In A Family at War Season 2, Episode 14 – “Into the Dark,” set in July 1942, the Ashton family grapples with the psychological and emotional toll of war. John's insomnia affects the entire household, while Philip, stationed in a desert field hospital, confronts the possibility of a life-altering injury.
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TVTranscript
00:00¶¶
00:30Oh, hay, the very best hay.
00:37That's a lot of good to have. Try again.
00:41What colour am I out of?
00:42I don't know, but they're lovely.
00:45What colour?
00:51I'm a bear. Try again.
00:53I wonder what the others are doing?
01:02Nothing as nice as this.
01:16They'll be in Moscow come Christmas and Cairo before that, I shouldn't wonder.
01:20There's no stopping them, is there?
01:21I suppose you'll have seen a few of them strutting about over there.
01:27I said, I suppose you'll have seen a few on your travels.
01:32Sorry, I beg your pardon.
01:34Germans, Jerry's, you'll have seen a few.
01:37Um, well, yes, one or two, you know.
01:40Yes.
01:41Funny, chaps.
01:42We had one used to come in the shop before the war.
01:45A commercial fancy good, you know.
01:47I keep trying to remember what he looked like.
01:50There was something about him.
01:52Two heads, something like that, you mean.
01:54No, Edwin, I meant nothing of the sort.
01:56But you know that look they have.
01:57I can't say I do.
01:58The few I've met look very much like the rest of us to me.
02:01Ah, but they're not, are they?
02:03They're not like the rest of us.
02:05They don't know where to stop.
02:07Now, that's the trouble.
02:08Yes, well, so we were saying, weren't we?
02:10Well, exactly, that's what I mean.
02:12Now, this chap that used to come into the shop...
02:13I think I'll go up now, if you'll excuse me.
02:16Huh?
02:17Oh, that's the stuff, lad.
02:18An early night, eh?
02:19That's the stuff for Inveridge.
02:21I'll tell Margaret you've gone up.
02:23She'll be back before long, I shall think.
02:24Yes, well, good night.
02:27Oh, well.
02:29Good night, Mr. Briggs.
02:30Good night to you, lad.
02:31Good night.
02:32Good night, son.
02:33Ah, it's time I was getting along, too.
02:36He's a shudder to what he was, isn't he?
02:40Out with that other chub, is she?
02:41I just don't know.
02:44I'm past the point of asking you.
02:46I just hope that...
02:48Well, I just hope, that's all.
02:50It's a sorry state of affairs.
02:53Well, you'll give my love to Jean.
02:55Where did you say she'd gone?
02:57Ladies' comforts for the troops, you know.
02:58They're knit.
02:59There'll be enough woolies after this lot
03:01to keep us warm for the next 20 years, I shouldn't wonder.
03:04I wish something could warm her up a bit, Sefton.
03:06I do.
03:07Not so put still.
03:08I don't know what it is.
03:10We've talked,
03:12but either she can't explain to me what it is
03:14or I'm too thick to understand.
03:17I thought it was Robert at first,
03:18and I suppose it is, in a way.
03:21And then she's worried about David
03:24and what's going to happen to those two kids
03:26and then there's Margaret and Philip.
03:29Yes, well, you've had your share.
03:32There's no doubt about that.
03:34You've had your share.
03:41Under a blazing Egyptian sun, they toiled,
03:43making ready for the Battle of El Alameen.
03:45Is it upsetting you?
03:51It does.
03:52I can't concentrate.
03:55Here now is some idea of the strength of our supply chain.
03:57Frieda and Sheeran are gone.
03:59All that we had lost had to be made for them all.
04:00Did they see us?
04:02I don't know.
04:03Does it matter?
04:04No.
04:04That the enemy does not get the opportunity
04:06of interfering with such movements.
04:09All the time, fighters and...
04:10Do I have to go?
04:10...zoom overhead.
04:11Where?
04:12Sometimes barely skipping the top of the lorries.
04:15While high in the skies...
04:16There isn't time.
04:17...to intercept enemy planes
04:18that may be hiding in the clouds.
04:20Two-way traffic is maintained
04:21by transport column, speed and alameen
04:23with weapons and supplies...
04:24Come on.
04:25Never got to know him, really, did we?
04:53Hey, Reynolds.
05:02I hope you're feeling better.
05:05That's a boy.
05:12Sad, isn't it?
05:14Oh, yeah.
05:16Hey, Jumbo, when you made that up,
05:18can I help over?
05:19Be beside my friend?
05:21You're not supposed to move.
05:22Jumbo, you and Billy Boy can move me.
05:25I've always said, haven't I,
05:26that a man with one foot can always hop?
05:28Besides, Reynolds here, he's not too well.
05:30I could keep an eye on him.
05:32We're keeping an eye on him.
05:34Oh, please, Jumbo.
05:35Shut up, Grant.
05:39There.
05:40I'll see, Corporal.
05:44Hold me.
05:45All right.
05:46Right, in here.
05:48Carefully, get up.
05:50That's all right.
05:50You just relax, fella.
05:51He'll be all right.
05:52We're going to get you in a nice, comfy bed.
05:55Two-way, I'll be careful.
