Hope The Dumping Ground

-Yeah, it was nice.

-If I had enough money, I would have got it.

What's this?

It's from my mum.

-What does it say?

-She says she wants to meet up.

-Really!

-Yeah.

-I mean, when was the last time she came to visit?

-Never.

My stepdad wouldn't let her.

So why now?

-She says she's left him.

-She's left him?!

I've got to talk to Johnny.

You've been here longer. She'll take it much better from you.

Yeah, but I did it last time. And the time before.

You know, if this happens all the time,

we should have a system in place.

We did. Gina and me used to draw straws.

-Bit childish, isn't it?

-Yeah...

Flip a coin?

You're on.

BOTH: Heads!

Head care worker gets to choose. Heads.

-You sure about that?

-Yes.

No. No, no, I'll go for tails...

No, I'll stick with heads.

Tails! Ha-ha. You lose.

Now, get up there and tell her.

What's up?

I was just wondering - you know what you said about Mum?

We don't have a mum.

Yes, we do.

Yeah. She dumped us in care, moved out

and didn't even bother to tell us.

She's out of our lives. So I'm over it.

You should be too.

What if she wrote you a letter?

I'd rip it up.

You wouldn't even read it?

No. Cos I know that whatever Mum says or does,

it's always Keith pulling the strings.

What? You didn't tell him? Why not?

Because what if Johnny was right about Keith?

What if he told her to write it and it's all just a trap.

Tee, you need to speak to Mike.

She says she doesn't want to make this official.

But you can't just go and meet her on your own, can you?

KNOCKING ON THE DOOR

What?

-MIKE:

-'It's me.'

Can I have a word?

-Sure...

-See you later.

This isn't going to take long, is it?

I hope not.

RINGING TONE

-'Hello?'

-Hello?

Mum...

It's me.

Why me? Why is it always me?

Believe me, I know how you feel...

Well, then don't make me do it,

because it'll just be Jody all over again.

No, this girl's different. You know her.

-Who is it?

-Frank's friend. Kazima.

-The homeless girl?

-Yeah.

-The thief!

You know that she only stole because she had to.

And what if she decides she "has" to have my stuff?

-Mike, you're asking me to share my room with a criminal!

-No.

I'm asking you to be kind to someone

who's had a rough deal in life and needs your help.

-All right, since you put it like that...

-Good.

Let's negotiate.

Bedtime one hour later.

Double TV privileges...

and no chores.

You want me to let you off all chores?

I'm going to be too busy looking after Kazima, aren't I?

Just make her feel welcome.

DOOR OPENS

Tee?

Sorry, did I make you jump?

No...

It's OK.

Mum.

So, this is your bed. Obviously.

Just let me know if it's OK. You know, not too soft or anything.

I don't like these pillows.

OK. Well, we can change them if you want.

Do you have any stones?

Big, flat, hard stones?

Joking!

Oh, OK.

Um... So shall we go and get your stuff?

This is my stuff.

Well. You don't need to worry,

because I've got loads of old dresses you can borrow.

Are they all pink?

Erm... No, actually.

But I'll go and get them from the attic

and you can try them on, OK?

I can give you a makeover!

Makeover?

Yes! Me and Lily used to do them all the time.

-I can do your hair, your nails, your make-up.

-Like yours?

Yes, if you want to. Let's do it.

I have a better idea.

What if I make you over?

What's wrong?

Don't you want to look like me?

Joking!

Ha-ha(!) Yeah...

CARMEN CLEARS HER THROAT

I'll just clear out a cupboard for you.

Don't bother. I like to keep my clothes close to me.

CARMEN COUGHS

OK...

I'll just going to...let you unpack.

So, Johnny couldn't make it, then?

He doesn't want to see you.

He's afraid of Keith.

But I told you - I left him!

-When?

-Just a few weeks ago.

We went to the old house.

-Did you?

-They told us you'd been gone over a year now.

We moved. Tried to make a new start.

