14/07/2014 River City

I kept some back, for insurance.

You think you can blackmail me again?

I need you to ask questions.

Let the people behind this know they could be found out.

-What do you know about chromium six?

-What do you know?

I know it's not good news.

You got your passport?

Just make sure you don't come back. D'you hear me?

You can't let this get out.

I spoke to a journalist. He's got the story.

Oh, no.

What?

I just keep looking for the catch.

What if there isn't one?

MUSIC: "Bay Of Skail" by The Magnetic North

# It's all there

# Coming in like an arrow

# Coming up over the sea

# It's all there

# Shining up for the season

# It's not why

It's all there

# Taking it back to nothing... #

INDISTINCT CHATTER

# Every little thing I know

# Every little thing I have... #

Mr Brodie, a wee word.

Look who it is. Did you crawl out that stank this morning, aye?

Just here to get the people answers, Mr Brodie.

-I know nothing.

-Mr Brodie, can you tell us where Mr Lindsay is?

-No idea.

-Can you answer questions on his behalf?

# It's all there... #

Move on, please, there's nothing to see here.

ALL SPEAK AT ONCE

# Shining up for the winter... #

PRESS CLAMOUR

# There's no work here... #

The public deserves answers, Mr Lindsay.

Mr Lindsay, are you involved in this?

# It's all there

# Taking it back to nothing... #

PHONE RINGS

# Every little thing I know... #

My yard is crawling with press. Get down here.

Do you not feel responsible?

# Sitting up by the Eyre. #

'And according to reports, this new soil analysis clearly shows higher

'levels of chromium in the soil of Shieldinch

'than previously believed.'

-PHONE RINGS

-'This has been attributed to the district's

'concentration of heavy engineering plants around the shipyards

'which were once the lifeblood of the area.

'Chromium is a chemical which has been linked to cancer

'and is found in many old industrial areas of Glasgow.

Mr Brodie, can you answer some questions?

No comment. How many times?

Don't you think the local community deserve answers?

You tell Mr Paton to call me at the earliest opportunity.

It's very urgent.

Mr McAllister? Iain Millar, Clyde Enquirer.

Our paper's new ground report has established serious chromium

pollution on the site of your proposed development.

-Can I get your reaction?

-Well, at this stage,

I'm under discussions as to best how to proceed.

-With Councillor Paton?

-Yes, and others.

-Councillor Donachie?

-Well, it is her ward

and I'll have discussions with the authorities...

All that is a given, surely?

What intrigues me more is how this impacts on your rather,

shall we say, unholy alliance with Councillor Paton?

What you seem to be implying is that there are some underhand

dealings, and I absolutely refute that.

So what do you say to the residents of Shieldinch?

Their concerns are also mine and they'll be addressed.

Councillor Paton's just about the widest guy in Glasgow politics.

Yet you're unaware of that, it seems.

I think this conversation's over.

Don't you think the public deserve answers?

TV: 'Sunshine and showers. Showers mainly towards the west

'being brought in on a strong westerly breeze.'

You two, gie us a minute.

-What's happening?

-Just go upstairs, please.

PHONE RINGS

The press won't just go away, Alan.

I know that but we just need to sort ourselves first.

Turnbull has vanished.

I knew there was something dodgy about that guy from the start.

We need to get a hold of Frank.

Unbelievable. What the hell's going on?

They smell blood. And see that? That's just the start of it.

What about the guys? I mean, they're ready to start work, Alan.

-What do you want me to say to them?

-Gie us a minute, will you, Gabriel?

I'm trying to think here.

PHONE RINGS Give us a couple of minutes, eh?

-So what do you want me to say?

-We'll let you know.

RINGING CONTINUES

Will we just get the ball rolling anyway?

No-one knows whether this is the truth.

There is the small fact that we know it's true.

You're already in for a week's wages on this squad.

Are you off your heid?

We cannae risk it.

I'm standing the boys down.

Aye, you might be right.

Look, I'm going to go and see my lawyer.

I should do the same.

I pay mine enough for both of us. Look, I'll keep in touch.

Why...why are you here?

