Original subtitles

Bye.

You want to learn to play darts. What were you trying for, Mrs. Bishop?

What do you mean, what was I trying for?

Bubble 13, of course. What's it look like? Looks like my round again. I'll

give us one, Joe. No, that's all right, Mrs. Gibson. Who am I playing when I

win? The little girl I am.

Thank you, Joe. What's yours, Arthur?

Here's Joe.

Excuse me.

Oh, good evening. Oh, good evening, sir. I wonder if you could tell me where a

house called Blades is. Oh, yes. Oh, yes, I know where it is.

Go straight along the... Oh, which direction are you facing?

Oh, that way.

Oh, I'm afraid you have to turn round again.

Go straight through the village until you come to the crossroads, then turn

left. A little way along, you'll see a narrow lane. Go along there until you

pass a cottage with lattice windows.

And you don't take any notice of that, because that's mine.

A few yards further on, you'll find the drive to Bladens. Thanks very much.

That's very kind of you.

To the left of the crossroads, then right. Thanks again.

Good evening. Good evening.

Oh, it's a very grand house.

You can't mistake it. Thank you.

Oh, a better house.

Nice.

Hello,

Peter. What's it all about, Anna?

I got your message.

Just a minute.

Ready, Alfie? Waiting for you, Mrs. Christopher.

Now, listen, Anna, I'm in the devil of a hurry.

All right, darling.

28 away.

20, 58.

Why don't you have a drink?

How goes it, Ben?

Quarter two.

Nervous? Shivering like a jelly. Look at me. I am.

Is he as handsome as you? Oh, Lord, no.

But you'll like him. We were at school together.

I know, you told me. Did I?

My memory's not what it was either.

Either?

Oh. Sir James is here, Dr. Bendix. Thank you, Miss. Where is he? In the drawing

room with Mrs. Rossiter.

Thank you, Miss.

Now then.

Up we come.

Westy, be an angel and tell Sir James we're ready.

How long will it take, Ben? Oh, about half an hour.

Will you promise me something?

Anything within reason.

Oh, there's a lot of reason.

I want Sir James to tell me his verdict first, not you or Marty or Peter.

You can be told afterwards.

Would you do that, Ben?

Well, I think I might.

Thank you, Ben.

I told you I can't talk here.

We'll go up to the cottage. And I told you I can't hang about here while you

play darts. No, darn well, I've got to get up to the house.

It won't take a minute. You can drop me on the way.

Don't be silly, darling.

Have another drink. I haven't got time.

What's the matter, anyway?

I'll tell you on the way home.

Your turn, Mrs. Whistler.

Are you quite sure he's left the office?

Well, when did he leave?

Oh, no, it doesn't matter, thank you.

So long as you're quite sure he has left.

Oh, it's his mother speaking.

Goodbye.

Well? He's left.

Of course.

Now, don't fathom it.

When?

What? When did he leave?

They weren't quite sure.

He'll be here.

Oh, I hope so.

Oh, Ben.

Don't worry.

Now, listen, Marty.

Sir James Ferguson is the best specialist in the country. They listen

to him before anyone.

There's nothing he doesn't know about paralysis.

And we were at school together.

So you said.

Oh, did I?

Oh. Well, all the more reason for you not to worry.

Did you feel that?

Did you feel that?

You're not asleep, are you?

What? Oh, you're not.

Not what?

I thought perhaps you might have been asleep.

No.

I was thinking.

What about?

Oh, lots.

I think a lot.

Sure.

What do you think about mostly?

Oh, things.

I think of lots of things.

When you're like I am, you catalogue things to think about.

Certain things for Monday, some for Tuesday, and so on till the end of the

week.

When the week's over, you start thinking about them all over again.

It's just like knowing what you're going to have for lunch on certain days.

And of course there's January, February, March, April, spring, summer, autumn,

and winter.

Same for everyone, really, no matter where they are.

I expect people in prisons know Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, the weeks and months

and years rather better, don't you?

I suppose one can feel autumnal all the year round if one wants to, can't you?

Wherever you are.

Let's think about Mondays in April, shall we?

Can you feel this?

Yes, I felt that.

Let me have those plates again, nurse. Yes.

Thank you.

That's all.

Thank you, Westy.

Westy, will you be an angel and ask Marty to get the sherry out?

Sir James and I need one after our ordeal. But I haven't quite... Don't

fuss, Westy.

I believe you're trying to get rid of me. Yes, I am.

Oh.

Very well.

Sir James?

Tell me the truth, please, about myself.

But please give the others a little hope.

Oh, I'm sure you usually tell the patients there's a chance in the poor,

wretched family that it's hopeless.

But you see, I'm used to it.

I'm able to bear it.

But it's awful for them.

If you could give them just a little hope this time.

They do so many unpleasant things for me.

If you could lighten their burden, if it's only in their thoughts they'd be so

happy. I'd be so happy, I'd pretend I was getting better.

I've been rehearsing that speech ever since Ben told me you were coming down.

Could I have my hanky, please?

Somewhere in here.

I don't expect I shall cry.

I'm against crying.

I suppose you have a lot of troublesome women to deal with, haven't you?

