The Rumour (2025) s01e01 Episode Script
Episode 1
1
MUFFLED VOICES
SHE GASPS
SHE EXHALES
I don't know why you've decided
that needs doing right now.
It's done. Only took a minute.
SHE SCOFFS
Right, are you all done?
Cos we should get going.
There's still half a bowlful there.
You'll be hungry before mid-morning,
won't you, darling?
You need a full stomach
for your first day.
What we both need is to not be late.
One or two more mouthfuls
won't take a minute.
Oh, I'll tell the school that
when I'm signing the late slip.
Right. Let's get going.
I'll clean up all this
when I get back. Say hi to Liz.
Let's go.
All right.
Get in.
Are we ready?
Yeah.
How are we feeling?
Excited for your first day?
Even just a little bit?
OK. That's fine.
That's fine.
You don't have to be excited.
Hey!
Ooh!
GASPS
Oh, shit.
GASPS
Shit. Sorry.
Oh, shit.
I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry.
I didn't see you.
Why don't we make a deal?
We've each gotta talk
to two new people today.
We just walk right up to them,
big smile, say hello.
Easy-peasy. You wanna practise?
Well, I do.
You know, I forget my name
when I'm nervous.
Wait, what is it?
Joanna.
Oh, that's it.
Right, new school, new job.
We're gonna have a good day.
INDISTINCT CHATTER,
BELL RINGS
OK. Are you sure you don't want me
to walk you to your classroom?
OK. Right.
In you go,
and I'll see you after school.
Nearly forgot.
I know.
Right, give that to your teacher.
It's very important, OK?
Love you. Bye-bye.
Keep it safe. Have a good day.
Excuse me. What are the forms
all the kids are carrying?
School photo day.
Today?
Yeah.
Mm-hm.
Oh, I didn't know.
It was on the school email
in the group chat.
I'm not in How do I get in that?
Sorry. Who are you?
Oh, sorry. Erm, I-I'm Joanna.
I've just moved here from London.
Alfie's in Year 1.
Oh, same year as our lot.
It's a really great bunch of kids.
Oh, that's good to hear.
Yeah, he can be a bit shy.
Actually, I'd love to organise
Do you know, if you hurry,
if you just pop yourself in there,
into the office, they'll give you
the correct forms. Ah.
Thank you.
OK.
INDISTINCT CHATTER
Alfie's going to be fine.
Day one is always the hardest.
Yeah. Thanks. He just had a bit
of trouble at his last school, so
I have a note on his reading
and writing.
He's a little bit behind
where he should be, but
Yeah. No, it's not that.
I mean, it sort of is.
It's just, he's really quite bright.
He just gets nervous when it comes
to talking in front of the class.
He was picked on, well, bullied,
actually, at his last school.
I'll keep an eye out.
A fresh start can work wonders
sometimes.
Yeah. Thank you.
That's what we're hoping.
Gonna need the late form again.
You new?
Yeah. Just moved here.
Ah. First day jitters, eh?
I honestly think
I'm more nervous than my son is.
He'll be fine.
Thanks.
So will you.
OK. I'll go get change.
PHONES RINGING,
LOW CHATTER
New girl. You settling in OK?
Yeah, just getting familiar
with the local homeowners.
Mm. That cesspool of complaints.
Who's Sally McGowan?
Hm?
No idea.
Mind if I throw you in the deep end
this morning?
Yeah.
Owner wants this
put on the market, ASAP.
She'll meet you there
in half-an-hour.
Absolutely.
Hang on. Sally McGowan.
Not the one who butchered
that little boy?
So, Liam would like everybody
in fancy dress
for his Halloween party.
Party of the year coming up.
SERVER: One mocha.
Well, I'll be there in devil horns,
obviously. Naturally.
You'd be amazed the amount of likes
I get for the Halloween party pics.
Hello again.
Oh.
It's Joanna from the school gate.
Oh, yes. Hello.
How'd you get on
with the school photos?
Oh, yeah. All sorted.
Thanks for that.
Alfie'd have been a mess
if he'd been left out.
Can be a bit sensitive.
Fatima says you're from London.
Yeah, obviously not originally,
but my mum's been in Flinstead
for years.
Mm. We looked at schools in London.
You know, it's either pay a fortune
or knife crime.
Is that why you left?
The crime?
Er, no.
Anyway,
Flinstead's not that safe either.
What do you mean?
I heard something
about Sally McGowan living here.
Who?
I know that name.
Of course you do - probably
one of your million followers.
Isn't she one of the mums
in the other class?
Sally McGowan.
Oh, my God.
"Evil - born or bred?"
Sally McGowan was only ten years old
when she lured five-year-old
Robbie Harris away from his friends
and stabbed him three times
in the stomach.
Wasn't that in the '70s?
Oh, yeah.
We even heard the news back home.
She's gotta be pretty old by now.
Probably harmless at this point.
Sorry. Who told you
she was living in Flinstead?
Oh, it's not certain
There's no-one called Sally McGowan
living here.
No, of course not.
That's what they do.
When the really bad ones
are released,
they give them
this whole new identity,
put them up in some small town
with the neighbours none the wiser.
You should ask Mark.
Local police would be
the last to know.
That's the whole point.
No-one knows. Mm.
I'm Fatima, by the way.
Ketifa's mum.
Ah!
Oh, Debbie.
My Liam's in Year 1 as well.
I'm Anita. Hi.
Oh, it's so nice to meet you all.
We can't just have a child killer
running around on the loose.
Somebody has to do something.
Wasn't there a documentary about it?
Do you know,
I think we need to post about it,
really make sure
everyone's on the lookout.
I-I'm not even sure that it's
Sit. Have a coffee with us.
Oh, erm
Ah, bugger, I'm running late.
Next time.
Yeah, course.
OK. Bye.
