DAD!
[SOBBING]
SHH!
[THUNDER]
[WHISTLES]
YOU'RE NOT GETTING MANY, HUH?
[WHISTLES]
FIVE SECONDS.
COLD?
HUNGRY.
I KNOW.
I'LL TAKE YOU BACK.
WHO DO YOU LOVE THE MOST IN ALL THE WORLD, JIMMY?
YOU, DAD.
ALWAYS, JIMMY, PROMISE? ALWAYS.
I PROMISE.
[JIMMY] SO WE WENT BACK.
HE TOLD THE POLICE WHERE TO FIND US.
HE SAID HE WANTED US TO SPEND SOME TIME TOGETHER,
TO BE TOGETHER.
THEY PUT ME IN ANOTHER CHILDREN'S HOME
AND SENT DAD BACK TO PRISON.
WE COULD HAVE STAYED THERE MORE THAN THOSE EIGHT DAYS.
I COULDN'T BELIEVE MY EYES.
I WROTE DOWN A SON, WHICH MAY SEEM FLIPPANT TO YOU,
BUT IT REALLY WAS IMPORTANT TO ME.
WALKING BY, I NOTICED--
HOW DOES YOUR WIFE FEEL ABOUT THIS?
MY WIFE? NO, I'M NOT MARRIED.
OH, I SEE.
DO YOU HAVE TO BE MARRIED TO ADOPT?
NO, BUT IT'S USUAL.
IT'S USUAL, BUT IT'S NOT, UH...
IT'S NOT OBLIGATORY.
OH, WELL...
YES, RIGHT, YES.
TAKE SOME OF THESE LEAFLETS.
THEY COULD BE OF HELP TO YOU.
[JACKHAMMER HAMMERING]
DO YOUR NEIGHBORS KNOW ABOUT THIS AMBITION OF YOURS?
WELL, I THOUGHT I'D WAIT
UNTIL I'VE REACHED THE STAGE OF BEING TAKEN SERIOUSLY.
DOES IT MATTER TO YOU WHAT THEY MIGHT THINK?
WELL, THEY'LL HAVE TO KNOW.
IF I'M SUCCESSFUL, THEY'LL BE THE BOY'S NEIGHBORS, TOO.
ON A SCALE OF 1 TO 10,
WHAT WOULD YOU ESTIMATE IS YOUR DEGREE OF SECURITY
WITH YOUR MASCULINE ROLE?
SORRY?
ARE YOU A "CUDDLER" OR A "TOUCH-ME-NOT"?
YOU DO REALIZE THAT AS A SINGLE MAN
YOU'LL ONLY BE OFFERED THE OLDER,
MOST DIFFICULT TO PLACE, EMOTIONALLY DISTURBED BOY?
VERY WELL.
THE DEPARTMENT WILL ALLOT SOMEONE TO ASSESS YOU
IN YOUR OWN HOME.
SOMEONE?
ME, PROBABLY.
WE'RE A BIT SHORT-STAFFED AT THE MOMENT.
MY NAME IS GRAHAM JOHN HOLT.
I AM A SINGLE MAN, AGED 42,
ATTEMPTING TO ADOPT A 10-YEAR-OLD BOY.
AND TO THIS END,
I'VE BEEN ASKED TO WRITE ABOUT MYSELF
AS HONESTLY AS POSSIBLE.
SINCE MY MOTHER'S DEATH 18 MONTHS AGO,
I HAVE BEEN POSTMASTER AT THIS VILLAGE SUBPOST OFFICE,
WHERE I HAVE LIVED ALL MY LIFE.
THE STROKE MY FATHER SUFFERED
HAS BEEN MADE MORE COMPLICATED BY DEPRESSION
FOLLOWING MOTHER'S DEATH.
SHE WAS A LOCAL GIRL.
DAD CAME FROM THE NORTH.
THEY WERE A DEVOTED COUPLE,
WHO HAD HARDLY SPENT A NIGHT AWAY FROM EACH OTHER.
7:45, I TAKE DAD'S BREAKFAST TO HIM.
I USUALLY TRY HIM WITH A LITTLE CONVERSATION.
THEY SAID AT THE HOSPITAL
I SHOULD KEEP DOING THAT AND NOT GIVE UP.
IF THERE'S SOMEONE IN THE PHONE BOX ACROSS THE ROAD,
I WILL NAME THE PERSON
AND SPECULATE ON WHOM THE CALL MIGHT BE TO.
HE NEVER REPLIES.
CORNFLAKES.
8:59 ON THE DOT,
I TAKE UP POSITION BEHIND THE REINFORCED COUNTER SCREEN.
NO ONE HAS HELD ME AT GUNPOINT AS YET.
GOOD MORNING.
LYNN, MY PART-TIME HELPER,
LIVES IN A CARAVAN WITH HER FOUR CHILDREN.
IS THAT A HOT-WATER BOTTLE
YOU'VE GOT UNDER YOUR COAT, ELSIE NEEDHAM,
OR HAS THAT EXCUSE OF A HUSBAND OF YOURS
STILL NOT PERFECTED THE ART OF SAFE SEX?
MARRIED BLISS.
DOESN'T IT MAKE YOU WANT TO THROW UP?
HELLO, EDWARD.
HOW ARE YOU TODAY?
IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO MAKE YOU MORE COMFORTABLE?
DOES HE KNOW WHERE HE IS?
I HAVE NO IDEA.
WOULD I BE RIGHT IN THINKING
THAT THERE'S A FAIR AMOUNT OF BITTERNESS BETWEEN YOU TWO?
DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU THINK CONSTITUTES A FAIR AMOUNT.
I DON'T CONSIDER MYSELF CRIPPLED BY IT.
JUST A LITTLE TOUCHY ON THE SUBJECT.
I HOPE THE HOUSE ISN'T ALWAYS AS TIDY AS THIS.
CAN I SEE IT LOOKING MORE LIVED IN NEXT TIME?
I'M NOT FROM THE HEALTH AND SAFETY INSPECTORATE, YOU KNOW.
AND IT IS A 10-YEAR-OLD BOY
YOU'RE HOPING TO HAVE LIVING HERE.
I'M NOT AS YOUNG AS YOU THINK, BY THE WAY.
NOBODY'S ALLOWED TO DO THIS JOB UNTIL THEIR BALLS HAVE DROPPED.
WHICH REMINDS ME, YOU NEED A SUPPORT SYSTEM.
SORRY?
ONE WHICH THE ADOPTION PANEL WILL CONSIDER VIABLE.
SUPPORT MEANS FRIENDS.
IF YOU HAVEN'T GOT ANY, GET SOME FAST.
AND KIDS, YOU NEED EXPERIENCE WITH KIDS.
BABYSITTING, YOUTH CLUBS,
BOY SCOUTS, DIB, DIB, DIB.
AHA.
WHAT HAVE WE HERE?
IT WAS MY MOTHER'S, FOR HAIR CLIPS.
HAVE YOU EVER HAD A GIRLFRIEND?
ELSIE BARTLETT.
AND WHAT HAPPENED?
WE NEVER SEEMED TO FIND ANYTHING TO SAY TO EACH OTHER.
SHE MARRIED CHAMPION THE WONDER HORSE.
MMM, LUCKY GIRL.
NO, THAT--THAT WAS HIS NICKNAME WHEN WE WERE AT SCHOOL.
I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED
TO SEND YOU SCUTTLING INSIDE YOUR SHELL.
