Lark Rise to Candleford (2008) s02e09 Episode Script
Episode Nine
Oi! What's yer name, Timmins girl! Watch yourself! You all right? Laura, ain't it? I'm fine, thank you.
Before you think it, I didn't roll a churn at you on purpose.
No, I'm sure it was an accident, Nan.
'There was a wariness between even the young people of Lark Rise 'and the neighbouring village of Fordlow.
' Oh, dear, hope you weren't goin' anywhere fancy.
Only a wedding.
Oh, aye.
With your post bag? Naturally, I'll take it off for the service.
'It was a feud that had simmered between Lark Rise 'and Fordlow for many years 'and was about to rise to the surface once more, turning 'neighbour against neighbour and young lovers into enemies.
' Minnie, you should be about your work by this time.
CRASH! Quietly about your work.
Here, mum! Oh, Mr Dowland is got up very smart and buttonholed! Like he is dressed for his wedding.
He IS dressed for a wedding.
Mum, why don't you go to him and just say "hello"? He do look so handsome.
Minnie, do not tread where you are not welcome.
Queenie, Twister! The longest courtship in the county! LAUGHTER but legal at last.
APPLAUSE Legal and heaven blest.
< Aw Queenie.
My wife andmy life.
APPLAUSE You might not know this, but I first won my Queenie with a song.
Does anyone know "I Once Loved A Lass"? HE CLEARS HIS THROAT # I once loved a lass # And I loved her so well # I hated all others who spoke of her ill # And now she's rewarded me well for my love # For she's gone and she's married another.
# Except she hasn't! LAUGHTER Turtle doves couldn't kiss more sweetly.
Well, my Tom had a sweet voice even then and he had no money to buy Banbury cakes or ribbons, so how else was a boy to woo? I held out for a while of course.
There's sausages! Two apiece, one for the little uns.
Oh! I ain't made of money! Come and pass me the cups to fill.
And shall I taste the mead as I used to as a boy? And perhaps scrape the bowl clean? That were your greatest pleasure, weren't it? It was.
I wish I could go back to such simple pleasures.
It's clear that "happily married" is not for me.
You must have faith.
In what? Don't give up too easy.
Women hold out.
We pretend to be hard-hearted.
It's the only bit of power we have, so we use it, but if the love is there we come round.
Did you hear my ma getting all sentimental? Nice though, ain't it? To see grown-ups acting fond like they're our age almost.
And luckier in romance than either you or me, Alf.
More and more, I think, like Queenie and Twister, or my ma and pa, you only get one real chance at it.
Maybe I've had mine.
Congratulations, Twister.
You're next, Alfie.
Me, wed? That'll be the day.
All the girls are either spoken for or away in service.
Or both.
Are you going? CRASH! The calendar's bust, mum.
Did you drop it, Minnie? Drop it? No, mum.
No, mum.
Yes, mum.
Well done.
It is emotional progress, Minnie, when we can admit to our mistakes.
Growing up, you might say.
And not just to admit them, but to face others knowing that we have well, tripped.
Yes, mum.
I only dropped a calendar, mum.
Yes.
Poor girl.
And I am dishing out life lessons.
I like them, mum.
Your life lessons.
Them that I understand.
I may dish them out all too readily, but I can't claim to understand them all myself.
# The parson who married them aloud he did cry # All that forbid it I'd have you draw nigh # Thought I to myself # I'd have a good reason why # Though I had not the heart to forbid it # And when I saw my love sit down to meat # I sat down beside her but nothing could eat # I thought her sweet company better than meat # Although she was tied to another.
# That was my pa's favourite song.
I'm just learnin' it from this old book.
Don't stop on my account.
Go on.
You can't play and read at the same time? There's lines missing.
Tell you what.
I'll sing it.
You sing it back to me.
# And when the bridesmaidens had dressed her for bed # And when the bridesmaidens had dressed her for bed # I stepped in amongst them and kissed the bride # I stepped in amongst them and kissed the bride # And wished that I could have been laid by her side # And wished that I could have been laid by her side # BOTH: # And by that means I'd got me the favour.
# You're blushing like a rose! Well, ain't it a bit near the knuckle? It's only natural.
Sowhat happens in the end? Poor fellow.
He never gets her.
He dies of a broken heart and is quite forgotten.
My pa used to reel the whole thing off.
Said it was the song that was truest to a young man's passion.
Well, I'm goin' that way.
And I'm goin' that way.
Right enough.
I suppose that's as far as it goes.
I suppose it is.
Lark Rise and Fordlow We could always meet here again just to learn I could teach you the rest of the song.
Tomorrow? Tomorrow or this evening? Mum, mum, look.
Flowers! The mechanism seems to be jammed.
They're for you.
Well, I don't suppose you thought they were for me! Don't know if we've got a vase big enough.
Might have to be the coal scuttle! In't you even going to read the note, mum? Go back to your chores, Minnie.
Mum, you love flowers.
And I in't seen flowers the likes of them.
And I would be bursting to know what the note says if I was you.
Just for the curiosity of it.
Your broom, Minnie.
How can you sleep if you don't know what the note says? You are a little too concerned with my business, Minnie.
I employ you to clean and cook, not to counsel me.
That un's.
A ship in sail.
And that un looks to me like a big Dutch rabbit.
Robert.
I said RABBIT.
Hello.
Don't mind us.
Word'll get back to Lark Rise.
Alf Arless lingerin' with a Fordlun.
.
Folks won't think that badly.
Don't reckon? Why d'you look so discomfited, then? Best be goin'.
Aye.
BOTH: Tomorrow? Twelve noon! COCK CROWS Well, AlfAlf Arless? What? Pretty, ain't she? She is, ain't she, don't you think? So it's only looks that matter? No, course not.
You can't keep that smile away from your face, can you? Can I do this, Laura? She's from Fordlow.
Of course you can, if you're inclined.
But, Alf take care - only give away your heart where it's truly yearned for.
I know how it feels if it isn't.
You understand.
Eh.
If this is married life, we should've done it years ago.
Why, is it different? All those years I had a feeling.
Didn't even know it was there.
A wondering.
Now it's gone, I feel more settled.
Everythingsettled.
I'll just empty this and look in on my hives.
