Original subtitles

(Whistles)

There's a new one there today. Never seen her before.

Haven 't you? That's God Almighty's daughter.

They usually send the Bentley to the convent for her.

They're not letting on today. I bet your life they'll swing round.

(Men laugh)

What are you going to be when you grow up? Oh, a tart, are you?

Let us know when you're done, sweetheart! I'll have a nibble at you!

- How about a bit of homework first, eh? - Never mind bloody homework, Taggart.

- See to the day shift. - Oh, aye, Gus.

And none of your lip.

Oh, Emily, thanks.

Pleasure, Miss Van.

Vanessa, dear, I don 't know how many times I've had to tell you,

you really mustn 't drop your things down just anywhere.

- No, Mother. - (Phone rings)

4681. Jane Ratcliffe speaking.

Oh, Mavis, hello.

Cotton! Cotton!

What's been going on here?

- Can you not control these louts? - I don 't know what you're getting at.

You'll know soon enough. The boss is at white heat.

Some parents have complained that their daughters can 't pass down the cut

without filth being strewn over them.

And one of them, for your information, was Mr Ratcliffe's daughter.

I didn 't see her.

You'd better get along, and sharp.

And there'll be some sweeping out in this shop if I have my way.

Lots of places are looking out for sweepings these days, Mr Wilton.

- Hello, Angus. - Mr Brett.

Don 't often see you up here. Everything all right?

Aye. Fine, thanks. You know.

Ah.

Come in.

Remember the last time you were in this office?

I remember, sir.

Mr Brett had seen my drawings

and he recommended I be given the chance to develop.

Mr Brett's recommendation meant nothing unless I gave the word.

Surely you have sense to understand that?

His grandfather founded this firm, but it doesn 't belong to him now.

I own it.

And it happens also with regard to your mother's long service with my family.

Other men were recommended to be put in charge of shop number three.

I'm doing a good job. A damn fine one, Mr Brett says.

You're not doing a good job! You can 't control the men!

- Who says? - I say!

It's coming to something when young ladies can 't pass the works

without having filthy obscenities hurled upon them.

Aye. Well, as soon as I heard, I put a stop to it.

- Now, you were present. - I was what?

One of the girls said she saw you.

Well, she's a bloody liar.

Anyway, what's all the fuss about?

Men have always chipped the lasses along the cut.

These weren 't lasses, Cotton.

Convent girls. Young ladies.

Oh, aye.

Now, I won 't have it happening again.

Do you understand?

Do you understand?

Sir.

Get back to work.

Your Angus is avoiding me, Rosie.

Never. Oh, he's not. He's probably got a problem at work.

- Talk to him about it, would you, love? - Come in. Have it out with him yourself.

- No. Er... no. Have a word, eh? - All right.

(Front door closes)

Hello, big brother.

- What's up? - Nothing much.

Just had my head nipped off by Ratcliffe.

It's his manner I can 't stand! I'm dirt beneath his feet.

Well, I've just been talking to May.

She's complaining about somebody's manner, an ' all.

- She wants to know what's wrong. - She knows what's wrong.

- Hiya, Ma. - Hi, Ma.

- Well, I heard about you today. - Oh, aye?

- What's Mrs Ratcliffe saying about it all? - She told him to go easy on you. I heard her.

Then she went all buttery on me.

She said Mr Ratcliffe didn 't hold you responsible.

It was them awful common fellas you work with.

(Both laugh)

- Oh, aye? What did you say to that? - Nothing.

I kept my silence. Saying owt, she gets into a tizzy.

I can manage her, all right.

She's an upstart, of course, but she got most of that from him.

Because he's a sanctimonious, hymn -singing, bigheaded nowt!

- Something wrong, Arthur? - Oh, it's the third time this week.

I'll have to get the garage to fetch it.

- Well, you ought to change it. - Yes, I know that, Jonathan.

Come on, then.

Oh, right! Thanks.

I've been having trouble with Cotton, by the way.

ARTHUR: What's he done?

JONATHAN: Spewing filth from the shop window at the convent girls.

- Angus? Surely not? - Oh, your golden -headed boy, is he, Arthur?

No, not at all. He's just a lad who thinks for himself. He's got ideas.

Given half a chance, he could do things.

- Everything all right with you, Arthur? - Yes, er... fine, thanks.

- Good. - Colin 's settling into the world of work.

It's Irene I meant, really.

Oh, yes, er... everything's fine there.

JONATHAN: Good. Good. Because the last time I spoke to Irene...

ARTHUR: Ah, yes. This isn 't about the land, is it, Jonathan?

JONATHAN: You see, Irene said... - Well, I know she did.

She did mention that you had um...

(Sighs) Look, I'm sorry, Jonathan, but I really won 't be selling it, I'm afraid.

It's... it's difficult to...

It's to do with it being in the family for so long. Built by Grandpa Affleck, all that sort of thing.

It's always been a... a part of my life.

It would be like erm... selling my childhood.

You do see that, don 't you?

- Yes, of course. - Well...

- Of course. - Good. Good.

- Anyway, thanks for the... - Mm.

- Stubborn idiot! - Who, dear?

Arthur. You mention land and all you get is sentimental twaddle.

- Where's Vanessa? - She's in the library.

Jonathan, did you speak to Angus Cotton?

Yes. He denies it.

But then he would, wouldn 't he?

(Playful war cries)

- Hello, Daddy. - Hello, Michael.

BO Y: Come on, Michael, see if you can catch me.

(Children laugh)

- (Playful war cries) BO Y: I'm going to get you now.

(Both laugh)

Had a good day, Dad?

So-so, Col. You know.

- What happened? - Nothing, as far as I'm concerned.

Well, well. This is news.

The other three were concerned. Their parents were concerned.

I suppose what shocked their girls didn 't shock you!

- I didn 't hear anything, Father. - You didn 't hear anything.

But you were there, weren 't you?

I was thinking. I didn 't know they were there.

They were shouting filth! And you didn 't even hear them!

Vanessa, don 't you take that attitude when your father is talking to you!

I asked you a question.

I answered it, Father.

They were shouting something. I didn 't hear.

Anyway, they always shout at the girls. That's why they go along the path.

They needn 't, you know.

Lucy goes that way to egg them on.

Then why was her mother on the phone complaining?

What will people say when they know that you take these things so casually?

- Where do you think you're going? - To do my prep.

Get that defiant look off your face. And bang the door if you dare!

Do you see what I have to put up with?

She gets more difficult every day.

Inever had this with Susan.

Will you excuse me, Daddy?

Brian 's coming over. He'll be here any minute.

What? Oh, yes, I'd almost forgotten. Brian.

Good.

(Giggling)

Vanessa doesn 't know what's happening to her.

- What is happening to her? - Oh, you know.

- Do I? What? - You know!

I don 't. If Vanessa doesn 't, how am I supposed to?

Oh, darling, think!

What?

Well, S-E-X, of course.

She's got all these feelings and she doesn 't know what to do with them.

And what about you? Did you know what to do with them?

Not really. I suppose I met you just in time.

Before I exploded or something.

The only thing Mummy told me about it was to kiss with my mouth closed.

BRIAN: Well, I'm very glad you ignored her.

Sorry.

Nearly finished.

Yes?

No, no, you... carry on if you haven 't finished.

How can I carry on with you standing there?

Sorry.

What do you want?

Oh, it's nothing. It's just that er...

Well, Jonathan was going on about the land again just now.

Well, you know what I think.

- Well, I thought we'd agreed that er... - No, we didn 't agree.

You said you wouldn 't sell it. I saw I couldn 't change your mind.

That's not the same as agreeing.

- Irene? - What?

Can 't we be friends at least?

I dare say we can be friends.

Please don 't touch me!

People know what I mean when I speak in court.

Why is it that I only have this difficulty with you? Leave me alone!

JUKEBOX: # Singing The Blues

What's the matter, Angus?

Why are you avoiding me?

What's going on?

It's not what I think it is, is it?

Oh, bloody hell, you and me have been going for over a year!

Anyway, what about you? How many lasses have you had?

Oh, millions. You know me!

Why did I tell you?

Look, it was a couple... It was a couple of fellas.

And the second one was over months before I met you. So, why?

It's different for blokes. You know that.

Oh, I do, do I?

- And why is it? - It just is.

It's how I feel. I can 't help it.

It's different for blokes.

You have to have it, don 't you?

Where would we get it if they all kept their virginity?

- That would be very inconvenient. - I know it's not logical, man.

I feel bad about May, but when I get married I want to be the first shopper at the store.

But would you want to shop at a store where nobody else goes?

Aye. True.

How did you get on, girl?

He's got a conscience, has Angus.

I reckon he'll come round.

Try and save this. I bet you can 't.

ANGUS: Ma's late, isn 't she? She shouldn 't work Saturdays.

Why doesn 't she give it up? There's no need.

She's done enough. She's past it.

You'd better not tell her that. She'll scalp you.

Well, she can 't do it all. This place is a pigsty.

I'm going to have it out with her.

Oh, don 't be so daft! Use your loaf.

If Ma left, Ratcliffe would have you out of the shop before teatime. And you know it.

I bloody well know nowt of the sort.

I got into the shop on my ability, not her apron strings, and I want it known.

Don 't bawl your head off. I can hear you.

There! What do you think of that lot?

I told you, Ma. I don 't like wearing other blokes' gear.

- You were glad to wear other blokes' gear once. - Not any more, so don 't get 'em for me.

God! I spend my days cleaning up after them Ratcliffes

who've got their noses so high in the air they need their necks massaged!

And now my own son!

Let me tell you. You'll never be able to buy shirts of this quality! Never! Let me tell you that!

One of these days, I'm going to go out

and I'm going to buy myself six of the best silk shirts in this town.

And I'm going to wear them for work, see!

- How much did you pay for this lot? - 4s/6d.

Go on! There's three good dresses there.

- Who was on the counter? - Fat-arse Flanagan.

- I didn 't pinch them! - Oh, aye?

Watch it, you snotty young bugger!

- (Mouths) - What's this? What's this?

His snotship here wants you to hand in your cards, Ma.

They're using you, Ma. You don 't need it. They're not even friendly to you.

That's right. The family aren 't.

Except young Vanessa. She's nice.

A kind-hearted lass, that one.

But they appreciate my cooking, unlike some!

But your family never taste your cooking, so how are we to judge?

Ey, I'm sorry I've neglected you.

Oh, for God's sake, Ma, don 't be so bloody soft!

You don't cook at weekends, because we won't let you.

Ma, he was pulling your leg. Don 't talk so dippy.

We've never wanted for anything in our lives.

- How about going to t'club tonight? - You went last night.

That was Friday! We haven 't been to a Saturday night for weeks.

Stan won 't mind going again. As long as he gets his slap and tickle.

We'll have a knees-up, Ma.

That's it! A knees-up.