I MEAN, FOR GOD'S SAKE,
WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING WITH YOURSELF SEXUALLY
SINCE YOU WERE 15?
NO MORE THAN WHAT'S USUAL
FOR A PERSON OF MY AGE AND BACKGROUND.
D.I.Y?
IF THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT TO CALL IT.
WHY DON'T YOU PUT YOURSELF ABOUT A BIT?
MASTURBATION'S SO UNFRIENDLY, GRAY.
EVEN IN MY BUSY SCHEDULE,
I'VE MANAGED TO FIT IN ONE GOOD SCREW A FORTNIGHT.
I DO HAVE A SMALL BIT OF NEWS, IF YOU'RE INTERESTED.
SO, SHALL WE OPEN YOUR LIFE STORY BOOK
AT THE "MY THIRD YEAR" PAGE?
HMM?
TELL ME THE NEWS FIRST.
THEN WILL YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT'S ON THAT PAGE?
I THOUGHT YOU DIDN'T APPROVE OF BRIBERY?
OPEN THE BOOK, PLEASE, AND LOOK AT THE PAGE.
I'M LOOKING.
WELL, WE THINK WE MIGHT'VE FOUND OUT
THE NAME OF YOUR MATERNAL GRANDPARENTS.
THAT'S YOUR MOTHER'S PARENTS.
I KNOW WHAT MATERNAL MEANS, STRANGE AS IT MAY SEEM.
CAN I CLOSE THE BOOK?
NO. YOU HAVEN'T SAID ANYTHING ABOUT THAT PAGE.
WHAT'S TO SAY?
YOU WANT ME TO WRITE THEIR NAME--
READ WHAT'S WRITTEN ON THE PAGE.
YOU'RE JOKING!
YOU DON'T WANT TO FACE THE PAST.
THAT WOULD MEAN ADMITTING WHAT HAPPENED.
YOU'RE NOWHERE NEAR BEING READY TO START A NEW LIFE
WITH A NEW FAMILY, ARE YOU?
WHO'S GOING TO STOP ME?
YOU ARE.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT I SEE WHEN I LOOK AT YOU?
I DON'T SEE A 10-YEAR-OLD.
I SEE A 6-YEAR-OLD WHO PISSED HIS PANTS
AND IS ABOUT TO BURST INTO TEARS
SO THAT EVERYONE AROUND WILL SAY, "OH, SHAME, POOR LITTLE JAMIE."
YOU SAID THIS NEWS CAME DIRECTLY FROM THE HORSE'S MOUTH.
FROM A NEW SOCIAL WORKER AT THE PRISON.
HE'S MANAGED TO CONVINCE YOUR FATHER
THAT IF HE'S WILLING TO GIVE HIS BLESSING
TO YOU BEING ADOPTED,
HE CAN'T REASONABLY OBJECT ANY LONGER
TO YOU KNOWING YOUR MOTHER'S NAME...
WHICH WAS CONNOLLY.
MARY CONNOLLY.
MAIDEN NAME.
LOOK, WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE
FOR YOU TO BRING THOSE EXPRESSIVE EYES 'ROUND THIS WAY
SO I GET THE PLEASURE OF THEM FOR A MINUTE?
WOULD YOU LIKE TO WRITE HER NAME
IN YOUR LIFE STORY BOOK?
COME ON.
"THIS...IS A..."
"DRAWING..."
"I DID..."
"FROM MEMORY
"OF THE HOUSE WHERE MY PARENTS LIVED
"WHEN...
"I...
"WAS BORN.
IT HAS..."
"FIVE WINDOWS
AT THE FRONT."
CATCH THE CUSHION.
THE CUSHION IS CONCENTRATION.
MARGERY!
YES?
THE CUSHION IS ATTENTION,
WILL TO SUCCEED.
NOW, SHOUT OUT YOUR NAME
AND THROW THE CUSHION TO SOMEONE ELSE.
TINA.
GRAHAM!
MARGERY!
I HATE THIS KIND OF THING.
CAN'T HEAR YOU, JANET.
♪ SHE'LL BE WEARING PINK PAJAMAS WHEN SHE COMES ♪
♪ SHE'LL BE WEARING PINK PAJAMAS ♪
♪ WEARING PINK PAJAMAS
WHEN SHE COMES ♪♪
[PANTING]
ANY CHILDREN WHO MIGHT,
I SAY, MIGHT COME YOUR WAY,
WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY HAVE BEEN PICKED ON.
AND BEFORE THESE SESSIONS ARE THROUGH,
EVERY ONE OF YOU WILL HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY
TO KNOW JUST WHAT THAT FEELS LIKE.
NOW, SOMETIMES, YOU HAVE A CHILD OF 9 OR 10
WHO'S STUCK EMOTIONALLY AT 2 OR 3
BECAUSE HE MAY HAVE BEEN
CAUGHT UP IN SOCIAL SERVICES' FAVORITE GAME-- PASS THE PARCEL.
ALL RIGHT, SO YOU CAN ACCEPT THE IDEA
OF A CHILD BEING EMOTIONALLY STUCK AS AN IDEA...
BUT CAN YOU COPE WITH A HEALTHY-LOOKING 10-YEAR-OLD
WHO'S WETTING, SOILING, CRYING, BITING ONE MINUTE
AND GIGGLING MANIACALLY THE NEXT?
EMPATHIZE.
FEEL AS THE CHILD FEELS.
REMEMBER, THE IDEA OF PERMANENCE
IS TOO FRIGHTENING FOR SOME CHILDREN,
LIKE STEPPING INTO THE UNKNOWN.
THEY'VE NEVER, EVER EXPERIENCED IT.
ALWAYS LOSE ONE.
IN FACT, WE'VE LOST FOUR.
BUT NOT YOU?
NO SECOND THOUGHTS?
YOU STILL LIKE CHILDREN, HMM?
VERY MUCH.
THOUGH I'M NOT SURE I COULD EAT A WHOLE ONE.
I'VE SENT SOMEONE TO FIND HIM.
DON'T EXPECT TOO MUCH, WILL YOU?
IF YOU AGREE...
I'D LIKE TO GIVE YOU A PROPER HOME,
AND, UM,
LOOK AFTER YOU.
I THINK IT'S TIME YOUR LIFE WAS A BIT EASIER...
AND A BIT HAPPIER.
DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
WE COULD, UH, WE COULD THINK OF IT
AS A KIND OF PARTNERSHIP.
I...I WANT A SON,
AND...YOU NEED A...
WHAT I MEAN IS, YOU--YOU NEED SOMEBODY,
SOME ONE PERSON TO CARE ABOUT YOU.
A PARTNERSHIP WOULD ONLY WORK IF IT'S WHAT YOU WANT, JAMES.
EXCUSE ME.
[WHISTLES]
WHO DO YOU LOVE MOST IN THE WORLD, JIMMY?
YOU, DAD.
ALWAYS, JIMMY, PROMISE? ALWAYS.
NEVER BREAK IT. PAIN OF DEATH.
I PROMISE.
I WAS BEGINNING TO THINK YOU'D, UM,
WHAT IS IT THEY SAY? DONE A RUNNER.
BUT YOU HADN'T, HAD YOU?
WELL, UM,
I DIDN'T THINK YOU WANTED MORE FOOD, SO I...
YOU DIDN'T EAT MUCH.
IS THAT BECAUSE YOU'RE AS...
NERVOUS AS I AM?
I SEE.
