Original subtitles

Two minutes, eh?

Aye.

I'm whacked.

Three of me, both.

No matter.

Have a lay-in tomorrow.

It's Sunday.

Aye.

Remember that time we went off to pay for work?

That doss house we stopped in, Peterborough Way?

Aye.

I'd never left home before.

Nor since.

Till now.

Well, he's not leaving now.

He's, like, taking it with him.

Aye, I suppose.

Been to Browncow lately?

Nay.

Not since January.

Nine months ago.

I'm a stranger to Browncow.

Be handy for thee now.

Just round the corner.

She still live in Galwick?

The friend?

Nay.

She moved on.

How's, er... How's Ethel taking it now, then?

Oh, we've nothing to say to each other.

I sleep in Pat's room.

She sleeps with Ethel.

We live in the same house, and... we've nothing to say to each other.

I'll catch you up.

Cowley Street Chapel.

Your mum worked there for a bit when Toby started his sewing factory.

Ah, I remember.

Left you to do dusting.

Who did Toby leave this to, I wonder?

Harry Wilson, Sam says.

His dad, eh?

That should bring him back somewhat for note.

It's which petrol tank of when he stops.

It's stiff.

Used to use a hammer.

Bloody car.

I wish you were coming with us.

Les is going to miss Sam.

It's only a mile or two.

He'll not forsake young Les.

They've shared that bedroom for years.

He's closer to Sam than he is to Alan.

I think Sam's got something for him.

Something to make it up to him for him going.

Oh, I hope it's nothing that'll cause trouble again.

But Alan couldn't afford to buy it.

Polly, will you tell that son of yours to take his best

shoes off and put his Odin's on when he's moving furniture?

Won't he take notice of you, then?

Eh, I'll not ask him.

I'll not give him satisfaction.

These keys are yours.

And these are George's.

Why do these houses look different from t 'others?

I've had them done, haven't I?

I'd have seen them as they were.

If you don't paint wood, it rots, Grandad.

It sets us apart from t'others.

I know.

I've had six of them put their names down in case any of mine come empty.

I've to see a bloke at the chapel here.

I'll be back when I've done.

Cheer up, Grandad.

You'll live it down.

He's spent some money.

Aye, I'll not deny that.

He's done all six, not just ours and his own.

It is to be hoped we shall not regret it.

Nay, Dad, be reasonable.

Why has he not done them eight on t 'others' street?

There's been a clearance order on them since before the war.

He's spent up on these any road, I told you.

They could shove a clearance order on these and all.

They're not likely to.

Not after he's done all this.

They could be forced to.

They're swayed by tuffy dent.

Eh?

Mammal like this.

Oh, they bloody stink, they do.

If this talk goes on about him serving Corby, they'll

drop him and save their faces any way they can.

Where he said leave them standing, they'll say knock them down.

He's against condemning elders as well as a shortage, that's all.

The rest, bad gossip.

There's no trusting for these days.

They should declare their intention and take the land over.

We've been landlording all this life.

It's in a bad lot they've been.

There's barely a house, neither here nor at Skeleton, that's not suffered it.

Leaking roofs, rotten windows.

Now we've got one in bloody family.

Well, it's proved that tuffy dent could be right in a way.

Right not to condemn.

Are we to live with them for the rest of us lives, then?

What's wrong with these against what we put in the place?

Prefabs like it could be.

Sometimes you have to do what's practical.

Take second best, you mean?

One step at a time.

That's tuffy you're right, I didn't think it were thee.

They're facing facts, that's all.

Aye, I ain't giving in to them.

They want the same thing in the end.

It's not wanting that counts, it's bloody getting.

He lives just around the corner here, doesn't he, tuffy?

Across from chapel.

Still working at union offices?

Aye, but they did give his job to somebody else when they went to the sanatorium.

They've taken him back part time when he's able.

Five kids and no wife.

How does he manage?

Their Cassie had to give up a good job to look after them all.

She's got more going her than her dad has.

Still knocking about with our Sam, is she?

She'd the sense to pack him up.

She deserves full marks for that.

Overdone it again.

Nay, Cassie, I've not.

It's a penny bus ride.

Did you have to walk?

It meant an hour's wait.

Is Sam Wilson come?

Sam Wilson?

He left a message for Yanny last night, that he'd be round.

