Original subtitles

Business letters appear, Mrs Ritchie.

That's the one. It's from the south.

Your parents, I dare say. Yes.

Mr Wallace got you a cow here.

Yes. I really must be going. Your husband will be wanting his tea.

Well, good morning to you, Mrs Ritchie.

Good morning, Mr Todd.

Sorry.

I thought I'd never get away from Mr Todd.

It's okay, just give me the tea.

I've a throat like sandpaper.

Any for me?

Business ones.

Sorry.

Mother's ill.

Daddy says she's in bed and the doctor says she's stable.

What's wrong?

Tired heart, they think.

He'd like me to go home.

Well, if she's ill.

Does it say how long for?

Until she's on her feet again.

He doesn't seem to think so.

Besides, I couldn't stay too long.

Could you manage?

I'll have to.

I could only ask for you to. I'll ask for me if I need her.

In the House of Commons today, Mr. Churchill's warning of a third world

war serves only to increase pressure on the government.

to dispatch British troops to Korea.

I don't understand.

Why can't we leave America and Russia to fight it out? I mean... Standing

shoulder to shoulder is one thing, but the entire issue is so obscure.

Whatever the rights and wrongs of the situation, I can't resign my commission,

not until it's over. But after the last lot, you've done your bit.

I know, I know.

And another thing.

All my plans for the business, just as we were beginning to make our mark,

everything kaput.

I feel as if I'm on a treadmill, going on and on, turning a wheel I hate.

Andrew.

If you felt it to be a wrong sort of war, if you weren't sure you were on the

right side, would you go?

I'm a soldier.

That's all there is to it.

What?

I shouldn't try and stop you, I know, but... Would you want to? I don't want

to go.

Of course I... I don't want you to go.

Well, that's good to know.

Oh, hell, um, it'll be my cousin, Veronica.

Oh, yes.

Good

morning.

Good morning.

It is Andrew.

That's correct, Veronica.

It's been a long time. School halls before the war.

Correct again.

Golly, you're so military.

Uh, Flora McInnes, our factor.

You'll need to drive to the front of the house.

Oh, I'm sorry. Have I come to the servant's entrance?

Not quite.

I'll come with you.

You've been unwell, then?

Have I?

Your mother wrote that you needed a rest. You recuperating?

Good old mummy.

So what's been happening to you now?

Will you be off to the new theatre of war?

God knows.

I heard you did very well in the last lot.

Now, don't be coy. I got all your gin from mummy.

Oh, I heard you did very well.

So -so.

Now he's being coy.

Where are you stationed?

Oh, here and there.

Special ops.

This is very good.

Yes.

An Italian chap told it to me.

For 50 cigarettes.

Well, I hope you gave him a bit more besides.

All the cash I had in my pocket. Bet he would have settled for the cigarettes.

We were on the move. I couldn't do more.

You can always go back there.

Can I?

We've got a bargain.

He'll be the tops one day.

If he lived.

Oh, Jenny should be here.

She'd love this.

You know, Umberto, one day I'm going to take her to Italy.

Good. I keep asking if I take me, son, flowers. Oh, I'd love it. And the people

are so generous.

Took us into their homes.

Fed us. Did they?

Even though they're little for themselves.

When the Germans go, they would be glad to see you.

And their own lot.

Fascisti.

Appendilo per le pali.

What does that mean?

What did he say?

We're past him.

I'll never know how they got into power.

Times were not easy.

You are my heart's delight, and where you are, I

long to be.

Oh, mummies, eh? Now, why am I second best?

Silly old thing, you are not second best.

It's just that she wants cold and you want hot.

I shall be not.

Splendid country for walking.

Well, thanks for giving me a lift.

You'd be best to walk back towards Strasbourg.

You don't want to overreach yourself.

I'll be sensible.

Morning. Morning.

Anise of the Laird's for me.

With Smythe? With Robertson. How do you do?

Hello.

Alex is finishing off the neat thinning.

