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Morley Road Square, if you

please -- the House of Eliott.

Sloane 8629, please.

Oh.

Thank you.

I need that.

[ Chuckles ]

[ Exhales deeply ]

Notes about the Aurora?

Mm.

Supposing the press think

it's dull, passé --

"The House of Eliott's

unadventurous new venture."

You've been making up headlines

all night.

Well, it is exactly

what they would want to hear --

Maison Gilles, Monsieur Duroque.

- [ Telephone ringing ]

- Aha.

The Duchess of York wants to buy

the entire Aurora collection.

[ Chuckles ]

EVIE:

[ Clears throat ]

Sloane 8629.

Joseph.

[ Man coughing ]

BEA: Where?

We didn't send to them.

It's all right.

Mommy will be back in a moment.

No, not at all.

You're right to disturb me.

I'll be there as soon as I can.

Something wrong?

Joseph thinks

he may have seen some copies

of the Aurora collection.

Copies?

Where?

Stone & Wilkinson.

He passes it on his way to work.

But how could there be?

I don't know.

I hope he's wrong.

He keeps saying

there's no need to be alarmed,

but I can just hear him

trying to convince himself.

I shall have to go in.

I'll just get Lucy settled.

There.

She always sleeps

in the morning anyway.

Henry and I have got

this meeting at the house.

Henry won't mind

if you put him off.

Darling, it's a committee

of MPs --

- this bill of Tom Patterson's.

- Yes, I'm sorry.

It went completely

out of my head.

I shall just have to

take her with me.

- Do you mind dropping us there?

- No. Of course not.

I hope I haven't bothered you

unnecessarily, Miss Eliot.

Well, Joseph, I hope you have.

I've checked the books

just in case somehow --

T-There's no record of any

dealings with Stone & Wilkinson.

You said you thought

you saw copies.

At first I thought they were

the real thing.

Then, when I got closer,

there seemed to be something not

quite right about the colors.

Now, to be absolutely frank, I'm

beginning to wonder what I saw.

Do you remember

which designs they were?

Just the jersey suit

and the wool three-piece.

And they were identical to ours?

Well, something seemed

to be different.

There was no collar

on the three-piece,

and I don't think I saw

any edging on the jersey.

Was this just in the one store?

I only passed the one store.

Who else has seen these designs?

Nan Bayliss

from Style and Beauty?

She's a respected journalist.

Well, could someone

in her office

have got hold of Miles' drawings

somehow?

Or through Miles --

one of his friends, maybe.

Ah.

What?

The most likely -- someone from

the ready-to-wear premises.

Do you remember what Katya said

about seeing those dresses?

- If only I'd checked.

- That was my fault.

[ Sighs ]

I can't believe this.

This could just be

a coincidence.

Perhaps we should have

another word with Katya.

I'll -- I'll go and get her.

Good morning, Miss Eliott.

Uh, I'll be back in a moment.

Bea.

Well, I was hardly going to sit

at home, was I?

- Is it true?

- I don't know.

Joseph could have been mistaken.

All he's seen

is a couple of suits.

- Well, where's he gone?

- To fetch Katya.

She saw some dresses

at the ready-to-wear premises.

She told Joseph she thought

the fabric was different.

- And no one bothered to tell me?

- I've been --

It seems likely they were

the copy dresses.

Has anyone spoken

to Larry Cotter?

- No. I've only just got here.

- BEA: Right.

Shall I take her for you,

Miss Eliott?

Thank you, Katya.

There.

[ Baby coos ]

Yes.

Ambassador 0902, please.

What time does Larry's workshop

usually start in the morning?

For the last month, 7:00.

7:00?

There was quite a rush

at the end.

The fire...set them back.

[ Sighs ]

It's 25 past 8:00.

Well, I think you and I

should go and see

what is in this window, Evie.

The blood of our Lord, Jesus

Christ, which was shed for thee.

Drink this in remembrance of Him

and be thankful.

The blood of our Lord, Jesus

Christ, which was shed for thee.

Drink this in remembrance of Him

and be thankful.

The blood of our Lord, Jesus

Christ, which was shed for thee.

Drink this in remembrance of Him

and be thankful.

The blood of our Lord, Jesus

Christ, which was shed for thee.

Drink this in remembrance of Him

and be thankful.

The blood of our Lord, Jesus

Christ, which was shed for thee.

Drink this in remembrance of Him

and be thankful.

The blood of our Lord,

Jesus Christ...

And he said to her

to either get out

or tell Charles Quance

to stay away.

She can hardly do that, can she,

working alongside him

in the same room?

You're not telling me

she's left her Gerry

and gone to live

with Mr. Charles?

Yeah.

Yeah, I am.

