13x01 - The Good Refuge

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What is it, Father?

An empty house with an open window.

Should we call Edgar?

I think we can manage ourselves.

Welcome home.

Oh!

Oh, Father.

Mrs McCarthy.

You should have told us
you were coming.

Oh, I didn't want to make a fuss.

Have they been feeding you
properly, Father?

I think you've lost weight.

And feeling better for it.

What brings you back to Kembleford,
Mrs McCarthy?

Oh, I thought it was high time
I put my house on the market.

Oh, apologies.
I haven't congratulated you

on your recent marriage,
Mrs Sullivan! Oh, yes. Thank you.

It's all rather new, but marvellous.

You should come to the presbytery
for tea. Absolutely.

Yes, absolutely.

"Some Victorians believe
the hydrangea plant

"brought misfortune
or even tragedy."

Blimey.

Oh! Please don't send us back!

Thank you.

Care for one of my scones,
Mrs McCarthy?

I won't, thank you.

Not a patch on your
famous offerings, I'm afraid.

Oh, a long time
since I baked a scone, Mrs Sullivan.

In fact, I'm experimenting
with French pastry at the moment.

Choux pastry.
Profiteroles. Ooh!

And how is Ireland?

Well, Roisin, that's my sister,

has finally settled down
with a good man.

You must be very relieved.
I am.

Mrs McCarthy!
What a wonderful surprise.

Oh, Sergeant Goodfellow,
Chief Inspector.

Just "Inspector" nowadays,
Mrs McCarthy.

Oh? Thanks to Father Brown.

Forgive the impromptu visit.

The removal company called.

My furniture
is being delivered on Friday.

Oh, right. Good.

So, is married life agreeing
with you, Inspector? I'd say so.

Sharing a house takes
a little getting used to.

Yes. Be much easier
when my furniture arrives.

Miss Palmer, just in time for tea.

Oh, there you are, Brenda.

And who is your new friend?

This is Moira.

Oh, my giddy aunt!

Auntie Bridget! You came.

"Auntie Bridget?"
This is Rosie.

Perhaps we should go inside.

I'll show you both to your car.
Right. Yes.

I ran away. You what?
Ran away? From where?

From Our Lady's Good Refuge.

Where I was coming to visit you
this very afternoon.

The home for penitent women.

Auntie Bridget sent me there.

Did she? Yes, I did.

Moira could hardly stay in Ireland.

Not in her condition.

Sister Agatha, who runs the
Good Refuge and is an old friend,

agreed to take her in.

And precious little thanks
she gets for her trouble.

How old is Rosie?

Six weeks.

So's her brother, Jack.

Oh, twins. How wonderful.

The most beautiful creatures
I'd ever seen.

But Sister Agatha took them away
from me after only a day.

Gosh. It gets worse.
They're both going to be given away.

Adopted. Like all the babies there.

It's for their own good, Moira.

And you knew very well
that's what would happen.

Yes, but I didn't think
it was going to hurt as much!

I telephoned Auntie Bridget and told
her that my heart was breaking.

And of course,
I was extremely worried

and came as soon
as I possibly could.

So why did you not wait?
Why on earth did you run away?

I was scared that they'd be adopted
before you got here.

Where's Rosie's brother?

Last night I'd taken Rosie
and I was about to get Jack.

But Nurse Hyde, she caught me.

I didn't have time.
I just...I ran.

That must have been very painful.

And now,

Auntie's here,
and she can tell Sister Agatha

to let me have Jack back as well.

No, Moira. I can't do that.

Why?

We've been through all this.

The children must come first.
No!

And in the meantime,
Sister Agatha and Nurse Hyde

will be worried sick
about the pair of you.

Nurse Hyde is cruel!

She leaves babies in freezing rooms.

Oh, now you're being hysterical.

Moira, did you give consent
for your children's adoption?

No. I would never do that.

Well, in that case,

I will speak with
Sister Agatha and Nurse Hyde.

Meanwhile, you are welcome
to stay here with Rosie

until this is resolved.

Thank you.

Father! Perhaps you will come
with us on our visit,

Mrs McCarthy?

I most certainly will.

This place has seen better days.

These girls hardly deserve a palace,
Mrs Sullivan.

Sister Agatha. I can only apologise.

I'm just relieved Rosie is safe,
Mrs McCarthy.

Father?
Nurse Hyde's office is just up here.

Tell me, Sister Agatha,
how long have you been in charge

of the Good Refuge?
20 years.

Although I'm no medical expert.
I mostly defer to Nurse Hyde.

This building looks very historical.

Shifting foundations, I'm afraid.

