11/01/2018 EastEnders

Sorry, love, if you're looking for a service, we're chocka.

We ain't going to fit you in today.

Nice to be back.

Sorry, do I know you?

Some people round here might.

I was passing and my car started coughing like it had consumption -

and I thought, I know, Phil Mitchell's place.

Well, it's my place now.

Business must be booming, too - you turning punters away.

Listen, give these guys a try.

They're just up on the High Street.

Are you really up to your eyes in it?

Cos you don't look too busy to me.

I've got a lot to sort out today.

She's not upstairs.

She's not down here either. I've looked everywhere.

-I only just turned my back for one minute.

-Call the police.

-What?

I'll look outside again.

Chachi Ji, is this really necessary?

-Hello, police, please.

-Check the house again.

Look inside every cupboard, every corner, however small,

she could have crawled into...

My name's Arshad Ahmed. Yes, I live at 41 Albert Square.

Masood, go!

Yes, I want to report a missing child.

Excuse me, have you seen a little girl out here?

She's six years old, she's wearing a blue top with silver skates

and black trousers. She's a white girl.

No, sorry, I ain't seen any kids out here - is she yours?

We're fostering her. How many ways are there off this square?

One, two...there's three roads.

And there's alleys running down

the back of most of these houses, an' all.

I tell you what I'll do, right, I'll spread the word.

-Get everyone looking for her.

-Thank you.

My husband's already called the police,

but if you could ask anyone to help I'd be really, really grateful.

-All right.

-She's called Daisy.

Daisy. And she's six, you say?

-Yes. A young six.

-OK.

-Thank you.

-I'm going to have a look down Bridge Street, yeah?

-I'll come with you.

I'll have a look round the Square.

She's definitely not in the house or the yard -

-I've checked everywhere.

-Well, the police are on their way.

They've told me to stay on the line.

What if we're over-reacting?

Yes, yes, I'm still here.

I mean, what if she's somewhere playing?

She shouldn't be just somewhere playing! Especially not by herself!

Yeah, but what I mean is, what if she turns up in the next minute or so?

Then we'll look foolish. And we'll have wasted everyone's time.

But if one minute becomes two, and then five, and then ten -

and we've done nothing!

You in this evening?

Yeah.

Make sure your brothers are an' all.

-What you up to?

-You'll see.

Nice for some.

Opens when he wants. Closes when he feels like it.

We're in the wrong job.

I ain't, darling.

Not no more.

It's Ben, isn't it? Ben Mitchell?

This is his place?

-Are you the Social?

-No.

Filth?

Family friend. Long time ago now, but I used to know his dad.

Old flame?

Like I said, a long time ago.

Must have been - you and old man Mitchell?

Talk about punching above his weight.

Still around, is he?

Yeah, he's still here, but Ben's running the place now.

When he actually feels like turning up.

That's the Mitchells for you. Always did have too much money.

Just don't ask where it comes from.

DOOR OPENS

Ben?

What are you doing?

Cleaning.

Cleaning?

Actually, more of a clear-out.

I haven't worn most of this stuff for years,

thought I'd take it down the charity shop.

Listen, a little kid's gone missing from number 41. She's something to do with Masood's auntie and uncle.

One of their foster kids.

I'm going to check down by the park and them fields by the canal.

Are you going back to work today?

Yeah, I'm just waiting for a head gasket to cool down.

All right, well, keep an eye out and let me know, yeah?

Jay...

Good luck.

Mate, it's probably a fuss about nothing, you know.

All right, let me know. See you later.

DOOR CLOSES

Come in. Come in, please.

How long has Daisy been missing?

15 minutes, no more. We called as soon as we realised she was gone.

And how long before that had she been left on her own?

Just a few seconds.

I went to answer the front door and by the time I got back...

-We'll need to search the house.

-I've already done that.

-It's standard procedure.

-It's OK, go ahead, we understand.

-How old is Daisy?

-Six.

-Hair colour?

-Blonde.

And what was she wearing when she disappeared?