I SUPPOSE THAT'S IT, REALLY, ISN'T IT?
I'VE CHOSEN YOU,
BUT IN ORDER FOR IT TO BE AN EQUAL PARTNERSHIP,
I'D HAVE TO BE THE PERSON YOU WOULD CHOOSE.
I'D EXPECT YOU TO LOOK AFTER ME
WHEN I'M OLD AND DECREPIT.
YOU REALIZE THAT'S THE ONLY REASON I'M DOING THIS?
WHAT KEPT YOU SO LONG IN THE TOILET?
CAN'T YOU GUESS?
THANK YOU.
COURTING?
ARE WE?
JUST A FRIEND, MRS. HAWKINS.
YOU DON'T THINK STANDING THERE
IN THAT CLEAN WHITE SHIRT FOOLS ANYBODY?
YOU OUGHT TO BE OUT WITH COMPANY
AND ENJOYING YOURSELF. IT'S ONLY NATURAL.
SEE YOU TOMORROW, MRS. HAWKINS.
YES, I HOPE SO.
WATCH YOUR STEP.
OH, I'M VERY CAREFUL WITH STEPS, YOU KNOW.
IT'S A FUNNY THING. I FELL DOWN SOMEWHERES.
YOU HAVEN'T TOLD THEM YET.
WELL, IF YOU LIVE IN A VILLAGE,
YOU DON'T TELL PEOPLE THINGS TOO EARLY.
CAUTIOUS BUGGER.
I HAVE TO KNOW, UH... BE SURE IT'LL HAPPEN.
NOTHING'S FOR SURE IN THIS LIFE, GRAY.
RIGHT NOW, YOU'RE NOT EVEN A CANDIDATE
TO ADOPT MY STICK INSECT.
I WANT TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR CHILDHOOD.
WELL...
I, UH, HAVE THE RECKONING UP TO DO.
IT'S FIDDLY WORK. I HAVE TO CONCENTRATE.
I'LL WAIT.
YOU'LL HAVE TO BEAR WITH ME.
UM...
WELL, YOU--
THERE'S NOT MUCH TO TELL.
I HAD A SPOTLESSLY SANITIZED CHILDHOOD,
WITH A CHANGE OF AIRTEX SUPPORT SYSTEMS EVERY OTHER DAY.
LEAVE THE LIGHT RELIEF TO ME, GRAY.
JUST THE FACTS. YOUR MUM AND DAD,
FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF THEIR ONLY CHILD.
THEY WERE ALWAYS TOUCHING EACH OTHER.
I CAN'T REMEMBER WHEN I FIRST BEGAN TO NOTICE
THE LOOKS THEY EXCHANGED,
FULL OF A PRIVATE MEANING.
OR THE CONSTANT TOUCHING.
NOT THAT I--I LACKED...
I MEAN, THEY TOUCHED ME. THEY TOUCHED ME, TOO.
I DON'T THINK I LACKED PHYSICAL CONTACT.
WHEN?
WHAT?
WHEN DID THEY TOUCH YOU?
WHENEVER IT WAS NECESSARY.
WHENEVER...
THEY FELT LIKE IT.
NOT OFTEN, THEN?
AND AS A TEENAGER?
NOT AT ALL WOULD BE MY GUESS.
I WAS RATHER A DISAPPOINTMENT TO THEM.
MMM.
EVEN WHEN I WENT DISCO DANCING ON SATURDAY NIGHTS.
HE'S POLISHING HIS BROTHEL CREEPERS.
THEY'RE JUST SHOES, DAD.
AH, HE'S A ONE, OUR GRAHAM.
ISN'T HE A ONE, DEAR?
HE'S ALWAYS BEEN A ONE.
LET'S HAVE A LOOK AT YOU, THEN.
HE'LL BREAK A FEW HEARTS TONIGHT.
I WENT. I DIDN'T DANCE.
MY PARENTS NEVER UNDERSTOOD THAT ON SATURDAY NIGHTS
ONE HAD TO BE PART OF A GROUP,
EITHER A COUPLE OF OPPOSITE SEXES
OR A SMALL GROUP OF THE-- THE SAME SEX.
AFTER A WHILE, I STOPPED GOING INSIDE THE DISCO.
I DID CROSSWORDS IN THE CAR,
THEN ENDURED A CROSS-EXAMINATION WHEN I GOT HOME.
HI, MUM, DAD.
[ENID] DID YOU SPEAK TO ANYONE?
[EDWARD] ANY NICE GIRL--
YOU COULD BRING HOME TO MEET US?
DID YOU ENJOY YOURSELF?
YOU'RE ONLY YOUNG ONCE.
WHEN I WAS IN MY 30s,
MY PARENTS DECIDED THAT I'D MISSED MY MOMENT,
SO I WAS ALLOWED TO STOP GOING...
TO TOWN ON SATURDAY NIGHTS.
AND THEN SHE DIED.
YOU MAKE IT SOUND SUDDEN.
IT TOOK FIVE YEARS.
I SUPPOSE I GREW UP DURING THAT TIME.
RATHER A DELAYED GROWING UP.
I ARRANGED THE FUNERAL.
DAD...WASN'T MAKING MUCH SENSE.
HIS HANDS WERE LIKE INJURED BIRDS
LOOKING FOR A SAFE PLACE TO ROOST.
SO, UM, I TOOK HER PLACE...
IN THE KITCHEN,
BEHIND THE COUNTER.
MUM AND DAD HAD NEVER SEEMED SEPARATED FROM EACH OTHER,
BUT HE AND I WERE SEPARATED.
DAD, PLEASE.
[SOBBING]
PLEASE...
DON'T.
IT'S ALL RIGHT, DAD.
IT'LL BE ALL RIGHT.
DAD!
DAD, I'M HERE.
IT'S A SCRAPBOOK REALLY, ISN'T IT?
WELL, THAT'S ONE WAY OF DESCRIBING IT,
BUT FOR OBVIOUS REASONS, WE DON'T CALL WHAT, UH,
WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM US,
THE CHILDREN PUT TOGETHER ABOUT THEMSELVES...
SCRAPBOOKS.
OH, WELL, NO, NO.
MINE'S JUST A PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM.
THAT'S NOT EVEN A SCRAPBOOK.
WHO TOOK THE PICTURES?
MY DAD HAD A TIMER.
HE'D SET IT AND THEN RUN AROUND AND JOIN US.
THIS ONE'S OVEREXPOSED.
YOU LOOK LIKE THREE GHOSTS.
WE WERE A VERY ORDINARY FAMILY.
I THINK IT PROBABLY TAKES FLAIR AND INITIATIVE
TO BE A GHOST.
YOU MIGHT HAVE BEEN ORDINARY ONCE,
BUT YOU'RE NOT NOW.
NOT MANY UNMARRIED MEN WANT TO ADOPT.
HAVE YOU ALWAYS LIVED IN THE SAME HOUSE?
AFRAID SO.
AND GONE TO THE SAME SCHOOL?
TWO SCHOOLS.
UM, PRIMARY AND COMPREHENSIVE.
I WENT TO SIX SCHOOLS SO FAR.
I'D HAVE THOUGHT YOU WON A SCHOLARSHIP
TO A PRIVATE SCHOOL OR SOMETHING.
I TOLD YOU NO FLAIR.
WHAT SORT OF THINGS DID YOU DO WHEN YOU WERE MY AGE?
I KEPT MY HEAD DOWN, I SUPPOSE.
