Elizabeth Is Missing

(birds chirping) MAUD: Elizabeth was digging when I last saw her.

(knocking on door) Elizabeth!

She's missing and I'm worried sick.

HELEN: Mum... You don't believe me?

You've got to stop all this nonsense.

I can't keep things in my brain.

KATY: What were you thinking about?

MAUD: My sister, Sukey.

DETECTIVE: Your sister went missing in 1949.

Where is she?!

(plate shatters) (birds chirping) MAUD: Powder your face With sun... ...Shine Put on A great big smile Make up your eyes With laughter Folks will Be laughing In a little While Whistle a tune Of gladness Gloom was never (switches kettle on) In style The future's brighter When hearts are lighter Ah.

Smile, smile, smile (kettle hissing) (humming) (lock turning) MAUD: Oh, my God, that stinks.

ELIZABETH: He's always burning something.

(Maud grunting) Maud, don't do that, you'll get dirt in your fingernails.

Use your gloves.

No, you don't need gloves.

You just put soap under your nails.

Who told you that?

Helen.

It's an old gardener's trick.

Well, it helps if you remember the soap.

(laughs) (large dog barking loudly) Oh!

It's all right, my love.

Oh...

It's all right, he can't get you.

He keeps it locked up.

Well, he shouldn't keep it locked up.

(loudly): It's not right!

Shush, Maud, shush.

I don't want any trouble.

Hm.

(barking fades and stops) Helen would keep me locked up if I let her.

Well, at least she comes to see you every day.

(chuckles) Peter only comes if he wants something.

And you can't get a decent conversation out of him.

Sails in, sails out.

That's Helen to a T. Always somewhere better to go.

Well, she doesn't shout at you.

What?

Peter shouts at me.

No.

Mm-hmm.

Things go missing.

And he lies about it.

What things?

(chuckles): Just things.

As long as he keeps his greedy mitts off my majolica vases.

Those hideous things?

What do you want them for?

They could be worth a fortune.

(clicks tongue) Hm... (exhales sharply) Do I look old, Maudie?

Because I bloody well feel it.

(footsteps) Spying again, Doug?

(dog barks loudly) (yelps) (gasps) Come on, let's go in.

(groans) We'll go in.

It's too cold for digging.

(barking continues) MAUD: Be quiet.

(Elizabeth murmurs) It's getting late.

(sighs) You'll have to go straight home.

(chuckles): Where else would I go?

Well, you never know who's out and about.

Elizabeth, did I lose something?

Only your head.

Oh... (chuckles) Right, I'll see you Thursday, 10:00, outside the Sally.

Don't forget.

What you doing now?

I'm going to write it down.

(laughs) SUKEY: Maudie!

Sukey?

What are you doing here?

YOUNG MAUD: Looking for you.

Dad's gone for fish and chips.

What you doing here?

Just thinking.

YOUNG MAUD: Come on, then, Ma's set the table.

Where's Frank?

London.

On a job.

Race you.

You're not daft.

You know I can't run in these heels.

(Young Maud laughs) Was Doug in when you left?

He's always in, skulking about.

I wish we had a different lodger.

(exhales) Oh, Maud, it's you-- hello.

I've been outside for ages waiting on Elizabeth.

She's late.

Are you sure you've got the right time?

What time is it?

Uh, 20 past ten.

"Elizabeth, 10:00, Sally Army."

She's late, and she's never late.

Uh, where are you going?

Well, I was gonna make a cup of tea while I'm waiting.

Now, Maud, I thought we decided you weren't to do that.

You don't work here anymore.

Remember?

(chuckles): Oh, of course I remember.

Well, I'll just have to go and look for her myself.

Anything could have happened to her.

Not that you'd give a monkey's.

If you find her, tell her I was asking for her.

Bugger that for a game of soldiers.

(grunts) (dog barking in distance) (exhales) SUKEY: Powder your face With sunshine Put on a great big Smile Make up your eyes... FRANK: We'll go for the corner plot.

It's the biggest.

Bugger it, let's aim high.

No point aiming low.

We'll be in for the summer.

You and me.

Living in the lap of luxury.

(chuckles) What about me?

Well, you can come and visit.

Can't she, Frank?

(breath catches) (laughs) Of course you can.

SUKEY: Aw, where's my marrow flower, Frank?

(both laugh) The corner plot.

(door knocker thudding) Hello?

Elizabeth?

It's me, Maud.

I waited at the Sally Army.

Elizabeth?

(sighs) Ooh.

Ugly vases in my way.

(exhales) Damn things.

She hasn't got her glasses.

She hasn't got her glasses.

Elizabeth?

Elizabeth?!

(dog barking) Oh, go away!

(panting softly) (keys jingling) (vacuum cleaner running) HELEN: Hello, Mum, it's just me.

(front door closes) (vacuum stops) (grunts) (sighs): You left the Hoover on again.

Oh?

That bit of carpet must be spotless.

Huh.

At least you're ready.

For what?

