A Boy Called Dad Page #3

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# And if that mocking bird don't sing

# Mama's gonna buy you a diamond ring... #

Tiny, tiny fingers.

Tiny.

Tiny, tiny.

Where is he?

Safe.

Where?

Ssh. He's fine.

Playing at?

You do something for me, I do something for you.

Like what?

What are you doing?

I don't want that to be the only time.

With him.

Nia...

- Just tell me where Elliot is.

- Not yet.

Do this, Robbie, and you'll have him back

and I won't tell anyone where you are.

You knew all along?

Police came round the house.

- I'm the only one who can help you.

- Then tell me where Elliot is.

Please.

Do this for me.

ROBBIE PANTS:

Keep trying.

I can't.

Please, Robbie. Please keep trying.

I can't.

Just tell me where Elliot is, please. I just want Elliot.

Please...

- I left him here.

- Nia, don't piss about!

I'm not. He was here. He was in the bread basket.

F***ing hell, why did you do that? He's not a loaf.

He needs feeding. He'll be hungry.

He'd be crying, why ain't he crying? Why ain't he?

I'll try over there. You go that way, and be careful, you can sink.

Elliot!

Elliot!

- Elliot!

- Elliot!

Elliot!

Elliot!

Elliot!

Elliot!

Ell!

Elliot!

ELLIOT CRIES:

Elliot!

You're all right, Daddy's here now.

Sorry, Ell.

Ssh. You're all right!

It's not you.

It's just... I don't think you're ready yet.

It wouldn't be right.

Can't we still be mates?

Will you do something for me?

What?

Just promise me first.

- I don't know what it is, though.

- You trust me?

Then promise.

Promise.

Talk to your dad.

Can't I just go with you instead?

Could lie and say yeah, come to Ireland.

But I'd dump you in Holyhead.

Not cos I don't like you.

It's just...

This is my sh*t. Not yours.

Dad...

SINGLE LONG TONE

SHE SOBS:

'Police believe the teenage boy

'who abducted his six-month-old son three days ago

'could be somewhere in the North Wales area

'after a stolen car was found near Prestatyn this morning.'

'14-year-old Robert Mullan from New Brighton disappeared with baby Elliot

'after shooting 19-year-old Steven James with a serious wound.

'Police are warning the public not to approach Mullan, as he may be armed.

'In other news today, the Prime Minister...'

Not long now, mate.

We'll be there soon.

Come on, mate. Ssh.

THEY TALK INAUDIBLY

Robbie, catch him. Catch him!

Come on, Robbie, catch him!

Whoa!

Banana milkshake, please.

Sorry, machine's broke. Got fizzy drinks.

No, ta.

It's just me and you now, Ell. Time to get the ferry.

Good boy.

Sh*t.

ELLIOT CRIES:

- Hey, come on, what's up?

- ELLIOT COUGHS

We'll get a boat from somewhere. We'll get our own boat, eh?

Ssh. Come on.

- You're in all the papers, you know.

- F*** off. You said you'd meet me.

I know, but how was I to know you'd steal a baby and go on the run?

He's not "a baby." He's my son.

Even so, you still abducted him.

You're still wanted by the bizzies.

How did you know I'd be here?

Here you are.

Photo.

Rob!

POLICE SIREN:

Robbie!

Rob! What are you going to do, mate?

What you never did - go to Ireland, me and Elliot.

- Give him what I never had.

- What's the odds of you letting me come too?

- Bet you've never even been to Killarney.

- Yes, I have!

Once. That bit was true.

When I was about five.

Yeah, I never wanted to come home.

The only time I ever saw me mum and dad happy together.

And then...we came home. Back to normal.

What was?

Me dad coming home bladdered every night and battering me mum.

I asked you if you were like him.

You never answered. You are.

He drank. You gambled. Same thing. You both hurt people.

- Rob...

- And who was that woman in t'graveyard?

- Me mum. Your nan.

- I thought she was dead. Why'd you lie?

- Look, Rob, we're getting soaked here, mate.

- Why?

- Come on, mate, it's cold, we'll get soaked.

- Why?

- The baby'll get a cold!

- Why?!

- Why?! Why, why, why! F***ing hell!

Cos I feel sh*t, OK? Happy now?

I feel sh*t about me, about this f***ing habit.

I left me mum when I was 16.

I left her to me old fella, that was a shithead

who beat the sh*t out of her and I did nothing! OK?

I didn't go back until...

..we were in town and you were a little baby.

Our Bernie said me dad's in the hozzy, got cancer

and wants you to see him, say goodbye and all that.

So I goes to the ward

and there he is with all the tubes

and me mum sitting there holding his hand and that.

F***ing hell!

She done herself up, you know what I mean? All lovely for him.

Then what?

Nothing. I did nothing.

Like I've always done nothing.

- POLICE SIREN

- I just walked.

Robbie! What are you doing, mate?

What are you doing, Rob, with the baby? Robbie!

He's my son. They're not having him. I'm his dad.

Don't be silly. What'll you do? Jump? You can't jump!

Armed police! Step away from the edge!

Why? Thinking about yourself again? Everyone's going to blame you, eh?

If anyone's to jump, it should be me.

Go on, then. Do it.

ELLIOT CRIES:

You won't jump!

F***ing hell, I'm a failure at that, even! F***ing hell!

Move away from the edge!

Will you let me...

Give me another chance, and I'll prove I can be all right,

I can be your dad.

Rob, give us a chance and tell me I'm not bad, please.

Please. Please, mate.

See you, Elliot.

Go back to your mum now.

She'll look after you.

Get up.

Get up!

Give him back to her.

His nappy needs changing.

Do summat.

See you, Elliot.

BUBBLING:

'They reckon that when you're drowning,

'you see your life flash before you. But I didn't.

'I saw someone else's life -

'it was my son's. Elliot.'

MUSIC:
"Everything You Need" by Adem

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