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A Woman Of Substance S01E04 (2026)
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00:22The Countess is here to see you, Mrs. Hart.
00:26Mummy, what a dreadful week for you.
00:28I just can't bear it.
00:30I said to the florist, your absolute best bouquet, though no roses.
00:33And the girl knew immediately they must be for you.
00:35How about that?
00:36Oh, those wretched papers.
00:38I was so pleased when you suggested lunch.
00:40Are you surviving?
00:41When have you known me not to?
00:43Hello, darling.
00:44I put patsies for 1.30.
00:45Will that do?
00:46Janet, I swear she saw Sinatra there only last Tuesday.
00:48My favourite thing to say is that she's done it all for her family,
00:50which is ludicrous, of course,
00:52for a woman who's spent every moment of her adult life avoiding her family
00:56and making grand speeches about bloody revenge.
00:58She's pathetic.
01:00There's a downside, of course,
01:03to making certain one's children never want for anything at all.
01:07And that's being forced to watch them stroll through life,
01:11taking everything in their path for granted.
01:13Mummy, I'm so sorry.
01:14What would you like to explain first, my love?
01:17Your detailed expose to the press of my confidential medical records?
01:21Or your use, too, Mr. Fairley, of the word Haridan?
01:26I can explain.
01:27Well, I'd love to hear it, darling.
01:31Truly, I'd love to understand.
01:34Because everything I've ever done has been for my family.
01:55Oh, no!
01:58Oh, no!
02:09Time sheets, Mr. Fairley.
02:11Thanks.
02:13It is all...
02:14well...
02:15at home.
02:21What about you?
02:22I know some of the staff at the hall were wondering
02:24if Emma might have been in touch with any news
02:28around now.
02:33It's been months since we saw her.
02:36It's been six... six months.
02:39Six and a half.
02:44She sends money every month.
02:47Postmark leads.
02:48She's got her head on her shoulders, Mr. Fairley.
02:51She gets some weight.
02:53No address, no news.
02:55Don't want us to worry.
02:57Anyway, I'm told congratulations
02:59are in order for your engagement.
03:04Have a later shift to keep awake.
03:33I've been up all night finishing this dress just for you.
03:36So I believe this will be exactly what you're after.
03:39Where do you find the time, Mrs. Hart?
03:41In your condition?
03:42There's a name for Mrs. Hart's condition.
03:44Tireless.
03:44The fact is, Mrs. Hart,
03:46I'm also in the family way.
03:47Congratulations, Mrs. Fairweather.
03:49Perhaps I could make you a skirt like mine
03:51with a drawstring waist.
03:52See?
03:52Wraps around my front like so.
03:53Well, come and see me and I'll get you measured up.
03:55See you soon.
04:02I've never had a shop assistant
04:03bring as much costume as you.
04:05It's all adding up.
04:06Three quarters for you, Mr. Lowther.
04:09And a quarter for...
04:11Good plan.
04:12With a capital P.
04:14Capital P for baby.
04:16I'm saving.
04:17Well, you're not saving energy.
04:19I'll sit down when the baby's born.
04:21That's how it works when you're a mother, isn't it?
04:23You do nothing but rest.
04:25Well, I'm not sure that is how it works.
04:26Mrs. Barlow, I was hoping you'd be in.
04:28You've got to love this.
04:56Thank God.
05:02Well, safe and sound in there.
05:06I'm going to keep you that way.
05:09I'm going to keep you that way.
05:11I'm going to keep you that way.
05:17I'm going to keep you that way.
05:22I'm going to keep you that way.
05:24I'm going to keep you that way.
05:25I'm going to keep you that way.
05:26I'm going to keep you that way.
05:27I'm going to keep you that way.
05:29I'm going to keep you that way.
05:29I'm going to keep you that way.
05:29I'm going to keep you that way.
05:29I'm going to keep you that way.
05:29I'm going to keep you that way.
05:29I'm going to keep you that way.
05:30I'm going to keep you that way.
05:30I'm going to keep you that way.
05:32I'm going to keep you that way.
05:33I'm going to keep you that way.
05:47Oh, my God.
06:09All right in there. We're having a little play.
06:21Walk along.
06:26Not slapping up, I hope, Mrs. R?
06:28Lunch. Don't worry, though, I've not stopped working.
06:31Don't forget.
06:38Closing for the day already? She's never opened.
06:45I think I'd be very pleased with what I've got for you today.
06:50New silks are perfect.
