Will she do?
She'll do.
You're lucky.
Especially as I'm gonna be your best friend as well.
- You're not trans, though. - I'm a fat pig.
You can't deny her treatment.
We never say no, we only say not now.
They won't support this because you won't support her.
Don't go along with things if you're not certain it's the right thing for him.
Well, it's actually you that I'm interested in.
- Mum. - Not now, darling.
- Please can you just listen? - Please, not now.
At least it was about Maxine before, but this is just about you and her.
I read that you took your daughter to Boston.
- It's out of reach for most people. - I'm starting my own business.
You need the money now.
- Thanks, Barbara. - Thanks, Mum.
- Where we going, Mum? - America.
Because I'm your mum and I'll do anything for you.
You haven't heard from Vicky, have you?
She isn't at home, she hasn't come home. Nor has Maxine.
No, I haven't heard from her all day. Sorry.
Dad. Some of their clothes have gone.
Well, you must know where she's gone, where she's taken him.
- Why would I? - Because you're her friend, Paula.
I'll have a look online, see if they've posted anything.
Stephen?
- Dad. - What?
'Stephen?'
- Oh, my God. - 'Stephen?'
Why would she do this without telling anyone?
Telling anyone?
- She's done it with my money. - What?
- The money that you gave her... - For your business.
It's not just me she's cheated.
And she's left her own daughter in the lurch, just ran off.
You all make it sound like she's gone to Las Vegas.
She's gone to get treatment for Maxine.
- Is that wrong? - It's the way she's gone about it, Dad.
It makes her a crap wife... It makes her a crap mother.
- Yeah. - But if Maxine was desperate for it to happen...
Hang on a second. Maxine is my child, too.
This should have been OUR decision.
You must be Maxine? I'm Dr Farrow.
Mrs Duffy, come on up. The elevator's just over here.
Turn into, transform, become... Blah-blah-blah.
No. Let me ask you a question, Maxine.
Are you a caterpillar that wants to turn into a butterfly?
- I've always been a butterfly. - Oh! Yes, you have, by God.
Yes, you have.
OK, now, here's the thing.
I'm not a paediatric endocrinologist, a tran-gender doctor.
I'm someone who helps children give birth to themselves.
- It's so rewarding. - You're amazing.
Let's get started.
Did your husband sign the consent form?
Right there.
That's great.
Now, um, one of the most expensive parts of this treatment is the...
psychological assessment.
Which won't be necessary if you've got a confirmed diagnosis.
- We haven't. - A letter from a gender expert
stating puberty suppression
- would be in Maxine's best interests? - No.
The Ferrybank wouldn't.
Documentation from a school counsellor, a therapist?
We're gonna have to do the assessment here.
- I'll pay. - Can we afford it?
It's my baby's only chance, so...
I'll do whatever it takes.
Well, we need to do bone scans, a blood test, tanner staging with the physician.
It all... It all sounds very invasive, but it's not.
- We just need to get our ducks in a row. - I'll pay.
Not all at once. OK?
Are you OK?
- Dad? - Yeah?
Look, I know I've never had as much attention as Maxine.
I've never been a problem.
But...
now I start to think maybe I should start having some.
To see if you both still love me the same.
Of course we do, darling.
I know, Dad, but you say that, and then... and then it's all about Maxine.
And now, what, they're on the other side of the world?
Yeah. And I'm here with you.
- ome here. - No, Dad.
Lily.
Hello?
Vicky?
Mum?
Dad?
Hey, you all right?
Come on, you.
Hope you still like chocolate cake, cos you're gonna help me make one.
And eat it. All of it.
Thank you for this, Barbara.
Vicky will be amazed when she finds out Lily's staying with me.
Yeah. Yeah, I know.
What are you gonna do?
Well, goodbye, Maxine.
We'll see you soon, in just three months.
We're coming back, aren't we, Mum?
Yeah, I've already booked the tickets.
Thanks, Dr Farrow.
Lily.
Dean said he saw you round here.
- Yeah, I'm staying at my nan's. - Why?
What's it to you?
Well, it's not like anything happened the other day.
Yeah, because I didn't want it to.
- You seemed upset, I was just trying to... - Comfort me?
- Yeah. - Yeah, I'm fine now, thank you.
Are you, though?
I mean, look, last time your mum was ignoring you.
Now you're living at your nanna's.
What happened, Lily?
This can be classified as parental child abduction, but...
But what?
If your child consented, is capable of making an informed decision,
- then it's more complicated. - How can it...
Maxine is 12. Yes?
I've got parental responsibilities, too.
