Lark Rise to Candleford (2008) s01e04 Episode Script

Mrs Arless! You can't hide forever.
Frank, get down! Frank! The people of Lark Rise and Candleford loved it well on their differences.
But the two communities had at least one thing in common.
They were hopeless places to keep a secret.
You two! Run! If there is one steadfast law, it's this.
The harder people sought to hide the truth, the more painful the discovery.
Episode 4 Look at this face.
You study it hard, because the next time you see this face, I'll be here to cart your ma off to debtors' prison for non-payment of arrears.
Birkenshaw And Flagstaff Creditors is terrible when roused.
And we've all had enough of her excuses.
We made short work of him, young Lizzie.
He'll be back.
Mrs Arless! You're in luck.
A letter for you arrived today.
- Postmark Caracas.
- Crackers! That's him.
Proper man of the world.
What's he got for me? He sends his love to you and the family.
And he he can't wait to get back home soon.
He hopes the baby's faring well.
And you, of course.
"A new cap-cap " I asked you to read my Walter's words, not your own, smart as they are.
That bit there.
Read that bit.
"I have a new captain aboard ship," "who's taken his two charming daughters across the Pacific " He'll write soon.
So in simple terms, for simple folk like me, he ain't coming home, he ain't got a penny for his family or his wife or his unborn child, cos he's too busy, isn't he, with the captain and his two charming daughters? I'm sure Mr Arless meant nothing by it.
I don't know, the fellow seems in no hurry to return.
Oh! We're under way.
Special guest over at the stores.
Dressed from Paris.
You might want to take a peep.
Come on! Look at that, hoity-toity.
Think they own the street.
Bless me! Hardly a stitch on! Shoo! I can't bear to look! Come on! Come on! # Oh, can we have a lot in here? # # Here, here # # Oh, can we have a lot in? # Whoa, whoa, whoa! Here.
Who are those ladies? Pratts, Pearl and Ruby.
Pearl and Ruby.
Jewels without price, I'm sure.
Pa Philip! Come on, what are you waiting for? What about Miss Lane? Miss Lane can go and hang for once, can't she? Come on! What was I thinking? Bunch of clowns! They probably escaped from Mr Barnum's circus.
Oi! Oi! Oi! Laura? Laura! Ma'am Congratulations! Shambolic as ever.
What were you thinking of? Ruby? Pearl I just I saw What? I saw a ghost.
Come on through.
We'll get you sat down.
Have a nice rest, eh? - I found him in the woods.
- Who is he? Trooper Ashlow at your service, ma'am.
Look at me, look.
Soaked to the bone.
Still, you have a splendid blaze going.
I shall be warm in a trice, just as soon as I get out of these wet clothes.
That's enough, Matthew.
Cover him up! Heavens! Sir - No, not the tablecloth! - Sir! - That's enough of that.
- He's lost his wits, poor fellow.
What is this place? Candleford.
You're quite safe.
- Zillah, fetch Dr Ingrams.
- No, no need for that.
Just one of my turns.
Better now.
Coming in here like a wild dog, frightening you half to death.
Are you hungry, Mr Ashlow? Well, perhaps a piece of that chicken.
I'm not the man I was, you see.
Not since I had my brains half knocked out on the bloody fields of Sebastopol.
Still best look sharp.
I swore I wouldn't rest till I found my missing girls.
I thought they might be living here, but it seems I was mistaken.
Time I hit the road.
You're not going anywhere till you're rested.
I'm better now.
See? The restoration's complete.
Come here, sir.
Come here.
Ma? What you seeing? Back to school this minute.
- They ain't yours.
- And you'd know that, would you? Go on.
Daresay us hamlet folk look all the same to you.
He means it this time.
Listen to me.
He says he won't shift from the door till the job's done.
Oh, he's all talk.
You heard what Sir Timothy said in the courthouse.
Them big companies got no business meddling in the affairs of poor ignorant women.
I don't think that's what he meant, is it? Tell me, how much do you owe? - Five guineas give or take.
- Five guineas! Oh, Caroline! I was in need of a bit of cheering up, that's all! Don't look at me like that, Emma! - You'll have me half-dead with fright.
- I'm sorry.
It might be best if you lie low for a bit.
Is there somewhere you can go? Let go! I'm late enough as it is.
