Invisible Moving On

He's only gone and lost his sodding teeth.

-What, your Jimmy?

-Yeah.

-Again?

-Yeah.

I said, if you didn't come home blind drunk, you wouldn't lose them,

would you, for God's sakes.

But he's convinced I've hidden them.

He's probably dropped them down toilet again.

-Excuse me.

-Maybe four.

-Is it OK to clean in here?

-Yeah, OK, so what I'll do is...

Well, it will take me about 40 minutes, yeah.

Don't worry about it. Yeah, OK.

And I'll grab a pizza, yeah.

See ya. Bye.

Why would I want to hide them anyway, I said?

To stop me going out, he says.

I want you to go out, I says.

-I'm sick of this...

-Who's that?

Oh, him. Supply teacher.

So I told him.

I said to him, you come home again in that state

and it won't be just your teeth that's gone missing.

It will be another part of your anatomy altogether.

And one you consider far more precious than a set of teeth.

Come on, Rachel. Come on, love. RINGING TONE

Thanks, Lou. Thanks. See you later.

Bye.

PHONE RINGS

-Hi, Mum.

-Rachel.

Can we talk?

Not now.

I need to speak to you, love.

I can't. I'm just picking up the kids.

-Seat belts.

-Please, love, it's important.

-I'll call you later.

-Listen to me.

-Not now.

-I've just seen him.

Who?

He's still teaching.

I've got to go.

No, I'm coming round. MUM HANGS UP

No, don't.

Mum.

Mum?

Hiya, Gran!

Hi, pet.

-What's Gran doing here?

-Don't know.

-Hiya.

-Hi, love.

Go on inside. Come on, you two.

-Can I come in?

-No.

He's at my school.

Go on upstairs. Go and play on Xbox.

-No piano practice?

-No. Come on.

-Cool.

-And you, young lady.

-How do you know it's him?

-How could I forget?

It was 30 years ago. He would have changed.

-It's him.

-There's no way he'd still be teaching.

-He'd have been found out by now.

-It's him.

-Rachel, you've got to do something.

-I'VE

-got to do something?

It's a bit too late for that, don't you think?

I know I was wrong.

My teacher abused me and you did nothing.

I asked you what you wanted me to do and you said, "Do nothing."

How can you expect a child to make a decision like that?

You should go now. Ben will be back soon.

If you don't report him, I will.

Don't you dare, you've got no right.

You can't just let him walk away, all over again.

I don't want my kids put through this.

Well, what about the kids he's teaching?

Do you want it to happen to them?

Well, do you?

It's in the past. It's staying there.

-<

-He's in my room again!

-I'm not doing anything!

God. I don't want to talk about this any more.

Eddie, get out of there right now!

< Get out!

-Please, go.

-Please, Rachel, can't you see I'm trying to...

Just go, Mum, there's nothing more to say. So just go.

Oh, you've got plenty more to say.

You're just frightened.

Dad. Can I go to Laura's this weekend?

She's having a sleepover for her birthday.

I don't know about that.

Well, everyone else is going.

Who's everyone else?

My friends. All of them.

Dad, please.

-I don't know, love.

-It's just one night.

-Go on, then.

-Yes!

-But ask your mother.

-Ask me what?

-Laura's birthday.

She's having a sleepover and everyone's going.

-No way.

-What?

-I said, no.

-But Dad said...

I don't care what your dad said.

That's not fair.

EDDIE SNIGGERS

Shut up.

Hey, sit.

ECHOING: It's him.

If you don't report him, I will.

Up and at 'em, Eddie, please.

Come on, little fella.

Don't you dare lie in.

Get out of bed.

Come on. Get that uniform on.

-BELL RINGS

-Hey, guys. Wait.

Bye, then.

Hi, it's Rachel.

Yeah. Listen, I'm really sorry, but I'm going to have to call in sick.

Yeah, I'm sorry.

Thanks. Thanks.

-Hi.

-Hi.

Can I come in?

Yeah, of course.

Haven't slept.

Me neither.

There's nothing you can call me I haven't called myself.

Nothing you can throw at me I haven't thrown at myself.

So go for it.

I've thought of nothing else all night.

Do you realise how much of a hypocrite this makes you?

It's been going on for 30 years and you haven't turned a hair.

Only now. Now that you can actually see the kids

who might fall victim to him. Suddenly it's a crisis.

It's always been a crisis.

There've always been kids at risk.

We lived with it then. So why not now?

