Original subtitles

CHILDREN PLAY

SEAGULLS CAW

There you go.

OK? Come on.

Maxine?

I know it's you.

Maxine?

Ian.

Wait.

Shows you care.

Thanks.

Honestly,

what are you like?

You write that you've been helping your father as caretaker

over at Little port School.

Yes. I found I thoroughly enjoy the work, and...

...it was actually him that told me about your vacancy here in Soham.

You're currently in Humberside,

but looking to settle in Cambridgeshire

with your fiancee for a better quality of life

and to start a family?

That's the idea, yeah.

Fingers crossed.

Ha! Well, the job comes with a caretaker's cottage,

three bedrooms, right by the school.

It's being redecorated. Erm...

...the previous incumbent was...

...not wholly satisfactory.

Yes.

Now, there are challenges, obviously, working in a school

with young people and it's important... Absolutely.

Need to maintain an appropriate distance.

Any concern, bring it to your attention.

Nip it in the bud.

Good.

Just a word about your name change. You were...

...Ian Huntley and you're now...

Ian Nixon?

Yes.

Changed to my mum's maiden name...

...when my parents split up.

No problem.

And these are your references from your previous employers?

Yes.

OK.

How, was it?

Don't think they liked me.

Hey,

don't be paranoid.

We did a good application.

They'd be lucky to have you.

Yeah.

They would.

Like I am.

Right, well, get your belt on.

Thoughtful, mature, about to get married.

References look fine.

So, if you tell the personnel company to issue

the contract, do the background checks and,

assuming no red flags...

...Mr Nixon's our man.

This is lovely.

When you called it the caretaker's cottage,

I thought it might be a bit higgledy-piggledy,

like in a fairy tale, but this is wicked.

Yeah.

Come inside.

GARAGE DOOR WHIRS

He's gonna bend it!

Hey!

Tuck your shirt in!

Neat writing. High five.

Who knows what comprehension means?

Miss! Miss! Miss!

SHE WHISPERS: Understanding.

Miss!

Miss!

BELL RINGS

Break time.

Nice work.

Your hair looks lovely, sweetheart.

SHE GASPS

Girls...

...don't look now, but guess who's got his eye on you.

He really fancies you.

Shall I get him over here?

No! SHE LAUGHS

Guess what?

My job's ending this term, but, yeah...

Oh, hiya.

Yeah, they're advertising a new full-time permanent TA.

Yeah? Great. Who was that?

Just a dad from school.

It's the next step.

You know - volunteering then temporary.

And they know me. I mean, the kids know me, so...

Yeah. What you smiling at him for?

Ian... What's his name?

I don't know. Right. Come on, Sadie.

Ian, I don't care... I've never met him bef... Ian.

You're the only bitch that likes me. Come on.

Ian, I've never seen. Get off me.

Why are you acting like this? I've never met him before.

Right, OK.

DOOR UNLOCKS

Yeah. Yeah, we have worked really hard to make it ours.

Good man. The last fella didn't leave it in a good state.

Oh, did he not? Yeah. Oh.

DOOR CLOSES

Oh, lovely what they've done with the place, Kev. Yeah.

That's lovely. Well done, you.

I like it. Do you want a beer, Dad? Yeah.

Sorry you didn't get your job.

Yeah. Well, they said there was a better-qualified candidate.

There always is. I was only on probation.

Thanks, love.

Thanks for having us. Nice how it's turned out,

us all living down here.

Credit to Dad. Came down first, told me about the Soham job.

How's Wayne? Still married to Claire?

Still a wanker, I assume.

Hey. Don't call your brother names.

He's fine, thank you, Maxine.

Cheers, Dad. Did I tell you I changed my name back?

No. To yours.

Right. Ian Kevin Huntley. What we christened you.

And how's your mum, Maxine?

Yeah, I'm going back to Grimsby to see her for a bit.

What? Yeah? Well, we're going up next weekend.

We can give you a lift. Save the bus fare.

Do what you want.

Where are you going? Need a piss.

Charming.

He's sensitive.

DOOR SLAMS

CHURCH BELLS SOUND

Ready to go.

She can't wait. Hot to trot.