Oh, Lord, no! The bees are gone.
My bees, my bees! Oh, Emma, have you seen my bees? Bees? They maybe swarmed.
Ask the children if they saw a cloud of bees go by - if I know where they are, I can coax them back.
I'll ask the children, but they haven't said anything.
No.
They might have swarmed when we were all in church yesterday.
I didn't visit 'em last evening.
Hah! That's what 'appened.
I'd bet my life on it.
They ain't swarmed.
They was stolen! Oh, Twister, no! Why would Think about it.
All of Lark Rise in the church.
Queenie Turrell, the happiest day of her life.
Who would look to ruin that? Twister, don't say such things, it don't help to blame.
Twister, they've swarmed.
I've just got to find them.
They was stolen! Stolen by the lowliest creatures ever to crawl from under a stone.
Fordlow! There'll be more postal orders in the back room.
Just a moment.
Precision is all, mum.
You been engaged an awful long time now, Miss Ellison.
Quite a long time, Minnie.
I think you have enough polish there.
Oh, yes.
Today is Tuesday the Tuesday the 24th.
Oh, don't worry.
Mr Brown will soon be able to set the date.
Oh! Really? He's the only one who can do it.
It's a man's job.
Ohyes.
Did he say did he say when? He's set his mind to fixing it, so I expect it will be done soon.
Well done! It's working againMinnie! The calendar is unjammed! Well done.
Well done.
Mam.
Oh, Thomas I thought perhaps you would like to give these flowers to Miss Ellison.
They're your flowers, they're for you, not for me to give to Miss Ellison.
As Miss Margaret is only just out of that dreadful cold, I expect she might appreciate a little cheering up.
Here she is herself, mum.
I quite forgot the latter part of my errand - stamps.
Mr Brown.
Miss Margaret.
If I may I happen to come upon it as a token.
As a means of uplifting you at a time when uplifting might be Oh, thank you! Let me savour the moment.
May I hint at my favourite month, which is October.
Yes, I like October, too.
It's not so soon that all that needs to be done cannot be done, nor so far into the year that the weather will have turned.
If the bridesmaids are in light muslin, they may catch a chill.
Ah.
Chill.
Muslin.
The 14th of October I know is a Saturday.
Does it not have an auspicious ring to it? Saturday the 14th of October.
Ah.
Yes.
Well.
Ah Thomas Yes, mam.
Mr Riddington wants to know when you will be collecting the parcel you wrongly delivered to him this morning.
And so do I.
MrMr Rid Ah! The parcel.
I wrongly delivered.
And must be collected.
Today.
Now! I must On your way, Laura.
Yes, Miss Lane.
Ah, Laura, it's you.
Your post, Mr Dowland.
Miss Lane hopes you are well.
Did she enjoy her flowers? She thought they were splendid and very tropical.
Tropical? She did not, did she? I don't think Miss Lane is ready to receive such a gift, sir.
Do you know if she read my letter? Miss Lane She put it aside to read later, sir.
I'm laughing at myself, Laura.
Give me your assessment.
Just tell me what you think.
About you and Miss Lane? I don't know, Mr Dowland.
But I suppose, with Miss Lane, you can't press it.
But if I do not press it, the whole thing will just fizzle away! As if it were never important.
As if it never existed.
I'm sorry, Laura.
You are right.
I ask for your advice and then I refuse to take it.
Please go and, er post things.
I keep thinking I can hear 'em coming back up the rise.
But it in't my bees.
It's just my mind tricking me.
Truth is truth, my dear.
And fact is fact.
Painful as it is to hear and more so to say.
They in't coming back unless we go and fetch 'em.
Oh, perhaps we wait another day.
They're in Fordlow, and we know what's to be done about it.
Twister, I'd rather leave things be.
Please.
In't no good can come of accusing folk of what no-one can prove.
I will accuse these Fordluns and I'll see it in their faces.
What kind of lowly, ugly, sin-rid vermin steals a beekeeper's bees?! Steals the love of her life? One of the loves.
I'll look at 'em and I'll see it! It's in their eyes.
It's in their blood.
Thieves is bred.
Guilt can't be hid if you know how to look for it.
Twister, why can't you leave me be when I ask you? You just like to fight, is all.
Suppose we had enough fighting and warring and blaming and hating.
Just leave it be, I tell you! Are you waiting for Alf? Had to come up anyway cos of the cows.
Alf's a really fine lad.
Everyone in Lark Rise likes him.
Good lookin' an' all, ain't he? Winsome eyes.
He's very musical too.
You should hear him play.
I did already! What time is it? It was twelve o' clock when I set out, so it must be close to one.
Didn't think it'd got so late.
I'm sure he'll come, Nan.
KNOCKING I've been wondering.
I've been wondering when you'd ask.
I've heard tales about Fordlow since I was a child.
What was the start of it the start of suchbad feelings? I only know what I was told.
Queenie's grandma was accused of stealing bees from the hives of a Fordlow beekeeper.
No-one is saying that everyone who ever lived here in lark Rise was saintly.
By God, no! But not Queenie's grandma.
She was known to be everything that is decent and true.
It wasn't possible.
It was a malicious thing to say.
Born out of jealousy.
Now, it wouldn't have mattered, but the accusation pained her so much, she was near enough taken down by it.
The poor woman seemed to lose her spirit.
Injustice can bring down a hearty man, let alone a fragile old woman.
Alfie you owe no debt of duty to Queenie's grandma.
But I do owe Queenie plenty.
Hey, post office girl! Me? You live at the post office, don't you? Oh.
I do.
Will you be seein' Laura Timmins? I want her to get a message from me to a lad called Alf Arless.
That sounds fierce.
Fierce ain't the half of what I'm feelin' towards him.
So what d'you want her to say? Right.
She says she knows him well.
I should say! You should say what? I should say she knows him! He only dreamed and mooned and sung about her for years on end! So what do you want her to tell him? I don't Don't matter.
You sure? I'm very handy at messages.
Don't matter.
I'll see her myself.
Extraordinary! BELL RINGS I have checked the forthcoming events in the parish.
There is a lot of activity in October, all throughout October.
Every day.
The christening of infant Robinson, confessionsconfirmations.
Oh! How keen you are to have gone so speedily to the parish diary! Fear not.