Even if I can 't get my damn feet off the floor!

- You don 't mind my Italian trip on the hols, Dad? - No. Not at all.

Good of you to come and tell us.

- You're dead! - Careful, Michael!

- I'll miss the Hadrian Wall walk. I really will. - There'll always be time for us to do that.

Oh, and can you tell Van I'm sorry I didn 't manage to see her?

Your loss. She's growing into... Well, she's quite something.

Yeah, Colin was saying. Anyway, thanks, Dad.

OK. Let's go.

- Ready! - Oh, bye, Mother.

- See you soon. - I'm coming with you.

Your father promised to take me to my magistrates do this afternoon.

Ah, yes, and er... pick you up again.

Well, I forgot.

Let's go.

(lrene clears throat)

Bet you what you like.

Ratcliffe would've put the whole blame for yesterday's business onto Angus,

if he weren 't scared of losing me.

And I wouldn 't mind going, I can tell you.

But, Ma, Angus could get a job anywhere.

Maybe. Maybe.

But what sort of a job?

The way the world is now, never mind your brains, what you need is education.

At Affleck's, he's being educated as he goes along.

And Mr Brett is backing him all the way. Where else would he find that?

Oh, Ma, there's dozens of places.

He could go and get a job tomorrow.

- (Laughs) Well, Monday. - Maybe.

I tell you what. I'm tired, Rosie.

I'm tired of the hours.

I want to stay in my own house and get it shipshape.

And have meals for you both when you come in.

Neither you nor Angus are going to be here much longer.

Oh, Mam. Mam!

Oh, don 't upset yourself.

And don 't you bloody well go downstairs and tell him.

- Thank you. - Good night, miss.

WOMAN: Hiya, how are you? MAN: Fine. How are you?

WOMAN: Not so bad.

Van?

- Oh, hello, Angus. - (Rumble of thunder)

- This rain is... - Aye, I know. Let's go over there. Come on.

So er... what were you doing in there, like?

- Have you taken to smoking? - No, it's Father's birthday on Monday.

I didn 't recognise you out of your school uniform.

You look different.

And do you know what, Angus? I feel different, too.

By the way, Van, about yesterday's business,

- I wouldn 't have let the lads - - It doesn 't matter, Angus.

Anyway, they get what they deserve.

You know, they use the cut to egg the boys on.

I didn 't even hear any of it. I was miles away.

Away with your dreams, eh?

Hello, Vanessa. And Angus, hello.

- Oh, hello, Brett. - Mr Brett.

Looks like I've missed the shop.

VANESSA: Yes, I'm afraid you have. I was the last one they served.

I'll try the lounge bar. Um... Do you need a lift, Vanessa?

Oh, that would be nice.

Well, hop in. Irene's in the car. I won 't be a moment. Bye, Angus.

I tell you what, I met Van this afternoon.

She said she didn 't even hear what the lads were shouting.

It's a storm in a teacup.

I heard Affleck's was smart. Inever knew they had teacups!

Ratcliffe probably cranked it up to have a go at you.

PIANO: # Blue Moon

That rain came down this afternoon. How did Miss Van get home?

Mr and Mrs Brett gave her a lift.

Mr Brett? All right, was he? No mention of?

No, no, he was fine. He understands. Cheers, all.

ALL: Cheers! - Aye, he's all right, Mr Brett is.

But his wife is a chilly drink of water.

Feel sorry for her, mind.

She thought she was marrying Affleck & Tate when she married Mr Brett.

Only Mr Brett somehow forgot to tell her that the house was it.

No money to go with it. All spent.

Then bloody Ratcliffe smarms his way into the job that should've been Mr Brett's.

She's a disappointed woman.

Cheers!

What are you saying? Why shouldn 't Angus talk to Vanessa?

You're so naive. You make me want to scream.

Why? Why do you say that?

They've known each other all their lives.

Emily took Angus up there when he was a child.

- What are you trying to make of this? - Nothing.

I just don 't think Jonathan wants his daughter consorting with that oaf!

Do you know, I really think you should mind your own business.

And stop taking this out on Jane through Vanessa.

- What on earth do you mean? - You're jealous of her.

Jane will marry Susan into the aristocracy. She'll be invited to every house in the county.

- And you can 't stand that, can you? - How dare you!

- Don 't leave like that, Arthur! Listen to me! - No, I'm not going to listen to you.

I'm not a member of one of your committees.

There are some things you can 't make me do. You can 't make me listen to you!

I went to see the mother-in -law. She goes to keep-fat classes.

(Laughter)

She read somewhere that horse riding was good for slimming.

She tried it. It worked.

The horse lost 41/2 stone!

- Good night. God bless. Thanks for having us. - (Cheering)

# Well, it's one for the money

# Two for the show

# Three to get ready, now go, cat, go

Haulage. That's the future. Road haulage.

The unions are strangling the railways.

Canals? All gone!

- What's left? - Fred's lorry.

Put a sock in it, Stan.

Stan!

Aye, you can laugh. But there's factories setting up all over.

They need materials shifted in and goods shifted out.

Someone's got to do it.

- What do you make with your rig, Fred? - A good week, pounds40.

- Not bad. - Next round on Fred, then, eh?

Stan, are you going to dance with me?

Or shall I go over there and ask that lad that looks like James Dean?

Oi!

- Where is he? I'll knock his head off. - Come on!

That's it! You show him, girl!

# Be Bop A Lula

OK, Fred, tell me about a typical day with your rig.

You know what you are, Angus Cotton? You're a selfish, stuck-up - Argh!

# She's the woman who loves me so

# Be Bop A Lula, she's my baby

# Be Bop A Lula, I don 't mean maybe

# Be Bop A Lula, she's my baby doll

Vanessa?

Oh, Brett, you did give me a fright.

- What are you doing here? - I often come down here.

I hope you don 't mind, Brett. It's just that some of these nights I can 't sleep.

- You're all right? Nothing wrong, is there? - No! No!

Well, it's my turn to ask. Why are you out at this hour?

Well, I saw you coming down here and um...

wondered what you were up to.

- Brett, you didn 't? - I'm afraid I did, young woman.

Who did you expect to find me with?

Well... since your sister may well be Lady Braintree one day,

I thought you must at least have a rendezvous with a count or a prince.

Mother and Father would have been delighted if it had been a count or a prince.

(Sighs) People make me sick, Brett.

People make me sick, too, Vanessa.

I bet they do.

You've had what's known as a dirty deal, haven 't you?

- What? - Well, it's true.

Why else does Father feel so guilty about you if he hasn 't done you down?

I've no idea.

Look, I'm not a child any more.

I'm nearly 18 and I'm very, very worldly.

Are you?

Well... You're very sweet, Van.

Lused to call you that when you were little, remember?

- But your father didn 't like it. - He didn 't like me calling you Brett, either.

- No. - Nor does Irene.

You always still do, don 't you?

Well... You're a braver man than I am.

Come on.

Let's get you home. Come on.

I'm sorry I missed Paul.

Well, bad luck him. Perhaps next time he'll realise what you've become.

What's that, Brett?

A beautiful young woman, when you're not scowling.

In fact, it might be better for Paul's sake if he didn 't notice you at all, poor fellow.

- You're not just saying that, are you? - No, I'm not.

You just run along now. I'll see you soon.

You're the kindest man I know.

- Hello, Van. - Angus!

Fancy seeing you here.

- Black tie? - Aye. Funeral.

- I was the family representative. You? - Dentist. Had to see a specialist.

- Whose funeral was it? - An uncle.

I was surprised to get time off work to go,

but then I realised it was a dark plot involving the aristocracy.

What sort of plot?

My ma wanted to go, cos her sister's the widow.

But your ma's got her future in -laws coming.

Now, your ma can 't do without my ma, so she goes to your dad, I go instead.

Hello there, Vanessa!

- Angus Cotton. Colin Brett. - Hello.

Aye. We've shared a rugby pitch before now.

That's right. We have.

Well, see you around, then, Vanessa.

Angus!

I'm getting the bus here.

- It was nice seeing you. - And you, Angus. I'm glad I bumped into you.

Brampton Hill, please.

- There's no point raking all this up. - We can work it out.

ANGUS: We can 't. It doesn 't matter how much we talk about it.

I didn 't mean it, Angus. I was a pint or two the worse.

- It's all right. - It's not. I feel terrible.

- I didn 't mean it. - It doesn 't matter.

Hey, this fella's been hobnobbing with the quality again. A Ratcliffe.

Quality? Them? Ha!

It was Van. I bumped into her at the station.

That's the second time in as many weeks.

Best be careful. Tongues will start to wag, you know.

Can 't you open your mouth without making a crack? Can 't you?

Aye, shut up, Stan. Where are you going?

I'll er... eat it on the way. I've got something to discuss with Fred Singleton.

(Subdued chatter)

In fact, generations, really.

Brian, I'm sure I can tempt you. Lovely.

Will you have one?

Alan, why don 't you go over and join Vanessa. She's looking rather lonely over there.

I do love to see the youngsters getting together, don 't you?

I wonder if you'd be good enough to excuse me for a few moments, Mother?

Yes, of course, dear.

You shouldn 't be doing this. It's kind of you, but...

It isn 't kind of me, Emily.

I was going mad listening to my father licking Lord Braintree's boots.

And that spotty son of his boring on about some old car

belonging to his second best friend's father.

Aye, but you'd best get back.

Emily, would you get another?

What on earth do you think you're doing?

Something useful.

You get back to our guests at once, young lady.

I shall say that I found you upstairs and you weren 't feeling entirely well.

I'll talk to you later.

And why not tell the truth?

Don 't worry, Emily, I'll say that you told me to go back in.

I'm not worried, lass. Thanks for the help.

I'd quite like it if you started behaving yourself and stopped doing your best to wreck things.

(Sighs)

Well? And what was all that about?

- I was helping Emily. Her legs are swollen. - Emily can cope!

I've just taken her home in the car and she was perfectly all right. That is an excuse.

It was a deliberate act of defiance.

Angus tells me Emily's legs are getting worse.

Angus? Angus Cotton?

Yes, I met him at the station.

You never told me.

- Well, anyway, he tells me... - I don 't care what he said.

You are to apologise to Susan.

What for?

She should apologise to me for Brian 's revolting, boring twerp of a brother!

I'm not listening to this.

I shall let your father deal with you.

You're an utterly selfish brat!

Brat?

Brett?

Is that you?

Van! It's very late.

I couldn 't sleep. I felt all het up. I...

There's something wrong. Nothing's happened, has it?

No, no, no. Nothing in particular.

- Let's go down to the summer house and talk. - You should go back in. They might...

They won 't! Come on.

I'm going to go back. It's too late.

All right, you stay. I'll go and sit in the summer house, and muse.

I wish that love was something that just happened like...

I don 't know, like growing your hair.

I mean loving your parents.

