16x22 - Troubled Waters

[bunniefuu]

♪ Heartbeat

♪ Why do you miss when my baby kisses me?

♪ Heartbeat

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

WOMAN WAILING

Is my mam gonna be all right?

Yeah. Yeah, course she is.

WOMAN WAILING

Why don't it just come?

I never had this trouble with our Tommy.

Some babies like to take their time.

It's nothing to worry about.

But just to be on the safe side, I'm gonna call the doctor.

Something's going wrong, isn't it?

The baby's heartbeat's a little slow,

but there could be lots of reasons for that.

You just need to try and relax and take some deep breaths.

But it'll be all right?

I'll be back in a sec.

Ken, I need you to call the doctor.

Right. Wouldn't it be better if you spoke to 'em?

WAILING I have to get back to Maggie.

Just tell them Nurse Cassidy says it's urgent

and we need a doctor now. - Right.

Don't worry, lad. Doctor'll be here soon.

GROANS

I can't stand much more of this.

It's all right. It's not long now.

Yeah, it's my wife. She's in labour.

Maggie. Maggie Hutchinson.

Nurse Cassidy says we need the doctor now.

Says it's urgent.

She'd speak to you herself, but she's with the wife.

SCREAMS

Look, I can't help that. We need him now.

Can't you get a message to him?

Well, what are we supposed to do, then?

You're doing great.

That's it. You're nearly there. You're nearly there.

YELLS

PANTS

Look, give me the address and I'll fetch him myself.

Well, why not?

No, I'm not trying to be funny. What's the point?

What are we gonna do now?

I'm so sorry, Maggie.

No. No.

No!

Mags?

What's going on?

I'm really sorry, Ken.

The baby was born a few minutes ago, but it d*ed.

- What? - It was a little girl.

Mags.

Would you like to come up?

Hey.

Dad!

Right, well, I'll set the wheels in motion.

Thanks for letting us know.

Bye.

Alf, who's the Coroner's Officer?

Er, Rob.

Nurse Cassidy's had a sudden infant death.

That's the address.

Well, you'd better give 'em a call on the radio.

Right.

I don't know. A dead baby...

I'm dreading having to deal with one of them.

You're not alone. Given the choice,

most coppers prefer to face a villain with a sawn-off shotgun.

CAROL: They'll probably keep you in for a day or so, check you over.

I'll pop in as soon as I can, OK?

What are you gonna do with her now?

Well, there'll have to be a post-mortem,

to establish the cause of death. I'm sorry.

CRIES

Morning.

You'd better come inside.

- Are you OK? - Yeah.

I'll need to see the body in situ.

Yeah, course.

Oh, no, just my luck.

Oscar.

What a lovely surprise.

Emily, how are you?

Well, you know. Soldiering on.

It's what Ted would have wanted.

I'm having a special headstone made for him.

Mr Scripps is kindly organising it for me.

Mrs Merryweather.

Oh, do please call me Emily.

You've been such a help, I feel we're friends already.

Perhaps you'd like to come through to the office, Emily.

Thank you.

- OSCAR: Oh, dear. -What?

Our Bernie needs to watch his step.

You know what they call her at the golf club?

The Praying Mantis.

I think it's what they call white asphyxia.

You've seen it before?

Yeah, once, when I was training.

Their baby suffered from heart failure.

How soon after it was born?

Pretty much straightaway.

I knew as soon as I delivered her, she...

She was pale and limp.

I cleared the airways and tried to give oxygen,

but it was no good.

The GP will have to certify death.

Well, I sent for him, as soon I knew there was a problem.

When was that?

Well, the labour was quite prolonged

and Maggie was having a lot of trouble.

And then, when the foetal heartbeat dropped below , I...

Maybe I should've had him here from the start.

You weren't to know.

She's not that young.

I probably should've taken a more cautious approach.

Look, I can wait for the doctor,

make arrangements for the hospital mortuary.

You should go home.

