03x17 - Episode 17

[bunniefuu]

I know about your past, Rachel,

our fine upstanding head teacher
was once a prost*tute.

Now that I am backing the running I need
you to make sure that I win that contract.

He told me that he was desperate
and his company was going under.

He blackmailed you?

Ah, look at Lawson's daft
four-by-four.

I've made my mind up.

Don't resign, please. I'm sorry.

Chlo! Breakfast!

Chlo!

No way! It's too far.

It's London, not the moon.

This demo's important. Leon says

it's got a chance of making
people think about the environment.

Leon this, Leon that, it's
all I've heard all weekend.

I haven't even met him.
Neither has she.

And you're on thin ice an' all. Why?

Cos you're way too smart to
give blue rinses all your life.

That's debateable.

Well, when I've got my
own Saturday job, experience...

No hairdressing. No London.
You're unreal.

Look, it's great that you've got a
hobby and an interest in the environment.

A hobby!
This is about where we live.

The air we breathe.

Oh, so you won't want a lift
to school in the motor car?

No, thanks, I'll cycle...

and I'm going to London.
You can't stop me.

♪ Back to the start
Back to the start again

♪ And I don't know why
I feel this way... ♪

Hi, Paul, what are you reading?

It's the story of Macbeth,
it's to give us a head start.

Mr Wilding's asked us to read it
but it's a load of gobbledygook.

It's a good idea. I should have had
one of these in my day.

You could borrow mine if you want.

Maybe I will, I can't believe I've got through 40-odd
years without knowing my Othello from my Hamlet.

Here, get thee to registration.

Come on, you lot.

Five minutes to registration,
get a shift on!

What's up?
Tom's being a pig, that's all.

He doesn't want me... Sorry, he's not "letting"
me go on the de-forestation demo next week.

What? Means we could do something.

I'm going. Don't think I'm giving up
in what I believe just cos Tom says so.

Why's this demo so important?

Leon says that de-forestation is
like smoking. The damage is hidden.

He says we should be doing anything and
everything we can to increase awareness.

But we can hardly bring
the rain-forest to Rochdale.

I wouldn't be so sure.

Come on!

Come on, shift it, the pair of you.
We're not going anywhere.

We've got a job to do here.

I don't think you have. Come again?

You're not vandalising our heritage
and jeopardising our future.

Listen, sonny, you are
starting to get on my...

I'm not your son, Neanderthal,
if I was I'd be flipping burgers.

- Don't you get it? By k*lling these trees you're k*lling the planet.
- Think about it.

Oh, now you put it like that,
I know where you're coming from.

What have I been doing all
these years[?] Lech, give me a hand.

We've got a couple of tree huggers.

Lay one finger on us and you'll be sharing a
jail cell with someone even uglier than you.

Maybe we don't have to
lay a finger on you... sonny!

Don't move. He won't do anything,
he can't.

We're not moving!

ENGINE REVS

I'll get the head teacher,

he can sort them.

We can get back-up too.

Hiya. Hey, watch the six-pack.

Should I let Mika
go on a demo in London?

Some "save the trees" march.

She got involved with this guy over the internet,
he sounds like a right knit-your-own-yoghurt type.

Well, erm, if she's going with people

that you don't know, I'd say no,

and I think you're right
to be concerned, but..

But what?

Well, she's nearly eighteen
and passionate about her beliefs.

So I should let her go?

Well, that's your decision.

All I'm saying is that... is that whether you
think her views are immature or just plain daft,

you need to respect them.

Have you told anybody I'm leaving?

No. Not yet. I'm going to put it
in the final newsletter to parents.

I'm just writing
out the new deputy's job spec.

It's given me a chance to
really think about the role...

I want to expand the senior
management team next year.

So they're not
parachuting anyone in then?

No, no, just
a straightforward replacement.

With the new staff
restructuring next year,

in some ways you going now makes it
a relatively easy transition.

Ooh, fingers crossed. We'll
get a good field of candidates.

Any internal candidates, you think?

No. No, I want new blood.

TELEPHONE RINGS

I want fresh ideas, someone with
real enthusiasm and passion.

Hi... Tom Clarkson's done
a good job with pastoral...

OK. Erm, right,
we'll send someone down in a minute.

Looks like we've run into our first
little snag with the building work.

Apparently we have a little protest
on our hands.

Sounds like one for you, Eddie.

Just for a change[!]

Are you looking forward to seeing

Donte in action? I'm not bothered.

I think
I prefer more normal subjects.

All this work-related learning
stuff's doing my head in.

But you love the hairdressing,
what's up with you?

Nothing, I'm just so bored with the
whole merits for self-promotion thing.

Not that Celine's got a problem
with it, she loves showing off.

I just don't want to see them lot,
"Oh, babes, you're amazing."

