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Series 1, Episode 2

Alice resorts to copying the answers to the maths exam from an academically gifted girl. This desperate act catapults her into a crisis she never anticipated and she is forced to face the consequences of her actions as well as her children's future.

Further details

May Contain Nuts. Alice Chaplin (Shirley Henderson). Copyright: Tiger Aspect Productions

While Alice has hoodwinked school bosses by dressing as her daughter Molly and sitting the entrance exam in place of her, even she struggles with some of the questions.

So she resorts to copying the answers to the maths exam from Ruby Osafo - an academically gifted girl who comes from a nearby council estate.

This desperate act catapults her into a crisis she never anticipated and she is forced to face the consequences of her actions as well as her children's future.

Molly surprises the family's new friends by winning a scholarship to the school but Ruby, who helped Alice pass the exam, misses out on a place.

With Ruby's family unable to afford the school fees, Alice begins to feel guilty that in an effort to do the best for her daughter, she has inadvertently ruined the chances of a more deserving child.

However Alice has more than her conscience to contend with, since uber-competitive yummy mummy Ffion Russell, whose own child, Bronwyn, is still on the waiting list, is highly suspicious of Molly's scholarship and determined to uncover the truth.

Broadcast details

Date
Thursday 18th June 2009
Time
9pm
Channel
ITV1
Length
60 minutes

Cast & crew

Cast
Shirley Henderson Alice Chaplin
Darren Boyd David Chaplin
Elizabeth Berrington Ffion Russell
Tony Gardner Philip Russell
Sophie Thompson Sarah McDonald
Justin Edwards William McDonald
Bebe Cave Molly Chaplin
Andrew Byrne James Chaplin
William Chapman Alfie Chaplin
Adeleina Williams Ruby Osafo
Jack Richards Gwilym Russell
Katy Gunn Bronwyn Russell
Jason Watkins Deputy Head Worrall
Ruth Quipp Kirsty McDonald
Zoe Ann Bown School Secretary
Dorothy Atkinson Mrs Whimhurst
Guest cast
Sylvestra Le Touzel Headmistress Reynolds
Mona Hammond Constance Osafo
Diveen Henry Ruby's Mother
Alex Heaton Kofi Osafo
Georgina Minter-Brown Mabel
Dan Mersh Comprehensive Art Teacher
Writing team
John O'Farrell Writer
Mark Burton Writer (Adapted By)
Production team
John Henderson Director
Lucy Robinson Producer
Sophie Clarke-Jervoise Executive Producer
Geoffrey Perkins Executive Producer
John O'Farrell Executive Producer
David Yardley Editor
Tom Bowyer Production Designer
Mark Thomas Composer

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