Just tell 'em you got chased by a beau.
- I'm no good at fibbing.
- You don't know the secret, - that's your trouble.
- What secret's that? The secret of life itself, so my father says.
Thing is, no matter how hard the struggle, no matter how much you're shaking inside, the trick is to make it look easy.
Like this.
No, sir.
I won't take your money.
This one's on the house.
Your very good health, sir.
That mug! What about that mug? I saw one just like it standing out in the yard.
"I've seen it all," I said to Queenie.
"What's Paxton's pony doing pizzling into a fine old mug like that? " What's funny? You tell your ma this stuff will taste like finest Burgundy wine where she's going.
Prison ain't pretty for anyone, but it's hardest of all on the women.
Such gross indecencies.
I've seen women crawl into their own coffins just for their comfort.
Gentlemen.
Sorry I'm late.
At last, the cavalry.
Hold this spoon.
Look at you, flower.
- Very spit of my Ruth.
- Thank you.
That's my youngest girl.
Mr Ashlow is our guest for a day or two, until he gets his strength back.
- What are those? - Calves' feet.
You can't make wine jelly without calves' feet.
Shall I fetch the port wine? Thomas, I know my wine jelly is a particular favourite of yours.
So sweet and delicious, it would almost raise the dead.
And I haven't forgotten last year's sorry episode.
Master Thomas come back from his round, tired and hungry, and found the whole lot gone! All my fault.
I thought he'd already had his share.
I scarcely recall the incident.
His poor little face! I cried myself that day! All highly exaggerated.
Rest assured, this time you will be the first to sample the wine jelly.
- You have my word.
- Very well, ma'am.
Wine jelly, is that what you're up to? Not since I were a lad down in Eastmere have I tasted a dish so divine.
It's not the quickest recipe, but worth the wait.
Perhaps we can tempt you to stay until it's served? Perhaps you can.
Matthew, Thomas, would you see Mr Ashlow to the forge? Are you sure you won't accept more comfortable lodgings? A bed of straw's good enough for Arthur Ashlow.
Sir? Where did you say you was from? Eastmere.
And your missing girls, what were they called? Ruth.
Ruth and Prudence.
Such pretty names.
Leave Mr Ashlow be.
Oh, Laura, I'm afraid you missed your father earlier.
I didn't see him.
No.
Well, he left something for you, over there.
To go with your lion's head, I think.
You'll soon have a full menagerie.
It's beautiful.
Ma'am I must speak to you, on some matter of delicate urgency.
What is it, Zillah? Good night.
Papa? Oh, my darling girls.
Get away! We don't know you! That man is a living scandal.
He's already ruined us once.
Would you have him do it again? - What if he needs our help? - Help? I've raised you as my own.
I've fed you, clothed you, kept you safe, at great personal cost.
And why? I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
Because our dying mother bid me do it.
I mean to keep my promise, whether you wish it or not.
The state of his hat! I'll smoke you out yet.
I'm sorry.
I'm not stopping.
Damn you! Evening, Duchess.
Arthur J Ashlow.
Strangest thing today.
I saw Laura on the sidewalk and I called out to her.
I could have sworn she saw me, but not a word.
Bolted off like she couldn't get out of there fast enough.
I shan't waste my breath, cos you won't want to hear it.
- Hear what? - Just go to sleep.
You think she's too grand for us? No time for the likes of her own family? She's not like that with me, not my Laura.
She probably couldn't hear me.
- In a hurry - You said she saw you.
No.
I said I thought she saw me.
Thought.
My mistake, obviously.
I told you you wouldn't want to hear it.
The bailiff's out on the doorstep, and Lizzie can't sleep for fright.
And they're all asking for their ma Come on.
Let's get 'em settled, shall we? You, stay.
You'd scare the devil himself in those socks.
I'm sorry.
She'll be all right.
Just you see.
We'll think of something.
- See that one? - Yeah.
That means that help is at hand.
You'll be riding in your own carriage yet.
Just you wait till that big strapping boy in there gets rich.
He won't forget his mother.
What do I want with a carriage? Who's the author of that mischief? He's away at sea.
Proper gentleman.
- What's that supposed to mean? - Running out on you, no money of your own, debtors at the door, no-one to look pretty for.
Walter's got to earn a crust somehow.
