I'm Jess by the way. Patience, but you can call me Paysh.
You've made me into a thief!
We'll both go to prison! You little snitch!
You big crank! You what?
So she was hungry.
I get hungry. I don't just help myself.
I can't believe they just let her get away with it.
Get off me!
Ugh!
So, whoever you are, I shall be speaking to your parents about this.
Good luck. I don't have any!
# Diggin' the Dancing Queen #
So, tell me about this Jordan girl. Why do you care so much?
Because nobody else seems to.
Jordan! You're coming home with us.
What? How long?
For as long as you need.
When I say I'm here for you, that's a promise.
Your mum's amazing.
I know she is, but she's my mum and nobody else's.
Mum's like the tide. A force of nature.
If she wants something enough, nothing can stop her.
And maybe Jordan was the same.
Can I really stay for however long?
I never break my promises. Ask Jess.
No. She doesn't.
I've lived at so many people's houses.
I've never met anyone like you two.
That's right. We're very unique!
GIGGLES
Not so unique any more!
WHINES
I don't know. This is really old stuff.
It's not old, it's vintage. Like me!
SHE CHUCKLES
Try this. Very snazzy.
Snazzy!
The '80s look is very in just now. That's David Bowie, you know.
I know. When I was a kid, in one of my first foster placements,
they had all this ancient vinyl. I used to take the mickey,
but this guy was OK.
Oh, he was a genius. And a lovely person too.
You knew him?
Darling, I knew everyone!
Here. Why don't you try it with this? I'll find you some trousers.
I'll pay you back. I don't have any money but I'll work.
You don't have to do anything, Jordan.
Speak for yourself! I could use some help.
My room's a mess, and I can't bend and stretch
the way I did when I was in the West End.
I'll help you. I'll do anything for you guys.
Isn't that right, Alfie?
WHINES
THEY CHUCKLE
RADIO: # How the others must see the faker
# I'm much too fast to take that test
SHE SINGS ALONG: # Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
# Turn and face the strange Ch-ch-changes
# Don't want to be a richer man
# Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
# Turn to face the strange
# Ch-ch-changes
# There's gonna have to be a different man
# Time may change me
# But I can't trace time
# Mm, yeah #
All right?
Do you want to read a book before bed? Look what I got us.
Biscuit night!
Don't look like that, I paid for it all.
But you've got no money.
I've got ten quid off Flo.
Aha.
KNOCK AT DOOR
Come in!
Oh, hello, darling!
You've caught me having my nightcap. A small one.
Flo, did you give Jordan £10?
Yes. She really helped me sort this place out.
You don't mind, do you?
No, of course not.
Thanks, Flo. Goodnight. Night-night.
You checked with Flo?
I'm sorry I didn't believe you.
I know you don't trust me,
but give me a chance.
Listen, Jess.
Are you listening?I'm listening.
# I was lost till you saved me
# I'll never forget what you gave me
# My little sister, you are the best
# My little sister
# The amazing Jess
# Amazing Jess
# My little sister, you're the best
# My little sister
# The amazing Jess. #
You wrote me a song? I knew you'd laugh.
I'm not!
Well, did you like it?
I did. I really, really, really did.
We're all getting on so well! Jordan's like a different girl.
We've done a good thing, Peter.
I admit you've done the wrong thing for the right reason.
She's happy and safe, what could be wrong about that?
She ran away from care. When the authorities find her -
and they will find her - they're not going to just let her stay here.
They might. They won't!
You know they won't. You've broken too many rules, Tracy.
They might even accuse you of kidnapping her.
What?! Whose side are you on?
Yours. Always yours!
But I wish you wouldn't make it so difficult...
What does Cam think?
You haven't even told Cam?
She's been busy. She's got a book coming out, a new girl moving in...
And you know she'd agree with me.
Yes, because you're both very boring about these things.
Somebody has to think about the practicalities.
Can you afford to feed an extra person? What if she gets ill?
What about school?School?
She's a young person - she needs an education, a future.
No, she just needs somebody to love her.
