Original subtitles

This programme contains strong language and some scenes of a sexual nature

How does it feel to be the youngest judge to hold this post?

I feel extraordinarily honoured. It's a very great privilege

to have been chosen to serve as Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland.

I'd like to thank my colleagues on the bench and at the bar

for their support and I fully intend to repay their faith in me.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my wife,

Olivia, for her support.

She has been a great source of strength to me,

both personally and professionally.

Without her, I would not be where I am today.

Sir Malcolm... Sir Malcolm...

REPORTERS CLAMOUR

My Lord, if my client was a woman, we would not be having this debate.

Please, my Lord, this has nothing to do with whether

the defendant is male or female.

Continue, Mr Simms.

Mr McAuley, it says here

that your contribution to the household budget

over the last three years has been less than 10% of your wife's.

Yes, but I was unemployed for most of that time, so...

Yet you were happy to allow your wife to go out to work

while you enjoyed the benefit.

My Lord, please.

This has everything to do with the fact that

my client is a man who has chosen to stay at home

and perform a function normally associated with a woman.

My Lord, can I finish my point?

Not today.

I'm going to adjourn this until the 7th.

He's pushing to settle.

Darling, I'm so sorry.

Normally I wouldn't mind being late

but they've asked me to make the keynote speech tonight.

And there'll be a few members of the bar selection committee there.

The McAuley case was adjourned.

Quelle surprise.

Was old Gerry behaving himself?

I think we scared him a little.

He wants us to settle.

No doubt.

Last thing he needs is any controversy at this stage.

How was your interview?

Pretty rigorous.

I haven't felt this nervous since I was a junior counsel.

First rule of being Lord Chief, never let them see you sweat.

So?

You look absolutely stunning,

as always.

Here. Damn thing.

CROWD LAUGHS

Sadly, charity isn't something normally associated with lawyers.

LAUGHTER

But it has been my experience in over 30 years at the bar

and the bench that we lawyers are a generous bunch.

I'm proud to have been associated with the bar charity...

Good evening, Miss Harley.

Might I say you're looking radiant?

Mr Justice Hayes is a very lucky man.

Hello, Gavin.

Olivia, darling, we really need to talk about the McAuley case.

Now?

Yeah. Let me top up your drink.

Gavin, I'm off duty.

Let's arrange a meeting and discuss it when you're not...

Not what?

Not distracted.

I see old Gerry's here.

Quick settlement would be in everybody's interests.

Everybody apart from my client.

APPLAUSE

Maybe your hubby should be more careful

how he chooses his golf partners.

Just saying.

What's that supposed to mean?

Brian Shanks - really?

It's only a matter of time before

his whole business empire comes tumbling down.

Gavin, why don't you go home before you make a fool of yourself?

I'll see you in court.

MUFFLED CONVERSATION

So I arrived at the hotel with no luggage,

had to borrow a wig and gown, then race like a lunatic to the court

with my arguments handwritten on a stack of hotel notepaper

and wearing a wig that was two sizes too small.

My lord was not best pleased, I can tell you.

I mean, I was sweating and completely out of sorts,

and at the end they adjourned the bloody case until the following day.

LAUGHTER

Darling, I'm tired. I'd like to go home.

OK, well, I'll get away as soon as I can.

WHISPERING: Wait up for me. Well done. Thank you.

And did you win?

No, to make matters worse, I didn't win.

I think the judge had taken against me, decided I was a ne'er-do-well.

PHONE BEEPS

Shit.

Oh, is there a payphone that I can use?

Payphone?

Yeah, to call a taxi.

Do you want to just use mine?

Thanks. My battery's dead.

Mine's fully charged.

Thank you.

Oh, my God. I'm so sorry.

Sorry. It's fine.

Is it broken? No.

I'll just order you one.

Thanks. I appreciate that.

Where are you going?

Um... South Belfast.

Blackstaff Manor.

And the name?

Olivia.

TYPING

OK, your taxi's on its way.

Thank you. Again.

Goodnight. Olivia.

CAR DOOR CLOSES

WHISPERS: Darling.

Hi. I hear his speech went down a storm last night.

Yeah, and the word on the street

says he's going to be the next Lord Chief Justice.

Well, I hope so. He deserves it.

And it'll be easier then, you know, on the two of you.

Of course.

Once he's made it, things will... I'm sure they'll...

Of course they will.

And I absolutely insist that you take the beach house.

A long dirty weekend is what you both need.

Are you two not...?

No, no, we are.

We just haven't.

There's only one proper way to let off tension.

OK, OK, I hear you.

Bring me up to speed.

OK, his name is Gareth Fleming, 18, final year at Wilson House.