I know you couldn't care less but I'm here to offer my support.

You're right, I couldn't care less. Just go.

Please, let me help you.

I don't need your kind of help.

Eileen.

I'm completely on my own.

You don't need to be.

The press'll be all over me.

They'll want immediate condemnation and I can't,

I just can't...and this is just the beginning.

-Of what?

-Oh, Raymond! Wake up!

They've been screwing me into the ground for weeks.

You think they're just going to walk away and leave us be?

We'll just have to play it by ear and see how it goes.

Oh, Raymond. You're talking like we've got options.

Why don't you just accept that we have no bloody choices?

They say, "Jump," I say, "How high?" That's just the way it is.

-Just leave me be.

-Eileen, please...

-Go!

Oh, good morning, Raymond. You're the early bird.

Morning.

Would you like some tea?

No, thanks, Liz, I was just going.

OK, then. Bye-bye.

What's this?

This is terrible!

You'll be bringing this up with the council, I take it?

I need to get dressed.

Eileen?

Lads, we're going to have to shut down while we get this sorted out.

What about the guys' money, Alan?

Yous'll get this week's wage, I promise you that.

That's fair enough, but what about after?

I'm just not sure.

I've got all your numbers, I'll phone you when I know more.

-I think you know quite a lot already.

-I've got nothing to say to you.

Don't you think you even owe your men an apology?

-They're getting the money they're owed.

-No, not the money.

More the fact you were about to get them to dig up polluted ground,

thereby endangering their long-term health.

I'm not going to listen to this slander.

-Why don't you tell me your side of it?

-Forget it.

Any of you men care to comment? Mr Brodie?

Look, you heard the man - get tae.

-Can I quote you on that?

-Batter in.

Kelly, I think you better be careful...

-Eh?

-With Alex.

You better watch what you're getting into here.

Ma, I'm a big girl, I can look out for myself.

But you don't really know what Alex is doing here.

-That's the whole point, isn't it, Ma?

-What?

Nobody knows that Alex has done anything,

-yet you're very quick to condemn him.

-Kelly, wisen up.

This chromium stuff gives you cancer. I mean, how do you think I got it?

It could be everywhere in Shieldinch! You don't know!

No, I don't know but neither do you, Ma,

and I don't think it's very helpful saying stuff like that.

You'll create panic where there's none needed.

-You're defending him.

-I'm not defending him.

You're defending him.

We've all got a right to be worried.

I've got a right to be worried about my family.

I'm just saying we don't know the whole story.

Who's we? You and Eileen? What's she been doing exactly?

Not a lot, from what I can see.

Well, I'm sure Eileen has been

finding out about it the day, just like us.

-And I'm sure she's going to deal with it.

-Aye, well,

-I'll no' be holding my breath.

-Ma, Eileen cares about the community.

Aye, well, why doesn't she just stand up and show it?

I'm away to my work.

-And Eileen wasn't involved in a cover-up?

-She wasn't, Murray.

Pardon my scepticism, but why does it take a reporter

to force the issue instead of our local councillor?

-Think what you like.

-I thought Eileen would have

stepped into the breach, fought for our community.

I don't care what you say, this proves there's a cover-up going on.

Can you not just be glad that this expose is doing its job?

At least this puts the brakes on any development.

Funnily enough, when you've been branded a pariah

in your own community, it's hard to feel glad about anything.

No, I'm sorry, I'm not sure when the councillor's going to be back.

But I will pass on that message, yes, of course I will.

OK, thanks, bye.

PHONE RINGS

Hello, Councillor Donachie's office, how can I help you?

No, I'm afraid she's not in at the moment.

I'm not sure but I can take a message for you.

Mm-hm.

PHONE RINGS

Can you no' hear that?

-Hi.

-'Eileen.'

-'Have you seen the papers?'

-Aye.

So, listen, are you going to come in the office?

'I'm going to work from home for a bit.'

Just take any messages and I'll get them later.

The phone's been ringing off the hook all morning.

There's loads of messages from journalists already.

OK, I'll speak to you later, bye.

'Please leave a message for Alex McAllister after the tone, thanks.'