He didn't tell me.

What does he want?

You.

He says he's in our sleeps and she's not.

Oh, shut up.

He wants Dad to plead with you to take him back.

He hasn't been, anyway.

It's no hardship for him to come again.

He's only round the corner.

We moved today.

Fancy you knowing that?

Yes, that's enough, Ellie.

Come upstairs and rest.

Must I?

You know you must.

Come on.

Call me if he comes.

It's time you grew up.

Honestly, I'll start working next Monday.

You'll get no special treatment for that.

She'll give you me keep like Frida Moore gives her mother.

You'll give me your wage and I'll decide.

Frida Moore's got her dad working full time.

We only pay half the rent they do.

Those went up to 16 shillings last month.

Who told you that?

I heard Frida's dad say that Corby had put it up.

I looked in the rent book and ours is seven and six.

You didn't tell them?

It's cos Dad's a friend of Arthur Corby's, isn't it?

Who said?

Frida Moore.

She says we pay less rent.

I didn't tell her, honest.

She knew.

Well, how could she know?

Well, she did, that's all.

Shouldn't you tell me Dad?

No.

It's a talk.

I don't want him to hear it.

But it's right, cos I looked in the rent book.

Honest.

Well, the other half's paid direct.

By who?

Well, the union pays it direct.

It's a sort of allowance Dad gets for being sick.

Dad, were you a mate of Arthur Corby's at school?

Dad got a scholarship to King Edward's and Corby didn't.

And Corby's rich and we've gotten out.

What's that got to do with it?

Oh, why should we suffer?

Maurice Naylor.

Sam Wilson.

Aye.

Hello.

How do.

I asked you to meet me here because it's this place I want to see you about.

How much of it's in use nowadays, this place?

Well, you've got a dozen machines in this bottom half here.

The rest, derelict.

You've dealt with me father before, your grandfather's will and so on.

Oh, you're a solicitor then?

Oh, an accountant.

It's a separate firm.

We handle your grandfather's accounts.

Going bust, is it?

Good heavens, no.

They've got another year to run on the contract they're working on.

After that, well, there's nobody to get new orders for one thing.

What's it to do with me?

Well, you're a trustee.

Depending on your father turning up.

I thought me dad explained.

He tried.

I'd have known as much if he'd talked double Dutch.

You've been here before?

Aye.

I was supposed to come and work here years back.

I went to Pitt instead.

Still there?

Aye, still there.

What's it worth to me, this place?

Oh, nothing while your father's alive.

I'm a trustee for now, then.

Well, to look after his interests.

That's a laugh.

I've not seen him since I was nine.

Yes, me dad said.

You agreed you'd be a trustee, though?

I suppose so.

What can you say when a chap's dying?

I thought there might be a few pounds in it.

Hey, I can't sell your old condemned houses, can I?

I've had six done up on Cowley Street, but I've got

eight on the street lower down that have been condemned.

I might be able to find you a buyer.

Who buys houses that are condemned?

Oh, you'd be surprised.

Would you like me to look around for you?

I'll have to find from somewhere.

I've not paid the plumber.

Fifty quid or more.

I'd not get thirty on the car.

That's what I paid for it.

You know you can have your father presumed dead if he's not been seen for seven years?

You see... your grandfather made a gift over.

Now, if you can get an order of court to presume him dead, this place comes to you.

Now, me dad said he went to Canada 14 years ago.

Last heard of just before the war.

Aren't we going home, Mum?

Mum!

What?

When are we going home, Mum?

When.

Yes, when.

And when we do, you've nothing to do as you're told.

And speak when you're spoken to and not upset your dad like you do.

Or one day he'll go away and he won't come back.

He won't come back one day and never ever.

..

This place comes to you.

Me dad said he went to Canada 14 years ago.

Last heard of just before the war.

I've learnt in my business, you can't assume anything.

You'd have to prove you'd made every effort to find him, of course.

It can't be worth much, this place.

Oh, I think you'd be surprised.

Of course, I wouldn't like to say, off the cuff...

What do you want to see me for, then?

Billy Plowright.

He was a sort of foreman here when your grandfather was alive.

Took over the paperwork when he died, on-the-spot stuff, you know, we did the rest.

Well, he wants to retire.

He's willing to stay on a few months to show somebody the ropes.