She just said, "All right.

I'll get out, then."

And she did,

the very same night.

Hey, what are they up to?

Hmm. No good, from what

you've been telling me.

Looks like they got the old man.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

Morning, Betty.

Agnes.

Madge not in yet, is she?

Uh, no.

Uh, I don't think

I've seen her come in.

Where were the Miss Eliotts

and Joseph off to, Mr. Charles?

Business appointment.

- You're right.

- Huh?

About him and Madge.

Guilt written all over his face.

Oh, I don't think

he should feel guilty.

I mean,

he deserves some happiness.

Oh, if you can call

living with Madge happiness.

Anyway, it doesn't excuse

their living in sin.

- Morning, Madge.

- [ Talking stops ]

Morning.

BEA:

Crystelle?

You didn't mention anything

about the price labels.

They weren't there earlier.

It's practically half

what we're charging.

EVIE:

No wonder. Look at the fabric.

Well, they've certainly skimped

on the pleats.

They've been pretty mean

with the wrap on the skirt, too.

Oh, look at that.

There's no detail at all.

I just want to pinch myself

and wake up

and find none of this is true.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

Morning, Madge.

MADGE:

Oh. Morning, Mr. Charles.

Is everything all right?

Yeah.

Everything's fine.

Oh, come on.

Who was it on the telephone?

Just a buyer

from Carlisle and Ross. They --

MAN: I want to speak to one

of the Miss Eliotts or Mr. Wint.

KATYA:

I am sorry, but I haven't --

I'm sorry, sir,

but both the Miss Eliotts

and Mr. Wint are out

on a business matter.

Excuse me.

Are they likely to be long?

Well, I really couldn't hazard

a guess.

[ Door closes ]

Uh, would you like to make

an appointment for another day?

I should prefer to see them

as soon as possible, thank you.

I'll wait.

Would you care to take a seat?

[ Indistinct conversations ]

Was that Mr. Robson,

the buyer from Bancroft's?

Yes.

How did you know?

Well, he placed a big order

for the Aurora collection.

BETTY:

Oh, Tilly, you're frozen!

Oh, feel those hands.

Why don't you go and sit

by the stove?

You've got time.

Do take a seat.

Thank you.

It's such a privilege

to meet you both.

Naturally, I follow you

with a great deal of interest.

Now, what can I do for you?

We would like to inquire

about the Crystelle collection.

It is rather chic, isn't it?

Indeed it is.

We were wondering

who supplied it.

Well, one of the manufacturers

of our own ready-to-wear lines,

as it happens.

What's his name?

Cotter.

Larry Cotter from Bayswater.

You know him?

Naturally, this time he had his

own designer -- a young woman.

Of course you must know her,

too.

She's a former employee

of yours.

Quite a recommendation.

To be honest,

it was one of the main factors

when we decided to take

the Crystelle collection.

Grace.

That's right -- Grace Keeble.

Does you credit.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

[ Bell chiming ]

JACK:

What's Patterson like?

Uncompromising, indefatigable.

Sounds intimidating.

No, no, no, no.

Not really.

But I wish we had Archie Lovat

back in the House.

Is he going to run

for Parliament again?

Oh, Newford by-election.

Ah.

There's Patterson now.

He's absolutely determined

to turn this campaign

into legislation.

Despite a Tory majority?

Oh, that's not the only problem.

First we have to convince

our trade-union friends.

The London County Council

has agreed to implement

safety precautions

on all their building sites.

They've restricted

their working week to 48 hours.

I believe this is something

we should now address

at a national level.

Mr. Morgan.

In principle,

I don't disagree with Maddox,

but the LCC

is a very special case.

Absolutely.

It is not after any profit,

and it is Labour-run.

We're not trying to prevent

people making a profit.

But that's how they will see it.

You're talking about employers,

people like the mine owners.

They'll never accept it.

Do you really believe they are

likely to accept a measure

that seriously threatens

their own selfish interest?

I know that many won't.

That's why I'm here.

I have been 'round building site

after building site,

factory after factory.

Very few employers see

the welfare of their workers

as a reason to raise costs.

The only way to achieve progress

is through legislation.

HENRY:

George.

You wish, with this bill,

to press for a national

minimum wage?

It would be

one of his major clauses.

That'll kill it

from the word "go."

- [ Men murmuring ]

- TOM: It's an essential part.

So long as we have

people working

for less than a living wage,

they will be forced by poverty

into these slave-labor hours.

If you start meddling

by introducing a minimum wage,

the employers will just use it

as an excuse

never to raise wages

above that minimum.

You force factories out of

business by raising their costs,

and you'll end up putting

even more men out of work.

I don't think that follows.

At present, far too many

factories employ one man

where they should be giving jobs

to two.

