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03:01Half our convoys go out without any escort worth talking about
03:05because the government didn't build enough destroyers before it all started
03:07Hmm, well I can't believe that's true
03:09You've been listening to Haw Haw
03:11Could she hear me?
03:18Oh well it's my fault I shouldn't ask silly questions
03:21I'll go and have a word with her
03:23But be careful Robert
03:25I mean I know it's all you want of life but it's hell for mum
03:28Yeah, yeah, yeah I know
03:30Mum?
03:41Mum?
03:41Hey, um, hey I'm sorry mum
03:48Oh sorry about what love?
03:50Well for all that daft chatting there I was just
03:52I was just showing off to the women you know what sailors are
03:56Oh, Robert
03:58Hey, Mum
04:02Hey, come on, sit down
04:04Hey, I'll tell you what
04:08If I go to the States I'll get you a pair of silk stockings fully fashioned from Macy's
04:12All the blokes do that
04:13All you've got to bring me back is yourself, love
04:17Understand?
04:19Anyway, you haven't gone yet
04:20Well, no, but I will be
04:23Has, er
04:25Has your father talked to you about, er
04:29About putting it off for a while?
04:32No, Mum
04:32I see
04:34No use me asking you, I suppose
04:39Well, I couldn't
04:41Could I?
04:42I mean, I've passed out now
04:45All the other blokes are going
04:46I, I couldn't not go, Mum
04:48Dad's signed the papers and everything now
04:52He has?
04:58He didn't tell me that
04:59Well, er
05:02I suppose he didn't get round to it, that's all
05:05I'm supposed to wait until he does
05:08It's a man's world, isn't it?
05:12Seems we just have to accept it, don't we?
05:16Hey, look, Mum
05:17I'll be all right, honest, I will
05:19That'll be Mrs Gordon
05:24Happy Christmas, everybody
05:30Tony!
05:32Good heavens, young Robert
05:34Hello
05:34Sefton didn't tell me you were coming on leave, love
05:37Ah, well, he doesn't know, actually
05:39I'm on my way from the station
05:40Thought I'd pop in and see how the troops in the front line were
05:42We're all right, we're coping
05:44Yeah, well, the taxi driver told me he had a bad one last night
05:46Oh, and the night before that
05:48But we had, er, three weeks without a raid before that
05:51Come on, come in and see the others, love
05:52There goes Wailing Willie
05:55Is that the phone?
06:05No, you could hear it out here
06:06Lovely night
06:09Yes, beautiful
06:11My dad was a miner
06:13When I was a lad, I used to lie in bed and listen to the night shifts going on
06:18The clogs always seemed to have a ring to them on a night like this
06:22Do you think about the past much, Ted?
06:27No, I wouldn't say I did
06:29Not really
06:29Funny how things turn out
06:31You turn a corner
06:33You don't mean to go on, but you do
06:35You never go back again
06:39No
06:39No, I can say that
06:41Here they come
06:44Well, I managed to settle them down in the shelter
06:52Oh, Robert will be bursting at the seams
06:54He keeps wanting to go outside and have a look
06:57I nearly has a fit
06:58What is she going to do when he's out in the Atlantic?
07:03Have you been out in the ocean?
07:05Yeah, a couple of trips
07:06All that cold water, doesn't it scare you?
07:10Scare me?
07:10That's what keeps the boat afloat
07:11I was, uh, I'm sorry to hear about Peter
07:20Oh, that totally good thing
07:23Yeah
07:24And about the Aussie boyfriend
07:27Oh, that
07:29Just get a little stalk, eh?
07:32Oh, he'll be here tomorrow for Christmas
07:34He phoned up when I was out and Dad invited him
07:38He might have asked me first
07:40Well, I thought it was the big romance
07:43Romance?
07:44Who wants romance?
07:47That's us!
07:49The house has been hit
07:50Yes, all right, yes
07:52Right away
07:53I've got it
07:54Er, is that Tom Dawson?
07:57Tom
07:58I've got a dozen eggs here your missus asked me for
08:01Can you pick them up tonight?
08:03Good lad
08:03Get one of the messenger lads to take this down with the first aid
08:07Towards the line, never stops being engaged
08:09Right away, sir
08:10And if you can't find one, take it yourself
08:11Yeah, okay
08:12Fiddler?
08:16Yes, he's just come in
08:17Hang on
08:18Your lass wants a word with you, Edwin
08:20Ask her not to tire the fall upon private business as a raid on
08:23Hello?
08:25Who's that?
08:25Hello, it's me, Freda
08:27We've been hit
08:28The upstairs is on fire
08:29Tony and Robert's are up
08:30There's another in the garden
08:32Well, I'll be right there, love
08:33I'll get back to the shelter, do you understand?
08:35One of those incendiaries hit my place
08:37I've just sent the fiefers all out to Queen Drive
08:39I'll try and get the brigade
08:40Doesn't feel like Christmas, does it?
08:46Robert!
08:50I've got the spade, Mum
08:51Mine's out the way
08:53Hey
08:55Hey, my, my vault
08:56Oh, never mind your old vault
08:58Look, you go and look after the baby for me
09:00Leave this to me, will you?