Easier ways of doing that than crossing the ocean.
Oh, now I've hurt your feelings.
- No.
- Yes, I upset.
I wouldn't do that for the world.
I just think you want to put your feet up.
First child on the way.
First? You gone soft in the head? You need proper taking care of.
Who'd take care of me? - What was that for? - That? Nothing at all.
A puff of wind.
I see a lady in a spot of bother, I want to help her out.
How can you help me? I've got a small enterprise in mind that could help us both.
A few pennies for you, a little introduction for me.
What sort of enterprise? One that turns liquid, into gold.
Perhaps he's gone.
What do you think? He came, he tried his tricks, and we sent him packing.
You think so? You think he'd walk away after all these years? What's that infernal din? Ruby? I have here in my hand a document, signed by no less a personage than the Queen herself.
As you can see, ladies and gentlemen, this patent comes fresh from the corridors of power.
There's Our Majesty's fine signature, there at the bottom Victoria herself certifying that are I, Arthur J Ashlow, may sell this miracle remedy to all sufferers from here to Balmoral.
Don't come too close, madam, cos it's fearsome potent stuff.
In this bottle here, you'll find the ground-up powder from the ancient mummies of Egypt.
You'll find honey from the bumblebees of Persia.
And all for a shilling a bottle.
Now, who wants a go? No? Nobody here with shot nerves? No dropsy, no hysterics? No sluggish liver? No motions fast or slow? No arthritics or rheumatics? No pregnant women in need of help for an heavy load? What's he doing? What he always does, making fools of us all.
Drink it down.
- Ooh, I can't.
- Of course you can.
Come on, now.
Big gulp.
Give her air! For God's sake, give her air! Be of strength, madam.
This is all perfectly natural, I assure you.
Oh, it's the kiss of life! I feel light as a feather! Thank you, Doctor.
It's a miracle! Well, ladies and gentlemen, you witnessed it with your own eyes.
It's a shilling a bottle.
One shilling a bottle! There you are, madam.
We're moving on tonight.
A new town, a new life.
We've done it before.
- Prudence - Don't call me that! But everything we've worked for! Surely you're making too much of it.
You've seen what he can do! And that was just the beginning, the first warning shot.
Those military trinkets on his jacket! Did you see them? I pity the poor soul that he stole those from.
Pearl, please! There must be another way.
Perhaps.
But you must do exactly as I say.
Where is she now? Nobody can say, sir.
Well, I'm sorry, but this warrant is from Oxford.
It's a matter for their own magistrates.
If there was something I could say or do, but the verdict has been delivered, you see.
- It's all right, Your Lordship.
- I'm truly sorry.
Have you heard it said, Sir, that some kindness may be a sort of cruelty? What is your point? My wife's always on at me with it, Sir.
Says I'm too soft on my own children, especially the girls.
No doubt you'll be the same when You and Her Ladyship have little ones of your own.
Yes, what of it? Well, some say, Sir, that as squire and justice, you're a sort of father to the parish.
I don't need to be reminded of my own duty.
Well, that day in court, sir, this boy's mother walked away from a small debt, thanks to your clemency.
Since that day, she has spent and spent till those debts have spread like bindweed.
And why? Because she believes her Squire made her untouchable.
You spoke up for her yourself that day.
It's a pity I did, Sir, me thinking I knew best.
Darling, I'll be with you in a moment.
I've been trying to make sense of my needlework while this fellow upbraids you through the wall It seems to me your task is plain.
What if you were to saddle your horse and ride over to this Oxford magistrate right now? This minute? See if you can't persuade him to return the case to the local court, and then something might be done for this mother and her children.
If anyone can knock sense into these greybeards, it's my husband.
Would you excuse us for a moment, please? Forgive me.
I said too much.
Obviously I have no head for these matters.
Not at all, not at all.
You have no idea how much it means to me to hear you speak up for them like that.
I didn't do it for them, I did it for you.
For us.
Laura! You must run to my Alfie, and tell him we're saved.
You hear me? Saved! Tell him I'll be home the minute I collect my earnings.
And I'm not gonna spend it this time.
I'm gonna pay my debts and look my little 'uns in the eye and kiss 'em on their lovely cheeks! You tell him.
- How did she seem? - Full of life.
