13x02 - Dog Days

[bunniefuu]

♪ Heartbeat

♪ Why do you miss when my baby kisses me?

♪ Heartbeat

♪ Why does a love kiss

♪ Stay in my memory? ♪

FLAMES CRACKLE

COUGHS

It's all happening tonight, eh, Alf?

Don't knock it. PHONE RINGS

You and your big mouth.

Ashfordly Police Station.

Hello?

FIRE BELL CLANGS

VOICES OVER RADIO

How is he?

He's suffering from smoke inhalation.

Water on!

- What happened your arm? - It's burning timber.

It doesn't feel broken.

You should get to the hospital as well

and have it checked out, just in case.

STEVE: Right, Doctor.

MUSIC: 'Globetrotter' by The Tornados

VERNON: What do you reckon, then, David?

DAVID: It's certainly big enough.

VERNON: I've always had

an irresistible attraction to big houses.

I reckon in a previous incarnation,

I'd have been a regular customer of old Versatility Brown.

Versatility who?

Brown, David. Surely even you've heard of him.

He could turn his hand to anything, could old Versatility.

Country seats, cathedrals...

Now, this is the dining room

where I shall entertain the dignitaries of the county.

And through here... is the drawing room,

where I shall no doubt while away many a happy hour

with a glass of port in one hand,

and some famous scribe in the other. CHUCKLES

So you're definitely going to have it, then?

Bought and paid for already, David.

Come and have a look at the bedrooms.

So... where does that leave me, then, Mr Vernon?

Here with me. Where else?

In fact, I see a new role for you as my very own butler.

Oh, I don't think I could do that.

I don't get on right well with these great big houses.

Every time I turn a corner, I'll see a ghost or something.

No, I'll be much happier in the cottage.

The cottage is going on the market, David.

Well, what about me?

Hey, you never said anything about that when you moved in.

Excuse me, but if I remember rightly,

when I bought that house, you just sort of stayed on,

like part of the furniture.

Oh, right, well, that won't be a problem.

I'll just look for somewhere else to live,

and I'll just sort of move on then, shall I?

Well, if that's the way you feel, be my guest, of course.

Well, yes, I will. But, of course, I "won't" be your guest.

Well... not for much longer, anyway.

GROANS

Right then, Mrs Winstanley, the dosage is on the bottle.

Eh, lovey, I don't need no bottle to tell me that.

When I first went on these, Vesta Tilley was still a chorus girl.

- Now you take care. - Thank you. Bye-bye.

- JENNY: Bye. - Is this all the mail there is?

Afraid so.

- How are you? - I'm fine.

DENNIS: Did the night watchman mention

seeing or hearing anything suspicious?

STEVE: He wasn't in any sort of shape to mention anything, Sarge.

And over at the hospital, they wouldn't let us near him.

DENNIS: Who owns this place, anyway?

STEVE: A company called Pyke Textiles.

The head office is over in Ashfordly.

Have you spoken to them?

STEVE: Alf tried to get hold of the owner last night,

but couldn't find him. A Peter Pyke.

Right. Get yourself over to Ashfordly,

see if he's surfaced yet.

I'll send Ventress to the hospital,

find out if the night watchman's in any state to be questioned.

All right, Sarge.

HUMS CHEERFULLY

Bernard?

Bernard?

What's all this then?

What does it look like?

Well, it looks like there's more than a bob or two

in this little beauty!

What would you be thinking of, Vernon?

Well, don't you realise, Bernard?

People'd k*ll to go to their maker in one of these.

And pay twice the usual price for the privilege.

Look, I've not spent six months doing that up just for the money.

As you very well know, collecting funeral memorabilia is my hobby.

Yes, well, I know that. Whatever turns you on.

But I'm telling you, Bernard,

what you have got here is a little gold mine.

Well, never mind that.

What's this about you threatening to put David out on the street?

You don't think I'd do that, do you?

He reckons you would.

Bernard, he was just intimidated.

He was overwhelmed at the opulence of my new abode.

Oh, right.

Look, don't worry about it. Give him time, and he'll think to himself,

"What am I doing sitting in this crummy dump on my own

when I could be up at Mr Vernon's place enjoying the high life?"

Well, I hope you're right. I'd hate to see the lad upset.

