12x04 - Episode 4

[bunniefuu]

Jo-Jo, Sima, breakfast!

Hurry up, you're going to be
late. You'll be in trouble.

SHE THINKS: OK, last chance back
in the mainstream, Kels, yeah?

Just breathe. You
got this red wall.

Wait, what? It's nothing.

Just headphones, bike,
headphones, bike.

Yes, well, nothing.

No, it's def feels something,
red wall, massive something

but you can't just... Oh,
the red wall, just focus.

Noise, just, just calm, just
focus. Yeah, you can do this,

you can't do this, you
can do whatever you want!

Hey. Good to have you back.
Yeah, it's good to be back.

In a bit, yeah?
Yeah, see you later.

Oh, taking it easy today, Myles?

I'm waiting for Whitwell.
Ms Whitwell, thank you.

I just need to give
her my new meds.

It won't be long until I'm
fixed and then I'm out of here.

Don't worry about me.

Hmm. But I do worry,
Myles, I really do.

Good for you.

SHE KNOCKS

Here is the EHCP for
Kelly Jo from the council.

Oh, great. Thanks.

We should get together and
talk about how we can implement

the STEM provisions that
were mentioned. Yes.

Oh, sorry, it's a mess.

Is that the letter from the mum?

What did Dwayne and Zayne
say about that? Er...

You haven't told 'em?
Come on, it's their mum.

Yes, I know, but I can't
just let her wade in

and play happy families
and then just let 'em down.

It's not fair. Ah, so this isn't
about you feeling insecure?

No, it's about me making
a responsible decision

to keep them safe.

Yeah, and you have a responsibility
to show them that letter.

I... No, I've said that I will
meet with her next week some time.

Once I've sussed her out, then
I'll tell the boys. You'd better.

And finally, just a reminder that
I am back teaching some classes

as of this morning,

so Joe and Lindon will be on
hand should you need anything.

OK, thank you very much.

Have a good day, everyone.

Will you pass that on to
Joe? Uh-huh. Thank you.

Back in the classroom?

I thought the arts weren't
considered a high priority.

It's not as simple as that,
and you know it. Do I?

I'm hoping that reconnecting with
the pupils on a classroom level

will make me a better head.

What beginner's guide to
management did you pull that from?

Oh, I'm sorry, Val,
I didn't realise

that you were such an
expert on leadership.

Oh, I'm not. That's
why I stay in my lane.

SHE KNOCKS

Sorry. Oh. I thought I was late.

Well, you are not.
You're right on time.

Right, I'll leave you to it.

Take a seat.

Here you are - EHCP.

Have a read.

So, today's trial in
mainstream, it's very exciting.

Hey, if it goes well...

..could be back full-time.

Mm-hm. Do you think...

Do you think I'm ready,
though? Absolutely.

Why? Don't you?

Yeah. Just... just a
bit nervous, I think.

Yeah, it's understandable.

Once you get used to the
structures and routines,

you'll have cracked
it. You can do it.

I guess it's just,
like, staying focused

and not letting my head go.

Oh, and remember, we've got our
one-to-one check-in at lunch.

Yeah. I forgot. You did? Yeah.

Yeah? Right, well,
write it down.

On your hand. Mm-hm.

Kelly Jo. Yeah.

Seriously, though, if you do get
overwhelmed today at any point,

just come and get me. We'll
work through it together.

Deal? Yeah, thank
you. Yeah. Good.

All right, go on or
you'll be late. OK.

I'll see you at lunch,
Sir. Off you pop.

Oh, you've done well
there, that's good.

What?

Yeah, I did. That was
funny. OK. Right. Bye! Bye.

George Yeldon.

No G-man?

Rachel White. Yes, Miss.

SCHOOL BELL RINGS

OK, thanks, everyone.
Have a great day.

Oi. Oi!

Yeah. I'm buzzing, me. Why?

Fresh start for Dealy.

Dealy, yeah? Yeah. What
are you even on, man?

Couple's nickname innit? Yeah.

Now that we're both
back in main school.

Yeah, well...

Or what about King Joe? Yeah.

They can still send me
back, Dean. No. Yeah.

You can do what
you want now. No.

Teachers have to let you off.

Yeah, but it don't work
like that, does it?

Well, it should.

Listen, yeah?

Dean.

I want to make
today dead special.

I won't let nothing or
no-one spoil it for us.

All right.

Bye, Miss. See ya.

Aw, Wendy, you have definitely
gone the extra mile.

It's all our begged,
borrowed and stolen

from my crafty club, so you don't
even have to use your budget.

Thank you. It is appreciated. Year
11s, right off of the deep end.

Nothing you can't
handle, though. Yeah.

Well, we're going to kick off

with a mixed media
expression of serenity.

Ooh. Hmm. Just hoping that Andrew
was right about all of this.