If you may mind.

No, thank you. It's all right.

I shan't need it. Good.

I've put you in a fix, haven't I?

I'm sorry.

But please tell the others there's a chance.

You see, I want to keep my husband a little longer.

Where is your husband?

I don't know.

He said he'd be here some time ago.

Is this him?

Show me.

That's him.

Come on, have another one.

No, thanks.

Good night, Matt.

Good night, Tom. Good night, Matt.

Oh, Arthur, you're going to be in here this time tomorrow night? Sure, if you

want. I'll beat you again.

Come on, for God's sake.

Relax, Marty, relax.

You rang, ma'am. Good evening, Alice.

Oh, good evening, sir. We'll have drinks in the hall, please, Alice.

Yes, ma'am. How's your sister, Alice?

Which one, sir?

Agnes? Is she better?

Oh, yes, thank you, sir. She's gone back to work now.

Splendid. Yes, she's down at the cottage.

Marty, is that a good idea?

I thought you knew.

Marty! Marty!

Marty, there's a chance.

There's a chance, Sir James says so. Darling, I'm so glad, so glad. Isn't it

good, Ben? Wonderful.

A good chance.

Oh, Peter.

Yes, sir, a great chance.

No, darling, but he'll be back at any moment now, so don't worry. Oh, this is

wonderful. He'll be so happy. Sir James is the nicest specialist we've ever had.

He must stay to dinner.

Oh, it sounds as if you've made him sing for his supper.

Sir James Tucker. I didn't mean that.

No, I know.

He will stay, Sir James.

I shall be delighted.

I'll stay too. Thank you very much.

Marty, I'm going to put on a party dress. Would you help me, please?

Excuse me, ma'am. I've put the drinks in the hall.

Thank you, Alice.

Alice, they think I'm going to get better.

Oh, Mrs. Peter, I am glad.

Oh, Alice, Sir James and Dr. Bendix are staying to dinner. Will you tell Cook,

please? Yes, ma'am.

I am glad.

Thank you, Alice.

Wheel away, Westy.

Make the most of it while you can.

Oh, Ben, look after Sir James.

You'd like a drink, Sir James.

Oh, thank you.

You might come to the office, Marty, and ask if Peter's been kept.

Yes, darling, I will. And don't say anything. I want to tell him the news.

If he asks, just say I'm under examination.

I do tell a lot of fibs for you, don't I?

Do you?

Well?

Are we likely to be disturbed?

Oh, I don't think so.

Perhaps you'd better go into the billiard room.

I just don't understand you sometimes. I hope you understand me now. I've told

you before, I'm not going to say anything while she's like this. All

right, then.

If she's going to get well, you can tell her tomorrow, can't you?

Oh, would you prefer that I came up myself and told her tonight?

Very well, then, you know what to do. Do you mind getting out?

Darling.

And let's talk like this you started it come on get out

They showed the X-rays to Kirkwood and Metzner and defied them to find

anything. Well, they couldn't, of course.

They put forward the usual theories.

Hemorrhage around the core, hysteria.

So, in your opinion, there's no chance?

There is a chance, but it's very remote physically.

There's always the psychiatric angle to be considered.

But you told her there was a chance. No, no, she told me.

She wants the others to think it.

Naturally, I shall have to tell the husband the truth.

Peter. Yes, that is the husband, isn't it?

Yes. Did Liz mention him?

Yes, she did.

What's she saying?

Well, it struck me as being rather significant.

It was about wanting to keep him a little longer.

I thought that would be it.

He's such a good chap, you know.

But he's getting himself into a most awful mess.

Another woman?

Yes. It's easy enough for her.

It's his sister-in-law, Anna.

She's got the cottage at the end of the lane here.

He adores Liz.

Purely physical, of course, with his other creature.

But she's attractive. I won't say that for her.

And that's about all.

Does Liz know?

I doubt it.

Of course, if she did know, at the time of the accident, was there anything on

her mind? Was she scared of anything?

Oh, no. The happiest thing alive. They both were. She and Peter.

But I just wonder.

Sometimes happens in cases like this.

Sudden blow or an accident coupled with a fear could set up paralysis.

She wasn't afraid of being driven in a car.

Well, if she had been, they'd never have had the accident.

So what did happen?

They said they were trying to scare a pheasant.

Just one of those mad things they used to go in for. Still do, to a certain

extent. The car skidded on a bend and turned over.

Peter broke a wrist and three ribs.

Liz was unconscious and apparently uninjured.

We didn't know till the next morning that that wasn't so.

It's been like it ever since.

I wonder... What?

I wonder if you could tell Peter's mother.

Let her tell Peter.

What do we do then?

Oh, there you are.

Come in, Marty.

Marty.

You needn't tell me.

I'm sorry, Mrs. Rossiter. There's very little hope.

Poor Peter.

Poor Liz.

It was Liz who wanted you all to think there was a chance.

I thought as much.

She's waiting for us to have a drink.

I don't know what I'm going to say to Peter.

Why say anything in the circumstances?

We all are, darling.

Oh, good. Now I can have a drink.

Do it, will you, Ben?

Why, of course.

