Episode 3 Prisoners' Wives

How well do you really know Steve?

You have any idea where he goes when he steps outside that door?

You made a mistake - it were an accident and you didn't mean to do it.

-Hey! What you doing?

-We're in the shit, Frannie.

Just got to sit tight.

What? In the dark?

And going hungry?

I'm not a liar! I'm not!

Wouldn't say a fight, exactly. It was more of a...kerfuffle.

A kerfuffle?

We're just trying to support Mason during these special circumstances.

Then why don't you all piss off?

There's no spinning out. Straight and narrow until I'm out.

I am.

-You'd better be.

-I didn't need you stepping in...

Sh... Lou.

..doing my time.

You don't have to worry about the business.

Thank you.

He's my partner. What else am I gonna do?

Ah!

-Idiot! Jesus!

-I got a job.

Any blokes?

I didn't do anything.

-I didn't sleep with him.

-But you wanted to.

You clever, clever girl.

Are you happy now?

-Please, Gavin.

-This is all your fault, Mum.

I'm in here cos of you.

SHE SIGHS

ALARM RINGS

HE SCREAMS

GRUNTING

HE SOBS

Morning, Gavin.

HE SOBS

HE COUGHS

RADIO PLAYS QUIETLY

Oh, hello.

Hello.

Weren't too loud over the weekend, were we?

Well, we'll try to keep it down.

-Sorry.

-It's fine.

Oh, how's your son's thingy going? His trip?

Thailand, didn't you say? Or...?

Yes, he sent me a Facebook last night. He's just got on a boat from...

Koh Phangan, is it? To Koh Surin, so yes...

Koh Surin's...west coast, isn't it?

Um...

MOBILE RINGS Oh, would you excuse me? Sorry.

Hello?

Just to let you know, I'm afraid Gavin won't be phoning for a while.

Who is this?

You need to have a word.

Tell him to be more careful.

He's had a little accident.

Accident? Wha...

Hello?

Hello? MOBILE RINGS

I was just trying to get through to my son's personal officer but they're not...

I'll transfer you through to the communications room.

No, I was just saying, no-one answered.

I need to speak to someone now.

Leave a message, and they'll pass it on to the residential staff.

Look, I'm at the prison now. Can't you just...? Can't someone just...?

SHE SIGHS

Excuse me, excuse me.

You got the wrong day. This is for last week.

There's nowt I can do.

You'll just have to fill out another visiting order.

-Excuse me.

-Oi! There's a queue.

No, I... Yes, I know.

-I said there's a queue, love.

-Yeah, I know. Just... I'm sorry.

-I'm sorry...

-Do you mind?

I'm not pushing in. I just need...

If you don't mind joining the back of the queue, please.

My son... I think he's in trouble.

Bloody hell, love! They're all in trouble. Why d'you think they're in here?

Yeah... LAUGHING

C... Can somebody help me, please?

Is everything all right?

I just need to see my son.

OK.

-Oh, no!

-Ah, it's not that bad.

He's fine, but he has been taken to hospital.

-What?

-A few cuts and bruises.

Nothing broken, nothing sprained, nothing very serious at all.

-This is serious.

-I know, I know.

Oh! Wish I could see him.

Or just talk to him.

-Find out what's going on.

-I'm sorry, you can't.

But I could.

If he's experiencing problems,

maybe we could get him transferred to the VP wing.

Vulnerable prisoners.

Could you?

Direct number for safe custody.

Anything like that happens again,

that'll get you straight through to them.

You can always come and see me.

Thank you.

It's my fault, you know.

Why he's here.

Your fault?

-Everyone blames themselves.

-He got in with this wrong crowd.

These...

SHE SHUDDERS

Then I found these bullets.

These bullets.

And I stupidly took them to the police.

I wanted them to...do something, to...

To give him a warning.

It's not stupid.

-You did what you thought...

-But when they came...

they found a gun.

A gun in his room he'd been asked to hold on to.

If I'd known that, I never would...

You can't blame yourself for your son's mistake.

He does.

He blames me.

What are you doing?

