- 2 days ago
The People Next Door by Shelley Silas was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2011 Sarah has never much liked her next-door-neighbours Samuel and Teresa - he plays his music too loud and she's just plain creepy, but are they as weird as Sarah thinks, or is she just letting her imagination run away with her? Husband James is sure it's the latter.
Sarah - Claire Rushbrook James - Nicholas Gleaves Samuel - Sean Baker Teresa - Marlene Sidaway Car mechanic - Alun Raglan Produced and directed by Mary Pea
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Sarah - Claire Rushbrook James - Nicholas Gleaves Samuel - Sean Baker Teresa - Marlene Sidaway Car mechanic - Alun Raglan Produced and directed by Mary Pea
Do you enjoy the variety on Oldtuberadio?
Like, Share and Subscribe to be notified of our new shows
#radio #crime #thriller #drama
To Support this channel please visit
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https://ko-fi.com/oldtuberadio98
https://www.patreon.com/oldtuberadio
https://locals.com/Oldtuberadio
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FunTranscript
00:00The People Next Door by Shelley Silas
00:08I've got you under my skin
00:19I thought, with the name Divine, they might be holy and spiritual, at the very least.
00:26Samuel and Teresa Divine, our neighbours.
00:30He used to grunt if I passed him in the street.
00:33She had an irritating way of dropping her eyes whenever I smiled or tried to start a conversation, as if she was embarrassed.
00:40She'd always be watching me from the bay window by the front door, whenever I left the house or came home.
00:46She gave me the creeps. So did he.
00:49It's how they'd always been from the day we moved in.
00:52And yet, if we needed them for anything at all, they were on hand to provide assistance.
00:58When I told James I thought they were acting strangely, he said,
01:01They're elderly people, Sarah. It's natural for them to be wary.
01:04If anyone's acting strangely, it's you.
01:07It started with music, and a camper van, and things that went bump in the night.
01:12And our stuff started to disappear.
01:16James said I was being paranoid. Obsessed.
01:19Love thy neighbour. More a case of tolerating.
01:28Be quiet.
01:30So I'll get to yourself again.
01:32Next door. Listen.
01:35What am I supposed to be listening to?
01:37That.
01:38I can't hear anything.
01:39Have you seen my phone charger?
01:42It's probably with your phone.
01:43It's not with my phone.
01:45Have you checked?
01:46It's not with my phone.
01:51Oh, brilliant. Absolutely bloody brilliant.
01:57Please tell me you can hear that now.
02:00Too much bass.
02:01What?
02:02They need to turn it down. Balance it more.
02:04Is that all you have to say?
02:05You can't go wrong with Frank.
02:07My grandmother loved him.
02:08Yes, but not day and night. Every day and every night.
02:11It could be worse. It could be Van Halen.
02:17I'm calling the noise police.
02:18Don't.
02:19It's eleven o'clock.
02:20Don't.
02:20James!
02:21It's too early.
02:22It's not fair.
02:23They won't do anything till after midnight.
02:24I don't care.
02:25Sarah, don't.
02:27I called the council and complained.
02:33It's what people do when their neighbours make inappropriate noise at an inappropriate time.
02:37The council told me to call back after midnight when they'd come out with equipment to see how loud the noise was, take a reading, check the decibels.
02:44Now, did you find a charger?
02:48Oh, yeah.
02:49Where was it?
02:50With my phone.
02:51Why don't you ever listen to me?
02:53I do listen to you, Sarah. I just don't always take your advice.
02:55Well, maybe you should.
02:57They stop then?
02:59With five minutes to spare. I think they've got it all perfectly timed.
03:03Really?
03:03Yeah. I reckon they do it on purpose.
03:05Why would they do that?
03:06Because they can.
03:07Go round. Have a word, neighbour to neighbour.
03:10You think it would help?
03:11It's worth a try.
03:12I took James' advice and went round the next day on my way home from work.
03:19Teresa was in her usual place, positioned by the window, standing behind an off-white net curtain, watching me.
03:35Sorry to bother you, Teresa.
03:37Yes?
03:38It just... I wondered, is Samuel in?
03:40No.
03:41Do you know when he might be?
03:43No.
03:45Can you tell him I'd like to speak to him?
03:48All right, then.
03:53Samuel never did come round.
03:55And as time passed, I learnt to live with Frank Sinatra, pumping through the Victorian brick late into the night.
04:01And for a while, everything looked as if it looked as if it might just be OK.
04:07Oh.
04:08Oh, what?
04:09Oh, no, no, no.
04:12James?
04:14Power's gone.
04:14Oh, brilliant.
04:16Hang on.
04:17Just let me...
04:17Last.
04:19Oh, no.
04:19I don't want to break my neck.
04:22Oh, no.
04:22I don't want to break my neck.
04:23Oh, no.
04:23I don't want to break my neck.
04:24Oh, there must be a fuse.
04:25I was in the middle of sending a really important email.
04:26Well, go and sort it out.
04:27It's OK.
04:28Oh, the torch doesn't work.
04:37What do you need a torch for?
04:39A cellar.
04:39Why?
04:40A fuse.
04:41I'm not going down there without one.
04:42It's pitch black and those stairs are lethal.
04:44What, the stairs you've been meaning to sort out for?
04:47Well, that's since we moved in.
04:48Now's not really the time to have a go at me about DIY.
04:51Or the lack of.
