Original subtitles

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO OPEN A PRESENT EARLY?

OK.

YES, PLEASE.

DON'T TELL YOUR MUM.

THANKS DAD.

YOU LIKE BIKES DON'T YOU, JAMES?

YES, DADDY, BUT I LIKE CARS TOO.

IM SORRY, PETER, I DIDN'T MEAN TO FALL ASLEEP.

I KNOW.

IT'S FINE.

HOW'S YOUR HEAD?

IT'S BETTER.

CAN I HAVE A HUG?

WE DECORATED THE TREE.

I CAN SEE, IT'S WONDERFUL, WELL DONE.

OK, BOYS. TIME FOR BED. OFF YOU GO UP STAIRS.

WHO'S TELLING THE STORY TONIGHT?

DADDY.

YES.

GO ON.

DON'T FORGET TO PHONE YOUR MUM AND DAD AND LET THEM KNOW WHAT WE'RE DOING FOR CHRISTMAS.

I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY CELEBRATE.

EVERYONE LIKES A GOOD PARTY.

I'LL CALL THEM TOMORROW WHEN I GET BACK FROM NEWTON.

I THOUGHT WE WERE SPENDING THE WEEKEND TOGETHER?

IM SORRY, MARY. I PROMISED ID PREACH.

IT'S THREE DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

DO YOU REALLY NEED TO?

I BELIEVE I SHOULD. IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

I HATE IT WHEN YOU'RE NOT HERE.

I KNOW.

I LIKE IT WHEN WE'RE ALL TOGETHER.

I NEED YOU.

I'LL ONLY BE GONE FOR A FEW HOURS.

I'LL BE BACK BY DINNER AND THEN WE CAN WRAP SOME PRESENTS. IT'LL BE FUN.

I WANT SOME CHOCOLATE.

I'LL GET YOU SOME.

AM I A GOOD MOTHER?

OF COURSE YOU ARE.

I NEED YOU TOO, YOU KNOW.

...SUDDENLY THE DOOR BEHIND HIM SLAMMED SHUT.

BANG!

HE PEERED INTO THE DARKNESS.

GOOSE PIMPLES RANG DOWN THE BACK OF HIS NECK

AND MADE HIM SHIVER.

"OH NO" HE SAID

UNDER HIS BREATH,

"IT'S YOU!"

...AND WE'LL FINISH IT TOMORROW.

DAD!

WELL, SORRY BOYS BUT IT'S REALLY LATE AND YOU BOTH NEED TO SLEEP.

COME ON.

DAD.

YEAH?

WHAT'S WRONG WITH MUM?

NOTHING, JAMES, SHE'S FINE.

BUT SHE WAS CRYING.

I KNOW.

THAT'S BECAUSE...

SHE'S BEEN A BIT POORLY LATELY AND SHE NEEDS TO SLEEP.

COME ON, LET'S PRAY.

I WANT TO BE A CHRISTIAN.

I WANT TO BE LIKE YOU.

OK.

WELL, THAT'S GREAT.

WHAT ABOUT YOU, PAUL?

DO I HAVE TO?

WELL, IM NOT FORCING YOU TO BELIEVE.

IT'S WHAT YOU WANT, THOUGH ISN'T IT?

YES, THAT'S TRUE.

ID RATHER NOT.

OK, ERM, THIS IS NO LIGHT THING,

AND YOU CAN'T JUST DO THIS FOR ME.

I WANT TO, DADDY.

OK, CLOSE YOUR EYES.

THANK YOU THAT JAMES WANTS TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN.

PRAY WITH ME.

PLEASE FORGIVE ME FOR BEING NAUGHTY.

PLEASE FORGIVE ME FOR BEING NAUGHTY.

CHANGE MY HEART FOREVER.

CHANGE MY HEART FOREVER.

AND SAVE ME.

AND SAVE ME.

AMEN.

AMEN.

I DON'T FEEL ANY DIFFERENT.

OK, LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS TOMORROW.

IT'S VERY LATE, AND YOU TWO DO NEED TO SLEEP.

GOOD NIGHT.

GOOD NIGHT BOYS, LOVE YOU BOTH.

NIGHT.

DO YOU HAVE ANY RELATIVES WE CAN CALL?

DON'T WORRY, WE'LL TAKE CARE OF THINGS FOR NOW.

WHAT'S GOING ON?

HELLO, IM JOYCE SEVILLE FROM NEXT DOOR.

WE'RE GOING TO GO AND BUY A CHRISTMAS TREE TODAY.

WOULD IT BE HELPFUL IF WE TOOK THE BOYS WITH US?

"I DON'T THINK OTHER PEOPLE IN THE WORLD WOULD SHARE THE VIEW THAT THERE'S MOUNTING CHAOS"

UNBELIEVABLE.

TWO MORE YEARS OF RUNNING THIS PLACE AND WE RETIRE SO WHAT DOES IT MATTER?

HE WALTZES IN FROM THE WEST INDIES, THE COUNTRY'S ON ITS KNEES AND THAT'S THE BEST HE CAN DO.

ABSOLUTE SHAMBLES.

TEA?

I THINK I NEED SOMETHING STRONGER THAN THAT.

COFFEE?

HELLO, MARGARET WALKER SPEAKING, HOW CAN I HELP YOU?

YES, I CAN TALK...

OH...

I SEE...

WHAT'S HAPPENED?..

OH, PLEASE NO...

WHAT'S UP, LOVE?

NO...

WHAT'S THE MATTER?

RIGHT...

WHAT IS IT?

RIGHT.

HOW DID IT HAPPEN?

I SEE...

HOW IS MY DAUGHTER IN LAW, MARY?

I UNDERSTAND, YES.

DADDY WOULD LOVE THIS.

WE DECORATED OUR TREE YESTERDAY.

BUT IT'S FAKE.

WHY AREN'T WE AT CHURCH TODAY?

I THOUGHT YOU MIGHT LIKE TO COME WITH US.

DADDY'S SPEAKING AT ANOTHER CHURCH. IS THAT WHY WE'RE ALLOWED HERE?

YES, JAMES, THAT'S RIGHT.

HI.

HELLO.

BACK ALL SAFE AND SOUND.

AH, THANK YOU, HELLO BOYS.

GRANDAD!

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?

GONE TO GET A CHRISTMAS TREE.

AH, THANK YOU, THANKS VERY MUCH.

WHY ARE YOU HERE?

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME AND SPEND CHRISTMAS WITH US?

THAT'S BRILLIANT.

AH!

PAUL?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

YEAH, SURE, WHY NOT.

HOW ARE WE ALL GOING TO FIT IN THE CAR?

AH, IT'S NO PROBLEM BECAUSE YOUR MUM WILL STAY HERE FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS

AND ER, THEN SHE'LL COME AND SPEND CHRISTMAS DAY WITH US.

IS DADDY GOING TO COME ALONG TOO?

YES, JAMES, YOUR DADDY IS GOING TO COME ALONG LATER.

HE'S ON A BUSINESS TRIP.

MY DADDY'S PREACHING AT A CHURCH IN NEWTON.

OH...

ARE YOU SURE YOU DON'T WANT ME TO STAY WITH YOU?

I NEED YOU TO LOOK AFTER THE BOYS.

ARE YOU GOING TO BE OK?

NOT REALLY.

MY MINISTER IS ON THE WAY.

I'LL WAIT.

I NEED YOU TO LOOK AFTER THE BOYS.

I DON'T WANT THEM HERE. FOR THEIR SAKE.

WELL, IF YOU'RE SURE, WE'LL SEE YOU IN A COUPLE OF DAYS. AND IF YOU NEED ANYTHING, YOU CALL.

RIGHT. WHO'S GOING TO PULL A CRACKER THEN?

OH, EDWARD!

PAUL, HERE YOU ARE, YOU TAKE ONE END.

JAMES CAN.

YOU BOTH CAN. HERE YOU ARE, TAKE THAT.

ARE YOU READY?

ONE,

TWO,

THREE.

WHAT DID YOU GET?

A GREEN FROG.

OH LOVELY, WHAT ABOUT YOU?

A PLASTIC RING.

A PLASTIC RING!

YOU CAN GIVE IT TO YOUR NANA - SAVE ME HAVING TO BUY HER AN ANNIVERSARY PRESENT WON'T IT!

DO YOU WANT SOME MORE TUR..

MARY... MARY!

WHAT'S WRONG WITH MUM?

SHE'S UPSET BECAUSE DAD'S NOT HERE.

MUM SAID HE'S COMING AFTER HIS MEETINGS.

WELL HE'S NOT.

HE IS. MUM SAID HE IS.

YOU DON'T GET IT DO YOU? STUPID.

IM NOT STUPID.

GRANDAD, CAN YOU TELL PAUL?

CAN I TELL PAUL, WHAT?

HE SAYS THAT DAD'S NOT COMING UP AFTER WORK.

HE'S RIGHT, HE'S NOT.

WHY?

WHY DON'T YOU GO AND TALK TO YOUR MUM ABOUT THAT?

DID THEY HAVE AN ARGUMENT?

HE'S NOT COMING, SIMPLE AS THAT.

YOU'RE JOKING WITH ME.

IM NOT JOKING.

BUT MUM SAID HE WAS COMING UP AFTER HIS MEETINGS.

I KNOW WHAT YOUR MUM SAID.

HE'S NOT COMING.

NO.

HE'S NOT COMING!

WHY?

BECAUSE HE'S DEAD. YOUR DAD'S DEAD.

NO.

IM SORRY.

BUT MUM SAID...

IM SORRY.

IM PROUD TO SAY PETER WAS A FRIEND OF MINE.

HE WAS A WELL-LOVED MEMBER OF THIS CHURCH,

A CARING HUSBAND AND FATHER,

A TALENTED TEACHER, A GIFTED LAY PREACHER.

HE WAS...

IM A PSYCHIATRIST AND WHEN PETER FIRST TOLD ME ABOUT CHRISTIANITY

I SAW NO NEED FOR GOD.

