The Big Race The Story of Tracy Beaker

-My point!

-What?!

-Well, you never hit the ball back.

-What's the date?

-The 22nd.

-So tomorrow's the...

-Er, 23rd? Usually.

-It's from her Grandpa, about a race.

5km?! He wants me to run with him in a charity race. No way!

-You could run 5km in your sleep.

-OK. Don't panic. We'll help.

-I'll get people to sponsor you.

-Yeah, but I'm still panicking...

And I'll help you train, with my cutting-edge approach to coaching.

I can't let him down.

-Come on, just sign up!

-No way!

-Why do you think we've got cash?

-Don't be tight, it's a good cause!

-What?

-A donkey shelter.

-A donkey shelter?!

-Poor ickle donkeys(!)

-Hurts me to say it, but for once, he's right.

It's important to warm up properly.

-I have warmed up.

-Great, let's go!

-Aren't you going to warm up?

Nah. Can't be bothered. Come on!

HE SHOUTS ORDERS

-It's no picnic being a donkey.

-Oh, please!

-It's no picnic being here!

-Right!

-Donkeys should do sponsored beach rides for us!

-Poor you(!) You're worse off than a donkey?

-No, but you are.

-Why?

Cos you look like one!

No way her Grandpa'll make it. He won a medal in the Stone Age, but...

-You only cough up if he finishes.

-Your serve.

-If he doesn't,

-I'll pay you for whatever you signed for.

-Wait a minute.

-If Jackie's old crumbly Grandpa can't finish, you pay us?

-Mm-hm!

-ARGH!

-Hamstring. Told you, you should've warmed up.

It's fine, really!

ARGH!

Poor things.

-Nathan?

-No way.

-I don't believe in donkey racing.

-No. It's people racing FOR donkeys.

Oh, right. Why didn't you say?

Shelley?

I'm not sure.

People give more money to animal charities than, well, people.

-It can get sentimental. No offence.

-It's for Jackie and her grandpa!

Yes, and should he put himself through that at his age?

I'm sorry, but that's how I feel.

Easy now, keep your rhythm...

Slow it down a bit...

-Not that slow, obviously.

-I think it's you, going faster!

-Everything's under control... Whoa!

-The brake!

-Good idea, where is it?

-ARGH!

-CRASH!

Ouch!

-Maybe you should sit this one out.

-Don't worry, I've got a plan.

This way I can keep on at you. OK, a couple of laps round the pond.

Go!

Remember, weight on the balls of your feet, over.

-These are great! Where'd you get 'em?

-Found 'em on a bench.

-Lucky, eh!

-'That definitely feels better. How do I look? Over.'

Keep your head up, even strides, that's it... Over.

'Now, lads, it was a mistake, OK? Just put me down... ARGH!'

-SPLASH!

-Crash? Crash?!

I just wanted to check you're ready. It's a tough race, you know...

-Training is the key.

-Don't worry, I've got a great coach!

Yeah! I think we cracked it! Ow...

-What happened to you?

-Don't ask.

Excuse me, everyone! I'd just like to say a big thank-you.

Although I see not everyone's followed your wonderful example!

Thank you! Well, I'll be off. Better get an early night, my love.

Big day tomorrow, eh?

-Bye, Mr Hopper!

-Oh, bye, Slash.

-KNOCK AT DOOR

-Ah, changed your mind, eh?

Hello, Tracy.

Oh, you. Funny, I thought I said I never wanted to see you again.

-I thought you might calm down...

-What do you want?!

-Writing a sequel?!

-Tracy.

-I'm still stuck here. Just like you wrote.

-Look, I told you, Trudy wasn't...

-Trudy wasn't me, I know.

-You must think I'm really stupid!

-No, of course I don't!

-I'm not here for ideas. I want us to be friends.

-You know your way out.

-Oh, and before you go...

-Yeah?

Jackie's in a race and needs sponsors. You can sign up.

Sure. Of course.

More than that! You're a big hot-shot writer now!

