Berkeley Square (1998) s01e01 Episode Script
Pretty Maids All in a Row
1 Jos Carrera for his beautiful bride @JosC on Gab.
Com Matilda Wickham, to the best of my knowledge over three years, is a clean person of honest disposition who will make a very good head nurse.
In the nursery, she's regular and tidy in her habits, skilled at mending, conscientious with laundry and does not stand nonsense.
Also, Matilda Wickham is possessed of all her own teeth so will not frighten the children with dentures.
Mrs.
Horace Chambers of Kensington On matters regarding the children, you will refer to me and on all other matters to Mrs.
McClusky, my housekeeper.
As well as the general staff, there is a nursery maid to assist you and I expect the nursery to be run quietly and efficiently.
We entertain a great deal.
Yes, ma'am.
There'll be no friends calling at the house and you'll sleep in the nursery with the children.
Do you have any questions? Should I refer to you on matters of the children's clothing and diet, ma'am? I was speaking of specific problems, Miss Wickham, not day-to-day trivialities.
Yes, maâam.
And at what time do you prefer to see the children in the afternoon? It depends entirely upon my other engagements.
And when can I take my day off, please? First Sunday in the month may be convenient.
I usually visit my family every Sunday, madame.
You may have the first Sunday in a month and every Sunday afternoon.
Thank you.
New nanny's just arrived.
You better get upstairs or you'll be in trouble even quicker than you was with the last one.
Itâs not fair.
Thought I was gonna be head nurse.
Thought I was going to be Empress of China! Funny old life, isnât it? Ask Cook to let me have the weeks menu by this afternoon.
What? Only the nursery meals, of course.
Nurse Bailey never wanted menus.
Well, then perhaps we can discuss the idea later.
Children generally like to know.
Hello.
Now you must be let me see You must be Thomas? No, that's Miss Harriet.
Thank you, Pringle.
Well, in that case, Iâd very much like to meet Thomas.
Would you run and fetch him for me? I'll come down to discuss nurse arrangements at 4 o'clock? Just as you like.
Ah, now you must be Thomas.
How do you do? You smell like a tart.
This has been donated by his Lordship the Earl of Amansworth, a pig worth three guineas to the winner of the May Day Hog Ride.
To sell or slaughter as he pleases.
I'm instructed to say the that if Lord William wins the pig again this year, he will donate the pig to be roasted for the delight of you all this evening.
The winner will be the first man to snatch the garland from the Maypole and reward it to the lady of his choice.
Youâre the most beautiful woman here.
And I'll be the angriest if you dare present me with that pose in front of all these corpers.
I'm as disgraced as it is.
Then I'll keep it and present it to you later.
Did you see that? I swear of you both.
Heâll win To your places, gentlemen.
On the first! On the second! Andâ¦.
I suppose I'm the reason his Lordships sitting over there.
Are you sure you want to be seen talking to me? You could lose your job as well.
His Lordship feels your presence here with a little one is an embarrassment.
It's his grandson, for goodness sake.
And the family will never forgive you for it.
Well, they may have dismissed me from the service but they'll not dismiss me from the village.
Not while William wants me here.
So, which sort of tart do you think I smell like then, Tom? Apple or Jam? I don't know.
It's funny that.
I always thought I smelled of good soap and water, not Treacle pudding.
I don't mind, it's quite nice smell.
He didn't mean anything bad.
I'm sure he didn't.
I'm just curious to know what he did mean.
I don't know.
It's just something father said.
Really? Well, all I know is that people who listen at doors grrow big ears.
We weren't listening at doors.
We couldn't help it.
He was shouting loud.
Shut up.
She's a servant.
She is the cat's mother.
I am Nanny and you stand in the corner for five minutes until you learn to be a gentleman who does not hit his sister.
Well, go on.
Nah, nah, don't care, it's nice to care.
That's enough from you, young lady.
Change the baby now, shall I? Thank you.
What's he done now? Oh, nothing that can't be mended.
That'll make a change.
Nasty little brat he is and she's a right little care! Pringle? What? Come with me.
What's the matter? What have I done? If ever hear you speak like that in front of the children again Should hear what they said to me sometimes, hoity toity little Pringle! One more word out of you and you'll hear what I can say sometimes I was brought up down on Commercial Road.
I can manage.
Fowler, I thought I asked you to make sure that Nanny Collins was given help with the baby coach? Yes, your Ladyship.
Then why have I just seen her struggling by herself? The offer of assistance was made, your Ladyship, more than once.
I see.
Very well.
Thank you, Fowler.
George, you must talk to her.
Who? Nanny Collins.
You must tell her she's not to try to do all these things by herself anymore.
Good Lord, I wouldn't dare.
Besides, if she won't listen to Fowler you certainly won't listen to me.
For Heaven's sake.
She'd tell cook not to let me have kippers for a year for impertinence.
There you are, you see? The perfect opportunity to kill two birds with one stone.
What? Reverend Wilks from the Devon Estate asking if we can find wholesome employment for the deserving daughter of one of your tenants.
Morning Reverend.
Morning Lydia.
Cherio.
Bye.
Rubin, stop chasing that bird and get inside and cleaned up before momma has a fit.
Learned anything yet? I'm sorry, Lydia, Look, letters only went off only a few days ago.
You mustn't be too disappointed.
We'll hear something soon.
It doesn't have to be a grand job.
Just something that would I know old Mr.
Tugoran is looking for help with his sheep now that his sons gone.
Yes! And I wouldn't be any better off that I am here, would I? At least of what Sally Tucker has to say about old Mr Begging your pardon, Vicar.
Something will turn up.
I'm sure of it.
What was all that about? Just passing the time of day.
