15x11 - O Guilty Man!

[bunniefuu]

♪ Heartbeat

♪ Why do you miss when my baby kisses me?

♪ Heartbeat

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

Oh, at last!

Rob, sorry I'm late. Shall I go straight to the house?

And he couldn't be more obvious if he tried.

No, let's get you a drink first.

Just a half. Better not get tiddly.

- No need to tell the entire world. - Sorry.

I just don't want this getting back to Sergeant Miller, OK?

Right, let's go.

I'm afraid supper might be a bit burnt by now.

Who's interested in supper?

- You know what you're doing, yeah? - Yes.

Rob, Helen.

GINA: So, what brings you in here this time of night, then?

Or shouldn't I ask?

Hiya, Phil.

Gina.

Everyone, erm, this is Debbie.

- Hello. - OSCAR: Hello.

Hello, Debbie.

- Is that her? - Who?

The famous widow with the three children?

- Yes. - He's going out with her, then.

Yeah, and he's pretty keen.

Come here.

Shouldn't we wait till we get home?

Oh! Yes, Doctor.

MUSIC: 'Badge' by Cream

♪ Thinking 'bout the times you drove in my car

♪ Thinking that I might have drove you too far... ♪

Sorry to pick it up so late, Mr Scripps.

That's OK.

I just thought that if I get it now, I won't waste time in the morning.

Cos I'm starting a new job.

Got the MOT safe?

And the bill.

- Thanks a lot. - You're welcome.

- Ta-ra. - See you.

MUSIC: 'It's Breaking Me Up' by Jethro Tull

♪ So many long days

♪ In so many ways

BRISK KNOCKING

♪ To what lies deep inside of you... ♪

Yes?

Is Rob here?

Erm...

Ooh, sorry, obviously he's got company.

No, he's not here. I mean, at the moment.

Can I help? I am a police officer.

Back soon, is he?

Yes.

In that case, why don't I wait? I'm an old chum. I'd hate to miss him.

I'll just sit here, shall I?

Well, you might have quite a wait.

No problem.

Yes, but he's...

You did say you were an old chum?

Absolutely.

Well, in fact he won't be back till morning.

You see, he's staying over at the doctor's tonight.

I see, yes.

But I could ring him if it's urgent.

Oh, good heavens, no! No, no, I've just, er, popped in for a chat.

Wouldn't want to disturb the lovebirds.

Things are getting pretty hot as far as I can gather.

That's why I'm here, covering for him so that he can...

Well, quite.

Well, if he's not coming back, I might as well be off.

Well, who shall I say called?

Who's a good boy?

- Good morning, Geoff. - Morning, Mrs Lennox.

- Morning, Mrs Lennox. - Morning.

Ooh! Hang on!

This friend that called, what did he look like?

I told you. He was tallish and he was oldish.

That could be anyone.

Yeah, I'm not very good at describing people.

Have you ever wondered if you are in the right job?

You what?

Go on!

MUSIC: 'Rollin' My Thing' by Marmalade

WHISTLING

Glad to see you happy, love.

I'm always happy.

When you're in work, yeah.

Saturday?! That's ages off.

Could you get your neighbour to sit again?

Or we could have a night in.

OK, I understand. Well, do that. You have a think

and then phone me back as soon as you know.

All right. I'd better go.

You hang up first!

No, you hang up first.

I'd better go.

Yeah. Yeah, bye.

KISSING SOUNDS

It's the real thing this time, Alf.

Oh, steady on, you've only known her for five minutes.

Three weeks and two days, to be precise.

BELL RINGS

Yes, sir. Can I help you?

I need to see the senior man here

and it's pretty important.

Yes, sir.

RADIO CLICKS ON

MUSIC: 'Under The Boardwalk' by The Drifters

♪ You wish your tired feet were fireproof

TYRES SQUEAL

♪ Under the boardwalk. ♪

SHE SCREAMS

Naturally, the last thing I want is to get any of your men into trouble

but it is a matter of public safety

and of the reputation of the local police force.

