Original subtitles

(DOGS BARKING INDISTINCTLY)

-(LEAVES RUSTLING) -(APPLES FALLING)

(APPLES FALLING)

-(DOGS BARKING INDISTINCTLY) -(BIRDS CHIRPING, CALLING)

-(TWIG SNAPPING) -(APPLES FALLING)

(BROODING MUSIC PLAYING)

(MUSIC TURNS GENTLE)

(MACHINE WHIRRING)

(FRANK SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)

Here you can see all the machines

that help turn fresh apples into delicious cider.

Now, first, we start with the apples themselves...

Then they get pumped through the water channels

until they reach the tables and sorting conveyor belts.

That's the long moving belts you see down there.

Right, once they reach the end of the tables,

the apples are sucked up back to...

(LOUD RUMBLING)

And then comes underneath here,

and goes all the way into there,

and then it goes into another room over there.

-There's another big room, where the juice... -(CHILDREN SPEAK INDISTINCTLY)

...the good bit, is in there.

And then there's a process of fermentation and evaporation.

-Danny? -He threw his shoe in, Miss.

-It's in the machine. -Danny?

(MACHINE ALARM BLARING)

What have you done?

-Danny! Danny! Come here! -(STUDENTS CLAMOURING)

FRANK: Excuse me? Come back! Turn off the machine.

(SHOUTS INDISTINCTLY)

(MACHINES RUMBLING, WHIRRING)

Danny!

(PANTS) Danny!

(BIRDS CALLING)

JAYE: Miss Spencer, I just heard from Khaliya

that they stood around in a factory

for half the afternoon doing nothing because you lost Danny.

CHARLIE'S DAD: Charlie said that Danny threw a shoe

in some machine.

-Were you not supervising? -No, there was just an incident.

You look like you don't even care!

-I do... I do care. -Er, Miss Spencer? A word?

Sorry, I...

-CHARLIE'S DAD: Er, Miss Spencer? -I'll be right with you.

(JAYE WHISPERING) I don't like her.

She's not cutting the mustard. Not one bit.

SYLVIA: So, what happened?

-DANNY: Fucking... (GRUNTS) -(INDISTINCT THUDDING)

-(DANNY GRUNTING) -STUDENT: (SHOUTING) No!

DANNY: Wanker!

Do you not think he'd be better off in a different class,

or a different school or something, Sylvia--

We can't keep discussing this, Maria.

I'm sorry, but... er, handling the behaviour

of difficult children is part of your job.

I just think if I had someone to help with him--

And how will I pay for that? How?

-(INDISTINCT CHATTER) -(SIREN BLARING INDISTINCTLY)

-I don't know. -SYLVIA: This is your last chance.

You got a twig in your hair, or something.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)

(SIGHS)

-(LIGHTS SWITCHING ON) -(GRUNTS)

-(LIGHTS CLATTERING) -CHILD: Mum!

-(COOS) -(INFANT GIGGLING)

I love this place.

It's like a little Mediterranean oasis in the middle of town.

-KATIE: It is, isn't it? -SAM: Yeah.

I love the pizza here. I know it sounds a bit unconventional.

-Greek. -KATIE: You recommend it then?

SAM: Yeah.

REPORTER OVER TV: Somerset Council raises concerns

about students graduating with insufficient qualifications.

This is limiting the potential of these graduates

to contribute effectively to high-growth industries

where innovation and productivity are key.

The council report highlights

that in an increasingly competitive...

(ENGINE REVS ON VIDEO GAME)

(DOGS BARKING)

(STUDENTS CHATTER)

("ON SATURDAY AFTERNOONS IN 1963" PLAYING)

(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)

♪ The most as you'll ever go ♪

(SONG PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS)

♪ Is back where You used to know ♪

(VOICES APPROACH)

-(PERIOD BELL RINGING) -(STUDENTS CLAMOURING)

-Morning, Miss! -Hey, Pauline!

What's that on the board, Miss?

Oh, you're going to find out in a minute.

(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(SIGHS) Right.

Okay.

Okay, everyone... quiet down.

Quiet, quiet, quiet, quiet!

So, today, we were supposed to be talking

about our cider mill visit that we went on yesterday,

and maybe write a recount of it.

-(STUDENTS GROANING) -MARIA: But instead, I've decided

that we're going to switch things up a little bit.

So today, we're going to dive

into the world of poetry and music.

So, I'm curious.

Have any of you ever come across a piece of poetry

or a piece of writing that really spoke to you guys?

Hmm?

Anyone?

Danny, why are you late?

Dunno.

Erm, I was just telling everyone that...

-(CHAIR THUDS) -...we're gonna talk about poetry and music today.

(SIGHS) Right, okay...

So, this particular piece of writing on the board

is one that's always really resonated with me.

And it's by a musician called Rickie Lee Jones,

and it's called, "On Saturday Afternoons in 1963".

So, I hope that you can get something from it, as well.

-(INDISTINCT WHISPERS) -MARIA: Everyone, look at me.

So, let's look at the first paragraph.

(CLEARS THROAT)

-"The most as you'll ever go"... -(SCRAPING ON DESK)

..."is back where you used to know",

"If grown-ups could laugh this slow"...

-(STUDENT MURMURING) -..."where as you watch the hour snow".

"Years may go by".

-So... -(SCRAPES)

...what does that first paragraph mean to you guys?

-(SCRAPING CONTINUES) -CHARLIE: Oi, Miss?

MARIA: Charlie, look at the board.

Look at the board.

-Yeah, Gus. -Grown-ups, like, laugh faster?

Yeah. Maybe, yeah.

But what do you think she means by that?

Miss, Danny's writing bad stuff on his desk.

-Shut up! -MARIA: All right, Danny, Danny. Erm...

What about you? Have you ever spent a Saturday afternoon

just feeling like time is stretching on?

You ever felt that way?

No, okay.

-Well, Rickie says that you watch the hour snow-- -(DESK THUDDING)

This is such a lame song! I hate it!

-Danny, can you just pay attention, please? -(STUDENTS BOOING)

(HUFFS)

Miss, are you gonna just let him do that?

We're just gonna move on, okay? Let's just move on.

-CHARLIE: Miss, you see that? -(STUDENTS CLAMOURING)

-Yeah. -Miss, Is this coming up on our SATs?

No, it's not! No, it's not.

I'm sorry. It's not coming up on our SATs.

This is just something that I wanted to show you

that I think is really nice.

-Piss off! -Danny, language!

I'm gonna have to put you in Orange, okay?

We're just gonna listen to the song instead, all right?

(STUDENTS CLAMOURING)

CHARLIE: Why did you chuck your shoes in the machine?

-OLIVIA: Miss, my mum says you're incompetent. -Right.

-(SONG CONTINUES OVER SPEAKERS) -I said fuck off!

-Everyone, just silent, okay? -DANNY: Just fuck off!

GUS: He's gonna break something, Miss.

Fucking give that back!

Danny. Danny, stop!

-Stop it! Stop! -Don't fucking touch me!

-MARIA: I'm not touching you. Get back to your seat. -DANNY: I fucking hate you, okay?

-And nobody gives a shit about this fucking lesson! -Sit down!

-All right? Fuck off! -(STUDENTS CLAMOURING)

Okay? Fuck off!

-Just please go back to your seat, okay? -DANNY: No!

Please. Just... Just... Okay.

-DANNY: I fucking hate you! -All right. Okay, stop, please.

You're a fat bitch!

Everyone, get back to your seats.

-Get back to your seats! -(STUDENTS CLAMOURING)

♪ Though any day Your secrets end ♪

♪ But then again Years may go by

(MARIA BREATHING DEEPLY)

(PERIOD BELL RINGING)

PAULINE: Er, Miss?

Did you always want to become a teacher?

-(THUDDING) -Yeah, yeah. For as long as I can remember, really.

-And... do you like... -(THUDDING CONTINUES)

...think that's why you were born?

Erm... could we talk about this after school?

Could you do me a favour and just walk with Danny?

-STUDENT: Hey, Danny. -Fuck off!

(STUDENTS LAUGH)

MARIA: Is that all right?

It's just you'd be doing me a really big favour.

-Okay. -Yeah.

