Original subtitles

KIRA PURU: ♪ I'm walking

♪ Like a lonely child

♪ Never knowing which way to turn

♪ Feeling lost, I've wandered far

♪ Reach out and touch me

♪ Take my hand

♪ And walk me home

♪ Reach out and touch me

♪ Understand

♪ That you will never, ever be alone

♪ Lost and lonely ♪ Lost and lonely

♪ Till you found me ♪ Till you found me

♪ But now you're giving me everything, yeah

♪ Teach me to find love

♪ Take my hand and walk me home

♪ Reach out for my love

♪ Understand

♪ That you'll never be alone. ♪

Amy, take it off, please.

Amy?

Morning, Ned.

How about we take this off now, hey?

I have meetings all day,

but I'll be back before Kyle and David get here.

- Kyle and David? - Dinner, tonight. Remember?

I don't remember. You didn't tell me.

- I did. - No, you didn't.

I did, and I wrote it down.

Nothing about Kyle and David.

Do the Spanish thing. They'll love it.

We're late again.

Amy, can you please go upstairs

and brush your teeth?

If it's too much, I'll cancel.

I'll call Kyle when I get to the office and cancel.

- And blame me? - You're not getting it.

- What? - Fight you're spoiling for.

- This is about last night? - It's not about last night.

If it is, I couldn't get away earlier.

It's not about last night.

It's about you making plans without checking with me.

I know it's your job. I know it's important.

All I wanted was a night in, just us.

I apologise, and I'll cancel. Problem solved.

That's not problem solved.

(Clatters spoon)

Maybe I should leave, then. Will that solve your problem?

Amy!

(Children play)

Hey, sweetheart? Look at me.

Hey, sweetie?

Let's take this off you.

Oh, my baby.

My beautiful girl. Come here.

- What's wrong? - Are you going to come back?

Where am I going?

You said to Daddy you were leaving.

Oh, sweetheart.

I'm not going anywhere.

You know how much I love your daddy

and how much he loves me,

and we love you for all the world.

Nothing's going to change that.

Come here.

Here. Give me a kiss.

(School bell)

(Phone rings)

(Mobile rings)

Hey.

You're not driving, are you?

- No. - Don't cancel tonight.

I just wish you'd told me about dinner.

Where are you?

At the station, heading to a meeting in town.

- Is she OK? - Yeah, she's fine.

- You know what she's like. - I'll pick her up after work.

What if we took off for the weekend, just the two of us?

What was that?

Richard? Richard, what was that?

Hello?

Hello, can you hear me?

Hello, Richard? Answer me.

Excuse me. Excuse me?

Admissions?

- It's down there. - Thank you.

(Approaching footsteps)

Daddy!

Can he hear me?

I think he can.

It's OK.

How's everything going in here? Is everything OK?

Yeah? Alrighty.

Mr Taylor, I'm going to give you a little bit more

of the good stuff.

Just to keep you happy, eh?

Just checking your pulse, darling.

It's all good.

Yep, he's got good guns, hasn't he?

You know, you can talk to him.

You don't have to be embarrassed.

I don't know what to say.

Oh, just say whatever you need to.

Is there any music he likes or any particular song?

- Music? - Yeah.

It's really soothing.

As long as it's not heavy metal.

(Both laugh)

Shut up! (Laughs)

Are we early?

I can't find his bloody iPod.

(Slow song)

Daddy!

Does he have any other family?

His mother.

You might want to give her a call.

They haven't spoken in years.

You're thinking of taking him off life support, aren't you?

No.

Not yet.

(Phone rings)

Margaret Taylor speaking.

Hello?

Hello?

Don't hang up.

It's Peter.

Margaret.

They've just run some more tests about an hour ago.

They should have the results soon.

He was running late for work.

He was down on Callum Street.

He should have been at work already.

Oh, my baby.

My beautiful, beautiful baby.

How bad is it?

It's not what we're hoping for.

His mother, she's here now. Can you tell her?

I can, if that's what you want.

It's not cowardice.

She hates me.

She won't accept it from me.

I was talking to Mr Sykes last week.

He told me he's selling up.