I will speak to the rector.
Miss Lane sent me over to ask very kindly if .
.
if you had a .
.
cigar box she could borrow.
A cigar box? Yes, she wants it for hercigars.
Is that so? Yes, and could you do her the favour, she said, of delivering it yourself? Now.
Oh, dear Minnie.
She didn't send you, did she? I was hoping I might find Alfie.
Oh, I'm sure he'll be back in a minute.
Rock the baby's carriage, would you? I think her teeth must be troubling her.
You're Nan, in't you? Alfie's girl.
I in't his girl.
Don't think I am.
That's as much as my eyes can bear.
Standing there as bold as barley.
They in't got no feelings to 'em.
Lest you've come to gloat.
Is that what you want? Is it? If I knew what you were talking about, I might give you an answer.
Twister Turrell, don't you set to.
I have a question for you, girl.
Do you know or were you part of or was it you or was it one of yours you Fordlow pikers what took our bees and stole them? That in't one question - that's a barrow full.
And the answer to 'em all is no.
See the look in her face, Emma.
Lies! Guilt.
Guilty as the guiltiest Twister! You in't no right to say such things.
Queenie! Queenie, my dear I have the very proof we've been wanting.
Perhaps my bees in't my bees.
Perhapsthey've gone where God wants them to be.
Perhaps they've gone because I don't deserve to keep 'em.
Oh, Queenie, you've been keeping bees since the first day my eyes looked out over our hamlet.
Perhaps that's the problem.
Perhaps I never should have.
See how the grief of it has knotted up her thinking into such a fuddle! See what thieving has done to decent folk! In't you got no shame, girl? In't you got no morals? I was brought up to tell the truth, be afraid of no-one.
I don't need no morals from the likes of Lark Rise folk.
My pa sat me on his lap and pointed up that hill and told me, "If you want to know all what's wrong in this world, spend an afternoon in Lark Rise.
" Well, now I know he's right and I in't even been here an hour.
I know about thieves.
Lark Rise thieves.
Bee thieves as far back as ever there was.
Is that what you believe? Truly? You heard me say it.
Well, I've heard enough then, in't I? Look what's come of it.
The young set against each other.
One spiteful old Fordlow wife accused Queenie's grandma of stealing her hives when it weren't true.
She didn't have a thieving bone in her body.
There in't no putting any of it to rights now.
It's done.
It's the way it will always be.
Now we have to live with it.
In't never going to be any love between Fordlow and Lark Rise.
Never.
Never.
The christening of the infant Robinson will be completed by ten o'clock on the 14th.
Our wedding will immediately follow that happy event.
Wellthat is most Indeed, that is Queenie, my dear in't it time you went up? I'll follow you up.
I'll put my head on your pillow, my sweet, to warm it for you when you are ready.
I'll say this the truth is the truth and it'll all come to light.
And here's why - a guilty heart will know itself.
KNOCKING Why, Queenie! What's keeping you from your bed? A heavy heart and the need of a friend.
Sit down here.
Emma, I can't even look at you as I say this.
I feel like I've brought shame into the whole of Lark Rise.
There's things I know Things I saw with my own eyes I can't keep it in my own heart any more.
The bees.
Your grandma.
I saw.
I saw her face.
She stole those bees from Fordlow.
But everybody ever knew her said she was the sweetest soul.
Oh, she was.
And kinder to me than my own ma.
That's why I could never admit it.
Not even to my own self.
But I saw it.
She was jealous.
And more prideful of her bees than was good for her.
It took such a hold of her.
Burned up her heart.
She kept it hid but I saw it.
She stole those bees away, and no-one would ever believe it here in Lark Rise.
And now look what it's doing to us all doing to young Alfie.
I thought it was all in the past.
But it in't.
It won't stay there.
What are we going to do, Queenie? Thomas.
Sir.
I hate to have to say this, but the way things are going I'm not going to be able to keep you on.
Oh.
I'll pay you to the end of the week.
I understand, Mr Dowland.
I'm sorry, I know you have .
.
plans.
I wish you every happiness for the future.
Thank you, sir.
Miss Margaret.
Miss Margaret, will you sit a moment, please? Ohyes.
Miss Margaret, I have something to tell you which will necessarily delay our marriage.
Oh.
Yes.
It cannot be helped.
I shall shortly no longer be required at the hotel.
I shall be considerably worse off and cannot, in all conscience, subject you to a lowering of expectations.
Oh! Is that all? Do you not realise, Thomas, that even were you a very poor man indeed, it would not matter to me.
It would not matter at all.
It's the truth, Tom.
Butdoes it have to be? I mean can it be a mistake? The truth is the truth.
We don't have to say it out loud though, do we? We do.
Now.
Admit it? To them? ToFordlow? That we're the thieves? I think it's time, yes.
How am I supposed to walk down the lanewith them knowing? Looking at me.
Thinking.
We'll know we told the truth.
We'll know we did the right thing.
Yes.
I see.
You're right, my dear.
Perhaps we could do it next year? Now, Twister.
Now is the time to rid myself of this.
I'll stand beside you, my dear.
If I in't confined to the house with the rheumatism.
Thomas, I am correct in thinking you are writing a letter? A letter to Miss Ellison? I simply wish to illuminate her, mam.
To deliver us from her misunderstanding.
Hmm.
You may call it illumination, Thomas The news alone will break her heart.
I only wish to clarify the reasoning, Miss Lane.
See when I speak, I fluster.
If I can write it in words, with clarity, then she can see that I mean no harm.
A note, Thomas, in such circumstances, is cold.
And to the woman who receives it cowardly.
If I were her I would not want to receive a note .
.
when what was called for was to see in your eyes what you felt.
Your fear, your hopes.
To see something true.
That's what a woman wants more than anything.
Because truth is life.
If you do not want to marry her, Thomas, face her, tell her.
I do want to marry her, Miss Lane.
Just not yet.
It's simplyit's a misunderstanding on the matter of timing.
A misunderstanding? Isn't it you, Thomas, who is always telling me we must live life by God's will? Oh, this is good, Laura.
Here I have a lifeline.
A booking of 16 for a fortnight to arrive the day after tomorrow.
That does sound good, Mr Dowland.
And there's not a single thing I can do about it.
