Original subtitles

Now, Brenda.

You've got to be a very good girl.

And I know that doesn't come naturally.

So, shoulders back, stand up straight, and smile!

Hello. Dr McClurgy.

This is Brenda, the evacuee I was telling you about.

Oh, can I see your hands?

I can assure you, they're perfectly clean!

I wish to read your fortune.

Ah, yes.

Things have not been easy for you.

Dragged away from someone who loved you more than life itself.

But if we look into the future...

..I see that we're going to have so much fun.

And you did have fun with Dr McClurgy, didn't you?

It was the best!

We'd spend all day, every day, having adventures

and looking for buried treasure.

I mean, sometimes he'd make me do my homework.

But I always had a way of wrapping him round my little finger.

Well, he says ten long years have passed,

and he'd like to see you again.

Well, I don't know if I'd want to see him.

Seems a strange reaction to

someone who opened up his home to you.

I know, but then one day, he said I couldn't stay any more,

and he sent me away to a children's home.

What did he do that for?

I don't know.

But Dr McClurgy says he may not be long for this world.

So this may be your last chance to ask him.

BIRDSONG

Butterley Rise.

Is it how you remember it?

It's like it's been frozen in time.

Maybe it has! Just waiting for you to come and visit.

I don't know if I can do this. Whyever not?

Because of the way it all ended.

Except, by sending the letter,

he's tried to ensure that it was not the end. Hmm.

Hello? Have you come to read the last rites?

Not today, hopefully.

We just received your very touching letter.

What letter? What are you talking about?

It's me. Brenda.

"Brave as a lion" Brenda.

I don't know what your game is, but you're not going to win.

What did he do that for?

Why did he even write the pigging letter?

Dr McClurgy is frightened of something.

And I'm not even sure he did write the letter.

Hello, there!

Ah, look who it is!

I'm Dotty. Dotty Finglesham.

Father Brown.

Hello.

It's me! Brenda!

Oh, I know who you are.

And I have the grey hairs to prove it!

We were trying to speak with the doctor.

But Dr McClurgy does not want to speak to us.

Is he all right?

It's a long story.

And it does require a cup of tea.

Now we have treacle tart, apple strudel, and some butterfly cakes.

Mrs Finglesham! This is a gastronomic extravaganza!

Yes, well, living in Butterley Rise,

one does grow very proficient at pastry.

There's very little else to do!

It's lovely, but if you don't have a hobby...

Are you perchance thinking of Dr McClurgy?

I am, really.

He's always kept himself to himself, but these days,

he's practically a hermit.

And yet, I think he has a very good friend, who's looking out for him.

Who wrote a letter on his behalf, hoping to summon help.

Oh, gosh!

You're right.

How did you guess?

You had not seen Brenda for ten years,

and yet you showed no surprise when she suddenly turned up.

Of course.

I should have put my own name.

I heard you were working at St Mary's,

and I just remembered how close you both were.

I thought he'd see you, and it would just be like old times.

So did I.

I think we must have just left it too long.

So what's it like, living in Butterley Rise?

Oh, it's quiet,

though we do have some exciting news.

As you can see, these cottages are rather old.

Falling apart in some cases.

But Lord Sprockett has found himself a property developer, who's going

to knock them all down, and build beautiful new bungalows for us.

Does everyone share your enthusiasm?

There is one fly in the ointment.

The answer's no!

I haven't asked the question yet.

I just thought I'd save you the trouble.

Please, Angus.

All we're trying to do is build a better Butterley.

Why don't you have a word with my developer?

Morning, Dr McClurgy.

We understand you rejected our last offer.

We have, therefore, made a revised one,

and I trust you will be impressed.

The only thing that would impress me is if you take your plans

and your schemes and scuttle off back to London.

You do know, we ARE going to build this development.

But we could just work around you.

Though there's always the danger of subsidence, or some unfortunate...

..accident!

Get out of my house!

And if you set foot on my land again,

you will be buried under it.

HE COUGHS

Well, I...

I tried to be reasonable.

Oh, dear.

He can be awfully stubborn.

Well, I'm calling a meeting.

Two o'clock, Butterley Meadow.

I used to come here with Dr McClurgy.

He'd leave messages for the pixie folk,

asking when the war was going to end. Ha, ha, ha!

This place!

Paradise! Hmm.

I don't believe it. Susan!

Brenda?!

What are you doing?

I'm an illustrator.

For the British Nature Review.

What are you doing?

I'm just here with my friends.

Father Brown. Hello.

Mrs Devine. Hello there.

This is Susan.

We were evacuated together.

I was just admiring your forget-me-nots and ranunculus.

Gosh! You're awfully well-informed on plant species.

Ah, well, at St Mary's,

we have a very enthusiastic group of flower arrangers.

You two must have had such fun living here.

We did. We never knew there was a war on.

Hello there! Oh, hello.

Well, this is awfully intriguing.

Hello, everybody! Hello.

As you are aware, one local resident is making this development

impossible, and we must therefore resort to Plan B.

I have purchased an area of wasteland on the edge

of Butterley, and we will be building there instead.

What?

Where exactly is this wasteland?

As a matter of fact, you're standing on it.

This is not wasteland! It's the most precious of places.

And it's a natural habitat for pipistrelle bats and meadow pipits.

What are they supposed to do?

Fly away?

Mr Wainbody.

I've spent five years painting every single wildflower in this meadow.

Oh, that IS good.

As I'll soon be putting down weed-killer.

GASPS

Will everyone please calm down!

I'm sure we can resolve this.

This is awful.

If only Dr McClurgy wasn't so difficult.

It would be nice to know his point of view.

First time we visited him,

I am not entirely sure he recognised you, Miss Palmer.

Perhaps you should call on him again.

Oh, Eileen.

I miss you.

This world has changed since you left it,

and generally not for the better.

But I will continue to fight for all that we hold dear.

HE KISSES PHOTO

KNOCKING

It's you. What do you want?

I want you to remember.

When you invited a little girl to stay with you.

And every night, you would read her a bedtime story.

And she would ask for another.

And another.

And before we knew it, it was morning time.

Brenda! You've come back!

Course I did!

Someone has to protect you from the monsters.

Oh, yes. The monsters are getting closer all the time.

Come in.

Now, somewhere in here, there's a chair.

What's happened to this place? Hm? What do you mean?

Well, I mean the mould and the dust.

Oh, aye, well, I got rid of the dust some years ago, but...

..it came back.

And all these tins. Are you getting ready for World War III?

Well, maybe I am.

I mean, if those thugs think they can get me out of this house,

they'll have a fight on their hands.

HE COUGHS

This is ridiculous! This house is making you sick.

Why do you want to stay here?

Because all my memories are here.

Everyone I loved and lost.

Yeah, and the mildew. And the silverfish.

WINDOW SMASHES

Oh, are you all right?

I am. But the person who threw this brick soon won't be!

All right, then! Who did it?

Who did what?

Someone threw a brick through Dr McClurgy's window.

What are you talking about?

Oh, dear, I hope he wasn't horribly hurt.

Well, at his age, any kind of shock could be fatal.

SHE GROANS

I am telling you, it were one of those two.

And I don't trust either of them.

Did you ask Dr McClurgy why he sent you away?

I didn't have the heart.

He's living in his crummy old house, and it's making him ill and he...

Why don't we go back in the morning, with a picnic?

Yes.

Yes.

He looked after you so well during the war,

seems fair to return the favour.

Right.

LORD SPROCKETT: Chumleigh!

Chumleigh!

Lord Sprockett. Have you lost something?

My dog, Chumleigh.

I think he must've caught the scent of a badger.

There you are. DOG GROWLING

Chumleigh, what have you got there?

That... is definitely not a badger.

In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.

Butterley Rise has never had a murder.

Until you came to visit.

Did you know the deceased, Father?

Briefly.

He only recently came to the village.

Brought in by Lord Sprockett.

Poor Mr Wainbody.

We didn't always see eye to eye, but I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

Come on, Chumleigh!

Goodness! What's going on?

There's been a murder.

Lord Sprockett's property developer.

No.

Not in our beautiful meadow.

Morning, Father.

Just like the Lord, I know you move in mysterious ways,

but what exactly are you doing?

This grave was dug for a tall man

and nobody would describe Mr Wainbody as that.

And there's this.

Well, I'll be darned. It's a rat.

Made of gold.

It's the membership badge of the Grand Order of Water Rats.

A charitable organisation of showbusiness performers.

I would be very surprised if Edward Wainbody was a member.

Thank you, Father.

Perhaps we should pay Dr McClurgy a visit.

Good idea.

Tell him the awful news.

Dead? Well, I don't wish to gloat,

but I can't pretend to be devastated.

Angus! He was a human being.

Was he? I did not make a medical examination.

Oh, you're impossible.

I'm not going to pretend I liked him,

but no-one deserves to die like that.

He came to see you yesterday.

Is that the last time you saw him?

Yes.

I keep myself to myself, and I have not left the house for some days.

I can confirm it.

I've tried to get him involved in village activities, but...

Oh, dear. Oh, my giddy aunt.

Can I help you?

So sorry.

I've just noticed all the mould everywhere.

Oh, I know.

I've offered to come round with a scrubbing brush,

but he won't allow it.

Mould is a form of life.

And has better manners than some life forms.

When I was living here, you kept this place like a palace.

It was cosy and it was warm and everything was spotless.

Well, yes, because I had a very important visitor.

So why did you get rid of me?

Cos one day, you just sent me away to a stinking children's home.

I was an old man, and the war was dragging on and...

Please. I am feeling tired.

Perhaps you'd all like to leave.

Dr McClurgy? Yes?

You said you hadn't left the house for some days,

but these boots are covered in fresh mud.

I have been to the back garden to pick radishes.

Is that a crime?

Oh!

Well, that doesn't answer my question!

There's got to be something he's not saying.

Indeed.

And if we look at the garden path... Yes.

..there are no muddy footprints leading to the back garden,

but several leading to the outside world.

Goodness! It's a police car.

Is that...?

It's Susan!

Thank you, Constable.

Oh, Father. I'm so glad to see you.

And I'm sorry to see you here.

I was very impressed with your watercolours of the meadow

wildflowers. It must be a very special place for you.

It is.

Coming from London...

..in the Blitz...

..it was like a magical land.

I'd never seen so many flowers.

And yet, it is now the scene of a crime.

The police have found strands of wool from your jumper

on the piece of wood they believe was used to murder Mr Wainbody.

No!

I didn't kill him...

Though I did hit him.

Oh.

He was working near a log pile yesterday,

and I went to see him.

Mr Wainbody.

I'm sorry I lost my temper, but this place is so precious.

It's a field.

It's a home. It's teeming with life.

Well, I can see you're very passionate.

Maybe I'll build somewhere else,

and turn this place into a nature reserve.

Really?

No, of course not, you stupid woman!

These creepy crawlies have had their day.

Time for a nice rest under the concrete.

Agh!

So, yes, I did attack him.

But...

..I don't think I killed him.

He didn't fall down.

And I certainly didn't bury him.

Miss Payne, I believe that someone else murdered

and buried Mr Wainbody after you left, and I intend to find out who.

Susan.

Did you see anyone else on the meadow?

Oh, um, only Mrs Finglesham.

She was having a late evening stroll.

Yes, I was in the meadow.

I go there most evenings, to visit my husband.

I thought your husband died in the war?

That's right.

He was in the Royal Flying Corps.

Got shot down over Arras, in 1917.

His body was never recovered...

..but I have planted thousands of wildflowers in his memory.

Oh, Mrs Finglesham, that is so lovely.

I've planted a dwarf rhododendron in memory of my Ronald.

And when you were out walking in the meadow, did you see Mr Wainbody?

Well, I didn't see him, but I heard him.

As I walked past the marquee,

I heard the most almighty row

between Mr Wainbody and Lord Sprockett.

What were they saying?

I couldn't make out the words, but Lord Sprockett sounded furious.

Standing here now you can see why this is such a precious place.

BIRDSONG

Those insects seem to be performing a symphony.

Yesterday, you said that living in Butterley,

you didn't know there was a war on.

And yet Miss Payne went very quiet at that moment.

Well, she were obsessed with the war.

Once, she said she saw a German airman in the woods.

Well, when I went looking, there were no-one there.

How fascinating.

Well, I still want to know what Sprockett

and Wainbody were arguing about.

Yes.

Shall we?

So, this is the epicentre of the development.

Indeed.

And no shortage of blunt objects.

Oh!

Plans...

..of the new bungalows.

Oh, they're really rather attractive.

And a sales contract.

Mr Wainbody bought a hectare of land from Lord Sprockett for 100 guineas.

How much is a hectare?

About two and a half football pitches, or the size of this

meadow, and worth considerably more than 100 guineas.

Well, Lord Sprockett must be a complete nincompoop.

Nincompoop?!

Nincompoop!?

Sorry, Lord Sprockett, we didn't know you could hear us.

Obviously not! What are you doing in my tent?

Ah. I apologise, Lord Sprockett, for the unauthorised visit,

but we are keen to know more about Mr Wainbody.

So am I.

Strange sort of cove.

Seemed nice enough when I first met him, not so much in retrospect.

He took me out for lunch last week.

It was rather a good lunch, with a great deal of wine.

And as he topped up my glass, he gave me some papers to sign.

And it was only yesterday I realised quite what I'd given away.

Yesterday evening, you were heard arguing with him.

May I ask what was said?

I called him a charlatan.

And one or two words I wouldn't use in front of the fairer sex.

Oh, don't worry.

We've heard it all.

What happened afterwards?

I headed home for Ovaltine and a sticky bun.

And didn't see him again until...

..this morning. Hmm.

With Mr Wainbody dead,

I presume the sale of the meadow will not be completed.

I hope you're not suggesting I did something sinister.

No-one's suggesting that,

but we're all rather relieved that the meadow will be saved.

Yes. Although I DO still plan to renovate the old cottages.

I've just appointed a new developer.

And hopefully this one will get through to old McClurgy.

How dare he? Take a wrecking ball to everything I hold dear.

They can't make you sell this place.

Yes, but I'll have more and more people hammering on my door.

Trying to trick me out of house and home.

Look, there's no point worrying about it.

I've made us all a picnic.

Well, any kind of food would stick in my craw.

I'm going to barricade the windows and the doors.

Turn this place into a fortress.

HE COUGHS

That does seem a bit extreme, and it can't be good for you,

shutting yourself away from the world.

I've managed to avoid the outside world for a month now,

without any ill effects.

That's not quite true, is it, Dr McClurgy?

Because there are a set of muddy footprints,

leading from your front door towards the meadow.

Indeed.

I did go out the front door.

Walked down the garden path.

But when I got to the gate I couldn't go any further.

What do you mean? Well, I mean, the outside has started to scare me.

Everything.

The daylight. Birdsong.

It seems to just keep hammering in my head, and...

..I shall remain indoors now.

No. That's not like you.

You always said, "Look fear in the face and go..."

BLOWS RASPBERRY

Yeah, well, I was a braver person then.

Then there was a terrible evil in this village.

No! Butterley Rise is as safe as houses.

That's why they sent us here.

Although there was the story of a German airman living in the woods.

It was more than just a story.

Yes. His plane crashed near Tawny Lake,

but there was no-one inside it.

And that's when the rumours began.

He was a giant of a man, hiding out there somewhere.

A giant of a man?

Yes.

Is that why you sent me away?

It is.

I kept thinking, "What if he's the first

"and we're about to be invaded?"

"And is this really a safe place for a child?"

And Susan, well, she saw him, and...

She was never the same again.

Miss Payne?

Yes?

I've been thinking about Mr Wainbody's death.

And burial.

He was buried in a hole, considerably larger than he was.

But perhaps this grave was originally dug for a much

taller man.

Like the German airman you saw during the war.

It was the strangest thing.

I was walking in the woods,

and there he was.

Sort of floating, amongst the trees.

And I ran and got Brenda,

but he was gone.

Was that the last time you saw him?

I suspect that all these things are connected.

I did see him again.

Three weeks later.

MAN GRUNTS

I was playing on my own because Brenda had been sent away.

And I heard a noise coming from a woodshed.

It sounded like an animal in pain.

HE GRUNTS AND COUGHS

Thank you. Thank you.

And there he was.

And he begged me to set him free.

So I did.

HE GROANS

Then he left me in the dark.

Goodbye, little girl!

SHE SCREAMS

For how long? Hours and hours. I don't remember.

Do you know whose woodshed it was?

No.

We used to play in everyone's garden.

And this German...

..what did he look like?

He was tall, with intense hazel eyes.

And he had a wound in his foot, with stitches in it.

HE PLAYS SPOONS

Ow!

Please, Dr McClurgy, do have some more.

Oh! These strawberries are quite delicious.

I know they grow them down at Tatton Farm.

Dr McClurgy? Yes?

When did you last practise medicine?

Oh, well, I hung up my stethoscope many moons ago.

Although I suspect during the war you performed minor

surgery on a German airman.

I did.

Everything I told you is the truth, but not the whole truth.

I had a neighbour who found the airman,

and decided to keep him as a prisoner.

I said this was madness.

We could be hung for harbouring an enemy alien,

but I was summoned to stitch up his wounds.

He'd been badly injured by his fall.

He survived,

and a few weeks later,

Susan Payne set him free.

What was the name of the neighbour?

Erm...

I cannot recall.

Erm...

Dr McClurgy took some photographs of me,

the day I arrived here.

Oh, you look so innocent!

Well, you know what they say.

The camera never lies.

Who's this?

Oh, err, let me see.

Ah, yes.

That's Freddie Finglesham.

Well-known entertainer of this parish,

but that was some time ago.

Indeed.

But sometimes the past refuses to remain buried.

Father Brown.

Can I help you?

I do hope so, Dotty.

I'd like to thank you for everything you did during the war.

Especially looking after my young friend.

You saw she was a unique spirit,

and you found another unique spirit to look after her.

SHE LAUGHS

You're welcome.

But it must have been a most upsetting time.

Bringing back memories of the First War, and the loss of your husband.

It was a terrible time.

Seeing all those young men called up.

The constant fear of invasion...

..and a terrible feeling of loneliness.

And yet, your loneliness came to an end when,

walking in the woods, you saw a German airman.

Yes.

It was the anniversary of Freddie's death.

I was walking around, feeling utterly empty.

And suddenly, there he was.

I was confused.

And I should have told the authorities,

but they would only lock him away in some awful prisoner of war camp.

I thought, if Freddie had been lost behind enemy lines, I'd

like to think that a hausfrau

would have taken him home to look after him.

So that's what I did.

Good morning!

I hope you had a good night.

Yes, thank you.

I was most comfortable.

I'm just grateful that...

..you were able to look past my uniform, and did not report me.

How could I?

You know, Dotty, I dream that when this war is over,

I can take you to my home village of Wallgau.

And you can meet my mother,

and she can thank you from the bottom of her heart.

Oh!

I would love that.

But we must get this wound seen to.

I know a doctor who could work wonders with it.

Perhaps you can untie my hands

and I can wash myself before he comes over.

I don't think so.

But soon, maybe.

Whatever happened to your airman?

Susan Payne happened.

She broke in and untied him.

Friedrich ran, and he was never seen again.

I'm not surprised Friedrich ran.

But he would have needed money to survive.

Earlier today, I found an item that must have been buried for years.

It was the membership badge of the Water Rats.

I believe your husband was a member.

Did Friedrich break into your home, and steal the badge,

along with other items of jewellery?

And did you ensure that he never broke the eighth commandment again?

No!

No, no, it wasn't like that!

I...

I l...

I was fond of him.

But he gave me no choice.

Oh! Friedrich!

What are you doing? It's not safe for me.

I'm going to leave the country.

It would be safer to wait till the war is over.

This war will last longer than you think.

Never underestimate the power of Germany.

I think Germany is on its knees at the moment.

But if you're determined to be so reckless,

then I'll come with you, to keep you safe.

You really think I could last another

minute of your pathetic worthless wittering?

No!

I thought you liked me.

Then you're even more stupid than you look.

Oh! Oh!

THUD!

FRIEDRICH GROANS

What did you do with the body?

We have our own beautiful God-given burial ground.

And he would have remained there.

Except that yesterday, Mr Wainbody announced that

because Dr McClurgy refused to sell,

he was going to build on the meadow instead.

A few minutes later,

someone threw a brick through Dr McClurgy's window.

I think you know who.

That was a terrible thing to do, I know. I was just

so angry that his stubbornness was causing all these problems.

The next day, Mr Wainbody was found dead, in an enormous hole.

But of course, you didn't dig that grave for Wainbody.

You were digging up Friedrich's bones, and Wainbody caught you.

Oh, please, Father.

I never meant to kill.

Even a centipede in the garden.

But that man wouldn't leave well alone.

Mrs Finglesham. What are you doing?

These are human bones.

Suddenly it all makes sense.

Why YOU didn't want me to build on the meadow.

So, who is it? I'm guessing it's your husband.

No!

It's no-one.

You mustn't tell anyone.

Oh, the police need to know about this.

Everyone needs to know.

SHE GROANS AND SHOUTS

And I knew if he told the police, then everybody...

It just had to stay secret.

But that secret has tormented you for years,

and now you have another secret.

You must confess, or your soul will never be free.

And that is eternal damnation.

All right, then.

DR MCCLURGY: Well...

I've never felt such an old fool.

I knew she was reckless, but I had no idea she was a murderer.

Because you're kind and you're caring,

and you always see the best in people.

And we're all so grateful how you looked after Brenda.

No, I have been so guilty of gross negligence.

And now, I'm going inside.

To fossilise.

I think there's only one person who can get through to him.

None of this was your fault.

What? All you did was keep a secret for a friend.

How were you supposed to know she was a murderer?

Well, yes, it does cut to the quick when you're betrayed by a friend.

And I betrayed you when I sent you away.

No.

You did it to protect me.

And, yes, I had a hard time with it to begin with,

but you taught me how to be strong, and how to see the funny side,

and how to have an adventure.

And that's what's got me through.

Aye, well. Maybe I wasn't a complete waste of space.

Now, shall we have a wee cup of...

HE COUGHS

Hold on!

I don't understand!

Why are you staying in a mouldy old shack, when they're offering

you a brand-new place with hot water and electricity?

I bought my Eileen here, and we had 40 wonderful years.

All my memories are here.

No! They live inside you.

I had your voice inside my head all those years I was in that home.

But right now, I need you to be very brave indeed.

So, I've spoken to my new developer.

And he was quite clear - it is not going to happen.

I see.

I had such plans for this place.

I was even going to accommodate people in Sprockett Hall

while their homes were rebuilt.

But alas and alack...

Good evening, all.

This young lady is very much in need of a nice cup of tea.

I'm just glad to breathe fresh air again.

And thank you, Father, for making that possible.

You're welcome, Miss Payne.

Glad I've got you.

Fortunately, Butterley Meadow has been saved.

My solicitor says the sale was never completed,

so we can all breathe a sigh of relief.

Thank goodness! But are you still going to rebuild our cottages?

I'm afraid not.

Apparently, if Dr McClurgy won't sell, it's no-can-do.

And there's no persuading him.

Father. It seems like Brenda can still wrap him

round her little finger.

DR MCCLURGY PUFFS

Hello, everyone.

Ah, it's nice out!

Dr McClurgy, it is so good to see you!

Aye.

So, when are you going to start work on my new bungalow?

I thought you were dead against it!

Well, I had to talk it through with an old friend.

Are you glad you came back to Butterley?

I am.

But I'm also glad that I left.

Really? Why's that?

Well, if I'd stayed,

I never would have met the two most important people in my life.

Oh!