Lovejoy (1986) s05e03 Episode Script
A Going Concern
(Birdsong) (Car starts) (Tires crunching gravel) I'm house-sitting until the auction next week, looking after potential house buyers.
They grunt.
You show them things and they just grunt, "Hm.
" You show them a unique marble fireplace.
"Hm.
" You show them some armorial stained glass.
"Hm.
" You show them a statue of Diane and Acteon, some Versailles rococo plasterwork, Elizabethan oak paneling with linenfold decoration.
They just grunt.
I suppose you're wondering what's in it for me.
- A value-added scam.
- Yeah, but he doesn't pay VAT.
We're taking other dealers' stock and showing it in Felsham Hall.
Thereby adding value.
Yeah, but the auction's in a few days.
- Jane wouldn't mind, Eric.
- No, but the auctioneers might.
Cavendish & Son? For a crate of whisky, Sam'd let you stable a herd of elephants in the master bedroom.
Yeah.
But the question is, can he sell Felsham Interiors as a going concern? Course, I blame you, Lovejoy.
- You should never have let Jane go.
- (Knocking) - (Man) Hello? - You should have talked to her.
- Eric.
- Excuse me.
Yes? You say you have this table here for generations? (Upper-class accent) Yes.
It was a gift to the family from Beau Brummell.
Hm.
I'll take it.
Now, is that 800 marks or £800, Lord Felsham? (Eric clears throat) Guineas, actually.
(Lovejoy) And here, Mr.
Crawley, from the drawing room, you have a magnificent view of the great copper beech and (Crawley) Huh? (Lovejoy) You grunted.
Huh? - You grunted at the view.
- Sorry.
You also grunted at the unique marble fireplace and the armorial glass.
Sorry.
You won't like the statue of Diana and Acteon or the Versailles plasterwork.
What do you like? Attics.
Oh.
Come on, then.
You wouldn't like to grunt at some Elizabethan oak paneling on the way, would you? No, I just want to see whether it's suitable for a loft conversion.
Why would anybody want to do that to a beautiful Queen Anne house? Increase office space, of course.
If Felsham Hall's gonna be my company's new headquarters, I'll need all the office space I can get.
- What business are you in? - Loft conversion.
I'm the biggest loft converter in East Anglia, not to mention stone cladding or double glazing.
This is a listed building, you know.
It's not what you know, it's who you know.
(Tinker) This isn't a display.
It's a jumble sale.
(Eric) I mean, what goes with a Queen Anne chair? Well, those don't, for a start.
We should spread it around a little.
It's still got to be in sympathy with the decor, though.
I mean, you can't have a Regency desk up against rococo boiserie, can you? Huh! It's a type of wall paneling.
Oh, yes, I know what it is, Eric.
There just isn't any of it in this house.
- (Pigeons cooing) - It's been converted already.
In 1790, when they added the cornice.
Hmph! There were some cowboys about in the 18th century.
You call these dormer windows? Take out the solid parapet, you'd get another hundred square foot of space.
- (Knocking) - Tinker! Oh, strewth! I'll do it myself.
All right, all right! - Yes? - Mr.
Lovejoy? Er no, I'm Eric Catchpole.
I'm his interior-design consultant.
Camilla Alfreston.
I've come about a commode.
R Eh? (Tinker) Yes, well (Lovejoy) "I knew you'd find this eventually.
"Don't forget me.
"Love Jane.
" - (Glasses chink) - (Chuckling) Good Lord! We've done a whole Moet.
(Alex) Jane? What are you doing? I'm in the attic, Alexander.
Drinking champagne with a total stranger.
Funny place to keep champagne, in the attic.
It's a gift from a friend.
Well, it's a bit early in the day but I think I could force something down.
I think I can too.
The stairs are this way.
Louis XVI.
Ormolu.
Some kind of veneer.
Flaking with age.
Marble top.
Probably not Reisner.
Possibly Foullet.
Well, it's the funniest-looking commode I've ever seen.
Commode is French for "convenient".
It just means a useful piece of furniture.
Oh, right.
Like when we use the word "convenience".
(Sniggers) Convenience! Sorry.
There's one thing I can't quite place.
The color of this veneer.
- Well, perhaps it's ebony.
- But ebony doesn't fade to brown.
Perhaps it isn't wood veneer at all.
Perhaps it's something completely different like horn.
- There's an easy way to find out.
- How? Well, horn gives off a terrible smell when you burn it.
Cor, strewth! There's your proof.
Ha.
- So it is ebony.
- Eh? - What about the smell? - Varnish.
That would account for the color.
Yeah, but you can't prove it's not horn, can you? Oh, yes, I can.
In two ways.
One, it isn't a snuffbox.
It would take a whole herd of rhinoceros to cover a thing this size with horn.
- And two - It's a reproduction.
Fits nicely.
- (Dogs barking) - (Man) You'll get your money.
I'm about to come into a sizable fortune.
- Of course I'm not betting with anyone else.
- (Barking) - I can't afford it.
- (Whining and barking) It's the family business.
We're disposing of assets.
- (Dog yelping) - Honestly! Did it sound like a greyhound? Camilla! Can you do something about those damn dogs? Um Camilla's gone out, dear.
It's her day for antiques.
- Then why didn't she take you? - No, I'm all right.
- My son-in-law's around here somewhere.
- I'm right here.
- Er sorry about this, Tommy.
- You'll have to wait, I'm afraid.
Um he's on the telephone.
What the hell are you doing? There's a man for you, rather coarse.
Yes.
Yes, it's me.
No, just my mother-in-law.
- Have you been listening to this? - One of them's a bookmaker.
Er look.
I'll I'll have to get back to you.
Do you realize what you've done? That blood-sucking swine could ruin me! (Man on phone shouting) Yes, well, I once knew a Lady Alfreston.
She organized the local land girls during the war.
- That's Mummy.
- Really? You must have been a late baby, Camilla.
Maybe I'm just older than I look.
Unlike your furniture.
How did you know it's a reproduction so quickly? The top matches the base.
It's still a beautiful piece, though.
- What's it modeled on? - An Antoine Foullet at the Wallace Collection.
- Did you make it yourself? - I run my own workshop.
I was hoping you could show a few pieces for me.
Sale or return, we take 20 per cent.
Fine.
I'll deliver in the morning.
Hang on.
Haven't we got enough to deal with as it is? You've got to admit, it does add something to the room.
It's a fake.
Reproduction, Eric.
Well, how does that add value? I don't see the attraction.
And you ruin the whole display if one piece is out of place.
You're right.
Would you like to make a cup of tea, Eric? (Tinker laughs) We agreed sale or return.
Lovejoy did the deal himself.
Hook, line and sinker.
You didn't grunt.
Huh? You didn't grunt at the façade.
Are you kidding? It is magnificent.
It'd be a real honor to own a piece of genuine heritage like this.
I just, uh worry about the auction.
Ah, think of it as a poker game with higher stakes.
I'm just a farm boy from Wyoming, Lovejoy.
I I never did ride the poker trail.
(Lovejoy) You really like it, don't you? (John) Mm.
It's all I could ever want.
- Wait till you see inside.
- I don't want to see inside.
- Why not? - 'Cause all I want's the façade.
Don't tell me you're gonna ship it back to your ranch in Wyoming.
No.
I'm gonna bring my ranch here.
Ormolu on some kind of veneer.
Yes.
Ah.
Yeah, that's flaking with age.
Mm, marble top.
Matching base.
How much? It's not a Reisner, Charlie.
Horn? No, no.
Varnish.
Of course.
The original finish would have been marquetry.
Hm? But this piece has obviously been re-veneered in ebony to suit the, er fashion of the 19th century.
Yes, the varnish has yellowed with age, the veneer's turned brown.
Restored to its original black and gold, I would say this piece would fetch a nice price in New York.
- Except the top matches the base.
- And what's wrong with that? Why go to all the trouble of getting a beautiful black finish if you're going to spoil it with a brown marble top? I'll be damned.
I would have replaced that too.
In black.
Or white.
Marquetry is hard to fake but ebony is easy.
Then you just sit back and wait for someone clever enough to come along and make the right wrong connections.
So this piece is a - A reproduction.