I have insufficient staff, there are no rooms ready, there's very probably no milk in the pantry.
I don't know I haven't checked.
I haven't taken notice of anything for weeks.
Telegraph to them, will you? Tell them their booking cannot be taken.
That is a shame, Mr Dowland.
Shame's the very word, Laura.
Miss Ellison.
You have such good taste, Miss Lane.
I wondered if you might look at the materials I am considering for my dress.
I have swatches.
Shades of palest dove grey.
Grey can be deceptively attractive, don't you think so, Miss Lane? I prefer things which are a little more transparently attractive.
But, Miss Ellison, dove grey is certainly elegant.
I am a little mature for white.
HE CLEARS HIS THROAT Miss Margaret.
I have to find a degree of courage here in order to say something to you.
Please, I think it'd be best if you were seated.
Oh.
Yes.
Miss Ellison, the subject is disappointment.
Oh, poor Miss Ellison.
This is a difficult thing for me to say.
Concerning disappointment? Yes.
My dear Margaret.
What I have to say to you is that I I will try my very utmost not to be a disappointment to you when we are married on the 14th of October.
THEY SQUEAL So, Alfthis girl.
I don't want to talk about her.
Better stop thinkin' about her, then.
Who says I am? Didn't have you down as a faint-heart.
Faint-heart? I ain't no faint-heart.
Ah, well.
You're right.
Let's not talk about it, eh? We'll drop the subject.
Frank! Come on.
KNOCKING Mr Dowland? Gone nine o'clock, sir.
Is it? I took it upon myself to see the two sets of guests off, sir.
I suppose they would have expected me to bid them a safe journey.
They were ratherpuzzled.
I told them you were not yourself.
Who was I? Girls? Archie? Children! Queenie, have you seen the children? They were nowhere to be found when I woke up.
Our brood are gone an' all.
Alf.
I've driven Alf away.
Alf can look after himself, but where are the children? Where've you been? What are you doing? Kicking a cabbage! That's good food.
We went over to Fordlow.
We dared do it and we smashed up their gardens.
Where's Twister? We want to tell him.
You did what? Pulled up their cabbages andmade a bit of mess.
Edmund Timmins, you should've known better.
This is not how you've been brought up.
But Twister said we was at war with Fordlow.
Then Twister is wrong.
That is the food from someone's table, I don't care who they are.
We must make amends.
Sally, what are you up to? We're off to Fordlow to make amends.
Nan! Nan! There he is, the Lark Rise beggar! Wreck our gardens, would you? After him! Enough! I ain't runnin' away.
I came here to talk.
Leave him be! It weren't him.
It was the children spoiled the gardens.
Don't, Robert.
It's for me to mend.
I came here to speak with Nan Carter.
Nan I should have stood up and defended you.
I didn't and I hate myself for it.
I just want to say, if you'll meet me again, I'd like to see if you an' me I'd like to get to know you, Nan.
Well, I'd .
.
I'd like that, too.
You have my blessing.
The children wrecked the gardens.
And who can blame them? The example we set.
At some point .
.
it's time to let bygones be bygones.
To make amends for the spoiled gardens.
Shouldn't have happened, and it won't happen again.
Miss Lane baked these for you.
Why not? I haven't had any breakfast or lunch.
Is there any return message? Thomas, I'm in such a spin.
I know it in't my place to meddle in Mr Dowland's affairs, but I can't bring myself to do this, to go ahead and cancel this booking.
Oh, Minnie! You look how I feel.
I have never seen a man so undone by pining.
I know he in't no saint, we gets what we deserve, but I do think it's cruel of Miss Lane.
What is cruel of Miss Lane? Not cruel, mum.
Did I say cruel? I didn't mean cruel! I would never think cruel of you! Minnie, for heaven's sake, just say it.
Mum I can't.
You will only tell me to get out of your sight if I do.
Mr Dowland is pining, mam.
And his pining seems to have affected everything he does.
The hotel is Floundering is not too great a word for it, mam.
And you think this is all my doing? It is for me to remedy with a cheery visit to Mr Dowland? Mr Dowland's feelings are his own.
I cannot be responsible for his heart.
If that is cruel, then .
.
I don't wish to see him suffer and I certainly don't wish his business to flounder on account ofhis emotions.
Is this a real crisis, Thomas? Might be damaging to the reputation of the hotel, Miss Lane.
And to Mr Dowland.
Mr Dowland? Oh, Dorcas.
My staff tell me that you are expecting a large party and that you are not properly prepared.
I can't remember whether I have booked any staff.
Nothing seems to stick in my mind at the moment.
Well, might I suggest that you pick yourself up and set to? We can help you, but you must tell us what needs to be done.
Could you go to the kitchen and, er, see if we have any food? And perhaps call the residential staff down and, er, tell them we have a party.
Oh, Dorcas.
I prayed that you would come.
I hoped that you would come, but I didn't believe it.
Dorcas Lane, laying tables.
I never thought I would see such a thing.
In my hotel.
Oh, I know my way around a knife and fork.
Dorcas.
I thought that I had lost you, lost all hope.
It was the blackest place.
But I am glad it happened - it has taught me what it feels like, what it would mean.
James, stop.
You must stop.
I must tell you.
No.
I must tell you.
And you must listen.
And you must hear me.
I could not bear to look down the street and see your business come apart, when you have strived so much to make this life for yourself.
But I must be clear with you.
I cannot stand to see a neighbour struggling.
It is in my nature.
I know my heart well enough now.
I know who I am and I know what matters to me.
I will help you today.
And I will help you whenever you need it.
As a friend.
As a neighbour.
'In a world as small as ours, 'sometimes it took courage to be a good neighbour.
' 'But peace and accord were the natural tendency in those parts, 'so Lark Rise welcomed the return of harmony with Fordlow.
'Queenie's bees returned as well of course 'as she had said they would.
'Queenie knew her bees well.
' Everything all right there, ladies? Oh, good Lord! What would you do without me to protect you from? From vegetables? The harvest show would not be the harvest show without Miss Ellison's apple bramble jelly.
I don't think Mr Paterson's the only one acting strangely.
A man cannot help his feelings, Miss Pearl.
