Dragon Slayer The Dumping Ground

..sing and music and stuff?

-Yeah, I sing...

-I've got a baby up here.

-Uh-huh?

-Yeah, yeah.

I think maybe I should have got him something.

Johnny won't mind, Mum. He knows that you're broke.

I actually can't believe he's going into the army tomorrow.

It's so weird.

Hey, this is a nice surprise!

-Come on. Just get inside, quickly!

-What are you going on about?

-It's Keith. I've just seen Keith.

-Shut up, Johnny, he's in prison.

Calm down. It's all right. Really, it is.

Did you not hear what I said?! Mum, just come on. Get inside. Quickly.

Are you sure it was him?

He must have got parole.

How's he found you?

I think I owe you an explanation.

You knew?

He's been doing some controlled visits just to get to know Hope.

-What, you've been letting him come here?!

-Yes, I know what I'm doing.

-Are you getting back with him?!

-Absolutely not.

-So he's not living here?

-No. He's seen Hope a handful of times.

My terms and he's sticking to them.

He put you in hospital. You had to go to a women's refuge.

Do you think I've forgotten that? I've made a fresh start.

-I'm not going to let him risk that.

-So why see him at all?

You'd got away from him, that took a lot.

It's not for long, you know.

He's got a job up in Scotland.

He knows where you live. He's not going to just go!

We're not doing this again.

Tee?

Tee, wait!

-Epic fail!

-Not now, Bailey.

No, seriously. A mile and a half in just over an hour.

-That's good for you.

-If you want to have a go, I'm right here.

Yeah, if you like.

All right, boys! Enough, enough! Cut it out.

-He pushed me.

-Johnny.

You need to learn to turn the other cheek.

Johnny?!

Nice.

So what about me? What about my apology?

Look, could you not just cut him some slack?

He's leaving here tomorrow. Excuse me.

This is a big deal, you know.

What's up? Where are we going? What? What's wrong?

Ssh. Don't want to scare it.

-SOFTLY:

-Where did that come from?

It must have escaped from someone's garden.

Shh. It might have dug a tunnel. Does it have muddy footprints?

-Do you mean paws?

-No, it's Mr Nibbles.

Oh, be careful! Pick him up gently. Oh, he's so sweet.

-Ooh, so cute!

-So little.

PHONE RINGS

-It's Mum.

-Just don't answer it.

Hey, you're safe here.

Hope isn't though, is she? Or Mum.

What if he stays, Johnny? I can't lose her all over again.

It was so hard to getting our family back together.

All right. I'll go and speak to Mum, yeah?

I'll tell her you won't see her with him around.

-What if she doesn't listen?

-She won't want to lose you.

You know she won't.

-HE SHOUTS:

-Mum? Mum, it's me, Johnny.

-Where's Mum?

-Not here.

Just me and my angel.

Isn't that right, Hope? Hmm?

She left her with you?!

Me and Hope are getting to know one another.

Little star, aren't you, eh? Eh? See?

She loves her daddy, don't you, eh?

Johnny, what are you doing here?

We were just catching up.

Right.

Luce, it's all right, really.

Water under the bridge, eh, mate?

I'm not your mate.

I'm just trying to be nice, that's all.

-You said he hadn't moved in.

-No, he hasn't.

He's just come for tea and then he's going.

Look, Johnny, I know you hate me and I...

I can't blame you that, but I'm building bridges here.

Why don't you come in?

Stay for a cuppa.

-Are you sure?

-Yeah, why not?

Are you up for it?

I'll put the kettle on. Is that all right, Johnny?

-Yeah.

-Here.

There you go. There we go, Hope.

Yes, making a cup of tea!

You're not wanted.

But Mum's making tea.

Stay away, you understand?

I'm not having you turn your mother against me again.

It was your fists that did that.

Brave soldier? I don't think so.

I'm not going to let you do this. I'm not.

Two words - get lost.

Mind out.

Mum just can't see it. She's blind to it and he's clever.

Could he have changed?

