Advent (2023) Movie Script
1
[girl] Hello, everybody.
It's somewhere out there.
[gentle piano music]
[birds chirping]
[car rumbling]
[clattering]
[rustling]
[gate clanks]
[latch clanks]
[music turns somber]
[phone ringing]
[phone ringing]
[Samuel] Hello?
-[Veronique] Samuel.
-[Samuel] Mm-hmm?
[Veronique] They want
the advance back.
[Samuel] Oh, yeah,
that's-- that's awful.
[Veronique] They've been more
than patient with us.
Years patient.
[Samuel] Hmm, oh, yeah,
mm-hmm, horrendous behavior.
[Veronique] Are you even
listening to me?
[Samuel] Yes, Veronique.
They can have it back.
[Veronique] Well,
they can't have mine back.
I have children.
[reverent music]
Where even are you right now?
[music swells]
[Samuel] I'm home.
[Veronique] I was just there,
Samuel.
Wait. You mean home, home?
[rattling]
[pipes gurgling]
[air hissing]
[Samuel] Yes.
I came back to get it finished.
[Veronique] Ah, finally.
[Samuel] It won't take long,
I swear.
I'm working on it right now.
[sighs]
[knocking]
[knocking louder]
[man] Hello?
[knocking]
[car door bangs]
[car starts]
[ominous music]
[door creaking]
[gate clanks]
[leaves rustling]
[ominous music]
[gentle music]
[birds chirp]
[soft humming]
[woman humming softly]
[clattering noises]
In some countries they classify
this as a break-in.
They fill the fridge, too,
in those countries.
How did you even get in?
I locked the gate and the door.
With the key, darling.
Do you want me
to make you something?
Fish?
No, I'm vegetarian.
-[speaking foreign language]
-Excuse me?
[sighs] Ah!
I can have it myself, so.
-You--
-What do you eat, then?
Veggie meat, vegetables,
that kind of stuff.
-I can have a look.
-Yeah, you don't have to.
I don't have to do anything.
Why didn't you answer
the door this morning?
[Samuel] I was asleep.
-Asleep?
-Yes, I was asleep in my bed.
You kids, and your sleep.
When I was your age,
I slept four hours a night.
And even then, I was awake.
That was Jimmy,
the castle's handyman.
We had to turn the water off
when the place went up for sale.
He thought he'd have it fixed,
but, sure,
the place sold in seconds.
I-- Again, who are you, and what
are you doing inside my house?
I'm Peggy.
I was with the last family
that owned the place.
Never thought they'd sell it,
if I'm to be honest.
Yeah, nothing lasts forever.
Those silk?
No.
No, didn't think they were.
I just said they weren't.
[Peggy sniffing]
They smell nice, ladylike.
Nothing wrong with that.
Oh, nothing wrong
with that at all.
You're also low on timber.
-That's fine.
-Are you sure?
-Yeah, I have a--
-I don't mind--
No, I can take it from here.
Well, it's your house,
after all.
You can do whatever you want.
I was hoping that
when I bought it.
[Peggy] Love.
What?
You said nothing lasts forever.
Love does.
Have a lovely day, Peggy.
Breakfast?
Toast is fine.
[door bangs]
Toast it is, then.
[gentle music]
[sighs]
[sighs heavily]
Now, where was I?
[sighs softly]
[leaves crunch]
[reverent music]
[wind whooshing]
[wind gusts louder]
[woman] Wake up, Samuel.
[ominous music]
[fire crackling]
[gas hissing]
[gentle music]
[wind gusts howl]
[kettle whistling]
[sighing]
[sighs]
[low, suspenseful music]
[quiet footsteps]
[birds chirping]
[loud, forceful wind gusts]
Notebook.
[Niamh] I will never leave you.
-I will always--
-What are you doing here?
-[Niamh] I will always--
-[Samuel] Stop.
-[Niamh] I will--
-Stop it.
Are you just gonna stand there?
I actually don't know
what to do.
There's nobody here, Samuel.
-You are.
-I'm aware of that.
You shouldn't be.
That's why you came back,
isn't it?
No.
-[Niamh] Yes, it is.
-It isn't.
It is.
You can't lie to me.
You know that.
[sighs]
Buying this place.
It was a move.
[laughs] It was stupid.
It was... something.
I didn't know what else to do.
Stay away?
I had no other choice.
You always have a choice.
Easy for you to say now.
You're not the one stuck
with it.
Sorry, that was uncalled for.
It's okay.
Don't do that.
[Niamh] Do what?
-You know.
-I do?
-Niamh.
-What?
Make everything positive.
It can't be like that.
The world doesn't work
that way, all right?
[clears throat]
You're not gonna sit down?
[tender music]
[sniffing]
[laughs] Is that...
Yeah.
[both laugh softly]
-I like your beard.
-It's easier.
[Niamh] It suits you.
[gasping breaths]
I'm-- I'm not ready for this.
I'm not ready for this.
I'm not ready for this.
[sighs deeply]
Listen, I just want--
Niamh?
Niamh?
[laughs softly]
Niamh, listen, this isn't funny.
[ominous music]
Niamh!
Niamh!
[owl hooting]
[wind howls]
[machine beeps]
[Veronique] Hello,
just checking in.
Um, you said it was on its way.
Did you make it to the office
or to my home address?
Congratulations, by the way.
I'm very proud of you.
[machine beeps]
[screaming]
[knocking]
[knocking louder]
[Samuel] Hold your horses.
[knocking]
Never saw someone take over
a day to open a door before.
Must be a new record. Hmph!
I'm sorry I don't have
an acceptance speech ready.
I'm Jimmy.
Samuel.
I know, new lord of the manor.
I lost me keys, we'll have
to get another set cut.
[laughs] No.
No, what?
There's a set of keys
to my house out there missing?
Not missing, misplaced.
Yeah, that's missing.
Ah. I had to jump the wall,
and all.
-You've locked the gate.
-My gate? Yes.
A bit extreme, don't you think?
Not really.
[Jimmy] Nearly put
me knee out, and all.
Jeez, I'm devastated
to hear that.
Are ya?
Well...
are you going to let me in,
or do you have to
do a background check?
[door creaks]
You kids sleep
too much nowadays.
I'm lucky if I get
three hours myself.
[chuckles]
I'm surrounded by vampires.
-[pipe creaks]
-[Jimmy groans]
Damn it.
[sighs] Stupid, Jimmy, stupid.
Ah!
[sighs]
Brought the wrong part.
Okay.
Ah!
Have to go back to the van.
[Jimmy grunts]
Yeah, and I have to get
back to work.
After you come with me.
I need you to open the gate
so I can bring you in the van.
Not jumping that thing again.
You can have the keys,
if you like.
I'd only lose them.
We need to get to know
each other anyway.
[Samuel sighs heavily]
[Jimmy] Let me guess.
Back from America
with a big pile of cash.
I had a brother went to America.
New York, the windy city.
That's Chicago.
What?
Chicago is the windy city.
New York is the city
that never sleeps.
I don't know about that.
It was windy as hell
when I was there.
Yeah, maybe you're right.
Bet you'll never guess
what he did.
What he still does, but he
doesn't do it now himself.
He has people doing it for him.
He owns his own company now.
[gate clangs]
What do you think he does?
What do I think your brother
does for a job in America?
He doesn't.
He has people doing it for him.
[sighs]
[truck rumbles]
You'll never get it.
Yeah, I'm sure I won't.
-[door beeps]
-[Jimmy grunts]
So?
-What?
-I don't--
-I--
-One guess.
-I don't know. I don't know.
-Go on, go on.
-I don't know.
-One guess.
He kills rats.
Someone told you.
Yeah, somebody told me your
brother in the windy city
has a business killing rats.
Peggy told you.
It had to be Peggy.
Yeah, Peggy told me, yeah.
-Had to.
-Had to, yeah. Had to.
-Of course she had to.
-Yeah.
There's not a thing
goes on around this town
without her knowin'.
And what's that got to do
with her telling me?
-Huh?
-Nothing.
[sighs]
-Paris.
-Huh?
You said I came back from
America.
I came back from Paris.
What'd you do there?
I write novels. Well, a novel.
[Jimmy] Must be nice
being back home.
Excuse me?
[sighs] Do you think
you could buy all this,
and no one would know?
I was hoping.
[Jimmy] Ah.
Hope never milked a cow.
You remember Liam?
Of course you do.
Everyone knows Liam.
He was telling me
you were from here.
He's with me full time now.
Business has doubled.
He went to school with you,
didn't he?
[Samuel] Yes.
Lovely lad, he is.
Ah, he's been minding this place
with me from the start.
Hard to believe
he'll soon be taking over.
Fantastic.
You married? Kids?
No.
Same as Liam.