05:57Right.
06:01There we go.
06:02Nice, comfy bed for you.
06:04Yes, sister.
06:05So you'll be all right now.
06:06How are you feeling?
06:08OK.
06:09Sergeant Ashton, you're in hospital.
06:11We'll get his clothes off and wash you
06:13and put you in pyjamas
06:14and the doctor will see you.
06:15Are you sore at all?
06:17A little.
06:18Relax now, Sergeant.
06:19It's all right.
06:20Steady, Dan.
06:21You'll be all right now.
06:22Just going to take your jacket off.
06:28Sergeant P. Ashton,
06:31shell fragment wounds of eyelids and right eye
06:33with vicious inner edge,
06:35quarter-grain morphia 20th of June,
06:3821st of June,
06:39dry boracic dressings,
06:41blind.
06:49I'll put the kettle on.
06:53Hello, love.
06:54How was the picture?
06:55Oh, it was lovely.
06:57We stayed to see it half round again.
06:59Took me right out of myself.
07:00Ah, that's what I like to hear.
07:02Margaret was there.
07:03She was sitting in front of us with Michael.
07:05Oh.
07:06Oh, I'm sorry.
07:08Am I chitletattling?
07:09No.
07:10No, I thought she'd be, um...
07:13Well, how are you anyway, love?
07:14Oh, fine, thank you.
07:15Is Mum in there?
07:16Uh, no.
07:17No, she came back from the ladies' comforts
07:18with a headache and went off to bed.
07:20Lock all the doors.
07:25Who's pinched the teapot?
07:28Oh, I know.
07:28It's over there.
07:31Oh, dear.
07:33I'm sorry.
07:33It's me adding to your troubles.
07:35You?
07:35Adding to my troubles?
07:37I don't know what you mean, love.
07:39Well, I know how much it worries her
07:40about me and David.
07:42Well, what have you got to do with that?
07:44It's our side of the family that's at fault,
07:45not you.
07:46Because of me,
07:47he doesn't come home so often, though, isn't he?
07:55I don't suppose there's any chance
07:56that Philip might...
07:58Oh, come on, leave or something.
08:01I doubt it.
08:02Worse luck.
08:02I sometimes think that,
08:04well, the way things are,
08:05we'll not see Philip again
08:06till it's all over,
08:08whenever that might be.
08:10You know,
08:11in the last lot,
08:12the chaps used to pray
08:13they'd get a blighty one.
08:17A couple of fingers gone,
08:18something even more serious,
08:20anything to get home.
08:22I know.
08:23I used to think like that about David.
08:25But you mustn't, Dad.
08:27Really, you mustn't.
08:28I know, I sometimes just wonder
08:29whether he does.
08:31And then Gene,
08:32when you're used to a house
08:33with boys running around in it
08:35and the emptiness
08:36when they've gone.
08:38It doesn't seem a lot
08:41to ask for her,
08:43the sight of Philip
08:43coming through the door.
08:51Evening, Sergeant.
08:53I'm your neighbour,
08:54Corporal Grant.
08:55That's a nasty-looking bandage
08:57you got there.
08:58Well, one's a bit lower down.
09:00Your other neighbour's
09:01last Corporal Reynolds.
09:03Well, he probably won't talk to you
09:04just now
09:04because he's with the doc.
09:06But he's a nice fella.
09:08Doesn't talk much
09:09at the best of times.
09:10A quiet man.
09:12Hey, we copped towers
09:13near Tobruk.
09:14Is that where you were, Sergeant?
09:15The man's got a thermometer.
09:17Speak no evil,
09:18see no evil, eh, Sergeant?
09:21Well, you won't hear
09:22any evil round here anyway.
09:23Listen, if he brings you
09:24a cup of tea,
09:25you'll probably get
09:25one of those cups
09:26with a spout.
09:26Have you tried them?
09:28Well, don't suck too hard.
09:29You'll get a mouthful
09:30of tea leaves.
09:31Tea's coming up, Sergeant.
09:33And your temperature's
09:34doing fine.
09:35Yes, near Tobruk.
09:37You'll have to lie
09:38quiet, Reynolds,
09:38for a day or two.
09:39Yes, sir.
09:41Now, don't take it
09:42too badly.
09:43You'll be out of here soon.
09:44Oh, yeah.
09:44Sir.
09:46That's just his normal
09:47way of speaking, sir.
09:49Now, pulse every hour.
09:51If he's stronger
09:52in the morning,
09:52then we'll take
09:53a look at his lung.
09:54Hello, Sergeant Ashton.
09:56Sir.
09:56How are you?
09:57Not bad, sir.
09:57I've been looking
09:58at your x-rays.
10:00We took you along
10:01after you came in this evening.
10:02Yes, sir.
10:03I'm afraid both your eyes
10:04are damaged
10:05and there's a bit of metal,
10:06probably a shell fragment,
10:07in the right one.
10:09Is that the end of my sight?
10:11No, not at all.
10:12The eye surgeon's coming tomorrow
10:14and he'll try to get it out.
10:15Now, that's not so bad
10:16as it sounds.
10:17He'll use an electromagnet
10:18and out it'll come.
10:20And then?
