The Stolen Girl (2025) s01e04 Episode Script

1
[Selma] I knew there was something
off about Elisa.
She was born in some sort
of religious commune in Eyton.
I find it easiest just to
tell myself I no longer have a daughter.
She's saying that I left Lucia
with Rebecca because of how I grew up.
This is harassment.
It's potentially defamatory.
I just took a call from the Paris office.
And a source at the lab
says they found her blood.
Lucia can't be dead.
Stay away from Elisa.
[Rebecca] Lulu-Rose, I'm your mother.
[Lucia] My birthmark.
["Atmosphere" playing]
[no audible dialogue]
[Lucia] Did we cheat?
Yes, but the rules are very complex.
It's not as simple
as it seems, my darling.
-[chuckles]
-[Elisa] Come here, honey bunny.
You need some love.
-[gasps] But we won.
-[giggles]
You need some love.
[kisses]
This is Good Morning UK.
I'm Bethany Hastings.
Seven weeks ago,
the unthinkable happened
to my next guest, Elisa Blix.
Elisa's daughter, Lucia, was kidnapped
while on a sleepover with a school friend.
A week later,
the police found CCTV footage
of Lucia at a service station in France.
And then, in a very worrying development,
traces of Lucia's blood were discovered
in a derelict house in northern France.
Elisa.
Thank you for being with us
at this incredibly difficult time.
Can I start by asking how you are?
[stammers, sighs] I'm… [sighs]
…getting through it, uh, day by day.
Lucia was last seen in France.
Do you believe our listeners
in the UK can still help?
Yes, I do.
Uh, the woman that I left Lucia with
is English, so someone must know her.
Um…
I'm asking anyone who's got information
to come forward.
There's been lots of stories
in the press about your family,
your background.
How are you coping with the attention?
Well… [chuckles]
Well, obviously I don't like it,
but if the stories about me keep Lucia
on the front pages and in people's minds,
then it's worth it.
But you've made a complaint
to IPSO about some of the stories?
Yes, I believe that some
of the journalists,
well, one in particular, crossed a line.
I mean, she approached my mother,
invaded my privacy.
Some would say you've invaded your
own privacy with your social media posts,
-videos of you crying.
-[sighs]
Were you concerned about privacy then?
I'm just trying to be as open as I can.
I… I want people
to know what this is like.
I want them to see how hard it is.
And… [sighs] …I really want people
to come forward,
and I believe that social media
can help with that.
You don't worry that the intense debate
about your handling of the campaign
might become a distraction
from finding Lucia?
Oh. [sighs] These questions.
I'm just… I'm offering you a chance
to respond to the criticism.
No. You…
You're not.
That's not what you're doing.
You're just reinforcing the hate,
the negativity by repeating it.
By making me respond to it.
You don't know what this is like.
No one can possibly know
unless you've lost a child.
It is impossible to imagine.
It's the most unbearable pain,
and it's constant, and it's not going
to stop unless she comes home safe.
I'm sure many of us will relate to that
sense of connection to your child.
The desire to protect them above all else,
which is perhaps why people have found
it so difficult to understand
your decision to leave Lucia
with a virtual stranger.
[stammers, sighs]
I can't do this.
["Out of the Sky" playing on radio]
[knocks on door]
-[Selma] Hi.
-[sighs]
I feel like we're about to draw weapons.
I've had a few unchristian thoughts
about smacking you in the mouth.
You gave me an interview,
and you took my shoes.
I didn't know what you were gonna write.
You made us sound like freaks.
And Elisa's already lost a child.
You didn't need to make it worse.
Yeah.
So why are you back?
Because I never meant to hurt Elisa.
I… I feel like I'm missing
something that could help her.
[sighs] Look, I'm already
in enough trouble as it is,
but you said the last time Elisa was here,
-no one saw her.
-Yeah, so?
You said that she came here
after her dad died.
Was there not a funeral or something?
Did no one see her there?
-I didn't say that.
-You didn't say what?
I didn't say she came back after he died.
