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Just Henry (2011)
Excuse me. Sorry. Sorry.
Sorry. Step on the other one and you'll have a full set (!) Cheeky. Excuse me. Sorry. Ooh, sorry. My father's family name being Pirrip and my Christian name Philip, my infant tongue could make of both names nothing longer or more explicit than Pip. (OWL HOOTS) Aaaargh! Keep still, you little devil, or I'll cut your throat. No, sir, no! Some fish and chips. Ooh! Oi, watch your shoving, will you? The air raids are over, in case you didn't know. 'Ey up, Henry. How do? You enjoy that? It was a cracker. You should have a pretty lass on your arm. Get away! I don't really like girls. Oh, aye? 'Appen that will soon change. Then again... don't really know any. Listen, next time you come to the Plaza, Henry, come and see me, I will sneak you in the side door. I don't want to get you in trouble. I'm here to look after you. After all your dad did for the likes of us. Thanks, Charlie. See you. All right. See you, Henry. NEWS VENDOR: Echo! Good evening. Good evening. Echo! Give me an Echo. See you on Friday. (STEAM WHISTLE, TRAIN DOORS SLAM) (CONDUCTOR'S WHISTLE) WIRELESS: # String Of Pearls 'Ow do, Henry? (WOMAN LAUGHS) (BOTH LAUGH) Guess what, Henry? Bill's had some news. Oh, aye? He's passed his exams with distinctions. He won't be getting his hands dirty much longer. He's gonna be a teacher. Him? A teacher? And a very good one. Get away, will you! What's wrong? Let me see. No, I'm all right, Mum. Just some soot in my eye. Night-night, then, Henry. (GIGGLES) You are just like him. I wish I'd known him. I wish I could remember. What was my dad like, Gran? Really. Can't you tell? Just look at him. Always a smile on his face. Always a good word for people. Everyone liked your dad. And he was so good to me. Best son a mother could wish for. Would've been his birthday today, right? Aye. He'd have been 38. He did his bit, fighting for King and country. It's not right, is it? It's not fair. Some folk might forget him, but we won't, will we, Henry? (TOILET FLUSHES) Whoa! Scuse you. I've done your shoes. Henry! You haven't finished your breakfast! I'm late. Here. Henry! Your laces! Oh! Look at these tomatoes. And the fruits of the earth shall be thine. Rag and bone! (CHATTER AND LAUGHTER) Did that deliberately, didn't you? What? Thought you may have scarpered. Your family's good at that. Shut your mouth. Got as much right to be here as you. BOY: Pack it in! GIRL: Miss is coming! (SIGHS) You will remember this moment for the rest of your lives. My name is Mrs Beaumont. I'm your new class teacher. BOY: Give it to you later. You. What is my name? I... I don't know, miss. You should eat more fish, boy. Your memory is appalling. (LAUGHTER) B-E-A-U-M-O-N-T. Beaumont. It means "beautiful mountain" in French. So if you forget my name again, think of me as a beautiful mountain. Do any of you know what this word means? Or how to say it? What about you? N-No, Miss - Mrs Beaumont. Mnemonic. Mne-mon-ic. A way of helping memory. Beaumont: beautiful mountain. How do you say it, young man? (CLEARS THROAT) Um... New-monic. Mnemonic. It's a strange word. And a beautiful one. The very first thing I've taught you. And there'll be many more, and you must learn them all. (GROANS) You are such fortunate young people. Not merely because you have me as a teacher. But because your generation will bury the horror of war and build a better future. Now, we must welcome a newcomer, Grace Ellis, who's come to stay in Sternsea with her aunt. I'm sure you'll grace this classroom with your beret and much else. (BUZZ OF CHATTER) May I? Sorry? Sit down here. With you. Yes. Please. Sorry. I'm sorry. Sorry. Isn't she great? Who? Beautiful Mountain, of course. She's going to be fun. Do you like school? Not much. It's a waste of time. Well, that's a silly thing to say. I'm not silly. I never said you were. Yeah, you did. Very well. I'll go and sit somewhere else, then, shall I? Do what you like. Who's that? And why's he sitting on his own? Jeffries. Cos no-one'll talk to him. His dad was a deserter in the war. But that's not his fault. That's silly. Is everything silly to you? I'll go talk to him. It might be a bit less wearing than talking to you. Half a pound of Cheddar cheese! We'll be lucky. How do I look? Lovely. Right... Where should I stand? Just here? What you doing, Grandma? Don't see why I should be left out. Thought you were having nothing to do with it. All right, Bill. Never come to owt, but I've always wanted my picture in the paper. Henry, come and be in the picture. What's going on? The Echo are doing a piece about Bill becoming a teacher. Talk about scraping the barrel. Oh, thanks, Grandma. It's all right for some. What about my lad? Him being a hero meant the likes of you could live on Easy Street. One more happy snap, folks. I did my bit. Driving choo-choo trains! Please, you two, don't argue. Maybe there was more to the hero you mentioned than met the eye. I'm not standing here having my son's memory insulted by the likes of you! Smile at the birdie! You're not half the man he was! I wish you wouldn't wind her up. Me? It was her that started it. They always like that? Can I have a look at your camera, mister? Wow. A Graflex. I've read about these. Whoa! Sorry. I'll get you some tea, love. Here, that put a spoke in his wheel, didn't it? (CHUCKLES) What did he mean? What he said about my dad... He's just jealous, Henry. Here, a letter came for you, this morning. For me? Yeah. I've never had a letter before. Well, open it, lad! (GIGGLES) It's in fancy writing. What's all this, then? "By order of His Royal Highness King George VI," for