10:21You'll have a bandage
10:22for a couple of weeks.
10:23And then I'll see.
10:24Let's hope so.
10:25It may take some time
10:26to clear up.
10:27If the metal's removed,
10:28why should it take time?
10:29Because inside the eye,
10:31it'll be full of blood
10:32and that takes time
10:33to be absorbed
10:34and let the light through again.
10:36All right?
10:37What about the left eye?
10:38There's nothing on the x-ray.
10:46Can you see anything?
10:48Is there anything to see?
10:50Well, it's not too bright in here.
10:54There's a lamp.
10:56Can't see anything.
10:59No.
11:00It's inflamed
11:01and there are flesh wounds all around.
11:04Be patient, Sergeant.
11:05We'll look after you here
11:07until it's cleared up a bit.
11:08Could still be bleeding in there,
11:09so you lie quiet.
11:10Give it a chance.
11:12Am I going to be blind?
11:13I don't think so, Sergeant.
11:24Oh, God.
11:31Hey, do you remember
11:32that spotty-faced lad
11:33that used to be in packing department
11:34that went in the army?
11:36Eh?
11:36You do.
11:37Him that used to knock about
11:38a Betty Doodah
11:39on the injector bed.
11:40Oh, yeah.
11:41Well, he came back the other day.
11:42A officer.
11:43Yeah, he was all that swank, you know.
11:45He was really putting it on like mad.
11:47Any road, I said to him,
11:49I see you're not got rid of your spots.
11:52I stopped him trying to talk Hotsford.
11:55Hey, how's old Affleby these days?
11:57Oh, miserable old...
11:59Do you know,
12:00I can't do a thing right for him.
12:02Still never could, though, could I?
12:04Hey, he puts up with some cheat, though.
12:05You know, I said to him last week,
12:07I said,
12:07it'll be your turn next.
12:09They're calling up the 65s in August.
12:13Oh, I'm right browned off with it, though,
12:15St Shula.
12:18Well?
12:21Why don't you do the same, then?
12:23What?
12:24You mean go for a nurse?
12:25Oh, why don't you?
12:26Oh, I couldn't.
12:28What, on the men's ward?
12:29I couldn't do it for laughing.
12:30It's better on the men's ward
12:32than it is on the women's,
12:32I can tell you.
12:34Grousy old things.
12:35What, and all them starchy sisters
12:36to put up with?
12:37Oh, they're not so bad.
12:38Just the old one, you know.
12:42Hey, go on.
12:43Give it a bash.
12:44Before being together again.
12:47Rita!
12:49Keep it down, girls.
12:51Um, Doris is, uh,
12:53to the hospital with me.
12:54Hey, you.
12:55I'll speak for myself.
12:56Thanks very much.
12:56Hello, Doris.
12:57Hello.
12:57I take it you're sleeping here tonight, miss.
13:00Yes, till Monday.
13:01Didn't mum tell you?
13:02Only John's gone off to bed,
13:03and I thought I'd better tell you
13:04that you'll be sharing the boys' room with Margaret.
13:09Hmm?
13:10Come round to that, has it?
13:12No.
13:13It hasn't.
13:15As a matter of fact,
13:16it was John's idea,
13:17not hers.
13:18Hey, you awake, then?
13:40It's hard to tell
13:40with all them bandages
13:41and you lying quiet.
13:42Yes, I'm awake.
13:43What day is it?
13:44Friday.
13:46Hello, Reynolds.
13:46Friday.
13:49Have I been here two days?
13:50Yeah.
13:51It's the pills.
13:52They've kept you low,
13:53same as me.
13:56That's been changed a few times.
13:58Yes, yes, I know.
14:00Have there been any letters?
14:02No, well, not for you.
14:03I won yesterday,
14:04but I haven't come round yet this morning,
14:06so is Hopi.
14:07Listen, if you do get one,
14:08I'll be delighted to decipher it
14:09to the best of my ability.
14:11Oh, perhaps they're good writers
14:12in your family.
14:13Well, they're not bad.
14:14One of them's a schoolteacher.
14:15Oh, yeah.
14:15Hey, that's what he wants to be.
14:17He wants to go back home
14:19to be a schoolteacher.
14:22Well, he'll be back home
14:23a long time before I will.
14:25I'll have to be back fighting
14:26in a couple of months, I expect.
14:28I'd like to believe that.
14:30Oh, yes, I will, Reynolds.
14:32My little scratch
14:33is heating up nicely.
14:35Now, you'll be back home soon.
14:37You're a good boy.
14:38Lie quiet.
14:39What happened?
14:39Jerry Tank got us.
14:42Messed us up a bit.
14:43Well, him and me,
14:44we were some of the lovely ones.
14:45Lucky.
14:46Don't do yourself an injury, Reynolds.
14:48Remember what the doctor said?
14:50Reynolds here
14:50is one of the biggest pessimists
14:52in the unit.
14:52I was bloody right.
14:55Sergeant,
14:55do you want to sit up a bit?
14:57Well, yes.
14:58I seem a bit perky.
14:59All right, all right.
14:59What's going on here?
15:00You kick yourself, Corporal.
15:01How long are you trying to be a Christian?