04:52Oh, right.
04:52Shh.
04:55Listen.
04:55What am I supposed to be listening to?
05:01Next door.
05:03Silence.
05:05Maybe it's not just us.
05:06Maybe the whole terrace has been affected.
05:08Go and take a look.
05:14Streetlights are fine.
05:15Flats opposite?
05:17All fully lit.
05:18Well, maybe it's just our house.
05:20Bloody hell.
05:21Bloody hell?
05:22What does this always have to happen to us?
05:23It's never happened to us before.
05:25As I said, it's probably a fuse.
05:27But it won't be, though, will it?
05:28It'll be a rat that's chewed through a cable.
05:30A rat that is now lying dead on our cellar floor,
05:33waiting for me to step on it and get some rat disease.
05:36Well, I'm definitely not going down there now.
05:39Go and see if next door are having problems.
05:41The students?
05:42I don't think they'd notice a power cut, do you?
05:44Probably not.
05:45The divines.
05:47Go and ask them.
05:48Why is it always me that has to go?
05:50Go.
05:55Hi.
06:03So sorry to...
06:05James, from next door.
06:07Yes.
06:07We were...
06:08Well, I was wondering.
06:10Yes.
06:11We've had a power cut, you know, no lights,
06:13and we wondered if you've also been plunged into eternal darkness,
06:16or is it just us?
06:18Just you.
06:20Yes.
06:20I can see that now.
06:21Um...
06:22The thing is, we don't have a torch.
06:24Well, we do.
06:24It just doesn't work.
06:26Samuel!
06:26Samuel!
06:27Oh, right.
06:28I'll just...
06:29Wait, here.
06:35Yes?
06:36Hi.
06:37I'm James, from...
06:38Next door, yes.
06:39Sorry to bother you.
06:40We've had a power cut.
06:41Oh?
06:42Our torch doesn't work, and...
06:43Go round the back.
06:45Back of what?
06:47Your house.
06:49Right.
06:50Why?
06:51As I said, if we ever needed anything, the divines were on hand.
06:56Samuel dropped an extension cord over his wobbly old fence into our garden,
07:00and we were hooked up to his electricity supply in minutes.
07:03He gave James a torch and waited while he went down to the cellar.
07:06When the lights came back on...
07:08Got it!
07:09I realised how much we took for granted.
07:12Everything all right?
07:14Yes.
07:14Thanks, Samuel.
07:15Don't know why I didn't think of a fuse in the first place.
07:18Of course you don't.
07:18You don't think it'll be anything that simple, and it always is.
07:22I don't know what we'd have done without you.
07:24Sat in the dark for a while longer until you figured it out for yourself.
07:28Probably.
07:29Perhaps we should have each other's house keys.
07:32We did with the last couple who lived here.
07:35They were always locking themselves out.
07:37Erm...
07:37But not if you don't want to.
07:39No?
07:40That's a good idea.
07:42We're not serial killers or anything.
07:44I don't know why I didn't think of it before.
07:46Hang on.
07:48You might as well take mine now.
07:56And...
07:56Our alarm code.
07:57All right, they're nice, too.
07:59Not that we ever use it.
08:00The cat usually sets it off, and we're connected to the police.
08:04They get angry if it goes off accidentally.
08:06Too many real criminals to catch, so we never bother setting it.
08:11Thanks again, Samuel.
08:13Glad to be of help.
08:14Well...
08:15Fuse, was it?
08:25Yeah, all right.
08:26Typical.
08:27You totally reject my suggestion.
08:29Another man says it might be the fuse...
08:31Don't go on.
08:31...and you're in that cellar where you could at least apologise.
08:33Sorry.
08:34Like you mean it.
08:35But I don't mean it, do I?
08:36And did you just give a complete stranger our keys?
08:40Yeah.
08:41Why?
08:41You're being unreasonable.
08:42We don't know them.
08:43They don't know us.
08:44But we're trustworthy.
08:45They're not serial killers.
08:47Oh, and I suppose he told you that.
08:49Actually, he did.
08:50How many serial killers do you think would tell you they're serial killers?
08:53Well, you have to admit they're weird.
08:57Because they don't invite us over.
08:59Because they listen to loud music.
09:01Because they keep themselves to themselves.
09:02I'd say that was pretty normal.
09:04They probably think we're weird.
09:05No.
09:06Not us.
09:07You.
09:07I'm not weird.
09:09Just a little.
09:10Oh, thanks.
09:11Anyway, it's sensible to swap keys.
09:12Tom and Laura have a set.
09:14Tom and Laura are never around.
09:15Tom and Laura are never around.
09:19Oh, not again.
09:22Calm down.
09:23You should have told him.
09:24You should have said.
09:25Your bloody music drives us mad.
09:27Drives you mad.
09:28And you should have told him.
09:29You had your chance.
09:30You could have come downstairs.
09:31Had a word.
09:31But what do you do?
09:32Lock yourself in our bedroom.
09:37We could dance.
09:39Dance?
09:39Yes, dance.
09:40Oh, great.
09:41Suddenly our bedroom has transformed into the Tower Ballroom.
09:44Come on.
09:46A quick cha-cha-cha.
09:47Stop it, James.
09:48Tango.
09:48James.
09:49What about a waltz?
09:53Oh.
09:55Oh.
09:56No, no.
09:59Dear God, no.
10:03I became used to the music.
