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Laura's worst fears come to pass, and her hidden past is exposed. But she must fight to put her personal struggles aside for the sake of one of her pupils, whose physical distress throws her unexpectedly at the mercy of Andrew.

A British psychological thriller in which schoolteacher Laura Nielson accuses renowned surgeon Andrew Earlham of rape.

Primary Title
  • Liar
Episode Title
  • The White Rabbit
Date Broadcast
  • Sunday 11 February 2018
Start Time
  • 20 : 45
Finish Time
  • 21 : 50
Duration
  • 65:00
Series
  • 1
Episode
  • 3
Channel
  • TVNZ 1
Broadcaster
  • Television New Zealand
Programme Description
  • A British psychological thriller in which schoolteacher Laura Nielson accuses renowned surgeon Andrew Earlham of rape.
Episode Description
  • Laura's worst fears come to pass, and her hidden past is exposed. But she must fight to put her personal struggles aside for the sake of one of her pupils, whose physical distress throws her unexpectedly at the mercy of Andrew.
Classification
  • AO
Owning Collection
  • Chapman Archive
Broadcast Platform
  • Television
Languages
  • English
Captioning Languages
  • English
Captions
Live Broadcast
  • No
Rights Statement
  • Made for the University of Auckland's educational use as permitted by the Screenrights Licensing Agreement.
Subjects
  • Television programs--United Kingdom
Genres
  • Crime
  • Drama
  • Thriller
We slept together. He drugged you? Why else would he swap the glasses? Are you so sure about this? You know what you did! Your post. It keeps getting shared. She said you raped her. It's about Laura Nielson. She's done this before. I love you, Katy. Stop it! I broke into Andrew's house. Under his bed I found a clear liquid. Please help me. I need a favour. We have a warrant to search your house. Andrew Earlham is dangerous. Laura, please, for your own sake, stop. (CLATTERING AND FOOTSTEPS) (FOOTSTEPS) (CLATTERING) (CLATTERING) (DOOR LOCK RATTLES) (GASPS) You should've kept your mouth shut, bitch! Morning. Morning. Look, er, Katy, I... really appreciate you letting me stay with you, but I think it's time that I went home. Oh, Laura. I've gotta go there this morning anyway. All my stuff's there. So I'll bring some more clothes over. No, honestly. I just... I thought I'd feel better here, but it... it just follows you around, so... ..I just need to get on with my life. That's all I can do. Thank you for everything. Call me any time, night or day. You hear? Call me. Yeah. Promise? I will. And I'll pop in to see you after work tomorrow. OK, great. Right. Oh, erm, have you seen my earring? You know, the long, silver ones? Er... no, I don't think so. Where did you leave them? Don't worry. It doesn't matter. (BOTH LAUGH) Oh, my God! Ohh. Hey, so, listen, I've gotta ask, it's been bugging me all night, what on earth is that? Oh, that's Monty! What? (LAUGHS) Monty. Really? Yeah! Tom and I went to a fair last year and, erm, he went on one of those basketball stands, you know, where you win a prize, and he tried and tried and couldn't get him. But my first go, I won Monty. Naturally. So after that, I kept him in here, mainly just to piss Tom off. I should really get rid of him. Oh, no, no, no, no, no. What self-respecting woman in her 30s doesn't have a stuffed rabbit in her living room? (LAUGHS) Oh, shit. Mr Earlham? Mr Walters. It was white with one sugar you said, wasn't it? Yeah. I like your house. Thanks. You should see my place. Bloody cesspit. So, Mr Walters... Dennis. Dennis is fine. So, Dennis... Ooh, that's good! I should get one of those machines. Makes a difference. Better than instant, they say, don't they? Even though it seems pretty instant to me. Dennis... ..I don't wanna rush you and I don't wanna seem rude, but... ..what exactly did you mean when you said Laura had done this before? Sorry. So, I was headmaster at St Caspar's in Bristol. 15 years I was headmaster. Let me tell you, before me, they were at sea, at bloody sea. I stepped up when no-one else wanted to. I turned that place around. And, er, what happened? So, Laura Nielson was one of my teachers. One of my best. I'd never had any problems with her. Until the day she accused me of sexual harassment, that is. You're kidding. No. Next thing I know, I'm standing in front of the board. 