conspicuous bravery in the field, "the Military Medal is presented to... " Oh, my God. Corporal Joseph Dodge of the East Yorkshire Regiment." No. It's my dad's medal! (THUNDER RUMBLES) (BANGING) Ow! Aargh! I couldn't sleep either. Did you have a bad dream, Henry? You know, when the war was on... and you were frightened and I was frightened, you used to climb in my bed and we'd snuggle up... and it didn't seem so bad any more. I were a kid. Things are different now. Are they? It makes me sad. Well, you changed it. You went and married him. And why'd you have to do that, Mam? Bill's a good husband, Henry. He'd make a good father to you, if only you'd let him. I've already got a father. He's dead, son. Not to me, he isn't. (SIGHS) (KNOCK AT DOOR) Come in. Oh, Henry! I thought it was your mother with more toast. Here, that bottle there, stiffen the tea, will you? There's nothing like it for my arthritis, you know. Thank you. What's up, then, soldier? Dunkirk, wasn't it? That was the place, where Dad won his medal. Tell it me, Gran. Tell it me one more time. It were men against tanks. And your dad ran through the machine-gun fire and took one out with a hand grenade. And his officer said - He'd never seen such bravery. Your dad. My son. But... he didn't die there, did he? What happened to him then? No, your mam made me swear not to. I'm not a kid any more. I need to know. He was home on leave. "At last," I thought. "I've got him safe." On the second night back, the Luftwaffe came. (AIR-RAID SIREN) They flattened the docks, hammered the city. Fires raged, ships went up, munition dumps, too. Midnight seemed like midday. (DISTORTED SHOUTING) Gran? Your dad went into that hell to save lives. He pulled people from burning buildings. A hero twice over. Did a bomb get him, then? He found a looter. In the regimental club. One of his own comrades. Everyone knew but nothing could be proved. They never found that man. The police warned me against making accusations. What do you mean? What man? The man who killed your dad. I can't say his name, but it were in all the papers. The night my life ended. June the 4th, 1941. Excuse me, do you keep old papers from the war? We do. Come this way. Sternsea Echo for 1941. You should be able to find what you're looking for somewhere towards the middle. Thank you. No, no, no. No, it can't be. Jeffries! I know your dad wasn't just a deserter. You watch your dirty mouth. He was a murderer. He killed my dad! (SHOUTING) ALL: Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! (SHOUTS OF ENCOURAGEMENT) Stop it! Stop it now! (WHISTLE BLOWS) (BLOWS) Henry Dodge! You refuse to say? What led to this disgusting melee? I'm appalled at your behaviour. After all this country's been through. Don't you realise violence achieves nothing but misery? You of all people, Henry Dodge. I understand you started it. Is that right? It was both of us. Are you sorry for what happened? No. Perhaps this will make you change your mind. Evidently you must be taught a lesson in the only way you understand. Hold out your hand, Dodge. Now your turn. Off you go. Miss. She's coming. (CLASS QUIETENS DOWN) Sit down. Let's turn away from thuggery and go back to Roman civilisation. Page 36 in your books. Grace, will you read to us? Me? Mm-hm. (SIGHS HEAVILY) When you're ready. In the... lost... list... (LAUGHTER) last... year... (LAUGHTER) year... Yeah, yeah, yeah! Stop it! Stop laughing! All right, Henry. Leave this to me. I'm sorry, miss. I can't. It's me who's sorry. I hadn't realised. Grace, Grace, the family disgrace. Don't say that. I'm here to help you. There's no-one here so clever that he or she can afford to laugh at others as we're about to find out. You can read. Me? BOY: Let's see what you do. (MOUTHS) He killed my dad. That's what this is about. They were in the East Yorks together. My dad and Jeffries' dad. And after the bombing they found my dad. He'd been shot in the face and Jeffries' dad had scarpered. Some money was missing from the regiment's social club. The police thought my dad had tackled Jeffries' father about it and... he shot him. That's terrible. Poor Jeffries. What do you mean, poor Jeffries? You don't understand, do you? He's lost his father too. Why didn't you tell me Jeffries' father killed my dad? (VOMITING) What's wrong? Mam? Mam, are you ill? No. That's one way of putting it. Think I haven't noticed your little secret? How far gone are you? Please, let me... What is it? She's going to have a babby. Aye, aye. His babby. How could you? I want nowt to do with it. That's a wicked thing to say, lad. Now I know for sure. There's no place for me here, is there? I'm proud of you, the way you stand up for your dad. You know what? Maybe you and me should clear off out of here. Yeah. You've got to tell him. How can I? How can I? This is no good for him or us. Don't say that. You know sometimes it feels like I'm not just married to you, but to your son and your mother-in-law. And your dead husband too! Please. Just hold me. Ah, Red Shoes. I really want to see that. Moira Shearer is supposed to be lovely... Gazing at the stars, are you? They look so amazing. They've got this... this glow about them. They're all normal underneath, you know. I mean, they all grew up in places like Sternsea. Did they? Oh, aye. I mean, take your Cary Grant. He were born in Bristol. He was expelled from school him, you know. Get away! He became a stilt-walker before he tried his luck in America. His name isn't even Cary Grant. It's Archibald Leach. I suppose, that glow, it was the photographers who put it there. Are you coming in? The Red Shoes is about to start. It's a cracker. No thanks, Charlie. I've