Original subtitles

ASTON: / already borrow money from the pardner.

If you don't get the money back, | will tell Bernadette.

Can | borrow £30 for a couple of weeks?

I'm never happy man, if my money's late.

Give me a chance to explain.

Alright. Lunchtime.

And then she never turned up. She married, right?

Yes, but, uh-- — But nothing.

If I'm to marry anyone, I'd wear this dress.

ASTON: Wedding expenses, they're mounting.

LEAH: Chantrelle? — Please come for me as soon as you can.

ERNEST: If you think that anyone is gonna believe a single word that you

a littke coloured girl, has to say, then you don't understand your place.

THEY LAUGH

Tek your hands off my sister!

I'm going to make sure we three are never parted again.

SEWING MACHINE CLATTERS

We never hear nuthin' from them Wantage people for weeks now.

We done wid dem.

Leah, I'm alright.

Don't let some man make you run an' hide.

The old Chantrelle wouldn't care.

“Come and visit one of Britain's most popular attractions.

Dudley Castle and Zoo, a wonderful family day out!"

Why don't you ready yet?

Lord, don't mek we miss the bus like | nearly miss my holiday pay.

Can you believe they pay people to have a day trip here?

We need to get these bridesmaids dresses stitched. Can't rush them.

But you're my sisters. | can't go without you.

It wouldn't feel right.

And | wore this outfit especially. -—- LEAH CHUCKLES

And you...

Put on that nice dress you finish last week.

Alright, I'm coming.

So, stop your damn nagging.

But I'm only speaking to the animals. Mi nah talk to nobody else.

CAR HORNS TOOT

Today is a blessed day to be with family and friends.

We're all going to forget about our troubles for at least one day.

They won't let me on the bus.

Don't worry. | arrange everything.

And you make sure that sister Leah has a nice time for once in her life.

And Chantrelle can get to Know her future work mates before she start on Monday.

Oh, it's the last place | want to work.

That money from Borehamwood won't last forever.

| know.

The room won't magically pay for itself.

Mrs Biswas say there's plenty depressed Jamaican women she can rent to.

Aston, this is our first proper day out together.

No time for sadness.

Go look on the bus.

Why the other buses couldn't wait for us?

And where is the driver?

If he don't come, Aston, you fetch the car and we will drive there instead.

He will be here.

Anyway, you don't need the car.

Cos | can't come. — Huh?

| have an appointment in Birmingham.

You what?

How you mean you not coming? Today is a big day for us.

It's only the zoo.

"Only" !

How long you know seh you nah come?

| barely see you for weeks and the only reason | tolerate it

is because | thought | was going to be with you.

| Know-- — We barely exchanged two words

and | don't plan on marrying a stranger.

Hosan...

Wait.

You don't want to be with me?

Hosanna, please.

I'm working all these hours

just so | can give you the Cinderella wedding that | did promise you. Remember?

So, if you don't go, why should I?

Because we are sisters and we on a family day out

and we don't need men to have a good time.

Come.

Hosanna-— — Uhl!

Aston.

| want you to put in your pardner money before | get home.

I'm going to book the children's fares as soon as | can draw my money down.

Right. All being well, no one gets ate

and if you miss the bus, you can walk home.

Yes, boss. — Got it?

Hm. — Well, get on the bus, then.

WHISTLE BLOWS

Hold up.

Aston!

About that money | lend you a while back.

Yes, um...

How about I-I mek you a deal?

If you give me another day, I'll pay you tomorrow with a little extra.

| have a job coming.

Me hear that one before.

But you have a wedding coming up, so I'll wait till after that.

Can | ask you a favour?

| have to get Hosanna something special for today.

Can you watch over her for me?

MR CLAUDE: Aston, it will be a pleasure.

Alright, Shelton? — Long time, man. Yeah, man.

Shelton.

|, uh, | don't see you at work for weeks.

| was hoping we could talk.

Oh, | swap shifts, you see, it's...

BERNADETTE: Ah!

| make sure he get a hot meal in the canteen every break, don't I, Shelton?

Thank you. —- Hm.

MAN: Oo-ee!

BERNADETTE: Who this? —- MAN WOLF WHISTLES

BERNADETTE: Who that, Shelton?

