Episode 5

This is Masterpiece.

Previously on "Home Fires"... (metal clanking) What was that?

From Liverpool to New York.

The S.S. Alexis sails next Friday.

I've made up my mind.

Goodbye, Connie.

The dose is a teaspoon a day in food or drink.

In his tea?

ERICA: In his tea would be perfect.

CLAIRE: Why are you telling people Spencer's a coward?

He stays whilst other lads go off to fight.

What would you call him?

BRYN: I held my son and gave him a father's blessing.

No, no, no!

RICHARD: The plane Jack was flying crashed.

Your husband is dead.

"Home Fires," tonight on Masterpiece.

(horns blaring) ♪ I can see them talking ♪ ♪ But I only hear their voices in my head ♪ ♪ Waiting for the moment they'll be calling to me ♪ ♪ And if I try ♪ ♪ I'll remember all the words I've never said ♪ ♪ Only now the others hold no meaning for me ♪ ♪ I see with wide open eyes of blindness ♪ ♪ I leave the ever calling cries in silence ♪ ♪ Every place we go, we shouldn't go ♪ ♪ We see, we shouldn't see ♪ ♪ We know, we'll never know ♪ ♪ We'll go, then all I want ♪ ♪ All I see ♪ ♪ All I fear is waiting for me... ♪ ♪ ♪ (repeating): Left, left, left, right, left!

♪ ♪ FRANCES: Morning, Bryn.

Morning.

No Miriam?

She's been up all hours writing letters for the WI's Friendless Soldier campaign.

She does seem to have taken a real lead on that.

Even when she does get to bed, the air raid siren tests don't help.

So I gave her the morn... Poor, poor girl.

(crying) Are you all right with chops for supper tomorrow?

I happen to know the very thing to do with chops!

Oh, well, tell me what it is and I'll be happy to do it.

Or we could cut out the middle woman and I could.

You?

You said that with a hint of trepidation.

No.

More like a large pinch of trepidation, with a sprinkling of outright disdain.

No man has never offered to cook me supper before.

I find that hard to believe.

Surely Adam... Adam?

(laughs) Adam attempted to boil an egg for breakfast once and burnt the water.

(laughs) Well, why don't you allow me to cook you supper?

Very well.

I have the ingredients for a Welsh rarebit on standby, just in case.

O ye of little faith.

(laughs) Actually of almost no faith, but then best keep that between ourselves.

I hope she's nice.

Well, no reason why she should be.

The unpleasant have as much right to be evacuated as the pleasant.

Well, that's not her, is it?

I mean, she's not a child.

And she's blind.

One advantage of me not being blind is that I can see quite clearly that she is.

It doesn't look as if anyone else is getting off.

Excuse me, my dear.

Are you by any chance... ...Isobel Reilly?

How many other blind women were you expecting to meet?

I wasn't expecting to meet any.

Oh, I don't believe this, not again.

Sorry, again?

You'd think they wouldn't make the same mistake twice.

I suppose they are moving huge numbers of people around the country, so we can't expect it all to go smoothly.

You were at least expecting an evacuee from Liverpool?

Oh, yes!

But not a blind one.

Or a grown-up one.

I'd be lying if I said you weren't a considerable surprise.

As I was to Mrs. Kennedy.

Who?

The woman I was first sent to who also wasn't informed about my age or my condition.

My brother won't be pleased.

He was counting on getting me out of the city.

You'll have to telephone the billeting officer.

Why?

To have me collected and taken back to the home.

Perhaps it'll be a case of third time lucky.

Why not second time?

Do you have to go back again?

Oh, I appreciate the sentiment behind thinking you can take me on, but are you entirely sure you know what you're doing?

It isn't the first time I've been asked that question.

Only time will tell.

Oh.

But I assure you we will certainly give it our all.

"We"?

Oh, Claire and Cookie.

(whispering): She can't see that.

Oh...

I'm Claire.

Cookie and I work for the Bardens.

I'm Cookie.

Hello.

Welcome to Great Paxford, Isobel.

It's a pleasure to meet you.

May I?

Thank you.

And we'll just take the short walk home.

Oh, is it nearby?

It's about five or ten minutes.

She's gone to the churchyard every morning since the funeral.