He's moving to his daughter's on the Gold Coast.

He can't wait to move.

Baby.

Not here.

So what do we do next?

Mrs Taylor, we need to discuss

taking Richard off the machines.

Are those machines keeping him alive?

Your son has no brain function.

There are no signs of any neurological activity.

The tests we've just run confirm that. It's conclusive.

Well, run the tests again. We have, several times.

We've run every possible test and cross-checked.

We don't make the decisions. The results do.

You are not turning those machines off.

- Margaret, he's got no... - I am talking to the doctor.

Richard has no brain function. His whole body has shut down.

I am talking to the doctor. I want a second opinion.

I understand this is difficult to hear, but that won't help.

We're past that point.

I want a second opinion.

It's my legal right, and if I don't get one here

I'll have my son moved to another hospital,

where they'll give him a chance.

Just listen.

It's the next of kin that make that decision.

- I'm the next of kin. - I'm his next of kin.

We are next of kin for each other.

We did it for Amy's sake more than anything.

I have all the documents to prove it.

Yeah, bits of paper!

I'm his mother. It is my decision.

I have it in writing, doctor.

I'll organise the paperwork.

If you think I'm going to let you

play God with my son's life,

you are sadly mistaken.

We have to let him go.

You might think you know what he would want

because you live together.

He's my son.

I'm his mother.

I'm sorry.

Sweetheart...

..do you want to tell Daddy how much you love him?

But he said he wouldn't leave us.

I know. I know. I know.

You're Daddy Richard's mummy.

Do you want to say goodbye? Want to say goodbye? Go on.

Oh, please don't do this to my son.

I beg you. You can't do this.

He just needs time. He needs some more time.

He will fight. He's a fighter.

I promise you, my son will fight.

Please don't do this to my son.

You're a nurse. You're supposed to help people.

You're supposed to fix people. Well, fix my son.

Please fix my son.

Don't give up on him. How dare you give up on him?

He came to you for help and you're killing him.

How dare you do this? How dare you kill my son?

Doctors and nurses and you are killing my son.

This is murder. You'll go to prison for it, so stop it.

Stop doing this to my son.

Please stop doing this to my son.

You're a mother. I can tell just by looking at you.

You wouldn't do this to your own son,

so why are you doing it to mine?

Please, please don't do this to my precious son.

Mother to mother - please.

You look at me.

Will you look at me, you heartless bitch?

Please stop doing this to my son. Don't do this to my son.

Don't do this to my precious son.

Shut up!

Please shut up!

I have loved you every day.

Peter, he's passed.

Taxi for Taylor.

- This bloody thing! - Here.

There. You look great.

Doesn't Daddy look handsome?

(Laughs)

Come on, sweetie.

Hey.

They took a lot of photos afterwards.

You don't have to look at them if you don't want to.

I don't.

Then tell them that.

What are they going to ask me?

It's three months ago. What if I can't remember stuff?

- I've blocked most of it out. - Don't worry.

You're not on trial. The bloody driver is.

Richard had invited some friends for dinner,

and I didn't know about it.

He hadn't told me.

I wasn't happy about it.

Well, it blew up into a bit of an argument,

more of a row.

I had called him to apologise...

..and we'd made up.

We'd made plans to take off for the weekend.

We go to this place in the mountains.

We went to this place in the mountains.

And when exactly did you make the call?

I don't remember exactly when I made the call,

but it was just before.

And then I heard it.

It was so loud.

Let's take a 15-minute break.

- You alright? - Yeah.

It's being on the stand.

- Amy at school? - No, she's with Lorraine.

I want to see more of Amy.

She'd like that.

You never told me you were on the phone with him.

- Didn't think it important. - Yes, you did.

Was everything alright with you and Richard?

Like I said, it was just over dinner plans.

I was thinking the weekend might be nice.

- What? - Amy.

She plays soccer on the weekend.

Well, I could take Amy to soccer.

Yeah. 'Course.

She could stay over. Would she like that?

Would you be happy with that?

Yeah, sure.

It must feel terrible.

What?

The guilt.

