Original subtitles

A mother's love for a child.

Is there any love more powerful?

Probably not.

But you know, it's got to be difficult being a mother because mothers are on

borrowed time.

A child won't stay a child forever and letting go can be painful.

Too painful for some.

So what happens when you don't let go?

Well, in the worlds of love and loss, things can get twisted.

If you could drag your adulterous eyes away from each other for a moment, I'd

like to know what you think of the spare bedroom.

I think it's rather fun.

You two liked your bit of fun behind my back, didn't you?

A bit of slap and tickle?

Now, I'd better check on Granny.

Oh.

All alone.

I could have told you three's a cry, but I never did.

And you repaid my kindness with treachery.

It's not nice, Granny Grace, to take sides against your daughter-in-law. Not

nice at all.

What's not nice, Mother?

You're late. Where have you been?

Something smells good. I expected you nearly an hour ago, George.

We'd better have dinner before it's completely dried out. I'm sorry.

I'll try and call next time if I'm held up.

I'm sorry, Mother.

How's it going?

Nearly finished.

Film starts at 6.45.

Thanks. Did you remember to speak to your mother?

Is she not happy about us, George?

Look, I can understand if she thinks I'm chasing the boss. No, no, no, she

doesn't know about you.

Not that I'm trying to hide anything. I just think we should be in a secure

relationship before she... Silly, I suppose.

I can't believe my luck meeting someone like you.

I'm the lucky one.

You started working here, I didn't think you'd look at me twice.

Oh, dear. Did I give you a fright?

I was trying to be quiet.

I could tell. You sounded so... furtive.

I thought you'd be asleep, Mother.

You hoped I'd be asleep.

Look, I'm a grown man. I really think this waiting up for me... I was working

on the doll's house, George.

However, a mother always imagines the most disastrous things.

Finally, I felt I had to ring your friend Warren and find out what time

you'd left his house.

I got the nights mixed up. I'm seeing Warren on Friday night.

George. Why must you play these games?

It was a mix-up. It didn't seem necessary to ring and say so.

I went to a film.

I went with a lady. She's come to work at the salon.

As?

As a beauty therapist and a manicurist.

Fingernails? I know what a manicurist does, George.

Karen's a wonderful person, Mother. She's good at her work, and I...

Everyone likes her.

How nice.

And I assume this Karen feels the same about you.

I think so.

Oh, come on, George. Of course she does.

How often does a successful man, a man with his own business, come into the

orbit of a girl like Karen? What do you mean a girl like Karen? She's not like

that. Look, you haven't even met her. I'd like to, George. I really would.

Why don't you invite her round for dinner one night?

Well, I just think it's too soon.

Well, I don't know why you're so worried.

Only a social visit, not some dreadful test I have to pass with flying colours.

Look, my first booking is due in a few minutes, so we'll talk about it later.

I'll do that, Mother.

I can still hang out your washing, even if I'm not good enough for your lady

friend.

Funny, isn't it?

Your father always wanted to help when he felt guilty too.

I confirmed your booking for you. Oh, thanks. Wish I was going.

With flat strap, Mother, you'd be bored.

You're not worried that your lady friend might be bored?

No, she's not coming. This is purely business.

Well, I certainly don't want to make a nuisance of myself.

Heavens, the last thing you want to be bothering about is your silly old

mother.

Once a man marries... Mother, I'd never desert you.

That's easy to say.

I know your intentions are good, my darling.

It's the intentions of your future wife that worry me. Mother, please.

Look, it's early days yet. You're worrying yourself over nothing.

Karen, I... Would you try this on?

Isn't it sweet?

Was it your mother's?

No, it belonged to Granny Grace.

She lived with us.

Well, she did until he... He... I mean, her son... You mean your father?

Yeah, I don't want to talk about him. He didn't really... He was... It's OK,

George. Anyway, it's a perfect fit.

Really? Mm.

Oh, that's great.

I wish I didn't have to go. Not now.

I'll wait for you at the airport.

I'll treasure it.

Well, the thing is, it's only... I need to... I love it.

You'd better hurry.

Oh, clumsy fellow.

You may be getting a visitor before too long.

That's something to look forward to, isn't it?

After all this time, you must be bored stiff with each other.

George will be in Brisbane by now.

You may well stay, you dumb slut.

George is opening a second salon.

I stole his gutless father, but you couldn't get your hands on my son.

George and I don't need anyone else.

We have each other.

Karen speaking.

May I help you?

I do have a cancellation at 4 o'clock this afternoon.

Fine. And your name is?

And he's a nice employer?

He couldn't be better.

I sense something more than just a working relationship.

Ooh.

And you like his family?

Well, I haven't met his mother yet. I want to, but George... Well...

I think he feels our relationship is too fragile, too new for an outsider.

An outsider?

His mother?

Oh, well, I didn't mean that.

Oh, no, George loves his mother.

If you feel this relationship is fragile, perhaps you shouldn't rush into

anything.

Weak men don't make good husbands, in my experience.

Well, he's not weak.

He runs this place.

