Howard's Way (1985) s05e08 Episode Script

Ernie, what the hell is going on here? That's right, lads.
Get it under cover so it doesn't spoil.
Thanks, Dave.
(Jack) Bill.
Bill, I want Roger and David on the production line.
I was gonna have 'em start on the Burrows' refit.
It can wait.
It's been waiting for almost a week, Jack.
So what's a few more hours? We should have finished that job by Friday.
What's the Burrows gonna say when they come to collect their boat and find that we haven't even started yet? Now that's what I call negative thinking, Bill.
Think positive.
Make a little telephone call and make sure the Burrows don't arrive.
What am I gonna tell 'em? Well, blame the weather.
That's always a good excuse.
Or tell 'em we're waiting for a part.
I just need a bit more time, Bill.
I want those lads back on production or we'll fall behind.
We're already behind by the sound of it.
Well, I won't tell the Burrows, if you don't, OK? Right, David, Roger, come on.
Follow me.
(Car horn) - Bill? - Yeah.
I thought you were supposed to be taking today off in lieu of that overtime.
I was.
Jack phoned me last night.
Called me in at six o'clock this morning.
- Same with a few of the others.
- More overtime? There'll be a lot more the way this production schedule's going.
Jack's got a few problems brewing, Tom.
I think you better have a word.
Keys.
I cannot find my car keys.
Right where you left 'em so you wouldn't forget 'em.
If that isn't a sign of nerves.
- Relax.
- I'm trying to.
I'm sure the show will be a huge success.
Well, it had better be, if I've got any hope of setting up one in the Mediterranean.
Now I've got to go.
I'm meeting James at nine.
You better get a move on.
You're gonna be late.
I'm not going to work till this afternoon, remember? Abby's scan.
I'm sorry, I forgot.
You don't have to apologise.
You've obviously got a lot more important things on your mind.
There is nothing more important.
My family still come first.
Oh, do they? Yes, and you know it.
Sounds as if I'm not the one who needs to be convinced.
Today I will be thinking about you and Abby and the baby.
All right? Oh, come on, Neil.
The Fraud Office don't move in on someone unless they've got something.
And when haven't I made it worth your while? Let me know what the costs are and I'll get back to you.
Bye now.
Cost? Yes, advertising on the new cruiser.
And since when does a client make it worthwhile for an advertiser? Oh, you have got a suspicious mind, Laura.
So has the Fraud Office.
I think you better be careful what you say on the phone in case you're being bugged.
- What's that supposed to mean? - Don't tell me you haven't heard.
- Heard what? - Charles Frere.
Oh, yes.
I heard something on the news about some documents being seized.
Yes, and the Fraud Office is particularly interested in anyone who's ever had any dealings with Frere Holdings.
Any dealings I ever had never came to anything so I've got nothing to hide.
Yes, I gathered the incinerator's being working overtime this morning.
You saw Dave, did you, on your way in? Just about.
Through the cloud of smoke.
Yes, I decided to have a clear-out as Dave was burning some debris.
There's no point in being snowed under with out-of-date paperwork, is there? When Vicki gets in, will you tell her I'm at the Mermaid Yard if anybody wants me? - Still behind on the cruiser? - Apparently, yes.
So we'll have to revise our sales and marketing deadlines when I get back.
Could you make it after lunch? I have an important engagement this morning.
- Business? - Personal.
- Anything I can help with? - If there is, I'll let you know.
I've been putting in an 18-hour day, working flat out and you accuse me of slacking off? - Nobody's accusing you of slacking.
- Then what is it? You must admit that production is a bit slow to say the least.
Well, we'll get back on schedule.
Oh, come on! I know you and the way you operate when you're building in wood.
There's always delays, excuses.
Reasons, Tom! Reasons! You should look at why production's running late.
You wouldn't be so bloody critical then! I have looked.
Blue Ribbon's deck mould didn't seal.
- Blue Ribbon? - Avril's name for Spring II.
Oh, well, that's original! There wasn't enough manpower on it.
She's expecting to launch that boat in the Med next week not next year! Have you seen the state of that mould? It needed sanding down.
