14x02 - Secrets And Lies

[bunniefuu]

♪ Heartbeat

♪ Why do you miss when my baby kisses me?

♪ Heartbeat

♪ Why does a love kiss stay in my memory? ♪

FOOTSTEPS

Hello?

Anybody there?

Howard Dufton! You're joking, aren't you?

Not a word of a lie.

Tomorrow I have an audience with the great man himself.

He's a big hero of mine. I've got all his magazines, you know?

I put them in a rack for the guests. What does he want with you?

Well, the reputation of Scripps Enterprises obviously travels.

He's got a proposition for me.

Have you heard from Mr Blaketon?

Yeah, David. He's bored out of his mind in Filey.

Can't wait to get back to work.

Sounds like he's on the mend, then.

His good health!

That'll be four and six then, please.

Bernard, do the honours, will you?

I'm sorry, Vernon.

I lent you my last five bob to pay the milkman.

You promised to pay me back today. - Ah.

We seem to have a temporary cash flow problem, Gina,

which is easily solved. - How?

By you giving some of your most faithful customers

a little short-term credit, of course.

GINA SIGHS

SIGHS

You never used to have a problem with sleeping. It's all very recent.

Are you saying I don't need the pills?

I'm just wondering if there might be another reason for your insomnia.

Stress could be a factor. Something worrying you.

Look, I told you what I need, Doctor Merrick.

If you don't want to help me...

Of course I want to help you.

Now, I'll give you another month's supply.

But after this we really need to rethink.

I don't want you becoming dependent on these.

I've never been so embarrassed in all my life.

Refusing one of their best clients a bit of credit.

What's happened to the milk of human kindness, Bernard?

It turned sour, Vern, like it always does.

- Mr Vernon... - What, David?

♪ If you gotta make a fool Of Someone

♪ Do you really have to hurt me... ♪

- BERNARD: Who is he? - VERNON: I've no idea.

What's he doing in my car?

He's locked himself in.

Oi!

HORN BLARES

VERNON: Keys, David!

- All right. - He's not dead, is he?

Perhaps we ought to call the doctor.

I know I had them.

BLARING CONTINUES

WALKER: What's the matter?

He's locked in. We've not been in the pub more than ten minutes!

- Oh, I found 'em! - I'll take those.

- Do you know who this is? - No idea.

- Have you booked him? - Not yet.

Not the first time I've seen him in a state.

So, you know him?

Oh, yes. Ted Allen, used to be a draughtsman.

He lived up at Hoddleswick Moor way. He had a son who died.

Ted was never the same since.

The last I heard, he was staying in the refuge.

Why was he in Vernon Scripps' car?

Read the form sheet, Walker. Drunk and incapable are his middle names.

It says he is vouched for by Barry Jones who runs the refuge.

Maybe you should let him know.

Let him sleep it off. Get Barry Jones to pick him up in the morning.

MURMUR OF VOICES

MURMURING CONTINUES

GLASS SMASHES

Derek?

Derek, are you down there?

- What's going on? - I heard something.

Whoever it was, they've gone.

- I'll call the police. - Why bother?

Nothing was taken.

Someone tried to burgle our home, Derek. We have to report it.

An attempted break-in in Aidensfield last night

at the home of a Mr and Mrs Lester.

- Nothing's been actually taken. - All right.

OK, Sarge, I'll have a look and ask around.

See if the neighbours saw anything.

Good.

Barry Jones, Ashfordly Refuge.

You wanted to see me.

Yes, Mr Jones. I'm Sergeant Merton.

This is PC Walker, the officer who found one of your charges

drunk and incapable yesterday.

I'm sorry about that. How is Ted? Is he in trouble?

No, no. Just feeling very sorry for himself.

He was not in good shape last night.

I gather Mr Allen's been a guest of yours for a while.

Nearly two years now. He's been trying ever so hard.

This is the first time in months anything like this has happened.

Must be a difficult job.

It's an uphill struggle.

Will you be charging Ted, Constable?

He had no keys, so he wasn't drunk in charge of the car.

He was on private land and Mr Scripps isn't pursuing the matter.

Ted's a lucky man. We won't be charging him this time,

but keep an eye on him.

BARRY: Course.

Come on, Ted.

Come on.

BERNARD: How long's all this going to take?

I've got Mrs Cromerty's cremation this afternoon.

VERNON: Bernard, try to look beyond the demands of our daily chores.

This could be our big chance.

Welcome, boys. Welcome to Dufton & Sons.

An honour and a privilege, Howard.