10:06And then the singing.
10:07As James said, it could have been much worse.
10:10But something else was happening.
10:12Things.
10:14Our things.
10:15Unwanted things.
10:16Had started to disappear from outside our house.
10:20I came home from a day of pampering.
10:22Hot stones, a vegetable and a little light lunch.
10:25To find James having a clear out.
10:27Wow.
10:28Someone's been busy.
10:29We've accumulated rather a lot of unnecessary stuff.
10:32Well, not for long.
10:34I never really thought of us as hoarders.
10:36Most of these are things other people have given us.
10:39I mean, look at this.
10:40What on earth is it?
10:42An olive stoner.
10:43Why would anyone want one?
10:44To stone olives.
10:46Everything over here is stuff I really don't want.
10:49So unless you're desperate to keep it, I'm going to leave it outside.
10:51Oh, no.
10:53Not my mum's fruit bowl.
10:55You never use it.
10:55I can't get rid of it yet.
10:57And she'll know it's gone.
10:58Only if she's psychic.
10:59And, um, why's the coat stand outside?
11:03I don't think you liked it.
11:04I don't.
11:05But a charity shop rather than the street.
11:07You know what it's like round here.
11:09Leave it out and it'll be gone by morning.
11:11Natural recycling.
11:12You said you wanted to go greener.
11:15I reckon they take everything.
11:18Who?
11:18The Divines.
11:19Don't be stupid.
11:21I bet they've got all of our unwanted stuff in their house.
11:24No, you're just being weird.
11:26Okay, I'll stand by the window and watch until someone takes it.
11:30Oh.
11:31What?
11:32It's gone.
11:34Seriously?
11:35It was there when I came home and now it's gone.
11:38Unbelievable.
11:39As I said, recycling.
11:42It's the only way to go.
11:44We had a massive clear out.
11:46Anything and everything.
11:48From a large glass vase, housewarming present which we never used,
11:52to a step machine that I bought in one of my I'm-gonna-get-fit moods.
11:56I took it without James seeing.
11:58I didn't need him gloating and saying, told you so.
12:01There was a set of insipid yellow cups and saucers his parents had given us,
12:06which I've never liked, neither had he.
12:08And our old TV, which had sound, but no picture.
12:12I put a note on it, sound, but no picture,
12:15and left the controls on top of the set.
12:17Everything disappeared within a few hours.
12:24Oh, they're here again.
12:26Who?
12:27I don't know, just that they're here again.
12:29I really worry about you, Sarah.
12:31Why?
12:32You've got to turn into one of those women who stand at the window,
12:35mugger tea in one hand, curtain in the other, waiting for the opportunity to spy on innocent people.
12:40Mother and daughter, I reckon.
12:42Forget what I said.
12:43You are one of those women.
12:45I am not.
12:46What are you doing, then?
12:48Observing.
12:49I call it being nosy.
12:51Bloody noisy thing.
12:52Why do they always have to park it outside our house?
12:55Careful, they don't see you.
12:57I reckon she's Samuel's sister, or Teresa's sister, and daughter.
13:01I'm not sure.
13:03Does it matter?
13:04I'm just curious.
13:05And you know what happens to people who are too curious?
13:08I left the Divines alone for a while.
13:11I thought about what James said, and I suppose I was being a little paranoid.
13:16They were perfectly harmless.
13:18The camper van came and went several times.
13:20They'd park outside our house for hours at a time, and then they would disappear.
13:26Often Samuel would carry black bin bags to the van.
13:29Sometimes he stood outside and talked to the older of the women for ages.
13:33Other times he'd sit in the passenger seat and chat, or fiddle about with the van.
13:38One time he sat behind the wheel and drove away.
13:41I never saw him return.
13:44Sarah?
13:45Shh!
13:47Why?
13:47They're in the garden.
13:49Who?
13:50Samuel and Teresa.
13:52How do you know?
13:54Cigarette smoke wafting over.
13:55Can't you smell it?
13:57Yeah, but I don't see the problem.
13:58It's their garden.
14:00We don't have a monopoly on the air.
14:01I don't want our neighbours knowing our business.
14:04Then let's go inside.
14:11It's, uh...
14:12What's wrong?
14:14Nothing.
14:15Come on, James.
14:17I'm thinking of leaving.
14:20Maybe?
14:20Don't be stupid.
14:22Work.
14:23Your job?
14:24Yes.
14:25You can't.
14:26I don't earn enough yet, and my redundancy won't last forever.
14:30I'm looking elsewhere.
14:31I thought you liked St. Matilda's.
14:33I did like it.
14:34Not anymore.
14:35The kids are too unpredictable.
14:37Oh, the kids?
14:38They're supposed to be unpredictable.
14:39Yeah, not to the point of making a pact to remain silent for an entire class.
14:44Maybe they just didn't have anything to say.
14:47Oh, that makes me feel very confident.
14:48You haven't done anything stupid.
14:50Like what?
14:50Handed in your notice.
14:52Would I do anything so stupid?
14:53Have you mentioned it to anyone at school?
14:55Of course not.
14:56Because you shouldn't, until you find another job.
14:58I know.
15:00They're here again.
15:01Who?
15:01The women in the camper van.
15:03I'm trying to have a meaningful conversation.
15:05Sorry.
15:06Oh, it just really annoys me.
15:08What?
15:08The sound of the engine.
