The Teacher (2022) s01e04 Episode Script

1 Hi, Gabriel Pawson, Deputy Head.
Jenna.
Garvey.
You used to teach here.
I was a pupil.
Year of 2005.
Sorry, I don't.
I have a few questions I wanted to ask about my time here but No worries.
Listen.
I've got a class but I'll be at the gym across the road later.
Five o'clock? Oh, OK.
There's a café.
And a pool.
I didn't plan to teach at my old school, the deputy headship came up, I went for it.
Oh, well.
Quite a few pupils I've taught have gone on to teaching.
It's very gratifying, actually.
I didn't go into teaching 'cos of you.
You never taught me.
No.
We all noticed you though.
You were easily the hottest teacher, hottest woman, in school.
Don't worry, no laws are being broken that would've been broken back in 2005.
Right, so you, you know who I am, my history? Of course.
You're notorious.
Quite bold, really, coming into school.
Well, I I didn't do it, what I've been accused of.
I mean, I pleaded guilty but that was a mistake.
And now I wanna prove that I didn't do it.
It was someone else.
Look, do you remember this teacher? Look at that.
Ha! Oh, my God.
Can I just show you? Ash Qayam, I sat next to him in Art.
He's an MP now.
Do you remember this teacher here? Arnold Cleary? Arnold Cleary.
Yeah.
He slept with a pupil.
Ran off to Scotland with Diz.
Diz Chinyere.
That's her, there.
Oh, my.
Cleary went to prison for it.
God, I remember, we came back after the summer holiday and Cleary had gone.
No explanation but obviously we all knew and talked about nothing else.
I had no idea that's what happened.
I mean, I'd gone by then.
Why are you looking for him? Reaching out to teachers who've been through the same sort of thing? No.
No, I'm not like him.
Look.
Nothing happened, the boy lied.
But it was enough to set this all off and now they had no reason to ruin my life.
And Arnold Cleary did? I look, do you think the school might have contact details for him or, like, information? You know, I teach a lot of girls.
Some of them are very mature.
But I never cross that line.
I'm not their friend, they might think I'm unlikeable, strict, but the boundary is clear.
Teacher.
Pupil.
Right.
Well, let's hope that's never put to the test, eh? We all thought you were great, back then.
Miss Garvey.
You really got the kids, you were popular.
Yeah, well, I like to connect with my pupils, invest in them, I like them to feel good about themselves that's A good teacher, a responsible adult, keeps a respectful distance.
Doesn't need to be liked.
[KNOCK AT THE DOOR.]
Kyle? Oh, Kyle.
I've had the school on the phone.
You've got a bloody English exam.
I can't do it.
Oh, get yourself over there now.
Come on.
Hey.
Hey, it's just nerves, babe.
Yeah? It's all right, I mean, I know it's weird for you 'Cos it's English, isn't it and that's her subject I don't care anymore.
Just a few more exams, Kyle and then we can have a think, we can have a think and we can make a plan to get you right.
How? I don't know, we'll do something.
If that filthy scumbag hadn't have put you up to this Mum, you promised you said you wouldn't shout like that anymore.
All right, I won't, I won't.
But you know he's gonna get away with it, don't you, Kyle? He's just gonna walk away He didn't mean for it to all end up like this, mum, he's not a bad person, honestly.
He's a nutter, Kyle.
He's a bloody weirdo nut job, and he has used you! He's used you! I need you to go.
Yeah, I need you need to go and do your exam.
Yeah.
[PHONE RINGS.]
Hello.
It's Pauline.
Yeah, hi.
You said I could come and get some stuff for charity? Is it a bad time? No, no, no.
When were you thinking? I'm outside.
Oh.
Hi.
I didn't wanna knock, I thought Come in.
So.
Oh, these came to you from the school.
Sorry.
I have been sent some sinister and bizarre things.
Like dirty pictures, stuff like that.
Oh, no.
