BIG BAND MUSIC PLAYS
MUSIC STOPS Stop! Stop!
We have to remember
our arms, ladies.
And smile! From the top.
I can't believe you
roped me into this.
We don't even have
anyone to dance with!
That's not important.
Dance could be good for you.
It's excellent for
improving poise and grace.
I've heard back, Pauline!
I've got a letter from
the television producers!
Oh, Gillian! In six weeks' time,
a talent scout from Go
Dancing is coming here to look
for contestants for the show!
Oh, I love that show!
Gillian and Derek are
sure to be chosen.
I heard their mother taught them
to dance before they could walk.
Well, how's that work, then?
Although the producers are
looking for featured dancers,
like myself, of course,
it says they're also interested
in chorus line performers.
So, we're going to
hold a showcase,
and you will all get the chance
to dance for the talent scout.
Oh, maybe I will do
a few other classes.
It could be quite fun.
Fun? This is competitive
ballroom dancing now, Brenda.
You just wait - you won't
know what's hit you.
SWING MUSIC PLAYS ON RADIO
SHOUTING: As you know,
I'm a big fan of music...
..but you could hear
that from St Mary's!
The talent scout is
coming in two days!
I was just getting a
feel for the music.
I, too, have been getting "a
feel" for it, all morning.
Well, that explains it.
Canon Fox telephoned me, he's
been ringing the Presbytery
for the past hour - no-one
has answered the telephone!
I'm very sorry, Mrs Devine.
I'll telephone
him straight away.
So, are you ready
for dance practice?
Of course.
Oh, these aren't my dance shoes.
You've picked up
somebody else's bag?
Well, it's not my fault,
they all look the same!
Most people check.
And you need to learn
the proper steps -
you won't be able to make it
up as you go at the showcase.
I'm so sorry Robert,
I just... I can't.
Come on, old girl, chin up.
Everybody's watching.
Oh! It's arrived!
SHE GASPS
Oh!
The talent scout won't be
able to take his eyes off me.
That's proper fancy.
It was handmade in Paris.
And how much did
that cost? Robert!
It's as beautiful as you are.
I know.
Maybe you should be spending
less time buying dresses
and more time on the showcase.
Do hush, Derek.
I'm serious, Gill.
You're the one who wants to
impress the talent scout,
yet you swanned off to
Blackpool for weeks.
You should've been here, helping
me with the organisation,
and perfecting our routine.
I have been perfecting
it - only not with you!
Mia caro Gillian!
Mwah!
I'm not dancing with you.
I'm dancing with Mario!
Poor Derek.
He's worked proper hard
on this showcase, and then
Gillian humiliated him
in front of everyone.
Yes, that was
rather unnecessary.
Although it is Mario Cantoloni!
He's a well-known dancer. He stars
in a show at the Blackpool Tower.
It's a real coup to
be dancing with him!
I don't suppose I
could accompany you,
when you go back to
the dance school?
I would like to meet
Signor Cantoloni
and practise my Italian.
Well, the more, the merrier.
I, for one, can't wait to see
Gillian and Mr Cantoloni dance.
I'm sure it will be
a real show-stopper!
THEY CHUCKLE
TANGO MUSIC PLAYS
Well, I can see why
she didn't want to do
THAT particular routine
with her brother.
This angel, she
captured my heart.
SHE GIGGLES
Actually, Gillian,
might I have a word?
If you must.
Who knew there'd be so
many beautiful ladies
living in Kembleford, eh?
Dio mio! I feel like
I'm back in Naples!
Buongiorno, Signor Cantoloni.
Ho sentito che eri italiano e
mi piacerebbe parlare con te.
Father? Mrs Highbury!
Mr Cantoloni doesn't like
to speak his native tongue.
Oh. Apparently, it's
too traumatic for him.
The story goes he had to
flee Italy during the w*r
and barely made it out alive.
Ooh. I thought it
was my pronunciation.
Well, who'd have thought that
the stalwart of our church
flower committee would
be a ballroom dancer?
I teach here, too.
And, as well as competing
with my husband, Robert.
It's the joy of our life.
Does Mr Highbury still manage
his bank in Gloucester? Yes.
He was actually the one who invested
the money to get this place started.
Oh, well, I'm sure
Mr and Miss Fletcham
must be very grateful.