Replaced Nanny with a bumpkin? No, George, encourage a nice young girl to advance herself whilst giving Nanny some assistance.
Out of the question.
Nanny's been bringing up babies for 50 years.
Good grief, she brought me up.
Yes, and a very good job she did too, dear but Connie, when Nanny needs help, she'll ask for it.
You shouldn't have come, Mr.
Hackford? They'll throw you out as well, if they knew.
Now old Hammond retired early and the doctors were their grace.
I needed to make sure you were all right.
They wouldn't let me have a part of his life and they couldn't let me have just a little part of his death.
You have more of his life than anyone else.
Oh, my God, they going to give me the music.
Stop that! I said stop! We've got not arguement with thee, Hackford.
And you have none with Miss Randall.
She's a whore and we'll play music every night for as long as we choose.
Til she takes her wrongdoing back where she came from.
She has a young baby.
Aye, she has.
Get your things together.
You'd better come back with me to Harmondsworth Hall.
You'll be alright there.
I've nodded off enough in that chair myself before now.
I've lived here since I was 14, Mr Hackford.
Can't go back home to Ireland.
No, I know.
First time in my life, I don't know what to do.
Get yourself away from here as fast as you can.
Get another job now, start again.
Another job? With no references? Middle girls don't need letters.
They need to eat though.
I've not but a flower left in the world.
Nothing you can sell? Only my mum's locket.
Not even real gold, who'll buy that, ay? Would you take three shillings for it? I'll be grateful.
Henmos Rug would give you a ride in the cart as far as Doncaster tomorrow.
He's taking his niece to the canal.
Where does the canal go? All the way to London.
I do find it most peculiar.
Some people in this country think it's not quite the done thing for a well-bred woman to feed her own baby.
Can you imagine? The first Lady Lamson Scribner brought in a wet nurse for the Master Hugh.
Did she? What a shame.
And I gave him the bottle after that.
Really? Still I seem to have plenty of milk so I don't think you'd be troubled on that account more than occasionally.
Will your Ladyship bring up his wind or shall I be permitted? Thank you, Mrs.
Collins.
Want to go to Nanny? Go on.
Up up up.
George, I have nothing against the woman.
Well, then.
But she is gonna become a danger to herself the more to the point, to Ivo.
But you just told me she didn't boil the kettle.
Because she was afraid to, George.
She doesn't trust herself to handle boiling water.
Hope she doesn't mind cold tea.
That's not the point.
What if there were an accident? What about when Ivo starts crawling.
If she can't look after herself, how is she gonna look after him? Confounded Connie, send up one of the housemaids or something.
No, I want her.
She's of honest and kindly disposition, robust constitution, experienced in looking after children having largely brought up eleven brothers and sisters, eleven, good Lord.
She is one of your own tenants who is desperate to better herself and comes highly recommended by one of your own parish priests.
He's a vicar, not a priest.
I don't care if he's the Pope.
Do I or do I not have your agreement to send for this Lydia Weston? No, she isn't going.
I do wish you would consider it, Mr.
Weston.
Lydia is being offered an excellent position in one of the finest houses in London.
She's needed here.
Jeremiah finishes school this summer and Suzanne is home from Tivitan's soon.
Go and get your hens fed.
It wouldn't be forever, Dad.
Oh, yes it would.
Cuz I say so.
You leave this house and you're no child of mine.
It's alright, Ma.
I won't go.
It'd be different if Jeremiah weren't such a lazy begger.
Daft idea really.
I'm sorry.
It was just an idea.
I didn't mean to upset you.
How old am I, Lydia? I don't know.
I never really thought about it? I'm 39.
I met Joe when I was 17.
And not one bright year since.
39, Lydia.
And I'm like a worn out horse that's good for nothing but the nackers, you heard.
You'll stay here and first you be in love with Johnny Watson.
then you'll wed him and then before you know it, your a rag like me.
You can go to London, my girl.
You go with your fancy ladyship.
You wear the pretty clothes and you wash face in warm water.
And you learn nice manners and be with nice people.
And then you put on one of them pretty frocks and you get one of them photographs took and you send it to me.
And I'll put it over the mantlepiece in there and when people ask, I'll say that's my Lydia who got herself out of this muck and made something of herself.
And just once in my life, I'll have someone to be proud of.
Now you go back and pack your bags this minute.
Please, Nanny, don't cry.
I am not crying.
I thought I'd given you a good service, Master George.
You have Nanny, best in all the world.
I suppose I could go and live with my neice in Bournemouth.
I don't want you to go anywhere.
We merely want to get someone to help you.
I don't need help.
We don't want you working so hard at your age.
You think I can't manage any more.
They should come in here ordering me about their silly new ideas.
No one's going to order you about.
She's a village girl.
She knows absolutely nothing.
You're gonna have to tell her everything.
You're still Nanny but now you'll be Head Nanny, that's all.
Truth? Cross my heart and hope to die.
Miss Weston? I'm Gibbons.
I got the carriage outside take you to Berkeley Square.
Thank you very much, sir.
Do you need a hand with those? No thanks, I can manage.
How did you know it's me.
Just a guess.
I've got to take these myself.
I'll take you up to the nursery first.
Miss Lydia Weston.
sir.
How do you do, Miss Weston? Your Lordship.
My mum, Mrs.
Weston, begs to be remembered and sends these to your wife with kind thanks for giving me this position.
It's a dozen new laid eggs and a quart of clotted cream because she thinks she might not have any in London.
Lydia, this is Mr.
Fowler, the Butler.
Her Ladyship is particularly fond of clotted cream, Lydia.
I will convey your mother's gift and good wishes to her at the earliest opportunity.
Thank you, sir You're playing with fire, Ned.
Only way to keep warm, mate.