It's only a few days back home.

A week. Come too. Mum won't mind.

No. No, thanks.

HE SIGHS

Bye, Sadie. Look after my man.

And if he goes out chasing women, you let me know.

When the cat's away.

You think you're the cat?

You're not the cat.

OK, I'm not the cat.

Fuck, it's like walking on eggshells.

You're the one who's leaving. I'm not leaving.

So, serves you right if I do do something.

Yeah, well, you've done it before.

CAR HORN SOUNDS

Bye.

DOOR OPENS AND SLAMS SHUT

RINGTONE SOUNDS

Ian?

I've been waiting all day.

What for? For you to call me fucking back.

Had a good night, did you?

Yeah, it was. Yeah? A good shag?

I didn't shag anyone.

No? Just flirted? Teased?

"Ooh, yeah, look at me bumblebee tattoo."

Fucking hell, Ian. Sorry.

Sorry I didn't call you back sooner.

Sorry for spending time with my family.

I've been with Mum all day. I'm seeing my grandad tomorrow.

Yeah, what about tonight? You staying in?

Yeah... maybe.

Or... maybe a, a quick drink.

You know, just a quick one.

Ian?

You fucking slag!

Wanker!

LOUD DANCE MUSIC PLAYS

Oi, mate - out.

Go on, then. I need a wee.

No, he fucking isn't.

DOG BARKS AND WHIMPERS

BARKING AND WHIMPERING CONTINUES

CAR ENGINE IDLES

MAN SHOUTS: Jessica!

Holly!

WOMAN SHOUTS: Holly! Jessica!

Jessica!

Jessica!

CLEARS THROAT

Hello? Morning, it's Brian.

Hi, Brian. Just had a call from the police press office.

OK. This is a preliminary.

Ready? Yep.

Two ten-year-old girls went missing yesterday evening

in the small town of Soham, Cambridgeshire.

Police have called a press conference at 7am outside

the girls' school. Stop.

OK. Thank you. That's it for now.

Hello, trouble.

They might be lost.

Er, yeah. Yeah, that's... That's possible.

Come on, back to bed, you. Tell your mum, say goodbye.

OK. Hey, hey, hey.

Quick cuddle before I go.

PHONE VIBRATES

VIBRATING CONTINUES

Er, yeah.

Maxine... What?

Ian?

What's going on? It's like... seven.

Sorry, yeah. Sorry.

Something's happened, it's... There's...

These girls have gone missing...

What girls?

I've been up all night, like, helping search for them.

All right. So... who?

Just some girls.

Oh, shit. Erm...

Can we talk later?

Yeah, sure, no problem.

You eating properly, I hope...

Yeah. Good girl.

Yeah, sorry I got all, you know, on the phone yesterday.

OK. It's just because I love you.

I love you too.

Police are appealing to the public to look out for

two ten-year-old girls wearing identical red football shirts

with the number seven on the back. Stop.

OK, thank you.

Are you done? Oh, yeah, no problem.

Yeah, my mobile's died. Cor, crazy morning.

I've just driven up from town.

Town?

London Town.

Oh, right. It's gone national already, has it?

It's August - no news - and two kids vanish?

Yeah. My editor's like, "Thank You!"

Right.

Are you local news?

Er, yeah, regional, yeah.

Right. But this is your patch, so, like, what's your take?

Er... Well, toddler goes missing, they've wandered off, got lost.

Teenager, it's a row, a runaway...

Romance. Yeah.

But 10-year-olds? And two of them?

Yeah. It looks bad.

Yeah. So, next question...

The families? Mm.

Police are saying good homes, stable backgrounds.

Yeah. That's what they're saying.

Do you know, my money's on a dad. Or an uncle.

Are we betting?

No.

Fair enough.

NEWS READER: This afternoon, both Holly's and Jessica's parents...

PHONE VIBRATES ..joined the Cambridgeshire Police

in asking for help to find their daughters,

Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman.

TV REPORTER: Described in this morning's press conference

as very well-balanced and bright young girls.

The last known movements of the girls is that they went upstairs

to play in Holly's bedroom...

Ian. It's Holly and Jessica from my class.