I saw them. They're on the way up. Aye, good.

Is Jenny not about?

No, she's gone home. Her mother's poorly.

How do I look?

Very pretty, Molly.

Oh.

Goodie. Now then.

Yum -yums for my teeth.

Thank you.

Oh, Jenny, not Spam.

Thought I'd seen a lot of Spam.

I don't know how I got through the war.

Spam and chips forever, it seemed.

Ooh.

Takes me back.

Daddy used to sing it so beautifully.

Veronica Smythe.

Alec Ritchie?

Aye. Has my fame spread, then?

I told her.

Oh, a casualty.

Put it down to an experience.

Can we have a look at the valuation papers, Mr Ritchie?

Good idea.

That's it, then.

Just need your signature.

I can't see any problem?

No. Go through it again on your own, and then when you've signed, bring it up to

Malta. All right.

Washed up by the war.

No, I'm not a sailor.

I was speaking figuratively.

You see?

What keeps you here?

Umberto works for me.

I thought I'd walk back.

It's a long trek to Thrathblair.

I'm a good walker.

Is there a way over the hill?

Yes, but if you don't know the way, you could get into trouble.

Perhaps Umberto can set me on the right track.

Oh, it would be my pleasure, signora.

Umberto, you've got work to do.

How about that?

I'll not be long.

How are you getting on with the garden?

Oh, just fine.

Jennifer's good with it. You know, pony club and all that.

Oh, well, don't need to do any spoiling.

It's a working beast.

Mrs. McInnes, who was that lady you brought with you?

Well, I had a niece.

She's come here to recuperate.

It's just I thought she might have been in the services.

Aye, she was.

But it's all very hush -hush.

Did you make them?

Yes. I'm awfully sorry, darling. I don't fancy one just now. I feel a bit

queasy.

You don't know what you're missing. All right, then. No hurt feelings.

Here we are.

We've actually learnt to cook while he's been up there. Needless.

Can't think why Alec had to take up farming.

In Scotland, of all places.

Well, he is a Scotsman, though. There's no reason why he couldn't have found a

nice little place down here.

I mean, darling, we quite like the Scots, you know.

Where's Umberto?

Showing Miss Smythe the route to Strathblair.

How long is she staying?

I don't know.

She's recuperating.

Why?

From what?

It's just, I don't want Umberto upset.

Look at your poor hands.

They used to be so pretty.

Well, I work hard.

Daddy says he's never seen you look so... What?

Worn.

Worn? Yes, and look at your hair. I mean, look at it.

That's why living where you live, you're a long way from hairdressers.

Then again, it could be so difficult to find a girl who understands one's hair.

Don't you get to Edinburgh at all?

Jenny, it's a really big town. I bet there's a decent hairdresser there.

Jenny.

Crumbs.

were taken by the cabinet.

And the nation stands, as always, four square behind those in whose hands lie

the responsibility for decisions.

As United States forces come all fully into action in support of the United

Nations resolution, crews are briefed for strikes to set the advance of North

Korean -Saxon airheads.

With bridges and marching parties to their targets, the child bombers head

from Japan and directly by general...

I've seen one war cinema.

I don't know why I went in there.

Nostalgia. I can water it.

I wonder who's drawn back to the high point in one's life.

No newsreels are the sort of things you did.

No.

No, it was boring.

Do you want to lift home?

Thank you.

And you fought the last war with credit. Why should you worry about what people

think? That's not the point, Alex. I love you more.

Well, if I decide not to go, then I won't.

But I reckon I'll be exempt from being a farmer now.

You could say the same.

I've often wondered, how did you become a soldier?

I never felt I had much choice in the matter.

My father thought that Sandhurst would be good for me.

It worked.

Up to a point.

I acquired a veneer.

Another?

Your cousin missed by.

Seems a bright girl.

Yes, she's all right, I think.

Reasonable veneer.

It was beautiful.

In the church, he took my hand like this.

