Original subtitles

Is this it?

Tolerate this week, Mother.

What's her name this time?

Whose name?

Let's look for the expensive tail of the cow that's got the rest of my

housekeeping money.

Housekeeping?

When will this house ever get by? If it's escape you're planning, best go

I can still just about... Stop it, you pathetic... Stop it.

Stop thinking I can manage on this.

Stop piddling about and find yourself a man's job.

Best of all, stop taking whores off Preston Docks behind the flag and

sapping your strength with my food money. When were it your money and when

there enough to pay for sex, even if... Even if.

Even if you were capable.

Even if you hadn't been a backer to you when they handed out equipment.

No, you always say that.

That is not true.

I'm always here looking after you.

Who was she? What's her name?

Has she got VD?

Disinfect your privates, Gerald.

Didn't she laugh?

Asked you where you started.

You said you'd finished.

I have never, ever played with a woman. I am 46 years of age. Do you understand

what I am saying?

You're the only other person that's ever touched this body.

I never had the courage to ask for a second opinion.

Don't tease me.

I really don't have any more money to give you, honest.

Don't play games with me. Not now.

It's not a game anymore.

I've got to move and get things tidied up.

Looks all wrong.

What is she telling her at this hour? Now, you saw what happened, didn't you,

Maggie?

I still can't get the words out.

It's best if I say I wasn't home when it happened and get someone else to find

her and report her dead.

Putting her in the dairy will keep her cool, but she's not going to last

forever.

Well? Scooter's in the yard.

I've heard.

Is it our very own now?

I know that expression.

He's paid too much for it.

You were supposed to beat her down.

She beat me up.

Oh.

She said with all the publicity, her scooter's become our emblem, and that it

gave us a corporate identity.

What's one of them?

Something between a cat badge and a regimental go.

The mayor of Tituslow would like to see you in his parlour pronto.

Oh, my word.

Nobody must know the real reason you've come here. You've no idea what I've got

to put up with. Free newspapers without a scrap of news to print the minute I

leave this house. With or without his robes and chains? There's a fleet of cub

reporters in their Fiat Unos trailing us along the ring road.

What do you want us to do?

Our daughter, Susan.

She's gone missing.

Is this yours, Susan?

Yes, I'll let you have a photo.

The problem is, she has learning difficulties.

Romantic holiday of a lifetime.

Or simply, a weekend away from it all in beautiful surroundings.

Chigswick Manor Hotel.

Homeless Lancashire, welcome going.

Susan lived apart from us in a run -down at Seathide Hotel.

Sheltered accommodation.

Social services use it as part of their care in the community.

There's a day centre she attends sometimes.

Me and Brenda thought Susan should get used to being independent while we're

still alive so that we can catch her if she comes unstuck.

What do the people in the hotel think has happened?

Nobody noticed Susan was missing.

until one of them went into her room to borrow money. Oh, the others, they live

on social security. But Susan, she likes to play the little princess to the

paupers.

These abductions that you read about, young women who are, well, like she is,

she's not exactly slow or all that innocent, but she is too trusting and

too vulnerable.

Come to me and not the police.

Some mischief -maker took her to an all -night rave near Grangeover Sands.

Later, she was pictured topless in a tabloid under the heading, Sexy Susan's

Daddy is Mr Mayor.

Now you know why we need secrecy.

Oh, no!

Oh, no!

No, Maggie!

She's a spoilt little madam and a bit of a loose cannon in some ways.

But as long as I'm firm about no men in her room, the parents are very

supportive.

You don't know what she took with her?

Clothes. Toiletries.

I don't keep tabs on her wardrobe.

Nobody stays in during the day?

Goodness, no.

Not even in bad weather?

A place like this, we have to have a few rules.

For everyone's sake.

It's easier in summer, of course.

Some of them go to cafes, the cinema, bus stations.

That's the advantage of the seaside. There's almost always somewhere warmish

kill a few hours.

It's new paper, used to line the drawer.

There's a piece missing.

I don't think that affects its usefulness as a drawer lining.

Can Susan read?

Yes, simple words.

She's pretty independent.

Most of the others have a social worker to keep tabs on them, but Susan doesn't

need one.

I'll take this.

If it was important enough for her to cut out, it's important enough for me to

find out what's wrong.

Well, don't they keep men and women separate any longer, the sort of place

come from?

Sorry? They teach you all about unwanted babies and that, do they?

Oh.

