Episode 1 Paula

This programme contains some violent scenes,

strong language,

scenes which some viewers may find disturbing

and some scenes of a sexual nature.

WHISTLE

Lower! Lower!

-CROWD:

-Come on!

Come on! Come on!

Come on!

Come on, lads!

Lads, come on!

Come on! Come on!

Get in there!

Yes! Yes!

WHISTLE

CHEERING

Well done. Well done. Well done.

Well done, boys!

Miss Denny.

-Mr Byrden.

-Thanks for your support.

I heard you screaming obscenities right to the end.

Anything for the school, Mr Byrden. Congratulations.

Listen, Miss Denny,

Diane is taking the kids to County Clare

-to see their granny at the weekend.

-That's nice.

I could, erm, call over...

if you wanted?

I thought we said that last time was the last time?

Oh, no, it was, it was. And so would this be.

That's what I'm saying.

I don't think so.

Headmaster.

Well done, Philip.

Have a nice weekend!

-By Christ, we played out of our skins today.

-We did, we did.

All the extra training, it's really working, you know?

MUSIC: 'Pictures of You' by The Cure

Mr Morecroft?

-Mr Morecroft.

-Yeah?

-You know why I'm here.

-Do you want to keep your voice down, mate? There's kids asleep in here.

-You want to step outside?

-It's not a great moment.

-We're not going anywhere until we have a word.

-You can't walk into my house like this.

This is my premises and I haven't had any rent off you in six months.

-So you've come to intimidate me?

-I'm not intimidating you.

-He's intimidating me.

-He's not intimidating you.

-I feel intimidated.

-There's no need for it.

-You're going to have to go.

-Go where?

-I'm giving you one week and then it's the bailiffs.

-You're not answering my question.

-I don't have to answer your question.

Good solution, just turn your back! Oh, that's great, that!

Fucking great!

Fucking great. Piss off!

Come on.

Will you have one last bit for me? One more spoon.

Here.

BABY CRIES

I thought I said no.

Yeah, that's what I thought you said, too.

Come on. What? What?!

You know what, I am worse even letting you in the door.

-How long are you on the rampage for this time?

-The whole weekend.

If you like.

You didn't think you should go with them?

Thought I'd push my luck with you.

Does Diane not even suspect you're messing about?

She just thinks I'm depressed.

Aren't we all?

-Paula, you know I'd leave her if I could.

-Oh, let's not do that.

Stop! Stop it!

Stop mauling me, will you?!

I shouldn't have come. I'm sorry.

I'll go.

What's that on your neck?

I don't know. Just a spot.

-All the badness coming out?

-Probably.

-Come here, let me get it.

-No.

-Let me have a look.

-No!

I'll just have a look.

Ahh!

Ahh...you fucking bitch!

LAUGHTER

Did you get it?

Here...

..put some whisky on it.

Ahh.

GLASS SMASHING

What was that?

It's the basement.

There.

TREADS ON GLASS

There's glass here.

Something must have knocked it.

Like what? A mouse?

These old houses. Old drains.

God knows. You don't want rats.

-Aargh!

-Fuck!

Fucking right I don't want rats.

SCURRYING NOISE

What was that?

-Fuck!

-Get out the way! Get out the way!

Jesus Christ!

-Was that a rat?

-Yeah.

Oh, my God!

Just keep that closed and as soon as you can, get someone to have a look,

seal up any holes or...

It'll be all right.

Do you want me to stay?

No.

OK.

-I'll come back tomorrow and put some poison down.

-I'll do it.

BABY CRIES

James.

That's going to wake Amber.

James!

Shhh.

Daddy's here.

Daddy's here.

BABY CRIES

You should be in here tonight.

She's been having bad dreams.

-What about me?

-Morgan, don't.

I'll be in here tomorrow night.

Maybe I won't have you.

Yeah?

Yeah.

Maybe.

Here.

Where did you get those?

Don't tell Crystal.

Do you like them?

They're beautiful.

'Was she trying to get you to stay?'

No.

Do you like it?

Yeah.

I can't kick her out with a kid and everything.

-But let me get some money together.

-Yeah.

Set her up.

Yeah.

-Set us up.

-Yeah.

'What we're doing with this experiment is,

'we're using the heat from the Bunsen burners'

to evaporate the water from the copper sulphate solution.

Now, if you keep watching the solution, what you'll notice

as the water evaporates is that crystals start to form.