I'm afraid one of your men is playing hooky.

Carry on.

Well, last night I had occasion to call in

at the police house at Aidensfield

which I found manned by a very junior cadet.

When I queried this he told me he'd been left in charge for the night.

Sole charge, mind you.

While the village constable spent his night elsewhere.

Right. Mr, er...?

Trent. Oh, didn't I explain?

I'm Helen Trent's husband.

OK, I'll be straight there. Oh, and can you phone Bernie?

Sounds like we might need lifting gear. Ta!

Look at it! Look at the pram.

- If our grandson had been in it... - Yeah, I know.

...he would have been k*lled.

We all could have been! Look at the state of it!

Is there anything I can do?

You can take Mrs Lennox inside, make her a cup of tea.

I was just driving along.

The next minute it was like the van had a mind of its own.

I couldn't make it do anything.

Flipping Nora!

Anyone hurt?

Cuts, bruises and shock, that's all.

They certainly had a lucky escape.

Who's the driver?

Malcolm Fairchild.

Is he in a fit state to be questioned?

Yeah, I think so.

- I need to talk... - With me, Walker!

You can take notes. You can fill in the accident report later on.

Right, Mr Fairchild, can you tell us what happened?

I don't know. I can't work it out.

He came through the village at about mph according to eye-witnesses

MALCOLM: It just skidded.

I don't know why.

Well, I can tell you why, Mr Fairchild,

your tyres are bald.

What?

MILLER: Well, have a look.

But I've just got an MOT. The garage fitted a new set.

They're down to the canvas.

Look for yourself.

I only picked it up last night.

Well, did you check the tyres?

Well, no, it was dark.

I just...

I've got the bill.

He's right, Sarge. Four new tyres.

Well, whoever did your MOT diddled you good and proper. Who was it?

Aidensfield Garage.

Did you MOT this vehicle?

Yeah.

In that case I hold you responsible!

Criminal negligence, that's what this is!

You could have k*lled us all!

I'm just taking Malcolm home, if that's all right. He's badly shaken.

Sergeant Miller, have you got some sort of problem with me today?

No, no. What you get up to is entirely your own business.

Rob, I need to warn you. Sergeant Miller...

Neil Downing, press.

Oh, aye? What paper are you with?

I'm freelance.

I don't think it's a good idea, Mr Downing.

Just doing my job, Constable.

Walker, would that be? Following a tip-off from the Lennox family.

Well, I'm sorry, everyone's very shocked, so if you wouldn't mind...

I gather you were first on the scene, Constable?

MILLER: One of our friends from the press, I take it.

Whenever anything like this happens you can bet your boots

one of you lot will turn up like a vulture to a corpse.

Can I quote you on that, Sergeant?

Walker, my office.

Immediately.

- Your office? What about the... - Bellamy can finish up.

And you, Younger, back to the station!

Now, Sergeant?

Yes, now.

I'm on my bike.

Then bike fast, Younger, bike fast!

Oh, 'eck, don't say he knows about last night!

Yeah, I reckon he does.

Rob, I've been trying to find a moment to tell you.

Matthew Trent turned up at the police station this morning.

Matthew Trent?

- Does Helen know? - Oh, I don't know.

But whatever it is he wanted to talk to Sarge about,

I don't think it went down too well.

I did the MOT myself, didn't I?

Yeah, I remember you saying it needed new tyres.

So you rang Malcolm to check it was OK and he said go ahead.

And I charged for them so I must have changed them.

Yeah.

I can almost remember doing it but the fact is, I couldn't have!

Oh, come on, it's an easy mistake to make.

You start doing something, you get distracted, and it slips your mind.

I've done it heaps of times and anyway, no-one was hurt.

No, but they could have been.

FOOTSTEPS

He's in here, Mr Downing. Come on in.

What's all this?