But it didn't work out. Your stepdad...

What did he do to you this time?

It doesn't matter.

I had to leave in a hurry and I couldn't take much, but...

I kept this for you.

What is that?

You could never sleep without Bunny. He made you feel safe.

I don't think I ever felt safe.

I'm so sorry, Tee.

About everything.

I know I let you down...

..and I don't expect you to trust me right away,

but everything's different now.

I've got my own place - well, my own room...

And the staff have been so good to us.

"Us"?

Yes, well, there are quite a few women living at the refuge.

But you'll see, when you come and visit.

Won't you?

What's this?

You know what it is.

-Johnny, don't!

-I did warn you.

Look, she's left Keith. She's changed.

-I've heard that before.

-If you'd just read what she says.

There's no point. I am telling you, it's all lies.

Keith probably wrote the whole thing.

I don't want to see you get hurt.

Nor do I.

So you won't write back to her, will you? Promise?

All right, I promise.

-For me?

-Yes. So, now you've got something else to wear, you know,

while your other stuff's in the wash.

OK.

Thanks.

-Do you want me to show you how to use the washing machine?

-I know how.

Then why don't you use it?

Carmen.

Where've you been? I've been trying to call you.

You did it, didn't you?

How did it go?

It was all right. We're meeting again tomorrow.

Can we talk in private?

Sure.

It's simple.

Every time you play a shot, you just have to hit the white ball first.

-White ball first...

-Uh-huh.

No, no, no, look, you hold it round this way.

See?

Right. Now you try.

-Like this?

-Uh-huh.

Exactly. But you're getting there...

But, you see, I prefer to play like this.

And like this.

Has anyone seen Tee?

She went out.

Where?

To meet someone. I don't know who.

All right, where is she?

-I don't know.

-Yeah, right.

The letter's gone. Thanks to you, Tee could be in serious trouble!

You know, what Tee told me was meant to be a secret!

Some secrets are better not kept.

Like what?

When I lived on the streets,

I had friends who went off to meet people in secret.

Sometimes they didn't come back.

Yes, this is my daughter, Tee.

Hi. Come in.

Thanks.

Before we go in, I just need to warn you -

this might be a bit of a shock...

What?

No, no, it's nothing bad, I promise.

It's just...there's somebody very special I'd like you to meet...

Tee?

Tee! Tee, wait!

BABY BABBLES

This is Hope. Your sister.

What's this, Hope? Look... Where's the teddy gone?

Here he is.

You're so good with her.

She's a lovely little girl.

Just like you were.

Mum, why didn't you tell us?

Keith said not to.

So you just did what he said.

Like always...

Not any more.

I'm so sorry.

I messed up again and again.

But we're here now. Doesn't that count for something?

Can't we try to make a new start?

SHOUTING DOWNSTAIRS

Don't worry. It's bound to happen.

Living on top of each other in a place like this,

sometimes it all kicks off.

'I need to see my sister!'

-But that's Johnny.

-'Do what you want.'

Call the police. I don't care.

I'm not leaving until I see my sister!

Hello, Johnny.

Sorry about this. It's the rules.

Men over 12 aren't allowed in the house.

But there's a garden.

We could talk there.

I've just come to make sure Tee's OK.

I know I failed you.

-Where's Tee?

-And I'm sorry. But things are going to be different...

Look, don't bother, I've heard it all before.

You haven't heard this.

-Who's that?

-This is Hope. Our little sister.

What? His kid?

She's ours now. All of us. We can be a family again.

What do you mean "again"? We were never a family.

A woman like you shouldn't even be allowed kids.

-Johnny, don't...

-Don't you start defending her!

I've spent my whole life protecting you from her!

-From me?

-Yeah!

Remember when Keith got that new jacket

and Tee accidentally spilt her drink on it.

She was five and he went mental.

Remember what you did? Nothing.

You left that to me.

I shut Tee in her room so that she couldn't get hurt.

And instead, he took it out on me...