Hi, Alex, it's me.

Could you give me a phone when you get this?

I'm just in the office. Thanks. Bye.

PHONE RINGS

Hello, Councillor Donachie's office, how can I help you?

It's been all over the news.

I know, and that hack Millar, he's been like a dog with a bone.

-I don't want to be hung out to dry here.

-I won't let that happen.

-No, but Paton might.

-I'll handle him.

-Have you spoke to him?

-Just tried, couldn't get through.

-He's avoiding you.

He was on the other line.

He's avoiding you and that's what really worries me.

We're counting on him to be straight with us.

We're not counting on him for anything. This is my development.

-Oh, God. Why did I sign that report?

-Alan, look at me.

Calm down, OK.

And remember, we know nothing about any dodgy report, right?

Aye.

Good. In the meantime, let's talk through what needs to be done.

We need to show our investors there's no panic.

Sure.

Let's put this back on.

'I'm joined now by Councillor Frank Paton. Councillor Paton,

'thank you for your time today.

'I just want to clarify, this chemist, Mr Eric Turnbull,

'it was he who produced the original ground report stating that the

'land was uncontaminated?'

That's correct.

But now the Clyde Enquirer's survey confirms that the ground

in Shieldinch is, in fact, contaminated.

How would you respond to that?

We intend to investigate this issue thoroughly.

We are also obliged to commission our own report for corroboration.

So does that mean you're

not entirely convinced by this new report?

No, no, no, it's not that, it's just simply that

the authorities will need a second opinion.

Does the disappearance of the chemist Mr Eric Turnbull

'point to his culpability?

'I won't be drawn on conjecture or pre-judge anyone.

'So who, in fact, employed Mr Turnbull?

'I believe that was the province of Alan Lindsay,

'the building contractor.'

I told you! He's dropping me in it, I told you he would!

Hang on, just listen.

'What did Mr McAllister have to say about the chemist

'and this allegedly bogus ground report?

'How much did he know about the chemist before engaging him?

'I really don't think this is the forum to discuss

'whether Mr Turnbull has a case to answer.

'I really wouldn't want to prejudice any legal proceedings.

'So you think legal proceedings are a possibility?

'I can't decide that,

'but there are aspects to this affair that we must shed light on.

'And would the developer be key to that, then?

'Alex McAllister and I will have a full and frank discussion...'

Where's the denial? We're being set up here.

'What is your message to the people of Shieldinch today?

'I'd like to reassure everyone in Shieldinch the council

'takes these things very seriously

'and there will be a thorough investigation.

'No stone will be left unturned

'in our ongoing commitment to finding the truth.

'OK, Councillor Paton, thanks very much for your time.

'And now for a look at the rest of today's news.'

-They reporters are at the door again. Can you not hear it?

-Of course I can. Just ignore it.

-For God's sake, relax.

-Relax?

He more or less just bad-mouthed the pair of us live on telly!

I told you, I'm not a soft touch.

KNOCKING

I could go to jail for this.

You won't. I'll deal with Paton.

He's crossed the wrong guy.

Frank paid Turnbull to disappear, he must have.

And now he's making out me and Turnbull are thick as thieves.

-I'm not sure. Turnbull could've leaked this.

-Why would he?

I don't know...

Either way, confirms what I've already been thinking.

What?

That I should come clean before this gets any worse.

Come clean?

Look, Alex, I'm worried what might happen if this comes out.

I've got two kids, I can't just...

You come clean, the police get brought in and we all go down.

We are fighting for survival here.

If this sticks to us, we're both finished.

Let me just get hold of Frank.

He's a loose cannon right now.

I'll let you know what's happening.

You drinking then?

Just a small one.

I saw the news.

It's pretty bad, eh?

Aye.

You all right?

-Fine.

-You don't normally drink during the day.

Well, I've got a lot of time on my hands.

Right, I'm out of here.

Of course, I understand the stakes,

but rest assured there'll be no blame or recriminations

laid at our door. Of course I will, bye.

Not when you can pile them up at my door instead.

Just give us a minute, will you?