It makes me feel sick. Yeah, right,

or do you just not like seeing
Donte doing well for himself?

I'd love to see
Donte do well for himself.

I can't believe you've
said that, Maxine. All right.

What are you lot doing?

Get back to registration!

HE SIGHS

How did I know it was
going to be you two?

Right, we'll talk about this inside.

No chance. We're staying put.

It wasn't a request.

Miss Grainger, I seriously suggest
you consider your options...

- We're not letting this lot rip up in five minutes
what it's taken - nature a hundred years to create.

What? And these trees are going
to make a difference? Absolutely.

I know you're a maths teacher,

but you've heard of photosynthesis.

Mika, I would love to stand here and
discuss the ins and outs of biodiversity,

but this building guarantees a future for
pupils who don't have your academic prowess.

That's a bit patronising. You've

got an NVQ in that already, Brett.

What about re-planting?

Replace all the ones
we take out, two for one.

Trees take ages to grow...

what about now,
OUR green space, OUR environment?

This could be
considered a criminal act.

- Civil disobedience, Mr Lawson. There's an
honourable tradition - of it in this country.

- Do you know how pathetic that sounds?
- What's going on, Mika?

You lot, do one.
We're joining the protest, sir.

This is an issue the school magazine
can't afford to ignore, sir.

And we've got a chance
to be part of the story.

Don't even think about it. Get.

Now!

Eddie.

It's our Mika, isn't it?

They're stood in front
of a three-ton JCB.

They could have been k*lled.
What's going on in their heads?

I'll have a word.
I'll get them in.

There's no need to let Rachel know. She already
knows and she's not happy. You'd better come with me.

But it says in the window, "Corfu, out of
Manchester, fourteen nights, 216 quid".

Well, I've got a similar deal
in Portugal and that's 199.

Me and the girls
are going together - sun, sand...

You get the picture.

OK, what about two weeks in Ibiza
and that's...

four sharing.

Do you think that's really
Donte or a clone? I know.

He sounds like a proper travel agent.

..for three of us to share,
anyone can see that.

Just look at your computer screen
and see what else you can find.

Well, perhaps, maybe you could
bring someone else with you.

Well, what are you doing
for the next two weeks?

- HE CLEARS HIS THROAT
- I'm with somebody, sorry.

Your loss.

She must be fit.

Oh, she is. Really fit.

Oh, great, we get the picture.

That was brilliant, Donte.

You stayed calm and you
didn't get angry with her.

Well, the boss says it only
feeds the situation, Miss.

So, soak it up is best
and you just keep smiling.

She's his girlfriend.
It's hardly a test.

OK, Donte, Celine,
how do you fancy round two...

..against me?
And where would you like to go, sir?

We need to nip this in the bud.

No, no, no, no, I need to.
Aren't you supposed to be teaching?

Tom and I can deal with this.
No, I'm not teaching at the moment.

You should be trying to find yourself another
job, not worrying about this place. Right.

But I bet you in five minutes Hordley's on that
phone wondering why his 120-quid-a-day workers

are sitting round on their backsides
drinking tea and playing rummy!

DOOR SLAMS SHUT

Er, Eddie's leaving? Yeah.

Yeah, he, erm,
he resigned last week.

Right, we'll let them stew
for a bit before we speak to them.

With a bit of luck they might
get bored and call it a day.

- Oh, we also need to make sure that no more kids
get involved - and then it's over to you, Tom.

What d'you mean? With your good parenting
skills you should be able to talk Mika round,

get things back to normal.
Right, yeah.

That's for flights, er, three nights in
Reykjavik and a trip to the hot springs.

Hey, and if you pay for it now, sir,
we'll give you the 5% online discount.

- Yeah, we're going to have to put a hold on that,
the customer - wants to check with his party first.

I'll tell you what, I'll go for it.

We need both names.
You and... a friend?

Yep, it's Colin, Colin Scott.

Credit card?

He's brilliant. He could
sell burgers to your sister.

You OK, Chlo? I'm fine.

It'll be twice
the price tomorrow, that.

And you are going to be
one very rich man.

I don't think she's feeling well,
sir.

I'll just see if she needs anything.

Have you got insurance for that,
sir?

Hey. What's wrong?
I thought I was dealing with it,

but I can't.

You want him back?

Well, first thing you've got to do,
don't let Donte see it's bothering you.

What, is it that obvious? D'oh!

I miss him.

I really miss him.

It's too hard watching THEM.

They've only
been going out a few weeks.

Try a couple of months
and they're so into one another.

I should go talk to him.
Don't start chasing him.

So what do I do?
Donte hasn't seen you loved up yet.

Go out with somebody else.

Yeah, but like who? Dikran from
Colin's office. He was up for it.

He's texted me, but...
Chlo. Text him back.