- Is it finished? No, it's not smooth.
- Correct.
And what went wrong with the fibreglass mat on Frere's six-metre? The resin didn't gel.
So you decided to do it yourself? That's the only way it'll be done properly.
- When? - Some time today.
If you can tear yourself away from that timber that arrived this morning.
It'll need cutting and filled.
What went wrong with the timber you sent back? - It was substandard.
- Everything's substandard in your eyes.
You're looking for something that does not exist - perfection.
Yeah, that is the difference between a craftsman and a machine.
I take pride in my work.
And too much time! Business park file? Business park, our marina interests, L'Ancresse, even Relton Marine.
- Yeah, but on what grounds? - Oh, for God's sake! If Daniel Morris' report is being referred to the Serious Fraud Office, and they're seizing files, I'd put suspicion of fraud at the top of the list.
Suspicion's one thing.
Gathering enough evidence quite another.
They can gather evidence, believe me.
Well, they couldn't the last time.
I can assure you, as a solicitor, I thought they'd throw the book at us that time.
But we got the case thrown out on a technicality, I grant you.
- This time it's different.
- Why? Because of Orrin Hudson? Oh, I couldn't give a damn about Orrin Hudson.
We've got enough on him after his prank with my father's America's Cup design.
Charles, we haven't exactly kept records of sensitive matters, have we? Nevertheless, we have to go through all our past dealings with a fine toothcomb.
I want to counter any allegations.
Charles, I can assure you the SFO will find nothing irregular in any of those documents.
But they will find names! Then they'll ask questions.
Now you don't need me to tell you of the implications, if some of our past associates provide the Serious Fraud Office with any answers.
- You all right? - Yeah.
Right? Is that right down on the crown? Good.
Now profile.
Lovely.
Earrings.
Come on, Alison.
Earrings on.
Everybody, I want your hats and your earrings on.
It's getting late.
(James) The guests are starting to arrive.
Jan, we should be out there.
All right, everyone, be brilliant.
Good luck.
If anybody has any problems, I'll be back in five minutes.
(All) Thanks.
Vanessa, how lovely to see you! I'm so glad you could make it.
So am I.
A few hours away from the Mermaid Yard is pure bliss.
Oh, no.
Problems? - Well, nothing Jack can't handle.
- Meaning he's having problems with Tom.
Oh, Jan, don't get involved.
I'm trying not to.
We must just let them get with it.
Otherwise we'll only be forced to take sides.
I couldn't agree more.
Good morning.
How are you? Nice to see you.
(Laura) James, darling.
- Laura, what are you doing here? - That's not much of a welcome.
- Lady Whittington invited me, - Laura! Why are you here? Don't worry, darling.
That's all in the past now.
Well, it's lovely to see you again.
It's been absolutely ages.
(Vanessa) Jan, is something the matter? Jan? Building a boat is a bit like driving a car with a handbrake on.
Right, Bill? Oh, yeah, that's right, Jack.
Just like a handbrake.
You might wanna go at full speed but you'll never get anywhere being at the mercy of suppliers.
Weather, all kinds of reasons for a delay.
Tom said something about being a week behind.
That's only because we gave you 12 weeks as a production schedule.
But if we'd given you 14 weeks, we'd be a week ahead, wouldn't we? Yes.
That's one way of looking at it.
Now the plug should be available in, what, two weeks, Jack? Assuming there are no more snags.
- Is that all right for you, Ken? - It'll have to be.
I've got a timetable for potential distributors.
I wanna stick to it.
Oh, there's no reason why we shouldn't, is there, Jack? We'll do our best, Ken.
All right.
I'll be in touch.
Timetable.
What does he think we are? A bus depot? I'm telling you, Bill, some people don't know the meaning of the word expertise these days.
Before long there'll be no craftsman left.
Only computers.
I don't like it either, Jack, but that's the way of the world, I suppose.
Yeah.
Not the way of the Mermaid Yard.
Have you got a few minute, Tom, there's something I'd like to discuss.
Yeah, sure.