-I was just about to call you.

-To tell me how the interview went?

It's OK, I caught it. Cheers for the ringing endorsement, by the way.

-You know the drill, Alex.

-No, I'm done, I want out.

You've just got to sidestep the direct questions.

I couldn't not do the interview. The heat's on me from upstairs.

It was a damage-limitation strategy.

OK, right. Here's my take.

I think Turnbull was your go-to guy to smooth things over and now that's

been blown wide open, you're trying to dump me and Alan in it.

-Correct me if I'm getting things wrong here.

-You're very wrong.

I also did the interview to present a calm front to the shareholders.

And while they're all being very calm,

-I'm getting dragged off to jail?

-That's not a possibility...

It is from where I'm standing!

If we'd just come clean about this in the first place like I wanted,

we wouldn't be in this mess!

Alex, calm yourself.

We can come up with a strategy.

How the hell did this get out, anyway? Did Turnbull leak this?

I honestly don't know. Turnbull is a compulsive gambler.

He might've been paid big by Millar and scarpered, who the hell knows.

You knew that about him yet you still get him to do the ground report?

It'd worked out in the past. We've only got one option now.

I'm listening.

You need to remediate the land.

What planet are you on?

Have any idea how many millions it would take

-to cleanse that land thoroughly? It could take years!

-You can do it.

The bottom line is the building work's delayed for a year,

maybe two. We can get a tax break to cover some of the costs as well.

Are you being serious? I don't have access to that kind of cash.

Luckily, we have an investor who has and he won't ask too many questions.

Who?

Lenny Murdoch.

-You better be kidding.

-He's got the cash flow.

Because he's a crook! That's why!

-This isn't happening. Absolutely not.

-He's already an investor.

He's in for 5%. Under the radar, of course.

You brought Lenny Murdoch into my development

even though you know what I think of him.

Lenny is a way out of this situation and that gets my vote.

I sounded him out. He's keen in principle.

You honestly think it's fine to clean up this mess with dirty money

when the press are all over us?

No-one will ever know it came from Lenny.

He will.

And see that? That is the most dangerous thing of all.

Well, give me an alternative.

You trust him?

-He seems as keen as us to make it good.

-Do you trust him?

We'll be OK.

Remediation takes a long time, does it not?

-I looked into it. Depends on the level of pollution.

-How long?

-A year, maybe more.

-What?

-We won't really know until it gets under way.

I am committed to the hilt here, Alex, you know that.

We all are, that's why we've got to stick together to see this through.

I need a timescale, I need to know what's what.

-I could end up on the street with nothing.

-Panic, we don't need.

You're no' listening to me! I'm up to my neck here!

And what about mine?

Nobody is in for more than me, or are you forgetting that?

No, but you see what I'm saying?

This goes on the back burner for a year and I am finished!

Alan, I need you to stand with me 100% on this.

Will you do that?

PHONE RINGS

Hello, how are you?

Hello, Councillor Donachie's office, how can I help you?

Could you hold the line for two minutes, please? Thanks.

Right, what do you want?

-I'd like to speak with Councillor Donachie.

-She's not here right now.

-She be back soon?

-No, she's working from home, I think.

-That's Montego Street, right?

-Well, she's actually not there

cos she needs to pick up her boy from nursery.

Oh, OK. I'll catch her later then. Bye.

PHONE RINGS

Hi, Kelly-Marie.

Eileen, that reporter, Millar, he's just left here.

I think he's on his way to you.

I understand your concern

but all I can do at this stage is just pass that message on to her.

Uh-huh.

As I say, she'll be back later, so,

yeah, I will make sure that she gets that.

Thanks. Bye.

Hiya.

Why haven't you returned any of my calls?

I was in a meeting

and I thought I'd rather talk to you about this in person.

Well, do you know, Alex, you're making me look really stupid here?

I'm defending you and I don't even know why I'm doing it.

I knew nothing about this, I swear.

I'm not sure I believe you.

Honestly, Kelly, this has taken me completely by surprise.

What? That you've been found out?

I don't know what's happened here.

I spoke to Frank Paton earlier and we're going to get this investigated.