Good for him.
Why?
I don't know.
So all this
is just for you, then?
You wanna move in
with me, Jimmy?
I like you, Samuel.
Yeah, because I'm rich.
It's not your looks,
I'll tell you that.
[chuckles]
I'll tell Liam you said hello.
Oh.
If you come across
an old mobile phone,
will you put it
to one side for me?
It's probably broken,
but there are a few client
numbers in there that I've lost.
When did you lose it?
Over ten years ago.
[eerie music]
[thuds]
[coughing]
[sighs]
[gentle music]
[sighs]
You're back.
Couldn't leave you
with an empty fridge.
Had to finish the job right.
You always finish the job right.
You hungry? You look hungry.
I made you a shepherd's pie.
Veggie, of course.
There was a whole section
of the supermarket
that I didn't even know existed.
It was my first time cooking
with that sort of stuff.
Smells good, anyway.
[Peggy] Should be done
in a few minutes.
[Samuel] I'll get
the fire going.
Yeah, you do that.
-Peggy?
-[Peggy] Yeah?
Would you like to join me?
No.
Of course I would.
I want to see how
this big boy tastes.
[match strikes]
[ominous music]
[fire crackling]
[Peggy] That wasn't bad.
Told you.
Can you tell me about the family
that were here before me?
What do you want to know?
Anything.
They were kind,
generous, and just a--
a class act, overall.
Philip, the father, sold art.
He had a good eye, but his wife,
Charlotte, she was the genius.
Charlotte never wanted to leave,
but eventually she realized
that memories are in the heart,
not in stone.
You can take them
with you anywhere.
[Samuel] And you didn't
go with them?
They didn't need me anymore.
My journey stops here.
[chuckles softly] Mine, too.
You're too young
for that kind of talk.
Ah, you have to come off
the field at some point.
You need to play
the best you can first.
[chuckles]
Why this place?
I used to live
in this town before.
Did you know that?
-That's your answer?
-That's a long story.
[laughs]
We all have one of them in us.
-And were you always--
-Here?
Of course not.
I was young once, just like you.
It'd be strange if you weren't.
Robert was my world.
Husband?
My dry cleaner.
Hmm, funny.
[both chuckle softly]
He would've liked you.
-The old me?
-[Peggy] No.
This you.
He was miserable, too.
In a harsh way, though.
Didn't know
such a thing existed.
We saw the world together.
What a better world it was,
back then.
I'm grateful for every minute
I had with that man.
They never leave us.
We can only leave them.
That's the burden
of living on afterwards.
But love...
Love lasts forever.
So, this book, tell me.
I'm a year foolishly trying
to finish the last chapter.
The last?
Last.
Well, if this place doesn't
inspire you, nowhere will.
Ah, that's why.
Location, inspiration.
Part of it.
It wasn't such a long story
after all.
Part of it.
[chuckles]
Although I feel like I've
reached my limitations.
If you accept your limitations,
you go beyond them.
If I had ten percent
of Brendan Behan's talent,
I wouldn't be in this
situation, Peggy.
-Don't do that.
-[Samuel] What?
Don't put yourself down
like that.
I won't have it.
I'm just telling you how it is.
Well, tell it to the page, then.
You must've done something right
to be able to afford this place.
Jimmy'll be back tomorrow.
He has a few things
to finish up.
He said he had the keys
to this place.
We both do.
Yeah, he had. He lost them.
Hmm. Interesting fella.
A character, all right.
[Samuel clears throat]
[coughing]
[sighs heavily]
Are you okay?
[vomiting]
-[Samuel spits]
-[Peggy] Get it out.
Here.
[panting] Thanks.
[gasps]
[groans]
My first vegetarian
shepherd's pie.
[laughs wryly]
Yeah, maybe your last.
I think so.
[both laugh]
[eerie music]
[wind howls]
[gentle music]
[birds chirp]
[Samuel] You're not joining me?
I had mine at breakfast time.
Peggy, have you ever noticed
anybody out there
standing at the front gate?
Some people come by,
and look in.
That's what happens
when you live in a castle.
Why?
No reason.
Nosy neighbor.
The town is full of them.
[ominous music]
You okay?
That's Liam.
[door creaks]
[Liam] Sorry, Peggy.
But, uh, you know.
Your father lost the keys.
I know.
Liam. Samuel.
Sure, I know Samuel well.
We went to school together.
The new lord of the manor.
Yeah, nice to meet you, Liam.
Would you like a cup
of tea, Liam?
Ah, no, no,
I sure have work to do.
You could have one cup.
[Liam] If it's okay
with the boss.
Of course it is.
Then I'd love one so, Peggy.
Thank you.
-Take a seat.
-Okay.
I'll bring it right out.
[Samuel groans]
Ah.
[Peggy] Biscuits?
Ah, no, Peggy.
The doctor says
I'm almost a diabetic.
You finally came home?
Looks like it, yeah.
Hard to beat is very hard.
I guess so.
Is there anything you miss
in particular?
Like people constantly
talking about the weather?
I never left myself.
Never saw the point.
Should have everything
you want here.
[kettle hisses]
Dad said he met you.
He had a good old chat.
We did.
He didn't feel too comfortable
coming back today.
But sure, could you
hardly blame him?
I told him, don't be listening
to town gossip.
But you know the way they are.
Why'd he come
in the first place, then?
He never added it up.
Why did you come back?
Is there something
you're searching for?
What?
All writers are searching
for something.
That's what they say, anyways.
Again, Liam, I have no idea
what you're talking about.
Neither do I, sometimes.
I read your novel.
You did?
It wasn't for me.
Too much love and depression.
Sorry for disappointing you.
[kettle whistles]
[speaking foreign language]
[Peggy] There'll be no French
in this house.
Sorry, Peggy.
How did she hear that?
What's that about?
I think a French model tried
to take off with her man once.
She was no model.
Cheers, Peggy.
She just didn't eat.
Sure, we could all do that.
Diet of cigarettes and tears.
Hmph!
I'd better get back
to work, so...
Yeah, I got it.
Are you sure, Lord of the Manor?
Yeah, leave it.
Well, it was good chatting
to you, if you ever want
-to grab a pint or something...
-Yeah, I don't drink.
...Peggy has my number.
[Liam and Peggy speaking
in another language]
[Samuel vomiting, coughing]
[coughing]
[gasping]
So, you know Liam, then?
-No.
-Well, he sure knows you.
He's a nice lad.
His mother died when he
was young.
Looks after his dad well.
Are you writing today?
I was planning on
going outside, but...
I think I'm just gonna
be in my room instead.
What about the desk in the loft?
Oh, I tried that.
Or did you just eat
my pie there?
Maybe.
[chuckles]
Give it a go.
[sighs heavily]
[toilet flushes]
[gentle music]
[Peggy] No, no, no!
Get back out there!
[sighs heavily]
[wind gusts howl]
[coughing]
[low, eerie music]
[wood clatters]
[gate clangs]
[music builds]
[coughing]
[gentle music]
[soft guitar music
playing over stereo]
Who's that?
[Jimmy] Who's that?
[Liam] It's Grace.
Oh, Grace.
Oh, you left her stuff?
Oh, Dad, no, no, we--
Do we, though?
[Jimmy] In a spot
of trouble, Grace?
To say the least, Jimmy.
[Jimmy] Oh, she is kicked.
Yeah.
I ran over and broke
a Newcastle beer bottle.
[Jimmy] Ah,
that's the English for you.
[Grace] Mm-hmm.
Is that Liam in there?
[Jimmy] It is.
Is he okay?
[Jimmy] Hurt his ankle,
so he can't get out.
Oh, okay.
Injured it in the gym.
[chuckles] Loves that gym.
Always improving himself.
I keep telling him to slow down,
but he, uh,
He won't listen.
I'll grab this,
and we'll drop you home.
Oh, that's okay,
I don't mind walking it back.
Too dangerous.
[sighs] We'd never
forgive ourselves.
[Grace] Ah, thanks, Jimmy.
Hello, Liam.
How are you, Grace?
-Hi.
-In a bit of trouble there?
Yeah, heard the same
about yourself.
I was just telling Grace that
you hurt your ankle in the gym.
That's why you couldn't
get out to help her.
-Thanks, Dad.
-Yeah, that you're always--
Yeah, Dad.
Always there, all the time.
All the time, Grace.
All the time.
Puncture?
Uh, Newcastle bottle.
-English.
-Yeah. [laughs]
[Liam clears his throat]
-Straight home?
-Ah, That'd be great.
Yeah.
[truck starts]
All set for Christmas?
Haven't thought about it yet.
It's September.
Are you?
Not big on Christmas
anymore in our house.
You still working in the city?
I am, yeah.
I love it there.
