- 9 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...
02:14well...
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.
05:08I'm going to keep you that way.
05:10I'm going to keep you that way.
05:48No!
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.
06:31I don't forbid.
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.
07:06Are 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 mind 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.
07:38No 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.
07:50Teamwork, Mr. Lowther?
07:52I don't think so.
07:53When 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?
08:05I've got work to do.
08:10Is this the new cloth?
08:11Looks pricier.
08:12It was supposed to be.
08:14Is to replace the Fairley stuff, Mr. Lowther.
08:16The fact is, customers can spot it.
08:18Cloth from the Fairley 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 arsing the men to work round the clock.
08:35Your usual grabers, we 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.
08:41They're people.
08:43Who have rights and feelings.
08:47Priya!
08:48You're back!
08:51Sorry.
08:52Long day.
08:54Oh, you 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.
09:21So, we must get every wedding detail fixed, mustn't we, Edwin?
09:26He's preoccupied at work.
09:28Good old Edwin.
09:29Doing all he can to save the business.
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...
10:18Can't see she's been busy.
10:22What the hell have you been playing on?
10:26Mr. R, you should know that your wife has been working tirelessly.
10:30Every minute.
10:32In the absence of anyone else bothering you...
10:34Mr. Kalinske, David, 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.
11:02I've 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 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.
11:27It's barely here.
11:30Do you need more hot water, darling?
11:32Or anything, you know, anything to eat?
11:35I mean, you know, I don't need more hot water, darling.
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?
12:02Remember that little beach down below and the goals?
12:05And she'd love to have you.
12:07I know if she would.
12:08And you may just find that...
12:15Adele?
12:18Adele?
12:25Adele, please.
12:34Are those lily of the valley?
12:38Yes.
12:40Adorious, aren't they?
12:42There's hundreds of them out there.
12:44They do that.
12:46They're invasive.
12:48If left unchecked.
12:50Lily 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.
13:30You're a bar dog not with, you know.
13:33Mr Kalinske just does the deliveries.
13:34He's only being kind.
13:35Oh, 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, I think.
14:27How can I afford to bring up this baby by myself?
14:29Oh, f...
14:31Oh, I'm fine.
14:38How the hell have you got yourself in this whole mess?
14:45There 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?
15:11Also 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 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.
15:46And 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.
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.
16:16Bird 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 mam.
16:36I'm going to have a real baby.
16:37Most 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 the last seat with the sweeping brush that just is shocking.
17:21I don't know.
17:22No.
17:34You.
17:35I don't know.
17:40I don't know.
18:10Give me one reason why not.
18:12Oh, you only 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 toile them'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.
18:50With 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.
19:11You 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.
19:46I need to remind you.
19:48You'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.
20:24I'm so huge.
20:54Oh, I'm sorry.
20:55No, it's fine.
20:56I was just...
20:56I was just walking home.
20:57You're allowed to walk where you like.
21:02Nice aim.
21:03You got there?
21:04I've sat through three days now of your aunt talking about bridal bouquets and of you
21:07and your father shouting at each other about looms.
21:10Add some steam to let off.
21:18Oh.
21:20Okay, let's see.
21:23Not bad, not bad.
21:24Not bad.
21:26Terrible.
21:28Dreadful.
21:31Well, they'll be wondering about dinner.
21:34Yes.
21:38You know, when you asked me to marry you, I thought we had a connection, that you were
21:44optimistic 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, not everyone gets that.
22:09The hearts soaring.
22:11That's not what life is, I don't think.
22:14But recently, stars have left those eyes of yours.
22:17And I know this engagement pleases your father, and he's not an easy man to please.
22:22But we could just walk away.
22:31There's a lot to be said for pleasing people.
22:35And not just parents.
22:39Priya, I wouldn't have asked you.
22:43I wouldn't have considered it if I had intended, somehow, to do my very best to please you.
22:54Well, let me know, will you?
22:57When the trying to please me starts.
23:24Mother, how are you?
23:27I suppose I wanted to see you.
23:32If you don't mind.
23:45Because everything just feels a bit 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.
24:07He's been busy at the mill.
24:08But does he not know that I'm here, Edwin?
24:11And I'm not nobody.
24:15I'm not nobody.
24:20But thank you, Hansel.
24:30Stop it!
24:33Get out!
24:36Sorry.
24:37Sorry.
24:42I'm not nobody.
24:45I'm not nobody.
24:47I'm not nobody.
24:52I'm not nobody.
24:55I'm not nobody.
24:58I'm not nobody.
24:59I'm not nobody.
25:01I'm not nobody.
25:01I'm not nobody.
25:05I'm not nobody.
25:09I'm not nobody.
25:10I'm not nobody.
25:11I'm not nobody.
25:11I'm not nobody.
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.
25:32Menfolk.
25:34And there'll be a fire.
25:35The shop will always be warm.
25:36And you'll pay her to hate it, will you?
25:38Yes, and it'll be worth it, because people will want to come.
25:40And every customer will be greeted by name.
