Homefront UK (2012) s01e04 Episode Script

Raveley says, if he reads out his statement under oath, he'll be committing perjury - and so will you.
Jo, a simple yes or no.
Are you still seeing her? It'll be round the barracks he smashed the major's daughter.
I'm just not army wife material! There's no such thing.
I'm not Angela! And if this is her life, then I don't want it.
I'll be back when the baby's born.
Natasha's had a letter.
They've confirmed the date for the inquest.
Get some answers at last.
He didn't OD on smack, love.
He died doing something important.
Don't sell that short, yeah? I can be trusted to walk.
I don't need an escort.
Your dad's just offering you a lift.
There's no hidden agenda.
Yeah.
Why don't I come home for lunch, cos we haven't really talked? I apologised.
Not properly talked.
I've got to go to work.
Sorry.
I'll I'll cook tonight.
See you when you get home.
From Martin's.
With Sam.
With Sam.
Left, right! Left, right! So the CO tells me you've had a crisis of conscience.
You want to change your witness statement in court.
I think my brother deserved better.
He didn't deserve to die.
Better than this exercise in arse-covering, sir.
He was buried with full military honours.
They've flown me back for this inquest.
Both our statements praised his courage.
He died selflessly, a warrior.
Sir.
And you want to rip that up? I don't want to lie under oath.
You want to tell your mother that her lad lost the plot and aimed to put a bullet in his leg to get a fast-track home? I should have let him.
But you didn't.
Why? He'd still be alive.
Did you think he owed a duty to the unit? Did you think he should man up? Did you think the same as me? I thought that he was emotionally and mentally fragile and his OC would protect him.
I was wrong.
If he hadn't have been your brother, would you still have thought the same? Yes, sir.
Permission to be excused, sir.
You have had six years exemplary service He was my brother for 23.
Permission to be excused, sir.
On your way.
I was listening to that.
Coldplay? Listen, I'm sorry.
You said.
On the phone.
I just wanted to say it to your face.
With selling kitchens and chasing after Millie, you didn't realise I'd gone.
Of course I did.
I just presumed that you'd be all right because you're always all right.
Look, this was meant to be a surprise but Do you still like Dog Jack? Two tickets? Yeah, I thought you could take a friend.
You know, from school.
You know they'll list his injuries? Every scratch, every blast amputation.
Yeah.
Do you think Mum's up to hearing that? What else? Matt was on a disciplinary the day that he died.
What for? What for? At the funeral, we kind of made him out to be a hero.
'A soldier's soldier,' Bartham called him.
He wasn't a hero, Dad.
He was shit-scared.
Like everyone.
You just don't say it out loud.
Message from table four.
He's got a throat like Ghandi's flip-flop.
Oh, it's good to have you back.
Whatever the reason.
Adam's driving me to court.
I could've got a lift with Howard but an hour each way in the car with Paula.
Alfie will be fine.
The question is will you? My Visiting Officer keeps saying, 'Chin up.
Last hurdle.
' Birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries.
They're all gonna be waiting to trip you up.
I'm learning fast.
Eight years married on Sunday.
Is there no way back? I know how that must seem to you.
Where there's life, there's hope and all that.
Joe completely humiliated me.
Twice.
I thought about taking him back for the girls' sake, but what signal does that send them? I can't compare.
No.
You can't.
Cos when Matt told you he loved you, he meant it.
No-one can ever take that away.
Mrs Raveley? Faisal Aga.
I'm from Parents For Peace.
I read about your son in The Chronicle.
Not interested.
Losing a child is tragic at any age.
Losing a child in conflict is - Look, I know who you lot are.
Your loss is our loss, Mr Raveley.
No, no.
Our loss is your gain, pal.
Our son died so people like you can stand on a soapbox sprouting crap.
I didn't come here to argue.
Good.
Disappear.
Parents For Peace? What does that make us? Parents For War? Must be great to sleep like that.
We kiss him every night and every morning.
Come on.
I'll get you a drink.
You're always telling me to get in touch with my feelings.
Well, here goes.
This inquest I can't do it.
Oh.
I want us to go somewhere and do something.
