Sargasso by Simon Bovey

Oldtuberadio

Elver season on the river Severn - a time of mystery and danger. The wrong time and place for a young man to be searching for his place in the world.  Kevin ..... Robert Lonsdale Sabrina ..... Emily Wachter Bruce ..... Ian Gelder Tan ..... Stuart McLoughlin Debbie ..... Lizzy Watts Gilpin ..... Stephen Hogan Buyer / Policeman ... Benjamin Askew Phil ..... Matt Addis  Directed by Marc Beeby  Afternoon Play: Sagrasso First broadcast: Tue 12th May 2009, 14:15 on BBC Radio 4 FM   Do you enjoy the variety on Oldtuberadio? Like, Share and Subscribe to be notified of our new shows #radio #crime #thriller #drama To Support this channel please visit https://www.buymeacoffee.com/oldtuberadio https://ko-fi.com/oldtuberadio98 https://www.patreon.com/oldtuberadio https://locals.com/Oldtuberadio

Transcript

00:00Well, does it feel like home?

00:17It feels like a time walk from the 70s.

00:20Yeah, but whoever was in here before didn't do much in the way of decorating.

00:25Yeah, or cleaning. There's a hell of a lot to do.

00:28Well, that's what you get with houses like these.

00:30Ones we can afford anyway.

00:31That kitchen looks like someone's been dotting down in it.

00:34Hey, I've lived in worse.

00:36Besides, we'd change it.

00:37Yeah, adds up, though.

00:39Well, we wouldn't have to do it all at once.

00:42Room at a time.

00:44Anyway, we're not in a position to be fussy.

00:48Look out here.

00:54Oh, I didn't notice them from the kitchen.

00:56Have you ever seen so many daffodils?

01:01I don't mind doing the decorating, Rina.

01:04Oh, it could be lovely, couldn't it?

01:06It's a bit further to work from me, but it's closer for you.

01:09And it's not far from Dad.

01:10We've got to buy it for us, though.

01:12I know, I was just saying.

01:14What do you think about this wall being lilac, and then in the hall it could be paler?

01:19Lilac?

01:20Why can't we just paint it all white?

01:22Because it would be like living in a fridge.

01:25Hey, I'll tell you what I could do.

01:27Build a frame in this chimney breast so we wouldn't need a wardrobe in here.

01:31Put a mirrored door on, you know, facing the window.

01:34Make the room feel bigger.

01:36We'd be able to lie in bed and look out across the fields.

01:40No.

01:40You'll have to get up and cook my breakfast in a sparkling new kitchen I'll put in for you.

01:45You can put a kitchen in.

01:47What are you saying?

01:47I can't.

01:48I just don't want to put my marmite on the work surface and for it to go sliding into the cooker.

01:52You cheeky little...

01:53No!

01:54No tickling!

01:59It would be so good, wouldn't it?

02:02It's almost a hundred thousand.

02:04Yeah.

02:06Bloody deposit will take everything we have.

02:07Yeah, and then some.

02:09What do you think?

02:12I think the market will never be so low.

02:14Well, if we don't know, then when will we?

02:18Never.

02:21Come on.

02:22Let's make an offer.

02:23Let's make an offer.

02:23And how big is this house?

02:45It's only small.

02:46Two up, two down, really.

02:47But it's a lovely location.

02:49Just outside Newham.

02:50And it has a lot of potential.

02:52What state is it in?

02:55It's not brilliant.

02:56It hasn't been decorated for years.

02:58That'll take money to fix.

03:00We'll do it ourselves.

03:01Can you?

03:02Do you know what you're doing, is what I mean?

03:04I can paint a room.

03:06Bit more to a house than that.

03:08Well, it's certainly got a lot more to offer than others we've seen.

03:10And it's the cheapest.

03:12Well, I hope it works out, love.

03:13Been a long time coming.

03:15I'm sorry we've been under your feet.

03:17You haven't.

03:18This is Sabrina's home.

03:19All I meant was that...

03:22I'll get it.

03:24You both in?

03:25If this old man cur, I'm out.

03:27He'll just be complaining about poachers breaking his fences.

03:30Hello?

03:32Look, I didn't mean nothing.

03:35I just know what it was like when I was your age.

03:37I'm not a kid, Bruce.

03:39Is that right?

03:40Yeah.

03:41That was the estate agent.

03:48And?

03:48Our offer was rejected.

03:50Why?

03:51It was just too low.

03:52If we had another five, they might reconsider.

03:54What?

03:55Might as well be another 25.

03:57It's been on the bloody market for over a year.

03:59They'd rather it stay empty.

04:00Well, there'll be other houses.

04:01What others?

04:02It's yuppies, Al Chilpman, pushing the bloody prices back up.

04:05It's the deposit that cripples us.

04:07We just can't borrow enough.

04:08Well, look, I told you before I could borrow some against this house.

04:12That's very sweet of you, Dad, but we couldn't let you do that.

04:15We'll pay our own way.

04:16As far as I can see, you're going nowhere without me throwing in.

04:20They say prices have come down.

04:22Can't say I've noticed.

04:23When I bought this house, it cost me £35,000.

04:26Three bedrooms and an acre out back.

04:28Now, what would that cost now, eh?

04:31Still, even then, I needed two jobs to pay for it.

04:34But you do what you have to, don't you?

04:39I've got to see to the truck.

04:40You haven't finished.

04:41I've had enough, thanks.