Dry martinis, everybody.

How sweet.

Oh, dry for me, please, Ben.

James. Oh, uh, dry, please.

Marty, Westy, I know yours.

You're looking very charming, if I may say so. Oh, you may, as often as you

like. I should like to say so, too.

Thank you, kind sir.

Next time you say that, I hope I shall be able to curtsy.

What is that wretch, Peter?

Oh, he'll be here soon, darling. Now, don't worry. He's always probably

stopped off at the Oak to have one. I believe he's rather partial to the new

Barbie. Oh, darling, not today.

If the housekeeper dies, I shall take up residence here.

And I might... Get on with it, Ben.

Good luck, Liz.

Good luck, Liz.

Darling.

Darling, I'm terribly sorry. I just couldn't get away.

How is my Liz?

Your Liz is probably going to get better.

Say that again.

Your Liz is probably going to get better.

Darling, it's wonderful.

There's the man that says so.

This is my husband, Sir James.

How do you do?

How do you do, sir?

Darling, it's grand.

Grand, isn't it, darling?

Kiss me again for luck.

I'll do that.

Hello, Marty.

Hello, darling.

Well, I think all this calls for another drink.

Jolly good idea.

Hiya, Ben. Hiya, Peter. Why don't you change your glass?

Oh, thank you.

Well, come on, darling. Drink up.

Drink up, Westy. You're out of a job. Not quite as soon as all that, darling.

Oh.

Long business?

Long-ish.

Westy, you're re-engaged.

Oh, you don't want another drink. It's bad for your liver.

I haven't got a liver.

Dinner is ready, madam.

Well, good morning, everybody.

Break up.

Shall we go in?

Darling, I've got a present for you. What?

Private present.

A pretty present or a practical present?

Primroses.

Plus he gives it.

Precious present. When are you going to give it to me?

Presently. Oh, can't I have it now?

Well... I want to have it now.

Well, I suppose you'd better have it now.

Take it away.

Peter? Peter, what's the matter? Why haven't you come in? I can't find her

present. It isn't in the car. I know I hid it in the pub.

Where?

Doesn't matter.

The pub?

Well, you may as well know.

Oh, Peter. But I had to go in there.

As a matter of fact, Ferguson saw me there.

Had to go in to ask the way.

Honor didn't tell me till later.

Honor?

Yes, Honor.

Peter? Where are you? Where's my present?

We...

You'll have to tell her you've lost it. You must never think anything.

Many a heart was broken...

Oh, I'm glad you think so.

I'm sure Sir James thinks we're a disgraceful lot. Don't do you, Sir

James. Not at all. Good.

Well, play Phil the Flutist ball.

No, Liz. No. Old Mother Riley, queen of all the fairies. No, Liz.

Old Mother Riley, queen of all the fairies, fell into the fire and taught

herself to swim.

First she did the overstroke, and then she did the side stroke, and then she

did the swallow dive, and out went the gas. Well, there's nothing wrong in

that, is there? That's all right.

Those aren't the words I know. Nor I. I distinctly remember old Mother Riley

being an acrobat in my day. And very acrobat-y.

I'm sorry, Marty.

We'll sing something sensible.

Baa, baa, black sheep.

Baa, baa, black sheep, have you any wool?

Yes, sir, yes, sir, three bags of wool.

One for the master and one for the dame. And one for the little boy, little

Christ, down the lane.

It is Honor, isn't it? Yes. Hello, everybody.

Peter, introduce Sir James, darling.

Yes, of course, darling. Give me a chance.

Honor, this is Sir James Ferguson.

Sir James, my sister-in-law, Honor Rossiter.

How do you do?

We've met before, haven't we?

Sir James asked me the way here. Didn't you, Sir James?

Yes, I believe I did.

Sir James looked in at the oak and we went... Honor, Liz is going to get

better.

Oh.

Oh, good.

I thought you'd be pleased.

Oh, I am very.

He won't know me when I'm skipping about.

No, I don't expect I shall.

Did you come for anything special, Honor, or just to hear the verdict?

I came for that, of course, but... I also bought this.

Thank you, Anna.

What's this?

Shall I tell her?

Just a book. What book?

What's it called, Marty?

Without my cloak.

Oh, yes, I believe I've read it.

I forget who it's by, though. Who's it by, Marty?

Oh, I... I think if you'll forgive me, Mrs. Rossett, I ought to be getting

along.

Strange road on a dark night.

I quite understand.

I can give you a lead to the crossroads, if you like. Thank you.

I'm afraid I must.

Good night.

Good night.

And thank you.

Good night, John Bendix.

Good night, Elizabeth Rossiter.

Bless you.

Well, I'll come and see you off. No, Peter, you stay with Liz. Sir James will

quite understand. Won't you, Sir James?

Why, of course.

Good night, Sir James. Thank you. Good night. Good night, Peter.

Yes, just a moment.

I must go too, Liz.

Will you see me down to the cottage, Peter?

Of course he will, won't you, darling?

Well, couldn't you go down with Ben?

He'll drop you.

Yes.

It's my idea.

No.

You take her down. The little walk will do you good.

I hate the cottage at this time of night.