-PAULINE: Sure. -MARIA: Okay.

-PAULINE: Danny? Danny? -(MARIA SIGHING)

I, erm, have written a poem.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

-(STUDENTS SCREAMING) -(LOUD THUD)

LILY: She's dead!

(CHILDREN SCREAMING, CLAMOURING)

Get out of the way! Get out of the way!

Don't touch her! Don't touch her! Get back!

-STUDENT 1: Danny pushed her. -STUDENT 2: Danny pushed her.

MARIA: Yes, stand back. Stand back.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Pauline. I'm sorry!

It's all right, it's okay. It's okay. You'll be all right.

-Go get help. Go get help, quick! -(STUDENTS CLAMOURING)

MARIA: It's okay. It's okay.

(BREATHES HEAVILY)

MARIA: It's okay, Pauline. I'm sorry.

FRANK: Mum's gonna go with you.

You go with her and I'll follow along.

I'm just gonna talk to the headmistress.

How are you gonna deal with this then?

-What are you gonna do? -SYLVIA: It will be fine.

FRANK: But she's not going to be fine, is she?

She's got a broken bloody arm!

FRANK: Where's his teacher? That's what I want to know!

Where is she?

She should have been supervising the whole thing!

What is the teacher's name? She's bloody useless!

(PANTS)

(KNOCKING AT DOOR)

-(DOOR OPENS) -(WHISPERS) No.

-SAM: Maria? -(DOOR CLOSES)

Hello?

Hi, erm... Miss Morgan sent me.

We need an incident report. And if you could document--

So, we're talking now, then?

SAM: Yeah.

Well, you need to come and get your stuff, so...

SAM: Yes, I was going to. It's just...

Katie, you know, she doesn't have a lot of space right now.

So, if it's all right to keep it at the house for a bit,

that... That would be great.

Er...

are you all right, by the way?

What do you think?

-(MOBILE PHONE RINGING) -Sorry.

Hello?

Okay.

Yeah.

Bye.

(INHALES DEEPLY, EXHALES)

-What was that? -SAM: Er...

Ofsted inspection.

-No. -SAM: Tomorrow.

-No. -They just called Miss Morgan.

-(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING) -MARIA: Get out of my way. Oh, fuck!

-Who are you calling? -Josh Carter.

-SAM: Danny's dad? -Yeah.

-(JOSH OVER VOICEMAIL) -'Cause we need to keep Danny far away from here tomorrow.

-Oh, Sylvia's suspended him. -Yeah, I know.

But we haven't been able to get in touch with Josh, have we?

(EXTRAVAGANT MUSIC PLAYING)

JOSH OVER VOICEMAIL: This is Josh Carter's phone.

Please leave a message.

-(BIRDS CHIRPING) -(LEAVES RUSTLING)

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

-(THUNDER CRASHING) -(ENGINE REVS)

JOSH OVER VOICEMAIL: This is Josh Carter's phone.

Please leave a message.

-(RAIN POURING) -(THUNDER RUMBLING)

Josh?

-JOSH: Yeah? -MARIA: Yeah?

It's, er, Miss Spencer. Danny's teacher.

I tried calling you earlier

about an incident that happened at school today.

JOSH: Yeah, my phone was off. Sorry.

Right, okay. Well, I just wanted to let you know...

-JOSH: I'm working, so... -MARIA: Okay.

He... He pushed a girl down the stairs.

-Oh, bloody hell. -MARIA: Yeah.

Well, he gets these rages, you know?

(SIGHS) I just don't know what to do with him.

It's just the way he is.

Only now he's gotten bigger, I... can't cope with him, Miss.

-I can't cope. -I know. That's why I thought it was important

that you and I actually connect about this, so I...

Yeah, really need to get back to work, Miss.

I'm sorry. I've got a notification...

-Right-- -...I need to sign in again.

Okay, well... about tomorrow?

-We've had no other option... -JOSH: Yeah, he'll be there.

-...but to sus-- -(VAN IGNITION STARTS)

(ENGINE REVS)

(SIGHS)

(RAIN POURING HEAVILY)

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

-(CAR ALARM BLARING) -(METAL CLANKING)

Danny?

-(CAR ALARM BLARING) -MARIA: What are you doing? You can't do that! Stop!

Danny!

What the hell is wrong with you?

-(YELLS) -MARIA: Danny! Stop!

-(CAR ALARM BLARING) -DANNY: Fuck off!

-MARIA: Stop it! -DANNY: Fuck off!

-MARIA: Stop! -DANNY: Fuck off!

(BOTH GRUNT)

-MARIA: Stop this! Stop! -DANNY: Get off!

-Stop! -DANNY: Get off!

(MARIA GRUNTING)

Get off!

(BOTH GRUNT)

-Stop! -DANNY: Get off!

-MARIA: Stop! -DANNY: Get off!

-Stop! Stop it! -(DANNY GRUNTING)

-MARIA: Danny! -DANNY: Get off!

-DANNY: Get off! -MARIA: Stop! Stop!

(DANNY GRUNTS)

MARIA: (GRUNTING) Stop! Stop!

-Stop. Stop. Please, stop. -(DANNY WHEEZING)

-(PANTS) Stop. -(DANNY GASPING)

(PANTS)

Danny?

Danny?

(GASPS) Oh, Danny!

Danny!

Oh.

(GASPS, PANTS)

Danny? Hey, help! Help!

Help! Help!

-(GASPS) Danny! -(DANNY COUGHING)

Oh, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!

Okay, you're okay.

(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)

(GRUNTS)

-(CAR DOOR CLOSES) -(ENGINE REVVING)

MARIA: It's okay. It's okay.

You're okay. You're okay.

-You're okay. (GASPS) -(CAR HORN BLARING)

(TYRES SCREECHING)

-(EXHALES) -DANNY: (GROANING) Fuck you.

(GRUNTS)

Oh, there. (SIGHS)

My chest.

-What? -DANNY: My chest. (COUGHING)

(GROANS)

We're nearly there, okay?

-DANNY: You attacked me. -(SHUSHES)

DANNY: You attacked me, Miss.

MARIA: No, I didn't. It was an accident, okay?

-I'm sorry. -No, it wasn't. It wasn't an accident.

You full on attacked me.

MARIA: Everything's gonna be fine. We're here now.

(BREATHES SHAKILY) No, you fucking attacked me.

(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)

It was an accident, okay? I'm sorry.

You fucking strangled me, Miss!

You got on top of me. You suffocated me.

You could've killed me.

I'm gonna tell the police.

I'm gonna tell everyone that you attacked me.

I'm gonna tell everyone.

-(TYRES SCREECHING) -(MUSIC INTENSIFIES)

What are you doing? What are you...

-MARIA: Let me just get you inside... -DANNY: Get your hands off me!

-...and I'll check you over. -DANNY: Get off!

-MARIA: We'll call your dad. -DANNY: Get off me!

-MARIA: Just sit you down for a minute, okay? -DANNY: Let me go!

-Fuck off! -I just wanna check you, okay?

-You attacked me, Miss! You're mental! -No, no, I--

Get off!

MARIA: Danny, no! No, no, no, no, no!

-DANNY: Let me out! -Calm down. Just calm down.

-(SHUSHES) -(DANNY GRUNTING)

-Let me go! -Danny, Danny...

-(GRUNTS) -(GLASS SHATTERING)

MARIA: Fuck!

(CHUCKLES MENACINGLY)

-(DOOR THUDS, LOCK CLICKS) -DANNY: Let me out!

-Just calm down, okay? Please, please just calm down! -(DANNY SCREAMING)

-DANNY: Let me out! -MARIA: I just need you to calm down, okay?

-I'm sorry, but you need to be quiet, okay? -DANNY: Miss, no! Open the door!

-You need to be quiet, please! -DANNY: Miss, I'm gonna fucking kill you!

-Please, stop talking. -DANNY: Miss!

-Please, stop. Please, please stop! -DANNY: Miss, open the door now!

-Please stop shouting. Please stop shouting. -DANNY: I can tear your face apart,

-you fucking bitch! -(POUNDING ON DOOR)

-DANNY: I'll rip your fucking head off! -(GASPS, PANTS)

-Danny, please calm down! -DANNY: Open the door!

