Go on. Go on! Yes! Right behind you!
MAN LAUGHS
That's it! Go on! Ooh! See you later!
Absolutely no chance! Ooh! Aghh! Beat me again! Come on.
Let's head down.
You always seem to get me the last few yards. Dad! You let me win!
Would I do a thing like that?
That's it. Get all the dirt and grit out. A chain's the most important part of a bike Toby. Keep it clean and well-oiled. Take good care of your bike and it'll take care of you. I was 16 in my first week as an apprentice gardener. They gave me all the easy jobs to do. I planted 200 bulbs right. It was 100 last time you told this story! I was so proud of myself. I'm thinking "These are going to be 'ovely these plants." Till they pointed out I'd planted every single one of them upside-down!
I thought you were having an early night?
Isn't she beautiful Toby? I bet those other nurses hate working with your mother. See how he tries to distract me Toby? You have to stand next to her and she makes them look like aliens!
Yep that's right.
MOTHER SIGHS
I don't like doing night shifts.
Soon be weekend eh?
I'd best get ready.
Don't be up reading half the night. All right? Good night Toby.
Night Dad. Sleep well.
IDLE STRUMMING
LOUD THUD
Dad? Dad! Dad!
What? What? What? Get up!
SLURS: I'm all right. I'm all right. OK. I'm all right. Phone work for me Toby. Tell them I'm ill. I can't come in.
You can't have another day off work. Come on. Get your trousers on.
DOOR OPENS
You get yourself ready Toby darling. You're not supposed to look after your dad. I wish you'd stop drinking like this Davey.
I will. I'm going to. You see if I don't.
We worry about you. Why can't you see how much we worry about you?
Why do you wrap them up like that Dad?
Same reason you wrap up all snug in the winter. Don't want you getting ill do we? We have to keep the plants warm. That's why we have raised beds. Keeps them dry and away from the frost.
So you just take care of the plants?
Yeah. Can't let them get cold. They'd get disease and root rot.
Root rot's not good?
Root rot is ba-a-a-ad.
Can I help?
Yeah. Here you are. You give that one a go.
GUITAR STRUMS
LOUD THUD
Oh! It's all right. Look at me eh Tobe! I'm going to sue that ladder. Sure it moved just when I got to the top. Davey were you drinking?
I don't drink at work. What a thing to say!
Hey do you want to be first to sign my plaster?
They're going to keep you in for a few days. For some tests.
What tests?
You're ill Davey. You know what I'm talking about. I'll fetch you some magazines so you've got something to read tonight.
Did they tell you at school that I'd had an accident?
Yeah. The headmaster brought me in his car. It must have been pretty scary.
Sorry about that mate. We'll be back on our bikes by the weekend. Well maybe a bit longer. We'll take a ride out to the countryside. Maybe take a picnic. Do you fancy that? I've been wanting to take you up to Hunger Hill. The views up there are amazing. I'm sure you can see America if you've got your glasses on!
Toby I want you to do something for me. Come and sit here. At home you know where that tool store is in the yard? There's a bottle in there and I want you to fetch it for me. But don't let your mum see because she'll only worry and we don't want her to worry do we? Hey. It's all right mate. I promise you. It's just a little drink for your dad. I'm going to get bored out of my head stuck in here. You want me to be OK don't you? Look at me. I just need a drink to keep me going. You'll do that for your dad won't you? Please Tobe. It's just this once. You fetch that bottle and don't let your mum see. Have you got that?
Yeah.
Good lad.
Toby your dad has an illness. He has to get proper help. Do you understand? They want him to go… into a special place a treatment centre where they can help him to stop. I know you worry about him. Toby it's not your responsibility. It's not your fault. Do you see Toby? It's not your fault. Oh I promise you!
All right mate? Your mum didn't see you did she? Good lad. OK. You can give me that bottle now.
I can't.
What do you mean you can't? You found it all right didn't you?
Yeah.
OK. The doctor might be in in a minute so give it to me now.
I can't Dad.
Give it to me.
I poured it down the toilet.
Wh… Why did you do that? I need it! You know that I need it. Why have you poured it down the toilet? I can't sleep! You said you'd bring it to me. What am I going to do? Why have you done that? Eh? Why? Tell me! Please. Please please!
You look after the bikes. You look after the plants. Why won't you look after yourself?
Oh I'm sorry Tobe. I'm so sorry! Come here. I should never have asked you to do it. I will look after myself. Look at you growing up before my eyes.
When will Dad be home?
Any day now. He's doing well. I spoke to him last night.
Can we have fishcakes for tea?
You'll turn into a fishcake if you're not careful!
I think that chain's been spoilt with all your affections! Shall I show you how to do the brakes?
Video summary
This short film, first published in 2014, contains adult themes and teacher review is recommended before use in class.
Toby looks up to his father and loves spending time with him, going on bike rides and visiting him at work in the park.
Toby's father has a drinking problem which results in him losing his balance and falling off a ladder.
Toby struggles with the effects of his father's drinking and how to react to his request to bring a bottle into the hospital.
Toby doesn't bring it in and confronts his father, asking him why he doesn't look after himself.
Toby's father goes away for treatment, and returns home a few weeks later.
This clip is from the series Life Stories.
Teacher Notes
This is useful as an example of the effects and consequences of alcohol.
Ask students how would they feel if they were in Toby's place.
Ask: "Why does his Dad drink? Why do some people become addicted to alcohol?"
If possible, get in touch with an AA mentor to organise a visit so pupils could have an opportunity to learn more about how to help with this problem.
This clip is relevant for teaching Modern Studies and PSHE at Key Stage 2 in England and Northern Ireland, PSE at Key Stage 2 in Wales and Second Level in Scotland.
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