Original subtitles

Oh, Dotty, it's been far too long.

And Tom Thomas.

It's yourself.

Here I am.

Your old charmer.

The party's here now.

Oh, be quiet.

You give the game away.

And this is my husband, Angus.

Sergeant Livingston, this is Vera's sister, Jean.

Nice to meet you. Mrs. Clam. She'll be here any second.

Hurry. Hurry.

Dotty?

Dotty?

Action stations, bolt the lights and hit the door.

There's something afoot. Mrs. Clown is outside.

Hello?

Dotty? I need to borrow a fair teapot.

I know you're in there.

Where shall we put this?

How long's the birthday, girl?

Start the sweetest night.

Oh, yes, she's very fond of steak.

Lord Mack said a long time ago.

Been up the road over 40 years now.

Oh, this is our son, Callum. Oh, yes. And you'll be providing the

I hear. Some of it, aye.

The rest of the band should be here soon.

More's the pity.

Oh, musical difference.

Something like that.

But Cal wanted to do it for his auntie, so it's a cross we have to bear.

Shall I bring the equipment in further?

It's no use to us in the van, is it?

I do so admire a man who knows how to use his instrument.

You could have warned me this place was so English.

Best to see you both.

Will you be giving us a song tomorrow night, then, doll? Oh, no.

You let me do that, like.

Is he not letting you?

It's my choice.

Margaret.

Why the good Lord so fit to take their mother and not him, I will never know.

Jeannie, go and see your sister.

Gene.

Surprise!

Thank you.

It's been far too long since I've seen you on your birthday.

I'm not sure I'll have time for socialising.

I'm fully booked all week.

Ah, well, that's another surprise.

It was my Callum that booked the rooms.

One for him, one for me and Angus, and the other two are for friends.

Angus came with you?

Yes. You won't have to lift a finger. We brought stoveys and crannikin for tea.

Angus made it specially.

I've already started dinner.

Well, we could put on a spread, like a buffet.

Shame to waste it.

Buffets are for christenings and funerals.

I'll fetch your room key.

You've knotted your tea.

She's your friend, eh? Can you not know her, won't you?

Ladies and gentlemen!

Whoa!

How much does that say back?

Worth every penny.

Did you ask your dad about playing some of your tunes?

No, I can't.

I was thinking we should try some of Jimmy's new arrangements tomorrow.

And I'd like Maggie to sing for my aunt.

Is that so?

Her voice is beautiful.

People should hear it.

I don't think so.

I've no interest in my son's pathetic attempts to pervert perfectly good tunes

in the name of modernity, and that abomination has no place on this stage.

is a traditional ceilidh band. If you don't like it, you can go back to

ploughing fields with your father.

When are you going to stand up to him?

Whom does this belong?

Oh, I'll take that, Vera. Don't want you having a wee nosy.

Please don't leave things lying about. I almost fell over it.

Cheers. That was bra.

You're very welcome.

You know, the last time I was at a party with my sister, it was a Kayleigh.

His 18th birthday.

Vera was there with Cyril. We had a grand time, didn't we? I don't think

ever seen Vera laugh so much.

Not long after that, the boys went off to war.

I'm just hoping that the music will remind her of happier times.

Right, who fancies a swally?

A what?

Sorry? A cheeky repint on the local.

Provided I can get the first round.

Oh, nice one, big man.

We shall bid you all goodnight.

But it's still early.

John, let the winds have some fun.

Good night to you.

Don't worry, Ma. We've got a plan.

I weren't expecting this tonight.

It's brilliant.

I'm Peggy, by the way.

Maggie.

I love your outfit.

Thanks.

I can tell you where I got it from, if you like. Oh, no, it wouldn't suit me.

That was great.

Jimmy, how did you escape?

When there's a will, there's a way. Eh, Jim?

Can't guess the song.

Oh, no. If my father finds out... Who's going to tell him?

For hence, God sent me with my little feet.

But me...

I forbade you to come here.

Out.

Now! You can't talk to them like that.

Jimmy.

Matt, tell them where to go.

I've had enough of you.

I won't be leaving in the morning.

You can break the news to your mother.

Move.

Soon you'll be on the ground and they can live as they choose.

Don't make it worse.

Agus smells amazing.

So this is a creature native to the Scottish Highland, is that right?