Trust me.
Oh, making a proper circus of it, are we? Why not? Lot of people coming tonight.
So I hear.
Word is you're out to make a bit of a monkey out of me.
No, no, no, you heard it wrong, see.
Were out make a bit of money out of you.
Let you know what it feels like.
Snot nosed little Save it for tonight, Mr Flynn.
Yeah, I will.
Is that today's menu, Pringle? Yeah, and um, you've got a letter.
Thank You.
Watson pie with creamed potatoes.
Stained lemon pudding.
That all sounds most satisfactory.
Who's it from? Why Cook, of course.
Tom.
Harriet.
Run along.
Let Pringle help you get washed while I get Imogene up.
Ow! Stand still then you little Who'd she get letters from then, Tom? I don't know.
You're hurting me.
Stop being a baby.
You'll have to read it then, won't you? Like you'd do all the others? I don't.
Of course you do.
So you knew what Nanny Bailey was up to behind our backs.
Ow! Look, stop it Pringle.
You're hurting her.
Go on then, off have at it.
I want to use lavatory.
Hurry up then.
Go away first.
Why? What have you got worth hiding? Go away! Get on with it.
I'll tell Nanny.
What, do you think she'll do about it, aye? She don't care about you.
She be off with a young man as soon as she can.
She won't! Of course she will.
Why would she want to stay with a nasty little brat like you for? Are you gonna get on with it or do I have to do it for you? You should be paying two shillings a week but the bed is big and the baby is little.
One shilling a week.
Should be paying me to stay in this mess.
What did you say? I don't understand.
Oh nothing.
Are you foreign? I'll take it, Mrs.
Bronowski.
And you pay in advance.
I'm very glad you have nice children to look after.
I've made up a poem for your young gentlemen.
There was a young fellow called Tom Who learned how to play on a drum.
The noise of his toy annoyed all the big boys So they sent him back where he came from.
That's you! Will write again soon.
Your loving brother, Jack.
Has he made a poem for me? I'm sure it will next time.
And Tom, if you want to read my letters, then do wash your hands first You've left modeling glue all over this one.
Afternoon.
Afternoon Nanny.
We don't know her.
We don't talk to common strangers.
When did you last eat? Mmm, yesterday.
Skin and bone is no good for a fat baby.
What are you doing in Limehouse, London anyway, if you please? Looking for work.
Blacknose high quality ladies garment manufacturers around the corner They're looking for stitchers but the note is up this morning if you are fast maybe there's a job left.
Thank you, I'll see them this afternoon.
And what do you do with the baby, heh? Strapped him to your back.
I really don't know Mrs.
um Bronowski.
You're so stupid.
Look, 10 pence an week and I look after Billy till you get work.
Then 6 pence a week.
Really? And this afternoonfor nothing.
He's, how do you say, a rare fighting boy.
I take good care of him.
Thank you.
And we'll take good care of each other, hmm? To whom it may concern.
Hannah Randall has been employed in my household as my personal maid for two years and is of an upright, decent and moral character.
She's precise and tidy in her habits and faithful and hardworking in her duties.
Signed the Countess of Harmonsworth Are you mad? It's the only way, Dan.
I had to tell him it was a gang of us clubbing together.
He'd never have offered 10 to 1 if he learned that it was just my money.
Where'd you get 10 guineas? Sold the market pitch.
Sold everything I own.
I make a hundred guineas.
I can start a proper business with that.
Got alot of faith in yourself, don't you? As if I was the angel Gabriel.
We're not done yet, little one.
Your rose is by that family and I swear I'll get it for you.
I make that one hundred guineas, Mr.
Flynn.
All bets are off.
Do what? You heard.
That'll teach you to fight dirty.
That was a fair fight and you know it.
Pay what's owed, Flynn.
Get your hands off me.
Poles Surrender! You're quick with the ad, I'll give you that Advertisements only been in a couple of hours.
I'm very anxious to find employment, mum.
Well it's lighting fires and scrubbing below stairs.
6 til 2 3 shillings a week and a hot dinner.
Thank you, mum.
Not so fast.
Let's have a look at your character.
What are you doing going for a daily woman? Says here you was a lady's maid.
Family commitments, mum.
Can't live in with an aging mother to care for.
You brought your mother over from Ireland, have you? What? Well, you're not from around here, are you? No, I could hardly leave her there and take care of her from here, could I? Why did you leave your last position? Good job, good family.
You're not a Papist, are you? No, no I am I'd rather not say personal reasons Oh yes, well it's easy found out if I totally Look, I'm after a job as a skivvy, that's all.
I think I better show this to Mrs.
Delancey, don't you? She's old friends with Lady Harmon No! I find this constant procession of nursemaids quite intolerable.
As do the children, no doubt.
Good day.
If you hear of a girl who would make a reliable maid for number five, I will tell her to get in touch with you.
Good day.
Good day.
Lydia.
Yes, Nanny? Are we ploughing the 10 acre meadow? No, Nanny.
Now then, shoulders back.
That's it.
Oh, what have I told you? Too much movement causes weakness of the brain.
You were probably moved about a great deal, I dare say.
Now then Ooh, look.
He chewed right through his ribbon.
You have to tap his fingers if you see him doing that.
I don't like to, he's only tiny.
Doing what we like is not always doing what is right.
Yes, Nanny So you can put your hat and coat on again and go and fetch half a yard of Satine fancy from the haberdashers.
Put it on the account.
Sky Blue 3/8 wide Yes, Nanny.
Go straight then and back across the park and do not speak to strangers.
No, Nanny.
Come on.
It's alright now.
Fifteen more notices to go.
They'll all be gone before I get there.