NOTHING VERY EXCITING.
IS WHAT'S IN THERE EXCITING?
IT'S MORE DISTURBING THAN EXCITING.
THAT'S WHAT THEY SAY I AM-- DISTURBED.
WHAT DO YOU SAY?
I LIKE THIS ONE.
IT'S YOU WHEN YOU WERE MY AGE. YOU WERE ON A BEACH.
YOU LOOK LIKE A RIGHT TEARAWAY.
MAY I SEE IT?
I WAS ON HOLIDAY ALONG WITH MY FATHER.
IT WAS THE ONLY TIME
HE AND I WERE EVER ALONE FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME.
ONLY TIME HE AND I WERE EVER REALLY CLOSE.
I'M SORRY.
I'D FORGOTTEN ABOUT THE PICTURE.
I REALLY AM VERY SORRY.
WE LAUGHED A LOT THAT WEEK.
I SUPPOSE IT WAS THE FEELING
WE WERE DOING SOMETHING SECRET AND SLIGHTLY WICKED.
I FELT IMPORTANT... ALMOST NEEDED.
LISTEN.
WEST INDIAN SEA.
WE'LL TAKE IT HOME TO REMIND US OF THE FUN WE HAD.
IT WAS THE BEST TIME OF MY LIFE.
IT WAS THE HAPPIEST I'VE EVER BEEN.
I CRIED.
SO I HEARD.
ISN'T IT USUAL TO PHONE BEFORE YOU VISIT?
SOMETIMES I DO. SOMETIMES I DON'T.
I LIKE TO CATCH PEOPLE UNAWARES.
ANYWAY, THERE'S NO POINT NOW.
WHY?
I TOLD YOU.
I CRIED IN FRONT OF THE CHILD I WAS HOPING TO ADOPT
AND HIS, WHAT'S IT CALLED, HIS KEY WORKER.
BEST THING YOU COULD HAVE DONE.
NOW THEY'RE BOTH CRAZY ABOUT YOU,
WHICH THEY CERTAINLY WEREN'T BEFORE.
BETTER START GETTING YOURSELF PREPARED
FOR A WEEKEND VISIT.
IT'S BEEN SUGGESTED THAT I PUT YOU IN A HOME.
THEY SAY THAT IF I'M RIGHT
ABOUT WHAT YOU FEEL FOR ME,
IF YOU CAN STILL FEEL EMOTIONS--
I DON'T KNOW. I JUST DON'T KNOW--
BUT IF YOU CAN...
THE SENSE OF BEING BEHOLDEN TO ME
MUST BE VERY PAINFUL FOR YOU.
I JUST CAN'T BE SURE ABOUT ANY OF THIS, CAN I?
I DEARLY WISH
YOU HAD SOME WAY OF GIVING ME YOUR OPINION.
I'LL GET YOUR BREAKFAST.
[GROAN]
[THUMP]
CAN I HAVE A WORD?
HIS FATHER'S HAD ANOTHER STROKE
AND BEEN TAKEN INTO HOSPITAL.
YOUR FIRST VISIT'S GOING TO BE DELAYED FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS.
[EXHALING]
WAIT! WAIT!
I AM WAITING. WE'VE STOPPED.
WE'RE HERE.
STAGE FRIGHT?
IF YOU LIKE. I'VE BEEN HERE BEFORE.
I KNOW.
BUT THIS IS IMPORTANT, JIMBO,
AND I THINK IT'S WHAT YOU WANT.
LOOK, HE'S THERE WAITING FOR YOU.
GET OUT OF THE CAR.
I'LL BE BACK TO COLLECT YOU AFTER TEA.
HELLO.
UM, FIRST OFF, I THOUGHT WE'D, UM, LOOK AROUND,
GET USED TO THE GEOGRAPHY.
IN THERE IS MY HOUSE, BUT, UM...
ON THIS SIDE IS THE POST OFFICE.
ALL RIGHT. O.K., BYE.
HELLO, MRS. GEORGE.
HELLO.
THANK YOU.
UM, THIS IS LYNN... MY HELPER.
LYNN, JAMES.
HELLO.
WE'LL GO INTO THE HOUSE NOW.
IT'S NOT VERY BIG.
LIVING ROOM.
I THOUGHT WE'D HAVE TEA IN HERE TODAY,
THOUGH THE KITCHEN'S MORE USUAL.
LIVING ROOM.
SAID THAT.
AND, UH, KITCHEN.
YOU'LL BE SEEING QUITE A LOT OF THAT.
WE CAN GO UPSTAIRS.
THERE MIGHT BE SOMETHING UPSTAIRS THAT WOULD INTEREST YOU.
WATCH YOUR STEP.
IT'S YOUR ROOM.
[BEDSPRINGS SQUEAK]
WHERE'S YOUR FATHER?
HE GOT SICKER AND NEEDED TO BE SOMEWHERE
WHERE THEY COULD GIVE HIM PROPER MEDICAL CARE.
IN A HOSPITAL?
WELL, YES, HOSPITAL, YES.
WAS HE SENT THERE BECAUSE OF ME?
WOULD THEY HAVE LET ME COME HERE
IF HE HADN'T BEEN PUT AWAY?
POSSIBLY NOT...
ALTHOUGH THE NUMBER OF SINGLE MEN WHO APPLY TO ADOPT
CAN BE COUNTED ON THE FINGERS OF ONE FOOT.
YOU ONLY HAVE TO LOOK ACROSS THIS TABLE
TO SEE THEY MUST BE SCRAPING THE BOTTOM OF THE BARREL.
OVERDONE IT, HAVEN'T I?
THEY CALL THIS THE HONEYMOON PERIOD.
PAPER HATS?
NO.
PERHAPS NOT.
HAVE YOU THOUGHT YET WHAT YOU'D LIKE TO CALL ME?
I THOUGHT GRAHAM WOULD BE BEST
IF YOU FEEL YOU CAN MANAGE THAT.
THERE IS A CHANCE.
YEAH, BUT, LOOK, DON'T RAISE YOUR HOPES.
♪ 'ROUND AND 'ROUND THE GARDEN ♪
♪ LIKE A TEDDY BEAR
♪ 'ROUND AND 'ROUND THE GARDEN ♪
♪ LIKE A TEDDY BEAR
♪ ONE STEP
♪ TWO STEP
♪ TICKLE YOU UNDER THERE
IT'S NOT MY FAULT.
WHEN DO YOU SPEND ANY TIME AT ALL WITH HIM?
I SEE HIM AS OFTEN AS I CAN.
[RINGS DOORBELL]
MAUREEN, I'M, UH, GRAHAM HOLT.
UM, WELL, JAMES HAS DECIDED--ELECTED--
TO REMAIN IN THE CAR.
WE'VE HAD A BIT OF A ROW, YOU SEE.
HE DOESN'T WANT ME POKING AROUND IN HIS PAST
EVEN UNDER HIS SUPERVISION.
SUPERVISION HE'S NOW WITHHOLDING BY SULKING IN THE CAR.
IT'S DIFFICULT TO KNOW WHAT TO DO FOR THE BEST.
YOU WERE HIS KEY WORKER.
HIS HOUSEMOTHER.
EVER MENTION HIS REAL MOTHER?
NO. AND I'VE BEEN WARNED NOT TO ASK ABOUT HER YET.
OR EVER WOULD BE MY ADVICE.
