KNOCK ON DOOR
Nat?
Hurry up!
You're going to be late! I'm not going in now.
I feel sick. Oh, no. Please, don't start all this again.
I'll just stay here and revise. It's fine, Mum.
You can't keep skipping school!
It's your GCSE year.
And you need to stop wasting your time on this stupid hunt.
And you've got your appointment to get to as well, remember?
I don't know why you think I need to see a doctor.
Because I'm worried about you. And if you won't talk to me, you need to talk to someone.
I'm all right, but whatever.
I'll go, OK?
Now, go and see this beautiful new dream home you want to buy.
Don't forget, I want that taken down, Nat.
The estate agent is bringing someone to view and I don't want them put off.
I'm not having you sabotaging this move for me, Nat, I mean it.
And open your blinds as well.
Any other mates we haven't thought of?
What about what's-his-face at the garage?
Kieran? I don't think he's seen him in years. Give him a try anyway.
Odds on, Ollie's gone to Ben's.
I hope so. If not, check these.
I'll stay here in case he comes back and ring round some others.
MOBILE PHONE RINGS
Hi.
Auntie Nicola, hi. Yeah. How's it going?
Yeah, we're OK. Apart from Ollie.
He's gone AWOL. Yeah, obviously we're worried because...
Yeah, yeah, yeah, exactly.
No. No, nothing that serious.
No. You know what he's like. He'll be fine.
I'm sure he'll walk in the door any second,
but if you do hear anything, anything at all...
Oh, look at that, someone's at the door. I've got to go.
OK, yeah. Yeah, bye.
You know she'll call everyone she knows?
Who cares if it means we find Ollie quicker?
I still don't know what you were playing at, Rich, letting him run off like that!
You saw what state he was in. You couldn't send him back like that.
That's why I called the... You called the cab? That was your idea?
Rich, do you not get it?
He has to hand himself in before he gets arrested.
Every second he's out there he's just making things worse.
I know, I know, OK. I messed up.
He'll be all right. You don't know that.
Just go!
I've got a couple of flat-shares to look at,
but it's so much easier when you're splitting the rent.
I don't want you to be rushed. You can stay here as long as you need.
Thanks.
So, what are you doing while I'm slaving away on your early shift?
This and that.
Erm...
I've got, erm, odds and sods to sort out.
Right.
Oh, I'm late. Sorry.
This and that, odds and sods. What's all that about?
It's what we agreed, remember?
That we were going to keep our plans hush-hush until we know what's what. Ah, yeah. OK.
Speaking of plans...
..I've had an idea.
Go on.
Well, as we are free as birds
to go and travel this big wide world of ours,
I was wondering what the best way would be to do that?
You know, how do you get the fullest experience?
Cut to the chase, Rob.
Camper van. How do you feel about a camper van?
How do you feel about a kick in the... Hang on.
You've got to really try and imagine it... Stop right there.
For years, I have been wanting to go on a round-the-world cruise.
Not a dirty mattress in the back of a van!
DOORBELL RINGS
I'll get that, shall I?
Dr Carmichael?
Sorry to just spring on you.
I'm Sadie Shelvey, Natalie's mum.
Nat's an appointment with you later on this morning.
Right. I just wanted to have a quick word.
I'm actually not even working yet.
No, I know. I'm on my way to a house viewing near here
and I just wanted to explain a little bit as to why Nat's really been struggling.
How old is she? 16. Well, in that case maybe she can tell me herself when she comes in.
The thing is, Nat's dad, Mick, he went missing seven years ago.
Just...
..disappeared.
I'm so sorry. We don't know whether he's alive or dead.
That must be so hard to cope with.
Especially because Nat's got obsessed with tracking Mick down.
She's on the laptop all hours.
I guess she's looking for answers at her age.
We used to get on so well,
but she's just got so moody and angry all the time.
She's started skipping school.
I don't know what to do with her, honestly.
Right, well, I'll see what I can do.
I'm worried she's not going to show up. Right.
Can you bring her in?
She's not going to want me there.
You could stay in the waiting room.
Right, yeah, OK. Thank you. I'm really sorry, I do have to get going.
But hopefully, I'll see you both later.
I'll see you later.
Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt. No, no, it's fine.
So, how is Winifred?
It's been ages since she left The Mill.
We really miss her...
I mean, we miss you too!
