This programme contains some strong language.
CLOCK TICKS
BUMP
Megan, is that you?
Megs?
There you go, black coffee.
PHONE BUZZES
Hey, Mum.
Jamie, are you at work?
Yeah, why?
Is Megan there? Erm, yeah, I'll just get her.
No, no, it's all right. I just... thought she might've come home.
Is everything all right?
Yeah, yeah. Erm, look, I've got to run. I'll see you later.
Oh, sorry, Kayla. I forgot my charger.
Do you want to come through?
Looking after Nan was one thing, but...I'm not cut out for this.
Trust me, fear comes with the territory.
It's nearly 30 years since I had my first child.
I still have sleepless nights.
He'll be relying on me all the time. I couldn't even keep a goldfish.
You're one of the most capable young women I have ever met.
The girl who walked through that door, what, 18 months ago?
She's gone.
You changed your life for the better.
Except now I don't know who I am.
Kayla, are you still using?
Are you, though?
It's a new washing powder. My clothes are itching.
Sweetheart, it is really important if you even think about that,
you tell me, or Dr Evans...
I wouldn't tell him anything. He's a twat.
Oh, I can't argue with that.
You'll tell me, though?
I can't imagine you having sleepless nights.
We all do one time or another.
Beth said it's Liam's birthday.
Well, we're not here to talk about Liam.
I know how scary this is.
But it's the start of a whole new chapter
and you get to write it.
You get to decide who you are, as a mother.
Megan?
How's that new menu?
Be better if you stop putting apostrophes in everything.
"Coffee's." "Dessert's."
Even "Price's." You look an idiot.
All right, Shakespeare.
Just email me the file and I'll fix it.
When are you going back to uni again? When I'm ready.
Can you be ready now?
Delivery for...Megan Rees?
Thank you.
Cheers.
Is that what I think it is? Ooh!
Oh, that's lush.
I never thought I'd see you in a wedding dress but...
What do you mean you never thought you'd see me in a wedding dress?
I don't know, I guess...
..I never thought you'd meet someone you were this serious about.
Well, I am.
OK.
Wish Liam could've seen it.
He would've taken the piss.
100%.
My last appointment's cancelled and Joe's got my car.
I couldn't blag a lift home, could I? Sure.
Joe's car's out of action. Says he needs mine for work.
The school is ten minutes' walk away. I know it sounds stupid but..
..I've been wondering, you know,
whether he's seeing someone else.
It's Joe.
ENGINE CHOKES
Engine's packing up.
Yeah, but plenty of men have a mid-life crisis.
For God's sake.
Oh, just trade it in.
It's about time you got a new one anyway.
Well, you could downsize,
you don't need a big family car any more.
Chris?
Christine?
Shit, I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking.
I sat today, asking Kayla to believe in herself.
Convincing her she could be a good mother.
Day in, day out, that is what I do.
I listen, I advise. Like I know better than them.
Well, you do. You can have a wobble now and again,
God knows I've had a few.
But don't get in your own head.
I went into Liam's room today,
the first time since the funeral.
I still see him sometimes.
Is that crazy?
Oh, you know it isn't.
The house is going to feel so empty soon.
Will's got his family, the business,
Megan will be moving in with Gethin.
Jamie'll be going back to uni. What then?
Well, then you get to walk around in your pants.
Don't even have to wear a bra.
When Liam died, the world stopped turning for a while
cos that's what happens.
But now it's time to start moving on.
I mean, you won't stop being their mum.
You'll still be in their lives, you just get a bit more freedom.
What if I don't want that?
Head home if you want. I'll grab dinner when I've locked up.
It's all right, I'll get it.
What?
Have you asked him out yet?
Who?
God, Jamie, I've got eyes.
Shut up.
Just grab these or I'm dropping them.
Hey. I got a double order of fruit from the bar,
thought you could use some. All right.
Thanks. Lock the door, babe.
No, it's OK, Geth. I'm going now.
Oh, did you ask him?