04:46If he's not eating that, I'll have it.

04:48I'm going to be out all night, so I need stocking up.

04:53He's got a bit touchy, hasn't he?

04:54Well, sometimes you don't help.

04:57Me?

04:58He feels bad about being here.

05:01What the hell has how he feels got to do with anything?

05:04It's what he does that matters.

05:06And he's doing his best.

05:09You know, if things aren't working, then there's no shame in moving on.

05:12Dad, I have moved on.

05:15I'm with Kevin.

05:17He makes me happy.

05:19That's all I want.

05:23Kevin?

05:28Oh, God.

05:30Sabrina thought you might like some pudding.

05:34Thanks.

05:37What's the problem?

05:38It keeps dying on me.

05:41It's plugs, I think.

05:42But at 12 quid each, I've got to nurse them on a bit longer.

05:44That's the trouble with Japanese.

05:46Not built to last.

05:46Anything I can do to help?

05:51No.

05:52That's all I'm trying to do, you know.

05:54Help.

05:55Right.

05:56You know what your trouble is, don't you?

06:00Sure you're about to tell me?

06:01You can't tell your ladder from your snake.

06:04Yeah.

06:05Listen, lad.

06:06You're going to owe someone for something pretty much all your life, so you best choose that person wisely.

06:12I've already got an investment in you, so what's a bit more?

06:17Now, I'm going to turn in for an hour.

06:19I'm out all night, so watch the noise, will you?

06:23Not so loud.

06:28No.

06:29Can't like the old bastard, can we?

06:31He's not very nice.

06:32Well, I'm getting tired of his lectures.

06:34I'm doing all I can.

06:36If there were other jobs around I could fit in, then I'd do them.

06:38I know that.

06:40He doesn't like me.

06:41He never has.

06:42That's all there is to say.

06:43If he didn't like you, we wouldn't be here.

06:47Maybe we should rent something.

06:49We have plenty of flats in Gloucester.

06:50We've been over this.

06:51Yes, you knew when you married me.

06:53I'm a country girl.

06:55Something will come up.

06:56Yeah, probably when I'm too old to enjoy it.

06:59So, what's your dad up to?

07:01Said he was out all night.

07:02It's elver season.

07:04Is that supposed to mean something to me?

07:06Eel fishing.

07:07Oh.

07:08Well, they're not proper eels.

07:09They're glass eels.

07:10Fry, really.

07:11Quite a delicacy.

07:13Delicacy?

07:14He wouldn't catch me eating them.

07:15You couldn't afford them.

07:17They're anything up to 200 pounds a kilo.

07:19Some years they're more valuable than gold.

07:21Oh, bloody hell.

07:22What for a fish?

07:22I don't know.

07:24I hate this time of year.

07:26Gets a bit wild west out there with poachers, and Dad's not as young as he used to be.

07:30Yeah.

07:30I wouldn't want to fight him.

07:33See, why don't you have a go?

07:35Well, you are joking.

07:36No.

07:37Dad would show you the ropes.

07:39An elvering licence only costs about 70 pounds.

07:42Well, maybe I'll come with you.

07:44Mind you, we need two licences then.

07:45No, one to start with, and we'll see how we get on.

07:48And where am I going to find 70 quid for a licence when I can't afford parts for the

07:51truck?

07:51Well, we could scrape it together.

07:53There's a way forward somewhere.

07:54I just have to find it.

07:56Well, what does that mean?

07:57I don't know.

07:58If I did, I'd go do it.

07:59While I was out there, though, I was thinking, maybe I could do some repairs on the side.

08:06You don't mean poach clients from work?

08:08No.

08:09Well, not as such.

08:12Yeah, I suppose I do.

08:13Oh, Kev.

08:14Well, right now people are looking to cut back.

08:16One of the Jevons boys more or less asked me to look at a combine under the counter.

08:21I thought I could advertise on the side of Tewksbury.

08:24So, Jowich don't get there.

08:25The last thing you need is to upset the people you work for.

08:27Well, it makes more sense than fishing.

08:30At least I know one end of a spanner from the other.

08:37Debbie!

08:38A pint of ruddles, please.

08:40You'll have to throw an ashtray out of me.

08:42Why the hell is it so busy?

08:44Someone died?

08:45You've got a bit of a cob on tonight, haven't you?

08:47No, we had another offer rejected today.

08:49Oh, crap.

08:50I'm sorry.

08:51What makes it such a choker was the house was perfect.

08:54It needed work, but I could see us there, you know?

08:57It felt right.

08:58I'll be yuppies out of Cheltenham.

09:01Always the same.

09:03Debbie!

09:03All the villagers are going the same way.

09:05Just got the stage where you can't spit in the road without hitting a beamer.

09:08Yeah, well, the sooner I get from under a father's feet, the better.

09:11I'm beginning to move around the place like I'm dodging sniper fire.

09:14Debbie!

09:15Oi, Dev's girl, when you're ready?

09:16Less of the goal, Richard Tanner.

09:18Two pats of noodles, please.

09:21Right.

09:22Busy tonight, isn't he?

09:23Looks like you've got a bunch of foreigners in.

09:25That's the credit crunch for you.

09:27All up from London or Birmingham for the Elvers.

09:29They drink bugger all and spread mud on the carpet.

09:32What, the Elvers?

09:33That's 5.40.

09:38Thanks.

09:39I should have walked up to the seven boar.