It's more exciting, you know.
Yeah.
It can be so boring around here.
Oh, so boring.
Any plans for the night?
-Dad.
-What?
Ah, no plans.
-No plans?
-No plans, she said.
No plans.
Same as Liam.
-[laughs]
-Never does.
[laughs] I'm only joking.
I can't keep him at home
at all with me, huh?
Ah!
[turn signal clicking]
[car shuts off]
It's nice seeing you.
Oh, let me help you.
What about your ankle?
[Jimmy] Always the hero.
-[Jimmy sighs]
-Oh.
Um...
See you.
[truck door slams]
[truck door slams]
[Jimmy] Oh, Grace.
-[Grace] Thank you.
-[Jimmy sighs]
[Jimmy] You don't want
a lift into town at all?
[Grace] No, no, that's okay.
All good.
-It's a lovely sunny day out.
-[Jimmy] All right.
-Thank you.
-[Jimmy] No problem.
No bother at all. Thank you.
[Jimmy] Yeah, okay.
What?
Hurt my ankle at the gym?
"All set for Christmas"?
"Always the hero"?
What was that all about?
Well, you wouldn't get out
of the van to begin with,
which was rude.
And then when she did get in,
you wouldn't speak.
I did speak.
[Jimmy] People need to know
how talented you are,
how amazing you are.
You have so much to offer.
I'm there because I don't
want to leave you alone.
And I thank you for that.
But you need to be happy
with someone your own age.
You'll always miss your mother.
I... am happy.
[engine starts]
[gentle music]
Why does he lock it?
What's he so worried about?
Someone in town going after him.
This won't stop them.
He must think it will.
We need to find our keys.
You sure you don't have them?
You were the last to have them.
They'll turn up.
I hope so. [grunting]
We can't keep doing this.
Ask him for another set.
If he's awake.
[knocking at door]
[knocking at door]
[knocking at door]
[persistent knocking at door]
What's wrong with the place now?
There's always something
wrong with this place.
Yeah,
so everyone keeps telling me.
[Liam] We won't be long.
[sighs] Inside or outside?
Downstairs.
Yeah, of course it is.
[Liam] I mean,
we can leave it another day.
Do you want us
to leave it so, or?
-You okay?
-Grand, yeah.
[keys jingling]
-[urine trickling]
-Was he in bed?
Yeah.
Peggy says he isn't well.
We're all unwell.
-Don't let that fool you.
-[trickling stops]
Rich people have
a way of doing that.
[birds chirping]
Do you remember we used to sit
here and talk about our future?
Of course I do.
What was it
you wanted to be again?
-You know.
-No, I don't.
Yeah, you just want me
to say it out loud.
I do. I really do. [laughs]
I wanted to be a sailor.
[laughs] Yeah, you did.
-And you wanted to be anything.
-Anything.
Yeah. As long as
you could help people.
All that matters.
[tender music]
What are you doing later?
Why?
Wanna come inside?
Can't be out here all the time.
It's safe out here.
Nobody can see us.
No one will see us
in there, either.
Peggy leaves before 7:00.
-Peggy?
-Housekeeper.
She stayed on after
the other family left.
-She nice?
-Yeah, she's lovely.
It's good you have somebody.
Are you okay?
Yeah, there's some workers
up in the house.
Remember Liam?
-Liam?
-Yeah, we went to school
-with him, apparently.
-I don't.
But, sure,
I didn't know anybody, really.
Yeah, drove the guys crazy.
No, I didn't.
Niamh, everybody fancied you.
I only ever spoke to you.
That's what drove them crazy.
[chuckles]
So, later?
You'll come?
That's why I asked.
All right.
Let's make it 8:00 to be safe.
I'll leave the back door open.
You're sure, now?
Why wouldn't I be?
Why wouldn't I be, Samuel?
I didn't think I'd see you
again after yesterday.
Always your choice.
You know that.
See you at 8:00?
[Liam grunting]
You look happy.
-Gotta use the bathroom.
-Go for it.
-Number two, otherwise...
-Yeah, I don't need to know.
-How are you, Jimmy?
-[Jimmy] Hey, boss.
Safe to return?
[sighs] Bad judgment
on my part, sorry.
Don't worry,
water under the bridge.
What's it now?
-Do you really want to know?
-No.
I'll save you the heartache.
So, where's Peggy?
In the city.
-The city?
-At the bank.
-Bad news, so.
-Why?
No one ever goes in there
for good news, trust me.
Any luck finding that phone?
No,
but I'm sure if it was around,
the previous owners
would've found it.
I'm sure, but if you do...
You'll be the first to know.
I have a question to ask you.
-Anything.
-The turret room.
[Jimmy] Locked this years.
Do you have the keys to it?
Lost this years.
They never wanted it open?
Too cold up there,
never bothered.
Sure Peggy has them, anyway.
I doubt it.
Something in there you're
looking for? Something urgent?
No, I just wanted
to have a look.
Lord of the manor, access to all
rooms and all, don't you agree?
It'd be a crime not to.
I'll sort it out either way.
-Sort what out?
-[Jimmy] Ah, nothing.
Jeez, I feel better after that.
-Any sign of Peggy?
-Bank.
Poor thing.
I'm sure she'll be back.
She never misses a day.
-Never.
-Never.
Why don't you two lads head into
town tonight for a few pints?
Catch up, like.
-Dad.
-I can't tonight.
-Yeah, same.
-Another time.
Yeah, yeah.
And you can leave
the keys behind you.
We will.
Thanks for that, Dad.
Jeez, you're on fire today.
[knocking at door]
Yes?
[Liam] We had to
finish up for the day.
Need to get a part,
but it won't be till next week.
You leave the key on the table.
[Liam] Want me to lock the gate?
No, it's fine.
[Liam] You sure?
Yeah, Peggy's coming later.
You still there?
[Liam] Yeah.
We can have a few beers here
if you like, you know?
We don't have to go anywhere.
Let's chat tomorrow.
-[Liam] Tomorrow?
-Yeah, I'm sure there'll be
something else
that needs fixing.
We don't have any parts.
[exhales]
Listen,
just come here tomorrow at 4:00.
You can get beers, if not,
I'll get Peggy to get them.
Oh, no, no, no.
I'll-- I'll get them.
-What-- what do you want?
-I don't drink.
-But sure I can get you a--
-I really need to lay down.
[Liam] All right.
Okay, of course.
See you tomorrow.
-[pen scratching]
-Um...
Dad was saying you were
looking, uh, for a key
and he didn't know where it is.
I can slide it under the door.
I-- I will slide it
under the door.
Don't tell Dad
I gave it to you, though.
He doesn't know
I have the spares.
Or maybe I should tell him.
What do you think?
What's up with you?
Having a few beers
here tomorrow.
You see?
Get yourself out there
and you will be rewarded.
Next you'll have to
ask out Grace.
[scoffs]
One step at a time, now.
One step at a time.
[voicemail beeps]
[Veronique on recording] I can't
believe you did this to me.
All you had to do
was finish the book.
I've given up everything
for you. Everything.
[scoffs] I'm finished.
We're finished.
[Veronique speaking French]
[Samuel] Ow!
Peggy?
How was the city?
Bad news?
Why do you say that?
[Samuel] Jimmy said
it's only ever bad news.
Did he, now?
[Samuel] Liam also.
You had a great chat
about me, so?
[Samuel chuckles]
Nothing like that.
He was only asking
where you were.
Matched me up
with Liam tomorrow.
On a date?
No, Peggy, not a date.
Strange his dad had
to initiate it, though.
Liam is shy. Always was.
Jimmy is the icebreaker.
He has to have some friends.
Always with Jimmy.
You also don't come across
as the approachable type.
Because I'm private.
If that's it, yes.
[chuckles] Jeez,
I'm not all dead inside.
Something left.
I can worry.
Worry about yourself.
It's nice of you
to hang out with Liam.
Do him a world of good.
[Samuel] Can you be here?
[Peggy] As a chaperone?
[Samuel] I just have
nothing in common with him.
Find something.
It can't be that hard.
You both went to school
together. Use that.
-That's true.
-Put a bit of effort in.
It's nice to have
a friend around here.
I have you, don't I?
Always.
How's the writing going?
Good, just needs an ending,
that's all.
Opened up my imagination,
like you said.
I'm happy for you.
Your book deserves
to be finished.
Do you need help?
Yeah, I'll get back
to the writing, so.
[water running]
[gentle music]
[water running continues]
[water stops]
[knocking at door]
[exhales]
I wasn't sure
which door it was again.
Don't worry about it.
Come on in, it's freezing out.
-You look smart.
-I look dressed. [chuckles]
-I was trying to be nice.
-Thanks.
-And you, as always--
-Perfection?
Never came in this way before.
