All language subtitles for Midsomer Murders S03E02 - Blue Herrings

(solemn music)

- You all right?

- [Alice] Yes, thank you.

- [Woman] What's that supposed to be?

- [Woman] Hopeful.

- [Woman] What?

- [Woman] You put down F-U double L, full,

and I added H-O-P-E, hope, hopeful.

- Oh, come on.

Come on, you don't spell it with two L's.

- Why not?

- Well, you just don't.

You stupid woman.

- I didn't come here to be insulted.

- Ladies, ladies, ladies.

- Mind your own business,
you interfering old buffer.

- Keep calm.

- I've had enough of this damn place,

and I've had enough of you.

You are, without doubt
the most unpleasant person

I've ever met.

(ominous music)

- Oh. (clicking tongue)

(sighs)

That's better.

That's much better.

(solemn music)

- Oh.

(screaming)

(dramatic music)

- [Nurse] Come along, please.

Back to your rooms.

- [William] Nevermind.

(sobbing)

- [Nurse] George.

Poor George.

- Another Indian bites the dust.

Did you know Muriel?

- I met her, that's all.

- Ah, not my favourite
person in the world.

Rather the reverse.

- What were you doing, George?

Where were you going?

- I didn't want to be late for church.

- George found her, very upsetting.

- George?

- Well, her real name is Marjorie.

Everybody calls her George.

Getting battier by the minute.

Well, see you in the morning, no doubt,

if we survive the night.

- You think we may not?

- At my time of life, one never knows.

(solemn music)

- She was in our age, only 81.

They said it was a heart attack.

- Oh, rubbish.

Who said that?

- One of the nurses told me.

- She would, wouldn't she?

Well, that's what they want us to think.

(mysterious music)

- [Joyce] Gavin's here.

- Oh, come in.

- Look at this.

Isn't it lovely?

- Yes, it's very nice.

- House warming present.

- It's very nice.

Thank you.

So, what do you think?

- [Joyce] There's a lot still to do.

- [Tom] She worries.

- Well, you're not exactly the world's

greatest handyman, are you?

- Oh yes, it's beautiful.

- I've got a week off,
that's seven whole days.

Go on, look at the kitchen.

I need all that time to get
this place straightened up.

- [Joyce] What about the spare room?

- Well, I'll set some paint on the walls,

and it'll be transformed in no time.

- Hello, Gavin.

How are you?

- Oh, fine, thanks.

- [Joyce] He's given
us this lovely cactus.

- Well, it's beautiful.

Thank you very much.

- [Gavin] When did you come down?

- Last night.

- She's getting us organised.

Trying to.

Do you fancy some coffee?

- Oh, great.

- [Cully] Dad?

- No, thanks, I'm going to get some paint,

and I'm going to drop
off and see Auntie Alice

on the way home.

My aunt, she's staying at a nursing home

up near Aspern Tallow.

She's been in hospital, poor old darling,

and we need to keep an eye on her.

- Good morning.

- Good morning.

(tyres skidding)

- [William] Dr. Warnford. (scoffs)

Have you met him?

- Briefly.

- How the hell can he
afford a car like that?

60, 70,000 quid, more.

Country GP, doesn't make sense.

I don't trust him, never have.

Total creep.

Oh, I'm William Smithers.

- Oh, how do you do?

Alice Bly.

- So, you're a newcomer.

- Yes.

- [William] Sad business.

- What is?

- Well, setting up.

Didn't it make you feel sad, getting rid

of all those bits and pieces
that seemed so important?

- I'm not here permanently.

- Ah.

- I've been rather ill,
and the hospital people

thought that I should come
to a convalescent home,

just for a few weeks.

- So, what made you choose this place?

- Oh, I'm very found of
this part of the world,

and I have a nephew who lives
close by, a favourite nephew.

(dignified music)

- Good morning, sir.

- Morning.

- Can I help you?

- Yes, please.

I'd like some flowers for an elderly lady.

- Pot plant or mixed bunch?

- Well, what do you think would be best?

It's my Auntie Alice.

She's staying up at the nursing home.

- Oh, Lawnside?

- Yeah, do you know it?

- Oh, we know it well, lots of funerals.

Oh, dear, I'm so sorry, I
shouldn't have said that.

I'll make her up a nice bunch.

- Thank you.

- You all right?

- I say.

I say, nurse.

- Good morning, Mrs. Bly.

- Good morning.

- I would like some toast and marmalade

and perhaps a boiled egg.

Is that possible?

- You know the rules as well as I do.

Breakfast ends at half-past 9:00.

- I don't give a damn about the rules.

I pay a great deal of money
to stay in this hell hole.

The lease you can do is feed me.

- Behave yourself, Bill.

Don't be so grouchy.

- I do wish you'd stop calling me Bill.

Nobody calls me Bill.

To my friends, I'm William,
to my intimates, Willy.

Everybody else calls me Mr. Smithers.

- Are you all right, Mrs. Bly?

- Yes, thank you.

- Bloody woman.

She'll give me a heart
attack one of these days.

Bossy and stroppy, I can
tolerate one but not both.

I think I'll take one of my pills.

- Now, you be careful
with that cup of tea.

I don't want you spilling it
over your nice, clean dress.

- Spill it?

Why should I spill it?

- You all right?

- I am, sir.

Thank you for asking.

How are you, dear?

- I'm all right.

- I saw you talking to William.

- Yes, he's rather nice, isn't he?

- Ah, you be careful.

He had his hand up my skirt last week.

- What were you saying
about that old lady?

- What old lady?

- The old lady who died last night.

- Oh, yes, Muriel.

Bossy old bag.

What about her?

- You said it wasn't a heart attack.

- What wasn't?

- Well, I was told she
died of a heart attack,

and you said she didn't.

You said they wanted us to think

that she died of a heart attack.

But who are they?

- You think I'm making it up, don't you?

Well, I'm not.

I know they will think I'm
going soft in the head.

Let them think what they like.

I don't argue.

Makes life easier.

It isn't the first time
it's happened, far from it.

- What do you mean?

- They get them to change their wills.

Well, I don't know how
they do it, but they do.

- Who are you talking about?

- Miss Richards and Dr. Warnford.

They've got it all worked out.

Nobody suspects anything.

They pretend they're not even friends,

just professional colleagues.

- Perhaps they are just colleagues.

- Don't you believe it.

I've seen them.

I've seen them together.

- [Nurse] How's that?

- [George] Well, let me try.

I needed some new shoes,
and Nurse Bartlett

took me into town.

- [Nurse] How does that feel?

- Yes, yes, I think that's all right.