09:42At least I can get served in there.

09:44Oh, Debs will treat you like a local eventually.

09:46Give her another five years.

09:48Well, if you want to sit, you'll have to stand.

09:50Cheers.

09:51Cheers.

09:54Rina was saying earlier there's money in these things.

09:57I didn't think it was like this.

09:58What, Elvers?

09:59Oh, God, yeah.

10:00Yeah, my dad used to go.

10:02Eels for breakfast and a few quid in his pocket.

10:05Yeah, packed it in with a cancer,

10:06but he used to say there were some blokes

10:07who'd make a grand a night.

10:09What?

10:10And then he's a trawler?

10:12There's thousands of them, mate.

10:13You just dip a net.

10:15Not a god.

10:16They're only a couple of inches long.

10:18It's easy, really.

10:19Anyone could do it.

10:20Yeah, as you can tell by the look of half the cretins in here.

10:23I mean, look at that bloke.

10:24I bet he's never worn those wellies before.

10:27And they can make a grand a night?

10:29What, you fancy a go?

10:31Yeah.

10:32Yeah, you do.

10:33I haven't got a net, though.

10:34Nah, I've got my dad's old nets and weeders.

10:46How much further?

10:50Our trousers are salt.

10:51Ah, stop grousing.

10:52We're here.

10:53Yeah, this is a good spot.

10:55Cows have worn a pad.

10:56What, we've got to go down there?

10:58I can't even see the bottom.

11:00Trust me, it's the river.

11:00I should have brought some better boots.

11:02I've dumped the net.

11:03Give me a hand, will you?

11:04Or never.

11:04That's fair enough.

11:06What are you doing here?

11:08Ah, we're, ah, we're just out for a walk.

11:10A walk, you say?

11:11You picked a nice night for it.

11:13Well, we're, ah, bird watching.

11:16Bird watching?

11:17Oh, would that be Ian's?

11:19Either way, you're wasting your time.

11:21It's ours to waste.

11:22We could look somewhere else, though.

11:24They've got baseball bats.

11:25This is a good spot.

11:26Listen to your friend there, as this pitch is taken.

11:29Well, I don't see anyone.

11:30We're here.

11:32Oh, and you own this stretch of river, do you?

11:34No.

11:36You?

11:38You even got a license.

11:41No, I didn't think so.

11:43So, bugger off.

11:46Well, if we don't.

11:47Kevin, that's not something you want to find out.

11:50Hey, hey, hey, hey, we're going, we're going.

11:53Right, there's enough river out here for everyone, right?

11:56Come on, mate, let's go.

11:59Say hello to the boards for me.

12:07I don't think they're following.

12:10You okay?

12:12Yeah, just winded.

12:14What the hell was all that about?

12:16What?

12:17What?

12:18They had baseball bats, for God's sake.

12:20And you were arguing the toss for them.

12:23Well, most people like that back down if you stand up to them.

12:26They're not used to it.

12:27No, no, no, no.

12:28Most people like that beat you to a pulp and then blame your injuries on a strong breeze.

12:32I'm still shaking.

12:36Bird watching.

12:38I was thinking on me feet.

12:40More than you were doing.

12:41But please, if that happens again, we just move, okay?

12:44Yeah, okay.

12:45Okay?

12:46Yeah, Tam, no problem.

12:47Now, we came out here to fish, didn't we?

12:51Don't tell me I got wet for nothing.

12:52All right.

12:55Pass the nets down to me.

12:57You sure this is a net?

12:58It's more like an old pram.

13:00Well, have you know, those are family heirlooms.

13:02Oh!

13:04Oh, man!

13:06That is cold!

13:08Oh, well, that's the eel scared off, then.

13:11Yeah, yeah.

13:11Well, let's see you do it, then.

13:13All right.

13:13Watch the bottom of the bank.

13:17The mud here sucks like an airplane toilet.

13:23Okay.

13:25All right.

13:26So, what do we do with this?

13:29Just dip it.

13:30That's why it's called a dip net, Einstein.

13:33Weight out, put it in the water, and wait.

13:35Oh, that's cold.

13:53It's peaceful here, isn't it?

13:55Yeah.

13:57No, I've never fished before.

14:00Maybe I should take it up.

14:01Oh, that is quite a current.

14:06Yeah, yeah, careful.

14:07Severin's a mean river.

14:09Did you know the Romans called it Sabrina?

14:11I guess that's where your wife got her name.

14:13Yeah.

14:14I don't know.

14:15Maybe.

14:16Kind of thing Bruce would do.

14:21Well, okay, that should do it.

14:22Let's see what we've got.

14:31I've got something.

14:36It looks like mud.

14:39Blimey.

14:40Only a get-rich-quick scheme.

14:42Let me see.

14:45Oh.

14:47What a tiny.

14:49I don't think they'd look like that.

14:51I imagined them all sort of green and slimy like little snakes.

14:56They look like they're made of glass.

15:00You can see their blood.

15:02So, so delicate.

15:05So expensive.

15:07How much do you think they're worth?

15:08That's only a few grams.

15:11Enough for a couple of pints, maybe?

15:12Well, let's catch some more.

15:14You do it once, all of a sudden you'll rob some green.

15:18But Kev, I'm a vertical puddle.

15:20There's bits of me I can't feel.

15:21I'm praying I haven't lost in the river.

15:23Look, let's call it a night.

15:26Yeah.

15:27Yeah, okay.