15:03I mean, the sergeant
15:04wanted to take an interest.
15:05Come on then.
15:06Up to you.
15:06All right?
15:09Yes, yes, fine.
15:10Thanks, John.
15:10But, uh,
15:11do you think I might be allowed to get up?
15:13Well, I shouldn't think so.
15:14What do you want to get out
15:15of a nice comfy bed for?
15:16Well, you know,
15:17go to the end of the ward.
15:18If you steer me,
15:19I'll feel much better.
15:20Ah, well, I shall ask.
15:22What a very good idea.
15:23Do you want to go now?
15:24Please.
15:25Right, hang on.
15:27Hey, progress indeed.
15:29Have I been very quiet?
15:30Quiet?
15:31That's not a word for it.
15:34Mind you,
15:35you do come out with you.
15:36Your mum and dad
15:37and your brothers
15:38and your sisters.
15:40Er, what did I say?
15:41Well, not much.
15:43Bits and pieces.
15:44You were not coherent, sergeant.
15:46You said most of all
15:47that you didn't know.
15:48But I didn't know
15:48what it was you didn't know.
15:50Did you tell me
15:50about your family life, Grant?
15:52Do you have what I expect I did?
15:53Well, I've only a wife.
15:54Hey, I wish I could see her picture.
15:57Yeah, well,
15:58I shan't be seeing her again
15:59for a long time.
16:02Oh, it's jumping
16:02before you burst.
16:03Yes?
16:04Permission granted, sergeant.
16:05Now, if you can walk,
16:06I'll guide you.
16:07Out this side.
16:09There.
16:10Up you get.
16:12Oh, it's all right.
16:14You'll feel a bit wobbly at first.
16:15It's all that lying flat.
16:16Now then.
16:1830 steps.
16:19Then round the corner.
16:23It's all right, sergeant.
16:24There's nothing at all in the way.
16:26Come on, step out, sergeant.
16:39How are you then, Reynolds?
16:41They're going to operate tomorrow.
16:43Yeah, well, that's only what it said.
16:45I mean, if you keep your strength up.
16:47Oh, I'll keep me strength up.
16:50You're not going home, Grant?
16:52No.
16:54I'm going back to fight.
16:55Oh.
16:57You're going inside, Grant.
16:59For a long time.
17:11Come on in, lads.
17:12Hurry up.
17:13What is it?
17:14All sorts.
17:16Must be a show on.
17:17What about Reynolds?
17:18Yeah, look after him.
17:19Grant?
17:21Yes, Fred?
17:22I want to write a letter.
17:24Yeah, sure.
17:25Well, I want to write it now.
17:27Have you got some paper?
17:28No, I shall need an aircraft.
17:30I've been wondering how to break it to my folks that I'm blind.
17:33Temporarily.
17:34Oh, just tell them now.
17:36They might not believe it.
17:37Do you believe it?
17:39I'm not sure.
17:41They don't tell you.
17:44Were you an active man?
17:46I got around.
17:47I read a lot.
17:49What will you do if you're really blind?
17:52It's difficult.
17:55I try to imagine myself in Liverpool.
17:58Getting around the house.
18:00Hey, it's Reynolds.
18:01It's Reynolds' bed.
18:02Hey, is he all right?
18:04There we are.
18:04Chum, back home.
18:05Easy lift now.
18:09All right.
18:10Off you go.
18:11Oh, sorry I can't stay now.
18:16I'll, er, I'll be back as soon as I know what's what.
18:19If you should need me, er, just give me a shout.
18:22All right.
18:31You all right, Reynolds?
18:32What happened?
18:34They're not even going to offer it.
18:38I've had it.
18:39Oh, come on.
18:40I didn't tell you that.
18:41They did another egg fray.
18:43And?
18:44That's all.
18:46What does it, what that means is you're further down the list.
18:48I mean, there's all these extra blokes coming.
18:49It means you're not as bad as AI.
18:51They're not going to operate.
18:53I asked Jumbo what was wrong.
18:56You've got no toes on your left foot.
18:58He'd tell you anything for a laugh.
19:01You're going home.
19:02No.
19:03I've got my toes.
19:05He didn't lie.
19:06And I won't get out of here.
19:15Er, sister.
19:17Sister, it's my Pearl Reynolds.
19:19I think he should be perhaps lying down.
19:20Perhaps you give him something.
19:21Shut him up.
19:22It's all right.
19:24Lie there, Reynolds.
19:25Try and rest.
19:27You must rest, Reynolds.
19:29Grant.
19:34Yeah?
19:35An air grant.
19:37Yeah, sure, sure.
19:39Er, I've got one.
19:44It's, it's crushed, but they'll read it.
19:48He's, er, he's holding it out.
19:52I'm very grateful to you, Reynolds.
19:54I've got a pencil.
20:00I'm afraid the spelling won't be too hot.
20:02Doesn't matter.
20:05Dear Mum and Dad and everyone.
20:10Yeah?
20:10This is being written
20:11by a friend.
20:17Yeah?
20:18Because...
20:21Because?
20:22Yeah?
20:22I have some bandages on.
20:25They will be off by next week.
20:28John came down in the night.