But we need to appoint someone else.

You can say to it, can't you?

If you want me to.

I've no interest in this place.

Do as you think best.

Best chair, as usual.

First come, first served.

It's easy to be first come when you stop work first.

Have you told her that's a lot?

Is it?

Aye.

Let's get moving.

Let's get off.

Nothing we've left behind.

Like what?

Like me man, for instance.

I'll go in front with the men.

Where's Les?

Oh, he's watching through bedroom window.

Sulking?

Well, he's a bit put out.

So would you be.

Tell Sam I'll wait here till he comes for me.

What's up?

Nothing.

What's the mate?

Me mate?

It's not gone far, young Pat.

Took me a bus ride, that's all.

Come here.

What for, sir?

They're not going moping up there.

Come here.

Am I not a mate for thee then?

Yeah.

Take this to Mr and Mrs Hollands.

Get this in summat.

What do I lack that he wants?

Come away then.

Dad's asleep.

He's a council meeting tonight.

I don't want to wake him.

Oh.

Where you been hiding yourself, Cassie?

Yeah.

Still working at Westley's?

Before kids to look after.

Why don't they take you dancing sometime?

Why?

You want a reason?

I think I want quick.

Last time I asked you said not.

And you never ask twice, do you?

You've vanished.

I wasn't far from sight for anybody that wanted to look.

You look smashing on it anyway, Cassie.

Forget it, Sam.

Forget what?

You know.

How is he these days, anyway?

Your dad.

Worse.

Walking tyres are minutes all walking when you're on council.

Hey, I've an old jalopy outside.

I could cart him round on falling day if he wants.

He's not standing.

He can't.

He'll be dead in a year.

Do you want the job?

It'll take up most of your spare time.

No dancing.

You get no money.

Small thanks.

And they talk about you behind your back but they tell me it's very rewarding.

How old are you, Cassie?

Mind your own business.

About my age by my reckoning.

24 at most.

Sour at 24, Cassie.

Thanks.

I was wrong about you being a smooth talker.

Any more old truths?

Been reading?

I read, yes.

Cass, can I have... Oh, hello.

Cass, can I have sixpence, please?

That of your first wage is next Friday week.

You'll be skint, I warn you.

Now then, that's five bobby only up to now, right?

Thanks, Cassie, a treat.

Ta-ra then.

Make an impression on you.

I'm not a bloody baby snatcher, Cassie.

Sorry.

It's sour grapes, I suppose.

You have a lot of fun, don't you, Sam?

Get a lot out of life.

I'll come back some other time.

Did you get your school cert?

Nay.

I, um... I didn't take it in the end.

I did.

Passed.

Well, all but Latin.

I don't seem to be able to cope with it on my own.

So I don't suppose I'll ever get that external degree now, will I?

It's other things in life.

You'll be stopping at Pitt then?

Happen.

Grandad Wilson left me some houses.

Oh, yes, I heard.

So you're a landlord then.

They all come here, the landlords, looking for favours.

You think it was Buckingham Palace.

Didn't you know that?

Hadn't you heard?

I don't take notice of all I hear, Cassie.

Then why come?

For advice, happen.

I'm new to being a landlord.

Yes.

Well, it's all free.

We haven't got tuppence, but it's all free.

Only not today, thanks.

He's ill and he's got enough on his plate.

Why don't you do a bit?

Waste too much boozing time, would it?

You're sour, Cassie.

Sam?

Oh, he woke you.

I've not been off, right?

You wanted me?

Nay, I did.

Sorted itself out.

I came round to propose to Cassie.

But she'll not have me at any price.

Will you, Cass?

Will she not, then?

Reads me like a book, does Cass.

Knows all about me.

Don't you, Cass?

You can't fool Cass.

Oh, shut up.

I'll see you, Tuffy.

Look after yourself.

Nay, I'm well enough looked after.

All right.

You are at that.

I thought you'd not been seeing him.

I've not, have I?

It's all his talk.

He walks in here as if he'd left you on the doorstep last night.

Where have you been, Cass?

He says I've deserted him.

Best friends can be like that, Cass.

Hmm.

Remember you when they need you, you mean.

So, is it sour, you, Cass?

That.

That.

You want to check stubs as well?

I shall need them, yes.

Oh, the devil she hides them.

I told her to keep the damn things.