15:29Reen will be wondering where I've got to.

15:31So, what do we do with them?

15:33Well, there'll be a buyer parked up on Bury Lane this time of year.

15:42There.

15:42What'd I tell you?

15:43It's Gold Rush.

15:44Got to cash in while they can.

15:45Here we go.

15:47Mate.

15:48Yes, gentlemen.

15:50Go on, Bucket.

15:51Yeah, a bad night.

15:52I'll be bearing three nights to see.

15:56Full moon and a boar.

15:57That'll bring them in.

16:01That's 36 grams.

16:04What's that fetch?

16:06Grand total, six pounds, twelve pence.

16:09Told you.

16:09A couple of pints.

16:10Licence number.

16:12What?

16:13Your net license.

16:15I have to make a note of it.

16:16Yeah, the license is, uh...

16:19In the pack.

16:21I told you we'd need it.

16:22I need to see it, I'm afraid.

16:24Yeah, it's in the car.

16:26Round the corner.

16:27Five minutes.

16:28You didn't mention that.

16:32I didn't know.

16:33Is he watching?

16:35No.

16:36Come on.

16:37Hey, sleeping beauty.

16:58Hello.

17:01You're going to be late.

17:02What happened to you last night?

17:08Tan and I had a few drinks.

17:10What, in the middle of the field?

17:12Have you seen your clothes?

17:14At least I assume that compost heap on the floor is your clothes.

17:17Oh, when the pub's shut, we walked up the bridleway to Tams.

17:22You don't mind, do you?

17:23Yeah, I was worried about you, that's all.

17:25You forgot your phone again.

17:26Yeah, I'm sorry.

17:28I would have called.

17:30I may be going over there again tonight.

17:32Oh, you're not having an affair with him, are you?

17:34Oh, thanks for putting that picture in my head.

17:38No, he's doing his house up and I said I'd help him out.

17:41He keeps my hand in for when we get our own place.

17:44Well, I was hoping you'd be in tonight so we can talk.

17:47Women don't realise how terrifying that sentence is.

17:51You're not pregnant, are you?

17:52Yeah, great timing that would be.

17:54No!

17:55I want to talk about what we're going to do.

17:57We need a plan.

17:58Well, it's funny you should say that,

18:00because a plan is exactly what I'm working on.

18:03Yeah?

18:04What exactly?

18:05Did Bruce name you Sabrina after the river?

18:08River?

18:09No, he's an Audrey Hepburn fan.

18:12He loved the film.

18:14Are you getting up or what?

18:16Or what?

18:16Come here.

18:17Oh!

18:19Don't dabble here.

18:20Well, maybe not for much longer.

18:22It's got it, you.

18:25Hey, where'd you get that bruise?

18:30Looks nasty.

18:31Well, why don't you kiss it better for me?

18:34Good morning.

18:46Thought you'd be at work already.

18:48I'm on my way.

18:49Oh, what's that smell?

18:51Mmm, Sabrina loves this.

18:53Egg, bacon and elvers.

18:54Caught them myself.

18:56Used to be a pauper's breakfast.

18:58Yeah?

18:59Where'd you catch them?

19:01Where my dad taught me to elver.

19:02Good spot opposite Broadway Lane.

19:04Oh, right.

19:05That far.

19:06Might be enough if you want some.

19:08I don't think I could stomach eels this early in the morning.

19:12They're elvers.

19:13Be a year or two before they're yellow eels.

19:16They change while they're here.

19:17They grow up.

19:19Yeah.

19:19Well, good for them.

19:22Where have you been to get your boots so muddy?

19:24Oh, anyway, I've got to get on.

19:26See ya.

19:34Did you eat an extra bowl of stupid this morning?

19:37It was a disaster last night, Matt.

19:39Yeah, but there must be another way to sell them.

19:42Well, my dad used to sell them to a gang master,

19:45but I don't fancy doing that much.

19:48They're just as likely to rip you off.

19:49Huh?

19:50How'd you find them?

19:51Well, they find you.

19:52They're like those three dipsticks

19:55that put the frighteners on us last night.

19:56I'll tell you, Kev, they're all hard bastards.

19:59Yeah, well, I don't care how hard they think they are

20:01as long as they can pay for the eels.

20:02What eels?

20:03You see that buyer's face last night?

20:05I thought he was going to charge us

20:07for getting his scales wet.

20:08We just dipped the next ones

20:09and got a handful that was worth six quid.

20:11Think what a night's work would make us.

20:14Plus, he said it was going to get better.

20:15Nah.

20:16If we'd got that money,

20:17then maybe I'd go again.

20:19Well, I'm going.

20:21Glutton for punishment, eh?

20:22Well, you'd best hang on to the next, then.

20:26I've got some water wings, too, if you want, huh?

20:29Sometimes you're funny.

20:30And then there's now.

20:40That's it.

20:42In you come.

20:45Go on, fellas.

20:46Damn it.

20:54Hi, Rena.

20:55Hey.

20:56Thought I'd say how the decorating was going.

20:59Yeah.

20:59Oh, yeah, yeah, it's fine.

21:01You all right?

21:03I can hardly hear you.

21:05Oh, that's a bad line.

21:07What colour are you painting the face?

21:09I'm just white.

21:11Actually, love, I can't tour right now.

21:12I'm in the middle of something.

21:14Oh, OK.

21:16Well, take care.

21:18Miss you.