got to get back to school. See you later. All right, Henry. Now, remember, your most treasured possession. As long as you can carry it. Miss, can I? I don't know, Albert. Can you carry your grandad's pig? Oh... Henry, in my office in five minutes, please. (KNOCK ON DOOR) Come in. What you doing here? What's going on? Sit down, Henry. Your mother and I have had a talk, Henry. I told her about the fight you had with Jeffries. And your marks in class. They make rather grim reading. Yet I knew within minutes of meeting you that you're bright. You've got such an intelligent face. Isn't that right, Mrs Arlott? Despite that, you seem determined not to capitalise on the wonderful education you're having at my hands. Would you like to tell me why? School... it's a waste of time. Why do you think that? Who told you that? It wasn't me, or Bill. Was it Gran? You're wrong, Henry. What do you want to do with your life? My husband's on the railways, for now. He could get him a start, an apprenticeship. I don't want that! What do you want? I want... Well, I... I don't know. Henry Dodge. What shall we do with you? Hello there. Come on. Let me hang onto you for a minute. Stop. I can't stand this any more. I'm so worried about you, Henry. No need. I'll soon be out of your hair. What do you mean? Me and Gran are moving out. We're getting a place of our own. Why? Do you hate me that much? No, No... Tell me. What's going on... inside? Why did you do it? Mm? Marry him? Cos I was lonely. I needed him, loved him. I was only 25. Did you want me to be on my own the rest of my life? I'm sorry, but there it is. There was a war, Henry. Your father died. It's not fair. I want my dad. I couldn't carry my most treasured possession. It's a piano. I play it for hours every day. Will you sing for us, Grace? Oh, no, miss. I couldn't do that. (LAUGHTER) Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. I've read it so many times. See, it's falling apart. It's my favourite book. Could you tell us why, Paul? This is my dad. It's the only picture of him I have. I'd like to take pictures myself, but I've got no camera. Thank you, Henry. Now, for this term's project, I want you all to divide up into groups of three and pick a theme from what you've talked about. Off you go. Well, you three would make a perfect group. Stories, music, photography. You should do the cinema! I'm not going with him. No. I'm not going with you. (BELL RINGS) Good work, class. Look forward to your ideas. I've a camera you could use, Henry. If you'd agree to work with Jeffries. Never. And before you try sweet-talking me, Mrs Beaumont, my answer's the same. Well, Grace, what now? I think I've got an idea, Mrs B. Henry! Tomorrow's Saturday. I know. I might be "silly", but I do know the days of the week. Clever. There's a good film on at the Plaza and we're going tomorrow. Would you like to come? Me? Go to the pictures with you? Yes. Don't know, I suppose I could. I'll see you outside at half-seven, then. Henry! How can I help you? This camera. Can I have a look? Just a look, that's all. Leica 3. Made in Germany in the '30s, just as Herr Hitler was getting going. It's so small. Come on. I'll show you how to put a film in. This belongs to my husband. He loved this camera. It takes wonderful pictures. He's mad about photography. Like you. This is his workshop, his darkroom. You could use it to develop your pictures. I could teach you. It's beautiful. Why don't you borrow the Leica for a few days? While you think about the project. You came, then. Course I did. I asked you, remember? I'm really looking forward to... Paul! Hello, Grace! Oh, not you. What's he doing here? I thought it was our date. You'd be lucky. I'm not staying if he's staying! Well, me neither! Silly boys, you're not your fathers. You've your own lives to lead. Come on, you lumps. I've got the tickets. No, Grace. (SIGHS) Fine. If I can't be friends with both of you, I'm not going to be friends with either of you. Good night. Grace, wait. Good for you, Paul. Henry? I can't. Suit yourself. Tha's not going to let t'other lad steal her away, are you? Wait! Just this once, OK? Brilliant. Here, I want to take a photo. Over there. Not you, Jeffries. (LAUGHS) ORGAN: # Blue Moon Hello, you must be Grace. And Henry. This is my mother. Hello. Here, Paul. I best get back to work or I'll get a rocket. GIRL: Dad, can I have an ice cream? Lemon sherbet? Thanks. Don't mind if I do. I can't wait to get started on this project of ours, can you? I do love it when it goes dark. She's married to this good-looking chap. She's really happy. And then it all goes bad and he's cruel to her. What a horrible film! Why do they have to make films like that? I don't know. It's just a story. It's all right, love. Who did you go with, then? This girl called Grace. Oh! And a boy from our class. Who was that, then? No-one special. Come on. Who played gooseberry? Paul. Paul? Paul what? You don't know him, Gran. There's no harm in telling me his name, then. He's called - Go on. Spit it out, lad. Paul Jeffries. You should be ashamed of yourself, lad. That's not nice. Nothing was proved. I don't want Henry hearing that. He has a right... I already know. I read it in the papers. See? You shouldn't poison his mind. I thought you were a Christian. Doesn't the Bible say the sins of the father shouldn't be visited on the son? You know nowt about it. He's not so bad really... Paul. Don't suppose it was his fault anyway. That's right, lad. I thought they'd slung their hook out of town. Where's he live? Priory Road, I think. I don't want to hear any more about it. It's all in the past. Dead and buried. Now let's move on to the