The victim, Beth Metcalf.
Beth!
Dean! SHOUTING
Yeah, I've been digging into Beth's brother, Alex.
Yeah, we're also due to talk to Brandon Powell, Izzy's boyfriend.
Where were you on Tuesday night?
He was at ours all night.
She was always pissing people off, Izzy.
You feeling better? Yeah, I'm fine.
The family can't stay at the B&B indefinitely.
I don't know what you're on about... Erin, I'm not stupid.
She's growing up. You can't keep treating her like a kid.
You owe money to a loan shark, and you didn't think to tell us?
I saw a car.
That night. It was parked out back, with t'engine on.
Tech Forensics have been going through
Beth Metcalf's social media messages,
and they found these.
I know nothing about this.
Beth Metcalf was searching for divorce lawyers.
Don't talk to me like I didn't know my own wife!
Dad!
ITEMS SMASHING
Oh, my God!
Dad?
CHRIS: You lied to us. We've been up all night.
And I text you! Yeah, to say you were at your mum's.
Except your mum called. We were worried sick!
And all this time, you've been at HIS house.
"His" house? Really, Dad? "He" has a name. Shane?
Yeah, I know. I know his name. I used to teach the little shit!
Oh, right! Years ago! You don't know him any more!
Maybe we can invite him over for dinner.
Get to know him a little bit. Oh, right, yeah (!)
"Shane, come and have dinner with my insane family.
"And after we've eaten,
"my dad'll go through your old school reports." Excellent (!)
Erin... No! This is ridiculous!
I'm sorry, Jenn, but I don't think
you should interrupt Chris like that.
It undermines him. I wasn't...
I absolutely get you mean well, but we know Erin.
PHONE BUZZES Don't we, Chris?
There's a way to handle her.
Jenn Townsend.
No, this is an excellent time.
Yeah.
I'm just leaving. I'm on my way.
THEME MUSIC PLAYS
CAN HISSES
What? For breakfast?
Mum let me. DOORBELL RINGS
Good morning. Is it?
I've not slept a wink.
He smashed my china dinner set.
That was a wedding present.
And the little lad... he was terrified.
I'm sorry for them, I am.
It's shocking what's happened, and I want to help.
But I'm not having an easy time of it myself.
I've a business to run, and I'm barely making ends meet as it is.
It's OK. We'll sort it.
But can you just give them a few days?
I'm sorry, no.
They can stay tonight, but then they've got to find somewhere else.
Is there any coffee in that pot? I'm gasping.
Does that need looking at?
No.
I'll fix it.
Sorry? The door. I'll fix it.
It's fine.
It's not fine.
I'm just...
HE SIGHS I'd like to fix it.
OK.
You haven't got enough space here. We're gonna find you a house.
She wants us out?
Wow.
Thanks very much. That's, er...
HE EXHALES Wow.
Kids, finish your breakfasts and go and pack your bags.
Wait, Dean?
Let us make some calls. No.
If we're not welcome, we'll go.
Go where, exactly?
Splash park. What?
Today is splash park day.
Can I come in for a sec?
Yeah.
Oh, can I...?
Go ahead.
Wow. Great picture.
It's a good camera.
Crops a bit when you switch from 4K to HD, but otherwise...
Is that what you're doing at uni? Photography?
I'm not going to university. Why not?
I don't need looking after.
Yeah, you do. And Amy.
Your dad can do it.
Yeah, right (!)
HE SCOFFS
That's my favourite.
She looks lovely.
Gonna choke in there.
Death by Artex.
I'll do my best to find you somewhere. Quick as I can.
I need to get back to work.
And the kids need to get back to school.
They will.
Did you know that Matt's giving up his place at uni?
Don't ask me what goes on inside that boy's head.
Maybe you can talk to him?
Won't listen.
Wants his mum.
They all do. This morning...
Amy was trying to magic her back.
What do I say to that?
CHRIS: 'Hi, love. What's up?'
'Nothing. Just wanted to say hi. See what you're up to.'
Well, actually, you've caught me red-handed...
sweet-talking the photocopier.
Oh! Lucky photocopier.