She was missing you, of course.
You won't think too badly of her, will you? It's him I blame, not her.
The bailiff? My father.
She's not herself without him, and he knows it.
The Monday after Christmas, she told him she was with child.
By Wednesday, he'd got himself a boat.
You know, Laura, I believe your parents are the best ma and pa in this whole stinking world.
Laura.
Whatever are you doing here? - I had a message for Alf.
- Won't you stop for a minute? No, I've really got to get back.
Your father says he saw you in town.
Did he? He should have come after me.
Well, he was sorry to miss you.
Send him my love.
I think he'd rather hear it from your own lips.
- He'll be back in half an hour.
- Oh, Ma, I've really got to go.
You drink it down, and then when you wake up, we'll have no more trouble with your rheumatism.
It won't work.
There's no medicine in this world powerful enough for my affliction.
Then it won't hurt you to try.
That's potent, that is.
It'll hunt the rheumatism out of you.
Whether it's in your bones or in your head.
What's that supposed to mean? Just drink.
Ruthie! I knew you'd come for me.
Not here.
You changed your own names.
No wish to be stained by Arthur Ashlow.
It's not that at all.
And your mother gave you How you can speak of her I bet she'd have liked it here.
I feel like I've stepped into our old shop in Eastmere.
- Stuff and nonsense.
- Don't deny it.
It's a perfect likeness.
Same stock, same French panelling, right down to the twister lace.
I feel I could look up and see your mother walk in here now with some sharp word on her lips.
Pearl Prudence asked me to give you this.
What have we here? £20, is it? And for this settlement, I do what? Walk away and never come back? Is that the sum of it? Speak, child! I need to know what stands between us.
What do you expect? Not a single word for 17 years, - not one word.
- I wrote you letters.
What letters? I wanted to make reparation.
Explain an old man's weakness.
See if you could find it in your heart to have me back.
Well got my answer.
You've got yours.
But there were no letters! Very well.
I'll be gone before first light.
You need never see my face, nor hear my name spoken again, since that's what you so devoutly desire.
No, I simply want to understand.
It's just as well.
Not safe for me to drag my heels.
Not safe? There's folk in this county would cut my throat, given half a chance.
I don't know why it is.
Man can't go about his business without people taking offence.
Ruthie I had nowhere else to go.
So you came to us? I just need to lie low for a bit.
Just till things settle down.
I see you've no wish to own up to your own father.
But we could meet, couldn't we? Private, like? And you could be my own sweet Ruthie again, and I your good-for-nothing pa.
What do you say? Occasionally, every few months or so, I receive letters like these.
And I put them in here, tied with a black ribbon.
Dead letters.
Letters from an unknown sender, bound for an unknown recipient at an unknown address.
How old are they? Some go back to my father's day.
He was as dogged as I am, I'm afraid.
Like this one.
Mr Ashlow's missing daughters.
Ruth and Prudence.
That's right.
You know how Zillah is, on the subject of scandal? She's encyclopaedic.
Well, a few years ago, it seems he did them a terrible wrong, and now here he is under my roof.
But his daughters? Are living close by.
Ruby and Pearl Pratt? So we can deliver them? Perhaps.
I cannot decide.
We must, surely! Why, what happened? Just turning in there.
Of course.
What's that? Women's little secrets? Good night, Mr Ashlow.
Good night.
Twister? Twister? Twister! Twister! Twister! Duchess.
Mr Ashlow.
Arthur.
- I've been hunting everywhere for you.
- So I heard.
- I'm after my earnings.
- Your earnings? What's this, begging for scraps? - No.
- Cos I don't like begging, see? You don't look half so pretty with your begging face on.
- You said you'd take care of me.
- And so I shall.
But don't be badgering me for a few coppers.
Stay close, I'll make you rich.
Rich as any proper duchess.
- I just want to go home.
- So you shall.
Caroline! - I gave Alf your message.
- How are my children? They're fine.
They're missing their ma.
Is there anything I can do? No, just tell them Tell them I'll be back again in no time.
- Laura.
- Sorry.
Tell me, those letters I showed you, did you reflect on what's to be done? I'm at a loss.
I only thought that, since we know who they're for, is it not a duty to deliver them? Duty? Yes.
Why hadn't I thought of that? Well, I'll be blowed.