Ha-ha! Found you! What you up to? Alfie? Is everything all right? You and Nature have never really seen eye to eye, have you? I think Nature is rather growing on me.
Before you think it, I didn't roll a churn at you on purpose.
No, I'm sure it was an accident, Nan.
'There was a wariness between even the young people of Lark Rise 'and the neighbouring village of Fordlow.
' Oh, dear, hope you weren't goin' anywhere fancy.
Only a wedding.
Oh, aye.
With your post bag? Naturally, I'll take it off for the service.
'It was a feud that had simmered between Lark Rise 'and Fordlow for many years 'and was about to rise to the surface once more, turning 'neighbour against neighbour and young lovers into enemies.
' Minnie, you should be about your work by this time.
CRASH! Quietly about your work.
Here, mum! Oh, Mr Dowland is got up very smart and buttonholed! Like he is dressed for his wedding.
He IS dressed for a wedding.
Mum, why don't you go to him and just say "hello"? He do look so handsome.
Minnie, do not tread where you are not welcome.
Queenie, Twister! The longest courtship in the county! LAUGHTER but legal at last.
APPLAUSE Legal and heaven blest.
< Aw Queenie.
My wife andmy life.
APPLAUSE You might not know this, but I first won my Queenie with a song.
Does anyone know "I Once Loved A Lass"? HE CLEARS HIS THROAT # I once loved a lass # And I loved her so well # I hated all others who spoke of her ill # And now she's rewarded me well for my love # For she's gone and she's married another.
# Except she hasn't! LAUGHTER Turtle doves couldn't kiss more sweetly.
Well, my Tom had a sweet voice even then and he had no money to buy Banbury cakes or ribbons, so how else was a boy to woo? I held out for a while of course.
There's sausages! Two apiece, one for the little uns.
Oh! I ain't made of money! Come and pass me the cups to fill.
And shall I taste the mead as I used to as a boy? And perhaps scrape the bowl clean? That were your greatest pleasure, weren't it? It was.
I wish I could go back to such simple pleasures.
It's clear that "happily married" is not for me.
You must have faith.
In what? Don't give up too easy.
Women hold out.
We pretend to be hard-hearted.
It's the only bit of power we have, so we use it, but if the love is there we come round.
Did you hear my ma getting all sentimental? Nice though, ain't it? To see grown-ups acting fond like they're our age almost.
And luckier in romance than either you or me, Alf.
More and more, I think, like Queenie and Twister, or my ma and pa, you only get one real chance at it.
Maybe I've had mine.
Congratulations, Twister.
You're next, Alfie.
Me, wed? That'll be the day.
All the girls are either spoken for or away in service.
Or both.
Are you going? CRASH! The calendar's bust, mum.
Did you drop it, Minnie? Drop it? No, mum.
No, mum.
Yes, mum.
Well done.
It is emotional progress, Minnie, when we can admit to our mistakes.
Growing up, you might say.
And not just to admit them, but to face others knowing that we have well, tripped.
Yes, mum.
I only dropped a calendar, mum.
Yes.
Poor girl.
And I am dishing out life lessons.
I like them, mum.
Your life lessons.
Them that I understand.
I may dish them out all too readily, but I can't claim to understand them all myself.
# The parson who married them aloud he did cry # All that forbid it I'd have you draw nigh # Thought I to myself # I'd have a good reason why # Though I had not the heart to forbid it # And when I saw my love sit down to meat # I sat down beside her but nothing could eat # I thought her sweet company better than meat # Although she was tied to another.
# That was my pa's favourite song.
I'm just learnin' it from this old book.
Don't stop on my account.
Go on.
You can't play and read at the same time? There's lines missing.
Tell you what.
I'll sing it.
You sing it back to me.
# And when the bridesmaidens had dressed her for bed # And when the bridesmaidens had dressed her for bed # I stepped in amongst them and kissed the bride # I stepped in amongst them and kissed the bride # And wished that I could have been laid by her side # And wished that I could have been laid by her side # BOTH: # And by that means I'd got me the favour.
# You're blushing like a rose! Well, ain't it a bit near the knuckle? It's only natural.
Sowhat happens in the end? Poor fellow.
He never gets her.
He dies of a broken heart and is quite forgotten.
My pa used to reel the whole thing off.
Said it was the song that was truest to a young man's passion.
Well, I'm goin' that way.
And I'm goin' that way.
Right enough.
I suppose that's as far as it goes.
I suppose it is.
Lark Rise and Fordlow We could always meet here again just to learn I could teach you the rest of the song.
Tomorrow? Tomorrow or this evening? Mum, mum, look.
Flowers! The mechanism seems to be jammed.
They're for you.
Well, I don't suppose you thought they were for me! Don't know if we've got a vase big enough.
Might have to be the coal scuttle! In't you even going to read the note, mum? Go back to your chores, Minnie.
Mum, you love flowers.
And I in't seen flowers the likes of them.
And I would be bursting to know what the note says if I was you.
Just for the curiosity of it.
Your broom, Minnie.
How can you sleep if you don't know what the note says? You are a little too concerned with my business, Minnie.
I employ you to clean and cook, not to counsel me.
That un's.
A ship in sail.
And that un looks to me like a big Dutch rabbit.
Robert.
I said RABBIT.
Hello.
Don't mind us.
Word'll get back to Lark Rise.
Alf Arless lingerin' with a Fordlun.
.
Folks won't think that badly.
Don't reckon? Why d'you look so discomfited, then? Best be goin'.
Aye.
BOTH: Tomorrow? Twelve noon! COCK CROWS Well, AlfAlf Arless? What? Pretty, ain't she? She is, ain't she, don't you think? So it's only looks that matter? No, course not.
You can't keep that smile away from your face, can you? Can I do this, Laura? She's from Fordlow.
Of course you can, if you're inclined.
But, Alf take care - only give away your heart where it's truly yearned for.
I know how it feels if it isn't.
You understand.
Eh.
If this is married life, we should've done it years ago.
Why, is it different? All those years I had a feeling.
Didn't even know it was there.
A wondering.
Now it's gone, I feel more settled.
Everythingsettled.
I'll just empty this and look in on my hives.
Oh, Lord, no! The bees are gone.
My bees, my bees! Oh, Emma, have you seen my bees? Bees? They maybe swarmed.