What have you got to lose?

Do it.

I bet any money
that Donte's not over you.

He can't be.
You were together too long.

SCHOOL BELL RINGS

DISTANT SHOUTING

I can't believe I just did that.

I thought Janeece
was coming back to school today.

Maybe she needed a bit more time.

It's ridiculous, it could have been
any one of us. He had all our photos.

We'd have seen though him,
he knew that.

He went after Janeece cos she's the
one who wouldn't. That's what Steph said.

She's right.

Only a muppet like me could have
fallen in love with that creep.

I know. I look a mess.

You heard all of that?

You can hear everything
if you're in there long enough.

What's this about a tree protest?

Mika's on this green kick thing.

Come on, let's go check it out.

I'm not sure.

Oh, it'll be a laugh, come on.

Inside - now! Come on, kids.

The playing fields
are out of bounds.

Nobody is allowed beyond this point.

Cos of the tree protest, Miss?

- No, we don't want you endangering - yourselves. Or do
you just not want us to hear what they've got to say?

We've got nothing against free speech.
That's why you've got the school council.

And I don't know about you but I'm getting
sick of Mika's free speech right now.

Why don't we just drag them in,
kicking and screaming.

You've got a lot to learn about teenage
girls if you think that laying down the law

will make them do
what you want them to do.

It never worked with me
and it won't work with Mika.

Come on kids, let's get inside,
that's enough.

MOBILE PHONE RINGS

Come on, move on.

Oh, no! It's Dikram.

Where?

I'm in my uniform.
Looks like you've pulled, Chlo.

I know what I'd do
if Mika was my daughter.

Oh!

Might be a good day
to bury bad news.

Hordley's donation.

He's bounced a cheque on us?
Well, these things happen. Do they?

Do you want me to tell Rachel?
No, I'll deal with it.

Wonder how Mason's going to get
herself out of this little jam.

She can't keep them in all day.

With a bit of luck Aspinall will

get the whole school behind him
and it's free periods for all.

You are the one thing I'm not
going to miss about this place.

Hmm, moving on? Eddie?

You're leaving?

I've handed in my resignation, yeah.

Been offered a headship? No.

Then what the heck
are you going for?

Let's just say there are "irreconcilable differences"
between me and the way this school is run.

What's that supposed to mean? It means he's had
a falling out with Her Highness, the Super-Head.

Has Rachel asked you to go?
No, it was my decision.

Made your day has, it? Well,
it was always going to end in tears.

But to be honest I thought
you'd last another term or two.

Ooh, how much did it cost you?

Erm, nothing...

it's a lease car. I only drive it
to look cool and attract women.

Well, it works for me.

- Well,
- it wasn't really working for me.

So, erm,
shall I pick you up at lunchtime?

Where are we going?

Up to you, I was just made up
to get your text really.

Right then, see you later.
See you later.

♪ She loves him
She wants to kiss him

♪ She wants to marry him... ♪

I'm only doing it
to make him jealous. Yeah, right.

No, it's true. Whatever!

Where is everybody?

So, which one of you lot's Mika?

Why do you want to know? Leon?

I said I'd help out, didn't I?

This is your internet eco-guy?

And you are?

This is... Brett.

Mika and I have been
co-ordinating the protest.

Really? You look like you couldn't run
a bath, mate. There's more on their way.

MOBILE PHONE RINGS

Right, we've got
a lot of work to do.

Yeah, approach from the rear...

Silly sods are only watching
the school. I'll meet you there.

Well, getting them in
was the easy part.

How are you going to stop
the protest? I'm not, you are.

Your powers of persuasion coupled

with the threat of 45 days exclusion

should bring them to their senses. What
happened to not laying down the law?

My role as head and your role
as a dad are poles apart.

Mika and Brett are
disrupting the whole school.

And they're pulling other kids
into it. I'll deal with it.

Tom, I want those builders
digging holes in twenty minutes.

Hey, you OK, anything I can do?

No, I've got it covered. It'll soon blow
over, I'll try and respect Mika's views.

You've got to stop this.

Oh, OK then,
since you asked so nicely[!]

Miss Mason has asked me to tell you that unless
you call a halt to this you'll be excluded.

You'll be out
till the end of the year.

- You'll miss your exams, everything. My parents are going to k*ll me.
- She doesn't scare me.

Come on, Mika, think about it.

I know you're passionate but this could
affect your future. What would your mum say?

Don't start with all that
"What would your mother say" stuff.

OK, look.

You can go to London. I'll even
give you the train fare myself.

Embarrassing you, am I? Look, we are
not giving up until an agreement

is made to save these trees.

You will be excluded. That's no exams,
no qualifications, no university - nothing.

For a few trees?

Thanks for taking
my views seriously.

You just don't get it, do you?