I know. Even coming in
the back was strange.
[chuckles]
What's in there?
Wanna see?
Yeah.
It's magical.
[music turns ominous]
What's over there?
Ah, it's just a spare bedroom.
-[Niamh] Sneaky.
-[Samuel chuckles]
You wanna go upstairs?
Yeah.
[gentle music]
You hungry? I can order some
food or try to make something.
Cup of tea would be nice.
I'm not hungry.
Take a seat. I'll make you some.
No sugar, drop of milk?
Yes.
[Samuel] Biscuits?
No.
You will wanna
give that a second.
It's not my first cup, Samuel.
I don't know why I'm so nervous.
It's you.
That's the reason you should be.
The one that got away.
Well, we're both here now,
so that's all that matters.
So, tell me everything.
[exhales] Well...
Left here.
Escaped here.
Went to Paris.
Wrote a book. Made some money.
Came back here,
and then bought this place.
I hope your writing is
more entertaining than that.
What's your book about?
Heartache and anger.
And the next one?
Loneliness and regret.
[laughs] It's kind of
the same thing, isn't it?
[Samuel]
People seem to love them.
Think it makes them
feel good about themselves.
And what about you?
Mmm... not so much, really.
Although they say
"write what you know."
-Who does?
-Oh, you know. They do.
[both chuckle]
I'm sorry I was
defensive earlier.
I just--
I just didn't expect to see you,
that's all.
I thought I'd never
see you again.
I was just about
to say the same thing.
Well, we always did finish
each other's sentences.
Have you been up there?
Door was locked.
Oh...
But Liam gave me the keys today.
-Why does he have them?
-Works here.
I thought he stole them.
-Why?
-I don't know.
Why would somebody do something
so terrible like that?
[sighs]
How else were we getting in?
Remind me again why you only
had the key to that door.
Because it was
the only key I could get.
I always thought it was
just so you could watch me
-climb that ladder.
-[chuckling]
[sighs] I don't think
we were breaking in, though,
in here, were we?
Weren't we?
I don't know,
it always just felt like
we were borrowing the room
or something.
Do you wanna go for a look?
I thought you'd never ask.
Niamh.
Yeah?
This is the first time
I've been happy in a long time.
Same.
I'm sorry I wasn't there.
It's okay.
This place is like
a death trap. [laughs]
Well, it's safer than
climbing the ladder outside.
-You ready?
-Yeah.
[lock clicks]
God, it hasn't changed a bit.
It's even the same temperature.
-God, it couldn't be.
-It is.
The last owners must've
done nothing with it.
Permanent time capsule.
Do you remember
we used to just sit here
and imagine we lived here?
[ominous music]
Is everything okay?
Yeah, everything's perfect.
No way.
-What's that?
-Jimmy's phone.
Can't believe I found it.
What was it doing over there?
I don't know, he must've
left it under the desk
when he was working on it
or something.
-Do you remember those?
-[chuckles] Yeah.
Yeah, I used to talk to you
every day on one.
10p a text.
It was an absolute killer.
I used to run out all the time.
I'd have a message written
and it wouldn't send.
Drove me insane.
Yeah,
and me waiting on a call back.
[both chuckle]
Come on,
let's get you out of here.
[Niamh] God,
how did we stick it?
[Samuel]
We had youth on our side.
Eh, speak for yourself.
We could stay and watch a movie,
but I don't have a television.
That's okay.
We could...
Go to bed?
We could.
Like, now?
Yeah.
Always me insinuating.
[gentle music]
[exhales]
You look...
-[Niamh] In love?
-[chuckles]
[birds chirping]
[Peggy] Where did you come from?
[rustling]
[phone beeps]
[exhales]
-[Samuel] Morning, Peggy.
-Morning.
You have a charger
for that thing?
[Peggy] I know.
I can't believe you found it.
Fell out from underneath
the desk upstairs.
Ah, he'd be delighted.
He's always on about that phone.
Tell me about it.
-What time is your--
-[knocking at door]
[sighs]
Let me get this over with.
Put a bit of effort in.
I will!
[gasps] Oh, take this.
-[Samuel] Thanks.
-Enjoy your date.
[gentle music]
[Liam] I brought some beer.
Non-alcoholic too.
And-- and some sandwiches.
-Nice basket.
-It was my mother's.
I lied to you.
I did like the book.
[chuckles]
I appreciate that, Liam.
There another boat in there?
Now you're just messing with me.
Did you look at anything
before you bought this place?
Didn't need to.
Fair enough.
One picture's all it needs,
right?
And there's a fine boat in
there. I repaired it myself.
We should take it out sometime,
maybe. Go fishing.
-Sounds like a plan.
-Really?
Yes, Liam.
That'd be class.
Old owners used to
come out here all the time.
Dad takes his lunch
out here too sometimes.
Speaking of your dad.
Look what I found in the castle.
No way!
I can't believe you found this.
He'll be so happy.
Get all his old clients back.
-What?
-That's what he wants it for.
-No, it's not.
-It's what he told me.
Maybe he was embarrassed.
There's some old voicemails
from my mother on it.
That's nothing
to be embarrassed about.
-That's really romantic.
-That's what I told him.
Do you mind if I call him
to let him know?
Yeah, go for it.
[phone beeps]
Bulletproof, they were.
Oh, he's gonna love this.
[line ringing]
Hello, Dad? Yeah, it's me.
Yeah, I'm with Samuel.
You'll never guess
what he found.
No. No, not himself.
No, not an alarm clock.
He found your old phone.
After all these years!
No, it wasn't outside.
It was inside, um...
Desk in the turret room.
[Liam] The desk
in the turret room.
Yeah, yeah, and you wouldn't
believe it, it turns on!
Yeah, we didn't go through it.
We just turned it on.
Why would he?
Okay, I'll turn it off.
I hear you. Okay!
Everything okay?
He had a panic attack,
told me not to
turn on the phone.
Personal, maybe.
She was my mother too.
[Samuel] That's true.
He's always telling me
what to do!
You should have a listen.
He doesn't have to know.
Yeah, I don't have
to tell him everything.
Everything okay?
[low, tense music]
Liam.
Liam!
That's not his phone.
That's not his phone.
I got the wrong phone.
What are you talking about?
Shouldn't have done that!
[shouting]
I shouldn't have done that!
Don't do--
Don't look at that, Samuel.
Don't look at that!
[Jimmy] Put the phone down,
Samuel.
I said, put the phone down.
It can't be true, Dad. Can it?
-[shouting] Dad!
-Of course it isn't.
He isn't well, son.
I know, Peggy told me.
Is it cancer?
No, not well in the head.
The rumors are true.
I have the evidence in my hand.
I found it in
his room last night,
in that book
he's always writing in.
She wrote him a note
to meet him here.
He must've done something
and dumped the body.
-Oh, stop!
-He had it all this time.
Real evidence.
He came here to cover it up.
Please, stop, Dad!
It's the truth.
He's insane.
Talks to himself.
Full conversations.
I have been...
watching him, following him.
Why?
-To see if--
-If he'd lead you to the phone?
-No.
-Yes!
Her father...
asked me to find out the truth.
-So, we don't know him!
-I do know him.
-None of us do!
-You don't know what you're
-talking about. Always stupid.
-She was trying to text him.
Warn him. Warn him about you!
But the message
didn't go through!
You need to give me that phone.
-Now, Samuel!
-Why, Dad?
[shouting] Why?
I did it for you!
Always you! You wouldn't stop
talking about her
all the time, every day!
Niamh this, Niamh that!
Drove me insane!
You were so alone
after your mother d...
I found her here
waiting one evening,
in the woods
when I was working late.
I asked her to go
on a date with you.
You know what she said?
"Who?"
Like you were a nobody.
I just wanted to scare her,
that's all.
So that she would
remember my son!
Things got out of hand.
[tense music]
I found her in that little room.
I tried to reason with her,
but...
she pushed me.
And like anyone else would do,
I pushed back.
I tried to get her back
breathing, but it was too late.
-So then I...
-[Liam] Where is she?
[Liam breathing heavily]
I need the phone, Samuel.
I need that phone, Samuel!
[Peggy] I can't let you do that!
Unless you want to be
the new ring boy.
Peggy, come on!
Get out of here, Liam.
Liam, go!
Please don't hurt him.
Now leave, and never come back!
Go!
I'm sorry I wasn't there
to protect her.
[somber music]
[Peggy] Breakfast time!
Sorry, breakfast at dinner time.
Samuel!
Even you should be up by now.
Samuel!
You said you'd be up early.
"In that moment,
he forgave himself.
[heartfelt music]
He no longer needed to hold on.
He no longer needed
to live with the pain.
He finally died free."
[exhales]
For eternity.
For eternity.
