09x21 - Desperate Measures

[bunniefuu]

♪ Heartbeat

♪ Why do you miss

♪ When my baby kisses me?

♪ Heartbeat

♪ Why does a love kiss

♪ Stay in my memory? ♪

JACKIE: Finally your worships,

I'd ask you to take into accountmy client's remorse.

He knows he has been very foolish,

and is aware that he facesa possible custodial sentence.

A sentence which might,

because of the recent deathof his wife,

put his entire family's futureat risk.

The experiencehas been a very salutary one.

I'd ask you thereforeto show leniency.

CHAIRWOMAN: Mr Brooks,

we've listened carefullyto Mrs Bradley's plea of mitigation.

Nevertheless, horse theftis a crime we take seriously.

And, given your previouscriminal record,

we feel we have no alternative,

but to imposea six-month prison sentence,

This will however, be suspendedfor a period of two years.

But be assured, Mr Brooks,

were you to appear before us again,

you will certainly go to prison,

whatever the consequencesfor your family.

This is positively your last chance.

Thank you, your worship.

You may stand down.

SOUND OF A BABY COOING

I'm free to go.

CHRISTINE: Oh, Dad. Thank goodness.

No. Thank this young lady.She was brilliant.

I just told the truth.

Your dad knowswhat he stands to lose,

if he ends up in trouble again.So, nose clean from now on, Roy?

- Of course, yeah.- Best go home, then, eh?

You go on ahead. I'll catch you up.

I have some business in Ashfordly.I won't be long.

- Dad...- Thanks again.

What do you meanabout what he stands to lose

if he ends up in court again?

Well, you've no other family,Christine.

If Roy went to jail, well...

You and Ian are too youngto look after the children alone.

And we'll end up in care, right?

Your dad's learned his lesson.It won't come to that.

IAN: Come on. Let's go.

BERNIE: I'm sorry, sir.

I don't dabblein that sort of thing anymore.

No, I don't carehow much money you're offering.

I wouldn't consider it.

No, I decided long agoI'd best stick to burying the dead,

not raising them.

No, no, money isn't the issue.

No. Goodbye.

Now, then.

What were that all about?

What is it about your earsthat make them flap

every time they hearthe word 'money'?

It wasn't that, that made 'em flap,it was listening to somebody

try to persuade youto dig up their mother-in-law.

I'm not going to dig anybody up.

It sounded like it to me.

If you must know,I used to be a bit of a psychic.

You wouldn't understand, Claude.

Psychic?

What, you mean you can get in touchwith the dearly departed?

Something like that.CLAUDE SNORTS

The only spirits I wantto get in touch with are petroleum.

Stick me a couple of gallons in.

CLAUDE SNIGGERS Psychic!

HE CHUCKLES Are you there?

HE BURSTS OUT LAUGHING

It's a chill.My Sam's just had the same thing.

So, nothing serious, then?

No, just try and keep him very warm

and make sure you give himplenty of fluids.

Thanks for coming out, Maggie.

Not at all.

I know just how easy it is to panic.

Uh... anything else worrying you?

Me? I don't have time for worrying.

Oh, come on, Christine,

you don't have to cope

with everything on your own,you know?

Dad's not back yet.

He's been...

Been drinking.

Ever since Mum died.

One drink, and then...he can't seem to stop.

Mmm.

I'm afraidhe'll do something stupid.

Try not to worry.

You're doing a great job.

Your mum'd be so proud of you.

I'll come around tomorrowand make sure everything's okay.

Thanks Maggie.

BABY COOSBABY COUGHS

Hey.

HORSE NEIGHS

HORSE HOOVES CLOP ACROSS WOOD

DOG BARKING

REED: Oi! What's going on?

Get back!

Come on!

ENGINE STARTS

CAR HORN BLARES

TYRES SCREECH

ASHFORDLY: I've only had Rio Boyhere a few days.

That horse is worth a small fortune.

MICHAEL: Did you see what happened?

No, by the time I got down here,the thieves were gone.

Just found Reed lying there.

Rio boy's a racehorse, isn't he?

Yes, I bought himat the bloodstock sales last week.

