The Cry (2018) s01e01 Episode Script
Episode 1
This programme contains some strong language CROWD CHATTERS CAMERAS CLICK Joanna CROWD CLAMOURS Joanna, did you do it? CROWD CLAMOURS CROWD CLAMOURS CAMERAS CLICK Of all the things that can happen to a person there's few things that could be worse.
Can you think of any? There are none.
And the whole world they want to look at someone who that has happened to.
Everyone just wants to look at you.
Everyone wants to judge you, stare at you look for clues, so maybe it won't happen to them.
That's when this began.
Two faces.
Two Joannas.
CAMERAS CLICK CROWD CHATTERS CROWD CHANTS: Justice for Noah! GAVEL BANGS BABY CRIES BABY CRIES Jo.
Jo, please.
HE WHISPERS: Jo? Jo.
Mm? Go to bed.
Bye.
Bye.
The minister will speak for two minutes.
He'll take four questions, less if off-topic.
PHONE BUZZES Alistair.
Henry McCallum, I was wondering if you would care to respond to the article I wrote about the Minister's recent indiscretions? I deal with the true press, not with clicktivists.
LAUGHTER Welcome to the new world.
Would you agree that the party faithful has a right to be informed if one of its executive members is being dishonest? Henry, I I'd love to have a chat with you but this is not my stage.
Just keeping it warm.
LAUGHTER PHONE BUZZES Morning, ladies and gents.
CAMERAS CLICK Our changes to the welfare system have improved the lives of BABY CRIES I'm at the end of my tether, here.
PHONE: Jo, sweetheart.
- BABY CRIES - You know what today is.
There, there is no way that I can come home right now.
Well, you could come home if the house was on fire, - or if I'd been robbed or murdered.
- I'm sorry.
Can you ring the, the health visitor? She could pop by SHE SIGHS - BABY CRIES - Er, no, no, it's all right.
I'll be OK.
BABY CRIES Oh, God BABY CRIES God, this makes teaching a classroom of five-year-olds look like a walk in the park.
I had a lunch hour alone! I've got to go, I'm sorry.
- BABY CRIES - All right.
OK.
Go be important.
BABY CRIES SHE GASPS BABY CRIES OK, are you listening? We have to stay very, very, very quietly until they're ready for us, OK? Hi.
You, you must be Miss Lyndsay.
Joanna, Joanna Lyndsay, yeah.
- Alistair Robertson.
- Hi.
There's a guy in there, my boss, he just loves reading stories.
He has to read one once a day at least or he gets, like, really cranky.
Are you guys cool if you come in and he reads a story to you? ALL: Yes.
Yeah? OK, go for it.
SHE CHUCKLES They're completely gorgeous.
BABY CRIES TV BLARES BABY CRIES TV VOLUME INCREASES BABY CRIES - How'd we do? - Good.
Lots of interest.
And performance? Keep your hands on the lectern.
I thought I did? They waved about a bit.
Sort of, up, down, touching your tie.
Just hold on.
OK.
Thanks.
So, have you? Have you given any thought to my daughter's situation? I have.
There's no way of keeping this out of the press, so it's about how we manage it.
What has happened to your daughter could happen to any family.
We have four weeks until the charges are made public.
A lifetime.
I have a strategy.
There's no covering this up.
But, if we set the agenda, and shape the story the way we want, we'll be in a much better position to manage it.
Families are fragile things.
One wrong move, one bad decision and all our lives are changed, like that.
HE SNAPS HIS FINGERS BABY CRIES BABY CRIES Joanna? BABY CRIES It's OK.
Hello.
BABY GURGLES You're OK.
Where is he? It's OK.
He's here.
I fell asleep.
He was crying.
Yeah, he does that.
Quite a bit.
BABY WHINES OK There I know.
BABY WHINES Come here.
BABY HICCUPS BABY CRIES Did you pick up the passports? BABY CRIES Um No, it was cold.
I'll get it tomorrow.
Well, it's only a couple of stops on the bus.
I know.
I'll get it together tomorrow.
- Shh - I'm sure you'll be fine.
I know.
I see women out with their babies, walking around like it's nothing.
I never even saw them before Noah.
Now I look at them like they're marathon runners.
I just want to yell out at them, "You're amazing!" You're amazing.
HE KNOCKS Hello.
Hi.
Sorry, have you forgotten something? I You know, I did.
I actually I totally forgot to get your phone number.
SHE LAUGHS - Is this really necessary? - Yes.
"An application to regain full custody demands substantial "evidence as to the stability of the child's home environment.
" The mother has all the rights.
The father has none.
I want my daughter to know who I am.
I want to be able to share some part of her childhood before it's too late.
Alexandra won't want to give up her daughter.
Alexandra took her.
She took Chloe from this house and I can't just go and take her back.
I We have to go through this process.
And yes, it may be painful and Australia is a long way away, but I can't not do it.
You understand.
Don't you? Yeah.
Yeah, of course.
As the court appointed psychiatrist, I ask questions and you answer them as honestly as you can, there are no right and no wrong answers, so relax.
OK.
I'd like you to think back to when Noah was born.
Can you tell me about that time? Hm, it's a bit of a blur.
Do you remember it being a happy time? Yeah.
Yeah, sure.
A new baby can be overwhelming.
