All language subtitles for Father.Brown.2013.S10E03.DVDRip.X264-iNGOT.English

RADIO ANNOUNCER:
Welcome to the BBC Home Service.

This week, my guest on
"Memory Lane Melodies" is Mrs Octavia Eden

who I would describe as
the Pablo Picasso of flower arranging.

SHE CHUCKLES
Would you, darling? That's so sweet of you.

Owner of a chain of flower shops.
You could call it a "daisy chain".

HE LAUGHS

And a... and a mainstay
of the London social scene.

So it came as a surprise
this week when she announced

that she was moving to
the sleepy English village of Kembleford.

And, well, the question
we all must be asking is... why?

Well, I suppose it gives my life
a certain symmetry.

I was born in Kembleford,
and now I'm going to die there.

HE LAUGHS

Well, hopefully
that won't be for some time to come!

Oh no, darling. The doctors have
told me there's nothing they can do for me.

1 should be around for St Swithin's Day,
but I probably won't make Michaelmas.

Mind that Ming vase, please!
That's travelled 6,000 miles to be here.

And be very careful with that violin.

It was a gift from Yehudi Menuhin.

Do you not think she's doing too much?

Yes. I do.

But who's going to tell her?

MRS DEVINE:
Oh Father, she's so magnificent!

She's done the flowers
for three royal weddings.

And she had a tulip named after her.

I understand she's written an autobiography.

Oh yes!
Thank you for reminding me.

Oop!

I bought a copy of it,
and oh, what a life she's had.

I'd love to get her to sign it,
but she does seem awfully busy.

Well, I think that can be arranged!

Oh...

Who's it for?

Um...

Isabel Devine.

And I'm Father Brown.

Octavia Eden.

Hello, everyone.

Oh, it's so sweet to be back in Kembleford.

Now she's bringing out her clothes.

Why does she need so many hats?
She's only got one head.

Well, I suppose, as a very successful woman

she must get asked to open lots of things.

Shops, and hospitals.

She's gonna need plenty of hats for all that.

Apparently, she's turning
the manor into a flower school.

Oh, we'll have giggling schoolgirls
from morning till night.

I think it's really nice
that she's bringing some life into the place.

We had some happy times there.

MRS DEVINE:
So now, you add a few stems of sweet William.

This one.

BRENDA SIGHS

Mm-hmm.
- Mm-hmm.

Ooh! No, careful you don't obscure
the alstroemerial

Why would I ever want to do this?

Well, supposing you were invited for dinner,
and you wanted to bring a nice bouquet.

I live next door to a graveyard!

Perhaps Miss Palmer does not
have any sympathy for arranged flowers.

Each to their own.
- 0h, well.

Mrs Eden has invited us round
to her "music and movement" class tomorrow

including you, Father Brown.

Really?
- Mm-hmm!

I thought with her illness,
she'd be much frailer

but she does seem in very fine fettle.

CLOCK CHIMES

VASE SMASHES

Mother, are you alright?

Still in one piece...
unlike my porcelain collection.

Auntie!
- 0h, Noele.

I'm glad you're here. We really must discuss
this business of my legacy.

Well, surely as your only daughter, I--
- You will be well provided for

but who will inherit the family firm, hm?

Who will ensure that 40 years of hard graft
don't end up on the compost heap?

So, I've set you a series of tests.

Oh yes?

Number one.

I'm having a little party,
I want to meet the neighbours

and I want you to make the drinks.

Now, they must consist
entirely of botanical ingredients.

You know, jasmine gin,
or wildflower whisky, that sort of thing.

And whoever creates the most
delectable selection is the winner.

But I don't even drink alcohol.

And Lizzy knows all about
herbs and botanical ingredients.

Then you'll need to work ten times harder.

Now... music and movement.

MRS DEVINE:
This is awfully jolly!

Yeah, if you like that sort of thing.

Hello.
- OCTAVIA: Morning!

Father Brown, I'm so glad you came.

I didn't want you to feel left out.
- Thank you.

Although I don't think
I'l be limbering up.

THEY LAUGH
- You could always work the gramophone.