I couldn't talk about it in there.
It's confidential.
It's about your ex-wife.
And I would like to welcome you to the very first Howard-Brooke collection.
Our designs for autumn.
James and I will be available after the show to take your orders.
Or if you prefer, you can use the direct line.
24 hours a day, seven days a week.
And, finally, I would like to thank Lady Whittington for allowing us to use Whittington Hall.
I think you would all agree that this is the most perfect setting we could possibly have for this occasion.
Ladies, I hope you enjoy the show and thank you for coming.
(Classical music) Great.
Michelle? OK.
- Careful! - What? The car! The car? I'm not blind, I'm pregnant! Oh, so that's it? Nothing to do with your diet then? Stupid! Expecting mothers have got to be careful.
What are you doing? What happens if you trip? Oh, my God! Talk about a protective father! (Doctor) The spine looks straight.
That's a leg moving.
Incredible.
What's that shadow moving? - The heart.
- It's beating very fast, isn't it? The heartbeat's absolutely normal at this stage.
It's amazing.
So everything's OK then? Both you and your baby are perfectly healthy.
No cause for concern at all.
- Can you tell the sex? - Why? Would you like to know? - No.
- Yes.
A common disagreement.
Perhaps you could discuss it and let me know.
Now, Abby, about your first child.
According to these records, you didn't carry it a full term.
No, William was premature.
I had a fall.
William's father has custody.
Yes, that's right.
- And you've accepted that, have you? - I didn't have a choice.
With the situation the way it is, Abby decided to do what was best for her son.
I gather you've instigated divorce proceedings.
- Yes.
- What about your divorce, Leo? Should be through any time now.
I take it you'll be free to marry soon.
Or haven't you decided? (Laura) James, darling, what a fabulous show! - I want to talk to you.
- I really don't have time for this.
Come on, don't be like that.
It was fabulous.
I enjoyed it very much.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Well, what did you really think? It was absolutely fabulous.
I've already given my order to James.
Oh, lovely! Apparently, I'm not the only one.
Jan, I don't mean to interfere, it's really none of my business, but do you happen to know who invited Laura Wilde? Yes.
Lady Whittington.
- According to whom? - Well, according to James.
Then it couldn't have been James either.
It certainly wasn't Lady Whittington.
She's never even met her.
- Well, then who did invite her? - Nobody seems to know.
I think it might be worth having a word with Babs Whittington.
You know, for future reference.
She thought the show was strictly for friends and a few selected guests.
She didn't expect gate-crashers.
Well, neither did I.
It wouldn't be good for your business to offend dear Babs.
She's got a lot of influence.
Otherwise I wouldn't have said anything.
- Yes, well, I'm very glad you did.
- Good.
- I better be off, I suppose.
- Won't you stay for some lunch? No, I've got some work to catch up with on a PR campaign I'm hoping to organise for the Mermaid Yard.
Let me know if you find out anything about Ms Wilde.
Yes.
Yes, of course.
Thank you for the invitation.
I must say, I found it all rather intriguing.
Keep in touch.
Yes, I will.
Cheers.
I don't think we need to rush into anything.
Neither do I.
I certainly wouldn't want you to think I was putting any pressure on you.
(Laughs) Oh, that's a relief! Seriously.
You shouldn't feel obligated in any way.
Why should I? Marriage would be be the right thing, wouldn't it? Not these days.
I mean the right thing for you.
You're involved in this too.
Not just me.
- What? - Nothing.
Tell me.
It's just You just don't change, do you? You're always putting everybody else's needs ahead of your own.
I'm asking you what you think about it.
Well, actually, it's a bit late to ask me how I feel now.
I wish you hadn't taken me for granted.
I didn't.
- You think you've got all our answers.
- No, I don't.
Anyway, I think we should take it one step at a time for your sake.
Fine by me.
I haven't actually yet proposed, have I? (Radio) # Now, you never miss your water till your well runs dry # Come on, come on, let's stick together # You know we made a vow # Not to leave one another never # (Tyres screech) Jan, congratulations! I hear from Vanessa the show was a huge success.