SIGHS

MUSIC: 'See See Rider' by The Animals

PC Crane,

Aidensfield Police, Mr Pyke. - What can I do for you, Constable?

Presumably, you've already been informed by the fire brigade, sir.

The suspicion is the fire at your warehouse

may have been started deliberately.

I have, yes. Kids, do you think?

In my experience, sir,

it's generally schools they're inclined to burn down.

Can you think of anyone else who might wish you any harm?

I have my enemies. What successful businessman doesn't?

I don't know if one of them hated me that much.

What about your staff?

Industrial relations here are excellent.

And the premises are insured, I assume?

Oh, yes.

Where were you last evening, sir?

At the golf club, having what I suppose you'd call

a working dinner with Miss Stevenson.

I left about, what, half past eight,

dropped her off and... went home, straight to bed.

So you were home at about...?

Nine o'clock at the very latest, I suppose.

Now you tell me something, Constable.

STEVE: Of course, sir.

No disrespect intended.

But if we are talking arson, which we certainly seem to be,

is this all that it really merits, the attentions of a mere constable?

These are very much preliminary enquiries, Mr Pyke.

And it goes without saying that if a serious crime has been committed,

it will of course be referred to a senior officer.

Where's the lovely Gina today, then?

She's away for a week enjoying herself.

You'll have to be careful about your drinking now, Vernon.

No chauffeur to ferry you around.

In my experience, Oscar, people who drive quality cars like mine

tend not to get pulled over by our friends in the force.

Really? That's not the way I remember it.

In my day, the traffic cops used to love pulling over the posh cars.

I know I did.

Yes, well, the police force, like the times, have changed, obviously.

Of course, if you're desperate, there's always David.

I suppose I could add him to the list of candidates.

However, the list is already long, and getting longer by the hour.

Oh, aye, I can believe it.

There must be hundreds of out-of-work chauffeurs

all over Yorkshire

just fighting for the privilege of driving someone like you around.

Well...

If I were you, I'd give David a call.

Yes, well, I... I suppose I could.

PHONE RINGS

BARKS

CLOCK CHIMES

SHEEP BLEAT

KNOCKING AT DOOR

Mr Vernon, what are you doing here?

I was just sort of passing.

I thought I'd call in and see how you were getting on.

So, how "are" you getting on?

Oh, smashing, yeah.

Really?

Oh, no, it's great, living on your own,

being your own boss, like.

A lot to be said for it, David,

being what you might call fancy-free.

Right.

I mean, it could get some people down,

having no one to talk to all day.

But I'm not one of them. Never have been.

- No, me neither, no. - No.

Anyway, something has come up.

I just thought you might be interested.

I thought the least I could do

is offer you first refusal for old times' sake.

Oh, aye?

I'm in the market for a chauffeur just at present.

And I was wondering whether, well, whether you'd still be interested.

I wouldn't have to go and live in that big old house, would I?

Oh, no, certainly not. No, all that's on offer is a job, David,

not accommodation as well.

Oh... right, then, well, yeah, yeah, I would be, then.

Good. Well, that's that, then.

There is one small thing I shall insist on.

Right.

OK, where to first, then?

Now then, Mr Williams, how are you doing?

Well, put it this way,

I can't see me opening the bowling for Yorkshire again for a bit.

Oh, dear. Well, I'd better have a word with Freddie Trueman

and tell him it's all down to him again.

CHUCKLES

Talking about the fire,

did you see anyone mucking about at the warehouse,

before it started, that is?

I'm afraid I didn't, no.

In fact, it was quiet as the grave, really.

Before the fire, like.

ALF: I see.

Well, if you do think of anything, anything at all,

just give us a bell. - I'll do that.

PHONE RINGS

Hello?

Er, yes.

I see.

Right. Thank you. Bye.

That was Mrs Woods on the phone,

one of Mrs Winstanley's neighbours. - Uh-huh.

When she saw Olive last night, she was a bit under the weather.

When she went to check on her this morning,

both the doors were locked and there was no response to her knocking.

- Has she alerted the police? - Not yet, no.

She said Olive is always up and about at first light.

You better get onto them and ask them to send someone round

in case we need to break in. I'll make my way round there now.

Right.

Steve, how did you get on with Mr Pyke yesterday?

Well, he's got an alibi, all right.

Spent the early part of the evening at the golf club.

