Mothering Sunday (2021) Movie Script
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
JANE:
Once upon a time.
(GLASS SQUEAKING)
Once upon a time.
(JANE SCRIBBLING)
Once upon a time,
before the boys were killed.
(CLOCK TICKING)
MAN: We had a horse.
A real horse. A racehorse.
A thoroughbred.
Stabled near Newbury.
It never won a damn thing
but it was our... indulgence.
Our hope for fame
and for glory
on the racecourses
of Southern England.
Fandango.
Most of the time, just a name,
never seen,
an expensively quartered
and trained name.
(IMPERCEPTIBLE)
MAN: Except for one
mad June morning.
The deal was that Ma and Pa
owned the head and the body
and that Dick, Freddy,
and I had a leg each.
JANE: What about
the fourth leg?
Ah, the fourth leg.
That was always
the question, Jane.
(ALARM RINGING)
(SOFT INSTRUMENTAL
MUSIC PLAYING)
(SCRUBBING)
GODFREY: You've a gorgeous
day for it, Jane.
JANE: Yes, sir.
A truly gorgeous day.
Don't you think so, my dear?
You know,
if someone had told us
it was going to be like this,
we might as well
have all packed hampers,
just like we used to,
down by the river.
Picnic.
Don't you think, my dear?
It's March, Godfrey.
GODFREY: Well, yes,
yes indeed.
We shall drive
to Henley for lunch,
and you, Jane, you and Milly
shall have the whole day
to, erm, well,
do as you please.
Thank you, sir.
Just imagine that.
Do as you please.
And the Hobdays and the
Sheringhams and we Nivens
shall assemble
down by the water.
Sounds lovely, sir.
And you, Jane?
What will you do?
(TELEPHONE RINGING)
Good morning, Beechwood House.
MAN: Jane?
Is that you?
Yes, madam.
(SOFT SWEEPING MUSIC PLAYING)
Who was that, Jane?
Wrong number, sir.
Really? On a Sunday?
It happens.
Well, Jane,
before you go...
Here.
JANE: You're very kind, sir.
- You have a lovely day, Jane.
- Thank you.
GODFREY: Milly will
take the first bicycle
to the station presumably.
Yes. And then
onto her mother's.
GODFREY: Oh, yes.
Quite. Quite.
And you?
If I may so,
I'll just take myself off.
That is on the second bicycle.
As you say,
it's such a lovely day.
Lovely day, yes, quite.
Yes, I thought you might.
Certainly.
Certainly, that's what I'd do.
Left to my own devices.
Take a book, Jane,
if you like.
You're very kind, sir.
It's your day, Jane.
Imagine that, the whole county
at your disposal.
Thank you, sir.
Perfect day for it.
Perfect day.
(TELEPHONE RINGING)
Consider yourself free to go.
To my mother's?
Freedom is not the word.
It's a beautiful day, Milly.
Jesus, I hate it
when you're cheerful.
I'm being left to my
own devices all day long.
"Devices"?
Mmm. I'll even set you off,
I can cycle
the first bit with you.
MILLY: Why?
Where are you off to?
JANE: Come on, Milly!
MILLY: What do you think
I'm doing?
JANE: We've only got 20
minutes till your train goes.
A whole day
with a book, Milly.
Oh, to be motherless
on Mothering Sunday.
She'll have cooked
a lovely side of beef,
her famous potatoes.
MILLY: Oh, God,
roast beef in this heat?
JANE: She'll fuss over you
something rotten.
MILLY: She will not.
JANE: She will.
MILLY: She'll not shut up
about a lack of husband.
She'll have a million stories
of a nice young girl
who married a nice young lad
in the village.
Million?
Despite a bloody war having
killed off my only chance.
I'd say that's a spectacularly
good excuse
for being husbandless.
Try telling her that.
And then God forbid
I mention him, God forbid,
do you know
if I talk about him,
if I dare mention
my lad's name...
Here, can we stop a second?
- (MILLY PANTING)
- (CHURCH BELL TOLLING)
Doesn't it look pretty?
(CHURCH BELL TOLLING)
Do you suppose they tell
one another the truth?
What? Who?
Who tells who the truth?
I was just thinking
about all of them
assembling for the
necessary lunch today.
The Nivens. The Sheringhams.
The Hobdays.
What on earth
they say to one another now?
Oh, well, the wedding,
I suppose, hmm.
I suppose.
- How many days left again?
- Eleven.
I think.
It's nice to have a wedding.
Yes.
It's nice to have
a little joy.
You're right.
A little joy goes a long way.
You can tell your ma at least
someone's getting married.
(MILLY CHUCKLES)
Oh, yes, that will
cheer her right up.
Have you met my mother?
Sometimes I feel as though
I have, yes, Mill.
Well, maybe you'll acquire one
on the train. Husband, I mean.
You never know.
Some sort of rambler.
Tall, dark, handsome.
Strong arms.
How do you know
about strong arms?
Why are strong arms
so excellent?
Wait for me, then. If it's
my husband we're finding...
Wait, bloody hell, Jane!
JANE: Hurry up!
MILLY: Slow down!
(TRAIN HONKING)
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
(CONDUCTOR BLOWS WHISTLE)
(MUSIC CONTINUES)
MAN: Eleven o'clock.
Not the back path, Jay.
Front door.
(MUSIC CONTINUES)
(DINGS)
Oh.
Just behind the door.
He was waiting.
Not met like this before.
No, madam.
(TELEPHONE RINGING)
Good morning, Beechwood House.
MAN: (OVER PHONE)
Jay? Is that you?
JANE: (OVER PHONE)
Yes, madam.
MAN: The Shower will be
leaving here for this picnic.
I'll be on my own.
Eleven o'clock.
Not the back path, Jay.
Front door.
I'm terribly sorry, madam,
but you have the wrong number.
(LINE DISCONNECTS)
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
Well, do you approve?
Poor bloody shower.
- Who came up with that again?
- What?
JANE: Calling your parents
"The Shower"?
I don't know. Dick or Freddy
made it up
and it sort of stuck.
Why're you called
Jane Fairchild?
It's a good name.
PAUL: That it is.
Plenty of Janes
at the orphanage.
Nobody ever deposited
a Scarlet or a Laetitia
on the steps.
Many Janes, many Fairchilds,
Goodchilds, Goodbodys.
Suppose they wanted to give us
something tangible and...
good.
I think Jane Fairchild
suits you very well.
JANE: Thank you.
PAUL: My mother's
precious orchids.
Even she recognised
the importance
of a little light
in all this gloom.
We're not here to look
at pissing flowers, Jane.
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
(GATE CREAKS OPEN)
No time for that.
This way.
(SOFT ROMANTIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(JANE SCRIBBLING)
(BLOWS AIR)
- Excuse me, please.
- Sorry.
You're the new girl.
At Beechwood.
I'm at Upleigh.
The Sheringhams.
I'm Jane.
Ethel.
- Mr Sheringham.
- PAUL: Hello.
Who's your friend then?
ETHEL.: Er, this is Jane, sir.
New girl at Beechwood.
- PAUL: Hmm.
- (LIGHTER CLICKING)
Hello.
You're looking after
the Nivens?
Yes, sir.
Very dear friends of mine,
the Nivens.
I'll see a great deal of you,
I'm sure.
JANE: Yes, sir.
Nice to meet you, Jane.
You have a lovely day.
JANE: You, too, sir.
He's one of the good ones.
Always like that.
Like what?
Friendly.
I'm sure.
Bye.
Nice to meet you.
There.
Good.
- Yes.
- (CHUCKLES)
- What are you doing?
- Stand there.
Stay still.
Why? What are you doing?
Studying.
That's my reason
for showing up late.
"I'll meet you there.
"Awful lot to get through,
must work, must work."
Mugging up on law books, Jay.
And I'm here
to help you study?
PAUL: No.
You're what I intend
to study today.
- I'm law books, am I?
- Hmm.
You're slightly more
interesting than law books.
(SOFT ROMANTIC MUSIC PLAYING)
If I could apply this level
of detailed attention,
I fear I could be
enormously successful.
And what are you supposed
to be doing?
What've you told
those dear Nivens
you're doing with your day?
A bike ride.
Apt.
I'll try to provide
brilliant views
and excellent road surfaces.