Neil Downing, journalist.

Oh, yes, Mr Scripps, I want the publicity.

This sort of thing is too important to be swept under the carpet.

Is this thing yours? Get down, dog!

DEEFER YELPS

So, can we start with your full name, sir?

Excuse me, I'm not having this.

It's a matter of public interest. People could have been k*lled.

- And also your age. - You don't have to answer anything.

Can't you see how upset he is?

Not as upset as me and Malcolm are!

My garden's ruined and his truck a write-off.

I warn you, Mr Scripps, it will all have to come out of your insurance!

What's happened?

I'm gonna make sure the whole village knows what you've done.

Why, what has he done?

ROSIE: There's been a crash, David.

Mr Lennox thinks it's Bernie's fault,

and this man's a reporter from the paper.

Mr Scripps wouldn't cause a crash.

He's the safest driver in the world.

You are?

I'm not telling you anything.

And you're not writing owt about Mr Scripps! He's an old man

and he's not very strong. You'll make him ill!

Not strong... ill. Good!

- Anything else? - No.

No! Now, look, get out!

Both of you!

He's waiting for you in his office.

I need to speak to Helen first.

In!

RECEIVER BEING REPLACED

Cancel your MOT?

Yes, Miss Browning, I'll take it out of the book straight away.

Thanks for ringing.

Not another one?

Third this morning.

So far.

Where were you last night?

- Sorry? - You heard.

I went to the Aidensfield Arms for a while and then took Helen home.

And?

Don't try and wriggle out of it.

Mr Trent has told me exactly what went on.

I stayed the night, and I left PC Younger at the police house.

But, Sarge, if anything had happened, he only had to phone,

I was two minutes away.

I will not have excuses!

Consorting with a married woman was bad enough,

but now to learn that you have been deceiving me

and the people of Aidensfield

by sneaking off to spend nights with her

when you should have been at your post!

Leaving a junior in charge!

I'm sorry, Sarge.

So am I! Very!

Because if Mr Trent lodges an official complaint,

which is what he says he will do,

I will have no option but to refer it to the Chief Constable.

Yes, Sarge.

And you know what that means, don't you?

What that means, Walker, is that you will be moved.

Moved?

Moved to another division, where it is hoped

you will not blot your copybook again.

Goodbye, Mrs Thomas.

Hello, Helen.

What are you doing here?

Can we talk?

My word, Geoff, you really have been going for it.

I've got to see Sergeant Miller, haven't I?

I wouldn't go in there yet.

No, he's got Rob in with him and voices have been raised.

Oh. It'll be about me staying at the police house, I bet you.

I daresay.

I mean, what will I say?

I don't want to land Rob in it.

MILLER: Younger!

Bellamy, get back to Aidensfield and get a statement from Bernie Scripps.

Right, Sarge.

Well?

Looks like I'll be reported to the Chief Constable,

on a possible disciplinary charge.

No!

And most likely moved to another division.

You're wasting your time. I'm not speaking directly to you anymore.

Everything's in the hands of our solicitors.

Helen, we're two intelligent people.

Surely we can discuss the situation?

I'm sorry.

- Would you go now, please? - I mean,

I don't even know if we are doing the right thing.

What?

It's just so crazy. Me alone in London,

you up here in the wilds fooling around with...

well, the local bobby. I mean!

- Get out! - Helen, listen to me.

- I said out, now! - It will never work.

You're too different. It's just sex.

How dare you!

And when that wears off, and believe you me, it will,

there will be nothing left.

Nothing at all.

Look, sweetheart, we're still man and wife.

We know we can make it work because we did before.

Let's try again, eh?

Don't you dare touch me! Get out! Now!

OK, if that's the way you want it.

Calm down, PC Younger.

I just want your side of the story, that's all.

I know from Mr Trent that you spent last night at the police house.

Yes.

Yes, but I was just off.

Well, when Rob...

When PC Walker got back, I was going to go.

