Grantchester

GRAY: The world is changing.

WILL: The bishop's offered me another job.

New challenges.

Maybe we could both do more.

If I asked you to stay... WILL: You are not making this easy.

Reverend Alphy Kotteram-- I'm the new vicar.

I need your help with a case.

ALPHY: I'm no detective.

GEORDIE: I don't need a detective.

A vicar will do.

(thunder claps) (whimpering) (click) ("Topsy Turvy" by Benn Joe Zeppa playing) Well, now the mouse In the house is a-chasing the cat No, the dog don't want no bone Well, now the laughing hyena Is a-kinda blue Since my baby's gone Everything's topsy-turvy MAN: Roll up, roll up.

Since my baby's gone Come to Carson's Circus, the greatest show in town.

Take a seat inside and marvel at the mystery of Errol Macabre and the fantastical Feathers!

Prepare to have the time of your life!

(crowd applauding) ERNIE: Dad!

Hurry up.

(merry-go-round music playing) I always think of Chekhov's "Kashtanka."

You can get a cream for that.

It's the story of a mistreated carpenter's dog that gets taken in by a friendly circus clown.

But then she runs back to her old master when she sees him in the audience.

Well, he had the better sausages.

I think she preferred the hard grafter to the crowd pleaser.

It's a dog.

Probably didn't give it that much thought.

BONNIE: I'm not sure the circus is a natural environment for animals.

I find all the greasepaint suspicious.

Oh!

And it smells.

Sweaty acrobats in hot tents, being carted around the country all summer long?

MRS. CHAPMAN: You can talk.

I've found things in your bathroom plug that would make a monkey blush.

Sylvia!

MRS. CHAPMAN: And not liking a circus?

What flimflam.

I used to dream of going.

In Calcutta, I once saw a Lyallpur woman dance with a lion.

Taught it to bounce basketballs in the air.

I saw something like that in Biarritz, except with a woman and a Ping-Pong ball.

(chuckles) BONNIE (gasps): Will!

Behave.

Come on.

I've got you.

(mouths) How do you fancy a big family holiday this year?

A surprise for Cath and Bonnie.

Look at you, earning brownie points.

We shall discuss anon.

JACK: I'll have, uh, five of these, please.

Yes, sir, coming right up.

Seems like a fun job.

Oh, you bet.

I'm only helping, though.

My dad rents the field to the circus.

Dad, look at her wings.

NICK: That's Feathers.

She's amazing-- you'll love her.

WILL: Wings, eh?

Wow.

Here you are, kids!

ALL: Yay!

(kids giggling) Wait, watch this.

I bet you a week's wages the tax man won't see a penny of that.

(clicks tongue): Oi, we're here to have fun.

I'll do my best.

Hmm.

(drumroll playing) (cymbal crashes, audience cheers and applauds) POGO: Jadies and Lentlemen, welcome to Carson's Circus!

(band playing) (yelping and chuckling) (audience gasping and oohing) (cheering) (chuckling, laughing) Very good.

(audience gasping and cheering) Ooh.

Very nice.

WILL: Behave.

(audience chuckling) (handcuffs locking) (audience oohing) (slams) (key turning) (audience gasps) ERROL: And now...

The metamorphosis!

(drumroll playing) (cymbal crashes, audience cheering) Hello.

Isn't she supposed to be uncuffed?

FEATHERS: Errol... (knocking on trunk) I think you, um, you left your key in the other trousers again.

I don't suppose we have any locksmiths in the audience tonight?

Or maybe a police officer?

Oh!

Don't you dare.

You've got one right here.

(audience applauding) Get up-- get up!

FEATHERS: Come on up!

Ooh!

Ooh, oh!

Ooh!

I am so sorry.

Do excuse me, sir.

(laughs) Ah.

(audience laughing) (Cathy cackling) (laughs) No need to get so attached.

I'll have you free in a jiffy.

(laughing) Oh... (Feathers giggling, audience cheering) FEATHERS: Thank you, sir.

Take your seat.

Now, what about Errol?

(exclaims) (crowd cheers) It's magic!

Ah, we got there in the end, eh?

(cheering and applauding) FEATHERS: And now, for Carson's Circus' most daring trick!

(audience oohs) It's very dangerous.

(audience gasps) GEORDIE: Do you think he's all right?

(chuckling) Please, Feathers.

(audience gasps) It's a trick shot.