The lakes, Blackpool - anywhere.
Our son gave his life - Yeah, but it won't be our son.
It'll just be a statistic.
Not to me.
Or Tasha.
Not to Tom.
Do you want him giving evidence to strangers while we're riding the waltzers? It's a chance for our voice to be heard.
To pay for a solicitor to sit there like a nodding dog, ticking boxes? We'll feel better.
Some bloke listing every scratch, every blast amputation.
It'll haunt you, love.
Howard.
I need it.
You're up early.
Uh couldn't sleep.
Today, it's not routine, is it? Shut me out if you want No, I don't want.
It's more than being upset over Millie.
There have been rumours.
Guys saying Matt should have been sent home.
By you? By me.
But my job's about the bigger picture.
My responsibility is to the Company.
And these rumours They're bad for morale.
But today we'll kill them off.
I want to come with you.
No.
But thank you.
We'll see you on the 23rd.
Congratulations, Claire.
Your first sale.
So it gives me great pleasure to present you with the Midgley file.
We started it together but it's time to fly solo.
Speech! Speech! See you in there, Dad.
Blame the satnav.
Blame the copper who drove the wrong way up a one-way street.
John Maloney.
Solicitor.
Representing the families in court.
All right, John? Hello.
Hey.
Hi.
All right.
Come on.
Er John, do you mind if we have a quick word? No, of course.
Thanks.
I value honesty in a workplace.
Do you value honesty, Claire? Mm, yeah.
Best policy.
Two coffees four - sometimes five - teas a day, five days a week.
Three weeks in the job.
Do you think it pays for itself? Meet the Midgleys.
She's a classic passive aggressive and he's a mingebag.
Enjoy.
Claire? What's the problem, Claire? The problem is is that there's death and destruction going on out there, people's futures are hanging in the balance and your pressing concern is the price of a cup of tea.
I was only saying The trial is over.
You failed.
What are they doing here? Who? The white poppy brigade.
The brass nerve of it.
It is a public gallery, Howard.
Just tell the truth, love.
That's all we want to hear.
Tell us, please, about the disciplinary incident mentioned in your statement.
Private Raveley discharged a round of ammunition at base camp, accidentally, whilst cleaning his rifle.
The incident was marked on his service record.
So he was disciplined and no further action was taken? It was a careless mistake.
He was a valuable member of the unit.
I knew that.
He knew that.
Tell us, please, about the incidents leading up to his death.
We were approaching a compound when we came under effective enemy fire.
We took cover inside.
There wasn't time to clear it.
It looked deserted.
Private Raveley was returning fire when a small boy appeared.
He couldn't have been more than two.
It's a recognised Taliban tactic to use children.
As decoys? But Private Raveley went to the boy anyway? Major Bartham? Private Raveley carried the boy out of the line of fire, got him safely back to his mother.
Let's see.
Are you really wet? Shall we go and get you dry? Yeah? Bubbles.
Bubbles.
Gracie, we have to be nice to Alfie cos he hasn't got a daddy.
Come on.
The explosive shattered the left side of Private Raveley's body when he stepped on it.
I did what I could to stem the external bleeding.
This was while under attack? A sniper had the two of us pinned down.
I couldn't move Private I couldn't move Matt.
I kept applying CPR.
I kept talking to him.
Was he conscious? His breathing was very shallow.
His pulse was weak.
Getting weaker.
Did you expect him to recover? From such extensive injuries? Not a chance.
And yet you stayed with him under sniper fire, for 50 minutes? I wouldn't want to die alone.
You do the best you can.
Mr Maloney, any questions from the family? What can you tell us about Matt's state of mind on this day? Very little.
He was his usual self.
Had Matt Raveley been taught about the use of children as decoys? Yes.
Yet we're expected to believe he walked into an obvious trap.
All I can think is that for a split second he let the father in him overtake the soldier.
Does the Major think it's significant that Matt wasn't eating, wasn't sleeping and was anxious to the point of paranoia? Where's the evidence of that? In the last letter he sent home to his wife.
How could you do that? The Coroner's requested you take the stand.
No.
Or at least provide a copy of the letter.
