The Tower Hetty Feather

-'My name is Hetty Feather...'

-We're your borrowed family.

It's time for you and Gideon to go back.

Call me Matron. Matron Bottomly.

Tonight, Gideon's coming with us.

The escape. It's back on.

If you can't keep this hospital on an even keel,

I will have to find someone else to take command.

Mathias, I'll see you around.

Not if I see you first.

No matter how hard I'd tried,

I hadn't seen Gideon since Sunday service.

The days were ticking by.

Gideon has to know that I haven't forgotten about him.

And I never will.

I have to see him, and it has to be tomorrow.

Hetty, tomorrow's just the same as every other day.

It's not. Tomorrow is mine and Gid's borrowed birthday.

The anniversary of the day we arrived at Peg's.

Every year Jem would make a cake.

-I need your help.

-With what?

I want to celebrate with Gideon, just like we used to.

We're Foundlings, Hetty. We can't have birthday parties.

We can if no-one finds out.

Guess your fortune, Hetty. Or do you know it already?

Horrid.

Trouble-maker.

One day Matron'll find out what you really are.

Doubt it.

Your turn for the hairbrush, Sheila?

Of course not, you've got no hair to brush!

THEY GIGGLE

-Now who is the trouble-maker?

-We'll see about that.

Right...

We need a place to escape.

Just us, Gideon, and the boys.

But Matron's new rule - she'd have everyone punished.

We are not escaping.

Escape doesn't always mean getting out of here.

I mean...we could escape inside.

Just as long as I get to see Gideon without fear of being caught.

What we need is a den.

Our own secret tower.

It's perfect.

How do we even get up there?

'This became my next challenge.

'We had to get up there - for me and Gideon.

'It could be our perfect escape.'

Push it up. Go on...

Quick, before we get caught.

-Just hurry up!

-I am!

We will be as quick as we can, Mary, I promise.

It's scary.

Wait for me!

Hetty, it's like an adventure.

It is an adventure.

The way to the tower!

DOOR RATTLES

It won't budge.

How are we going to get up there now?

BOARD RATTLES

-Good Morning, Mr Cranborne.

-Morning.

Colonel Brigwell is visiting this morning

for the annual treasury review. Please ensure the boys

-are on their best behaviour.

-As I always strive to do, Matron.

After the escape, today must run without so much as a hiccup.

Matron! You have to come. Cook says it's urgent!

We'll find something to lever it open.

Hetty, we'll never do it.

KNOCKING ON TABLE

Foundlings...

Last night, the lock on the pantry door was slipped.

I am shocked and shamed to report that food has been stolen.

Two buns, one meat pudding and Matron's special apple pie.

Not to mention a bowl and cutlery.

We have a thief in our midst.

Until that thief is reprimanded, my eyes are everywhere.

During lesson times, your dorms will be searched thoroughly.

Those on kitchen duty will carry out a strict stock-check.

For the rest of the day, leisure time is cancelled.

We will find the thief, believe you me!

With Matron on the prowl,

there seemed no hope of seeing Gideon tonight.

But that wasn't going to stop me.

That's what a challenge is all about.

Matron...

Dorm inspection uncovered nothing, Matron.

Other than a fortune teller and

a pair of staff bloomers being used as a doll.

Foundlings - they'd steal anything given half the chance.

-Have someone check the washrooms.

-Yes, Matron.

That's it. We'll catch the thief ourselves.

Us?

You want to get back in Matron's good books, there is no other way.

Tonight we lay in wait by the pantry.

No slack, I want the stock-check finished.

While I was busy making plans to see Gideon, Gideon was looking for me.

Wonder where your mate Mathias is now?

Probably captured and locked up in the workhouse.

With Jack and Arthur, all miserable and eating gruel!

Don't talk stupid. Mathias would never get caught.

Wouldn't bet on it. They don't teach

how to survive on the streets in here.

You lot would never have made it.

They're just jealous.

Out there, Mathias will have a whole new life.

And you two should be with him.

Me and Hetty should be at home.

But we're not.

Since the failed escape, Gideon felt he had let me down and his friends.

Four dozen eggs, two sacks of flour.

Both wings of the hospital are the same.

If we can crawl through the rafters so can the boys.

They find their way through the rafters, we find ours.

We meet in the tower.

All I have to do is get a message to Gideon.

-How will you manage that? We're on stock-check.

-I'm not sure.

Hurry along, girls, the rest of the pantry needs checking.

Let's go!

Rats! Oh, my! Matron, there's rats!

Rats?! Rats?!

THEY SHRIEK

Well, never in my life!

Cook. Get that. Get rid of it at once!

Captain Brigwell's on his way.

I won't have rats spreading disease in my kitchen. Out of my way!

Cook, trap it... SHRIEKING

-They are horrid!

-Out of my way!

Trap it!

Get it, Cook!

Got it!

Lunch will be delayed.

The whole kitchen needs scrubbing and food back to the pantry!

Matron, shall I inform Mr Cranborne?

Yes. Thank you, Feather. A very good idea.

I'll send for the rat-catcher!

Matron, Colonel Brigwell has arrived.