BUT HIS LOVE WAS SO PERSISTENT,

HIS ACTIONS ALWAYS POINTED ME TO JESUS.

I...

THANK YOU MY BROTHER,

OH, IM GOING TO MISS YOU.

TODAY, WE MARK THE END OF PETER'S JOURNEY ON THIS EARTH.

BUT WE ALSO COMMEND HIM TO THE LOVE OF CHRIST

BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT, RIGHT NOW, HE IS ALIVE

AND WITH GOD IN HEAVEN.

ABSOLUTE RUBBISH.

BECAUSE PETER, WAS A SAVED MAN.

MUM, WHERE ARE PAUL AND JAMES?

I DON'T KNOW DARLING.

MARY, IF THERE'S ANYTHING I CAN EVER DO FOR YOU

PLEASE, YOU JUST LET ME KNOW, OK?

IM GOING TO MISS THAT MAN.

YOU SHOULD HAVE TOLD JAMES THE TRUTH.

I KNOW.

IT WASN'T RIGHT TELLING HIM HIS DAD WAS AT A MEETING.

IM SORRY.

HOW ARE YOU GOING TO MANAGE?

IM NOT SURE.

WELL, YOU CAN'T WORK CAN YOU?

I SUPPOSE NOT.

WE CAN HELP.

WITH THE BOYS I MEAN.

RIGHT.

FUNERALS AREN'T THE PLACE FOR CHILDREN.

WHAT ABOUT A CHANCE TO SAY GOODBYE?

SHOULDN'T PUT THEM THROUGH IT.

THAT'S WHY THE BOYS AREN'T HERE.

IT COULD DAMAGE THEM.

ESPECIALLY HAVING TO LISTEN TO ALL THAT.

SORRY?

THAT NONSENSE THE VICAR WAS SPOUTING.

I DON'T THINK NOW'S THE TIME.

WELL IT DOES MAKE ME ANGRY.

FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON, PETER WENT ALL RELIGIOUS.

EVERYBODY'S VERY UPSET.

YES, WELL DRAGGING US TO THAT CHURCH DIDN'T REALLY HELP.

WHY COULD YOU NEVER RESPECT HIS BELIEFS?

WE HAVE OUR OWN OPINION ABOUT THE MEANING OF LIFE.

YOU BELIEVE WHAT YOU LIKE.

PETER WAS YOUR SON.

AND WHAT GOOD CAME OF ALL THAT FAITH?

YOU TELL ME THAT.

I WISH I WENT TO THE FUNERAL.

WHY?

I WANTED TO SAY GOODBYE.

YOU'D HAVE GOT BORED AND THEN BEEN UPSET.

NO I WOULDN'T.

OF COURSE YOU WOULD.

GRANDAD SAID, YOU'RE NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO COPE.

I AM.

HE SAID PEOPLE NEED TO LEARN TO COPE AND LOOK AFTER THEMSELVES.

WE'RE ON OUR OWN NOW.

HELLO, BOYS.

ID JUST LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO MR. DUNKHILL HERE,

HE'S A SOCIAL WORKER FROM THE COUNTY COUNCIL.

HELLO PAUL, JAMES. PLEASED TO MEET YOU BOTH.

RIGHT, WELL, IVE COME TO SEE YOU TODAY BECAUSE YOUR MUM IS VERY POORLY.

IT'S NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT BUT YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO STAY WITH SOMEONE ELSE

JUST UNTIL YOUR MUM GETS BETTER.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH HER?

SHE'S HAD TO GO TO HOSPITAL.

ARE WE ABLE TO VISIT MUM IN HOSPITAL?

NOT AT THE MOMENT, JAMES, NO. IM AFRAID SHE'S TOO POORLY.

WHERE ARE WE GOING?

YOUR CHURCH SUPPORTS A LOCAL CHILDREN'S HOME.

THEY'VE FOUND PLACES FOR YOU THERE.

NORMAN. HOW ARE YOU?

NOT SO BAD, JOHN. STILL ARGUING WITH YOUR BOSSES ABOUT THE FUNDING CUTS.

I DON'T WRITE THE RULES, SORRY.

HAVE A SEAT BOYS.

SO, WHO HAVE WE GOT HERE THEN?

THE WALKER BOYS. REFERRED HERE BY THE COUNTY COUNCIL

ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THEIR CHURCH IN ELTON.

IVE GOT A SECTION ONE SIGNED BY THE MOTHER.

WHAT'S A SECTION ONE?

I DON'T KNOW.

OK BOYS, YOU LISTEN TO MR. WAKEFIELD,

HE'LL TAKE CARE OF YOU FOR NOW.

I'LL POP BY LATER IN THE WEEK.

LOOK AFTER EACH OTHER.

HEY, COME ON, CHIN UP. LT WON'T BE FOR LONG.

OK BOYS COME ON, THIS WAY.

OH, HI JANET, IVE GOT THE WALKER BOYS HERE,

CAN YOU TAKE THEM OVER TO THE FLAT PLEASE?

YES NORMAN, COME ON BOYS CAN YOU FOLLOW ME?

THANK YOU. OK BOYS,

SEE YOU LATER, BYE.

CAROL, MARTIN?

MARTIN, THIS IS PAUL AND JAMES.

CAROL!

SORRY.

CAROL, I WANT YOU TO LOOK AFTER THESE TWO BOYS.

AND YOU'LL BE SHARING A ROOM UPSTAIRS WITH MARTIN.

OK.

THESE ARE YOUR BEDS, THAT'S YOUR WARDROBE.

OK.

WHY ARE YOU HERE?

OUR MUM'S IN HOSPITAL.

DO YOU LIKE CARS?

YEAH.

THESE ARE MINE, SO HANDS OFF THEM.

YOU CAN LOOK AT THEM THOUGH.

THANKS.

HOW LONG ARE YOU GONNA BE HERE?

I DON'T KNOW.

MY MUM AND DAD'S CENTRAL HEATING IS BROKEN.

OH.

IT'LL BE FIXED SOON THOUGH.

WE WON'T BE HERE LONG EITHER.

COME ON YOU THREE, TIME FOR BED.

DON'T FORGET TO SAY YOUR PRAYERS.

CAN I HAVE A STORY?

I MEAN WITHOUT THE PAPERWORK, NO, I MEAN, OUR HANDS ARE TIED.

YEP.

NO, WELL, IF THEY REALLY ARE AT RISK THEN...

OK, YEP, WELL, GET BACK TO ME WHEN YOU KNOW.

THANKS, BYE.

DID YOU AUTHORISE THIS?

AUTHORISE WHAT?

THERE'S NO WAY WE CAN FIND FOSTER PARENTS FOR TWO CHILDREN AT ONCE.

WE JUST HAVEN'T GOT THE CARERS.

LN THIS CASE, IT'S THE ONLY SOLUTION.

AND WE DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES.

LET ME SEE THE NOTES.

PAUL AND JAMES WALKER WERE RECEIVED INTO CARE IN JANUARY.

THEIR FATHER DIED IN A MOTOR ACCIDENT IN DECEMBER

AND THEIR MOTHER SUFFERED A RECURRENCE OF DEPRESSIVE ILLNESS.

ER, SHE TOOK AN OVERDOSE

WHICH LEAD TO THE BOYS RECEPTION INTO CARE.

AND WHY SEND THEM TO A CHURCH CHILDREN'S HOME?

MINIMUM DISRUPTION. THE BOYS ARE TOGETHER,

THEY CAN STAY AT THE SAME SCHOOL

AND THERE'S CONTINUED CONTACT WITH ELTON CHURCH.

AND HOW'S THE MOTHER?

STILL UNSTABLE AND CAN'T REALLY COPE.

WHAT ABOUT RELATIVES?

THERE'S BEEN AN OFFER FROM THE GRANDPARENTS. MARGARET AND EDWARD WALKER.

WELL, THERE YOU GO THEN.

MARY'S A CHRISTIAN. THE IN-LAWS ARE ATHEISTS!

DOES IT MATTER?

WELL, IT WOULD GO AGAINST HER WILL.

AND HER FAITH HAS TO BE RESPECTED.

IF POSSIBLE, YES.

WELL, CLEARLY IT'S NOT POSSIBLE.

SEND THE BOYS TO THEIR RELATIVES.

WELL, MARY MIGHT GET BETTER. I MEAN, PERHAPS, WITH A LOT OF SUPPORT

WE COULD PLAN A RETURN HOME.

WE COULD OFFER HER HOME HELP, DAY CARE DURING THE HOLIDAYS...

STRAWS? CLUTCHING? KEEP ME POSTED.

HAVE YOU STOLEN THINGS BEFORE?

YEAH LOADS.

ID EVEN NICK YOUR STUFF, SO YOU'D BETTER WATCH IT.

I THOUGHT WE WERE FRIENDS.

ONLY IF YOU DO THE DARE.

WE SHOULDN'T BE DOING THIS.

CHICKEN.

YEAH, JAMES, IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO DO THIS, STOP FOLLOWING US.

LET'S DO IT NOW.

WHAT DID YOU GET?

SWAP!

OK.

PRETTY COOL, GREAT.

WHAT? YOU'RE NOT HAVING ANY.

CHICKEN.

HI, BOYS.

HI, MUM.

HI, BOYS.

WHEN CAN WE COME HOME?

BOYS, WHY DON'T YOU GO AND PLAY IN THE OTHER ROOM?

JAMES, COME ON.

YOUR BOYS HAVE SETTLED IN WELL.

AS WELL AS CAN BE EXPECTED.

WHEN MY HEAD'S CLEARER, I'LL TAKE THEM BACK.

MARY. THE COUNTY COUNCIL WILL LOOK AFTER YOUR CHILDREN,

BUT IVE BEEN TOLD THEY CAN'T STAY HERE MUCH LONGER.

WHY?

WELL, THIS IS A CHURCH RUN CHILDREN'S HOME.