If we can enforce the

restriction on working hours,

we will actually create

employment.

That's absolute rubbish.

Factories won't bear the cost.

May I ask --

Were you put out of work

as a consequence

of the general strike?

No.

I hardly think that is relevant.

It most certainly is.

There are far too many people

in the Labour Party

dictating what the working man

should do

in the name of -- of some ideal,

when they've no idea what

it's like to be a working man.

- Hear, hear.

Over this past year, we've

learned the art of the possible,

what we can do.

[ Scoffs ]

We're all wasting our time here.

JACK: Surely that doesn't mean

we shouldn't fight.

It doesn't mean the whole party

has to abandon its principles,

roll over and die.

The Labour Party stands for

fair shares, human dignity.

If you allow expediency

to prevent you from even

attempting to do what is right,

you will end up destroying

everything that it has ever

stood for.

[ Vehicles passing ]

Right under our noses.

- What are we going to do?

- Find them.

Find out exactly

what they've done.

After all,

it could just be the one store.

Well, unless they had an entire

factory we didn't know about,

they can't have made

so many clothes.

How many seamstresses

were we employing there?

20.

They'll have been

up to their necks

getting the Aurora collection

ready.

So we were told.

ROBSON:

You came to us offering

an exclusive

ready-to-wear collection.

And now I find that Forester's,

Stone & Wilkinson,

and Peter Clegg

are selling replicas

on the very day we launch.

I apologize, Mr. Robson,

but I do assure you --

The first we knew about it

was this morning.

The clothes are

very substandard.

I'm quite sure

none of your customers

would contemplate buying them.

Do you imagine our customers

would buy the Aurora collection

once they know

that any waitress can be seen

in a cheap imitation?

As far as Bancroft is concerned,

you've broken your contract.

Not intentionally.

This is as much of a mystery

to us as it is to you.

ROBSON: If you cannot run

your business competently,

I have no wish

to continue dealing with you.

I had understood

that the House of Eliott

was a professional firm.

I should have known better than

to put my trust in two women.

If you are here simply

to throw insults, perhaps --

[ Door opens ]

Oh.

I am sorry, Miss Eliott.

My main object in coming here

was to ensure that Brancroft's

get a complete refund

of the payment we advanced

on the collection.

This is utterly unreasonable.

We've invested --

I should have expected you

to have had the grace

not to try and enter

into any dispute over this.

However, since that's

your attitude...

...unless the money is paid

in full by the end of the week,

you will hear

from our solicitors.

I shall contact our bank.

Your check will be with you

tomorrow.

Good morning, Mr. Robson.

Good day, Miss Eliott.

Did you have to give in

that easily?

Evie, we are going to be

laughed at

and vilified by all our rivals.

Do you want us to be dragged

to the courts as well?

And I'm going to ask Katya

to take Lucy home.

[ Exhales deeply ]

I don't believe it.

Joseph -- Uh, Mr. Wint saw some

of the garments in the window

of Stone & Wilkinson on his way

to work this morning.

Who would do a thing like that,

eh?

It'll be something to do with

Larry Cotter, I'll be bound.

I've never been able

to stand him.

Just 'cause you don't like him,

Madge,

there's no reason to go 'round

accusing him.

Oh. Well, who else could it be?

You tell me that.

Could just as easily be

that young man Miles.

Well, he done

all the Aurora drawings.

And he's got a motive,

with Miss Evie going off

with that artist friend of his.

Will there be a lot of trouble?

Well, if they've got the buyers

coming 'round after them.

It's not surprising, either,

is it?

They're not gonna stomach

having clothes in the windows

that look like cheap stuff.

That's rubbish, Madge.

Folks know quality when --

It's not rubbish, Betty!

This could ruin

the whole lot of us!

I must say, I was a bit thrown

to find so much opposition

from our own side.

You probably persuaded

some of them already.

They all know you're right.

It's been a hard year.

A lot of ILP members want to

keep their heads down.

As for the union-sponsored

members like Gordon and Ernest,

they really have to do

as they're told.

Have you ever considered

standing for Parliament?

Me?

Why not?

The party needs men

who can still think positively,

and there's bound to be

an election

in the next couple of years.

No.

When they asked

if I had lost my job,

had my wages cut,

they were right.

It's too easy for someone

like me to lay down the law.

That's precisely why you'd be

so useful --

You're beholden to no one.

The party needs new blood.

Besides, you're getting

quite a reputation.

Well, what did the clothes

look like?

Like the Aurora.

Except they've skimped

on the fabric

and made minor changes with

collars, edgings, fastenings.

Well, how could they have

managed it?

Those seamstresses hardly knew

one end of a needle

from t'other.