I'm sorry about
missing the briefing.

Oh, check you out.
Back on the front line.

Yeah, it suits you.

Don't worry, I'll be
your eyes and ears today.

You name it, I'm on it.

OK, thank you.

Wendy, Myles is waiting
for you. Yeah? Right.

Before I skedaddle, I've
left a few bits on your desk.

There's the loco parentis
forms for the camping trip

and the engagement report for the
word beaters that need signing off,

and the revised
budget for next term -

just needs looking
over and signing.

Good luck! Thank you.

Morning. Morning, Miss.
Ah, morning. Morning.

Come on through.
Take a seat, please.

Make sure bags and
coats are on the floor.

Chlo's Wishing Foundation.

I can't believe it's
actually set up.

Chlo would have loved
it. I'm telling you,

she'd have something like this

in the front room if she
could. Trustees in place.

Yeah, and we've got our first
cause to raise money for.

So, you fancy yourself as a radio DJ
on the Waterloo Road airwaves, then?

Not quite. Probably best leaving
that to the kids, don't you think?

You'll need to sign in if
you're late. I don't... Shola.

What time do you call this?

I'm really sorry,
Miss. I missed the bus.

Well, you can't be this
late. It's unacceptable.

Won't happen again, I promise.

Well, see that it doesn't,
and sort your uniform out.

You look like you've been dragged
through a hedge backwards.

I didn't mean right
now. Get to your lesson.

Honestly!

So, if the friction here
is greater than, say,

five newtons, what happens?

It makes it harder
for it to move.

Turn to page 43.

Nice of you to show up.

Thought you'd gone into hiding.

Sorry, I was just sorting
something at home.

This really isn't good enough.

You've barely answered
any questions.

I expect better from you.

Open your book, and
get your head down.

I want you to use your instincts,
and use colour and texture

to evoke a sense of calm
and of tranquillity.

Yeah, Miss, is this like an
art class or yoga retreat?

LAUGHTER

Here, imagine you're on a beach,

and this scrappy piece of fabric

is the ocean,

washing all over you.

Give it us a sec.
Let me go... Oi.

How long do you reckon until
Mad Kelly Mad Jo-Jo blows?

Oi, watch your mouth.

Yo, KJ, heads up. Oi!
Just ignore him, Kels.

£10 she'll be back in
the BEU before lunch.

What do you reckon mate, huh?

What do you reckon? That's
it, watch your mouth!

Er, I am saying get
back into your seats.

Easy money.

Sorry, Miss.

I'm just grabbing a glue stick.

It's OK.

Calm. Tranquillity.

So, what is it? We've got to plan
a route that's at least ten miles?

Ten miles? I thought
this was a camping trip,

not some hike up Everest.

I don't know why
I agreed to this.

I only wanted to
get out of lessons.

Look, these roads
are like faces.

Do you guys just not know
how to read a map, then?

They're deffo going to get lost.

No, we're not.

Shola's got it sussed,
ain't you, Sho?

I'm sorry, I can't.
Course you can.

You're, like, the smartest
kid in school. Here you go.

No, no. I meant
the camping trip.

I can't come.

We signed up to it ages ago
and you were buzzing about it.

Yeah, and I thought I could
come, but... I can't. I'm sorry.

Look, if you don't want to be
on our team, you can just...

No, no. It's not that. Honest.
What is it, then? Nothing.

Well, it's clearly not nothing.

If summat's up,
you can talk to us.

Are you not even bothered
about the extra merits?

I am, but... Sorry.

Well, you can't have
a team of just two.

You and you are losers.

Yeah, shut up. Now we can't go.

Thanks a lot, you made
us look like right mugs.

SCHOOL BELL RINGS

It's not OK, that.

Making bets about you.

What, don't they know you're
disabled? Dean, shut up.

Please. You shouldn't
stand for it.

Yeah well, I am, so
just leave it. OK?

Listen, yeah? Mm-hm. Meet
me at lunch by the side...

I can't do lunch. Meet
me at the side bins.

I've got a surprise
for you. Come here.

You know that I hate surprises.
Well, you're going to love this one.

Just me and you. OK.

It's what I know, obviously.

Well, I can't do lunch.

I've got to check
in with Casey, so...

I don't know how long
it's going to be for.

Just meet me after,
then. I can't...

I'm going to have
everything ready.

It's going to be sick.

See ya. See ya. Yes, Flo!

Yes, I know, it's fine.

I'm sorry... don't drop each other
in it like that, it's not on.

OK, Dad. It won't happen again.

Bye.

What was that all
about? Nothing.

OK, this is getting weird now.

Well weird! If summat's going
on, you should speak to someone.

What are you being all
secretive for? I'm not.

Everything is fine, so why
don't you just back off?

Yo, yo, Sho-Sho.

What's occurring? You
meditating or summat?