This is something I NEED to do, something I really
care about and if you can't see that, then...

Mika... Just get lost, Tom.

Tax,

bank interest, mortgage rates -
all percentages.

VAT, 17½% on everything you buy.
Why is that?

That is a very good question.

But at least it's easy to work out.



If you know 10%
you can work out 17½%.

No calculator required.

What's the VAT on...





Wicked. Like I said, 10%'s easy.

What's half of ten?



And half of that is...

Bolton?

CLASS LAUGHS GENTLY

Bolton! Sorry, sir.


plus 2½% equals?



Late night was it, Bolton? No, sir.

Just come to have
that little chat with Paul.

- I thought we were leaving that to the heads of department meeting?
- It's an executive decision, so...

Paul, can we have a word please,
mate?

CLASS: OOh!

Calm down, everyone.

Nothing to worry about, mate.

VAT on 743 quid.

No calculators, back in a minute.

Bolton! What?

So what would you say to rejoining
the main school curriculum?

What, back in normal class?

Based on the progress you've made
this term, we think you're ready.

So, I get to sit the GCSEs?

GCSEs, and everything
that comes with them. Yeah!

Go on.

Eddie, you have done a really
good job with that class.

Look, I know it's a lot to ask
but...

- When the new deputy head arrives - would
you talk them through what you've done here,

You know, your scheme of work, your
lesson plans, that sort of thing?

It's just I'd hate
hard work go to waste.

Yeah, sure.

Great.

Wake up Bolton!

- They won't come in, I don't know what they're playing at.
- SHE SIGHS

Where did you find this guy?

Online. He's not exactly

a hard-core eco warrior, is he?

He's got a website.

And?

He's done loads of protests,
one in Manchester,

one somewhere down in Kent.
He knows what he's doing.

Oi, are you two just going
to stand and watch or what?

Start putting
another one of these out.

Spare gloves in my bag,
wire cutters in my rucksack.

They chain themselves to the trees.

Ey, come on, chop chop,

we haven't got all day you know.

So, how long have you been
seeing Mr Sports Car?

I want all details and pin numbers.

He's picking her up at lunchtime.

It's early days.

And he's loaded.

- Ey, he's taking her to lunch at that
dead posh restaurant - on Merchant Street.

Can we just drop it?

Isn't this sort of
defeating the object?

We're defending the tree.

So no-one else can get up there?

You have to get up pretty early in the
morning to catch you out, Mr Clarkson.

I hate to point this out, Brett, but you're
not actually up there yourself yet, are you?

We've got that covered, ta.

Who's Swampy?

Yeah, funny,
not heard that before[!]

You can call me Leon.
That's Spoons, Flapper.

Well, Miss Mason's definitely going to call the
police now. Well, it's nice to put a face to the name.

You do all your brain-washing, oh,
I'm sorry, recruiting, on-line, do you?

Very dedicated to the cause.

She was to her school work
and what do you do, Leon,

when you're not up trees?

Well, normally I'm on the ground.

Are you here for a reason, Tom?

Miss Mason called a school council
meeting. She wants you and Brett to attend.

And she thought
we'd come running, did she?

Mika, it'd be a good place
to get our point across.

No, we leave and they've won.

I'll go. You stay.

No, Brett.
We need to stick together.

Mika, this is serious.

When Miss Mason finds out that this lot
are on the school premises she'll go ape,

the police'll be here in minutes.

Why don't you let Brett talk to her.

Fine, do what you want.
Don't do me any favours.

No, it would be a good chance to
negotiate, we can sit down and talk.

Aleesha, Danielle, do you want
to go? Yeah, course. We'll go.

Right, here's a list of our demands.

I don't know,
she just asked me to sit in.

But I started the school council,
it's my responsibility.

Well, maybe she's got a plan
for when you leave.

D'you think you'll stay in teaching?
What?

Well, it's just that they're
recruiting for that new supermarket.

Ah, sir. Are you going?
Miss Haydock said you're leaving.

Do you not you like it here, sir?
W-What did she...

Look, I haven't made a decision yet,
all right?

Well, that's it.
I'm calling the police.

That's what this Leon character wants,
well publicity, his face in the paper.

He's nothing. It's just him
and two of his mates.

Tom, they're on school premises.

The police'll shift them in minutes.
Yeah, well they won't.

They've put up a barbed wire barricade
and they're going to climb the tree.

Look, I'm pretty sure
that Brett wants to give up.

If we let him work on Mika
then they'll move on.

Then I will give it
till the end of lunchtime.

So is this everything?

Yeah.

"Light bulbs, paper cups for the
coolers, energy efficient heating.

"Uniform..." Uniforms?
We want ethically-made uniforms.

Mika says the kids that make our
uniforms in Third World sweatshops

don't go to school...
Is this a wind-up.