Half the time, they couldn't

even put a sleeve in properly.

Well, we only know

someone managed it.

Maybe Grace helped.

What, Miss High and Mighty

lower herself to stitching?

I don't believe that.

- [ Telephone rings ]

- [ Clears throat ]

The House of Eliott.

Evangeline Eliott speaking.

What would you like us to say

to the girls, Miss?

In Manchester?

Uh, just what we've told you.

Thank you.

No, the Crystelle collection

was not made by us,

but we'll certainly

be looking into it.

No.

Thank you.

We're very grateful

for the information.

Goodbye.

That was The Manchester Guardian

woman's editor.

The Crystelle collection

is on sale there,

at Spring and Harris

and Plowright's.

Larry said we shouldn't risk

being seen as provincial.

How did they connect Crystelle

with us?

Through Style and Beauty.

What did they want?

[ Sighs ]

An article for tomorrow.

Who was it?

I don't know, but he was asking

Miss Evie questions.

She got that upset.

Oh, poor Miss Evie.

It makes you wonder

who you can trust, doesn't it?

- It does.

- Yeah.

So if any of you knows anything

that might be useful,

you're to come to Tilly or me.

You understand?

- Yes, ma'am.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

JOSEPH:

Wait here, please.

- WOMAN: It's Mr. Wint, isn't it?

- Yes.

BEA:

Is there no one in the workshop?

- No, Miss.

- Have you come to pay us?

I sent our clerk with your wages

yesterday.

Yeah. And what about the extra

we was promised?

What?

You haven't seen Mr. Cotter

today?

Not a sign.

We was all here this morning,

but the other girls got fed up

and went home.

This extra --

Was it for extra hours?

We've done nearly twice

the normal

these last couple of weeks.

Tell me -- Were you just working

on the Aurora collection

or were you doing

some other work as well?

More of the same thing, really.

Just different fabrics.

Did you make a lot

in these different fabrics?

Oh, yeah. He said he had orders

coming from all over.

That's where the extra money

was gonna come from.

We will get our money, won't we?

I'm sorry,

but we had no knowledge of the

extra work you've been doing.

However, we are determined

to find Mr. Cotter.

And when we do, we'll make sure

you get paid in full.

[ Sobs ]

I'm so sorry.

All right for you to be sorry,

isn't it?

[ Train passing ]

Come on, Miss Eliott.

Excuse me.

Miss Eliott?

Bertram Crowther

from The Daily Messenger.

I wonder if I might have a word.

It would be preferable

if you spoke to Miss Eliott

in our office.

I'm very sorry.

I just missed you there.

I just wanted to know

if it's true that someone

has pinched the designs of your

first ready-to-wear collection.

I'd rather not say anything

until I am better informed

myself, thank you.

I understand

some of your retailers believe

you've acted fraudulently.

No.

That's not true.

Are they demanding

their money back?

JOSEPH:

I suggest you ask them.

In you get, Miss Eliott.

Am I right that you're married

to the campaigner Jack Maddox?

- What's that got to do with it?

- Nothing.

They're just after dirt

these days.

Back to the House of Eliott,

please.

[ Man shouting indistinctly ]

Hello.

- I've come to see Grace.

- She's not in, I'm afraid.

Do you mind if I see for myself?

Evie, why should I tell you

she's not here if she is?

I don't think

you ought to do that.

- Why not?

- It's hers.

- It's private.

- Don't!

Did you know about this or were

you actually party to it?!

Party to what?

After all, you had far more

reason to hate me than she did!

Evie, I've never hated you!

What's all this about?

The Crystelle collection --

copied from the Aurora,

on sale at half the price

in London

and, we think, the provinces.

Do you really imagine

I'd cheat the House of Eliott

because of you and Daniel?

You think I'm that trivial?

If Grace would want any help,

she'd have a damn sight more

sense than to come to me.

I'm sorry.

- It's been an awful day.

- Just go!

And when you see Beatrice,

tell her I won't be in tomorrow.

- What?

- I'm quitting.

Miles, I-I said I was sorry.

Oh. And that just wipes

everything away, does it?!

- Of course it doesn't. It was --

- I really don't want to know!

I'll, uh, see you tomorrow.

See you tomorrow.

- Good night.

- Good night, Madge.

Thinks we were born yesterday.

[ Chuckles ]

Here, Bet.

You know when you was working

for Larry Cotter --

Did you see anything?

Course not.

No, I'd have gone straight

to Miss Eliott.

But you couldn't have done that

without her knowing

that you was working there.

Oh. It was only Madge

I didn't want to upset.

I'll see you tomorrow.

Well, it's -- it's just

that you don't normally worry

about upsetting Madge.

That's all.

