The Suspicions of Mr Jeffries Wolfblood

-RHYDIAN:

-Strong is good. But it's knowing what to do with it.

'All it does is upset the ones that care about you.'

GIRLS SCREAM

Ow!

Tom! HE PANTS

MAN: Tom!

GIRL: Tom!

-It's something I've been working on. It's safe.

-Alex, you're a genius!

I'll be back.

SOFT CHATTER

MOUTHS: I can't hear anything.

MAN IN OFFICE: Hypoglycaemia?

Yes, sir. Apparently, symptoms include reckless

-and aggressive behaviour.

-So your mother says.

I'm not proud of what I did, sir, but I wasn't in control. I mean...

-It was all pretty scary.

-Look, Tom, in any other circumstance,

you'd be suspended, if not expelled. But given the medical explanation,

and the fact we're so close to exam time,

one last chance.

Thank you, sir.

Yes!

Shhhhh!

# A promise that I keep I'll never share, I'll never speak

# To my grave the secret goes

# The beating heart The beating heart

# Of mystic creatures wandered far

# Through these veins a wolfblood flows

# Through these veins a wolfblood flows. #

And I'd like to thank my resident artist and handwriting forger,

my scientific advisor, and of course my mum's hospital stationery.

Thank you, Mumsy.

You'd better hope that he doesn't mention this to her.

If they find out that you intercepted

an official school letter and faked a reply, there will be trouble.

LOUD HUMMING What is that?

HUMMING CONTINUES, SHE LAUGHS

Oh! I thought someone was torturing a cat. Or a boy band.

HE SNIGGERS

Laugh all you want, because we've taken up yoga

to calm our minds before the exams.

Making noises helps you pass exams?

Meditation helps you stay calm and serene. And it helps you focus.

-Yeah. And also clears your earwax.

-LAUGHTER

Actually, brain scans do suggest

-that meditation helps with concentration and memory.

-Told you.

So if you want to pass the exams...

Ommm....

THEY IMITATE HER AND LAUGH

-Leave them alone, Jimi.

-We don't need your HELP, mad boy!

BALL THUDS, LOUD GASPS

-Who was it?!

-That was deliberate!

How are we supposed to find our inner peace with you lot here?!

It wasn't me!

-Kay, about what happened at the Kafe...

-Just ignore them, Tom.

As soon as another episode of Made in Eccles come out,

they'll just forget about you.

LAUGHTER AND CHATTER

So, this is an important time for you lot.

From now until exams,

classes will be devoted to revision and study skills.

What you do in this period could radically effect your grades.

-Hey, um, I just wanted to say...

-So stay focused,

-work hard and keep calm.

-..that I am sorry about what happened.

Sir, you try keeping calm with a mad boy like Tom pestering you!

LAUGHTER All right, that'll do.

You three, stay behind after registration, please.

-We haven't done anything!

-That's not fair!

-Huh!

-MOUTHS: Thanks(!)

BELL RINGS

-Don't let it get to you.

-Give it a few days.

-KAY IN CLASSROOM:

-'Tom kicked a ball in my face!'

JEFFRIES: 'Oh, well, it's Tom I wanted to talk about, actually.

Look, I know that Tom hasn't been his usual self lately.

But what I'm interested in is

'not just what isn't not right, but...anything really unusual?'

-Well, Tom has been a nightmare!

-And he used to be SO nice!

-Kay used to fancy him so much!

-Katrina!

He just went loco.

Thinking he's the bee's knees, all big and clever.

-And when he freaked out like that!

-Kay could have been seriously hurt!

I wasn't, though.

Kay, sweetie, you don't have to defend him any more.

You're the victim here.

Yeah.

I think she's got that "Stockroom Syndrome".

Look, Kay, what I'm interested in is...

have you ever seen anything in Tom's eyes?

-KARA SNIGGERS

-That's a little bit personal, sir.

- JEFFRIES: 'No! Not like that.' - HE MOUTHS: Your eyes!

Anything, well, a medical symptom or, for example, I don't know,

Tom's eyes glowing or changing colour?

Sir, I think you should come along to one of our yoga sessions.

The stress seems to be getting to you.

GIGGLING

All right, girls. Off you go.

I'm beginning to think everyone in this school needs some serious calm.