20:31John?
20:31Hmm.
20:32What is it?
20:33I couldn't sleep either.
20:35We had a, we had a cup of tea together.
20:37But he took his tablets.
20:39Does he come here?
20:40They didn't seem to work very well.
20:42He couldn't sleep.
20:43He, he looked quite exhausted, love.
20:46Oh, well, that must be why he hasn't come down then.
20:48He must be flat out.
20:50Yes.
20:50I overslept too, of course.
20:54Sorry, I miss seeing Frieder off.
20:56Did she remember her tennis shoes?
20:57Well, she abandoned them in favour of mine
20:59and then went and left them on the hall floor.
21:01What is it, love?
21:02You want to get down?
21:02Oh, love, will you go?
21:03I'm not dressed.
21:04Here, you give me this one.
21:05It's all right, then.
21:06You stay with Granny.
21:07Look, you're both men.
21:07It's all over now.
21:08Come on.
21:09I want to talk to you.
21:14Please, please.
21:15I've got to talk to you.
21:16I don't want to meet you down the road.
21:17I want to talk to you now.
21:18Come in.
21:19Look, look.
21:20Go in there.
21:21Why didn't you come?
21:22Shh.
21:22Go in.
21:23Last night.
21:26No.
21:27No, look.
21:28It wasn't last night.
21:30It was tonight outside the Scala at seven.
21:32It was yesterday.
21:33Oh, look.
21:33I'm sorry, but really, you shouldn't have come.
21:36Margaret.
21:39It's been two months.
21:40Can't you tell him?
21:41Look, he's not well.
21:42He's ill.
21:43It wouldn't just be wrong.
21:44It would be awful.
21:44Now, don't you believe me?
21:45I don't seem to see any end to it.
21:46That's all.
21:49Now, look, will you?
21:50Please, go.
21:55Where's Margaret?
21:56She's talking to someone, love.
21:57Look, why don't you go upstairs and I'll fetch her to you, eh?
22:00No.
22:00Margaret.
22:01John.
22:03Margaret.
22:04Where have you put my tablets?
22:06Well, I'll put them out of reach of baby.
22:08Yeah, well, where?
22:09Well, they're in the kitchen, but John, John, you shouldn't take any more till tonight.
22:16I think you'd better go, don't you?
22:18You shouldn't take any more than the doctor said, John.
22:21I can't sleep, Margaret.
22:22Well, you've been up there for hours.
22:24Yeah, well, I've been awake all the time.
22:26I was down here during the night.
22:27I know, I know.
22:27I can't sleep, Margaret.
22:28No, no, all right.
22:30I know.
22:31Look, you come on upstairs and I'll sit with you.
22:35Yeah, all right, all right.
22:40Come on, now, look.
22:41I'll stay and I'll sit with you.
22:43All right.
22:43Margaret, never...
22:44Is Grant at the table?
22:51Well, I wish I could tell you.
22:53It's where he went.
22:54Sorry.
22:54Do you want him?
23:01No.
23:03Are you still on that trip?
23:05Yeah.
23:06Don't know why they bother.
23:08I've had it.
23:13I used to be an apprentice painter.
23:16Didn't like it.
23:18I went to night class just trying to get my trick.
23:23Like that.
23:26I was glad when they called me up.
23:29Made a break, left me mum.
23:32It was good.
23:33I like knowing what's what.
23:35Tidy.
23:38Quite like saluting.
23:40It's only a uniform.
23:41And afterwards, what?
23:47My dad was killed in the last war.
23:51Never thought I'd be older than him.
23:54Killed like him.
24:00What are you doing?
24:04Nothing.
24:06Did you see?
24:09No.
24:11You know Grant?
24:17Yes.
24:19He killed me.
24:22For God's sake, Grant.
24:24Shot his own toes off, he did.
24:28Talked about it for long enough.
24:32He's got a wife.
24:33Wants to go home.
24:36I haven't got a wife.
24:37Wants to go home.
24:42Get his business going.
24:43Told me.
24:45Here's your pudding, Sergeant.
24:48Now put your hand on it.
24:51Now spoon's round the other side.
24:53Good lad.
25:00You all right then?
25:01Yes.
25:01So, we were out there.
25:12And we could see the tanks.
25:14Jerry tanks.
25:15And they couldn't see us.
25:20Grant was lying there by himself.
25:23I went to him.
25:24He was a corporal.
25:25He was holding his rifle to his foot.
25:31And he pulled the trigger.
25:34I saw him.
25:35And then the Jerry's came.
25:40And most of us got killed.
25:47If I tell, he'll get ten years.
25:51Don't look any better, isn't he?
25:52He doesn't sleep very well.
25:54The tablets don't seem to work for him very well.
25:57And where's Margaret?
25:57I don't know, love.
25:59I've got the point where we just don't talk about it anymore.
26:01She says she's going to Marjorie's.
26:03And off she goes.
26:06Finding it more and more difficult to look John in the eye.
26:13Look, take him, love.
26:14And you, love.
26:16Oh, the shoes!
26:19Oh, my, my, my, love.
26:27You all right, love?
26:41Yeah, I think I'll take this into the back room and listen to the news for a bit.