09:02No, no, don't
09:03Look, go and get the dustbin lid
09:05The dustbin lid?
09:08What do you want that for, love?
09:09Well, the answer's hard as a rock
09:10I can't budge it
09:11Yes, but you get hurt, Mum
09:13Oh, now, don't be silly
09:14It's only like fireworks, isn't it?
09:17Tony, Robert
09:18Are you two all right in there?
09:22That's it
09:23And another
09:24Is it out, then?
09:38Yeah, it's out
09:39Well, that seems to be all right, isn't it?
09:41Yeah, a bit of a mess, though, isn't it?
09:43Yeah, grab that
09:44It's her mum's tin chest
09:50Would've come straight through, otherwise
09:52Yeah, I think that was a very creditable effort
09:54Medals all round
09:56Well, I think that dustbin lid was a brainwave
10:02No, I says it as I shouldn't
10:04I think it's a marvellous idea, love
10:06I just hope we can get a new dustbin lid, that's all
10:08Ours went out like I like once we got the sun on it, though, didn't it?
10:11Yeah, I bet we got ours out first
10:13Anyone would think you'd won the war
10:15Well, at least we saved old Sefton's house for him
10:17Um, sorry, Tony, I'd forgotten you were there
10:21Sorry, I didn't catch what you said
10:23Well, let's all have a cup of tea, shall we?
10:29Jean!
10:30Margaret!
10:30Where is it?
10:35Are you all all right?
10:36Yeah, I think so
10:37We're all all right, everybody, aren't we?
10:39Well, where's the fire?
10:40Good heavens, we put that out ages ago
10:42Careful, jolly, sailor boys come up from the sea
10:49There's Bill Blake, Will Weatherly, Jim Johnson and me
10:52Enjoying our liberty
10:54Tony's done
10:55Good
10:55I'd like to have a word with them before I go off
10:57Robert says you signed the papers
11:02Yes
11:03Yes, I signed them
11:05You promised me you'd talk to him
11:09Try and put him off for a while
11:11Yes, I know
11:13You were just humoring me
11:16I thought about it
11:19And I decided there wasn't any point
11:22You might at least have told me you'd signed them
11:26Jean, look, love
11:29Your sandwiches are on the table
11:31You up there, love?
11:38Um, yes
11:39Yes, I'm here
11:41Oh, bit of a mess, isn't it?
11:49Yes
11:49Still, could have been worse, I suppose
11:52Look, I'd better be getting ready
11:55Yeah, you're going to the porters, aren't you?
11:57Yes, yes, I am
11:58You seem to have been going round there quite a lot lately
12:01You and Celia Porter getting on a bit better, are you?
12:05I don't know about that
12:06She spends most of the time in bed, actually
12:08Oh, I see
12:09So it's Harry you talk to mainly, is it?
12:11Um, yes
12:12Look, we're going to miss that bus, you know
12:15Um, I'll see you downstairs, love
12:18Right, sir
12:19Pass this to Tony, dear, will you?
12:22Oh, thanks very much, Angie
12:23Yeah?
12:25Can I do some shopping for you, love?
12:28You don't have much time
12:29Oh, me?
12:31No
12:31No, thanks, love
12:32Oh
12:34Yeah, that attic's an awful mess
12:37Don't you think you ought to go and get cracking on it?
12:39Give me a chance
12:41Well, there's all sorts of stuff flying about
12:43Well, there's no point in doing too much, love
12:45I mean, the workmen are sure to make a mess
12:48when they start patching up the roof
12:49Yes, but, um
12:50I think you ought to go and have a look at it
12:51Well, I'm certainly being given my orders today, aren't I?
12:55Next time, I'll see you in the next little bit
12:57Oh, that's a great time
12:58Is it worth your attention?
13:04Yes, or is it worth your attention?
13:06It says here that the Jerry's attacked a port on the northwest coast last night.
13:31I wonder where that could have been.
13:32Wigan.
13:33What's it like in the Wrens?
13:39Ah well I did volunteer for the Wrens.
13:43It wouldn't have me.
13:44I'm defective eyesight I think.
13:46You're not thinking of joining the Wrens are you?
13:52Oh you know.
13:54What's the matter Fred?
13:56Well everybody else is going.
13:58House seems empty with Philaway and David never comes and
14:01Robert's going off to sea and Margaret's going back to teach next term.
14:05She'll be stuck in the front room marking books.
14:07How's she coping these days?
14:09You know Margaret she was born to Cambridge.
14:11Any news?
14:13Sort of news.
14:15Well you know people do turn up.
14:20Not no war.
14:23It's changing everything.
14:25Yeah it's not just a war though is it?
14:27I mean things would have changed anyway.
14:29People grow up go away.
14:31People die.
14:33Are you coming back here after?
14:39To Liverpool I mean.
14:41It's hard to say really.
14:43I don't know.
14:44Depends.
14:45I'm not sure if I'm capable of earning a living outside the family business.
14:49It's a cold hard world out there Fred.
14:52Here.
14:53More tea love.
14:55Thanks.
14:56Sure you've had enough Tony?
14:58Oh yes thanks auntie.