So, why were you in your pyjamas?

Don't lie to me, young man!

Sorry.

You spent the night there while PC Walker dallied with a married woman.

Is that not nearer the truth?

Yes, Sergeant.

I could have you moved for that,

for deliberately lying to a superior officer.

And downgraded, if such a thing were possible,

which in your case it isn't.

I'm very sorry.

Get out of my sight.

MUSIC: 'Knock On Wood' by Eddie Floyd

♪ I don't want to lose

♪ This good thing... ♪

- ROB: Just coming to find you. - Matthew's here.

- I know. - You know?

He went to see Miller this morning.

He told him about me sleeping over.

Oh, Rob.

I'm in big trouble, Helen. I could be posted to another division.

"Alleged MOT botch causes near-tragedy."

Let's have a look.

"Mr Bernard Scripps, proprietor of the Aidensfield Garage

is today being questioned about a crash which devastated the garden

of Mr Alan Lennox and nearly caused the death of..."

Oh, Lord!

Well, let's hope he doesn't see it.

It'll k*ll him. He's upset enough as it is.

CLEARS THROAT

Hi, Bernie, what can I get you? How about a nice glass of whisky, eh?

Yeah, come on, mate, I'll get you that. It's not all that bad, is it?

It's only a van and a fence that got smashed.

And a greenhouse.

Yeah, but, I mean, they're only things, aren't they?

Yeah, that's right, and life's too short to worry about things.

He's put it in! That horrible reporter's put it all in the paper.

There's even pictures of the garage!

- David! - Can I see?

Oh, Mr Scripps, I...

It's only that stupid Neil Downing, just forget about it.

Hey! Hey, where are you going? Phil's bought you a whisky.

Come back and join us.

I'm better off on my own, thanks, love.

Well done, David.

You rat!

Good evening to you, my dear.

How could you go to Sergeant Miller like that?

How could you be so vindictive?

Just doing my duty as a good citizen.

Please, Matthew.

You can do what you like to me, but don't take things out on Rob.

Don't make a formal complaint about the other night.

It could ruin his career.

Ah. My heart bleeds.

No use whining to me, old thing. I don't give an damn anymore.

And as for the divorce, I think it's only fair to warn you

that after what I've seen going on up here,

there's no way I'm going to be named as the guilty party.

No way.

Cheers!

Ah! I just wondered if you'd seen this.

Yes, and I've had the police round.

Sorry about that. Had to be done for the good of others.

Take my advice, like it says here,

you want to get out of this place while the going's good.

Leave it to someone who's up to it. That's what I'd do.

Mr Walker!

Mr Walker, I've had to come to see you because we're that worried!

Well, he's always in by eight.

- It's nine now and he isn't! - David...

If he does go somewhere, which he never does

he always either leaves us a note or tells us

and he didn't and he hasn't. - David!

What are you trying to tell me?

It's Mr Scripps.

He's disappeared.

Well, he hasn't opened the funeral parlour either.

And his car's gone.

ROSIE: Oh, it's just so unlike him.

ROSIE: Well?

None of the neighbours have seen him since yesterday afternoon.

We must have been the last people to see him, in the pub.

Yeah, after he saw that piece in the paper.

Oh no, it's all my fault!

Oh, come on, David. You weren't to know he was there.

Yeah, well, I should have made sure before I opened my big mouth.

What if he's done the same as Mr Vernon did?

- Oh, David. - No, he wouldn't.

Well, he might do.

I mean, he is his brother. Maybe it runs in the family.

- No. Bernie's not the type. - Well, neither was Mr Vernon.

But he did it, didn't he?

He goes down on the beach, leaves all his clothes there

and goes and drowns himself.

Come on, David, he's probably gonna turn up here any minute now.

Yeah, course he will. Innocent as ever.

Wondering what all this fuss is about.

Yeah, and anyway, him and Vernon were only half-brothers.