Jesus, Lauren! What are you, a ninja?

I were just having a minute to myself.

-Have you been crying?

-No.

I'm just going to miss this place. That's all.

Me too.

I'm sorry, Lauren.

It's not your fault.

We'll be OK, love.

I promise.

What are you saying?

That I'm some kind of warped danger to my own son, or something?

No, Miss Bell. What I am saying...

Then why are you calling the social? I don't believe this.

-The social?

-Grown-ups can be silly, can't they?

We have to contact the authorities.

Piss off!

Come on, Mase. Coat, bag.

Is everything all right?

-Can I do anyth...?

-No, Gemma, it's fine.

-This your doing, is it?

-What?

-Tell them I'm taking him out of school?

-I haven't said anything.

Getting social services on to me now, so thanks very much, yeah?

We have noticed certain behavioural changes

and it is our responsibility to investigate.

Investigate this!

Come on.

Hello, boy.

DOG BARKS

There you go, boy.

There you go.

PHONE RINGS

Damn!

Yes? Hello?

-It's me.

-Gavin!

Jesus!

Gavin, you're out. Are you out of the hospital?

Yeah. Look, you've got to stop going round telling people that...

telling people I'm being bullied.

What? Wha...?

Why? But...

What happened? Are you all right?

You locked me in a place full of thugs and murderers. What do you expect?

I spoke to the chaplain.

He said they could get you transferred.

Transfer me? With the paedos and the nonces? Thank you very much(!)

You have to tell someone.

-Once you've been in there, they'll kill you.

-You got a problem?

-Have you got a problem?

-What's that?

What's going on?

SHOUTING

Gavin!

RING TONE

The hours for safe custody are 9am to 5pm.

Please call back within this time or leave a message.

RUSTLING

Sweetheart?

Darlin', are you awake?

Come on.

Back to bed with Mummy.

BUZZ OF CONVERSATION

We need to get you out of here.

Is that him?

No, don't.

Is it the man who called me? The bully?

No. Stop it. You don't know anything.

He's... He'll protect me.

Well, that's good, then, isn't it?

No.

He sets the other lads onto you and then he...

rocks up like he can help if you ma...

-If you what?

-Make it worth his while.

-Wha...?

-Bring him something in to sell.

Like...

drugs.

Drugs? It's a prison.

I mean, how would they ever get them in? It's very strict.

A visitor would have to bring some in.

No!

No! (If you think I'm that stupid to bring you drugs, you've got...)

It isn't for me.

I'm asking you to do something for me.

For once.

How can...?

GUARD CLEARS THROAT

Oi, you... You know the rules.

One kiss at the beginning...

one at the end.

Read the sign.

I can't help it, Gem. It's been six weeks.

Stop! Stop it!

Hey!

-I've got me trial date through.

-What?

-Really?

-Yeah.

I'll be out the week before your birthday, everything back to normal.

And do you know what I'm gonna do?

I'm gonna come home, I'm gonna kick the door down,

I'm gonna lift you up, take you upstairs, throw you on the bed,

put on a bit of music.

Eh?

Do a little dance.

BEATBOXES

Stop it!

Everything just the way it was, yeah?

I think you're forgetting there'll be a newborn baby to take care of.

And the house is a tip after the leak.

No hot water.

I'm sorry, babe.

Just give Andy a shout.

Business is coming along nicely now so he'll pop round.

Huh? It'll be fine.

I promise.

It's bullshit. It's just...the school are being...

It's not bullshit if they're sending the social round.

I mean, what are they gonna do? Interview you? What?

I don't know, Sean.

What about Steve's missus?

-No.

-She could help, couldn't she?

I don't need any help from her, from no-one.

You don't need it, but it's OK to ask for it now and again, Lou.

Come on. Time to go.

I might have accidentally spilt a bit of weedkiller.

What?

All right, fella.

She's not coming. Better get you back.

Thank you.

So shall I just keep getting beaten up, then?

SHE SOBS

Where would I even get any?

I can give you an address.

An old mate from school, Dougie.

Wouldn't even need much.