It's private.
It's nothing to do with all this.
You don't have to give them anything.
Howard.
They're trying to pin the blame on me.
No way.
For a bomb that killed Matt.
You tell them that.
What's the point of paying a solicitor if - You tell me.
What is the point of all this? Sergeant Raveley, what can you tell us about your brother's final letter home? I haven't seen it.
We'll disregard your last question, Mr Maloney, since the letter's not available nor felt to be relevant.
Sergeant Raveley, was Matt the only soldier to go to the little boy? You're under fire, you're focused, you've all got your jobs to do.
So Did Matt's state of mind stop him doing his job? You've got to understand it's intense out there And boring.
You've got too much time to think or none at all.
How would you describe Matt's demeanour around this time? I shall remind you that you're under oath.
He wasn't sleeping.
He was getting worked up over nothing.
Nothing? Stuff.
Stuff that didn't matter.
That wasn't important.
He'd um He'd called home earlier that week and no-one was in.
His mind was working overtime.
He thought his wife was in danger? Sergeant Raveley? He thought his wife was with other men.
He was wrong.
Are you happy now? You've said he wasn't sleeping.
We've heard he was careless.
A one-off.
No damage was done.
But he was reprimanded.
Did this upset him? That's the army.
Matt understood.
So, in your professional view, was Private Raveley fit for combat? Absolutely.
Yeah.
My brother was a good soldier.
A warrior.
It's a whitewash.
Your own son's private letter? Where is your loyalty? Where's the loyalty to us? We've given our lives to the army - we gave them our son and this is how they repay us? Closing ranks? Tasha, it's over.
Where are you? Ring me back when you get this.
You didn't tell me any of that stuff.
You didn't need to know.
Listen I've resigned.
I thought that having that job would solve something everything - but it hasn't.
Sensibly handled, Pete.
Well done.
Press need a statement.
If you don't mind, Colonel, I'm signing off for the day.
Of course.
No problem.
Claire.
Today the coroner recorded a verdict of unlawful killing in the case of Private Matthew Raveley, a popular and committed father of one who died aged 23.
I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to his family and to publicly acknowledge his bravery.
I wish also to commend the bravery of Major Peter Bartham who consoled and protected Matthew in his dying moments in the most hazardous of conditions.
Their actions are a credit to our armed forces.
Thank you.
Mr Aga.
A comment for The Chronicle? This is a tragic and unnecessary loss of another local son in a war which we can plainly never win.
Howard! Dad! Leave it.
These cranks aren't the story.
An inquest should be a time for reflection, sir.
For us, the family! Not parasites like you.
We're here to support you.
You've shown no respect for either of my lads.
How is that support? Dad I just think we've been really naive.
We spent so much time wondering whether we were compatible that we forgot to work out if the kids were.
I feel like I'm walking on eggshells.
Sam feels like the lodger.
We'll sell the house.
We'll We'll buy something together.
Please, Claire, don't do anything hasty.
It's a bit late for that.
I know I've put you in an impossible position.
I know you think I don't appreciate you.
I want to be there for you, like today, but I can't if you won't talk to me.
I am a soldier.
There are things I can't talk to you about.
Look, if we want to make this work, we've got to give it everything.
We can't get to the phone right now.
Please leave a message for Matt, Tasha or Alfie after the tone.
Tasha, it's Howard.
Just phoning to see if you're all right.
You know where we are.
Do you really think she's gonna pick up the phone after today? Oh, you're all desperate to move on! This was our only chance! To do what? Crucify his widow? And me.
Make me look like a bloody fool? To remember.
We won't stop remembering.
We couldn't.
Put Matt's side of the argument.
And do what? Bring down the British Army? Don't be so stupid! Or just destroy Tom's career? Oh, for a couple of hard men, you've got very weak stomachs.
She thinks I didn't protect him.
I've never said that.
People have been dying around us for years.
That's war.
He's gone.
And it's so bloody ordinary it hurts.
You feel it in your gut.
The way he died, there had to be more to it.
But But, love, he was only special to us.
I'm going for a walk.
Shall I come? Dad, leave it.
Lift.
