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TVTranscript
00:00["Pomp and Circumstance"]
00:30["Pomp and Circumstance"]
00:40Starting to write this letter, I found myself thinking of Liverpool as it was.
00:45Before all this, before you left us for the sunshine in Australia,
00:49and before you married Tom.
00:53Those holidays by the sea before the war,
00:56all the children together, all of us together,
00:59and in memory, the summer seemed to last forever.
01:04But when I go to work on the ferry on those dark winter days,
01:07and it seems to be always night,
01:09I look down at the river with all the coldness of the sea in it,
01:12and Robert looks back at me and I hear Jean's voice say,
01:15never again, never.
01:17Oh, there's a word.
01:20There's where the dreams end, Helen.
01:25But the long cold nights in the shelters are gone, forever we hope,
01:29or at least for us they are.
01:31Only the scars are here in the city to remind us.
01:35The night the bomb fell on Lewis'.
01:38The night I pulled the woman from the rubble with the dead child in her arms.
01:42The night Margaret was injured and the child inside her that died.
01:47I went to the cemetery to see to Jean's grave the other day,
01:50even before it happened,
01:52and the shadows were darkening over those years we call before the war.
01:56She seemed to stop smiling, almost as if she knew.
02:00And yet we're among the lucky ones, aren't we? Surely we are.
02:05Margaret, back teaching her children.
02:08Philip, training others to fight.
02:10John, away from it all and ready to go back to work.
02:13Frieda, still glowing with the promise of better things.
02:18Only David to fear for, with the fear that war brings.
02:22David bringing fear to others.
02:25But you fear for him too, in the way that you did when he was a child.
02:29Thoughtless, careless, charming away the irritation.
02:33When he's not here to charm, as he seldom is these days,
02:36you worry about what's going to happen to him,
02:39of two children lost in Wales,
02:41and Sheila, who seems lost to all of them.
02:46Empty houses.
02:48Houses are empty, even though perhaps there's only one away.
02:52He was his mother's favourite,
02:54though it was Robert going that broke her heart,
02:57and although she died feeling I'd failed her,
03:00or perhaps because of that,
03:02it's David I think of most, perhaps, these days,
03:06of something I could do to help him.
03:10To bring him home for both of us.
03:13Well, wake up, Grampus. We want to clean in here.
03:16I mean, what's Margaret going to say when she gets back from Mrs. Porter's sterile establishment
03:20and sees all this muck?
03:21I'm writing to your Aunt Helen.
03:23Well, I'll give you five more minutes.
03:25Hey, I wanted to write to David too.
03:27Well, David will wait.
03:32Dave?
03:33Hello, Frank.
03:35What are you doing in Officer's Quarters? Shut the door, quick.
03:37Well, I was urged you back off your course.
03:39When do you start your next tour?
03:41I want a 48 first, mate.
03:43Just popped in, you know, to leave me a spare Nikes.
03:46Oh, I picked this up while I was getting mine.
03:48Oh, thanks.
03:50It's from Wales. It'll be from my kid, Peter.
03:53Two lines on the bottom from Janet.
03:55He's a nice little writer.
03:57Hi, I'm with your old crew. Standing.
04:00Is Bryant all right?
04:02Peter? Peter Bryant? Yeah, he's a good bloke.
04:06Oh, sod it.
04:08What's up?
04:09It's from her, Mrs Thomas.
04:11She's moaning about her money.
04:13I could have sworn I was up to date with the kids.
04:15You know, I usually give out a bit extra for the kiddies.
04:18I don't suppose you happen to have a dirty old fiver
04:20you're going to chuck in a dustbin?
04:22Sorry, Dave.
04:23Hey, I did pay you back last time, didn't I?
04:25Yeah, of course you did. It's not that.
04:27Hey, you'll be on your commissioning leave soon now, won't you?
04:30You'll be all right then, mate. Yep.
04:32Last stop of the tour, this one with Bryant.
04:34I don't know, it's always the same, isn't it, last stop?
04:36Wondering whether you're going to make it?
04:38You'll make it, kid.
04:40Have you worked out the odds lately, mate?
04:42No, I don't go in for it, Frank. I didn't think you did either.
04:45Ah, it's just mental arithmetic.
04:47Ever thought how many's left of the old lot?
04:49The ones that were here that summer before the war.
04:52Or last summer, come to think of it.
04:54Look, I don't go in for it, mate.
04:56I didn't myself until lately.
04:59I don't know, it all keeps coming back to me, you know?
05:02All the old faces.
05:04John Dawes.
05:05Gerry Egan.
05:06Pongo Subri.
05:08Pop Travis and his cherry wood walking sticks.
05:11Remember old Pop Travis?
05:13He was the first one that had it, was Pop Frank.
05:16You know what, Dave, when this lot's all over
05:18and we're lying in bed one Saturday night after a good night out,
05:21it'll all come back to us.
05:23All the old faces.
05:25From all the other good night outs.
05:27This won't be around every Saturday from now on.
05:30Look, don't go on about it, Frankie.
05:35You know, I don't want to know.
05:37What's the point?
05:39I think I'm losing my nerve, Dave.
05:42You're what?
05:44I'll probably end up with LMF across me pay book.
05:47Lack of moral fibre.
05:49I always used to wonder what that was, you know, moral fibre.
05:53Do you know?
05:55I'm not sure even now.
05:57It's, er...
06:00It's after you've pressed that button
06:03and you look down and you think,
06:05oh, that lot probably finished off a few hundred men, women and kids.
06:09And then the skipper comes on the intercom and he says,
06:12good show, chaps, but you don't spew,
06:14you start thinking about yourself and how you're going to get out of it.
06:18That's moral fibre, Frankie.
06:21Hmm. You feel like that too, eh?
