Help Me if You Can Secrets and Words

HE IMITATES AIRCRAFT NOISE

HE IMITATES GUNFIRE

-What you wearing those for, Mum?

-Got that interview, haven't I?

Won't get it, though. What about this one?

-No.

-No way.

Fat lot of help you lot are. Come on, school.

Lydia, shoes on. Michael, brush your teeth.

And don't tell me you already have, cos I don't believe you!

-Your Auntie Sylvia will be here when you get back.

-Yes!

-Yes!

-Yes!

-Yay.

(Hello, I'm Valerie King.)

(Hello, I'm Valerie King.)

(Hello, I'm Valerie King.)

Brightens my day seeing you, Mrs Walker.

Any time you don't feel up to coming in, you know we deliver? Here y'are.

Oh! I'll get that.

Thank you, love.

You must be my two o'clock.

Yeah, I couldn't quite get the tabs to line up...

Computers.

I won't have one in the house.

Then my hour ran out.

Though we have to keep up with the times these days. More's the pity.

I see you've done some voluntary work.

Yeah, just through the kids. I've got three.

-Handful.

-Well, Lydia's old enough to help out now.

And I've got good friends.

That's why I'm here, for my kids.

To keep them in "electronic entertainment"?

I want to set them a good example. To see me working for a living.

-Well, I'm looking for someone who can learn, Valerie.

-All I ever wanted...

Someone who understands people.

Customer care is very important in this line of work.

-Have you always wanted to work for a chemist?

-Not really.

Well, they said it would be good interview experience.

And where do you see yourself in five years' time?

Erm, living in a house. One with a garden and flowers in it

and a big tree with a swing on it for't kids to play on.

I meant, in terms of work.

Oh.

MUSIC: "Price Tag" by Jessie J.

# Seems like everybody's got a price

# I wonder how they sleep at night

# When the sale comes first and the truth comes second

# Just stop for a minute and... Smile

# Why is everybody so serious?

# Acting so damn mysterious... #

-Hey come on, get those uniforms off, please.

-Aw, what?

-Boo!

I want them folded and put out for tomorrow.

Lydia, get that face scrubbed.

I thought it was an interview, not a funeral?

-Michael? Homework.

-Did you get the job?

No. (I don't think so.)

-Come on...

-Ooh, come here, gorgeous!

Auntie Sylv...

-Going to be a right little heartbreaker, one day!

-Auntie Sylv!

I'd have come round earlier, done your hair.

You could've borrowed something. Anything.

There'll be other jobs. What's for you, won't go by you!

You need a drink.

-Call your babysitter, we'll meet the girls.

-No.

I won't leave you here, crying into your soft furnishings.

I've got things to do, Sylv.

Here we go, ladies. Tequila!

-Come on, Val!

-What...

-Get it down!

-I don't even like it!

-Nobody likes it!

Oh, go on, it's not like you've got work tomorrow!

Ugh!

I'm going to the bar.

What? What'd I say?

-Touchy, in't she?

-She went for that job today and didn't get it!

Knew there was some reason she was slumming it with us lowlifes.

She's just trying to make something of herself, no shame in that.

Sylv? Sex o'clock!

Ooh!

Look, look. Feel my gaze.

Wouldn't mind a bit of that!

He looked!

That's the tequila talking!

He is fit though, in't he?

'Scuse me, can I have a white wine, please?

'Valerie? It's Ray Collins from the chemist.'

'I just wanted to thank you for coming in today

'and I'd like to offer you the job. If you still want it, that is.'

'I'll try you again tomorrow.'

MUSIC: "Nothing's Real But Love" by Rebecca Ferguson

# Standing in a line wonder why it don't move

# Tryin' to get ahead

# Watching people break the rules

# And maybe the man in charge

# Doesn't like my face

# But then this world's not always good

# And nothing's real but love

# Nothing's real but love

# No money, no house, no car, can beat love... #

(I got the job!)

OK then, so Michael's going to take you to after-school club, OK?

Then Lydia's going to come and pick you up, and no messing around,

cos things are going to be different now I'm working.

Will we have loads of money?

Not if I don't make it in on time, we won't, no. Michael shoes, come on.

-Mum?

-Yeah?

-You look nice.

Oh. Ta!

Prescriptions.

You check the name, address, date of birth.

Also, the date it was printed.