But it isn 't. It worries me.

- Why? - Because I don 't love them.

I don 't love Susan and I don 't love Ray.

I know I should, but I don 't.

Well, we can 't always love when we should. True.

No, well, I can 't.

In fact, in our house, the only person who I really like is Emily.

Everyone relies on her, but they still call her common behind her back.

I suppose she is.

But she's the only one I really like.

Why do you suppose that is?

Perhaps it's because she's more... natural, more straightforward.

Does it get easier to love people as you get older?

Well, one day...

...you will find someone that... that... that you can 't bear to be out of your sight.

And you'll find this person, never fear.

And when you do, you'll discover the way that you love.

You. Vanessa.

And um...

We all have to sort it out for ourselves.

You know, I was thinking.

There are only two men I can really talk to.

Two people, really, at that.

Angus... and you.

I could love you, Brett.

- (Muffled sob) - Brett?

Brett, what is it? What have I done?

Don 't. Don 't.

What have I done? What have I said?

Buy a lorry? You?

Did I say I was going to buy the damn thing? I said I was going to look at it.

What are going to look at it for if you don 't mean to buy it?

Come on, Rosie, you reckoned it was a good idea.

Aye, I did. It's simple.

All you do is put pounds5,000 down, then pay the rest off in instalments.

Easy!

What's there to laugh at? He's serious about it. Can 't you see that?

If Fred Singleton thinks he's onto such a good thing, why can 't he buy another lorry?

- You'd be borrowing. Why can 't he? - I won 't be borrowing much.

And he doesn 't want to stretch himself. He's got a wife, all them kids and a widowed mother.

But he's losing work, being a one-man band. Together we'd be in clover.

Aye, and do you know where the most clover grows?

In the bankruptcy court, you big gouk!

The point is, is that he's losing work, like I say.

With a second lorry, we could be turning 40 a week each.

No! No! You're not leaving the yard.

Not to join in with some harebrained scheme of Fred's.

Head of a shop at your age and wanting to give it up?

- Oh, no! You can forget this racket! - I'm not forgetting it, Ma.

It might not happen just now - the lorry might be no good - but I'm not forgetting it.

Head of a shop's nothing!

At Affleck's, I'll always be someone else's man.

And I've got a fancy for being my own boss.

Stubborn bugger!

I've er... thought about the German Holland trip, Jonathan.

Yes.

- I'll go. - Well done.

I can see the idea doesn 't delight you, Arthur, but I really am very grateful.

It's good to see that company loyalty hasn 't, in fact, gone out of fashion.

Well, I can 't say I envy you Pearson 's company.

He has the conversation of a speak-your-weight machine.

- I enjoy his company. I find it very relaxing. - Yes.

You don 't even speak Dutch or German.

Oh, I'll be all right.

Somebody has to go.

Goodbye.

It's never worth pounds375, is it, Fred?

Not judging by the last couple we viewed, it isn 't.

I don 't know what they're playing at! They'd be lucky to get pounds200 for it.

Bastards, dragging us all the way out here. Away, let's go.

I took the bloody day off, an ' all.

Oh, telegram this morning from Brett,

asking if I'd mind if he stayed abroad for another couple of weeks.

- Oh, really? - Mm.

Well, it is holiday owed to him, so there's not much I can do about it.

Especially as it looks as if Pearson 's trip will be really quite successful.

I wonder what Irene thinks about him being away so long.

If the last time we saw her is anything to go by...

Yes, dear. Yes, Irene was coping was very well, I must say.

SUSAN: Coping? Quite frankly, I've never seen her look so cheerful.

I'm not going to jump into anything, Fred. There's time.

There's not, you know, Angus. There's not.

There's other fellas borrowing money to start up.

We've wasted weeks looking at these lousy rigs. The good ones are getting snapped up.

Aye, I dare say. Hey, hold on, Fred. Slow down.

It is! It's Van!

Stop a minute, will you? She shouldn 't be out here on her own.

You go on, man. I'd better see her home.

- Oh, aye? - It's nothing like that, man.

She's my boss's daughter.

Ma says she's not been well. She's looking off to me. I'd better see to her.

- But you'll decide soon, will you? - I'll leave it for now, Fred.

- Van? - I'm all right, Angus. Really, I am.

Well, it's a poor lookout for the bad 'uns!

I reckon you should be in bed.

No nonsense now. Home and into bed.

We can save a mile by cutting through Mr Brett's wood.

You're not fit to be out here.

Come on, now. Take my arm.

And we'll keep going, keep warm.

- There's no need, Angus. - There's need right enough.

(Both laugh)

ANGUS: I've got you. Are you all right? Yeah?

SPOOKY VOICES: Va-nes-sa!

Va-nes-sa!

That's Ray and Michael. That's the tree house they've built.

Aye, good for them.

I'll be all right from here, Angus, really.

Thank you.

She was in a state, Ma. She looks bad.

She's been like that for a week or two.

The Missus hasn 't known what to do with her. Nor me.

Not been able to get a word out of her for days.

They reckon it's exam nerves.

Are you sure? It looked more than that to me.

She hardly said a word all the way.

And when she did, it was so dramatic, you'd think she was rehearsing for a play.

Well, I dare say that's how it takes her.

How was the lorry this time?

Rubbish! We walked away.

- Aye. Best thing. Best thing! - Hey!

How is she, Doctor?

We know she's unwell, but it's nothing serious, is it?

She isn 't unwell at all, Mrs Ratcliffe.

Ah.

She's pregnant. Which you might say is serious.

Pregnant?

You're mad!

- Don 't be absurd. You've made a mistake. - Aye, well, we're all a bit mad.

And we all make mistakes.

And I'd like to be mistaken in this instance, but I'm not.

Your daughter's pregnant.

- Emily. - Aye. What is it, honey?

- Oh, Emily. - Oh! Now, now, now.

- Pick your tea up. - (Front door slams)

Your father's arrived.

Thank you, Emily.

Well?

Look at me!

You dirty little slut!

Now, who did it?

Who?

I said who?

Who?

No! No! Leave her, please!

Jonathan. Jonathan, oh, my God!

What are we to do?

- She'll have to have it taken away. - That's illegal.

Don 't be stupid, woman! Nothing's illegal if you can pay enough!

JONATHAN: Having a baby here? On the side? - What about Susan 's wedding?

I just want to know who it was.

She doesn 't meet any boys.

She doesn 't even seem to like them.

She can 't be having a baby by autosuggestion, now, can she?

- Pregnant? - I wanted to tell you before Rosie got in.

They're having it taken away, as far as I can gather.

Don 't look like that, lad.

But Van... She's nowt but a kid.

It can 't be true.

How? Who?

Oh, lad, you're asking me. They're asking her.

They can 't get a word out of her.

She doesn 't go around with blokes.

- Where are you going? - I've no appetite tonight.

I've cooked your tea! You'll eat it!

- I couldn 't stomach it, Ma! - (Door closes)

We're going to bury this.

She'll have it taken away, then she'll go to Scotland to your Aunt Jean.

Aunt Jean doesn 't even possess a telephone.

If anyone asks, we just say

an opportunity came up for Vanessa to travel abroad.

And we'll even forge the postcards if need be.

Until Susan 's wedding, at least.

- Good night. - Good night.

- (Door slams) - Middle of the week. What's brought this on?

Miss Van. He's cut up.

Oh, that's rich, that is. He wants to tell that to me.

Now, now. You can feel sorry for Miss Van.

Ah, sorry for her, my backside.

She had everything, and she wanted that, an ' all.

Oh, she couldn 't wait.

She's asked for it, and boy she's got it.

Sorry for her?

You're asking something, aren 't you?

She's always got on my wick.

Oh, Brett.

Say that again, Michael.

Vanessa's going to have a baby.

Well, what put that idea into your head?

Ray told me.

What exactly did he say, darling?

He said, "Tell you a secret, shall I?"

And I said, "OK."

And he said, "Well, Vanessa's going to have a baby,

and Mummy and Daddy are hopping cross about it."

And he said he was quite pleased

cos nobody bothered him all day, like they usually do.

I don 't think you ought to tell anybody this, darling.

Ray may be mistaken. Run along now.

All right.

How are the mighty fallen.

- It's Irene, Mother. - Oh!

You've caught me at a bad moment, Irene. Er... I've got a headache.

I'm sorry, Jane, but it's important that you speak to Ray.

He's been telling Michael the most fantastic story about Vanessa.

- Vanessa? - Yes.

Well, not to put too fine a point on it, he said she was going have a baby.

(Jane sobs)

Oh, Jane, I am sorry.

Really, I am.

Oh, that's appalling. It is, truly.

What can I say?

How could he take advantage of a girl like Vanessa?

If only there were punishments for that kind of thing.

I mean, if he came before the bench when I was sitting, I'd throw the book at him.

And after everything you've done for him!

You know who it is?

Well, don 't you?

Who do you think it is, Irene?

I thought Arthur would've mentioned it to Jonathan.

I've told Arthur about the number of times I've seen them together.

Who?

Oh. Angus.

Emily's Angus.

I thought you'd have known.

You're a bloody liar! And she is an ' all, if she says it's him!

I know my Angus.

And he'd as soon broken into the convent and raped one of the nuns!

Well, now. Well, now.

I've put up with you, the lot of you for years!

But this has put paid to it!

As for trouble,

you wait until my Angus hears about this, then you'll know what trouble means!

JONATHAN: So, have you got something to say, Cotton?

Aye. Lunderstand I'm giving your daughter a baby.

- You dirty lout! - Now, hold on a minute.

I'm warning you,

don 't use any of those terms on me.

How did you persuade her, Cotton?

Did it give you a kick seducing my daughter?

Or was it something to do with your stupid ambition?

My what?

You're so stupid and badly educated.

You thought that the only way you could get on in the works

was by taking advantage of my family.

I'll take advantage of the fact that we're alone and bust your mouth open, Mr bleedin ' Ratcliffe.

And you can stick your works and your lousy job starting right from this minute!

Now! Understood?

And as for being stupid, what about you?

I bet you don 't even know what they call you in the yard, do you?

What's the matter, are you not interested?

There's a whole history to what they call you, you know.

Tales of how you got where you are.

Tit Ratcliffe, the biggest sucker-up in the game.

Here's another one.

What's Ratcliffe's breath smell of?

Cherry Blossom, from licking all them boots. And that's one of the politer ones.

Get out!

Oh, I'm happy to, but not until she comes in here and tells you if it was me or not!

Well, get going and ring your bell, or whatever it is you do.

I'm not leaving! I mean it!

JONATHAN: Jane, bring her in here!

I'm sorry, Angus.

I told them and told them it wasn 't you, but they still won 't believe me.

I'm so sorry.

Have I ever touched you?

Have I ever said anything to you that was, like, out of place?

They say you're going to have a baby and that I'm the father.

