This is Masterpiece.

Well, I don't know what to say, except...

Previously on "Home Fires."

MAREK: My name is Captain Marek Novotny, and I'm very sorry that you were involved, Mrs.... Simms.

SARAH: Unfortunately, Reverend Collingborne has been taken prisoner.

His wife is divorcing him for adultery and plans to publicly name me as the other party.

(crying): I don't know what to do.

Keep Mrs. Barden away.

Keep Mrs. Barden away!

"Home Fires," tonight, on Masterpiece.

(bird cawing) (twig crackles nearby) (men speaking indistinctly) (breath trembling) ♪ I can see them talking ♪ ♪ But I only hear their voices in my head ♪ ♪ Waiting for the moment they'll be calling to me ♪ ♪ And if I try ♪ ♪ I'll remember all the words I've never said ♪ ♪ 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... ♪ (theme continues, lyrics overlapping) (siren blaring) They pick their moments, don't they?

Where's Mrs. Barden?

We tried to bring her in but she's refusing.

(siren continues) Number, please, caller?

Hello, caller-- number, please?

Frances, Frances!

You need to come into the shelter immediately!

Helen Lakin is being buried today.

A part of me feels I ought to be there.

Peter held her work in such high regard.

Frances...

I want to stay here.

And get killed?

Frances?

(firmly): I want to stay here.

Then I'm staying with you.

(engines roaring overhead) You ought to bring a cushion down.

A woman in your condition needs to be comfortable.

I'm fine.

Here, let me fold up my coat for you to sit on.

I'm perfectly capable of sitting on a bench.

Thank you all the same.

So today's the day, then, is it?

Be honest, have I overdone it?

You look great.

Will the buses still be running if there's a raid?

One way or another, you'll get through.

(plane engines roaring) Laura?

Are you still coming this week?

School outing with the kids?

The outing, yes.

Well, the girls, they'll interrogate you like they're in the Gestapo.

And the boys will literally fall over themselves to impress you.

Laura?

So you'll come then?

Yes.

Terrific.

(all-clear siren starts up) MAN: Right then, that's the all clear.

Laura?

(sirens winding down) Most operators refuse to stay during the raid.

You handled it very well.

Thanks.

When I was told you'd be training me my heart sank.

You know, I never set out to steal Spencer from you.

Clearly.

You couldn't have done that even if you'd wanted to.

Oh, I think I could have.

Believe me, no.

No, I was looking to offload him for some time and you did me a huge favor by showing an interest when you did.

After all, what girl wouldn't rather have a pilot over a postman?

Well... me?

I see what you mean.

But-- no offense-- you don't count.

Why?

Let's leave it there, shall we?

WILL: Laura?

What is it?

"Charlotte Bowers "is to divorce Wing Commander Richard Bowers on grounds of adultery."

"The co-respondent is named as Miss Laura Campbell of Great Paxford, Cheshire."

(footsteps retreating) (door closes) (horn honks) Oh, I'm looking for Mr. Simms.

Yes.

Over there.

I tried to come earlier, but there was a raid.

(murmuring): ...water, please.

Thank you.

Thank you for coming.

Dad!

Dad.

I was...

I was just passing.

I...

I wanted to see how you were.

After everything.

Like the hat, by the way.

Oh-- well, Adam thinks it suits me.

Everything suits you.

I don't really know why I'm bothering with all of this.

The Germans already have Adam.

They'll have his garden soon enough.

Well, some of us are working day and night to make sure that doesn't happen.

Germany has everything.

I mean, they have everything that the French had, plus everything that we left behind at Dunkirk.

Sarah...

The French had a much bigger army than us.

What chance do we have?

Sometimes the pressure of everything that's happening actually feels palpable.

As if I could reach up and push against it.

I know, I know.

It's as if it's bearing down on us.

You feel it, too?

Mm-hmm.

From the minute I wake up.

But thankfully, we have a thing called beer.

Beer works wonders against all that.

Well, me, it's gardening and a spot of violent weeding.

Well, perhaps you should find a different pressure valve, because that weed happens to be a rather nice foxglove.

(panting) (gasping) (drawers opening and closing) I thought we kept the map of the farm in the dresser drawer.

What?

The map of the farm, Steph.

Where is it?

I don't know.

Right.

Stan, if it's not in the dresser, I don't know where it is.

Can't it keep till morning?

Do you think the German High Command shuts up shop when the sun goes down?

