14x07 - Episode 7

[bunniefuu]

I know Schuey can be
out of order sometimes.

Stop making it so easy for him.

You better start standing up
for yourself.

Otherwise they will never stop!

Billy, he's dead!
You said I needed to fight back!

Get your stuff and get in the car.

This afternoon a body was found
in the canal.

They were identified
as Brian Osbourne.

Why did you have to put
Boz in the canal?

You just made everything worse.
I did it for you!

There's two of us in this now!
You didn't k*ll him!

You don't know what it feels like.

Are you still in love with
the head teacher?

SHE LAUGHS
Oh, you are way off the mark.

Well, if she was doing
the decent thing,

then she'd have told you
all about her and Ste.

Listen, I'm here. OK?

Oh...

Oh, my God. I... I...
I am so sorry.

Well, it looks like he came off his
bike and landed in some bushes.

How's he end up in the canal?

Might not have been an accident.

It's always about the kids letting
loose at the end of term,

isn't it, but what about us?

Hey, tie! Sorry I am listening,
Wendy.

He's really beginning
to fit in, you know.

It usually takes a term.

And not just for the kids.

We should organise something
fun for the staff,

like a night out.

Celebrate your first brilliant term
with us.

Yeah. Nice try.

No, I'll... I will think about that,
actually.

Oi! It was an accident, sir!

You lot, in now.

You'll fight for their right
to party but not ours.

Er, blazer, young man.

All right, Mr Savage?

Steve, we need a word.

Ooh, someone's been a naughty boy.

Whoa! Aww, me coffee!

Oh, do you know how much that cost?

There's been a development
in the Brian Osbourne case.

What kind of development?
Forensics have come back.

It's a m*rder enquiry now.
I'm DC McCall.

Right, er...
Well, not here. My office. Joe?

PHONE BUZZES

Wait you've just changed it.
No, this one, yeah.

D. W. A.

Wait, I don't know. That's D.
Well, I thought that was D.

Terrible?

I mean, he's defo talking about you,
because I'm nailing it, so...

Y.

Hey. Your signing's looking
really good!

Have you been getting in
some extra practice?

No. They're not together!

Oh, hang on, I didn't mean...

SHE SIGHS

I've been watching too much
Love Island!

She'd so be voted off first.
That's not how Love Island works.

Did she think we were a couple
or summat?

You wish!
CHUCKLING: Yeah.

So, are you more Jane Tennison
or Inspector Morse?

I'd say more Morse.
Strong, silent type.

Like me. OK. Thanks, Wendy,
that's enough.

HE CLEARS THROAT

So, what's happened?

There's evidence that Boz coming
off his bike wasn't an accident.

He was dead before he went
in the water and his body was moved.

And you think one of our lot
might know something?

Or had something to do with it.

Well, I suspect you'd get more joy
out of the care home, to be honest.

Well, we have got people
looking into that,

but today's about finding out what
was going on for him at school.

We need to do an assembly.

Appeal for information that way.

We need to get a room, so that
we can talk to the students, too.

Yeah. Well, I'll get on
to the academy

and sort out an appropriate adult.

Might take a couple hours,
but I'll chivvy them along.

Well, I'm sure
we can manage it between us.

I mean, maybe Wendy can step in?

Yeah. Thanks, Joe. Yeah.

Right, well, I, erm...

..I better get on.

Thank you. Thanks, Mike.

DIAL TONE

ON PHONE: Hi, it's Billy.
Leave a message.

I'm not on the phone right now.

Guys, can I have everyone's
attention, please?

Just if you want to...
Yes, so I'm sure

you're aware, there is a police
presence in the school today.

Erm, we've also got the key
stage three assessments.

So, on the whole, it is going
to be... You are kidding.

..quite busy. Sorry!
SHE SIGHS

Nisha, we've got Mr Aku after this.

Mr Aku? Shola's dad.
We've got a meeting, remember?

So, as I was saying, busy day.

Thanks, Joe. Yeah.

Look, the police are going to be
with us all day today,

so if any kids feel like
they need to talk to them, you can

let them out of lesson,
but keep an eye on things.

We don't want anyone taking
the mickey.

So let's try and keep calm.

Coral, you're going to be
police liaison.

Wendy, Joe's nominated you
as appropriate adult.

On it! Protect and serve,
always been my motto.

Thank you. Just can't believe it.

Just to clarify,

are you saying that one
of our pupils could be a m*rder*r?

Doubt it's just one.

Not helpful, Coral.

Look, Joe's here for any questions

but the main thing is,
nothing leaks out of this room.

The kids need to hear it
in the right way.

They're going through enough today,
without the rumour mill in action.

Sir, sir, is someone getting
arrested, sir? No!

Is this about that boy in the canal?

Is it true that his head was smashed
in? Go to registration, please.

Have you seen Billy? No, sir.

My mum's fuming. Says she's going
to come down and take me out

before I get m*rder*d. I've not told
her, but that's what she'll say.

Shola's always been a good student.

Does her homework on time,
she's never late.

And now her grades are slipping
and have been for a while.

And Shola says it's not just her.