It's important at this stage that you don't allow the solution

to boil dry or to start spitting.

Hey, Ma.

Shall we take a walk outside, eh, Ma? Get some fresh air?

Yeah?

Here, come on.

Yeah? Come on.

Be back in a minute.

100 euros? Is that all you've got?

OK. Come on, then, you.

Let's get to the bank before it closes, eh?

THUMPING NOISE

RATTLING NOISE

LOUD RATTLING

KNOCKING ON WINDOW

Fuck!

-Sorry about that.

-No, it wasn't your fault.

Is this you?

Erm, yeah.

Great. I'm having a problem in my basement. Vermin are getting in.

-Do you want me to take a look?

-I have to go to work now, but later?

-What time is good?

-After five?

-Sure. What number are you?

-Number one.

-OK. After five?

-Yeah.

-Great. Thank you.

I want this experiment written up for next time.

You have no other homework for the weekend.

Make sure you tidy everything away, please!

Sorry, Miss Denny, can I have a moment, please?

Come on, boys. Quick as you can, please.

-Is there a problem?

-Stop sending me cards.

-It was a joke!

-I don't find it funny.

Just stop writing to me and just leave me alone, all right?

Jesus, I was only messing. Are we not friends?

I don't know what we are. Leave me alone, will you?

-Paula...

-Do you not understand me?

I'm telling you to fuck off!

Callum?

Callum, are you in there?

-Who is it?

-It's Paula.

Sorry.

I was only getting up.

What time is it?

Half four!

I'm sorry about the mess. There was a bit of a party in here.

Party of one.

Now, we'll get this water boiled and we'll have a cup of tea.

It'll warm us up.

Jesus, come on. I'll buy you a cup of tea.

-Are you sure?

-Yes.

There's a place around the corner.

You need to go home for Dad's birthday on Thursday.

I don't know. I'm all over the place, Paula.

What are you doing?

-What would they say if they knew you were living in a garage?

-It's all I can afford.

-Sort yourself out. Get a job.

-Sort myself out?

I've tried sorting myself out.

-Move in with me.

-Listen, Paula, believe it or not, I'm in a groove.

-This is all right with me.

-Can you not listen to yourself?

-Look at you!

-Oh, yeah, and you've got it all figured out.

Look, Paula, this is just the way it is.

If I'm all right with it then so should you be.

Do you need money?

Fucking pathetic.

Do you want a drink?

Callum.

Get me a gin and tonic.

Do you want a large one?

Yeah.

What?

Yes.

TOOTING

Oh, shit.

I'm so sorry. I completely forgot.

It's all right. I had some paperwork to do anyway.

I can take a look now if it's not too late?

Oh, erm...

Yeah, sure. I've dragged you all the way here. Yeah.

You know all your stuff's getting damp?

The people who had the house before me

said they damp-proofed it in the '90s.

That's the problem with water, especially under the ground,

you know, in a house like this.

-It finds a way of getting back in.

-Is there anything I can do?

Erm...

The damp courses they have these days, they're pretty good.

-I can give you a price if you want.

-OK, great. Thanks.

-These are getting ruined.

-They're my brother's.

He likes his prog rock.

So do I. I have them all on CD, to my shame.

You see here, where this is crumbling like this?

-It might be where something's getting in.

-Right.

You know, my brother reckons these are worth money

because they're Japanese imports or something.

I wouldn't have a clue.

I might be sitting on a gold mine, although I doubt it.

SQUEAKING

Ahh! Jesus!

Oh, jeez!

-Bloody hell.

-Oh, my God.

I didn't think I'd get him.

-Will there be more?

-Well, if he got in.

-Oh, my God, I'm shaking.

-You go on up.

I'll see to this.

Yeah, OK.

Thank you.

MUSIC: Candy by Paolo Nutini

TELEPHONE RINGS

Is that it?

Yeah. I'll throw it in the van, eh?

Jesus.

I didn't see any more.

I've put some of that poison you had in the box,

I've put that down in a couple of saucers so just be careful, yeah?

Great. Thank you. My God, he was massive.

That's how I was able to hit him.

Do you mind if I wash my hands?

-Mm.

-Thanks.

There's a couple of places they might be coming through, you know?

I can block those up and then get you prices for damp-proofing.

-You can think about that whenever you want.

-Yeah, great. Thank you.