He was due to be moved ontothe trailer in New Market tomorrow.

I invested a lot of moneyin this animal,

Sergeant,I want him found immediately.

I want whoever's taken himbrought to book as soon as possible.

In here.

Can you describe the manwho did this to you?

REED: I remember the van...

because it weren'ta proper horsebox.

More like a removal lorry,or something.

PHIL: What colour was it?

It was hard to tell in the dark.

Blue, I think.

I'm sorry gentlemen,

he's not up to answeringany more questions.

Sure. I understand.

Thank you very much, Mr Reed.

What actuallymade you pack it in then?

I started hearing voicesI didn't want to hear.

I've heard a few of them.Mostly from people I owe money to.

Very funny.

It wasn't.

IRENE: Mr Scripps,I was told I'd find you in here.

Hello, Mrs Greenaway.How are you, darling?

Well, I'll be a lot betterwhen my Jim's funeral's paid for.

Um... do you think you could give meanother few days' grace?

Jim's been buried a while now.I can wait a bit longer, I suppose.

Oh, thank you.

I'm afraid money's been very tight,you know,

since he passed on.

I thought Jim were worth a few bob.

Yes, but it's all in shares,and I can't find the certificates.

But if you found them though,you'd be all right, wouldn't you?

SHE SCOFFS If.

I lie in bed at night willing himto give me some sort of clue.

Have you ever thoughtof getting in touch

with one of thesepsychic clairvoyants,

asking them if they can contact Jimto tell you where they are?

Well, no, but I'll try anything.

Gimme a bit of time,I might be able to help you out.

I'd be ever so grateful, Claude.

Don't worry. I'll see you all right.

I thought you might.

I'll be in touchif I can sort summat out.

CLAUDE CHUCKLES Don't even think about it.

You don't believe in any of it,anyway.

No I don't, you daft egg,but Mrs Greenaway does, doesn't she?

And the certificatesare bound to be somewhere.

I mean obviously,all she needs is her mind jogged.

Well, I'm having nothing to dowith it.

The only spiritsI'm interested in...

..I know, are Petroleum.

..No.The spirit that comes in these.

Hmm.

No, there's no sign of a horse yet,your Lordship.

But I assure you,we are making it top priority.

Goodbye.HE HANGS UP PHONE

So, Mr Reed was unable to give usany more direct leads.

Ah, no sarge.

What about bloodstock sales,were the horse was purchased?

We could make some inquiriesand see how stolen racehorses

are sold on.

Good idea! Take Bradley with you.

I don't want this businesshanging on.

I've got an importantsocial engagement coming up.

I'd like to ask what, sarge.

You may ask if you wish, Bellamy,

you won't get an answer.

What about guineas to start.

Do I have four?, guineas. I have four.

Six, I'd like six. Do I have ?

guineas, six over there.Thank you, sir, six.

AUCTIONEER: I'd liketo make it eight. guineas.

Excuse me.

I'm looking for a Mr Lawton.

AUCTIONEER: I'd like to make it guineas. guineas anyone?

guineas. I have.Thank you, sir. guineas.

guineas. Add two. Add two.Thank you, sir. guineas.

Mr Lawton?

That's right.

We're investigating the theftof this racehorse, Rio Boy.

He was bought here last weekby Lord Ashfordly.

I remember him.

Add two, sir. Better get in now.

Very promising indeed.Stolen, you say?

Afraid so.

Presumably, it'd be very difficultto sell on a racehorse like that.

You'd need identification papersand so on?

Absolutely. If you want my opinion.It'll have been a professional job.

The horse'll behundreds of miles away by now.

guineas.

It's certainly not likelyto be re-entered for auction here.

- guineas... Sold!- Thanks for your help.

- If you see or hear anything...- I'll let you know, of course.

HORSE CLOPPING

Any other bright ideas, Alf?

Not really, no.

So, which one of usis going to tell Craddock,

that Lord Ashfordly's horse,could be out of the country by now?

Hard luck, mate.

Roy's always in and out of courtfor stealing horses, isn't he?

Yes, but racehorses?Out of his league.

Well, yeah, I suppose.

