- today
It’s 1979 and hapless accountant Arthur and his wife Gwen have made a new friend. Flashy novelist Reeve is everything they're not - carefree, charismatic and seemingly irresistible. At first, his friendship seems to offer an enticing window into a world beyond their cloistered suburban existence, but it doesn't take long for the relationship to slip into rather more sinister territory.
Arthur .... Reece Shearsmith
Gwen .... Laura Pyper
Reeve .... Michael Maloney
With Rachel Atkins and David Holt
Dramatised by Mike Walker
Directed by John Dryden
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2012
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Arthur .... Reece Shearsmith
Gwen .... Laura Pyper
Reeve .... Michael Maloney
With Rachel Atkins and David Holt
Dramatised by Mike Walker
Directed by John Dryden
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2012
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
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/oldtuberadio
https://ko-fi.com/oldtuberadio98
https://www.patreon.com/oldtuberadio
https://locals.com/Oldtuberadio
Category
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FunTranscript
00:00People Don't Do Such Things
00:11People Don't Do Such Things
00:11By Ruth Rendell
00:13First, the 9 o'clock news with Angela Rippon.
00:20People Don't Do Such Things
00:23Well, that's what Ibsen says.
00:28It's the last line of his play, Hedda Gabler.
00:31I saw it once at the National.
00:34This chap who says it,
00:36he simply can't understand what's happened,
00:39that the truth is stranger than fiction.
00:43I know how he felt.
00:45I say it to myself every time I come up against the reality
00:48that Reeve Baker is serving 15 years in prison
00:53for the murder of my wife.
00:58And that I played my part in it
01:00and that it happened to the three of us.
01:06People Don't Do Such Things
01:08But you see,
01:12Actually, there is no health hazard yet.
01:14They do.
01:15But the health officer began spraying against insects.
01:18They do.
01:19And so the Prime Minister decides against a general election.
01:22Mrs. Thatcher doesn't like it.
01:24I can't bear Britain in decline.
01:27I just can't.
01:28We who either defeated or rescued half Europe,
01:31who kept half Europe free,
01:34when otherwise it would be in chains.
01:36And look at his now.
01:37All right.
01:43All right.
01:45And I think his decision is really against the nation's best interests.
01:49He lost his majority.
01:50And when that happens,
01:51I think you lose the authority of the government.
01:53Oh, me.
02:00I was, I am,
02:02an accountant.
02:04Small firm.
02:06I jogged along.
02:07Had a secretary, Jan.
02:09And, well, just me, really.
02:14Tuesday afternoon,
02:15in that terrible winter of 1979,
02:17come in.
02:19A new client.
02:21Mr. Hitchcock,
02:22your three o'clock appointment.
02:23Mr. Baker.
02:24Oh, thank you, Jan.
02:25If you'll go through, sir.
02:26Thank you, Jan.
02:28Mr. Baker.
02:29Yes, indeed.
02:30Good of you to see me at such short notice.
02:32I know how busy you fellas get at this time of year.
02:33Money never sleeps.
02:35Yeah, well, I wish mine did.
02:36I might be able to keep my hands on it.
02:38Oh, do you do.
02:39Hope you've got no-one peasant surprises for me.
02:42I beg your pardon?
02:43Mr. Hitchcock?
02:44Oh, I'm sorry.
02:45I'm sure you've heard that far too often
02:47for it to be anything other than annoying.
02:48Well, not anymore.
02:50Although, when I was at school,
02:51they used to call me, uh...
02:53Please, won't you take a seat?
02:56I think Mrs. Ryan recommended me.
02:58I'd be, yes.
02:58We have the same publisher.
03:00She mentioned that you write...
03:01Historical novels, yeah.
03:02No.
03:03I don't know if you were a reader.
03:04Uh, mostly detective stories, I'm afraid.
03:07Now, Mrs. Ryan said...
03:09Hmm, Infernal Revenue.
03:11Got a letter.
03:13Actually, a few.
03:14Oh, uh, how long?
03:17Oh, since the first.
03:18Oh, my God, you've got me there.
03:20Ah.
03:22Two months.
03:23That really isn't a good idea to ignore these things.
03:26They don't go away.
03:27You're damn right they don't.
03:29Hmm.
03:30It seems they have a bit of a bee in their bonnet
03:34about your returns this year.
03:37Oh, well, good luck to them.
03:38Well, did you actually...
03:40I had a number of writers among my clients
03:42and I didn't know something of the type,
03:44the, I have to say,
03:45it's somewhat irresponsible attitude to money.
03:48The way they tend to fall back
03:50on the excuse of artistic temperament
03:52for what is, in fact, tax evasion.
03:55Absolutely.
03:55Fortunately, I had no other clients that afternoon
03:58and was able to sort things out for Mr. Baker
04:01and keep him reasonably solvent for the next few months.
04:04When we apply again in April, that should be fine.
04:08Oh, I see.
04:10Actually, no, I don't.
04:11But I think you do, Mr. Hitchcock,
04:12and for that I feel relieved.
04:14It's a bit early yet to count our chickens.
04:17There's work to be done,
04:18but if you leave it with me,
04:19I'll come back in, say, three weeks.
04:22I could do that, certainly.
04:23Then we may be able to see clear water.
04:26Clear water?
04:26No, I prefer mine in a single malt.
04:29Same time, I have an appointment nearby,
04:32so it would be all right for me.
04:35Splendid.
04:36I'll see myself out.
04:38Thank you, Mr.
04:40What did they call you at school?
04:42At school?
04:43Oh, Mystery, Hitchcock.
04:47Well, you know what boys are like.
04:49Indeed.
04:50They will be boys.
04:56Mystery.
04:58Mystery, Hitchcock.
05:01Good Lord.
05:04I hadn't thought about it for years.
05:09The nickname.
05:10I was always rather proud of it,
05:11I thought made me sound interesting.
05:14Though hardly suitable for an accountant.
05:19It's strange.
05:20But it never occurred to me that I might find myself in a real murder mystery one day.
05:28After all, such things don't happen.
05:34Do they?
05:36Hello, Bob.