Oh, yes, yes. Wee, fat, hairy beasts that roam the wild heather.

Not easy to catch, I can tell you.

Really? I thought this came from a sheep.

Thanks.

Happy birthday! Happy birthday!

Making our own breakfast now, are we?

I thought I'd give you the day off.

So, my services are not required, I see.

Actually, I... I think this might be a little bit too heavy for me. I'm sorry.

Could I trouble you for some porridge, Mrs. Clark?

No trouble at all.

Porridge would be great.

them to work. Thank you.

I guess she doesn't know that the Caley's been cancelled.

Maybe they were able to work things out with John, after all.

What can you do without your dad?

Maggie's a better caller anyway.

Nice to look at and all.

It's a three -tier cake with all Vera's favourites.

Liver and onion meatloaf on the bottom.

Try pudding cake in the middle and gooseberry fool on the top.

There's been a murder.

How curious.

You found something?

A fragment of wood in the victim's hair.

Could be from the floor when he was dragged under the table.

Is there a theory percolating in that wimple?

Well, bruising here around the jaw suggests a blow to the face.

But the fatal injuries over here, stab wound to the abdomen.

Death would have been mercifully swift.

That the victims?

I believe so, yes.

Which I'll examine back at the lab.

And the time frame?

The symbol confirms she gave access to the victim at around half -eight this

morning to collect his equipment.

So he was killed in the last two hours?

What do we have here, then?

Is it more blood?

Affirmative.

And given its location, it's possible the blood belongs to the assailant.

Okay, so a handful of people had connections to the victim. Only three of

were here when the body was found.

Okay, I'll talk to them. You head back to the guest house. Talk to Jeannie and

Angus. See if our northern neighbours can shed any light on what's happened

here. Yes, sir.

We'll need statements from you all after Sister Boniface has taken her blood

samples. And a fingerprint, please.

Can we still have the killing tonight?

Well, you're not serious.

We just lost our father. I know.

We're stuck here till they figure this out.

What else are we going to do?

So, did you see John this morning?

No, thank goodness.

The two of you didn't get on?

I hope you're not implying that my sister was involved.

She's been here with me since you left.

It's all right, Vera.

John wasn't so bad back in the day. He loved the bones of his wife.

And she died. He just turned into a cold and nasty man.

Well, I'll need to get a statement from your husband.

Is he here?

Lazy lump was in his bed till after breakfast.

Right. What does he know?

Well, he's out running some errands.

Right. Well, I'll need to get a statement when he gets back.

Mrs. Clum, may I search the rooms, please?

I'll get the keys.

There was clearly no love lost between Callum and the deceased.

What do we have on Angus?

We're still waiting for his statement.

Anything on the murder weapon?

Well, initial findings suggest a single -edged blade.

I'm waiting for confirmation of the dimensions so we've got a better idea

we're looking for.

Has anything come from the whiskey glass I found in the victim's bedroom?

Oh, yes.

Yes, the granular residue that I found at the bottom of the glass.

The former barbiturate?

I spoke to his doctor in Scotland. He had no prescriptions on file.

So he could have been drugged? Well, he only found two sets of fingerprints on

the glass.

One was the victim's.

And the other?

He liked a dram before bed.

I always fetched it for him.

Did you drug your father with the intention of killing him?

No.

No.

I just wanted him to sleep so that we could go to the pub and have some fun

once.

He was a domineering man.

It kind of been easy to live with.

Since losing my mother, it was like he needed to control us.

To protect us, I suppose.

What happened to her?

She tripped and fell down the stairs when I was wee.

That must have been quite a shock.

It changed everything.

And I struggled with my nerves. I still do.

That's why I've got the pills.

He was a difficult man.

But he loved us.

In his own way.

I don't believe there was malicious intent on Mikey's part.

No, agreed.

Didn't give him enough to do him any harm.

Ah, the birthday girl.

There you are.

I want to talk to you.

It's about my brother -in -law.

Mrs. Clam saw Angus leave before John was stabbed, and yet Jeannie had no

I can go door to door and see if anyone's seen him.

Ah, you're a natural.

Love the kilt, sir?

Very kindly provided by Angus for the party tonight.

These things must be done properly.

Oh, don't worry.