I'm quite capable of finishing the job.

I'm not saying you aren't.

I've, erm, jotted down the time of delivery and the time of death.

It's accurate to within a minute or two.

Thanks. I'll type it up for you to sign.

KNOCKS ON DOOR

That should be the doctor now.

A bit early for this, isn't it, Ken?

My money not good enough for you, then?

There's no need to be unpleasant.

I just hope you're not going outside and getting in that lorry of yours.

Once a copper, always a copper, eh, Blaketon?

I phoned the mortuary. They're expecting you.

Aye, I know the drill.

What's that?

You live here, do you?

They took my mam away, in an ambulance.

Well, where's your dad?

Baby d*ed.

Yeah, I'm afraid it did.

Is my mum gonna die too?

No. No, I'm sure she'll be fine.

Tommy, I've been looking everywhere for you.

Do you want to come to the hospital with me and see your mum?

Come on, then.

Carol, the PM is scheduled for four o'clock.

- I'll let you know the results. - Thanks.

Did you have to watch, then?

That's the general idea.

It's the duty of the Coroner's Officer

to identify the corpse for the pathologist.

I couldn't do it.

Well, you just have to think about something else.

Like what?

Go and put the kettle on, lad.

I'm sure Rob could do with a cuppa.

Natural causes?

Yeah, no question.

In fact, I'd best phone the coroner, before he goes home.

♪ Here she comes

♪ You'd better watch your step

♪ She'll build you up to just put you down

♪ What a clown

♪ Cos everybody knows

♪ The things she does to please ♪

Oh, Mrs Merryweather.

Oh, now, Bernard, we've been through all that.

Force of habit. I'm sorry.

On the other hand,

a man should never apologise for being a natural gentleman.

Is there a problem? I thought we'd sorted everything out

about the headstone? - Oh, it's just me.

I'm probably being very silly,

but it's the wording. I'm just not sure.

These things are very personal.

"Husband. Friend. Golfer."

It's simple, but to the point.

Do you think so?

I wondered about poetry. A quotation, maybe.

Quotations, you have to be careful with,

otherwise you end up with a gigantic headstone

and little, tiny writing.

Well, there, you see. The advice of a practical man.

That's all I needed.

Very pleased to have been of assistance.

I'm just so scatty.

You couldn't do me another favour, could you?

Well, if I can.

I've had a letter from the solicitor

but, my poor brain, I...

I just can't make head nor tail of it.

It's stocks and shares and Ted's will.

Have you not got a relative?

No, I'm all alone in the world.

There are men who would take advantage of that situation,

but with you, Bernard, I know that could never be the case.

Well, I...

I'll pop round tomorrow, shall I?

We could have a drink afterwards.

Yeah, yeah, if you like.

You've taken such a weight off my shoulders.

I reckon I need this.

A bad day?

Yeah. What with Phil away on his honeymoon still...

Yeah, I can't wait to have Gina back.

...and I had to attend the post-mortem

of a sudden infant death as well.

Well, that's never easy.

I don't suppose you've seen Carol, have you?

- No, she's not been in. - Put another scotch in there.

You've been drinking since dinnertime, Ken.

- You should go home. - Are you refusing to serve me?

In a word, yes.

Look, if I wanna get plastered, that's my business.

Now, put another scotch in there.

Whoa. Hang on there, mate. You're clearly very drunk.

The landlord's refused to serve you. I think you should go home quietly.

Who asked your opinion?

I'm a police officer.

- Now, go home, else I'll nick you. - Yeah?

You and whose army?

Bloody coppers, always interfering.

Ken, let him go! GLASS SMASHES

PANTS

What?

What the hell is going on? Ken!

Are you all right?

Don't tell me he's a friend of yours.

He's Maggie's husband. I've been looking for him.

I've got Tommy outside in the car.

Well, I'm afraid he's under arrest. Come here.

Are you sure you want to let this drop?

He's not a bad bloke, by all accounts.