Ask me what?
Meg, we need to sort this.
How do you feel about walking me down the aisle?
What? I was going to do it solo, but I thought it might be weird.
Like a music video.
If it makes you anxious.
Look, of course I will, I'd love that.
What about Mum, though?
She'd make me nervous.
I'd love to.
OK, don't get emotional. You'll need to look fierce.
I already do.
Ask yourself why you don't have a boyfriend. Fuck you.
Love you! You're so mean.
Bye, Geth. Cheers, mate.
You're so mean.
I mean, this is becoming a habit.
Yeah, Monday fish and chips. It's a thing.
Except you had chips on Friday, and Sunday lunch.
What are you, the chip police?
Someone has to keep an eye on your diet.
Well, aren't I keeping you in a job?
Yeah, you are, to be fair.
Rockin' the eyeliner, by the way.
Thanks.
It's smudged now.
OK.
Oh, shit. Oh, it's fine, it's fine.
No, I'm sorry... Don't worry.
Sorry, Owain.
You OK?
Jamie Rees?
What do you want?
Just to talk.
Why?
Do I know you?
Who are you?
Isn't it obvious?
I think I'm your brother.
Just hear me out, OK? Look, I don't want to upset you.
I just want to talk.
Is this some sort of joke?
No. My name's Connor.
You look like Liam.
Yeah.
Just like him.
I grew up not knowing who my real parents were
and I've been looking for a long time.
I don't understand this...
I was hoping that we could figure it out together. Can we go somewhere?
No.
Well, can I give you my number then?
My hands are shaking.
I don't live local,
but I'm going to be around for a day or two.
I'd love to meet you all. Just call me.
You're not making any sense.
I mean it, it's ridiculous.
It's just someone mucking about.
Some nutter.
What did he want?
Money?
What, then?
He looked like Liam.
Jamie, that's not funny.
Why would I make that up?
It's like he was standing there, right in front of me.
That's not possible, is it?
I know what I saw.
Maybe you saw what you wanted to see.
Especially on his birthday.
I see Liam all the time.
I think I do.
Someone will walk past
and the way they laugh or hold themselves.
But this was more than that.
OK, so it's a coincidence.
I thought I met Daniel Craig at that party, remember?
And it was just some gardener.
What do you know about him?
His name's Connor.
Is that it?
I didn't have a list of prepared fucking questions, Megan.
What you doing?
I'm calling Will. What use is he going to be?
I don't know. Don't we need to talk about it?
PHONE RINGS
Night, Mr Rees. Night.
I'm busy.
Megan?
Jamie?
Well, he must be some sort of headcase, then, obviously.
That's what I said.
Listen. We don't have another brother.
We used to.
How did he seem?
Was he like, drunk or high?
Don't think so.
Maybe we should call the police.
And say what? Jamie's having another breakdown?
Don't be a dick. You need to see him.
Have you told your mum?
Not yet.
We're supposed to be having a birthday dinner for Liam.
Is, is that today?
You never said.
What's to celebrate? Hmm?
Wait a minute, so he gave you his number?
Yeah.
Text it to me.
Why, what're you going to do?
Where've you been?
Oh, hello, sweetheart.
Hey, Mum, you all right?
I thought you were working. Mm! How's it all going?
Yeah, great. We're about to sign off on all the environmental stuff
and then, yeah, then we start construction.
Oh, that's great.
What's wrong?
You going to tell her or what?
You said you were doing it.
Well, somebody say something.
Thing is...
..I met someone.
His name's Connor.
Connor Moran?
Right. Who's that?
He says he's our brother.
What?! Yeah, I know. Madness.
Brother? That's what he said.
Who is he?
I don't know, he's 24, 25.
London accent. We didn't talk much.
Well, you did have another brother, yeah. He died.
He looks like him. Like Liam.
Well, that's impossible.
But he does, Mum. It was so weird.
I think I would know if I'd had another child.
You don't believe him?
He looks just like him.
