RUSH focuses on the lives of six students at a mainstream college – on their relationships and their ambitions, and on their struggle to make sense of their lives.

RUSH is written and directed by Ray Harrison Graham and produced by Hilary Durman, who together with Cilla Ware created the award-winning dramas Strong Language (Japan Prize, Prix Jeunesse) and Dream On (BAFTA and Royal Television Society).

Episode 2

The mystery woman who turned up to speak to Errol at the end of the last episode is Errol's former girlfriend, Marcia. Marcia left Errol for someone called Clancy, who has beaten her up. Reluctantly, Errol agrees to take her in, as Troy watches anxiously. Troy is protective of his uncle, whom Marcia has already hurt once.

Michael has heard from Nigel, the college caretaker who got into debt and tried to blackmail him. Nigel wants to make amends. But before he has a chance to explain why he behaved so badly, a woman arrives. She is Miriam, Nigel's new girlfriend, a nurse. Nigel has, she explains, generously offered to give some money he won on the lottery to the children's ward where she works. It turns out Nigel has only won £25 but has allowed Miriam to think it's more. Nigel is still short of money and still trying to borrow. Michael decides it's best not to get involved, and he leaves, hinting that Nigel should solve his problems by getting a job. The new caretaker won't last long in the job, he suggests. He could be right: the new caretaker is Nicky.

Maya and Kelly take shopping round to Mel, who has been suffering memory loss since she was seriously beaten up by her boyfriend. The atmosphere is awkward. They take photos to prompt Mel's memory, but she seems very remote and uncertain who they are.

Adam arrives at the flat he shares with Troy with a surprise visitor: Kara, his sister's child. Adam's sister has a drug problem and has overdosed. While she's in hospital, Adam is looking after Kara – he doesn't know who her father is and there's no one else to care for her.

Wayne and Nicky are trying to raise money to pay off the enraged victims of their drugs scam by selling more fake drugs. Wayne comes to college to collect Nicky because he's found a new buyer. They go to Nicky's house to collect the fake drugs, but Nicky's mother's boyfriend won't let him in. The fake drugs have been flushed away, and Nicky is not welcome any more. He is thrown out on the street with his belongings.

Alone again, Mel looks at the photos Maya and Kelly left her. She seems to linger over them, but then, slowly and deliberately, she tears them up.

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