What did the vehicle look like?

I think it was dark blue.

It had some sort of letteringpainted out on the side.

Right. Well, we'll make someenquiries and get back to you.

Thanks, Phil.

Maggie?

Yes?

- Could I have a word?- Yes. Yes, of course.

I'm in a bit of a predicament.

Oh... Why is that?

The thing is, Penny and I,won a ballroom dancing competition

in Scarborough this time last year,

the Eileen McMaster Memorial Cup.

Really?

Anyway,the organiser is a friend of mine,

and I'd feel a bit of a heel

if we didn't defendthe title this year.

this year. I was wondering if...

..if you'd be preparedto step into the breach.

Raymond, I really don't thinkI'm of a standard...

You are an excellent dancer, Maggie.

I'm sure we'd acquit ourselvesvery well.

Well... uh...

Well, yes. Yes, if you're preparedto risk it, then so am I.

Good. I look forward to it.

- Thank you, Maggie.- Not at all, Raymond.

Do you have something to ask me?

Uh... yes, Sarge.

About Maggie's accident

it happened last night,near Ashfordly Hall.

She was forced off the roadby a van.

What time?

About ten,the same time the horse was stolen.

What's more,her description of the van

was very similar to that of Reed's.

We saw Roy Brooksat the bloodstocks earlier.

He's got a vanmatching that description.

I see. Well, we'd better go 'roundand speak to him, hadn't we?

HE SIGHS

- A seance?- That's right, love.

How exciting. I know someone elsewho'd like to come, Mrs Ventress.

She's always saying she'd liketo talk to her late mother.

I don't suppose she getsmuch conversation out of Alf.

CLAUDE CHUCKLES

Who's the clairvoyant?

BRENDA: Hello, would you liketo buy one of these?

- Oh... uh...- I'm sure he'd like one.

How much?

Two shillings. I make them myself.

- There you go.- Thanks.

Oh. Beautiful baby.

I bet he grows upto be a heartbreaker.

I do hope not.

There's enough of themaround already.

- Are you all right?- Yes, I'm quite all right, pet.

Mr Brooks, there's been an incident.

We have reason to believeyou may have been involved.

Can you tell us your whereabouts,last night?

I was in Ashfordly.I had a few drinks.

Can you tell uswhich pubs were you in, and when?

- I can't.- What is all this?

A racehorse has been stolenfrom Ashfordly Hall.

Why don't you just leave him alone?

What's going on?

We're just trying to establish

your dad's whereabouts last night,that's all.

He was at home, weren't you, Dad?

Oh, really? All evening?

Yes.

Your father told ushe was out drinking in Ashfordly.

Well...maybe it wasn't all evening.

You come to the stationwith us, sir.

We'd like you to answera few questions.

You've already decided I've done it,haven't ya?

He didn't even do it.

Please don't take him away.Please!

It's all right, I'll have to go.I won't be long.

You told us one story,Christine told us another.

Which are we to believe?

I think Christine's probably right.It was early evening.

Can you tell us what time exactly?

No, I can't.

I'd been celebrating.I'd had too much to drink.

Some celebration.

Then we have a problem,haven't we?

Look, Roy,we only want to find out the truth.

I've told you the truth.KNOCK AT THE DOOR

Uh... sorry to intrude, Sarge.Mrs Bradley's here.

She'd like to have a word, please.

What can I do for you?

- You're holding Roy Brooks.- Correct.

- I'd like to see him, please.- He's not requested a solicitor.

His daughter, Christine rang meand told me what happened.

You have no right to hold him.

He's a known horse thief,

and a vehicle matching hiswas seen by two witnesses.

Oh, I see, and you can provethat Roy was driving, can you?

A man has been badly injured,Mrs Bradley

We have a dutyto follow up all leads.

You have no evidence

that my client was presentat the scene of the crime.

We've taken our questioningas far as we can at present.

Roy Brooks is still under suspicion,

But I'm prepared to release himfor the moment.

Thank you, Sergeant.

Hello. Where's Brenda?

Vanished. Nurse noticed her bedwas empty about half an hour ago.

We've searched the building,but no sign of her.

