Dad. Yeah.
Why exactly have you kept this?
I would never throw that away.
I was nine. Yeah.
You should have won that race. The other girl was twice your size.
Yeah, I know, you made sure
everybody else knew about it as well.
Yes, I was proud of you - always have been.
Do you think the second-hand guy is
actually going to give us money for this?
Look, when I told him what we had,
he said it sounded like quality bric-a-brac.
Seriously?
He said you'd be surprised what would sell.
Well, they're hardly priceless antiques.
This is priceless to me.
I'm going to keep this.
Unless you want it?
What, for my trophy cabinet?
What are we going to do with all this, though?
I don't know. Take it to the tip?
How? Just leave it out by the bins outside.
We could just leave it here.
Yeah, well, our dear landlady isn't going to like that.
Win, win?
PHONE RINGS
That'll be the quality bric-a-brac bloke.
FOOTSTEPS APPROACH
Make yourself at home.
Why aren't you answering my calls, Mum?
Oh, I don't know.
Maybe I've been busy. Or too drunk?
Or maybe I'm old enough to look after myself.
You're not looking after yourself,
are you? What is all this?
Looks like quite a fun night to me.
Not that you'd know.
You're becoming an alcoholic.
What would Dad say?
He'd be happy for me - if he wasn't dead.
That's not funny.
How would you know?
You've completely lost your sense of humour.
Dave and I have discussed it...
..and we want you to move in with us.
Did I say I wanted to move?
We know how hard it's been for you since Dad died.
We want to look after you.
Hi.
Who's he? I'm Josh.
He's my lover.
That was her.
Mrs Brightwater?
Yeah, she's coming to collect the rent.
When? Today.
Today? I know.
How long have we got?
I don't know, a couple of hours, maybe.
She said she was in Wolverhampton.
What are we meant to do with all this stuff?
Maybe we could get Phil's van today,
if I can get hold of him.
OK, and if you can't? A taxi?
This isn't all going to fit in a taxi.
Well, it will have to.
Yeah.
Yeah, you're right, we can do this, OK.
Come on. I'll get in touch with the second-hand guy.
No, don't, there's no time.
We just pack it and go.
And I need to tell Karen that I'm coming today.
Come on, then.
Oi, oi, oi, oh.
Ooh.
Oh, oh.
Are we sure this is a good idea?
Best thing for her.
Oh.
She looks like she's struggling.
No pain, no gain.
She's just had a heart attack.
Yeah, yoga is really great for heart patients.
It increases flexibility, muscle strength,
balance, co-ordination.
Well, if it doesn't kill her first.
This could turn out to be the best thing that's ever happened to her.
It will increase her wellbeing, boost her immune system, help her
cope with stress.
Well, hopefully not too much. What?
Well, I think I speak for all of us
when I say, I really miss the old grumpy Karen.
I heard that!
Impossible man.
Get out!
See you later. I'll ring you.
She won't. Ignore her.
And don't even think about coming back!
What is wrong with you?
I'm taking you to the doctor. What?
Why? I told you, Dave and I discussed it.
Do I get a say in all this?
I'm only going because I need to see the doctor about something
else and I could use a lift.
Karen, you know what we said about me moving in next week?
Yes.
Don't suppose we could do it today?
Today?
Yeah, in a couple of hours.
Karen, is that OK?
Yeah, that's fine. No problem at all.
Oh, thanks.
Erm, yeah, I mean, what's a couple of days, anyway?
I mean, it's just, I haven't made up your room.
Oh, no, that's fine.
And you'll have to make your own bed.
Actually, do you know what?
No, I'll do that when I get back.
No, I can do it.
Karen, are you all right?
You sound a bit out of breath. Oh, do I?
I'm doing steps. Steps?
Yeah, yeah, you know, you think you're quite active
but when you actually start counting...
Hey, do you know what? I've got to go, got a patient.
How can I help? All right. Bye.
Billy and Emmie miss their granny.
If you were living with us...
You'd have free childcare.
OK. Yeah, that would help.
I can read you like a book.
Dave and I are really struggling.
I struggled for 30 years looking after you.
With no help from anyone.
You had Dad.
Can you put your phone away?
