All language subtitles for The Gentle Touch s01e03 Help

Can't you read? Yeah, of course I can
read. What does it say?

Checks accepted with check card.

Right. Now, in the right hand, a check.

In the left hand, a check card.

Same signature on both. And I keep
telling you, sir, the numbers don't

And I keep telling you the signatures
do. Damn good match. It's not the

signatures I'm complaining about. It's
the numbers. Who cares? I care. So sue

them back. Don't tell me. I'm sorry, I
can't accept it.

What can you say?

Now look, sunshine, I'll show you my
driver's license. I'll show you my MZ

membership card. Throw him your dick.

Would that help? I'm sorry.

Oh, don't be such a bug. You keep out of
this. Why?

Why should I? Don't stick your oar in
you.

Talk to me like that and I'll hang one
on you. Shut your face.

Just because you've got your bleeding
monkey jacket on. For God's sake, are we

going to argue about this for the rest
of the night?

I don't like being told what to do. All
right, all right. If not... Look, you're

beautiful. I tend to be the problem.

Oh, no.

What's wrong with the commissioner?
Couldn't he make it?

This has been going on a long time,
Inspector.

Right, let's sort it out, shall we? Did
he send for you?

No, we just happened to be passing.

You're not raiding this cold cellar, are
you? No, sir, not tonight.

Let me know if you do. I'll be there.

I think it's the man in drag.

Oh, shut up. It seems to be the problem.
I'm trying to pay the bill.

I've given them my cheque, I've given
them my bank card. The numbers don't

match. What do you mean?

Of course, there's one code number on
the cheque and one on the cheque card.

Jeremy, we've been going over this for
the last 20 minutes.

Mr Millie, you're billed for £43.

What do you have for that? Two bottles
of fizzy apple juice.

Champagne. Champagne, my arse.

Apple juice.

And the company of Miss Scarlett O
'Hara.

I'm not Irish. If they don't sell
another thing all week, they've done

I told you I was Irish.

Scarlett O 'Hara wasn't Irish.

Say, I'm sorry.

Mr Miller, are you complaining?

Do I look as if I'm complaining?

I just want to go.

Take the squizzer creature away. Till
you've paid your bill, you're not

air on her head. I have paid. God, thank
you. You think I have phony cards

printed up specially to chip creeps like
you?

Why do you shout, sir? Nobody's deaf. No
one listens.

Do I look Irish?

I mean, tell me, do I?

No, darling, you don't look Irish.

Welsh. He's the Welsh, yeah? Now, one
more crack like that and you'll... Mr.

Miller, are you quite happy to pay your
bill?

I'm happy.

That's my... I can't accept it. Won't,
not can't. Can't.

Right, that's it. Quiet.

Now, legally, the position is this
gentleman is not obliged to show you his

check card.

He's not? No. That's news.

That's the law. Rum law.

Rum or not, it's the law. Now, you can
either accept or refuse to accept his

check. You mean to say I've got to
accept that check knowing it might well

bouncing job? Yes, sir. It's entirely up
to you.

Great. Told you. But it is not a police
matter.

You hear that? Not.

N -O -T.

Unless, of course, it becomes a
disturbance.

In which case, we'll nick the lots of
you. So, what are you going to do, old

bean? Take it or leave it.

I forgot to ask. Was service included?

Drop dead.

You're not driving, I hope.

Well, I'm not cycling, not even to
please you.

No, we'll take a taxi. Perhaps we can
drop you somewhere.

No, thank you, sir. We already have a
car.

Oh, in that case, perhaps you'll drop
us.

You stick to your taxi, sir. Good night.

Sleep tight.

Ah, you've got a coat, pussycat.

What made you think I was Irish?

Morning,

Mum.

Kettle -boiled, is it?

Sorry, I didn't think.

What would it take for you to make a cup
of tea and bring me one up the bell?

A miracle?

About it, yes.

Tomorrow, you think.

I'm the first one.

How would your granddad go over a sack?

About ten, I think.

For you.

Ron Greenwood picked Tony Carey, did he?

What?

