Hetty Wainthropp Investigates (1996) s03e01 Episode Script
All Stitched Up
Looks good.
Bye-bye, kids.
Bye, granddad! Give your granddad a kiss.
There you go.
Whoa! Bye, Gina! Bye! Bye, George! Bye.
Bye, Arthur.
It were a lovely cut of beef as usual.
Aye.
A little tip, lass.
Give it a bit longer next time, eh? Um, safe journey home, dad.
Bye, son.
I'll look out a nice grand roast for next week.
Last week he said I'd overdone it.
Lenny, look what you've done! I'm scalded, you pig.
Ha ha.
That's where she lives, remember, Frankie.
Yeah.
[Drops keys.]
Get in.
Come on.
Get in.
Get in.
Get in.
Oh! Eh? Come on, come on! Who could have done such a thing? I know who did it.
What'll I do without my car? It's my life.
[Accelerating jerkily.]
Whoa! Very well.
I shall be there.
Oh, these are marvelous.
Come and see what Joe rollins has brought me-- my beans.
What? Taken this afternoon after that last drop of rain.
That was the police department requesting my services urgently on a matter they can't unravel themselves.
I was about to suggest we went over to have a look at these and then on for a celebration supper.
Oh.
Where were you planning to take us? Anywhere you fancy.
I mean, I've been stuck around here for a week now.
That new Lebanese place we found on the mat.
Oh, that's a very nice thought, Robert, but detective chief inspector Adams requires me tonight.
There's some COD in the fridge, which Geoffrey will cook when he gets back from his driving lesson.
If he gets back.
This won't take long.
[Telephone rings.]
[Ring.]
[Ring.]
Wainthropp detective agency.
Derek! Hello, son.
You sound as if you're in the next room.
Where are you speaking from? It's the duffield estate--hattersley.
Geoffrey should help us, then.
He comes from hattersley.
They're decent folk up there, but just lately, there's been a spate of mischief.
As you know, Mrs.
Wainthropp, we like to tread softly in these kinds of places.
We get better results, which is why I've thought to call you in to do a job which might be right up your street.
Well, you know my terms of reference, chief inspector.
No sex scandals, no divorce, no drug running, and no industrial espionage.
How's your needlework? You're drowning those chips.
Just-- just sit down, Mr.
Wainthropp.
Don't agitate yourself.
I have done this before, you know? Would it have been easier to go out and buy this lot ready-wrapped? Have we got any vinegar? In the cupboard up here.
Same place it always is.
This phone call from Derek, Mr.
Wainthropp.
Oh, yeah.
Wait till I tell his mother.
That'll teach you to go off on police duty.
It's to do with his promotion with his computer firm.
They want him to go off on a business studies course, and he thought he might do it in Manchester.
Will his wife be coming? I hope not.
Oh! No, no, no, no.
I think this will just be a solo visit.
A bit of home comfort while he's studying.
I'll have to send him details.
So he'll be wanting his room back.
Well, it'll only be for 2 or 3 months.
And let me tell Hetty about it.
We don't want her getting all over-excited.
Those peas are burning.
Take them off! Last night, one of the residents had her car burned out in front of her house.
Maureen o'Callaghan, a district nurse.
She's well-liked.
But she's not one to stand any nonsense.
The prime suspect is a lad called Lenny thornber-- 19 years old.
The police have had him in, but nobody, young or old, will volunteer evidence against him.
Good night, mum.
Robert: What does Adams want you to do? Hetty: "Break down the wall of silence" was how he phrased it by using me wits, find out what's behind Lenny-- why he's behaving like this and find someone who has the courage to speak out against him.
I'm to pose as Maureen's sister.
Nurse o'Callaghan.
Is she Irish? Well, I should think so.
Why? If she is, you'll have to do the accent.
That'll be the least of my worries.
I'm to join some quilt making enterprise and get the women talking.
I haven't done any stitching in years, but I suppose it's like riding a bicycle.
Or falling off one.
Don't.
It seems to me they're asking you to do their dirty work.
You shouldn't mess with the lennys of this world, love.
Say you won't do it.
Of course I'll do it.
Hetty! I'm sorry, Robert.
But this is the first time the police have actually offered me a job themselves.
And I'll have Geoffrey to mind me.
He's going as me son.
Ah, yes.
Now, talking of sons Mm? We had a phone call from our Derek tonight.
What? Well, why didn't you say so, Robert? Calm down.
Something's happened.
What is it? Calm down.
It was 4:15 in the morning.
Oh, 4:15 and you've never told me? And he was coming back from a party.
It was a glorious birthday party.
Will you get into bed, and I'll tell you all about it.
Oh, but, Robert-- Hetty! It was number 2, was it? Well, there's number 4.
So My mind's not fully on this, Geoffrey.
You'll have to help me through.
Well, don't worry, Mrs.
Wainthropp.
I'm right beside you.
And just think, you can get into practice, having a son again.
Ha ha ha.
Come on.
My auntie vera lived in the top there.
Oh, aye.
She wasn't really me auntie.
She just used to help out when me mum was a bit the worse for wear.
Oh, and I remember a girl when I was 14 who lived down that way-- well, I hope nobody remembers you, Geoffrey.
Number 2.
I think we've arrived, Geoffrey.
Hello, love.
What a lovely surprise! Ah! And Jeremy.
It's Geoffrey.
Hello, Shirley! Oh, hello, Maureen.
This is my sister-in-law from Ireland.
She's over on a visit.
Come inside, both of you.
Sunny for the time of year, isn't it? [Chuckles softly.]
I'm sorry about that demonstration at the door.
I thought I'd better make it look right.
Shall I be meeting my brother? Only I ought to know his name.
It's Robert.
But he's had to stop at home.
Yeah.
He's had a bit of an accident.
He fell over his wheelbarrow, and he's broken his collarbone.
That can be very painful.
It is.
Milk and sugar, love? [Irish accent.]
Well, begorrah! You should have remembered.
[Laughter.]
Well, you better be sure of what you're saying, dad, because-- I am sure.
It's been on me conscience.
What did he Nick? A radio? Worse than that.
He gutted the car.
Gutted.
Yeah.
I think it were petrol in a drinks can.
Burned the whole thing out.
My God.
Look, would you know him for certain? Well, I would.
I'll, uh Well, I'll ring police.
Hang on.
It's a bit late for that, dad.
Aye.
Happen you're right.
Um Let me think on.
Maureen's car.
He saw who did it.
Now, listen We're not messing with that young devil.
We put our family first, right, Shirley? Maureen: Last month, I had a break-in.
He came in the back and swiped my microwave, a kettle, the toaster, and my best tea towels.
You know it was Lenny.
I do.
A neighbor saw him stashing it in his van.
What sort of van? Plain white.
He uses it to do odd jobs for people.
Removing stuff from houses.
Just that.
Well, who'd trust him around here? I think he goes farther afield for his day job.
He sometimes has a young lad with him, Frank starling-- he's a waster-- and a girl-- Trisha grice.
I brought her into the world for my sins.
This break-in, Maureen, you called the police? I did not.
I went straight round to his house.