I've not got a date for the
next school council meeting,

if that's what you're
after. Do you really think

I'm chasing the school council
on my break? I am not you.

Why are you on your
bill, though, anyway?

Where are your mates at?

What does that mean? Like, they've
disappeared, or you've got none?

Look, right, try a sip of
this. Perk you right up.

Free sample, on the
house. New side hustle?

Nah. My uncle just
got a load cheap.

Not for resale.

No. That is rank.

Nah, I think they're decent.

Are you all right, though?

Honestly, because you look like
you've not slept for about a week.

Wow. Sorry. Nah, I don't
mean it in a bad way.

I think what I'm trying
to say is, like, look,

if you want to talk about
it, yeah, then we can.

A problem shared is a problem
done with or whatever.

Thanks for the life
advice, but I'm good.

On that, if it's something
about the school council,

yeah, then I'm pretty sure
that I can help you out.

I don't want any
help. I am fine.

I just wish that everyone
would get off my back.

OK.

Talking to trees now, are we?

I think you should just find a
genie to solve all your problems.

It's this adoption stuff.

It's taking ages.

Why do you care so much
about a piece of paper?

It didn't stop my dad
from leaving us, did it?

Adults leave, OK?

You just have to get
over it. Not always.

What, you think Mr Casey and Mr
Rutherford are forever, do you?

Don't know, but
me and Zayne are.

SCHOOL BELL RINGS

Us against the world, ain't
that right, bro? See you later.

Will having g*y dads
make you g*y, too?

Um, I don't know.

I think girls should
just stick to girls,

boys should just stick to boys
and then there'd be no arguments.

I reckon I'm going to
be g*y when I'm older.

Don't think it works
like that. Whatever.

And stop. Really good, ladies.
It's quite hard, isn't it?

Right, I'd like you all to try
the same thing in your own time.

Right, OK, then,
copy the rhythm.

OK, wait. Just one, two, three,
four. It's not that hard.

What are you chatting about?
This ain't maths, Shola.

Can you just do it?

All right, don't
get angry with me.

You know, the world's
not going to end

just cos you can't bang
two sticks together.

You're speeding up.
Can you stop it?

I'm doing what you said.
One, two, three, four.

I said, can you stop it! Ow.

Shola Aku! What was that about?

He's messing up on purpose
to make me look bad.

You could have hurt him!

Does he look like he's
hurt? He's laughing. Shola.

You had no reason to lash out.

I'm going to have to
give you a detention.

I can't... Why is it just me?

Why can't you get mad at him for
once? You attacked him, Shola.

Cos he's making me look stupid,
but, oh, no, blame Shola.

"You look like death,
Shola. Try harder, Shola."

Well, I do, but
it's never enough!

I think we need to step
outside for a minute.

SHE DROPS STICKS

Continue with your
rhythms, class. Thank you.

Go on, then. Just tell me that I'm
a big let-down and disappointment

and that I don't
deserve to be here.

Shola, calm down. Deep
breaths. Don't touch me!

I hate this school and
this stupid, stupid life.

It's all too much.

OK. Shola, do you
want to come with me

and we can go somewhere
quiet for a bit? Yeah?

Right, let's...

Excuse me, sorry. I'm looking
for Joe Casey. Yes, me.

Can I help? We spoke
on the phone. I'm Lisa.

Dwayne and Zayne's mum.

What are you... Uh...

OK, erm...

Val, could you take Shola
down to the office, please?

And I'll follow you down.

Uh, yeah, follow me. All right.

It's just this way.

In there, if you just want
to head through there.

If you just want to wait in
there for a second, I'll...

Wendy, could you call
Miss Campbell, please?

Just... something's come up I
need to deal with urgently. Yes.

She's in class, but I'll try.

Yeah, Jamilah, Miss Chambers,

could you fill Jamilah
in with everything

before you head off to class?

It's Lisa.

I know.

Right, Lisa...

Right, why don't we wait
in Miss Campbell's office

and you can tell me
what's been going on?

Sorry, I, I don't mean to be
rude, but what are you doing here?

You said we could talk.

Yeah, next week, maybe.

This is a school, right?
You can't just turn up.

I told you when I'm
free, you didn't reply.

Right, well, sorry,
I... Cut to the chase.

Do they want to
speak to me or not?

I can't answer that.

But they read my letter, right?

Yeah. But...

Lisa, the thing is, I...

With all the upheaval that
they've had, myself and Mike,

we just think that right now
some stability is important.

And that's what
you offer, is it?

Well, they've got a
safe home with us, yeah.

We've both got steady jobs.

Am I hearing you right?

You think cos you've got yourself
on a payroll, you're better than me?

That's not what I said.

I don't know how you dare.

If you've given them
such a perfect life,

why are they running away,
ending up in hospital?

Tell me that, Mr
Foster Dad of the Year.

