0:00:01 > 0:00:04'Attention! The My Life In Care videos are about to receive
0:00:04 > 0:00:07'their royal premiere in the TV room.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10'Don't miss these personal takes on what life is
0:00:10 > 0:00:13'really like in Ashdene Ridge.
0:00:13 > 0:00:15'And next up, it's Carmen.'
0:00:15 > 0:00:19Finn, you are down by them on the floor. Careful.
0:00:19 > 0:00:23Mo, you're here, Ryan, on that beanbag over there.
0:00:23 > 0:00:25You boys are there and there.
0:00:25 > 0:00:29And Kaz, you are here on this lovely seat.
0:00:29 > 0:00:31Sheuch!
0:00:31 > 0:00:32We are...
0:00:32 > 0:00:33ready to watch.
0:00:35 > 0:00:36OK.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39I'm Carmen Howle, and I have lived here at the Dumping Ground
0:00:39 > 0:00:41since I was quite little.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43'And if I'm being honest, I know more than...
0:00:43 > 0:00:46- A-choo!- OK! Are we quite finished?
0:00:47 > 0:00:49Thank you.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51Continue.
0:00:51 > 0:00:52PROGRAMME SPOOLS BACK
0:00:52 > 0:00:54I've lived here at the Dumping Ground
0:00:54 > 0:00:56since I was quite little and, if I'm being honest,
0:00:56 > 0:01:00I know more about how life works here than most others.
0:01:00 > 0:01:01It's not their fault.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04'They just don't have as much experience as I do.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07Is she saying she's the best at being dumped in care?
0:01:07 > 0:01:08Think so.
0:01:11 > 0:01:12"The real me".
0:01:13 > 0:01:17Well, I think there's only one real me. What you see is what you get.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19This looks disgusting. I'm not eating this.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22'Why beat around the bush? That's what I say.'
0:01:22 > 0:01:25I'm not going to a party with you looking like that.
0:01:25 > 0:01:27'Some people, you never know what they're thinking.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29'I'm definitely not one of them.'
0:01:29 > 0:01:30Put them back, Jody. You can't
0:01:30 > 0:01:32borrow Carmen's things without asking.
0:01:32 > 0:01:33You can't borrow them at all!
0:01:33 > 0:01:35'I like to get stuff out in the open.'
0:01:35 > 0:01:38- Why? - Look, I don't want a roommate.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40- Specially one who stinks. - Carmen?!
0:01:40 > 0:01:41'Yeah. Be direct.'
0:01:41 > 0:01:45Ooh, "direct"? So that's what they're calling "rude" nowadays!
0:01:45 > 0:01:47Anyone else here that buzzing?
0:01:47 > 0:01:49No? Just me?
0:01:49 > 0:01:51Oh, it's just Jody. I thought it was
0:01:51 > 0:01:54an annoying little insect ruining everything.
0:01:54 > 0:01:55Hey, come on, you three...
0:01:55 > 0:01:58I think it's fair to say I'm an ambitious person, too.
0:01:58 > 0:01:59"Ambitious"?!
0:01:59 > 0:02:02As in, pushy?
0:02:02 > 0:02:05With this, you will totally stand out in the audition.
0:02:05 > 0:02:07Hm, yeah. The world is my lobster.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10You're going to need to get the job first.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13Oh, well, I can feel it. It's going to lead to things.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16Yeah, yeah, I want to make something of myself.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19'But success won't just fall in your lap.
0:02:19 > 0:02:21'You need to set yourself targets and go for them.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24Are you just going to sit around on the sofa
0:02:24 > 0:02:26and just expect things to happen for you?
0:02:26 > 0:02:28Well, guess what?
0:02:28 > 0:02:29They won't.
0:02:29 > 0:02:31You've got to get up
0:02:31 > 0:02:33and you've got to make the most of who you are
0:02:33 > 0:02:35and what you want to be.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38Maybe you do have something.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41'And if you're going places, you have to face the fact
0:02:41 > 0:02:44'that not everyone is going to be as motivated as you are.'
0:02:44 > 0:02:49"Motivated"! So that's, like, really, really bossy!
0:02:49 > 0:02:50THEY CHORTLE
0:02:50 > 0:02:53These are all over the lobby. Can you please pick them up?
0:02:53 > 0:02:55YOU pick 'em up!
0:02:55 > 0:02:58If you could go down there and do some hoovering, please?
0:02:58 > 0:03:00- It's filthy. - We are not your slaves.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03So, that's the real me. What else?
0:03:03 > 0:03:06Oh.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08"What's my thing?"
