Sticky Fingers Doctors

20, 30, 36. Bye, now.

Bye.

Oi!

He's a thief!

SHE VOMITS

Oh, that's OK. Don't worry about it.

Do you want to go through to see Doctor Cassidy right now?

-CHILD:

-Sorry.

I should get danger money working here.

I'm going to stink like a sick basin all day now!

There must be some kind of stomach bug going around.

They were queuing out the door when I arrived.

I've burned the toast this morning, I've stubbed my toe. What's next?

Being kicked in the teeth by a donkey?!

Well, they say bad luck comes in threes.

So, you are due a change in fortune.

Let's see then, shall we?

Ooh, fancy envelope. Posh writing.

Dinner invitation from the Queen?

I should be so lucky.

Oi, Fat Controller!

You can't keep me here, you know. I'm a European human.

I've got rights!

Which is why I'm waiting for your dad to try

and get away from work so the three of us can have a nice little chat.

When do I get a Playstation like in a proper prison?

Let's see how smart that mouth of yours is when your Dad arrives.

Tell him to bring my DS, yeah?

Next time you get an urge to send one of my stories to a magazine - don't!

Mum, you've been short-listed! You should be happy!

Writing's your dream, isn't it?

No! That's why I gave it up.

Well you didn't tell me.

There's a reason I didn't want the whole world reading that story.

Did the plot not seem vaguely familiar to you?

Not really. But I only skimmed it.

Anyway, anyway,

they want to send some journalist to interview me!

That's got to be called off for a start...

Right, about that...

Um, she's already been round and I've sent her to you.

-What?!

-You have a visitor at reception, Mrs Hollins.

Good luck!

Mr Ketley? Rob Hollins. Thanks for coming in.

How's Felix?

A little mouthy for my liking, but other than that...

Cheeky I can cope with.

Getting caught with stolen goods is another matter.

You did say he'd been caught with stolen goods?

Well, Felix managed to dump the stuff before I got to him.

But there's CCTV?

And you saw him take them?

I saw him running away and I've got a very reliable source that says

he did steal them.

So you've absolutely no evidence that Felix has done anything wrong

yet you're still holding him?

Yeah, yeah, I am because I know how easy it is for good lads

to get in trouble. So I bring them in, give them a bit of a scare

and that usually does the trick.

And there is the small point of Felix being absent from school.

Franklin and Ketley Solicitors?

I imagine you've heard of us.

If not, you'll be hearing from us soon. Badge number?

I think that says 7244.

Time for you to run along and get my son, Sergeant Hollins.

Try not to give me any more ammunition for my formal complaint while you do.

I'm ever so sorry you had to come all the way down here.

Nonsense! I was actually glad when your daughter suggested it.

The competition is to showcase the talents of ordinary people.

What could be more ordinary than working here?

I meant I'm sorry you had to come down here

-because I don't think I can do the interview.

-You're bound to be nervous, but I'll be gentle.

No, it's not that.

It's...well, it's the story. I wrote it ages ago for a course

I didn't actually send it in.

But a family member saw how talented you are and did it for you?

My lovely daughter. Talented?

Of course! Yours is my favourite story in the competition.

That's just between us.

You know, I've got so much respect for you, Karen.

Wife and mother, juggling a career.

How do you find the time to be creative on top of all that?

Well, it can be tricky.

You should give your daughter a big pat on the back.

Last year's competition winner went on to get a book deal, you know.

This could really open some doors.

The plague still claiming victims?

Just as we send a few home, more arrive.

It is like trying to bail out the Titanic with a thimble.

What's this?

Well, after her mysterious letter this morning,

Mrs Hollins had a visitor.

Jackie Welsh, Letherbridge Life?

You know I do not like to pry into other people's personal business

but I did do a little research.

Short story competition.

They have posted the stories online for the public

to vote for their favourite.

Why is she being so secretive about it?!

Stick one down for Karen to win from me.

I most certainly will not.

If you want help to rig the election you can look elsewhere.

It's just a competition in the local magazine, Mrs Tembe.

The rules clearly state you read the story and then you vote.

If you cannot spare five minutes for democracy then...

Just a minute!

You!

What are you..?

You think this is funny, huh? You think this is a joke?

Oi! Don't touch what you can't afford!

I stand behind that counter for 14 hours a day, six days a week and a half day on Sunday.

My feet hurt. I have to wear gloves all year round.

You've got no right to touch me.

Everything you steal means there is less food on my family's table!

So yes, I have a right.

I have every right to do with you whatever I choose!

Get down!

Ouch!

So, we'll have a chat first of all, which I'll record and write up.

Then later on, we'll do a brief interview on camera

for the online edition.

Sound good?

Yeah, I've never done anything like this before.

For now, all you need to do is tell me, and the readers,

why they should vote for your story to win.

Oh, OK...

Just relax and be yourself.

You must do this kind of thing all the time.

I mean, I'm normally elbow deep in urine samples

and stroppy patients...

Yeah, this kind of thing is my bread and butter,

though I am aiming for a cover line by the time I've turned 40...