No-one else in the class is doing
well this term.

Slipping maths grades has been
a long-standing issue since Covid.

I'm afraid I've inherited this
challenge from my predecessor.

I can't be blamed
for the effects of a pandemic

or the person before me
not being good enough.

OK, no-one's blaming anyone.

Maybe you aren't aware,
Miss Chandra,

but my wife's condition means
Shola needs extra help

to keep up with her grades.

Yeah, and we have been doing
our best to help her.

How is your wife doing?

We're all fine.

My concern is with Shola.

She's bright
and her potential is being ignored.

And we take that very seriously,
Mr Aku, right?

We will work to put
a plan in place. I promise.

You promise? I promise.

I'll... I'll see you out.

No, I...I'll sign myself out. OK...

Do you pinky promise, Joe?

Er, it's not a joke, Nisha.

He's got every right
to be concerned.

Look, Joe, your "promise",
your problem.

Now, seeing as you didn't offer me
a brew,

I need to go and get a coffee or
there'll be no work happening today.

Oh, my... The sass!

PHONE PINGS

Oh, my days.

Apparently everywhere is
crawling with cops.

Right, sorry, Stace.

Stace, we're playing.

Oh, yeah, yeah.
It's sounding great, by the way!

PHONE PINGS
Er, just A minor...

SHE GASPS

Lois said she asked them
why they were here

and they said they couldn't say.

Right...

Stace? Stace?
Can we just have a minute?

Yeah?

Right, mate, what's wrong?

Nothing's wrong,
I mean, I'm just wondering

if your new girlfriend's going to
be at every rehearsal?

Shut up, right?

She's not my girlfriend yet.
Officially!

Right, anyway,
when did you start hating love?

Right, look, is this because
you're not having the same luck

with the fellas or the ladies?
What?! No! No!

Right then, is it
the stress of the performance,

you know, the crowds, the adoration?

Can we just get through
this song once

without you winning an imaginary
Mercury Prize?

Look, I've already started
writing my speech!

Obviously, I'm going to start by
thanking my nan and... And me.

Yes.
I've already planned my outfit.

She has, it's cute, it's nice.

You know, with the right manager,
the sky's the limit for this band.

Sorry, do you...
do you think you're our manager?

Right, I don't need this hassle,
or your stupid groupie...

Er, manager!

MUTTERS: Groupie!

I'm out.

Oh, don't be like that, mate.

See you later, Preston.

Hey, Steve.
Did I hear right? The police are in?

Not now, Nicky,
I've got to get to assembly.

Come on, there's no need for this
awkwardness between us.

It was a misunderstanding, I get it.

OK. Thank you. What, I...

SHE SIGHS

OK, quickly and quietly, everybody,
into the hall.

Hey, stop messing about, boys.

Er, phones off in school, Billy.

If I see it again, it's mine!

Stop dawdling.

Just need a quiet word with you
after this, OK?

Nothing to worry about.

Bollocking? Yeah.

Who'd be a head teacher's son, eh?

Do you think
this assembly's about Boz?

Yeah. The police were
sniffing about the home.

I told them I were at yours.

But you weren't. No, Portia, I was.

At this point, we're looking
to speak to anyone who's

been in contact with Brian Osborne
or Boz, as you know him,

over the last few weeks
before he went missing.

There really is nothing too small.

So don't worry about thinking
you're going to be wasting our time.

And I know you lot,
you've all got plenty to say, right?

SCATTERED LAUGHTER
Yeah.

So, anyone who can give us
any names of people

he hung around with
inside of school or out,

or anyone he didn't like
or maybe didn't like him.

You think someone's done him in,
sir?

THEY CHATTER

You saying it's one of us?

Er, sit down, please.

No, she's dead upset, sir. She went
out with Boz in, like, year seven.

Hey! Hey, sit down!

Well, my mum says you don't talk
to dibble, sir.

STUDENTS CHATTER
All right, guys...

That's enough. We are here
to help, yeah? That's enough.

Enough! Enough!

SHE SIGHS

Do you think we should tell the kids
to come straight home tonight?

I mean, I'm glad the police are here

but there could be a maniac
out there.

Yeah, I think Steve just needs us
to keep calm today.

I don't care what Steve needs -
this is about protecting our kids.

It's not all about what he wants!

All right, that's enough,
out with it.

What's going on with you two?

Nothing. Why?
Because you've got history

and I've got eyes in my head.

So, go on, what is it
you're not telling me?

OK. Erm...

He tried to kiss me. He did what?

Before you go off on one, I don't
think he meant anything by it.

He... He was just... He was in a...

He was in a bad way,
and he was upset.

Ah, well, that's all right, then,
as long as he was upset!

I knew it. I knew you were keeping
something from me.

No, nothing happened!

Nothing happened...
Nothing happened!

I told him I wasn't interested.
I'm with you.

Yes, exactly, you're with me!

And he still thinks that
he can turn your head?

Well, my head can't be turned!

Look, please, Donte,
just forget about Steve.

I have dealt with it.

What do you mean, you've dealt
with it? I have dealt with it.