We're going to the garden center.

Oh, I can't-- I've got to find Elizabeth.

She's not answering her door.

Something must have happened to her.

Her blinds were closed, in the middle of the day!

That's not like her.

She must have gone away.

She has not.

She would have told me.

"Elizabeth's glasses.

Still there."

She'd never have gone without her glasses.

You see?

Something's not right.

Well, she'll have more than one pair.

Like talking to a bloody brick wall.

(grunts) God's sake, Mum, why do you keep buying peaches?

You've enough here to feed an army.

You can never have enough.

Food goes missing.

Somebody's eating it.

I don't know who the bugger is.

Nobody's eating it.

(muttering) That's the problem.

No more peach slices, okay?

(doorbell rings) HELEN: Sorry, we're coming.

Go and give your Gran a shake.

Hey, Gran.

Ooh.

Oh, no.

Did you fall over?

They're meant to be like this.

Ooh.

I've got hundreds of holes in my tights.

I must be with it (chuckles) (laughs): Oh... Gran!

What did you do that for?

We'd nearly finished it.

Oh, I had to, I need the table for my notes.

To find Elizabeth.

She's the only friend I've got, and now she's gone, too.

Gone where?

Missing.

Oh, don't do that.

You'll muddle it all up.

Right, come on, coat on.

Oh... (crying) Gran, what is it?

Hey, what's happened?

(sniffles, moans) It was the last time I saw her.

Elizabeth?

Sukey.

Oh, Gran, don't cry.

HELEN: Mum, what's wrong?

She just got a bit upset, it's all right.

About what?

Something about Sukey?

(quietly): Why did you bring her up?

I didn't, she did.

I don't know where she is, Helen.

There, don't upset yourself-- here.

Blow your nose.

Oh... (kids laughing and calling) (television playing indistinctly) MAN (on TV, loudly): Very, very fine velvet material.

Tourist pieces from a period in time, from the early to not quite the late 20th century, when tourists traveling to Japan... She'd never go out while this rubbish is on.

...when tourist pieces were not tat.

They were reasonably good.

So the colors will be pretty much as they were 80-odd years ago.

A pair is always so much more desirable than, obviously, a single.

(exhales) They're really good.

(line ringing) Oriental panel, interesting, Chinese or Japanese.

Ah, Japanese, there is Mount Fuji.

They look like silk panels, don't they, stitched... Something's not right.

(on TV, loudly): ...kind of packing paper.

Uh, if you, if I just fold the material back.

Now, if you turn it over, that is just a fabric.

It's almost like a-- ah, it is.

Okay, so it's a crushed velvet.

Very, very fine velvet material.

(door opens) (loudly): It's only me!

Who the hell's "me"?

It's Carla, Maud.

I could hear that down the street.

(TV stops) What are you doing here?

What I always do, get your tea and put you to bed.

I can put meself to bed.

Is that thing dead?

Last time I looked.

Have you read this?

About this woman that was attacked round here?

And they haven't caught the bastard that did it.

He left her with half her face smashed in.

No.

Right, let's see what's in the fridge.

Oh, you got a nice bit of cheddar here.

Better use it up.

(whisking) What if she's just lying there with her, half her face smashed in?

Don't be daft.

(grunts) You don't want to believe everything you read in the paper.

Right, we'll just get this omelet made and then we'll get you into bed.

MAUD: At this time?

Dear God in Heaven, I'm not going to bed now.

I might just as well be dead.

(children shouting in distance, dog barking) (front door closes) (footsteps approaching) (floorboard creaks) Who's there?

KATY: It's only me, Gran.

Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you.

What are you doing in bed?

Hiding from the wolf.

(sighs, chuckles) I've got fish and chips.

MUM: She's never this late.

(inhales sharply): Ooh, watch that knife, Gran.

Do you want me to do that for you?

No.

Go to the other cupboard, pet, get the sherry out.

Mmm.

What were you thinking about?

When?

Just then.

Oh.

Sukey.

Oh, she was a real beauty, you know?

I know, just like Lana Turner.

Lana Turner.

Hmm.

If you want to talk about Sukey, Gran, you can talk about her to me.

I don't mind.

And don't worry, I won't tell Mum.

Oh... (chuckles) She made all her own clothes.

She made me a blue velvet bolero.

I wouldn't take it off.

Ooh.

(chuckles): Yeah, I bet.

I can still smell her perfume.

Evening in Paris.

Whew.

Frank gave it to her.

Frank gave her everything.

He was going to buy her a new house, but she never got there.

The night Dad bought fish and chips, that was the last time I saw her.

At the bandstand.

She said she'd run after me, but she didn't.

I never saw her again.

(sniffles) Oh, Gran.

Everybody said she'd run away.

I didn't believe it.

I looked and looked.

I looked everywhere for her.

Till I couldn't look anymore.

That's why I've got to find her.

Who, Sukey?

No!

No, no.

Elizabeth, my friend Elizabeth.

Ah.

I've told you, she's missing, and I'm worried sick.