And a pleasure to visit these legendary premises.

The pleasure is all mine, Vernon.

You're too kind, sir. Too kind.

Let me show you round.

MUSIC: 'Look Into The Sun' by Jethro Tull

♪ Took a sad song

♪ Of one sweet evening

♪ I smiled and quickly turned... ♪

BELLAMY: You sure nothing was taken?

We've checked and double-checked. Nothing seems to be missing.

Your neighbour saw somebody running away

but it was dark. She couldn't really get a description.

What about you? Did you see anything?

No, I'm afraid not.

Well, have you noticed anything unusual recently?

An unknown parked car or somebody hanging about?

I'm sure I heard voices.

Like I said, I was working in my study. I had the radio on.

I'm sure that's what you heard.

I hope it's not been a waste of time dragging you out like this.

I'm sure you've got more important things to do.

Not at all, Mr Lester.

Right, well, that'll be all for now.

Thanks for your time. We'll be in touch.

- Morning, Mrs Neal. - Morning, Barry.

You sit there, Ted, all right?

Mrs Neal, could we organise a cup of tea

and something to eat for Ted here?

He's had a bit of a relapse. Got himself arrested in Aidensfield.

I didn't think he looked right yesterday.

Oh, by the way, that arrived for you.

BARRY: I've already had the post today.

Very impressive, Howard. Very impressive.

What is it we can do for you, Mr Dufton?

No, it's more a question of what I can do for you.

I'm planning our latest publishing venture.

Dufton's North Riding Winners And Losers.

I hope at the end of this meeting

we'll have forged a mutually beneficial working partnership.

Oh, me too, Howard. Me too.

I think an occasion like this calls for a toast of quality.

- A bit early in the day for me. - -year-old single malt.

To our new business venture.

BOTH: Our new business venture!

LAUGHS

Howard, what is it?

PANTING

CLOCK CHIMES

HEAVY BREATHING

GROANS

I give him two hours of my time. Two hours!

And what does he want me to do?

Sell blooming advertising space!

It sounds terribly exciting.

Bernard, working for commission

isn't going to solve my financial difficulties.

I've a good mind telling Howard Dufton

what he can do with his Winners And Losers.

Cheer up. It will look better in the morning.

Mr Scripps, what about this cremation?

Oh, she's not going anywhere.

LAUGHS

BELLAMY: Nothing was lifted.

A neighbour saw somebody running away but no description.

Not much to go on, then.

No. An odd chap, Mr Lester.

You'd think he'd want to catch the burglar

but he seemed keen to forget the whole thing.

PHONE RINGS

Ashfordly Police.

Where are you?

I'll meet you there.

Liz Merrick needs help.

One of her patients is in trouble.

Can you hear me?

KNOCKING ON WINDOW

Mr Seaton?

Help is on the way.

- Where is he? - In the kitchen.

I've already called the ambulance.

GRUNTS

Heart attack?

I don't think so. I suspect an overdose.

Get him on his feet and try and keep him awake.

I'm going to check the medicines upstairs.

That's it. Come on, Mr Seaton. Try to walk, sir.

The ambulance will be here soon.

- That's it. You're doing well. - Sleeping pills.

- More than enough to k*ll him. - Great.

VERNON: David, there's nothing to it.

Look, you just pick up the phone, you dial,

the client answers and you say...

"Good morning, I'm David Stockwell."

"I'm ringing on behalf of Dufton's North Riding

and I have some very, very good news!"

What's all this?

I'm just educating David in the fine art of media sales.

I'll tell you, Bernard,

with three of us canvassing all the region's entrepreneurs,

we'll fill that Dufton's North Riding in no time.

I can't afford to have David on the telephone all day,

chasing your pipe dreams!

One bankrupt in this family is more than enough.

Bernard, with my guidance, I'll turn David into a master salesman.

He's hopeless! He hasn't got the voice for it.

Wendy likes my telephone voice.

She's always saying so.

Wendy... I have to phone up for the gaskets and stuff for the garage.

Now, I can talk to Wendy all day.

All right. David can help you,

so long as you can prove to us

that this venture is worth all the bother.

You flog some advertising, then we'll talk.

You know me, Bernard.

I always lead by example.

How is he?

Recovering, but he's still very weak.

Did you suspect he might do something like this?

When I saw him yesterday, he seemed troubled but he wouldn't discuss it.

Now I know why.

What do you mean?

He's being blackmailed.

I couldn't let anyone know. I had to pay it. I had to!

