1,2,3
12 Apr. 2021
Forensic psychiatrist Dr Emma Robertson is assigned to assess the sanity of Connie Mortensen, a ‘yummy mummy’ accused of a despicable crime.
* * *
Hello, love.
‘Oh, hi. Just, er, just tried you.’
Did you? My volume was down.
‘Are you at home?’
I went to early yoga, just finished.
‘Er, are you smoking?’
No.
‘Oh. What time do you want to leave this evening?’
Listen, Phil rang. I’ve got to go in.
They want me to take on the Mortensen case.
‘What?! I thought you…
‘..we’d agreed.’ I’ve said yes.
‘Have you?’
SI SIGHS
Let’s talk later.
‘Bye, love.’
Have you got any comments on the Connie Mortensen case?
Is she faking? Is she still a danger to society?
Can you stop and chat with us for a minute?
Do you reckon it was pre-meditated? Is she faking the amnesia?
You are up for this, aren’t you?
Everyone’s breathing down my neck for a report.
You got your alarm, yeah?
She took a hefty bite out of security.
Good morning, Constance.
I’m Emma Robertson, I’m your new forensic psychiatrist.
Well, don’t you sound pleased with yourself.
Go on…
have a good look.
I would.
“How on earth did her life go so wrong?“
Quite easily, as it happens.
So you better watch out… with your swishy bag and your sensible shoes… you could be next.
It’s my job to keep you safe… to treat you.
And the court have asked for my opinion of your mental state on the night of the offence.
We need to find out why you are unable to recall the events of that night.
I’m going to be recording our sessions, if that’s all right?
Just means I don’t need to take too many notes.
You like poetry, do you?
Ah. Yes, I do.
Now, why don’t you tell me… what happened that night?
You’re the expert, why don’t you tell me?
You drove your car into the river, Constance.
You’re lucky to be alive.
There were children in the back.
I’m going to help you remember. How does that sound?
Well, here we are… in some fancy part of North London, where, rumour has it, there are more therapists than nut-jobs.
So when you look at it that way… I think you’ll find I’m the one helping you.
Ooh. No phones in here, Doc.
He’s gonna be late home, is he?
That old chestnut.
I think betrayal probably just begins with disenchantment.
Is that what happened to you?
I’d like to see Josh and Annie now.
That’s not going to be possible. Don’t you have kids…
The more you remember about that night, Constance, the better your chances. ..or have they flown the nest?
You’re no spring chicken.
In fact, I haven’t even seen your qualifications yet.
The other one showed me hers.
Avoidance tactics won’t work with me, Constance.
Connie… please.
So this is her, is it? The Yummy Mummy Monster.
Tabloids would pay a fortune for this.
How long do you think she’s realistically looking at?
She plead not guilty, didn’t she?
Mm. Attempted murder, Level 1… she could be looking at 30 years.
Or a lifetime hospitalised.
Well, that’s down to you, my darling.
Temporary insanity, she could soon be buzzing round a Waitrose near you.
That’s her and the poor neighbour, Vanessa Jones.
Mother of the other little girl in the car.
I must say… I prefer a modicum of sanity in my ladies.
Si, I’ve got files to read.
Em, is this really such a good idea?
My husband was meant to come, where is he?
And my mum.
When is my mum coming?
Not exactly queueing up, are they, Tuft y?
It’s not really vocational for you, is it, the caring profession?
You might be fooling all that lot with your little lost posh girl thing, but you ain’t fooling me.
You know exactly what you did.
It’s just a paracetamol.
Hello, Dr Robertson.
Now, you be a good girl, Constance.
Thank you, Addy. Off you trot, Fatso.
Good morning, Constance. Connie.
I think I’d like one of your cigarettes.
Is it menthol, or did you pop a mint in?
You can’t smoke in here.
Oh, I don’t smoke.
I always think smoking is a sign of terrible weakness.
Have you remembered anything about the night?
How long have you been keeping little secrets from Si Hubby, then?
Why don’t we begin with your relationship with Vanessa Jones?
It’s Ness… not Vanessa. I’m sorry. Ness.
I wish it was before again.
Before what, Connie?
Before I was skinned, boned and filleted.
Oi, they’re mine, give them back!
Polly, give them back to the little girl.
I’m not little!
Oh, I am so sorry… Annie!
What’s your name. Annie.
Give them back to Annie. Annie, stop shouting!
And don’t swear. Jesus Christ!
I’m really sorry. Please, don’t worry.
No, here. No, honestly. Polly, she’s such a biff er.
Give them back to me. Look, you’ve got so many.
Annie, be nice.
Didn’t I say? Share them with the little girl.
Thank you. Follow me!
Right. And now they’re best friends.
It’s as simple as that. She’s such a flirt.
Can 1? Of course.
Are you local? Yes, are you?
We’ve just moved to the area. I thought I hadn’t seen you before.
Well, welcome. Thank you.
Polly starts at Meadowside next week.
Oh, right. It’s a great school. Yeah? Yeah.
You don’t know if the first train in the morning is reliable, do you?
I’m not the best person to ask, I am afraid.
I work from home.
Mm! Have one.
They taste better than they look.
Thank you.
What do you do?
Nothing spectacular. I write.
Copy-editing, articles, journo stuff, you know?
You’ve got some…
No…
Oh, God, you smell fantastic. Oh, thank you.
What is that? It’s, erm, Jo Malone.
The pomegranate one. Mmm!
Mmm. It’s good, right?
Yeah.
It’s my partner that has to be in early.
What does he do?
She, actually.
Sorry.
So, now that the school’s got an Outstanding, all the bankers are moving in.
You’ll see their wives at the school gates.
They have flick y hair and little dogs that don’t moult or shit.
There’s a lot of yoga.
I love your tattoos. Oh, do you?
Mm. I’ve never dared get one. Oh, thank you.
Hello, Daddy. Hey, darling, how are you?
Good. This is us.
Hi, Con. That’s my husband, Karl.
Oh, and that’s us. Just here. Wow.
Yeah, you must come meet Leah some time.
Definitely. We’re so close. Yeah.
Come on, Polly. Say goodbye.
Bye!
See you, Mum.
‘I think my body was trying to tell me something… ‘even back then.
‘I felt… a little tug, as if from the wings.
‘Like a warning… perhaps.’
Did it make you uncomfortable, the fact that she was attracted to women?
I like cock… Dr Robertson.
I like men.
Why?
Does it make you uncomfortable?
So… back to you and Si Hubby.
Professional couple.
Left it a bit late… just the one kid, I presume?
Little Emmalina.
In pony club and extra Mandarin.
Oh, you’ll find that everything’s locked in here, Doctor.
Windows, doors, cupboards, minds…
Do you know what I think, Connie?
I think that you are seriously underestimating the gravity of the situation that you’re in.