Morning, miss.

Everybody alright?

PASSENGERS CHATTER

| hear you've set the date. —- Mm-hm.

| love to see when people take dem weddin' vows serious.

Isn't that right, Shelton?

But Aston not coming with us today?

Mr Brahms has business in Birmingham today.

MR CLAUDE: Hosanna in excelsis, indeed.

SHE SIGHS

How you like England?

The churches here leave a lot to be desired.

Mm-hm.

Well, it's you people who put me back on the path to building my own church, you see?

Mr Claude is fully ordained.

Oh, yes, Church of England.

But | serve the people that is hungry for a bit more fire in the preaching.

That is definitely needed here. —- Mm-hm.

You Know, | don't Know your first name, Mr Claude.

Claude.

Your name Claude Claude?

HE LAUGHS No.

But you can call me Claude.

SHE CHUCKLES

WHISTLE BLOWS

DRIVER: Alright, ladies and gents. Hold tight, here we go.

# Stop the bus me need to pee pee #

ALL: # Stop the bus me need to pee pee #

MAN: Come on, everybody!

DRIVER: Alright, it's not a school trip.

MUSIC: "Rockin' Robin" by Bobby Day

# Tweedilly-tweedilly—deet #

# Tweedilly-tweedilly—deet #

# Tweet tweet tweet tweet #

# He rocks in the treetop all the day long #

# Hoppin’ and a—boppin' and a-singin' his song #

# All the little birds on Jay Bird Street #

# Love to hear the robin go tweet tweet tweet #

# Rockin' robin # — # (Tweet tweet tweet) #

# Rockin' robin — (Tweet...) #

PEOPLE CHATTER

PEACOCKS CRY IN DISTANCE

LEAH: Shelton.

| wasn't trying to trick you. — Oh!

Oh, so you don't leave a husband and children in Jamaica.

No. | don't mean that, | just--

Well, one of us must have a problem with the truth.

SHE SCOFFS You think you can judge me?

Dougie? | think she might need a hand with her big end.

Have a day off, son.

Bernadette is not the kind of woman that will come to England

and throw away her family, for a good time with the first person she meet.

She's honest.

If aman can move so fast between women

he never have a heart to break in the first place.

Right you lot, welcome to Dudley Castle and Zoo...

the jewel of the Black Country.

Uh, no offence to you lot, um, but...

we Call it the Black Country cos of all the...

the industry and the smoke and the factories and the black...

GROUP CHATTERS

Anyway... Everybody, look this way.

We're done. We're over.

All squeeze in together like it's the back row at the Hippodrome.

And you lot off the posh bus. Come on, hurry up.

BERNADETTE: Wait for me, everybody.

Say "Cole's Tools Factory"!

MAN: Come on everybody. — DOUGIE: Come on.

ALL: Cole's Tools Factory!

DOUGIE: Lovely, that is. Bostin'.

MUSIC: "Sixteen Tons" by Tennessee Ernie Ford

# ...what do you get #

# Another day older and deeper in debt #

# Saint Peter don't you call me cos | can't go... #

...Macaws, parakeets, and Jamaican love birds.

Which reminds me...

Leah, | see you talk to Shelton.

| hope you did set him straight on things.

It no matter. He's moved on--

That don't give him a right to ignore you. — Humiliate you.

CHANTRELLE: Treat you like dirt.

You must do something.

| will.

Good.

MR CLAUDE: Hosanna, come.

Wait for me, Mr Claude. Them call "Macaws." Them is Scottish?

THEY LAUGH

BIRDS CALL

LEAH: # Three little birds #

# One, two, three #

# Please come Gown and rescue me #

# If | was you, | could be free #

# I'm beggin' you now #

# Please-—- # - Don't.

| don't need to be babysat.

Is that your sister?

What?

Why's she got a face like a slapped arse?

Where's her boyfriend?

She don't have time for that sort of thing.

Alight. Thank you, anyway.

MAN: Yeah, never mind.

HE SIGHS

PIANO PLAYS ON TV

You're doing us a favour, thanks! Your music's rubbish!

You can get stuffed, as well. — MAN: Don't come back!

THEY LAUGH

Well, they not let you in?

Good. Save your money.