A blue top with sparkly ice skates on it and black jeans.

Oh, and pale grey trainers.

-And she's a white girl, yes?

-Yes.

Would she be carrying any toys with her, a teddy bear, maybe?

Anything she was particularly attached to?

She brought some toys with her -

but we always have toys in the house, but they all seem to be here.

When did she actually come to you?

Oh, today.

So she wouldn't have had time to make any friends out on the Square?

-No.

-Chachi Ji, I'm so, so sorry.

I'll radio in these details and we'll need a picture too.

Oh, well, I've got one on my phone.

In the meantime, there are some other police officers on their way.

They'll start a flash search.

Was Daisy's whereabouts any kind of secret?

I don't understand.

Did her birth parents know she was here?

How's your first week been? Have you seen Mrs Lund yet?

The head teacher? Yeah, she spoke to us yesterday.

Mate, she is poison.

She was OK to us.

Yeah, that's what she does.

She, like, sucks you in to make you think that she's actually human.

But she ain't?

Nah. She's a witch. She ain't even got blood.

Just pure venom, that's what's in her veins.

She likes you.

Who, Mrs Lund?

Yeah.

What, she actually said that?

-No.

-Yeah, I didn't think so.

But she did start speaking about you

-once she found out I was your sister.

-And?

She said you had potential.

-You what?

-Could go far.

-Did she?

-As long as you keep your mouth shut

and stop giving it the biggun all the time.

That's libel.

-Slander.

-What?

Libel's written. Slander's what you speak.

All right, whatever. But, either way, she ain't got no right.

That's what I said. I told her she was wrong.

Yeah, cheers, sis.

I said, "Keegan? Potential? Could go far?

"Are you really talking about my brother?"

And then what did she say?

She said, "Nah. Only joking.

"He's a scrote."

You ain't even seen Mrs Lund yet, have you?

Nah, she's coming to talk to us tomorrow.

Is that thing welded to your fingers?

Ha-ha, funny.

Ain't you got any school work with you?

What?

Well, just because the building's closed don't mean you can't

read a book or something.

I'll get Bee to send something, yeah?

-Hello!

-Hey.

-Get your coats.

-Why, where we going?

Little girl from number 41's gone AWOL.

-How little?

-Six.

Six? Who lets a six-year-old wander off by themselves?

-I don't think they let her, did they?

-She still went, though.

They do, Tiff, you know. All you've got to do is turn your back for a minute

and they're gone, that's all they need.

You - the shopping trips we had, you were always running off somewhere.

She can't have gone far. Not at that age.

No, not on her own.

-Just wait.

-Oh, shut up, Keegan.

You're not going to do anything, are...

That's weird.

What is?

But what was he thinking?

Well, this is Masood we're talking about. He doesn't think

on account of the fact he hasn't got a brain.

Yeah, well, kids do bolt sometimes. I mean, you were just the same -

and Ben was even worse.

That boy was always slipping off somewhere.

Look, maybe there's more to this than just a missing kid.

What do you mean?

Well, something Masood said earlier.

PHONE RINGS

What?

Hello, Ian.

Mel.

Look at it. There's 100 places on this street alone she could be hiding.

100 places she could get hurt, an' all.

Whit.

Yeah? Did you find her?

I hope not.

You should have told me you were coming.

I was just in the area, working nearby,

and I thought I'd pop in, take a look at the place.

Old time's sake.

You're looking good, Kathy.

Don't say it, "for a dead woman".

Do you know what, you look amazing.

-You haven't changed a bit.

-Neither have you.

Actually, the main reason I called by was to see

if Phil could take a look at my car.

Ah. No, it's Ben you want. He's the man now.

Ben, my little brother?

Right, well, he's the one who's got the Arches.

I've just called over there, the whole place is locked up.

Well, he's probably out on a test drive or something.

You could come back later.

Actually, he's gone away for a bit.

He's gone to visit Courtney.

Didn't think he was leaving till later, though.