Sounds good.
INDISTINCT CHATTER
Hello.
RECORDED SPEECH PLAYS
FROM ANOTHER ROOM
Hello. It's Joanna from Pegton's.
Hello.
'Robbie had been at school until 3pm
'before heading out
to play with friends
'down at the scruffy playground
less than 100 yards from his home.
'Kids of all ages
would regularly hang out there,
'which is why none of the children
the police spoke to thought anything
'of seeing ten-year-old
Sally McGowan whispering
'in little Robbie's ear.
'The words she used to lure him away
will never be known.
'But CCTV footage
records the route she took him on,
'leading him by the hand
along Cobden Road
'and down Duckworth Street.
'The footage grimly capturing
the final moments
'of five-year-old
Robbie Harris's young life.'
'Less than 40 minutes
after this footage of Sally'
Excuse me?
What are you doing in my house?
Oh, sorry. The door was open.
I'm Joanna.
I met you at the school.
I've just started working
at Pegton's.
Stephen said
you were looking to sell.
It's a beautiful house.
Are you downsizing?
Helping my daughter
with her house down payment.
Oh, so, was that your granddaughter
this morning, then?
No, no, they live miles away.
New Zealand, of all places.
No, that's Hayley - I look after her
when her mum's working.
That wasn't you, was it?
Posting about Sally McGowan
on the homeowners' forum.
I saw the film on your computer.
What?
Don't know
what you're talking about.
That was just something
Debbie posted.
Right, I'd better show you around.
VOICES ECHO: 'Not the one
who butchered that little boy?'
DEBBIE: "Evil - born or bred?"
'Who told you she was living
in Flinstead?
'Sally McGowan
was just ten years old
'She's going to be middle-aged
by now.
'Stabbed him three times
'When the really bad ones
are released,
'they give them
a whole new identity'
How'd it go with Mrs Anderson?
Yeah, all good. Thanks.
It should be an easy sell
in this market,
so full steam ahead.
Stephen, how long's Kay lived
in Flinstead?
Mm 30 years, give or take.
Never thought she'd wanna leave,
to be honest. Why?
Oh, no reason.
It's just the Sally McGowan thing.
You haven't told anyone about that,
have you?
Er, not really.
I mean, it was online,
so I guess anyone could've seen it.
Who knows if it's even true?
It doesn't have to be.
Something like this spreads,
it could sink house prices
around here.
Oh, hi.
Hi. Can I help you?
Oh, no, just looking. It's lovely.
I think we're neighbours.
I moved in at the weekend
with Alfie, my six-year-old.
It was me that almost ran you over
this morning.
Sorry.
Ah.
I think it's great
you bike everywhere in Flinstead.
I think we should all be
biking everywhere, all the time.
Ban cars, I say.
Do you want that?
Yep. Thanks.
You'll want your spare keys,
I imagine.
The woman who lived there before you
left them with me,
so you should have them.
Is that just for one c? Yeah.
It's handmade. I made it.
Oh, right. Yeah. It's lovely.
It's brilliant.
Thanks.
DEBBIE: Oh, she's coming over.
Speak of the devil.
Hello. Hiya.
Just talking about your rumour.
My what, sorry?
Sally McGowan - who she could be.
Oh, it's not really my
My sister-in-law. Definitely.
THEY LAUGH
She would have to be late '60s,
early '70s by now.
My sister-in-law is still a cow.
So, she'd have to be really old,
not born in Flinstead,
no family here,
doesn't like talking about her past.
Who fits that bill?
Come on, Mark must know something.
Oh, by the way,
he's the local police sergeant.
He fancies Fatima.
No, he doesn't.
He 100% does.
Honestly, I don't know
why you don't just make a go of it.
I'm sure it's someone
completely off the radar.
There's a dozen women it could be.
We could make a list of suspects.
That is a great idea.
We can do it tonight at book club.
You should come.
I'd love to, but I won't have time
to read the book.
Oh, don't worry.
It's mostly drinking and gossip.
And now unmasking a killer.
Personally,
I wanna talk about the book.
My place at seven?
Mm-hm.
We take it in turns hosting.
I'll put you on the roster.
Oh, right. Great. Yeah. Thanks.
Sonia Martins - that's my bet.
She has that shop. What is it?
Stones and Crones.
Oh, I was just in there.
Oh, do you remember when I returned
the pack of tarot cards?
Oh
THEY LAUGH
Debbie went through
this really brief mystical phase.
Well, you know, I needed something
to get me through the woes of life.
And it turns out that was wine.
Yes. Thanks.
We tried to invite her to book club,
didn't we,
but refused,
she didn't want to come, did she?
Oh, hardly makes her a child killer.
Anyway, she's not the type.
She's not gonna be the type, is she?
That's the point.
We have no idea
what we're looking for.
The initials are the same, though -
Sally McGowan, Sonia Martins.
It's a bit obvious.
Mm.
Sonia's my neighbour.
Really?
I wouldn't worry about it.
Better you than me,
that's all I say.
CHILDREN SHOU
AND PLAY
How was your day, munchkin?
Were you in the class photo?
Well, what else did you do?
Stuff.
Oh, yeah, I did stuff
when I was in primary school.
Then we moved onto things.
Things were the best.
Why don't you tell Liz
about your first day at school?
And did you make any friends today?
I met a boy called Liam.
He's having a party.
SHE GASPS
A party?
That's exciting.
I'm not invited.
Hmm. Bullet dodged, I'd say.
Well, it's only your first day.
I'm not the artist in the family,
but I think this one's not bad.
Mm. Best effort to date.
Kill me with faint praise,
why don't you?
Why don't you go and see if there's
anything exciting happening
at the bird feeder?
There's a starling
who likes to visit.
OK.
Small compensation for the lack
of party invitations.
