03x15 - The Ghost of Christmas Present

[bunniefuu]

# On the twelfth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me

# 12 lost lacrosse ba*ls


# Ten topping team-mates
Nine sleepy dormers

# Eight ginger beers

# Seven schoolgirls swimming

# Six staff a-teaching

# Five perfect pranks

# Four tall towers

# Three French preps
Two midnight feasts

# And one matron
snoring in the san. #

THEY GIGGLE

Woo!

THEY APPLAUD

Woo!

Merry Christmas, Father!
Did you like my solo?

Did Mother?

I'm afraid Mother wasn't able
to come.

Oh. That's a pity.

Things are a little complicated
this year, Gwendoline.

I'm afraid...

Well, your mother's put it all
in a letter.

You must have a read. It's waiting
for you in a gift hamper in the san.

Mince pie? Um...thank you, no.

Er...Gwen?

No, thank you.

I have to hide my hamper
before Matron confiscates the lot.

Mary-Lou?

Darrell, what's wrong?

It's just so unlike my parents
to be late.

Probably just stuck behind cars
or something.

Don't worry, they'll be here.

Mince pie? Merry Christmas, all.

Hello, Ron. Happy Christmas, Ron.
May I? Of course.

Meet my great-granny Mary.

And my little brother Fred.

I'll be taller than you one day,
just you wait.

I'll always be older.

Older, maybe. Wiser? Never.

GREAT-GRANNY MARY CHUCKLES

The singing was nice, girls,

but you muddled the words.

Nan! Don't mind her.
She's forgetful these days.

Now, Ron... Ah, Miss Grayling. Mary!

Oh, wonderful to see you!

Izzy.

Mary was my nursemaid.

Yes. She used to live here,
at Malory Towers.

Oh! Welcome back!

Darrell,
could I have a private word?

Er...

I'll come and visit soon.

Oh! Hi! Stop that! You're so greedy!

Ah, there! It'll be safe from Matron
till we get back next term.

Goodness!

For helping. You're a great friend.

Thank you.
Are you going to open that card?

GWEN SIGHS

Well, Daddy hates to be kept
waiting.

I'll see Mother later anyway.

FAINT RATTLING

I'm so sorry, Darrell.

They were sailing
back from France today.

There's a storm coming and all
the crossings have been cancelled.

Oh, I know it's upsetting,

but I can assure you, your parents
are as disappointed as you are.

Darrell? Why the long face?

I can't go home for Christmas.
I have to stay at school.

No! Come stay with me instead!

Jean and Irene are already coming.
What's one more?

I'm afraid I've promised Mr Rivers
that she has to stay here at school.

All girls, last call!

I'll miss you. You have a gift
for making everything fun.

That's what you get for being
so clever and moving up a class.

I'd much rather stay here with you
than go to my grumpy old aunt.

THEY CHUCKLE

Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas.

Happy Christmas, Darrell.

You'll manage to make
an adventure of it.

I'll be thinking of you.
Merry Christmas.

I'll drop by on Boxing Day if I can.

Where's your brother and
great-granny? I want to say goodbye.

I think they've already gone.

Merry Christmas, Darrell.

Everyone out, now! Thanks.

Now, Darrell, do you need anything
from town?

Miss Grayling and I must pick up
the Christmas food.

I'm fine, thank you, Matron.

Well, you and Gwendoline,
stay inside,

look after one another
while we're gone.

Gwen? Yes.
She's here for Christmas, too.

Now, we won't be long,
just a quick dash. Back in a flash.

I've got the cash.

MATRON LAUGHS

# Born on Christmas Day

# To save us all
from Satan's power...#

There you are! Where have you been?

Christmas presents.

Thank you, Gwen.

You all right? Yes. I'm just excited
to finally be on holiday.

Well...I'm very pleased
you're taking the news so well.

What news?

Did you read your mother's letter?
What's happened?

Unfortunately...you can't come home
for Christmas this year.

The letter will explain. You'll be
spending the holidays at school.

But you can't just spring this
on me!

I'm sorry?
Please, just let me talk to Mummy.

I'm sure I can get her
to change her mind.

Oh, dear.

Mother and I...

Mother and I are going to be getting
a divorce.

A divorce? But what about me?!

It's not all about you, Gwen!

CROCKERY CLATTERS

I'm...I'm sorry.

Please, can you...take me home?

Come now, dear, don't make a scene.

Stiff upper lip and all that, what?

HE SIGHS

I'm sorry.

I really am.

I must leave.

Hmm! Carry on. Hmm!

WHISTLE TOOTS

FAINT ANIMATED CHATTER

I'm so excited to see my granny!

Every Christmas Day,
there's a huge fruit cake at dinner,

and we've mince pies,
and there's a fire...

I'm sorry, where's Ellen? Ellen?

She must still be in the shop.

You stay with the bags,
I'll go get her.

WHISTLE TOOTS

All aboard!

