I Am Darleen Fyles Moving On

PANICKED MOANS

No! No!

Police, please.

I'm Darleen Fyles, there's a man following me in the park,

I'm scared. Can someone help me?

Can someone come get me, please?

Hurry up, Mum.

So, what you're saying is you don't want her back at all then?

Until she gets her head sorted out,

it's best all round if she stays here.

There's never been any rhyme or reason for our Darleen.

She's... She's just a fantasist, or whatever you call it.

It's all in the notes.

Attacked by a group of older boys when she was ten,

the police were involved...

That's when the obsession with medical and police TV dramas...

-And now there's these phone calls to the emergency services...

-Yeah.

-You want us to look at long-term living arrangements, yeah?

-Yeah!

Darleen is under the impression that she's going to move back home. You need to tell her the truth.

I will. I'm going to have a do for my birthday. I'll talk to her then.

I'll arrange a meeting with the team, look at the options.

How long are you going to be, Mum?

Why don't you come in and sit down for a minute, eh, Darleen?

There WAS a man who followed me.

He was fat and he smelled of the chippy.

Come on Darleen! What did we say about all that palaver, eh?

If you can't even go two weeks without calling 999...

I flamin' hate living at Langton Lane.

Full of druggies and alkies.

-HE MIMICS SEAN CONNERY

-Miss Moneypenny should go back and...

Stop talking like that, James! Can't you see I'm not in the mood?

And, sorry, but I don't want to go back there just yet, all right?

I've got to go back to work in a minute. What are you going to do?

I could go in that room where you keep your polishes and things?

The supply cupboard? All right, then, but you can't go wandering about.

You're the best James Bond in the whole world, James, yay!

So if anyone sees you, just say you need to use the toilet, OK?

OK!

-Stay here and keep quiet.

-James, suppose I really need the loo?

Visitor's bathroom next door but I'll keep nipping back.

Ah, OK!

-AS CONNERY:

-And if Miss Moneypenny needs to spend a penny,

then I shall spray the bathroom with the fresh scent of pine breeze.

SHE LAUGHS

What are you doing?

Um, I'm waiting for someone.

Well, you must come out of here at once.

I'm only here cos it's freezing outside! Sorry, I'll go.

-The cleaner, that boy, what's his name?

-James. But it's not his fault.

-James?

-No! No! Please! I swear on Mum's life...

He has no authority to invite you in here.

-He told me to go back to Langton Lane...

-This is private property.

Me support worker made me have an argument with me mum and she was bein' a total chuffin' cow!

-She always knows exactly what to say to wind me up.

-Be quiet!

Is he in really bad trouble now?

Well, obviously. He can't invite in all and sundry.

I'm not all and sundry! I'm Darleen Fyles!

Mrs Ford will obviously have to phone the police.

NO! No! Please! No! I promised Mum.

You could have stolen anything!

-There's nothing worth stealing.

-SHE SOBS

Flippin' heck!

I think you've got some explaining to do.

Don't, Darleen. It upsets me when you cry.

-Have you got any tissues, please?

-There's some toilet rolls in the cupboard.

James, you work here.

You know perfectly well that all visitors must report to reception.

She had no coat on. She needed my help.

-He's going to get sacked now cos of me. Aren't you, James?

-Yes.

It's Mrs Ford. I'm in for it now. She's going to phone my dad.

-I bet you hate me, don't you?

-Not really. But I did love this job.

Oh, come with me.

I'll look after your friend, while you finish your work.

Come along.

But I can take the session tomorrow if that suits?

Right. Bye-bye.

Oh, no, were you supposed to go to work?

Yes, I do a voluntary workshop for some of the residents here, a couple of times a week. Arts and crafts.

We were going to do arts and crafts at the day-centre.

I wanted to make a picture of a cat, for Mum's birthday.

But the lady only came twice.

So, back to being boring.

Every day, same old rubbish.

I'm feeling much better now, thanks.

Should I go and wait for Jamie outside?

No, I don't mind if you wait here, if you'd like.

Why aren't you at the day centre today?

Fell out with me mum so I just legged it, didn't I? I won't be missing much.

"This is how you make tea.

