Episode 5 Waterloo Road

Marry me? ..Vicki?

-We both know you won't marry Ronan.

-Why not?

Because you want me.

Hey, hey, settle down. If x equals ten, then...

LAUGHTER

You need to get your confidence up. Teenagers smell fear.

Yeah, and I reek.

-I thought we said it wasn't going to be a date?

-Yes, we did,

but we're here and I'm wearing a shirt.

I know, it looks good on you.

Got a visitor. Mum's back.

Rob, good to see you, it's been a while.

Naomi!

Look, I, er... I need to know when you're going to leave.

I'm not putting up with empty cupboards a day longer.

Now I can make you a decent breakfast.

You're not doing this.

You're not going to make a fool of me again, so just pack your bags,

you know, like you did last time, and leave, please.

-I didn't want to come to school.

-You don't ever want to come to school.

-Stop going at each other's throats!

-BOTH: It's her fault.

-I'll swing for you both!

-How am I supposed to concentrate? Especially with the court case today.

Just try, will you, Shona?

-It'll be over soon, I promise.

-Yeah, and then my life'll be over!

I'll be back in an hour or so, OK. Be good.

-Why don't you just let me see me grandchildren?

-Mum!

You can drop that, for a start. Because you're no daughter of mine.

It's you that's caused all of this. I've been trying to get

rights over my kids with your stupid "application for residence".

I don't care what you say,

-nothing changes the fact that

-I

-brought them up!

-I'll see you in court.

-I'll see you in hell!

You know, the more I see you, the more I think

you're so like your dad.

Oh, don't keep freezing me out, son.

Well, stop pretending everything's OK, then.

I bet you've got all the girls chasing after you, eh?

I wish you'd tell me if your dad's seeing anyone.

-Ask him yourself.

-Just a sec, son.

I'm not letting you mess with his head. Have you got that?!

-This isn't about Aiden, is it?

-Oh, what, it's about me?

D'you think I want you back? Is that what your therapist told you?

Well, I'd ask for a refund.

You're a runner, Naomi. It's what you are. The moment things get tough, you are out that door.

Call that what you want, but I don't want my son thinking that's the right way to be.

So what should I do, Rob? Just disappear?

-Then what - you can pretend I don't exist?

-It's better than you coming and going whenever you please.

I know what I've done to both of you.

I have to live with that every day.

Please...

..let me make it up to you.

I love you, Rob.

Always have done.

And I know you still love me.

I don't want you here when I get back.

He still loves you. How sad is that?

-I'm rolling in the big guns on this one.

-Who?

-Richard Whitman.

-No pressure, then. Just the Director of Education?

I can't wait to see his face when he sees what we're building here.

What other school is going to have a cafe open to the whole community, night and day?

I just hope it brings everyone together.

Kids, pupils, mums and dads...

grandparents. Speaking of which,

I think the courts decide what's going to happen to the twins today.

Mrs Mansfield?

Thanks for volunteering today.

Could Mr Mead and I have a word with you in my office?

Oh, yeah, sure.

Obviously, we're concerned about how the court's decision

is going to affect the girls, particularly Shona.

She's very close to her nan, isn't she?

I was 13 when I fell pregnant with Shona and Rhona.

Ever since, she's had her claws in them.

OK, I went off the rails and, yes, my mother brought my twins up.

But I'm a different person now.

We hear that you've got a new boyfriend?

Best thing that's ever happened to me. To me and the girls.

But she just wanted to ruin everything for us.

Steal my kids from me.

That's why I've had to fight the old cow... S'cuse me French.

It's a shame it's come to this.

Believe me, I've tried everything. Being reasonable, begging her.

But no, she's like that.

Well, let's hope we'll find a way through this.

Yeah, if only for Shona and Rhona's sakes.

I'll let you know how it goes, Mrs Fisher.

SCHOOL BELL RINGS

Check him out...

As if I don't feel sick enough already.

You're always "feeling sick".

-Only when I look at you.

-From now on don't bother.

Bag your face up or something!

-Pipe down, you two.

-If it was up to me, I'd never see you again.

-I'd just go and live with nan.

-You would do that, wouldn't you?

Cos you're selfish! You don't care a stuff about our mum's feeling.