No. Same old Keith, no question.

Do you want me to talk to your mum?

There's no point. Seriously.

So what are we going to do?

I don't know. Just let me think.

-May-Li?

-Yeah?

Why can't we keep Mr Nibbles?

Mr Nibbles isn't his real name, Harry.

He's someone else's rabbit.

It's complicated looking after a rabbit, you know.

You need to do things properly. Which is why I've made some fliers.

-We need to find his owner.

-You can't!

-DOORBELL CHIMES

-I'll get it.

-Thanks.

Toni, I'm sorry,

but after lunch these are going in letterboxes, yeah?

Anybody need a fork?

-There you go.

-Guys, don't forget your own food.

Johnny, your mum's at the door.

Um, do you want me to come with you?

It's all right. Tee?

He hasn't changed. You think you're in control but you're not.

-Just listen, will you? Hear me out.

-Give her a chance, Johnny.

Fine.

Do you remember Suzy, his sister? Well, she's been really kind.

She's been giving me money for Hope.

-So she told Keith where you were?

-No, she wouldn't do that.

She told me Hope was keeping Keith going in prison.

HOPE CRIES

Asked me to send a photo and that's how it started.

-Are you stupid or something?

-Johnny!

-Sorry, Tee, this is ridiculous!

No, it's not! Keith's got work.

Suzy's organised it and it's up near them.

-So it's in Scotland?

-Exactly. So he's not staying, is he?

You know, he's just trying to make his peace.

He's been doing DIY for me even.

He's building a flat-pack wardrobe for Hope right now.

-So you mean he's still there?

-Yes, because it's not a problem!

He leaves for Scotland any day now. You know, you should have come in

for that cup of tea. He'd have told you that himself.

I tried to. He wouldn't let me.

Ha! It was his idea!

That was a bluff. Once you'd gone, he stood in my way.

-He threatened me, Mum.

-You never told me that.

Keith said that you'd threatened him

and that when he didn't rise to it, you just walked off.

So, who do you believe?

No, Johnny, don't. I believe you, I do.

Why do you always fall for it?!

I haven't fallen for anything.

Right, well, has he told you when he's leaving then?

Has he actually given you a date?

You need to start thinking about who really matters.

Sorry, Tee.

DOOR SHUTS FIRMLY

You've got to take him on, haven't you?

I can't. He's well stronger than me.

Well, he must have a weak spot.

Trust me, we'll find it.

May-Li is right though. It's got to be someone's rabbit.

No, Mr Nibbles is my rabbit, you know that.

Come with me, Billie.

It's all right, Mr Nibbles, I won't be long.

He's so angry. I can't let him go like this.

What do you expect? You know what Keith did to him.

Of course I know. Tee.

Johnny had to protect me cos you didn't

and now he feels like he has to do the same thing.

I've lost him though, haven't I?

Will I lose you next?

No.

How did I think I could ever do this?

Are you sure you're OK about this?

Yeah. How far do we need to go?

Just our road should do it.

See you later.

Oh! What are you two up to?

I need to get some stuff for my kit bag.

-I thought we'd done all that. You said you were ready.

-Come on.

Give the guy a break.

So you're sure he's got this job?

I asked Suzy and she's no reason to lie.

Keith's got a flat lined up and everything.

That's why I think Johnny's wrong.

Why would Keith fork out for a flat if he wasn't going to go?

He could still change his mind.

Well, apart from having a go at Johnny,

Keith's done everything we agreed.

You really think he'll leave?

Not if Johnny winds him up.

I know he's only protecting us,

but what is the point in banging heads with Keith?

It's just a day and then he's off in the army.

Please, love.

Back me up.

Toni?! Billie?!

Down here now, please!

I think we've got a job to do, don't you?

All we've got to do is wait around. See if we can catch him out.

This could take forever.

Or we could get lucky.

Ah, great, he's got a bike.

PHONE RINGS

-JOHNNY'S VOICEMAIL PLAYS

-Relax. He's just gone shopping.