He was never there.
I saw you through school...
..college, your Masters...
..now it's my turn to have a life.
How old is that boy?
I knew it.
That's what this is all about, isn't it?
Are you giving him money?
For sex?
No, that's free.
I can't talk to you.
There's nothing wrong with sex, Rachel.
You should try it.
I can't believe I left all that behind.
You've got a lot on your mind.
I know, and I'm right behind schedule here.
I'm really pleased you've embraced this diet.
I know. It's weird isn't it?
Cos I tried to get a right
combination of all the seeds and the pulses.
I can't believe you're so into it.
Did you try it? I did, it's good.
Oh, it's so sweet of you doing this diet with me.
By the way, Scarlett's coming to stay.
What?
Yeah, tonight.
I was going to tell you. When?
Well, last night, but you'd had such a terrible day at work, I thought
I'd leave it until the weekend.
She's coming today?
I couldn't say no cos she's got nowhere else to stay.
Are you sure that's a good idea?
I was going to tell you...
Why wouldn't it be a good idea?
Taking on more responsibilities, more stress.
I mean, not now?
Oh, no, no, no, I promise you that
nothing would make me feel more
normal than having a young person around the house.
I think she's an alcoholic, but...
I'm not.
She won't admit she's got a problem.
How many units do you drink a week?
I have no idea.
She's secretive, she forgets things, she neglects family commitments,
she doesn't take care of her home, she indulges in risky behaviour.
Do you drink every day?
No.
Have you noticed any other health problems,
insomnia, heart problems, shakiness?
Her hands were shaking this morning.
Do you struggle to concentrate?
Only when my daughter won't let me get a word in edgewise.
Sweating, tremors?
Sometimes.
See?
Usually after a really hot session with my toy boy.
Mum!
That's not a problem, is it?
Sex? No.
I'm sorry, we're wasting your time.
I am not an alcoholic.
I hardly drink at all.
Liar.
Mrs Carleton, please.
But I have lost my asthma preventer
so, I'll need a new prescription.
Right. Well, let's have a look, shall we?
Preventer isn't the only thing you've lost.
I see you've missed your last two reviews.
I've been busy.
How do you explain this?
Where did you get that?
A Â£30,000 loan.
Do you even know where it's gone?
What's that, rubbish?
No, it's clothes.
We've run out of boxes.
We've got too much stuff. Yeah.
KNOCK AT DOOR
She's here?
Well, she's early.
Hide. Where? In here.
Can you see her?
Just a shadow.
Can she see us? No, she can't.
We need to do something.
Why do we? Because.
Shush.
Um, your peak flow's not as good as last time.
I'm probably just tired from last night.
Exercise is good, yeah?
Mum, this is serious.
She obviously can't look after herself.
Well, I think your mum's doing all right.
Thank you.
You've got a Â£30,000 loan and you
can't tell me where it went.
How can that be all right?
I can tell you exactly where it went.
It's for my uni expenses.
University?!
You?!
This is exactly why I didn't tell you.
I'm so sorry.
I'm not sure I'm the one
you need to apologise to.
You don't understand.
Something happened to her when Dad died.
She used to be round our house all the time,
looking after her grandkids, cooking...
..she was happy.
And now...
Why would she want to go to university?
You could ask her?
What's he doing here?
I texted him.
Was it your idea?
Making her go to university?
No-one made me.
I think it's brave.
Oh, really?
Are you going to be there to pick up the pieces when she fails?
I won't fail.
Are you going to pay off her debts for her?
No.
Or will that be down to Dave and me?
Like we haven't got enough problems.
I have never asked you for money.
Because Dad always took care of you.
I took care of him.
I took care of all of you!
You will not stop me doing this!
I've never stopped you doing anything.
Yes, you have.
When?
It doesn't matter. Wha...
No, come on, when?
You were the reason I never went to
uni in the first place.
What?
I was offered a place at uni...
..when I was...
..when I was 18.
PANTING
I had to...
..give it up...
..because I was pregnant.
BREATHES HEAVILY
I was an accident?
Sorry.
You didn't want me.
Do you need to sit down?
Yeah.
What's wrong?