I...
SHE SIGHS

Please, no more drama. Look, please.
Please! Just leave it.

OK? I am marrying the fittest
bloke in this school -

why, why would I need
to go anywhere else?

Donte, sorry, can I trouble you
for some assistance?

Oh, and the most popular,
by the looks of it.

Oh...babe.

SHE SIGHS, BELL RINGS

So, is it true?

Look, I'm sorry, I did not want
you to find out like this, OK?

I was trying to stall them,
I was trying to warn you first.

You must be the only kid in this
school who's not constantly

checking their phone!
Do they know someone k*lled him?

Look, they do know
that it wasn't an accident.

HE GULPS
Oh, God, Dad,

they're going to find out,
they're going to...

They're not! Look, I know everything
they know, OK? And the one thing

the police are not thinking
about right now is Billy Savage.

I'm scared. Now, you get scared,
you think of me,

because I will be right here,

somewhere else in this building,
going through the same thing,

which is getting through today.

That is all we've got to do, Bill.

Now, look, I've got to get back
before I'm missed, OK?

And you're late for class. Come on.

What do yous reckon,
Miss Chandra's been arrested?

STUDENTS CHATTER

So, did you start learning
sign language before you realised

you fancied Tonya or did you do it
to impress her?

I don't fancy Tonya. Dwayne.

Please don't say anything to her,
I...I didn't even know I did

until I did and then...

DOOR OPENS

Everyone take your seats.
No talking.

Maybe all the chatter in class is
why you've fallen behind, Shola.

Er, I was explaining to him,
last week's homework,

he didn't understand.
No-one likes a grass, Shola.

LAUGHTER
Mm, pretty sure, that's not what

they said in assembly, miss.

OK, so, for the rest of today,

we will be replaying our lesson
on quadratic equations.

Didn't we do that at the start
of the term?

Yes. Yes, we did.

But seeing as someone reported that

they haven't understood anything
this term,

I thought it'd be useful to start
again at the beginning.

Yeah, I mean, at this rate, you're
going to have to resit your GCSEs

when you're an old man like me!

Yeah, but the difference is,
you're doing really well.

You see, Mr Charles doesn't have
a problem

keeping up with my lessons.

But, erm, Nisha, I don't feel
comfortable doing this.

Would you be more comfortable
with me telling Steve

and the police that you tried
to film me without consent?

Take a seat.

I mean, I don't want anyone
to get in trouble.

You said we should come in if
we knew anyone who didn't like Boz?

Quite a few are there?
Let's start with a few names.

There was Paris Woodhall,
Elliott Johnson...

Er, there was someone called...

..I think she were called
Catherine or Catrina.

Summat like that.
Anyway, it's irrelevant,

but she was in the year younger, so
obviously I'm don't really speak to

people that are younger than me.

Well, I only heard about it after.

I think there was someone
called Jessie.

I just know that he was
really, really tall

and I think he's balding
at the back a little bit.

But that's all right, like, it's
each to their own. I've had a really

tough time with, like, dealing
with Boz.

I think there was some people
filming it.

Miss Chandra,
can I borrow Billy Savage, please?

Earth calling to Billy?

SCATTERED LAUGHTER

Well go on, then. Hop it.

Just you, Billy.
Not all your worldly possessions.

OK. It's ready. It's ready? Yeah.

OK, you lot,
feast your eyes on this.

Second time's a charm.

I'll be back in a minute.

Could you press play on your way
out for me? Yeah. Thank you.

Just that it's come to light
that maybe Boz

and Schuey were bullying
a few people at school.

Right.

Did they ever bully you, Billy?

You're not in any trouble.

Not...

Not, like, bullying, but...

I'm the head teacher's son, yeah,

so, like, picking on me and that,
that's normal.

That's a normal day at school
for me.

It's not anything that
you need to...

STUDENTS CHATTERING ON VIDEO

Hold him. Hold him!

Oh, Billy...

I'm just wondering if the bullying
is why people don't feel they can

talk to us about what sort of
trouble Boz might be involved with.

Scared of being a snitch.

No, Boz...

Boz just did what Schuey told him
to do.

Can you tell me if you saw Boz
at school or anywhere

on the day it happened?
No, I didn't.

Now can I go now, please?

We might need to get you back later.

Billy, what did you say to the cops?

You'd better not have said
anything about the bikes.

I didn't.

They didn't even mention the bikes,
I swear.

Did you tell them you were supposed
to meet me and Boz at the towpath?

If I didn't tell them
about the bikes,

why would I tell them about that?

Good boy, Billy!

Ah, OK, and I'll see you
later on, mate.

What do you think you're doing?

Well, I've just been to see
Miss Chambers for some support.

You know, as they said in assembly,
sir, it's been an emotional day.

Get. To. Class.

Hey. Hey. What was that about?

Hey, if that boy has laid
a finger on you, I swear...

No, he didn't. He didn't.

He just wanted to know if I told
the police anything about the bikes.

But I didn't, Dad. I didn't tell
them anything. Whoa. Whoa. Hey...

The police? They know about
the bullying

and they were asking about Boz.
Right, get up.