Dropped Naomi Stevenson off on his way home.

Was in bed by nine.

Meanwhile, the warehouse blazes along merrily.

In fact, his chief concern seemed to be

whether we're taking all this seriously enough.

- I trust you reassured him on that. - Of course, Sarge.

What do we know about this Mr Pyke anyway?

Er, well, he's a Rotarian,

a respectable local businessman. Never had anything to do with us.

Of course, there was that trouble with his wife Beryl a few years ago.

DENNIS: What trouble was that?

Well, she was the company secretary at the time.

She got caught siphoning company money off

into an offshore account, one of her own.

- What happened to her? - She got five years.

Was there any suspicion that Pyke was in on it?

Well, he denied all knowledge of it. In fact,

he gave evidence against her at the trial.

The person that knows all about Pyke is Oscar Blaketon.

Oscar?

Yeah, they're big golfing mates. Leading lights of the local club.

I see.

PHONE RINGS

DENNIS: Ashfordly Police Station.

Oh. Hello, Jenny.

It's Jenny, for you.

I'll take that in my office.

He's not a happy bunny at the present.

SIGHS

- Jenny. - 'Hi, Dennis.'

Look, Liz asked me to ring you.

We think one of our patients may have been taken ill at home.

'Can you send somebody round there

just in case we need to force a door?'

Right. What's the address?

STEVE: Still no signs of life, then?

- I'm afraid not. - Right.

Hello? Call an ambulance quick.

I'll have a look round, make sure everything's secure.

LIZ: All right.

I can't believe you're thinking of doing

what I think you're thinking of doing.

What?

Have you any idea how much damage

a powerful jet of water can do to paintwork?

Well, I've got to wash the bubbles off.

And preferably by hand, and using a good-quality wash leather, yes?

Ah, hello. You must be Mr Scripps.

I'm your nearest neighbour. Amanda Buxton.

- Just popped in to say hello. - Some sort of problem, is there?

Well, I just arrived in time

to save your beautiful Bentley from a fate worse than death.

But it's been sorted, yes?

Good, good. Nice cup of tea?

Oh, well, that would be lovely, yes. Thank you.

Thanks.

KNOCKING ON WINDOW

AMANDA: Gosh, the times we had when the Digby-Glossops owned the place!

She was frightful, but their hunt ball

was one of the highlights of the local social calendar.

An occasion I'm sure we can reinstate,

once I get my feet under the table, as it were.

Yeah?

Er, a pot of Earl Grey please, David.

What?

Earl Grey. Tea.

There's a packet in the cupboard.

- A slice of lemon would be lovely. - And a slice of lemon.

He's a nice lad, really, David.

One of life's rough diamonds, Miss Buxton.

Call me Amanda, please.

Oh, right.

Amanda.

Peter Pyke. I wouldn't call him a friend of mine, exactly.

We have the occasional round of golf together, that's all.

- What's he like? - He's a bit of a lad.

Some people like him.

Other people can't stand the sight of him.

Which category does he fall into for you?

Oh, he's all right in small doses, I suppose.

What about his wife?

Hmmm...

Vicious, vindictive, scheming.

- And those are her good points. - Hmm!

She must have taken it pretty badly.

Her own husband choosing to testify against her.

Well, that's putting it mildly.

So, she for one wouldn't be averse

to burning down this warehouse of his,

if she weren't still in jail, that is.

- But she isn't. - What?

She was released some weeks ago.

Was she?

♪ Put on your red dress, baby

♪ Cos we're going out tonight

♪ Put on your red dress, baby

♪ Cos we're going out tonight... ♪

Hello. Can I help you?

I'd like a word with Mr Pyke, please.

- And your name? - Mrs Pyke.

As was. Anyway...

I'm sorry, but I'm afraid Mr Pyke isn't available at the moment.

Oh, I think you'll find he's available to me.

Beryl! What the devil are you doing here?

You mean you aren't glad to see me, darling?

I'm sorry, Mr Pyke. I did tell her you weren't free.

That's all right, Naomi. No problem.

Very pretty.

Is she looking after you all right?

What do you want?

A few thousand would do for starters, just to set me up.

Think of it as compensation, Peter, for the last four years of my life.

Well, ten out of ten for nerve, anyway, Beryl.

Now, don't be petty.