And they all miserable old bats that are cut by their old misses and I gotta get a husband and got no money.
And my feet are killing me and I'm afraid fed up with London that I could kill it.
Mmm.
There's a maids job going up in Berkeley Square.
Number Five.
Don't know their names but they all good households around here.
I'm in number 17.
Lord and Lady Lamson-Scribener.
Just a thought.
Thank you Don't thank me.
I hope you get it.
It'd be nice to have someone under 90 nearby.
Anyway, best get on before I get to shuttled out.
Bye.
Bye.
I see.
Hannah Randall, madam.
She appears neat and well-spoken and has excellent references from Harmonsworth Hall.
Where? Oh, what are you doing in London, Miss Randall? Lady Harmon closed up the house went abroad after a personal tragedy, ma'am.
There are a few other houses of quality in the area.
True.
May I ask how you heard of this position? It has not been advertised, as yet.
A member of the Lamson-Scribener household informed me, ma'am.
I see.
As you please, Mrs.
Simmons.
18 pound per anum found including uniform and Sunday best.
One half day off per week.
The servants trip to Ramsgate in July.
Present bags to start first thing Monday.
I don't know what it's like in Yorkshire but you won't find better wages or conditions in London.
I wasn't expecting to live in.
Well, you're no use as a nursemaid if you don't.
Do you want the job or not? For what we are about to receive, may the Lord make us truly grateful.
Amen.
You may begin.
We'll fiinish after the first mouthful, by the look of it.
Nanny Bailey says that (unknown) Really? Well, Nanny Wickham says that small nursery folk will learn nothing at all if there dead from starvation.
Pringle, would you go down the kitchen, please? Ask Cook if she would be so kind as to cut some sandwiches for us.
Me? Cold beef, if there's some.
Or otherwise cheese would do nicely.
Ned? I've been looking for you all day.
Been wrestling these boys.
And for good reason to.
Lenny Flynn's dead.
What? Didn't get up after you walloped him.
I'm telling you Ned, if you're on speaking terms with the angel Gabriel now's the time to start talking.
Right, would somebody like to tell me what's going on? I sent you down for sandwiches a good 30 minutes ago.
Where are they? They asked about me and got talking.
I haven't asked yet.
I'm sorry.
I haven't got time to cut sandwiches, dear.
You can see what it's like.
Mrs.
McClusky.
Mrs.
St.
John gave me to understand that Pringle is exclusively my nursery maid.
I would be grateful if we could all remember that.
You might have been exclusive in your last house, Nanny.
but here when Madame orders a big dinner party, at the drop of a hat, we all try to muck in.
I see.
Well in that case, I'm sure you won't mind Pringle taking up a corner of the table to make our sandwiches.
But if the nursery lunch had been less miserly it wouldn't be necessary.
Of course, Nanny.
Thank you.
Better make sure you make them sandwiches nice and exclusive.
No, it's my turn.
You had a chance.
It's my doll.
It's my turn to do it.
Oh hell.
Ah, good afternoon, Captain Tom.
Princess Harriet.
Nanny.
Chap of the mess just came back from Paris last week.
Oh yes.
Said it's magnificent at this time of year.
Only place in the world for people like us.
Like us, Captain Mason? People have culture, Mrs.
St.
John.
Oh.
Harry, you are wicked.
Not as wicked as I'd like to be.
Arnold.
How do? I'd rather you didn't.
Sarah spent ages untangling it.
Alright.
Arnold, I have to get ready to go out.
Get your boots off the table.
Sorry.
It's what the devil sees.
The only time you put your boots on the table are when they lay out a dead man wearing them.
Put your feet in that.
Stops sores.
So, did you get the job? Yes I did.
That's good.
And I can't take it.
Why not? I just can't Your job is not good enough for you? Oh, Mrs.
Bronowski, there is so much you don't know.
Don't count on it.
You think I'm stupid You think I take a girl alone with a baby in my house and not know various troubles somewhere? You think I don't go through your things? You think there's nothing worse in the world than forging a stupid letter.
I nearly got found out today.
One of the houses knew my last employer, threatened to Telegraph them.
Did they call the Police? No, no I grabbed the letter ran as I could.
So, what story? But you said you did get a job? 18 pounds a year looking after someone else's kids as a nursemaid.
The Queen of Sheba cannot look after a couple of kids.
It's living in, Mrs.
B.
I can't, not with Billy.
Queen of Sheba is too mean to pay sixpence a week for his keep here.
I won't leave him.
I've not come all this way to abandon him now.
Then get out of my house, both of you.
What? You know why I took you in for stupid shilling a week? Because I look at you and I see me.
I see a woman who don't give up.
For that, you got respect.
For that you got get fresh air to keep you walking for jobs.
Keep you lucky.
I had a baby once.
What? In famine, Every day, I would walk from Dansk ten miles to take potatoes left in fields.
Eat some, sell some.
Steal a little milk.
Steal an egg.
Every day, hide my baby in the woods.
Every night, come back for him.
What happened? Cossacks found him.
I didn't have no Mrs.
Bronowski to look after me.
Shall I order a supper tray to Madam's room later, sir? No, thank you.
Mrs.
St.
John will probably go on to dine after the theater.
Very good, sir.
God almighty.
Mrs.
McClusky? Sorry to bother you so late.
Could I have a word? What about? About the way we work together.
Look, I really don't like the idea of the household and the nursery being at odds with each other.
Neither do I.
I realize that you may have had problems with other nannies in past but I'm in the house now and let me assure you I'm gonna stay and do the best job a possibly can.
Right.
It means all it requires is that you and I are straightforward and honest about what we want and expect from each other.
Can do that, can't we? Course we can, Nanny.
I appreciate your coming down to say it.
I do, really.