My wife didn't ask for my permission.
Surely that's got to...
Surely that's got to count for something.
The question is, do you really want to pursue a criminal case against her?
Just try and stay awake...
- Victoria Duffy? - Yeah?
We need to speak to you in private.
Can you accompany us, please?
- What for? - There's a side room there.
What for?
I'm arresting you under section one of the Child Abduction Act.
You do not have to say anything...
- Mum, what's going on? - ..But it may harm your defence...
Where are you taking her?
- Mum! Mum! - ...if you do not mention...
- What are you doing? - ...something you may later rely on in court.
- What have you done? - Anything you do say
may be taken in evidence. Do you understand?
Dad, I'm scared. Daddy!
Maxine.
Where have you taken her? Why have you taken Maxine?
She's being interviewed.
Is my mum OK?
Is she going to jail?
Do you intend on taking Maxine abroad again?
Yeah, I have to.
Then you'd be reoffending.
You could only do so legally if you have your husband's consent.
Maxine, did you know what travelling to Boston would entail?
We'll have to seize your passport.
Was that your mum's idea?
Yeah.
She knows how much it matters to me.
She didn't want me to get suicidal.
All that matters is what she wants.
It doesn't matter what he wants.
What happened out there?
My... My treatment began.
Where have you taken Maxine?
What do you mean exactly by that?
To get me ready for puberty blockers.
I wasn't harming her, I was trying to help her.
She'll tell you, if you just listen to her.
She just wanted to help me.
That's what she's doing.
Help you what, Maxine?
I think I need a solicitor.
Become what I am.
I want to go home with my mum.
I want my mum.
Are you all right?
Just two more appointments.
So, what, two more trips to Boston?
No. No way. It's completely impractical.
Being in the wrong body's impractical.
You know, punish me, but please don't punish her.
You think you're a great mother, don't you, Vicky?
Ask Lily.
Darling, I'm sorry.
You and Maxine, you both lied to me, you both went off together.
But it wasn't about you.
I was your best friend.
You used me.
You used me and you cheated and conned everyone else.
Cos we didn't want it to end up like this, that's why.
You didn't want it to... I was on your side the entire time,
and you didn't even bother to tell me.
Do you hate me?
- I hate both of you. - Sweetheart.
Please, darling, we only did what we thought was best.
Well, you made a terrible mistake, Vicky.
And you had me arrested in front of everybody at the airport.
I was dragged away like a criminal.
I was humiliated and she was terrified.
- You broke the bloody law. - I don't give a shit about the law.
Not like this, though.
You saw what she did to herself and you didn't do anything.
Maxine, not like this.
You're leaving again.
Nanna wants her money back.
I can't talk to you right now.
Paula, please, I am sorry. I'm really sorry.
I thought we were gonna run a business together.
I know what I did is not what a friend should do,
and I don't expect you to forgive me,
but perhaps when you have a child yourself one day, you will.
Don't you dare throw that at me.
All I'm saying is there's nothing you wouldn't do...
Hello, Dad.
Jessica, you got the file?
Mrs. Duffy, you can't doorstop me like this.
Our receptionist made you aware of my schedule.
You're my solicitor.
The police and school have already made a referral
to the local authority because of what you've done.
It's like I'm some kind of monster.
If you keep seeking treatment abroad and Stephen keeps refusing consent,
the local authority might apply to the court for an interim care order.
What exactly does that mean?
The local authority's first concern is for the welfare of the child.
If they thought Maxine was at risk of significant harm or emotional abuse,
they'd want to share parental responsibility.
So they'll have a say in what happens to her?
More than a say.
- They'd be in the driving seat. - Yet she's my daughter.
And you'd be seen as an unfit mother.
Everything I've done is because I love her.
They'd say you behaved irresponsibly to her.
I acted more responsible than her father and they're gonna take her away from me.
Vicky, I'm on your side.
What do we do?
You're my solicitor and I need your help.
I'm going to argue your case with the local authority.
I'll ask them to leave her in the family home
and allow you to keep making decisions for her.
I can't lose her.
It's fine.
What do you want most in the entire world?
What's your biggest wish?
To go back to Boston.
Are you sure? You're absolutely sure?
Even though everyone at school, Molly, they'll all be changing and developing?
You won't, you'll stay exactly the same for three...
Three years. You...
You're OK with that?
If it stops me becoming more of a boy, then it'll all be worth it, won't it?
I'm not stopping for you.
I thought you might need a breather.
I don't have anyone else to talk to.
- Where are you even staying now? - Dad's.
God.
