Howard's Way (1985) s05e07 Episode Script

- Morning, Bill.
- Mr Howard.
- Can't beat it, can you, first thing? - No, beautiful.
(Hammering) Did the clocks go forward or something and I missed it? Go softly softly with him, Bill.
He's been here since five.
Last time Jack was up and about at five, World War Two broke out.
- As a direct result, no doubt.
- (Laughs) - Roger.
Dave.
- Morning.
Hey, I didn't know we'd introduced flexitime.
Where is everybody? The shift doesn't start till eight, Jack.
Then get them started.
It's five minutes past.
I'd better get the lads organised, then.
What's got into you, then, Jack? I haven't seen you so energetic in a long time.
Well, it's always the same for me, Tom.
When I see the hull of a boat laid out first thing in the morning, it's a great tonic.
- Orkadian Mark II, no doubt.
- Ah, no, plus the other boats.
- Not just Orkadian.
- That's a relief.
We've got to put in the hours on all the boats to keep on schedule.
All right? Oh, Tom, if er If you've got a few minutes, there's something I'd like to discuss.
- We're not falling behind, are we? - No, nothing to do with that.
- It's something personal.
- Yeah, sure.
(Leo) Anything for me? - Only a bill.
- Oh.
Why? Are you expecting something? As a matter of fact, I am.
An official apology from the police.
Well, if I were you, I would settle for the phone call you got.
Leo, has it ever occurred to you that Orrin may not be at the bottom of all this? - Why? - Oh, I don't know.
I just thought I heard a distant crack of gunfire.
A warning from Sir Edward Frere.
I'm the one they pulled in.
Yes, but I'm the one who refused to marry him.
Why didn't you mention it earlier and clear it? Clear it? I don't need your permission, Tom.
Not permission, agreement.
I should have been consulted.
Oh, like I was consulted when you offered your ex a piece of the Mermaid? - Oh, come on, that was completely different.
- Yeah, that's right.
I offered Vanessa a job, not shares.
Look, I'll accept that Vanessa is probably a brilliant PR woman.
Yeah, damn right.
She built up her business into one of the top ad agencies in Germany.
That's my point.
She's used to huge accounts.
Well, you're always telling me to expand up here.
Jack, we put our own adverts in the local press for rebuilding and repair works.
But when it comes to selling boats, that's Relton or Ken Masters' job.
- We are craftsmen, not shopkeepers.
- Oh! Oh, I see! I see! My philosophy works for you when you're in a tight corner, does it? OK, I'll tell her we've decided to remain in the 19th century.
We? You told her we wanted her services? Damn it, Tom, she'll put us on the map.
- We are on the bloody map! - The world map.
(Knock at door) - Good morning.
- Oh, er Good morning, Vanessa.
- Not interrupting, am I? - No, no, no.
I was just telling Tom about this new job of yours, and he's delighted with the idea.
Aren't you, Tom? I'm glad to hear it.
Well, to be quite frank with you, Vanessa, what I actually said was completely the opposite.
Now, it's nothing personal, but a woman with your skills, I doubt if you'd find yourself enough to do at the Mermaid Yard.
I'm sure I would, Tom.
Yes, but we don't actually have the need for anybody to handle PR.
Every business needs PR, big or small.
Look, Tom, I have given it some serious thought, whether or not I could be of any use here.
I do have one or two ideas which I know from experience would work, and work well.
I'd only need a short time to set them up.
Then if you don't like what I've done, we'll call it a day.
No hard feelings.
Oh, well, we er we can't be fairer than that, can we? Right, Tom? All right, Vanessa let's give it a go.
Meanwhile, welcome aboard.
And Tom, my reputation is on the line here, too, you know.
Sure.
Oh, by the way, Jack, Bill gave me this on my way in.
It arrived special delivery for you.
Oh.
What is it? Now I'm on the Mermaid payroll, I might as well make my first suggestion.
Why don't you open it and see? Yes, that is very interesting, isn't it? No, no, no, no, I'm very grateful to you for letting me know.
Yes, of course.
I'll get back to you as soon as the draft contracts are available.
Oh, and Eckhardt, thanks for the call.
- Problems? - Not with the Malta development, no.
But there could be with Avril.
You know that agreement she's negotiating with the Poelma Corporation? It could be worth five million pounds.