And finally, may I extend the deepest sympathy

to Mr Taylor's friends, his family,

to his mother, who is present today

and above all, to his partner, Peter Davey.

This one we usually do at soccer training.

And this one is to stop the ball from going your way.

- And it's a goal! - Mm!

(Door opens) AMY: Thanks, Auntie Lorraine.

(Footsteps go upstairs)

You picking Amy up tomorrow?

If I can get off work early.

So you're going to work, then?

Don't forget she needs a packed lunch tomorrow.

Yes, boss.

Hey, you didn't pack a lunch twice last week or today.

I understand your loss, Peter. Honest I do.

Sorry, do you?

You're not the only one who lost him.

(Door shuts)

'Would you like her?' they say.

And Daddy Richard can't believe his luck.

They're going to give him a chicken

to take away to look after.

And later that night, they sit down to dinner.

It's chicken.

'Matilda!' Daddy cries.

'Well, you chose her,' they say.

(Text alert)

I'm new to all this.

Good.

Stop, stop, stop!

- Sorry, I can't do this. - It's OK. It's OK.

- Sorry. - I'll go slower.

I'll go slower.

Stop, stop.

Sorry.

I'm sorry.

I know you've come all this way, but I can't.

No, it's fine. It's OK. I get it.

I mean, I thought I wanted it.

I mean, I do...

..but I can't.

Just relax.

What do you want?

Oh, shit. I've got to get up.

Good morning to you too.

Remember last night, when I told you I have a daughter?

Yeah.

Well, her grandmother's going to be here any minute.

- And that's not a good thing? - No.

- I had fun last night. - Yeah, me too.

You've got to go.

Morning.

(Knock at door)

Sorry. I didn't think you'd be this early.

Amy!

All done?

Do you want to rinse your bowl in the sink?

They're a bit tight on her.

I've been meaning to buy a new pair.

You've had a lot on.

I guess. Hey, monster. Come here.

I usually tell her stories before she drops off.

She likes the ones of Richard as a boy.

Come on.

And she likes to have the music playing when she sleeps.

It's his birthday tomorrow.

I know.

That's why I needed a drink.

So I think... Steve's got the video ready.

Do you want to come in? Put that food down.

- Is it all good? - It's all good.

- Is that on? - Yeah, I can see myself.

OK.

Unfortunately.

Amy...

..it's the morning that we are picking you up,

and we are so excited that we cannot sleep.

So we thought we'd show you

how amazing we're going to be as dads

and what you'll learn from us, OK?

When you're about 12,

you're probably going to want to start shaving...

..carefully.

Not that you'll have a moustache or a beard.

And when you're about 15, 16...

BOTH: 17. - When you're about 17,

you're going to want to start kissing boys.

Hello. Who better?

EVERYONE: Aww!

RICHARD: And when a boy...

BOTH: Or a girl. - ..breaks your heart,

we will be there.

PETER: ..to pick up the pieces.

We love you.

- We'll see you soon. ALL: Aww.

MAN: That was beautiful, wasn't it?

I forgot one thing.

We won't always get it right and you won't always like us,

and sometimes you'll wonder why we're being so tough,

but know this - we wanted you so much.

There's nothing in the world we wanted more than you.

One day you'll know what that means for two daddies.

I'm going to go and get some sleep with Dad now.

I love you. I can't wait to meet you.

- You sure you're going to go? - Yeah, it's late.

- Thanks for all this. - Yeah, it's kind of nice.

Yeah.

- Steve's looking good. - Steve? You noticed?

He's always liked you.

I don't know about that.

He's not the answer. Not just yet.

Yeah. It would be nice though, to feel that again.

It'll come.

Baby steps.

You reckon?

Give it time.

Well, go on, then.

I love you.

I know.

RICHARD: He couldn't say 'squirrel'.

STEVE: He couldn't say 'squirrel'?

So he takes a photo

and off he goes, and his shoe wasn't on properly.

Was that how he busted up his knee?

He busted his knee... (Knock at door)

..but I'm the one that needs a knee operation.

- I'll get it. - Are you sure?

Yeah.

Is Peter here?

He's in the kitchen. Hi, Amy.

- Daddy! - I'm Steven.