[gentle music]
[girl] Hello, everybody.
It's somewhere out there.
[gentle piano music]
[birds chirping]
[car rumbling]
[clattering]
[rustling]
[gate clanks]
[latch clanks]
[music turns somber]
[phone ringing]
[phone ringing]
[Samuel] Hello?
-[Veronique] Samuel.
-[Samuel] Mm-hmm?
[Veronique] They want
the advance back.
[Samuel] Oh, yeah,
that's-- that's awful.
[Veronique] They've been more
than patient with us.
Years patient.
[Samuel] Hmm, oh, yeah,
mm-hmm, horrendous behavior.
[Veronique] Are you even
listening to me?
[Samuel] Yes, Veronique.
They can have it back.
[Veronique] Well,
they can't have mine back.
I have children.
[reverent music]
Where even are you right now?
[music swells]
[Samuel] I'm home.
[Veronique] I was just there,
Samuel.
Wait. You mean home, home?
[rattling]
[pipes gurgling]
[air hissing]
[Samuel] Yes.
I came back to get it finished.
[Veronique] Ah, finally.
[Samuel] It won't take long,
I swear.
I'm working on it right now.
[sighs]
[knocking]
[knocking louder]
[man] Hello?
[knocking]
[car door bangs]
[car starts]
[ominous music]
[door creaking]
[gate clanks]
[leaves rustling]
[ominous music]
[gentle music]
[birds chirp]
[soft humming]
[woman humming softly]
[clattering noises]
In some countries they classify
this as a break-in.
They fill the fridge, too,
in those countries.
How did you even get in?
I locked the gate and the door.
With the key, darling.
Do you want me
to make you something?
Fish?
No, I'm vegetarian.
-[speaking foreign language]
-Excuse me?
[sighs] Ah!
I can have it myself, so.
-You--
-What do you eat, then?
Veggie meat, vegetables,
that kind of stuff.
-I can have a look.
-Yeah, you don't have to.
I don't have to do anything.
Why didn't you answer
the door this morning?
[Samuel] I was asleep.
-Asleep?
-Yes, I was asleep in my bed.
You kids, and your sleep.
When I was your age,
I slept four hours a night.
And even then, I was awake.
That was Jimmy,
the castle's handyman.
We had to turn the water off
when the place went up for sale.
He thought he'd have it fixed,
but, sure,
the place sold in seconds.
I-- Again, who are you, and what
are you doing inside my house?
I'm Peggy.
I was with the last family
that owned the place.
Never thought they'd sell it,
if I'm to be honest.
Yeah, nothing lasts forever.
Those silk?
No.
No, didn't think they were.
I just said they weren't.
[Peggy sniffing]
They smell nice, ladylike.
Nothing wrong with that.
Oh, nothing wrong
with that at all.
You're also low on timber.
-That's fine.
-Are you sure?
-Yeah, I have a--
-I don't mind--
No, I can take it from here.
Well, it's your house,
after all.
You can do whatever you want.
I was hoping that
when I bought it.
[Peggy] Love.
What?
You said nothing lasts forever.
Love does.
Have a lovely day, Peggy.
Breakfast?
Toast is fine.
[door bangs]
Toast it is, then.
[gentle music]
[sighs]
[sighs heavily]
Now, where was I?
[sighs softly]
[leaves crunch]
[reverent music]
[wind whooshing]
[wind gusts louder]
[woman] Wake up, Samuel.
[ominous music]
[fire crackling]
[gas hissing]
[gentle music]
[wind gusts howl]
[kettle whistling]
[sighing]
[sighs]
[low, suspenseful music]
[quiet footsteps]
[birds chirping]
[loud, forceful wind gusts]
Notebook.
[Niamh] I will never leave you.
-I will always--
-What are you doing here?
-[Niamh] I will always--
-[Samuel] Stop.
-[Niamh] I will--
-Stop it.
Are you just gonna stand there?
I actually don't know
what to do.
There's nobody here, Samuel.
-You are.
-I'm aware of that.
You shouldn't be.
That's why you came back,
isn't it?
No.
-[Niamh] Yes, it is.
-It isn't.
It is.
You can't lie to me.
You know that.
[sighs]
Buying this place.
It was a move.
[laughs] It was stupid.
It was... something.
I didn't know what else to do.
Stay away?
I had no other choice.
You always have a choice.
Easy for you to say now.
You're not the one stuck
with it.
Sorry, that was uncalled for.
It's okay.
Don't do that.
[Niamh] Do what?
-You know.
-I do?
-Niamh.
-What?
Make everything positive.
It can't be like that.
The world doesn't work
that way, all right?
[clears throat]
You're not gonna sit down?
[tender music]
[sniffing]
[laughs] Is that...
Yeah.
[both laugh softly]
-I like your beard.
-It's easier.
[Niamh] It suits you.
[gasping breaths]
I'm-- I'm not ready for this.
I'm not ready for this.
I'm not ready for this.
[sighs deeply]
Listen, I just want--
Niamh?
Niamh?
[laughs softly]
Niamh, listen, this isn't funny.
[ominous music]
Niamh!
Niamh!
[owl hooting]
[wind howls]
[machine beeps]
[Veronique] Hello,
just checking in.
Um, you said it was on its way.
Did you make it to the office
or to my home address?
Congratulations, by the way.
I'm very proud of you.
[machine beeps]
[screaming]
[knocking]
[knocking louder]
[Samuel] Hold your horses.
[knocking]
Never saw someone take over
a day to open a door before.
Must be a new record. Hmph!
I'm sorry I don't have
an acceptance speech ready.
I'm Jimmy.
Samuel.
I know, new lord of the manor.
I lost me keys, we'll have
to get another set cut.
[laughs] No.
No, what?
There's a set of keys
to my house out there missing?
Not missing, misplaced.
Yeah, that's missing.
Ah. I had to jump the wall,
and all.
-You've locked the gate.
-My gate? Yes.
A bit extreme, don't you think?
Not really.
[Jimmy] Nearly put
me knee out, and all.
Jeez, I'm devastated
to hear that.
Are ya?
Well...
are you going to let me in,
or do you have to
do a background check?
[door creaks]
You kids sleep
too much nowadays.
I'm lucky if I get
three hours myself.
[chuckles]
I'm surrounded by vampires.
-[pipe creaks]
-[Jimmy groans]
Damn it.
[sighs] Stupid, Jimmy, stupid.
Ah!
[sighs]
Brought the wrong part.
Okay.
Ah!
Have to go back to the van.
[Jimmy grunts]
Yeah, and I have to get
back to work.
After you come with me.
I need you to open the gate
so I can bring you in the van.
Not jumping that thing again.
You can have the keys,
if you like.
I'd only lose them.
We need to get to know
each other anyway.
[Samuel sighs heavily]
[Jimmy] Let me guess.
Back from America
with a big pile of cash.
I had a brother went to America.
New York, the windy city.
That's Chicago.
What?
Chicago is the windy city.
New York is the city
that never sleeps.
I don't know about that.
It was windy as hell
when I was there.
Yeah, maybe you're right.
Bet you'll never guess
what he did.
What he still does, but he
doesn't do it now himself.
He has people doing it for him.
He owns his own company now.
[gate clangs]
What do you think he does?
What do I think your brother
does for a job in America?
He doesn't.
He has people doing it for him.
[sighs]
[truck rumbles]
You'll never get it.
Yeah, I'm sure I won't.
-[door beeps]
-[Jimmy grunts]
So?
-What?
-I don't--
-I--
-One guess.
-I don't know. I don't know.
-Go on, go on.
-I don't know.
-One guess.
He kills rats.
Someone told you.
Yeah, somebody told me your
brother in the windy city
has a business killing rats.
Peggy told you.
It had to be Peggy.
Yeah, Peggy told me, yeah.
-Had to.
-Had to, yeah. Had to.
-Of course she had to.
-Yeah.
There's not a thing
goes on around this town
without her knowin'.
And what's that got to do
with her telling me?
-Huh?
-Nothing.
[sighs]
-Paris.
-Huh?
You said I came back from
America.
I came back from Paris.
What'd you do there?
I write novels. Well, a novel.
[Jimmy] Must be nice
being back home.
Excuse me?
[sighs] Do you think
you could buy all this,
and no one would know?
I was hoping.
[Jimmy] Ah.
Hope never milked a cow.
You remember Liam?
Of course you do.
Everyone knows Liam.
He was telling me
you were from here.
He's with me full time now.
Business has doubled.
He went to school with you,
didn't he?
[Samuel] Yes.
Lovely lad, he is.
Ah, he's been minding this place
with me from the start.
Hard to believe
he'll soon be taking over.
Fantastic.
You married? Kids?
No.
Same as Liam.
Good for him.