GILLIAN SCREAMS
GILLIAN: My dress! It's ruined!
This is what I was called for?
A ripped frock?
It's a very expensive,
custom-made ballgown!
The damage to the dress,
Chief Inspector, very curious.
Father, you're here.
In a dance school.
Of course you are.
It doesn't look like it was
done by a Kn*fe... or scissors.
Maybe a razor blade, Father?
Who cares what they used!
Someone is clearly trying
to sabotage our chances
with the talent scout.
But who would do such a
thing? Who do you think?
Derek is obsessed with this
place and Mother's memory.
He doesn't want me to become
a famous dancer and leave.
Go and talk to the brother.
Find out what he has
to say for himself.
Isabel. Pleasant surprise.
I'm deeply sorry about
cancelling the other night -
something came up at work.
Oh, it's fine.
Oh, yeah, just like
it was last time.
Oh, and the time before that.
Perhaps I could make it
up to you this Friday?
It's the talent showcase.
Perhaps the Chief Inspector would
like to accompany me and watch it?
No, thank you, Father.
I was forced to attend policemen's
balls when I was a boy.
Tedious things.
Well, I-I certainly
wouldn't want to bore you.
GILLIAN: Ooh, God.
Take a seat. Gillian.
I nearly fainted.
It's the shock.
Erm, I'll get a glass of water.
Perhaps I could try
to mend it for her?
It's in tatters.
I've worked a number of miracles
on costumes over the years.
That is stupendo!
Hey, you're our saviour, Miss...
Oh, er... Devine.
Ah, but of course you are...
..bella.
Yours and Derek's late
mother, I presume?
You're wearing her bracelet.
It was her most
prized possession.
And now it's mine.
I wear it every day.
I understand she was a
famous ballroom dancer.
She gave it all up
when she had us.
This place was meant to be
a tribute to her, of sorts.
Do you really think your brother
is capable of such a spiteful act?
I suppose not.
He takes after Mother.
She didn't have what it
took to go the whole way.
Not like me.
I know what I want.
And I won't let
anything get in my way.
Mario!
I'm still not happy
about our slip pivot.
Brenda, I'm sorry we didn't
have a chance to go over
your choreography in the end.
Why don't you come
in early tomorrow,
I'll go through the
steps with you then?
All right.
But we get to play
the music proper loud.
Deal.
Derek! Erm, what's happened?
A-Are you all right?
..sanctam unctionem et suam
piissimam misericordiam...
I say, why won't you
let us in? Gillian!
I'm so sorry.
Perhaps they might be allowed
to sit down in the kitchen?
I could make tea, for the shock.
All right, let them through.
But please do not
touch anything.
HE CONTINUES PRAYING IN LATIN
A torn dress one
day, m*rder the next.
Someone really didn't
want Miss Fletcham dancing
in that showcase.
It looks like a fatal
blow to the head, sir.
Presumably with
that trophy there.
Chief Inspector...
..do you notice the
strange smell on the body?
I can't smell anything,
apart from the perfume
and pomade of this place.
And the trophy.
Missing its name plaque,
telling us who won it.
Presumably dislodged when it
was used to give the fatal blow.
But I can't see it anywhere.
It looks like it's just been stuck
on with paste, though, Father.
Could've fallen
off at any point.
Any other observations, before
I continue with my case?
Yes.
Miss Fletcham isn't wearing
her mother's bracelet.
She told me yesterday it was of
the greatest sentimental value,
and that she was
never without it.
Maybe the k*ller took it?
A robbery gone wrong, perhaps?
Or a family feud.
Mr Fletcham, would you
kindly turn out your pockets?
I can explain...
I'm sure you can.
I'd never hurt her!
Gillian was all I had left.
Our mother was shunned when
she had us out of wedlock.
She was left with nothing.
She knew about plants and sold
home-made remedies door-to-door,
but it barely covered the rent.
That must have been hard.
It was, Father.
But Mother would entertain us
with these glamorous stories of
when she was a
professional dancer.
Is that what sparked
your sister's ambitions?
She begged Mum to
teach us everything.
She made me practise with
her till our feet bled.
Eventually, she won
a scholarship to
a posh dance conservatoire
in Birmingham.
I might not have liked my
sister much at times...
