Beyond Paradise (2023) s03e05 Episode Script
Episode 5
1
CROWS CAW
These things still give me the creeps.
Long as she does her job,
we'll be good for another year.
Go on.
You do your stuff.
We could use a bit of luck.
Hold it still, girl!
I always thought
you'd be the death of me.
Right, come on, missus.
Come on, girl.
Come on, that's right. Good girl.
Oh, move aside!
You don't even know how to feed a calf.
CLANG
I'll go.
That's it.
PIERCING SCREAM
Stella!
Stella!
STELLA GASPS
One morning in the month of June ♪
Down by a rolling river ♪
There a weary traveller
chanced to stray ♪
And he beheld his lover ♪
Her cheeks were red,
her eyes were brown ♪
Her hair in ringlets hanging down ♪
She'd a lovely face without a frown ♪
Just as the tide was flowing. ♪
Books, pencil case and calculator.
Anything else?
Mum always put in a bar of chocolate.
And a note with a smiley face.
Bar of chocolate?
A big one,
for energy and to help me concentrate.
Humphrey said it would be OK.
We'll see.
I'll do your packed lunch
in the morning.
Bedtime.
Oh!
Thank you.
'Night.
So, should I give her
the chocolate or not?
SHE CHUCKLES
You decide, Motty.
Oh.
Right, I'm off to my art class.
Tonight we're doing Picasso,
and how he challenged convention
with the use of cubism.
Oh!
Don't wait up.
HE SIGHS
INDISTINCT CHATTER
Oh, sir, we can't get a SOCO
team out until the morning,
so I'm just taping it off for now.
Thank you, Kelby.
Ah, boots.
You remembered boots.
Well done.
Who's your friend?
Not sure. We've just met.
Stella's been checked by the
paramedics, but nothing major.
She said she remembered
being pushed from behind
and thinks she banged
her head as she fell.
Mm-hm.
STELLA: It's a corn doll.
They're made from the last harvest,
then hung to bring luck
until the next one.
DAD: 40 years we've been
hanging that doll.
Never lost one yet.
Legend is, if the doll falls,
the Cornman comes to visit.
Bringing bad luck with him.
SHE SCOFFS
The Cornman?
City boy, are you?
Maybe if you just tell us what you saw.
Well, me and Dad were feeding
the cattle up in the big barn
when we heard a noise.
I went out to take a look.
Went into the milkshed,
and milk was just
pouring out of the tank.
What time was this?
Er, just after seven?
Mm.
I was about to turn the valve off
when I felt, like, a hard shove
in my back and I fell forward.
Must have banged my head.
Dad came in, and that's when we saw it.
"It"?
Well, we couldn't see it properly.
It was dark.
It was only in the doorway for a second,
but it had a mask on.
It looked like it was made of corn.
Oh. And this, uh, thing, Mr Ellis,
you saw it, too?
Plain as day.
Very interesting.
Ow!
Uh, the valve on the milk tank,
could it be faulty?
Been working fine up to now.
I put that doll up myself.
No reason for it to fall.
Are you suggesting someone
took the doll down on purpose?
There are them that would like
to see us have bad luck, yes.
Anyone in particular?
I've got a good idea.
Friend of yours, ain't she?
Dad, don't.
Uh, I think he's talking
about Michaela Robson.
She lives on the neighbouring farm.
I see.
And is there some kind
of a dispute between you?
We've been opposing their
application for wind turbines
in the back field. Hulking great things.
There's been cows in
those fields for 1,000 years.
Now they want to put up
hulking gurt whirligigs.
And you think what happened
tonight could be connected
to your opposition to a wind farm?
Whoever did this knew
what they were doing.
Losing that milk will halve our income.
So how do you know this Michaela, um?
Robson?
Mm.
Uh, we went to school together,
then we went to Young Farmers
back in the day.
You were a Young Farmer?
Well, I was more of an honorary member,
mostly there for the cheap beer
and hunky blokes.
Of course.
So there's conflict
between the two families.
There is.
But I don't think it's
about wind turbines.
Oh?
Stella and Michaela
were in a relationship,
at least until Stella's dad found out.
And he had a problem with that?
What do you think?
He made Stella's life a misery.
Threatened to disown her,
leave her with nothing,
then when that didn't work,
he used emotional blackmail.
Told her trying to run the farm
on his own would kill him.
So she ended it,
and I don't think Michaela
ever forgave her. Or him.
So the families fell out
long before this whole wind farm thing?
This was over a year ago now.
Maybe the wind farm
has stirred it all up again,
and it's not helped by the fact
that Michaela's mum Lotty
is just as stubborn as George.
Hmm. A family feud.
How exciting!
Esther, hi!
Mickie.
God, I haven't seen you in ages.
How are you? How's Zoe?
Both good.
Er, this is Detective Inspector
Humphrey Goodman.
Hello.
Is everything all right?
Oh, we're really sorry for
coming over this time of night,
Mickie, but can we ask you
and Lotty a few questions
about something that happened
at Ellises' farm earlier?
Are you working?
Yeah.
Right. Is everything OK?
Is anyone hurt?
No. And, er, we won't keep you long.
Come in. Mum's just getting
logs. I'll give her a shout.
Mum?
Mum!
Aga.
Oh, come on!
She's coming.
Can I get you anything? Tea? Coffee?
No, thanks. Ow!
HE GROANS
Gosh, how long's it been?
Oh, too long.
I thought I might see you
at my birthday party.
Oh, yeah. Sorry, me and Zoe were away.
Did you get anything nice?
Lots. Mum got me this.
Ooh! Oh, it's lovely.
Sorry.
HE TURNS OFF TAP
No, it's completely fine.
Esther!
What's all this about, then?
Lotty, this is DI Goodman.
Very pleased to meet you.
Your boss, is it?
Yes, he is.
He nice to you?
Very.
Um
Mrs Robson, there was a break-in
at Buckford Farm this evening,
some damage done to a milk tank
in one of the sheds.
What's that got to do
with the price of chips?
Well, just, um, Mr Ellis told
us about your disagreement
over the wind turbines.
No disagreement.
He's just got his head
stuck in the past is all.
We got solar panels last year.
It's the way things are going.
The reason he don't like them
is because they're new
..and different.
So, what happened, exactly?
Their milk tank was emptied.
They saw a masked figure.
Is he saying it was us?!
Oh, not exactly.
SHE SIGHS
He thinks someone
took down his corn doll
to bring him bad luck.
Oh, gurt noodle!
MICKIE CHUCKLES
Is he still hanging up them things?
Oh, he takes it very seriously.
He's got flaming bats in his belfry.
We've been at Kitty Jay's.
We had dinner there after Mum
picked me up from surfing.
We haven't been home long.
I'm not one for sneaking about.
If I had a problem with George Ellis,
I would knock on his
front door and tell him so.
To his face.
Well
..she's a character.
Yeah, tough as old boots,
but a heart of gold
when you get to know her.
Like a Walnut Whip.
Let's check their alibi anyway.
Let's see if SOCO comes up
with any physical evidence
in the morning.
Esther, there's a fire at the Ellises'!
It's quicker over the fields.
Mum, are you coming?!
Which way?
Up here.
We saw it from the window.
It's their hayfield!
I sent Kelby to the Ellises'
to check they're OK.
Buckford Farm. Quick as you can, please.
Thank you.
Stay back, everyone.
Fire brigade's on their way.
Esther, look.
You wait for the fire brigade. I'll go.
Good grief!
Kelby! Stop him!
Oi! Stay there! Don't move!
COWS MOO
Where did he go?
I-I-I lost him.
Sorry, sir, we lost him.
You did this! Look at it!
Look what you've done!
Oh, shut up, you silly old fool!
Don't you talk to him
like that! Well, he is.
You took the corn doll down,
I know you did.
Now look what you've done!
I never touched your stupid corn doll!
You've brought bad luck!
We're the ones that raised
the alarm, you gurt lump!
All right, everyone, just calm down!
SIREN BLARES
The fire engine's here.
Let's get the fire put out.
They had this jerry can,
but must have dropped it
when they saw us.
I'm sorry, sir. I I let them go.
There were these cows, you see, and
and I'm not good with cows.
They always chase me,
and I can tell when
they're going to do it
by the way they look at me.
A bit sideways.
Yes, well, there's nothing more
we can do tonight,
so you get yourself home.
Thank you, sir.
Michaela and Lotty were with us
when the fire started.
If it wasn't the Robsons, who was it?
And what did we see?
No idea, but whatever it is,
it's still out there.
We're here.
Right, yes.
Here we are.
First day.
You'll make lots of
new friends, I promise.
Look at Humphrey.
When he moved here
he didn't know anyone either,
and now he's got lots of friends.
It's true.
You'll be fine.
You know what, Rosie?
Whenever I get a little bit
scared of new situations,
I always think of the advice
my Nanny Bird gave me
when she dropped me off
for my first term at St Agnes.