SHE SNEEZES

Bless you!

That's that hay-fever back again.
Are you taking those pills?

Now, do be careful
because this was a present from Daddy.

I will take the utmost care.

Mrs Mulch!

What a surprise!

Yes, I hope you don't mind,
but I used to live here

and I was curious to see the garden.

Perfect timing.
Please, do join us.

There you go.

Alright, everybody. Morning!

Now find a space
where you can all stretch out.

Excellent.

And take a deep breath...
SHE INHALES

Music, please, music...

JAUNTY PIANO MUSIC PLAYS
- Thank you.

And follow me.

And up, and round.

Marjorie!

SHE YELPS

What were you thinking?
- 1 was only dancing.

Come on!
- Mrs Mulch!

You have a mind of your own,
you're more than welcome to stay with us.

SHE SCOFFS

I am so sorry about your gramophone.

Well, you didn't smash it.

Well, we'll just have
to proceed without music.

Darling, don't let it upset you.

We've got all these guests to entertain
and we've got a party to organise.

Now come on.

Alright, let's try again.

Now get ready.
Arms outstretched, and...

And I'm so looking forward to
being part of your charming community.

Now do help yourself to liquid refreshments.

And please, tell me which ones you prefer.

Apparently, Father,
this one is rum infused with rhubarb.

Ooh.

I can taste the rhubarb.

And is that a hint of hibiscus flower?

Gosh! You have an awfully good palate.

It's hibiscus sabdariffa,
from my very own herb garden in London.

Inspector! Will you try one
of these interesting concoctions?

Well, probably best not.

Oh, come on, you're not on duty!

Well, sadly I always appear to be on duty
but do tell me about them.

OCTAVIA: Now, dear, this one is vodka,
flavoured with orange blossom.

Oh! Hm.

Oh, erm...
SHE GIGGLES

kinda tastes like pond water!

I'm inclined to agree.

And get rid of these blooms.
They're way past their best.

Sorry.
- SHE SNEEZES

God bless you.
- Thank you.

Mrs Mulch!
- Oh, Father.

I'm so sorry about my husband's behaviour.

There's no need to apologise.
- John just doesn't like change.

Now he's made a fuss,
and got it out of his system

I'm sure things will improve.

Mr Mulch!

Are you alright?
- John?

Why, Marjorie? Why?

GUESTS GASP

In nomine Patris,
et Fil, et Spiritus Sancti.

Amen.

On this occasion, I think we can both agree
on the simple truth, Father.

I have searched for the truth my whole life,
and it is never simple.

Well, it appears he was poisoned.

And as we both saw him arrive,
it must have happened at home.

FATHER BROWN:
I prefer to reserve my judgment on that.

Father, his last words condemn her.

Mrs Mulch?
- Yes?

Would you accompany me to the station?

First thing this morning,
I gave him his porridge.

Made with water and a pinch of salt.

Did he seem unwell at this point?

He was grumbling about not having slept,
and a terrible pain in his guts.

But that's not unusual.

Yes, would it be fair to say your husband
had a temper on him?

He was just sad.

Life passing him by,
all of his dreams...

slipping away.

But he really wasn't a bad man.

I understand he dragged you home from
the manor the other day, causing that bruise.

He could sometimes be a little firm,
but I never fought back.

He's my husband.

He was your husband.

Do you know of anyone who gave him anything
to eat or drink recently?

Not that I know of.

Then I'm afraid you leave me no choice.

Marjorie Mulch, I am arresting you
on suspicion of the murder of John Mulch.

You are not obliged to say anything but
anything you say may be given in evidence.

HE SIGHS

Mrs Mulch.
How are you bearing up?

I feel like I'm in a bad dream, Father.

I'm sorry to have to ask you this.

Are you responsible
for the death of your husband?

No!

Although I have been tempted down the years.

John could start
an argument in an empty room.

Have there been any recent altercations?

Well, there was something.

I thought I'd imagined it, but...

I woke up
in the middle of the night last night.

And I thought I heard voices outside.

It sounded like John arguing with a woman.

Did you hear any
of the words that were spoken?