If they're right, then er... I should marry you, shouldn 't I?

But... No.

No, you're not, Angus.

He's not, he's not!

That's enough of this!

Get out, Cotton!

All right.

I'm going.

I'm sorry, Angus. Please forgive me.

You remember something, Mr Tit Ratcliffe. Something you said to me the other day.

You said that I was so stupid and so badly educated

that I'd never get on.

Well, a man needs a spur like that sometimes in life.

And I thank you for giving it to me... Cherry Blossom.

Your life won 't be worth living in this town, Cotton!

- You're not thinking of seeing him again? - What?

You mean Angus?

Who do you think I mean?

(Hums)

You sound very cheerful.

You've missed all the fun.

Our beloved next-door neighbours have taken a tumble.

In fact, it might well scupper their social climbing for good.

What might?

After all Jonathan 's condescension, all his arrogance...

Well, Vanessa is pregnant.

What?

Oh, don 't be so pious. I know you're pleased.

I'm not.

And I find your pleasure in it disgusting.

I don 't want to hear any more about this.

You may come down for lunch today.

Why, Mother? That's the first time for days.

Yes, well, your father won 't be home for lunch today.

He needs to discuss Arthur Brett's trip with him.

Oh!

So, Brett's back, is he?

Yes, he came back yesterday evening.

Now, don 't be long.

Your father has asked me to tell you, by the way,

the arrangements he has made for you.

Next week, you will go down to London to a nursing home.

And when it's all over, you'll go to your Great Aunt Jean 's in Scotland.

Until after Susan 's wedding.

Right.

That's settled, then.

Come along.

Brett!

Say something to me, Brett.

- I'm going to have a baby. - I know.

Irene told me.

I didn 't stay away because of this, you know.

I'm so sorry, Van. I can 't tell you how sorry I am.

I haven 't told them. I mean, I haven 't told anyone about it being you.

They think it's Angus Cotton.

Angus? She didn 't tell me that.

I told them it wasn 't, but they still won 't believe me.

Irene told them that she'd seen Angus and me together a lot. She said it must be him.

Susan told me Irene seemed pleased about it.

- Why does she dislike me so much? - Jealousy. Just... jealousy.

- What are we going to do? - What can we do, Van?

What did your parents say?

They want to send me to London to have it taken away.

- Well, it's probably the best thing. - What?

I can 't. I won 't.

I won 't have one of those operations. People die!

It won 't be like that. It'll be a proper clinic. It'll be all right.

But I thought you were going to take me away, Brett! I thought we could go away together.

I thought we could get married. I want to have the baby. I want to be married.

You said you don 't love Irene.

Vanessa, I wish we could, but it's impossible!

Irene would never divorce me.

And there's no... money.

I can 't start again at my time of life, and you'd be saddled with an old man.

Just as you were getting into your prime. It wouldn 't work.

You haven 't started to live yet.

You still have time to put all this behind you.

I see.

Believe me, it's for the best.

Yes.

Oh, it's you.

What do you want?

- I hope you don 't think... - No. I don 't... think.

Do you know, Irene, I think you must be the ugliest woman I know.

When you told me about Vanessa, your face could have turned me to stone.

Oh, get out!

Did you really believe that Angus Cotton and Vanessa were having affair,

or was it just malice on your part?

How do you know about that?

Vanessa told me.

Vanessa told you?

- When have you spoken to Vanessa? - Just now.

I was... obliged to speak to her.

I'm the father of her child.

You?

Oh, don 't be absurd!

This is some sort of sick daydream you've had.

I don 't doubt you wanted her, but you wouldn 't have dared.

Well, I did... dare,

if that's the word.

It seems very sad now.

At the time, I thought it...

...quite... beautiful.

You and she?

The poor child told me she loved me.

What she meant, I think, was that she loved my listening to her talk about love.

Well...

What I did was unforgivable.

And yet, she still wanted me to take her away and I would have done.

Will you give me a divorce, Irene?

No.

No. I told Vanessa as much.

I didn 't tell her why. That you're a mean, narrow-minded bitch.

That you'd rather live in hell than with any sort of social disgrace.

Well, perhaps it's just as well.

Much as I wish you dead,

I don 't think the boys would relish the idea of a stepmother younger than themselves.

Yes.

Perhaps it's just as well.

(Screams) No!

No! No!

(Screams)

What the devil was that?

It sounds like Michael.

(Distant cries)

It's Michael! Michael's found his father in the cellar!

Arthur's hanged himself!

Oh, no.

Why should he want to kill himself?

Look. Look!

Almighty God...

JONATHAN: How dare he? Damn nerve.

...the souls of the faithful, after they are delivered from the burden of the flesh,

are in joy and felicity. According to thy will and thy gracious goodness.

We give thee hearty thanks. For that it has pleased thee to deliver...

Vanessa!

...out of the miseries of this sinful world.

Our Father, who art in heaven.

Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done. On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses.

As we forgive them that trespass against us.

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory,

for ever and ever, Amen.

SUSAN: What on earth made Arthur do it? JANE: Nobody knows, darling.

JONATHAN: Irene knows something but she's not telling.

SUSAN: They weren 't happy, were they? JANE: No, no. I'm afraid they weren 't.

She thought she was marrying for money and found it was just for the name.

Besides which, he was never man enough for her.

I thought he was too much man for her.

What do you mean, darling?

Well, he liked sex and she didn 't. Wasn 't that it?

Susan! Who told you that? Where did you get that from?

That subject is not to be discussed, Susan, not in my house!

SUSAN: It's in your car, actually.

Do we need to go so fast, dear?

I'll make some tea, Mother.

Vanessa, go upstairs and get packed.

No buts. I want everything ready before supper.

We've got to be up at the crack of dawn.

If we're going to get the London connection, we need to catch the 7:30.

JANE: She should have been down to breakfast by now.

JONATHAN: What's that?

(Sighs)

"Dear Mother and Father,

I'm not going to London,

I'm going to have the baby.

Doctor Carr said I should."

Carr! Damn him!

"He said that if you force me to go to a clinic, he'll take the matter up.

'I'm going to get work. I've taken my bank book.

I don 't want you to worry about me, so I'll be writing every week.

I've arranged to stay with a friend."

Well, well!

That's what I am now, Ma, a haulier. Angus Cotton, haulage contractor.

Ee, that's grand, that is.

Hello! Look what the tagareen man chucked out.

I have come for my daughter.

You've what? What the hell are you on about now?

Don 't ask the whole street.

You won 't be told, will you?

- You won 't believe the truth! - Keep your voice down!

Why? I don 't mind who knows. I'm not ashamed of anything.

Has she run away, has she?

ANGUS: Good for her.

Aye, good for her.

Come in and see for yourself, if it'll satisfy you.

Get out!

They're dead sure it's you, lad, aren 't they?

I've heard you call me hard-bitten, Ma...

...but I wanted there to be someone pure left in this world.

For me, it was her.

And all the time, she was messing around with some spotty schoolboy.

Oh, Angus, don 't.

Oh, it was another immaculate conception, was it?

Well, if she has run away, she's gonna find it a bit different out there in the real world.

Her fancy manners won 't butter many parsnips out there, I can tell you.

Oh, you're full of compassion, aren 't you?

Have some sympathy. She's still not 18. Talk about in the deep end.

Aye, it's the deep end, right enough.

Thank you, Mrs Brewer.

I don 't know why I made such a fuss about hanging onto Emily Cotton.

Mm. Susan seems to be enjoying herself.

Yes. It was very generous of you to pay for Monaco, dear.

She's obviously very grateful.

Well, Graintree chipped in.

- What have you got there? - Photographs. You must see them.

So many of them have turned out really well.

Oh, they're quite lovely.

If only we could have been together as a family.

Hm. We were.

Jonathan, don 't you think we ought to look for her?

- (Sighs) - It's been more than seven weeks now.

I know she's written but... shouldn 't we tell the police, or something?

At least try to find out where she is!

I don 't know who you are talking about.

(Door slams)

We bought it cheap, and it's behaving bloody cheap. Bastard object.

You should be grateful to it, man.

We need more lorries, an ' all.

It makes me sick, the amount of work we've had to turn down.

Grateful? What do you mean, grateful?

Just think about what it's taught you every time it's broken down.

It's turned you into a handy mechanical, has this rust bucket.

Don 't knock it, man. Think of it as a tutor, like.

I'll think of your head as a football!

- We need six lorries, not two. - Six, eh?

Oh, aye, and the moon 'd be handy, an ' all.

Aye, six. Or more. I mean it.

There's got to be a way.

Well?

Lt'll take a year to save for my second lorry, never mind the others.

And Fred's not going to help.

And don 't talk to me about the never never. I'm not doing it.

What do you think? I've seen her.

- Who? - Miss Van, of course.

Where?

- Come on, stop mucking about and tell us. - You'll never guess in a thousand years.

- Will they, Stan? - Come on!

Newcastle.

Serving in a greengrocer's.

A dirty little greengrocer's by the pig market.

- No! - Yeah.

We walked past some of them streets that haven 't been pulled down yet.

And there it was - this little greengrocer's.

Down there, turn left at the butcher's shop.

Angus!

Don 't say it. There's no need to say it.

Won 't you sit down?

- How is Emily? - Oh, she's fine, thanks.

I didn 't want her working anyway. She's done enough.

Yes, of course.

- Where are you working now? - I'm my own boss now.

Haulage, with a fellow called Fred Singleton.

It's working out well.

I'm glad.

I've been so worried about the trouble I brought on you.

- I'm very sorry. - You're not to be.

You did me a good turn.

Pushed me into doing what I wanted.

And as for Ma, well, she is a new woman now she's had a rest.

I'm glad. Very glad.

What about you?

This is no place for you, Van. You should go home.

Why not?

Father tried to make me have an abortion. Not for my sake, for his sake.

Well, I didn 't want to do that.

I think he was right, Van.

I do. Maybe he was right.

I don 't hold with a damn thing your father's done or said,

but you're young, you could have started again and forgotten about all this.

They'd have stood by you and seen you all right.

They wouldn 't. They'd have packed me off. It was all planned.

And I'll tell you something.

I'd rather have the company of any woman here than go back to my family.

They've treated me worse than if I'd gone onto the streets myself.

Oh, I write to them. Mr Noakes downstairs posts them for me.

He's a lorry driver. He posts them from Birmingham.

I feel very sorry for upsetting them, but I think they're cowards.

"My daughter is going to have a baby and she isn 't married."

That's all it is. It isn 't the atom bomb!

(Sighs) No.

No, it's not.

My father hit me.

He called me a dirty slut.

I can 't go back.

Thank you, Jane.

Ta-ra, then. See you later.

What's his hurry? It's a bit early for the dogs, isn 't it? What's he up to?

What do you think? He's going to see Miss Van.

Oh, don 't be so daft, Ma.