TOLD YOU ABOUT THE DAY I HAD HIM PINNED TO THE FLOOR
SCREAMING HIS HEAD OFF.
HE SPAT, HE BIT.
IF I'D BEEN WEARING MAKEUP,
HE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE DONE HIMSELF IN.
BEEN TOLD ABOUT HIS CONSTANT RUNNING AWAY?
ALWAYS HIDING IN DARK HOLES.
HE'S ATTEMPTED SUICIDE TWICE.
YES. I'VE BEEN GIVEN ALL THE DETAILS.
OVER HERE!
CHRIST, LOOK AT THE STATE OF HIM.
TELL HIM I'M DEEPLY HURT HE WOULDN'T GET OUT OF THE CAR
AFTER ALL WE WENT THROUGH.
IF HE'S ALLOWING YOU TO STAND IN FOR HIS REAL DAD,
YOU MUST BE SPECIAL.
STILL IN PRISON, I SUPPOSE.
YES. BEFORE EVERYTHING'S FINAL...
WE'LL BE GOING TO MEET HIM.
AND WHOSE IDEA WAS THAT?
WELL, JAMES'.
THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE.
BUT THE SOCIAL WORKER?
HOW OLD'S SHE, 14?
YOU'RE BEING USED...
BY A MANIPULATIVE LITTLE BOY
WHO WANTS TO GET ANOTHER GLIMPSE OF HIS DAD.
YOU'LL NEVER GET TO ADOPT HIM,
AND BELIEVE ME, YOU'RE WELL OUT OF IT.
THE MOMENT THOSE TWO MEET AGAIN,
YOU'LL BE OUT ON YOUR EAR.
[SOPRANO SINGING ON RADIO]
HOW COME YOU LIKED HER
WHEN WOMEN TEND NOT TO BE YOUR CUP OF TEA?
PERHAPS SHE'S A BIT OF A LEZ.
SORRY?
LESBIAN, BUTCH.
WASN'T SHE WEARING LEATHER AND STUDS
AND LOOKING LIKE SHE HADN'T SLEPT FOR A WEEK?
NO. SHE WAS A BIT UNTIDY, I SUPPOSE, BUT--
THERE YOU ARE, THEN, AREN'T YOU?
NOT A PROPER WOMAN, THAT'S WHY.
WHAT CONSTITUTES A PROPER WOMAN, THEN?
LET ME OUT!
TITS AND SILK AND FRILLS, MAKEUP THAT STINKS,
AND LEGS THAT SHOOT APART
THE MINUTE YOU TOUCH THEM WITH YOUR LITTLE FINGER.
GET OFF!
[MUSIC STOPS]
YOU COULD HAVE TURNED THE RADIO OFF IF IT WAS BOTHERING YOU.
NOTHING BOTHERS ME. IT'S YOUR RADIO.
[DOOR SLAMS]
SLOW DOWN.
DIDN'T THEY WARN YOU
WHAT BEING A SUBSTITUTE PARENT WAS LIKE?
I SUPPOSE I NEED HELP.
WHO DOESN'T?
HONEYMOON'S OVER!
REALLY IS VERY GOOD OF YOU.
I WAS GOING TO DO IT MYSELF.
CENTER OF ATTRACTION AT HARVEST FESTIVAL.
GERANIUMS, CHRYSANTHEMUMS,
MICHAELMAS DAISIES.
LOOK. IT LOOKS BETTER.
I'VE BEEN GIVEN THREE OPINIONS SO FAR
OF WHAT SHOULD BE DONE WITH THAT YOUNG MAN.
WHAT WERE THEY?
NONE INCLUDED FOSTERING WITH A VIEW TO ADOPTION.
WHERE IS HE NOW?
HE'S IN HIS ROOM.
HMM.
[EXHALING]
YOU SAID YOU HAD HIS GRANDPARENTS' ADDRESS.
THEY DON'T WANT TO BE KNOWN.
YOU SAID I HAD TO SEE THE PEOPLE IN HIS LIFE-STORY BOOK.
AS MANY AS WILL LET YOU SEE THEM.
HE'LL NEED TO KNOW.
WHEN THAT TIME COMES, I'LL NEED TO BE ABLE TO TELL HIM.
GROWING UP, AREN'T YOU?
REMEMBER, HE'S YOUR GREAT-GRANDFATHER.
HE DOESN'T KNOW WE'RE COMING.
THAT'LL BE HIM.
I BETTER TALK TO HIM FIRST AND THEN CALL YOU.
SHE CAME HERE TO STAY, YOU KNOW, VERY OFTEN
WHEN SHE WAS A LITTLE GIRL.
I NEVER SAW YOUR DAD, JUST YOU, JUST THE ONCE.
YOU LOOK JUST LIKE HER.
SHE USED TO WRITE REGULAR. NEVER MISSED.
I WROTE BACK...
UNTIL...
SUDDENLY SHE WASN'T KNOWN AT THAT ADDRESS.
OH, WE WERE VERY CLOSE.
ALWAYS VERY CLOSE.
THAT TIME WHEN SHE STOPPED WRITING,
I NEEDED SOMEONE TO--
I BLAMED HER.
I THOUGHT SHE DIDN'T WANT TO BE BOTHERED.
UH, THINGS OF HERS, UM...
PHOTOS AND SUCH...
IN A BOX IN THAT BUREAU.
YOU CAN LOOK IF YOU LIKE.
[CRYING]
GO AND SEE IF HE'S ALL RIGHT.
NEVER BREAK IT. PAIN OF DEATH.
WANT THE RADIO?
O.K.
CAN WE SEE YOUR FATHER NEXT WEEKEND?
IF YOU LIKE.
HE COULD HAVE ANOTHER STROKE ANY TIME.
IT'S MOST UNLIKELY HE'LL EVER BE ALLOWED HOME.
OH. WELL, I AM SORRY.
THAT IS BAD NEWS.
AND HE DOESN'T SEEM TOO UNHAPPY HERE WITH US.
NO. HE SEEMS AS HAPPY HERE
AS HE EVER WAS AT HOME.
[CRYING]
I MISS YOU SO MUCH.
WE NEED A TENT,
A DOUBLE AND SINGLE SLEEPING BAG,
AND COOKERY PANS.
WHAT DISCOUNT DO YOU GIVE FOR CASH?
MY UNCLE RUBIN USED TO GO CAMPING A LOT
UNTIL HIS HERNIA MADE RUBBING LITTLE STICKS TOGETHER
TOO PAINFUL.
TIME YOU STARTED BEING A BIT MORE MASTERFUL.
I'M NOT GOING TO BE AROUND
TO NURSEMAID YOU FOREVER, YOU KNOW.
I'D BETTER GO SEE WHAT HE'S BUYING.
GRAY, IF HE GETS YOU PRACTICING KNOTS,
JUST REMEMBER,
UNTYING THEM AGAIN IS THE HARD PART.
IT'S GOOD.
COME IN.
YOU'RE FREEZING.
I'M NOT. COME ON IN.
I DON'T WANT TO.
I'M COLD RIGHT HERE.
I'M GETTING FROZEN JUST WATCHING YOU.
I DON'T.
ARE YOU SURE?
YEAH.
I THOUGHT YOU'D LOSE YOUR TEMPER WITH ME,
PARTICULARLY OVER THAT MUDDLE WITH THE LINING.
I'VE ALWAYS BEEN CLUMSY.
EVERYONE'S GOT TO LEARN.