21:19Yeah, you're back soon.

21:21Bye.

21:21You guys don't know it, but you're going to make that woman very happy.

21:41Whoa, whoa, whoa.

21:43Look who's crawled out of the mud.

21:45I thought I told you to bugger off.

21:48Not from here, you didn't.

21:50Oh, well, I have interests all along here.

21:53You don't own this.

21:54Tonight I do.

21:55This is Wilts' farmland.

21:57I don't give a rat's ass whose land it is.

21:59At this moment, I own whoever's on them, whatever they catch.

22:03Yeah, it's easy to talk big when you've got a couple of blokes with baseball bats with you.

22:08I'll tell you what, if I catch a cold, you can have that.

22:11Oh, you're a tad mouthy for a bloke on his own.

22:13No, no, my mate's here.

22:15He's just taken a leak.

22:16He's got his dad with him, too.

22:17Oh, they both gone for a leak.

22:19There was his dad there to shake it for us.

22:22Go on, sling it.

22:24All right, but I'm taking my catch.

22:26Oh, yeah?

22:27Then where do you think you're going to sell it?

22:29I'll find a buyer.

22:31Will you now?

22:32Well, there's a bunch of bailiffs up the lane, so you better be quick about it.

22:35Or do you have that license now?

22:37What business is it of yours?

22:38All right, relax.

22:40You proved you got sand.

22:41Why don't you sell them to me?

22:44You?

22:45I run a gang along here, but I also pick up the odd waif and stray.

22:49I'm offering 180 quid a kilo.

22:51Take it or leave it.

22:52180?

22:54Yeah.

22:55Yeah, no, no, I'll take it.

22:56All right.

22:57Bill, you want to weigh that?

22:58Well, this will just give you an estimate.

23:02There's the bucket and mortar to take off.

23:05You'll have to bring it up to me van at the top of the lane for that and your money.

23:09Three kilos, just over?

23:10Well, I reckon that'll be about 400.

23:14Bloody hell.

23:15Great.

23:16God, I don't know, that's bloody great.

23:18So you're here tomorrow night?

23:19Yeah, are you kidding?

23:20Yeah, of course I am.

23:21Then I'll keep your pitch.

23:23But you sell to me, right?

23:25Why wouldn't I?

23:27No reason at all.

23:29But bring the word of this to anyone and you'll never hold on it again.

23:35You'll never hold anything again.

23:38Okay?

23:46Dad?

23:48Oh, no, it's me, love.

23:50Hiya.

23:52How'd you get on?

23:53All right.

23:55It's gone one.

23:56Why aren't you in bed?

23:57I can't when you're not here.

23:58It's a good job I don't wear nights, then.

24:01You haven't been using our buckets at Tans.

24:04Well, I rinsed them out.

24:05Hasn't he got any of his own?

24:06I don't know.

24:08Look, I want to grab a wash.

24:09Will you get back to bed?

24:13Who's Medina?

24:16Kevin?

24:16This is River Mud.

24:26Yeah?

24:27Well, my father's daughter, I know what River Mud smells like.

24:29Well, what if it is?

24:30Well, how did it get in my bucket?

24:35What's that?

24:36What's it look like?

24:39Well, it looks like a lot of money.

24:40Yeah.

24:41387 pounds.

24:42Tan paid you?

24:43Oh, yeah.

24:44In cash.

24:46Then where did it come from?

24:47Oh, God, don't look so worried.

24:52I've been over it tonight.

24:54Well, why didn't you say something?

24:57Dad'll be thrilled.

24:58He can show you the good places.

24:59I found good places.

25:01Just me and Annette.

25:02OK, the first night we'd tan was a waste of space.

25:05We only caught a handful, and then we couldn't sell them because...

25:08because we...

25:09Didn't have a licence.

25:10Yeah, but there was no harm done.

25:12No harm done.

25:13If you'd been caught, you could have been fined at least 200 pounds,

25:16not to mention the risk of going to prison.

25:18But I wasn't.

25:19Well, have you got one now?

25:21Kevin, my dad's a bailiff.

25:23How's it going to look if you're caught his own son-in-law?

25:26I don't.

25:26He'll kill all that but for the...

25:27No, no.

25:28Don't you see how important this is to him?

25:30Not just because of his job, but as a Gloucester man.

25:33Elverin's a tradition, a part of the community here.

25:36I'm part of the community.

25:38Then act like one.

25:40Promise me you'll get a licence.

25:42This is all about keeping daddy sweet, isn't it?

25:45Well, considering we're living in his house, yes.

25:47And that's exactly why I'm doing this.

25:50Yes, I could get a licence, but that's what, 70 quid?

25:53And tomorrow I could catch nothing.

25:55Tonight could have been a fluke.

25:56I don't know what the hell I'm doing out there.

25:58I mean, I just waft the net and hope the eels will figure it out.

26:02I can't take the risk.

26:04Right now we need every penny.

26:06But we don't need you in trouble.

26:09Not again, Kevin.

26:10All right.

26:12All right, I'll get a bloody licence.

26:15Who'd you sell them to, anyway?

26:17I met someone.

26:18Oh, God, you've got to be so careful.

26:22There are some bad types out there this time of year.

26:24I can look after myself.

26:26And they paid good money, didn't they?

26:28They're okay blokes.

26:29It's safer with a licence.

26:30You know, I thought you'd be more excited.

26:35Finally I'm making some money.

26:36Some real money.