He's not given Oscar Blaketon trouble before?

Drinks there regularly, but this was clearly a one-off.

Nurse Cassidy reckons he took the loss of the baby pretty bad.

Well, you're the one he took a swing at.

I'll survive.

Right, Mr Hutchinson.

In view of certain exceptional circumstances

brought to my attention, I'm going to let you off with a caution.

Hey, listen, don't do me any favours, will you?

Don't try my patience.

Go home and sober up.

Nurse Cassidy's been to Ashfordly General to see your wife.

All right, is she?

Maybe you should go and see for yourself.

And if you're wondering where your son is,

your next-door neighbour's looking after him.

Doctors. Coppers.

You're all alike, aren't you? You're all full of it.

Do you want to be up before the magistrates

for assaulting a police officer?

No, I didn't think so.

Now, get out of here before I change my mind.

How's she doing?

They'll keep her in for another day or so, but she'll be fine.

Right, then.

Not much gratitude, I'm afraid, there, Nurse Cassidy.

The poor man's been through an ordeal.

I don't expect him to be grateful.

I've signed my statement. Is there anything else?

I've got the pink form from the coroner, authorising burial.

Perhaps it's best if you give it to Mrs Hutchinson.

I'll take it to her.

Right, I think that more or less wraps things up.

Right. Well, thanks for your help, Rob.

Always a difficult one, that.

Yeah. I wish she'd stop blaming herself, though.

Oh, she will.

Give her time.

What makes you think she's a femme fatale?

After her first husband d*ed, she got the second lined up.

Married him within three months.

Who told you all this?

Oscar. At the golf club, they call her the Praying Mantis.

Oh, you don't want to take no notice of him. What does he know?

Mr Blaketon knows lots of people.

Oh, yeah, to serve a drink to, or have a chat with.

But Oscar Blaketon, expert on women?

No, I don't think so.

Somebody taking my name in vain?

Praying Mantis.

The poor woman's just lost her husband,

and wants to give him a decent headstone.

But, oh, no, no. You chaps down the golf club,

after a few tots too many, no doubt,

you've decided she's some kind of man-eating monster.

I never saw you as one of these women's libbers.

You'll be carrying a banner next. Or burning your bra.

DAVID LAUGHS

Why would Aunt Peggy want to burn her bra?

LAUGHS

Men are always going on about women being malicious gossips.

Well, men are ten times worse.

Especially men that frequent golf clubs.

Right. How about a small wager?

Make it a big one, if you've a stomach for it.

A fiver says she hooks Bernie.

Hang on a minute. This is Bernie we're talking about.

You can't turn his life into a bet.

Why are you so sure?

Cos I'm a better judge of character than you.

Ten quid says you're not.

- Done. - I don't believe this.

LAUGHS

All the formalities have been completed,

so the coroner's released the body.

I was expecting to christen her, not bury her.

Had you thought of a name?

Annie, after my mum.

That's nice.

Don't know what Ken'll say. He hated my mam.

Has he been in yet?

I doubt he will be.

I reckon this is it for us.

Oh, no, he's just upset...

You don't understand, love.

The baby...

That's all that's been keeping us together.

When you were in labour, it seemed to me he was concerned about you.

He's being seeing this other woman.

Barmaid, I think she is.

When I fell pregnant, he agreed to knock it on the head.

Now, well, who knows what he'll do.

I could talk to him if you like.

And say what?

Him on the lorries.

It's never been an easy marriage.

When he goes away, he drinks.

And when he drinks, he chases other women.

I think he cares for you a lot more than you think.

Why did I have to lose her, eh?

She looked so perfect.

There were nothing wrong with her.

Her little hands and fingernails...

So perfect.

Maggie, I'm so sorry.

You did your best.

Wouldn't it be better if you just did this?

No!

You need to talk to him, man-to-man.

He's far more likely to open up to you.

Man-to... How am I meant to do that?

Well... Well, you start out with something general.