Yeah, it's been messy.
Going to family court now.
- Stephen. - What choice have I got, Gemma?
You know, she accused the experts at the Ferrybank of ignorance.
Called on my support and spat it back in my face when it was the wrong sort.
I've done everything.
I can see that you're hurt.
But...
I'm wondering, do you really want Maxine thought of as unsafe
or at risk of emotional abuse?
At least it will stop Vicky from making all the decisions.
So you want them made by a court instead?
Do you know what you can't stand in all of this?
What?
She chose Maxine over you. Unconditional love.
I know how a mother feels about her kids, thank you.
You still want Vicky to love you as much as you love her.
Don't you?
Sorry, Stephen, I've got to get on.
I'll see you tomorrow, Isaac.
What are you doing here?
I went to the police station to withdraw my statement.
Right, well, the CPS have already said
- that they're not gonna prosecute. - I know.
It was a gesture of goodwill. What are we gonna do?
To find a way through. A compromise.
Meaning what, Stephen? We go back to Ferrybank
- and then we just talk about it again? - Why not?
Why not let her talk about making such a big decision?
It's still progress, isn't it?
She's still only 12 years of age, for Christ's sake.
She needs her puberty suspended,
otherwise she's gonna get more sick. I've already told you that.
God knows what she'll do.
I'm not gonna listen to emotional blackmail.
She hasn't got cancer.
Well, thank you for the olive branch but we don't need it.
We?
We're gonna win. I'm doing what Maxine wants.
What does that even mean? Go to court? Beat me?
You're not acting like a mother, you're acting like a goddamn campaign manager.
Vicky!
- Lil, come on, let me give you a lift. - No, I'm fine.
Thanks.
I know guardian sounds like I come in here and I start taking over.
- I know it sounds like... - Like I need guarding.
Well, the official term is safeguarding your welfare.
What that really means is me getting a picture of what's going on
and what's best for you.
That's all it's gonna be, is it, getting a picture?
OK, not quite.
I will have to write a report for the courts which will help them decide.
I can't go to Boston?
That's a decision that will be taken by the court.
The court decides?
I just need to talk to you all, get to know you.
Because your mum and dad are divided on this, Maxine.
You said everything would be all right.
You said.
Why has it become like this?
This is me.
Quite grown-up.
What did you expect?
Posters of Harry Styles?
Cuddly toys?
So, what inspired the look?
Zoella.
And my sister.
- Selfish bitch. - Bitch?
Your own sister?
Yeah, that's right. My sister.
It's such a big thing, you know.
Now is not the time to be deciding anything.
That's all.
Look, this is not about concern for Maxine, this is about panic
because he can't stop it and he can't control it.
No sign any boy ever lived in here.
She's... She's reckless.
Irresponsible. Obsessed.
He's a coward.
Where's Max now, then?
Max is in here.
Is he?
Weren't you always a girl anyway?
I don't know.
He couldn't cope with her doing a dance routine.
He... He threatened to...
beat up two children because they were bullying Maxine.
That could all just say she's got Maxine's best interests at heart.
How? How does that even...? She's...
She's become some kind of zenith and she drags Maxine along in her wake. Come on.
Perhaps intervening like that was just a clumsy way
of him trying to be a good father.
No, it's because he couldn't bear them calling her a freak,
he hated how the other children treated her.
She obtained visas behind my back,
she forged my signature to make it look like I consented.
She, erm...
ignored the advice of the Ferrybank,
took money under false pretenses from her mother
to fund the trip. It's insane.
Honestly, I...
I think Vicky is using Maxine's puberty to
blackmail everybody, blackmail me especially.
She's going around saying, "I'm her mother, I'm her mother."
But you know more than most, don't you, parents, they don't always know best.
You think social services know my child better than I do?
Do you know best?
Yes, I know best.
- No. - What do you think Maxine wants?
Isn't that obvious?
She wants to be a girl.
To not have her family torn to shreds like this.
Some might say that you're the one tearing the family to shreds.
What would be your response?
I'm just saying not yet if Ferrybank are saying not yet. Sorry.
It's OK.
How do you feel about your mum and dad not agreeing?
Like I'm being ripped in two.
Is your marriage irretrievably broken down?
What does he say?
What do you think?
Hello, Mum.
I've come to say I'm sorry.
That all?
And thank you. Thanks for looking after Lily.
What did she say?
She's not talking to me.
No?
No.
All right, anyway...
Why don't you come in?
Really?
Then you can apologise properly.
Apparently it's not theft, what you did.
Money was given willingly to support my daughter.