You really do look amazing. Doesn't she, Mum?

That's a lovely necklace, by the way.

Why, thank you - just a bit of costume jewellery -

but it is pretty, yeah.

You been spoiling your mum again?

Actually, Ben bought it for me.

Oh. Special occasion, was it? Big birthday?

No. He's just a lovely boy, that's all.

If you're going to be around the area for a bit,

maybe we could get a drink or something?

I'll call you.

Yeah? I'll get you my card.

I tell you what, there's some lovely restaurants opened up nearby,

we could go and get a bite to eat if you want.

Now you see her, now you don't.

Some things never change, do they?

INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER

So, what's happening?

Well, they've searched every inch of the Square and Bridge Street,

now they're moving on to Turpin Road and the Tube.

And they've also started house to house calls, in case

someone's taken her in... or something.

One of the volunteers has just spotted something.

They've seen Daisy?

They've found an old ice cream van parked on some waste ground,

just behind George Street.

It's not abandoned, there seems to be someone living in it.

It's probably nothing, but we still better check it out.

I... I'll just wait here.

You, er...

PHONE RINGING TONE

Have you got hold of her?

Not picking up.

What's all this about?

It's probably a misunderstanding.

How can it be? She literally got the job an hour ago.

Keegan, I don't know, OK?

Tiff, I really ain't sure about this.

What, you think it's like, a coincidence?

-What do you mean?

-Well, a little kid goes missing

and this thing's parked just round the corner.

Could just be an old tramp.

What tramp do you know has an ice cream van?

Most of the ones I've seen just have a few bits of cardboard.

INDISTINCT VOICES

At last, we've been waiting here, like, days.

Look at it. Paedo's paradise, this is.

Tiffany.

-Just looks like some tatty old bedsheets.

-Exactly.

-All received.

-OK, let's get inside.

All right, all right! Stop, stop.

Put your lightsabers away.

Here you are - this is mine. It's...

Those are my tatty old bedsheets.

Why did you leave your sheets in this dirty van?

Ain't got any puppies in there too, have you?

What you...? No, no, it's not like that.

Ay Allah. Is this where you're living?

Keep your eyes open, would you? Just give us a ring.

Mel?

Hello, Martin.

What are you doing here?

Actually, I'm looking for Ben, Phil's boy.

He does live on the Square, doesn't he?

I've got trouble with my car and he's not in the Arches.

Yeah, yeah, he's at number 18.

Oh, Jay, is Ben at home?

It's just that Mel needs her car looking at.

Oh, hello.

Yeah, he should be indoors, just sorting through some clothes.

Sharon - here, look who it is.

-Mel.

-Sharon.

Look, I've got to shoot off but I'll speak to you later.

Bye.

Seeing so many old faces today.

It's good to see you.

You too.

Yeah, I booked a cab for half four.

Down to Dover?

The ferry terminal?

Yeah, don't worry, it'll be cash.

Listen, can you tell the driver to park right outside the house

and give me a call when he gets here?

Yeah, I want to go straight from the house into the cab.

No hanging about.

OK.

-Anything?

-No news yet.

We wasted some time with that ice cream van.

Anyway, we'll put out a bulletin, alert the local radio stations.

Poor Mas.

Sad old loser, you mean.

He was so embarrassed. Wish we hadn't said nothing now.

And what if it had been something iffy?

-Well, it weren't.

-Probably still do nothing.

-What?

That's just what happens in our family, isn't it?

-What do you mean?

-Well, if anything happens, just look the other way,

-not even talk about it.

-What are you talking about?

-Forget it.

-Tiffany?

Yeah, yeah, I'm on my way.

You are outside, yeah? You're parked by the actual door?

Right.

CAMERA CLICKS

Sorry, can you just hang on a minute?

Just want to have a last look round.

CAMERA CLICKS TWICE

Yeah, Mel's back. I saw her in the caff earlier.

Can you do us a favour, though? If you see her, let me know.

-We will.

-Sure.

-Cheers.

Wow, can you believe that?