So this is
a Fairtrade/eco-protest?

KNOCK ON DOOR

Oh, Mr Aspinall,
down from the trees, I see.

Yes, Miss. Temporarily.

I'm afraid that list of demands
is now superfluous.

Ha, Davina, I need a favour.

Will you ask Grantly
to cover my Year Nines?

I need to be in this council meeting and sort
this business out with Mika. Sure. Cheers.

She's not still up a tree, is she?

Look, it'd be funny
if it wasn't so serious.

She could get excluded over this.

Look, Tom, I'm sorry. I know
the girls've been through a lot

but, well, I remember my dad
dragging me out of the school disco once

and at the time I hated him for it
but it was the right thing to do.

You know, a good telling off
never did me any harm.

Thanks for the advice.
I'm only trying to help.

- This is a crucial time for Chlo
- and Mika. If I get this wrong...

I think they've got you wrapped
around their little fingers.

You just need
to stand up to them.

Well, you are full
of great advice today[!]

Well, it's your call.

And it's a lot of money.

How much is the delay costing?

I don't know but it's probably
more than this.

A conservation garden,
the cheeky devils.

And now they've got these
Eco-Warriors winding them up.

Look, you know when you were a kid
and you started to go out on dates,

the only things the boys were interested in was
getting to fourth base as quickly as possible, yeah?

I hate to think where
this is leading but, yeah.

So to give them something
to keep them interested,

you let them get to first base.

OK, so hopefully
they forget about fourth.

Exactly. Give them a bit of top,
get to keep your knickers on.

Or so I'm told.

Shall we give it a go?

I need a word. Two minutes, yeah?

What's going on? I'm still
the deputy - I've got a contract.

You're handing out
all my responsibilities.

When you signed that piece of paper,
you washed your hands of this place.

I have to think about the future. Steph
Haydock? Steph has worked here for 15 years.

Her loyalty isn't in question.

I mean, what's he asking me for?

What do I know?
Well, he's struggling...

a sixteen year-old
and a seventeen year old, come on?

Yeah, well,

all I seem to do is wind him up.

Tom's a good guy.
He knows you mean well.

Mmm, I don't know, I haven't got

a very good feeling about this.

Listen, he's crazy about you.

Is he?

Oh, Chlo, you look mint, babe.

Is it the lad with the sports car?

Yeah. He's taking her out for lunch,
that's all I got out of her.

Well, good for Chlo, eh? Come on.

..Ice caps melting,
oceans getting warmer,

summers of rain, winters of sun.

It's happening already.

It makes me so angry.

Good, it should.

So, who is this Tom fella
when he's at home?

He's my stepdad, kind of...

He's so nice, but it's just,
he listens but he doesn't hear.

Or he hears but he doesn't listen,
whatever.

And what's your story?

I've always loved nature and that,
like animals.

Used to beg my mum for a pet.

Yeah, sure, but why this,

why take up the struggle?

This is some serious stuff we're
dealing with here. Yeah, I know.

I just,

I wanted to be taken seriously.

People were slagging me off
cos I turned veggie.

Mika, this isn't about YOU, you
know, or me or Spoons or anybody,

you need to be in this
for the planet, no-one else.

Humans are naturally solipsistic.
You need to condition your mind

to think altruistically.

I mean, if you're just in this
for yourself, then,

well, we might just as well
pack up and go home. No.

No, I'm not in this for myself...
I want to do what's right.

Are they listening yet?

Well, ask me who's just negotiated a fully
organic conservation garden in the school grounds?

They're moving the new building?

Mika, they can't.

No. But Mason's agreed to offset
any environmental damage,

plant twice as many trees
and establish this garden -

it's a complete victory.

- I don't know about you,
- but I came here to save these trees.

So did I.

Guys,
I want to save the trees too, but...

Well, come on. You've fought a good
fight, Brett's got you a good deal.

Miss Mason's even gone way out
on a limb for you. Ey up.

No, she didn't. These trees are still
going to die - that's non-negotiable.

Mika? You listen to me.
This is going to end now!

She's serious about the expulsion and trespass and
criminal damage and anything else she can think of.

Oooh, that's really scary, mate[!]

I'm not your mate
and you're not Mika's.

She should be in school. Hello.
Mika IS here!

I'm warning you, Mika
you get down... now!

You're not listening to me.
I AM listening to you

and I've been listening to you for the last
two months. I've had enough, now grow up.

What,
so I can be like the rest of you?

Do you think I'm going to stand by and let
you throw 13 years of school down the drain?

I'm not doing that, this is
MY decision and you can't stop me.

Well, we'll see about that.

Tom!

Ooh, er... I'd watch that, mate,

it's nasty stuff.

Can I help you, mate?

Oi,
what d'you think you're playing at?