developing process proper. I do hope these materials are still OK. Esmond must have bought them before the war. Mrs Beaumont, can I ask you a question? Ask away, young man. Is Mr Beaumont... is he dead? No. He just doesn't live with me anymore. OK, now take the tweezers and put the photographic paper into the developing tray. Waggle it about a bit... so the fluid covers it. Like an expert. Esmond and I spent a long time apart. He was away for all of the war. And, then, when he came home it... Sometimes two people, when they spend a long time apart... they don't know who they are any more. You see, Henry, the war changed people. The war changed everything. Oh, look. See what's happening? Like magic, isn't it? Now put it in the fixer tray. Here we go, give it a wash. Grace! Isn't she bonny, Henry Dodge? (KNOCKS) I just wanted to say, if you can be friends with Paul Jeffries, that's fine with me. What's that you got there? Some photos I took with Mrs B's camera. Can I have a look? Is that Grace? She looks nice. Is that when you saw that film? Give me a comedy any day... Oh! Mam? Mam! Mo. Mo! What happened, love? I saw a ghost. No. Dad? What's up with Paul and his mother? And what's up with you? Haven't you woken up yet? I need to talk to someone. To you. You've seen this one... Now look at the picture I took of you outside the Plaza. Ugh, put it away. I look horrible. No, you don't. But look at this man here. What about him? Don't you think they look alike? I don't know what to say, Henry. I know you miss your father, but... There was the medal in the post. But anybody could have sent that. It's like when my mum passed away, I couldn't believe it. To me she wasn't dead. I thought she'd gone away for a while and she'd come back again. Do you understand what I'm saying? Grace, I'm sorry about your mam... but I'm telling you, this is my dad. You've seen too many thrillers, Henry. Look. What's up with them? Paul! What's happened? Landlord kicked us out. Someone told him my dad was supposed to be a deserter. As if those vile accusations were true. But they've got nothing to do with you and Paul. I'm so weary of it. Some people can be so unkind. (SIGHS) While others are not. Let's all just pile it up in the hall for now. I can't tell you how grateful I am. I'm glad for the company. Rattling around this old mausoleum by myself. Mrs Arlott? I'm sorry to trouble you, the caretaker gave me your address. Henry hasn't come home. And I really need to talk to him. Mum? Henry, there you are! Where have you been? All right, Mum. Don't make a fuss. Mrs Arlott, this is Mrs Jeffries and her son, Paul. They've just been evicted. I'm sorry. About everything. Maybe it's time to forget the past. Thank you. I'm really pleased to meet you properly. Come on. Might as well finish the bottle. You'll be getting me tipsy. I haven't had wine since before the war. That's when we bought this. Esmond and I touring. In the Loire in that lovely car out there. Oh, so long ago. Look at us now. Without our men, for one reason or another. But you know what? I think we're doing fine. A toast. The women of England. The women of England! I'm sorry, I really must be going. Oh, I'm sorry. My foolish tongue. I forgot you've remarried. No, no, it's not that. I just have to... I have to get Henry home. Thank you. Both of you. That photo of yours... The man in the background, by the poster... It's Dad, isn't it? No. No, Henry. It looks like him. And it gave me a turn, I don't mind saying... but it's just a silly fancy. It's not. It can't be. How can it be him? He's dead and lying in the cemetery. You know that, don't you? I don't know. I don't know what I know. (GULLS CRY) Henry? I've found us somewhere to live. Not easy these days, but some rooms have... become available. Wouldn't be Priory Road, would it? They're such nice rooms. Really cosy. Oh, I can't wait to get out of here. You and me together, eh? Are you all right, Henry? What's going on, Dad? Hello, son. Dad? How many times have I thought about hearing my Henry say that word? It can't be! Is it really you? Who else do you think it is? Come on... shake my hand... like the man you are. Hey! Hey. Let me have a look at you. You're a good-looking boy! You must have got it off your old man, eh? That's what Gran says. I can't... Was it you that sent the medal? It's yours. You go together. You're the two best things that ever happened to me. I don't... I don't understand. It's a long story, Henry. It's a strange story. I can't wait to sit down and tell it to you. But listen, I'm famished. Has your mam got owt in her pantry to feed a chap up? I'll get you something. Don't... don't go away. Henry? What happened, Dad? Where'd you go? It's not easy talking about it. Painful memories, you know. Mam used to cry herself to sleep, she was that unhappy. Nine years, Dad! Where'd you go? I don't know the answer to that myself. I lost my memory, you see. After the raid. Didn't know who I was, where I was. Can you imagine? I was lost inside my own head. Completely alone. That's really bad. I'm sorry. I was scared. Them machine guns, I wasn't scared then, but that... It's all over now. What I want now is a fresh start. The three of us together. Yeah, I'd like that too. Yeah? I'll have to speak to your mam. Maybe you could do that first. See how the land lies. Would you do that, son? Night-night, love. Sleep well, eh? Good night, Henry. Hm. (DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES) What's wrong, Henry? Why'd you keep looking at me like that? It's... It's about Dad. The picture. What about it? It was him, Mam. He's alive. Don't be silly. Don't tell lies. It really is! I've seen