All language subtitles for Midsomer Murders - 03x02 - Blue Herrings.1 38 55.English.orig.Addic7ed.com

- You all right?
- Yes, thank you.

What's that supposed to be?

- Hopefull.
- What?

You put down F-U-L-L 'full'
and I added H-O-P-E 'hope'.

'Hopefull.'

Oh, come on.
You don't spell it with two Ls.

- 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 damned
place and I've had enough of you.

You are without doubt the most
unpleasant person I've ever met.

(TUTS)

That's better.
That's much better.

(SCREAMS)

DISTANT SCREAM

(SCREAMS)

Come along, please.
Back to your rooms.

Poor George.

Another Indian bites the dust.

- Did you know Muriel?
- I met her, that's all.

Not my favourite person in the world.

Rather the reverse.

What were you doing, George?

Where were you going?

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

- George found her. Very upsetting.
- George?

Oh, 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.

She was no age.

Only 81.

They said it was a heart attack.

Rubbish. Who said that?

One of the nurses told me.

She would, wouldn't she?

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

- Gavin's here.
- Oh, come in.

Look at this.

Isn't it lovely?

It's... very nice.

- Housewarming present.
- It's very nice. Thank you.

So, what do you think?

- There's a lot still to do.
- 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,
seven whole days.

Look at the kitchen.

Don't need a lot of time to
get this place straighten out.

What about the spare room?

Let's slap some paint on the wall,
it'll be transformed in no time.

- Hello, Gavin. How are you?
- Oh, fine, thanks.

He's given us this lovely cactus.

It's erm... beautiful.
Thank you very much.

- When did you come down?
- Last night.

- She's getting us organised.
- Trying to.

Fancy some coffee?

- Oh, great.
- Dad?

Er, no thanks.
I'm going to get some paint.

I'm going to drop off and see
Auntie Alice on the way home.

My aunt, she's staying at a nursing
home near Aspern Tallow.

She's been in hospital, poor old darling.
We need to keep an eye on her.

- Good morning.
- Good morning.

CAR SKIDS ON GRAVEL

Dr Warnford! Huh!

- Have you met him?
- Briefly.

How the hell can he
afford a car like that?

60. 70,000 quid.
More!

Country GP.
It doesn't make sense.

I don't trust him.

Never have. Total creep.

Oh, I'm William Smithers.

How do you do? Alice Bly.

So you're a newcomer?

Yes.

- Sad business.
- What is?

Selling 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.
- No, 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?

I'm very fond of
this part of the world.

And I have a nephew
who lives close by.

A favourite nephew.

- Good morning, sir.
- Morning!

Can I help you?

Ah yes please. I'd like some
flowers for an elderly lady.

- Pot plant or mixed bunch?
- What do you think'd be best?

It's my Auntie Alice,
she's staying at a nursing home.

- Oh, Lawnside?
- Yes. Do you know it?

Hope 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 alright?

I said I am.

I say, nurse!

- Good morning Mrs. Bly.
- Good morning.

I would like some toast and marmalade
and some boiled egg.

Is that possible?

You know the rules as well as I do.
Breakfast ends half-past nine.

I don't give a damn about the rules.

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

The least you can do is feed me.

Behave yourself, Bill.
Don't be so grouchy.

I do wish you would
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 alright, Mrs. Bly?

Yes, thank you.

Bloody woman!

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

Bossy, and sloppy.

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.

Don't want you spilling it
over your nice clean dress.

Spill it? Why should I spill it?

- You alright?
- I am, sir. Thank you for asking, how are you, dear?

I'm alright.

I saw you talking to William.

Yes, he all 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?

Look, 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.

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.

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.

- SHOP ASSISTANT: How's that?
- Let me try.

'I needed some new shoes and
Nurse Bartlett took me into town.'

- How does that feel?
- Yes, I think that's all right.

- NURSE BARTLETT: Not too tight at the toes now?
- No, it's very comfortable.

Try walking.

How's that?