JANE: And a picnic.
And a book in a field.
What a perfect
sounding day, Jay.
Do you rather wish
you were doing that instead?
No.
Not currently.
There.
Good.
Perfect.
What's this?
Hidden treasure?
A gift from Mr Niven.
PAUL: Don't move.
Jay.
No.
Have I offended you?
(LIGHTER CLICKS)
JANE: No. I just...
I don't want that.
PAUL: The money?
So I should pay you
in books instead?
Not to pay me at all,
that's the point.
I'm spending for three, Jay.
Got to throw this
money somewhere.
I wish I could take you out.
Champagne and oysters.
And all the books you wanted.
One day maybe.
(BOTH BREATHING HEAVILY)
(CHUCKLES)
(BOTH BREATHING HEAVILY)
(JANE MOANING)
Slow.
Slow.
(BOTH MOANING)
(CHURCH BELL TOLLING)
The bells.
Must be a wedding.
I wonder whose.
People do love a wedding.
I've heard that said.
I have to meet her
in an hour, Jane.
At the Swan.
(CLOCK TICKING)
(CAR HORN HONKING)
(DOOR OPENS)
CLARRIE: Godfrey,
for goodness sake.
- (DOOR CLOSES)
- We're late, my dear.
Certainly at the pace
you drive, we will be.
Please, Clarrie,
a little more haste.
There we are.
You know I can't
bear to be late.
CLARRIE: It hardly matters.
It's just a lunch.
Just yet another lunch.
(ENGINE STARTS)
GILES: Emma!
- Emma, we'll be late.
- (SMACKING LIPS)
Gripping your door
won't have any actual effect
on the speed
of the car, Mother.
Daddy drives about
ten times as fast,
you barely bat an eyelid.
- I'm an excellent driver.
- Emma, I didn't say anything.
- You didn't have to.
- Sweetheart.
I can feel
your judgement.
GILES: Eyes on the road,
darling.
Shut up, Daddy.
(ENGINE REVVING)
(JANE AND PAUL MOANING)
(LIGHTER CLICKS)
(KNOCKING ON WINDOW)
Dick, Freddy!
Wait!
(DICK AND FREDDY
MIMICKING BIRD CALL)
(MIMICKING BIRD CALL)
DICK: Come on, then,
hurry up, fool!
When we were boys,
we'd go to Henley
all the time for picnics.
All of us.
I don't remember it
ever being arranged,
though, of course, it was
between the elderly tribes.
Of course they had
it all planned out.
Got on the phone
to one another,
or sometimes Pa would
hand over a written invitation
to picnic at Henley
by The Swan that next day.
Anyway, somehow,
we'd all meet there
at just the right time
in a way that felt
just like magic,
and all of us,
us three and the
Niven two and Emma
would all be
so terribly delighted.
"You're here,
how come you're here?"
And the parents would wink
and shrug their shoulders
and squeeze our cheeks
or ruffle our hair.
And then they'd lie there
on the banks
with their hampers,
and their backs to us
and we'd climb into that river
and swim and dive
and loll about on boats,
and Mrs Niven,
dear Mrs Niven,
she'd wade into the water
with us.
My lot'd be stretched out
drinking champagne
and eating lobster,
gabbing on about business
or the neighbours
or the nanny.
And she'd...
Lady Niven'd be racing us
across the water
like an Oxford sculler,
like a goddess.
She beat us all, every time.
Of course, the others
got too big for it.
Freddy and Dick would bicycle
over to see Philip
and James had his head
in books, in books...
Till he noticed Emma,
of course.
And I just...
I just wanted everyone
to keep playing.
I'll be late.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER
AND LAUGHTER)
WOMAN: I won a heat.
MAN: More or less,
singlehandedly, I must say.
No-one could keep up with her.
You won a heat.
- On your own?
- It was magnificent.
Yes, on my own actually.
We have an immense trophy.
Emma, those glasses are
absolutely adorable, so racy.
GODFREY: You know,
it's going to brighten up.
I think we should
get the boat out.
MAN: Yes, I think so, too.
GODFREY: Have a re-run,
don't you think?
(INDISTINCT CHATTER
AND LAUGHTER)
PAUL.: I should go.
But Emma'
be late.
She's always late.
Only your Nivens
were ever on time.
They love an excuse to
sink a cocktail before lunch,
so no bother really.
I hurt you.
JANE: Yes.
But a good pain.
Ache.
(SOFTLY) Ache.
But a good one.
What's that?
So my seed doesn't get
anywhere near you.
Your seed?
Yes, absolutely, my seed.
For planting.
To ensure there is
absolutely no planting.
What if we put it
in the ground?
(LIGHTER CLICKING)
- PAUL: My seed?
- Yes.
If we planted it
and we grew it
and we watered it
and we pruned it.
(CHUCKLES)
There will be absolutely
no pruning anywhere near my...
BOTH: (SINGING) We plough
the fields and scatter
The good seed on the land
And it is fed and watered
By God's almighty hand
Your good seed.
Nowhere near your good,
good land.
I always wonder.
Why is there a, erm,
on the...
Hmm?
(HESITATES)
Doesn't it all go in?
Milly!
How many ways are there
to make that happen?
Well, how am I supposed
to know?
I can only think of three.
Well, then maybe
there are only three ways.
We never had more than a kiss,
my lad and me.
(TAP RUNNING)
(TAP CLOSES)
Freddy Sheringham.
Dick Sheringham.
(SOMBRE MUSIC PLAYING)
(IMPERCEPTIBLE)
(MUSIC CONTINUES)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
GODFREY: Now then, Paul,
how's it all going
with your studies?
Oh, don't ask. (LAUGHING)
MRS SHERINGHAM: Oh, stop it,
he's doing wonderfully.
- PAUL: Thank you, Mother.
- Of course he is.
PAUL: Ladies, you're too kind.
My father thinks
I've as much chance
of becoming a lawyer
as becoming a...
- an actual bloody lawyer.
- (LAUGHTER)
PAUL: It's going well,
dear Nivens, well.
I'm enjoying my studies
immensely, and of course,
although I'm terribly excited
about qualifying and working
and being busy
lawyering in London,
I shall really, truly
miss these days of learning.
GODFREY: Yes, I'm sure.
GILES: Well, you've
a good attitude, Paul.
These days of studying,
of mind expanding,
of feeling just as my father
must have felt
when he was studying,
of how my brothers
might have felt...
Thank you, Paul.
GODFREY: I enjoyed my time
in London very much.
I'm sure you shall, too, Paul.
PAUL: I'm very lucky.
This fish is quite excellent.
It's very good, isn't it?
GILES: Catch it yourself,
did you?
Don't be absurd.
Godfrey couldn't catch a fish
if it swam into his open arms.
(ALL CHUCKLING)
They eating everything?
Well, they're talking
about the food,
I'm not sure how much
they're actually eating it.
- Oh, what's she wearing? Mmm.
- JANE: Emma?
This vermilion thing.
She looks bored.
(CHUCKLES)
Don't bloody blame her.
No, but really bored.
Down to her bones.
Well, when'
they be ready
for this lamb then?
Knowing them, half an hour?
You're spending
a lot of time in there.
I'm just being
attentive, Milly.
WOMAN 1: Congratulations!
WOMAN 2:
Something to celebrate.
WOMAN 1: Congratulations.
Congratulations, Emma.
(SOMBRE MUSIC PLAYING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(IMPERCEPTIBLE)
PAUL: Jane,
I've got to get married.
I've got to become a lawyer.
That's what's expected
of you, yes.
Get married and have children.
Yes.
I could have hundreds
of children.
Repopulate the village
with little boys.
You might have to bet
on slightly fewer horses.
(CHUCKLES)
True.
Emma was supposed
to marry James.
They never got
officially engaged.
He was good like that.
Decent.
Didn't want to leave her
waiting for him.
Pining.
Though that's all
she did anyway.
Made it worse somehow
when he didn't come back.
She couldn't mourn her fianc.
Had to pretend he was
just another friend
killed in the war.
He liked to read to her.
You'd have liked him, too.
He'd have encouraged you
reading all that boy rot.
All that Treasure Island
and spy rubbish.
I like you.
I can tell you all my secrets.
All the things nobody says.
You're my friend, Jane.
JANE: Hmm.
