The Ruth Rendell Mysteries: Next Chapters

MRS. FARADAY: All right, children, put the chairs on the table.

Quietly now, please!

Wanna go and play in my garden?

Dunno.

It's my night to go to gran's.

Oh, yeah.

Poor you.

It's good.

My dad comes home when he finishes work.

I hate my gran.

MRS. FARADAY: Quiet, please, quiet.

Goodbye, children.

Goodbye, Mrs. Faraday.

MRS. FARADAY: Off you go, then.

And no running.

Going to Pete's birthday Saturday?

Oh, shoot.

Dunno.

Haven't asked my mom.

Hello, Richard.

Has day gone fair you?

Fine.

Good.

Mom, Pete has asked me to go to his birthday on Saturday at Chessington Zoo.

- Yes, I know.

His mom phoned me today.

Can I go?

The thing is, Richard, I think it's not quite the right weather for Chessington.

And there's eight children going.

It's a lot with just the two to look after them.

And we don't know his parents very well.

I'll tell you what we'll do.

When the weather's good enough, your daddy and I take you to Chessington.

Wouldn't that'll be nice?

Now, just see you across the road.

Now, when your gran offers you eclairs or meringues, only accept the one.

She'll try to force you to take more.

I know what goes on.

But you don't want to be greedy, do you?

No, Mom.

Now, wait till you turn the corner, and then you run as fast as you can to your grandma's.

No stopping.

Understand?

Yes, Mom.

I'll take your school bag.

Off you go.

Tom.

Tom Tom.

Tom Tom.

Tommy.

Tom Tom.

Tom.

Hello.

Here you go, Tom.

Come, then.

Look at you.

Here, Tom Tom.

Southerly, southerly, southerly Blow bonnie breeze, my lover to me STANLEY: Hello, mom.

I finished work a bit early.

Hi.

I have-- what's for tea?

Fish and chips?

Isn't Richard coming?

What do you mean?

Isn't he here?

Oh, I do hope he's not ill. STANLEY: Oh, he was all right this morning.

Oh, she might have phoned to say that he wasn't coming.

You know, she never phones me.

She's just mollycoddling him.

She's his mother.

I suppose it's up to her.

Hello, dear.

It's only me.

What's the matter with Richard?

What's happened to him?

Where is he?

Oh my god.

Where is he, Stan?

He'd never run off.

He's been kidnapped.

Look.

We're doing what we can.

JEAN: Just go out and find him!

We need you to answer some questions.

But most of all, we need a photograph.

MAN (ON RADIO): Attention, all units.

Anyone in the vicinity of the multiplex in Academy Road?

POLICE OFFICER (ON RADIO): Roger that.

This is last year's school photograph.

Well, that's no good, Stan.

Get the album.

I put this year's in the album.

Yes, all right, all right, all right.

WOMAN POLICE OFFICER: Come on.

You sit down.

There's a new photograph in the album.

Come on, Stan, bring it here.

There's two I stuck in just last weekend.

Now, that's taken at John's fancy dress party.

John lives next door.

We let Richard play in his garden.

Oh, God.

What's happened to me?

Is this his new school photograph?

Oh, yes.

That's the proof we sent away for the enlargement.

Of course.

Can we take this, please?

Oh, of course.

Now, we have to get another copy of that size.

OFFICER: I'll get this distributed.

Oh, just find him.

Find him.

And he comes here every Wednesday?

Well, nearly every Wednesday.

It's the only time I see him.

INSPECTOR BANNISTER: Well, he lives around the corner, doesn't he?

Yes, in Petunia Street.

I'd never ask there.

On a Wednesday, his mother lets him come here, and my son comes, too.

I make a nice tea.

Oh, Richard likes coming here.

I mean, he wouldn't have run off because he doesn't want to come here.

I'm sure he wouldn't.

And he comes alone?

Yes, his mother sees him around the corner.

She won't come into this road in case I'm waiting by the door.

You see, if my arthritis isn't bad, I wait out there.

It was bad today, so I wasn't there.