IT COSTS THE COUNCIL TOO MUCH MONEY.

I CAN'T TAKE THEM BACK YET, JOHN. I CAN'T, IM NOT READY, I CAN'T.

I KNOW.

OBVIOUSLY WE'D MUCH PREFER IT IF THEY WERE WITH YOU.

BUT YOUR IN-LAWS HAVE SAID THEY'RE WILLING TO HELP.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

NO.

WHY?

THEY DON'T BELIEVE IN GOD.

RIGHT.

PETER'S PARENTS HATED EVERYTHING HE STOOD FOR.

IM SURE THEY'D BE RESPECTFUL OF THE BOYS' BELIEFS.

THEY WEREN'T RESPECTFUL OF THEIR FATHER'S.

AT LEAST THEY'RE FAMILY.

NO.

I WANT WHAT'S BEST FOR YOU AND FOR THE BOYS.

LETS TAKE IT ONE STEP AT A TIME.

JOHN, I DO TRUST YOU.

MUM?

YEAH?

IVE GOT THIS TOY AND I WANT TO KEEP IT SAFE.

WILL YOU LOOK AFTER IT FOR ME?

DON'T YOU WANT TO PLAY WITH IT HERE?

NO I WANT YOU TO KEEP IT FOR ME.

ALRIGHT.

WHY AREN'T WE GOING HOME?

I CAN'T.

WHY?

IM SORRY, I CAN'T.

WHY AREN'T WE GOING HOME?

IM STRUGGLING TO COPE AT THE MOMENT.

IM NOT THINKING STRAIGHT.

I LOVE YOU THOUGH.

THE CENTRAL HEATING'S BROKEN. WE'VE GOT NO HOT WATER. YOU CAN COME HOME WHEN IT'S FIXED.

YOU CAN COME HOME THEN. I PROMISE.

OK, MARY, SHALL WE GO?

LOOK WHAT GRANDAD'S GOT ME.

WOW.

HELLO, JAMES!

GRANDAD!

MY LITTLE RAY OF SUNSHINE.

THIS IS REALLY NEAT, GRANDAD. THANK YOU.

AH, YOU'RE WELCOME, YOU'RE WELCOME.

GRANDAD?

YES, JAMES.

HAVE YOU GOT ME ANYTHING?

OH, JAMES, OH, IM SORRY, I FORGOT ALL ABOUT YOU.

IM SO SORRY. HANG ON.

WHAT'S THIS...

THERE YOU ARE, HOW ABOUT THAT, THERE YOU GO!

THANK YOU.

IT'S LOVELY TO SEE EVERYONE.

NOW WHY DON'T YOU ALL GO OUT TO PLAY?

YEAH COME ON, SHOW ME THE PARK, EH?

COME ON, I'LL RACE YOU THERE, LAST ONE THERE'S A BILLY GOAT!

COME ON, JAMES!

RIGHT, STRAIGHT TO THE POINT.

WE WANT THE BOYS OUT OF HERE. THEY MUST COME AND LIVE WITH US.

MARY IS CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR VIEWS ON FAITH.

THE BOYS CAN MAKE UP THEIR OWN MINDS.

I WANT WHAT'S BEST FOR THIS WHOLE FAMILY.

BUT I HAVE TO CONSIDER MARY'S BELIEFS.

SHE ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.

I HOPE YOU'LL THINK OF THAT TOO WHEN YOU CONSIDER HER BELIEFS.

I WROTE DAD A LETTER.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

I WROTE HIM A LETTER, SAYING I LOVE HIM AND I MISS HIM.

WHY DID YOU DO THAT?

I THOUGHT THAT IF I THREW IT UP INTO THE CLOUDS,

GOD MIGHT CATCH IT AND GIVE IT TO HIM.

STUPID.

IM NOT STUPID.

I JUST WANT TO BE GOOD. FOR DAD.

HEY!

...THE 13 YEAR OLD WAS RESIDENT AT HIGHFIELD NATIONAL CHILDREN'S HOME,

AND SHE WAS FOUND HANGING FROM A TREE THIS MORNING.

THE DEATH IS NOT BEING TREATED AS SUSPICIOUS,

BUT IT HAS RAISED QUESTIONS, ONCE AGAIN,

OVER THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CHURCH RUN CHILDREN'S HOMES.

AND WE BESEECH THEE,

THAT WE, WITH ALL THOSE WHO ARE DEPARTED IN THE TRUE FAITH...

WHEN YOU DIE, WHAT DO YOU THINK HAPPENS TO YOU?

I DON'T KNOW.

IS CAROL IN HEAVEN?

IM SURE SHE IS.

SHE COMMITTED SUICIDE,

EVERYONE KNOWS SHE CAN'T GO TO HEAVEN.

DON'T BE SO SILLY, PAUL.

DO YOU RECKON SHE'LL MEET MY DADDY?

PERHAPS.

I DON'T WANT TO DIE.

SHH.

YOUR CHILDREN AREN'T IN DANGER.

I THOUGHT THEY WERE SAFE.

THEY ARE, ABSOLUTELY.

I MEAN, JAMES HAS HAD A FEW NIGHTMARES BUT THAT'S TO BE EXPECTED.

PAUL SEEMS UNAFFECTED.

IM REALLY WORRIED, JOHN.

WE WON'T GET THEM INTO ANOTHER CHILDREN'S HOME.

AND IT'S UNLIKELY WE'LL FIND FOSTER PARENTS.

DON'T LOOK AT ME LIKE THAT, JOHN,

THEY AREN'T GOING TO LIVE WITH MY IN-LAWS.

WE BELIEVE COMPLETELY OPPOSITE THINGS.

IM UNDER A LOT OF PRESSURE HERE. FROM ALL SIDES.

IM SORRY, I DON'T HAVE A CHOICE.

I'LL TAKE THEM BACK.

MARY.

I'LL TAKE THEM BACK. I CAN DO THAT CAN'T I?

TECHNICALLY, AT THE MOMENT, YES.

I MEAN, THEY'RE UNDER A SECTION ONE BUT...

I'LL WORK HARD AND I'LL MAKE THINGS RIGHT.

I WANT THEM HOME.

WE'RE GOING HOME. MUM'S BETTER.

I HEARD AGES AGO.

I CAN'T WAIT. IT'S REALLY EXCITING.

YEAH.

PEOPLE LIE.

NO THEY DON'T.

THEY DO. THEY TELL YOU THINGS TO MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER.

WE ARE GOING HOME.

IM NOT. SEE YOU.

HI, MARY!

HI, JOHN. HELLO, BOYS!

COME IN, WELCOME HOME! COME IN!

JAMES, HOW ABOUT A HUG?

WHY DON'T YOU TAKE YOUR CASES UPSTAIRS?

WELL DONE, MARY. IM REALLY HAPPY FOR YOU.

I KNOW YOU'VE GOT A JOB TO DO BUT YOU'VE BEEN A REAL FRIEND.

WELL, IF YOU NEED ANYTHING, SOCIAL SERVICES IS ONLY A CALL AWAY.

I'LL POP BY NEXT WEEK TO SEE HOW THINGS ARE GOING.

I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU.

THEY'LL BE FINE.

WE'LL ALL BE FINE.

RIGHT, WELL, HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

STICK OR TWIST?

TWIST.

IM GONNA TWIST.

IVE GONE OVER.

WHY, WHAT HAVE YOU GOT?

TWENTY FIVE.

IVE GOT TWENTY ONE ANYWAY.

YOU'RE BUST.

HELLO BOYS, IVE GOT SOMEONE I WANT YOU TO MEET.

THIS IS GEORGE.

HELLO, BOYS. WHO'D LIKE TO GO FOR A PICNIC?

GREAT.

SO WHERE DID YOU MEET HIM?

LN THE HOSPITAL.

WAS HE A PATIENT?

YES.

HE REALLY LIKES YOU.

NO, DON'T BE SILLY.

ARRRRRGH!

BOYS?

CUP OF TEA?

YEAH, THANKS.

ARE YOU GOING TO GET MARRIED, MUM?

NO, NO... DON'T BE SILLY,

HE'S JUST A FRIEND. THAT'S ALL.

HI, JOHN... I WASN'T EXPECTING YOU.

I KNOW, I JUST THOUGHT ID POP ROUND TO SEE HOW YOU'RE GETTING ON.

IM GOOD, IM GOOD, YEAH.

GOOD... HOW ARE THE BOYS?

GREAT. GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND, BUT YOU KNOW...

I JUST WAS THINKING, IF YOU WANTED ME TO...

MARY, WHERE'S THE CORKSCREW?

IM SORRY, I HAD NO IDEA YOU HAD COMPANY, I WOULD NEVER HAVE...

IT'S FINE, HE'S JUST A FRIEND...

FINE. GREAT. WELL, I'LL ER...

DISAPPEAR AND LEAVE YOU TO IT.

THANKS JOHN, IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU.

MARY?

YOU'D BETTER GO.

YES.

IM GOING OUT, MUM.

I WANT YOU BACK BY NINE.

BYE, MUM.

I BET YOU HE'S LATE.

GO EASY ON HIM, GEORGE. I TRUST HIM.

ARE YOU GOING TO BE OK MUM?

ERM, JAMES! THAT'S NOT A POLITE QUESTION TO ASK.

NO, IT'S ALRIGHT.

THINGS ARE BETTER NOW AREN'T THEY?

IT'S JUST THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO CHURCH OFTEN.

WELL, PERHAPS WE COULD GO ON SUNDAY.

DO YOU STILL LOVE DAD?

YES.

WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU SAID TO HIM?

I CAN'T REMEMBER.

I WISH I COULD.

I SAID I WANTED TO BE A CHRISTIAN, THEN I PRAYED WITH HIM.

IM TRYING HARD TO BE GOOD BUT IM JUST TOO SCARED IF I DIE.

I THINK YOU SHOULD JUST ENJOY LIFE WHILE YOU'RE YOUNG.