"Introduce Mr Teabag and Mr Cup to Mrs Boiling water."

Don't you like it there?

There's a bloke who goes there, who likes peoples' shoes.

He keeps stroking me shoes. Would you like that? If someone started stroking your shoes?

-No.

-No.

-Why do you go then?

It's me Essential Lifestyle Plan. innit? They treat you like you're stupid.

Oh, who's she?

That's my daughter, Emily.

Is she married? Has she got any kids?

She has a daughter.

Smell my wrist. Go on.

Antiseptic?

Yeah, reminds me of me nan in hospital.

I put it on everyday. She used to say "Our Darleen's not stupid.

"Anybody calls her stupid, I'll box their flippin' ears in."

Hey, and she would an' all, me nan.

And your mother... you say you've had an argument?

-Mmm.

-Well, I'm sure it'll get sorted out.

We need to have a bit of space, so I'm at Langton Lane for a bit.

Assisted living. Same as you!

Does your daughter live here too?

No. She lives in New York. The United States.

I know where New York is. Ever been?

-No.

-What, never?!

Why not?

I just haven't.

I'm rubbish at tidying up, me.

-Do you live here all by yourself, then?

-Yes.

Are you dead rich?

I don't think that's your concern...

if I were this rich I'd go to New York, me.

Why don't you move in with your daughter, then?

You ask an awful lot of questions.

It's how you get to know people, isn't it?

MOBILE PHONE RINGS No, not always.

Oh, sorry, sorry, that's my phone.

Oh, me mum.

-Aren't you going to answer it?

-Nope. Let her fret.

When I phone her later, she'll be pleased to hear from me.

That's an odd way of looking at it.

She'll forget about being in a mood with me this morning!

Everyone's happier that way!

James says Mrs Ford is like a support worker for you old people here. Is she nice?

She's very professional.

I've had lots of support workers, me.

And service carers.

That's where you have to live in someone else's home.

You have to ask for a biscuit or a sandwich when you're hungry. It's horrible, horrible.

You see, that's why I can't wait for my mum's birthday party,

cos I'm going to stay over for the weekend

and then hopefully she won't ever want me to leave! Woo-hoo!

-When's that?

-Two weeks.

It's so horrible living away from your friends and family, in'tit?

Well, everyone does, eventually.

Not me.

How long would it take to make something like that, for me mum?

Well, it depends.

I wish I wasn't so rubbish at doing new things.

-Haven't you got a friend who could show you how?

-Nope.

-Surely there must be someone?

-Me support worker, Jen.

She helps me with shopping and sorting the bills out and forms an' that sort of thing.

There's no time for extra stuff.

I suppose I could start you off...

-keep an eye on your progress.

-Are you messing?

It would have to be cleared with your social worker first.

Support worker. They're called support workers.

We'd have to shop for materials and choose a simple design, considering we've got so little time.

Do you really think I could make something for Mum?

If you're prepared to work hard.

I am! I am!

Dear lord, please let me make a good present for my mum,

and please let her take me back. Amen.

Look at this, Diane!

When I get a boyfriend I'll make this for him and give it to him on Valentine's Day!

Keep the voice down, dear.

What? A heart for my heart.

Presents you make yourself are best cos you make 'em out of love, don't you?

GIRLS CHUCKLE

I think it's romantic and that's all that matters.

Look, what do you think about that?

Aww.

-She's dead posh, Mum!

-She's not a weirdo is she?

-And she's helping me to create something special.

-Like what?

I can't tell you that! It's for your birthday isn't it? Surprise.

Oh, great.

Well, as long as you're not making a nuisance of yourself, love.

She likes me going round there.

Treena? Any chance of a brew? >

I'm on the phone.

Who's that? Is me Auntie Eileen there?

No, no it's a friend of mine, Bob.

Bob who? Does he live in our street?

No, I know him from the club.

'He's just come round to do a few jobs round the house for me.'

So are you coming to see us at the weekend?

No, I can't at the minute, love. I'm skint.

-It's only £4 on the bus.

-'I've got to get back an' all, though, haven't I?'

-It's money I haven't got at the moment, Darleen.

-Typical.

All right, I'll stay over there with you.

-Don't start that again, Darleen, please.