I need to see them.

This isn't like
you at all, Shola.

Is everything OK? Is there... is
there something that we should know?

We're here to help,
whatever you need.

Are you being bullied?

What about things at home?

Look, if school council is too
much of a responsibility...

It's not that. It's just,
there's a lot of things going on.

That's all. Yeah.

Look, it's really common to
feel stressed at your age,

but that's why it's
important to talk about it

before it becomes overwhelming.

Shola, what's that?

Nothing.

You can't help.

No-one can.

SCHOOL BELL RINGS

Tell you what, why don't we
give you some space, yeah?

You can clear your head.

Does that sound OK?

Just be outside if you need us.

Something definitely
isn't right. Hmm. I know.

Let's not jump to
any conclusions yet.

Can you give Shola's parents
a call, please? Thanks.

What if I take her
into pastoral care?

It's a bit more private in there.
She might open up a bit more.

Yeah, OK. Let's do that.

Shola, Miss Omar's going to take you
down to pastoral care so you can...

Excuse me! What? Can I help you?

Yeah, I've got a one-to-one
check-in with Mr Casey.

Oh, right, well, he's a
bit tied up at the minute.

Oh, OK, well, when will
he be done? Not sure.

Go and have your lunch. I'll get him
to come and find you when he's free.

It's fine. Don't
matter. Thank you.

SIGHS

They've not heard from
you in eight years.

You practically... you
practically abandoned them.

And I live with the
shame of it every day.

But I'm getting better.

I've been sober for three
months and 18 days now.

I want to make amends.

Sorry, sorry. Three months?
Three... three months?

No, you're not ready.

To take care of them
full-time, not yet. No.

But if I keep following
my programme, I could be.

With all due respect,
Lisa, this is their lives.

It's not some step
in your recovery.

Don't you dare patronise me.

Who picks up the pieces
when you relapse again?

Look, I've got myself
a two-bed flat.

All I'm asking is
that they visit.

Stay over, maybe.

Well, we can't do anything without
consulting social services, so...

Then call them.

They'll back me 100%.

I'm their mum, for God's sake.

Can you not see that
we are trying our best?

We love those boys to bits.

So do I.

Do you know, Dwayne didn't
sleep through for two years,

and Zayne was hungry
every hour of every day.

I have the scars.

I'm grateful for
all you've done.

But I need us all back
together, sooner or later.

Right, you've got ketchup,
you've got mayo, brown, tartar.

Best of the canteen there, mate.
Yeah. Yo, D. Oi, nah, you're early.

Yeah, Casey bailed on us.

Busy, apparently,
so it's fine, innit?

Is this the surprise?

What are you doi... Ahem.

Welcome, Madame, to
Restaurant De River.

Yes, Ma'am, here we
sell Noel's finest brew.

First one's on the
house, like, yeah,

but if you do like
the taste, yeah,

do you a bit of a deal, so it's
50p for one, two for a quid.

Dean, I... No? I can't
get in trouble today.

I can't do... Chill out,
babes. Can you not...

No-one's going to see us round here.
Hey, Noel, go and look out, man.

Zayne, is that you?

Who's that?

Not sure. Please, not now.

Let me show you out.

Hey, you.

Right.

150 calories.

I've read a thousand blogs

and they all say little
and often is the best way,

and it should mean that
you don't want to... binge.

You love a blog.

Now I know what you're dealing
with, we've got to face it together.

You're not going to watch me eat,
though, are you, like a weirdo?

Oh, 100%.

Every single bite.

Bet you can't wait to stick
your nose in, can you?

Me? I'm giving them
space. Yeah, yeah.

You're not fooling anyone, you.

I think we've got
an audience. Oh.

Let them watch. In fact,
let's give them a show.

Cheers, I'll see
you later. See ya.

If she finds out about...

She won't. She won't.

You've just got to
keep her distracted.

Hi, Mrs Walters!

I love the malted ones with
the little cows on 'em.

What's your favourite?

KNOCK AT DOOR

Sorry, can I just borrow
Miss Omar, please?

I'll be a second.

How are you getting on?

Yeah, well, she's still not saying,
but she's calmed down a bit.

We still can't get hold
of the parents. Oh.

Well, given the way she's
acting and those bruises,

I think the next step would
be to contact social services.

Yeah.

Are you nearly
done? I'm starving.

Why won't they cook?

Were they fully defrosted?

How should I know?

They'll be cold in the
middle, Dean. Oh, God.

They're bloody cold all over.

Then you need to get the
barbecue hotter. How?

Oh, my... Do you know
what? I'll do it myself.

Move, man. Move out
of my way! Oh. God.

Ah, sick! Thank you. Yes.

Ooh. Shola, man!

I'm sorry, I just...

What? Where you off?
I need to go home.

What? I'm trying.

Hey, what's going on?