- [Nurse] It's not too
tight across the toes now?

- Oh no, no, it's very comfortable.

- Try walking.

How's that?

(solemn music)

- Yes, it's fine.

- What is it, George?

What's the matter?

She finds it difficult to concentrate.

- Ah yes, very comfortable.

I think these will do nicely.

And I'll tell you something else.

- What is it?

- There was nothing wrong
with Muriel's heart.

She saw the specialist
only a couple of weeks ago.

He said she was as fit as a fiddle.

- Doctor, Doctor, Doctor,
I'm sorry to bother you.

- What is it now?

- I'm sorry to bother you.

- You just said that.

- [Arthur] Oh, I'm sorry.

- Well, what is it?

- I have a pain in my shoulder.

It's rather worrying, especially at night.

- Mr. Pruitt, you are a
hopeless hypochondriac.

You're also a bloody nuisance.

You waste my time, you
waste the nurses' time.

Take an aspirin.

Take two.

Stop thinking about yourself.

(tyres skidding)

(solemn music)

- Good morning.

I'm looking for Mrs. Bly, Mrs. Alice Bly.

Do you know where she is?

- You'll probably find her in the lounge,

through there to your left.

- Ah, thank you.

Is she settling in all right?

- I don't actually work here.

- Oh, I'm sorry.

- Don't worry.

I'd rather be mistaken
for one of the staff

than one of the residents.

- Ah, Mrs. Bennett, here we are.

All ready for our trip to the hospital.

- Thank you, Miss Richards.

How are you feeling today?

Rather well, actually.

Do we really have to go to the hospital?

- Well, the doctor wants to see you,

so I think we ought to go.

I don't suppose we'll be long.

Back in time for supper, I hope.

- Well, there's no need to hurry.

We can always get her something on a tray.

- [Pru] Thank you.

Come along.

Take my arm.

Goodbye.

- Goodbye.

- Bye bye.
- Goodbye.

- Bye.

I'm Miss Richards.

Can I help you?

- I'm Tom Barnaby, Mrs. Bly's nephew,

and I was wondering if
you knew where she was.

- Oh yes, the detective.

She's very proud of you, Mr. Barnaby.

It's through there and then to your left.

- Thank you.

(solemn music)

- You all right?

- Yeah, thank you.

- Good morning.

- Morning.

- Morning.

- [Tom] Auntie Alice!

- Oh, Tom, my dear.

Oh, what a treat.

- [Tom] So what's it like here?

- [Alice] Well, the food's
good, my room's comfortable,

and the staff are very friendly.

- [Tom] So you're quite happy?

- Oh, happy-ish, like
being back at school.

Oh, I know they're all
old, but they behave

like naughty children.

Must be very difficult being a nurse.

I don't think I'd have the patience.

Somebody died here last night,
and old lady called Muriel.

I think there's something
rather odd about it.

- Odd?

- Well, they say that she
died of a heart attack,

but there was absolutely
nothing wrong with her heart.

- How do you know?

- Well, somebody told me.

- Oh, one of the nurses?

- No, one of the old ladies, George,

or they call her George.

- Well, what did she say?

- Well, she said that
she thinks Mr. Richards

and Dr. Warnford are
trying to defraud people.

- What people?

- The people here.

- Oh, the residents.

- Yes.

- Defraud them?

How?

- Getting them to change their will,

well that sort of thing.

- And this is what your
friend, what's her name?

George told you?

- Yes.

- How reliable is she?

- Well, I don't know her very well,

but she's very nice, very respectable.

- That's not what I meant.

Now, you know as well
as I do that old people

sometimes get confused.

Look at my old mum.

She thought everyone was
trying to steal money from her,

milkman, paper boy, even me.

- And me.

- Well, there you are.

Now, I'm sure your friend George
is a very lovely old lady,

but it might not be a good thing

to believe everything she says.

All right?

- All right.

(solemn music)

- Excuse me.

Is Miss Richards about, please?

- No, I'm afraid not.

She won't be back until about three.

- Now, perhaps you can help me.

Dr. Warnford, do you
happen to have his address?

(solemn music)
(birds chirping)

(doorbell ringing)

- [Dr. Warnford] Yes?

- Dr. Warnford?

- Yes?

- My name's Barnaby, Detective
Chief Inspector Barnaby.

- What do you want?

- Nothing serious.

There's just a couple of questions.

- I'm in the middle of my lunch.

- It won't take a minute.

- Oh, very well.

If it's about that
accident in Fern Bassett,

everything's in my report.

The man was drunk as an owl.

He deserved to get knocked
down, his own bloody fault.

In here.

(chattering on television)

- [Tom] This is not an official visit.

- [Dr. Warnford] So, what is it?

- I understand you look
after the residents

at Lawnside Nursing Home, yes?

- I do.

- My aunt has just moved
in there, Mrs. Bly.

- Yes.

- She seems rather worried about the death

of the old lady last night.

- You mean Mrs. Harrap.

- I'm sorry.

Thank you.

There seems to be some confusion
about the cause of death.

- No confusion.

She died of acute myocardial infarction.

Heart attack.

- Somebody told my aunt that there was

nothing wrong with her heart.

- Muriel Harrap was nearly 80 years old.

It's true, there was
nothing significantly wrong

with her heart, but at
that age things can happen

at any time and without any warning.

Your aunt has probably been
talking to Mrs. Watson.

They call her George.

Lives in a world of her own.

The last time I saw her, she said she was

expecting the Queen Mother for tea.

Need I say more?

(chattering on television)

- [Tom] Sorry to have wasted your time.

- See yourself out, I don't
want to miss the next race.

(solemn music)

- [Woman on TV] I needed that.

- I don't know how you can eat bacon.

They pump those poor little piggies

full of hormones and antibiotics.

- Yeah, but we taste so good.

- [Woman On TV] Actually,
I better get going to work.

(alarm buzzing)

- Oh God, it's Mr. Caranum.

- I'll go.

- Tell him if he's been
smoking in bed again

we'll have to report him to Miss Richards.

- Right.

- Would you like some coffee?

- Tea.

Coffee will keep me awake.

(chattering on television)

(shattering)

- What do you want?

- Where's Sister Lovelace?

- She's not here.

- Well, where's she gone?

- It's her night off.

- Listen, I've got to see her.

I've got to talk to her.

- Stop it.

Let go of me.

- Tell me where she is.

- Let go!

Let go!

Let go of me.

- I'm staying at the Stonor Arms Hotel.

You know who I am.

You tell her.

(door slams)

(solemn music)

(clattering)

- 24, 25, 26, 27.

- What are you doing today, Cully?