You review your notes on geographical

and geological features, since there's always at least...

-When did your eyes change colour?

-Pfft, I don't know.

You lot never notice, so how would I?

Well, it wouldn't have been at school, would it?

Maybe it was outside the Kafe?

-We saw him when you had your meltdown.

-Yeah.

So...what are we going to do?

KNOCK ON DOOR

-Sorry to interrupt, Miss Parrish.

-OK.

-Could I have a quick word with Liam, please?

-Sure, Liam?

Come on.

MURMURING OK, settle down, please.

(Sorry!)

-'Am I in trouble, sir?

-No!'

No, I...I just want to ask you a few questions.

'About what?'

Tom.

-'What are you asking me for, sir?' THEY MOUTH:

-About you.

-Me?

Why don't you ask Rhydian, Jana, Shannon? They're his mates.

LOUD THUD! SCREAMING

ANXIOUS CHATTER

-Jana!

-Move back, give her some space.

-What's happened?

She just fainted!

Jana?

-Jana.

-It's the stress of exams, sir.

-Maybe we should take her to the school nurse.

-Yeah.

-Ow!

-That won't be necessary. Come on. Up you get, Jana.

-OK, everybody sit back down. Does anyone have a bottle of water?

-Miss!

-You three, pick this lot up.

-Sir?

-Just a little turn, I think.

She needs yoga!

-JEFFRIES:

-Come on, Liam.

-JEFFRIES:

-'That's the reason I'm asking you.

'Someone outside his group. Someone with nothing to hide.'

Hide?

If someone's in trouble,

friends, they close ranks to protect each other.

Sometimes, that's the worst thing to do.

I want to help Tom.

-But I need to get to the truth.

-The truth about what, sir?

That's where I think that you can help me.

So, let's talk about what happened a while back.

When you thought that Maddy Smith was a werewolf.

-Sir...

-You saw something down there

in those old mining tunnels, didn't you?

-It was just an animal.

-With yellow eyes.

-Yeah.

'Are you sure? It was an animal?'

Sir, are you saying Tom might be a werewolf?

'Sir?'

Are you?

No.

No, of course not.

Get back to class.

-That was an epic fail.

-Not my fault!

What's going on?

Jeffries thinks you're a werewolf.

SHE GROANS

We need a way to explain what Jeffries saw.

But without contradicting the letter.

We don't want him getting suspicious of that too.

What could possibly explain yellow eyes?

Contact lenses!

Like the ones you get in joke shops at Halloween.

-Oh, um, they're pieces of plastic you put in your eyes.

-Eugh!

But that's it, though, isn't it?

You wore yellow contact lenses to give the K's a fright,

for a joke, but they scratched your eyes, which made you aggressive,

because of your hypoglycaemia, which is what we said in the letter!

Yeah, but how do we know he'll believe that?

He will if he sees you with the contact lenses in.

I bet Bradlington Party Shop sells them. We can get them after school.

You can do it tomorrow in class.

Make it look as if you're playing a trick on us.

Sorted!

See? That wasn't so hard, was it?

-Where you going?

-Speak to Kay.

-Well, can't that wait?

-Get off my back, OK?

It's not easy hiding the truth from someone you want to be honest with.

This is much more peaceful than the playground.

Well, it was!

-This is a private yoga session!

-Will you just hear me out?

I don't want to.

You heard her. Push off!

HE SIGHS

Look, I messed up, OK, but I didn't mean to.

-I wasn't in control.

-It's not just in the Kafe, though, is it, Tom?

First we're going out. And then, you dump me for Jana.

And then, you ask me to forgive you, which I do, and....

Then you turn all bad boy on me and we're like a couple again.

Then you go all Terminator on me.

And now, you're all soft again, like the old Tom.

So explain that.

Explain how it all makes sense, cos you're doing my head in!

Well...

Well?

I didn't think so.

-Rage-o-holic!

-Disturbing our inner peace!

Calm, calm.

LOUD CRACK, SHE GRUNTS

Ah, ow! Ow!

I'm stuck!

-How'd it go with Kay?

-Won't listen to a word I say.

-Ooh!

-These exams are doing my head in.

-Doing your head in?

I don't even know what I'm supposed to be doing.

-Don't worry, we'll help you revise. Won't we, Tom?