I... I, no...no!

I'm not...

I mean, how would I even get it in?

They search you, you know. They have dogs.

Well...it'd have to come...

It'd have to come...

What?

..inside you.

I learnt how to kill myself the other day.

-SHE SOBS

-Some of the lads told me.

They whisper at you at night, through the wall, telling you.

All right. Please, please...

OK, look. So...

..I need to ask you something.

I wanna know what the complaint was at the school.

What social services are thinking about doing.

Isn't there, like, a file or a form

you'd be able to get me a copy of, or whatever?

I couldn't do that. I could lose my job if I did that.

Please!

I couldn't bear it if Mase...

If...

if he were taken away from me, put in care, I couldn't.

I'm a good mum.

I'm sorry, right. I shouldn't have asked.

Don't. I can...

No, forget it, it's fine.

I can't eat this.

Give it to Pebbles, then.

D'you know, they eat cats in China.

Don't listen to him, Lauren.

You're literally actually probably feeding him his own sister right now.

Did you know that? That's cannibalism.

-Nobby!

-"Nobby!"

Oh, come on, the pair of you.

Does Dad know we're here living like this?

I don't know.

I haven't seen your dad for a bit.

We are having some time apart.

You've had six years apart.

No, it's a different type of apart, Matthew.

What do you mean?

What do you think I mean?

DOOR SLAMS

Mum, what are we doing?

For God's sake, this is just temporary

until we find somewhere decent to rent.

I'm doing my best, Matt.

We are all doing our bloody, shitting best.

This whining.

You're starting to sound like your dad, though I don't know why,

because I don't know when the last time you spoke to him was.

I'm not whining, Mum. I'm worried. There's a difference.

Why the hell can't you just speak to your dad?

-Oh, Jesus!

-What? Does he live on a cloud?

A one-bedroom cloud? No, he lives in a house.

Don't talk to me like I am the child here, Matt.

You are the one that needs to grow up.

Yeah, I am doing.

We need help.

We need you to go and speak to Grandad - we can't stay here.

I won't have Lauren staying here, Mum.

SHE SIGHS

Come on, Bas. Little adventure, eh?

Come on! Come on! DOG GROWLS

Oh, sorry. Gemma, do you want a coffee?

Oh, no, no. I'm fine, thanks.

Thirty...

Wish me luck, Basil.

DOORBELL RINGS

Hello!

Hello.

Is Douglas in?

I can come back later. You know, if Douglas...

Because I mean, I only live, well, not around the corner, but...

Do you know the end of Spencer...?

No, no, no, it's all right.

He'll be back soon.

He's just...

-Sorry, I hope you don't mind me...

-No, of course.

-No, what?

What... What are you doing here?

Um...

Well, I wanted...

It's sort of personal.

-Personal?

-Nothing bad.

Is Dougie in trouble?

D'you know what, actually no, I probably should be getting off.

I've got a lot to do and I don't want to keep you.

No, wait a minute. You can't just come over here asking to see my son

and then leave without telling me what on earth's going on.

I'm so sorry. Please...

Oi! Where the hell are you...?

-Whoa!

-Agh!

HE LAUGHS

Ah, you've...

Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to...

No, it's... It's fine.

I'm just looking for the Ofsted report '09.

Oh, yawn, yawn!

Well, er...

I can always root it out for you if you...

Oh, thank you.

Gosh! She's just growing so fast.

Um... May I...?

Yeah, yeah.

Ooh!

What are you doing?

It's all right, it's OK. It's all right, it's OK.

Will, get off!

-How do, Frannie?

-Dad.

Wanna be careful in them.

This isn't the catwalk in Milan, you know. It's just me path.

Full of holes, like the rest of the country.

I'll...get kettle on, shall I?

-Still one sugar, is it?

-No, sweeten...

That's fine.

So, come on. Stop pissing about. What's up?

You don't beat about the bush, do you?

Life's too short, Frannie.

-He's left you?

-No, I've left...

No-one's left anyone, Dad.

Just...run into a bit of trouble.

Aye.

Well.