- What are my orders?

- We need more curtain hooks.

- Could you go and see
Auntie Alice for me?

See if everything's all right.

- Okay.

- Could you go this morning,
have a cup of coffee with her?

- Yeah.

(solemn music)

(knocking on door)

- [Mrs. Armstrong] Come.

- Mrs. Armstrong?

- Hmm?

Mrs. Bly.

- Am I disturbing you?

- Not in the least.

Do please come in.

- [Alice] How are you today?

- I'm rather well,
actually, a little tired.

- I looked for you at breakfast.

- Yes, Bartlett was very sweet.

She said I could have breakfast in bed.

- Ooh.

What a luxury.

How was it at the hospital?

- Well, not entirely what I'd hoped.

- Oh dear.

- [Mrs. Armstrong] I don't
think there's much they can do.

- Oh, I'm so sorry.

- I'm worried about Pru.

She was very upset.

- Well, of course.

- She's got no life of her
own, that's the trouble.

- Well, what about you?

What do you feel?

- I'm an old lady.

I've had a happy life.

And now, I propose to let
nature take its course.

Nothing else I can do, after all.

Ah, let's talk about something else.

Did you hear that dreadful row last night?

- What dreadful row?

- Well, Nurse Bartlett,
I think, and some man.

- One of the residents?

- No, no, but I recognised his voice.

- Who was it?

- Well, if it's the man I think it was,

his name is Mungo Mortimer.

I used to live on the ground
floor next to his mother.

- [Mungo] What do you
mean you won't sign it?

You've got to sign it.

- [Mungo's Mother] It's my money.

I need it, and I'm not dead yet.

- [Mungo] If I don't get this money

by the end of the month, I'm finished.

- [Mungo's Mother] Well,
that's your problem, Mungo,

not mine.

- [Mungo] God, the sooner
you're out of the way,

the happier I shall be.

- Did he really say that?

- Well, I think so.

That's what it sounded like.

- And you thought he was here last night?

- I know it.

I saw him.

- You've got to say something.

You've got to stop him coming here.

- It's nothing to do with me.

- He came here to see you.

- So what?

- I was scared.

- I can't help that.

- Well, you've got to do something.

- Do what?

- You've got to stop him coming back here.

- Listen to me.

Mungo Mortimer is a dangerous man.

I'm having nothing more
to do with him, nothing.

- So you're an actress, Miss Barnaby?

- [Cully] Trying to be.

- Oh, how exciting.

- Tough life.

- [Cully] Very.

- She was almost in "Pride and Prejudice."

- Oh, isn't that the one
about the Russian spy?

- "Pride and Prejudice," George.

There are no Russian spies
in "Pride and Prejudice."

- Oh, I'm, I'm getting confused.

- Really?

You do surprise me.

- How long have you
lived here, Mr. Smithers?

- Oh, five years, soon to be six.

Do call me William.

- It's very beautiful.

It's quiet.

- Too damn quiet for me.

I prefer the hustle and
bustle of city life.

- Did you work in the city?

- Not exactly.

- He was in the army.

- Oh, that was when I was young.

I left the army after 15
years, went to London,

became a driver, a chauffeur.

- Well, you never told me that.

- You never asked me.

Joined Price and Potter.

Marvellous firm, nothing but the best.

Drove quite a lot of theatre people.

Jack Buchanan, Laurence
Olivier, Vivien Leigh.

- Really?

- We had top notch cars,
the creme de la creme.

Mr. Buchanan always had a Rolls Royce,

very stylish gentlemen.

Sometimes I took him down to Brighton.

He preferred a Bentley
continental for those trips.

- Is that why you're
so interested in cars?

- Oh, of course.

Have you seen the doctor's Aston Martin?

- No.

- Oh, classic.

I'd give 5000 pounds to spend
an afternoon in that car,

if I had 5000 pounds to spare.

(dignified music)

(doorbell rings)

- [Tom] Troy, come on in.

- Thank you, sir.

- Do you want a beer?

- No, thanks.

How's it going?

- Could be worse.

Still a hell of a lot to do.

- Sorry to interrupt.

- No, no, no, all interruptions
are more than welcome.

What's the problem?

- Not really a problem, sir.

Miss Richards phoned the station,

the lady from the nursing home.

She wanted to speak to
you, and when I told her

you weren't working this week,

she asked for your home phone number.

Of course, I didn't give it to her.

- Did she say what it was about?

- No.

(phone ringing)

- Hello, Lawnside.

- [Tom] Miss Richards?

- Oh, Mr. Barnaby, how
kind of you to call.

Thank you so much.

- You wanted to speak to me?

- Yes, I wanted to ask your
advice about something.

- Well, look, I'll come
up and see you, shall I?

Is that the right thing?

- No, no, I'd rather you
didn't come here, Inspector.

I'll explain why when I see you.

There's a tea shop in Causton,
near the market place.

(birds chirping)

- [Cully] Are you happy here?

- Happy?

Not unhappy.

It's not much fun being old.

You cease to expect happiness.

I'm happy if I don't get
indigestion after lunch.

- Do you have family?

- My wife died years
ago, well, 15 years ago.

I have a daughter.

She's married to an
accountant in Shrewsbury.

Frightful prig, I don't
like either of them.

Is that a dreadful thing to say?

- Not if it's true.

- They don't like me either.

We went through this foolish pretence

of spending Christmas together
year after year after year.

Eventually, I wrote to them and said,

quite politely, I didn't see the point.

I'd rather stay here in Lawnside.

I haven't spoken to them since.

- [Cully] And does that upset you?

- I wish it were otherwise, but it isn't.

C'est la vie.

Shall I tell you the strangest
thing about getting old?

- What's that?

- You become invisible.

When you're young, you're something.

Beautiful, ugly, strong,
handsome, threatening, sexy.

When you're old, it stops.

Nobody gives you a second glance.

You become another old fart
in a cheap sports jacket.

You become invisible.

(solemn music)

- I noticed you as soon
as I walked into the room.

- You're very kind.

Drive carefully.

- I will.

- One of our residents died
a couple of nights ago,

a Mrs. Harrap.

- Muriel Harrap?

- Yes, I gather your aunt spoke to you

about the circumstances of her death.

- Who told you that?

- Dr. Warnford.

- Well, she was concerned, upset.

- Oh dear.

People worry so much when they get older.

They worry about everything.

Although she wasn't rich, Mrs. Harrap

did have a very good
wristwatch, a Cartier.

It was worth a lot of money.

I helped her with the insurance papers.

The point is, it's gone missing.

- When was this?

- Well, she came to see me
the evening before she died,

and she was wearing it then.

