Original subtitles

Never fear, my sweet. For tonight, I shall...

Free you from...

...free you from your father's cruel bonds.

Gwen, you promised you'd be word-perfect!

We can't have prompting today, in front of the parents...

We shall run away together.

The sword, Gwen.

Oh, and...

woe betide him if he tries to stop us!

Girls! Do be careful.

Can someone help me, please?

Oh, for goodness' sake!

I can't be excited about Open Day. Not knowing it might be our last.

The school can't be really closing.

Darrell saw it in writing!

What is so tremendously interesting that it cannot wait until lunch?

Irene

perhaps you would like to share it with us.

When was I going to hear about the school closing, Miss Grayling?

I had to learn it from the girls.

Nothing's set in stone.

I'm still doing my best to work things out

and today is crucial.

- I've worked here for 20 years. - Please, Matron.

It's imperative that these rumours do not spread.

I'd like you to speak to the girls at once.

If you cannot trust me with the truth

then how can you trust me to speak to the girls?

I suggest you do it yourself.

Miss Grayling, I'm utterly sorry but...

I picked up the dictionary, and there was a letter underneath.

You read my private mail?

I didn't mean to read it

but I saw what it said.

She didn't tell everyone though.

I was there, and even I didn't know til Gwen read Darrell's diary

and told everyone about it.

I am very disappointed in you both.

I'm so, so sorry...

But is it really true the school is closing down?

I must be honest with you, girls.

Its future is under threat.

Oh, Miss Grayling.

Is there anything we can do to help?

Yes.

Promise to keep this to yourselves.

Just for today.

Are you asking us to lie?

I'm asking you not to broadcast private information.

If parents panic, staying open may not be possible.

Well, it sounds like it's not possible anyway.

There may still be a way through!

What? Some incredibly rich businessman

may happen to stroll up and decide to give you enough money

to keep the school open?

Wait... is that what's happening? Is that why today is so important?

Crikey.

I do hope to secure a backer today, yes.

The school must look its best

and you must all shine.

What if this businessman isn't convinced?

Then I'll make an announcement after the play

about the likelihood of the school closing.

- Miss Grayling! - You are dismissed.

Darrell.

Before you go, can I have a word?

- Am I in more trouble? - Always.

Not this time.

But I have some unfortunate news.

Your father has to perform an emergency operation today.

He's not coming?

Sorry. Neither he nor your mother can be here, I'm afraid.

But as you'll have time on your hands

I have a task for you.

Could you lead a small group on a tour?

Of course, anything to make it up to you.

Just be the impressive ambassador for the school I know you are.

Since when did we do tours on Open Day?

Is this for the investor?

Why would you trust her, of all people?

After she read your private correspondence?

Only if you trust people

can they live up to your faith in them.

Was Miss Grayling terribly cross, Darrell?

No, it wasn't about that. I'm to lead a tour round the school.

I wonder who it is I'll be showing around?

Oh, there's your mother, Gwen!

You are lucky she came despite it all.

What are you talking about?

Well, with your father being ill.

Darrell Rivers. Listen to me.

Not a word about my father being ill.

Why?

Because it would make Mother terribly upset.

It's making me upset, thinking about it.

Darrell was only trying to be kind.

Well, she shouldn't, and neither should you!

Neither of you must mention a word about Daddy's illness.

- Promise! - Promise.

Oh, dear.

I did actually mention it when I wrote to my granny.

Don't worry. She probably won't bring it up, but

if she does, it just shows you and she both care.

Where's the harm in that?

Mother, you look wonderful.

Do I? Thank you.

- That's lovely! - From Daddy.

Real emeralds, you know, to match my...

Darling, your hair...

It's for the play. I'm the main part, you see.

I can't wait for you to see it.

I'm excited to see you in costume!

Do you have a wonderful frock?

Daddy is terribly sorry to miss it.

He's terribly busy at the company, but I've promised to catch him up.

Do you think he might lift the punishment?

That's between you and him.

You know how disappointed he was with you last term.

He places such value on "mucking in".

Oh, but I am!

I've been desperate all term.

It's really hard to get by here without pocket money.

Well, let's see how today goes.

And I'll think about making the case to him.

Yes, of course, but... and if a job vacancy comes up

I have an unblemished...

Well!

I wouldn't want to work for you anyway!

Ah, yes, good afternoon.

Am I speaking with Elizabeth Housing Place?

At what time will she be back?

- Oh, yes... - Georgina!

Mother, this is Georgina Thomas, my friend.

The one I wrote to you about?

We're doing the play together.

- Gwendoline Mary Lacey. - Ah, the famous Gwendoline.

Francis Thomas.