What's happened to 'em?

I'm really worried. About the girls?

I saw them. They came by our house.

I spoke to them. They were asking after you.

Me? Said they was sorry you didn't get your... your job.

Are you all right?

Had the police here, today, in the house.

I said I spoke to them, outside, and then they went off.

The girls went off?

Yeah. Happy as Larry.

And you told the police that? Yeah.

OK. So, you've done nothing wrong, so...

But they can still try and fit me up, like they did before.

And then that's it, I'll... I'll lose the job, the house, everything.

It's over - no wedding, no kids...

No.

Yeah. Don't say that.

It's over. I can't do it again.

Ian, I need you to calm down.

I can't, Max.

Maxine? IAN CRIES

Do you want a cup of tea, love?

Yeah. Oh, my God. Oh, my God.

I can't, Max.

You what?

It's all right. Ian, you can tell me...

There's something else. Tell me.

Like, there's something up.

TV REPORTER: Police are urging the public to come forward

with any information that would lead to the discovery

of the girls' whereabouts.

The parents of Holly and Jessica will be attending

a press conference at Soham Village College later today.

I got a call.

Beggars belief.

You helping the police with access?

Yeah.

Good.

Parents will need reassuring...

C'mon, Sadie.

INDISTINCT

It's taking off. Yeah? Are you going back to London?

You're joking?

NEWS READER: The last known sighting of the girls

was at the sports centre in Soham Village College

at 6.15 yesterday evening. Police and parents are asking anyone

with information... What those poor parents must be going through.

...lines are open 24 hours and free of charge.

REPORTER: The search for the Holly and Jessica went on through the day.

Hundreds of concerned local...

NEWS READER: Hundreds of volunteers are turning out again this morning

on what will be the second full day of searching

since Holly and Jessica went missing on Sunday evening.

Police resumed their search at dawn,

as they continue to scour the area around the girls' homes.

Volunteers from surrounding villages are being briefed

by members of the police in how to conduct the search...

Search party.

Not used this before.

First time for everything.

I just want everything clean because I said I saw them.

I said I spoke to the girls.

Yeah, why? Why say it?

Because someone could have heard us, seen us.

Girls laughing - that... that's a loud sound.

It's better to admit it than not say anything.

And then it's like, "Oh, why? Why didn't you tell us?"

And fucking hell!

Oh, I can't, I can't, I can't, I can't go to prison...

No-one's going to prison.

I went before when they charged me,

when I'd done, when I'd done nothing wrong...

Right, I'll say I was here.

You were here?

All the time?

Yeah.

So...

...they came by. You were outside with the dog.

Question...

...why didn't I come outside to say hello?

You were asleep.

Yeah.

No.

I was in the bath.

Sh, sh, sh, sh, sh.

Max!

What?

What you looking at me like that for?

No, I'm not. You just...

You surprised me.

I need to go into work.

They're using the school for a press conference.

You OK?

Yeah.

You've got nothing to hide.

You're innocent.

OK.

PHONE RINGS

Ian, when you're done here, come to my office.

There's a ton of stuff to get through.

We've got 1,000 kids coming back in three weeks.

Sir.

This is the secondary school. The girls don't go here.

No, they're year five, but their older siblings do.

Mm. Like to interview them.

Well, hopefully they're being well protected from that... opportunity.

Yeah. Pity.

May have to resort to intercepting phones.

You are joking?

Course I'm joking. There's a line.

Good to know. Were you at the dawn raid at the travellers' site?

No. No, that was news to me.

Ah. Thought you might have a local contact you might share.

Yeah? What, like a policeman?

Yeah, you got one?

Sorry, Jane.

CAMERAS CLICK

The parents are here.

Welcome to hell.

INDISTINCT CHATTER

FRONT DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES

Test me.

5, got in the bath. 5.45, dog comes home.

6.15, girls come and go.

6.25, I come downstairs to put the tea on.

Good. See, not just a pretty face.

I've been thinking -

we should go to this candlelit vigil later. Everyone will be there.

No, I need to erm... What?

Nothing. I... I thought I'd visit me nan.

Get away from all this fucking...

Have a break.