Yes, it's fine.

What is it, George?
What's the matter?

She finds it difficult
to concentrate.

Right! 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.

Right. I'm sorry.

Well, what is it?

I've a pain in my shoulder.

It's rather worrying.
Especially at night.

Mr Prewitt,
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.

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 resident.

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?

The doctor wants to see you,
so I think we ought to go.

- And I suppose we won't be long.
- Back in time for supper.

There's no need to hurry.

We can always get her
something on a tray.

Thank you.
Come along. Take my arm.

- Goodbye.
- Goodbye.

- Byebye.
- Goodbye.

I'm Miss Richards.
Can I help you?

I'm Tom Barnaby, Mrs Bly's nephew

- and I was wondering if you know where...
- Oh, yes. The detective.

She's very proud of you, Mr Barnaby.

It's through there
and then to your left.

Thank you.

You all right?

Yeah. Thank you.

- Good morning.
- Morning.

Morning.

Auntie Alice!

Oh, Tom, my dear!
Oh, what a treat.

So what's it like here?

Oh, the food's good,
my room's comfortable,

and the staff are very friendly.

- 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.

It must be very difficult
being a nurse.

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

Somebody died here last night.

An old lady called Muriel.

I think there's something
rather odd about it.

- Odd?
- Well, they said that she died of a heart attack,

but there was absolutely
nothing wrong with her heart.

How do you know?

Well, somebody told me.

Who? One of the nurses?

No. One of the old ladies.

George. Well, they call her George.

What did she say?

Well, she said that she thinks
that Miss 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, who 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 her money from her.

The milkman, the paper boy, even me.

- And me.
- Well, there you are.

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.

Excuse me,
is Miss Richards about, please?

No, I'm afraid not.
She won't be back until about three.

Oh, perhaps you can help.

Dr Warnford.
Do you happen to have his address?

RINGS BELL

Yes?

- Dr Warnford?
- Yes?

My name's Barnaby,
Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby.

What do you want?

Ah, nothing serious.
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.

It's his own bloody fault.

In here.

This is not an official visit.

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...

VOLUME FADES ON TV

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.

Yes, 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 er..., 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?

Sorry to have wasted your time.

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

INTERCOM BUZZING

- Thank God, it's Mr. Cranham.
- I'll go.

Tell him if he's been smoking in bed again,
I shall report him to Miss Richards.

- You like some coffee?
- Tea. Coffee will keep me awake.

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

What are you doing today, Cully?

What are my orders?

34. 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.

- KNOCK ON DOOR
- Come.

Mrs Armstrong?

Oh, Mrs Bly.

- Am I disturbing you?
- Not in the least.

Do please come in.

How are you today?

Rather well, actually.

A little tired.

I looked for you at breakfast.

Nurse Bartlett was very sweet.

She said I could have breakfast in bed.

What a luxury.

How was it at the hospital?

(SIGHS) Well...
not entirely what I'd hoped.

Oh, dear.

I don't think there's
much they can do.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

Worried about Pru.

She was very upset.

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

But what about you?

What do you feel?

I'm an old lady.

I've had a happy life.

Now...

I propose to let nature
take its course.

Nothing else I can do, after all.

Now,
let's talk about something else.

Did you er....

...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.

What do you mean, you won't sign it?
You've got to sign it.

It's my money.
I need it and I'm not dead yet.

If I don't get this money by the
end of the month, I'm finished.

Well, that's your problem,
Mungo, not mine.

My 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?

- Trying to be.
- How exciting.

- Tough life.
- Very.

She was almost in
Pride And Prejudice.

Ooo. 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 getting confused.

Really? You do surprise me.

How long have you lived here,
Mr. Smithers?

Oh... five years.
It'll soon 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?

Well, 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.

- 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 topnotch cars.
The cream de la cream.

Mr Buchanan always
had a Rolls-Royce.

Very stylish gentleman.

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 ã5,000 to spend
an afternoon in that car,

if I had ã5,000 to spare.