I can't keep going on like this.

- Do you still have the letter? - My wife, she mustn't see it.

Please, try not to upset yourself, Mr Seaton.

- Have you paid any money? - £ .

When?

Yesterday.

They told me to leave it in a telephone box in Malthouse Street.

Why are you paying money to this person, Mr Seaton?

I'm not just prying, sir.

I know this is painful but if we're to catch this person,

we really need to know. - It was a long time ago.

I didn't know what to do.

My wife must never find out about this, Constable.

Please, promise me she won't.

We'll sort this out, Mr Seaton, don't worry. You have my word.

"Did you think you could get away so easily?"

"Pay another £ or I'll tell your family about Maria Dalton."

Maria Dalton?

A local woman. Apparently she had a child with Mr Seaton years ago.

He's terrified his wife will find out.

I see. "I'll send instructions where to leave the money."

A telephone box in Ashfordly, Malthouse Street.

Bellamy, where are you with this attempted break-in?

No new leads, Sarge.

In that case, see if you can find this Maria Dalton.

She'd have a very real motive to squeeze money out of William Seaton.

After years, sir?

Why bring it up now?

Blackmailers and elephants, Walker.

They never forget.

Just don't put any more pressure on my patient.

I mean, he's willing to help but let him do it at his own speed.

He's still very ill.

BELLAMY: Sarge!

I think I've found her. There's a Maria Dalton in Ashfordly.

She's the only one in the phone book.

Well done, Bellamy. Walker, you come with me.

TILL BELL RINGS

Watch this.

A Dufton North Riding? Eh, I haven't seen this one before.

This is a preview of a new publication, Gina.

Really? Tell me about it, then.

Certainly, madam.

Good afternoon.

My name is...

David Stockwell, speaking on behalf of Dufton & Sons,

and we have very, very good news!

Have you been drinking, David?

David's just a little excited about the new venture.

Tell me, Gina.

Has the Aidensfield Arms ever appeared in a Dufton's North Riding?

Howard Dufton write about us? I should be so lucky!

You should and you will.

The wheel of fortune has finally turned in your favour.

How much?

Yes?

Good morning, madam. We're looking for a Maria Dalton.

You'd better come in, then.

DOOR CLOSES

What is it that you want to know?

Could you tell us where we'd find Maria Dalton?

Yes.

- Well...? - I'm Maria Dalton.

This is rather an awkward question

but do you happen to have a -year-old child?

LAUGHS

Of course not.

But my daughter has

and she's called Maria too.

And where can we find your daughter?

Australia.

She's been there nearly years now.

Back to square one, then.

PHONE RINGS

Ashfordly Police Station.

Oh, hello, Susan. I haven't forgot your birthday, have I?

What?

Well, I can't leave the station.

Right. I'll be there in minutes.

WALKER: This is Malthouse Street.

The telephone box should be around here somewhere.

There it is.

And there's Barry Jones. Stop the car.

Mr Jones!

Ooh, Mrs Neal? Any chance of a cup of tea?

- I'll bring some in. - Thank you.

Now, what can I do for you?

We're following up an inquiry. A bit of a long shot really.

Have you seen anything odd around the telephone box outside?

Anyone hanging around or acting suspiciously?

Erm, no, I'm afraid not.

Is this anything to do with our people?

Maybe, maybe not. Don't you have a telephone here?

We do. But it only accepts incoming calls at the moment.

That's a bit inconvenient, having to use the telephone box?

I suppose so. It happens when you have problems paying bills,

which we have more than our fair share at the moment.

But if I see anything untoward, I will let you know.

You've got my word on it.

Thanks.

Perhaps you can take one of these back to the station with you.

Any publicity is good for us.

You never know where the next donation's coming from.

We'll be in touch.

How long has this been going on?

Weeks now. I thought if I ignored it, it would stop.

You haven't handed over any money?

Not a penny. Nor will I!

You should have gone to the police.

I couldn't. Please, don't ask me why, Alf.

Let's just say it could really damage me.

Susan, you're Mrs Ventress's favourite god-daughter.

You can trust me.

I work for a charity. If these accusations ever got out...

You're not the only victim of this blackmailer.

I can't do it, Alf!

It's important that we find out who it is.

Otherwise, where's it going to end?

Sarge, can I have a word? It's very urgent.

Yes, Ventress. What is it?

The blackmailer. It's happened again.

"You are a tax cheat. I have proof."

"Pay £ or I'll tell your employers."

"I will send instructions how to pay This is your last chance."

