Little Disasters (2025) s01e06 Episode Script

1
ED: Jess just tried to abduct
Betsey.
I'm going to protect her.
I believe you.
LIZ: I think that Jess
is suffering
from a thing
called perinatal OCD.
Probably since Betsey was born.
Did you know that your husband
confided in a female friend,
Mrs. Charlotte Hinman?
Did it make you angry, Jess?
Are things really that bad?
I want you to come home
tonight
or just don't fucking bother
coming back at all.
DC RUSTIN: What happened
that you would leave
your ten-month-old baby
and your young son?
How did you fracture
her skull, Jess?
I didn't do it.
DC RUSTIN: We feel we have
sufficient evidence
to convince the CPS to charge
you with child abduction
and child endangerment.
FRANKIE: Mummy's a bit upset.
-[Betsey crying]
Mummy's a bit upset.
Oh, Mummy's a bit upset.
Oh, Betsey!
Did you do a smelly poo?
[Betsey crying]
Oh, it's okay,
Mummy will be back in a minute.
[doorbell ringing]
-Bye-bye. Thank you.
-I'll call you.
Bye, love.
I'm gonna go and rescue George
from the neighbours.
All right. Thanks a lot.
[phone ringing]
-Ed?
-It's Andrew.
Hey, Ed.
Hiya. Just one minute,,
I'm just going to
I'm just gonna put you
on speaker.
The others are here. All right.
She's been charged.
Abduction and child cruelty.
I'm so sorry, Ed.
They got proof that Jess
left Frankie and Betsey
unattended on Friday night,
leaving the children alone.
I mean, these are
serious charges, Ed.
Um, do they know why?
She went to buy medicine
from the corner shop.
Their theory is that Betsey was
most likely hurt before that.
Police refused her bail.
She's deemed a flight risk
thanks to her US passport.
But I'll be making
a further bail application
at her first court appearance
tomorrow, in the morning.
Oh, God.
You okay, Ed?
Not really, no.
Um
I really want to believe that
she was ill when this happened.
Um, but what if,
in the heat of the moment
..she knew what she was doing?
Maybe she just snapped.
[♪♪]
[music fades]
LIZ: You never know
what's happening at home.
Not when parents
are pushed to their limits.
I know that from my work
and from my own childhood.
How could I have been so blind?
How did I not see that
from the start?
Or does every one of us have
the capacity to make a single
catastrophic decision that could
blow up our entire life?
When something like this
hits your closest friends,
the shock waves ripple through
every relationship in the group.
And you just hope you
come through it intact.
No, not yet. We have to
wait here until we're called.
Is Ed here yet?
I'm sure he'll be here
any minute.
Unless he's not coming.
Liz, after we've had
opening statements,
I'll call you up
to give your character witness.
In the likely event that you're
not allowed to return home
with the children, we thought
We thought that you could
stay with me and Nick.
Will you?
That would help.
-Okay.
-Great.
-Thank you.
-Okay.
Okay, it's time.
In addition to child abduction,
you're also charged with cruelty
to Betsey Carrisford,
a person under 16,
in a manner likely to cause
unnecessary suffering
and injury to health.
Contrary to Section 1
of the Children and
Young Persons Act of 1933.
[door opening]
JUDGE: Do you plead guilty
or not guilty?
Stand.
Not guilty.
As you've entered a plea
of not guilty,
we'll proceed with
mode and venue of trial.
Mr. Hinman, are you making
a bail application?
Your Worship, I would like
to argue for bail.
My client has
no previous convictions.
She has strong community ties
and is willing to comply
with any conditions
that the court may see fit.
The defendant,
Jessica Carrisford,
will be staying with me.
At my home address.
And I can confirm that it is a
stable and secure place
for the duration
of the of the bail period.
And I'd also like to say that
beyond my observations
as a doctor treating Betsey,
I can also speak as, as a friend
and say that, um
..that Jess has always been
a devoted mother.
And she's she's a kind
and thoughtful friend.
And in fact, she's she's
the person that I would
go to for advice
on parenting my own children.
So I can honestly tell you
that all of this is completely
-out of character, it's --
-Thank you, Dr Burgess.