The mental nurses, warders, swordleys, whatever they call themselves these

Bernard has his own job. He lives with his mum and...

My father is mayor of Titusloe, so I do know babies are born.

Thank you very much.

Don't like the thing of innocent kiddies suffering, that's all.

So where's this place you're heading for?

Chigswick Manor Hotel.

Chigswick. I know where that is.

Susan didn't tell you where she was going, I suppose.

On the day she did turn up at the day centre, what sort of things did she talk

about?

It gets boring, this work.

You must have gossiped a bit.

Look, it's all right, Mary.

We'll just try to find out a bit more about what sort of person Susan is.

So what did she talk about?

Men.

Never stopped. Men, men and more men all the time.

Mel Gibson, Owen Shearer, Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, just about anyone in trousers.

Does she have a boyfriend?

None. She's mad, mad, that one.

But anyone steady?

Anyone favourite?

Said she'd save herself for Ryan Giggs.

And you've no idea where she might disappear to?

She'd never go on her own without a man.

She's frightened of dogs and the dark.

Right.

Where do you live, Geoffrey? With Mrs Weintraub. She's my boss.

I expect they'll have warmed the double room.

Thanks again.

Bye.

She might have been swept off her feet, of course.

Swept off her feet?

That's a clue, isn't it?

Um... Brush?

Brilliant.

Um... Carpet salesman.

Well... Um... Swept.

A road sweeper.

There's one.

Only Lancashire welcome awaits.

Wood fires, piping hot water in every bedroom.

Anybody at home?

They come back and capture us because you were broken.

Bloody hell!

I beg your pardon?

Gracious me.

That's better.

You're expecting me to stay here in this rubbish dump for the night? We need a

fire, Bernard.

Bernard!

Fire. Yeah, fire.

Get her warmed up, that one.

Good afternoon.

Strong sweet tea for the shock.

Just tell me where to go.

The hospital or the mortuary?

Sorry? It's good of them to send a woman.

Men never understand how us women feel about our sons.

Is that one yours?

No, this is my associate. We're private detectives. May I?

They rang from the council.

Wanted to know why Corporation Street was unhygienic to the public.

And you really didn't know he'd gone?

He must have smuggled that heavy suitcase out when my back returned.

But what makes you fear dreadful things have happened because you know he took a

suitcase with him? My Bernard would never stay out all night of his own

Now, he may have difficulties learning, but he is not unaware of my weak heart.

The stress to my heart is like a red rag to a ball. Once it starts galloping, it

never knows when to stop. We've no reason to believe that anything

has happened to him. On the contrary, we think he's with his girlfriend.

Susan Makepeace.

The mayor's daughter.

Was there anything he took that might indicate where they were heading?

We've been engaged by Mayor Makepeace to find his daughter.

And we've used up most of today already.

I'll give you our card.

In case Bernard should fall.

I should like to ask you how severe his learning difficulties are.

It might have helped us.

Don't let him know he's taken five years off my life, will you?

I think you can rely on us never to reveal that kind of detail.

Why should anyone with money want a man with learning disabilities except for

his body?

Perhaps because she has similar difficulties with learning.

You mean the woman he's gone off with is like him?

In that respect, yes.

never sleep with someone who's mentally handicapped. What could you be thinking

of? What kind of child might they produce?

I'm sorry, but you really have got it wrong.

You see, I had a great aunt who spent most of her life in the Royal Albert

Hospital, Lancaster.

She'd been put there at a time when to miss the last tram and spend a night

from home.

was thought to be deeply immoral.

What being in that place all those years did to her was far

more than immoral.

You're not disabled.

Neither was Bernard's father.

But you produced Bernard to his disabled.

Contrarywise, people with learning difficulties, like Bernard's and

no more likely to produce a child with the same disability as anybody else.

It was an advert for a small country hotel, Chigswick Manor.

They'll be getting dolled up now for the cocktail hour.

We'll get there before breakfast tomorrow, bright and early.

Oh, creepy, Bernard.

That's someone's bed.

Where have they gone to?

They've come back and catch us.

You ate tin peaches.

Rosie Parker's buying more than they're expecting.

You won't tell me about the pizzas, would you?

Oh, yeah.

Here she is. This is the one you want.

They can't have me.

Not when I'm all yours.

Told you a fire would warm us good and proper.

Ha, ha, ha, ha.

wouldn't bring them from the coast to your door.

But if they'd finished their journey by some other means, they'd have got here.