I said, "Lenny, give me back what you took and we'll say no more this time.
" Right out I said it in front of his father.
He's a funny fish.
A criminal? No, a Christian.
He used to be a welder in burnley.
What did his father say when you accused his son outright? He just gazed at him, Geoffrey, with a silent look.
The lad didn't flinch.
He denied everything.
I told him, I said, I've marked you down, my lad.
I'll be watching your every move from now on.
And then I turned on my heel and left.
And have you been watching him? I mean Of course I haven't.
How could I? I have my job to do.
I just wanted to make him tremble.
Excuse me, mum, auntie.
The quilt class, I think I'd stick out a bit.
And I need to find some reason for being seen around here.
I don't suppose you have a car, have you, Geoffrey? No.
But I'm working on it.
Well, they've given me this old banger from the medical center, pro tem.
But I can hardly get it out of second gear.
Can you put up a shed? A shed? You mean a garden shed? Yeah.
Definitely.
No problem.
Oh, what'll you do with yourself while I'm at the quilt? Well, I'll just scout around, make a few contacts, you know? Nothing silly.
Me?! Never.
And I'll pick you up back here at what time, 8:30? 8:30? Yeah.
Ok.
Watch it.
This is what we're aspiring to.
My word.
Done by the local art school for us.
And, uh This is as far as we've got.
It's coming along nicely.
Well, we're supposed to auction it in a fortnight to save the children.
I just can't find it, mum.
Well, where did you lose it, David? Come on, you must remember.
If I'd remember, I'd go and find it, wouldn't I? Was it at school or on your way home? Where have you been these past 3 hours anyway? Your tea is ruined.
He's lost his key.
Here.
Take mine.
But you better be in when I get back, or I won't get in, will I? Go on.
Off you go.
Hello, David, love.
How you doing? All right? School? It's ok, thanks.
Good lad.
Hello, David.
Hello.
They say he's bright as a new pound coin at school when he wants to be.
He spends most of his time dreaming.
Well, he'll be a poet, then, or a politician.
Good evening, ladies.
All here, are we? I hope so.
We have a Mountain to climb tonight.
Hello, Sandra.
And where were you last week? Got waylaid.
Claire, this is my sister-in-law-- Hetty.
She's come all the way from Ireland to give us a helping hand.
How do you do? Welcome, love.
You've done applique, have you? Oh, well, sure, I have in the past.
Come with me.
What do you fancy? Well Some puffy cloud and a chimney up here.
Hey, right! David! Yeah.
Where were you Sunday afternoon? Football, TV.
Oh, yeah? Who were playing? Spurs/man-u.
We missed that.
Crackin' match, all right? Sparks flew.
You saw a fire? Someone put it out.
Hit one of the engines, the lot.
Did you see 'em, David? No.
I were home.
I told you.
Aw.
No place like home, eh, Frank? Right you are.
Is that where you're going now? Nobody there.
Empty.
Even the goldfish drowned.
Me tea is ready.
You hear that, Frank? His tea is ready.
Tea? No.
It's way past tea time.
I think you should come with us.
What for? I want to talk to you, David.
Come on.
Where are we going? Don't know yet, do we, Frank? No.
Yes.
You have done this before.
I used to help my grandmother.
I shall speed up.
Of course you will.
Don't worry, love.
You stick with me.
Which house? That one there.
All right.
You can't do that.
You might kill someone.
No, we won't.
The house is empty, isn't it, Frank? Yeah.
She's in hospital is Mrs.
Sharon.
It's all right.
It's for you, David.
Let me go.
Ringside view, eh, when the firemen come.
Let me go! Aah! Aah! Police, please, and an ambulance.
Art school teacher: Right.
Those of you with something to show from this evening, leave it on that table there.
The rest of you, homework, please.
Time's our enemy, remember.
Shall we see you at our extra class on Thursday? Yes.
Definitely.
Marvelous.
Give her a hand, Maureen.
Do you fancy a drink, Karen? Oh, heck.
Why not? Get your coat.
[Siren.]
Good night, love.
Good night.
Sorry I'm late, love.
I've been to the pub.
Are you all right? What's happened? Nothing.
Hetty: Robert, I don't know.
But we'll be getting a lift home.
Inspector Adams is with us.
We're all in one piece, so don't worry.
Oh, go to bed.
How is Mrs.
Sharon? Maureen: She'll pull through.
She only got out of hospital this morning.
Geoffrey: They thought I'd done it, even though it was me who raised the alarm.
Well, it was reasonable for them to wonder what you were doing there.
Police work is what he was doing there.
And he spotted the van.
Yes.
And they pulled it in, Mrs.
Wainthropp.
Unfortunately, since he couldn't identify the miscreants, they weren't able to hold them.
Hetty: So they pulled him over and let him go.
What does that do for him? Another little triumph, or is he thinking, who was there? Who shopped him? What makes him tick, Geoffrey? He's not into serious thieving.
It's something else.
If I could just get into his gang and get involved, then we could nail him.
He has not got a gang, not to speak of.
At least I learned that at the stitching.
That's why he's so clever.
It's some sort of control over people is what he's after.
Come on, let's get moving.
You can count me in now.
This has turned out just as I feared.
Oh, Robert.
You're not going back there alone, no matter how enticing it is working with Adams.
I'm coming with you.
And how will that help us? Haven't we got a shed to build? Oh.
Yes.
Right.
Well, you will be needing my toolbox.
Oh, thanks, Mr.
Wainthropp.
That's just what I do need, actually.
Make sure you take good care of it.
I will.
I shan't let it out of my sight, I promise.
That's very good of you, Robert.
We'll do our best not to be late.
"And make sure that they are standing" [Mumbling.]
Everything in hand, Geoffrey? Oh, yeah.
Up in a jiffy, auntie Maureen.
[Rain.]
Hello! Hello.
You wanting Karen? Yes.
She's doing her shift-- bates bakery, down on the Nelson road.
Thank you.
Hello.
Ah, hello there.
A cup of tea, please, and an eccles.
And I'll take it over there with my son.
Oh.
I'll bring it over.
What are you doing here? Well, it was raining.
And I thought, dinnertime.
Well, I am here for a different reason.
Just follow my lead best as you can, all right? Right, Mrs.
Wainthropp.
S-sorry.
Mum.
Right, mum.
Karen: Oh, yes.
I can see the likeness.
You must be Maureen's nephew, then.
Yes, I am.
He's building a garden shed for her.
Aye.
But the weather's turned against me, you know? She's a dark horse.
We thought all she had was a cousin in oldham.
Hetty: How's your lad? Did he get home safe last night? Oh, yeah.
Silly monkey.
Well, sure there's is a relief, because from what my sister tells me, things aren't too rosy on the estate just now.
Aye.
We're very worried for our auntie Maureen, aren't we, mum? I know.
That car, that was dreadful.
And poor Mrs.
Sharon last night.
Did you hear? Someone's just told me.
Well, sure, it's the elderly we have to think about and women on their own and young lads your David's age, I should imagine.
It's been bad these past 2 months.
We even had the helicopters out last week.
Trying to pick out a white van.