Hello.

Grandma bought me these new boots.

She couldn't run in the others.

They were hurting her feet.

- I'll give you some money. - That's not necessary.

- Are you sure? - Yeah.

- She scored in them. - Oh, wow!

Sorry. Steve, this is my mother-in-law, Margaret.

This is Steven, an old friend.

And this little monster is my reason to live.

I actually met you years ago when you were a little baby.

So you scored a goal, huh?

Wow, that must have been amazing.

Can we have a word in private?

Sure. Amy, why don't you run upstairs and unpack?

We'll go in the courtyard.

Well, at least you tried to hide it last time.

This time you're not even bothering.

I'm sorry?

You don't give a damn what I think. That, I can live with.

But to not even consider Amy and the impact it has on her -

that, I will not live with.

What's impacting on Amy?

All of this.

All of what?

I told you. Steven is an old friend.

I suppose the other one was too, not two days ago.

- None of your business. - Amy is my business.

And she shouldn't be around...

..faggots? Is that what you're trying to say, Margaret?

I'm sorry to break it to you, but your son was a faggot too.

You leave him out of this.

That's why you stopped talking to him, isn't it?

It was because of you.

I stopped speaking to him because of you.

- I think you should leave. - He was leaving you.

What? And who told you that?

My son's daughter told me that.

My granddaughter, that's who.

- You should go. - That little girl's my blood.

She is not your daughter.

Richard was the father, not you.

- Get out. - I'm going to go for custody.

You'll be lucky if you ever see her again.

Don't you come around here making threats.

Oh, it's no threat. That, you can be sure of.

Come on.

- Dad. - Thank you, darling.

Go and wait at the car.

It's not about Amy.

She's not taking me to court because she wants Amy.

She's doing it to spite me.

It's got nothing to do with spite. It's about love.

Love?

She loved her son. Amy is all that's left of him.

Well, she won't win.

No, maybe not.

But she's going to fight you all the way.

Your son would be rolling in his grave

if he knew what you were doing.

That's not helping.

Before hearing this matter,

I would ask that you see the family mediator

on the third floor

to see what can be resolved between you two.

On 3rd May, you might remember,

I bumped into a man leaving your house

at seven in the morning.

Yes.

He'd been there all night.

Not all night.

He'd spent the night there.

Yes.

- Who was he? - His name was Luis.

Luis who?

- Just Luis. - You don't know his surname?

No.

- Where did you meet Luis? - On the internet.

Some sex chat line?

Yes, but we didn't have sex, as it turns out.

- Oh, I'm sure. - I was a bit drunk.

We only cuddled. I was grieving.

You were drunk?

A bit.

My granddaughter was in your care.

Amy was asleep for half the night by then,

and she was perfectly safe.

You say you were grieving.

Yes.

For my son?

- Yes. - Who you say you loved.

You know I loved him.

Loved him so much you were having sex with another man

within weeks of his death.

Jesus. We didn't have sex.

I needed the company, and it was months after.

Had Luis ever been incarcerated?

- What? - Had he ever been to prison?

I don't know.

Had he ever abused children?

Had he ever abused children? No.

- How do you know? - I just know.

- You asked him? - No.

Then how do you know he hadn't?

I just knew.

Did you go to sleep?

Yes.

What did Luis do while you were asleep?

- He went to sleep too. - Did he go to Amy's room?

- No. - How do you know?

There was a stranger in your house,

a man you know nothing about, a little girl asleep,

no-one to protect her.

Nothing like that happened.

You were sleeping. How do you know nothing happened?

Amy would have told me.

It would be a bit late then, wouldn't you say?

He looked strong, Luis.

You don't think he was strong?

- I suppose. - You suppose. Are you?

- Strong? - Mm.

A bit.

He could have overpowered you.

- Maybe. - If he wanted to.

- Yes. - So even if you were awake,

he could have overpowered you.

Nothing like that happened.

Look, this...

..this is about Amy.

It's about her.

It's got nothing to do with how I feel about this man,

although God knows I've got reason to hate him.

He broke up my son's marriage.

That is not true. That is a lie.

And he was responsible in part for my son's death.