I'm gonna go look for him.

David, come back here.

Look, it's all right for you, Mr Blaketon.

But if anything happens to him, it's down to me, isn't it?

ALF: Well, keep us informed. Over and out.

Do them again. This time using a dictionary, if at all possible.

No sign of Walker?

That was him on the radio.

Bernie Scripps has gone missing.

Well, he can't have gone far. He was around yesterday evening.

I know. That's when we think he left.

He'll turn up.

It's not like him at all.

It's quite worrying.

Mr Ventress, if we had to worry

every time a grown man took a couple of days off,

the service would grind to a halt.

Now, radio Walker back and tell him to stop wasting his time

and get back here pronto.

He's going to do what?

Cite you in the divorce as co-respondent.

There's nothing we can do about it either.

He saw us together with his own eyes.

But I thought you were gonna cite his girlfriend.

Yes, I am, and I still will.

What, so you blame each other?

Yes.

But that could mean it'll drag on forever.

I know.

Unless, of course, you decide not to.

What?

Cite his girlfriend. You could take the blame and be done with it.

After he was unfaithful to me right from the start?

I'm not letting him get away with that.

- Any sign yet? - No.

Sarge is right, Rob.

There's nothing we can do.

Yeah, if he's still missing in a couple of days then...

Yeah, I know.

ROB: Are you all right, Geoff?

Miller's had another go at him about the other night.

Oh, no. Look, I'm sorry, mate.

I really landed you in it, didn't I?

That's all right.

No. I should have warned you.

Told you what to say. It's me he's angry with, not you.

Yeah.

Anyway, look, thank you for covering for me.

- ROB: Is he in? - Yeah.

Not in the sunniest of moods.

Right.

ALF: Do you know something, Geoff?

Loyalty to your mates is the most important thing about this job.

And I reckon that you've passed with flying colours.

Isn't that right, Phil?

Definitely.

PHIL: You're one of us now.

You've decided what?

To say that I was the cause of the marriage breakdown.

It's not true, Sarge, it's just to speed things up.

I thought I ought to tell you.

Oh, dear, oh, dear.

You're not engaging brain at all, are you?

- I'm sorry, Sarge? - How do you think that would look?

I don't know, Sarge. It's just how things are these days.

How things are these days?

I strongly advise you to think again.

You've got enough black marks against your name as it is.

And another would make your removal from the area inevitable.

MUSIC: 'Reflections Of My Life' by Marmalade

I'm sorry, doctor, I had to call you.

I didn't know what else to do.

Come in.

♪ ..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

♪ All my sorrows

♪ Sad tomorrows

HELEN: Malcolm, the accident only happened yesterday.

You've got to give yourself time. You've been badly shaken up.

All the things you're feeling,

not wanting to eat, not being able to sleep and so on,

they're normal. It's shock.

I nearly k*lled a child in its pram.

HELEN: I know you're upset.

But you didn't hurt anyone.

I can't get it out of my head.

I could have k*lled a child.

He keeps going on and on about it, doctor.

It wasn't your fault.

You weren't going too fast.

The van was safe as far as you knew.

It was just the tyres and you thought they'd been changed.

Yes.

Could you leave, please, doctor?

I think I'm best left.

Are you waiting for someone, Mr Trent?

Yes, you.

Oh, yeah?

I just have one thing to say. Then I'll head back to civilisation.

Keep away from my wife.

You hear me?

- Yup. - And?

I don't think I need to answer questions from you, do I?

- Oh, yes, you do, you jumped-up... - Jumped-up what?

Wasn't for you, my wife and I would still be together.

- Really? - Yes, really.

And I could have sworn you had a mistress.

That was different. Helen knew all about it. She'd have forgiven me.

You cheated on her all your married life.

And you still think you can make a go of it. You must be mad.

There is no way she is going back to you.

Get that through your thick head!

We don't take kindly to liars and cheats here.

So take my advice,

don't you dare show your face in this village again.