BEING A CHRISTIAN ISN'T ABOUT BEING GOOD.

IT'S ABOUT TRUSTING JESUS.

IF YOU KILL YOURSELF DO YOU GO TO HEAVEN?

WHAT?

JAMES! THAT IS NOT A QUESTION TO ASK!

IT'S NOT THE TIME AND IT'S NOT THE PLACE.

YOU DO NOT ASK QUESTIONS LIKE THAT!

GEORGE!

BUT MARY, HE NEEDS...

GEORGE,

BUT MARY...

NO!

I THINK IT'S TIME YOU LEFT.

MARY?

NO, PLEASE, JUST GO.

IF THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT.

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?

OUT.

I TOLD YOU TO BE BACK BY NINE.

SO.

SO, NOT ONLY ARE YOU LATE, YOU'VE BEEN STEALING FROM ME!

WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

PAUL!

SO WHAT IF I HAVE? LT COMES OUT OF MY CHILD BENEFIT.

THAT IS MY MONEY FOR LOOKING AFTER YOU!

HOW CAN YOU BE SO SELFISH? SO UNGRATEFUL?

IVE HAD IT UP TO HERE WITH YOU!

I WISH IT WASN'T DAD WHO DIED.

IT WAS ME MUM.

WHAT?

I SPENT IT ON SWEETS.

YOU TELL ME THE TRUTH!

I AM!

DON'T LOOK AT ME LIKE THAT.

BOTH OF YOU, GO UP TO BED! I SAID GO TO BED!

HELLO?.. HELLO?.. MARY, IS THAT YOU?..

SOCIAL SERVICES.

PLEASE HELP. PLEASE I NEED SOME HELP. PLEASE HELP.

JAMES. JAMES? JAMES.

WHAT'S GOING ON?

IT'S GOING TO BE FINE.

IM JUST GOING TO HAVE A QUICK CHAT WITH JOYCE ALRIGHT?

THANK YOU FOR THIS, JOYCE.

IT'S OK.

HOW IS SHE?

NOT GREAT.

I THINK SHE'S JUST VERY TIRED.

ARE YOU SURE YOU DON'T WANT ME TO TAKE PAUL AS WELL?

THE CHURCH ARE BUSY ORGANISING ANOTHER CARER.

YOU'D BE VERY WELCOME TO COME WITH US PAUL.

I'LL BE FINE.

HEATHER WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU...

I'LL GIVE YOU A CALL IN THE MORNING.

THIS CASE HAS BEEN A COMPLETE SHAMBLES.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

YOU CONVINCED ME TO MOVE THE BOYS FROM THE HOME BACK TO THEIR MOTHER.

I THOUGHT SHE'D COPE.

YOU'VE BEEN INVOLVED WITH THAT WOMAN FOR TOO LONG, JOHN.

"THAT WOMAN" HAS RIGHTS.

AND SO DO SOCIAL SERVICES.

SHE'S GETTING BETTER, STRONGER EVERY TIME I SEE HER.

SHE'S GOT HYSTERICAL PSYCHOSIS.

I THINK THAT'S A MISDIAGNOSIS.

SHE'S NOT HISTRIONIC. SHE'S DEPRESSED.

A DEPENDENT PERSONALITY DEFINITELY.

OH YES? AND WHO DIED AND MADE YOU PSYCHIATRIST?

IVE SEEN IT BEFORE. SHE NEEDS TO BE ENCOURAGED TO STAND UP FOR HERSELF.

LOOK, LT CLEARLY STATES HERE

THAT SHE IS INCURABLE. "THERE IS NOTHING MORE THAT CAN BE DONE FOR HER.

AND IT WOULD BE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF EVERYONE

IF HER BOYS WERE TAKEN AWAY FROM HER."

CLEARLY SIGNED BY HER GP.

I AGREE SHE'S FRAGILE BUT LOOK AT HER CASE HISTORY.

SHE SUFFERED FROM DEPRESSION AFTER THE BIRTH OF HER TWO KIDS.

THEN TO CAP IT ALL HER HUSBAND DIES.

REGARDLESS OF THE CAUSE, MARY IS INCAPABLE OF LOOKING AFTER HER CHILDREN.

SHE'S A GOOD MOTHER.

LOOK, STOP WASTING YOUR TIME AND GET THOSE BOYS IN A SECURE ENVIRONMENT.

I THINK YOU'RE MAKING A MISTAKE.

AND I THINK YOU'RE TOO INVOLVED.

YOUR PROFESSIONALISM IS RIGHT ON THE LINE HERE, JOHN.

IM GONNA TELL MUM YOU STOLE THE CAR FROM MARTIN.

NO I DIDN'T.

GIVE IT BACK.

LADS, STOP TEASING.

JAMES!

MUM!

PAUL!

PAUL, LEAVE JAMES ALONE.

STOP TEASING EACH OTHER!

MUM!

JAMES!

PAUL! PAUL, STOP IT!

MUM!

PAUL, JUST LEAVE HIM ALONE!

MUM?

MUM?

MUM?

HAVE YOU SEEN MUM?

YEAH, SHE'S IN THE KITCHEN.

NO SHE'S NOT. I CHECKED.

MUM?

MUM.

MUM?

MUM?

MUM?

MUM?

HELLO, JOHN? IT'S PAUL WALKER HERE...

IT'S MUM,

WE CAN'T FIND HER...

I THINK SHE'S...

I DON'T KNOW...

WE LOOKED ALL OVER THE HOUSE...

LN ABOUT THIRTY MINUTES? YES, WE'LL WAIT FOR YOU...

NO, JAMES WILL BE FINE...

I UPSET MUM AND I LIED TO HER.

IVE MADE HER LIKE THIS.

IM SURE YOU HAVEN'T.

DO YOU THINK THINGS WILL BE OK?

HAVE FAITH, JAMES.

YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS FROM OUR POINT OF VIEW, MARY.

YOU DISAPPEARED.

I WAS IN THE BATHROOM.

BUT THE BOYS WERE CALLING YOU.

I DIDN'T HEAR THEM.

IT'S NOT FAIR ON THEM.

YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT MY CHILDREN.

THAT'S NOT TRUE.

I DON'T WANT THEM TO GO TO MY IN-LAWS.

LISTEN, MARY. YOUR GP HAS SAID THAT YOUR CONDITION CAN'T BE CURED.

THAT YOU'LL NEVER CARE FOR YOUR BOYS AGAIN.

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT?

IT'S NOT UP TO ME.

JOHN, PLEASE.

SORRY, MARY, THE DECISION'S BEEN MADE.

PLEASE.

LISTEN BOYS YOU UNDERSTAND THIS IS FOR THE BEST?

YOUR MUM ISN'T WELL AT ALL.

BUT THEY LIVE MILES AWAY, WE'LL NEVER SEE HER.

IT WON'T BE AS BAD AS YOU THINK.

HOW LONG ARE WE GOING FOR?

THIS IS A LONG TERM ARRANGEMENT.

BUT WHAT IF MUM GETS BETTER?

IM SORRY, JAMES, BUT I THINK THAT'S VERY UNLIKELY.

JAMES? JAMES!

JAMES! STOP!

JAMES!

JAMES!

JAMES!

JAMES!

JAMES!

STOP!

JAMES!

GET OFF ME!

ALRIGHT JUST, CALM DOWN, CALM DOWN, JAMES.

IT'S ALRIGHT. YOUR GRANDAD'S COMING.

- CALM DOWN. - TAKE IT EASY.

- SETTLE DOWN, CALM DOWN, JAMES. - YOU'RE ALRIGHT, LAD.

JUST RELAX.

GET OFF ME!

WE'LL TALK ABOUT IT.

JAMES, JUST CALM DOWN.

IT'S ALRIGHT, LOVE, IT'S ALRIGHT. IT'S OK, LOVE, IT'S OK.

COME ON, LET'S GO.

THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT. WE SHOULD'VE DONE THIS LONG AGO.

IT'S ALRIGHT, IT'S ALRIGHT.

COME ON. COME ON.

NANA?

YES, JAMES?

WHAT SHOULD I CALL YOU?

SORRY?

SHOULD I CALL YOU MUM? NOW THAT YOU'RE LOOKING AFTER US.

DON'T BE SILLY, JAMES. IM STILL YOUR NANA.

COME ON.

IT DOES LOOK ALRIGHT, DOESN'T IT?

I PROMISE YOU IT'S FINE.

OK.

IT'LL BE FANTASTIC. THEY'LL LOVE IT.

HELLO BOYS.

WHAT'S HAPPENED TO YOU TWO?

NOTHING.

WELL, IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE NOTHING.

WE'RE FINE.

JAMES FELL OVER ON THE WAY HOME.

OH WELL AS LONG AS YOU'RE BOTH ALRIGHT THEN.

WE'RE FINE, GRANDAD.

GOOD. RIGHT, IVE GOT A BIG SURPRISE FOR BOTH OF YOU.

IS MUM HERE?

COME HERE, BOTH OF YOU. COME HERE, CLOSE YOUR EYES.

THAT'S IT.

WELL NOW, ARE YOU READY?

- RIGHT. - OFF WE GO.

STRAIGHT AHEAD.

AND...

YOU'RE NOT PEEPING ARE YOU?

NO.

STOP.

KEEP 'EM CLOSED. RIGHT.

AND OPEN YOUR EYES.

WELL, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

YEAH, I SUPPOSE IT'S ALRIGHT.

OH, RIGHT. FINE.

JAMES? WHAT DO YOU THINK?

IT'S LOVELY.

WELL I THOUGHT YOU'D BE MORE EXCITED THAN THAT.

WELL IM NOT FIVE, AM I?

PAUL!

IT'S ALRIGHT, IT'S ALRIGHT, LET IT GO, LET IT GO.

I LIKE IT. I REALLY DO.

IT TOOK US ALL AFTERNOON.

IT'S JUST.

WHAT?