Actually, I'm not sure she likes it, cos she's paper-jammed three times.
High-maintenance, eh?
Like all the women in my life.
Ha!
About this morning... I shouldn't have butted in.
No, you should have, because she's only playing mum again
because Dave's left her. WOMAN: Chris, could I have a word?
Yeah. Listen, love, I've got to go. But, erm...
'I'm gonna cook you dinner tonight. How's that sound?'
Sounds amazing. 'OK. You're on.'
You OK there, Dean?
Never better, thanks. We're here to help, you know?
Yeah, you say that, don't you?
I-I don't know who's worse, you lot or the bank.
What's going on with the bank?
Ah... They won't close an account of Beth's
without a death certificate that I don't have.
Or a will that I don't have.
Or a million other things that I don't have.
You wanna help, yeah?
I need money. I NEED to get back to work.
You will. Soon. But, look, if you need financial help,
there are funds you can apply for.
And how long will that take? Just a few days.
We just have to fill in some forms.
Look, we can make a start now, if you like? Get the ball rolling.
It's up to you.
All right.
So, Clarkie's out meeting his old contacts,
seeing what the word on the street is about the fire.
Eddie, can you chase the internet providers
on the social media messages? And until they come through,
find out if Beth was talking to anyone about them.
You know, if not Dean, then who? Friends? Neighbours?
Someone at work? Jenn?
Er, where are we at with Alex Kirby, Beth's brother?
The only trace is that hospital in Hull. Well, keep looking.
His sister's died, he needs to be told.
Karen, how are you getting on?
Fundraiser preparations are going well.
Er, the plan is to start at 6pm.
I'm gonna put security on the door
and someone to take everybody's details.
On rehousing the family...
Yeah, the CJPU are on it.
They're coming back to me by the end of the week. Yeah.
Thing is, last night, Dean lost his shit.
He trashed the B&B. The landlady wants them out by tomorrow.
I know this is bad timing, with the books being looked at...
No, no, sod it.
Call them, tell them we need somewhere today.
If we can't keep people safe, what's the point?
Thanks, boss.
Good. You've got your actions.
Eddie, you're with me. We've a loan shark to see.
I was...
Yeah, boss. Yeah.
Er, Jenn? Before you go...
Er, Beth's rings.
The pathologist returned them.
Will you give them to Dean?
Yeah. Course.
CHATTER
BELL RINGS
CHATTER
BOYS LAUGHING
What is it? Oh, it's nothing, man.
Oh, come on, show me. No, man. Leave it.
Who sent this?
Who sent it?!
What the fuck, Conor? It's just a joke.
MANNING: 'Hello?'
Boss, Housing have sent over a possible place, on Grange Walk.
'It's not gonna win any design awards,
'and they're asking over the odds...'
Yeah, don't ever become an estate agent, Jenn.
Go see it. If it works, I'll sign off later today.
On my way.
Len Reid?
Who's asking?
Lewis, can we talk?
Squeal, little piggy! HE SQUEALS
HE SPITS
LAUGHTER
DOG BARKING OUTSIDE
Is that your dog making all that noise?
What can I say? He don't like coppers.
Does he like kennels?
Tuesday night, where were you? Muscle Mile.
Same as every Tuesday.
And they'll vouch for that? Yeah, they'll vouch for it.
Now, if that's everything... You lent Dean Metcalf 40 grand.
Why? He needed new equipment.
Little girl's got all them medical issues, hasn't she?
Banks wouldn't touch him.
No-one else round here can help - place is on its knees.
And you're its saviour, are you?
REID CHUCKLES
It's not illegal to lend someone money.
And Dean's secure.
He's got a contract with the Frontierland site.
And he's up to date with his payments, is he?
Doesn't work like that.
How does it work?
Come on, Len.
What's in it for you?
Apart from a warm heart, I mean.
He completes the groundworks for the new development on time,
he gets a bonus.
Then, and only then, do I get my money.
How much?
62K. And what if he doesn't meet the deadline?
That's our business, isn't it?
But on Tuesday night, Dean owed me nothing.
So why would I piss on my own chips, eh?
Hm.
I need to call admissions at Bristol.