-We can't issue anything that's over six months old.

-Right.

Then you ask the customer if they want to wait?

Wait, you pop it in the red basket.

If they want to come back, you pop it in the white.

Red. White.

Any minor ailments, you point them over here.

Migraine, irritable bowel, all your household favourites.

You're expected to know the basics,

so it's worth taking some of these home to familiarise yourself.

I don't expect you to get it all at once.

I've been doing this for 30 years, remember.

Just don't touch the medicines.

Any medicine gets passed over that counter has to go through me.

-Through you.

-Every time.

Otherwise, we'll muddle through.

Let's have a look at the till, shall we?

It's painkillers, Ibuprofen, Citalopram.

SHOP BELL TINKLES

Ray?

How's things, Billy?

Did you watch the fight?

What fight?

You wait 40 minutes for them to come out their dressing room!

It's all about the money these days, Bill.

You're right. Sponsorship, TV deals. They just have to show up.

My day it were different. In my day, we had to fight.

Referee counts him out three rounds in?

When all those people paid 200 nicker?

They think they can pull the wool over our eyes.

-It's fraud.

-You're right there.

Billy was a boxer. Sugar?

-Oh, one, please.

-Yeah, quite something in his time.

He got diagnosed with diabetes a little while back.

Hasn't taken to it very well. Here.

It's why his wife encourages him to come in for a chat from time to time.

-Well, customer care, like you said.

-Oh, it's more than that.

She and I have a plan.

One day, and it'll be a big day when it happens,

Billy will bring in his own prescription.

Start taking responsibility.

Three kids, you say?

Yeah, Lydia who's 12, and then there's Michael and Jordan.

How about you?

One of each.

All that noise and madness greets you every time you open the front door.

You'll miss it when it's gone.

SHOP BELL TINKLES

I'll get that.

That's £2.65, please, Mrs Walker.

Thank you.

-Do you want me to help you with the door?

-Oh, no, no, no.

I'm fine, dear, thank you.

Have I done enough to put you off yet?

Sorry?

-There's a lot to take in.

-Oh no, I've really enjoyed myself.

-Good. Because I've signed you up.

-What for?

Counter assistant training. You have to do it by law.

I won't be able to go away or anything on a course.

-I've got the kids to look after.

-No, we'll do it all in-house.

Exams? I don't really do exams.

I'll make sure you're ready

and if you like it you can work your way up.

Dispensary assistant. Maybe beyond.

I don't know.

My wife Mavis used to do it, you see.

-I've been looking for the right person.

-Training?

To be honest, I were gobsmacked that you took me on in the first place.

There's more to this job than knowing heartburn from haemorrhoids.

I knew you were the right person soon as you walked through the door.

Did she retire, your wife?

No, she died.

CAR HORN

Val! Valerie! This is Robbie.

Robbie, this is my best mate, Val.

-This the one who works in the chemist?

-Oh yeah, she's dead clever.

D'you fancy a lift?

Nah, you're all right, thanks, I like walking.

Nice girl.

Put the tunes on.

Lydia, will you put Jordan to bed for me?

Mum, I'm watching this.

Come on.

Night, darlin'.

Mum?

Haven't you got homework to be doing?

-I need some new footie boots.

-Why? What's wrong with your old ones?

They're falling apart. The lads all laugh at me.

They play barefoot in Africa.

If you thought as much about your homework as you did

about your football... What am I always telling you?

If you don't work hard enough...

..I won't get anywhere.

Exactly. Now go on.

Red...head.

Stomach...green.

Skin...

..blue.

What're you doing?

I'm working.

How d'you spell pyramid?

Michael, I said I'm working.

We're doing Ancient Egypt. A pyramid's where they bury things.

Why don't you go ask your sister?

Morning!

I like to do things the old-fashioned way.

DOOR CHIME

I'll get that.

Thank you.

-He's got nits.

-Mum!

School have sent him home till I get it sorted.

Right, let's have a look.

Red for hair...

Yeah, so we've got a spray or a shampoo.

OK, what do you recommend?

Yeah, well, I think I would go with the shampoo, probably.

One wash and then you're done, hopefully, eh?

Poor thing! You'll have to do yourself.

I were just passing.

Oh, you liar.

So, this is it.

Got a bit of a headache.

Sylv, I am at work.

What d'you recommend? Pills, potions?