She's not you, Tracy. Yes, I know that!
Promise me. Talk to Cam.
Yeah. I will.
I was going to do that anyway.
SIGHS
Say, "national curriculum"!
Look at you! Your first day at big school.
Well, sort of. It's an induction day - only for year sevens.
Well, drink it all in.
You'll remember this day for the rest of your life.
Thank you, Flo.
When's Jordan going back to school?
Never!
That's what you think!
Welcome to the first day of Beaker Academy.
You're going to teach her?
Well, I home-schooled you during the pandemic, didn't I?
Yeah.
Look.
I swear that's the woman from the beach.
The one you threw the burger at!
By accident!
It looks like she works here.
Jess!
Paysh!
Peter? Peter!
Excuse us. We're old friends.
Tracy, I'm working! You can't just barge in and...
Sorry, just a quick question. I need some website links.
I've got some for year six, but I need some for year ten.
What for?
I am home educating Jordan.
Do you really think that's a good idea?Yes, I do, Peter.
And what did Cam say? Oh, she was cool with it.
She thinks we can sort out all the legal stuff
and then Jordan can move in officially.
Anyway I will leave you to it. Just email me the links. Thank you!
Bye, Jess! Have the best day.
Bye. Bye!Come on.
SCHOOL BELL RINGS
Oh, that's ours!
TEACHER CLAPS
To your classrooms, please.
LOUD CHATTER
TAPS ON WHITEBOARD
Good morning, 7G. My name is Mrs Cook,
and I'm your form teacher this year.
Because of course she was!
So that we can get to know each other,
I want you all to write a little essay about yourself.
About your home, your family, your life.
Chop chop, open your books!
From the beginning! Lovely.
Do you think I could get moved to another class?Why?
Not felt tip. We're in big school now.
She hates me because I threw a burger at her.
Did you hit her?
Yes, there was sauce all over her face! But it was an accident.
That sounds like a very interesting conversation, girls.
Why don't you write it down for us all to enjoy?
BOTH: Yes, Mrs Cook. Yes, Mrs Cook.
Back straight, eyes down, no talking.
How are you getting on?
I don't know. You haven't even started!
What's the point? I'm never going to take exams.
Yeah, I used to feel like that when I was at school.
But it's not about that.
It's about setting yourself a challenge and not giving up.
But it's boring!
Well, then...
Well, let's make it a bit more interesting.
Hm?
And so I've lived in a council flat and I've lived in a mansion,
but Cooksea is my favourite place
and I hope I can stay here forever.
That's a very imaginative story, Jess,
but I asked for your real life history.
Not fantasies about Premiership footballers and famous actresses.
But that is my real life story.
I lived with Sean Godfrey, and now I live with Flo.
Well, we are honoured to have you in our humble classroom.
LAUGHTER
Anyway, next.
Ah! My code breakers.
Are you ready to defeat the beastly Enigma machine
and save Britain from the Nazis?
Yes, Mr Churchill!
Is this really lessons?
This is mathematics and history at precisely the same time!
If we solve this equation, we win World War II and...
Hi, Cam. Mary.
Not back at school yet, then? Hi, Tracy, Flo.
Loving the fancy dress. And you must be Jordan.
Who told them?
Peter.
You said we could trust him.
You can trust us, too.
Can we talk upstairs?
It's OK. You're not in any trouble.
She's right. I promise, we're here to help.
Our family live just outside the town.
We own a big field, and we have four trailers,
and a building in the middle for washing.
How interesting. What's the name of this place?
Mendi's Tan.
Mendi's Tan. That's an unusual name.
It's what we call it.
Good.
Well, carry on.
We also have stables for our three horses.
Three horses!
Yeah.
Well. What a lot of boasting from one little table.
You told us to write about ourselves so I did.
Did your mother never tell you it's rude to answer back?
What do you mean? I'm just talking.
And I'm explaining, Patience, for your own good.
If you don't treat others with respect,
you won't get very far at this school.
Actually I think...
Backs straight. Eyes front, no talking.
I have to save her. Just like you saved me.