No, it was just a blur...

but I did hear a sneeze.

Sorry, that's not very useful, is it?

No, on the contrary, that is most useful.

I can assure you, Marjorie,
that I will find out who is responsible

for your husband's death

and you will walk out of here
with your head held high.

Here you are, Mother.
- Oh thank you, darling.

Please don't.
- Don't what?

Stare at me as if I'm about to die.

I actually feel quite well today.

I'm sorry,
it's just seeing that poor man.

I know he wasn't
the nicest of people...

Oh, Noele!

We were just talking about Mr Mulch's death

and it's given me an idea
for your second task.

I want you both to create a wreath.

Poor Mrs Mulch
won't be able to arrange anything.

Splendid.
I'l get onto it.

You're using a man's death
for your competition?

Darling, there are
two types of florist in this world.

Ruthless, money-grabbing mercenaries,
and unsuccessful ones.

You need to work out which camp you're in.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Who is it?
Oh, Father Brown.

Good afternoon.

I thought I'd pay you a visit,
see how you all are

after the unfortunate ending
to your garden party.

Yes, well, we're all still reeling.

Of course.

You must surely have known Mr Mulch.

From Kembleford, all those years ago.

Well, you know...

I can't say I do remember him.

It was such a long time ago.
And, well...

it seems like another world.
Looking back...

Oh.

Father Brown, my mother is not well.

And I don't think
she's ready to receive guests.

Miss Schama?
May we talk?

How long have you lived with your aunt?
- 25 years.

She asked me to move in
when my mother died

and I've never looked back.

So, it must be a great shock
to see her so unwell.

Itis.

In my line of work,
I'm always arranging flowers for funerals.

And it's only just hit me that one day,
I'l have to make a wreath for...

Everyone's so fond of her.

Except the late Mr Mulch.

We barely knew him.

And yet, in the middle of last night

I think you went round to see him.

Someone heard you sneezing.

I was in bed when I heard a noise.

Someone moving through the house,
creeping about downstairs.

I came down to the dining room, and someone
had opened up Aunty Octavia's bureau.

What did you do?

I looked outside, and there he was

heading across the garden.

So I followed him to his house,
and told him never to darken our door again.

Why did you not call the police?

My aunt is very fragile.

She doesn't need any unnecessary stress
at the moment.

Goodness! I am surprised
there are so many people.

Probably come to check he's really dead.

Marjorie! You have my condolences.
- Thank you.

Thank you for the flowers.
They're so beautiful.

You're welcome.

Well, I think she has
good reason to be grateful.

Your wreath is quite magnificent.

All the airy tracery of
the willow herb is just sublime.

Thank you.

And Noele, yours, so stark

with the wheat, and the teasel,
and the deep purple hellebore.

SHE SIGHS

On reflection, I think...

I think yours says more
about the man himself.

He was very prickly.

So you're the winner.

Congratulations.
- Thank you.

Now, I have some errands to attend to,
so I'll see you both later.

How strange.

Miss Palmer?

Yeah?
- Follow that florist.

HE CLEARS HIS THROAT

Oh!

OK...

I know I'm holding a hammer,
but I didn't smash that window.

Right.
Who did then?

Don't tell me, Dame Nellie Melba
was passing by and fancied a sing-song.

No. It was her! Mrs Eden!

She had an hammer in her handbag.

Where is she now, then?
- l... I don't know.

Er...

She must have scarpered!

Right.

Well, Miss Palmer,
I think it's time for you to scarper.

Right down to the police station.

Father Brown, as a man of God, you have
a remarkable gift of leading people astray.

I apologise, Chief Inspector.

I peremptorily told Miss Palmer
to follow someone.

I had no idea she would
follow them onto private property.

We're sorry for wasting your precious time

and, if you were to release her,
I won't let her out of my sight, I promise.

Well, you're in luck, Mrs Devine,
as we're rather short of cells.

Follow me.

Any news on cause of death?
- Yes, there is, Father.

Mr Mulch died of aconite poisoning.

Aconite?
-Mm.

It's a botanical toxin.

Unusual thing for
Mrs Mulch to have in her possession.