He can go away tomorrow.

No, but we're seeing Sarah tonight.

I'll give them to Sarah, then.

Prize them out of her mother somehow.

Interested in buying houses?

I'd rather build a few more.

You can't get the bloody stuff.

In fact, Chancellor said Bevan's five million houses he promised.

Well, he didn't promise when.

No.

Oh, aye, he'd handcuffed you there, all right.

You're one of them who's voted for Attlee, aren't you?

Well... Embarrasses you now, does it?

No.

It would me, my God, it would.

What were it Churchill said?

An empty cab pulled up and Mr Attlee got out.

You know somebody who's selling it?

Aye, he might do.

Where are they?

Side of Cowley Street Chapel.

That's handy.

They all orbit two streets of them.

They're condemned.

It's a clearance error since before the war.

Things stand it, is, aye?

The clearance order could be lifted, you mean.

There's a council meeting tonight.

I've offered to do mine up if we take the order off.

I've a demolition and redevelopment valuation on similar property.

I'll give him ten quid a house on the top of that price.

If the order stands after the meeting tonight,

well, he's ten quid a house better off, isn't he?

He fancy a gamble, do you think?

No harm in asking.

I'll have to be quick off the mark.

You can see me here tonight at 8.30.

Oh!

Your tobacco.

What are you doing here?

Fighting him on his accounts and losing.

Is she there?

She's gone upstairs.

Well, tell her to come and find her damn cheque stools, will you?

We're going out with you and Jessie tonight, aren't we?

I gather, yes.

Good.

I'll see you later, then.

That David treating her right, do you think?

And she's not likely to give him his ring back again, is she?

I think you should maybe ask Sarah that.

Tell me to mind my own damn business.

I've had seven years of it.

For five of them, they made the war the excuse of not getting married.

Now, I'm not sure if they're suited.

She'll end up on the shelf if she's not careful.

Tell that chap I'll wait in for him, will you?

8.30 sharp.

What's his name?

Sam Wilson.

They're busy on next door.

Best part of our lot's in.

Don't knock yourself up.

It's time somebody took a chance on it.

Them till they're sent will be there next Christmas.

Mum, is his stove working in here?

Ain't it working next door?

We haven't got one.

On my way back to Skeleton to pick up your gran, I'll call at the gas company.

All right?

How's it going, your end?

Oh, I'm still passing messages.

Messages?

To me mum and dad.

They said about six words to each other in as many months.

I want me own bed back.

I don't like sleeping with men.

Nah, it'll pass.

And what's he calling on you for?

He's not.

Not that I know of.

Nobody'll ever tell me, I suppose.

Sam, someone to see you.

Hello, Morris.

Sam.

Go on then, young'un, we've work to do.

You've gone to town?

As much as you can with the stuff you can get.

Don't the others on the street the same?

Aye, more or less.

Seems a pity to sell the other eight.

Not much option, have I?

Your grandad.

I do.

I think I've found you a buyer.

If you can see him at Alba Estate tonight.

What's the rush?

Better ask him.

Now he says it's a gamble.

You see, while the clearance order stands, those houses aren't worth very much.

About two, forty pounds each.

Now he's offering ten quid a house on top of that.

But only if you'll see him at Alba Estate tonight.

Now if you've got a piece of paper, I'll give you his address.

Write it down on there.

I do his accounts.

He's tough.

He's straight.

And he gambles.

Aye.

He gambles.

Thanks.

You go in the brown cow, don't you?

Now and then.

I may be seeing you there tonight.

You know, if those houses weren't under a clearance

order, you could borrow money to do this sort of thing.

They are though.

Well, clearance orders have been lifted.

I'll see you tonight.

Borrow money, eh?

No, Grandad.

Live off credit, eh?

One at a time.

Less weight to go upstairs with.

I know what's written on there, you know.

Him that gambles on the roofs over those folks' heads.

Only he doesn't gamble on chaps like you, he wins.

Eight houses with a clearance order on them.

There was a clearance order on another street that Corby owned.

It got taken off.

By the council.

It's policy to keep the old houses.

Perpetuate the slums, you mean.

Like this?

Like this, then?

They're shoving sawdust in car sumps, they tell me, so that folks don't know

that the engines wore out when they fired them.

That's the sort of job that Corby does.