06:23We all do, you daft sod, so shut up about it, eh?
06:26You sound like, er...
06:28What's his name? Screwy Gardner in the Turk's Head
06:30the week before he got married.
06:32He was flakking when it was going to be his honeymoon.
06:35You know what I am?
06:37What?
06:39I'm going to get married.
06:41I don't believe it.
06:44And who's having you?
06:46Chrissie from the parachute store.
06:48Chrissie? She said yes to you?
06:50Yes!
06:51Well, how about that, then?
06:53Eh?
06:54How about that? Congratulations, mate.
06:57That's what I wanted to see before you went.
06:59We'd like you to be best man.
07:01I should bloody well think so.
07:03I'm having a drink in the Turk's Head tonight, giving her the ring.
07:06You'll come?
07:07I can't, mate. I'm on this 48.
07:10Look, I tell you what, I'll phone at the Turk's Head from London
07:14and I'll talk to Chris.
07:16Here come the Mrs Mops.
07:18I haven't finished. That wasn't five minutes.
07:20I'm sorry, but we haven't got all day.
07:22Why don't you go to the pub for half an hour?
07:24It's barely opening time.
07:26You're driving me into bad habits, young woman.
07:28Oh, go on. It'll do you good.
07:30Unless you'd like a vacuum and polish.
07:32No, I'll set up at the pub, I think.
07:34Go on, then.
07:35My dad was barman at the Vic till he passed out under the pumps one night.
07:39He tried to tell him it was just the smell.
07:41He said he could stay on as long as he promised to wear his gas mask.
07:44Have you ever tried drinking your pint through a gas mask?
07:47No!
07:48My mother still carries hers, you know.
07:50She reckons the Jerrys are digging a tunnel under the North Sea.
07:53Maybe they couldn't, could they?
07:54I wouldn't think so, love.
07:56Hey, where are you going with that?
07:58Up to the attic.
07:59And isn't it about time we decorated in here?
08:01What with? Government circus. You can't get the stuff, love.
08:04Hey, and why not get rid of all that toast stuff?
08:06I mean, we've got a perfectly good suite in the front room.
08:08And when do we ever use it?
08:10When Mrs. Porter comes.
08:11You can give us a hand to lump it in.
08:13I thought I'd been ordered to the pub.
08:15Well, it'll give you a thirst. Any objections?
08:18Yes, I like it the way it is.
08:21Oh.
08:22Oh, all right, then.
08:23But we're still going to have a good clear out.
08:27Uh, Doris?
08:29Yes, Mr. Ashton?
08:30If I said Ian McKenzie to you, what would you say to me?
08:33Oh, uh, well, nothing, Mr. Ashton.
08:35Look, I'm not asking you to be disloyal to Freda, but I am her father.
08:39And, well, he rang here yesterday.
08:41It seems she'd half promised to go somewhere with him.
08:44Oh, did he? Had she?
08:46You didn't know, I take it?
08:47No, honest. She still is a clammer, he's concerned.
08:51I can tell she's trying to give him the brush off, though.
08:54The brush off?
08:55That's how it looks to me, any road.
08:57It does.
08:58I think she's bore me.
08:59You do?
09:00I think she's crackers. I mean, he's a catch, isn't he?
09:03Is he?
09:04Well, he's a consultant. You know, like God.
09:07We are less than the worms, us.
09:09Less than the dust beneath our chariot wheels.
09:12Do you know that song?
09:13I get the general idea, but that doesn't mean she has to like him.
09:16Oh, I think she likes him, all right. I mean, who wouldn't?
09:18I'd fall fainting at his feet, me.
09:20Then why the brush off, Doris?
09:23Search me.
09:24Peculiar, though, aren't they?
09:26Who?
09:27Women.
09:28Is this your jigsaw puzzle?
09:43Hello, Peter.
09:44Ah, Dave.
09:45Trouble?
09:46Well, no. If this crate packs up by tomorrow, we'll be on this show.
09:50Why did you ever leave us?
09:52We just get spare parts all the time.
09:54You'll be all right with Frank.
09:56Oh, yes, he's one of the best old Frankie.
09:58He came in with me, you know, just before the war.
10:00Not one of you wartime types.
10:02I mean, one of the old school, eh?
10:04Right. There aren't many of us left, you know, so take care of him, will you?
10:08If he gets his commission next week, by the way, there'll be tons to talk to him then.
10:11And would you say that he's better than Cornford?
10:14Cornford? He's not Cornford. He's a cock's hat.
10:17Yeah, he's salt of the earth, Frank.
10:20Well, I suppose I'll go to Liverpool then.
10:23No, London.
10:25Any messages?
10:27Who for?
10:28I see your sister.
10:30Ooh.
10:33Why, is something wrong?
10:35No, no, no, it's just that I thought it was all over, that's all.
10:37I mean, you did go home last week, didn't you?
10:40Yes. Well, my mother, you know.
10:43Excuse me, sir.
10:44Oh, yeah.
10:47Look, Dave, if you're going to see Grace, I think there's something that you ought to know.
10:50Charles, her husband, is coming home.
10:53When?
10:54Well, at the end of the month, she said.
10:56A friend of his came back from Cairo and said that he'd be on the next batch.
11:00I was with Grace at the weekend, as a matter of fact.
11:04Yes, well?
11:05Well, she said that she assumed that you'd ditched her, never been ditched before.
11:08It was a new experience.
11:10I told her about your mother.
11:15Look, Pete, I didn't even feel like phoning.
11:18You know, not anybody.
11:24So, her husband's coming home, and what you're trying to say is that there's no future for me with Grace, right?
11:29Look, Dave, I don't think there's a future for anybody with Grace.
11:32Warning lights on, eh?
11:34Well, I do know her rather well, you know.