Mum didn't care about me when she vanished us from nan...

SHUT UP!

Who are you shouting at?

-He's shouting at you cos some of us want to learn something.

-Yeah, see? See?

You're disrupting everyone's education.

If you could teach, we wouldn't be talking then.

Oh, right. So you don't want to learn...

Well, you can...

go and stand up there in that corner.

Good, get her away from me.

I want to get away from you.

Right everyone. Your favourite subject and mine,

Quadratic equations.

So, let's find where the graph y = 3x squared minus 6x minus 3

crosses the x-axis...

-These tickets are going for a fortune on line.

-Yeah, I know.

Don't know how but Aiden managed to sort it.

Aren't I the lucky one?

If anyone knows how to play them, it's Smooth-Boy Scotcher.

He definitely does it for me.

You can thank me properly later.

How d'you manage to look so good in your work gear?

You want to see me without it!

-What can I say?

-Unbelievable, mate. Honestly.

Anyway back to the real world.

There's a car boot sale at St Jude's Primary tonight if you're up for it.

-No.

-Well, we can't go splashing out on new furniture for our place now we're saving up for the big day.

I've been looking for you.

Oh, yeah?

I was held up at home.

Again?

A few problems...with the house.

Anything in particular you wanted?

Yeah, I was really impressed by your enthusiasm for education

and I just think that the school could really use some of that.

And I wanted to know whether you'd like to try your hand at being a teaching assistant?

You could start today...

and sit in on a couple of classes if you like.

Today?

Erm, what about the cafe?

You still need to be site manager but I think you could do both.

And, um,

then if you liked, we could...

talk about it over some dinner and a glass of wine tonight?

Karen, I...

I don't know, I, um...

Oh, no, don't worry.

No obligation.

Yes, there is. That sounds too good to miss.

Well, finish up what you're doing here, and, um...

Tell you what, you can have a baptism of fire and sit in on Ms Chaudry's class.

Thought you'd like that.

If you look hard enough, you can apply quadratics to lots of different situations in life.

For example, scoring...

A quadratics curve can demonstrate the speed at which a football

travels when Rooney smacks it into the back of the net.

What would you know about scoring?

-What girl'd go near him?

-All right, all right, settle down.

Probably never ever even done it.

Turn to page 26, please.

# Like a virgin Touched for the very first time... #

All right...

# Like a vi-i-irgin

# When your heart beats next to mine... #

-What a racket.

-Are you trying to say we can't sing, Sir?

Shona and Rhona are well sick at singing.

What a shame they're not well sick at maths. In fact, they're crap!

Well, at least I'm not a big, fat moron.

No, just a poisoned little dwarf.

CLASS: Oooh!

I'm going to Miss Fisher about this.

GENERAL UPROAR

Miss. Mr Chalk insulted me.

Did he now?

He called me a poisoned dwarf.

Well...

Not that I would excuse anyone for insulting you...

Take a seat, Shona...

Was he responding to something you might have said to him?

I called him fat.

Right, well, teachers have feelings too.

Look, I know things are difficult at home for you at the moment.

-They're horrible.

-But I can't allow you

to disrupt classes because of it.

And I know that might sound really hard but we all have to obey the rules.

Even I do.

Come on now, you dry your tears, I'll walk you back to your class.

And you can apologise to Mr Chalk.

Mmm?

KNOCK AT DOOR

- Oh, is everything all right? - Just having a chat with Shona.

Not seen my nan in ages.

It's like she's died or something.

I know it's not easy Shona but after about a year or so,

you'll be able to make up your own mind who you want to live with.

Cos if I choose my mum, then my nan'll hate me, and if I choose my nan then my mum'll hate me.

Your nan and your mum will sort out their differences

because they love you both.

Come on, let's get you back.

Chris, can you find some cover for Daniel?

I don't want him messing up when Richard's here.

We could do with him in the cafe. Things are a bit hectic.

What? You want to make an impression on Richard, don't you?

Stop!

I'm warning you, please!

Mr Chalk?

I know I shouldn't have said what I said. I'm sorry, Shona.

Shona?

I'm sorry, Sir.

In you go.

Hey, great double act you got with your sister there.

Trading insults with a pupil is highly unprofessional.