Her asthma attacks are getting worse.
Mum? Where's your inhaler?
I haven't got it.
Get the doctor.
She needs help!
KNOCK AT DOOR
She's not going away. Yeah, I know.
We're going to have to let her in.
No, we don't.
We're just going to have to pay her.
We haven't got any money.
Maybe if I talk to her?
What? Look, it's worth a try. No, it isn't.
Dad! Dad, Don't!
Mr Kiernan? Rob?
Karen said that you could use some help,
so I've borrowed a van.
Oh, erm, this is Rob, Karen's husband.
The copper? Yeah.
Try and breathe slowly and deeply for me.
I'm trying.
She's getting worse.
Should I call an ambulance?
Well, hopefully, we won't need one.
Ambulance?
Could you get up? I'd like to get you inside, try you on the nebuliser.
Oh.
BPM's 120, a bit high.
Sats 99% and I've done just
over 5,000 steps.
Stop looking at that thing.
No, I have to. No, you don't.
No, I have to keep track.
Look, I'm all for you having a health push
but checking that thing every two
minutes is not going to do you any good.
Why not? Because it clearly makes you anxious.
And anxiety on its own will raise the heart rate.
I'm sorry, it will.
Oh.
Good point, you're probably right. Thank you.
So, I should just ignore the stats
and keep on walking.
Why did I come in here? I've no idea.
A drink? Oh, yes.
My hydration was low.
I'm way behind on my steps.
Flippin' 'eck.
What did I just say?
It's Brightwater. How do you know?
Cos that's her car! Get down. What?
It's a good job that my mate's...
What are you doing? Nothing.
Something wrong?
No. It's just our neighbour.
She always uses the drive.
Yeah, and she's been stalking Scarlett.
Really? How long has that been going on?
Not very long.
I'll go and have a word with her No! No!
She's harmless enough.
And we don't want to encourage her
so we should probably just go.
She should have told you her asthma attacks were getting worse.
I've been trying to get her to see the doctor for ages.
What she said, it's not true.
I'm not her...
..lover.
Then why did she say you were?
She likes shocking people.
She likes challenging people's
prejudices about her age.
And you just go along with it?
She made me promise not to tell anyone.
And it's quite amusing.
No, it's not.
It's childish and it's cruel.
Sorry.
What were you doing this morning, then, if you're not...?
I rent her box room.
You actually pay for it? Â£75 a week.
And I suppose that includes all your drink and drugs?
No.
You know how bad all that is for her - with her asthma?
She doesn't take drugs and she hardly drinks at all.
Right. So those bottles just drank themselves?
She likes having other students 'round.
Sometimes, it gets quite late.
She's actually doing a degree? Yeah.
Yeah, she's doing really well.
What's she studying? English.
I think she'll make a great teacher.
She wants to be a teacher?
She loves kids.
She's always going on about teaching you and her grandkids.
Really? She never said?
She doesn't tell me anything.
I think she's quite intimidated by you.
Me?
She told me that she's never felt good enough for you.
I wonder how many laps she will have done.
We should run a sweepstake. Yeah!
I do wonder if all this obsessive exercise is actually good for Karen.
I think it shows a healthy mental attitude.
In principle, yes. But the way she's going about it,
I mean, don't you think she should ease up a little bit?
I think she'll find her own level. And don't worry.
I'm keeping an eye on her. You are?
Somebody has to.
That's unlike you.
She's an employee. We have a duty of care.
OK.
Well, it's almost maternal.
Maternal?
Yeah. It's rather sweet.
Don't be ridiculous.
Oh, look at you!
Calling me sweet!
Thanks, Doctor.
They're keeping her in overnight.
Yeah. It's probably just a precaution.
Mm. I still think she should come and live with us. Why?
She's never been any good with money.
Dad always took care of that.
Have you asked her about it?
She never listens.
Yeah, you could both maybe listen a bit more.
Not something we do in our family.
What your mum is doing is a big thing.
She could probably use your support.
She doesn't care what I think.
You might be surprised.
I just want to make sure she's OK.
I just don't want her to get hurt.
I felt like that about someone once.
In the end, I had to let go.
Sometimes, holding on just pushes people away.