him, talked to him. He really is alive! Oh, Mam. Mam! Mam! (MOANS) Fetch Bill. Hurry! (CONDUCTOR'S WHISTLE) (STEAM WHISTLE) Bill! Bill! It's Mam! (KNOCKING) Henry? There's something I want you to know, Henry. I love your mum very much and nothing's going to change that. She wants to see you. (KNOCKING) Sorry. I must have given you a turn. You had a shock. I did when I saw him. It's not just that, Henry. If your dad... if he's still alive... it means our marriage, me and Bill, it's not legal. It means I'm married to two men at the same time. That's a crime. It's called bigamy. I could go to prison. That... that can't be right. That's not all. It means the baby, your brother maybe... he'd be illegitimate. Do you know what that means? Is that what they call a bastard? These are all bad things, Henry. Well, I won't let them happen. I have to see him. I know that. Will you tell him? But not a word to anyone. Especially Bill. When I saw him... the part of me that was always missing was suddenly there. I felt whole. I thought you'd stood me up. Isn't Jeffries coming? No, his mum's ill. Oh. Well, that's a shame. Come on. Come on, you two. It's just starting. What kind of a spy do you think you are, satchel foot? What are you tailing me for? Third Man Theme Good night. Enjoy that, Henry? A belter, in't it? Bye-bye. Take care. He had a devilish smile, didn't he? That's why the girl loved him even after he betrayed her. He was a villain. But sometimes they're right tasty, aren't they? Fancy faking your own death like that! Maybe he was good. His friends thought so. (GIGGLES) Penny for them. Good, wasn't it? I could go straight back and watch it again. Henry... why did you reach out for my hand when Harry Lime appeared? WOMAN: Closing up now! Just... what they were saying. It was exciting, a man coming back from the dead. I know it must have hurt, after what happened to your dad. I know, but... that's exactly what's happened. Come on, lovebirds! Haven't you got homes to go to, hm? Or a nice, dark, back lane, eh? You're not saying much... for a change. Who's there? Are you following us? Hello, son. Who's your friend? This is Grace. Sweet name. Sweethearts too, Henry? We're just friends. Well, don't let the grass grow under your feet. She's a looker. But I hope she can keep a secret. She can if Henry asks her nicely. Straight out the knife box and all. It's OK, Grace. Like they say in the cowboy films, I come in peace. You speak to your mam, then, son? Good lad! She wants to see you. Bill, that's her husband... We'll see about that. ..he's on night shift. If you come round after he goes to work, Gran goes to bed about nine. After nine, then. See you. Where've you been all these years? That your business, Grace? It's Henry's. And he wants to know, don't you? I told him. I lost my memory after the raid. When I woke up in hospital, I didn't know who I was or what had happened but... I had papers on me belonging to a Walter Briggs, with an address in London. And how did they get there? I have no idea. Maybe Walter Briggs took mine while I was out cold. Why would he do that? I don't know, do I? It doesn't make any kind of sense! You're a regular Sherlock Holmes, aren't you? Let me tell you, lots of things, they don't make sense in a war. If you've seen what I've seen... Enough, Grace! Go on, Dad. I had headaches... blackouts. I got a job as a lorry driver and that's been my life since. And when I come up here on a job, it seemed like I knew it. I went to the library and I saw that picture in the paper and recognised your mam straight off. Then I saw you. It started coming back to me, my family. It hasn't been easy, son. But all that's about to change. Tell your mam I can't wait to see her. I never stopped loving her or you. Nice meeting you, Grace. What a liar! You what? See how he fiddled with his cigarette when he was telling his story? Hardly even looked at you once. Don't you call my dad a liar! I might be no good at reading books, but I can read a face. What do you know, eh? All right then, well, answer me this. If your dad's alive, who's buried in his grave at the cemetery, eh? And who put him there? Don't talk about him like that! You just can't see the good in him. I was only trying to help you, Henry. Don't. I don't want your help. I never want to speak to you again. Well, that's fine by me! Grace, Grace, the family disgrace. Got a light, mate? Yeah. Ta. I'll have them back. It's horrible. Lying to the man who saved my life. I feel sick. (KNOCK ON DOOR) You go, Henry. Let him in. Hello, Maureen. It's true, then. You are alive. I've come home. I've come home. To be with you and our son. There's only one thing wrong with that. I'm married to someone else. This is my house, Maureen. Not any more. Bill's been paying the rent the last five years as well as putting food on the table for your family, your mother included. There's no need for that now cos... I'm back. What happened to you? Have you any idea of the hurt you caused? Mam, please! I fought a war, Maureen. I lost my mind. But that's in the past. Let's... Let's look to the future. A fresh start. There's only one little problem with that. I'll soon be having another man's child. What do you think about that? And we're going to be one happy family? Don't talk to me like that! Stop it, both of you! I've thought about this for eight years. Nine! It's been nine years. I know how hard it must have been for you. And I know it wasn't always wine and roses. But you remember how sweet we were once before the war went and spoilt it. We were... We were happy then. We can be happy again. What's going on down here? Oh, my God. It can't be. Joey? Hallo, Ma. How