He was accused of dropping her just...

- Oh, you don 't mean he's struck with her? - No, he knows his place.

But if she's in a fix, he'll do something.

Where do you think he's been going the last three weeks?

He told me he was going to the dogs.

Aye, he might well be, an ' all.

Come on. Eat up. We're going out.

We can 't. What if someone sees us? What if Father finds out?

So what if he does? Listen, Van, You can 't stay in here all the time. Look at it.

Some places are much worse. This is the best of all I saw.

Well, this is not good enough.

Listen, Van, we've got to talk about this. It's no use sticking your head in the sand.

Come on. You're not eating.

What's going to happen when it's born?

Are you going to have it adopted?

I don 't know. I keep thinking one way, then the other.

- How could you bring up a bairn here? - I could.

You'd have to hump water up here.

Then you'd have to hump it down to chuck it away.

- You've got some thinking to do about this. - I do nothing but think, Angus.

- Is there no-one you could go to? - No.

Look, Angus, don 't worry. I've got this far. I'll manage.

Manage be damned!

You're only at the start of it.

Van, I must ask you this.

The fella.

Couldn 't he marry you?

No.

Well... you can 't go on like this. You just can 't.

Well, other girls do. They survive.

I'm not concerned about other girls! I'm concerned about you!

Come on, love.

Van.

Oh, come on, Van. Don 't.

Come on, now.

It's all right. I'm sorry.

Van, come on. Stop it, now.

Van?

Van, listen to what I'm going to say to you.

Will you marry me?

What did you say?

You heard.

Now, I know in the ordinary way of things, this'd never happen.

But this isn 't ordinary, is it?

I'm not saying I've got much to offer. But at least it'd get you out of this.

And I'd stop worrying about what's happening to you up here.

And you'd have my ma to see to you.

What do you say?

Oh, Angus!

Come on. Don 't start that again.

I know it might be a bit of a comedown for you.

I might be seen as a bit of a catch round our quarter, but from where you're sitting...

And my lot would be suspicious. I know they would.

But the way I see it,

when you're drowning, you don 't turn your nose up at a floating plank.

- Angus. - Come on. Come on. Don 't start again.

Look... l'm off.

All right?

I'll see you tomorrow.

Now, you think about it.

And think hard.

OK?

Usually, it's for life.

- I haven 't had a drop all night. - Honestly!

(Clears throat) I've been to see Van.

Tell me something I don 't know.

She's in a state, Ma.

If you saw the hole she was living in, you wouldn 't believe it.

And whose fault is that?

I thought you liked her. "Best of the bunch," you said.

Aye, I liked her. What I don 't like is the idea of you getting mixed up with her.

Don 't you?

No. You got blamed for something you didn 't do. And now you're playing straight into their hands.

Who'll believe you're not the father now?

Do you know something, Ma? I don 't care what anyone believes!

But I thought you'd be different!

Anyway, what can you do about it except make a bloody fool of yourself?

I'm going to marry her.

Bloody fool or not.

God Almighty, you're bloody mad!

You don 't know what you're talking about!

You and Ratcliffe's daughter?

Oh, lad!

What's wrong with that? It's only money.

Oh, no, it's not.

It is. I've seen it. It's money that counts.

It's money that sets you up.

You get things, and they change you. I've seen it!

Shut up! What are you talking about?

You married to her? My God, she must be desperate!

Aye, that's it, Ma. She's desperate.

That's what she is.

You said it.

Aye, you've said a mouthful, haven 't you?

Right.

Nobody'll be more pleased than me if you bring it off.

Where will you live?

Well, here. Where else?

Here?

No, lad, no! You can 't do that to me.

I'll have her here all day! You can 't!

Well, where else can I take her?

Anyway, as bloody bitchy as you've been, Ma, I'm not leaving you.

I can fend for myself. I've still got hands.

And legs that won 't carry you much longer.

What about Rosie? She'll go mad!

And what about May?

To hell with May! I've finished with bloody May!

To hell with Rosie, an ' all!

I'm bringing her here.

Hello, Ma. Here we are.

- Hello, Emily. - Hello.

Look, I'll er... I'll nip along and get some fish, all right?

I'm so sorry, Emily.

Aye, and you've reason to be.

You've brought a lot of trouble on a lot of people.

Why are you marrying him?

- Because I like Angus and... - Like him? This is for life!

It's not enough if he's going to look after your bairn and give you some of his own!

You don 't get by just by liking!

Look! Look around you! This is where we live!

This is where he lives, in here! Look!

Then there's the scullery.

And then there's the door - down the yard to the lav!

I know how you've been brought up! How are you going to stomach this?

I'll be pleased to live here, Emily, if you'll have me.

I haven 't got much choice, lass, have I?

Angus was head of this house before his father died,

so if he wants you here, you'll come here.

But it's no use saying I'm going to welcome you with open arms, because I can 't.

- It isn 't his, is it? - No, Emily, no.

Then why don 't you say who it is and get him to marry you?

I can 't. It's impossible.

- Does Angus know who it is? - No.

- Is that fair to him? - Fair or not, I can never tell him.

What happens when your father hears about this?

I doubt if anything would happen. Nothing will happen.

Sometimes I think I've never had parents. I'm dead to them.

I've realised lately that my father always disliked me.

(Door opens and closes)

Got the plates warmed, have you?

What have you been up to? Come on.

JONATHAN: Did you send that birth certificate to Vanessa?

JANE: Yes. She said she wanted it for an employer.

JONATHAN: She's such a liar! Do you know why she actually needed it?

Wilton told me that the banns are being announced at St Edwards

between our daughter and Angus Cotton.

She's here! Right here on the doorstep! Well, I'll put a stop to this.

Ray? Ray, what are you doing there?

Now, come here, at once!

Come on!

You've been listening again, haven 't you?

How many times have I told you about that?

What did you hear, Ray?

Well, about Vanessa marrying Angus Cotton.

That's all.

Yes. Well, I don 't want you running off and telling Michael about this.

- Do you understand, Ray? - Of course he understands.

Matter of fact, I didn 't think Vanessa would marry Angus.

I thought that she'd marry Uncle Arthur.

Uncle Arthur?

Why do you say that, Ray?

I thought that he'd give up on Auntie Irene and marry Vanessa.

Cos they used to kiss and slop, you know.

What do you mean by that? What do you mean?

I saw them kissing. I saw Vanessa go out.

It was after midnight.

I followed her.

You followed her where?

To Michael's garden. I went up into the tree house.

They were in the summer house.

On the steps, actually. And...

JONATHAN: And what? Exactly what did you see?

RAY: They were sitting on the steps.

Then they were kissing.

Then they were doing things.

Right.

Go to your room.

I know what that swine was after!

Arthur wanted to wreck Susan 's wedding and he very nearly succeeded.

I always knew he hated me for moving ahead of him.

But I never realised it was quite this deep.

He must have been boiling against me all this time.

Behind that quiet smile, he was hatching this. He planned this.

And then, when he'd done it, he couldn 't face his responsibilities.

Weak, you see. I've always said it's the weak who are really vicious. Thank you.

Can you get Ray to keep his mouth shut?

What about that canoe he wanted?

Perhaps I should start an allowance of some sort.

Yes. Yes, that's very good. Yes, that could work very well.

What are we going to do about Angus Cotton and Vanessa?

Nothing.

I'd rather the world thought that ambitious lout was the father.

You mean you don 't intend to do anything?

Just that. I'd even give it my consent.

But none of this must leak out.

Now, do you hear me?

Thanks, Stan. We'll have a drink on it later, eh?

Aye. Well, I'll be away, then, eh?

- Aye. Thanks, Stan. - Ta-ra, then.

- All right? - Yes, Angus. Fine.

- Nothing you'd like? - How do you mean?

Well, a wedding present, like.

No, Angus. Thank you.

- Nothing? - Oh, I haven 't thought.

- Perhaps later. - Aye. Aye, later, perhaps.

Well, some lunch, then, eh? And maybe we could go to the pictures.

That would be nice.

(Music at end of film)

FIRST MAN: Howay, man. (Laughs raucously)

SECOND MAN: Ey, it were a smashing night. FIRST MAN: Aye, aye, it were. Grand.

(Laughter)

What the hell!

- Whoa! Hey! - Get out!

# MAX B YGRAVES: Tulips From Amsterdam

# Lift up the skirt

# And see what's inside!

Well, it's a wedding, isn 't it?

It is a wedding, isn 't it?

I'll sort it out. It'll be all right.

- I wish you the joy of her, big brother. - Out! You lot, move it!

- (Music stops) - What do you think this is, V-E Day? Move it!

ROSIE: When she wakes up and sees the big galoot she's married.

She'll ask herself if she was barmy because she will wake up. Then look out!

(Drunken singing)

Out, before I kick you out!

See you, Stan.

That was a dirty trick to play!

Aye, I take after my son, playing bloody dirty tricks!

Happy, are you? Satisfied, are you?

The question is what you are. Are you happy?

Aye, and are you gonna be satisfied?

Just don 't you be down here when I get back!

Aye, and who put the overalls in Mrs Murphy's chowder?

- I made us some coffee. - Thank you.

Don 't worry. It'll all be different in the morning. You'll see.

Yes, thanks.

You shouldn 't have done that.

It was all right until you did that.

That's asking for trouble, that is.

When I want you, I'll take you in my own time.

Get to bed.

That seems to be coming along quite well.

You know you should go to the ante-natal clinic, don 't you?

Yes, Dr Carr.

- Is there something wrong with it? - No, not really.

It's just that they all know who I am there.

I can practically hear them saying, "Oh, so this is the one, is it?"

I see, yeah.

But you do have a new life now.

You have to face people knowing who you are. And knowing quite a bit about you.

- Are they unkind to you? - No.

Well, then I think you should go there.

I know I shouldn 't, but I... I do keep thinking about home.

I know how horrible Mother and Father were to me. I do know that.

VANESSA: Just sometimes, it seems like a paradise.

My own room at home.

Sometimes, I think I'm going mad.

Where's Angus?

He's at the pub. If you won 't cook for him, what do you expect?

He knew I was going to the doctor's this evening.

Anyway, when I do try to cook for him, he never eats it.

He only eats what you give him. And you won 't teach me.

Why won 't you?

- Don 't you take that tone with me, lass. - Sorry.

- You're not eating, then? - No. I'm not eating.

(Door slams)

ANGUS: You've no bloody need to go out working!

EMILY: It's my life, lad! You do what you like with yours, I'll do what I like with mine!

Any reason why I shouldn 't work?

Aye, every reason under the sun, you awkward old bitch!

Don 't you call me an awkward old bitch, or I'll brain you, as God's my judge!

You should be bloody well ashamed of yourself, talking to her like that!

You keep your trap shut! I'm standing none of it from you!

You're a little upstart! You've got nothing to be uppish about!