Could be Dad's son? Like a, like a half-brother...
Why are you keeping on at her? She just told you.
Because I want to know! Your father never cheated! All right?
So, what do we do? Do you want to talk to him?
Why would I do that?
It's OK, Mum. No. It's not OK.
I'm pissed off that someone would make that up,
and that you of all people would believe it.
Cos it's ridiculous.
Listen, I spoke to Mum and it's all bullshit.
So, we've decided...
We haven't decided anything.
What did she say?
That he's not our brother, end of story.
Based on what? Should we at least hear his story?
I want to see him, find out who he is.
Liam's gone, Megan. No-one's going to bring him back.
Whoever this guy is, he's just playing us.
Why would he do that? Fuck knows, I don't know.
Maybe he wants attention. Maybe there's something wrong with him.
So we just ignore him and if he tries anything,
I'll deal with it.
I've got to get home.
You sure you don't want some cake?
Er, oh, no, no, thanks. You carry on.
Why did Dad leave?
Mum, we never talk about it.
Every time we ask you about the past, you get defensive.
Because there's no point dwelling on the past.
What's important is us. Here and now.
Like I told you, I came home one day,
your father was gone. That's all I know.
This boy is not a part of our family.
I wasn't seeing things. I know what I saw.
And I swear,
it was like Liam was standing right in front of me.
Good girl. Oh, you're such a good girl.
Kate, I need your help.
Jamie's insisting he looks like Liam.
I don't understand. Have you met him?
No, of course I haven't met him.
Erm, look everyone's in a state, I need you to do some digging
and find out whatever you can.
Erm, so, what, what do you know about him?
His name is Connor Moran. He is early to mid-20s,
he grew up in London. That's all I've got.
Erm, well, listen, leave it with me and I'll call you tomorrow.
Right. Bye.
So, you believe her?
Of course I do. Why wouldn't I?
What, you think she's lying?
I think she's got you wrapped round her finger, like always.
The whole thing is just ridiculous.
So, Jamie's making it up?
Babe. It's just a mistake, that's all.
What?
Alfie wasn't sleeping.
He said he saw someone outside the house.
He said he saw Uncle Liam.
PHONE BUZZES
Hello?
I don't know who you are
or where you came from,
but you leave my family alone, you understand?
Who is this? Is this Will?
Just do what you're told and leave town tonight.
You come near my family again
and I'll kill you.
Well, what are you going to say to him?
I just want to hear his story, then I'll send him on his way.
If Mum finds out... She won't.
KNOCKING
Yeah?
Erm, made you a coffee.
Yours is on the table.
OK, thanks.
Here.
Ta.
Eh... Wedding stuff?
Fairy lights from Gethin's bar.
Tangled to shit.
If you need more time just tell me, I can sort it.
Don't start this again.
I just think this has happened very quickly.
Not for us. We're fine with it.
Sometimes, right, grief can make you do things you wouldn't normally...
Mum, stop.
I'm marrying Gethin and that's the end of it.
Long as it's for the right reasons.
Look, erm, this stranger...
..he's deluded, you know? Yeah.
Cake for breakfast, Jamie? Seriously?
It's good. You want some?
Are you OK?
Mm-hm. You?
Yeah.
You don't have to pretend. I know you're interested in this boy
and I get it. It's just you kids are all I've got
and it feels like you don't need me any more.
Don't talk like that. Of course we do.
I've read about people like this, right?
They, they get their kicks preying on people's grief.
We've been through enough.
I need some information on a young man. Connor Moran.
That's his number. I need more to go on.
Address, whatever background you can find.
What's his story?
You tell me.
Chris, I can't go digging around unless I know why I'm...
I'm not asking.
I would really appreciate it.
Quick as you can.
Shit.
Hi. I'm Connor.
Look, I know this seems sketchy.
You look so much like my brother.
Er, this is Gethin, my fiance.
Hi. Hi.
I was kind of hoping we could speak alone?
Er, mate, we don't even know who you are.