26:47And then I'll go up, I think.
26:49Yes, well, I'm going now.
26:51Have a good night.
26:55Oh.
26:57Don't stop up too late.
27:02Mum?
27:02Hmm?
27:05Good night.
27:07Good night, love.
27:23Something's happening to us, isn't it?
27:27When I touch you, you...
27:30Oh, I don't know, but you...
27:33I'm sorry.
27:35I don't mean to.
27:38It won't get any better, either will it, the way things are.
27:43I...
27:43I do want you, but it's just the part of...
27:48Which part, Margaret?
27:50Well, the, uh...
27:52The part that was me before I met you.
27:53The part I barged in on this morning.
27:55Oh, I'm sorry I did that.
28:05I just thought...
28:06Yeah, well, did it help you to understand?
28:08Yes.
28:08Yes, well, perhaps as well.
28:09You did, then.
28:13You know, when I first met John, all that I'd ever wanted,
28:16I mean, the, uh, you know, the kind of life I'd ever wanted
28:19was, uh, what, a bit like Mum and Dad, I suppose.
28:22Well, how I saw them, you know, I mean, uh, house and children.
28:28I thought all that meant love.
28:34Well, perhaps that's what it is.
28:39You know, perhaps we're the ones who are kidding ourselves.
28:41No, no, I...
28:46I don't think so.
28:49I mean, what we feel, we feel, and...
28:53Well, if it's what we feel, it's what we feel,
28:55and for us now, it's real, but...
28:59Well, I mean, in ten years' time,
29:01I'll be a middle-aged Liverpool schoolmistress, and you'll be...
29:04Well, how are we going to feel, then?
29:06The same, I hope.
29:08Well, suppose we don't.
29:11I suppose looking back, it all seems as unreal as if it never happened,
29:16and all the pain, you know, of being, being torn this way,
29:21this way, and that, and at the end of it all, it's just,
29:26just, oh, it's just nothing.
29:30Don't say that.
29:32Oh, I...
29:35And then there's a baby that we nearly had,
29:38and it's gone, and it's...
29:40and it's not quite gone.
29:42I mean, it's like a little ghost walking between us
29:45for the rest of our lives.
29:49I love you.
29:50I do, really.
29:52Oh, no.
29:55Oh, Michael.
29:56Oh, Michael.
29:58What's the matter, Ashton?
30:11Can't sleep.
30:13It's the same as me.
30:13It's all these extra blokes in the ward.
30:16Come on.
30:17Let's lie back.
30:18Think of happy thoughts, eh?
30:19Can you see Reynolds?
30:20Yeah, of course I can see him.
30:22He's happy, snoring away.
30:26Is he snoring?
30:28Yeah, off and on.
30:30I was hoping he wouldn't wait the rest of the ward.
30:32I mean, we've all had a busy day.
30:33He's gone quiet.
30:35Yeah, he goes like that.
30:36In the unit, he went just like that.
30:38Yeah, he goes like that.
31:09Get the sister.
31:10How's the matter feeling, Paulie?
31:10For Reynolds.
31:11No, it's all right.
31:12It's fine.
31:12Just to sleep.
31:13Here we are.
31:13That's it.
31:14Here we go.
31:16There we go.
31:17Right there.
31:18That's it.
31:31What are you doing?
31:32What are you doing, huh?
31:32Get the sister for Reynolds.
31:34She's had a pity day.
31:36She won't like you for that.
31:37Now, come on.
31:37I told you we all sleep like that.
31:38Come on.
31:38Get it, babe.
31:41Here we are.
31:42Yeah.
31:43You like that, eh?
31:45See?
31:46You and me could do it again at cards, eh?
31:48Here we go.
32:01Here we go.
32:05Here we go.
32:18Here we go.
32:23SISTER! SISTER! SISTER, SISTER, IT'S MY PAL, RENOVS, HE'S...
32:31THANK YOU, CORPORAL.
32:49That's all for tonight.
32:53I'm sorry about him.
33:01His number was up.
33:14Well, there we are then.
33:17You were right and I was wrong.
33:19He did snore like that sometimes.
33:25He's a funny bloke, Reynolds.
33:27Poor bloke.
33:29What should I blame myself, SISTER? I mean, his number was up.
33:35You knew it. I knew it.
33:37He might have shoved tubes down and kept it going for another day.
33:41But that's a miserable end.
33:43No.
33:44He was an independent bloke, Reynolds.
33:47He knew what he liked and didn't like.
33:49He wasn't bothered much by what was right or wrong.
33:53As long as he knew what was right.
33:55He had a mother.
33:56We've all got mothers.
33:57Even the Jerry's got mothers.
33:58They told me you killed him.
33:59Well, because I didn't call SISTER.
34:01How could he tell you that?
34:02I mean, he's dead.
34:03Tell me about your foot.
34:04What about my foot?
34:05What did he say about my foot?
34:06He told me you shot it off and all the rest.
34:07Oh, that's a laugh.
34:14Listen, when they...
34:16When they asked me what happened...
34:19I say I don't know.
34:21Well, Reynolds is dead now, so...
34:23Well, I can tell you.
34:27Reynolds shot it off.