I said she was here when he died.
[scoffs] Sorry, when he died?
-As in on the day he died?
-Yeah.
I… I, um… I looked up Elisa's father's
death certificate. Daniel Stanton, right?
He fell down the stairs.
S-So was she there when he fell?
I don't know. I wasn't there.
Well, do you know anything about that day?
W-Was there an argument of some kind?
All I know is that Elisa came back,
then she was gone again,
except Daniel was dead.
[breathes shakily] And I'm not saying
any more because things can get twisted.
I honestly don't know what happened.
Apart from that Elisa came
and went that same day.
Yeah.
She left before the ambulance got here.
Hello. You're the journalist
who wants to talk to me?
Yes. Uh, that's me. I'm S… I'm Selma.
Um, I was wondering
if you might be able to help me,
um, with background about a story I'm
writing about the community up at Eyton.
-Right, well, I can give you two minutes.
-Oh.
I've got a party of schoolchildren
arriving to learn about crime prevention.
Don't ask me which I'd rather deal with.
-[chuckles]
-I'll be quick, I promise.
Um, I was told that you were first
on the scene to a death there in 2019,
um, of, uh… [stammers] …Daniel Stanton.
Right, yeah.
Great. I'd love if you could tell me
what relations are like
between the community and police.
Well, we don't often have reason
to go up there, to be honest with you.
Maybe the occasional run-in
over dye waste polluting the river.
Oh.
Uh, and did the community cooperate
with the Stanton inquiry?
[chuckles] Yeah, they're a quirky bunch,
to put it politely. Colourful.
'Cause Daniel Stanton fell
down the stairs, right?
So you must have had reason to treat that
as… [inhales sharply] …suspicious?
So this article about Dan…
Daniel Stanton's death, is it?
No, no. God, no. No, no, no.
It's, um… It's about, um… It's just
about communities like this around the UK,
but, um, you know,
he's Elisa Blix's father, so…
-Mm-hmm.
-…gonna mention it for topicality.
Well, there was a thorough investigation,
and his death was ruled to be an accident.
I know, yeah. Um. How-How long
had he been dead when-when you arrived?
A couple of hours.
There was a fatal road traffic accident
the same day,
so I had to wait to hand over
to the roads policing team.
Oh, uh, where-where was…
Where was the accident?
B332, half a mile outside Eyton.
-That's your two minutes. Okay?
-Okay. Um, thank you.
[hip-hop playing on radio]
[police officer speaking French on radio]
[speaking French]
[phone chimes]
[sighs]
[tapping]
-[line ringing]
-[sniffs]
[voicemail beeps]
I know I shouldn't call,
but it's an emergency.
I need a passport.
[sniffs]
[sniffs]
[sighs]
[phone buzzes]
Okay. Yeah, well, how long will
it be till we get a report?
[Shona] Today or tomorrow. I'll call you.
[Fred] Yeah, as soon as you hear anything.
-[Shona] Okay, will do. Thanks, Fred.
-All right, thank you.
[sighs]
-[people chattering]
-[children laughing]
Don't film Oscar.
You may use your son all you like,
but you won't use mine.
-I'm not using him. I wouldn't do that.
-I'm his mother.
It's my job to protect my son.
Just like it should be your job
to protect your son.
Excuse me?
I don't have to repeat myself,
but just so we're clear,
the way that you make your son perform
so that you can be in the centre
of everything
makes me nauseous.
Oscar, darling. Time to go. Come on.
[whispers] Good boy.
Here you go, baby. You just wait for me.
-[George exclaims]
-[Elisa sighs]
Now, come here.
[Fred, visitor speaking indistinctly]
Come on. Let's go in. Let's…
Let's have some… [sighs]
Oh, hi.
-Hey. Hey, uh…
-Who is this, Fred?
Elisa, this… this is…
-Sandra.
-Sandra.
-Uh, she's a social worker.
-[Elisa] Hi, Sandra.
She's come to do a
welfare check on George.
-[Sandra] Mm-hmm.