Mr Cranborne!

Mr Cranborne! Mr Cranborne, sir.

There's an outbreak of rats in the kitchen. Lunch will be delayed.

-The rat-catcher's been sent for?

-Yes, sir.

Mr Cranborne. Someone's had a go at the garden store.

It looks like it's been disturbed, sir.

-Thank you, Hetty. Straight back to your dorm.

-Yes, sir.

I've tried to see you, Gideon, honestly I have.

-I've thought of nothing else.

-Me too.

I've got something to tell you.

'There was no time to spare,

'I had got this far and Gideon has missed me too.

'I told him all about my madcap idea.'

-Count me in.

-But we have to get up there tonight. You understand?

-Why tonight?

-You mean you don't remember what today is?

Remember what?

Then trust me. It's a surprise.

Look for a yellow duster in the girls' dorm window before dark.

That means we're ready. You hang a cap in reply.

After dorm rounds, we meet in the tower.

-< Boys! Pack away, please!

-I'll see you there.

Wait a minute, how do we get up there?

You'll find a way.

..back in their correct position. Ensure your boots are...

Oi, they're to keep the birds off our strawberries.

Stuff the strawberries. Our den needs them more!

Donations for the hospital from Lady Asquith's spring fundraiser.

All this money. The benefactors were most generous, Colonel!

She certainly attracts very committed patrons.

And lunch with the Asquith's was, as always, spectacular.

Perhaps next time, I could come along.

If it would help our charitable effort, of course.

Hmm. I think your talents are best served here -

looking after Foundlings.

Now, we have a lot to get through. So I suggest we move straight on

to item number one of the agenda, shall we?

Right! That is the kitchen sorted.

Ladies, for your entertainment, let me introduce to you...

-..Cecil.

-GASPING AND CRYING

It's all right. It's all right.

Cecil is the fastest ferret on this side of Bishopsgate.

GIRLS: Oooh!

Now let me show you our skills.

If anyone can get us through that hatch, this man can.

Hetty, you're a genius.

Once Cecil's down there,

he will run the rats to the darkest place - that is if my

pretty volunteer here, Harriet, can frighten them into daylight first.

Are you ready?

When I say...

..bang!

LOUD BANGING

GIRLS: Ooh!

-That's your lot in here, Nurse.

-Oh, thank you.

Of course, it's the rafters that's the real problem.

-Yeah?

-We can hear them!

Show him to the rafters!

I'm Hetty. I'll show you exactly where to go.

(We are going to do it, we are really going to do it.)

All birthdays need a cake!

Great, we have got more rats to catch.

Right. Lead the way.

Society ladies pay top whack to keep pet rats in their parlour.

It's the fashion.

The day that I find a black and white piebald,

I could earn my fortune.

Maybe there is one in the tower.

It's infested.

Is it now?

Well, your accounts certainly pass muster, Matron.

Thank you very much for your time.

-Er, there is one more item on the agenda.

-Hmm?

My yearly increment.

As finances prove, Colonel,

I run this institution with thrift and efficiency.

There is no doubt, Matron, you certainly run a tight ship.

However, following recent events, the board of governors have

decided that your annual wage increase should be put on hold.

On hold?

We'll review again in six months.

By which time perhaps Foundling behaviour

will have a clean bill of health.

-Colonel...

-Mmmm?

Allow me to escort you.

Thank you.

I took a broken chair up here for Cranborne once.

Told you.

-Well done, Ned.

-Well, I'm not going first.

There could be a hole in the floor, we could land in Matron's office.

You're not helping, Walter.

Once we're up there, just think, no drills, no punishment.

-BELL RINGS

-All boys report to...

Lessons. Quick.

-But I need to find a way.

-You can't, we'll be late.

It's the best option.

Tonight. We just have to hope it gets us there.

Matron, I need a word.

Can it wait, Mr Cranborne? Colonel Brigwell was just leaving.

Don't worry, I'll see myself out.

Until next month's governors' meeting.

Matron, someone's broken into the garden shed.

I believe there are items missing.

More Foundling thievery? This has to stop!

Inform the night-watch to keep an eye on the garden shed.

Nurse Winterson will provide an additional watch in the girls' wing.

You stay up till lights out and patrol the boys.

-Me, Matron?

-Is that beyond your capabilities?

N-nno, of course not, Matron.

Everything went well with Colonel Brigwell, I presume?

It won't open.

I need my tools.

No. No. We'll get them for you.

LOUD CRASH

Matron!

Matron?!

Would you two care to explain yourselves?

We were helping the rat-catcher, Matron.

And the provisions?

It was me. I stole the food, Matron.

No, you didn't.

-Polly...

-Honestly, she's just saying it to protect me.

Well, one of you is lying.

Turn out your pockets.

So we have found our thief!

Is the food stolen last night hidden in here too?

-And stealing from the garden shed?

-No! What garden shed?

I only took this lot to help the rat-catcher.

I thought a few buns and currants might help catch the vermin.

I am sorry, I was just trying to help.

I've never been in trouble before.

Hmm. Lucky for you, I believe you.