People cope in different ways.
Do you remember those days? BABY CRIES Joanna? Jane, from mother's group.
Yeah! Er Hi, how are you? Great.
How are you? Yeah, great.
Good, thank you.
Wow, he's really wrapped up.
Plus a hat.
How many layers have you got him in, there? Is he not hot? Oh, he, um He feels the cold.
We haven't seen you for a few weeks.
Yeah, I've been busy.
Um, I, I, er I better get going.
Bye.
Bye.
PHONE RINGS Hello? I got your number from Liz.
I know you'll all be here soon.
Chloe's so excited to meet her brother.
- Half-brother.
- Alex? I'll get to the point.
I don't have enough money to fight Alistair in the court system.
But I can't lose my daughter.
I won't.
Alex, you took Chloe.
Alistair hasn't seen her in years.
Yes.
Yeah, we all know why I left Scotland.
And I, and I took my daughter because I'm her mother.
Alex, what do you want? I thought, now that you've had a baby, and congratulations on that, by the way, that you'd understand why I left and why I had to take my daughter with me.
I mean, can you imagine having your child taken from you? Having to give him up? I know he's only a baby but trust me, that bond only gets stronger.
- Where is he from? - He's Australian.
- He's Australian! - THEY LAUGH - And you're sure that he's not married? - He's not married.
He isn't married! No! For God's sake.
He's not married! He's BOTTLES CLATTER THEY LAUGH I'm going to his house tomorrow.
I insisted.
Oh, he's wearing my bib! Yeah.
It's his going-out bib.
THEY LAUGH Very cute.
Can I get a latte and a turkey salad, please? God, I'm eating cake.
Looks nice.
So, news.
Booked.
We're going.
Wow, that's wonderful.
Well, 24 hours on a flight with this one first.
I'm sure you'll get through it.
Oh, and it's summer in Australia! And you'll have Granny to look after the baby.
Yeah, well, it's not just a holiday.
Alistair is trying to get Chloe back.
To come and live here? With you? Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
And is that what you want? What? Well, to become a step-mother to a teenage girl? Do I have a choice? How old is she? Chloe is 14.
- Oof - What? SHE LAUGHS Just remembering what I was like at 14.
Yeah, well, I'm the dreaded step-mother.
THEY LAUGH PHONE CHIMES I'm sorry.
Can I, can I get that to go? I've really got to get back.
You could always come to the salon if you want? No, no, no.
No, you, you go.
We've got some things to pick up.
He's so adorable.
He's not a puppy.
Oh, God, sorry.
Tired.
I don't think I've had more than two hours' sleep for weeks.
Really? Doesn't Alistair get up sometimes? Mm, he's working.
He needs the sleep.
Anyway, I have the boobs.
But you have to sleep, too.
You know, this is work.
Mm, he earns the money, he wears the ear plugs.
That doesn't seem fair.
Look, I really have to go.
Bye.
Bye.
Say "bye!" BABY CRIES This is the hallway.
There's the piano there, - I play that all the time.
- OK.
And this This is the bedroom.
Mm-hmm.
I I only have 25 minutes.
Me too.
SHE GIGGLES THEY PAN Chloe! Well, the pool was closed, and we didn't know.
For cleaning.
Alex! HE CHUCKLES WATER SPLASHES Do you want to get dry? Let's get dry.
BABY GURGLES Oh, I forgot Can I help? Uh No.
I'm all right, thanks.
Are you sure you're OK? You seem a bit out of sorts.
I'm about to take a new born on a 30-hour flight, and my back is giving me grief again.
Am I allowed to be slightly ruffled? Just, stop asking me if I'm OK all of the time.
OK! Let's skedaddle.
Come here.
Come here.
Good boy.
We'll get through it.
See you soon.
Safe travels.
Bye, Alistair.
Yes, I was with them the day they left.
Would you say Joanna was looking forward to her trip to Australia? Yes.
Relaxed? Happy? In control? Yes.
The passenger statements we've heard here today paint a very different picture, don't they? Joanna was looking forward to going to Australia, nobody looks forward to flying all that way with a new baby.
Least of all the other passengers.
You see, I find it odd that your memory of Joanna and Alistair at this time is so different from the psychiatrist's report.
How do you account for that? I'm not a doctor.
I wasn't looking for problems.
Life isn't always easy and having a new baby is certainly testing, but Joanna? She was amazing.
No more questions, my lord.
BABY CRIES Shh BABY CRIES BABY CRIES BABY CRIES Please, shut up Shut up BABY CRIES BABY CRIES Try feeding the poor thing.
BABY CRIES Shh BABY CRIES Please stop.
BABY CRIES Oh, no.
Please stop.
Please stop.
BABY CRIES DOOR SHUTS Al? Al! I came as quickly as I could, are you all right? HE SIGHS I came back from work and they were gone.
I rang the police, the airport, but Can Can she just take her? I don't know.
I don't know.
HE SIGHS But she's gone.
Jo, I'm sorry.
HE SNIFFS My m my marriage It was over, it was over long ago, but when you have a child, leaving is just HE SIGHS It's huge.
I fell in love with you, and that is no lie.
BABY CRIES PASSENGERS MURMUR Hi.
Bubs not settling? No, sorry.
I'm sorry.