Or just cut back on the vodka?

-Friend of yours?

-No.

Sylvia Jane Miller.

The name, and the looks, of a movie star.

Enchanted.

Ooh, I like him.

-Sylv were just leaving.

-Well, we're not busy.

You have a chat, I'll put the kettle on.

Are you going out or coming in?

Hurt like hell 'n all.

Fabulous, aren't they?

-Check out the coat.

-Don't tell me, eh, Robbie?

Val, he's gorgeous.

And he wants to take me to Ibiza.

-What for?

-A holiday. What d'you mean "what for?"

Have you found out what he does for a living yet?

Tell you the truth, so far, um...

we haven't done much talking.

You haven't even met him yet, not properly.

DOOR CHIME

-Right I've got to go - no, you've got to go.

-I'll say this, you look the part.

Oh, come here.

Laters!

Can I help?

You must be Valerie.

Billy told me about you.

Oh, yeah, Ray's friend. The boxer?

I'm Liz, his wife.

Liz? Billy all right?

He's got a prescription due.

I'm going to make sure I'm busy, so he has to get it himself.

D Day, gotcha.

Ray's been so good to Billy.

I just wish he'd look after himself.

He hasn't been the same since he lost Mavis.

How long ago did she die?

It was a year ago tomorrow.

Just short of their 40th wedding anniversary.

Still, least he's got you keeping an eye on him now, eh?

Ray? I'm off.

Bye.

-Bye!

-I just need to pop over to the surgery, get some prescriptions.

Oh, well, I'll go.

Only put them in that, will you? You never know who's watching.

Go on!

Crafty tipple now and then, where's the harm?

What, at work? It's not right.

You can't say anything.

He only lost his wife a year ago, maybe he needs someone to talk to.

He's your boss - keep your gob shut and your knickers on.

Oh, here he is!

Eh, where did you get those from?

I bought them. Go on, give us a twirl.

Did you win the lottery?

Oh, eat your heart out, Stevie G!

You might've mentioned it.

I can buy the kid a present, can't I?

Only you didn't buy them, did you?

I don't accept stuff when I don't know where the money's come from.

-Michael, take them off.

-But, Mum!

-I said take them off!

-Nice.

I work in a chemist, I don't need to be owing anyone any favours.

You haven't given Robbie much of a chance.

He's not flipping burgers for a living, is he?

Well, at least he's not twice my age.

What's that supposed to mean?

Widower, bed too big at night...

You need to wonder why Ray really took you on.

Oh, and by the way, Michael's not his dad.

So cut him some slack.

# It had to be you

# It had to be you

# I wandered around

# And finally found

# The somebody who

# Could make me be blue... #

PHONE RINGING

Ray? Ray.

Look, perhaps you should've stayed home today.

Why?

Taken some flowers to the cemetery, or...

DOOR CHIME

Right, you sit down. I'm doing this.

There you are, OK? See ya!

Hiya. I'll have to get the pharmacist, you OK to wait?

Yeah? Sorry.

Someone needs a prescription.

There's no work ethic, that's what's wrong. No style.

Young people these days sing a note they think they're Frank Sinatra.

-Excuse me, I'm in a rush.

-This is what I mean, you see? No respect.

Sorry, sir, how can I help you? OK...

I've had enough of this, I'm shutting the shop.

DOOR CHIME

I'm sorry, we're closed at the minute...

Oh, hello, Mr Cooper.

Hi, love. Is Ray about?

I'm sorry he's busy.

Ah, um...it's all right, I'll come back another time.

Do you want me to take that for you?

-You OK to wait?

-Yeah.

It's Billy Cooper's.

I thought you'd want him to have it.

In the fridge. Top shelf.

Is this the one?

All the instructions will be on there for you.

Thank you.

Bye.

PHONE RINGS

Hello, Collins' Chemist?

You got your key?

Sorry about the mess.

That's me and Mavis, in New York.

I took her to see Tony Bennett for our 30th wedding anniversary.

She loves...loved Tony Bennett.

New York.

First time she'd ever been on a plane.

Where would you go, if you could go anywhere in the world?

Panama Canal.

Central America.

-Why?

-Why not? If you're going to go somewhere...

Beats Ayia Napa.

I went to Rhyl once on a clapped-out mini-bus with a load of kids.

It rained all day.