-You don't have to look so pleased.

-Don't you bloody dare!

Never have the words "I told you so" ever left this mouth, nor shall they ever.

I'm not pleased, Frannie. What do you take me for?

You all right?

Yeah.

No.

Um...

Police have taken everything.

Everything, like what? The car?

-Yeah.

-Furniture and stuff?

And the house it was in.

We've got nowhere to live.

Yeah, well, that's not entirely true, is it?

He has, hasn't he? He's got a nice little place to live,

courtesy of Her Majesty and the hard-working taxpayer.

Dad.

HE SIGHS Where are the kids?

They're at school at the moment,

but I can't afford the fees so they'll have to move.

Good. Send them to a comp.

Give them a lesson in life.

Yeah, well, they're certainly getting that at the moment.

-Want a Hobnob?

-No.

-Bourbon?

-No.

-Jammie dodger?

-No, thanks.

I guess they must be all grown up now.

Oh, don't do that, Dad - make out like you haven't seen them for yonks.

There was always Christmas.

Oh, yeah. Those annual two-hour Christmas slots we had.

Funny how they dried up, eh? After your mum.

Yeah, well, maybe it was because we just rowed.

Maybe because I didn't raise my daughter to be some gangster's moll

who knew the price of everything but the value of absolutely bugger all.

You know what?

Here it comes. Let me strap myself in. The temper.

We tried to help you with Mum. We offered you help.

No. You offered a cheque.

Well, I didn't want a cheque.

I wanted my family around me.

She did. She w...

She didn't want to be in some fancy hospice place.

She wanted to be at home with me.

And she was.

Yeah, well...

You're here now.

CHILDREN SHOUT OUTSIDE

So I thought we should, you know, just...

get it all out in the open... sort of thing.

-Me?

-It's a very, very serious

breach of protocol, the copying of confidential information.

I mean, what were you intending to do with Mason Bell's file?

-What about...

-What about?

..what happened in the photocopying room?

It's serious enough for you to be removed from your position,

but I'd rather not do that.

-I don't believe this!

-I'm sure you'll appreciate how accommodating we've been

regarding the circumstances with your husband.

There's time off for visits, there's all that.

-Will...

-You should know you're on a warning.

And there'll be some changes to your working practices for the time being

until I am sure that you can be trusted.

DOORS LOCK

Don't think we're in Kansas any more, Basil.

Basil, no! Stop it. What are you doing?

Bad dog!

MEN CHATTING AND LAUGHING

Yeah?

I...

I was...

I was wondering if I could...

If I could buy some...

..drugs.

ALL LAUGH

No way! Are you for real?

Man, if you're undercover you're like the shittest cop ever!

No, I'm not undercover. I'm serious, look.

ALL LAUGH

Please.

All right, then. What do you want?

Cannabis?

Yeah, man, OK. I'll get you some cannabis.

We'll be there in the corner.

-What? Down there?

-Yeah. Down there.

-Wa-hay! Look who it is.

-Grandad!

Oh! Watch the midriff, ducky.

All right, Mr Matty?

Oh, eh, no. Sorry, forgot - it's this now, innit?

OK?

Fuck!

No shit water.

Hi, this is Andy's phone. Leave a message. I'll get back to you.

This was your old room?

Yeah.

Look! There's your dad.

I want to go and see him.

I'd like to go too.

Hope you're not expecting me to come with you.

Mum...

Please.

We just want to see Dad.

All right, Gran. You a bit lost?

You won't get much work standing there, love!

What will you do for a tenner?

Look, Mummy. It's that lady from Daddy's work.

All right?

Yes, I'm fine, thank you.

Never seen you round my end before.

-Oh, is this your end, is it?

-It's, um...

Yeah, I live in them flats there.

Oh!

Might want to be careful, you know. Full of gangs, this place.

Crawling with drugs.

Oh.

Yes, maybe you're right. I'd better...

Is there anything I can help you with, or...?

I wonder...

No.

No. Thank you.

Andy?

Andy!

Are you here?

Anybody there?

Hello.

Oh. Hi!