14:59Hey.
15:00You'll be late you know.
15:02You better put a zip in it.
15:03This isn't going to win the war.
15:05I'm all right.
15:06Dad hasn't gone yet.
15:07Yes well he's late too.
15:11Edwin?
15:12Edwin?
15:13Yes.
15:14Yes all right I'm coming.
15:15Right well I'm off to the porters now.
15:16You know what to do if John George starts crying don't you?
15:18I should do by now love.
15:19Oh Freda's gonna miss her bus if she doesn't hurry.
15:20Mum?
15:21Hmm?
15:22Never mind.
15:23I'll see you at dinner time.
15:24Yes.
15:25Yes of course dear.
15:26Freda?
15:27All right I'm going.
15:28I'm going.
15:29I'm going.
15:30Don't mind if your daughter walks to the bus with you do you dad?
15:31Dad?
15:32What love?
15:33I'm going to miss her bus if she doesn't hurry.
15:34Mum?
15:35Hmm?
15:36Never mind.
15:37I'll see you at dinner time.
15:38Yes.
15:39Yes of course dear.
15:40Freda?
15:41All right I'm going aren't I?
15:55Don't mind if your daughter walks to the bus with you do you dad?
15:58Dad?
15:59What love?
16:00I said do you mind if I come to the bus with you?
16:02No of course not.
16:03Well Hunter better say goodbye.
16:04Go to the bus come on.
16:05Your sandwiches are on the table.
16:08I've been taking sandwiches for the last 30 years.
16:11If I can't afford to have a proper meal now and then it's about time I could.
16:27Bye bye Sheila.
16:28Oh by the way I think we'll be seeing you on Christmas Day.
16:31We're dining here I believe.
16:33Well I'd better be off.
16:35Break the bad news to father.
16:36Oh sorry love.
16:38Bad news?
16:39Well I've got Christmas leave.
16:40Oh Tony love.
16:41He'd be pleased to see you.
16:42He'd be pleased to see you.
16:43He misses you.
16:44That ridiculous big house.
16:46That ridiculous big house.
16:47Yes.
16:48That ridiculous big house.
16:49Yes.
16:50That ridiculous big house.
16:52Father.
16:53Father.
16:54Father.
16:55Father.
16:56Father.
16:57Father.
16:58Father.
16:59Father.
17:00Father.
17:01Father.
17:02Father.
17:03Oh.
17:04Oh.
17:05Oh.
17:06Oh.
17:07Oh.
17:08Oh.
17:09Oh.
17:10Oh.
17:11Oh.
17:12Oh.
17:13Oh.
17:14Oh.
17:15Oh.
17:16Oh.
17:17Oh my god.
17:34Oh.
17:36Oh.
17:37Oh.
17:39What?
17:40Oh my god.
17:42Father?
17:48What are you doing here?
17:51Lost the Christmas leaf steaks.
17:53What?
17:54What have you been doing? Having the boys in?
17:56You want to catch it from Mrs. Foster when she sees this lot?
17:58Mrs. Foster's left.
18:00We had a disagreement.
18:02I see.
18:04I've had the flu as a matter of fact.
18:06What, didn't you ring Aunt Jean?
18:08You haven't managed well enough.
18:09Still, I'm glad to see you.
18:15Yes, I bet you are.
18:16Must be a week's washing up here.
18:18Anyway, I'm over it now.
18:19Just a bit run down, that's all.
18:22Well, did anybody know you, Rill?
18:24I let them know at the shop, of course.
18:25Dr. Bean?
18:26He wasn't asked.
18:28He'll have to get her back, you know.
18:30After the way she spoke to me.
18:32Don't be daft, Father.
18:33What are you going to do?
18:34What do you propose to do?
18:35Are you going to go on living like this?
18:37I propose to get somebody else.
18:39That's what I propose to do.
18:41You'd be lucky.
18:42I suppose you've got a better suggestion.
18:45Look, Father, she'll come back asked in the right way.
18:48Well, I expect you wish you'd gone and spent your Christmas somewhere else, don't you?
18:56But why don't you go and have a shave, eh?
18:58Make you feel better.
18:59I'll get started on this lot.
19:00I think I'll go and investigate the kitchen.
19:16Now, don't get under my feet, love.
19:18I've got a lot to do before bedtime.
19:20I'm only trying to help, Mum.
19:21Oh, hello, Owen.
19:27You won't mind sharing a room with Robert?
19:29No, no, not at all.
19:32Is there anything I can do to help?
19:34No, I don't think so.
19:36Oh, yes.
19:37Yes, I was going to ask Robert to get me some butter before the shops close.
19:41If you'd like to go with him, you might meet Frieda off the bus.
19:45Yeah, all right.
19:45Okay, I'll just go and get my coat off.
19:50Mrs. Ashton, I, er...
19:53It's very good of you to have me.
19:57We were very glad you could come.
20:00I know I haven't known Frieda all that long, but, er...
20:04I'm very, er...
20:06Well, it's not just, er...
20:09You...
20:10You heard about Peter?
20:12No, no, I didn't.
20:13It was the, er, night you went back.
20:18There was an air raid.
