The Selkie Boy Rocket's Island

-I brought you these.

-Mr Romantic.

I'm glad you're here.

Hang on, you think me and Tyler...

I saw you. All touchy-feely, giggly, wink-wink.

Alli, are you calling him because he feels bad or you do?

Having a boyfriend is meant to be fun.

This isn't fun.

'How to find my soul mate.

'I'll know he's my soul mate because he'll give me flowers,

'protect me from danger

'and say stuff that makes me go gooey inside.

'He will probably be the best-looking boy on the island,

'though this is less important because

'I'm not going to be that shallow.

'He will always be there for me

'but he will never stop me from hanging out with my friends.

'My many cool friends.'

SHE SIGHS

I've got news for you, Alli Boulsworth,

age eight and three quarters...

-SHE SNIFFS

-..none of this works out.

Alli.

Alli!

I'm heading into the village. Do you want to come and hang out?

Since when do we hang out?

Since we both don't have no-one else to hang out with.

-I've got people to hang out with.

-Name one.

Not Charlie the horse.

I don't need mates right now. I need to concentrate on my work,

Get my life back on track.

Someone should have told me when I wrote this,

your love life comes second and studies first.

What's that?

Probably a seal.

Didn't look like a seal.

What did it look like?

For a minute, I thought it was a person.

Seal.

Person.

Seal.

Person.

What's going on?

She saw someone like a mile out at sea.

It's probably just a seal.

It didn't look like a seal.

We didn't find anyone and nobody has been reported missing.

Sorry.

It's so choppy out there, we nearly capsized three times.

Really, really sorry.

What are you talking about? It was fantastic!

We'll buy you a hot chocolate when you dry out, if you want.

I've got to be somewhere.

It was not a seal.

Will you stop going on about it?

But it wasn't, I'm sure.

What you saw was probably a selkie -

a mysterious sea creature.

In the water, it takes the form of a seal.

Seal.

But when it gets near land, it takes human form.

Aha.

A selkie only comes when a lost and lonely girl cries

her tears into the sea.

Then it offers her three gifts.

And if she accepts, it will meet her at the cliffs,

where she will hear the selkie song

and he will become her soul mate forever.

Soul mate?

You cried into the sea, I saw you.

Maybe it was a seal AND a person.

Maybe you called a selkie.

What do you reckon a hottie from the sea even looks like?

Who cares? That's not the point.

Weirdo.

There's more to life than having a boyfriend.

You know people only say that when they don't have one.

An ordinary £1 coin.

I could spend it on chocolate,

I could spend it on crisps,

I could...

..throw it over my shoulder.

Am I that mad? I must be.

I just did it, didn't I?

Except...

What's this?

Bradley, you had it all the time.

BRADLEY OINKS

Yes, I am amazing, thank you.

Izzy, stop messing before Dad sees you.

You do not want to get him any more wound up.

I've been practising this all night.

This is so cool.

Let me show you.

Izzy.

Are you mucking out that pig?

No autographs, fans.

Must've asked her about five times.

She's improving. It was seven yesterday.

Yeah. Here, I've got a job for you.

Mum's eternity ring. I want you to take it into Ferry Head

and get it polished up.

Oh, Dad, you smoothie.

Well, you know how much that means to us,

-so be careful.

-Leave it to me.

Do you really think I'm weird because I haven't had a boyfriend?

I think you are weird for lots of reasons.

It's not my fault. None of the losers around here ever talk to me.

You could be a little less aggressive.

What are you talking about? Aggressive?

-Say that again, I dare you!

-All right!

I'd fix you up on a blind date

but I can't think of a boy I'd want to be that cruel to.

Then again, there is someone.

Hang on, I never said that...

He's tall, funny. He's got tonnes of unique qualities, actually.

He is perfect for you.

There is no way you're going to say no to this.

SEAGULLS CRY

"Alli"?

SEAGULLS CRY

A map?

50 paces east.

The wish cave.

'Make sure soul mate knows my favourite flower.'

What?

Hey, wait!

Did you do this?

Wait!

I said, "Unsinkable?

-HE LAUGHS

-"I don't think so.

"One iceberg would tear right through that thing."

And I ripped my ticket up.

We were talking about selkies, not the Titanic.

Ah, yes, must have got sidetracked.

What was the question again?

A selkie couldn't know something without asking, could it?

I mean, in your story?

They are not a story,

they're genuine, mythical creatures,

and yes, a selkie would know your heart's desire.