And you mine.
My true friend.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(BIRDS SQUAWKING)
What a glorious day
it's turned out to be.
Quite perfect.
You see, I had a feeling.
Just pour it, would you?
He'll be forever yet.
We should just sit here
whilst we wait for him
to bother to turn up?
And he's studying, is he?
Mugging up.
That's what he calls it.
GODFREY: Oh, good for him.
Good for him.
We're happy to wait
a little longer for him.
(SIGHS) Emma's right,
he'll be late.
Well, it's jolly dedicated
of him.
- GILES: Indeed.
- Exactly. Pour it.
PAUL: Imagine if
she'd come here.
What would she have said?
Miss Hobday?
PAUL: She'd have seen
the open window, called up.
Not climbed up?
PAUL: Emma's not
that type of girl, Jay.
She'd have seen my bike first.
PAUL: Of course.
You are clever.
She'd have shouted.
Marched up here, screaming.
Or perhaps she'd
have said nothing
and crept up here, furious.
PAUL: Catching us in the act?
Maybe not even that.
Perhaps she did come here
and we didn't hear her car
on the gravel below.
Because I was fucking you.
And she stops.
She doesn't switch her
engine off immediately.
She looks at the bike,
leaning up by
the door, confused.
You don't ride a bike.
If you did,
you definitely wouldn't
ride that bike,
that's an old bike.
She looks up,
she sees your window open.
She goes to call out, she
opens her mouth to call out,
but she stops herself.
She opens the door...
slowly, quietly.
She looks at those orchids,
bright in that dark hall.
She doesn't know why,
but something tells her
to slip out of her shoes.
She pads up
the stairs... soft.
And your door is open.
She hears you.
She hears me.
She stops.
She thinks about
that white dress
hanging up in her wardrobe.
"And she turns around.
"Soft, on one toe,
walks back down the stairs,
"slipping back into shoes
"and driving away,
never to speak of it."
You did not say that, though.
No.
I did not say that, though.
PAUL: I know a doctor.
I'm sure you do.
I'm sure you know
lots of interesting people.
No. One who can...
get you a cap, Jay.
Removes the problem
of the seed.
Ah.
If you like.
- But only if you like, though.
- A cap?
That's what they're called.
I suppose that's what my
mother was. A pregnant maid.
Perhaps.
Perhaps she was a queen, Jay.
Don't be too cross with him,
Emma. He loves you very much.
We're all so excited
for the wedding.
You're making us all so happy.
He's in his head sometimes.
Well, he's been studying
so hard,
he will have
lost track of time...
He never studies. He's not
studying. He's just late.
I'm not cross.
It's only lunch.
He's always late. Why would
today be any different?
It's fine.
Excuse me.
(SLOW MELANCHOLY MUSIC
PLAYING)
You look very handsome.
Don't hurry.
No-one'll be back
'til past four, at least.
And when you go, put the key
under the rock
by the boot scraper.
It's a whacking great key.
I'll put it out
on the hall table
So you can't miss it.
(INHALES DEEPLY)
That's all really.
Leave everything.
If you're hungry,
there's a pie.
Half one.
I can always tell Ethel
I scoffed it.
Not that I have to tell
anyone anything.
Anything.
Anything at all.
Goodbye, Jane.
(DOOR CLOSES)
(FOOTSTEPS RECEDING)
- (HORN HONKING)
- (CAR ENGINE STARTS)
(TAP RUNNING)
(TAP CLOSES)
- I'm stuck.
- Huh?
I'm going to be late.
DONALD: You're never late.
JANE: Well, I'm about to be.
That's because
you're being unfaithful.
Morag is expecting a thriller.
JANE: Maud, her name is Maud.
I don't care.
I do. I remember
your publisher's name.
She always has spinach
in her teeth. Always.
Even if we're not eating
spinach. Even if there's no...
That has nothing to do
with her name.
Well, Maud is expecting
a thriller.
That's what I'm writing.
DONALD: It's not what you're
thinking about, though, is it?
It just swims back
every so often.
Do you have any idea
what it is yet?
Is it a minnow
or is it a whale?
Somewhere in between.
Walk?
No.
No.
Swim.
SAMUEL: Don't do it.
Excuse me?
I was joking.
You looked like
you were about to
do an Ophelia.
Are you allowed
to speak to me like that?
SAMUEL.: Like what?
Like I've read Shakespeare?
Think so.
I used to swim in there.
When I was a girl.
So did I
When I was a boy.
So did everyone.
It suddenly felt
rather appealing.
No-one does any more.
(CAR LEAVING)
Dick and Freddy.
Or Freddy and Dick.
(INHALES DEEPLY)
Slow down.
No-one ever asked anybody
to dress more slowly.
I like watching men dress.
You're doing it
in the wrong order.
It's nonsense.
Any other order
would be ridiculous.
Shirt and no pants would lead
to immediate loss of dignity.
- Solemn piecing together.
- Is how posh white men dress.
You've been too long
in service, Jane.
You know, that's why
you're a writer.
Because you were
put in service at 14.
Because you were made an
occupational observer of life.
JANE: Hmm.
(LIGHTER CLICKS)
- I don't like your room.
- Okay.
Smells of damp.
The whole house does.
I can come to your room.
Mrs O'Flynn doesn't like you.
Well, no.
Women like Mrs O'Flynn
don't like men like me.
We could go somewhere else.
A new house.
With a room
for you to do your writing.
One for me to philosophise in,
I don't know.
- Donald?
- Yes, Jane?
Are you suggesting
we get married?
Well...
I was suggesting...
that... we live together.
So, yes, I suppose
I was suggesting
that we get married.
I mean, I would
like to marry you.
I mean, that would
make me very happy indeed.
(STUTTERS) What do you think?
All right, then.
(WATER SPLASHES)
(MELLOW MUSIC PLAYING)
DONALD: Jane?
What?
DONALD: You cracked it yet?
Oh, fuck off, Donald.
"On the occasion
of the marriage...
"Emma Carrington Hobday
with Mr Paul Sheringham."
(TAPPING GLASS)
Now then.
Now that we are all
well-fed and well-watered
and continue to water
- by the water...
- (ALL CHUCKLING)
Godfrey, for goodness sake.
I would like to propose
a toast.
Well-met, our tribes.
Well-met and well-loved.
Clarrie and I,
my wife and I...
are so happy to be here
with you all.
Hear, hear.
And with your children
who have been so good
as to feel like our children.
Godfrey.
Even if one of them
is not bloody here...
They're all not fucking here,
they're all fucking gone!
(CRYING AND SNIFFLING)
We just wanted
to wish you well.
We just wanted
to wish you very well.
To the bride.
And to the absent groom.
(SIGHS)
(SOFT UPLIFTING MUSIC PLAYING)
(SNIFFS)
(THUNDER RUMBLING)
GODFREY: Oh.
Mr Niven.
I was just finishing up in
here, I'll leave you in peace.
That's all right.
I'll come back later.
"I will begin
"the story
of my adventures..."
- (DOOR OPENS)
- (BELL DINGS)
(DOOR CLOSES)
(BELL DINGING)
Can I help you?
Perhaps, yes, erm,
I'm looking for something
for my mother.
Does your mother
like philosophy?
No. These are for me.
JANE: You speak German?
I do.
- Love And Saint Augustine.
- Sorry?
That's the title of the book.
Oh.
Would your mother
prefer fiction?
Probably, yes.
Does she read a lot?
DONALD: Of course.
What about Orlando
by Virginia Woolf?
It's the most
extraordinary adventure.
(WATER TRICKLING)
(BURPS)
OPERATOR: Putting you through.
Hold the line, please.
(TELEPHONE RINGING)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(CLOCK CHIMES)
(TELEPHONE CONTINUES RINGING)
(CLOCK CHIMING)
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
And you write.
You're a writer.
You seem like a writer.
- JANE: Do I?
- Mmm.
Yes, I write.
Good.
You're not a writer.
(LAUGHS)
Not in the way you are.
Philosophy. It's not
very interesting.
Sounds very interesting.
That bodes well.
And when did you
become a writer,
Miss Jane Fairchild?
I don't know.
Yes, you do.
JANE: All right.
- Three times over.
- DONALD: Okay.
The day I was born.
The day Mr Paxton
gave me my typewriter.
