital.
I was hoping you would come.'

Which hospital? Are you hurt?

No. I'm fine.

Really. I'm good.

I'm in ward 17.

'The Alexandra Wing.

'You will come, won't you?'

That's it, that's it.

You're doing really well.

Julie?

Stephen.

My husband.

You took your time, Mr Lewis.

We're having a baby.

A brother.

The baby's nearly here. Just breathe.

- Okay, it's okay. It's all right.
- You're doing well, Julie.

- It's okay. It's okay.
- Nearly there. Nearly there.

Keep breathing. Keep breathing.

Keep breathing.