Shush.

(audience gasps) (audience falls silent) (cheering, applauding) Ha!

(chortles) We are Errol Macabre and Feathers!

(audience cheering and whistling) WILL: Last night, children gazed at feats that defied gravity, logic, and belief.

And yet despite the apparent danger the performers put themselves in, I saw wonder on the faces in the crowd.

For is the circus not an institution of joy?

A gathering of, of man and beast?

Laughter... (whispering): Where's Leonard?

...and terror, of life and death?

It, um... (clears throat) (whispering): Where's Leonard?

It reminds me of a desert long ago, where dusty, huddled souls performed-- clowned, even-- to a scared and hopeful crowd.

They juggled bread and wine, and told the thrilling secret of the universe: "Christ is risen."

BONNIE: Excellent appropriation of the circus there.

Is next week gonna be "How 'The Guns of Navarone' reminds me of Paul and the Corinthians"?

Ha, ha.

Now even Leonard's skipping church.

He never misses a Sunday service.

Perhaps he's run away with the circus.

Leonard'll be fine.

I'll go past the halfway house and check on him.

After you've seen the bishop.

After I've seen the bishop.

You'd better be behaving yourself.

I am!

(chuckling) I am.

This isn't a telling-off?

I rarely worry about you anymore.

(exhales) Oh, you look disappointed.

(chuckles): I only hear good things.

Are you happy?

Oh, very.

I'm a lucky man.

And your congregation, how is the turnout these days?

Well we, uh, we lost a few over winter.

And holiday season's starting up, so... No, it wasn't an accusation.

We're noting it everywhere.

The world is changing.

(smacks lips) Where once people looked to the church, now they turn to the television set.

Grantchester will endure, but there are less fortunate places.

Where a boat rocker could make a tremendous difference.

I'm, I'm sorry, another parish?

Another diocese-- Newcastle.

(laughs): Newcastle?

An inner-city position.

At a bigger parish.

With tougher challenges.

It would mean more time with the needy and less helping the law.

Well, it's a, it's a big move.

And a quick decision.

I need an answer this week.

It's a lot to consider, I know.

I can't.

My son's still a baby.

And we're very happy here.

Well, it was a long shot.

But if you change your mind... Hmm.

No post this week?

There were a few bits.

Nothing in the hallway.

It's not kept there anymore.

Mrs. C streamlined the household last Tuesday.

I'm not sure we should have hired her.

Lucky she didn't itemize the kids.

Try the sideboard.

(phone ringing) Nope.

Uh, Esme took some upstairs.

Ooh, what's she hiding?

Mm.

Cambridge 979... Yeah, what is it, Larry?

(door closes) What's happened?

Trouble at the circus.

Not unusual for him to be by himself?

WOMAN: Not really.

Bloody hell.

Clear everyone out.

Now.

The lot of ya!

LARRY: So, the show ended at 6:00 last night.

Head clown fella says they were all tidied up and done in here by 8:00.

Then the whole lot of 'em had dinner out in the field.

What everyone, all together?

Eat together, board together.

Like a holiday camp, far as I can tell.

Today was their one day off, so a bunch of 'em went into town afterwards.

Did he go?

Errol Macabre, real name Eric Mowbry.

He did not.

Last seen before dinner.

One of the performers found him in here this morning.

He liked to practice his magic after hours, apparently.

Anyone mention grudges, rivalries?

Haven't got around 'em all, but not a bad word yet.

Well, get to it.

And make sure none of them try and leave.

Was he any good?

The magician?

I was thinking of coming along to watch.

Well, you're a bit late now, Larry.

Two, three, four.

Errol's.

(Geordie sighs) What was the bishop asking?

"How clean is your font?"

That kind of thing?

What's with the sudden interest?

You hate bosses.

I do not.

My last one, maybe.

New fella's terrific.

Never leaves the golf course.

(chuckles) He, uh, he offered me a new job, actually.

In Newcastle.

You're kidding.

You don't want that, do you?

Well, it's quite an opportunity.

But no, no, everything's great here.

Why would I throw that away?

Exactly.

You really gonna up sticks now with James still a baby?

Newcastle?

Bloody hell, you wouldn't last five minutes.

(laughs) Two bus tickets to London.

Dated for next Thursday.

And I don't think that's on the circus's tour route.

I'll raise you.

Some kind of drug.

It's like ammonia.

Opium, maybe?