She said
OLD LADY VOICE: "Humpy, what you
need to do is stand up tall",
"back straight, head held up high"
"and put your best foot forward."
If that doesn't work, try bribery.
The most popular girl
at my first day at school
had a bag of sweets.
Oh!
PHONE BUZZES
Oh, I've seen that look before.
You had the same look on your face
after snogging Max Dale
at Young Farmers.
Bloody hell!
That's a blast from the past.
Well, you should text him.
He's still holding a candle
for you since you dumped him.
Ah, he was getting a bit clingy.
Are you seeing someone now?
No.
You want me to message Max?
No, thank you.
MICKIE CHUCKLES
Any news on the fire last night?
Not yet.
Let's see what today brings.
I never thought I'd feel sorry
for George Ellis.
Anyway, let me know
if you change your mind.
About Max.
What's this?
Oh
I-I'm trying to work out
where our bloke was running
last night, and if we know
where he was heading,
that might give us a clue.
That's an excellent theory, Kelby.
Well done.
Thank you, sir.
Oh, and I found this on the internet.
The Cornman.
Ah! Thank you, Kelby.
HE CHUCKLES
"When the Cornman comes"
"Lock crop and cattle away"
"When the Cornman comes"
"Bad luck is coming your way."
Ah.
It it was on the website.
Um, see,
I just saw a shadow
running across the field,
but Esther said that
you saw him properly.
Yes.
Yes, we did.
Weren't you frightened?
Um
Not frightened, Kelby.
More, um, curious.
To be honest, I was more
intrigued that a man
supposedly made of corn
felt comfortable setting a fire.
HE CHUCKLES
Morning.
Good morning.
Do you know about this Cornman, Margo?
He's what we used to scare
each other with as kids -
playing out in the fields
and someone would shout,
"Seen the Cornman!"
And we'd all start running!
ALL LAUGH
Did you ever see him for real?
Well, a couple of times
we thought we had,
but it turned out to be
a scarecrow or summat.
Um, anything back from the lab, Margo?
Oh, not yet.
Morning.
Morning.
How was your night?
Working.
We had a late call-out.
Ah!
Make up for it tonight,
though, can't you? Ooh!
MARGO CHUCKLES
Right, let's take a
look at what we know.
Last night,
Stella Ellis was assaulted
at Buckford Farm
by a masked figure
who broke in, it seems,
with the intention to sabotage
the Ellises' business.
Now, we think she disturbed her attacker
as he was opening
the valve to the milk tank.
It was a right mess.
Just like George Ellis
to be crying over spilt milk.
That man has always had a habit
of rubbing people up the wrong way.
And that poor girl of his.
Stuck his nose in there, didn't he?
All right, Margo!
After the first incident,
our perpetrator then returned
later the same night to
set fire to the Ellises' hay.
Now, what is important here
is that the milk and
the hay were both ready
to go to buyers and
provide much-needed cash
to the Ellises.
Which suggests this was targeted,
designed to cause the maximum
damage to the farm.
Yes. So, who has a motive?
Well, we know the Ellises have
been campaigning against
the Robsons next door erecting
wind turbines on their land.
That Lotty Robson ain't much better.
SHE LAUGHS
Thank you, Margo!
Now, they claim they were
at Kitty Jay's last night
when the incident took place,
so we should check that first.
Will do, sir.
The events have to be linked,
with this Cornman
having appeared at both.
As Esther and I were with Lotty
and Michaela Robson
when the fire was started,
it's unlikely that they were involved
in the emptying of the milk tank.
Then there is this.
A corn doll,
which fell from the rafters
of George Ellis's barn.
Legend has it, if it falls,
bad luck will follow.
"When the Cornman comes
"Lock crop and cattle away
"When the Cornman comes
"Bad luck will come your way."
Yes, thank you, Kelby.
But the point is,
are the things that happened
last night simply bad luck
delivered in person by a mythical
being known as the Cornman No.
..or acts carried out by someone
who was trying to put
the Ellises out of business?
So, who has a grudge or a score
to settle with the Ellises?
I heard George Ellis sacked
his farmhand a while back.
Bloke called Rhys Tomlinson.
Then we should talk to him.
If they've got a grievance,
they might have a motive.
Good. Kelby, when you're
finished at Kitty Jay's,
find this farmhand, see what
he has to say for himself.
Sir.
It could be someone
who wanted to stop him
blocking the wind turbines.
Also a good point.
They've got a public meeting
about the turbines
at the community hall later.
I got a leaflet through my door.
Yes, wouldn't hurt to pop in.
If someone has a grudge
against the Ellises,
then they're likely to be there, too.
Poor Stella.
Her and Mickie were besotted
with each other.
Now they're at each other's throats.
It's all the old man's fault,
that is. Miserable old git.
What do you mean?
Well, he threatened to disown
her and give her nothing
if she stuck with Michaela,
and it worked.
OK. So, when did you stop
working for George?
Well, he gave me the sack,
three weeks back.
There's no love lost there,
I can tell you that much.
You can't tell that man anything.
I tried to help him turn
more of a profit,
modernise a little bit,
but it's his way or the highway.
Turned out to be the highway.
Nice wheels.
Oh, she's a beauty.
Flies like muck off a shovel
and still has plenty
of storage in the back.
Right, OK.
N-Nice.
You know they nearly sold up, don't you?
The Ellises?
Yeah, couple of months back.
I don't know the ins and outs of it,
but I heard whoever it was said
summat old George didn't like,
so he pulled the rug out.
I remember him and Stella screaming
at each other about it.
Sounds like he's got a bit
of a habit of upsetting people.
You don't know the half of it, mate.
ENGINE STALLS
ZOE: Um, Rosie did this all by herself?
You cheeky madam!
Though, I suppose after
the second glass of wine,
I did get a little bit more abstract.
BOTH LAUGH
That corporate catering job
we quoted on yesterday just came in.
All that hard work paid off?
Yes, creating more hard work.
Well, you've got to make hay
while the sun shines, darling.
Talking of which,
I've added a skydive to my bucket list.
You go, girl!
Please tell me that's a joke.
I've already got 11 sponsors.
Mum!
When's the catering job?
Uh Next Friday, 11 till 4.
I can help.
You've got college.
I'll sort it.
Where are you going?
Things to do, darling, people to see.
Well, don't you think we should
talk about this skydive?
I thought we already had.
Honestly, Mrs L, you're a legend.
Hear that, darling?
I'm a legend.
Mm-hm.
Makes me pick up the brush
and paint the picture ♪
But your eyes ♪
Are like no other ♪
Can compare them to nothing. ♪
Archie.
Humphrey, good afternoon.
Esther.
All right?
So, are you for or against?
Wind turbines.
Oh, no, no, no, I'm just
delivering some wine.
Ah.
For a function.
Later.
Better get on. I think it's starting.
Er, yeah, me too.
Right.
Now, make sure you add
your name to the petition.
We're all working together.
It's our countryside.
May be wind turbines today.
Who knows what it'll be tomorrow?
MAN: Yeah, too right, George!
Oh, he's definitely
getting people whipped up.
Might well want to
get a turbine in here,
the amount of hot air in here.
You've got some nerve.
Thought it was a public meeting.
I wasn't talking to you.
Oh, I'm sorry, I was confused.
I thought he did all
your talking for you.
ALL GASP
I'm fine. Sorry.
All right?
Yeah, I'm fine.
You see what you've done?
You're not welcome here!
I thought you lot might want to say
something to my face,
instead of skulking about.
I know what you've been doing,
and you won't shut me up!
I don't want to shut you up, George!
It's a fair enough argument.
We're all farmers.
We've all had to learn
to move with the times.
Always been a debate about it.
Nothing wrong with that,
but you're making this
personal, about my family.
Oh, shut up, woman!
Here we go.
This is it, isn't it, George?
I'm a woman and I should know my place.
There's a lot to be said for that.
You are a bitter, spiteful
old man, George Ellis,
and this is nothing to do
with wind turbines.
This is about you
and your grudge against me and mine.
And everyone in here knows why.
What you did to these two girls
..was vile, and like everything else
that comes out of your mouth,
100 years out of date.
You ought to be ashamed of yourself.
And you lot,
you should be ashamed of yourselves
for listening to him.
Come on, Mickie, let's get out of here.
Good riddance to the pair of you!
LOW MURMURING
So much for the peace
and quiet of the countryside!
PRINTER WHIRS
Blimey, they look angry.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Oh! My mum wanted me to be a farmer.
Aww! So why didn't you?
Well, two reasons, really.
First off, the cow thing.
It's the way they look at you,
like they know something.
It's a funny thing to be frightened of.
Well, there was an advert
when I was little.
Something about "the milk was
so good, the cows want it back".
I-I think that's how it all started.
Oh, wait, you said two reasons.
What was the other one?
Oh, yeah, we didn't have a farm.
Ah!
Right.
