Dear Frankie

Dear Da, did you know something?

We're moving again.

Ma says it's time.

She says it's definitely the last time.

But she says that every single time.

Nana says,

if there is a next time,

she'll have to be carried out in a box.

And Ma says, don't tempt her.

# Everyone Will Have Their Day

# And if tomorrow only brings

our just deserts

# We'll still get through

# I know we'll be all right

# Cue the marching drums

# We'll stumble through tonight

# Until the morning comes

# And everyone will have their day

# Though many trying days might break

# Take time before you make a change

# Your time is gonna come your way...

And did you know

something else, Da?

This time... This time,

we're living right on the edge of the sea.

Right on the edge of the world.

Lizzie, I still cannae get it.

Gonnae miss my programme.

You'll need to do something.

You'll need to get the man in.

Away to the chip shop

and get us a couple of fish suppers.

You want to encourage that boy to speak more.

There's nothing wrong with his voice.

He's got a lovely wee voice.

You should encourage it more.

Between that and that other thing...

- Is that it?

- Yeah.

One, two, three, four...

Oh Marie!

Come on, give us a break!

Oh, keep your hair on! It's a joke.

Right, you two, beat it.

And don't annoy me for the rest of the week,

OK?

Right, who's next?

OK.

Right.

Your wish is my command.

Just on the one?

Aye, no bother.

Right.

OK, is that it?

How old are you?

Yeah, well, come back in six and a half years.

Just you go back down there

and tell Madam Muck

that you want a packet of Embassy Regal.

And if she gives you any more of her lip,

tell her I'll come down

and batter more than her fish.

Are you that desperate?

And that was that. Know what I mean?

Excuse me. 20 Embassy Regal.

Er... there's a queue.

My boy's already queued.

And before you ask, I am 16, so...

Yeah, and the rest.

OK, hold your horses. I'll do you next.

Come on there's a queue!

- Oh, God almighty!

She only wants a packet of fags!

What was the problem, anyway?

Could you not understand him?

I understood him perfectly.

He's a smart wee cookie.

For a deaf kid?

For his age.

Thanks.

Dear Da, thanks for the stamps.

The Great White Shark's the best.

Maybe the best you've ever sent.

Ma says she'll buy me a new album

when this one's full.

You left while I was sleeping,

Taken from my loving arm,

And now I'm left to grieve here,

broken like a doll.

Jesus Christ, that doesn't even rhyme.

They're supposed to rhyme.

Just you make sure mine rhymes.

Oh, don't bother. I'll write it myself.

It's wishful thinking, you know.

You won't find his name in there.

Well, he's got to die sometime.

Did you know something, Da?

Did you know a Great White

can jump right out of the water

and knock over a boat?

Not your boat, though. Your boat's ginormous.

And guess what else, Da? Guess what?

From my window, I can see the sea.

You have to wear it.

Did you do the toilet?

It's a big day tomorrow.

You'll need to get to sleep now.

- Miss?

- Yes?

What does it feel like to be deaf?

Brilliant. You wouldnae be able to hear your ma

shouting at you to do stuff all the time.

Miss, is it like when your ears are all blocked,

and everything feels like it's miles away?

Well, that's certainly one way to think about it.

But just remember,

you don't have to shout at him all the time.

Do you hear me, Ricky?

Sorry, Miss, did you say something?

I don't want him treated any different.

Well, let's give it a couple of weeks.

If he's struggling, we'll let you know.

He won't struggle.

There's nothing wrong with his brain.

Is there, Frankie?

A word to the wise.

Watch what you say in front of him.

He's a champion lip-reader.

Dr Knickerbocker,

Knickerbocker, number nine

# Clap your hands and keep in time

# Now let's get the rhythm of the hands

# Now we've got the rhythm of the hands

# Now let's get the rhythm of the feet

# Now we've got the rhythm of the feet

# Now let's get the rhythm of the eyes

# Now we've got the rhythm...

Hey, Bean, stick your finger in there and wag it.

Go on, stick it in.

Is that how your girlfriend feels?

We do geography at school, Da.

It's my favourite subject.

I know every single country in the whole world.

Miss Mackenzie gave me

two gold stars for my homework.

Well done!

I've made a friend.

His name's Ricky Monroe.

And he's rubbish at geography.

- Morrison 2642.

- Take a seat.

Thanks.

I wondered when you'd show up.

I've kept you something.

Isn't she a beauty?

Mmm.

Dear Frankie,

here's another stamp for your collection.

This one's a real beauty. The Queen Mary.

They don't build them like that any more.

When I was your age,

I lived so close to the sea I could taste it.

The sharp, salty taste on the inside of my mouth.

And I can taste it now.

That same sharp saltiness.

Up here on the deck.

So we're sailing down towards the Cape now.

The sky here is the most beautiful

shade of blue I've ever seen.

It's like the stone in your Ma's engagement ring.

Ask her to show you it,

then you'll know exactly what I mean.

Oh, you got it, then?

I always get it when I go, you know that.

I didnae know you were still going to go.

Now that we're here.

I thought you might have stopped all that.

No.

I've no plans to stop any of it.

Yes, can I help you?

Hello?

Hello! I'm talking to you.

Er...

Could you come back here, please?

Excuse me, I'm talking to you!

Excuse me.

Cheeky wee devil, you.

Look, son, I did not come up the Clyde

in a paper boat.

I am well aware that a wee boy your age

should be at school doing sums

at this time of the day.

There's no flies on me, so come on.

Let's have a look at the note

from your teacher, shall we?

Oh, I didn't realise.

I'm...

I'm... so... sorry.

I didn't know you were...

...deaf.

Oh, never you mind, son.

You... You pick a book.

Pick any book.

And if we don't have it here,

then I will move mountains to get it for you.

Any cards up there for a locksmith?

I'd forget my head if it wasn't screwed on.

Ah...

Got them.

Is this Frankie Morrison's house?

You're weird.

A-C-C-R-A.

What's that supposed to mean?

It's the name of his dad's boat.

And it's the capital of Ghana.

Don't tell me, you must be Ricky Monroe?

- Ricky...

- What?

Get your feet off the bed.

Thanks, but no thanks.

The advert won't go in the paper till Friday.

I'm grateful for the offer,

but we might not be here that long.

That's what I said when I first came.

It's only a part-time job.

I'm not asking you to sign your life away.

OK, just think about it.

She doesn't need to think about it.

She'll take it.

Just tell her what time you want her to start.

OK, then.

We crossed the equator a week ago, Frankie.

Be docking in the Cape soon.

And it's really hot on board now.

It's so hot on deck,

you burn your hands on the rail.

Well, I'd better go now, Frankie.

It's my turn on watch.

Now, mind and stick in at school

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