Football, whatever, I don't know.

And then, when you've got him chatting,

you casually slip her name into the conversation.

Just all casual, like.

Yeah, you see.

You've got the idea.

Oh, David, you made me jump.

Oh, sorry.

Good news about the football.

What football?

I don't... I was just... The football.

Generally, as a game.

As you know, I don't follow it. I can't stand it.

Neither can I.

Aunt Peggy does, though, occasionally.

Is this going anywhere, because I'm a bit busy.

Er, no, no, I just thought we might have a bit of a chat, casually.

Man-to-man.

Are you in trouble?

- No. - Come on. You can tell me.

- I won't rat on you to Peggy. - I'm not in trouble.

I'm just curious.

About what?

- Well, do you like her, then? - Like who?

Mrs Mantis. Mrs Merryweather.

Oh, she's all right.

It's just, in the pub at lunchtime,

you were eating together.

She's just paid me a tidy sum for a marble headstone for her husband.

The least I can do is buy her a drink.

Any news on your sergeant's exams?

No, still waiting.

You won't have any problems, will you?

We'll see.

I was hoping you might come in. Let me get you a drink.

Listen, Rob.

Midwifery's part of my job.

I've seen sudden infant deaths before.

I know how to deal with them.

I don't need rescuing by you.

I'm sorry if it came across like that.

I was trying to help.

Really? So, what, you thought you'd arrest Ken Hutchinson?

His wife's in hospital, his son needs him,

but you throw him in a cell? Very helpful.

OSCAR: Hang on a minute, Carol. It wasn't Rob's fault.

I mean, Ken was drunk, spoiling for a fight.

And as far as his place is concerned, he's barred.

Well, that's very understanding of you, Oscar.

Just the way to treat a man who's grieving for his dead child.

Do you know what? I don't think I fancy a drink after all.

SIGHS

Look at that. Hounding Bernie, like a couple of private eyes.

The whole thing's ridiculous.

Yeah, I suppose it is a bit silly, really.

But it's all her fault. She should never have goaded me.

Just call off the bet. It's not fair on poor Bernie.

I will if she will.

You're like a couple of kids.

What can you see?

Oh there's... I see Mr Scripps?

DAVID: He's sweeping up.

No sign of the target?

Nope.

Right. Oscar says he'll call off the bet if you will.

Well, of course he will, cos he knows he's about to lose.

Since they've concluded the business of her husband's headstone,

Mrs Merryweather's never been near the place.

Oscar Blaketon was plainly wrong.

Does it really matter?

It matters to the tune of quid and he's going to have to pay up.

Tommy, shouldn't you be at school?

I couldn't wake up.

Where's your dad?

He went out.

Have you been on your own here all night?

There's my dad now.

I've been meaning to get to the hospital,

if that's what you've come for.

It's not just that...

So, you can stop checking up on us.

- I'm not. - Right, then. Inside.

Why aren't you at school?

You stayed at her house, didn't you?

I'm gonna tell my mam.

You promised her you wouldn't.

Your job is to go to school. Have you got it?

I've had no breakfast.

Look, your mam's poorly.

I don't want you upsetting her, do you understand?

You're not gonna go off with her, are you?

I tell you what. I'll make you a sarnie, then it's school.

Bernie, have we got any more brake fluid in stock?

What's going on?

I'm going out. What's it look like?

Looks like you're going out on a date.

Not Mrs Merryweather?

She's asked me for lunch.

You don't think this bowtie looks silly, do you?

It's a bit unusual for you.

That's it. I don't want her to think I'm boring.

People know you're an undertaker, they jump to the wrong conclusions.

So, are you serious about this then?

She's a widow. Neither of us are in our dotage.

Why shouldn't I?

Do you not think it's a bit soon, since she lost her husband?

Look, Emily reckons you make up your mind about someone

in the first five minutes.

I think she might be right.

KEN: Come on, Blaketon. This has been my local for years.