I know.
You sure you don't want to keep anything? I can't.
I've only rented a studio, so.
It's kind of a nice feeling though, you know.
Life purge.
You're really brave, starting over.
Well, if I can help, you know, a reference or I do have a contact, actually, a sub-editor.
I'm thinking of going into publishing.
I'm not barred from working with books.
- No.
- I don't know.
Maybe I just went into teaching to live up to my mum, or make my dad, I don't know, proud? You really don't want these? No.
They're mum's but I'm not really bothered about cooking, so, do you want them? Maybe I should now that I'm cooking for two.
Yeah.
How is that? Is it going well? I don't know.
He talks about moving in and then becomes distant, saying he needs space.
Is that normal? Oh, listen.
I don't really think I'm the person to ask about that.
Should we start loading up the car? Of course, sorry.
Sorry.
Yeah.
Thanks.
OK? Yeah.
OK.
Do you want that one in there? Oh, yeah.
Thank you.
There you go.
Do you want me to get these? No, don't worry.
You go.
You sure? Honestly.
I'll get the next load ready and I'll put the kettle on.
OK.
Do you want me to take that back in case it's something bad? No, it's well, maybe while you're here.
Oh, it's from this Deputy Head.
This is stuff from Arnold Cleary.
Arnold Cleary? Yeah, sorry.
A teacher from my old school.
He groomed a pupil.
She was 15.
They were unnaturally close, so, I reported it.
He sent a letter.
There's a letter from Cleary.
"This Jenna Garvey person with whom I have barely exchanged three words" "in the staffroom, who has instigated this witch hunt.
" He names me.
Jesus.
I don't understand.
Sorry.
I've been thinking that someone's has been out to get me, you know, someone from my past.
It's not healthy to dwell.
I want to know, you know.
I need to.
Sorry.
Oh, I've got more clothes for you in the bedroom.
Come on.
It's all my work clothes, my suits, shirts.
Are you OK, Pauline? No, no, I'd better go, I'll just leave you to it, I think.
OK, are you sure? Oh, Pauline, the clothes.
The clothes.
You're early.
Come in.
Oh, God.
Another one? Oh, really.
Don't.
It's, it's, it's disgusting.
I'm sorry, don't think about it now.
If there is somebody out to get you, he's not right in the head.
We have to report it.
No.
No, don't worry, just leave it.
I can help you.
I know.
I know, you can.
Thank you.
And Dad, I'm sorry.
For what? Everything I've done.
I'm your father, Jenna.
He wrote me letters after.
But my parents sent them straight to the police.
I got hold of one.
It was sad.
Nothing about me, just about prison, his life and he wasn't allowed to see me ever again.
There were rumours he was dead but I saw him a few years later.
On TV.
Missing persons? He had a different name but it was definitely him.
You don't remember what the name was? Or when it was? Can I? Sorry, I'm trying to give up but Oh, of course.
Ta.
Are you OK though? I mean, it didn't make you are you coping? What do you want with all this? I'm just, Arnold, was he looking to blame anyone for being caught? I mean, was he angry or? You mean, was he a monster? A paedophile monster? No, no.
Make me do things? Is that what you want to know? What is this, exactly? You're not doing this for the papers? God, no.
'Cos they just made things worse, the media, all the stuff they said about him, about me, about his daughter.
We didn't even he made it clear, we'd have waited till I was 16.
You didn't have sex with him? Sorry.
I'm sorry to make you go through all this.
It doesn't matter now.
It did then.
I was heartbroken.
He went to prison, and I couldn't think about anything else, I couldn't show my face at school.
Just dropped out.
Oh, no.
You were such a good student.
Yeah, I loved school.
Mainly because it wasn't home.
Going off with him wasn't the first time I'd run away.
Well, maybe he saw that, perhaps he knew you were unhappy and What? Picked me because I was vulnerable? Is that how it goes? Not because he loved me for me, but 'cos I was broken? An easy target? I know but I couldn't just let him get away with what he was doing.