- Mm.
Fresh out of the workshop.
Flaking with age, eh, Lovejoy? Lovejoy? This is a Regency rosewood card table, madam, with guinea pockets.
A gift to the 14th Earl from Beau Brummell.
- What about the organ? - Ah, yes, the organ.
Now, that has been in the family for generations.
Handel himself used to give Lady Fitzpercy lessons.
Do they have provenances? Only their long association with the hall itself.
Er excuse me.
- What are you doing? - Valuing it.
- For what? - The inventory, of course.
- What inventory? - The inventory for the auction.
I thought Cavendish & Son were handling the sale.
We are.
- So where's Sam? - My father has retired.
If he's sloppy enough to leave a house full of furniture off the inventory, it's not a moment too soon.
It says Cavendish & Son.
Where's the son? I'm the daughter.
Who's this? Beau Brummell? - This furniture is not part of the house.
- What? - When he implied that it was, he - He was lying? Look, I'm warehousing it for a friend for a few days.
- You're running a value-added scam.
- It's an empty house.
Sam wouldn't have minded.
But I do.
And I'm the auctioneer.
I want this furniture out.
And then I want you out.
(Charlie chuckling) They say she's a first-rate auctioneer.
What would you expect from a daughter of Sam Cavendish? (Tinker) An open palm.
(Charlie) That's true.
Sam was always prepared to listen to reason, providing it crackled.
(Lovejoy) Do you think it's in the blood? (Charlie) Only if you can freeze it.
She trained at Christie's, you know, Lovejoy.
How long was she there? Just long enough to get snapped up by the New York branch of Sotheby's.
(Tinker) You mean we're taking on the fine-art establishment of the entire Western world? (Charlie) I predict a knockout in round three.
- (Lovejoy) To who? - The one with the gavel.
Your interior-design consultant won't take any more of my stock.
- My who? - (Eric) Lovejoy! I can't take any more of this stuff.
I haven't got time to check it over.
What for? Woodworm? It's only 20 minutes old, Eric.
We've got enough on our hands with the real stuff.
I I can't be bothering with reproductions.
Eric, I made a deal with this lady and I'm gonna stick to it.
Yeah, but it'll be out of place, Lovejoy.
It isn't even distressed.
- They're not doing business with you, Eric.
- But Camilla, sorry to keep you.
It will not happen again.
Oh, that's quite all right.
I wasn't doing anything for dinner anyway.
- It's not even lunch time.
- I'm still not doing anything for dinner.
Kate.
Don't tell me they're changing secretaries as well.
Lovejoy, I haven't seen you for years.
They had to keep me.
I'm the only one who understands Sam's accounts.
So, Miss Moneypenny survives even though old 0077's retired.
Lovejoy, if Sam were James Bond, the KGB would have taken over years ago.
- They've recruited his daughter, though.
- Charlotte's a lovely hard-working girl.
She's just what this firm needs.
- Of course, she's still finding her feet.
- Oh, I've found them right there.
- Is Rosa Klebb in by the way? - I wouldn't go in just now.
- Don't worry about me, Kate.
Peace offering.
- (Charlotte) £300.
- Do I hear £300? - (Music plays) Three hundred.
Three-fifty.
Four hundred.
Four-fifty.
Five hundred.
Five-fifty.
Six hundred.
Six-fifty.
Seven hundred.
Seven-fifty.
Eight hundred.
Done.
Lot number 12.
Staffordshire lion under a flowering tree.
Formerly one of a pair.
Who'll start me off at £300? Done! How about the other one? Lovejoy.
And what brings you here? (Sighs) I can't resist a bargain.
I take it you heard what was going on? Yeah.
Don't be shy on my account.
Practice makes perfect.
- We're testing the acoustics.
- (Music loudens) - Are you gonna auction to music? - (Volume down) - What did you say? - I said, are you going to auction to music? It's very popular in the States.
Aren't you thinking of supermarkets? I'm thinking of sales.
If we had a loading bay and another two floors we could take delivery of antiques from all over Europe.
Here's one from France.
I don't take bribes.
Thank you, Barry.
I'm at Felsham Hall with Jane Felsham's permission.
- Send her the champagne, then.
- She gave it me.
So you even deal in second-hand bribes.
- Was there anything else? - You've, um got a fax here, you know.
Junk mail.
- Definitely male.
- Definitely junked.
I know how he feels.
What did he do? - Squeeze from the wrong end of the tube? - It's none of your business.
Nothing is where you're concerned, not even my own business.
Look, if you're auctioning a house and you find it's full of rubbish, you put the rubbish out.
Well, lucky old Jonathan.
When do I get the chance to "miss you madly"? Soon! Fax me.
Look at these homes in Southwold.
Look at this lovely house by the sea.
Mm.
- Who lives there? - You could.
That's what I'm telling you.
No, dear.
No.
I live here with you and Camilla.
I bet you don't know who you live with half the time.
I don't gamble.
This house is too big for you! You get lost going from the sofa to the coffee table! - I can't remember that.
- You don't remember anything.
At least at those places you'd have a trained staff.
They know how to deal with people like you! What? People that don't like Southwold? I wonder if they have old people's homes in the Orkneys.
But who would manage this estate? I would.
In that case, I don't think you should bother with these.
It's not a good time to buy, dear.
We don't want you to buy it.
Just move in.
(Laughs) Oh, no.
I'm much too old to be a squatter.
It's a retirement home, for God's sake! If you won't do it for me, do it for Camilla.
Has Camilla retired? Oh, dear.
It seems only yesterday I was at her wedding.
Not to me.
Were you there too? Of course I was there too.
I'm her husband.
Well, why do you want to move to Southwold? Customs & Excise.
We've had a tip that somebody's using this building for business.
We'd like to inspect the premises and see the books.
We think it might be a VAT scam.
You know, I've just come to collect a bill.
What, is he still away? - Either that or he's out in his pickup.
- Yeah.
If you see him, tell him we'll be back tomorrow.
- Move all the stuff out of the house.
- What? Miss Cavendish has shopped us to the VAT.
They're coming back tomorrow.
But where are we supposed to put it? Now what? Yeah.
I'd love to help you guys.
- Well, where are you going? - I've got a dinner date.
- (Music plays) - Thank you, madam.
- Good evening.
- (Camilla) No more wine for me.
I have an important delivery tomorrow to Felsham Hall.
I'd have a lie-in if I was you.
I've got to be out all morning.
VAT people want to see me.
It'd be so much more convenient if they came to you.
Well, they are.
(Laughter) Lovejoy.
Twice in one day.
What a delight.
Ah.
Um Charlotte Cavendish, this is a business associate of mine Now, now, Lovejoy.
We agreed we wouldn't discuss business over dinner.
By "associate" I take it you mean someone who dumps furniture at my client's house? You must be the auctioneer Lovejoy's been talking to me about.
If you've any property at Felsham Hall, you might like to reclaim it before the bailiffs do.
Would you excuse me? Miss Cavendish, may I see you a moment, please? Excuse us just a moment.
Thank you.
- Is everything all right? - Everything is fine, Tom.
You reported me to the VAT.
Sorry.
Had to think of the firm's reputation.
- What about my reputation? - No problem.
They'd never heard of you.
You could have put me out of business.
I could understand if there was a reason, but we are total strangers.
Not quite, Lovejoy.
I've been finding out a few things about you.
You've no bank account, no fixed abode, and no visible means of support.
- So you found out a load of nothings.
- And you've got a criminal record.
Well, so? You've got five A levels, a Cambridge First, a degree from the Courtauld Institute, a New York apartment, and you speak five languages.
- So? - So, we're not total strangers.
- I hear you claim to be a bit of a divvy.
- I don't claim it.
It's a fact.
- Prove it to me.
Divvy something.
- Oh we're in a restaurant.
What do you need? A crystal ball and a pair of Gypsy earrings? I'll tell you something about your earrings.
with a single Burmese pearl.
Did they come in a leather pouch about the size of a matchbox? - Where did you get them from? - I inherited them from my grandmother.
Ah.
- Any fool can recognize Victorian jewelry.
- Except they're not earrings.
So what are they? Candlesticks? Nipple rings.