You think they must have hitchhiked?

Possibly.

Well, in that case, they'd have come by the 865.

You are.

And been dropped.

Settle.

Long Preston.

Or even at Gisborne. Here.

We shall have to make our way back to Bridsey, where they set out from.

Asking at every road junction.

That's when you can find someone to ask.

This isn't the most populated part of the North West, you know.

And where shall we start from, do you reckon?

Normally I'd say here, but the Hodderbank Road into Chigswick is closed

roadworks, so they'd have to find another way round.

Hang on a minute.

Was it still blocked yesterday?

You'll need to know that if you want to retrace the route they would have taken.

Gerald, oh, no.

Just in time.

This is the man you talk to about roads around here. How do you do?

Was Hodderbank Road closed for work yesterday, Gerald?

Aye. I was right then.

Thanks. Why?

These people are private detectives.

They're searching for a young couple that had gone missing.

Oh, I see.

Good luck.

Thanks. They were hitchhiking with suitcases.

You didn't spot them, I suppose.

No, sorry.

Oh, don't go without some scraps for Maggie.

Oh, she's not with me today.

The poor dog is piggy in the middle in the constant war between him and his old

mum.

Gerald hangs around here when he's left home or been thrown out.

Mum stays at home and funk.

We make a list and write down things.

Help remember.

Count our money.

How much this will spend.

You can't make chips without potatoes, Bernard, and that's that.

More light.

More light.

More light.

Nothing.

We know they made a booking.

We know they started out.

We know they reached the junction of the A682 and the A65 because that lorry

driver saw them.

It's not nothing.

If they got as far as those roadworks, they'll have taken side roads with no

traffic and got lost.

They've probably never hitched before, and they have learning difficulties.

They may be anywhere or nowhere, and wherever they are, they're freezing.

We've no choice.

We'll report what we've discovered so far, and I'll tell His Worship, the

to call in the police.

We seem to have visitors.

Is

Mrs.

Waincroft at home?

Who are you? It's my dad, it's... Soon as I say his calling.

The Right Honourable Mayor and Mayoress of Tituslow, Councillor and Mrs

Makepeace. Since we were coming close by to you, we thought if we changed taxes

a few times, we could risk dropping in on the way. It's a charity ball, you

A fancy dress. In aid of endangered species? Well, we have to support these

things in our position.

and can't be good to the expense.

Now, you said on the answering machine that Susan is with a boyfriend.

They booked into a country hotel.

I told you that girl had too much money. Well, where is this place?

They didn't turn up and might be lost.

They could be anywhere in the Ribble Valley.

Now, unless we use the media to ask the public for help...

We could search for weeks without finding them. Let us not lose our heads.

she with someone, sane and responsible?

From what we know, the young man appears to be quiet, hard -working and good to

his mother.

He also has learning difficulties, like your daughter.

Oh, my goodness.

You said hard -working. He does have a job, then. Oh, yes, he's a hygiene

operative. No, please, not a lavatory attendant.

Bernard is a road sweeper for your own Borough Council's public cleansing

department. No media, no newspapers, no television appeal.

I engage your services by paying a deposit. I demand secrecy. Not one word.

one word about Susan and this road cleaner. Do you understand?

Not one word! If this was to get out... Charlie, wait.

What if we've had an accident?

and they're dying slowly in a ditch somewhere.

Oh, no.

I don't believe it. There was a couple of porkers hijacking our taxi.

Oh, that'll be the Jess that was from number 46.

Oh, stop!

Stop! You won't get your licence renewed.

Oh, no, look at the time.

We're going to be late for the official opening by HRH and we're due to be

presented. We'll just have to order another taxi. I am not standing at bus

stops. Waiting for public transport, dressed like... Ernie Althwaite at

seven, as a minicab service.

We'll take it. Come on. Why can't he come here? Brenda, sweetheart, don't

Not now.

You're bending my plumage, Charlie.

Now, I'm going to have to set a time limit on your secrecy, Mr Mayor.

One more day.

That's all you get.

After that, it's a matter for the police.

Thank you.

Bernard. Susan.

Can't move.

Put this on so they can find and report you dead.

Well, if I do it, they won't understand it. We're just a game.

Sorry, Mother.

Your leg!

I didn't know you had such big muscles on you.

What are you staring at?

I've been there all the time.

Romantic holiday.

Try Chigswick Manor Hotel.

It's not my fault we didn't get there. That driver said this was the hotel.

Leg hurts bad.