Whether your intentions were honourable or otherwise,

stealing food is a serious offence.

Yes, Matron. I'm sorry, Matron.

I want you to clean out the privies.

-Polly...

-The privies will teach you.

I want them spick and span.

You Foundlings will learn the hard way,

as will the thieves when I catch them.

There is no need to get into the tower.

The traps in the rafters will do the job.

The worst-case scenario...

With Jack Black's mission complete,

Polly carted off by Matron...

our secret hideaway seemed so out of reach.

It could be worse, Polly could have got tench.

It's me who should be suffering, not her.

Why did Polly take the blame?

It's yours and Gid's borrowed birthday.

She wants you to celebrate with him.

Polly really did that for me?

Your plan can't fail.

You can't leave her scrubbing privies out for nothing.

Poor little Polly, all alone, cleaning the privies.

She'll stink for weeks.

Everything about our plan was looking bleak.

But hope was just around the corner.

And I wasn't going to let it get away.

I can't believe you got me a black and white piebald.

You know what they say, every good turn deserves another!

This is the least I can do.

Ta!

For you, I will have this hatch open in no time.

We finally had a way into the tower.

It was all going to plan.

With Polly back, we were a team again.

Friends. And up for the challenge.

THEY LAUGH HAPPILY

Now all we had to do was hope the boys were as ready as we were.

'Look for a yellow duster in the girls' dorm window before dark.

'That means we are ready.'

Boys. It's on!

Gideon!

Ah, Matron. Off to patrol. We'll catch the pilferers.

-Yes. And quick about it, Mr Cranborne.

-Indeed, Matron.

We must keep a tight reign, for the sake of your position.

Mr Cranborne...

I will have you know that Colonel Brigwell holds my authority

in the highest esteem.

After today's meeting, my position is in no doubt.

I'm very glad to hear it, Matron. Our governors should value you.

-Goodnight.

-Goodnight.

'Our governors should value you.'

'The board of governors have decided that your annual wage

'increase should be put on hold.'

'Everything went well with Colonel Brigwell, I presume?'

'After today's meeting, my position is in no doubt.'

'I'm very glad to hear it, Matron.'

'The benefactors were most generous, Colonel! All this money!'

Take it. Go. Come on.

The thief is bound to try again.

SHE GASPS

It was me, stupid!

We were on our way to our birthday party.

Our very own escape.

I just hoped Gideon was on his way too.

-Is this it, the tower?

-No, we haven't travelled far enough.

DOOR RATTLES

No. It's bolted on the other side.

-We're going to have to find another way.

-How?

WIND WHISTLES

Out through there.

Have you lost the plot?

-We have to think this through.

-It's too dangerous, Gid.

It's worth the risk.

-Not if we're scraping off you the courtyard it isn't.

-Believe me...

When the Foundling thief opens the pantry door,

I pounce, you lock them in.

It's not safe, Gid.

Ned, we passed some rope back there, go get it.

What for? What are you doing?

Just do it!

It's just...just not safe, Gid.

Mind out of the way.

Fine.

Gideon, don't.

Gideon, please, don't.

Just stop. Gideon...

Gideon. METALLIC CLUNK

SNAPPING SOUND HETTY GASPS

The mousetraps.

METALLIC CLUNK

Gid, no. Please. Come on, let's go back.

It's not safe.

Monica!

-What...?

-Ssssh!

It's the tower. Look at it!

Wow. I can't believe it.

Perfect.

'We'd made it. Now we had preparations to do.'

Gid... BOTH: No!

Easy.

THEY LAUGH

Tower, anyone?!

It's up here. Come on.

It's amazing.

GIRLS: Surprise!

For Hetty and Gideon - happy borrowed birthday!

Wow.

Now I remember, it is our borrowed birthday.

'It wasn't just a happy birthday, it was the start of times to come.'

And this is for everyone!

'We were a gang, our very own family.'

To our den. Our very own place!

THEY CHEER

Happy birthday!

DOOR CREAKS

That's no Foundling.

FLOORBOARDS CREAK

Ready...

steady...

GO!

Intruder!

THEY SCREAM

What was that?

Everyone! Get out of here! Run!

SCREAMING

What is it, girls?

It's a thief, Matron. An intruder. I'm telling the truth!

Stand back, ladies. L-l-leave this to me.

Oh, do be careful, Mr Cranborne.

Ah!

Goodness me!

It rather looks like we've found our thief.

Mathias?

Up you get.

It seemed we weren't the only ones escaping inside the hospital.

Mathias was back.

Our gang was complete but this wasn't the same boy. He'd changed.

Where had he been?

And what happened to make him come back?

But most important...

now he had returned, what was Matron going to do to him?

HE PANTS

-Where's Mathias?

-He must be in the tench.

You did a terrible thing, Mathias, running away from the hospital.

The store's usual supplier is sick.

We're doing them a favour. We get extra.

If it goes well, maybe we could become their new supplier.

-We want to know what happened.

-No, you don't.

From now on, if you so much as sense any mischief,

from any one of them, I want you to tell me.

There's someone's coming.

Got you now, Feather!