-What?

Help Jana revise? We'll come over after school.

-Cheers.

-Sweet. I'll come over after I've been to the party shop. Whoo!

-It can't be that bad, 'Trina.

-Which muscle did you actually pull?

How's that inner serenity coming along, girls?

-Just cos you don't care about exams.

-Who says I don't care about exams?

Your dad's rich. You'll just work for him.

Who would want to work for MY dad?

I need to pass those exams more than ANY of you.

If I don't, he'll kill me.

-So, if this yoga stuff actually works...

-Er, wait a minute.

Is this another one of your schemes?

Yeah, you're not interested in anything unless there's money in it.

Yeah, so push off, cos we've evolved beyond your shallow materialism.

Says the girl with the designer handbag!

We're watching you, Jimi!

SHANNON: English and Maths are your key subjects.

-We'll go through old exam papers with you. Won't we, Tom?

-What?

Yeah, yeah! Sure.

SHANNON: Well, you'll need to know formulae, equations,

quadratic equations, graphs, sequences.

Oh! That's just algebra.

SHE GIGGLES

-Jeffries is following us.

-What?!

Don't! Just act normally, keep him on our tail.

When Rhydian gets back, we'll put on a show for him.

This is perfect.

OK.

-You'll need a protractor...

-Yeah.

-..a compass.

-What's a compass?

-There'll be tests.

-Oh, tracing paper.

It's fine, it's like see-through type...

What?

What's up?

SHE SIGHS

What are you doing? Let her go!

SHE HISSES AND GROWLS

The serum you took.

Where is it?

Gone.

There's none left.

And the device?

I threw it away.

-I don't believe you.

-I don't care what you believe!

Let Ceri go and get off my territory!

I expected better from you, Jana.

You could have a bright future at Segolia.

-SHE GROWLS

-We'll take better care of you

than these strays and rejects ever have.

-GROWLING

-You need to pick a side, now.

I HAVE picked a side.

MY side.

Bring the boy. We're leaving.

-GROWLING

-You are not taking him!

Get him!

I'll deal with you later.

Wait! Wait! He's just our teacher.

Wait!

Wait! We can deal with this!

Ah!

SHE GROWLS, BRAKES SQUEAK

SHE SNARLS

Ah! No! Who are you people? What do you want?!

-Let him go!

-Jana, go back to the house, call the police!

She won't do that.

-Will you?

-You can't do this! He won't cause any harm.

He saw who we are.

The secret is paramount, you know that. It's the law.

Our law.

THEY GROWL

WOLF SNARLS

My territory, my law.

You let him be.

These situations always turn bad.

-Didn't your experience with Whitewood teach you anything?

-Yeah.

Humans can be trusted.

Fine. Deal with it.

But if the truth gets out because you trusted the wrong person,

I won't be responsible for the consequences.

Um... How about a cup of tea, sir? Yeah?

-Come on.

-Um...

-It's all right.

What is that?

LOUD SLURP

So Liam was right.

-Werewolves!

-RHYDIAN LAUGHS

Wolfbloods. It's what werewolves are based on, I suppose.

But we're not animals. We can control our wolf-self.

Most of the time.

And all of you?

Wolfblood?

-Mm-hm.

-Um, me and Tom aren't, actually.

-But I saw you. Your eyes were yellow, like theirs.

-Yes.

Kind of a long story.

I knew that letter was fake. I mean, hypoglycaemia? Really?

Mr Jeffries. We're not the only ones involved.

There are Wolfbloods all around the world.

Is that why Maddy left? Cos of Dr Whitewood's allegations? Hmm?

And Liam's theories, the treasure of the ancient wolf-tribe,

all those odd people claiming to be part of your family?

Er, they weren't...

OK, they're maybe a little bit odd. Maybe.

How could you not tell me?

Sir, protecting the secret is the most important thing.

What if they transformed in school and hurt someone?

They're not monsters, sir, OK? They're pupils, like us.

They won't hurt anyone.

Rhydian and Jana deserve the same chance as everyone else.

Sir? Where are you going?

I'm need to go home, Rhydian, and I need to think about this.

Not until you promise to keep our secret safe.

Mum, don't.

-Mum?!

-Ceri's my real mum.

She was in the same pack as Jana, and, when Jana's dad left...

