- 12 hours ago
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...
02:15well...
02:15at home.
02:21What a bar to 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 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.
03:31Now, Mrs. Fairweather.
03:33I've been up all night
03:34finishing this dress just for you.
03:36So I believe this
03:37will 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
03:54and 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
04:22when 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,
04:27I was hoping you'd be in.
04:28You've got to love this.
04:55Thank God.
05:02Well, safe and sound in there.
05:06I'm going to keep you that way.
05:11I'm going to keep you that way.
05:13I'm going to keep you that way.
05:48I'm going to keep you that way.
06:09All right in there.
06:10We're having a little play.
06:21What do you want?
06:22What do you want?
06:26Not slapping up, I hope, Mrs. Hart?
06:28Lunch.
06:29Don't worry, though.
06:30We've not stopped working.
06:31Don't forget.
06:31it. Closing for the day already? She's never opened. I think I'd be very pleased with
06:47what I've got for you today. New silks are perfect. And to you, only three and six a
06:54yard. Shame I'm only paying you two and six then. Three shillings. Two and nine. Oh,
07:00you're a tyrant. Are those pin marks on those fingers? Mrs. Hart, how long have you been
07:09working for Joel Elder? Six months, is it? And every minute of that you work like a dog.
07:13People love to tell me to slow down, but babies don't write ahead and make appointments. And
07:17I am running out of time. The money's not coming in quick enough. Does your husband find you
07:23working so hard? He's working too. I've told you, the Navy can't spare him.
07:29Well, he's missing out, is all I'd say. I expect you'll miss him too. Being away from
07:35home. I miss my dad. I'm a brother. No time to miss anyone else. Anyway, I'm saving up
07:42so when the baby's born, I can have two months off. Maybe even three, if I work hard in these
07:46last few weeks. It's looking like another record-breaking day. Teamwork, 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. Is there a difference?
08:03You're living here now, are you? I've got work to do.
08:10Is this the new cloth? Looks pricier. It was supposed to be.
08:14It's to replace the Fairley stuff, Mr. Lowther. The fact is, customers can spot it. Cloth from
08:18the Fairley mill's just bad quality. Rotten, some might say.
08:25We've lost another cloth, Aldrin. More complaints about the quality.
08:30A lot of that equipment is old and tired. And we can't keep asking the men to work around
08:35the clock. Your usual grabers, we don't pay the plebs enough money. Now we're offering
08:38nighttime hours. Suddenly they have to be home for their tea.
08:41They're not plebs. They're people. Who have rights and feelings.
08:46Oh, Priya. You'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
09:04week. Wedding 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.
09:16Sylvia Crum needs to make plans.
09:20So,
09:21we must get every wedding detail fixed,
09:24mustn't we, Evan?
09:26He's preoccupied at work.
09:28Good old Edwin.
09:29Doing all he can to save the business.
09:32Hmm.
09:32Hmm.
09:46What?
09:47What?
09:48Hmm.
09:48What?
09:48What?
09:48Hmm.
09:54What?
09:55Oh, God.
09:59I'm sorry.
10:01What?
10:03I'm sorry.
10:04Oh, God.
10:04Oh, God.
10:08What the hell do you think you are?
10:11You should be ashamed of yourself.
10:13You don't just stroll in it when for months you can come near it.
10:15Well, sure, I'm here now when I can see she's been busy.
10:23My forename, what the hell have you been playing at?
10:26Mr. R, you should know that your wife has been working tirelessly every minute.
10:32In the absence of anyone else bothering you.
10:34Mr. Klinsky.
10:35David, this is not my husband.
10:37This is just a friend.
10:39A dear friend.
10:41Mac.
10:41He barely knows my husband.
10:43Oh, you'd be surprised by how little.
10:47Well, I had no idea.
10:49I'll see you at closing time.
10:51Right.
10:52See you soon.
11:01Adar?
11:03What, you these?
11:06I was looking for a vase like Mother's, you know, that allowed the flowers to splay out.