Your little empire wouldn't even be here if it weren't for me.

Don't flatter yourself, Beryl.

Your creativity began and ended with your book-keeping.

Oh, come on. You don't have to play the innocent with "me".

Look, Beryl, I'm sorry you got sent down, I really am.

BERYL: Of course you are!

I'll never forget your face, how hurt you looked,

giving evidence against me.

Which, as my husband, you could quite easily have refused to do.

PETER: Are you surprised?

Let's face it, you almost brought the entire company down

with your financial shenanigans.

That might have washed with the jury four years ago,

but at least have the good grace not to try it on me.

Very well. If you want it straight, I'll give it to you straight.

The day our divorce came through,

that was it as far as I was concerned.

Goodbye. Don't come around here bothering me again.

It's over, Beryl.

Don't you believe it, sunshine.

Incidentally,

I couldn't help noticing our old warehouse got burnt down.

So?

So... who's going to take the rap for "that" one, Peter,

if the police should get suspicious?

Just go, will you?

VERNON: I ended up making an absolute k*lling,

even though I do say it myself.

This modern art... I've never really understood it.

But as far as I'm concerned,

Vernon, new money, it's quite as good as old.

Business is business, and I should know, running one or two myself.

Really?

That's very interesting, because I've got a little enterprise

I've been mulling over... - Oh, goodness me, I must go.

Must get back to the horses, but thank you, Vernon.

It's been a pleasure.

Despite the lack of lemon.

Oh, do you ride yourself at all, Vernon?

I'm a... I'm a bit rusty.

I'm sure we can soon fix that. Shall we say tomorrow?

Eleven o'clock, riding lesson? But do get yourself a decent outfit.

Might I suggest Skinners of Skinner Street?

But tell them I sent you, yes?

She's some lady, though, eh, David?

I suppose so, if you like them toffee-nosed.

You know, you're going to have to do something

about that working-class chip on your shoulder.

How is she?

She's badly concussed, I'm afraid.

Nothing to be too concerned about

under normal circumstances, of course, but at her age...

I'll call round to the hospital in the morning

and see how she's getting on.

Tripped on something coming down the stairs, did she?

It looks that way.

Only I found this. I am right in thinking

that these are the sleeping pills we prescribed yesterday?

That's right. She says she can't sleep without them.

Well, she certainly would have slept well

if she'd taken the dosage recommended on this bottle.

A little too well, perhaps.

This is double her normal dose.

Lord knows what state she was in

when she tried to come down those stairs.

- Can I help you? - Yes, I hope you can.

My name's Rosie Compton.

I was run off the road and nearly k*lled the other night.

And the other car didn't even stop,

so I'd like something done about it, please.

Well, you'd better tell me exactly what happened.

I was driving home from the pictures,

when suddently, this car came up behind me, really speeding,

and blasted me to move over, but I couldn't.

The road was too narrow.

The next thing, it overtook me anyway,

and in the process, ran me off the road.

Right. When you said the other night,

which night would that be?

- This Tuesday just gone. - At about what time?

Nine-ish. I'd been to the first house.

Did you manage to get a good look at this vehicle?

Oh, I did better than that.

I got its number.

Where exactly did all this happen, Miss Compton?

ROSIE: Factory Lane.

Anywhere near where the fire was that night?

I'd just passed it, yeah.

And what direction was this vehicle coming from?

Back from where the fire was, I suppose. Must have been.

You didn't happen to get a good look at the driver?

Afraid not.

Right. Well, Miss Compton, if I can have your current address?

Walmer Cottages.

Why didn't you report this to us on the night it happened?

Because I was so shaken up.

Like I said, I was nearly k*lled.

- Have you seen Olive? - Yes.

- How is she? - She's feeling much better.

JENNY: Oh, thank heavens for that, anyway.

I think I should resign, Liz.

LIZ: It's a bit early for that.

Besides, it was my responsibility.

I was the one who signed the prescription

before it had even been filled out.

But we always do that with repeat prescriptions,

especially when you're busy.

Then we've no business to, have we, Jenny, no matter how busy we are?

Morning, Alf.

That car number you asked me to check out...

STEVE: Oh, yeah?

You'll never guess whose name it's registered in.

MUSIC: 'Am I What I Was Or Am I What I Am' by Traffic

♪ No time to waste when you need such a lot

♪ Push your way in

♪ To the good things you've got...