His mother died three years ago. His father had a stroke at Christmas

and he's been caring for him at home and working nights.

His father's an old family friend.

When his mother died it was difficult, but now this.

He's a promising student, he's good at sports,

but Wilson are threatening to suspend him if his fees aren't paid.

Why do you need me?

Insurance company's contesting the claim.

I want to make a plea to have interim funds released

to pay for the carers' bills and the school fees.

I thought we'd meet here. Courts are so intimidating.

There he is. Hi, Gareth.

Hey.

Good to see you.

This is Olivia Harley, the barrister I told you about.

Olivia specialises in family law.

Hello, Olivia.

Hello, Gareth.

How's your dad?

He's OK.

And the carers, are they working out?

They're great.

I've given Olivia the details of your case.

Do you know what, Kaye? I can take it from here.

You sure? You go on.

Great, thanks.

Give my love to your dad. I will.

What are you reading?

Bronte.

Which one?

Wuthering Heights.

To be honest, I always preferred Jane Eyre.

So did you get home OK last night?

Yes, I did.

Thank you very much for your help.

No probs.

OK, good, so I'm here to see that you get the help that you need.

From what Kaye has told me, your dad's insurance company

is contesting his claim for compensation.

Yeah.

This is very common but in my experience,

the assertion is on very weak grounds.

Now, because you're 18 you'll have to make decisions

and instruct us on how to proceed.

OK. OK.

So now, if we can please discuss the correspondence

that you've had with them up until this date?

You might not remember all of it... I have it all saved on my phone.

Oh. Great.

Here is my e-mail.

You can just forward them to that.

SHE WRITES

Do you like being a lawyer?

Uh...

Yes. I do.

What is it you like about it?

Well, I like helping people.

People like you.

Now, if you could just look at this form for me

and just estimate any costs that you've incurred

since your dad's illness -

mortgage payments, utility bills, school fees...

Did you always want to be one?

A lawyer.

No.

What did you want to be when you were at school?

I guess I...

I wanted to be a writer.

Oh, a romantic novelist.

Emily Bronte, maybe. Yes, maybe.

So then why did you become a lawyer?

Because my father was one.

So it was expected of you?

Yeah, I suppose it was.

And do you always do what you're told?

Excuse me?

Sorry.

Just trying to be smart.

Need you to sign this for me.

Give me permission to act on your behalf.

Well, it was nice meeting you, Gareth.

Again.

I think I have all the information I need.

Will I see you again?

I'll talk to Kaye, we'll go over your case

and we'll schedule another consultation.

When?

Probably end of next week.

OK, well, thanks for your help.

Bye, Gareth.

MUSIC: Dreams Today by Efterklang

RADIO PLAYS

I'm in the High Court today.

Fancy lunch?

I could pop up to your chambers.

Oh, God, I'm afraid I'm having lunch at Vico's.

God, I haven't been there in ages.

With Barney Featherstone.

Oh, God, no, not Barney.

Yes. He has some influence with the selection committee

at the Bar Council.

You'll be hitting the wine, then?

Correct.

One must numb the pain of having to listen

to Barney's endless chatter.

You know, I've got this golf weekend with Brian and Simon.

It's not until tomorrow, though, right?

Yes, but they're insisting that we go down this evening

so we can get an early tee-off time.

It's all part of the Chief Justice campaign, I suppose.

It is.

Why else do you think I took up the blasted game?

Bye, love. Bye.

COACH SHOUTS INSTRUCTIONS

It's a difficult situation for us.

We appreciate Fleming's circumstances are regrettable,

but we're a private school, and his fees are two terms in arrears.

Gareth is a schoolboy, a vulnerable schoolboy.

Does Wilson House not have a duty of care to its students?

I'm sure there are state schools that would be happy to let

young Fleming finish his coursework and sit the exams.

He'll get an excellent reference from me.

What he needs is stability and reassurance.

Forcing him to move schools will be very damaging.

I'm sorry, Miss Harley,

but the board of governors has reviewed Fleming's case and...

I don't know how the board of governors came to their view.

But I do know how a court might view it.

A vulnerable teenager, supporting a sick parent,

abandoned by a wealthy, elite fee-paying school...

And then there's how the media might view it.

Sounds like a good story to me.

He said they'd chosen Belfast

because of the high-quality graduates

coming out of the local schools and colleges.

The European Fisheries Minister...

INTERCOM BEEPS

Hello, Miss Harley?

Hi, Wendy. One of these is addressed to Malcolm.

Oh, I'm sorry, Miss Harley.

Just leave it in your outbox and I'll drop it up to him in chambers.

Thanks, Wendy.