11:11Do you remember that she always had such a way with flowers?
11:16Edmund rushed off early again.
11:18But work never stops at the mill.
11:20Not these days.
11:22I mean, Adam's barely home.
11:25I mean, you know, I hardly ever see him.
11:27He's barely here.
11:30Do you need more hot water, darling?
11:32Or anything, you know, anything to eat?
11:40Darling.
11:44I wonder if maybe you ought to get out.
11:49Do you think?
11:50Just get away from this place.
11:57I was wondering about Aunt Jessie's cottage by the sea.
12:00Would you like that?
12:02That little beach down below and the goals.
12:05And she'd love to have you.
12:07I know she would.
12:07And you may just find it.
12:14Adele?
12:17Adele?
12:25Adele, please.
12:34Are those lily of the valley?
12:38Yes.
12:40Adorable, aren't they?
12:42There's hundreds of them out there.
12:44They do that.
12:46They're invasive.
12:48If left unchecked.
12:50A lily of the valley will simply take over the whole garden.
12:55You can't get rid of them.
13:07Well, when that bars...
13:27Oh, sorry, we're...
13:29Closed.
13:30Your guard dog's not with, you know.
13:33Mr. Klinske just does the deliveries.
13:35He's only being kind.
13:36Oh, kind, is he?
13:38As well as handsome.
13:44Like you were born to work here.
13:53Emma Hart?
13:55Are you going to avoid looking at me for the whole rest of your life?
13:59What's going on, darling?
14:10Dad doesn't know I'm here.
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 off.
14:27How can I afford to bring up this baby by myself?
14:33Fine.
14:38How the hell have you got yourself in this old mess?
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 and run away to join the Navy.
14:59He said he'd marry me.
15:04And this?
15:07So nobody thinks bad of me?
15:11Also 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?
15:35And work?
15:37I'm making dresses.
15:40And I'm good.
15:42I am.
15:42I get such a thrill to see the money pile up.
15:44Well, I'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, Emma Hart, and happily.
16:02It'd be an honour.
16:05Emma, will you marry me?
16:11I'm a best man I know.
16:13I'm sure to marry you would be a privilege.
16:16Birdie, 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.
16:38Most 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...
17:16get under the last seat with the...
17:19sweeping brush that...
17:21just a shocking.
17:21I don't know.
17:22I don't know.
18:04Let me rent next door.
18:05Let me rent it from you and open a dress shop.
18:07My own shop filled with dresses made by me.
18:10Give me one reason why not.
18:12Oh, you want to want one?
18:13Well, which reason do you want?
18:15That you've no experience running a shop?
18:17That you've no experience running a business of any kind?
18:20That you're barely 19?
18:22That you're pregnant?
18:23Mr Lowther, the ounce 12 then's the same.
18:25I can do it.
18:26Mrs Hart, that's fanciful at best.
18:28Two people are filled in that shop this year.
18:29Two inefficient people?
18:31Mrs Cleveland, her stock was shoddy and too expensive for its quality.
18:34She didn't know her customers.
18:35I do.
18:36I know what kind of clothes they like.
18:38And I'm good.
18:39You know I am.
18:40And you said it yourself.
18:41I'm a grafter.
18:42I can sell.
18:42Which is why I can't afford to lose you from my shop.
18:45You wouldn't be losing me.
18:46We'll drive business to each other.
18:48Right now, when people come in, all they see is rolls of cloth.
18:51With my dress shop next door, you'll have a showroom for what that cloth can become.
18:54Double your profits in a month.
18:55Treble them, probably.
18:56Plus, I'll be your best customer.
18:58Every dress that I sell, I'll be buying the cloth from you.
19:00And the shop's empty, Mr Lowther.
19:02Gathering dust.
19:04I can take it off your hands today.
19:05Now.
19:06This minute.
19:07So you don't lose a moment's rent.
19:08Mrs Hart, you forget I know your circumstances.
19:10You live in my upstairs room.