Gwen?

Gwen. Hello. Er...

Um...Matron said you were
stranded here, too, for Christmas.

We'll have to look after each other.

Make the most of it.

No. Um...no.

Matron has the wrong end
of the stick.

Of course I'm going home.

Christmas is family time.

My father's waiting for me, Darrell.
I've got to dash.

I'm sorry that your family
let you down, Darrell.

WHISTLE TOOTS

Where is she? Didn't you find her?

She won't come. Ellen said
she felt terrible for Darrell,

so she's going back to school
for Christmas.

So will we if we don't hurry.
Come on!

Last train for London Paddington!

Quick! Hurry!

Hurry, Mary-Lou!

Oh, no! The train!

That's torn it. That was
the last train before Christmas.

What will we do? Granny will be
so upset if I can't get home!

Don't worry. I think the best thing
to do is go back to school.

Miss Grayling will think of
something.

But the coach has already left!

It's only an hour's walk. And that's
what Ellen was going to do, anyway.

If we hurry up, we can catch her.
Come on, Mary-Lou.

WHISTLE TOOTS

Father, Mother.

Felicity.

Miss Grayling...

..and Matron.

Gwen?

Who's there?

M-Matron? Miss Grayling?

What luck they had oranges!

And even figs. And a box of dips!

Darrell and Gwen will be thrilled!

Oh, what fun we're going to have.

SHE GROANS

"Dearest Gwendoline.
Merry Christmas, my darling.

"I'm so sorry that I won't be able
to spend this one with you.

"Things at home are going to be
changing.

"There is no easy way for me
to say this,

"but your father and I have decided
to live apart

"with a view to obtaining
a divorce."

Hello? Who's there?

WIND WHISTLES AND WINDOW BANGS

SHE EXHALES DEEPLY

WINDOW BANGS

BANG AND RATTLING

Darrell!

Oh! Oh!

Oh, my goodness! What are you...what
are you doing here?!

It's my fault. I wanted to miss
the train to be with you,

but somehow they all missed it, too.

Well, that's terrible...

But I have to say,
I'm so glad to see you all!

Lovely to see you, too.

If I can't be at home with Granny
for Christmas,

the next best place is with you all,
at Malory Towers.

THEY LAUGH

It's jolly windy. I'm so glad we
made it back before the storm hits.

I cannot tell you how creepy it was
being here all alone.

I...I convinced myself that there
was a ghost.

What if there is? It would come down
the chimney like Father Christmas.

We should call our parents
and let them know what happened.

But in the meantime,
we're alone at school.

How often does this happen?

You are so right.
Let's make the very most of it.

Race you to the dining hall.

# Five gold rings

# Four calling birds
Three French hens

# Two turtle doves

# And a partridge in a pear tree. #

CLATTER!

Oh!

THEY GROAN

Oh, no! Oh!

Wait!

THEY GROAN AND COUGH

Ah! The blinking fan belt has gone!

WIND WHISTLES

What are you doing?

Luckily, I drove ambulances
during the w*r,

and...I always keep a spare pair...

Of course! The stocking substitute!

Right. Gloves?

Right.

I'm so glad you could join us all
for Christmas.

Thunder's through here.

Merry Christmas, boy.

Your parents are THE best.

That was such a wonderful spread.

Such a shame Miss Grayling
didn't let Darrell come, too.

Imagine spending Christmas alone
at school.

How far is it?

About an hour on horseback.

Poor Darrell. I wonder what she's up
to with Matron and Miss Grayling?

Hurry up, girls,
they're starting the games! Coming!

Come on, girls! Hurry up!

GIRLS GIGGLE

# Four calling birds

# Three French hens

# Two turtle doves

# And a partridge in a...#

MUSIC PLAYS AND GIRLS GIGGLE

Turn only. Ready?

WIND WHISTLES AND WINDOW BANGS

FAINT CHATTER AND LAUGHTER

WIND GUSTS AND WINDOW BANGS

That's it.

Oh, Matron, well done!

# And one fanbelt fixed
just in time. #

THEY LAUGH

Oh, your hat!

WIND WHISTLES
Come on, then, let's get going.

THEY GASP AND GROAN

Shut the door! Oh, dear!

Oh! Well done, Matron!

And just in time. The storm
is really taking hold now.

ENGINE SPLUTTERS

CLANG!
Oh, the stockings must have snapped.

They're not strong enough. Oh!

Well, we're not going to get
this car to drive anywhere tonight.

We'll have to walk.

We just passed a telephone box.

Let's call the girls
and tell them we're delayed.

MUSIC PLAYS

Ready?

Woo!

THEY GIGGLE

Woo! Jump.

SMASH!

ELLEN TURNS MUSIC OFF

What was that?

Is someone there?

I told you, this place is full
of strange noises.

Darrell, what exactly did you hear
when you were here alone?

Well, I thought I heard footsteps

and someone humming
the 12 Days of Christmas, and...