I'm so sorry, I will explain. Just a second.
Do you think she noticed? Do you really think she didn't?
And Callum definitely noticed, didn't you?
MOBILE PHONE RINGS
Hi. Hi.
I'm just ringing to say sorry for getting so ratty earlier.
It's OK.
Honestly, I do get why you want to find out what happened to your dad.
It's just... I'm worried it's making you unhappy.
Doesn't it make you unhappy too? Yeah, it does.
Are you still at home?
Yeah. Why? Well, I've just cancelled my viewing,
so I'm coming back to drive you to the doctor's.
Don't worry, I won't come in.
Not unless you want me to.
And we've got the estate agent coming in a bit, remember?
FRONT DOOR OPENS
Nat?
So this is it. This is the main reception hall.
I've got some details of the property just here for you.
If you'd like to follow me this way.
This takes you through to the kitchen.
It's very spacious, as you'd expect.
Great, we'll be in touch. Thank you.
OK. Thanks ever so much for coming. You've been brilliant. Bye. Bye.
I can't believe it!
I mean, I knew house prices had gone up, but... Wow.
It's unbeliev... That's like... It's worth a fortune!
I mean, we could go around the world and back again with that!
Don't forget we've got to put some money to one side.
We've got to buy somewhere else, remember?
Do you know what, I'm just going to jump straight on the net
and check out the prices of first-class cabins.
First?! Are you serious?! Yes!
Honolulu, here we come!
It's a beautiful kitchen-diner. It comes with all the mod-cons.
It's got a built in oven, dishwasher, microwave and...
FRONT DOOR CLOSES Nat?
Hello.
Hi. I'm at Pete's. I just looked through the letterbox
and there's a pair of crutches in the hall.
Right. I'm coming over. Just stay in the van.
Why? He's got to be in there. I'll talk some sense into him.
No, you've done enough damage. But...
Listen to me, Rich. I'm serious.
Just promise me you'll sit tight and make sure Ollie doesn't leave.
Yeah, OK.
Seven years.
Seven years and you just walk in, like nothing's happened!
I'm sorry. Sorry!
You're sorry?
I thought you were...
Why have you come back now?
I saw the photo of the house on the net. I just wanted a last look.
You've come back to see the house?
I thought you'd have moved, ages ago.
Honest, if I'd known, then... Then what? You wouldn't have come back?
You're unbelievable!
You bankrupt the business, lose all our savings
and then just disappeared.
All of that I can forgive. I mean... I've had to.
But not knowing if you were alive or dead, Mick?
I'm never going to forgive you for that.
I thought about calling you...
..so many times. Then why didn't you?
No, come on. Answer me! Because...
..I knew I'd end up asking if I could come back home.
I know why you're really here.
You might have built this house, but it's my name on the deeds, remember?
No, it's nothing like that. Isn't it?
I should go.
Sorry. I'm not feeling too good. Can I just...
Sorry.
Oh, hi.
I thought Karen was on this morning?
Oh, she asked me to cover the early.
Oh, right. Is she coming in later?
Don't know. It was all a bit weird there this morning.
Oh, why?
It's probably just me. No, no, go on.
Well, her and Rob had this estate agent round.
But then Karen was acting like it was a son of her friend that worked here before?
Did she say who?
Winifred, or something?
Winifred Tembe?
Yeah, it might have been.
Don't know, it was all pretty weird.
TELEPHONE RINGS
Mill Health Centre, how can I help?
Thanks.
Been on the road. Not eaten for a bit.
Or slept, by the look of you.
Where did you go?
When you left.
First few weeks I just...
..kept walking.
Do you really want to know?
Wherever I could pick up work.
Big construction site in Spain.
Then Germany, Belgium.
Mostly labouring. Cash in hand.
Jobs dried up with Covid.
Ended up sleeping rough.
Well, it's not exactly been a picnic here either.
Three part-time jobs and I can still barely break even.
So what's next?
A mate up North reckons he can get work for me.
I thought about trying to find something near here though.
Finished?
Yeah. Thanks.
Sorry. I should go.
Nat made that.
In primary school.
For my birthday.
How is she?
Natalie, if you feel unsure about talking to me, that's OK. But...
..if you are struggling, it might help to just...
I'm fine, thanks.
If that's true, then why does your mum seem so worried about you?
Ask her.