19:13The deposit on that shop is sky high.
19:27I have enough in here for your deposit.
19:29And because I know you're nervous about me, which you won't be the moment you see the profits I bring
19:32in.
19:34I know you usually ask for four weeks' rent in advance.
19:36But I have enough in here for eight.
19:40It's all in here.
19:43Take it.
19:44Mrs Hart, I need to remind you, you're having a baby.
19:49That's me to take care of.
19:52And it's why I'm absolutely certain that this is right.
20:38I have enough in here.
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 limbs.
21:10I had some steam to let off.
21:18Oh.
21:20Okay, let's see.
21:23Not bad, not bad.
21:24Not bad.
21:27Terrible.
21:29Dreadful.
21:32Well, they'll be wondering about dinner.
21:34Yes.
21:38You know, when you asked me to marry you,
21:40I 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,
22:16The stars have left those eyes of yours, and
22:19I 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
22:47Somehow
22:50To do my very best to please you.
22:54But let me know, will you?
22:57When the trying to please me starts.
23:22Mother, how are you?
23:27I suppose I wanted to see you.
23:32If you don't mind.
23:45Because everything just feels a bit...
23:48Wrong 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 wheel.
24:08But does he not know that I'm here, Edwin?
24:12And I'm not nobody.
24:16I'm not nobody.
24:20But thank you, Hansel.
24:31Stop it!
24:33Get out!
24:36Sorry.
24:37Sorry.
24:50Get out!
24:53One, two, three, four.
24:55Bravo!
25:20Shelves here, rails of dresses here and here, and a fitting area here.
25:25And also a range of elasticated skirts for pregnant women, and a chair for them but also for
25:29people like you. Menfolk. And there will be a fire, the shop will always be warm.
25:36And you'll pair to heat it will you? Yes, and it'll be worth it, because people
25:40will want to come, and every customer will be greeted by name.
25:42And Emma, in a few weeks time, the baby. I'll manage.
26:09Oh.
26:17Oh.
26:22Oh.
26:24Oh.
26:37Oh.
26:39Oh.
26:41Oh.
26:42Oh.
27:03Oh, God.
27:07Oh, God.
27:17What's happening?
27:18Whatever he did.
27:20He's empty.
27:21No one in there.
27:24Who's in there?
27:25Who?
27:25My brother.
27:27Edwin.
27:27Edwin, too.
27:29What's with Edwin?
27:40We could do this.
27:41We could do this.
27:44Can't we?
27:46Can't we?
27:48Of course we can.
27:49Let me here.
27:52We're alone.
27:53We can do it together.
27:56Oh.
28:01Oh.
28:03Oh.
28:04Oh.
28:06Oh.
28:08Oh.
28:10Oh.
28:24Oh.
28:26Oh.
28:31Oh.
28:35Oh.
28:35Oh.
28:35Oh.
28:36Oh.
28:36Oh.
28:37Oh.
28:37Oh.
28:37Oh.
28:38Oh.
28:39Oh.
28:41Oh.
28:41Oh.
29:05Oh, my God.
29:32I'm a horse.
29:41I'm a horse.
29:43There's nothing in the whole world you've come to.
29:47I'm a horse.
29:52I'm a horse.
30:22I'm a horse.
30:24I'm a horse.
30:24Orch.
30:26Orfant.
30:29Now.
30:30What do you name her?
30:32Because, mavorneen, lucky you, the decision's all yours.
30:35On account of her father.
30:38Your local lad.
30:40Been off on his boat.
30:41what? Edwina is her name. Well, what an elegant name. Edwina Shane Hart. Named after her
31:07Uncle Mark. Best man I know. Edwina Shane Hart. In the name of God, the Father, the Son, and the
31:30Holy Ghost, may you be healthy, wealthy, and wise.
31:38No sense having beautiful. Because look at her mother.
31:46She didn't even cry.
31:51So what has she got to cry about?
31:56What are you going to say when the registrar asks for her father's name?
32:03Unown.