Surprised you, didn't you? Surprised?
I've been in shock all day.

Where's Tony Carey?

I don't know. Football and some sort,
isn't it? You get beaten up with trade.

No, no, it was his manager, silly.

Oh, well, that's right.

Sounded good the first bit.

So, what were you up to last night?

Rocking around.

Played a few records.

Before or after the boozer?

Your day for surprises, isn't it? How?

Who told you?

Let's say a little bird told you. Shall
we?

You and the sworn public bar, beer foam
from ear to ear. It was only a half.

Steve, you're 16.

16 going on 17? 16!

No? Bread.

Please.

I look older.

Last night, according to my little
bird... Your publican didn't say

He got picked up in front of a D .I.
with the Met. Look, Hugh, wouldn't it

a field day for the local rag?

I never fool... You never do. All right.
It's not all right. It's all wrong.

You're too damn selfish.

Now, come on, Steve. Start to think
about other people.

I'm sorry.

All right.

That's it.

Now, no more beer drinking until you're
older.

What luck.

First time ever.

Yeah, that's what half the villains say
when they get their collars felt.

I do know what it is, you know.

You do?

Just remember one thing.

You don't miss him any more than I do.

How?

Message understood.

Charlie Bravo over and out.

Clean your teeth. Give them a treat.
We're out of toothpaste.

Well, you know what to do.

Well, get on with this.

Keeps love.

I only just heard. I'd come nice in my
time, Maggie, but this.

Claire, what's the full story?

He croaked, didn't he? Where?

Who was he? Oh, a dumb punter. Out of
town.

Regular? Never seen him before.

They're doing the PM about now.

Sounds like his heart. Yeah, I suppose
so.

Had a living for sex, but dying for it.
Who was with him?

Felina. Do I know her?

Nice kid. Coloured girl. New.

Where is she now?

Home. Well, if you have one dying, you'd
take something over.

So, tell me what was happening.

Are you kidding?

Something like that short, is it?

Oh, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, love.

I didn't mean it like that.

It's just... Look, I'm in bother.

Big bother. Look, we get closed down
for... Shh! Facts.

Had he been drinking?

Yeah, some, but not drunk.

Sauna? Yeah.

Then? In here.

Massage? Olive oil, cologne spray.

What sort of sex? Straight. Oh, fast and
tight.

How old?

Late 40s.

Coronary country.

The question is, love, what can you do
about it?

I don't honestly know.

I'll have a word with my governor.

Thank you, love. I mean, stop. Believe
me. Yeah, I can guess. No, you can't.

Look, if I blow this, he's got his
fixer, a mulch.

He's got his nasty little trick of
coming up to you and saying, can you

Slashing you with his razor.

Ricky Turkus.

I hate to remind you, love, but you've
had good work from me. Yes, I know, I

know. That's why I'm here, isn't it?

Still, I don't have a magic lamp.

OK, OK.

Frankie. I'll give us a break.

Since when? How clean!

Liar.

Oh, I can see it in your eyes.

Just... What is that, Maggie?

And I'll kick it, I promise you. Don't
promise me, promise yourself.

Get me off the hook, love. That's all I
ask.

Afternoon, Mum.

Morning, Dad.

All quiet in the home, son?

Got a joker for you in the cell.

Says he's kidnapped the Pope.

Just took care of him. Offered him a cup
of tea.

Nice. Doesn't touch it.

His sudden death last night in the
sauna. Who was handling it with him?

Jane. It's Aunt Lou.

You've got an extra kin?

That's the wife.

Widow. On her way from Stoke -on -Trent.

Alone? I don't know.

Chief wants to see you.

I've got an idea.

Maybe I shouldn't say it. I've got an
idea. You're right.

Who out this hell's angels?

What's the SP on him?

Blood and matted hair on a bicycle
chain.

Says he can't remember who he is.

Nice.

There's definitely something coming up.
The point is, can you spare a couple of

lads?

Well, that's like asking how long's a
piece of string.

There's a lot going on here, too.

Well, you must have someone.

Look, listen, George.