Your dad's disappearance...
..must have been so difficult for both of you.
It must be so hard to live with that uncertainty hanging over you.
Didn't stop her putting the house up for sale.
Your dad's been gone for seven years.
That's quite a long time.
Dad built it himself, from scratch.
So that's why it's such a special place for you?
It's where he'd remember to come back to, isn't it?
And everything you remember about him is there too.
So, this search for him.
Have you found out anything new?
Not really.
But do you think he will come back one day?
I'm not stupid.
Can I just ask...
..has your mum ever told you why your dad left?
Have you told Nat why I left?
I saw all that stuff on the wall in her room, Sadie.
You had no right going in there.
I said already, I didn't know you were still living here.
So, you haven't told Nat?
I couldn't dump all that on her. She's too young.
Yeah, but what about when she got older?
I mean, she must have asked.
Yeah, but I just wanted...
It doesn't matter.
How long has she been trying to find me?
Since I put the house on the market.
She's been a total nightmare ever since.
Why? Don't she want to move?
She's been a pain - moody, acting up, skipping school.
What's that about? You.
What? Moving means...
..you're never coming back to us, doesn't it?
Anyway, she's with the doctor, I'm hoping that'll help.
Is she ill? No, not really, but...
Well, how's that going to help?
Well, it won't.
It's time you put this right.
Come on.
Hang on.
She probably won't even recognise me. She will.
What if she hates me?
Well, it's better that than her never seeing you again.
I won't know what to say to her. You'll think of something.
She's waited long enough.
Yeah, but... She's your daughter, Mick.
She needs you.
I'm just saying, what if he refuses?
This isn't a choice.
If Ollie's in there, he's got to come back with us.
Ollie!
Ollie, we know you're in there! Come on, love!
Hi.
Let's go. No.
Come on. I'm not doing this in there.
In front of people.
What if she gets upset? Yeah, all right.
Wait here, then, I'll bring her out.
Will you talk to her first? Explain...
It needs to come from you.
I'll be right here.
Mum always said that Dad just left.
But you think that perhaps there was more to it?
Maybe. Why?
I found stuff - bank letters.
So you think perhaps he was having money trouble
and couldn't deal with it?
I guess, but why wouldn't Mum have just told me?
I think you should try asking her again.
She never wants to talk about him.
Maybe if you told her how important this is to you.
I don't know.
Oi! You can't just...
Sorry, I tried to stop her.
It's fine. Nat...
I said I didn't need you here.
Your dad's back.
So you're OK?
Yeah, I just...panicked.
Sorry. Doesn't matter.
All we care about is that you're all right.
And getting you home.
Then what?
I know what you're going to say.
You want me to go back to that training camp, right?
I don't think I can handle going back there.
I just... I can't.
They're not going to stop looking for you, Ollie.
You know how it works.
What, so you're saying I just don't have a choice now?
No, you do.
You can carry on running until they arrest you
and make things way worse.
Or you can hand yourself in voluntarily
and maybe be out of this horrible mess in a couple of weeks.
It's simple.
That's just easy to say, but... But what?
What about after?
You know, I thought the Army was all I ever wanted.
I had it all planned out.
What the hell am I supposed to do with the rest of my life?
I don't know, but I promise you, you'll find something.
Like what? You just don't get it, do you? Everything's just exploded.
It's all a mess. You and Dad, all of it.
Ollie, listen to me.
We will take this step by step.
First, we will get you home.
I will make a few calls.
OK? It's going to be all right.
You'll get through this.
I couldn't find any proper teabags, just some of that herbal stuff.
Don't worry about it. We're going home.
Where is he?
He said he'd wait right here.
I remember this.
He's gone, hasn't he?
Again. Oh, Nat.
I'm so sorry.
Nat.
Nat, please, I'm sorry.
I really didn't realise it was going to happen.
Honestly, please. Is everything OK?
Mick's gone. Why didn't you just tell me all this before?
Because I didn't think your dad was...
What? Alive?
I didn't think he was ever coming back.
Yeah, well, I wish he hadn't now.
Look, he made some really big mistakes,
but I didn't want you thinking he was a bad person.
Because he wasn't, he was a good dad...
What? He walked out and left us!
And he's just done it again.
I don't get it. Why are you still protecting him?
Maybe your mum is trying to protect you.
From what? I don't need protecting.
