The Night Caller

The awful realisation of what Tony has done starts to dawn on him. He goes into survival mode and tries to cover up the horror of the previous night. He goes to the night café where he meets Rob and asks for help, but does Rob know what Tony has done? Reluctantly, Rob tells Tony that he knows someone who can help him out. We get the sense that Rob knows more than he's letting on.

On Lawrence's radio show, the incident is big news. It becomes clear that Ste Murray is a well-known local criminal in Liverpool with convictions for violence. A heated discussion follows about 'taking the law into your own hands' and several callers claim that Ste got what he deserved. As Tony listens, he gradually feels bolstered by the callers and somehow starts to reconcile the awful thing he's done.

The next day the police arrive at Tony's home to question him as his cab was spotted on CCTV around the area. Tony seemingly wriggles out of it; however, DS Marshall isn't fully convinced.

Rosa and Tony have dinner when Rosa remarks that although Ste was a terrible man, he doesn't deserve what's happened to him. She begins to question Tony about the night he picked up Ste. He gets increasingly uncomfortable as Rosa probes, so much so he has to excuse himself and goes to the bathroom to try and calm down.

Tony attends a book launch by Lawrence who is promoting his new book, Listen. Lawrence always purports to be a man of the people, listening and absorbing the city's needs and worries. But for the first time he would like his listeners to hear him. He reads an extract from his book which reveals that he is battling cancer.

We see that Tony's attachment to Lawrence has grown into something far bigger. As he listens, he feels Lawrence is talking directly to him, and that they are the only two people present. Tony is overcome and knows that his bond with Lawrence is now indelible.

But as Tony drives away he is subjected to a violent ambush.

A nurse is treating Tony at the hospital. She happens to be a former pupil of Tony's and he breaks down when she expresses how much his encouragement meant to her when she was at school. DS Marshall arrives to interview Tony at the hospital about the violent attack he's suffered. She pushes him but Tony lies about what really happened. When she begins to probe further, Tony feigns a panic attack. Before leaving the hospital Tony stumbles across Ste's room where he is wired up and in a coma. Tony witnesses first-hand the consequences of his actions.

On NightTalk, Lawrence and his callers discusses the violent attack on Tony. Lawrence sounds genuinely distressed for him. The callers seem to herald Tony as a local hero, but he's wracked by guilt.

At the night café, Rob advises Tony to leave town, revealing Ste Murray is involved with dangerous people.

Tony calls in to NightTalk and is told that the listeners have donated £2,000 to help him out. He rejects the money and says it should go to charity instead. Lawrence is blown away by Tony's humility and says he's ‘proud to call him a friend'. Tony refers to Lawrence as his friend too.

Tony drives the streets aimlessly. He's lost and emotionally spiralling. Almost like a sign from above, Lawrence appears. He hails down Tony's cab and asks him to take him to a restaurant where he's having his 50th birthday.

Tony can't believe he's finally meeting his hero - he's the one person who can help him in his hour of need. But the reality is that Lawrence is the antithesis of his NightTalk persona…

Lawrence is passed out on his sofa after his big night while Tony has taken it upon himself to confront him. Tony wants revenge, payback, but he doesn't have a plan, he's not thought that far ahead.

Tony creeps into Lawrence's house. He discovers a recording studio in the house - this is where Lawrence broadcasts from - this is where he creates his ‘fake persona'.

Tony finally comes face to face with Lawrence and screams for him to get up. Lawrence thinks he's being burgled, until he finally recognises Tony, the cabbie who picked him up earlier that night. Lawrence heads for the kitchen to call the police but there's a scuffle. Tony grabs a kitchen knife and Lawrence is forced to do what he says…