I'm not dangerous.
Do you want a drink?
Er, no, thanks. Kind of nervous.
God, you even smile the same.
I had so many questions. I don't know where to start.
Well, I grew up in care.
I got passed around loads of different families,
mostly white.
I was just...always wondering why I never fitted in,
why I was different.
And I always asked who my real parents were, but I just...
I never got any answers.
I always knew that my real parents were out there somewhere.
And I wondered what they thought of me...
..and why they left me.
It was like I was incomplete,
not just in my identity but like...
like a piece of my soul was missing.
All I've ever wanted is to find my family.
Tough night?
You got no idea.
Why don't you come round for dinner after work?
Let the kids fend for themselves.
I'll get Joe to cook.
Chris?
I'm... I'm OK.
Well, let someone look after you for a change, yeah?
PHONE BUZZES, SHE SIGHS
Erm, I need to take this.
BUZZING CONTINUES
Have you found anything?
There's nothing on the database,
so I'm checking the archives for the '90s. It's...
It's a needle in a haystack, so I need more to go on.
I'm working on it.
Just... It's probably a coincidence.
CHIME FROM COMPUTER
I'll call you back.
Chris?
CONNOR: I kept hitting dead ends.
I'd been passed around so much, the paper trail got complicated
and I nearly gave up. But then I'm into photography
and I saw Jamie's photo of Liam on this blog.
He won prizes for that.
Yeah. It was weird
because, like, we looked so similar, but it was more than that.
There was something in his eyes, you know? When I...
When I looked at him, it was... it was like I understood him.
It was like we were the same.
I was so excited. You know, I... I went searching for him...
..but that's when I found the memorial page.
I left it for a bit, but...
..I knew he had brothers and a sister,
and I just couldn't get you out of my head.
I fantasised about contacting you, you know?
I-I wrote emails, but I just sounded like a crazy person.
And then it was his birthday, so I just got on a train.
I looked you up online.
And there was nothing, no sign of you at all.
Why would I be Instagramming my shit life?
I just don't understand how this is possible.
Mum's flat-out denying knowing anything about you,
so if we are related, you must be Dad's son.
Where is your dad?
Left when we were kids.
Never saw him again.
Does your mum know where he is?
Mention Dad and she flies off the handle.
Why?
Touches a nerve.
I guess he was someone she couldn't control.
I don't think he's dangerous. GETHIN SCOFFS
He's... He's just messed up.
Oh, you're starting to believe him.
I just want to hear more about him. I just don't want you getting hurt.
All right. OK.
Go on. Bye.
Do you fancy a walk?
Yeah.
OK.
Gethin looks out for you. It's nice.
He's a dream. Sometimes he doesn't understand.
His family's been here since, like, cavemen.
I had to work hard to put myself at the heart of this place.
He had that from the minute he was born.
Must be nice to belong somewhere.
You know, I've been moved around so much, I just...
..learnt not to get attached, you know, to people or places.
Where do you live now? Er, Bristol.
It's OK. Got a decent music scene.
Do you play anything? Nah!
A little bit of guitar if I'm drunk enough.
You should hear my Rage Against the Machine.
That was Liam's favourite band.
Yeah? Yeah. And he played guitar.
Serious? Yeah. Music was his lifeline.
Yeah, mine too.
How did he die?
He OD'd.
He was messed up for a long time.
We never really knew why.
Tried to help him.
Tried everything. It was like...
Like he was lost. Yeah.
Mmm.
Do you wanna see him?
INDISTINCT CONVERSATION
PHONE BUZZES
All right, Mum?
It was a tiny funeral.
It was 2020, when everything went to shit.
He deserved better.
Still doesn't feel real.
I wish I knew him.
He was cool...
..when he wasn't off his head.
We're having the wedding ceremony here so it's like he's with us.
You OK? Yeah, trying to get my head around all this.
So, you believe me, then?
I don't know what to believe.
Why would your parents abandon me?