Oh, dear.

She's been agitating to go.Claimed she felt much better.

And was she?

She's got high blood pressure.

We're sure that's what causedher to collapse.

But she left

before the doctor had a chanceto prescribe her anything.

Well, I could always call 'roundand check on her.

She said she livedin an old cottage... Leigh Lane.

Okay. I'll take her prescription'round later on.

Okay.

You can't let the poor woman down,Bernie. She needs you.

You mean, you need me.

You only want a cutof Irene's money.

Yeah, but apart from that.

You'll be makingan old lady very happy, won't you?

Not to mention rich.

Let's face it, it's the only way

you're gonna get paidfor Jim's funeral, isn't it?

You can't run a businessburying people for nothing, can you?

There are timeswhen I'd cheerfully bury you

for nothing, Claude.

You're not on your own there.But can I take that as a yes?

- Well, not really.- Good. I'll get it sorted.

MAGGIE KNOCKS

Who's there?

Oh, hello, it's the district nurse.

- Hello.- Oh. Hello.

Look, I'm sorry I left like that...

..after you'd been so kind.

It's just that I hate hospitals.

Can't stand the smell.

Yes, I know the feeling.

However, you do need to take thesetablets for your blood pressure.

And try and see a doctor regularly.

- You're very persistent.- It comes with the territory.

You really shouldn't be livingin a place like this, you know.

It won't do your health any good.

Can I come in?

It's not exactly the Ritz.

I didn't have much choice,to be honest.

I had to leave me last placerather quickly.

How come?

Oh, I had an encounter...with the... uh... Whitby police.

- Oh, I see.- Anyway, I like the open road.

I'm... What do they call it?

A free spirit.

So you haven't gotany family then?

Oh, no. Not now, no.

I had a little boy, like you.

He died.

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry.

It were a long time ago.

If you like, I could call againin a few days

and check your blood pressure.

All right.

But I'd rather nobody knewthat I was here,

if you know what I mean.

Yes.

Our secret.

BABY CRIES All right, all right! In a minute.

So what're you going to do,walk out on us?

What do you expect me to do?Make everything all right again?

BABY CONTINUES CRYING

What's going on?

You're better off without me,all of you.

Dad? Where are you going?

Does it really matter?

Please just come in and let's talk.

Well, go after him, Ian.

What's the point?He always does what suits him.

We'll manage without him, Christine.

MICHAEL CLEARS THROAT

Coffee, Sarge.

Thank you, Bradley.

Sarge...

- Roy Brooks.- Yes.

I don't think he'd have the contactsto sell on a horse like that.

Go on.

Well, I reckon, it was someoneconnected with the Bloodstock Sales.

They'd know the horse was valuable,

and would be well-placedto sell it on.

They could also have found out

that the horse was going toAshfordly's, not New Market.

That's an idea.

Get onto Reed, find outwho he spoke to at the sales.

I want this wrapped up

before Lord Ashfordlygets in touch again.

Right, Sarge.

PHONE RINGS

Sergeant Craddock.

Lord Ashfordly. Hello.

Hello. I called to see how Jamie is.

BABY CRIES

His temperature's backto normal again.

He's just making a racket.

What's the matter, Christine?

Dad.

He's walked out.I don't know what to do.

What's happened?

He's been in troublewith the police.

They never trust him.

Somebody even told them,that he tried to run them off

the road last night.

They swore it was his van.They must have been lying.

- Come on, Christine.- I'm scared, Maggie.

Mrs Bradley said that,it's his last chance.

Listen...

What are you doing here?

Well, I called to see Jamie.

After what you did?

She's the one who dropped Dad in it.

What do you mean?

I was just reporting an incidentto the police.

She told the policeDad's van ran her off the road.

It was you?

I didn't know it was Roy's van.

You're no betterthan the rest of 'em,

always interfering,always thinking the worst.

But I trusted you, Maggie!

It wasn't like that, Christine.

Just get out, will ya?

You heard what she said.You're not wanted here.

What're you doing here?You'll get your money.

LYNCH: We've got to go backto Ashfordly's.

Don't be ridiculous.