Well, is there some history of trouble between you and his mother?

She never wanted me to marry Stanley.

Her son had gone for 40 years without getting married.

She thought he shouldn't get married at all.

Gee, that's unfair.

I don't care if it's unfair.

What's he got to do with where Richard is?

I'm just trying to establish if he might have had a reason to run off for a while.

Lots of boys do if something's upset them.

I saw him less than a minute before he should have been at his gran's.

He was not at all upset.

Oh God.

I'll never see him again.

INSPECTOR BANNISTER: Excuse me.

Your mother wanted to come round here, Mr. Clayton.

I couldn't stay there, Stan.

I'm sorry, Jean.

I had to know what was going on.

I feel it's all my fault.

Well, of course, it's your fault.

Jean.

OFFICER: Take it easy, Mrs. Clayton.

Why wasn't she watching for him at her door?

If she'd been at her door, he'd still be safe now.

Jean, I've told you.

Her arthritis is bad.

And when it's bad, it's not easy for her to get to the door.

I'm so sorry, Jean.

Yeah.

I'm sorry, mother-in-law.

It's not your fault.

I know it's not your fault.

I don't know whose fault it is, but it's somebody's fault.

If anybody's touched him, if anybody-- What's those been up to?

It's their kid, Richard.

They've lost him.

- Oh, yeah.

- How old?

Eight.

KEVIN: Has he done a bunk or something?

BRENDA: Dunno.

I wouldn't blame him.

They're Darwin, you know?

Old.

She wraps him up in cotton wool.

Plays with my brother sometimes.

Makes up for it then.

He goes wild.

Well, I just slap 'em both.

Oh, my God.

It's him.

Richie!

Richie, where the hell have you been?

They're all worried sick.

What happened to you?

What are they?

They're the police.

They're looking for you.

What have you been up to?

Where have you been?

In a car with a man.

What man?

What happened?

What did he do to you?

It doesn't matter.

Come on.

You're coming inside.

Come on.

Sorry.

I've got to take him home, Kev.

Mrs. Clayton!

Thank you.

BRENDA: Mrs. Clayton.

Mrs. Clayton, I've found him.

- Are you all right?

- Richard!

Richard!

Where have you been?

I've been out of my mind.

What's happened to you?

Have you been hurt?

Where have you been?

Jean!

Jean!

Come on, Son.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

Please, Darling.

Just tell me, what happened to you?

Tell me please.

Tell me.

Come on, Son.

Nobody's angry with you.

We were just worried.

Now, tell us where you've been.

BRENDA: He told me he'd been in a car with a man.

Thank God.

Is that where you were?

In a car with a man?

BRENDA: Well, that's what you told me.

I've told you never to go with strangers, never to talk to strangers.

I've told you so often.

Did-- did he touch you?

Did-- did he hurt you?

Oh, Richard, tell me, please!

Hello, Richard.

Richard.

You told Brenda.

Now tell us.

I don't remember.

Well, there's no obvious signs of interference, Inspector.

That's not to say there was no abuse.

No.

How is he otherwise?

Well, I'm pretty sure he's in genuine shock.

He's not just pretending to cover up some prank.

There's no knowing what might have brought the shock on.

Could have simply been the sight of the police.

I'll see what I can get out of him.

You'll have to play dodgems with the mother.

Difficult?

Not deliberately.

Richard, Inspector Bannister would like to talk to you.

Do you want to talk to him?

All right, but not for long.

And afterwards, you can come and sleep in my room.

Daddy doesn't mind the spare room, do you, Stanley?

STANLEY: Of course, not.

JEAN: You can have this chair, Inspector.

Now, Richard, I want you to tell me exactly what you remember from the moment you left your mother this afternoon.

JEAN: I saw him go down Plum Tree Grove and turn the corner into Lupin Street.

Mrs. Clayton, please let Richard tell me.

Did you go straight to your grandmother's house?

JEAN: Well, why didn't you?

Mrs. Clayton, please.

INSPECTOR BANNISTER: You remember what you did?

RICHARD: Played with the cat.