..but I knew why she was so
selfish and singled-minded.
She didn't want to
go back to that life.
And she worked hard not to.
She deserved to become a star.
And you sister's bracelet?
The one thing Mother always
refused to sell from her old life.
Gillian cherished it.
I think she thought of
it as a good luck charm.
And yet, she gave it to you?
Last night, Gill locked herself
away in her room for hours.
When she came out, she
handed me the bracelet.
She said she didn't
need it any more.
She'd proven she
had what it takes.
What do you think your
sister meant by that?
I don't know.
But she's been acting strangely,
more secretive than ever.
In what way?
I saw her hiding something in
one of her books in the office.
She clearly didn't want
anyone else to see it.
KEYS JINGLE, DOOR OPENS
Have faith.
I will investigate and do all
I can to find out the truth.
So, you think Derek is innocent?
A curious thing.
Mr Fletcham's hands
were covered with blood,
but the bracelet was
clean and unblemished
and the clasp undamaged.
So, he was telling the truth -
Gillian gave it to him.
I think so, yes.
Well, if it wasn't Derek
that wanted Gillian dead,
then who?
Anyone at the dance school?
Some other things
are bothering me.
The name plaque from
the trophy is missing...
..and that curious smell
on Miss Fletcham's body.
I've definitely smelt it before.
Maybe it's cabbage.
She's probably on that
cabbage soup diet.
The what?
It's good for getting
trim for a performance.
Lots of actors and
dancers do it nowadays.
It sounds disgusting!
It is extreme.
And it can leave you very weak.
That would explain why she nearly
fainted the day before she d*ed.
So, now what?
Well, Mr Fletcham told me that he
saw his sister hiding something
in her office.
Maybe that will shed some
light on proceedings.
Good morning, Mrs Highbury.
You're cancelling the showcase.
What else can I do,
after what's happened?
Surely there's an argument for it
to go ahead, in Gillian's honour?
Well, the police have
finished in there,
but I'm due to do the
flowers at St Mary's.
We have no-one experienced
available to lead the rehearsals.
Well, I can help, and Brenda.
Oh, well, I'm not sure
I know all the steps.
If only you had
another expert to hand.
Mr Cantoloni, might
I have a word?
Oh, she was so beautiful,
even as a girl.
You are meant to be helping us,
not looking at
old school photos.
Actually, I'm meant to be
helping Pauline and Mario.
Ooh!
It's Mario now, is it?
Hooray for Hollywood.
That doesn't look good.
No.
It seems the dance school was
in serious pecuniary trouble.
What does that mean?
It means I need to pay
a visit to the bank.
You knew about the dance school's
precarious financial position?
I found out last month when I
reviewed the yearly accounts.
What went wrong?
Gillian.
She'd been using the business
as her own personal piggy bank,
frittering away money on herself
and her dancer boyfriends!
Does her brother, Mr
Fletcham, know about this?
Heavens no. Why did you
invest in the first place?
For my wife.
She's been through a lot
over the past few years.
Dancing gives her a
form of fulfilment.
If Miss Fletcham
continued her spending,
you would not only
lose your investment,
but also the place that gave
your wife so much pleasure.
Miss Bennion, can you
bring my diary in, please?
Thank you.
I was at an early
meeting with my tellers.
I didn't do it,
but I won't be shedding
too many tears.
That woman used
Pauline terribly.
She seemed to enjoy
lording it over her.
I don't think Gillian Fletcham
knew what true friendship was.
MARIO: Three, four. And one, two,
three, four. And one, two, three.
A cha-cha-cha, two, three,
a cha-cha-cha, two, three,
a cha-cha-cha, two, three,
a cha-cha-cha, two, three,
a cha-cha-cha, two, three,
a cha-cha-cha... Father,
what did you find out?
It seems Miss Fletcham and Mrs
Highbury's friendship wasn't
as affectionate as it appeared.
Is she here?
No, she's already
gone to St Mary's.
No, no, no, no! Stop-a! Stop-a!
How am I supposed to create
magic in these conditions? Huh?
Nobody knows how to do
a proper check step,
and the floor is too fast-a!
I'm a-slipping everywhere!
So sorry, Mario,
I'll see to it now.
Mamma mia! What am
I still doing here?