Who was this sent to?

Susan Cramer. She's Mrs Ventress's god-daughter.

Howard's here.

VERNON: Howard!

Just the man I wanted to see! Come in, come in.

I'll update you on our sales success so far.

Don't bother, Vernon. It's over. I'm bankrupt.

Bankrupt? Dufton & Sons?

Impossible!

Your firm's a national treasure.

It would be like bankrupting the North Yorkshire Moors.

National treasure or not. The banks have done for me.

There should be a law against it.

So, there'll be no Dufton's North Riding this year?

Not this year nor any other year.

By the end of the week, it'll all be a distant memory. Sorry, lads.

But what about our agreement? I mean, we shook hands on it.

That was then. This is now.

Dufton's North Riding is being consigned

to the footnotes of history.

Can you tell us what this is all about, Susan?

If I don't pay up,

certain documents will end up on the desks of my employers.

What sort of documents?

Tax stuff from years ago.

The result of an investigation into money I inherited.

They found against me. - You were prosecuted?

- No, my accountant settled it all. - Then what's the problem?

Susan's a senior fundraiser for charities.

If this information got out, she'd be given the sack.

SUSAN: I squared my debt.

What right has this person got to destroy my career?

Susan, who else knew about this?

No one outside the family. Well, except one person. My accountant's.

It's a local firm run by a man called Derek Lester.

KNOCK AT DOOR

Rob, can I have a word?

Message from Liz. She wants you at the hospital.

Yeah?

Mr Seaton is ready to talk.

Great.

I told the wife everything and she's forgiven me.

Oh, if only I'd told the truth years ago, you know?

- None of this would have happened. - We traced Maria Dalton.

She moved to Australia some years ago.

She isn't the blackmailer, if that's any comfort to you.

Aye, thank you.

Well, ask me anything you want to know. I'll do my best to answer.

Can you tell me if anyone else knew about your arrangement?

No, no. We kept it very quiet.

Yeah, the man that drew up the details was a local accountant.

Can you tell us who that person was, Mr Seaton?

I never used them again

because he was a rather unpleasant man.

And I do believe he overcharged me.

What was his name?

Lester. Derek Lester.

Are you sure?

Oh, yes.

Sarge? I think we've got our man.

Derek Lester.

Dufton's going under? Oh, I can't believe it.

I was really looking forward to getting our write-up, as well.

It's a travesty, that's what it is.

The Loch Ness Monster.

What?

Oh, I remember reading about the Loch Ness Monster in Dufton's.

I used to imagine that we had a monster in Ashfordly Brook.

I used to go fishing there

hoping that I'd catch it, get my photograph in the magazine.

- Oh, David. - Thank you, David.

Wonderful memories. They had interviews with all the stars.

Charlie Chaplin came here, you know? Played the Gaiety in Ashfordly.

It's fascinating, all that old stuff.

It must be worth a fortune now an' all.

Collectors, museums, they go mad for old archives.

Could be worth millions.

Well, maybe thousands...

Even so...

Thank you for dropping by, Mr Lester.

Is this about the break-in?

Just some matters arising. Do you know William Seaton?

He lives just outside of Aidensfield.

Yeah, everyone knows the Seaton family.

You more than most, surely. He was a client of yours, wasn't he?

Yes, he was.

Did you Mr Seaton tried to k*ll himself?

What?

Oh, that's terrible.

WALKER: He's lucky to be alive.

I thought I was here to talk about the break-in.

You also know Susan Cramer. Another client.

I don't see what has this to do with me.

WALKER: Someone's blackmailing them both,

using confidential information held in your files.

What is the point of this?

WALKER: Let's talk about the break-in, shall we?

I've got the notes here.

Now, something doesn't add up.

Yes, your wife said she heard two voices downstairs.

She must have heard something I didn't.

Why would I speak to a person who'd broken into my house?

That's what we want to know.

We think you know who the burglar is.

Tell us what happened. Did you argue about how to split the proceeds,

or deciding which client to blackmail next?

This is outrageous. I run a reputable company.

I serve my clients, not exploit them.

Prove it. Begin by telling the truth.

I am telling you the truth. I'm no criminal.

I've done nothing to be ashamed of! I'm the victim.

What do you mean?

I'm...

I'm being blackmailed too.

Why didn't you tell us?

I was too scared. It would have ruined me!

My business took a lifetime to establish.

What about Mr Seaton? He almost died. Or Susan Cramer?

I didn't know that she'd gone after other people.

She?

It's a woman?