When? When did you speak
to the police?

They just called me in. What?

They said that...that I might need
to talk to them again.

No, they bloody won't.

We know your bike got stolen

and we know that you got into a
fight with Boz and Schuey about it.

It wasn't a fight.

Well, not a fight-fight.

We had an argument.

I mean, they nicked my bike, so
even if it was me that punched Boz,

he would have deserved it, but I'm
telling you, it wasn't even me!

Back up there, Dwayne.
Did you say someone punched him?

No comment.

Yeah, that ain't going to fly
with me, Dwayne. Who punched Boz?

You do realise whoever you're trying
to protect,

you're making them look guilty,
don't you?

Like they've got something to hide.

Preston saw Boz and Schuey
wrecking his bike and...

Well, he was angry, wasn't he?

But I'm telling you,
Boz were asking for it!

But why break up the band?
It's been going brilliant.

He's dramatic, Preston -
he takes after our Nicky.

Look, just give him some time
and he'll calm down.

You know what you need to do?
Go solo.

You're the talent in that band.
You don't need him.

He's holding you back.

Oi, go use that sticky beak
and check nothing's burning.

We're making smoothies! Stacey!

Right. No, listen,

you can't get rid of Preston,
cos he's the eye candy.

It runs in the family. Um, no.

I think Stace's right, yeah?
He's a little bit too emo, yeah?

"Let's write a song about issues."

It's not rock and roll, is it?

Noel, you go to your nan's every
night and watch Pointless.

Nicky around?

Erm, she's, er, she's just out back.

She's breaking her heart over
rock's biggest split.

Ah, Nicky, you might want to
check in with your Preston.

Oh, it's not about that
band again, is it?

I'm sick of hearing about it. No.
He's got bigger problems than that.

Er, the police want to talk to him.

What, about Boz?

I think so.
He's heading to Pastoral now.

Oh, what the hell?

You're welcome. It's always nice
to have someone on the inside.

STUDENTS CHATTER

I'm telling you, he's into you.
Shut up!

Makes sense.
His sudden interest in the arts.

Do you fancy him now he's had
a brush with the law?

Do you fancy him now he's a bad boy?

THEY GIGGLE

Do you think they're talking
about me?

You can lip-read, so tell me
what they're saying.

Sorry.

Sorry, is that not cool,
me asking you to do that?

I broke, OK?
I broke under the pressure, Luca.

I told the police
that Preston hit Boz

and now they're interviewing him.

I mean, I've got to tell her.

What are you doing? Oi, get off me!

What are you doing? Oi!

LAUGHTER, BANGING ON DOOR

Have fun!

Tonya, I need to tell you something.

I already know.

Portia told me you fancy me.

What? No, that's not...

I mean, yeah, but...

Yeah, you do fancy me?

Yeah, we're bringing him
down to the station now.

Mike, why didn't you tell me that
you'd started questioning pupils?

Steve, I actually need
to speak to you about...

I need to be across everything here.

We've got a person of interest.

We have got to take them
down to the station,

do an official interview.

Who?

Preston?

I hope you know this is ridiculous.

Picking on an innocent kid!

No wonder you lot can't solve
any crimes

if this is the best you can do. Mum!

We're just trying to do
our job, Nicky.

What happened?

We just had some stupid fight
about a bike.

That's it.

Right? I wouldn't do
something like that.

What do you expect him to do,
not defend himself?

I mean, Boz was a thug.

I'm sorry, but he was.

And he probably had half
of Manchester who wanted to see

the back of him.
How is this helping?

I might be in proper trouble here.
All right. All right.

Look, it's going to be OK.

Look, we need to go now,

but you can follow us down
to the station, OK, Nicky?

Preston? Yeah.

Oh, for pity's sake!

Er, what on earth
are you lot up to?

The teacher's here.
Where's Miss Chandra?

She has gone for coffee and
I am not here for classroom control!

I'd check the cupboard
if I were you.

Look, I know
I mentioned Love Island

but I didn't expect you
to take it literally.

Cupboards, snogging, phones.
You are definitely in trouble.

I'm just processing this.

Tonya...

Phone!

I can't.
Summat's happened to Preston.

Ah... Hang on.

Ah, OK.
Miss Chandra, a word.

Did you film your lesson,
leave them alone,

and go off and get a coffee?!

God, don't you think
that's a bit mad,

especially when Mr Aku was in here
this morning complaining about you?

No. No, I didn't go
and get a coffee

because I don't have a coffee

because they wouldn't
deliver to school.

And Shola's dad, he doesn't know
what he's talking about.

You know, in five years' time,

they're all going to be learning
from virtual robot teachers anyway,

so you could say
that I'm ahead of the game.

Look, I'm saying this as a mate.

But being head of department
isn't for everyone.

Excuse me!

Just because Mr Todd
has being saying that

he'd like to be the head
of the maths department one day

and you're still on your probation
period, aren't you?

Who do you think you're...

Anyway, I just came
to remind you about, erm...

..helping me and Val out
with the stands,

erm, later, if you, erm...

..if you still want. Cool.