She was winding me up.

You're struggling, Daniel.

And I can't allow the pupils' education to suffer.

No, that's just the way I teach.

Y'know, a bit of banter. Joshing.

Your classes are borderline chaotic.

You need to assert yourself.

I want you to hook up with the volunteers and sixth formers in the cafe today.

You're suspending me from teaching?

They need someone to keep them on schedule.

Well, yeah, but...

The cafe's very important.

The Director of Education's coming along to see it later.

There's a lot resting on it.

Right, I'll be back later to finish off.

All right mate.

You ready?

Yeah, I think so.

Told you there'd be a winner. My mother's application for residence has been denied.

She comes near us again, I'll make sure she ends up in jail.

Wait till I tell the girls!

Would you mind waiting till after school to tell them?

Only Shona's been in a bit of trouble today already.

What is it this time?

Just had a tongue-lashing off Karen.

Oh?

Basically told me to my face I'm a crap teacher.

Karen said that?

Yeah, so she stuck me out here in the community cafe where I can't do any damage.

Well, there's a job to do here.

-I don't know why I bother, day after day after day after...

-Why do you?

It's my last chance, Rob. If I can't pull it off here,

it's back to the box room at me mum and dad's.

All life is over.

Daniel, will you get a grip?

This cafe's Karen's grand plan. So it needs to be something special.

You pull that off,

you are so back in Karen's good books.

Think about it.

What's going on? You and her having a big night out?

You never mentioned anything.

She's forcing me into it. You know what she's like.

She's on my case.

You know I'd rather go with you.

Yeah? Why aren't you taking me then?

Why have you not told Jess about us? You said you would.

Just let me get tonight out the way then I'll tell her.

What're you doing?!

I couldn't resist.

I'm sorry to interrupt, Miss Chaudry. Mr Scotcher will be assisting you.

My radiator's working fine, thank you.

No, he wants to see how a classroom works. It's for his PGCE.

Well, thank you but I don't need any help.

Well, he will only be observing and I know how much you like to give

your colleagues the benefit of your experience.

Mrs Fisher...

After the appraisal you gave me, I'm surprised you trust me with a new recruit.

Hi.

Give out those Of Mice and Men, will you, Mr Scotcher?

You do know the text, I take it?

That the one about the two blokes looking for work in California during the Great Depression?

Yeah, there's a character called George

who's really clever, and then there's Lennie,

he's a little bit doolally.

Anyway, they've got this plan to get themselves a piece of land,

and as the title states, some plans can go off track.

"The best laid schemes of mice and men gang aft a-gley,

"and lea'e us nought but grief and pain, for promis'd joy."

That's Rabbie Burns.

-You can do my essay if you want.

-Sir, you can help me.

-No, me.

# I used to write

# I used to write letters I used to sign my name

# I used to sleep at night... #

-What's she doing here? Mum's going to flip.

-Shut it.

It's your mother, love. She got her own way.

She's going to stop me seeing you and Rhona.

So I just wanted to tell you how much I love you.

And tell that to your sister,

even if she doesn't want to see me. Where are you goin'? What you doin'?

I'm coming with you, Nan.

Can I have a bit of quiet, please?

Eh-up, it's the fat controller.

I know you've all been given your specific jobs, but what I'm looking for is someone...

some volunteers to help me with a little idea that I've had.

I thought we could put on a little show here, tonight.

What kind of a show?

Well, I know a couple of cracking little singers in the school.

-We could build a stage here. Does anyone know anything about music?

-I do.

Right. Good.

You could build a sound system. Blast the place.

Aiden, will you go and get some mics and speakers from music?

You might need some cables.

Well, come on, everyone. Don't just stand there!

Armageddon...

Imagine it.

The lot of us, wiped out in a flash.

What would you leave behind to show people who you really were?

That represented your generation...

Miss Fisher, we are supposed to be practising speaking and listening,

not touching and feeling.

Oh, dear. Right, swap around. Change partners.

Listen to what they have to say.

Oh, like Wifeswap, this!

What about now?

OK, I'll do it.

-but if you must know, I am all over the place right now.

-I knew it. Nothing...

My mum came home the other day.

-Well, why didn't you tell me?

-Just trying...

I was just trying to work out how it made me feel, to be honest.