On the contrary,
it's easily extracted from wolfsbane.

A plant which grows all over the Cotswolds,
including Mrs Mulch's back garden.

Sergeant, see me in my office.

And as a result, Father,
she's just been charged with murder.

Oh, you're back.
How was the funeral?

It was fine, but people were surprised
when you walked out before it began.

Oh, I am sorry,
but it's difficult going to funerals.

Lizzy:
Oh, Mother.

If I could swap with you,
I'd do it in a heartbeat.

Well you can't, so don't go on about it.

And it's time for your final task.

I want you to organise a wake.

Whose?
- Mine.

I think the idea is... one doesn't get
to go to one's own wake.

I want an evening that's all about me

with flowers and flamboyance,
music and magic.

You can have one half of the ballroom,
and you the other.

And whoever wins, wins everything.

I'm telling you, she had an hammer!

A hammer in her handbag?

Florists frequently use hammers
to pulverise the stems of their blooms.

Oh, I stand corrected.

Mrs Eden is going to be
reading her book later

at the Kembleford Ladies Society.

Then you must go along, and try and find out
why she left Kembleford all those years ago.

And what will you be up to?
- Burglary.

There is no way
I'm going back in there again.

No. I need you to stand guard.

What are you after?
- Whatever Mrs Eden was after.

"...that my path through life has
been lined with bluebells and buddleia.

I hold my head up high, and kiss the rain."

Thank you, everyone.

And now Mrs Eden will be happy
to answer any questions.

SHE CLEARS HER THROAT
Any... any relevant questions, that is.

About the book.

Hello.
- OCTAVIA: Yes.

I was so moved by the passage
in chapter one, where you describe

walking through
the streets of London, lost and alone

until a little buttercup, poking through
the pavement, inspires you to carry on.

Thank you!
Yes, I was quite pleased with that.

But why exactly were you so sad?

Oh, it was the usual.
I came to London, full of dreams.

And discovered that the streets
really weren't paved with gold.

So there wasn't something more specific?

No.

So if there are no further questions?
Thank you.

MRS DEVINE:
It's just, um...

you were having
a very happy time of it in Kembleford

at the beginning of the chapter,
and suddenly you're so full of woe.

Yes! Because I had my heart broken!

I was eaten up, chewed, and spat out!

Thank you, everyone.

And now my mother
will be signing copies in the vestibule.

Every single drawer has been rifled.

Well, did you find anything?
- No.

But I expect Mrs Eden did.

What are those doing there?

Erm, they're rose petals.
Probably fell off a rose bush.

No roses grow in this garden.

So how did they get here?

Mrs Eden.

Oh, Father Brown.

I still thank God I can get down
on my knees to plant things.

But sometimes I need human help
to get up again.

SHE GRUNTS

Thank you.

Lizzy doesn't like me gardening.

She thinks I should lie down
in a darkened room, but I think it's vital.

"A society grows great when
old men plant trees whose shade

they know they shall never sit in."

I agree.
And it's important to hand on knowledge.

Mm-hmm.

May I have a word?

Of course. Take a pew.

You know...

when I was a girl, I used to
walk past this place on my way to school.

It seemed like a fairy-tale castle.

Sitting here now...

I almost expect to wake up,
seven years old, my mother calling me.

SHE CHUCKLES

And if you did wake up as a child,
would you live your life differently?

Oh, no.

No, I'd make the same mistakes again.

But with even more relish.

What about John Mulch?

Was he a mistake?

I assume you were lovers.

Goodness!

For a man who must renounce worldly
pleasures, you are surprisingly worldly wise.

And your answer?

Yes.

I loved him more than life itself.

We were together for six months

but then he met Marjorie,
whose father owned the manor.

Well, frankly, he married the house

until he realised
it was rather high maintenance.

And that was why you left Kembleford?
- Yes.

Because I couldn't
stop crying from morning till night.

And at least in London,
the noise was drowned out by the traffic.

This morning,
you broke into John Mulch's house.

What were you searching for?

Oh, I don't know what I was looking for.

Alove letter?

