The Golden Egg Rocket's Island

Don't build your life around him. You'll only regret it.

He actually understands me.

I thought you'd changed.

I don't need to change. I'm Tyler McCray.

If you walk away...

What?

We're through.

Stop taking what out on you?

That you've got no mates!

Tyler, it's me. Don't hang up.

You all right?

I was wondering, did you do the maths homework?

-What?

-No, I wasn't... It's not about the homework.

I got everything really wrong, OK?

I don't blame you if you hate me

but if you don't, then maybe it could be like before?

Cos...I miss...

All the laughs we used to have and...

The way you knew what pizza I'd like, even without asking and...

You didn't think it was stupid I talk to the chickens sometimes...

LAUGHTER

Am I on speakerphone?

You know the rules about jewellery.

But Miss, it was a present from my brother. Miss...

OK, everyone. Gather round, please.

These were donated to the school years ago

before it became illegal to collect them.

It's illegal to collect birds' eggs? What about chickens?

Wild birds, Rocket. Because many are very rare.

And yes, I did see you arrive late.

It's golden.

It's priceless.

This is the egg of a very rare Shearwater.

People on the island have always thought it was a special bird.

That it was protected by a demon.

A demon?

Maybe that's how come this one's stayed intact for so long.

Who threw this?

I'll ask one more time.

Fine. Detention for everybody after school.

Hey! School's that way!

Not going.

Tyler just made me look like a sad weirdo stalker in front of everybody.

You don't skip school cos some boy acts stupid.

No-one'd ever go to school.

That's right, make jokes about it.

We'll talk about it later, yeah?

Why not now?

Cos now I've got to go pick up uniforms for Jade and Brandon.

So you've got time for your pretend kids but not your real ones?

Wendy Sparks has got it in for us.

She thinks we're trouble and I'm not having that so are you going to back

to school, or shall we maybe think about no Charlie for a week or two?

You don't get it, do you, Mum?

Brandon!

Way to go, Rocket.

I love being in detention, especially with you for company.

Hang on, he didn't do anything.

His foster brother, his fault.

It's not the first time either!

Exactly! Every new Knot kid, more trouble for everyone!

You can't stand there and blame my mate when he did nothing.

He did nothing and neither did you.

You need to man up.

-Bethany Summer.

-Brandon.

-Thanks for that.

-What?

-What?

You know what! If you look bad, I look bad.

You need to get in there and tell Mrs Sparks.

-I know how to handle Sparko.

-What are you doing with that?

If she hadn't given everyone detention,

we wouldn't have taken it.

If it gets broken, she'll flip.

Give it here.

Give...

Brandon!

Stop messing about, give me...

Stop it! Seriously!

What's going on?

They stole it! Mrs Sparks said it was priceless!

Do you know how much trouble you'd be in if this got broken?

HE CLUCKS LIKE A CHICKEN

LAUGHTER

CLUCKING

Why have you got an egg?

In case she needs someone to talk to later.

Seriously though, you dated someone who talks to chickens?

And you told her you didn't mind!

I never said that. I always thought it was weird!

Chickens for friends.

They're not my friends!

Rocket.

And then there was the time in year five

when she said I hadn't been reciting my times tables like everybody else,

and that was a total lie. Well, apart from the seven times table,

I might have mimed that a bit, but that's not the point.

-And what about...

-Look, why are you so hung up on Bethany Summer?

It's not me. It's her.

You must have noticed she's always in my face.

Not really.

She has one mission in life and that is to ruin mine.

Thank you.

And what healthy, non-sugary delights can I get you today?

Doughnut. A chocolate one.

I sold the last one to her.

Bethany Summer.

Anybody there?

There's no way I'm taking the rap.

Any more trouble at school and Mum'll stop me riding Charlie.

-So you can both...

-We didn't break it.

It was your fault, I was just...

Ah, this is where you've been hiding.

Right, chickens need cleaning out.

Volunteer please.

Coming.

Wait... For a moment there, I thought Brandon volunteered?!

-Hey, do you know what "dumb cakes" are?

-Old tradition.

I used to make them with Mum when I was little. Why?

She said we could make some tomorrow.

You and her?

Do they have chocolate in them, cos I only really like chocolate cake.

Stop changing the subject. There's only one way round this.

We find another egg the same.

We put it back before Mrs Sparks knows it's missing.

And I mean "we".

Or do you want me to sling this into the sea?

How have you got that?

Cos Sparko trusts me to look after things better than you.

For now.

You would never throw that in the sea.

Want to risk it?

A very, very elusive bird.

They live high up rock cliffs.