Two to the power of four.

Judas.

So, you thought you'd just
casually drop into conversation

that you quite fancy
doing my job, did you?

Er, well, it wasn't quite...

Hang on, are you literally doing
my job?

What are you doing in here with him?

I'm supposed to be teaching you!

Yeah, I know, I'm sorry,
it's just, you know, I was...

I was struggling with the last
couple of lessons that we had

and Mr Todd said he'd help me out.

Let me... I just really need
to pass this exam.

OK, and the way Mr Todd teaches it,
it's just...

..a bit more gettable.

A classroom full of snakes.

I see.

Tonya...are you all right?

She doesn't want to talk about it.

The police have taken Preston in.
About Boz.

Hang on - Preston?
That...that doesn't make any sense.

Right? There's no way
he'd do summat like this.

I mean, yeah, he's annoying, but...

but he's dead kind.

I'm sorry.

But if Preston didn't do it,

which I don't think he did...

then they'll have to work that out
and let him go.

Yeah, cos the police always
get it right, don't they?

Sorry, Ton.

I just keep thinking,
what if he doesn't come home?

No, I know that he didn't do it.

Thanks, Billy.

Exactly.

And the police are going
to know that too.

Billy, the very man!
Right, so I need a new guitarist.

Right? Strictly backing
because I'm going solo now, people.

Yes. Er, so I need you to play
the Preston parts.

Are you in? Because we've got
a gig next week, so...

What kind of friend are you, Noel?

The police have only just
taken Preston in

and you're ditching him already?!

You what? Shola, come on.

The police?

Is someone going to tell me
what she means?

Ah, found us eventually, then,
did you?

Do not start with me, Amy.

Oh, thanks for all your help
with all these stands.

I'm so glad you volunteered.

Are you actually telling me
there's no coffee in here either?

I've got a lovely selection
of herbal teas, if you want me to...

NO!

Oh, just forget it.

Well, I'm out of ideas, guys,
I tell you.

Cos I have done nothing but try

and drag that year of lost causes
through their GCSE

and I will not be blamed

for the fact that they're all
too basic

to pick up on the most simple maths.

And I tell you what, if Joe thinks
their grades aren't good enough

and he can fail me on my probation

and then Mr Swot-Toddy
is SO much better than me,

with his "Hey, kids, I love maths,"

and "Oh, Donte, let me give you
extra tuition behind Nisha's back

"because her lessons
are so rubbish,"

well, then maybe they should
make him head of department.

And, actually...

Actually, if you are not going
to make sure that your staffroom

is stocked up with coffee,
well, then I don't think it's fair

to assume that people
are not going to go

and try and source that elsewhere!

OK, slow down.

I understand we all need coffee,

but maybe your focus needs to be
on fixing the bigger issue here.

Which is?

You engaging your classes,
so you don't lose your job.

And do you know what really hurts?

Everyone thinking
that you're no good at your job.

Well, I was going to say
Donte and his backstabbing.

But, yeah, sure, guess that would
hurt too, Amy!

No-one's going to listen to you

if they feel like
you don't want to be there.

I DON'T.
Well, pretend that you do.

Pretend you're interested
in how those kids

might have any sort of connection
to your subject.

Because right now, you seem more
interested in caffeine than them.

All right, miss?

Well, misses plural.

Yeah? Thought I had this room
booked out for band practice.

I thought the band had broken up.

We have but, you know,
I need a private space.

I've got some very, very important
work to do.

A man's freedom depends upon this.

OK, I don't want to hear a peep.

Nice, thank you.

Just watch yourself there, miss.

I see what you mean.
I know, I know.

OK, remember, we're going
to switch stations on the whistle.

Let's go! Come on.

Sorry I'm late.
Hey, it's...

Hey, have you been crying?

Everything's all right, isn't it?
Er, yeah.

Just been on the phone to Mum
about Preston.

What about Preston?

She didn't tell you?

No. Well, she did tell me not
to tell everyone about it, so...

Yeah, well, I'm not everyone,
am I?

Tonya, she wasn't talking about me.
What is it?

Preston's been taken down
to the police station.

They're questioning him about Boz.

Right. I need to get down there.

What? No, no, no.
It's fine now.

Mum said she was
a bit upset earlier,

but Mr Savage helped her calm down.

Mr Savage?

We thought you'd want to play
with Dwayne, cheer you up.

You're just so good together.

Oh, my God! Dwonya!

Dwonya!

The police have taken Preston in
for questioning. Not here.

What if he ends up getting arrested?

Well, he won't, though, will he,
because there's no evidence.

I'm going to hand myself in.
You are not!

No, I do, I've got to.

Look, Dad, cos I've got
to tell them.

Sh, sh.

Otherwise innocent people
are going to... Sh!

How do you think
you're going to cope in prison?

You can't even cope in school!

Yeah, exactly!
What have I got to lose?

My life here is miserable.

And I've done everything
you've asked me to do

and it's just made it worse.

And, I mean, Preston's got his mum,

who loves him, and his sister
and all his friends

that are going to miss him, when he
goes... And I mean, what have I got?