INSPECTOR BANNISTER: Where did you play with the cat?

RICHARD: Where the hut is.

INSPECTOR BANNISTER: Did you often play there when you go to your gran's?

RICHARD: Sometimes.

Then what happened?

What happened, Richard?

I looked up.

INSPECTOR BANNISTER: And what did you see?

What did you see, Richard?

What did you see?

Was it a man?

What happened next?

Mom screamed.

Mom screamed.

It was the shock of seeing you, I suppose, what might have happened to you.

And that's the next thing you remember, back here at home?

Mom screamed.

INSPECTOR BANNISTER: And you remember nothing about the man or the car, or if you went anywhere, or what happened in the car, or how you got back to Petunia Street?

Is he telling the truth, sir?

I don't know.

I wonder what happened in that car was so traumatic it's robbed him of his memory, or that boy is making the whole thing up.

If he isn't, the next kid he gets might not be so lucky.

You forget about it.

It's best.

Whatever awful things happened, you forget about it.

End of an era.

STANLEY: Shades of Upfield.

Very funny, Stanley.

You know what I mean.

Where are you going?

I'm going to say goodbye to mum.

Started painting the front.

JEAN: Oh, she wouldn't have liked that.

STANLEY: No.

JEAN: She was a wonderful woman.

You know, I sometimes think she and I getting together again was the only good thing that came out of-- you know, what that awful man did to Richard.

You know, I'm not sure that city will suit-- I won't be a minute.

Richard?

I thought it was you.

Hi, Richard.

Remember me?

Sally Spence, Plum Tree Grove School.

RICHARD: Oh, yes.

Hello, Sally.

Fancy seeing you here.

It's a long time.

We left Upfield when I was 12.

I know.

It's a bit far working here.

Yeah.

We live in Croydon now.

Really?

So do we.

I'm working in a lady's hairdresser's, just down the road.

So you're a hairdresser?

I wouldn't bet.

I'm doing makeup at college.

It's part of the course.

Oh.

So, you been working here long?

This is my second day.

SALLY: Oh.

Just trying to earn a bit of money and go to college.

SALLY: College?

Which one?

RICHARD: Bristol.

Oh, escaping the nest at last.

Sorry, I didn't mean-- No, I know you didn't.

Look, can I get you something?

No, I've got to go.

It was nice seeing you.

Bye, Richard.

Bye, Sally.

Have a nice day.

And don't forget, no leaving the school playground till I'm at the gate.

Richard must have his mommy.

Richard must have his mommy.

ALL CHILDREN: Mommy, mommy, mommy!

Richard loves his mommy.

Richard loves his mommy.

Mommy, mommy, mommy!

Mommy, mommy, mommy.

Why don't you shut up?

Just leave him alone.

Sally loves Richard.

ALL CHILDREN: Sally loves Richard.

Sally loves Richard.

Sally Spence?

She used to go to Plum Tree Grove school.

Yeah.

Redheaded girl.

That's right.

Very pretty, she used to be.

Is she still?

Didn't take much notice.

Just thought it was a coincidence that she moved down here.

That's all.

Hmm.

Excuse me.

Book to finish.

All right.

Don't tell me.

I smell a girlfriend at last.

That's not funny, Stanley.

Well, he is 18, Jean.

And most boys-- He's not most boys.

He was very nearly killed.

We don't know that.

Little girl was killed.

Jenny lived down the road.

We don't even know that anybody took Richard.

Don't start that one again.

Oh, all right.

They probably did.

Look, we don't know what happened, but there's no point in making him out to be a freak.

You know, Stanley, since your mother died, you've taken on more and more of her characteristics.

My son is not, and never was, a freak.

RICHARD: What did he do, Dad?

Does she know?

STANLEY: Well, none of us know.

Only what you've told us.

Take no notice.

No.

CAMERAMAN: Come on, children.

Look at the camera.

Smile.

Richie!

Got something to tell you.

You see this bit in the paper?

Which bit?

About this man, the boy, just like you.

In the borough news, my sister was reading it.

