Truelove (2024) s01e01 Episode Script

1
(breathes deeply)
-(footsteps approaching)
-(inhales sharply)
-(door knob rattles)
-(door opens)
MUSIC:
"Queen Bitch" by David Bowie.
# Ah yeah #
(wind whooshing)
# She's an old-time ambassador
# Of sweet talking
Night walking games
# Oh and she's known
In the darkest clubs
# For pushing ahead of the dames
# If she says she can do it
Then she can do it
# She don't make false claims
# But she's a queen
And such a queen
# Such a laughter
Is sucked in their brains
# Now she's leading him on
And she'll lay him right down
# Yes, she's leading him on
And she'll lay him right down
# But it could have been me
Yes, it could have been me
# Why didn't I say?
Why didn't I say?
# No, no, no
# She's so swishy
In her satin and tat
# In her frock coat
And bipperty-bopperty hat
# Oh God
I could do better than that #
(music concludes)
-(soft music playing)
-(all) # To Him I called
# He to my rescue came
# The hosts of God
# Encamp around
-# The dwellings #
-Oh, hello.
-# of the just #
-# Of the just
-# Deliverance He #
-# Deliverance He #
(indistinct whispering)
Dennis Albert Wilkins.
Dennis.
-Den.
-(Phil sighs)
(Belinda)
Den was born in Bristol, in 1944.
He was the third of four children
and was, by all accounts,
"the quiet one".
-And Den's life was
-(huffs)
a quiet one, too.
School. The Scouts.
That was just Den.
Den joined in and played his part,
all the way
Dennis. It's Dennis.
It was never Den.
Oh. Oh, I'm so sorry.
It's fine. Just Dennis, please.
Of course.
-(gulps nervously)
-(all chuckle softly)
Dennis was apprenticed
into the purchasing department
of Lewis's. He was only young.
Very soon, he rose in the ranks.
-(birds squawking)
-(bell tolling in distance)
(indistinct chatter in distance)
(Belinda) We meet in the name
of Jesus Christ
who died
and was raised to pray for you.
-(Phil sighs)
-(urine trickling)
-Don't mind me.
-(Ken) Oh, shit.
(sighs)
Nothing I haven't seen before.
Prostate.
I have to go every 20 minutes.
What's your excuse?
Can't do the grave bit.
The soil hitting the lid.
-Give me cremation any day.
-(Ken chuckles)
It's good to see you, Ken.
-How long has it been?
-Must be, what, 15?
-Twenty, even.
-Don't.
You know those things
aren't good for you.
-These?
-(Ken) Mm.
That's what I've read.
(exhales sharply)
On the bright side,
the pub looks decent.
-(sighs deeply)
-Oh, come on.
-(Ken whispering) Nah.
-It'll be fun.
(indistinct chatter)
Tea?
-Gin and tonic, please.
-Tanqueray, Hendrick's, Sipsmith?
-Pipehouse, Hayman's Victory?
-Just a large one.
-Oh.
-(Ken chuckles softly)
-And for you, sir?
-Er, orange juice, please.
-Thank you.
-Oh, no, you don't.
-(laughs)
-Tom.
Two pints of your best bitter,
please.
-Oh, no no. I
-Well
-How often do we all get together?
-Not often.
Never is how often.
This could easily be the last time.
Don't say that.
We're going to give him
a proper send-off.
Two scotches
with the pints and, er
Another large gin, then? (chuckles)
(sighs)
When did you last see him?
I'm ashamed to say, years.
-Me? Two weeks ago.
-How was he?
It wasn't him by then.
It was cancer cells
-versus cancer drugs.
-(tuts)
They had to lift him to
(gulps) wipe him.
You could see his bones
beneath his skin.
You wouldn't let your dog suffer
like that.
If I get anywhere near that,
please take me out the back
and shoot me.
(David laughs)
-What are friends for?
-(David) Yes.
-(Ken chuckles)
-(David) Hey.
Ken could do it for all of us
with his SAS training.
I wasn't SAS. Engineers.
That's what you would say
if you were SAS.
I mean how did they let you in?