Only come out in the darkest hours of the night.

This is pointless.

Ah! Here we are!

In my ancient book of Dirgelmor, I knew there was something in here.

It is possible to find one?

Oh, when I was a boy you found them all over the island!

See?

Of course, that was before they became extinct.

As in they're toast?

I don't know what my daughter's thinking,

asking you to spot a Shearwater as a nature project.

I'll have to have to have a word.

-No!

-No, really, don't do that. We like a challenge.

It's more than a challenge. I would say impossible.

OK. Thanks.

Wait a minute! I knew there was something in here.

It seems it was foretold that if the bird ever returned,

it would be on Blindman's Rock.

"If?"

Now I think, I'm sure I've heard of a few sightings over there...

You're a legend!

Does it say anything about them being protected by demons?

Demons? Of course! If you get too close,

the demon's voice will ring out,

and you must flee before it catches you.

Or what?

You might become extinct.

Is this really a good idea?

Tell her to get stuffed.

You could fall or get lost or anything.

-You got us into this, you can help get us out.

-Make me.

I could tell Mrs Sparks that you stole the egg.

I guess you're used to chatting about eggs.

-Brandon!

-Where are you off to?

-Tweeting.

-Twitching.

It means bird-watching.

Yes, I know what it means. Since when were you into twitching?

Since when were you into making dumb cakes with whoever?

You know what they're up to,

it's illegal, it's dangerous, and worst of all,

they didn't invite me!

Shall we find out how many types of biscuit an ant can carry?

You definitely won't say anything to your mum, will you?

You know I wouldn't breathe a word to my mum.

About what?

Your end of term surprise gift.

Oh, really?

Hope it's as good as all the other ones you never bought me.

This does not look like homework.

It's sort of biology.

Tell her about the ant thing.

Not going to help.

I've just marked your essay. Terrible. You can do it again.

Aw, Mum!

When you can do it as well as that,

then I might think about letting you two study together again.

Bethany Summer.

Come on.

I don't see why you couldn't just tell Sarah about the egg.

Cos she'd totally freak.

She's always been cool with me.

I guess this'll do.

Now what?

Now we wait.

Can I have those crisps now?

Quietly.

Maybe it'd be better if we didn't find one.

-What?

-The demon. What if it's true?

Be quiet!

Why's it called Blindman's Rock?

Because there's all these sharp drops that you don't see

-before it's too late.

-Now she tells me!

I don't see why I even need to be here!

If you'd stood up to Brandon

when he told you to take the egg, then you wouldn't be.

It wasn't all him. He's not like you think.

He did one nice thing for Mary Mac but he's not here now, is he?

If you'd asked him nicely, he might have come.

I don't think so.

He's not bothered about you or anyone else.

This is stupid.

Jade. I didn't mean it, OK?

SINISTER BIRD NOISES

Should watch where you're going.

You... You...

You hurt my arm, doofus!

If I hadn't come you'd have hurt more than that!

Now I wish you had!

What did you expect, "Oh my hero?"

Jade!

Brandon?!

Knew you'd get into trouble, didn't I?

I heard it. The demon.

There!

What you doing? Don't go closer!

The Oldest Man said...

It's the Shearwater. People just think it sounds like a demon.

Burrows. He said that too.

Well, if Not the Oldest Man in the World said it.

What do you mean, "Not the Oldest Man?"

You really will believe anything, won't you?

How do you know what you're doing?

It's called the internet.

You're so about to lose a finger.

Sh.

Are beaks really sharp then or...

Sh!

Anyone could have done that.

What about its mum?

What about its mum?

Look, we don't have a choice. All we have to do now

is keep it safe till Monday. Problem solved.

You're really doing this?

Mum, this might have been good fun when I was about five...

I am starving!

Sh. Why do you think they're called dumb cakes?

You're not allowed to speak.

What? Twice in one day?

What's going on?

It's a girl thing. They have to make it in total silence.

Then eat it in silence.

And then when they go to sleep they're supposed

to dream of the person they'll marry.

Cos that makes total sense.

It is so annoying.

They used to do this all the time and they wouldn't let me

join in or eat any of the cake!

PC Beddoe is here, everyone.

Yes, concerning a very serious matter.

We've had a report of a possible egg theft.

A walker up on Blindman's Rock spotted three kids

possibly taking eggs.

Not just any walker either.

A very important personage, in fact.

Obviously my job brings me into contact with the criminal element

but also with the highest echelons of society.

How come your first port of call is to The Knot?

I'm sure you can account for the kids' whereabouts?

Mrs Boulsworth?

I will ask you once again, Mrs Boulsworth.

