The Lost Boy Doctors

Seth! I wasn't expecting an early morning visit.

This ain't early, Mr B, just haven't been to bed yet.

Have you been home at all?

Doesn't matter, it's not like I'm missed.

Well, stay and have some breakfast.

Come on, when was the last time you ate?

What about eggs on toast? Fuel for school.

Eggs, yeah, school, no.

Ah, now the War Poets, interesting choice. Read me a line.

"What passing bells for these who die as cattle." Yeah, I like it.

Good, and what do you think it means, Seth?

Nobody gives a monkey about soldiers?

Very candid.

Is there a tap running?

Oh, yeah. Is it all right if I have a bath?

I suppose so, but...

Just a minute, has the bath been running all this time?

Oh, Seth, not again.

Hey, Cherry, come on, we've got to go!

OK. I'm coming. You can start the engine.

-Seth, I'm not cross with you, but...

-Meaning you are.

I just wish you'd ask me first before you...

"Come whenever you like", you said.

"Somewhere I could feel safe." You don't want me either.

That's simply not true, Seth.

PHONE RINGS

I just hate to see you wasting your life like this.

OK, you can't change your family.

We have to manage the cards we've been dealt,

but you have such promise, Seth...

'Jonathan, please say you haven't forgotten

'your book signing this morning.

'I hope the fact I'm speaking to your answer machine

'means you're there already.'

Well, that's very kind of you to say. I'm very flattered.

Sorry, any of you good people have a pen?

Please judge by thy works and not the man.

Thank you.

Mr Bennett, you probably don't remember me.

Howard Bellamy, Cardale Secondary, 1982.

Bellamy, the tall lad, of course I remember you...

What a lovely pleasure after all these years.

I saw you in the paper, I thought I'd swing by and say hello.

You were always a firm favourite at school.

Nice of you to take the trouble to say hello.

Here, a gift from me.

Thank you, you shouldn't have...

Hardly a star pupil.

Do you fancy a coffee afterwards?

If you don't mind waiting, that would be delightful.

My pleasure, Mr Bennett.

Oh, and I think it's time you call me Jonathan, don't you?

We left the classroom a long time ago.

Thank you.

Morning.

Airport parking fees! I could buy another plane ticket for this.

All right for some.

Are you all right? You haven't seemed yourself lately.

Yeah, I've been a bit under the weather but I'm better now.

Well, you should have a holiday as well.

Why don't the two of you get away?

-We haven't got anything planned.

-Go on. Bit of late Autumn sun.

Many a baby's been conceived on holiday.

Really?

Parents are relaxed or drunk.

Jack, I know for a fact, was Tenerife.

Immie was Weston Super Mare.

That's what we'll do, then.

I think that went OK, don't you?

Jonathan, how did the signing go?

Very well, thank you.

I nearly made it, but as I've already got my copy...

Well, that's gratifying anyway.

I hope you were equipped today.

The last signing I went to, I had to give him my biro.

I don't recall that.

I promised to keep schtum.

Well, I clearly haven't learnt my lesson.

-Do you have your copy with you?

-Of course, I wouldn't be without it.

Wonderful. Well, I'm very happy to sign it, if you like?

-No!

-No...it's...fine.

-Who was that?

-No idea.

But you've probably noticed I seem to have a fan base

of the mature-lady variety.

-I booked it.

-Wow! There's no stopping you. Where?

Majorca. Don't mention it to Cherry - it's a surprise.

Oh, no, I promise. She's going to be dead chuffed.

I'm going to pop home on my house calls, get her passport number

for the ticket details, then I'll surprise her tonight.

Oh, it's going to work wonders.

You see, they're rather a rough, abusive family.

Heaven knows how they fetched up next door.

But Seth, the son, he's quite extraordinary.

In what way?

Well, the boy's virtually feral but he has great intelligence.

Course he's never in school so I took him under my wing.

Maybe that harks back to my teaching days...

There's always some poor lad with promise but no advantages.

So you're a mentor to him.

I lend Seth books and help him out...

You know, with the odd fiver and meal.

That's all very kind, Mr Bennett,

but if you don't mind me saying, you have to be careful.

This kind of charity can leave you open to abuse.

Maybe you're right there.

Seth does let himself into my flat whenever.

How?

I gave him a key.

It's taken its toll, if I'm honest.

I can't sleep, can't concentrate, even get the odd shakes.

Anyway, I really feel Seth's moving beyond my help.

Hi, Howard. It's my day off, that's why I'm here.

Well, I wouldn't expect you here during work time.

Member of staff.

I have a man who can sort out the locks for you.

If you can be home in half an hour, I'll make the call.

Good. Listen, why don't you pop by the surgery afterwards?

I'll organise an appointment with the doctor for you.

OK.

You always were a star pupil.

I'll see you later.

Shouldn't you be wearing a flower in your buttonhole, or is that the man?

Johnno, Captain Bellamy. Got a little locksmith job for you.

Seth, what do you think you're doing?

There's only rubbish to eat...

Stop that, please. Look at the mess you're making. Seth!