What do you mean you? Did you report us? I'm sorry but I had to.
I was in love with him.
I mean, telling the police, the media finding out, just it just made it worse.
It just made it feel horrible, shameful.
I'm sorry I didn't get chance to talk to you, but I moved to a different school and I What if she goes to police and says that she didn't do it and it all gets turned back round on me? Well, why, would she? She doesn't know anything.
What? Kyle, have you heard something? Kyle, hey.
Has that creep been in touch with you? No.
He's not a creep! He'd better not have, I swear to God.
Izzy, she said that Miss Garvey's been asking around and she thinks that I lied.
She knows that I lied.
What if she finds out? Good.
Maybe that's good.
Why? So, she goes to the police and then they ask you why you did it and then you tell them.
You tell them that that piece of shit put you up to it.
No, because it's not his fault and he's gonna get in trouble for it.
No, Kyle! No, it is only his fault! You don't get it, Miss Garvey's not as innocent as you think.
She's done some bad, dark things before.
Is that what he told you? Is it? Is that how he made you do it? What, that, and giving you a couple of hundred quid to completely fuck up your life? Baby, he's messed around with your head, darling.
- No, mum.
- Yeah, he has, right.
And I should have protected you.
Sorry, this number doesn't exist.
Well, that took a bloody age.
Let's get going, shall we? Everything all right? Yeah, yeah, fine.
I know you lied.
I'm sorry.
What? You don't deny it? Kyle, I felt so bad.
I thought I took advantage of you.
I thought I was a sex offender, for fuck's sake! I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry.
Who, was it? Who told you to lie? Who told you? Come on, I know there was someone.
Was it Arnold Cleary? No, no, I don't know who that is.
No-one made me do it.
I did it myself.
I'm sorry.
I just made it up, and I, I didn't think you'd admit to it.
I thought that I could get money out of it, like, you'd pay me money and then I can, I'd admit that it wasn't true.
But you plead guilty so I didn't get chance to.
I took your mobile.
I downloaded that messaging app.
And sent photos to my phone.
You did? You stupid little shit.
What did I ever do to deserve this, Kyle? What have I done to you? I only ever tried to help you.
Nothing.
you did nothing.
I'm sorry.
God.
I'm a fucking idiot! I know I'm a fucking idiot! And I'm sorry! If I could take it back, then I would.
Kyle, what am I supposed to do with this? What? You think I won't go to the police because you've been gracious enough to admit the fucking truth? Well, I will go to the police.
And you can tell them I've done nothing.
And then you'll deal with the fallout, you'll deal with your world, your future, your life turning to shit.
Look whoever this person is, 'cause I know there's someone.
You need to stay away from him.
Do you hear me? Stop protecting him.
I won't go to the police about you.
I won't go to the police.
[PHONE RINGS.]
Hey, it's me.
I went to Garvey's, I told her it was all me.
She seems to think It's some guy called Arnold somebody.
But it's good she's not going to the police.
Can I see you? It would be great to talk.
I just need [PHONE CHIMES.]
Hello.
Pauline? It's Pauline.
Please leave a message, thank you.
Pauline? Pauline? Hello, Jenna.
Hello.
Pauline? I was looking for Pauline.
Pauline doesn't like it here.
She says it smells of mould.
Well, I was, I was just gonna, I was just gonna leave her a note.
Yeah.
A drink, I think.
It's not very nice in here, is it? No point sprucing these places up.
You just get moved on again, as soon as word gets out.
I haven't been on any register for five years now, makes no difference.
I've lost count of the halfway houses and bedsits.
I used to live in a beautiful Edwardian town-house when I was a teacher.
Oh, you're a teacher.
You know who I am.
What do you want? I want to see my daughter again.
You left your family.
Everyone assumed that Sara must've been abused because, you know if I loved one girl, I haven't seen her since.