DONALD: Of course.
And the third?
That's a secret.
That's a very good answer.
That's the best one.
Mr Niven.
Jane. Is that you?
You're back so early.
Mr Niven?
I'm so sorry, Jane, I'm...
It's... It's so
terribly distressing.
There's been an accident.
A fatal accident.
Involving Mr Sheringham.
Mr Sheringham?
Mr Paul Sheringham.
Mr Paul at Upleigh.
A car accident.
It's definitely him, sir?
GODFREY: I'm so sorry, Jane.
I'm so sorry
to have to tell you this.
(GODFREY CLEARS THROAT)
I...
I thought I ought to go to...
to Upleigh
to check that nothing there
can further upset...
That Paul...
That Mr Sheringham, erm,
that he didn't leave anything.
Any more distress
would be unbearable, I think.
It was an accident, Jane.
An accident.
Yes, sir.
Someone has to wait there,
at the house.
Inform the staff.
Awful for the Sheringhams
to do it.
Awful to repeat
the words, Jane.
Will you come with me?
To Upleigh?
Yes, of course.
I'm so sorry.
(INHALES DEEPLY)
Might I fetch
a glass of water first, sir?
GODFREY: Yes, of course.
Forgive me. I'll wait here.
(DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES)
- (GLASS SHATTERS)
(WAILING)
(COUGHS AND BREATHES HEAVILY)
(BREATHING SHAKILY)
(SNIFFLING)
(BREATHING DEEPLY)
(SOMBRE MUSIC PLAYING)
(ENGINE STARTING)
(SOMBRE MUSIC CONTINUES)
GODFREY: It's all right, Jane.
(BELL DINGS)
Mr Niven?
- Ethel. You're back.
- Yes, sir.
There's nobody here, sir.
Can I help?
I'm afraid I have
some distressing news.
There's been an accident
involving Mr Sheringham.
Mr Paul.
A car accident on his way to
Henley to join us for lunch.
We were making enquires
as to why he was so late
and a police officer informed
that his car,
the wreckage that is,
had been found on the turning
before the railway line.
He was late.
Anxious, no doubt.
(EXHALES)
Then it is just as well
I came back early.
I can be of assistance now.
Yes, indeed, Ethel.
I felt when I arrived
I had just missed him, sir.
The library had been
recently used,
a cigarette very recently lit.
I've tidied already, sir,
the pie and the beer
he had for lunch
and, erm,
and his bedroom.
That is just the point, Ethel.
The point, sir?
Did you find anything
in Mr Paul's room?
Anything, sir?
I don't understand.
A note, Ethel.
Anything written.
No, sir. Nothing like that.
Of course.
Very good.
That is all right,
then, Ethel.
(SOMBRE MUSIC PLAYING)
That's all five of them, Jane.
Yes, sir.
(MUSIC CONTINUES)
(CAR DOOR CLOSES)
(THUD)
- No. Don't.
- It's bleeding again.
I feel fine. Can we please
just eat our food?
- Can we please go to a doctor?
- Your hands are freezing.
You tripped, you fell,
- you hit your head...
- I know.
- ...you're bleeding.
- It was just a trip.
(BOTH CHUCKLING)
I can see the bone
in your knee!
You are being dramatic.
- JANE: I'm not.
- You are.
(DONALD MOANING)
Have you ever been
to Upleigh, Jane?
No, madam.
Not before today,
with Mr Niven.
It's terribly dark.
When Philip died
and James had already gone,
I suddenly felt like
we could open the curtains.
That we weren't living
with guilt.
That we had lost everything
we could possibly lose.
That all our dying
was done with.
We didn't have to...
keep cover any longer.
Nothing to protect, Jane.
Does that make any sense?
Yes, madam.
She was supposed
to marry James.
Yes, madam.
You knew that?
Milly mentioned it.
Did she?
Wouldn't have thought so.
She's so terribly stupid.
She notices nothing.
Must have heard it
somewhere else.
You have no family.
No, madam.
Your mother left you,
is that right?
Yes, madam, at an orphanage.
How very lucky...
to have been comprehensively
bereaved at birth.
You have absolutely
nothing to lose.
And you never shall.
Not really.
That is a gift, Jane.
And you must learn to use it.
You're very fortunate.
(CRYING)
(MOURNFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(CRYING AND SNIFFLING)
JANE: You have nothing.
Nothing to lose
and everything to gain.
Nothing.
Nothing at all.
Comprehensively bereaved
at birth.
Once upon a time.
Once upon a time.
PAUL: Once,
a very, very, very
long time ago, Jay,
Ma woke us all, early in June,
really early,
it was still dark,
and bundled us all
into the car, Jane.
Bundled.
Blankets around us,
hot chocolate in flasks.
They packed a picnic.
Pa was driving with his foot
all the way to the floor.
Wide open roads
and the sun coming up.
The three of us squashed in
and the other two
snoring half the way.
Still no mention as to
where we were going
and then we stop here.
Except you have to imagine it
with no frost.
No snow.
And the green, green grass
perfectly clipped.
Except you can imagine it,
can't you?
You can summon the memory.
You can describe it.
Claim it.
Reword it and reimagine it
for me.
Can't you, Jane?
For me.
For you.
For you.
(BELL DINGING)
I'm getting a new one, Jane.
A new one, Mr Paxton?
Yes. New typewriter.
The "P" jams a little.
In a way, it's perfectly fine
and I thought you might
have use for this one.
(CHURCH BELL TOLLING)
Thank you, sir.
- A tumour?
- It's a good word.
- No.
- Good sound.
- No.
- To swell.
That's where it comes from.
That's the origin
of the word, the, erm,
etymology,
that's what I'm trying to say.
Could you just...
It's because
I've got too much brain.
I'm too brainy.
It's poetic.
When are they going
to operate to get it out?
(DONALD INHALES
AND EXHALES DEEPLY)
You came in about the fall.
About the cut.
I don't understand...
They're very thorough.
Do you want them to ignore it?
Yes.
Please, ignore it.
Maybe we can try to.
Just for the last bit.
You'll write.
You'll write this book
about life,
the whole feeling of life.
Think I've lost
all sense of that.
You will.
(LIGHTER CLICKS)
It'll be your greatest book.
You don't think I've written
my greatest book yet?
Maybe all the men in my life
have to die
in order for me
to write my great book.
(DONALD CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
(BOTH CHUCKLING)
I'm so sad
I shan't get to read it.
Maybe I won't
be able to write it.
You shall.
It'll be brilliant.
- Good morning, Jane.
- Good morning, sir.
Jane?
Sir.
What is it?
I've been thinking it might
be time for me to leave, sir.
I've heard of a position.
Mmm.
In another house?
In a bookshop, sir.
Hmm.
Well done, Jane.
A bookshop.
(UP-TEMPO PIANO MUSIC
PLAYING)
DONALD: Tell me your secret.
The third thing
that made you write.
Please.
I wish we had told
each other everything.
There wouldn't have been time.
Just whisper it.
I'll take it to my grave.
(SNIFFLING)
I love you.
(TELEPHONE RINGING)
(RINGING CONTINUES)
(DREAMY MUSIC PLAYING)
(TELEPHONE RINGING)
(SCOFFS)
- (TELEPHONE RINGING)
(KNOCKING)
(RINGING CONTINUES)
MAN 1: Miss Fairchild...
WOMAN: Miss Fairchild,
could you comment please?
MAN 2: Anything to say,
Miss Fairchild?
I'm afraid I really don't know
what you want me to say.
Well, I suppose,
because you've won...
I've won all the prizes.
Every single one.
They're all here,
in the attic,
in there somewhere.
Aren't you pleased?
I feel... delighted.
Thank you so much.
(SNICKERS)
I've disappointed you,
haven't I?
No.
It was inevitable.
The task was impossible.
But it was...
wonderful. (CHUCKLES)
(CHUCKLES)
(EXHALES DEEPLY)
JANE: Ah, the fourth leg.
The fourth leg was mine, Paul.
And we stand at the rail,
all five of us.
One, two, three, four, five.
We stand and we watch
them race,
we watch Fandango fly.
We watch him kick up mud
and dew and grass and earth.
And it feels like
he is flying.
It feels like
he might actually fly.
Across the quick, quick green
and the world.