Darling, you need hand cream.

Boots have got a perfectly splendid new thought with a simply gorgeous smell.

We'll pop over when we've had tea. I know you're on the land now, Jen, but

mustn't let yourself go.

Well, there isn't really time.

Do you enjoy it?

It's simply super.

No, really, it's so beautiful. First thing in the morning, opening the

door and it's there.

What?

Well, the hills and the sky.

We've got sky here.

Yes, but there it goes on forever.

And we've got hens, and I sell the eggs. And we've got a garren. A garren? It's

a pony.

Lovely pony. Scrumptious. Can I come and stay?

With Freddie, of course.

Yes, of course.

I don't have very much spare time.

We can amuse ourselves, darling.

Health and all that.

Collect eggs.

Another cake, Jen?

I won't, thank you.

All that playing fair up north spoils your appetite.

You do like it up there, don't you?

Jenny.

Oh, so pretty.

I'll be coming.

You look just like my little girl again.

The doctor says you can get up tonight.

She's out of bed and doing well.

I feel I'm about ready for bed now.

I'm so drained.

Yes, I've not worked like I work at home.

Must be the emotional tension.

Mother tends to treat me like a child.

Or at least I was before we married.

I seem to be in a sort of limbo.

Sort of nothing.

I met Pam and Joan.

They're so carefree and pretty.

And I feel very old.

I seem to have outgrown them.

And do I care?

Hmm, I seem to.

Perhaps you were right.

Perhaps I'm not meant to be a farmer's wife.

Well, before you go, someone's been disturbing the grouse.

The keeper found a few dead birds with gunshot in them.

Oh, I did hear shots last night.

Well, we'll need to sort it out.

I'll keep my eyes open.

Good. Thanks.

Hello. Good morning.

Heading home?

I am.

And for a reasonably small one.

Meaning you?

Who else?

I need to stretch my leg.

You won't do that in a sidecar.

No, but it'll get me to the hill where I have a fancy to walk.

Not too clean.

I'll take on the back.

Is everything all right, my dear?

Alex missing me.

I must be thinking of getting home.

Mum is so much better.

Are you sure you're up to it?

Finished the neeps? Almost.

We've started grubbing today.

Grubbing? Clearing weeds.

Want a hand?

Thought you were going for a walk.

Any sort of exercise will do, I suppose.

Company would be nice.

Company. I know what you mean.

Your wife's still away.

Mr. McInnes thinks there's a poacher about.

I have chalk pots, eh?

See anyone?

No.

Jenny?

Oh, brings back happy memories.

Oh?

I lived near a farm as a child.

Used to help out my brothers and I.

A lot of horses for the work and play.

We were used to hunting and all that.

A rich farmer.

My daddy owned a farm.

Sheltered childhood.

I wouldn't say that.

And what was he expecting of us?

Where were you stationed?

London, mostly.

And you moved about?

A bit.

Middle East?

No.

India?

No.

Where then?

France. Oh, after D -Day.

They've spoken.

My lips are sealed.

I see.

Do you?

I think so.

Oath of secrecy and all that.

You saw a lot of action.

Does one ever recover?

Time.

Sorry to rush out like that, just sometimes I have to get into the air.

Right through North Africa.

Italy.

I dreamt of this.

A farm of my own.

And I dreamt of beauty parlours and hairdressers.

And now I don't give a damn about them.

But I suppose it kept one sane.

How are you getting home with Smythe?

The way she came.

On the back of my bike.

I'm awake.

Look at you.

A gun is not a toy.

I was sick of it. If I catch you touching my gun again, I'll punch the

That's your grandfather.

Not that boy there.

Don't push me too far.

There's a letter there for you.

It'll be a request from the army to attend your medical.

You'll be pleased to go, no doubt.

They'll give you a gun and no questions asked.

And you can go about blasting men's heads off to your heart's content.

Better than birds and rabbits, eh? Shut up.