20:21He was killed.
20:25Oh.
20:28So, if she's a bit...
20:31Well, not quite like her usual.
20:35You will understand, won't you?
20:39Yes.
20:40Yes, of course.
20:52You found that copy, Alan?
20:54Yes, I'm reading it here.
20:55Well, that's the way they want it, as it is there.
20:58See you later, Mr. Tony.
20:59Yes.
21:00Yes, I'll, er...
21:01I'll take a walk round.
21:05Sure the family face.
21:06Well, I've been home.
21:11He's been down with flu.
21:13That accounts for it.
21:14I've been living downstairs in the drawing room.
21:16You've never seen such a tip.
21:17Mrs. Foster ill?
21:19She's left him.
21:20Again?
21:21Mm-hm.
21:22I suppose I shall have to go and abase myself before.
21:25Shouldn't he do that himself?
21:26Yeah, but he won't, though, will he?
21:28Think I should let him stew in his own juice?
21:31I won't, though, will I?
21:33Don't ask me why.
21:34The ties of flesh and blood.
21:37Maybe.
21:39You know, I was trying to imagine what it must have been like for him stuck there on his own this last week.
21:43I mean, he hardly ever reads a book.
21:46And the whole musical repertoire, there are about three pieces he can bear to listen to.
21:49Not the least bit interested in any sort of sport.
21:52When he opens his mouth, it sounds like a record of the closing share prices.
21:55I mean, what sort of life is that?
21:56Seems to be what he wants, son.
21:58I reckon if Mum hadn't died when she did, she'd have died of boredom.
22:01Why'd you say that?
22:08Well, she loved books, music, and conversation.
22:16Conversation.
22:17You never saw them in that room together in evenings, did you?
22:19He managed to force out three sentences before he went to bed.
22:23It was an occasion.
22:24You should say something to me.
22:26He'd just grunt.
22:29Like a pig.
22:33I'm sorry I shouldn't talk about him like this.
22:36Not even to you.
22:37I always thought she was very fond of him.
22:41Yes, she was.
22:44That always made it seem worse to me.
22:46Your mother always seemed content enough to me.
22:48But then, it's not easy to look into other people's hearts, is it, son?
22:52You can go through a whole life thinking you know somebody as well as you know yourself.
22:58But you can't ever be sure, can you?
23:03Does he come round here often?
23:04The other day.
23:06Good God.
23:08Seemed only to interest himself in the shop when I was here.
23:10What's brought that on?
23:11As though it was pretty obvious.
23:12He doesn't trust me, does he?
23:14Otherwise, why does he keep coming round?
23:16Well, he just likes to feel he's in charge.
23:19I mean, that's him.
23:21He didn't do it when you were here.
23:23You just said so.
23:23He didn't have to, did he?
23:25I mean, I went home every night.
23:26There I was, a sitting duck every night.
23:28Why do you think I didn't wait to get called up?
23:29Well, I'm not waiting either.
23:31I've been here 30 years, Tony.
23:32I thought it was for life.
23:34Well, something's turned up and I'm grabbing it.
23:37It's taken a war to make me free of your father.
23:42I see.
23:44Do you want to talk about it?
23:45I think it might be better if you didn't know, don't you?
23:49Now, look, I...
23:50I know I'm always saying that I don't know how you stick it, but...
23:55Well, I shall be sorry to see you go.
24:01Do you want to come home and tackle him about it this evening?
24:04Why don't you?
24:04Hopeless.
24:21No, you're not.
24:24You used to be better than any of us, but you hardly ever play these days.
24:27Why don't you?
24:31I've lost touch, it seems.
24:35And if you can't do it well, don't do it at all, as your grandmother used to say.
24:38You should have kept it up.
24:40With five children to look after.
24:42Well, we'll soon all be off your hands, won't we?
24:44Oh, now, Mum, cheer up.
24:50Is it Robert you're worrying about?
24:54Robert.
24:54And David.
24:58And Philip.
25:01And you, love.
25:02Me?
25:03I'm all right.
25:06You're more than all right.
25:07I don't know what I'd do without you.
25:10It'll be all right in the end, you say.
25:12It's just that now and then, lately, I've caught a glimpse of someone that was me a long time ago.
25:30You see, I've always wanted to do something more than just bring up a family.
25:37Oh, and much as I love you all, I do just sometimes wonder if things have been different.
25:51You see, the choice I made, I mean, the kind of life I chose, it's coming to an end now, isn't it?
26:02Everybody going away?
26:08I don't know.
26:15What's this?
26:18It's yours, isn't it?
26:20Where did you find it?
26:21In the box room when I went up this morning.
26:23That's why I suggested you ought to go and tidy up in there.
26:26There were some letters in it.
26:28Well, I happened to glance at one without knowing, you see.
26:31It's empty.
26:34Yes.
26:36Well, I know it's an awful thing to say, but I rather think Dad's pinched them.
26:39I mean, they were from an old flame, weren't they?
26:41He's probably a bit jealous that you kept them.
26:43Was there a large brown envelope in it?
26:46I don't know.
26:46Yes, I think there was.
26:48Was something in it?
