01x01 - Episode 1

[bunniefuu]

(dramatic music playing)

A 20-year-old British model

who says she was kidnapped

and held for nearly a week in Italy

has returned to the UK.

Lawyers for a man charged with

kidnapping a London model in Italy

say the entire case could be a sham

invented as a publicity stunt.

(reporter 1) Twenty-four hours ago,

Chloe Ayling happily posed

for pictures,

but offered little

in the way of detail

- (camera shutters clicking)

- about her ordeal.

(Chloe) I've been through

a terrifying experience.

I feared for my life,

second by second,

minute by minute, hour by hour.

I am incredibly grateful

to the Italian and UK authorities

for all they have done

to secure my safe release.

I have just arrived home

after four weeks of being in Italy.

I haven't had the time

to gather my thoughts,

so I'm not at liberty

to say anything further

until I have been debriefed

by the UK police.

(dramatic music builds)

- (Chloe screams, echoes)

- (Adrian) All right?

- Sure?

- Mm-hmm.

(Adrian)

You're gonna do great, Chloe.

This is your chance

to set the story straight.

- (producer) We're about to go live.

- Yeah.

- I'll be back there, okay?

- Okay.

(pensive music playing)

(Susanna) Now, our next guest

has faced a backlash from the media

and international interest

after saying she was drugged,

kidnapped, and threatened

with being sold as a sex sl*ve

on the internet in July this year.

Well, 20-year-old British model

Chloe Ayling is being accused

of inventing her own abduction

as a publicity stunt,

and she joins us now.

So, Chloe, erm

- Good morning to you.

- Thank you.

(Piers) Yeah, good morning.

Just talk us through,

very quickly, again,

exactly what happened to you.

So, I was booked for a sh**t

in Paris in April this year,

and that sh**t got aborted

because the studio has been burgled

and all the camera equipment

was gone.

And that's when they rebooked me

for Milan

through my agent at the time.

(Susanna, over TV) But actually,

what happened was,

you were attacked?

(Chloe, over TV)

Yeah, by two masked men.

(Susanna) And then describe

how that happened.

(Chloe) So, I was about to open

the studio door,

because I didn't see anyone.

(Piers, over phone) You gave

a series of police interviews

afterwards for 13 hours,

three separate interviews,

and you were asked

about a tracksuit and shoes

that you were wearing, er,

when you finally got out.

- And you told the police

- So did she make it up?

I heard she met him in Paris,

like, three months

before he kidnapped her.

- Chloe's one of my best friends.

- (indistinct chatter over phone)

So, you do believe her?

Of course.

What happened to her is insane.

It's amazing she even survived.

(Piers) buying groceries,

buying shoes, laughing, joking,

apparently without a care

in the world.

Why did you lie

to the police though?

Because it was, like,

the tenth hour of the interview,

- and I was literally so

- (Piers) Yeah, yeah,

but that doesn't explain

why you lied about it.

I didn't lie,

I just brushed it off.

It's not insignificant, is it,

to be going shopping

with one of the alleged kidnappers

and buying new shoes?

Yeah, but no-one understands

the reasoning.

Unless you were in my position

and actually went through

what I've been through,

no-one can tell me

how I should've behaved

with the kidnapper

or how I should be reacting now.

- You did lie.

- I brushed it off.

(Piers) Yeah, but, Chloe,

here's the problem.

Your idea of brushing it off

you lied.

Or if I was just

a 30-year-old woman,

like, not a model,

do you think people would have

the same opinions of me?

- I don't think so, no.

- (tense music playing)

(Piers) I think

if you're conducting

media interviews

where you're being paid money

and you're doing a book

for thousands of pounds

before there's even been a trial,

I think we're perfectly entitled

to ask you difficult questions.

Yeah, and that's fine.

I can answer all of them.

So you're not being

unfairly judged?

No, I don't mind.

I can answer anything.

I don't have anything to hide.

(breathes heavily)

(breathes deeply)

(brooding music playing)

(music concludes)

You know,

I could've done this myself.

Of course.

But you have no idea how many girls

I've let phone in measurements,

only to get an irate call

from a photographer

because an outfit doesn't fit.

- (chuckles softly)

- I'm not body-shaming, but

you knocking off a couple of inches

because you've had

one too many doughnuts

is grief for me.