And there was a castle, a fairground, with the lights

and that smell of candyfloss, you know?

Burnt sugar smell.

And then we ran out into the sea and it was freezing.

I bet you read to your kids, eh?

Tell them your stories.

These your kids?

Yeah. Jeffrey and Rebecca.

They ask me to go and stay with them, but, y'know...what would I do?

Except get in the way.

You'd never know it, but this used to be a happy house.

Laugh? We never stopped.

And then when Mavis...

Everything changed.

Everything except me.

Time was, being an independent chemist you made a good living.

Not any more. Big companies coming in.

Sometimes I wonder what's the point.

You're the point, Ray. People need you.

You're very kind. I knew that, soon as I met you...

You need a rest.

Stay for a while. I'll put the kettle on.

I've gotta pick up the kids from school.

I'll make you a brew before I go.

Michael, what're you doing home?

You know you're supposed to wait for Lydia.

Look, I want to talk to you about those football boots.

Michael!

MOBILE RINGS

Sorry?

Yes, speaking.

BELL RINGS

I do try and make Michael do his homework, I'm strict about it

-because I know lads of his age...

-It isn't his homework.

Michael does struggle at times, but he's a trier.

The reason I wanted to speak to you...

One of the teachers saw Michael in town this afternoon

when he should have been in school.

Now this is a first, and I can assure you it will be the last.

What, you mean he's been bunking off?

I just wondered if there'd been any...changes? At home.

Anything might have upset his routine?

I got myself a job, if that's a crime.

It's so unlike him.

Don't you worry, I'll be having words.

And I'll be conducting a full investigation.

Michael's been doing so well with his football.

It's great to see you're encouraging him.

He's been playing well for the school. He's dedicated.

He's causing quite a bit of excitement amongst the academies.

You must be very proud.

Ray's incapable of tying his own shoelaces, Michael's skipping school

and then I get home from work and I find these.

What you going to do?

Well, a good friend once told me one time is one too many.

A know it all, this friend of yours, is she?

Turns out I should listen to her more often.

Listen, I've got to go find Michael, but will you call me?

Yeah, yeah.

Val? I took those other boots back. I didn't buy any more.

Right.

'The mobile phone you have called is switched off.

'Please call again later.'

HORN HONKS

Valerie! Valerie, you haven't seen Ray, have you?

Why, what's happened?

It's Billy. He's been rushed into hospital. Doesn't look good.

Look, I'm going to have to go.

Billy Cooper's been taken ill.

Yeah, I know, I saw Liz.

She said that Billy had been in the shop earlier?

Well, yeah, he came in just before we left to pick up his prescription.

You didn't issue it, did you?

What did I tell you? On your first day?

Any medicine gets passed over that counter,

-you have to check it with me.

-Yeah, I did!

Look, Ray, you can't remember because you were drunk!

Listen, Valerie.

It's very important you tell me what you gave him.

-I gave him what it said...

-You're sure you didn't make a mistake?

No... I don't think so...

Printed off the wrong label? Picked up the wrong box?

I double checked it.

He's in a diabetic coma.

Which is why I need to know exactly what was written on that label.

I don't know, Ray, I can't remember.

Well, THINK!

Look who showed up at mine.

Ray.

I'm going to the hospital. 'Scuse me.

Ray's the one in trouble. Not you.

I'm the one who handed over the medication.

He were drunk on the job!

I'm not qualified.

Say this Billy goes and dies...

-Sylv!

-Someone'll go down for a stretch. Murder, even.

You're not helping!

OK, let's think this thing through. Are there any records?

Anything that can be checked to prove who served the guy?

It's all on the computer.

What? Your name?

Yeah, but I got Ray to sign the prescription, he has to.

Well, there you go.

Ray signed prescription, which proves he were the one in charge.

-And he were on the pop.

-But I'm the one handed it over...

Now, you listen to me.

You've got kids and they're good kids and they need you.

There's no way you're taking the blame for this.

This goes down, he's the one in the frame. You got it?!

Mrs Godfrey says you're doing really well. Why didn't you tell me?

You know I'm interested.

Yeah, in my homework.

Well, homework's important.

Football's important.

It's not going to get you a job though, is it?

-Get off my back.

-Look, Michael.

I'm on your back because nobody ever bothered about me.

Nobody ever cared enough to make me learn.