She's barely eating, she hardly speaks.

There's no uniform response to bereavement, especially one like Kate's.

We've always been able to help the girls with whatever they're going through.

But we can't this time.

I can't bear to see her like this.

And therein lies the problem.

You can't bear it, but Kate can and is bearing it in her own way by going to his grave each morning.

Don't you think that by focusing on her loss, she's keeping a kind of vigil for Jack?

But it can't last.

Eventually, it will evolve into something less... all-consuming.

(door opens and closes) Don't rush.

You need to be accurate, not fast.

How's that?

Excellent.

Brilliant.

One down, hundreds to go.

But she can do them now, Stan.

However long it takes, your mom can do them.

And just your signature.

When Stan does his, it's fast and joined up.

It doesn't have to be like that.

What is it?

I've never written my name on anything before.

How are you getting on?

Mmm.

Coming along.

Ready for a cup of tea?

Yeah, all right.

(typing slowly) ♪ ♪ More letters?

Shouldn't lads with no one to write to them have their spirits kept up?

But it's gone midnight.

Everyone's doing their bit for our boys.

This is mine.

Don't wait up.

♪ ♪ (keys clomping) (keys clomping) Breakfast is ready.

Bob?

Bob!

Bob!

(door opens and closes) (urgent knocking) Dr. Campbell, there's something wrong with Bob!

He's not moving!

I'll get my bag.

Bob!

Bob!

Bob!

Please wake up!

What's happened?

I've been giving him a teaspoon of the remedy, as Erica instructed, and it was doing him so much good that I've been giving him a little more recently.

What do you mean, "as Erica instructed"?

When she gave it to me.

Erica gave you a remedy?

Yes, to settle his system after his food poisoning.

Do you still have it?

In the kitchen.

Can you get it for me?

What, now?

Immediately.

Will?

While you were out, Pat came round in a blind panic, convinced she'd killed Bob by giving him a double dose of this instead of the single teaspoon you'd advised.

Double?

Rendering Bob unconscious.

After considerable effort, he started to come round.

Sit down, Erica.

Will, let me explain.

If she'd given him any more, I dread to think of the conversation we'd now be having.

What's in the bottle?

Bob told us Pat had slipped one evening serving supper.

I don't care what Bob said, only what you've done.

But she hadn't slipped.

We stood on their doorstep and he lied to us.

Erica... We've both heard him shouting.

Couples occasionally shout at one another.

I may very soon find myself shouting at you if you do not tell me what is in this bottle!

I've seen him grab hold of Pat and drag her into the house!

None of our business.

None of yours, perhaps, but she's my friend!

What's in the bottle?

It's very dilute.

What is?!

Lithium salts.

Have you utterly lost your mind?

The dose was very dilute.

But not dilute enough for me not to lose my medical license or for you not to go to prison for sedating a man against his will!

Lithium salts!

I had no idea she would give him double.

How could you be so stupid?

We could lose everything.

When she gave him the right amount, it was working.

Bob was calm, Pat was happier.

Do not sit there and try and justify this.

This stops now.

And his bullying just resumes?

Pat's relationship with Bob isn't my business.

My wife facing prosecution is.

This stops.

And you have to tell Pat what you've done, and hope to God she doesn't go to the police.

(door slams) Customers have been asking after you all morning.

Tell them to mind their own business.

Do that and they soon won't be customers, Mim.

You've been at this all bloody night.

If I have the strength, I'll be at it all bloody day.

Go and do what you have to do, Bryn.

And leave me to do the same.

Four, five, six, seven...

Ten, eleven.

Left or right?

Um, I think it was... Left.

COOKIE (whispering): She's going wrong.

Well, she might correct herself.

(whispering): Where's she going?

Seven, and, um... (whispering): At this rate, into the garden.

Go and retrieve her, Claire.

If this is her fourth attempt to get down to the shelter unaided...

I'm aware of that.

We might be all out.

She'll have to find her own way down to the shelter from anywhere in the house.

I'm also aware of that.

Are you sure you haven't bitten off more than she can chew?

Am I doing something wrong?

On the contrary.

You're doing splendidly.

Thank you.

By way of a thank-you, how would you like to have dinner with me one evening next week?

Dinner?