She can't just come running back after all that.

Has she said anything, where she's been? Why she did it?

She had things going on.

Look, I'm sorry, Aiden. Must be a nightmare.

-Do you want to talk about it?

-Might be an idea.

Somewhere nice and private, yeah?

BELL RINGS

Ah... respite from the futility

of attempting to bestow academic enlightenment on you lot.

Well, did you impress?

I did my best.

Probably not good enough for Eleanor Chaudry.

-Mind you, I don't think an Oxford don would come up to her standards.

-She can be a bit...

-Up herself?

-Well, I wouldn't put it like that.

So we don't want to burn you out too soon.

After Tom's class, d'you want to get back to the cafe?

Yeah. Oh, Karen?

About Daniel. Yes, what do I know?

But I think there's a good teacher there struggling to get out.

You've got a very kind heart, Rob.

Eh? They'll never find us in here.

Here we are, sit down.

You might bring me some luck.

Fantastic! You've won your case, Bette!

No, they've only gone and given sole residence to Sandi, haven't they?

Shona's said she's not going to let this happen.

Good for you, Shona. It's an absolute disgrace.

OK, everybody,

eyes down. We're not playing with 79 cos it's stuck.

We'll have to make an appeal.

And I need you to tell everybody exactly what you told me.

-That you're not going to let this happen.

-No. No, I'm not, Nan.

Clean the floor, it's 64.

I'm going to get into a lot of trouble for taking you away from school.

..It's 16.

-No, it's me who's going to get it, especially with Mum at school all day.

-Your mum?

-She's helping out at some community cafe thing.

-71...

Community cafe? What's that all about, eh?

There's going to be some open do thing today. After school.

Stayin' alive, 85... Kelly's eye, number one...

Right, after this ticket, we're going back to the school.

-I thought I was coming with you?

-Monkey's cousin...twelve.

-Let me get everything sorted out. Did I just hear her say "monkey's cousin"?

-Yeah.

-Have you got it, Nan?

-I always said you were lucky!

I'm sorry, you don't have an appointment.

-Make me one then?

-It don't work like that.

She's been dead busy today. You're looking on later on in the week unless it's urgent.

-Fine, darlin'. It's urgent.

-Well you didn't say that before.

Look, I want to talk to the head of this school about my son.

Is that really too complicated for you to process?

I'm sorry, who's your son?

Aiden Scotcher. You must be Mrs Fisher?

So you're staying at Rob's house?

I'm staying at my house.

Oh, I see,

I was under the impression that you were separated.

Rob tell you that, did he?

I only need to look at your face.

-Look...

-Naomi.

Naomi, I've got a school to run and I'm up to here at the moment...

My husband's a very attractive man, Mrs Fisher.

Don't beat yourself up if you've fallen for him.

-I beg your pardon?

-Thing is, Rob's always been a one woman man.

It's just I haven't been well. I had a bit of a breakdown.

But I'm back now

and I'd ask you to give me and my family some space

to sort things out.

Thanks.

So, she's living with you?

Yeah. It's not for long. It's just till she gets herself sorted.

Well, fine. I mean, it's none of my business.

OK, Karen,

she walked out on us... me and Aiden.

I, um... I woke up one morning, and she said she didn't love me any more.

Packed her bags...

Bang, that was it, she was gone.

She said she's had some sort of breakdown?

Oh, that's her just trying to salve her conscience,

looking for sympathy. There was another man.

Do you still...

I mean...?

No.

I hated her for what she did.

But it's complicated.

You don't need to tell me.

I've been there.

Karen, I've been looking for you.

Shona Mansfield's run off with her nan. I need you in the office.

What's all this?

-Me mother's kidnapped our Shona?

-It's hardly kidnapping.

-Isn't it?

-Calm down, Mrs Mansfied.

-I'm calling the police.

-Please, don't waste their time.

Erm... Mrs Mansfield?

You all right?

-Get off me, mum.

-Where is she?

It's my fault, OK? I got in her car.

-And she couldn't get you out? Don't give me that.

-She brought me here.

Do you want to take the girls home, Mrs Mansfield?

No. I'm going to carry on helping out with the cafe.

It's a great idea.

It's just a pity we're not going to be using it.