Good morning, Miss Buxton.

Amanda. What a beautiful day.

It is indeed, Vernon, but you're not changed.

Ah, well, I wondered if we could delay the lesson for a while.

There's something I want to discuss with you.

A small business proposition I'd like to put to you.

Business proposition?

Would you mind?

How exciting.

♪ Yeah, trip out when life feels slow

♪ Putting it on

♪ Wherever you go

♪ Yeah, all over town... ♪

Good morning, Mr Pyke.

The green Mini Cooper parked outside,

- who does it belong to? - My secretary Miss Stevenson.

Our information is that it's registered in your name.

That's because it's a company car, but she has exclusive use of it.

Nice work if you can get it, sir.

Well, it's not unusual for a valued member of any firm

to be provided with decent transport, Constable.

It's common practice.

Of course, sir. Do you mind if I have a word with Miss Stevenson?

Certainly you can.

Naomi, come in for a moment, please.

Would you have any objection to me sitting in on this?

Not at all, sir, no.

Naomi, the constable here has something to ask you.

- Oh? - STEVE: According to Mr Pyke,

the night the warehouse was set on fire,

you had dinner at the golf club.

- Is that right? - That's right.

After which, you were dropped at home at around about...

- What time was it again? - Around a quarter to nine, I think.

STEVE: And did you go out again in your car after that?

No. Why?

We have a witness who claims to have been run off the road

by a car speeding away from the direction of the fire.

And the registration number given to us

matches the plates on the car outside.

Your car.

But that's impossible.

Now just a minute, Constable. You aren't seriously suggesting

my secretary here had something to do with starting this damn fire?

At this stage, I'm not suggesting anything, Mr Pyke,

merely following up a line of enquiry.

Anyway, thanks for that, Miss Stevenson.

And for your time, Mr Pyke.

One further thing, Constable, that may help.

This witness of yours is female?

I couldn't tell you that, sir.

You may be aware my wife's been in jail for four years

for defrauding this company.

- She got out this week. - Yes, sir.

That woman would stop at nothing to harm me if she could,

since I was more or less instrumental

in putting her behind bars.

She's already been round here making threats.

I'll keep that in mind. Thank you.

They can't seriously suspect me, surely?

Well, put it this way, my love.

They're pretty stupid if they do.

VERNON: Bernard! I didn't know you were here.

I'm on my lunch break.

I brought my new neighbour, Miss Buxton, to show her the hearse.

- Amanda Buxton, my brother Bernard. - Hello, Bernard.

- How do you do? - AMANDA: It's lovely.

What are you after, Vernon?

It's about your new up-market funeral service, Bernard.

I haven't got a new up-market funeral service, I told you.

It's just a hobby.

Bernard, my sole interest in all this is to drag your funeral service

kicking and screaming into the th century.

Whether I want to be dragged or not, right?

How is this old hearse going to help that?

By attracting a considerably better-off class of customer,

that's how.

AMANDA: If you don't mind me saying,

your entire approach to advertising the service is completely misplaced.

- Oh, you think so, do you? - AMANDA: Oh, yes.

Advertisements in the glossy county magazines,

that's where we should be aiming.

That'd cost a fortune.

And I've got a new slogan for you. "A funeral to die for."

BOTH LAUGH

What do you think, then?

You'd be wasting your time. I've not nearly finished renovating it yet.

Ah...

Well...

We've organised a couple of highly recommended local craftsmen

who are coming here today to put the finishing touches to it.

Coming here today?

VERNON: I told you I wanted to surprise you.

Well, you've certainly managed that.

And there's more. Amanda, tell him.

A pair of matching horses will be made available as and when required.

Exciting, isn't it, Bernard?

Good. Well, let's get on with it.

So, Beryl Pyke comes out of jail

still blaming her husband for having her put away in the first place.

And within hours, his warehouse is burnt to the ground.

Which certainly puts her in the frame.

Pyke claims she's been making threats,

but what would she have to gain from burning the place down?

- Old-fashioned revenge. - But it was insured.

It's not as if Pyke stood to lose anything.

And there's his secretary, Naomi Stevenson.

A witness sees her car speeding from the scene.

Could she have done it?

Hmm. Her statement seemed convincing.