-For the book, I'm really not getting that much.

-Till it sells a million.

-Showing no signs of it at the moment. Tracy, please...

-Thank you.

PA: 'Would all runners collect their race numbers now, please?'

-What d'you mean? I did enter!

-We received your application too late.

-Her grandpa's a bit...forgetful.

-There's nothing I can do!

-You can give me a number!

-Rules are rules.

-Anyone can be late.

-There's a kids' fun-run. Perhaps you'd like to enter that.

-No way!

Right, Jackie, Lol, Bouncer. ..Nice car.

-Eh?

-Only, they scratch so easily, don't they...?

Actually, we might have a spare number here somewhere...

Hi! I finally found you. Thought I'd come and see the big race!

This would make a great chapter(!)

-And have a last go at saying I'm sorry.

-"Plucky care kid wins race!"

-I don't know what else to do.

-Give me my life back.

I never took it away! The book's out there. I can't bring it back!

I'm so sad you feel like this, but you know where I am if you need me.

PA: 'Runners, take your positions now, please...'

OK. Remember, weight on the balls of your feet, even strides...

-Come on, now, please, clear the course.

-Good luck.

Right, on your marks,

get set...

KLAXON SOUNDS CROWD: Come on! You can do it...!

-He'll never make it.

-Yes, he will!

-You better hope so, or else!

-KERCHING!

-Come on, Jackie!

Easy! Now remember, always save the best till the last.

Always keep a surprise up your sleeve until the very end!

-Come on, Jackie!

-Go on! I take it all back. He's amazing!

Let me see!

Tracy?

What did she want? Fishing for new book ideas? Only reason she's here.

-Yeah?

-She told us she wished she'd never written the first one.

-What?

-She's gutted about you!

-She's scared you'll never be mates again.

-No, she's, she's just...

I don't think so. ..Come on.

-How do you wish you'd never written it!?

-What?

-Best thing you ever did!

-You want to write for crummy newspapers?

-I thought you hated it?

-Just the end. The rest is great.

-It doesn't have to be your ending.

-No, maybe not.

-Besides, you don't know what happens in the sequel.

-So you are working on a sequel!

-No! But, you know, I have some ideas.

Thank goodness you talked to me.

The first thing to do is to get Trudy out of that boring care home.

Maybe she becomes an international pop star, or maybe an astronaut.

-We've been here before! You don't give up, do you?

-Grandpa!

-Stand back, please! Give him some room.

-Grandpa.

-I'm OK.

It's just a stitch.

-Feel like a Christmas turkey!

-Take it easy.

-Jackie, I don't think I can finish, darling...

-It's all right.

-No, it's not. I want you to finish for me.

-No.

-Yeah! Yeah!

I'm fine. Go on!

Go on.

GRANDPA: 'Always remember, save... your best till the last.

'Keep a surprise up your sleeve until the very end...'

CROWD APPLAUDS AND CHEERS

-Where'd you find that finish?! Your time was awesome!

-How's Grandpa?

He gone back to the nursing home. A doctor's just checking him over.

Grandpa?

Grandpa...?

Gave you a bit of a scare, eh? Don't think I'll try that again!

-Did you finish it?

-I didn't win, or anything.

Don't matter.

I came in the first three.

I'm proud of you!

-You see, that training paid off.

-Yeah...

Hi. How is he?

-Very tired. Tough, though, isn't he?

-Yep.

-THEY ALL CHEER

-It's all there. Every penny.

-But, Grandpa didn't finish.

-Right!

-That's exactly what I...

-Yes, he did. Didn't he?

-YEAH!

-Thanks.

I'm letting you off training tomorrow. You need time to recover.

Well done, Jackie.

# I can make my world come true All my dreams will see me through

-# And the fight won't get me down

-No! No!

# My dreams will turn things All around

# With a smile upon my face I can see a better place

-# It doesn't matter What may come my way...

-No! No!

# Believe me now I will win some day. #