SHE SIGHS
Give it time. He'll make friends.
I hope so.
It's just uprooting him so suddenly.
I still don't understand why
he couldn't wait until the new term.
I didn't know
you and Michael had split up.
Oh, we haven't
We just haven't really had chance
to discuss it yet.
He's still away
for another few weeks.
Anyway, you were a solitary child,
as was I.
Runs in the family.
I wasn't solitary.
Anyway, I had Lucy.
Well, that hardly counts.
Who's Lucy?
Lucy Lion, her imaginary friend.
But you grew out of it,
and now look at you.
Hmm. Practically had to sell my soul
to get into the book club, Mum.
Ooh, sounds interesting,
a book club.
What are you reading?
Completely forgot to ask.
That Sally McGowan thing took over.
What Sally McGowan thing?
She killed a little boy
when she was a child.
Now, apparently,
she's living in Flinstead.
"Apparently"? Who says?
Well, everyone's saying it.
No-one knows who she is, obviously.
Sounds like a load of fuss
over nothing.
PHONE VIBRATES
BANGING
SONIA THROUGH WALL: Agh!
INDISTINCT SHOUTING
Hi, Sonia. Is everything OK?
Why wouldn't it be?
Oh, I just heard noises.
I'm rearranging some furniture.
Oh.
Oh, actually,
I was wondering about my keys.
Better come in.
Have you lived here long
in Flinstead?
It takes 20 years in this town
for them to call you a local.
So, by that measure, I'm still new.
Wait here.
Oh, thank you. That's great.
Oh, it's an interesting tattoo.
I was young and stupid.
Does it mean anything?
It's a symbol.
Fertility.
Oh. Have you got kids?
Got to get on.
See yourself out.
BUSY CHATTER
Stephen, are you in the book club?
God, no. Ladies only.
No, I live here. Debbie's husband.
Oh.
Oh, I didn't realise.
Come on in.
Thank you.
Yeah.
They're just in the living room.
Wow.
I'm under strict instructions
to entertain the kids
and make myself scarce, so
Thanks.
KIDS SCREAMING
Liam, better be sharing your toys,
mister.
Hi.
Oh, hi, Joanna. You made it.
Er, do you know everyone?
Erm
She doesn't know me.
Joanna isn't one of your inmates,
Rach.
You haven't got to intimidate her.
Rachel is a real-life prison guard,
and the attitude comes with the job,
apparently.
I can hear you, you know.
We love you just the way you are.
Grumpy on the outside,
grumpy on the inside.
Anyway, my little one is Hayley,
but Kay takes her to school
most days.
Well, you've got enough
on your plate.
And my grandkids are in Australia.
Oh, I thought you said New Zealand.
Did I?
Oh, yeah, well
They've just moved.
I keep forgetting.
THEY LAUGH
That must be hard,
to be so far away.
Well, it is.
Yes, I really miss them.
And I'm just terrified of flying.
Oh, well, you know Hayley thinks
of you as her second grandma.
Aw!
Oh, hello. Hi.
Hi.
Erm, oh.
Did Stephen not take your coat?
Er, no.
Oh, would you hold this for me?
Sorry.
Thank you.
Come on, let's pop you in here,
show you where the coats are kept.
Just through here.
There we go.
Thanks.
It's like another massive room.
Come here.
Oh, yeah. Thanks.
Lovely.
I hear Liam's having a party soon.
Yeah. Next week.
Oh, you're calm.
I'm always rushed off my feet
a few days before.
Really? Mm.
I quite like having a big old row
with party planners
and cake decorators.
Come on.
The going theory is,
is that you came to Flinstead
to escape a bad relationship.
Romance gone wrong.
Oh, erm
Not exactly.
No?
If I lived in London, you couldn't
crowbar me out of the place.
So, is Alfie's dad joining you,
then, or?
Erm, I'm not I'm not sure.
It's Single mothers
doing it for themselves.
Cheers.
THEY CHUCKLE
Speaking of which,
I was doing a deep dive earlier
online on Sally McGowan.
It can't be Sonia Martins.
She hasn't got that birthmark
on her face.
Oh, no, the first thing they'd do
is laser that off
so people wouldn't recognise her.
You shouldn't believe
what people post online.
She could be anywhere.
That's the whole point.
We've got a right to know
IF she's still here.
Have you spoken to Sonia today?
Only briefly.
And did you ask her?
What, if she's Sally McGowan?
THEY LAUGH
No, I didn't.
We need more information.
Something that, you know,
actually proves that it's her.
Something that
we can identify her with.
She's got a tattoo
on her hand, like there.
It's, erm
It's like five dots, like
She said it was for fertility.
Like that.
Sonia hasn't got kids.
Oh, no, that
that is a prison tattoo.
Inmates get them.
It symbolises being inside.
You've got, like,
the four dots for the walls,
and the one in the middle's
for the prisoner.
What, so she's really dangerous,
then, we need to warn people.
Debbie, it was years ago.
She obviously hasn't
broken the law since.
That we know of.
One murder's bad enough, isn't it?
I'm not taking that risk.
This is our kids
we're talking about.
INDISTINCT MUTTERS
AND WHISPERS
Anyway, refill,
then we'll get started on the book.
Yeah.
Ooh, I know
which one we should do next.
The Girl Who Killed:
The Real Story Of Sally McGowan.
Don't think I could bare it.
You don't have to do that.
Oh, it's no bother.
Good night?
Yeah, my first ever book club.
I think I did all right.
As long as you're not too hungover
at work tomorrow.
Me? Never.
A woman that can handle her drink.
Love that.
Er, Stephen, about Liam's party
Oh, it's Debbie's domain.
I'm strictly support staff.
It's just that my little boy, Alfie,
he's had such a rough time,
and I know he'd really love
Well, I'm here if you need anything.
Thank you. Yeah, I appreciate that.
