I am suspending you while we investigate your actions.
I took responsibility... and you let me.
So what happens to me? I can't stay here and pretend you didn't go viral
for telling Dee to kill themself. Sam! Wait!
'Your mum came round to ours and spoke to my Mum and Dad.
'She apologised.' Cressida is going after Sam.
Your mam just doesn't want you getting hurt.
Maybe she should stop trying to ruin my life!
You hate yourself!
DS O'Brien, please. Yeah. I've been assaulted.
Don't touch me. I didn't touch her.
Sammy...
We can get away from here.
Terry, I've got her.
I think I really got her this time.
BUZZING
'Hi, sweetheart.
'Sam?'
Sam, are you there?
Sweetheart, please talk to me.
I just wanna make things right.
SIGHS
EXHALES
MURMURING
Right, excuse me.
Helen.
How are you?
Top of the world.
I hear you and Cressida came to blows.
She attacked me.
Let the Cheetham Hall jungle drums know, will you?
If they're gonna gossip they might as well get their facts straight.
And yes, I said jungle drums.
Good luck with the meeting.
We both know you don't mean that.
Do you?
It's not like you've ever made the wrong call about something.
Made an error of judgement that could cost you everything
if word got out. Helen...
You're worried I'm gonna drag you down with me? You should be.
I'm a menopausal woman full of bitterness and rage.
Who knows what I might let slip?
BREATHES SHARPLY
Right, I'll get straight to it.
I'm afraid,
regardless of the outcome of your disciplinary hearing,
the board have made the decision to terminate your employment
here at Cheetham Hall.
Your position here has become untenable.
How much did the Bancroft family offer you for my scalp?
This isn't about Cressida Bancroft.
It's about the fact that you are woefully out of touch
with the students at this school.
You've lost their trust, and you've lost their respect.
Because I refuse to sanitise their education?!
A child died, Helen.
You can't keep pointing fingers and deflecting blame.
Dee Rainford-Thomas was failed by this school.
We all need to own that.
KNOCKING Yeah?
I'm so sorry to interrupt, sir,
but the police are here to speak to Cressida Bancroft
about the alleged assault, but she's missing.
Reception called looking for you, Helen.
There's been an incident.
It's Terry.
RINGING
What are you doing?
Just calling my dad.
'Hiya, I probably can't find my phone...'
Voicemail.
Why were you calling him?
I just... I feel a bit bad about the way we left things.
SCOFFS
Well...
Well, he is still my dad.
He attacked me, Sam.
Or have you forgotten that?
No, of course not, I'm sorry.
I need to feel safe with you.
PANTS
SCOFFS
I thought you were on my side.
I am.
OK, course I am, I'm just...
I messed up, you know?
The police called the school and said you were in here.
What happened?
Cressida.
She did that?
I told you she was dangerous.
You should have picked her up last night after what she did to me.
We had to establish the facts.
I gave you the facts.
You said Cressida turned up at your place of work
with cuts on her face, claiming Ms Simpson had hit her?
That is a lie! Yeah.
Sammy fell for it, but I knew Helen would never do something like that.
She must have done it to herself.
He didn't believe her?
You tried to stop them leaving.
Is that when she pushed you? Yeah.
Did Sam witness this?
No. No, no, he'd already left.
So she's taken our son?
This was posted this morning.
That's Shakespeare. Sorry?
"Did my heart love till now." It's from Romeo And Juliet.
She's taunting me.
I'm telling you, she is manipulating him.
Given the recent suicide at the school,
we need to tread very carefully.
Our priority right now is bringing both teenagers home safely
before things escalate further.
But I will keep you both informed as and when.
Why didn't you call me?
What would you have done?
He's my son!
When was the last time you had a proper conversation with him?
He can talk to me about anything. That's not how he sees it.
He was there, Hel. He saw how you reacted when I was struggling.
How could he possibly come to you for help?
I can't just sit around here and wait for the police to find them.
I need to go.
It's OK.
You can look.
When did you start cutting yourself?
After my mum left.
Dad could barely look at me.
As if Mum leaving was my fault.
She didn't love me enough to stay, so...
..maybe he has a point.
I couldn't bear anyone at school finding out.
Feeling sorry for me or laughing at me.
What did it feel like?
Were you scared?
Not at all.
It felt like release.
I can show you...
if you like?
Where do you want to go next?
We could drive around and see where we end up?
Erm... Yeah, I don't know.
You want to go back?
No.
SIGHS
I don't know. Not yet, but...
What, after everything that's happened?
It's OK, yeah, we'd figure it out.
Promise?
I know where we can go.
I just need a few minutes in her room.
No. It's against school policy.
Not to mention an abuse of Cressida's rights.
Her rights?!
I have a responsibility to these kids.
It's my job to protect them.
Two minutes. I won't tell anyone, I swear.
I know I had no right to ask you to trust me...
One of my students is dead cos of you!
You have no rights! I fucked up!
And I'm sorry!