BABY CRIES There's been a number of complaints.
BABY CRIES Is there something you can do to stop him crying? Passengers are trying to sleep.
Yeah.
Have you got a bottle or something? Look, I'm not doing this on purpose, believe me.
Try giving it some scotch.
Was it you, smart-mouth, who made the complaint? With nothing to do but sit and read for the next 12 hours? Would you like to have a go? Please Would you like to take him and have a go? If there is anybody, anybody here who thinks they can help me out, I would be more than fucking grateful, you bunch of stuck-up arse wipes! Jo Jo! I have the health visitor's notes from your postnatal visits here.
A health visitor? No, I don't remember seeing anybody.
You attended three appointments at the baby health clinic at the Royal Infirmary.
Oh, that? Yeah.
They, they measured him and weighed him.
Yeah.
These are copies of the postnatal screening questions.
Is that your handwriting and your signature? Yes.
There's nothing in your responses which would indicate the feelings of not coping.
All the other mums looked happy.
I couldn't walk in there and say "I'm sorry, "I don't think I'm very good at this.
" I thought everyone just ticked the boxes.
So, you would say that you weren't coping? I suppose not.
I don't know.
Did you ever have thoughts of wanting to escape? SHE SCOFFS Yes! Yes.
Doesn't everyone? Could we have some water, please? Thank you.
- BABY GURGLES - Shh, shh I'm getting you some water.
Why would somebody complain? People are so horrible.
I'm sorry.
I should have woken up.
I can sleep through anything.
BABY WHINES - How's your back? - Awful.
Shh, shh, shh Here.
There you go.
Thank you so much.
Can we also Can we get this heated up, please? - No problem.
- Thank you.
SHE SIGHS All right.
Now, get some sleep, OK? OK.
Did you feel that you were adequately supported? What do you mean? Your fiance? Family, neighbours, friends? I, I didn't know what to do.
I had no-one to show me.
Your mother died when you were? Er, 15.
Um, and Alistair's mother, she was on the other side of the world.
Ancient history.
BABY CRIES Shh BABY CRIES Would you like me to take him for a bit? BABY CRIES Yeah, er Thank you so much.
You need a break.
Right, come on, my sweetheart.
That's it.
Careful now.
Thank you.
Sorry.
BABY CRIES Yes Shh.
BABY CRIES It's all right.
I think he's teething.
I think you're right.
There we go.
There we are.
Ah BABY CRIES Shh CHIME Hello.
Welcome to Melbourne.
Is he OK? He's good.
It's over.
They wanted to wake you for breakfast but I let you sleep.
- Nicked this for you though.
- Thank you.
Ah, shite What is it? I need a coffee.
I'll get us one.
I forgot how shitty jet lag feels.
You slept almost the whole way.
Jet lag's not caused by lack of sleep.
You know that, right? Mum! Yep.
Hi.
How was your day? What did you do today? School work, Mum.
Boring, stupid school work.
Your counsellor thinks it's a good idea.
Just stick with it.
None of my friends are there.
OK? No-one else has to do this in the holidays.
Chlo You are on such thin ice at school, and if you get expelled, if you are Listen.
Trust me.
It's going to be really bad for your life.
There are no other schools in this area.
You'd be lucky to get a job in a shop.
Sometimes you have to do things you don't want to do, Chloe.
SHE SIGHS AND MURMURS Excuse me? You know, that's just That's life.
Yeah, your life.
Yeah, could you not be rude to me, please? I'm dealing with a lot at the moment.
I'm not going, Mum.
I don't care if the court tells me to, I'm not going to live in horrible Scotland.
They can't make me go can they? Not if I have anything to do with it.
I was thinking about that day.
The day that they walked in on us in the apartment.
What? Why did you take me to your home? It was such a dangerous thing to do.
I could have I could have seen one of Chloe's toys or Alexandra's clothes or gone in to the bathroom and seen that a woman had lived there.
And? And you're just thinking about this now? Yeah.
Can you remember what you were thinking? Um I was thinking I could get away with it.
SHE SCREAMS That's it, well done, Joanna! That's your baby's head forward, Joanna.
Well done! SHE SCREAMS Good, good, good! HE CHUCKLES SHE PANTS Well done.
HE CHUCKLES SHE PANTS BABY CRIES BABY CRIES CAR HORN BEEPS Hey! Hi.
Oh, that looks delicious! Thanks.
Made it myself.
Clever girl! How are you? Do you want to come in for a cup of tea? They're not here.
They're going to go straight to the cottage, change and unpack before they come here.
Mrs Wilson's? Are they not staying here? No.
They wanted a place of their own, you know.
It's their holiday.
Tea? I'm just going to push off.
I've got a bit of running around to do this afternoon.
I'm going to come and pick you up later.
Chloe, can you just run inside so I can have a talk to your nan? About me? Not necessarily.
Why can't I stay? I should be able to hear what you say about me.
Do as your mum says.
And keep an ear out for the phone in case your dad calls.
I wish I had that power.
I'm not sure if you're aware that Alistair wants custody of Chloe.
He's hired lawyers.
SHE SIGHS I'm sorry if I'm telling you things you already know.
Sorry.
I'll, er get going.
Alex.
He did tell me.
I just think with all the trouble that she's having at school - at the moment - She's 14.
