Goodbye Island Rocket's Island

You brought me to life.

This is the first foster kid who ever came to stay with us.

It is because of him that you are all here.

I am glad to see my two favourite ladies getting on so well.

Any more trouble and there will be no more kids at the Knot.

-CYMBALS CRASH

-Dad, she is going deaf!

It gets fainter every day.

-Why didn't you tell us?

-I thought you'd send me away.

-FAINT VOICE:

-Izzy?

-FEEDBACK FROM HEARING AID

-Izzy?

DOG BARKS BIRDS SING

Are you all right?

DISTANT LAUGHTER

FEEDBACK

-FAINT VOICE:

-Hi, Izzy!

BIRD CAWS BICYCLE BELL CHIMES

Izzy?

ELEPHANT TRUMPETS DOG BARKS

Izzy!

Sarah agreed with Peter

that if there was any more trouble,

they wouldn't just take a break from fostering,

they'd give it up forever.

-So what is going to happen?

-Nothing.

They're not going to blame Izzy

now they know why she was behaving like she was.

It won't be long until Brandon's room is filled again.

-You just wait.

-PIG SQUEALS

Bradley?

WIND HOWLS

VOICES ECHO

Izzy! Whoa, whoa! What is it? What is wrong?

I hate how loud the whole world is all of a sudden! How loud I am!

When you haven't heard anything for a while,

hearing everything again is bound to take a bit of getting used to.

-I hate everyone gawping at me.

-They're only looking

because they can't believe you managed to keep it all a secret.

I wish it still was!

EXPLOSION

-What was that?

-It came from in there.

Madison?

So, Madison Creetch is leaving the island then?

And how did you work that out?

Well, when a Dirgelnite is leaving Dirgelmor, it's island tradition

to go into the old mines

and write "farewell" on the sun stone just inside.

-Why?

-Because of the Dirgeldoor.

What's that?

It's said that the only island greater than ours

is the one beneath it.

They used to call it Silverland.

And the Dirgeldoor is at its very heart.

For centuries, any miner departing the island

-would be sure to exit via the Dirgeldoor.

-How come?

Some used to swear it was a sort of ancient teleportation point.

-Where would it teleport you to?

-Your true home.

And as long as you took a bit of the door with you,

the magic of the island would remain with you always.

When I leave, I'm definitely doing that.

It sounds way better than the ferry.

Not so fast, Izzy Wizzy.

The most magical place in Dirgelmor is also the most dangerous.

So no-one uses it now. That's why they write on the sun stone.

Yeah, and besides, you're not going anywhere.

I'm going to have to get Mr Turner, the vet, to come over.

Bradley is not so good, I'm afraid.

It's my fault.

I shouldn't confide in him as much as I do.

He's a very sensitive pig. Probably sick with worry.

And what have you been confiding in him about? Eh, Mister?

You haven't said anything yet about what's going to happen.

I think it's about time we had a family meeting. Don't you?

BOTH LAUGH

Er, hello? We're still here, you know.

Do we have to do everything together?

Sometimes it would be nice if we had you to ourselves for once.

Funnily enough, that's just what we've been thinking.

So tomorrow, we're going to have a bit of quality family time.

-Yes!

-But not in the usual combinations.

You don't mean...?

Well, your mum and Bethany had so much fun last week,

I reckon it is time we men got together to, don't you?

About time too.

-Izzy, why have you...?

-I'm fine with lip reading.

I've had plenty of practice.

Erm...

Your mum and I have been talking things over for a few days now.

There isn't going to be anyone else joining us at the Knot.

-Now, or in the future.

-What?!

It's not because of anything you've done.

It's because of me. I've made a lot of mistakes these past few weeks.

Been too tough on you. From now on, things are going to be different.

And what about when Jade, Archie, and Izzy have gone?

Well, then it will just be the four of us.

No, there are loads of kids out there that need us too.

Yeah, I'm sorry, Rocket, but we've made our decision.

Yeah, well, Dad has. What about you?

They're bluffing.

It won't be long till we're sent back to the mainland now.

-I'll be first. Then you.

-What?

-Don't listen to her, Archie.

This is about the future, not us.

If you don't blame anyone for anything,

then why are you giving up?

-Because...

-Because what?

-Because I'm no good at it. I'm a farmer.

Not a fosterer.

It's not me who makes the difference

in the lives of those who come and stay.

-That's not true. Mum, tell him!

-Do you think I haven't tried?

Look, we'll focus on the fostering

for as long as Izzy, Jade, and Archie are here.

And then we'll concentrate on the farming.

Well, we need to change his mind.

Trust me, Rocket, there is nothing you can do.

Nothing lasts forever, does it? Stuff comes to an end.

People move on.

I mean...

-What, Rocket?

-There is something.

No, no, we thought Brad would be the last kid to leave for a while too,

but, well... it's not worked out like that.

No, no, we haven't said anything yet.