Now, spin round.

- I hate doughnuts.

- (clears throat)

- Spring rolls then.

- (munches, chuckles)

They're making these leathers

especially for you,

for this Milan job.

It's great that they've rescheduled

after the Paris cancellation.

- They must really want you.

- Yeah.

And I've never been to Italy.

Didn't Uncle Phil tell you

the world was at your feet?

(giggles) I can't believe

I've been to Paris,

Dubai, and Ibiza,

since signing with you. It's mad.

You said you wanted

to see the world.

From your bookings, it seems

the world wants to see you.

- Arms up.

- (chuckles, grunts softly)

MUSIC: "Best Behaviour"

by Louisa Johnson.

(indistinct chatter)

(Chloe chuckles)

Where should we go?

Mm

- Ow, Amber.

- Sorry.

- (laughs)

- (laughs)

You're getting glue in my eye.

- Wait, stay still, stay still.

- (chuckles)

- Mm. That's done.

- Good. Thanks.

- Yeah?

- (sighs) Yeah.

Oh, yeah. Amazing. Thanks.

I thought they said

there'd be someone here

- to do make-up.

- They always say that.

- (Sasha) Chloe, you ready?

- (snickers)

Yeah, I'm just coming.

# Loving you, loving you

# Baby, I swear to you

I'm dedicated

(camera shutter clicking)

# Give me your trust

And I'll try not to break it

# Oh, you

I'm gonna

just go to the bar, all right?

(laughs) Cheers, babe.

# I'm on my best behaviour

I know that you're good for me

# I wanna be good to you

# I'm on my best behaviour

I'm on my best behaviour

# I know that you're good for me

I want to be good, good

(indistinct chatter)

Hey, babe, you are fit.

Want a drink, hmm?

Come on, let's go bar.

No, I'm okay.

No, I'm all right, thank you.

Come on, let's go bar. Come on.

(both giggle)

# I know that you're good for me

I want to be good, good

-# I got hands, yeah, I'm human #

-(music concludes)

(indistinct chatter over TV)

(animals chittering over TV)

(David, over TV)

The jungle is Eden.

(ethereal music playing over TV)

(David) It covers less than

six percent of the Earth's surface,

but it's home to half

of all the plants and animals

(TV shuts off)

(remote clatters)

- (switch clicks)

- (mobile phone ringing)

(zipper hissing)

- Mum?

- (cutlery clinking)

I've got to go.

I've done my rent, but this is all

I've got left for the food shop.

I'll have more

after the sh**t, okay?

- You're a good girl.

- (groans softly)

- (Bea) I'll miss you.

- (chuckles)

I'll be back tomorrow night.

MUSIC: "Questo Momento"

by Palmaria.

- Okay.

- (suitcase thuds, clanks)

- (Chloe) Ciao!

- (chuckles) Bye. Have fun.

# Look what I've become

- (indistinct chatter)

- (traffic rumbling)

# Always busy overthinking

(camera shutter clicking)

# But no one told me

If it gets easier

Excuse me

(camera shutter clicking)

# But someone told me

(camera shutter clicks)

# Every time I fall

It's a lesson I learn

# The world around me now

Is getting cold

No.

- Yeah!

- (vendor) Thank you very much.

Grazie. Bye.

# There must be something

Keeping me afloat #

- (music concludes)

- (tram bell ringing)

(traffic honking)

(indistinct chatter)

(Liam) Excuse me, darling.

Blondie, you all right?

- You English, yeah?

- UK.

(Liam) You know any bars

round here still open?

- Erm. Sorry, I only got here today.

- (Liam) That's cool.

- What's your name then?

- (chuckles nervously) Chloe.

- Fancy a nightcap, Chloe?

- Aw, that's sweet, but I've got

- a really early start tomorrow.

- Come on!

- Oi, Lee.

- (Liam) What?

Leave her alone, man.

She's not interested.

(laughing) Oh, come on,

one limoncello can't hurt.

Look, I ain't gonna take "No"

for an answer, all right?

My boyfriend's actually waiting

for me back at the hotel,

so have fun.

- (Liam) Rude slag.

- (Will) She's out of your league!

- (Liam) Arrogant b*tch!