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
(MUSIC STOPS)
JANE:
Once upon a time.
(GLASS SQUEAKING)
Once upon a time.
(JANE SCRIBBLING)
Once upon a time,
before the boys were killed.
(CLOCK TICKING)
MAN: We had a horse.
A real horse. A racehorse.
A thoroughbred.
Stabled near Newbury.
It never won a damn thing
but it was our... indulgence.
Our hope for fame
and for glory
on the racecourses
of Southern England.
Fandango.
Most of the time, just a name,
never seen,
an expensively quartered
and trained name.
(IMPERCEPTIBLE)
MAN: Except for one
mad June morning.
The deal was that Ma and Pa
owned the head and the body
and that Dick, Freddy,
and I had a leg each.
JANE: What about
the fourth leg?
Ah, the fourth leg.
That was always
the question, Jane.
(ALARM RINGING)
(SOFT INSTRUMENTAL
MUSIC PLAYING)
(SCRUBBING)
GODFREY: You've a gorgeous
day for it, Jane.
JANE: Yes, sir.
A truly gorgeous day.
Don't you think so, my dear?
You know,
if someone had told us
it was going to be like this,
we might as well
have all packed hampers,
just like we used to,
down by the river.
Picnic.
Don't you think, my dear?
It's March, Godfrey.
GODFREY: Well, yes,
yes indeed.
We shall drive
to Henley for lunch,
and you, Jane, you and Milly
shall have the whole day
to, erm, well,
do as you please.
Thank you, sir.
Just imagine that.
Do as you please.
And the Hobdays and the
Sheringhams and we Nivens
shall assemble
down by the water.
Sounds lovely, sir.
And you, Jane?
What will you do?
(TELEPHONE RINGING)
Good morning, Beechwood House.
MAN: Jane?
Is that you?
Yes, madam.
(SOFT SWEEPING MUSIC PLAYING)
Who was that, Jane?
Wrong number, sir.
Really? On a Sunday?
It happens.
Well, Jane,
before you go...
Here.
JANE: You're very kind, sir.
- You have a lovely day, Jane.
- Thank you.
GODFREY: Milly will
take the first bicycle
to the station presumably.
Yes. And then
onto her mother's.
GODFREY: Oh, yes.
Quite. Quite.
And you?
If I may so,
I'll just take myself off.
That is on the second bicycle.
As you say,
it's such a lovely day.
Lovely day, yes, quite.
Yes, I thought you might.
Certainly.
Certainly, that's what I'd do.
Left to my own devices.
Take a book, Jane,
if you like.
You're very kind, sir.
It's your day, Jane.
Imagine that, the whole county
at your disposal.
Thank you, sir.
Perfect day for it.
Perfect day.
(TELEPHONE RINGING)
Consider yourself free to go.
To my mother's?
Freedom is not the word.
It's a beautiful day, Milly.
Jesus, I hate it
when you're cheerful.
I'm being left to my
own devices all day long.
"Devices"?
Mmm. I'll even set you off,
I can cycle
the first bit with you.
MILLY: Why?
Where are you off to?
JANE: Come on, Milly!
MILLY: What do you think
I'm doing?
JANE: We've only got 20
minutes till your train goes.
A whole day
with a book, Milly.
Oh, to be motherless
on Mothering Sunday.
She'll have cooked
a lovely side of beef,
her famous potatoes.
MILLY: Oh, God,
roast beef in this heat?
JANE: She'll fuss over you
something rotten.
MILLY: She will not.
JANE: She will.
MILLY: She'll not shut up
about a lack of husband.
She'll have a million stories
of a nice young girl
who married a nice young lad
in the village.
Million?
Despite a bloody war having
killed off my only chance.
I'd say that's a spectacularly
good excuse
for being husbandless.
Try telling her that.
And then God forbid
I mention him, God forbid,
do you know
if I talk about him,
if I dare mention
my lad's name...
Here, can we stop a second?
- (MILLY PANTING)
- (CHURCH BELL TOLLING)
Doesn't it look pretty?
(CHURCH BELL TOLLING)
Do you suppose they tell
one another the truth?
What? Who?
Who tells who the truth?
I was just thinking
about all of them
assembling for the
necessary lunch today.
The Nivens. The Sheringhams.
The Hobdays.
What on earth
they say to one another now?
Oh, well, the wedding,
I suppose, hmm.
I suppose.
- How many days left again?
- Eleven.
I think.
It's nice to have a wedding.
Yes.
It's nice to have
a little joy.
You're right.
A little joy goes a long way.
You can tell your ma at least
someone's getting married.
(MILLY CHUCKLES)
Oh, yes, that will
cheer her right up.
Have you met my mother?
Sometimes I feel as though
I have, yes, Mill.
Well, maybe you'll acquire one
on the train. Husband, I mean.
You never know.
Some sort of rambler.
Tall, dark, handsome.
Strong arms.
How do you know
about strong arms?
Why are strong arms
so excellent?
Wait for me, then. If it's
my husband we're finding...
Wait, bloody hell, Jane!
JANE: Hurry up!
MILLY: Slow down!
(TRAIN HONKING)
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
(CONDUCTOR BLOWS WHISTLE)
(MUSIC CONTINUES)
MAN: Eleven o'clock.
Not the back path, Jay.
Front door.
(MUSIC CONTINUES)
(DINGS)
Oh.
Just behind the door.
He was waiting.
Not met like this before.
No, madam.
(TELEPHONE RINGING)
Good morning, Beechwood House.
MAN: (OVER PHONE)
Jay? Is that you?
JANE: (OVER PHONE)
Yes, madam.
MAN: The Shower will be
leaving here for this picnic.
I'll be on my own.
Eleven o'clock.
Not the back path, Jay.
Front door.
I'm terribly sorry, madam,
but you have the wrong number.
(LINE DISCONNECTS)
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
Well, do you approve?
Poor bloody shower.
- Who came up with that again?
- What?
JANE: Calling your parents
"The Shower"?
I don't know. Dick or Freddy
made it up
and it sort of stuck.
Why're you called
Jane Fairchild?
It's a good name.
PAUL: That it is.
Plenty of Janes
at the orphanage.
Nobody ever deposited
a Scarlet or a Laetitia
on the steps.
Many Janes, many Fairchilds,
Goodchilds, Goodbodys.
Suppose they wanted to give us
something tangible and...
good.
I think Jane Fairchild
suits you very well.
JANE: Thank you.
PAUL: My mother's
precious orchids.
Even she recognised
the importance
of a little light
in all this gloom.
We're not here to look
at pissing flowers, Jane.
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
(GATE CREAKS OPEN)
No time for that.
This way.
(SOFT ROMANTIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(JANE SCRIBBLING)
(BLOWS AIR)
- Excuse me, please.
- Sorry.
You're the new girl.
At Beechwood.
I'm at Upleigh.
The Sheringhams.
I'm Jane.
Ethel.
- Mr Sheringham.
- PAUL: Hello.
Who's your friend then?
ETHEL.: Er, this is Jane, sir.
New girl at Beechwood.
- PAUL: Hmm.
- (LIGHTER CLICKING)
Hello.
You're looking after
the Nivens?
Yes, sir.
Very dear friends of mine,
the Nivens.
I'll see a great deal of you,
I'm sure.
JANE: Yes, sir.
Nice to meet you, Jane.
You have a lovely day.
JANE: You, too, sir.
He's one of the good ones.
Always like that.
Like what?
Friendly.
I'm sure.
Bye.
Nice to meet you.
There.
Good.
- Yes.
- (CHUCKLES)
- What are you doing?
- Stand there.
Stay still.
Why? What are you doing?
Studying.
That's my reason
for showing up late.
"I'll meet you there.
"Awful lot to get through,
must work, must work."
Mugging up on law books, Jay.
And I'm here
to help you study?
PAUL: No.
You're what I intend
to study today.
- I'm law books, am I?
- Hmm.
You're slightly more
interesting than law books.
(SOFT ROMANTIC MUSIC PLAYING)
If I could apply this level
of detailed attention,
I fear I could be
enormously successful.
And what are you supposed
to be doing?
What've you told
those dear Nivens
you're doing with your day?
A bike ride.
Apt.
I'll try to provide
brilliant views
and excellent road surfaces.
JANE: And a picnic.