I am not a teacher!
No, I am an artista!
No, I-I give up-a!
I a-give up-a!
Arrivederci!
I give up-a!
Are all Italians that dramatic?
Well, I've only ever really
met men of the cloth.
So in a way, yes.
Wax?
It helps with the dancers' grip.
Pauline normally does it,
but with everything that's happened,
it's understandable that she forgot.
I'll leave you ladies
to your rehearsal.
I'm going to look at
some flower arrangements.
Right.
Those are lovely, Mrs Highbury.
I do appreciate the time
you lavish on St Mary's.
I didn't want to neglect
my parish duties,
but I didn't want to
abandon the dance school.
Ah.
I'm afraid there was
consternation at the dance school.
It appears you forgot
to wax the floor.
I understand you use a
grater to apply the wax.
Is that the same grater you
used on Miss Fletcham's dress?
I only wanted to take
Gillian down a peg or two.
I felt awful afterwards.
I understand your
relationship was complicated.
We were close.
We told each other everything.
But Gillian always had to win,
to be on top.
Do you know writing to the Go
Dancing producers was my idea?
No, I did not.
I thought it was something positive
for Robert and I to strive for.
Then Gillian took over.
She even convinced Mario
Cantoloni to dance with her.
She claimed they were old
friends from way back.
What rot, he's a professional!
It was the final
straw and I just...
..snapped.
Did you return to the
dance school this morning?
You think I k*lled her?
I love dancing...
..but I could never hurt
someone because of it.
SHE GROANS
Every bone aches, and my feet...
..they're on fire.
A little discomfort is the
price of perfection, Brenda.
I still can't believe
Pauline Highbury was the one
who destroyed Gillian's dress.
Are we sure it wasn't
her who... you know?
Getting rid of Gillian would pretty
much guarantee her and Robert
were chosen for Go Dancing.
Except...
..Mrs Highbury isn't planning
on attending the showcase.
Really? After all the time
and effort she put in, too,
helping the rest of us shine.
Poor Pauline.
Poor Derek, you mean.
Our only other
suspect was Robert,
and he's got a solid alibi.
So, what do we do next?
Ah, morning, Father.
Here about the Fletcham
case, I presume?
Yes, indeed, Sergeant.
Am I to assume there has been no
luck in locating the name plaque
from the m*rder w*apon?
We've searched
everywhere, Father.
Ah, Father, you've
heard the news, then?
Derek Fletcham has been
formally charged with m*rder.
His fingerprints matched those
found on the m*rder w*apon.
But we saw Derek Fletcham
polishing the trophies.
Surely his fingerprints
would be on all of them.
We have means, motive,
and evidence against him.
Apologies, Chief Inspector,
I'll be on my way.
Er, Mrs Devine not
with you this morning?
No. I believe she's
at the dance school,
preparing for the showcase.
But I'm sure that a few words of
encouragement from a close friend
would be most appreciated.
Ooh, Father! Ooh, Father.
Miss Palmer? Mrs Devine?
I thought you were
at rehearsals.
We came to find Mr Cantoloni.
He checked out early, Father.
Mrs Spragg isn't happy either.
He's made a right
mess of her sheets.
Boot polish, she thinks.
They've been soaking in Reckitt's
Blue for nearly an hour.
Who polishes their
shoes in bed? Italians!
Mrs Devine, did you say there was
a picture of Gillian Fletcham's
school days somewhere?
Is something wrong?
Did Mrs Spragg say
when Signor Cantoloni
was leaving for Blackpool?
A taxi is picking him up from
the green at a quarter past 12.
Then I might still catch him!
Evesham station, please.
BRAKES SCREECH
You can't leave,
Signor Cantoloni!
I have to! It is just too
painful now that my love is dead!
Except your love for Miss Fletcham
is as fake as your accent.
So, you're not really Italian?
IN BRITISH ACCENT: No.
No, I'm afraid not.
And you're from Birmingham?
King's Heath, actually.
How'd you know?
Was it the fact that I
refused to speak the language?
I was a bit perplexed, yes.
And, if you're pretending
to be an Italian Catholic,
it's a good idea to perform
the signum crucis correctly.
But the penny only really
dropped when I heard about
the black polish stains
on your bed linen.
You must have been
using it on your hair.