-I'm gonna go away now, okay? I-- -(DANNY SCREAMING)

-I'm going to go away just till you calm down, okay? -DANNY: Open the fucking door!

-Okay? -DANNY: Miss!

-Open the fucking door! -(POUNDING ON DOOR)

-Miss, open this door! -(POUNDING ON DOOR)

DANNY: I'm gonna fucking kill you, Miss!

-(POUNDING ON DOOR) -DANNY: Miss!

I'll break every fucking bone in your body!

-Open the fucking door! -(POUNDING ON DOOR)

-DANNY: Miss! You'll fucking pay! -(POUNDING ON DOOR)

DANNY: Fuck you!

-Miss! Miss, I'll kick your fucking... -(DOOR SLIDE CLICKS)

(BREATHES HEAVILY)

(DOGS BARKING DISTANTLY)

(INHALES DEEPLY, EXHALES)

DANNY: I'm gonna fucking kill you!

I'll rip your fucking head off! I'll kick your fuck...

(DOGS BARKING)

(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)

-(DANNY YELLING) -(POUNDING ON DOOR)

DANNY: Fuck!

You'll pay for this, you bitch!

-I hate you! -(VIDEO GAME STARTS)

-(TRACTOR REVVING ON VIDEO GAME) -DANNY: (YELLING) Fuck off!

-(DANNY GRUNTING) -(POUNDING ON DOOR)

(YELLING FADES)

-(GENTLE VIDEO GAME MUSIC SWELLS) -(HUMS SOFTLY)

(TENSE MUSIC BUILDS)

(METAL CLANKING)

(CLANKING CONTINUES)

(MARIA BREATHING NERVOUSLY)

(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)

(INHALES SHARPLY, EXHALES)

(WHISPERS) Sam.

(DOOR OPENS)

-Hi. What are you doing? -MARIA: I need to talk to you.

No, no, we're busy.

(WHISPERS) They're here. Get back to your class.

(DOOR SLAMS)

(STUDENTS CLAMOURING)

PAULINE: I don't blame you, Miss.

-(EXHALES) -PAULINE: You saved me.

Oh. Will you be the first to sign my cast?

Hmm.

PAULINE: You can put a message if you want.

Like, "Get better, Pauline",

or "Friends for life" or something.

PAULINE: Guys, be quiet.

STUDENT 1: (WHISPERING) Her hair's so greasy.

She needs to get new clothes.

-Well, say something, Miss. -(STUDENTS LAUGH)

Yeah, erm... (CLEARS THROAT)

Open up your books. (CLEARS THROAT)

And, erm... turn to page...

Erm...

(INHALES SHARPLY)

(EXHALES SHAKILY)

(STUDENT 1 WHISPERING) Who's that?

(STUDENT 2 WHISPERING) I think it's the inspector.

(CARYS WHISPERING) Is that the inspector?

Erm...

(SIGHING)

Er... (CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY)

Oh, my God, it's page 48, Miss.

Ah! Yes. Thank you, Carys. Page... Page 48.

What is repetition?

Say it again, Miss.

-What is repet-- Oh. -(STUDENTS LAUGH)

(CHUCKLES)

That's very good. Erm, that's very funny.

(SMACK LIPS) Right. So, we spoke about different ways

that we can, erm...

that we can make our writing more interesting.

Miss, where's Danny?

He got suspended.

(STUDENTS MURMUR, LAUGH)

Yeah. Yeah, he... Yeah, that's right. Erm...

Get your exercise books out and...

And I want you to take this down, okay?

Relative clause. Any ideas?

Miss, I know the answer!

You do?

In this sentence, the relative clause...

-(VOICE FADES) -(TENSE MUSIC BUILDS)

It's a dove, Miss. It means peace.

You drew this?

I had no idea you were so good at drawing.

STUDENT: "They returned home as heroes,

with smiles on their faces and bags full of treasure".

-Good. -(STUDENTS APPLAUD)

Well done!

Oh, look at that, we've got ten minutes

to spare before lunch.

So, what are we going to do? Hmm?

(CLICKS TONGUE) Let's see, let's see, let's see.

Should we... sing the school song, maybe?

(STUDENTS GROAN)

You're so good at it.

I think we should give it a go, no? You ready?

♪ We are the children Of Ashton Brook School ♪

Come on.

♪ We take a pride In the things we do ♪

♪ Learning together And having fun ♪

♪ Who's for a good day? Everyone! ♪

Excellent!

(CAR BEEPS, LOCKS)

-(DOGS BARKING INDISTINCTLY) -(BIRDS CHIRPING)

(MUFFLED THUDDING)

(CUTLERY RATTLING)

(THUDDING CONTINUES)

Danny, I made you some dinner,

erm, 'cause I thought you might be hungry.

It's pesto pasta.

Erm, but... I'll only bring you some

if you promise no more fighting, okay?

Just... Can you just shout,

so I know you're not near the door?

-(THUDDING CONTINUES) -(SIGHS) Okay.

(DOOR CREAKS)

(DANNY GRUNTING, PANTING)

Oh, my God.

Danny...

what have you done?

(DANNY GRUNTING, PANTING)

MARIA: I... I brought you some food.

There's er... There's...

more if you want seconds.

(MUMBLES) I want to go home.

Yeah. No, of course. Soon, okay?

Why can't you just call my dad?

-MARIA: Sorry? -My dad.

He's got a van. He can just come and pick me up.

Oh, yeah.

Of course. I will.

(SIGHS)

(WHISPERS) "I've got your son".

"Josh, I've got"...

(INHALES, EXHALES) "I have your son in my basement".

"Will you come get your son? He's in my basement".

-(MOBILE PHONE THUDS) -(SIGHS)

(MONITOR WHIRRING)

-Okay. -(TV CLICKS ON)

MARIA: I think this will cheer you up.

So, I've got Call of Duty, I've got a Farming Simulator,

-and this is the football one. -(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING OVER TV)

MARIA: Here you go.

Okay.

-DANNY: Did you call my dad? -I did, yeah.

But he didn't answer,

so I think it's best if you just stay here tonight.

(VIDEO GAME CHIMING)

-DANNY: What's the Wi-Fi? -PLAYER: (OVER VIDEO GAME) Kick off!

-MARIA: What, sorry? -For this. What's the Wi-Fi?

Oh, I haven't had the internet set up yet. Sorry.

Erm...

that's for your ones and twos, over there.

I hope you don't mind. It's...

I'll get you something better than that, but...

Right. Okay, you're fine, yeah?

DANNY: Mm-hmm.

Yeah, okay. Yeah.

(BROODING MUSIC PLAYING)

-(YELPS) -Let me out!

-Get off! -DANNY: I fucking hate you!

-DANNY: Hey! Open the fucking door! -(DOOR POUNDING)

(DANNY SCREAMING, WAILING)

DANNY: ♪ Let me out right now ♪

♪ I'll fucking kill you ♪

♪ Let me out right now ♪

♪ Open the door ♪

♪ What's wrong with you You demented bitch? ♪

♪ Glory, glory Man United! ♪

♪ Glory, glory Man United ♪

♪ Glory, glory Man United ♪

♪ As the Reds go marching On, on, on ♪

CHILD: Mummy, Mummy!

CHILD: Hello!

Hi.

Come along. Let's go.

Shall we go to the car? Come on. Come on.

(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

PC WILLIAMS: So, if you could help us,

would you characterise Danny as a troublemaker?

Someone likely to run away?

(SCOFFS) I couldn't say, really.

PC CHADWICK: Er... Sorry.

Four noise complaints, three police warnings,

er... and a fine.

Yeah, I mean, I guess you could say

he's a little out of hand... I suppose.

And what about his dad, Josh?

You know, Josh was trying his best.

-Yeah. -PC WILLIAMS: As you may already know,

Josh waited almost 24 hours before reporting Danny missing.

Hmm.

Maria, I appreciate

you're trying not to upset anyone,

but we will keep asking questions until we find him.

So, please be honest.

(DOOR OPENS)

ZAYN: It's the cops!

STUDENT 1: Wow! Do you think they'll arrest Miss Spencer?

-STUDENT 2: I don't know. -ZAYN: Are you gonna arrest Miss Spencer?

