Home Fires

This is Masterpiece.

I kept my word, and I've told no one that you're here.

Previously, on "Home Fires."

I can't go back.

It's mine.

The book, yes.

The contents, most definitely not.

You saved nine men from the ship before it sank.

You're a hero, son.

No, no.

NICK: Walking you to school, I realized I want to ask you to marry me.

I will.

We're shutting your factory down, Mrs. Barden.

With immediate effect.

"Home Fires," tonight, on Masterpiece.

Scour the outhouses.

Sir.

Ma?

We have permission to search your property.

For what?

We'll be quick.

...only now the others hold no meaning for me I see with wide open eyes of blindness I leave the ever-calling cries in silence Every place we go, we shouldn't go We see, we shouldn't see We know, we'll never know We'll go, then all I want All I see All I fear is waiting for me JENNY: Of course I was nervous to begin with.

Working here is one thing, but it hardly prepares you for radio operator training.

I imagine it must be very technical.

You can't make mistakes when you're talking to pilots on ops against the Germans.

"Ops" means "operations," by the way.

Oh, is that right?

You have to be prepared for every eventuality because, as my instructor says all the time, "Your first shift could be your worst shift."

Well, it's lovely of you to come back and see us.

Isn't it, Pat?

I've always believed as we move forward in life, it's important not to forget the people we leave behind.

Well, it's an honor to linger in your thoughts.

I'm...

I'm sure.

FRANCES: It took Peter 23 years to build up this business, four months for me to bring it to its knees.

When I took over, I trusted Taylor without a moment's hesitation.

That he brought criminals into this business is utterly incredible.

Lyons must have paid him a great deal of money.

I hope it rots in his pockets in jail.

If the ministry shuts us down, there'll be no business to sell.

I'll be lucky to avoid prison myself.

This isn't your fault.

If not mine... who else's?

Well, you're lucky you caught me.

I was just about to leave.

To meet your fiance.

What, to counsel her to change her mind before it's too late?

(faint laughter) SARAH: The wedding committee meeting.

Ah.

To finalize the responsibilities of the reception.

Look, I didn't want to burden Teresa with this so soon before the wedding, but I needed someone to talk to, and the best person I could think of was you.

One of my young airmen has gone missing.

What?

Yeah, for nearly a week.

We've contacted his parents, searched local farms, woodland-- no sign.

And the thing I can't seem to shake is feeling that I've failed in my duty of care.

Why would you think that?

Well, I clearly failed to see how much pressure he was under.

It must be difficult to notice when everyone's knuckling down to the job in hand.

I'm his commanding officer.

Why didn't he regard me as someone he could confide in?

I told Adam years ago that his dog collar doesn't make him omniscient; it just makes him think that he should be.

(chuckles) Beneath the uniform, you're just men trying to do your best in extraordinary circumstances.

If he's caught, what will happen to him?

Let's just say it would be best all round if he returned of his own volition.

Knew I was right.

About what?

Coming to see you.

I should be going.

I'll see myself out.

(door closes) (laughing) Right, right, right, looking down the list... Well, I think everything's covered except for decorating the hall for the reception.

I'd say you're all set!

Thank you so much-- you've all been fantastic.

Sorry I'm late.

Errands to run.

We didn't have hall decorations when we got married.

Didn't even have a hall.

Just a barn with a leaky roof.

(laughing) Me and Bryn had a guard of honor when we came out of the church.

Five butchers on either side with their arms aloft, holding gleaming cleavers.

(laughing) What was it about Bryn that made you certain he was the man for you?

Well, that's easy.

Once I met Bryn, I knew I'd never want anyone else.

Aw... Why?

What was it about Will?

The same.

(laughing) What was it about Mr. Simms?

He was very kind.

And he shared my love of literature.

So what is it about Nick?

Well...

I had a feeling once I'd met him... ...that he'd be the only man for me.

You're very good at posting the letters.

You're a postman in the making, aren't you?

Mrs. Cameron!

For Mrs. Cameron.