PHONE RINGS

Kaye.

Liv, hi. Look, this is me.

Sorry, but I need a favour. It's Gareth Fleming's dad.

He's been admitted to hospital.

Can you help me out and bring Gareth home?

Gareth.

Hi.

I'm sorry.

I didn't recognise you.

Kaye asked me to pop in and see if there's anything could do.

Thanks.

He had a minor stroke but the doctor says he's going to be fine.

How about you?

I'll be all right.

Can I give you a lift home?

Sure, that'd be great.

Night, Dad.

Are you hungry?

There's a casserole in the oven. There's enough for two.

Thanks, Gareth, but I have to get back.

Yeah, OK, I get it.

You won't risk getting food poisoning.

I have to say your lack of belief

could really crush a young man's confidence.

I am quite hungry.

Good. Let's go.

Wine? Yeah.

Thanks.

Cheers.

It's not bad.

Well, you need a good wine to make a good sauce.

The cheap stuff just doesn't cut it.

I'm impressed. It's really good.

Thanks.

Don't look so surprised.

Mm-mm.

I've got the car, remember.

Great - more for me.

So, where do you want to be in ten years?

Can I be honest? That's the kind of question a grown-up asks a child.

But I'm not a child.

You're a pain.

OK, so to answer your question, Mrs Harley,

I have absolutely no clue where I'll be in ten years' time.

You must have some idea what it is you want to...

No, no idea.

Anything could happen. Why limit myself?

You shouldn't.

Like I remember reading somewhere, the secret to success in life

is to eat what you like and let the food fight it out inside.

And if you feel sick?

Well, fuck it, then feel sick.

Absolutely.

Don't be afraid, that's the point.

I mean, if we all did what made us happy, then the world would be a much better place.

No, if we all did what made us happy, the world wouldn't function.

It doesn't function now.

So why not do what we want to do?

Because everyone wants different things.

That's why there are systems in place, systems like the law.

The system's bullshit.

I know it may look like that, but without restrictions in place...

Why play the game if it's rigged?

Because we live in a society and there are rules to follow.

Why? Because we have a duty, Gareth, to society. Everyone does.

I think you're probably right.

I really am a pain.

LAUGHS: You really are.

MUSIC PLAYS QUIETLY

THEY LAUGH

Oh, no, thanks.

I feel a bit sick, actually.

Really? Yeah. I think maybe...

Maybe I have some food poisoning.

Shut up!

MUSIC: Will You by Hazel O'Connor

Oh, this song.

Oh... I love this.

Do you remember this song?

# Stay now, stay now... #

I really don't.

Oh, of course you don't. Oh!

This is my favourite.

# I move a little closer to you

# Not knowing quite what to do

# And I'm feeling all fingers and thumbs

# I spill my tea

# Oh, silly me... #

I really have to go, Gareth.

You don't have to.

Uh... Thank you for dinner.

I'm...

# Stay now, stay now... #

I'm so sorry about your dad.

DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES

Miss Harley?

I've collated the files into chronological order.

Oh, yes. Thanks, Ciara.

Oh, Ciara, you worked on the Wilson Square case, didn't you?

Yes, I acted for a couple of the tenants.

Small stuff. They settled.

I'm researching it for another tenant.

A client. It's a pro bono case.

Could you get me the details of the defendant?

I might have to draft a writ.

OK, no problem. I'll see if I can dig them out.

Thanks, Ciara.

You should have seen their faces. It was priceless.

All the money had rolled over to the last hole

but I managed to yip the ball

30 feet downhill straight into the hole.

Complete fluke.

Almost made up for the last few years

of having to play the bloody game.

And how was your weekend?

Oh, you know, same old.

Went to the gym.

Oh, I almost forgot. Now, I know it's not your thing

but Brian Shanks invited us to Ravenhill for the rugby on Friday.

And you said yes?

Christ, Malcolm, you know I can't stand that man -

or his Russian wife.

Sorry. I should have asked you first.

You know, I've been thinking about Kaye's offer to stay in her beach house.

Why don't we go next weekend? Just the two of us.

Are you sure you can take the time away?

Well, I'll just make the time.

You know, long walks and cosy fires and...

It'd be good - for both of us.

It would be good.

PHONE RINGS

What am I doing?

What am I doing?

I wanted to speak to you about Gareth.

Well, here, listen, well done.

Whatever you said to the headmaster at Wilson must have scared the shite

out of him, because they've offered Gareth a sports scholarship.

That's great. Yeah.

But I just don't think I have the time to dedicate to his case.

Oh, no, he'll be so disappointed. He's very taken with you.

I'm sorry, Kaye. Never stops talking about you.