Well, he was a bit sloppy during the show.

Addict?

Or selling?

Killed over it?

Someone here knows.

GEORDIE: What's your real name, Pogo?

Jerry McAllister.

Ringmaster and head clown.

And it was you who reported the murder, Jerry?

Yeah.

Awful thing to happen.

WILL: Did Errol have any enemies here?

It weren't one of us.

When you're 40 feet in the air and you let go of a trapeze, you better believe someone's gonna catch you.

This place is a machine built on trust.

These might suggest he was trying to escape, one way or another.

No, we're booked here all week, he'd have no time.

Nah, it's not for Errol.

What about this?

Opium, I'd wager.

No idea.

This is a clean circus.

I don't tolerate sloppiness.

We never miss a show, and we always deliver.

Well, sadly, there is no show, Jerry.

Not until this is solved.

Tomorrow, we will be performing.

If you'll excuse me.

(mouths) It's a trick.

That's what I kept thinking, that he was gonna sit up and, "Surprise, Feathers!"

Mmm, Feathers?

Anita Carson.

But everyone calls me Feathers.

Of Carson's Circus.

It's a family business.

The circus belongs to my nanna.

Nanna Carson.

Bona fide circus royalty.

She used to be queen of the high wire-- me, too.

Till Errol saw my potential.

Trapeze artist turned magician's assistant?

There's no end to my talents.

Were you and Errol together?

Errol was kind.

He taught me his act, but it weren't romantic.

It... (inhales deeply) More like, I felt sorry for him.

With the drink.

He knew he was losing his edge.

If he taught you his act, maybe you could explain something to us.

I'm not supposed to say.

You're supposed to tell a detective.

But he, he swore me to secrecy.

Would you prefer me to arrest you?

(sighs) The arrow never fires.

It stays in the barrel.

The ribbon is tied to a fishing wire, which gets pulled out of the gun, through a tube sewn round me and into the target, where a fake arrow pops out.

(gun opens) This isn't a trick gun.

Yeah.

There is a plug just in the... Nope.

You think someone's messed with it?

You know anyone who'd do that?

No.

No, no, no, no.

Errol was part of the family.

That, uh, slipup-- the handcuffs and the trunk in the other trick-- was, was that intentional?

No-- the daft old drunk put the real handcuffs on me, instead of the breakaways.

I had to pick it myself.

You turned it round pretty well.

Mmm, well, we'd have died on our arses otherwise.

Did that happen a lot?

Yeah, more than I'd like.

His aim was so off with the rifle last night that the wire nearly pulled me sideways.

And I told him as much.

He was holding you back.

Maybe you wanted shot of him.

Not like this.

I'll succeed because of how good I am.

Where were you after the show?

Practicing.

In my tent.

On your own?

Mm-hmm.

Means, motive, no alibi.

Find a little evidence, we've got her bang to rights.

And we still need to talk to Nanna.

LARRY: Thank you.

You come across a Nanna Carson yet?

Not yet, boss.

Well, find her.

You want to swing by the office?

Got to drop this vial back.

Another time?

I need to do some pastoral care.

BOTH: You can get a cream for that.

Leonard?

SAM: Our grandparents grew up in a world where the pace of life was dictated by the horse and cart.

So today's world must seem like science fiction.

Think about it.

The Russians put a dog into orbit.

So the Americans, they launched a monkey.

Then the Russians sent up a man.

Now the Yanks have done so, too.

Incredible technology.

Enormous resources.

And yet people starve on their streets.

So, this is where you've been?

But it doesn't have to be that way.

You see, the people in power, they know.

They know that we outnumber them.

So they stoke our fear of each other.

They don't think that we have enough hope to overcome those fears.

But I have hope.

I have faith.

Faith that love overcomes all.

If you can't see it, then, well, I urge you, look closer.

It happens in inches.

I went to each of the colleges.

I asked for some ingredients.

Something surplus from their kitchens.

Bread from Trinity.

Carrots from King's.

Food to make meals for the homeless.

You add enough inches, and you get a mile.

(talking softly) Thanks for coming.

(conversations continue) (people talking, phones ringing in background) Coroner's report will be on your desk first thing tomorrow.

Thank you, Miss Scott.

Also, another robbery reported, this time in Little Shelford.

It's becoming a spree.

But Jones caught the Peterhouse bike thief.

Samuels found a witness for the Hobson Street fire.