I went to hospital.That bloke's in a bad way.

My prints are all overthat metal bar.

We've got to find it.

I'm not risking it.You're on your own, Lynch.

PHONE RINGS

Excuse me, we'd just liketo have a quick word

with Mr Reed, if that's all right?

NURSE: I'm afraid,Mr Reed's condition

has deteriorated considerably.

We're taking him to theatre now.

His brother was here earlier.

I should let him knowthat we're going to operate.

But I can't find him.

- Will you let him know?- His brother?

Yeah. He was very concerned.

What did he look like?

He was short, brown hair,and he had a scar.

I presumed you'd been in contact.

Well, if he comes here again,you'll let us know, won't you?

Certainly.

I thought you'd spoken toReed's family after the as*ault.

I did. He doesn't have a brother.

HORSE WHINNYING

I'd say he would do, aye.

No, no, I've got to go. Bye-bye.

- Mr Lawton?- What brings you here?

I'm looking for a manwho works for you.

Smallish build, dark hair,scar at the temple.

Do you know where I could find him?

You mean John Lynch.

I'm sorry,I'm afraid I've got no idea.

He doesn't work here any more.

Well, that's strange, becausewhen I called 'round earlier,

I saw you talking to a manof exactly that description.

Well, I'm afraidyou must be mistaken.

Now, if you'll excuse me constable,I'm really terribly busy.

You!

Don't move.

I looked out of the window,saw a light by the stable,

crept down,and caught him in the act.

Come on, then.

Let's get you in the car.

And he admittedhe was looking for this?

Yes. Couldn't have been simpler.

I must say Sergeant,it's a bit much,

when I have to do your job for you.

Well, thank you for your help,your Lordship.

Now, if you don't mind,

we'd like to finishthe job ourselves.

Sam?

Oh, I'm sorry.I did knock, but the door was open.

There wasn't any answer.

I was only holding him.He'd woken up.

Yes, sometimeshe gets upset by strangers.

Oh, no, he was as happy as a lark,weren't you, pet?

I came to give you these.

- Thank you.- You've been so kind to me.

Most people don't want to know.

Such a bonny baby.

Could I take him out for a walksometime, 'round the village?

Oh, I don't know...

..It'd give you a break.And I'm sure he'd enjoy it.

Y-yes. Maybe.

Oh. I see.

Well, I'll see you around, maybe.

I didn't mean that

I know exactly what you meant.Why should you trust me?

Nobody else does.

I didn't mean to hurt him.I panicked.

Who else was involved?

Do you understandthe seriousness of these charges?

Tell us the truth. It's the only wayyou'll help yourself.

If Mr Reed dies,you're looking at m*rder.

You'll spendthe rest of your life in jail,

and your accomplice will get offscot-free. Is that what you want?

No point in continuing, then.

Lawton.

Steve Lawton.

You spoke to himat bloodstock sales.

I know who he is.

He organised everything.

Had a buyer lined up in South.

Lawton's in real trouble.Owes money all over.

- I only did what he told me to.- Including nearly k*lling a man?

Where's this Lawton now?

I don't know.

Why are you protecting him?

Do you thinkhe'd do the same for you?

I don't know where he is.

Everything's gone wrong. The buyerpulled out at last minute.

Lawton's desperate.

He won't stick around for long.

Right. Bradley,get over to this Lawton's right now.

Aye, Sarge.

Any luck?

- No sign around the back.- Nothing here either.

Mike.

What do you think?

Well, I'm impressed.

We thoughtit'd add a bit of atmosphere.

Yes, of course.

So, we're just waitingfor Mrs Ventress, then?

She has beenlooking forward to this.

She can't wait to talk to Evelyn,you know?

She'd better hurry,

otherwise she'll have beenand come and gone.

BOTH CHUCKLE

And there's no sign of him at all?

None, sarge.

RAYMOND: 'Right, well, sit tight.'

PHONE RINGS

Ashfordly.

What? Who is this?

How much?

KNOCK ON DOOR

Hello, Sarge.

Bellamy? What are you doing here?

Baby-sitting, Sarge.

Of course.

- Come in. Come in.- Thank you.