All the rage in the 1890s.
My grandmother didn't mention that.
Would you wear them if she had? I suddenly feel everyone's looking at me.
Well, they probably are.
I mean, they're extremely valuable.
Complete pair of sleepers and pearls.
Adds thousands to the value.
Perhaps now you'll stop trying to bankrupt me, hm? Let's not rush things.
- Who was your friend? - Was? (Sighs) Bring me the bill, Tom.
- The lady paid on her way out.
- Oh.
- She didn't leave a tip.
- Huh! (Snoring) (Snoring) (Snoring) (Knocking at door) (Knocking) I was just passing and I thought I'd check up on a few things.
I could call round tomorrow if it's not inconvenient.
(Birdsong) - (Woman) Traffic building up on the M25 - (Knocking at door) between junction 28, that's the A12 We have an appointment to see the house.
(Lovejoy) And this is the yellow room.
- Notice how empty it is.
- (Both inhale and exhale) - You seem proud of the place's emptiness.
- Yes, it is.
It is very empty, isn't it? Make sure you tell that to Miss Cavendish when you see her.
Still, all this emptiness is an advantage to us.
There's no better way to assess a building's karma.
- Oh, karma? - Absolutely.
If we're going to make Felsham Hall our new meditation center we want to be sure that it has the right karma.
The wrong karma, you see could interfere with our yogic flying.
Oh, yogic flying.
(Inhaling deeply) (Loud knocking at door) All right! How dare you shut the door in the face of a buyer? You've gone too far this time, Lovejoy! I hope all your stock's gone.
You're not wearing your earrings.
John? Bill? We'll leave that in here till the auction.
Thank you.
Just a minute.
You're the VAT men.
Pity you can't divvy people, Lovejoy.
- (Music playing) - That bloody auctioneer woman's here again.
She's got a nerve, seeing as she shopped you to the VAT men.
Well, she didn't shop me to the VAT men.
- Eh? - She scammed me.
There were no VAT men.
- It was just to get us to clear the house.
- Us? Well, you are gonna fill it up again and I'm gonna get some more stuff.
What? Ow.
(Cat meows) Oh, God.
Tinker! Tinker! Tinker! Thanks, guys.
(Spits) Ah, Lovejoy.
That Alfreston woman's just dropped off another load! - Is that one of the pieces? - Yeah.
Yeah, look at it all.
I don't know what they see in it.
It's only reproduction.
And it's not up to the standard of her other work, if you ask me.
I mean, look at this veneer.
It doesn't even reach the edge.
- Camilla sent all this? - Yeah.
Don't you recognize it? This is just like the other one.
Well, not quite, Eric.
This one's 200 years old.
Eh? But you said that 'cause the top matched the base it was a repro.
In that case it was.
This stuff is the real thing.
What, all of it's genuine? (Laughs) Well, no wonder it's selling well.
You sold some of it? How much is gone? Well, about this much again.
Eric, you idiot! You have just lost a fortune.
Don't blame me.
It was all priced up when it arrived and I didn't have time to check it.
You told me not to.
I didn't know she was selling us half the palace of Versailles.
Well, you shouldn't be so trusting.
Maybe she was using these to copy from and got 'em mixed up.
Nobody would be that stupid, would they? Nobody except you.
Phone the dealers and tell them there's been a mistake.
Thanks a bunch.
And they're gonna say, "Have it back," aren't they! If they don't, I'll send you to work for them.
Ha-ha-ha.
And what are you gonna do? I'm gonna tell Camilla about the mistake.
Hello, Lovejoy.
Are you back? So, it lives.
- Lovely Empire chairs.
- Oh, God.
- (Birdsong) - (Dogs yapping) (Dogs barking and whining) (Geoffrey) Chairs! Chairs! There used to be chairs here! Surely you remember that? Ten of them! Eight singles and two carvers.
They were here this morning.
Yes, round the table.
Right, we're getting somewhere.
If we could find the bloody table! Do you realize how long those chairs have been in your family? I I think Father had them.
A hundred and thirty years! Longer than you, you old bat.
How would you like it if we sold you to a rag-and-bone man? Is there No need to shout at the lady, you know.
- Who the hell are you? - I might be able to help you.
Not unless you can cure senility.
This daft old woman's just sold the finest collection of family furniture in England! For next to nothing! To some crook called Lovejoy.
I keep telling you, Godfrey Geoffrey! My name is Geoffrey! I've been married to your daughter for 15 years and you can't even remember my name! I keep telling you I don't know any Who? - Lovejoy! - Lovejoy? - I'm Lovejoy.
- Oh! Hello! We've just been talking about you.
I don't know how you've got the damn nerve to show your face in this house after what you've done! I suppose it's some sort of accomplishment in your business! - What do you call it, a sting? - A mistake.
Now, if I could just speak to Camilla Yes, of course.
- Camilla will explain everything.
- (Geoffrey) Camilla! - (Dogs barking) - Camilla! Yes? (Man) Just run this past me one more time.
Let's get this straight.
You say the furniture was delivered by Lady Alfreston's daughter? No, no, no.
By someone I thought was Lady Alfreston's daughter.
Because you'd never seen the real Camilla before.
That's right.
This other Camilla just happened to have a truckload of Lady Alfreston's belongings.
- No, I didn't know that either.
- All right, then.
A truckload of 18th-century antiques which you hmm bought - Was that a grunt? - I'm sorry? (Chuckles) No, I didn't buy them.
I took 'em on sale or return.
At less than one per cent of their value.
I thought they were reproductions.
Then I realized they weren't reproductions so I gave them back.
To the same Lady Alfreston whom you had no idea was the owner? - No, her daughter.
- Who didn't know you from Adam.
That's right.
How much have you made out of all of this? Nothing.
Lady Alfreston's lost her furniture, the insurance company's lost a fortune, even the mysterious Camilla who is not Camilla has lost, if these were your sale prices.
- No "if" about it.
- There's no truth in it either, is there? According to you, no one's made a penny out of all this.
You've just disappeared a lot of priceless goods to keep your saleroom ticking over! What were they? A loss leader? You bought the stuff from the old lady, flogged 'em on at a huge profit, and then invented this fake daughter to cover your tracks.
- You gonna charge me? - I have a witness.
Are you gonna charge me? Just as soon as I can get Lady Alfreston to remember who you are, and who she is, you'll be back.
Tom, the woman who didn't give you a tip.
- Huh? - You forgot to give me her credit card slip.
- Did I? - Yeah.
- What do you want that for? - Her name.
You should get 'em to wear a badge, Lovejoy.
- (Dogs barking) - Camilla! Camilla! I brought some of your furniture back.
I'm not sure I should accept it after what you did to Mummy.
I'm as much as a victim as you are.
- How do I know it's ours? - (Dogs barking) Do you think I make a habit of giving away other people's Louis XVI furniture? Well, all right, I'll take it, only don't tell Geoffrey.
- Camilla, do you know a Mrs.
Webb? - I don't think so.
- She gave me your mother's furniture.
- It still doesn't ring a bell.
- Well, could she have worked for the estate? - (Dog barks) You'd have to ask Geoffrey.
My husband's in charge of everything now.
But he's out.
- Do you think your mother would know? - Well, that's - Could I ask her? a little difficult.
She she's not here any more.
- (Barking) - Where is she? - Lady Alfreston? - Hello! Lovejoy! Lady Alfreston! You remembered.
No.
No, I can't remember anything.
I just knew.
I'm senile, you see.
That is why I'm here.
Well, you seem perfectly rational to me.
Hm.
But I don't let it show in front of other people.
Well, not so far anyway.
Touch wood.
(Both chuckle) Come in! I don't think anyone's there, Lady Alfreston.
Ah, but I can't trust what you say.
You swindled me, didn't you? - Are you sure that's what really happened? - Of course I am.
Camilla told me.
- Am I in the wrong room? - No, no, no.
This is your room.
Then why did I knock? Lady Alfreston.
Do you remember selling me any furniture? No, I do not.
I wouldn't dream of doing business with a swindler.
The police think you did.
Oh, I've no memory of that.
(Chuckles) But then I'm senile, you see.
Oh, dear.