Oh, now you've got me all confused.

Oh, I'm sorry, Gran, I didn't mean to.

I can't keep things in my brain-- it worries me.

Yes, you can.

You've got a system, remember.

We just need to systemize it.

KATY: Imagine you're like a detective looking at clues.

So you have to start at the beginning, and you have to be logical.

So... Are you sure?

I'm not daft.

I know you're not daft, but it would help if they had a date on them.

Oh, right.

KATY: Gran, that's not a clue, that's your shopping.

There's one missing.

KATY: Ooh, could that one be it?

Oh, no.

KATY: Who's Peter?

MAUD: Her son.

Tightfisted bastard.

(laughs): Gran!

Do not say that to anyone.

Why not?

It's true.

She's frightened of him.

(phone ringing) Oh, dear God.

Oh, it's Mum.

(shushes) (inhales) (whispers): Not a sound.

(aloud): Hiya.

Yeah, I'm still at Lucy's.

No, it's fine.

I can get the bus.

Okay, you can pick me up from the bus stop if you have to.

Okay, bye.

Right, I've got to go.

Right.

Remember to date them from now on.

Dates.

Yes.

Oh... (chuckles, kisses audibly) I love you, Gran.

Me, too.

Don't worry, you'll find her.

Aw.

(sighs) I'm going to find you.

(chuckles) (sighs) (breathes deeply) BOTH: Powder your face With sunshine Put on a great big smile Make up your eyes With laughter Folks will be laughing with you In a little while Whistle a tune Of gladness (voices fade) Gloom never was in style (door knocker thudding loudly) SERGEANT: Mrs. Horsham?

Oh.

Is this about your friend?

The one who's gone missing?

Do you know about her?

Yes, I know all about her.

She lives in the new houses with the pebble wall.

Thank God, somebody with some common sense.

Are you out looking for her now?

Yes, we are.

We've got every man on the force out.

And the Flying Squad.

(chortles) And the sniffer dogs.

Dogs?

They won't hurt her, will they?

Like I told you yesterday, they're nice dogs.

Yesterday?

Was I here yesterday?

Would you like me to give you a lift home, Mrs. Horsham?

I wouldn't get in a car with you if you were Stirling bloody Moss.

(crow squawking) DAD: Police-- they're bloody useless.

More than a week and they've done nothing.

I'm taking matters into me own hands-- come on.

Where to, Dad?

Sukey's place.

To see if Frank's back from London.

Come on, love.

DAD: There's no sign of him.

Found them.

Where have you been?

Where do you think?

Looking for Elizabeth.

Look who's here.

TOM: Hello, Mum.

(gasps) Son?

Oh, thank you, God.

Oh, thank you, thank you.

(laughing) (birds squawking) TOM: How's she been, your gran?

KATY: Some days are good.

Other days a bit confused.

Mum says we have to stick to a routine so she doesn't get anxious.

TOM: She used to bring us here, you know.

MUM: Don't go too near the water, Maudie!

Maudie, what did I tell you?

(yelps) I saw her.

(screams) TOM: Mum?

Are you okay?

Oh, uh...

I just got some water in my shoes.

(laughs) Mum's going to kill you.

Oh, it's only a bit of water.

MAUD: I knew this woman once.

Sukey reminded her of her daughter who was killed in the Blitz.

Hm.

She used to follow us everywhere, shouting rubbish.

Didn't like it.

I can imagine.

(murmurs) Come on, then, let's get you home.

No!

I don't want to go home-- I never get out.

Your sister keeps me cooped up.

Gran, that's not fair.

It's the truth.

I want to visit my friend, but she won't let me.

She thinks I'm a burden.

(shudders) I've seen her in the hall mirror pretending to strangle me.

(grunts) (shudders) It's not funny.

I haven't seen Elizabeth in ages.

And I'm worried-- anybody would be.

Do you want to go and see her now?

Eh?

Well, your mum doesn't need to know.

(breathes deeply) Drop me in town, and then I can't be an accomplice.

(chuckling): You are such a good boy.

I knew you'd help me.

TOM: Is this where she lives?

MAUD: I don't know.

Oh, let me get me bearings.

I'll know it when I see it!

It's okay... Take your time.

(seat belt unbuckles) (car door opens) (car door shuts) We're best friends, you know.

I'm sure you are.

We met at the Sally Army shop, she asked me for tea.

She lives in the new houses.

TOM: Do you know what street?

(Maud exclaims) I know it's near here.

Do you know what, Mum?

We're not that far from yours now.

(scoffs) You might as well go home-- you can always ring her.

Oh... Or go and see her tomorrow.

If Helen would let me.

Oh, she will-- I'll have a word with her and tell her it's upsetting you.

Oh... Come on, let's get back in the car.

Oh... Good.

That's a very good idea.

I can look for Elizabeth tomorrow.

Well, hurry up.

I've got to get back home now.

(grunts) Cheerio, Mum.

Cheerio.

Mm.