-I want to see you.

Look, I'll do me best. But I can't promise anything, OK?

SHE HANGS UP

Who was that?

Our Eileen. My sister.

She's just a bit down.

KNOCK AT DOOR

-You're early!

-Darleen can't come today. Summat's wrong. Can you go round to hers, please?

-What's happened?

-Dunno. She wouldn't tell me. She's upset.

Why didn't she call?

OK, thank you.

Langton Lane Estate.

What on Earth happened?

Two girls at the bus stop picked on me.

They took me purse, me mobile and me keys.

Was there no-one around to help you?

Yeah, but nobody was bothered.

Oh, that's outrageous.

Well, come on, we'll call the police.

No! They won't be bothered either.

You must report crimes, Darleen. You don't know, maybe the police will know who these girls are!

Look I just want to get into me flat, Diane! But I've got no keys, have I?

Well...has nobody got a spare pair?

-What about your mother?

-No, but you could take us round to hers.

-I'll probably have to stay over.

-Surely there's someone on site who...

What about your social worker?

Support worker, they're called support workers!

And, yeah, Jen's got a set

but I'll get into trouble off her because I'm accident prone.

-You won't get into trouble.

-I just want you to take me to my mum's!

You won't get in to trouble, I promise you.

Where can we find this support worker?

Over there.

Come on. Come on.

They've been sat on my desk all day.

We had a meeting this morning, she left them.

-The incident at the bus-stop...

-All part of the same fantasy.

When did all this start? Oh, my God.

She's not dangerous is she?

No, only to herself.

She's always had problems but lately it's getting worse,

turning up at A&E with imaginary complaints...

999 calls...

Even today. She'll get arrested.

Then why isn't she getting the correct professional help?

That's what we're in the process of doing...

But she's been here for months!

What is her family doing about this?

What does her mother think?

Surely she'd be better at home, safe?

That's never going to happen, I'm afraid. Darleen's mum doesn't... cope very well.

What about the medical authorities?

I've already said too much. I can't go into any more detail about Darleen's case.

I have a friend, a highly-regarded psychiatrist.

If I had more background information...

Sorry if you've had a wasted journey.

On the contrary, it's been very enlightening.

Darleen asked for my help, clearly, because she can't get it anywhere else.

Mrs Chapman, I don't think you understand the way the system works...

I'm not interested in the system. Darleen asked me to find her keys. These are her keys, are they?

Can I remind you, it is my job to help Darleen.

Well, it's not mine.

I told you I was rubbish at tidying up.

Oh!

That's my friends and family.

You should put them up.

Well, no point. Moving back to Mum's soon, aren't I?

Do we have to have a big talk, now?

-Would you like to?

-No.

What are the certificates for?

-Oh yeah. That one's for canoeing.

-Canoeing?

That's for doing health and beauty at college, that one's for IT.

I was rubbish at it at the day centre but I still got a certificate cos "at least I tried".

You should have them framed.

That one's special - for bravery. I saved someone's life!

The computer wire were wrapped round Nicole's wheelchair and I was like 'No!' Like that.

'No!' I unwrapped it and pushed her away. I had to be dead, dead gentle.

-She could have got electrocuted to death. So they gave me a certificate for that.

-You must be very proud.

I am. Hey! Look at this.

-That's rather a lot.

-53, all in order.

Starting with The Bill, Casualty, Doctors and Holby.

Why are you so interested in the hospital ones?

Oh, I nearly forgot. These are all me American ones...

ER, House, Grey's Anatomy and St Elsewhere.

Me auntie brings 'em back from America an' I give her the money.

Darleen, you can talk to me about anything you know that, don't you?

-Can I?

-Of course.

But you don't have to lie to me...

I'm not, all right?

DARLEEN SIGHS

Do you want a drink?

No, thank you.

Would you like to learn to cook?

I'd only make a mess.

Well, most cooks do and then they clear up.

-What meal would you like to be able to cook for yourself?

-Dunno.

Uh, spag bol I suppose.

I could show you how to make that, if you'd like?

You don't get paid for helping me, do you?

No, of course not...

That means, after James,

you're my only other friend.

Anyway shut up now, I'm watching this.