34:28He didn't mean to.
34:30But he shot it off.
34:31Well, who means what he'd do these days?
34:33I don't believe you.
34:35I'll, er...
34:37I'll get you another pill, shall I?
34:40Yeah.
34:51Ashton.
34:53I'm gonna tell you what happened.
35:01I'm gonna tell you.
35:05Well, let's say...
35:09That there's a man.
35:11Let's not call him Reynolds or anyone.
35:14Just a man.
35:15Yes.
35:16If a man wants to get back to these people he left behind.
35:20Back to his career.
35:21Well, I mean, if he's ambitious.
35:23What does he do?
35:25He does himself an injury.
35:28Well, not too much.
35:29So...
35:31He decides...
35:32To shoot the toe off.
35:35His big toe off.
35:36On his left foot.
35:37So that...
35:38He can't quite walk properly.
35:39Can't...
35:40Can't run away.
35:44Now, he doesn't want to get ten years inside.
35:46So he decides to be cunning.
35:48He'll do it...
35:49When there's firing.
35:50So that...
35:51It...
35:52It looks like he didn't.
35:53You'll see.
35:57So that day...
35:59When the man had decided...
36:02He was quiet and we could see the tanks.
36:06And the man...
36:07Had his rifle pointed at his foot.
36:09Now, he knew Ashton.
36:15He knew.
36:16If the Jerry's heard a shot...
36:17That would be the end of us.
36:21So he didn't shoot.
36:23He didn't intend to shoot.
36:26But he was practicing, see.
36:28He did not intend to shoot that shot.
36:32But...
36:33Somebody came in.
36:35And interrupted him.
36:36And tried to get the gun off him.
36:38And it...
36:39And it went off.
36:40He shot his foot off.
36:42No!
36:43No!
36:47No!
36:50Now, if...
36:51If my memory serves me right...
36:52It was...
36:53It was Wendell that had the gun.
36:55It was me that came in.
36:57And tried to get the gun off him.
36:59And the gun came up a bit.
37:01And...
37:02He shot my foot off.
37:04It was a pure accident.
37:06He shot...
37:07He shot my toes off.
37:08And a bit of foot too.
37:09Oh, then of course...
37:10Jerry's was on top of us.
37:11You shot your own foot off.
37:12I didn't...
37:15He went off his dead.
37:18He's his word against mine.
37:20I'm not...
37:21I'm not accusing him of anything.
37:22All I'm saying is...
37:23It was bad luck for both of us.
37:24Good heavens.
37:25Shouldn't you be in bed?
37:26Couldn't sleep.
37:27Are you taking the tablets?
37:28Yeah.
37:29They don't seem to do any good anymore.
37:30Would you like me to make you a nice hot drink?
37:31No, no, no thanks, sir.
37:32I just have one.
37:33Mother's gone to bed, by the way.
37:34Yes, well I thought she would have.
37:35I've been to the club with Sefton.
37:36I've only been there a couple of times before.
37:37I can't say I'm all that struck.
37:38But when somebody invites you...
37:39Margaret's gone to see this woman again.
37:43Oh, I see...
38:00She's not back yet then.
38:02Doesn't...
38:03Doesn't...
38:04Doesn't she ever come here?
38:07You mean...
38:08What's her name?
38:10Marjorie, isn't it?
38:12isn't it yes well um she does sometimes or used to she might stay the night again I suppose well
38:20if she misses the bus I dare say well I don't blame her good heavens no I'm not much to come
38:24back to am I John John you mustn't think like that I was just feeling sorry for myself you've
38:33got a right to feel sorry for yourself we understand we just want you to get better
38:42I've missed the last book yes I know well then why didn't you tell me it was because I didn't
39:00want you to go oh completely selfish am I and I've been patient then
39:09reluctantly patient may be but haven't I been patient well I've done it before of course but
39:17well it's just that I get all tensed up sometimes and I wonder what if something went wrong and they
39:23rang Marjorie or even John did then it'd all come out wouldn't it but just like that you saw I was
39:32yes you do understand how I feel yes well then
39:36nothing what can I say
39:41sorry
39:46yeah
39:48no
39:50um
39:50yeah
39:52yeah
39:54yeah
39:55yeah
39:56yeah
39:57yeah
40:01yeah
40:03yeah
40:05I don't know.