32:04Ah, Emma. Don't go making her unknown. Don't give her that.
32:12Put me.
32:15Mark, it's such a responsibility.
32:19And now do I have to be telling you again about these shoulders?
32:32Well, darling, how 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's not the luckiest in the world.
32:53No one in my family is going to suffer. Not ever again.
32:58Huh?
33:23What are you doing?
33:26I don't know.
34:17Do you mind, darling?
34:23Stay, Livia.
34:25Please.
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.
34:55My darling, I've not been the mother you deserve.
35:02And I'm so sorry.
35:06But I promise I will put this right.
35:10I promise you.
35:25It's all right.
35:26I'm coming.
35:26It's all right.
35:28I'm coming.
35:28I'm coming.
35:30I'm coming.
35:45I'm coming.
35:58I'm coming.
36:01I'm coming.
36:07I need it!
36:15No, no, no!
36:40You're my baby girl, yes you are, and Edwina, you were so loved, so loved, and I won't
36:51let anything happen to you.
36:54I'll take care of you, and you will have the best of everything, I promise you.
37:06You know, those Fairlies turned their back on us, because they think they're better than
37:11us, that's what they think.
37:13And if it takes my whole life, all of my energy and everything I've got, and I'm going to prove
37:18to them that they're wrong, I will keep you safe.
37:28And if I have to make sacrifices, give a few things up, then I will do, if it means you're
37:34taken care of, I'll sacrifice anything in the world, I will.
38:01I will do, if it means you're dead, then I will kill you.
38:08Laila, Laila.
38:18Laila.
38:22Laila.
38:45Now, there's a bag by the door with all her necessaries.
38:48She's had a good sleep, and two bottles already, this morning.
38:53So she's good at taking bottles.
38:56And I've put a letter in there for cousin Frieda, thanking her.
39:01And I've put in some lists, songs Edwina like sung, and so on.
39:05And because Frieda might not know what kind of song she likes.
39:12I'm sure about this before me. You're certain.
39:19Sacrifices 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 her...
39:46I don't know.
39:47Tell her I have to do it.
39:49Please.
39:50Will you make sure she understands that?
39:53Tell her there's no choice.
39:56Darn it.
39:56As soon as I get back on my feet,
39:59and I can look after her properly,
40:01I'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 in us.
40:19Now will you please just go?
40:23Just go, please.
40:52Please?
41:15All for me?
41:17All of this has been for your family?
41:19Well, I'm sorry to tell you, Mummy, but it's felt an awful lot from where I've been sitting
41:23as though you've done it all for you.
41:25And where have you been sitting, Edwina?
41:28On which cushioned seats, on which velvet chaise long, and at which polished table have
41:33you spent your entire life sitting?
41:35Would we have starved to death, do you think?
41:38If you'd worked less and been at home more, or would we have eaten just less costly brie?
41:42I am struggling not to feel ashamed.
41:51If you have ever been in any doubt that I love you, Edwina, with all my heart...
42:00Not all of it.
42:02Or is there just a little bit of that heart that resents me?
42:05Resents all of us for not being you?
42:07Oh, we can't compete on the suffering front, of course.
42:11Dry bread, holes in your shoes, and if only your mother could have afforded a paracetamol
42:14or two, she might have lived!
42:19And there it is.
42:22Now, I feel ashamed.
42:24I'm not your only rebel child, but because I'm the first born, the first palmed off on
42:30a relative, the first lied to about her father.
42:35So, what's next in your bold new world of skullduggery and initiative, Edwina?
42:41Well, I shall call my anarchic siblings...
42:43To tell them you fumbled it?
42:45To tell them that the plan may no longer be secret, but that nothing has changed.
42:50We continue.
42:54And then, who will you have?
42:58I shall have Paula.
43:17Paula!
43:33Is that you, Fairley?
43:35Yes, Mrs. Hart.
43:36He came in to collect the paperwork for the reopening of his magazine.
43:41Oh, he wants a director of the
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