26:50I don't know.
26:51I mean, I just glanced at one of the letters.
26:52Yes.
26:52Hello?
27:02Oh, Mrs. Foster, yes.
27:06Flew?
27:06Oh, I'm sorry.
27:09Yes.
27:10Yes, of course.
27:11I'll go around and see if there's anything I can do to help.
27:13I brought you a visitor, Father.
27:20Hmm?
27:22Oh, Edwin.
27:23I didn't know you weren't well, Sefton.
27:25Why didn't you ring one of us?
27:26Oh, I only had a bit of flu, you know.
27:29Jean would have come over.
27:30Gladly, I'm sure.
27:31I think Jean should speak for herself, don't you?
27:34I'd have thought she'd have had enough on with you, lot on her hands.
27:37We're her family, Sefton.
27:39I'm her family, too, if it comes to that.
27:42Would you like a drink, Uncle Edwin?
27:44Dad's still suffering from the after effects.
27:46I beg your pardon?
27:48Who's the Scotch fella?
27:50There isn't any.
27:51Oh, well, there's a bottle in my bag.
27:54Your Christmas present.
27:55You won't mind drinking it now, will you?
27:58Well, come in, lad.
27:59I haven't got eyes in the back of my head.
28:01Sit down.
28:05Anything all right down there?
28:07If it hadn't been, I'd have got in touch.
28:08I've been meaning to ring you anyway.
28:10I've had an incendiary through the roof last night.
28:12What?
28:12At home, I mean.
28:13Good heavens.
28:14What have you done about it?
28:16I got a local firm to put a tarpaulin over it.
28:18Is it serious, the damage?
28:20It would have been if Robert and Tony hadn't got it out.
28:22He said nothing to me about it.
28:24Why didn't you do something about getting it fixed properly?
28:27Because in the first place, I'm not in a position to pull strings.
28:29In the second place, well, damn it, it's your house, Sefton.
28:33You don't have to shout, Edwin.
28:35I'm not deaf.
28:35If I had done something about it, you'd have told me I was exceeding my authority.
28:39I wouldn't you?
28:40Well, wouldn't you?
28:41What's the trouble, Edwin?
28:43Air raids getting you down early?
28:44Good God, no.
28:45I can stand any amount of air raids.
28:48It's the other things I can't stand, Sefton.
28:50Yeah, Angie.
28:52You've got another visitor, Father.
28:56Comparable.
28:56I would have a different name.
28:58Freda?
29:03Oh, hello.
29:06Margaret said you got here.
29:08I've just been down to the shop with young Bob.
29:10We must have passed each other in the blackout.
29:12Well, how are you?
29:15Fine.
29:17And you?
29:18Well, I'm all right, you know.
29:22It seems ages since I left you on the station in the middle of that raid.
29:26Yes.
29:27Yes, it does, doesn't it?
29:29I hope you're not going to be bored stiff.
29:33It's going to be a deadly quiet Christmas with David and Phil away.
29:36Well, I came to see you, didn't I?
29:37Oh, Freda.
29:41Oh, and I'm sorry.
29:46What's the matter?
29:48I don't know.
29:49I just don't feel the same as I did when I last saw you, that's all.
29:55I don't know why, I just don't.
30:00Because there's a war on and people get killed?
30:05Your mother told me about Peter Collins.
30:07Yes, I suppose that's part of it.
30:13But what it boils down to is, well, you've just gone off me, right?
30:18I don't know, Owen, honestly.
30:19I just don't know.
30:23Well, I think I'd better pack up and go.
30:26But what would you...
30:26You think I'm some excuse for your folks.
30:28I'll nip upstairs and get my gear together.
30:31Owen.
30:36Don't go now.
30:37Not now, it's Christmas.
30:45Could I have my letters, please?
30:52I didn't read them.
30:54I didn't think you would.
30:57Is Father's will here?
30:59Yes.
31:01Did you read that?
31:02Yes, I read it.
31:03Is there any reason why I shouldn't have?
31:06No.
31:08It affects you too, I suppose.
31:1025% of the estate.
31:11Do you know how much that's worth on my reckoning?
31:13It's worth nothing while Mother's alive.
31:16I understood it was a pittance.
31:17Don't you ever distort the truth.
31:21When I asked you to speak to Robert, you'd already signed those papers, hadn't you?
31:25Well, hadn't you?
31:26What you were asking me to do was unreasonable.
31:29Was it so unreasonable?
31:33He's 16.
31:35He's a boy, Edwin.
31:37They're all boys.
31:39Do you think you're the only mother who wants to hide her son?
31:41You can say that to me.
31:48I've had three sons, Edwin.
31:54Here we are, then.
31:57Aren't seeming to be my mother, I think.
31:59That's the stuff.
32:00You know, I'm beginning to feel better already.
32:03Remind me to bring a couple of bottles round on Christmas Day.
32:07What we all need is a good old-fashioned family Christmas.
32:11Eh?
32:11You had a fair whack at the old Scotch last night?
32:41You didn't do too badly yourself, considering it was my Christmas present.
32:46I was joking about that.
32:49Here, happy Christmas, Father.
32:50Oh.