06:52And to you, only three and six a yard.
06:54Shame I'm only paying you two and six, then.
06:56Three shillings.
06:57Two and nine.
06:59Oh, you're a tyrant.
07:05Are those pin marks on those fingers?
07:08Mrs. R, how long have you been working for Joel Elder?
07:10Six months, is it?
07:11And every minute of that you've worked like a dog.
07:13People love to tell me to slow down, but babies don't write ahead and make appointments.
07:16And I am running out of time.
07:19The money's not coming in quick enough.
07:21Does your husband find you working so hard?
07:25He's working too. I've told you, the Navy can't spare him.
07:29Well, he's missing out, is all I'd say.
07:33I expect you'll miss him too. Being away from home.
07:36I miss my dad. I'm a brother.
07:39No time to miss anyone else.
07:40Anyway, I'm saving up so when the baby's born I can have two months off.
07:44Maybe even three, if I work hard in these last few weeks.
07:47It's looking like another record-breaking day.
07:51Teamwork, Mr. Lowther?
07:52I don't think so. When I watch you selling, you don't have a mind like a woman's at all.
07:58Yours is more like a man's.
08:01Is there a difference?
08:03You're living here now, are you? I've got work to do.
08:10Is this the new cloth? Looks pricey.
08:12It was supposed to be.
08:14It's to replace the Fairleigh stuff, Mr. Lowther.
08:16The fact is, customers can spot it.
08:18Cloth from the Fairleigh mill is just bad quality.
08:20Rotten, some might say.
08:25We've lost another cloth, Aldrin.
08:27More complaints about the quality.
08:30A lot of that equipment is old and tired.
08:33And we can't keep asking the men to work round the clock.
08:35You're usual grabbers who don't pay the plebs enough money.
08:38Now we're offering night time hours, suddenly they have to be home for their tea.
08:41They're not plebs. They're people.
08:43Who have rights and feelings.
08:47Priya!
08:48You're back!
08:51Sorry. Long day.
08:55You must be tired.
09:00Edwin, Priya and I were hoping that tomorrow we might get down to the real business of the week.
09:04Wedding planning.
09:06We should talk about churches, certainly.
09:09At some stage.
09:11I was hoping we might decide on a date, at least, while I'm here.
09:14Because your father's a busy man.
09:16Silvery Crum needs to make plans.
09:20So, we must get every wedding detail fixed, mustn't we, Evan?
09:26He's preoccupied at work.
09:28Good old Edwin.
09:29Doing all he can to save the business.
09:45Yourznitra will be waiting on the shore.
09:46I'm going to leave.
09:48I'll go on to Wayne.
09:49As far as he was at the front of our cat for each other.
09:53There's no new action.
09:54I'll go on.
09:58He's not a cat.
10:00Hey, what's going on here?
10:00What's going on?
10:00I'm stuck.
10:01You're stuck.
10:02You're stuck.
10:02I don't think your cat.
10:03I'm stuck.
10:03You're stuck.
10:04I was stuck.
10:11you should be ashamed of yourself you don't just stroll in it when for months you can come near
10:15well sure i'm here now when i can see she's been busy
10:22what the hell have you been playing on mr r you should know that your wife has been working
10:29tirelessly every minute the absence of anyone else bothering mr kalinsky david this is not my
10:37husband this is just a friend a dear friend mac he barely knows my husband oh you'd be surprised
10:44by how little what i had no idea i'll see you at closing time right see you soon
11:01the dar brought you these
11:06i was looking for a vase like mother's you know that allow the flowers to splay out
11:11do you remember she always had such a way with flowers
11:16edmund rushed off early again but work never stops at the mill not these days i mean adam's barely home
11:25i mean you know i hardly ever see him it's barely here do you need more hot water darling or
11:33anything
11:33you know anything to eat
11:40darling
11:44i wonder if maybe you ought to get out
11:49do you think i'll just get away from this place
11:57i was wondering about aunt jesse's cottage by the sea would you like that
12:02with that little beach down below and the goals
12:05and she'd love to have you i know if she would
12:08and you may just find that
12:15pode have you
12:18i don't paid
12:25but i'll be
12:26i don't mean
12:39but tell please
12:40Dorious, aren't they? There's hundreds of them out there.
12:44They do that.
12:46They're invasive, if left unchecked.
12:51A lily of a valley will simply take over the whole garden.
12:55You can't get rid of them.
13:07Well, won't that pass?
13:27Oh, sorry, we're closed.