I JUST WISH I COULD OF HELPED DECORATE IT. THAT'S ALL.

NOT WHILE IM COOKING PLEASE.

PAUL, I WONT TELL YOU AGAIN, OUT! OUT!

HE'S ALWAYS UNDER MY FEET. I SWEAR HE DOES IT ON PURPOSE.

WHY DON'T I TAKE THEM OUT AFTER LUNCH, EH?

WORK OF A BIT OF THAT ENERGY.

GRANDAD?

MMM?

WHEN DID YOUR DAD DIE?

OH, HE DIED A LONG LONG TIME AGO.

I WAS THREE. I NEVER REALLY KNEW HIM.

PERHAPS YOU WILL KNOW HIM WHEN YOU GO TO HEAVEN.

WELL...

MY DAD'S IN HEAVEN.

JAMES, WHEN YOU'RE DEAD YOU'RE DEAD. THAT'S IT. OVER.

I BELIEVE IN GOD.

WELL OF COURSE ITS FINE IF YOU WANT TO BELIEVE THAT.

IF YOU WANT YOU COULD EVEN GO TO CHURCH.

I DONT THINK I WANT TO GO BY MYSELF.

I'M JUST ASKING IF YOU THINK GOD IS REAL?

NO. JAMES, I DON'T.

SO WHY ARE WE CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS?

WHAT?

WHAT IS CHRISTMAS FOR?

WELL, IT'S FOR THE FAMILY.

LOOK, WHY DON'T YOU GO AND PLAY WITH PAUL?

YOU'VE HARDLY TALKED TO HIM ALL DAY.

NOW IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE US TO PRAY ABOUT?

ERM. YES PLEASE.

CAN WE PRAY FOR THE WALKER FAMILY?

HOW ARE THE BOYS?

STILL WITH THEIR GRANDPARENTS.

MAY I?

OH YES?

DEAR LORD,

WE PRAY, LORD, THAT

HOWEVER DARK THE WALKER'S LIVES MAY SEEM RIGHT NOW

THAT, THAT THEY WOULD GROW TO LOVE YOU

AND SEE THE GOOD THAT YOUR LOVE CAN BRING THEM.

THAT, RIGHT NOW, YOU WOULD

WORK IN THEIR LIVES,

FOR YOUR GLORY, FOR SOMETHING WONDERFUL

AND BEAUTIFUL.

WE PRAY THESE PRECIOUS NAME OF JESUS.

AMEN.

AMEN.

HELLO SIR, HELLO. HOW'S THE JOURNEY?

I'LL TAKE THEM FOR YOU.

ALL YOU EVER TALK ABOUT IS GOD.

IT'S IMPORTANT.

NO, IT'S NOT.

IT'S WHAT DAD BELIEVED.

SO. LT DOESN'T MAKE IT TRUE.

GOD'S NOT REAL.

YOU KNOW WHY MUM CAN'T LOOK AFTER US, DON'T YOU?

SHE'S POORLY AND SHE NEEDS TO GET BETTER.

NO, BECAUSE SHE'S MAD AND SHE KEEPS TRYING TO KILL HERSELF,

THAT'S NOT TRUE.

YES, IT IS.

MUM WOULD RATHER DIE THAN LOOK AFTER US.

IDIOT.

IT'S ROOM NUMBER THREE AND THERE IS A BELL IF YOU WANT ANYTHING.

GET OFF!

SORRY ABOUT THIS. DO YOU MIND SETTLING YOURSELF?

I'M SORRY ABOUT THAT. IM SORRY.

GET OFF!

HEY,

IDIOT.

HEY, HEY, HEY, HEY. COME ON, COME ON, PACK IT IN.

PACK IT IN.

PAUL, GO TO YOUR ROOM, GO ON, GO ON.

COME ON, WHAT'S ALL THIS ABOUT, LAD?

I HATE MY LIFE.

JAMES, JAMES!

PAUL, OUT OF MY WAY.

GUESTS OF JUST ARRIVED AND IM UP TO MY EYES IN IT.

THERE IS NO GOD.

I DONT KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO.

JUST GIVE IT TIME, LOVE.

THEY WILL SETTLE DOWN.

WILL THEY?

I THINK SO, YES.

WE SHOULDN'T BE DOING MARY'S JOB FOR HER.

I REALLY APPRECIATE THESE TALKS, JOYCE.

I DO TO.

GETS ME OUT OF THE HOUSE.

I MISS MY BOYS, JOYCE.

I FEEL REALLY LOST.

WHY DON'T YOU COME ALONG ON SUNDAY?

WE'D ALL LOVE TO SEE YOU.

I DONT KNOW, I FEEL LIKE I HAVE LOST MY WAY.

EVEN MORE REASON TO COME.

SO HOW ARE YOU SETTLING IN?

ALRIGHT.

WHY DO YOU CARE?

BECAUSE I DO. A LOT.

THEN WHY HAVEN'T YOU BEEN TO SEE US IN AGES?

WELL, BECAUSE THINGS HAVE BEEN GOING SO WELL.

IT'S JUST A JOB, ISNT IT?

WHAT IS?

YOU ONLY COME TO SEE US BECAUSE YOU GET PAID TO.

WELL, IT IS A JOB AND I DO GET PAID.

BUT THAT DON'T MEAN I DON'T CARE.

MUM CARED FOR US.

SHE STILL DOES.

MUM TRIED TO COMMIT SUICIDE, DIDN'T SHE?

YES JAMES, SHE DID.

BUT MAYBE IT WAS A CRY FOR HELP.

YOU KNOW, HER WAY OF MAKING PEOPLE LISTEN.

NO ONE LOVES US ANYMORE. WHEN ARE WE GOING TO GET TO SEE MUM?

WELL, PERHAPS WE CAN ORGANISE A VISIT.

BEING A CHRISTIAN IS NOT JUST BASED ON GOING TO CHURCH

PRAYING OR EVEN DOING GOOD WORKS.

OF COURSE, ALL THESE THINGS ARE IMPORTANT IN THEIR OWN RIGHT.

BUT THEY NEED TO COME ABOUT AS A RESULT OF A TRANSFORMED LIFE.

A LIFE TRANSFORMED BY JESUS CHRIST.

WHO EVEN GIVES US THE FAITH TO BELIEVE

AND TRUST IN HIM IN THE FIRST PLACE.

WHEN WE ARE IN TROUBLE, WHEN WE ARE IN DISTRESS

WE NEED TO RUN TO HIM AND CLING TO HIM.

WE CAN TRUST JESUS.

HE ALONE IS ALL POWERFUL.

ALL SEEING. ALL KNOWING.

HE IS THE ROCK OF OUR SALVATION.

JOYCE, IVE BEEN FOCUSED ON MYSELF FOR TOO LONG.

IVE LOST MY BOYS.

I NEED THEM HOME, JOYCE.

I MISS THEM.

EXCUSE ME.

ER, I DON'T MEAN TO INTERRUPT, I JUST...

IT'S JUST THAT IT'S SO GOOD TO SEE YOU.

NO IM NOT PLAYING WITH HIM.

WOULDN'T WANT YOU TO ANYWAY.

LISTEN BOYS, I JUST NEED A FEW MINUTES.

SO?

THE BOYS ARE ALWAYS FIGHTING

AND PAUL CAN BE EXTREMELY RUDE.

THEY'RE BOYS. THEY'RE BOISTUROUS.

YOU SEE JOHN, THE PROBLEM IS IF THEY'RE BEHAVING LIKE THIS IN HIGH SEASON.

MARGARET IS VERY WORRIED ABOUT THE GUESTS.

WELL, IM SURE GIVEN TIME THEY WILL SETTLE IN.

PAUL CAN BE SO SULLEN. SOMETIMES I DON'T REALLY LIKE HIM,

THAT'S PERFECTLY NATURAL.

HAVE YOU TRIED SHOWING THE BOYS SOME AFFECTION.

YES, I TAKE THEM OUT. I PLAY WITH THEM.

DO YOU OFFER THEM ANY, YOU KNOW, PHYSICAL CONTACT?

LOOK HERE, WE ARE DOING OUR BEST.

IT'S NOT BEEN EASY.

IT'S BEEN STRESSFUL, IT'S BEEN VERY STRESSFUL.

DARLING, IT'S ALRIGHT, IT'S ALRIGHT.

YOU SEE JOHN, THE FACT IS, I JUST DONT KNOW HOW MUCH LONGER WE CAN CARRY ON.

RIGHT.

YOU DO KNOW I CAN AFFORD A PRIVATE DOCTOR.

IT'S ALL BEEN TAKEN CARE OF.

CONSIDER IT A GIFT TO YOUR FAMILY.

THANK YOU. YOU'RE VERY KIND.

I REQUESTED A TRANSFER OVER OF YOUR MEDICAL NOTES.

IT SAYS HERE THAT YOU SUFFER FROM AN INCURABLE HYSTERIA.

DID ANYONE EVER EXPLAIN THAT TO YOU? DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT MEANS?

NO, NOT REALLY.

IT MEANS YOUR BEHAVIOUR TENDS TO BE OVER DRAMATIC

AND ATTENTION SEEKING WHEN YOU ARE UNDER STRESS.

LIKE WHEN YOU HAVE TAKEN AN OVERDOSE.

I JUST FELT REALLY ALONE.

HOW ARE YOU FEELING?

GOOD. POSITIVE. IM DOING MORE. IVE GOT A LOT MORE ENERGY.

RIGHT, MRS THOMAS, WOULD YOU LIKE TO FOLLOW ME THIS WAY?

OH DEAR, EXCUSE ME.

BE BACK IN A MINUTE.

IT'S FIRST ON THE RIGHT.

GET OFF ME!

GET OFF!

GET OFF ME!

BOYS!

STOP THIS, NOW STOP IT!

I CAN'T COPE WITH THIS. GET THEM OUT. GO ON, GET THEM OUT.

GET THEM OUT!