0:03:08 > 0:03:13Well, I think you can guess just by looking at me what my thing is.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17What do you reckon her thing is?
0:03:17 > 0:03:22Sitting in an uncomfortable position with a weird grin on her face?
0:03:22 > 0:03:25No, I think it's being really vain.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27Yeah, that's right, you've got it!
0:03:27 > 0:03:30My thing is fashion and beauty.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34'Caring about your appearance is very important, I think.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42'Whatever you're doing, it's good to look the part.'
0:03:42 > 0:03:43How do I look?
0:03:43 > 0:03:46We're getting a bus and a train to Wales,
0:03:46 > 0:03:48not a first-class ticket to Hollywood.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50But there's more to it than meet the eye.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53You know, it's not just about sticking on an outfit
0:03:53 > 0:03:55and shoving on some make-up.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57'Getting the look just right does take a lot of planning.'
0:03:57 > 0:04:00- What is that?- It's a professional nail-filing kit.
0:04:00 > 0:04:01I bought it online. It's the real deal.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03- OTHERS:- Ooh!
0:04:03 > 0:04:05Welcome to Carmen's world
0:04:05 > 0:04:07of Cute Cuticles and "No Way!" Nails
0:04:07 > 0:04:09It's got everything.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12It's got extensions, fibreglass wrap,
0:04:12 > 0:04:13art transfers...
0:04:14 > 0:04:16'And I won't lie,
0:04:16 > 0:04:19'for a super-image-conscious person like myself...
0:04:20 > 0:04:24'..face furniture did take a bit of getting used to.'
0:04:28 > 0:04:30Join the club!
0:04:30 > 0:04:32I'm not joining the Speccy Dork Club!
0:04:34 > 0:04:36Wow!
0:04:37 > 0:04:39You look...different.
0:04:39 > 0:04:40What?!
0:04:40 > 0:04:42Thanks!
0:04:42 > 0:04:44Carmen, I meant it in a good way!
0:04:44 > 0:04:46It's about styling it out.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49I'm just lucky that I look absolutely fabulous
0:04:49 > 0:04:50'in pretty much anything.'
0:04:50 > 0:04:52Yeah, I'm starting to feel dodgy, man.
0:04:52 > 0:04:54I think I ate something real nasty last night!
0:04:54 > 0:04:55HE SNIGGERS
0:04:55 > 0:04:57Ah!
0:04:57 > 0:04:59Now, this is an easy one.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01I want to travel the world.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04That's always been my dream.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06I just don't get how some people can stay at home
0:05:06 > 0:05:09seeing the same view every day.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12Yeah, I want to get out there and live life to the full.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15'But I guess I'll have to wait until I'm earning decent cash
0:05:15 > 0:05:17'with my chain of high-end beauty shops
0:05:17 > 0:05:19'before I can do that.'
0:05:19 > 0:05:21'For now, it's the number 179 for me.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23'Although there have been a few times
0:05:23 > 0:05:25'when I thought my dream was about to come true.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28'Once, I really thought I was off to Brazil!'
0:05:28 > 0:05:30Catching a plane tomorrow.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32- To Rio.- Are you serious?
0:05:33 > 0:05:36Decided to go. By myself.
0:05:36 > 0:05:37You're so lucky.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45- Come with me! - What?!- Come with me.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48You keep saying you'd love to see Rio, so come.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52'I guess someone like Esme, who had it all on a plate,
0:05:52 > 0:05:55'could never understand how much her offer meant.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57'Otherwise she wouldn't have let me down so badly.'
0:05:57 > 0:06:00I called my dad about coming to Rio.
0:06:00 > 0:06:01And?
0:06:01 > 0:06:03DOOR SLAMS
0:06:03 > 0:06:04Turns out my mum wasn't lying.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08He actually IS too busy to see his own daughter.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10So, what?
0:06:10 > 0:06:11That's it?
0:06:11 > 0:06:13Give me a break, OK?
0:06:13 > 0:06:15I've just found out I'm basically unwanted.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18You don't understand, do you?
0:06:18 > 0:06:19I ran away from home for you!
0:06:19 > 0:06:24'That was bad, but not the worst. Oh, no.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26'You can always rely on my mum
0:06:26 > 0:06:28'to really dash my hopes.'
0:06:29 > 0:06:33I have just had the best idea.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36Come with me to Spain.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38You know I would've taken you with me if I could,
0:06:38 > 0:06:40but Lee said it wouldn't work
0:06:40 > 0:06:43and, well, he's gone now, so you can come.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45So, like, for a holiday?