Oh, yes, I forgot your young man is the boss.

He's not that young.

I mean, he's old enough to know his own mind.

I think his hesitation is because of his... Yes.

Oh!

Are you sure that flight arrived at 5.30 as scheduled?

I realise that was over an hour ago. I'm not senile.

Will you marry me, Karen?

George, it's beautiful.

About the other ring, look, I needed it for the size. I can't actually give it

to you because, well, it's not mine to give.

No, no, no. Look, it will be yours once I've spoken to Mother.

My son was on that flight.

He... It would have called.

No, thank you. Good night.

Right. So will you marry me, Carrie?

Of course I will.

There you are.

Oops.

Always a good idea to check it's open first.

But that's you all over. See an opening and go for it.

But it's not so easy when you want out, is it, sweetie?

So, your plane was delayed.

I thought I'd better eat in town. I didn't want to keep you up.

How very considerate of you, George.

That girl I've been seeing a little bit of lately.

Well, quite a bit of, really.

Is it serious?

Well, yes.

I want you to meet Karen, Mother.

What about this weekend?

Oh, isn't that rather rushing things? I want to meet her at some point,

naturally.

George, you know I only want your happiness, don't you?

Anything I say now is solely with that aim in mind.

Please.

Don't rush into this. I did, and I was deceived. Mother, I'm not... Please

don't interrupt. If I can see that this girl isn't right for you... Karen is not

like my father.

I think that she's the girl that I want to spend the rest of my life with.

I wonder where I'll spend the rest of my life.

With me.

Us. Karen doesn't want me living with you, does she, George? No.

Oh, I mean, yes.

Mother, we'll talk about this when she comes to dinner.

work something out.

I do want her to like me.

I haven't changed, George. That's too casual. I want Karen to know what sort

of family she'll be coming into.

I'd like you to meet Karen.

We've already met.

Where?

Where did you meet?

At the salon.

I did your mother's nails.

Call me Veronica.

You never mentioned this, Mother.

I was curious, dear, I must admit.

I so wanted to meet Karen, but you kept fobbing me off.

It was foolish, I know, not to say who I was, but, well, I was starting to think

there must be something wrong with you, Karen.

George was so reluctant to bring you home. Mother, that is completely untrue.

What about a pre-dinner drink?

Yes, if you're having one. George and I don't drink.

Neither do I.

Veronica.

George,

show Karen to her seat. I don't know what's happened to his manners. The cat

seems to have got his tongue.

Beef stroganoff. My specialty.

Oh, dear.

Oh, God!

I'm terribly sorry. I don't eat meat. This is my fault.

I should have told you, Mother. It never crossed my mind. Karen's a vegetarian.

I'll eat anything else.

I haven't prepared anything else.

Sit down, George.

I'll see what I can rustle up.

I'm going to give her a hand.

Don't worry about it, darling.

Mother, why don't you eat your dinner while it's still hot?

Look, this is all my fault. I'll just whip up an omelette for Karen.

You know it's the only thing I can make. Go back to your guest, George.

It's rude to leave her sitting on her own.

And when is this wedding to be?

We thought early summer.

And you'll keep on working, Karen?

Oh, yes.

And stop after you're married?

Well, not right away.

George has a very busy schedule. I've always taken care of domestic matters,

always made sure he was well looked after. Mother, I'm perfectly capable of

looking after... You're not.

He's not.

If you intend to keep on working, you'll need someone to take care of the home.

I suggest you both live here.

Well, that's a very kind offer, Veronica.

But the thing is, we both feel it would be best to start off renting a place of

our own.

Yeah, it'll give us an opportunity to accumulate things like appliances and so

on. I'll have all the appliances you'd need.

We'd really like to be independent.

I'd better turn off the percolator before it boils dry.

You have to be more tactful, darling.

No, you have to be blunt.

She'll walk all over our plans. She's trying to be helpful. Give her support.

No, she's trying to control us.

George, be strong.

You must be strong.

Can I do anything?

I think you've done enough.

Life's funny business.

You stick with a person through thick and thin and then along comes a

stranger. Mother, I'd never abandon you. Perhaps you two would like to talk

alone, without the presence of a stranger. Karen?

I'll wait in the car until you've sorted things out, George.

I don't want to hurt you. I'm so blinded by your infatuation, George, you've even

stooped to stealing my property.

What? How dare you give that young woman my ring without my permission?

I borrowed the ring. I lent it to Karen, but there was a misunderstanding.

See?

You don't want to hear it, do you? You might actually be wrong. I think you've

been wrong about a lot of things, Mother. How dare you talk to me like

this? It's that wretched girl's influence.

Don't say anything bad about Karen. I'm warning you. Warning me?

I was the betrayed, but his sanctimonious old mother.

I think she was right you made it impossible for him to stay he didn't

desert you you drove him out

Thanks for lending it to me.

Dinner's nearly ready.

I'll open the wine.

If your mother heard that, it'd confirm her worst fears.

While she's away, I've led you astray.

I wonder how long she'll be gone on this trip.

Indefinitely.