And Winston rescued a cat.

That's more like it.

Oh, and we were doing so well.

Boss.

That is a lovely dress.

Stop there.

Thank you very much.

What is it, Larry?

Local lad, Nick Jeffries, working the circus stalls all summer?

Lad selling candy floss?

His parents have come in, worried sick.

Nick never came home last night.

Get uniform out looking-- now.

DANIEL: We met him preaching on the street at Jesus Green.

It's almost got me converted.

Sam, this is Will Davenport.

Sam White.

Pleasure.

Sam studied at Corpus, too.

No kidding.

You and Chambers are legends there.

It's true.

Now you're at Grantchester, as well?

I mean, Will, I'm in awe.

To have a parish of your own.

Well, it seems like you're building something special here.

It's Leonard's offer of this space that made today possible.

Oh, we promised to carry some boxes to the Round Church for supper.

Yeah, we did, indeed.

See you again.

Sorry I missed Sunday service.

Oh, don't be.

This is a far better thing than listening to my waffle.

I like your waffle.

But I do want to do more of this.

Talks-- helping.

You don't settle, do you?

Mmm.

Anyone home?

DORA: Dad, we've got a surprise!

Dad, Esme's got huge news.

Come on, quickly.

GEORDIE: All right, all right.

IVY: Biggest news ever.

Come on.

You're not gonna believe this.

I've been offered a job.

A job?

What about school?

You left school at 16.

CATHY: It's Harrison and Sons.

The big importers on Sterling Street?

Doing what?

Office work.

Typing-- all of it.

Can you type?

(chuckles): Dad.

Bloody Harrison and Sons.

(laughs) Well done.

(laughing) DORA: Esme, come on, quickly.

IVY: Come on, Esme.

(girls giggling) Applied behind our backs, she did.

Her own money.

Independence.

Less help around the house, and the school runs.

That's why we took Mrs. C on.

(TV playing softly) They're both down.

What are you brooding over?

I met a street preacher today.

No church, no standing, just, just helping out.

Building a following, turning atheists into believers.

Is that jealousy I detect?

Am I preaching to the choir here?

Congregation's shrinking, and I hadn't even noticed.

Well, you're not the Wild One anymore.

A little bit of coasting isn't the worst thing.

The bishop's offered me another job.

Oh.

That good?

Uh, in Newcastle.

Bit of a trek.

Big challenges, bigger parish, more hands-on.

I said no.

Of course.

You know, it's too much of an upheaval for you and the kids.

You just decided?

On your own?

Well, Geordie and I... Oh.

The boys decided.

No, I just, I, I didn't think you'd... You didn't think.

God, you're still the same posh boy who thinks he knows best.

Ernie and I have been through two dads and three homes in as many years.

You're still a stone's throw from your old college.

I'm sorry.

I really am.

Cake sales.

That's coasting.

Prayer meetings with women who talk about their neighbors' dahlias.

(chuckles) Maybe we could both do more.

What about Geordie?

He survived Burma.

He'd get through us leaving.

Question is, do you want to?

(door closes) Morning.

Morning.

Hello?

Oh, sorry.

No, no, it's okay.

Something terrible's happened.

Errol asked me to help him practice after the show.

Feathers had torn strips off him for being sloppy.

So we rehearsed the handcuff escape and then the arrow trick.

Just you and Errol?

Yeah.

He thought she was being over dramatic, so he stood in for her in front of the target, and I...

I didn't mean... What did you do, son?

He told me it was all safe.

It's supposed to be a trick!

It's okay.

GEORDIE: Nick, I need you to say it.

I shot him.

I didn't even really aim.

He didn't say a word, just... What happened next?

I ran.

I'm sorry.

I couldn't stay there with him... Like that.

What time was this?

After dinner.

9:00, I think.

What's with all the face paint?

I was gonna audition for the circus.

Errol had a vial of opium.

Lab confirmed it.

And two bus tickets to London.

Know anything about them?

No.

Unusual, though.

None of them have money of their own.

What do you mean?

Nanna Carson collects all the takings.

Everyone gets bed and board, but there's no wages.

You have to petition her for spending money.

Or a night out.

Sounds like bloody communism.

Hang on.

If you hadn't rehearsed with Errol, when would the trick next be done?

The next show.

When it would be aimed at Feathers.

(door closes) I don't have time for this.

It's a busy week.

With what?