Why's that?

I'm not letting your nan rule our lives any more.

My fella's got a promotion.

-We're going to be moving to Scotland.

-BOTH: Scotland!?

-It's not as bad as it sounds.

-No way!

-I'm not eating haggis.

You know, I think you need to spend some time with each other.

Maybe the girls can come and help me in the cafe,

-where I can keep an eye on them?

-Definitely.

Don't pretend like you care, cos when have you ever cared?

For me or Rhona?

-I hate you!

-Don't be like this, Shona...

Don't ever want to see you again!

I'll be off.

-Mr Mead, good afternoon.

-Mr Whitman.

Please, call me Richard.

Well, welcome. You'll find Karen just through there.

Thank you.

-Richard?!

-You sound surprised to see me. Have I got my dates wrong?

Oh, no, he's early.

I was expecting you at half past two.

This community cafe idea sounds fantastic.

Well, we're hoping...

but the opening ceremony isn't until after school.

Well, I'd like to give myself plenty of time to see the other good things you've done.

After all that bad press we had last week...

Well, if you give me two minutes, I'll join you.

Oh, please, don't bother yourself, I'm the one who's turned up early,

and I'm sure you've got nothing to hide.

My dad's working in the caff...

He'll be gone for ages.

I thought you wanted to talk about your mum?

She left and now she's back.

-What's more to say?

-She's your mum.

-There's more to it than that.

-I just don't think I could cope if she walked again.

SHE SOBS

Oh, wow, it's well cool in 'ere!

Yeah, we... We're getting there.

Yeah, good, cos we need to impress Mr Big Wig... Director of Education.

Yeah, thanks for reminding me.

I'd just like to thank my record company!

I felt like a proper celeb up there.

Oh, yeah, definite star quality.

Yeah, if you're doin' an X-Factor for secretaries.

The truth is, it's for the Mansfield twins...Shona and Rhona.

I'm hoping to get them to sing for old Mr Big Wig.

Those two little witches?

If it was up to me, they'd have been booted out a long time ago.

No. I'm trying to make amends. I screwed up, Janeece.

I think Karen's about that far away from sacking me.

So I'm gonna give this my best shot.

-Shona? What's the matter?

-Everything.

-Her for a start.

-Me?

-Yeah, I heard what you said about me. First you with your "poison dwarf".

-I've apologised for that.

-And now her, calling me a witch!

-I think you should listen to that!

-Janeece!

-She shouldn't have been spying on us!

-I wasn't spying on you.

-I was hiding.

-Don't you shout at me!

Janeece, please!

-She should go and play with some traffic or summat!

-Maybe I will.

They're trying to take me off my nan and they can't do that.

Hey, you can't do that. I did all this for you so you'd sing!

Shona, don't do it...

Shona, don't do that...

Shona! Shona, stop it!

No!

Come on, Grannies! Let's 'ave it! Here y'are, this'll do.

Come on, tool up.

-Clean that up.

-Do it yourself.

-Right now.

-Stuff your stupid caff.

You think it's funny, do ya? I'll tell you what's funny...

Me getting up every morning, feeling sick to my stomach cos I have to come in here and teach the likes of you!

That's funny, isn't it?

-I still do it, get up, I still come in here and teach...

-Daniel...

-..because that's what I'm supposed to do! And you're supposed to learn!

-Go on... Go on...!

-You just don't you get it?

-Go on!

-What have I ever done to you?

-I don't care!

-What have I done, eh?

Daniel!

Let's have 'em! >

C'mon, girls. C'mon, chain up... >

Once you've locked the padlock, put the key down your knickers.

Anyone lookin' there'll be charged with sexual assault.

Nan, I'm so glad you're here...

-I've just been threatened by a teacher.

-Well, I'm here now, kid. Don't you worry about it.

-Was that him?

-This is school property.

How you dare upset my granddaughter!

-You've no right to do this. You've no right to do this...

-Get your thieving hands off my chain!

-Stop it!

-Here's another one telling me about my rights!

I've had enough.

That's assault!

And so's that. And there's plenty more where that came from.

You look like you've got your work cut out for you here, Mr...?

Chalk. Who are you, a volunteer?

-You could say that.