And who might this young man be?

My name is Noah.

Noah.

What a lovely name.

He's staying with Mrs. Barden while his grandparents find a new place to live.

Their street in Liverpool was badly bombed during a raid.

Very pleased to meet you, Noah.

And if you're staying with Mrs. Barden, you'll be in very good hands.

And if they aren't hers?

She's taken him in, but it seems to be everyone else looking after him.

Mainly Claire.

No doubt Mrs. Barden is busy at the factory.

Even when she's at home.

I was really surprised when Claire first told me, then I saw for myself.

Not what you'd expect from Mrs. Barden.

It certainly doesn't sound like her.

I assumed she'd be a dab hand with children.

As enjoyable as it may be riding with Mr. Wilson, young man, handling the Royal Mail really should be undertaken by post office employees.

Sorry.

He's not really handling the mail, Mrs. Cameron.

Just posting them for me.

I make sure all the letters go in the right place.

I'm sure you do, Mr. Wilson.

We'd best get on.

Enjoy your day, gentlemen.

(women talking over each other) Oh, Sarah.

Mm?

The only thing we haven't managed to find is a tablecloth good enough to set off the wedding cake.

I remember there was this really lovely one at last year's Harvest Festival.

Oh!

Was that yours?

It was the best thing I ever made under the banner of the W.I.

It took me three years, mind.

It's beautiful-- any chance?

Of course, I'd be honored.

Thank you.

I'll come back with you and pick it up.

Well, why don't I just pop it round later?

Because I don't want to put you to any trouble.

It's no trouble.

Don't be daft, it's on my way home.

(door closes) REYNOLDS: Sorry to keep you, Mrs. Scotlock.

Please take a seat.

(typewriter keys clattering) It's my advance.

I can't tell you how good it feels to finally hold this check.

So many dark days.

And when the book takes off, we'll be able to buy a bigger place.

Dine out regularly.

Buy a car.

I don't want any of those things.

The status that comes from being the wife of a bestselling author.

I don't want that.

Well, then what do you want?

Let me make you some lunch.

Bob, you must be hungry.

Yeah, I am, actually.

Quite an appetite.

And then after lunch, I'm going to go and bank this.

I could run to the shop for some ham, if you like.

We still have some left on the ration.

There's no need to go out.

I'll have whatever you can rustle up from here.

I don't mind.

I said there's no need to go out.

So there's no need to go out.

I'm afraid it's out of my hands.

What do you mean, out of your hands?

You assured me whatever the Lyons did, the factory would not be harmed.

We assumed they'd simply channel dirty profits from other enterprises through the factory's books.

We had no idea that they'd attempt anything as contemptible as this.

I betrayed the trust and loyalty of a very dear friend.

You decided you wanted to serve your country.

Not at the expense of everything else!

What's going to happen to the factory?

Its fate lies in the hands of the Air Ministry inspectors.

Neither myself nor Frances Barden knew anything about the sub-standard silk.

She believes she might end up in prison over this.

Could she?

We live in unforgiving times, Mrs. Scotlock.

Oh, God.

Sarah... Mm?

Do you have anyone staying with you at the moment?

Uh, no.

Why do you ask?

I think you should fetch the police.

Why?

I'm almost certain your house is being burgled.

Everything's perfect.

Your blood pressure, the baby's heartbeat, all exactly where we want it to be.

That's fantastic news.

I'll be honest with you.

When he went missing at sea, I was concerned about how your pregnancy might be affected by any anxiety you were feeling.

But since...

Since... David.

David, yes.

Since David has returned, I've had no concerns whatsoever.

It's as if you were two different people.

We are, Doctor.

Completely different.

I understand, and I would have to be a criminal or criminally insane to do that, but I could be facing a charge of treason, for God's sake!

Keep trying, Roger.

Please.

I feel I'm fighting for my life here.

Sorry to disturb you, Mrs. Barden.

What is it?

Cookie and Thumbs have invited Isobel, Spencer, and me to join them on their overnight trip to Blackpool this afternoon.