We've got to get into your crinkles.
My crinkles? I thought I passed Anatomy.
Anyway, apart from you and a couple of mates, no-one knows anything's changed.
I'm not divorced, I'm not separated.
I'm just on hold.
That's up to you, isn't it? I can't tell the children yet.
Why not? Because it'll break their hearts.
And the questions.
And why should I be the one that has to answer them nobly? I want to see him squirm.
Lift.
Dr Julie prescribes a night on the town.
How does Friday sound? It sounds not soon enough.
Done.
Thanks.
Oh.
See what I mean? He's everywhere.
Lou, if you're not sleeping with him, you don't have to sleep with his stuff.
Better? Yeah.
I gave the army my most precious possession and what did they give me back? Silence.
There should have been a scrambler on Sophie's Land Rover.
By month three, I'd found out it was in the warehouse half a mile up the road.
Month 38, the MOD admits to the Coroner there was a communication breakdown.
Was anybody sacked? There's no-one I'd want to bring from school.
They wouldn't get it.
Really? Nobody? Besides, I don't need to buy company.
Don't even think about it.
You'll be safe at the back.
Just don't talk to me, don't nag me about earplugs and don't ask me if I've made any friends.
This town's in thrall to the army.
Be fair, Maria.
What else is there? You see it in the shops and the pubs.
Grovelling and scraping for the green pound.
We're all meant to feel grateful.
And the schools.
St Bride's is oversubscribed.
First day of term, brats from St Mark's Estate waltz in through the gates.
It's not fair, is it? Paula.
Paula! My husband's done his 22.
My eldest son's about to fly back to Afghan.
I am not a victim.
I'm proud of my son.
Me, too.
Corporal Haroon Aga, 331, 2 Mercians.
It's been three years but it feels like yesterday.
We're not extremists.
We're just grieving families like you.
Here's my card.
Mobile.
Email.
Call me any time.
It's never switched off.
The night-times are the worst.
20s.
Nice.
Ooh.
That's more like it.
That is rubbish.
Oh! I'm sorry, love.
It's all right, Mum.
No, it's not.
It's not all right.
Come on.
Get off the oche.
Hello.
You were right.
The night-times are the worst.
Paula, is that you? It's good you rang.
Oh, I haven't got my chequebook.
Oh, do me a favour, H.
There's nothing sinister.
I'll have it next time.
Three months this account's been outstanding and I wouldn't press you sooner.
I do my bit for Help For Heroes, but fair's fair.
I'm not running a charity here.
Monday.
You'll have your money on Monday.
Thanks.
Hi.
Did you get my messages? Full English? Yeah, go on, then.
Yeah.
Three Full English breakfasts and three teas.
Manners.
Please.
What happened to your eye? I'll have scrambled egg with mine, please.
Jack went down the hill.
I wasn't sure you'd let me in.
You slam the door in someone's face, he'll only come in round the back.
Where did you read that? The Little Book Of Calm? Tell your uncle he's a smartarse, Alfie.
I'm sorry.
About It isn't you should be apologising, is it? My dad had a right go at her.
Let me guess.
Water off a duck's back.
No.
No, she's just desperate.
She needs someone to blame.
Taliban not good enough for her? Sometimes I think she blames me.
Tash I stood up for Matt and you.
You didn't get to hear the good stuff.
What matters to me is what I tell Alfie.
His daddy died to save a little boy like him.
Who cares what went before? How did that lazy, useless big-head ever find a girl like you? Wait.
Don't be like this.
Just give me a minute.
I'll be with you.
See you in a bit.
Did my dad do that? I just slipped.
He was screaming 'rape.
' He wanted to call the police.
I told him straight I'll deny it.
It's not like he can prove it.
He backed down in the end.
Am I supposed to be grateful? He knows now.
I've told them we love each other.
I was 'amazing' before you knew my age.
Why does it matter now? Cos you've ruined everything.
I can't even fart without your dad finding out.
My life in the army's finished.
You'll swan off to uni and bounce round the world and I'll just be some funny story to your mates, won't I? Yeah.
Rob! You've made me feel like a perv.
I can't stay long.