So what?

If you're hungry, simply ask,

but I'd rather you didn't intrude in my home.

It's OK if you're boring me with stupid poetry.

Anyway, you said open invite. You gave me a key.

Actually, I've been thinking about that and I'd like it back, please.

Or what? You'll chuck me out?

-DOORBELL RINGS

-Stupid old git.

Right, we'll fix this once and for all.

You haven't left me any choice.

I was trying to be kind.

-Locksmith.

-Ah, good, hello, yes, please come in.

Stupid old git, am I?

I warned you, Seth. Now you're for...

Hi

You all right?

-Didn't get lost finding this place?

-No, why would I?

You've grown your hair - suits you.

I've brought some number crunching we need to go through.

I'd like another cappuccino please,

and he'll have an Americano with cold milk on the side.

No, make mine a latte, thanks.

Ah, good timing.

If you say so.

Are you OK? Did the locksmith come?

Oh, yes, that was done, thank you.

I've arranged for you to see Dr Reid.

-Hello.

-I'm very grateful.

When Howard asked me if I could fit in THE Jonathan Bennett,

the local prize-winning poet...

Well, the pleasure's all mine.

Well, thank you.

I was young Bellamy's English teacher in an earlier life.

Howard, you are a dark horse.

I would have been shamelessly name dropping.

-You've guessed, I'm a fan.

-I'm flattered.

Anyway, back to business. Shall we?

I didn't realise you were a poetry buff, Dr Reid.

Don't flatter yourself, "young Bellamy".

There's still a lot you don't know - yet.

So, this column here

has the expenditure for overall costs, then it's broke down here...

This other column shows what's been borrowed.

If you look at the time graph in here...

When you said, "We should go through all the costs..."

-Yeah?

-I didn't think you meant like this.

Well, this way everyone knows where they stand - no surprises.

Anyway, by these calculations,

I reckon the amount I owe you comes to 8,000.

Oh, that much?

So, I figure, two grand I pay you now, the rest by instalments.

Thanks. It'll come in handy right now.

I'll sort the bank transfer, then.

-KNOCK ON DOOR

-Come in.

-I'm done now.

-Helpful?

Oh, most. Dr Reid was very kind.

She gave me something that should do the trick.

I hadn't realised how stressed I'd felt due to this frightful business.

I was wondering about that, to be honest.

More pragmatism, Bellamy, let's hear it.

I was wondering whether it may be a matter for the police.

Call the police on Seth?

You said yourself, the situation was getting out of hand. What if...

No, no, no! Absolutely not.

That's totally out of the question. He's been betrayed enough times.

No... Seth is just a lost boy.

He needs our compassion, not punishment.

Here are those stats you wanted.

Oh, Howard, cultivating your poetic side?

Thanks for seeing him. I know you had to squeeze him in.

All part of the service. Mind you, let's face it,

it's not exactly a hardship spending 15 minutes

of my day with an esteemed poet.

Esteemed poet or not, I can't understand why he gives

this boy the time of day when he should be involving the police.

Did he mention anything to you?

Mmm, he's clearly preoccupied by the boy.

It's funny, he sounds like he's reciting even when he's complaining.

There seems to be a lot of poetry about disenchanted youth,

seems like a recurring...

What?

There's actually a poem here called The Lost Boy.

Oh, yeah, so the presents... I've returned the last of them now.

Thanks, have you included the costs of postage?

Yes...in this column here.

Oh, and that's the fee we still need to pay for the caterers.

Wow, that much?

Yeah, we're liable for the whole amount.

There's a 48-hour cancellation clause.

I want him out! He's barricaded himself in my bathroom.

I can't get him out!

Jonathan?

Jonathan?

I thought you'd had the locks changed!

Seth.

-'Jonathan.'

-Seth, what are you doing?

-'Can you hear me?

'Jonathan?'

Seth.

Jonathan!

So, that's us sorted then.

OK.

Do you want to see where I work? It's not far.

No, thanks. I need to get back.

We should do this again. I mean, meet up, maybe to review everything.

Just text if there's a problem.

And I'll get that bank transfer sorted out pronto, OK? So that's it.

Shouldn't be any need for us to see each other again after this.

You were in the wine bar earlier.

You mean my awful meeting with Jonathan?

There was a problem... signing your book.

Yes. It was very embarrassing, actually.

I don't want to appear rude but...who are you exactly?

Sorry?

Are you following Jonathan? How did you know...?

No, I am not following him, for heaven's sake. I'm Isobel...

I'm his girlfriend,

we've been seeing each other for a few months now.

SHE PRESSES BUZZER

He led me to believe you were a fan.

No, that's...typical!

Karen, have you heard from Jimmi? He's not picking up his phone.

He's gone to try and find your passport.

He said he'd pop in home after house calls.

There's something not right here. He called me in a very bad way.

HE KNOCKS DOOR

Jonathan! Mr Bennett!

Bellamy, thank goodness! Seth's barricaded himself in my bathroom.

He refuses to come out.

Seth!