- Sylvia Louise Mary Lacey. - Nice to meet you.

It's a real coup that Daddy's come.

This is his first visit. He's normally far too busy.

Sandwiches?

Well done, Gwendoline.

The Thomases of Thomas Mines!

Just the sort of friends Daddy hoped you'd make.

Hello, everyone!

Sorry to break things up, but I need those girls in the play.

- Now. - Come along Gwen, final rehearsals.

Oh, Mother? You will be all right on your own, won't you?

We'll keep each other company.

I'm being shown around the grounds any minute.

Why not join me on the school tour?

Why, thank you.

Lovely day for it.

Mr Thomas, let me introduce you to Darrell, your tour guide.

I'm so pleased to meet you.

I promise to give you the best ever tour.

No need for special treatment.

I'd like to see the school from the girls' perspective, warts and all.

Bye, Daddy! Don't miss the play.

- I won't. - Come on.

Remember, not a word about my father. All right?

So, if you'd just like to walk this way.

Oh, Darrell!

My granny's got an extra passenger, so we've got one more for your tour.

- Oh, no, I don't think... - Darrell!

Felicity? How?

She was so upset at missing Open Day.

Daddy called and arranged for me to come with...

...Granny Margot.

That's what Mary-Lou calls me

and so may you both.

Imagine, this will be my school too, in a few terms.

I really want you to come along

but I've got a lot of responsibility today, so...

I'll help you. It'll be fun!

Granny and I could come too? For moral support.

Alicia, Alicia, quick!

- What? - I think Matron's leaving!

What?

What are you two looking at?

Ellen, back to bed.

Are you going somewhere, Matron?

I'm due some leave.

Even we staff are allowed time off sometimes.

Has the school closure been confirmed?

She's been telephoning about a new job.

Have you been listening in to my private business, Ellen?

- No... I... - Matron...

How could you?

We have to pull together to save the school

not run like rats from a sinking ship!

Are you calling me a rat, Ellen Wilson?

We both are!

Miss Grayling needs you, Matron!

Well, if she needed me, she would have told me before now.

Sometimes you have to look after number one.

No one else is going to do it.

How am I going to "look after number one" if the school shuts?

Where am I going to go?

- Won't your family... - I can't bear to go back to my aunt.

I worked so hard to get away!

Matron, please...

Stay. Help.

Nothing I do will make a difference now.

And from here, we have a wonderful view

of our historic school buildings.

- Splendid. - Gracious.

Quite a few cracks in that roof.

That must be why there was a leak in your dormy.

If you could please just walk this way.

And over here we have the natural beauty of our own freshwater stream.

The water's a bit cloudy.

Interesting. Does it always look that way?

Well, I suppose it does, but...

The grounds sweep all the way over to the sea

- and we have our own swimming pool. - ...cut from the rocks!

It's extremely impressive.

Darrell says everyone loves it

except for Gwen.

She's such a cowardy custard!

Poor Gwen.

Don't be so hard on her, girls.

After all, it can't be easy with her father being so ill.

How is Mr Lacey?

I beg your pardon?

Well, Mary-Lou told me the sad news about his...

His serious illness.

Did she? I see.

Girls, show me where this stream goes.

What's this Gwendoline's said about her father?

- Nothing. Really. - I don't remember.

Of course you remember, if you told your grandmother.

- I think maybe you'd... - We should carry on with the tour...

Tell me what my daughter said.

All we know is that

Mr Lacey is very ill and we are very sorry.

Tell Mr Thomas I've urgently had to go back to the school.

Oh, Mrs Lacey.

Mrs Lacey, you can't go that way.

I think you'll find I can go any way I...

Help!

Help me!

Help me!

Wait there, wait!

Now, don't move, or you really will get stuck.

Why is it so muddy there, I wonder?

Oh, my shoes!

Everyone, one last time! Scene 7, from the top.

Cue chicken.

Here comes my valiant steed!

Jean, the horse is not our star. Straight to Lady Jane, please.

Do you want to sabotage the show?

If we make a mat of these branches...

- I'll get another branch. - Thanks, but just stand back!

Mr Thomas, let me. I'm lighter.

Here, take my hand.

Good show, Darrell Rivers!

Hang on, just one more.

Mr Thomas!

Oh, no...

Granny!

Please, Matron, we need you.

- Please, just stay... - No!

What difference does it make to some fat-cat businessman

if one tower has a matron or not?

- You know if I'm right... - Matron. Oh, thank heavens.

- We need your help. - What's going on?

It's the investor. His suit is covered in mud.

He won't be able to see the play...

Well, it's probably a jolly good thing!