Did Ventress manage to get anything out of Syd Williams?

Apparently not.

Perhaps I'll have another word with him on the way home.

Meanwhile, let's find out if Beryl Pyke really is in the area.

You'd better get on with checking out

this Rosie Compton character too.

Sarge.

VERNON: Thank you, David.

A good day's work, I'm sure you'll agree.

Do you know, there's nothing like

giving a family member a helping hand,

and that Miss Buxton is such a generous lady.

DAVID: Yeah... Well, if that's me done for the day, I'll be...

I'll be off.

David?

Why don't you stop for dinner? It'll be like old times.

In fact, we've got such an early start in the morning,

you may as well stay overnight.

Oh, no. No, I'm sorry, Mr Vernon, I can't.

I've got to get home. I've got Alfred to look after.

But I'll see you in the morning, though.

- Hello, Olive. - OLIVE: Hello.

- I brought you something to read. - Thank you.

- How are you feeling? - Much better, thanks.

And I'd be better still if I was at home.

Now, you know what hospitals always tell you.

They won't keep you in a minute longer than they have to.

Well, I suppose that's true.

And you've been so kind to me.

And the doctor, coming to visit me.

Can you remember what happened, Olive?

I can remember not being able to sleep,

and getting up to make myself a cup of tea,

only when I started to come downstairs...

I suddenly went all woozy.

And the next thing...

I was in here.

Oh, dear.

Well, at least there's no real harm done, anyway.

Excuse me.

I'm looking for a patient by the name of Williams. Syd...

Jenny?

Oh, hello, Dennis.

- How are you? - All right. You?

Look, can we talk?

Not now, Dennis, please. I'm sorry.

I'm just not ready to at the moment.

Sorry.

All right, thanks for letting me know.

SIGHS That was the hospital.

Oh?

Mrs Winstanley's made a full recovery and they've sent her home.

Oh, that's great news!

- Thank you. - And was it the pills?

Now, that's the really odd thing about it.

According to them, there was no indication

that she'd overdosed in any way.

I see.

Rosie Compton. Shoplifting, demanding with menaces,

petty larceny...

Not the sort of woman you want to take home to meet Mother.

Last released from prison three weeks ago.

- And it gets better, Sarge. - Yes?

Guess who's been her cell mate the past few years.

In fact, not just her cell mate,

her soul mate, apparently. - Not Beryl Pyke?

The very same, Sarge. And here's the interesting part.

The address we've dug up for Beryl

is the same one Rosie Compton gave me.

Really?

Did you get anything more out of Syd Williams?

Syd Williams?

The night watchman, Sarge. When you called to see him last night?

I didn't, actually.

In fact, in view of these latest developments,

that may not be necessary... now.

BARKING

What's that wretched dog doing here?

NEIGHING He's not hurting anybody.

He's upsetting the horses. BARKS

He's got as much right to be here as they have. More, in fact.

Even more to the point, he's also annoying me, so kindly remove him.

Come on, Alfred.

WHIMPERS Come on!

Here y'are.

You stay there.

BARKS, HORSE NEIGHS

Is Mrs Pyke in at the moment?

Mrs Pyke?

Beryl Pyke. She does live with you now, doesn't she?

So, how can I help you?

We're investigating a fire at your husband's premises, Mrs Pyke.

We have reason to believe it was started deliberately.

Ex-husband. And what's that got to do with me?

Do you find it rather a coincidence your friend here

was run off the road near the scene of the fire

by a car which just happened to belong

to your ex-husband's secretary?

Coincidences "do" happen, Sergeant.

Rarely, in my experience.

If Naomi Stevenson had been speeding away from the fire

just after it had been started,

we would naturally assume that she was somehow involved.

Perhaps she was.

Or she'd been put up to it by Peter.

Something else that you would like us to believe.

Now, why would I want to do that?

OLIVE: It's lovely to see you both. Do come in.

LIZ: Are you feeling better?

Champion now I'm back in my own home.

- Oh, that is good. - Are these the new pills?

That's right, but I won't get round

to using them for a few weeks yet, mind.

Really?

Well, it's this system I have, you see, Doctor.

Do sit down.

Olive, how do you mean?

One bank holiday Monday, I ran out of tablets,

and I had the devil's own job to get a new prescription.