If someone sees me, I'll be shot.
Drinking with the enemy.
Howard hates this place.
How about that one, if you don't like matchy-matchy? Last day of R and R.
We should be in bed.
Know what I think? What? I think we should get married in flip-flops.
Except, Mummy wouldn't like it, would she? Or Stuart Spalding.
You hippie.
Tory boy! Come on.
The sooner you choose, the sooner we can be back in bed.
All right, I'll have that one just there.
We won't agree on this but, since you ask Afghan's as lost now as it will be in 2014.
In Harry's name, I saw withdraw.
Save what lives we can.
Accept he died for nothing? Never.
It doesn't stop me missing him.
Howard keeps saying our place is a home, not a shrine.
Have you kept much? My wife has most of his things.
Are you not? We split up.
I'm sorry.
She has the medals and the photographs, the house and the children - and the car.
And what did you get? Memories.
My youngest, Furgan, blames me, 'the great assimilator.
' Says if I hadn't so much banged on about respecting Queen and country, Haroon would be alive today.
That's him on a good day.
Are they far? Leicester.
The group keeps me busy.
We're like a family in a way.
Mari No, go on.
Ask.
Maria's daughter died in 2005.
Her only daughter.
Is that all I've got to look forward to? Reliving it over and over again like a stuck record? Will I ever find peace? Next one's on me.
Thanks for listening.
Who listens to you? Right, come on, you.
Bed.
Come on.
You don't mind your mother not turning up? I get it.
It's too much.
Goodbye, Dad.
Watch your back, son.
And your front.
I will.
I'll look after him.
Don't worry.
Um Howard, do tell me if I'm speaking out of turn, but Paula should be wary of getting too close to those campaigners, Parents For Peace or whatever they call themselves.
She wouldn't give that shower time of day.
Well, if they do come knocking, just watch the chat about Matt's emotional state.
Uh, I don't get you.
Any suggestion he wasn't in his right mind, had suicidal thoughts, whatever if that gets to the wrong ears, it might impact on his insurance.
Oh, right.
Thanks.
OK.
Have you heard from your mum? You know Chezza.
Never off the phone.
She rang to say they got back safely.
There'd been a flood in the bar.
Oh, and Manuel had made off with the takings while Glen were over here.
Apart from that, it's all love's young dream.
Did she ask about the inquest? No.
Lucky for Paula.
Is it just me or is it quiet in here? Oh, it's t'time of day.
Workers have been and gone and the ladies who lunch are putting their lippy on.
Shall I open this and see what it says? 'World's Greatest Granddad.
' World's best pressie.
Thank you.
There's something else.
I should wait for Paula, really, but Happy birthday, Granddad.
You're not Mm.
Oh Oh, hey.
You'll be putting off the customers.
When? How? Matt's last R and R.
That is the best present ever.
You didn't tell me what Paula got you.
Not another pinny, I hope.
You know Paula.
She's got a lot on her plate.
We'll do something tonight.
Paula? Hi.
Is everything all right? I needed to see you.
Come in.
Every day, a little bit more slips away.
You know? I know.
He should be here! Was Howard upset? I don't know.
He's at work.
But you didn't go to see him? I'm sorry.
I knew I shouldn't come.
Paula, we're friends.
You're always welcome.
But this is how it starts.
You either grow together or you drift apart.
I should know.
Yeah.
Just here's great.
Thanks.
Thanks, Faisal.
For the food.
For everything.
I enjoyed it.
Me, too.
When you weren't crying.
Hm.
When I wasn't crying.
How come half of Leysham knew before I did? Knew what? Howard.
You're knocking round with him! What are you playing at, Paula? Howard When I want your opinion, I'll ask for it, pal.
Get inside.
Stop acting like an idiot.
I said, inside.
Howard, you've got the wrong end 'Howard?' Paula was upset but it's you she wants to speak to.
It looks like it.
There is nothing going on.
Today is my birthday.
29 years of marriage, this is the first time she's ever forgotten.
Don't tell me there's nothing going on.
Howard Howard.
Oh-oh.
Shark alert.
If he asks you to feel his muscles, run.