(moaning) Oh, come on, come on.

(moans) (panting) (sobbing) This is silk.

How do I wash it?

Cold water, I expect.

(front door shuts) FRANK (calling): Hello!

Only me.

Is, uh, Sukey here?

Isn't she with you?

I've been in London.

Why would she be with me?

So where is she, then?

Gone.

Gone?

Well, don't say that.

Don't say it!

Police found her suitcase, Maudie, dumped, on a railway line.

(cries softly) That don't mean anything, Maudie.

She's lost her suitcase, that's all that means.

Your neighbor saw her running out of the house, screaming.

When?

A fortnight past Thursday.

What's that about, Frank?

Well, I don't know.

She never told me, I...

I wasn't there.

No.

Well, what are you getting at?

Well, if you want to ask anyone, why don't you ask your lodger, eh?

He was always hanging around, taking her dancing behind me back.

DAD: What do you mean, dancing?

Was there something going on with 'em?

Eh?

Was there?

FRANK: How would I know?

She wouldn't tell me if there was, would she?

YOUNG MAUD (calling out): Sukey?

Sukey?!

Sukey?

Sukey!

HELEN: Do you need some help, Mum?

Yes, I do.

I don't know where Elizabeth is, and I need help to find her.

This used to be the Chophouse, Mum.

Dad used to bring you here, remember?

(sighs) Well, come on, then, choose some food.

Chorizo-stuffed marrows.

Do people still grow marrows?

I know when I was young, they did.

They used to grow them at the new houses.

That's where Elizabeth lives.

What if she's been attacked?

Or kidnapped?

I wouldn't know.

We'll have two cauliflower soups, one pan-seared monkfish, the fish cakes, and a veggie burger?

Thanks.

KATY: Thank you.

Families are told, but not friends.

I don't understand it.

Just because you're in the family doesn't mean to say you like each other.

(snorts with laughter) It won't be funny if something bad has happened to her.

You'll be sorry then.

You'll be glad I warned you.

I'm sorry, Gran.

Why do you think something bad's happened to her?

She hasn't got her glasses.

Katy.

(quietly): Sorry.

I know what you're thinking.

You think I've lost me marbles and I've just forgotten.

Well, I haven't.

She hasn't got her glasses.

Her blinds were shut in the middle of the day.

And I haven't lost me marbles, though everybody seems to think I have.

Nobody listens to me!

Am I invisible or something?

(chuckling mirthlessly): Oh, no.

Still here.

(sighs) I want to scream.

(mouthing) Mum... Don't you "mum" me!

I want to scream, but it won't come out.

It's all stuck in here.

(thumping chest) (thumping, voice trembling): All the feelings are in here.

Gran... (exclaiming) (background chatter stops) YOUNG MAUD: It was hidden in Dad's vegetable patch.

Somebody smashed it.

Don't you even care?

Doesn't matter.

But it's your favorite song, and now it's all smashed.

It's only a record.

(scoffs) Where did they come from?

SUKEY: Hmm, Frank brought them in.

They're horrible-- I hate them.

From a house up the road where the woman died.

Her dog was locked in with her.

Barking his head off.

Nobody heard him.

She was just lying there.

Dead.

Oh, no, don't look at them, Maudie, in case they just... fly out at you.

Come away from there.

Come and hold the other end of this for me.

What you making?

A blind.

So no one can see in.

What's the code?

What's the code?

Elizabeth's birthday, 73.

Go round and cheer her up.

What year is it?

What year is it?

2019.

Take away 73.

Three from 96.

Seven from one can't be done.

Borrow one.

Seven from 11 is four.

One from 2019.

1946.

Nine... four... six.

Oh, thank you, God, thank you, God, thank you, God!

(exhales) Elizabeth?

Elizabeth?

It's only me, Maud.

Elizabeth?

(object clatters softly) (mechanical whirring) Who's there?

(mumbles) (chair stops, remote beeps) You mad old fool!

Fool.

Just a stupid, nothing fool.

(crow squawks) Go away.

Go away.

Go away!

Go away.

I'm not listening to you.

(indistinct chatter) Nosy bugger.

(grunts) Are you sure you want these?

Bought three cans yesterday.

Well, they're in my basket, aren't they?

RAFID: That's four pounds 38.

Go away!

Ooh... Who are you talking to, Mrs. Horsham?

Her, that one in the corner.

She's always watching.

That's you, Mrs. Horsham.

MAUD: Not her!

That one.

She scared my sister.

"Stay away from her," Ma said.

"Don't talk to her, Maudie."

There's no one there.

Look.

(exhales sharply) Mrs. Horsham... You forgot to pay for that.

(crow squawking) WOMAN: Birds round her head!

Go away!

Glass smashed!

I'm not listening to you.

You are mad.

(cries out) (wings fluttering softly) (light buzzing) I'm all right, you know.

What's all this fuss?

You're the one who called the surgery, Mrs. Horsham.

And you've been doing that quite a lot recently.

I have not!