32:50And if you don't like it, you can lump it.
32:52I spent a half a day coming in the middle of it.
32:54No, you'll find yours over on the bookcase there.
32:57Well, give us a clue.
32:58What do you mean, clue?
32:59Well, I mean, is it lurking behind Mrs. Beaton or the life and times of Lloyd George?
33:04It's in that envelope there.
33:06Ah-ha.
33:08You know, you should try reading some of these sometime.
33:11Well, aren't you going to open it?
33:12Well, it's a check, isn't it?
33:15Well, you could hardly mistake it for a pair of slippers, could you?
33:17Eh?
33:17Eh, no, I couldn't.
33:22Oh, thank you very much, Father.
33:23Just what I've always wanted.
33:26Where did you get this from?
33:27It's me and your mother at Scarborough, isn't it?
33:30Yes, well, I borrowed the negative from Aunt Jean and got it enlarged.
33:34The, er, frame was the difficult bit.
33:36What?
33:36Well, it's the same as she used to have on her dressing table.
33:40Got lost, didn't it?
33:41Oh, no, no, I gave that to Mrs. Foster.
33:45Oh.
33:46Yes, it's a good sharp picture, is that?
33:49Near that Roman fort, up at the castle it was.
33:51You get a grand view from up there, you know.
33:53Yes, yes, Aunt Jean was telling me.
33:55Yes.
33:57By the way, did you get the impression that there was something going on last night?
34:00I had the feeling that she and Edwin had been falling out.
34:03He's happy enough at the works these days, isn't he?
34:06Well, you should know.
34:07You seem more than an idea.
34:08You go around there, don't you?
34:09Every other day, just about.
34:11I go for the chat as much as anything else.
34:14What chat?
34:15There's nothing much else to go for.
34:18You know, you were right about Edwin.
34:20He does a good job.
34:21He runs the place very nicely.
34:23Have you ever tried telling him that?
34:24No, I haven't.
34:26Too many pats on the back and you know what you end up with?
34:30Complacency.
34:30I've seen it happen too often.
34:32Oh, not with you, Father, surely.
34:34You can laugh.
34:35When you've had as much experience as I have, you'll know what it's all about.
34:38By the way, has he said anything to you about that pension I've arranged for him?
34:44No.
34:46Pringles are losing Jack Thorpe at the end of the month.
34:49I wouldn't put it past him to come porch in.
34:50Here, help me on with this, will you?
34:52I'm not saying Edwin's likely to be tempted, mind.
34:55I think we can count on his loyalty after 30 years.
35:00Loyalty?
35:01Aren't you forgetting the family motto?
35:02What's that?
35:04You've said it often enough.
35:06It's a little thought that goes something like there's no sentiments in business.
35:09Right?
35:14Oh, where's Mum?
35:16Um, she's upstairs and she's got a headache.
35:20I sent her to rest at five, six, seven.
35:23Would you want a hand?
35:24I thought you'd never ask.
35:25I've been trying to cope by myself in here for the past half hour.
35:28Well, you don't need to ask.
35:29I didn't know, did I?
35:31Honestly, what is it about Christmas Day that brings out the worst in everybody?
35:34Dad's just gone out with a face like thunder.
35:37Oh, where?
35:38A walk, he said.
35:39They're rowing, aren't they?
35:41I suppose it's about Robert.
35:42Look, Tony and old Setton will be here any moment.
35:44If you've come in here just to talk, look, go away.
35:47Just go away and leave me alone.
35:48Oh, Margaret, I'm sorry.
35:49Don't keep saying you're sorry.
35:54Oh, now, why should you be sorry?
35:57It's me that's...
35:59Oh, I don't know.
36:00We're all going mad in this house, what with one thing and another.
36:04I'm sorry.
36:05Look, if you say that again, I'll...
36:07I'll crown you.
36:08I will.
36:11That's another thing.
36:13I hate people bending over backwards not to upset me.
36:16I mean, why should I get special treatment?
36:21Because of John.
36:23Look, I know what you're all thinking, you know.
36:25What shall I do first?
36:26Miss Fultz?
36:27Um, no, they're done.
36:30You could peel the apples for a start.
36:33Somebody ought to lay the table.
36:35Look, Paul Owen's in there all by himself.
36:37With no one to talk to anyway, it's up to you.
36:38Look, I'm just going upstairs for a minute.
36:40Hey, where are you going to, then?
36:47Out for a walk.
36:48I've got some thinking to do.
36:50Oh, yes.
36:52Anything in particular?
36:53It's me that's causing all this.
36:55Oh, what?
36:55You know.
36:56Oh, now, look, for heaven's sake, don't you start.
36:59It's got nothing to do with you.
37:02What is it, then?
37:03It's, um, oh, I don't know, it's something to do with work, I think.
37:08Anyway, it's something private between them,
37:10so you can take that off and go in there and say something nice to Owen.
37:13Goodness knows what the Paul Adams be thinking of us all.
37:16Hey, come on, do something useful, eh?
37:19No, I'd sooner go for a walk.
37:21I won't be long, Meg, honest.
37:23All right, then.
37:24But promise me something.