13:30Your guard dog's not with you, no?
13:33Mr Kalinske just does the deliveries. He's only being kind.
13:36Oh, kind, is he? As well as handsome.
13:44Like you were born to work here.
13:53Emma Hart, are you going to avoid looking at me for the whole rest of her life?
13:59What's going on, darling?
14:10Pat doesn't know Amelia.
14:12And he mustn't.
14:14I can't take trouble to his door.
14:19Not after, ma'am.
14:22I haven't seen him.
14:24I haven't seen him often.
14:27How can I afford to bring up this baby by myself?
14:33Fine.
14:38How the hell have you got yourself in this hole, miss?
14:46There was a lad back home.
14:48You don't know him.
14:51He let me down.
14:53Then I'll thrash the living day lads out of him.
14:55No need.
14:57He said he'd marry me at first, then run away to join the Navy.
15:04And this?
15:07So nobody thinks bad of me.
15:11And also because I like remembering.
15:13Remembering him?
15:14Remembering I won't ever again let someone make me feel the way he did.
15:19Not till the day I die.
15:22I'm remembering what drives me now.
15:24What'll drive me my whole life.
15:28Revenge.
15:33Emma, how are you going to look after the baby and work?
15:38I'm making dresses.
15:40And I'm good.
15:42I am.
15:42I get such a thrill to see the money pile up.
15:46I've saved up for two months, which means that when the baby's born I can stop a while.
15:54Did you drop something?
15:56You know I'll marry you.
15:58Emma Hart.
15:59And happily.
16:02It'd be an honour.
16:05Emma, will you marry me?
16:11I'm the best man I know.
16:13Sure, to marry you would be a privilege.
16:16Good and more like.
16:17Have you seen these shoulders?
16:19I could look after the both of you.
16:22I know.
16:24I know you would.
16:27But I've got it planned.
16:29I'm going to look after us myself.
16:31Somehow.
16:33I'm going to be a mother, Mac.
16:34A mum.
16:36I'm going to have a real baby.
16:37The most precious thing you can have.
16:40And more than anything I've ever done, I want to take care of it.
16:44Well, I could have at least an eye.
16:46Mac.
16:47You have the biggest heart I know.
16:51It's bursting.
16:52Which is why I want you to be able to give that heart to someone you love.
16:55For real.
16:57Not just a girl you feel sorry for.
16:59Ah, Emma, but-
17:00The answer's no.
17:02It's a no with the biggest thank you in the world.
17:14You might want to get under that seat with the sweeping brush that just is shocking.
17:28You're not.
17:30It's as a man.
17:32It's a man.
17:34Or you, not as a man.
17:43You've never even seen it for a miracle.
17:44It's a man.
17:50I'm not.
17:51It's just a man.
18:04let me run next door let me rent it from you and open a dress shop my own shop filled
18:08with
18:09dresses made by me give me one reason why not oh you want one well which reason do you want
18:15that you've no experience running a shop that you've no experience running a business of any
18:19kind that you're barely 19 you're pregnant mr lowther the ounce 12 then it's the same i can do it
18:26mrs hart that's fanciful at best two people are filled in that shop this year two inefficient
18:30people mrs cleveland her stock was shoddy and too expensive for its quality she didn't know her
18:35customers i do i know what kind of clothes they like and i'm good you know i am and you
18:40said it
18:41yourself i'm a grafter i can sell which is why i can't afford to lose you from my shot you
18:45wouldn't
18:49use rolls of cloth with my dress shop next door you'll have a showroom for what that cloth can
18:53become double your profits in a month treble them probably plus i'll be your best customer
18:58every dress that i sell i'll be buying the cloth from you and the shop's empty mr lowther gathering
19:03dust i can take it off your hands today now this minute so you don't lose a moment's rent mrs
19:08hart you forget i know your circumstances you live in my upstairs room the deposit on that
19:14shop is sky high
19:27i have enough in here for your deposit and because i know you're nervous about me which
19:31you won't be the moment you see the profits are bringing i know you usually ask for four
19:35weeks rent in advance but i have enough in here for eight it's all in here take it mrs hart
19:46i need to remind you you're having a baby that's me to take care of and it's why i'm absolutely
19:53certain that this is right
19:58so
19:59i am so
20:08so
20:54Oh, I'm sorry.
20:55No, it's fine. I was just...
20:56I was just walking home.
20:57You're allowed to walk where you like.
21:02Nice aim. You got there?