Oh?

Why?

Lonely.

Will you take me down, Peter?

Yes, all right.

If you both insist.

Me too.

Good night, Liz. See you out and about soon.

That damn fool thing to do.

What? In that parcel like that.

I thought it was very nice of me.

You were deliberately enjoying yourself at the expense of Liz and I won't have

it.

Well, after tomorrow you won't have to, will you?

What do you mean, after tomorrow?

You said you couldn't ask her for a divorce while she was ill.

Well, she's going to get better.

Isn't she?

But I can't tell her just like that. Be reasonable.

You mean you're not going to tell her at all?

Come on, I'll take you down to the cottage. No.

No, I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, darling.

Alice. Yes, ma'am? Will you look in the bureau and see if there's a book in

there?

This is all I can find. Would this be it?

No, it's a book called Without My Cloak.

No,

Mrs. Peter, no book.

Oh.

All right.

Put it back again, Alice. Quickly.

What about bed?

What about it?

I think I'll wait here till Peter gets back.

He's taken honour down at the cottage.

Yes, I know.

Must be awfully lonely for her down there.

Yes, I expect it is.

No. You have a very tiring day. Why don't you let me get you to bed?

I'm trying to persuade her to go to bed.

Yes, darling.

Why don't you? I'm waiting for Peter.

He's taken honour down to the cottage.

Well, why don't you let us put you to bed, and then Peter can come in later.

Oh, you're both tyrants.

All right, put me to bed.

Just you wait till I'm out and about.

Yes, darling.

Westy, how do I look?

You're not to sit up too long now.

Jolly nice.

Come in.

Not too long now. All right, Westy.

Peter can tuck me up, can't you, darling? Yes, of course, darling. You go

to bed, Westy.

Good night.

Pleasant dreams.

Good night.

Good night, Westy.

What are you hiding from me?

Shut your eyes.

Are they shut?

To everything.

You can open them now.

It's your present.

I went to lock up the garage and... thought I'd take a last look at the car

and then... put it behind the seat.

All the time.

I'll open them.

Is it a silly present?

You know, funny like the one with Weston Supermare on it?

No, darling.

Pretty present.

Do you want to look?

A kiss might make me.

Oh, darling.

Put them on for me.

Wonderful news, darling, isn't it?

I love you, Liz.

I love you. I know I know.

Peter.

I don't know what I'd do without you.

No one's asked you to do without me.

I don't know what I'd do without you.

Peter.

I want you to know that whatever you did, I wouldn't blame you.

Only don't get hurt.

I think if anyone were to hurt you, I'd want to kill them.

Is there anyone I've got to kill?

No, I don't think so.

You're not upset about anything, are you?

No, darling, of course not.

That's all right, then.

I only want you, Liz.

No, darling, I know.

Whatever you did, I'd still know that.

Only don't get hurt.

Please don't.

Darling.

You said something just now.

What? It was when you had your eyes shut. You said that they were shut to

everything.

I was just being silly.

I didn't mean anything by it. Did you think that I did?

Liz. Don't let's talk anymore.

I want you to put your arms around me, Peter.

Listen, darling. Don't talk.

So it was, but I've got to wait. What are you doing here? Got a note for Mrs.

Chris. From?

Don't be nosy.

Mrs. Peter.

Who wrote it, you? Yes, nurses out.

What about old Mrs. Rodditor?

What about her?

Why didn't she? What, write it?

Yes. Mrs. Peter often gets me to do things she doesn't want the others to

know about.

Why aren't you off?

What's it about?

You stop asking questions and give this to Mrs. Chris.

I can't now. She's got the doctor with her.

Didn't you see his car?

That's why I'm waiting.

I didn't get to say so from her before I went off. She wouldn't ask. Go on. I

thought it was the doctor's car. What's up?

Who's asking questions now?

Oh, all right, if you don't want to tell me.

Tell you what?

Tell you what?

Nothing, ma'am.

Mrs. Peter sent you this.

Thank you.

What's she want to know, Agnes?

Nothing, ma'am.

I hoped you were all right, Mrs. Christopher.

Alice was just wondering why the doctor was here. That's all.

Alice?

You can give my compliments to Mrs. Peter and say that I'm very sorry, but I

shan't be able to see her today, much as I'd like to. Yes.

And Alice, you could say that I'm very busy with Dr. Bendix.

Yes, ma'am.

He says I have to take great care of myself, Alice.

Yes, ma'am.

I'm sick and tired of being treated like a poor elation.

Oh, what's the matter?

Will I please go and have a cosy chat with Mrs. Peter Rossiter this evening?

It must be so lonely for me here.

I wonder they didn't think of that before.

No, they're rather kind, surely.

You think so?

But I know them as well as I do.

Anyone would think I was without friends, the way they treat me.

I am quite popular in the place, too, you know. They're not the only ones.

I'm sure.

Damn patronising and smug, anyway, the lot of them.

Well, I shouldn't get excited about it.

It's not very good for anybody, particularly not very good for you.

Now, the best thing you can do, young lady, is to go away.

I should go away and take things just a little more easily.

But, um... Go away.