I see.

Claire hasn't had any time off since Mr. Barden's funeral, Mrs. Barden.

And I'd quite like to spend some time with my wife.

It is extremely short notice.

Everything's pretty quiet here at the moment.

I hope you don't think we're being unfair, Mrs. Barden.

Well, I understand, of course.

Time together is very important in a young marriage.

And Noah will almost certainly love Blackpool.

Well, look, Mrs. Barden, the thing is... Time off for Claire means time off, Mrs. Barden.

So we won't be taking Noah.

On this occasion.

On this occasion.

Well, I...

I hope you have a very enjoyable time.

Thank you, Mrs. Barden.

Thank you, Mrs. Barden.

(door opens) Are you out of your mind, Sarah?

We're told every day how grave things are.

How invasion could be just around the corner.

My husband's laying his life on the line for his country.

Yours is, too.

And you're harboring a deserter?

He's not a deserter.

Has he gone back?

Well, not yet.

I took pity on him, Steph.

If you'd seen the state that he was in, and I don't mean physically... Sarah, you have to tell the authorities.

Each time I braced myself to do that, a question came into my head.

"What would Adam do?"

He would give the boy time to rest, come to his senses, and then hand himself in.

I shouldn't be more than a couple of hours.

While I'm gone, I wonder if you wouldn't mind proofreading the first three chapters.

I think there's some good work in there, some of it less good.

Make some notes and we can discuss it when I get back.

That will take most of the afternoon.

But this is part of the change I'm talking about.

Working as a team, to get my best work out there.

I'd really appreciate it.

All right.

See you later.

See you later.

(door thuds closed) (locks click open) (change jingling) (operator speaking) Yes, Tabley Wood R.A.F.

station, thank you.

Hello?

MAN: You've reached Tabley Wood.

I need to speak to Wing Commander Lucas.

(engine roaring) NICK: Nervous?

Why?

Should I be?

Well, as a compassionate bigamist, I like to ask all my fiances how they're doing in the run-up to the big day.

You know, I find out something new and interesting about you every time I see you.

(laughing) That's what I like to see in the run-up to a wedding: the happy couple being happy.

And now I'm about to spoil the mood.

You couldn't possibly.

I'm being slated to deliver a few planes over the next few days.

If confirmed, it seems unlikely that I'll make it back to Cheshire for the wedding.

Well, I'll send someone to fetch you.

I'm sure you can do a lot of things, Wing Commander, but I'm equally sure that you can't do that.

(laughs) WOMAN: Sir?

Could I speak to you for a moment?

Yes, of course.

Excuse me.

All set?

Set?

The wedding?

Oh, yes, I think so.

Excited?

Extremely.

It's a big step.

It is.

Eyelash-- may I?

Perfect once more.

Hardly.

I do understand why you're marrying Nick.

Because I love him.

Why else?

You know, when I'm in the air, I often look down at the houses below and wonder how many of us have taken refuge in marriage and normality.

Hundreds?

Thousands?

More?

No way of knowing, of course.

Refuge?

What I'm trying to say is, if you're going to marry Nick, be certain that you can make him happy.

Because if you can't be certain, all you'll achieve is to make two very lovely people extraordinarily miserable.

NICK: I'm afraid something's come up that I need to attend to.

I have to go.

Well, surely no one needs your attention more two days before your wedding than the bride-to-be.

NICK: This is more pressing.

I'll drive you home.

Bye.

We should go.

Enjoy yourself with Mrs. Barden.

Hm?

Shall we go in?

Sarah!

Sarah!

(engine starting) What would you like to do now?

Go to my room.

Very well.

Cookie's left supper.

I'll call you down when it's time.

It's not ideal, but it will do for a night.

I can't thank you enough for all your help.

Well, you should have enough peace and quiet here to think things through.

No candles, no lights.

Nick!

Was he in the vicarage while we were talking?

Sorry, who was in the vicarage?

I can only assume you think you're helping him.