Oh, Maureen knows who burnt her car, but she can't prove it.
And others are too frightened to talk.
Do you know this Lenny thornber? By sight, yeah.
But not to speak to.
Does David? Uh, I don't know.
You'd have to ask him.
I'd like to get my hands on him.
Nobody messes with my auntie Maureen.
She saw my husband through his illness.
He died of cancer at Christmas.
How's David coping? Oh, he's the brave one.
The man of the house is my David.
Sorry.
I'll have to go.
It was David I saw in the quilt class with a number 10 on his back.
Surely he told his mother or inspector Adams.
Neither at the moment.
From what you described, he was running away from them, and we don't want his mother upset more than she needs to be.
Ah, hello, Shirley! My son Geoffrey.
He's doing some construction work in Maureen's garden.
Oh.
Hello, Geoffrey.
Hello.
Oh, this extra class for the quilt tomorrow-- shall you be going? Oh, if I can, yes.
Oh, I did enjoy meself.
Heh heh! My goodness.
How they worked those poor children in the mills.
It's easy to pretend it never happened.
We get so careless with the past.
I can't remember what took place two days ago half the time, can you? Unless it's an upset, like me sister's car going up in flames in broad daylight on a lovely spring evening.
Just here, was it, or further down? Uh, no, it was-- it was there.
It's a pity you weren't doing what you're doing now.
You could surely have prevented it happening.
Uh, yes.
If you'll excuse me.
Indoors at the time, were you? What do you mean by that? I'm sorry.
I didn't see anything, if that's what you're implying, and none of us did.
Well, I didn't suggest that you did, Shirley.
What's going on around here has nothing to do with us, nothing.
Now, if--if you'll excuse me, I have to collect the children from school.
Excuse me.
Geoffrey: She knows something.
She's covering up.
And it's too early for school-collecting.
OhNo! My dad had one of them.
He got it up easy.
Oh, hey! Oy! Uh, helped him, did you? Yeah.
Hey, shouldn't you be in school? I'm off sick.
Right.
Well, you better come help me, then.
Come on.
Hey, what's that? Bolton wanderers? Yeah.
What's yours? Man u.
Our number 10's better than your number 10.
Never! What's your name? David.
All right.
Mine's Geoff.
Hey, do you know me auntie Maureen? Um, your mum works at the bakery, doesn't she? Just been up there.
Good pasties.
All right.
I'm sorry to hear about your dad, David.
That's rotten, that is.
Is your mum coping? With your help, eh? Yeah.
Right.
Come on.
Get hold of that.
[Muffled.]
Shirley: Oh.
Oh, all right, love.
Something wrong? No, no, nothing.
There's a lad in Maureen's garden, and he's with that little David.
Trying to build a shed or something.
Oh, that's right.
That's Maureen's nephew.
Ah.
Well, they're making a right hash of it.
We'll need the hammer.
Right.
Whoa! Well, that was your fault! It was my fault? What did I do? You let go of that! Yeah, you told me to, for the hammer.
I never--I said we'll need it, not-- all right, ok, all right, all right.
Just grab that and hold it here.
There we go.
Hold it.
Have you got a dad? Uh, yeah, but he's hurt at the moment.
Otherwise, he'd be here, helping us fix this.
Geoffrey: He's never a rogue, Mrs.
Wainthropp.
I'll swear on my life.
Did you talk about Lenny? A couple of times.
He didn't really respond.
Which supports my theory that he was taken along for the ride last night against his will.
Robert: If I could put in my two penneth, what was he doing in Maureen's garden? Was that just coincidence? No.
If Mrs.
Wainthropp's right, he was just plucking up courage to tell us something.
We must keep him in our sights.
Is this all Derek's stuff to do with the business course? You should have got this posted.
How could I get it posted? It's got to be addressed and a covering letter written! What am I supposed to do, use me left hand? I'm sorry.
Robert, I'm very sorry.
What do I have to do? Robert: Leaving aside the matter in hand, our lodger is worried about his place in the household.
I can see that for meself, Robert.
We haven't got room for both of them.
I wonder if the althwaites would put somebody up.
But who? Well, it would have to be I don't know.
What do you think? Don't ask me.
They're both our sons now.
We'll discuss this when this case is over.
I won't have time to answer all your questions, but there's no form on Mrs.
thornber.
He was a welder, now unemployed.
Got an alsatian called Betsy.
Frank starling, some petty pilfering.
What else? Trisha grice.
Oh, no, never mind.
I've got Geoffrey working on her.
So there's no drugs and nothing at all on Lenny thornber? I've told you that already.
Well, he's got it all stitched up, hasn't he? Removals.
Any time you open that van up, you'll find household things he can account for.
How would you know what he'd stolen? What's that? I have to go now, Mrs.
Wainthropp.
Keep in touch.
You appear to know more than we do.
I didn't know the dog was called Betsy.
Hot dog, please.
Onions? Mustard? Yes, please.
What--what's that on your, uh It's a tasmanian devil.
Oh, right.
What's that? It's a tasmanian devil.
Right.
My name's Geoff.
What's yours? What's it to you? Well, it's customary to know a girl's name if you're going to ask her out, like.
This fella bothering you? [Giggles.]
Hardly.
That'll be one pound, 70, please.
Ok.
Uh Keep the change.
Problem, lads? Not for us, eh, Lenny? You got your own transport? Y-you going my way? [Engine starting.]
Come on.
Excuse me.
It is Mrs.
Forsythe, isn't it? No.
Well, it's just that my sister, Maureen o'Callaghan, said Mrs.
Forsythe would have a key at number 25.
Oh, this is 23, and it's wilshaw at 25.
It is kettering street? No, it's Campbell street.
Oh! Then I'm going mad.
I'm sorry, only I'm staying with me sister and I've locked meself out.
I couldn't trouble you to use your phone, could I? We know who you are.
Auntie Maureen's nephew.
Yeah? I know who you are.
So it was you who told the pigs.
That wasn't me.
I was too busy saving Mrs.
Sharon, saving her from frying to death, saving your skins.
That's enough, Frankie.
I don't believe in violence.
No reply.
Ah.
I'm stuck.
You're not part of this quilt thing, then? I don't know about it.
Oh, and I thought everybody knew.
Would it interest you? They're desperate for helping hands.
Heh! They even roped me in.
No, I'm not interested, thank you.
Oh, is this your son? Isn't he good-looking! Does he live with you? I've got a boy--Derek-- but he lives in Australia with his wife, my 3 grandchildren, more's the pity.
Hmm.
That is a pity.
And I've got this other boy, Geoffrey.
Oh, what a worry he is! Mixing with the wrong crowd, you know.
He'll be the death of me, if not of himself first.
Sometimes you just hit a brick wall.
Half an hour I was in there.
I got nothing.
You given a cup of tea? Nothing.
I left out of pity in the end.
Poor woman.
What a life.
[Hammering.]
Um, Stan Griffin, from over the road.
I--I--I'm Maureen's nephew.
Yeah.
Yeah, I know.
Uh, you'll need to treat it, of course, with mold and fungal protection.
Right.
Otherwise, it's all done.