Twister? There's half a pint of beer going begging.
Well, if that won't raise him, nothing will.
He said it had honey in it.
He had such a kind face.
I'm sure Twister'll be as right as rain in a day or so.
Course he will.
He's only wintering.
- Wintering? - Like my bees.
Every winter they snuggle up tight as a drum.
Nothing won't bring them out, till they're good and ready.
Then out they swarm, and aren't we the better for it? Lucky dog.
Find the lady.
Then move her around, move her around.
Where is she, Duchess? There.
Ah, yeah! - There you are.
- It's easy, innit? There we are then.
I'm still learning, anyone fancy a go? There's a gambler.
I think these are yours.
Get out.
And take your filthy rumours with you.
Very well.
He said he'd written.
And I didn't believe him.
- Bailiff's gone.
- You sure? I seen him go.
Heading over Bicester way.
Oh, well, that's it, then.
Siege over.
That's got to be good news though.
Laura did say Ma was having some kind of luck over there.
Oh, she was having a rare old time when I seen her.
Never seen her so merry.
She couldn't get enough of Twister's medicine.
And Sir Timothy off fighting your cause.
Aye, he's a bright spark, that 'un.
You've got to say it, Robert.
There's mettle to these rich folk, eh? - What do you say, Robert? - When did you see Laura? Yesterday, in our cottage.
Why? No reason.
Too grand to knock on her own door now, is she? Robert, she sent her love.
Sent her love? By Royal pigeon, I suppose.
Where's the lovely lady? Where's the Queen of Hearts? Is she on the left, is she on the right? Or is she in the middle? There you are, sir.
Oh, I thought you had me there, I thought you had me.
So, who's next up? 'Ere, put him down! No! No, stop it.
Leave him alone.
No! He's not worth it.
Hit him again! That's enough! Step away from him.
We will not tolerate this primordial display outside our stores.
Prudence Stop! There will be no more bloodshed here today.
Not you! But he promised me money.
Come on.
Well, I ain't proud.
but I ain't no beggar woman, neither! Don't be poor and look poor too, that's my motto.
You were always fearless.
Undaunted.
Just like your mother.
That's why I knew it'd be all right.
I knew it was safe to leave you.
He goes before breakfast.
It seems you have me at a disadvantage.
My father sleeping under your roof, eating at your table, regaling you no doubt with motley tales of his life on the road.
He always had a weakness for such romantical characters.
I assume this charade can only mean that you're about to ask me a favour.
The letters.
He cannot stay.
I'm under no illusion what people think of us.
One word of our history is sufficient to ruin us here.
But if there was a crime, you were its victims.
It makes no difference what we did.
We are tainted by association.
That is the way with scandal.
So, I would request that you say nothing.
I see.
Do I have your word? We are not all such devils.
- Miss Pratt - Is this sermon going to last long? Because I have had the most tiresome day.
Forgive me.
But when a young woman, a child almost, has her heart broken by her own flesh and blood, her own father she must be so very angry.
After that, any small act of trust that is betrayed by anyone at all must be enough to break even the strongest spirit.
Surely she must try, mustn't she? Or she will always be haunted.
Do I have your word? Of course.
I'll have a whopping great shiner in the morning.
I've seen little boys take less pride in their battle scars.
Papa, I have a confession.
I've been preparing a little surprise for you.
It's not quite ready but I couldn't bear that scruffy old thing.
- What do you think? - There.
I'm lost for words.
- What are you doing? - # Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay # That's it, come on.
What, are you too proud to dance with an old stick like me? - I never danced in my life.
- Well, never too late to learn.
What was it like? With your mother? I mean, after I? We used to fetch her sweetmeats.
You know how she loved her treats.
Then, the doctor said to stop it.
She couldn't stomach them, you see.
Did she ask for me at the end? Yes.
What'd you tell her? We said you were detained on business, but were on your way.
Stay.
Start again, here in Candleford.
Pearl will come round.
- Oh, my darling girl.
- I forgive you.
If only it were so simple.
"My darling Ruthie," "It's 10 years since I saw your pretty brown eyes.
" "You must be quite the beauty now.
" "I daresay there's some sweetheart smuggled away.
" 'And your sister, Prudence.
'How does she fare? "She used to scare the life out of me, even as a pup.