- Got it? - Steady on, old boy.

And by the way, if you want to name me in the divorce, that's fine.

And if you want to make an official complaint about the other night,

that's fine too, you just go right ahead.

ROSIE: Well?

Nothing. And here?

Nothing.

It's just like when Mr Vernon went.

With everybody saying it's nothing and that, it's not nothing.

- He walked into the sea... - David.

David, stop it.

Bernie's upset, that's all, because of those tyres.

So he's gone away to cheer himself up.

What tyres?

The tyres he didn't fit on Malcolm's truck.

I thought he made a mistake with the MOT. That's what the papers said.

Yes, David, with the tyres. He was supposed to fit the new ones

and he forgot and that's what caused the crash.

Oh, right.

Only I saw him do it.

Do what?

Fit the new tyres to Malcolm's truck.

Are you sure?

Yeah.

David, why didn't you say something before?

Well, because Aunt Peggy's away and I've been trying to look after stuff

and anyway I wasn't entirely sure what happened. Not properly.

ROB: Hello?

- Still no sign? - No. But you'll never guess what.

David said he saw Bernie fitting those tyres.

Is that true?

Yes. I keep saying, yes.

You actually saw Bernie doing the MOT and putting on new tyres?

Yeah.

Well, I think I did.

Great.

I know we've got Malcolm's bill.

But is there any other way of finding out what happened?

Any other way at all?

Oh, any news?

No.

Must be a pretty nice bloke, this Mr Scripps.

Everyone seems really worried. Well, Phil is, aren't you, love?

Yeah.

Er, the usual, please, Gina,

and whatever you... what do you fancy?

Oh, er...

What about a vodka and orange?

Go on, then.

All this drinking is leading me astray.

Actually, he's gorgeous. Really gorgeous.

- I'm so lucky. - Yeah.

I mean, why on Earth some woman didn't snap him up ages ago...

Yeah. Strange.

Expect he was saving himself for Miss Right, eh, Phil?

Yeah.

So, er... Bernie hasn't contacted anyone yet.

No.

Perhaps you and I had better put our heads together.

That's a good idea. Gina!

Two pints in the snug.

- Just off back to London. - Good.

Dropping this off to Miller on my way.

It's my official complaint against Walker.

Oh, yes, my dear, I'm going to make quite sure he's moved.

Preferably to the Outer Hebrides.

You do that. And meanwhile I shall go and see my solicitor

to ask for half of everything you own.

Half the London house.

Half whatever you have in the bank.

And half the value of all those development properties

you've invested in.

Oh, yes, Matthew, up until now

I haven't wanted any of your filthy money.

But if you're going to be nasty, so will I.

The one thing to remember about Bernie,

he's a creature of habit.

Well, if he wanted to go away by himself, where would he go?

Somewhere familiar, somewhere he's been before.

Didn't he go away with Vernon a couple of years back?

Aye, when he had all that dosh.

Where was it, do you remember?

The Shrubberies.

That seedy hotel over at Maltby. It's a bit of a long shot.

At least we'd be doing something.

- Your car or mine? - Yours.

Well! If he was feeling a bit down when he got here...

If he's here, at all. Come on.

Excuse me. We're looking for a friend of ours.

A Mr Bernie Scripps.

Room seven. Second floor.

Ah. Thanks.

Who said it was a long shot? He's here.

Well, it's the only place he could have been, if you think about it.

The silly old fool!

- Nothing? - Nothing.

According to this invoice, the four new tyres for Malcolm's truck

were delivered the day before the MOT.

And if Bernie forgot to fit them,

they should be here where we store the new tyres.

I told you, he fitted them, I saw him.

Yes, but when you thought about it, David, you weren't sure.

Well, I am now, because they're not here.

Oh, come on. Let's have one more look.

Rob, Malcolm Fairchild's wife just rang me again.

She seemed pretty worried, so I said I'd go up there.