Hiya, Stacy!

Go on, Stacy, you go on in.

-Darleen?

-Hiya!

-I need to ask you summat.

-What's up?

I can't say it if you're looking at me.

Ask me now.

AS BOND: Would you like to join me on my private yacht for champagne and caviar, Miss Moneypenny?

What?!

Would you go the pictures with me? Just you and me, I mean?

Cool. Text us later.

Diane, what do people do on dates?

It depends on where you're going.

-I'm going the cinema.

-Who with?

James, the cleaner. You know him!

You'll be watching a film on your date, then.

Do you have a boyfriend?

There comes a time in life, Darleen, when a woman is happy to be totally self-reliant.

What?

Women don't always need men to feel good about themselves.

Yeah, but you can't be romantic on your own.

"Oh, look at that gorgeous silver moon!" Then you turn round...

and, oh, you're on your own! That's just really daft.

I'm afraid my romantic days are behind me, Darleen.

Get lost! I bet loads of fellas fancy you.

-You've got gorgeous skin for your age.

-Thank you.

-What does it actually feel like, being old, then?

-Painful.

Oh, no!

I know your back hurts and your knees sometimes do your head in,

but what does it feel like inside? In your heart?

You know what? I'm going to say a prayer for you tonight.

I'll say, "Dear Lord, please let Diane find someone nice and kind who she can share the moon with."

It would be a wasted effort.

I'm an atheist. I don't believe in God.

Well, that doesn't matter. It's not your prayer, is it?

Is your daughter an atheist too?

I wouldn't know. I haven't spoken to her for a while.

Oh. Have you fallen out?

-Yes.

-Oh, I'm so sorry. What happened?

She married someone that...

I don't want to discuss it.

What about your granddaughter, then?

What's she believe in?

I've never actually met her.

You've NEVER met your own granddaughter?

That's madness!

Is it cos she lives in New York?

I really don't want to talk about it.

Is she on Facebook?

-I could add her as a friend!

-I have no idea.

-Do you talk to her on the phone?

-No...

-You're messing.

-Look, it's complicated.

Get making friends with your daughter, then! It's not your granddaughter's fault, is it?

-It's not that simple.

-Is that why you've got no pictures of her?

-I do have a photograph, actually.

Well, why have you not put 'em up then? That's what you tell me!

I really think we should press on with this.

Look, why don't you just call your daughter?

No, just apologise and everything will be all right. I promise.

I don't want to continue with this conversation.

Well, how about if I called your granddaughter?

-I bet she'd be like...

-AMERICAN ACCENT:

-"Well, hi, Granny, so nice that you called me!"

Can't you see that I don't want to talk about it?

Your questions are intrusive and upsetting.

You're being really stupid, Darleen.

OK, now this is stupid and boring. I'd rather buy my mum a present.

PHONE RINGS

Thanks.

"Screens 1-4."

-Do you want to get past?

-Eh, no. I think you're in my seat.

I don't think we are.

My boyfriend must have gone to the toilet, but... I'm sure this is where we were sat.

-What's she saying?

-She thinks these are her seats.

I'm quite sure that those are our seats.

I'm going to miss the film.

-I'm definitely sure this is where we were sat.

-Do you mind?

LAUGHTER

I feel ashamed for her!

Darleen, where the heck have you been?

I got confused. I didn't know which studio we were in.

People were laughing at us. Why didn't you come looking for me?

I did! I thought you'd left me.

I wouldn't do that. Seeing as you're supposed to be my boyfriend, can you walk me to the top of Langton Lane?

-See you, then.

-See you later.

-Bye.

-Bye.

DARLEEN SCREAMS

Sit down!

Money! I hope you've got some.

DARLEEN WHIMPERS Look at the state of this place, man!

Where is it?

Are you deaf as well as stupid? Any money here?

Are you sure? I don't like liars, me.

I'll tell the police!

"I'll tell the police!" Behave.

Getting somewhere now, aren't we? Eh?

-Get me a plastic bag, babes.

-They're mine!

Bag. now. Chop chop.

I'll watch those. Ta very much.

I don't lend 'em out to people.

Hey! You want to get some manners.