What are you driving at?

You're a right little

troublemaker, aren't you?

Tongue never stops wagging.

First it's Madge and Charles.

Now it's me!

Do you think you haven't caused

me enough unhappiness,

- getting my husband put inside?

- I'm sorry.

I should hope so.

I'll see you tomorrow.

[ Footsteps approaching ]

- Tilly?

- Hmm?

Don't matter.

MADGE:

Do you never eat a proper tea?

There's not a lot of point

in cooking for meself.

I prefer books.

Well, you can't eat books.

I'll get all pretty tomorrow

and go to the market.

Well, I have to give that pantry

a good scrub first.

It's a rat's paradise in there.

"Ella Cinders" is on

at the Gaumont tonight.

You haven't been listening to a

word I've been saying, have you?

[ Knock on door ]

Here. Does your husband know

you've come here?

[ Laughs ]

Evening, Charles.

Dora.

What are you doing here?

Can I come in?

What for?

Are you saying

I haven't got the right?

I heard you had company.

Yeah. This is, uh, Madge

Althorpe, a colleague of mine.

That's what they call it, is it?

- This is --

- Dora Quance.

What?

His wife.

Back from the dead?

[ Door opens, closes ]

TILLY:

You still here?

Yeah. Chef said I could wait

till you got in.

Oh.

That was nice of him.

- Shall I take your coat?

- I'm cold. No.

I've, uh, I've got to be going

soon, though.

It's a first night

on at Drury Lane.

So we're gonna be rushed

off our feet later.

I'm sorry I didn't have

the time.

I've, um -- I made you some tea.

It's rolled plaice

stuffed with shrimps and lemons

and a steamed pudding

for afters.

That's lovely.

Come on.

Let's get that coat off you.

You should eat it

while it's hot.

Oh, I got this for you.

It's, uh, it's all about

the new ready-to-wear.

Yeah?

Did you go to church today?

Yeah.

Maybe I should come with you

next time.

I've got to be going soon.

I'm sorry, love.

That's all right.

You've got to work.

Are you going to eat that?

Oh, and, uh, don't forget

the steamed pudding for afters.

I love you, Tilly.

[ Door opens, closes ]

Madge, I can explain.

Oh, yes.

You can explain anything.

Madge, please!

Why have you come here?

Just to cause trouble?!

This is my home.

You should have thought

about that

before you ran off

with your fancy man!

That's over now.

That doesn't give you the right

to come back here

and ruin my life!

I'm still your wife.

And if she thinks she can take

what's mine --

How dare you!

Are you trying to make out

I'm some sort of money-grubbing

fortune hunter?

Well, what else

are you doing here?

It's not on his account,

I'll be bound.

That is exactly why I'm here.

Liar.

- Are you calling me a liar?

- Yes.

And a slut.

Would you please leave?

You heard, didn't you?

I asked you to leave this house!

You can't ask me to leave.

I want you to go, Dora,

and leave us alone!

I never want to see you again!

Don't you?

Well, you will -- in court.

It was you who deserted me,

and you know it.

There's no way

you can hurt me now --

not in law, not in life!

Nothing!

You're welcome to him.

[ Door closes ]

Sorry.

Quite a mouth on her,

hasn't she,

for someone who's been run over

by a bus.

I didn't want you to know.

I didn't want anyone to know.

She used to tell me

I was just half a man,

it was my fault

we couldn't have children.

And as she went,

I proved it was right.

'Cause that's how I felt --

like half...

...a quarter of a man.

And that same day,

I read in the Herald

about this woman who had been

knocked under the bus.

[ Laughs ]

Oh, Charles.

Is anything in your life real?

Yeah.

You're real, Madge.

I don't feel up to scrubbing out

the pantry now.

DANIEL:

It's cold in here.

I was looking forward to today.

The thought of so many people

wearing our designs.

I got angrier and angrier

inside.

I ended up being horrid

to Miles, of all people.

He'll forgive you.

No.

I went too far.

How could she?

How could she do it?

[ Sighs ]

I know we didn't exactly get on,

but I tried so hard to help her.

She may not have seen it

that way.

What do you mean?

Well, a lot of the ready-to-wear

was, after all, hers,

but the credit was all down

to the House of Eliott.

So was her salary.

Hello.

Hello.

You didn't eat your tea.

I'll have it tomorrow.

It matters to me, too, you know.

Sometimes when I'm on the tram

or...at work,

I find myself thinking.

And I'm afraid I'm gonna cry.

Right there, grown man,

in front of all the people.

And my heart just feels huge

with the sorrow.

But you have to get on

with things -- living.

I am getting on with living.

Are you?

I followed you again

this morning.

I wouldn't mind if it helped.