- Why did she come to see you?

Was there any special reason?

- I helped her with her banking affairs.

- How?

- I checked her bank statements.

I made sure all her
bills were paid on time.

She found that side of
life rather overwhelming.

Most of our residents do.

- I see.

And you discovered that
the watch was missing when?

- Come along now, please.

Back to your rooms now, please.

- She wasn't wearing it.

I noticed that most particularly.

That watch meant a great deal to her.

If she wasn't wearing it, she kept it

on her bedside table always.

(bell ringing)

- Something wrong?

- The truth is, I would rather
we hadn't been seen together.

- Why do you wish that?

- I don't want to cause any gossip.

Could cause real difficulties.

- Difficulties how?

- Well, any hint of anything being stolen

could be very damaging.

I mean, people might leave.

We just can't afford that sort of scandal.

- Look, I'll get my Sergeant to make

some discreet inquiries.

- Good afternoon.

- Oh.

Ooh, you look very dashing.

- Oh, just popping into town.

Got a few errands to do.

Anything you want?

No, I didn't think so.

I do like that Cully.

She's a smashing girl.

- Well, she was very impressed
by you, too, and so was I.

I had no idea you'd led
such a colourful life.

- Ah well, we all have our little secrets.

(sighs)

(bell ringing)

- Good afternoon, sir.

And how are you today?

- Oh, pretty fair, thank you.

Not bad at all.

- You'll be glad to know
we found a good home

for your cigarette case, a theatre lover,

delighted to possess something

that once belonged to Jack Buchanan.

- A former client, as I think I told you.

Sad to part with it.

This belonged to my late wife.

As usual, financial necessity
forces me to ignore sentiment.

(solemn music)

- Ah yes, Cartier, very nice.

We can certainly give you
a good price for this, sir.

- Hmm.

(crows cawing)

(knocking)

- Yes, sir.

Can I help you?

- I'd like to see Miss Richards, please.

- May I ask what it's about?

- Detective Sergeant Troy, Causton CID.

Miss Richards spoke to my
boss, Chief Inspector Barnaby.

He asked me to come here.

- Oh, oh dear.

Is something wrong?

- Perhaps you can just tell her I'm here.

- Well, I'm afraid she's out.

We had an emergency with Mr. Cranham.

She's gone to see his daughter.

Perhaps there's something I can do.

- Well, nothing at the moment, I think.

Tell her I called.

Ask her to give me a ring, Sergeant Troy.

- Before you go, could I talk
to you for a moment, please?

- Of course.

- We better go in the staff room.

Perhaps I shouldn't tell you about this.

- About what?

- It's really none of my business.

Well, it is, I suppose.

I'm the one he yelled at, after all.

- Who are you talking about?

- His name's Mortimer, Mungo Mortimer.

His mother was a resident here.

She died about three weeks ago.

- Why was he shouting at you?

- Well, he was looking
for one of the nurses,

Sister Lovelace, but it was her night off.

He just lost control.

He shouted at me, he
grabbed hold of my arm.

- When was this?

- Last night.

- And this other nurse, Sister what?

- Lovelace.

- [Gavin] Have you told her about this?

- She won't talk about it.

- What do you mean?

- [Gavin] Just that.

She won't talk about it.

She refuses.

- Well, is she here now?

Shall I speak to her?

- No, she's gone to the
hospital with Mr. Cranham.

- And you've no idea
what all this is about?

- There is something else.

An old lady called Mrs.
Harrap died a few nights ago.

Mr. Mortimer was here.

I don't think he wanted anyone to see him.

It was very strange.

- Miss Bartlett, quickly, quickly.

It's old Mrs. Harrap.

(door slams)

(tense music)

- Do you have an address for Mr. Mortimer?

- He lives in London most of the time.

He said he was staying
at the Stonor Arms Hotel.

- Evening, Mungo.

What news?

- I went to the bank.

I think everything's gonna be all right.

- Well, let's hope so, old cock,

for your sake as well as mine.

Hop in.

(solemn music)

(upbeat jazz music)

(tense music)

- Wasn't that fun?

I do love dancing.

George is very good.

- What's that?

- I was just saying what
a good dancer you are.

- Oh, all these evenings at the Savoy.

- You know you'll catch your death of cold

if you're not careful.

Here, take this.

- How kind.

That is kind of you.

- You all right?

(tense music)

- It was a lovely evening.

Oh, but I'm ready for bed.

- You're super, really super.

- Good night, Mrs. Fielding.

Sleep well.

- And you.

(suspenseful music)

- Oh, my shawl.

Oh, dear.

(tense music)

(knocking on door)

Madge?

Madge, are you there?

It's Alice.

Could I have my shawl?

(dramatic music)

(Alice gasping)

God.

Oh, nurse!

Nurse!

(solemn music)

Oh, it was a dreadful shock.

- Well, jeez, it must have been.

- I'd seen her a few minutes before.

We walked up the corridor together.

She was perfectly well.

She'd had a happy evening.

I just don't understand it.

- You should've phoned me last night.

Why didn't you?

- Well, I didn't want to
make a nuisance of myself.

- Oh, don't be silly.

Now look, I must go, but I'll
give you a ring later on.

All right?

- Well, Tom, there's
something that frightens me.

- What's that?

- I leant her my shawl.

Madge, well, she was
wearing it when she died.

Suppose, well, just
suppose she was killed.

Perhaps whoever did it
thought he was killing me.

- Oh, that's very unlikely.

She died in her own room, not yours.

Nobody would have expected
to find you there,

now would they?

- I suppose not.

- Cerebral haemorrhage, not unexpected.

She'd had a couple of
tiny strokes last year.

There's no way it could have been--

- What?

- There seem to have been
a lot of sudden deaths

at Lawnside recently.

- As I said to you before, Inspector,

with an average age of about 85,

sudden deaths are frequent
and rarely unexpected.

- Oh, I'm terribly sorry.

Do forgive me.

- If you're looking
for an unsolved murder,

I'm afraid I must disappoint you.

This ain't it.

(heavy slamming)

- Can't put me finger on it.

It's just a feeling.

She's very down to earth, me Auntie Alice,

very level-headed.

And if she thinks there's something wrong,

well, that worries me.

We shouldn't just ignore it.

- Is there anything I can do?

- Yeah, see if you can find
a record of all the people

who've died in Lawnside over the last,

what, couple of years.

See if there's some sort
of recurring pattern.

- Right.

- And don't involve Miss Richards

or any of the other staff, all right?

Go and have tea with the old dears.

No, go on.

You'll find they're sweet.

Listen to what they've go to say.