The whole thing
is rather unstable, in fact.

Really? But, fortunately,

we've raised money for the repairs.

Work begins next week.

Moira Fitzpatrick
has shown scant regard

for the wellbeing of her children
or the will of God.

And yet, here you are, Father,
harbouring her and making her case.

I understand babies born here
are typically offered for adoption.

Children born out of wedlock
should be brought up

within a loving, Christian marriage.

Yes, absolutely.

Of course, by law...

..mothers must consent
to these adoptions.

Rest assured,
the process is entirely above board.

Sister Agatha? Yes, of course.

She's signed the form.

Thank you.

As this is our first visit
to the Good Refuge,

I wonder if you'd be good enough
to show us around.

Of course. I'll make sure
the girls are presentable.

My husband died in the w*r.
My condolences.

Our daughter
was born three months later.

I assume from her uniform
she attends St Jacob's College,

a most prestigious establishment.

As I always tell my girls,

a mother must make
great sacrifices

to give her child
the best start in life.

All that exertion can't be healthy
for mother or baby.

They don't get paid, either.

Yes, well,
I'm sure Nurse Hyde knows best.

I hope I can count on you to do
the right thing

with Miss Fitzpatrick, Father.

You certainly can, Nurse Hyde.

I need to see my daughter.

As I've made it perfectly clear,

men are forbidden from entering
the Good Refuge.

Clergymen excepted.

This is from her doctor...

..confirming that without
this medication for hypertension,

she's in danger.

Those pills could harm the baby.

Says who?
Good day, Mr James.

Father.

What is your daughter's name,
Mr James?

Clarice.

Sister Agatha telephoned a week ago
to tell me she'd admitted herself.

I couldn't believe it.

Was Clarice living locally?

Training to be a nurse
in Cirencester.

With her whole future ahead of her.

I've been here
for the past three days

at the guest house,
right across the road

but I still haven't been able
to speak to her.

Oh, well, I just saw your daughter.

Did you? Yeah.
She was working in the laundry.

She gave me this, for a friend?

"Moira, Jack will be adopted
tomorrow. Clarice."

I don't know this Moira, but
I know all about these adoptions.

Oh, Clarice.

I will pray for your daughter,
Mr James.

That she should choose to come here,
of all places...

That wasn't me.

I never signed any form
in that place.

You're surely not suggesting
Nurse Hyde forged your signature.

You have to believe me, Father.

And this is for you.
It's from Clarice.

Really? She was very brave.

Clarice was so kind to me.

She knitted bonnets
for Rosie and Jack.

Tomorrow?

No!

I'm never going to see him again!

I will return first thing tomorrow

and I will urge Nurse Hyde
to refrain from having Jack adopted.

At least for the moment.

Father, shouldn't we do
what's best for the child?

I quite agree, Mrs McCarthy.

Father Brown.
I need to talk to Nurse Hyde.

We're expecting an adopting couple
at any moment.

Which makes my request
all the more urgent.

Nurse Hyde?

A lifetime spent delivering
babies, extinguished by

St Philomena,
the patron saint of infants.

Oh. Spare us the homily on irony,
Father.

It seems the victim was planning
a more conventional departure.

St Jacob's is a considerable expense
for a nurse,

even with a w*r widow's pension.

Footprints.

Yes. Thank you, Father.

Is that a £5 note?

Money, though none on her person.

Inspector.
The side door has been forced open.

Someone broke in last night.
Ah.

More evidence of a robbery
gone very badly wrong.

Inspector, perhaps we should
pay a visit to the nursery.

A very good reason
for bringing us here, father.

We don't use that room, Father.

Where is Moira's boy? Moira?
What, that girl from yesterday?

INFANTS FUSS

Heavens above!
Was this door kept locked?

We lock it at night.

Where is Moira now, Father?

She spent the night
at the presbytery.

Right. Sergeant?

Sister Agatha called me.
A tragic development.

It certainly is, Canon.

I trust it will be resolved
swiftly and with a minimum...

We're on our way to apprehend
a suspect right now, Canon.

That is most encouraging.

Oh, and for your sake,
perhaps Father Brown

could keep his nose out of it
for once.

I couldn't agree more.
Ah, Father Brown?

Canon Fox.

Sister Agatha will be reassured
you're here so promptly.

A tragedy in a diocesan house of God
is most unwelcome news, Father.

Indeed.

Especially with the appointment
of a new bishop so imminent.

Stick to YOUR job, Father,
and let the inspector do his. Hmm?

She's gone.

Ah. The inspector thinks Moira
took Jack away in the night.

So do I, Mrs McCarthy.

Hang on.