15:10Can't you hear it?
15:10Well, strangely enough, unless I had the hearing capability of a family pet, no.
15:14It's so obvious.
15:15Only to you.
15:16But listen.
15:17I don't want to listen.
15:18Any minute, now, next door, we'll...
15:21There you are.
15:23Where are you going now?
15:24I just want...
15:25Stop spying on our neighbours.
15:27I'm not spying.
15:28I'm showing you an interest.
15:30Oh.
15:31Oh.
15:33What?
15:34Oh, Samuel's leaving with a suitcase.
15:37Well, maybe he's going on holiday.
15:39Without Teresa.
15:40Well, maybe he's got two wives.
15:42Do you really think so?
15:43No.
15:45Well, they're not like normal neighbours.
15:47You're not like a normal neighbour.
15:48They never invite us round.
15:49We don't invite them right.
15:51They never stop and chat.
15:52Good.
15:52I hate chatting.
15:53They're our neighbours, not our friends.
15:55That's why we call them.
15:56Neighbours.
15:56Boundaries.
15:57They're very important, Sarah.
15:58I'm going upstairs.
15:59Better view.
16:01Sarah?
16:02Sarah?
16:03I came home early from work, and Teresa was there again, waiting for me, hovering behind
16:13her net curtains, like something out of a Hitchcock film.
16:17As soon as I approached the front door, I was drawn to the figure behind the off-white
16:22lace, the hand frozen in place, and then slowly the fabric would be pulled back, revealing
16:27half a face, one eye, a portion of nose, and a single tooth.
16:34Her lips were always turned down.
16:36Oh, I've got you.
16:41Sarah?
16:43Oh, hi there, Teresa.
16:44I've been arrived for you today.
16:47Oh.
16:48It weighs a ton.
16:50Oh, hang on.
16:51I'll come round.
16:52And as I walked up her garden path, a large box appeared on the cracked paving.
16:57Teresa wedged herself tightly between the front door and me, so I couldn't see into the house.
17:02What have you got in there?
17:04A body?
17:05I have no idea what it is.
17:07Something James ordered.
17:08He likes buying things, that one.
17:11I'm getting rid of them.
17:13Does he?
17:14Samuel took something in a few weeks ago.
17:17Did he?
17:17As she stood and talked at me, she moved her body away from the door, and for a second
17:22I glimpsed quickly inside through to the dark hallway.
17:26In the distance, the kitchen, a mirror image of ours.
17:29I smelled cabbage and smoke.
17:32The walls were papered with orange and brown flowers.
17:36The carpet was dark green.
17:38It was as if I'd stepped back in time.
17:41Then Teresa put the door on the latch and manoeuvred her body in front of it, as if to
17:45say, you will not look inside anymore.
17:47Don't want the cat coming out.
17:49No.
17:50It's a busy road.
17:52What kind of cat?
17:53Only I've never seen it.
17:54A black cat.
17:56Oh, gold.
17:57In case I see him, or her.
18:00Blackie.
18:02Right.
18:03Well, thanks for signing for this.
18:06Sorry for the inconvenience.
18:08No problem.
18:08I walked back to our house under the weight of the box.
18:12Teresa watched me and waited until my back was turned before she slipped inside.
18:17Locked herself in and positioned herself once more behind the off-white, torn neck curtain.
18:23Yeah, yeah, I'm coming, coming.
18:39All right.
18:44What's wrong with you?
18:46You said you'd be home in an hour.
18:48I know, I'm sorry.
18:48Well, where are your keys?
18:50I don't know.
18:51Oh, for God's sake.
18:52What would you have done if I wasn't in?
18:54I got next door.
18:56She was there again, watching him throw up in the rosemary bush, right by the front door.
19:02As soon as I made eye contact with her, the curtain fell and she vanished.
19:06But I knew she was there, and I knew she was watching.
19:10I'm sorry.
19:11I'm sorry.
19:11Oh, just get inside.
19:22Right, that's it.
19:23I've had enough.
19:24Let me sleep.
19:26Please.
19:27You come home drunk, throw up, eat everything in the fridge, and now you want to sleep while
19:32I stay...
19:33Please.
19:33Why are you awake listening to that?
19:35It's not fair.
19:36Quiet, please.
19:38Just be quiet.
19:40Oh, where are you going?
19:42It's their room.
19:43Sarah.
19:45Sarah.
19:49And that was pretty much how it was for a few months.
19:53After some persuasion from his head teacher, James decided to stay at St. Matilda's.
19:58Apparently, he was indispensable.
20:00I felt more secure at the small firm of interior designers I'd been with for the past year,
20:06and James and I were happy.
20:09Every now and again, Samuel would disappear for a few days with the ladies in the campervan,
20:14while Teresa stayed at home.
20:17She was always there when we returned, early morning or late at night, hovering like a ghoul
20:22behind the curtain.
20:24And Samuel was often fiddling with his car.
20:26If he wasn't in it, he was under it, taking things apart, cleaning and polishing.
20:32There was always something that needed to be done.
20:35He loved his old Mercedes.
20:37Once, around midnight, James and I heard shouting in the street.
20:43We stood by our bedroom window and watched as Samuel chased a young man down the road.
20:48Samuel had one of those curved swords in his hand and was waving it about.
20:52After that, I imagined all kinds of things.