What did you do? You went down the pub. With him.

I had to get him out of the house. It was the only way.

You didn't even call the ambulance. That was Mrs Chavda from next door.

I was seven. But I wouldn't leave without you.

Cos I knew without me you wouldn't have stood a chance.

That was how we ended up in care?

Yeah.

She cried for weeks, you know,

because her mummy didn't want her.

-I didn't know...

-You didn't care!

So what I want to know is - what's so special about this one?

Johnny, please, I'd give anything to change the past.

But how can I?

You can't.

Good luck, kid.

Cos with a mum like her, you're going to need it.

Look, Kazima, I know that you've been living on the streets,

and I really have been trying to make allowances for you, but it's...

You're so kind. Thank you so much.

I just don't think this room share is working out.

You're right.

Maybe you should move out?

Me?!

Is this another one of your jokes?

Because it's really not funny.

If you move into my room, then I expect you to follow my rules.

-Your rules?

-Yeah...

For a start, you need to start washing your clothes,

because it stinks around this place.

All I can smell is your cheap perfume.

The perfume is fine. The problem is you.

How do I smell now?

Do you like it?

That was a present from my mum.

Get out of my room...now.

Kaz? Oh, what is that stink?!

Carmen's perfume. ALL of Carmen's perfume.

Room share going well, then?

Can I stay here tonight?

Carmen?

Where's Kazima?

With Frank. Don't ask.

She's such a nightmare! She comes in here. She stinks!

I have a sister.

Her name's Hope. Johnny's really angry.

He wants nothing to do with her.

What about you?

How do you feel about all of this?

She's our sister.

She needs us.

Well...she needs someone.

We'd be BFFs. She could, like, totally give me a makeover.

I could be like her, look like her, dress like her...

Well, you do smell like her.

She looks at me like I'm dirt on the ground.

I can't live like that.

But it's got to be better than living on the streets?

Except on the streets I was respected. I could choose my friends.

Thanks a lot!

Oh, shush.

I chose you.

And if it wasn't for you, I'd still be back out there.

Now give me the crisps.

Cheer up, Tee! Do you know what today is?

-Um...

-It's bin day!

I go round the recycling looking for treasure.

-You can come.

-I can't, sorry...

I have to go somewhere.

Are you seeing them?

-Please, don't make a big thing of this.

-Fine.

Don't come running to me when she lets you down.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Frank?

Frank!

-(Hide!)

-(Where?)

Frank, I'm coming in.

What's up?

Don't give me that, Frank Matthews.

You know exactly why I'm here.

You're late for your physio appointment. Again!

Oh, right, yeah. I...overslept.

I'll be right down.

OK.

What's that smell?

Smell?

Perfume.

Oh, yeah... My, er, new aftershave.

Feminine Mystique by Belle de L'Amour?

-Is that's what the lads are wearing nowadays?

-Yeah.

Come on, Frank.

We're both adults.

You've had a girl in here.

I know you're not a kid any more,

but you know our house rules.

If you can't follow them, maybe it's time you moved on.

Wait.

It's not Frank's fault.

I made him let me stay.

-Whoo...!

-Whee...!

Oh.

I won't be a minute, sweetie.

Hello!

# I...can see

# You're not

# Yourself

# Even when you're here

# With me #

Tee!

Hello!

Is this your sister? She's adorable!

I know.

This is where it all starts - you've a lifetime of baby-sitting ahead!

Yeah.

MOBILE RINGS

Mum asked me to take Hope to the park.

She's been looking at flats.

-Wants to get her own place.

-Brilliant.

RINGS AGAIN

Do you want to get that? I can keep an eye on Hope for you, if you want?

Hello.

No.

No, I haven't.

I'll get back to you if I hear anything.

Bye.

Thanks.

Pleasure.

Go on the swings? Yeah?

But I like staying with Frank.

You can't! Boys and girls can't share. That's the rules!

But it's stupid.