There's a restaurant in Chester that I've been meaning to try.

In a hotel.

The food is reportedly top notch.

You deserve a treat.

Say yes.

Yes, that sounds lovely.

I'll book a table.

And a room.

Sir, a room?

I thought it might be an ideal opportunity to spend some proper time together.

Find out what makes you tick.

And vice versa.

Dinner sounds lovely, but I really don't know about a room, Richard.

There's only so much privacy we can have in the office.

(phone rings) Wing Commander Bowers' office.

WOMAN: Could I speak to my husband, please?

Good afternoon, Mrs. Bowers.

I'll just put you through.

Charlotte?

Darling, you haven't forgotten I'm taking the children to my mother's, have you?

No, I hadn't forgotten.

Well, I doubt we'll be home until after supper, so... Well, I hope you and the children have a lovely time.

Thank you.

Bye.

Just you and me.

Together.

I can't think of anything I'd like more.

Serves him right, stick to the seat.

Quite a job.

Must've took some time, all this.

You deserve it.

Coward.

MAN: You're a coward.

WOMAN: Where's your loyalty?

Coward!

MAN: How do you sleep at night?

WOMAN: You should be ashamed of yourself.

Run along, Spencer!

You should be ashamed of yourself!

(crowd shouting) Stop this!

Stop this at once!

The young man may or may not be a coward.

But what is a mob that bays at a man behind his back?

I suggest we all go about our business.

Come on!

Thank you, Mrs. Cameron.

If the Nazis are teaching us one thing, it's how not to behave like them.

(reading silently) (air raid siren wailing) It's only a test.

I read it on the village notice board.

Now, if this goes well, it won't be the last meal I cook for you.

Oh, don't tell me you know more than one dish?

I know several.

(whispering): Some of them foreign.

(laughs) Now, pass me your plate, please.

(door opens) ADAM: Anything to eat?

I'm starving!

I've got a 36-hour pass before we mobilize to France.

One of the lads dropped me off.

I couldn't tell you.

A nice surprise?

The most wonderful surprise ever!

(laughing) Hello, Nick.

How's tricks?

Increasingly tricky, as I'm sure you're aware.

Certainly getting a sense of it.

Now, you mentioned you were starving.

Would you like a chop?

A chop?

A whole chop?

I haven't had any meat resembling part of an actual animal for weeks.

You've lost weight.

Well, you've got 36 hours to fatten me up.

Well, I'll fetch another plate.

Oh, I can't tell you how good it is to see you.

WOMAN: If it's a white feather you want to deliver, stick it back on the duck's arse where it belongs!

No, it's Claire.

I...

I'd like to talk to Spencer.

Came in the blackout so you wouldn't be seen coming here?

It's not like that.

I've just finished work for the day.

Leave.

My son.

Alone.

No!

Not here.

Look, I wasn't standing with those people.

I'd just come out of a shop and I wanted to see what they were looking at.

I didn't even realize it was your bicycle until you walked up.

When you heard Jenny call me a coward?

I don't think you're a coward.

But...

I don't understand why you won't fight.

There's something I want to show you.

Here.

Ernest Wilson.

That's my father.

One of the "glorious dead."

The night I got my call-up papers, my mom brought me a stack of letters that he'd sent from the front, all written in the two months before he died.

Every one spoke of his regret at having to kill a German soldier with his bayonet.

Awake or asleep, he couldn't get the man's face out of his head.

The begging and screaming haunted him constantly.

He was still writing about it in his last letter before he was killed.

How did he die?

Officially, fighting in action.

Unofficially, according to a pal who made it back... he walked directly into enemy fire without rifle or helmet.

That's terrible.

I don't want to kill anyone, Claire.

It destroyed my father.

I stood before that tribunal and answered all their questions honestly.

I was lucky; the lad behind me went to prison.

I agreed to sign up for the Auxiliary Fire Service, and do my duty that way.

Now, if that makes me a coward... No, if they heard what you just told me, they wouldn't think you were.

I couldn't tell them.

I wouldn't do that to my mother.

Let them think what they like about me, but she's suffered enough.

Why didn't you tell me all this before?

I didn't want you getting caught up in it all.

This is my fight, not yours.

I've joined the Fire Service.