You are not.

Is he still there, or have you moved him into the church?

I honestly have no idea what you're talking about.

"Honestly"?

Is that really the word you want to use?

I don't know what you think's going on here... Sarah, stop.

Before I lose all my respect for you.

Someone who cares about you greatly left a message with my secretary.

I know.

Nick... You might at least have had the decency to stop me making a fool of myself in your house while you hid him upstairs.

Now, for the last time, where is he?

Let me just explain something.

Step aside.

How many are you expecting?

No way of telling.

Could be two, could be 22.

You'll be fine.

If you'd already come to a decision about your next move, we wouldn't be standing here.

Come back to the station with me and the record will state that you came back of your own accord after a period of going absent without leave.

And if I refuse?

When you're caught, which you will be, you will almost certainly stand trial for desertion, and there will be nothing I can do.

I want to help.

(exasperated sigh) (crowd chattering) (clears throat) I want to thank you all for coming this evening to this first meeting of Great Paxford's very own branch of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Families Association.

I only heard of SSAFA recently, after they helped the mother of a sailor on David's ship trace our address.

But knowing what I know now about the work that SSAFA does, I wish we'd been in touch with them during that terrible period that... That terrible period of...

Sorry.

(sobbing) I couldn't sign up fast enough.

When my ship was attacked, I ended up in the water clinging on to anything that could float, and I thought about everything.

But what upset me the most was knowing what my parents would go through if I never came back.

War isn't just about the lads that go and fight.

It's also about the families we leave behind.

And we all go through it together.

(crowd murmurs in agreement) (applause) Nick...

I can't tell you how much I wish you'd been able to trust me, because now it seems I'll never be able to trust you again.

That's not fair.

Perhaps not.

But that's how it is.

I have to go before we waste yet more hours in a search that could have been called off a week ago.

(sighs) What?

Once we finish this, there's no going back.

Do you want to go back?

Are you sure?

Well, you'd better keep sewing.

Nothing gets a wedding off to a bad start more than a bride turning up half-dressed.

(footsteps approaching) NOAH: I'm ready.

I know Claire reads you a story before you go to bed.

You won't mind if I don't?

No.

(knocking) Wait here and I'll take you up.

Good evening, Frances.

I hope I haven't called at an inopportune moment.

I'd invite you in, Joyce, but we have an evacuee staying and I'm about to put him to bed.

Yes, I met young Mr. Lakin this morning when he was helping Mr. Wilson with his postal rounds, having a fine old time.

Did Noah tell you his surname?

No, he didn't.

But this did.

What is it?

Something I confiscated from Miss Marshall a few months ago, after catching her taking notes from conversations at the exchange.

Several conversations between Peter and Helen Lakin seems to have drawn her ear.

If it's any consolation, I doubt very much Miss Marshall would have made the connections that I made.

And which connections would those be?

I think it is most admirable that you've taken the child in, given the circumstances.

The circumstances being that his street was recently bombed and his house rendered uninhabitable.

In Liverpool, where he lives with his grandparents.

Yes.

Following the recent death of his parents in a tragic car accident in Great Paxford.

His mother died recently in a car accident in Great Paxford.

As far as I'm aware, the child never knew his father.

That is the way I should like it to stay.

As you wish.

Thank you for calling, Joyce, but I... Oh, no, no, that's not the only reason I called.

I was emptying some old boxes and I happened across a trunk that had my son's old toys, and I wondered if Noah might make use of some tin soldiers.

Some adults find it hard to lower themselves to a child's level, especially if their child isn't their own.

It's a shame to let them rust at the bottom of a trunk.

And the notebook?

Goodnight, Frances.

And good luck.

Noah?

Noah?

Noah?

Noah?

(light snoring) Oh, Noah... (sniffling) (crying) (birds chirping) Thank you, ladies!

All decorations on the trestle tables at the back, please!

Thank you.

(inaudible conversation) Hello.

Hi.

I saw you at the meeting.

It's Katie.