Talk about something else.

Promise you'll go find someone.

Tomorrow morning.

You've got to help me, Susie.

Well, I know from the bedroom.

Burns different colours, look.

Don't you work on today?

No. I've got a nice little job for you.

Hour of you and your wagon for the full day.

Chauffeuring those two private detectives.

Are you sure you wouldn't like a bite to eat first?

No, thank you. I wouldn't say no to a bacon sardine. You've had your

Geoffrey.

I'll have one as well, then. It's going to be a long day.

Don't burn all this when I'm gone.

You go and get help.

I've been thinking that... Don't be upset, because it's a long way.

I'll be all right.

Will you stop here, please?

I'll talk to her.

Her name's Bessie.

Stay on the right side. She's deaf, aren't you?

Is

that how they

collect the mail around here?

Used to be a push -by.

She's gonna ask right then.

Have you seen a couple round here at all?

Have you seen a couple round here at all?

I did see a couple back of the top door fell.

Young man and woman? Aye.

Soaked to the skin.

What folk will do for pleasure.

Excuse me!

Are you Susan, by any chance?

I am. How do you know that?

Not a likeness at all. If you don't mind my asking, have you got learning

difficulties?

Haven't everyone? I don't know what you're on about.

I'm Susie Briarley. This is Stephen Slater.

Learning difficulties? He's the most brilliant biochemist of his year at

Cambridge. He's been on University Challenge.

You've trouble at home, I've heard.

It can be very distressing not seeing eye to eye with a parent.

I had trouble in that direction with my mother.

That's why I left home.

Oh, if you think it might help to talk about it, we only have to say.

I'm all right, Fang.

Susan?

Susan?

Susan, what you doing?

They might have seen something.

No one lives there. It's deserted. An old woman owned it, but she died.

Thought I saw smoke.

It'll be dark soon.

I'll be back in the hotel in 15 minutes.

There's somebody over there.

Oh, that'll be Sharon from Barden Crush.

She's out in all weather.

Sorry we ate the thin peaches.

I'll get you some more when Susan gets back.

Hire a driver and lorry to assist in... What shall I say?

Assist in search for missing girls. Assist in search for

missing...

Yeah. Forty pound.

Gee, what man.

It's all right, I'll cash it.

And next time I'll charge you a fee. That'll teach you.

Gerald's written his address on here.

I told him to.

Has to be official if we're to get the money back from the Lord High Cocker,

too. Right, but he says he lives at Thurston's Farm, Meekly Bottom.

He told us him and his mum lived over at Blackleach Fell.

Thurston's Farm.

Do you remember that deserted farmhouse where it wasn't worth stopping to ask?

And smoke from the chimney.

Jessie?

Does Jeddell live with his mother on a farm off the Clitheroe Road?

Yes. It's down in the valley.

An old woman owned it, but she's dead.

And when we said yesterday that we were looking for a missing couple, he wasn't

interested in who they were.

What are you doing here?

You're Robert, something of a tiger when he's roused. He spent the morning

brooding on the kind of publicity you'd get.

for agreeing not to involve the police when a disabled couple go missing, and

the afternoon shouting at man make peace.

So I'm here to give you my full cooperation.

Don't be frightened. I won't hurt you.

But you know, Paul, get you warmed up a bit.

No, no, please.

Don't run away from me.

I'm not bad.

I'm not mad either.

No experience for women, that's all.

I've never been for clothes.

Not all alone like this.

Would it help Warmy if we sort of cuddled a bit?

Don't do anything rude to me, will you? No, I think it's best to... Susan, isn't

it?

I remember from that time in Dragona. I'm so cold!

I just think it's best if I press myself against it. I just don't want to!

Best for both of us, isn't it? Please don't!

I don't think you'll find that too frightening, really, I don't. Stop being

pressed against gently but firmly. I love my boyfriend!

Don't take my clothes off, will you?

If he so much as loosens a button, I'll have his guts regarded.

I think it's possible he's telling the truth.

She fell during a quarrel and hit her head on the table.

Forensics may confirm it.

There's more to it than that.

Heavy psychological stuff.

Go on.

He did try getting someone else to find his mother and report her death.

Teasing himself of some of the guilt, maybe.

But why these two?

They fell in his way.

When I was a girl, me Uncle Frank kept chickens, real ones, not these conveyor

belt creatures.

Any that was weaker than the rest, they pecked it to death.

Hope you two know how lucky you are.