Moira would not have
left her daughter alone

during her...rescue mission.

Miss Palmer.

Miss Palmer?

I didn't know anybody
would get hurt.

So where is Moira now?

What's wrong? I'm sorry, Moira.

I had no choice.

Moira Fitzpatrick,

I'm arresting you on suspicion
of the m*rder of Dorothy Hyde.

m*rder?!

I haven't hurt anybody!

Take the babies, Sergeant.
Right, boss...

No! Auntie Bridget?!

We will take care of your babies,
won't we, Mrs McCarthy?

Yes. Yes, we all will.

Will you go to her, Father?

I will.

Tell me about last night.

I got to the Good Refuge
past midnight,

and I was going to throw pebbles
at Clarice's window

and then I saw
the back door was open,

so I walked in,
and I went to get Jack.

How did you get into the nursery?
The door was unlocked.

It was like...an angel
was watching over me.

Yes. And then? So, I walked in,

I took Jack and
put a doll in his cot.

As I walked past Nurse Hyde's
office, I heard voices.

Nurse Hyde and a man.

Did you recognise his voice?

I didn't k*ll her, Father.

No, of course you didn't.

I believe you, Moira.

I'm not sure Auntie Bridget does.

Well, your great-aunt
has some very strong opinions

around the subject of motherhood.

She doesn't think
you're a m*rder*r.

Are you sure?

Yes.

I will do my utmost to see you
reunited with your children.

Oh, Mrs McCarthy.

Oh. Thank goodness.
I'm out of practice.

Have they been fed?
Maybe 20 minutes ago?

And changed?
Mm-hm.

Probably just tired...

..and missing Mum. Mm?

What you need now
is a nice, long nap.

Isn't that right?

You're a natural, Mrs McCarthy.

Yes, well, I've had plenty
of practice, what with

nephews and nieces
and various godchildren.

Do you really think Moira's babies
should be adopted, Mrs McCarthy?

Yes, I do. She'll be sparing them
a lifetime of shame.

Surely children should be
with their mother.

And have people pointing fingers
and whispering behind their backs?

Moira doesn't know
the way of the world as I do.

If there's one thing I know,
she's no m*rder*r.

Now, there you go.
Nice, long sleep.

What terrible news.

That poor woman.
A male voice was heard last night

arguing with Nurse Hyde,

and a bottle of pills
was found near her body.

Reserpine.
Medication for hypertension.

Will the police find
your fingerprints

on that bottle, Mr James?

I had to get those pills to Clarice,
so I forced the back door.

But Nurse Hyde heard me.

She went to her office
to call the police.

She said she was
the medical professional,

and I was a criminal.
Oh, dear.

What did you do then?

I put the pills on her desk
and I left.

You seem shocked that Clarice
had chosen the Good Refuge.

Her mother, my...late wife,
was adopted from birth

and strongly opposed
to forced adoption.

Also, a good friend of Clarice's
ended up in one of those refuges.

She said it was barbaric.

So, yes, I was very surprised.

Clarice has got to leave
that terrible place.

Ooh! Oh, quite the artist,
Miss Palmer.

I wanted to lift Moira's spirits
until Father Brown clears her.

Pray to heaven he can.

He's hopefully spoken to
Clarice's father by now.

You seem to quite enjoy
the sleuthing side of things,

Mrs Sullivan. Oh, yes. I find it
all terribly thrilling.

Although the St Mary's accounts
aren't quite as neat these days.

Oh, I definitely preferred filling
in ledgers to sneaking around.

Of course, I always had a wonderful
time working for the father.

I honestly think it's the best job
in the world.

Hmph!

So are you really selling
this house?

Yes, I am.
Only after all this is over.

Father.

How is she?

Scared, and missing
her children terribly.

You believe she's innocent,
don't you?

I'm convinced of it.
As am I.

Any progress at all?

Well, we can't discount Mr James.

By his own admission, he broke
into the Good Refuge last night.

He seems like a really nice man.

And certainly a doting parent.

May I?

Ah. What is it?
Possible solution to a conundrum.

I need to return to the Good Refuge.

Well, in that case,
I am going with you.

There are many things I miss
about my old job, Father,

but trespassing is not one of them.

And now we wait a few moments.

Nurse Hyde was clearly
a stickler for organisation.

Everything just so.

Wait a minute.

What's this W doing
mixed up with all the Bs?

Alice Wright.

Empty.

Well spotted, Mrs McCarthy.

Father!

Excellent! What is?
Well, as predicted,

this footprint contains
washing detergent.

And I believe I know who left it.

Father Brown. Medication finally
delivered, I see. Yes.