You want to work. They're in the trees. So let's
make a start by shifting this barbed wire, eh?

Sorry, you're not insured. What?
For a pair of bolt-cutters. Oi,

I told you... Don't you want to work?

Yeah, well, help me clear this lot
and you can get cracking.

Have teachers' IQs fallen
since I was at school?

I said you're not insured
to work on this site.

Now hop it!

- THEY LAUGH
- Yeah, you tell him, slap-head.

It's only lunch.

Hiya.

You, er, you look great.

Sorry I'm a bit late.
That's all right.

D'you fancy bunking off up a tree?

Oh, I thought you'd never ask.

Where's she going? And who's that?

Mmm, what happened to the trials and
tribulations of Z-list celebrities, then?

You mean this?

Monsieur Legard
sent it over for me.

You know the millionaire businessman
in France I've been liaising with?

The language labs?

Hmm, so he does exist then.

Well, of course he does. He's coming
over in a fortnight. Have a look at this.

It's in French.

"My Dear Stephanie...",
he's a bit straight-laced,

"I am very much looking forward to seeing
you again..." blah, blah, blah, blah,

"and I can confirm that my
organisation is considering your project"

"for a substantial cash sum."

What do you think of that?
Not a lot.

Comes to something when the education
system's being propped up by foreigners,

not content with nicking our football
clubs, they're after our schools as well.

People having difficulty
closing cupboards!

Er, look, Davina, I wouldn't.

He doesn't look like
he's in the mood to talk.

Wait till
all this tree stuff's over.

Well, he doesn't look like
he's handling it very well.

Anyway there's no point
in me saying anything,

I'll just get my head blown off.

Two more - good.

Right, we need to hit back,
show them we can't be intimidated.

I think Mr Clarkson's just demonstrated
they can't do much if we're up here.

You're just kids playing games.
That's what they're banking on.

Well, we didn't know we were
going to be doing this today.

So, we need to make an impact,

do something they won't be
expecting. I could call the press?

No, no.

Leave it to me.

I know what we can do.

Bonjour.

Je voudrais parler a Claude Legard?

Claude?

Ah, comment ca va? C'est moi.

Steph.

Steph...
Steph Haydock, Waterloo Road.

La rue de Waterloo...

My mum loved this place.
I've never been here before.

I was pretty gobsmacked
when I got your text.

Oh, I'd been thinking about you
for a while, you know.

I, er,
I thought you weren't interested.

That was the vibe
I was getting a few weeks ago.

I just needed to be sure.

I haven't done a lot of dating
since my last relationship.

Oh, sorry. Painful experience?

No, not really.

SHE SCREAMS

You lunatic. You could have k*lled
someone. The classrooms were empty.

We didn't ask you to go
and smash up the school.

It's just to create a little ripple, that's
all. Yeah, chill, Brett, no-one got hurt.

Yeah, we know what we're doing.

It's only a few cuts and bruises, and
better that than a roasted planet, yeah?

Call in the police, that's what
I say. It was a couple of blokes.

We need protecting here,
either that or danger money.

I don't think it's safe to teach

on that side of the school, eh?

No, we should send everybody home.

Just like that, the whole school?

What's it to you whether
the school stays open or not?

Mr here today, gone tomorrow?

This is down to that eco lot. Eddie,
can you go and find Tom, please?

This is a health and safety issue.

We shouldn't have to work
under these conditions.

OTHERS SOUND AGREEMENT

Still think bringing them
in on this was a good idea?

They're making people
sit up and take notice.

When this is over
we are in a lot of trouble.

- Well, if that's what it takes, then it's a small price to pay.
- The end justifies the means?

Maybe we're just a bit naive. This
problem's bigger than a few panes of glass.

And if someone gets hurt?
No-one's going to get hurt.

But if you don't want to stay
that's fine. Don't be daft.

I'm not leaving you up here with him.

Look at the likes of Nicky Clarke, Trevor
Sorbie, I mean, hairdressing is big business,

if you've got the drive and passion
for it, I'd say definitely go for it.

It's just the idea
of working for myself...

doing something that I love doing.

Ah, it's the best. Listen,
I can help you with a business plan,

this is something you really want
to do, just discuss it with Tom.

- He'll see the passion you've got for it.
- MOBILE BEEPS

Oh, erm, I'll give you a lift back,
eh? No, there's no need.

I've got to get some stuff in town.

Call me, yeah?

Yeah... 'Course.

Where the hell have you been?

- I needed some stuff in town. You've
- skipped school to go shopping?

It's not clothes.

It's a couple of brushes,
combs and a new hairdryer.

For hairdressing? I'm going to need

my own stuff. I've got a job in town.

We'll talk about this later.
No, we won't.

It's just a Saturday job.

Chlo! Does she always ignore you?

Someone could have been k*lled.