And a book in a field.
What a perfect
sounding day, Jay.
Do you rather wish
you were doing that instead?
No.
Not currently.
There.
Good.
Perfect.
What's this?
Hidden treasure?
A gift from Mr Niven.
PAUL: Don't move.
Jay.
No.
Have I offended you?
(LIGHTER CLICKS)
JANE: No. I just...
I don't want that.
PAUL: The money?
So I should pay you
in books instead?
Not to pay me at all,
that's the point.
I'm spending for three, Jay.
Got to throw this
money somewhere.
I wish I could take you out.
Champagne and oysters.
And all the books you wanted.
One day maybe.
(BOTH BREATHING HEAVILY)
(CHUCKLES)
(BOTH BREATHING HEAVILY)
(JANE MOANING)
Slow.
Slow.
(BOTH MOANING)
(CHURCH BELL TOLLING)
The bells.
Must be a wedding.
I wonder whose.
People do love a wedding.
I've heard that said.
I have to meet her
in an hour, Jane.
At the Swan.
(CLOCK TICKING)
(CAR HORN HONKING)
(DOOR OPENS)
CLARRIE: Godfrey,
for goodness sake.
- (DOOR CLOSES)
- We're late, my dear.
Certainly at the pace
you drive, we will be.
Please, Clarrie,
a little more haste.
There we are.
You know I can't
bear to be late.
CLARRIE: It hardly matters.
It's just a lunch.
Just yet another lunch.
(ENGINE STARTS)
GILES: Emma!
- Emma, we'll be late.
- (SMACKING LIPS)
Gripping your door
won't have any actual effect
on the speed
of the car, Mother.
Daddy drives about
ten times as fast,
you barely bat an eyelid.
- I'm an excellent driver.
- Emma, I didn't say anything.
- You didn't have to.
- Sweetheart.
I can feel
your judgement.
GILES: Eyes on the road,
darling.
Shut up, Daddy.
(ENGINE REVVING)
(JANE AND PAUL MOANING)
(LIGHTER CLICKS)
(KNOCKING ON WINDOW)
Dick, Freddy!
Wait!
(DICK AND FREDDY
MIMICKING BIRD CALL)
(MIMICKING BIRD CALL)
DICK: Come on, then,
hurry up, fool!
When we were boys,
we'd go to Henley
all the time for picnics.
All of us.
I don't remember it
ever being arranged,
though, of course, it was
between the elderly tribes.
Of course they had
it all planned out.
Got on the phone
to one another,
or sometimes Pa would
hand over a written invitation
to picnic at Henley
by The Swan that next day.
Anyway, somehow,
we'd all meet there
at just the right time
in a way that felt
just like magic,
and all of us,
us three and the
Niven two and Emma
would all be
so terribly delighted.
"You're here,
how come you're here?"
And the parents would wink
and shrug their shoulders
and squeeze our cheeks
or ruffle our hair.
And then they'd lie there
on the banks
with their hampers,
and their backs to us
and we'd climb into that river
and swim and dive
and loll about on boats,
and Mrs Niven,
dear Mrs Niven,
she'd wade into the water
with us.
My lot'd be stretched out
drinking champagne
and eating lobster,
gabbing on about business
or the neighbours
or the nanny.
And she'd...
Lady Niven'd be racing us
across the water
like an Oxford sculler,
like a goddess.
She beat us all, every time.
Of course, the others
got too big for it.
Freddy and Dick would bicycle
over to see Philip
and James had his head
in books, in books...
Till he noticed Emma,
of course.
And I just...
I just wanted everyone
to keep playing.
I'll be late.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER
AND LAUGHTER)
WOMAN: I won a heat.
MAN: More or less,
singlehandedly, I must say.
No-one could keep up with her.
You won a heat.
- On your own?
- It was magnificent.
Yes, on my own actually.
We have an immense trophy.
Emma, those glasses are
absolutely adorable, so racy.
GODFREY: You know,
it's going to brighten up.
I think we should
get the boat out.
MAN: Yes, I think so, too.
GODFREY: Have a re-run,
don't you think?
(INDISTINCT CHATTER
AND LAUGHTER)
PAUL.: I should go.
But Emma'
be late.
She's always late.
Only your Nivens
were ever on time.
They love an excuse to
sink a cocktail before lunch,
so no bother really.
I hurt you.
JANE: Yes.
But a good pain.
Ache.
(SOFTLY) Ache.
But a good one.
What's that?
So my seed doesn't get
anywhere near you.
Your seed?
Yes, absolutely, my seed.
For planting.
To ensure there is
absolutely no planting.
What if we put it
in the ground?
(LIGHTER CLICKING)
- PAUL: My seed?
- Yes.
If we planted it
and we grew it
and we watered it
and we pruned it.
(CHUCKLES)
There will be absolutely
no pruning anywhere near my...
BOTH: (SINGING) We plough
the fields and scatter
The good seed on the land
And it is fed and watered
By God's almighty hand
Your good seed.
Nowhere near your good,
good land.
I always wonder.
Why is there a, erm,
on the...
Hmm?
(HESITATES)
Doesn't it all go in?
Milly!
How many ways are there
to make that happen?
Well, how am I supposed
to know?
I can only think of three.
Well, then maybe
there are only three ways.
We never had more than a kiss,
my lad and me.
(TAP RUNNING)
(TAP CLOSES)
Freddy Sheringham.
Dick Sheringham.
(SOMBRE MUSIC PLAYING)
(IMPERCEPTIBLE)
(MUSIC CONTINUES)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
GODFREY: Now then, Paul,
how's it all going
with your studies?
Oh, don't ask. (LAUGHING)
MRS SHERINGHAM: Oh, stop it,
he's doing wonderfully.
- PAUL: Thank you, Mother.
- Of course he is.
PAUL: Ladies, you're too kind.
My father thinks
I've as much chance
of becoming a lawyer
as becoming a...
- an actual bloody lawyer.
- (LAUGHTER)
PAUL: It's going well,
dear Nivens, well.
I'm enjoying my studies
immensely, and of course,
although I'm terribly excited
about qualifying and working
and being busy
lawyering in London,
I shall really, truly
miss these days of learning.
GODFREY: Yes, I'm sure.
GILES: Well, you've
a good attitude, Paul.
These days of studying,
of mind expanding,
of feeling just as my father
must have felt
when he was studying,
of how my brothers
might have felt...
Thank you, Paul.
GODFREY: I enjoyed my time
in London very much.
I'm sure you shall, too, Paul.
PAUL: I'm very lucky.
This fish is quite excellent.
It's very good, isn't it?
GILES: Catch it yourself,
did you?
Don't be absurd.
Godfrey couldn't catch a fish
if it swam into his open arms.
(ALL CHUCKLING)
They eating everything?
Well, they're talking
about the food,
I'm not sure how much
they're actually eating it.
- Oh, what's she wearing? Mmm.
- JANE: Emma?
This vermilion thing.
She looks bored.
(CHUCKLES)
Don't bloody blame her.
No, but really bored.
Down to her bones.
Well, when'
they be ready
for this lamb then?
Knowing them, half an hour?
You're spending
a lot of time in there.
I'm just being
attentive, Milly.
WOMAN 1: Congratulations!
WOMAN 2:
Something to celebrate.
WOMAN 1: Congratulations.
Congratulations, Emma.
(SOMBRE MUSIC PLAYING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(IMPERCEPTIBLE)
PAUL: Jane,
I've got to get married.
I've got to become a lawyer.
That's what's expected
of you, yes.
Get married and have children.
Yes.
I could have hundreds
of children.
Repopulate the village
with little boys.
You might have to bet
on slightly fewer horses.
(CHUCKLES)
True.
Emma was supposed
to marry James.
They never got
officially engaged.
He was good like that.
Decent.
Didn't want to leave her
waiting for him.
Pining.
Though that's all
she did anyway.
Made it worse somehow
when he didn't come back.
She couldn't mourn her fianc.
Had to pretend he was
just another friend
killed in the war.
He liked to read to her.
You'd have liked him, too.
He'd have encouraged you
reading all that boy rot.
All that Treasure Island
and spy rubbish.
I like you.
I can tell you all my secrets.
All the things nobody says.
You're my friend, Jane.
JANE: Hmm.
And you mine.