Now, if that's not enough to convince some people, so be it.

But I am glad I told you.

So am I. Spencer... Good night, Claire.

Time to wake up, Mim.

♪ ♪ (door opens) (laughs) I thought you were still upstairs!

Well, I was catching up on some much-needed sleep, but then I woke with a desire to catch up on some much-needed time with my wife before I go back.

I hate that you're going back so soon.

So do I.

We should use our remaining time together wisely.

I agree.

I don't suppose you'd be interested in exploring how much life there remains in an aging padre?

Adam, it's not even 9:00 yet.

The RAF have gone.

God clearly has his hands full elsewhere.

Why not strike while the iron is hot?

What, here, or...?

Upstairs.

We're not French.

(laughing) Hello, Miss!

Hi, Miss!

Hello, Timothy!

Julia!

Miss Fenchurch.

(gasps) Miss Fenchurch?

Are you all right?

Did you see what happened?

(knocking gently) Kate, it's Dad.

Katie?

You must think the world is the cruelest place imaginable.

I wouldn't disagree with you.

But you won't always feel like this.

Life changes all the time, delivering shocks and surprises in equal measure, sometimes unequal.

How we deal with it reveals our character.

I know you don't think I can, but I understand more than you might imagine.

If you want to talk about anything, anything at all... RICHARD: Right, see you shortly.

Get your coat.

I'm taking you to lunch.

I still have typing to get through.

It can wait.

But I have to get it...

It can wait.

I thought we'd go to that hotel I mentioned.

The hotel?

I thought we were going for dinner next week?

I can't wait that long.

I've also booked a room for the afternoon.

Come on!

We need to be seated by 1:30.

Lovely.

(door creaks open) Hello?

I wanted to pop by and thank Will for all of his help with Bob.

I don't know what I'd have done without him.

How is he now?

He's getting back to his old self.

I can't tell you how stupid I feel.

Pat, I want you to know that when I gave you the remedy, it was for the very best of intentions.

Oh, of course.

It was me who gave him too much.

I suppose I wanted to try to protect you.

Protect me?

What do you mean?

The remedy was for Bob's health, not mine.

Yes.

It wasn't quite what I said it was.

It was something that would take the edge off his moods and give you... His moods?

Yes.

What do you mean, take the edge off his moods?

I know why you didn't come to Kate's wedding.

I told you why.

I hurt myself.

And it took longer to recover than expected.

What was in the remedy?

Erica?

A mild solution of lithium salts.

Lithium?

Oh, my God!

I could have killed him!

I didn't know what else to do.

I couldn't talk to you.

Because there was nothing to talk about!

Oh, come on, Pat!

I understand why you'd want to defend him, but let's not pretend Bob doesn't hit you!

Bob hits me?

Is that what you think?

Well, not just me.

Who else?

Who else?!

How did you come by this bruise?

I banged it.

Pat... What have you been telling people?

I haven't told anyone anything.

But people aren't blind, and they're not deaf.

Well, whatever you think you've seen and heard, you're wrong!

All of you!

(door slams) All in order, Mrs. Farrow.

Thank you.

No mistakes?

No.

We keep the farm?

You keep going like this and you most certainly will.

It's good to have you on board.

I know it won't be easy to begin with, but it's needs must for the foreseeable future.

If we can't feed our fighting men, like your husband, then we won't win this war.

It's as simple as that.

Well, good day to you both.

And good luck.

Thank you.

And sorry for the last time.

When you've had a bull set on you and a haystack toppled on top of you, an irate woman threatening to box my ears is nothing.

You'll be fine.

I'm proud of you, Ma.

And Dad would be too.

Drink that.

Lots of sugar.

Thank you.

What a terrible shock.

It was the same with George.

I know exactly what you're going through.

I'm just so very sorry.

Teresa...

I know how hard this news has hit you.

But I need you to be honest with me, because I've taken you into my home in all good faith.

Please tell me honestly.

What was Connie to you?

We taught at the same school.

We became good friends.

Is that all?

No.

We were lovers.

I see.

I'm sorry for your loss, Teresa.

Genuinely.

But... You've put me in an invidious position.

I have a reputation in the village and in the local business community.

You've really no idea.

You seem to have your hands rather full, Mrs. Barden.