40:35morning morning morning morning morning morning sir
40:51we haven't changed the dressing yet
40:54can you see anything no well take that time ashton and i've news for you in about a week we're going
41:10to ship you to south africa to convalesce without my sight possibly it's up to your eyes to do
41:15something about it they'll clear they'll clear is that a promise no doctor can promise that
41:20but i've had lots of cases and they do clear for many many of them do clear give it time ashton
41:31and peace which you'll get in a convalescent home doctor please sir please will you tell me straight
41:39one way or the other i'm just sitting here i'm not doing anything i'm not planning or training
41:44anything please for god's sake i would say ashton that you'd be a little previous if you started
41:51to learn braille now further than that i can't go you should be up and around a lot more now what's
41:59your name again now smith yes sir you're a cheerful fellow how's your shoulder very good sir you can
42:05walk around can't you yes sir good could you help sergeant hashton here see that he gets where he
42:10wants to go yes sir fine i'll change your dressing now thank you don't worry sergeant don't worry
42:21you tell me i'll see to you well i'll see to you you can't see to me can you i'm a big fella 18 stone
42:30because i eat well because i'm a cook you know what happened to me it was the funniest thing
42:36i was cooking up so i got my ladder first stands in it for me the lads i was making rice pud so i'm up
42:44the ladder i hear the creak and the crunch i held on then the shelf come down all the rice
42:50buried alive in bloody rice follow me and put my shoulder out i was lucky 18 stone i don't know what
42:58they'll be doing now well monday jam sponge there's only three of us i'm looking forward to what they're
43:05doing here got a great reputation this place best place in the desert dumplings gravy now sergeant
43:14sister is grant still out yes he's having a board yes i know he's for home well we'll let the board
43:23decide sister before reynolds died he told me about grant's foot he said it was a self-infected wound and
43:31that it helped wipe out his whole unit i'm a nursing sister i don't concern myself with those things
43:36if you want to see your senior officer i'll arrange it do you i'm asking your advice
43:44there comfortable thank you sister
43:51and then right at the end well practically the end he looked up into her eyes and he said
43:59god bless you sister oh i wet buckets my cousin elder that i was with said he passed away after that
44:05but she couldn't see no better than i could because he was in the top new rush and they were all over
44:09the seats trying to get to the exit before the king so that's all i know about nursing really except
44:15what your frieda's told me but it's a useful sort of job wouldn't you say hmm i'm sorry i i beg your
44:22pardon nursing useful you know yes yes sir i suppose it is i'm glad frieda decided to go
44:31of course they might not have me still she says they're not so particular these days with a shortage you
44:36know excuse me love i think the doctor's coming down oh is somebody poorly then excuse me love
44:42and you keep an eye on him of course yes yes of course pretty well all the time if somebody can be
44:47spared yes we will excuse me i'm coming soon bye mr ashton goodbye doris uh goodbye doctor and thank you
44:55very much well asleep that's all just sleep that's what he wanted isn't it is it well he was desperate
45:04for it he just didn't realize how many tablets he was taking oh for heaven's sake don't go telling
45:10that to margaret what you're thinking i am going to tell her but gene
45:18gene it'll be kind of blackmail perhaps it could just be the truth you think that's what john would
45:26want suppose he did take all those tablets to the idea of it it wasn't to influence margaret
45:31because he doesn't know doesn't he but you haven't told him no i haven't told him sometimes people
45:41have an instinct about being not wanted he was desperate for sleep that's all he didn't know
45:46what he was doing i am going to tell her edwin
45:59oh for god's sake let it rest until you've thought about it i have thought about it
46:06you don't have to look at me like that you don't need to remind me margaret gene we've had to send for
46:11the doctor for john he's taken an overdose of tablets why has someone get one of you nobody told
46:19him anything no one has to you can hide the facts from him but you can't completely hide the way you
46:26feel look love he was desperately tired he didn't know what he was doing it has nothing to do with
46:30the other business if i hadn't come down in the night and seen the bottle wasn't there and then gone into
46:35his room he he probably wouldn't be here now he's all right yes yes he's all right you've got to decide
46:46love not tomorrow or the day after you've got to decide now i already have decided mum i decided on the
46:55way home oh god hey are you all right yes yes i i just feel well sit down you silly old sausage
47:15getting yourself all worked up you let them sort out their own lives we want to rest you and me if we'd
47:23spent a bit more time sorting out our own troubles go on close your eyes and forget all about it go on
47:34i'll go put the kettle on
47:53go on
48:06Hey, that's me off, then.
48:17Give yourselves time to know each other.
48:23Think well of going through our new life together.
48:26The years to come.
48:29Ask to marry someone.
48:33Funny the way things turn out.
48:36Yeah, well, I've been thinking.
48:40That shot that Reynolds fired that brought to Jerry's, I mean, I could have been killed.
48:44Well, I could have got Reynolds' wound.
48:47What's what I mean? Funny the way things turn out.
48:50How long did it take you to think of that?
48:55No particular time.
48:58Reynolds said afterwards that he carried you to safety before he went back to the others.
49:03All the things people say.
49:05Now, I wish I could see this picture.
49:10It's my wife.
49:14Well, I'll be going by the Cape, probably.
49:17Nice long sea journey.
49:20Well, you should be all right by the time I go home.
49:24See you.
49:26Ta-ra, fellas.
49:27Ta-ra.
49:28Grant!
49:35Come back, Grant.
49:47Is that a light there?
49:48Oh, yes.
49:53It's the tent door.
49:57Go back again.
50:05I can see.
50:07Light.
50:09In this eye.
50:10I can see.
50:14I can see.
50:15It's light.
50:22Good for you.
50:26See you.
50:27Hey, guys.
50:34Good for you.
50:37Bye.
50:43Bye.
50:44Bye.
50:44Bye.
50:45Bye.
50:53Bye.
50:54Bye.
50:54Bye.
50:55Bye.
50:56ORCHESTRA PLAYS
51:26ORCHESTRA PLAYS