What do you think?

-It's for Johnny.

-Er, yeah, it's great.

-What is up with you two?

-Ask her.

'Her' has got a name, you know.

If you're looking for Mr Nibbles, he's outside with Floss.

How about a drink and a biscuit?

Take them outside if you want.

I'll have a biscuit.

Here you go.

How about you, Billie?

You should tell her.

Tell me what?

Tell me what?

Stop stressing. He's going to be back any minute.

JOHNNY'S VOICEMAIL PLAYS

What am I looking at?

That's Mr Nibbles.

Is that your dad?

(Thank you.)

What's he even doing?

Nothing legal by the looks of it.

Pass me your phone.

Oi!

What are you doing here?!

Don't get mad.

That's mine!

I know.

Toni, that's not Mr Nibbles.

It is. He found me.

I knew Dad didn't mean it. I said, didn't I?

Mean what?

He left the hutch open and we had foxes.

Oh, no.

He must have felt terrible.

He did it on purpose.

He said Toni deserved it.

Have you seen the job sheets?

-Hmm?

-No. No, no, no, no!

We agreed that the dog's enough.

I know, it's just that, you know, Mr Nibbles is a bit of a reincarnation.

What? A born-again rabbit?!

PHONE RINGS

Hello, Ashdene Ridge.

Oh, right.

Yeah, we, um...we found him in the back garden.

No, no. It's safe.

What's your address? I'll, uh...I'll bring it round.

DOORBELL CHIMES

Hi, Mike. Sorry to bother you. This is Keith, my ex.

All right, mate? Johnny in?

We'd like a word.

I don't think that's a very good idea.

Hmm. Well, I'm not leaving till I see him.

He's been causing trouble.

You are seriously accusing Johnny of harassment?

Him and some mate were following me. What would you call that?

-Did you follow him?

-Right, look at these.

-You said you'd stopped all this!

-That's not what it looks like.

-Here.

-He's still up to his old tricks, Mum.

He hasn't changed in any way.

"Drug Drop.

-"Youth counselling for addiction."

-That's what I was giving those kids.

Trying to get them straight.

-No way. He's making it up.

-No.

Looks pretty legit to me, Johnny.

Course they're legit. I bent over backwards to be nice.

-I invited him in earlier and he spat at me.

-I didn't!

He's trying to get rid of me.

I don't care about him, but he's not stopping me getting to know Hope.

-You don't believe him?!

-I can't have him wrecking what I'm trying to do.

-So get lost then.

-Johnny!

-You see what I mean? THIS is what I get.

All right. Can we just all calm down?

Yeah, I'm going to speak to the police.

If they have a word, maybe he'll leave me alone.

You've just come out of prison.

Why should they listen to you?

Those photos for a start.

My parole officer will wade in.

-Really good she is.

-No, don't.

Johnny'll stay away, won't you, love?

He's going into the army tomorrow. We can't wreck that.

Please, Keith. I am begging you.

Let him go. Have his own life.

He's twisting everything, I can't have that.

This matters, Luce.

I know it does and it's all right.

-No, it's not. Mum, he hasn't changed.

-Johnny, please!

Keith, look. You're getting to know Hope and that's good, isn't it?

Isn't it?

Well, it would be better if I could stay around.

Get to know Hope some more.

Or do you want me to make this call?

Stay.

Thanks, Luce.

You've made a good decision.

You have to make sure they're locked up at night.

Toni, I'm sorry but someone called about the rabbit.

Belongs to a little boy, Kieran.

Hey, I bet he's really happy you found his rabbit for him.

He is, yeah.

I said I'd drop him round.

Come on, Toni. Let's go with May-Li.

Make sure it's going to a good home.

I can't. Look.

You're kidding me?!

They are so cute.

Wait. Can they be moved this little?

I'd better call the owner and ask.

Hey, maybe you'll get to keep Mr Nibbles a little bit longer.

It's not Mr Nibbles, it's a girl.

Yeah, but you could still keep her a bit longer, can't you?