It's hard to look Mediterranean
when you're ginger, Father.
But why pretend in
the first place?
I've wanted to be a performer
for as long as I can remember.
I've never had any
stage presence.
No-one wants to see
a shy Brummy dance.
So, you invented a dancer
called Mario Cantoloni...
..and moved to Blackpool.
Suddenly, everyone
was talking about me.
I was exotic, see.
I even earned a professional
contract for a show.
Until Gillian Fletcham
spotted you there.
She told Mrs Highbury that
you two went "way back" -
she meant that you went
to school together.
The Birmingham
dance conservatoire.
It's a bit of a transformation,
but there you are, middle row,
third from right.
I hadn't seen Gill
since I graduated.
When I realised
she'd recognised me,
I could've d*ed on the spot.
She could've ruined everything.
Is that why you k*lled her?
No, I-I'd never!
We agreed I'd come to
Kembleford just for a week,
just to help her get
noticed by the talent scout.
The showcase! We've
got so much to do!
Brenda!
It's a shame you have to hide
the real Mr Cann from the world.
I'm going to be so busy organising
everything for the talent scout,
I don't think I'll
be able to perform.
Oh, well, then I'll go to
St Mary's and get Pauline.
You need more help. No,
it's fine, I can cope.
Well, I can't! I need you
with me in that chorus line -
I still don't know all
the steps. Have faith.
Derek said you have something
special, and he's right.
Thanks.
But I do still need to
go to the presbytery.
Cos I may have left my shoes
on the kitchen table. Brenda!
You know that's bad luck,
and we hardly need any more!
Right, Hercules and I need
to collect the talent scout,
so I'll drop you off on the
way, then you can come back
and start sorting the dancers.
WHISPERS: This is it! Ha!
Ah, Father, I thought Mrs Devine
might like a little
token of good luck.
How unexpected, Chief Inspector.
Isabel! Oh, I can't stop!
I need to collect
the talent scout!
Yes, and I need to find Pauline!
Ah.
ENGINE STARTS
Oh, here he is.
Father Brown's
told me everything.
I knew there was something
I didn't trust about you.
I understand you're angry
with me, Chief Inspector,
especially after I
flirted with Mrs Devine.
I don't know what
you're implying.
I didn't realise you were
stepping out together.
But I promise you, that
was just the Mario persona.
The real me is actually
quite shy around women.
So, you were never romantically
involved with Miss Fletcham?
Oh, no, no, that was just an
excuse to explain why I came here.
She was actually courting one of
the other dancers in Blackpool,
but that all fell apart just
before we came to Kembleford.
She mentioned it the
day before she d*ed.
She said she had no choice,
but at least she knew she
was stronger than her mother.
Father?
Gillian Fletcham
had been pregnant.
What? Wait, had been?
That smell, it wasn't
cabbage. It was yarrow.
It's a common weed.
We used to use it in the trenches
to stop the flow of blood.
And it can also be used
to induce a miscarriage.
By Miss Fletcham herself?
This isn't just a weed patch,
this is a physic garden.
Miss Fletcham's mother taught her
the medicinal value of plants.
She must have truly
believed that having a baby
would completely ruin her life.
How sad.
St Gerard Majella.
What, Father?
Ah, Pauline, I was
hoping to find you.
Please come to the
showcase. We need you.
I-I'm sorry, I can't.
Brenda, why have you got my bag?
Don't tell me I picked up someone
else's bag again. I'll take it.
I don't understand.
This is the missing plaque.
This is from the m*rder w*apon!
I really wish you
hadn't found that.
How much further is it?
Don't worry! Hercules
will get us there in time.
And I'm sure Brenda will have
everything under control.
I told you I'd get
you here on time!
Here you are. HE PANTS
I think I need to sit
down. Oh, good idea.
Here you go.
Poor chap.
He seems more
nervous than we do!
Is Brenda not back yet?
What on earth is keeping her?
SOBBING
SOBBING CONTINUES, BELL RINGS
I see you found
our missing plaque.
Well done, Miss Palmer.
She won't talk to me, Father.
She just keeps on crying.
Surely, this isn't over
some petty dance rivalry?
No.
You told me the truth
yesterday, Mrs Highbury.
You wouldn't k*ll for that.
But this was never about
the showcase, was it?