Oh, haven 't I? At least I don 't get my belly filled at the first opportunity.

EMILY: Oh, times have changed all right.

ROSIE: You were working right up to the time, weren 't you, Mam?

EMILY: I was. Nine hours scrubbing a day until just before you were born.

Not sitting on my arse all day, that's for sure.

Look, man, if he agrees, he won 't be doing you no favour.

He'll only agree if he thinks his money's safe and he can screw you for the interest.

- Aye. - You're the client, remember.

- Look, do you want to sort this? - All right, keep your hair on.

It's your second lorry we're talking about, not mine.

Aye, sorry, man.

And what's more, you're the bugger wearing the suit today.

God Almighty.

Oh, my God.

What have you done? Oh, God, you bloody young fool!

You bloody young fool! What have you done?

You bugger, Angus!

You should be battered, bringing her here! She's not made for it!

You should be battered!

Can 't we make her sick with water and salt?

You can drown them like that if they're not conscious.

God Almighty, when did Doctor say he'd be here?

ROSIE: Straightaway, right away.

ROSIE: Oh, for God's sake, don 't die. Don 't die!

There's a car now. Maybe that's him.

(Car horn)

- Shall we walk around again, Doctor? - No.

Get a bowl, she'll be sick in a minute.

I hope.

So what brought this to a head, then, huh?

It's been difficult all round. The blame isn 't all mine.

I dare say. But I've heard you haven 't helped. Not at all.

Angus did a stupid thing.

Angus did a decent thing! A very decent thing!

Oh, it wasn 't purely selfless, but not many others would have done it.

- You tried your best to spoil things, Emily. - God Almighty!

- What? - (Vanessa Groans)

- (Coughs) - All right.

(Vomits)

All right, it'll soon be over.

Keep an eye on her, Rosie.

- How was I to know? - You should have known.

Maybe I should, but being myself, I didn 't.

She seemed to be settling to it. She doesn 't show things.

Well, if you know that,

you should know it's a saving grace to be able to bawl your head off.

She's from a different world, Emily.

You should have shown some charity.

Are you... I mean, do you have to report it?

Rose only told me and you. The neighbours will think you're here for the pregnancy.

Aye, very well.

Will it harm the bairn, this?

It might well. I'll arrange to have her taken into hospital today for observation.

Oh, and there's a possibility she might try this again when she comes back.

Second attempts are usually more efficient.

No, she won 't. I'll see to it. Things'll be different now.

I've learnt my lesson, Doctor.

I'll go and find Angus at the yard.

Well?

Howay, then. Don 't keep us in suspense. What did he say?

- He told me to stuff it. - Ah, the bastard.

He did.

He told me to stuff my wallet with tenners.

- What, you mean... you mean he gave it to you? - Aye.

That's grand! How did you persuade him?

It wasn 't easy. He wasn 't having any of it, till I pulled a gun on him.

There's no talking to you.

- So when do we get the next rig? - Tuesday.

ANGUS: What's he doing here?

Doctor?

VANESSA'S VOICE: Emily was right. It would never have worked out.

Thank you for all the kindness you have shown me.

You have nothing to regret, believe me,

because you were the only one who has given me a kind word during all these awful months.

Oh, no. No. No.

She's sleeping.

There's got to be a change, Ma.

Aye. I'll see to it.

- Thanks, Mam. - Don 't.

You know in your heart you're blaming me.

And, well, I don 't feel very proud of my share in it.

But I'll see she's all right now.

- Or do you want something else? - No, no. This is fine.

I made it strong.

Ta.

Thanks, Rosie.

Love...

(Soundtrack music drowns conversation)

Right, I've got that, then, Angus. A flat, and it has to be a bargain.

- What's the rush? - It's getting a bit crowded at my ma's, like.

And with Van home from hospital in a day or two...

- You heard about the bairn? - Yes, I did. I'm very sorry.

How's Vanessa taking it?

It's hard to tell. I mean...

She's all right. Aye, well. Maybe all right.

There were er... things wrong.

- It's nature's way, perhaps. - Perhaps.

As soon as I get a whiff of anything that looks right, you'll have first refusal.

A taxi?

Aye, you're looking at a man of substance now.

An employer of men. Well, a man.

Thanks to you, I bought the second lorry.

A fella drives for me now. Has done so for a week.

- Hello. - Mrs Cotton.

Thank you for everything.

What do you mean, thanks to me?

If you hadn 't said, I'd never have gone to the bank.

- You offered your insurance policy as security? - I did.

And it worked.

So yes, my wife goes home in a taxi.

Rosie picked the colours. I wasn 't any good at it.

I thought the cherry and grey would go nice together.

They do. It looks lovely. Thank you, Rosie.

I thought you'd like to eat in here.

No, Emily.

It's all arranged. Don 't worry. We'll eat here.

No, Angus. No, Emily. We eat as before.

ANGUS: OK. Have it your own way.

It's sweetness and light at home now, but it won 't last.

Ma and Rosie and I bite our tongues to keep the peace.

It's unnatural. And Van knows it. She's waiting for the eruption.

Angus, I wish I could wave a magic wand, but I don 't have a flat you'd be happy with.

Your persistence deserves better, I must say.

There is one thing, but...

You wouldn 't consider a bungalow, would you?

It's out of my league. I need two lorries before I go in for that sort of thing.

Pity. A bungalow came onto my books yesterday. And it's a snip.

It'll be gone by the end of today.

How much?

A bungalow?

Aye. It was a bargain. Reg Walker said it wouldn 't stay till Monday.

- How much? - Pounds2,500.

Oh, my God!

It's worth four as it stands.

It'll still take some paying.

What about the lorries you've been saving for?

They'll just have to wait.

Don 't worry. I'll look after you.

No need to bother about me, lad.

(Sighs)

EMILY: She'll be back soon, you know. - Aye...

Aye.

(Front door opens)

Hello, pet. We thought you'd got lost.

I went into Newcastle.

ANGUS: Hello there.

You look froze. Where have you been?

I went into Newcastle.

For shopping?

I've been after a job.

Don't be cross.

I'm not. I'm not cross.

What kind of a job?

In one of the stores. Daintrees.

Oh. That's a classy place, isn 't it?

It's quite nice. You don 't mind?

He's got a surprise for you, an ' all.

- I've got two, as a matter of fact. - Two surprises?

Aye. But I'm not telling you about the one until we're doing the other.

How do you fancy a night out?

This place was always popular with the rugby crowd.

We mightn 't get a table. I should have had the sense to phone.

Good evening, sir, madam. You have a table reserved?

Er... no. Sorry. Just came on spec.

Ah.

I'd be obliged if you could find us a table, though.

Of course, sir.

Bloody hell. Did you see that? (Whispers)

What a lovely table.

- He was nice, wasn 't he? - Aye. He'll get his reward for being nice later.

- He only found us this cos he expected that. - Oh, I see.

There's one lesson I've learned in life.

Favours have to be paid for. And I've learned it the hard way.

Every time I've done someone a good turn, I've had it slapped back in my face.

- Will you be taking wine, sir? - Oh, yes. I think so.

I think I'd like a white wine.

If that's your fancy...

Anything particular?

- Do you have a Graves Sec? - Yes, madame, we do.

- Aye, right. We'll have some of that, thanks. - Very good, sir.

It's the only wine I've ever heard of.

BAND: # Come Fly With Me

So, what's the big surprise?

I've bought us a bungalow.

- A bungalow? - Aye. A big one, an ' all.

Six rooms. The lot.

There was no time to talk about it. Reg wouldn 't wait after five o'clock.

I'll run you out first thing in the morning to see it.

But Emily...

She knows. She's glad.

BAND: # Autumn Leaves

Now, I'm only doing this if you promise not to tread on my toes.

I'll try.

- See? You can dance. - Didn 't know I could until just now.

Well, you can.

Are you enjoying yourself?

I've never enjoyed myself like this before, Angus. Never in my life.

Hey, steady on.

Well, well, well! If it isn 't Cotton!

And would you believe it? Vanessa Ratcliffe!

Vanessa Cotton, Mr er...

Don 't pretend you don 't remember me.

You know me. Susan 's 21 st.

Oh, come on. You remember Brian Cornell.

We should get together some time.

Do you know him?

No, not really. I remember him vaguely.

He's one of Susan 's lot.

VANESSA: Where did you meet him? ANGUS: Rugby.

He's never been able to hold his liquor.

- Oh, come on. Spare her a minute, eh? - Push off, will you?

Come on, Cotton. Anyway, I knew her before you did.

You remember me, don 't you, darling? Susan 's party?

Oh, come on. Dance. Just the one.

- No, Mr Cornell. - Let go of her.

Oh, be your age, man.

You can 't come the heavy husband here.

It's not the way things are done, you know, not where we come from.

You're out of your depth.

You know, I'm surprised to see you here.

I didn 't think they'd let you up out of the ghetto.

- That's enough. Outside! - Oh, go to hell.

- Outside! - I think you should leave.

You mind your own... Keep out of this, Fowler.

Out! Or do I give it to you here?

Anywhere you like.

Wrotham, Tony...

I don 't think so, gentlemen. This is between Cotton and Cornell.

Cotton!

No! How dare you! No!

You bloody oik! What do you think you're doing?

I'm going to get the manager to call the police.

Don 't bother. Cornell's to blame.

- I saw that! - Cornell is to blame!

This is very unfortunate, sir.

Well, you should be more particular about who you let in, shouldn 't you?

- You're in the contracting game, aren 't you? - Aye.

- How's business? - Not too bad. Could be better.

How many lorries do you run?

Two myself. Three, if you count my partner.

You need more than three to get the better contracts.

I know that. I'm working on it.

Good. Good, good, good.

Perhaps we'll do business one day.

- Well, thanks very much for the lift. - Yes. Thank you, Mr Fowler.

It's a pleasure.

By the way, if Cornell should try anything, you can always rely on me as a witness.

Erm... Here's my card.

Cornell's a nasty piece of work.

You should know that.

A fight! Not at Donovan 's?

Ee, you know how to show yourself up!

This man was bothering me and wouldn 't stop, so I'm glad Angus hit him.

Anyway, we had a lovely dinner and a bottle of Graves Sec.

- Angus chose it. EMILY: Angus did?

Aye. Don 't sound so surprised. Man of the world, me!

EMILY: What next? ROSIE: Do you think you're hard?

I know I'm hard.

Not as hard as this one, though.

We're going to have some good times together, Van.

Van?

Do I get in there?

So?

It's very nice.

Are you not taken with it?

I know it needs painting, but it's still a snip.

I'm sure it is, but we still can 't afford it.

Angus, how much would you have to pay for a lorry?

Pounds600 or pounds700. Why?

Then take the money for this and put it down on another lorry.

You mean that?

It could mean staying at No.24 for God knows how long.

I know.

- And you don 't mind? - Not as much as I used to.