Attempted murder carries a long sentence.
YOU can come across as a little head-mistress y… you ought to watch that.
I bet Si Hubby’s sick to death of it.
“Have you done this, have you done that?“
At some stage… we all take responsibility for our actions.
And a little smug, if you don’t mind me saying.
You’re at it again. Avoidance tactics.
Would you say your life’s pretty good… Little Miss Mary Poppins? Hmm?
I mean, what could possibly go wrong in your perfect world… with your important job… and your expensive but deathly dull clothes?
And admit it, Doctor… you have let yourself go.
Unbelievable.
You come home after a busy day saving people, to your lovely terraced house… with the white slatted blinds, your island kitchen… and your Pouilly-Fume cooling in the fridge…
The cheek.
And lovely Si Hubby… your nice but dim husband, has cleaned up all the kid mess.
But it’s all such a sham, isn’t it?
Answer this… for how long can you realistically avoid it when it’s all part of the unspoken contract of a couple?
Yes.
Tonight might have to be THE night.
The Once A Month Duty-Fuck.
And don’t get me wrong – you’re a good wife, you love Si Hubby and all that, blah, blah, blah… but it’s such a monumental effort, isn’t it?
Come bedtime, perhaps you could stall for a bit downstairs, or pretend to be asleep… working in bed… Hello?
Huh. You didn’t hear me come in. What are you listening to?
Oh, nothing, it’s work. Oh.
I see I’ve got some catching up to do.
So, how was it? No biting, altercations?
I’ve only had a glass or two.
No.
Starving.
Oh, so tell me… what was Adrian’s new girlfriend like?
Far too good for him.
Susannah? Sahara? Samantha?
Savannah. Savannah.
They’re coming round Thursday, by the way.
I asked Hattie, too. Oh.
I’ll do it.
Please tell me your sister’s dumped that dreadful boyfriend.
So come on… how was the Yummy Mummy Monster?
Monstrously arrogant, actually.
And… don’t be tabloid, Si.
Is she faking the amnesia?
Can we not talk shop.
I was thinking that maybe we should try and get away for the weekend.
I’ve got orchestra Saturday afternoon.
Oh, right.
It’s just we never really do anything spontaneous.
Huh. Have I missed something?
Is it my birthday?
Did I win the lottery? Fine, let’s not bother.
Gently, gently, gently…
It’s not so bad once you get going, is it?
Although, let’s be honest, it’d be nice if he’d hurry up and come.
But fucking is easy, isn’t it, Doctor?
It’s kissing that you can’t fake.
It’s kissing that is the unbearable intimacy.
Think about it… that mouth of his… the disgusting way it eats, the stupid things it says, the idiotic expressions it pulls… that mouth you’re stuck with for the next 30 years.
Oh, I think all of us use avoidance tactics, don’t you, Dr Robertson?
What are you meant to do with all the love that’s left over, after someone’s gone?
It must go somewhere.
I honestly don’t know.
No. You’re not much help.
Is Karl often unreliable?
I wasn’t talking about him.
It’s looking so good, Polly.
Hi, I’m so sorry to interrupt.
Would I be able to grab a selfie with you?
Yeah, of course.
All my friends will be so jealous.
OK, you’re done, darling.
Jade, I’ll be back in just a sec.
Mum? Mum, what are you doing?
She’s feral enough as it is. She was desperate!
Use a dock-leaf, darling.
Polly, maybe don’t watch, darling. Come here.
Oh, Con, look, it’s that lesbian who reads the news.
That’s Polly’s mum, Mum.
Right, I’ve got to get back to it, can you two look after them?
You need a break, Con. You haven’t stopped.
Let me go and get you some wine.
All right. I am gagging for some, but I warn you, it’s £5 a plastic glass. Oh, don’t be fucking ridiculous.
Mum, language, with the children. Dad, please come down.
Grandad, shoot me, with a machine gun, in the face!
Bang! Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang!
Be careful.
I’d like to welcome some new members to our Meadowside family.
I think Leah Worthington needs no introduction.
And her lovely partner, Vanessa.
So what’s a girl got to do to get her face painted around here?
Well, she has to turn up on time, for one thing.
Only joking.
Let’s see what I can do.
You’re wearing my perfume.
So… did you go home and fuck, after our little chat yesterday?
How did it make you feel the fact that she’d copied your perfume?
You did!
Look at you in your elasticated sports bra, hoping to get fit by fabric osmosis.
What are you so angry about, Connie?
I want to see Ness. Why?
What is it that you want to say to her?
Perhaps we need to work that out first.
You could pretend I’m her. Talk to me, if you like?
Oh, a little role play.
Did you do a weekend course in it
We could begin where you left off.
Let’s pretend we’re at the face-painting stall.
All right.
There’s no need to be scared of me, Doctor.
I’m not scared of you.
You copied my tattoo… my perfume.
I did.
How does that make you feel?
A bit robbed, to be honest.
Robbed and… flattered.
No touching.
What stunning eyes you’ve got.
What did you do, my lovely?
Why are you so full of pain?
What happened?
You’re gonna be late for OT.
Oh, I’m so sorry, I just wanted a room.
Don’t worry, it’s fine.
I think I should warn you that the prosecution might show some evidence that’s going to be disturbing.
I mean, obviously, we’ll try to exclude it on grounds of relevance… but I think it’s best you see these photographs now.
Oh, Annie.
Oh, sorry.
It’s OK, Doc.
It’s just a thing Annie does.
It’s a game.
She is always play acting.
It’s just a game.
That… is not a game, Constance.
I know it’s…
It’s OK, Connie.
I want to see my baby.
I want to see my baby.
It’s OK.
I want to see my babies.
Where are my babies?
Where are my babies?
Get me my babies! We need some help in here, please!
Get me my babies! Get me my babies!
We need PRN Lorazepam now.
I need you to take a breath now, Connie.
Quickly.
That’s it, Connie, take a breath now.
He was horrible, Savannah.
His room was disgusting, he never did any work.
He never got up before three.
I can never get up in the mornings.
That’s what she said.
THEY LAUGH Ooh-oh-ooh!
Thank you.
I want to hear about this hitchhiking trip
round the south of France cos he wouldn’t tell me anything.
Absolutely, yeah. Yes!
No. No, no, no, absolutely.
Don’t you dare, Si, no.
I’ll just get some more wine. I’ll be back.
Anyway, change the subject.
I wanted to ask Emma about the case.
What’s she like?
What?
The Yummy Mummy Monster. Did the kids die?
The kids survived. But… the papers got it wrong, didn’t they?
Leah Worthington wrote this beautiful piece about it, did you read that?
I did.
I know someone who used to do the park run with the Yummy Monster’s husband. He’s really cool, apparently.
One of the kids is in a coma. That’s what it said on the news.
That’s right, isn’t it?