I was 14 once.
I certainly didn't hit my teachers.
I just think a change would be good for her.
She's my daughter.
My only child.
I won't hand her to another woman to be raised.
You know if he wins, she'll be living in Scotland and you won't see her any more than I will.
No bars at all.
Maybe if you see a hill or something.
You know, you'll be more like a big sister than a step-mum.
To Chloe.
What about Alexandra? Seriously.
She's had her for long enough, it's only fair that we get her.
For a while.
You know, the next few years of her life will be crucial.
I worry about her wasting away in this back-water.
You grew up in this back-water, it didn't do you much harm.
It's a little different, my upbringing and Chloe's, at the moment, she's being raised by a single mother who can't hold down a job, who drinks herself stupid most nights.
Al, you don't know that.
Well, my lawyer does.
What? She's made connections with her neighbours, her old places of employment.
If we have any chance of getting Chloe back, we have to prove Alexandra's an unfit mother.
Yeah, I know, I know.
It's just so cruel.
So's stealing her out of the country while I was at work.
She's my daughter.
I have to fight for her.
Hello? Alex.
Hi.
Sorry, the The front door was open, so They're not here yet.
I'm still cleaning.
Righto.
Anyway, thank you.
Sorry.
Joanna! - Can we talk to you for a moment? - Just step back for me, please.
This is an active investigation.
What's that smell? Eucalyptus burning and smoke.
Is that where we're headed? Let's see.
RADIO: And they seem to be burning against the wind, travelling in a southeasterly direction.
So, this bush fire is dangerous and burning out of control.
The CFS are warning there is a risk to lives and property and if you're in this area, you are in danger.
You must act immediately and follow your bush fire survival plan.
Do not leave or enter the area in a vehicle or on foot.
It is too late and the roads will not be safe.
- Take shelter - Sounds a fair way off from us, still.
"It's too late," what does that mean? - That you're going to die? - No, no.
It means it'll be safer to stay at home rather than risk trying to leave.
Well, is it safe to be driving? Course.
We'll be fine.
- Hey there! - Dad! Hey, can you tell Mum, Nana, that we're a couple of hours away? I'll give her a call her when we get to the cottage.
Yeah, OK.
And I'm really looking forward to seeing you.
We just saw a fair bit of smoke here.
Is there any there? We're going to have a rest when we get to the cottage, and maybe get something to eat.
I'll give you a buzz when we're ready to come over, OK? How's my brother? He's fabulous! He told me he can't wait to see you, too.
Ha-ha-ha.
OK.
- I'll see you soon.
- Bye.
Love you, bye.
PHONE RINGS - Hey.
- Hey.
So, they've landed, but they're coming over to Nan's after they've had a nap, so they won't be here till later tonight.
Can I please stay the night? Nana said yes.
Sure.
I'll pick you up tomorrow.
Bye.
DOOR KNOCKS Ahoy! Shh! Found the key, then? Forgot to get some milk in for you.
Oh, thank you.
That's so thoughtful.
And yes, found the key.
I'm Alistair and this is Joanna.
Oh, I know who you are! I know your mum.
SHE LAUGHS How old's your baby? Three months and 17 days.
We're, um, we're really exhausted, Mrs Wilson.
- JOANNA GAGS - Thank you for the milk.
SHE GAGS AND SPLUTTERS It's just, it's a bad time for her.
Can I get her anything? Oh, no.
I'll let you know.
Thank you.
Can you tell the court about the day you were preparing the cottage for Joanna and Alistair's visit? I was cleaning and I popped back to my house to get some cloths and when I got back, I found Alexandra inside the cottage.
Did she say what she was doing there? I assumed she'd come to visit them but she was there too early.
I never thought about it until later.
When you told the police? Yes.
They interviewed me quite a few times.
I'll just be a minute.
Sorry.
I, um I forgot.
Hey.
He sleeping? Do you need a receipt? Jo? Of all the things that can happen to a person.
There's few things that could be worse.
Can you think of any? There are none.
And the whole world they want to look at someone who that has happened to.
Everyone just wants to look at you.
Everyone wants to judge you, stare at you look for clues, so maybe it won't happen to them.
- Hi.
- Hi.
It's just me tonight, so I may as well eat in.
Can I use your loo? Yeah, sure.
SIRENS WAIL There's police down on Eloura Street.
They just shut it off.
Can't get through.
I didn't know it then.
But that's when this began.
Two faces.
Two Joannas.
I was appointed by the crown to ascertain if Joanna Lyndsey was of sound mind and therefore capable of standing trial.
Can you give the jury a summary of your assessment? My conclusion is that Joanna Lyndsay is psychologically capable of understanding what is happening to her today.
Her past trauma is severe and undeniable but I believe that she is of sound mind.
No more questions, my lord.
My face I used to be able to hide behind it.
Then it was like my face became a magazine, anyone could thumb through.
Jo? Jo.
Jo, he's gone! MUFFLED: Call the police! Our baby's gone! Call the police! Jo, come on! MUFFLED: Help! Have you seen anyone holding a baby? Call the police! MUFFLED SHOUTING Our baby's gone! Jo, come on! Look! Help.
Help! Help! HELP! Open.
Close.
All done.
Thank you.