CAT MEOWS

GIGGLING

Bacon bap.

Extra grease.

I got Marie to scrape the pan out specially.

-I got beefburgers.

-Mum.

And none of your supermarket basics either, I've splashed out here.

-Mum...

-Got some fizzy stuff an' all. I don't know exactly what it is,

-but it'll do.

-All right, but you did take that sign down, yeah?

What sign?

The one that was advertising the job in the launderette.

Yeah, course I did. You saw me.

Well, there was no point in it staying up, was there?

What?

Ian, can you check your restaurant?

CARTOON PLAYS ON TV

Ian, is that...?

What are you doing?

Half the Square's out there looking for this little one.

Half the Square, and Masood?

And those relatives of his?

There ain't nothing going on, is there, Tiff?

What's that mean?

Like, anything I should know about?

Like what?

I don't know, that's the point, that's why I'm asking you.

What was all that about just now?

Anything that happens, we look the other way?

That didn't mean nothing, no?

No.

So all Daisy's details have been circulated London-wide?

And when do they go country-wide?

-SHARON:

-Masood?

Daisy!

Oh, Daisy, oh!

Where did you find her?

Ian found her.

In my back yard.

-And when was this?

-About 15 minutes ago.

15 minutes ago? Didn't you know we've all been out looking for her?

Yeah, I knew. I didn't know whether you should find her, though.

Ian, I told you it was a wind-up, it had to be.

-What was a wind-up?

-Didn't sound like a wind-up to me.

I mean, she should be the one who chooses. No-one else,

-even at her age.

-What should?

It sounds like indoctrination.

What are you talking about?

This religious brainwashing you've been doing.

HE LAUGHS

-Religious...?

-That's why she's here, isn't it?

We are Daisy's accredited foster carers.

Well, it wasn't me who said it.

Well, who did, then?

Masood?

Well...

..it was a joke, Chachi Ji.

I knew he was thinking something bad,

so I just thought I'd let him think it.

Like Sharon said, just a wind-up.

This don't make any sense.

If he's already given Mum the job, why's he advertising it again?

What did he say?

It was his wife. She said he's out doing interviews.

Yeah, my boyfriend just took one of your cabs.

Yeah, OK, it's BG04DVM.

Yeah, he's gone away on business. Only trouble is he's left his phone.

I know, he'll be lost without it.

Can you book me a cab so I can get it to him?

To the same place he's going, obviously.

That's right.

Ferry terminal, Dover.

So your ice cream business...

It's actually just the one van, isn't it?

Well, you've seen it, it's not even that.

Just a piece of scrap metal, really. With three wheels.

That's why you've been hanging round here all day?

Haunting us, like Banquo's ghost?

Anything to put off going back there, eh?

And because you weren't honest with us, Daisy went missing.

That was not because of that.

It didn't help, though. I know.

What happened, Masood? How did you get yourself in such a state?

I didn't mean to.

I just wanted to travel the world and make my fortune.

Why didn't you just tell us that things didn't work out?

I didn't want to see your eyes when I did.

Listen to me. I sound like a child.

Daisy's back now, I suppose.

And none the worse for wear.

Yeah, but that's not the end of the matter, though, is it?

The policewoman said it herself, she has to write a report,

to see if there was any... What did she call it? Attributable neglect?

All I had to do was look after her for five minutes

in the middle of the day while you went to the shops

to get something I'd gone for in the first place but got wrong.

Not been your day today, has it?

I told her.

I told the policewoman.

I explained, this isn't just a job for you,

something you do for pin money.

That's every child you've ever cared for,

every single one you've fostered.

If her report means that you can't do that...

It is the correct procedure, I suppose.

"Fine," I said. "Write it if you have to.

"But make sure you name the real guilty party in this."

Panic over. Little girl was found.

She was at Ian's.

Don't ask me why, no-one knows.

Here, did some blonde bird call in on you earlier?

I know who's got your money.

His name's Ben Mitchell.

And I know just where to find him.