I've brought some for you and I'll... I'm not wearing a skirt.

It's a kilt, Gillespie, and yes, you are. You too, Sergeant.

That's an order.

Angus, I need to talk about your movements around the time of John Adams'

John... What, he's dead?

Ah, yes.

That's a terrible business.

Dear, dear, dear.

So, er, what's it you're looking for?

Anything that could be pertinent to the case.

Ah, just so we can eliminate you from our inquiries.

Right.

Aye, I wouldn't worry about that. That's, er, no, that's just the... Aye,

Just enough for a lot of whisky.

Aye, I've got a pal in the distillery and, er... Gives it me cheap, you know.

You wouldn't be trying to sell it without a licence, would you?

Did John know about this?

Is that why you followed him to the church hall? To silence him? I didn't

know he was dead.

We have a witness that saw you leave the guest house early this morning.

All right.

Callum told me what happened in the pub last night.

John, you can't just cancel the ceilidh.

This means so much to Jeannie.

I suppose I could be persuaded.

If you double the fee.

Oh, come on.

It's already costing a fortune.

And you know the farm's struggling.

Lucky you found ways to make a bit of extra cash, then.

What? I wonder what Jeannie would think of your sideline. Or the local

constabulary come to that.

I'm sure they'd be very interested.

Pretty strong motives for murder.

Murder?

No, I mean... Look, Vera blames me for taking Jeannie up to Scotland, so the

Kayleigh was all about building bridges.

Killing someone is not exactly going to put me in her good boots, is it?

Is this your son's guitar?

Aye.

Is it that?

Well...

Based on the microscopic structures of the wood.

Straight fine grain pattern.

This is a match for the fragment of wood that I found in the victim's hair.

Right.

Then we need to talk to Callum.

Someone's only after trying to frame my anger.

I'm sure if he's innocent, he'll have nothing to worry about.

What do you mean, if he's innocent?

Oh, I'm sorry. Sorry, I didn't mean to snap.

Especially after you sticking up for me earlier.

It was like the good old days.

Angus is a good man.

Why would anyone make up lies about him?

Oh, it was you.

Well, I did see him leave the house.

Oh, I should have guessed.

You have never liked him.

Nonsense. That's why you've never come to visit.

That's why you haven't seen your nephew for 15 years.

And your sister, for goodness sake.

The sister who left me down here alone, looking after mother, hundreds of miles

away, and never a thought for my poor Cyril. I grieved for that man.

I wanted to grieve with you.

But it was as if you resented me for being happy. You resented Angus for

home. Have you any idea how much effort he's put into this party tonight?

What party?

A surprise for your birthday.

We shouldn't have bothered.

Do you know, Vera, I think you've been alone for so long, you've forgotten what

it means to love.

Vera might be a crab at old wisdom, but she is not spoiling my fun.

Folk have gone to a lot of trouble for this. They deserve a party.

Why, hold up.

Callum, ain't it?

Aye. Any idea how old your auntie is? Only I'm running the sweepstakes, eh? No

idea, sorry.

Oh, you must know. How old's your mum, then?

Erm... Callum, can we have a word, please?

That angry you were last night in the pub?

Did you decide to pick up where you left off? We had quite a sight.

But I didn't kill him.

You can leave that thing in its case.

I made myself clear yesterday.

You don't get to control things anymore.

Who do you think you are?

Someone that's sick of the way that you treat my best friend. I'm not gonna...

You stay away from my daughter.

We love each other.

And one day... We'll be married.

You think a farmer's son can provide a life for my daughter?

A fool who wastes his money on things like this? That's an investment in our

future.

That's how I'll provide for my wife.

Oh, really?

We'll see about that.

Do you expect us to believe that after he destroyed your brand -new guitar, you

didn't retaliate?

Wasn't going to give him the satisfaction.

I want to spend my life with Maggie.

Well, that'll be easier now that John's out of the way.

You'd think she'd be my wife if I killed her da.

Maggie loved him, in spite of everything.

I couldn't risk losing her.

So, I can confirm that the blood on the victim's collar is not his own.

I'm checking the blood groups of our suspects to see if there's a match.

You know, Callum seemingly has the most to gain from John's murder.

You think he was fighting to be with a woman he loves?

That's so romantic.

In the joining of hands, your lives are now bound together.