Tell 'em to release my place.
I saw a phone in the back. I'll be quick.
I'd hate to take a place from someone who deserves it.
You know, someone who can devote themselves to the course.
And you wouldn't do that?
Pass me those, will you?
What would your mum say?
OK. Go on.
I mean...
we can make it work, right?
Bit of TLC, a few cushions.
KAREN SIGHS
Becca?
Conor.
Have you seen Maddie? She didn't come in for lunch.
If you see her, can you tell her I'm looking for her? Sure.
SOB FROM CUBICLE
SOBBING
SHE RINGS DOORBELL
Is your manager free?
We're just trying to build a picture.
Looking at who Beth was friends with, who she talked to.
If she talked to anyone, I'd... I'd say it was me.
What did you talk about? Everything.
She wasn't one to whinge, but she had four kids to look after.
Five, if you count Dean.
Did she ever tell you that someone was making threats against her?
Sending her messages online?
I didn't know that, no.
So there were no problems at work? No complaints? Grudges?
No. I mean, there was one complaint against her, but it was ages ago.
What happened? During the first lockdown,
the Government were at that podium,
spouting about protecting care homes.
My arse. We lost 26 people in less than three months.
We had no staff, no PPE.
HE SIGHS
We followed the guidelines. Stopped relatives' visits.
Not everyone understood. Go on.
When someone was about to die, we'd set up a, er...
video call, so their families could say goodbye.
But with this one resident, Johnny Coombes,
his daughter just wouldn't hear of it.
She turned up here,
screaming blue murder, tried to barge her way in.
Beth stopped her. She was just following the guidance.
But... But she was like a dog with a rat. She...
She had to blame someone, you know?
And then, one day, she just stopped.
She accepted it.
I'm gonna need you to give me her details.
Yeah, sure, of course. Might just take a while.
What've I told you?
Eh? Straight back. Bend at the knees.
All right, Len. You'll be no good to Sharon
if you put your back out, will you?
How is she, by the way? Heard she's on chemo.
Who told you that?
Well, you know me.
I like to keep in touch with what's happening with my clients.
I'm not your client. Not now.
No.
Dean is, though. Is he around?
Haven't seen him. When's he back?
OK. Well, pass a message on for me, will you?
Tell him I don't like coppers banging on my door.
Pisses me off.
I'll tell him.
And I presume he's on track for completing?
Len, Dean...
he's gonna need some time.
Not my problem.
Tell him I'll be in touch, all right?
Oh, and give my best to Sharon, won't you?
Mads?
I've been looking for you.
Are you OK?
Not hungry?
Look, if Becca's being mean to you...
She's not.
If you're being bullied... I'm not.
..then you need to tell someone.
A teacher, or... or, if you want...
I could do it. Just... quietly.
Just leave it!
I'll tell Mum.
She'll know what to do. I-I'll call her.
Don't you dare, Conor!
I mean it. You'll make it worse.
What's going on, Maddie?
Tell me. Promise me you won't tell Mum.
Promise me! OK. OK, OK.
I promise.
Come here.
SHE SOBS
Hiya. Tea's just brewed.
If you want sugar, I'd grab some quick,
before Terry necks the lot. He's got worms, that one.
It's a bit early for that, isn't it?
Another raffle prize. Left over from our Carl's 30th.
Oh, it's very generous. I'd give Dean the coat off my back.
I think he's suffered enough, love.
What's the word on me getting back to my house?
The fire investigation team are still working,
but it shouldn't be too long now.
Oh...
How are the kids? Street's never been so quiet.
They're... you know.
Well, the offer still stands, if they want to stay with me.
We're sorted, thanks.
But there is something else you could help us with.
We're looking for house stuff. A kettle? Cutlery?
Yeah, if you've got anything to cheer the kids up...
Carol? Kids' stuff?
Nice timing, ladies!
I can't compete with Santa Claus over there,
but there's a unicorn duvet cover here, if you want it? Brand new.
Amy'll love this.
I work on the bedding down the market.
It's a return, but I'll be damned if I can find a thing wrong with it.
I don't think we've met.
Carol Jennings. Nice to meet you. DS Townsend.