12 times in the last month, to be exact.

I'm so sorry, Doctor.

Now, I'm not suggesting that you're making things up.

(murmurs) But I do wonder if there isn't something else going on here.

Eh?

Do you know what day it is today?

What kind of question is that?

(laughs, snorts) The 12th of August, how's that?

Very good.

Thank you.

Do you know what country we're in?

Great Britain.

Only it's not that great anymore.

Who's the prime minister?

Oh, I know I don't like him.

Elizabeth and I do far more difficult quizzes in the "Echo."

Do you know where you are now?

Oh, never mind all this rubbish!

Answer me that.

That's all that's bothering me.

Well done, Mrs. Horsham.

Helen, we need to have a chat.

HARRIS (faintly): Her Alzheimer's is getting worse.

She's going to need a lot more care very soon.

Come into the surgery and we'll discuss your options.

HELEN: "Options," is that what you call them?

Thanks, Doctor.

(door opens, creaks) (door latches) You're not putting me away, are you?

You're not, are you, Helen?!

No, Mum, of course I'm not.

(whimpers) (teapot lid clatters) (liquid pouring) What are you doing?

Listening to my heart beat.

Don't you touch me.

You don't believe me.

You won't help me find Elizabeth.

It'll be all your fault if something bad's happened to her.

Mum, listen to me.

You've got to stop all this nonsense.

(groans) It's upsetting you.

It's upsetting all of us!

Ow!

What's the matter?

(scoffs) My God, how have you done this?

The woman hit me.

With her umbrella.

It was flapping around like a big bird.

She's mad, Helen.

I'm getting the doctor back.

No, don't!

He'll put that fly thing in my face.

I can't stand it buzzing.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry I didn't believe you.

Sorry I didn't get the doctor to look at you properly.

I don't like it.

You don't like what?

All the blanks.

(laughs and snorts) I held my mother's hand when she was dying.

You're not dying.

But you don't believe me.

You don't-- nobody does.

Elizabeth is missing, Helen, I know it.

All right, Mum, all right.

We'll phone Elizabeth's son and put an end to this once and for all.

(phone ringing out) You don't have to stand so close.

I need to hear.

PETER (on recording): This is Peter Markham.

I'm not here.

Leave a message.

(beep) Hello, this is Helen Horsham.

Sorry to bother you again, but my mum's very worried about your mother.

They are friends, you know.

He's hiding her somewhere-- ask him where she is.

If you could just phone me back, my number's 07-700-900-918.

Just in case.

Thanks.

(sets down receiver) There.

Happy?

Phone him again, just to make sure.

I've only just phoned him.

Give him a chance.

A chance?

He's had his chances.

He doesn't take care of her.

He doesn't even talk to her.

Oh, Mum.

That's what happens when you get old.

All she wants is a bit of bloody company.

That's all any of us want.

(exhales) Dates.

There's one missing.

What did it say?

(liquid simmering) (front door closes) What are you doing?

You hungry, Doug?

Where you been?

The movies.

What did you see?

"Dark Secret."

Not worth the money.

That's funny, it's not showing anymore.

Oh, I thought you weren't hungry.

I might be later.

(door closes) (exhales and mutters) Oh!

They want to put me away.

CARLA: Nobody wants to put you away.

We're just worried about you being here on your own.

Look at that woman that got attacked.

The one in the paper.

They took everything that wasn't nailed down and left her for dead.

It's shocking what some people will do.

Which is why we lock the door and we go on at you all the time to keep the chain on.

(mouthing) (sighs) What's this doing in here?

(gasps softly): That's the one.

I've been looking everywhere for that.

Give it me, Sukey sent it.

Maud, you can't have this, it's dirty.

Give it me.

It's mine!

If I don't have this, I can't find her.

Never.

Never!

(chortles) Aw.

(rain pelting) (groaning) Uh... (water dripping) (breathing deeply) (water splashing) (exhausted groaning) (clicks tongue): Bugger it.

What's wrong?

Broke a nail.

Mm?

HELEN: Mum, that's disgusting!

(chuckles) What have you been doing?

There's dirt all up the stairs.

It's everywhere.

She broke a nail.

What are we gonna do with you, eh?

(rattling door handle) It's all right, Mum.

I'm just locking the door.

It's locked, Mum.

How will I get out?

You don't need to anymore.

We've just had this conversation.

(slaps leg, sighs) (voice trembling): I'll see you later.

(sobs) (whimpers, car door closes) (engine starts) (soft exhale) (squawking) (tapping window) (squawking) (tapping) She can't live on her own anymore.

That's it.

She'll take it better from you.

TOM (on computer): That's not fair.

Who are you talking to?

(chuckles mirthlessly): You know what they say.

Talking to yourself-- first sign!

I'm talking to Tom, Mum.

Oh.

Come and say hello.

Look, see him?

Hey, Mum.

You okay?

(chuckles softly) (chuckles) Mum... Tom wants to tell you something.

Mm-hmm... Do you fancy listening to some music, Gran?