The prosecution said that Arthur Westlock, aged 56, of 17 Grange Road, Upfield, enticed a boy of eight into his car and sexually interfered with him.

I asked my sister what it meant.

Do you want to know?

RICHARD: What happened?

What happened?

I'm disgusting.

- Hello, again.

- Oh.

Hello, Sally.

Look, don't worry.

I won't keep you long.

Oh.

No, it's all right.

Just to say that my parents are going away Saturday night, and they say that I can have a party.

Would you like to come?

A party?

Saturday night.

We're open Sunday.

I'm working.

Monday is my day off.

What's that got to do with Saturday night?

I have to be up early, that's all.

You're 18, not 80.

No, I didn't mean-- Look, I'd really like you to come.

24, Parbrook Avenue, just off the London Road.

8 o'clock onwards.

Bring a bottle.

See you then, eh?

Bye, Richie.

RICHARD: Come in, Dad.

Are you sure you don't want to come to the pictures?

I've got a book to finish.

It seems a bit hard, stuck in on a Saturday night.

Honestly, I'm fine.

You should get yourself that car, you know?

I mean, you've passed your test.

Your gran left you one especially.

It's your mobile.

Get you out and about.

Dad, I'm looking.

I am.

Oh, good.

JEAN: Come on, Stanley.

We'll be late.

We'll miss the start.

The summons.

Well, see you, Son.

Bye, Dad.

Richie, I'm so glad you came.

Come on, come in.

I was beginning to think you'd chickened out.

You brought a bottle?

Well, let's get you a drink.

There's beer, wine, both colors, lager.

I'll have a beer, please.

I'll just get it.

I'm so glad you came.

I'll introduce you to some people.

You OK?

Yeah, yeah.

I was just wondering about-- which way is the toilet.

SALLY: Oh, it's upstairs, door on the right.

One minute.

Sally, where's the corkscrew?

RICHARD: I'm disgusting.

He should have killed me!

He should have killed me!

JEAN: Richard.

Yes, Mom.

JEAN: What are you doing?

Having a bath.

JEAN: At this time?

I felt sweaty.

JEAN: Well, you've locked the door?

I didn't know I had.

JEAN: We never lock the doors in this house.

Sorry.

JEAN: Don't be long.

No, Mom.

You should have killed me.

You should have killed me.

It's a nice job, this, sir.

One owner, only 28,000 miles.

Surprising sense of power for a car this size.

Would you like a test drive?

No.

Oh.

Thank you.

Would you like a look inside?

I'll take it.

Come on, then.

You're trespassing on private land.

Did you know that?

You're trespassing on private land.

Did you know that?

All the boys play here, mister?

Maybe, but that's no excuse.

Where do you live?

Up to the tight right.

Come on, then.

I think you'd better get in my car.

I'll take you home.

They won't be down there.

My mom is late Wednesday, and I haven't got no dad.

I'm to go straight home from school, have my tea, and wait till my mom comes at 7:00.

But you haven't, have you?

You've hung about here trespassing on other people's property.

Are you a policeman?

I'm a policeman.

So you're quite safe with me?

I am a policeman.

So you're quite safe for me.

Oh.

Come on.

Come on, then.

Are we going to the nick?

We may go to the police station later.

I want to talk to you first.

We'll go to Drywood Fort.

Where's that?

RICHARD: Oh, it's not far.

We'll go to Drywood Fort and have a talk.

There's some chocolate there.

Have a bit if you like.

Have it all if you like.

Put your seat belt on, then.

What's your name?

Barry.

RICHARD: And how old are you?

Eight.

Any brothers or sisters?

BARRY: No, just me and mum.

My mum said never get into stranger's cars.

My mum told me never to get in stranger's cars.

The cops are different, isn't it?

Quite different.

Different altogether.

RICHARD: You'll like the fort.

It's nice.

There's plenty of cannons to play on.

Where are the cannons?

Out there, and there.

You see?

Oh, yeah.

BARRY: Is this it?

Yeah.

Nice, isn't it?