IF YOU DON'T TURN THAT SAUSAGE OVER,
IT'LL BE RAW ON ONE SIDE
AND BURNT ON THE OTHER.
FUNNY. I'VE ALWAYS THOUGHT OF TENT PEOPLE
AS BEING A BIT ODD, WEIRD EVEN--
OVERGROWN BOY SCOUTS
OR LEFTOVER HIPPIES.
TENT PEOPLE AREN'T ODD.
YOU OUGHT TO LEARN SURVIVAL,
ALL SORTS OF THINGS--
EAT WORMS IF YOU HAVE TO.
[LAUGHING]
NO. REALLY?
THEN YOU GET YOUR NIGHT VISION
AND YOU CAN GO ON AHEAD.
YOU KNOW A LOT ABOUT IT.
I HAD A GOOD TEACHER.
♪ THERE'S A HOLE
♪ IN THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA ♪
♪ THERE'S A HOLE
♪ IN THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA ♪
♪ THERE'S A HOLE
♪ IN THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA ♪♪
[OCEAN SURF CRASHING]
IF YOU'D WAITED,
WE COULD ALL HAVE GONE TOGETHER.
IT WAS HIS SCHOOL HOLIDAYS.
I HAD TO DO SOMETHING WITH HIM.
NO FUN FOR ME HAVING HIM
FOR A FULL WEEK ON ME OWN--
TERRIBLE ROOM, HORRIBLE FOOD.
AND YOU KNOW WHAT'S IT'S LIKE
TRYING TO KEEP HIM AMUSED?
ARE YOU COLD?
YOU TALKED IN YOUR SLEEP.
WHAT DID I SAY?
NOTHING SENSIBLE.
JUST WORDS.
[WHISTLING]
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO YOURSELF?
A BRANCH HIT ME.
THAT LOOKS PAINFUL.
JUST MISSED YOUR EYE.
MUST HAVE GIVEN YOU AN HELL OF A TWANG.
GET THE FIRST-AID KIT FROM THE TENT
AND PUT SOME ANTISEPTIC CREAM ON IT.
KISS IT BETTER, PLEASE.
DO IT PROPERLY.
HOW IS PROPERLY?
LONGER, HARDER.
GOT TO BE A LONG KISS TO MAKE IT BETTER.
IS THAT BETTER?
DO YOU LOVE ME?
YES, VERY MUCH.
TOO MUCH FOR MY OWN GOOD, I EXPECT.
WERE YOU TESTING ME?
I DO TEST PEOPLE SOMETIMES.
OH.
NOW I KNOW WHY
THE SKYLARK SINGS LIKE SHE DOES.
WHERE'S THE VILLAGE?
VILLAGE?
OVER THAT HILL.
DID YOU KNOW THAT THE MOON
MOVES FURTHER AWAY FROM THE EARTH
BY A FOOT EVERY 20 YEARS?
IS IT SOMETHING WE SAID?
HEY!
HA HA HA HA!
WHAT DOES BIG BROTHER EDDIE SAY
ABOUT YOU INTERESTING YOURSELF IN LITTLE BOYS?
IT'S NOT A QUESTION OF LITTLE BOYS, UNCLE TURPIN.
JAMIE CAME ON THE SCENE AFTER DAD HAD HIS FIRST STROKE,
SO DAD COULDN'T VOICE AN OPINION.
HA HA HA HA!
WELL, YOU PICKED A RIGHT SULKER.
A POUND OF EVERTON MINTS
COULDN'T PUT A SMILE ON THAT FIZZOG.
JAMIE WANTED TO MEET YOU.
HE'S CATCHING UP ON MY FAMILY.
IS THAT RIGHT?
I'M SORRY I DIDN'T GET DOWN TO YOUR MOTHER'S FUNERAL.
I WAS A BIT INDISPOSED, MESELF.
YOU WERE NEVER VERY CLOSE.
COULDN'T STAND THE WOMAN.
WHY NOT?
HEY! HA!
IT SPEAKS!
HOO! HA HA HA!
HO HO HO HO!
HO HO HO!
OH!
IT NOT ONLY UTTERS,
IT ASKS BLOODY CHEEKY QUESTIONS.
IT SEEMED A FAIR QUESTION TO ME.
IT WAS ALL THAT LOVEY-DOVEY STUFF THAT USED TO SICKEN ME.
THEY WERE A DEVOTED COUPLE. THEY SHOWED IT.
SHE CONVINCED HIM
THAT SHE'D GO TO PIECES IF HE STRAYED
AS FAR AS THE END OF THE GARDEN
TO WIDDLE ON HIS OWN.
DOES THIS ONE CRY?
NOT AS FAR AS I KNOW.
PITY. I LIKE WATCHING LITTLE BOYS CRY.
GOT ME ATTENDING SCHOOL REGULAR, DID THAT.
GRANDMA USED TO SEE ME TO THE GATE
WITH ME DINNER MONEY EVERY MONDAY,
AND SHE'D SAY, "SEE HOW MANY YOU CAN UPSET,
AND DON'T BE LATE HOME!"
[CHUCKLING]
HA HA HA HA!
HADN'T YOU BETTER FORGIVE HIM...
BEFORE HE DIES ON YOU AND IT'S TOO LATE?
ALWAYS DID RECKON YOU TOOK AFTER YOUR MOTHER.
EVEN THOUGH I HAD HER WORKED OUT ALL WRONG.
IT WEREN'T HER THAT DIDN'T WANT KIDS.
IT WAS HIM.
COULDN'T BRING HIMSELF TO POKE THE FIRE PROPERLY.
SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE WAR,
I DON'T KNOW.
WELL, THAT WOULD BE WHY
HE WAS ALWAYS A BIT COOL WITH YOU.
♪ ...SEA
♪ THERE'S A...
♪ LOG IN A HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA ♪
♪ THERE'S A LOG IN A HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA ♪
[GRAHAM JOINS IN] ♪ THERE'S A LOG, THERE'S A LOG ♪
♪ THERE'S A LOG IN THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA ♪
♪ THERE'S A LIMB ON A LOG ♪
♪ IN A HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA ♪♪
BAGS FIRST PEE!
[HUMMING]
[TOILET FLUSHES]
[JAMES SINGING]
I'LL JUST GIVE MY BIKE A BIT OF EXERCISE, O.K.?
DON'T BE LONG. I'LL PUT THE KETTLE ON.
YES!
[THUNDER]
[DOOR SLAMS]
[JAMES] ♪ THERE'S A HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA ♪♪
HI!
[OUT OF BREATH]
TAKE A BREATH.
TAKE A BREATH BEFORE YOU DRINK.
I HAVE A LETTER FOR YOU.
IT'S FROM YOUR FATHER.
[THUNDER]
HE WROTE TO ME, TOO.
HE WISHED US LUCK.
HE REFERRED TO YOU AS JIMMY.
I DIDN'T THINK YOU'D WANT TO BE CALLED THAT.
[RAINING]
[SNIFFS]
YOU'LL WANT TO READ YOUR LETTER IN PRIVATE, I EXPECT.
PERHAPS YOU'RE RIGHT.
WHY NOT READ IT IN YOUR ROOM.
BERNARD SAID I SHOULD BE WITH YOU WHEN YOU READ IT.
I KNOW IT'S PRIVATE, BUT IF IT UPSETS YOU,
I WANT TO BE CLOSE BY.
GET OUT OF MY WAY, PLEASE.
