Vivien Reitan

This film was so true to life in so many ways and every actor involved played sterling roles. I was a school teacher for forty years and I could never recognise the pupil who told lies. But my husband, now dead, was the deputy head teacher and he was always the one who recognised the pupils who would lie to your face. We had many long discussions over nature versus nurture but in the end we had to admit that every child was different and that so many factors in life can cause children to do bad things. My only great concern was and still is the lack of mental health support for children in this country. It is appalling. Successive governments have failed to improve this vital service. Do they actually believe that this problem will go away because it won’t and these children in need of urgent psychiatric help go on to be adults with severe mental health issues which leads to suicide, arson, rape and murder. What I feel changed everything was the internet. A curse or a blessing? I can remember when mobile phones were first in use and how they evolved and changed. Social media has been the major game changer in influencing people perception of themselves and the world. It’s too late now because we can never turn the clock back. I feel so lucky that I was born in the 1950’s. Life was basic and tough but I was not faced with the challenges that face our children today.

Brilliant performances from up and coming, extremely talented young actors, who left me on the edge of my seat, an unusual situation for me at an old age where nothing usually moves me unless it's a laxative. I had to watch all episodes in one go and didn't regret the lack of sleep. I was not aware of the novel by Imran Mahmood but I will read it now. Well done you young magical actors, you all have wonderful careers ahead of you and thank you for stirring up emotions within me that I thought were long dead. Be brave, never give up and strive to be happy.