(solemn music)

- It must be very exciting
being a detective.

- It can be, yes.

- My father once met Conan Doyle,

the man who wrote, oh,
you know, those books.

- What books?

- Detective stories.

- No, you mean Sherlock Holmes.

- No, Conan Doyle.

- I was wondering if any of
you had seen anything unusual?

- Depends what's your mean by usual.

- Old Mrs. Tucker said she saw

the Prince of Wales mowing the lawn.

- Oh, she was batty.

- I thought you might like to see this.

- Oh, thank you.

- [William] Anyway, she died weeks ago.

- Who did?

- Oh, Mrs. What's-her-name,
the one who saw

Prince Charles mowing the lawn.

- It wasn't Prince Charles.

It was the real one, the one
who married Mrs. Simpson,

that Prince of Wales.

- Am I intruding?

- Not at all.

Come and join us.

- You all right?

Well, hello.

Oh, how delicious to meet someone

so young and energetic
among our ancient bones.

I'm Arthur.

- Gavin.

- Gavin who?

- Troy.

- Troy, now that's an interesting name.

It comes the French and
from an ancient tribe

in Gaul, I believe.

Or is it Ireland?

Anyway, what are you doing here, Gavin?

- He's a policeman.

- A policeman?

- A detective.

- Are you investigating something?

- Just making a few general inquiries.

- Good.

Well, I wish you luck.

And if you'll forgive
me, I've got work to do.

My room's an absolute tip,
and it won't wait for me.

(solemn music)

- Something wrong, Mr. Prewitt?

- No, no, it's, it's nothing.

(suspenseful music)

(woman murmuring)

(sighs)

- Don't fancy the idea
of getting old, sir.

- Not much you can do about it, Troy.

- All this talk of healthy
diets and living longer.

What's the point?

I mean, who wants to live to be 89?

- Someone who's 88.

(laughing)

So none of them had
anything interesting to say?

- Ah, it was a bit nightmare, sir.

I couldn't get a straight
answer out of any of them.

There was one thing, sir.

- What's that?

- One of the old boys
behaved very strangely

when he found out I was a detective.

- Strangely?

How?

- Jumpy, ill at ease.

He seemed scared.

- Huh, what's his name?

- Prewitt, Arthur Prewitt,
retired schoolmaster, poofter.

- Oh, for--

- Well, that's what he
is, a right cream puff.

- It was a crime when he
was young, Troy, to be gay.

Maybe that's why he was ill at ease.

Bad memories from people like you.

- Get out.

- Would you like some more coffee?

- Oh, please.

Thank you.

Chocolate biscuit?

- Where did they come from?

- Ask no questions, and
I'll tell you no lies.

- Oh, you are naughty.

- Well, they can bloody well afford it.

The money they squeeze out
of us, god, makes me sick.

I asked Sister Fat Face for
a biscuit the other day.

"This isn't the Ritz," she said.

Bloody nerve.

Anyway, they don't do the job properly.

What about that broken
window in the room next door?

Well, that was broken ages ago.

Nobody's done anything about it.

Bloody disgrace.

- George thinks that Miss Richards

and Dr. Warnford are in cahoots.

- Oh yeah, she told me that.

- Fiddling money and that sort of thing.

- Changing wills?

- Yes.

Do you think that's possible?

- Well, George lives
in a world of her own.

She's not exactly the most
reliable person in Lawnside.

- No.

- Still, she might be right.

Anything is possible.

- I'm sorry to interrupt your breakfast,

ladies and gentlemen.

I have some more upsetting news for you.

Mrs. Armstrong, Celia,
passed away during the night.

(solemn music)

- You all right?

(phone ringing)

- 58632, hello?

Oh, Auntie Alice, how are you?

- Mrs. Armstrong's dead.

Well, I'm sure she was killed.

I know who did it.

- Who was this lady, the one that died?

- Mrs. Armstrong, Celia.

She said she met you.

- When was that?

- When she was on her way to the hospital.

- Oh yes, she was with her daughter.

- Oh, well, her niece, Mrs. Bennett.

Nice woman.

Pru.

- What makes you think she was murdered?

- Well, I'm not saying that
she was murdered definitely.

It just seems possible, that's all.

- Why is it possible?

- Well, she was so bright
when I spoke to her

a few days ago.

There was no reason
for her to die so soon.

- I spoke to Dr. Warnford.

He said she was very ill.

- Oh, well, I don't trust Dr. Warnford.

I think he's up to no good.

- Well, be that as it may,
Mrs. Armstrong was old,

and she was ill.

- She wasn't ready to die.

Well, you could tell.

- You said she was frightened of somebody.

- Yes, see, there was this man.

He was arguing with one of the nurses,

and then she saw him
lurking in the garden.

She said he was very angry.

She was frightened of him.

- Did she describe the man?

- Oh, she knew him, funny
name, two M's, Mungo Mortimer.

- I know about him, sir.

One of the nurses was
complaining about him,

threatening behaviour, that sort of thing.

- When was that?

- The day before yesterday when I came

to see Miss Richards.

- You got an address for him?

- Yes sir, he's staying
at the Stonor Arms Hotel.

(solemn music)

- Wait.

- Oh, damn.

Sorry.

- Mr. Mortimer?

- [Mungo] Yes.

- Could we have a word, please?

- A word, what sort of a word?

- I'm Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby,

and this is Detective Sergeant Troy.

- What's the problem?

- I understand you have some connection

with Lawnside Nursing Home?

- Oh, I get it.

Nurse Bartlett's been making
an official complaint.

- Perhaps you'd be kind enough
to answer my question, sir.

- Yes, I do have a
connection with Lawnside.

My mother lived there for 18 months.

She died there three weeks ago.

No, it was four weeks ago.

- You were seen there
four nights ago, sir,

when one of the residents,
a Mrs. Muriel Harrap, died.

You were also seen there
a couple of nights ago.

- So?

- On this last occasion,
sir, you were observed

by another resident, Mrs. Celia Armstrong.

She died in the early
hours of this morning.

- What's all this about?

- We'd like to know where you were

between 3:00 and 6:00 this morning.

- Well, you don't think
I had anything to do

with them dying, do you?

(laughing)

That is nonsense.

That's just nonsense.

Well, they're old ladies.

They died.

People are always dying at Lawnside.

It's a nursing home for old people.

What do you expect?

- One of the staff has complained

that you barged into
the nurses' sitting room

and used abusive language
and threatening behaviour.

- Well, I was angry, I lost my temper.

- Why?

What about?

- I wanted to speak to Sister Lovelace.

Nurse Bartlett was being
officious and obstructive.