JUDGE: We have considered
the arguments
and bail has been granted
with the following conditions.
Mrs. Carrisford, you must reside
at Dr. Liz Burgess' home address
and have no unsupervised contact
with any of your children.
You are, however, permitted
two supervised visits per week.
Additionally, you must surrender
your passport to the police.
Do you understand these
conditions, Mrs. Carrisford?
Yes, Your Worship.
Very well.
We will adjourn the case
until the 18th of September
for a pre-trial review.
Ensure you attend on that date,
Mrs. Carrisford.
Two supervised visits per week.
That's not enough.
You must follow the provisions
of your bail.
Supervised visits only,
while they're still
investigating Betsey's injury.
We have to play by the rules.
I'm so sorry.
I wasn't sure you'd come.
I don't understand
how you left them on their own.
I just wasn't coping.
I'm so sorry.
But you left them alone
in the house,
and and you never let them
out of your sight.
I just needed a few minutes.
So why have you been lying
to me?
I still don't even know
how Betsey was hurt.
And I keep telling myself
that she must have fallen over
in her playpen,
that it was an accident.
Was it?
Or was it something else?
I don't know.
Rob?
Rob, where are you?
We need to talk.
Oh, hi. Who are you?
I'm sorry.
This is my other half.
I haven't had a chance
to break the news yet.
Anyway. Go on.
What were you saying?
News about what?
Nice quiet street.
Decent size rooms.
-Personally, I think --
-We are not selling this house!
We haven't got a choice. Go on.
Well, you can't.
Not without my say so.
Well, actually, according
to your husband --
We're not married.
-Well, according --
-I'm sorry, can you just go?
No, cos he hasn't finished.
Go on. Don't leave.
I want you to leave.
-What are you doing?
-I I think I should go.
Mm-hm.
-You cannot sell our home.
-Well, I can actually.
I can do what I like, cos
it's my name on the deeds.
Look, we can't afford
to live here, right.
And this move out of London,
it's going to be good
-for all of us.
-What move out of London?
I've already spoken
to my mum and dad.
Oh, my God. I am not moving in
with your parents.
Our kids are happy here.
Our friends are here.
Fucking friends who don't
help us when we need it.
Like the Carrisfords
and the Hinmans,
and all the other arrogant
pricks at the school gates
who think
they're better than me.
No, I need this money.
I need it for the business.
What business?
You're full of shit!
You couldn't hold down
a real job.
That's why you've got
this "business".
They made you redundant when
they saw through your crap.
-It was a restructure.
-Oh, yeah.
-A restructure.
-Yeah, yeah.
Look, what would you know
about having a job?
Don't you patronise me.
You didn't want me to work.
You wanted me here at home,
looking after our children.
Okay, well, let's hope
they don't grow up
to be as mediocre and aimless
as their mum.
You bastard!
You stripped away my ambition,
my independence.
You're the reason
I'm in this position.
Don't blame me
for your boring existence.
I never saw you complaining when
you were spending my money.
You're the one
with the chip on your shoulder.
Walking around like a big man.
When actually,
do you know what you are, Rob?
You are just a sad,
middle-aged prick!
-I'm not moving.
-Okay.
-Yeah.
-All right, well, then stay.
But you'll be on your own, okay?
Cos I'm taking the kids with me.
Yeah, yeah.
I'm going to prove
you're an unfit mum.
You couldn't cope on your own.
I mean, look at you.
No job, no house.
You haven't worked in years.
And who'd fucking want you?
LIZ: I'm going to find you
someone to talk to.
Someone who can make sense of
everything you're going through.
Thank you.
She's just unpacking.
How long is she staying?
Um, until the trial.
Well, that could be
a whole year.
Don't you think
this is a bit insane?
-What is?
-What about the children?
I mean, she's got serious
mental health issues.
It's not like we can't trust her
around the kids, Nick.
Look, I don't want to be
the bad guy here,
but she has been charged,
and they still don't know
how Betsey got
the skull fracture.
There's no evidence
anyone with perinatal OCD
ever hurt their child.
And where else could she go?
She's got no family over here.
She's not allowed to go home
with Ed and the kids.
-What could I do?