You wouldn't come with me, would you?

There's something not quite right.

How do you mean?

I don't know, but... it just seems more than shock, somehow.

Of course.

I will.

Hi, Sergeant.

I was looking for Constable Walker.

Oh, he hasn't been in, I'm afraid.

What about Mr Scripps? Has he turned up yet?

No. But Oscar and Alf had an idea where he might be.

So they've gone to have a look.

Sarge, can I get you a drink?

That's very kind of you. I'll have a pint of your best.

PHIL: Thanks, Gina.

Actually, I was wondering if, er, I could have a word.

- About Rob. - Oh, yes?

Yeah, it's just that...

if there is an official complaint to the Chief Constable,

then, er...

obviously, I'll be there as Federation Rep.

Of course, Bellamy. Taken as read.

Thank you, Gina.

Well, of course, we're all hoping it won't come to that, aren't we?

Are we?

And who is this "we"?

Well, me, I suppose, Sarge.

It's just that it won't put the station in a good light, will it?

You know, if we lose our best man.

And I'm sure that HQ wouldn't want that.

I mean, it might look as if we haven't got any discipline, eh?

Which... Which is miles from the truth, of course.

I should watch your step, if I were you.

We wouldn't want this Federation job going to our head, would we?

Hold on, love. I've not finished.

Sorry.

KNOCKS ON DOOR

Bernie...

LOCKS DOOR

KNOCKS ON DOOR

Bernie! Come on. You can't hide in there forever.

I just don't think it's going to help to get nasty.

He had the official complaint in his hand.

He was just going to give it to Miller.

PHIL: Probably has by now.

HELEN: OK, so I had to say something.

All right. All right. But at least don't let's contest the divorce.

- Oh, Rob... - No. I mean it.

Let's just do whatever it takes. I want this divorce out of the way.

I want to be able to see you without Miller going mad.

Assuming we do still see each other, of course,

after I've been shipped off to God knows where.

HELEN: The Outer Hebrides, according to Matthew.

DOG BARKS

OK. I'll think about it.

I've already told Sarge that's what I'm going to do.

You haven't?

Afraid so.

Oh, Rob.

Come on. Let's go and see Mr Fairchild.

What is it?

It's just what you said earlier about Malcolm

and it being more than shock.

Rosie has an invoice showing Bernie definitely bought the tyres,

but they're not at the garage.

So, where are they?

Come on.

It was a mistake, that's all.

A simple mistake.

All right! But I wouldn't have made it a few years ago, would I?

I'm sorry.

Lennox said it was time I retired and he's right.

If I can do a thing like that, then it's time I gave up.

Oh, Bernie.

It's no good, Alf. I've made up my mind.

Oh, dear.

I'm going to sell the garage and the funeral parlour

and I'm moving away.

I can't face Aidensfield anymore,

not now I know what everybody's thinking.

Bernie, no-one's thinking anything.

Of course they are. It was in the paper and everything.

Anyway, there's nowt to keep me there.

People won't even notice I've gone.

That's just plain daft.

No, it isn't, Oscar. I'm a failure.

Oh, Bernie, that's rubbish!

It's true!

I've been sitting here, thinking about my life.

And I can see it all now.

BERNIE: I've done nothing.

The garage is no better than when Dad passed it on to me.

I never married. I've got no children.

No close friends.

Oh, you have got yourself into a gloom.

Yeah. Not surprising staying in a place like this.

Come on, Bernie. Let's get you home.

You'll feel a lot better in your own place.

- Come on. - No, I'm stopping here.

I'm stopping here. Thank you. Thank you.

Disappeared?

Mr Scripps?

Since last night, yeah.

We're all pretty worried.

Poor old Bernie.

Forgetting to fit your tyres, causing the crash.

It's really hit him hard.

Oh, my goodness!

He did forget, did he?

It was HIS mistake?

Malcolm?

I didn't know the old ones would be so dangerous.