What's happened to you? Oh, me.
I just I got in an argument with I just got in a scrape, that's all.
It's nothing serious.
I tell you what, though, I could do with a pint.
That's, uh, just where I'm going.
Can we talk, please? I want to apologize for the way I spoke to you yesterday.
No, it's all right.
I'll get these, Mr.
Griffin.
Uh, a pint of the usual, please, bill.
Same again.
It was, uh it was terrible what happened to auntie Maureen.
Her car.
Just, uhJust opposite your house.
I mean, she's a nurse, you know? She looks after people.
Why do a thing like-- yeah, well, that's what happens around here.
Yeah, well, it shouldn't.
There must be something you can do to stop it, like, uhSet up a neighborhood watch.
You can't just turn a blind eye to it.
Eh, what? Are you saying I did that, like? No, not you personally.
None of you personally-- hey, you don't know what you're talking about, son, all right? Stan's father, you say it was? As he was leaving.
He saw the lad run off? Stan will kill me for this.
Would he know him again? Yes.
He telephoned us two days ago.
And your husband Stan wants to keep quiet about it? Well, I agree with him up to a point.
I mean, we have young children.
Why can't you trust the law to deal with this? They'd get him put away.
He's too smart for the law.
They've had him in and let him out, and then he's worse than ever, strutting about the street putting the fear of God into everyone.
I mean, look at poor Maureen.
She stood up to him, and look what he did to her.
Leave this to me.
Hey, get out! This is private! Yeah? You're peeping.
Now, we charge for that.
Don't, Lenny.
Pig.
Look, the police are out here, you know.
Well, ask them in.
We're not bothered.
Look, you get out! Just get out! Watch it! You'll frighten the neighbors.
That's mine, that is.
Yeah? Well, I'm giving it back to you, silly boy.
Well, I--I-- don't start anything.
Would I ever? Trisha: Hey, want to know something, bonzo? A tasmanian devil is what sees off blokes who are all mouth and no trousers.
Sss.
[Trisha giggling.]
Arthur Griffin saw him.
But if the police don't make it stick, she's frightened for her family.
So she's in a fix, and so am I.
I don't know what to suggest, love.
I don't, honestly.
[Grunting.]
Lenny and Trisha.
They're in the shed.
My shed? Yeah, it's all right.
They've gone.
But he stole Mr.
Wainthropp's screwdriver.
That decides it.
We're in luck.
Adams: Softly, softly, Mrs.
Wainthropp.
I know what's at stake, inspector.
[Knocks on door.]
I'd like a word with Lenny.
We're in the middle of prayers.
I'm his father.
What do you want? I'm Maureen o'Callaghan's sister, and I want your boy out here now if you don't mind, Mr.
thornber.
Will you fetch him for me? Why don't you step in? Because I don't choose to.
Lenny, come out here.
May I be present to this interview? I don't care either way, Mr.
thornber.
Lenny? This lady wants to talk to you.
Yeah? What about? Come here, you little-- you little tyke.
Hetty: Last Sunday afternoon.
You were there.
Don't deny it.
Who saw me? Any number of people, and they're all gunning for you.
Too late.
Almost a week gone, and I have at least two says I didn't do it.
Frank and Trisha? You don't stand a chance with them.
Not a chance in hell, if that's what your father makes you believe in.
Well, he believes in hell, all right, but he reckons he can save me from that.
[Camera shutter clicking.]
You can stop wasting your film, pal.
Hetty: Why did you do it? Malice, because my sister had the guts to stand up to you, is that it? Look, I didn't do it, so you go and tell that to your little copper friends.
You little devil.
I'll-- you'll what? Get me? If someone don't get you first, you old bat! [Door closes.]
[Sighs.]
We're out of luck, Mrs.
Wainthropp.
Hetty: He must have defective eyesight.
I wouldn't buy a lamb chop from him.
I might get a sheep's brain.
Well, much good that'll do us.
All we have now is young David.
I'm sure he's trying to tell us something, and he's our last chance.
Our last chance is standing right above us, Mrs.
Wainthropp.
Well, well.
Inside quickly, Geoffrey.
I need to deal with this on my own.
Ok.
Hello, David.
Come and sit down, and we can have a nice, quiet chat with no one to bother us.
You know who set fire to the car, don't you? And you've come to tell me.
Were you in the van? No! Now, you mustn't be worried to say yes.
Nobody's going to punish you.
I was stopped behind it.
Behind the van? At Maureen's? But you saw them get out With Lenny holding the drinks can.
And crossing to the car.
No.
Not Lenny.
It was Frank? No! It were me, on me own! He's forced you to say this, hasn't he? He's making you take the blame for him.
Come on, David.
I weren't with them.
I didn't even know they'd be there.
Are you telling me truthfully? Yeah.
But why should you do such a terrible thing? You did know it was Maureen's car? She used to park it round our house when me dad was sick.
She were always complaining it kept breaking down.
Do you blame Maureen for your dad? No.
Was she there when he actually She came out the room and told me he were dead.
Mum stayed in there with him.
She was a good friend to you both, at that time and since.
So why did you want to hurt her? I didn't.
It were the car.
I thought she'd get the insurance if I put it out of its misery.
Oh, David.
Now, that's going to be very hard for people to swallow.
I wanted to see the firemen put it out, kill the flames with the hoses from the engine.
Is that what you want to do in life, be a fireman? Yeah, like my dad.
Adams: If we'd known his father's occupation right away, it might have saved us a bit of trouble.
No criticism of you, Mrs.
Wainthropp, far from it.
You've done well for us.
Oh, no, I haven't.
I've just made things worse.
I can't find any joy in the thought of that boy being taken off.
I've left the real rogue to carry on his mischief.
You'll need a round-the-clock watch for Maureen's house because he'll get his revenge when it suits him.
You know that as well as I do.
And you know we can't do what you're asking.
But it's me that's put her in jeopardy.
At least give her a buzzer through to the station or whatever you do.
We'll keep a close eye on her.
Don't worry.
This is to settle our account with you.
[Indistinct chatter.]
Man: Hey! Oh.
All right.
Look, uh About the other day, I didn't mean-- oh, you mean the pub? Never came back to finish my pint, did I? Chip? Ah.
Cheers.
They're not bad, are they? So, uh, you've met this Lenny character, then? Oh, yeah.
Went for a ride in his van, knocked off a post office, set fire to a few houses.
I'm only kidding.
You know, it's the mentality I don't understand.
Yeah, me, neither.
We talked about aliens, said he thought he might be one, that's why he never gets caught God! Idiot.
Well, he got me out of his van on the far side of the moon somewhere, and put the boot in.
Not too hard.
Lenny doesn't believe in violence.
Yeah! Hey! [Shouting indistinctly.]
Geoffrey: Citizen's arrest, eh? Heh heh! Robert: Mmm.
Shame about the shed, though.
Could have done with one of them here.
Hetty: So these are your famous beans, eh, Robert? You've surpassed yourself.
Well, you got to put some of it down to luck.
Like most things in life.
Now, where are you taking us to celebrate, eh? That new Lebanese place we found on the mat? Right! [Both laughing.]