-SAM: Guys, no. Stop. -(STUDENTS CHATTER)

-SAM: Everyone, out, please. -ZAYN: Yeah, but... Wait, what's going on?

SAM: Speedy feet. Speedy feet. Come on.

-STUDENT 3: What's going on? -SAM: Come on. That's enough.

Sorry.

(DOOR CLOSES)

Yeah.

(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)

Josh was usually quite late...

picking up Danny from school.

Right.

MARIA: And Danny was pretty uncared for most of the time.

There's no easy way to say this.

Danny has been reported missing.

-(STUDENTS CHATTER) -We don't know where he is.

Is he gone forever?

'Course not. He's just run off. He's mental.

-MARIA: Carys. -What? He is, though, Miss.

He's probably just in the woods eating rats or something.

-Right, okay. -(STUDENTS LAUGH)

Does anyone have anything that they'd like to share?

Is anyone feeling... sad or...?

anxious?

It's okay if you are.

No?

All right, get your books out.

-Miss? -Yeah.

I was just wondering if tomorrow,

in our history lesson,

if I could bring a keyboard from home

and sing a song that I'd written.

It's about D-Day.

Oh, wow. Erm... I don't...

think that's a great idea for right now.

But maybe another time, okay?

Is there anything else you wanted or...

-No. -No?

Okay.

(DANNY SNORING)

JOSH: Delivery.

Oh, it's you.

God, I didn't, erm... I didn't think you'd be working.

Well, I have to.

-Yeah. -JOSH: You know...

(BREATHES SHAKILY) I, er...

God, I should have been there for him.

(SNIFFLES) It's all my fault.

No, no, no. It's not your fault.

-(SOBS) This is all my fault. -MARIA: It's not.

I'm sure he's okay.

And I'm sure he'll come back, yeah?

JOSH: Yeah.

Just give me...

-I just need to scan it. -Oh, yeah.

(SNIFFLES)

(SOBS)

I'm sorry.

(CRIES UNCONTROLLABLY)

(SCANNER BEEPS)

JOSH: I just need to get a photo.

(SOBS, SNIFFLES)

(CAMERA SHUTTER BEEPS)

(BROODING MUSIC PLAYING)

So...

do you wanna walk towards me?

Come on. (CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY)

-(DANNY GRUNTS) -MARIA: Great, okay.

I... I know that this isn't, like, normal.

(CHUCKLES AWKWARDLY) Erm...

but this way, I don't have to worry about you.

So, I did think that we could use the time to...

catch up on some of your school work.

DANNY: Are you serious?

Yeah! Come on.

So, we wrote stories today,

and you're going to write one as well, okay?

So, write, "Story Exercise" there.

(BREATHES SHAKILY)

Do you want me to get you a different pencil? Yeah.

Okay, write, "Once upon a time", okay?

What's wrong?

Can't.

MARIA: Hmm?

I can't do it.

What do you mean? You can write.

I've seen you hand your work in. You can write.

I get other people to do it for me.

Oh. I didn't... I didn't notice.

I'm sorry.

Sorry.

Erm... okay... That's okay. We'll work on it together.

And I'll come up with a plan.

And it'll be fine, okay?

-So... let's start with this. -(PENCIL SCRIBBLING)

See how we go, okay?

(CLEARS THROAT) So...

"A"... is... for... "Apple".

(GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING)

-MARIA: "B" is for "Boy". -(APPLES THUDDING)

Okay? So, we've gone over the vowels a little bit.

They are "A"...

-I don't want to do any more of it! -MARIA: Okay!

This is shit! I don't want to do it! Okay?

-MARIA: Danny, stop. -I don't want to fucking do it!

MARIA: "C" is for "Clothes".

"D" is for "Democracy".

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

MARIA: "E" for "Extraordinary".

-You've really improved. -(CHUCKLES)

I can't believe it! (LAUGHS)

MARIA: And "F"...

MARIA: "G", "G" is for "Gifts".

Danny, come help me with this.

"H" is for "Home".

There we go.

"Leyla smiled".

"'I will tell you what my father, Bansuri, told me'".

"'But first, little prince, snuggle down by the fire,

and when you are ready, I will begin'".

"Adir settled down,

pushing a soft tree trunk and a pile of leaves closer,

so his head was raised just enough to see Layla,

the fire and the starry, starry sky".

And next comes "I".

Investigations continue

into the disappearance of Danny Carter,

last seen nearly six weeks ago.

We'll go again, just for safety.

The investigations continue into the disappearance...

JOSH: We'll have a little chat before we go

over the route we've planned,

just to make sure we're all doing the same thing.

I think, you know, looking for any kind of clues on the floor,

or, you know, anything he might have dropped.

-And now, I think as many people are shouting... -(METAL CLINKING)

CROWD: Danny!

ALL: Danny! Danny!

JOSH: What are you doing? Stop posing! Why are you posing?

You're supposed to be looking for Danny,

not making photographs for Instagram.

What the fuck? You're joking!

-Don't look at me like that! -We're trying to help you.

You've come here with everyone else to look for Danny.

Why are you doing that?

JAYE: If you're going to swear at me, I'm going.

-JOSH: Come on! -JAYE: I don't need this. I'm just trying to help you out.

Ah, come on. Come... come back.

Come on.

-Go on, fuck off, then! -CROWD: Danny!

(PRINTER WHIRRING)

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

-(TEACHERS APPLAUDING, CHEERING) -SYLVIA: Surprise!

(CHUCKLES) Ah! The Ofsted inspection came in.

"Good with outstanding features".

-No! (GASPS) -SYLVIA: And you were singled out for praise.

Really?

So, thank you.

Maria, I was... I was wrong about you.

-(CHUCKLES) -(SIGHS)

(STUTTERS)

-(TEACHERS APPLAUDING) -(CHUCKLES)

Drinks all round.

-Biscuits for everybody! -Thank you.

Congratulations, you've done a brilliant job.

-Thank you. Thanks so much. -It's made such a difference.

-Are you all right? -SYLVIA: Hmm.

(BOTH CHUCKLE)

SAM: Er...

I saved this for you.

-That's very nice. Thank you. -(SAM CHUCKLING)

(CLICKS TONGUE) Thank you. And I will halve it with you.

But I'll give you the smaller piece.

SAM: (CHUCKLES) Thank you. Cheers.

Mm!

I like this new Maria Spencer.

-What's that supposed to mean? -SAM: (LAUGHING) I don't know. It just...

You just seem to be coming out of your shell a bit.

(STUTTERS) It's... I'm... It's nice.

It's nice. And... And you look... well.

You look good.

-Thank you. (CLEARS THROAT) -SAM: Yeah.

Thanks.

-That's nice. -SAM: "Good...

with... outstanding features". (CHUCKLES)

(SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY)

-What are you doing? -Playing the game.

ANNOUNCER OVER VIDEO GAME: First stage!

-DANNY: But it's my game. -MARIA: Not anymore, it's not.

-ANNOUNCER: (OVER GAME) Kick off! -(WHISTLE BLOWS)

-DANNY: What? Go away. -MARIA: No, I wanna play.

Piss off.

MARIA: I will not.

DANNY: I thought you didn't like football.

Who says?

DANNY: Fucking shit! Look at you.

You're just running around doing nothing.

MARIA: I'm shit? Is that your defence?

It's not very good, is it?

-Yeah, up your arse, mate. -(SCOFFS)

-It's better than yours. -Er, I don't think so.

I'm still better than you

and I'm not playing this all day every day.

(MUNCHING) You're not better than me.

-Ooh! Ey up! -MARIA: No!

-DANNY: Go on. -MARIA: That is enough of that.

DANNY: Lovely. Shoot!

-Come on! -MARIA: Oh, my God!

-What a goal! -MARIA: That was pure luck.

-That's one-nil already! It's one-nil already. -MARIA: That was pure luck.

-DANNY: Come on. -(CHUCKLES)

-DANNY: Oh! I'm lining it up. -MARIA: Go on, then.

-No. No. -DANNY: Oh, I've done you! I've done you!

-I've done you! -MARIA: No, no!

-Goal! Two-nil! -Come on!

That was pure luck!

-That was pure luck. -DANNY: What do you mean?