Tell us her name, Mr Lester.

I can't tell you.

In that case, I'm arresting you

on suspicion of conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

Read him his rights.

You are not obliged to say anything unless you wish to do so

but what you say may be put into...

Sarge, I'd like you to take a look at this.

Anna Croft.

Her name's Anna Croft.

She was my secretary. I sacked her three years ago.

How did she get your files?

She must have kept a set of keys.

WALKER: Why didn't you tell the police?

MR LESTER: I couldn't.

Some of my arrangements were not strictly above board.

- Where does she live, Mr Lester? - I don't know. She contacted me.

Was she there the night of the break-in?

Yes.

WALKER: How many files have gone missing?

Close to .

Shall I take Mr Lester's statement now, Sarge?

Mm.

Oh, Sarge, I'd like you to take a look at these.

This is Susan's blackmail letter,

and this is the leaflet from the refuge.

What about it?

Well, take a look at the capital I in the letter,

and then compare it with the leaflet.

It's the same.

It's time we brought Barry Jones in.

With respect, Sarge, I'm not sure that's wise.

We should go there informally, so as not to scare him off.

Just do it, Walker.

KNOCK AT DOOR Yeah.

Vernon Scripps. What an unexpected pleasure.

The pleasure is all mine, Howard.

Get to the point, Vernon.

Ah, yes. Well, it's all very simple, really.

I'm here to save you, Dufton's North Riding,

and all it stands for. I have a contract here,

which, should you sign,

will make you and me joint owners of Dufton's Archives.

I don't follow.

In short, Howard, you're sitting on a goldmine.

Why let the bank take it away from you?

You sell the archive to me for the nominal sum of one pound

before they seize your assets

and we'll set up a brand new company with no debts.

We'll call it Scripps & Dufton, or Dufton & Scripps.

That's wonderful. Is it legal?

Well, in a manner of speaking. I've just done it.

Look, you sign there and I will pay you the princely sum of one pound.

LAUGHS

It's a deal.

This must be celebrated!

David, I'm a couple of bob short of a quid.

Do you think you could lend it to me?

Just till our profit comes on stream.

LAUGHS

Another visit? Twice in two days.

I must be getting popular!

I've been instructed to take you in, Barry.

What's going on?

We're investigating a number of blackmail cases in the area.

What's that got to do with me or the refuge?

The victims all received typed blackmail letters.

We believe they were written on your typewriter.

That's impossible.

The typewriter's in here and I keep the office locked.

So, you're the only person with access?

Obviously not.

Does the name Anna Croft ring a bell?

- I'm afraid not. - We think she's one of your people.

There's no one of that name here.

Barry, someone here is the blackmailer.

We have a victim who has tried to commit su1c1de.

It would be easier if you came down the station.

If you don't,

we have enough evidence to steam in here

and take the place apart and question everyone here.

No, I don't think that would work.

Alcoholics are professional liars, you see. It comes naturally to us.

To us?

I'm an alcoholic.

We all deal with our illness in different ways.

This is how I deal with it.

£ . Now, someone has been leaving anonymous donations.

Goodness knows I could do with the money

but I not touched a penny of it.

But I'll tell you one thing,

the only person who can find out the truth about one of our people

is another alcoholic.

Give me two hours. I'll find your Anna Croft.

I sent you to bring him in.

What part of that did you not understand?

He could be halfway to Timbuktu by now.

I think he's right.

This is the only way we're going to find Anna Croft. I trust him, Sarge.

But, PC Walker, can I trust you?

Sarge?

I just found this on my doorstep.

Instructions to pay £ .

Money to be left in a telephone box in Ashfordly tonight.

I suppose you think we should take it round to the refuge.

Barry asked for more time. I think we should give him a chance.

Don't worry about it but there have been some police knocking around.

Yeah, yeah. Nothing to do with you guys. It's been all right.

- Excuse me, Barry. - Yes, Mrs Neal.

I haven't done the kitchen but I didn't sleep so well last night.

I just thought I'd take a nap, if that's OK with you.

- Of course. Go and get your rest. - Thank you, Barry.

MUSIC: 'Reflections Of My Life' by Marmalade

♪ The changing of sunlight

♪ To moonlight

♪ Reflections of my life

♪ Oh, how they fill my eyes

♪ The greetings of people in trouble

♪ Reflections of my life

♪ Oh, how they fill my eyes ♪

I thought you'd like to know Mr Seaton has been discharged.

Glad to hear it. I'll call on him soon.

Now he's got everything off his chest, he seems much happier.