37:26Try and come back looking a bit more cheerful, will you?
37:28You promise?
37:29All right, I promise.
37:30All right, then, off you go.
37:33Hey, I, you've done the apples.
37:42I'm just going to lay the table there.
37:44You feel better?
37:45Yes, yes, just don't fuss me.
38:01I'll be of any use.
38:03Of course you can, if you want to.
38:04All right.
38:07So.
38:21All right, how many places?
38:23Um, Mum, Dad, Margaret, Robert, you, me, Uncle Sefton.
38:28I bet you've got nothing like him in Australia.
38:32And Tony, that's a lot worse luck.
38:34Right.
38:38Have you heard anything of young Phil?
38:40Once.
38:41We think he should be somewhere at sea about now.
38:45Poor old Phil.
38:47We used to go on the boat, so we went on holiday.
38:49Everybody but me and Phil.
38:51Oh, we only went once and we were sick as dogs.
38:56I wonder when we'll see him again.
38:58When it's all over, I suppose.
39:00Oh, maybe before then.
39:03Well, it could be years, couldn't it?
39:06Oh, I don't know.
39:07If the Americans come into it...
39:08He's a real man when he comes back, a real man.
39:12I sometimes wish I'd been born a man, don't you?
39:16Oh, I'm sorry.
39:18I'm always coming out with things like that.
39:20The old scatterbrained Dad used to call me.
39:22Oh, sometimes I feel like I never want to go away from this place.
39:29And then I get bored.
39:32And then I feel I just want to get away to some new place and live.
39:40And live, you know.
39:43I think we're a spoon short.
39:46Oh, I'm sorry, Owen.
39:49Maybe it'll be all right.
39:50Maybe.
40:00Where's your mother?
40:01She's upstairs, resting.
40:03She's got a headache.
40:10Tony and Sefton arrived?
40:11No.
40:12I thought I caught a glimpse of Robert at a camp.
40:14Yes, he's gone for a walk.
40:16To think.
40:17Oh, I signed the papers, you know.
40:18Yes, yes, I did know.
40:20I suppose you think I would have talked him out of it.
40:23I suppose you agree with your mother.
40:24Oh, no, I don't know, Dad.
40:26I mean, none of these things are easy, aren't they?
40:30That's the trouble, isn't it?
40:31We always like to have things simple and clear-cut.
40:34A straight yes or a straight no.
40:36Oh, that'll be Uncle Sefton.
40:38Now, look, you go on upstairs.
40:40I'll let them in.
40:46Margaret, lover.
40:47Sorry I'm late.
40:48You can blame this lordship here.
40:49Oh, yes, well, I'm afraid we're going to be a bit late, too.
40:51What?
40:51Happy Christmas to you.
40:52Well, Mother's got a headache.
40:53Oh, yes, happy Christmas.
40:55It's upset the timetable a bit.
40:56Oh, dear, dear.
40:57Anyway, go on in and make yourselves at home, eh?
40:59Can I get you something?
41:06I was looking for that new cardigan he bought me.
41:09I put it in the wardrobe, I think.
41:15You didn't get much sleep last night, did you?
41:19I usually do wake up when you go downstairs.
41:22I'm sorry.
41:23It seems to be a habit I've got into.
41:25I was thinking when we get the box room roof fixed up,
41:27I could move in there.
41:29It doesn't seem fair to disturb your sleep.
41:34There'll be three empty beds in the boys' room when Robert's gone.
41:41Yes.
41:42Yes, well, we'll see, shall we?
41:45I'll just tell Margaret that you're on your way down, then.
41:48Yes.
41:52Yes, I'll be down shortly.
41:54Yes, I've got it here somewhere.
41:57Ah, yes, here it is.
41:59The Federal Parliament House at Canberra.
42:03Canberra.
42:04I beg your pardon?
42:05It's Canberra.
42:07Yes.
42:10Oh, yeah.
42:11We don't want this thing on, do we?
42:14You want to have a good look at that, Frieda?
42:16It's the last one our Joe sent before she joined this army nursing thing.
42:20Her writing doesn't get any better.
42:21Thanks very much.
42:24Yes.
42:27Well, so you've got a boyfriend at last, have you?
42:32Do you know what she said to me at her sister's wedding when I asked her when it'd be her turn?
42:36First that asks, she said.
42:40Have a nut.
42:41Eh, no, I don't take them, thank you very much.
42:45Do you mind?
42:46Oh, Edwin.
42:58I see you've managed to get a Christmas tree.
43:01It's the one we had last year, Sefton.
43:03I've had it in the garden.
43:04The future will be hard, but our feet are planted on the path of victory.
43:20And with the help of God, we shall make our way to justice and to peace.
43:34Yes, well, what a bad speech, aren't they?
43:39Yes, well, he's right about the dangers and the difficulties.
43:42We're doing very well in Egypt by all accounts, but what does that mean?
43:45Look what happened at Dunkirk.
43:47We didn't do too badly in the Battle of Britain, Father.
43:49Yes, but it's not over yet, is it?
43:51All these air raids, they'll not get me down, but not everybody has the nerve, have they?
43:55And are the supplies getting through?