SHH. IT'S ALRIGHT, LOVE.

YOU ALRIGHT? IT'S OK.

DID YOU WANT TO BE THE CENTRE OF ATTENTION?

NO.

WHEN PETER DIED,

I JUST WANTED EVERYBODY ELSE TO TAKE CARE OF ME.

MY FRIENDS, CHURCH...

BUT IT JUST ALL FELL TO PIECES.

YOU'RE STILL ANXIOUS THOUGH AREN'T YOU?

OF COURSE I AM. IM WORRIED I WON'T GET MY BOYS BACK.

WHAT'S GOING ON?

IT'S BEEN DECIDED THAT IT'S BEST FOR YOU BOTH

IF YOU STAY AT A NEW CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTRE IN WESTON.

THEN WHAT?

THEN YOU'LL BE ASSESSED.

AND SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE WILL DECIDE WHERE WE ...

WHERE YOU GO FROM THERE.

DOES THIS MEAN WE'LL BE ABLE TO LIVE WITH MUM?

I DOUBT IT, JAMES.

BUT YOU'LL THINK ABOUT IT?

WE WERE BETTER OFF WITH MUM.

EVERY OPTION WILL BE CONSIDERED AT THE ASSESSMENT CENTRE.

IM SORRY BOYS. I REALLY AM VERY SORRY.

WHAT DID WE DO?

OH, JAMES. YOU DIDN'T DO ANYTHING AT ALL. NOTHING AT ALL LAD.

IT'S JUST THAT, YOU KNOW, YOUR NANA CAN'T REALLY COPE YOU SEE?

BUT YOU DIDN'T DO ANYTHING, TRULY.

GOODBYE, NANA. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

MARY, WHY ARE YOU HERE?

I WANT TO PROVE THAT IM BETTER.

I LET MY BOYS DOWN, AND I MISS THEM.

I WANT THEM HOME.

I HAVE TO SAY THAT I DISAGREE WITH THIS DIAGNOSIS.

I DON'T THINK YOU'RE HYSTERICAL AT ALL.

YOU'RE A CHRISTIAN, LIKE PETER? YOU TRUST GOD?

THAT'S WHY IM FEELING BETTER, I KNOW HE'S WITH ME.

THANKS, CLEMENT.

YOU'VE REALLY MADE THINGS CLEAR. YOU'VE RESCUED ME.

YOU'VE RESCUED YOURSELF, MARY.

WELL, ULTIMATELY, IVE GOTTA THANK GOD FOR THIS.

I AGREE WITH THAT.

AND, I DON'T THINK YOU NEED ME ANYMORE.

NO, NO I DO.

I NEED YOU TO HELP ME TO PROVE TO EVERYONE ELSE THAT IM OK.

HELLO, NORTH SHORE GUEST HOUSE...

OH... MARY, HELLO.

NO, THE BOYS AREN'T HERE...

I'LL JUST PASS YOU OVER TO EDWARD.

HELLO, MARY.

NO... SOCIAL SERVICES NOT BEEN IN TOUCH WITH YOU?

WELL, YOU SEE, THEY'VE MOVED THE BOYS FROM HERE...

YES, I HAVEN'T GOT THE NUMBER, NO...

WHY DON'T YOU TRY CALLING...

MARY? HELLO?.. MARY, HELLO?

WHAT A MESS.

HELLO JOHN... IT'S MARY WALKER.

IT WASN'T THE INTENTION OF SOCIAL SERVICES TO KEEP YOU IN THE DARK.

YOU DIDN'T EVEN ASK MY OPINION.

WITH ALL DUE RESPECT YOUR OPINION DOESN'T COUNT.

YOU DIDN'T EVEN CALL.

WHY JOHN?

IM SORRY. IM REALLY SORRY.

I WANT MY BOYS BACK.

WITH YOUR TRACK RECORD? IT'S NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN.

MY BOYS ARE IN CARE UNDER A SECTION ONE, YOU TOLD ME. IT'S MY CHOICE TO ASK FOR THEM BACK.

THE BOYS' MOVE WAS A DE FACTO TRANSFER. A SOLE DECISION OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL.

YOUR CHOICE WAS THEREFORE RELINQUISHED.

RIGHT. BUT IM BETTER NOW. IM STRONGER.

GIVE IT UP, MARY.

AND ACCEPT THAT SOCIAL SERVICES WILL DO THE RIGHT THING

FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN.

WHO'S TALKING NOW JOHN,

YOU, OR SOCIAL SERVICES?

I REPRESENT SOCIAL SERVICES.

THERE'S NO DIFFERENCE.

...IT'S LIKE TRYING TO GAIN CONTROL OVER SOMETHING

AND THEN REALIZING YOU DON'T HAVE TO.

THE MORE I FOCUS ON THE LORD AND THE BOYS

THE MORE ENERGISED I FEEL.

BUT THEN SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENS.

I'LL VOUCH FOR YOU.

I THINK IVE MESSED UP TOO MANY TIMES.

NO...

HELLO!

HELLO CHRISTINA, IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

HELLO, MARY, I THINK I CAN HELP.

ALRIGHT LADS, JUST TAKE A SEAT HERE.

RIGHT. THE MEETING WILL LAST ABOUT AN HOUR

AND THEN WE'LL CALL YOU IN TO DISCUSS WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

YOU TWO OK?

WE'LL BE FINE.

PAUL? I WANT TO GO HOME.

WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL HAPPEN?

SHUT UP AND GROW UP.

THIS IS A COMPLETE AND UTTER SHAMBLES.

IT HAS BEEN VERY UNFORTUNATE.

UNFORTUNATE? IT'S A DISGRACE.

JOHN, PERHAPS YOU'D LIKE TO EXPLAIN WHAT THE CURRENT POSITION IS?

WE NEED TO SECURE LONG TERM CARE FOR JAMES AND PAUL WALKER.

ALTHOUGH I THINK THE BOYS THEMSELVES ARE STILL HOPEFUL THEY CAN GO BACK HOME TO THEIR MOTHER.

NOT A CHANCE.

I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM A SOLICITOR REPRESENTING THE WALKER'S.

AND THE TONE OF IT WORRIES ME.

ARE REPORTS WATER TIGHT ON THIS?

I'LL CHECK.

BEST DO CHECK - FORENSICALLY.

I WANT EVERYTHING IN WRITING.

THE FACT THAT SHE'S HIRED A SOLICITOR

DEMONSTRATES A HUGE IMPROVEMENT IN HER HEALTH AND MOTIVATION.

OH, IM GLAD YOU CAN SEE THE POSITIVE SIDE!

IVE IMPLEMENTED A SECTION THREE.

THEY'RE COMPLETELY UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL NOW.

IF GOD IS REAL THEN MAYBE HE'LL FIND A WAY TO SEND US HOME.

YOU CAN COME IN NOW, JAMES.

PAUL, WE'LL TALK TO YOU IN A MINUTE.

GOOD MORNING, JAMES, MY NAME IS GILLIAN TUTT.

AND IM THE SENIOR SOCIAL WORKER IN CHARGE OF YOUR CASE.

NOW, AS YOU KNOW WE'VE HAD A MEETING THIS MORNING TO DISCUSS YOUR FUTURE.

AND WE'VE REACHED A UNANIMOUS DECISION.

NOW, IM SURE YOU'RE AWARE THAT YOUR MOTHER IS VERY ILL.

AND IN OUR OPINION SHE'S NOT REALLY GOING TO BE ABLE TO LOOK AFTER YOU PROPERLY.

BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE PUTTING YOU UP FOR LONG TERM FOSTERING.

PERHAPS EVEN ADOPTION.

I WANT TO GO HOME.

OH, COME ON, JAMES. LET'S BE SENSIBLE.

WE'RE GOING TO FIND YOU A NICE NEW FAMILY.

WHAT ABOUT MY BROTHER.

WILL WE BE TOGETHER?

WELL, WE HAVE TO BE GROWN UP ABOUT IT

AND RIGHT NOW, I THINK THAT IS VERY UNLIKELY.

I DON'T THINK THIS IS WHAT GOD WANTS.

OH, REALLY? I THINK, PERHAPS, YOU SHOULD CHECK WITH GOD AGAIN.

THANK YOU, JAMES. WELL DONE.

COME ON, PAUL. LET'S GO IN.

IM NOT GOING TO LET YOU. YOU CAN'T MAKE ME.

I'LL JUST RUN AWAY.

AND WE'LL END UP WITH THE POLICE INVOLVED.

I DON'T CARE.

WELL YOU SHOULD CARE.

NOW STOP BEING RUDE AND...

PAUL WALKER, COME BACK HERE THIS INSTANT.

WHAT'S WRONG?

GO AWAY. LEAVE ME ALONE.

YOU'RE MY BROTHER. WE SHOULD STICK TOGETHER.

I WANT TO GO HOME.

SO DO I.

AND ANY COURT WOULD AGREE

THAT YOU HANDED OVER YOUR CHILDREN FREELY

BECAUSE YOU COULDN'T COPE.

AND WHEN YOU TOOK THEM BACK AGAIN

YOU FAILED IN YOUR DUTY OF CARE.

I KNOW. BUT IM BETTER NOW.

AND THEN THE AUTHORITIES TOOK OVER, QUITE RIGHTLY.

THEY DIDN'T EVEN CONSULT ME.

AND NEITHER DID THEY HAVE TO.

WHOSE INTERESTS DID THEY HAVE?

WELL, THE BOYS, IN THEORY.

THEY DIDN'T CONSULT THE BOYS.

OH COME ON, THEY MUST'VE DONE.

NO, THEY TOLD THEM WHERE THEY WERE GOING AND WHAT THEY WERE DOING,

BUT THEY DIDN'T CONSULT THEM.

COME ON JAMES, WE'VE GOT TO GO!

GET IN THE CAR NOW PLEASE!

WHEN ARE WE GOING TO GET TO SEE MUM?

ERM, IM NOT SURE, PAUL.