I brought the blue dress, too.
Oh, that's good.
You OK? Mm-hmm.
DOOR KNOCKS Five minutes.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Do you think you might cry? And that was when the freak show began.
Can you think of any? There are none.
And the whole world they want to look at someone who that has happened to.
Everyone just wants to look at you.
Everyone wants to judge you, stare at you look for clues, so maybe it won't happen to them.
That's when this began.
Two faces.
Two Joannas.
CAMERAS CLICK CROWD CHATTERS CROWD CHANTS: Justice for Noah! GAVEL BANGS BABY CRIES BABY CRIES Jo.
Jo, please.
HE WHISPERS: Jo? Jo.
Mm? Go to bed.
Bye.
Bye.
The minister will speak for two minutes.
He'll take four questions, less if off-topic.
PHONE BUZZES Alistair.
Henry McCallum, I was wondering if you would care to respond to the article I wrote about the Minister's recent indiscretions? I deal with the true press, not with clicktivists.
LAUGHTER Welcome to the new world.
Would you agree that the party faithful has a right to be informed if one of its executive members is being dishonest? Henry, I I'd love to have a chat with you but this is not my stage.
Just keeping it warm.
LAUGHTER PHONE BUZZES Morning, ladies and gents.
CAMERAS CLICK Our changes to the welfare system have improved the lives of BABY CRIES I'm at the end of my tether, here.
PHONE: Jo, sweetheart.
- BABY CRIES - You know what today is.
There, there is no way that I can come home right now.
Well, you could come home if the house was on fire, - or if I'd been robbed or murdered.
- I'm sorry.
Can you ring the, the health visitor? She could pop by SHE SIGHS - BABY CRIES - Er, no, no, it's all right.
I'll be OK.
BABY CRIES Oh, God BABY CRIES God, this makes teaching a classroom of five-year-olds look like a walk in the park.
I had a lunch hour alone! I've got to go, I'm sorry.
- BABY CRIES - All right.
OK.
Go be important.
BABY CRIES SHE GASPS BABY CRIES OK, are you listening? We have to stay very, very, very quietly until they're ready for us, OK? Hi.
You, you must be Miss Lyndsay.
Joanna, Joanna Lyndsay, yeah.
- Alistair Robertson.
- Hi.
There's a guy in there, my boss, he just loves reading stories.
He has to read one once a day at least or he gets, like, really cranky.
Are you guys cool if you come in and he reads a story to you? ALL: Yes.
Yeah? OK, go for it.
SHE CHUCKLES They're completely gorgeous.
BABY CRIES TV BLARES BABY CRIES TV VOLUME INCREASES BABY CRIES - How'd we do? - Good.
Lots of interest.
And performance? Keep your hands on the lectern.
I thought I did? They waved about a bit.
Sort of, up, down, touching your tie.
Just hold on.
OK.
Thanks.
So, have you? Have you given any thought to my daughter's situation? I have.
There's no way of keeping this out of the press, so it's about how we manage it.
What has happened to your daughter could happen to any family.
We have four weeks until the charges are made public.
A lifetime.
I have a strategy.
There's no covering this up.
But, if we set the agenda, and shape the story the way we want, we'll be in a much better position to manage it.
Families are fragile things.
One wrong move, one bad decision and all our lives are changed, like that.
HE SNAPS HIS FINGERS BABY CRIES BABY CRIES Joanna? BABY CRIES It's OK.
Hello.
BABY GURGLES You're OK.
Where is he? It's OK.
He's here.
I fell asleep.
He was crying.
Yeah, he does that.
Quite a bit.
BABY WHINES OK There I know.
BABY WHINES Come here.
BABY HICCUPS BABY CRIES Did you pick up the passports? BABY CRIES Um No, it was cold.
I'll get it tomorrow.
Well, it's only a couple of stops on the bus.
I know.
I'll get it together tomorrow.
- Shh - I'm sure you'll be fine.
I know.
I see women out with their babies, walking around like it's nothing.
I never even saw them before Noah.
Now I look at them like they're marathon runners.
I just want to yell out at them, "You're amazing!" You're amazing.
HE KNOCKS Hello.
Hi.
Sorry, have you forgotten something? I You know, I did.
I actually I totally forgot to get your phone number.
SHE LAUGHS - Is this really necessary? - Yes.
"An application to regain full custody demands substantial "evidence as to the stability of the child's home environment.
" The mother has all the rights.
The father has none.
I want my daughter to know who I am.
I want to be able to share some part of her childhood before it's too late.
Alexandra won't want to give up her daughter.
Alexandra took her.
She took Chloe from this house and I can't just go and take her back.
I We have to go through this process.
And yes, it may be painful and Australia is a long way away, but I can't not do it.
You understand.
Don't you? Yeah.
Yeah, of course.
As the court appointed psychiatrist, I ask questions and you answer them as honestly as you can, there are no right and no wrong answers, so relax.
OK.
I'd like you to think back to when Noah was born.
Can you tell me about that time? Hm, it's a bit of a blur.
Do you remember it being a happy time? Yeah.
Yeah, sure.
A new baby can be overwhelming.
People cope in different ways.
Do you remember those days? BABY CRIES Joanna? Jane, from mother's group.
Yeah! Er Hi, how are you? Great.