How about some Vera Lynn?

Good God, no.

What, you don't like her?

No, I do not.

Where's your mother?

Uh, she's with the estate agent.

Estate agent?

What estate agent?

Uh, doesn't matter.

Huh?

Why don't you like Vera Lynn?

Oh, she couldn't hold a candle to Evelyn Knight.

There's no bluebirds in Dover.

Load of old rubbish.

Well, did Sukey like Vera Lynn?

Are you daft?

Her favorite song was "Powder Your Face With Sunshine."

Somebody broke it.

They were all Doug's records.

He was the only one had a record player.

Hey.

YOUNG MAUD: Powder your face With sunshine Put on a great big smile Make up your eyes With laughter Folks will be laughing With you in a little while Whistle a tune Of gladness Gloom never was in... (sighs softly) Cover yourself up, Maud.

Oh, go boil your head, Doug.

(sniffles) You're wearing her lipstick.

You're lying to us.

Don't think I don't know.

You can't (no audio) replace her.

(scoffs) Not ever.

MAUD: Hello?

PETER (over phone): Hello?

MAUD: Hello?

Who is this?

Peter Markham.

Who's this?

Is that Elizabeth's son?

Why?

Who wants to know?

Elizabeth asked me to call you.

No, she didn't.

Who is this?

I'm her friend.

Where is she?

Are you bloody nuts?

It's the middle of the night.

Is it?

Well...

I'm not very good with time.

(click, dial tone buzzing) Hello?

Hello?

MAUD (voiceover): He's hiding her somewhere, Helen.

He swore at me.

You called him in the middle of the night.

He was angry.

It doesn't matter what time it was.

If a friend of mine rang you and said she was worried because I was missing, what would you say?

I'd say she should be worried, 'cause you're away with the fairies.

(sighs): Mum...

I'm sorry, I didn't mean that.

Do you want to keep this?

Don't know what it is.

(sighs heavily) Are we going on holiday?

No.

Oh, good.

I don't think I could do it, Helen.

I don't think I could do it.

You're moving house, remember.

You're moving in with me.

To the new houses?

(gasps) Is Frank moving us?

You're moving into my house.

I'm not coming if you're gonna be like that.

You haven't got a choice.

We're selling the house.

You're selling my house?

How can you... sell my house?

I live here, I've always lived here.

Mum, we agreed.

It's not safe for you to live on your own.

Who agreed?

You, me, and Tom!

Tom?

My Tom?

Yes, Tom!

The one who flies in from Germany twice a year and you think is wonderful.

But he's not here, day after day, making sure you've got a carer, checking you haven't gassed yourself or set fire to your hair.

Don't understand a word that you say.

(birds chirping) CARLA: Your dinner's out, Maud.

Come through and get it.

(sighs) You're all tangled up.

Oh.

What are you like?

This is my last day, remember?

I won't be cooking your eggs anymore.

You'll be glad about that.

I don't want to go.

Go and get your dinner.

I'll tidy up in here.

Carla?

There's no food!

He's feeding someone.

Elizabeth.

(chuckles): I knew it.

(shuddering softly) (panting) (thunder rumbling) (hinges squeak) (door opens) You've got somebody in there.

Is it Sukey?

Is it?

No, Maud.

It's not Sukey.

No, tell me the truth.

Well, you're feeding someone.

You are.

Why is the Mad Woman's umbrella in here?

'Cause she's the one that's been living here, Maud.

The Mad Woman?

You've been feeding her?

Why?

Why?

I just feel sorry for her.

She just shouts nonsense all the time.

What nonsense?

About marrows and glass and birds.

How did she get this?

Sukey's comb.

Where's Sukey?

What's happened to my sister?

Where is she?

What have you done with her?

(dog barking in distance) Where is she?

What have you done with her?

HELEN: Mum!

Mum, I've been looking everywhere for you.

Go away.

Mum, calm down, it's all right.

Go away!

Where is... (crying): What has he done with her?

Mum...

It's all right.

Huh?

It's me, it's Helen.

You're just a bit confused.

Helen?

(weeping): Oh, oh, Helen!

Where is she, Helen?

HELEN: Mind your fingers, put your belt on.

(engine starts) (plays piano notes) (sniffles) Mm.

(humming softly) (sighs) (sighs heavily) I don't know if she's lost.

She's missing and I'm desperate.

Which is why I am appealing for witnesses.

Her name is Elizabeth.

Well, I don't know if her neighbor's got a shed.

He has got a dog.

Oh, but he keeps it locked up.

Microchip?

What in the name of God are you talking about?

No, she's not a cat.

She's my best friend, Elizabeth, and she's missing.

FRANK: Nobody just disappears, do they?

If you know something, you have to tell me.

Did she ever say anything about me?

Or him, that lodger bloke?

You do know something.

What is it, Maudie?

Tell me, Maudie!

(starts) I don't know.

I don't know anything.

(doorbell rings) (front door closes) PETER: What the hell is this?