I've got something to ask.

Erm, of course. What?

Can I buy some of your drugs?

HE SPLUTTERS Please.

Oh, wow! Um...

Who knew! Yeah, sure. That's fine. It's not a problem at all.

How much would you like?

Hold on. I'll tell you what.

Shall we not do this over the garden fence in broad daylight, or...?

Wait. I've... I've lost all my cash.

Harriet!

Oh!

Oh, sorry.

Oh! Silly! Sorry.

Sorry.

OK. I was just behind you in the queue.

Oh! Really?

I thought you might have popped in.

Oh, um...

Well, I was going to...

No, I don't mean you should do, or you need to.

It's just, you know, if you felt like you wanted to.

Oh, yes, no. Of course I will. Thank you.

OK, great.

You OK?

Am I OK?

Yes. Why?

I don't know. You just seem a bit...

No, no, honestly, I'm fine.

OK, well, um...

Like I say, I'm around if you need me.

Thank you.

Bye.

Bye.

-Bye.

-Bye.

An old flame you're trying to avoid, I take it.

What, the...?

No! No!

OK, well...

Thanks.

Can I give you a lift anywhere?

Oh, no. I'm heading out, actually, thanks,

so I'll just jump out here.

Ta, anyway.

So what is it you're studying again?

Medieval history.

Oh, really?

Oh, how fascinating! Oh, I like all that.

The Tudors and James I.

Battle of Hastings.

Yeah, sort of.

I would have liked to have done that.

Well, you still can, can't you?

Hardly!

Imagine me!

No.

Oh, I know what you'd like.

Have you ever been to Eckington Hall?

They used to do these sort of medieval banquets there.

I don't know if they still do them or not and...you'd have to dress up.

And this one time, me and my late husband, Clive...

They do this thing

where they pick a king and queen to sit at the head of the table,

and they chose us.

And they gave...

They gave us these pointy hats to wear.

LAUGHING We laughed a lot.

It was really...

It was really quite fun.

Well, maybe I'll check it out.

It was nice doing business with you...Harriet.

You too, Sam.

Oh! Excuse me?

Excuse me.

Whoa!

Andy! It's Gemma.

Ow! Aaagh!

SHE SOBS

SHE SOBS

DOG BARKS No! Shoo! Go and lie down. Go on!

ALARM RINGS

Thanks for your call.

Unexpected.

You OK?

SCREAMING

I saw something at Steve and Andy's place.

It's all a lie.

Everything he has ever told me.

The things he is involved in, the things that I have seen, they weren't...

And I can't trust anything he has ever said.

-It's OK, Gemma. Listen...

-No.

Steve did kill that man.

He said it were an accident in a pub, it were self-defence, but now...

I know where his gun is.

That's great. Thank you very much, Harriet.

OK. Ready?

Lovely.

There we are. Hiya, Kevin.

Ta.

BUZZ OF CONVERSATION

Numbers 1 to 12, make your way to security, please.

Step through, please.

QUIET BEEPING

Step through now, please.

Next three through, please.

I'm just scared of dogs.

SPEECH INAUDIBLE

Have you got anything you want to hand over now? Make this easier?

Oh, what?

This is bollocks!

Jesus! You're always victimising me.

Move along. Come on now.

Hello, little man! Ah!

Long time, no see. You been good?

Go to school?

All right, Dad?

Well, shit the bed!

Don't tell him that - we're sharing a room.

This is a nice surprise.

Hey! How's tricks? All right?

We need you to sort things out with Mum.

Excuse me.

Mum. Seriously.

Things are really tough.

I know things must be hard and it kills me.

But there's nothing I can do if nobody bloody comes to see me.

Tell me what's happening.

Then the two of you need to sort things out.

Together.

Please.

Yeah. That's what I wanted, too.

It's not that simple, Matt.

Frannie.

I've been speaking to some people...

...and I've signed us up to this, like, marriage guidance scheme.

So we can talk.

So we can fix things.

I wanna fix things.

Any news about... next-door-but-one's cat?

Um...

Yes, they're, um...

