The Finishing Line The Story of Tracy Beaker

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

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

-No! No!

# Believe me now I will win some day. #

Then she said she hadn't said that

and I said I know she did because I was there. It was so funny.

Are you and Jackie going to natter all night?

That's what sleepovers are for. That and pillow fights.

-Gotcha!

-Ow!

Jackie.

Jackie.

Jackie, it's your grandpa.

He's very poorly.

The hospital rang. Would you like to go to him?

-He seems to know you're here.

-Of course he does.

You're his only family?

We're a team.

We run everywhere together.

He bought me my first pair of running shoes.

He had a proper training programme for me and everything.

He helped me to be a real athlete like he was.

I got older and faster. But Grandpa got older and slower.

MACHINE BLEEPS STEADILY

You must be very tired.

You know, some people, they hold on.

-They don't want to let go even when they really need to.

-Why?

They don't want to leave their loved ones alone.

I'll be all right, Grandpa.

Honest.

Grandpa's gone.

-How is she?

-Did she get some sleep?

-I am here, you know!

-You don't have to worry about a thing.

-The funeral's being arranged. I'll take you.

-No!

Sweetheart, these things have got to be done.

-We'll get him nice flowers. He'd like that.

-You don't know that.

He'd like a proper sendoff with all this old friends,

not just Elaine the Pain and me.

-Who's that?

-Arthur something.

Grandpa's old running mate. He talked about him all the time.

-Do you have his address?

-Grandpa got sick, he couldn't remember.

I should have made him write it down. It's my fault.

He'll have nobody to say a proper goodbye to him.

Look. It's dated the year they won the medals.

A proper champion runner but I can't think of his name.

There must be a way to find him.

Oi! I was run running the 1952 marathon.

Look through those for local athletics clubs.

Names and numbers of national running associations.

Hello. I need information about some championship runners from the past.

-I'm not hungry.

-Try and eat something later, then. Just for me?

OK, Tracy, it's getting late. Time to call it a day.

I have got an address and phone number for Arthur.

I think Jackie's still up.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Arthur MacDonald.

-What?

-His last known address and phone number. He's not far away.

-How did you do that?

-Looked in the phone book, athletics associations.

Super intelligence.

RINGING TONE

He's not in. It's too late. The funeral's tomorrow.

-He might be back soon.

-We'll keep trying for you.

Still no answer.

Face it, guys, Arthur MacDonald doesn't live there any more.

I can't find Jackie.

Does anyone know where she is or why she might have run off?

-We'll split up.

-No, let me look for her.

She'll get more upset if she thinks everyone's on her case.

-I've an idea where she might be.

-OK. ..You go with her.

I want a phone call when you find her.

-Where do you think she is?

-Where does she always go?

I'll meet you there later. I have to try and find Arthur for Jackie.

And for her grandpa.

You'd have been in loads of trouble if I hadn't found you.

-I'm not going back with you.

-You have to.

-The funeral's in a few hours.

-I'm NOT going to the funeral.

What?!

You're just going to let Elaine the Pain say goodbye to your grandpa?!

Oi! What do you think you're doing?

-Does Arthur MacDonald live here?

-Nobody lives there. Clear off.

Slow down! I just want to talk to you.

He lived just round the corner, No 17.

-Let me pass!

-Explain why you're not going to your grandpa's funeral.

It's none of your business.

Come on, Arthur.

Hello.

Uh...

It's a funeral, not a race meeting. Don't you have a suit?

It's a fellow athlete's funeral. I'm going in uniform.

-OK, fine. It's that way.

-We're going this way.

-It's the wrong way.

A few of the old team that used to run with us are still around.

They'd never forgive me if I didn't run them up for Jack's funeral.

I said they ran with us. Ran behind us, I should say!

-I remember...

-We don't have time for this.

Not if you stand around yakking all day! Move your carcass!

Now, um...

this lad calls himself Crash. ..And this is Freddie.

Flying Freddie Mercer. Pleased to meet you.

Hi. Can we go now?

Just one more stop.

You know as well as I do, if I'd run on the inside, I'd have beaten you.

Rubbish! Your motor was dead...

Can we please go?

So, THIS is the granddaughter that Jack went off to bring up!

-I imagined she'd be taller.

-Just have to look - a sprinter, I bet!

Why do people talk like I'm invisible?

-I'm not a sprinter, I'm a distance runner.

-Ah!

Do you remember that marathon? What year was it...? Jack and me.

Were you there that year? Save the memories.

-We'll be late.

-We won't all fit into the car.

-You go with Jackie. We'll walk.

-I'm not going to the funeral.

-Just leave me alone.

-Jack's temper!

It's the red hair.

We were just trying to help.

-We thought you wanted his old friends there.

-I do.

So would Grandpa.

You take them.

You'll regret it for the rest of your life if you don't go.

Please.

I can't.

Why not?

Because the last thing I said to my grandpa was a big, fat lie.

-What lie?

-I told him I'd be all right without him.

-You will be.

-I can't watch him go away for ever.

He's the only person I've got in the whole world.

I'll never be all right without him.

Know why I made it as a champion runner?

No.

Because of your grandpa.

I was plagued with injuries, thought I'd never make it.

We didn't have personal physiotherapists in those days.

But Jack...

exercised me, trained me.

I'd never have made it without him.

He was my friend.

Like...these two, YOUR friends.

-You're not alone, girl.

-I didn't think...

Now...

shall we go and say a proper goodbye to Jack, then?

Great. But can we please get a move on?

ENGINE COUGHS AND BANGS

We're never going to make it now.

-Ring Sid. He'll bring the minibus.

-Battery's gone.

-There must be a bus.

-Even if there is, it'll only go round the houses.

-We'll never get there in time.

-We're gonna let Jack down.

Not on your nelly!

But you can't. You're...

Old? You're not wrong. But I've still got some breath left in me.

Flying Freddie Mercer is going to that funeral if it kills him.

-See you at the funeral. ..No offence.

-Watch out, lad.

You could still make it.

Oh, not me. Leg's gone.

But you go without me.

But you're Grandpa's best friend.

-Tell him ta-ra from me.

-Go!

-We're all here, then?

-WAIT! >

I knew I could beat you.

Oh, I don't believe it! It can't be true.

Flying Freddie Mercer!

And George Devine!

I followed your careers when I was a boy. Oh, how wonderful!

We'd best get on with it. Follow me, gentlemen.

WAIT!

It's Arthur MacDonald. What an honour, sir! What an honour!

-Let's get on with it.

-With pleasure. With pleasure.

CROWD ROARS

We're gathered here today to say...

goodbye...to Jack Hopper.

Athlete...

friend and beloved grandfather.

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