Are you sure you don't make this stuff up as you go along?

Well, Alli Boulsworth...

..it's for you to decide what you believe.

But think, when you cried those tears into the sea,

what were they for?

Maybe you already believed.

But, if my stories are not wanted, I shall go for my lunch.

Hang on, I need you to translate this map, my Welsh is rubbish.

Any further questions, take them up with my executive assistant.

Who?

You work here?

I thought I might make some extra money.

I'm finished with exams.

What's that?

You can read Welsh.

Help me follow this map and I'll help you with the most boring

job in the store, you name it.

Deal.

Where is it supposed to lead to?

Maybe something I've been looking for, for a really long time.

Where you been?

We were supposed to be in Ferry Head an hour ago.

My mum - "Stack the dishwasher", she says, so I stacked the dishwasher.

"Not like that", she says.

Then she takes it all out and she stacks it again.

Whaa... Every day, this has happened.

Why ask me in the first...

Roll up, roll up for the finest display of magic

this side of the cow shed.

That is Mum's eternity ring, give that back.

One shiny ring. I can let you take it to Ferry Head...

-Izzy?

-..or I could...

..throw it over my shoulder.

Am I that mad?

I must be, I just did it, didn't I?

Except...

-What's this?

-It's a coin.

That's not right.

Izzy, stop messing about.

I'm not messing about.

You idiot.

Where did you say you got this again?

I don't know his name.

What does he look like?

About our age.

Nice eyes, lovely cheekbones.

Just keep counting, OK.

You realise this is the first time we spoke since we broke up?

Well, things got a bit weird.

If your dad was dating the headteacher, you'd act funny too.

But you got so possessive and little tip for the future,

romance is not a two-for-one pizza voucher.

It can be, it depends who it's with.

What's your big idea of romance anyway?

I don't know.

Something unexpected.

This.

You'd never have come up with this in a million years.

Well I'm not Mr Cheekbones, am I?

It now says, 50 paces...

..that way.

Is that a boat?

No, it's too far.

I've got my 50 metres.

What you even think is out there?

My heart's desire, part two, I guess.

You can achieve anything you want in life, I mean, if you want it badly.

SHE YELLS

-SHE GASPS

-It's freezing!

You'd never make a lifeguard.

But you would.

I don't know who is more mad, you or me?

Be careful, OK?

Hey, wait!

That is not fair.

Why won't you just come and talk to me?

You were supposed to throw the 10p coin and keep the ring in hand.

So I got it the wrong way, I've only been doing it a day.

Izzy, that's why I like you, you totally take all the heat off me.

I tell you not to annoy Dad and you do the most annoying thing possible.

Do you want to be the last foster kid we ever take in?

It was an accident.

Lucas.

Lucas!

Here.

Is this all there was?

What happened to my heart's desire?

Unbelievable.

That is the second time today I've risked life and limb for you.

Lucas, that's it.

Protect me from danger.

The second wish of my life plan.

I think I was meant to swim out and he was meant to rescue me.

Lucas, I can't translate myself.

Lucas, I need you.

-I look like a Shetland pony.

-Just remember,

always laugh at his jokes, even when they're not funny.

-Who is he?

-If I told you that then it wouldn't be a blind date.

Izzy, this is not the time for practice.

I'm trying to recreate the mistake.

It looks like a lot like your stuffing your face.

Get down in the mud and... METAL DETECTOR BEEPS

Ha-ha, yes!

The tipper mobile.

I lost this about four years ago.

This is like looking for a ring in a mud bath.

You're right - it's pointless.

-I'll see you later.

-Where are you going?

Ferry Head.

Where are you going?

-To own up.

-No, look, we've still got time.

We'll still be looking next week.

So-so I'll say I did it.

I did it - I pay the price.

DOG BARKS

Why do I get the feeling that Izzy is about to be in big trouble?

What?

DOG GROWLS

DOOR BANGS

Ah, Izzy. You sorted that pig out?

-Yeah.

-Oh, OK.

Right.

Well, I'm sorry if I had a go.

I can see that you're trying.

Why don't we make this a new start between us, eh?

Could we do the new start after I tell you that...

..I've lost Sarah's ring?

I'll pay you back.

It should only take me 10 or 15 years.

FRONT DOOR OPENS AND SHUTS

I know where it is.

It's inside Wayne II.

See Lucas Summer,

he does have nice cheekbones.