05:39Mmm.
05:40That was good.
05:42What is it?
05:43Wait and see.
05:45It'll be an hour or so at least.
05:46Would you like tea?
05:47Oh, I'd love some.
05:48Kettle's on.
05:49How was your day?
05:50Pretty much as usual.
05:52We keep hoping someone will bring something priceless into the shop, but nothing yet.
05:56I suppose it must happen.
05:58You do hear about it on local news every so often.
06:00Old family picture taken into a charity shop.
06:03Turns out to be a Rembrandt.
06:04I think we'd notice that.
06:07Well, I don't suppose anyone would actually bring anything in.
06:09Oh, that reminds me.
06:13At the office today, something interesting happened.
06:17Oh, come on, Arthur.
06:18Nothing interesting ever happened at your office.
06:20Well, you're wrong this time.
06:22You always say most of my clients are boring.
06:24Not this chap.
06:25Writer.
06:26You always say they're the most boring.
06:29Spend all their time at the typewriter.
06:31Is he famous?
06:32Reeve Baker.
06:33Do you know the name?
06:34Actually, I may do.
06:36I think someone brought in some novels.
06:38I had to check through them for old letters and stuff people leave.
06:41I think one was his.
06:44A knight in armour on the cover.
06:45Could be.
06:47Certainly there was something about the chap.
06:50Made a change.
06:52Do you think we need a change, Arthur?
06:58Oh, goodness me, Laura.
06:59Grace, at the shop, was talking to a customer about a dinner party they'd been to.
07:04Saying it was young couples with children,
07:06and all they talked about was sleeping through the night and nursery school
07:10and how worrying it all was and how exhausting and noisy.
07:15And I thought,
07:16we don't have all that.
07:20We have good friends.
07:22And aren't we going to bet in Ralph this weekend?
07:25Yes.
07:27Yes, of course, I'd forgotten.
07:28Well, why don't you...
07:31A new frock or...
07:34You see, we don't, do we?
07:36Have all that.
07:39Sometimes it's so quiet in this house,
07:42it's as if no one's here at all.
07:45Now, out you go.
07:46Watch the news.
07:47I've got work to do.
07:48Oh, I was listening to the radio.
07:53Oh, yes.
07:54Who's Sid Vicious?
07:59I don't know.
08:00Why?
08:01It seems he's dead.
08:03Then it's a pity the gravediggers are going on strike along with everyone else.
08:07I think it happened in America.
08:09Oh, America.
08:12Are you going to make that tea or let the kettle boil dry?
08:14All right.
08:33Time went by, as it does.
08:36The weather got a little better,
08:38and it was getting lighter every evening,
08:39and I was able to get some time in the garden.
08:42And three weeks later,
08:43Mr. Baker came back to the office.
08:45This is a miracle.
08:47It actually makes sense.
08:48I've spoken to the officer,
08:49dealing with your arrears,
08:51and as long as you keep up the payments,
08:53and we make sure that future payments are on time,
08:55then...
08:55We're sitting on those clear waters you talked about.
08:59I've got a new book on the slips,
09:00and we have high hopes of good sales.
09:02I believe you said you were renting at the moment.
09:04Yes, yeah, basement place, roomy,
09:06all I need really, well, I mean,
09:07since the divorce.
09:09It would make good financial sense
09:11if you're thinking about buying.
09:12You could get a three-bedroom flat
09:14and made a veil for around £20,000.
09:17I know it's a lot of money,
09:18but the bricks and mortar will never let you down.
09:21You know, I'm not sure I want to be tied down.
09:23One of the things that finished my marriage,
09:25Hildy always asking where I was,
09:26why wasn't I at home?
09:27I've never been an at-home source.
09:30There's a whole world out there.
09:32Wouldn't do for me.
09:33Who'd water the garden?
09:35Well, you've saved my bacon.
09:37Look, at the least I owe you is a drink.
09:39You're right, you haven't seen my bill yet.
09:41Oh, aren't you?
09:42Good Lord, a joke.
09:44No, no, of course,
09:45but the appointment I had later,
09:46she's, she...
09:47Well, it fell through, so let me buy it.
09:49It's not really.
09:50No, no, no, I would like to do that.
09:51I really appreciate your help on this, Mr Hitchcock.
09:59So, what's it to be?
10:01Oh, um, orange juice and tonic, please.
10:04Are you sure?
10:05Oh, no, I'm not really a drinker.
10:07Oh, come on, be a devil.
10:09Okay, well, it's all right, then.
10:11Two glasses of the burgundy, please, Reza.
10:13Thanks, love.
10:15Oh, this is, uh, nice.
10:17It's close to your office, isn't it?
10:18I rather imagined you'd be a regular.
10:19Relief after difficult clients.
10:21Oh, then, mostly not difficult.
10:24Worried or anxious is more the ticket.
10:26And it's only Jan and myself
10:27at Christmas we have a lunch
10:29at the Golden Egg on the High Street.
10:30Ah, yes, the pretty Jan, eh?
10:32Got a bit of a sparkle, hasn't she?
10:34Actually?
10:35Thanks, Reza.
10:37So, uh, cheers.
10:39You know, I can't call you mystery, can I?
10:40And Mr Hitchcock, why do I seem so formal?
10:43Oh, uh, Arthur.
10:44Cheers, Arthur.
10:46And thank you.
10:53So, Arthur, do you live locally?
10:55Oh, only a couple of miles,
10:57just beyond the park, Eastern Road.
10:59Ah, yes, no, I'm further up the hill.
11:01Well, good for the tube,
11:02but no one near as nice as your neighbourhood.
11:05Is it one of those big detached places on the left?
11:08Mm, it is, actually.
11:10I suppose we're very fortunate,
11:11bought at the right time.
11:12You have a family?
11:13Well, it's Gwen, really.
11:15My wife's Gwen.
11:16Just two of us.
11:18No children, then?
11:18No.
11:19No, we don't.
11:21Well, as for me, since the divorce,
11:23I'm a man alone against the world.
11:24No, actually, I'm...
11:27Now, there's a cracker.