Yes, it was.
Thank you very much! - You got my message? - Yes, that's why I'm here.
I thought I'd call in.
Oh, it wasn't that urgent but Coffee? - Oh, I'd love one.
- There you go.
Oh, my secretary said something about a meeting tomorrow? Yeah.
Ken Masters wants to commission a sailboat.
But it's not the meeting I wanted to discuss.
- Thanks.
- No I saw Ken Masters today and he made me an offer.
Knowing Ken, it was one you couldn't refuse.
Yeah, well, he was as persuasive as ever, but I did refuse because he was after my shares in Howard-Brooke.
He tried the casual approach as if he were doing me a favour but, er, I think he's up to something.
Well, with an extra seven per cent, he won't get very far.
No.
But I saw James talking to Ken the other day down by the river.
Oh, really? Well, there may be nothing in it, but then again You think he might be after James's share as well? With his original stake, my seven per cent and James He'd have 51%.
You can trust James absolutely? Yes, of course, Tom.
I wouldn't have gone into business with him otherwise, would I? No, it's Ken Masters I can't trust.
Join the club.
Tom, would you do something for me? Of course.
Would you tell Ken that you might still be interested in selling? What exactly have you got in mind? I'll let you know when I've worked out the details but if you could say that, it might just give me the initiative.
If Ken is up to something and I'm going to beat him, then I'll have to play him at his own game.
- Leave it to me.
- Thanks.
Looking for something? I am.
The marketing schedule on the cruiser.
Ah, follow me.
Good Lord! Don't tell me everything's under lock and key now! No, no! During my clear-out, I decided to put details of the cruiser in my personal file.
Thanks.
How did your meeting go? Fine.
I thought you were going to get back here after lunch.
Yes, I met a business associate.
I didn't get away till two.
It's almost half-past three, Ken.
Yes, I came back the scenic route.
Why? This sounds ridiculous but I think I was being followed.
What? There was a car there.
I double-backed twice but this car was still following me.
You're getting paranoid.
If the Fraud Office were interested in me, they'd maintain a much more of a low profile, wouldn't they? Yeah.
You ought to try it yourself sometime.
It might leave yourself less exposed.
Yeah.
Yes, good idea.
It was meant to be a joke.
Right, now this marketing schedule.
Let's see.
We should be in serious production by week 32.
We ought to be finalising our advertising and marketing campaign anytime now.
Why don't we discuss it later over dinner? I've already arranged to meet someone.
Gerald Urquhart? Our personal lives have nothing to do with business, Ken.
Oh, I don't know.
I think sometimes there could be an advantage if they went hand in hand.
I was thinking what you were saying earlier about my past association with Frere.
And you're absolutely right.
It could prove to be a bit of a liability.
I'll have to tread carefully.
What are you getting at? If Frere Holdings goes down the tube, it could be to our advantage to buy some shares to expand.
You mean go after Frere as well as Relton Marine? Why not? We should take it one step at a time.
Let's see if they do go down the tube, shall we? We wouldn't have to, if we had some inside information.
Now I'd find it a problem to find out what the matter is but you Hang on a minute.
You're not suggesting that I? If you've got Gerald Urquhart on the hook, that would put you into a privileged position.
If there's anyone that knows the ins and outs of Frere Holdings, it's your Gerald.
Will it just be the two of us or is Leo coming back? - No.
He's out with Abby tonight.
- Ah.
You know, takeaway's not the most glamorous of meals to celebrate the success of a show.
Still, as we're gonna be working late it'll serve a purpose.
Here, come here.
- James? - Mm-hm? There's something I want to talk to you about.
Concerning what? Ken Masters and Laura Wilde.
- Hello, Avril.
- And what an earth are you doing here? Well, I expected a call.
To arrange a meeting? There's no point.
You try telling that to the SFO.
If you haven't cancelled your dinner engagement, I suggest you do so.
What do you want, Charles? To make sure you're not implicated.
- In what? - Fraud.
I told you before, Jan, I hardly know the man.
Look, you still haven't answered my question.