are you? It's a... It's a miracle! I always knew you'd come back to me! And here I am. Oh, love. OK, Ma. Think it over. I have to pop off now. Oh, no, no. No, don't go! Stay and talk to me. I'll get you something to eat, a fried egg or something... Isn't this something? Henry. All of us together. You and me and your Dad. Oh! Ohh! (THUNDER RUMBLES) Stop it! Don't! Daddy... don't! Daddy, no! Daddy! Henry, wake up! I knew he'd cause nothing but upset, coming back here after all these years. No. It's what I've always dreamed of. I loved him once. He was a catch, especially for an incomer like me, best-looking boy in Sternsea. Sweet too, when he'd a mind to be. Then it all changed. Sweet turned sour. But you know that. Poor Henry. Your nightmare. It's about him, isn't it? No, no, no. That film the man and his wife. They started long before you saw any film. They've been going on for years. That's why I kept quiet. But now that he's back, turning our lives upside-down, now you must know the truth. I don't want to know. Your dad wasn't nice. Nice-looking, but not nice. Please... When you were little, you saw something between me and your dad. That's what you've always dreamed about. But... But I want to be with him. But I don't. I can't. So you can't be with both of us. But if you really want to be with your Dad... I'll not stand in your way. You'll have to choose. I love you so much, Henry. Your mam says you're doing well at school, Henry. Good lad, you stick in. What's up with you lot? You seen a ghost? (CHUCKLES) Nice try! Exact opposite, as a matter of fact. Just leave it. This'll put a spoke in your wheel, William. Please, no. What? He's alive. He's home. Who? What you talking about? Who d'you think? My son Joey, that's who. His dad. Her real husband. No. How can he? What does he want? And why didn't you tell me about it? I was going to, honest. Don't take on. Listen to me... What's going off for you? As if I don't know! Bill! Please! That wiped the smirk off his face, eh? (LAUGHS) Bill! Please! Don't be like this. I had to make sure it was him before I told you. Now I see what it really is. Don't do this. Not only is the old bag twisting the knife, you've got that feeling you've buried, but I know that it's there. You're ashamed of us, even though you're carrying our bairn. Or maybe it's something else. You still love him. No! Maybe I should leave you all to it, get out of here. It's not been easy for you and I'm sorry. Yes, I've felt bad, being happy and seeing Henry so unhappy. But I don't love Joey. Except for Henry coming out of it, being married to his dad was the worst thing that happened to me. Meeting you... that was the best. Stupid. To be jealous. I'm sorry. Now I need you more than ever. Henry too. What are we going to do, Bill? (BELL RINGS) Just like me. I never wanted to go to stupid school neither. Bill knows. Who spilled the beans? Gran. Silly old baggage. How's your mam? Upset. Really upset. She'll come round. You'll see. Will I? She's just a bit shook up, that's all. That's why I sent the medal, prepare the ground. I just want to do the right thing, son. It's time you were out of here and working with me. Family business, up the smoke. London? Here, you get yourself some threads with these. Look the part, eh? We'll make a great team, you and me. Dodge and Son, yeah? Good lad. I have to finish my chat with your mam. Tell her I'll be back. Tonight. All right, Dad. "No," Groucho says, "I never forget a face but in your case, I'll make an exception." (LAUGHS) Can I talk to you? In private. I'm sorry for what I said. I didn't mean it. Yes, you did. I was angry. What you said about my dad. He's all right. He's got big plans for the two of us. You'll see. Everyone'll see. Yes, I understand. I brought you these. I thought you could get something nice for the presentation. Listen to me, Henry... MRS BEAUMONT: Clothing coupons? You could dress a chorus line with these. What do you want to do? He'll hate me for it, but I've got to help him. There's only one way, Grace. (DOG BARKS) Oh, posh end, is it? I am honoured. What's this, then? I said it wasn't right. It's none of his business. All right, Ma. This is Bill... my husband. No, I'm your husband. Till death do us part, so help me God. You haven't forgotten that, Maureen? Let's talk this over calmly. Thought you were on the night shift. Haven't you got a train to drive, Casey Jones? My place is here. Please, sit down. You better tell us what you want. That's easy. My family back. My wife, my son. They belong to me. They sound like possessions. Don't get clever with me. Don't they have a say? Why don't you ask them? Well? You know how good it was in the old days, the loving I gave you. Come on, Mo, reach out, take it. We can be a family again. It's all I want. I don't love you. I did once, but you killed it. I love Bill. Him? You've got to be joking. He's the only man for me. He won't be, when I shop you to the cops. You've broken the law, you'll go to jail. We'll take that chance. Maybe the police'll be more interested in you. What's that supposed to mean? You're well shot of her, son. You can live with me and the boy, we've found a lovely little place. I told you, Ma keep it buttoned! Right. What about you, son? Let's you and me get out this dump. Go up the smoke, two men about town. We'll have a great life together. What do you say? (THUNDER RUMBLES) Dad! Please don't! No! (SHOUTING) Come here! No! Come here! Come here! No! You hit Mam, didn't you? I remember it. I saw it. Why'd you do that to Mam? And that... That grave of yours who's in that? I'm not going with you, Dad. I-I'm staying here. I don't want this. I'm sorry to