That was different. I was working within the system,
I knew what I was doing.
Not at first. Maybe not.
But we worked it out, together. Me and Jordan can do the same.
It's a very different situation.
Jordan's been living rough,
she may have experienced some awful things.
She's going to need a lot of support.
I'll do whatever it takes. We know.
But Jordan may have very complex needs.
You can't be expected to deal with severe trauma.
It's not fair on you or Jordan,
and it's certainly not fair on Jess.
Why don't you just shut up? Jordan.
I heard what they said. Going on about support and needs.
They want to lock me up. No, we don't.
"Support" means just that. We want to help you.
You lying old cow!
You don't speak to my mum like that.
She's not your real mum. And she's nothing.
Cam is my real mum.
And Mary is her wife. You know that.
Keep saying it all you want, it's still weird.
Jordan! It's OK.
Do you really think it's weird, that we're married?
It's not normal, is it?
Do you think it's important to be normal?
Yeah, cos if you're not normal, they'll lock you up.
They'll put you in a secure home or something, for your protection.
You're not doing that to me!
Jordan. Come back here and apologise to Cam and Mary.
I am sorry. She doesn't mean it, I promise.
She's never been like that before.
There's a lot going on inside that young woman.
Yeah, but she shouldn't have spoken to you like that.
I've fostered more than 20 teenage girls, I've heard worse.
Don't worry about us. We can take it.
But you need a proper plan to look after Jordan.
Yeah, I'm working on it.
She's right, Tracy. You can't just wing this.
If something goes wrong, the stakes are just too high.
Well?
I was on your side. I was sticking up for you.
When you hurt Cam you hurt me.
I didn't mean to do that.
Then don't say things like that. Not to Cam, or Mary, or anyone.
Because I know you don't really believe it.
Are you going to throw me out? You can't. You promised...
I know, and I always keep my promises, unless I've got no choice.
What does that mean?
There will be a load of people that won't be happy
about you living here. I'll fight for you,
but you really need to help me out.
PHONE CHIMES
It's Jess. We're late, come on.
We need to get changed.
Why don't you just walk home?
I promised I'd wait.
Poor Peter.
Yeah. Stuck with Old Burger Face.
I'm glad I did it now.
Wish I'd been there.
Why did she have such a problem with the name of your place?
Cos it's a Travellers' word. Romany.
Same reason she's got a problem with me.
Mum.Well? How, was it?
It was fine.
Not good enough. I want details.
Mum... Tracy.
Peter.
You spoke to Cam.
Yes, I spoke to Cam. She drove down here with Mary
because you ratted me out.
We'll talk inside, Ms Beaker.
No, you don't. You're not the Headmaster of me.
You want to give them more to gossip about?
Cam and Mary came round?
Yeah.
And? What happened?
Tell you later.
What did you do? Nothing.
Why do you just assume I did something bad?
Cos you've been trouble since the day she met you.
Shut up, you little snitch.
At least I'm not a thief.
Not what I've heard about your lot. Jordan.
What do you mean, "your lot"?
You know.
Leave her alone. You do know what she is, right?
Yes, she's my friend.
Take back what you said.
Or what? Come on. Let's have it.
What, you chicken?
Get off me. Get off, get off!
Stop this right now!
I was going to tell her.
There was no need to go behind my back.
You lied to my face. Just as you keep lying to yourself.
You're out of your depth.
So what if I am? What can I do? Hand her over to the authorities?
Would that be such a bad thing?
There are systems in place for a reason,
to help people like Jordan.
Well, maybe you trust the system a lot more than I do.
Yeah, you love being a rebel.
Have you even thought about the effect this is having on Jess?
I told you Jess is fine.
She gets on brilliantly with Jordan.
Mr Ingham.
Is there a problem, Mrs Cook?
These girls were fighting outside the front of the school.
Fighting? Jess?
Yes. These two and another girl who ran away.
All right, what happened?
It was nothing to do with Jess. Jordan started it.
And what did you do?
I just grabbed her hair. That's not acceptable, Patience.