Mind you, I’d kill my bloody kids given half a chance.
Have you read what they’re saying about it on Twitter, Emma?
Shit. Storm.
Christ Almighty, what is gonna happen to her?
She should fry, man.
Oh, shut up, Blair.
Seriously, though, Em. She is a monster, isn’t she?
Patient confidentiality. Emma can’t talk about it.
Excuse me. Loo.
Seriously, though… Can you imagine that phone call.
“No, no, no, they’ve had a great sleep-over, yeah, there’s just one tiny weeny little thing…“
Em? It’s me. You all right?
KNOCK ON DOOR
Em?
Bloody hell.
It wasn’t Connie’s fault.
That’s ABH.
The way they talk… the vitriol… it’s disgusting!
That Blair bloke, he’s the bloody monster.
Careful what you say, he might end up my brother-in-law.
I’m always careful what I say, it’s my job!
You’ve had too much to drink, love, I’ll get them to go.
And I’m gonna have loads more. It’s a day off tomorrow.
No, love, it’s Friday tomorrow.
She was shown a photograph today.
Her daughter lying there on a white sheet… her little body, tubes everywhere.
Do you know what she did?
She laughed.
She just laughed.
She’s not of sound mind, darling.
Do I nag? You do. I don’t mind.
Oh, God, listen to them.
“Is she dead? Is she in a coma?“
What do they care? A dead child is just a dead child.
Don’t be cruel, Emma.
Me? Cruel?
You don’t even say her name.
Say it, Si. Say our daughter’s name.
You look like shit.
You don’t look so great yourself.
Do you hate me?
Here.
Shall we talk about Karl?
Do you think the pills are still working, Con?
Are you happy?
Life is not all about being happy, Karl.
Are you happy? No.
Well, exactly.
That’s just how it is once you have kids.
I don’t even recognise myself half the time.
Don’t be so dramatic.
You’re just going through a rough patch.
Work will come in.
I thought you’d had an order?
Were you just numb?
Wasn’t there anything making you feel alive?
Back at six. Love you.
‘She made me feel alive.
‘At this age… when you really connect with someone… it’s a bit like falling in love.’
Hope you make a lot of nice friends out there, but just remember, there’s a lot of bad and beware.
Oh, I know this, I know this, I know… I know this.
Oh, I know this! Go on.
Too slow. I know this.
♪ Baby, I’m grieving… ♪
Mm!
♪ Oh, baby, baby… ♪
I don’t know this version.
It’s a Black version, that’s why.
♪ It’s hard to get by Just upon a smile ♪
♪ Oh, ooh ♪
♪ Oh, baby, baby It’s a wild world ♪
♪ I’ll always remember you Like a child. ♪
Ignore him. It’s Karl, I can’t, he’ll worry.
Sorry!
Tell me more about that other guy.
The big one before Karl.
Oh, it was so complicated.
He was my professor at uni.
Ah. He was married.
Mm-hm.
Bet the sex was good, though.
Mm-hm.
Have you always been with women?
No, Leah was my first.
Really? Mm.
Do you have a good sex life?
Me and Leah? Yeah. Do you?
Yeah.
I really should make more of an effort.
Oh, me too.
Like, chuck out the granny pants.
But they’re so comfortable!
Well, I suppose I could dig out the old French maid’s outfit.
You dress up?
No, I’m serious! Do you?
Well, many centuries ago.
No way! What?
I’d feel such a plonker!
Tell me.
Things like what?
OK, well… I do have a nun’s outfit somewhere.
It’s because Karl is a Catholic – they love that shit.
Here.
Sex tip number one, Vanessa…
Mm-hm. ..when getting it from behind, one must never ever turn around and try to look sexy.
Because it just doesn’t work.
Can I ask you something?
Of course.
How does everyone else function?
I just don’t understand.
Why aren’t the streets full of… wrecked people?
Oh, God.
I’m sorry, this is inexcusable…
No, it’s OK…
get it all out.
It happens to the best of us.
Oh, I’m just… I apologise, I don’t…
Oh, God… It’s OK.
Oh. I’m really, I…
I apologise.
Ooh, red wine, poor you.
It’s all right.
You’re wearing my jacket.
Hi, I’m Karl Mortensen. I’m here to see Constance Mortensen.
You’re not on the list.
You’ve got to give 24 hours’ notice to the social worker.
That’s just how it is.
I brought her a cake.
That was quick.
Yeah, my fault. You have to book ahead.
Episode #1.2
13 Apr. 2021
Unearthing some surprising revelations, Emma becomes increasingly sympathetic to Connie’s plight, but is she being manipulated into giving too much away about her own dark past?
* * *
CHILD GIGGLES
Abigail.
PHONE RINGS IN DISTANCE
PHONE RINGS LOUDER
‘I have had it with you!’
WIND HOWLS, DISCONNECT TONE
Abigail?
PANICKED: Abigail.
Abigail! Abigail! DRAMATIC MUSIC
INAUDIBLE
HEAVY BREATHING
PILLS RATTLE
EERIE MUSIC
MUSIC GROWS OMINOUS
MATCH STRIKES, LIGHTER CLICKS
SINISTER MUSIC SUBSIDES, BIRDS TWEET
Don’t say it.
Say what?
The job’s too much for me.
Wasn’t going to.
You said you needed to be up early.
I am absolutely fine.
I know what day it is, love.
How on earth did we all squeeze into there?
HE SNIFFS I’ll see you downstairs.
Heavy goods vehicle.
Cool. I am on a roll.
Caravan… CONNIE SIGHS
Will you please just fuck off?
DOOR BEEPS Oil tanker…
Ah, Dr Robertson! I need your advice.
Would I be able to talk to you about night shifts at some point?
Not right now, Addy, thank you.
Good morning, Constance. Let’s get started.
I’d like you to take a look at these.
UNZIPPING
You’re being very assertive today.
Very Helen Mirren.
It’s quite sexy. SCOFFS
You need to try and remember anything at all from that night.
I’ve been looking at the weather reports.
That storm was pretty severe.
The rain would have been blowing across the bridge in strong gusts.
However insignificant, Connie, it doesn’t matter.
What is it?
You’re not going to throw up again, are you?
I don’t think DCI Tennison would have done that.
You still don’t get it, do you?
Right now, your alternatives are looking pretty grim.
Life in prison, or life in a psychiatric hospital.
Did you sleep badly?
You’re being very irritable. OK.
Ah. I can see that you started on the antidepressants three years ago.
And then in May, you were put on corticosteroids for hair loss
and lorazepam for extreme anxiety and insomnia. Is that correct?
If you say so.
Did you know that hair can fall out from stress?
Or shock.
Can it?
Had something happened?
Just one little question first. Of course.
Who’s Kenneth Baines?
OK.
Let’s get back to Ness.
What do you want to know?
Did we have sex?
I’m jolly glad to see this.
It’s very important, darling…
DOORBELL RINGS ..a healthy sex life.
Yep. Is anyone gonna get that?
MUFFLED MALE VOICES God knows, I’m slacking.
Your father and I hardly ever do it these days.
DOORBELL RINGS Well, maybe once a fortnight.
It’s all right, I’ll get it (!)
Hello! How nice to see you!
What’s up? Come in, come in.
Are you all right? Um…
Are you all right? What’s wrong?
She’s gone. Leah’s left us.
What? Shit!
Darling, why don’t you go upstairs? Annie’s up there.
Darling, go on. Connie?
It’s all right, Mum.
What happened?
WHISPERING: She says she’s miserable.
Well, she’s always bloody miserable. Mm.
NESS SOBS Oh, darling, it’s all right.
Oh, I’m sorry.
I’m sorry. It’s all right.
I’m gonna be one of those single people
no-one invites to dinner parties.
We’ll invite you.
You can have dinner with us every night.
GLASSES CLXNK
Am I unlovable?
Ness, no, don’t be silly. Of course not!
SHE GROANS
WATER BUBBLES, THEY LAUGH
Connie! Connie!
Why doesn’t she come?
Who? Ness? No, my mum. Where is she?
I need to see her. I feel all… wobbly without her.
I’ll give you something for the anxiety.
Sit down, I’ll get you some water.
Where did you get this?
It’s mine.
Underneath that chilly veneer, I reckon you’ve got quite a temper.
What are you so angry about? Don’t talk to me like you know me.
You do not know me. No?
I know you got pretty wrecked at dinner on Thursday.
And I know you ordered a bad of cam-free sh“ on Ocado.
I also know when “Si hubby“ has orchestra.
So you can have a furtive fiddle to some MILF-y porn.
Hide notifications, Ems. Schoolgirl error.
You can be very tedious, Connie. Oh, “tedious”, am I (?)
I’m sorry, have I lost my gloss (?)
Do you think it’s inevitable in female friendships
that after all the stories have been told and secrets have been shared,
that a kind of sisterly irritation takes hold?
I’m not your sister, and I’m not your friend.
I’m your forensic psychiatrist.
And let’s not forget,
I’m not the one who drove a car into the river…
You’ve wanted to, though, haven’t you?
…with children in the back. No!
That is not what fucking happened!
What did fucking happen, then, Connie?! I’m waiting!
CONNIE GASPS
There…
…I knew you had a temper.
CHILDREN’S VOICES
SWING SQUEAKS
HEIGHTENED SOUND OF BIKE TIRES ON ROAD
Emma?
Emma Davies?!
Oh, my God – Dougie Thompson! HE LAUGHS
I thought I recognised that girl!
Do you live round here? Yeah, it’s me, Em. You look great!
Oh, I’ve put on weight and…
I saw your name in the paper. You’re working on that case.
Yeah, they should never have got my name.
Amazing work you do. Oh, not sure about that.
Well, you actually make a difference.
You were always gonna do well.
Your mum once told me that you were far too good for me.
Oh, my God. My mother was a racist narcissist.
I still see the old crowd. Seriously?
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Um, Jim, Pete, Sally.
Sally P? Oh! How is she? Oh, she’s great.
She’s having a birthday party on Friday at The Bell.
You should come. She’d kill me if she knew I’d saw you and didn’t ask.
How are you, Dougie? Me? Good. Good.
Yeah, um, married, mortgage, kids. The works. You know. And you?
Yeah.
How many?
Um… just the one, actually.
Sensible. Hm. What flavour?
Girl. Girl.
CHUCKLES How (Ad?
She, er…
…seven, today, actually. Aw!
Is she, um… is she here? Um… No, she’s not. Um…
I’ve got to go, Dougie.
Yeah, yeah. Are you on Facebook?
No, I’m not, actually. Look, I’ve gotta go, too.
Get on it! All right, I will.
Get on it. LAUGHS
I can’t wait to tell Sally. Bye, Dougie.
Bye… Emma Davies.
DOUG“. CHUCKLES
ELECTRONIC BLEEPS, DOOR OPENS
FOOTSTEPS APPROACH
DOOR SHUTS, DOOR LOCK BLEEPS
EMMA STEADIES HER BREATH
I’m very sorry…
…for the way that I reacted in our previous session.
It’s often difficult for patients to understand, but…
the line has to be kept very clear.
This is a professional relationship.
CONNIE SCOFFS
You try so hard, don’t you, Doc?
To do everything right.
To keep everything in its place.
But you know as well as I do that life is a messy business.
VOICE RECORDER BLEEPS
CONNIE SIGHS DEEPLY
So…
did Karl find out about your feelings for Ness?
EXHALES
Questions, questions, questions.
That’s my job, asking questions.
Did he?
SHE SIGHS
You don’t have to, Connie.
I want to.
Don’t you?
Dunno.
What’s the matter?
I really don’t know. I just, erm…
IN HALES ..just feel like, erm…
What?
Just feel like I fell in love with you all those years ago
because you were this livewire.
This artist, with big dreams.
Full of energy. Wildness.
Wow.
I notice you’re using the past tense!
Well, yeah, bubs.
Sometimes I feel like I might have clipped your wings.
You haven’t, Karl. I’ve…
I’ve just had to grow up.
Don’t you feel like you’re not living any more,
you’re just going through the motions?
Maybe it’s the antidepressants.
I think they make me feel a bit numb.
Yeah, that’s it, numb. I feel numb.
Don’t you wanna feel alive again?
Are you having an affair? HE LAUGHS
No, I’m not having an affair.
But you fancy other people?
Well, do you?
Yes.
Now you.
Yeah.
OK, well…
…I mean, we shouldn’t beat ourselves up about it.
It’s natural after 15 years together.
You’re brilliant, you are. HE LAUGHS
God, why are these things so hard to talk about?
SHE LAUGHS Hm?
Admit it, Con…
…you’ve always held a torch for that professor bloke,
Jonathan Hapgood, haven’t you?
He said…
…he said What?!
He said he thought that we should take lovers.
Well, say something! You seem…
…disapproving?
Hm, no, it just sounds like Karl’s trying to have his cake and eat it.
Maybe.
But this could be really good for me as well.
It means I’ll be…
SIGHS
…I’m available.
CHILDREN ARGUE IN DISTANCE
So… what?
You gonna get in touch with him?
Your old professor?
Polly, no, can you not snatch that off Annie, please?
Can you give it back? Thank you.
PENSIVE MUSIC
Wow! Connie de Cadenet.
Wow, indeed, Professor Jonathan Hapgood.
THEY LAUGH
It’s so good to see you. You, too.
Please. Thanks.
Er, wine? Yes, please.
Well, you look stunning. Thank you very much.
And I thought I was going to be overdressed for this interview,
but you look spectacular. I thought I’d make an effort.
It’s appreciated. Thank you.
Cheers. Cheers.
SHE LAUGHS Listen, I’d better go.
W hy?
It has been a lovely evening.
I can’t.
OK. Why not?
I’m kinda seeing someone.
Oh! Like, it’s fairly new.
Oh, right.
I’m sorry, I should’ve said something. It’s just…
I thought you wanted to write an article?
I do, I absolutely do.
I should go. Connie…
Yeah. I should go.
Connie…
VOICEMAIL: Leave a message, and I’ll get back to you when I can.’
Hey, Karl, it’s me. I guess you’re still at work.
Look, I know we agreed not to talk about the details,
but that was such a disaster.
TEARFULLY: Now I feel like an idiot. I mean, what was I thinking?
OK, well, I’ll talk to you about it when I see you.
OK. Um, love you. Bye.
H ello?
RACING GAME PLAYS ON TV
I’m home.
Can you turn that off now, please?
SHE SIGHS
GAME CONTINUES, PHONE DIALS OUT
‘Hi, it’s Vanessa. ‘Fraid I’m busy right now,
‘but if you leave me a message, I’ll get back to you.’
Thanks, Billie. Where’s Annie?
She’s dressing up. OK, thank you. I’ll see you soon.
Mum, can Billie stay for one more game? No, she can’t, Josh.
And I want you to clean up this mess before you go to bed.
GAME STARTS UP
SHE SIGHS Idiot.
ANNIE: Mum!
CONNIE SIGHS Mum?
Mummy?
Polly and I are going to be Catholics.
I thought you were Buddhists?
Yes, but Catholics are into blood and stuff.
Annie-pops, promise me you won’t wear this nun’s costume outside?
Josh says nuns do sex with Jesus’ peanuts.
CONNIE LAUGHS Penis. Singular.
MOBILE RINGS
OFF TONE
PHONE RINGS
OFF TONE
PHONE RINGS
Karl?
H ello?
Sorry, darling.
It’s a really bad line. Hang on.
Hold on. Hello.
‘Oh, baby, oh…’ VOICE MUFFLED
Hi, baby, I can’t… I can’t hear you properly.
Hello. ‘Oh, that’s so good. It’s so good.’
‘Oh, you’re the best.’ ECSTATIC PANTING
WOMAN BREATHES HEAVILY ‘Oh, that’s so good.’
WHISPERED MOANS ‘Yeah, yeah. Oh, my God.’
‘No, no, stop, stop, stop.
‘I have to fuck you. Come here, come here.’
WHISPERING AND SENSUAL SIGHS
WOMAN’S VOICE: Oh, my God.’
ORGASMIC SIGHS
‘You’re so beautiful, Ness.
‘Oh! You’re so good.’ BOTH MOAN BLISSFULLY
‘Oh, my God.’ ‘Closer, Ness. Oh, yeah, like that.
‘Don’t stop, don’t stop.’ ‘Yeah.’
‘Closer, closer.’ CONNIE RETCHES
DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES
FOOTSTEPS APPROACH ON STAIRS
WHISPERS: Hi.
I left you a message. Did you?
How was work? Erm…
Yeah, good. We, erm… met in the pub, actually.
Fatal.
Which one? Coach And Horses.
Did they have a lock-in? Yeah.
You didn’t stop in anywhere on your way home? Nah.
Not even Ness’s?
Yeah, erm, just briefly. Her boiler was up the spout again.
And while you were fixing it,
you fell over and your cock accidentally slipped into her mouth?
What? Your phone rang me.
You stupid prick!
How could you do that to me?! Hey! Keep your voice down.
Oh! I don’t ask What you’re up to,
you’re out shagging that Hapgood bloke. Wrong!
And that is not even the point!
This was the agreement, wasn’t it? Why should you mind?
Because she’s my best friend!
I knew it. You were never gonna hack this.
Whoever I chose. Oh, I was.
I fucking was. Just not HER!
ANGRY CRY
DOOR SLAMS, FOOTSTEPS RETREAT QUICKLY
So, that was the shock… Doc.
And that was when my hair thought, “That’s it. I’m of
SHE TUTS
SHARP EXHALE
SHE SNIFFS
How long do you think that kite’s been stuck up there,
all tangled up like that?
‘Throw away the key, I say.’
RADIO HOST: Thanks for your call, Jamie.
‘Ewan from Gravesend has texted in to tell us
”chat people like Mortensen are known as family annihilators.
‘I’ve got a question. Normally, they’re men, right?
‘But is this just because in most divorce cases…?’ Shut up.
RADIO CLICKS OFF
SH E IN HALES, EXHALES DEEPLY
SHE DIALS PHONE, DIAL TONE RINGS
PHONE RINGS DISTANTLY, DIAL TONE CONTINUES
‘Hi, this is Simon Robertson’s voicemail. Please leave a message.’
Erm… Hi, it’s me. Er…
I thought I was going to be early, but…
…it’s OK, I’ll meet you there.
I’ve got something to say.
A letter arrived on Tuesday from Kenneth Baines.
It arrived Tuesday?
Do you think he knew the date?
I’ll give it to you later. I haven’t read it yet. I…
SHE STEADIES HER BREATH
…wanted to wait until we were together.
PHONE CHIMES Who’s that?
Do you have it here with you?
Not now. PHONE CHIMES AGAIN
Go on.
What does he want?
He wants to meet.
No.
No.
CONNIE SNIFFLES, SIGHS
Come on.
I…
I can’t remember where we are in our relationship.
We’re at the end.
Oh.
How are Josh and Annie?
Brought you some magazines and stuff.
Bye.
I’ve got to go.
‘It was as if he wished he’d never met me.’
TEARFULLY: But I’m the mother of his children.
SHE SIGHS You know what really got me?
It was the fact that I’d been left out.
The two people closest to me had started a club without me.
I felt like such a fool.
Thank God you had your mum.
Horse. Apple. Tuesday.
Horse. Apple. Tuesday.
That’s it. All right, Mrs de Cadenet.
Erm… What day of the week is it today?
Tuesday.
No, it’s Thursday, Mum.
But that’s not really fair, because you just said Tuesday.
Don’t worry. It’s OK.
Erm… What might I put up in the rain?
A shelter. You could light a fire. OK. All right.
And what is nine plus five?
Nine plus five…
Come on, Julia, you know this.
It’s all right, don’t worry.
And what are the three words I asked you to remember?
Come on, Mum. Think of…
galloping across the fields.
Starlight! Starlight.
She had a pony called Starlight. That counts, right?
Yes, very good. You’re doing really well, Mum.
I think I need the loo.
It’s just through that door there, first on the left.
Well, we…
It’s OK to say you’re not coping, Connie.
I feel so low!
Despite the anti-depressants?
I’m so tired.
I haven’t slept in nine days. My hair is falling out.
My chest feels like it’s exploding.
We have something for the hair loss, no problem.
And the insomnia is also anxiety, Connie.
I’ve got just the thing for you.
Lorazepam.
Between you and me, Leah Worthington swears by these little beauties.
MUSIC: The End Of The World’ by Skeeter Davis
# Why does the sun go on shining? #
‘Beauties was the right word.’
‘I felt like someone had taken my brain out of my aching skull
‘and put it in a warm, soapy bath.’
# Cos you don’t love me Any more… #
‘It’s massaged away all the pain.’
# Why do the birds go on singing? #
‘But I don’t need to tell you that, do I, Doctor?
‘How the second one is never quite the same.’
You’re always chasing that elusive feeling…
…until you find you need a pill just to feel normal.
And then right when you really, really…
…need to ask for help…
…you don’t have the strength to do it.
Can we stop now?
I don’t want to do any more. Of course.
You’ve done really, really well.
Emma…
…who is Kenneth Baines?
He’s a lorry driver.
DOORBELL RINGS
H ello?
Hello, Mrs de Cadenet? KNOCKING
Hello? The door’s open.
Are you here for the books? Er, no, I’m…
I tried the front door. I left a few messages.
I’m Emma Robertson, Connie’s doctor. What?
Is Mrs de Cadenet in?
We were having a clear-out.
It’s so hard, deciding.
Yes. Yes, it is.
Is it just you in, then?
‘Fraid so. HE BREATHES HEAVILY
Let me help you with that.
Here. PHONE RINGS
PHONE CONTINUES RINGING
PHONE CONTINUES RINGING Would you like me to get that?
Oh, I never answer the phone.
PHONE CONTINUES RINGING
You’re here to collect the books?
No, I… I’m here to talk about Connie.
I’m her psychiatrist.
Of course you are.
ANSWER MACHINE: ‘This is Julia de Cadenet…’
Terrible.
It’s… terrible.
Although I’m more than happy to take some bags to the charity shop,
if that would help?
Karl said you call it…
…something fancy.
Connie’s condition. Yes. Dissociative amnesia.
It’s a mechanism that the brain has to cope with trauma.
Like locking events away in a box and then burying the box.
HE CHUCKLES Sounds damn sensible to me.
What good does more pain do?
HE BREATH ES RAPIDLY
SOBBING: But I just don’t understand this.
How could she do that?
Those poor little girls!
Well…
…that’s what we’re trying to find out, Mr de Cadenet.
We must have done something terribly wrong!
No, no, you did nothing wrong.
Perhaps it might help to visit her.
I can’t. I wouldn’t know what to say to her.
Julia always knows what to do when things go wrong.
Well, where is she? I told Connie I’d bring her mother to visit.
Where is she?
She’s dead.
Julia died before all this.
Thank God!
I am so sorry.
He’s in urgent need of home care.
He’s showing signs of confusion and living in squalor,
and I need to know what’s being put in place.
Please call me on this number as soon as possible.
OTHER CALL BEEPS THROUGH
Phil?
No, I’m not.
Why was this not on our notes, for Christ’s sake?
Her mother had just died.
Didn’t somebody perhaps think that that might be a contributory factor?
DOOR BEEPS, OPENS
Ah, Doctor! Did you mention the night shifts?
Leave us alone.
Sit down, Connie.
Connie…
…do you remember your mother died six weeks ago?
Did I know this?
Yes, you did.
She took a lot of paracetamol accidentally.
Just kept forgetting that she’d taken them.
What was her name?
What was whose name?
Your daughter.
Please keep my daughter out of this.
How can I…
…when your grief runs through every syllable you utter?
We are the wrecked people.
You and I.
Abigail.
Abigail.
CHILDREN PLAYING AND LAUGHING ECHOES
CHILDREN’S SQUEALS ECHO
PHONE RINGING
LIVELY CHATTER
Happy birthday!
You look great. Thank you.
Do you want a drink? Yeah, I’ll have one. Thank you.
Episode #1.3
14 Apr. 2021
Emma learns the truth behind Connie’s actions and confronts her own demons, but will it be enough to convince a jury Connie is no longer a danger to society?
* * *
SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC
# Hey, once I was a boogie singer
# Playing in a rock n’ roll band. #
ALARM BLARES
# Play that funky music, white boy
# Play that funky music right. #
SIRENS
Come on. Come on. Where the fuck are you?
I think my husband’s having an affair.
With a perky-breasted 25-year-old.
It’s disappointingly unoriginal.
Question. What tips would you give your younger self?
Have more fun. HE SCOFFS
What about you?
Have less fun. SHE CHUCKLES
And don’t worry what people think about you.
And… while I think of it, not to bother with contraception.
Really? Yeah. All those years on the pill!
Turns out, despite my womanly hips, as the old cow used to say,
it wasn’t quite that easy. HE SCOFFS
I quite… liked your womanly hips.
Are you flirting with me?
MOBILE RINGS
Oh, Dougie…
I’m gonna get that. Yeah, I know.
Yeah.
Hello?
SIRENS, POLICE RADIO CHATTER
DISTANT SHOUTING: Connie!
SHE PANTS
DISTANT SHOUTING: Connie!
CLOSER SHOUTING: Connie! Connie!
SPLASH
CRASH
SHE PANTS
SHE GASPS
SHE SOBS
SHE CRIES
No sign?
CCTV tracked her to the gates. The police are bringing dogs.
She slipped away when the fire engines arrived.
She’s still on the grounds.
Give me a sec, yeah? All right.
SIRENS
SHE GRUNTS
Connie? Connie? It’s me.
CONNIE WHIMPERS
Connie, you have to come down from there.
I did it. I drove them off the bridge.
Are they going to die? No. No.
They, they were in induced comas in hospital, but they’re fine.
They’re alive.
Can I see her? Please, I need to see her.
I want to see Annie.
You know you can’t, Connie… You need to come down from there.
I’m gonna call the front desk, OK? I’ll jump. I’m gonna jump.
No. No. No. Please don’t do that. Please don’t do that. Stay there.
Oh, Christ…
I should be dead.
I wish I was dead.
I want to die.
We all deserve forgiveness, Connie.
What would you know? I do know.
Because I’ve done terrible things.
I promise you you’re not alone. Listen to me.
I’m going to tell you about this woman, Connie,
who’s just had a baby.
A beautiful, tiny baby girl.
And this woman is so happy,
because it’s what she’s wanted for so many years.
But… as the months go by, she becomes more and more exhausted,
because the baby will only sleep for one hour at a time.
And the woman becomes depressed and ashamed of her depression,
because she’s a woman who can fix anything, but she’s truly failing.
So, she…
She takes anti-depressants and pills to send her to sleep,
and pills to keep her awake.
The baby is a toddler now, but still she doesn’t sleep.
Only now, she’s having tantrums.
Awful, screaming tantrums.
And nothing in this mother’s life has prepared her for this.
All of her logic, her usual tactics, her patience,
none of it has any effect… Dr Robertson?
OK, Connie, down you get.
The corticosteroids were for the alopecia.
And the lorazepam on the same date?
Well, the antidepressants weren’t proving sufficient.
She was very anxious.
And did you warn her about possible addiction
and the side effects of lorazepam?
Of course I did. As and when required.
I think we could have had this conversation over the phone.
And what does “as and when required“ mean?
How often was she taking them?
Why not speak to her husband?
Though I would suggest a different tone,
I think he’s been through enough.
The guidelines recommend that no-one’s on lorazepam
for more than four weeks.
You’ve prescribed them three times over three months.
Thank you for your time.
You know, all of us at the school are very shocked.
It’s an exceptionally tight community around here.
It’s not that tight, though, is it? She slipped and no-one caught her.
SHE SIGHS
CAMERA SH UTTERS CLICK
RINGS DOORBELL
Hi! It’s Josh, isn’t it? I’m your mother’s doctor…
I left a message. Is your dad in?
Dad? Dad?!
Mum’s doctor. In you go, son.
Come in.
I’m going to take all this stuff to the hospital.
Ness thought the girls would like some familiar things.
Good idea. Yeah. She’s been amazing.
How’s Josh doing? Well, he’s, um…
Well, we’re all pretty bad.
I’m really sorry, Karl, but I am going to have to ask you
how Connie seemed to you in those last few days,
and about her medication.
You may be better off asking her dad.
She was staying over there. Why?
Well, she wasn’t herself.
I didn’t want the kids to see her like that.
Like what? Hyper. You know.
Manic.
Listen, I’ve got to get to the hospital
and the train leaves shortly, so, erm…
Oh, I’ll be passing that way, if you want a lift?
Yeah, yeah, OK. Thanks.
We could pop by her dad’s, if you want? He’s only round the corner.
She slept most of the time. She didn’t want me to disturb her.
Oh, my God.
Oh, my God.
Karl, why don’t you wait downstairs? I’ll be down in a minute.
Are her meds here? Um…
OK. Thank you.
SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC
LOUDER SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC
Hi. Hi.
MACHINES BEEP
DISTORTED MACHINE BEEPING
ENGINE STARTS
SORROWFUL MUSIC
Hi. Hello.
Do you have a good life, Kenneth?
Do we know each other?
Oh… Jesus Christ.
I am so sorry I didn’t warn you that I was coming.
I didn’t think I’d be able to go through with it.
Oh…
Oh, God. SHE SNIFFS
Do you mind if we go outside? I really need a cigarette.
Someone I know, someone special…
…she said to me…
“..why aren’t the streets full of wrecked people?“
I think they are.
I really think they are.
SHE CRIES
It’s OK. It’s OK.
It’s OK.
It’s OK.
You didn’t need to write to us.
It wasn’t your fault. I know.
Thank you.
SHE COUGHS ‘Emma?
I didn’t know who else to call,
you were the last number on her phone. No problem, mate.
Hi. Are you OK? Mm—mm… Come on.
What’s going on? Look, just get her home.
You all right? I’ll get it. Thanks.
Can you get the door, please?
KNOCK ON DOOR
Oh, hey, mate. How are you doing? Erm…
She’s a bit worse for wear.
Yeah. Yeah. I can see that. Who are you?
Mary fucking Poppins.
HE SIGHS Dougie.
I got a call from a guy in Cheam.
He tried ringing you… What were you doing in Cheam, Emma?
What were you doing?
Is she gonna be OK? Yeah, yeah. Yeah, thanks…
…Dougie.
I’ve organised another psych for you.
Someone more suitable. Sarah.
I don’t want Sarah.
I want YOU.
Sarah’s good. You’ll like her.
What happened? What did I do? Why are you so angry with me?
I’m not angry with you. It’s me.
You deserve someone better.
They could rip me to shreds in court.
Stop self-flagellating.
Come on! Get on with it.
Ask me one of your stupid questions!
EMMA SIGHS
CONNIE SIGHS DEEPLY
Why did you stop taking all your medication on August 7th?
SHE SIGHS
MUSIC: The End Of The World’ by Skeeter Davis
# Why does the sun go on shining?
# Why does the sea rush to shore?
# Don’t they know It’s the end of the world?
# Cos you don’t love me anymore
# Why do the birds go on singing?
# Why do the stars glow above?
# Don’t they know… #
Darling, have you seen Josh?
Are you all right, Dad? Yes, I’ll be fine.
Will Granny be cross with Josh? Course not.
He wouldn’t miss her funeral.
INCOMING TEXT
See, he’s outside.
VICAR: Welcome to the service of Julia De Cadenet.
Please stand for the first hymn.
Excuse me. Excuse me.
How are my little girls? My favourite little girls.
GLASSES CLINK, SHE GASPS
Do you want some champagne? No, thanks, I am fine.
Are you OK? No, I’m not, actually.
NESS GASPS CONNIE, ANGRILY: Piss off!
# Yes, I loved her How I loved her
# Though her shoes Were number nine…#
CONNIE LAUGHS FROM AFAR
# Herring boxes, without topees
# Sandals were for Clementine. #
SHE LAUGHS
# Oh, my darling, oh, my darling. # SHE LAUGHS
ANNIE GIGGLES, CONNIE LAUGHS
Who wants to go next?
Me, me, me, I want a go! Come on, Annie-Pops!
# Lost and gone forever
# Dreadful sorry, Clementine.
# Oh, my darling, oh, my darling
# Oh, my darling, Clementine. #
Come on, I’ll catch you. I promise. One, two, three…
OK, guys. That’s enough. Come on, Annie. Let’s go.
OK. It’s ice cream time. Yeah! Ice cream time.
I think, maybe, I’m just unusual.
No, you’re not. You’re just pissed and you’ve taken too many pills.
Jesus, Con. Someone could’ve cracked their skull open.
I’m sorry.
You’ve got to get yourself together, Con.
For the kids.
Why don’t you go stay with your dad for a few days?
Get some proper rest.
I am so sorry, Dad. Hey…
Go to sleep, my little honey bee.
SHE WEEPS
For the kids. For the kids.
For the kids.
I don’t want to be mad.
Let’s go back.
Why did you leave your dad’s house?
It was raining. When was it raining?
All day.
It was such a… terrible storm.
Why did you put the children in the car?
Just raining, raining, raining.
My mum. I miss her.
I know, Connie. I know.
# Why does the sun go on shining?
# Why does the sea rush to shore?
CONNIE GASPS
# Don’t they know It’s the end of the world?
BOTH: # Cos you don’t Love me anymore. #
SHE SIGHS
SHE GROANS
SHE EXHALES
I just don’t know what to do without her, Con…
I’ve brought you some tea.
DISEMBODIED VOICES
SHE GRUNTS
EXAGGERATED INSECT FOOTSTEPS
SHE WHIMPERS
SHE GASPS
SHE SHRIEKS
SHE PANTS
SHE CRIES
Mama!
Mum!
Mum!
Where are you, Mum?!
DISEMBODIED VOICES
I’m scared, Mum! I’m scared!
VOICE OF MOTHER: Connie? Connie?’
Mama?
Mama?
SHE CRIES Mum?
Mama?! SHE SOBS
Mama, wait for me.
Mama, where are you? Mama, where are you?
Mum! Mama!
Mama, wait for me!
Mum!
Where are you? Mum?
Where are you?
DISEMBODIED VOICES
SHE SOBS
SHE BREATHES DEEPLY
NESS AND KARL LAUGH
Annie! Annie! Wake up, darling!
Where’s Joshie? He’s at Toby’s house.
Come, on darling. We’ve got to get out of here.
Where to? Out. It’s a surprise.
Is it Scotland? Come on, sweetie. Not a sound!
Can Polly come too?
Good girls. Good girls.
I’m gonna put on Granny’s song and you can go back to sleep. OK?
Here we go.
ENGINE STARTS
# Don’t they know It’s the end of the world?
# It ended when I lost your love
# I wake up in the morning And I wonder
# Why everything’s the same As it was… #
SIGNAL ALARM BLARES
# I can’t understand No, I can’t understand
# How life goes on the way it does
# Why does my heart Go on beating…? #
DISEMBODIED VOICES
# Why do these eyes of mine cry?
# Don’t they know It’s the end of the…? #
SHE CRIES
TIRES SCREECH, HORN BLASTS
Mum!
ANNIE CRIES
Darling, it’s OK.
Mummy! No, shush. It’s OK, darling.
It’s OK. It’s OK. Granny’s gonna save us. Granny’s going to save us!
CAR ACCELERATES
SPLASH
A psychotic episode?
Not necessarily from the benzodiazepines per se,
I’m not saying that, they can be very helpful drugs.
I’m talking about the withdrawal process. I see…
Although, might I add,
the General Medical Council is currently looking into
whether the benzos were incorrectly prescribed in the first place.
Aside from lorazepam, what else was Ms Mortensen taking? Remind us.
The antidepressant lofepramine and corticosteroids.
And she stopped taking all medication on the… 7th, you say?
Yes. Three days.
Is that usual for benzodiazepine withdrawal to kick in?
It can be. If it’s an acute withdrawal, which this was.
There are previous case reports of violent behaviour in this situation.
She should have been on a gradual withdrawal programme.
People need to be monitored. They should have a support network.
Obviously, there were other contributory factors.
She was in the depths of grief.
She had buried her mother on the 7th, as well.
And grief can be its own kind of hell.
Let’s not forget that she’d recently discovered
her husband was having a relationship
with Polly Jones’s mother? Correct?
Ms Mortensen had been through considerable emotional turmoil
prior to seeking lorazepam. Yes.
So, we could say that she certainly had motive.
Can you explain to us what spousal revenge is?
It’s what you might call a jealous rage.
Which rather seems to fit with the actions of Ms Mortensen,
wouldn’t you agree? Not at all.
Ms Mortensen was in fact acting altruistically.
In her acutely psychotic state that night,
she believed she was saving the children from a malevolent force.
A malevolent force.
How can you be sure that Ms Mortensen isn’t just fabricating
these psychotic symptoms in order to get away with this?
Experience. Expertise.
I’ve seen many a malingerer over my 30 years,
and not many of them would go to the lengths
of severely scalding themselves with hydrochloric acid,
which, by the way, pre-dates the offence in question.
Her psychosis was not faked.
And I would put it to you, Dr, that Ms Mortensen is still a danger,
not only to herself, but to her family and society.
And I would strongly refute that.
Now that she’s on the correct monitored medication,
Ms Mortensen is no more a danger to herself,
her family or society than you or I.
For who knows what any one of us is capable of,
given the wrong medication and the right triggers?
I’ve just had Foxtons on the phone.
They’re going to come round tomorrow to value it.
I feel like we’re betraying her.
Leaving her behind. Moving on.
I thought that’s what you wanted?
I need you to listen to me.
There’s something I’ve never told you…
…about that day.
Mummy!
Mummy, are we going to the swings?
We’re going later.
Mummy, I want to go on the swings! Mummy, I want to go on the swings!
We’re gonna go later!
Mummy, I want to go on the swings! Mummy, I want to go on the swings!
Mummy! I want to go on the swings! Mummy, I want to go on the swings!
Mummy, I want to get out of the buggy!
Hey, Jenny! How’s it going? Getting any sleep?
God, don’t ask. ABIGAIL CRIES
Abigail, you can stop that, Mummy’s talking.
Oh, Emma. Drop her with me. I said stop it!
Oh, you’re so kind. You are just going to have to wait!
It’s not a good moment. I’ll let you be. I’ll see you soon.
ABIGAIL CRIES, MOBILE RINGS
Can you just be quiet! I need to take this call.
ABIGAIL SCREAMS I have had it with you!
Hello? Yes. Is this about the washing machine?
Well, could you be more specific?
When you say “all day“, I mean, I can’t wait in all day, can I?!
Well, could you at least say morning or afternoon?
BRAKES SCREECH Well, can I track you, then?
“I’ve had it with you“.
Those were the last words she heard.
Abigail.
You’re right. I never say her name.
Abigail.
You’re right to blame me.
I don’t blame you.
And I don’t blame you at all for having an affair.
What? With Savannah. Adrian’s girlfriend.
What?!
I am not an idiot.
I saw you together. Outside your office.
Arm in arm. You left together.
No. No, no, no, no.
She was trying to rope me in
to organizing a surprise 50th for Adrian.
Oh, come here, you big idiot.
Spaghetti.
What time is it? You’ve got hours.
Oh, God, I hate this. I feel sick. How do I look?
You’ll be fine. Want a chill pill?
You are a bad person.
Yeah.
Hello, loves. Mummy!
Look at you.
Do they have an electric chair here?
I am afraid it’s not that kind of place, my darling. Oh!
Why don’t you go and see my friend Carol,
see if she will give you some sweets. Yeah.
Hello, Joshie.
I’m so sorry, for everything I’ve put you through.
You’d better not do it again.
DOOR BUZZES
# Got to wait to see the day
# Got to wait for the light
# Got to wait until the river’s dry
# When all is said and done
# Wanting to belong
# Lost along the only run… #
Good afternoon, I’m Dr Emma Robertson.
I’m your forensic psychiatrist.
# Carry on. #