Dumb cakes.

What did you call me?

That's what they're making. They're not allowed to speak.

You do know that stealing wild birds' eggs is a serious crime?

How serious?

Jail serious.

I was at home. Rocket can back us up.

We were there for hours, not doing our homework.

Rest of us were at the beach.

Homework. The beach.

So what's this cake you're making then?

-Seriously?

-Where else do you keep an egg safe?

You need to put the egg back in its nest.

-It doesn't belong to you.

-No way I'm going back up that rock.

You don't have a choice, OK?

Do you want Mrs Sparks to have the ammunition she needs?

Everyone just needs to chill out.

All you need to do is get it into school Monday morning.

Sparko's in and out all weekend. She could notice it's gone any time!

What are we supposed to do?

It's not like we can break into the school, is it?

Not unless I had a best friend

that could get the keys from his mum's handbag?

What happened to knocking?

What happened to twitching?

I remember when you used to shout for this one,

before you could even talk,

but I always knew what was going on in your head.

You'd better go. One of the others probably needs tucking in.

If I'm tougher on you, it's because I expect more from you.

No, it's cos you don't understand.

What it's like to lose people that you care about?

Right, cos it's not like that happens to me all the time, is it?

That's...different.

Yeah. You're right. It is different.

Very.

Tyler, you know... he's not all that, is he?

But his mate, that Lucas, he's quite fit.

Mum!

Oh, come on, like you've not thought it.

See, why couldn't you have been like this with me yesterday?

You've got time for everyone but...

Because yesterday you wanted the big heart-to-heart

when you were supposed to be at school!

So I sent you back!

Look, I know I get it all wrong sometimes.

I might not be the best mum in the world

but I'm the only one you've got.

The one who fell for you the first moment I saw you.

On the ultrasound screen, before you were even born.

Size of a bean, you were.

But I could see your little heart going boom, boom, boom.

That's when I knew what I was.

A mum.

Yeah. My mum.

But I'm the best the others are going to get as well.

For a while anyway.

A long while, maybe.

And you are smart and sorted

and I know that if I take my eyes off you for two minutes

you're not going to go and do something silly.

Don't I?

Where's the cake?

Bethany Summer.

Ah, look at that.

Bethany Summer's name on the netball sheet.

-Who cares?

-Can we get this over with please?

Think I'm scared? Cos I'm not.

You'd better not be trying to protect me or nothing,

Cos I don't need protecting.

Like I'm bothered.

You're not my big brother, in case you're thinking that.

Good! I don't want to be!

-Good!

-Sh!

I remember the first time she spoke to me.

"Move your bag, loser!" I'll never forget that.

Have you actually had a bump on the head?

You're definitely going to speak to her?

If I have to.

Cos that's the only reason I agreed to this.

Open up.

Be quick!

Could have hardboiled it by now.

Alli?

She's got the egg! Why've you got the egg?

I think I can guess.

Do you have any idea what you have done?

I didn't realise.

You could have been badly hurt stealing eggs.

You could have got a criminal record. Even worse than that!

Oh. Actually, I'll let my very important personal acquaintance here explain it.

Mr Williams, sir. Iolo. Good to see you again.

You too, Terry.

It's, er, Gerry.

And you must be the girl who nearly took away this bird's chance of life.

It's not too late, is it?

It can't go back to its mother, she wouldn't recognise it.

That's why it's so damaging to steal from nests.

That's why people like me volunteer to keep an eye on them.

What'll happen to it?

It'll have to be cared for by specialists.

People who help lost little things like this back onto their feet.

That's the only chance she's got.

I'm really sorry.

Thanks again, Terry.

Gerry!

Gerry.

And as for you...

As this was a one-off,

and you've admitted that you alone took the egg,

I'm prepared to keep this between you and me for now.

Thank you.

If...you own up to Mrs Sparks about breaking the original.

Mum? You know what you are?

What?

A specialist.

Seriously, it was just there on the doorstep,

like a massive slice of cake,

and it had a heart iced onto it. Who would do that? I mean...

Wow! If I eat cake before I go to bed,

I always have weird dreams.

What about you?

You know, like, cheese gives you bad dreams?

Well, cake's the same. For me it is anyway.

Did you have any weird dreams after you ate the cake?

No.

Wait!

I did have a dream last night.

Yeah.

Rocket Boulsworth was in it.

I wish for a friend my own age.

-There's no such thing as ghosts.

-What if Alli's friend is a ghost?

And she's going to haunt the island forever?

Bethany Summer just sent me a love letter.

She can't stop thinking about me.

The ghost trap!