And if you don't do it now, when you get older,

it'll cause you problems and you've no idea.

It's hard.

Well, you ask your teachers cos that's what they're there for.

All the other kids ask their mums and dads.

Michael, where did you get the boots?

I'm the manager. How can I help?

My son took these yesterday. He stole them.

He's very sorry and he'd like to bring them back.

Michael?

I'll have to call central office.

-Why?

-If you'd like to wait here.

-Oh, give him a chance, eh?

He's trying to say he's sorry.

Stealing is a very serious offence.

Yeah, I know that, that's why we're here.

In situations like this, I need to get legal direction.

He's eight years old.

-Please wait here.

-He's below the age of criminal responsibility

according to the Children and Young Persons Act.

You won't be able to do anything.

Not even an ASBO?

Look.

I'm trying to teach my son the right way to go about things.

Perhaps you'd accept the gesture in the spirit that it's meant.

-Michael?

-I'm sorry. It won't happen again.

Come on, son.

Right, I know that was hard,

but it was the right thing to do, OK?

And sometimes you've got to do the right thing.

-He was going to shop me.

-Look, I don't want you stealing,

and I don't want you bunking off school, OK?

I want you to learn how to read and write well.

And I want you to go out into this world

and I want you to make something of your life!

Right? Go on, off you go, you'll be late.

'Any medicine that gets passed over that counter

'you have to check it with me. Which is why I need to know exactly

'what it said on the label.

'Well, I don't know, I can't remember!

'Well, think!'

I've been trying to ring you.

-I should never have served Billy.

-I shouldn't have put you in that position.

-I thought I was doing the right thing.

-No, Valerie, listen.

I'm not trying to make excuses, but...

The past year...

I get very lonely and, um... drink or two knocks the edge off.

Mavis was...

..my right hand.

She knew what I was thinking before I did.

This would never have...

if she...

And I know it's been getting out of hand.

I can't believe it's taken something like this to...

-Billy's dead, isn't he?

-Eh?

I can't read very well.

I know some words, but what with all the long names,

and the medicines I get flustered and to be honest I couldn't believe

that you'd take someone like me on in the first place.

-To think someone like me could work here is just...

-Wait...

I've always taught my kids to do the right thing. Whatever happens.

Which is why I'm not going to let you take the blame for this, Ray.

-I can't!

-Billy's fine.

I've just come from the hospital.

You didn't make a mistake.

Turns out he hasn't been taking his insulin for weeks.

Why?

Doesn't want to admit to himself that he's ill.

Stupid male pride, I think is how Liz put it.

We didn't do anything wrong.

Yeah, but we could've done!

But you've been doing fine. If you were struggling, I'd have noticed.

Would you?

-You know where things go...

-I have to use coloured stickers.

You've just had a scare...

And then I have to learn everything two, three times over...

-put them into groups...

-You've just had a scare!

And then when my kids ask me to help them with their homework,

I have to say no in case they find me out, and think that I'm stupid.

-I can help...

-No.

I've tried taking classes, and then Jordan came along...

We can package it up. Staff development.

You are coming back?

No, I can't Ray.

If something had've happened...

I've got to think of my kids.

All right.

But you're not stupid, Valerie.

I took you on because I thought you had potential, and I still do.

And if there's ever anything I can do... A reference, or anything...

..all you have to do is ask.

If you ask me, you're best off out of it.

Who needs a job? All the trouble it's caused.

I suppose so.

Look at all the positives.

You get to spend more time with kids.

Yeah, but that's why I were doing it.

No more staying in mid-week.

Come out with me tonight, if you like.

There's...someone I want you to meet.

Oh, who is it this time?

Oh, Val. He's gorgeous. Abs carved out of stone.

You checked him out yet?

Oh, don't worry. I intend to. You and me on the lash?

You'll forget you ever had a job! Come here, give us a go!

All I ever wanted for my kids was them to have a good life.

Warm coat, tea on the table.

-Things other people had that I never did.

-Is everything all right?

Which is why I've booked an appointment to get some help

-with my reading and writing.

-Good.

-I liked working here.

-I liked you working here.

That won't happen again.

Better not, Ray. I won't be held responsible next time.

Next time?

I've got to do my learning.

And then I want to know about it all.

Dispensing. Everything.

That's for you.

Thank you, I'll save it for my bus ride home. Bye!

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd