 BANG!by Neil Jones McDonnell summons Togger to discuss his poor results. He blames it on being head boy and vows to make it up next year - McDonnell hints there may not be a next year for him. Rachel chastises her grandad, Frank Hooper, for not keeping his appointment with her mum. He's hurt when Rachel suggests perhaps mum was right and he can't be trusted after all. Alex and Sammy are still tip-toeing around each other; Tigger urges him to strike while the iron is hot but he and Ed resort to Hillspace to find prom dates. They waste no time in finding two Year 10 girls who sound like everything they wish for - only they don't know the girls in question are Chloe and Andrea! Andrea is unimpressed by the porkies Chloe has told. Tanya and Abel are upset that Togger might have to leave - the place won't be the same without him and they reminisce over old times. Theo, Laxo and XS don't believe them about the sewer they visited in Year 8. The memories over, Togger resigns himself to leaving school. Upset she can't get through to him, Tanya borrows Togger's phone and calls someone "he will listen to". Andrea is excited when her date arranges to meet her - he'll be wearing a red arm band. Chloe gets a reply too - but Clooney has hacked her account! Chloe realises she'll have to find Clooney to find out what was in the original message. The school day ends and Ed tries raising Alex's spirits by saying Sammy is dateless - he might still have a chance. Alex's inner self warns him girls like Sammy wouldn't go for him and he's best to save himself the grief of asking her. XS does not believe the sewer exists but Theo remembers his brother telling him. Laxo challenges the others to find it after school - this catches Frank's ears. XS is silenced when the sewer is found - but none of them want to go inside. They change their minds when Chloe and Andrea come chasing after them! Chloe grabs Clooney and demands answers, but the gang is distracted by a lone figure coming towards them - Frank. Gyngell saves Clooney by revealing the contents of Chloe's message. As Andrea worries about being late for her date, Frank escorts everyone back to school. Lucy and Rachel set up their DJ gear for the prom. Rawlinson is most taken by McDonnell in his tux - Rawlinson has her eye on him but Rachel is shocked - what about Mr Rawlinson? Hilda reveals he ran off with his secretary and she's out to pull. A figure on a motorcycle pulls up in the school playground. Togger is in the CLC writing a letter to McDonnell pleading to be allowed to stay when he hears a familiar voice - it's Uncle Tucker, who tells his nephew leaving school at 17 was the worst mistake he ever made and wishes he'd stayed on. Togger feels it's a waste of time trying to make his case but Tucker urges him not to let himself be pushed around. Laxo falls over an unexploded WWII shell. Frank takes charge and appeals for calm; but the disco has started and XS, Theo and Laxo run for it. Frank sends Clooney and Gyngell for help but Clooney refuses to leave Chloe, who has caught her foot in a grate and Andrea has done likewise trying to free her. Sammy and Alison arrive at the prom looking stunning but again, Alex is lost for words and Sammy finds herself sitting alone. She refuses to take the lead by asking Alex to dance, fearing rejection. Alex props up the bar, his conscience warning him not to make a fool of himself. A terrified Chloe believes she is being punished for all her previous wrongs and grovels to Andrea, promising to be a better friend. Andrea responds by saying she should have stopped hanging out with her ages ago. Frank announces he's going to try to deactivate the bomb - something he learned from a James Bond film! Just as Clooney manages to free the girls, Frank thinks he's cracked it when suddenly an alarm sounds - as the pupils run for it Frank resigns himself to a sky-high fate. The alarm soon stops - and when Frank realises he's still here he discovers the ringing was from the alarm clock in his coat! Alex's friends take charge and set Sammy up with a mystery boy to make him jealous. He takes the bait but as he's about to ask Sammy to dance, Gyngell bursts in and tells everyone there's a bomb under the school! Everyone runs out in a panic. Chloe thanks Clooney for getting her and Andrea out; they are surprised when Frank later emerges and finds Rachel's text messages. Sammy re-enters the hall and Alex goes after her, fearing for her safety; finally he asks her for a dance and they share an intimate moment alone. Rachel's mum comes to meet her but Rachel is worried about Frank. He appears with Clooney who hails Frank a hero for defusing the bomb. Frank is more interested in building bridges with his family. Chloe and Andrea find their dates - Ed is horrified Chloe is his and legs it, but Andrea finds a connection with hers - Tigger. In flashback, Tucker tells Togger the wonderful thing about comprehensive schools was that everyone had the same chance, everyone has a fresh start, every year is "a clean sheet". With that, Togger hands a bemused McDonnell his letter - a clean sheet of paper! Togger leaves the school gates with his friends feeling better about his future - but can't resist altering the signpost for the new Year 7s! |