-You do know you look like a Shetland...

-Yeah, I do, thanks.

Do you mind going somewhere else?

-I'm waiting for someone.

-I'm waiting for someone myself, actually.

-No...

-Way.

-Well, that's great.

-Wait-wait a minute.

There's this party and I've told everyone I'm bringing my girlfriend.

So what?

So, you're out now

and you've made some effort to look halfway presentable.

See you.

To look nice!

Er, very nice, actually.

So, why not come?

You don't even have to speak to me and...there will be snacks.

..19, 20.

OK.

Stuff that would make me go gooey inside.

-SHE SIGHS

-More Welsh. Oh, come on.

Have you, er, seen any of the Expendables movies?

No.

HOOTERS BLARE AND CHILDREN SHOUT

Ah, we're here.

It's a little kids' party.

They're mature for their age.

It's those brats who follow you round and their Year 7 mates.

A party is a party is...

a party.

You're going to tell people about this, aren't you?

You have made me feel a whole lot less weird.

Stay for one round of Pass The Parcel.

You seriously expect me to read this?

Come on, please.

I know it sounds stupid but I think someone...

Someone really special sent me this.

It's by some old, local poet.

It's called The Cliffs Of Derglemore.

# Meet me On the cliffs of Derglemore

# And we will remember The days of yore

# When you and I were an island All our own

# Paradise then Now lost and overgrown

# From the Ballybungy shores We hear the seal sing

# I would again Be your everything

# So meet me On the cliffs of Derglemore

# And we will be happy For evermore. #

It's him.

What?

Got to be the cliffs.

Awesome chips.

-I'm sorry I didn't bring any money.

-Forget it.

I was in a rush and I left it all in my other trousers.

That's pretty basic,

making sure you've got money on a date.

-HE SNEEZES

-Oh, sorry, erm, it's these flowers.

My allergies.

How many dates have you actually been on?

Oh, too many to count.

Well, a few.

None.

So why do you have to big yourself up all the time?

I don't know.

Cos people think there's something wrong with you,

which there isn't, obviously.

I do ask girls out.

What, girls like Madison who you know are going to knock you back?

Well, I wouldn't say that.

So there's no danger in having to actually be with one.

You think that's weird?

No, I don't.

If you are not ready yet, then you are not ready.

It's OK to wait until the time comes

and the time never comes.

That's OK, too.

SEAL BARKS

Seals.

OK.

I know what you are.

I know that you're a seal who turns into a boy

and I love all this.

The flowers and the boat and the poem...

-SEAL BARKS

-..and the fun we had.

The fun we had finding it all.

You're ruining my reporting here.

The seals.

Oh, you are studying them?

I come here to see them in their natural habitat.

I learn one thing for sure, a seal does not turn into a person.

You know this, yes?

It's not possible.

Watch out.

-Oh, my gosh, I'm such an idiot.

-What?

My perfect boy.

Someone who lives in the sea.

Good basis to start a relationship, Alli(!)

And anyway, do I really want to be stuck with my soul mate right now?

I've got research to do.

Fun to have, more important stuff.

Mythical beasts do not do romantic things.

No.

People do.

You?

Lucas, why?

I was working in the back of the store and I heard the oldest man

telling you all that selkie rubbish. I thought...

I thought maybe I could be your selkie.

Shower you with gifts, protect you, make you go all gooey inside.

I didn't know you were going to give that guy all the credit.

You read my life plan.

Tyler read your life plan but he told it to me

and anyone else who'd listen.

Look, Alli, I messed things up between us, I know I did,

but it felt like you didn't even want me around any more.

What can I do to prove that we...

What?

I was going to say soul mates until a minute ago.

I don't need a soul mate yet.

I need something better.

A friend.

Oh, yeah, who's this, then?

Someone I made up.

Way back.

Hey, you, how was your date?

It was...

..not weird.

Not weird at all.

Come on, Wayne II, please.

Do you know what?

Some people think that love's about fancy words

and big, extravagant gestures.

But it's not.

You've got to wait until you find someone who will do that for you.

DOG BARKS

It's a postbox that allows you to correspond with anyone from history.

Just imagine if it really worked.

Brandon started writing to his mum and he reckons he is getting replies.

This is a letter that I got from the mountain post

and this is the one that I got from me mum when she was still alive.

The handwriting is exactly the same.

The Knot looks after us when we haven't got anyone else.

-You have now.

-The mountain post works, it works.