11:36Yes, well, we'll just have to see then, won't we?
11:41Pete, do you know what your sister does for me?
11:45She makes me feel somebody.
11:50Oh, just the brilliant navigator we were talking about.
11:53Yeah, that's him.
11:54Don't forget, look after him, right?
12:00Be lucky, Frank.
12:02Don't do anything I wouldn't do.
12:03Yeah.
12:04Hey, give my love to Chrissie.
12:06Not bloody likely.
12:07Oh, give my love to Grace.
12:09Oh, and tell her to give you my tennis racket, will you?
12:12Your tennis racket?
12:14Yes.
12:15Yeah, right.
12:19You know, he's a moderate smoker, didn't drink that much till his mother died, but a woman, oh boy.
12:24He's all right, is Dave.
12:25Salt of the earth.
12:28Well, she's a tracer.
12:29Machine tool drawing office.
12:31Oh, thanks.
12:32That gives me a very clear picture.
12:34I can almost see her.
12:36She's small, blonde, quite pretty, a bit younger than me, all right?
12:46So you took her to the theatre, did you?
12:48Yeah.
12:50Don't ask me what the flair was.
12:51Why?
12:52Didn't you like it?
12:53No.
12:54I knew I wouldn't before we went.
12:56What did you want to go for then?
12:58She wanted to see it.
13:00That's love for you.
13:02Pure sacrifice, that was.
13:03Colin, why are you telling me all this?
13:05See if I'd mind.
13:09Well, you know...
13:10Of course I don't mind.
13:11I've got no right to mind, have I?
13:24So that's why you haven't been round here for months, is it?
13:27Months?
13:28Well, doesn't it mean?
13:30Well, the firm don't send me over as much these days, you know.
13:33Oh.
13:35Do you miss me?
13:36Well, I would have liked a postcard or something.
13:38The last thing you said to me was, I'll see you next week.
13:41I was beginning to wonder what I'd done.
13:43Well, like I said, we go to the theatre every Saturday.
13:46It's only the rep, you know.
13:48I would have been going tonight
13:49if the drawing office manager hadn't shuttled me over here for the weekend.
13:53Look, I'm due back in half an hour, by the way, so...
13:55Well, you'd better be going then, hadn't you?
14:00Yeah.
14:03Yeah, well, thanks for giving me dinner anyway.
14:06You're welcome.
14:08I'm staying at Mrs Bradshaw's, by the way.
14:10Oh.
14:11You're not going back to Preston, then?
14:13Well, I...
14:15Are you one of the naughty today?
14:17No.
14:18Oh, well, I could pop back later, then, if you're not doing anything.
14:22No, I was thinking of going to the pictures, actually.
14:25Oh.
14:26Well, er...
14:29Actually, I wouldn't mind the pictures.
14:31For a change.
14:33A change from the theatre, you mean?
14:36Yeah.
14:37Yeah, a change from the theatre.
14:40Well, I suppose I'll leave you with the pans.
14:42Well, look, I'm going about 7 o'clock,
14:43so if you're not here by then, well, I know you're not coming, all right?
14:46Oh, I probably will be.
14:49Probably, anyway.
14:50Oh, well...
14:52I might see you later, then.
14:54Yeah, yeah, might see you later.
14:57Yes.
14:58Possibly, anyway.
15:00Probably.
15:16Isn't it time you found a new place for this?
15:19Have we met?
15:21What?
15:23The face is familiar, but...
15:25Oh, Grace.
15:28Key, please.
15:33Yes, you're quite right.
15:35It is time I found a new place for it.
15:38Look, Grace, I thought you'd...
15:39You've got a damn cheek, Mr Ashton, sir.
15:41Well, I thought you'd understand.
15:43I'm not a very understanding woman, sir, I'm told.
15:47Why don't you go and try your wife?
15:49My God, I'm beginning to understand her.
15:51All right, all right, you've made your point.
15:53Oh, bloody well, go!
15:54David!
15:56You've behaved very badly.
15:59If you'd like to apologise for not writing or telephoning
16:02or even sending a message through Peter...
16:05You want me to say I'm sorry?
16:08Please.
16:10I spend half my life saying I'm sorry, Grace.
16:15Then say it to me.
16:19If that's what you want...
16:22I'm sorry.
16:24Why didn't he come tonight?
16:26He's gone on leave. He said he's phoned.
16:28Oh, if he remembers.
16:30He could have gone to that wife's dance.
16:32What, and shared you with all those ugly irks?
16:34Tonight? Not really likely.
16:36Has Dave gone home?
16:38London.
16:39Still on the rocks?
16:40It's not just Dave. His wife's got another bloke.
16:43He told me ages ago.
16:45Anyway, I thought I'd told you.
16:47What would you do if I got another bloke?
16:50Don't say things like that, Chrissie.
16:52Oh, I'm only joking, love.
16:54Yeah, well, don't, eh?
16:56No, I wouldn't.
17:01I thought I'd let him know.
17:14There you are, darling.
17:18Cheers.
17:23Peter says your husband is coming home at the end of the month.
17:26No.
17:28He does, does he?
17:30Well, is he?
17:32Possibly.
17:34Well, that's it, then.
17:36It?
17:38You and me.
17:40Did I say so?
17:42Did I say so?
17:44Well, what else, love?
17:46Darling, Charles and I have an arrangement.
17:49We always have had.
17:51He goes his way and I go mine.
17:54You mean you're separated?
17:56We have an arrangement.
17:59I thought you knew.
18:02Well, you're not complaining, are you?
18:07Can I use the phone, please?
18:10Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition
18:13And we'll all grow free
18:16Are you all right, then?
18:18Yeah. Yeah, I think so, yeah.
18:21More or less.
18:22Are you all right, Dave?