0:06:45 > 0:06:48No, silly! To live!
0:06:48 > 0:06:51'What an offer! I wasn't sure at first.'
0:06:51 > 0:06:54Spain? That's amazing.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56- Isn't it?- I don't know.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58'But the more I thought about it,
0:06:58 > 0:06:59'the more it was a no-brainer.'
0:06:59 > 0:07:02You will love Christmas in Spain.
0:07:02 > 0:07:03We go to the beach.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05I'm going to Spain!
0:07:05 > 0:07:06THEY GIGGLE
0:07:06 > 0:07:09I was so excited, I couldn't sleep.
0:07:11 > 0:07:12Wonderful news, darling.
0:07:12 > 0:07:16Lee and I are going to give it another go.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18Oh, no, don't look like that!
0:07:18 > 0:07:21He's already agreed that you can come and live with us.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23Well, not straightaway, of course.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26I mean, the flat really isn't big enough for three,
0:07:26 > 0:07:28but we're going to find somewhere bigger
0:07:28 > 0:07:31and when we're settled in, you can join us!
0:07:33 > 0:07:35So that's really good news, isn't it?
0:07:37 > 0:07:38SHE SIGHS
0:07:38 > 0:07:40Well, don't be sulky, Sweetie!
0:07:40 > 0:07:42This time yesterday you didn't even know you were coming.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44Helen?
0:07:44 > 0:07:46You need to leave now.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49Yeah. Not a good memory.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52Anyway, moving on...
0:07:53 > 0:07:54Ah!
0:07:54 > 0:07:56"My worst day".
0:07:56 > 0:07:58Mike, what are you trying to do to me?
0:07:58 > 0:08:00CHORUS OF DISAPPROVAL
0:08:00 > 0:08:04OK, that's fine. I'll tell you about my worst day at the Dumping Ground.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07How long you got? There's plenty to choose from.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09There was that time when you broke a nail.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12- Ooh, and there was that other time when you broke another nail.- Hm.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15Or there was the day that you arrived.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18GROANING
0:08:18 > 0:08:20SCREAMS AND GASPS
0:08:20 > 0:08:23'Where to start? I've been soaked...
0:08:24 > 0:08:26'..quite a few times...
0:08:26 > 0:08:28Ooh, he wee-wee'd! Ah, take it,
0:08:28 > 0:08:30take it, take it! Take, take, take!
0:08:30 > 0:08:32..in all kinds of ways.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35If a hamster wees on you, it's a sign of affection.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37I'd be happy if it was me.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40And, if it hasn't been water, then it's been the opposite.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45'Like when I lost those dresses in a fire.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48My mum bought me a new dress every birthday.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50And I kept them all.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53It's like I've lost another part of that.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57'I have been the victim of hilarious pranks.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59Who put glue in my shampoo?!
0:08:59 > 0:09:03Because when I find out who it is, I'm going to...
0:09:03 > 0:09:06DERISIVE LAUGHTER DROWNS OUT SPEECH
0:09:06 > 0:09:07It's not funny!
0:09:07 > 0:09:09'I've had brushes with the law...
0:09:10 > 0:09:12..and where to start with all the injuries?
0:09:12 > 0:09:14- What's happened to your eye? - I'm fine.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16'You name it, it's happened to me.'
0:09:16 > 0:09:17WOOD CRACKS
0:09:17 > 0:09:20- SHE SCREAMS - Carmen!
0:09:20 > 0:09:22SCREAMING INTENSIFIES
0:09:22 > 0:09:23Help!
0:09:23 > 0:09:25- Pull yourself up! - Please help me!
0:09:25 > 0:09:28Pull yourself up!
0:09:28 > 0:09:30Oh, stop me, I'm falling!
0:09:30 > 0:09:32'But that was nothing compared to
0:09:32 > 0:09:35'the one black day of total horror
0:09:35 > 0:09:37'which I will never forget.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39'Haddon Hall.'
0:09:39 > 0:09:42This is the worst day of my life.
0:09:42 > 0:09:44I should be upstairs, you know,
0:09:44 > 0:09:46wearing all the glamorous clothes.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48But you're a scullery maid.
0:09:48 > 0:09:49Mm-hm. Accidentally!
0:09:49 > 0:09:52Look, can't I just switch and be with my friends?
0:09:52 > 0:09:56Here are your duties for the morning.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59Set the table for dinner.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02Pick herbs for the kitchen?
0:10:02 > 0:10:03Clean out the fireplace?
0:10:03 > 0:10:05Do we actually have to do this?