-How are we supposed to have this open with them lot chained to the fence?

Mrs Fisher wanted to show it off

to some big Head Bureaucrat at the council.

-Karen?

-Richard.

-I was looking for you.

-Finding your "look around" interesting?

-"Eye-opening" might be a better way of putting it.

You'd better get over to your community cafe. It's not quite going to plan, according to Mr Chalk.

I'll carry on with my sight-see, have a catch-up with some of your staff.

Yeah, I think you'd better leave.

-What d'you think you're playing at?

-Isn't it a bit obvious?

Come on, Dad, what's the big deal? You were young once.

You know what the big deal is, pal.

What is it with you, Aiden?

One girlfriend not enough?

Never mind the fact that Ronan's your mate!

What the hell d'you think Karen'll say when she hears my son's been cheating on her daughter?

That's what it is, isn't it?

The fact that I could mess up your big romance.

It's you I'm thinking about, Aiden. It's you!

-Don't you ever want a decent relationship?

-You can talk, Dad.

My mum is begging you to take her back and you're too busy with your new bird.

Get out of my sight.

And you'd better come clean with Jess,

or I will.

ALL: What do we want? Grannies 4 Justice! When do we want it? Now!

What do we want? Grannies 4 Justice! When do we want it? Now!

For God's sake! What the hell do you think you're doing?

-There's no way I'm giving up on them girls.

-Are you the twins' nan?

Dead right, mister. And I'm 'ere for justice.

Call the Rochdale Observer!

What are you doin'? Have you completely lost it?

Get them off and get out of here.

No! You drove me to this, with your carrying on!

Whatever happens, you've got to get them off school property.

She's a stubborn old so-and-so. You've got no chance.

-Just talk to her!

-No - that's just what she wants!

-She can sit there till Doomsday for all I care.

-Well, it'll be Doomsday for this school if you don't.

Mrs Fisher, can I have a word with you, inside?

ALL: What do we want? Grannies 4 Justice! When do we want it? Now!

I'm sorry,

er, I got angry with Shona, and I pushed her over the edge.

All I asked you to do was keep things on schedule, and you couldn't even do that.

You're not cut out to be a teacher.

I nearly hit her. I don't know what stopped me.

Assaulting a child?

Do you not think I have enough going on with that crowd out there,

without a member of my own staff behaving like an idiot?

-Hello, Richard!

-Hello, Eleanor.

-You here on council business?

A little fact-finding trip.

-So how's the Young Conservative Candidate of the Year getting on at Waterloo Road?

-Hmm.

An oasis of calm, I see. As usual.

For all it's appreciated upstairs.

It's not like some of the others I've witnessed today.

There are some teachers in this school who haven't a clue.

One in particular, maths, I mean, it's like feeding time at the zoo.

Well, I'm sure the management team are onto it.

-So you would hope.

-Perhaps we should have a little catch-up later?

That'd be lovely.

Margaret, you wouldn't be so reasonable if it was your granddaughters stolen off you

-by your own daughter.

-That's rubbish, Nan, and you know it!

Are you taking her side?

Why? Why, Rhona?

After all that I've done for you, it's a right kick in the teeth!

-She don't mean it, darlin'.

-Oh, don't I? Where's my paracetamols?!

-No!

-I may as well swallow the whole lot now!

-No!

-Promise that you won't do anything stupid! Please!

-This is blackmail.

Oh, keep your trap shut, will you?

I don't have to take this.

Fine. I don't need your help anyway.

Just give it a rest, Nan, please!

It doesn't matter.

Youse all go home and have your tea with your families!

Because I haven't got one!

Right. I'm gonna you five minutes, then I'm gonna call the police.

Everyone else, back to your classes.

Thank you.

-Shona?

-Come on, let's have you inside.

Shona, c'mon.

-Nan! Nan! What's wrong?

-It's me arm...

-She's at it!

She's not playing, Mum. Nan, what's wrong? If anything happens to her, I swear,

it's your fault! I hope you're happy! Nan! Nan!

-Mum?

-Yes, hello. Ambulance, please.

-Vicks!

-Aiden, I can't handle it.

-It's OK, it's OK, it's OK...

-Your dad's going to tell everyone.

-Don't worry about it. I'll just tell him he was seeing things.

