Original subtitles

The late Elizabeth Taylor was an English writer

who lived not more than six miles from

me and a fine short storey writer she

was too.

This one of hers that you're going to

see in a moment is so neat and

nice and spooky I only wish I'd thought

of it myself.

A plot like this though it looks so

simple it's very hard to come by and

harder still to set down in precisely the

right manner giving nothing away until the very

end.

Watch it carefully.

The hunt for Elaine Phillips aged 12 continues.

Elaine has been missing from her home for

five days now and police today issued another

appeal for any information that might help in

the search for the Northwood schoolgirl.

Elaine Phillips five feet tall slender with short

blonde hair was wearing a school uniform of

grey skirt white blouse and maroon blazer when

she was last seen by two of her

classmates.

Rotten piano, rotten music, rotten Beethoven.

I hate it, I hate it.

Really Sylvia you're even worse than last week.

Didn't you practise at all?

A bit, rotten Miss Harrison.

Never make any progress if you don't practise.

It's a waste of time and money.

Do believe I shall have to tell your

grandmother that she's wasting her money and my

precious time.

Oh there's Louise.

Now she's not only dedicated but gifted.

Proper pupil.

Rotten Louise.

So I crossed the road.

He didn't follow.

I should hope not.

What did he look like?

Oh dumb and hopeless and sort of eager.

Should we tell the police?

Do you think they have said?

I don't think so.

He might not be the same one.

The poor man looked pathetic.

He just stared.

Hello Sylvia.

Hello.

Sylvia is just going.

Are you doing fair release?

I am.

It's great don't you think?

Sylvia will let herself out.

We must start Louise.

And this week Sylvia for heaven's sake don't

practise.

Rotten Louise.

Rotten Miss Harrison.

Rotten music.

I hate it.

I hate.

She's stuck up.

She's so sarcastic.

She sucks up to Mr. Brent.

I do hope you don't think that I've

been sounding neurotic Vicar.

But my granddaughter.

Well she does seem to me to be

always such a victim you know.

The poor child's had a tough time Mrs.

Wilkinson.

The death of her parents.

Two years ago.

It was a shock I agree.

But it wasn't as if she was there

with them at the time of the crash.

Thank goodness.

They had parked her on me you know.

So that they could go to Greece.

Well she's very lucky to have had you.

But after what she went through it's not

surprising that she feels scarred.

What a son of mine could have fathered

so unattractive a child.

Mind you my daughter-in-law was not

quite.

Well as you know Vicar.

I never really approved of her.

Thank you for the sherry.

So deliciously dry.

As always.

Must you go?

Afraid so.

Parish council.

Oh sit down here darling.

The Vicar dropped in.

Say good evening.

Good evening.

They've been talking about me.

Grandma's so bright and glittery.

Did you have a good piano lesson?

Your grandmother was telling me how much you

enjoy your music.

It was all right.

She can't have.

She knows I hate music.

He's lying.

A Vicar's lying.

Well I'm afraid I must be off.

I'll come with you.

I insist that you admire my roses.

Say good evening.

The body of Elaine Phillips age 12 has

been found in Northwood Marshes.

Police and Frogman have been searching the area

since Friday.

It is five days since Elaine.

Sylvia dear is that all you can ever

think about?

Television?

She's back soon.

He didn't admire her roses.

I'm sorry Grandma.

Please dear.

Granny's aren't so old.

How was your music lesson?

She knows.

Miss Scraggand phoned her.

It was all right.

Miss Harrison didn't think so.

Sylvia.

Coats are always better if they're put on

a hanger aren't they.

Miss Harrison telephoned me.

Well?

Granny.

Sylvia.

Sylvia.

A man followed me.

I'm only asking you about your piano lesson.

I'm sorry.

One makes great efforts to help you Sylvia.

I ran and ran.

A bus came.

What are you talking about?

What man?

I don't know.

I do.

I'm sure it was him.

Clearly you made the right decision for once.

Never talk to strangers.

That's a basic rule for girls of your

age.

Your supper's in the kitchen.

Say good night.

Good night.

Pretend they're not there.

Pretend nobody's there.

I'm not there.

It's him.

It's definitely him.

It doesn't matter.

Oh don't worry.

I'm not going to smoke it.

I know the rules.

It's just to hold.

He's talking to me.

Just like that.

As if he knows me.

Give your hand.

Don't answer.

He's not here either.

Like me.

I used to do that when I was

a child.

Make myself invisible.

Goodbye nasty world.

I believe I've seen you before haven't I?

Wending your way either to or from a

music lesson I imagine.

Fares please.

Don't say where to.

Where to miss?

The stop before Hamilton End.

Where?

Speak up my darling.

The stop before Hamilton End.

What did you say?

Oh I must be getting deaf.

Full fare.

Same destination please.

That's 32.