You're really special, Joanna.
Hope you know that.
Hiya.
Hi.
Oh.
Oh, did Liz not stay?
Mm-mm. She had to get back to work.
Her exhibition's not far off,
and besides,
she loathes reality television,
and I'm addicted.
I'm surprised you two have lasted
as long as you have.
And why is that?
You're so different, that's all.
Do you not approve?
I'm joking.
Course. I'm happy for you.
I am sorry about you and Michael.
I thought
you'd be throwing me a parade.
I just wish you'd tell me
what was going on.
Mm
I know Alfie's been bullied, but
are you sure
there was nothing else?
Oh, is that not enough?
But it was so sudden.
I mean, I'm happy you're here.
Well, let's just leave it at that,
then.
SHE SIGHS
What are you looking at?
People think it could be Sonia.
What could be Sonia?
That she could be Sally McGowan.
Oh!
For goodness' sake.
You and your imagination.
I told you not to get involved
with those women.
Putting silly ideas in your head.
Sonia's harmless.
Could you just stop
all this nonsense, please?
All right, all right.
And stirring up trouble's hardly
gonna help Alfie fit in, now, is it?
Thank you for tonight, Mum.
I'm gonna go and check on him.
VOICES ECHO:
'It can't be Sonia Martins.
'She hasn't got that birthmark
on her face.'
'You shouldn't believe
what people post online.
'She could be anywhere.'
'That's the whole point.
'We've got a right to know
IF she's still here.'
CLATTERING,
DOG BARKING
CLATTERING
TWIG SNAPS
BANGING,
SCREAMS
SHE BREATHES SHAKILY
SHE SIGHS
What the fuck, Michael?
You can't just turn up.
You scared me half to death.
I thought you were
Don't you DARE come at me.
You take off and just disappear?
I told you what would happen.
He's my son, too.
I'm doing it for him.
No, you're using him to punish me.
Keep your voice down. He's asleep.
I thought you were away on the rigs
for another couple of weeks.
Yeah, well, I came back a bit early.
Well, you shouldn't have.
You can't just make these decisions
without me, Jo.
That's my boy, too.
You're never there.
I'm at work.
What do you expect me to do?
Yes, you're away for months on end,
and you promised me
you'd stop when he was born.
It's me and Alfie on our own
most of the time.
And this is where I want us to be.
I wanna see him.
He's asleep.
All right, well, then, tomorrow.
He's got school.
After school.
I'm here now.
Oh, thanks.
What's happened?
RACHEL: Debbie's got people
pretty riled up, I think.
Is it really her?
Everyone seems to think so, I guess.
Oh, here we go.
Are you proud of yourselves?
You're busybodies and vultures.
You're the monsters, the lot of you.
Sonia, what's going on?
It was you, wasn't it?
Spreading stories about me?
No.
Got what you wanted? Bit of drama?
Something to get excited about?
Sonia, I didn't
You have no idea what you've done.
Just take it easy, Sonia.
No idea.
Come on, Sonia.
I'll help you clear up.
Well, how was your day?
Everyone's going
to Liam's party except me.
Well, it's Grandparents' Day
next week,
so you can finally take Nana.
And Liz, too.
And Liz, too.
Do you wanna go to the park now?
No.
I think you do.
Come on, then.
Ooh. It's cold, innit?
Give me your bag.
Can you see who that is?
Daddy! You turned up!
Yes, I did!
Agh!
Now, either you've grown
or I've shrunk.
I've grown.
Are you sure about that?
I've been feeling
a bit shorter lately.
Fancy a kickabout?
Right, I'll be back in an hour, OK?
Erm, I was thinking to take him
to the cafe for some food.
Yeah, OK.
I'll pick him up from there, then.
All right.
And, erm, tomorrow?
I don't know.
All right, well, we're gonna have
to figure this out, Joanna,
whatever's going on here.
Come on, then.
We need to make a goal.
Yeah. Yeah.
Nice touch.
You're getting slow, Dad.
Oi! And again.
COMPUTER PINGS
MAN OVER COMPUTER: 'Joanna.
'Look at you.'
Hi.
'I'm nervous.'
Yeah, I'm not sure
this was a good idea.
'Me either, but, erm, still,
I'm glad you changed your mind.'
MICHAEL: Picture it - I'm out on
the rig in the middle of the night.
The wind was blowing a gale.
HE BLOWS
Rain slicing on the horizontal.
There's no helicopters
getting in or out in that.
And it was up to me
and the engineering team
to keep everyone safe.
Stop the rig
from falling into the sea.
Got pretty hairy there for a moment.
Come on, then, Alfie,
say good night to Daddy.
Isn't he coming with us?
I've got a hotel in town, buddy.
I'll be seeing you tomorrow.
Thank you.
Glad you're safe.
Thanks.
Right, so, who won, then?
I did.
Yes.
'So, nothing else?'
'No.'
Nothing else exciting?
Mm Yeah.
OK, so, apart from football
and snacks,
what else did you do with Daddy?
I got my photo taken
at the post office.
What do you mean?
I wasn't allowed to smile.
I had to stand up tall and straight.
Was it a passport photo?
What's that on our house?
MUFFLED VOICES
Where's Alfie?
I thought you knew.
His father took him.
He took Alfie to get his passport.
God knows what he's planning.
You want a fight, I'll give you
a fight. Can you hear yourself?
You're not taking him from me.
I'm worried about Joanna.
I think you should go now.
Don't tell me you believe the rumour
about Sally McGowan?
There's only one person
that would have reason to do this.
Killer amongst us.
Who would have thought it?
Do you still think it's Sonia?
Something bad's about to happen.
Joanna Critchley
believes the culprit
must be one of her neighbours.
I never said that.
Sally McGowan killed a little boy
with a knife, just like Alfie.