Oh, no, Egg.

You mustn't listen.

He said for her to go away.

Oh, well, anyway, it's none of our business.

Come on, I'll give you a hand.

All right.

You can get this made up tomorrow.

I'd bring it along myself, but I have to be the other side of the village most of

the morning.

That'll give them something to talk about, won't it?

What will?

You being here.

I think perhaps I'd better do that after all. No, no, no. It's all right. I'll do

it. I've got to go to the village in the morning anyway.

Oh, is that all? That's all.

Except that I think you ought to go away.

The implication is not beyond me.

Well, good day.

Goodbye. See you again soon.

Hello, darling.

Hello.

What was Ben doing here?

I'll tell you in a minute.

Agnes.

Yes, ma'am. You can go now.

Thank you, ma'am.

Oh, and Agnes.

Isn't it time you went and gave my message to Mrs. Peter?

Yes, ma'am.

I've just been invited up to your residence. What the hell do you think

you're doing? What do you mean? I thought you said it was Agnes' afternoon

off. So it was. Not only Agnes.

Alice as well.

Couldn't have arranged things better.

Oh, darling, please don't be like that.

It's not my fault if Liz takes it into her head to send Alice up with a note,

is it? What was Ben doing here?

What's the matter?

Afraid of having another invalid on your hands?

No, darling, I didn't mean that. I don't know what's the matter with me.

I never used to be like this, did I?

Did I? It's no good, Anna. It's got to stop. It can't. It's going to.

I'm sick of all this lying and deceit.

It's because she's going to get better, isn't it?

It's because Liz is going to get better.

I'm no use to her no more, that's it, isn't it? No.

I've thought about this for a long time. I'm sorry, but there it is.

We shall all be happier.

Who's all? You'll be happier too in the end. No, conceit. It is not conceit at

all. You said just now you didn't know why you were like this. Well, I'm just

trying to tell you that's all.

You hate yourself.

We both hate ourselves for what we're doing. And the longer we go on, the more

we shall hate each other.

Why not stop now while we can still remember the pleasant things and not

take it out on each other?

That's not it.

Not in my case, it isn't.

That's not why I'm... Torturing ourselves and everybody else, making

lies the only way of living.

I lie to Liz and Marty lies for me and we'll go crazy.

Fair remark of yours about not wanting another invalid on my hands. That wasn't

you.

Was it?

No.

That's what I said.

I usedn't to be like this, but... But...

Bendix says you often get like it in my condition.

I'm going to have a baby.

I suppose this is where we'll have to tell the truth for once.

Will you tell it or shall I?

You're lying.

Will you tell this or shall I?

3-9, please.

Hello, Dr. Bendix?

Oh.

Oh, it's Mr. Rossiter.

I see. Well, when do you expect him back?

No, no, it's all right. There's no message. I'll... phone later.

Hello, Mr. Rossiter.

Early this evening, sir.

Yes, I just came to use the telephone.

Well, you might as well have one now you're here. A pint.

What? Oh, yes.

Please.

Did she say anything else?

No.

Did Agnes say why Dr. Bendix was there?

No. You are telling me the truth, aren't you?

Yes. Alice, come round here so that I can see you.

Agnes. Did hear the doctor say she ought to go away.

Is that all?

Yes. I told Agnes it was none of our business.

Come back, Alice.

There's something else, isn't there?

What now?

You know why the doctor was there. Why can't you tell me?

It was what Mrs. Christopher said.

What did she say?

She said... She said she couldn't come up to see you. Oh, you told me that

before, Alice. What did she say?

She said she'd got to take great... Take care of herself.

Shall I shut the window?

All right, Alice.

Hello?

No, he won't be back for another hour at least.

I doubt he's left the office yet.

Can I tell him anything?

Who was it?

I'm quite sure you'll be all right, darling.

Oh, I don't suppose I'll be more than a couple of hours, unless they want me to

stay to dinner. But are you quite comfortable?

You know, I think it's getting a little chilly.

I think you'd better have a little pie in your room this evening.

Will you see to it, Alice?

Yes. Who was it on the phone?

It was... Anna?

Yes, darling.

She just wanted to know if Peter was back.

Yes, I heard.

Well, uh... You will be all right, won't you? I must be going.

both of you, and Alice.

Remember, you're in charge until Mr. Peter or Nurse West comes back,

whoever's first.

Oh, but Mr. Peter... What were you going to say about Mr. Peter?

Nothing, ma'am.

You were, you know.

What was it?

Only that he'll be here before Nurse West.

Why is he back?

Have you seen him?

Where was he at the cottage?

Alice. Yes, ma'am.

Where did you see him?

At the cottage, ma'am.

Was he there with Dr. Bendix?

No, Dr.

Bendix is gone.

I'll light your fire.

Alice? I'm going down to the cottage.

To the cottage?

Get my coat.

Get my coat, Alice.

Don't stand there. Do as you're told.

I don't think I'll... Don't argue, Alice.

But Mrs. Rossiter... Oh, never mind what Mrs. Rossiter said.

She said that I was in charge here to Mr. Peter... Do as you're told, Alice.

But Mrs.