20:58Dead bodies in their front room, chopped up into tiny pieces,
21:03put into the suitcases and bin bags that Samuel used to load into the campervan.
21:09Stop watching the horror channel, Sarah.
21:11Maybe he isn't going away.
21:14Maybe he...
21:15They lure people to their house, kill them, pack them up,
21:19and those journeys he goes on, well, is to dispose of the bodies.
21:25Yeah, you could be onto something there.
21:26And maybe that's why there's such loud music to cover up the killing and the chopping and the screaming.
21:32My God, you're right.
21:34Oh, Sarah, no, no, no, I'm not right.
21:36What's the matter with you?
21:38Maybe you should get help.
21:40No, I'm serious.
21:42Think about it.
21:43I kept a close eye on our neighbours,
21:47listening out for strange sounds and any odd smells.
21:52I wondered if that cabbage-like scent that wafted through the cellar really was cabbage,
21:59or something more sinister.
22:02One night, James and I returned from dinner with friends.
22:06It was just past one.
22:08We'd had a few drinks, splashed out on a cab.
22:14I hope you don't mind.
22:17Samuel was sitting at our kitchen table.
22:21Samuel?
22:21I helped myself.
22:23What are you doing here?
22:24Alarm went off.
22:25Our alarm?
22:26When?
22:27A couple of hours ago.
22:29Why didn't you call?
22:30There was no need.
22:32But you should have called.
22:33I didn't want to disturb you, and there was no need.
22:36Well, that's the point of having each other's keys in case of emergency.
22:40And this was an emergency.
22:42You could have reset it and gone home.
22:44I wanted to wait, reassure you.
22:46Could have left a note?
22:47Not the same as speaking to you in person.
22:50Is everything all right?
22:52As far as I can tell.
22:53You've had a look around, then?
22:55Very quickly, upstairs and down.
22:57Took my shoes off.
22:58Some people are strange about other people's shoes in their homes,
23:01so I took them off.
23:03No windows have been smashed, no doors forced, nothing's been taken.
23:08How would you know?
23:08You could tell.
23:09Surfaces are untouched.
23:11What do you mean, untouched?
23:13Criminals usually misplace things.
23:15There's a pattern.
23:16Is there?
23:17Yes.
23:18You'd only know if something had been misplaced,
23:20if you knew what our surfaces looked like before.
23:22As I said, everything looks in order.
23:25Yeah, but what if something has been taken?
23:26I haven't touched anything or opened anything.
23:29I've just had to look round to make sure there's been no forced entry.
23:33And we're very grateful, Samuel.
23:35Aren't we, Sarah?
23:37Right.
23:39Well, I'd better get back.
23:43Sarah.
23:45What?
23:46Say thank you.
23:48Hi, then.
23:49Sarah.
23:49Thank you, Samuel.
23:52Yes, thanks so much.
23:56What the bloody hell was all that about?
23:59What?
23:59Criminals and patterns.
24:02I think you've probably had a good look round, don't you?
24:04Would you have a good look around?
24:06Yeah, I would.
24:07Well, there you go, then.
24:09I suppose you'd open other people's bathroom cabinets and hall cupboards.
24:11Doesn't everyone?
24:13Weirdo.
24:13I bet the alarm didn't go off.
24:15I bet he just decided to come over.
24:17Used it as an excuse.
24:19Paranoid, weirdo.
24:20The kettle's not even hot.
24:22And?
24:22He popped round to have a look.
24:24And when we arrived, he made it look like an emergency and invented the story about the tea.
24:29What tea?
24:30He said...
24:30He didn't mention tea, though, did he?
24:32What's in the mug?
24:34Water.
24:35So, he was probably thirsty, picked up a mug which was drying on the plate rack and filled it with water.
24:40It's hardly a crime.
24:42Breaking into someone's house is a crime?
24:45He didn't break in.
24:46Letting yourself into someone's house without prior permission from the owners, then?
24:50We had an agreement.
24:51That's what happens when you swap house keys.
24:53Not a good enough reason.
24:55The alarm went off.
24:56That's what he says.
24:57Do you think he's lying?
24:58Maybe.
24:59And how are you going to prove it?
25:01I'll ask the neighbours.
25:02They are the neighbours.
25:03The other neighbours.
25:04You really think a house full of inattentive students is going to remember whether an alarm went off?
25:08And if they do, whether they can confirm that it was our alarm?
25:11They might.
25:11And what was all that about the shoes?
25:13I mean, why take your shoes off unless you don't want to leave footprints?
25:17What are you trying to prove?
25:18That the divines are not all they appear to be.
25:21Right.
25:22Come on.
25:23Where are we going?
25:23On a tour of our house?
25:29Of course, everything was in place, exactly as we left it.
25:34Not that our memories were very good that night.
25:37Too much rich food and copious bottles of Pinot Noir.
25:40The next morning, someone from across the road asked if everything was all right because our alarm had gone off.
25:46I didn't tell James.
25:48He'd only go on about my paranoia.
25:51But from then on, I kept an even closer eye on the divines.
25:58Sarah.
25:59What are you doing?
26:01Shh.
26:02Step away from the wall.
26:04I will not.
26:05Stop it, Sarah.
26:07He's grunting, making peculiar noises.
26:10Maybe they're having sex.
26:12To Frank Sinatra.
26:13Give me the glass.
26:14Oh.
26:15Sarah, give me the glass.
26:19Now look what you've done.