Joanna, you have to stop this.
MUFFLED VOICES
SHE GASPS
SHE EXHALES
I don't know why you've decided
that needs doing right now.
It's done. Only took a minute.
SHE SCOFFS
Right, are you all done?
Cos we should get going.
There's still half a bowlful there.
You'll be hungry before mid-morning,
won't you, darling?
You need a full stomach
for your first day.
What we both need is to not be late.
One or two more mouthfuls
won't take a minute.
Oh, I'll tell the school that
when I'm signing the late slip.
Right. Let's get going.
I'll clean up all this
when I get back. Say hi to Liz.
Let's go.
All right.
Get in.
Are we ready?
Yeah.
How are we feeling?
Excited for your first day?
Even just a little bit?
OK. That's fine.
That's fine.
You don't have to be excited.
Hey!
Ooh!
GASPS
Oh, shit.
GASPS
Shit. Sorry.
Oh, shit.
I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry.
I didn't see you.
Why don't we make a deal?
We've each gotta talk
to two new people today.
We just walk right up to them,
big smile, say hello.
Easy-peasy. You wanna practise?
Well, I do.
You know, I forget my name
when I'm nervous.
Wait, what is it?
Joanna.
Oh, that's it.
Right, new school, new job.
We're gonna have a good day.
INDISTINCT CHATTER,
BELL RINGS
OK. Are you sure you don't want me
to walk you to your classroom?
OK. Right.
In you go,
and I'll see you after school.
Nearly forgot.
I know.
Right, give that to your teacher.
It's very important, OK?
Love you. Bye-bye.
Keep it safe. Have a good day.
Excuse me. What are the forms
all the kids are carrying?
School photo day.
Today?
Yeah.
Mm-hm.
Oh, I didn't know.
It was on the school email
in the group chat.
I'm not in How do I get in that?
Sorry. Who are you?
Oh, sorry. Erm, I-I'm Joanna.
I've just moved here from London.
Alfie's in Year 1.
Oh, same year as our lot.
It's a really great bunch of kids.
Oh, that's good to hear.
Yeah, he can be a bit shy.
Actually, I'd love to organise
Do you know, if you hurry,
if you just pop yourself in there,
into the office, they'll give you
the correct forms. Ah.
Thank you.
OK.
INDISTINCT CHATTER
Alfie's going to be fine.
Day one is always the hardest.
Yeah. Thanks. He just had a bit
of trouble at his last school, so
I have a note on his reading
and writing.
He's a little bit behind
where he should be, but
Yeah. No, it's not that.
I mean, it sort of is.
It's just, he's really quite bright.
He just gets nervous when it comes
to talking in front of the class.
He was picked on, well, bullied,
actually, at his last school.
I'll keep an eye out.
A fresh start can work wonders
sometimes.
Yeah. Thank you.
That's what we're hoping.
Gonna need the late form again.
You new?
Yeah. Just moved here.
Ah. First day jitters, eh?
I honestly think
I'm more nervous than my son is.
He'll be fine.
Thanks.
So will you.
OK. I'll go get change.
PHONES RINGING,
LOW CHATTER
New girl. You settling in OK?
Yeah, just getting familiar
with the local homeowners.
Mm. That cesspool of complaints.
Who's Sally McGowan?
Hm?
No idea.
Mind if I throw you in the deep end
this morning?
Yeah.
Owner wants this
put on the market, ASAP.
She'll meet you there
in half-an-hour.
Absolutely.
Hang on. Sally McGowan.
Not the one who butchered
that little boy?
So, Liam would like everybody
in fancy dress
for his Halloween party.
Party of the year coming up.
SERVER: One mocha.
Well, I'll be there in devil horns,
obviously. Naturally.
You'd be amazed the amount of likes
I get for the Halloween party pics.
Hello again.
Oh.
It's Joanna from the school gate.
Oh, yes. Hello.
How'd you get on
with the school photos?
Oh, yeah. All sorted.
Thanks for that.
Alfie'd have been a mess
if he'd been left out.
Can be a bit sensitive.
Fatima says you're from London.
Yeah, obviously not originally,
but my mum's been in Flinstead
for years.
Mm. We looked at schools in London.
You know, it's either pay a fortune
or knife crime.
Is that why you left?
The crime?
Er, no.
Anyway,
Flinstead's not that safe either.
What do you mean?
I heard something
about Sally McGowan living here.
Who?
I know that name.
Of course you do - probably
one of your million followers.
Isn't she one of the mums
in the other class?
Sally McGowan.
Oh, my God.
"Evil - born or bred?"
Sally McGowan was only ten years old
when she lured five-year-old
Robbie Harris away from his friends
and stabbed him three times
in the stomach.
Wasn't that in the '70s?
Oh, yeah.
We even heard the news back home.
She's gotta be pretty old by now.
Probably harmless at this point.
Sorry. Who told you
she was living in Flinstead?
Oh, it's not certain
There's no-one called Sally McGowan
living here.
No, of course not.
That's what they do.
When the really bad ones
are released,
they give them
this whole new identity,
put them up in some small town
with the neighbours none the wiser.
You should ask Mark.
Local police would be
the last to know.
That's the whole point.
No-one knows. Mm.
I'm Fatima, by the way.
Ketifa's mum.
Ah!
Oh, Debbie.
My Liam's in Year 1 as well.
I'm Anita. Hi.
Oh, it's so nice to meet you all.
We can't just have a child killer
running around on the loose.
Somebody has to do something.
Wasn't there a documentary about it?
Do you know,
I think we need to post about it,
really make sure
everyone's on the lookout.
I-I'm not even sure that it's
Sit. Have a coffee with us.
Oh, erm
Ah, bugger, I'm running late.
Next time.
Yeah, course.
OK. Bye.
Sounds good.