- (passers-by laughing)

(muffled dance music

playing over speaker)

MUSIC: "Picture Perfect" by

Little Simz playing over speaker.

# Never ever want to leave

Let me stay lit

# I've been partying for days

On the same sh*t

# Never mind who I came with

# Wonderland is amazing

Ain't it? #

(telephone ringing)

Hello?

(receptionist, over phone)

Chloe Ayling, your taxi is here.

- Thank you. Er. Grazie. Bye, bye.

- (music concludes)

- (dog barking)

- (indistinct chatter)

Grazie. Ciao.

(intercom ringing)

(sinister music playing)

(dial tone ringing)

- (Daniel, over phone) Hello?

- Hi, it's Chloe.

- For the sh**t. Is this Andre?

- (Daniel) No, he is not here yet.

Er. I'm his assistant, Daniel.

Everything's okay?

Yeah, I'm at the address,

but the door is locked. (chuckles)

(Daniel) You're at the wrong door.

I I'm here.

Oh! Er

(Daniel) Can you see

the metal gates?

- (Chloe) Erm, yeah, I think so.

- (Daniel) Okay. I've left it open.

(Chloe) Sorry, what door?

(Daniel) Er, at the back

of the courtyard, the black door.

(Chloe) Hold on, I'm just looking.

Oh, yeah, I think I see it. Yeah.

So, just through

the courtyard, yeah?

- (Daniel) Correct.

- Okay.

Erm, yeah, I see the sign

that says "studio",

so, guess I'm here.

- (menacing music playing)

- (Chloe screams, grunts)

(breathes heavily)

(screams, whimpers)

(tense music playing)

- (traffic whizzing by)

- (Chloe breathes heavily)

(indistinct chatter over radio,

muffled)

(Chloe inhales deeply)

- (zipper hissing)

- (Chloe groans, breathes heavily)

(sinister music playing)

(mobile phone buzzing)

(phone continues buzzing)

(Chloe whimpers, breathes heavily)

(gasps, breathes deeply)

Driver!

- (indistinct chatter over radio)

- (breathes heavily)

- (car engine revving)

- (tires screeching)

- (car engine stalls)

- (kidnapper 1 speaks Polish)

- (keys jangling)

- (car trunk unlocks)

(Chloe breathes heavily)

(footsteps shuffling)

(groans)

(breathes heavily, groans)

(whimpers)

(breathes shakily)

(whimpers, in English)

Why are you doing this?

You've got

the wrong person. (sobs)

I'm not gonna hurt you,

but please be quiet.

(Chloe breathes shakily)

(birds chirping)

(gasps, breathes shakily)

(pensive music playing)

(car engine stalls)

(suspenseful music playing)

(flies buzzing)

(kidnapper 1 speaks Polish)

(distant sheep bleating)

(handcuffs clinking)

(ominous music playing)

(ominous music builds)

(kidnapper 2 speaks Polish)

(tense music playing)

(switch clicks)

(kidnapper 2, in English) Lie down.

No, here.

I need the toilet. Please.

(exhales shakily)

- (sombre music playing)

- (water dripping)

(kidnapper 1 grunts)

(breathes deeply)

(knocking on door)

(clears throat)

(toilet flushing)

(tense music continues)

- (kidnapper 2 speaks Polish)

- (handcuffs clinking)

(kidnapper 2, in English)

Give me your hands.

- (beaded curtain rustling)

- (melancholic music playing)

(whimpers) Please help me.

There's been a mistake.

(gasps) I haven't done

anything wrong.

My boss is coming.

You must be very quiet.

- (gasps)

- (beaded curtain rustling)

(breathes shakily)

(sobs softly)

(birds chirping)

MUSIC: "Straight to Heaven"

by Capri Sons playing over speaker.

(dial tone ringing)

# Lose myself tonight

Lose myself #

(car engine approaching)

- (gearstick cranking)

- (car engine stalls)

- (keys jangling)

- (door opens)

(kidnapper 3, in Polish)

Where is she?

-(kidnapper 2) Outside. Downstairs

-(kidnapper 3) f*cking idiots!

You can't be trusted

to do anything!

Do you have to f*ck everything up?

- (door slams)

- (groans softly)

(kidnapper 3) And then I have to

clean up your mess!