And I know.

I just know just by the way you're looking at me

that you think you are somehow more sensitive, more moral than me.

Because you feel compelled to act while I do not.

Well, I can assure you...

..I've always felt compelled to do something,

but I've managed to live with it.

I, the victim, have managed to live with it,

so how dare you say you can't?

Two things came together.

The first was listening to the news, on the radio.

All these people come forward to the public inquiry.

Now, after years of being... silent, learning to disappear.

And then...bang.

I saw him.

Out of the blue like that.

I felt so helpless.

Couldn't even open my mouth to speak.

It's like he took the breath right out of me.

And I thought, I can't, I can't let him do this to me again.

To you?

-To us.

-Why didn't you do something then?

I've told you. I did what you told me to do.

And you told me to do nothing.

I said what you wanted to hear.

And you wanted to hear, "Do nothing."

-Yeah.

-Why?

I thought they'd kick you out.

-What?

-I'd worked so hard to get you there.

And it cost so much, your uniform and your kit,

and your God knows what.

And I told myself, who'd believe me anyway?

Just a cleaner.

Just a single mother, bog Irish.

I didn't belong there.

They made that obvious every time I went there.

That I should thank my lucky stars that my girl was in their school,

so how dare I spread filth all over their lovely old floors.

I'm so sorry they made you feel that way.

Go to the police.

-They'll say, "Why have you waited all this time?"

-They won't.

Why would I want to put myself through that nightmare all over again?

Why?

What's the point?

Because it's the right thing to do.

I'd have to tell Ben and the kids.

Yeah.

No. I can't do that.

I'm the perfect mother to them, you see.

And the perfect mother can never be a victim.

You're not a victim.

You're a survivor.

And if you go to the police, you can put that man where he belongs.

I can't, Mum.

I just can't.

TIMER BEEPS

Tea's ready.

I'm starving.

-What's to eat, Mum?

-Looks great.

What have we done to deserve this?

Oh, nothing. Just felt like it.

-How was work?

-Fine, and you?

Oh, patients all day, I'm exhausted.

Barely had time to pick up the kids.

How did you find the time to do all this?

-You all right, love?

-Yeah, fine.

Just a bit quiet.

Need an early night, that's all.

Right.

" 'What would you do for your queen,' asked the Red Knight?

" 'I would sacrifice my life for my queen,' replied Lancelot.

"The Red Knight just laughed.

"It was infectious.

"Others started laughing, too.

" 'We would all sacrifice our lives for our queen,' said the Red Knight.

" 'But would you sacrifice your honour?

" 'Would you lie for her?'"

-Is he asleep?

-Yeah.

And Lyn?

She's doing her homework.

Want a glass of wine? There's still some left.

No, thanks.

I've something I need to talk to you about.

Oh, yeah?

Could you do that later?

What's up?

You sit down.

-What's wrong?

-Will you sit down, please?

I don't know how to say this.

What's going on?

I didn't go to work today.

-No?

-No.

Mum came round yesterday.

Why?

HE SIGHS

Come on, love, you're getting me worried now.

There's something I haven't told you.

When I was a kid at school...

..I was abused by one of the teachers.

I was 12.

Oh, Rachel...

Why have you never told me this?

I was too frightened.

I was ashamed.

It's confusing, being introduced to a man's body like that.

Your body betrays you.

The confusion stays and...

..it never goes.

He stopped before I turned 13.

I was an angry child.

Afterwards, I tried to forget about it.

The memories come flooding back sometimes.

Smells and...

..other things, things I just don't want to remember.

You could have told me.

You didn't need to hide it from me.

It's more of a reflection on me than you, honest.

But I didn't want you to think that I was damaged in some way.

What?

That's how it makes you feel.

Didn't want to put you through it.

And why now, why are you telling me now?

Mum saw him two days ago at the school where she works.

He's a supply teacher.

Well, you can't just leave it.

Not if he's still teaching.

I don't want it all stirred up again.

-Are you sure it was him?

-Well, Mum is.

Well, I think you need to find out for yourself, don't you?

-No.

-I'll come with you.

Don't think I could face it.

I know, I know. But if he's still working with kids...

Do you think I haven't thought of that?

I keep turning it round and round in my head.

I can't stop thinking about it.

I know, come here. Come here.

Lyn, come on!

We're going to be late.

-What do you think you're doing?

-Nothing.

That's not nothing. Who are you texting?

It was for Laura. Just showing her what I'm wearing to her birthday.