Er, could you speak to your mum?
SIGHS: It wouldn't make any difference.
Well, maybe we could all speak to her?
She'd shut it down. She wouldn't engage. Why?
Because she needs to be in control.
I saw him.
Jamie's right.
He looks just like Liam. He is nothing to do with us.
So, who the hell is he? I wanted you to be the first to see this.
Just so we're clear who we're dealing with.
We have to do something.
Seeing him just...
..brought it all back.
It could still be a coincidence.
We could do a test.
I could get one of those DNA kits.
If he's our brother, it might be good for us.
It might help.
Hey. Hey.
Busy day?
Yeah, it's been crazy. Yeah, has it?
You don't need to pretend. I saw you with him.
Oh, so you're spying on me now? Mum wanted you to read that.
What is it?
The police report on your little mate.
He's been taking you for a ride.
DOORBELL RINGS
How did you find me?
I saw your restraining order in his police file.
Connor Moran stalked us for nine months.
Why?
He was obsessed with us,
convinced us he was my husband's son.
I even started thinking he looked like him.
I'm sorry.
We weren't the first either.
I found out he'd done the same in Manchester.
I don't know if he's deluded or gets some weird enjoyment out of it.
Well, he's targeting my family now, been meeting my kids!
That's what he does - poisons them, fills their heads with stupid ideas.
Before you know it, you've lost them too.
Do you have any idea about his background? Where he's from?
Only what's in...in my statement.
I need to know who I'm dealing with, how to get rid of him.
Has he asked for money yet? No, no. No.
He will.
Is that what he wanted?
It's the only thing that worked.
But by then, it was too late.
I fucking warned you, didn't I?
Look, I don't want any trouble.
Bit late for that.
Oh!
Shit!
Where the fuck is he?
What do you wanna do?
Come on. Go back, go back, come on.
HE SHUDDERS
HE GASPS, THUD
CHATTER IN DISTANCE
SHOUTING IN FLAT
SHE TAPS WINDOW
So, what should I call you, then?
Christine? Mum?
I am not your mother.
Then why are you breaking into my flat?
Returning the favour.
Dunno what you mean.
Sit down if you want. I'm not staying.
What happened to your face?
I knew it wasn't going to be easy, meeting you all,
but I wasn't expecting this.
I just want to talk. Yeah, I heard you weren't interested.
Did Megan tell you that?
Your other kids aren't as under the thumb as you think they are.
Please don't pretend to know my family. Nah, I know plenty,
more than you think.
Why didn't you come to me first? I thought about it.
But you were scared cos you thought you might be wrong.
I was angry because a woman left me in a toilet block.
I would've listened,
set you straight so you didn't have to upset my kids.
Those kids are my family.
We're not the first family you've fixed on, though, are we?
All I want to know is why you left me like you did.
Go on, talk me through that decision.
What makes someone like Will, someone capable of this,
better than me?
I was just a baby when you dumped me.
I would never abandon a child.
And I promise you, without a shadow of doubt,
you are not a part of my family. I know I am.
I can feel it.
And that look on your face when you saw me,
that told me everything that I need to know.
You want to belong, I understand, but you don't -
not to me, not to us. And this...
This won't make your pain go away.
We are very different people, Connor.
See, I look forward, never back.
I wish you'd had a better upbringing, Connor,
I really, really do, but that has nothing to do with me
or my family, so please just stop.
Just...stop trying to make coincidence your reality.
Here.
Nearly £2,000, to get you set up somewhere.
It's all I'm offering.
I don't want your money. Just take it and go, Connor.
Please just...draw a line.
Make today the start of a new life.
You're afraid of me.
I can see it in your eyes, in this.
What, paying me off so you can ditch me all over again?
All I wanted was proof and you've given it to me.
If you won't tell me what happened, then I'll find out for myself.
And then the others will see exactly what kind of mother you really are.
You really don't want to cross me, Connor.
I want answers, Christine!
And I'll find them. I WILL find them!