It must have seemed particularly
cruel that Miss Fletcham
got rid of her child...
..when you had a desperate
desire for one of your own.
You wear a medallion.
St Gerard of Majella.
Many women pray to him when they are
struggling to be blessed with child.
And your husband had an appointment
in his diary with St Ignatius'.
A Catholic adoption agency in
Bristol, if I'm not mistaken?
The doctor finally told me
this week that it's no use.
I can never get pregnant.
All of these years praying,
being a good person,
hoping God would bless us.
And then, someone like
Gillian falls pregnant,
when she didn't even want it!
We know that mothers
give their love freely,
to the innocent souls
that depend on them.
And you have not been given
the blessing to be able
to give that love,
but there is an innocent
soul that depends on you.
Derek Fletcham
faces the gallows.
I-I never meant for
Derek to be blamed.
I never meant for
any of it to happen.
I arrived early that morning.
I felt terrible about
damaging Gillian's dress.
I had to confess,
tell her I'd withdraw from
the showcase entirely.
But she just laughed in my face.
SHE CACKLES
You really think you
stood a chance against me?
Dress or no dress, I'd have
wiped the floor with you.
Why are you always so cruel?
We're meant to be friends.
Please.
I only put up with you because your
precious Robert writes the cheques.
Th-That's not true.
Of course it is.
And I can't tell you how boring
it's been, listening to you going on
and on about wanting
to have a baby.
You're obviously doing it wrong,
because I managed it
without even trying!
You're pregnant?
Not any more.
I wasn't going to let the
consequence of some fling
ruin everything I've worked for.
I'm not my mother.
I took steps to deal with it.
How could you?! And I'd do
it again in a heartbeat.
I mean...
..didn't it feel amazing
when you and Robert won this?
It's not a baby,
but we both know you're never
going to get one of those...
..are you?
TROPHY IMPACTS, PLAQUE CLATTERS
SHE SNIFFLES I shouldn't
have kept the plaque.
But it was a reminder of a time when
Robert and I actually won something.
SHE SOBS
Am I going to hell, Father?
You have shown
repentance for your sins,
and God forgives
all his children.
Unfortunately, however...
..the law does not.
SENTIMENTAL DANCE MUSIC PLAYS
APPLAUSE
It's the chorus
line number soon,
Brenda will miss her big moment!
Ooh!
I'm here! Great.
Go and get ready.
SWING MUSIC PLAYS
MUSIC ENDS, APPLAUSE
Very creative, good projection,
and so sharp with your
downward leg action.
But remember, if you are
to appear on Go Dancing,
you must keep it
strictly ballroom.
Derek, you're out!
Just in time to see that
amazing performance.
The judge certainly liked
what he saw, Miss Palmer.
I didn't do it to get
on television, Father.
I just did it to have fun and
to prove that I could do it.
Thank you for going ahead.
Gillian would've loved it.
Do you know what will
happen to this place now?
I'm going to make a go of it.
But forget official
choreography.
From now on, I'm
doing it my way.
Brenda's right - dancing should
be about fun, not accreditation.
Well, I could teach
you a move or two!
THEY CHUCKLE
It's a shame you can't
show the talent scout
your skills, Mrs Devine.
The chorus line number
has already taken place,
so I'm afraid my light must
remain firmly under a bushel.
For now.
But it deserves to shine.
Perhaps you'll do me the
honour of dancing with me?
Well, er, now that I know
you're not a k*ller...
Oh, but I am.
QUIETLY: I've k*lled Mario.
Ah!
Father Brown reminded me that dance
is about being your true self,
so from now on, that's
what I'm going to be.
Well, in that case, I'd
be honoured, Malcolm.
I'll go and get ready.
Thank you, Father,
for everything.
You're welcome, Mr Cann.
I wonder if I might ask
a small favour from you.
I thought you hated dancing?
I hated my mother forcing me to.
I preferred to stay with
my father and discuss cases
with his colleagues.
And now?
Let's just say, someone helped
me realise I spend too many hours
on police work and not enough
hours with the person I...
..love.
I do love you, Isabel.
I love you too, Edgar.
Now, this is more like it!
The talent scout's impressed.
Does the Inspector know he
might end up on the television?
No.
Didn't tell him that bit.