Don't know, Sir.

Can you smell smoke?
Smoke? No, come on. No, no.

I'm pretty sure I can smell
smoke. Look, Sir, it's not like...

Hey, what's going on?

It's nothing serious.

It's nothing at
all... It's on fire!

Right, stand back.
Kelly Jo, leave it.

I saw what happened.
It weren't us!

OK. Right, show's over.

Everyone all right?

SHE THINKS: You
can't be here, Kels.

You can't be here, you can't
be here, you can't be here!

It's gone, it's fine.

Weren't your fault.

It's out.

I can't be here, Dean.

Oi, wait, man. Oi, you're
not going anywhere.

You have some explaining to do.

First day in the mainstream,
try burning the school down?

Classic Kelly Jo, yeah? You
screw up everything, you idiot.

Stupid brain, just stop talking.

Why are they looking
at me? It's so loud.

Just shut it up.

Why can't you have fire?
Why can't you just... Aah!

You all right?

Kelly Jo? Yeah.

Yeah, I think I need to
go back into the BEU, Sir.

I think Myles was right.

What are you talking
about? I can't handle it.

I think I'm broken.
No, you're not, right?

Let's just go and have a chat.

No, no, you don't understand.
There was a fire. What?

Just round the back of the gym.

Kelly Jo, what are
you talking about?

Just, just need
some space. Sorry.

What? Kelly Jo.

Kelly Jo!

Alhamdulillah, alhamdulillah.

Alhamdulillah.

HE RECITES PRAYER

Thank you for that. It's
all right, any time.

A barbecue on school property.

Are you serious?

Right, a week's exclusion
starting tomorrow. What?

Yeah, and the rest of today,
you're in isolation. A week!

That's well harsh, Sir.
The fire was an accident.

Do you have any idea of the
damage you could have caused?

Not to mention the danger you
put yourself and Kelly Jo in.

At least I was trying to
do something nice for her.

What have you done? What's
that supposed to mean?

She came to see you
for your whatsit...

..but you weren't there.
So don't go off on me

when you're the one
that ditched her.

Right, I got caught up with
stuff. I didn't realise...

Oh, whatever! She's
lost her head now.

Guess what I heard.

That you're a massive melt?

Ah, close, but no cigar.

I heard that Mama Jackson's back
in town. What are you on about?

Well, apparently, she's been writing
little letters to her baby boys.

Now, isn't that just lovely?

You don't know what you're
chatting about. Don't I?

Then why were Miss Omar and Mr Casey
whispering about it this morning?

Now, I reckon she's heard
you're being adopted by two gays

and she's, er, kicking off.

Oh, shut up, Myles.

Or what? Hmm? What
are you going to do?

Can't start on the engine
now, can we, Dwayney boy, eh?

HE TUTS

See you around, fella.

Anything?

Point of contact's still
going to voicemail.

Keep trying.

How's Shola? You got to
the bottom of it yet?

No, not quite.

I'd better go and check
on her. Yeah, all right.

Izzy and Tonya said they overhead
her having a heated conversation

with her dad earlier, but she
wouldn't say what it was about.

It could be girls
gossiping but...

Yeah.

She got all, um,
bruising on her arms.

No, just... you know, we've
got to tread carefully.

She's gone.

Oi. Hey, now, yeah,
Shola, she's your mate.

Oh, who knows any more?

What's that meant to mean?
You fallen out or summat?

Well she's been
acting shady recently.

She won't tell us anything. so...
Yeah, well, I've just seen her

and she looks upset to me.
Is that to do with you two?

Izzy, Tonya. Have you seen
Shola? Not since music. Noel has.

When? Where? No, I'm
not a grass, me, Miss.

Noel, this is really important.

If you know where she is, you
need to tell us right now.

Oh...

She's done a runner.

She said she was
going home or summat.

OK, thank you. She in trouble?
OK, so we need to call the police,

but let's just keep
on trying the parents.

OK, I'm going over there.

No, just let the police handle
it, all right? It's protocol.

Are you joking?

No, Val, I'm not.

BOY CONTINUES RECITING PRAYER

Alhamdulillah.

Hey. Hello.

What was that that
you were saying?

Oh, I did my zikr.

I do it after every prayer.

What, so you do
that loads, yeah?

Five times a day.

I try my best. Jeez.

I didn't realise there was
that much to pray about.

Well, family, safety and peace.

Peace! Wish I could
get some peace, mate.

Have you tried praying?

Er... no.

No, I've... I've meditated, like,
once before, but it's boring.

Me head just goes off
into weird places.

Prayer helps me to focus.

Yeah? Do you think that
you could teach me one?

If that's not offensive
asking, like, sorry, I...

As long as you're not making
fun, I can show you a dua.

Yeah. Give me your phone.

Thank you, by the way.

Here's a dua I
really like. Mm-hm.