HELEN: I don't know what you're talking about.

Ask your mad old mother.

I don't know-- I don't know anything.

Mum, go back in the kitchen.

Go on.

PETER: Ask her.

What do you think this is?

Don't talk to her like that, you'll scare her.

She's an old woman.

She's an interfering old cow.

You know what she's done?

She's put a missing person's advert in the bloody paper.

This is a nightmare.

I don't know how she could have done this.

You need to keep her away from me.

This is harassment.

How bloody dare you!

Right, if you don't go now, I'm gonna call the police.

Good.

Call them.

She's nuts.

She should be locked up.

I'm not warning you again-- last time.

Keep her out of my sight.

(door opens) (door slams) HELEN: Right, let's have a nice cup of tea, shall we?

KATY: You need to tell her again.

I have!

I've told her a million times.

This isn't right.

It's in the wrong place.

What is?

The stairs!

They're all in different places.

Did he move the stairs?

Why did he do that?

Mum, shush now, come on, let's just go in the kitchen.

Come on.

Give that to me.

Give that to me!

Get out of my house!

Get out of my house!

Get out of my house!

Come on, darling.

(yelling) It's all right.

It's not your gran, it's the illness.

(yelling) (yelling) (yelling slows) (grunting weakly) What's that?

What have you got?

What is it, Maudie?

Maudie!

What is it?

What is it, Maudie?

It's just a letter.

Who's it from?

It's not from anybody.

(yelping) Is it from Sukey?

Is it to him?

She was my wife!

(whimpering) (car door closes) Silly!

You'll freeze.

MAUD: Oh!

(chuckles) How did that happen?

Eh?

Doesn't matter, Mum.

It does to me.

You're my daughter.

If you're hurt, it matters to me.

I love you very much.

(smooches) Oh... Whoops, oh.

Oh... (sniffles) Hello, are you waiting for the bus?

I don't know when it's gonna come.

Nothing ever comes.

Hope it won't be too long.

(chuckles) (crying) Oh.

Oh.

Is it man trouble?

Well, don't you worry, he'll be back.

Pretty girl like you-- ooh-ooh!

(Helen sniffles) (low sobbing) I hope I wasn't being too nosy.

(exhales) (sniffles) Come on, Mum.

Let's go home.

Helen.

Helen... Helen, I didn't know you!

(crying): I didn't know me own daughter.

Helen... (sobbing): Helen, Helen...

It's all right.

(whimpers) It doesn't matter, Mum.

We used to press flowers in books, Sukey and me.

Marrow flowers.

Helen?

Mm-hmm?

Where's the best place to grow marrows?

Tomorrow.

I'll tell you tomorrow.

This isn't my house!

That wardrobe's in the wrong place!

We'll move it tomorrow.

(knocks softly): Made some hot chocolate.

You won't have a word with that one, that girl you've hired?

She's not doing what you're paying her for.

(chortles) (hoarsely): It's me, Gran.

It's Katy.

I don't give a snuff what your name is.

Get rid of her-- she's lazy.

Say sorry now!

Say sorry!

Sorry!

Sorry!

Though I don't even know what I've done.

Don't you ever, ever talk to my daughter like that again!

Don't you ever, or I swear I'll... (whispers): Oh, my God.

(moans) Go to the loo and get into bed, and don't say another word, 'cause I don't want to hear it!

(whimpers) (voice trembling): Go on!

(whimpers) (moaning) Oh... Hm... (sniffles) (chuckles) Now we're twins.

(chuckles) (slow dance tune playing) What are you doing here?

I come every night there's dancing.

In the hope that... You come here.

Instead of going to the pictures.

You're looking for her?

I know what you're thinking, Maud, but there was nothing between us.

We talked, that's all.

Till we fell out.

She wanted to put the Mad Woman away, and I didn't think it was right.

She's just an old woman, she doesn't... mean any harm.

How do you know?

She had Sukey's comb.

How did she get that, Doug?

I went back, you know, after you found the comb, to ask her where she got it, but... She was raving.

Couldn't make sense of it.

What if she's not raving?

What if she's trying to tell us something?

We have to try and make sense of it, Doug.

We have to.

Oh, come on.

WOMAN: Under the marrows.

What is it?

(exhales) (mutters) Oh, thank God.

Thank God.

HELEN: Mum, stop, please!

Just tell me what you want and I'll find it.

I want the mirror thing I found the last time I saw Elizabeth.

The Mad Woman knows.

But she's mad, so no one listens to her.

No one listens.

It's under the marrows.

She's the only one who knows!

(tapping) Go away!

Why are you always here?

(exhales, murmuring) (front door closes) Hello, wife.

Lovely little wife.

Frank, you're standing on my new blind.

Get off it.

Hey, Maudie, how do you make a Roman blind?

Poke him in the eye.

(laughing) You're drunk, Frank-- go to bed.

Only if you come with me.

Don't be daft, it's too early.

Have a dance!

(exclaims) You like to dance, don't you?