PHONE RINGS

One good thing came out of this.

Ashfordly Police.

I'll be right there. We've found our blackmailer.

She's at the refuge now.

Good. Let's go.

Right, we know what we're looking for. No time to waste.

Let's get cracking.

♪ There's a new world somewhere

♪ They call the promised land

♪ And I'll be there someday

♪ If you could hold my hand

♪ I still need you there beside me

♪ No matter what I do

♪ For I know

♪ I'll never find another you

♪ There is always someone

♪ For each of us, they say

♪ And you'll be my someone

♪ Forever and a day

♪ I could search the whole world over

♪ Until my life is through

♪ But I know

♪ I'll never find another you... ♪

- VERNON: David! - BERNARD: Are you all right?

I'm sorry. I was trying to lift this box down.

It sort of slipped.

What's this?

Bingo!

What is it?

The Loch Ness Monster.

You and David go and open the rest of the boxes.

And be careful with the contents!

Now, you're sure you have the right woman?

It's Mrs Neal. She's the only one it could be.

What do you know about her?

One of our success stories.

She came here about three years ago.

She'd hit rock bottom. But she's a different person now.

She could fit the description we've got of Anna Croft.

Where is she now? - She's in her room. Follow me.

It looks like we've come too late.

She could have gone on forever with this lot.

She wasn't just doing it for the money.

She was doing it for the refuge.

Her way of saying thank you.

She's still a thief and a blackmailer.

And now she's gone.

Not necessarily. She delivered the demand note to Susan earlier.

Why do that if she doesn't intend to collect?

Yeah, but why risk showing up?

She gave everything to the refuge.

I'm convinced she kept nothing back for herself.

My guess is, she'll need Susan's money to move on.

And if your theory doesn't add up?

It's the only chance we've got.

Well, let's hope it works...

for your sake.

HOWARD: Look at this!

This is wonderful. Look at this.

And every one worth a fortune, Howard.

Do you really think so?

Not only that,

you won't believe what we've found.

BERNARD: Queen Victoria and John Brown.

Father always said he took this up here,

when the Queen was supposed to be housebound in London,

but no one believed it.

I don't rightly know what to say.

Thank you, lads.

Now let's sell it quick,

before the bank manager gets his greedy hands on it.

- Now, you know what you have to do? - Yes.

It's very important that you arrive right on the minute.

As soon as you leave the envelope,

you just get out of there. - OK.

Good luck.

There's no light in the phone box.

That's probably why she chose it.

Right. 'Scuse.

DOG BARKS

Come on, come on.

Come on.

Go! Go! Go!

No!

- Ted Allen? - Where's the money?

- What money? - Oh, don't be funny.

- He's clean. - There is no money.

I don't have any money.

Why were you at that telephone box?

Doing a favour for an old friend.

I was told I could put one over on you and I did, didn't I?

Sarge, we've been had.

Who's watching the telephone box?

Police! Stop!

Anna Croft?

We meet at last.

I can't help feeling I failed her.

Save your charity for her victims, Barry.

That's a bit harsh, Sarge.

He's right, though.

Maybe it's time I should pack it in.

Maybe not just yet.

Susan?

Barry, this is Susan Cramer. She's a charity fundraiser.

If anybody can help you, she can.

Thank you.

Best of luck.

I hear Benidorm is very nice this time of the year.

Although I'm minded to visit Italy.

The art, the splendour, the food.

Yes, Italy it is. What do you think, Bernard?

I don't care where you go, so long as you give me back my five bob.

And my two and six.

Such trifling matters will be sorted at my earliest convenience.

Ah, talk of the devil. Look who's here.

Howard, how did your dispersal sale go?

Good news, Vernon. I sold it all!

Every last piece. Made a fortune.

Really? Excellent news.

I couldn't have done it without you.

You're too kind, sir, too kind.

So, Dufton & Sons will continue to perpetuity.

Don't you mean Dufton & Scripps?

I'm afraid not. The bank tore up our contract.

Is that legal?

In a manner of speaking, yes. They just did it.

But thanks to you, it made them think again.

That's why I'm back in business.

Well, what about me?

Oh, you'll be fine. I've come to make you a splendid offer, Vernon.

I'll still need an advertising sales manager for the new publication

and the job is yours!

That's very generous, Howard.

And of course, I've brought you something for your trouble.

No need to thank me, Vernon. The nominal quid you paid me to sign up.

Well, that calls for a celebration.

Drinks all round.

Would you do the honours, Vernon?