18:24Yeah, yeah, I'm fine.
18:26How's Chrissie?
18:28She's fine. She's right next to me.
18:30Do you want to have a whirl with her?
18:32OK, hang on, I'll pass you over.
18:34Yeah, I want to have a whirl with you.
18:36Dave, it's Chrissie.
18:38Hello, love. I just rang up to say congratulations.
18:41Thanks, Dave.
18:44Um, look after him, won't you?
18:47I'll try to.
18:49Well, goodbye, Chriss.
18:51Have a good night, eh?
18:53Thanks, Dave.
18:57That was a mate of mine and his girl.
19:00They're getting married next week.
19:02Good luck.
19:09He's doing his last stop of the tour tomorrow night.
19:12He's navigating for your brother Pete, actually.
19:16Oh, Chrissie!
19:25Hello, Frank.
19:26Oh, hello, Pete. You know Chrissie?
19:28Yeah, yeah, of course I do.
19:30Well, it's more like Sunday than Saturday night.
19:32Yeah.
19:33Can I get you a drink?
19:34No, it's OK. We're all right, thanks.
19:36OK, see you tomorrow, then.
19:37See you, Pete.
20:00Does David never come home these days?
20:02No, David never comes home these days.
20:05Oh, yes, sorry. I'm doing an injustice.
20:07He did come home, um, for a couple of days last month.
20:11But where's home?
20:13Well, it's not here, but it shouldn't be.
20:15That's why I'm going round to see Sheila,
20:17because one of us ought to care if she's all right or not.
20:20Ooh!
20:21That's a fly, isn't it?
20:23Watch the hook.
20:24Get out.
20:26That'd have gone past her barb.
20:27You'd have had a very nasty time.
20:29That is another thing I ought to throw out.
20:33It was given to me by a little man I met in Southport,
20:36called Pentecost.
20:38Ages and ages ago.
20:40What, this big throw-out, eh?
20:42Well, I'm chucking out the past.
20:44Ooh, you wait till I get my S.R.N.
20:46You won't see me for dust.
20:48Oh, well, I can see I've come at the wrong time.
20:50Oh, no, it's nice to see you, sailor.
20:52But you won't come out with me?
20:54Well, as it's Sunday, we could go to church,
20:57but, uh, sorry, no, I'm going round to Sheila's.
20:59Dorisville, weren't you, Jake?
21:01Where I am.
21:02I'm coming with you, aren't I?
21:03Well, it's tonight, not now.
21:05I mean, you don't have to come to Sheila's anyway.
21:07Wouldn't you rather go out with the loom, you sailor?
21:09Well, I thought, um...
21:11Go on, ask her.
21:13Oh, well, yes.
21:16What about the pictures or something?
21:18Oh, you've not got a very original line, have you?
21:21Well, um, I couldn't any road,
21:23cos, um, I haven't got anything to wear.
21:27I'll finish off straightening up in the front room.
21:31Yes.
21:33You embarrass the poor girl.
21:35You embarrass the poor girl.
21:37She's scared of you cos you're an officer.
21:39Perhaps the pictures or something.
21:40Well...
21:41Is that the best you can do?
21:42She'd have talked about it for months.
21:44You didn't want to, did you?
21:46You're just a little bit of a snob in your own way.
21:48No, I'm not.
21:50That's not a very nice thing to say.
21:52Oh, I'm sorry.
21:55Yes, well, uh...
21:57There could be a grain of truth in it, I suppose.
22:00Blame my upbringing.
22:02Oh, well.
22:04Mum didn't like her either.
22:06She never said anything, but...
22:09She's my best friend, Doris, you know.
22:12She's got dozens of boyfriends.
22:13Dozens?
22:14Dozens.
22:15Sometimes it's a swaddy as ugly as Sin,
22:18or a matelot with a perpetually runny nose,
22:20or an irk with hair as black as oil skin.
22:23Oh, they're all awful.
22:24At least I think so.
22:25But she thinks it's marvellous while it lasts,
22:28which isn't all that long.
22:30And when are you going to fall in love?
22:32Oh, love?
22:34Well, what is love?
22:36I mean...
22:38Margaret leaving John,
22:40leaving Michael,
22:42David leaving Sheila,
22:45and Mum leaving Dad.
22:48You're romantic, Tony Price.
22:53It can be fun, you know.
22:55Oh, you mean sex?
22:57Well...
22:58Oh, come on, no tar like you blushing.
23:00It is a word people use nowadays, you know.
23:02Yes.
23:03Honestly, if I'd just been a girl instead of your cousin.
23:07Anyway, I think it's overrated.
23:11And you know all about it, of course.
23:14Well, as a matter of fact, I don't.
23:16But I bet you do.
23:18I bet you've had dozens of girls.
23:20As a matter of fact.
23:24Just Ginny?
23:28Yes, more or less.
23:30Even that's wearing a bit thin.
23:32You were her?
23:34Me, I suppose.
23:35I was the one that wanted marriage. How about that for a laugh?
23:41She's very beautiful, isn't she?
23:44Yes, she's very beautiful.
23:46Yes, you walk into a pub with her, men positively drool.
23:50Perhaps I don't want a wife that men positively drool at.
23:54Can be very irritating.
23:56Yes.
23:58Oh, well, at least no one's going to have that problem with me.
24:02Frieda, love, there's somebody to see you.
24:04I'll put him through there.
24:06Him?
24:08Offer him a cup of tea. I'll put the kettle on.
24:14Mum says we can go and live with him when we both get out.
24:17Until we get a place of our own, of course.
24:19I've got a pair of slippers back home.
24:21I only wear them leaves. They'll be as good as new when this lot's over.
24:26I wish you could get out, though.
24:28This camp's all right for a bloke, but I don't fancy my wife living here somewhere.