Rossiter... I'm only asking you to help me.

I know.

Please help me.

You're the only one that can.

It's me, Mrs. Christopher.

Alice.

Yes?

Can I come in?

Yes.

Yes, if you want to.

You can go now, Alice.

Oh, but go back to the house.

Nurse or my husband will be back soon.

We mustn't let them find the house empty. They'll wonder what on earth's

happened. You can tell them where I am, and one of you can come down here and

fetch me presently.

Mrs. Christopher will fill when I'm ready, won't you, Anna?

Certainly.

Are you sure you'll be all right? Quite sure, Alice.

Thank you for helping me, Alice.

What brings you here?

The mountain won't go to my harvest.

Drink? No, thanks.

Do you mind the wireless?

No, not a bit. It's company.

You must find it very lonely down here.

Yes, I do.

I'm not used to visitors at this time of night.

Aren't you?

No.

You ought to keep a dog or something.

I've got a gun.

So I see.

But you won't get much affection from that.

You might from a dog.

Now, think about it.

I'm not entirely without affection.

I'm sure you're not.

Why didn't Peter bring you down here? Or Marty, or Ness? They're out.

Oh, well.

Oh, I don't know.

Marty's gone to some charity committee meeting or other, and West is sitting in

under the vicarage.

That's right.

Yes, it is, really.

The children love her and it's a change from invalidism.

Yes, it must be.

I can't imagine anyone loving Nurse West, though.

Oh, I don't know.

It's odd which people love which.

Quite unaccountable at times.

Think so?

They're lovely, those Vicarage kids.

Don't you wish you'd had a child while Christopher was alive?

Not particularly. Why?

Oh, I just thought you might feel the same about it as I do.

Should I?

If ever I lost Peter, altogether, I mean, not just physically, I should

always have something of his with me, if I had his child.

Pretty thought, but I'm not that sentimental.

Oh, it's not sentiment. It's a mere statement of fact.

I think I could bear to lose Peter, provided it was the right person, and

even love his child.

Even if it wasn't yours?

Yes.

Nice to know.

But why tell me all this?

So that you wouldn't think it was just jealousy that brought me down here.

What did bring you down here, Liz?

I want you to know that Peter has told me everything about you and him.

Liar. And it makes no difference.

I said liar. Peter couldn't possibly have told you everything about us. What

do you mean?

Because he didn't know himself until this afternoon.

It can still make no difference.

He's through with you, Anna.

What are you going to do?

Get Peter up here.

So that he can tell you the good news himself.

You wouldn't believe it from me. He's not at the house.

I'm not calling the house.

Mastin 274, please.

In a crisis, Peter can usually be found at the park. No, don't, Helen. I don't

want to see Peter now.

But why not?

If there's such a perfect understanding between them.

Oh, hello, Theo?

Is Mr. Peter Ruster there?

Yes, please.

Don't, Donna.

Please.

Perhaps you'd rather hear it from me.

Hear what?

Oh, but I thought you'd guessed.

All that talk about children.

So touching.

Well, aren't you going to congratulate me?

Congratulate you?

Yes, as usual.

And if you're so anxious to have something of Peter's when you've lost

him, perhaps we can arrange something about the custody of the child.

I won't let you do it.

You what?

I won't divorce Peter.

Yes, you will.

When he asks for it.

But I want him to do that himself.

Miss, I'm just being honest.

It's easier than lying. You ought to try it sometime.

You're not going to hurt him. You're not going to hurt his child. Peter can take

care of himself.

No, he can't, not with you.

He can't see how rotten you are. Peter knows me quite well. I think you'll

agree. Not about Christopher.

Chris was killed in the war. We'll leave him out of it. Oh, no.

Marty and I are the only people that know that he didn't want to come back.

And why?

Peter could be told.

That won't stop me from having his child.

You don't deserve to live. Perhaps not, but there's nothing very much we can do

about it, is there?

I won't sit back here and let this happen. I won't.

But surely that's exactly what you will do.

Sit by and watch, helplessly, in this chair where I put you.

Peter told me about the accident some time ago.

That's why he stuck to you all this time. He felt guilty. That's not true.

The car turned over because you tried to snatch the wheel from his hands. I might

just as well feel guilty. You've been quarreling about me. I won't listen.

Oh, yes, you have.

You can't stop listening any more than you can stop me taking Peter away from

you. I will stop it. I will stop it. Oh, how?

Oh, but of course, I forgot. Ferguson says you're going to get better.

In that case, maybe this will come in handy.

You'll be able to follow us and kill me with it. Well, look at it. It's loaded.

And you'll have to get a lot better before you're able to use it. Stop, for

God's sake, stop. By that time, it'll be too late, because Peter and I aren't

going to hang around here. We're going to get miles and miles away somewhere in

the sun.

We'll send you a picture postcard. X marks our room.

Listen to your head once and for all.

I've got Peter and I'm going to keep him.

I've got the means to keep him. Longer than you have. You're no damn news to

any man.

You might as well finish yourself off.

Finish the job, the accident.

Yes, what?

Put that gun down.

You're silly.

You're silly. Drop it.

Drop it, I tell you.

You're a fool.