Look, it's going to get out. Why don't we tell, like we agreed?

No. No, no, no, that's before things got messy. We gotta cool things down, OK?

Oh, no.

Jess is gonna find out. From me.

Fine, on you go.

Jess knows it was you came onto me.

Yeah, well, that's rubbish.

It's the truth. You've been all over me and everyone can see it.

I thought you loved me.

SIREN BLARES

-Talk to me!

-Nan...please!

It's all been too much for me, love.

Is she going to be all right? Please say she's gonna be all right!

Of course she is, baby.

It's all right, girls, your nan'll be fine.

Just gonna give you some oxygen.

Oh, God, please say she's gonna be all right? Mum! Mum!

Is that my daughter?

-Is Rhona and Shona here?

-Yes, Mum. It's me. It's Sandi.

I can die a happy woman now.

There's nothing bloody wrong with her, is there?

You are such a fake!

How could you do that to us?

You see how she really is? How can I let her anywhere near my daughters when she's capable of that?

-Can we have a calm conversation in my office?

-Come on, girls.

I don't want to see you again, Nan. Not after this.

No, Shona.

No! Oh, God, forgive me, I'm sorry.

I made mistakes when I was bringing you up. I should've been stricter!

And it was my fault you got pregnant at such a young age.

And taking Shona and Rhona...

It's me, trying to forgive meself.

Mum, you don't have to apologise.

You're a wonderful mother. I'm not.

What's wrong...? What's got you like this?

You don't want to know.

We're gonna get married. If you can't talk to me, who can you talk to?

I'm not who you think I am.

All right, now you're scaring me.

-What's this?

-I can't do it.

Me and you, Ronan, we're over.

What?

I'm sorry,

I really am... It's not you, OK? It's me.

Wait! It was the whole engagement thing, wasn't it? It was too much.

We'll just leave it out.

-Go back to the way we were?

-I'm sorry, Ronan.

You're better off without me anyway, I'm a total bitch.

What's up with her?

She's just dumped me.

What's this?

It's my resignation.

I nearly hit that child today.

No teacher should put themselves in that situation.

I can only apologise, Mrs Fisher.

The only thing in your favour is that you didn't hit the child.

-You held back.

-It's not just what happened today.

It's every day.

I'm an easy target.

I'm no good.

You know it, too.

You've got to overcome your demons, Daniel.

We can work on that.

Starting with Shona Mansfield.

Now, you've got less than an hour

to get that cafe up and running before the doors open.

Can you manage that?

-It'll be tight, but...

-DOOR OPENS

You wanted to see me?

Just to emphasise that when I ask you

to look after a teaching assistant,

you do so with good grace and you don't go out of your way

to make them feel small. That's all.

C'mon, eh?

Counting down...

I'd, um...

I'd like to apologise for my behaviour earlier.

I'm really sorry.

It's good news that your nan's going to be OK, eh?

-So, are you and your sister gonna sing for me tonight, then?

-Not really in the mood.

You're lucky, you know?

Have people fighting over you.

Some of us never have that.

It's not that I don't want to be with my mum, you know?

-It's just I miss my nan, that's all.

-Look,

your mum loves you, even if it comes out wrong sometimes.

Hey, what say me and you try and get along a bit better, eh?

I'm sorry for everything, sir.

Yeah. C'mon!

The maths teacher, Mr Chalk?

Yes, he's, um, been responsible for making the cafe a success.

Oh, I see, you're a fan?

Most definitely, yes. On the right here we have the science rooms.

Mr Mead has been wonderful in getting so many girls interested in the subject...

In fact, proportionately, I think we're fourth-highest in the North West for A-level Biology.

Eleanor. We meet again. She was a rookie

at the last school I headed up. A real bright spark, this one.

-Are you coming to the cafe opening?

-Wouldn't miss it for the world.

Mr Chalk...! You've done a wonderful job.

-Thank you.

-It's the least I can do after letting you down like I have.

-It's good 'ere, innit, miss?

-Oh, it certainly is. Well,

I think we should open the doors.

Cafe's now open.

Come in.

-What do you think you're doing, splitting up with Ronan?

-It's nothing to do with you! We're over!

-What's all the shouting about?