I've also convinced Clarice
I'm not angry with her.

I'm going to go home
with my dad tonight.

A happy outcome, then.

Clarice, might I have a word
in private?

Your father is surprised
that you chose

to come to the Good Refuge,

given your late mother's
opinions on adoptions.

I was scared how
I would react to this.

I didn't know where else to go.

What are you doing?

I think the inspector will find
that your shoe exactly fits

the footprints found
near Nurse Hyde's body.

Nurse Hyde forbade girls
from her office.

She always kept the door locked.

Unless you stole the keys...

..and used them to let Moira
into the nursery.

Moira needed money to run away.

I knew I'd find it in Nurse Hyde's
office, and I was right.

The cupboard was full of it.

From the laundry business? No.

From Nurse Hyde's other business.
What other business?

Last week I saw a couple
here to adopt

hand money over to Nurse Hyde.

Paid adoptions.
Oh, surely not. It's true.

Along with the money,
I found this book of receipts.

Nurse Hyde walked in and snatched
the money out of my hands

and threatened to call the police

and I said if she did,
I'd show them this book of receipts,

and she let me go.

If you didn't take the money, why
was it gone when the body was found?

Was it?

May I borrow this?

It could help secure
Moira's release.

Don't worry. I'm not getting broody.
Are you sure?

It's a shame
we won't experience this, though.

Maybe Eddie will give you
a grandchild one day.

Wouldn't that be lovely?

Yeah. So, we should talk
about my furniture,

where it's going to go. Yes.

I really do think I'd feel more
comfortable in that house, Isabel.

Fewer ghosts, as it were.

I understand, but it's a step
for me, too, obviously,

moving some of my furniture out.

Yes, yes.

Of course.

I've forgotten how lovely
Mrs McCarthy's house is.

Are you really going to trust
a wayward girl like that

who drinks gin while she's pregnant?

Drinking alcohol
may be irresponsible,

but these receipts prove

that Nurse Hyde
was indeed selling babies.

Selling babies? Oh, my heavens!

How on earth could she?

Father, what is it?

Oh, yes.

I don't understand.
How could Dorothy do such a thing?

Your handwriting has very
distinctive Ts, Sister Agatha.

Almost like miniature anchors.

Oddly similar to those
in Moira's signature.

And identical to the ones
in that book.

Please tell me
you weren't involved in any of this.

It was Dorothy's idea.

She said it was the only way
to fund the renovations,

to keep Our Lady's Good Refuge open.

And you traded children -
to pay for building work?

This place has been my life,
Mrs McCarthy.

I couldn't bear to see it close.

But you surprised Nurse Hyde,

preparing to abscond with
the renovation money...

..presumably to pay
for her daughter's education.

I cannot imagine how angry
you must have been.

I was angry,
but I couldn't ever hurt Dorothy,

even if I'd wanted to.

I just knew I had to hide my part
in this awful business,

but I couldn't find
that receipt book.

Have you no shame?

As God is my witness,
I did not k*ll her.

Father?

This isn't at all the place
I thought it was.

I should never have sent Moira here.

You weren't to know, Mrs McCarthy.

Just the same. It's my fault.

Miss Palmer brought them over.

She's waiting outside.

She says Jack and Rosie
are doing well.

Please say thank you to her and
Mrs Sullivan, Father. I will.

Moira, I am doing all I can to end
this separation from your children.

I'm glad you came, Auntie.

And I'm glad Inspector Sullivan
let me see you.

I owe you an apology. For what?
For doubting you.

For not believing what you told me
about the Good Refuge.

For sending you there
in the first place.

Does this mean that I get to keep
Rosie and Jack?

Oh, Moira.
The world can be a very cruel place.

Those children have to be protected.

And so do you.

Moira, did you ever meet
a Good Refuge resident

by the name of Alice Wright?
Alice? Yes.

She had a boy, Rowan.

The poor thing was born with
a club foot.

They put him in the cold room
next to the nursery.

Alice was so upset.
What happened to Rowan?

He was adopted.

It broke Alice's heart.

She sat out on a bench
in the garden all day...

..and then one morning,
she was gone.

Sister Agatha said she was taken on
as a domestic in Eastbourne.

I have no idea
why you brought us here, Father.

Trying to find inspiration.

Why did Alice Wright
come and sit here?

A mountain ash,
according to my gardening book,

also known as a rowan tree.

So it is.

A horticulturist
as well as an artist, Miss Palmer.

"RW. With God now. Mum."

Dedication from Alice
to her late son.

So he died. The poor mite.

Oh, heavens.

That's why she's here.

Miss Palmer,
please fetch Inspector Sullivan.