Yes, well, he's a very impressive young man

and he certainly has a lot to say for himself.

Did you have a good talk at the hospital? We did, we did,

and, actually, I drove him home.

And he invited me in for something to eat and I went in,

and he ended up having quite a bit to drink, and...

Did something happen?

Oh, God, no, no.

I just...I think it would be wiser for him if he got another counsel.

OK.

You get it, right?

He's a good kid. I just have a lot going on right now.

No, I get it.

And actually, Malcolm suggested that we take up your offer

for the beach house next weekend. Ah, well. There you go.

MUFFLED CHEERING

INDISTINCT MALE VOICES

£400,000?

CHEERING GETS LOUDER

CHEERING

Olivia.

SHE EXHALES

I have to get back.

I need to see you. Properly. I can't.

Yes, you can. I have to... You can.

Malcolm, this is Gareth Fleming.

He's one of Kaye's clients. I'm working on his case.

Gareth, this is my husband, Malcolm.

Pleasure to meet you, Gareth. And you, sir.

You go to Wilson?

Yes, sir, I do. It's an excellent school.

I think we'd better be getting back.

I don't want to appear rude.

Pleasure to meet you, Gareth.

You too, sir.

POP MUSIC PLAYS ON RADIO

MUSIC: Will You by Hazel O'Connor

# Something you've been waiting for

# Waiting for too?

# Take off your eyes

# Bare your soul

# Gather me to you and make me whole

# Tell me your secrets... #

Do you know what we're going to do when we get to the beach house?

We're going to switch off all devices, we're going to sit

out the back, and we're going to do nothing.

Just listen to the sound of the sea.

# Stay now, stay now, stay now... #

You all right?

Yeah, of course.

PHONE RINGS

Come on. Get it.

PHONE RINGS

Brian.

Yes.

What?

When did this happen?

INDISTINCT

DOOR SHUTS

SHE SIGHS

I tracked down that file on the Wilson Square case.

I'm waiting for it to be delivered, but basically, the property is owned

through a trust based on the Isle of Man.

I'll leave it on your desk as soon as it arrives.

Thanks, Ciara.

..Kestrel Holdings. Well, our reporter Aideen Hand

is outside the High Court with more.

Thanks, Catherine.

Police fraud squad officers are currently questioning

property developer Brian Shanks, concerning irregularities

in a multi-million-pound land deal from 2001.

It has been revealed that Sir Malcolm Hayes,

a prominent High Court judge and friend of Mr Shanks... Oh, for fuck's sake.

..was chair of the Lands Tribunal Committee at the time. PHONE VIBRATES

Sir Malcolm is one of the nominees for the Lord Chief Justice

appointment due to be announced next week. However, I am told

that the Bar Council will postpone that decision...

I'll see you there.

Malcolm. Yeah, I have to go.

Yeah, later.

These bastards are having a field day.

It'll all have blown over by the time we get back.

What?

This weekend.

HE SIGHS

Look, I'm sorry, there's something I have to do.

What?

I'll explain when I get back.

It's not true, is it?

Of course it isn't true.

Of course I'd have declared a fucking interest.

OK, sorry, then tell me where you're going.

We'll talk when I get back tomorrow.

No. Let me come with you.

Malcolm.

Look, love, I'm not at fault here

but I'm the only one who can clear this mess up, so please,

just trust me. Just let me help you.

Well, you could help me pack.

Don't dismiss me like that!

I need to protect us.

Us?

This isn't about us.

This is about you.

I have done nothing but support you and play the role of devoted wife

and all that bullshit but there is a limit!

What about me? What about my career?

Or do you think I'm such a lucky little lady

to be allowed to bask in your reflected glory?

The great Sir Malcolm. Look, my whole fucking career is on the line!

I thought you understood what it took for somebody like me

to get to where I am today. We've all had to work hard, Malcolm.

Well, some of us didn't have daddy helping us along.

Fuck you.

Please, Malcolm, can we just be honest with each other?

You are not going anywhere until we sit down and talk about this.

You're not the one whose reputation is on the line.

I'm married to you! That's right, we are married, aren't we?

I'd kind of forgotten.

Well, that's obvious.

We've been like strangers who share a bed and nothing else.

Because you close yourself off from me.

And you show zero interest in fucking me!

DOOR SLAMS

MUSIC: Weightless by Rokkurro

# This is how you love me when all the love that you had is gone

# This is how you love me when all the love that you had is gone... #

PHONE RINGS

Paul, did you find the names of the trustees of Golden Kestrel Holdings?

That's great. Thanks, Paul, I really appreciate that.

DOORBELL RINGS

Gareth, what are you doing here?