We have a zero tolerance policy on physical violence.
She's way bigger than me, it was a fair fight.
I'll still have to speak to your parents.
As for this other girl...
Did you say her name was Jordan?
She's not at this school, so I can't do much about her.
But let's hope that whoever is responsible for Jordan
keeps a closer eye on her. Yes, indeed.
So that was my first day at school.
Jordan felt terrible about the fight
and so did I.
Mum said a walk on the beach would cheer us all up,
but Jordan said she wanted to stay home with Alfie.
I've missed this. Hanging out. Just the two of us.
Well, you asked Jordan to live with us.
I'm sorry. I should have spoken to you first.
It's OK.
No, it's not. I should have thought it through.
I just thought if I tried hard enough I could make everything OK.
But I'm not a fairy godmother. I don't have a magic wand.
I know that.
Of course you do, you sensible, grown-up girl.
Look at you. Year seven.
I know, I'm literally an adult.
You should let me make all the decisions from now on.
Not while I can still do this. Mum!
I'm tired now. Let's go and get a cup of tea. Ice cream!
Ooh, ice cream.
I think that might have been the best ice cream I've ever eaten.
Tracy. You've got a visitor.
Do you want to wait upstairs while I talk to this customer. About what?
Jess, just for once, don't argue. Just go.
Mum never speaks to me like that.
Unless something's really wrong.
Jordan?
Jordan.
Just thought you should know,
there's a man downstairs and Mum won't tell me who he is.
Maybe he's from Social Services.
What's that smell? Jordan? You OK?
Are you poorly? Do you want me to get Mum?
No, leave me alone.
Alfie.
Has he been sick? Jordan?
Oh, no, that's chocolate.
Jordan, did Alfie eat chocolate?
Don't know.
Get off! Leave me alone. This is important.
Did you eat this or did Alfie? I don't know! Who cares?
I care. Chocolate's poisonous to dogs, did you know that?
I didn't give it him.
But did he eat it or not?
Tell me!
Jordan, are you drunk?
No.
Please! Please! Don't tell your mum.
No, I'm not keeping any more secrets for you.
What did the vet say?
Well, she said it's good he was sick.
It probably got rid of the poison. We just need to keep an eye on him.
If he gets any worse, we'll call her back, OK?
Where are you going?
To talk to Jordan.
How's Alfie? Is he OK?
We don't know yet.
I told you to drink that water. It'll make you feel better.
I don't need to feel better.
You should be punishing me. Come on, do it.
Jordan, tell me, what could I do to you
that could possibly be worse than what you're doing to yourself?
I'm sorry for what I did.
It was stupid.
I know.
Can I talk to Jess?
I'd probably leave it until tomorrow. She's really upset.
Alfie...
Alfie.
Mum, is he OK?
He's fine. He's asleep. Like you should be.
I can't sleep. I keep thinking too much.
About Alfie?
And about Jordan. How could she do this to us?
Everyone makes mistakes, Jess.
How is getting drunk a mistake?
Getting drunk is always a mistake.
So why do people do it?
Sometimes people just can't deal with their feelings any more.
They'll do anything to take the pain away.
Does it work?
No.
Oh.
OK, if I promise to stay awake,
will you please get some sleep? Deal?
Deal.
Alfie?
Alfie?!
Mum!
In here, Jess.
Alfie! Alfie!
He had a massive breakfast. He's fine.
Who's a good boy? You're OK!
Of course he is. It was just a tiny bit of milk chocolate.
But it could have...
But it didn't.
So, have you seen Jordan this morning?
No, not yet.
But like I said, we all make mistakes.
Jordan?
Jordan...
She's gone.
What?
You check the shop, I'll look outside.
Jordan? Jordan.
Are you in here?
Jordan?
Jordan? Jordan!
Jordan!
Jordan?
Jessica?
Who are you? What do you want?
I would... I would really like to talk to you, if that's OK.
Me? Are you from social services?
What? No.
Do you not remember?
Remember what? Who are you?
Jess...
..I'm your dad.