Were you a friend of Beth's?
No, never met her. I'm a friend of Anne's.
But the way Anne talked about her, it feels like I knew her.
Those poor kiddies.
Give it here.
There's a knack to it.
PHONE CHIMES
Boss? Positive ID on the red Skoda Yeti.
Registered owner, Mr Robert Brown. 16 Selbourne Road.
Write up the Len Reid report.
Clarkie, with me.
Let's go.
DOORBELL RINGS
Whatever you're selling, we don't want it!
Bob's car?
Yes. Bob's car. My Bob?
Yes, Mrs Brown. Bob's car was seen on Tuesday night,
erm, close to Thorne Road, just prior to the fire starting.
It's a mistake.
I haven't used that car in six month.
Bastards took my licence.
He had a fit. It wasn't a fit!
It was a damned fit! Doctor Roy said so.
I had it serviced last week.
I take it to see my sister in Lancaster every other Sunday,
but she's had this chesty thing that's going around, so,
apart from the service,
it's not had a run out in, what, three weeks.
Mr and Mrs Brown, I don't want to alarm you,
but there's a possibility your car was stolen on Tuesday night.
Do you remember hearing anything odd?
Noticing anybody hanging around?
No-one stole our car, lovey. It's sat outside on the drive.
Well, could anyone have borrowed it, perhaps?
A neighbour? Someone from the family?
No. Keys have never left that hook.
Look, I know this sounds strange,
but it's possible the thieves cloned the key.
Well, not the key exactly,
more like the signal between the car and the key.
If you want, we can arrange for a crime prevention officer
to come and visit.
Haven't you a lovely face?
You remind me of my grandson.
Let me get this straight.
You're telling me that some bugger
went to all that trouble to steal our car,
only to bring it right back?
Why the blazes would he do that?
I don't know, Mr Brown, but I'm gonna find out.
Look, I'm sorry, I know this is out of the ordinary, but, erm...
we're going to need to take some fingerprints from you both,
and take the car away so that we can do a forensic sweep.
It's my sister's birthday bash on Sunday.
She'll string me up if I don't go. I'll tell you what,
if the car's not back by Sunday, I'll run you up there myself.
How's that sound? SHE EXHALES
SEAGULLS SQUAWK
PHONE CHIMES AND VIBRATES
PHONE CONTINUES TO VIBRATE
The Skoda Yeti belongs to a Robert, Bob Brown.
Bob and his wife, Ethel, are both in their eighties.
They certainly couldn't scale that fence,
and nothing flagged up on their background checks.
So who stole the car?
Karen, source people to go house-to-house.
Check door cams, petrol stations, see if anybody saw anything.
Jenn?
The care home manager mentioned a complaint against Beth
made by a relative. Possibly an ongoing grudge.
He's going to dig out her details and let us know.
Good. Eddie?
More news on Alex Kirby.
He's been using a supermarket loyalty card in Sunderland.
Local uniform are on it.
Good. And the fundraiser?
All sorted. The whole community are coming and a fair few of us lot.
I'll be there. Me too.
And me. Are you coming, boss?
Er, unfortunately, no.
A prior engagement.
OK, thanks, everyone.
And... keep at it.
CLICKING
Are you OK?
Abracadabra!
Mum? Where is she?
What do you reckon it is?
What do I reckon what is?
Manning's "prior arrangement"?
I've... no idea.
It's odd, though, don't you think? Him not saying?
Clarkie thinks he's got a woman.
Karen. Can you not?
Have you seen how much work I've got?
Ten quid it's a woman.
TV PLAYS
HE SIGHS
Don't worry, he'll call.
Hm?
Shane. You're waiting for him to call.
Right, well, I'm not. Oh, OK.
Look, I just wanted to say that...
you've got a boyfriend, and, erm...
..I think that's great.
And I should not have shouted this morning.
It was out of order. Right. I mean, yeah. Thanks.
Shane Bell. Hm.
How old would he be now? 21.
21, eh?
Oh, to be 21 again.
Has-has your mum, er...
..spoke to you about, erm...?
About?
You know. No.
Right.