I lost my temper.

I shouldn't have done so.

I shall certainly apologise
to her when I see her next.

- You said you wanted to
speak to Sister Lovelace.

What for?

- We had a bit of a fracas
when my mother died.

It was my fault entirely.

It's been an emotionally tough time.

It's odd, actually.

I didn't think I'd feel quite so cut up.

Took me by surprise.

- I gather you spend most
of your time in London.

When are you going back?

- Early next week.

I have to clear up my
mother's financial affairs.

- Let us know when you leave, won't you?

We'll need your address
and your telephone number.

- Don't worry, I have
no plans to run away.

- Well, I wouldn't advise that, sir.

(solemn music)

- Going home now?

- No, back to Lawnside.

I want to hear what Sister Lovelace

has to say about Mr. Mortimer.

- Can't believe he's called Mungo.

What kind of name is that?

(solemn music)

- Good morning, Mrs. Bennett.

- [Pru] What do you want?

- I'm Tom Barnaby, Alice Bly's nephew.

- Yeah, I know who you are.

- What's the matter?

- I was so sorry to hear about--

- Yes, yes, thank you.

- Must've been a great shock.

- Yes, well, no.

She was ill.

She was very ill.

- Well, even so, it's always a great shock

when it actually happens, isn't it?

- You're right.

It is.

Thank you.

Was there something else?

- No, no, no, I came to see my auntie.

- Oh, yes, of course.

- Excuse me.

- Hello.
- Sister Lovelace?

- Yes.

- I'm Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby.

This is Detective Sergeant Troy.

Could you spare us a minute, please?

- Of course.

- Is there somewhere we can talk?

- Through here.
- Thank you.

- Jo, if you'd let us have
the room for a few moments.

Is something wrong?

We've been talking to Mr. Mungo Mortimer.

I gather there's some sort of friction

between the two of you.

- I don't like him.

- Why is that?

- I'm not sure I should tell you.

- Why not?

- I am a nurse.

Mr. Mortimer's mother was my patient.

- Are you worried about medical ethics?

- I don't think those things
apply, I mean, in my situation.

- Well, what is your, or
what was your, situation?

- Mr. Mortimer has been
having financial problems.

He tried to get money from his mother.

They had rows about it.

- Were you present when
they had these rows?

- I heard them arguing, yes.

- Well, can you tell us som
more about the arguments?

- Like I said, Mr. Mortimer
asked his mother for money.

She wouldn't give it to him.

- Large sums of money?

- Oh, yes.

She was a sweet woman but very stubborn.

They didn't get on, not at all.

And of course, she was very ill.

The medication was heavy.

She slept most of the time.

(solemn music)

- [Mungo] How long could she last?

- It could be tomorrow.

It could be years.

- Sister Lovelace, I
don't want her to linger.

- She's in no pain.

- Sister Lovelace, I don't think you know

what I'm talking about.

I don't want her to linger unnecessarily.

- If your mother comes to
any harm, Mr. Mortimer,

I'll know who's responsible, and I won't

keep quiet about it.

I knew what he was asking me to do.

He couldn't have made it much clearer.

Four days later, she died.

- Did you tell Dr. Warnford about this?

- No, sir.

Dr. Warnford and Mr. Mortimer are friends.

I didn't know what to
do, so I did nothing.

Was that wrong of me?

- Well, it's understandable.

Well, thank you, Sister.

- Thank you.

- What do you make of that then, sir?

- I think I'll go and have
a few reassuring words

with Auntie Alice.

(door slams)

(tense music)

- Inspector, I must talk to you, alone.

- Okay, Troy, off you go.

Now, sir, what's the problem?

- I've done something dreadful,
quite, quite dreadful.

- [William] Morning, ladies.

- Good morning.
- Morning.

- Lovely day.

- Beautiful.

- There's a nice, old pub the other side

of Badger's Drift, first class grub.

I thought I'd go there
for a spot of lunch.

Would you care to join me?

- Oh, thank you, William.

I don't really feel in the mood.

Well, it's so sad about Celia Armstrong.

- Fair enough.

Another time, perhaps.

- I'll come with you, if you like.

- No, thank you, George.

You'd only start talking about
your friend the Queen Mother,

and I'd be dreadfully embarrassed.

- Well, I can't think why.

She's a very nice lady.

- See you later.

- How are you going to get there?

- What?

Where?

- The pub.

It's a long way to Badger's Drift.

- Oh, taxi.

Unexpected dividend, thought
I'd give myself a little treat.

- I do hope I didn't upset Sergeant Troy.

He's so young, you see,
and he wouldn't understand.

- Understand what?

- Madge Fielding, did you know her?

- Oh, that's the old lady
that died the other night?

- Yes.

She was so untidy.

You wouldn't believe how untidy she was.

She was the untidiest woman I've ever met,

and messy, incredibly messy.

I couldn't bear to watch her eat.

I've looked at the people, the
people here, and I thought,

well, I may be getting
on, but I'm not like that.

Self-respect.

It's as though they've
lost all self-respect.

Some of them, anyway.

- And Madge Fielding?

- Yes, Madge Fielding.

Her room was just along the corridor.

I used to walk past it
half a dozen times a day.

It was such an unbelievable mess.

No control, no order, no self-respect.

It really offended me, so
something had to be done.

I would have to tidy her room myself.

It was the only solution,
but there were problems.

It was difficult to see when I
would be able to gain access.

She was so unpredictable.

And then I heard about the dance.

They were going to have a dance, you see,

downstairs in the lounge.

(upbeat jazz music)

I waited and waited until I
thought the coast was clear.

As it turned out, I waited too long.

- [Alice] Oh, I'm ready for bed.

- Oh, you're super, really super.

- Good night, Mrs. Fielding.

Sleep well.

- And you.

- I was so engrossed, I
didn't hear her coming.

I was busy trying to
tidy the dressing table,

which was a mess of hair brushes,

and makeup, and soiled tissues.

And then the door opened.

(tense music)

(groaning)

So, I killed her.

It's as simple as that.

I killed her.

So what happens now?

- I'll talk to Miss Richards.

- Miss Richards?

- She'll find someone to help you.

She'll know the best thing to do.

(birds chirping)

(people laughing)

- Morning, sir.

What can I get you?

- G and T, please, large.

- Ice and lemon?

- Please.

And something for lunch, I think.

- How is that, sir?

All right for you?

- Very good indeed, thank you.

- I don't think we've had the pleasure

of seeing you here before, sir.

You don't live locally.

- Not far, a few miles.

Trouble is, no transport.

Can't afford a car.

Can't afford anything.