Ask the children if they saw a cloud of bees go by - if I know where they are, I can coax them back.
I'll ask the children, but they haven't said anything.
No.
They might have swarmed when we were all in church yesterday.
I didn't visit 'em last evening.
Hah! That's what 'appened.
I'd bet my life on it.
They ain't swarmed.
They was stolen! Oh, Twister, no! Why would Think about it.
All of Lark Rise in the church.
Queenie Turrell, the happiest day of her life.
Who would look to ruin that? Twister, don't say such things, it don't help to blame.
Twister, they've swarmed.
I've just got to find them.
They was stolen! Stolen by the lowliest creatures ever to crawl from under a stone.
Fordlow! There'll be more postal orders in the back room.
Just a moment.
Precision is all, mum.
You been engaged an awful long time now, Miss Ellison.
Quite a long time, Minnie.
I think you have enough polish there.
Oh, yes.
Today is Tuesday the Tuesday the 24th.
Oh, don't worry.
Mr Brown will soon be able to set the date.
Oh! Really? He's the only one who can do it.
It's a man's job.
Ohyes.
Did he say did he say when? He's set his mind to fixing it, so I expect it will be done soon.
Well done! It's working againMinnie! The calendar is unjammed! Well done.
Well done.
Mam.
Oh, Thomas I thought perhaps you would like to give these flowers to Miss Ellison.
They're your flowers, they're for you, not for me to give to Miss Ellison.
As Miss Margaret is only just out of that dreadful cold, I expect she might appreciate a little cheering up.
Here she is herself, mum.
I quite forgot the latter part of my errand - stamps.
Mr Brown.
Miss Margaret.
If I may I happen to come upon it as a token.
As a means of uplifting you at a time when uplifting might be Oh, thank you! Let me savour the moment.
May I hint at my favourite month, which is October.
Yes, I like October, too.
It's not so soon that all that needs to be done cannot be done, nor so far into the year that the weather will have turned.
If the bridesmaids are in light muslin, they may catch a chill.
Ah.
Chill.
Muslin.
The 14th of October I know is a Saturday.
Does it not have an auspicious ring to it? Saturday the 14th of October.
Ah.
Yes.
Well.
Ah Thomas Yes, mam.
Mr Riddington wants to know when you will be collecting the parcel you wrongly delivered to him this morning.
And so do I.
MrMr Rid Ah! The parcel.
I wrongly delivered.
And must be collected.
Today.
Now! I must On your way, Laura.
Yes, Miss Lane.
Ah, Laura, it's you.
Your post, Mr Dowland.
Miss Lane hopes you are well.
Did she enjoy her flowers? She thought they were splendid and very tropical.
Tropical? She did not, did she? I don't think Miss Lane is ready to receive such a gift, sir.
Do you know if she read my letter? Miss Lane She put it aside to read later, sir.
I'm laughing at myself, Laura.
Give me your assessment.
Just tell me what you think.
About you and Miss Lane? I don't know, Mr Dowland.
But I suppose, with Miss Lane, you can't press it.
But if I do not press it, the whole thing will just fizzle away! As if it were never important.
As if it never existed.
I'm sorry, Laura.
You are right.
I ask for your advice and then I refuse to take it.
Please go and, er post things.
I keep thinking I can hear 'em coming back up the rise.
But it in't my bees.
It's just my mind tricking me.
Truth is truth, my dear.
And fact is fact.
Painful as it is to hear and more so to say.
They in't coming back unless we go and fetch 'em.
Oh, perhaps we wait another day.
They're in Fordlow, and we know what's to be done about it.
Twister, I'd rather leave things be.
Please.
In't no good can come of accusing folk of what no-one can prove.
I will accuse these Fordluns and I'll see it in their faces.
What kind of lowly, ugly, sin-rid vermin steals a beekeeper's bees?! Steals the love of her life? One of the loves.
I'll look at 'em and I'll see it! It's in their eyes.
It's in their blood.
Thieves is bred.
Guilt can't be hid if you know how to look for it.
Twister, why can't you leave me be when I ask you? You just like to fight, is all.
Suppose we had enough fighting and warring and blaming and hating.
Just leave it be, I tell you! Are you waiting for Alf? Had to come up anyway cos of the cows.
Alf's a really fine lad.
Everyone in Lark Rise likes him.
Good lookin' an' all, ain't he? Winsome eyes.
He's very musical too.
You should hear him play.
I did already! What time is it? It was twelve o' clock when I set out, so it must be close to one.
Didn't think it'd got so late.
I'm sure he'll come, Nan.
KNOCKING I've been wondering.
I've been wondering when you'd ask.
I've heard tales about Fordlow since I was a child.
What was the start of it the start of suchbad feelings? I only know what I was told.
Queenie's grandma was accused of stealing bees from the hives of a Fordlow beekeeper.
No-one is saying that everyone who ever lived here in lark Rise was saintly.
By God, no! But not Queenie's grandma.
She was known to be everything that is decent and true.
It wasn't possible.
It was a malicious thing to say.
Born out of jealousy.
Now, it wouldn't have mattered, but the accusation pained her so much, she was near enough taken down by it.
The poor woman seemed to lose her spirit.
Injustice can bring down a hearty man, let alone a fragile old woman.
Alfie you owe no debt of duty to Queenie's grandma.
But I do owe Queenie plenty.
Hey, post office girl! Me? You live at the post office, don't you? Oh.
I do.
Will you be seein' Laura Timmins? I want her to get a message from me to a lad called Alf Arless.
That sounds fierce.
Fierce ain't the half of what I'm feelin' towards him.
So what d'you want her to say? Right.
She says she knows him well.
I should say! You should say what? I should say she knows him! He only dreamed and mooned and sung about her for years on end! So what do you want her to tell him? I don't Don't matter.
You sure? I'm very handy at messages.
Don't matter.
I'll see her myself.
Extraordinary! BELL RINGS I have checked the forthcoming events in the parish.
There is a lot of activity in October, all throughout October.
Every day.
The christening of infant Robinson, confessionsconfirmations.
Oh! How keen you are to have gone so speedily to the parish diary! Fear not.
I will speak to the rector.
Miss Lane sent me over to ask very kindly if .