Yes. Is Mrs. Peter there?

Yes. Would she like you to contact her?

No, I'll bring her back.

What did you say?

I'll bring her back in about a half, half an hour.

Large whiskey.

There's no more whiskey. I'm sorry. Oh, come off it.

I'm sorry, Mr. Rossiter, but there it is.

You driving tonight, sir?

You got the car, sir?

What? Car?

We'll go and get some more. I haven't got any, sir, honestly.

No car?

No whiskey?

Go home.

Hop outside, Joe, and see if he's got his car. If he has, shove it round the

stable. Okay, John.

Get me a large whiskey.

There's no more.

Why don't you go home now, sir?

Why don't I go home?

Why don't I?

All right, Mr. Worcester.

All right.

All right, sir?

Yes, all right.

It's pretty bad, isn't it? I've never seen him like that before.

Turn it down.

Honor, turn the wireless down.

Turn the wireless down, Honor.

I think she's coming round.

Darling, what happened?

What happened, darling?

Marty, turn it down.

Liz.

Turn the wireless down, Honor.

What have I been saying?

Nothing, darling. Just rambling.

I've been to see Honor.

I went to see Honor. She wouldn't come to see me, so I went to see her.

We've had a row.

We had a row. She said some beastly things, and so did I.

She said she'd push me back here. Yes, that's it.

She said she didn't want me in her house any more than we wanted her here.

She took hold of me and waved me up here.

She brought me as far as the terrace and then said I'd better call for you

because she wouldn't be seen dead.

Dead in this house.

And she turned and walked away and my chair started wheeling backwards and I

fell out. My chair began running backwards and I fell out.

Come along, I'll just take this.

Hold her here, that nurse will.

What is it? I could just keep you quiet.

I'll go down and see on her about this.

No, Marty.

No. Well, Peter will.

Where is Peter?

Come, come, take it all out.

Where is Peter?

Peter.

You better come in, my boy.

Steady, steady.

You've been getting yourself into a bit of trouble this evening, haven't you?

Oh, Ben.

What did you say?

I say you've been getting yourself into a bit of trouble, haven't you?

Trouble.

Liz was asking for you. I've just come from there.

Liz.

I'd better get back.

No, no.

There's no Harry.

Yes, you take it easy for a bit.

You think I'm drunk?

Yes, I do.

You're right.

Is it true?

That you're drunk?

No, no, no. I know about that. How is it true about Honor?

What do you mean?

Oh, about Liz going down to see her.

Liz... Did she go to see her?

Liz went to see her.

So she told us.

Is it true?

I don't know what you're driving at.

Is what true? About the baby. She was going to have a baby. Anna said she was

going to have a baby. That's why you were there this afternoon, she said.

She may have said so, but that certainly isn't why I was there this afternoon.

That's quite untrue.

She complained of migraine.

That's why I was there.

I'd like to kill it.

I'm going. No, no, no, you're not.

Ben, I feel better. Yes, I'm sure you do.

I think a little sleep is indicated.

Come on.

That's it.

Put your feet up.

I'll be all right in the morning.

I'll let your mother know you're here.

Yes, of course.

Yes, I'll come along at once.

You'll have to get the divisional police in on this, you know, Cosgrove.

Yes, Doctor, I've done that.

They ought to be here in a minute.

It's a terrible thing, sir. It is indeed.

The Rostas have enough trouble without this.

When do you think it happened, sir? Not more than 12 hours ago.

Probably less than six.

But the police surgeon will be able to let you know more accurately, I've no

doubt.

When did you say you phoned them?

As soon as we got here, sir.

Could it have been suicide?

Well, the gun's a long way from the body, sir.

Service gun.

Yes, sir. Any idea whose it is?

Any information, Briggs?

Just a minute, sir.

Banning C2 automatic.

Number 511867.

Yes.

Who?

Right.

Do we owe the license?

Yes, sir.

Whose is it? Mr. Peter Rossiter's.

I've made some fresh tea.

You didn't have any breakfast.

No, thank you, Alice.

Oh, I made it specially.

You're very kind, Alice. I'll just have half a cup.

Would you like some milk? No, thank you. Tea would be very nice.

I've made some fresh tea.

Why don't you have some?

I'll let you come.

I don't want any more, thank you.

Marty, where's Peter?

He had to go out early, darling.

Why didn't he come in to see me?

You were asleep.

He said he wouldn't wake you.

I've been awake since five o'clock.

Darling, I don't think you can have been. I've heard the clock strike every

hour until now. Marty, why do you lie to me?

Where was Peter last night?

He... Come in.

Dr.

Bendix is here, ma'am. Yes?

Ask him to come in, please, Alice.

He said he wanted to see you, Mrs. Rossiter.

Take the tray, please, Alice.

Yes.

Hello, Liz.

Sorry about last night, Liz. I'm afraid I got pretty stinking and ended up at

Ben's.

I wanted to come back, but Ben wouldn't let me.

I expect Marty told you.

Didn't she?

Ben said he was going to tell her, Ben.

Marty never told me anything.

Well, she never does.

Sorry, Liz.

Don't blame Marty. It's all my fault.