Well, I should go at least.

Won't it be weird if I don't? I mean, I am their teacher.

Well, classroom assistant...

What? I'm just being accurate.

Well, they call me their teacher, OK? So, it is accurate.

It's too risky. It's too emotional.

The parents there, all the other kids asking you,

"Did you see them, and did you talk to them"?

But won't it be suspicious?

If you're not there?

No. They're not going to be thinking about you.

You're not the star of the show.

NEWS READER: Police have released CCTV pictures from Soham village

on Sunday evening. The pictures show

the girls walking through a car park in the village,

and also four people who could be important witnesses.

Earlier today, police divers started searching the waterways

in the area.

Our reporter is in Soham this evening. What can you tell us?

Hi. Police press office?

Yeah, Brian Farmer, PA. Hi, Brian.

Yeah, I'm finding it hard to write up the girls' last movements.

The timeline's a little confusing.

Right.

And you're working on all that now.

Yeah, that's right.

So, we'll get that... tomorrow?

Leave it with me.

OK. OK, thank you.

Uh-oh. Who can this be?

A monster! Oh, no. Please don't eat me. I'm really chewy.

OK. I won't. Ohh...

Uhh... THEY LAUGH

What's happened to them?

No-one knows.

Mum says dinner's ready.

Well, someone knows.

TV PLAYS QUIETLY

PHONE VIBRATES

Journalist. Said she wants to interview me cos I saw the girls.

She?

Don't start.

Food OK?

Yeah. Looks nice.

Ate mine earlier.

There's a crack in the bath.

Yeah. I sealed it.

NEWS READER: Good evening. Today's national news story

has been dominated by the releasing of a photograph by police

of the missing girls...

They look so happy. Don't they?

The photograph was taken on Sunday... Yeah.

...and shows the two girls standing side by side... So beautiful.

...in red football shirts.

The clock behind them reads four minutes past five...

Yeah, I was washing the dog.

That's why there's a crack.

Right. REPORTER: Hundreds of people again gathered today...

Cheap... to help Cambridgeshire Police Force...

Plastic... in their search for the girls,

scouring fields and woodland in the Soham area.

Today, they were joined by American...

DOORBELL RINGS/DOG BARKS

BARKING CONTINUES

Would you take one of these?

Yeah, sure, I'll put it up. Thanks. Bye.

HELICOPTER ROTORS WHIR

So what do you think, Chris?

Need to prioritise. You're getting flooded here. Mm-hm.

Thousands of calls a day, the media spreading it everywhere.

I can advise you, but I'm not the one in charge.

Beck should be in Soham. We need to focus in.

Anyway, it's his call, not mine. He'll get my recommendations,

but he's SIO - it's his investigation.

All known sex offenders, here and adjacent counties,

are being interviewed. Despite some press speculation,

which has upset the parents,

we've found nothing on the girls' home computers -

no chat rooms, no suspicious emails, no evidence of grooming.

Has the senior investigating officer, David Beck,

been here to Soham yet?

He's coordinating from Huntingdon.

He doesn't need to be here in person.

It would look better if he was.

Can you trace Jessica's phone?

We're working on that.

And was it turned off on Sunday evening?

It was.

The timeline of sightings was -

they bought sweets in the sports centre,

then spoke to the school caretaker outside his house,

then were seen near the pizza restaurant.

What time, Andy?

Andy? Andy? Andy? DCI Hebb?

And we've just had a possible sighting

outside a local petrol station.

That's all. Thank you.

You going to this garage, yeah?

Erm, no, no. OK.

FRONT DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES

You've got their photo in the window...

Yeah, I know. The woman asked me to put it up.

What woman? Calm down.

What fucking woman?!

DOORBELL RINGS

DOG BARKS

Calm down. I'll go.

Hi. Is this the caretaker's house, for the school?

It is, yeah.

And who are you, please?

Brian Farmer, Eastern Counties reporter for the Press Association.

I understand you were one of the last people to speak to the girls?

Don't want to talk to the press, thanks very much.

The thing is, your story might help jog a memory, help find them.

We wanna help, don't we?

Come in.

H-U-N-T-L-E-Y. And...?