My true friend.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(BIRDS SQUAWKING)
What a glorious day
it's turned out to be.
Quite perfect.
You see, I had a feeling.
Just pour it, would you?
He'll be forever yet.
We should just sit here
whilst we wait for him
to bother to turn up?
And he's studying, is he?
Mugging up.
That's what he calls it.
GODFREY: Oh, good for him.
Good for him.
We're happy to wait
a little longer for him.
(SIGHS) Emma's right,
he'll be late.
Well, it's jolly dedicated
of him.
- GILES: Indeed.
- Exactly. Pour it.
PAUL: Imagine if
she'd come here.
What would she have said?
Miss Hobday?
PAUL: She'd have seen
the open window, called up.
Not climbed up?
PAUL: Emma's not
that type of girl, Jay.
She'd have seen my bike first.
PAUL: Of course.
You are clever.
She'd have shouted.
Marched up here, screaming.
Or perhaps she'd
have said nothing
and crept up here, furious.
PAUL: Catching us in the act?
Maybe not even that.
Perhaps she did come here
and we didn't hear her car
on the gravel below.
Because I was fucking you.
And she stops.
She doesn't switch her
engine off immediately.
She looks at the bike,
leaning up by
the door, confused.
You don't ride a bike.
If you did,
you definitely wouldn't
ride that bike,
that's an old bike.
She looks up,
she sees your window open.
She goes to call out, she
opens her mouth to call out,
but she stops herself.
She opens the door...
slowly, quietly.
She looks at those orchids,
bright in that dark hall.
She doesn't know why,
but something tells her
to slip out of her shoes.
She pads up
the stairs... soft.
And your door is open.
She hears you.
She hears me.
She stops.
She thinks about
that white dress
hanging up in her wardrobe.
"And she turns around.
"Soft, on one toe,
walks back down the stairs,
"slipping back into shoes
"and driving away,
never to speak of it."
You did not say that, though.
No.
I did not say that, though.
PAUL: I know a doctor.
I'm sure you do.
I'm sure you know
lots of interesting people.
No. One who can...
get you a cap, Jay.
Removes the problem
of the seed.
Ah.
If you like.
- But only if you like, though.
- A cap?
That's what they're called.
I suppose that's what my
mother was. A pregnant maid.
Perhaps.
Perhaps she was a queen, Jay.
Don't be too cross with him,
Emma. He loves you very much.
We're all so excited
for the wedding.
You're making us all so happy.
He's in his head sometimes.
Well, he's been studying
so hard,
he will have
lost track of time...
He never studies. He's not
studying. He's just late.
I'm not cross.
It's only lunch.
He's always late. Why would
today be any different?
It's fine.
Excuse me.
(SLOW MELANCHOLY MUSIC
PLAYING)
You look very handsome.
Don't hurry.
No-one'll be back
'til past four, at least.
And when you go, put the key
under the rock
by the boot scraper.
It's a whacking great key.
I'll put it out
on the hall table
So you can't miss it.
(INHALES DEEPLY)
That's all really.
Leave everything.
If you're hungry,
there's a pie.
Half one.
I can always tell Ethel
I scoffed it.
Not that I have to tell
anyone anything.
Anything.
Anything at all.
Goodbye, Jane.
(DOOR CLOSES)
(FOOTSTEPS RECEDING)
- (HORN HONKING)
- (CAR ENGINE STARTS)
(TAP RUNNING)
(TAP CLOSES)
- I'm stuck.
- Huh?
I'm going to be late.
DONALD: You're never late.
JANE: Well, I'm about to be.
That's because
you're being unfaithful.
Morag is expecting a thriller.
JANE: Maud, her name is Maud.
I don't care.
I do. I remember
your publisher's name.
She always has spinach
in her teeth. Always.
Even if we're not eating
spinach. Even if there's no...
That has nothing to do
with her name.
Well, Maud is expecting
a thriller.
That's what I'm writing.
DONALD: It's not what you're
thinking about, though, is it?
It just swims back
every so often.
Do you have any idea
what it is yet?
Is it a minnow
or is it a whale?
Somewhere in between.
Walk?
No.
No.
Swim.
SAMUEL: Don't do it.
Excuse me?
I was joking.
You looked like
you were about to
do an Ophelia.
Are you allowed
to speak to me like that?
SAMUEL.: Like what?
Like I've read Shakespeare?
Think so.
I used to swim in there.
When I was a girl.
So did I
When I was a boy.
So did everyone.
It suddenly felt
rather appealing.
No-one does any more.
(CAR LEAVING)
Dick and Freddy.
Or Freddy and Dick.
(INHALES DEEPLY)
Slow down.
No-one ever asked anybody
to dress more slowly.
I like watching men dress.
You're doing it
in the wrong order.
It's nonsense.
Any other order
would be ridiculous.
Shirt and no pants would lead
to immediate loss of dignity.
- Solemn piecing together.
- Is how posh white men dress.
You've been too long
in service, Jane.
You know, that's why
you're a writer.
Because you were
put in service at 14.
Because you were made an
occupational observer of life.
JANE: Hmm.
(LIGHTER CLICKS)
- I don't like your room.
- Okay.
Smells of damp.
The whole house does.
I can come to your room.
Mrs O'Flynn doesn't like you.
Well, no.
Women like Mrs O'Flynn
don't like men like me.
We could go somewhere else.
A new house.
With a room
for you to do your writing.
One for me to philosophise in,
I don't know.
- Donald?
- Yes, Jane?
Are you suggesting
we get married?
Well...
I was suggesting...
that... we live together.
So, yes, I suppose
I was suggesting
that we get married.
I mean, I would
like to marry you.
I mean, that would
make me very happy indeed.
(STUTTERS) What do you think?
All right, then.
(WATER SPLASHES)
(MELLOW MUSIC PLAYING)
DONALD: Jane?
What?
DONALD: You cracked it yet?
Oh, fuck off, Donald.
"On the occasion
of the marriage...
"Emma Carrington Hobday
with Mr Paul Sheringham."
(TAPPING GLASS)
Now then.
Now that we are all
well-fed and well-watered
and continue to water
- by the water...
- (ALL CHUCKLING)
Godfrey, for goodness sake.
I would like to propose
a toast.
Well-met, our tribes.
Well-met and well-loved.
Clarrie and I,
my wife and I...
are so happy to be here
with you all.
Hear, hear.
And with your children
who have been so good
as to feel like our children.
Godfrey.
Even if one of them
is not bloody here...
They're all not fucking here,
they're all fucking gone!
(CRYING AND SNIFFLING)
We just wanted
to wish you well.
We just wanted
to wish you very well.
To the bride.
And to the absent groom.
(SIGHS)
(SOFT UPLIFTING MUSIC PLAYING)
(SNIFFS)
(THUNDER RUMBLING)
GODFREY: Oh.
Mr Niven.
I was just finishing up in
here, I'll leave you in peace.
That's all right.
I'll come back later.
"I will begin
"the story
of my adventures..."
- (DOOR OPENS)
- (BELL DINGS)
(DOOR CLOSES)
(BELL DINGING)
Can I help you?
Perhaps, yes, erm,
I'm looking for something
for my mother.
Does your mother
like philosophy?
No. These are for me.
JANE: You speak German?
I do.
- Love And Saint Augustine.
- Sorry?
That's the title of the book.
Oh.
Would your mother
prefer fiction?
Probably, yes.
Does she read a lot?
DONALD: Of course.
What about Orlando
by Virginia Woolf?
It's the most
extraordinary adventure.
(WATER TRICKLING)
(BURPS)
OPERATOR: Putting you through.
Hold the line, please.
(TELEPHONE RINGING)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(CLOCK CHIMES)
(TELEPHONE CONTINUES RINGING)
(CLOCK CHIMING)
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
And you write.
You're a writer.
You seem like a writer.
- JANE: Do I?
- Mmm.
Yes, I write.
Good.
You're not a writer.
(LAUGHS)
Not in the way you are.
Philosophy. It's not
very interesting.
Sounds very interesting.
That bodes well.
And when did you
become a writer,
Miss Jane Fairchild?
I don't know.
Yes, you do.
JANE: All right.
- Three times over.
- DONALD: Okay.
The day I was born.
The day Mr Paxton
gave me my typewriter.
DONALD: Of course.