Thank you.
Well, I'll say good night then.
Good night.
Hello Mama.
Com Matilda Wickham, to the best of my knowledge over three years, is a clean person of honest disposition who will make a very good head nurse.
In the nursery, she's regular and tidy in her habits, skilled at mending, conscientious with laundry and does not stand nonsense.
Also, Matilda Wickham is possessed of all her own teeth so will not frighten the children with dentures.
Mrs.
Horace Chambers of Kensington On matters regarding the children, you will refer to me and on all other matters to Mrs.
McClusky, my housekeeper.
As well as the general staff, there is a nursery maid to assist you and I expect the nursery to be run quietly and efficiently.
We entertain a great deal.
Yes, ma'am.
There'll be no friends calling at the house and you'll sleep in the nursery with the children.
Do you have any questions? Should I refer to you on matters of the children's clothing and diet, ma'am? I was speaking of specific problems, Miss Wickham, not day-to-day trivialities.
Yes, maâam.
And at what time do you prefer to see the children in the afternoon? It depends entirely upon my other engagements.
And when can I take my day off, please? First Sunday in the month may be convenient.
I usually visit my family every Sunday, madame.
You may have the first Sunday in a month and every Sunday afternoon.
Thank you.
New nanny's just arrived.
You better get upstairs or you'll be in trouble even quicker than you was with the last one.
Itâs not fair.
Thought I was gonna be head nurse.
Thought I was going to be Empress of China! Funny old life, isnât it? Ask Cook to let me have the weeks menu by this afternoon.
What? Only the nursery meals, of course.
Nurse Bailey never wanted menus.
Well, then perhaps we can discuss the idea later.
Children generally like to know.
Hello.
Now you must be let me see You must be Thomas? No, that's Miss Harriet.
Thank you, Pringle.
Well, in that case, Iâd very much like to meet Thomas.
Would you run and fetch him for me? I'll come down to discuss nurse arrangements at 4 o'clock? Just as you like.
Ah, now you must be Thomas.
How do you do? You smell like a tart.
This has been donated by his Lordship the Earl of Amansworth, a pig worth three guineas to the winner of the May Day Hog Ride.
To sell or slaughter as he pleases.
I'm instructed to say the that if Lord William wins the pig again this year, he will donate the pig to be roasted for the delight of you all this evening.
The winner will be the first man to snatch the garland from the Maypole and reward it to the lady of his choice.
Youâre the most beautiful woman here.
And I'll be the angriest if you dare present me with that pose in front of all these corpers.
I'm as disgraced as it is.
Then I'll keep it and present it to you later.
Did you see that? I swear of you both.
Heâll win To your places, gentlemen.
On the first! On the second! Andâ¦.
I suppose I'm the reason his Lordships sitting over there.
Are you sure you want to be seen talking to me? You could lose your job as well.
His Lordship feels your presence here with a little one is an embarrassment.
It's his grandson, for goodness sake.
And the family will never forgive you for it.
Well, they may have dismissed me from the service but they'll not dismiss me from the village.
Not while William wants me here.
So, which sort of tart do you think I smell like then, Tom? Apple or Jam? I don't know.
It's funny that.
I always thought I smelled of good soap and water, not Treacle pudding.
I don't mind, it's quite nice smell.
He didn't mean anything bad.
I'm sure he didn't.
I'm just curious to know what he did mean.
I don't know.
It's just something father said.
Really? Well, all I know is that people who listen at doors grrow big ears.
We weren't listening at doors.
We couldn't help it.
He was shouting loud.
Shut up.
She's a servant.
She is the cat's mother.
I am Nanny and you stand in the corner for five minutes until you learn to be a gentleman who does not hit his sister.
Well, go on.
Nah, nah, don't care, it's nice to care.
That's enough from you, young lady.
Change the baby now, shall I? Thank you.
What's he done now? Oh, nothing that can't be mended.
That'll make a change.
Nasty little brat he is and she's a right little care! Pringle? What? Come with me.
What's the matter? What have I done? If ever hear you speak like that in front of the children again Should hear what they said to me sometimes, hoity toity little Pringle! One more word out of you and you'll hear what I can say sometimes I was brought up down on Commercial Road.
I can manage.
Fowler, I thought I asked you to make sure that Nanny Collins was given help with the baby coach? Yes, your Ladyship.
Then why have I just seen her struggling by herself? The offer of assistance was made, your Ladyship, more than once.
I see.
Very well.
Thank you, Fowler.
George, you must talk to her.
Who? Nanny Collins.
You must tell her she's not to try to do all these things by herself anymore.
Good Lord, I wouldn't dare.
Besides, if she won't listen to Fowler you certainly won't listen to me.
For Heaven's sake.
She'd tell cook not to let me have kippers for a year for impertinence.
There you are, you see? The perfect opportunity to kill two birds with one stone.
What? Reverend Wilks from the Devon Estate asking if we can find wholesome employment for the deserving daughter of one of your tenants.
Morning Reverend.
Morning Lydia.
Cherio.
Bye.
Rubin, stop chasing that bird and get inside and cleaned up before momma has a fit.
Learned anything yet? I'm sorry, Lydia, Look, letters only went off only a few days ago.
You mustn't be too disappointed.
We'll hear something soon.
It doesn't have to be a grand job.
Just something that would I know old Mr.
Tugoran is looking for help with his sheep now that his sons gone.
Yes! And I wouldn't be any better off that I am here, would I? At least of what Sally Tucker has to say about old Mr Begging your pardon, Vicar.
Something will turn up.
I'm sure of it.
What was all that about? Just passing the time of day.
Replaced Nanny with a bumpkin? No, George, encourage a nice young girl to advance herself whilst giving Nanny some assistance.