- 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. All interruptions are more than welcomed.

- What's the problem?
- Not really a problem, sir.

Miss Richards phoned the station,

- the lady from the nursing home?
- Yeah.

She wanted to speak to you,
but 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.

- She say what it was about?
- No.

PHONE RINGS

- Hello, Lawnside.
- "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 way?

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.
Er.. near the market place.

- You happy here?
- Happy? Huh, not unhappy.

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 fifteen years ago.

I have a daughter.
She's married to an accountant in Shrewsbury.

Frightful prick.
I don't like either of them.

What a dreadful thing to say.

Not if it's true.

They don't like me either.

We went through this foolish pretext
of spending Christmas together

year after year after year.

Eventually I wrote to them
and said quite politely,

I don't see the point,
I rather stay here at Lawnside.

Haven't spoken to them since.

And does this upset you?

I wished 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.

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 gathered your aunt spoke to you
about the circumstances of her death.

- Who told you that?
- Dr. Warnford.

Oh, 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.

And 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.

DOOR OPENS

Is 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.

People might leave.

We just can't afford
that sort of scandal.

Look, I'll get my sergeant to
make some discreet enquiries.

Good afternoon.

Oh.

Oh, you look very dashing.

I'm just popping into town.

Got a few errands to do.

Anything you want?

No, I don't think so.

I do like that Cully.

She's a smashing girl.

Oh, she was very
impressed by you too.

And so was I.

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

Ah well...

We all have our little secrets.

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.

Ah, yes.

Cartier. Very nice.

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

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?

But I'm afraid she's out.

We had an emergency with Mr Cranham.

She's gone to see his daughter.

Er... perhaps there's
something I can do?

Well, erm... 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'd 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?

But he was looking for one
of the nurses, Sister Lovelace.

But it was her night off.

He just...

He just lost control.

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

- When was this?
- Last night.

- This other nurse, Sister what?
- Lovelace.

Have you told her about this?

She won't talk about it.

What do you mean?

Just that. She won't talk about it.
She refuses.

What? 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.

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 going to be alright.

Well, let's hope so, old cock,

for your sake as well as mine.

Hop in.

♪ GLENN MILLER: String Of Pearls

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.

Ah, well.
All those evenings at the Savoy.

You know you'll catch your death
of cold if you're not careful.

Here, take this.

How kind.
This is kind of you.

Are you all right?

That was a lovely evening.

Oh, but I'm ready for bed.

It was super. Really super.

Good night. Sleep well.

And you.

Oh, my shawl.

Oh, dear!

Madge?

Madge, are you there?

It's Alice.
Could I have my shawl?

Oh!

Oh, God!

Oh, nurse! Nurse!

Oh, it was a dreadful shock.

Well, yes, 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 have phoned me last night.
Why didn't you?

Well, I did not want to make
a nuisance of myself.

Oh, don't be silly.

Now, look. I must go.

But I'll give you a ring
you later on, alright?

Tom, there's something
that frightens me.

What's that?

I lent 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 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've been -
- What?

There seen to be 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.

I can't put my finger on it.

It's just a feeling.

She's very down to earth, me Auntie Alice.
Very level headed.

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 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 them sweet.
Listen to what they've got to say.

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.

It depends what you mean by unusual.

Old Mrs. Tucker said she saw the
Prince of Wales mowing the lawn.

She was batty.

I thought you might
like to see this.

Oh, thank you.

Anyway, she died weeks ago.

Who did?

Well, 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.

Ho, 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 from 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 enquiries.

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.

Something wrong, Mr Prewitt?

No, no.

It's nothing.

STAIRS CREAKING

MUFFLED WHINING

FOOTSTEPS RUNNING

(SIGHS) I 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?

Who wants to live to be 89?

Someone who's 88.

So none of them had
anything interesting to say?

It was a bit of a nightmare, sir.

Couldn't get a straight
answer out of any of them.

- There was one thing, sir.
- What's that?