How are you? Yeah, great.
Good, thank you.
Wow, he's really wrapped up.
Plus a hat.
How many layers have you got him in, there? Is he not hot? Oh, he, um He feels the cold.
We haven't seen you for a few weeks.
Yeah, I've been busy.
Um, I, I, er I better get going.
Bye.
Bye.
PHONE RINGS Hello? I got your number from Liz.
I know you'll all be here soon.
Chloe's so excited to meet her brother.
- Half-brother.
- Alex? I'll get to the point.
I don't have enough money to fight Alistair in the court system.
But I can't lose my daughter.
I won't.
Alex, you took Chloe.
Alistair hasn't seen her in years.
Yes.
Yeah, we all know why I left Scotland.
And I, and I took my daughter because I'm her mother.
Alex, what do you want? I thought, now that you've had a baby, and congratulations on that, by the way, that you'd understand why I left and why I had to take my daughter with me.
I mean, can you imagine having your child taken from you? Having to give him up? I know he's only a baby but trust me, that bond only gets stronger.
- Where is he from? - He's Australian.
- He's Australian! - THEY LAUGH - And you're sure that he's not married? - He's not married.
He isn't married! No! For God's sake.
He's not married! He's BOTTLES CLATTER THEY LAUGH I'm going to his house tomorrow.
I insisted.
Oh, he's wearing my bib! Yeah.
It's his going-out bib.
THEY LAUGH Very cute.
Can I get a latte and a turkey salad, please? God, I'm eating cake.
Looks nice.
So, news.
Booked.
We're going.
Wow, that's wonderful.
Well, 24 hours on a flight with this one first.
I'm sure you'll get through it.
Oh, and it's summer in Australia! And you'll have Granny to look after the baby.
Yeah, well, it's not just a holiday.
Alistair is trying to get Chloe back.
To come and live here? With you? Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
And is that what you want? What? Well, to become a step-mother to a teenage girl? Do I have a choice? How old is she? Chloe is 14.
- Oof - What? SHE LAUGHS Just remembering what I was like at 14.
Yeah, well, I'm the dreaded step-mother.
THEY LAUGH PHONE CHIMES I'm sorry.
Can I, can I get that to go? I've really got to get back.
You could always come to the salon if you want? No, no, no.
No, you, you go.
We've got some things to pick up.
He's so adorable.
He's not a puppy.
Oh, God, sorry.
Tired.
I don't think I've had more than two hours' sleep for weeks.
Really? Doesn't Alistair get up sometimes? Mm, he's working.
He needs the sleep.
Anyway, I have the boobs.
But you have to sleep, too.
You know, this is work.
Mm, he earns the money, he wears the ear plugs.
That doesn't seem fair.
Look, I really have to go.
Bye.
Bye.
Say "bye!" BABY CRIES This is the hallway.
There's the piano there, - I play that all the time.
- OK.
And this This is the bedroom.
Mm-hmm.
I I only have 25 minutes.
Me too.
SHE GIGGLES THEY PAN Chloe! Well, the pool was closed, and we didn't know.
For cleaning.
Alex! HE CHUCKLES WATER SPLASHES Do you want to get dry? Let's get dry.
BABY GURGLES Oh, I forgot Can I help? Uh No.
I'm all right, thanks.
Are you sure you're OK? You seem a bit out of sorts.
I'm about to take a new born on a 30-hour flight, and my back is giving me grief again.
Am I allowed to be slightly ruffled? Just, stop asking me if I'm OK all of the time.
OK! Let's skedaddle.
Come here.
Come here.
Good boy.
We'll get through it.
See you soon.
Safe travels.
Bye, Alistair.
Yes, I was with them the day they left.
Would you say Joanna was looking forward to her trip to Australia? Yes.
Relaxed? Happy? In control? Yes.
The passenger statements we've heard here today paint a very different picture, don't they? Joanna was looking forward to going to Australia, nobody looks forward to flying all that way with a new baby.
Least of all the other passengers.
You see, I find it odd that your memory of Joanna and Alistair at this time is so different from the psychiatrist's report.
How do you account for that? I'm not a doctor.
I wasn't looking for problems.
Life isn't always easy and having a new baby is certainly testing, but Joanna? She was amazing.
No more questions, my lord.
BABY CRIES Shh BABY CRIES BABY CRIES BABY CRIES Please, shut up Shut up BABY CRIES BABY CRIES Try feeding the poor thing.
BABY CRIES Shh BABY CRIES Please stop.
BABY CRIES Oh, no.
Please stop.
Please stop.
BABY CRIES DOOR SHUTS Al? Al! I came as quickly as I could, are you all right? HE SIGHS I came back from work and they were gone.
I rang the police, the airport, but Can Can she just take her? I don't know.
I don't know.
HE SIGHS But she's gone.
Jo, I'm sorry.
HE SNIFFS My m my marriage It was over, it was over long ago, but when you have a child, leaving is just HE SIGHS It's huge.
I fell in love with you, and that is no lie.
BABY CRIES PASSENGERS MURMUR Hi.
Bubs not settling? No, sorry.
I'm sorry.
BABY CRIES There's been a number of complaints.
BABY CRIES Is there something you can do to stop him crying? Passengers are trying to sleep.
Yeah.