24:31All these rough airmen?
24:33Yeah, in a way.
24:35I just couldn't bear to think of you with anybody else, Chrissie.
24:38What sort of talk's that?
24:40Three weeks before we get married.
24:42I don't mean that you'd...
24:44Well...
24:46There won't ever be anybody else.
24:48Well, if there has to be, there has to be. You understand.
24:51I have to get back to the stores.
24:53I'll see you tonight before briefing. I'll wait round the corner.
24:56OK, I'll make it a bit earlier, about ten to.
24:58See you then.
25:05Well, I tried to get a new kite,
25:07but they gave me all the new jobs to the Sprog crew.
25:10Oh, well, anyway, the armourer's got the guns working.
25:13There's still something wrong with the feed.
25:15So it's on, then.
25:17Well, unless Adolf surrenders before take-off.
25:19Oh, fat chance.
25:21Look, old chap, you're a friend of Dave's.
25:23You don't happen to know if he's short of cash?
25:25Cash?
25:27I was in the mess just now.
25:29There were a couple of rather offensive types
25:31moaning about Dave owing them money.
25:33He doesn't owe me any.
25:35He's not broke or anything?
25:37No, I don't think so.
25:39He's knocking about with my sister.
25:41Oh, well, thanks, old chap.
25:43You've set my mind at rest.
25:45See you at the briefing.
25:47You might find this useful for anatomy.
25:50It's a wee bit advanced, perhaps.
25:53Seemed a shame to check them out if they might be useful to somebody.
25:56Thanks.
25:58But, as a matter of fact,
26:00I'm not too bad at anatomy.
26:04I'll leave this with you, if you don't mind.
26:06Excuse me.
26:08Dad, where's Toby? In the kitchen.
26:10Why don't you both come in here?
26:12He's been helping me with a little job I've been meaning to get round to,
26:14and if I don't do it now, it won't get done.
26:19Oh, well. Milk and sugar.
26:21Please.
26:31Didn't I pour you one?
26:33Yes, I've drunk it.
26:35Oh. Who is he?
26:37He's a doctor.
26:39He works on the crescent at the back there.
26:41We didn't know him at all until Frida started at the hospital,
26:44and he gives her a lift home sometimes.
26:46And he was very good to us when Jean died.
26:50Is he eligible?
26:52I don't know.
26:54Margaret likes him. I think he's finding it tough going.
26:59Why are we whispering?
27:01Hush.
27:04Did you play the piano?
27:06Oh, I'm the dabbler. Margaret's the clever one.
27:09Only piles of music at home, if you'd like to come and look at it.
27:11My mother and I don't play.
27:14Oh, look, Mr Mackenzie.
27:17All right, then.
27:19Oh, look, I can't even say your first name easily.
27:21I thought we'd settled all that.
27:24Look, all I want at the moment is just to get my arse out of here
27:27and get away from here. I mean, that's...
27:29That's all I want.
27:31And, well, it's very embarrassing to hold you like this.
27:34Why? Well, you know why.
27:36Well, never mind. Struggle on.
27:40Well, I mean, I'm very flattered and all that.
27:42Oh, that sounds awful.
27:46Um, well, the fact is, you see, I mean, I do rather like you,
27:49but it's just not on, is it?
27:51I mean, A, because, well, I don't like you in that way,
27:54and B, because, well, you don't know me.
27:56I'm probably not enough for you.
27:58And C, because, well, you don't know me.
28:00I'm probably not in the least bit like you think I am.
28:03I'm not very serious about anything except when it's work and...
28:08Well, you're what you are.
28:10You know, the more you talk, the more stupid I sound.
28:13Well, I didn't mean that.
28:15And the other girl to think I'm mad.
28:18You're very popular, you know.
28:20Thank you. Yes, I know.
28:23The stock romantic figure in a hospital,
28:25the unattached consultant. It's even worse if you're a gynaecologist.
28:28Yes, and I'm the little probationer.
28:30Just doesn't wash, does it?
28:32When you put it like that, no. Let's try it another way.
28:35I seem to remember someone practising serving
28:37coming down the road from the tennis courts
28:39about four years ago.
28:42A ball through a lounge window,
28:44a ring at the doorbell,
28:46and someone standing there embarrassed but putting a face on it.
28:49Me? I didn't think you'd remember.
28:52We'd just moved in.
28:55It was a lovely summer.
28:57I'd just failed my higher school cert the year before.
29:00I was just beginning not to give a damn.
29:02Life looked pretty well all right to me.
29:05I was mad on Bruce's violin concerto.
29:09I used to take the gramophone out into the garden in the sun
29:12and play it and feel all sad and happy all at the same time.
29:17I was 18.
29:20Look...
29:22All I want is to give you a lift now and then,
29:26talk a little,
29:28and just see if we've got anything in common
29:30apart from physiology and anatomy
29:33and an awful fear of matron.
29:38I was with Peter that day.
29:40Oh, he was killed in one of the first air raids.
29:43I asked him if he'd go and get the ball, but he wouldn't.
29:46I said you could use our court, but he never came.
29:50If it goes on for another three years,
29:53I'll be 25 when it's all over.
29:56Does it worry you, growing old?
29:58I'm not very much older than 30.
30:00Well, 33 if you count the next birthday.
30:02I'm not sure that qualifies me to answer the question.
30:07Would you like some more tea?
30:11Lovely day for it.
30:13Lovely night for it too, I should think.
30:16Would you rather have it in here,
30:18or would you like it sitting down in there?
30:20Oh, no, I'd sooner have it in here, love.
30:22Lovely day for what, anyway?
30:24The race.
30:25Oh, God, darling, not that old chestnut.
30:29The derby, love, next week.
30:31Oh.
30:32They'll be spitting if anything like this.