-You're going to find out anyway.

-Vicki!

He's been seeing me behind your back.

I can explain.

-You and her?

-Baby...

-Get off me!

-Jess, listen, please!

-Keep away from me!

Testing...

The thing's all right. Now make sure you stand behind us, yeah?

Try and take over, and you're out. Got it?

Thanks, everyone, for coming an' that...

Me and Shona are going to sing...

It's a song my mum and nan used to sing to us when we was little.

It used to help us to calm down after we was fighting.

And it did, too.

# The moment I wake up

# Before I put on my make-up

-# I say a little...

-BOTH: ..prayer for you

# I'm combing my hair now

# Deciding what dress... #

Eleanor!

Bad day?

Let's just say that sometimes it isn't worth the effort,

especially when the head teacher is more interested in her love life than her school.

# For ever And ever

# We never shall part And how I love you

# Together, forever

# Is how we must be To live without you

# Would only be heartbreak for me... #

-Sam! You made it?

-I'm not going to miss the coolest thing

that's ever happened to Waterloo Road, am I?

-What d'you think, Sam?

-It's mega.

-I'm glad you approve.

Ronan!

Have you got any idea why your beloved fiancee dumped you?

I do.

Well, do one of you two want to tell him? Or shall I?

What's going on?

I'll tell you what's goin' on.

That slapper,

my so-called best mate, slept with my boyfriend.

Jess! What are you doing?!

-I wouldn't have missed this for the world!

-See what you've done?!

I told you... Happy now?

You knew about this?

Karen, I'm sorry.

I told him to do the right thing and come clean.

Well, why would he do that when his father's so very good at keeping secrets?

-Karen, I'm sorry.

-Let's go.

From what I've seen today, there's something very wrong with this school.

The buck stops at Karen Fisher's office door.

You'd think, with the current economic climate, she'd be a little more guarded.

What are you saying? Are you saying you want to close the school down?

Of course not. We just need to find out what's going wrong, and why.

-From someone with inside knowledge.

-Are you asking me to spy?

Well, we're hardly talking MI5.

All the LA want is to build a better school for the kids.

And to staff that school with teachers of your calibre.

-I'm flattered.

-So you should be, and I'm a big fan, as you know.

So...

Are you in?

If only for the sake of a better education for the children.

This is where we first...

I know.

Sam? You ready?

-Can't you just tell 'em you'll be home in a bit?

-I'm tired, Finn.

I need to go to bed.

-I'll see you tomorrow, though, yeah?

-Definitely.

Hey, Sam!

Why didn't you just knock on my door?

You know I'm always there for you.

Instead of announcing it to the whole school...

I'm sorry, Mum.

I know what Vicki did was horrible.

I'm gutted.

My best friend. How can she do that to me?

Well, after what your dad did to us, nothing would surprise me any more.

Come here.

It's a hard lesson to learn, love.

But it'll make you a stronger person, believe me.

Yeah, well, if Vicki wants Aiden Scotcher, she can have him.

Good riddance to both of them.

Him and his dad.

Do not say a word.

He's young. He's going to make mistakes. Don't we all?

OK, you're probably exempt.

He only thinks of himself.

He hurts people. I don't want him to be like that.

Like me?

I've missed you.

You broke my heart,

and you're not going to ruin my life again.

I know that's not what you want.

Please, Rob, don't chuck me out on the streets.

Let's try.

For Aiden's sake, at least.

There's no doubting it, a boy needs his mother.

And you need your wife back.

You can stay.

Till you're sorted.

I'll go and open a bottle of wine.

I've got a PR lady coming in today,

-helping to raise the profile of the school.

-PR woman?

I want to enhance our image, not tell a pack of lies.

I've seen and read enough about this school to know it's a hard sell, but I can turn it around, trust me.

-Tom, I'm not playing games here!

-She wants to find her dad. Say goodbye.

You can call the police but I am staying here till my dad gets back.

You'll have a long wait, pet,

my son's in the nick, doing life.

Karen, is what I've done really so bad?

-Or are you just angry with every man in the world because of Charlie?

-I was right, you know.

-Hmm?

-We did use to be good together, till I messed things up.

I can't imagine you not being here.

I'll never forget you, Sam.

Never in all my life.

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