Dropping off items for the WI's Friendless Soldiers scheme.

Gloves, socks, wooly hats.

All very well asking boys to do their duty, but they're unlikely to manage their best if their extremities are soaked and frozen.

I understand that the communal shelter is ready for use.

The institute is hosting an open house this evening for the village to see for itself.

It would mean a great deal if you would come.

Thank you, but in the event of aerial bombardment, we've made our own arrangements.

You're held in high esteem by many.

Your stamp of approval might encourage many to use the shelter who otherwise might not.

I'm sure that's not true.

You know it is, Joyce.

Good day, Mrs. Barden.

Good day, Mrs. Cameron.

Come in, Mrs. Barden, and...

I'll just see where she is.

Thank you, Bryn.

Hello, Frances.

Oh, I've just brought round some more gloves and things.

Ah.

I'll see they get properly assigned.

Is there anything else?

There is, I'm afraid.

I've just been reading some of the letters you've been writing to friendless troops.

There isn't one in which you haven't told the recipient to keep out of danger and get home safely to his mother.

We're writing to soldiers, Mim.

Men whose job, whether we like it or not, is to face and embrace danger, not hide from it.

You're not a mother, Frances, so you wouldn't understand.

Simply because Peter and I have been unable to have children doesn't mean I can't understand and empathize with how you or any other mother might feel at this time.

How can you?

I've known David all his life.

I know what he means to you both.

I saw it the day you first showed him to us all.

I'll never forget the look on your face.

Or Bryn's.

I've never seen two new parents radiate so much love for their child.

So please do not presume to tell me I can't understand how you must feel to have him out there.

But these letters go out under the banner of the WI, and I cannot and will not give my approval for what you have written.

(sobbing) I've written what any mother would write to her son.

I daresay that's true.

The problem is, you're not their mother.

(crying) What's all this in aid of?

A wife can take care of her husband, can't she?

If you'd have been doing that properly, I wouldn't have suffered the collapse I did.

Instead, you've been neglecting me while you fritter away your time at the WI and that telephone exchange.

I've never once neglected you, Bob.

Perhaps you should see things from my perspective.

I look at everything from your perspective.

So much that I've lost my own.

I'm not interested in having a debate about this.

You never are, because then you'd have to acknowledge that there's two human beings in this house, and not just you and your punch bag!

Hey, hey, what in God's name has got into you?!

I do so much for you.

More than you'll ever know.

And what do I get in return?

I'll show you what you get.

By hitting me again.

Kicking me.

Throwing something at me.

Pulling my hair so hard it comes out at the roots?

You know what you really hate?

That you need me more than I need you!

That's not true.

I loathe this life you've forced on me.

I hate what you've turned me into.

Come back here!

Come back here, I said!

I said get back here!

(bellowing): Get back here now!

Don't ignore me!

I will not be ignored in my own house!

Do I make myself clear?

The way you treat me has not gone unnoticed!

(laughing) What, are you going somewhere?

I... cannot.

Stand this.

Anymore!

(crying) Where will you go, hmm?

With no money.

No experience.

No family.

No talents.

You wouldn't survive five minutes.

Without me, you cease to exist in any meaningful way.

I'll show you!

Look at you.

(door slams shut) Have you got everything?

Uh... Everything they'll allow.

Sorry.

Adam's returning to his unit.

Keep an eye on her for me.

Of course.

Take care of yourself.

You too.

Right.

Write every day.

Even if nothing's happened and you've nothing to say, just tell me that.

♪ ♪ Isn't that the Campbell girl?

Yes.

Apparently, she visits his grave every morning.

JOYCE: Yes, I've heard.

I'll just be a moment.

Very well.

This cottage was going to be yours and your husband's, wasn't it?

I'm not equating the two in any way, but when my son went to Canada 15 years ago, I thought I'd never get over it.

Not a day goes by when I don't think of him.

But life has a way of seeping in.

New events, new experiences, new people.

New things to consider.

You'll never forget your husband, Kate.

But life will seek you out and seep through once more.

And when it does... let it.

Thank you.

ALISON: What are you doing?

I think it's for the best.

Oh, Teresa...

I never intended to deceive you.