Out of the question.
Nanny's been bringing up babies for 50 years.
Good grief, she brought me up.
Yes, and a very good job she did too, dear but Connie, when Nanny needs help, she'll ask for it.
You shouldn't have come, Mr.
Hackford? They'll throw you out as well, if they knew.
Now old Hammond retired early and the doctors were their grace.
I needed to make sure you were all right.
They wouldn't let me have a part of his life and they couldn't let me have just a little part of his death.
You have more of his life than anyone else.
Oh, my God, they going to give me the music.
Stop that! I said stop! We've got not arguement with thee, Hackford.
And you have none with Miss Randall.
She's a whore and we'll play music every night for as long as we choose.
Til she takes her wrongdoing back where she came from.
She has a young baby.
Aye, she has.
Get your things together.
You'd better come back with me to Harmondsworth Hall.
You'll be alright there.
I've nodded off enough in that chair myself before now.
I've lived here since I was 14, Mr Hackford.
Can't go back home to Ireland.
No, I know.
First time in my life, I don't know what to do.
Get yourself away from here as fast as you can.
Get another job now, start again.
Another job? With no references? Middle girls don't need letters.
They need to eat though.
I've not but a flower left in the world.
Nothing you can sell? Only my mum's locket.
Not even real gold, who'll buy that, ay? Would you take three shillings for it? I'll be grateful.
Henmos Rug would give you a ride in the cart as far as Doncaster tomorrow.
He's taking his niece to the canal.
Where does the canal go? All the way to London.
I do find it most peculiar.
Some people in this country think it's not quite the done thing for a well-bred woman to feed her own baby.
Can you imagine? The first Lady Lamson Scribner brought in a wet nurse for the Master Hugh.
Did she? What a shame.
And I gave him the bottle after that.
Really? Still I seem to have plenty of milk so I don't think you'd be troubled on that account more than occasionally.
Will your Ladyship bring up his wind or shall I be permitted? Thank you, Mrs.
Collins.
Want to go to Nanny? Go on.
Up up up.
George, I have nothing against the woman.
Well, then.
But she is gonna become a danger to herself the more to the point, to Ivo.
But you just told me she didn't boil the kettle.
Because she was afraid to, George.
She doesn't trust herself to handle boiling water.
Hope she doesn't mind cold tea.
That's not the point.
What if there were an accident? What about when Ivo starts crawling.
If she can't look after herself, how is she gonna look after him? Confounded Connie, send up one of the housemaids or something.
No, I want her.
She's of honest and kindly disposition, robust constitution, experienced in looking after children having largely brought up eleven brothers and sisters, eleven, good Lord.
She is one of your own tenants who is desperate to better herself and comes highly recommended by one of your own parish priests.
He's a vicar, not a priest.
I don't care if he's the Pope.
Do I or do I not have your agreement to send for this Lydia Weston? No, she isn't going.
I do wish you would consider it, Mr.
Weston.
Lydia is being offered an excellent position in one of the finest houses in London.
She's needed here.
Jeremiah finishes school this summer and Suzanne is home from Tivitan's soon.
Go and get your hens fed.
It wouldn't be forever, Dad.
Oh, yes it would.
Cuz I say so.
You leave this house and you're no child of mine.
It's alright, Ma.
I won't go.
It'd be different if Jeremiah weren't such a lazy begger.
Daft idea really.
I'm sorry.
It was just an idea.
I didn't mean to upset you.
How old am I, Lydia? I don't know.
I never really thought about it? I'm 39.
I met Joe when I was 17.
And not one bright year since.
39, Lydia.
And I'm like a worn out horse that's good for nothing but the nackers, you heard.
You'll stay here and first you be in love with Johnny Watson.
then you'll wed him and then before you know it, your a rag like me.
You can go to London, my girl.
You go with your fancy ladyship.
You wear the pretty clothes and you wash face in warm water.
And you learn nice manners and be with nice people.
And then you put on one of them pretty frocks and you get one of them photographs took and you send it to me.
And I'll put it over the mantlepiece in there and when people ask, I'll say that's my Lydia who got herself out of this muck and made something of herself.
And just once in my life, I'll have someone to be proud of.
Now you go back and pack your bags this minute.
Please, Nanny, don't cry.
I am not crying.
I thought I'd given you a good service, Master George.
You have Nanny, best in all the world.
I suppose I could go and live with my neice in Bournemouth.
I don't want you to go anywhere.
We merely want to get someone to help you.
I don't need help.
We don't want you working so hard at your age.
You think I can't manage any more.
They should come in here ordering me about their silly new ideas.
No one's going to order you about.
She's a village girl.
She knows absolutely nothing.
You're gonna have to tell her everything.
You're still Nanny but now you'll be Head Nanny, that's all.
Truth? Cross my heart and hope to die.
Miss Weston? I'm Gibbons.
I got the carriage outside take you to Berkeley Square.
Thank you very much, sir.
Do you need a hand with those? No thanks, I can manage.
How did you know it's me.
Just a guess.
I've got to take these myself.
I'll take you up to the nursery first.
Miss Lydia Weston.
sir.
How do you do, Miss Weston? Your Lordship.
My mum, Mrs.
Weston, begs to be remembered and sends these to your wife with kind thanks for giving me this position.
It's a dozen new laid eggs and a quart of clotted cream because she thinks she might not have any in London.
Lydia, this is Mr.
Fowler, the Butler.
Her Ladyship is particularly fond of clotted cream, Lydia.
I will convey your mother's gift and good wishes to her at the earliest opportunity.
Thank you, sir You're playing with fire, Ned.
Only way to keep warm, mate.
Trust me.
Oh, making a proper circus of it, are we? Why not? Lot of people coming tonight.