-Okay.
You feel guilty, and I get it.
But, Liz, come on.
There's righting a wrong,
and there's going
completely overboard.
-A wrong?
-I'm sorry.
You look exhausted.
She was released on bail then?
Yeah. It's not looking good.
So that's it?
They think she did it?
Try not to sound so delighted.
I'm not!
God, no, it's it's a terrible
situation for all of them.
What are the police saying now?
Well, the police are convinced
that she never wanted Betsey
and that she hurt her baby
under extreme distress,
because her marriage
was imploding.
Absolutely ridiculous.
Uh
There's something I need to say.
For the record.
Sounds ominous.
It's about Ed.
Well?
Is it over?
Nothing really happened.
I --
I'd rather not know the details.
-Are you sure?
-Unquestionably.
Because I feel that
if we just --
No, I mean it, Charlotte,
if it's over,
I don't want to know.
Hey. Hello! Are you ready?
All right, come on then.
Right.
Okay, so we are absolutely sure
she's ready to be discharged?
It's going to be fine, yeah?
This is good news, Ed.
Betsey's coming home.
Aren't you?
I'm sorry. It's been so tough
for you and Jess
over the past few weeks.
How is she, the houseguest?
It's good that she's talking
to a specialist.
But it's early days, yeah?
Come on then, you.
-Here we go.
-Right.
So, you remember I said Betsey's
got to keep on taking
these anti-seizure meds
for the next few weeks.
You'll be okay. We've got a
whole rota worked out for you.
You will not
be on your own, okay?
All right, let's do it.
It's easier when parents
don't fight you
at every step, isn't it?
Mm.
Bye-bye then, Betsey. Bye-bye.
Let's go.
Okay.
Hi, Betsey. Hi!
-Hi, my baby.
-Yeah.
-Oh, she looks so beautiful,
-Doesn't she!
Oh, my sweetie!
Oh, look, can you show me
your tooth?
Hi!
Frankie!
Look who's back
from the hospital.
[doorbell rings]
[Betsey gurgling]
How are you, Frankie?
Is your Dad in? I'd like a word.
I know he usually comes home
early on a Friday.
You okay?
What's wrong, Frankie?
What's up? Come here, Frankie.
Come and say hi to Betsey.
Frankie?
Frankie's completely shut down.
I just keep turning it
over and over.
Betsey's accident.
The fact that I left them.
I know Frankie
couldn't have dropped her.
He's too little to reach her
when she's in the playpen.
Ed's driving himself mad
trying to figure it out.
How are things going
between you two?
You know.
He's blowing hot and cold.
He either treats me
like a stranger,
or he's trying to reassure me
that I've got nothing
to worry about with the trial.
I'm more worried about Frankie.
Ed's taking him to a therapist.
He won't talk to her, or us.
LIZ: Do you think Frankie
knows something, then?
JESS: I don't know
what else to think.
Ed?
It is you. What are you doing
here? This is the school gates.
I'm surprised you even know
where they are.
Come on. I'm not that bad.
No, good dadding.
Look
I know you got the trial
coming up and everything,
but I just wanted to say
I am pushing ahead
with my record label and
..I could still do with
your help on that.
Right, yeah, yeah.
Look I'm sorry.
I'm sorry I dropped the ball.
Things have been a bit brutal.
Cos I mean, you know,
you've been going
to the hospital and
You know, we've all just been
hoping Betsey gets better.
Look, um
get that paperwork to me.
I'll sign it.
Thanks, mate.
So how are you with the therapy
and the medication?
That's that's all helping,
is it?
It is. It's helping.
It's the waiting
that's killing me.
I could have a whole year
of this.
Well, Andrew said he's going to
push for an earlier trial date.
So I'm just saying
it might not be too long.
I know, but till what?
You know, I could possibly spend
years in prison,
separated from my family.
That's an absolute
worst case scenario, Jess.
I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry it's come to this.
Frankie will tell you what
happened when he's ready.
This is horrific.
Remind me why we're doing this.
Because we agreed
that doing new things together
would spark more joy.
This isn't new.
You've been doing it for years.
Right, so we're leaving
the curtains.
The carpets.