Got a light?

Uh, no.

| don't really smoke.

Shame. Suits ya.

We're getting a tea before the last bus. You comin'?

| won't bite.

WOMEN LAUGH

ANIMAL CRIES

‘Scuse me, darlin'?

Do you speak English, love?

How much, love?

Why don't you leave the lady alone?

SHE LAUGHS WRYLY

Thank you.

Ah, | ain't seen you around here before and believe me, I'd remember you.

I'm grateful that you stepped in for me, but I'm not about to marry you for it.

Good, cos you're about as rude as your sister.

What? I'm telling you | don't need looking after. I'm fine.

It's a good job | like mouthy birds though.

Come on. Ice cream this way.

PEOPLE CHATTER

| didn't plan to stand you up before.

| had an emergency in Borehamwood--

Aston tell me.

He didn't say nuthin’ else.

Must have been a real emergency, hm?

Make you leave town all of a sudden

after saying how important it was for me and you to talk.

| had to make sure Chantrelle was alright.

You woulda done the same. —- BOY SQUEALS

My ice cream!

Come here, man. HE STRAINS

Are you alright? Where's that cheeky smile?

That's it.

Right, let me get this one here.

This one, right? Alright.

Alright now.

He's such a sweetheart, isn't he?

| think you did the right thing for your family.

Not involving him in adultery and nasty things like that.

He deserve better.

Today was special.

What is more important than escorting his wife-to-—be?

Maybe he ran away! — Aston?

He would rather chop half him leg off.

My daddy ran away.

He was like the lightning rod that connected me to Father God.

But then...

he leave me and steal the church money.

| don't Know what to believe anymore.

| can't tell lie from truth.

He always said, "For everything there is a season.

A time to weep

a time to laugh

a time to mourn, and a time to dance."

There's also a time to get to know

the person you want to spend the rest of your life with.

He just can't seem to find it for me.

Come.

SEALION GROWLS

SEALION ROARS

What? —- Come on.

Jimmy.

Shh.

Jimmy, you're kidding. — Come on.

What are you doing? - Get in.

This is where the magic happens.

DOOR CLOSES

What you... No! — Oh, yes.

Don't you sit there! — Just watch this.

FEEDBACK WHINES

ON PA: Ladies and gentlemen, please do not be alarmed.

But we regret to inform you that a tiger has appeared to have escaped

and is now on the loose.

PEOPLE CLAMOUR

We suggest you head down to the Queen Mary Bar

where all the drinks are on Cole's Tool Factory!

SHE LAUGHS

PANICKED CHATTER

Come. Come, Bernadette.

Everyone stay together, alright?

It don't make sense. We were closer to the exit.

It sound like a prank to me.

Maybe. But better safe than sorry.

Tiger don't drink. We must hide in the bar.

That is an order. Move! — Take that for me, please.

Shelton.

What's wrong?

I'll join you inside, I'm just gonna check on others.

Alright? ~ Alright.

Leah!

Why are you here?

Because | wanted to make sure you was alright.

Stop.

| heard what you said loud and clear.

Look here.

| was out of order.

And I'm sorry.

| don't need your pity or your sorry. Excuse me.

Just stop! You wanted to talk to me.

I'm here. Let's talk.

"We're done. We're over."

Only you can't go out there. — | don't care.

| do!

MAN: Boots and saddles!

Boots and saddles!

Whoa.

Mr Brahms.

Mr Duke. — HORSE WHINNIES

| hear wives cost a pretty penny nowadays.

You're behind on your payments.

I'm still getting the money together.

DUKE: You had two weeks to pay me back.

Thirty pounds.

Which means we have to go over new terms, involving your next of kin.

Although, | do have a way with widows.

| could take your car if you like.

| need my car.

You can clear a huge debt, right now, just by handing me over those keys.

Imagine.

I'm still paying it off.

WOMAN: All that saving was worth it.

ASTON: Me love this car already.

I'll be pulling up to the sweet factory like a princess Monday morning.

Oh, is that right? - SHE LAUGHS

My dad'll insist.

They've not met anyone like you before. Hard worker...

OWN Car.

A farm in the Caribbean.

They wanna meet the man who's been keeping me out for all hours the past few weeks.

Well, it's long overdue.

They can be tough my family

but they'll like you, especially when they see how much we care about each other.

You're gonna knock their socks off.

Myfanwy Boyce, I've had to glue my socks on ever since | meet you.

Mm. Shall we take it for a spin?

DUKE: That's a very good deal for the both of us, Mr Brahms.

CAR DOOR CLOSES -— Good day.

Walk on.

Walk on. Walk on.

TIGER GROWLS

Aren't they free? - Afraid not.

I'm not buying beer for all these people. — People need their food, man.

PEOPLE CHATTER

Yeah, we're running really low. Can you bring some beer up?

| can't believe you did that.

Only done what they expect of me.

You know, it's always, "Ah, stand up straight

turn out your pockets, move along".

You treat a man like a hoodlum, he's gonna snap.

Worth it though, to get to see you smile for the first time today.

FEEDBACK WHINES

WOMAN ON PA: Visitors should stay inside until further notice.

MUSIC PLAYING IN DISTANCE

Music.

Come now.

WOMAN ON PA: Visitors should stay inside until further notice.

Look, we're gonna be here for a while.

Why don't you just tell me what you wanted to tell me before?

Everybody's in the restaurant, so...

| might as well go and take my chances.

| don't want to upset you anymore.

Ephraim came looking for a wife.

And it was either me or Chantrelle...

and she have too much potential, too much ahead of her.

She's pretty and talented, much more than me.

Why you say that?

| could have gone along with things for a good time

but | told you everything because | care.

You're a decent man.

| wasn't looking for anything from anyone

because when | made those vows, | did mean them.

All | got in return was misery.

| marry a lie and there is nothing in the scripture for what | do about that.

Nothing! | married...

SHE SOBS GENTLY

| married dust and dirt and drink and madness.

| didn't want...

to go through what my father did with my mother.

You got to me.

I'm a coward.

| can't do it.

And | know that your husband put you through hell--

That's how | find heaven.

SHE EXHALES

My babies.

| haven't taken a full breath since | leave them behind.

And | won't breathe again properly until | have them here with me.

| know.

My children.

| will never love anyone as much as them.

MUSIC PLAYS — PEOPLE CHATTER

We're missing a party.

Oh, my! Winifred Atwell.

You look super smashing.

Oh! SHE CHUCKLES

My sister Leah teach me sewing when we were younger.

She's better than me, but dressmaking keep me out of trouble

and away from the wrong kind of men.

That was the plan, anyway.

You're easily the best looking bird here.

| bet them all jealous.

Of me?

No!

Me. —- THEY LAUGH

JIMMY: You look like a movie star.

SHE LAUGHS

You see that?

She is a star.

Starting Monday, | work on a production line.

Yeah, but you could do this for a living.

Make your name as a dress designer.

You think so?

| don't know.

So, they've got ham, Spam, jam, lamb. And fish and chips.

Me no want no fish and chips.

Tea's usually complimentary in circumstances like these, love.

Did you see that?

Me no leave you alone.

DOUGIE: Did she just ignore me?

Me can't deal with you.

HE GROWLS Where you go?

Have you married a lot of people?

Just the one lady.

SHE LAUGHS

Oh, oh, you... you mean as a minister?

Um...

No. Well... | have done the occasional ceremony.

HE CLEARS HIS THROAT

All this exotic food.

It's a bit tough on the old body.

Mr Claude? —- HE GROANS

Oh dear! Mr Claude!

Mr Claude, are you choking?

Blimey!

Bloody hell! - MAN: Somebody call an ambulance!

HE WHEEZES

HOSANNA: Try and stay calm.

WOMAN: Give him space.

HOSANNA: Can you feel pain anywhere else?

In your neck? Your arm? —- HE PANTS

HOSANNA: Just your chest?

Are you on any medication?

CHANTRELLE: Hosanna, what can we do?

SHE GASPS

Glyceryl trinitrate.

It only feels like you have a heart attack

but it won't get any worse because you have angina.

OK.

| want you to steady your breathing.

Everything is going to be alright.

HE BREATHES NORMALLY

That's my sister!

That's my sister!

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

DOUGIE: Well done! Well done!

Yes, Hosanna. - THEY CHUCKLE

FEEDBACK WHINES

WOMAN ON PA: Ladies and gentlemen, we appear to have been victims of a false alarm.

They're gonna wonder where we are.

All our animals remain secure in their enclosures.

Please feel free to ernyoy the zoo until closing.

Alright.

You first.

Or we just let them wonder.

You cold?

I'm not cold.

SHE CHUCKLES

BIRDS SQUAWK

Hello.

HE LAUGHS

Please.

Let me see her.

You're not welcome round here.

Heard you're getting married.

Alright for some.

MYFANWY: ...there's my other brother, he's 19. And then there's me.

ASTON: It's alright, Fan, it's about time they met me.

Look, they're not really hip, my family.

You'll love my mum's hotpot. | hope you're hungry.

HE CHUCKLES Me? I'm always hungry.

MR BOYCE: ...b@cause he didn't get his order in on time with us

it cost him another three pounds. —- MYFANWY: Hiya.

Sorry we're late. He, uh, couldn't decide on a tie.

This is Aston.

Come on, Aston. Don't be shy.

Good evening, Mrs Boyce. Mr Boyce.

You sit there, Aston.

Want any help in the kitchen, Mam?

Have you lost your mind?

MR BOYCE SIGHS

No, no, no.

I'm not having this.

No, no, no.

| want you out!

MYFANWY: Dad, stop it!

Get out! Now!

Get away from her!

MYFANWY: Don't hurt him, please! — I'm sorry!

Not you. You get up them stairs!

MYFANWY: Ewan, don't you touch him! Please, stop!

EWAN: Get him!

Stop it! — Get up! Get up there!

Stay away from my sister!

MYFANWY: Don't hurt him, I'm begging you! — Don't you dare come down!

Don't hurt him! — You stay there!

MYFANWY: Aston!

Aston, | love you!

Shut up, Fan! You keep your mouth shut! - You won't stop him!

ANGRY SHOUTS

MYFANWY: Mam, please!

ASTON YELLS - MYFANWY: Dad, put it down!

Get out! — Put it down, Dad!

BROTHER: If we catch you near our girl again, we'll string you up!

HE PANTS

MR CLAUDE: Lord, have mercy.

Come, son. Get up off the dirt.

HE SOBS

Up, up, up. Life nuh easy inna England, ya know.

What your name? — Aston Brahms.

MR CLAUDE: | would prefer to be with someone from back home.

So, I'm asking if you could please select me a potential wife

and send her back here.

| enclose a sum of money for the fare.

Thank you.

MUSIC: "No Particular Place to Go" by Chuck Berry

# | was anxious to tell her the way | feel #

Good evening. — Evening.

# So /told her softly and sincere... #

MR WILLIAMS: You look fine. Fine-- — Shelton!

Just a moment.

You and him?

SHE SHUSHES

You know, the first real rock and roll record was released in 1950.

Fifty-one.

Ike Turner.

BOTH: Aocket 88! THEY LAUGH

How about that one? — JUKEBOX CLICKS

JIMMY: That might be a bit fast for your little legs.

Name the style and I'll dance it.

Wanna bet? — SHE LAUGHS

MUSIC: "Mambo Baby" by Ruth Brown

# All my baby wants to do is the mambo #

# All my baby wants to do is the mambo #

# Morning, noon and night time too #

# It's the mambo #

# He goes... #

# All the time #

# He goes... #

# All the time #

# Cos that mambo rhythm feels so fine #

# He's neglecting our romance # —- SHE SQUEALS

# For the mambo # —- JUKEBOX CLICKS

MUSIC: ""Sentimental Journey" by Doris Day

SOUND ECHOES

I'm really sorry, Jimmy! SHE PANTS

LEAH: Chantrelle?

DOORS CLATTER

CHANTRELLE CRIES

SHE SOBS | am not alright.

LEAH: I'm here.

He took the door off my room...

and she believed him.

| shouldn't have left you alone down there.

| wasn't alone.

| had my friend, Siobhan, next door.

When you came to get me

| was so relieved...

but | didn't get to say goodbye.

Here. Come.

SIOBHAN ON PHONE: Hello?

Hello?

SHE SIGHS

Siobh... SHE CRIES

SIOBHAN: Chantrelle?