It'd be a shame if you blanked. It could
be a nice one. I mean, something goes

off, you know about it. It's not going
to look too clever, is it?

All right, all right. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
All right, give me a bell.

Sorry,

no thanks.

I've just come from Frankie's sauna.

And? It's been all right, Tony. Yeah,
we've all got problems.

I promised I'd help.

You did? Yes. Hope you can deliver.

You can help me.

How? Okay, if I ring the pathologist.

Wait a time, yeah? Go ahead. Phone by
all means.

She's afraid of losing her ticket.

She's not a bad judge.

I've had a lot of work out of her.
You've had a lot of work out of her.

Anyway, I said I'd do what I could. You
can't do more.

Who's going to talk to the dead man's
widow?

Ah, yeah.

I'm glad you mentioned that, Maggie.

I bet.

What's that supposed to mean? Nothing.

How will you wrap it up?

I won't.

I'll walk around there, tell her it was
a knocking shop and that he bought it on

active service.

All right, all right, all right. She'll
win. What do you want me to do?

Buy you coffee?

I have this problem.

Oh, yeah?

Bread. Or rather, the lack of it.

When I say bread, I don't mean the daily
variety, sliced and wrapped.

Know what I mean?

What do you mean?

Cash. Exactly.

As in cash flow.

The only trouble is, mine doesn't.

Doesn't flow.

Rough again.

I need to make 20 pounds.

Like now.

Any ideas?

Yeah.

Go home.

Why not?

Not all.

Am I that unattractive?

Tell me.

You're a very pretty girl.

Pretty girl heading for trouble.

Why don't you go home?

Look, straight answer.

Do you fancy me or not?

Are you soliciting?

I hadn't thought of it like that.

Yes, if you like, I'm soliciting.

Your place or mine?

Darling, it is not your lucky day.

I'm a copper.

Linda. Is it this time?

Detective Inspector 4.

What does that mean?

Well, if Detective Inspector puts you
off, why not think of me as Maggie?

I'll try.

You're 15.

I've got a son only a little older. Does
that help?

Maybe.

Hello, 15 -year -old Linda.

What are you doing chatting up men in
coffee bars?

Is there a law against it? At your age?

Oh, yes.

Still, let's talk about you first, shall
we?

You live in Esher?

Close by.

Know it.

Of it?

What's your dad do?

He's in advertising.

You know that commercial about the
little man in the wheelchair?

End of story.

Anyway, he doesn't live with us.

You with your mother?

Yes. They've split up?

Got his marching orders.

Is that how they talk about it?

I'll have to contact her.

Perhaps you'd better give me her number.

Susan!

Funniest thing! What?

Phone call from London. Oh, for me? Yes.

No, they're not there now. Well, you
see,

when they said Mrs Scott...

Naturally, I said yes. They didn't say
which Mrs. Cott.

I'm sorry, I didn't... Doesn't matter.

You never stop to imagine. Who was it?

It was the police. What?

About Linda.

Linda? She's in London.

Oh, rubbish. She's not school. We know
she is.

According to this man, she's at a police
station in London.

Don't believe a word of it.

Anyway, they want you to go up there.

When? Now.

Now? Oh, yes, and they want you to take
her birth certificate.

I don't know offhand where it is.

It's not some sort of hoax. It didn't
seem like it.

Did you write the number down?

Yes, it's on the phone.

I'll soon get to the bottom of this.

Give the fire a poke.

Crime to burn them, you know. Make
marvellous compost.

Take a hundred years to rot.

Was he worried about his weight?

No.

Did he take saunas regularly?

Obvious. You don't know Stoke -on
-Trent.

It's not like Vegas.

And when you get seven mile out, they're
still talking about the takeaway

Chinese.

So his saunas weren't on the usual
schedule?

Definitely not.

Was he... Look, forgive me for having to
ask this, but was he anything of a

drinker? Ah, word is out.

Yeah.

One of the great elbow raisers of our
time, huh, Jim?

Yes, well, I'm afraid that that was all
part of the trouble.

How do you mean?

Well, we know you shouldn't drink and
drive. Well, you shouldn't drink and

saunas. No.