You've not met my mother, have you? Oi! I'll be back in a tick.
All right.
My round.
Vodka.
Vodka.
What about your friend? Oh, no, not my type.
She had Botox - on the brain! Mate.
My God.
Are you giving him the eye? Yeah, well maybe it's time to get back on the horse.
Well, you could do a lot worse, girl.
Pete Bartham warned me and I told him he'd got it wrong.
When were you talking to him.
He said they'll manipulate you.
No-one's manipulating me.
Keep your trap shut about Matt being fragile, if you want the insurance to pay out to Tasha.
That's blackmail.
And you just took it? This is not your money you're playing with.
How often have you seen him? How many times How often?! We've talked on the phone a few times.
We've met for coffee.
And tonight? I called round.
To his house? He was making tea.
I stayed for something to eat.
You've had dinner at his house.
Oh, am I not allowed to be alone with a man? And you call them fundamentalists.
Put them away.
You don't even smoke.
I'm starting again as of now.
I don't need your permission.
Paula, what's going on here? I keep trying to tell you - nothing! Don't insult my intelligence.
I'm not talking about sex.
I'm talking about loyalty.
Bearing your soul.
Telling him your secrets when you should share them with me.
Funny enough, that's what he said.
But he doesn't know you.
Since when did you ever share your feelings? We are all hurting.
It's not a question of who shouts loudest.
Christ! Do you think I didn't love that boy? Well, fighting won't bring him back! You've just accepted it! No! I'm working my way round it.
Because I've had practice.
Your first affair with Duncan Phillips.
You knew I knew.
Duncan was years ago.
More.
Matt was eight.
He saw you together.
That took some explaining.
It was nothing.
A couple of months.
He was there and I was lonely.
You didn't say.
Why? Why, Howard? I didn't want to lose you.
And here I am, losing you.
We're all losing you! You're so obsessed with your dead son, what about the one who's alive? You can hardly have a conversation with him because he survived and Matt didn't.
Tasha nearly left for Spain.
I wouldn't have blamed her if she had.
You don't even know you're gonna be a grandmother again! S What? Tom? Tasha.
She's having Matt's baby.
I waited up.
How was it? Well, if I could shift the ringing in my ears, I would tell you.
Cool.
Sam bumped into some friends from his old school.
Josh offered him a sleepover, so Cool.
My mum never took me to any concerts.
Ballet.
Point-to-points.
Never any gigs.
I'm so rock and roll Taxi's paid for.
This is for you.
Night, Chloe.
Night, Louise.
Chloe.
Chloe Potter.
Her dad's in Joe's unit, right? Brownie points on that one, Lou.
That's way craftier than a picture on Facebook.
Chloe will tell her mum, who'll tell her dad, who's bound to tell Joe that you had company.
Eh? Go on, be honest.
You brought me back here for a reason.
Too right, I did.
I'm not your revenge shag.
So cynical.
Besides, Chloe's gone, so might as well get hung for a sheep as a lamb.
Or don't get hung at all.
Are you seriously gonna get me all revved up and then just leave? Tempting as it is.
So Matt never knew? Tasha never knew.
Not until after the funeral.
Might be a girl.
I'm sorry.
It's not enough.
I love you to bits but I'm not taking the crumbs off the table.
I've hurt you - today especially Come on.
We've both hurt each other over the years.
But we had the army and the kids and a business.
What is keeping us together now? Is it memories? Is it habit? Because it's not enough.
No.
Come on, be honest.
You're scaring me.
We've got to decide, kid.
Are we in this marriage for keeps? Don't say that.
Not after all we've been through.
People change.
Maybe it's time to let go.
Could you do that? I don't want to.
But if all we do is cause each other pain Don't, please.
Howard if I didn't have you You'd have Tom.
You'd have Tasha and the kids.
The world wouldn't stop turning.
Without you, it would.
Howard You're having us kicked out of your house.
If we go to the wall, what'll he get instead? Another kebab shop? Is that what my son died for? Give me that phone, you pervert! You don't trust him? I don't really know him.
Any history of violence? He's a soldier! It's Joe.
He's taken the kids!