But if I didn't do this job, I wouldn't get to meet people like you, would I?

So...

Sell me your story, Karen.

Well, it's sort of a love story.

It's about a woman who thinks she's met the man of her dreams

and then it turns out that he's leading a double life.

Then it becomes all about a woman struggling to deal

with the death of her lover and the aftermath of his betrayal.

See, he was a drug addict, a dealer, and she never knew.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Mrs Crooks was the last for the time being.

And the latex gloves have finally arrived.

Miss Clay, is everything all right?

I didn't know who to call.

-You did the right thing, Mr Khan. What happened?

-He tried to kill me, the psycho!

No! I was nowhere near him, I didn't touch him! Please.

It's OK. Just calm down.

All right, let's have a look.

Doesn't look too bad but it might need a few stitches.

You should be banged up! Do you know what they do to people who hurt kids in prison?

All right, all right. Nothing wrong with your tongue, is there?

OK, let's get you to hospital although I don't think it's life-threatening.

-But Sergeant...

-Just leave it with me, OK?

-Is that enough?

-How can I put this, Karen?

There's a lot of magazines out there.

You have to grab people's attention.

-Are you sure there isn't an angle we could play here?

-An angle?

A story behind the story.

Like if you kept your writing ambitions

a secret from your family all these years.

Like I said, I just did this course...

Or if it was your mother's dying wish that you put pen to paper?

Cherry?

You having fun chatting about that story of yours?

How about I give you two a minute?

Don't you have anything better to do?

You could try being grateful for the lift home.

You know, I've known Mr Khan a while now.

Go to the same branch of Old Gits Anonymous, do you?

And he's not the kind of fella who goes round hurting kids.

What really happened in there, Felix?

How are you? Feeling OK?

It's a bit of a knock, he's OK.

I was talking to my son.

He's fine and I hope that you don't mind he let me in,

seeing as you weren't here.

I was in a meeting. I came as soon as I could.

What happened?

That shopkeeper's got it in for me. He pushed me and I hit my head.

Upstairs, Felix. Now.

Well, I hope whoever treated him took photos.

Before you jump to conclusions, you might want to ask Felix

what he was doing in the shop in the first place?

I couldn't care less what he was doing in the shop.

Seems to be a running theme, doesn't it - not caring less?

Maybe I'd get more luck if I spoke to his mother?

His mother's not in the picture any more.

Not that it's any of your business.

Well, it is my business

when your son's out stealing from members of the public.

Allegedly, I think you meant to say.

As you well know, no-one, and that does include your son,

is above the law.

I couldn't agree more.

Karen, how could you do this to me?

You know how much things with Scott affected me.

I didn't mean for this to happen.

So why put it on the internet for the whole world to read?!

Because I wrote it for that course and Immie sent it in.

Don't blame Imogen. You're the one that wrote it.

I know that. It was just an exercise that the tutor set for us

to make sense of things that have happened to someone you care about.

I was mortified when I found out it was online.

It must have dragged up some horrible memories for you.

I'm so sorry.

OK, well, let's just put this behind us.

Thank you.

And thank you.

I know that it would've been a big opportunity for you.

Would have?

A minute ago you were just talking about my horrible memories.

Yeah, but nobody's going to know it's you.

I'll know!

Fine! If that's the way it's going to be. Ambition first,

friendship second? Fine.

But I really hope it's worth it.

Hi.

I'm afraid I need to ask you to come down the station, Mr Khan.

Now, you've not been arrested, but an allegation has been made

that you assaulted Felix Ketley in your shop this afternoon.

I need to ask you some questions and you might want a solicitor present.

Have you heard what I've said, Mr Khan?

This is just an investigation. You haven't been charged with anything.

Every day, boys and girls, stealing.

Taking anything they can.

And I cannot afford CCTV.

So I try to tell myself it's part of running a business

but it wears a man down.

Calling the police every day,

seeing a boy like that arrested and then set free an hour later.

Yeah, it must be hard...

I came in from the back room to find him trying to open the till.

I chased him. I caught him.

I tried to explain my side of the story. That's all.

Then you've got nothing to worry about.

Nothing to worry about?!

Explain to me, please.

Why is it there are no consequences for the people who steal from me,

yet I do nothing wrong and I end up here?

I had to tell my wife it would be another six months.

till I could bring her and our son to join me here

because business wasn't so good.

Now I have to tell her I'm being accused of assaulting a child.

-Everything all right?

-Fine.

Shall we crack on with the video interview?

Online content is so important these days.

OK. But not here. I'll find somewhere else.

'I didn't mean for this to happen.'

'Then why put it on the internet for the whole world to read?!'

'I wrote it for that course... and Immie sent it in...'

Felix tried to steal from the till.

That's why Mr Khan chased him, if you're interested.

And you have evidence to support that theory, I suppose?

No, I thought not.

And he says that Felix slipped and fell over on his own.

Why don't you drop the assault allegation? There's no witnesses.

-It's Felix's word against his.