Come on, it's just a couple of
panes of glass. Nobody got hurt.

It's gone a little bit
too far now, Tom.

Look, it's just a few
militant nutters, it's not our Mika.

But it's time to let them know they either
come down, now, or I'm excluding them.

OK, you need to come down now
or we'll have to call the police.

You've got three minutes.

Good. We want people to
know what's happening.

Look, most of you
are in this for the skive.

So don't get arrested for
the sake of skipping double Maths.

This isn't about
a few light bulbs any more.

No, it's not.

Miss Haydock and Mr Budgen were both in
their rooms when the windows came through.

They're lucky they
weren't seriously injured.

Is Miss Haydock OK?

Well,
she'd like to see a friendly face.

Oh, I can't be doing

with this today. Come on.

Sameen? Do you think this is worth
expulsion and a possible criminal record?

That's where you're all headed.

THEY GRUMBLE

Sorry, Mika.

Your Mika is a right mentalist.

She's not still up a flaming tree?

Mr Lawson says
they're getting suspended.

- Hey, what's happening with you
- and Dikran?

Oh, no, Janeece, I'm telling you

she's in love. As if!

She so is.

Listen, you're not going
to get a criminal record.

You'll probably just get a warning.

And you believe him, do you?

These trees have been here
for hundreds of years.

This is a limited offer,
you've got one minute left.

After that, all you're getting is your
one phone call down at the station.

It's just you and Brett now, Mika.

We are saving these trees.

Mika, you've made your point.

We've got some new trees
and all the other stuff.

- Great, a couple of
- poxy light bulbs[!] That's nothing.

He can't tell me what to do.

Leon can't either.
Make your own mind up.

I am? Are you?

Take a step back and think
about what's happened today.

Has this really been about
saving a few oak trees... or

a battle of wills with you and Tom?

What was Lawson's car?

That's different and you know it is.

Brett, we have
to make people understand.

I'm sorry.

It's just too much.

I don't think there is anything you
can say to make her give this up.

Well, I obviously need to speak
to her face-to-face.

Stuart, this has got absolutely
nothing to do with Waterloo Road.

I take it you've called the police?

'Well, no not yet,
but I'm about to.'

So far we've been able
to contain it ourselves.

I'm down five grand before
a hole's even been dug.

'Well, I'm afraid any compensation
claims need to go to the LEA...'

What, you don't want them
prying into your affairs?

Just get it sorted, all right?

Yes, police, please.

Hello... I would like to report an
incident of vandalism and trespass.

Tom, leave us alone!

Give it a kick. It'll scare him off.

Tom, go back down. Cool head, Tom.

Don't do anything stupid now.

- Quick, before he gets any further
- up. Are we going to sort this out?

Do it!

Mika, Mika! TOM!

TOM!

Tom, are you OK? TOM!

Just try and keep still, mate.

Tom!

I was only trying to scare him.
He's dead, I know he is.

Right, take it easy.

No, one of our teachers
has fallen off a ladder.

Don't touch him!

We're off. Yeah, he's conscious,
but can you just hurry up, please.

Yeah, soon as you can, thanks.
..Try and keep still now.

Davina, take her inside. Come on.

I'd have preferred a negotiated settlement,
but I suppose a swan dive from a 20-foot tree

was one way of getting them down.

What's happened?

Is he all right?

I could have k*lled him.
No, he's fine.

It's nothing major.

Come on.

OK, listen up,
on your way, the show's over.

Looks like you've got
a bed for the night.

I'd get a shift on if I were you.

Why? I've done nothing.

Course, smashing windows,
trespassing, endangering kids' lives...

We've raised the profile, yeah?

- Don't think this is over, when the locals
find out - what you are planning here,

They'll be up in arms. We'll have


Yeah, right.
Good luck in your career[!]

Yeah, yeah.

He wound the whole thing up.

This wasn't Mika's fault.

I know, but she's part of it now,
we can't change that.

I mean,
where did you find those nutters?

They should throw away the key!

It wasn't Leon. It was me.

I pushed the ladder. You?!

Well, it all just happened so...

You're sure you're not just
covering for this Leon guy?

They did the windows.

But it was me that pushed Tom
off the ladder.

Are you all right? Yeah, I'm fine.

How's Clarkson.

Sorry, Mr Clarkson, that is.
He'll be all right.

Er... Cel tells me that you've got a
new man, the guy with the sports car.

I suppose.

Well, er, I'm really
happy for you, babes.

Sorry.

Erm, we both needed
to move on though, didn't we?

I just felt a bit bad being so happy
with Cel and well, you know, it's good.

Yeah.

Right, well, erm,
I'll see you tomorrow then?

What is it with you, Brett, huh?

You're an extremely clever
young man. Here we go.