It does.

How?

I don't see any sign of it.

Tell me how.

When I'm there, he's not lost.

Yeah, but he is, Tilly,

and you know it.

I'm not asking you to be happy,

but you don't talk to me.

Sometimes it feels like it's not

just William that's died.

Stop it.

I'm sorry.

I just don't know what to do.

I'm so tired.

It's been really busy at work.

I wasn't after anything.

Nothing like that.

I just wanted some comfort.

She wanted to be a designer.

And all she got

was the ready-to-wear.

And the chance to learn!

How long was she expected

to go on doing that,

working on something

you can't put your heart into?

Are you taking her side?

You asked me to explain.

Why are you so good

at understanding everybody else?

I thought

that she was my friend.

If she was frustrated with the

work, she could have come to me.

I would have understood.

[ Sighs ]

I would have loved to have been

a painter,

have all of that freedom.

But life doesn't work out

like that.

And...

Just because you can't do

exactly as you please,

it is no reason to be deceitful

and dishonest.

Is it?

No.

Katya should be here by now.

Not to worry.

I can hold the fort.

Oh, darling, this is hopeless.

We must get a proper nanny.

I had an agency number

somewhere.

Calm down.

It isn't a problem.

I don't have any meetings today.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

I forgot to ask how you got on

yesterday.

Well, it was fairly daunting --

all those trade-union

war-horses.

But...I don't know.

I don't think I came over

too badly.

Tom Patterson was actually

suggesting I stand

as an Independent Labour

candidate at the next election.

Really?

Really.

[ Chuckles ]

[ Indistinct conversations ]

Joseph, when did these

come back?

As I was unlocking.

I thought I should get them

out of sight.

[ Sighs ]

Let me give you a hand.

[ Telephone ringing ]

I'll just answer this first.

The House of Eliott.

Evangeline Eliott speaking.

Mrs. Fitzwalter.

Well, would you like to make

an appointment for later --

I see.

Which newspaper was this?

Well, thank you

for letting us know.

Good day.

Joseph, have you seen

the newspapers this morning?

Only The Times.

There was a short paragraph.

[ Sighs ]

We'd better get on with this.

What did the paragraph have

to say?

The Mail and Express

both have advertisements

for the Crystelle collection

and this --

"Cut-price Couture.

If you want House of Eliott

designs at a price

that doesn't burn a hole in your

pocket, you'll find them at --"

What's this?

It's in over 20 shops.

We're not going to sell anything

now.

Shall we get these

out of the way for you, Miss?

Yes, please, Madge.

Thank you.

MADGE:

Thank you.

All this work wasted.

How anyone could stab them

in the back like that

just beats me.

I assume Cotter will have

a similar agreement

with the retailers to the one

we negotiated on the Aurora.

In which case I would imagine

they'll be paying the balance

once the garments are sold.

Yes.

Well, he's very unlikely

to have omitted to instruct them

where to send the money.

So we may well be able to trace

him through the retailers.

Well, I just wish

we could find a way

to stop them selling

his collection.

We could offer them the Aurora

instead.

They won't want to pay

that sort of price.

- We lower the price.

- Down to their level?

No, we can't!

No, what we can't do, Bea,

is let Grace and Larry win.

We'd stand to lose

a lot of money.

We have rails full of clothes

in the workroom

that no one wants to buy.

That is gonna happen

whatever we do.

I still think we need to

consider any such action

with extreme caution.

The better stores might never do

business with us again.

Joseph, as long as the

Crystelle collection is on sale,

they won't anyway.

I agree with Evie.

I am prepared to risk anything

rather than let those two

get away with this.

Agnes, can you finish up

the button loops

on Miss Harcastle's ball gown?

I'm not halfway through

with this hem yet.

Betty's meant to be working

on that.

It may have escaped your notice,

but Betty isn't in yet.

Miss Harcastle's due at 4:00,

so if you could just get

a move on, if you please.

Trust Betty not to turn up

when we've all this to do.

No message, nothing.

Well, perhaps she's not well.

She seemed a bit out of sorts

to me yesterday.

Well, she seemed right as rain

to me.

Well, perhaps she's had

an accident.

Run over by a bus, I suppose?

I think she's worried

about the carry-on in there.

What did you say?

Me?

Nothing.

I thought you just said Betty

was worried about something.

Did you know she wasn't going to

come in today?

No!

What is it, Agnes?

Is something wrong with Betty?

No!

I mean, how could I know?

Nothing's wrong!

Cross me heart and hope to die.

The contract is perfectly

in order.

I imagine it is.

The fact is, the garments

themselves are copies.

It's a serious embarrassment

for us they should be in stores.

