POP MUSIC PLAYS THROUGH HEADPHONES
Did she say something about me?
I never laid a finger on her.
Sure, you know what kids are like - into everything.
A sprained ankle from jumping off a garden wall.
This one's from whenever she fell off the chair
and split her head on the table
and that one's from today...
Sure, youse know about today, fractured wrist. Hm.
She only went and threw herself out of a tree.
You see, she, um...
..she thinks she can fly. Hm?
It all started when Mummy fell down the stairs.
I was already looking after my sister then.
Youse lot just hadn't made it official yet.
I hadn't the...
..heart to tell Emma the truth.
Mummy was always falling down back then
and Emma was too young to understand, so I made up a story -
Mummy was flying about and she crashed.
Now, her legs won't work any more.
It was a stupid thing to say.
Em believed every word of it.
Ever since, she's been trying to fly.
That's why she's always in here. Look, it's not my fault. Hm.
Um, here... Look, um...
What have youse been asking her?
I need to talk to Emma. KNOCK ON DOOR
DOOR SHUTS
I didn't ask for any of this.
I'm not a saint.
I'm the same Ryan I always was...
..except I'm...knackered and I never really get to see my mates...
..but I've got Emma to think about now.
She was that wee when Mum's accident happened.
I can hardly remember being wee.
When your mum drinks, you...
..you grow up fast.
I never really got to be a kid.
I don't want that for Emma.
They've seen enough young carers to know that the whole...
..selfless routine doesn't last,
especially in young lads.
Caring just doesn't come as natural in boys.
Still, though...
..I get it.
Them three X-rays say our Emma's not safe.
But do you think they might listen?
Support me a bit?
Not just try and take her off me?
Sometimes it's like we're not even on the same team.
WHISPERING
Emma! Hey, Emma!
Are you OK?
HE SIGHS
No way am I signing that.
I'm not a lunatic.
I wouldn't tell a six-year-old to jump out of a tree.
Look, I play with her whenever I can.
She calls it practising. The...
The thing is... There's...
I don't... I can't be everywhere at once.
There's not enough hours in the day. I'm... I'm looking after Mum,
cooking, cleaning, making sure Emma's keeping up at school
and sometimes I snap,
but I am good to her.
I would never hurt her.
She's six.
Some days she just never stops, she...
She follows me around looking for attention and...
..there's days I'm so tired, I just...
..just lose the head.
I know youse say it's only for a respite for a day or two...
I'm not an eejit.
I know if I sign that, I'll never get her back.
Look, it won't happen again.
The whole flying thing's not safe. I...
I'll tell Emma it was just a game...for babies.
She'll be gutted,
but if it stops youse taking her off me, then I'll...
Emma?
Emma, come back!
Last week, this wee girl in her class
told Em that people couldn't fly,
so...I went down to the pound shop
and I got her those crappy wee wings. I...
I thought they'd help, you know, keep her believing a wee bit longer.
Daft move.
She's never jumped off anything that high before.
Hold on a wee second, Emma!
I'm sorry!
But, please, come down, just before you hurt yourself.
It's time to stop now. No more flying.
Look, y-you don't need to prove anything.
Just...Just come down, Emma.
I need you to come down, Em.
I've got you.
I've always got you.
We'll be grand
as long as we're together.
See?
Our Emma's got her head screwed on.
She's pure class.