May this not remain tied for as long.

As love shall laugh.

We've been discovered.

You must go.

Oh, a knife in your sock. Jolly

handy.

Gain do.

Bless you.

What is?

Our victim was a stickler for tradition, but his outfit here does not include a

skein do.

A small single -edged knife worn in the sock. We didn't find anything like that

when we searched the room.

Hypothesis. John Adams was stabbed using his own ceremonial dagger.

I still have that bag of kilts that Angus gave you.

It's just down there.

I'm glad you've all come round to the idea.

Not quite.

I've got one. I've got two more.

What on earth is this all about?

This bottle contains luminol. Now, the blade will have been wiped clean, but if

any of these have even the most microscopic traces of blood on them,

should...

Produce a chemiluminescent light that glows in the dark.

I'll get the light.

Thank you.

Oh, crumbs.

Well, none of these is the murder weapon.

Right. Well, myself and Peggy will search the church hall again and the

surrounding areas.

It's a veritable needle in a haystack.

Sir, do you know if Angus had any other daggers on him?

Well, I imagine he had his own.

Is that him?

Oh, right, yes.

Rather handsome piece, don't you think?

I had first dibs.

Bingo!

Fish bums.

The hilt's been thoroughly wiped. Many usable fingerprints have just been

eradicated. So the killer cleaned the dagger and then put it in the bag with

others? Oh, they're supposed to hide the leaves in a forest.

It's unlikely that Angus was our killer, given that he handed it over to our

chief constable.

I guess we're back to square one.

Perhaps not.

She's down, but she's not out.

Observe. The ornate markings on the hilt. The intricate patterns being

into the material.

Wiping the weapon removed the fingerprints from the surface, but...

Look at this.

There's something in the crevices.

Have a look.

Some kind of viscous substance.

Possibly oil -based.

I need to identify what it is to determine if it's useful. In the

As you know, I've been comparing the blood groups of each of our

Scottish friends to the sample found on the victim's shirt.

And it appears we have a match.

You've admitted to seeing him this morning, but there's no mention of an

altercation. So how can you explain the blood?

Callum told me about his guitar.

So you went back to have it out with him?

He'd gone too far this time.

You can't go around destroying people's property.

You quite finished your little display of machismo.

It's behaviour. It's shameful.

Oh, you're ashamed of me.

Don't you walk away.

Get your hands off of me.

You're a joke.

A talentless waste of space, your mother would be mortified by the weak,

pathetic man you've become. She's lucky she never lived to endure it.

Is that all you've got?

What did I do to make him... so much?

Why does it so hurt me to love your own son?

Because you're not my son!

You're a product of your mother's sinful desires.

I raised you to cover her shame.

But love another man's child?

No.

For years I put up with his bullying.

At least now I know why.

I'm sorry, there must have been... Can I get back to rehearsals?

All right, but stay local. We may need to talk to you again.

I distilled the mystery substance from the dagger and isolated its composite

parts.

Phenols, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heterocyclic compounds,

some kind of coal -tar distillate.

There you go.

You look lovely.

Oh, my.

You look... Absurd.

Ridiculous. Wonderful.

Mrs. Clown's going to love it.

If she turns up.

Oh, you don't really think she'd be stubborn enough to miss it, do you?

You have met Mrs. Clown.

Meanwhile, we're dressed like a dog's dinner for no good reason. We really

should get going.

Ladies, your chariot awaits.

Among other things, coal tar distillates using quiescent, a substance familiar

to both mechanics and farmers.

Sir Angus and Callum would be well acquainted.

I'd like to swap their hands for traces.

What, here?

Oh, no time like the present.

All right, ladies and gents, we're going to kick things off nice and easy with

the Gay Gordons.

I know some Gay Gordons.

We know most of you won't have a clue what you're doing, so my sister Maggie

here will talk you through it.

Nice dress.

Oh, thanks, Peg. You gave it to me. You look amazing.

Ladies and gentlemen, if you would take your partners for the first dance.

One, two, three, four.

Look at this. I have never seen such a handsome pair.

Right, I'll show you how this is done.

You're next.

They look so scared, Sarge.

How hard could it be?

I haven't finished collecting samples.

And I'm trying to prevent another murder.

What on earth?

It's a murder.