Go home now, Maudie, there's a good girl.

(firmly): Go home now.

MAUD (voiceover): Birds 'round her head.

Glass smashed.

(gasps) (licks) (blows) ELIZABETH: Maud!

What are you doing back here?

You went home hours ago.

I'm looking for the thing I lost.

(sighs): Please, Maud, come in now.

No!

I'm looking for it!

I have to find it!

Shh, Maud.

I'm just coming over to help.

Elizabeth... (yells): Help!

Help me!

(knocking) Helen?

Helen?

I want to see her.

I want to see Elizabeth.

(phones ringing in background) HELEN: This way.

Lazy so-and-sos.

They're sick, Mum.

(chortles) (monitor beeping steadily) She's had a rough night.

You can't stay long.

HELEN: Thanks for letting us come.

I appreciate it.

Well, sit down, Mum.

MAUD: You have a rest.

I'll make some tea.

I might even have some chocolate in my handbag.

That tightfisted son of yours has been starving you, hasn't he?

Mum!

We'll go into the garden in a minute.

(gasps): We can dig up the birds.

PETER: It's your bloody digging that's put her in this state.

If it wasn't for you, she wouldn't be here.

But that's right, gardening's in the bloody family, isn't it?

She's got Alzheimer's.

Have a heart.

Five minutes, that's your lot.

(murmuring) (murmuring) (panting and sniffling) HELEN: Poor Elizabeth.

I know.

She's missing.

She's not, we've just been to see her.

She is.

And it's all my fault.

It bloody well isn't.

It's his fault for not taking better care of his own mother.

He should have made sure the garden was safe.

It's not your fault, do you hear me?

Okay?

I just gave up.

(exhales) I knew something wasn't right.

I should have listened to the Mad Woman.

She knew.

All those years, in the garden, where the marrows were, waiting for me.

That's where I should have looked.

That's where she was!

Elizabeth's not in the garden now, Mum.

She's in the hospital, you've just seen her.

She is in the garden.

She's been there for years.

Whose garden?

Your old garden?

The new houses.

Where the marrows were.

You don't mean Elizabeth, do you, Mum?

She's in the garden by the wall.

With the pebble stones.

Right.

That's it, get in.

(car door opens) HELEN: I'll dig the whole thing up if that's what it takes.

I've had it with missing people.

And sick people.

And with people.

(sniffles) (grunts): I've had it with missing people's sons and all.

So we'll dig to Australia if we have to.

(squawks) (laughs) SUKEY: Oh, where's my marrow flower, Frank?

(laughs) Helen, where's the best place to grow marrows?

Oh, for God's sake, Mum.

(sighs) You need sunlight.

And a fence for wind protection.

(Helen breathing heavily) Ouch!

(sniffles) What?

Nearly got a bit of metal in me eye.

Your language is shocking today.

Shoe buckle.

Ooh!

Oh...

I've been looking everywhere for you.

Oh.

(shovel thuds) There's something else here.

(grunts) Mum, go and stand by the house.

Go on, go over there now!

(murmurs, exhales) GRAINGER: Mrs. Horsham, I'm Detective Sergeant Grainger.

Come and sit down here.

(exhales) Mrs. Horsham, do you understand what was found in the garden?

According to your daughter, your sister, Susan Jefford, formerly Susan Palmer, went missing in August 1949.

Sukey.

Was that what you called her?

So, Sukey went missing 70 years ago, and you never heard from her again.

The glass dome smashed, and all the birds flew round her head.

That's what the Mad Woman said, but I didn't listen.

Sukey hated those birds-- she was frightened of them.

It was Frank's fault, he brought them into the house.

Can you tell me anything about Frank?

He shouted at her once.

He shouted at Sukey?

And Dad never liked him.

Did Frank have something to do with this house, Mrs. Horsham?

Frank and Sukey were going to move here.

He promised her.

Long before Elizabeth lived here.

He'll be here in a minute.

What do you think happened to Sukey?

Sukey will come back from the dancing and take off her blue dress, and she'll lay it over the chair.

Then Frank will come in.

And she'll say, "I thought you were in London."

And he'll say, "I came back to catch you dancing with the lodger."

And she'll say she wasn't.

And Frank will shout.

And she'll say she's had enough and she's leaving because she's like the birds.

And Frank will beg her not to.

And she'll powder her nose.

And Frank will cry and do something.

He'll push her into the mantelpiece, and she'll fall.

And the glass dome smashes on her, and all the birds tumble out.

And Frank packs her suitcase and puts her in a tea chest and buries her where the new houses are going up.

Under the marrows.

(indistinct chatter, gulls calling) (indistinct chatter) (laughter) (indistinct chatter) (indistinct chatter) Here.

How's the cake?

(loudly): It's the wrong kind of cake for a wedding.

(softly): It's a funeral.

Elizabeth's funeral.

(at normal volume): Where am I?

Elizabeth's house.

Oh.

Did I tell you?

Elizabeth is missing.

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