INDISTINCT CHATTER
Hello.
RECORDED SPEECH PLAYS
FROM ANOTHER ROOM
Hello. It's Joanna from Pegton's.
Hello.
'Robbie had been at school until 3pm
'before heading out
to play with friends
'down at the scruffy playground
less than 100 yards from his home.
'Kids of all ages
would regularly hang out there,
'which is why none of the children
the police spoke to thought anything
'of seeing ten-year-old
Sally McGowan whispering
'in little Robbie's ear.
'The words she used to lure him away
will never be known.
'But CCTV footage
records the route she took him on,
'leading him by the hand
along Cobden Road
'and down Duckworth Street.
'The footage grimly capturing
the final moments
'of five-year-old
Robbie Harris's young life.'
'Less than 40 minutes
after this footage of Sally'
Excuse me?
What are you doing in my house?
Oh, sorry. The door was open.
I'm Joanna.
I met you at the school.
I've just started working
at Pegton's.
Stephen said
you were looking to sell.
It's a beautiful house.
Are you downsizing?
Helping my daughter
with her house down payment.
Oh, so, was that your granddaughter
this morning, then?
No, no, they live miles away.
New Zealand, of all places.
No, that's Hayley - I look after her
when her mum's working.
That wasn't you, was it?
Posting about Sally McGowan
on the homeowners' forum.
I saw the film on your computer.
What?
Don't know
what you're talking about.
That was just something
Debbie posted.
Right, I'd better show you around.
VOICES ECHO: 'Not the one
who butchered that little boy?'
DEBBIE: "Evil - born or bred?"
'Who told you she was living
in Flinstead?
'Sally McGowan
was just ten years old
'She's going to be middle-aged
by now.
'Stabbed him three times
'When the really bad ones
are released,
'they give them
a whole new identity'
How'd it go with Mrs Anderson?
Yeah, all good. Thanks.
It should be an easy sell
in this market,
so full steam ahead.
Stephen, how long's Kay lived
in Flinstead?
Mm 30 years, give or take.
Never thought she'd wanna leave,
to be honest. Why?
Oh, no reason.
It's just the Sally McGowan thing.
You haven't told anyone about that,
have you?
Er, not really.
I mean, it was online,
so I guess anyone could've seen it.
Who knows if it's even true?
It doesn't have to be.
Something like this spreads,
it could sink house prices
around here.
Oh, hi.
Hi. Can I help you?
Oh, no, just looking. It's lovely.
I think we're neighbours.
I moved in at the weekend
with Alfie, my six-year-old.
It was me that almost ran you over
this morning.
Sorry.
Ah.
I think it's great
you bike everywhere in Flinstead.
I think we should all be
biking everywhere, all the time.
Ban cars, I say.
Do you want that?
Yep. Thanks.
You'll want your spare keys,
I imagine.
The woman who lived there before you
left them with me,
so you should have them.
Is that just for one c? Yeah.
It's handmade. I made it.
Oh, right. Yeah. It's lovely.
It's brilliant.
Thanks.
DEBBIE: Oh, she's coming over.
Speak of the devil.
Hello. Hiya.
Just talking about your rumour.
My what, sorry?
Sally McGowan - who she could be.
Oh, it's not really my
My sister-in-law. Definitely.
THEY LAUGH
She would have to be late '60s,
early '70s by now.
My sister-in-law is still a cow.
So, she'd have to be really old,
not born in Flinstead,
no family here,
doesn't like talking about her past.
Who fits that bill?
Come on, Mark must know something.
Oh, by the way,
he's the local police sergeant.
He fancies Fatima.
No, he doesn't.
He 100% does.
Honestly, I don't know
why you don't just make a go of it.
I'm sure it's someone
completely off the radar.
There's a dozen women it could be.
We could make a list of suspects.
That is a great idea.
We can do it tonight at book club.
You should come.
I'd love to, but I won't have time
to read the book.
Oh, don't worry.
It's mostly drinking and gossip.
And now unmasking a killer.
Personally,
I wanna talk about the book.
My place at seven?
Mm-hm.
We take it in turns hosting.
I'll put you on the roster.
Oh, right. Great. Yeah. Thanks.
Sonia Martins - that's my bet.
She has that shop. What is it?
Stones and Crones.
Oh, I was just in there.
Oh, do you remember when I returned
the pack of tarot cards?
Oh
THEY LAUGH
Debbie went through
this really brief mystical phase.
Well, you know, I needed something
to get me through the woes of life.
And it turns out that was wine.
Yes. Thanks.
We tried to invite her to book club,
didn't we,
but refused,
she didn't want to come, did she?
Oh, hardly makes her a child killer.
Anyway, she's not the type.
She's not gonna be the type, is she?
That's the point.
We have no idea
what we're looking for.
The initials are the same, though -
Sally McGowan, Sonia Martins.
It's a bit obvious.
Mm.
Sonia's my neighbour.
Really?
I wouldn't worry about it.
Better you than me,
that's all I say.
CHILDREN SHOU
AND PLAY
How was your day, munchkin?
Were you in the class photo?
Well, what else did you do?
Stuff.
Oh, yeah, I did stuff
when I was in primary school.
Then we moved onto things.
Things were the best.
Why don't you tell Liz
about your first day at school?
And did you make any friends today?
I met a boy called Liam.
He's having a party.
SHE GASPS
A party?
That's exciting.
I'm not invited.
Hmm. Bullet dodged, I'd say.
Well, it's only your first day.
I'm not the artist in the family,
but I think this one's not bad.
Mm. Best effort to date.
Kill me with faint praise,
why don't you?
Why don't you go and see if there's
anything exciting happening
at the bird feeder?
There's a starling
who likes to visit.
OK.
Small compensation for the lack
of party invitations.
SHE SIGHS
Give it time. He'll make friends.