0:10:05 > 0:10:08Of course you do. They're your jobs.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11I mean, come on. Me?! A scullery maid?
0:10:11 > 0:10:13Mike, if you are watching this,
0:10:13 > 0:10:15you're meant to be looking after us,
0:10:15 > 0:10:17'not mentally scarring us for life!'
0:10:17 > 0:10:21I don't know, I thought you showed great promise as a scullery maid(!)
0:10:21 > 0:10:22Now that I think of it, there might be a few
0:10:22 > 0:10:25fireplaces around here that could do with your expert touch.
0:10:25 > 0:10:29Hmph! With these nails, don't even go there.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33Right, let's move on to something a bit less traumatic.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37Ah, that's a good one.
0:10:37 > 0:10:42Although...I miss Lily so much.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45'The thing is, I have loads of really good friends here,
0:10:45 > 0:10:46'like Tee
0:10:46 > 0:10:49- 'and Kaz.- Thanks. - When she lets me.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52'But, if you were to ask me my best,
0:10:52 > 0:10:55'best, best friend ever - Lily! -
0:10:55 > 0:10:56'there could only be one answer.'
0:10:59 > 0:11:01I didn't mean to upset you.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04'Lily and me have been through so much together.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06I want Poppy and Rosie back!
0:11:06 > 0:11:09'There have been days that were simply smashing...
0:11:09 > 0:11:11'but not in a good way.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15'There have been pamper parties that went wrong...'
0:11:15 > 0:11:18Carmen, what have you done? My eyes are burning.
0:11:18 > 0:11:20I haven't done nothing! Ow!
0:11:20 > 0:11:23Oh, you saw me chop the chillies over here!
0:11:23 > 0:11:25- Chillies! Can you just...? - No, Carmen!
0:11:25 > 0:11:27CRASH!
0:11:27 > 0:11:28'..badly wrong.'
0:11:28 > 0:11:30POIGNANT PIANO
0:11:33 > 0:11:38Ah, it's OK, I'm here now. Hey, don't cry.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40'And there have been weepy goodbyes.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45'More of them than I'd like to remember.
0:11:45 > 0:11:46SHE SNIFFLES
0:11:46 > 0:11:47I'm not going to watch you go.
0:11:50 > 0:11:51I've said goodbye.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53OK?
0:11:57 > 0:12:00'Being apart from your best friend is never easy.'
0:12:03 > 0:12:05Look, I'll call her and you can speak to her.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08- No!- Why not?
0:12:08 > 0:12:10Because she'll think I'm stupid!
0:12:10 > 0:12:13No, she won't. She'll see that you're missing her.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15You're missing a friend.
0:12:15 > 0:12:17Not just a friend!
0:12:17 > 0:12:18What do you mean?
0:12:18 > 0:12:20Lily was like a sister to me.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23And it doesn't get any easier.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25How can you say that you're going to come and visit
0:12:25 > 0:12:27when you won't even bother to come across town
0:12:27 > 0:12:28to tell me you're going?
0:12:28 > 0:12:30- Carmen, I will visit. - No, you won't.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32Carmen, I have to. Poppy and Rosie are here.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34Oh, that's right, your perfect little family.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36Well, if there is any time left,
0:12:36 > 0:12:37you can come over and give me five minutes.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40Or you can stand at the top of the street and wave.
0:12:40 > 0:12:41- Carmen, please... - Leave me alone!
0:12:41 > 0:12:44'The thing about me and Lily, though, is while we do fall out
0:12:44 > 0:12:46'sometimes, and we are very different people,
0:12:46 > 0:12:48'we'll always be close.'
0:12:48 > 0:12:50How did you find me?
0:12:50 > 0:12:54Well, there's not many Vasquez-Jones in the phone book.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56Pretty unique.
0:12:56 > 0:12:57So are you.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02Are you really running away?
0:13:02 > 0:13:03Why do you care?
0:13:03 > 0:13:04Do you even have to ask?
0:13:09 > 0:13:10I don't know any more.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14Carmen, you and Esme might want the same things,
0:13:14 > 0:13:16but when something goes wrong,
0:13:16 > 0:13:17who's going to be there for you?
0:13:19 > 0:13:21I will, stupid!
0:13:21 > 0:13:25Because we're best friends. We always will be.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29Come here.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34So, that's me. That was rather a lot to say.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37Anyway, I've got to run now, because I've left myself
0:13:37 > 0:13:40next to no time to get ready for Danny Finch's party. And...
0:13:42 > 0:13:47Oh, no! It's 3½ hours! How am I going to fit it all in?
0:13:47 > 0:13:48All right, laters!