I'm being all friendly here, all "care in the community" an' that.

-Me mum'll be back soon.

-Your mum doesn't live here, ya biff!

This is a place for rejects, innit?

I should know.

VOICES OUTSIDE

Listen, I'm going to leave now, yeah?

And you're going to keep schtum.

Can you tell the time?

Great. So for one hour you don't make a sound,

you don't leave this house, you don't speak to no-one.

Cos if you do... Well, I know where you live now, don't I?

Do you get me?

DOOR SHUTS

PHONE RINGS

-'Have you seen the bloody time, darling?'

-Mum, Mum! A man attacked me and robbed me!

'This is what I meant when I said... What did we say about all that palaver?'

PHONE RINGS

Please open the door, Darleen!

At least say something so I know you're OK.

Get lost!

I needed you last night. It's too late now.

I'd taken a sleeping tablet!

I only heard your message this morning.

Please, Darleen.

DOOR BUZZES

And did you call the police?

Then we must do that straight away.

-No.

-This is serious.

I know! It happened to me!

No police.

How can I help you if you won't let me?

All right, take us round to Mum's. Be my proof.

-All right, love.

-Bye.

-Bye, now.

I hope they catch the swine.

I can't thank you enough.

Well, I'm sorry that we had to meet in such awful circumstances.

Darleen, will you do us a favour?

-Nip the shop and get us some more milk.

-OK.

Here you go.

-And get us a paper while you're at it.

-I will.

You must think I'm terrible.

Not at all.

I feel awful, myself.

See, she's cried wolf that many times.

You never know what to believe, do you?

There are a lot of cruel people about. Darleen is very vulnerable.

Yeah. It's a cruel world.

-Can I be frank?

-Feel free.

This pattern of behaviour is quite particular, isn't it?

Has anyone ever tried to find out why she...?

I've had all sorts of doctors to her over the years.

Labels change, but the problem stays the same.

So there has been a proper diagnosis?

Yes, she has learning disabilities.

"Personality Disorder" was the last one they threw at us.

And that means?

God knows. It covers everything.

You're probably suffering from one.

I do find it hard to believe that no-one has attempted to

-get to the bottom of it!

-Are you calling me a liar?

No! No. What I meant was...

It's obvious to me that Darleen associates the Emergency Services

with feeling safe, with being taken care of.

-Are you saying I didn't take care of my own child?

-Of course not.

But that's what you're thinking though, isn't it?

What I meant was, being failed by the system.

Sometimes it's necessary to fight to get people to...

Tell me about it!

I've had years of it.

Fighting for her then fighting with her.

Not to mention fighting for every single penny

we've ever been entitled to.

It may not have been good enough, but I did my best.

Yes, of course. But I'm here because of Darleen.

It's clear that she's not getting the help she needs.

Oh, really!

You turn up here, like some crusader...

She's a very disturbed, frightened young woman...

You haven't even the decency to hide your disgust, have you?

Oh, that's not fair or true.

Do you think a bit of do-gooding a couple of times a week makes you some kind of expert on us?

You know nothing. I love Darleen with all my heart,

but it's hard.

I really don't think I deserve this.

I wanted to help your daughter...

-that is all.

-Have you got any kids?

Have you?

-Yes.

-Maybe you can give me some tips then, tell me where I'm going wrong.

Cos I haven't got a clue.

She doesn't care about her kid, Mum.

And she'll probably even die

without ever meeting her own granddaughter.

Excuse me? Is Darleen all right?

It's just that she won't answer my calls or my texts and I'm a bit worried about her.

When you've finished, could you come up, please?

I have something of hers, maybe you could take it round?

-This isn't my room.

-Darleen...

What's going on?

Why didn't you tell me?

-I'm telling you now.

-Where's me stuff?

What?!

You know that flat?

That flat could look really nice.

And I'll help you do it.

But it's not my home, is it? My home's here with you.

With my family.

We'd drive each other mad.

We get on better now than we've ever done, don't we?

"Just for a little while,

"till things get sorted out between us." That's what you said.

Remember? Lies. You're full of lies.

Life happens, Darleen.

And you know what? For the first time in years,

I'm happy, love.

Yeah, cos I'm getting bin-bagged.