Why?
I don't know.
So all this
is just for you, then?
You wanna move in
with me, Jimmy?
I like you, Samuel.
Yeah, because I'm rich.
It's not your looks,
I'll tell you that.
[chuckles]
I'll tell Liam you said hello.
Oh.
If you come across
an old mobile phone,
will you put it
to one side for me?
It's probably broken,
but there are a few client
numbers in there that I've lost.
When did you lose it?
Over ten years ago.
[eerie music]
[thuds]
[coughing]
[sighs]
[gentle music]
[sighs]
You're back.
Couldn't leave you
with an empty fridge.
Had to finish the job right.
You always finish the job right.
You hungry? You look hungry.
I made you a shepherd's pie.
Veggie, of course.
There was a whole section
of the supermarket
that I didn't even know existed.
It was my first time cooking
with that sort of stuff.
Smells good, anyway.
[Peggy] Should be done
in a few minutes.
[Samuel] I'll get
the fire going.
Yeah, you do that.
-Peggy?
-[Peggy] Yeah?
Would you like to join me?
No.
Of course I would.
I want to see how
this big boy tastes.
[match strikes]
[ominous music]
[fire crackling]
[Peggy] That wasn't bad.
Told you.
Can you tell me about the family
that were here before me?
What do you want to know?
Anything.
They were kind,
generous, and just a--
a class act, overall.
Philip, the father, sold art.
He had a good eye, but his wife,
Charlotte, she was the genius.
Charlotte never wanted to leave,
but eventually she realized
that memories are in the heart,
not in stone.
You can take them
with you anywhere.
[Samuel] And you didn't
go with them?
They didn't need me anymore.
My journey stops here.
[chuckles softly] Mine, too.
You're too young
for that kind of talk.
Ah, you have to come off
the field at some point.
You need to play
the best you can first.
[chuckles]
Why this place?
I used to live
in this town before.
Did you know that?
-That's your answer?
-That's a long story.
[laughs]
We all have one of them in us.
-And were you always--
-Here?
Of course not.
I was young once, just like you.
It'd be strange if you weren't.
Robert was my world.
Husband?
My dry cleaner.
Hmm, funny.
[both chuckle softly]
He would've liked you.
-The old me?
-[Peggy] No.
This you.
He was miserable, too.
In a harsh way, though.
Didn't know
such a thing existed.
We saw the world together.
What a better world it was,
back then.
I'm grateful for every minute
I had with that man.
They never leave us.
We can only leave them.
That's the burden
of living on afterwards.
But love...
Love lasts forever.
So, this book, tell me.
I'm a year foolishly trying
to finish the last chapter.
The last?
Last.
Well, if this place doesn't
inspire you, nowhere will.
Ah, that's why.
Location, inspiration.
Part of it.
It wasn't such a long story
after all.
Part of it.
[chuckles]
Although I feel like I've
reached my limitations.
If you accept your limitations,
you go beyond them.
If I had ten percent
of Brendan Behan's talent,
I wouldn't be in this
situation, Peggy.
-Don't do that.
-[Samuel] What?
Don't put yourself down
like that.
I won't have it.
I'm just telling you how it is.
Well, tell it to the page, then.
You must've done something right
to be able to afford this place.
Jimmy'll be back tomorrow.
He has a few things
to finish up.
He said he had the keys
to this place.
We both do.
Yeah, he had. He lost them.
Hmm. Interesting fella.
A character, all right.
[Samuel clears throat]
[coughing]
[sighs heavily]
Are you okay?
[vomiting]
-[Samuel spits]
-[Peggy] Get it out.
Here.
[panting] Thanks.
[gasps]
[groans]
My first vegetarian
shepherd's pie.
[laughs wryly]
Yeah, maybe your last.
I think so.
[both laugh]
[eerie music]
[wind howls]
[gentle music]
[birds chirp]
[Samuel] You're not joining me?
I had mine at breakfast time.
Peggy, have you ever noticed
anybody out there
standing at the front gate?
Some people come by,
and look in.
That's what happens
when you live in a castle.
Why?
No reason.
Nosy neighbor.
The town is full of them.
[ominous music]
You okay?
That's Liam.
[door creaks]
[Liam] Sorry, Peggy.
But, uh, you know.
Your father lost the keys.
I know.
Liam. Samuel.
Sure, I know Samuel well.
We went to school together.
The new lord of the manor.
Yeah, nice to meet you, Liam.
Would you like a cup
of tea, Liam?
Ah, no, no,
I sure have work to do.
You could have one cup.
[Liam] If it's okay
with the boss.
Of course it is.
Then I'd love one so, Peggy.
Thank you.
-Take a seat.
-Okay.
I'll bring it right out.
[Samuel groans]
Ah.
[Peggy] Biscuits?
Ah, no, Peggy.
The doctor says
I'm almost a diabetic.
You finally came home?
Looks like it, yeah.
Hard to beat is very hard.
I guess so.
Is there anything you miss
in particular?
Like people constantly
talking about the weather?
I never left myself.
Never saw the point.
Should have everything
you want here.
[kettle hisses]
Dad said he met you.
He had a good old chat.
We did.
He didn't feel too comfortable
coming back today.
But sure, could you
hardly blame him?
I told him, don't be listening
to town gossip.
But you know the way they are.
Why'd he come
in the first place, then?
He never added it up.
Why did you come back?
Is there something
you're searching for?
What?
All writers are searching
for something.
That's what they say, anyways.
Again, Liam, I have no idea
what you're talking about.
Neither do I, sometimes.
I read your novel.
You did?
It wasn't for me.
Too much love and depression.
Sorry for disappointing you.
[kettle whistles]
[speaking foreign language]
[Peggy] There'll be no French
in this house.
Sorry, Peggy.
How did she hear that?
What's that about?
I think a French model tried
to take off with her man once.
She was no model.
Cheers, Peggy.
She just didn't eat.
Sure, we could all do that.
Diet of cigarettes and tears.
Hmph!
I'd better get back
to work, so...
Yeah, I got it.
Are you sure, Lord of the Manor?
Yeah, leave it.
Well, it was good chatting
to you, if you ever want
-to grab a pint or something...
-Yeah, I don't drink.
...Peggy has my number.
[Liam and Peggy speaking
in another language]
[Samuel vomiting, coughing]
[coughing]
[gasping]
So, you know Liam, then?
-No.
-Well, he sure knows you.
He's a nice lad.
His mother died when he
was young.
Looks after his dad well.
Are you writing today?
I was planning on
going outside, but...
I think I'm just gonna
be in my room instead.
What about the desk in the loft?
Oh, I tried that.
Or did you just eat
my pie there?
Maybe.
[chuckles]
Give it a go.
[sighs heavily]
[toilet flushes]
[gentle music]
[Peggy] No, no, no!
Get back out there!
[sighs heavily]
[wind gusts howl]
[coughing]
[low, eerie music]
[wood clatters]
[gate clangs]
[music builds]
[coughing]
[gentle music]
[soft guitar music
playing over stereo]
Who's that?
[Jimmy] Who's that?
[Liam] It's Grace.
Oh, Grace.
Oh, you left her stuff?
Oh, Dad, no, no, we--
Do we, though?
[Jimmy] In a spot
of trouble, Grace?
To say the least, Jimmy.
[Jimmy] Oh, she is kicked.
Yeah.
I ran over and broke
a Newcastle beer bottle.
[Jimmy] Ah,
that's the English for you.
[Grace] Mm-hmm.
Is that Liam in there?
[Jimmy] It is.
Is he okay?
[Jimmy] Hurt his ankle,
so he can't get out.
Oh, okay.
Injured it in the gym.
[chuckles] Loves that gym.
Always improving himself.
I keep telling him to slow down,
but he, uh,
He won't listen.
I'll grab this,
and we'll drop you home.
Oh, that's okay,
I don't mind walking it back.
Too dangerous.
[sighs] We'd never
forgive ourselves.
[Grace] Ah, thanks, Jimmy.
Hello, Liam.
How are you, Grace?
-Hi.
-In a bit of trouble there?
Yeah, heard the same
about yourself.
I was just telling Grace that
you hurt your ankle in the gym.
That's why you couldn't
get out to help her.
-Thanks, Dad.
-Yeah, that you're always--
Yeah, Dad.
Always there, all the time.
All the time, Grace.
All the time.
Puncture?
Uh, Newcastle bottle.
-English.
-Yeah. [laughs]
[Liam clears his throat]
-Straight home?
-Ah, That'd be great.
Yeah.
[truck starts]
All set for Christmas?
Haven't thought about it yet.
It's September.
Are you?
Not big on Christmas
anymore in our house.
You still working in the city?
I am, yeah.
I love it there.
It's more exciting, you know.