hear that, son. You've let me down. But you're my flesh and blood. And that'll never change. Joey. It's all right, Ma. Henry! (THUNDER RUMBLES) Henry! I'll go after him. (DOG BARKS) Henry! Listen to me! Stop! Now that'll do, lad. No! What is it? Tell me! He's bad, isn't he? My dad. And I'm his son, so I must be bad too! No! Me and your mam are proud of you, especially tonight. I can't bear it. Listen to me! What's that man got to do with you? He's my father! What am I going to do? You'll get through. You will. Look, you could have the most precious thing in this world... your mother's love... if you'd only take it. Come on, Henry. Let's go home. Come on. Did you...? Henry! Not now, Mam, please. You have a visitor. Henry, are you all right? It's good to see you. I know you're going to hate me for this, but Mrs B and I, we were only thinking of you. What have you done? Good morning. All set? Shall we go in? Good morning. Good morning. Jeffries. What are you doing here? So these coupons were given you by the man you say is your father? Is that right, Henry? Yeah. Then I gave them to Grace. And she turned them over to the police here. I'm glad she did, because they were stolen from the Ministry of Food depot in Ilford six weeks ago. My officers in the Metropolitan Police have been investigating a racket in stolen coupons, involving a man calling himself Walter Briggs. Do you recognise that name? Is that the name used by your dad? I don't know. He might have mentioned it. Mm. Mrs Arlott, you're sure the man who came to the house was your first husband, who you thought was dead? Yes. We almost had him. Information we received led us, two weeks ago, to premises where this Briggs kept his ill-gotten gains. We lay in wait and ambushed him and his accomplices. We got them, but not him. He's a slippery customer and a desperate one. Mrs Arlott, we'd like to exhume the body in your first husband's grave. Do we have your permission? What's that got to do with us? Why have you asked us here? I hope I'll soon be able to answer that. Take him in the vestry and we can have a butcher's. MAM: You and me, we know about waiting. For that knock on the door, that sick feeling always in your belly... But it's nearly over... for both of us. Sugar. Sweet tea's good for you. You're very kind. We have recovered the body and an identification has been made with the help of dental records. Mrs Jeffries, I'm sorry to say that the body is that of your husband Ronald. Oh, Ronnie. Oh, my poor Ronnie! (SOBS) Where's Grace? She should be here by now. Last, but by no means least, of the presentations by this year's leavers. Group F on Cinema: Henry Dodge, Paul Jeffries... and someone who's been known to call herself "Disgrace" but, from now on, will be known as the incomparable Miss Grace. It's Magic You might wonder why this is my favourite book. Well, for a start, this belonged to my father. But it's mostly because Pip's like me, a boy without his dad, making his way in life. But now I know what happened to my dad. He wasn't what people said he was. He was a good man. You sigh, the song begins You speak and I hear violins It's magic I don't know why I'm so fascinated by photos. Well, maybe I do. It's cos of this. My dad. I love the idea of capturing a moment in time and the feeling you had when it was took. But another thing I've learnt. Maybe the camera does lie after all. Looks so nice, doesn't he? So good. And maybe he isn't. (GASPS) ..these things that happen are all really true? When in my heart I know the magic is my love for you What you said today, Henry, it was very brave of you. I don't want to talk about it, Mam. What's that great thing doing here? What the... MAM: Hello? Who's there? Hello. Had a nice time, did we? What are you doing here? Collecting what's mine. I can see that. You can't take our furniture. I don't know why not. Most of it's mine. I'm really here for my wife and son. What? I'm taking what's mine. My family. Over my dead body. Dangerous thing to say, Casey Jones. Don't be a bloody fool. Come on. Let's go. Leave him! What have you done to him? I'm coming with you, son. I don't want you! Why would I want to live with you? Out! Dad! Bill! Mam... Mam, are you all right? Where are you taking us? Somewhere nice and cosy. Far away. Mam? Mam? You're home. Where are we? Home. Smile at the birdie! That's not yours. It belongs to Mrs Beaumont. Here we are. What do you think you're doing? This is crazy, even for you. Well, we'll see about that. I disappeared for years and no one was any the wiser. Why did you take our pictures? For your passports, son. They're works of art. What are you up to now? England's finished. Australia, that's the place. They want blokes like me, men with ideas. What'll happen when I tell them what kind of ideas you've got? Don't. Don't touch me. No, we're not going anywhere with you! We'll see about that! Get off. Leave Mam alone! Henry! You're a bully! That's what you are. Look, I'm anything I want to be! Don't you see? We'll have a new life in the sun. Husband and wife. Father and son. You're not my father. I'm ashamed of you. You got spirit, I'll say that for you. I like that. You'll come round. You're not locking us in, are you? Got to get the passports sorted, son. Planning our future. You can't do this, Dad. It's freezing! We're starving hungry! Dad! (VOICE TALKING ABOVE) Help! Help! Help! Help! (MOANS) Mam? Mam, what's up? I don't think I'm too clever, Henry. Did he hurt you? Henry, give me your hand. I think... I might be having the baby. It can't be. Not now, Mam. I can feel it. The pains are coming. (GROANS) What are we going to do? I don't know. I need you to help