26:37And this was your idea in the first place.

26:38Not this way, not illegally.

26:40Yeah, well...

26:41Dad?

26:43Hello?

26:44Do you think he heard us?

26:45I don't know.

26:46You're back early!

26:48Grab my car keys for me, love.

26:50I'm going to rush out.

26:55I wasn't expecting you back this early.

26:57No.

26:58I'm going to get into Gloucester.

26:59Davies being taken to the hospital.

27:01Is he all right?

27:02I don't know, thanks.

27:04He got beaten up at the river.

27:06Bad, I think.

27:07Someone used a baseball bat on him.

27:09A bat?

27:10Are you sure?

27:10The young lad with him saw it happen.

27:12He must have asked for it.

27:13Kevin?

27:14Oh, he wouldn't attack him for no reason.

27:16Wouldn't they?

27:18This is my world, lad.

27:19You'll just pass him through.

27:21So shut it.

27:29Get past me the hex head, will you?

27:35What's that?

27:41Hey, did you hear about the magic tractor?

27:43Went down the lane and turned into a field.

27:45And you're not yourself today, are you?

27:50I notice the improvement straight away.

27:53I'm okay.

27:54Just, you know, stuff.

27:55Oh, yeah, stuff.

27:56Right, yeah.

27:58How'd it go last night?

28:01Really good.

28:02Get out of it.

28:03No, 400 quid's worth of good.

28:05No!

28:06You jammy bugger!

28:07Are you having me on?

28:08No.

28:08Oh, talk about beginner's luck.

28:11Who'd you sell them to?

28:12Not that bloke in a lane?

28:14Those fellas that chased us off.

28:15No way!

28:16I was bricking it half the night, though.

28:18Kept thinking Bruce was going to pop up any minute.

28:21You going tonight?

28:22Time.

28:23I'm going out for as long as it lasts.

28:35What the hell does he want?

28:38I've been looking for you.

28:43You found me.

28:44What's up?

28:45Follow me.

28:46I need a hand with something.

28:57Shh.

28:57Hey, look.

28:58See there?

28:59Like a laser.

29:00That's a king for sure.

29:03Ah, that's a thing, isn't it, huh?

29:05Ah, every day he's full of sights like that.

29:11Horrors.

29:12Mink.

29:13All kinds.

29:15That's why I love the job.

29:18Gets me up with grace in the morning.

29:19Oh, this time of year can be a bugger.

29:25We arrested six poachers last night.

29:27Stupid when a license is so cheap.

29:31How's the bloke in hospital?

29:33All right.

29:34A bust arm, but it's not too bad.

29:36Thanks for asking.

29:39And look, I'm...

29:40I'm sorry I snapped last night.

29:45Stressful time.

29:46Mm-hmm.

29:47That's easy money down here, you see.

29:49Brings the worst out in people.

29:52You know, I've seen fellas take a haul worth ten grand.

29:56Can't be kidding.

29:57No.

29:58A few years back, Mink.

30:00Won't see the like of that again, I don't think.

30:03Helvers are on the endangered species list now.

30:06There's loads of them.

30:07Now, you see, you say these things, but you don't know, do you?

30:12It's overfishing.

30:14Climate change, no one's sure, but the numbers are down 90-something percent.

30:18How come you're allowed to fish from there?

30:20We've tried to put a policy in place, but it's stuck with those prats in Europe.

30:24If we stop fishing today, it would take 60 years for stocks to recover.

30:30Three eel generations.

30:33We'll be dead by then, but you'll be here, you and your kids, prats.

30:37Maybe.

30:41You want to stop here, don't you?

30:45What sort of a question's that?

30:46A simple one.

30:48Why don't you bring me here, Bruce?

30:53Here.

30:54Give me a hand, will you?

31:02What is it?

31:03It's a putt.

31:05What we call an eel trap round here.

31:07Mind it's heavy.

31:09Easy.

31:13Good.

31:14Oh, my, man.

31:22Oh, it's a dick.

31:25No, that's a beauty.

31:28A silver eel.

31:29Almost full.

31:30Oh, steady, steady, steady.

31:33Did you know they can live to be 90?

31:35No.

31:36No, I didn't.

31:36Not many people do.

31:39Eels are a mysterious fish.

31:42Supernatural, even.

31:43Years ago, folks used to believe they sprung from the sun, shining through dew.

31:48Truth is more incredible than that.

31:51They come from the Sargasso Sea.

31:53Thousands of miles out in the Atlantic.

31:55At least, we think so.

31:57No one's ever actually seen one there.

31:59So Sargasso, to me, has always been a fabled place.

32:03Where secrets go.

32:04Now, we all have secrets.

32:09Like how you got your ready boots.

32:12That's my business, Bruce.

32:15I heard you arguing last night.

32:18Hard not to in that house.

32:19Yeah, well, that was a private conversation.

32:21If it's private, don't shout it.

32:24I only heard one word, anyway.

32:28Illegally.

32:29Now, you wouldn't be mixing my daughter up in something, would you?

32:31You already know the answer to that.

32:34Reena's got a mind of her own.

32:37You've never liked me much, have you, eh?

32:39I like you well enough.

32:40What little I know of you.

32:42And what little I've found out.

32:45And what does that mean?

32:46I'm a river bailiff, lad.

32:49I know people.

32:50Police type people.

32:55Alright.

32:56I had some trouble.

32:58That's what we were talking about.