Some... some record of the feelings
he might have had.

What did you find?
- Nothing.

His childhood diary was
full of cricket scores.

His heart must have been made of ice.

He caused you immense pain.

Did you ever wish to take revenge on him?

Oh, yes.

For 30 years,
I thought of burning this place down.

Destroying John,
and the thing he loved most.

But then I realised

whilst he was struggling
to pay heating bills

I had become a rather wealthy woman.

Really... you couldn't ask
for sweeter revenge.

Mrs Eden and Mr Mulch?
I don't want to think about that!

Then don't, Miss Palmer.

But I wonder,
did Mrs Mulch know about their relationship?

Oh!
You know that rose petal that you gave me?

Did you find a match?

No, but I did find this book.

With pictures of flowers in it.

That belongs to Mrs Eden!

Mrs Eden's daughter.

I've seen her consulting this.
- Well, it doesn't belong to you.

I'l return it forthwith, but first...

there is a little trick with a book.

If you let it fall open naturally

it will show you which page
has been most frequently used.

Poisonous plants!

FATHER BROWN:
Hm.

Well, yes.
I'm always consulting the "poison" section.

When you scour the hedgerows,
as I do, you need to know

if the plant you're picking is poisonous.

Oh. I see.

Though many plants
are toxic if taken to excess.

Caffeine, curare, even aspirin.

These things can cure us, or kill us.

So, it would be fair to say
that you keep poisonous substances

in your medicine chest?

Some.

Colchicum autumnale.

Autumn crocus.

Now, this is a very effective cure for gout.

But if you double the dose, you kill both
the gout and the person suffering from it.

Aconitum napellus,
that's another plant toxin, isn't it?

Yes.
1 think I have some of that somewhere.

Half empty.

This is the poison
that finished off Mr Mulch.

Lizzy:
I didn't like the man

but he would have been very suspicious
if I'd offered him

something to eat or drink.

We weren't exactly the best of chums.

Could anyone else have borrowed
your apothecary kit?

No.

No, this is for my use only.

Mimosal

I must have mimosa.

SHE SIGHS

Noele.

What are you doing?

I'm recreating the bouquet
Aunty Octavia had at her wedding.

I was going to do that!

Oh, well. Now you won't have to bother.

This is ridiculous!

Mother is dying, and she's got us running
around in circles, playing these silly games.

Well, you could always just... drop out.

If I do win control of the business,
I'd find a position for you, somewhere.

How did you become
so cold and hard and unfeeling?

I learned a while ago
that a thing has to be firm to survive.

I remember when you came to live with us.

Oh, you were the most beautiful woman
I had ever seen.

You were just like Mother.

And that meant I could be me.

I'm glad that worked out for you.

Noele?
- Yes?

What would happen if we refused to compete?

And joined forces to give Mother
the best party of her life?

She could disown us.

Would that be so bad?

To work together?

And be friends again?

Father!
Have you found out who did this?

Not yet.
- 0h.

Mrs Mulch, your husband's past
came back to haunt him.

Many years ago,
he had a relationship with Octavia Eden.

Mrs Eden?

SHE SIGHS

Did you know
there was someone else before you?

Yes.

I knew there was someone...

but John could never talk about his feelings.

Then one day, I found a note in his study.

What did it say?

It was a long time ago, but...

I remember every word.

"I've lost the baby.

Now I'll be out of your life forever.

Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas?"
- Yes.

OCTAVIA:
Well, thank you, everyone, for coming.

Some time ago,
my doctors told me I had a growth.

This surprised me,
as it wasn't the growing season.

THEY LAUGH

Naturally, I have made arrangements

and my family have been arranging my funeral.

Now, I didn't want to miss that

so I asked for a sneak preview.

THEY LAUGH

Lizzy, Noele...

this is quite wonderful!

Now, I don't want any sadness, or frowns

I just want you all to enjoy the champagne!

ALL:
Cheers.

THEY APPLAUD

I hear you've been
to see Mrs Mulch again, Father.

Yes.

I have.

As much as I would love her to be innocent,
her husband was poisoned

and she is
the only person who made his meals.