I don't want any trouble, Ken.

Neither do I. I just want a quiet drink.

Oh, here we go. More interfering.

Ken, I just want to talk to you.

Well, I don't wanna talk to you.

All I want is a quiet drink in my local.

- So, get lost, love. - Right, I'm calling the police.

- Why can't you leave us alone? - Ken, I'm on your side.

I just want you to see Maggie. She's just had a baby...

She's just had a baby, all right. She were in labour for hours.

Only you didn't call the doctor in time.

So, the baby ended up dead.

There was nothing I could've done.

The truth is you k*lled my baby.

Right, I want you out of here now. Take your self-pity with you.

Get out!

All right, Grandad. I'm going.

I shouldn't worry about him.

He's just looking for someone to blame, that's all.

Yeah, I know.

CLASSICAL MUSIC

Can I offer you more?

I usually just have a sandwich for my lunch.

This'll keep me going all day.

I'm afraid I got a bit carried away.

It's such a pleasure having a man to cook for again.

The pleasure's all mine, I'm sure.

LAUGHS

You're such a wit, Bernard.

I do like a man who can make me laugh.

Oh, let me refresh your glass.

Well, I think I've probably had quite enough already.

Oh, nonsense.

There you are.

Do you play golf?

No, not really. Just the occasional pitch and putt.

Course, I don't actually play myself,

but I am very involved in the social side of the club.

I'm surprised a businessman of your calibre

hasn't seen the advantages of membership.

Contacts, Bernard.

The garage pretty much runs itself.

And the funeral parlour, well...

Cars and coffins.

You'll never be out of business.

No, I suppose not.

And you've never married?

Oi! What's going on?

'Ey! I've warned you about following me.

- Is he something to do with you? - KEN: No.

Leave it to me. I'll sort it. Get on your bike and clear off!

They brought my mam home in an ambulance.

What you doing here? You should be looking after her.

- It's your job. - Cheeky little swine.

Come here. Get on it.

MUSIC: 'Reflections Of My Life' by Marmalade

♪ The changing

♪ Of sunlight

♪ To moonlight...

Are you OK?

Come on. Let's get you up.

Are you hurt?

- I don't think so. - Look at you.

Tommy, isn't it?

Well, that was a bit of a stupid thing to do, wasn't it?

You should look where you're going.

I was trying to get away from my dad.

I went to tell him.

He just had a go at me.

Hey, come on, now. Tell him what?

♪ Oh, my sorrows...

What do you want?

Two o'clock, this afternoon.

St Luke's Church. It's your baby's funeral.

That's what your son came to tell you.

I reckon, if you're any sort of man, you'll be there.

What's going on?

Nowt. Go on, inside.

♪ Oh, my crying

♪ Feel I'm dying

♪ Take me back to my own home ♪

Mags.

I'm sorry.

Oh, Ken.

CRIES

The thing is, Peggy, Oscar could be right.

Bernie seems pretty smitten to me.

- Bowtie, you say? - Mm.

Are we talking about the same Bernie Scripps?

I'd say he's hooked. Lunch yesterday.

Tonight, she's taking him for drinks at the golf club.

Ten quid to Oscar Blaketon!

I don't think I can stand the shame of living with that.

Forget about the stupid bet, Peggy? What about Bernie?

This is serious.

I think it's time I took a closer look at this rampant female.

Have you got an address for her?

No, but I could find one.

I'm sorry I was a bit tetchy with you yesterday.

I know you were only trying to help.

Broad shoulders, square jaw, I can take it.

CAROL: Let's hope they've turned a corner.

WALKER: Yeah.

You could always buy me a drink, Aidensfield Arms, eight o'clock.

You're pushing your luck a bit, aren't you?

Someone has to.

MUSIC: 'Love Is A Gamble' by Eartha Kitt

♪ Love is a gamble no matter how you feel

♪ Love is a gamble...