I hope so.
It's just uprooting him so suddenly.
I still don't understand why
he couldn't wait until the new term.
I didn't know
you and Michael had split up.
Oh, we haven't
We just haven't really had chance
to discuss it yet.
He's still away
for another few weeks.
Anyway, you were a solitary child,
as was I.
Runs in the family.
I wasn't solitary.
Anyway, I had Lucy.
Well, that hardly counts.
Who's Lucy?
Lucy Lion, her imaginary friend.
But you grew out of it,
and now look at you.
Hmm. Practically had to sell my soul
to get into the book club, Mum.
Ooh, sounds interesting,
a book club.
What are you reading?
Completely forgot to ask.
That Sally McGowan thing took over.
What Sally McGowan thing?
She killed a little boy
when she was a child.
Now, apparently,
she's living in Flinstead.
"Apparently"? Who says?
Well, everyone's saying it.
No-one knows who she is, obviously.
Sounds like a load of fuss
over nothing.
PHONE VIBRATES
BANGING
SONIA THROUGH WALL: Agh!
INDISTINCT SHOUTING
Hi, Sonia. Is everything OK?
Why wouldn't it be?
Oh, I just heard noises.
I'm rearranging some furniture.
Oh.
Oh, actually,
I was wondering about my keys.
Better come in.
Have you lived here long
in Flinstead?
It takes 20 years in this town
for them to call you a local.
So, by that measure, I'm still new.
Wait here.
Oh, thank you. That's great.
Oh, it's an interesting tattoo.
I was young and stupid.
Does it mean anything?
It's a symbol.
Fertility.
Oh. Have you got kids?
Got to get on.
See yourself out.
BUSY CHATTER
Stephen, are you in the book club?
God, no. Ladies only.
No, I live here. Debbie's husband.
Oh.
Oh, I didn't realise.
Come on in.
Thank you.
Yeah.
They're just in the living room.
Wow.
I'm under strict instructions
to entertain the kids
and make myself scarce, so
Thanks.
KIDS SCREAMING
Liam, better be sharing your toys,
mister.
Hi.
Oh, hi, Joanna. You made it.
Er, do you know everyone?
Erm
She doesn't know me.
Joanna isn't one of your inmates,
Rach.
You haven't got to intimidate her.
Rachel is a real-life prison guard,
and the attitude comes with the job,
apparently.
I can hear you, you know.
We love you just the way you are.
Grumpy on the outside,
grumpy on the inside.
Anyway, my little one is Hayley,
but Kay takes her to school
most days.
Well, you've got enough
on your plate.
And my grandkids are in Australia.
Oh, I thought you said New Zealand.
Did I?
Oh, yeah, well
They've just moved.
I keep forgetting.
THEY LAUGH
That must be hard,
to be so far away.
Well, it is.
Yes, I really miss them.
And I'm just terrified of flying.
Oh, well, you know Hayley thinks
of you as her second grandma.
Aw!
Oh, hello. Hi.
Hi.
Erm, oh.
Did Stephen not take your coat?
Er, no.
Oh, would you hold this for me?
Sorry.
Thank you.
Come on, let's pop you in here,
show you where the coats are kept.
Just through here.
There we go.
Thanks.
It's like another massive room.
Come here.
Oh, yeah. Thanks.
Lovely.
I hear Liam's having a party soon.
Yeah. Next week.
Oh, you're calm.
I'm always rushed off my feet
a few days before.
Really? Mm.
I quite like having a big old row
with party planners
and cake decorators.
Come on.
The going theory is,
is that you came to Flinstead
to escape a bad relationship.
Romance gone wrong.
Oh, erm
Not exactly.
No?
If I lived in London, you couldn't
crowbar me out of the place.
So, is Alfie's dad joining you,
then, or?
Erm, I'm not I'm not sure.
It's Single mothers
doing it for themselves.
Cheers.
THEY CHUCKLE
Speaking of which,
I was doing a deep dive earlier
online on Sally McGowan.
It can't be Sonia Martins.
She hasn't got that birthmark
on her face.
Oh, no, the first thing they'd do
is laser that off
so people wouldn't recognise her.
You shouldn't believe
what people post online.
She could be anywhere.
That's the whole point.
We've got a right to know
IF she's still here.
Have you spoken to Sonia today?
Only briefly.
And did you ask her?
What, if she's Sally McGowan?
THEY LAUGH
No, I didn't.
We need more information.
Something that, you know,
actually proves that it's her.
Something that
we can identify her with.
She's got a tattoo
on her hand, like there.
It's, erm
It's like five dots, like
She said it was for fertility.
Like that.
Sonia hasn't got kids.
Oh, no, that
that is a prison tattoo.
Inmates get them.
It symbolises being inside.
You've got, like,
the four dots for the walls,
and the one in the middle's
for the prisoner.
What, so she's really dangerous,
then, we need to warn people.
Debbie, it was years ago.
She obviously hasn't
broken the law since.
That we know of.
One murder's bad enough, isn't it?
I'm not taking that risk.
This is our kids
we're talking about.
INDISTINCT MUTTERS
AND WHISPERS
Anyway, refill,
then we'll get started on the book.
Yeah.
Ooh, I know
which one we should do next.
The Girl Who Killed:
The Real Story Of Sally McGowan.
Don't think I could bare it.
You don't have to do that.
Oh, it's no bother.
Good night?
Yeah, my first ever book club.
I think I did all right.
As long as you're not too hungover
at work tomorrow.
Me? Never.
A woman that can handle her drink.
Love that.
Er, Stephen, about Liam's party
Oh, it's Debbie's domain.
I'm strictly support staff.
It's just that my little boy, Alfie,
he's had such a rough time,
and I know he'd really love
Well, I'm here if you need anything.
Thank you. Yeah, I appreciate that.