Captain America to the rescue.
Ken's mum was as British
as you are.
I'm only teasing.
Tom, what did our old mum
used to say?
"If you can't say anything nice,
-don't say anything at all".
-"Don't say anything at all".
-(chuckles)
-Er, world snooker final,
1980, quickly.
Who played in that final?
-(inhales) The
-(David) No, no, no, no. Ken?
What? (sighs) I don't know.
-Phil? Tom?
-Alex Hurricane Higgins and
-Cliff Thorburn, Canadian.
-(exclaims)
-Bushy moustache.
-(David) Yes.
-(chuckles softly) Hmm.
-So, what?
Everybody remembers that final.
Bank holiday Monday, news flash.
We're interrupting this program
to bring you breaking news.
-The Iranian Embassy siege.
-We're all glued to the snooker.
You're taking out terrorists
with your SAS mates.
(chuckles) Or someone
who looked very like you.
-It's good to see you again, David.
-(chuckles awkwardly)
-(indistinct laughter, cheering)
-Thank you very much.
(indistinct chatter)
-You! (laughs)
-(Tom) The man indeed.
Somebody get a picture of this
for posterity.
-David buying a round.
-(David) Oh.
No no. To be serious,
just just one minute.
-Could it be done?
-(soft music playing)
Could we not help each other
when the time comes,
-make a more elegant exit?
-(chuckles)
-You're not still on this, are you?
-Don't be so morbid.
You'd need a really good premed.
Get properly mellow.
David could prescribe it.
I wrote my last prescription
a decade ago.
But why not? Really?
Because you never get away with it.
That's why not.
Old person dies.
Not exactly headline news.
-(all chuckle)
-People get away with it every day.
I could take you now to the houses
of people who got away with it.
Oh, that was then.
I mean, with respect,
the forensics these days
It's moved on since your day, Phil.
-Oh, yes.
-(Ken chuckles)
The beautiful pathologist deduces
the whole thing from a molecule.
-(chuckles)
-You watch too much TV.
We do watch a lot of television.
Well, you do, Marion.
Speak for yourself.
Detectives, true crimes,
anything with a psychopath.
-(Ken chuckles)
-Oh, what about mobile phones?
-CCTV?
-So, do it where there's no CCTV.
All the forensics in the world
can do nothing
with a truly random act.
Thirty-seven years of policing
taught me that.
But it would still have to be done.
You know, done, done. Ken?
(Ken sighs deeply)
Great. Ken can bump us off.
Phil can cover it up. Sorted.
(all laugh)
MUSIC: "The Air That I Breathe"
by The Hollies.
-(David) Cheers.
-(Tom) To Dennis.
-(indistinct laughter, cheering)
-(David) Dennis, the tennis.
-(laughs)
-They've still got a minute.
-(laughs)
-# and to love you #
-(whispering) What is happening?
-(laughing) I
(all) # All I need is the air
That I breathe #
-(bell rings)
-(imitates guitar)
Time, ladies and gents, please.
That's time.
We're residents,
doesn't apply to us.
Give Give me your tie, David.
-Ken.
-What?
Ties, gentlemen, please.
I asked how the pub got its name.
The true lover's knot.
Legend has it
that the landlord's daughter
(breathes deeply) fell in love
with a shepherd boy.
(all) Aw.
The landlord was dead against it.
He said it could never be.
So, the young couple,
broken-hearted,
-hanged themselves from
-(others groan)
(Tom) from a mulberry tree.
They took their own lives
so they could be together forever.
-(both) Oh.
-Romantic, isn't it?
-(Phil hesitates)
-(Tom) The true lover's knot.
It means love,
faithful even beyond death.
We all have to promise.
Give me your hands.
-# You need hands to hold #
-(all chuckle)
-(laughing) You're drunk, David.
-(Tom chuckles)
And you're ugly, Marion,
but in the morning, I'll be sober.
-(chuckles)
-Ugh. David.
-(Marion) Mm.
-It's Churchill.
-I'm quoting Winston Churchill.
-(Phil sighs)
We all need to promise
to swear
that if the call comes
if any of us need it
we'll step up.