Hey, hey. You really think
nobody would miss you?

What about me, eh? I'd miss you.

I've already lost your mum.

It might be bad to say,

but I'm kind of glad
that she's not here to see this.

If she was here,
you know what she'd be saying?

She'd be saying, "Steve, you've got
one job, and that is Billy."

And you do whatever it takes
to protect him, OK?

So, no being a hero, OK?

All right? We'll sort this.

Go on.

Bloody hell!

Steve kissed Nicky?!

Yeah, all right, Neil, keep it down!

I mean, if there's nothing going on,

then why would she turn
to him, and not me?

I mean, do you know how humiliating
that is?

You know, the whole family know
about Preston except me.

Steve kissed Nicky?!

Neil, please! Sorry, sorry.

HE SIGHS

She's been lying to me
since the day he got to this school.

Just winds me up, man.

No, I understand pal, I do.

I mean, they were
childhood sweethearts,

and now he's back
with a big flash job

and he's making waves in her pond,
and you?

You are worried.

Yeah, all right.

HE SIGHS

She's...

But I can't lose her, Neil.

Steel yourself, Donte.

Faint heart never won fair maiden.

And for what it's worth,
when my wife left me for...

Well, I always regretted
the fact that I...

I just allowed it all
to happen to me.

I never took action.

Even when I suspected her.

Right, so what do I do, then?

Well, I mean, he is your boss,
but this is personal.

You've got every right to tell him
to back off. Right.

As the saying goes, you cannot
change what you refuse to confront.

Yeah, who said that?

Can't actually remember,
but, you know, that's not relevant.

Never surrender.

And that was Churchill.

Not the dog, obviously.

KNOCKING

Steve, You wanted a word?

Yeah, thanks, Mike, um...

..come and take a seat.

Flipping heck, eh?

Where to start?

The reason I didn't say this
before was, um...

Well, I thought they were mates.

But then Joe's been on to the care
home and it turns out they're not.

Who? Who are mates?

Well, I know how important it is
being mates, you know,

I'm ex-care home myself, and...

HE SIGHS

..still feels odd talking
to the police even now.

You know, back in the day it was,

see nothing, hear nothing,
say nothing.

Steve?

Just speak your mind.

I saw Schuey...

..on the night.

Right.
It was near Lupin Street

and he was heading towards
the towpath. OK.

Well, Schuey reckons
he was with Portia that night.

We'll talk to her,
see what she has to say.

I mean, you know, I didn't get
a good look,

it was dark, I was on a run, but...

Yeah, I'm pretty certain it was him.

Maybe Schuey knows more
than he's letting on.

I'll have a word.

Push at the edges, see if we can get
anything else out of him.

We'll need a statement
from you, though.

Yeah. Yeah, of course.

I'll follow up.

Thank you.

Thanks, Mike.

Also...

..you ain't gonna love this,

but DC McCall wants us
to do a full search of the school.

Yeah, no, of course.

Er, can we delay it a little bit?

Just let the kids get back into the
class? Keep disruption to a minimum?

Absolutely, just give us a nod
when you're ready.

Right.

Steve, can I have a word?

Just tell me what happened.

What happened with what?

Don't play games with me, Steve.

She told me.

Said that you tried to kiss her
and she knocked you back.

Yeah, so she knocked me back.

So you've got nothing to worry
about, have you?

Look, I've got to crack on.

Hold on a minute.
We were together, you knew that!

Or is that your thing?

Get dead matey, "Let me help you
further your career, Donte,

"then I'll get with Nicky
behind your back"?

I helped you
because you were worth helping.

But I have not got time to be
relationship counsellor today.

My relationship's just fine.

Great, your relationship's fine,
everything's fine.

We're done here.

Hey, listen.

You might have fooled everyone else,
but you haven't fooled me.

All right?
I see straight through it.

You know, the fancy suit,
the charm, the big smile.

You're nothing
but a nasty piece of work.

Oh, yeah,
Nicky, she always liked a bad boy.

Hey, hey, look.

I suggest you go off
and you cool down

and you think about how you're
gonna explain to Nicky that you've
just lost your job.

You can finish today,
don't come back tomorrow!

MUFFLED MUSIC PLAYS

MUSIC STOPS

What you doing?

You're supposed to be de-Prestoning
your back catalogue.

Yeah, but look, I've got this highly
sensitive data I need to analyse

ASAP cos I think I've actually found
something that might help Preston.

What do you want to help him for,
if he m*rder*d Boz?

Sh!

All right,
they're only questioning him.

I told you that in secret, remember?

Literally no-one I've told
even cares, Noel.

And anyone I have told

agrees that you defo shouldn't be
hanging with the likes of him.

This is the sort of thing an artist
can't recover from, Noel.

Well, look, I'm sorry for
putting the fate of my friend

before my future
as a multi-downloadable musician.

This is about ambition, Noel!

You've got to put yourself first,
cos if you don't,

you'll end up stuck here like
all the rest, doing nothing.

Right.

But I don't want to go anywhere
without me mate.

Fine.

Your choice.

The wrong choice,
but it's your choice.