I'm not asking as a friend. I'm asking as a mother.
She wants to punish me.
And yes, yeah, I deserve it, but Sam doesn't.
I can't lose him.
Please!
Please.
I'll fill the van up.
Why don't you go in and see what food there is?
Yeah. Sure.
Helen, we have to be quick.
What do you think you're gonna find?
I don't know.
Anything that might give me a clue as to where she'd go.
She looks like a different girl.
So... happy.
Yeah, you joined the school just after Mrs Bancroft jumped ship.
Walked out of her daughter's life and never looked back.
Yeah.
I've often thought that
it would have been better for Cressida if her mother had died.
Still awful, but...
less rejection.
Oh, my God.
You know earlier, in the hotel...
when you asked about my scars?
Have you ever thought about it?
Things, erm... Things got pretty heavy at my old school.
Is that why you transferred?
Have you ever, erm...
..gone too far?
You mean, like tried to end things?
Yeah.
Sometimes it just feels like it would be...
Easier?
Yeah.
The thought of having to go on just feels so...
SHE SIGHS
..heavy.
And I'm so sick of hearing people say that
"You've got your whole life ahead of you",
like it's exciting.
The future's not even real.
It's just a big black hole.
Does that sound crazy? No.
I get it.
You know, my dad tried sending me to therapy.
God forbid he actually talks to me himself.
The psychologist tried to convince me that things would get better.
Do you think they will?
No.
We can try and ignore it, but...
..it won't ever stop hurting.
Erm...
I'm gonna...
gonna go to the bathroom before we head off.
Mm-hm.
SIGHS
SHE SOBS
SOBS
RINGING
Cressida? Cressida, I know you can hear me. Can I...
Can I please, please talk to Sam?
I just need to know he's OK.
Look, I'm sorry. All right? I'm sorry about everything.
Just please... please don't hurt him.
No!
SIGHS
He must've written it after he and Jackson...
After they, you know...
He never finished it. He started it.
He thought about it.
How can we have missed this?
We're his parents.
We're supposed to know. We should have seen it.
I should have... seen it.
It's not too late.
What if he doesn't come back?
He will come back. How do you know?
BIRDSONG
We used to go on holidays here.
Dad would go hunting with his army mates.
And, erm...
me and my mum would chill by the house
and swim in the lake.
I thought being here would make me feel closer to her again.
Does she ever get in touch?
I guess the step-kids keep her busy.
EXHALES, MESSAGE ALERT
What happened at your old school?
Erm...
I, er...
I got accused of sexual assault.
He was my best friend.
But, like...
..he wanted it to be more.
You know, we both did.
But then at this party...
..somebody walked in on us, and, erm...
..Jackson made out like I'd forced myself on him.
I mean, from that point on, I was...
..fully cancelled at school.
His mates used to follow me home and, erm...
Like, they would beat me up a couple times and then...
Er... One time after swim practice,
somebody had pissed all over my clothes.
And the stuff on socials was...
What did your mum say?
She apologised to him...
and his family.
Are you serious?
We never even talked about it.
And, like, she's not great on feelings and that, but...
..she was just like how she was when Dad, erm...
What?
He had a nervous breakdown. And, er...
Mum just...
checked out.
Walked away.
Even if you could talk to her,
she wouldn't care what you're going through.
I guess no-one can ever really fully understand
what anyone else is going through.
At the end of the day, we're all just...
alone.
Dealing with our own shit...
..until the lights go out for good.
What if it gets too heavy?
I don't wanna be here any more.
OK.
Where do you wanna go?
I don't wanna be anywhere any more.
Come with me.
We'll do it together.
Has anyone heard from Cressida or my son, Sam Simpson?
Helen, this really isn't appropriate.
You're gonna lecture me on what's appropriate?
Does anyone know where they are?
Do you know this place?
Look at it, really look at it.
No?
Miles?
Erm...
I... No?
Look, I know...
I know you kids don't owe me anything,
but this isn't about me.
If you hear from either of them, will you please tell Tessa?
Ms Stewart?
Yeah. Yes, Miss.
Look, I'll, er... show you out.
I know where the door is.
WHISPERING
You should go home, Helen. It won't do you any good to be seen here.
Oh, save your faux concern!
We both know you're... you're just looking out for number one
because that's all you ever do.
Yeah, I made mistakes, but I am not the only one.
You can let them dictate the syllabus,
but that doesn't make you a good teacher.
They need guidance,
not someone who's gonna let them sneak alcohol into the Easter ball
and then cover up a drugs overdose to save his own skin.
Instead of helping Leo Dalton grieve his best friend,
you made him to keep your secret, tormenting Leo to cover your tracks.
You are a disgrace.
Dee Rainford-Thomas deserved better.
From both of us.
My office, now!
When Terry got sick, you were done in.
That doesn't make you a bad person.
I don't think Terry would agree.
I knew I wasn't being fair...
..resenting him.