And the third?
That's a secret.
That's a very good answer.
That's the best one.
Mr Niven.
Jane. Is that you?
You're back so early.
Mr Niven?
I'm so sorry, Jane, I'm...
It's... It's so
terribly distressing.
There's been an accident.
A fatal accident.
Involving Mr Sheringham.
Mr Sheringham?
Mr Paul Sheringham.
Mr Paul at Upleigh.
A car accident.
It's definitely him, sir?
GODFREY: I'm so sorry, Jane.
I'm so sorry
to have to tell you this.
(GODFREY CLEARS THROAT)
I...
I thought I ought to go to...
to Upleigh
to check that nothing there
can further upset...
That Paul...
That Mr Sheringham, erm,
that he didn't leave anything.
Any more distress
would be unbearable, I think.
It was an accident, Jane.
An accident.
Yes, sir.
Someone has to wait there,
at the house.
Inform the staff.
Awful for the Sheringhams
to do it.
Awful to repeat
the words, Jane.
Will you come with me?
To Upleigh?
Yes, of course.
I'm so sorry.
(INHALES DEEPLY)
Might I fetch
a glass of water first, sir?
GODFREY: Yes, of course.
Forgive me. I'll wait here.
(DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES)
- (GLASS SHATTERS)
(WAILING)
(COUGHS AND BREATHES HEAVILY)
(BREATHING SHAKILY)
(SNIFFLING)
(BREATHING DEEPLY)
(SOMBRE MUSIC PLAYING)
(ENGINE STARTING)
(SOMBRE MUSIC CONTINUES)
GODFREY: It's all right, Jane.
(BELL DINGS)
Mr Niven?
- Ethel. You're back.
- Yes, sir.
There's nobody here, sir.
Can I help?
I'm afraid I have
some distressing news.
There's been an accident
involving Mr Sheringham.
Mr Paul.
A car accident on his way to
Henley to join us for lunch.
We were making enquires
as to why he was so late
and a police officer informed
that his car,
the wreckage that is,
had been found on the turning
before the railway line.
He was late.
Anxious, no doubt.
(EXHALES)
Then it is just as well
I came back early.
I can be of assistance now.
Yes, indeed, Ethel.
I felt when I arrived
I had just missed him, sir.
The library had been
recently used,
a cigarette very recently lit.
I've tidied already, sir,
the pie and the beer
he had for lunch
and, erm,
and his bedroom.
That is just the point, Ethel.
The point, sir?
Did you find anything
in Mr Paul's room?
Anything, sir?
I don't understand.
A note, Ethel.
Anything written.
No, sir. Nothing like that.
Of course.
Very good.
That is all right,
then, Ethel.
(SOMBRE MUSIC PLAYING)
That's all five of them, Jane.
Yes, sir.
(MUSIC CONTINUES)
(CAR DOOR CLOSES)
(THUD)
- No. Don't.
- It's bleeding again.
I feel fine. Can we please
just eat our food?
- Can we please go to a doctor?
- Your hands are freezing.
You tripped, you fell,
- you hit your head...
- I know.
- ...you're bleeding.
- It was just a trip.
(BOTH CHUCKLING)
I can see the bone
in your knee!
You are being dramatic.
- JANE: I'm not.
- You are.
(DONALD MOANING)
Have you ever been
to Upleigh, Jane?
No, madam.
Not before today,
with Mr Niven.
It's terribly dark.
When Philip died
and James had already gone,
I suddenly felt like
we could open the curtains.
That we weren't living
with guilt.
That we had lost everything
we could possibly lose.
That all our dying
was done with.
We didn't have to...
keep cover any longer.
Nothing to protect, Jane.
Does that make any sense?
Yes, madam.
She was supposed
to marry James.
Yes, madam.
You knew that?
Milly mentioned it.
Did she?
Wouldn't have thought so.
She's so terribly stupid.
She notices nothing.
Must have heard it
somewhere else.
You have no family.
No, madam.
Your mother left you,
is that right?
Yes, madam, at an orphanage.
How very lucky...
to have been comprehensively
bereaved at birth.
You have absolutely
nothing to lose.
And you never shall.
Not really.
That is a gift, Jane.
And you must learn to use it.
You're very fortunate.
(CRYING)
(MOURNFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(CRYING AND SNIFFLING)
JANE: You have nothing.
Nothing to lose
and everything to gain.
Nothing.
Nothing at all.
Comprehensively bereaved
at birth.
Once upon a time.
Once upon a time.
PAUL: Once,
a very, very, very
long time ago, Jay,
Ma woke us all, early in June,
really early,
it was still dark,
and bundled us all
into the car, Jane.
Bundled.
Blankets around us,
hot chocolate in flasks.
They packed a picnic.
Pa was driving with his foot
all the way to the floor.
Wide open roads
and the sun coming up.
The three of us squashed in
and the other two
snoring half the way.
Still no mention as to
where we were going
and then we stop here.
Except you have to imagine it
with no frost.
No snow.
And the green, green grass
perfectly clipped.
Except you can imagine it,
can't you?
You can summon the memory.
You can describe it.
Claim it.
Reword it and reimagine it
for me.
Can't you, Jane?
For me.
For you.
For you.
(BELL DINGING)
I'm getting a new one, Jane.
A new one, Mr Paxton?
Yes. New typewriter.
The "P" jams a little.
In a way, it's perfectly fine
and I thought you might
have use for this one.
(CHURCH BELL TOLLING)
Thank you, sir.
- A tumour?
- It's a good word.
- No.
- Good sound.
- No.
- To swell.
That's where it comes from.
That's the origin
of the word, the, erm,
etymology,
that's what I'm trying to say.
Could you just...
It's because
I've got too much brain.
I'm too brainy.
It's poetic.
When are they going
to operate to get it out?
(DONALD INHALES
AND EXHALES DEEPLY)
You came in about the fall.
About the cut.
I don't understand...
They're very thorough.
Do you want them to ignore it?
Yes.
Please, ignore it.
Maybe we can try to.
Just for the last bit.
You'll write.
You'll write this book
about life,
the whole feeling of life.
Think I've lost
all sense of that.
You will.
(LIGHTER CLICKS)
It'll be your greatest book.
You don't think I've written
my greatest book yet?
Maybe all the men in my life
have to die
in order for me
to write my great book.
(DONALD CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
(BOTH CHUCKLING)
I'm so sad
I shan't get to read it.
Maybe I won't
be able to write it.
You shall.
It'll be brilliant.
- Good morning, Jane.
- Good morning, sir.
Jane?
Sir.
What is it?
I've been thinking it might
be time for me to leave, sir.
I've heard of a position.
Mmm.
In another house?
In a bookshop, sir.
Hmm.
Well done, Jane.
A bookshop.
(UP-TEMPO PIANO MUSIC
PLAYING)
DONALD: Tell me your secret.
The third thing
that made you write.
Please.
I wish we had told
each other everything.
There wouldn't have been time.
Just whisper it.
I'll take it to my grave.
(SNIFFLING)
I love you.
(TELEPHONE RINGING)
(RINGING CONTINUES)
(DREAMY MUSIC PLAYING)
(TELEPHONE RINGING)
(SCOFFS)
- (TELEPHONE RINGING)
(KNOCKING)
(RINGING CONTINUES)
MAN 1: Miss Fairchild...
WOMAN: Miss Fairchild,
could you comment please?
MAN 2: Anything to say,
Miss Fairchild?
I'm afraid I really don't know
what you want me to say.
Well, I suppose,
because you've won...
I've won all the prizes.
Every single one.
They're all here,
in the attic,
in there somewhere.
Aren't you pleased?
I feel... delighted.
Thank you so much.
(SNICKERS)
I've disappointed you,
haven't I?
No.
It was inevitable.
The task was impossible.
But it was...
wonderful. (CHUCKLES)
(CHUCKLES)
(EXHALES DEEPLY)
JANE: Ah, the fourth leg.
The fourth leg was mine, Paul.
And we stand at the rail,
all five of us.
One, two, three, four, five.
We stand and we watch
them race,
we watch Fandango fly.
We watch him kick up mud
and dew and grass and earth.
And it feels like
he is flying.
It feels like
he might actually fly.
Across the quick, quick green
and the world.
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
(MUSIC STOPS)