Why did you stop being my counsel?

Why did you drop me?

Can we talk about this on Monday? I'll call you on Monday.

Please, Olivia, I have to see you.

Please.

Let me in.

SHE SIGHS

BIRDSONG

TEXT MESSAGE TONE

You hungry?

I'll make you some breakfast.

No. Um...

I think you should go.

We shouldn't have done this.

Why not? Last night was amazing.

Yeah, it was.

God, it really was,

but it was wrong. I can't...

Gareth, don't.

Oh, God, this is crazy.

I'm your lawyer.

You were my lawyer.

PHONE VIBRATES

Kaye?

No, it's...

He's with me.

Look, I'll explain when I see you...

OK.

OK, we'll be there.

Your dad's taken a turn but he's all right.

We should go.

Liv, what's going on?

Nothing.

He just called over to see why I wasn't representing him any more.

Christ, tell me you haven't...

Liv, he's 18. I know.

I just, I haven't...

Is that so?

What about him?

It's over, he knows that.

Can you hear yourself?

Christ!

And was it worth it, huh?

Jeopardising your career, the name you've made for yourself,

and for what?

Attention from an 18-year-old who doesn't know any better.

What about Malcolm?

I'll explain everything. No.

No, you don't get to ease your guilty conscience.

That won't do anyone any good.

Least of all Malcolm.

Look, just stay away from him, OK?

This cannot happen again.

Kaye. I just need to talk to you.

Two minutes, please.

What you did was unforgivable.

I know it was, but it happened.

Kaye, please, I need your help.

What?

I think Malcolm is lying to me.

About what?

How well do you know his ex-wife?

Julia? Yeah, yeah, how well do you know her?

My firm represented her in their divorce.

And?

They hated each other. It was acrimonious but they settled.

They settled?

Yeah.

So she didn't have to declare any assets?

No. Clever woman.

Liv, what's going on?

I can't help you if you won't talk to me.

You need to get yourself sorted out.

To say thank you.

For your support, for everything.

I'm sorry for what I said.

I know and appreciate everything you've done for me.

And from now on, we concentrate on you,

on your career.

I promise you.

MUSIC: Tears in the Typing Pool by Broadcast

# Succumb to the line

# The finishing time

# The long distance runner has stopped on the corner

# But I won't give up

# Although I've stopped too

# Before the end of me and you

# The patchwork explains... #

PHONE VIBRATES

# The land is unchanged... #

RADIO: The announcement is expected today

on the appointment of the next Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland.

The two favourites for the position,

Sir Gerry Maxwell and Sir Malcolm Hayes,

have both expressed confidence in the vote...

The announcement is due at noon.

I'll be there.

I'd better go.

Why don't we have dinner tonight? Just the two of us.

I'll cook.

Good luck.

Thank you.

CAR DRIVES AWAY

DOOR CLOSES

Malcolm?

Gareth.

How did you get in here?

I'm really sorry, but I needed to see you.

Please don't do this.

Don't treat me like this.

Please, Olivia. I'm so sorry.

The last thing I want to do is hurt you. We can be together.

I'm married.

I love my husband.

No, you don't.

You don't.

It was...

It was one night, Gareth.

I love you.

I can't... I can't do this. OK?

If I mean anything to you at all,

you will go, OK?

Stop. Stop.

Look...

It was just sex, OK?

I'm sorry.

I'm not.

You need to leave him.

You're a stupid little boy

that needs to go home and forget all about me. OK?

I'd do anything for you. OK...

You know that, you need to understand that.

You need to leave, OK?

I can't. I can't do this.

Please.

Please, I can't do this.

Please leave my house. I can't.

DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES

Look, it was just sex, OK?

I'm sorry.

I'm not.

# Don't let me show cruelty

# Though I may make mistakes

# Don't let me show ugliness

# Though I know I can hate

# And don't let me show evil

# Though it might be all I do

# Show me love, show me love

# Show me love... #

REPORTERS CLAMOUR

Sir Malcolm, how does it feel

to be the youngest judge to hold this post?

I feel extraordinarily honoured.

It's a very great privilege to have been chosen to serve

as Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland.

I'd like to thank my colleagues on the bench and at the bar

for their support, and I fully intend to repay their faith in me.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my wife,

Olivia, for her support.

She has been a great source of strength to me

both personally and professionally.

Without her, I would not be where I am today.

Sir Malcolm! Sir Malcolm!

Your integrity has been called into question.

Do you believe you're the best person to hold office?

Well, that has been investigated and those allegations have

been shown to have no basis, so, yes...

VOICE FADES OUT

# Show me love

# Show me love

# Show me love. #