We'll help each other
across the threshold.
We'll do it out of love.
-True love!
-(all) True love!
True love! True love!
(all laugh)
-(thud)
-(David groans)
Mind your head, everyone. Oh, God.
-(hums)
-(indistinct chatter)
-(Marion) Good night, Phil.
-(Phil) Good night, Marion.
-(Marion) Night, Ken.
-(Ken) Good night.
(breathes deeply)
(keys jangling)
You coming in for a nightcap?
You have a minibar?
I don't have a minibar.
I don't have a minibar.
Oh.
Oh.
(sighs)
-I don't know, Phil.
-What don't you know?
I might have to sleep on the floor
if you don't have
an orthopaedic mattress.
I don't care where you sleep.
(Tom) I've lost my room key.
(chuckling) To be honest,
I think I've had too much to drink.
-(Ken chuckles softly)
-Oh, found it. (laughs)
Oh, dear.
(door opens, closes)
Good night, Ken.
Night, Phil.
(birds chirping in distance)
-(Phil breathes deeply)
-(clock ticking)
(sheep bleat)
MUSIC: "The Weight" by The Band.
(groans softly)
Oh, Christ.
# I pulled into Nazareth
# I was feeling about
A half past dead
# I just need some place
Where I can lay my head
# Hey, mister, can you tell me
-# Where a girl might find a bed? #
-(police siren wailing)
-# He just grinned and shook #
-(Phil) Oh, shit.
# my hand
And no was all he said #
(exhales sharply)
# Take a load off, Fanny
Take a load for free
-# Take a load off, Fanny #
-(tyres screech softly)
# And, and, and
You put the load right on me
(music concludes)
(Phil tuts, huffs)
-(car door closes)
-(birds chirping)
-Good morning.
-Morning, madam.
Trouble taking off?
Was I maybe going too, er, fast?
(breathes deeply) Sorry.
I've got to get back
to see my grandchildren.
Hmm,
had you been celebrating something?
We buried an old friend yesterday.
-I'm sorry.
-(Phil) Thank you.
You maybe had something to drink?
This morning?
Not so much as a cup of coffee.
And last night?
-Yeah, just one long
-(Phil blows)
(PC Harding) Keep blowing.
-Keep blowing.
-(device beeps)
-Keep blowing.
-I'm 72.
Don't have much breath left.
-Didn't get it. It needs to reset.
-(sighs)
-You're Dorset Police?
-(PC Harding) Mm-hmm.
How's Ed Cavender?
Still Chief Constable?
(sighs) A bit before my time.
Kate Wilkins?
She must be
pretty senior there now.
Ready for you.
-(touchpad clacking)
-Look, you should never
ever Google yourself.
But (breathes deeply)
here. Well, take a look.
Philippa Leach.
Deputy Chief Constable,
Seven District. 1996, 2009.
First woman to make that rank.
Should have been chief,
but the boys' club kept me out.
I joined before
the Sex Discrimination Act.
We weren't even allowed
to drive a panda car.
What's a panda car?
(sighs)
How's this gonna play
at the station?
-Blue on blue?
-(scoffs)
Please?
Look, is there someone
that can come and get you?
Yes, absolutely.
But, like, now? Cos, they monitor
our movements, GPS.
-Yes, thank you.
-Okay.
-Good call. Great call.
-Just get on with it.
(mouths) Thank you.
(car engine revs)
(Phil) You're a lifesaver.
I was halfway
through a full English.
We thought you were still in bed.
Couldn't face the post-mortem.
Well, I've felt better.
(breathes deeply)
Listen, I'm sorry about last night.
I, erm shouldn't have.
I was drunk obviously.
Well, I wasn't far behind you.
Well?
Don't leave it so long next time.
Where are you going?
Home.
You can't get back in the car.
Who's gonna stop an old lady
driving within the speed limit?
I can't let you do that.
Bacon roll, cup of tea,
and you're on your way.
Non-negotiable.
-(ducks squawking)
-(traffic whizzing)
(munching)
I haven't had one of these since
-John Major.