25:42And Emma.
25:45In a few weeks' time, the baby.
25:48I'll manage.
26:10I'll manage.
26:29I'll manage.
26:30I'll manage.
26:32I'll manage.
26:35I'll manage.
26:37I'll manage.
26:38I'll manage.
26:40I'll manage.
26:40Let's go!
26:41Let's go!
26:43Let's go!
26:44Let's go!
26:45Let's go!
27:03Oh God!
27:17What's happening?
27:19It overheated.
27:20It's empty.
27:21No one in there.
27:24Who's in there?
27:25Who?
27:25My brother.
27:27Edwin.
27:27Edwin, are you here?
27:29Why should Edwin?
27:30Why should Edwin?
27:40We can do this.
27:42We can do this.
27:44Can't we?
27:46Can't we?
27:48Yes, we can.
27:49Let me here.
27:52We're alone.
27:53We can do it together.
27:56Oh.
28:23Oh.
28:25Oh.
28:31Oh.
28:35Oh.
29:06Oh, my God.
29:32I'm a horse.
29:43There's nothing in the whole world you've come to.
29:49Oh, my God.
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.
30:18Because don't look kind little mothers like me.
30:23Who needs a church or a font?
30:29Now, what are you naming her?
30:32Because, my vornine, lucky you, the decision's all yours.
30:35On account of her father.
30:38Your local lad.
30:40Been off on his boat.
30:43Edwina is her name.
30:59Well, what an elegant name.
31:02Edwina Shane Hart.
31:06Named after Uncle Mark.
31:10Best man I know.
31:18Edwina Shane Hart.
31:24In the name of God.
31:27The Father.
31:28The Son.
31:29And the Holy Ghost.
31:32May you be healthy, wealthy, and wise.
31:37No sense on beautiful.
31:39Because look at her mother.
31:46She didn't even cry.
31:49Ah.
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?
32:03Unknown.
32:05Ah, Emma.
32:06Don't go making her unknown.
32:08Don't give her that.
32:12Help me.
32:15Mark.
32:17It's such a responsibility.
32:18Oh, now, do I have to be telling you again about these shoulders?
32:34Well, darling, how do you feel?
32:40See?
32:42Almost.
32:44I'm beginning to feel me and Edwina might be safe.
32:49Sure, if that little girl's not the luckiest in the world.
32:53No one in my family is going to suffer.
32:56Not ever again.
32:56No one in my family is going to suffer.
33:00No one in my feelings is going to hurt.
33:01No one in my family is able to be safe.
33:16Look.
33:20Oh, my God.
33:55Oh, my God.
34:17Do you mind, darling?
34:22Stay, Olivia.
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.
35:05But 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.
35:31I'm coming.
35:45I'm coming.
35:58I'm coming.
36:01I'm coming.
36:03I'm coming.
36:06Noo...
36:16Noo...
36:17Noo...
36:19Nooo...
36:31Nooooo...!
36:40You're my baby girl, yes you are, and Edwina you are so loved, so loved, and I won't let
36:51anything happen to you. I'll take care of you, and you will have the best of everything.
37:02I promise you. You know, those Fairlies turned their back on us, because they think they're
37:10better than us, that's what they think. And if it takes my whole life, all of my energy
37:16and everything I've got, I'm going to prove to them that they're wrong.
37:24I will keep you safe. And if I have to make sacrifices, give a few things up, then I will
37:32do. If it means you're taken care of, I'll sacrifice anything in the world, I will.
37:41No.
37:48No.
38:01No.
38:03No.
38:07No.
38:10No.
38:13No.
38:14No.
38:18No.
38:19I don't know.
38:45Alyssa banged by the door with all her necessaries.
38:48She's had a good sleep in 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 liked sung and so on.
39:05Because Frieda might not know what kind of song she likes.
39:12Are you sure about this before me?
39:16You're...
39:17certain?
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...
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.
40:17But I just hope it will be known as...
40:18Will you please just go.
40:23Just go.
40:24Please.
40:46Please.
41:14All for me.
41:17all of this has been for your family well i'm sorry to tell you mummy but it's felt an awful
41:22lot from where i've been sitting as though you've done it all for you and where have you been sitting
41:26edwina on which cushion seats on which velvet chaise long and at which polish table have you
41:34spent your entire life sitting would we have starved to death do you think if you worked
41:38less and been at home more or would we have eaten just less costly brie i am struggling
41:44not 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 here it is now i feel ashamed i'm not your only rebel child but because i'm the first born
42:28the 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 well i shall call my anarchic
42:42siblings to tell them you fumbled it no to tell them that the plan may no longer be secret that
42:48nothing has changed we continue
42:54and then who will you have
42:58i shall have paula
42:59enough
43:04enough
43:05enough
43:19enough
43:20enough
43:21enough
43:33Is that you fairly?
43:35Yes, Mrs. Hart.
43:36He came in to collect the paperwork for the reopening of his magazine.
44:01He came in to collect the paperwork for the reopening of his magazine.
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