Hello, Raymond.

- Ah. All set?- Think so.

You'll remember to give himhis bottle before eight?

Otherwise,he won't sleep through the night.

No problem.Come on you two, get off.

Have a good time.

Thank you, Phil.

Bellamy.

Bye, now. Good luck!

KNOCKING

That'll be Mrs Ventress now.

Either thator he's started without telling us.

Alf?

Mrs Ventress sends her apologies.She's indisposed.

She told me to come in her place.

HAMMERING ON DOOR

HAMMERING CONTINUES

Lord Ashfordly?

I thought you saidyou were trying to finish the job?

- How do you mean?- You'd better come with me. Now.

CHATTER FROM TV SHOW

TIMER PINGSLAUGHTER FROM TV

All right, little feller,supper time.

Sam...

He was in his cot. He was fine.

He can't just have walked away.

Somebody must have gotten inand taken him.

I don't see how...MAGGIE SOBS

- ..unless...- Unless what?

I dozed for a bitin front of the television.

What, the door wasn't locked?

No.

I'm sorry, Maggie.

It's not your fault.

Maggie, have you seen anyonehanging around outside the house?

No... well, only Brenda.

The old woman who livesin the cottage on Leigh Lane.

She's always asking after Sam,but...

MAGGIE SOBBING She told me she lost a child.

A little boy. It must have been her!

She must have him.

Oh, Maggie.

Phil called me.

MAGGIE SOBS

I'll stay here with her.You two go off and find Sam.

It's okay, it's okay.

Look, if you don't get an answer,

don't worry, we'll call it a day.

I'll tell Mrs Ventressyou couldn't get a reply.

Hold on.

Evelyn, is that you?

She wants you to knowshe's quite content, Alf.

Her spirit's at rest.

She's very happy,and she sends you her love.

That's wonderful to know,isn't it, Alf?

She's talking more to him now,than she did when she was alive.

CLAUDE SNORTS

Looks like she's left.

Doesn't mean she's got the babythough, does it?

Sarge...

..it's Sam's shawl.

Right, you get hold of Ventress.

We'll cover more groundif we split up.

She can't have gone far.

It's definitely Jim, Irene.

He wants you to know thatyou're in his thoughts all the time.

Tell him he's in mine.

Ask him if he knows aughtabout the certificates.

Wait. I'm getting a place now.

It's dark.

It's damp.

It's musty.

Sounds like a cellar, that.Have you got one, love?

You must think I'm daft.

I've been through itwith a fine tooth comb.

Definitely a cellar.That's what I'm getting.

You said that.Ask him whereabouts in the cellar.

Will you cease interrupting,Claude?

Try and get on with it, then.

Hold on, I thinkI'm getting another voice.

ALFRED: What voice?

What matter? Try and find outabout the certificates.

- It's a woman.- It would be.

She's blonde... uh...fully-figured.

What's she saying?

She's talking about a weekendin Morecambe.

She was badly let down.

She says she's got a messagefor someone in this room.

What's her name?

Wait a moment... Erica.

Erica Thornthwaite.

I've heard enough of this rubbish.

She said she's going to makesomeone pay.

Blow the candles out.

That was just getting interesting.

I think we ought to do is,go over to your cellar, Irene,

see if you can find somethingyou might have missed.

TYRES SCREECHMAN SCREAMS IN PAIN

Hey, you playing, are you?

I've got to get home.The kids, they need me.

Come on. Come on. Get in.

Look, I'll take you.

You're no good to themdrunk in a ditch, eh?

This is the place.

ENGINE APPROACHES

It's definitely Roy Brooks' van.

MICHAEL: It's Lawton, all right.

The greedy devil.

Come on.

- Stop! Police!- Forget that damn horse!

Get out of the cab. Come on.

Get off me.

Ian?

I'm sorry, lovey. It looksas if we've been misinformed.

Do you think we shouldhave another seance?

Over my dead body.

'Ey-up.

This flagstone's wobbling.

Right.

So, Ian, how did youget involved in all of this?

Lawton.

He told me he had informationon my dad,

he said that if I didn't help him,

he'd give it to you,and Dad would go to jail.