No.

Apparently you've been drinking beer.

I would.

Quite a few pints.

I would.

Yes, well, get into a sauna and that can
lead to a condition called

hyperthermia. Oh, what old people die
of. Oh, no.

Quite the opposite.

It's like heat stroke.

It affects the body's heat control
mechanism.

And that's what he died of?

Well, what he'd like to say on the death
certificate, I'm not sure, but that's

all part of it.

Hadn't he had some heart trouble?

No.

Didn't any insurance company turn him
down?

Oh, yeah.

Yeah.

Well, that was two years ago.

I'm very sorry, Mrs Bond.

So? What happens now?

The coroner's office will take care of
you.

Got any children?

No. Don't like them.

Better things to do with me time.

Didn't he mind?

Didn't let him.

Second marriage.

He'd done it all before.

Got two daughters.

Cows.

It's not early clothing on Oxford
Street, is it?

No.

It's no such thing.

Good.

You don't reckon I've got any, do you?

Only one way you can prove it.

A white tea, don't you think? Go on, get
on with it.

Very nice.

White for mercy, you know.

Do you really think I'm Alexandra?

I'll tell you something, you ain't never
going to find out.

All right, Chas, you get a pass in last
thing.

Enough. Leave.

What makes you think I've got something?

Come on, don't be shy.

No, really, I told you. Look, we saw
you.

Saw me? Yeah, you were going up down the
ice rink.

Oh, well, it did. I just popped a few
BHS in there.

Fell off the back of a counter.

You must have been there. I was.

Shall we see, then?

I'll show you mine if you show me yours.

Show us, Flasher.

Very nice.

Bage is the rage.

That's not Bage, is it?

Bates.

All right, you pass me.

Seven out of ten for Bates.

Steve?

Show us what you've got.

I haven't got any.

Chicken.

Just haven't had time. Oh, poor little
thing.

How long does it take?

No, I haven't. Look at him.

I'll get them. Like when?

After dinner.

Today?

Well...

Yeah, why not?

You're on.

We'll come with you.

I can't. I've got to do my geography.

Lend him a note.

No. All right, look, Ginny, you stay
behind, and the rest of us will go

duty.

And they've got to be red.

Red?

Pillar box red.

Do they do them in red?

Look at him. Do they do them in red?

They might not have them. They will.

If not, ask.

We'll just say we want to try them out.

It's a trial run.

Don't forget, B -boy.

I won't.

I reckon he's got a case of no bottle
out, Steve.

I've seen Sergeant Truman over here,
Squire.

Squat shape, ginger.

Hello, sport. What are you doing here?
City.

What you been nicked for?

I haven't been.

Well, you're not here for the local
colour, are you?

I was in the fire.

You smell a bit scorched.

The ungreat fire of London.

What, Russell Park?

Yes.

You lead a pretty full life, don't you?
Very full. Nearly overflowing.

What happened to Whistle?

The club are you gear?

Well, it got burned, didn't it?

What about Scarlett O 'Hara?

Don't tell me she got toasted. It's a
long story, officer.

It's all right, I'm in no hurry.

Is there coffee?

Yeah, it could be.

I reckon it could be something else.
That's it.

Here, go on, please yourself.

Finish your story.

Where was I?

Scarlett O 'Hara.

Oh, yeah.

Well, we got back to her place. She
insists on another couple of drinks,

Marys.

Had to be bloody Mary.

Well, she passed out on you.

Yeah.

One minute she's prancing round the
flat, naked as nature, waggling

Seconds later, she's headfirst down the
toilet looking for Australia.

Well, pain deferred, eh?

Not too loud, please.

Bit fragile?

Like broken biscuits.

So what did you do then?

Left her.

Oh, very gallant.

Don't you feel a bit...

There, if you know what I mean.

Just her.

Snoring.

I'll bubble at the corner of her mouth.

Then what?

Then I called into a little after -hours
drinking club.

Aye, aye.

What was her name? I never knew.

Well, best to keep it that way, innit?
Strictly professional.

Oh, yeah.