-Give me that thing.

-No.

-Give me it.

-No, it's my phone.

-Who are you sending the pictures to?

-Give it back!

-Who?

-Laura, I'm telling the truth.

Right, you're not going.

-But Dad said...

-I SAID NO!

Two more periods...

-Do you remember me?

-Sorry?

Do you remember me?

My name is Rachel Mason.

33 years ago I was Rachel Moxton.

Well, I've taught a lot of kids.

I'd have thought I'd have been stamped on your brain

like you've been stamped on mine.

I was 12 years old. You taught me history.

And regularly abused me.

I did no such thing.

You'd done it before. I just know you'd done it before.

But please tell me you never did it again. That I was the last.

I don't know what you're talking about.

You're still teaching, which means you were never caught.

You never did it again,

which means my silence did no harm, no-one else suffered.

Tell me that's the case and I will walk away

and you will never see me again.

I've never seen you before in my life.

You have a scar on your thigh.

You were impaled on railings when you were eight years old.

You showed it me that first time.

Afterwards you sent me packing down the corridor.

Not a soul in sight.

You called my name and beckoned me.

So I walked all the way back,

thinking it was going to happen again.

And when I got to you, you pointed to my tennis racket and you said,

"You forgot that."

And you laughed. You actually laughed.

I'm sorry for whatever's happened to you,

but I can promise you, it's got nothing to do with me.

I have never seen you in my entire life.

You're lying! You're lying!

You broke me!

You broke my mind, my body!

Can you just let go of the door, please?

You filled me full of shame and self-loathing. And it's you.

It's you who should feel ashamed.

-Just let go.

-In 33 years, not one day has passed

-without my remembering it.

-I've never seen you before.

-Take your hand off the car.

-Without thinking about what you did to me.

-Can you just let go of the door?

-I will not take my hand away!

You're in here, whether I like it or not!

-SHE SOBS

-You ruined my life.

-I've never seen you before.

-How many other lives have you ruined?

Look, I've never seen you before.

HE STARTS CAR

You're lying.

You're lying!

Don't lie to me, don't you dare lie to me.

You're lying!

You're lying!

Rachel. Rachel.

-Get off me!

-Rachel. I just want to know if you're OK, love.

-I'm just trying to help.

-I said leave me alone!

-You should've seen what happened today.

-What?

Laura asked James out.

And is like crying because he said no.

-Really?

-Yeah.

-Laura's a lovely girl.

-Why did he say no?

-He just doesn't like her.

Where have you been?

Got held up. Sorry.

-You OK?

-Yeah.

Fine.

DOORBELL

Hi.

I hope I'm not disturbing you.

-No, why?

-It's just...

I live across the road and I saw you at my son's school just now.

And I wondered, are you all right?

-You know, after all that.

-I'm fine.

-Are you sure about that?

-Yes, I'm sure.

So what was all the fuss about then?

Nothing, it was nothing. It was just a misunderstanding, that's all.

You were attacking a member of staff.

Is there something the parents need to know?

-No.

-I'm worried for my son.

If there's something that parents should know,

-I think you should just tell us what's going on.

-There's nothing to tell you.

-What was that about?

-I'll tell you later.

No, tell me now, please.

What's all this about you going to my friend's school?

-What?

-Everyone's saying they saw you kicking off about something.

Oh, put that stupid thing away.

Mum, what's going on?

Why do you have to go and make a scene in front of everyone?

-Is this what I think it is?

-I said, I'll talk to you about it later.

-You're so embarrassing.

-Lyn.

-What's got into you?

-You're acting like a mad woman.

-What am I supposed to do?!

Come on. Come on, you two.

Upstairs.

Why won't you tell us what's going on?

Nothing's going on.

-I'm not stupid, Mum.

-Lyn.

Just leave it.

DOOR OPENS

It is him, then?

He said I'd got it all wrong.

Denied everything.

Lost it.

Wanted to kill him.

I feel sick.

I'm going to go and see him.

-No.

-Well, you can't just expect me to sit here and do nothing.

I can't stand seeing you like this, Rachel.

-Just let me go.

-No, don't!

Promise me you'll keep out of it.

Promise me you won't go anywhere near that man.

I promise.

-What about the police?

-No.

-Why not?

-You know why not.

I don't. You said something about not putting us through all this.

That's exactly what's happening, anyway.

The police can't make it any worse.

-They can only help.

-They won't believe me, I know that.