Ian, you drove his truck.

You put him under suspicion.

I know. I wasn't thinking straight.

I was so frightened for him.

I never meant for all this.

All right.

I'll just take a full statement,and then we'll let you get home.

Okay?

Hey, this looks likea bit of eureka.

Have you got a screwdriver?

ALFRED: Brenda?

Leave me alone.I've not done anything.

- Get in.- Why? I've not done anything.

Come on. Get in.

And close the door.

- Where's the baby?- What?

Sam, Nurse Bolton's baby.He's missing.

Sam? I don't understand.

His shawl was foundwhere you were living. Where is he?

Oh. I did take the shawl.I were angry. But not the baby.

I've been in a bit of trouble.

I might be a thief, but I'd nevertake a child from his mother!

Hey, hey, come on.

I'm sorry, Christine.

I can't see any certificates.It's just a pile of old letters.

Let me see.

"My darling Jim,I can't stop thinking about you..."

These are love letters.

"All my love, Erica."

You were right, Mr Scripps.

Erica Thornthwaite.

My Jim was carrying onwith a flaming chiropodist.

I wouldn't have thoughtit was anything serious.

It was just probably a bit ofan aberration on Jim's part.

She were probably doing somethingwith his feet and got carried away.

The only aberration was me askingyou to help in the first place.

Your seance has caused nothingbut trouble, Claude.

I wish I'd never listenedto your ridiculous scheme.

And you can clear all that mess upas well, before you go.

That'll teach youto make things up.

I bet these letterswere a bit of a shock.

I only did it for a laugh.

Shame you didn't get one,especially from me.

I was trying to get you going.

I wish I'd never told youabout me and Erica Thornthwaite.

Mind you, I never realisedJim Greenaway

was having summat to do with herat the same time.

Weren't we all?

- Not you as well.- Afraid so.

I thought I was the only one.

Do you want a list, alphabetically?

Not particularly.

But I'll tell you one thing,

you pull another stunt like this,

and you'll finish upat another seance.

But you'll be comingfrom a different direction.

There'd never have been a problem,if you all just left us alone.

We're just doing our job, Christine.

Well, you can keep out of our lives,

you, and Maggie Bolton,and the rest of them!

Maggie didn't want to get your dadinto trouble.

She feels really bad about it.

She's in a terrible state.

Her own baby's gone missing.

Someone's taken him.

Well, then, she'll knowhow I'm feeling, won't she?

BABY HOWLS IN THE HOUSE

BABY CRYING LOUDLY

Come on... Come on...

Come on, Sam, come on.

All in one piece.

I'm really sorry, Maggie.

It's me who should be sorry.

It's all my fault.

If I'd behaved more like a father,

and less like a fool,this wouldn't have happened.

I'm sorry, Maggie.

I was angry with ya.

I thought Dad would go to jail.

I would neverhave hurt little Sam.

I know.

Come on.Let's get the two of you home.

Sleeping like a log.

I'm pleased to hear it.

I'm sorry about the dance,Raymond.

Not at all. Maybe it's fate's wayof telling me to move on.

Forget about Penny.

Maybe.

Is that how you feelabout your own situation?

I mean, I know that what happenedto Neil was much more tragic, but...

Well, you must have startedto think about the future.

I made a complete hash of thingswith Penny.

Didn't pay her enough attention,you see.

So, that when temptation came along,

it's not surprising that she...succumbed.

But I've learned my lesson,and I think now that,

with the right woman,

I'd be able to move on.

Maybe you and I could think aboutmoving on together.

We do get on very well, Maggie.

Listen, Raymond...

we do get on very well,

and... I am very fond of you,

but if you're suggestingany more than that...

..I'm sorry.

Oh, no, no, don't be sorry.

Best be frank.

I've hurt your feelings.

Not a bit.

Not a bit. Just exploringthe possibilities, that's all.

Anyway, after whatyou've been through tonight,

it's not the best of timing.

I'm not sure the timing would everbe right for you and I, Raymond.

No, I'm sure you're right.

I'd best be on my way.

I really am very fond of you,you know.

Night, Maggie.