30:35All the chaps will be there with their ladies.
30:39What kind of bloody war is this, anyway?
30:42Are you a gambler, Grace?
30:44Good money, darling.
30:46Well, I might have a quid or two on.
30:48What's the odds you got to get it from somewhere, haven't you?
30:52What's the matter?
30:54You sure to something?
30:56Yeah, a bit.
30:58Oh, remind me to ask you to go down the road after dark.
31:02Just knock on the door of number seven.
31:04Don't ask any questions.
31:06Give the old ear five and six.
31:08We're completely out of coffee.
31:10Under the counter, you mean?
31:12Well done with love and kindness, dear.
31:17Oh, what's the matter?
31:19Don't you like my omelette?
31:21Oh, yeah, yeah, it's great.
31:24Down the ceiling.
31:26Landed right on top of me in the dark.
31:29I'd scream blue murder if it was me.
31:32I look over my bed every night.
31:34No luck yet, though.
31:35Hey, Sheila, have you told the landlord?
31:37Yes, I've told the landlord.
31:39You know it's a blessing to land on the floor.
31:41Can't get this, we can't get that.
31:43All it needed was a few slates putting right up on that roof.
31:46You don't get anywhere in this world, honestly,
31:48unless you've got a man to shout for you.
31:50Except, of course, they do make suggestions.
31:52Suggestions?
31:54Suggestions, you know.
31:56Here, you take this. I'll finish up up there.
31:58Oh, thank you.
31:59Somebody put the kettle on, eh?
32:05Colin used to do all the medicines for me,
32:07but I couldn't very well get him up on that roof, could I?
32:10Oh, it still pops in, then.
32:12Well, he used to.
32:13He hasn't got to yesterday.
32:15He came round and I made him dinner.
32:18Said he was going to take me to the pictures,
32:20but he didn't.
32:22He's got this girl in Preston.
32:24Oh?
32:26Told him I'd go if he wasn't here by seven o'clock,
32:28but I didn't, I just sat here waiting.
32:30I didn't go at all, in the end.
32:32Just sat here.
32:34Just sat here, feeling jealous of the girl?
32:37Well, that's the way it goes, isn't it?
32:41Not that I can do much about it,
32:43because, you see, we're still just good friends.
32:46Oh, yes, perfectly fortunate.
32:48Yes, we are, Freda.
32:49Anyway, I mean, if I did leave David...
32:51Well, you have done all that.
32:53Colin says he wants to marry me.
32:55Well, he did. I mean, he hasn't mentioned it lately.
32:57Don't think he's thought about it properly.
32:59I mean, two kids and waiting years for a divorce.
33:04Now, if he marries this other girl,
33:06it'll all be plain sailing, won't it?
33:08Oh!
33:10Oh!
33:12Never look under another bed as long as I live!
33:14He's picked up the covers to sweep!
33:16What have I got?
33:17As big as that, a rat!
33:19Oh, God!
33:21And what about that new windcoat?
33:23Talker, eh?
33:25I wonder what Colin Miranda's been up to.
33:30Chrissie.
33:32Chrissie.
33:34I couldn't get away before the briefing.
33:36They kept me down the navigation section.
33:38I know. I went away and came back again.
33:40You're freezing. You've been here all the time.
33:42I'm all right.
33:43Got your nice new woolly on, then.
33:45Yeah.
33:46Come on, Frank.
33:48Well, I'll see you in the morning, then.
33:51See you in the morning.
33:53Frank!
34:02Darling, is that you?
34:04Did you get the coffee all right?
34:08I said, darling, did you get the coffee all right?
34:12Grace.
34:14Charles, I...
34:16I'd forgotten you had your own key.
34:19Charles, I...
34:22I'd forgotten you had your own key.
34:49Here we go.
34:51Have you got any caffeine, Frank?
34:55I don't want any.
34:57I've never felt more awake in my life.
35:19I love you.
35:50I've put a steak on under the grill for you.
35:53It won't be long.
35:55Oh, by the way, I hope they gave you a ration card.
35:59It's in my valise somewhere. Do you want it now?
36:01Good heavens, no.
36:03Just a thought.
36:07Here.
36:10How are the parents?
36:12They're fine.
36:14And you?
36:17How are the parents?
36:19Still lost in the wilds of Wales.
36:21They seem to actually like it.
36:23I hardly ever see them now.
36:25Mother comes up to town occasionally.
36:28Yes, I must go and see mine tomorrow.
36:30Yes, you must, but do telephone first.
36:33We weren't expecting you for a month, you know.
36:36Grace.
36:38Charles.
36:40Please, darling.
36:42Carol can't have been that bad.
36:44Two years, Grace. I've missed you all the time.
36:47Look, have you forgotten what we said before you went away?
36:50We talked a lot of nonsense in those days.
36:53I tried to point that out in my letters. Didn't you read them?
36:56They were lovely letters, darling. Lovely.
36:58But not quite you of late, were they?
37:00And the poetry.
37:02Didn't quite scan, did it?
37:05But they were me, Grace.
37:08I think you'll find I've changed in quite a few ways.
37:11I can hardly believe that.
37:13I haven't changed at all.
37:15Have you missed me at all?
37:18Of course.
37:20Oh, um, by the way, we have a visitor.
37:23A friend of Peter's.
37:25I sent him down the road to get some coffee.
37:27What a way to treat a guest, hmm?
37:29How is Peter? Changeless.
37:31He asked his friend to take back his tennis racket.
37:34Who else but Peter will be playing tennis during a war?
37:38Did you, um, see Ronnie Lewis in Cairo?
37:43Yes, I saw him a couple of times.
37:45Oh, he came to see me just before he was posted.
37:49Yes, he told me...
37:51in some detail.
37:56The bastard.