- When did you last see Ken Masters? - I don't remember! - When? - I don't know.
It must have been about a couple of months ago.
Are you quite sure it wasn't a few weeks ago? No.
Someone saw you talking to Ken last Wednesday.
(Sniggers) Oh, you're right.
That's right.
I do remember.
(Clears throat) Yeah, I bumped into him and he was asking me where we kept our valuables locked away and when he could break into our office to steal them.
What?! Look, this is not a joke! Oh, come on! That's what you want to hear, isn't it? It's something to confirm your suspicions.
Oh, come on! Don't be ridiculous! What gives you the right to cross-examine me? I wasn't cross-examining you.
I was merely Firstly, there's Laura Wilde.
- What was she doing there today? - That had nothing to do with me! I suppose you barely know her either! I met her once.
Once at party two years ago before she moved to the States.
- You certainly seemed very close today.
- Well, you seem very possessive.
I'm concerned! I'm concerned about my business! Let me get this right.
Now Laura Wilde is conspiring against you, huh? It wouldn't surprise me, if she was anything like Ken Masters.
Yeah, well, it would me cos he cares a lot about you! Oh, really? Well, how would you know that, seeing you've barely met the man? I did bump into him, yeah.
When? At the office? No, it was when I went down to the marina and he He wasn't plotting your decline, Jan.
He was pleased we'd gone into business together and he was saying how he hoped we continued to do well.
Oh, how very benevolent of him! - And you still don't believe me, huh? - I don't believe any of this! There is nothing Ken Masters would like better than to see me fail! I don't think you could fail, because you don't care about anyone! If you don't like it, you know what you can do! Is that what you want me to do? Damn.
If business is all you care about, you might succeed but at what price, huh? I am not gonna sit back and let this paranoia destroy you and me.
(Sighs) - Did you have any indication? - Did you? None whatsoever.
They just arrived unannounced and seized the files.
You've been very adept all evening at answering a question with a question.
Do you have any indication? The SFO didn't make an appointment, if that's what you mean.
But Daniel Morris had been in touch a few months ago.
I don't see that's any interest of yours, Charles.
You're not gonna do yourself any good playing all this so closely.
You could be implicated.
- The SFO aren't investigating me.
- Not directly.
But if they start examining our past dealings with Relton, they could discover certain information concerning you.
For example? Who recommended we recruit Sarah Foster? Now just wait a minute! You did and her methods of conducting business were highly suspect.
Under whose brief? The only brief I give my senior executives is to use their own initiative and make their own decisions.
Now that kind of independence might give them the motivation but it also means that I'm not always party to exactly how a business is conducted.
Quite often events occur without my prior knowledge.
Sounds like a statement for the defence.
It's also a fact.
No one runs a business like yours unless their finger is on the pulse.
But I've also had to rely on a great many of my senior executives, including you.
Now if the SFO were to discover certain irregularities, I wouldn't want to be forced into a position to confirm or deny who's responsible.
Don't threaten me with that! Oh, I'm not threatening you.
I'm making you an offer.
You see, Avril, over the years you've been privileged to certain inside information.
You could also be forced into a position to either confirm or deny.
I remain silent.
So will you.
Is that it? Could be to a mutual advantage.
The bill, please.
Look, I'm trying to protect you.
There is only one person you're trying to protect.
After all we've been through, you don't seriously believe that, do you? I don't believe you invited me to dinner out of any sense of loyalty.
Only survival.
We owe each other that at least.
I'll get that.
No You don't owe me anything and I certainly don't owe you even the price of a meal! How was your evening? All right.
Leo, I didn't have the opportunity of talking If it's about this morning, I didn't mean anything.
Want one of these? No, I've already got one.
Well, if you didn't mean it, why did you say it? - About your own business? - Yes.
I don't know.
I was talking to myself mostly, I suppose.
I've been doing a lot of thinking about my own career lately.
And Abby? Yeah, and Abby.
Do you want to talk about it? Well, it's no real problem as such.
Today during Abby's checkup, the doctor brought up the subject of marriage.