Maxine. Maxine Carr.

Er, two R's.

I actually taught the girls.

Really?

Classroom assistant, St Andrews.

Yeah, I knew them well.

We were very close.

Yeah, Holly made me a lovely leaving card.

I can show you. Erm, I'll get it.

Terrific, thanks.

So, did you both see the girls on Sunday?

No.

You weren't around?

Yeah, no, I was.

I was here.

I'd cooked our dinner - burned the beef. God, what am I like?

Yeah. Ian had been out with the dog and all that,

and then I had a nice long bath.

And that's where I was, wasn't I, when they came by.

Yeah, indoors.

In the bath.

Yeah. Then I got out of the bath and Ian goes,

"Oh, you've just missed them. They were asking after you."

And I'm like, "Oh... shame."

I'll get the card.

Here it is.

"Miss U. C U in the future."

That's lovely.

She is a lovely girl.

Could we get a photo of that?

Yeah, course.

Parsons? Brian.

Could you come over to 5 College Close?

It's near the big school.

OK. See you in a sec.

So, can you tell me about your encounter with the girls?

So, I was washing the dog cos she'd run off

and got quite muddy, and I see the girls come by,

and they ask how Miss Carr's doing,

and I say she's not very good cos she hadn't got her job.

And that's it, really. They said, say hello to her,

and off they trot towards the library.

Happy as Larry.

That's... that's all they said?

Yeah.

No indication of where they might be going, or...?

Did you know the girls? Had you met the girls before?

No.

So, at school, were they taught about, erm, stranger danger?

Oh, yeah, we did all that.

And how do you think they'd react if someone tried

to force them into a vehicle?

Holly would go quietly, but Jessica would put up quite a fight.

Why do you say that?

It's what you said, isn't it, Max?

Or the parents did.

Oh, is that the received wisdom, is it?

Yeah, no, it's just, erm...

...because, Mr Huntley, you said you didn't know the girls, so...

Yeah, exactly.

I'm just repeating what I'd heard.

Maybe one was stronger than the other.

Jessica's sporty.

Good swimmer. Bit of a tomboy.

But how two girls can go missing in broad daylight, it...

...beggars belief. It really does.

DOORBELL RINGS The photographer.

FRONT DOOR OPENS Hi, Parsons. Come in.

CAMERA CLICKS

OK. Just do... do one more.

That's great. Great. Thank you.

Can we get one of you as well?

No.

Don't like having my picture taken.

Oh, come on. Good-looking guy...

Not even me mum has a photo of me.

OK.

Thank you. Thanks.

Err, anything else, just give us a call. Right. OK. Yeah?

Bye. Bye.

What?

What?

Yeah, get a photographer in, have your picture taken...

It was the card. And you, like, fucking...

Yeah, at least I wasn't all suspicious like you,

"No, no, no, photos!"

Because... Because I don't want my picture out there, OK?

OK. All I'm saying is don't think people think you're guilty

and they won't.

OK.

Hi, press office? I know you guys must be inundated

with the people ringing in.

I know, and every call needs a decision.

So, listen, I'm sorry to add to the pile,

but I do think this guy needs another look.

H-U-N-T-L-E-Y.

Yeah, he's the caretaker.

OK. And you'll pass that on?

OK, thank you.

FOOTSTEPS APPROACH

Hey, Helen.

Join us a sec.

Er no, I'm good thanks. Are you sure?

Yeah, yeah.

Listen, erm, could you do me a favour? Uh-huh.

Guy comes out of that house, snatch a photo, OK?

This guy.

Got it. CAMERA CLICKS

We can only use it if they arrest him,

and then we'll share the credit, but no promises.

OK, yeah. It's a big if.

Why weren't you outside with Sadie for the reconstruction?

They think they're being smart. They're just clutching at straws.

Yeah, well, they're desperate to find them.

Seven days in, not a single suspect.

Well, we're not helping, are we?

Promoting rewards, bringing in strange people.

I'm appealing to you directly to stop this from getting any worse

and end this now.

David's got something. The goodbye signal from Jessica's mobile.

At 5 College close.

The caretaker's house.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media