-Why would Felix steal?

Anything he wants he only has to ask for.

Yeah, I see a lot of divorced parents trying to buy

the loyalty of their kids instead of teaching them the value of money.

I'm not divorced. I'm widowed.

Typical police attitude, always assuming you know more than you do.

Ketley... Wendy Ketley?

She was forced off the road.

Not that you lot bothered looking for the other vehicle.

I'm sorry.

What you doing here?

Are you OK, Felix?

I thought the hospital checked him over?

You all right, son? Have you been drinking?

No!

He's been drinking. Is that what happened earlier? Why you fell over?

I can handle this.

Felix!

Felix!

Felix!

Ready?

Um, do you know, maybe we could do this later.

You could meet me at home after my shift?

No, this is perfect.

Interviewing you in the place where you slaved away

waiting for your big break.

Maybe you could talk a bit about what inspired the story?

Nothing inspired me. It's fiction.

I made it up. It's fiction.

Karen? Are you OK?

I think maybe I'll nip to the loo before we start.

What you doing, Mr Khan?

I...dropped my keys.

Oh.

You haven't seen Felix have you? He's been drinking alcohol.

Drinking? But he's just a boy.

Yeah, I found out that his mother died tragically.

I think that's might have something to do with it.

I was hoping he'd be back here having a pop at you.

For once, no. I'm locked out.

Right, well, let's see what we can do.

Little toe rag, how'd he get in there?

I don't know. He's always doing it.

Mr Ketley, it's Sergeant Hollins.

Can you make your way down to the Khan convenience store, on Avis Street?

-We've found Felix.

-Boy! Open the door now.

There's liquor all over the floor. And he has a lighter!

Felix, listen to me, it's Sergeant Hollins.

You need to stop messing about with that lighter and get out here.

If anyone comes in, I'll torch the place!

-I have to break it.

-No. Please let me try.

Felix, listen to me. I have a son.

He lives in Pakistan with my wife.

It's been six years since I've seen him

and I know it's not the same as what you're going through, Felix, but

some days...some days I wonder if my son feels like I've abandoned him...

..that I don't love him because he cannot see me,

because I'm nowhere near.

But the truth is, I think about him every day. He's always in my heart.

Your mother wouldn't want this for you, Felix.

Put the lighter down. Put it down.

-7244 to control.

-Help! Help!

We need the fire service urgently on Avis Street.

This is Jackie Welsh and I'm here today with Karen Hollins,

who was short-listed for our short story competition.

Maybe we could start, Karen, by telling us a little

about what made you want to be a writer?

Well, I just fancied it really. I'm not actually very good at it.

You're a natural talent, Karen.

More like a gabby little madam which is what my mother used to say.

But this story isn't entirely fiction, is it, Karen?

Can you tell us a bit about that?

I'm sorry?

You're unbelievable!

Oh, Cherry!

You did take some inspiration from real life, didn't you?

More than just inspiration, some might say.

Isn't everything in the story true, Karen?

Didn't it happen to a colleague of yours?

And didn't you use her life story without even asking permission?

How...

Can you answer the question, Karen?

I've been a right mug, haven't I?!

Karen, I'm trying to help you out here.

People like to know the story behind the story, remember?

Oh, so you're not trying to make yourself look good?

Creating a splash that'll get you on the front page?

I haven't created anything. And nor, as it turns out, have you!

You've been blowing smoke up my backside all day...

Well, if you don't take that story off your website

I will sue the pants off you!

It's a bit of a mess in there.

It needed a lick of paint anyway.

Where's Felix?

Dad?

I'm sorry.

You've got nothing to be sorry for.

Thank you, I should have noticed something was wrong with him.

This could've been a lot worse.

I know. But we'll be fine now, won't we?

I'm going to have to inform social services, I'm afraid.

They're not the enemy.

They'll just want the same as the rest of us.

We want to keep Felix out of trouble.

As you well know, it's up to Mr Khan if he wants to press charges,

but I will be following up the criminal damage.

Of course. I understand.

There's somebody you need to meet...

Mr Khan.

I am so sorry.

I'll cover the cost of whatever damages my son has caused you.

I have a family too. I know it's not easy.

Thank you.

I'll burn every copy, I'll erase my hard drive,

I'll never mention that flipping story again.

Just tell me you told that woman where she could shove it?

-Oh, don't you worry.

-You do know you've thrown away your best opportunity

to make something of yourself?

Do you know what? I'd rather be happy than clawing my way to the top and be miserable like you.

Some people just aren't cut out for success.

VOMITING

Hold the front page!

You are a very clever boy.

Hello.

Would you like a tissue? Would you?

Oh deary, deary me.

I'll be having a little chat with each of you.

By the end of the day I'll let you know who's got the role.

-Can't you see how unhappy I am?

-Yes, love,

but you'll have to find another friend to lie for you.

Why not take the next logical step and become a partner?

So that's what this was about.

I get jealous of my friends too. Sometimes it kills me,

but I've never doubted us.

I can finally reveal that the winner is...

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd