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Episode 1
03/02/02

[The Crescent Intro]

EXT. CHESTNUT CRESCENT – MORNING – SATURDAY  

JIM STEVENSON (21) has his head in the hood of his car he is fixing 
it. Pregnant CARLA FAETLY (20) walks up behind him with a cup of tea.

CARLA –
Jim.

Jim takes his head out.

JIM –
Thanks Carla love. (He takes the tea and has a sip).

He leans on the car.

JIM –
How far are you now then?

CARLA –
(Feels her stomach). Dr. Cane says it's going to be soon, any day 
now.

CRAIG REIDER (29) walks up to them. (He is black).

CRAIG –
All right, Jim? 

JIM –
Yeah fine, Craig, you?

Carla seems uncomfortable at the sight of Craig.

CARLA –
Well, I'll go and get the dinner started.

She walks into no. 20.

CRAIG –
Well, I'll see you around.

JIM –
Yeah, bye mate.

INT. NO. 22

Loud music is playing. Craig comes through the front door.

CRAIG –
Turn that bloody racket off!

The music turns off and JAY REIDER (15) runs down the stairs and 
through the front door, he slams it shut.

CRAIG –
Jay!

He walks into the living room and sits on the sofa. GWEN REIDER (35) 
comes in.

CRAIG –
Oh, you're back.

GWEN –
Can't hide away forever. 

CRAIG –
Gwen, we got to sort this out. For Jay's sake.

GWEN –
It'd be for Jay's sake for you to just leave.

CRAIG –
(Stands up and points his finger at her). Now you listen to me! I've 
been there for him since his dad moved away.

GWEN –
Yeah, but you're not his DAD!

CRAIG –
I'm holding this family together!

GWEN –
NO YOU'RE NOT! YOU'RE TEARING IT APART!

CRAIG –
I WANTED TO SORT THIS OUT!

GWEN –
MAYBE I DON'T WANT IT SORTED!

CRAIG –
WELL THEN YOU'RE THE ONE WHO SHOULD LEAVE!
 
GWEN –
DON'T BE STUPID, EVER SINCE TOU TURNED UP THIS FAMILY WENT DOWNHILL!

EXT. THE 'WRECK' PARK

Jay rides into the park on his bike. He stops and sits on the bench. 
DENISE DERLEC (15) walks over.

DENISE –
Hi, Jay.

JAY –
Hey, Denise.

She sits down beside him.

DENISE –
I was wondering, you wanna come to mine and Delia's 15th?

JAY –
Where is it?

DENISE –
Our house. Mum and dad are eating out.

JAY –
OK then.

DENISE –
Great it's tonight at eight.

JAY –
Tonight? That's a little short notice isn't it?

DENISE –
Well if you want, you don't have to get the present, well not tonight 
anyway. 

JAY –
No, that's OK I'll get one.

DENISE –
OK, see you.

She stands and walks away.

INT. THE GOOSE PUB

SARA GERLEC (39) is sat at the bar. The barmaid, SUZY FRET (19), 
walks over.

SUZY –
What can I get you, Sara?

SARA –
Just a half pint of lager and I'd better be off, Suzy, the twits' 
15th.

SUZY –
Oh yeah, the twins will be 15 now. They're getting older now aren't 
they?

SARA –
Yeah, I can tell, when they grow older, I grow greyer.

They laugh.

INT. NO. 18

DELIA GERLEC (15) is stood on a chair sticking a piece of paper up 
that says 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY!'

DELIA –
God, where is mum? DAD?

ANTHONY GERLEC (40) walks in.

ANTHONY –
[Sighs] What is it now?

DELIA – 
Could you go down the pub and tell mum I'm still waiting!

ANTHONY –
She'll be home soon.

DELIA –
Soon? SOON, isn't good enough.

ANTHONY –
Why can't you be more like your sister, Denise?

DELIA –
ANTHONY GERLEC! I WON'T TOLERATE YOUR INSOLENCE!

ANTHONY –
OK, OK, I'll go.

He turns just as Sara walks through the door.

ANTHONY –
Look, she's here now!

SARA –
Right, I'll get the food sorted.

DELIA –
Thank you mum!

Denise comes in.

DELIA –
'Bout time you showed up! We can't do everything ourselves!

DENISE –
Why, what have you done?

DELIA –
Look around!

DENISE –
But nothing has been done!

DELIA –
Just get to work!

INT. THE GOOSE PUB

Suzy is pulling a pint for JACK DAINES (23); Suzy puts it onto the 
bar in front of him.

SUZY –
There you go, Jack. That'll be a quid twenty-five thanks.

Jack puts the money into her hand.

JACK –
Thanks love.

He takes the pint and goes and sits down with his friends, MICK 
FERNES (23) and CHRIS JAIMS (22).

JACK –
So what've you two got planned for tonight?

CHRIS –
Nowt, you?

JACK –
Got a date with Jennifer.

MICK –
Jennifer Deduiles?

JACK –
That's the one.

MICK –
God you're a lucky man!

CHRIS –
You're seriously going out with Jenny?

JACK –
I am indeed. We met up at a club in Blackpool.

MICK –
Wish I had a chance to go with someone as good looking as her.

JACK –
Your time will come my friend.

Suzy is collecting glasses.

MICK –
OI, Suzy!

She walks over.

SUZY –
What Mick?

MICK –
You heard about Jack going out with Jenny?

SUZY –
Jenny Deduilles?

MICK –
That's right.

SUZY –
But isn't she going out with Callum Finley? 

CHRIS –
Hey that's right.

Jack starts laughing.

MICK –
You liar!

JACK –
Had you for a while! But seriously I am moving to the same street as 
her and I got talking to her in the club in Blackpool. And from what 
I heard her and Callum are on the rocks so she could be single any 
day now so I'm going to ask her out.

CHRIS –
Can I move with you?

They laugh.

INT. NO. 24

JENNY DEDUILLES (21) is sat on the sofa with the newspaper on her 
lap; she has a phone to her ear.

JENNY –
[Into phone] Hi, I'm Jenny Deduilles; I'm calling about the job offer 
in the paper for a waitress.

She pauses whilst the person on the other end speaks.

JENNY –
Well I've worked in a pub before.

Silence.

JENNY –
Yeah that sounds great. When will you need me to start? [Pause] 
Monday? Great, no I have nothing planned on Monday. What time do you 
want me to be there? OK that's fine, right bye.

She puts the phone down and stands up.

JENNY –
YES! I got a job! Finally!

INT. NO. 22

Gwen is in the kitchen at the cooker. She bends down and opens the 
oven, lots of smoke comes out. She grabs a towel and wafts the smoke 
away.

GWEN –
Damn!

She turns the oven off and reaches in for the food. She pulls out a 
burnt chicken on a tray and slams it down on the side.

INT. LIVING ROOM

Craig is watching TV on the sofa. Gwen walks in with a plate of the 
burnt chicken. She puts it on Craig's lap. He looks at her in 
disgust.

CRAIG –
You expect me to eat that or draw a black and white picture with it?

GWEN –
It's not that bad!

CRAIG –
Not that bad? It's bloody charcoal! 

She takes it off his lap.

GWEN –
You try making tea then! 

CRAIG –
I'd make it better than that! 

Gwen throws the plate down onto the floor; it smashes.

CRAIG –
What are you…?!

GWEN –
I'VE JUST ABOUT HAD ENOUGH OF YOU!

Craig stands up.

CRAIG –
WELL I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF YOU SO TAKE YOUR BAD COOKING AND SHOVE IT! 
I'm leaving!

GWEN –
Well don't come back!

Craig storms out of the room. Gwen collapses down onto the sofa 
crying. Jay walks into the house.

JAY –
What's going on?

GWEN –
Nothing dear.

CRAIG –
Nothing? NOTHING? I'm leaving and she says that's nothing!

JAY –
What? Where are you going?

Craig storms upstairs. 

CRAIG –
I'm getting out of this house!

JAY –
But you can't go!

INT. LANDING

Jay follows Craig up.

JAY –
You can't! I can't not have a dad!

CRAIG –
This morning you where all up for me leaving!

JAY –
I didn't mean it!

CRAIG –
Jay, I'm not your dad, I never will be.

JAY –
You're as good as to me.

CRAIG –
I'm sorry it's done now, your mother and me aren't right for each 
other!

JAY –
Well can I lend some money?

CRAIG –
For what?

JAY –
It's Denise and Delia's birthday tonight.

Craig sighs and reaches into his pocket, he pulls out a ten-pound 
note and gives it him.

CRAIG –
I haven't got any change, take that.

JAY –
I'll pay you back when… when I next see you.

CRAIG –
Don't worry about paying me back, I don't mind.

JAY –
Nice one thanks Craig.

INT. NO. 20

Carla is stood at the cooker; she is also making tea. Jim walks in 
and hugs her from behind.

JIM –
Go and have a rest love, I'll do the tea.

She turns around and hugs him properly.

CARLA –
Thanks love.

She kisses him. He rubs her belly.

JIM –
Not long, soon we'll be a family!

Carla smiles but it is obvious she is hiding something. 

CARLA –
Yeah, it'll be great.

She pulls away and walks into the living room.

JIM –
Are you OK? You don't seem very happy.

She doesn't answer him. 

INT. NO. 18

Lots of decorations have been put up and Delia is going through a 
case of CDs. Anthony walks in with a load of bottles of coke and 
lemonade etc.
Denise walks in; she has got all dressed up for the party. She walks 
to Delia.

DENISE –
What have you chosen?

DELIA –
Oh just a bit of something I'm into.

Denise picks some up and looks at them. She is shocked.

DENISE –
There is no way you'll get our friends to listen to this crap all 
night!

She grabs a couple of CDs out of the box.

DENISE –
Now this is more like it!

She slots it into the CD player and presses play. Some dance music 
comes on. She starts dancing.

DENISE –
Excellent!

Delia presses stop.

DENISE –
I'm just getting into things.

DELIA –
The party hasn't started yet!

She storms out of the room.

DENISE –
This is better than the crap you chose!
 
INT. CD/VIDEO SHOP

Jay comes in. He walks to the rack of CDs and picks one off the shelf 
he scans it over 
deciding whether to buy it or not. TIM PETERS (15) walks in. He sees 
Jay and walks up to him.

TIM –
All right Jay?  

JAY –
Oh, hi Tim.

TIM –
I take it your going to the twits' birthday party?

JAY –
Yeah, I'm just deciding what to buy.

TIM –
Yeah it's hard to know what girls are into.

JAY –
Do you think we should buy them CDs?

TIM –
I think they've got enough CDs.

Jay puts the CD back on the rack. 

JAY –
I suppose you're right.

TIM –
Let's go and look around town eh? 

They walk out of the shop.

EXT. STREET

They walk up the street.

TIM –
We could put our money together and buy them something each.

JAY –
There's some Walkman's going for £9.99 each in the Co-op.

TIM –
How much you got?

JAY –
A tenner.

TIM –
Great, let's go then.

They walk to the Co-op.

EXT. CHESTNUT CRESCENT

The boys walk onto the street with a plastic bag. A few younger kids 
are playing football and the ball rolls to them, Jay kicks it back.

TIM –
You want to come to my house to wrap the presents?

JAY –
Yeah OK.

They walk to no. 16 and walk in.

INT. NO. 16

The boys walk into the hallway and Tim's mum; JULIE PETERS (32) walks 
into the hallway.

JULIE –
So what you got them then?

Tim shows them the Walkmans.

JULIE –
Ooh! They'll be happy about them, how much did they cost?

TIM –
Tenner each.

JAY –
We put our money together.

JULIE –
Hadn't you go and get ready, Jay?

JAY –
I'm ready.

JULIE –
You going like that?

JAY –
I don't think I should go home for a while.

JULIE –
Have your parents been arguing again?

JAY –
Yeah.

JULIE –
Well I'm sure they'll work something out.

JAY –
Actually I think this time it's for good.

Him and Tim walk upstairs.

JULIE –
(Shouting) You want your tea here then?

JAY –
OK then.

INT. NO. 18'S BACKYARD

Sara is taking some washing off the line. Julie runs up to the fence.

JULIE –
Sara! Come here quick!

Sara rushes over.

SARA –
What is it?

JULIE –
Guess what I just heard!

SARA –
What?

JULIE –
That Gwen and Craig are going for a split!

SARA –
Never!

JULIE –
No really…

Denise walks out into the backyard.

JULIE –
Jay is upstairs; he said that he thinks the split is for good, no 
more making up.

SARA –
Well, I saw it coming really!

JULIE –
Yeah they weren't the best of couples were they?

DENISE –
What is this? Gossip Central? I think they're going through a bad 
enough time already without you two gaping on behind their backs.

SARA –
Oh Denise, has you better not go inside and help your father with the 
sandwiches?

Denise sighs and goes back in.

SARA –
Well, Julie, you heard who's moving into number 14?

JULIE –
No who?

SARA –
Jack Daines!

JULIE –
Really? CORR if I were twenty years younger!

SARA –
I know!

Suddenly the upstairs window of No. 16 opens and Tim leans out.

TIM –
Mum! Stop telling the world our personal life and get our tea 
started!

JULIE –
I'll have to go, Sara, see you.

SARA –
Bye.

Julie and Sara both go back inside.

INT. NO. 18 – EVENING

Sara and Anthony are stood at the door ready to go out. At the moment 
only Tim and Jay are there.

DENISE –
Bye mum! Bye dad, have a nice time.

DELIA –
Yeah, see you.

ANTHONY –
You'd lot better behave yourself OK?

DELIA –
OK.

Anthony goes out to the car.

SARA –
(Whispering) The booze is under the sink, if the coppers come round 
get rid of it OK?

DENISE –
Thanks mum.

SARA –
Enjoy yourself.

She goes.

DELIA –
Finally! Let's party!

INT. NO. 20

Carla is sat on the sofa; Jim has his arm around her.

CARLA –
You can go down pub if you want.

JIM –
I don't want to leave you, what if it starts to happen?

CARLA –
It won't and if it does, I'll call the ambulance!

JIM –
If you're sure.

CARLA –
Absolutely!

He kisses her and stands up.

JIM –
See you later then.

He walks out of the room, gets his coat on and leaves. Carla takes a 
sip of tea from her mug. The music from next door becomes loud and 
banging. She sighs.

CARLA –
God, they're starting early!

She gasps and grabs her stomach. She begins to sweat.

CARLA –
No!

The pain comes harder and she begins to spill her tea slightly. Soon 
she screams and drops the mug smashing it on the floor.

INT. NO. 18

Lots of teenagers are here now. They are dancing and shouting. There 
is a bottle of vodka on the side and lots of plastic disposable cups 
have been crushed. Denise makes her way through the crowd over to Jay 
who is sat alone on a chair.

DENISE –
(Shouting over the music) Jay! Do you want to go outside?

Jay nods and stands up, as they walk through the house to the 
backdoor, they pass Delia, she smiles.

DELIA –
You two behave yourselves!

She laughs.

INT. BACKYARD

Jay and Denise come out and sit on a bench.

DENISE –
I hear Craig and your mum are splitting up.

Jay seems unhappy.

JAY –
Yeah, they've been arguing for a while now.

DENISE –
So how are you doing?

JAY –
Fine. I'm sure I'll still stay in touch with Craig though; he's 
always been a sort of father figure.

Denise smiles and rests her head on his shoulder. Jay looks down at 
her face and Denise looks up at him. He puts his hand on her cheek 
and brings her head up to face his. Denise kisses him forcefully.