DEAR JIMMY,
THEY TELL ME THAT THERE'S SOMEONE
WHO WISHES TO ADOPT YOU
AND THAT THEY TRUST THIS MAN
AND YOU SEEM TO GET ON WELL WITH HIM.
IN AN IDEAL WORLD, JIMMY, MY LOVE,
WE WOULD BE TOGETHER.
NO ONE WOULD STOP ME FROM BEING YOUR FATHER.
NEVER SHOW WEAKNESS, JIMMY.
IF PEOPLE SENSE IT,
THEY JUST TAKE WHAT THEY WANT FROM YOU,
AND THEY DISAPPEAR.
PLEASE, JIMMY, YOU MUST UNDERSTAND
THAT NONE OF WHAT'S HAPPENED IS YOUR FAULT.
YOU'RE NOT TO BLAME, JIMMY.
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT. I'M THE ONE AT FAULT,
THE ONE WHO HAS FAILED HIS MOST SACRED DUTY
TO BE A GOOD FATHER.
ONE DAY, WHEN YOU'RE OLD ENOUGH
TO UNDERSTAND WHAT FORGIVENESS IS,
I WILL NEED ALL YOU CAN SPARE.
I LOVE YOU MOST.
ALWAYS, JIMMY, PROMISE. ALWAYS,
YOUR FATHER.
WILL YOU COME HOME NOW? IT'S LATE.
COME INSIDE.
YOU CANNOT STAY OUT HERE ALL NIGHT!
GET OFF ME!
GET OFF!
ANGER SCARES ME.
IT'S AN ILLNESS, AND WE DON'T HAVE TO LOOK FAR
TO SEE WHO I'VE CAUGHT IT FROM.
[CLOCK CHIMES]
JEALOUSY CRIPPLES PEOPLE, JAMIE.
IT MAKES THEM BEHAVE BADLY,
BUT WE CAN'T ALLOW EVERYTHING TO FALL APART
JUST BECAUSE YOU'VE HEARD FROM YOUR...
IF I SAY I UNDERSTAND HOW YOU FEEL,
WELL, THAT'S JUST WORDS BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW, DO I?
I HAVEN'T READ YOUR LETTER,
BUT I WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU FEEL.
I WANT DESPERATELY TO KNOW WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT.
ALL I CAN SAY IS, JAMIE,
UNLESS YOU CAN SPEAK TO ME,
UNLESS YOU CAN SHARE SOMETHING WITH ME, I DON'T KNOW...
THERE'S FOOD IF YOU'RE HUNGRY.
I--I COULD MAKE YOU A SANDWICH.
TEA SEEMS RATHER A LONG TIME AGO.
I HAVE A FATHER.
JUST BECAUSE... HE'S IN PRISON
DOESN'T MAKE ANYONE ELSE MY FATHER.
HIS LETTER DOESN'T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT US
GOING TO SEE HIM IN PRISON.
YOU CAN'T ADOPT ME UNLESS I SEE HIM FIRST!
YOU KNOW THAT, DON'T YOU?
I REALIZED THAT WAS PART OF THE BARGAIN
YOU WERE WILLING TO MAKE.
THERE IS SOMETHING MORE IN THIS ADOPTION FOR YOU
THAN THE VISIT TO YOUR FATHER, ISN'T THERE?
ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT ME TO READ IT?
WOULDN'T IT BE BEST TO WAIT
AND THINK ABOUT IT FOR A WHILE?
IT'S ONLY FAIR YOU SHOULD UNDERSTAND
WHY YOU CAN'T EVER...
TAKE HIS PLACE.
[PING-PONG GAME]
♪ LITTLE BOYS ARE CHEAP TODAY ♪
♪ CHEAPER THAN YESTERDAY ♪
♪ SMALLER BOYS ARE--♪♪
[HUMMING]
HA HA HA!
[SHEEP BLEATING]
[DOOR OPENS]
[DOOR CLOSES]
[FOOTSTEPS]
[DOOR SLAMS]
WHY DON'T YOU ASK FOR THE BUTTER IF YOU WANT IT?
THAT'S ENOUGH OF THAT.
GO TO YOUR ROOM.
[RUNNING UPSTAIRS]
[DOOR SLAMS]
HE WON'T LOOK AT ME. HE DOESN'T TALK.
I'VE INSISTED HE SAYS THANK YOU.
HE SAYS IT TO THE CEILING.
IT'S BEEN GOING ON THREE WEEKS NOW.
I DON'T KNOW WHY HE CONTINUES WITH THE VISITS.
EVERY DAY I EXPECT A PHONE CALL FROM THE CHILDREN'S HOME
TO SAY HE'S DECIDED HE DOESN'T WANT TO GO ON
WITH THE ADOPTION.
DO YOU WANT TO GO ON WITH IT?
I SUPPOSE I MUST.
OTHERWISE, I'D PULL OUT MYSELF.
BUT YOU'RE NOT SURE.
WELL...
EVERYTHING WAS FINE UNTIL THE LETTER.
WHAT DID THE ONE YOU GOT SAY?
OH, NOTHING.
AND WHAT DID THE ONE JAMIE GOT SAY?
HAH. EVERYTHING.
IT WAS A VERY FAIR, VERY...
HONEST, VERY LOVING, DEVASTATINGLY MOVING LETTER.
[TELEPHONE RINGS]
[RING RING]
YOU ANSWER IT.
HELLO. PILETH POST OFFICE.
IT'S THE HOSPITAL.
MY FATHER DIED ON THURSDAY MORNING.
AHEM.
SO I MAY NOT BE VERY GOOD COMPANY.
I WASN'T SURE WHETHER TO, UH...
ASK YOU TO GIVE THIS WEEKEND A MISS.
PERHAPS I SHOULD HAVE.
I'M SORRY.
[CRYING]
[WAILING]
YOU'LL BE ALL RIGHT.
PROMISE.
IT WON'T BE LONG.
I WAS ALWAYS A DISAPPOINTMENT TO HIM.
I DON'T THINK SO.
I NEVER KNEW...
WHAT THEY REALLY WANTED OF ME.
WAS THERE NEVER A TIME, EVER?
DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU MEAN BY "A TIME."
DIDN'T YOU EVER LOVE ANYONE?
I DON'T KNOW.
MAYBE.
HI.
WHATEVER IT WAS,
SHE WAS RIGHT OUT OF MY CLASS.
IT WOULD NEVER HAVE WORKED.
GO TO SLEEP NOW.
I'LL STILL BE HERE.
WHETHER THE ADOPTION GOES THROUGH
DOESN'T DEPEND ON ME.
BUT MEANWHILE, JAMES IS COMING UP FOR 11,
AND HE'LL BE CHANGING SCHOOLS ANYWAY.
IF YOU ADOPT HIM, HE'LL GO TO YOUR LOCAL SCHOOL.
SILLY TO MAKE A NEW START TWICE.
SO WE'RE RECOMMENDING THAT, IN THE MEANTIME,
YOU SHOULD FOSTER JAMES
WITH A VIEW TO ADOPTION.
WHICH MEANS?
[DEBBIE] HE COMES TO LIVE WITH YOU.
OH!
LOOK. THERE'S THE NEW BOY.
[GIGGLING]
GERM WARFARE.
THAT'S WHY THE CONSERVATIVE LOST.
HIS NAME WAS JEREMY ANTHRAX.
I DON'T WANT TO INTERRUPT ANYONE.
WHO'D VOTE FOR A NAME THAT SOUNDS LIKE A COUGH SWEET?