You want one of these?

Is that to calm your nerves?

One of the boys got an A in his chemistry.

-His parents were so chuffed they gave me this.

-You a teacher?

-Yep.

Chemistry, a bit of physics, a bit of maths.

Wow. My dad used to work in a bank.

He couldn't understand why I couldn't do maths.

He used to brain me.

Turns out I'm dyslexic, dyspraxic, the whole fucking lot!

SHE LAUGHS

-Oh, no.

-He didn't know.

Your accent, where's it from? Liverpool?

No, close. It's Crosby.

Ah, like The Beatles, Ringo Starr.

I don't sound anything like The Beatles, I'll have you know. I'm far more of a La's fan, me.

I'm from Dublin originally, but I moved out with my Dad when I was young.

Parents broke up, you know.

Who were those girls helping you put flyers in the doors earlier?

My cousins.

Yeah, they need a bob or two so they like to help out, you know.

-Both got kids, sure you saw...

-Have you got kids?

No, can't afford them.

OK.

I'll come back, block the hole, get you a price for the damp-proofing.

Great. Thanks. And thanks again for... I mean it.

No problem. I won't charge.

Thanks for the drinks.

No problem.

You, erm...

You don't have a boyfriend that's going to come charging in the door,

-do you?

-No.

You sure?

You're not married or anything, are you?

-No.

-Are you sure?

-You think I'd forget?

I think men are really good at forgetting.

Hey, listen, don't tar us all with the same brush.

Look, I don't do this.

I have never slept with a man that I just met.

-This is madness.

-Me neither.

Yeah, right!

It's animal magnetism.

LAUGHTER

You could be anyone.

You could be some psycho, for all I know.

-You could be a psycho.

-I'm not a psycho.

-You sure?

-I think I'd know.

-How would you know? You'd think you were normal.

-You seem to know a lot about it.

-I don't know anything about it.

I just came here to look at a job, the next thing I know

I'm killing rats, I'm knocking back whisky and...

-I've got to get up in the morning, you know.

-So do I!

Look, if you'd rather...

..get someone else to look at your job downstairs...

..considering, you know, if you prefer...

Can we just start again?

What, like it never happened?

Like it never happened.

Like what never happened?

I'll, erm...

come by tomorrow.

Just do the job.

I'll see myself out.

You OK?

Yeah.

-I just feel like I should apologise.

-Do not apologise.

WHISPERS: What the fuck am I doing?

LOUD BLUEGRASS MUSIC

THUMPING NOISE

THUMPING NOISE

THUMPING NOISE

THUMPING NOISE

VEHICLE TOOTS HORN

BLUEGRASS MUSIC

CISTERN CHUGS

I can smell her.

Smell what? It's rat poison.

What were you doing?

I've told you.

I was working.

-Were you drinking with her as well?

-She gave me a drink, all right?

I killed a lot of fucking rats.

I can smell you.

-I can smell her.

-Fuck this!

-Where are you going?

-Where do you think?

-Don't go in there.

-I'm not going to fucking stay in here, am I?

Listening to this crap!

DOOR SLAMS OPEN

No! No!

It's a bad dream. Come on. You're OK.

Come here. You're all right.

You're OK.

-Morning, Paula.

-Morning, Mr Henshaw.

Will you pop into me here a second?

Paula...

-if there's something going on...

-There isn't.

Let me finish.

If there's something going on, I have to know,

so we can all work towards a satisfactory situation.

Otherwise, I have to do something and you'll have no choice

-in the matter, do you understand me?

-There's nothing going on.

Do you think I'm a fucking idiot?!

That's not for me to say, in fairness.

It's a joke. Of course I don't.

Look, there was something going on and now there isn't.

You want to come in here so we can joke about it?

Because I'll tell you straight off, the school has an ethos.

Philip is a married man. He has children, Paula.

Hang on, are you going to talk to him about this as well?

Talk to him? If I have to.

Well, he'll tell you the same thing. There's nothing going on any more.

I don't want to have to lose anyone over this.

Yeah, I know, so don't.

I'm not fucking around here, Paula.

-How's work?

-Fine, yeah.

-Christmas break won't be long coming up now.

-No. Yeah, I know.

-I've put Callum's dinner in the oven.

-Did you call him?

-I left a message.

-Probably stuck in work.

What work?

Isn't he doing something for that chap he was working with before?