They're thinking of going to that rescue place near the Ecclesall Road.

Right, good.

Pick up a stray one, maybe.

Oh!

Remember when we went down there to get me a cat, with Dad?

-Never did find one, eh?

-No.

No, we didn't.

Everything else good, is it?

Yes. Everything's fine.

SLURPS

RETCHES

COUGHS

Oh! Oh, God!

Is he all right? What's wrong?

Oh, my God! I don't know.

Get back! Get back!

All right. Clear out! Stand back.

Move back. Move back.

-Move back.

-Gavin!

Up you come, young fella. Up you come.

-Gavin!

-All right, everyone...

-Gavin!

-..to your tables now!

You...with me.

Gavin!

We're gonna have to do a full body search on you, OK?

I want you to do as I say and stand on this box.

Remove the top half of your clothes, please.

Bra.

Shake it.

SHE SOBS

Bottom half now, please.

And your underpants, as well, please, Gavin.

Now, I'll just get you to squat down till I tell you to stop.

Squat.

Thank you.

Excuse me.

Do you know that your husband,

that man you come and hold hands with,

is a nasty, nasty bully?

SHOUTING

Get off me!

Calm down. Calm down. Get to the seats.

-Knobhead!

-Sit down.

-You OK?

-I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

They didn't find anything, so...

so thank you.

That's all right. What else am I going to do?

They've taken all his privileges off him now.

Shit!

It could have been worse.

They don't piss about, this lot.

Oh, Gavin!

Hey!

Look, it's all right.

I just wanted to help him.

He can't handle it in here.

Well...

..we'll help.

Oi!

We can help. Yeah?

Our blokes.

Get them to keep an eye out for him.

Put the word out he's not to be touched.

Yeah. Course.

And I know Sean will. I'll speak to him tonight.

Thank you.

Thank you.

All right?

How's that stash working out for you? OK?

Maybe you should get your boy to bring you some back from Thailand, eh?

Yeah.

Actually, he's not in Thailand.

-Sorry?

-He's in prison.

Oh... OK.

I didn't mean to lie. It's just... sometimes I can't quite believe it.

No, it's... Must be hard.

I can't quite believe he's even mine.

The way...

The way he talks to me.

Or doesn't.

The way I barely know him.

He certainly doesn't know me.

Sometimes I can't quite believe I could have got everything so wrong.

When all I really wanted, all I've ever really wanted was just...

..just to be his mum.

Well, it...

Hey, I bet it's more common than you think, mums and sons.

Bloody nightmare the world over, I'm sure.

Yeah.

MUSIC: "Locked Up" by Big Deal

TABLE TENNIS BALL BOUNCING

# Clinging... #

-Hey!

-# ..On to something false again

-# Feelin'... #

-All right?

# ..Like I'm six years old

# Gotta find a way to break you down

# Pushing till you let me in... #

Hold the line!

# ..You don't have to be alone

# Maybe you're not, I wouldn't know

# Cos you keep it all locked up... #

Where are your teabags?

Get your elbow into it.

I am!

# ..You don't have to be alone... #

-You'll get used to me.

-Chocolate biscuits.

# ..Maybe you're not I wouldn't know

# Cos you keep it all locked up

# My little heart turning black

# Falling hard but I got your back

# Waking up for some love that never comes

# I'm a mess, I'm a wreck

# But you wouldn't know cos I'm at my best when I'm with you

# When I'm with you

# I'm a mess, I'm a wreck

# But you wouldn't know cos I'm at my best when I'm with you

# When I'm with you. #

D'you wanna do one more special job for me?

Your kid has lost me a lot of wedge.

-He's my baby.

-It's not him I'm mad at. It's you.

-It's a what?

-Group thing.

How are we getting on?

Fantastic, yeah. Think we're all sorted now.

Got people looking out for me, haven't I?

Just to say thank you, really, for Gavin.

CRASH Stand still! Stay where you are!

All right.

With your witness statement we can build a strong case,

only if you're sure you still want to go ahead.

-You don't have to do this, Gem.

-Do what?

Pretend.