Oh, yeah, yeah.

I really enjoyed your speech the other night.

It was really moving.

That's very kind, thank you.

Um...

I hope to see you again sometime.

Sure.

Get a move on.

We're due on shift in half an hour.

I'm going as fast as I can.

Who was that girl you were talking to?

Someone at the SSAFA meeting.

She likes you.

She just brought in some decorations.

So she "just" brought decorations.

It's the way she "just" brought them.

Just stop it, all right?

Why don't you ask her to the pictures, or on one of your marathon walks in the country?

Why do you think?

I don't understand.

I could tell how keen she was from up there.

If Tom had what I have on my back, you wouldn't want to kiss him once, let alone as much as you do.

No girl would.

That's not true.

That's easy to say.

You're right.

I wouldn't want to kiss him once.

I'd want to kiss him a thousand times for what he'd been through.

You're only saying that.

Some girls might not want to be with you because of your injuries, but no girl worth her salt.

And certainly no girl worth you.

JENNY: Welcome home, Cavalier.

Stay on your present course and listen out for our signal.

Repeat, hold your course and listen out for our signal, over.

PILOT: Thank you, Control.

I escaped prosecution.

I can't tell you how relieved I am.

But at the cost of canceling our contracts and closing the factory for good.

Yes.

You knew?

I have a contact in the police who telephoned me this morning.

What do you mean you have a contact within the police?

The same contact who encouraged me to bring the Lyons brothers into the factory.

Knowing they were criminals?

Because they were criminals.

The police wanted to observe their activity, and the factory gave them the perfect opportunity.

What on earth are you talking about?

I was given an assurance that the Lyons brothers wouldn't be able to harm the business in the long term.

An assurance that's turned out to be worthless.

How did you become involved with the police?

How?

Oh...

I made a single mistake that spiraled into another mistake.

And now into the loss of this factory, the jobs of everyone who worked here, my reputation, while you walk away scot free.

I can assure you that that isn't the case.

My conscience... Oh, weighs heavily upon you.

Extremely.

I have lost everything!

Everything.

Every single thing.

First through Peter, and now through you.

If I could turn back the clock...

I would cross the street to avoid you.

I have to get back.

The wedding.

After what you've done, how you can show your face in public is utterly beyond me.

Are you looking for something?

My book.

Mrs. Miniver?

I thought it was in my bag.

I took it back to the library when I banked the check.

But I haven't finished it.

I thought you should start to read the books that I like to read.

Then we can discuss them.

Together, like we used to.

I can't have you choosing which books I read, Bob.

It's more intellectually stimulating for you.

I also think you should step down as secretary of the WI.

What?

Well, it takes time away from the things we could be doing together.

You've already made me resign from the telephone exchange.

You've been secretary long enough.

Let someone else do it.

Isn't that for me to decide?

I think that you've been doing it for so long that you've lost all perspective on how much of your time it consumes.

Can't let you dictate what I can and can't do, what I can and can't read, who I can and can't see.

Dictate?

I'm not dictating, Pat.

Well, I just thought you'd like to spend more time with me now that my career is taking off again.

Well, I'm not saying that I wouldn't.

I simply need to be able to choose what I can and can't do with my own time.

Your own time?

Well, that's a very selfish idea, don't you think?

I don't see it as "your time" or "my time."

There's just "our time."

Now, I'm going to get ready for the wedding.

I suggest you do the same.

Let's show the village what a bona fide literary couple looks like, eh?

(crying) Right over left and under.

And then left over right... And pull.

Oh.

Where's Claire?

Putting the finishing touches to the hall.

We're meeting her at the church.

Do you want to play with us?

After the wedding, I'd love to.

I'll be ready to leave in 15 minutes.

(crowd chattering) Just... just say if you need to rest.

I'm fine.

(organ starts playing) Ready?

(organ playing "Wedding March") (organ music stops) Wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony?

Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her so long as ye both may live?

I will.

VICAR: Wilt thou have this man as thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony?