Something is rotten about all of this.

OK, right, I admit I've been naive.

I've put my trust in people that probably I shouldn't have.

Alex, all I'm asking is that you don't lie to me here.

Cut me some slack here, eh?

What do you mean cut you some slack?

My own son could be affected by this.

My mum had cancer three years ago.

I mean, this is right on our doorstep.

-Can you no' understand how I feel here?

-I do, I do.

I just mean that in property deals it's all too common to get

caught up in other people's agendas. And that's what's happened here.

Where's Eileen?

She'll be in later.

What's she saying?

Alex, you cannae ask me that.

I will make this right, I promise.

Yeah, well, you better, or else we're going nowhere.

-Don't say that.

-No, I mean it.

PHONE RINGS Kelly, this isn't about us.

Hello, Eileen Donachie's office, how can I help you?

No, like I said, she's not here at the moment.

She will be in later so if you want to leave a message, then...

Yeah, well, that's fine, you can phone back later as well.

Right, I'll pass it on. Thanks, bye.

Excuse me, I don't suppose you know where Councillor Donachie lives?

Aye, that's it over in there.

Cheers, mate.

KNOCKING

KNOCKING

-Eileen, the door.

-Liz, don't.

-What?

-Liz, don't!

-Is Councillor Donachie in?

-Was she not in her office?

Councillor. We're doing a follow-up story

and I'd like your comments on developments.

I'm sorry, I can't, I need to get to my office.

-I just need a few minutes.

-I need to go.

-What's going on?

-What's wrong with that lassie?

-I don't know.

Councillor. Councillor! A few moments of your time's all I need.

How dare you barge into my father's home like that?

You're a councillor and this is a matter of public interest.

My father is a vulnerable man. That was an invasion of his privacy!

-I'll be speaking to your editor about your behaviour.

-By all means.

So, what is your response to the dangerous chromium levels?

Well, I'm concerned like everyone else that lives in Shieldinch.

Concerned. And will your concern lead to

the condemnation of the developer, Alex McAllister?

I'll need to know more of what's gone on here.

I think I made that pretty clear in my article.

I can't proceed on the basis of a newspaper article. I need the facts.

OK, what about the fact that Mr McAllister

and Councillor Paton have a case to answer?

I don't see that is a fact.

You don't agree that they've got a case to answer?

Is this a question of councillors closing ranks

-in the face of an investigation?

-You're a weasel.

Can I quote on you that?

I should have known you'd invested in my development

through a third party. I should've known it was through Bob Adams.

With his two-bit garage. He'd never have that kind of money.

You'd think you're doing me the favour.

You're lucky I'm even here.

Oh? What, you don't want my money? Too tainted for you, is it?

Tell you what, get yourself down the building society, I'm sure

they're falling over themselves to put money into contaminated land.

-I've got a lot of investors to pay off.

-My heart bleeds for you.

You're rolling out a multi-million quid development and you want me

to feel sorry for you? I'm taking all the risks here.

So, you just come in for the atmosphere?

I mean it, Lenny.

No-one ever knows where this money comes from.

We got a deal?

-With one proviso.

-What's that?

You stay out of my relationship with Kelly-Marie.

-Oh, it's a relationship now, is it?

-I mean it.

You think Kelly listens to a word I say?

Aye, all right.

Deal?

Deal.

PHONE RINGS

RINGING CONTINUES

Eileen, are you OK?

Why did I ever become a councillor?

Well, because... you care about people

and you care about your community,

-and you're a really good councillor.

-I wish that was true.

RINGING STOPS

Eileen, that is not true.

And, you know, I know you might be feeling the pressure the now,

but everyone round here knows that you're going to stand up for them.

That journalist, what was it he wanted?

It was about Alex, wasn't it?

Partly.

Eileen, I don't want my relationship with Alex

to stop you from doing your job.

I'd hate that.

Thanks, Kelly-Marie, but it's not as simple as that.

Look, I'm sorry I have to do this, but this is all the messages

from the journalists,

and some from local people worried about the chromium.

-I can deal with them if you want.