There's no circus till we find the killer.

WILL: And you should know, Errol may not have been the target.

So who?

Me?

Do you know if anyone had a grudge against you?

FEATHERS: No.

You mentioned that you have a "busy week."

Does that have anything to do with London?

Errol bought them.

We've got an audition at the London Palladium.

What about the circus?

Your family?

I'm tired.

Of the trucks and tents and a stupid new town every week.

I want a bed.

Just a proper bed.

Fresh start, new challenges.

You want to run away from the circus and join the rat race.

I need to go.

I have to try.

Without Errol?

Sorry, Errol, but I was carrying him.

I can do a solo act and I can do it better.

Does Nanna know about the audition?

She didn't want us to leave.

If she doesn't approve, who paid for the tickets?

I don't know-- Errol just sorted it.

Very convenient.

Can I go now?

You can.

But I can't guarantee your safety at the circus.

(phone ringing in background) Someone wants to kill Feathers.

Or Errol.

Could've found out he was gonna practice with Nick.

Maybe.

But in any case, the rifle was used during the show, but gets sabotaged before Nick and Errol rehearse at 9:00.

And so the only window for someone to have tampered with it is between 8:00 and 9:00.

When they all had dinner together.

Any exceptions?

Jerry, uh, Pogo, was entertaining the younger kids, and that Feathers girl was on her own.

Thanks, Larry.

Post-mortem found no opium in Errol's system.

So, was he selling?

Used the proceeds to fund his escape with Feathers?

Someone finds out, doesn't want them to leave.

Or they just wanted to send a message: "I control the purse strings."

(calls): Larry!

Nanna Carson, lady that runs the circus, did you get her statement?

No, she was suffering a migraine.

Of course, because the last thing we'd want is to disturb a murder suspect with a sore head!

Bloody Nora!

Sorry, boss.

Oh!

Sorry.

Nanna Carson-- anyone seen her?

No.

Maybe she's fled.

(objects shifting) Jerry?

Isn't this Errol's tent?

Yeah, I was just, uh... Rifling through a dead man's things.

GEORDIE: Looking for more of this?

Now, I'm thinking either Feathers or Errol discovered you were using and threatened to expose you.

(exhales): Expose me?

Errol supplied me.

(sighs) A couple of years ago, I put me back out.

And if you can't roll and fall, you can't clown.

Well, you could do something else here.

Really?

(chuckles) Only life I had before this was as a gymnast.

I was up for the Olympics in '44.

Horse vault, the parallel bars-- the works.

Only the games were canceled.

(laughs) Bloody war put paid to that dream, hm?

(sighs): Now, without that, I can't perform.

Can't unload trucks, fix tents.

I've got no other skills.

So, Errol sourced the opium.

Yeah.

Wherever we went, he knew someone.

(sighs): And that little extra I get as ringmaster, it all went to him.

GEORDIE: Maybe Errol held out on you.

And you lost it.

He was my only connection.

(sighs): I was here with the families on Saturday night-- ask Nanna.

I'm going to.

(door closes) GEORDIE: Nanna Carson.

I'm Inspector Keating.

This is Will Davenport.

Quite the collection.

A record of every Carson clown.

No two can wear the same makeup.

How is business?

Oh, times are tough.

Audiences are small.

(chuckles) That I can understand.

So, um, forgive me if I've seemed elusive, but I've a whole company to take care of.

Care is your word for control.

When you learned Feathers and Errol were auditioning elsewhere, you wanted to punish them for disobeying you.

I wouldn't wish them any harm.

I wanted them performing here, so we could...

Bow out on top.

Meaning?

No one here knows yet, so I beg your discretion, but, um, I'm retiring this year.

And what will happen to the circus?

Oh, I've got a buyer.

Sadly, not a showman.

He'll strip it for parts.

Why not pass it on?

To your, to your kids?

To Feathers?

(chuckles): And live how?

This is my pension!

But we will finish the tour together.

No one can perform or go on tour until we solve this murder.

Of course-- much preferable to have a hundred circus freaks with nothing to do rampaging through Cambridge tonight.

Now, hang on... Or we could simply say, "The show will go on."

How would you feel if someone was leaving your circus?

What, Feathers?

Forget the bus, I'd buy her train fare and drive her to the station.

(chuckles) But if it was someone you'd, you'd miss?

Upset, sure.

Is this because you found out Esme got a new job?

Hm?