33:00Trouble?

33:00Yeah.

33:02I did a stupid thing.

33:03Long before I came here, eh?

33:05Wrong crowd.

33:06I did 12 months.

33:09Okay, you happy now?

33:10As bad as you always thought I was.

33:13Sabrina knows?

33:14I have no secrets from her.

33:16Remember I told you elver has become yellow eels in freshwater?

33:25Well, after 20 years, they turn silver.

33:28Mature adults like that one.

33:30And then they swim all those miles back to the Sargasso to breed.

33:34Come spring, you see these young'uns.

33:36Glass eels.

33:38We call them that because you can see through them.

33:41See their blood flowing.

33:42It's all about blood.

33:47That's all that matters.

33:58Are you winning?

34:00Bloody plugs.

34:01I'm going to have to replace them.

34:07Do you fancy doing anything tonight?

34:09Rent a film?

34:10You know what I'm doing.

34:12Did you get the licence?

34:14I promised, didn't I?

34:17Can I see it?

34:18You don't believe me?

34:20I don't want to be in all night worrying about you, that's all.

34:23You don't have to worry.

34:24Well, no.

34:24I don't have to care about my dad getting beaten up or him catching you red-handed.

34:28It's going to be okay.

34:30Doing it for us, remember?

34:33Is that right?

34:34Reena, so much of my life just, it just happened.

34:38Or, I don't know, I got sucked into things.

34:40But this moment, this moment is mine.

34:43Because for once, I know what I'm doing and why.

34:47I think I need to do this.

34:50Tonight, tonight I can feel it in my bones.

34:52I'm going to hit big, you'll see.

34:54I'll make you proud.

34:55I am proud.

34:58I'd be prouder still if he didn't go.

35:01Don't wake up, okay?

35:04Kevin, please, my dad's out there.

35:08Not where I'll be.

35:10And I've got someone sending me a good pitch.

35:12Who?

35:14Kevin, these people are dangerous.

35:17Kevin!

35:25Anyone?

35:30No.

35:31He's as good as his word.

35:34It's a beautiful night for it.

35:37That moon is like day.

35:39Makes us easier to spot by beams.

35:41Oh, that's positive.

35:47That's cold.

35:50A married man like you should go immersing his gonads in cold water.

35:54Now you tell me.

35:55What are you getting?

36:06Doesn't feel that much.

36:09I suppose we could be too late.

36:11There was a boar earlier.

36:13I might have pushed them past here already.

36:15I'm going to try further out.

36:17Easy, mate.

36:18The bed may shove away.

36:19Okay.

36:20The current's stronger here.

36:23Maybe a...

36:24Whoa!

36:25Oh, my neck just got heavier.

36:27You haven't scooped up some mud?

36:28I don't think so.

36:30Oh, no, Tan.

36:32There's a weight of fish in here.

36:33I can feel them.

36:34Well, bring them in quick.

36:36We need to get as many as we can before they pass.

36:43God, I can hardly lift it.

36:47Whoa!

36:49Bloody hell, you should see them.

36:50There must be hundreds.

36:52They're not so loud, okay?

36:54I can't load meself.

36:59How much money is that, do you think?

37:01There's got to be hundreds.

37:03Come on.

37:10We've struck them over a load of night.

37:13We should have brought more buckets.

37:14How can there be so many?

37:16I don't understand it.

37:17How can there be so many?

37:18Hardly any in that pass.

37:26Yeah, just as well.

37:28Nothing left but our pockets to put them in.

37:31Look at them.

37:33Shining like money.

37:35Taking as many as this feels like a crime.

37:37Licence or not.

37:38If it makes you feel better, I'll pocket your shares.

37:40I don't feel that bad.

37:41You two had a good night, then?

37:46All along the bank here, blokes have been hauling it in.

37:50This is as good as it gets, eh?

37:51Makes a man feel a man making money from his own graft.

37:54Yeah, we've done all right, I reckon.

37:56I'm glad to hear it.

37:57But I can't offer the same price as last night.

37:59Market forces, you know.

38:01How much are we talking?

38:02150 a kilo.

38:03That's still bloody good.

38:05Got to be over a grand in that tub alone.

38:07Easy, I'd say.

38:08That's not bad for a night's walk.

38:10Yeah.

38:11Yeah?

38:11No.

38:12Same risk for the same product.

38:13So it should cost the same.

38:15Kevin!

38:15You could always just cave your heads in and take the laugh for nothing.

38:19You could try.

38:19No, wait, there's nothing for guilt.

38:20Shh!

38:23Environment mean you reckon, Gil?

38:25There.

38:27Torch is on the path.

38:33This van will belong to one of them, I bet.

38:35It's a prime spot.

38:36If you and the other constables go down the path, I'll take my lads down the sheep track.

38:40Right.

38:41No heroics, okay?

38:42No.

38:42But I want whoever broke David's arm.

38:45Oh, that's...

38:46That's me.

38:47You go on, I'll catch you up.

38:49Come on, lads.

38:50What's up, lads?

38:51Dad, where are you?

38:52I've been ringing and ringing.

38:54I'm behind Highcross.

38:55What is it?

38:56It's Kevin.

38:57What's he done?

38:58He's out there somewhere on the river.

39:00He's Elverin.

39:01Poaching?

39:03Oh, I bloody knew it.

39:04I'll kill him.

39:05No, Dad, he's doing the wrong thing, but for all the right reasons.

