The Poison Tree

Daddy! How do you think she'll feel when she finds out we lied to her?

I need a job. Then find one that doesn't require someone digging around in our past.

How easy would it be for someone to find out where we live?

If he didn't do it, who would he spend 12 years in prison for?

I haven't met Biba. Why not? Where is she? She's dead.

Then move in with us. I'm selling number six. I want you out in four weeks.

You can't. That's our house! Please not that one. Dad, please?!

Come back! Ohh!

Hang on, Karen!

Hurry up! Biba, we can't leave him.

Rex?

He's dead. We've gotta call the police, tell them it was an accident!

No, Lenny! Lenny! You just pushed your old man down the fuckin' stairs!

Lenny, stop it! Lenny, stop! Shut up!

Lenny!

What the fuck have you done?!

What shall we do? What shall we do, Rex? Quiet. Just let me think.

What are you doing?

Get out of the way!

You went clubbing last night, both of you.

Nobody needs to know that either of you were here. We won't let you do this. GO!

Run, Karen!

Come on, Karen. Move!

Come on, Karen! Run! Run!

From my cell window I couldn't see a single star.

Is it still there?

Canis major? Mm-hm.

There.

There's her ear, there's her nose.

We were so happy, weren't we?

Before I messed it all up.

It wasn't your fault.

No, Biba, we can't leave him.

It's what Rex wants. Get changed. No, I'm going back.

You can ever go back!

Do you want to go to prison?!

Get changed!

Give me your hand!

Biba, wait!

- I can't do this to Rex. - He's not thinking straight.

Just... Just give me a moment.

I don't think we should see each other again.

No, Biba, you don't mean that. It's just safer that way.

No!

We need each other. You said it. "Together forever. Soul sisters." Just go back to Warrington, Karen.

Can I keep the pound? Yeah, go on, then.

Karen.

I was hoping to run into you. Are you following me?

Been to the bank yet?

Well, what's the alternative?

Rex visiting you in Holloway?

We forgot the hot chocolate. You must be Alice.

Who are you? A friend of your mum's. Hot chocolate, eh? Ooh, that's my favourite, too.

Here, I'll show you where it is. Your mum can wait in the car. No.

It's no trouble. Alice, why don't you go and wait in the car for me?

You stay away from her.

I'll see you Saturday, caravan park, with the money.

Mum? Yeah.

Is it all right if I go round Lara's?

Yeah, all right, but be back for tea. Yeah, sure.

Thanks, Mum.

Rex?!

Rex!

Rex?

Hello, Karen.

I want my picture back. Picture? The one you took from my house.

Ooh, if I'd been inside your house, you'd know about it.

The idea of you looking at pictures of my Alice turns my stomach.

Nah, see, little girls don't do it for me.

I want you to leave, and not come back into my house again.

Give me my money and I'm gone.

I could put you back inside. How are you gonna do that?

You're on licence, just like Rex. It wouldn't take much. I'll just tell the police what you've been up to.

I don't think you want the police looking too closely here. And I'm sure I've got your DNA all over me.

You think you know me,

but you know nothing.

Looks like someone else knows something about you, Karen.

Alice, have you been messing around in my office again?

Terrible, isn't it?

Are you local?

Me, too.

I'm Alison.

Did you know them?

I work for the Hammond High. Maybe I could buy you a cup of tea?

I'm sorry.

I'm off to London. Can you walk Alice to the bus stop this morning? I'm not a dog. I don't need walking.

I don't want you out on your own. You didn't say you were going. Didn't I? I'm practically 12.

I want you to reach your birthday without some mad person grabbing you off the street.

Don't put things like that into her head.

I just want one of us with Alice at all times. Great

Don't let her talk you out of it.

Alison?

Alison!

I'm sorry, do we know each other?

Karen Clarke. Sorry?

Rex Capel's partner.

What can I do for you? I know you'll do anything for a good story, but I am asking you to stop.

This is our lives. We have a child. Rex paid for what he did. We just wanna be left alone.

This is a first. A murderer's girlfriend stalking a journalist.

The phone calls, text messages, breaking into my house.

I don't have any idea what you're talking about. Excuse me!

It was a long time ago. Nobody's interested now.

It's time you moved on.

Detective, hi. My name's Karen Clarke. I need to talk to you about my boyfriend Rex Capel.

Yeah? You got it wrong. He didn't do it. We've spoken to the witnesses. Not me. You haven't spoken to me.

We've interviewed a number of people, including Biba Capel. We're satisfied with her statement.

But Biba's lying. I understand how upsetting this must be for you,

but what you're saying just doesn't tally with the forensic evidence. We know that he fired the gun.

Yes, but only at the bed. I'll arrange an officer to take you home.

No.

You're making a huge mistake. Mr Capel has admitted the offence.

If I was you, I'd get as far away from him as possible.

Hey.

I tried to talk to the police, tell them the truth,

but they won't listen to me.

How's Biba? I don't know.

She disappeared, no-one's seen her.

Listen to me, please. I can't have you rot in here while she's out there. This is what I want.

You could get life. You could die in here.

I spoke to my solicitor. He said that even if I get life, I'll be out in 15 years.

Ohh! 15 years.

I'm not asking you to wait for me. What?

I don't want you any more.

Rex, you're a part of me.

Just pretend, forget you ever met me.

Get on with your life.

I want to go back to the cells.

No, Rex, please. Please? I want to go back to the cells. We love each other. Please?

Come on.

That was Auntie Jean on the phone. Of course, she's read about it all in the newspapers.

Just ignore her. It's pretty bloody difficult, Karen.

She's family. She's as ashamed of this as we all are.

I've done nothing wrong. Your boyfriend's been gaoled for murder.

It makes my skin crawl to think of you in that house, living with a killer.

You know what? If I am such an embarrassment, I'll just go.

What, back to London?

Problem solved. But it won't be solved, will it?

We're only worried how you'll cope on your own. Don't worry, I'll be fine.

Will you just think before you rush off?

- If that doesn't work, try the cake. - Yes.

She loves a bit of fruitcake.

Right. We'll try the cake. Yes.

Hi, darling. Hey. Hi, Mummy.

We have a question for you.

Can WE...

..have a party?

Can we? Last one before we enter the teenage zone.

You better me it a good one, then. Yes! Yes!

Success. Thanks, Mum, you're the best!

Ah.

I'm making the most of these. I hear they're in short supply after 12.

I knew you'd come,

eventually.

Would you like a drink?

I'm fine.

How did you find me? Your dad's wife gave me your address.

It's more than she ever gave me.

Have you got any money, darling?

I'm almost out of baccy.

How did you end up here?

There was nowhere else to go.

Rex has been sentenced.

Is that why you're here?

I know. I know he is.

Have you visited? I can't afford the Tube fares, darling. I'm a little down on my luck.

Maybe we could go together? I can't handle that right now, Karen.

- But he's got no-one else. - He can't spend the next 15 years without a single visit.

God, it never shuts up.

I'm going out for supplies.

But, Biba, there's a...

God, you need changing, don't you?

You know when I go to London with Lara? Mm.

If you give me my birth certificate,

Lara's mum said she'd take us to that place where they do your passport.

We're not going through this again. I don't see what the big deal is.

I've told you so many times.

You're not going to France and you don't need a bloody passport!

What the hell is wrong with you?

Give it to me. No. Alice, I said give it to me!

It's my birth certificate. No! Give it!

How did you open my drawer? I know where you hide the key.

Get out! Just get out!

You're still awake. Of course I'm awake.

God, it's quiet.

You're out of baby milk.

All it does is eat.

It ate me,

from the inside out. Nine months of it.

Gnawing away at me.

Who's the dad? Lenny.

Who else?

It feels like I don't even exist any more.

I'm gone, Karen.

All there is, is the incessant crying.

I don't know how much more of this I can take.

Ohh. Biba?

"Karen?" Mum. "Karen?"

"Ohh." What's the matter?

"God. Thank God. It's Karen, she's fine."

Mum, calm down. Why wouldn't I be?