One of the old boy 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. 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.

You are naughty.

Well, they can bloody well afford it,
the money they squeeze out of us.

God, it makes me sick.

I asked Sister Fatface
for a biscuit the other day.

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

Bloody nerve.

Anyway, they don't do their job properly.

What about that broken window
in the room next door?

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's 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.

Are you all right?

PHONE RINGS

5-8-6-3-2. Hello?

Oh, Auntie Alice!
How are you?

Mrs Armstrong's dead.

I'm sure she was killed.

I know who did it.

Who was this lady?
The one who 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.

No, 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?

Oh, 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.

Well, I don't trust Dr Warnford.

I think he's up to no good.

Well, being that as it may,

Mrs Armstrong
was old and she was ill.

She wasn't ready to die.

Well, you can 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 Ms.

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 Richardson.

You got an address for him?

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

DOOR OPENS

Wait!

Oh, damn!

Sorry.

Mr Mortimer?

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.

(SIGHS)

Oh, I get it.

Nurse Bartlett has been making
an official complaint.

Perhaps you'll 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 like to know where you were between
three o'clock and six o'clock this morning.

Well, you don't think I had anything
to do with them dying, do you?

(LAUGHS) 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 did 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've no plans to run away.

I wouldn't advise that, sir.

Going home now?

No, back to Lawnside.

I want to hear what Sister Lovelace
has to say about Mr. Mortimer.

I can't believe he's called Mungo.

What kind of a name is that?

Good morning, Mrs Bennett.

What do you want?

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

I know who you are.
What's the matter?

- I was so sorry to hear about...
- Yes, yes. Thank you.

It must've been a great shock.

Yes.

Well... no. She was ill.

She was very ill.

But 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.

- 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?

- Ah, through here.
- Thank you.

Joan, 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 have these rows?

I heard them arguing, yes.

Well, can you tell us 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.'

How long could she last?

Could be tomorrow.
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?

It's understandable.

Well, thank you, Sister.

Thank you.

What do you make of that?

I think I'll go and have a few
reassuring words with Auntie Alice.

DOOR BANGS

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.

- Morning, ladies.
- Good 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.

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.

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, hah. Taxi.

Unexpected dividend.

Thought I'd give
myself a little treat.

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

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

Understand what?

Madge Fielding.

Did you know her?

Oh, that's the old lady
who 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've 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.

♪ GLENN MILLER: String Of Pearls

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

As it turned out, I waited too long.

- Oh, but I'm ready for bed.
- It was super. Really super.

Good night.

- 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 make-up
and soiled tissues.'

'And then... the door opened.'

Ughhh!

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.

How is that, sir?
Alright for you?

Very good indeed, thank you.

I don't think I've had the pleasure
of seeing you here before, sir.

You live here 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 are all in the same boat.

Once upon a time, I thought
I can live quite comfortably.

What a mistake that was.

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

My wife died.

It seemed the best solution.

Bloody expensive!

Are you talking about Lawnside?

I am.
Do you know it?

I know of it.

Cliff Warnford lives in the village.

Warnford...
Oh, Dr. Warnford.

That's the one.

I think his girlfriend
works at Lawnside too.

Didn't know he had one.

He's not the type woman would go for.

Rather frumpish,
not in the first flush of youth.

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.

Where is Warnford's house?

Opposite the church.
You can't miss it.

WHIP CRACKS
You think you know it all, don't you?

Please, just stop! Stop!

You don't know anything.

- You stupid...
- No!

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

- You don't know anything.
- No no, I'm not clever. I'm a very stupid man.

No, you think you are clever though, don't you?

- But you don't know anything.
- No more, please.

You don't, you don't.

- You think you know everything, but you don't.
- Please, no more.

STAIRS CREAK
You don't.

(LAUGHS)
What a laugh!

He runs an up-market
second-hand car business.

Classic Cars.

That's where he met Dr Warnford.

Mortimer sold him the Aston Martin.