.
if you had a .
.
cigar box she could borrow.
A cigar box? Yes, she wants it for hercigars.
Is that so? Yes, and could you do her the favour, she said, of delivering it yourself? Now.
Oh, dear Minnie.
She didn't send you, did she? I was hoping I might find Alfie.
Oh, I'm sure he'll be back in a minute.
Rock the baby's carriage, would you? I think her teeth must be troubling her.
You're Nan, in't you? Alfie's girl.
I in't his girl.
Don't think I am.
That's as much as my eyes can bear.
Standing there as bold as barley.
They in't got no feelings to 'em.
Lest you've come to gloat.
Is that what you want? Is it? If I knew what you were talking about, I might give you an answer.
Twister Turrell, don't you set to.
I have a question for you, girl.
Do you know or were you part of or was it you or was it one of yours you Fordlow pikers what took our bees and stole them? That in't one question - that's a barrow full.
And the answer to 'em all is no.
See the look in her face, Emma.
Lies! Guilt.
Guilty as the guiltiest Twister! You in't no right to say such things.
Queenie! Queenie, my dear I have the very proof we've been wanting.
Perhaps my bees in't my bees.
Perhapsthey've gone where God wants them to be.
Perhaps they've gone because I don't deserve to keep 'em.
Oh, Queenie, you've been keeping bees since the first day my eyes looked out over our hamlet.
Perhaps that's the problem.
Perhaps I never should have.
See how the grief of it has knotted up her thinking into such a fuddle! See what thieving has done to decent folk! In't you got no shame, girl? In't you got no morals? I was brought up to tell the truth, be afraid of no-one.
I don't need no morals from the likes of Lark Rise folk.
My pa sat me on his lap and pointed up that hill and told me, "If you want to know all what's wrong in this world, spend an afternoon in Lark Rise.
" Well, now I know he's right and I in't even been here an hour.
I know about thieves.
Lark Rise thieves.
Bee thieves as far back as ever there was.
Is that what you believe? Truly? You heard me say it.
Well, I've heard enough then, in't I? Look what's come of it.
The young set against each other.
One spiteful old Fordlow wife accused Queenie's grandma of stealing her hives when it weren't true.
She didn't have a thieving bone in her body.
There in't no putting any of it to rights now.
It's done.
It's the way it will always be.
Now we have to live with it.
In't never going to be any love between Fordlow and Lark Rise.
Never.
Never.
The christening of the infant Robinson will be completed by ten o'clock on the 14th.
Our wedding will immediately follow that happy event.
Wellthat is most Indeed, that is Queenie, my dear in't it time you went up? I'll follow you up.
I'll put my head on your pillow, my sweet, to warm it for you when you are ready.
I'll say this the truth is the truth and it'll all come to light.
And here's why - a guilty heart will know itself.
KNOCKING Why, Queenie! What's keeping you from your bed? A heavy heart and the need of a friend.
Sit down here.
Emma, I can't even look at you as I say this.
I feel like I've brought shame into the whole of Lark Rise.
There's things I know Things I saw with my own eyes I can't keep it in my own heart any more.
The bees.
Your grandma.
I saw.
I saw her face.
She stole those bees from Fordlow.
But everybody ever knew her said she was the sweetest soul.
Oh, she was.
And kinder to me than my own ma.
That's why I could never admit it.
Not even to my own self.
But I saw it.
She was jealous.
And more prideful of her bees than was good for her.
It took such a hold of her.
Burned up her heart.
She kept it hid but I saw it.
She stole those bees away, and no-one would ever believe it here in Lark Rise.
And now look what it's doing to us all doing to young Alfie.
I thought it was all in the past.
But it in't.
It won't stay there.
What are we going to do, Queenie? Thomas.
Sir.
I hate to have to say this, but the way things are going I'm not going to be able to keep you on.
Oh.
I'll pay you to the end of the week.
I understand, Mr Dowland.
I'm sorry, I know you have .
.
plans.
I wish you every happiness for the future.
Thank you, sir.
Miss Margaret.
Miss Margaret, will you sit a moment, please? Ohyes.
Miss Margaret, I have something to tell you which will necessarily delay our marriage.
Oh.
Yes.
It cannot be helped.
I shall shortly no longer be required at the hotel.
I shall be considerably worse off and cannot, in all conscience, subject you to a lowering of expectations.
Oh! Is that all? Do you not realise, Thomas, that even were you a very poor man indeed, it would not matter to me.
It would not matter at all.
It's the truth, Tom.
Butdoes it have to be? I mean can it be a mistake? The truth is the truth.
We don't have to say it out loud though, do we? We do.
Now.
Admit it? To them? ToFordlow? That we're the thieves? I think it's time, yes.
How am I supposed to walk down the lanewith them knowing? Looking at me.
Thinking.
We'll know we told the truth.
We'll know we did the right thing.
Yes.
I see.
You're right, my dear.
Perhaps we could do it next year? Now, Twister.
Now is the time to rid myself of this.
I'll stand beside you, my dear.
If I in't confined to the house with the rheumatism.
Thomas, I am correct in thinking you are writing a letter? A letter to Miss Ellison? I simply wish to illuminate her, mam.
To deliver us from her misunderstanding.
Hmm.
You may call it illumination, Thomas The news alone will break her heart.
I only wish to clarify the reasoning, Miss Lane.
See when I speak, I fluster.
If I can write it in words, with clarity, then she can see that I mean no harm.
A note, Thomas, in such circumstances, is cold.
And to the woman who receives it cowardly.
If I were her I would not want to receive a note .
.
when what was called for was to see in your eyes what you felt.
Your fear, your hopes.
To see something true.
That's what a woman wants more than anything.
Because truth is life.
If you do not want to marry her, Thomas, face her, tell her.
I do want to marry her, Miss Lane.
Just not yet.
It's simplyit's a misunderstanding on the matter of timing.
A misunderstanding? Isn't it you, Thomas, who is always telling me we must live life by God's will? Oh, this is good, Laura.
Here I have a lifeline.
A booking of 16 for a fortnight to arrive the day after tomorrow.
That does sound good, Mr Dowland.
And there's not a single thing I can do about it.
I have insufficient staff, there are no rooms ready, there's very probably no milk in the pantry.