Oh, and if you make a great
break-up song out of this,

we're 50-50 on the royalties, OK?

Hang on.

So are we finished?

We never even started, Noel.

Noel!

I'm hearing more than a peep.

Stace, you can go, thank you.

I was leaving anyway.

Good!

DOOR CLOSES

BELL RINGS

OK, so this is gonna blow
your mind.

The range calculation
of these numbers

is the average age

that people meet their life partner.



Wait, I'm not gonna meet
anyone till I'm 27?

That's ancient, miss!

Oh, you'll meet plenty before then.

Just none worth your time.

BELL RINGS

Thanks, guys. Well done today.

Thank you, bye-bye, well done.

Goodbye.

h*-h*!

Well, that seemed to go well!

Engaged, enthusiastic students?

Now just sit back and reap
the rewards of improved grades!

Sit back?

Are you kidding?
That was 60 minutes.

I've got another class now.

I've got four tomorrow.

I've got 22 this week.

I've got 115 this month...

I get it! You're good with numbers.

I can't do that every day.

Do you know how much extra
prep time that would be?

Yeah, about the same as
the rest of us!

I've got a life!

If that's what it takes to get an
improvement, well, then I'm sorry,

they're just gonna have
to stay average/in decline.

Nisha! Val!

That is no way to live.

OK.

I mean, I guess it is your choice.

Yeah, well, sometimes
we don't have choices,

they're made for us.

Look, you can absolutely decide
to be one of those teachers

who just gets by, we all know a few.

But that might mean
someone super invested

like Mr Todd is the better fit
for HOD.

Wow, like, don't hold back, Val.

I guess it's like
we say to the kids.

You can either knuckle down
or you can coast

and just hope you don't fail.

Or cheat?

THEY LAUGH

Or pull a few all-nighters
while you're catching up.

Thank you for the coffee.

That was a wicked lesson.

DOOR CLOSES

Hang on, hang on.

OK, we need to bag this.

Whose locker's this?

OK, so quick exercise before
we dive back into Blood Brothers.

Er, in a minute, I'm going
to ask you to get into pairs

and I want one of you
to tell the other one a secret.

Now, it doesn't have to be real,
you can make it up, don't worry,

um, but the key is,
they have to believe it, OK?

For that, my dears,
is what they call acting!

KNOCKING
So we can split up
and get into pairs, off we go.

Ah, Miss Spratt, can I just, um...

All right, miss, I'll come quietly.

I know it is a crime
to look this good.

GIGGLING

Schumacher Weever,
can you come with me, please?

Schuey,
we need a word at the station.

It's about Boz.

What about him?

Can you explain why these
were in your locker?

They're not mine.

We've spoken to Portia. We know you
weren't with her the night...

I'll cut him off at the front!

Schuey, this isn't helping you!

Schuey!

Schuey!

Which way did he go?

Hey!

Hey, hey, calm down.

All right, all right, calm down.

Hold him.

Schumacher Weever, I'm arresting
you on suspicion of m*rder.

You do not have to say anything,

but it may harm your defence
if you do not mention

when questioned
which you later rely on in court.

Sir, look, I've got proof! I've got
proof it weren't Preston, right?

So, when you think he was
bumping off Boz,

er, we were rehearsing together!

And if you just look there,
you see the date and time!

It wasn't him, so you've got
to let him go.

That's great work, Noel.
Except that's the wrong date.

What?

Look, if it makes you feel
any better,

I think Preston's gonna be
all right,

despite his lack of alibi.

SIREN WAILS

Er, thanks, Donte.

Good work.

Yeah, yeah, no worries.

Right, I shouldn't have lost my rag
before. Shall we, um...

Shall we pick this up tomorrow?

Come and see me in my office.

Excuse me!

Some calm, please!

Right, five seconds to get
those phones away now,

or you know what happens, yes?

Oi!

OK, then.

Excuse me, Mr Todd.

Something urgent
I need to discuss with you.

Regarding departmental strategies.

Good news, right?

What?

About Preston, I mean.

Um, yeah.

But it's weird, because
of course I'm happy about that,

but I feel dead bad for Portia.

She must be thinking
Schuey could have done it.

It's been a mad day though, innit?

Mate, did you just say Preston?

Sorry?
What are you sorry about?

What is he sorry about?

I may have told the police
that Preston hit Boz,

but I've been trying to tell you
all day.

Well, sort of.

So you grassed on my brother?

Well...
And then you kissed me?

It were not like that.
Then what was it like then, Dwayne?

OK, it were a little bit
like that, but...

..I still think
we should talk about it.

About us.

I mean... No.

There is no us!

How could you do that to Preston?

Tonya? No!

I'm going to see Portia,

because she needs me
and I'm a good friend.

# How is it that I'm still here?

# Breaking and afraid

# In this mess I made

# Oh-oh

# How is it that I am lost?

# Hating on myself

BOTH: # Hearing every word I said

# Stupid phrases in my head...#

Oh, mate!

Calm down, calm down, calm down.

Never thought I'd be glad to be
back in this place.