-(laughs)
(munches)
-(water splashes)
-(duck squawking)
That's Albert. He's six.
That's Alex, Alexandra.
She's just nine.
Those old names
are coming back, huh?
You got
any of these creatures yet?
I've got one on the way.
-My son's wife is expecting.
-Lovely for you.
I'm not really in their lives.
I send gifts, though.
You can always reset.
-It's never too late.
-(chuckles wistfully)
You've got something
on your Here.
(sombre music playing)
(Phil) See you at the next funeral.
-Unless it's yours.
-Or yours.
(sighs)
(birds chirping)
(door creaks)
(music fades)
Hi!
Hiya! I'm in here.
-(Phil) How were the kids?
-They were great.
They missed you.
Oh, you little minx.
-(cards rustle over laptop)
-(Phil kisses)
Got you something.
Have I been good
or have you been bad?
Both. We had far too much to drink.
How was the funeral?
-He was dead. We buried him.
-(tap water splashing)
(Nigel) Who was there?
David and Marion, Tom.
The old gang.
Ken Holding?
Mm-hmm. (gulps) He was.
Marion's getting
increasingly vague.
She's always been vague.
Sorry, in the middle
of a rather spicy hand.
-Who are you playing with?
-(Nigel) Marcia from Albuquerque.
She rides roughshod
over conventions.
Oh, that's outrageous.
-She always does this.
-(keyboard clacking)
-(indistinct chatter)
-(door bell ringing)
-Hi, er, Barbara.
-(Monty whines)
(Ken) There he is, the Monty boy.
How was he?
-(Barbara) Good as gold.
-(Ken chuckles)
(Barbara) Can I have him
-when you pop your clogs?
-(Ken laughs)
Well, if I go first.
You will. Women go on forever.
Right. Erm
-Thank you.
-Anytime.
And not just Monty.
You know where I am.
(indistinct chatter)
(wistful music playing)
-(Monty huffs)
-(birds chirping)
(door lock rattles)
(exhales sharply)
(munches)
-(birds chirping)
-(music fades)
-(Kate) Two bedrooms, conservatory.
-I've got a six
(Kate) Oh, it's got a garage. Hmm.
-(letterbox clatter)
-(post thuds)
-I'll get that.
-No, can we just stay with this
-while we're all here?
-Look, this one's nice.
A bungalow's a bungalow.
Well, what more do we
actually need at our age?
Need? I like this house.
Us downsizing is the best chance
for Kate to get back
on the property ladder.
-While we slide down it.
-Yeah, it's not for me, Mum.
-It's for the kids.
-So?
Maybe give the marriage another go.
-Isn't that what we did?
-Is it?
Apart from blasting into space,
divorce is the most
expensive thing you can do.
Yeah, we've been through this, Mum.
Everybody knows it goes bungalow,
hospice, crematorium.
I'm going to get the post.
(Nigel sighs)
(birds chirping)
(Phil) Oh, God.
(sighs)
(sentimental music playing)
(gasps softly)
(exhales)
(door opens)
(music fades)
(dog barking in distance)
Do you think I could have a glance
at the post before you bin it?
It's all junk.
I ordered
this river cruising brochure.
We all know what you're doing
out here. It's not a secret.
-Maybe let me do it, then.
-(Nigel) It's bad for you.
What possible difference
can it make at this point?
Well, because we love you,
and we want you around
for as long as possible.
(rubbish bin lid thuds)
Will you come back in
and look at bungalows?
I'll make some coffee.
(reflective music playing)
(birds chirping)
(seagulls squawking)
(chuckles softly)
-(music fades)
-(utensils clatter)
So, what do you think?
Dementia? Heart disease?
It's got to be the big C,
hasn't it?
(Phil sighs)
Fiver says dementia.
(motorboat engine rumbles
in distance)
He's not seriously
(hesitates) We just can't play God.
Only God gets to play God.
Just a pity he isn't better at it.
Oh, Jesus.
(sighs)
The banal facts are
I've had a diagnosis.
Lymph, liver, pancreas.
"The full English",
one of the doctors called it.
(chuckles) We laughed.