DOORBELL

♪ Love is a gamble

♪ No matter how you choose ♪

Peggy Armstrong, Mrs. I'm a widow like yourself,

and a dear friend of Mr Bernard Scripps.

You don't mind if I come in, do you?

Excuse me.

Hey, isn't this lovely?

Who set you up with this little lot, then?

Was it hubby number one, or hubby number two?

If you wouldn't mind, that's Capodimonte.

Now, Mrs Armstrong, what exactly is it that I can do for you?

I've come to warn you off.

- I beg your pardon? - He's mine.

Am I to suppose we're talking about Mr Scripps?

He's spoken for.

Oh, really?

Well, that wasn't the impression I got

when he lunched with me yesterday.

I did my boeuf bourguignon served with a very good bottle of Margot.

And I think Bernard was fairly impressed.

I don't care if you danced in your undies and whistled Dixie!

It stops now.

I've always admired a man who runs his own business.

And Bernard has two. The garage and the undertakers.

With the right sort of wife, he could go far.

Way beyond the narrow confines of Aidensfield.

When did you bury your last husband?

A little over three weeks, but I don't like to let the grass grow.

I really do miss the convenience of having a man about the place.

Oh, I'm sure you do, love,

but you've got to get right back to that golf club and pick another mug,

because it ain't going to be Bernie.

Oh, really?

Well, I think you'll find you're a little late

with your intervention, Mrs Armstrong.

Bernard and I already have an understanding.

I'm expecting a proposal any day.

Now, if you'll let me show you out.

WALKER: Tommy?

My dad's gone round there again. He had his tea with us and off he went.

How do you know that's where he's gone?

I followed him on my bike.

I don't know what I can do about this, Tommy.

Just go and tell him.

Like you did before.

Tell him to come home and stop upsetting my mam.

I really don't think he's gonna take any notice of me.

Then nick him.

What he's doing isn't right, but it isn't a crime.

What's the difference?

Quite a lot, I'm afraid.

He left my mam crying.

I'm... I'm sorry, Tommy.

SIGHS

He's always on at me.

When I'm big enough, I'll clock him one.

Won't need no copper then.

Praying Mantis?

Black Widow would be nearer the truth.

You really think she...

Well, what did her second husband die of?

Was it a heart att*ck or a bad case of boeuf bourguignon?

I feel a bit like I've let the lad down. There's nothing I can do.

A bloke like Ken Hutchinson's not gonna change.

How do you know he hadn't gone to see this woman to finish with her?

That's a bit naive, isn't it?

People get in a mess. They need a chance to sort themselves out.

I think, underneath it all,

Ken's a decent bloke who cares about his family.

Until he's had a drink inside of him, then all he cares about is himself.

- Why are you cynical about everyone? -Not everyone.

Ah!

Ken, you're barred.

Look, all I'm asking, Oscar, is you give him another chance.

He's as good as gold when he's with me.

The first sign of trouble, and you're out.

KEN: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

I get the message.

OK, don't look so smug.

I'm not.

If you ask me, I reckon, Maggie should walk out on him.

That'd teach him a lesson.

And how would that work? She's recovering from childbirth.

She's lost a baby. She's got no money, no job,

and she's got Tommy to consider.

- Well... - Now who's being naive?

Oh, come on, Carol. Let's not fall out over this.

You just think like a typical copper.

Someone crosses the line, and you write them off.

That's not fair.

See you around, Rob.

CAR HORN HONKS TYRES SCREECH

KEN: Is he all right?

He says you pulled out without looking.

Well, maybe I did.

- Younger! - Yes?

- Fetch the breathalyser. - Yes, Sarge.

Come on. It's eight o'clock in morning.

You smell like a distillery.

I might've had a couple of nips to keep out the cold.

You should have nothing to worry about.

You're loving this. You've had it in for me from the start.

- Getting me barred from the pub... - All right. That's enough.

Blow in the bag.

Right, I'm arresting you on suspicion of being over the prescribed limit.