Have you got a bottle or something? Look, I'm not doing this on purpose, believe me.
Try giving it some scotch.
Was it you, smart-mouth, who made the complaint? With nothing to do but sit and read for the next 12 hours? Would you like to have a go? Please Would you like to take him and have a go? If there is anybody, anybody here who thinks they can help me out, I would be more than fucking grateful, you bunch of stuck-up arse wipes! Jo Jo! I have the health visitor's notes from your postnatal visits here.
A health visitor? No, I don't remember seeing anybody.
You attended three appointments at the baby health clinic at the Royal Infirmary.
Oh, that? Yeah.
They, they measured him and weighed him.
Yeah.
These are copies of the postnatal screening questions.
Is that your handwriting and your signature? Yes.
There's nothing in your responses which would indicate the feelings of not coping.
All the other mums looked happy.
I couldn't walk in there and say "I'm sorry, "I don't think I'm very good at this.
" I thought everyone just ticked the boxes.
So, you would say that you weren't coping? I suppose not.
I don't know.
Did you ever have thoughts of wanting to escape? SHE SCOFFS Yes! Yes.
Doesn't everyone? Could we have some water, please? Thank you.
- BABY GURGLES - Shh, shh I'm getting you some water.
Why would somebody complain? People are so horrible.
I'm sorry.
I should have woken up.
I can sleep through anything.
BABY WHINES - How's your back? - Awful.
Shh, shh, shh Here.
There you go.
Thank you so much.
Can we also Can we get this heated up, please? - No problem.
- Thank you.
SHE SIGHS All right.
Now, get some sleep, OK? OK.
Did you feel that you were adequately supported? What do you mean? Your fiance? Family, neighbours, friends? I, I didn't know what to do.
I had no-one to show me.
Your mother died when you were? Er, 15.
Um, and Alistair's mother, she was on the other side of the world.
Ancient history.
BABY CRIES Shh BABY CRIES Would you like me to take him for a bit? BABY CRIES Yeah, er Thank you so much.
You need a break.
Right, come on, my sweetheart.
That's it.
Careful now.
Thank you.
Sorry.
BABY CRIES Yes Shh.
BABY CRIES It's all right.
I think he's teething.
I think you're right.
There we go.
There we are.
Ah BABY CRIES Shh CHIME Hello.
Welcome to Melbourne.
Is he OK? He's good.
It's over.
They wanted to wake you for breakfast but I let you sleep.
- Nicked this for you though.
- Thank you.
Ah, shite What is it? I need a coffee.
I'll get us one.
I forgot how shitty jet lag feels.
You slept almost the whole way.
Jet lag's not caused by lack of sleep.
You know that, right? Mum! Yep.
Hi.
How was your day? What did you do today? School work, Mum.
Boring, stupid school work.
Your counsellor thinks it's a good idea.
Just stick with it.
None of my friends are there.
OK? No-one else has to do this in the holidays.
Chlo You are on such thin ice at school, and if you get expelled, if you are Listen.
Trust me.
It's going to be really bad for your life.
There are no other schools in this area.
You'd be lucky to get a job in a shop.
Sometimes you have to do things you don't want to do, Chloe.
SHE SIGHS AND MURMURS Excuse me? You know, that's just That's life.
Yeah, your life.
Yeah, could you not be rude to me, please? I'm dealing with a lot at the moment.
I'm not going, Mum.
I don't care if the court tells me to, I'm not going to live in horrible Scotland.
They can't make me go can they? Not if I have anything to do with it.
I was thinking about that day.
The day that they walked in on us in the apartment.
What? Why did you take me to your home? It was such a dangerous thing to do.
I could have I could have seen one of Chloe's toys or Alexandra's clothes or gone in to the bathroom and seen that a woman had lived there.
And? And you're just thinking about this now? Yeah.
Can you remember what you were thinking? Um I was thinking I could get away with it.
SHE SCREAMS That's it, well done, Joanna! That's your baby's head forward, Joanna.
Well done! SHE SCREAMS Good, good, good! HE CHUCKLES SHE PANTS Well done.
HE CHUCKLES SHE PANTS BABY CRIES BABY CRIES CAR HORN BEEPS Hey! Hi.
Oh, that looks delicious! Thanks.
Made it myself.
Clever girl! How are you? Do you want to come in for a cup of tea? They're not here.
They're going to go straight to the cottage, change and unpack before they come here.
Mrs Wilson's? Are they not staying here? No.
They wanted a place of their own, you know.
It's their holiday.
Tea? I'm just going to push off.
I've got a bit of running around to do this afternoon.
I'm going to come and pick you up later.
Chloe, can you just run inside so I can have a talk to your nan? About me? Not necessarily.
Why can't I stay? I should be able to hear what you say about me.
Do as your mum says.
And keep an ear out for the phone in case your dad calls.
I wish I had that power.
I'm not sure if you're aware that Alistair wants custody of Chloe.
He's hired lawyers.
SHE SIGHS I'm sorry if I'm telling you things you already know.
Sorry.
I'll, er get going.
Alex.
He did tell me.
I just think with all the trouble that she's having at school - at the moment - She's 14.
I was 14 once.
I certainly didn't hit my teachers.
I just think a change would be good for her.
She's my daughter.
My only child.