It was cruel, but I... I couldn't stop myself.
And I should've seen what it was doing to Sam.
My son wanted to kill himself...
and he couldn't talk to me.
Oh, please. Come here. Come here.
Come here.
SOBS
CONTINUES SOBBING
CLEARS THROAT
Er... You know that picture you showed us,
I think I know where it is.
It's where Cressida had her 16th birthday, innit?
It's one of her family's holiday homes near Buxton.
Were you there... for her birthday?
Yeah. Yeah. I'll text you the address.
Come on.
DOOR SLAMS
This way.
Does no-one use this place any more?
Not since Mum left.
She always loved it here.
SIGHS
So, obviously, Dad hates it.
Too many memories.
Come on.
DOOR CREAKS
One of my dad's.
Ready?
SHE EXHALES
No, wait.
I can't watch you die.
It's OK.
You don't have to.
You can go first.
HE EXHALES
It's easy.
GUNSHOT
Sam!
I'm scared too.
It's normal.
Just think...
..we'll be free.
Free of the pain.
I won't let you suffer.
HE EXHALES SHAKILY
Just let go, Sam.
Sam?!
Do it, Sam. She doesn't deserve you.
This is the only way we can be free, like Dee!
PANTS
Sam, no!
PANTS
Sammy.
Sammy, look at me.
Put the gun down.
Please, Sam. Whatever's going on...
we can fix it.
You can't fix anything. You're the problem!
You did this to him!
I found the letter.
The one you wrote after me and your dad split up.
I'm sorry I didn't see how much pain you were in.
Because you can't see anyone but yourself.
Sam, I need you to listen to me now.
I don't know what she's said to you to make you feel like
this is the only way, but she's wrong.
We'll find someone for you to talk to, a professional...
Cos you don't wanna hear it?
No! No, I'll be there every step of the way, if you let me.
She's lying.
I let you down, I know that.
When I left your father. But that was about me.
You just walked away!
Not from you.
Dad needed help, and you just left.
It was selfish.
And I'm so sorry
if it made you feel you couldn't show me that you were hurting.
I love you, Sam.
More than anything.
There is nothing you can do or say to me that will change that.
Nothing.
What about Jackson?
How you blamed him.
I didn't.
You apologised to the other boy's family,
as if Sam had done something wrong.
You should have been on his side!
Part of her believes that you assaulted that boy.
That you were capable of that.
She was disgusted by you.
Sam.
Sam, I wasn't.
I should never have apologised to Jackson's family.
I was wrong to make you think I wasn't on your side,
and I was wrong to walk away from our family.
I should have fought for it. But I am here...
SIGHS
..now.
I'm here now.
I'm not going anywhere.
Please, let me make things right.
Sam.
I love you.
I'm sorry, baby. I'm so sorry.
All right. All right.
All right.
It's all right. It's gonna be all right.
It's all right.
I'm sorry, baby, I'm so sorry.
I told you I wasn't gonna let you suffer. Cressida...
I'm not gonna let you get dragged into a life of pain and misery
with someone who lies and manipulates you
into thinking that she cares,
playing happy families when it's all lies.
Sam, go and wait in the car.
This has never been about him.
Let him go.
Sam.
Sam, go!
HYPERVENTILATES
So, that was the plan...
get Sam to kill himself to punish me?
I'm not gonna let you hurt him any more.
It's over, Cressida.
Don't make things any worse for yourself.
Put the gun down. Let me help you.
You don't wanna help me.
I know I made mistakes. I'm not denying that.
I failed Dee...
..because I didn't see them.
And I didn't see you.
But I see you now.
I see you.
You need help, Cressida. Proper help.
If you do this, you will spend the best years of your life
behind bars...
..for what?
Your parents have already taken so much from you.
You don't know what you're talking about.
I know your mum walked out on her family, just like I did.
But taking it out on me won't bring her back.
I left my husband because I was scared...
..of his vulnerability.
It had nothing to do with Sam.
None of it was his fault.
So many people have let you down.
Me included.
I'm sorry.
Please, let's stop.
Did you really think I'm gonna fall for that sentimental bullshit?
No!
PANTS
You-You think you've won...
This is gonna follow you forever.
No! Cressida!
Sam! Sam!
Come here!
Sam, help!
She's... Sam!
Sam!
Come here. Come here! Sam!
Stay here! Stay here!
Mum! I'm calling an ambulance!
It's OK.
INAUDIBLE
Sammy just called. He's staying at Leo's tonight after the gig.
I should get going.
Sure you don't want me to come with you? I can cancel my shift.
This is something I need to do on my own.
How are you?
Look around.
Why did you invite me here, Cressida?
Why did you come?
Guilty conscience? No, my conscience is clear.
I made a lot of mistakes,
but I'm doing what I can to put things right.
I guess time will tell.
There are people here who can help you.
I hope you let them.
This is goodbye, Cressida.
For good.
Is it?
Oh, erm...
I'll let you tell Sam.