39:08Well, what the hell's right about it?

39:10He's doing it for me.

39:11Listen, he said someone was keeping his pitch.

39:13That has to mean the gangmaster.

39:15If you see him, please get him off the river.

39:17I can't turn a blind eye just because he's my son-in-law.

39:20Then caution him.

39:21I don't know.

39:21Just send him home.

39:22Dad, he can't afford to be in trouble again.

39:29Oh, this is trouble.

39:30Let's get back.

39:31Oh.

39:32Oh, for them, we'll be sneaking along the river.

39:34Trapper's between them.

39:35So which way?

39:36Straight across the fields.

39:38We'll hit the road somewhere.

39:39Now you're getting it.

39:40Yeah, but what about our elvers?

39:42The bailiffs find them, then pour them back in the river.

39:44Sod your elvers.

39:46You want to get out of this?

39:47Follow me.

39:48Wait.

39:49No, wait.

39:49I can't leave them.

39:50Come on.

39:51Hide them in the bushes.

39:52If they miss them, we can pick them up later.

39:53All that money.

39:55Come on, mate.

39:56It's time to go.

40:03I can't see a thing.

40:05There's a cattle track here.

40:07If we follow that, we'll be right.

40:08Get in there.

40:09Stop where you are.

40:10Oh, no.

40:10Stop, Bruce.

40:11Torch is behind us.

40:12And in front of the bailiffs.

40:14Trouble.

40:15It's the only way.

40:16No way.

40:17Where's he going?

40:18Come on.

40:19Stop right there.

40:20Hey, you.

40:20I can't get out of here.

40:22Go home.

40:22Bruce!

40:23Come on, man.

40:24There's nothing you can do.

40:25No, I've got to stop this.

40:26You bring the police this way.

40:28Kevin!

40:28You'll get nicked!

40:33Get off him!

40:34Get off him!

40:36What the hell are you playing at?

40:38I can't let you do that.

40:39Out of my way.

40:41You're killing him.

40:42Yeah.

40:42And what's it to you, huh?

40:43You're killing a man over fish.

40:44Don't be bloody stupid.

40:45This is about money, you crudon.

40:47No.

40:48It's about blood.

40:49Yeah?

40:49Well, let's see what the color of yours is.

40:53You've had this coming.

40:54Kevin!

40:56He knows you, does he?

40:57So you're a grass as well as an idiot, eh?

41:00No.

41:01It means I belong here.

41:02Yeah?

41:03Then you can stay here.

41:05Guilty!

41:06I told you you'd never hold a net again.

41:09Guilty!

41:10Come on!

41:11I think you've got something.

41:14Kevin.

41:18Kevin.

41:20I think he's bust my arm.

41:22Let me see.

41:23Oh, my God.

41:24No, you might be lucky.

41:25I haven't looked too bad.

41:28Fails it to me.

41:31You don't look so good.

41:32No, you've got a lucky one, eh?

41:35Well, ain't we a pair?

41:38I hope Raina doesn't think we did this to each other.

41:41Name of Gilpin, was it?

41:44Well, we got his number now.

41:46He won't get far.

41:46I'm sorry, Bruce.

41:52There's police here, you know.

41:54Yeah, look, I was trying to...

41:55You have the courage to help.

41:58That Gilpin would have done for me if you hadn't.

42:01So you were with me tonight.

42:03No one needs no more.

42:06Thanks.

42:08Sargasso, right?

42:09Where secrets go?

42:10No.

42:16They're over here.

42:21How are they?

42:24They look all right.

42:27Oh, I'm hurting.

42:29Yeah, you have no idea.

42:32Wow.

42:34That's a hell of a lot of elvers, Kev.

42:37Yep.

42:40You know, Dad offered to cash them in for us on his license.

42:45Why would he do that?

42:46It's his way of saying thanks.

42:48He did that already.

42:50He just wants to help.

42:53I know.

42:56Look at them.

42:58They're amazing.

43:00They've come so far.

43:04You know, if I'm going to owe you, Dad,

43:05then I thought there's something better he can do.

43:08What?

43:09He can show me the good places for Elverin.

43:12Legally.

43:13The way his Dad showed him.

43:15Yeah.

43:15He can do that.

43:21So what do we do with this lot?

43:27I think we'll put them back.

43:31They've got a long way to go.

43:32In Sargasso, by Simon Bovey,

43:45Kevin was played by Robert Lonsdale,

43:47Sabrina by Emily Wachter,

43:49and Bruce by Ian Gelder.

43:52Tam was Stuart McLaughlin,

43:54and Gilpin, Stephen Hogan.

43:56Other parts were played by Lizzie Watts,

43:59Matt Addis,

44:00and Benjamin Askew.

44:02The director was Mark Beebe.

44:04The guy who visitors and Lucas Will più in the 90s,

44:07and Mont why Kelly did not receive.

44:12The thing that he brought up the story of Jily,

44:13today,

44:13is that a plant for a 2, in order for women's life.

44:16Again, for the night.

44:18So这是 why I even worry.

44:19It looks so fun.

44:19We're going to help правд Mask.

44:20Walter isn't getting in the calendar.

44:22We're going to have some money in the calendar.

44:24We're going to some money in the calendar.

44:24Now we're going to have some money in the calendar.

44:25After that we're going to be broadcast,

44:26the second part is this year.

44:27Let's go below.

44:28From where we first set the map.

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