15 years I gave my life to that place and I'm standing there having to explain myself. All she has to do is to say this crap and I'm the one who has to prove otherwise. But I did. I'm the one who stayed. She's the one who had to leave. They cleared you? After the damage was done, yeah, they cleared me. And after I have a chat with the police, let them know exactly what happened, they'll clear you, too. Makeda. Makeda! You're going to be late! (INDISTINCT CHATTER) Just the revolve, really. I need to order a part. I'll do my best, but... Just let me know how long it will take. I can't afford to have it lying idle. This is an old model. Can you give me a rough idea? I'll do my best, but... Makeda. What are you still doing here? It's 8.30. I know. I know, I'm going. (BELL RINGS) (CHAOTIC SHOUTING) Hey! What the hell is going on in here? I'll be speaking to the head about all of you! Luke, are you all right? What the hell was that about? Get out. Hey, I'm trying to help you. Help me? This is because of you! It's your fault! What do you mean? This is what happens when everyone thinks your dad's a rapist. That isn't the issue here, Luke. I'm trying to help you. Well, don't. Haven't you ruined my life enough already? It got ugly around the school, you know. PTA meetings, people asking for me to resign. Before I'd even have a fair hearing. And then... she withdrew the complaint. Laura Nielson withdrew the sexual harassment complaint? Yeah. She said all the stress was too much. She was on, erm... anti-depressants at the time, she said. She just couldn't cope with all the attention. It still ruined me, though. Because people don't forget, do they? Not the mums at the school gates, anyway. They don't forget a thing. And the mouths they've got on them. OK, well, we've got your statement now. Thanks for coming in. Of course, yes. Just doing my duty. Terminating interview at 10.42. The truth... it needs to come out, doesn't it? It's important. I can't have her do this to another man that's done nothing wrong. If you could follow me, sir, I'll take you through to the front desk. Mr Earlham. Well, this changes everything, doesn't it? We'll be in touch. The woman isn't mentally stable. Her whole case, like his, is just her word, her claim that I made her do something against her will. I'm telling you categorically, I know that's not true. The investigation is ongoing. That's all we can say at this point. Have you ever read Nietzsche? There's a quote from one of his essays. "I'm not upset that you lied to me, I'm upset that from now on I can't believe you." Seems apt. It's the boy who cried wolf, isn't it? You know, I feel sorry for her, actually. Despite everything. I mean, it hasn't been easy. But maybe she needs to see someone, huh? Maybe she needs help. Doesn't matter, something that happened in the past, no relevance to the case. Not right here, right now. We both know the CPS will look at it differently. (MOBILE PHONE CHIMES) "(PHONE RINGS)" "(PHONE RINGS)" "Hiya." Hey. "You all right?" Not really. I, erm... One of my earrings is missing. I noticed it the other night. And, erm, I've looked everywhere for it. I... I've been thinking that maybe, erm... What if it came off in Andrew's house? You can't be sure that's where you left it. I've looked everywhere else. If he finds it, he's gonna know I've been in there. "You're worried about nothing." You can't let him get in your head like this. Let the police do their job. Erm... Dennis has been texting me. Dennis Walters? Yeah. He's enjoying it, winding me up. This has nothing to do with what Andrew did to you, OK? Ignore him. The guy's a waste of air. I dropped the accusation, Tom. All the stress, everything that happened with Mum and every day at school, I was on edge, so I let it go, and... (SIGHS) Do you really think they're gonna believe me now? (ALARM BLARES) Are there enough people like us in the right places to respond fast? MAN: Help us find out by completing your census on or before 6 March. For now, just look out for your access code in your letterbox, and keep it somewhere safe. Hiya, mate. Can I get a cappuccino, please? Just one shot. Go on. Go on, look, there's a seat over there. No, you're not supposed to touch that! Sorry. Find a seat, quickly. Up there, this one. Have you asked him? What, if he's cheating? No! Sit down nicely. I'm not even sure I wanna know. So maybe you're wrong. There's nothing I can actually put my finger on, it's just... You wanna colour in? It's just the little things. A lot of late nights. Then again, he always did work hard. He used to invite me to the work parties, now he doesn't. The worst thing, I know this is gonna sound stupid, he used to complain. Like, he used to come home from work and he would just vent about some pointless meeting he'd had or some ridiculous email his boss had sent him, stupid things. But instead, he buys me presents. Every few weeks, some thoughtful gesture out of the blue. He has never done that before. I mean, I wish Mark would do that for me. Look, I hear what you say, but it could be nothing. Maybe you should just talk to him and ask him outright. (PHONE RINGS) You've spoken to the police? I have. We had a good chat. Filled them in on our history, our misunderstanding. Why? This has got nothing to do with you. He's just like me. Some bloke goes to work, tries to get through the day, tries to be decent, and turns into another victim. Why are you doing this? I dropped the accusation. Everyone told me I shouldn't, but I did. That's not how it works, is it? You can't scream "fire" in a crowded building then shrug your shoulders and pretend you didn't create bloody havoc. All a woman's gotta do these days is to say some guy touched her and if you don't believe her you're an animal for even thinking so, you're abusing their rights, you're a misogynist. "How is that fair? We're equal, aren't we? Isn't that how it's supposed to work?" This was a mistake. Makeda? Are you all right? I'm fine. It's nothing. You don't look fine. Let me take you to the school nurse. I'm fine! Miss, honest. Erm, just leave me alone, yeah? Makeda, hey, hey, stop. Er... you're bleeding. Erm, yeah, I know, miss. You're pregnant. I did the test a week ago. Why don't you let me take you home? No. No, no, no, miss, erm, er, I went online, I took some pills to make the baby go away. The packet said there might be some bleeding but it's fine. It's normal. OK, OK, shh. Are you in pain? Don't lie to me. (GROANS) Yes! Yes. Yes! OK. I'm gonna drive you to A&E, OK? Come on. Oh, my dad, my dad, he can't find out about any of this. Let's take this one step at a time. First we need to get you checked, then we'll worry about your dad. Hey, Birav. Are you free to take my year seven reading group this afternoon? OK, amazing. Yeah, I just, erm, I need to take Makeda Kidane to A&E. No, she's fine, she just needs someone with her. It's not over, you know? Just like it wasn't over for me. Well, at least the police know everything now. I really appreciate it. Listen, most time, it's not the fire that kills people. It's the smoke that gets in their lungs and chokes them. You wanna kill something, kill it dead. I can go to the press if you like, let them know what happened. (SIGHS) I just want this thing done, you know? It's weird. Seeing her face after all these years. Brings it all back, you know? That bitch put me through so much. Then she changes her mind, says, "Oh, sorry, I take it back." Like it's all over after that. Like we all get to walk away. The day it happened, I still remember it clear as anything. She came into my office crying about her mum. So I did what any decent person would. I gave her a hug. And she squeezed me and... The kind of squeeze that says something. The kind of squeeze you don't give to someone who's just a friend. So you felt her up? Well, not... You told me that she made the whole thing up. Well, she may as well have. It wasn't like I was the one... Sorry. I shouldn't be here. I've gotta get going. Hey, hold up. What's wrong? I didn't ask for this. Not you, not her. I... I just... I saved your arse. You should be thanking me! Have a nice trip. I am gonna have to call one of your parents. No. Miss, no. I'm sure your dad will understand. He'll want to know if you're all right. Just call Luke. Luke? Luke Earlham. He's the father? Yes, miss. Please, just call him. Please. All right, erm... Let's just get you seen to, OK? And, erm... And then I'll, er, I'll... call Luke. Thank you. "(PHONE RINGS)" "Hi, this is Luke. Please leave a message after the tone. Thanks. Bye." Makeda Kidane? Yes. Yep. Follow me. Come on through here. How many pills did you take? There were five in the pack and I took all of them. All right, I'm gonna roll your sleeves up. Please, please get Luke. I've tried, Makeda. He's just not picking up. He told me he was going home. If you go to his house, he'll be there. Why don't you let me call your mum? No, miss, please! I just really want Luke here. I don't know what I'm doing here without him! Calm down. All right. All right, I'll... Please. I just really want him here. I'll see if I can find him, OK? OK, you're doing very well. Can you show me where the pain is? Here. OK. No, no, no, I understand the concerns, but this is a solid case. How are we ever gonna get anybody to come forward if this is what we do? If every time some arsehole comes out of the woodwork... (SIGHS) Yeah, sorry. No. I understand, Sam. Yeah. OK. Thank you. Cheers. Bye. (SIGHS) Bollocks. (PHONE RINGS) DS Rory Maxwell. (Sorry.) Yes, erm... (MOBILE PHONE RINGS) (MOBILE PHONE RINGS) Hello? Hi, Miss Nielson, it's DI Harman here. "What? What is it?" Erm... Listen, I'm really sorry, I've just heard. "The CPS are declining to prosecute the case." Right. Is this because of what Dennis Walters said? I think the truth of the matter is they have to take the cases they think they can win. I knew this would happen when that piece of shit reared his ugly head again. "I'm really sorry. If I'd had any say... I mean, I pushed..." Yeah. Yeah, yeah. "OK." (KNOCKS) Hi, Luke. What do you want? Dad's not in. I'm here about Makeda Kidane. She's in hospital and she's been asking for you. Oh, God. Is she all right? She was in pain at school but she's in the best place she can be right now. And the baby? I'm sorry, she took some pills that caused an abortion. Come on, I can... I can drive you. Look, I know what you think of me, but right now Makeda needs you, so... let's go. OK, yeah. Let me grab a coat. Actually, can I use your bathroom quickly? Yeah, it's just up on the left. Thanks. (MOBILE PHONE CHIMES) (SIGHS) (TOILET FLUSHES) Right, let's go. DI Harman. Yeah? Did you look any further into what I told you about? About Andrew Earlham? Yeah. Not much there to learn. The cop who looked into the case in Edinburgh, he thought something was off. And I spoke to him, but there was no evidence it was anything other than suicide. It's a dead end. But it makes a difference, surely. No, constable, it doesn't. Anyway, it's too late. The CPS won't prosecute the case. So the prick's just gonna get away with it? Unless any new evidence turns up, yeah. I'm sorry, really. (CHILDREN CHATTER) That's mine. No! That's mine, Ollie! That's mine, Ollie! No, it's mine! That's mine, Ollie! It's mine, Ollie! It's mine! No! Dad! It's mine, Ollie! It's mine, Ollie! (POLICE RADIO CHATTER) Stop. Stop. Wait here. What you doing? What you doing, Tom? Hey. Excuse me. Andrew Earlham, right? Yes, that's right. Is there a problem? Yeah. Yeah, there is. So shut your mouth and listen to me carefully. Can you do that? Excuse me? I beg your pardon? You can't talk to me... I know Laura Nielson. And I know when she says you raped her, she's telling the truth. Look, I... So here's something you need to understand, you sick bastard. I'm gonna be watching you. You're not getting away with this. You might think you have, but you haven't. Do you hear me? Have a nice day, sir. I'd be careful what you say, Tom. You what? You think you're some angel on her shoulder, do you? Same little angel that's been screwing her sister behind her back? What are you talking about? You might wanna have your clandestine meetings somewhere a little bit more... I don't know, clandestine... next time. Instead of right outside the hospital where we both work. It's over. That's what I'm hoping for, Tom. That it's over. You have a pleasant day. Hey. Hey. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. It's gonna be OK. No, it's not. It's all messed up. I got a call from my dad. He said he's coming here. He rang the school when I didn't get home and they told him I was here. He's on his way. He's gonna be so angry. I'm sure your dad will understand, Makeda, if you explain. He'll just be pleased that you're OK. No, he won't. He sent my sister back home, back to Ethiopia, for dating someone. She told me that they hit her. Jesus. Does your dad know? She's told him. He doesn't believe her. You can't let that happen to me, miss. Please. You're over 16, Makeda. The doctors won't tell your father anything without your permission. What is he gonna think then? He's gonna keep asking questions. If you talk to him, if you tell him that I fainted from dehydration or something. You want me to lie to your dad? He'll believe you. And then he'll leave me be and all of this will be fine. Miss, please! Even if I was prepared to lie to your father, he's won't listen to me. By the sounds of it, he'll want to speak to a doctor. Luke, your dad. (MOBILE PHONE BUZZES) You need to leave me alone. Andrew knows. What? I saw him and he told me. He's seen us together somehow. He knows. You spoke to him? Why would you do that? I dunno, I... I just wanted to look him in the eye. Jesus Christ! I was angry. It got my blood going. You'd have made detective years ago had you learned to keep your temper! Just be careful what you say to him. Or what? Or he'll... Or he'll tell Laura about us. (SIGHS) He said he wanted to be left alone. I suggest that's what we do. (SIGHS) I have to go. (SIREN WAILS) (CAR ALARM WAILS) Does anyone actually listen to these things any more? When was the last time you heard a car alarm and thought, "Someone's breaking in, I better call the police"? Laura? Laura. Oh. I thought maybe you'd just decided to fall asleep. Sorry. I'm still looking for the bloody phone charger. (LAUGHS) I found face wipes. Fabulous. (BOTH LAUGH) But I can't find the charger. Oh, don't worry. I'm sure the cab will show up some point this year. Er, I give up. Sorry. You'll have to go another few minutes without checking your email or the football score. Very funny. Ha-ha. What do you say we have another drink while we wait? Yeah, sure. (SIREN WAILS) Where is he? I sent him home. What? Makeda didn't want her dad to see him. If he finds out what's happened... he'll send her back to Ethiopia and she can't get sent back there. Oh, for Christ sake! How do you even know Makeda's telling the truth? That girl needs your help. Talk to her father, tell him it's nothing to worry about. He'll listen to a doctor. You want me to lie to her father? Pretend she didn't give herself an abortion and almost bleed to death? That's not just unethical, it's bloody irresponsible! Telling her father the truth, what does that accomplish? She's scared to death of what will happen if he finds out. Why do it? What possible reason is there? Because we feel like we should? Cos then it's no longer our problem? Don't you dare! Both of them got themselves into this. You owe her! I don't know why... ..I think you'll listen, if you have any kind of conscience to appeal to. But if you won't do it for Makeda, do it for Luke. If you care about him, you'll want to protect her. (LAUGHS) You see the irony here, right? After all the lies you've told about me, you now want... You don't fool me. Underneath the charm and the expensive clothes and the "I'm just a single dad" act, you're just a predator. But I'm asking you, if you have any humanity in you somewhere, then do the right thing, for your son's sake. (SIGHS) I'm not the man you think I am, Laura. Really, I'm not. 9 How was bedtime? Yeah, they're fine. Sorry I'm late. Hey. What's going on? Look, I didn't want this to happen. What's the matter, Liam? I don't wanna be the jealous husband checking through your bloody emails. Well, why are you checking my emails? It's just sometimes, you know, when I'm... when I'm stuck here all day, and you're at work, doing something with your life... ..coming home late for the fourth night in a row, it gets to me. Why is that? Liam, I... Look, I didn't read your emails. I couldn't. So... I'm just gonna ask you. And I'm gonna believe what you say. Are you seeing someone else? No. No, I'm not! Why would you think that? Cos you've been different, Katy. You have. I know. You know you have. I know, I know. And it's all my fault. It's just been work and... and... and I'm stressed and it's been difficult and late and... I just wanna be with you. That's all. OK? You do believe me? Yeah. Yeah. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Good. Makeda. What happened? Are you OK? Mr Kidane... What's wrong? There's nothing to worry about. She's gonna be just fine. What do you mean? Mr Kidane. Andrew Earlham. I work here at the hospital. Makeda here took a bit of a turn at school and she passed out. Syncope we call it. But a little blood test revealed what the culprit was. Not drinking enough water. She's gonna be fine. Lucky Miss Nielson here was so observant. Thank you. Thank you, doctor. Is she all right? Nothing that a day off school won't fix. Right, we should get you home, Makeda. Yes, miss. Makeda, you have to rest. We'll get you home, you will rest, you will drink. Mr Earlham. Detective. You've probably heard, the CPS won't be prosecuting your case. What? No. No, I didn't. No-one... What, that's it? It's over? Sorry for any inconvenience. (SIGHS) Here. (SIGHS) The meaning of consent? What is this, some sort of joke? I don't want you to be in a similar situation again, sir. (LAUGHS) Well, it's done now, isn't it? It's finally over. Good night. Hey, you don't want to... No. What? You don't wanna come in for a drink, do you? Excuse me? Well, it's been a long day. There's a place round the corner... I'm on duty. Well, when are you off? In about an hour. How about then? Well, if I was off duty, unofficially... ..I would tell you I don't drink with men who rape women. All right, then. Good night, detective. (MOBILE PHONE RINGS) Hello? "Oh, hi. It's DI Harman. Erm, I'm just wondering if I can have a word. I'm here at the school." Right now? "Yeah, if you can. I'm at reception." Er... right, OK. I'll, erm... I'll come and get you. Thank you for meeting with me. It's always a bit weird being back at school. Feel like I'm about to get told off. Has there been a change to my case? No. Then, sorry, but why are you here? Because I hate what's happened. It makes my skin crawl. And because I wanted to warn you. What do you mean? Take a seat. You know Andrew Earlham's wife committed suicide? I'd heard, yeah. Tom told me. It seems the Edinburgh police think there was more to it. Now, I'm only telling you this because if, and it is a very big if, Andrew Earlham had anything to do with his wife's death, that makes him a very dangerous man. And no matter what happens with this case, I strongly suggest you get a million miles away from him. I'm guessing you shouldn't be telling me this. No. Definitely not. If there is anything, you call me. Any time, OK? OK. I'm sorry we let you down. Hey. Do you want me to make you something to eat? Oh, no, thanks. They're dropping the charges, you know? That's great. What? What is it? It's over. Is it? It's just... It's frustrating. What she wrote online, it's out there forever. It's gonna be hard to shake that off, you know? And you don't deserve that. It'll all work out. Now, come on, get better. Well, what do you think? I think you should do what the detective told you. Keep away from him. But there's more to it. Just because they don't have the balls to try this case doesn't mean I have to back down. There must be something I can do. What if I... speak to someone at the hospital... Stop! Just stop. You have to look out for yourself before he takes any more of you. (SIGHS) I saw him, you know? What? When? What did he say? He said he wasn't the man I thought he was. And it scared me, Katy, because he believes it. He honestly, truly believes that he did nothing wrong. I kissed him. But that was it. Just... I know it isn't easy, maybe... impossible, but you just have to try, you... you have to try to let it go. Yeah. How did he leave it? Did he... say anything else? No, not really. It's not that I want to be here. Never thought I would. It's usually me on the receiving end of these things. Some grieving relative who thought I could've done more or thought I couldn't hold a scalpel straight cos the World Cup was on. (LAUGHS) The things people do to each other, honestly. The bricks we throw. Sometimes that's all we've got, isn't it? Bricks. This is taking far too long. It's unacceptable. I couldn't find the glasses! And so is this music. I absolutely hate this song. I'm gonna find something decent to put on. Thanks. Cheers. Cheers. Lawsuits for defamation of character can be a lengthy process. Oh, I know. Building my life to what it is today was a lengthy process. But she took a wrecking ball to that. (GASPS) And she owes me for that. She owes me. subtitles by Deluxe
Subjects
  • Television programs--United Kingdom