37:58Wait till I see him again.
38:01You won't, Grace. He died in hospital.
38:05The day before I'd left, he'd lost both his legs.
38:09Oh, did you have to tell me that?
38:13No, I didn't have to tell you any more than Ronnie Lewis had to tell me what he told me.
38:18A sort of compassion, I suppose, for both of us.
38:21I get the impression he didn't like either himself or you for it.
38:27I'm sorry.
38:29I see.
38:32Well, bloody bad luck.
38:35And you, Charles...
38:38do you like me?
38:40Grace...
38:43you might not understand this...
38:46but while I was away, I fell in love with you.
38:50And all the rest was ashes before, I suppose.
38:55In a way, yes.
38:57And now that I'm here, in the flesh, so to speak...
39:03Grace...
39:05Really, Charles, please...
39:08I'm perfectly willing to honour our contract...
39:12but for God's sake, spare me your bloody poetry.
39:28Thanks.
39:35She's weeping into her pillow.
39:39Doris? Whatever for?
39:41Oh, I just told her about Leslie Howard.
39:43Oh. He was one of your mother's great favourites, you know.
39:47Yes.
39:52Oh, by the way, we're being called for in the morning.
39:55Ah.
39:57About half past seven, I'm afraid.
39:59Well, that's all right, love. Your Uncle Sefton's calling for me at half past eight.
40:02We're going to Manchester.
40:04Oh.
40:10When's, uh...
40:12John going back to work?
40:14Um, it's Monday tomorrow.
40:16Fortnight tomorrow, it'll be.
40:18Oh.
40:20Well, if he's fit enough to go back to work...
40:22he'll be fit enough for her to break the bad news to him.
40:25What bad news?
40:27About what happened with Michael while John was away.
40:29That's still up to Margaret, isn't it?
40:31Yes. Well, she knows what I think about it.
40:34You're even more of a little madam these days than you used to be, aren't you?
40:38Well, it's time somebody started to chuck their weight about.
40:41Do you know, if our David ever happens to be home when I get back from Sheila's...
40:45I can tell him a few home truths, and I mean that.
40:47And that'll help a great deal, of course.
40:50No, but then nothing will now.
40:53And do you know why?
40:55Because she's just beginning to lose that ridiculous thing she's always had about him.
41:00One of these days.
41:02And it's not so far off, she's going to fall head over heels for some other fella.
41:06And when that happens, I'm going to give three hearty cheers...
41:09because I'm 100% on her side.
41:11Well, you can put me down at 75%, but I'm...
41:14I'm a man, so perhaps I'm not so prejudiced.
41:17Yeah, prejudiced the other way, you mean.
41:19He is your brother, love.
41:21And what does that mean, Dad? Put a label on him.
41:23Frieda Ashton's brother. Excuse P.T. indecent behaviour.
41:27Oh, and she gets her divorce.
41:29Divorce?
41:30When did she mention divorce?
41:33Oh, she didn't actually mention it, but...
41:36it's the way her mind's going.
41:38Damned war.
41:40It's not just the war, Dad, and you know it.
41:42It's David and his dreams of a better land far, far away.
41:46Well, I only hope he finds it.
41:49Because I'm not sure it's even there.
41:52Well, facts are better than dreams.
42:02Grace is having a bath.
42:04I'm Gould, her husband.
42:07You're a friend of Peter's, I believe.
42:10Yes, yes, that's right.
42:12You called to pick up a racket.
42:14A racket?
42:16Oh, yes, a racket, yeah.
42:20Oh, some coffee.
42:22Thank you. Did Grace pay you for this?
42:24No, five and six.
42:34Thanks. Grace, uh, didn't tell me your name, I think.
42:37Uh, Ashton. David Ashton.
42:41Oh, I took your shaving gear out of the bathroom.
42:43It's in the case.
42:45Oh. Look, Gould, I...
42:47No explanations, Ashton.
42:51I'm sorry, mate.
42:55Well, there's not much point, is there?
42:57No.
43:02I'll give my regards to Peter.
43:04Tell him I didn't exactly get a hero's welcome.
43:08I'm not exactly a hero, though, am I?
43:25Come in, Mr, uh, McKenzie.
43:28I'm afraid you'll have to excuse us.
43:30We seem to have overslept.
43:33I saw you through the landing window.
43:35Would you mind waiting in here?
43:40Oh, I'll just let a bit of daylight in.
43:53That's better.
43:55Make yourself at home. I'll just give them a shout.
44:02Rita!
44:04Rita!
44:06Rita!
44:08Looking for me.
44:09Oh. What were you doing in there?
44:11Well, having breakfast with Doris. Why?
44:13I thought you were still upstairs.
44:15He's in there.
44:17Who, the milkman?
44:18Mr McKenzie.
44:19Oh, he in. Well, could you tell him to wait a few minutes?
44:22We'll be as quick as we can.
44:28It's all right. They're up.
44:30They're just finishing their breakfast. There'll only be a second or two.
44:33I said a minute or two.
44:35Morning. Morning, Rita. Morning, Mr McKenzie.
44:37I hope you haven't got over this time especially.
44:40No, no, no. I always do on Monday.
44:42It's a lovely day.
44:44Yes. Looks quite promising.
44:46Oh, that'll be my brother-in-law. Will you excuse me?
44:48I'll go.
44:50Ah.
44:51I managed to get a bit of gardening in yesterday.
44:54Oh, yes. This sun's good for the tomatoes.
44:56Oh, you've got a greenhouse.
44:58Grapevine too. You must come and look at it sometime.
45:00Anyone?
45:01Ah, Sefton.
45:02Ah. How do you do?
45:04How do you do?
45:05Am I early or are you late?
45:08You're early, Sefton.
45:10This is Ian McKenzie.