" "Now I miss her fire, her resolve.
" "Always so strong.
" "There was nothing I could give her.
" "Nothing I could do or say.
" "My love was never any use to her.
" - Morning.
- Hello.
Well goodbye, all.
Wait.
- That looks - Like heaven on earth, ma'am.
- Thank you, Zillah.
- Should we try a taster? - After worship, I think.
- Yes, quite.
Very right and proper.
I should prepare myself.
It looks as tempting as it did in your papa's day, ma'am.
Oh who's that? Oh yes.
It's my father's recipe, not mine.
Oh, he used to make such a fuss when he was preparing it.
It drove me to distraction.
I would run away and hide in a field, and nothing could drag me home.
Then I suppose I came to see its virtues.
I saw you the other morning, with your father.
There is very little in life so heinous that can't be undone.
A Miss Pratt to see you, ma'am.
- Which one? - Does it matter? Miss Lane, we were wondering would you like to join us for tea? Of course.
We would be delighted.
It was entirely my sister's idea.
Shall we say noon? Well, well.
You HAVE led me a merry dance.
I don't suppose sixpence would do it? What is keeping them? My sister and I would like to We would like to present our father in a manner befitting two constant daughters.
Father? You there? It's been so many years, but now, he's been restored to us.
Poor father, as you know, his memory is not quite as it should be, but he wishes to settle down and live sensibly among us and to that end we wish him to meet our neighbours, one by one.
Father, are you there? You may come through now.
Excuse me.
Father? Oh, no! Our savings.
Everything? Every last farthing? It was to pay off his debts.
You gave him - our savings? - No, I-I only showed them to him.
He doubted we could rescue him.
I simply wanted to reassure him.
What daughter wouldn't? Pearl? You see what people are? No, no I should have trusted my own instincts.
Not be taken in, not be tempted.
You opened my letters.
You opened my letters! What did you think you would find there? Nothing but piles and piles of excuses, He was always weak.
Soft.
And there's only one way to conquer softness.
And that is by making yourself strong.
As I have.
I'm gonna have it out with her, face to face.
If she don't want to own her own father, I've a right to know why.
Robert, she's just growing up.
She'll come round.
Well, maybe I can't wait that long.
That was fast work Have you seen my Twister? We seem to be short one guest.
I'm so sorry.
You? I'm surprised you have the time to feel anything beyond your own beating heart.
Cavorting with your young blade out there in broad daylight.
What have you been feeding the child? Quite the courtesan Some misunderstanding.
Laura, what is it? Why are you crying? I'm just so happy to see you.
What are you doing here? I was gonna ask you something, but I think you've knocked it clean out of my mind.
It was 'im of course! - Eastmere! I'm not having it! - Zillah! He stole it.
- right from under our noses, he did.
- What happened? The wine jelly, ma'am.
Come, look, see for yourself, look.
No! I always said that man is no more half-witted than what I am.
A great deal less, I fear.
Oh, poor Thomas.
He'll be so cross.
I will never live it down.
Wine jelly is his one weakness! Live down what, ma'am? Right.
There's nothing else for it.
Zillah, fetch me my apron.
- Yes.
- Yes.
What are you doing? My young bride! I told you that medicine was fearful powerful! Here.
- Ain't you with your ma? - Well, no.
She's over in Candleford.
I saw her earlier, up on the hill over Lark Rise.
And there was that gentleman, him that keeps waiting for her.
Didn't you hear her calling? That weren't no gentleman.
'Sides, that bailiff went home yesterday, ain't that right? You'll probably remembering him before your great sleep, aren't you, Twister? So I am.
My great sleep.
That gentleman.
And there was a policeman with him, they had a big cart.
Didn't you hear her calling? "Alfie, Alfie!" Mama! Mama! Oh, my Alfie.
As they left, some to freedom, some to imprisonment, they left behind a feeling that life was not as it once appeared, that there were hitherto unsuspected depths beneath the sunny surface.
And they must either wake up to face a world that was not as they had once dreamed it, or be lost forever.
# Oh, can we have a lodging here # # here, here? # # Oh, can we have # # a lodging here? # # Here come three tinkers Three by three # # To court your daughter, a fair lady # # Oh, can we have a lodging here, here, here? # # Oh, can we have a lodging here? #