And? Obviously, it's something we haven't really considered yet.
Well, there's no rush, is there? Particularly, if you're unsure about anything.
We're not, on the face of it.
- Why do I feel let down? - What do you mean? Sometimes when I think of what's happened with William and Orrin, I don't feel any love for Abby.
The only thing I feel is anger at being used even where the baby's concerned.
- But I thought you were delighted - I am! I haven't said anything before but Abby planned to become pregnant.
- Oh, I see.
- At least I think she planned it.
She didn't exactly say.
I don't know if her feelings for me are genuine or if the baby and I It's as if she's looking for a substitute for William.
I don't want to end up as just another complication in her life.
- Have you said all this to Abby? - No.
Well, I think you should, darling.
You owe her that at least.
More importantly, if you're thinking of marrying her you owe it to yourself.
(Opera music) (Man and woman sing along to the music) (They laugh) - I've got to go.
- Oh, no! Stay.
No I You see, Abby's waiting up for me! Oh, for heaven's sake! She's a grown woman.
She'll understand.
- Well - Oh, go on.
Please.
Yes.
- He knew there was a meeting.
- He said he'd be back in time.
He is, Bill.
Permanently back in time.
That's his problem.
Did he say where he was going? Just said into the estuary with Vanessa on the Pride of Lesley.
- Pride of Lesley? - Yeah.
One of the first boats that Jack and I ever built at the Mermaid.
Vanessa tracked her down for the birthday party.
Birthday party? What birthday party? Well, I thought you knew, Tom.
I better leave it to Jack and Vanessa to explain.
Come on, lads.
Let's get her out of the water.
Morning.
Hello, Tom.
How are you? I'll let you know later after the meeting.
That sounds ominous.
Is Dad playing up? Nothing we can't handle, I hope.
(Tom) You look lovely.
Hi.
Well, what do you think? (Jack) She handles just as beautifully as the day she was first launched.
Where did you find her? Charlie Lesley's grandson.
Don't you think it's time we went back? Yeah, I suppose so.
Oh, mind your head.
It's not my head I'm worried about.
After this meeting, Tom, Jan and Avril could be after yours.
Oh, really? Yes, can I help you? Yes.
Would you mind letting me through? - Who are you? - More to the point, who are you? What are you doing in this house? May I ask what business that is of yours? Perhaps you haven't noticed I have a key.
I have some keys too.
I'm afraid Mrs Howard is out.
In that case, why are you in? Look, I think we both have a little explaining to do.
I think so.
I am Jan's mother.
I live here.
Now, if you haven't got a bad back, would you mind helping me in with the luggage? - There you go.
- Thanks, Vanessa.
- Oh, one for you, Jan.
- Oh, thanks.
Right.
Now, having checked the local records and discovered the date the Mermaid was founded, I thought it would be excellent PR to throw open the gates and invite all the yard's past customers to a party.
Well, it worked well in Australia.
They spent a whole year celebrating.
The Mermaid is a bit different, Jack.
I've already tracked down the first boat Jack built.
- Noah's Ark? - (Jan) Oh, Tom! (Jack) Ha ha ha! I want to put it on show as a symbol of when he took over proprietorship.
I'd also like to incorporate some other activities.
- Well, I think it's a great idea.
- (Avril) Me too.
It's not every day you can celebrate 200 years of boatbuilding.
Providing it's only one day and doesn't detract from the jobs in hand.
(Jack) Why should it? We can't afford another 200 years to get back on schedule! Oh, no, you're not going on about the production Can we get back to the main issue, please? This sailboat that Ken Masters wants to commission.
But first of all, Jan, do you agree with Vanessa's idea? Absolutely.
Fine by me.
Tom? All right.
- That's carried then.
Unanimous.
- Good.
Morning, Charles.
Good of you to drop in.
Yes.
Apologies for being late.
I understand you were away overnight.
- Oh? - Business? Personal.
Oh.
Abby phoned earlier.
She was worried.
You better give her a call.
I've arranged a press conference for eleven.
Yes, I saw the headline earlier.
I was gonna suggest that we went public in order to counter all the allegations.