Well, of course they will. Why would a child make up something like that?

I'm not a child. I'm a 45-year-old woman.

Why wait 33 years, that's what they'll say.

You need proof.

I've got nothing on him, nothing!

Can't you see? I don't stand a chance.

See you later!

Bye!

BELL RINGS

-Lyn!

-Yeah?

Do you still want to go to Laura's sleepover?

-Yeah.

-Right.

Can I go?!

Yeah.

Will you keep your phone on?

-Course, yeah.

-Right.

Thanks.

It's OK.

See ya.

You're Lyn's mum?

-Yeah?

-Why did you accost my dad yesterday?

Why did you accost my dad yesterday?

Why don't you ask him?

Because to ask him is to doubt him.

And I do not doubt him in any way whatsoever.

He brought me, my two sisters and my brother up.

And you could not wish for a better father.

Kind and decent.

Now, I don't know exactly what was said yesterday,

but I've heard the gist of it. And I'm here to warn you,

if you ever repeat those allegations you will suffer for it.

He's a teacher, for God's sake.

Lies like that could destroy him.

You...

You stay away from my father.

You ever do that again and your feet won't touch the ground.

You've turned our lives upside down!

Rachel!

I'm sorry, am I bothering you?

No, I was just... No, of course. Not at all.

Come in.

Come in.

Oh, I think he likes you.

-How old is he?

-Six months.

How old are yours now?

Seven and 12.

Has it really been that long?

So, were you just passing or...?

Actually, I came to ask you something.

You remember what happened at school?

That teacher we had.

-I saw him again.

-When?

Yesterday, he's on supply at the school where my mum works.

Why are you telling me this?

You remember when I used to change in the toilets for PE?

You asked me why once.

I showed you the bruises I had.

I want to make a statement.

I was wondering if you would help back me up.

I've got no proof otherwise.

It were years ago.

-Let it rest.

-I won't take up much of your time, I promise.

I'm sorry. I can't help you.

We were inseparable at school, you and me.

Well, things change.

I just want someone to tell me I didn't imagine it.

I didn't make it up.

You didn't.

That's the awful truth about it.

He made you feel special.

Till you realised you're just like all the others.

You're just one of many.

You're nothing special at all.

There's no way I'm going back to that hell again.

Not for anything in the world.

BABY GURGLES

I'm going to the police.

I don't care what people think.

Well, I wondered if you'd come with me.

Of course.

Course I will.

I'd like to make a statement, please.

We'll get through this.

If you can tell me what happened,

as clearly as you can remember it, please.

Trouble is, it...

It was quite some time ago.

When did the incident take place?

It was summer.

1985.

Sorry, this was a mistake.

Go on, go on.

Tell me what you remember.

Would you mind stepping outside, please, Mum?

Oh...right.

I'll...I'll be waiting for you.

Um...

It was the first day back at school.

After the summer holidays.

I was wearing my new school uniform.

Feeling proud.

Could tell Mum was, too.

Um...

I remember the pain.

The unbelievable...

It was a shock.

At every level.

It was as though...

..I had left my body.

I flew out of the room.

Out of the building.

Somewhere far away.

The only way I could survive was to...

..to learn not to feel.

It went on for nearly a year.

My mum found out soon after it stopped.

It never leaves you.

The memory of it.

A constant reminder.

The images that fly across your mind that you try to force to disappear.

I look at my daughter and...

..I'm reminded of myself at her age.

And...

..my mum's face when I told her.

I'd never seen her look like that before.

It was just sadness.

Utterly powerless.

Panicked.

She asked me what I wanted to do.

I just wanted her face to stop looking like that, so I said...

.."Don't do anything."

I've learned to live with it, but...

..I'll never forgive him for what he did to my mother.

Thank you.

It's done.

I did it.

I'm proud of you.

He found his teeth, bottom of a recycling bin, non-recyclables.

I know what he did now.

I'd done spare ribs that night,

so he'd taken his teeth out so he could have a good suck on them.

-SHE SCOFFS

-Drunken idiot.

The police came to the school today.

I know. I heard.

I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry.

I know.

MUSIC: Truth Is a Beautiful Thing by London Grammar

# Could you take my place and stand here?

# I do not think you'd take this pain

# You'll be on your knees and struggle under the weight

# Oh, the truth would be a beautiful thing

# Oh, the truth is a beautiful thing

# Ooh-ooh-ooh

# Ooh-ooh-ooh

# Ooh-ooh-ooh... #