Yeah.
It can be so boring around here.
Oh, so boring.
Any plans for the night?
-Dad.
-What?
Ah, no plans.
-No plans?
-No plans, she said.
No plans.
Same as Liam.
-[laughs]
-Never does.
[laughs] I'm only joking.
I can't keep him at home
at all with me, huh?
Ah!
[turn signal clicking]
[car shuts off]
It's nice seeing you.
Oh, let me help you.
What about your ankle?
[Jimmy] Always the hero.
-[Jimmy sighs]
-Oh.
Um...
See you.
[truck door slams]
[truck door slams]
[Jimmy] Oh, Grace.
-[Grace] Thank you.
-[Jimmy sighs]
[Jimmy] You don't want
a lift into town at all?
[Grace] No, no, that's okay.
All good.
-It's a lovely sunny day out.
-[Jimmy] All right.
-Thank you.
-[Jimmy] No problem.
No bother at all. Thank you.
[Jimmy] Yeah, okay.
What?
Hurt my ankle at the gym?
"All set for Christmas"?
"Always the hero"?
What was that all about?
Well, you wouldn't get out
of the van to begin with,
which was rude.
And then when she did get in,
you wouldn't speak.
I did speak.
[Jimmy] People need to know
how talented you are,
how amazing you are.
You have so much to offer.
I'm there because I don't
want to leave you alone.
And I thank you for that.
But you need to be happy
with someone your own age.
You'll always miss your mother.
I... am happy.
[engine starts]
[gentle music]
Why does he lock it?
What's he so worried about?
Someone in town going after him.
This won't stop them.
He must think it will.
We need to find our keys.
You sure you don't have them?
You were the last to have them.
They'll turn up.
I hope so. [grunting]
We can't keep doing this.
Ask him for another set.
If he's awake.
[knocking at door]
[knocking at door]
[knocking at door]
[persistent knocking at door]
What's wrong with the place now?
There's always something
wrong with this place.
Yeah,
so everyone keeps telling me.
[Liam] We won't be long.
[sighs] Inside or outside?
Downstairs.
Yeah, of course it is.
[Liam] I mean,
we can leave it another day.
Do you want us
to leave it so, or?
-You okay?
-Grand, yeah.
[keys jingling]
-[urine trickling]
-Was he in bed?
Yeah.
Peggy says he isn't well.
We're all unwell.
-Don't let that fool you.
-[trickling stops]
Rich people have
a way of doing that.
[birds chirping]
Do you remember we used to sit
here and talk about our future?
Of course I do.
What was it
you wanted to be again?
-You know.
-No, I don't.
Yeah, you just want me
to say it out loud.
I do. I really do. [laughs]
I wanted to be a sailor.
[laughs] Yeah, you did.
-And you wanted to be anything.
-Anything.
Yeah. As long as
you could help people.
All that matters.
[tender music]
What are you doing later?
Why?
Wanna come inside?
Can't be out here all the time.
It's safe out here.
Nobody can see us.
No one will see us
in there, either.
Peggy leaves before 7:00.
-Peggy?
-Housekeeper.
She stayed on after
the other family left.
-She nice?
-Yeah, she's lovely.
It's good you have somebody.
Are you okay?
Yeah, there's some workers
up in the house.
Remember Liam?
-Liam?
-Yeah, we went to school
-with him, apparently.
-I don't.
But, sure,
I didn't know anybody, really.
Yeah, drove the guys crazy.
No, I didn't.
Niamh, everybody fancied you.
I only ever spoke to you.
That's what drove them crazy.
[chuckles]
So, later?
You'll come?
That's why I asked.
All right.
Let's make it 8:00 to be safe.
I'll leave the back door open.
You're sure, now?
Why wouldn't I be?
Why wouldn't I be, Samuel?
I didn't think I'd see you
again after yesterday.
Always your choice.
You know that.
See you at 8:00?
[Liam grunting]
You look happy.
-Gotta use the bathroom.
-Go for it.
-Number two, otherwise...
-Yeah, I don't need to know.
-How are you, Jimmy?
-[Jimmy] Hey, boss.
Safe to return?
[sighs] Bad judgment
on my part, sorry.
Don't worry,
water under the bridge.
What's it now?
-Do you really want to know?
-No.
I'll save you the heartache.
So, where's Peggy?
In the city.
-The city?
-At the bank.
-Bad news, so.
-Why?
No one ever goes in there
for good news, trust me.
Any luck finding that phone?
No,
but I'm sure if it was around,
the previous owners
would've found it.
I'm sure, but if you do...
You'll be the first to know.
I have a question to ask you.
-Anything.
-The turret room.
[Jimmy] Locked this years.
Do you have the keys to it?
Lost this years.
They never wanted it open?
Too cold up there,
never bothered.
Sure Peggy has them, anyway.
I doubt it.
Something in there you're
looking for? Something urgent?
No, I just wanted
to have a look.
Lord of the manor, access to all
rooms and all, don't you agree?
It'd be a crime not to.
I'll sort it out either way.
-Sort what out?
-[Jimmy] Ah, nothing.
Jeez, I feel better after that.
-Any sign of Peggy?
-Bank.
Poor thing.
I'm sure she'll be back.
She never misses a day.
-Never.
-Never.
Why don't you two lads head into
town tonight for a few pints?
Catch up, like.
-Dad.
-I can't tonight.
-Yeah, same.
-Another time.
Yeah, yeah.
And you can leave
the keys behind you.
We will.
Thanks for that, Dad.
Jeez, you're on fire today.
[knocking at door]
Yes?
[Liam] We had to
finish up for the day.
Need to get a part,
but it won't be till next week.
You leave the key on the table.
[Liam] Want me to lock the gate?
No, it's fine.
[Liam] You sure?
Yeah, Peggy's coming later.
You still there?
[Liam] Yeah.
We can have a few beers here
if you like, you know?
We don't have to go anywhere.
Let's chat tomorrow.
-[Liam] Tomorrow?
-Yeah, I'm sure there'll be
something else
that needs fixing.
We don't have any parts.
[exhales]
Listen,
just come here tomorrow at 4:00.
You can get beers, if not,
I'll get Peggy to get them.
Oh, no, no, no.
I'll-- I'll get them.
-What-- what do you want?
-I don't drink.
-But sure I can get you a--
-I really need to lay down.
[Liam] All right.
Okay, of course.
See you tomorrow.
-[pen scratching]
-Um...
Dad was saying you were
looking, uh, for a key
and he didn't know where it is.
I can slide it under the door.
I-- I will slide it
under the door.
Don't tell Dad
I gave it to you, though.
He doesn't know
I have the spares.
Or maybe I should tell him.
What do you think?
What's up with you?
Having a few beers
here tomorrow.
You see?
Get yourself out there
and you will be rewarded.
Next you'll have to
ask out Grace.
[scoffs]
One step at a time, now.
One step at a time.
[voicemail beeps]
[Veronique on recording] I can't
believe you did this to me.
All you had to do
was finish the book.
I've given up everything
for you. Everything.
[scoffs] I'm finished.
We're finished.
[Veronique speaking French]
[Samuel] Ow!
Peggy?
How was the city?
Bad news?
Why do you say that?
[Samuel] Jimmy said
it's only ever bad news.
Did he, now?
[Samuel] Liam also.
You had a great chat
about me, so?
[Samuel chuckles]
Nothing like that.
He was only asking
where you were.
Matched me up
with Liam tomorrow.
On a date?
No, Peggy, not a date.
Strange his dad had
to initiate it, though.
Liam is shy. Always was.
Jimmy is the icebreaker.
He has to have some friends.
Always with Jimmy.
You also don't come across
as the approachable type.
Because I'm private.
If that's it, yes.
[chuckles] Jeez,
I'm not all dead inside.
Something left.
I can worry.
Worry about yourself.
It's nice of you
to hang out with Liam.
Do him a world of good.
[Samuel] Can you be here?
[Peggy] As a chaperone?
[Samuel] I just have
nothing in common with him.
Find something.
It can't be that hard.
You both went to school
together. Use that.
-That's true.
-Put a bit of effort in.
It's nice to have
a friend around here.
I have you, don't I?
Always.
How's the writing going?
Good, just needs an ending,
that's all.
Opened up my imagination,
like you said.
I'm happy for you.
Your book deserves
to be finished.
Do you need help?
Yeah, I'll get back
to the writing, so.
[water running]
[gentle music]
[water running continues]
[water stops]
[knocking at door]
[exhales]
I wasn't sure
which door it was again.
Don't worry about it.
Come on in, it's freezing out.
-You look smart.
-I look dressed. [chuckles]
-I was trying to be nice.
-Thanks.
-And you, as always--
-Perfection?
Never came in this way before.