What are you talking about?

Stan, come back to bed.

While we sleep, they plan.

Go up.

I need to get on.

With what?

I haven't got time for a debate.

Stan.

Come to bed.

You go.

I can't sleep.

Ready?

FRANCES: What do I do now?

(man clears throat) Sarah.

Well, what is it, Mr. Pryor?

There is an aspect of Peter's will I need to discuss with Frances with some urgency.

It can wait.

Ordinarily, I wouldn't dream of suggesting this now, but as the family solicitor, under the circumstances...

Circumstances?

I'll wait at the house.

How many more, for crying out loud?

Show some respect.

PRYOR: So far, so straightforward.

But we now come to the matter of the factory.

In the event of his death, Peter has instructed that his business interests should principally be transferred to you, Frances.

SARAH: Principally?

Principally.

Surely that should be entirely?

PRYOR: In a codicil to his will, Peter instructed that 20% of the company should be placed in a separate trust.

For who?

While the size of the portion placed in trust can be disclosed, the identity of the beneficiary cannot.

May I see?

Well, there must be some mistake, Roger.

In all conscience, I felt you had to know at the earliest opportunity.

What does this all mean?

Well, that's the last of it.

What a poky little place this is.

It's not too late to change your mind.

Nor you yours.

I give you a week before you telephone, begging me to bring you back.

I've told you what it'll take for me to make such a request, Douglas.

That ball is entirely in your court.

One week.

(door opens and closes) Hurry up, Stan.

I want to get it all out before the sun goes down.

What's all this?

Littering the fields with old machinery to stop the Jerries being able to land.

You what?

They've done it all over the south.

When they try and land further north we need to make sure they can't.

Don't you mean "if"?

Get changed.

Check the outhouses for old cartwheels, feeding troughs, anything big enough to foul up a German undercarriage.

ALISON: Off to the hospital?

That's right, yes.

Pass on my best wishes to Bob.

Thank you, I shall.

No milk.

No?

No.

There was a... a coffeehouse outside Ostrava I used to frequent as a student.

The owner threw out anyone who asked for milk with their coffee.

For him it was cerná káva or the door.

In time I learned he was right.

Cerná káva.

Cerná káva it is.

(sighs) Have you been to see your husband?

He's quite badly injured.

Weaker than I've ever seen him.

He'll expect me to wait on him hand and foot when he comes back home.

As his wife or as his servant?

Why do you say that?

You told me about a man who does not like flowers because it makes him think of his own mortality.

Who does not want children because they will get in the way of his work.

It makes me wonder how such a man thinks of you.

And why such a woman would stay with such a man.

And what she... ...might see in me.

Part of me thought Bob might never return.

Thought?

Or hoped?

I've tried to imagine what it would feel like.

Does that make me a terrible person?

No.

Not to me.

I enjoyed the feeling.

Terrible now?

(laughs softly) CLAIRE: Mrs. Barden?

JOYCE: Mrs. Barden?

If now is not a suitable time, I completely understand, but I felt compelled to come and offer my deepest condolences.

Oh, no, please, I... You were the last person I expected to see.

I discovered that the sea air is not all that it's cracked up to be.

So you're back for good?

Well, let's just say that my situation is in a state of flux.

Thank you, Claire.

Please.

Peter gave me that bench for our 20th wedding anniversary.

We used to sit there in the warm evenings.

Such a tragedy.

Your husband was a gentleman.

So... where are you and Douglas living?

I saw your house had been requisitioned.

I've taken a house on the outskirts of the village.

Frances, my mother was always fond of saying that life would be exceedingly boring if it took a linear path, no bumps or twists.

No surprises.

But then at times like this, what one would give for simple, dependable boredom.

I'd give everything I have for another minute with him.

Every single thing.

DR. MANFORD: Thank you for coming in this morning, Dr. Campbell.

If you're anything like other doctors we've treated, I imagine you've read everything there is to read about this treatment.

Pretty much.

So forgive me if what I'm about to say sounds like I'm teaching you to suck eggs.

Is sucking eggs part of the procedure?

I must have missed that particular article.

If only it were.

We'll need you here every day for five weeks.

Well, I've rearranged my surgery hours.

Rearranged?

Dr. Campbell, this treatment won't just tire you out a tad-- it will exhaust you physically and mentally.

I understand.

Dad seemed pretty washed out from his treatment this evening.

Perhaps it would have been better if one of us had stayed with him.