I-I just, I wouldn't want you to feel like you were,
you know, pressured into anything.
Well, I don't feel like that anyway.
Good. Because, you know, sex is, erm...
You know, sex is a beautiful thing. Dad.
And I just... you don't have to feel like you're rushed into it.
Dad! You can take your time. Let's just leave it!
That's all I'm saying. Just shut up! All right?
You know, well, if you do have any questions or anything...
DOOR SLAMS UPSTAIRS
..ask your mum.
All right? All right?
SEAGULLS SQUAWK
Are we going home now?
No, Amy. We're going to a new house. I want to go home!
We can't. I want to go home and see Mum!
Mum is dead!
You're not going to see her ever again! Shut it, moron!
What are you doing? She needed to hear it.
Just get in the car.
KNOCKING ON DOOR
Hi! Come in.
Come in.
This is a shithole. Izzy.
Look, Amy, come on.
There's a yard for Jack-Jack,
and...
..there's a dog bed down here for him to sleep in.
Isn't that nice? No!
DOG BARKS Well, I'll leave you to get settled.
I'll be back later to take you to the fundraiser.
Yeah, about that. I'm not sure that's a good idea.
What? Brandon's going! Everyone's expecting us, Dad.
Yeah. For tea and frigging sympathy. No thanks.
Why don't you have a think and I'll swing back just before six
in case you change your mind?
Bye.
Do you think he'll come?
I dunno.
I mean, I get it, not wanting to face people.
Grief will do that.
Yeah.
Guilt does it, too.
DIAL TONE
Hey, babe. I'm so sorry I've been off the radar.
'Sorry, who is this?'
Don't be like that.
Please, come on, it's been... it's been mental here.
'I'm worried about you. You're working too hard.'
OK, well, you worrying is just gonna stress out me even more, so...
Look, erm, I'm leaving now.
Can you, er, can you be ready in 20?
'OK, go on, then. See you later.'
MUSIC AND CHATTERING
MUSIC AND CHATTERING STOPS
Look at you.
Beautiful girl.
Just like your mum.
HE CLEARS THROAT
Erm...
Hello.
Beth was better at this stuff.
I just want to say thanks...
for coming, and, er, for all of this.
I know it's not just my family going through this, so, er...
Yeah.
Oh, and Tina...
Well, thanks for this.
We're all here for you, love.
If there's anything you need, just... just ask.
Well, you could turn the music up.
LAUGHTER
MUSIC RESUMES
Well done.
Go on, then, Clarkie. Aren't you gonna introduce us?
This is Kate.
And my kids, Chloe and Finn.
Hi.
Say hi. Hi. Hi.
LAUGHTER
It's great to finally meet you. Jim talks about you all the time.
Oh!
Can we go outside, Mum?
Come on. Sorry.
Nice to meet you.
Nice family, Clarkie. Hmm.
"Jim"! THEY GIGGLE
Thought you'd made 'em up! Oh, yeah.
Results are back on Dean's other phone.
No suspicious activity.
No suspicious payments or withdrawals
made from his bank account either.
Is Shan coming?
No, she's, erm...
Working? No.
Just, I don't know.
Things aren't that great between us at the moment.
Oh. It's fine.
Then I went... I went left down some street,
and I turned around, and there was about four of them.
GIRL GIGGLES
I need to talk to you. In private.
Who are those girls?
None of your business. You finished with me.
THUMPING ON DOOR We're busy!
I didn't mean it, did I? Don't be like this.
Izzy, I was arrested!
And that was my fault? I don't know, was it?
THUMPING ON DOOR What?!
Are you OK?
You bang that fucking door again, I'll bang your fucking head!
Now do one. We're talking.
I'm talking to Izzy. Not you.
Are you OK?
You heard him. Fuck off!
Look, I didn't know they'd arrest you. I swear.
That policewoman lied to me,
she told me she was getting a message to you.
One day at a time, lad.
Oi.
Huh.
Cheers, mate.
And, er, I heard you put in those raffle prizes.
Well, it's the least I could do.
Have you thought at all about when you'll go back to work?
I dunno. Soon as.
Just waiting on the police.
I can't take a piss without their say so.