-No, it's fine.

You don't want me here when you're talking to the journalists.

No, it's not that...

It's fine, I'll just pop out.

Kelly-Marie, you've done enough today, just go home.

-Are you sure?

-Yeah.

Hey, Kel!

What's your boss saying to the headlines?

Is she going to take on the developers?

I'm not Eileen's spokesperson.

I'm just asking as a concerned taxpayer.

Aye, cos you're renowned for your community spirit.

Yeah, what have I ever done round here, eh?

Apart from keeping the pub afloat, saving the cafe,

-giving you all cheap taxis?

-They all made you money.

Is that a crime?

How's Alex taking it?

You tell me?

Seems like a nice guy.

He'll do all right.

You've changed your tune.

We had our differences. Young blood, you know.

Reminds me of myself.

Alex is nothing like you.

You'd be surprised.

MOBILE VIBRATES

Hello?

What? Now?

I'm not doing it.

Don't be like that, Eileen.

This journalist has been hounding me,

I just need to keep my head below the parapet for now.

But you can't, can you? Your community's expecting a response.

And this chromium issue, you need to reassure the residents

and I need you to stick to the party line.

Look, Frank, please don't make me do this.

I can't make you.

But if I don't...?

It's just a half hour of your time, it's not much to ask.

Right, I'll arrange for the press to take your statement.

'Please leave a message for Alex McAllister after the tone.'

PHONE BEEPS

'Please leave a message.'

-'Please leave a message for Alex...'

-HANGS UP

Mrs Turnbull, I'm looking for your husband.

Please don't! I'll call the police!

-I don't know anything!

-But I need to talk to him!

He's not been in touch with me, I've no idea know where he is,

now will you just please go?

Mrs Turnbull, I have two kids, and right now,

I'm carrying the can for your husband.

-Does that not bother you?!

-I'm sorry, but this has nothing to do with me.

I'm facing complete financial ruin

if the blame for that report falls on me!

What can I do?

If it falls on me, then I go to jail!

What would happen to my kids then?!

-Please, help me!

-I wish I could help you!

But he never told me anything about what he was doing.

You must know something!

He's been dealing with the wrong people for too long.

Who? Paton? Please, tell me what you know!

Look, all I know is that Eric made my life a misery,

and now he's disappeared, but my nightmare goes on.

I'm up to my eyes in debt and this house will have to be sold.

Sorry.

It's fine, I hope you find what you need.

MOBILE ON DESK VIBRATES

I mean, obviously I don't know the guy.

But I cannae knock him.

I mean, he gave me a job when I was on my knees.

Aye, well. I don't trust him.

That's enough, eh?

Murray.

Jimmy, can I get you a pint?

No, I'm all right.

Anyone else?

Fine. Pint, Stevie, please.

No bother.

Come on, let's go!

Are you going on again? Having a good time?

Look, I agree, it's an absolute scandal,

but that doesn't change the fact that Shieldinch needs real investment.

Well, you're in their camp, there's so no surprises there.

Hey! That's below the belt. I'm just trying to earn a living here.

Listen to you all, have you all been brainwashed?

There's poison beneath our feet,

McAllister would rather we didn't know about it.

Our lives could have been in danger!

Take it easy, Murray, eh?

Take it easy? McAllister's right hand man gets me branded a pervert.

The only guy that's standing up to them. Is that a coincidence?

It seems to me that you're using this land scandal

-as a cover for your own predicament.

-Scarlett!

And how does that work? I'm sticking my neck out, not hiding.

All right, let's hear it Scarlett,

do you think I did what that girl said?

I don't know.

Scarlett, you do know! You know me! You all know me!

Aye well, maybe there's no smoke without fire.

And that's what you all think?

There's been tons of folk up in court recently,

folk that you wouldn't think would be capable of...that.

Some of them were serial sex offenders!

And who's to say you aren't?

Some were perfectly innocent victims of lies and fabrications!

And can you prove you're not a pervert?

-Just drop it, all right!

-Oh! Here we go!

Large whisky, please.

Serve the man.

His money's good.

Nae bother.

You got a problem?