The wax is dripping on the cake.

-He'll probably knock on the door in a minute.

-He's not coming, Dad.

-How do you know he's not coming?

-Because he doesn't care!

He probably doesn't even know what day it is.

-Well, that's a mean thing to say.

-I'm the mean one?

He doesn't show up, he doesn't bother to ring and I'm the mean one?

Just cut the fucking cake.

Right, thank you.

So, you'll just, er...work away, yeah?

-Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'll just get to it.

-Great.

-I have some work to do myself, so...

-Yeah, no problem.

SHE SIGHS

BARKING

MESSAGE ALERT

WHISPERS: Jesus Christ!

DOOR SLAMS SHUT

-Hey.

-Hi.

Look, I just wanted to say... I'm sorry.

-You don't have to be sorry.

-But for causing hassle at work...

It doesn't matter. There was a pair of us in it, Philip.

Yeah.

Just go and be with Diane and, er...

How many times have we said we're going to stop this?

Just think how lucky you are.

Just...go and be a good dad

and a good husband, if you can,

and I'll see you in school.

Paula...?

I'd better go.

DOOR CLOSES

-You want one?

-No. Thanks.

-Something stronger?

-No, I'd better not.

Listen, I'm, um...kind of finished.

Good.

I was thinking I might, er...I might get a pizza, if you want to...?

Yeah, look, James, I don't want to hurt your feelings,

but this is a really, really bad time for me. I'm sorry.

-WHISPERS:

-No problem. OK.

-Is it boyfriend trouble?

-What?

No, it was a...teacher from where I work.

Trouble up the mill?

Look, can I, um...can I write you a cheque?

Yeah, sure. It's, um...600 euros.

I had to buy more materials than I expected, so...

Shall I make it out to your company, or...?

No, just make it out to cash.

My accountant's always telling me

I've got too many cheques clogging up the records.

-Thank you.

-Thanks.

And, listen, if you need anything else...

Great. Thanks.

OK.

That teacher...you were talking to, what does he teach?

-PE.

-Yeah, makes sense.

He's strong. Good-looking fella, you know.

Take care.

DOOR CLOSES

WHISPERS: Oh, fuck!

MUSIC: Holding Back The Years by Simply Red

BANGING

BANGING

Oh, come on!

Morgan! What are you doing?!

We're finished. I've had it. No, I'm going to my mam's!

You're just going to fucking take my daughter and fuck off without telling me?!

Yeah, and I'm telling you now!

-BABY CRIES

-Get in the van.

No! Please!

Stop crying!

BABY CRIES

Hiya, James.

Landlord's inspection.

I told you not to come in here.

-Everything all right?

-It's fine.

-Fucking come on!

-Put your hands down! Put your hands down!

-Alan, Alan!

-Going to fucking rob me, are ya?!

-You're just going to fucking...?!

-Take it easy!

-Going to fucking rob me?!

-I'll fucking do ya!

-Yeah? You and who?

-Put your hands down!

-What are you doing, eh?! Eh?!

Don't take that! Don't fucking take that!

Settle down.

Don't fucking take that.

Gimme that back!

I've got kids, you know?!

How am I meant to feed them now?! Fuck off!

Crystal! Get in here now!

-BANGING

-What are you doing?!

-I told you one fucking thing!

-What are you doing?!

-I told you one fucking thing!

-Please don't do that!

You're going to fucking have it!

You'd better watch your mouth, Crystal! Watch your fucking mouth!

Don't put your hands...! No!

FAINT SHOUTING

HUBBUB

His parents are fine with that.

I'll see you tomorrow.

Hi, Diane. See you, Philip. Bye.

-Give it back!

-Why?

-PHONE RINGS

-Someone get the phone!

-Is that it?

-Yeah.

-OK.

-Hello?

Dad? Phone. Someone from school.

-Oh?

-Some man.

Thank you. Hello?

One sec, one sec, one sec.

Sorry about that. Kids!

Hello?

-JAMES:

-Hi, Philip.

How's it going?

Who is this?

It's a friend.

A friend of who?

A friend of yours.

Who is this?

Let me protect you.

MUTED CHATTER

HUBBUB

PHONE RINGS

EASY MUSIC

-ANSWERPHONE: This is Paula. Please leave a message.

-It's me.

I know you don't want to talk,

but something really weird is happening.

OK, all right.

Ah!

EASY MUSIC

TV BLARES

No!