45:12My brother-in-law, Sefton Briggs.
45:14Will you excuse me?
45:15Yes. Yes, of course.
45:17Ah.
45:27See the papers?
45:28No, I haven't.
45:29Ah. We haven't turned the corner yet.
45:31Choose what people say.
45:32Bad news in the papers?
45:34I haven't seen the paper. That's why I asked.
45:37Oh.
45:44Do you have much rationing in your business?
45:46Controls and so on?
45:47Ah. Not so you'd notice.
45:49Nothing in short supply?
45:51No. As a matter of fact, there seems to be quite a boom on at the moment.
45:55I'm a gynaecologist, you see.
45:57Oh. Medical?
45:59Yes.
46:01Yes.
46:02Well, we haven't turned the corner yet.
46:05Choose what people say.
46:09Look, I'm sorry if I don't get out of bed.
46:11Only I'm off back to Preston, you see,
46:13and I don't know when I'll be over again.
46:16Oh.
46:20Do you want a cup of tea?
46:22No, no, no. I haven't got time, really.
46:25Oh.
46:27Couldn't make it for the pictures, then.
46:29No, no. We had a big job on overtime, you know.
46:33Oh.
46:35Look, I could be over in a week or so.
46:39Just a chance, you know.
46:41Shall I come round if I do?
46:43I think perhaps not, don't you, Colin?
46:46It's up to you, isn't it?
46:49You marry this girl, eh?
46:52You sound just like me mam.
46:54Yeah. And what would your mother say if she knew you'd been knocking around
46:57with a married woman with two kids?
46:59She'd say, go and talk to your dad.
47:01Fool.
47:03Only it's not up to her, is it?
47:06What's the matter, Sheila?
47:08You getting fed up of me bouncing back all the time?
47:11Only for your sake, Colin.
47:14You marry this girl, yes?
47:21Come in.
47:26Hello, mate.
47:28I've got a message for you from your brother-in-law.
47:32Charles?
47:34Yeah. He came home only a month too soon, you know, while I was there.
47:38So I had to get the night train.
47:41Lovely leave. Best 48 I've had for bloody years.
47:44Yeah, well, he knows about Grace. I told you.
47:47That's not the impression I got, mate.
47:49Oh, he blew up?
47:51Well, he didn't exactly invite me back again.
47:53Or maybe I'm just thick-skinned.
47:56The truth is, Pete, I don't think I'm cut out for what Grace calls the decent society.
48:01Decent, she told me a thing or two, I can tell you.
48:05Dave.
48:06Look, mate, I know she's your sister and all that, but...
48:09You know, I've got nothing against you, but she...
48:11Dave, for God's sake!
48:13What's the matter, mate?
48:15What have you done to your arm?
48:18We got hit over the target last night.
48:21Got us in the tail.
48:27The porter had her packed up over the channel and I didn't know whether to ditch her or not.
48:34Just losing height all the time, you know.
48:38And then I thought,
48:40maybe we'll make it.
48:42We didn't stall again or anything, just flogged on, losing height.
48:54Dropped a flare. I couldn't see a damn place to put it down.
49:00Sent the lads all back to the crash positions.
49:04And then I saw the field.
49:07Bang on.
49:12Shaw started cracking jokes like he does, you know, and I thought,
49:15thank Christ, we've made it.
49:21Then...
49:28Then I pranked, coming in.
49:31Christ, it was awful.
49:35Everything rushing past, pieces coming off.
49:40I could feel it breaking up.
49:46Then I got clouded on the head and when I came round, I was kneeling on the grass.
49:51And the crate was just sitting there, all in one piece, more or less.
49:56And I thought, we have.
49:58We've made it.
50:05And then went up.
50:09Just like that. A lot.
50:17I started running.
50:19When I looked back, the ammunition was going off. It was as hot as hell.
50:24I started to creep back, but I couldn't get near.
50:34And then the wind took the flames round the other way and I could see it.
50:47Nobody came out, Dave.
50:51Nobody.
50:54Frankie.
50:58All gone.
51:01The lot.
51:03I did...
51:09I keep peeping through all the time, cracking jokes.
51:15I'm going to hear him forever, Dave.
51:21How are you managing with Jean's will?
51:24Well, it all seems to be sorting itself out, thanks, Sir.
51:26No complications? I don't think so.
51:29If you want George Askew's help any time...
51:32I don't think there are any problems at the moment.
51:35I'll wait for you outside in the garden. Enjoy the sunshine.
51:40Lark Lane, 8241.
51:43Hello, Dad.
51:45David.
51:47What brings you on at this time of the morning?
51:49I'm so sorry you'll be rushing to get off to work, won't you?
51:53No, no. No rush.
51:57Is everybody all right?
51:59Yes. Yes, I think so.
52:02Are you all right?
52:06David?
52:08Yeah, I'm still here, Dad.
52:11When are you coming on leave, son?
52:14I've just had one. I just got back from London.
52:20Very educational, Dad.
52:22Oh, you've been on a course?
52:25Yes, I've been on a course.
52:28David?
52:33What is it, son? What's wrong?
52:37Oh, I...
52:40A mate of mine...
52:42You wouldn't understand. You never met him.
52:45Well, can't you try me?
52:47You never really have, you know.
52:50Does Sheila come round much these days?
52:53Not very often.
52:55No, well, she wouldn't, would she?
52:58Well, why don't you come and see her when you can?
53:02No, there's no point, Dad. It's all too late for that.
53:06David?
53:18I... I miss Mum, Dad.
53:22David?
53:24I do. I miss her. I miss her.
53:29Don't, son. Don't.
53:32I can't help you at the end of a telephone.
53:35It's all... It's all too late, Dad.
53:40It's all too bloody late.
53:54THE END
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