It has a translation as well.

Yeah, that's great.
Yeah, thank you.

See ya. Cheers, mate.

PRAYER PLAYS ON PHONE

You're always on
that phone, you.

You texting Mr Lover Boy?

Please never say that again.

SHE CHUCKLES

Right, so, I was thinking, what
about inviting Kai round some time?

You ready for that yet?

Maybe soon.

As long as you don't go full-on you.
Of course not, I'll be dead cas.

We could even ask Paul and Cameron
from the salon to come round.

Paul and Cameron?

You've not seen 'em in ages.

Well, yeah, but
they're... you know.

Oh, you want to hear
their coming out story.

It is so cute, but it's wild.

Oh, I wish you'd had,
like, a proper moment,

do you know what I mean?
Like, tell the world that y...

What? The... No, no. Stop.

I'm not g...

That's not what this is.

Wh... Hang on. Hang on a minute.

Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.

So, so you're...
You're bi, then?

I'm not anything, Mum.

I'm just me.

No labels.

I'm with Kai. That's it.

Hey, I was reading an article
online about throuples.

See, this is exactly what I was
talking about. OK, sorry. I'm sorry.

SCHOOL BELL RINGS
No more questions.

I'll back off... again!

CRYING

HE UNZIPS BAG

I love it. Oh, do you mind?

OK. This time next week. Deal!

Sorry, my mum collared me.

Just got a million and one
questions about us. No probs.

Is everything all right?

Yeah, yeah, all good.

What's that look about?

Nothing, I was just worried
that you were, um...

Never mind.

I don't just run off to stuff my
face every five minutes, you know?

No, I know that.

Forget it.

Sorry. You're trying to help.

I'm just not... not
used to sharing so much.

You've got your way
of dealing with it.

I get it.

Now, listen.

You don't need to worry.

I've got this under control.

TEACHER: OK, so we know

that the central theme of
Twelfth Night is love...

Mum?

Oh, Mum! Wake up. Wake
up, Mum. Come on. Wake up.

Oh, thank God.

What happened?

I need the toilet.

Oh, why didn't you call?

The phone wasn't working.

I'm so sorry. I forgot
to put it on charge.

This is all my fault.

Is it your back that's hurting?

Do you want me to
call the doctors?

I can get your
tablets in a minute.

You need to call your dad.

Tell him to come home. No,
no, it's fine. I can sort it.

Why aren't you at school?

Has something happened? Shola?

I messed up at school and
I kicked off at this lad,

and then the teachers are
going to call social services

and they're going
to split us all up.

No. No... No, no. It's fine.

I won't let them
come here, I promise.

I'm so sorry. Oh. I'm
so sorry. It's OK.

Sh. I'm sorry. It's OK. Sh.

KNOCK AT DOOR

Shola, are you in there?

Shola, can you hear
me? Shola, c...

Miss Chambers, what
are you doing here?

Looking for you.

I'm fine. Well, can I come in?

Please, you can't.

You're not in any trouble.

You need to leave.

LOUD GROAN

Mum, Mum, I know it hurts, but
you're going to be all right, OK?

Just get you into
bed, yeah? Yeah.

Right, come on.

Ow. Mum, not so tight.

It hurts.

That's it, Mrs Aku.

Let's get you up.

Ah. There you go.

What are you doing in here?

I've been looking
everywhere for you.

PRAYER PLAYS THROUGH HEADPHONES

Have I done something wrong?

I've been trying to help.

The fire weren't all
my fault, you know.

You did tell us to.

It were meant to
be romantic, like.

Just trying to make
a nice day for us.

What? Are you going to
delete us from your life now?

Dean, I just need you
to listen. That's all.

Of course.

I'm all ears.

I'm one big ear.

Eh? Yeah. Hey, I'm
not Dean no more.

I'm a ear.

"Ear" for you.

Serious, though.

Just tell me what you need
and I'll make it happen.

Well, I'll try.

I just need quiet.

Sweet.

SHE GIGGLES

One piece of quiet
coming right up.

SHE SOBS

Thank you.

Well, at least the bruising

was from helping her mum
and nothing suspicious.

Are you still with her?

I'm here with her
now, yeah. OK. Bye.

I, um... I didn't realise
your mum was so unwell.

Well, it's not always like this.

She's got fibromyalgia
and chronic back pain.

It flared up.

Today is a bad day.

Are there a lot of bad days?

Sometimes.

Listen, I don't want
to talk out of turn,

but this is a lot to deal with,

especially for someone your age.

When Dad's here, it's fine, but he
has to work away a lot more now,

and I can't ask him to come
back because we need the money.

I can cope. I can.

Most of the time.

I'm not saying you can't, but
clearly it's affecting you.

It's just hard to juggle
it all. I'm sorry.

You don't have to
apologise to me.