26:20Step away from the wall.
26:21That's it.
26:22Now go downstairs and let me clear up.
26:25Oh, God.
26:31Sir, I'm not sure I can take much more.
26:34Let's move to the spare room.
26:35Why should we have to leave our bedroom?
26:38Because he insists on playing his music loudly every night.
26:41Then have a word.
26:42All right.
26:42I will.
26:43A nice word.
26:44Be gentle.
26:45Why?
26:46Because we don't want to upset the neighbours.
26:50Oh.
26:51Oh.
26:53Oh, no.
26:54Not that bloody camper van again.
26:57We were on our last lot of clearing out.
27:04We'd been really thorough and made joint decisions about what went and what stayed.
27:09Hey, car's almost full.
27:10Great.
27:11This should be the last run.
27:12Where's the filing cabinet?
27:14Left it outside while you took that lot to the car.
27:16It's not there.
27:17You're kidding.
27:18Where did you leave it?
27:19Front garden or in the road?
27:20Just by the bin inside by the gate.
27:22Well, it's gone.
27:24I only just wheeled it there.
27:25Well, go and check if you don't believe me.
27:29Oh.
27:30I suppose someone could have driven by, stopped taking it and driven off before you got back
27:35from the car.
27:35Oh.
27:36Look who it is now.
27:37Try not to stare, Sarah.
27:39Teresa was glaring from behind her curtain as James waved at her.
27:43We could see her face as she stood away from the window and watched.
27:47She was always watching.
27:49But now, I was watching too.
27:53Let's take everything to the charity shop.
27:55Pick up some coal on the way back.
27:57Get some food and have a barbecue.
27:58Oh, great idea.
28:04We were on the way home when a backlight on the car blew, so we popped into the local
28:08garage.
28:09We were due to visit James' parents in Hastings next weekend.
28:12I knew if we didn't deal with it now, we'd forget.
28:16Of course, I couldn't help myself.
28:19All we wanted was a bulb for the car.
28:21One bulb, that's all.
28:24While one man fitted it for James, another gave me all the information I wanted about
28:29the Devines.
28:30So you know the man I mean, then?
28:32Samuel Devine.
28:33Yes, stout.
28:34Silver hair, not bad looking.
28:36Piercing Frank Sinatra.
28:38That's him.
28:39Oh, is that this car under on top of it?
28:41Grunts a lot.
28:41He's banned from this place.
28:43Why?
28:43He's a bloody nuisance.
28:45Oh.
28:45Used to be a boxer, you know?
28:46Did he?
28:47All done.
28:48One more question.
28:49Come on, Sarah.
28:50There are two women who turn up late at night in a bright orange camper van.
28:54He goes off with them every now and again.
28:55Oh, Sarah, you've gone too far.
28:56That's his mistress.
28:57I knew it.
28:58And her daughter.
28:59Seriously?
29:00How do you know that?
29:01Trust me, I know everything there is to know about Samuel Devine.
29:04Okay, I think it's time to go.
29:06Now, Sarah.
29:07We left the garage.
29:09Of course, James didn't believe a word, the mechanic said.
29:11He's making it up, Sarah.
29:13I had to agree.
29:14It did sound ridiculous.
29:16But that evening, Samuel was at his car again, fiddling with something or other.
29:22He was out there for hours.
29:24Teresa took him a cup of tea and then the camper van turned up and they all went into the house together.
29:30Life continued.
29:32But I was unable to contain my curiosity any longer.
29:36You know what?
29:38I think I just have to do it.
29:40Do what?
29:40Go round there.
29:41Where?
29:42Next door.
29:43And see them.
29:44Confront them in person?
29:46About time.
29:47Oh, no.
29:47No, nothing so obvious.
29:49What are you suggesting?
29:49That we let ourselves in.
29:51Break in?
29:52Yeah.
29:53Really quickly.
29:54You keep an eye out while I have a look.
29:56Don't be mad.
29:58You're right.
30:00Of course I'm right.
30:01It's mad.
30:02It's a criminal offence.
30:03Yeah.
30:04Oh, can't you once and for all forget about the divines and concentrate on us?
30:08They're not bad people.
30:09They're just a little strange.
30:10So you admit it?
30:12Yeah, but no stranger than you.
30:13I'd like our keys back at some point.
30:16I don't like them having a set.
30:17Oh, it's quite hard to ask.
30:19Makes them think we suspect them.
30:21Which we do.
30:22Which you do.
30:23I think they're perfectly harmless.
30:25That was a stupid, stupid idea.
30:28I can't believe I even thought it.
30:29Let alone said it.
30:30But rather than my preoccupation with the neighbours diminishing, it grew.
30:37I got used to the music and Samuel singing, but I became increasingly irritated.
30:43The camper van started to annoy me even more, keeping me awake while James slept right through.
30:49The sound of the engine, like a lullaby, soothed him into a deep sleep.
30:54The students on the other side moved out.
30:57I missed them with their erratic behaviour and the smell of spliffs wafting over the fence.
31:03It's funny how their music never seemed to bother me.
31:07They were replaced by a young couple who spent six months renovating.
31:12They had a newborn, design a kitchen and a landscape garden with a water feature.
31:18We've been here almost three years.
31:21James, we need a new kitchen.
31:24No one needs a new kitchen.
31:26Oh, I want one.
31:27But I was works.
31:29It works.