So, ever since then, I've made sure

that I'm one full prescription at least ahead of where I should be.

So, you never took any of the new tablets?

No, dear.

Have I done something wrong?

- No, no. - No.

Oh, you had me worried there for a moment.

Do sit down.

DOG BARKS So, what do you think, Sarge?

Did they start the fire?

I think they did their best to set Pyke up

with this cock-and-bull story about seeing Naomi's car.

Let's see if we can get them for perjury.

As for the fire itself, I think Pyke's probably our man.

So how do we prove it?

Well, what's the weak link in his story?

It has to be Naomi Stevenson.

She's got no form. Certainly no hardened criminal.

I think she's just covering up for him because she's sweet on him.

Hmm! So, we shake her tree and see what falls out.

Let's bring her in.

BARKS

Whenever you're ready, Vernon. Right, David. Up you get.

- Me? - VERNON: Well, who else?

As I understand it, you are the official hearse driver round here.

Well, I had a very nasty experience last time I drove one of those.

VERNON: Never mind that.

This is just to familiarise yourself with the vehicle.

Come on, get up!

BARKS

AMANDA: Right, here are your reins. Nice and low.

Nice and low. There we are.

BARKS

CLATTERING, HORSES NEIGH

MUSIC: 'FBI' by The Shadows

Pull on the reins!

Do something!

NEIGHING

Whoa!

HORSES NEIGH

CRASHING

Good Lord!

Oh, no!

No, no, no. Hey, fellas, fellas, come on, come on.

Well, thank heavens for Mrs Winstanley and her secret system.

- We have been really lucky. - I know we have.

And I do think, Jenny, you really need to sort things out.

If nothing else, come to a decision about Dennis one way or the other.

Because there's no doubt in my mind

that none of this would have taken place

if things had been, well...

normal, shall we say?

DENNIS: So, Miss Stevenson, despite what you told us earlier,

you now claim that at the time of the fire,

Peter Pyke was with you at your place. Have I got the story right?

It isn't a story. It happens to be the truth.

I just didn't want everybody knowing about our relationship.

Right. And did he stay the entire night?

- Yes. - STEVE: And during this time,

did he go out at all? - No.

And you would be happy to swear to that in court?

It won't come to court though, will it?

Well, at least that's what Peter's told you, right?

He's innocent, that's why.

Let's jsut say, for argument's sake, that he isn't.

You do realise that if he's found guilty

of starting the fire, you'll go down too?

Not just as an accomplice to arson, but for perjury, too.

Not a very appetising prospect.

They're not very nice places, prisons.

And all to cover Peter Pyke's back.

What do you mean?

Well, surely you realise you're just being used here?

STEVE: He would've had it worked out from the start, would Peter.

Not just burning the place down,

but having someone like you in line to give him an alibi.

Beryl Pyke went to prison for him, Naomi.

Are you prepared to do the same?

I'll ask you one last time.

We'll give you one more chance

before we let the law take its course.

Was Peter Pyke with you the entire time on the night in question?

If I were to tell you he did pop out for an hour,

would I still be facing charges myself?

DENNIS: Well, if he did, Naomi, what could you possibly be charged with?

At least nobody got hurt, and no harm came to the horses.

Yes, no thanks to that imbecile of a man of yours!

I don't think we can blame David entirely for what happened.

I mean, after all, it "was" the dog's fault.

Yes, it was "his" dog,

which I had expressly forbidden him to allow anywhere near my horses.

(SIGHS)

I'm sorry, Vernon, but either he goes, or I go.

It's as simple as that.

- Has she gone, then? - Yes, David, she's gone.

Miss Buxton and I had what you might call... a difference of opinion.

And as for horse-riding,

that's another upper-class activity that they can keep, thank you.

All right, Mr Vernon.

DENNIS: Mr Pyke, I'm arresting you on suspicion of arson.

You don't have to say anything unless you wish to do so.

But what you say may be put into writing and given in evidence.

Oh. Sorry to disturb you, but I found your...

Look, I'm...

I'm really sorry about the hearse, Mr Scripps.

Bernard,

I'm more than willing to compensate you for any damage caused.

Look,

is there anything that David and I can do while we're here to help?

Anything that needs doing I can do myself, thanks.

Besides, it could take weeks to get this back in working condition.

Months, in fact.

Even years.