PHONE RINGS
I just need to take this.
I'll meet you in there.
Jolly good.
Hiya.
Hey.
You OK?
I'm sorry about earlier.
I was just in work mode
and didn't quite know
how to handle that.
Well, we could always tell people.
It would make life a lot easier.
What happened to just
living in the moment
instead of trying to
put a label on things?
I'm all for living in the moment,
but I'm not sure we should
have to hide while we do it.
We're not 12 years old.
It's not that simple.
Why not?
I haven't told Zoe yet.
Great, then start with her.
We'll do it together.
Oh, sorry, I've got the DI
trying to get through.
Can we do this later?
Yeah, just as long as we do.
'Course.
Bye.
And we're ready to go. ♪
Right.
Uh Margo.
Thank you!
Oh, er, sir,
I checked at Kitty Jay's,
and they confirmed that Lotty
and Michaela Robson were there.
They can't say exactly when they left,
but it was definitely after 6.30.
As we expected.
Bad news.
There were no prints
found on the milk tank,
and despite the fire
investigation confirming
an accelerant was used,
there were no prints
from the jerry can either.
None at all?
Well, apart from the exclusions.
George and Stella's prints were on both,
but they would be.
They both use the milk tank,
and the jerry can was
taken from the farm.
And, er, any good news?
Yeah.
Excellent.
I won £25 at bingo last night.
Oh!
MARGO LAUGHS
Good.
HE EXHALES
Anything from the farmhand
sacked by the Ellises?
He likes Stella, hates George,
and swears he hasn't
been back to their farm
since he was fired.
SLURPING
He has got a cast-iron alibi
for last night, though.
He was working behind the bar
at the Crooked Billet in Polmarron.
One thing he did say is that
the Ellises had someone
interested in buying their farm
a few months back.
He said there were a couple of viewings,
but the buyer pulled out
when George Ellis insulted him.
Oh, he's such a charmer!
Have you spoken to the buyer?
From what the agent said, he moved on
and bought another parcel of land,
so they doubt he was still
interested in the Ellises'.
So, we have something of a dichotomy.
We know, because of the things targeted,
the milk and then the hay,
that our culprit knows
the Ellises well enough
to know what would hurt them the most.
So it has to be someone close to them.
But if it's not the Robsons,
nor our disgruntled farmhand,
then who is our Cornman?
Sir.
Mmm?
You asked me to remind you
when it was quarter past.
Yes! Of course!
Call me if anything else comes through!
Ah, you made it!
Just!
Thank heavens for Esther.
Can you see her?
Ah, there she is!
Bye, girls.
Hey! Hey! Ah!
Is she your daughter?
Uh
She's, er, Rosie.
Looks like they've made friends.
This is Libby.
Hi.
Can you say bye?
Bye-bye, Rosie.
Bye, Libby!
Ah!
Well, looks like someone's popular.
So, how was it?
OK.
Ah! Calls for some celebratory
ice cream, I think.
ROSIE GIGGLES
Come on, then.
So, what was the best bit?
Nice teachers?
So, tell us about
your first day at school.
My teacher's nice.
They gave us homework already.
That was quick!
What do you have to do?
We have to write a story
about what my parents
and I do after school.
Teacher said I could
write about something else,
but I want to write about you two.
I was also going to write
about Mrs L living on the boat.
And shall I include
Selwyn the duck, too?
Most definitely.
And seeing as it's someone's
birthday next week,
we could do a party, if you wanted,
with your new friends from school.
Looks like we've got
some organising to do.
Thank you!
PHONE CHIMES
Bad news?
Er, no, just work.
Do you want anything? A beer?
Some chocolate from my stash?
All right, who have you killed
and where did you bury them?
It's not that bad.
That's not as comforting
as you think it is.
OK. So, you know how
you've brought me up to be
a strong, independent woman
who makes her own decisions?
What is it that you always say?
"Be the driver, not the passenger."
I've never said that.
No, but you say stuff like that,
about being in control,
not letting anyone else
make decisions for you.
Oh, is this going to take long?
I've got work in the morning.
I don't want you to be mad with me.
I won't.
You promise?
Are you pregnant, had another
tattoo or pierced anything?
No.
Then I promise.
I left college.
You promised not to get mad!
I love the work that I do
at the Ten Mile Kitchen,
and it's really good,
and Martha's teaching me
way more than
what I'm learning at college.
I'm 18 now, and it was
getting so complicated
having to keep changing my days around
so that I can do my job properly.
Yes, but What's the point of
going to college in the first place?
To get a job, right?
But I've already got one, a good one,
that I'm really good at
but I can't do properly
because I keep having to
take days off to go to college!
OK.
What?!
If I was furious and asked you
to go back to college
immediately or else, would you?
I suppose so.
And you'd be miserable, right?
Yeah.
And who wants a miserable child?
So you don't mind?
Oh, I mind very much.
I think it's a mistake.
I think you'd do better
to get some qualifications
under your belt.
But you're right,
I have always told you to be
in control of your own life,
so go ahead and prove me wrong.
You're amazing.
Yes, I am.
So I'll, um, have that beer
and chocolate now, please.
Yes!
I've hit my fundraising target
for the skydive!
People are so generous.
Well, it's for a good cause.
I just wish it was for a sponsored walk,
rather than jumping out of a plane.
Who dares wins, darling.
Well, I think I'll go and, um,
send messages, thank people.
Bye.
Hello.
Hi.
Ho-ho-ho!
Someone's in a party mood!
SHE CHUCKLES
Sorry.
What's going on here?
I'm just seeing what
I've got for the party.
Pirates. Good choice.
It was Rosie's idea.
Do you think we should
get an entertainer?
What, Blackbeard juggling cannonballs,
or Long John Silver on a unicycle?
I just don't want to do the wrong thing.
It's a birthday party.
How could it be wrong?
Oh, I don't know. Is it?
Is this too much?
You know, if she was ours,
I would know what was right,
but what about when she goes home?
What if her mum can't afford
to do things like this,
or she prefers to celebrate her birthday
in a different way?
And what are we going
to do about presents?
Stop. Stop.
You're overthinking this.
It's a child's birthday party.
OK?
SHE EXHALES
All that we can do while she is with us
is what we think is right.
That's what Hannah said, wasn't it?
Be ourselves.
So if you want Rosie
to have a birthday party
with a dancing band
or performing elephant
SHE LAUGHS
..then that's what she should have.
We have no way of knowing
what the future holds
..or if things will change,
or when, or how.
So let's just do now.
I don't want things to change.
There's nothing to say they will.
We should enjoy it,
not get ourselves in
a state about it, OK?
OK.
But should we get an entertainer or not?
Maybe there's some middle ground.
Like what?
I could do some of my magic.
I'll see if I can get a
pirate-themed disco.
That's harsh!
Mrs L!
Mrs L!
Rosie's got a little something for you.
Oh, golly!
What's this?
Oh!
ANNE LAUGHS
SHE GASPS
Don't you like it?
It's it's perfect, it really is.
I I
I just I just
Mum?
I'm fine,
just last-minute jitters, I think.
I mean, the nearer it gets,
the more real
SHE BREATHES HEAVILY
..the more I start thinking
I haven't thought this through properly.
Well, don't do it, then. Don't be silly.
I have to do it. I can't
let all those people down,
all that money they've promised.
They'll understand.
Oh!
I'll do it with you if you're scared.
HUMPHREY CHUCKLES
Oh, bless you!
I think you might be a little too young.
All right, then. Humphrey will do it,
and I'll put it in my story,
and I'll definitely have
the best in the class.
Well, um
HE LAUGHS NERVOUSLY
..I Yeah, sure.
Sure! Uh
Aah!
Where's that footpath?
So, do we have to sponsor you an' all?
Or does what we gave
to Anne still count?
Whatever you think is best, Margo.
Good.
Though it is for a good cause.
Yeah. I've done a bit more.
It'll be worth every penny.
PHONE RINGS
Thank you, Esther. I have to say,
I was somewhat
Shipton Abbott Police.
..railroaded into it,
but I do think it's quite exciting.
WHISPERS: Ellises' farm.
Yeah, OK. We'll get someone
to you as soon as we can.
All right?
SHE SIGHS
Someone's let all the Ellises'
cattle out onto the A386.
Coincidences.
Are they all back?
That's not really the point.
Some of them have been injured,
we'll have vets' bills to worry about.
I found this tucked behind
the bolt to the gate.
Corn.
I'm done.
That's it for me.
I can't take a year of this.
You can't think like that, Dad.
Things could pick up.
How? The milk's lost,
the hay's gone up in flames!
There's nothing coming in,
there's plenty going out!
Got to get the cattle
back in, pay the vets.
There's no end to it.
I've had enough.
You were right.
We should have sold up.
Sorry.
No.
No, not at all.
It's perfectly understandable.
This, er, offer you had for the farm,
Rhys Tomlinson mentioned it.
What happened?