So I hear.
Word is you're out to make a bit of a monkey out of me.
No, no, no, you heard it wrong, see.
Were out make a bit of money out of you.
Let you know what it feels like.
Snot nosed little Save it for tonight, Mr Flynn.
Yeah, I will.
Is that today's menu, Pringle? Yeah, and um, you've got a letter.
Thank You.
Watson pie with creamed potatoes.
Stained lemon pudding.
That all sounds most satisfactory.
Who's it from? Why Cook, of course.
Tom.
Harriet.
Run along.
Let Pringle help you get washed while I get Imogene up.
Ow! Stand still then you little Who'd she get letters from then, Tom? I don't know.
You're hurting me.
Stop being a baby.
You'll have to read it then, won't you? Like you'd do all the others? I don't.
Of course you do.
So you knew what Nanny Bailey was up to behind our backs.
Ow! Look, stop it Pringle.
You're hurting her.
Go on then, off have at it.
I want to use lavatory.
Hurry up then.
Go away first.
Why? What have you got worth hiding? Go away! Get on with it.
I'll tell Nanny.
What, do you think she'll do about it, aye? She don't care about you.
She be off with a young man as soon as she can.
She won't! Of course she will.
Why would she want to stay with a nasty little brat like you for? Are you gonna get on with it or do I have to do it for you? You should be paying two shillings a week but the bed is big and the baby is little.
One shilling a week.
Should be paying me to stay in this mess.
What did you say? I don't understand.
Oh nothing.
Are you foreign? I'll take it, Mrs.
Bronowski.
And you pay in advance.
I'm very glad you have nice children to look after.
I've made up a poem for your young gentlemen.
There was a young fellow called Tom Who learned how to play on a drum.
The noise of his toy annoyed all the big boys So they sent him back where he came from.
That's you! Will write again soon.
Your loving brother, Jack.
Has he made a poem for me? I'm sure it will next time.
And Tom, if you want to read my letters, then do wash your hands first You've left modeling glue all over this one.
Afternoon.
Afternoon Nanny.
We don't know her.
We don't talk to common strangers.
When did you last eat? Mmm, yesterday.
Skin and bone is no good for a fat baby.
What are you doing in Limehouse, London anyway, if you please? Looking for work.
Blacknose high quality ladies garment manufacturers around the corner They're looking for stitchers but the note is up this morning if you are fast maybe there's a job left.
Thank you, I'll see them this afternoon.
And what do you do with the baby, heh? Strapped him to your back.
I really don't know Mrs.
um Bronowski.
You're so stupid.
Look, 10 pence an week and I look after Billy till you get work.
Then 6 pence a week.
Really? And this afternoonfor nothing.
He's, how do you say, a rare fighting boy.
I take good care of him.
Thank you.
And we'll take good care of each other, hmm? To whom it may concern.
Hannah Randall has been employed in my household as my personal maid for two years and is of an upright, decent and moral character.
She's precise and tidy in her habits and faithful and hardworking in her duties.
Signed the Countess of Harmonsworth Are you mad? It's the only way, Dan.
I had to tell him it was a gang of us clubbing together.
He'd never have offered 10 to 1 if he learned that it was just my money.
Where'd you get 10 guineas? Sold the market pitch.
Sold everything I own.
I make a hundred guineas.
I can start a proper business with that.
Got alot of faith in yourself, don't you? As if I was the angel Gabriel.
We're not done yet, little one.
Your rose is by that family and I swear I'll get it for you.
I make that one hundred guineas, Mr.
Flynn.
All bets are off.
Do what? You heard.
That'll teach you to fight dirty.
That was a fair fight and you know it.
Pay what's owed, Flynn.
Get your hands off me.
Poles Surrender! You're quick with the ad, I'll give you that Advertisements only been in a couple of hours.
I'm very anxious to find employment, mum.
Well it's lighting fires and scrubbing below stairs.
6 til 2 3 shillings a week and a hot dinner.
Thank you, mum.
Not so fast.
Let's have a look at your character.
What are you doing going for a daily woman? Says here you was a lady's maid.
Family commitments, mum.
Can't live in with an aging mother to care for.
You brought your mother over from Ireland, have you? What? Well, you're not from around here, are you? No, I could hardly leave her there and take care of her from here, could I? Why did you leave your last position? Good job, good family.
You're not a Papist, are you? No, no I am I'd rather not say personal reasons Oh yes, well it's easy found out if I totally Look, I'm after a job as a skivvy, that's all.
I think I better show this to Mrs.
Delancey, don't you? She's old friends with Lady Harmon No! I find this constant procession of nursemaids quite intolerable.
As do the children, no doubt.
Good day.
If you hear of a girl who would make a reliable maid for number five, I will tell her to get in touch with you.
Good day.
Good day.
Lydia.
Yes, Nanny? Are we ploughing the 10 acre meadow? No, Nanny.
Now then, shoulders back.
That's it.
Oh, what have I told you? Too much movement causes weakness of the brain.
You were probably moved about a great deal, I dare say.
Now then Ooh, look.
He chewed right through his ribbon.
You have to tap his fingers if you see him doing that.
I don't like to, he's only tiny.
Doing what we like is not always doing what is right.
Yes, Nanny So you can put your hat and coat on again and go and fetch half a yard of Satine fancy from the haberdashers.
Put it on the account.
Sky Blue 3/8 wide Yes, Nanny.
Go straight then and back across the park and do not speak to strangers.
No, Nanny.
Come on.
It's alright now.
Fifteen more notices to go.
They'll all be gone before I get there.
And they all miserable old bats that are cut by their old misses and I gotta get a husband and got no money.