Oh, you poor thing.

| miss talking to you.

! was thinking all sorts.

| shoulda flattened him myself.

Mrs Wantage only let him back in the house again.

She said the kiddies missed him.

Siobhan.

Maybe you could come here.

To my brother's wedding.

I'd love to.

SHE CHUCKLES

What?

CHILD CRIES

| don't know if I'm allowed. I'll try...

If you want me there.

You make me feel safe.

PHONE LINE PIPS — | have never known anyone like you be...

LINE DISCONNECTS

Hello?

Wait a moment, alright?

Billy!

Walk straight, man, you drag me down.

Billy.

You alright?

Mr Claude.

There is one thing | want. —- Mm?

| want you to marry me and Aston.

In the absence of my father, you're the next best thing.

Keep an eye on the tiger. A tiger got loose.

INDISTINCT CHATTER

You know, we could walk home from here.

It's not too far.

In the rain?

Well, it's not raining under here.

SHE LAUGHS

OK. —- Come on.

BUS ENGINE STARTS

Oh, thank you.

Thank you.

Hey.

| thought I'd lost you for a second there.

Was it all the twirling about that made you feel sick?

| Know someone hurt you.

You just say the word and me and the lads'll sort them out.

SHE LAUGHS GENTLY

Jimmy, you'd be taking on the world.

| give up.

Don't say that. My mum's best mate's auntie works as a seamstress at Armstrongs.

Right, we'll get you in there for a start. See how things work.

You'd have your own business in no time.

You're always trying to fix things, aren't you?

Good night.

MEN CHATTER

Well, the night's still young.

So, what's the rush?

Give us a kiss goodnight then.

I'm not ready for that.

Well, you're not getting any younger, love. — SHE LAUGHS

You cheeky little!

THEY LAUGH

It's alright. | can wait.

Thank you. Good night.

WOMAN: Darling?

Did that boy just steal your shoe?

Winifred Atwell!

Miss Atwell. Could | have a word with you, please?

Of course, darling.

LEAH LAUGHS

MUSIC: "You Set My Soul on Fire" by LaVern Baker

# | played the love game before | met you #

# It's a game I've always won #

# But now you set my soul on fire #

# And | really had my fun #

Thank you. — Dudley rock.

OK.

Wait.

| did get this for you.

| didn't peep inside. Bad luck, you said.

Is this why you went Birmingham today? Oh, Aston!

Ooh.

Hosanna, come.

Sit.

Please.

I think it's important that we don't have any secrets

between us before we get married.

Mm-hm.

A serious thing.

| was confused about why | came--

| sell the car.

To cover the cost of some big debts.

You sell the car?

So, how will we get to the church?

We'll find a way.

I'm glad you paid things off. You don't owe anything now?

It's not that simple.

Long before you, there was a girl.

Myfanwy.

White girl.

HE SIGHS

And when the family find out about me...

there was all kinds of murderation.

That night...

was the last time I'll ever see her.

Which is why...

Which is why, | never know about the baby, till after...

after Fan died giving birth at the hospital.

HE SIGHS AND SNIFFLES

And | tried.

They won't let me see the baby.

| did get this for her first birthday.

You see, | have no rights.

Leah and Chantrelle don't know.

| don't want to share this pain.

But you?

You're strong.

And I've never been so certain about a woman as | am about you.

MOMMA GLADYS: "Dear Leah.

“The pickney dem a’ help ‘round the yard since me fall and mash up me foot.

De dutty bwoy come round and ask for you.

Me nuh seh nuthin’.

But 1 don't see him take a drink all this time.

! wouldn't have believed it If | didn't see it

but him finally the husband you deserve.

Even the children love him.

CHILDREN LAUGH IN DISTANCE

Love Mormma.

What's wrong?

LETTER RUSTLES

Ephraim.

He finally realise what him lose?

It's the children.

SHE SIGHS

They'll be here soon.

And he's not going to hurt you again.

No worry.

Your brother, your sister.

SHE LAUGHS

Everything's gonna be alright.

Hm? —- Mm.

Now come here. —- THEY LAUGH

SHE GASPS

SHE CRIES

Whoa.

Walk on. Walk on.