-It was-- Look at that goal. Look at that build-up. -Right, skip that.

-We don't need to watch that again. -DANNY: It was amazing!

Oh, my God.

Do you even know the controls at all? Never mind the rules!

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)

-MARIA: Oh, my God. -DANNY: Oh. Pull it back.

Oh! Fuck! Finish! (GROANS)

(BOTH LAUGH)

DANNY: (GROANS) Absolute rubbish, that.

Come on, lads. (MUNCHES)

(INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING)

DANNY: Whack it straight after kick-off, come on.

Make it three. Go on.

MARIA: No, no, no, no, no!

-DANNY: Yes! -MARIA: No!

DANNY: Goal!

(LETTERBOX CREAKS)

DANNY: A hat trick. Number three. Come on.

MARIA: Okay, that's enough!

-DANNY: Your defence is shit! -MARIA: Well, clearly not, clearly not.

-Not giving it away. No, no, no! No! -MARIA: Yes! Yes!

-(LAUGHS) -DANNY: That was horrible!

-What a miss. -Oh, that is really--

-MARIA: (LAUGHS) -Okay, that was luck.

(LETTERBOX CREAKS)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

-MARIA: No! -DANNY: Yes! Come on!

(DOORBELL RINGS)

What was that?

(MUNCHES)

Miss?

(FOOTSTEPS RECEDING)

Hi, Miss.

(TRAFFIC WHIZZING IN DISTANCE)

Hi, Pauline.

Er, what are you doing at my house?

Why do you have Danny?

(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING)

What... What do you mean?

PAULINE: I... I heard you and him talking.

Mm. No. (CHUCKLES) Danny's gone missing, remember?

But I heard him.

What, like in your head, or...

No, I heard him shouting, "Goal".

It's okay.

You can tell me.

There's no one here, Pauline.

You look scared.

-Pauline, Danny's gone missing. -PAULINE: No, he's not. He's here.

-He's not here. -PAULINE: Yes, he is.

-He's here. I'll prove it to you. -MARIA: No. I think-- Pauline!

Danny?

Pauline?

(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)

-DANNY: Pauline, I'm down here! -Danny! Danny!

-DANNY: Pauline! -Stop.

-Danny! -Pauline! Pauline, no, no.

Pauline, I'm down here! Pauline. Pauline. (GRUNTS)

Pauli... Pauline. Help me. Help me, please.

Please. Help!

Please. Help. Help me.

(GRUNTS) Help me. Please.

Fucking let me out. Please. Where are you going?

Pauline, don't leave me here!

-Pauline! Pauline! -(DOOR LOCK CLICKS)

DANNY: Please! Pauline!

-Pauline? (BREATHES SHAKILY) -DANNY: Come back!

-Come back! -It really isn't what it looks like, okay?

DANNY: What's going on? Pauline, please!

-Okay. -Please, look at me. Pauline.

I'm just teaching him for a little bit, okay?

-DANNY: Please, come on, I need you! -Okay.

DANNY: Fucking help me! Help me!

-DANNY: Pauline! Fucking help me! -Okay?

(DANNY CONTINUES YELLING)

Right, so we'll just... We'll make it our secret, yeah?

PAULINE: Mm-hmm.

DANNY: Please, Pauline. Please.

-PAULINE: Is this where you live? -MARIA: Yeah.

It's magnificent.

(MARIA CHUCKLES)

DANNY: Pauline, call the police!

-DANNY: Call the police and tell them you know... -(GLASS CHIMES)

...where this fucking, crazy lady lives! Pauline!

-I like your books. -MARIA: Oh, do you? Thank you.

Do you have a lot of books at home, then?

Hmm, no.

My dad doesn't like them.

-DANNY: Tell them she's a fucking got me here. -Oh.

He says mice make houses in them.

-(SIGHS) -DANNY: Pauline!

-Er, actually... -DANNY: Pauline!

-...I think I have a book that you'd love. -DANNY: Let me out!

-Oh. Pauline? -(BOOKS CLATTER)

DANNY: Let me out! Pauline!

MARIA: Pauline, come here.

DANNY: (MUFFLED) Let me out of here!

(YELLS INDISTINCTLY)

PAULINE: You have so many nice things.

(CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY)

Hmm.

You like that dress?

(WIND WHISTLES)

(PAULINE CHUCKLES)

Yeah, cos if you want it, you can have it.

-PAULINE: (CHUCKLES) -Really. It's... It's yours. Just take it.

-PAULINE: Really? -Yeah. Yep.

Mm-hmm.

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)

(MARIA CHUCKLES)

(MOUTHS) What the fuck?

You look really nice, Pauline.

(CHUCKLES)

Thank you.

(INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING)

(DOG BARKING IN DISTANCE)

-(LOUD MUSIC PLAYING) -(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(GUEST LAUGHS)

(KEYS JANGLING)

(DOOR LOCK RATTLES, OPENS)

(MUSIC BLARES)

Thank you, Miss.

FRANK: Ah, Miss Spencer! What are you doing here?

MARIA: Oh. Hiya, Frank.

Er, yeah, Pauline was out walking.

-I was just dropping her back. -Oh, out walking, was she?

She does that.

-Yeah. -Here, excuse me.

If you don't mind me asking, what's she like in class?

Cos she's fucking weird at home.

She's great. Yeah.

Yeah, but you know what I mean, don't you?

No.

FRANK: I mean, Carrying on down this road,

where's she gonna end up?

All this whimsy, talking the way she does, malarkey.

I mean, she's a... a kid,

so she'll probably just grow out of it.

Will she? By the time I was her age,

I was out at 04:00 a.m. in the morning,

mucking out the barns.

-Feeding the pigs. -Really?

Them pigs, they could be fucking vicious! (LAUGHS)

(SNORT)

-I'm gonna head off, okay? -Yeah. Yep, all right.

-(DOOR CLOSES) -(DANNY YELLING)

(LOUD THUDDING)

(THUDDING CONTINUES)

(DANNY CONTINUES YELLING)

(SIGHS)

DANNY: Fuck!

-(OBJECTS CLATTER) -(DANNY GRUNTS)

(GRUNTS)

-Danny. -Where's Pauline?

-What the fuck did you do? -Look, I got you fish and chips.

I don't want any fish and chips, you stupid cunt! Okay?

I don't want fish and chips!

(SOBBING) I don't want fish and chips!

(CONTINUES SOBBING)

I'm sorry.

(DANNY CONTINUES SOBBING)

I'm sorry.

It's okay.

DANNY: (SOBBING) Nobody cares about me.

That's not true. That isn't true.

(DANNY SOBS)

Lots of people care about you.

Come here. Come here.

-Come here. It's okay. -Nobody cares about me.

No, that's not true.

-That's not true. (SNIFFLES) -DANNY: Yes, it is.

-(SOBS) I care about you. -(DANNY CONTINUES SOBBING)

It's okay.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

(MELANCHOLIC MUSIC PLAYING)

-(DANNY SNIFFLES) -Shh. Shh.

(SOBS)

MARIA: (WHISPERS) It's okay.

Oh. Sorry.

(REFLECTIVE MUSIC PLAYING)

DANNY: Honestly...

(HESITATES, EXHALES)

Were you lying to me when...

you said my dad was looking for me?

(MUNCHING) No, I wasn't lying.

He is. He's looking for you every day.

-I promise. -(SNIFFLES)

(SIGHS)

DANNY: Why's it just you in this dodgy house?

(SCOFFS)

Like, I heard... (MUNCHES)

...that you used to shag Mr Rushington.

Danny!

Don't say "shagging". It's inappropriate.

No, I moved here to be with him.

And we bought this house.

And we were gonna do it up and...

make it really... lovely. I was very excited about it.

(BREATHES DEEPLY)

But then he left me for someone else. So, that's...

why I'm here alone.

What a wet wipe. Honestly.

Yeah.

You'll be okay, Miss.

Thanks, Danny.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Morning, Miss.

-STUDENT 1: Morning, Miss. -STUDENT 2: Morning, Miss.

STUDENTS: Morning, Miss.

STUDENT 1: What is she wearing?

STUDENT 2: Looks like she could be her dead grandma.