Yeah.

I like coming here.

I try to think what it was like when it was full of soldiers.

THE MAN: I try to think what it was like when it was full of soldiers.

Yes!

I didn't know I was trespassing.

Honest.

I know you didn't, Barry.

And this time, if you listen to my warning and take notes of it and promise not to trespass on other people's property in the future, I don't think there'll be any need to take it further.

Do you understand?

- Yes, sir.

And you promise not to trespass on other people's property again?

Oh, no, sir, I won't, sir.

Good.

You on your own a lot then?

Till my mum comes home from work, but I've got my mates.

Good mates?

Yeah.

Must be nice.

Yeah.

When I was your age, it was a lot harder, too.

Never got to go out alone.

Why not?

Well, there were reasons.

Even at home, I was never really alone, even doing me homework.

She'd say, leave the door open, dear.

Don't want no secrets in this house, Bit like a prison, really.

Never got to play with my mates.

Never got to play anywhere.

It was pretty lonely, actually.

Didn't have one real friend.

Barry, will you be my friend?

Just for a few hours, you know?

All right.

Thanks.

BARRY: But you're grown-up now.

Race ya.

Do you like fish and chips?

There's a fish and chip van just back over there.

I like fish and chips.

No, no, it's better if I go alone.

Just wait here, OK?

OK. Hey!

Come on.

Good?

BARRY: Yeah.

What's the time?

Quarter past 6: 00.

I ought to be getting back now.

How about a game of hide and seek first?

Hide and seek?

Yeah.

Your mom won't be back yet.

I can get you up to Upfield in 10 minutes.

I don't know.

Suppose she gets in early.

Oh, please.

Please, just for a while.

I used to play hide and seek down here when I was a kid.

You said you never played anywhere.

You said you never.

Maybe I didn't.

Look, I'm a bit confused.

I would like to play now, though.

I'll hide first.

You count to 100.

No cheating.

Off you go, then.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

84, 85-- did he get me?

Did he get me?

86, 87, 88, 89.

What happened?

90.

What happened?

91, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100!

Gotcha!

Your turn.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.

13, 14.

Got ya!

I was quicker than you.

You're no Tom at all.

Better go home now.

Oh, one more go.

Come on, just one more go.

I don't know.

I think I ought to.

Oh, come on.

Just your turn.

See if I can find you any quicker.

All right, start counting.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.

Gotcha!

Oh, no.

Where the hell is he?

Come out, Barry.

Come out.

Barry!

I've had about enough of this.

Where the hell is he?

I'll find him.

I'll kill him.

Barry!

Barry!

Come out.

Come out at once!

You laughing at me?

Barry, run.

Run, Barry, run.

I'll kill you.

She knew it.

She knew it.

She must have known.

I'll save you not knowing.

You'll never not know.

I'll kill you!

Kill you!

Nothing happened.

Nothing happened.

He done nothing to me.

I remember it now.

He pulled my here.

He took me home.

He must have been pretty lonely, I suppose.

But nothing happened.

Put me down.

Put me down.

Sorry., Barry.

It was all making me dizzy.

But nothing happened.

See?

Nothing's going to happen.

Can I go home, please?

Yeah.

Sorry, Barry.

Of course.

You mustn't be late.

But we still had a good time, didn't we?

Oh, yeah.

Come on.

Which number?

BARRY: 36.

Upstairs flat.

RICHARD: Well, I'll drop you here.

It's only a few doors down.

Goodbye, mister.

Barry?

Thanks for the day.

BARRY: That's all right.

Goodbye, Barry.

Bye.

MRS.

PARKS: Anything could have happened, anything.

Men like that need locking up.

POLICEMAN: We're doing our best, Mrs.

Parks.

But we can only do it with Barry's help.

Now, Barry, we want you to tell us anything you remember.

I remember everything.

Blow the wind southerly, southerly, southerly Blow the wind south o'er the bonny blue sea Blow the wind southerly, southerly, southerly Blow, bonnie breeze, my lover to me Blow, bonnie breeze, my lover to me