31:29It could work better.
31:31You'll be wanting a baby next.
31:32This house was made for babies.
31:35You never said you wanted a baby.
31:36You never said you didn't.
31:37Well, we can't afford a baby in a new kitchen.
31:39It doesn't need to cost much.
31:41Alison and Mark's dinner.
31:43Alison and Mark.
31:43Mark and bloody Alison.
31:44Oi!
31:45I'm driving James crazy.
31:47I know I am.
31:49As soon as my obsession with one set of neighbours' lessons, what do I do?
31:53Acquire a whole new lot.
31:55We've exchanged keys and we've been invited round for dinner.
31:58I've already pencilled a few dates for them to come round here for Sunday lunch.
32:02And the thing is, there are none of the misgivings we, I, have with the Divines.
32:09Alison and Mark are really nice.
32:12Really friendly.
32:13I can honestly say, hand on heart, that they are the kind of neighbours I've always wished for.
32:18Thoughtful.
32:19Generous.
32:20They promise to keep an eye on the house if we're away.
32:22Water the garden in summer.
32:24You know, do neighbourly things.
32:26And I've volunteered to babysit with James.
32:29See if it makes him broody.
32:31Only I haven't told him yet.
32:33I had hoped by now things might have improved with Samuel and Teresa, but I still don't trust them.
32:41I want to.
32:42I've tried.
32:44I almost invited them round for a drink.
32:46But I left an old rug in the front garden for the council to collect a few weeks ago, rolled up, tied with string, left resting on the fence that separated our front garden from the Divines, and it went before the council could pick it up.
32:59It disappeared from the time I took it outside to the time I returned from having my hair cut.
33:05All that was left was the string discarded and thrown in the rosemary bush.
33:09I felt like a complete fool.
33:11So I called the council, explained what had happened, and of course they laughed.
33:15They said, it's normal.
33:16Things get taken, passed on, passed around.
33:19Forget about it, they said.
33:21But I couldn't forget.
33:23I can't forget.
33:26I want to know the truth, once and for all.
33:30The truth about Samuel and Teresa Divine.
33:35James is away on a school trip.
33:38Samuel and Teresa are out.
33:40I know, because I've been standing by the window, watching, waiting, and eventually they went.
33:47First him, with the car keys jangling in his hand, then her.
33:51And just before he got into the car, he turned towards the house and he smiled.
33:59I watched them drive away and counted to fifty, and then I left the house.
34:05I'll stay for a minute, maybe two, no more.
34:12I probably shouldn't let myself into their house, not least, because even though Samuel said they never set the alarm,
34:18what if he's been lying?
34:20What if today, of all days, they have set it?
34:22And for a second, when the key is in the lock, and I rotate it, and I wait, and I wonder where the alarm code is,
34:31somewhere at home, in a drawer, or pinned to a notice board, or worse still, lost.
34:36And as the door moves further away, I wait for the screech to start, for our neighbours to come running,
34:43and a convoy of blue flashing lights and sirens so loud that they will alert the entire street to my criminal activity.
34:49But nothing happens.
34:54As I push the door a little more, a little further, edging it open,
34:59suddenly the once-hidden world of Samuel and Teresa Divine is here for me to embrace.
35:07The front room first.
35:09I have a good look around.
35:11There's a large, flat-screen television.
35:13A fireplace with one of our vases standing in the half, filled with plastic sunflowers.
35:19Dust has accumulated on its yellow leaves.
35:22I can't stop myself.
35:24A pair of tartan slippers and a stack of newspapers are on the floor.
35:29A crossword book, a pencil beside it, and a sharpener.
35:32And a short, fat jar filled with jelly babies.
35:35I take a red one, and then a green.
35:39The kitchen is close to immaculate.
35:42Two mugs in the sink, one half full.
35:45Tea, I think, and the kettle is still warm.
35:48I expect the cat to pounce on me at any moment, but there is no sight or sound or smell of any pet.
35:54No food or bowl of water.
35:57I hesitate by the cellar door, slide the lock, slide it back.
36:03Upstairs the bathroom is tidy.
36:05Dark blue towels neatly hang over a rail.
36:08A tap drips at a leisurely pace.
36:12There's a computer in one of the back rooms,
36:14and a photo of Samuel and the two women on a beach, arms around each other.
36:20I stand by the window, glance into our garden.
36:24Funny to see it from someone else's perspective.
36:26See what they see.
36:27Oh, no.
36:43It's a courier with a delivery.
36:45From the top of the stairs, I can see the card as it is forced through the letterbox and drops onto the doormat.
36:52I wait a few seconds until the gate closes, a car door slams shut, and a van drives away.
36:59And then I keep walking up four stairs towards the front of the house to Samuel and Teresa's bedroom.
37:04And there it is, right against the wall.
37:08A music centre with two huge speakers, the volume turned right up, and a CD, the best of Frank Sinatra.
37:17And in the middle of the room is a running machine.
37:22And a baseball.
37:24James' baseball, bought in New York, signed by a top player.
37:29James would never have thrown it out, and neither would I, because I know how much it means to him.
37:32So I take it, pick it up, slip it into my pocket.
37:37James must never ever know about my illicit excursion.
37:40He'll make me apologise for the rest of our lives.
37:44James is right.
37:45So what if they take things we leave outside?
37:48One vase, that's all.
37:49What's the harm?
37:51But the baseball is another matter.