It's a stink.
It clings to you.
There's no escape from it.
You'll see.
And why? Why did I lose everything? Because some righteous bitch stuck her nose in.
I didn't, I wasn't out to get you.
You.
I reported a teacher for inappropriate behaviour.
Denise and I were in love.
No.
No, you can't justify it, the abuse of trust, the child's age.
You cannot legislate for the human heart.
Love, Jenna, cannot be codified.
Yes.
Love.
You don't understand.
Or do you? Your feelings for Kyle, what were they? Nothing.
Affection, not sexual.
The chemistry, you felt it.
No.
Never.
And yet, you thought you had.
What did you imagine you and Denise would be? We would have married.
We were waiting till she was 16.
Do you think that makes it any less inappropriate? It was not inappropriate.
It was a consensual relationship.
No.
It couldn't have been.
She was too young, she wasn't old enough emotionally, to understand.
She was sad, needy.
And I gave her what she needed.
You took advantage of it.
You got in and you groomed her.
No! No! No! It was not that! I didn't need to! It was mutual! And what about when she grew up? Got older into her 20's, or 30's, what would have happened then? It was not that! I do not fancy kids! I do not groom them! Denise's age was immaterial.
I was in love with her.
One girl.
Once.
Or were you caught before you could do it again? It's a power game, it's not a relationship.
I admit.
I fed off the kids' affection.
I wanted it.
But it's not fair.
It's not fair to put it on them.
For them feel like they have to feed your needs.
Yeah.
You see, Jenna.
What you don't realise is I lost a family, a life, a love.
I lost my freedom.
They put me in prison.
Because you broke the law.
No-one asks about the details in prison.
They just hear 'teacher' and 'sex offender'.
And assume you're the worst kind.
Well, what about Kyle? Putting him through all this, using him.
What is that, if not grooming? I mean, why did you plead guilty? You just crumpled! Like a car crash in slow motion.
Like, like you couldn't wait, almost like you wanted it.
I wanted it? Why? Why me? Why not the headmistress? The detective? You.
You did it.
June 4th, 2005 when you reported us.
Jenna, you could've talked to me, or Denise, you could've asked us.
Instead, you threw a grenade in my life and you just walked away.
Well, I didn't do it out of spite, I didn't hunt you down, infect your life, set you up, creep around.
I didn't do what you've been doing to me.
What you did to me was much worse.
Worse? So, do you feel avenged now? Has it helped you get your life back? Your daughter, will she be impressed how you've taken me down? Would she like to see all the sinister, nasty shit daddy's been up to? You're scared of me.
What do you think I'm gonna do? I've done it already.
One little lie.
Your whole life ruined.
Jenna? Oh, Pauline? Pauline.
Oh, God, Pauline.
I'm sorry, Jenna.
I didn't know.
I'm sorry.
- It's OK.
- I didn't know.
It's OK, but you know now? What he is, what he did? You need to get out of here, you need to leave before he comes back.
Brian's my soulmate.
Pauline, you know what he did.
To me, to Kyle, to you? I recommended Brian as a tutor.
I brought Kyle to him.
He was always so kind, Jenna! He was so kind! It's lonely, isn't it, out here? In the cold? Perhaps it always was for you.
Do you know I was surprised your mother's bipolar condition went undiagnosed? Maybe Roger was just too ashamed to let her seek help? I got to know your father.
I went on one of his dry stone walling courses.
Interesting man.
Didn't mention you once in the whole time we spent together.
Don't flatter yourself that I've spent all this time thinking about getting you for 15 years.
I spent most of it abroad, trying to rebuild my reputation, hoping that one day you'll see.
I'm not like you.
I can't suffer like you.
The stink won't stick.
I can live again.
And I will.
No, no, no, no, no! Hi.
I got a nine in English.
Of course you did.
I thought that, I didn't realise the I know.
I know.
It's OK.