He'd not do work like this.

He'd not spend brass like you have.

Christ, he's given me bloody credit.

There's too much at stake.

We'd spend all our lives at the mercy of chaps like Corby.

A roof or no roof, that's what's at stake.

If Corby wins out on me and makes the street fit to be lived

in, he'll be doing what I could have done, given the brass.

But that'd make me a landlord eight times over, wouldn't it, Grandad?

That wouldn't suit you either, would it, Grandad?

You want it both bloody ways.

Where do you want this?

Tuffydent's right.

They're not building the houses.

You can't get the stuff.

I should know.

You should see what I paid for this lot.

You have to live in this world as it is, Grandad.

You can say that to me.

Let's live through what you'll never know.

You have to live in this world as it is.

Nope.

Nope.

By God, nope.

There's little enough of what we want for ourselves that we shall get in this life.

But we've had it better than what us fathers had, poor sods.

We shall die in the muck we've lived and worked in.

We shall die in a war that's been waged since before we was born.

It's others that shall reap what we sowed.

That shall stand on our shoulders as we stood on

the shoulders of them that stood fast before us.

Or are we not the men us fathers were?

That's my bed.

Oh, aye.

Goes in front room.

Front bedroom.

Front room downstairs.

I'll have that chair in there and all.

I could have a kettle if I had a stove.

Dad, me mam's gone next door to make tea.

I could be on me own.

Dad.

I could have a fire though.

I could make toast.

Does this belong to Lodger as well?

Lodger.

He must have just gone out.

Oh, you mean me dad.

Upside down, are you?

Aye, a bit.

Well, I'm not moving again.

I've told him.

Cemetery's my next move.

Al?

No thanks, Edie.

We're off to Skeleton when Frank's drunk up.

Oh, I saw your eyes light up when I mentioned the cemetery.

Well, have you sold them?

Corby was out.

I saw his daughter.

I'll have to go back tonight, as he said.

You're not a bad landlord, as they come.

You know that accountant?

He said I could happenborough to do him up.

But if that client sort of stands, I'd lose the lot.

That applies to Corby unless he knows something I don't.

Do you believe it's about Taffy?

Well, he's not standing in November.

It won't matter then, will it?

What's the ward committee say?

I can't tell you that, can I?

I went to see Taffy for advice.

Didn't bring it up in the end.

Cast her, me siren it.

She acts as if she knows what's said about him.

You know, if there was a chance of that order being lifted,

I'd keep them housey sooner and let them go to Corby.

There's a council meeting tonight.

What do you think, Frank, about Taffy?

Straight.

It's not what I think that counts.

Do you think I should see him again?

No.

No, I don't.

What's this?

It's a shell, isn't it?

Me, where did it come from?

When we had a day out once, before the war.

Me and your mother, Sam, Aunt Dora and Uncle Alan.

Me Aunt Dora and Uncle Alan weren't married, were they?

We don't talk about that, do we?

Why not?

Because we don't, that's all.

I knew we'd taken these next door.

I knew we'd not left them.

I don't want them steps through here.

George, will you come in here a moment, please?

That there.

And it's bloody stopping.

It's not, you know, don't you?

It's mine.

I've had it, no more of it, no more of it.

I've had a new front door and I've had everything.

You've had a new front door?

They're talking again, Grandad.

I've had a new front door.

What about the other two?

Want me to play them now?

Er, no, no, we've got to go.

I mean, are they all right?

Will they suit?

Did you choose them?

Nay, I know nothing about music, do I?

Frank chose them.

I'd have bought you one of those electric gramophones, only there aren't many about.

It's one of these I wanted.

You don't mind a bit of elbow work, then?

That's how I come to like music.

Winding me Uncle Frank's up.

Winding it?

Aye.

What, not listening to it, just winding it?

Aye, at first.

And I thought you were another little Mozart.

Learn to appreciate music.

Get a gramophone and wind it.

I'll go and see if Mam's ready.

Where you off?

Just up the road to Galwick.

When are you going to come and see me?

When can I?

Any time you like.

Tomorrow?

Aye, er, only let me lay a bed a bit, eh?

I'm your brother, Liz.

Not just a mate.

More than a mate, eh?

Mates come and go, but brothers go on forever, right?

Forever.

I'll see you tomorrow, Liz.