It's not what you expected, though, was it?
Well, I wasn't shocked for long, though.
It is you, after all, isn't it?
Me?
You think I stole your money so I could punish you?
No.
But you thought I owed you something, didn't you?
What...
What has happened to us?
I gave all my love to your father.
Terrified he'd leave me for one of his other women.
Just made a fool of myself.
Yeah, and you made me feel like I'd done something wrong, which is not fair.
I'd never leave my child wanting.
Yeah, well, like I say, it's not actually theft.
And according to you, it's not even theft morally.
Why do you keep going on about that?
What do you mean, it's not theft?
How do you know it's not theft?
Because that guardian came to see me.
The one who's writing the report. She put me straight.
She didn't tell me she was coming to see you.
Why should she?
What... What did you say about me?
I thought that's why you came to see me in the first place.
Because if your behaviour gets you the thumbs down...
Mum, what did you tell her?
I told her...
I told her that I'd never have fought for you like that.
Make such an effort.
Taking her all the way to Boston
on some mad mission that you absolutely believed in.
I told her...
that I'd never loved you like that.
Really?
Think I'd talk my daughter down to an absolute bloody stranger?
Even if you are a nightmare, and I don't agree with anything you're doing.
'Ey, careful. You're spilling my bloody tea!
All right.
I started skipping meals again.
Going running.
Running to stay thin, or just...
running to just run away.
You never said anything.
You were in such a good mood.
I didn't want to spoil it.
Don't give up, Molly.
Don't give in to it.
Get better.
You're so strong.
It's a really difficult case, so thank you for your time.
Up yours?
That a toast?
Not sure.
Please, I don't want to lose your friendship.
I'm here, aren't I?
Besides, you've thrown bigger things than us on the bonfire, haven't you?
Lily's trust.
Your bloody liberty nearly.
And your marriage.
- You regret it? - I'm not proud of it.
At least you and Maxine have got something good to show for it.
The treatment, I mean.
- What? - We're not going back to Boston.
I can't afford it. I'd erm...
I'd probably get arrested again, maybe even prison.
And social services would have to step in for Maxine, and...
the worst of it is that I have made her...
I've made her promises that I can't keep.
She still thinks she's going back out there for treatment?
She so wants that treatment.
How am I gonna tell her that...
she can't have it?
Dr Farrow is brilliant.
He doesn't keep asking why,
he just says, "OK, now, this is what we're gonna do."
And in the middle of my treatment, we're gonna do some sightseeing.
The New England Aquarium.
It's huge. And it's got an IMAX cinema in it.
I'm looking forward to going back, Dad.
Seven weeks and counting.
You know as well as I do
that Vicky can't get further treatment in Boston, right?
Well, she hasn't told Maxine.
She's lied to her, lying to her.
I'll talk to her.
She's misled her.
Deluded her.
How's that gonna make her feel when she finds out the truth?
If the court decides that you've been...
unrealistic...
- Unrealistic. - Misleading, even...
That's all your evidence.
Based on a truthful account of what I see in front of me.
You've made promises to Maxine that you just can't keep.
That's emotional abuse, Vicky.
Stephen abused her.
He didn't just walk out on her, he actually hit her.
He used violence.
- And Maxine's never forgotten that. - That was our secret.
That was all our secret, and you've just gone and told it.
Everything I'm saying I'm saying to protect you.
This is all about you. I'm doing all of this for you.
This is all about Maxine. It's not what I want, it's what she wants.
What are you... What are you writing down now?
It's just going to be twisted, isn't it, cos it's like you want us to fail!
You should be helping us, not making things worse.
I think I've seen enough for now.
Excuse me.
I'm sorry.
Can I come in?
We've made a mess of things, haven't we?
Me and your dad.
You've just got to come together, or Maxine won't become who she is,
she'll just be some...
court case.
What about me and you?
- I'm a big girl now. - No, you're not.
I'm your mum and I'm...
I'm sometimes not a big girl.
I'm really sorry that I hurt you.
I just needed you...
to stop me from making a mess of things.
But you've just been running around like you've only got one daughter.
What do you mean, making a mess?
There was a boy.
Right. Did he... Did he do something?
I just... I just wanted a cuddle.
I'll give you a cuddle.
I'm sorry.
Oh, Mum, we're gonna go in, go have a look.
I'll be in in a minute.
Maxine's a beautiful looking girl.
She's a beautiful girl full-stop.
We haven't met exactly, but I'm Gemma.
Ok.
You might want to punch my face in.
I think one fight's enough, don't you?
Love how she just marches into the changing room.