She deserves much more than seven, don't you think?

Seven!

Oh, I've left my laptop at work!

Do you need it?

I said I'd e-mail my reports in the morning. I still have half of them to do.

Go in early, I'll do the kids.

I've too much on in the morning.

I'll get it done tonight.

-Will someone let you in?

-Yeah.

They've music practice tonight. I won't be long.

I love you.

Be good.

DOOR CLOSES

Climb over!

What?

Climb over!

We could talk here!

No deal.

All right, hold on! Hold on! Stay there!

PHILIP GRUNTS

Come on! I thought you were a PE teacher?

Argh!

Argh! Jesus Christ!

Is that my money?

-Give me the card!

-I don't have it.

-Give me the fucking card!

-I wouldn't do that!

I don't have it on me!

It's in the post. I sent it to your wife.

You did what?!

I'm only joking.

-It's here.

-Give it to me!

Give me the money first.

I couldn't get the five!

-So, what's that?

-One and a half.

One and a half?! Are you fucking kidding me?!

Just fucking give it to me, all right?!

Just give it to me, you fucking prick!

-Come on, give it to me!

-Get off me!

You fucking prick! Come on, give it to me!

Fuck off!

So, you think you can just come into my house?!

You think you can just come into my house?! Eh?!

That you can just frighten my fucking kids in the middle of the night?!

In the middle of the fucking night?!

Eh?! Eh?! Eh?!

MUSIC: Candy by Paolo Nutini

James?

James? You OK?

Are you OK? James?

-HE MUMBLES

-OK. It's OK.

HE COUGHS

Ssh-ssh-ssh!

HE COUGHS

-WHISPERS:

-Sorry.

-No!

-It's OK, it's OK.

GULLS CRY

Remember, our periodic table spot quiz next Monday.

And read chapter four in the yellow book for next Friday, please.

HUBBUB

-Paula?

-Oh, hi.

A quick word. Listen, you haven't seen Philip, have you?

-Today?

-Mm.

-No.

-Or last night?

-No!

I just had a call from Diane. He never came home.

-PHILIP ON ANSWERPHONE:

-I know you don't want to talk,

but something really weird is happening.

OK, all right.

-ANSWERPHONE:

-Message left yesterday.

PHONE RINGS OUT

PHONE RINGS

LAUGHTER

FAINT FILM DIALOGUE

PHONE VIBRATES

Yeah? Mac.

What?

Where?

Yeah, OK.

-WHISPERS:

-Girls?

Sorry, we're going to have to do this next week.

You don't have us next week.

I meant the week after. I'm sorry. Come on.

You always do this!

No, I don't. This is just cos I'm on call.

-Mum's going to kill you.

-Yeah.

-Ssh!

I'll talk to her. Don't worry about Mum.

HE SIGHS

FAINT POLICE DISPATCHER

Mac! Didn't think we'd see you today.

McGlynn is sick.

Philip Byrden, 41.

-Any sign of a note?

-Not so far.

Hell of a drop.

He went out Thursday night for a few minutes and never came back.

DIANE SOBS

PHONE RINGS

Hello. Yes.

No.

No, I haven't heard anything. Why?

What?!

Oh, my God!

SOBS: Oh, my God!

'Yeah. OK, I'll come now.'

Detective Sergeant McArthur.

Thanks for this. Take a seat.

I know you must be reeling from this news,

and I appreciate you coming down here to see us.

I'll tell you the reason that I'm here.

We found Mr Byrden's phone.

He called you four times on Thursday.

You may have been the last person to speak with him.

I haven't said anything to his wife, all right?

Er...I-I understand you were, um...

you were friends with Mr Byrden?

Yes.

-More than friends, or...?

-At one time.

-Not recently?

-He's...

He was married.

When was the last time you saw him?

Thursday.

-Thursday evening?

-In the afternoon.

Y-Y-You didn't meet him on Thursday evening?

-No.

-Did you talk to him when he called?

SHE SIGHS

Where were you?

-At home.

-All night?

Can anyone verify that?

You live on your own?

And did he seem in any kind of trouble to you,

anything worrying him? Money worries? Anything?

You'll have to talk to his wife.

We are, but...

..we're talking to you, too, so...

SHE SOBS QUIETLY

Can we get you anything?

I just wish I'd answered the fucking phone!

SHE SIGHS

HUBBUB