21:03I've sat through three days now of your aunt talking about bridal bouquets
21:07and of you and your father shouting at each other about looms.
21:10There's some steam to it off.
21:18Oh!
21:20Okay, let's see.
21:23Not bad, not bad.
21:24Not bad.
21:27Terrible.
21:29Dreadful.
21:31Well, they'll be wondering about dinner.
21:34Yes.
21:38You know, when you asked me to marry you,
21:41I thought we had a connection.
21:43That you were optimistic like me.
21:46You seemed starry-eyed.
21:49And I wasn't sure if we made each other's hearts soar.
21:51Not in the way people talk about hearts soaring in books.
21:54You probably don't read those kind of books.
21:57Not really.
21:59But you know the concept of hearts soaring?
22:04Yes.
22:05Anyway, I just wanted to say...
22:08Not everyone gets that.
22:09The hearts soaring.
22:11That's not what life is, I don't think.
22:14But recently,
22:16stars have left those eyes of yours and...
22:18I know this engagement pleases your father
22:21and he's not an easy man to please, but...
22:25We could just walk away.
22:31There's a lot to be said for pleasing people.
22:35And not just parents.
22:38Priya.
22:40I wouldn't have asked you.
22:43I wouldn't have considered it if I had intended...
22:48Somehow...
22:49To do my very best to please you.
22:54But let me know, will you?
22:57When the trying to please me starts.
23:22Mother.
23:24How are you?
23:27I suppose I...
23:29I wanted to see you.
23:32If you don't mind.
23:45Because everything just feels a bit...
23:48...wrong somehow.
23:51Priya's a sweet girl in many ways.
23:53Where is your father?
23:57He never comes to me.
23:59Your father never comes anywhere near me.
24:01Where is he?
24:04He's not back yet.
24:06I don't know. He's been busy at the mill.
24:08But does he not know that I'm here, Edwin?
24:12And I'm not nobody.
24:16I'm not nobody.
24:21But take your hands off me.
24:30Stop it!
24:32Stop it!
24:33Get out!
24:36Sorry.
24:37Sorry.
24:40I don't think my angels are going to die.
24:46They're gonna be in the middle.
24:47They're totally afraid of me.
24:51That's not part of my life.
24:52They're totally in this area.
24:53But still in the middle.
24:55They're totally espÃritus.
24:55They're just very impatient and safe.
24:55So in this area.
24:55Stop it.
24:56Stop it.
24:57Stop it, stop it.
24:58Stop it.
24:59Stop it.
25:20Shelves here, rails of dresses here and here, and a fitting area here, and also a range
25:26of elasticated skirts for pregnant women, and a chair for them, but also for people
25:30like you. Menfolk. And there will be a fire, the shop will always be warm.
25:36And you'll prepare to heat it, will you?
25:38Yes, and it'll be worth it, because people will want to come, and every customer will
25:42be greeted by name.
25:42And Emma, in a few weeks time, the baby.
25:48I'll manage.
26:00I'll manage.
26:10I'll manage.
26:21Oh.
26:52Oh.
26:54Oh.
27:04Oh God.
27:06Oh God.
27:17What happened?
27:18It overheated.
27:20It's empty.
27:21No one in there.
27:24Who's in there?
27:25Who?
27:25My brother.
27:27Edwin.
27:27Edwin went through.
27:29Why should Edwin?
27:40We can do this.
27:42We can do this.
27:44Can't we?
27:46Can't we?
27:48Of course we can.
27:49I'm here.
27:51We're alone.
27:53We can do it together.
27:56Oh.
28:04Hey!
28:11Hey!
28:19Hey!
28:20Hey!
28:21Hey!
28:22Hey!
28:22Hey!
28:23Hey!
28:34Oh
29:04Oh
29:05Oh
29:17Edwin
29:24Oh
29:34I'm a horse
29:43Is there nothing in the whole world you've come to?
29:55Oh
30:05Mother loved to say I spent my christening pulling faces at the vicar
30:11This is how mom must have felt about me
30:15She'd be so sad there's no christening now
30:18Vickers don't look kindly on mothers like me
30:23Who needs a church?
30:25Or a font?
30:29Now, what do you name her?
30:32Because my vornine, lucky you, the decision's all yours
30:35On account of her father
30:38Your local lad, being off on his boat
30:41What?