Your beans! Your beans.
Bye-bye, kids.
Bye, granddad! Give your granddad a kiss.
There you go.
Whoa! Bye, Gina! Bye! Bye, George! Bye.
Bye, Arthur.
It were a lovely cut of beef as usual.
Aye.
A little tip, lass.
Give it a bit longer next time, eh? Um, safe journey home, dad.
Bye, son.
I'll look out a nice grand roast for next week.
Last week he said I'd overdone it.
Lenny, look what you've done! I'm scalded, you pig.
Ha ha.
That's where she lives, remember, Frankie.
Yeah.
[Drops keys.]
Get in.
Come on.
Get in.
Get in.
Get in.
Oh! Eh? Come on, come on! Who could have done such a thing? I know who did it.
What'll I do without my car? It's my life.
[Accelerating jerkily.]
Whoa! Very well.
I shall be there.
Oh, these are marvelous.
Come and see what Joe rollins has brought me-- my beans.
What? Taken this afternoon after that last drop of rain.
That was the police department requesting my services urgently on a matter they can't unravel themselves.
I was about to suggest we went over to have a look at these and then on for a celebration supper.
Oh.
Where were you planning to take us? Anywhere you fancy.
I mean, I've been stuck around here for a week now.
That new Lebanese place we found on the mat.
Oh, that's a very nice thought, Robert, but detective chief inspector Adams requires me tonight.
There's some COD in the fridge, which Geoffrey will cook when he gets back from his driving lesson.
If he gets back.
This won't take long.
[Telephone rings.]
[Ring.]
[Ring.]
Wainthropp detective agency.
Derek! Hello, son.
You sound as if you're in the next room.
Where are you speaking from? It's the duffield estate--hattersley.
Geoffrey should help us, then.
He comes from hattersley.
They're decent folk up there, but just lately, there's been a spate of mischief.
As you know, Mrs.
Wainthropp, we like to tread softly in these kinds of places.
We get better results, which is why I've thought to call you in to do a job which might be right up your street.
Well, you know my terms of reference, chief inspector.
No sex scandals, no divorce, no drug running, and no industrial espionage.
How's your needlework? You're drowning those chips.
Just-- just sit down, Mr.
Wainthropp.
Don't agitate yourself.
I have done this before, you know? Would it have been easier to go out and buy this lot ready-wrapped? Have we got any vinegar? In the cupboard up here.
Same place it always is.
This phone call from Derek, Mr.
Wainthropp.
Oh, yeah.
Wait till I tell his mother.
That'll teach you to go off on police duty.
It's to do with his promotion with his computer firm.
They want him to go off on a business studies course, and he thought he might do it in Manchester.
Will his wife be coming? I hope not.
Oh! No, no, no, no.
I think this will just be a solo visit.
A bit of home comfort while he's studying.
I'll have to send him details.
So he'll be wanting his room back.
Well, it'll only be for 2 or 3 months.
And let me tell Hetty about it.
We don't want her getting all over-excited.
Those peas are burning.
Take them off! Last night, one of the residents had her car burned out in front of her house.
Maureen o'Callaghan, a district nurse.
She's well-liked.
But she's not one to stand any nonsense.
The prime suspect is a lad called Lenny thornber-- 19 years old.
The police have had him in, but nobody, young or old, will volunteer evidence against him.
Good night, mum.
Robert: What does Adams want you to do? Hetty: "Break down the wall of silence" was how he phrased it by using me wits, find out what's behind Lenny-- why he's behaving like this and find someone who has the courage to speak out against him.
I'm to pose as Maureen's sister.
Nurse o'Callaghan.
Is she Irish? Well, I should think so.
Why? If she is, you'll have to do the accent.
That'll be the least of my worries.
I'm to join some quilt making enterprise and get the women talking.
I haven't done any stitching in years, but I suppose it's like riding a bicycle.
Or falling off one.
Don't.
It seems to me they're asking you to do their dirty work.
You shouldn't mess with the lennys of this world, love.
Say you won't do it.
Of course I'll do it.
Hetty! I'm sorry, Robert.
But this is the first time the police have actually offered me a job themselves.
And I'll have Geoffrey to mind me.
He's going as me son.
Ah, yes.
Now, talking of sons Mm? We had a phone call from our Derek tonight.
What? Well, why didn't you say so, Robert? Calm down.
Something's happened.
What is it? Calm down.
It was 4:15 in the morning.
Oh, 4:15 and you've never told me? And he was coming back from a party.
It was a glorious birthday party.
Will you get into bed, and I'll tell you all about it.
Oh, but, Robert-- Hetty! It was number 2, was it? Well, there's number 4.
So My mind's not fully on this, Geoffrey.
You'll have to help me through.
Well, don't worry, Mrs.
Wainthropp.
I'm right beside you.
And just think, you can get into practice, having a son again.
Ha ha ha.
Come on.
My auntie vera lived in the top there.
Oh, aye.
She wasn't really me auntie.
She just used to help out when me mum was a bit the worse for wear.
Oh, and I remember a girl when I was 14 who lived down that way-- well, I hope nobody remembers you, Geoffrey.
Number 2.
I think we've arrived, Geoffrey.
Hello, love.
What a lovely surprise! Ah! And Jeremy.
It's Geoffrey.
Hello, Shirley! Oh, hello, Maureen.
This is my sister-in-law from Ireland.
She's over on a visit.
Come inside, both of you.
Sunny for the time of year, isn't it? [Chuckles softly.]
I'm sorry about that demonstration at the door.
I thought I'd better make it look right.
Shall I be meeting my brother? Only I ought to know his name.
It's Robert.
But he's had to stop at home.
Yeah.
He's had a bit of an accident.
He fell over his wheelbarrow, and he's broken his collarbone.
That can be very painful.
It is.
Milk and sugar, love? [Irish accent.]
Well, begorrah! You should have remembered.
[Laughter.]
Well, you better be sure of what you're saying, dad, because-- I am sure.
It's been on me conscience.
What did he Nick? A radio? Worse than that.
He gutted the car.
Gutted.
Yeah.
I think it were petrol in a drinks can.
Burned the whole thing out.
My God.
Look, would you know him for certain? Well, I would.
I'll, uh Well, I'll ring police.
Hang on.
It's a bit late for that, dad.
Aye.
Happen you're right.
Um Let me think on.
Maureen's car.
He saw who did it.
Now, listen We're not messing with that young devil.
We put our family first, right, Shirley? Maureen: Last month, I had a break-in.
He came in the back and swiped my microwave, a kettle, the toaster, and my best tea towels.
You know it was Lenny.
I do.
A neighbor saw him stashing it in his van.
What sort of van? Plain white.
He uses it to do odd jobs for people.
Removing stuff from houses.
Just that.
Well, who'd trust him around here? I think he goes farther afield for his day job.
He sometimes has a young lad with him, Frank starling-- he's a waster-- and a girl-- Trisha grice.
I brought her into the world for my sins.
This break-in, Maureen, you called the police? I did not.
I went straight round to his house.
I said, "Lenny, give me back what you took and we'll say no more this time.