I appreciate that, Miss Eliott,

but I can't really see

what I'm expected to do

at this late stage.

We have a proposal.

Would you consider selling

the Aurora collection

in place of the copies?

I think not.

Your prices are rather

beyond the reach

of most of our customers.

EVIE:

We'd be willing to lower them.

Our clothes are of

far better quality --

material, finish, everything.

But we've already invested

in the Crystelle collection.

I have well over 100 garments

in stock.

We'll take them in exchange.

We have a signed contract

with Mr. Cotter.

He's provided us

with good service in the past

where our own lines

are concerned.

Even if I could break

the contract,

I wouldn't wish to deal with him

in such an underhand manner.

[ Chuckles ]

You don't class his theft of

our designs as underhand, then?

I'm sure there must have been

some misunderstanding

- about that, Miss Eliott.

- You only have to use your eyes.

They are House of Eliott

designs.

If you'll forgive me

for pointing this out,

the designs have

a fair number of differences.

They are simply details.

Ah, but it's details that count

in our business, isn't it?

That will be something

for the law to decide.

We would like to contact

Mr. Cotter ourselves.

Presumably you must have

an address for him.

Beast.

Never mind.

On to the next one.

- How did you get on?

- Failed 100%.

Mr. Miles is upstairs.

- Evie, he only asked --

- I only answered.

We must keep control

of ourselves.

I've been trying to be polite

all day

to those ghastly retailers.

- You were so aggressive.

- Yes.

Well, your politeness didn't

seem to be getting us very far.

We cannot afford to lose

our heads.

Oh.

Coming from you.

What does that mean?

The fact is, Bea,

if you'd bothered to listen

to me in the first place,

we'd have never have got

into this mess.

You were keen enough

to go into ready-to-wear.

No. Donald thought it was

a wonderful idea, remember?

"Where the future lies.

Back Cotter's ambition."

Easy to say now.

I said it then, Bea.

I said you could not trust

Larry Cotter.

But oh, no. "He's got

good business sense, drive."

And Grace.

[ Chuckles ]

The first thing she tries to do

is cheat us.

But she is so talented,

I have to take her on

to prove I'm not afraid of her.

Well, if you had been

so suspicious,

why didn't you keep

more of an eye on her?

I seem to remember

you were happy

to spend all night at her

parties, mix with her friends.

I haven't had the advantage

of being on the spot.

But as far as I can see,

there wasn't much point

in you being there either.

No, you've had

more important things to do.

If this is about Daniel again,

please, keep him out of it!

Yes.

Well, I wish you had.

[ Door closes ]

[ Sighs ]

You just gonna stand there

all day?

Tilly, can I have a word?

What about?

It's private.

Joseph said I'd find you

up here.

Yes.

I'm a fool.

It's the only decent thing

that's happened all day.

I know "sorry" is pointless.

It seems when I need my friends,

I-I do my best

to get rid of them.

Miles, I...

I-I really thought you meant it

when you said you were leaving.

Oh, I did.

There's nothing like

a night's sleeplessness.

Besides, I need the money.

We might not have any.

Do you want some tea?

I worried about it

all day yesterday

and hardly slept a wink

last night.

Now she ain't come in.

I don't know.

I'm supposed to be her friend.

I don't want to get her

in any more trouble.

Betty.

I could see

she was tired out right.

You could hardly

take your hat off

without her biting

your head off.

So I asked her

what the matter was.

And she said she was doing

some extra finishing work

and supervising

the ready-to-wear

'cause she was up to her neck

in debts.

Hang on.

Let's get this straight.

Betty was supervising

the ready-to-wear?

- That was Madge's job.

- Yeah. That's what she said.

And that Madge would be upset,

so I wasn't to breathe a word.

But she was doing it

for Mr. Cotter.

So you mean she was working

on the copies?

Well, she didn't say that.

[ Telephone rings ]

Jack Maddox.

Hello, Arnold.

An article?

Larry Cotter?

The man's a scoundrel.

I wouldn't put anything

past him.

Wait.

The House of Eliott?

Come off it, Arnold.

They're the most scrupulous

of employers.

Was this one of your reporters?

I see.

No, no.

No, I think we should both talk

to them.

Goodbye.

Blooming liberty!

Betty supervising them

finishing?

She needs telling

every stitch of the way.

You're missing the point, Madge.

It may not be the point to you,

Tilly, but that was my job.

Are you saying that Betty may

have been helping on the copies?

I don't know for sure.

I'm only going

by what Agnes said.

No.

I don't believe it.

Agnes must have got it wrong.

Betty wouldn't do that.

I'm not so sure about that.

No, that's what I think.

But then someone had to do

the work on that ready-to-wear.

The girls just haven't got

the skill.

Hey, have you said anything yet?