Was she Irish, too?

No, she was. She was very dusky.

Well, back to her place then, was it?

We deserve something, if only for
persistence.

I didn't get it.

Well, it wasn't for want of trying, was
it?

It was a fourth -floor walk -up, that
much I do remember.

And? Another round of drinks.

Of course.

And there was some shouting.

Well, I fired down below.

Very like it.

Couldn't get down the stairs, because
they were ablaze.

Couldn't get up, because we were up.

So what happened?

Fire brigade got us out through the
window.

Lucky. You don't know how.

Came down that ladder like a sack of
coal, wearing a tablecloth and a soppy

grin. Click, some newspaper's got my
photograph.

Like a nice souvenir.

Very keen on her album, the wife.

Still call it swinging London, didn't
they?

See, if he'd have taken my check, none
of this would have happened.

Oh, dear.

You can't blame it all on the bank.

We'd have been left half an hour sooner.

Without the aggro, she wouldn't have got
all head up.

Without that, she wouldn't have drunk so
much. A couple of hours later, I'd have

been back in my hotel, snug as a bug.

Ah, well.

It's all part of life's rich tapestry,
isn't it, sir?

Ah, that's what it is, isn't it?

Mrs. Scottmore.

Oh, come in. Thank you.

Would you like to sit there?

Are you in spectacles?

You expected a man?

I did, yes.

Well, by the part, I think women do this
type of work better. At least the men

think so. Maybe.

But I really would prefer to deal with a
man.

Well, as from this moment, I'm dealing
with Linda.

Nonetheless, my preference stands.

I should point out to you that the
establishment on this station is for 15

officers.

Today, only five of them are
operational.

I might keep it out on a job. It might
be late afternoon, early evening before

can see you. I see.

However, I do respect your wishes. We'll
get on, shall we?

As you wish.

Where is Linda?

Last time I saw her, she was getting
herself something to eat.

I'd like...

to talk to her.

Yes, you will.

In a few moments. Did you bring her
birth certificate?

And she is 15.

15, eight months.

Pretty girl.

You had trouble with her before?

What do you call trouble?

Has she ever run away before?

No. Ever threatened to? No, no need.

What was the need this time?

You have a good relationship?

I'd say so.

That sounded... defensive.

If it did, it's because I'm not used to
sorting through my emotional laundry in

public.

Yes, I appreciate that.

Do you?

Yes, most unpleasant.

However, there are some things that we
do need to establish.

Apparently, Linda spent last night in
London.

Oh, I'm told. Where did you think she
was? With a friend. Girlfriend, of

Practising French oral.

O -levels.

She said she spent the night with two
Cypriots.

Back of Tottenham Court Road somewhere.

She said she had sex with them both.

You're waiting for me to say something.

Is this something you wanted to say? I
don't believe it.

Well, as a matter of fact, it isn't
true.

It doesn't seem to be.

She's been examined.

By whom?

By our divisional surgeon at her
surgery.

You didn't think of waiting till I got
here? Mrs Scott, we had no idea how long

you'd be. Now, this kind of evidence
doesn't keep.

We could have been dealing with USI,
unlawful sexual intercourse. Linda is

yet 16, and that's a criminal offence.

We could also have been dealing with a
case of BD infection.

So she's still a virgin?

No. Apparently not. I don't believe it.

Well, your own GP will verify it, or
anything.

We're discussing an adolescent girl, you
know. Not something belonging to the

National Trust.

Guided tours every half hour. We're
discussing a girl who was picked up in a

West End coffee bar behaving like a
common prostitute.

You got nicked?

What? Who by?

Store detectives. Oh, my God.

How did it happen?

They went to look up to the door, then
they stopped him.

Well, where's he now?

They took him off somewhere.

Well, what did he say?

I can't hear.

Poor old Steve.

4 -9 -10 -4 -17.

Coffee, please.

Sorry, not coffee. Will you have tea?

Very well.

I'd like to talk to my daughter alone.

Thank

you.

Thank you very much indeed.

Why not an ad in the evening standard?

I don't know.