Where is she?

(door closes)

(footsteps approaching)

(Chloe whimpers, breathes heavily)

(kidnapper 3, in English)

Look at me.

(breathes deeply)

You don't recognise me,

do you, Chloe?

Andre.

We met in Paris.

The first photoshoot.

There was a break-in

at your studio?

There was no studio.

- No photoshoot.

- (tense music playing)

(kidnapper 3) I'm not Andre.

You can call me MD now.

(breathes shakily)

My men were supposed to

take you then.

You were to be sold.

You belong to Black Death now.

We're like mafia.

g*ns, drugs, trafficking.

When I saw on Instagram

that you have a son,

I ordered them not to.

I don't believe

we should take mothers.

There are enough girls out there

without kids.

(sighs)

(MD) Your name should have been

removed from our list.

Your abduction was a mistake.

f*cking Romanians. (sighs)

That's why I'm here,

trying to fix this mess.

I knew it was a mistake.

(breathes shakily)

- Can I go home?

- (MD) It's complicated.

(breathes deeply)

Did they told you

that you are not any more in Italy?

We are in the middle of nowhere.

Nobody for miles

except security.

But I order them to stay outside.

(gulps, breathes heavily)

(MD) Let me.

(gulps)

I'll speak with my boss.

I'll try to explain

the situation

(exhales)

see if it can be resolved.

(pensive music playing)

- (footsteps approaching)

- (beaded curtain rustling)

(MD) Chloe?

- Hey, Chloe?

- (gasps)

(breathes heavily)

(gasps, groans)

(breathing heavily)

I don't feel well.

(MD) It's probably drugs,

from the studio.

- What was it? (grunts)

- Ketamine.

You know, for horses.

- You'll be better soon.

- (groans, breathes deeply)

(MD)

You should try to eat something.

(grunts softly)

- Did you talk to your boss?

- It's too late.

You have already been advertised.

In five days,

you'll be put up for auction.

But I explain the error.

But I tell my boss

and he offered you a chance

to pay for your freedom.

(gasps)

- (sombre music playing)

- He wants 300,000 euros.

I don't have any money.

I can't pay that.

(MD) Do you have any friends

who could pay?

I can contact them for you.

(swallows) Can you call my mum

and tell her

- I'm okay?

- (MD) Absolutely not.

Sorry.

I'll think of some friends.

(MD) Good.

I I'm going to try to help you.

You know

you are kind of lucky, right,

that my friends

sent me your advert?

- My advert?

- (MD) Yeah.

(sombre music builds)

(Piers, over phone)

Chloe, here's the problem.

Your idea of brushing it off

you lied.

(Chloe, over phone) Or if I was

just a 30-year-old woman,

like, not a model,

do you think people would have

the same opinions of me?

I don't think so, no.

(breathes sharply)

(swallows)

- (mobile phone chimes)

- (brooding music playing)

(Chloe) Hi, Mum.

No, don't worry about me.

I'm tough, right? Like you.

And I've been through worse.

Much worse.

Okay, just don't look online, okay?

All right.

No no, I love you. Okay, bye.

How are you feeling?

- I'm trending, you know?

- Yeah, I know.

It's a mixed bag,

but you knew that.

He was a bit rough, Piers.

Behaving like that

gets him more viewers, right?

And he gets paid

to be controversial.

- (crew member) Erm.

- Hmm.

- (crew member) Hi.

- Hi.

Can I get a selfie?

- (camera shutter clicks)

- Sorry, my car's waiting.

You know, if all this

ever gets too much

Then we should just up my fee,

let everyone waste their money

trying to break me. They won't.

And then I'll be rich,

and the trial will prove

I'm not a liar.

- (Adrian) Are you ready for this?

- (brooding music builds)

- (reporters clamouring)

- (camera shutters clicking)

(reporter 2)

Chloe Ayling has strongly denied

that the whole thing

was a publicity stunt.

(reporter 3) With little shyness

for the television cameras

this summer,

she made her own claim.

(reporter 4)

Questions have been asked

about the model's relationship

with her alleged kidnapper.

(Piers) I'm just being honest.

Some people may criticise me,

but she didn't look

too traumatised, did she?

(pensive music playing)

(music concludes)