Truth?
I don't think Dad was
serious about selling.
He'll never leave this place,
unless he had no other choice.
Carry him out in a box.
PHONE RINGS
Hi, Margo.
OK, thanks.
Lotty and Michaela Robson
were both in Torquay visiting family,
so it can't have been them.
Right.
KELBY: Police!
Coming through.
Go to your right.
Er, step aside.
Thank you. Yeah.
Move. That's it.
Step aside, please. Thank you.
What are you looking at?
MOOING
I'm not scared of you.
Well done, Kelby. I'm proud of you.
Mind over matter.
Are they still looking at me?
Nah, you're fine.
I need to show you something.
Come with me.
This is an old gamekeeper's cottage,
right on the boundary of
the Ellis and Robson farms.
And it's on the Robson side,
but the Ellis farm
is just over that hedge.
Yeah, see, it's supposed to be empty.
Ah.
Right.
It certainly looks like
someone's been here recently.
And there's a picture up there.
This must be where Michaela
and Stella used to meet.
Look.
And that's not all.
I think you need to see in here.
Ah!
Our mysterious Cornman.
MARGO: Yeah, all right. Thanks.
SHE HANGS UP PHONE
OK.
The only fingerprints found
at the gamekeeper's cottage
were Michaela Robson,
Stella Ellis and Kelby's.
Sorry, I think I put
my gloves on too late.
Well, it's where Stella
and Michaela used to meet,
so we'd expect theirs to be there.
So, unless Kelby's the Cornman,
doesn't help us.
What about our farmhand?
Well, er, so I spoke to the
manager of the Crooked Billet.
Rhys Tomlinson worked
a 6-to-11 shift that night.
Two other members of staff
confirmed he never left the pub
until his shift finished.
So he's not our man.
Doesn't look like it.
ESTHER SIGHS
But then that leaves us
with nowhere to go.
We know it can't be the Robsons.
I mean, we were with them,
actually with them,
for the fire, and they were out of town
when the cattle were
let out of the fields.
So we're back to where we started.
I mean, I could stake out the cottage,
see if he comes back for his costume.
You could do that,
but do you think someone's
going to come back now?
I think it would be
a waste of time, Kelbs.
MICHAELA: Mum got me this.
Ooh! Oh, it's lovely.
Sorry.
No, it's completely fine.
Esther, when we first went
to see Michaela Robson
..she said you'd missed
her birthday party.
Yeah.
When was it?
Er, last month,
when me and Zoe were away.
The 18th, I think.
And, if I recall correctly,
she showed you a bracelet,
a birthday gift from her mum.
That's right.
Then how can she be wearing the bracelet
given to her as a
birthday present by her mother
less than a month ago in this photograph
of her and Stella Ellis,
seemingly happy and in love, a year ago?
She can't.
Unless It was taken more recently!
Of course!
It's the only thing that makes sense!
What is? I don't know why it didn't
ring an alarm bell before.
It's not just about the motive.
It's also about the opportunity.
The Robsons have cast-iron
alibis for all three events
at the Ellises' farm,
so it couldn't have been them.
Agreed.
So, who else had the opportunity?
The Ellises themselves.
Or, more accurately, Stella Ellis,
because that's what this
has been about all this time.
I think this photograph proves
that, despite everything
we've heard to the contrary,
Stella and Michaela
are still very much together.
I think they manufactured their break-up
to appease Stella's father,
but the truth is, they never
stopped seeing each other.
You've got some nerve, coming in here.
I thought it was a public meeting.
That changes everything.
Yes, it does,
because rather than being
at each other's throats,
now they actually had a common purpose.
And we know Stella
was keen to sell the farm.
You were right.
We should have sold up.
So that was their plan all along?
To force the old man to sell the farm?
To exploit his superstitions
and put him under as much
financial pressure as they could.
Stella couldn't just walk away,
not once her father had told
her that running the farm alone
would probably kill him.
So I think she convinced him to sell,
but he changed his mind
and put a stop to it.
And so Stella was trapped, again.
He'll never sell it now.
Yes, he will.
I'll make him.
So, they knew the only way
they could be together,
really together,
is if they could get George
to sell the farm.
Stella would get her share
and end up on a beach somewhere
with Michaela, and she wouldn't
feel bad about leaving her dad.
He'd be retired with his half
of the money to live off.
Crafty cows!
Next, they had to convince
George that his bad luck
was only just beginning.
Do your stuff.
We could use a bit of luck.
Hold it steady, girl!
I always thought
you'd be the death of me.
So, Stella turned on the valve
of the milk tank herself?
Yes!
SHE SCREAMS
Oh! We can place Michaela
at Kitty Jay's until 6.30.
Giving her just enough time,
not to sabotage the milk tank,
but to be our Cornman.
And all she had to do was to be
seen before disappearing again.
And now the danger was
that the Robsons
would come under suspicion
..so Stella gave them the perfect alibi.
Esther! There's a fire at the Ellises'!
It's quicker over the fields.
Mum, are you coming?
Thank you.
All right, stay back, everyone.
The fire brigade's on their way.
Esther, look!
Having lost you and Kelby,
Stella came back here, changed,
and then returned to the fire
with her father
as a supposed victim.
But knowing that she'd virtually
destroyed their business.
Exactly that.
And by using the Cornman,
they were ensuring George
saw nothing but a long year of bad luck
spreading out before him.
Forcing him to sell up.
I'm done.
That's it for me.
I can't do a year of this.
And the cows?
Knowing that Michaela
and her mum were away
and therefore had a cast-iron alibi,
it was easy enough
for her to open a gate.
I can't believe Michaela
would lie to my face like that,
or how Stella could do this
to her own father!
Well, love is a very powerful thing.
It leads people to do lots of things
that they wouldn't usually contemplate.
We should bring them in.
Just watch your head, all right?
I thought we were friends.
We are.
He just didn't give us any other choice.
I don't believe that.
You're not me,
so don't you tell me
what's true and what isn't.
It was this or Stella staying with
him, putting up with all that venom.
Shall I tell you the things
he said to her?
No.
This was the only way we could
see of us ever being together,
so we took it.
And we don't need your approval
for that or anyone else's.
Can't have been easy.
Maybe she's right.
Maybe he didn't give
them any other choice.
You've always got a choice.
If you don't like where you are,
that's your fault, no-one else's.
HE INHALES
Hey!
Is everything OK?
Not really.
Look I don't want
to do this any more.
Do what?
Us.
Hey
Can't we at least talk about it?
Wait, Est Est
TANNOY: Welcome to
Sky's the Limit skydiving centre.
We're getting ready for your jump today.
Please make sure
ANNE EXHALES
OK, that's you both all set.
Come and join us by
the aircraft when you're ready.
Thank you.
All right, Anne?
If you don't feel you can do
this, please just say the word.
Do you know what?
I've never run away
from anything in my life.
I have no intention of starting now.
Excellent.
BOTH CHUCKLE
Hi!
Good luck!
Thank you, darling! Feeling OK?
Fine.
Thank you for doing this with her.
Look, I know you're excited,
but please be careful.
When you went paragliding,
you ejected yourself
and landed in a tree.
Ah, yes, but I'll have Anne with me,
and I'll get the look if I'm
doing something I shouldn't be.
What look?
Oh, that one.
Exactly.
So, what could possibly go wrong?
Please don't say that! Oh, OK.
Come on, they're waving at us.
How are you feeling, Mum?
Well, I could have chosen
a slightly less drastic way
of celebrating the all-clear,
but strangely excited,
if a little nervous.
Excellent!
Shall we?
BOTH: Good luck!
Nothing to worry about.
ANNE LAUGHS
Well, as long as it's not like
my skiing trip in '83
when I came back with
both my legs in plaster casts,
we'll be fine!
I'm sorry, did you say
you've broken both your legs?
You didn't put that on your form.
It said "current medical conditions".
That was 40 years ago.
What's happened?!
They told me I didn't qualify
for the insurance
because I'd broken my legs 40 years ago.
Oh! Oh
I feel terrible, letting
all those people down.
It's not your fault.
Oh!
Wait.
What about Humphrey?
They should have been
back 30 minutes ago.
PHONE RINGS
Oh, it's Humphrey!
Where are you?
Ah W-well slight issue.
Uh, yes, I sort of leaned back
..headbutted my instructor.
He's coming round now,
though, which is good,
um, but you might need to
come and fetch me.
Where from?
Uh
I think you might need a ladder.
That Josh Woods is going to be
the death of me.
MARGO GASPS
Wait, something's happened to Lucy?!
Help!
There's a hump on the road
on the way out of town,
said to be put there
by the devil himself.
SCREAMING
How can someone disappear like that?
Is that Archie at the door?
CLATTERING
Rosie! Rosie! Please!
I haven't got it!
DOG BARKS
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!
You don't think someone was actually
trying to ward off evil, do you?
I didn't think it would
Hurt.
Hurt this much.
Sub extracted from file & improved
CROWS CAW
These things still give me the creeps.
Long as she does her job,
we'll be good for another year.
Go on.
You do your stuff.
We could use a bit of luck.
Hold it still, girl!
I always thought
you'd be the death of me.
Right, come on, missus.
Come on, girl.
Come on, that's right. Good girl.
Oh, move aside!
You don't even know how to feed a calf.
CLANG
I'll go.
That's it.
PIERCING SCREAM
Stella!
Stella!
STELLA GASPS
One morning in the month of June ♪
Down by a rolling river ♪
There a weary traveller
chanced to stray ♪
And he beheld his lover ♪
Her cheeks were red,
her eyes were brown ♪
Her hair in ringlets hanging down ♪
She'd a lovely face without a frown ♪
Just as the tide was flowing. ♪
Books, pencil case and calculator.
Anything else?
Mum always put in a bar of chocolate.
And a note with a smiley face.
Bar of chocolate?
A big one,
for energy and to help me concentrate.
Humphrey said it would be OK.
We'll see.
I'll do your packed lunch
in the morning.
Bedtime.
Oh!
Thank you.
'Night.
So, should I give her
the chocolate or not?
SHE CHUCKLES
You decide, Motty.
Oh.
Right, I'm off to my art class.
Tonight we're doing Picasso,
and how he challenged convention
with the use of cubism.
Oh!
Don't wait up.
HE SIGHS
INDISTINCT CHATTER
Oh, sir, we can't get a SOCO
team out until the morning,
so I'm just taping it off for now.
Thank you, Kelby.
Ah, boots.
You remembered boots.
Well done.
Who's your friend?
Not sure. We've just met.
Stella's been checked by the
paramedics, but nothing major.
She said she remembered
being pushed from behind
and thinks she banged
her head as she fell.
Mm-hm.
STELLA: It's a corn doll.
They're made from the last harvest,
then hung to bring luck
until the next one.
DAD: 40 years we've been
hanging that doll.
Never lost one yet.
Legend is, if the doll falls,
the Cornman comes to visit.
Bringing bad luck with him.
SHE SCOFFS
The Cornman?
City boy, are you?
Maybe if you just tell us what you saw.
Well, me and Dad were feeding
the cattle up in the big barn
when we heard a noise.
I went out to take a look.
Went into the milkshed,
and milk was just
pouring out of the tank.
What time was this?
Er, just after seven?
Mm.
I was about to turn the valve off
when I felt, like, a hard shove
in my back and I fell forward.
Must have banged my head.
Dad came in, and that's when we saw it.
"It"?
Well, we couldn't see it properly.
It was dark.
It was only in the doorway for a second,
but it had a mask on.
It looked like it was made of corn.
Oh. And this, uh, thing, Mr Ellis,
you saw it, too?
Plain as day.
Very interesting.
Ow!
Uh, the valve on the milk tank,
could it be faulty?
Been working fine up to now.
I put that doll up myself.
No reason for it to fall.
Are you suggesting someone
took the doll down on purpose?
There are them that would like
to see us have bad luck, yes.
Anyone in particular?
I've got a good idea.
Friend of yours, ain't she?
Dad, don't.
Uh, I think he's talking
about Michaela Robson.
She lives on the neighbouring farm.
I see.
And is there some kind
of a dispute between you?
We've been opposing their
application for wind turbines
in the back field. Hulking great things.
There's been cows in
those fields for 1,000 years.
Now they want to put up
hulking gurt whirligigs.
And you think what happened
tonight could be connected
to your opposition to a wind farm?
Whoever did this knew
what they were doing.
Losing that milk will halve our income.
So how do you know this Michaela, um?
Robson?
Mm.
Uh, we went to school together,
then we went to Young Farmers
back in the day.
You were a Young Farmer?
Well, I was more of an honorary member,
mostly there for the cheap beer
and hunky blokes.
Of course.
So there's conflict
between the two families.
There is.
But I don't think it's
about wind turbines.
Oh?
Stella and Michaela
were in a relationship,
at least until Stella's dad found out.
And he had a problem with that?
What do you think?
He made Stella's life a misery.
Threatened to disown her,
leave her with nothing,
then when that didn't work,
he used emotional blackmail.
Told her trying to run the farm
on his own would kill him.
So she ended it,
and I don't think Michaela
ever forgave her. Or him.
So the families fell out
long before this whole wind farm thing?
This was over a year ago now.
Maybe the wind farm
has stirred it all up again,
and it's not helped by the fact
that Michaela's mum Lotty
is just as stubborn as George.
Hmm. A family feud.
How exciting!
Esther, hi!
Mickie.
God, I haven't seen you in ages.
How are you? How's Zoe?
Both good.
Er, this is Detective Inspector
Humphrey Goodman.
Hello.
Is everything all right?
Oh, we're really sorry for
coming over this time of night,
Mickie, but can we ask you
and Lotty a few questions
about something that happened
at Ellises' farm earlier?
Are you working?
Yeah.
Right. Is everything OK?
Is anyone hurt?
No. And, er, we won't keep you long.
Come in. Mum's just getting
logs. I'll give her a shout.
Mum?
Mum!
Aga.
Oh, come on!
She's coming.
Can I get you anything? Tea? Coffee?
No, thanks. Ow!
HE GROANS
Gosh, how long's it been?
Oh, too long.
I thought I might see you
at my birthday party.
Oh, yeah. Sorry, me and Zoe were away.
Did you get anything nice?
Lots. Mum got me this.
Ooh! Oh, it's lovely.
Sorry.
HE TURNS OFF TAP
No, it's completely fine.
Esther!
What's all this about, then?
Lotty, this is DI Goodman.
Very pleased to meet you.
Your boss, is it?
Yes, he is.
He nice to you?
Very.
Um
Mrs Robson, there was a break-in
at Buckford Farm this evening,
some damage done to a milk tank
in one of the sheds.
What's that got to do
with the price of chips?
Well, just, um, Mr Ellis told
us about your disagreement
over the wind turbines.
No disagreement.
He's just got his head
stuck in the past is all.
We got solar panels last year.
It's the way things are going.
The reason he don't like them
is because they're new
..and different.
So, what happened, exactly?
Their milk tank was emptied.
They saw a masked figure.
Is he saying it was us?!
Oh, not exactly.
SHE SIGHS
He thinks someone
took down his corn doll
to bring him bad luck.
Oh, gurt noodle!
MICKIE CHUCKLES
Is he still hanging up them things?
Oh, he takes it very seriously.
He's got flaming bats in his belfry.
We've been at Kitty Jay's.
We had dinner there after Mum
picked me up from surfing.
We haven't been home long.
I'm not one for sneaking about.
If I had a problem with George Ellis,
I would knock on his
front door and tell him so.
To his face.
Well
..she's a character.
Yeah, tough as old boots,
but a heart of gold
when you get to know her.
Like a Walnut Whip.
Let's check their alibi anyway.
Let's see if SOCO comes up
with any physical evidence
in the morning.
Esther, there's a fire at the Ellises'!
It's quicker over the fields.
Mum, are you coming?!
Which way?
Up here.
We saw it from the window.
It's their hayfield!
I sent Kelby to the Ellises'
to check they're OK.
Buckford Farm. Quick as you can, please.
Thank you.
Stay back, everyone.
Fire brigade's on their way.
Esther, look.
You wait for the fire brigade. I'll go.
Good grief!
Kelby! Stop him!
Oi! Stay there! Don't move!
COWS MOO
Where did he go?
I-I-I lost him.
Sorry, sir, we lost him.
You did this! Look at it!
Look what you've done!
Oh, shut up, you silly old fool!
Don't you talk to him
like that! Well, he is.
You took the corn doll down,
I know you did.
Now look what you've done!
I never touched your stupid corn doll!
You've brought bad luck!
We're the ones that raised
the alarm, you gurt lump!
All right, everyone, just calm down!
SIREN BLARES
The fire engine's here.
Let's get the fire put out.
They had this jerry can,
but must have dropped it
when they saw us.
I'm sorry, sir. I I let them go.
There were these cows, you see, and
and I'm not good with cows.
They always chase me,
and I can tell when
they're going to do it
by the way they look at me.
A bit sideways.
Yes, well, there's nothing more
we can do tonight,
so you get yourself home.
Thank you, sir.
Michaela and Lotty were with us
when the fire started.
If it wasn't the Robsons, who was it?
And what did we see?
No idea, but whatever it is,
it's still out there.
We're here.
Right, yes.
Here we are.
First day.
You'll make lots of
new friends, I promise.
Look at Humphrey.
When he moved here
he didn't know anyone either,
and now he's got lots of friends.
It's true.
You'll be fine.
You know what, Rosie?
Whenever I get a little bit
scared of new situations,
I always think of the advice
my Nanny Bird gave me
when she dropped me off
for my first term at St Agnes.
She said
OLD LADY VOICE: "Humpy, what you
need to do is stand up tall",
"back straight, head held up high"
"and put your best foot forward."
If that doesn't work, try bribery.
The most popular girl
at my first day at school
had a bag of sweets.
Oh!
PHONE BUZZES
Oh, I've seen that look before.
You had the same look on your face
after snogging Max Dale
at Young Farmers.
Bloody hell!
That's a blast from the past.
Well, you should text him.
He's still holding a candle
for you since you dumped him.
Ah, he was getting a bit clingy.
Are you seeing someone now?
No.
You want me to message Max?
No, thank you.
MICKIE CHUCKLES
Any news on the fire last night?
Not yet.
Let's see what today brings.
I never thought I'd feel sorry
for George Ellis.
Anyway, let me know
if you change your mind.
About Max.
What's this?
Oh
I-I'm trying to work out
where our bloke was running
last night, and if we know
where he was heading,
that might give us a clue.
That's an excellent theory, Kelby.
Well done.
Thank you, sir.
Oh, and I found this on the internet.
The Cornman.
Ah! Thank you, Kelby.
HE CHUCKLES
"When the Cornman comes"
"Lock crop and cattle away"
"When the Cornman comes"
"Bad luck is coming your way."
Ah.
It it was on the website.
Um, see,
I just saw a shadow
running across the field,
but Esther said that
you saw him properly.
Yes.
Yes, we did.
Weren't you frightened?
Um
Not frightened, Kelby.
More, um, curious.
To be honest, I was more
intrigued that a man
supposedly made of corn
felt comfortable setting a fire.
HE CHUCKLES
Morning.
Good morning.
Do you know about this Cornman, Margo?
He's what we used to scare
each other with as kids -
playing out in the fields
and someone would shout,
"Seen the Cornman!"
And we'd all start running!
ALL LAUGH
Did you ever see him for real?
Well, a couple of times
we thought we had,
but it turned out to be
a scarecrow or summat.
Um, anything back from the lab, Margo?
Oh, not yet.
Morning.
Morning.
How was your night?
Working.
We had a late call-out.
Ah!
Make up for it tonight,
though, can't you? Ooh!
MARGO CHUCKLES
Right, let's take a
look at what we know.
Last night,
Stella Ellis was assaulted
at Buckford Farm
by a masked figure
who broke in, it seems,
with the intention to sabotage
the Ellises' business.
Now, we think she disturbed her attacker
as he was opening
the valve to the milk tank.
It was a right mess.
Just like George Ellis
to be crying over spilt milk.
That man has always had a habit
of rubbing people up the wrong way.
And that poor girl of his.
Stuck his nose in there, didn't he?
All right, Margo!
After the first incident,
our perpetrator then returned
later the same night to
set fire to the Ellises' hay.
Now, what is important here
is that the milk and
the hay were both ready
to go to buyers and
provide much-needed cash
to the Ellises.
Which suggests this was targeted,
designed to cause the maximum
damage to the farm.
Yes. So, who has a motive?
Well, we know the Ellises have
been campaigning against
the Robsons next door erecting
wind turbines on their land.
That Lotty Robson ain't much better.
SHE LAUGHS
Thank you, Margo!
Now, they claim they were
at Kitty Jay's last night
when the incident took place,
so we should check that first.
Will do, sir.
The events have to be linked,
with this Cornman
having appeared at both.
As Esther and I were with Lotty
and Michaela Robson
when the fire was started,
it's unlikely that they were involved
in the emptying of the milk tank.
Then there is this.
A corn doll,
which fell from the rafters
of George Ellis's barn.
Legend has it, if it falls,
bad luck will follow.
"When the Cornman comes
"Lock crop and cattle away
"When the Cornman comes
"Bad luck will come your way."
Yes, thank you, Kelby.
But the point is,
are the things that happened
last night simply bad luck
delivered in person by a mythical
being known as the Cornman No.
..or acts carried out by someone
who was trying to put
the Ellises out of business?
So, who has a grudge or a score
to settle with the Ellises?
I heard George Ellis sacked
his farmhand a while back.
Bloke called Rhys Tomlinson.
Then we should talk to him.
If they've got a grievance,
they might have a motive.
Good. Kelby, when you're
finished at Kitty Jay's,
find this farmhand, see what
he has to say for himself.
Sir.
It could be someone
who wanted to stop him
blocking the wind turbines.
Also a good point.
They've got a public meeting
about the turbines
at the community hall later.
I got a leaflet through my door.
Yes, wouldn't hurt to pop in.
If someone has a grudge
against the Ellises,
then they're likely to be there, too.
Poor Stella.
Her and Mickie were besotted
with each other.
Now they're at each other's throats.
It's all the old man's fault,
that is. Miserable old git.
What do you mean?
Well, he threatened to disown
her and give her nothing
if she stuck with Michaela,
and it worked.
OK. So, when did you stop
working for George?
Well, he gave me the sack,
three weeks back.
There's no love lost there,
I can tell you that much.
You can't tell that man anything.
I tried to help him turn
more of a profit,
modernise a little bit,
but it's his way or the highway.
Turned out to be the highway.
Nice wheels.
Oh, she's a beauty.
Flies like muck off a shovel
and still has plenty
of storage in the back.
Right, OK.
N-Nice.
You know they nearly sold up, don't you?
The Ellises?
Yeah, couple of months back.
I don't know the ins and outs of it,
but I heard whoever it was said
summat old George didn't like,
so he pulled the rug out.
I remember him and Stella screaming
at each other about it.
Sounds like he's got a bit
of a habit of upsetting people.
You don't know the half of it, mate.
ENGINE STALLS
ZOE: Um, Rosie did this all by herself?
You cheeky madam!
Though, I suppose after
the second glass of wine,
I did get a little bit more abstract.
BOTH LAUGH
That corporate catering job
we quoted on yesterday just came in.
All that hard work paid off?
Yes, creating more hard work.
Well, you've got to make hay
while the sun shines, darling.
Talking of which,
I've added a skydive to my bucket list.
You go, girl!
Please tell me that's a joke.
I've already got 11 sponsors.
Mum!
When's the catering job?
Uh Next Friday, 11 till 4.
I can help.
You've got college.
I'll sort it.
Where are you going?
Things to do, darling, people to see.
Well, don't you think we should
talk about this skydive?
I thought we already had.
Honestly, Mrs L, you're a legend.
Hear that, darling?
I'm a legend.
Mm-hm.
Makes me pick up the brush
and paint the picture ♪
But your eyes ♪
Are like no other ♪
Can compare them to nothing. ♪
Archie.
Humphrey, good afternoon.
Esther.
All right?
So, are you for or against?
Wind turbines.
Oh, no, no, no, I'm just
delivering some wine.
Ah.
For a function.
Later.
Better get on. I think it's starting.
Er, yeah, me too.
Right.
Now, make sure you add
your name to the petition.
We're all working together.
It's our countryside.
May be wind turbines today.
Who knows what it'll be tomorrow?
MAN: Yeah, too right, George!
Oh, he's definitely
getting people whipped up.
Might well want to
get a turbine in here,
the amount of hot air in here.
You've got some nerve.
Thought it was a public meeting.
I wasn't talking to you.
Oh, I'm sorry, I was confused.
I thought he did all
your talking for you.
ALL GASP
I'm fine. Sorry.
All right?
Yeah, I'm fine.
You see what you've done?
You're not welcome here!
I thought you lot might want to say
something to my face,
instead of skulking about.
I know what you've been doing,
and you won't shut me up!
I don't want to shut you up, George!
It's a fair enough argument.
We're all farmers.
We've all had to learn
to move with the times.
Always been a debate about it.
Nothing wrong with that,
but you're making this
personal, about my family.
Oh, shut up, woman!
Here we go.
This is it, isn't it, George?
I'm a woman and I should know my place.
There's a lot to be said for that.
You are a bitter, spiteful
old man, George Ellis,
and this is nothing to do
with wind turbines.
This is about you
and your grudge against me and mine.
And everyone in here knows why.
What you did to these two girls
..was vile, and like everything else
that comes out of your mouth,
100 years out of date.
You ought to be ashamed of yourself.
And you lot,
you should be ashamed of yourselves
for listening to him.
Come on, Mickie, let's get out of here.
Good riddance to the pair of you!
LOW MURMURING
So much for the peace
and quiet of the countryside!
PRINTER WHIRS
Blimey, they look angry.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Oh! My mum wanted me to be a farmer.
Aww! So why didn't you?
Well, two reasons, really.
First off, the cow thing.
It's the way they look at you,
like they know something.
It's a funny thing to be frightened of.
Well, there was an advert
when I was little.
Something about "the milk was
so good, the cows want it back".
I-I think that's how it all started.
Oh, wait, you said two reasons.
What was the other one?
Oh, yeah, we didn't have a farm.
Ah!
Right.
PHONE RINGS
I just need to take this.
I'll meet you in there.
Jolly good.
Hiya.
Hey.
You OK?
I'm sorry about earlier.
I was just in work mode
and didn't quite know
how to handle that.
Well, we could always tell people.
It would make life a lot easier.
What happened to just
living in the moment
instead of trying to
put a label on things?
I'm all for living in the moment,
but I'm not sure we should
have to hide while we do it.
We're not 12 years old.
It's not that simple.
Why not?
I haven't told Zoe yet.
Great, then start with her.
We'll do it together.
Oh, sorry, I've got the DI
trying to get through.
Can we do this later?
Yeah, just as long as we do.
'Course.
Bye.
And we're ready to go. ♪
Right.
Uh Margo.
Thank you!
Oh, er, sir,
I checked at Kitty Jay's,
and they confirmed that Lotty
and Michaela Robson were there.
They can't say exactly when they left,
but it was definitely after 6.30.
As we expected.
Bad news.
There were no prints
found on the milk tank,
and despite the fire
investigation confirming
an accelerant was used,
there were no prints
from the jerry can either.
None at all?
Well, apart from the exclusions.
George and Stella's prints were on both,
but they would be.
They both use the milk tank,
and the jerry can was
taken from the farm.
And, er, any good news?
Yeah.
Excellent.
I won £25 at bingo last night.
Oh!
MARGO LAUGHS
Good.
HE EXHALES
Anything from the farmhand
sacked by the Ellises?
He likes Stella, hates George,
and swears he hasn't
been back to their farm
since he was fired.
SLURPING
He has got a cast-iron alibi
for last night, though.
He was working behind the bar
at the Crooked Billet in Polmarron.
One thing he did say is that
the Ellises had someone
interested in buying their farm
a few months back.
He said there were a couple of viewings,
but the buyer pulled out
when George Ellis insulted him.
Oh, he's such a charmer!
Have you spoken to the buyer?
From what the agent said, he moved on
and bought another parcel of land,
so they doubt he was still
interested in the Ellises'.
So, we have something of a dichotomy.
We know, because of the things targeted,
the milk and then the hay,
that our culprit knows
the Ellises well enough
to know what would hurt them the most.
So it has to be someone close to them.
But if it's not the Robsons,
nor our disgruntled farmhand,
then who is our Cornman?
Sir.
Mmm?
You asked me to remind you
when it was quarter past.
Yes! Of course!
Call me if anything else comes through!
Ah, you made it!
Just!
Thank heavens for Esther.
Can you see her?
Ah, there she is!
Bye, girls.
Hey! Hey! Ah!
Is she your daughter?
Uh
She's, er, Rosie.
Looks like they've made friends.
This is Libby.
Hi.
Can you say bye?
Bye-bye, Rosie.
Bye, Libby!
Ah!
Well, looks like someone's popular.
So, how was it?
OK.
Ah! Calls for some celebratory
ice cream, I think.
ROSIE GIGGLES
Come on, then.
So, what was the best bit?
Nice teachers?
So, tell us about
your first day at school.
My teacher's nice.
They gave us homework already.
That was quick!
What do you have to do?
We have to write a story
about what my parents
and I do after school.
Teacher said I could
write about something else,
but I want to write about you two.
I was also going to write
about Mrs L living on the boat.
And shall I include
Selwyn the duck, too?
Most definitely.
And seeing as it's someone's
birthday next week,
we could do a party, if you wanted,
with your new friends from school.
Looks like we've got
some organising to do.
Thank you!
PHONE CHIMES
Bad news?
Er, no, just work.
Do you want anything? A beer?
Some chocolate from my stash?
All right, who have you killed
and where did you bury them?
It's not that bad.
That's not as comforting
as you think it is.
OK. So, you know how
you've brought me up to be
a strong, independent woman
who makes her own decisions?
What is it that you always say?
"Be the driver, not the passenger."
I've never said that.
No, but you say stuff like that,
about being in control,
not letting anyone else
make decisions for you.
Oh, is this going to take long?
I've got work in the morning.
I don't want you to be mad with me.
I won't.
You promise?
Are you pregnant, had another
tattoo or pierced anything?
No.
Then I promise.
I left college.
You promised not to get mad!
I love the work that I do
at the Ten Mile Kitchen,
and it's really good,
and Martha's teaching me
way more than
what I'm learning at college.
I'm 18 now, and it was
getting so complicated
having to keep changing my days around
so that I can do my job properly.
Yes, but What's the point of
going to college in the first place?
To get a job, right?
But I've already got one, a good one,
that I'm really good at
but I can't do properly
because I keep having to
take days off to go to college!
OK.
What?!
If I was furious and asked you
to go back to college
immediately or else, would you?
I suppose so.
And you'd be miserable, right?
Yeah.
And who wants a miserable child?
So you don't mind?
Oh, I mind very much.
I think it's a mistake.
I think you'd do better
to get some qualifications
under your belt.
But you're right,
I have always told you to be
in control of your own life,
so go ahead and prove me wrong.
You're amazing.
Yes, I am.
So I'll, um, have that beer
and chocolate now, please.
Yes!
I've hit my fundraising target
for the skydive!
People are so generous.
Well, it's for a good cause.
I just wish it was for a sponsored walk,
rather than jumping out of a plane.
Who dares wins, darling.
Well, I think I'll go and, um,
send messages, thank people.
Bye.
Hello.
Hi.
Ho-ho-ho!
Someone's in a party mood!
SHE CHUCKLES
Sorry.
What's going on here?
I'm just seeing what
I've got for the party.
Pirates. Good choice.
It was Rosie's idea.
Do you think we should
get an entertainer?
What, Blackbeard juggling cannonballs,
or Long John Silver on a unicycle?
I just don't want to do the wrong thing.
It's a birthday party.
How could it be wrong?
Oh, I don't know. Is it?
Is this too much?
You know, if she was ours,
I would know what was right,
but what about when she goes home?
What if her mum can't afford
to do things like this,
or she prefers to celebrate her birthday
in a different way?
And what are we going
to do about presents?
Stop. Stop.
You're overthinking this.
It's a child's birthday party.
OK?
SHE EXHALES
All that we can do while she is with us
is what we think is right.
That's what Hannah said, wasn't it?
Be ourselves.
So if you want Rosie
to have a birthday party
with a dancing band
or performing elephant
SHE LAUGHS
..then that's what she should have.
We have no way of knowing
what the future holds
..or if things will change,
or when, or how.
So let's just do now.
I don't want things to change.
There's nothing to say they will.
We should enjoy it,
not get ourselves in
a state about it, OK?
OK.
But should we get an entertainer or not?
Maybe there's some middle ground.
Like what?
I could do some of my magic.
I'll see if I can get a
pirate-themed disco.
That's harsh!
Mrs L!
Mrs L!
Rosie's got a little something for you.
Oh, golly!
What's this?
Oh!
ANNE LAUGHS
SHE GASPS
Don't you like it?
It's it's perfect, it really is.
I I
I just I just
Mum?
I'm fine,
just last-minute jitters, I think.
I mean, the nearer it gets,
the more real
SHE BREATHES HEAVILY
..the more I start thinking
I haven't thought this through properly.
Well, don't do it, then. Don't be silly.
I have to do it. I can't
let all those people down,
all that money they've promised.
They'll understand.
Oh!
I'll do it with you if you're scared.
HUMPHREY CHUCKLES
Oh, bless you!
I think you might be a little too young.
All right, then. Humphrey will do it,
and I'll put it in my story,
and I'll definitely have
the best in the class.
Well, um
HE LAUGHS NERVOUSLY
..I Yeah, sure.
Sure! Uh
Aah!
Where's that footpath?
So, do we have to sponsor you an' all?
Or does what we gave
to Anne still count?
Whatever you think is best, Margo.
Good.
Though it is for a good cause.
Yeah. I've done a bit more.
It'll be worth every penny.
PHONE RINGS
Thank you, Esther. I have to say,
I was somewhat
Shipton Abbott Police.
..railroaded into it,
but I do think it's quite exciting.
WHISPERS: Ellises' farm.
Yeah, OK. We'll get someone
to you as soon as we can.
All right?
SHE SIGHS
Someone's let all the Ellises'
cattle out onto the A386.
Coincidences.
Are they all back?
That's not really the point.
Some of them have been injured,
we'll have vets' bills to worry about.
I found this tucked behind
the bolt to the gate.
Corn.
I'm done.
That's it for me.
I can't take a year of this.
You can't think like that, Dad.
Things could pick up.
How? The milk's lost,
the hay's gone up in flames!
There's nothing coming in,
there's plenty going out!
Got to get the cattle
back in, pay the vets.
There's no end to it.
I've had enough.
You were right.
We should have sold up.
Sorry.
No.
No, not at all.
It's perfectly understandable.
This, er, offer you had for the farm,
Rhys Tomlinson mentioned it.
What happened?
Truth?
I don't think Dad was
serious about selling.
He'll never leave this place,
unless he had no other choice.
Carry him out in a box.
PHONE RINGS
Hi, Margo.
OK, thanks.
Lotty and Michaela Robson
were both in Torquay visiting family,
so it can't have been them.
Right.
KELBY: Police!
Coming through.
Go to your right.
Er, step aside.
Thank you. Yeah.
Move. That's it.
Step aside, please. Thank you.
What are you looking at?
MOOING
I'm not scared of you.
Well done, Kelby. I'm proud of you.
Mind over matter.
Are they still looking at me?
Nah, you're fine.
I need to show you something.
Come with me.
This is an old gamekeeper's cottage,
right on the boundary of
the Ellis and Robson farms.
And it's on the Robson side,
but the Ellis farm
is just over that hedge.
Yeah, see, it's supposed to be empty.
Ah.
Right.
It certainly looks like
someone's been here recently.
And there's a picture up there.
This must be where Michaela
and Stella used to meet.
Look.
And that's not all.
I think you need to see in here.
Ah!
Our mysterious Cornman.
MARGO: Yeah, all right. Thanks.
SHE HANGS UP PHONE
OK.
The only fingerprints found
at the gamekeeper's cottage
were Michaela Robson,
Stella Ellis and Kelby's.
Sorry, I think I put
my gloves on too late.
Well, it's where Stella
and Michaela used to meet,
so we'd expect theirs to be there.
So, unless Kelby's the Cornman,
doesn't help us.
What about our farmhand?
Well, er, so I spoke to the
manager of the Crooked Billet.
Rhys Tomlinson worked
a 6-to-11 shift that night.
Two other members of staff
confirmed he never left the pub
until his shift finished.
So he's not our man.
Doesn't look like it.
ESTHER SIGHS
But then that leaves us
with nowhere to go.
We know it can't be the Robsons.
I mean, we were with them,
actually with them,
for the fire, and they were out of town
when the cattle were
let out of the fields.
So we're back to where we started.
I mean, I could stake out the cottage,
see if he comes back for his costume.
You could do that,
but do you think someone's
going to come back now?
I think it would be
a waste of time, Kelbs.
MICHAELA: Mum got me this.
Ooh! Oh, it's lovely.
Sorry.
No, it's completely fine.
Esther, when we first went
to see Michaela Robson
..she said you'd missed
her birthday party.
Yeah.
When was it?
Er, last month,
when me and Zoe were away.
The 18th, I think.
And, if I recall correctly,
she showed you a bracelet,
a birthday gift from her mum.
That's right.
Then how can she be wearing the bracelet
given to her as a
birthday present by her mother
less than a month ago in this photograph
of her and Stella Ellis,
seemingly happy and in love, a year ago?
She can't.
Unless It was taken more recently!
Of course!
It's the only thing that makes sense!
What is? I don't know why it didn't
ring an alarm bell before.
It's not just about the motive.
It's also about the opportunity.
The Robsons have cast-iron
alibis for all three events
at the Ellises' farm,
so it couldn't have been them.
Agreed.
So, who else had the opportunity?
The Ellises themselves.
Or, more accurately, Stella Ellis,
because that's what this
has been about all this time.
I think this photograph proves
that, despite everything
we've heard to the contrary,
Stella and Michaela
are still very much together.
I think they manufactured their break-up
to appease Stella's father,
but the truth is, they never
stopped seeing each other.
You've got some nerve, coming in here.
I thought it was a public meeting.
That changes everything.
Yes, it does,
because rather than being
at each other's throats,
now they actually had a common purpose.
And we know Stella
was keen to sell the farm.
You were right.
We should have sold up.
So that was their plan all along?
To force the old man to sell the farm?
To exploit his superstitions
and put him under as much
financial pressure as they could.
Stella couldn't just walk away,
not once her father had told
her that running the farm alone
would probably kill him.
So I think she convinced him to sell,
but he changed his mind
and put a stop to it.
And so Stella was trapped, again.
He'll never sell it now.
Yes, he will.
I'll make him.
So, they knew the only way
they could be together,
really together,
is if they could get George
to sell the farm.
Stella would get her share
and end up on a beach somewhere
with Michaela, and she wouldn't
feel bad about leaving her dad.
He'd be retired with his half
of the money to live off.
Crafty cows!
Next, they had to convince
George that his bad luck
was only just beginning.
Do your stuff.
We could use a bit of luck.
Hold it steady, girl!
I always thought
you'd be the death of me.
So, Stella turned on the valve
of the milk tank herself?
Yes!
SHE SCREAMS
Oh! We can place Michaela
at Kitty Jay's until 6.30.
Giving her just enough time,
not to sabotage the milk tank,
but to be our Cornman.
And all she had to do was to be
seen before disappearing again.
And now the danger was
that the Robsons
would come under suspicion
..so Stella gave them the perfect alibi.
Esther! There's a fire at the Ellises'!
It's quicker over the fields.
Mum, are you coming?
Thank you.
All right, stay back, everyone.
The fire brigade's on their way.
Esther, look!
Having lost you and Kelby,
Stella came back here, changed,
and then returned to the fire
with her father
as a supposed victim.
But knowing that she'd virtually
destroyed their business.
Exactly that.
And by using the Cornman,
they were ensuring George
saw nothing but a long year of bad luck
spreading out before him.
Forcing him to sell up.
I'm done.
That's it for me.
I can't do a year of this.
And the cows?
Knowing that Michaela
and her mum were away
and therefore had a cast-iron alibi,
it was easy enough
for her to open a gate.
I can't believe Michaela
would lie to my face like that,
or how Stella could do this
to her own father!
Well, love is a very powerful thing.
It leads people to do lots of things
that they wouldn't usually contemplate.
We should bring them in.
Just watch your head, all right?
I thought we were friends.
We are.
He just didn't give us any other choice.
I don't believe that.
You're not me,
so don't you tell me
what's true and what isn't.
It was this or Stella staying with
him, putting up with all that venom.
Shall I tell you the things
he said to her?
No.
This was the only way we could
see of us ever being together,
so we took it.
And we don't need your approval
for that or anyone else's.
Can't have been easy.
Maybe she's right.
Maybe he didn't give
them any other choice.
You've always got a choice.
If you don't like where you are,
that's your fault, no-one else's.
HE INHALES
Hey!
Is everything OK?
Not really.
Look I don't want
to do this any more.
Do what?
Us.
Hey
Can't we at least talk about it?
Wait, Est Est
TANNOY: Welcome to
Sky's the Limit skydiving centre.
We're getting ready for your jump today.
Please make sure
ANNE EXHALES
OK, that's you both all set.
Come and join us by
the aircraft when you're ready.
Thank you.
All right, Anne?
If you don't feel you can do
this, please just say the word.
Do you know what?
I've never run away
from anything in my life.
I have no intention of starting now.
Excellent.
BOTH CHUCKLE
Hi!
Good luck!
Thank you, darling! Feeling OK?
Fine.
Thank you for doing this with her.
Look, I know you're excited,
but please be careful.
When you went paragliding,
you ejected yourself
and landed in a tree.
Ah, yes, but I'll have Anne with me,
and I'll get the look if I'm
doing something I shouldn't be.
What look?
Oh, that one.
Exactly.
So, what could possibly go wrong?
Please don't say that! Oh, OK.
Come on, they're waving at us.
How are you feeling, Mum?
Well, I could have chosen
a slightly less drastic way
of celebrating the all-clear,
but strangely excited,
if a little nervous.
Excellent!
Shall we?
BOTH: Good luck!
Nothing to worry about.
ANNE LAUGHS
Well, as long as it's not like
my skiing trip in '83
when I came back with
both my legs in plaster casts,
we'll be fine!
I'm sorry, did you say
you've broken both your legs?
You didn't put that on your form.
It said "current medical conditions".
That was 40 years ago.
What's happened?!
They told me I didn't qualify
for the insurance
because I'd broken my legs 40 years ago.
Oh! Oh
I feel terrible, letting
all those people down.
It's not your fault.
Oh!
Wait.
What about Humphrey?
They should have been
back 30 minutes ago.
PHONE RINGS
Oh, it's Humphrey!
Where are you?
Ah W-well slight issue.
Uh, yes, I sort of leaned back
..headbutted my instructor.
He's coming round now,
though, which is good,
um, but you might need to
come and fetch me.
Where from?
Uh
I think you might need a ladder.
That Josh Woods is going to be
the death of me.
MARGO GASPS
Wait, something's happened to Lucy?!
Help!
There's a hump on the road
on the way out of town,
said to be put there
by the devil himself.
SCREAMING
How can someone disappear like that?
Is that Archie at the door?
CLATTERING
Rosie! Rosie! Please!
I haven't got it!
DOG BARKS
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!
You don't think someone was actually
trying to ward off evil, do you?
I didn't think it would
Hurt.
Hurt this much.
Sub extracted from file & improved