I'M IN A TEENSY BIT OF A HURRY.
IT'S THE DRY CLEANING, IS IT?
I BELIEVE I DID TELL YOU, MRS. HILLIARD,
DELIVERY'S NOT TILL THURSDAY.
PLEASE DON'T APOLOGIZE. IT'S QUITE ALL RIGHT.
WHEN ONE'S USED TO A 24-HOUR SERVICE...
OH, I WAS GOING TO LOOK AT SOME KNITTING WOOL,
BUT IF EVERYBODY'S IN A RUSH...
OH, LIZZIE, LOOK AT THE WOOL.
NO. I DON'T WANT ANYBODY INCONVENIENCED.
I'LL COME BACK TOMORROW.
LIZZIE...
NO. YOU HAVEN'T GOT TIME FOR IT.
HILLIARD...
HILLIARD DRY CLEANING.
[BELL RINGS]
BE WITH YOU IN A MOMENT.
I'M JIMMY'S FATHER.
YOU'D BETTER COME INSIDE.
THEY'VE RELEASED YOU EARLY?
IT'S JUST ONE LESS DEATH CERTIFICATE TO WRITE OUT.
WHERE'S JIMMY?
HE'S AT SCHOOL. HE'LL BE BACK AT 4:30.
DOING WELL THERE, IS HE?
PRETTY WELL.
JIMMY'S BEEN THERE ONLY A MONTH.
BEEN TRYING TO WORK OUT A WAY
TO GET A LOOK AT HIM WITHOUT HIM SEEING ME.
[CLOCK CHIMES]
NO.
SORRY?
IT WON'T DO. THAT'S NOT THE WAY.
WHAT, UM...
WHAT...IS IT?
IT'S AIDS.
[BELL RINGS]
DO YOU MIND WAITING HERE TILL LUNCHTIME?
I'VE GOT THE SHOP TO LOOK AFTER.
[SLURP]
I'VE MANAGED TO KEEP JIMMY THINKING
I'VE BEEN IN PRISON EVER SINCE.
YOU HID OUT IN THE WOODS?
YEAH, BUT I'VE BEEN IN AND OUT THREE TIMES SINCE THEN.
YOU KNOW HOW IT IS.
PETTY OFFENSES...
BURGLARY, NICKING CARS, RECEIVING, DRUGS--
YOU KNOW, THAT KIND OF THING.
I'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN HIM,
BUT IT SEEMED FAIRER NOT TO.
HE THOUGHT YOU WERE A MERCENARY SOLDIER.
NOW YOU'D PROBABLY LIKE TO KNOW HOW LONG THEY'VE GIVEN ME.
I'VE GOT FOUR OR FIVE MONTHS.
NOW, IF I COULD JUST HANG AROUND SOMEWHERE OUTSIDE THE VILLAGE--
AND WHEN SOMEONE HAS TO TELL HIM YOU'RE DEAD?
IF I THOUGHT YOU WERE THAT SELFISH,
I'D TELL HIM THE TRUTH.
I'D TELL HIM YOU COULD SEE HIM, BUT YOU DIDN'T.
I'D MAKE SURE HE RECOGNIZED YOU.
I'D MEET THE BUS AND POINT YOU OUT TO HIM.
WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE, HOLDING ALL THE CARDS?
NOW...
HERE'S WHAT WE'LL DO.
YOU'LL MOVE IN HERE.
WE'LL TELL JAMIE WHAT YOUR ILLNESS IS
BECAUSE HE HAS THE RIGHT TO KNOW...
THAT HIS FATHER ONLY HAS A FEW MONTHS TO LIVE.
THE VILLAGE DOESN'T HAVE TO KNOW,
THOUGH THEY MAY GUESS OR FIND OUT.
ONLY THE DOCTOR HAS TO KNOW...
AND THE HIPPOCRATIC OATH SHOULD TAKE CARE OF HIM.
YOU ALWAYS LIKE THIS?
NO, NEVER. I'M NOT THE MASTERFUL TYPE.
[DRIVER] ALL RIGHT, YOU KIDS.
YOU'VE GOT A BROODY EXPRESSION,
LIKE A HEN WITH CONSTIPATION.
WELL, DON'T, 'CAUSE I GOT THE REMEDY.
WE'RE GOING CAMPING THIS WEEKEND.
IT'LL BE GREAT!
NOT THIS WEEKEND.
WHY NOT?
WE HAVE A VISITOR.
WE NEVER HAVE VISITORS.
HI, JIMMY.
WHO DO YOU LOVE?
THE LAST TIME I SAW YOU,
I SAID THE NEXT TIME WE MEET WILL BE FOREVER.
THERE'S NOTHING FOREVER FOR ME AND YOU, JIMMY.
I CAME TO FIND YOU
TO MAKE SURE YOU WERE ALL RIGHT.
YOU'RE A CREDIT TO ME, JIMMY.
YOU'RE A GROWN MAN, ALMOST.
GRAHAM SAYS I SHOULD BE
HONEST WITH YOU ABOUT MY ILLNESS.
HE SAID WE SHOULD SPEND THE NEXT FEW MONTHS--
THE LAST FEW MONTHS--
GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER AGAIN.
DON'T BE SCARED.
DON'T LOOK SO FRIGHTENED OF ME.
AH, JESUS GOD.
PLEASE SAY YOU'RE NOT FRIGHTENED OF ME, JIMMY.
PLEASE.
I'M SO SORRY.
[GRAHAM] JOHN...
I'M REALLY SORRY. I'M SORRY.
[JAMES SOBS]
JUST GIVE HIM TIME.
JIMMY...
[JOHN] JIMMY.
[JOHN] JIMMY!
[RUNS DOWNSTAIRS]
[DOOR OPENS]
[THUNDER]
[CLOCK CHIMES]
[BIRD CALLS]
[CRYING]
YOU JUST NEED TO GIVE HIM A LITTLE TIME, JOHN.
ALL HE NEEDS IS TIME.
JAMIE?
JAMIE.
JAMIE!
[DOG BARKS]
JAMIE!
[BIRD CALLS]
JAMIE!
IT WON'T TAKE LONG.
PLEASE PROMISE YOU'LL BE A GOOD BOY.
JAMIE!
JIMMY, BE A GOOD BOY SO WE CAN PLAY OUR GAME.
HIDE THERE FOR ME, BABY.
STOP...WAIT. DON'T RUSH. TAKE TIME.
[BIRD CALLS]
[SOBBING]
[DOOR CLOSES]
JAMIE!
[KNOCKING]
JAMIE?
JAMIE.
JAMIE...JAMIE...JAMIE...
JAMIE.
JAMIE!
I KNOW WHERE YOU'VE GONE.
I KNOW WHERE YOU'RE HIDING.
TO HAVE NOTHING! TO FEEL...
NOTHING!
TO BE NOTHING!
IT DOESN'T WORK. I'VE TRIED IT.
WHY HIM...
AND NOT ME?
WE CAN START... FROM DAY ONE.
AND WE CAN GO FROM GOOD TO BETTER.
ANYTHING'S POSSIBLE, JAMIE...
EXCEPT FEELING NOTHING.
THAT'S NEVER POSSIBLE.
[BIRDS SINGING]
I WON'T BE SECOND BEST, JAMIE.
IF IT'S GOING TO WORK,
IT HAS TO BE AS FATHER AND SON.
TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT. IT'S UP TO YOU.