Any more fares please.

Great minds think alike.

And what's your name?

We shall have to commit it to memory

shan't we?

For future reference.

You're a famous musician.

Don't tell him.

Lie.

Like a grown up.

Lie.

Pamela Best.

Oh?

Oh then the music case is not your

own.

It bears the initials SW.

I observe.

Primitive people often refuse to give their real

names.

Did you know that?

No.

Oh yes.

To give one's real name to another person

is to deliver yourself into their hands.

They believe.

But we've progressed far beyond that state haven't

we?

Sylvia Wilkinson.

I know my name.

It's on your scarf.

So you see all is revealed.

One day no doubt I shall be able

to boast that I once met Sylvia Wilkinson.

The great concert pianist.

On a bus one afternoon.

Name dropping you know.

Harmless foible of the humble.

Can't someone stop him talking to me?

Who is Sylvia?

What is she?

That all our strains commend her.

Sure you sing that at school don't you?

Is she kind?

As she is fair.

For beauty lives with kindness.

Loved doth to her eyes repair.

I take it madam you do not appreciate

my singing.

No I don't.

It's hardly the place is it?

Hardly the place?

What bowling merrily along?

All going home to our teas?

Hardly the place to express one's joy in

living?

I am sorry.

To listen to that person one would think

we were going to a funeral.

Oh why are we in such a miserable

race I wonder?

Mustn't talk.

Mustn't laugh.

Mustn't sing.

You don't mind my talking to do you?

There.

You and I will present a united front

against the killjoys of this world.

I'm very fond of children you know.

But of course that's not allowed.

I'm good with children too.

But that suspects naturally.

I treat children on my own level.

Sylvia.

But we're not there yet you know.

It's one more stop to go.

I'm the police.

I can describe him.

I know your sort.

Tall.

Sort of bald.

Like streaky bacon.

Big eyes.

Yes.

Looking for a toupee?

Go away.

Perhaps I've got one.

Let's have a look shall we?

It's broken.

Oh no.

How unfortunate.

Makes one feel so cut off doesn't it?

Go away.

I'll scream.

My dear Sylvia what is the matter?

You.

Be off with you.

My dear madam.

Now you be careful or I'll have to

go and find a policeman.

What can you possibly mean?

I'm simply trying to find a policeman.

Go away.

Toupee for the dear child.

Go on.

Do as I say and be off with

you.

Innocent gesture of friendship.

And as for you.

Hasn't anyone ever told you not to talk

to strangers?

I wasn't speaking to them.

Where are you going?

Down there.

Right.

Best foot forward.

Come on.

There's a lot of very funny people about

these days.

Hasn't your mother ever warned you?

She's dead.

Oh dear.

Oh I am sorry about that.

Well who looks after you then?

My granny.

Grandma.

Well she should know.

Just like any mother.

Now don't look behind.

I think we ought to phone the police

don't you?

I was going to.

I think the police would be very interested

in what happened on the bus today.

Oh you won't get far.

You've got my words.

I think we ought to telephone quickly.

This is where I live.

I think we ought to telephone immediately.

But he didn't do anything.

I mean.

The police said any information.

In you come.

Shut the door behind you.

Oh the walk from that bus.

Put the kettle on and while it's boiling

we'll telephone.

I suppose so.

What's the matter?

Don't you want to talk to the police?

I don't be shy.

I'll do the talking.

Oh that's my Joey.

That's my baby boy.

Hello Joey.

You'll feel better after a cup of tea.

You're very kind.

Any woman would do the same.

Now there's some biscuits in my basket.

If you'd like to get them out and

put them on a plate.

And you'll find the plate in this cupboard

down here.

It's nice here.

It's so clean and bright.

I must have everything sweet and fresh.

There's a packet of tea in the bottom

of my basket.

Can you find it?

That's it.

We can dial 999 while we're waiting can't

we?

What do you think it would be better

to phone the local police and ask for

the duty sergeant?

Hmm oh aren't you arranged those nicely?

There's a good girl.

I think it would be best to phone

the local police after all.

999 is for emergencies isn't it?

And this isn't really an emergency is it?

Why don't you put the cups and saucers

up?

Oh you have.

Thank you.

Oh that's funny the phone's gone dead.

Really?

Mind you it's always playing up ever since

they went automatic.

Oh I've got the dialling tone.

You never know where you are do you?

On, off, off, on.

Okay then where was I?

Oh here.

Ah here we are.

Five, oh, seven, seven, one.

Hello is that the police?

What?

Wrong number?

I'm sorry I can't have dialled properly.

Hello Herbert.

You're just in time.

The tea's all ready.

Oh good.

What likes one's brother so?

Ah we've got another one.

Do sit child.

It's the sweetness that attracts them you see.

And then the stickiness prevents them from getting

away.

Oh dear.