Allegations are the least of our problems.
I've had to call Thornton to arrange bail.
- Bail? - SFO must have something on us.
They're going to prosecute.
We're building the cruiser for him! The cruiser is a one-off.
He's talking about sharing development costs.
Well, he'd recoup.
Masters has got a lot of faults but marketing isn't one of 'em.
A boat aimed at a first-time buyer at a knock-down price is bound to sell well.
Yes, if it's sold door-to-door or falls off the back of a lorry.
That's Ken Masters' style! Yes, I agree.
Ken Masters is not the ideal joint-venture partner, Dad.
For a start, you've got a conflict of interest.
That's right.
What if he offered the boat to Relton? I'd refuse! Would you be interested if the boat weren't aimed at the traditional market? It wouldn't make any difference to me.
In that case, I'd like to propose if we do go ahead with the development that we incorporate a high-tech fibre in the specification, titanium foil - That's enough of that! - You see? That's not the issue, Tom.
The issue is Ken Masters as a business partner.
Well, I don't trust him.
Neither do I! But what's that gotta do with it? Nothing, if you're not opposed to him using the Mermaid to build his empire! He only wants to build a damn boat! We're aware of that, Jack! (Tom sighs) Let's put it to a vote, shall we? All those in favour of the proposal.
All those against.
Motion carried against.
Sorry, Jack.
- Politics, that's what it is.
- You convened the meeting! It's getting more like the Houses of Parliament every day! - Calm down, Dad! - Yeah, well, I'm sick of it! And if I'm outvoted, I'll go into a private agreement with Masters as a consultant or something.
What is that gonna achieve? Independence! I'll go and try and have a word with him.
Jack! Jack, wait a minute! Jack! There was no need to walk out.
I have had enough, Vanessa.
The Mermaid's birthday has brought it all home to me.
I used to be my own boss.
Now there's Tom, Jan, Avril.
Nothing but damned obstacles in the way! I'll tell you this, the Grand National's got nothing on them.
Ever since he won that damned Export Award, he's been impossible.
- I know.
- Thanks for coming, anyway.
I'm sorry the meeting turned sour.
You know what he's like.
He'll calm down.
(Kate) He better or he'll be for the high jump.
- (Jan) Mother! - Oh.
What's she doing here? (Jack) Reinforcements.
(Vanessa) What do you mean? She's back.
My headmistress.
Hello, darling.
Darling! Oh, how are you? I'm shocked! I didn't expect you till Friday.
I decided to come back earlier.
- You're looking so well, Kate.
- So are you, my darling.
How good to see you! And Tom! - What happened? Did you get homesick? - Don't we all? But do you know, I almost wondered if I'd got the right house.
I find this young man who claims that he's your business partner, Jan.
Oh.
And I must say, darling, he looked very uneasy to me.
Well, we've had a bit of a disagreement.
Ah.
Well, he sends you his love.
- How's Leo? Is he really all right? - Yes.
And Abby? Is it true I'm going to be a great-grandmother? - Yes, it's wonderful, isn't it? - Oh, it's terrific! Yippee! How's Jack? Old monster.
On the warpath again, I see.
Kate, how nice to see you! Welcome back.
(Seagulls squawk) (Car horn) Sorry I'm late.
I ran into Jan's mother.
She's just back from the Mediterranean.
Really? Your phone call took me a bit by surprise.
You said there was a problem you wanted to discuss.
Jan is beginning to ask a lot of questions.
As long as you don't give her any answers It's not as simple as that.
Your partner, Laura Wilde.
What's Laura Wilde got to do with it? (Sighs) I should have mentioned it earlier.
How the hell was I supposed to know you were gonna go into business with her? - I wasn't even aware you knew her.
- Yeah, I know Laura very well.
We crossed swords in business a few years ago before she moved to the States.
She could bring out a lot of skeletons from a lot of cupboards.
Has she got something on you I should know about? (Sighs) The only thing you should know is she turned up at Jan's fashion show yesterday and, out of the blue, offered to buy my shares in Howard-Brooke.