HE KNOCKS ON DOOR

Seth! I'm going to count to three then I'm calling the police.

One...

He was here. This dreadful mess is due to him, I told you.

The boy's like a powder keg...

he just explodes and leaves mayhem in his wake.

He has no grain of responsibility - he's rudderless.

A fatherless child...

"A fatherless child With no kith or kin

"A lost boy struggling to moor himself

"When land or island is illusory."

Why are you quoting from my poetry like that?

I've been reading it,

especially The Lost Boy. It sounds a lot like Seth.

Mr Bennett, I think you're imagining him.

Don't speak to me that way, you insolent boy!

I'm your teacher.

Seth is a hallucination.

How dare you insinuate...

Jonathan, it's perfectly understandable that your characters

are alive in your mind - that's what makes your poetry so vivid.

Good of you to say.

At least here's someone who understands my work.

I love your work -

that's what drew me to you in the first place.

But all this simply... doesn't make sense.

Your face is familiar. Weren't you at my signing this morning?

No...but I'm a regular, you could say.

I must apologise to you, finding me in this mess.

Hopefully this business with Seth...

How did Seth escape from the bathroom?

Must have been through the window, of course

There is no window.

Jimmi?

Jimmi?

Mr Bennett, I think it's best if you come back to the surgery with me.

We really do need to get you some help.

How often do I have to say, there is nothing wrong with me?

Jonathan, you're not all right. I've been so worried about you.

-I'm sorry, I don't think we've...

-You see?!

You don't remember who I am from one minute to the next.

Just like this morning at the wine bar.

Are you sure?

I mean, I speak to so many people - my publishers, my readers...

Didn't you say you attended my readings?

Yes, but I was by your side. Look... See?

"To my darling Izzy, and many more memories - Jonathan."

Izzy.

I'm so sorry.

I just can't tell sometimes. It's all a blur.

Bellamy, am I going mad?

No, you wouldn't be able to write such brilliant poetry if you were.

You need to be assessed.

It's essential we get to the bottom of it

so you receive the correct treatment.

Ever the pragmatist.

Oh, dear, Izzy, I'm looking less of a catch.

Jonathan, I don't know if I can do this again.

I...nursed my parents for years and...

I just...

We've only been...a few months.

With a poet losing his marbles, better get out while you can.

Jonathan, I'm sorry for misjudging everything.

I better go, but please ring me any time.

Goodbye.

Well, Bellamy, that's the trouble with mature female fans...

They're a fickle bunch.

Jimmi, can we talk about this, please?

Can you just let me explain?

No need, I already know everything.

I know it must have been a shock finding the pill.

I know that I should have told you about it.

Cherry, I said, "I know everything." I know about you and Daniel.

I might have been able to overlook that,

despite the fact that it was my best mate,

despite the fact we haven't been married long.

In fact, I think that we're still technically newlyweds.

Not the best way to start a marriage, is it?

But, hey, nothing's perfect.

I might have been able to live with that one...

Not this.

Better take those.

Jimmi, can you just stop doing that for a minute, please?

Do you know the one thing that's the hardest thing to deal

with in all this crap?

It's the fact that for all this time you've been so deceptive.

Jimmi, I am so, so sorry. I wanted to tell you,

I really, really wanted to tell you,

I tried to tell you.

I've hated lying to you.

I've hated all of this pretending and trying to make it work...

It hasn't, has it?

I'll leave...

And I'll leave the Mill, too.

Yeah, you should.

This is a fine ending, eh, Bellamy, for your old teacher?

These tests you talk about, what did you say they were for?

I didn't, but it's best you talk them through with the doctor.

But if there is something wrong?

Then you cross that bridge when you come to it.

I'm finished as a poet.

You know, when I popped along to see you today, it wasn't just

because I was in the area, it was because I remembered you.

I may not have been the sharpest pebble in your class as far as

poetry was concerned, but I learnt something important...

To find your purpose and give it 100%.

And you learnt that from my class...

I learnt that from you.

And don't forget - this is for future generations.

What scares me is the thought of bearing this alone...

Life will be different.

Things will change but, as your poetry says, "Life goes on".

Human beings are made of stern stuff - isn't that the message?

You can keep the wedding presents.

-They were for both of us.

-They're all yours.

Glad to see the back of them

How many times?

It was just once.

Do you love him?

Jimmi, no.

This was never about Daniel...

It was about me...it was about us.

Do you know what the most galling thing is in all of this?

You always professed to hate liars.

Cherry Malone, honest, faithful, true...

That's the line you like to spin about yourself.

Do you remember all the flak you gave me over Eva?

You're the biggest hypocrite.

Maybe we were just kidding ourselves all along, eh?

It was never really right between us, was it?

You look terrible.

Don't worry. I'm going to go straight to Howard.

The meeting with Ray came up last minute.

It was completely unavoidable.

Seems to be a lot of that nowadays.

I owe it to the partners to be professional.

It's simply not good business practice...

You and your bloomin' business!

I don't even want to stay here, the way this place is going.

Subtitles By Red Bee Media Ltd