- I know the feeling, sir.

We're all in the same boat.

- Once upon a time, I thought I could live

quite comfortably.

What a mistake that was.

I'm in what's called a
residential nursing home.

My wife died.

That seemed the best solution.

Bloody expensive.

- Are you talking about Lawnside?

- Iam.

Do you know it?

- I know of it.

Clive Warnford lives in the village.

- Warnford?

Oh, Dr. Warnford.

- That's the one.

I think his girlfriend
works at Lawnside, too.

- I didn't know he had one.

- She's not the type
I thought he'd go for.

Rather frumpish, not in
the first flush of youth.

- Oh.

Straight brown hair?

- That's her.

I saw her about an hour
ago, drives a little Fiat.

Who is she?

- Sounds like Miss Richards, Chief Warder.

(chuckles)

Where is Warnford's house?

- Opposite the church.

You can't miss it.

(birds chirping)

(solemn music)

- [Dr. Warnford] Please.

- [Miss Richards] You think
you know it all, don't you?

- [Dr. Warnford] Please, just stop.

Stop.

- [Miss Richards] You don't know anything.

Stupid.

(Dr. Warnford crying)

You deserve it.

You think you're so clever, don't you?

You think you know everything.

- [Dr. Warnford] No, no, I'm not clever.

I'm a very stupid man.

- [Miss Richards] Yes, no, you think

you are clever, though, don't you?

But you don't know anything.

- [Dr. Warnford] No more, please.

- [Miss Richards] But
you don't, you don't.

- [Dr. Warnford] Very stupid.

- [Miss Richards] You
think you know everything,

but you don't.
- Please, no more.

- [Miss Richards] You don't.
(stair creaks)

(laughing)

(solemn music)

(laughing)

- What a laugh.

(tyres squealing)

- He runs an upmarket
second-hand car business,

Classic Cars.

That's where he met Dr. Warnford.

Mortimer sold him the Aston Martin.

His name's Morris, but the
way, not Mungo, Morris Winston.

- [Tom] We had a talk to Sister Lovelace.

- I suppose she told you
I bumped off my mother.

- Something like that.

- [Tom] I think it would
be a very good idea

if you told us your side of the story.

- It all comes down to money.

I borrowed money from Clive Warnford.

- [Gavin] Is he rich?

- Well, he's loaded.

Well, his wife is, anyway.

- I didn't know he was married.

- [Mungo] That's why he has to be careful.

- [Gavin] About what?

- Well, Miss Richards.

They're knocking each other off.

If the wife found out, she'd divorce him,

and the money would dry up.

- What about your mother?

- My mother, yes, well, she
was a patient at Lawnside.

It's bloody expensive, that place.

She was old, ill, going gaga.

I had no idea how long she'd last.

You think I asked Sister Lovelace

to finish her off, don't you?

Listen, don't think it
didn't cross my mind.

But when it came to the
crunch, I just couldn't do it.

- What happened then?

- She died, totally
unexpectedly, four days later.

But then, of course, I began
to worry about Sister Lovelace.

Well, what if she thought
I'd done something?

You know, pills in the Lucozade?

Well, suppose she'd gone to the police?

There'd have to be a post-mortem
and god knows what else.

Probate would be delayed.

Look, I needed the money immediately.

I had to do something.

I decided to talk to Sister
Lovelace, tell her the truth.

I certainly didn't choose a good night.

- Miss Bartlett!

Miss Bartlett!

Miss Bartlett!

- Well, the next time I came
back to see Sister Lovelace,

it was her bloody night off.

Are you surprised I lost my temper?

I'm staying at the Stonor Arms Hotel.

You know who I am.

Tell her.

Now look, I haven't done anything wrong.

You must believed that.

I may be a bloody fool,
but that's not a crime.

Is it?

Not yet, sir, no.

- Inspector Barnaby, sir,
there's a telephone call for you.

- Mr. Smithers.

- Huh?

- Mr. Smithers, I'm Tom
Barnaby, Mrs. Bly's nephew.

- Oh, I know who you are,
and I know Sergeant Troy.

What do you want?

- What on Earth made you do a
thing like that, Mr. Smithers?

- Just put it down to an
old man's foolishness.

- Tell me what happened.

- Well, I stole the car.

He'd left the keys in the
ignition, stupid clut.

The temptation was too great.

- What were you doing there?

Why weren't you at the nursing home?

- We're not prisoners, you know.

Sometimes it seemed like it.

I wanted a taste of freedom,
lunch the Queen's Arms.

Are you two here officially as policeman?

- My aunt was worried about you.

She'd heard some garbled
rumours about your adventures,

and she asked me to find
out what really happened.

- Oh, dear Alice.

She's a very sweet woman.

- She also says that you
cooked up some theory

about Dr. Warnford and Miss Richards

trying to defraud the residents?

- We were barking up the wrong tree.

Their connection is more
intimate, if you follow my drift.

- You're going to get into
a lot of trouble for this.

- Oh, I know that, and
there's something else.

- What's that?

- My jacket, the wallet
in the inside pocket.

Have a look.

Look inside.

Old Muriel Harrap, I flogged her watch.

- [Nurse] Miss Bartlett!

Miss Bartlett!

- Her room's opposite to mine.

She left the door ajar.

Now, what would have happened
if I hadn't taken it?

It'd have gone to some niece or nephew,

pushed into a drawer.

Nobody needed it, but I did.

I needed it to go to the pub once a week,

a couple of G and T's,
Plowman's and real cheddar.

These things are important to a chap.

Well, to me anyway.

I'll tell you something, whatever happens,

(chuckles) it was worth it.

(solemn music)

(door creaking)

- Oh, Mrs. Bly.

- Oh, I'm so sorry.

I didn't realise.

I was on my way to having a bath,

and I saw the door was open.

- I seem to have lost something.

- Can I help?

- No, it's all right.

Go and have your bath.

- It seems so silly having a
bath at this time of the day,

but there's such a queue in the morning.

Oh, it wasn't an earring, was it?

- What?

How did you know it was an earring?

- Well, I don't know.

Well, I just saw it on the carpet.

- When?

- I don't remember.

- What sort of an earring?

- Well, it was just, just
an earring, that's all.

- Well, did you pick it up?

- I can't remember.

Oh, yes, I remember.

I think I gave it to one of the nurses.

- Which one?

- Oh, I can't remember.

Oh, I'm so sorry, but my memory's,

it's in a hopeless state at this point.

I'm so sorry, do forgive me.

(tense music)

- Oh.

(sighing)

(solemn music)

- Thank you for this.

- Thanks for what?