It's not Mr Nibbles!

Let's get you home then, angel, huh? Come on.

This is not all right, Mum. I knew he won't leave.

Do you ever stop?

I asked you to stay away.

So this is my fault?

I think it might be better if we don't see each other,

just for a while.

Mum, don't do this, please.

I'm sorry.

I do love you.

Both of you.

What have you done?!

What if I never see her again?

I couldn't just do nothing.

PHONE RINGS

'Please leave a message after the tone.'

VOICEMAIL BEEPS Tee, it's me.

I can't leave when it's like this, all right?

Whatever happens, I want you to know that this is my decision.

Love you.

Mum?

Mum, it's me.

-You can't be here, Johnny.

-What happened to your face?

He didn't mean it.

He wouldn't leave last night, I tried to make him and...

-Mum.

-Please, just go! If he finds you here...

Hope was screaming and I've only just calmed her down.

-I'm not leaving, not when you're like this.

-You have to!

Mum, I'm staying.

-Is that right?

-Yeah.

-OK.

DOOR BELL RINGS

It's for Johnny. Do you like it?

As long as no-one expects me to come.

-MIKE:

-May-Li! May-Li!

Johnny made me come. We needed to get Hope out.

-Mum, look at your face.

-Can you look after her?

I need to get back to the flat. Johnny's still there.

-Johnny's at the flat?

-I don't think you go anywhere.

You need to stay here. Keep them safe.

PHONE RINGS

-What are you doing here?

-Waiting for you.

-Where's your mum?

-She's gone.

And she's taken Hope.

Luce?! Luce!

-Where are they?

-I told you, they've gone.

Mum doesn't want you here.

-This is down to you, isn't it?

-I'm not the one who hit her.

-Is this really what you want for your daughter?

-Leave Hope out of this.

-Seeing her mum with black eyes?

-I'm warning you.

Tee still has nightmares. That's what you'll do to Hope.

I love Hope.

She's mine.

-Her and your mother.

-Funny kind of love.

Bruises, black eyes, nightmares.

If you really love them, go. Get yourself some proper help.

-And if I don't?

-Then I'm your nightmare.

I won't join the army, I'll stay right here.

Move back in with Mum.

I'll be here every minute and I'll tell Hope what you're really like.

She won't be so proud of her daddy then, will she?

Knock me down if you want, I'll get straight back up.

And wherever you go, I'll be there in your face,

telling you exactly what you are, reminding you every minute.

-In you go. Go on.

-What?

JOHNNY LAUGHS What's all this about then, eh?

-Hip hip?!

-ALL:

-Hooray!

-Hip hip?!

-ALL:

-Hooray!

-HE GRUNTS:

-Hip hip?!

-ALL:

-Hooray!

I got this for you.

-Thank you.

-Turn it round.

I'll wear it always.

-Let's have a look.

-Show us the watch.

Cheers.

-Like a collar on a...

-Like a collar?

-We could pin it to you like that.

-It suits you.

-THEY LAUGH

He is going to be all right, you know.

Oh, we should have made it big enough to fit him.

That looks really good.

I've got some news.

Do you want to hear it?

Well, I spoke to the rabbit owner and...

..they need homes for the babies.

I'll persuade Mike somehow.

It won't be Mr Nibbles, will it?

Did you really think it was him?

Oh.

I'm sorry, Toni.

I really am.

MISCHIEF BARKS

SHE LAUGHS

Mischief knows you're sad.

He likes you, you know.

I like him too.

I don't want another rabbit.

It wouldn't be the same.

OK.

Let's go back inside.

You don't want to miss saying goodbye.

Come on. Come on, Mischief.

-HE BARKS

-Come on, boy.

Come on, boy. Come on.

Johnny.

You'd better call.

I will. Course I will.

You know what you did?

I'm not sure I could have stood up to him like that.

See ya.

-Bye then.

-Bye.

You ready?

Ready as I'll ever be.

ALL YELL

Right, let's go back in.

Come on, guys.