Shut up!

You just don't understand, do you?

You don't understand!

We are a little concerned about her.

She's looking better than when she arrived, but she's not been 100 % at

So we have persuaded her to stay on a few days longer.

Damn it, I'm feeling those... I mean, surely, darling, if Alec really cared

you, he'd find a more congenial job down here.

Or he could be near your friends. I'm making friends up there. Well, yes,

perhaps. But are they suitable?

Marjorie. Daddy.

I have to say what I feel. She's my daughter. I'm concerned about her.

The girl has her own life to lead now.

Well, it seems to me it's Alex's life she's leading.

Oh, Jenny, I know you're making friends, but... An Italian prisoner of war and a

beefy woman farmer.

Do you miss us at all, darling? Yes, of course.

I miss you a lot.

You can always come and stay.

That would be lovely.

It's a bit rough, of course.

Well, is there an hotel?

Yes, a nice one.

Victorian affair.

Jenny, how would you like to have the gramophone up there?

What would you do without it?

Get a new one.

I'd love it.

Thank you. Thank you, sir.

Thanks. Thank you. Cheerio. Bye.

More rich pickings?

The last, perhaps.

You have heard the news, haven't you?

I was up at Westerbarbury.

Schimel's just announced it in the Commons.

He's sending an arch out.

Oh.

Well, look on the bright side.

Can't mean everyone.

There's a good chance the Black Watch won't go.

My CO's been in touch.

They want me back at Regimental HQ.

No.

Interesting life, farming.

So fundamental.

It's damned hard work.

And you're disturbing my cow.

Jenny, I don't mean to upset you.

Thing is this, Mummy, I would have gone anyway.

Gone? Gone away.

Moved out, whatever you want.

Yes, but darling, to have gone so far.

It could have been a lot further if I hadn't married Alec. To get away from

Daddy and me? No!

To be myself.

And are you that with Alec? I don't know.

Oh, Jenny, you've done so hard.

I'm trying to be hard.

I'm trying to see... See what?

Myself!

I think I married Alex because he was ready to take chances to move on.

I couldn't have married a nice, cosy little bank manager who left home at the

same time every morning and came home at the same time every evening and worried

if you were five minutes late like you do with Daddy.

How cruel.

I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry.

I'm just trying to see.

I don't understand.

Nor do I.

It's all very difficult.

You've been busy.

I'm a tidy person.

In other people's homes?

Depends. Oh?

On the mood I'm in.

Don't smoke too much.

I hid in a cow shed once.

Under a cow.

Shat in my face.

Really?

I couldn't move.

Why?

Someone was looking for me.

I didn't move.

No, you wouldn't.

There are worse things than cow shit in your face.

Pavilions have no idea.

No idea at all.

We are able to say things to each other and not explain.

Aye.

Do you talk about it to your wife?

No.

You're not aye?

No.

Boyfriend. I'm here to escape one.

I don't fancy men who didn't go through it.

And I can't get close to those who did.

So you mean you just settled for...

It's

getting dark.

You might have difficulty finding your way home.

I'm used to finding my way in the dark.

Trouble is, there are no wild places anymore.

What do you mean?

No new places to explore.

No one feels the need to be on the move after, you know.

I should have been an intrepid Victorian lady traveller crossing deserts on

camels and all that sort of thing.

I got to know the desert a bit too well.

All healed?

Now I make the calluses, Umberto says.

Interesting man, Umberto.

You should know.

Potetva.

I suppose you speak French like a native.

My mother's French.

That counts for it.

For what?

Your self -worth here.

All set.

Are you all right?

Flora?

Deja vu.

I thought you'd be at the station.

Trouble with the bike?

You look pale.

Lack of fresh air.

Jamie.

I was afraid to come back.

I was afraid.

You were?

Of the... That you might not come home.

Well, here I am. And you're glad to be back?

Yes.

This is where I want our child to be born.

Our child.

Oh my god!

Jenny!