Applied behind our backs.

I was annoyed.

And sad.

That she'd grown up while I wasn't looking.

Was proud of her, though.

But Cathy.

I think she feels betrayed.

You know, I, um... Oh.

Boss.

(door closes) Lady here says her husband's been stolen.

Stolen?

Robbers broke in and took his locket.

A silver pendant.

The husband was wearing it?

No, he was in it.

GEORDIE: Small fella, was he?

His ashes.

You could've opened with that.

She wears him out and about, does she?

LARRY: Apparently.

Church and shops.

Friday, she was down the circus, too.

We'll be in touch soon.

Thank you.

(phones ringing) The widow's not the only robbery to take place after a circus visit.

Little Shelford, set of pearls, gold watch in Girton.

I called around-- same story over at Colchester and Chelmsford.

So one of the performers?

Identifies the wealthy punters, and then follows them home after the show.

Well, that's one way to get a little financial independence from Nanna Carson.

(inhales) Sleight of hand would be useful, too.

Errol, though, or Feathers?

The chances are, somewhere at that circus is a bag full of loot.

(people calling and talking in background) MISS SCOTT: Samuels is parked at the back and Jones will watch the front.

Appreciate you doing this.

It's fine-- I've been wanting to see a circus since I read Chekhov's "Kashtanka" last year.

If only Leonard were single.

And you were a man.

It's work, Larry, it's not a date.

I just thought it would be nice.

GEORDIE: Oi.

Feathers won't stop performing, so you two can at least watch her back.

Go on.

(people talking, music playing in background) Now, where would an illusionist hide their stolen goods?

Are we allowed?

We're undercover!

When you're undercover, you don't say, "We're undercover."

You just do what you'd normally do on a night out.

Anything?

No, nothing in your size.

Is there anyone here brave enough to assist me?

How about you, sir?

Don't be shy.

Come on up!

(gasps): Go on!

I'll do it!

Ah.

We have a volunteer.

A big round of applause, ladies and gentlemen!

(audience cheers and applauds) (lid thuds) (Feathers talking in background) (knocking) Got something?

(grunts) FEATHERS: The metamorphosis!

(audience applauding) (lid drops) (chuckles) Bingo.

WILL: It's a pawn shop receipt.

Silver pendant, gold watch.

It's all the stolen goods.

Well, maybe the shop owner knows if it was Errol or Feathers.

We'll need that.

Or fingerprints.

Otherwise, she'll deny it and blame the dead man.

(dog barking) MAN (on radio): And now, another delightful piece that always puts my mind at ease.

If you're ever left feeling like the world has gone a little topsy-turvy, then this next hymn should put you back on an even keel.

(music begins on radio) (quietly): She's ironing my ruddy underpants!

She told me today she wants to schedule prayer time.

No wonder the kids want to leave.

What's that?

A letter to Harrison and Sons.

"I'm sorry, but I cannot take up your offer"?

Mm.

What, Es changed her mind?

No, but I'm putting my foot down.

Uh, we can't control her, Cath.

She's not a little girl anymore.

But she is.

I've been thinking, she should get a job next year.

Doesn't she deserve a shot at this job?

Do you know what she deserves?

Not to struggle with high expectations and dangerous men.

I was older when I started work, and it was bloody tough.

(sighs) Yeah, but you didn't have a mum like you at your side.

We've gotta take the leap with her, before she doesn't need us.

(clicks tongue, sighs) (Mrs. Chapman humming) You know you're gonna have to give Mrs. C the shove.

So, how long's it been since your last confession?

(chuckles) What made you start this place and not stick with the caf?

Stability isn't always happiness.

Or fulfillment.

Do you think someone can be fulfilled and also be coasting?

Isn't that the ideal?

(both laugh) What's brought this on?

I want new challenges.

And I guess I'm...

I'm just scared in doing that, I'm gonna let people down.

When I left Grantchester, I felt I'd let everyone down.

But I found people here who need me more.

If I'd stayed, I'd... You were brilliant.

You'd still be.

I'd be bitter and resentful.

Living half a life.

(birds chirping) Mm, morning, Vicar.

If you want a job, I'm in need of an assistant.

And I'm in need of answers.

And no games, please.

(people talking in background) Any trouble last night?

I didn't see you after the show.

Uh, no, no.

The girl, Feathers, was fine, so we-- I went home.

Right.

Everything all right now?