I don't know I haven't checked.
I haven't taken notice of anything for weeks.
Telegraph to them, will you? Tell them their booking cannot be taken.
That is a shame, Mr Dowland.
Shame's the very word, Laura.
Miss Ellison.
You have such good taste, Miss Lane.
I wondered if you might look at the materials I am considering for my dress.
I have swatches.
Shades of palest dove grey.
Grey can be deceptively attractive, don't you think so, Miss Lane? I prefer things which are a little more transparently attractive.
But, Miss Ellison, dove grey is certainly elegant.
I am a little mature for white.
HE CLEARS HIS THROAT Miss Margaret.
I have to find a degree of courage here in order to say something to you.
Please, I think it'd be best if you were seated.
Oh.
Yes.
Miss Ellison, the subject is disappointment.
Oh, poor Miss Ellison.
This is a difficult thing for me to say.
Concerning disappointment? Yes.
My dear Margaret.
What I have to say to you is that I I will try my very utmost not to be a disappointment to you when we are married on the 14th of October.
THEY SQUEAL So, Alfthis girl.
I don't want to talk about her.
Better stop thinkin' about her, then.
Who says I am? Didn't have you down as a faint-heart.
Faint-heart? I ain't no faint-heart.
Ah, well.
You're right.
Let's not talk about it, eh? We'll drop the subject.
Frank! Come on.
KNOCKING Mr Dowland? Gone nine o'clock, sir.
Is it? I took it upon myself to see the two sets of guests off, sir.
I suppose they would have expected me to bid them a safe journey.
They were ratherpuzzled.
I told them you were not yourself.
Who was I? Girls? Archie? Children! Queenie, have you seen the children? They were nowhere to be found when I woke up.
Our brood are gone an' all.
Alf.
I've driven Alf away.
Alf can look after himself, but where are the children? Where've you been? What are you doing? Kicking a cabbage! That's good food.
We went over to Fordlow.
We dared do it and we smashed up their gardens.
Where's Twister? We want to tell him.
You did what? Pulled up their cabbages andmade a bit of mess.
Edmund Timmins, you should've known better.
This is not how you've been brought up.
But Twister said we was at war with Fordlow.
Then Twister is wrong.
That is the food from someone's table, I don't care who they are.
We must make amends.
Sally, what are you up to? We're off to Fordlow to make amends.
Nan! Nan! There he is, the Lark Rise beggar! Wreck our gardens, would you? After him! Enough! I ain't runnin' away.
I came here to talk.
Leave him be! It weren't him.
It was the children spoiled the gardens.
Don't, Robert.
It's for me to mend.
I came here to speak with Nan Carter.
Nan I should have stood up and defended you.
I didn't and I hate myself for it.
I just want to say, if you'll meet me again, I'd like to see if you an' me I'd like to get to know you, Nan.
Well, I'd .
.
I'd like that, too.
You have my blessing.
The children wrecked the gardens.
And who can blame them? The example we set.
At some point .
.
it's time to let bygones be bygones.
To make amends for the spoiled gardens.
Shouldn't have happened, and it won't happen again.
Miss Lane baked these for you.
Why not? I haven't had any breakfast or lunch.
Is there any return message? Thomas, I'm in such a spin.
I know it in't my place to meddle in Mr Dowland's affairs, but I can't bring myself to do this, to go ahead and cancel this booking.
Oh, Minnie! You look how I feel.
I have never seen a man so undone by pining.
I know he in't no saint, we gets what we deserve, but I do think it's cruel of Miss Lane.
What is cruel of Miss Lane? Not cruel, mum.
Did I say cruel? I didn't mean cruel! I would never think cruel of you! Minnie, for heaven's sake, just say it.
Mum I can't.
You will only tell me to get out of your sight if I do.
Mr Dowland is pining, mam.
And his pining seems to have affected everything he does.
The hotel is Floundering is not too great a word for it, mam.
And you think this is all my doing? It is for me to remedy with a cheery visit to Mr Dowland? Mr Dowland's feelings are his own.
I cannot be responsible for his heart.
If that is cruel, then .
.
I don't wish to see him suffer and I certainly don't wish his business to flounder on account ofhis emotions.
Is this a real crisis, Thomas? Might be damaging to the reputation of the hotel, Miss Lane.
And to Mr Dowland.
Mr Dowland? Oh, Dorcas.
My staff tell me that you are expecting a large party and that you are not properly prepared.
I can't remember whether I have booked any staff.
Nothing seems to stick in my mind at the moment.
Well, might I suggest that you pick yourself up and set to? We can help you, but you must tell us what needs to be done.
Could you go to the kitchen and, er, see if we have any food? And perhaps call the residential staff down and, er, tell them we have a party.
Oh, Dorcas.
I prayed that you would come.
I hoped that you would come, but I didn't believe it.
Dorcas Lane, laying tables.
I never thought I would see such a thing.
In my hotel.
Oh, I know my way around a knife and fork.
Dorcas.
I thought that I had lost you, lost all hope.
It was the blackest place.
But I am glad it happened - it has taught me what it feels like, what it would mean.
James, stop.
You must stop.
I must tell you.
No.
I must tell you.
And you must listen.
And you must hear me.
I could not bear to look down the street and see your business come apart, when you have strived so much to make this life for yourself.
But I must be clear with you.
I cannot stand to see a neighbour struggling.
It is in my nature.
I know my heart well enough now.
I know who I am and I know what matters to me.
I will help you today.
And I will help you whenever you need it.
As a friend.
As a neighbour.
'In a world as small as ours, 'sometimes it took courage to be a good neighbour.
' 'But peace and accord were the natural tendency in those parts, 'so Lark Rise welcomed the return of harmony with Fordlow.
'Queenie's bees returned as well of course 'as she had said they would.
'Queenie knew her bees well.
' Everything all right there, ladies? Oh, good Lord! What would you do without me to protect you from? From vegetables? The harvest show would not be the harvest show without Miss Ellison's apple bramble jelly.
I don't think Mr Paterson's the only one acting strangely.
A man cannot help his feelings, Miss Pearl.
Ha-ha! Found you! What you up to? Alfie? Is everything all right? You and Nature have never really seen eye to eye, have you? I think Nature is rather growing on me.