(STUDENTS WHISPER INDISTINCTLY)

STUDENT 3: Oh, my God.

STUDENT 4: Pauline, why are you wearing that?

PAULINE: Miss gave it to me.

-STUDENT 4: Why? -PAULINE: I don't know.

I can't help it if I'm her favourite.

-Okay, everyone, let's get started, yeah? -(STUDENTS CHUCKLE)

-PAULINE: Miss? -MARIA: Yes, Pauline.

I've done a drawing.

-Okay, we'll look at it later, yeah? Erm... -CARYS: Is it Halloween?

(STUDENTS WHISPER INDISTINCTLY)

STUDENT 1: And have you seen that picture?

-MARIA: That's lovely. -STUDENT 1: Even a baby could do something better.

-STUDENT 2: It's horrible. -Go... Go sit down.

Go sit down. Go.

STUDENT 4: What is she wearing?

CARYS: That could be her dead grandma's.

(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)

PAULINE: Miss, where are you going?

-Home, Pauline. -PAULINE: Can I come?

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

No. I don't think that's appropriate.

I'll see you tomorrow, okay?

But Danny must get lonely.

I can help you teach him.

(EXHALES)

Okay, so we've been working on job words,

Pauline, just to fill you in, okay?

PAULINE: Righto.

Okay, erm, so, what do you wanna be when you grow up?

I'm gonna be someone famous, Miss.

Okay. I was... I was asking Danny.

Erm, what do you wanna be when you grow up?

(SIGHS)

Come on, there must be something that you're into.

Running, sport, stuff like that.

So, I would say "athlete", then. Would you?

-DANNY: Mm-hmm. -Okay. So, let's write that down.

So, "A".

What's the next letter?

-DANNY: "F". -(LAUGHS) It's "T-H".

DANNY: (SIGHS) Piss off.

MARIA: Danny.

Danny, come back.

Danny, you were doing so well.

Anyway, it's "A-T-H-L-E-T-E".

"Athlete".

MARIA: Yep.

PAULINE: ♪ Walking two by two ♪

♪ And talking one-on-one ♪

♪ And laughing At the jokes you tell ♪

♪ That's what a special friend Would do ♪

♪ If you're crying Or you're blue ♪

♪ They would comfort And help you ♪

♪ Make you feel Like you're brand new ♪

SYLVIA: It's about thinking of others and making sure...

Pauline, no. Stop. Go sit down.

SAM: Sorry, Miss Spencer, can Pauline sit down, please?

And why is she not in uniform again?

SYLVIA: It could be as simple as helping a friend

who's fallen over...

She's... She's doing a project. She's doing a drama project,

and she wants to remain in character,

-if you don't mind. -(SIGHS) Yeah, I... I do, actually.

Cos, we do have rules about uniform, don't we?

MARIA: I just think that, like, you know,

we need to be... encouraging imagination.

Like, she could be the next Meryl Streep

and we wouldn't know. Or the next Angelina Jolie.

-And we wouldn't know. -SYLVIA: By listening carefully,

when someone is speaking, following the rules...

Why is it one step forward,

two steps back with you, every time?

-She had brought this project to me. -No, the project stops.

It stops now.

-Okay, but I just think that-- -No. Stop it. It stops.

-It's over. -Sorry, if I just might interject,

-I actually think it's an interesting project. -(CELL PHONE CHIMES)

It's-- My issue with it

was that Pauline was wearing your clothes.

-Oh, my-- I'm so sorry. -(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)

-GREG: (OVER CELL PHONE) Hi, Maria. -Maria!

-So sorry. -GREG: It's Greg, from number 18.

I think one of your students has got a bit lost.

I'm with them now outside your house.

-Are you in the area? -(INDISTINCT CHATTER OVER RADIO)

GREG: Maybe we should wait.

-Nice to see you, neighbour! -(MARIA YELPS)

-GREG: Ooh! -(MARIA GRUNTS)

-GREG: You, okay? -Yeah. (GRUNTS)

MARIA: Hi.

GREG: She came knocking at my door

and she's been telling me all about your basement.

Oh, yeah... yeah. Erm, we do catch-up lessons. Yeah.

It's actually time for one right now, isn't it, Pauline?

Ow.

Pauline, I didn't invite you to my house tonight.

-So? -MARIA: So, you can't just be here.

You need to start hanging out with people your own age, okay?

I have to get back to the school for the parents' meeting.

-Okay, I need to go. -Fine, Danny's my age.

Pauline.

No. Not tonight, please.

-Anything but her. -PAULINE: How about one game?

-Pauline. -Oh, my God. Truth or dare!

-MARIA: Pauline. -Me first.

-DANNY: Move out of my fucking way! -Truth.

-Fucking move! -PAULINE: So once, Miss Spencer,

my parents took my brothers to judo camp,

-so I had the whole farm to myself for four whole days. -Yeah. Pauline,

-you need to go home. -And I fell into a hole.

But it was more of a cesspit, really.

-And after I passed the point of hunger, I saw something. -Pauline!

-You need to go. -I want to stay over.

-DANNY: No, you're not! -No, you can't. We never discussed that.

And your parents are gonna be worried about you.

(TYRES SCREECH OVER TV)

-I want that. -No way. No way!

I want it.

Or I'm telling everybody what you did.

(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING OVER TV)

-Fine. -DANNY: No.

What are you doing? Miss! Stop. Put it down.

-MARIA: Just let her have it. Calm down. -Put-- Why should I?

-Piss off! -PAULINE: Me and you'll play online, Miss.

Then, even when I'm not here, we can speak all the time.

You fucking idiot. She's not your friend.

MARIA: Danny, stop.

Come on.

(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING)

You know what?

No one cares you're missing.

No one's even asking about you anymore.

Everyone thinks you're dead.

And actually...

everyone's much happier now.

Even your dad.

It's true, innit, Miss?

Miss?

-(DANNY YELLS) -(PAULINE SCREAMS)

-PAULINE: Miss! Miss! -DANNY: It's not true! It's not true!

-(INDISTINCT CLAMOURING) -(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)

DANNY: Shut up, you're a fucking liar!

I hate you!

-Get away from me! -I'm sorry.

(BREATHES HEAVILY)

MARIA: Oh, fuck. Oh, fuck.

(BREATHES SHAKILY)

(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)

(BREATHES DEEPLY)

Pack a bag.

Pack everything you need into a bag.

I'll have to get you out of here tonight

-before Pauline-- -What?

We need to come up with a story, like you've been, I don't know,

hiding in the woods or something like that.

And promise me that you'll stick to it, okay?

'Cause otherwise, I can't let you go.

(CELL PHONE RINGING)

Hiya. Yeah, I'm on my way.

Yeah, I'll do that. Okay.

You're really letting me go?

Pack your bag.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)

SYLVIA: We'll just wait a few more minutes.

(DOOR CLOSES)

-Ah! Miss Spencer, thank you for joining us. -(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Right. Er-- We're all aware of the tragic circumstances

under which our school community is operating right now,

so I think I should start by telling you

that in the last hour, I've had a phone call from the police,

and Josh Carter has been arrested...

-(PARENTS GASPS) -...in connection with the disappearance.

Apparently, he... he's cooperating,

he came willingly.

So, now, we can only hope

that Danny is found safe and well.

But, of course, we're here to talk about your children,

and... and later on,

Miss Spencer will take you through

-how best to survive the upcoming SATs season. -(DOOR SLAMS)

SYLVIA: But I can tell you that your children's predicted grades

-are the highest we've ever had, which is very exciting. -(INDISTINCT WHISPERING)

SYLVIA: And we will do our best to keep them focused and--

We seem to have a visitor.

-Er, Mr Moone, do you mind, erm? -Yeah. Come on.

-Pauline, let's go home. Come on. -I want to sing a song, Miss.

Er, it's not that kind of meeting.

Miss Spencer said I could.

Didn't you?

Yeah, yeah. (CLEARS THROAT) I forgot. Erm...

It's the project that I was telling you about.

Pauline wants to show you all.

SYLVIA: Well, that would be lovely,

but, er, it wouldn't be appropriate.

Oh, no, go on, babs. Give us a tune.

-FEMALE PARENT 1: Go on, let her sing. -Yeah, let her sing.