37:55I lower the volume on the CD, and make sure everything is exactly the way it was when I arrived.
38:01And as I turn, I see it.
38:04Blackie, the cat, curled in the fireplace.
38:08Stiff and very stuffed, with a smile fixed to its whiskered face.
38:18Hello?
38:20I have two choices.
38:22Well, three.
38:24I don't fancy climbing out of a back window and over their fence.
38:27Hello?
38:27Hello?
38:27Hi, Samuel.
38:40Sarah.
38:41What are you doing there?
38:43The alarm went off.
38:45Hello?
38:45Yeah, I thought I'd make sure everything was okay, you know.
38:49Then is it?
38:50Yeah.
38:51Did the police come?
38:53Um, no.
38:55They should have.
38:56Why?
38:57We're connected to the local station.
38:59Are you?
39:00I told James when we swapped keys.
39:03Oh.
39:04I also told him we never set our alarm.
39:07But maybe on this occasion, Teresa did.
39:10So, what are you saying?
39:13I'm not saying anything.
39:14I think you are, Samuel.
39:16Oh.
39:17What do you think I'm saying?
39:19I think you're insinuating that I broke in.
39:22Am I?
39:22Yes, yes, you are.
39:24Did you?
39:25Oh, what a question to ask.
39:27So you did break it.
39:29I wanted to get our keys back because, quite frankly, I think you and Teresa have been behaving
39:34a bit oddly.
39:35I mean, what are you doing with my vase?
39:36Ah, you've had a look round.
39:38Yes, I've had a look around.
39:40I was doing you a favour.
39:42Recycling.
39:42Oh, really?
39:44And what about all the things we left in our front garden?
39:46That rug?
39:47What happened to that?
39:48I have no idea.
39:50Oh, well, what's this doing here?
39:55There.
39:55If James is baseball, he'd never get rid of it.
40:00I helped myself.
40:02That day, you came round when our alarm went off.
40:05Nah.
40:06Another day.
40:09You've been going round to our house when we were out.
40:12Of course I have.
40:14Is that woman your mistress?
40:16What woman?
40:17The one in the camper van.
40:18You think?
40:19Oh, no.
40:20She's my sister and niece.
40:22Who told you she was my mistress?
40:24The man from the garage.
40:26He's a joker.
40:27Plays games.
40:28I wouldn't listen to him.
40:29If anyone has a mistress, it's him.
40:31Then why is there a picture of you and her in your back room?
40:34It's not a crime to have a photo of my sister and niece, is it?
40:38Is it?
40:38Can I just have my keys back?
40:40They're hanging up by the front door.
40:41And why does your wife lurk by the window every time I come home?
40:45She was attacked once on a doorstep.
40:47Now she waits and watches everyone who comes near the house.
40:52If you don't believe me, ask her yourself.
40:56Teresa?
40:57Yes, I know.
40:58We have a curious neighbour.
41:02Oh?
41:04Oh, Sarah.
41:06Did you set her alarm?
41:08Oh, I don't know how to.
41:10Did you hear that, Sarah?
41:12She doesn't know how to.
41:13Look, what I did was wrong.
41:16It was more than wrong.
41:17Letting myself in, it was wrong.
41:19But please, can I just go home?
41:20Home?
41:21Did she say home?
41:23Yes, home.
41:25Stay for a cup of tea.
41:26Slice a cake.
41:28What is it today, Teresa?
41:30Walnut and coffee.
41:31My favourite.
41:33You will stay, Sarah, won't you?
41:36Sarah?
41:37You will stay.
41:39Of course she will.
41:45Hi, Sarah here.
41:47I can't come to the phone right now.
41:48Please leave a message and I'll return your call as soon as I can.
41:52Hello, love.
41:53I'm on my way back from the school trip.
41:55Brilliant day, if a little rained on.
41:58Loads to tell you.
42:00But we've got a takeaway.
42:01See you soon.
42:05Another slice, Samuel?
42:07No, thank you, Teresa.
42:11Did she ask about Maria and Helen?
42:14Oh, yes.
42:15And?
42:16I say what I always say.
42:18Helen's my sister.
42:19And Maria's your niece.
42:21That's right.
42:23It's none of anyone's business what we do with our lives.
42:27What did you do with the, uh, carpet?
42:31Rolled it up and put it in the cellar.
42:33Ready for the girls to take in the next van load.
42:37And the baseball?
42:39Oh, don't worry about the baseball.
42:41Maybe I will have another slice.
42:46Just a small one.
42:49I've got you under my skin.
42:54Please leave a message and I'll return your call as soon as I can.
42:58Sarah, are you all right?
43:00Only I'm home and you're not.
43:02I've ordered a curry.
43:03Should arrive about the same time as you.
43:05Call when you get this message.
43:06Oh, and guess what?
43:08My baseball turned up.
43:09It was exactly where I left it.
43:11I'm not going crazy after all.
43:16And I'll return your call as soon as I can.
43:20Sarah, call me.
43:22Please.
43:23Please.
43:25Just call me.
43:26In the People Next Door by Shelley Silas, Sarah was played by Claire Rushbrook, James, Nicholas Glees, Samuel, Sean Baker, Teresa, Marlene Siddoway, and the car mechanic, Alan Raglan.
43:51Because I've got you under my skin.
43:57The director was Mary Pete.
43:59And I like you under my skin.
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