You've never tell the proper truth, you.

Never.

Why do you always have to hark back to that?

If my nan were alive, she would batter you.

Don't...

Them lads did touch me,

I told you, I told the doctor, I told the police...

Let it go!

But my nan was the only one who believed me.

The only one.

People were already picking on you.

I didn't want to give them any more ammunition...

I've only ever tried to do me best.

Well, have a certificate, cos it was rubbish!

What do you want me to do, Darleen?

Tell me what it is you want me to do?

Just admit that you were wrong!

That you should have stood up for me and believed in me!

I was trying to protect you.

"Our Darleen's got more guts in her little finger..."

Remember my nan saying that?

Oh, is that lover-boy Bob, is it?

This is me daughter, Darleen.

-Who's she?

-Stacy Jane Robinson.

See ya. Wouldn't want to be ya.

-See ya.

-Don't go like this, please.

SHE SOBS

'Emergency services.

'Which service?

'Hello?

'Which service do you require?'

# As soon as sunlight hits your eyes

# You'll shed that unhappy disguise

# Towards water

# It leaves you feeling fresh the other side

# Ahh, ahh-ahh

# Just across the border

# Is the place you left your troubles all behind

# Just across the border

# Is the place you left your troubles all behind

# Ahh

# Ahh-ahh

# Cos if you feel like... #

DOORBELL RINGS

# ..time out

# Then stand back

# And shut down

# If you feel like... #

-Hi.

-Hello.

-Come in.

-Thank you.

Well, it's my mum's birthday do tonight.

I know.

James is waiting outside for me.

Just wanted to say thanks an' that, for this.

-It was a joint effort.

-Yeah, but you did the frame.

It's like a proper work of art or something!

-As long as you're pleased with it.

-I am.

It's hard being a grown-up, isn't it?

Yes.

I know Mum can be a right cow sometimes,

but I just don't like it when other people upset her.

Family is family, isn't it?

I shouldn't have said that about...

your granddaughter. Sorry.

That's her.

My granddaughter, Kay.

Oh, she's so pretty!

She looks just like you.

-I'm going to ask my mum if she'll help me decorate my flat for me.

-Are you?

We're all right in small doses.

Will you help me put me pictures up?

Yes, of course.

-Darleen... I meant it when I said you can talk to me about anything.

-I know you did.

I think I've finished with all that police palaver thing now, you know.

I'm much too clever for all that really, aren't I?

I think so.

-So, do I look pretty, then?

-You look beautiful.

I do, don't I? Look at that smile.

Look at them eyes. Thank you.

Thank you so much.

-Bye.

-Bye-bye.

Bye.

DOOR SLAMS

'Hi, we can't get to the phone right now,

'but if you want to leave a message for Emily, Steve or Kay,

'we'd really love to hear from you.'

Emily?

It's Mum. Please pick up the phone.

You don't have to speak,

but just let me say what I have to say

and I promise I'll never bother you again.

Well, I just hope you get this message.

I know I did a bad thing, Emily.

My love came with so many conditions...

I just wanted YOU to do all the things that I wanted to do...

I never allowed you the room to be yourself.

It was a terrible thing to ask you to choose between me and...

I made it impossible for you.

I understand that now.

I've written so many letters to you over the years,

but I've never had the courage to post them, because...

well, you're my daughter

and I thought that you might be just as stubborn.

I have to accept that I might never see you again.

It's painful but...

..I can live with that.

What I can't bear is...

the thought that...

after I'm gone...

you're going to feel guilty.

However much you justify it to yourself...

there will be a part of you that will always hurt.

And that may hurt your girl.

I can't bear that for you, Emily.

So I just want you to know that I was wrong.

And I'm sorry.

And you have nothing to reproach yourself for, darling.

Nothing whatsoever.

Be well.

And I love you.

'Hello, Mum?'

Emily?

Hello.

Hello.

..normal, anyway.

Darleen!

This is my boyfriend, James.

-Oh, hello, James.

-Hi.

What are you drinking, James?

Happy birthday, Mum.

Oh.

Oh, Darleen! That's gorgeous!

Look, I just want you to know,

I'm not stopping over, OK?

Come here.

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