-(INDISTINCT CHATTER) -Fine. Of course.

Pauline?

I'll need a keyboard.

Thank you, Miss Spencer.

(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING)

This had better be good.

-(WHISPERING) Pauline. -Take a seat.

Please.

-(QUIETLY) Okay, Pauline. -We'll talk about this later,

because this is fucking ridiculous.

Clear the stage, please.

(MUSIC FADES)

(PARENTS WHISPERING INDISTINCTLY)

(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING OVER KEYBOARD)

♪ We are the children Of Ashton Brook School ♪

♪ We take a pride In the things we do ♪

♪ Learning together And having fun ♪

♪ Who's for a good day? Everyone ♪

♪ We are the children Of Ashton Brook School ♪

♪ We take a pride In the things we do ♪

♪ Learning together And having fun ♪

♪ Who's for a good day? Everyone ♪

-(APPLAUSE) -Thank you, Pauline.

PAULINE: Everyone is special, everybody has gifts.

-So, we're gonna work together, and we're gonna learn to give. -(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

♪ We are the children Of Ashton Brook School ♪

♪ We take a pride In the things we do ♪

♪ Learning together And having fun ♪

♪ Who's for a good day? Everyone ♪

-That's lovely, Pauline. -PAULINE: Everyone is special,

-everybody has gifts. -(APPLAUSE)

-So, we're gonna work together and we're gonna learn to give. -SYLVIA: That's lovely. Thanks.

♪ We are-- ♪

-I'm not finished. -No, thank you.

I'm not finished!

(PARENTS WHISPERING INDISTINCTLY)

It's for Danny.

Please.

It's for Danny.

♪ Everyone loves this school ♪

FEMALE PARENT 2: It needs to stop.

♪ But they're wrong ♪

♪ That's why I wrote this song ♪

♪ This place is bad ♪

♪ The teachers make me sad ♪

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

♪ Miss Spencer ♪

♪ I thought you were an angel ♪

♪ But now I know ♪

♪ You're just a demon With chestnut hair ♪

♪ You kidnapped Danny And tied him to a chair ♪

♪ He's in your basement ♪

Will you just stop her?

♪ Your evil witch's lair ♪

-Okay, stop it. Stop! Stop! -It's true! It's true! You have him!

-Be quiet! -Yes, it is!

-Just shut the fuck up! -(MIKE CLATTERS)

-(PARENTS GASPS) -(PANTS)

SYLVIA: Excuse me?

(PARENTS WHISPERING INDISTINCTLY)

Sorry, but that's... that's crazy.

FRANK: Wait, wait a minute. Pauline, what are you saying?

Are you saying that Danny's in Maria's basement?

-PAULINE: Yes. -How do you know this?

-No, she doesn't know that! -I saw him!

Okay, Pauline, this is... this is really important.

(MARIA EXHALES)

-Where did you see Danny? -PAULINE: I went to Maria's house

and he was there in the basement.

He was a bed with lots of drawers

and an inflatable chair.

-MALE PARENT 1: Ah, come off it! -Sylvia.

-MALE PARENT 1: Josh did it! -MALE PARENT 2: Exactly.

SYLVIA: What were you doing in Miss Spencer's house?

-I followed her home. -And when was this?

Er, a Wednesday?

-A Wednesday? -It's true.

SYLVIA: Okay, Pauline, maybe we should talk

about this on Monday.

Mr Moone, if you wouldn't mind just... just taking her?

Yeah. Absolutely. Come on, Pauline. Home now.

If you think I'm a liar, then go to her house.

-(INDISTINCT CHATTER) -Well, I suppose it can't hurt.

No, it's a building site right now. You can't go.

Er, you haven't had any builders in.

We live on the same street.

SYLVIA: Maria, was that a lie?

-No. -So, what are you hiding?

-Nothing. -A little boy! She's hiding a little boy!

Just admit it, Miss.

(BREATHES DEEPLY)

You know you have him.

(BREATHES SHAKILY)

(SIGHS)

(SNIFFLES)

(SOBS, SNIFFLES)

I didn't... I didn't mean to do it.

-MALE PARENT 1: Shit! -(PARENTS WHISPERING INDISTINCTLY)

I told you, Sylvia, that he was out of control.

-I told you that. -Oh, my God.

-(PARENTS GASPS) -MARIA: And he was attacking my car,

and I was trying to stop him, right?

And then... and then I panicked, because he passed out,

and then he threatened to tell everyone

that I had attacked him, and I hadn't.

And so, then, he ran into my basement

and I locked the door,

and... and he's still in there now.

But he's fine.

-FEMALE PARENT 1: Shut the fuck up! -He's fine. He is fine.

-And... and he's... he's thriving. -FEMALE PARENT 2: Oh, my God.

MARIA: And so are all of your kids now

since he's gone,

because I couldn't be the teacher

that they needed me to be.

Like Khaliya, for example,

she's... she's this incredible artist.

Did you know that?

She sees the world in the most beautiful,

unusual way, and I never would have known before.

And Charlie, Charlie is, like, a maths genius.

I've never seen anything like it before.

And I never had the chance

to actually connect with the kids.

(SOBBING) I was so tired.

I'm so... I'm so... I'm so sorry.

I'm so sorry.

I'm really sorry.

(CONTINUES SOBBING)

FEMALE PARENT 3: Oh, my God.

Wow.

I'm calling the police.

Wait.

-Wait! Wait. -What are you doing?

-MALE PARENT1: Please. -(INDISTINCT CLAMOURING)

-Hang on, hang on a minute. -Look, as head of the PTA--

Shush, shush, shush.

Look, as head of the PTA, I think that everything--

Every decision should be voted for.

-FEMALE PARENT 1: But vote on what? -FEMALE PARENT 2: Yeah... yeah.

MALE PARENT 1: I'm just saying,

shouldn't we discuss things first?

FEMALE PARENT 3: There is no discussion,

-we need to call the police. -What he's saying is,

it's Danny's fault in the first place, isn't it?

-FEMALE PARENT 3: Sit down! Shut up, Frank. -He traumatised her.

Danny traumatised her.

-No-- -FRANK: Sweetheart, shush.

Cos what Miss Spencer did

is what we all should have done, isn't it?

You know, down at the farm,

you separate the weak from the strong,

the wheat from the chaff. You...

You take the lame calf out and you shoot it.

-FEMALE PARENT 1: Bloody hell! -(INDISTINCT CLAMOURING)

No, I'm not saying that we shoot him, for God's sake!

I'm calling the police. I am. I'm calling the police--

No. No, get off my phone. Mr Moone, get off my phone.

-No! -(PARENTS EXCLAIM)

Look, look, look, just calm down, all right?

-I think what Frank is feeling is understandable. -FRANK: He broke her arm!

It's not about bloody feelings, he's fucking dangerous!

FEMALE PARENT 1: Frank, he's a kid. He made a mistake.

FEMALE PARENT 2: And what about our kids?

Khaliya has been flying since she stopped being picked on.

MALE PARENT 1: We keep a lid on this,

-I know-- -FEMALE PARENT 1: What are you saying?

-Keep him in the basement? -MALE PARENT 1: This is what must happen.

I think what we're trying to say is let's consider our options.

-There is no discussion. -FEMALE PARENT 2: What options?

FEMALE PARENT 3: We have to let him out right now.

MALE PARENT 1: Look, they've got their SATs coming up,

and Miss Spencer has been brilliant.

If she goes,

they will end up at the local crap secondary schools.

-Their lives will be ruined. For what? -(INDISTINCT CLAMOURING)

FEMALE PARENT 1: So, we do the right thing.

We've gotta do the right thing.

MALE PARENT 1: We can't make everything about the needs of one person.

Can we?

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

-Hang on! Sylvia, she's leaving! -Er, someone follow her.

-Follow her. Follow her. -MALE PARENT 2: Shit!

FRANK: Go that way.

I've got her phone, so she can't call anybody,

but stop her.

FRANK: Okay, some that way.

Nobody uses their phone.

Nobody use your phones right now.

Let's just think about this.

Nobody leaves. Everyone stays put, all right?

Where's Miss Spencer?

Where is Miss Spencer?

She's here.

FRANK: Somebody go that way.