You're lucky you're getting served.

Thanks.

Has Eileen been in?

No, she's not.

Everything OK, Raymond?

Shocking, isn't it? I mean, he'll think...

What's going on?

We've been told by the council

some kind of statement's being made about the development.

-Who's making the statement?

-They didn't say.

What did you say to Eileen?

You gave me this story, what did you expect me to do?

Give everyone a free ride?

No, but I didn't expect any unnecessary harassment.

Eileen!

-She looks terrible.

-What's going on?

Eileen's going to give a statement.

It's about time.

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.

In light of today's worrying news about the redevelopment

I thought it appropriate, on behalf of the council,

to inform the people of Shieldinch

of our intentions in dealing with this pollution problem.

It's a scandal.

CROWD MURMURS

My initial investigations into this report have led me to the conclusion

that the author, Mr Eric Turnbull,

demonstrated an incompetence and a dereliction of duty

which is, quite frankly, appalling.

He has now been officially removed

from the city council's approved contractors list.

And I'm delighted to announce

that after consultations with the developer Mr Alex McAllister

we have come to a positive arrangement for moving forward.

And I now call on Mr McAllister to outline our intentions.

My primary concern has always been to keep the development on track

and provide job opportunities for local people.

But not at the risk of health and safety.

And this is why I can assure everyone here today

that your concerns are also mine.

I can announce that my company, the McAllister Group,

will provide and pay for a full remediation of the polluted land

and that I personally will put myself at the disposal

of the people of Shieldinch

with further consultations on what we all want from this development.

Today marks a new beginning,

and can I just say how delighted I am

at the prospect of a fruitful collaboration

with the local councillor? Thank you.

She's a traitor! CROWD MURMURS

Watch it, Murray!

Councillor, will there be a full investigation?

Mr McAllister, can you tell me where Eric Turnbull is?

That's enough.

-You proud of yourself, Eileen?

-CROWD ALL SHOUT

I was wondering if you had any further comments

on the disastrous start to this development.

I don't see it as disastrous, I see it as a setback,

but I see that we're very much on top of the situation now.

What happened? I thought you were going to lie low?

-Paton summoned me to his office.

-Summoned?

-I didn't have a choice.

-He threatened you?

Everything the man says sounds like a threat.

I should tell this to Millar, expose these scumbags...

This has all happened

because you spoke to that man in the first place!

Do you even understand that?!

But we can't let them get away with it, that's what I'm saying!

We need to make sure that...

Oh, Raymond, can you just go?! Leave me in peace! Go!

Did you know about this? The chromium?

No. Of course not.

Me and my family went through hell!

I know, and this remediation,

it'll make sure that nothing like this ever happens again.

Will it? What's happened to you, Eileen?

Nothing, I'm just doing what I've always done,

trying to do the best for Shieldinch.

You can't believe this development is for the best!

This is the kind of thing you'd have fought in the past!

You've changed, and not for the better!

What's happened, Eileen?

We saw you on the news.

You're not going to let this stand, are you?

Are you all right, darling?

SOBS

Yeah, so all in all, it went well.

Frank, sorry, I need to go. We'll talk later. Bye.

Why didn't you tell me you were making a statement?

I was going to call you. But it all happened very fast.

I thought Paton was handling this.

Why is Eileen Donachie involved in it again?

We thought it would be a good idea if she fronted it,

it takes the weight off us.

Paton's at it. I take it this was his idea?

He's taking the piss out of you and you're making it easy for him.

Alan, honestly, it's not how it is.

-I went to see Turnbull's wife today.

-Why?

To see if she knew where he was.

Nobody else is looking for him, why shouldn't I?

I was the one made to sign that report.

No matter what, we need to stay out of that.

Paton knows more about that than he's letting on.

It's a bit convenient, Turnbull just vanishing, do you not think?

Seriously. Stay out of it.

Then you make sure he doesn't drop us in it any further!

I was going to bring this round for you.

-What is it?

-A small retainer.

Alex, I borrowed on the house to start the yard here.

It's a bridging loan,

they want paid back the minute the building started.