I think I've told you that already, haven't I? Lady Alfreston, do you know any friends of Camilla's or or Geoffrey's? Let me think.
Geoffrey.
Geoffrey, Geoffrey.
Geoffrey.
Your son-in-law.
(Chuckles) Yes.
Yes, of course.
Oh, how stupid of me.
Do do you know if he knew a Mrs.
Webb? Mrs.
Webb? - Mrs - Mm.
Well, you know, it's all so difficult with these names when you're 85.
And you say that, um who is this Lovejoy? Oh, no, no, that's my name.
Oh, yes, yes.
And I just wondered if Geoffrey, your son-in-law, had ever mentioned a Mrs.
Webb.
Oh, dear me.
Webb.
- Mrs.
Webb.
- No, no, Lady Alfreston.
I'm sorry I disturbed you.
Please, please forget I said anything.
- Just a minute.
Just a minute, Mr.
Lovejoy.
- Yeah? What was Geoffrey's mistress's name? Hm? (Tinker) Mrs.
Webb? Geoffrey's been carrying on for years.
Lady Alfreston knew all about it but didn't want to say anything to her daughter because she thought it would break her heart.
That doesn't prove he stole the furniture.
She gave me a description of who he'd been carrying on with.
Camilla? No, no, Mrs.
Webb.
A description? Well, she can't be that ga-ga, then.
Lady Alfreston is as sane as she ever was.
She didn't give her furniture away.
No, but if her son-in-law could make out that she had he could claim that she was senile.
- And spend all her money on his mistress.
- And his gambling debts.
- I couldn't figure out who profited.
- (Vehicle approaching) Geoffrey doesn't mind giving away antique furniture as long as he gets control of the estate.
The only one who loses out is poor old Lady Alfreston.
- Well, and her daughter.
- And me.
- You'll have to go to the police, Lovejoy.
- (Footsteps) - No, you won't.
- (Radio crackles) Got a fatal attraction to other people's houses, Lovejoy.
- What do you mean? - The retirement home.
A man answering to your description was seen entering Lady Alfreston's room.
If you're not gonna charge me, you're wasting your time.
If you weren't so guilty you wouldn't try and nobble my witness.
- Has Lady Alfreston made a complaint? - She's too gone in the head.
You know that.
I went to see Lady Alfreston to see if she knew a Mrs.
Webb.
- Who? - Mrs.
Webb.
The name the woman used who impersonated Camilla.
Oh, she's gone alias now, has she? I bet you and Lady Alfreston had a high old time.
You see people who don't exist.
She can't see the ones who do.
She's sane.
It's perfectly logical.
A woman with no face and two names.
She describes her face perfectly.
It belongs to her son-in-law's mistress.
Well, why would he want to convince people that his mother-in-law was selling furniture off for next to nothing? To convince people like you that she's insane so he can get control of the estate.
Assuming this reproduction Camilla really exists.
- Yeah, Mrs.
Webb.
- Hm.
Yeah, well, are you gonna charge me? Hm? What do you think you're doing? I'm moving all this furniture into storage.
You can't be trusted.
You lied to me.
You never set the VAT on me.
- I was doing you a favor.
- Well, don't do me any more.
Where have you been all day? You've found out everything else about me.
Work it out for yourself.
I see.
In trouble with the police.
Well, you needn't think I'm paying to store your goods.
I shall bill you.
In that case, hold everything, lads! - I'll store it myself.
Won't we? - We? Just make sure they're gone by this time tomorrow.
- This time tomorrow I could be in jail.
- It won't help.
I shall just bill your suppliers.
I have a friend in the police who's traced them all from their license plates.
I'm sure they're not registered for VAT.
- All? - Yes.
Traced them all? Including your charming dinner companion with her tasteful Louis XVI reproductions.
Terrific! Power of attorney.
- So the estate's yours? - Ours.
Now I can sign the checks.
You're my sleeping partner.
I even got the furniture back.
That only leaves your divorce.
It looks suspicious to rush things.
And you're sure the old lady's past caring? She's not going to get lonely? Course not.
Couple of years, I'll stick the wife in with her.
To premature senility.
To us.
Camilla.
Meet Camilla.
I'm impressed.
To clear a house this big.
That's a lot of work for three people.
- Three? - Yeah, it would have been.
You sure it's empty? To the floorboards.
So don't try claiming anything after the new owners move in.
Thanks for clearing out.
What did you do with it all? I didn't ask you what you'd done with your earrings.
No.
- Wouldn't tell you anyway.
- No.
Neither will I.
Thanks for helping trace Camilla.
You got me out of a lot of trouble.
It won't happen again.
I, er wouldn't be too sure about that.
HM Customs & Excise.
We hear there's an unregistered business in these premises.
This house is empty.
Down to the floorboards.
(Birdsong) Oh, the flowers are beautiful, Godfrey.
Thank you so much.
Mummy, this is Lovejoy.
Geoffrey's going to prison.
- Whatever you think best, dear.
- I'm divorcing him.
- He was having an affair, you know.
- I know, Mummy.
He was trying to have you declared unfit to manage the estate.
I love dogs.
I've always loved them.
I used to have some.
I don't know what became of them.
Mummy, they're yours.
I think we should find them a good home.
Yes, but don't send them here, dear.
They don't even take us for walks.
- Come on, Mummy, let's go.
- Yes, I'd like that.
Thank you, Lovejoy.
Come on.
- Oh, there is one thing I'd like to ask you - (Dog barking) Mr.
Lovejoy.
- What's that, Lady Alfreston? Um why did you steal my furniture? Hm? (Charlotte) I'm pleased to announce the sale of Felsham Hall, built in 1720 by Sir William Cordell, seat of the Lords Felsham since 1721 and lovingly maintained by them until recently.
(Eric) Well, look on the bright side.
Some of those loft conversions these days can be very stylish.
I'll convert your loft in a minute.
A Queen Anne period house of rich red brick believed to be Dutch.
- (Drilling) - Walling is of cream-colored stock.
Pilaster strips alternate with downpipes bearing the family crest.
(Tinker) What if that terrible American buys it? - At least we'll know the façade's safe.
- Hm.
A great copper beech, one of the largest in the county, stands to the right of the front gates.
- At one end of the terrace - (Drilling) an old ruined folly stands on a mound which is currently being replanted.
Mind you, those yogic fliers are nice guys, you know.
They say they're gonna put the house back to its original condition.
- Yes, with a landing pad for UFOs.
- (Laughs) Ladies and gentlemen, who will open the bidding for me at £700,000? Do I have £700,000? - (Drilling) - Thank you, sir.
Do I have 750? Do I have £900,000, ladies and gentlemen? - One million.
- One million.
- (Drilling) - One-one.
One-two.
Thank you, sir.
One-three.
I have one-three bidding against you, sir.
One and a half million pounds.
(Charlotte) Any advance on one million, five hundred thousand pounds? I have one million seven hundred and fifty thousand pounds on the telephone at the back.
Bidding against you, sir.
I am selling, ladies and gentlemen, at one million, seven hundred and fifty thousand pounds.
Going once.
Twice.
Sold to the gentleman at the back on the telephone.
Thank you.
Oh, I hope it's an aristocrat.
Well? Oh, yes, Miss Cavendish, I've got big, big plans for Felsham Hall.
Ah! Lovejoy.
You play your cards right, you can be part of them.
I'd rather take up yogic flying.
That's a great pity.
That's a great shame.
It makes me very sad.
However, my sadness is tinged with some pleasure.
You're fired.
- What? - You can't sack us! Felsham Interiors was sold as a going concern.
That's right, and you're going.
But you can't just chuck us out of our workshops! Where are we gonna put our stock? Where did you put the stuff you had in the house? It's in storage.
Charlie, you cannot kick them out.
All right, Lovejoy.
I'll do you a deal.
If you pay rent if you pay rent, I might give you use of, um The stables might make a good antiques warehouse.
If they're in good condition.
Yes.
And if you lend me use of the boys whenever I need them, and don't use the front entrance.
It's a deal, Charlie.
This calls for champagne.
Yes.
Mm.
(Jane) I think I like you, Lovejoy.
We were wondering where you had got to.
(Charlie) Lovejoy? What are you doing up there? Drinking champagne, Charlie.
With a total stranger.
They grunt.
You show them things and they just grunt, "Hm.
" You show them a unique marble fireplace.
"Hm.
" You show them some armorial stained glass.
"Hm.
" You show them a statue of Diane and Acteon, some Versailles rococo plasterwork, Elizabethan oak paneling with linenfold decoration.
They just grunt.
I suppose you're wondering what's in it for me.
- A value-added scam.
- Yeah, but he doesn't pay VAT.
We're taking other dealers' stock and showing it in Felsham Hall.
Thereby adding value.
Yeah, but the auction's in a few days.
- Jane wouldn't mind, Eric.
- No, but the auctioneers might.
Cavendish & Son? For a crate of whisky, Sam'd let you stable a herd of elephants in the master bedroom.
Yeah.
But the question is, can he sell Felsham Interiors as a going concern? Course, I blame you, Lovejoy.
- You should never have let Jane go.
- (Knocking) - (Man) Hello? - You should have talked to her.
- Eric.
- Excuse me.
Yes? You say you have this table here for generations? (Upper-class accent) Yes.
It was a gift to the family from Beau Brummell.
Hm.
I'll take it.
Now, is that 800 marks or £800, Lord Felsham? (Eric clears throat) Guineas, actually.
(Lovejoy) And here, Mr.
Crawley, from the drawing room, you have a magnificent view of the great copper beech and (Crawley) Huh? (Lovejoy) You grunted.
Huh? - You grunted at the view.
- Sorry.
You also grunted at the unique marble fireplace and the armorial glass.
Sorry.
You won't like the statue of Diana and Acteon or the Versailles plasterwork.
What do you like? Attics.
Oh.
Come on, then.
You wouldn't like to grunt at some Elizabethan oak paneling on the way, would you? No, I just want to see whether it's suitable for a loft conversion.
Why would anybody want to do that to a beautiful Queen Anne house? Increase office space, of course.
If Felsham Hall's gonna be my company's new headquarters, I'll need all the office space I can get.
- What business are you in? - Loft conversion.
I'm the biggest loft converter in East Anglia, not to mention stone cladding or double glazing.
This is a listed building, you know.
It's not what you know, it's who you know.
(Tinker) This isn't a display.
It's a jumble sale.
(Eric) I mean, what goes with a Queen Anne chair? Well, those don't, for a start.
We should spread it around a little.
It's still got to be in sympathy with the decor, though.
I mean, you can't have a Regency desk up against rococo boiserie, can you? Huh! It's a type of wall paneling.
Oh, yes, I know what it is, Eric.
There just isn't any of it in this house.
- (Pigeons cooing) - It's been converted already.
In 1790, when they added the cornice.
Hmph! There were some cowboys about in the 18th century.
You call these dormer windows? Take out the solid parapet, you'd get another hundred square foot of space.
- (Knocking) - Tinker! Oh, strewth! I'll do it myself.
All right, all right! - Yes? - Mr.
Lovejoy? Er no, I'm Eric Catchpole.
I'm his interior-design consultant.
Camilla Alfreston.
I've come about a commode.
R Eh? (Tinker) Yes, well (Lovejoy) "I knew you'd find this eventually.
"Don't forget me.
"Love Jane.
" - (Glasses chink) - (Chuckling) Good Lord! We've done a whole Moet.
(Alex) Jane? What are you doing? I'm in the attic, Alexander.
Drinking champagne with a total stranger.
Funny place to keep champagne, in the attic.
It's a gift from a friend.
Well, it's a bit early in the day but I think I could force something down.
I think I can too.
The stairs are this way.
Louis XVI.
Ormolu.
Some kind of veneer.
Flaking with age.
Marble top.
Probably not Reisner.
Possibly Foullet.
Well, it's the funniest-looking commode I've ever seen.
Commode is French for "convenient".
It just means a useful piece of furniture.
Oh, right.
Like when we use the word "convenience".
(Sniggers) Convenience! Sorry.
There's one thing I can't quite place.
The color of this veneer.
- Well, perhaps it's ebony.
- But ebony doesn't fade to brown.
Perhaps it isn't wood veneer at all.
Perhaps it's something completely different like horn.
- There's an easy way to find out.
- How? Well, horn gives off a terrible smell when you burn it.
Cor, strewth! There's your proof.
Ha.
- So it is ebony.
- Eh? - What about the smell? - Varnish.
That would account for the color.
Yeah, but you can't prove it's not horn, can you? Oh, yes, I can.
In two ways.
One, it isn't a snuffbox.
It would take a whole herd of rhinoceros to cover a thing this size with horn.
- And two - It's a reproduction.
Fits nicely.
- (Dogs barking) - (Man) You'll get your money.
I'm about to come into a sizable fortune.
- Of course I'm not betting with anyone else.
- (Barking) - I can't afford it.
- (Whining and barking) It's the family business.
We're disposing of assets.
- (Dog yelping) - Honestly! Did it sound like a greyhound? Camilla! Can you do something about those damn dogs? Um Camilla's gone out, dear.
It's her day for antiques.
- Then why didn't she take you? - No, I'm all right.
- My son-in-law's around here somewhere.
- I'm right here.
- Er sorry about this, Tommy.
- You'll have to wait, I'm afraid.
Um he's on the telephone.
What the hell are you doing? There's a man for you, rather coarse.
Yes.
Yes, it's me.
No, just my mother-in-law.
- Have you been listening to this? - One of them's a bookmaker.
Er look.
I'll I'll have to get back to you.
Do you realize what you've done? That blood-sucking swine could ruin me! (Man on phone shouting) Yes, well, I once knew a Lady Alfreston.
She organized the local land girls during the war.
- That's Mummy.
- Really? You must have been a late baby, Camilla.
Maybe I'm just older than I look.
Unlike your furniture.
How did you know it's a reproduction so quickly? The top matches the base.
It's still a beautiful piece, though.
- What's it modeled on? - An Antoine Foullet at the Wallace Collection.
- Did you make it yourself? - I run my own workshop.
I was hoping you could show a few pieces for me.
Sale or return, we take 20 per cent.
Fine.
I'll deliver in the morning.
Hang on.
Haven't we got enough to deal with as it is? You've got to admit, it does add something to the room.
It's a fake.
Reproduction, Eric.
Well, how does that add value? I don't see the attraction.
And you ruin the whole display if one piece is out of place.
You're right.
Would you like to make a cup of tea, Eric? (Tinker laughs) We agreed sale or return.
Lovejoy did the deal himself.
Hook, line and sinker.
You didn't grunt.
Huh? You didn't grunt at the façade.
Are you kidding? It is magnificent.
It'd be a real honor to own a piece of genuine heritage like this.
I just, uh worry about the auction.
Ah, think of it as a poker game with higher stakes.
I'm just a farm boy from Wyoming, Lovejoy.
I I never did ride the poker trail.
(Lovejoy) You really like it, don't you? (John) Mm.
It's all I could ever want.
- Wait till you see inside.
- I don't want to see inside.
- Why not? - 'Cause all I want's the façade.
Don't tell me you're gonna ship it back to your ranch in Wyoming.
No.
I'm gonna bring my ranch here.
Ormolu on some kind of veneer.
Yes.
Ah.
Yeah, that's flaking with age.
Mm, marble top.
Matching base.
How much? It's not a Reisner, Charlie.
Horn? No, no.
Varnish.
Of course.
The original finish would have been marquetry.
Hm? But this piece has obviously been re-veneered in ebony to suit the, er fashion of the 19th century.
Yes, the varnish has yellowed with age, the veneer's turned brown.
Restored to its original black and gold, I would say this piece would fetch a nice price in New York.
- Except the top matches the base.
- And what's wrong with that? Why go to all the trouble of getting a beautiful black finish if you're going to spoil it with a brown marble top? I'll be damned.
I would have replaced that too.
In black.
Or white.
Marquetry is hard to fake but ebony is easy.
Then you just sit back and wait for someone clever enough to come along and make the right wrong connections.
So this piece is a - A reproduction.
- Mm.
Fresh out of the workshop.
Flaking with age, eh, Lovejoy? Lovejoy? This is a Regency rosewood card table, madam, with guinea pockets.
A gift to the 14th Earl from Beau Brummell.
- What about the organ? - Ah, yes, the organ.
Now, that has been in the family for generations.
Handel himself used to give Lady Fitzpercy lessons.
Do they have provenances? Only their long association with the hall itself.
Er excuse me.
- What are you doing? - Valuing it.
- For what? - The inventory, of course.
- What inventory? - The inventory for the auction.
I thought Cavendish & Son were handling the sale.
We are.
- So where's Sam? - My father has retired.
If he's sloppy enough to leave a house full of furniture off the inventory, it's not a moment too soon.
It says Cavendish & Son.
Where's the son? I'm the daughter.
Who's this? Beau Brummell? - This furniture is not part of the house.
- What? - When he implied that it was, he - He was lying? Look, I'm warehousing it for a friend for a few days.
- You're running a value-added scam.
- It's an empty house.
Sam wouldn't have minded.
But I do.
And I'm the auctioneer.
I want this furniture out.
And then I want you out.
(Charlie chuckling) They say she's a first-rate auctioneer.
What would you expect from a daughter of Sam Cavendish? (Tinker) An open palm.
(Charlie) That's true.
Sam was always prepared to listen to reason, providing it crackled.
(Lovejoy) Do you think it's in the blood? (Charlie) Only if you can freeze it.
She trained at Christie's, you know, Lovejoy.
How long was she there? Just long enough to get snapped up by the New York branch of Sotheby's.
(Tinker) You mean we're taking on the fine-art establishment of the entire Western world? (Charlie) I predict a knockout in round three.
- (Lovejoy) To who? - The one with the gavel.
Your interior-design consultant won't take any more of my stock.
- My who? - (Eric) Lovejoy! I can't take any more of this stuff.
I haven't got time to check it over.
What for? Woodworm? It's only 20 minutes old, Eric.
We've got enough on our hands with the real stuff.
I I can't be bothering with reproductions.
Eric, I made a deal with this lady and I'm gonna stick to it.
Yeah, but it'll be out of place, Lovejoy.
It isn't even distressed.
- They're not doing business with you, Eric.
- But Camilla, sorry to keep you.
It will not happen again.
Oh, that's quite all right.
I wasn't doing anything for dinner anyway.
- It's not even lunch time.
- I'm still not doing anything for dinner.
Kate.
Don't tell me they're changing secretaries as well.
Lovejoy, I haven't seen you for years.
They had to keep me.
I'm the only one who understands Sam's accounts.
So, Miss Moneypenny survives even though old 0077's retired.
Lovejoy, if Sam were James Bond, the KGB would have taken over years ago.
- They've recruited his daughter, though.
- Charlotte's a lovely hard-working girl.
She's just what this firm needs.
- Of course, she's still finding her feet.
- Oh, I've found them right there.
- Is Rosa Klebb in by the way? - I wouldn't go in just now.
- Don't worry about me, Kate.
Peace offering.
- (Charlotte) £300.
- Do I hear £300? - (Music plays) Three hundred.
Three-fifty.
Four hundred.
Four-fifty.
Five hundred.
Five-fifty.
Six hundred.
Six-fifty.
Seven hundred.
Seven-fifty.
Eight hundred.
Done.
Lot number 12.
Staffordshire lion under a flowering tree.
Formerly one of a pair.
Who'll start me off at £300? Done! How about the other one? Lovejoy.
And what brings you here? (Sighs) I can't resist a bargain.
I take it you heard what was going on? Yeah.
Don't be shy on my account.
Practice makes perfect.
- We're testing the acoustics.
- (Music loudens) - Are you gonna auction to music? - (Volume down) - What did you say? - I said, are you going to auction to music? It's very popular in the States.
Aren't you thinking of supermarkets? I'm thinking of sales.
If we had a loading bay and another two floors we could take delivery of antiques from all over Europe.
Here's one from France.
I don't take bribes.
Thank you, Barry.
I'm at Felsham Hall with Jane Felsham's permission.
- Send her the champagne, then.
- She gave it me.
So you even deal in second-hand bribes.
- Was there anything else? - You've, um got a fax here, you know.
Junk mail.
- Definitely male.
- Definitely junked.
I know how he feels.
What did he do? - Squeeze from the wrong end of the tube? - It's none of your business.
Nothing is where you're concerned, not even my own business.
Look, if you're auctioning a house and you find it's full of rubbish, you put the rubbish out.
Well, lucky old Jonathan.
When do I get the chance to "miss you madly"? Soon! Fax me.
Look at these homes in Southwold.
Look at this lovely house by the sea.
Mm.
- Who lives there? - You could.
That's what I'm telling you.
No, dear.
No.
I live here with you and Camilla.
I bet you don't know who you live with half the time.
I don't gamble.
This house is too big for you! You get lost going from the sofa to the coffee table! - I can't remember that.
- You don't remember anything.
At least at those places you'd have a trained staff.
They know how to deal with people like you! What? People that don't like Southwold? I wonder if they have old people's homes in the Orkneys.
But who would manage this estate? I would.
In that case, I don't think you should bother with these.
It's not a good time to buy, dear.
We don't want you to buy it.
Just move in.
(Laughs) Oh, no.
I'm much too old to be a squatter.
It's a retirement home, for God's sake! If you won't do it for me, do it for Camilla.
Has Camilla retired? Oh, dear.
It seems only yesterday I was at her wedding.
Not to me.
Were you there too? Of course I was there too.
I'm her husband.
Well, why do you want to move to Southwold? Customs & Excise.
We've had a tip that somebody's using this building for business.
We'd like to inspect the premises and see the books.
We think it might be a VAT scam.
You know, I've just come to collect a bill.
What, is he still away? - Either that or he's out in his pickup.
- Yeah.
If you see him, tell him we'll be back tomorrow.
- Move all the stuff out of the house.
- What? Miss Cavendish has shopped us to the VAT.
They're coming back tomorrow.
But where are we supposed to put it? Now what? Yeah.
I'd love to help you guys.
- Well, where are you going? - I've got a dinner date.
- (Music plays) - Thank you, madam.
- Good evening.
- (Camilla) No more wine for me.
I have an important delivery tomorrow to Felsham Hall.
I'd have a lie-in if I was you.
I've got to be out all morning.
VAT people want to see me.
It'd be so much more convenient if they came to you.
Well, they are.
(Laughter) Lovejoy.
Twice in one day.
What a delight.
Ah.
Um Charlotte Cavendish, this is a business associate of mine Now, now, Lovejoy.
We agreed we wouldn't discuss business over dinner.
By "associate" I take it you mean someone who dumps furniture at my client's house? You must be the auctioneer Lovejoy's been talking to me about.
If you've any property at Felsham Hall, you might like to reclaim it before the bailiffs do.
Would you excuse me? Miss Cavendish, may I see you a moment, please? Excuse us just a moment.
Thank you.
- Is everything all right? - Everything is fine, Tom.
You reported me to the VAT.
Sorry.
Had to think of the firm's reputation.
- What about my reputation? - No problem.
They'd never heard of you.
You could have put me out of business.
I could understand if there was a reason, but we are total strangers.
Not quite, Lovejoy.
I've been finding out a few things about you.
You've no bank account, no fixed abode, and no visible means of support.
- So you found out a load of nothings.
- And you've got a criminal record.
Well, so? You've got five A levels, a Cambridge First, a degree from the Courtauld Institute, a New York apartment, and you speak five languages.
- So? - So, we're not total strangers.
- I hear you claim to be a bit of a divvy.
- I don't claim it.
It's a fact.
- Prove it to me.
Divvy something.
- Oh we're in a restaurant.
What do you need? A crystal ball and a pair of Gypsy earrings? I'll tell you something about your earrings.
with a single Burmese pearl.
Did they come in a leather pouch about the size of a matchbox? - Where did you get them from? - I inherited them from my grandmother.
Ah.
- Any fool can recognize Victorian jewelry.
- Except they're not earrings.
So what are they? Candlesticks? Nipple rings.
All the rage in the 1890s.
My grandmother didn't mention that.
Would you wear them if she had? I suddenly feel everyone's looking at me.
Well, they probably are.
I mean, they're extremely valuable.
Complete pair of sleepers and pearls.
Adds thousands to the value.
Perhaps now you'll stop trying to bankrupt me, hm? Let's not rush things.
- Who was your friend? - Was? (Sighs) Bring me the bill, Tom.
- The lady paid on her way out.
- Oh.
- She didn't leave a tip.
- Huh! (Snoring) (Snoring) (Snoring) (Knocking at door) (Knocking) I was just passing and I thought I'd check up on a few things.
I could call round tomorrow if it's not inconvenient.
(Birdsong) - (Woman) Traffic building up on the M25 - (Knocking at door) between junction 28, that's the A12 We have an appointment to see the house.
(Lovejoy) And this is the yellow room.
- Notice how empty it is.
- (Both inhale and exhale) - You seem proud of the place's emptiness.
- Yes, it is.
It is very empty, isn't it? Make sure you tell that to Miss Cavendish when you see her.
Still, all this emptiness is an advantage to us.
There's no better way to assess a building's karma.
- Oh, karma? - Absolutely.
If we're going to make Felsham Hall our new meditation center we want to be sure that it has the right karma.
The wrong karma, you see could interfere with our yogic flying.
Oh, yogic flying.
(Inhaling deeply) (Loud knocking at door) All right! How dare you shut the door in the face of a buyer? You've gone too far this time, Lovejoy! I hope all your stock's gone.
You're not wearing your earrings.
John? Bill? We'll leave that in here till the auction.
Thank you.
Just a minute.
You're the VAT men.
Pity you can't divvy people, Lovejoy.
- (Music playing) - That bloody auctioneer woman's here again.
She's got a nerve, seeing as she shopped you to the VAT men.
Well, she didn't shop me to the VAT men.
- Eh? - She scammed me.
There were no VAT men.
- It was just to get us to clear the house.
- Us? Well, you are gonna fill it up again and I'm gonna get some more stuff.
What? Ow.
(Cat meows) Oh, God.
Tinker! Tinker! Tinker! Thanks, guys.
(Spits) Ah, Lovejoy.
That Alfreston woman's just dropped off another load! - Is that one of the pieces? - Yeah.
Yeah, look at it all.
I don't know what they see in it.
It's only reproduction.
And it's not up to the standard of her other work, if you ask me.
I mean, look at this veneer.
It doesn't even reach the edge.
- Camilla sent all this? - Yeah.
Don't you recognize it? This is just like the other one.
Well, not quite, Eric.
This one's 200 years old.
Eh? But you said that 'cause the top matched the base it was a repro.
In that case it was.
This stuff is the real thing.
What, all of it's genuine? (Laughs) Well, no wonder it's selling well.
You sold some of it? How much is gone? Well, about this much again.
Eric, you idiot! You have just lost a fortune.
Don't blame me.
It was all priced up when it arrived and I didn't have time to check it.
You told me not to.
I didn't know she was selling us half the palace of Versailles.
Well, you shouldn't be so trusting.
Maybe she was using these to copy from and got 'em mixed up.
Nobody would be that stupid, would they? Nobody except you.
Phone the dealers and tell them there's been a mistake.
Thanks a bunch.
And they're gonna say, "Have it back," aren't they! If they don't, I'll send you to work for them.
Ha-ha-ha.
And what are you gonna do? I'm gonna tell Camilla about the mistake.
Hello, Lovejoy.
Are you back? So, it lives.
- Lovely Empire chairs.
- Oh, God.
- (Birdsong) - (Dogs yapping) (Dogs barking and whining) (Geoffrey) Chairs! Chairs! There used to be chairs here! Surely you remember that? Ten of them! Eight singles and two carvers.
They were here this morning.
Yes, round the table.
Right, we're getting somewhere.
If we could find the bloody table! Do you realize how long those chairs have been in your family? I I think Father had them.
A hundred and thirty years! Longer than you, you old bat.
How would you like it if we sold you to a rag-and-bone man? Is there No need to shout at the lady, you know.
- Who the hell are you? - I might be able to help you.
Not unless you can cure senility.
This daft old woman's just sold the finest collection of family furniture in England! For next to nothing! To some crook called Lovejoy.
I keep telling you, Godfrey Geoffrey! My name is Geoffrey! I've been married to your daughter for 15 years and you can't even remember my name! I keep telling you I don't know any Who? - Lovejoy! - Lovejoy? - I'm Lovejoy.
- Oh! Hello! We've just been talking about you.
I don't know how you've got the damn nerve to show your face in this house after what you've done! I suppose it's some sort of accomplishment in your business! - What do you call it, a sting? - A mistake.
Now, if I could just speak to Camilla Yes, of course.
- Camilla will explain everything.
- (Geoffrey) Camilla! - (Dogs barking) - Camilla! Yes? (Man) Just run this past me one more time.
Let's get this straight.
You say the furniture was delivered by Lady Alfreston's daughter? No, no, no.
By someone I thought was Lady Alfreston's daughter.
Because you'd never seen the real Camilla before.
That's right.
This other Camilla just happened to have a truckload of Lady Alfreston's belongings.
- No, I didn't know that either.
- All right, then.
A truckload of 18th-century antiques which you hmm bought - Was that a grunt? - I'm sorry? (Chuckles) No, I didn't buy them.
I took 'em on sale or return.
At less than one per cent of their value.
I thought they were reproductions.
Then I realized they weren't reproductions so I gave them back.
To the same Lady Alfreston whom you had no idea was the owner? - No, her daughter.
- Who didn't know you from Adam.
That's right.
How much have you made out of all of this? Nothing.
Lady Alfreston's lost her furniture, the insurance company's lost a fortune, even the mysterious Camilla who is not Camilla has lost, if these were your sale prices.
- No "if" about it.
- There's no truth in it either, is there? According to you, no one's made a penny out of all this.
You've just disappeared a lot of priceless goods to keep your saleroom ticking over! What were they? A loss leader? You bought the stuff from the old lady, flogged 'em on at a huge profit, and then invented this fake daughter to cover your tracks.
- You gonna charge me? - I have a witness.
Are you gonna charge me? Just as soon as I can get Lady Alfreston to remember who you are, and who she is, you'll be back.
Tom, the woman who didn't give you a tip.
- Huh? - You forgot to give me her credit card slip.
- Did I? - Yeah.
- What do you want that for? - Her name.
You should get 'em to wear a badge, Lovejoy.
- (Dogs barking) - Camilla! Camilla! I brought some of your furniture back.
I'm not sure I should accept it after what you did to Mummy.
I'm as much as a victim as you are.
- How do I know it's ours? - (Dogs barking) Do you think I make a habit of giving away other people's Louis XVI furniture? Well, all right, I'll take it, only don't tell Geoffrey.
- Camilla, do you know a Mrs.
Webb? - I don't think so.
- She gave me your mother's furniture.
- It still doesn't ring a bell.
- Well, could she have worked for the estate? - (Dog barks) You'd have to ask Geoffrey.
My husband's in charge of everything now.
But he's out.
- Do you think your mother would know? - Well, that's - Could I ask her? a little difficult.
She she's not here any more.
- (Barking) - Where is she? - Lady Alfreston? - Hello! Lovejoy! Lady Alfreston! You remembered.
No.
No, I can't remember anything.
I just knew.
I'm senile, you see.
That is why I'm here.
Well, you seem perfectly rational to me.
Hm.
But I don't let it show in front of other people.
Well, not so far anyway.
Touch wood.
(Both chuckle) Come in! I don't think anyone's there, Lady Alfreston.
Ah, but I can't trust what you say.
You swindled me, didn't you? - Are you sure that's what really happened? - Of course I am.
Camilla told me.
- Am I in the wrong room? - No, no, no.
This is your room.
Then why did I knock? Lady Alfreston.
Do you remember selling me any furniture? No, I do not.
I wouldn't dream of doing business with a swindler.
The police think you did.
Oh, I've no memory of that.
(Chuckles) But then I'm senile, you see.
Oh, dear.
I think I've told you that already, haven't I? Lady Alfreston, do you know any friends of Camilla's or or Geoffrey's? Let me think.
Geoffrey.
Geoffrey, Geoffrey.
Geoffrey.
Your son-in-law.
(Chuckles) Yes.
Yes, of course.
Oh, how stupid of me.
Do do you know if he knew a Mrs.
Webb? Mrs.
Webb? - Mrs - Mm.
Well, you know, it's all so difficult with these names when you're 85.
And you say that, um who is this Lovejoy? Oh, no, no, that's my name.
Oh, yes, yes.
And I just wondered if Geoffrey, your son-in-law, had ever mentioned a Mrs.
Webb.
Oh, dear me.
Webb.
- Mrs.
Webb.
- No, no, Lady Alfreston.
I'm sorry I disturbed you.
Please, please forget I said anything.
- Just a minute.
Just a minute, Mr.
Lovejoy.
- Yeah? What was Geoffrey's mistress's name? Hm? (Tinker) Mrs.
Webb? Geoffrey's been carrying on for years.
Lady Alfreston knew all about it but didn't want to say anything to her daughter because she thought it would break her heart.
That doesn't prove he stole the furniture.
She gave me a description of who he'd been carrying on with.
Camilla? No, no, Mrs.
Webb.
A description? Well, she can't be that ga-ga, then.
Lady Alfreston is as sane as she ever was.
She didn't give her furniture away.
No, but if her son-in-law could make out that she had he could claim that she was senile.
- And spend all her money on his mistress.
- And his gambling debts.
- I couldn't figure out who profited.
- (Vehicle approaching) Geoffrey doesn't mind giving away antique furniture as long as he gets control of the estate.
The only one who loses out is poor old Lady Alfreston.
- Well, and her daughter.
- And me.
- You'll have to go to the police, Lovejoy.
- (Footsteps) - No, you won't.
- (Radio crackles) Got a fatal attraction to other people's houses, Lovejoy.
- What do you mean? - The retirement home.
A man answering to your description was seen entering Lady Alfreston's room.
If you're not gonna charge me, you're wasting your time.
If you weren't so guilty you wouldn't try and nobble my witness.
- Has Lady Alfreston made a complaint? - She's too gone in the head.
You know that.
I went to see Lady Alfreston to see if she knew a Mrs.
Webb.
- Who? - Mrs.
Webb.
The name the woman used who impersonated Camilla.
Oh, she's gone alias now, has she? I bet you and Lady Alfreston had a high old time.
You see people who don't exist.
She can't see the ones who do.
She's sane.
It's perfectly logical.
A woman with no face and two names.
She describes her face perfectly.
It belongs to her son-in-law's mistress.
Well, why would he want to convince people that his mother-in-law was selling furniture off for next to nothing? To convince people like you that she's insane so he can get control of the estate.
Assuming this reproduction Camilla really exists.
- Yeah, Mrs.
Webb.
- Hm.
Yeah, well, are you gonna charge me? Hm? What do you think you're doing? I'm moving all this furniture into storage.
You can't be trusted.
You lied to me.
You never set the VAT on me.
- I was doing you a favor.
- Well, don't do me any more.
Where have you been all day? You've found out everything else about me.
Work it out for yourself.
I see.
In trouble with the police.
Well, you needn't think I'm paying to store your goods.
I shall bill you.
In that case, hold everything, lads! - I'll store it myself.
Won't we? - We? Just make sure they're gone by this time tomorrow.
- This time tomorrow I could be in jail.
- It won't help.
I shall just bill your suppliers.
I have a friend in the police who's traced them all from their license plates.
I'm sure they're not registered for VAT.
- All? - Yes.
Traced them all? Including your charming dinner companion with her tasteful Louis XVI reproductions.
Terrific! Power of attorney.
- So the estate's yours? - Ours.
Now I can sign the checks.
You're my sleeping partner.
I even got the furniture back.
That only leaves your divorce.
It looks suspicious to rush things.
And you're sure the old lady's past caring? She's not going to get lonely? Course not.
Couple of years, I'll stick the wife in with her.
To premature senility.
To us.
Camilla.
Meet Camilla.
I'm impressed.
To clear a house this big.
That's a lot of work for three people.
- Three? - Yeah, it would have been.
You sure it's empty? To the floorboards.
So don't try claiming anything after the new owners move in.
Thanks for clearing out.
What did you do with it all? I didn't ask you what you'd done with your earrings.
No.
- Wouldn't tell you anyway.
- No.
Neither will I.
Thanks for helping trace Camilla.
You got me out of a lot of trouble.
It won't happen again.
I, er wouldn't be too sure about that.
HM Customs & Excise.
We hear there's an unregistered business in these premises.
This house is empty.
Down to the floorboards.
(Birdsong) Oh, the flowers are beautiful, Godfrey.
Thank you so much.
Mummy, this is Lovejoy.
Geoffrey's going to prison.
- Whatever you think best, dear.
- I'm divorcing him.
- He was having an affair, you know.
- I know, Mummy.
He was trying to have you declared unfit to manage the estate.
I love dogs.
I've always loved them.
I used to have some.
I don't know what became of them.
Mummy, they're yours.
I think we should find them a good home.
Yes, but don't send them here, dear.
They don't even take us for walks.
- Come on, Mummy, let's go.
- Yes, I'd like that.
Thank you, Lovejoy.
Come on.
- Oh, there is one thing I'd like to ask you - (Dog barking) Mr.
Lovejoy.
- What's that, Lady Alfreston? Um why did you steal my furniture? Hm? (Charlotte) I'm pleased to announce the sale of Felsham Hall, built in 1720 by Sir William Cordell, seat of the Lords Felsham since 1721 and lovingly maintained by them until recently.
(Eric) Well, look on the bright side.
Some of those loft conversions these days can be very stylish.
I'll convert your loft in a minute.
A Queen Anne period house of rich red brick believed to be Dutch.
- (Drilling) - Walling is of cream-colored stock.
Pilaster strips alternate with downpipes bearing the family crest.
(Tinker) What if that terrible American buys it? - At least we'll know the façade's safe.
- Hm.
A great copper beech, one of the largest in the county, stands to the right of the front gates.
- At one end of the terrace - (Drilling) an old ruined folly stands on a mound which is currently being replanted.
Mind you, those yogic fliers are nice guys, you know.
They say they're gonna put the house back to its original condition.
- Yes, with a landing pad for UFOs.
- (Laughs) Ladies and gentlemen, who will open the bidding for me at £700,000? Do I have £700,000? - (Drilling) - Thank you, sir.
Do I have 750? Do I have £900,000, ladies and gentlemen? - One million.
- One million.
- (Drilling) - One-one.
One-two.
Thank you, sir.
One-three.
I have one-three bidding against you, sir.
One and a half million pounds.
(Charlotte) Any advance on one million, five hundred thousand pounds? I have one million seven hundred and fifty thousand pounds on the telephone at the back.
Bidding against you, sir.
I am selling, ladies and gentlemen, at one million, seven hundred and fifty thousand pounds.
Going once.
Twice.
Sold to the gentleman at the back on the telephone.
Thank you.
Oh, I hope it's an aristocrat.
Well? Oh, yes, Miss Cavendish, I've got big, big plans for Felsham Hall.
Ah! Lovejoy.
You play your cards right, you can be part of them.
I'd rather take up yogic flying.
That's a great pity.
That's a great shame.
It makes me very sad.
However, my sadness is tinged with some pleasure.
You're fired.
- What? - You can't sack us! Felsham Interiors was sold as a going concern.
That's right, and you're going.
But you can't just chuck us out of our workshops! Where are we gonna put our stock? Where did you put the stuff you had in the house? It's in storage.
Charlie, you cannot kick them out.
All right, Lovejoy.
I'll do you a deal.
If you pay rent if you pay rent, I might give you use of, um The stables might make a good antiques warehouse.
If they're in good condition.
Yes.
And if you lend me use of the boys whenever I need them, and don't use the front entrance.
It's a deal, Charlie.
This calls for champagne.
Yes.
Mm.
(Jane) I think I like you, Lovejoy.
We were wondering where you had got to.
(Charlie) Lovejoy? What are you doing up there? Drinking champagne, Charlie.
With a total stranger.