I was... I was proper scared for
a minute, I'm not gonna lie.

Was it like what it's like on telly?

Nah, it's scarier.

Hey, I heard you...

..you went all out to get me
an alibi.

For the wrong night.

Thanks, mate.

Well, where's our manager?

You see, Preston...

the thing with love is...

Look, listen.

Right?

You don't know if it's real,
until it's been tested.

Right, so...

so you were tested?

She thinks I'm a loser.

Oh...

I'm sure you'll win her round, mate.

Just, um...

How about you write her a song?

Or like a rap, like, um...

# Yeah!

# Stace, Stace, I think you're ace

# will you come back to my place? #

Right, that's why
I'm the song writer, Preston.

All I'm saying is,
you seemed to really like her.

And...

I mean, she's...she's a gob on legs.

But she's your gob on legs.

I knew you'd come round eventually.

Maybe I'll drop her a text, yeah?

Or you could talk to her in person?

Yeah, right, I'll, er...

Yeah.

Thanks.

Did he say something?

Hey, are you nearly finished?
Cos I want to go.

"Oh, hi, Nicky, how was your day
at the police station?"

"How was Preston's day from hell?"

Oh, sorry, am I allowed
to know about that now, am I?

I just don't get it,
why would you call Tonya and not me?

Because I knew you'd be busy,

and you never have your phone
on you, anyway,

and I knew Tonya would be worried.

You know what kids are like.

Thought it'd be all over
social media

before they'd read Preston
his rights!

Yeah. And Steve,
he was supportive, was he?

Yes, he was there at the time,
if that's what you mean.

Yeah, cos Steve's always there,
in't he?

OK, let's have another conversation
about Steve.

Yeah, because you're just
never honest with me about him.

Yeah, it drives me crazy
that it gets in my head,

and I end up doing stupid stuff.

And what have you done?

HE SIGHS

I hit him.

Well, sort of.

Nick?

And what?

What? Are you sacked?

Am I?

I mean, I'm on my final warning,

so is that both our jobs
you've lost, or just your own?

Hang on a minute.

Don't give me that, OK?

We never would have been
in this mess

if you were just honest with me
about him from the start.

Oh, right, it's my fault that you
can't control your temper, is it?

Yeah, that... That, er...
That is good to know.

I'd better stay away from you,
cos who knows

what else I'll make you do?

Hey, that's not what I meant.
I don't want to be responsible

for what happens to the next person

who makes you feel
that little bit insecure.

You know, I can't stand you
when you're like this.

You're so hard-faced.

Hard-faced?!

No, I'll tell you what I am, Donte.

I am tired.

You're tired? Yes, I am!

Do you know, just for once,
I would like to not be

the only grown-up in this family,
in this relationship!

Yeah, well, I'm not a child,

but don't let that stop you from
talking to me like one, all right?

Yeah, says the boy who's just had
a scrap in the playground.

I don't have the energy for
the poor Donte show right now, OK?

You don't really think he did it,
do you?

I mean, I know he's a handful but...

I absolutely do think he did it.

And the evidence would suggest
that I'm correct.

Last time I checked,
it was innocent until proven guilty.

Oh, come on, Val.

You don't have to be
Jessica Fletcher to solve this one.

Who? Eh?

So, Mr Todd and two other volunteers
from the department

will be running bespoke and
after-school intervention sessions

with pupils I've identified as
performing below their FFT target,

pupil premium students
and middle ability boys.

And of course,
as head of department,

I'll be overseeing the very
complicated administration

of this programme.

Right, sounds good.
Great work, everyone.

Yeah, well done, Nisha,
really impressed.

Some great ideas, eh?

Thank you.

Thanks for today, Toddy,
couldn't have done it without you.

Well, I wasn't entirely aware
that I...

I mean, it's fine, of course,
but I didn't realise that you'd be

presenting my new departmental
strategies, well...

..as your own.

You know, it's just one of
those annoying things

that you have to take on as HOD.

We should definitely talk through
any other ideas you'd like me
to push through for you.

Feels like it might be
the night for a... Drink.

Yes! Lovely stuff.

Are you coming? Go on, then.

Whoa, slow down, Seabiscuit.

All right, thanks, Wendy, thanks
for everything today. Thank you.

I'm, er, considering
a career change.

DC Whitwell.

Got a bit of a ring to it,
hasn't it?

Actually, will it be, like,
DI Whitwell?

Cos, like, I don't want
to do myself down, do I?

I'll see you tomorrow, Wendy.

Yeah.

Why did they arrest Schuey?

They found some evidence
in his locker.

Boz's bus pass and the wire.

Dad...

..what have you done?

Well, an opportunity came up
and I took it.

But now we've both got
to live with that.

Schuey would have ended up
in prison anyway.

This isn't who you are.

We can't undo it, Billy.

It's done.

We've got to make it mean something.

All this, it's got to have been
for something.

We've got a chance here, mate.

A fresh start.

OK, Mr Weever...

..who are you going to call?

And, er, please don't say
Ghostbusters.

I hear it ten times a day.

Miss Campbell.

I want to call Kim Campbell.