Mm.
Is she OK? Your friend?
As far as I know.
When I get your mum's discharge summary,
we will sort out her new prescription, OK?
Thank you. In the meantime,
maybe...maybe let your mum know that you trust her.
It might mean more than you think.
Oh.
My feet hurt.
Do you think it might be all the walking?
It had occurred to me.
You may have broken the world endurance record
for pacing up and down behind a reception desk.
Do you think I'm overdoing it?
Do you? I am exhausted.
But I don't want another heart attack.
No harm in easing up a bit.
I mean, I do pace myself.
But every time I look at my flippin' Step Buddy, it's...
Maybe DON'T look at it?
Hmm, that's what Al said.
Or just take it off?
Or maybe just get rid of the stupid thing.
That was decisive!
Especially after what you said it cost.
True.
Eww!
Charity shop?
I brought some things for her.
Why don't YOU give it to her?
I'm sure she doesn't want to see me.
I told her she had to.
She actually listens to you? Sometimes.
I'm sorry about what I said earlier.
It's OK.
I've never been called a toy boy before.
It was funny.
I should have known it wasn't true.
I'm sorry for stringing you along. It was unfair.
Yeah, it was.
She shouldn't wind you up the way she does.
She always has.
Look, if she is going to do this degree,
can you just get her to cut down on the late nights?
That's up to her.
You worry too much.
What? Let go?
Let her do what she wants? Why not?
Maybe I should.
If you could see her when we're all together,
talking about our lectures, she's so alive...
..so passionate...
I would like to see that.
Right, well, if you have any more trouble from your neighbour, then
you come straight to me, yes? I will. Right. And I can give you
a lift to the coach station if you want, when you're ready.
Thanks. That would be great.
OK. Well, I'll leave you two alone. Oh, you made it!
Yes. Aw, and he's got you tea. Has he offered a biscuit?
Yes, I thought we'd get them the new biscuits.
What? You know, the biscuits that we keep in the hall? What?
The little chocolaty hole biscuits... What are you
talking about? Come on, let's go and see the little chocolaty biscuits.
A stalker? Yeah, well, I couldn't think of anything else.
Yeah, but a stalker!
You know, I'll only be up the road.
Long road.
And we'll see each other all the time.
Love you, Dad.
I love you too.
I brought you some things.
Josh said you're doing English?
And you want to be a teacher?
That's good.
He's nice. I like him.
So do I.
He's great in bed.
You're not sleeping with him, Mum, he told me.
He said I intimidate you.
You intimidate everyone.
I don't understand.
Ha! And you with all those degrees.
Why?
Well, why do you think?
You have everything - fancy job, big house,
you've written a book...
It was an investment manual.
I have nothing.
Everyone thinks I'm just there to cook and clean up.
I don't.
Maybe sometimes.
But you were always much more than THAT. Oh, yeah.
I did your washing too.
I felt confident and safe at home.
That's why I could go out and do all the things that I did.
I want to do that for my kids.
But I can't.
What?
Hmm. Not so perfect after all?
I watch them with you, and...
..I'll never be as good as you.
That's why I want you to be there for them.
I WILL be there for them.
I'm doing a degree, I'm not moving to Tasmania.
I know, but... And when I've got my teaching qualifications,
I'll be there for lots of other kids too.
You're the most stubborn person I've ever met.
Ever look in a mirror?
If this is really what you want to do... It is.
And you need any help with financing or... I don't.
It's a lot of money, Mum.
And I'll pay it off when I'm working.
I won't be a burden to you or anyone else.
You're not a burden.
Everything I am, I owe to you.
Thank you.
Does this mean you'll stay off my back?
Let go and let you be who you want to be? Sort of.
They say letting go of your children
is the hardest thing you ever have to do.
Maybe you have to let go of your parents, too.
ENGINE STARTS
You all right?
Have you been to a women's refuge before? Yes. Yes, I have.
It's Mrs Brightwater. Who?
My ex-landlady. Look, she can't know that I'm here. Oh, OK.
Was it a clean break? He laid into me with one of his golf clubs.
People like you don't deserve one of my properties.
People like us?!
It's Paul - my husband. He's found me.