(indistinct chatter)
-I'm so sorry, Tom.
-Don't be.
If you'd told me when we were kids
that at 75 I'd be living
by the sea,
sailing every week,
I'd have shaken your hand
there and then.
-(chuckles) Wouldn't you, Ken?
-I would.
I've been very lucky.
I just need to avoid
the wretched denouement.
(breathes deeply)
Hospital. Hospice. No thanks.
What about
(breathes deeply) Switzerland?
A Zurich suburb
surrounded by strangers.
When it could be friends.
Do you think
you might be rushing things?
I've got a month or two left.
(chuckles wistfully)
And that's it.
Well, I'm not talking
about a cure, but
Palliative care
is so much better these days.
I won't go like Dennis.
I just can't do that.
So help me.
Tom.
We we can't.
It's a lot to ask. I do know that.
But I also know you can do it.
You two can do anything.
And I I promise
to be good for you.
I was even hoping
it might be elegant.
Beautiful even.
There's no one I'd rather be with.
You're my oldest friends.
-Tom, I I'm sorry.
-I don't want your pity.
I want your help.
True love.
True love.
It was late. We were drinking.
It's something you say.
(melancholic music playing)
(tea cups clatter)
-Blast it.
-Tom.
Lovely seeing you as ever.
-Tom.
-Keep in touch.
Tom, wait!
(sighs)
See you then.
When?
Down here, I guess, when Tom
(sighs deeply)
Call me.
-I will.
-(Phil) No, you won't.
You don't have to wait
for someone to die, you know.
You can just call me.
(Ken chuckles softly)
(car engine revs)
A bet's a bet.
-(car engine rumbles)
-(tyres screech)
(chuckles, breathes deeply)
MUSIC: "Spring Wind" by Greg Brown.
-# Love calls like the wild birds
-# Love calls
-# It's another day
-# It's another day
# A spring wind blew my list of
-# Things to do away
-# Things to do away #
(drill machine whirrs)
# My friends are getting older
So I guess I must be too
# Without their loving kindness
I don't know what I'd do
# Oh, the wine bottle's half empty
# The money's all spent
# And we're a cross
Between our parents
# And hippies in a tent
-# Love calls like the wild birds
-# Love calls like the wild birds
-# It's another day
-# It's another day
# A spring wind blew my list of
-# things to do
-# things to do #
(Tom breathes shakily)
-# Away
-# Away #
-(music concludes)
-(microwaves whirrs)
(Monty whines)
-(microwave beeps)
-(rope creaks)
(wind whooshing)
(Tom grunts, groans)
(indistinct chatter)
Six pounds an hour
in a hospital car park.
(breathes deeply)
Sorry.
-Oh, hi.
-Hi.
(Phil) How is he?
Well (sobs softly)
He he's not good.
-It's all right.
-Sorry.
Come on,
let's get you a cup of tea.
Okay. (whispering) He's not good.
(sighs deeply)
Ready for this?
No.
(Tom breathes deeply)
(Ken) You look dapper.
Very Noel Coward.
The cravat was Marion's idea.
(breathes deeply) How are you?
Never better. Absolutely tip-top.
I'm on suicide watch
and do not resuscitate.
(chuckles)
-The little ironies.
-(door knocks)
That's Janice.
My counsellor.
We're to have a session every day.
Janice tells me I won't get
the rainbow without the rain.
I'm sure there'll be many,
many other gems like that. (scoffs)
-Tom.
-Please.
Phil. Ken.
All I'm saying is
walk it through with me.
I've got it all planned out.
We'll do it out on the boat.
Bristol Channel.
Come down for a recce.
A dress rehearsal.
And only if you're completely happy
with everything. Only then.
Please.
If you ever loved me.
(birds squawking)
You're not thinking about this.
How can you not?
You saw him.
Just theoretically.
I spent my working life
looking for the traces
people leave behind
when they do things.
Could I do something
and leave no trace?
Could you?
There's no CCTV at sea.
(exhales)
But say I can do my bit.
The thing itself would still have
to be done.
Could you do that?
Have you?