Can you take a punch? It's marvellous. I can't take it back like this. Reverend

Mother will have her cleaning the lavatoriums for a year.

Take her inside for coffee and water.

Lots of it.

Our guest of honour has arrived.

Oh, dear.

I think maybe I shouldn't have come.

I'm worried I may have pushed her too far.

Sisters are like magnets.

Often we repel each other with such force, but when we're both facing the

way, the bond can withstand almost anything.

All it takes is for one of you to change direction.

Hmm?

Good day, Vera.

I'll go and get us some punch.

Oh, no, Hector, spare me.

I don't like the prices, but I can see that a lot of effort has gone into all

this, so it would be remiss of me not to express my gratitude.

Who put up that bunting?

The rules are very clear on the use of drawing pins.

Anyway, I want to extend my particular thanks

to my sister Jean and her family.

Thank you for coming.

It's a long road.

And I'm glad you made the journey.

All of you.

Let's give it up for the birthday girl.

I owe

you both an apology.

I was envious of your happiness.

When Cyril was killed, I was overwhelmed by my grief.

And I forgot how much you both cared for him.

You lost him too.

I'm sorry.

Happy birthday.

Just need a couple more and then I'll head to the lab.

Can't you say and have a bit of fun first?

There's nothing more fun than forensics, Peggy.

You've created those used by farmers. Why do you need samples from the others?

Well, because coal tar has several other applications.

Ointment to treat skin conditions, for instance.

Oh, no.

I thought Maggie covered up because her dad didn't approve, but when she tried

my dress on earlier...

Oh, heavens.

It's psoriasis.

It started after my mother died.

Do you use a topical treatment?

Coltar ointment.

Every morning?

Today?

Yes. Why?

When I examined your father's skin, do I found traces of coltar in the crevices

of the hilt?

I suspect if I swab your hands...

I'll find traces of the very same substance.

Did you stab your father, Maggie?

What happened?

I... You heard his argument with Jimmy.

I just wanted to understand what... Why everything changed after your mother

died.

Why didn't you tell us? We have a right to know, especially Jimmy.

It doesn't concern you.

The day she died, I remember she was braiding my hair before school and we

singing and you and Jimmy were playing your instruments at the kitchen table

that was the last time we were all together.

You never spoke to Jimmy after that day and I never understood until now.

You understand nothing.

I caught her with her bags packed.

Yours too.

She said she was leaving me for Jimmy's father.

I couldn't allow that. But how could you stop her and...

Unless you...

Did you push her?

It wasn't an accident.

You took her from her, didn't you?

Did you kill her? Answer me!

I had no choice.

I have to tell the police.

No. Margaret, she was going to take you away from me.

You're a murderer.

Stop, Margaret!

We both did.

I know what's coming.

I know that I'll be punished, but... in the strangest way, I've never

felt so free.

She's ready.

She's got a thing for Vera.

Is everything all right?

Look, I'm not going to ruin Mrs. Clam's night.

But after this is over, you will be arrested on suspicion of the murder of

Adams. What?

And treasure.

Peace, enjoyment, love and pleasure.

You're dancing.

Are you asking?

Oh, I'm asking.

I'm dancing.

Say kindly.

So part...

Thanks for letting us see her, Inspector.

Of course.

How's Maggie holding up?

Admirably. We're hoping the judge will show some clemency.

True love stories never end. Remember that.

I'll wait as long as it takes.

And you'll be coming to see us in a few weeks? No excuses.

Oh, I'm coming. I've already booked my ticket. I just have to arrange some

at the post office. And, of course, I can't leave my lodgers to fend for

themselves.

Where is Felix?

I'm here.

I think I was maybe a wee bit rough with him in the dance floor last night.

Aye, you always remember your first keelie, eh?

A bit delicate there, Sister Lear. He only had one glass of punch.

You can't just ask her.

Mrs. Clam, can you confirm once and for all how old she was yesterday?

There's been a bit of a sweepstake, you see.

Gambling is the vice of the weak -minded.

You were all wrong.

Oh, but Tom was the closest.

Congrats.

Lear, thank you for coming.

So good to see you enjoying yourself.

Vera, I had a broad time in the dance floor with you last night.

Cyril would be proud.

I'm pleased to say that I was wrong.

You're not alone.

Thanks, Tom.