-[Fred] Yeah.
Listen, mate, do you wanna go
and, uh… go and get your toys?
-Go on, I'll be in in a minute.
-Go and grab some of your new toys.
I'm so sorry, but I'm… I'm confused.
-What's going on?
-[sighs]
Elisa, we've had a call from someone
concerned about George's welfare.
That's why I've come
to do a routine check.
Who called you?
We've actually had more than one call,
and we need to follow them up.
We're only concerned
about George's well-being.
Yeah, yeah, of course.
Hold on, do we get a say in this?
We're his parents.
Can you just walk in here and…
Your husband was happy for me to come in.
I've had a look around.
Would you mind if I speak to George?
Alone?
No, that's fine. Absolutely fine.
That's okay, yeah?
Yeah.
Yeah, sure.
Mmm.
I've filed my copy.
-Before my deadline.
-What, do you want a bun or something?
Not if it means having to write a story
about where bread comes from.
Egypt, by the way.
Right, I just mean I've got time now
to do other things.
And you're not gonna be totally happy
about this,
but I did go back to Eyton
the other day, on my day off,
and I don't have the full picture yet,
but Elisa was there when her dad died.
-It could be really inter--
-In there.
-[inhales sharply]
-[door closes]
I don't know what the fuck you think
you're doing, but you need to stop.
Do you have any idea how hard I had
to argue with management for you?
If they got wind of the fact you've
been to Eyton…
I went on my day off, and I made it clear
that I wasn't going to write--
Do you have any idea
how fucking irritating you can be?
I need you to listen to me.
Leave this alone.
We're already treading
a difficult line here
-with Elisa's complaint not being settled.
-I know. I know that. I'm just…
I'm finding it hard because there's
definitely something going on--
The first complaint probably
won't ruin your career,
but the second one, it really will.
I know you think I'm five minutes
older than you,
you don't want to hear my advice, but I've
been through this, and I got through it.
So I need you to listen to me when I say,
put this one down,
find something else
and prove yourself again out there.
[French ballad playing, muffled]
[sighs]
-Bonjour.
-Bonjour.
João?
Oui.
I need a passport.
Milan Matkovic gave me your name.
Milan. [chuckles]
Come in.
[French ballad continues]
-I need it soon.
-Mm-hmm.
Like good food and good wine,
it takes time to make.
I'd pay you well.
Mmm.
Merde.
Look, I make documents for people.
I never ask why they want them, but this?
Not worth it.
[sighs] It's bad news.
It's best not to get involved.
If I don't get a passport,
the police will find me.
And if the police find me,
they will find you.
Do you realise how stupid it is for you
to come here in my house and threaten me?
I don't have another option.
It's this,
or I turn myself in to the police.
You're quite the negotiator, aren't you?
[sighs]
But you're gonna need
a biometric passport, and that's 15K.
Half now, half tomorrow when I pick it up.
Can you do it in time?
You want a hamburger?
I'll make you a hamburger.
[door opens]
[door closes]
[gasps]
[sighs]
[camera shutter clicking]
[Fred] Elisa?
The press have found out
she's a social worker.
-Right, we're getting slaughtered.
-I have to talk to them.
No, no, we need to leave
and get out of here.
I'm not leaving.
Well, we can't stay here. It's madness.
I can't leave. Lucia's things are here.
I'm not leaving.
[Lucia] Five, four, three, two, one.
Coming, ready or not.
[whispers] Marcus Turner.
[phone buzzes]
[gasps]
[breathing shakily]
[exhales sharply]
[sighs]
Thanks for seeing me.
Um, are you okay?
[Elisa sighs, sniffles]
What does this mean?
Why were you sending me this?
I have lost everything.
Why are you doing this to me?
Everything. I have lost everything.
There is nothing,
nothing left for you to take.
[sobs, sighs]
-You don't seem okay, Elisa. Is there--
-No, I'm not okay. How could I be okay?
Well, is there someone I can call for you?
I'm sorry my article caused
so many problems.