And my feet are killing me and I'm afraid fed up with London that I could kill it.
Mmm.
There's a maids job going up in Berkeley Square.
Number Five.
Don't know their names but they all good households around here.
I'm in number 17.
Lord and Lady Lamson-Scribener.
Just a thought.
Thank you Don't thank me.
I hope you get it.
It'd be nice to have someone under 90 nearby.
Anyway, best get on before I get to shuttled out.
Bye.
Bye.
I see.
Hannah Randall, madam.
She appears neat and well-spoken and has excellent references from Harmonsworth Hall.
Where? Oh, what are you doing in London, Miss Randall? Lady Harmon closed up the house went abroad after a personal tragedy, ma'am.
There are a few other houses of quality in the area.
True.
May I ask how you heard of this position? It has not been advertised, as yet.
A member of the Lamson-Scribener household informed me, ma'am.
I see.
As you please, Mrs.
Simmons.
18 pound per anum found including uniform and Sunday best.
One half day off per week.
The servants trip to Ramsgate in July.
Present bags to start first thing Monday.
I don't know what it's like in Yorkshire but you won't find better wages or conditions in London.
I wasn't expecting to live in.
Well, you're no use as a nursemaid if you don't.
Do you want the job or not? For what we are about to receive, may the Lord make us truly grateful.
Amen.
You may begin.
We'll fiinish after the first mouthful, by the look of it.
Nanny Bailey says that (unknown) Really? Well, Nanny Wickham says that small nursery folk will learn nothing at all if there dead from starvation.
Pringle, would you go down the kitchen, please? Ask Cook if she would be so kind as to cut some sandwiches for us.
Me? Cold beef, if there's some.
Or otherwise cheese would do nicely.
Ned? I've been looking for you all day.
Been wrestling these boys.
And for good reason to.
Lenny Flynn's dead.
What? Didn't get up after you walloped him.
I'm telling you Ned, if you're on speaking terms with the angel Gabriel now's the time to start talking.
Right, would somebody like to tell me what's going on? I sent you down for sandwiches a good 30 minutes ago.
Where are they? They asked about me and got talking.
I haven't asked yet.
I'm sorry.
I haven't got time to cut sandwiches, dear.
You can see what it's like.
Mrs.
McClusky.
Mrs.
St.
John gave me to understand that Pringle is exclusively my nursery maid.
I would be grateful if we could all remember that.
You might have been exclusive in your last house, Nanny.
but here when Madame orders a big dinner party, at the drop of a hat, we all try to muck in.
I see.
Well in that case, I'm sure you won't mind Pringle taking up a corner of the table to make our sandwiches.
But if the nursery lunch had been less miserly it wouldn't be necessary.
Of course, Nanny.
Thank you.
Better make sure you make them sandwiches nice and exclusive.
No, it's my turn.
You had a chance.
It's my doll.
It's my turn to do it.
Oh hell.
Ah, good afternoon, Captain Tom.
Princess Harriet.
Nanny.
Chap of the mess just came back from Paris last week.
Oh yes.
Said it's magnificent at this time of year.
Only place in the world for people like us.
Like us, Captain Mason? People have culture, Mrs.
St.
John.
Oh.
Harry, you are wicked.
Not as wicked as I'd like to be.
Arnold.
How do? I'd rather you didn't.
Sarah spent ages untangling it.
Alright.
Arnold, I have to get ready to go out.
Get your boots off the table.
Sorry.
It's what the devil sees.
The only time you put your boots on the table are when they lay out a dead man wearing them.
Put your feet in that.
Stops sores.
So, did you get the job? Yes I did.
That's good.
And I can't take it.
Why not? I just can't Your job is not good enough for you? Oh, Mrs.
Bronowski, there is so much you don't know.
Don't count on it.
You think I'm stupid You think I take a girl alone with a baby in my house and not know various troubles somewhere? You think I don't go through your things? You think there's nothing worse in the world than forging a stupid letter.
I nearly got found out today.
One of the houses knew my last employer, threatened to Telegraph them.
Did they call the Police? No, no I grabbed the letter ran as I could.
So, what story? But you said you did get a job? 18 pounds a year looking after someone else's kids as a nursemaid.
The Queen of Sheba cannot look after a couple of kids.
It's living in, Mrs.
B.
I can't, not with Billy.
Queen of Sheba is too mean to pay sixpence a week for his keep here.
I won't leave him.
I've not come all this way to abandon him now.
Then get out of my house, both of you.
What? You know why I took you in for stupid shilling a week? Because I look at you and I see me.
I see a woman who don't give up.
For that, you got respect.
For that you got get fresh air to keep you walking for jobs.
Keep you lucky.
I had a baby once.
What? In famine, Every day, I would walk from Dansk ten miles to take potatoes left in fields.
Eat some, sell some.
Steal a little milk.
Steal an egg.
Every day, hide my baby in the woods.
Every night, come back for him.
What happened? Cossacks found him.
I didn't have no Mrs.
Bronowski to look after me.
Shall I order a supper tray to Madam's room later, sir? No, thank you.
Mrs.
St.
John will probably go on to dine after the theater.
Very good, sir.
God almighty.
Mrs.
McClusky? Sorry to bother you so late.
Could I have a word? What about? About the way we work together.
Look, I really don't like the idea of the household and the nursery being at odds with each other.
Neither do I.
I realize that you may have had problems with other nannies in past but I'm in the house now and let me assure you I'm gonna stay and do the best job a possibly can.
Right.
It means all it requires is that you and I are straightforward and honest about what we want and expect from each other.
Can do that, can't we? Course we can, Nanny.
I appreciate your coming down to say it.
I do, really.
Thank you.
Well, I'll say good night then.
Good night.
Hello Mama.