You'll do.

You do realise...

I'll lose my deposit with Reg?

No, you won 't. He'll give it back.

He'd be a fool not to.

He'll make much more out of you when you own a fleet of lorries.

Anyway, I'll come with you, and I'll help you to explain.

- You could lead the Lord Mayor's Show in this. - And it was a bargain.

- Are you sure it wasn 't nicked? - Oh, shut up, Stan.

Who's this?

That bastard Cornell is summonsing me for assault!

Bloody hell!

You don 't need that. You've just bought a new lorry!

There'll be a solicitor to pay for, never mind the fine.

All right, Fred! All right!

- Come on. - There won 't be a fine, Mr Singleton.

Angus didn 't start it. We have a witness.

Do you have a solicitor?

No, and I don 't fancy paying for one either.

What if I did my own defending - if I just stood up and told the truth?

I think it would be wiser to get a solicitor.

How much would that cost?

Er... 15, 20 guineas.

What would happen if I lost?

Well, for something like this, the fine might be er... pounds50, pounds60.

But don 't worry, you won 't lose. The magistrate will throw it out.

- You'll be all right. - You don 't mind speaking up for me?

No, not at all. Be a pleasure.

By the way, there's a new quarry opening up. Henson 's.

They often need extra lorries. Fellas off sick and so on.

Shall I mention your name?

Aye. Do. Thanks.

What are you on at the moment?

- Peterson 's. The excavation site. - Yes, I know.

Well, when that begins to wind down, come and see me anyway.

Oh, solicitors.

Jack Millard's a good chap.

Millard & Fogarty in the market square. Try him.

(As Fowler) Jack Millard's a good chap!

Angus! He could be very helpful to you. Mr Fowler, I mean.

I wonder what's in it for him.

I think he just wants to help, doesn 't he?

- Look! - Hm.

Bloody nowts!

Look at this!

- What is it? - That!

Well, at least Brian Cornell's got the right idea.

He's not letting that violent lout think he can dictate to his betters.

- That's something, isn 't it? - Oh, is it?

And they don 't mention Vanessa by name, do they?

No.

- No, it could be worse. - Worse?

At least he'll get his comeuppance. Especially if John Cargill is on the bench.

He hates that sort of thing.

He could get prison! I hope the scum gets prison!

This Cornell thing is looking a bit more serious. Cornell's engaged Brown & Fischer.

We need to prepare our case as well as we can.

Aye, right. Fair enough.

Anyway, the real reason I asked you over is,

do you remember I mentioned Henson 's quarry to you?

Well, they've suspended operations there.

The owners are unhappy with the contractor, and are getting no joy finding another.

- Why not? - There's too much work.

The contractors think they can charge what they like.

You see what I'm getting at? Hm?

It's a hell of an opportunity.

What, for me, you mean? As main contractor?

Yes, yes, for you as main contractor.

There's a stumbling block.

- You'd need eight lorries. Ten, ideally. - Eight!

- You know how many I've got? - Three. Buy five more.

Pay them off in nine months. I've done some sums for you.

Even with maximum costs, minimum returns, it wouldn 't be much longer.

What about the money? The bank wouldn 't wear this.

I'll lend you the money. You see there the rate I'll be charging.

Don 't buy the lorries until you get the contract.

I wish I knew why you were doing this.

I've told you often enough.

Any enemy of Ratcliffe is a friend of mine.

Oh, and there's a figure there marked "commission". You see it?

That's for me. And it's to be cash.

Clear?

Aye. It's getting clearer.

Ah! There you are, lass.

You've just missed him.

He's out viewing lorries, wouldn 't you know?

In fact, he's had some good news.

The other lot - Cornell's lot -

were relying some old fogey called Cargill being on the bench.

Well, this Cargill chucks the book at anyone who's been fighting.

Well, he's got pneumonia! So guess who'll be on the bench?

Mrs Brett, that's who!

And they reckon she'll just say, "Case dismissed!"

Yes, erm... I hope so.

I've forgotten something. I have to make a phone call. I won 't be long.

Phone call?

Who's she got to phone?

Who's there?

It's Vanessa

Vanessa Cotton

What do you want?

Want?

I just want to tell you something.

And it isn 't that Brett was my baby's father, because you already know that, don 't you?

What I want to tell you is that if you take your spite out on me through Angus,

I'll stand up in your courtroom and shout out the reason why you're doing it.

If you send Angus to prison, I'll...

- You all right? - Fine.

- Well, you didn 't look it back there. - I'm perfectly all right.

- Who were you phoning? Was it your parents? - No.

Then who? Was it Fowler?

Mr Fowler? Why would I want to phone him?

Because he's helping me, and I'm wondering why.

And I haven 't far to look for the reason.

- Oh, don 't be silly. - Well, all right, then. All right. Who was it?

Come on. Just tell me.

I'll tell you after the case.

- What's it to do with the case? - I'll tell you then.

Is that the Henson quarry job?

Aye. I'll discuss the estimates with Fowler tomorrow.

What were you going to tell me?

- I said I... - You're not going to walk out on me, are you?

- That's not what you're going to tell me? - No, that's not what I'm going to tell you.

Cos one of these days, you will, won 't you?

You'll say to me, "Angus... l've had enough. I'm going back."

And do you know what I'll do? Hm?

Do you know what I'll do the day you walk out on me?

I'll kill you.

I mean it.

Well, in spite of my desire to live, I'm walking out on you now.

I'm going to see your mother.

I came to see how you were.

- You were asleep, so I... - Where's our Angus?

I see. Gone out.

Ah, well...

- You've had a row, then, have you? - Not really.

It's "not really" with you, but it's still a row.

- What's so funny in that? - We really didn 't row.

What happened was um...

he told me I'd leave him one day.

And that if I did, he'd kill me.

But if anything, he'll be the one to do the leaving.

Him? Leave? What are you talking about?

He may go to jail.

Ah. And if he did?

I'd be lost, Emily. I'd not live until he came out again.

Well, that sounds to me as if you love him.

Quite frankly, Cotton, you're lucky I'm not passing a prison sentence on you.

I have considered it, believe me.

If you come before this court again on a similar charge, there will be no option of a fine.

This town can do without your sort.

When decent people can 't spend a pleasant evening without the risk of being punched,

then we must make it absolutely clear that we will not tolerate braggart behaviour.

I fine you pounds100 and costs.

What a bitch! What's got into the woman?

- Even Cargill couldn 't have reacted worse. - Aye...

Just a moment. Angus, just a moment.

Have you heard from Henson 's yet?

No. And with the sort of luck I'm having this morning...

Put that behind you, man.

What's a few insults from a silly bitch with a headache?

You had the sympathy of the whole court. Except maybe Cornell.

Anyway, Henson 's going to give you the job.

- Well, aren 't you pleased? - Aye, yeah, of course I am.

It's a lot to take in, though.

- I should be jumping for joy, but... - It's a responsibility, yes.

But don 't let it be a burden.

Pop in tomorrow for a word.

ANGUS: You should have heard her, Ma!

If she'd gone for Cornell in the same way, I'd have understood.

Stupid cow! She flayed me alive in front of everyone!

You know what I feel like doing?

I feel like going up there and asking her why. Honest to God, I do!

What is it?

I'll tell you why she did it.

You wanted to know who I phoned the other day. Well, it was her.

- It was Mrs Brett I... - Mrs Brett?

You mean you know why she had a go at me?

I phoned her because I was afraid she would give you a prison sentence.

She hates me because...

...because she knows who the father of my baby was.

It was her husband.

Mr Brett?

It just happened.

He was very sad and lonely. He was unhappy, so...

Show me an old married man who isn 't!

All of them are. It doesn 't mean you've got to lie with them.

God Almighty, Van, he was as old as your father!

Don 't look like that, Angus. It was a sort of accident. It only happened...

I do not want to hear it!

You're no better than the rest.

I wouldn 't marry May cos I found out that she'd been with other blokes.

I stomached what had happened to you because I thought...

I thought it was a slip between two young 'uns, not a bloke like Brett!

You and him!

You and Brett. God almighty!

I suppose you heard that, didn 't you?

Aye. What are you going to do?

Nothing.

Bugger all.

What's the good of raking up more muck?

I'm going.

- What time will you be back? - Don 't know.

Don 't get sozzled. It won 't help anything.

Don 't worry. I've got work to do.

Aye.

And I've got things to do, an ' all.

Shall I tell you what you are, Mrs Magistrate? You're a vindictive bitch.

How dare you? Get out!

Not before I've had my say.

You're not saying anything. Get out!

Oh, I would, an ' all.

Or is that what you want? So you can do me for assault, like you did my lad!

You were put in that bench for justice, not to dish out personal spite!

If it hadn 't been for Vanessa phoning you,

you'd have sent my lad down the line, wouldn 't you?

- Be quiet, woman! - When I'm ready, and not afore!

Your man took a young lass down. A schoolgirl.

And then he took his own life cos he couldn 't face it. And you knew!

You knew all the time my lad was being blamed for it, and you did nothing!

You, Councillor! Mrs Irene Brett!

Magistrate! Chairman of this and God knows what!

You bloody vindictive bitch!

Get out! Get out!

I'll get out, but I'm not going far!

Just to your neighbours.

- You wouldn 't dare. - Wouldn 't I?

- Is he in? - If you are referring to Mr Ratcliffe, he is not.

Pity, cos it's him I want to speak to more than you. But you can pass it on.

I suppose you know my lad was up before the bench this morning.

He was up there because he was defending your daughter!

Pounds100 and costs he got. And he was lucky.

Because if it hadn 't been for Van phoning Mrs Brett

and threatening to stand up in court

and yell the truth about her husband, Mr Respectable Bloody Brett

being the father of her bairn...

Emily, please, come into the morning room.

I haven 't finished yet!

My Angus found your daughter living in a slum!

He took her from there, he gave her his name and he looked after her.

And what's his thanks?

That vindictive cow fines him pounds100, and a drunken oaf gets off scot-free

cos he's one of yours.

Well, I warn you.

This town 's going to hear the truth.

Your lot treated my son as if he's a Geordie lout.

And there's not one of you fit to wipe his boots.

Well, now. We'll see what the town thinks!

(Door slams)

ANGUS: You interfering stupid old swine!

EMILY: You bloody ungrateful bugger!

She's been running this town for months,

so I decide to do something about her, and this is what I get!

Aye, it is! And for two pins, I'd slap your mouth!

My God, you try!

Stop it! Stop it, do you hear?

I'm sick of your shouting and your screaming! I can 't stand it!

I'm the cause of it, so I'll put a stop to it.

I'm going now. I'm leaving!

(Door slams)

What do you think you're doing? You're not leaving!

You can 't stop me. I'll find a way some time.

If you walk out that door, I'll find you, and I'll bring you back!

Why? Why do you want me back, when I disgust you so much?