Pretty lousy type altogether, I'm afraid.

Liz, there's something I want to tell you.

Tried hard to tell you the other night.

Liz, please say something.

Peter.

You said the other night that whatever I did, you wouldn't blame me.

It's Honor, Liz. I never loved her, never, except in that way.

I told her last night it had got to stop.

Can it stop?

Why, what do you mean?

I went to see Honor last night.

She told me she was going to have a baby.

That's not true.

Not true?

No, that's why I went to Ben's, don't you see, darling?

Oh, Liz, I don't know what to say.

May I kiss you? No, not yet.

But where is Peter?

Where is he? I don't know, Marty.

I don't know.

He was certainly at my house last night when I phoned you.

Was he very... Drunk? Yes, I'm afraid he was.

Who was at the cottage?

Cosgrove and Briggs.

They're expecting the divisional police at any moment.

Will they come here? Yes, they're bound to. They've already established the gun

belongs to Peter.

Ben.

What about Liz?

Don't tell her.

Don't tell her anything yet.

Let's wait and see. You must go into her. She knows you're here, but don't

let her think there's anything wrong. No, no, all right.

I'll go to her now.

Marty, Peter's here.

Peter, where were you last night?

What did you do? Where did you go?

Oh, I was at Ben's, didn't I tell you? Oh, of course I did. What time did you

leave? I don't know. I just got up and wandered around. Time was it, Peter?

Peter, what time was it? Well, it was still dark, I know that. But what's the

matter, Marty? What is it? What is it, Ben? Where did you go? You've got to

think.

Ben, what is this?

Liz.

You must prepare yourself for a great shock.

Honor's dead.

Dead? They found your gun down there, Peter. Your gun.

She'd been shot.

You must try and remember where you were.

That's the gun.

Was it suicide?

No. Cosgrove says that's out of the question.

Things don't look very good for you, Peter. But it's impossible.

Oh, I know I was very drunk, but I swear I didn't go back to the cottage.

I know I began to come back here.

When was that?

I don't know.

It might have been an hour after I left you. It might have been two hours.

Think, Peter.

Oh, darling, think.

Good morning.

Is Mr. Rossiter in?

I don't think so, sir. But Mrs. Rossiter is.

I'll go and see.

Mr. Cosgrove's here.

They're asking for Mr. Peter.

It's all right, Alice. I'll come.

No, Peter, wait just a minute.

Ben, will you go to them?

And you too, Marty, please.

I've got something to say to Peter alone.

But, Peter... Well,

you make him think, Liz.

Make him try and remember.

We'll keep them talking. Come along, Marty.

Will you hold my hand?

Oh, God, what have I done to you all?

It isn't what you've done.

It's what we've all done with lies and deceits. Oh, you've never lied, my

darling. I'm lying now.

I'm lying now.

I could go on lying, but I should still be in my prison.

Prison? My chair.

I suppose it doesn't matter what prison you're in if your heart's free.

Oh, hold my hand tight.

I'm going to tell you something.

But, Inspector, couldn't you let them have just a little longer?

She's an invalid.

This has been a very great shock for her.

Yes, she's a complete cripple, you know.

Oh, I'm sorry. She can't move.

My son's wonderful with her. He's the only one who can help her. Couldn't you

come back?

I'm afraid I can't do that, Mrs. Rossiter.

After all, Mrs. Roster, ma'am, the inspector only wants to question Mr.

Peter now.

I think it would be advisable, Inspector, if you could wait a little

while. I'm speaking on behalf of my patient, of course.

It has been a very great shock to her.

All right, Doctor, but only for a minute.

Oh, thank you.

Won't you sit down?

Thank you.

And she threw the gun in my lap.

And she slapped my face.

And my hand started to move.

I was holding the gun.

She saw me and came towards me.

We were both holding the gun.

It went off.

And I fell.

It was horrible.

Liz. I got up and I stood.

It was like a nightmare.

I don't know how I did it, but I got the chair out of the house and pushed it up

the lane. Stop it, Liz. Stop it.

Oh, Peter.

Kiss me.

You see?

What are you going to do? I'm going to tell them what you want.

George. Liz, Peter, no more lies. No, Liz, no. Wait. Won't you help me? Let me

just think.

They're waiting.

Oh, help me, please, Peter. You've got to stay there, Liz.

You've got to stay as you were.

I'll be all right. No, Peter, it was an accident. But you can't prove it, Liz.

You can't prove it. Stay there, Liz.

Stay there, darling.

Mrs. Rossiter, I'm afraid I must ask you now at all.

Yes, of course.

Believe you want to see me?

Peter. Mr. Rossiter?

Mr. Peter Rossiter?

Yes? I've got to ask you a few questions.

Surely. Are you the owner of a Browning 32 automatic, serial number 511867?

Yes, I am.

Can you account for your movements last night, Mr. Rossiter?

Yes, Inspector, I think I can, up until about...

When was it I left you, Ben? Ten?

After that, I'm afraid I don't know.

I don't know what happened.

Peter.

I can tell you, Inspector.

No, Liz, no.

Yes, Peter.

Aren't I tall?

Peace.