You are not obliged to say anything...

Drunk driving?

I might have had a couple of pints last night, but I'm sober.

- You might've k*lled him. - Yeah, but I didn't, did I?

Look, I lose my licence, I lose my job.

...but anything you do say may be written down and given in evidence.

Put him in the car, Younger.

- Yes, Sarge. - Are you happy now?

Well, I'm glad you've come to see the error of your ways.

Not error exactly.

You see, the point is, I think we should put our differences aside,

for Bernie's sake. - He's a grown man.

If Emily Merryweather is what he wants, who are we to dissuade him?

Well, we're his friends.

It's his businesses, she wants. She made that very clear.

Her late husband Ted had a couple of taxis when they met.

After ten years of marriage, he had a whole fleet.

I mean, she could be the making of Bernie.

He's fine as he is. What do you want him to do?

Spend the next ten years of his life

working himself into an early grave for her?

No, of course not.

Well, I don't see what I can do.

She's a very determined woman.

So's my Aunt Peggy.

I'll give her Capodimonte!

My sister lives in Leeds. I'm thinking of just going.

Taking Tommy. She reckons I'd get a job easy enough.

[span][/span]Is that really what you want?

No.

You probably think I'm daft, but I just wish he'd come back to us.

When he turned up at the funeral, you seemed pretty close.

PHONE RINGS

Yeah. Yeah, we were.

But when we got home afterwards, I knew nothing had changed.

He was straight off to see her.

- What's up, love? - Coppers have nicked my dad.

- There you go. - Oh, cheers.

Once the results of your blood test come back,

Sergeant Miller will decide whether to formally charge you.

He's gonna throw the book at me.

Why do you always assume that everyone's against you?

Because they are. Look, I've had it.

I lose my licence, that's my job gone. Everything.

You know, your son wanted me to nick you for making his mum cry.

I'm surprised you didn't.

- Don't you care about them at all? - Course I care about 'em.

I work all hours God sends driving that lorry, just to keep 'em.

Sometimes, I just fancy having a drink and a laugh.

Don't mean I don't love 'em.

I'm just an ordinary bloke, trying to get by.

I've just had Nurse Cassidy on the phone,

bending my ear about Ken Hutchinson.

About how his family needs him.

She's got a point.

What's it say above the door?

Police station.

Not Social Services.

Not Women's ruddy Institute.

I'm not defending the bloke. He's a mess.

But what's going to happen to him?

He loses his job, he's on a downward spiral.

More drink, more trouble...

Strikes me, he'll end up in jail.

What's the point in that?

The point is that it's our job to uphold the law.

KNOCKS ON DOOR

The lab have just phoned the blood test results through.

How far over the limit is he?

Borderline.

You're not going soft in your old age, are you, Walker?

Maybe I'm just thinking differently. I don't know.

Ken Hutchinson is a lousy father, and a worse husband,

but he's not a criminal, not yet.

If you pass your Sergeant's exam,

this is the sort of decision you're gonna have to make.

If it was my call, I'd give him another chance.

I don't understand why you're letting us off.

Nurse Cassidy spoke to Sergeant Miller.

Do you mind if we take a detour?

When she told me to phone the doctor,

I knew that it had gone pear-shaped.

It wasn't Carol Cassidy's fault.

Yeah, I know.

Look, you've got a kid already. He's the one that needs you.

You've got to lay off the booze and stop feeling sorry for yourself.

We had a lovely evening at the golf club.

I think Bernard really enjoyed himself.

I've never really seen Bernie as a golfer.

I'm encouraging him to take lessons.

Perhaps you could have a round or two with him,

you know, just to get him going.

You know, Emily, this is really rather difficult.

As you know, I'm not one to listen to gossip.

Me neither, but do go on.

Well, I'm sure Bernie has told you

that he's having a few difficulties at the moment.

What sort of difficulties?

Financial.

But I mean, the bank is going to foreclose, well, not yet, anyway,

but the garage is certainly mortgaged to the hilt.