INT. NO. 20

Carla is on the floor crawling frantically towards a phone on the 
table. She grabs out for it and knocks it off the table, she puts the 
receiver to her ear and listens for the tone but it doesn't come. She 
looks under the table and sees the wire has been unplugged. She cries 
out in pain and annoyance. She gives up and begins to crawl towards 
the door.

INT. NO. 18

Delia and Tim are stood in the hallway.

TIM –
So you're Delia right?

DELIA –
That's right, Tim.

EXT. FRONTPATH OF NO. 20

The door opens and Carla crawls out onto the pavement, she pulls 
herself up against the door and tries as fast as she can to get to 
next door.

INT. NO. 18

Hard knocks come on the door.

DELIA –
POLICE! Quick hide the booze!

People run around quickly, someone turns the music off.

Delia opens the door and Carla falls in.

CARLA –
HELP ME!

DELIA –
Carla! What's going on?

CARLA –
What do you think Denise?

DELIA –
Delia!

Carla screams loud.

INT. BACKYARD

Jay and Denise stop kissing when they hear the scream.

JAY –
What's going on?

DENISE –
I don't know!

They run indoors.

INT. LIVING ROOM

Someone has helped Carla into the lounge and lead her on the sofa. 
Delia is ecstatic.

DELIA –
Call the ambulance!

Someone takes out a mobile phone and dials a number.

DELIA –
DENISE!

Denise runs in.

DELIA –
Denise, get upstairs and get cushions and blankets!

Denise and Jay run upstairs.

DELIA –
Get the chair cushions on the floor and lie Carla down properly!

Two teens do so. Carla slumps down and lies on the cushions. 

CARLA –
Call Jim!

DELIA –
Where is he?

CARLA –
The pub!

DELIA –
(To the teen who rang the ambulance) Get to the hallway, there's a 
phone diary on the table, look for the goose pub! QUICK!

Denise and Jay return with the blankets and pillows. Delia takes them 
and gets Carla comfy. 

DELIA –
Get her pants off!

A boy goes down to do so.

CARLA –
Get off me!

She takes them off herself.

INT. GOOSE PUB

The phone rings and Suzy answers it.

SUZY –
Hello? Yeah. [Pause] WHAT? Yeah hold on. (She puts the phone to her 
chest) JIM!

Jim hurries over.

JIM –
What?

SUZY –
Carla's gone into labour!

JIM –
What? Where is she?

SUZY –
She's at number 18, the ambulance is on their way!

Jim runs out of the pub into the street.

INT. NO. 18

Carla is screaming.

DELIA –
PUSH!

TEEN –
God I CAN SEE IT!

DENISE –
Keep going Carla!

Carla screams hysterically.

DELIA –
It's coming! It's coming! It's out! It's out!

Suddenly the hysterical smile on her face fades.

CARLA –
What is it?

DELIA –
Well it's a boy but it's, it's a… it's black…

CARLA –
NO! Please, it's just… just in the shade! Please tell me it's NOT!

We hear a baby crying. Carla's eyes dart to Jay.

JAY –
Craig?

Carla slowly nods. Jay gets up and runs out of the house. Delia lays 
a towel out and wraps the baby up. She hands him to Carla who hugs 
him dearly. We hear Ambulance sirens outside and see flashing lights.

EXT. CHESTNUT CRES

Carla has been loaded into the anbulance with her baby. Jim runs up 
the street and into the ambulance.

JIM –
Carla!

MEDIC –
Are you a relation?

JIM –
I'm the father!

MEDIC –
I don't think you are, mate.

JIM –
What're you talking about?

He looks at Carla who tearfully shakes her head.

JIM –
What?

He goes up to Carla's bedside and she shows him the black baby. Jim 
gasps.

JIM –
But I, you said… Craig?

Carla nods and bursts into tears. 

Jim's face turns angry.

JIM –
CRAIG? I'LL KILL HIM!

He runs out of the van.

CARLA –
JIM! JIM!

Lots of teens watch as Jim runs inside.

THE END OF EPISODE 1

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