Wilt thou obey him and serve him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as you both may live?

I will.

VICAR: Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?

Oh!

VICAR: Then shall they give... Now?

Go and tell him to come.

I, Nicholas, take thee, Teresa... Dr. Campbell, the baby's coming.

VICAR: To have and to hold from this day forward, for better... Bring her into the surgery.

You all right?

Take that.

You, uh... MIRIAM: Oh, it's not time yet, Bryn.

WILL: All right, Miriam.

That's good.

Ooh, ooh, God... That's fine, just breathe.

Ooh... Breathe.

WILL: Deep breath.

MIRIAM: Ooh...

I'm right here, Miriam!

Right here!

(playing jaunty dance music) I don't want you thinking you have to avoid me because you telephoned him.

I thought it was the right thing to do.

I'm sorry.

It's being resolved.

I'm glad.

MAN: Funny thing, what love can do Take a little look at me Yesterday, I was so blue Bluer than the deep blue sea Now I'm singing, whistling a tune All the live-long day If you want to know just why I can truthfully say I've got a feeling about her It was something she said Now she's got me walking on the tip of my toes And my hat's on the side of my head All my troubles are mended She's got the needle and thread 'Cause she's got me walking on the tip of my toes And my hat's on the side of my head Oh, that wonderful smile Oh, I fell from the start... Do you, uh... Do you want another drink?

No, Bob.

I want another life.

What did you just say?

I've had enough.

Yeah, I think you probably have.

Of you.

I'm going to leave.

Leave?

You're going to leave me when I'm on the verge of success?

I don't want any part of it.

Sit down.

Where were you thinking of going?

To Marek?

Go on then, Pat, be quick.

He's leaving in, uh... ...ten minutes.

You know, I would say approximately, but you know how fastidious the military is about timekeeping.

How do you know?

From the horse's mouth.

I followed you until I finally caught you whoring after that Czech bastard.

You knew all this time?

So much of life is about timing, Patricia.

You are sick!

Sick of your disloyalty.

Sick to the back teeth of being disrespected by an ungrateful bitch of a wife!

Oh, ungrateful?!

What have I got to be grateful for, Bob?

The incessant put-downs?

The constant disregard?

The jealousy towards anything that takes me away from the house?

Or should I be grateful for the violence knocking me back into my place?

Or the way you need to control every hour of my day so that I feel more like a slave than anything resembling a wife?

Shh!

Marek is worth ten of you.

A hundred.

A thousand.

Ungrateful?

Just let me go.

Never ever.

You're not the man you were.

Don't leave me.

(crying) (men shouting, car engines revving) JENNY: Tabley Wood to Tower 9.

Please report.

Anything?

Not yet.

Come in, Clover.

(garbled talking) Come in, Clover.

(garbled talking) Come in, Clover.

(Miriam groaning) You're doing brilliantly, Mim!

WILL: I can see the crown, Miriam, keep pushing.

They can see the crown, Mim!

MIRIAM: I'm in labor, not deaf!

(groaning) Everything is going terribly well, Bryn.

And Miriam is in very good hands.

But it has been suggested that your encouragements through the door are proving an unwelcome distraction.

So if I may suggest that you make yourself comfortable in the front room, and I will come and fetch you the minute your presence is required.

I was simply lending my support, Mrs. Cameron.

But very loudly.

You'll... you'll come and get me the moment it's out?

The moment it's out.

(Miriam groaning) Control to Clover.

Do you read me, please?

(engine roaring) DAVID: Yes.

I'll get the distance and elevation.

Okay, uh... Christ, he's coming in low.

Come in, Clover.

(garbled talking) Come in, Clover.

(explosion) (gasps) (Miriam groaning loudly) Come in!

(static hissing) Come in!

(explosion) (fire crackling) (crashing) (fire crackling) (baby crying) Go to our website, listen to our podcast, watch video, and more.

To order this program on Blu-ray or DVD, or the original novel, visit shopPBS.org or call us at 1-800-play-PBS.