See you, Sam.

I don't want him done down by Corby.

Corby's sharp and the lad thinks he knows it all.

What makes you think it's to do with me, Jack?

How many houses have been condemned round here since the war ended?

None.

Why?

You know why.

We can't afford to condemn houses.

Or pull down them that's already condemned.

Whose gospel is that?

Mine, I suppose.

Only it's a fact, not a cause.

I'd have pulled the bloody lock down, I would.

Your heart's got a grip of your head, Jack.

It's telling you who's in charge, that's all.

You'd think different if you'd the doing of it.

If Martin closes, and it will, there'll be houses to spare round here, Tuffy.

What will you do then?

What will council do, you mean?

You know what I mean.

Well, we'll face that when we come to it.

We know it's going to happen.

What's against making a start now?

Time's against us.

Let's have him down.

There's the stink of the past in him.

If you want the houses down, Mr Barraclough, why shouldn't your sums be included?

I want them included, but Corby thinks they'll not be.

Why would he offer to buy them off him else?

He's a gambler, is Arthur.

You keep room company there, Tuffy.

I ask no man what company I'm to keep.

You expose yourself.

I was schooled with Arthur, Corby.

He lived with us for a while when his mam died.

We were lads together.

You've gone different roads, Tuffy.

And none of yours has gone different from what you wanted.

Have you cast him out because of it?

And do you stop from hoping that you've something to offer that might rub off on him?

Want to go in for a last look before I take Key back?

Nay, I've had me last look.

Back again, George?

Aye.

We'd given you up for lost.

Hey, Dave!

Fine.

Same again?

Nay.

I'm off when I've finished this.

Ethel straight yet?

Hereabouts.

Fresh start, eh?

Mates again?

Leave it be, son.

What other way was there, George?

There was no future in it.

She knew it better than you, the woman.

Just leave it be, eh?

You'd not come in here if you'd not got over it.

You've learned now, have you?

I know that much.

Do you?

George, you have to live in the same world as other folks, haven't you?

When you've learned what it feels like, you'll have learned something.

Hello, drummer.

Sam?

I saw you from the other room and waiting for friends.

Are you going to Corby's?

I went early.

He was out.

You know, I've been thinking.

If you lose that 80 quid Arthur's ready to gamble, you could still sell at the

demolition price, pay the plumber and be in property.

They have fun, don't they, these property blokes?

It's better than the GGs.

You know, there's eight families living in those eight condemned houses of mine.

Have you always come home to a roof over your head?

Yes, yes, I have.

You?

Aye.

I've never been too sure of it.

He's not a bad landlord, is Corby, though.

You should say things like that in the bedroom, not in here.

Anyway, I shall likely sell to Corby to pay the plumber, Shanta.

Whatever.

I need it quick.

Plumber.

You know, it doesn't grow on trees, you know.

You listen to your granny.

Granny?

It's a nickname.

The glasses.

What you drinking, granny?

I'll wait for the girls, if you don't mind.

Girls?

With a nickname like that?

Edie!

All in good time.

We've arrived.

Where are they?

Rowing in the car park.

I thought they might shut up if I stood there, but no, not a chance.

What's it about this time?

Oh, God knows.

Corby thinks it's David all the time.

Oh, Arthur would.

Arthur thinks his little girl can do no wrong, Arthur does.

Why aren't you in the other room?

Well, I met a bloke.

The chap I told you about.

There she comes.

Where's David?

Don't forget bloody David.

Drink?

A gin and orange, as large as you like.

Usual?

Yes.

Oh, Sarah, this is...

I'm Jessie.

How do.

Sarah.

We've met.

This oven will not be the same.

Eh?

Best oven in Long Row, that of ours was.

That are me mum's.

Well, why should you mourn it?

What cooking do you do?

I eat, don't I?

Is that what counts?

You what?

Well, if nobody ate, you couldn't tell no different, could you?

One oven from next.

Oh, I suppose you think it did it all on its own, that oven.

All or less.

Ah, well, we'll see, shan't we?

Perhaps go on to bed.

Put her in her own room.

It's time she was back on her own.

Aye.

Well, isn't it?

Oven?

First day we moved, seemed the best time.

Aye.

Fresh start.

Aye.

So, you'll be in with me.

Aye.

You'll be in with me.

Aye.