-It's all I can spare right now.

-I'm up to my neck in it!

If I don't pay that back they're going to take my house!

-We'll stall them.

-How?

Look, you've trusted me before. OK? Trust me again.

Just hang on in there, and we'll get through this.

Aye.

Thanks for meeting me, I appreciate it.

OK, well, I'm listening.

I know how it looks.

But what happened today is not what you think it was.

I genuinely didn't know that what was in the soil

could cause harm to the community.

But I'll fix it. And the ratepayers won't pay a penny.

Well, that's the least you could do, do you not think?

Yeah.

So the development still goes ahead?

If we get the blessing of the city council,

but I'm confident the remediation will smooth the way.

You aren't pleased?

I'm happy the land's getting cleaned, obviously,

but what did you do to Eileen?

Do to her? What do you mean?

You know very well what I mean.

I saw her standing next to you.

She looked in a right state.

Kelly, honestly, I don't know what that's about.

I think it could have something to do with city council rivalries,

but I can't go there.

She's a good woman and I don't believe for one minute

what she says in public,

so there's got to be a reason behind it.

Hand on heart, I don't know what that was about.

I'm worried for her.

You know, cos at the end of the day,

it's Eileen that's going to get the blame for all this mess.

I can do something about that.

How?

I don't know yet, but I promise you, I will try.

What were you doing coming out of Amber Cabs today?

And don't lie to me, I saw you leaving.

OK, I went to see Lenny.

What about?

Us.

Us? Really?

So what did you say to him?

Just...stay out of our lives.

I spoke to him after.

Did you?

And the way he was talking, was like the two of you had become best pals.

He's trying to turn your head.

C'mon, Kelly, you know what he's like.

Aye. I do know.

TELEVISION ON

Again?

Correct.

I've just seen the press conference. Were you there?

Yep.

Eileen Donachie's talking about the development continuing.

Aye, it will.

-Maybe not.

-What are you talking about?

Apparently they've already started an online petition to get rid of it.

Is that a fact?

Dad. What are you not telling us?

I'm not telling you how to live your lives,

so you can return me the favour.

But there is something dodgy going on.

Are you involved in this cover-up they're all talking about?

Angus, I can't talk to you about this.

Or do you mean you won't?

It's stuff you wouldn't understand.

Da', don't patronise me!

Then don't ask me questions!

Cool, have it your way.

TELEVISION OFF

How bad is all this, Dad?

Don't worry, we'll survive.

It's just...having to shut down the site is getting to me.

-Is that it?

-Of course.

-It's not this Murray stuff too?

-No!

I'm so sorry you've got so much on your plate and then....

Don't you worry about that, you hear me?

Murray will get what's coming to him, I promise you that.

The most important thing to me...

..is to be a part of your life... and Cal's.

Losing you right now would make everything else seem pointless.

I want to make you happy.

Will you let me?

Will you trust me?

I suppose.

You can't do better than that?

I'll work on it.

That's all the major investors back on board.

That's great news. Cheers.

-We nearly crossed a line today.

-What line was that?

-The point of no return?

-It's not a joke.

Lenny could be trouble,

so we need to remember that we're on the right side of the line.

We took his money.

And that's it as far as I'm concerned.

We use him and we move on.

Sure. Lenny'll be fine. He wants to make money, and he's going to.

There's two of us to keep an eye on Lenny.

Come on, Alex, did we have a realistic alternative?

No, because you didn't give me any,

but you mark my words,

he will do whatever it takes to make sure he gets his way.

Me too.

Yeah, well, maybe I'm not like that.

Another drink?

Frank, do you know where Turnbull is?

I've got no idea. He's gone and I don't think he'll be coming back.

You really shouldn't worry about him.

Cheers.

It may be best if you just...

You want me to resign because I've been smeared?

-He's going to get away with it...

-Sure.

-..again.

What do you mean, "again"?

So why didn't you tell me about it, this other girl?

Because it was nothing.

You should've told me.

Raymond!

Kirsty, you need to tell the truth.

He didn't do it, did he?

-You can't be here.

-I'm sorry.

Get out, get out.