He just needs to rest, he'll be fine.

I think one of us should be with him.

Laura!

I'm going back.

(door opens) I thought she'd gone to live by the sea.

(whispering): Perhaps the sea went round and asked her to leave.

Welcome back, Mrs. Cameron.

It's nice to see you.

I don't trust her.

(clears throat) Let's, uh, start with apologies for her absence from our president, Mrs. Barden.

May I propose that we postpone this evening's meeting out of respect for Frances?

JOYCE: I...

I visited Mrs. Barden yesterday afternoon.

And it was painfully apparent that she is in no condition to continue as president for the foreseeable future.

I completely agree.

STEPH: Surely we can soldier on for the moment?

JOYCE: Can a ship steer a true course without its rudder, Mrs. Farrow?

However great our compassion for Mrs. Barden at this terrible time...

The branch needs a viable president.

Here we go.

Do you have someone in mind, Mrs. Cameron?

Actually, I do.

Yes.

Oh.

You think I'm suggesting myself.

No, no, no, no.

But I wouldn't hesitate in proposing Mrs. Simms.

Me?

As branch secretary, you have been formidable in your organizing over many years.

You know the W.I.

protocol inside out.

As a rough show of hands, who would support Mrs. Simms taking over?

That's very flattering, of course, but I couldn't take it on.

Not with Bob back.

I'm sorry.

Then the only viable alternative is you, Mrs. Cameron.

Me?

You have the experience, the skill.

You have the time to guide this branch until Frances is able to return.

As a rough show of hands, who would support Mrs. Cameron taking over?

In the short term.

In the short term.

I'm really not sure about this.

(clearing throat) On behalf of all the staff here, I'd like to offer our sincere condolences.

Mr. Barden was a wonderful employer.

He'll be sadly missed by everyone.

Thank you, Mr. Taylor.

Um... it was the, uh, accounts you wish to see?

Yes.

Do you want to look at these here or at home?

TAYLOR: I'll get someone to help you.

Oh, I think we can manage these to the car.

But these only cover the current quarter.

This area holds the full Barden accounts.

Bob.

I wondered when you were planning on coming back.

I had errands to run.

I've brought you some cigarettes.

No chocolate?

We've run out.

Sorry.

I'll bring some next time.

How are you feeling?

Well, they've reduced the morphine, which is a good sign, I suppose.

But I'm still in a lot of pain.

The doctor told me there's no possibility of you climbing stairs for some time, so I'm putting a bed in the study.

Bob, what happened?

Stray artillery landed 50 feet from where I was standing.

Lifted me clean off my feet.

Shrapnel hit my arm, pulped my leg, broke my tibia.

We're lucky you weren't killed.

Could've been worse.

Let me help.

Thank you.

That said, I have come back with an idea for a new novel.

Set on the beach at Dunkirk.

And dedicated to my fellow veterans.

That's better.

But next time, don't forget the chocolate.

Yes?

Either Laura or I will come with you from now on.

Not necessary-- thank you.

I am fine.

You barely made it home.

Come sit down.

Would you get Dad a blanket, darling?

Should the treatment be hitting you quite this hard?

However terrible I feel, I'm assuming the tumor is feeling 100 times worse.

Oh, we hope.

Well, if it can withstand all this radiation, hats off to it.

It deserves to see me off.

Well, you sit here and rest.

Thanks, darling.

I'll make you a cup of tea and something... Couldn't help seeing your name in the paper.

Pity it had to be about that and not something more savory.

Very messy business, I'm sure.

But if you want my advice...

Thanks, but I really, really don't.

Your mistake was to go for a married man.

Much less complicated to go after single R.A.F.

boys.

No wives.

Do you see?

What, and you're speaking from experience, are you?

Shut up in the telephone exchange all day, not a pilot, single or married, in sight.

I'm only trying to help.

Help yourself-- I don't need it.

Oh, you gave me a shilling too much.

Thank you.

It's good to know the majority of people in Great Paxford are honorable.

Thank you, Mrs. Talbot.

Next?

She's brave to show her face.

I give her that.

I'd go so far as to say shameless.

I can hear you, Mrs. Talbot.

Every word, as you intend, no doubt.

It's your mother and father I feel sorry for.

Disgusting.

I could list a few of your past mistakes for the village to hang out with their laundry.

Good day.

Thank you.

What can I get you?

Any luck?