JAMES MISSES HER TOO.

IT'S THE DOOR.

LEAVE THAT DOOR ALONE.

JUSTIN GET OUT OF THE WAY

AND DON'T ANSWER BACK!

HELLO JOHN, HOW ARE YOU?

HI RUTH.

MEET THE WALKER BOYS.

THEY'LL BE SHARING WITH A YOUNG LAD NAMED JUSTIN.

GEOFF, SWEETIE, WILL YOU GIVE US A MINUTE?

OK. WE NEED TO GET MOVING ON THE FOSTER DIRECTORY,

SO I'LL GET A PHOTOGRAPHER OVER SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.

FINE.

THE ONLY OTHER THING IS THE MOTHER'S STARTED TO MAKE NOISES ABOUT HAVING THE BOYS BACK.

SO IF THEY TALK ABOUT IT, JUST GENTLY...

NIP IT IN THE BUD. WILL DO.

LISTEN, THESE KIDS HAVE BEEN PUSHED FROM PILLAR TO POST, THEY'RE BOTH...

DON'T WORRY, I'LL BE GENTLE WITH THEM.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

IM PRAYING THAT GOD WILL LET US BE A FAMILY AGAIN.

WHY?

WELL, IF GOD WANTS US TO BE A FAMILY AGAIN WE WILL BE.

YOU REALLY BELIEVE THAT?

GOD WILL DO WHAT'S BEST FOR US.

IT'S THE ONLY HOPE WE'VE GOT.

RIGHT BOYS. WE NEED TO PUT YOUR VIDEOS IN THE FOSTER DIRECTORY.

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS TALK ABOUT YOURSELVES. WHAT YOU LOVE DOING, WHAT YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP, THAT SORT OF THING.

BEFORE WE START PROCEEDINGS ID LIKE TO CONGRATULATE EVERYONE...

GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE.

IM CHRISTINA GRACE AND IM HERE TODAY

AS A FORMAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE WALKER FAMILY.

ARE YOU? I ASSUME YOU'RE HERE AS AN OBSERVER.

I MUST REMIND YOU THAT MARY WALKER

HAS NO LEGAL RIGHT TO BE HEARD AT THIS COMMITTEE.

AND UNDER SECTION 3 OF THE CHILD PROTECTION ACT

ALL AUTHORITY OVER THE CHILDREN IS OWNED BY THE STATE.

AND WHAT ABOUT THE BOYS?

I BEG YOUR PARDON?

WHAT ABOUT THE BOYS? WHAT ABOUT THEIR RIGHT TO BE HEARD?

HAVE YOU ASKED THE CHILDREN WHAT THEY WANT?

THEY HAVE AGREED TO OUR PROPOSALS

AND ARE FULLY AWARE OF THEIR MOTHER'S CONDITION.

BUT HAVE YOU ASKED THE BOYS WHAT THEY WANT?

YOU MISS THE POINT. THEY HAVE AGREED TO OUR PROPOSALS.

IF THE BOYS WANT TO LIVE WITH EACH OTHER AND THEIR MUM,

AND THEIR MOTHER WANTS THEM HOME,

DO YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO IGNORE THEM?

ALL THE EVIDENCE SUGGESTS THE BOYS ARE HAPPY WHERE THEY ARE.

THAT THE MOTHER SUFFERS FROM AN INCURABLE HYSTERIA.

SO, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR INPUT BUT WE HAVE A LONG AGENDA

AND MUST MOVE ON, IM SORRY.

ON BEHALF OF MY CLIENTS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME

AND I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR RESPONSE.

WE WILL BE IN TOUCH AFTER THE MEETING.

CAN I LEAVE THIS WITH YOU?

WHAT IS IT?

IT'S FROM MARY'S PSYCHIATRIST,

HE'S GIVEN HER A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH.

GOOD DAY.

RIGHT, LET'S TAKE TEN MINUTES EVERYONE.

YOU ARE OFF THIS CASE WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT.

OKAY GUYS, LET'S TIDY UP IN HERE.

JAMES, LEGO AWAY, THEN STRAIGHT UP FOR A BATH.

BUT I HAD ONE WHEN KATE WAS ON DUTY.

NICE TRY. BATH NOW PLEASE.

BUT IVE HAD ONE.

DON'T LIE.

IM NOT LYING.

RIGHT.

GO AND GET GEOFF.

IVE HAD ENOUGH OF HIM.

GET OFF.

GET OFF!

GET OFF!

GET OFF!

AND DON'T GET OUT UNTIL YOU'RE CLEAN!

IT WAS ALL KICKING OFF TODAY WASN'T IT?

YEAH, I KNOW, I HATE RUTH.

YEH, ME TOO.

PLEASE, BE QUIET.

SHUT UP IF YOU WANT TO LIVE.

IT'S REALLY LATE.

AH, GET OFF ME.

GET OFF ME!

JUSTIN, LEAVE HIM.

WHAT?

I SAID LEAVE HIM.

MAKE ME.

THAT'S ENOUGH!

OUT. ALL OF YOU.

YOU STAND THERE. YOU THERE.

YOU FACE THE WALL.

IF I HEAR ANOTHER...

FACE THE WALL!

IF I HEAR ANOTHER SOUND FROM ANY OF YOU, THERE'LL BE TROUBLE.

AND I MEAN TROUBLE!

HELLO, IM HERE TO TAKE PAUL AND JAMES OUT FOR THE AFTERNOON.

IM SORRY, YOU ARE?

THEIR MOTHER.

IM AFRAID WE DIDN'T KNOW YOU WERE COMING.

I DID PHONE.

IM SORRY MRS WALKER, BUT WE HAD NO NOTIFICATION.

I RANG AND I LEFT A MESSAGE WITH KATE WHO WAS ON DUTY.

YES, WELL IM ON DUTY NOW. NOT KATE.

SURELY THERE ISN'T A PROBLEM WITH ME TAKING THEM OUT?

NOT WITHOUT THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITY THERE'S NOT.

I HAVE THE AUTHORITY,

MY SOLICITOR RANG UP SOCIAL SERVICES.

YOU CAN'T STOP ME FROM SEEING MY CHILDREN.

ACTUALLY, YES I CAN AND I WILL, FOR THEIR SAFETY.

MUM!

THEY WON'T LET ME SEE YOU.

IM SORRY MRS. WALKER.

THESE ARE MY CHILDREN. I HAVE RIGHTS.

WHAT ON EARTH IS GOING ON?

THIS IS MRS. WALKER. SHE SAYS SHE'S COME TO SEE HER CHILDREN.

WELL WE CAN'T LET YOU.

WHY CAN'T WE SEE OUR MUM?

THIS HAS GOT NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU PAUL, GO BACK TO YOUR ROOM.

YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO DO THIS.

MRS. WALKER PLEASE CALM DOWN.

CALM DOWN? IM NOT THE ONE WHO'S BEING UNREASONABLE.

YEAH, LEAVE OUR FAMILY ALONE.

THAT'S ENOUGH.

YOU CAN'T STOP US FROM SEEING OUR MUM.

MRS. WALKER,

PLEASE COME IN TO THIS ROOM SO WE CAN TALK IN PRIVATE.

IF MY CHILDREN WANT TO SEE ME THEN HOW CAN YOU STOP THEM?

MRS. WALKER, WE'VE HAD NO AUTHORITY TO ALLOW YOU TO SEE YOUR CHILDREN.

AND WE DO HAVE THE RIGHT TO STOP YOU.

GILLIAN TUTT, SOCIAL SERVICES.

PERHAPS SOMEONE WOULD LIKE TO EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT'S GOING ON?

YOU'RE ONLY ALLOWED TO SEE YOUR CHILDREN IF WE LET YOU.

MY SOLICITOR ORGANISED IT.

I NEED TO SPEAK TO JOHN.

AS IVE ALREADY SAID, JOHN'S BEEN TAKEN OFF THE CASE.

FROM NOW ON YOU'LL BE DEALING WITH ME.

WELL, I NEED TO SPEAK TO HIM.

WHOSE IDEA WAS IT TO INVOLVE A SOLICITOR?

THAT'S MY BUSINESS.

YOU KNOW YOU WON'T WIN.

YOU'VE FAILED YOUR FAMILY TOO MANY TIMES.

YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND.

I THINK I DO MRS WALKER. I THINK I DO.

WE'LL SEE.

HOW ARE THEY TREATING YOU?

FINE.

BUT DO YOU THINK THAT GOD CARES FOR US?

I KNOW HE DOES, JAMES.

IM SCARED.

WE WANT TO GO HOME.

I KNOW YOU DO, I KNOW.

WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT?

I DON'T KNOW,

BUT GOD'S IN CONTROL.

ALRIGHT, I THINK THAT'S ENOUGH NOW.

BEFORE WE FACE THE MUSIC. HOW STRONG IS THEIR CASE?

IT'S DIFFICULT TO SAY. I MEAN, COULD GO EITHER WAY.

AH, OK.

MRS. WALKER, YOU'VE SET A DATE IN COURT

TO REGAIN THE LEGAL RIGHTS OF YOUR CHILDREN?

I HOPE TODAY WE CAN CONVINCE YOU TO SEE REASON.

MAY I STATE FOR THE RECORD

THAT THE MANNER IN WHICH THE WALKER CASE WAS DEALT WITH

WAS WHOLLY PROFESSIONAL,

THAT SAID,

IT IS NOW OUR DUTY TO ENSURE A SATISFACTORY CONCLUSION.

PERHAPS YOU COULD UPDATE US?

DO YOU THINK THEY'LL LET US GO HOME?

THEY WON'T LISTEN.

THEY THINK THEY KNOW WHAT'S BEST AND THAT'S IT.

WE HAVE HOPE.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

PRAYING.

I COULD SEE THAT SHE NEEDED SUPPORT.

SO I OFFERED MY HELP, AS A FRIEND.