This is exquisite!

My very first shop.

Oh!

Who is responsible for what?

Well, Mother, I hope you won't be too cross,
but we hated having to be at war...

We decided to make peace,
and we did all of this together.

Oh, darlings!

That's just what I wanted you to do.

What?

You've been fighting for so long now
and I don't know whether it's jealousy

or fear of what might happen when I'm gone.

But you're better as a pair,
you need each other.

Oh...

I think I need to sit down.

Could you fetch me a chair?

Oh!

ow!

Well, that serves you right!

What is the name of Mrs Eden's book?

A Rose Amongst the Thorns?

Yes.

Yes.

Miss Schama...

might I have a private word?

Erm, yes, Father, this way.

Please, I can't be too long.
Aunty Octavia is very il.

You've been very loyal.

Helping her return to her roots.

A happy homecoming.

Apart from the appearance of one man.

John Mulch.

A very disagreeable character.

And yet...

he was once her lover.

And, I believe,
the father of her first child.

Forty-five years ago, she sent him a note...

saying she had lost a baby.

And, in ways, she had.

She entrusted the care
of the newborn to her sister.

And as it was Christmas...

they called the little girl Noele.

I believe your mother loves you very much.

But your father...

John Mulch...

was a man with very little love in him.

He broke into the house,
and went through your mother's things.

What was he looking for?

He was furious at Mrs Eden's return.

Did he want
to find something that damaged her?

He got more than he bargained for.

What did he find?

Her diary?

Your birth certificate?

Either way, he found out the truth.

And so did you.

I chased after him.

There must be some mistake!

You can't be my father!

It's news to me too.

You were supposed to have died at birth.

I wish you had.

He was an astonishingly cruel man.

Not the sort to die peacefully in his bed.

At first I wondered, how was it done?

What did he eat?

But of course,
the best way to poison someone...

is through the bloodstream.

You gathered a bunch of roses
for John Mulch...

dipping the thorns in poison.

If he had accepted your gift graciously,
he would still be alive.

NOELE: I've got something for you.
- But he rejected it...

JOHN: Get away from me!
-...angriy...

Please!
-...No doubt.

You pressed the bouquet into his hands...
- They smell so beautiful.

...and his fate was sealed.

Do you think I care?

Do you think he ever
gave a second thought for me?

I do not believe that you could
ever have made peace with him.

But you must make peace with God.

Noele, Mother needs to see you.

Oh, there you are!
I was worried about you.

Hello, Mother.

You know.

I know everything.

Oh, darling.

I never meant to hurt you.

I wish it could have been different.

I wish the world
would have allowed us to be together.

But you were always my daughter.

I am so proud of you.

Both of you.

Now, be good to each other.

I love you.

I want you both to have a wonderful life.

Think of me, as the garden grows.

As you grow.

Ego, facuftate
mihi ab Apostolica Sede tributa.

Please! Be gentle with her.

Darling, no need to worry.

I'm a tough old thing.

LIZZY SOBS
I'm not.

I don't know how
I'l cope without you and mother.

Just remember...

we're both... cuttings...

from the finest,
strongest tree in the whole forest.

Oh, I hope she likes sweet Wiliams.

I'm sure she will.

Oh, hello!

What's this?

It's just to say, erm, welcome to freedom.

Oh, thank you.

I thought I'd never see another flower again.

Hello there, Mrs Mulch.

It's so nice to see you.
- Oh, and you.

Oh! Um, I've got a present for you.

Oh?
- For finding the truth.

I only hope that people will understand
why my sister was driven to it.

I know what this is!
This is a tulipa octavia.

Named after your mother.
- Indeed.

I'm going to send one of
those to everyone who knew her.

STEADY BEEPING

This week, on "Memory Lane Melodies",
some sad news.

The celebrated flower arranger,
Octavia Eden, has passed away.

Last time she appeared on the programme

I asked why
she had devoted her life to flowers.

She said, because flowers are life.

Dirt is thrown at them.

Water falls on them.

And still they rise

beautiful and defiant

with colours to dazzle your dreams.

CLASSICAL MUSIC PLAYS