Yes, completely.

Just working out how to get over to Newnham.

Need to get a statement signed.

Well, Larry'll take you.

Larry, Miss Scott needs a lift to Newnham.

I can't, boss.

Oh, it's fine, I can make my own way there.

I gotta file an incident.

It's just a jiffy on the bus.

On a littering incident.

Larry, reports can wait-- go on.

You all right?

Too many beers last night, was it?

No, no, just... (quietly): You two.

You didn't!

No!

No!

Bloody Nora!

Please.

The whole world's gone topsy... Just, shut up!

Please, sir!

He's sweet, but it was a mistake-- he'll understand.

Please say nothing!

WILL: So I asked Feathers, "Why now?

Why audition this week?"

Because she wanted to leave.

She said as much.

No.

She knew Nanna was selling.

So, Feathers killed Errol, to go it alone.

No.

Who else was Errol close with?

Jerry?

But he's got an alibi.

How good is it?

Because I think I have his motive.

(calls): Larry!

(man coughs in background) La... (exhales) Jerry McAllister-- his alibi on the night of the murder.

Witnesses place him entertaining the kids.

As himself, or as a clown?

Saturday night, after the show, but before the accident, you said you were trying out for the circus.

Jerry gave me a shot at clowning.

Entertain the kids during dinner.

You were wearing face paint?

Yeah.

Jerry gave me this one to copy.

GEORDIE: Every clown's makeup is unique.

Except on Saturday night, when you got Nick Jeffries to copy this.

The Pogo makeup.

So?

I let the kid borrow my look.

But for a dozen witnesses, that put Pogo, you, in the dining area between 8:00 and 9:00, when you were really sabotaging Errol's rifle.

I'd never hurt anyone in my troupe.

WILL: Star athlete turned head clown.

Traveling the country.

Running a tight ship.

Loving your job.

Absolutely.

And 20 years later, you find yourself middle-aged, with back pain and an opium habit.

So when you learn Nanna's selling up, you find you've no money, no pension, no future.

You've every right to feel bitter.

WILL: And rubbing salt in the wound is a young woman who's not only going to escape your fate, she's going to do better than you ever did.

She's a thief-- you know that, right?

This is a machine built on trust.

Your words.

I don't trust her-- she's trouble.

Always has been.

Too good for the trapeze, too good to be Errol's assistant.

Too good to be in our circus.

I reckon her leaving made Nanna want to quit.

She thinks she's better than us.

Needed to be taken down a peg.

(exhales) I swapped the handcuffs.

She was supposed to get trapped, made a proper fool of.

She turned it round.

Biggest applause of the run.

If she had a chip on her shoulder before... She's a menace.

Imagine she got that audition, got the Palladium, with no graft, no ethic.

Cheating and tricking her way.

She had to be stopped-- somebody had to...

It were meant to be her.

There was a time you could've taken your chances elsewhere.

An Olympic qualifier, coasting in a circus.

Until the regrets got so big, so bitter... ...they killed a man.

GEORDIE: But seeing someone grow up and grow beyond you, it's a hard thing.

You think so?

Mm.

I said as much to Cathy about Esme.

It'll be Ernie and James in no time.

(chuckles) I'd, uh, better be going.

Will.

Let's make the most of this summer.

Make it the best one ever.

Boss.

Mm?

Bag of money from the circus, lab reckons it's all fake.

I followed up on the pawn shop receipt, too-- couldn't find them.

The shop doesn't exist.

So no pawn shop and no money.

Weird, ain't it?

Hm.

You saw it, then it vanished.

It's kind of like an illusion.

WILL: I know at times, the world can feel like a circus.

Three billion acts, all trapped under the same big tent, all clamoring for attention.

It can be scary and disorientating.

It's no wonder that we cling on to old certainties.

They're the hands we hold in the dark.

But one day, we may reach out and find those hands are gone.

Or that by clinging tight to them, we've missed out on the chance to stand tall, to see further on our own.

We must accept change, as it always comes.

And we cannot let regret eat away at us.

Peter says, "Use whatever gift you have received to serve others."

For in the end, we have a duty to be all we can be.

I, uh, hope I'm not too late.

About the position?

No, not yet.

(click) (baby cooing) GEORDIE: Well, it's a baby.

We have a witness.

WILL: Ernie?

I love this place.

You having second thoughts?

No.

WILL: I just want to find the right moment.

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