" Right out I said it in front of his father.
He's a funny fish.
A criminal? No, a Christian.
He used to be a welder in burnley.
What did his father say when you accused his son outright? He just gazed at him, Geoffrey, with a silent look.
The lad didn't flinch.
He denied everything.
I told him, I said, I've marked you down, my lad.
I'll be watching your every move from now on.
And then I turned on my heel and left.
And have you been watching him? I mean Of course I haven't.
How could I? I have my job to do.
I just wanted to make him tremble.
Excuse me, mum, auntie.
The quilt class, I think I'd stick out a bit.
And I need to find some reason for being seen around here.
I don't suppose you have a car, have you, Geoffrey? No.
But I'm working on it.
Well, they've given me this old banger from the medical center, pro tem.
But I can hardly get it out of second gear.
Can you put up a shed? A shed? You mean a garden shed? Yeah.
Definitely.
No problem.
Oh, what'll you do with yourself while I'm at the quilt? Well, I'll just scout around, make a few contacts, you know? Nothing silly.
Me?! Never.
And I'll pick you up back here at what time, 8:30? 8:30? Yeah.
Ok.
Watch it.
This is what we're aspiring to.
My word.
Done by the local art school for us.
And, uh This is as far as we've got.
It's coming along nicely.
Well, we're supposed to auction it in a fortnight to save the children.
I just can't find it, mum.
Well, where did you lose it, David? Come on, you must remember.
If I'd remember, I'd go and find it, wouldn't I? Was it at school or on your way home? Where have you been these past 3 hours anyway? Your tea is ruined.
He's lost his key.
Here.
Take mine.
But you better be in when I get back, or I won't get in, will I? Go on.
Off you go.
Hello, David, love.
How you doing? All right? School? It's ok, thanks.
Good lad.
Hello, David.
Hello.
They say he's bright as a new pound coin at school when he wants to be.
He spends most of his time dreaming.
Well, he'll be a poet, then, or a politician.
Good evening, ladies.
All here, are we? I hope so.
We have a Mountain to climb tonight.
Hello, Sandra.
And where were you last week? Got waylaid.
Claire, this is my sister-in-law-- Hetty.
She's come all the way from Ireland to give us a helping hand.
How do you do? Welcome, love.
You've done applique, have you? Oh, well, sure, I have in the past.
Come with me.
What do you fancy? Well Some puffy cloud and a chimney up here.
Hey, right! David! Yeah.
Where were you Sunday afternoon? Football, TV.
Oh, yeah? Who were playing? Spurs/man-u.
We missed that.
Crackin' match, all right? Sparks flew.
You saw a fire? Someone put it out.
Hit one of the engines, the lot.
Did you see 'em, David? No.
I were home.
I told you.
Aw.
No place like home, eh, Frank? Right you are.
Is that where you're going now? Nobody there.
Empty.
Even the goldfish drowned.
Me tea is ready.
You hear that, Frank? His tea is ready.
Tea? No.
It's way past tea time.
I think you should come with us.
What for? I want to talk to you, David.
Come on.
Where are we going? Don't know yet, do we, Frank? No.
Yes.
You have done this before.
I used to help my grandmother.
I shall speed up.
Of course you will.
Don't worry, love.
You stick with me.
Which house? That one there.
All right.
You can't do that.
You might kill someone.
No, we won't.
The house is empty, isn't it, Frank? Yeah.
She's in hospital is Mrs.
Sharon.
It's all right.
It's for you, David.
Let me go.
Ringside view, eh, when the firemen come.
Let me go! Aah! Aah! Police, please, and an ambulance.
Art school teacher: Right.
Those of you with something to show from this evening, leave it on that table there.
The rest of you, homework, please.
Time's our enemy, remember.
Shall we see you at our extra class on Thursday? Yes.
Definitely.
Marvelous.
Give her a hand, Maureen.
Do you fancy a drink, Karen? Oh, heck.
Why not? Get your coat.
[Siren.]
Good night, love.
Good night.
Sorry I'm late, love.
I've been to the pub.
Are you all right? What's happened? Nothing.
Hetty: Robert, I don't know.
But we'll be getting a lift home.
Inspector Adams is with us.
We're all in one piece, so don't worry.
Oh, go to bed.
How is Mrs.
Sharon? Maureen: She'll pull through.
She only got out of hospital this morning.
Geoffrey: They thought I'd done it, even though it was me who raised the alarm.
Well, it was reasonable for them to wonder what you were doing there.
Police work is what he was doing there.
And he spotted the van.
Yes.
And they pulled it in, Mrs.
Wainthropp.
Unfortunately, since he couldn't identify the miscreants, they weren't able to hold them.
Hetty: So they pulled him over and let him go.
What does that do for him? Another little triumph, or is he thinking, who was there? Who shopped him? What makes him tick, Geoffrey? He's not into serious thieving.
It's something else.
If I could just get into his gang and get involved, then we could nail him.
He has not got a gang, not to speak of.
At least I learned that at the stitching.
That's why he's so clever.
It's some sort of control over people is what he's after.
Come on, let's get moving.
You can count me in now.
This has turned out just as I feared.
Oh, Robert.
You're not going back there alone, no matter how enticing it is working with Adams.
I'm coming with you.
And how will that help us? Haven't we got a shed to build? Oh.
Yes.
Right.
Well, you will be needing my toolbox.
Oh, thanks, Mr.
Wainthropp.
That's just what I do need, actually.
Make sure you take good care of it.
I will.
I shan't let it out of my sight, I promise.
That's very good of you, Robert.
We'll do our best not to be late.
"And make sure that they are standing" [Mumbling.]
Everything in hand, Geoffrey? Oh, yeah.
Up in a jiffy, auntie Maureen.
[Rain.]
Hello! Hello.
You wanting Karen? Yes.
She's doing her shift-- bates bakery, down on the Nelson road.
Thank you.
Hello.
Ah, hello there.
A cup of tea, please, and an eccles.
And I'll take it over there with my son.
Oh.
I'll bring it over.
What are you doing here? Well, it was raining.
And I thought, dinnertime.
Well, I am here for a different reason.
Just follow my lead best as you can, all right? Right, Mrs.
Wainthropp.
S-sorry.
Mum.
Right, mum.
Karen: Oh, yes.
I can see the likeness.
You must be Maureen's nephew, then.
Yes, I am.
He's building a garden shed for her.
Aye.
But the weather's turned against me, you know? She's a dark horse.
We thought all she had was a cousin in oldham.
Hetty: How's your lad? Did he get home safe last night? Oh, yeah.
Silly monkey.
Well, sure there's is a relief, because from what my sister tells me, things aren't too rosy on the estate just now.
Aye.
We're very worried for our auntie Maureen, aren't we, mum? I know.
That car, that was dreadful.
And poor Mrs.
Sharon last night.
Did you hear? Someone's just told me.
Well, sure, it's the elderly we have to think about and women on their own and young lads your David's age, I should imagine.
It's been bad these past 2 months.
We even had the helicopters out last week.
Trying to pick out a white van.
Oh, Maureen knows who burnt her car, but she can't prove it.
And others are too frightened to talk.
Do you know this Lenny thornber? By sight, yeah.
But not to speak to.
Does David? Uh, I don't know.
You'd have to ask him.
I'd like to get my hands on him.
Nobody messes with my auntie Maureen.
She saw my husband through his illness.
He died of cancer at Christmas.
How's David coping? Oh, he's the brave one.
The man of the house is my David.
Sorry.
I'll have to go.
It was David I saw in the quilt class with a number 10 on his back.
Surely he told his mother or inspector Adams.
Neither at the moment.
From what you described, he was running away from them, and we don't want his mother upset more than she needs to be.
Ah, hello, Shirley! My son Geoffrey.
He's doing some construction work in Maureen's garden.
Oh.
Hello, Geoffrey.
Hello.
Oh, this extra class for the quilt tomorrow-- shall you be going? Oh, if I can, yes.
Oh, I did enjoy meself.
Heh heh! My goodness.
How they worked those poor children in the mills.
It's easy to pretend it never happened.
We get so careless with the past.
I can't remember what took place two days ago half the time, can you? Unless it's an upset, like me sister's car going up in flames in broad daylight on a lovely spring evening.
Just here, was it, or further down? Uh, no, it was-- it was there.
It's a pity you weren't doing what you're doing now.
You could surely have prevented it happening.
Uh, yes.
If you'll excuse me.
Indoors at the time, were you? What do you mean by that? I'm sorry.
I didn't see anything, if that's what you're implying, and none of us did.
Well, I didn't suggest that you did, Shirley.
What's going on around here has nothing to do with us, nothing.
Now, if--if you'll excuse me, I have to collect the children from school.
Excuse me.
Geoffrey: She knows something.
She's covering up.
And it's too early for school-collecting.
OhNo! My dad had one of them.
He got it up easy.
Oh, hey! Oy! Uh, helped him, did you? Yeah.
Hey, shouldn't you be in school? I'm off sick.
Right.
Well, you better come help me, then.
Come on.
Hey, what's that? Bolton wanderers? Yeah.
What's yours? Man u.
Our number 10's better than your number 10.
Never! What's your name? David.
All right.
Mine's Geoff.
Hey, do you know me auntie Maureen? Um, your mum works at the bakery, doesn't she? Just been up there.
Good pasties.
All right.
I'm sorry to hear about your dad, David.
That's rotten, that is.
Is your mum coping? With your help, eh? Yeah.
Right.
Come on.
Get hold of that.
[Muffled.]
Shirley: Oh.
Oh, all right, love.
Something wrong? No, no, nothing.
There's a lad in Maureen's garden, and he's with that little David.
Trying to build a shed or something.
Oh, that's right.
That's Maureen's nephew.
Ah.
Well, they're making a right hash of it.
We'll need the hammer.
Right.
Whoa! Well, that was your fault! It was my fault? What did I do? You let go of that! Yeah, you told me to, for the hammer.
I never--I said we'll need it, not-- all right, ok, all right, all right.
Just grab that and hold it here.
There we go.
Hold it.
Have you got a dad? Uh, yeah, but he's hurt at the moment.
Otherwise, he'd be here, helping us fix this.
Geoffrey: He's never a rogue, Mrs.
Wainthropp.
I'll swear on my life.
Did you talk about Lenny? A couple of times.
He didn't really respond.
Which supports my theory that he was taken along for the ride last night against his will.
Robert: If I could put in my two penneth, what was he doing in Maureen's garden? Was that just coincidence? No.
If Mrs.
Wainthropp's right, he was just plucking up courage to tell us something.
We must keep him in our sights.
Is this all Derek's stuff to do with the business course? You should have got this posted.
How could I get it posted? It's got to be addressed and a covering letter written! What am I supposed to do, use me left hand? I'm sorry.
Robert, I'm very sorry.
What do I have to do? Robert: Leaving aside the matter in hand, our lodger is worried about his place in the household.
I can see that for meself, Robert.
We haven't got room for both of them.
I wonder if the althwaites would put somebody up.
But who? Well, it would have to be I don't know.
What do you think? Don't ask me.
They're both our sons now.
We'll discuss this when this case is over.
I won't have time to answer all your questions, but there's no form on Mrs.
thornber.
He was a welder, now unemployed.
Got an alsatian called Betsy.
Frank starling, some petty pilfering.
What else? Trisha grice.
Oh, no, never mind.
I've got Geoffrey working on her.
So there's no drugs and nothing at all on Lenny thornber? I've told you that already.
Well, he's got it all stitched up, hasn't he? Removals.
Any time you open that van up, you'll find household things he can account for.
How would you know what he'd stolen? What's that? I have to go now, Mrs.
Wainthropp.
Keep in touch.
You appear to know more than we do.
I didn't know the dog was called Betsy.
Hot dog, please.
Onions? Mustard? Yes, please.
What--what's that on your, uh It's a tasmanian devil.
Oh, right.
What's that? It's a tasmanian devil.
Right.
My name's Geoff.
What's yours? What's it to you? Well, it's customary to know a girl's name if you're going to ask her out, like.
This fella bothering you? [Giggles.]
Hardly.
That'll be one pound, 70, please.
Ok.
Uh Keep the change.
Problem, lads? Not for us, eh, Lenny? You got your own transport? Y-you going my way? [Engine starting.]
Come on.
Excuse me.
It is Mrs.
Forsythe, isn't it? No.
Well, it's just that my sister, Maureen o'Callaghan, said Mrs.
Forsythe would have a key at number 25.
Oh, this is 23, and it's wilshaw at 25.
It is kettering street? No, it's Campbell street.
Oh! Then I'm going mad.
I'm sorry, only I'm staying with me sister and I've locked meself out.
I couldn't trouble you to use your phone, could I? We know who you are.
Auntie Maureen's nephew.
Yeah? I know who you are.
So it was you who told the pigs.
That wasn't me.
I was too busy saving Mrs.
Sharon, saving her from frying to death, saving your skins.
That's enough, Frankie.
I don't believe in violence.
No reply.
Ah.
I'm stuck.
You're not part of this quilt thing, then? I don't know about it.
Oh, and I thought everybody knew.
Would it interest you? They're desperate for helping hands.
Heh! They even roped me in.
No, I'm not interested, thank you.
Oh, is this your son? Isn't he good-looking! Does he live with you? I've got a boy--Derek-- but he lives in Australia with his wife, my 3 grandchildren, more's the pity.
Hmm.
That is a pity.
And I've got this other boy, Geoffrey.
Oh, what a worry he is! Mixing with the wrong crowd, you know.
He'll be the death of me, if not of himself first.
Sometimes you just hit a brick wall.
Half an hour I was in there.
I got nothing.
You given a cup of tea? Nothing.
I left out of pity in the end.
Poor woman.
What a life.
[Hammering.]
Um, Stan Griffin, from over the road.
I--I--I'm Maureen's nephew.
Yeah.
Yeah, I know.
Uh, you'll need to treat it, of course, with mold and fungal protection.
Right.
Otherwise, it's all done.
What's happened to you? Oh, me.
I just I got in an argument with I just got in a scrape, that's all.
It's nothing serious.
I tell you what, though, I could do with a pint.
That's, uh, just where I'm going.
Can we talk, please? I want to apologize for the way I spoke to you yesterday.
No, it's all right.
I'll get these, Mr.
Griffin.
Uh, a pint of the usual, please, bill.
Same again.
It was, uh it was terrible what happened to auntie Maureen.
Her car.
Just, uhJust opposite your house.
I mean, she's a nurse, you know? She looks after people.
Why do a thing like-- yeah, well, that's what happens around here.
Yeah, well, it shouldn't.
There must be something you can do to stop it, like, uhSet up a neighborhood watch.
You can't just turn a blind eye to it.
Eh, what? Are you saying I did that, like? No, not you personally.
None of you personally-- hey, you don't know what you're talking about, son, all right? Stan's father, you say it was? As he was leaving.
He saw the lad run off? Stan will kill me for this.
Would he know him again? Yes.
He telephoned us two days ago.
And your husband Stan wants to keep quiet about it? Well, I agree with him up to a point.
I mean, we have young children.
Why can't you trust the law to deal with this? They'd get him put away.
He's too smart for the law.
They've had him in and let him out, and then he's worse than ever, strutting about the street putting the fear of God into everyone.
I mean, look at poor Maureen.
She stood up to him, and look what he did to her.
Leave this to me.
Hey, get out! This is private! Yeah? You're peeping.
Now, we charge for that.
Don't, Lenny.
Pig.
Look, the police are out here, you know.
Well, ask them in.
We're not bothered.
Look, you get out! Just get out! Watch it! You'll frighten the neighbors.
That's mine, that is.
Yeah? Well, I'm giving it back to you, silly boy.
Well, I--I-- don't start anything.
Would I ever? Trisha: Hey, want to know something, bonzo? A tasmanian devil is what sees off blokes who are all mouth and no trousers.
Sss.
[Trisha giggling.]
Arthur Griffin saw him.
But if the police don't make it stick, she's frightened for her family.
So she's in a fix, and so am I.
I don't know what to suggest, love.
I don't, honestly.
[Grunting.]
Lenny and Trisha.
They're in the shed.
My shed? Yeah, it's all right.
They've gone.
But he stole Mr.
Wainthropp's screwdriver.
That decides it.
We're in luck.
Adams: Softly, softly, Mrs.
Wainthropp.
I know what's at stake, inspector.
[Knocks on door.]
I'd like a word with Lenny.
We're in the middle of prayers.
I'm his father.
What do you want? I'm Maureen o'Callaghan's sister, and I want your boy out here now if you don't mind, Mr.
thornber.
Will you fetch him for me? Why don't you step in? Because I don't choose to.
Lenny, come out here.
May I be present to this interview? I don't care either way, Mr.
thornber.
Lenny? This lady wants to talk to you.
Yeah? What about? Come here, you little-- you little tyke.
Hetty: Last Sunday afternoon.
You were there.
Don't deny it.
Who saw me? Any number of people, and they're all gunning for you.
Too late.
Almost a week gone, and I have at least two says I didn't do it.
Frank and Trisha? You don't stand a chance with them.
Not a chance in hell, if that's what your father makes you believe in.
Well, he believes in hell, all right, but he reckons he can save me from that.
[Camera shutter clicking.]
You can stop wasting your film, pal.
Hetty: Why did you do it? Malice, because my sister had the guts to stand up to you, is that it? Look, I didn't do it, so you go and tell that to your little copper friends.
You little devil.
I'll-- you'll what? Get me? If someone don't get you first, you old bat! [Door closes.]
[Sighs.]
We're out of luck, Mrs.
Wainthropp.
Hetty: He must have defective eyesight.
I wouldn't buy a lamb chop from him.
I might get a sheep's brain.
Well, much good that'll do us.
All we have now is young David.
I'm sure he's trying to tell us something, and he's our last chance.
Our last chance is standing right above us, Mrs.
Wainthropp.
Well, well.
Inside quickly, Geoffrey.
I need to deal with this on my own.
Ok.
Hello, David.
Come and sit down, and we can have a nice, quiet chat with no one to bother us.
You know who set fire to the car, don't you? And you've come to tell me.
Were you in the van? No! Now, you mustn't be worried to say yes.
Nobody's going to punish you.
I was stopped behind it.
Behind the van? At Maureen's? But you saw them get out With Lenny holding the drinks can.
And crossing to the car.
No.
Not Lenny.
It was Frank? No! It were me, on me own! He's forced you to say this, hasn't he? He's making you take the blame for him.
Come on, David.
I weren't with them.
I didn't even know they'd be there.
Are you telling me truthfully? Yeah.
But why should you do such a terrible thing? You did know it was Maureen's car? She used to park it round our house when me dad was sick.
She were always complaining it kept breaking down.
Do you blame Maureen for your dad? No.
Was she there when he actually She came out the room and told me he were dead.
Mum stayed in there with him.
She was a good friend to you both, at that time and since.
So why did you want to hurt her? I didn't.
It were the car.
I thought she'd get the insurance if I put it out of its misery.
Oh, David.
Now, that's going to be very hard for people to swallow.
I wanted to see the firemen put it out, kill the flames with the hoses from the engine.
Is that what you want to do in life, be a fireman? Yeah, like my dad.
Adams: If we'd known his father's occupation right away, it might have saved us a bit of trouble.
No criticism of you, Mrs.
Wainthropp, far from it.
You've done well for us.
Oh, no, I haven't.
I've just made things worse.
I can't find any joy in the thought of that boy being taken off.
I've left the real rogue to carry on his mischief.
You'll need a round-the-clock watch for Maureen's house because he'll get his revenge when it suits him.
You know that as well as I do.
And you know we can't do what you're asking.
But it's me that's put her in jeopardy.
At least give her a buzzer through to the station or whatever you do.
We'll keep a close eye on her.
Don't worry.
This is to settle our account with you.
[Indistinct chatter.]
Man: Hey! Oh.
All right.
Look, uh About the other day, I didn't mean-- oh, you mean the pub? Never came back to finish my pint, did I? Chip? Ah.
Cheers.
They're not bad, are they? So, uh, you've met this Lenny character, then? Oh, yeah.
Went for a ride in his van, knocked off a post office, set fire to a few houses.
I'm only kidding.
You know, it's the mentality I don't understand.
Yeah, me, neither.
We talked about aliens, said he thought he might be one, that's why he never gets caught God! Idiot.
Well, he got me out of his van on the far side of the moon somewhere, and put the boot in.
Not too hard.
Lenny doesn't believe in violence.
Yeah! Hey! [Shouting indistinctly.]
Geoffrey: Citizen's arrest, eh? Heh heh! Robert: Mmm.
Shame about the shed, though.
Could have done with one of them here.
Hetty: So these are your famous beans, eh, Robert? You've surpassed yourself.
Well, you got to put some of it down to luck.
Like most things in life.
Now, where are you taking us to celebrate, eh? That new Lebanese place we found on the mat? Right! [Both laughing.]
Your beans! Your beans.