30:44Edwina
30:45Is her name
30:57Well
31:00What an elegant name
31:02Edwina Shane Hart
31:07Named after Uncle Mark
31:09Best man I know
31:18Edwina
31:19Shane
31:22The name
31:23The heart
31:25In the name of god
31:27The father
31:28The son
31:30And the holy ghost
31:32May you be healthy
31:35Wealthy
31:35And wise
31:37No sense sound beautiful
31:40Cause look at your mother
31:46She didn't even cry
31:48She didn't even cry
31:51So what has she got to cry about?
31:56What are you gonna say when the register asked for her father's name?
32:03Unknown
32:05Emma
32:06Don't go making her unknown
32:08Don't give her that
32:12Put me
32:15Mac
32:17It's such a responsibility
32:18And how do I have to be telling you again about these shoulders?
32:33Well
32:34Darling
32:35How do you feel?
32:40See?
32:42Almost
32:44I'm beginning to feel me and Edwina might be safe
32:48Sure if that little girl is not the luckiest in the world
32:53No one in my family is going to suffer
32:55Not ever again
33:03But
33:32Post
33:33I don't know.
34:16Do you mind, darling?
34:22Stay, Olivia.
34:24Please.
34:32I will stay in this house while my son needs me.
34:35Then, the moment Edwin's well, I need to be too.
34:40I need to leave.
34:54My darling, I've not been the mother you deserve.
35:02And I'm so sorry.
35:05But I promise I will put this right.
35:10I promise you.
35:25It's all right.
35:26I'm coming.
35:28I just need...
35:30I'm coming.
35:55I'm coming.
35:57I'm coming.
36:01I'm coming.
36:05Come.
36:06I'm coming.
36:31I'm coming.
36:34I'm coming.
37:00I'm coming.
37:06I'm coming.
37:15I'm coming.
37:18I'm coming.
37:19I'm coming.
37:23I'm coming.
37:47I'm coming.
37:49I'm coming.
38:03I'm coming.
38:06I'm going.
38:11I'm coming.
38:18I don't know.
38:45and there's a bag by the door with all her necessaries
38:48she's had a good sleep
38:50and two bottles already
38:51this morning
38:53so she's good at taking bottles
38:56and I've put a letter in there for cousin Frieda
38:59thanking her
39:01and I've put in some lists
39:03songs Edwina likes sung and so on
39:06because Frieda might not know
39:07what kind of song she likes
39:12I'm sure about this before me
39:16you're
39:17certain
39:18sacrifices must be made
39:21if that means we have to be apart while I get this up and running
39:25and this is all for her
39:27one day Edwina will thank me for this
39:29she will
39:32cousin Frieda's the motherly sort
39:35will you tell her I'll visit next weekend
39:38and after that every other Sunday
39:40and I'll send money of course
39:43and will you tell
39:44I don't know
39:46tell her I have to do it
39:49please
39:50will you make sure she understands that
39:53tell her there's no choice
39:55darn it
39:56as soon as I get back on my feet
39:59and I can look after her properly
40:00I'll bring her back to me
40:03now just take her
40:05please just take her
40:11Emma
40:13God knows you're doing all of this for this choice
40:16I don't know about him but I just hope he will be known
40:18will you please just go
40:23just go please
40:53please
41:15all for me all of this has been for your family well i'm sorry to tell you mummy
41:20but it's felt an awful lot from where i've been sitting as though you've done it all for you and
41:25where have you been sitting edwina on which cushion seats on which velvet chaise long and at which
41:32polish table have you spent your entire life sitting would we have starved to death do you think
41:37if you worked less and been at home more or would we have eaten just less costly brie
41:42i am struggling not to feel ashamed
41:52if you have ever been in any doubt that i love you edwina with all my heart all of it
42:01or is there just a little bit of that heart that resents me resents all of us for not being
42:06you
42:07oh we can't compete on the suffering front of course dry bread holes in your shoes and if only
42:13your mother could have afforded a paracetamol or two she might have lived
42:19and there it is
42:22now i feel ashamed i'm not your only rebel child
42:26but because i'm the first born the first palmed off on a relative the first lied to about her father
42:35so what's next in your bold new world of skullduggery and initiative edwina
42:40well i shall call my anarchic siblings to tell them you fumbled it
42:44no to tell them that the plan may no longer be secret that nothing has changed
42:50we continue
42:54and then who will you have
42:58i shall have paula
43:04who will you
43:05innan
43:17Paula!
43:33Is that you, Fairley?
43:35Yes, Mrs. Hart.
43:36You came in to collect the paperwork for the reopening of this magazine.
43:52Thank you, Fairley.
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