And the light switches.
But taking the microwave. Right?
-Yeah? Okay.
-[phone ringing]
That'll be the photographer.
Would now be a good moment
to tell you
that I didn't go through
with the egg retrieval?
Or any of the other
appointments?
I know I said
that it wasn't successful,
but I left
before they could do it.
I just couldn't face it,
and I thought it was best
to be honest.
Charlotte, I'm happy
with our family as it is.
It'll just be George.
He's a lovely boy.
Got a lot to be thankful for.
Thank you.
Come on. This doesn't work
if it's only me.
You have to do your bit as well.
You're a good man, Andrew.
ED: Try not to worry about him.
JESS: I just wish
he'd speak to me.
He'll come around.
He will.
I miss us.
I miss everything.
Hey, I had it first!
Give it back!
[Frankie, shouting]
Give it back!
Hey, Frankie!
ED: Calm down. Calm down.
-[Frankie screaming]
JESS: Hey, hey, hey.
[Betsey crying]
Come here, Frankie.
Come here.
[Betsey crying]
-[Jess shushing]
-[Frankie crying]
Come on. We won't stay long.
A quick bite to eat,
a couple of drinks for you.
We'll be in our pyjamas by 9:30.
Hiya.
-What is she doing here?
-I have no idea.
You can do this.
-Hello.
-Hi.
You okay?
Mel invited me.
I just thought it was about time
that we cleared the air.
Okay.
I owe you an apology, Jess.
Um I know I haven't been
as supportive
as I should have been, given
everything you've gone through.
But I do want you to know
that I never meant to hurt you.
So what were you doing with
my husband, then?
Uh
Yeah, I admit that I allowed
my affection for Ed to --
You know what? Just stop
with the bullshit lawyer talk.
Okay, yeah. You're right. I'm
I'm not being entirely honest.
Look, I've known Ed since
..I mean, since I was
the kind of person
I think you would actually like.
And I
I just needed to remember
who that person was.
You know, I just
I think I just wanted to believe
that Ed
..still saw me that way.
You know, I needed an escape,
and I
..thought for one very brief,
misguided moment
that maybe Ed was that escape.
And I am sorry.
Charlotte, you propositioned him
while I was sitting
in a police cell.
Nothing happened.
I was at my lowest point,
and you swooped right in.
Nothing
..happened.
Ed loves you.
Only you.
BARMAN: Okay. Here you go.
MEL: Could we have, um,
another glass?
BARMAN: No problem at all.
Coming right up.
So
..after weeks of bullshit,
more than usual,
if you can believe that,
Rob's finally admitted
that we've run out of money.
What does that mean?
He's decided to sell the house.
And since it's in his name,
I don't have a choice.
He made that very clear.
That's awful.
So I'm moving
out of London, and
..this will probably be the last
time I'm sitting here
looking at your gorgeous faces.
-No.
-You'll figure it out.
Mel
JESS: Hi!
-Hi!
-Hi.
-Mummy.
Hi. Oh!
You all right?
-Can I play with George now?
-Yes.
KIT: Hey, George. Wait up.
ED: Social services
have given us two hours.
Are you ready?
Come on, let's go.
What are you going to do first?
MEL: Right, go on. Skedaddle!
Go and find your friends.
If you need me,
I'll be at the tea stall. Okay?
Hello. Hey, Frankie.
How are you doing?
Hello, gorgeous. Are you well?
She's looking good.
You've been looking after her?
-Hey, lovely people.
-Hey, how's it going?
Good, yeah.
LOUDSPEAKER: Guys roll up
for the best stall at the fair.
We're gonna soak Mr. Phillips.
Mr. Phillips is in.
Don't worry, I'm here.
I'm here. What do I need to do?
-Not much.
-Do I need do I need that?
I'm really nervous
about the trial,
but I am so glad that
she's got you in her corner.
Honestly, I don't know
how I'll ever repay you.
You're very welcome.
I accept card or cash.
-Yeah.
-How about a drink?
Right.
I love you, you're the best.
-I am the best.
Here, have that.
I'll take Betsey,
you go have some fun.
I love you.
Right, quick show our faces,
and then we cut and run.