11:31The blonde by the door.
11:34Don't get many of those there, doesn't he?
11:36No.
11:37As an accountant, I'd have to agree.
11:39You know, I always think
11:46there's an awful lot of women in the world
11:47I haven't met yet,
11:48and there's nothing like making new friends.
11:52You know, but...
11:54Why not?
11:54But I'll have to be careful
11:55while Gwen will think her laugh
11:56is just throwing over the traces.
11:59Rita?
12:00Too poor, please tell me.
12:01Yeah, not that I'm actually that old, really,
12:03but we live a pretty boring,
12:05average kind of life, really.
12:06Sorry I'm late, love.
12:16And up at the office?
12:17Yes.
12:18Always a busy time of year.
12:22Mints.
12:23I thought you hated mints.
12:25Oh, yeah, I had a bit of indigestion.
12:28You know how it is.
12:29Eating my lunch too quick.
12:30You should relax sometimes.
12:31You work too hard.
12:32Well, there's only me.
12:35Of course, jam's a hell,
12:36but, uh...
12:37Oh, the, uh, writer I told you about.
12:40Baker.
12:40Reeve Baker?
12:41Mm-hmm.
12:42Will you get the table, Max?
12:43Mm-hmm.
12:44He, uh, came in,
12:45seemed particularly glad
12:47about what I'd done for him.
12:48Mm-hmm.
12:48Sit down.
12:49So, he invited us out
12:52to dinner
12:53a week tonight
12:56in town.
12:59Oh, I don't know, Arthur.
13:02Friday nights, uh...
13:03Always free?
13:04But clients?
13:05Is it quite professional?
13:06I think that Reeve is really...
13:07Oh, Reeve.
13:09He's a nice chap.
13:10Not the sort of person
13:11we usually meet, to be honest.
13:13And, well, uh,
13:13a bit of fresh air.
13:15Someone who isn't a GP
13:16or a solicitor.
13:18You'd like him, I'm sure.
13:20Arthur,
13:21you should have checked first.
13:23Of course.
13:24Yes, I should.
13:25But, um,
13:25you know how these
13:26things are.
13:27They come rushing down at you
13:29having to make a decision
13:30and, frankly,
13:31it would have been rude
13:32to say no.
13:33It's just an evening.
13:34And if I went on my own,
13:35what would he think?
13:37Here on one,
13:38I'll play for the day,
13:39tell me.
13:45Good evening, madam.
13:46Sir?
13:47May I help you?
13:48Oh, yes.
13:49I...
13:49We are the guests
13:50of Mr Baker.
13:52Um, I don't know
13:52if he's, uh...
13:53Of course,
13:54Mr and Mrs Hitchcock.
13:55Yeah.
13:56Your table is waiting.
13:59Mr Baker has been held up.
14:01He sends his apologies
14:02and will be with you
14:03in a short moment.
14:04Um, madam?
14:06Yes, sir.
14:09May I get you a drink?
14:10Mr Baker suggested
14:11Quiroyal,
14:12but of course...
14:13Oh, that will be fine.
14:15Of course.
14:17Well,
14:18this is
14:20certainly something,
14:22isn't it?
14:22Not our usual venue,
14:25you might say.
14:27No music.
14:29I always hate it
14:29when they play music
14:30in places.
14:31Oh, I didn't know
14:32you hated it.
14:33I don't hate it,
14:34but I don't like it.
14:35But this is nice.
14:37Not really us,
14:38but...
14:38I'm glad we're not paying.
14:40Arthur!
14:42I'm so sorry.
14:43Hold up.
14:44My old mum
14:45always used to say,
14:45you know,
14:46Reeve,
14:46you'll be late
14:46for your own funeral.
14:47Oh, Mrs Hitchcock,
14:51I have heard
14:52so much about you.
14:53It's a huge pleasure
14:54to finally meet you
14:54at last.
14:55Your drinks.
14:57Would you care
14:57to see me?
14:58Yes, please, Vincent.
14:59Of course.
15:01How was your journey?
15:02Come by car?
15:03No, we took the train.
15:05Let the train
15:05take the train.
15:06Absolutely.
15:08Do you drive,
15:09Mrs Hitchcock?
15:10Oh, yes,
15:10but...
15:11Gwen.
15:12It's Gwen.
15:13But really,
15:14it's easier
15:14to take the train.
15:15Sir, madam?
15:17Yes, indeed.
15:18And you can always
15:19read a book.
15:21And if you'll forgive me
15:22for being a little forward,
15:24I bought a copy
15:25of my last for you.
15:26It's all right.
15:27You don't have to read it.
15:30May I inscribe it?
15:31Please do.
15:32And I will read it.
15:33I love history.
15:34What's it about?
15:35Elizabeth I.
15:37A strong woman
15:37who stands up
15:38and saves the nation
15:39in perilous times.
15:41I bet they didn't have
15:42as much rubbish
15:42on the streets
15:43as we do.
15:44Well, they didn't have
15:44strikes,
15:44that's for sure.
15:46There you are.
15:48Thank you so much.
15:50You work in the charity sector,
15:52Arthur was saying.
15:53That makes it sound
15:54rather grand.
15:56It's just a local shop.
15:58I don't know about grand.
15:59I mean,
16:00probably a lot more useful
16:00than what most people
16:01do with their time.
16:04Shall we choose?
16:06Oh,
16:07coming in.
16:08See the chap
16:09in the telly?
16:10The current affairs programme.
16:11Oh, yes.
16:12Take a second.
16:13I don't know.
16:14How's it going?
16:16You see,
16:18I told you he was interesting.
16:23It's a different world.
16:25Gwen was a little
16:26uncomfortable
16:27to begin with,
16:28but in the end
16:29we both enjoyed
16:31our evening.
16:32Reeve certainly
16:33put himself out
16:33to be a good host,
16:34although sometimes
16:36I felt he went
16:37a little too far.
16:38It actually
16:39worked out rather well.
16:40I'd intended to see
16:41this girl
16:42after going over
16:43things with Arthur,
16:45but,
16:45well,
16:46I mean,
16:46you know how it is
16:46when people get clean.
16:49Not sure I'm with you,
16:50Reeve.
16:51Well,
16:51we had a good time.
16:53She was a lot of fun,
16:54but in life
16:54you have to know
16:55when to fold
16:56and get up from the table.
16:57It's a thing
16:57politicians and bad
16:59gamblers
16:59never learn.
17:01To my mind,
17:01it's one of the most
17:02important skills.
17:03More wine,
17:03when Arthur?
17:04Oh,
17:05yes,
17:05please,
17:05Reeve.
17:06Arthur?
17:06Don't worry,
17:07love,
17:08we'll let the train
17:08take the strain.
17:11Isn't it a bit
17:12irresponsible?
17:13Gwen,
17:14no more for me,
17:15thank you.
17:16It's very nice,
17:16but enough
17:17is as good
17:17as a feast.
17:18Ah,
17:18but Oscar Wilde
17:19said more than enough
17:20is better than a feast.
17:21And look where he ended up.
17:22Exactly,
17:22as one of our greatest
17:23and funniest dramatists.
17:24I was thinking
17:25of Reading Jail.
17:27Your wife
17:28is a very sharp lady,
17:30Arthur.
17:30You're a lucky man.
17:32Here,
17:33a toast
17:34to brilliant
17:35and strong women.
17:36Oh,
17:36God.
17:42Come on,
17:42love,
17:43what is it?
17:44Didn't we
17:45have a good time?
17:47You certainly did.
17:49You must have had
17:49more than half
17:50a bottle of wine,
17:51Arthur.
17:51Oh,
17:52that's hardly a crime.
17:53If you hadn't,
17:54you wouldn't have
17:55invited him back.
17:56I think I would.
17:57After all,
17:58it's the polite thing
17:59to do.
18:00You don't like the idea.
18:01It's not that.
18:03Well,
18:03what is it?
18:07Don't you think
18:07he might
18:08find us
18:10and our friends
18:11boring?
18:13Actually,
18:13love,
18:14I'm not absolutely
18:15certain
18:15Reed would notice.
18:16Who else was in the room
18:17as long as he had
18:18a chance to talk?
18:20Oh,
18:21he does go on,
18:23doesn't he?
18:24And he's a
18:25breath of fresh air.
18:26Something different,
18:27you have to admit it.
18:28And he signed
18:30his book for us.
18:31Well,
18:31actually,
18:32he signed it
18:33for me.
18:34Well,
18:34there you are then.
18:37It'll be fine,
18:38really.
18:45As we travelled
18:46home that night,
18:47I couldn't help
18:47feeling that
18:48Gwen was
18:48annoyed.
18:53Usually,
18:54she was a steady
18:54sort.
18:55We both were.
18:56Oh,
18:56she was a bit
18:56of a romantic
18:57at heart,
18:58I suppose.
18:59Women are.
19:01She kept
19:01every card
19:02I'd ever
19:03given her.
19:04Theatre programmes,
19:05all the letters
19:06we wrote
19:07when we
19:07wrote letters,
19:09in a bundle,
19:10in her
19:10memories drawer,
19:11tied with a ribbon.
19:14But to tell
19:14the truth,
19:15I was getting
19:16a little concerned
19:17as the day
19:18of the party
19:18grew near.
19:20Let's see.
19:21Ralph.
19:21Hello.
19:22Are we late?
19:23To talk Ralph
19:24with me later.
19:24Come on through.
19:27Arthur's
19:28serving wine
19:28in the lounge.
19:32Gwen,
19:33these canapes
19:34are delicious.
19:36I think you
19:36I was trying.
19:38Reeve,
19:38Ralph and
19:39Betty.
19:40Reeve Baker.
19:41Hello.
19:42Not the writer.
19:43Too few years,
19:43George.
19:44Oh,
19:44I love your books.
19:46I don't know
19:46how you managed
19:47to find out
19:48all those things.
19:49Oh,
19:49well,
19:49it's not the
19:50research,
19:50actually.
19:51It's getting it
19:52on the page
19:52without making it
19:53boring for the reader.
19:54I don't think
19:55you could write
19:55a boring page
19:56if you tried.
19:57We'll have to
19:58leave that to
19:58Arthur and his
19:59spreadsheets.
20:01Hey,
20:01not fair.
20:03Don't worry,
20:03Arthur,
20:03I appreciate you.
20:04In fact,
20:04I'd be lost
20:05without you.
20:07Let me get you
20:07another drink.
20:08Let me get you
20:09quick,
20:09save me from
20:09myself.
20:10Eat some of
20:10these here.
20:11I'll get it
20:11to my shirt.
20:13See,
20:14I told you
20:15it would go
20:15with a bang.
20:15It certainly
20:16is.
20:17Another drink
20:17for Reeve,
20:18please.
20:19Any more
20:20nibbles,
20:20Arthur?
20:20Yes,
20:21I'm away.
20:21He has
20:22something called
20:23a word processor.
20:24Sorry,
20:25I don't know
20:26what to say.
20:26But anyway,
20:26he couldn't write
20:27the other day
20:28because there
20:28was a power cut.
20:30Reeve had a way
20:31of making
20:32other people
20:32feel relaxed,
20:34even when he
20:35was being a bit
20:35outrageous.
20:36How do you
20:36think you'd
20:37do on a
20:37desert island,
20:38Reeve?
20:38Without
20:38the company
20:39of lonely
20:39women?
20:40Impossible.
20:41I like the
20:42sound.
20:43Ralph,
20:43really?
20:44No men
20:45at all?
20:46No men,
20:46no competition.
20:47Right,
20:47Ralph?
20:48Right.
20:48Right.
20:50It certainly
20:51made our party
20:51go with a buzz.
20:54I began to
20:55worry that we'd
20:55run out of wine
20:56and twiglets
20:57before the end
20:57of the evening,
20:58but to be
20:59honest,
20:59I'm not sure
21:00anyone would
21:00have noticed.
21:01In the latest,
21:02Elizabeth I,
21:04a strong woman
21:05who has to
21:05rally her country
21:06against threats
21:06from abroad
21:07and plots at
21:08home.
21:09As you can
21:10see,
21:10not a lot of
21:10changes.
21:11That's an
21:11absolutely right,
21:13old man.
21:13Can I refresh
21:14your drink,
21:14Betty?
21:15No,
21:15I'm fine,
21:16thank you,
21:16Arthur.
21:17You're Mr.
21:17Baker's quite
21:18interesting chap.
21:20He's fascinating,
21:21he's promised to
21:21sign one of his
21:22books that I
21:23shall leave it
21:23casually open
21:24on the side
21:24board.
21:27Arthur,
21:27I'm afraid I
21:28shall have to
21:28be leaving.
21:29Oh,
21:29so early?
21:30Well,
21:30between you and
21:31me,
21:31there's this girl
21:33I'm meeting.
21:34Oh,
21:34the one you
21:35were supposed
21:35to be seeing
21:36when we had
21:36our drink.
21:37Oh,
21:38good Lord,
21:38no,
21:38no,
21:38that was
21:39over a month
21:39ago.
21:39No,
21:39this one's...
21:40You know
21:41what I mean.
21:42But now it's
21:43been a terrific
21:44party.
21:45I'll just go
21:45and make our
21:46goodbyes to our
21:46lovely hostess.
21:47Sorry?
21:48When?
21:49Good morning.
21:54Do you want to
21:56check on not
21:57walking up with
21:57the family
21:58silver?
21:58I don't think
21:58we have
21:59anything worth
21:59stealing.
22:00Oh,
22:00really?
22:01That's right
22:02to say.
22:03I had hopes
22:04that Arthur
22:04was squirreling
22:05away half a
22:05dozen fortunes
22:06from playing
22:06the stock
22:06exchange.
22:07The only
22:09thing Arthur
22:10ever plays
22:11is Canasta
22:11for matches.
22:13Oh,
22:13I can think
22:14of far more
22:14interesting games
22:15than that.
22:15Oh,
22:16what?
22:18For high
22:19stakes,
22:20where you risk
22:21everything to
22:22win everything.
22:37I thought
22:41that went
22:42rather well,
22:43love.
22:46He does have
22:47a way about
22:48him,
22:48doesn't he?
22:49Thought you
22:50two were
22:50having a
22:52serious chat
22:52before he
22:53left.
22:53What a little
22:54man about.
22:56He was saying
22:57how very much
22:59he appreciated
22:59all you'd
23:00done for him.
23:02That was
23:03nice.
23:06Oh,
23:06I'm exhausted.
23:08Shall I put
23:08the light out?
23:10I was thinking
23:12romance is in
23:14the...
23:14I need to be
23:14at the shop
23:15early.
23:18On Saturday,
23:19I decided to
23:20give the lawn
23:21the first cut
23:21of the season.
23:22There's always
23:23work to be
23:23done in the
23:23garden.
23:25Gwen got
23:25back about
23:26three o'clock
23:26and we had
23:27a cup of tea
23:28together.
23:29I, um,
23:30I called
23:31Reeve this
23:31morning.
23:32What?
23:33I just thought
23:33I'd thank him
23:34for coming.
23:35You didn't
23:35need to do
23:36that.
23:36When the
23:37phone was
23:38picked up,
23:39I could hear
23:39a girl laughing
23:41in the background
23:42and he said
23:43to her,
23:43as if I wasn't
23:44even on the
23:44phone,
23:45make some
23:45tea,
23:45will you,
23:46sweetie?
23:46My head's
23:47splitting.
23:49Oh.
23:50He did seem
23:51to pull himself
23:51together,
23:52at least enough
23:52to say he's
23:53off to France
23:53for a few
23:54days.
23:56Is there any
23:56more tea?
23:57I'll put some
23:58more in the
23:58pot.
23:59You don't
23:59mind if it's
24:00a bit weak,
24:00do you?
24:01The next
24:03time we saw
24:04Reeve was
24:05about three
24:05weeks later
24:06after his
24:07French trip
24:07when he
24:08invited us
24:08over to his
24:09flat for drinks
24:10one Sunday.
24:11Welcome!
24:12Come through!
24:13I've been
24:15chilling the
24:16martinis all
24:16day.
24:17I admit,
24:17I was curious.
24:19I think we
24:19both were.
24:20How was
24:20Fran?
24:20Oh,
24:21still needs
24:21a coat of
24:22paper,
24:22that's half
24:22its charm.
24:23Seriously,
24:24would you care
24:24for a martini
24:25or something
24:26a little less
24:27lethal?
24:27Rosie's your
24:28drink,
24:28I seem to
24:29remember.
24:29Yes,
24:30fine.
24:30Sit down,
24:32please.
24:34Did you take
24:35your new
24:35girlfriend?
24:36Do we get
24:36to meet her?
24:37Arthur.
24:37Ah,
24:37well,
24:38no.
24:39Here yesterday,
24:39gone today,
24:40and tomorrow's
24:42another day.
24:43No.
24:45She was far
24:45too clingy
24:47here,
24:47I quite.
24:47Not very
24:48gallant.
24:49We're all
24:49feminists now.
24:50The time for
24:51gallantry is
24:51long past.
24:52Well,
24:52it's patronising.
24:54I know
24:54what I want.
24:55I assume
24:55she knows
24:55what she
24:56wants.
24:56A good
24:56time,
24:57fun,
24:57and no
24:57commitments.
24:58Thank you
24:58very much,
24:59Arthur.
25:00Here you
25:00go.
25:01Oh,
25:01thank you
25:02very much.
25:05What about
25:05love?
25:07You could
25:07have broken
25:07her heart.
25:08Gwen,
25:08the heart
25:09is a muscle,
25:10that's all.
25:11You're too
25:11cynical.
25:13You might
25:13fall in love
25:13yourself one
25:14day,
25:14then you'll
25:14know what
25:15it's like.
25:15You think
25:15so?
25:16No.
25:16No,
25:17I go with
25:17Shaw.
25:17He said,
25:18don't do
25:18unto others
25:19as you'd
25:19have them
25:20do to you.
25:20We've all
25:20got different
25:21tastes.
25:21How's the
25:24wine,
25:24how's the
25:24wine,
25:24by the way?
25:26It's fine.
25:27Don't
25:27we all
25:28have the
25:28same tastes
25:29as far
25:29as not
25:29wanting
25:30to be
25:30ill-treated?
25:31She should
25:31have thought
25:32of that
25:32before she
25:32tried to
25:33control my
25:33life.
25:34What if
25:34she won't
25:34give up?
25:35If she
25:35fights for
25:36what she
25:36believes in?
25:38If that
25:39happens,
25:39and it has,
25:40I'll just
25:41disappear for
25:41a few weeks.
25:42Now,
25:42don't worry,
25:42Arthur,
25:43no expensive
25:43holidays.
25:44I lay low
25:45right here.
25:46Stock up the
25:47freezer,
25:47get in a
25:48supply of booze,
25:49stay out of the
25:49front room where you
25:50can be seen from
25:50the pavement and
25:51live like a
25:51harlot for a
25:52few weeks.
25:53Tell the truth.
25:54That's how I get
25:54some of my best
25:55work done.
25:56No distractions.
25:59Look,
25:59look,
26:00here's what it's
26:01like.
26:03Mozart knew all
26:04about it.
26:05Don Giovanni,
26:05do you know him?
26:07Not really.
26:08Opera people.
26:09The catalogue
26:09aria where
26:10Leporello tells us
26:11about all the
26:11women his
26:12master has
26:12seduced.
26:16My dear
26:17lady,
26:17this is a
26:17list of the
26:18beauties my
26:18master has
26:19loved.
26:20In Italy,
26:25640.
26:29In Germany,
26:30231.
26:34100 in
26:34France.
26:42And in Spain,
26:43so far,
26:441,003.
26:46Oh, it's
26:53quite wonderful
26:54and perhaps
26:55quite dreadful.
26:56You see,
26:57that is the
26:58secret of Don
26:58Giovanni.
26:59He is what
27:00he is.
27:00He has the
27:01courage, the
27:01guts not to
27:02apologize,
27:03not to be a
27:03hypocrite.
27:04Gwen, I
27:10can see you're
27:11critical, but
27:11I promise you
27:12one thing, I
27:12will never
27:13pretend to be
27:14something I'm
27:14not.
27:15Like me or
27:16hate me, here
27:17I stand, wine
27:18in hand, with
27:19my friends, and
27:21to me, there is
27:23no better place
27:24to be.
27:25Well, let's
27:29bring to that.
27:32I'll admit it,
27:34Gwen and I are
27:34old-fashioned in
27:35these matters.
27:36We knew quite
27:37well that Reeve
27:38was single, but
27:39somehow we just
27:40couldn't shake the
27:41feeling that what
27:42he was doing just
27:44wasn't right.
27:45I think Gwen was
27:51more annoyed than
27:52I was, less
27:52inclined to be
27:53forgiving, and
27:55I'm afraid that as
27:56we drove home that
27:57evening...
27:57I'm amazed, in a
27:59way, that he
27:59actually has any
28:00ideas left over for
28:01his books.
28:02There's so much
28:03drama in his own
28:04life.
28:05Perhaps that's
28:06where he gets his
28:06material.
28:08Anyway, he's
28:09single.
28:10It's his life,
28:11after all.
28:11Is that supposed
28:12to make his
28:12attitude right?
28:13Oh, come on.
28:14Is it?
28:15Well, you made
28:17your feelings quite
28:18plain to him.
28:20Rather too plain.
28:21What was I
28:22supposed to say?
28:23Well, you weren't
28:23supposed to be rude.
28:25He was our host,
28:26and even if you
28:27don't approve...
28:28Frankly, I wouldn't
28:29be surprised if he
28:30dropped us after
28:30that, even if you
28:31found another
28:31accountant.
28:35What if he does?
28:37Is that so bad?
28:38Is your life really
28:39so boring that it
28:41needs a...
28:43Oh, let's not
28:46quarrel over
28:47Reeve.
28:47He's not worth it.
28:51The thing is, I
28:52thought he was
28:53worth it.
28:54I found something
28:55attractive about
28:55Reeve Baker and
28:56his way of life.
28:58He was the most
28:58exciting man I'd
29:00ever met, and I
29:00didn't want to lose
29:01his friendship.
29:03Perhaps I should
29:04have asked myself
29:04what he saw in us.
29:05Over the next few
29:11weeks, life went
29:12back to normal.
29:15We never spoke of
29:16Reeve, perhaps stopped
29:18expecting to see him
29:19again.
29:19I was busy at the
29:21office.
29:21We had little time
29:22for socializing.
29:24Then it was our
29:25anniversary.
29:27Hello, love.
29:29Happy anniversary.
29:33Gwen?
29:34Gwen?
29:35Where are you?
29:44Gwen?
29:52Good Lord, where
29:53have you been?
29:54I was worried.
29:55Why?
29:56It's late.
29:57I came home early
29:58because of our
29:59anniversary.
30:00I wanted...
30:01Have you had your
30:02hair done?
30:04It is our
30:05anniversary.
30:07Happy anniversary,
30:09love.
30:10Oh, Arthur, you
30:11always choose such
30:12nice flowers.
30:13And some sharks.
30:19And the cards.
30:20Oh, how lovely.
30:21So, uh, what's for
30:28dinner?
30:29Something special?
30:31I thought we'd go
30:32out.
30:33We never go out on
30:34Tuesdays.
30:34Well?
30:36Oh, in the post, a
30:38card from Reeve.
30:39Looks like we're back
30:40on his mailing list.
30:41Let me see.
30:42It's in the kitchen.
30:43Although I can't
30:46imagine how he knew
30:47about it.
30:49Gwen?
30:51You must have
30:51told him something.
30:54Nice, uh, message,
30:56I thought, to the
30:57couple who made me
30:57believe that marriage
30:58is a game worth
30:59playing.
31:00It's a compliment,
31:01really, from Reeve.
31:02It's a writer, Arthur.
31:03It's what they do.
31:06Happy anniversary,
31:07darling.
31:07Happy anniversary,
31:12darling.
31:16I'm an accountant.
31:17It's my job to make
31:19sure things add up.
31:21I'm supposed to be
31:21good at it.
31:23Sometimes you can miss
31:24the important numbers
31:25right there on the
31:26page in front of you.
31:28Over the next few
31:29weeks, things began to
31:31change at home.
31:37Uh, oh, Reeve?
31:40Yeah.
31:41Arthur!
31:43The truth to tell,
31:44Reeve.
31:45What, what is it?
31:46What's up?
31:47I'm worried about
31:48Gwen.
31:50Gwen?
31:50The other day, I was
31:52looking for a receipt.
31:53I thought I'd thrown it
31:54away, so I checked the
31:55bin, and, and you
31:56see, there was my
31:57card, the anniversary
31:59card I gave her this
32:00year.
32:00It was torn in half,
32:02and, um, she never
32:04throws sentimental
32:06things away.
32:06Reeve never.
32:07She's often late at
32:08home, and snappier than
32:10she used to be, and...
32:13And you, you think
32:15that she's...
32:17I, I don't know what
32:18to think.
32:19You know so much more
32:20about women than I do.
32:22Is she worried about
32:23something, feeling that
32:24our marriage is...
32:27You see, we, she
32:29always wanted children,
32:31and we never, it never
32:33happened, and, um...
32:35Oh, broody, she's
32:37broody.
32:38She's thinking that this
32:39may be her last chance.
32:40You think so?
32:41Look, look, Gwen's a
32:43cracking girl, Arthur.
32:44Of course she wants
32:45children.
32:45They all do.
32:46That's why they need us
32:47to settle down.
32:48You just have to be more
32:49attentive, help her
32:50through this difficult
32:52time.
32:52Don't be obvious, be
32:53subtle, but let her know
32:54you're there for her.
32:57Yeah.
32:58Thank you, Reeve.
32:59That's, uh...
33:01Yeah, that's, uh...
33:02But what about you?
33:04It's been a while since
33:05we saw each other.
33:06Everything going well?
33:07Well, I have you to
33:08thank for that.
33:10But I do have some news.
33:12Oh?
33:14Oh, that was delicious,
33:16love.
33:17No, don't you move.
33:18You've done the cooking.
33:19I'll do the washing up.
33:23Oh, I, uh...
33:24I saw Reeve today.
33:26Just in passing.
33:27A few things to clear
33:28up on his returns.
33:29He's off to France again.
33:33Oh, don't worry, love.
33:35I'll...
33:35I'll...
33:35I'll clear it up.
33:42France?
33:43Ah, a couple of weeks.
33:45Uh, of course I told him
33:46to be careful with the cat.
33:48Why?
33:49Uh, a walking holiday
33:51in Provence, I think.
33:52Never quite thought of Reeve
33:53as a...
33:54hiker, somehow.
33:57Shows you how people
33:58can surprise you.
34:02What is it, Gwen?
34:03Are you all right?
34:06It's only a teacup.
34:09It's nothing.
34:11Nothing at all.
34:13That's fine, Arthur.
34:14That's, uh...
34:15Hmm.
34:15Maybe the tears helped.
34:21Over the next few days,
34:22Gwen was relaxed,
34:24cheerful,
34:25not at all on edge.
34:26Everything was the way
34:27it used to be.
34:29Reeve's advice had been good,
34:30I thought.
34:31That's what I thought,
34:33you see.
34:33I could alter my route
34:41to the office,
34:42so I drove past Reeve's flat.
34:44Well, it was a way
34:45of thanking him
34:46for the favour
34:46and it wasn't very much
34:47out of my way.
34:48I'd just keep an eye
34:49on his place,
34:50make sure things were all right
34:51whilst he was in France.
34:52You see,
34:57I noticed the window
34:59was open
34:59in the front
35:00and the curtains
35:01were half-drawn.
35:02I told you,
35:03I noticed things.
35:04I noticed that.
35:06And the next day,
35:07the window was shut
35:08and the curtains open.
35:11I thought,
35:12he's back early.
35:13I'd drop in,
35:14get a cup of coffee,
35:16see how things
35:17had gone in France.
35:18Yes.
35:18Yes.
35:22Oh, damn it.
35:29Oh, hello there.
35:30He's not there.
35:32Oh, he's still in France.
35:33He's not there.
35:34It's all right,
35:35I have an old friend.
35:36He's not there.
35:41Oh, you crafty dog, Reeve.
35:48Hello, Mum.
35:50Traffic bad?
35:51Not the traffic.
35:54Old Reeve.
35:55He's a bad boy.
35:56He's been up
35:57to his old tricks again.
35:58I went by his place.
35:59He's laying low.
36:00You know,
36:01just like he told us.
36:02Hold up in the basement,
36:03avoiding some girl
36:04he wants to get rid of.
36:05I mean,
36:06not that I approve,
36:07but next time I see him,
36:08I'm going to...
36:10But what?
36:13How could he?
36:16How could he?
36:17Oh,
36:18you know Reeve, Gwen.
36:19Benny's done it before,
36:20I dare say he'll do it.
36:21Oh, shut up!
36:27He won't answer you,
36:29you know.
36:29He's in hiding.
36:30We might not like it,
36:32but...
36:33You stupid,
36:35bloody idiot.
36:36But where are you going?
36:46To him,
36:47of course.
36:48Where else?
36:48Who else?
36:50Oh, God.
36:50I know I'm slow
37:03on the uptake
37:04sometimes,
37:05but I'm not stupid.
37:07And I'm not proud
37:08of what I did next,
37:10but...
37:11I went to Gwen's memory drawer.
37:14You see,
37:15I blame myself.
37:17At work,
37:18too much,
37:19no baby.
37:20I could see how she might
37:21build up a fantasy life
37:23around a man like Reeve,
37:24an exciting life,
37:26something I failed
37:27to give her.
37:31I almost wept
37:32as I took out
37:34these sad tokens
37:36of her hopeless
37:38schoolgirl dreams.