You don't understand.

Oh, right.

There's egg on your chin.

Oh, I'll do it.

Why?

Why inflict this on me?

That's no answer.

I warned you.

Of what?

I can't take it anymore.

had anything to take in the whole of
your overprotected, overindulged,

existence.

See, I told you.

What is it you can't take?

Pressure.

Pressure?

I don't know what the word means.

He understands.

Who's he?

One of our Cypriot friends?

Dad.

Oh, I see.

We have him to thank, do we?

He knows how I feel.

Well, I have told you before.

Any time you want to try your luck in
Earl's court with him and Earth Mother,

that's fine by me. I'm sure there's a
room. Well, if not a whole room, a bed.

not a bed, the sleeping bag.

Part of a sleeping bag.

You admit you stole them?

Well, I've lost choice.

Look, scrub the choice. Were you
stealing them or not?

Yes. Who were they for?

Girlfriend? Sister?

Yourself? No one in particular.

No one?

That's right.

There's a word for that.

You make any attempt to get away?

No. What did he say?

Struth. Words to that effect.

Bit of a twit, aren't you, son?

I'll tell you what happens.

I'll be arresting you.

We go down to the local nick, local
station.

We book you in, call your parents and
see if you've got any form. I told you I

don't. You won't mind if we check.

And then when your dad comes... My dad's
dead.

Your mum, then. Got a mum?

We'll have a chat with my governor.

If you're lucky and clean, you'll
probably be bailed into her custody.

Leave it to our discretion.

Don't we all wait?

You do scripture at school?

Yeah. Then what's the eighth
commandment?

We used to call it shoplifting, but that
was too cosy. Didn't sound like a

crime.

Now we've gone back to calling it
thieving.

Jimmy? Yes, Mum?

That's by the end of Scott, kid.

I don't think I wasn't tempted.

I bet.

When she pulled you, was there any
possible way she could have known who

were? What do you mean, that I was old
Bill?

Yeah. No.

I've met Alfie, a snout of mine.

Coffee, bunny.

Did you see you pay him?

Didn't give him anything.

How long were you in there?

Ten minutes, top whack.

What does he call you?

Uncle.

What do you think of him?

He's not cut out to be your runaway part
-time grass.

Mum, your governor wants a word. He's
off as soon as possible. Don't pop that

up.

Have a seat.

I agree.

I mean, Gramecia, a mother like that,
what would she know about it?

All that Harold Robbins has told her?

That's about it.

If she ever heard what one of those
creepy flag merchants wanted, she'd run

three -minute mile.

Yeah?

Shut the door, Maggie.

Not having the best of runs, love.

Who is it? You're not. Bad news. Young
Steve.

He's been done for shoplifting.

What? Afraid so.

I can't believe it. Where was this?

Just had your local factory on. Chief
Inspector Fern. No?

No, I don't know any of them. Not the
uniformed bots.

It was picked up stealing a pair of
ladies' panties. Red ones.

Why? Why, I don't know. You'd better get
over there and ask him that, hadn't

you?

Yeah.

Anything I can do, any help I can give,
just bail me, right?

Sure, he knows.

He knows.

Sue!

What the hell are you doing here?

Waiting for World War III.

Well, it's Dot. I was trying to work out
who... Who she was, where you met, why

she was here.

What is it? I've only got a minute.

Is there somewhere we can talk?

I don't know. We're only here to
rehearse a presentation.

If you can wait... I can't.

Look, sit down, will you?

It's the, um, Longman account. If we
don't come through, they say MRP will

it off them. There's plenty of others.

Well, it's all right for you.

I'll tell you how right it is.

I spent half the day at the police
station.

Why? Because Linda Treasure, fired, no
doubt, by your large pep talk, was

up selling her body in a coffee bar.

What? There isn't time to repeat
everything.

She told the police she'd been shacked
up with a house full of Cypriots.

No. No, as it turned out. When was this?

Last night.

Wasn't she at home? Well, obviously not.
Well, where the hell was she? Don't use

that tone of voice with me because
you'll shatter us. Look, like you said,

isn't time.