Usually, school
feels like a break,

but I can't seem to do
anything right at the moment.

Please don't tell
my mum all this.

It'll break her heart.

I bet she knows as much as anyone
that something's got to change.

She does.

She feels proper guilty about
it, but it's not her fault.

No, of course not. No-one
thinks that. They do.

That's why when Miss Omar
mentioned social services,

I panicked and I ran.

But why? They might
be able to help.

Mum doesn't want them knowing

cos they think that maybe
she can't take care of us

and we'll get put into care.

And what do you want?

I just want her to get better.

I hate seeing her like this,
and I don't know what to do.

Look...

..I've spoken to Miss
Campbell and Miss Omar

and told them about
the situation, so

how about we all
sit down together

and try to come up
with a plan of action?

You can't do this
forever, Shola.

Not on your own.

Are you all right?

Yeah, are you?

Yeah.

I think I'm ready
to go back now.

Are you sure? Yeah.

It's all right in
here, in't it? Hmm.

Yeah, chill vibes.

Why are you saying chill vibes?

What? You sound like my nan.

What? What are
you talking about?

Let me get that.

Thank you.

Kelly Jo.

Oh, no, Casey.

He's already excluded me. I
don't want another lecture.

Don't worry about it. Dean,
you're meant to be in isolation,

so I don't know what
you're doing here.

Where have you been?

Just in there, cooling down.

I'm really sorry again that
I missed our meeting today.

I let you down. No, it
was fine. I'm over it.

The trial was a
stupid idea anyway.

No, it was not a stupid idea.

Today is my fault, I...

Now, listen, yeah?

What she needs is quiet time,

and for you to just, like,
understand her and that.

Right.

Right, right, well, come
find me at the end of the day

and we can have a chat. Yeah?

Yeah. Come on. Thanks
for that. It's all right.

I know it can't have been
easy opening up today,

but it's so much better
now that we know.

I'm so embarrassed.

There's nothing to
be embarrassed about.

Yeah, well, it's not
normal, though, is it?

"Oh, what did you do
yesterday, Shola?"

"Taught my sister phonics,
then I did the washing up,

"and then I gave my mum a bath."

My mates think I'm
weird enough as it is.

I think your mates care about
you more than you think.

And you're allowed to be a kid.

We can help you be one again.

I'm not a kid, I'm 14.

Legally you are, and
we have a duty of care

to make sure that you are
safe and looked after.

I am safe, and I can look
after everyone, I promise.

Yes, but is it what
you really want, Shola?

I don't know.

If Mum wasn't sick, I could
hang out with my mates

and be normal, and
I can't go into care

cos what would happen to
my mum and my sisters?

But what if there was
another option, Shola?

We can put you forward for
a young carer's assessment.

If you qualified, it'd mean

that you still get to be
at home with your mum,

but you'd just get a bit
of additional support

to help you manage everything.

Social services! No way.

They are there to help.

No-one wants to
split up your family.

Yeah, but Mum will get worried.

Then she won't sleep, then
she'll just get worse.

I can speak to her. I'll
explain everything to her

and put her mind at ease.

We just want you and your mum to
know that we are on your side.

But what if they don't
think I'm good enough

to look after her properly?

Zayney Jay, my main man.

How are we?

All right. Why?

Ah, nothing major.

Just seeing how you are with all
this mum stuff, that's all. What?

Oh, has Dwayne not told you?

Basically, your mum - she
tried sending you letters

but good old Daddy Casey's
holding out on you.

Joe wouldn't do that.

Well, I'm just being honest.

Why would I fake-talk
about something like that?

Come on. Hey? I'm
looking out for you.

I know what it's like to feel
left out as well, you know.

My older brothers, they...

..they never told
me anything either.

Me and Dwayne aren't
like that. Really?

Then how come he's
known about this all day

and not said a thing? Tell me.

Exactly.

Right, well, I'd better bounce.

Bring it in.

I'll see you around,
big man, yeah?

Yeah? Good lad.

Where are we even going, Sir?

Just... follow me, right?

Right? Ta-dah.

What even is this? Well, only
a prototype at this stage

because I want your input,

but this is the beginnings
of a sensory room.

Sensory? Sounds
filthy, doesn't it?

Dean, shut up. Sorry. It's fine.

Right, this is somewhere that
you can come to break away

and get a bit of calm.

Like a prayer room. Yes.

Well, sort of, just
for neurodiverse pupils

or, well, anyone who's
got additional needs.

Sick.

Wish I was ADHD, man.

What? Not really, I just mean...

Just take a seat.

All right.

I let you down today,

and I want to do
everything that I can

to help you with your
transition back into mainstream.

So I'm not going
back into the BEU?

Well, not unless
you want to. No.

No. Didn't think so.

So I've spoken to Miss Campbell

and we're going to find a
permanent space like this

that's available to
you at all times.