When I moved in, I didn't tell you everything for the simple reason that I had no intention of it ever becoming known.

You've shown me such great kindness, Alison, in so many ways.

The last thing I would want to do is put you in a compromising position.

(barks) I was reminded this morning of something George once told me.

He said it can never be a sin to love another human being.

Your husband sounds like someone I would like to have met.

Well, that would have been impossible, I'm afraid.

Why?

While George was certainly my better half, he was never my husband.

George and I fell in love while he was married to someone else.

She refused to grant him a divorce, so we took the only course open to us and presented ourselves as Mr. and Mrs. Scotlock.

I still do.

They don't know?

We all have secrets, then and now.

You've become a friend, and I haven't had many of those over the years.

I enjoy your companionship.

As does Boris.

(laughs) I'd like you to stay.

If you can keep your secret as well as I've kept mine, then we need never speak of this again.

Come here.

How long have you been like this?

Barely sleep since David left.

And when I do, I...

I have terrible nightmares.

I can give you something to help you sleep, but you're clearly suffering from exhaustion.

If you don't mind, I'd like to run some tests.

Tests?

Purely routine.

Ladies and gentlemen!

It's so lovely to welcome so many of you here this evening to the opening of what the Great Paxford Women's Institute hopes will become a vital communal asset in the days ahead.

The shelter you're about to enter has been fashioned in the reinforced cellar of our house, but exists for everyone.

(applause) I'm somewhat surprised to see you here, Mrs. Cameron.

Well, due to the extent of my influence within the village, your sister has invited me to come to the shelter to give it my seal of approval.

So, without further ado... (air raid siren wailing) Is this a drill?

It wasn't on the notice board.

Well, then it's for real.

Um, ladies and gentlemen, stay calm and make your way to the shelter in an orderly fashion.

There is room enough for all.

Follow me!

Isobel.

Where is she?

I'm all right.

This way, Mrs. Cameron.

(siren continues wailing) I...

I don't think I can go down there.

You have to.

No, you don't understand.

That siren means you don't have a choice.

No, there are too many people.

If anything happened, I'd never get out!

Hold my hand and I promise I will lead you to safety.

Take it!

Follow me.

♪ ♪ Come down, find a seat!

Nice and orderly, ladies and gentlemen.

Everyone find somewhere to sit as quick as you can.

♪ ♪ (siren continues wailing) Get to a shelter immediately!

Spencer!

Spencer, it's Claire!

Spencer!

Come to the shelter, you'll be safe!

We'll be all right here!

You go back!

No!

I want to be with you.

(whistle blowing) ♪ ♪ The WAEC man gave us his approval.

That's wonderful!

Thanks to you.

You did all the hard work.

I had a brilliant teacher.

I enjoyed every minute of it.

I'm so glad you came to our village.

I won't say anything.

About what?

You and your boss.

There's nothing to say.

That's not true, is it?

Stan...

I know what I saw.

Stan.

I asked at the base.

He's married.

Did you know?

Boys should keep their noses out of the affairs of grownups.

You're not that much older than me.

Perhaps not in years, but in terms of experience, you're just a child.

Pat thinks I told everyone about her and Bob.

Is that why she isn't here?

I tried to tell her it wasn't true, but she didn't want to listen.

I don't think she's ever going to forgive me.

By trying to help her, you've ended up humiliating the poor woman.

(coughs) Leaving her more isolated than she was before.

"First, do no harm."

It's more difficult than people imagine.

Is she likely to go to the police?

I've never seen her so angry.

So do you think she actually might?

Bob's behavior towards her would inevitably be made public, and that's clearly the last thing she wants.

(whispering): Everything we've worked for could have been swept away in an instant.

(coughing) Are you all right, Dad?

The air in here's a little stale, that's all.

(coughing) (coughing and hacking) Next time on Masterpiece...

Shooting a rabbit's not the same as shooting a Nazi.

(gunshot) Going away on a trip?

It was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life.

Then you should be ashamed!

"Home Fires."

Alison?

Next time on Masterpiece.

♪ I can see them talking ♪ ♪ But I only hear the voices in my head ♪ ♪ Waiting for the moment they'll be calling to me... ♪ Visit us at pbs.org/masterpiece to watch video and explore features, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media.

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Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org