I didn't realise that.

And I think he's putting you in a rather difficult position.

Why?

Well, you have a lovely home and savings in the bank, no doubt.

Are you saying that Bernard Scripps is looking for a rich wife

to bail him out?

Well, I must admit, Bernie's never been much of a ladies' man.

So, it's a conclusion that some people might draw.

Oh, he's always been very quiet about his finances.

Well, what can I say?

Oh, I'm so grateful to you for this, Oscar.

A lady in my position, recently bereaved,

is bound to be vulnerable to this sort of thing.

It's so good to meet a real gentleman.

Your divorced, aren't you?

MUSIC: 'The Hunter' by Free

♪ They call me the hunter

♪ That's my name

♪ A pretty little woman like you

♪ Is my only game... ♪

- Oh, Ken. - All right?

What can I do for you?

I've just come to say I'm sorry.

Oh, I see. Right, well, I suppose you'd better come in.

That copper. What's his name?

- You mean Rob Walker? - Yes. Yes, that's the one.

He said you spoke up for me.

Well, it was Maggie I was trying to help.

She'll be all right. She's gone to Leeds.

I'm very sorry to hear that, Ken.

Oh, easy come, easy go, me.

You're on your own, aren't you?

I don't see what that's got to do with anything.

Oh, come on. Don't go all snooty.

I'm sure you like a bit of fun.

Ken, I think perhaps you should go.

Just have a drink.

Can you please just leave now?

Women like me. They always have. I know how to have a laugh.

Look, this has gone far enough. Now, get out!

- You're feisty. I quite like that. - Just...

- What do you... - I'm felt sorry for you.

Just get out!

Get out!

- Are you OK? - Is she OK?

She just kicked me down them ruddy stairs.

Ken didn't wanna leave. He thought I might be interested

in having a bit of fun with him.

If he's assaulted you, I'll nick him.

Hang on. I'm the one who's been assaulted.

I suggest you go home, unless you want another night in the cells.

Home? There's nowt for me there.

Who's fault's that?

I begged her to stay. Begged her.

She weren't having it.

Yeah, well, ask yourself why, Ken.

If you manage to come up with an answer,

you might work out how to get her back.

Oh, I'm going for a drink.

You're all the same. Selfish b*tches.

Wow!

You know, I actually came round to see if you fancied a drink.

Well, you'd better come in.

Are you sure?

You're not scared of me, are you, Rob?

She didn't really give any explanation.

Never mind. Plenty more fish in the sea, eh?

Yeah, well, it was nice while it lasted.

It's a while since a woman took that much interest in me.

Well, you don't want to upset yourself too much, Bernie.

Oh, I'm not really.

She wanted to organise everything. Do this, do that.

Join the golf club...

Actually, I was beginning to think I'd had enough.

Well, there you are, then.

It's all turned out for the best.

That's ten quid you owe me.

You get nothing.

You only won cos I went round to see her.

Shh! He'll hear you.

A bet is still a bet.

He'll hear a lot more

if you're not careful,

about how you pretended to her

that you were involved with him.

If that doesn't frighten him to death, nothing will.

Aren't you going to say you told me so?

Having just seen you manhandle Ken out the door, probably not.

Oh, Rob...

I feel so stupid.

Well, there's nothing wrong with trying to help people.

He's bad news. You were right.

Well, partly right.

We tried to give him a chance. We took a risk.

Sometimes it pays off, sometimes it doesn't.

Mm.

In the pub,

I was really rude to you, I'm sorry.

I just...

I didn't like being proved wrong.

Well, I just want us to be friends again.

What, just friends?

MUSIC: 'I'll Try Anything' by Dusty Springfield

♪ Till I make you my man

♪ Gonna make you my man

♪ Gonna make you my man

♪ Yeah...

You don't mind, do you?

♪ Gonna fight till I die

♪ Gonna cheat and lie ♪