Not at all. Him seeing his daughter as the star

is our last chance to get him to invest.

There's no way I can clean and dry a suit ahead of the play starting.

I know what you could do, though.

Gwendoline!

Sorry, it's Georgina.

Gwen!

What is that absurd outfit?

I thought you said you were the lead?

I am, the Highwayman. Fast Jack.

I need to talk to you. Now.

No, I can't. The play's about to start.

You have a lot of explaining to do, my girl.

I'm covered in mud.

And what's this about your father's health?

- What? - I've been utterly humiliated

and in front of Mr Thomas too.

How could you put me in this position?

- I... - Everyone offering me consolation

for my sick husband!

Why would you lie like that?

I didn't mean to.

It was a mistake, a misunderstanding.

Gwen, we need you!

Hurry! We're about to start.

I have to go, Mother. We can continue this afterwards.

I can't possibly sit through a play after the upset you've caused me.

And I will be telling your father all about this.

No! Mother, please don't tell Father anything.

Please!

Come on.

You know, Mary-Lou is so happy...

Matron's helping Mr Thomas with his suit.

- It's all going to be all right. - No, it isn't.

Gwen ran off. It's almost curtains up

and we have no Highwayman.

There's no way we can win round Mr Thomas now.

No, wait.

We can.

- Look, we don't have to have Gwen! - How's that?

Darrell knows the lines better than Gwen does!

- That's not saying much. - So you can play the part instead!

- No, I don't think... - Darrell, you must!

- It's a smashing idea! - We need you!

This is our last chance to win Mr Thomas over!

He has to see his daughter star in...

- Hat. Hat. - Come on. Hurry!

- I can't do this. - Don't forget your sword!

- Hat. - You have to.

- Be brilliant! - Come on. You've got this.

- Break a leg! - Break a leg, Darrell!

The show must go on.

Miss Grayling, may I? Thank you.

Is that my suit?

It's for the greater good!

Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to The Summit of Love!

My father, I'll cross.

It's you that I win, so I count it no loss.

Jack, must it be tonight?

Gwendoline!

I'm so pleased you're here.

Mother, I thought you'd gone.

I must have lost my new brooch on that dreadful tour.

Come along, I need you to help me find it.

Gwendoline?

I don't like to ask twice.

Simply enthralling!

And Darrell kept her starring role under the hat.

Never fear, my sweet.

Tomorrow night, I shall free you from your father's cruel bonds.

- We shall run away together! - And woe...

And... and woe betide him and tries to stop us!

It must be here somewhere.

You will tell Daddy I helped look, won't you?

If you think this makes up for the lies you told about him

you've got another think coming.

You try that way.

We came here as girls

To be women of the world And will do so with prosperity

Encore!

- Encore, encore! - Wonderful!

Miss Grayling, please, don't say anything yet. There's still time.

Ladies and gentlemen.

Girls.

I have important news about the future of Malory Towers.

Important...

and wonderful news.

Perhaps you heard the rumour

that Malory Towers was threatened with closure.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Georgina's father, Mr Thomas

is investing in the school

and, with me, will lead the school to a new, prosperous future.

Everywhere I've been today

I have seen resourceful girls and staff

pulling together for the greater good.

This show was no exception.

I'm impressed

and I've really enjoyed myself. Thank you.

Malory Towers forever!

- Encore! - Bravo!

- Bye, Daddy! - Bye, darling. Well done again.

The show was really, really first rate.

Thank you.

Margot?

Margot!

I love you, darling!

- It's nice seeing you, Granny! - See you soon!

Thank heavens you saved the day.

I so desperately want to come here

just as soon as I'm old enough.

Well, now you can.

Do tell your father, we think he's ever so wonderful

- for saving the school. - Well, you can tell him yourself.

He's coming back next week to go through the details.

And to give Mr Parker back his suit.

That was quite a performance!

Darrell, thank you for everything you did today.

Mr Thomas spoke very highly of your tour.

Matron.

Are you leaving?

I have leave owing.

I was going to take a weekend away, but...

If you need me, I suppose I can stay.

Your quick-thinking with Mr Parker's clothes saved the day.

Ah, no. We have Ellen to thank for that idea.

It was very sporting of him.

Malory Towers needs you more than ever.

Please stay.

The summer holidays will be here before you know it!

I can't believe I'm so glad Matron's staying.

Let's get back to the others.

What a day!

Darrell, look.

- What a terrible day! - I'm so, so sorry.

Poor Gwen. I think we got her into trouble.

I'm so upset!

Look, here's the car. I must go.

I don't know how I'll face your father without my brooch.

I'll keep looking!

If I find it, I'll be sure to let you know.

Goodbye, Mother!