It's going to be a bit of a bolt out of the blue, to be honest.

Always unsettles them a bit when one of them leaves.

Yeah, if you could pick up from the ferry too, that would be brilliant.

OK. Bye.

-You can't come in here.

-It's the future of the Knot, Alli.

Normal rules don't apply.

-What are you doing?

-Magic.

There's nothing to worry about, Bradley.

Even if no-one else is going to take our place.

We're still going to be here for years.

No. We're not.

You were right.

-I just heard Sarah on the phone. One of us is leaving.

-Who?

-She didn't say.

-Bound to be me.

Well, if you're going, then I'm going too.

They can't get rid of one of us just because they feel like it.

If this isn't our true home, then we need to find wherever is.

Tomorrow, we're going through the Dirgeldoor.

Thought I'd find you here.

-I think you and me need to have a talk.

-Yeah. Yeah, we do.

Mum, everything is going to be all right.

How do you make that out?

Maybe you're right.

-Maybe we can't change Dad's mind. But he can.

-Who?

Mikey! Do you remember when Archie first took him out? And he came?

Mum, we just need him to come again.

Mikey came because he was on the run from the Army, not because of that.

Yeah, well that is what old people always say.

First foster kid of them all.

It's because of him that they're all there.

And when he comes back and speaks to Dad, there will be even more too.

Mikey Valentine is going to save the Knot.

This is all yours. A gift. From me to you.

-Almost ready to sail the seven seas.

-It's got a hole in it.

There is, I agree, some slight damage to the stern.

But for now, you're going to have to see beyond that, like I did.

-Who buys a boat with a hole in it?

-Maybe "buy" is the wrong word.

Found.

-Where, at the bottom of the sea?

-The rocks, actually.

But the fact remains, I have decided to give it to you.

Only because no-one else wanted it.

-I am sensing some negativity here.

-It's got a hole in it!

Jason of the Argonauts had the Argo. You've got...the Dibbo.

This boat ain't never going to float.

How long are you going to take?

My possessions require more delicate packing than yours.

-You're not bringing your bugs.

-I'm hardly going to leave them, am I?

-I've packed these for one night. Is that enough?

-Plenty.

You don't think we're being a bit hasty?

Not as hasty as Sarah was phoning social services.

We don't even know where in Silverland the Dirgeldoor is.

-Not yet, no, but we're about to.

-How?

If the mines really are as dangerous

as the oldest man in the world said they are,

then it's not likely he's going to help us, is it?

Doesn't matter. Cos we know someone else who will.

-We know what you were doing at the mines. We know you're leaving.

-Ssh!

-I haven't told anyone yet.

-So you really are going?

-What about your placement?

-That's why. I'm not cut out to be a vet.

-Stupid to think I ever was.

-But you can't give up just like that.

This is the real world, Archibald. Dreams don't come true.

We need to know all about the silver mines. You're all we've got.

Your grandad was one of the last generation of Dirgelnites

to go down the mines.

Silverland was all he ever talked about.

Look at this.

"Heading to the Dirgeldoor on Ive's final day."

What's going on? Why are you carrying all that stuff about?

Jade overheard Sarah on the phone.

They've arranged for one of us to leave. But without telling us.

So we've all decided to go together.

You can't leave the island.

-Why not? You are.

-Hey, there's more.

"To gain purest magic, enter through Mars,

"avoiding the hard rain,

"and taking the stairs, turn left at the mites, skip the gasp,

"and long room, and lo, there it be, ready to carry thee home."

This is it. This is how to get to the Dirgeldoor.

Have you lot got rocks for brains?

-You're not actually planning on going down the mines?

-We have to.

It's the only way to find our true home

and take the magic of the island with us.

Sarah Bosworth would not have arranged for anyone

to go without telling them.

-She has. All right?

-Why don't you ask her first?

-Just to be absolutely sure.

-I suppose we could.

-Archie!

-You have to promise me you won't go anywhere near those mines.

-OK.

-How is he?

-Not good, I'm afraid.

And Mr Turner is away on the mainland at the moment.

Can't get a locum either. What else can we do, eh?

There is one thing.

MOBILE RINGS

He never wanted to go anyway.

-Just wanted to put his bugs back in that tank.

-Madison's right.

We do need to find out what is really happening before we leave.

And why Sarah is keeping it all a secret.

The same reason anyone wants to keep a secret.

She doesn't want us to know.

Hello, you three. Been camping?

Bethany and I are having a mother and daughter day, aren't we?

So which one of you is it?

That's leaving?

Who told you that?

Sarah left me a message.

It's... It's all of us.

Goodbye, Mrs Sparks.

-Archie?

-Bethany?

Where are you going?

Silverland.

-The last ferry will be in by now.

-So?

I'm not sure magic works to a timetable.

Well, he isn't going to come back, is he? Just because of this?

I was stupid to think he might.

DOOR OPENS

Mikey?