She told me she was staying at Kate's.

Kate's that great, that lovely... I know
who Kate is.

And instead she was in London. So quick.

Have you seen her? Oh, yes.

All I've got is that you'll understand.

Do you?

Understand what? About the pressure.

The part of your weekend dialogue, no
doubt.

Don't worry about the Brussels sprouts,
dear. Have some more profiteroles.

Now, what about that nasty pressure? We
didn't even discuss it. I took her to

the cinema. Ex -certificate, I hear.
Excellent choice.

Was the Louis Mal?

Hello?

Well, she wanted to see it.

Good God, what harm... Exactly.

Well, if you can break away from
peddling tooth decay to unsuspecting

children... I can't.

Tom, she needs you. I'm sorry, it's not
possible. They need me.

What's that?

It's a bleeper.

They use them here. It means they're
ready to start. It looked...

Better on Dr Kildare.

I'll, um, I'll call you.

Why? Well, to find out what happened.

Don't bother.

What do you mean? I mean if you can't
come now and help, don't bother.

Look, this meeting is crucial.

It's make or break.

My neck.

Fine.

I hope it works out.

I'll call.

This evening.

As with most doors today, there's a
reluctance to prosecute.

Yes, I understand.

I have to send the papers to the
Juvenile Bureau.

As you know, an officer will come round
to the house.

When will that be?

They'll contact you first.

He'll want to talk to you.

And, Steve, report on...

Home conditions, background and so on.

From what you tell me about your
husband, I imagine we can end it there.

With a caution.

Yes. And if not?

The papers will go upstairs and it'll be
a straightforward prosecution.

Hang on, I'll get PC Wilson.

It was a gag. A gag? A dare, a bet.

Did you tell him that?

There's no point. Why not? Drop the
others in it. How many others? It

matter.

Oh, Steve, you're such a fool. You don't
understand.

Oh, that's what they all say. That's a
great cop -out.

So what do you know that I don't? Put me
hand up in class and they call me

Supergrass. Snitcher. You go off and
steal a pair of ladies' nickels.

That makes it all right, does it?

Makes you feel better?

I never drank so much tea in all my
life.

Oh, it's my fault for keeping you
waiting.

Where did your mother go?

To fetch Dad.

All hands to the pump.

Why do they split up, do you know?

You've met her.

What's your father like?

Bit of a shambles, really.

Lovable, but... So, what's all this
about?

How do you mean?

Well, I'd like to get you out of here,
you and your mother together, back to

Isha. But before I do that, I have to
make sure you're not exposed to what the

courts call moral danger.

That's not very helpful.

Well, what do you expect me to say?

I want you to tell me why you did it.

Did what?

Come on.

I'm very busy. I've had a long day. I've
no time to play games.

Come on, you've made your stand, you've
flown your distress signals. Now, what's

it all about?

Well, if you don't tell me, it's all
been a waste of time, isn't it?

I want her to get off my back.

Well, then ask her.

You don't ask people like my mother.
Then tell her.

What are the specific problems? Oh,
where do you begin?

Listen.

Work. Must work harder.

Do well.

Exams. Success.

Get qualified.

Be independent.

Don't let any man put a ring through
your nose. A ring anywhere, for that

matter. What's the point in marrying?
Just not to be lonely.

Et cetera, et cetera.

Is your mother qualified?

To give advice?

No, exam, things like that.

Dernal degree, London University.

When?

A couple of years ago, just after the
split up.

Can't have been easy for her.

Wasn't.

Half single -minded.

I'm not made like that.

So who did you throw yourself at?

Some chap at home.

Gone to them, are you?

Not really.

Chinless wonder.

I practically raped him.

And there were no Cypriots.

And you knew Sergeant Fenton was a cop.

Oh, no, love, they went out with Dick
Barton.

No, gut reaction.

I followed him from another piece of...
Right.

Oh, young Linda, I think you've been
damn lucky.

You could have landed yourself in
something really ugly.

Now, I don't mean that.

It's true.

Who's the boy?

You might know.

I have an idea.

Shrewd idea.