-(MARIA GASPS) -Ah, Miss Spencer. There you are.

-Come back for a minute. -MARIA: Yes.

It's fine. It's fine. It's fine.

We're just gonna have a little chat.

-I know, but I-- -You don't need to go anywhere.

-There's a cupboard over there. -FRANK: Okay.

Let's put her in the cupboard for five minutes.

MARIA: Oh.

(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING)

No.

-(DOOR LOCK CLICKS) -(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

FRANK: This is... This is what needs to happen.

FEMALE PARENT 1: But what are you gonna do with her after that?

You can't keep her in a cupboard forever.

SYLVIA: All of you, get away from me!

-Get away from me! -MALE PARENT 2: No, listen to me!

SYLVIA: Get away from me!

FEMALE PARENT 1: Don't you dare hurt my child like this!

MALE PARENT 2: Nobody needs to be called.

FEMALE PARENT 2: She's not listening.

MALE PARENT 2: Are you not listening?

-Nobody needs to be calling anybody! All right? -SYLVIA: You're all insane!

-MALE PARENT 2: Think... Think about it. -SYLVIA: You're all insane!

I don't want anything to do with you.

SYLVIA: Get away from me! Just let me go.

(MUSIC FADES)

FRANK: (MUFFLED) What we're gonna do,

on keeping Danny in the basement.

And I know you don't... And I know you don't want him to be in there.

FEMALE PARENT 1: Yeah... yeah. No, that's fair enough.

FRANK: We're keeping him safe.

So, if anybody here that can help of an evening

in getting down there and helping out.

FEMALE PARENT 2: I can do mornings during the week.

-I can do a Wednesday. -(KEYS JANGLING)

FRANK: Yeah, I can do a Tuesday night, as well.

(DOOR LOCK CLICKS)

FEMALE PARENT 2: Just what, just drop down,

-round a casserole or something? -FRANK: Yeah.

SAM: Hey.

You hungry?

-(CUTLERY CLINKING) -(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING OVER STEREO)

SAM: Mm! Love this place.

It's like a little Mediterranean oasis in the middle of town.

Pizzas are very good for--

I'm gonna hand myself in tomorrow.

SAM: No, no, no, no. Listen.

Miss Morgan's resigned.

Yeah.

She just... pfft! Upped and left.

Guess she wanted a better work-life balance.

Which makes me the new acting head. (CHUCKLES)

If you can believe it.

And... as the head,

I feel like... I need to respect the wishes of the parents.

And... they've all agreed

not to make it into a whole thing.

So, I'm just saying,

maybe... you shouldn't.

(EXHALES)

-Sam-- -SAM: No, listen.

The board likes you. Parents like you.

We can make this school a better place.

We can give these kids a future.

And I want you to be my deputy.

It's gonna be all right.

(DINERS) ♪ Happy birthday to you ♪

♪ Happy birthday to you ♪

♪ Happy birthday... ♪

(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)

(PENCIL SCRIBBLES)

Oh, there you are!

See, I packed my bag and I made a drawing for my dad.

Look.

What?

(MARIA BREATHES DEEPLY)

You're never letting me go, are you?

(SIGHS)

(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING)

-(BIRDS CHIRPING) -(WHIMSICAL MUSIC PLAYING)

(LAMBS BLEAT)

(CHILDREN'S CHOIR HUMS)

-Oh, did I hear "puttanesca"? -Yes, you did!

-Here it is for that lucky smile. (LAUGHS) -That's my favourite!

-I brought you activities. -Oh! You're so good.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(CHILDREN'S CHOIR CONTINUE HUMMING)

♪ The most as you'll ever go ♪

♪ Is back where You used to know ♪

♪ If grown-ups Could laugh this slow ♪

♪ Whereas you watch The hour snow ♪

♪ Years may go by ♪

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

♪ Years may go by ♪

♪ So hold on To your special friend ♪

♪ Here, you'll need something To keep her in ♪

♪ Now you stay inside That foolish grin ♪

♪ Though any day Your secrets end ♪

(CHUCKLES)

♪ Then again, years may go by ♪

♪ You saved Your own special friend ♪

♪ Here, you'll need something To keep her in ♪

♪ Now you stay inside That foolish grin ♪

(APPLAUSE)

♪ Though any day Your secrets end ♪

SAM: Today, we're proud to announce

the Danny Carter scholarship...

in honour of Danny,

a beloved student whose disappearance

has deeply affected us all.

And, erm, so pleased that Josh Carter,

Danny's father, could be here with us today.

And so glad that the police saw right in the end.

(APPLAUSE)

(INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING)

SAM: This is a scholarship

that I think embodies the boundless generosity

of our West Country community.

It's allowing us to recognise and reward students

-who share Danny's remarkable kindness... -(FRANK SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY)

-Oh, no, thank you. -...and eagerness for learning,

all uplifted by the gracious support

of Frank Moone of Bishop Valley Cider.

(APPLAUSE)

(DEVICE WHIRRING)

(DANNY GRUNTS)

SAM: And now...

I... I'd like to extend a special thanks, actually,

to our deputy head...

-Maria Spencer. -(CHEERING, APPLAUSE)

-(MOUTHS) No. No. No. -SAM: Come on, Miss Spencer.

SAM: (CHUCKLES) Come on, Miss Spencer!

Say a few words. Come on.

This is your moment. Come on.

-(MOUTHS) Okay. -(CHEERING, APPLAUSE CONTINUES)

(DANNY GRUNTS)

(DEVICE WHIRRING)

(DANNY GRUNTS)

SAM: Maria spearheaded this initiative,

and we're so excited

to be fostering our future leaders with it.

She truly is an inspiration, and with her guidance,

our impact will resonate forever.

(DANNY GRUNTS)

(GROANS)

-(DEBRIS CLATTERING) -(DANNY BREATHES SHAKILY)

(GRUNTS)

(OBJECT CLATTERING)

(APPLAUSE CONTINUES)

Thank you.

(CHUCKLES)

-(MUSIC FADES) -(APPLAUSE PETERS OUT)

This is for Danny.

(APPLAUSE, CHEERING)

("O-O-H CHILD" PLAYING)

♪ Ooh child Things are gonna get easier ♪

♪ Ooh child Things'll get brighter ♪

♪ Ooh child Things are gonna get easier ♪

♪ Ooh child Things'll get brighter ♪

♪ Some day, yeah ♪

♪ We'll put it together And we'll get it undone ♪

♪ Some day, When your head is much lighter ♪

♪ Some day, yeah ♪

♪ We'll walk in the rays Of a beautiful sun ♪

♪ Someday, when the world Is much brighter ♪

♪ Some day, yeah ♪

♪ We'll put it together And we'll get it undone ♪

♪ Some day, yeah When your head is much lighter ♪

♪ Some day, yeah ♪

♪ We'll walk in the rays Of a beautiful sun ♪

♪ Some day, yeah ♪

♪ When the world Is much brighter ♪

♪ La, la, la, la La, la, la, la, la ♪

♪ La, la, la, la La, la, la, la, la ♪

♪ La, la, la, la La, la, la, la, la ♪

♪ La, la, la, la La, la, la, la, la ♪

♪ Some day, some day Some day, some day ♪

♪ We'll put it together And we'll get it undone ♪

♪ Some day, yeah When your head is much lighter ♪

♪ Some day, some day Some day, some day ♪

♪ We'll walk in the rays Of a beautiful sun ♪

♪ Some day, yeah ♪

♪ When the world Is much brighter ♪

♪ Ooh, child Things are gonna get easier ♪

♪ Ooh, child Things'll get brighter ♪

♪ Ooh, child Things are gonna get easier ♪

♪ Ooh, child Things'll get brighter ♪

♪ Right now ♪

♪ Ooh, yeah ♪

♪ Right now ♪

♪ Ooh, baby ♪

♪ Right now ♪

♪ If you just wait and see ♪

♪ Things are gonna be ♪

♪ Right now ♪

♪ If you just wait and see

♪ Things are gonna be ♪

♪ Right now ♪

♪ You just wait, wait and see ♪

♪ Right now... ♪

(REFLECTIVE MUSIC PLAYING)

(MUSIC CONCLUDES)