I know. Even coming in
the back was strange.
[chuckles]
What's in there?
Wanna see?
Yeah.
It's magical.
[music turns ominous]
What's over there?
Ah, it's just a spare bedroom.
-[Niamh] Sneaky.
-[Samuel chuckles]
You wanna go upstairs?
Yeah.
[gentle music]
You hungry? I can order some
food or try to make something.
Cup of tea would be nice.
I'm not hungry.
Take a seat. I'll make you some.
No sugar, drop of milk?
Yes.
[Samuel] Biscuits?
No.
You will wanna
give that a second.
It's not my first cup, Samuel.
I don't know why I'm so nervous.
It's you.
That's the reason you should be.
The one that got away.
Well, we're both here now,
so that's all that matters.
So, tell me everything.
[exhales] Well...
Left here.
Escaped here.
Went to Paris.
Wrote a book. Made some money.
Came back here,
and then bought this place.
I hope your writing is
more entertaining than that.
What's your book about?
Heartache and anger.
And the next one?
Loneliness and regret.
[laughs] It's kind of
the same thing, isn't it?
[Samuel]
People seem to love them.
Think it makes them
feel good about themselves.
And what about you?
Mmm... not so much, really.
Although they say
"write what you know."
-Who does?
-Oh, you know. They do.
[both chuckle]
I'm sorry I was
defensive earlier.
I just--
I just didn't expect to see you,
that's all.
I thought I'd never
see you again.
I was just about
to say the same thing.
Well, we always did finish
each other's sentences.
Have you been up there?
Door was locked.
Oh...
But Liam gave me the keys today.
-Why does he have them?
-Works here.
I thought he stole them.
-Why?
-I don't know.
Why would somebody do something
so terrible like that?
[sighs]
How else were we getting in?
Remind me again why you only
had the key to that door.
Because it was
the only key I could get.
I always thought it was
just so you could watch me
-climb that ladder.
-[chuckling]
[sighs] I don't think
we were breaking in, though,
in here, were we?
Weren't we?
I don't know,
it always just felt like
we were borrowing the room
or something.
Do you wanna go for a look?
I thought you'd never ask.
Niamh.
Yeah?
This is the first time
I've been happy in a long time.
Same.
I'm sorry I wasn't there.
It's okay.
This place is like
a death trap. [laughs]
Well, it's safer than
climbing the ladder outside.
-You ready?
-Yeah.
[lock clicks]
God, it hasn't changed a bit.
It's even the same temperature.
-God, it couldn't be.
-It is.
The last owners must've
done nothing with it.
Permanent time capsule.
Do you remember
we used to just sit here
and imagine we lived here?
[ominous music]
Is everything okay?
Yeah, everything's perfect.
No way.
-What's that?
-Jimmy's phone.
Can't believe I found it.
What was it doing over there?
I don't know, he must've
left it under the desk
when he was working on it
or something.
-Do you remember those?
-[chuckles] Yeah.
Yeah, I used to talk to you
every day on one.
10p a text.
It was an absolute killer.
I used to run out all the time.
I'd have a message written
and it wouldn't send.
Drove me insane.
Yeah,
and me waiting on a call back.
[both chuckle]
Come on,
let's get you out of here.
[Niamh] God,
how did we stick it?
[Samuel]
We had youth on our side.
Eh, speak for yourself.
We could stay and watch a movie,
but I don't have a television.
That's okay.
We could...
Go to bed?
We could.
Like, now?
Yeah.
Always me insinuating.
[gentle music]
[exhales]
You look...
-[Niamh] In love?
-[chuckles]
[birds chirping]
[Peggy] Where did you come from?
[rustling]
[phone beeps]
[exhales]
-[Samuel] Morning, Peggy.
-Morning.
You have a charger
for that thing?
[Peggy] I know.
I can't believe you found it.
Fell out from underneath
the desk upstairs.
Ah, he'd be delighted.
He's always on about that phone.
Tell me about it.
-What time is your--
-[knocking at door]
[sighs]
Let me get this over with.
Put a bit of effort in.
I will!
[gasps] Oh, take this.
-[Samuel] Thanks.
-Enjoy your date.
[gentle music]
[Liam] I brought some beer.
Non-alcoholic too.
And-- and some sandwiches.
-Nice basket.
-It was my mother's.
I lied to you.
I did like the book.
[chuckles]
I appreciate that, Liam.
There another boat in there?
Now you're just messing with me.
Did you look at anything
before you bought this place?
Didn't need to.
Fair enough.
One picture's all it needs,
right?
And there's a fine boat in
there. I repaired it myself.
We should take it out sometime,
maybe. Go fishing.
-Sounds like a plan.
-Really?
Yes, Liam.
That'd be class.
Old owners used to
come out here all the time.
Dad takes his lunch
out here too sometimes.
Speaking of your dad.
Look what I found in the castle.
No way!
I can't believe you found this.
He'll be so happy.
Get all his old clients back.
-What?
-That's what he wants it for.
-No, it's not.
-It's what he told me.
Maybe he was embarrassed.
There's some old voicemails
from my mother on it.
That's nothing
to be embarrassed about.
-That's really romantic.
-That's what I told him.
Do you mind if I call him
to let him know?
Yeah, go for it.
[phone beeps]
Bulletproof, they were.
Oh, he's gonna love this.
[line ringing]
Hello, Dad? Yeah, it's me.
Yeah, I'm with Samuel.
You'll never guess
what he found.
No. No, not himself.
No, not an alarm clock.
He found your old phone.
After all these years!
No, it wasn't outside.
It was inside, um...
Desk in the turret room.
[Liam] The desk
in the turret room.
Yeah, yeah, and you wouldn't
believe it, it turns on!
Yeah, we didn't go through it.
We just turned it on.
Why would he?
Okay, I'll turn it off.
I hear you. Okay!
Everything okay?
He had a panic attack,
told me not to
turn on the phone.
Personal, maybe.
She was my mother too.
[Samuel] That's true.
He's always telling me
what to do!
You should have a listen.
He doesn't have to know.
Yeah, I don't have
to tell him everything.
Everything okay?
[low, tense music]
Liam.
Liam!
That's not his phone.
That's not his phone.
I got the wrong phone.
What are you talking about?
Shouldn't have done that!
[shouting]
I shouldn't have done that!
Don't do--
Don't look at that, Samuel.
Don't look at that!
[Jimmy] Put the phone down,
Samuel.
I said, put the phone down.
It can't be true, Dad. Can it?
-[shouting] Dad!
-Of course it isn't.
He isn't well, son.
I know, Peggy told me.
Is it cancer?
No, not well in the head.
The rumors are true.
I have the evidence in my hand.
I found it in
his room last night,
in that book
he's always writing in.
She wrote him a note
to meet him here.
He must've done something
and dumped the body.
-Oh, stop!
-He had it all this time.
Real evidence.
He came here to cover it up.
Please, stop, Dad!
It's the truth.
He's insane.
Talks to himself.
Full conversations.
I have been...
watching him, following him.
Why?
-To see if--
-If he'd lead you to the phone?
-No.
-Yes!
Her father...
asked me to find out the truth.
-So, we don't know him!
-I do know him.
-None of us do!
-You don't know what you're
-talking about. Always stupid.
-She was trying to text him.
Warn him. Warn him about you!
But the message
didn't go through!
You need to give me that phone.
-Now, Samuel!
-Why, Dad?
[shouting] Why?
I did it for you!
Always you! You wouldn't stop
talking about her
all the time, every day!
Niamh this, Niamh that!
Drove me insane!
You were so alone
after your mother d...
I found her here
waiting one evening,
in the woods
when I was working late.
I asked her to go
on a date with you.
You know what she said?
"Who?"
Like you were a nobody.
I just wanted to scare her,
that's all.
So that she would
remember my son!
Things got out of hand.
[tense music]
I found her in that little room.
I tried to reason with her,
but...
she pushed me.
And like anyone else would do,
I pushed back.
I tried to get her back
breathing, but it was too late.
-So then I...
-[Liam] Where is she?
[Liam breathing heavily]
I need the phone, Samuel.
I need that phone, Samuel!
[Peggy] I can't let you do that!
Unless you want to be
the new ring boy.
Peggy, come on!
Get out of here, Liam.
Liam, go!
Please don't hurt him.
Now leave, and never come back!
Go!
I'm sorry I wasn't there
to protect her.
[somber music]
[Peggy] Breakfast time!
Sorry, breakfast at dinner time.
Samuel!
Even you should be up by now.
Samuel!
You said you'd be up early.
"In that moment,
he forgave himself.
[heartfelt music]
He no longer needed to hold on.
He no longer needed
to live with the pain.
He finally died free."
[exhales]
For eternity.
For eternity.
[gentle music]