As a soldier.
A long time ago.
We're not talking about this.
Of course not.
(Ken breathes deeply)
But what's the harm
in just walking it through for him?
Day on the water.
Old friends just
being old friends.
(reflective music playing)
(Nigel) I'll see you later.
-Good luck.
-Might be a bit late
-if we get through to the final.
-Play well.
-(Nigel) What are you doing?
-Hair appointment.
-(Nigel) Oh, lovely.
-(keys jangling)
-(door opens)
-(Nigel) Bye.
(door slams shut)
(exhales)
You look the part.
We said dress rehearsal, Ken.
(music fades)
(Tom) So, we'll meet here.
A couple of miles out from shore,
but still well shy
of shipping lanes.
-How are you with coordinates?
-Fine on land.
Exactly the same at sea.
-(chuckles)
-Here are the keys.
The mooring number's on them.
I checked it, filled the tanks.
Everything's shipshape.
-(Ken) Whose boat, is it?
-An old friend's.
-He won't be using it.
-Can we be sure of that?
(breathes deeply)
He's been in a care home
for the past four years.
I look after his boat.
Obviously,
come the day we meet here,
but today is more relaxed.
I've got the picnic packed.
(all chuckle)
You don't have any allergies,
do you?
-Haven't gone vegan on me?
-(chuckles)
-Omnivore.
-(Phil) Same.
(Tom) We're very lucky.
It's a perfect day.
-(door creaks)
-(utensils clatter)
-(intricate music playing)
-(wind whooshing)
(seagulls squawking)
This is it.
-(music rises)
-(motor boat engines rumbles)
-Permission to come aboard.
-Permission granted.
(chuckles)
Would you venture a scotch egg?
(Ken chuckles)
And now,
for an old sea dog's trick.
(object clatters)
Oh. (chuckles)
(Ken laughs)
The perfect temperature.
-There you go.
-(Tom chuckles)
(all chuckle)
(Tom) A toast.
True love.
-True love.
-True love.
Couldn't be more perfect.
(breathes deeply)
Couldn't be happier.
It's still beautiful,
the old place.
"This precious stone
set in the silver sea".
Anybody?
-John O'Gaunt, Richard II.
-(Tom chuckles softly)
Very good.
"This blessed plot, this earth,
this realm, this England".
English A-level. In 1968.
-What did you get?
-An A.
(chuckles) Of course you did.
(Tom chuckles) Look at you two.
You really ought to
have been together, you know.
(Ken) Oh, stop, Tom.
Embarrassing, isn't it? Truth.
Still should be.
Still could be.
Well, I've said my piece.
(water splashes)
Let's show you how this is done.
(breathes shakily)
You you drop the sail like this,
there, and you tie the boom.
Now, for a bit of insurance
I'd say a round turn
and two half hitches
should suffice.
-Could you be so, yeah, please.
-(Ken sighs)
(Tom groans, breathes heavily)
A little tighter. That's it.
-Now, we open the sea cocks.
-Tom, wait.
(Tom)
Sometimes a little stiff piece.
-(Ken) Tom no, no.
-(Phil) You don't need to do that.
Then we say farewell.
So, come here,
-both of you.
-(Ken) The the water, Tom.
-I'm ready now. Do it now, please.
-(water splashing)
It's the recce, Tom.
The dress rehearsal.
No, it's not. This is it.
-It is the real thing.
-No, no, no.
Everything's gone perfectly,
-hasn't it?
-Tom, just wait.
If you don't do it now,
you never will.
We will. We'll take it back.
We'll iron some things out.
For Christ's sake, Ken.
-I don't care how.
-(Ken) Look
Just do it quickly.
-We promise you that we will.
-(Phil) Another day.
This is it. This is what
we've been planning for.
Please, Ken. Phil, please.
True love. True love.
(breathes shakily)
(wistful music playing)
(breathes shakily)
-Thank you. Thank you both.
-(kisses)
(Tom groans)
(kisses)
(Tom) Yes, it's okay.
It's okay.
(grunts)
(coughs, breathes heavily)
(breathes shakily)
(music concludes)