His name is Maurice,
by the way, not Mungo.

Maurice Winston.

We had a talk to Sister Lovelace.

I suppose she told you
I bumped off my mother.

Something like that.

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.

Is he rich?

Why, he's loaded.
Well, his wife is, anyway.

I didn't know he was married.

That's why he has to be careful.

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.'

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.

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

You know, pills in the Lucozade.

Suppose she'd gone to the police?

There'd have to be a postmortem,
God knows what else.

Probate would be delayed.

I need 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.'

Nurse Bartlett!

Nurse Bartlett!

Nurse 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 believe that.

I may have been 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.

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 saw the car.

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

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 may seem like it.

I wanted a taste of freedom.

Lunch at the Queen's Arms.

Are you two here officially...

...as policemen?

My aunt was worried about you.

She'd heard some garbled rumours
about your adventures.

She asked me to find out
what had really happened.

Ah, dear Alice.
She's a very sweet woman.

She also says that you'd 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 Bartlett!

Nurse Bartlett!

'Her room's opposite to mine.'

'She left the door ajar.'

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

It would 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&Ts.
Ploughman's with real cheddar.

These things are
important to a chap.

They are to me, anyway.

I'll tell you something.

Whatever happens...

it was worth it.

Oh, Mrs Bly.

Oh!

I'm so sorry. I didn't realise.

I was on my way to having a bath

but 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-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.

- 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 don't remember.

Oh, I'm so sorry, but my memory
is in a hopeless state at this...

I'm so sorry. Do forgive me.

Thank you for this.

Thanks for what?

For taking me out to dinner.

Aww... it's the least I could do.
Everything at home is such a mess.

Sorry.

- What is it?
- What?

You've got something on your mind.

No. Not really.

Tell me.

Well, I'm puzzled.

And worried.

About Alice?

There's a woman called Pru Bennett.

Her aunt's in Lawnside.
Or she was in Lawnside.

She's been very ill.
She died last night.

Ohhh!

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.

What of?

It seems...

Well, she was frightened of me.

Oh, my God!

TV: "Just because they're free,
doesn't mean to say they're good."

PHONE RINGS

5-8-6-3-2.

It's Alice. Auntie Alice.

I must speak to your father.

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

They've gone out to a
restaurant in Causton.

Look, Cully, you've got to ring him.

I'm in terrible trouble.

Why, what is it?

What's the matter?

I know who killed Celia Armstrong.

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.

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.

FOOTSTEPS

PHONE RINGS

Yes, hello?

- "Miss Richards?"
- Who is it?

It's Tom Barnaby.
Inspector Barnaby.

"I think you have an intruder
on the premises."

Ohhh!

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 here
in a very few minutes.

He and some other officers
will do all the searching

You stay here where you are
and stay together.

Anything I can do to help?

No, not at the moment.

What's on the ground floor?

A dining room, kitchen,
TV lounge, staff room.

Right, let's have a look.

That's how they got in. Look.

Where does this go?

Oh, TV lounge.

You'll want to talk to her.

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.'

'What did that mean?'

'I should have 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.'

'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.'

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

'It was a mistake to
go and look for it.'

Was it wrong what I did?

Was it murder?

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

Suppose 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.

Very 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'd talk 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 and 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.

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.
- Yep.

Presumably the others died naturally?

That's what the doctor says.

It's all so sad.

- More toast?
- Yes. Yes, please.

A penny for your thoughts.

- You what?
- You're miles away.

I was thinking about Alice.

She made a mistake
going to Lawnside.

Doesn't need nursing, does she?

She needs some tender loving care.

- Do you want her to come here?
- Do you mind?

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

Thanks.

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

We aim to please.

Would you like these?

I have read them.

Detective stories.

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, it's just not my cup of tea.

Yes, that's lovely.

- Mr. Smithers!
- Ah!

You're soon back.

Oh, just come to collect my gear.

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.

You all right?

Yes, thank you, Tom.

Very all right.