I won't hand her to another woman to be raised.
You know if he wins, she'll be living in Scotland and you won't see her any more than I will.
No bars at all.
Maybe if you see a hill or something.
You know, you'll be more like a big sister than a step-mum.
To Chloe.
What about Alexandra? Seriously.
She's had her for long enough, it's only fair that we get her.
For a while.
You know, the next few years of her life will be crucial.
I worry about her wasting away in this back-water.
You grew up in this back-water, it didn't do you much harm.
It's a little different, my upbringing and Chloe's, at the moment, she's being raised by a single mother who can't hold down a job, who drinks herself stupid most nights.
Al, you don't know that.
Well, my lawyer does.
What? She's made connections with her neighbours, her old places of employment.
If we have any chance of getting Chloe back, we have to prove Alexandra's an unfit mother.
Yeah, I know, I know.
It's just so cruel.
So's stealing her out of the country while I was at work.
She's my daughter.
I have to fight for her.
Hello? Alex.
Hi.
Sorry, the The front door was open, so They're not here yet.
I'm still cleaning.
Righto.
Anyway, thank you.
Sorry.
Joanna! - Can we talk to you for a moment? - Just step back for me, please.
This is an active investigation.
What's that smell? Eucalyptus burning and smoke.
Is that where we're headed? Let's see.
RADIO: And they seem to be burning against the wind, travelling in a southeasterly direction.
So, this bush fire is dangerous and burning out of control.
The CFS are warning there is a risk to lives and property and if you're in this area, you are in danger.
You must act immediately and follow your bush fire survival plan.
Do not leave or enter the area in a vehicle or on foot.
It is too late and the roads will not be safe.
- Take shelter - Sounds a fair way off from us, still.
"It's too late," what does that mean? - That you're going to die? - No, no.
It means it'll be safer to stay at home rather than risk trying to leave.
Well, is it safe to be driving? Course.
We'll be fine.
- Hey there! - Dad! Hey, can you tell Mum, Nana, that we're a couple of hours away? I'll give her a call her when we get to the cottage.
Yeah, OK.
And I'm really looking forward to seeing you.
We just saw a fair bit of smoke here.
Is there any there? We're going to have a rest when we get to the cottage, and maybe get something to eat.
I'll give you a buzz when we're ready to come over, OK? How's my brother? He's fabulous! He told me he can't wait to see you, too.
Ha-ha-ha.
OK.
- I'll see you soon.
- Bye.
Love you, bye.
PHONE RINGS - Hey.
- Hey.
So, they've landed, but they're coming over to Nan's after they've had a nap, so they won't be here till later tonight.
Can I please stay the night? Nana said yes.
Sure.
I'll pick you up tomorrow.
Bye.
DOOR KNOCKS Ahoy! Shh! Found the key, then? Forgot to get some milk in for you.
Oh, thank you.
That's so thoughtful.
And yes, found the key.
I'm Alistair and this is Joanna.
Oh, I know who you are! I know your mum.
SHE LAUGHS How old's your baby? Three months and 17 days.
We're, um, we're really exhausted, Mrs Wilson.
- JOANNA GAGS - Thank you for the milk.
SHE GAGS AND SPLUTTERS It's just, it's a bad time for her.
Can I get her anything? Oh, no.
I'll let you know.
Thank you.
Can you tell the court about the day you were preparing the cottage for Joanna and Alistair's visit? I was cleaning and I popped back to my house to get some cloths and when I got back, I found Alexandra inside the cottage.
Did she say what she was doing there? I assumed she'd come to visit them but she was there too early.
I never thought about it until later.
When you told the police? Yes.
They interviewed me quite a few times.
I'll just be a minute.
Sorry.
I, um I forgot.
Hey.
He sleeping? Do you need a receipt? Jo? Of all the things that can happen to a person.
There's few things that could be worse.
Can you think of any? There are none.
And the whole world they want to look at someone who that has happened to.
Everyone just wants to look at you.
Everyone wants to judge you, stare at you look for clues, so maybe it won't happen to them.
- Hi.
- Hi.
It's just me tonight, so I may as well eat in.
Can I use your loo? Yeah, sure.
SIRENS WAIL There's police down on Eloura Street.
They just shut it off.
Can't get through.
I didn't know it then.
But that's when this began.
Two faces.
Two Joannas.
I was appointed by the crown to ascertain if Joanna Lyndsey was of sound mind and therefore capable of standing trial.
Can you give the jury a summary of your assessment? My conclusion is that Joanna Lyndsay is psychologically capable of understanding what is happening to her today.
Her past trauma is severe and undeniable but I believe that she is of sound mind.
No more questions, my lord.
My face I used to be able to hide behind it.
Then it was like my face became a magazine, anyone could thumb through.
Jo? Jo.
Jo, he's gone! MUFFLED: Call the police! Our baby's gone! Call the police! Jo, come on! MUFFLED: Help! Have you seen anyone holding a baby? Call the police! MUFFLED SHOUTING Our baby's gone! Jo, come on! Look! Help.
Help! Help! HELP! Open.
Close.
All done.
Thank you.
I brought the blue dress, too.
Oh, that's good.
You OK? Mm-hmm.
DOOR KNOCKS Five minutes.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Do you think you might cry? And that was when the freak show began.