No evidence of debt or sudden financial injection over the past five years that would need repaying.

SARAH: There must be something.

ALISON: You'd expect something to suggest where a 20% share of the business might be owed.

I'll keep going back.

Who or what could he have promised it to?

You must have some idea.

You can ask me a thousand times.

I can think of nothing to explain it.

Keep the knee rested, Mr. Hudson.

That means no allotment until the swelling has gone down.

Right, thank you, Doctor.

I thought I had a 4:00.

And a quarter past four.

No.

May I see the diary, please?

What for?

Erica, have you been canceling appointments?

I told you I can handle the treatment and work.

I'm not a fool.

I have no intention of running myself into a grave any earlier than is absolutely necessary.

I haven't canceled appointments.

Well, then, where have they gone?

To Dr. Clarke's surgery.

Dr. Clarke?

Several patients have transferred their records to him.

How many is several?

Eight.

Since the notice in the paper about the Bowers' divorce?

I'm fairly certain.

With the cost of my treatment, the timing couldn't be worse.

MAN (on phone): The building has suffered structural... ERICA: Salts, syringes, bandages, a box of one-ounce fluid containers... MAN: Hello, yes, I'm calling from R.A.F.

Tabley Wood.

I'm wondering if I could trouble you to place an advertisement on your village noticeboard.

We're looking for staff to work in the officers' mess behind the bar.

(chickens clucking) Spencer just dropped something off.

Thought you might like to see.

What's this?

Why don't you open it?

Oh, it's from your mother!

(chuckles) Oh...

If she'd included a cot, we'd have an entire nursery.

(chuckles) Did you ask her to send these?

I thought it might help you get ready.

I have had a baby before, Bryn.

I know you have, Mim.

I do know what to do.

But I want you to get as excited over this child as you did when you were expecting David.

It's time to give this one some attention now.

Why do you go out and wait for the bus every morning if you've given up all hope he'll return?

This isn't about David.

This is about the new baby.

David's brother or sister.

They're separate.

Whether David is alive or...

Alive.

Whether or not he is...

He is.

Pack this lot up and send it back to your mother.

We don't need it.

David's baby clothes will fit perfectly.

I've no doubt about that.

(door opens and closes) MAREK: Okay.

Bit more.

Bit more.

Oh!

There-- perfect.

And the chair?

You can, but I don't know if he's going to be able to sit at his desk to work.

Thank you.

So now it's just the bed.

And where is that?

Upstairs.

What are you doing?

Places to hide.

Guns.

Guns?

Mmm.

We hide them where they can't find them, but you'll have them close by.

For what?

To defend yourselves when I go back-- what else?

Against the entire German army?!

They loot and pillage, Steph.

They won't take no for an answer.

Look, I understand you've come back full of what you saw in France.

My father's old service revolver should still be in full working order.

You haven't moved it from the attic, have you?

Why would I?

Go on.

Stan... Feel like I'm taking advantage of your time.

I offered to help.

(sighs) Did you find anything?

There are structured borrowings from the bank, but there's no sign of a huge debt that would be covered by 20% of the company.

Well, that's good, isn't it?

Hm, perhaps.

But I did uncover something odd on the bank statements.

Every month for some time, a check has been paid from the company's account to the company accountant.

Helen.

It may well be some form of expenses or petty cash issue.

Well, then, why suggest that it's odd?

Because the checks aren't accounted for, anywhere, in the company ledgers.

It looks like they're off the books.

It might just be a case of sloppy bookkeeping.

Helen was extremely fastidious.

I'll keep going back, see how far they go.

I'll make some more coffee.

This is how the Czech army insists its soldiers make beds.

Very good.

Except I think Bob might wonder why a soldier has made his bed and not me.

Perhaps it shouldn't be so neat.

Thank you for today.

Thank you.

You should go back to camp.

Goodbye, Mrs. Simms.

Goodbye... Captain Novotny.

You're the very first person to respond to the advertisement.

I happened to be walking past the church noticeboard when it was put up.

We've been struggling to replace our bar staff since they've been reassigned to more important duties.

Is it only officers I'll be serving, or all ranks?

Just officers.

Oh.

You'll soon know your Gloster Gladiator from your Hawker Hurricane.

My what?

Types of plane.

Oh.

(hammer clicks) Reliable as the day it was issued.

Stan?

My old man told me he killed five Germans with this.

Is all this completely necessary?

Jerries aren't invading with catapults.