You're really special, Joanna.
Hope you know that.
Hiya.
Hi.
Oh.
Oh, did Liz not stay?
Mm-mm. She had to get back to work.
Her exhibition's not far off,
and besides,
she loathes reality television,
and I'm addicted.
I'm surprised you two have lasted
as long as you have.
And why is that?
You're so different, that's all.
Do you not approve?
I'm joking.
Course. I'm happy for you.
I am sorry about you and Michael.
I thought
you'd be throwing me a parade.
I just wish you'd tell me
what was going on.
Mm
I know Alfie's been bullied, but
are you sure
there was nothing else?
Oh, is that not enough?
But it was so sudden.
I mean, I'm happy you're here.
Well, let's just leave it at that,
then.
SHE SIGHS
What are you looking at?
People think it could be Sonia.
What could be Sonia?
That she could be Sally McGowan.
Oh!
For goodness' sake.
You and your imagination.
I told you not to get involved
with those women.
Putting silly ideas in your head.
Sonia's harmless.
Could you just stop
all this nonsense, please?
All right, all right.
And stirring up trouble's hardly
gonna help Alfie fit in, now, is it?
Thank you for tonight, Mum.
I'm gonna go and check on him.
VOICES ECHO:
'It can't be Sonia Martins.
'She hasn't got that birthmark
on her face.'
'You shouldn't believe
what people post online.
'She could be anywhere.'
'That's the whole point.
'We've got a right to know
IF she's still here.'
CLATTERING,
DOG BARKING
CLATTERING
TWIG SNAPS
BANGING,
SCREAMS
SHE BREATHES SHAKILY
SHE SIGHS
What the fuck, Michael?
You can't just turn up.
You scared me half to death.
I thought you were
Don't you DARE come at me.
You take off and just disappear?
I told you what would happen.
He's my son, too.
I'm doing it for him.
No, you're using him to punish me.
Keep your voice down. He's asleep.
I thought you were away on the rigs
for another couple of weeks.
Yeah, well, I came back a bit early.
Well, you shouldn't have.
You can't just make these decisions
without me, Jo.
That's my boy, too.
You're never there.
I'm at work.
What do you expect me to do?
Yes, you're away for months on end,
and you promised me
you'd stop when he was born.
It's me and Alfie on our own
most of the time.
And this is where I want us to be.
I wanna see him.
He's asleep.
All right, well, then, tomorrow.
He's got school.
After school.
I'm here now.
Oh, thanks.
What's happened?
RACHEL: Debbie's got people
pretty riled up, I think.
Is it really her?
Everyone seems to think so, I guess.
Oh, here we go.
Are you proud of yourselves?
You're busybodies and vultures.
You're the monsters, the lot of you.
Sonia, what's going on?
It was you, wasn't it?
Spreading stories about me?
No.
Got what you wanted? Bit of drama?
Something to get excited about?
Sonia, I didn't
You have no idea what you've done.
Just take it easy, Sonia.
No idea.
Come on, Sonia.
I'll help you clear up.
Well, how was your day?
Everyone's going
to Liam's party except me.
Well, it's Grandparents' Day
next week,
so you can finally take Nana.
And Liz, too.
And Liz, too.
Do you wanna go to the park now?
No.
I think you do.
Come on, then.
Ooh. It's cold, innit?
Give me your bag.
Can you see who that is?
Daddy! You turned up!
Yes, I did!
Agh!
Now, either you've grown
or I've shrunk.
I've grown.
Are you sure about that?
I've been feeling
a bit shorter lately.
Fancy a kickabout?
Right, I'll be back in an hour, OK?
Erm, I was thinking to take him
to the cafe for some food.
Yeah, OK.
I'll pick him up from there, then.
All right.
And, erm, tomorrow?
I don't know.
All right, well, we're gonna have
to figure this out, Joanna,
whatever's going on here.
Come on, then.
We need to make a goal.
Yeah. Yeah.
Nice touch.
You're getting slow, Dad.
Oi! And again.
COMPUTER PINGS
MAN OVER COMPUTER: 'Joanna.
'Look at you.'
Hi.
'I'm nervous.'
Yeah, I'm not sure
this was a good idea.
'Me either, but, erm, still,
I'm glad you changed your mind.'
MICHAEL: Picture it - I'm out on
the rig in the middle of the night.
The wind was blowing a gale.
HE BLOWS
Rain slicing on the horizontal.
There's no helicopters
getting in or out in that.
And it was up to me
and the engineering team
to keep everyone safe.
Stop the rig
from falling into the sea.
Got pretty hairy there for a moment.
Come on, then, Alfie,
say good night to Daddy.
Isn't he coming with us?
I've got a hotel in town, buddy.
I'll be seeing you tomorrow.
Thank you.
Glad you're safe.
Thanks.
Right, so, who won, then?
I did.
Yes.
'So, nothing else?'
'No.'
Nothing else exciting?
Mm Yeah.
OK, so, apart from football
and snacks,
what else did you do with Daddy?
I got my photo taken
at the post office.
What do you mean?
I wasn't allowed to smile.
I had to stand up tall and straight.
Was it a passport photo?
What's that on our house?
MUFFLED VOICES
Where's Alfie?
I thought you knew.
His father took him.
He took Alfie to get his passport.
God knows what he's planning.
You want a fight, I'll give you
a fight. Can you hear yourself?
You're not taking him from me.
I'm worried about Joanna.
I think you should go now.
Don't tell me you believe the rumour
about Sally McGowan?
There's only one person
that would have reason to do this.
Killer amongst us.
Who would have thought it?
Do you still think it's Sonia?
Something bad's about to happen.
Joanna Critchley
believes the culprit
must be one of her neighbours.
I never said that.
Sally McGowan killed a little boy
with a knife, just like Alfie.
Joanna, you have to stop this.