No. I wanted to see

what you had to say first.

I mean, if it isn't true,

Betty's got enough on her plate

without any of us

making it worse for her.

Where have you been?

Had a cup of tea with Miles.

[ Sighs ]

Are those the Aurora accounts?

[ Telephone rings ]

House of Eliott.

Beatrice Eliott speaking.

Oh, Jack.

I'm so glad to hear your voice.

Well, yes, I'll see you here

in half an hour.

Evie, we are now being accused

of running a sweatshop.

I still don't see a reason

to keep mum about it.

Well, you know

what Agnes is like.

You've said it often enough.

Supposing she's got

the whole thing back to front

and Betty ends up getting

the sack?

Good riddance, if you ask me.

That's not charitable, Madge.

You know how hard pressed she is

at the moment.

Plenty of people have

a hard time!

That doesn't excuse her

double-crossing Miss Bea

and Miss Evie!

I'm only recommending

that we wait

until we've heard her side

of the story.

It's only fair.

What about being fair to them,

eh?

Look, Betty told Agnes

she was working there.

Now, not even Agnes

would get that wrong.

And if you think about it,

why would they want her there

if it wasn't to work

on that collection of theirs?

And anyway, if she's innocent,

why stop at home today?

Even if she did do it,

what difference does it make to

them to wait until the morning?

What makes you think

she'll be here?

All right.

I'll give it till morning.

[ Door closes,

indistinct conversation ]

You're a good sort, Madge.

"The celebrated

London couturiers

Evangeline and Beatrice Eliott

have been using sweated labor

in order to produce

their first venture

into ready-to-wear clothing.

Seamstresses

in a Bayswater workshop

had been working 80 hours a week

in order to meet orders

on the Eliotts' much-publicized

Aurora collection."

That's rubbish.

That reporter --

Did you send him?

My reporters do

their own investigations,

just as Jack does.

"Yesterday morning,

these women arrived at work

to find their factory locked.

They were never paid

for their long extra hours."

But that's nothing to do

with us.

We were up to date

with every penny.

They weren't working long hours

for us.

The point is we own the factory.

They were being paid

by the House of Eliott.

We've been paying for them

to work for Grace and Larry.

Not enough, unfortunately.

Let me continue.

"Beatrice Eliott is the wife

of Jack Maddox,

also a director

of the House of Eliott, who has,

over the past few months

vigorously conducted a campaign

to improve factory conditions

in which he advocates

a national reduction

in the working week to 48 hours

and the introduction

of a minimum wage."

But he's got everything wrong!

It's absolutely wrong

to blame any of this

on the House of Eliott.

And how is it

the seamstress from here

was supervising women at

the Bayswater factory premises?

The woman concerned was

my reporter's main informant.

That's not possible.

Who was it?

I'm afraid I'm not at liberty

to divulge.

Oh, for heaven's sake.

If you're going to print lies

about us,

at least we can know

where they came from!

I'm sure inaccuracies

can be rectified.

Plainly, you were duped.

- But you're going to print it?

- Of course he is.

I'm afraid our ignorance of

what happened is not a defense.

Look...my paper,

like your husband,

has been a consistent advocate

of improved factory conditions.

We have brought the factories

and the owners

most guilty of exploiting

their workers

to the attention of our readers.

I can't ignore this

just because Jack is a friend.

What do you say, Jack?

I agree with Arnold.

I must simply weather it

if I can.

You will. But what about us?

Whose side are you on?

Wherever my sympathies are, it

doesn't alter what I believe in.

I think I'd better go.

JACK:

Yes. Of course.

I'll make sure the article

clarifies your position.

Thank you for warning us,

Arnold.

Does nothing matter to you

apart from your campaign?

Well, this is hardly

going to help my campaign.

But I have to do what is right.

Oh, I see.

And it's right to jeopardize

everything Evie and I

have built up.

Do you have to take everything

so personally?!

Yes, because it is personal.

It's our life

you're talking about, Jack.

I'll see you at home.

[ Door closes ]

He's meant to love me.

Of course he loves you, Bea.

I was horrid to you earlier.

It doesn't mean

I don't love you.

But you're always on my side,

Evie.

[ Sighs ]

EVIE:

Tomorrow in The Daily Messenger,

there's going to be

an article claiming

that the House of Eliott has

been employing sweated labor.

- I don't believe it.

- It's true.

Apart from the fact

that the sweated labor

was from Mr. Cotter

and Grace Keeble's collection.

I'd like to scratch

those two's eyes out.

The worst thing of all

is that the reporter got

most of his information

from one of our staff.

You told us you knew nothing

about this, Madge.

We do now, Miss Eliott.

It was Betty Butcher.

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