Maybe not any more. I get why you're angry, Nat.
But I was just trying to do the right thing.
It's complicated.
Seems pretty simple to me.
He's a loser and a coward, and he always was.
Nat, wait.
Maybe she just needs a bit of time.
I should have realised Mick was never going to change.
And now Natalie's realised that too.
And it's probably a good thing. I never wanted her to get hurt.
Of course not. You're her mum.
I should probably have just made Mick go, never said anything to Nat.
I think you did the right thing.
Natalie was looking for answers.
And now she's got them.
I hope you're right.
Sorry, I should probably go look for her...
If you or Natalie need any more support, you know where to find us.
Thanks. Good luck with your move.
Thank you.
How are you? Fine, thanks.
So a little bird tells me that you had a special visitor.
Mrs Tembe's son.
What's this?
What? Who told you that?
Mrs Tembe has a son?
Apparently he's working as an estate agent.
No, erm....
It, erm...
Oh, it was it another Winifred Tembe?
No...
Yes...
It was... Oh, I'm not very good at this.
Evidently. Come on, what's going on?
Actually, he is just an estate agent.
I was covering because I didn't want Scarlett to know just yet.
Know what?
That we're selling up.
What? You're moving? Where to? Honolulu!
We're going to retire, sell the house
and then go on a round-the-world cruise.
What? Rob, retire? No.
I'm serious! Yes, yes. This is happening!
Nat?
Where have you been? I was worried. Nat!
About earlier... Sorry I blabbed.
No, it's me who should be apologising.
You must have thought I'd gone completely nuts,
hugging random estate agents.
It's fine. I'm excited for you.
I can't believe it's happening!
So when are you actually going to be leaving?
Not for ages yet.
And I meant what I said, you just take as much time as you need.
Thanks.
Congratulations, Karen.
This is a bit of a surprise.
Don't worry, I will be giving plenty of notice.
But you're irreplaceable. Oh, give over.
Look, you've got my fabulous protege here.
So the rumour mill is true? You're taking the plunge.
Giving up the old reception phone for life on the high seas.
Yes! First class all the way, luxury cabin, cocktails on tap,
Jacuzzi. Oh, the captain's table, the works.
I'm so jealous.
I think you're going to be rather missed.
Well, I should hope so. I've been here for flipping years!
I am expecting a very fine send-off.
Don't think I am going to sail quietly off into the night.
Like you ever could.
KAREN CHUCKLES
You all right, mate? Yeah, yeah.
It's just another bombshell, isn't it? First Pitman and now her.
Haskey don't like change.
Are you OK?
I'm so sorry, love.
Why did he even bother coming back?
I think he wanted to see the house one last time.
I think it was his way of saying goodbye.
You know what?
I'm better off without him.
Well, you've still got me, for what that's worth.
I'm not going anywhere.
MOBILE RINGS
Who is it?
It's the estate agent.
I need to rearrange seeing that place near the park.
I might come along, take a look. Yeah?
Hello, yeah, thanks very much for calling us back.
Ollie.
Glad you called.
Take a seat. I'm fine, thank you.
I know this is difficult and I'm aware you're struggling,
but trust me - you have absolutely made the right decision. OK?
This isn't the first time I've had to deal with this
type of situation and it won't be the last.
So, you're not alone.
Right...
Is all your gear here?
Excellent.
Then we're good to go.
Hold on. Don't we need to discuss...?
Nothing more to discuss at this stage.
I'll take him back to base
and then the procedure has its own momentum from there.
Ready? Hang on. I'd just like to say,
if anything happens to my son while he's in your care...
I'll make sure he's well looked after.
Don't worry. Ollie?
Actually, could we just have a moment alone together, please?
OK.
But I'm afraid you really will need to be quick.
Bye, mate.
You take care, all right?
Try not to worry, sweetheart.
We're a family, we'll get through this together.
We're not a family any more though, are we?
Ollie! What? It's true.
It's true, isn't it?
Time to go.
I'll be in touch.
I've just missed my doctor's appointment because of you.
What? And how is that my fault?
This is my office.
But I mean, as a partner, shouldn't I have a window?
Today on the SU channel we reveal the security staff
who are putting the students at risk.
What are you doing? Aren't you the new GP?
Of course. But there's an extra one.
My son.
Dr Suni Bulsara.