I fucking hate these things.
Is moving away really going to
make you feel any happier?
Well, yeah, of course it is.
A fresh start, change
is going to do us all good.
Come and work for me.
Yeah, come on. Why not?
Okay, we'll get settled in.
Okay? I'll get going
with the business.
You don't have a business, Rob.
Going to gigs and doing coke
is not a business.
Do you know what, it's a hobby,
and that's fine when you're 18.
-Jesus.
-My hobby, okay,
has paid for your life
for the last decade.
-And Ed's investing now.
-You're a joke, Rob.
You know, I've a good mind to go
over there and tell our friends
that you haven't signed a
single artist for the last year.
-Not one!
-Don't you dare.
Mummy!
What?
-You've done everything --
-Whose side are you on?
-What do you mean, whose side?
-I really want to know,
whose side are you on?
I just want to know
whose side you're on.
Tell me!
JESS: Frankie!
-Mel?
-Frankie!
Frankie!
JESS: Frankie?
Frankie. What's happened?
JESS: I don't know.
He kind of freaked out.
-His bag.
-Oh, God.
Frankie!
Jess?
Nothing. No.
Jess.
-Anything? Any sign?
-No. Just keep looking.
Keep looking.
-Frankie!
-Frankie!
-Just keep looking.
-Have you checked this side?
-Let's check it.
-Let's check here again.
Frankie!
Frankie.
ED: Frankie.
[child sobbing]
Frankie?
Honey.
Oh, thank God you found him.
Hey, sweetie.
Come here. Come here.
What's happen?
Hey!
Come on, let's out of here!
Okay?
Let's get out of here. Come on.
Frankie! Hey.
He's fine. You can tell me.
What's going on?
He's there.
-Hey, sweetie.
-Hey.
What's up?
Don't touch my sister!
She's okay. She's safe, honey.
Honey, what's happening?
Tell me what's wrong!
I think maybe, what Frankie
might need is a bit of space.
Should we should we just give
everyone a
Yeah, yeah. Come on.
-Okay.
-No! It was him!
What? Rob?
-What, honey? Please!
-He was there.
JESS: Honey, please
just tell me. Please.
Please just tell me what
happened, okay?
Just tell me.
He hurt Betsey.
[doorbell ringing]
Oh, hiya, Frankie.
Is your dad in? I'd like a word.
I know he usually comes home
early on a Friday.
Betsey has a poo nappy.
She needs changing.
Oh, yeah.
Go on, Frankie, you do it.
Okay.
But I need help lifting her up.
Oh, Christ!
All right. Come here.
[Betsey screaming]
That's it. Oh, dear.
So your dad's not back yet?
Where's your mum?
Here you are,
stick that down there.
It's okay, love. It's all right.
Frankie?
Frankie, when's your dad
getting back? Do you know?
Betsey doesn't like
a poo nappy.
Come on, Frankie.
I mean, what's this?
VIP. It's VIP.
VIP.
Edward Carrisford.
[Betsey crying]
Stop crying now
Fuck!
What did you do, Rob?
MEL: Is it true?
-How could you, Rob?
-I didn't, all right?
She just fell off the island,
okay? So
-And you just left her?
-No, no. I picked her up.
And you put her back
in the playpen?
[Betsey screaming]
Oh, no. This is really bad.
Look what you did!
I didn't.
Yeah, you did.
You were making all that noise.
You're running upstairs
and leaving her?
Why did you do that?
That's not what
big brothers do, is it?
No. Look. No, I'm sorry, Frank.
This is completely your fault.
All of it!
I think she's okay.
Yeah. Look, she's
Yeah, she's stopped crying.
She's stopped crying.
Yeah, she's stopped crying.
-She's stopped crying.
-You hurt her.
You hurt her! You hurt her!
You meant to hold her,
and she rolled off!
She's not hurt. Frankie!
She's not hurt!
Okay, just listen to me.
She's not hurt!
And it was you who wanted
to change her nappy.
Yeah? It was your idea
to lift her out.
Okay? That's why this happened.
Yeah? It was because of you.
All right, say it.
Yes? Okay? Yes?
Yeah, good boy.
-Fucking kill that --
-No, no!