This thing happened once with Brett. Just once.

If I'd been earning my living as a prostitute, you couldn 't have reacted worse.

I don 't understand. I don 't understand.

- Go away. Let me get on with it. - Come on, Van. Hang these up again.

No. I don 't care what you do or say. I'm going.

You married me because you were sorry for me. I thought you loved me.

I thought you needed me.

Oh, I know you hug me and kiss me until I can hardly breathe,

but you've never once said you care for me. Not once!

So, why do you want to keep me? Except to say, "I've got someone from Brampton Hill!"

Van! Van! You've got it all wrong.

I don 't think so.

If you want fancy words, I'm not up to it.

Van, listen.

If you walk out of that door now, I wouldn 't stop you.

I wouldn 't even ask you to come back, not to this.

I love you, Van. That's what I'm trying to say.

I love you.

And I'll love you till my dying day.

I'll make it up to you, Van. I promise you.

We'll make a new start.

I'll put you right back where you belong.

Right up there on Brampton Hill, or even beyond.

I promise you, Van.

I promise.

FOWLER: Congratulations. That's what comes of keeping to schedule.

- Are you pleased? ANGUS: Aye, of course.

Second year's contract will let me double my fleet.

FOWLER: That's what you reckon to do, is it? ANGUS: Aye.

Mind you, I couldn 't have started without that loan of yours.

Fred's kicking himself for not starting with me.

I knew you were a good investment.

Talking of which, this second year's contract - are you happy with the same terms as last year?

Better investment by the minute.

Thank you, Angus. That's er... that's very generous.

FOWLER: How's the new house? ANGUS: It's fine for now.

I wanted something better, but Van wasn 't having it.

She'll let me spend money, but not the promise of money.

FOWLER: Wise woman. - Aye. She'll do.

You carried all that back?

All that? Your ma was scrubbing floors nine hours a day.

And she left off for ten minutes to have you, lad!

(Laughs) I love you, Vanessa Cotton.

Come here.

I adore you. You're the light of my life.

Now, don 't go shopping like that again, eh?

Well, no rest for the wicked.

I've been asked to the Rotary.

- I'll see you later at Ma's. - Don 't be late.

You know what she's like when she's cooking.

I'll batter that son of mine into pulp. Where is he?

He said he'd be back in an hour, and that was an hour ago. Come on. Let's eat.

- All right, love? - Hm. I think so.

- You've not started? - No, I don 't think I have.

ROSIE: Where is he?

If he comes in sodden, I'll brain him.

Mrs Cotton Snr, your son has had a great honour bestowed on him.

I've been put forward as a member of the Round Table. What do you think?

You big gormless gout, shut up!

Shut your trap, if you can! She's had pains all night since you left.

And we've been waiting for you!

Now, pick up that case and take her to the hospital!

Ohh! I think I've started!

It's too late for the hospital, Emily. She's too dilated.

Put your pans on the boil.

I'll get her to lie down in front of the fire.

Oh, and a clean towel.

Hold that. Make yourself useful.

- Don 't let his head drop back. - (Baby cries)

Here he is.

Look at him.

Isn 't he great?

Well done, love.

Aye, you, you scrunched up little bugger.

I tell you what.

Nowt but the best for you, lad.

ANGUS: Nothing but the best.

Look, Andrew. Look who's there.

Daddy!

Ah! Got you!

Well, let's get off. I've got a meeting.

Oh, don 't go yet.

It's so nice to see you with the children during the week.

- I hardly see you after Monday morning. - I know, I know, I know.

But it's... Well, it's only the best for these two now.

And the rest to come. Only the best.

They'll take their rightful place.

- I told you I'd put you back where you belong. - Yes, but I...

No buts. I mean to do it.

I'll be late tonight. I'm stopping in at Ma's.

Fine.

Guess what.

We're all going to live on Brampton Hill.

Me?

No, lad, you can count me out.

But I bought The Larches, Ma.

The Larches?

Aye. It came on the market, so I bought it for us.

Well, say something, woman. Don 't sit there like a stuffed duck.

Say something.

You're bloody mad. She'll never stand for it.

Oh, for God's sake, Ma. I promised her. I said I'd put her back where she belongs,

and The Larches was the first big house that came up.

You bought it without telling her?

Now listen, lad. What you still don 't understand

is that you married someone quite different to yourself.

Don 't talk such bloody tripe, Ma. I know what I married.

You don 't.

She won 't stand for going to live up there next door to her folks.

She's too sensitive.

What you've done is tactless.

Tactless be buggered! Pounds23,000 I've spent!

Aye, and it's a credit to you.

You were a snotty-nosed kid, and your mam was the Ratcliffes' daily.

And look at you now. Playing with thousands!

And I know why you bought the Bretts' place. But you be careful.

Cos it sounds to me as if you're going the same road as the man you're fighting.

Oh, to hell with you.

I'm going to my club.

What's wrong, Emily?

Angus has kept something from you.

No, don 't look like that. It's nothing of that sort.

Well, tell me.

Hold on to your seat.

He's buying The Larches.

The Larches?

I told him he was mad.

But...

I couldn 't live in Brett's house.

Even if it wasn 't next door to Mother and Father.

And what would it do to them? They'd leave.

Aye, I thought of that. And I reckon he did too.

He wants to get one back on your father. He wants to show him.

That's what's behind it.

- I'll never live there, Emily. - I know.

But I thought I'd better tell you.

I reckon you've got to put your thinking cap on, lass.

That's nice. What's this in aid of?

I hear you're buying me a house.

- The big-mouthed old bitch. - Hey...

God, I could...

Well, what do you think?

I think it's wonderful you can pay so much money for the place.

Is that all? You know the place I've bought, do you?

- Bretts'. The Larches. - Yes, I know.

I've got nothing against Brett, mind. It's not that.

You know, I wanted to put you back where you belong, and that was what came up.

- I understand, Angus. - I don 't think you do.

Yes, I do.

There's just one thing.

Well, what is it?

Oh, it's nothing. Silly of me.

Just something I dreamed of, I suppose.

What?

I'd like to feel I owned it.

Well, you will. It'll be ours. We're not leasing it or anything.

No, I didn 't mean that.

What, then?

I'd like to feel it was just mine.

Can you put it in my name?

Aye, I can, but what's the point?

Just a whim, I suppose.

Will it make you happy, having it in your name?

- I think it might. - She thinks it might!

God, you're cool, Mrs Cotton. You're cool.

All right. It might make you happy, so I'll do it for you.

Thank you.

You...

How are you, Mother?

- Why are you here? - To see Father.

He won 't see you.

Well, I must see him.

I suppose you know that Angus has bought The Larches?

Well, he's given it to me.

It's in my name. I own it.

I mean to sell it to Father for what it cost Angus.

He's always wanted the land, so that's why I'm here.

That's very good of you, Vanessa.

He's having his lunch. I'll er...

I'll go and tell him.

Perhaps you'd like to wait in the drawing room.

She not getting away with this! I'll get those deeds back

if I have to break into that bastard's house and kill him for 'em!

- I'll swing for it, God help me! - Don 't!

(Door opens)

Hello, Father.

Feeling triumphant, are you?

Dragged yourself up from the gutter and... now you've come here to show off.

I've come to try...

You've come here bearing a... a gift from your husband.

Well, you can take it back.

I've never accepted gifts from scum.

And I'm not starting now.

He knows nothing about it.

He didn 't send me.

He wouldn 't, because he loathes you. And don 't you dare call him scum.

I didn 't invite you into this house.

If I'd had my way, you wouldn 't have been allowed through the door.

You made your choice years ago...

...when you went to live in the gutter with your upstart.

And now you think, because he's made some money,

he can buy himself into decent society.

Well, he won 't.

Be like a pig in a parlour.

You'd like to think so, wouldn 't you?

But he is accepted.

Accepted?

He's himself, and he's accepted.

You call him an upstart.

I wonder if you know what people call you.

Get out.

Why do you hate him so much?

If there's anyone you should hate, it's Brett.

Is it because he stood up to you when he was only Emily's boy?

Scum, as you so kindly put it? Is that it?

I said... get out!

Well, I've learnt something over the years.

Whatever he is, my Angus will be twice the man you are.

And he'll be a name in this town when you're forgotten and...

Get out!

Get out! Get out!

Jonathan!

Go!

Will you go?

Angus!

Don 't you bloody well Angus me!

I'm going in there and I'm getting those deeds if I do life for it!

He hasn 't got them! They're here.

I'll never live here. You can 't make me.

- Then why did you let me buy the bloody place? - I couldn 't stop you.

You had to show Father.

Well, now you've done it. You've succeeded. You've won.

He's frightened of you.

- You know, I actually felt sorry for him. - Sorry for him?

Yes. My father will live and die hating me.

Between us, we've made him a bitter old man before his time.

- He did that to himself. - Perhaps he did.

I can 't go on blaming myself. I've done that long enough.

But I know that what I did had a terrible effect on them both.

Oh, I know they're narrow and mean -spirited,

but because of that, it was worse for them.

Well, I can 't help it. That's how it is.

Aye.

It's funny. I've always seen you up here on the hill.

That's how I imagined you.

- In your house, up here where you belong. - But I don 't.

I don 't belong here.

Just like you don 't really belong in Ryder's Row.

We're both of us misfits in our own different ways.

I belong where you belong.

And neither of us belong here.

Come away from here, Angus. Please.

Will you do something for me?

Will you drive me somewhere?

What are we doing here, Van?

VANESSA: How much would you have to pay for this?

ANGUS: Why in the name of God should I buy it?

VANESSA: Come on.

Aye, it's a grand view. But if I want a view, I can hang it on my wall.

I don 't need to buy the bloody hill.

- I'd like you to build our house here, Angus. - What?

I'd like it built here.

- I came up here last week and measured. - You did what?

Yes, I came and measured.

God almighty! You're not serious?

We can have the most beautiful wild garden,

and fill it with primroses and cowslips.

You don 't have to buy me any more, Angus.

- What? - You heard me.

You think you have to give me things to make me stay with you.

Well, it isn 't true.

I can 't love you any more than I do, whatever you give me.

And I don 't want you to change either, Angus, whatever you may think.

We've rubbed off on each other, different as we are.

I think we can have our own life.

Not your folks' class, not my parents' class, but ours.

Just ours.

You thought there was something holding me back from you, and there was.

It was my people.

But I feel freer now to be myself.

To be yours.

I love you, Angus.

And not just out of gratitude as you've always thought.

You know I'd go crazy without you.

You know that, don 't you?

Aye. I do, lad.

And I'll see to it that you never get the chance to be without me.

ANGUS: I have you fast in my fortress

And will not let you depart

But put you down into the dungeon

In the round tower of my heart

And there will I keep you for ever

Yes for ever and a day

Till the walls shall crumble to ruin

And moulder in dust away