43:57It's out in the Atlantic we shall either win or lose this war, same as in the last lot.
44:01And the ship's going down every day.
44:03Thousands of tons of shipping being lost.
44:06Thousands of lives.
44:09I'll go.
44:13Are we all finished, then?
44:29I'm sorry about that.
44:30I should have stopped him.
44:31Have you ever tried to stop him?
44:34No.
44:36Why not?
44:37Once or twice I've come pretty near to walking out on him, but I've never quite made it for one reason or another.
44:45Because of me and the children?
44:47There was me too, of course.
44:48Maybe you'd have been happier married to someone else.
44:57Someone in my own class.
45:00I didn't mean that.
45:03Not in that unpleasant way.
45:06You'd have been more comfortable.
45:09We've lived together for over 30 years.
45:13We're a bit old and start wondering whether we did the right thing.
45:16You do though, don't you?
45:21When I went over to see Dad in the autumn, I told him about Tony going and me taking over.
45:26When I was leaving, he looked at me and he said,
45:29See, you're a manager now then.
45:31That's all.
45:33Nothing else.
45:35But I felt as if I'd been disinherited.
45:38All those years ago, when you took Father's offer,
45:43I never expected you to, you know.
45:46You wanted it though, didn't you?
45:49I wanted to stay near Mother.
45:53It seemed the best thing at the time.
45:55I thought I'd be able to keep you in a manner to which you were accustomed, as they say.
46:00But when I began to see it wouldn't work,
46:03David had come along, then Margaret, Philip,
46:06Jobs were at a premium,
46:09had the house rent free.
46:11It's not that you don't know that there's a hedge growing up around you,
46:15but one day you look and
46:16it's six foot high.
46:20I'd have understood if you'd talked to me.
46:25You should have talked to me more.
46:28Did you ever try talking to me?
46:30About your father's will, for instance?
46:32I started to tell you.
46:38You said what we had was what you earned.
46:43I didn't want to cut into your pride anymore.
46:47Pride?
46:49Illusions?
46:50Isn't that what you mean?
46:52Ten years ago, you were different.
46:54Yes.
46:56I was different.
46:59But I might have had the sense to see it for what it was.
47:02Security for you and the children, and I might
47:04just have had one last go at finding that other job.
47:10Would it have been all that different?
47:13Does it really mean so much to you?
47:15I don't know.
47:16I don't know what I am anymore.
47:18Now and then at the works, I'll hear myself say something.
47:21It's not me.
47:22It's your father talking, even Sefton sometimes.
47:26Things rub off on you, and you don't really notice at the time.
47:33There's a bit of me in Philip, I think.
47:35Not much in David.
47:37David, and I can see a lad that I was in Robert now and then.
47:46That's about all there is to show for those 30 years.
47:55I'm sorry you feel like that.
48:07Robert's as all right as we could make him, you know.
48:12It's mainly up to him now.
48:14The rest is chance.
48:16We all have to live with that.
48:19Don't we?
48:20When there's a war,
48:22it's just that much harder.
48:25Yes, it's harder.
48:30Why don't you have a rest?
48:33Yes, I think I will.
48:35The others won't mind if I don't come down for a bit, will they?
48:40No.
48:42No, of course not.
48:45They don't really need us anymore, do they?
49:05Yes.
49:10Sefran gone yet?
49:11Yes.
49:12Tony took him off.
49:15You know, I don't think he realizes even now how stupid he was.
49:19What was it somebody said about him?
49:22He lives his life like he drives his car without a thought for anybody else on the road.
49:27Yes.
49:27Well, something like that.
49:31I thought you were going for a walk with the others.
49:34No, I'm too tired.
49:37I'm hoping John George will allow me to have a siesta.
49:45Mum all right?
49:47She's having a rest for a bit.
49:48I'm not surprised.
49:55Come up.
49:57I wish we could have got your grandfather over for Christmas.
50:00Well, why doesn't he come?
50:02It's not all that far, is it?
50:04He always says he can't stand the train journey.
50:08Well, he'd be a lot more welcome than old Sufton, anyway.
50:12There speaks your father's daughter.
50:14Dad, I can't stand another year of it.
50:22Of what love?
50:24Well, helping Harry and Mrs. Porter to pack the other day, it was...
50:32It's like watching part of your life come to an end.
50:37Why can't they tell me?
50:40Why doesn't somebody say?
50:41Margaret!
50:42I want somebody to tell me because
50:44I've no hope anymore.
50:48I've no hope at all.
50:51I want somebody to tell me that John is dead, Dad.
50:57Please, Dad.
50:58Please, Dad.
50:59I want somebody to tell me.
51:19Let's take off, Dad.
51:21Were none of us the same, the boys reply
51:33For George lost both his legs
51:37And Bill's stone blind
51:40Poor Jim's shot through the lungs
51:45I'd like to die
51:46And Bert's gone syphilitic
51:50He'll not find the chap who served
51:54That hasn't found some change
51:57And the bishop said
52:00The ways of God are strange
52:20He'll find the church
52:38THE END
53:08The story of the Ashtons will continue into 1941 and through the war years when a family at war returns to the screen in November.
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