- For taking me out to dinner.

- Oh, it was the least I could do.

Everything at home's such a mess.

I'm sorry.

- What is it?

- Hmm?

- You've got something on your mind.

- No, no, not really.

- Tell me.

- Well, I'm puzzled and worried.

- About Alice?

- No, there's a woman called Pru Bennett.

Her aunt's in Lawnside,
or she was in Lawnside.

She'd been very ill.

She died last night, the aunt, that is.

- Ah.

- And when I said how sorry I was,

Mrs. Bennett reacted very strangely.

Well, I couldn't put my
finger on it at first,

but now I can.

She wasn't upset.

She was frightened.

- Well, what of?

- It seemed, well, she
was frightened of me.

(tense music)

(gasps)

- Oh my god.

(gasps)

(muttering)

- [TV Narrator] Just because they're free

doesn't mean to say
they're good, you know?

(phone ringing)

- [Man on TV] I like her.

(phone ringing)

- 58632.

- It's Alice, Auntie Alice.

I must speak to your father.

- He's not here.
- Well, where is he?

- Well, they've gone out
to a restaurant in Causton.

- Look, Cutty, you've got to ring him.

I'm in terrible trouble.

- Well, what is it?

What's the matter?

- I know who killed Celia Armstrong.

(tense music)

- There's a telephone call for you, sir.

- For me?

- It's your daughter.

- She's really scared, Dad.

She thinks someone's trying to kill her.

- Thank you, sir.
- Thank you.

Hang on.

I've asked Troy to meet me there.

Don't worry, I'll give you a
ring when I get to the home.

- What's going on?

- I don't know.

(tense music)

(adding machine whirring)

(phone ringing)

- Yes, hello?

- [Tom] Miss Richards?

- Who is it?

- It's Tom Barnaby, Inspector Barnaby.

I think you have an
intruder on the premises.

(tense music)

- Oh.

(gasping)

- What's happened?

Have you seen anyone?

- Your aunt's not in her room.

Shall we look in the other bedrooms?

- No, absolutely not.

Sergeant Troy will be
herein a very few minutes.

He'll have some other officers with him.

They'll do all the searching.

You stay where you are, and stay together.

- Anything I can do to help?

- No, not at the moment.

What's on the ground floor?

- Dining room, kitchen,
TV lounge, staff room.

- All right, now, let's have a look.

(tense music)

That's how they got in.

Look.

Where's this go?

- Oh, the TV lounge.

(suspenseful music)

- You'll want to talk to her.

- [Tom] Miss Richards.

- She's terribly upset.

You will be gentle with her, won't you?

- I never intended to do
her any harm, your aunt.

I just wanted to tell her the truth,

to beg her to say nothing.

I felt sure she'd understand.

- And did she?

- I think so.

You know what happened.

You know what I did.

- Perhaps you ought to tell me about it.

- Celia was the most important
person in the world to me.

It's as simple as that.

My parents died when I was young.

Celia was my mother's sister.

She brought me up as her daughter.

We were devoted to each other.

Celia's husband died,
so we shared a house.

We were very happy.

The cancer first came five years ago.

We thought she was
clear, but it came back.

We went to the hospital on Tuesday.

It was the worst possible news.

At first I didn't take it in.

I'd been sitting there
I don't know how long,

going over and over what
the doctor had told me.

He would do all he could,
he said, but I must face up

to the fact that she'd go
downhill pretty quickly.

Oh, would did that mean?

I should should've asked him.

Pain, terrible indignities.

She'd always been so kind and gentle,

so full of sympathy for others.

I knew the cancer was destroying her,

and I couldn't let her
suffer and do nothing.

Must have been two or
three in the morning.

I knew the lock on the dining
room French window was broken.

Celia had complained about it.

She looked so peaceful, so content.

I knew what had to be done.

(muffled screaming)
(solemn music)

(crying)

(tense music)

It was much later I realised
I'd lost one of my earrings.

It was a mistake to go and look for it.

(sniffling)

Was it wrong, what I did?

Was it murder?

- That's not for me to
decide, Mrs. Bennett.

- Suppose if it had been you, wouldn't you

have done the same thing?

The doctor said two months.

That's all she had left.

I couldn't let her suffer, could I?

Don't you agree?

Please, tell me what you think.

- My mother died a few years
ago, and like your auntie,

she was very frail,
fragile most of the time.

She seemed to be asleep.

I used to sit by the bed, and
the silence became oppressive,

so I began talking to her
as if she were her old self.

I talked to her of
childhood things, holidays,

trips to the seaside, special treats.

No reaction.

And then one day as I was
leaving, I leaned across,

kissed her on the forehead,
and I told her I loved her.

She opened her eyes.

She looked directly at me.

"I love you too," she said.

Had she heard everything I'd been saying?

Perhaps she wasn't asleep after all.

I don't know.

And that is why I find it impossible

to answer your question.

- What do you think will happen to me?

- Oh, I'm sure everyone
will be very understanding.

(solemn music)

- Will she go to prison?

- Possibly.

I doubt it, I'm sure
they'll be very lenient.

Suspended sentence, perhaps.

- Poor woman.

It's quite dreadful.

- Yeah.

- Presumably, the others died naturally.

- That's what the doctor says.

- It's all so sad.

More toast.

- Yes, yes, please.

- [Joyce] Penny for your thoughts.

- You what?

- You're miles away.

- Oh, I was thinking about Alice.

She made a mistake going to Lawnside.

She doesn't need nursing, does she?

She needs some tender, loving care.

- Do you want her to come here?

- Would you mind?

- It's only a couple of weeks, after all.

- Thanks.

You're a very special kind
of girl, you know that?

- We aim to please.

- Oh, would you like these?

I have read them.

- Oh, detective stories, oh no,

I can't be doing with detective stories.

I get confused with all
those blue herrings.

- Red.

- What?

- Red herrings, dear, not blue.

- Oh well, whatever they are.

No, just not my cup of tea.

(solemn music)

- [Joyce] Yes, that's fine.

I'll put these in the boot.

(solemn music)

- Mr. Smithers!

- Ah.

- You're soon back.

- Oh, just come to collect my gear.

I'm off to Shrewsbury,
place near my daughter's.

She thinks it's a good idea.

I'm not too sure myself.

Oh, listen.

- What?

- You can hear Miss Richards
heaving a great sigh of relief.

The hospital sent my particulars
to Shrewsbury police,

so don't worry.

I shan't escape the long arm of the law.

Take care of yourself, Alice.

(solemn music)

(engine rumbling)

- You all right?

- Yes, thank you, Tom, very all right.

(mysterious music)