And why shouldn't she?
I thought shopping might...
...cheer her up. But it's not working.
I can't believe what's happening is what Stephen wants.
You might think I've got a cheek in saying this, but...
She's far too beautiful a person to be caught up in something so ugly.
I agree, I absolutely agree.
Tell her I said hello.
I will.
Thank you, Gemma.
Safer in public, I suppose.
We could lose her altogether, you know that, don't you?
Male or female, if they decide that she's at risk of harm...
We are, we're harming her this way.
Aren't we?
Yes, we are.
It's changed round here.
Second date, right?
- No, more of a walk. - A walk?
No, it was a date.
I spent a month's wages on that leather coat.
I pretended I was vegetarian and deeply offended.
Cow.
Exactly, cow.
You're still funny.
I'm still here.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry that I took Maxine away from you.
I'm sorry that I left you.
I miss her.
She misses you.
So what about now? Can we...
...work together somehow? Please?
For her?
Yeah.
Let's see what we can do, eh?
How do we tell her that she can't go back to Boston?
It's basically her only hope.
- You give her another hope. - Like what?
Well, you go back to the clinic.
What's the point of that?
To challenge their decision and make them change their minds.
How, though? What more evidence can we give?
It's obvious. What you've put yourselves through.
Come on.
I know how you feel, I know Boston got your hopes up.
- Dr Farrow was on my side. - I know.
But hopefully, the Ferrybank will be, too.
- They'll be on our side. - Last time they said no.
But now it's this time.
Listen to me. You're gonna have your mum and your dad.
- I had my mum and dad last time. - Properly now.
Really.
Listen to me.
I don't... want to lose you.
I don't care who you are, how you are...
when you are.
I only care that you get no more bad news.
Only girls hug you like this.
Only daughters.
And mummies.
- I'm making a recommendation to the courts. - Saying what?
To make a care order, so that the local authority
can share parental responsibility for Maxine.
And they can also limit your parental responsibility
in the interest of her welfare.
I'm also going to ask for an order to be made
prohibiting any further treatment for Maxine
- because you're so clearly at odds. - You can't do that.
- Vicky, I warned you last time. - Hang on.
Me and Vicky, we've come to an agreement.
Really? Well, I would need to test the strength and truth of that.
Bearing in mind that you had Vicky arrested
and Vicky, you accused Stephen of physically abusing Maxine.
The school and the police have both expressed deep concern
about the division between you, and the effect it's having on Maxine,
a child who has already been hospitalised for self-harm.
And whose welfare might best be served by...
...having her removed from the family home.
- Stop it. - I'm sorry.
But we...
- We are going to the Ferrybank. - OK.
But if you don't get their agreement, what happens then?
Vicky tries to take Maxine back to Boston again,
or something just as desperate?
And you react like you already have?
But if they say yes, if...
if the Ferrybank agree, then what?
You and the local authority will listen, at least?
Obviously we'd still be keeping a close eye on you all.
But if the Ferrybank say it's for the best...
we wouldn't stand in the way of her treatment.
We'll just have to make sure that they agree.
Right, let's stop hanging around, or we'll miss this appointment.
All right.
I'm not gonna lie, I behaved desperately because my child is desperate.
In order to make rational choices about treatments, and...
embark on any type of physical intervention,
Maxine and you have to be in a good place.
Not one of crisis.
Well, we're here together now.
Stephen, you made a complaint of parental abduction.
Why should we suddenly believe that you're a united couple now?
Because we realised that we could lose Maxine, basically.
We don't...
We don't want the local authority making decisions about her.
We want to make them together, don't we?
Maxine.
How have you felt these last few weeks?
It's not the last few weeks.
It's the last few years.
What is?
I've been too silent.
If I was more honest about how I felt,
I wouldn't have hurt myself to try and feel better.
If I'd stopped trying to please everyone...
- I could have been more true to myself. - OK.
Be honest now.
It's OK.
I've been living as Maxine for months now.
Stood up to bullies and people who don't treat me as a girl.
It feels right.
In Boston, there was a trans girl.
She got her first puberty blockers injection.
You should have seen the look on her face.
It was peace.
I want to feel that peace.
My mum and dad aren't at war anymore.
But...
my body and brain still are.
Well done, sweetheart.
I'm so proud of you.
What sort of girl will I be?
How real will I be?
Will I be as real as you and Lily?
I think you already are.
I'm not. Undressed I'm not.
That will come.
We've got a long way to go, but...
it'll come.
Look.
You're beautiful.
- Does it hurt? - I'll get used to it.