Well, there was a window open
somewhere in the dorm.

A humming, walking,
window-opening ghost?

Honestly, Darrell!

THEY CHUCKLE

Come on, let's play it again.
All right.

MUSIC PLAYS

GIRLS GIGGLE

THEY HUM A TUNE AND GIGGLE

THEY GASP

THUD!

Argh! Did you hear that?!

Maybe there really is a ghost!

It can't be. Ghosts don't exist.

Ellen's right.
There's no such thing as ghosts.

Oh, the line is static.

Oh! Now it's ringing!

PHONE RINGS

The telephone!

Malory Towers.
Darrell Rivers speaking.

Darrell? It's Miss G...

Hello?

Darrell, can you hear me?
It's Miss Grayling.

Miss Grayling?

We've broken down. Oh!

We're trying to get back to you.

Hello? Darrell? Darrell?!

WIND WHISTLES

Hello?

Darrell? The line's gone. Oh!

Come on, come on, we've got to go!

WIND GUSTS

Oh, for the love of...! Oh!

Hello? Who is it, Darrell?

It's...it's Miss Grayling.

They can't get back.
We're here alone for Christmas.

This just gets worse and worse.

We have to be each other's family
tonight.

Those poor girls! There's nothing
much left for them in the pantry!

Oh!

Ah! Oh, my gosh! Oh!

It's that wind, it's bitter.

WIND WHISTLES

Oh!

THEY SHRIEK

As soon as the wind dies down,
we'll start walking, yeah?

My granny says to think of it
like the spirit of the place.

All the people who've ever
lived here.

THUD!

Ah! It's the ghost!

It's just a breeze.

I'm scared!

I'm hungry.
We haven't eaten dinner yet.

Let's rustle up a Christmas Eve
feast.

How about a food hunt?

All right. Sally, you go with me,

and Ellen, Mary-Lou,
you go to the pantry.

Um...I'd rather stay here
and, um...guard base.

Just in case the telephone
starts working again.

Are you sure?

Absolutely.
I'll put a chair under the door,

and the wireless
will keep me company.

As long as you're all right.

And Mary-Lou? Ghosts don't exist.

DOOR SHUTS

# Deck the halls
with boughs of holly

# Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

# 'Tis the season to be jolly

# Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

# Don we now our g*y apparel

# Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la
la, la... #

Gwendoline's gingerbread!

Darrell, I know where there's
so much tuck!

# Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

# Deck the halls
with boughs of holly

# Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la
la, la...#

WIND WHISTLES

FAINT VOICE

I don't believe in ghosts!
I don't think I...

There must be someone
with some spare tuck.

Let's check the bedside drawers
quickly.

WIND WHISTLES

WINDOW BANGS

Look!

Sally, the catch wasn't loose
this time.

I made sure to shut it
firmly earlier.

There's no way the wind could have
blown it open this time!

Well, then, who did it?

Oh, I wish Miss Grayling
were here now!

We'll just check the bedside drawers

and we'll get back downstairs
as quick as we can.

There's got to be something
to eat here.

Darrell!

Oh! Huh!

I'm sorry, Gwen.

I feel really bad
taking your treats, but...

..I know you wouldn't want us
to go hungry on Christmas Eve.

WIND WHISTLES

A-A-A-A-A-Argh!

I think that's Mary-Lou!

Sally, come on!

Mary-Lou! Mary-Lou, we're coming!

We're coming! Don't worry! Sally!

Wait! Stop! Stop!

Get off! Get off me!

Stop! Get off!

Oh! Get off me! Gwen?

You are such a hooligan, Darrell!

There's no need to be
quite so rough!

I thought you were going home
for Christmas!

I was, but things changed.

What things?!

Um...

Well, there...was...a...flood.

A terrible flood.

And my parents had to book a hotel,

and I'm going to be joining them
later.

Why didn't you come and find us?
Why were you hiding?

I'll tell you why. Typical Gwen.

You didn't want to share, did you?

You wanted to keep all those goodies
for yourself.

That's not right.
There must be another reason. Gwen?

N-No, no other reason.

Sally's right.

Everyone, let's stay here.
I agree.

I'm sure Matron and Miss Grayling
will be back soon.

I can carry my own hamper,
thank you very much!

Gwen? Yes, here's our ghost.

Hardly! I was just trying to keep
a low profile.

It was you putting off the light
when we were dancing?

Clever prank. The humming
was inspired. What humming?

That's mine! Gwen! Let go!
Gwen, give it...! Oh!

And the open windows.
You had us all completely spooked.

Gwen, it was you, wasn't it?

Well, I-I did turn the lights off,

but I didn't do any of
the other things.

CLATTER!

Listen! Do you hear that?

# Calling birds, three French hens
Two turtle...#

I'm scared!

It's all right,
we're all here together.

Yes, but...someone or something
is in here with us.

CLANG!