I don't want your apology.
Just stop printing vile stories about me.
They have nothing to do with Lucia.
[breathing shakily]
[sniffles]
You went to Eyton to visit your parents
just before your dad died.
You went to visit your parents
when you were pregnant with George.
I worked it out. The dates fit.
Yeah, so?
You were with a man when you went back.
I'd assumed it was Fred, but…
I think you do know Marcus Turner.
[breathing shakily]
He's in prison. Manslaughter,
causing death by dangerous driving.
Happened just outside Eyton
the day your dad died.
I don't know what you're talking about.
Marcus Turner owned
a small chain of hotels.
You stayed at one of them actually.
You were travelling a lot that year
and tagged yourself in several cities
where Marcus owned a hotel.
My guess is that he was flying
with you a lot around that time.
-Did you have an affair with him?
-[sighs] It wasn't an affair.
-But you didn't tell the police about him.
-[sighs]
Did you?
Has this got anything to do with Lucia?
Elisa, let me help you.
It's got nothing to do with Lucia.
Fine, then you won't mind
if I speak to Marcus then.
I've already emailed a request to see him.
[breathing shakily]
[Rebecca gasps]
-[whispers] There's someone in the house.
-[muffled banging]
Go to Lulu-Rose,
lock the door, get in the closet,
and don't come out
unless you know it's me.
[lock clicks]
[muffled banging continues]
[Rebecca] What are you doing here?
You can't be here.
-The police are looking for you. [shushes]
-They searched Laure's café.
-All my safe houses.
-[shushes] My daughters are in the house.
No one would come near me.
-Friends, people I worked with for years.
-That is not my problem.
[shushes, breathes shakily]
[Rebecca gasps]
I need more money to disappear.
-I know you must have money stashed here.
-I paid you.
I paid you well.
I didn't know what it was. You lied to me.
-You told me she was yours.
-She is mine.
She was… She was… She was taken from me.
You're fucking crazy.
Where is the money? Tell me.
I know it's somewhere here.
Get out!
-[grunts] Get out of my house!
-[speaking French]
Where is it?
-I know it's here somewhere.
-[Rebecca grunts]
[panting, straining]
-[choking]
-I find it anyway.
I'll kill you and search the house.
-[grunts]
-[Rebecca gasps, choking]
Mummy!
-[Rebecca shouts]
-[grunts, screams]
-[Rebecca coughs]
-[groaning]
[gasps, panting]
[breathing shakily]
[breathing softly]
[breathing shakily]
[sighs]
[people chattering]
[gate opens, closes]
[line ringing]
[prison worker] Visitors office.
Hi, yeah, um, I'm trying to get permission
to visit a prisoner.
Okay, uh, I need to take a name.
Which prisoner is it?
Marcus Turner.
All right.
Okay, are you a friend or family?
Yeah, I'm, uh, press with Dash Voice.
Right. We don't normally--
Uh, uh, no, I understand,
but I really do need to see him.
Sure, but there is a block
on his visits from journalists.
-Okay. Yeah. All right, thanks. Bye. Bye.
-Okay, bye.
[line ringing]
-[journalist] Hello?
-Yeah, hi, um,
this is Selma Desai from Dash Voice.
-Oh, hi. How can I help?
-Yeah, hi.
I'm trying to get, um,
images of the sentencing of Marcus Turner…
-Okay.
-…on the 6th of June 2021.
[journalist speaks indistinctly]
Yeah, no, uh, we didn't cover it,
but he pled guilty.
It wasn't a massive story.
You had a photographer there though,
I think, right?
-Yeah, we did.
-Are there any images
from the sentencing that
weren't published?
-Sure, I can find you some.
-Oh, yeah, no, that would be great.
And shall I email them to you as well?
-Yeah, yeah, yeah.
-I'm sending them across now.
-Yes, I've got it. Thanks, bye.
-Thanks very much.
[people chattering]
[breathes shakily, sighs]
I'm sorry.
I should have…
come to visit you.