AND I EVEN TREATED HER CHILDREN AS IF THEY WERE MY OWN.

BUT SHE WAS SO IMBALANCED

AND SHE WOULD FREAK OUT AT ME

AND SCREAM AT ME FOR NO REASON!

SO I JUST THOUGHT IT BEST TO LEAVE.

BEFORE, YOU KNOW, SHE GOT ANY WORSE.

WELL, THANK YOU FOR COMING IN TODAY GEORGE.

YOUR CONTRIBUTION HAS BEEN INVALUABLE.

BUT WHEN THE MOTHER APPEARED

BOTH BOYS BECAME VERY, UPSET.

BUT ALL CHILDREN IN MY CARE?

THEY'RE TREATED WITH THE SAME LOVE, AND RESPECT.

THEY'RE ALL WELL LOOKED AFTER AND GENERALLY,

VERY HAPPY.

THANK YOU, RUTH. THAT'S BEEN REALLY GOOD.

THANK YOU FOR COMING IN.

REGARDING THE LETTER FROM MRS WALKER'S PERSONAL PSYCHIATRIST,

ALL THE CHECKS HAVE BEEN MADE AND IT'S QUITE CLEAR THAT DR. LLOYD IS HIGHLY REGARDED IN HIS PROFESSION.

WHERE DID SHE FIND THE MONEY, TO PAY FOR ALL THIS?

I DON'T KNOW, I HAVE NO IDEA, IM SORRY.

AND WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN?

I THINK IT'S CLEAR FROM THE EVIDENCE THAT THE CHILDREN HAVE NEVER BEEN HAPPY.

AND THIS FORMS THE BASIS FOR HER CASE, DOES IT?

NOT HER CASE, NO.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

IT'S NOT MRS. WALKER WHO BROUGHT THE CASE.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN, IT'S NOT MRS. WALKER? WELL WHO ON EARTH IS IT THEN?

I THOUGHT YOU KNEW.

KNEW WHAT?

RIGHT, WOULD SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHAT IS GOING ON?

IT'S NOT MRS. WALKER WHO FILED THE CASE...

IT'S MY CHILDREN.

HAS THIS BEEN DONE BEFORE?

THERE IS A LEGAL STANDING FOR IT.

MRS. WALKER, IM SURE YOU ARE AWARE

THAT THE CHILDREN'S WELL BEING HAS BEEN AT THE HEART OF EVERY ACTION WE'VE TAKEN.

BUT WE CANNOT LEAVE IMPORTANT DECISIONS

TO THE EMOTIONAL WHIM OF A CHILD.

THEIR FUTURE HAS TO BE DECIDED FOR THEM.

DO YOU CONCEDE THAT MARY IS IN A FIT STATE

TO CARE FOR HER CHILDREN?

YES.

AND HAVE YOU ASKED THE BOYS WHAT THEY WANT?

WE HAVE IT ON PAPER RECORD THAT THE BOYS SUBMITTED TO OUR RECOMMENDATIONS.

AND DID THE BOYS SIGN ANYTHING?

NO OF COURSE NOT.

THEN IT CAN HARDLY BE USED AS EVIDENCE.

AND WHERE IS YOUR EVIDENCE MISS GRACE?

CAN I SPEAK?

IM NOT A STRONG WOMAN.

AND IVE FAILED MY FAMILY.

BUT GOD BE MY WITNESS I HAVE CHANGED.

IM HERE TODAY TO ASK FOR MY FAMILY BACK

AND I CAN CONFIDENTLY SAY THAT I WILL NOT FAIL THEM AGAIN.

MY BOYS HAVE TOLD YOU THAT THEY WANT TO COME HOME.

PLEASE, LISTEN TO THEM.

THEY ARE MY CHILDREN.

AND I LOVE THEM DEARLY

AND THEY LOVE ME.

WE NEED FACTS, NOT FEELINGS MRS. WALKER.

IF YOU CAN PROVIDE SOLID PROOF THAT THE BOYS ARE

UNHAPPY AND WANT TO COME HOME THEN

WE COULD CONSIDER IT.

WELL WE DON'T HAVE SOLID PROOF,

BUT THERE IS EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT THE BOYS ARE UNHAPPY.

WELL, I THINK THAT SETTLES IT THEN.

HOW'S IT GOING?

IM REALLY SORRY, MARY. THEY'RE RIGHT,

WE DON'T HAVE ANY LEGAL PROOF.

IM TRULY SORRY.

YOU'VE BEEN LIKE THAT FOR AGES.

COME ON NOW ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

PLEASE, MAKE US A FAMILY AGAIN.

PLEASE.

MRS. WALKER, IVE HEARD NOTHING TODAY TO CHALLENGE OUR POSITION,

OTHER THAN YOUR WORD,

WHICH IM INCLINED TO IGNORE BASED ON YOUR PAST ACTIONS.

THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO EVIDENCE THAT THE BOYS WILL BE BETTER OFF AT HOME.

THEREFORE WE REMAIN ADAMANT

THAT THE BOYS WILL BE BEST SERVED UNDER OUR CONTINUING AUTHORITY.

MRS. WALKER, JUST GIVE UP NOW

AND TRUST THAT WE HAVE MADE THE RIGHT DECISION FOR EVERYONE.

PLEASE, HELP MY FAMILY.

WHAT ON EARTH...

YOU ARE SUSPENDED FROM THIS CASE.

PLEASE LEAVE. NOW.

I CAN'T ALLOW THIS TO GO ON. SORRY, GILLIAN.

THIS IS SO OUT OF ORDER,

- IF YOU THINK IM GOING TO SIT HERE AND LISTEN TO THIS... - GILLIAN. LET HIM SPEAK.

IVE NOTHING TO SAY THAT MARY HASN'T ALREADY SAID.

THEN WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU DOING HERE?

I HAVE SOMETHING TO SHOW YOU.

COME ON NOW, PAUL, YOU'VE GOT TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF.

I WANT TO GO HOME AND LIVE WITH MY MUM.

YOU KNOW YOUR MUM'S NOT WELL.

I BELIEVE SHE'S BETTER, WHY DON'T YOU?

I WANT THE SAME AS PAUL.

BOYS. COME ON, YOU KNOW YOU'RE NEVER GOING HOME.

I PRAY EVERY DAY TO LIVE WITH MY MUM AND MY BROTHER.

AND IF GOD WANTS THIS TO HAPPEN YOU CAN'T STOP ME.

I KNOW MY MUM TRIED TO KILL HERSELF, BUT DOESN'T EVEN NEED FORGIVING.

I STILL LOVE HER.

IF WE'RE A FAMILY THEN WE CAN HELP EACH OTHER.

WE SHOULD BE AT HOME. TOGETHER.

PAUL, PLEASE.

ALRIGHT. IF YOU WANT TO LOOK AFTER ME YOU CAN,

BUT YOU'LL HAVE TO LOOK AFTER JAMES AS WELL.

AND JUST SO YOU KNOW, I WILL RUN AWAY.

IT IS THEREFORE THE DECISION OF THIS PANEL TO ALLOW

PAUL AND JAMES WALKER TO RETURN TO THEIR MOTHER, MARY.

AND, SUBJECT TO A SUCCESSFUL PROBATION PERIOD,

ALL PARENTAL RIGHTS WILL BE REINSTATED.

YOU'VE MADE ME A LAUGHING STOCK.

YOU DID A PRETTY GOOD JOB OF THAT ON YOUR OWN.

GET OUT OF MY SIGHT.

JOHN!

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

WELL, IM JUST PLEASED IT'S ALL WORKED OUT.

WELL DONE YOU.

I COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU.

IM DELIGHTED FOR YOU.

I REALLY APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'VE DONE.

I DID TRY TO DO THE RIGHT THING. YOU DO KNOW THAT?

I KNOW.

THERE'LL BE A FORMAL REVIEW IN SIX WEEKS TO CHECK THAT EVERYTHING'S OKAY.

AND IT WILL BE.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS, MARY.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS, JOHN.

AN ANIMAL SHED

WAS A HUMBLE PLACE FOR THE SON OF GOD TO BE BORN.

BUT HE CAME TO THIS EARTH

FOR THE WRETCHED AND BROKEN -

FOR THOSE WITHOUT HOPE.

HIS LOVE IS UNMERITED

AND UNDESERVED.

A LOVE FREELY GIVEN

THAT GIVES STRENGTH TO THE WEAK

AND HOPE TO THE DESPISED.

AS THE BIBLE SAYS "GOD CHOSE THE DESPISED

AND FOOLISH THINGS OF THIS WORLD

TO CONFOUND THE WISDOM OF THE WISE."

EVEN IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY

A CHRISTIAN CAN COPE

BECAUSE OF THE LOVE OF JESUS.

THE BIBLE SAYS "I CAN DO ALL THINGS

THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME"

MAY THE LOVE CHRIST HAS SHOWN TO US

ALSO BE DEMONSTRATED IN OUR LOVE FOR HIM,

OUR LOVE FOR OUR FAMILIES

AND OUR LOVE FOR ALL PEOPLE. AMEN.

WHO'D LIKE TO OPEN A PRESENT EARLY?

YES.

THAT'S FOR YOU.

THANKS, MUM.

AND THIS ONE'S FOR YOU.

THANKS, MUM.

I NOTICED YOU'D LOST YOUR OLD ONE.

IT'S PERFECT.

MUM?

YES?

CAN I PHONE NANA AND GRANDAD?

YES, WHY?

BECAUSE I WANT TO WISH THEM A MERRY CHRISTMAS FOR TOMORROW.

THAT'S REALLY THOUGHTFUL, JAMES.

MUM. BEFORE DAD DIED

HE HELPED ME PRAY

AND WE TALKED ABOUT BEING A CHRISTIAN.

I DIDN'T REALLY UNDERSTAND THEN,

BUT I THINK I DO NOW.

THAT'S REALLY GOOD, JAMES.

THAT'S REALLY GOOD.

COME ON.