Ceri looked after her.

He has to decide for himself.

Sir?

Sir, you always said I could tell you anything.

Now's your chance to prove it.

I suppose that's it, then. We just have to wait and see.

-Either he'll keep the secret...

-Yeah, or he won't.

And what do we do if he doesn't?

Well?

Well, I spoke to Becca last night, like you asked,

and she said she'd called Jeffries, but he didn't answer.

-So is that a good or bad thing?

-I don't know.

Alex was there too. He told us not to panic.

He said he can try and help us even if anything goes wrong.

And he'll try and make sure that Victoria doesn't find out.

I don't think much gets past the Sweeney, do you?

Look, we can't rely on Kincaid or anyone else.

If Jeffries blabs, this is all on us.

KATRINA: Oh, look, it's the Incredible Sulk.

-KARA:

-Mr Can't-Explain-Himself.

-Oh, is this going to go on forever?!

Yeah, it is! Cos I gave you a chance to explain and you just walked out.

Fine! You want to know what's up with me?

Ask Jeffries. See what you think of me then!

-WHAT are you doing?!

-I don't know how you two do this.

-Lie after lie.

-Cos we don't have a choice. You do.

If Jeffries goes telling the K's...

Well, then, at least we'll know where we stand.

Unbelievable.

JANA: Where do you think he is?

-SHANNON:

-Probably talking to someone in authority.

I'm getting deja vu, Liam staring like that.

Ignore him.

-So where's Jeffries?

-Don't know. Counting his fossils?

Maybe he got stopped for speeding on his bicycle.

LAUGHTER Look, what's going on?

He asked me about you.

-Me?

-Yeah.

-Want to know what he said?

-Not really.

SOMEONE WALKS IN

Settle...settle down, everyone!

Er, my apologies for...being late!

You too, Liam!

Sit!

BOOKS SLAM

-Sir?

-Mm-hm?

-Kay wants to ask you something.

It's about Tom.

What about Tom?

Um...

-It's about his behaviour, sir. Like what you asked us about?

-Mm-hm?

I mean, he hasn't been expelled, so there must be an explanation, right?

I can't talk about personal matters, Kay.

But Tom said to ask you.

Is that true?

Yes, sir.

I mean, if you want to tell them, then...

tell them.

NERVOUS LAUGH

The...explanation, Kay, is that...

..is that I had a letter from the hospital

confirming that Tom was suffering from hypoglycaemia.

He wasn't really in control of his actions.

It caused a kind of hyperactivity.

OK. Right.

So he's ill?

Not really, but...

I'm sorry.

You know, my cat went hypo-active.

Turned out it was just worms.

LAUGHTER

Right, let's... What, um...?

-What are you doing here?

-What's going on?

I talked to Miss Graham.

Anyone that comes to pre-exam yoga class

gets extra marks on their PE practical assessment.

But there isn't a pre-exam yoga class.

Of course there is! Everyone on your mats.

That's it, cross-legged.

And relax.

Um, can everyone face me, please?

Now access your inner calm... and breathe.

THEY LAUGH

-Hey.

-We're doing yoga in the drama room.

I thought you could do with some inner serenity.

HE LAUGHS

Well, I've got to do something first, but I'll see you in a bit?

OK.

Cool.

-Hey, hey. hey. Saw that.

-THEY LAUGH

KNOCK ON DOOR Come in.

Hi, sir. We just wanted to thank you for...

-Well, covering for us.

-What are you talking about?

Well, what you said in class. About me?

But I have the letter from the hospital right here.

-Well, yeah, but, after what you saw yesterday...

-Saw?

With us... And the Segolia people and...?

I'm busy. So, if there's nothing else, please go to your next class.

-Sir, if you want to...

-MOBILE PHONE RINGS

How many times have I told you about mobile phones in school?

Sorry, sir.

IT RINGS AGAIN Go!

What just happened in there?

-'Hello?'

-COIN DROPS IN PAYPHONE

'Who's there?'

Hello, son.

Dad?

'I'm back.'

You and your friends can't stay anywhere near Stoneybridge tonight.

-You're supposed to be their teacher, sir!

-Get out!

I failed you.

It's Rhydian's father I want.

This? This...is my family.

Help is on the way.

SOFT GROWL