It may seem that way to you,

but the rules are for your protection.

We can't make exceptions.

Do you understand that?

-Yes. I understand.

-Good.

Hi. Do you want to help me with my treasure?

Not right now.

Everyone says that.

Johnny! You need to go to the park right now!

Why?

It's Tee.

I think she's done something really stupid.

Want to get down now? Yeah? Come on, then.

Tee?

Hi, Johnny.

What do you think you're doing?

Looking after Hope.

Does Mum know?

She doesn't. Does she?

You kidnapped our sister.

I had to. Mum left her alone.

If I could take her, then so could Keith. I saved her.

Why?

Cos you were right. Mum can't look after her on her own.

She's not strong enough.

We have to get her taken into care.

Tee, you know she can't live with us.

She's too young.

Course I know. I've got it all worked out.

We take her to Mike, but we don't tell him who she is.

Then she'll get fostered,

and Mum won't be able to find her.

Then what?

When we get our own place, she'll come and live with us.

All right.

See? I told you we'd get it sorted.

You're going to live with your big brother and sister.

I am not sharing my room with that girl again.

Well, do you know what? That's a shame.

Don't try to guilt trip me!

She's not the only one who's had a tough life round here.

-I know.

-And, yes, I know she lived on the streets,

but, to be honest, I think she quite liked it.

Maybe she did,

considering what she was running away from.

All right, what was she running away from, then?

Why don't you ask her yourself?

Frank, where's Kazima?

Dunno, why?

I've been looking everywhere for her. I thought she must be with you.

No, I was doing my physio...

Mo, have you seen Kazima anywhere?

Can you keep a secret...?

-Who's there?

-It's OK. It's just us.

So, what do you want?

I guess I just want to start over.

You want me to move back in?

Yeah, if you want to.

I like it here.

My own space.

But Mike and May-Li aren't going to let you sleep here, are they?

If they find out.

Well, its a good job I'm good at keeping my friends' secrets.

Just in time to help me lay the table.

Who's this?

I told you. We just found her.

-Where?

-The park.

Which park? The police will need to know exactly where she was.

Don't call the police.

We have to. Her parents will be going out of their minds.

She hasn't got any parents!

Where's my baby?! Please, please...!

All right. I need the truth now. Who is she?!

Oh, hello, sweetie.

Mummy's here. Mummy's here now.

Mrs Taylor...

She's your sister.

You told her!

I texted her. I had to.

They'd have called the police.

You'd have been done for abduction.

But she'd have been safe.

-Mike, you have to take her into care. Please!

-I can't do that.

Why not? She's a child that needs looking after - so look after her!

It's your job!

-Tee, you know it doesn't work like that.

-But it should!

Where's Hope?

With Johnny.

You put me through hell today, you know that?

You still don't get it, do you?

This isn't about you.

I did it for Hope. To keep her safe!

-She is safe.

-With you?!

-You left her alone!

-For a few seconds.

-Anything could've happened.

-I forgot my phone. We might've needed it.

-It was only on the kitchen table.

-You're so stupid!

But I didn't think anyone would take her.

Well, you should have!

Tee, today you made me realise something.

I knew there was nothing I wouldn't do to get Hope back.

And no matter what happens to me, no-one will ever hurt her.

Never.

I know what you think of me. And I don't blame you.

But I've changed.

I can be a good mother.

Just let me prove it.

Prove it to Hope.

Where's Mr Bunny gone, eh?

There he is! "Hello!" Is he hiding from you again?

Where's he gone now? There he is!

"Hello. How are you doing?"

Johnny. I can't thank you enough for what you did.

I did it to keep Tee out of trouble.

And...

..little kids, they need their mums.

Look after her.

-You know, when we get our own place, you're always welcome.

-Right.

I'm sure Hope would love to see you.

Hey, do you want to keep this?

He's yours now.

Sorry.

What for?

-Telling Mum.

-It's OK.

I know you were just looking out for me.

Thanks.

You're my sister.