No. Madison. What are you after anyway?

There is something wrong with Bradley Piggins.

But we don't know what.

-And Mr Turner is away.

-Yeah, I know. So?

So we need you to make him better.

-Not going to happen.

-What?!

-My vet days are over.

-Well, you can help us first.

We were there when you needed someone, Madison.

-Now the Knot needs you.

-No can do.

-Besides, I think I have already done enough Knot work for one day.

-Eh?

Sending Jade, Archie, and Izzy back here

when they were packed and ready to go.

-They are here, aren't they?

-We haven't seen them for hours.

Madison, what's going on?

-Whoa! Careful!

-Sorry, Dad!

-Are you sure that was it?

-I've got a photographic memory.

So why did you have to write it on my top then? This was clean on.

Archie, we're about to enter a whole new world,

more magical than our own.

Stop worrying about laundry.

Nine. If you carry on down there that will be nine possible ways in.

-So, which one's Mars?

-Well...

If this is the sunstone, then maybe each tunnel is a planet.

But there are only eight planets in the solar system.

Only since Pluto got chucked out.

There used to be nine, so we need to work out how many planets

are in-between Mars and the sun

-and enter through that one.

-Brilliant!

-How many are there, then?

-I don't know.

Well, we'd better get this right because whatever hard rain is,

it does not sound good.

You lot really have to stop moving that.

-Mikey Valentine.

-What?

"Mikey Valentine eats many juicy satsumas under nightfall."

Archie, this is not the time to be discussing anyone's eating habits.

The first letter of each word stands for a planet

and tells you the order they come in.

Mikey begins with an M.

So Mars must be the closest planet of all.

Which means we go into the first tunnel.

Goodbye, island.

We are going home.

-There you go.

-Do you really think this will work?

There's only one way to find out.

-You ready for your maiden voyage, Captain Sparks?

-Bring it on!

Look, I know it must have been difficult for you

-when your dad left...

-What?!

Well, I mean it was always going to be a big thing

when your mum met someone again.

This doesn't suddenly make you my dad, giving me some boat.

-Mate, I know that!

-You're not my mate either.

You're just my mum's boyfriend.

But what about the maiden voyage?

We sunk.

If this is the right way, I wouldn't like to see the wrong one.

-RUMBLING

-What's that?

-I have no idea.

-ROCKS CRASH AND FALL

-Bethany Summer?

-Your mum is not my mum! And she never will be.

But she doesn't get that. No-one does.

That's not quite true.

Are you seriously telling me that you're here

because Rocket got that figure out from beneath Archie's bed?

Yeah.

And the e-mail Alli sent me last night played a part too.

Hey, I can't stay for long. I'm calving tomorrow.

-You shouldn't have come.

-You were there for me, weren't you?

Peter...

you got me to believe and it turns out

you don't even believe in yourself. How does that work?

There's a girl staying here at the moment,

turns out she could hardly hear a word I was saying.

And I didn't even notice.

Yeah, and from what I've heard, you weren't the only one.

Sarah is the best mum in the world.

You don't have to be the best.

You just have to do your best. You taught me that.

And when I got here, it wasn't a dad I wanted anyway.

I already had one of them.

But when you've got a dad with as many problems as mine,

you need something else too. Something even more important.

A Peter.

Well, you don't need one now, do you? I mean, look at you.

-You're on your way to a farm of your own.

-Yeah, I know.

It won't just be cattle on it. It will be a load of kids too.

Cos when I'm older, I think I want to foster as well, like you.

DOG BARKS

-Maybe they didn't come down here.

-Yeah, they did. Look.

Yeah, that's Izzy's writing.

But how would they know which tunnel to go into?

Because of this.

My grandad told me each one used to be known by the name of a planet.

-So if that stone is the Sun, which tunnel would Mars be?

-Easy.

We have a way to remember it. And Mikey begins with an M, so...

Yeah, but that M stands for Mercury.

The M in "many" is for Mars.

Two, three...

..four.

Mars is this way. Come on.

Uh, there's a reason

no-one goes past the sun stone these days, you know?

The mines aren't safe.

Yeah, well we have to get them out of there.

Yeah, and the best way to do that is to get help.

There's no coverage. OK, wait here.

Peter!

-I think I know what it is.

-What?

-Hard rain.

That's what it sounds like, isn't it?

Except it's not made of water, it's made of stone.

And it's the roof, falling down.

-I thought we avoided it.

-So did I. Run!

LOUD CRASHING

-That's it. We're going in.

-You can't!

Rocket!

You're actually telling me not only have Jade, Izzy, and Archie

been stupid enough to go down the mines,

but Rocket and Alli have followed them?

There are miles and miles of tunnels down there,

been collapsing for years.

No-one else goes in until we know exactly where this Dirgeldoor is.

We need to go in after them. Now.

-Wait.

-They are our kids. All of them.

Don't try and stop us.