I had no idea.

What are you saying, Malcolm?

I didn't know.

I didn't know I'd nearly k*ll a child.

Is there anything else you'd like to tell us?

Malcolm?

They're out the back.

What?

The new tyres. They're out the back.

MALCOLM: I couldn't afford them.

I couldn't even pay for the MOT.

It's not my fault. It's the building trade.

I'm in a mess.

So Bernie Scripps fitted them,

you took them off again and put some old ones back on, right?

I were going to flog them.

I'd have had to pay for all that damage.

Everyone was blaming Mr Scripps. I couldn't see another way.

Oh, no!

I couldn't let you suffer.

Oh, Malcolm.

I've done a terrible thing.

I'm so ashamed.

- Thank you very much, Gina. - Ta.

What do you think? Isn't she lovely?

Yeah. It's all a bit sudden, though, isn't it, Phil?

Well, sometimes, it's like that.

You meet and, er...

You just know.

She's got three kids, I gather.

Yeah. They're great.

Yeah?

Yes.

And so is she. She's a real sweetheart.

- Phil. - What?

Take it slowly, eh?

Yes, Auntie Gina.

PHONE RINGS Whatever you say, Auntie Gina.

Aidensfield Arms. Oscar!

- Still no sign of Bernie? - No.

I've got some good news for him, if only I could find him.

They've found him! Oscar and Alf have found him.

MUSIC: 'I'll Come Running Over' by Lulu

♪ Oh, yeah, now I'm sorry, baby

♪ I didn't mean to make you cry... ♪

About the crash, Mr Lennox.

We've come to put the record straight.

It was my fault.

Had nothing to do with Mr Scripps.

And we'll make good all the damage, we promise.

Erm, can we come in and explain?

Aye.

- Not my fault? - No.

I did fit them tyres.

Yes, and Malcolm took them off again.

To save money.

He says he's very sorry and he wants to apologise.

There you are, you see. You didn't forget.

You're still the same reliable old Bernie you've always been.

So there's no need to sell the garage.

Sell the garage? Surely not.

That's what he's saying.

He can't do that. We'd be lost.

That's what we keep telling him.

It's not just the garage, there's the taxi service,

the undertaker's business,

and all the other things he does.

- Repairing lawn mowers. - Sharpening garden shears.

ALF: Mending sewing machines. You name it, he does it.

We'd never find anyone else who could do all that.

That's right, Rob, we wouldn't.

You could say he was irreplaceable.

They're here! They're here!

ALL CHEERING

Bernie Scripps!

Don't you ever do a thing like that again.

I looked everywhere for you.

- I thought you'd done the same... - Leave it.

Welcome home, Bernie.

- He said he had no friends. - No friends?

ALF: He's got a village full.

A word, Walker.

If you wouldn't mind.

You'll be relieved to hear that Matthew Trent has left the area

without making a formal complaint.

Right.

He telephoned this afternoon. As far as I could make it,

after spending a couple of days up here,

he can't wait to be shot of his marriage.

OK.

So, it's down to me, isn't it?

I could still proceed with the disciplinary charge.

Yes, Sarge.

But I'm not going to, this time.

Thank you.

I'm not doing it for you. I'm doing it for the good of the Force

and for the reputation of this patch in particular.

Yes. Of course.

You're a good officer, Walker.

But it's time you got your life back on track.

If this relationship with the doctor is to continue, then make it legal.

Quickly.

So, it's OK for me to be named as the guilty party in her divorce?

No, it is not, but if that's what needs to be done, then do it.

Discreetly.

You look pleased with yourself.

Sergeant Miller wants you to go ahead with your divorce,

as quickly as possible.

- Oh, he does, does he? - Yeah,

and Matthew's not making a formal complaint against me anymore.

Rob, that's fantastic!

So, we don't have to leave the area?

No. We?

You were going to come with me?

What did you think I was going to do?

I didn't like to ask.