This isn't the end of it, you know.

What does that mean?

I'm a very Old Testament person.

Somebody takes one of my eyes, I want
one back.

I want him prosecuted.

You do?

Oh, yes, he's not getting away with it.

Despite the fact that Linda said she
practically had to force him? Words,

words. You don't believe that, do you?
Why not?

Well, she's sheltering him, protecting
him.

You'd risk taking this to court?

You bet I will.

You'd put Linda through an ordeal like
that?

It's a stand -up -in -court, a public
cross -examination about her most

moments and thoughts. Mrs Scott, I don't
recommend it. You know...

I'm getting awfully tired of being
offered advice.

Must come with a uniform.

This preachiness.

Sanctimoniousness.

Yes, you're right. It is only advice.
The facts would be better to see your

officer in your area.

Private somehow.

Nothing to stop me, is there?

Nothing whatsoever.

Except your own good sense.

What Linda needs now is help.

Understanding. Love.

I know she can get it.

We're here now because she wasn't
getting it. Or it wasn't working. There

be a repeat performance.

Don't worry. 200 girls a month go
missing in London. Now, they're not all

flagged and tarred. There'll be straight
talk.

Plenty of it. Yes, well, if I were you,
I'd forget all about it. Gloff it over.

Forget it? Yes.

Just be glad we got her back safe and
sound. God knows where she could have

ended up. You won't mind if I use my
method?

Mrs Scott, may I remind you that we're
here today because of your methods.

Are you threatening me, Inspector?

Not at all.

I just need convincing, that's all.

Tell me, what happens if I can't
convince you?

Then I'll contact our social services
department. What would that mean?

Temporary care order, eight -day
assessment, something like that. What

crappy things? There are some people who
might think your home sounds crappy.

Look, I think we should all be careful
that we don't take our hang -ups, our

grievances out on our children.

Oh, you speak from experience.

Unfortunately, yes.

Okay, so do as I say, not as I do.

Still bitterness between you and your
ex?

Bitterness? No, not really.

What went wrong?

Oh, I got tired.

Tired of pretending, carrying the dream,
playing sheet anchor.

Funny, I never wanted to be a rocker,
Gibraltar.

Rebuilding my man's ego.

Got too much for me.

I'm not sure George Wimpy could do the
job.

What now?

We can go.

Just like that? Just like nothing. I've
eaten so much humble pie, I'm choking.

Come on.

Nothing's changed, you know.

We'll finish it quietly at home.

Right?

Well, do we say goodbye?

Well, thank you for having me.

But what about Inspector Paul?

Nothing else came up. We're only the
light relief, something to practice on.

I thought she cared.

Eight times a day, seven days a week.

She's forgotten your name already.

Maggie?

What? What are you doing?

I just came back to tie this Ricky
Turquoise thing up. You shouldn't be

Well, I came back to wrap this case up.
Home. That's where you should be,

wrapping up Martha's deeds. I'll be
there soon enough.

Never mind about it. Soon enough. Now,
on your bike. Is there an order?

You'd better believe it. Where did you
leave it?

Oh, my dad's with him. See you tomorrow.

Can we use your phone?

Oh, sir. Night.

Night.

Steve?

Where's Grandad?

He's gone down to the shops.

Buy some spuds.

Oh, Steve, couldn't you have gone? He
went via the George.

Oh, I see.

Well, look, I'm just leaving. I should
be home in about half an hour.

Is that good?

Look, lay the table, I'll cook us some
supper and we'll talk it all through,

Cheer up.

It's like the end of the world.

Mum, I'm sorry.

I know you are, love.

Look, tell Dad if he wants to go back
for his dance. It's OK, all right?

All right.

I'll see you in half an hour.

Hello?

No Detective Inspector Forth here, sir.

No, but I know we've got three men
seconded to a crime squad.

Oh, yes, it's the oboe post on top of
the Savoy Hotel.

Me?

Well, yes, I suppose I could.

No, no, I've got a heavy coat here
somewhere.

Hold on, I'll get a pen. I'll get the
address down.

OK, fire away.