me. Do you think you can do that? The Inspector thinks he's taken them to London. Have you any idea where? I don't know what went wrong. He was such a lovely little boy. Such a smile he had. Mrs Dodge... do you know where your son might be? Please... for Henry's sake, if no-one else. After Joey die... After he disappeared, I got a letter from a friend of his. He said he'd owed Joey some money and he wanted me to have it. A postal order for five pounds. The letter was signed Walter Briggs. That was him! Do you still have it? A towel and some papers and hot water. What else do we need? A knife. We need a knife. What do we need that for? For after. Sit down a minute, Henry. I need to talk to you. What is it, Mum? It's starting, Henry. It might happen quickly or it might take hours. I don't know. But I do know I need you Henry, like I've never needed you before. Do you understand? You're going to see things... private things. You're going to see blood and gore and I'll be screaming with the pain. You've got to be calm and strong and help me through it. You've got to be a man, Henry. That's what I need from you, OK? Tell me. I need to hear you say it. Don't worry, Mam. Everything's going to be all right. (BREATHES HEAVILY) It's all right, Mam. I can see something. I can see him coming. (SCREAMS) (BABY CRIES) Tell me. It's not a boy, Mam. She's a girl, see? Oh, isn't she beautiful? Oh, look at the beauty. Isn't she pretty? What are you going to call her? I hadn't thought of a girl's name. I was sure you were going to have a brother. I always wanted a sister. Thank you. I'll never forget this night. Me neither, Mam. My son. I'm so proud of you. (WHISTLES) What the bloody hell? Where's Henry? You killed a man! Henry! I never! What happened with Jeffries' dad? I had nothing to do with it. Tell me the truth, Dad! I'd come across him in the raid. He'd come across me. (AIR-RAID SIREN) Is anyone there? Is that you, Dodge? Dodge, what are you doing? You stole money from comrades? I did it for you. For our future. What happened? (BOMB FALLS NEARBY) (BELL RINGS) What's that? I can't hear you. Are you stealing? I could report you for that. Stay down! Stay where you are. (EXPLOSION) It was an accident. My gun went off. That was the finish of him. Then I had an idea, a way out. I shot him in the face so he couldn't be identified. Then I took his papers off him and replaced them with mine. Corporal Joey Dodge was dead. The hero. I took the papers off a bloke under the table: Walter Briggs. Walter Briggs began a new life. Not bad, while it lasted. You're a murderer. Yeah. That's why they gave me a rifle and a uniform. They wanted killers in a war. The things I saw, Henry. Best years of my life. The best of Joey Dodge. You sicken me. You little... Argh! Run, Henry! Get help! No! You little... (ALARM RINGS) Come on. Up here! This way! Dad! Henry! Dad! Help me! Pull me up! Dad! There he is! I've got you, son. Get the door open! Come on. Come on! Dad! What you doing? Go! After him! In here! (Down there.) The coast is clear, son. Are you ready? (GUNSHOT) Don't shoot! Hold your fire! Dad! No, No, Dad! Dad? (GROANS) Caught up with me at last. Had it coming, your mother might say. Oww! Blimey! Don't look at me like that. I'm not all bad. I just... I just took a wrong turn, that's all. Why, Dad? Why? The things I saw. I couldn't face any more. I couldn't go back. You might think me a coward for that, but I fought their war. I did my bit, I killed Jerries, I won my medal. I'm sorry, son. I'm sorry. I'm sorry too, Dad. I only ever fought for you, Henry. Do something, will you? Hold me. You know what they say? Blood's thicker than water. The Last Post Hup! One, two, to shoulder. Fire! Reload! Fire! Reload! Fire! PRIEST: We commend unto thy hands, most merciful Father, the soul of this our brother departed, and we commit his body to the ground, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. And we beseech thine infinite goodness to give us grace to live in thy fear and love and to die in thy favour. Grant this, O merciful Father, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our only Saviour, Mediator, and Advocate. Well, I think that's everything. If there's anything else, perhaps you'd send it on. You don't have to do this. Give us a hand, Henry. You don't have to move out. I can't possibly stay... not after what happened. Why ever not? Mo could do with help with the baby, now I'm starting teacher training. Gran... you've got to live with it. Like we all have. He was a criminal... a bad man who once had some good in him. We got to do... we got to accept it, help each other through it and build something better for the future. Don't go, Gran. We'll miss you. (SOBS) It's all right. Don't take on. May I? She's lovely. Go and pay off the cabby, son. She's not going anywhere. OK, Dad. Come on, come on... Henry! Sorry, I've just got back. How'd it go? They said my technique was wayward and that I had something to work on. But they've agreed to take me from September. No! My Grace at music school? Yeah, but Manchester's not that far away. We can still see each other. So what's your news? Not much. I went to this photography shop to get some mounting and the man looked at my pictures. He said they were good, he had an apprenticeship coming up and I should apply. Henry, that's great! Let's celebrate with a choc-ice. So this film... is it a happy film? It's a musical. And I bought two tickets for the back row. Oh, Henry. All right, Charlie. You all right? Come on in. On The Town. Come on. You've got plenty of time. Are you coming in, sir? Right round the back... |
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