Nah, I don't want no special
treatment, like... But... What? No.

No, it's not special
treatment, is it? Well, it is.

It's not, Kelly Jo.
It's our job, right,

to make sure that
you've got access

to the same opportunities
as everybody else.

Yeah? Yeah. Right.

Thoughts? Shall we
give it another shot?

Yeah, all right. Yeah?

Yeah. Love it. Right,
go on. Try it out.

Sick.

Does this mean I'm not
excluded as well, Sir?

No, you definitely, definitely
are still excluded, Dean,

but I might think about
dropping it to three days

if you clean up
the mess you made.

Yeah. Yeah? Yeah. Deal? Yeah.

Vigorous. Very vigorous. All
right, go on. Take a seat.

This will do you wonders
with that kind of power.

Hey, kid. Fancy a kickabout?

All right, what's up?

Is it true about Mum?

I don't know. Why?

Myles said... Oh, listen,
that boy is a messer.

You can't believe a word that
comes out of his mouth, OK?

But what if he's right? I saw
this woman with Joe at lunch.

She was staring at me.

You sure it were not just
some teacher or summat?

Should we ask him?

No. But we'll find out. Come on.

Earth to Val.

You do know we've got a
dishwasher, don't you?

I can't stop
thinking about Shola.

Sometimes we make mistakes.

About earlier...

I shouldn't have gone
off like that. No.

No, you really shouldn't.

I'm sorry.

Oh, wow.

Val Chambers, was that an actual
apology? Are you feeling OK?

I just didn't think.

I completely misread the situation
and went in all g*ns blazing.

I mean, we were all
thinking the same thing.

Must have been a shock
when you got there, though.

You could say that.

Val, your heart is
in the right place,

but you've just got
to trust me more.

I want what is best
for all of these kids,

but sometimes that means
having to make the tough calls.

PHONE BUZZES

Mum, is everything OK?
Do you need something?

I'm fine, love. You don't have
to panic every time I call.

I know, but...

The lady from the school
just phoned - Miss Omar.

She told me about the
young carer's assessment.

We don't have to do
it if you don't want.

No, this could be
exactly what we need.

I hate being a burden on you.

We'll talk when
you get home, OK?

Love you.

Love you too.

Yo! See you've come back.

Look, I didn't mean to
grass you up or anything.

I was just worried about you.

Aw, aren't you a softie?

I know, don't tell anyone.

Seriously, though, like,

if you need anything, just
give us a shout, yeah?

Also, two-for-one
on my energy drinks.

I'm good, thanks.

Well, I think your friends
want to speak to you,

so see you around,
Sho-Sho. See you.

I'm really sorry about
the camping trip, guys.

I did want to go.
We're in a team.

You really need to
stop apologising.

We didn't want to go anyway.

You gave us a good excuse.

Heard you did a runner.

Had all the teachers
cacking their pants!

Everything sorted now, yeah?
Well, yeah, but no, not really.

Sort of. It's just,
it's complicated.

Complicated? Have
you seen our lives?!

Bet it's not as cringe
as getting evicted

and the whole school watching
you drag your suitcases away.

Yeah, that was pretty tragic.

Whatever it is,
we've got your back.

It's my mum.

She's... she's been
sick for a while.

Hello. Just wanted to say thank
you for everything with Shola.

And I know I should
have been here, but...

Hey, honestly, it's fine.

You can't be everywhere all
at once, can you? Right.

I'll send over the report when
I've finished. OK, thank you.

So, Lisa. How'd it go?

Oh, it wasn't easy.

But... needed to happen,
though, didn't it? Yeah.

Think I was selfishly
putting it off.

Hmm, I don't want to
say I told you so.

Oh, well, you just
did! SHE CHUCKLES

No, you were right,
you were right.

I can't keep the
letter from the boys.

I'm going to give
it to them tonight.

Yeah, I think that's a
smart decision. Yeah, yeah.

You know, I think
talking about it openly

will bring us closer
together. I think.

He's finally come to his senses.

All right, see you
later. See you.

PHONE PINGS

Oh, for... Got to be joking.

Where did I put it?

No.

OK. Uh...

Boys, right, I can explain.

I was going to give that to
you tonight. Yeah, right.

Dwayne, I was trying
to protect you.

I didn't want her to come
in and hurt you both again.

Was that Mum earlier?

She wasn't supposed
to be here, but, yeah.

You talk about honesty and trust,
and all this time you've been lying.

I know, I know, and I'm sorry.

Dwayne, it was all the
stuff with the adoption.

I was... scared that I was
going to lose you both.

You still should have
told us. You're right.

You are absolutely right.

Come on, let... We can go
home and we'll get some food

and we'll chat about this later
properly. No, it's too late.

I've called Mum, we're
going to meet her

and there's nothing you
can do about it. W...

Dwayne!