37:40A button fallen
37:41from Reeve's blazer.
37:42A locket
37:43that I'd given her,
37:45but with his picture,
37:46cut from a book jacket
37:48and the lock
37:49of his hair in it now.
37:52She must have taken
37:53the hair from the brush
37:54in the bathroom
37:54when we visited his flat.
37:57Oh, Gwen.
37:58I thought she was upset.
38:00I hadn't known
38:01for how long
38:02and how deeply
38:03she'd needed help.
38:05Help I hadn't given her.
38:07Had Reeve
38:08encouraged her?
38:10Of course not.
38:11Why would he even bother
38:13with a woman
38:14who would marry
38:14a man like me?
38:19But I could help now.
38:21I could do something.
38:22I would do something.
38:24If only I was in time.
38:26Gwen,
38:27please get in.
38:28Leave me alone, Arthur.
38:30Just for a moment,
38:31please.
38:31Please.
38:32Look,
38:41I'm not blaming you.
38:43I understand.
38:44I really do.
38:45Reeve...
38:45I love him
38:46and he loves me.
38:48Gwen,
38:49it's a dream.
38:52I want a divorce.
38:54Look,
38:55you hardly know the man.
38:57We can work this out.
38:59We should have talked.
38:59I...
39:00I hardly know him.
39:03We've been lovers
39:04for two months,
39:05Arthur.
39:09I don't believe you.
39:10Don't you?
39:12Thank God
39:13there's no more need
39:13to pretend.
39:15I'm going to him.
39:16We'll be together.
39:17Like every other woman
39:18he's had since his divorce.
39:21Like them, Gwen.
39:21This is different.
39:23He told me
39:23before he went away
39:24that I was the one...
39:25Oh, but he didn't go away,
39:26did he, Gwen?
39:27He's hiding in his flat.
39:28How could you go to him now
39:29if he wasn't there?
39:30Hiding.
39:31From you.
39:32Damn you, Arthur.
39:32I'm going to him
39:33and I never want
39:34to see you again.
39:40Good evening.
39:42Well, I'm afraid
39:42Dernan's comments
39:43turned out
39:43to something
39:44with disappointment.
39:45When she hadn't
39:46come home
39:47by midnight...
39:49Yes, I wanted to report
39:52a missing person.
39:54my wife.
39:57They told me
39:58that husbands
39:59or wives
40:00often disappeared.
40:02They said
40:02I should call them
40:03back in two or three days
40:04if I hadn't heard
40:05from her by then.
40:19Rosie!
40:22Rosie!
40:22Rosie!
40:22Rosie, will you
40:25come on?
40:27What you found?
40:28Oh, oh!
40:29Hey, Rosie.
40:31Here, Mum.
40:34Oh, my God.
40:37Oh, my God.
40:42Here.
40:45Hey, help!
40:47You told people
40:59you were in France.
41:03Stop it.
41:04That was, uh...
41:06You see...
41:07And you were not?
41:10No.
41:10But I explained
41:12to the police
41:13that the lady
41:14upstairs
41:15had seen you?
41:16That your alibi
41:17was no longer
41:18any use to you?
41:21Oh, Jan,
41:23you shouldn't have
41:23come.
41:23Of course I should.
41:25You need to see
41:26a friendly face
41:26in all this awful,
41:28terrible.
41:29Well,
41:30I just hope
41:31they've got enough
41:32evidence
41:33to lock that
41:33bastard,
41:34sorry, Jan,
41:36up for life.
41:38Oh, terrible, man.
41:39I'm sure they will.
41:41And when it's all over,
41:42you should take
41:42some time off.
41:44I can look
41:45after the office.
41:47Thanks.
41:49Thank you, Jan.
41:52This is
41:53your blazer,
41:55isn't it,
41:56Mr. Baker?
41:57It is, yes,
41:59but...
41:59But,
42:00but,
42:01Mr. Baker,
42:02you cannot explain
42:03how the murdered woman
42:04happened to be
42:05clutching a button,
42:06this very button
42:07missing from this exhibit.
42:09Oh, you don't understand.
42:10No,
42:11Mr. Baker,
42:12I do not understand
42:13why you persist
42:14in lying to the judge.
42:15No, no.
42:16It's a mistake.
42:17Your hair,
42:18your hair,
42:19caught under
42:20your victim's nails,
42:21is that also a mistake?
42:22It...
42:24It's...
42:28It's...
42:29I never really saw
42:38much use in fiction,
42:39but in the end,
42:40I have to admit,
42:42my reading of
42:43detective stories
42:44did prove useful.
42:47Not that I've
42:48read one since.
42:50People don't,
42:52I suppose.
42:52after a thing like that.
42:56Mrs. Thatcher,
42:57a blend of the two ago,
42:59the black rover there
43:00with the flashing
43:01of the day's light.
43:03That's through
43:04in a moment,
43:05Jan Love.
43:05...going into
43:06Buckingham Palace
43:06with his hands
43:08of the Queen
43:08on her appointment
43:09as the first woman
43:11Prime Minister
43:12of Great Britain.
43:14All right.
43:15All right.
43:17Where there is
43:18discord,
43:19may we bring
43:19harmony.
43:20Where there is
43:21error,
43:21may we bring
43:22truth.
43:23Where there is
43:24doubt,
43:25may we bring
43:26faith.
43:27And where there is
43:27despair,
43:28may we bring hope.
43:29in People
43:34don't do such
43:34things,
43:35the part of
43:35Arthur was
43:36played by
43:37Reese Shearsmith,
43:38Gwen,
43:38Laura Piper,
43:40and Reeve Baker
43:40by Michael Maloney.
43:42Other parts
43:42were played
43:43by Rachel Atkins
43:44and David Holt.
43:46Sound design
43:46was by
43:47Steve Bond.
43:48People don't
43:48do such things
43:49was dramatized
43:50by Mike Walker
43:51from a short story
43:52by Ruth Rendell.
43:53It was directed
43:54by John Dryden
43:55and it's a
43:56Goldhawk production
43:56for BBC Radio 4.
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