But this has got nothing to do with any of that,

and it's got nothing to do with bigotry.

Black or white makes no difference to me.

But gay or straight does. Yes, of course it does.

This is a gay man, and following my son's death,

this a gay man on the lookout for other men,

a gay man who will bring men into his home,

men he knows nothing about, men who are a threat to Amy.

It's a fact of life.

So it's got nothing to do with bigotry

and everything to do with

the safety of my little granddaughter.

Her safety.

And that is why full custody should be awarded to me.

She's asleep.

There's no way a judge

is going to find in favour of Margaret.

If he finds in favour of her, he's saying that no gay man

can ever be a single father in Australia.

I think you should give that shit a rest.

- Really, Miss? - Yeah, I do.

Sounds like she wiped the floor with you.

No, she didn't.

She just hurled abuse - one long, homophobic rant.

You picked a guy up off the internet, for God's sake.

Is this your cruel-to-be-kind bit?

Yeah.

You know why I picked him up.

- Do I? - Yeah.

- Lonely? - Yeah.

- Grieving? - Yes.

I don't give a shit.

No-one gives a shit. All that matters is Amy.

So cut down on the dope, cut down on the booze

and cut down on the self-pity and self-indulgence.

And worry a bit about that little girl.

Otherwise, you're going to lose her.

Who wants Amy more?

Who deserves Amy more?

That woman, who's come in prepared to kill for her?

Or the prick who thinks he's got a God-given right?

It is going to court.

You've got to do the work that she did.

You've got to go in there

just as prepared as she was today.

You've got to show you deserve that child,

and you're doing jack shit.

You get the fuck out of here now.

You go back to your boring little life with Raymond,

because the show is over here, the double act is finished.

All that's left here is me,

and I'm insufficiently entertaining on my own,

aren't I?

Daddy! Stop it.

- You're not hungry? - No.

Should I call Auntie Lorraine and say sorry?

Yeah.

I'll do it while you're at school.

You finished?

Yeah.

Thank you.

Daddy?

I've been trying to phone you.

The phone's been switched off.

I told Amy that when you're sad

you tend to lash out at those you love the most.

You're going to make me throw up in a minute.

I'm really sorry.

I've read your affidavit, Mrs Taylor,

and considered the submission prepared by your barrister.

Mr Davey,

as you've not been able to prepare an affidavit,

could you please stand and make a statement

so that it might be also considered?

Amy is my daughter.

I am her father.

I have raised her since she was a tiny baby.

I am the only parent she has left,

and ours is the only home she knows.

It's true that Luis was a stranger, yes...

..and I allowed him into my home

while my daughter Amy slept.

But what has that got to do with my sexuality?

Don't straight women bring men into their homes?

A friend said to me

that I have to prove that I deserve Amy,

and that was hard to hear at first.

But being gay, I'm used to fighting.

I had to fight the kids at school,

I had to fight my cousins,

even my own uncles.

I still remember the change in my father's eyes

when he found out I was gay.

But if you're lucky, you meet someone...

..and fall in love...

..someone like Richard...

..and all that fighting seems worthwhile.

I want to teach that to Amy.

I want to show her that sometimes

you have to fight for what you want most in this life.

I swear I will never bring

another man into my home again.

I'll do whatever it takes.

You can install cameras, you can tag me,

you can monitor me 24 hours a day, anything.

Whatever it takes to keep my daughter under my roof.

Now Mr Davey argued that

straight women also bring men into their homes.

But I accept the counterargument -

that it is the number of men that matters here,

and, however politically incorrect,

gay men bring more strangers into the home

than straight women.

However, I was impressed by Mr Davey's sincerity

and his offer to restrict his social life for Amy's benefit.

I believe it would be better for Amy

to live with her father.

And to that end, I order that the child, Amy,

pending further orders, live with Mr Davey.

And I grant access of a minimum

of one weekend in four to Mrs Margaret Taylor.

Good girl.

Amy, Dad's here, honey.

- Daddy! - Hey.

I'll see you in a couple of weeks, hey?

Oh, it's hard saying goodbye to her.

Well, you don't have to.