- Forget about what's going on in the world and concentrate on your exams.
- Come on.

You're a dabbler,
you're a dilettante.

This is all some
intellectual test for you.

Look, you can question
my commitment all you like.

For God's sake, you climbed up
a tree and you wouldn't come down.

You know what I'd have more respect for you if
you actually cared about what you fight for.

I mean, with Mika at least she's got
passion, she's got substance, but you...

I take it Mr Clarkson's injury has
put paid to the conservation garden?

Why? I gave you my word.

Some of us
have got principles, Brett.

You can go.

I told the police no charges.

So you're just going to
have to face the wrath

of Miss Mason in the morning.

It might be a few days
at home, I'm afraid.

Mika, I know you care passionately about
the environment, but not like this, eh?

I mean, someone could've been
seriously hurt today, not just me.

I've been acting
like a right spoilt brat.

Brett's right.

I think today I was doing
most of this just to wind you up.

Well, you did a good job.

So no more internet eco-t*rrorists?

And that's the last we've heard
of Leon and Spoons?

Spoons?!

HE CHUCKLES

I'm so sorry.

I've got an apology to make too.

Cos you're an adult and I'm going

to treat you like one from now on.

You'll be happy
to leave this place behind.

I've got a list of
deputy head vacancies...

and a couple of head teacher's jobs,

give you a good reference.

There are
some good schools out there.

Not many as challenging
as Waterloo Road.

Second thoughts?

I'm not stupid, Rachel.

All day you've been showing me what
you think I'd miss about this place.

You're only winding me up. So stay.

OK.

But Hordley's got to go.

It's the only way
we can work together, Rachel.

You've got to call his bluff.
It's not a bluff.

I was going to deal with this
myself, but...

We've got to stop him.

I'll call.

I'll call the council,
I'll tell them everything.

Hiya. All right?

It won't be forever, you know.

Tom. He's sorting it out.
It's just been a bit of a day.

I think what happened today is going
to make things harder for me and Tom.

Oh, don't be daft. After today he'll
see how good you are with Mika.

And you've always got on with Chlo.
So that's half the battle won.

But he could have
asked me what I thought.

You know, I do have some idea
how the female teenage mind works.

He'll get over it. It's just men.

My dad would rather have all his toe
nails extracted without using anaesthetic

before he'd ask my mum for advice.

I think it's time you got proactive.

- You provided a shoulder for Mika,
- didn't you? I know, but I didn't...

But nothing. Listen, he'll see
that you were there for Mika

and she'll appreciate what you did.

Are you all right?

Yeah. I got my roasting off Mason.

But I think she'll hold to her promise
of a conservation garden, so...

hasn't been a complete waste of time.

I should have listened to you.

Sorry. Ey, don't worry.
I'll call you later, OK?

I'll let you get on.

How about we get a take-away?

Veggie bhuna of course.

I'm not hungry.

No?

Chlo? Nah.

I'm sorry about earlier.

What for? The hairdressing thing.

I should back off a bit.

Stop thinking about
what your mum would say.

Don't try and second guess Mum,
we could never.

Just be patient with me.

Let me make some mistakes too, eh?

Deal. I'm not going to stop you doing things that
you enjoy and that you care about. Life's too short.

So are you saying
I can take this job?

If it doesn't affect
your school work, yeah.

Ey, fancy a number two all over?
No thank you.

Come here.

Come on.

Tom.

I'm glad you seem
to have sorted things out.

Sort of.

Listen, do yous fancy going out
to get something to eat?

Save yourself from cooking.

Thanks,

but I'm going to get these two home.

I need to spend more time with them,
they're not going to be around much longer.

Right, yes, of course.
I'll see you tomorrow then.

Thanks anyway. See you.

Do it quickly, then it's over.

I'll do it. No, I can do it.

Yes, hi, it's Rachel Mason...

Can I take your order?
'That's right, Waterloo Road.'

Can I speak to
the director of finance, please.

Do you want to place an order?

Could I leave a message? I need
to discuss the Hordley contract.

Well, as soon as possible, I've got
some, I've got some disturbing information

about Stuart Hordley's bid.

I think you got
the wrong number, love.

OK, well if he can call me
in the morning. Thank you. Bye.

The director of finance is calling
me in the morning and I'm top priority.

I am so proud of you, Rachel.

Wish I could see his face
when you tell him.

No, come on,
anything he throws at us...

we'll handle it together, OK?

Yeah.

I've just heard back
from the Council,

they know nothing
about that contract being cancelled.

You lied to me.

Oh, no. We're from the
Border and Immigration Agency.

Find something to put against the door.
You're harbouring an ill*gal immigrant,

which means YOU
are liable for prosecution.

She told me everything. What the hell
are you talking about? Blackmail.

I bet she gives it to you for free.
Ooooh!