Well, look, in the meantime...
..if you need any help, just shout, yeah?
I don't want you missing out on that payday.
Cheers, T. Er, I'm all right.
Outside, now.
Who's that?
Go.
Now. Walk away.
Come on, Dean.
Don't push me, man.
Get away from here.
No.
Beth wouldn't want that.
Don't tell me what Beth would want!
You've no idea what Beth'd want, you junkie piece of shit!
Now, I won't say it again,
stay the fuck away from my family!
What? They're my family, too!
She never should've have married you. I fucking warned her!
Stop it!
Stop it! Stop it now!
Stop!
Get him out of here.
Leave him alone!
He's every right to be here!
Sorry, who are you?
Maggie Kirby, Beth's mum.
And this is Joe, her dad.
And this is our son.
Alex Kirby.
Are you OK?
I'm sorry about your sister.
We tried to get in touch to let you know what happened.
Sunderland. Excuse me?
You want to know where I was when the fire started.
I was in Sunderland with a mate. You can check.
OK, thanks. We'll look into it.
Are you staying with your parents?
No, I'm at the Patterson.
Until I find my own place.
I'm gonna look after the old folks.
I will need to talk to you tomorrow, Alex.
Or, if you like, I can drop you at the hotel and we can chat there.
No.
We'll do it tomorrow.
I didn't sleep for three nights before I asked you.
I was convinced you'd say no.
You were so cool and beautiful and worldly.
I was 15. I didn't know my arse from my elbow.
CHUCKLING
Anyway, you were pretty cool yourself. Hmm.
Hey, do you remember when we did a runner? At the pier cafe?
Oh, God. Yeah.
Yeah, I-I should probably fess up about that...
We didn't actually do a runner.
I paid, when you went to the loo.
No?! Yeah.
Yeah, I didn't want the waitress to get in trouble.
CHUCKLING
Well, while we're in the confession box,
I should probably admit something to you.
Uh-oh. Go on.
Do you remember Heather Wainwright from school?
Heather Wainwright?
Oh, God, yes. Er... Yeah, braces, pretty.
Er, I wouldn't say she...
You know, she once asked me to go to the cinema?
Then she got a fever, so we never went.
Yeah.
There was no fever.
What?
I pinned her to the wall in woodwork and told her to back off.
You're kidding me? SHE GIGGLES
What was I supposed to do? You were mine.
You know she's a High Court judge now.
She could probably still prosecute.
SHE LAUGHS She could.
THEY BOTH LAUGH
KNOCKING ON DOOR
Hey, have you, erm... have you heard from Erin?
She's supposed to be home by now.
Thanks.
KNOCKING ON DOOR
What are you doing?
You know, I've told her a thousand times,
if you're gonna use them,
you've got to put them back in the kitchen.
HE CHUCKLES
When's Mum back?
Er, she's at a fundraiser.
She'll be, she'll be back soon. Yeah.
Oh. OK.
Is this really stupid?
What are we doing?
I don't know.
I just don't want things to get messy.
So, is Uncle Alex moving back?
Not if I've got anything to do with it.
Well, is he at Gran and Grandad's?
Jack-Jack! DOG BARKS
Dad? Oh, Izzy, will you shut up?
You're making my ears bleed.
Did you know Alex was coming back? No.
I've not seen sight nor sound of him for ten years.
How about Beth?
Beth was a soft touch, all right?
And he knew that.
Once he'd bled his mum and dad dry, he moved onto her.
Well, he tried to.
What happened? Well, nothing.
She cut him off ages ago.
Saw him for what he is.
Not like Maggie and Joe. I mean, you saw them today,
acting like he's the blue-eyed boy. It's pathetic.
They just lost their daughter.
Alex is all they've got left.
Then God help 'em.
Boss!
MOBILE RINGS
Hey, sorry. I got caught up. I-I picked up some milk.
'You're not gonna believe this.'
Is she back? Not yet, no.
Hey, Mum. Hi, sweetheart.
Here she is now.
Oh, Mads, will you just go up to your room? We need to talk to Erin.
You all right?
Has somebody died?
Sit down, Erin.
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