I should have… answered your letters.
I didn't know how I…
What happened to your face?
[Marcus] It happens in here.
I didn't believe it
when they said you were coming.
Yeah.
Marcus, I, um…
[breathes shakily]
I need to know if you told anyone
about what happened.
How can you ask me that, Elisa?
[Elisa] Um.
-Look at where I'm sitting.
-I know.
I did this for us.
For our son.
[breathing shakily]
Is there news about Lucia?
[sighs]
No.
Nothing.
I'm sorry.
If you'd replied to any of my letters,
I would have… said that before.
If I'd known,
I never would have encouraged you
to go back to Eyton.
Marcus, no, you can't do that.
You didn't know because I didn't tell you.
I couldn't.
I didn't tell anyone.
What you've done for me,
for George…
That's his name.
George. [sobs]
[Elisa sniffles]
-George.
-[Elisa chuckles]
Georgie.
[chuckles]
I'm never gonna be able
to repay you, Marcus.
Not ever.
I'm so sorry.
But I need you to tell me
if anyone else knows.
Anyone.
Please, Marcus, you have to tell me.
His wife came to see me.
Nicolas's wife.
Nina.
What? She came here?
Why? [stammers] What did she say?
She wanted to know where I'd been.
What I was doing on the road that day.
I said I'd been visiting Eyton alone.
But I didn't tell her about you.
Of course not.
-Of course not.
-[sighs] Okay. Okay.
[exhales shakily]
[phone buzzes]
[Elisa gasps]
-Hi.
-Hey.
-You all right?
-Is that Sarah Banks?
What?
Where did you get this?
Is it her?
Is that the woman who approached you?
Yeah, yeah.
Yeah, it is.
Where did you get this?
From that journalist that
I complained about. She sent it to me.
What? She just… She just sent it to you?
Hang on. [stammers]
How do you know that's Sarah Banks?
-[stammers] Do you know her?
-Listen to me.
-No. Do you know her?
-Listen to me.
I need you to think.
Did… Did she ever say anything
about France to you?
Hang on. You've got to tell me
everything that's going on, all right?
-Tell me what-what's going on.
-Fred, please, I will.
Just-Just… right now I need you to think.
Did she ever mention visiting
anywhere in France?
-[sighs, stammers]
-Anything.
-We talked about going on holidays.
-Yeah, and wh-what did she say?
You know, I-I mentioned that
we went to La Seyne-sur-Mer,
and she mentioned and talked about…
[sniffs] …uh, another place near there.
You know, it sounded like
she knew it pretty well, yeah.
[stammers] Was it… Was it Toulon?
-What? Where the car was found?
-Yes.
Fred, that's her.
Uh. Are you sure?
She has Lucia. I…
I have to go.
[grunts, pants]
[sighs]
[grunting]
[panting]
[grunting continues]
[Josie sniffles]
[Lucia] It's okay.
He's gone now.
[sniffles]
[whimpering]
[sobbing]
[sobbing continues, muffled]
[Elisa] Hi, Joe.
Listen, I… I don't have time to explain,
but I-I really need
to get to Toulon today.
Do you know if there's anyone flying?
-Okay, I'll try Rob.
-[knock on door]
What are you doing here?
Nicolas Thibault's family was from Toulon.
You need to call the police.
Have you called them already?
No, not yet, but I should.
I'm already in enough trouble as it is.
Just come in.
Selma, you can't call the police.
If Nina Thibault finds out
that she's a suspect, she'll run.
Then I might never see Lucia again.
Okay, so what then? What's your plan?
-At least the police can help you.
-I can't call the police.
They'll… They'll arrest me.
-Why?
-Look, Selma.
There is a really strong chance
that I am going to find Lucia.
So, I'm asking you, please, please,
please, please don't fuck this up for me.
I'll do anything.
Fine. Yeah, I won't call the police.
[sighs] Thank you.
If you drop your complaint.
And I need to know everything
that you know.
And I mean everything.
Also, I'm coming with you.
Okay.