You reckon I've a screw loose, don't you, turning me back on the sewing factory?

It can't be easy to ask a court to declare your father dead.

How old would he be if he's still alive?

Not far off 50, I reckon.

My grandad reckons he'll have done naught with

his life, else he'd have come back boasting.

They were all rich, the dads I invented in school.

There weren't many of us didn't have one.

Better off with a dead one.

Didn't have to make excuses for him.

Mine was in Canada, making a fortune.

They couldn't understand it, the lads, when

I went down pit, living on long roll me life.

Couldn't call me a liar, because they knew he'd gone to Canada.

You can live off a tail that's half to it, the pit, but not the other kind.

It's not a life I know anything about, I'm afraid.

Don't be afraid, mate.

Be grateful.

The working class struggles what it says, a bloody struggle.

We're supposed to be making a new world, aren't we?

The welfare state, you mean?

Well, it's a start.

It's all we'll get, Granny.

It's the lot.

Well, that's a bit cynical, isn't it?

Who had the money before the war?

Corby.

Who's got it now?

Corby.

You don't get a new world on tick.

Boris!

Aye, she can knock it back, can't she, Corby's lass?

You being watched?

Me?

It's your grandfather, isn't it?

Keeping an eye on me.

He'd like me to be a landlord, me grandad.

Then he could rant on at me.

Chip off that bloody blot that went to Canada, he'd say.

Hi, Grandad.

Hey, it's way past half past eight, you know.

Right.

Corby'll be looking at his big gold watch.

It's nothing to him, a few houses.

Bet he'll not like to be kept waiting.

Not a bad life, is it?

You'll go?

I'm working on it.

What's the good of that now?

You'd better leave this to me.

What about me bloody pint?

You're a clumsy devil, aren't you, Charlie?

Oh, bloody hell.

What about that?

Here we are.

I want to go with Maurice.

You can't, it's a two-seater.

And you've been five minutes since.

I want to go with Maurice.

I'll feed you to those lads in there if you get out again.

They don't like their pints knocked over.

What a nasty man.

Shift your legs.

I've to switch the petrol tap on.

It's stiff.

Oh, how intimate.

Are you done?

Aye.

Want some more bread and butter?

Nay.

There's plenty more tea if you'd like it.

Nay, I'm done.

I'll leave these to soak till morning.

Oh, I got you some fags while I was out.

They're up there in that jar if you want them.

Aye, right then.

You're quite sure there's nothing else you want?

Yeah, I'm right.

I'll be off up then.

Aye.

You come when you're ready.

Aye.

You'll not disturb me?

Nay.

I'll not be asleep.

Better?

I've been sick, if that's what you mean.

I thought you'd gone quiet.

You were chirping like a sparrow in the car.

Dad's out.

Was it important?

Nay, just since I was here.

We'd a gamble in mind.

If you've got a gamble with Dad, I can tell you now you'll lose.

Aye, I can see that.

You don't get all this playing fair.

Nah, a bad loser.

It's the game I don't like.

Scared you might win?

Some people are, I'm told.

You wouldn't know though, would you?

You've never had to play it.

Your Dad's always played it for you.

And yours hasn't.

What would you know about it?

Nothing.

Just the way you bit back at me with the taste of sour grapes.

Your Dad was a pit man once, like me I've heard.

He likes this better, eh?

I don't think I've ever asked him.

I like to travel light.

You're wasted on me.

Probably wasted on me.

You drink too much.

I think that's my business.

You wait on other people's favours.

I beg your pardon?

I was watching you in the pub.

Eyes on the door all night.

There's no future in it waiting for doors to open.

People come back because they want to.

Not because you want them to.

Good old homely philosophy.

I speak as I know.

I'm not Professor George.

He's back.

I'll tell him you're here.

Thanks for the ride.

And the lecture.

You wrote my daughter home, she tells me.

I had to come anyway.

It's half past eight.

You're the chap Maurice Neeley sent, are you?

I'm late.

Aye.

Well, they're yours if you want them.

I've a plumber to pay.

Ten percent now.

Rest on contract.

Do I have to take a check?

Aye, as long as it doesn't bounce.

Your solicitor will be the same as Toby's, I take it?

If the council take this clearance order off, I could lose out on this, couldn't I?

You could, aye?

Well, you want this, don't you?