No, no.
I didn't know she was hurt.
Did I? Come on. Okay, look,
I may be a bit of a dick,
but I'm not a monster.
Why were you there?
Was it the fucking money
-I said I'd invest.
-Yeah, it was the fucking money.
Jesus Christ, Rob.
Why didn't you call
an ambulance?
You let us all believe that Jess
would hurt her own baby.
-Frankie?
-You know how vulnerable he is.
Don't blame me
for his behavioural problems.
-I didn't mean it.
-Hey, hey!
FRANKIE: Daddy!
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.
It's okay, it's okay.
You did good. That's
Well done. Well done!
I'm so proud of you. Okay.
Oh, God.
I should never have doubted you.
I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
Hey!
Let's go home. Let's go home.
Let's go, all right?
Oh, fuck this.
MEL: Don't, Rob!
I can't believe I was going to
leave everything behind for you.
Oh, God.
For a man who is nothing
but a vile, self-serving bully!
ANDREW: I think we need
to call the police.
I'll do it.
-Police.
I'm so glad you finally told me.
Everything is going to be
all right now.
LUCY: Pop that one there.
Rob put Betsey on the
kitchen counter
and then you run upstairs
to get a clean nappy.
Is that right?
Do you usually change
Betsey's nappy like that?
Mummy usually changes
Betsey's nappy.
Where do you want to put that?
Good man.
One more question.
Why didn't Mummy tell us
that Betsey got hurt
when Rob was in the house?
-I didn't hurt her.
-No, you didn't hurt her.
She's all right, luckily.
And anyway, Frankie, it was
your mum's fault, really,
because she shouldn't have
left you alone.
If anybody found out,
they could put her in prison.
I don't want her
to go to prison.
No, I don't want her
to go to prison.
When your mum comes back, you
can't tell her that I was here.
Because if you do, then I'm
going to have to tell the police
what you did,
and that you were left alone,
which I mean,
I really don't want to do,
because then your mummy
really will go to prison.
Don't make me do that,
because
..if you do, then do you know
what's going to happen?
You're going to be left
all on your own.
Mum didn't know.
All right.
Hi. Hi, my love.
My beautiful boy.
Are you okay?
Honey, I want you to know,
you did nothing wrong. Okay?
We love you to the moon
and back.
-Times infinity?
-Times infinity.
CPS have been notified.
All charges will be dropped.
It's over, Jess.
You're free to go.
Mel?
They'll likely go after Rob
for attempting to pervert
the course of justice.
Possibly wasting police time.
They're serious charges.
If convicted,
he could be looking at
two years' imprisonment.
Well, think you know someone,
but
even if you live
in each other's pockets,
you never really know them.
I'm sorry.
WOMAN: You obviously feel
responsible on some level?
No.
No, I don't.
I was Betsey's doctor.
I stand by my decision.
I did the right thing.
I mean,
what if I'd got it wrong?
I was critical of Jess.
Perhaps too much.
I know that now.
In hindsight,
her biggest mistake
was stepping out
for a few minutes,
leaving her kids in the house.
[Betsey crying]
Frankie?
Frankie.
Hey. I'm sorry.
I won't leave you again.
I won't leave you again.
It isn't the worst crime
in the world.
It's difficult to explain an
intrusive thought to someone.
Every time Ed travels to work
and the fast train comes,
um I tell him to notice
that split second
when you imagine
jumping in front of the train
and how I lived with that
second over and over
for all these months,
and all the times I walked
towards Betsey
and, you know, see all the ways
I could hurt her.
But I'm getting better.
Stronger.
I know I'll get there.
You will.
You've made amazing progress.
All of you have.
So much so,
that I'm closing your case.
So today marks the end
of our involvement.
You no longer need to be
under our care.
Thank you.
You're a good mum. I can see
how much you love your kids.
JESS: Every mother faces
constant judgement.
The way we parent.
The choices we make.
The routines we cling to.
Everyone expects us
to get it right all of the time.
But we're human.
We falter.
We make mistakes.
But sometimes
we get it so right.
And in those moments,
whatever you do,
hold on tight.
Because in the blink of an eye,
it can all be taken away.