It could, but I very much doubt it.
No, you've got her on the run, Charles.
It's probably just propaganda for the sake of the shareholders.
She's stalling for time.
No, no, it would appear it's quite legitimate, according to Eckhardt Sahnn just now.
And he's the Poelma Corporation's banker, so he should know.
That does make it difficult to put a motion of no confidence if Avril pulls off a five-million pound order, doesn't it? If there's any credence to it.
Yes, well, we should know soon enough.
I thought it might be politic to invite the key Relton shareholders to the reception today.
I also asked the local planning executive.
- Not the Mermaid Marina project? - Of course.
It's a prime site.
Yes, for a conservationists' lobby.
Yes, I've already taken that into account.
Which is why I've got Julian Burridge to come along, just in case we want to do a little lobbying ourselves.
That way, we kill two birds with one stone.
He's Chairman of the Planning Committee and owns four per cent of Relton.
(Chuckles) He also hates women in business.
Are you all right? Yes, yes, I'm I was just thinking about Polly.
It's ten o'clock.
Her flight will be just leaving.
- Well, perhaps when you've both had time - No, no.
No, Charles, no.
No, she's gone.
For good.
- Back to my old man, eh? God help her.
- Yeah, a perfect match.
You know, I feel I should be heaving the biggest sigh of relief on record.
- But you're not? - 25 years of marriage.
It's strange, really.
Polly and I have had our differences in the past, but I'm going to miss her.
Mm-hm.
- How's Abby taking it? - Fine, fine.
I mean, she and Polly were never exactly close.
- Yeah, true enough.
- And she's got enough on her plate, what with the baby and William? No.
No, I fear I may have betrayed a confidence there.
Abby clearly hasn't told you.
- She's expecting a baby? - Mm.
- Whose? - Leo Howard's.
Can you courier these Poelma proposals to Mr Fernandez? Oh, and don't forget to remind me to ring Lord Runswick this afternoon.
- (Intercom bleeps) - Yes? Miss Rolfe, Leo Howard's here to see you.
Well, he'd better be quick.
Send him in, then.
Thank you, Rachel.
- You've got five minutes, Leo.
- Sure you can spare that? Just.
Or I'll be late for a meeting at the Mermaid.
- Oh, I'm not late, am I? - You say that is if we had an appointment.
I thought you said to drop in before lunch.
The breakdown I sent across.
You should have checked with my secretary.
Is this going to take long? - That depends if it's a yes or no answer.
- Concerning? The costs for the new powerboat.
You were going to put it to the board.
Ah, yes.
Well, I'm afraid I had to leave it off the last agenda.
It's not the time to ask for capital expenditure.
This power struggle between you and Charles Frere.
That's confidential information, Leo.
There's no point in trying to keep the lid on it.
The whole workforce knows.
- Rumours are flying back and forth every day.
- What kind of rumours? Of a takeover.
That the shareholders might even force you to resign.
If Charles Frere gets his way, which I doubt! No, you never struck me as being the type of woman to be intimidated.
I admire that.
I'm not going to change my mind, so you can forget the flattery.
It won't get you anywhere.
Yeah, maybe it would look better there.
Wherever, Jack.
It's your award.
Yeah, right there.
Just to remind me how much a winner Orkadian is.
Do you know, Tom, you'd think Scott would have made a presentation, rather than send it through the post.
- You're never satisfied, are you? - I was beginning to think it would never arrive.
Now you know how our customers feel when they're waiting for their boats.
Leo, I've got something I want to tell you.
- Well, can't it wait? - No.
- OK, what is it? - Not over the phone.
Can we meet for lunch? - Where? - Yacht Club, one o'clock? - (Knock at door) - I've got to go.
See you later, then? - OK, bye.
- Bye.
What the hell are you doing here? - Is everything all right? - Yes, thanks.
Oh, that's much better.
Put it on and I'll come back and check it in a minute.
I'm about to mail these invitations.
We haven't forgotten anyone, have we? No.
Just turn one sec for me.
I'm just hoping I'm going to have this lot ready in time.
Oh, come on! Where did you get that material from? Why? What's wrong with it? - Nothing.
Relax, will you? - Relax? It's been lying around in your store for a couple of years, if you really must know.
- The top of this sleeve isn't sitting properly.
- Jan! Why don't you go back into the office and run the business side of things? I'll sort this out.
No, I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
Maybe you're right.
John, will you just have a look at this sleeve? I just don't think we're going to be ready in time.
That's be enough.
OK.
Listen.
Will you calm down? - They are wonderful! - Yeah? - Maybe you should try designing, eh? - It has never crossed my mind.
All you need is a pencil, a piece of paper and er a brilliant idea, of course.
Jan You do like the designs, don't you? No, I mean seriously.
James, I think they are seriously wonderful.
Seriously? - I couldn't believe it when I heard.
- It isn't what it seems, Abby.
Seems? You plant Edward Frere's America Cup designs on Leo and it's not what it seems? OK, it was a bad move.
I see that now.
But, well, I couldn't at the time.
I was under pressure.
How do you think Leo felt? Look, I came here to apologise, not start the whole thing off again.
Orrin, how could you do that? A man tells you it's a good idea to compromise Leo and you go ahead and do it? - The man was Edward Frere.
- It makes a difference, does it? If he told you to throw yourself under a train, would you do that, too? Listen, when a man like Sir Edward Don't give me that.
He's been manipulating people far too long, like your father, but I didn't exactly expect you to go the same way.
I'm not manipulating anyone.
Anyway, if you really did come to apologise, isn't it Leo you should be speaking to? Why? I gave him the chance to be self-righteous from now on whenever my name's mentioned.
That won't be too often.
You're the one I've really let down, expecting you to dovetail into a family like mine.
And taking your child away.
If you really felt that, why didn't you bring him with you? You still don't understand, do you? He's the focal point of two corporations, Abby.
Frere and Hudson.
He's the reason they'll do business together, even though they probably loathe each other.
You could have been your own man.
It would have been difficult to break away but it wouldn't have been impossible.
Maybe I should break away now.
If you came back to the States with me, we could take 'em on together.
Did you really think I'd fall for that? Think it over.
I'll stay as long as you need to decide.
It's already been decided.
I'm expecting a baby.
My father always said you weren't to be trusted.
- Yeah, well, he should know.
- For God's sake, we're not even divorced.
I'd prefer to tell myself we weren't even married.
And what about William? Where does he fit into this new life you're so obviously planning? Oh, he'll come back to me.
One day.
- How much is the painting actually worth? - Well, it's insured for over L150,000.
Yes, but nobody can actually know the real value of a work of art.
I think John Blakelock is an absolute master of the use of oils.
To me, his work is priceless.
I'm very grateful for the donation, Charles.
Oh, no, no.
It's a real pleasure.
Your Burridge Coastal Protection Trust is a worthy cause.
Gerald and I were only discussing this morning the need to protect the environment.
Otherwise, no hope for any of us, is there? Particularly those of us concerned with commerce and industry.
- I mean, if we can't take the responsibility - Quite.
Er Well, if you'll excuse me, Julian.
Charles, I think I ought to circulate, make sure your guests are being properly taken care of.
Right you are.
Laura! - So glad you could make it.
- Thank you for the invitation.
- You look stunning.
- How sweet of you to say so, Gerald.
- Can I steer you towards the buffet? - Mmm, good idea.
Thank you.
I was up in the isles the other week, spot of fishing.
- I ran into Lord Runswick.
- Oh, yes? How is he? Same as always.
I swear, the older he gets, the more cynical and obstructive he becomes.
Yes, I know exactly what you mean.
He was telling me about this problem you're having at Relton.
Well, the company is struggling, no two ways about it.
Oh, you know, it's the usual thing.
Cancelled orders, late deliveries.
Executives spending too much time abroad.
No need to fish, Charles.
I'm on your side.
No, the Rolfes'll get no support from me.
I took a boat into the father for a refit, seeing as he built the damn thing 20 years ago, and I got it back almost three months later.
Well, perhaps he should retire.
I shouldn't think he'd ever retire.
Seems obsessed with the damn place.
Oh, I don't know.
I think he could be convinced.
I certainly hope so.
Something in your mind, Charles? I may need to call in a favour, Julian.
About a planning application I'm thinking of putting in.
I see.
I'd be delighted to help in any possible way that I can.
So, what are you going to have? - Fish, please.
- Thank you.
- Er Yeah, I'll have the same, thank you.
- Thank you, sir.
- What about something to drink? - Oh, you don't usually.
Well, I think I might today.
- What do you want? Wine? - Erm What about some champagne? - Some kind of special occasion? - I hope so.
How special? I think it calls for the best champagne.
Actually, no, it ought to be half a bottle.
I shouldn't have any.
Excuse me.
Er Half a bottle of champagne, please.
Er Number 39.
Thank you.
Now, what's this all about? - Er I had some news the other - No, no, no, let me guess.
Erm You got a new job? - No.
- No.
Erm You're pregnant? No Yes.
That's why I shouldn't have any wine.
You know, it's not good for the baby.
- I was joking.
- Well, I'm not.
Are you happy? Well, I haven't got there yet.
I'm still shocked.
You mean you really are pregnant? Yes.
I really am pregnant.
Wha I can't believe it.
Hey, that's terrific news! Whoo! Whooo! Ladies and gentlemen, please.
Ladies and gentlemen, sorry to interrupt you.
Thank you all very much indeed for coming along here.
We thought this might be a suitable occasion, having got you all gathered together, to try to raise some money for a very worthy charity, by auctioning this John Blakelock landscape.
Very beautiful, I'm sure you'll all agree.
Now, I do hope that I won't have caused any offence to anyone by singling out the Burridge Coastal Protection Trust as the recipient.
Good.
Thank you.
I also thought it might be appropriate for Julian Burridge himself to auction the painting.
So, would you all please now join me in welcoming Mr Julian Burridge.
Why would Charles Frere want to make a donation to Julian Burridge's charity? I've really no idea.
The fact that he's a Relton shareholder wouldn't have anything to do with it? Why should it? Shall we start the bidding off at 20,000? Thank you, Mr Saunders.
20,000 I have, and I'm looking for 25,000.
Thank you, Miss Harrison.
27 and a half? 27 and a half.
30,000? 30,000.
- 40.
- Thank you, Charles.
Most generous.
Your Charles Frere will do anything to get centre stage.
Oh, no, that's not the case at all.
If it is, he's about to pay over the odds for the privilege.
Do I hear 45? Thank you.
- How could you work with a man like that? - Carefully.
- He's demanding, exhausting - 50,000.
and I wouldn't be content working with anyone else.
- Please remember that all the proceeds go - Why? You have to know Charles before you can understand that.
- Oh, the man himself.
- 60? 60.
Laura, may I introduce you to Charles Frere? Laura Wilde.
How do you do? Hello, Laura.
Glad to finally meet you.
Heard a lot about you.
And I a great deal about you.
(Burridge) 84? 84.
84 for our beautiful Ah, it's good to get out of the office, Leo.
Blow away the cobwebs now and again.
That's for sure.
What was this problem you mentioned? - It's not a problem, as such.
- You said something was troubling you.
How did you feel when you discovered you were to be a father? - Abby's not - She is, Dad.
Well, congratulations.
That's terrific news.
- Well, isn't it? - Yes Yes.
But with everything that's happened with William and Orrin I see.
It's taken the shine off it, eh? Maybe that's what it is.
Well, that's understandable.
But what I can't understand I'm thrilled.
I mean, I really am, to think of being a father, but I'm just not sure exactly how I feel.
- About what? - Not what, Dad.
Who.
Abby.
Thanks for the flowers.
They're beautiful.
- Too beautiful to put in water? - They just arrived.
No, they arrived at two o'clock.
I had my secretary check with the florist.
You see, I wanted to be quite sure you got them the moment I received the news.
- I'm absolutely delighted.
Congratulations.
- Thank you.
If you're not doing anything else tonight, why don't we have dinner? - Erm I'm meeting Leo at eight.
- Well, how about lunch tomorrow? I'm sorry, I'm busy.
I see.
It's just that I wanted to discuss a celebration with you.
- You don't have to go to any trouble, Charles.
- Trouble? What are you talking about? This is another grandchild.
That's quite a celebration.
For me and Leo.
Abby, I really don't understand.
Why are you shutting me out Look, I don't understand.
Flowers, party, all this sudden interest.
But you've already got a grandchild.
And you've shut him out.
- That's unfair.
- Is it? No! You knew all about the custody problems.
You sat back and you did absolutely nothing.
Look, I've always been willing to help you in any way I possibly Abby, the point you are missing is this.
If Orrin will not divorce you, it is counter-productive to fight the Hudsons in court until and after your marriage is dissolved.
Well, maybe, but I will get my baby back.
I will, eventually.
I do understand how you must be feeling, you know, having to step back from your own child.
You don't understand.
How do you think I felt when I found out about you? And if you imagine it's been easy, every time I think of what I've missed, all that was Look, Abby, I know I can never make any of that up to you.
But if there's anything you ever need, all you have to do is ask.
- I'm going to have lobster.
- Are you? Yeah, all right, OK.
Lobster for the lady, and I'll have the lemon sole.
- Thank you, sir.
- Thank you very much.
Well, here's to your first day at the Mermaid.
- Cheers.
- Cheers.
I thought it was going to be my last, the way Tom reacted.
Oh, don't worry about that.
You'll get used to it in time.
More importantly, how do you feel? How do I feel? I'm not ill, Jack.
Feel about being in the boat building business.
With your father starting up Relton, you're following in a great family tradition.
Ah, I'm sure he would have approved.
It's strange, isn't it, how it all works out? A member of your family now running Relton.
Yes.
Clever old girl, Avril.
She needs to be, with all the problems she's having with Charles Frere.
Oh, you can say that again.
In business, she can handle it.
But when it comes to her personal life, well Why she ever got involved with Charlie again I don't know.
- Still, as long as she's been taught a lesson.
- I doubt it.
Well, hopefully, once bitten Jack, one can't hide oneself away forever for fear of being hurt again.
- What do you mean by that? - I was referring to Eileen, Jack.
Ah.
So you think I'm hiding.
Perhaps not intentionally, but Well, er there was a time when everyone thought you and I would be the ones to end up together.
Even Eileen.
We used to tease each other about it.
She'd say you were only after me because my father owned Relton Marine.
You're not seriously suggesting I married Eileen because of the Mermaid Yard? I didn't say you did, Jack.
You did.
You see, what I don't quite understand is that now Eileen and Klaus are both gone, we don't have any commitments, and yet you still seem reluctant to get involved.
Why, Jack? I'm sure Klaus wouldn't want me to feel bound to him in any way.
Yeah, well, you and Klaus had a good marriage.
It was different for you.
But Eileen and I, well, erm She didn't have much of a life, married to me.
Most of the time I behaved like a married bachelor.
Maybe, but you can't spend the rest of your life apologising for it.
- No.
- Then what is it? Conscience, I suppose.
Still, I'll sort it out somehow.
Just needs a bit of time.
So don't run away, will you? No.
Gerald.
Hello, Laura.
You look stunning.
Absolutely stunning.
- Thank you.
Do come in.
- Thanks.
Oh, I cancelled the reservation you made at the restaurant.
I do hope you don't mind.
Oh, no.
No, no, not at all.
Not at all.
- Er For you.
- Oh, how lovely! Thank you.
No, I thought it might be nicer to have dinner here tonight.
Yes, that sounds like a lovely idea.
Why don't you open the wine and I'll go and see how things are getting on in the kitchen? Right.
Can I get you a drink or anything? Not right now, thanks.
Er No.
Oh, very nice.
Yeah.
Well, it was a surprise to get your call.
I've been racking my brains, trying to think what it might be about.
You said it was important.
Oh, very important.
I didn't want to say anything over the phone.
Oh, come on, Tom.
Don't keep me in suspense.
Leo came round the yard today.
- And? - He wanted to talk.
- Is he all right? - Oh, he's fine.
Considering the way I remember feeling when I discovered I was going to be a father.
He's not! - He is! - He's going to be a father? - Abby is pregnant.
- Oh, that's wonderful! - Why didn't he say anything? - He only discovered himself this afternoon.
I asked him if he wanted to come round and break the news but he said he'd leave it to me.
Oh, Tom! This means you're going to be a grandfather.
- And you are going to be a grandmother.
- Oh, that sounds positively ancient.
No.
You don't look a day older than when you were carrying Lynne.
- I'll get the glasses.
- Yeah.
(Tom chuckles) It seems so long ago, doesn't it, Tom? Yeah.
And yet sometimes it feels just like yesterday.
- Happy days.
- Yeah, they were, weren't they? How could it all have gone so wrong? That was delicious, Laura.
- Thank you very much.
- I'm glad you enjoyed it.
It made quite a change from all those business luncheons.
Yes, it certainly did.
Coffee? I really ought to be going.
I've got to prepare for an early meeting tomorrow.
Oh, come on.
You've got time for a nightcap.
- Yes, I'm sure I have.
- Good.
- A brandy, if you have it.
- Right.
- What a beautiful place you have.
- Thank you.
- Suits you.
- (Laughs) Oh, well, James Gittings.
- Small world.
- Do you know his work? Yes, yes, I know it very well.
He was a very dear friend.
Was he? Mmm.
Ever since our Cambridge days.
Good heavens, how fascinating.
Thank you.
Actually, I've only recently become acquainted with his work.
I think he had a very great talent.
Oh, yes, he was a very great man.
He died only a couple of years ago, didn't he? Yes.
You know, Gerald, I find it rather surprising.
I wouldn't have thought that you would have felt at home in Gittings' circle of friends.
Really? Well, you strike me as the sort of man that enjoys the company of women.
And from what I've read about Gittings, he preferred men, in every sort of way.
Yes, he was a homosexual.
And you're wondering if I am, too.
Are you? I thought I was, years ago.
I certainly loved that man.
But not in the way that he wanted.
No, I'm not.
But he was just he was just so different from anyone that I'd ever met in my entire life.
It was so refreshing.
There was no cynicism, no no interest in material possessions.
Next to art, the only thing he placed any great value on was friendship.
True friendship.
And I valued that, Laura.
Right up until he died.
Right up until the very last second.
He sounds as if he was a very special kind of person.
Oh, yes.
Yes, he was.
Very special.
The way you've talked about him, with such honesty, I think that's special, too.
Good morning, Charles.
- What the hell are you doing here? - I'm heading back to the States later today.
I wanted to discuss something with you before I left.
I don't think you and I have anything to discuss.
I'd say you were wrong, Charles.
We have a great deal to discuss.
Jan.
You're in early.
You were going to spend the morning at home, working on those designs.
- I finished them last night.
- Are you pleased? - I think so.
- Good.
Look, I've got to get on, OK? So, what was Ken doing here? Ken? Ken Masters.
He was leaving as I arrived.
What did he want? I don't know.
I've only just come in myself.
Maybe check with Sally, hmm? Sally's not in yet.
Well, look, there weren't any messages.
I mean, he can't have left anything.
Probably just stopped by, see how you're getting on, I don't know.
You don't know Ken, do you? No, no.
I've I've met him a couple of times, just in passing.
It's just that's he's not the type to go out of his way unless there was something in it for him.
Look, if you are concerned about it, why don't you just give him a ring, eh? - Yes.
Yes, I'll do that.
- What have you got? Well These are very good.
You're a genius.
There.
(Charles) You can't prove a thing.
Try me.
You are welcome to keep that copy, Charles.
I have the original.
- How much? - Oh, I don't want money.
This wouldn't happen to have anything to do with Abby, I suppose? - No.
- Then what exactly do you want? Let's just say I have certain commercial proposals you might like to consider.
- On behalf of your father and mine? - Don't flatter yourself, Charles.
Sir Edward's keen to teach you a lesson, but not that keen.
Oh, I see.
So you decided to go ahead and do it for him.
Is that it? Like my own father, Sir Edward's an extremely influential man.
If I assist him, I'm sure he'd be more than pleased to assist me in my political career.
Mm-hm.
Opening up a few influential doors for himself if you should ever get to Congress.
- The thought had crossed our minds.
- Yes.
What I can't understand is why you constantly reject him, Charles.
Why turn your back? If you were to join forces, you, my father, Sir Edward, that adds up to one hell of a lot of power.
And once I'm in Congress, who knows? I'd say it could be in all our interests to call a truce, wouldn't you? You are so naive.
Bottom line, Charles.
I could be in a position to reward certain favours.
If you're ever in that kind of position, then God help us all.
You really are a very dangerous young man, aren't you? Oh, and you'll find out just how dangerous, if you ignore my offer.
I'm warning you.
If that tape gets into the wrong hands, think of the implications.
Let me explain something to you, Orrin.
I'm not the one who should be concerned.
A promising political career such as yours.
I would so hate to see it end before it even got started.
You've got nothing on me.
Not as long as I receive the original and all copies of this tape within 24 hours.
- Otherwise - What? You'll sue me? I'll destroy you.
Now, I think you know the way out.
Fiona, Mr Hudson is just leaving.
You're going to regret this.
- Morning.
- Morning, Ken.
- Laura not in yet? - No.
She phoned earlier and said something about a meeting at the Mermaid Yard.
- Problems with the cruiser? - I didn't ask.
Well, in future, you'd better.
I like to know everything, in detail.
Especially where Laura's concerned.
Yes.
Of course.
I forgot.
I'll try and be more efficient from now on, Ken.
Well, do.
Do.
It's in your interests.
- Play your cards right, great future for you.
- (Phone rings) Good morning.
Leisure Cruise.
May I ask who's calling, please? Hold the line a moment and I'll check.
It's Orrin Hudson.
Are you in? Or out? Or in a meeting? That's better.
Put it through to the office, will you? - Hello? - Ken, how are you? - I'm fine, I'm fine.
How's things? - On the verge of breaking wide open, Ken.
- Oh? - I've just had a meeting with Charles Frere.
- What about? - I'd like to discuss it in private.
- Fine.
When? - Before I go back to the States.
I'm booked on a flight this afternoon.
Right.
Erm How about lunch, then? Erm We could meet There's a pub, erm It's four miles north of the airport.
The Friendly Fisherman? Yeah, I know it.
I'll see you there What? About noon? Look forward to it.
Bye now.
Up she comes, lads.
That's it.
As you can see, the lads are working flat out.
That still doesn't answer my question.
How far behind are you? Er, you said something about being a couple of days behind, didn't you, Jack? Er, yeah.
As from this morning.
Well, I'm sure things haven't changed all that much since then.
Only by a couple more days.
- Right, Bill? - Yeah, right.
With luck, a couple of days should do it.
At the latest, Jack.
Ken and I have to formalise our marketing campaign to coincide with the launch.
Oh, don't worry about that.
We've got one of the best marketing ladies around on the payroll, if you get any problems.
- I don't know about one of the best.
- Oh, well, I think so.
- She's very good.
- Well, I'm sure our agency can cope.
Well, I was only trying to help.
It's all part of the Mermaid service.
I shouldn't take up your time.
You need every minute you can get.
I'd hate you to forfeit your profits with penalty clauses.
Oh, there'll be no need for that, Laura.
We'll be back on schedule.
Yes, I'm sure you will.
- It's been a pleasure to meet you, Vanessa.
- And you.
I'll mention the situation to Ken.
One of us will be in touch in the next couple of days to find out how you're getting along.
Bossy bloody woman! - Who does she think she is? - A customer, Jack.
That does not give her the right to lay down the law like that.
I mean, delays do occur.
- Right.
- Especially here.
What's that supposed to mean? You knew all along the schedule was a week late.
I had a rough idea.
- Why say we're only a few days behind? - I thought we'd catch up.
Oh? How? I should have thought that was obvious.
Bring in the lads for overtime.
- We can't afford to, with our overheads.
- We can't afford not to.
Also, we might be running a little late on Frere's six-metre and Spring II.
How little? - Ten days at the most.
- What? There's no need to get upset, Tom.
It's not Jack's fault.
Why the hell didn't you say anything? Can you blame him? He's got enough on his plate with the follow-up to Orkadian.
That boat is a low priority compared to the other commissions.
Oh, really? Maybe to you.
- There you go.
- Thanks.
Cheers.
So, you had a meeting with Frere? - That's right.
- Is something going on? You remember that name I gave you, Eckhardt Sahnn? Did you pass it on to that fraud squad contact of yours? Well, yes, but it's quite a while ago now.
- Well, that would explain it.
- Explain what? I've had some feedback from my father and Sir Edward.
- Have you, now? - And I'd be prepared, if I were you, Ken.
There's gonna be some heavy activity, which might just be of some benefit to you, assuming you play it all carefully.
What kind of activity? Charles Frere is on the verge of being taught one hell of an expensive lesson.
One he'll never forget.