Only good German is a dead one.

Aim for the head or the chest.

Stan!

We'll keep this in here.

Good at close range.

We'll hide this under the floor in the cow shed.

Our scrap lying all over the fields is one thing, but hiding loaded weapons on the farm is... Stan, I don't like this one little bit.

They're absolutely brutal with civilians.

Just unnecessary mouths to feed.

It's basic self-defense, Steph.

Kill or be killed.

Come on, children, no straggling!

We're nearly there-- come on.

Come on.

Collect your coats and things and come straight back out to meet your parents.

Quick as you can now.

Come on, girls.

Come on.

Here you go, boys.

Well, thank you both so much for helping.

Oh, I loved it.

Any time you want to come and help us out, you're more than welcome.

Isobel!

Oh, are we off?

Laura!

You mustn't let the gossip get to you too much, eh?

Hello, ladies.

It's just people.

Too much time on their hands and too little brains in their heads.

Try not to.

MRS. TALBOT: Excuse me!

Talk of the devil.

What is she doing here?

Miss Campbell helped with today's outing.

Is there a problem?

Yes.

Yes, there is a problem.

I'm...

I am not happy with that girl being around my child.

Now, you can be sure that I will be writing a letter to the board of governors.

I think you're being very unfair, Mrs. Talbot.

You are free to think what you like, Miss Fenchurch.

Her kind of behavior may be all the rage where you come from, but it is completely unacceptable here!

(car horn honks) Hop in, Laura-- I'll drop you home.

I'd steer well clear of her if I were you.

Fan of yours?

Just leave it, Tom.

People are judged by the company they keep, young man.

Mrs. Talbot, your daughter's waiting for you.

Please.

Your problem is with me, Mrs. Talbot.

Why not leave him out of it?

I'm trying to do him a favor by keeping him out of you.

Mrs. Talbot!

Go inside and collect your daughter now.

Please.

TOM: Come on, get in.

We'll run her over when she comes out.

She's right, though.

You can't afford to be associated with me.

Laura... Why don't you stay away from me, Tom?

For your own sake.

ALISON: I've been looking deeper into the accounts, and there is something I don't completely understand.

Well, if you don't understand it, then what hope is there for us?

These are as yet unbanked checks from the company account, postdated the first of each month until the end of this financial year.

All written out to Helen Lakin, the company accountant.

All this has been happening since 1929, but they don't appear anywhere in the books.

So she was on the fiddle?

Oh, I don't believe it.

Not Helen.

(knocking on door) Yes?

The police just delivered this for you, Mrs. Barden.

Leave it on the side, would you, please?

(door closes) I'm sorry, Alison.

How do these checks move us any closer to finding out who Peter left 20% of the company to?

Actually, I think this might get us quite close.

Why do you say that?

Because every single check to Helen Lakin has been signed by Peter.

He knew?

Why would he do that?

(phone ringing) DOUGLAS: Joyce, how much longer is this nonsense... Why do you keep telephoning me like this, Douglas, when you've nothing new to say?

You've made your point...

I am not making a point by being here.

You have a view of our marriage, and I clearly have another.

(Douglas continues, faintly) Well, if that's how you continue to see the situation, then there is nothing to discuss!

I need these prescriptions signed as soon as you can.

Fine, I'll do them now.

(crash, Will groans) Will?!

I slipped.

I'm calling an ambulance.

Don't be ridiculous.

You could be badly hurt.

Sit still!

Stay still.

It's not that bad.

What will you and the girls do when I'm gone?

I know the success rates, Erica.

I know the prognosis.

You have to believe the treatment will work.

I know you're right.

God knows I've said as much to my patients enough times.

But... the odds against are so high.

I don't want to leave you and the girls.

I don't want to leave you, I...

I don't want to go.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Next time on Masterpiece... SARAH: Teresa, the Wing Commander needs a partner for the next dance.

TERESA: I'll give it my best shot.

BRYN: Who's this one to?

MIRIAM: Winston Churchill.

No one else'll tell me what's happened to my son, so perhaps he will.

Do not defy me!

You're threatening me, and that only works if I'm frightened of you.

LINNEY: "Home Fires," next time on Masterpiece.

♪ I can see them talking ♪ ♪ But I only hear their voices in my head ♪ ♪ Waiting for the moment they'll be calling to me ♪ ♪ And if I try... ♪ Go to our website, listen to our podcast, watch video, and more.

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