01E08 - Richie

Ever since Connie told Richie that Hector raped her, Richie hasn't been able to think of anything else. He starts harassing Hector anonymously, sending texts and spying on him at the pool. Somehow concern for his friend becomes tangled up with Richie's own obsession with Hector. Richie feels increasingly alienated from Connie who's wrapped up in her new boyfriend and friends. He spends more and more time with Hugo to fill the gap. When Rosie and Gary announce they are moving to the country, Richie is devastated. After swimming laps at the pool, Richie follows Hector into the change rooms. As Hector dries off naked, Richie takes a surreptitious photo on his phone. Hector springs him and protests and Richie bolts into a cubicle. Thinking quickly, Hector calls the number that has been sending him anonymous messages, and Richie's phone rings, exposing him. That night Richie goes to Connie's house and insists that she tell the police about Hector. Connie refuses, angry that Richie has brought it up again. The next day after school Richie spies Hector talking to Connie, and feeling his world cave in, seeks refuge at Rosie and Gary's house. When he arrives clearly distressed, they press him for the reason, and Richie blurts out the secret that's been eating him up. Gary and Rosie jump on the revelation and immediately march Richie to Aisha's vet clinic. When Gary confronts Aisha about it, she feels sick, refusing to believe it. Connie arrives and denies it, turning on Richie and accusing him of making it all up out of his obsession with Hector. Confused and distraught, Richie runs home and swallows a bottle of pills. His mother finds him just in time and rushes him to the hospital, saving his life. Later, Connie explains herself and apologises by taking Richie to a music festival. Richie is relieved to have his friend back.