We need to find Sister Agatha
before it's too late.

Yes, Father.

Wash me yet more from my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.

Amen.

You k*lled him.

You and Nurse Hyde
were working together,

and you helped her m*rder
that poor baby.

Who? Rowan Wright.

Stay back!

You knitted this for Rowan,
didn't you, Clarice?

Because Alice was your friend.

Where did you find that?

Alice buried it,

in remembrance of Rowan.

You're not really pregnant, are you?

You came here to find out what
happened to her and to her baby.

Alice wrote to me.

She said Nurse Hyde had locked Rowan
in the cold room...

..because he was "different",
and she was terrified for him.

Then the letters just stopped

and I knew something terrible
had happened.

So you admitted yourself to
the Good Refuge

and waited to examine
Nurse Hyde's records.

I didn't want money.
I just wanted to know the truth.

What on earth are you doing?

You let Rowan Wright
freeze to death.

With his affliction, that child
would have had no sort of a life.

It was an act of kindness.

Liar. You just couldn't sell him,
could you?

His mother would have loved Rowan
forever with all her heart.

What did you do with her?
Where is Alice?

In hell, where she deserves to be.

The girl died of a broken heart.

She's dead, because of you.

I think you better leave now.

And now I know the truth.
And you BOTH k*lled him!

Clarice, you want justice
for your friend,

but this is not the way.

I had no idea what Nurse Hyde
had done. Liar!

When I found Rowan in that room,
he was already dead,

so help me God. Clarice.

You must repent.

Confess and seek God's forgiveness,
for the sake of your immortal soul.

I am not the one
who needs to repent.

What did you do with Alice?

I think you owe her an answer,
Sister Agatha.

Nurse Hyde persuaded me it would
be best if we kept it all...quiet.

We buried Alice there.

With Rowan.

Eternal rest grant unto them,
O Lord.

And let perpetual light
shine upon them.

Amen.

Amen.

I hope you rot in hell!

I didn't know how to stop her.

I'm not a bad person, Father.

The death of a baby and a mother...

..the forced sale of children.

You were complicit, Sister Agatha...

..and that habit does not spare you
from either blame or the law.

How could she let this happen?

Such cruelty. Such evil.
And in a place of God.

Oh, my lord!

Inspector Sullivan has agreed
to handle this discreetly.

So, all in all,
a satisfactory resolution.

Satisfactory?
Those women, those poor babes,

and all under your jurisdiction.

You should be ashamed.

Have you nothing to say,
Father Brown?

Mrs McCarthy is very capable
of speaking for herself, Canon Fox.

All I'd say is this.

It'll be a sad day for the church
if you ever become bishop.

Oh, my angels!

Hey, my little angels!
Hi. Hi.

Oh, thank you so much.

Hey.

Ah, Mrs McCarthy...

..we're rather taken with your home.

Oh, well, thank you.

We think it might be just
what we need for a new beginning.

So we'd like you to name your price.

Oh, my heavens!

Absolutely delicious, Mrs McCarthy.

The best cottage pie in England.

Oh, come now, Father.
In Gloucestershire, perhaps.

And, profiteroles for pudding. Oh!

So what next for you two?

Well...

Auntie Bridget says
I can keep my babies.

Moira's no angel, but...

..anyone can see
she's a natural mother.

I'm delighted for you both. So
Mrs Harrington has offered them all

a place with her here in Kembleford.

And where will you go?
Oh, I shall return home to Ireland.

I want to go with her, Father.

Show these two beauties
to Ma and Pa.

And I've explained
that won't be possible.

An unmarried mother in
a small rural town in County Cork?

People have very closed minds.

Minds can be changed.

As you have discovered.

Be that as it may, if she turns up
alone with two little babies...

She wouldn't be alone.

She'd have you by her side.

Moira clearly feels brave enough
to face the music.

I suppose the question is,
Mrs McCarthy, are you?

I can't wait
for my family to meet them.

What do you think your mum will say?

She'll love them to bits,
once she gets over the shock.

You've been a true friend, Brenda.
Thank you.

Now, I've laid everything out
in the house,

so packing it all up
should be quite easy.

I don't doubt it, Mrs McCarthy.

And I think
what you're doing is wonderful.

Oh, I don't know about wonderful,

but maybe back home we'll find
more kindness and compassion

than I give people credit for.

And we'll take good care
of your home.

We certainly will.

And be sure to take good care
of the father.

And as for you, young lady,

I really think you could
make something of yourself

if you put your mind to it.

Thanks, Mrs McCarthy.

Your old hymn book,
to remember us by.

Thank you, Father,
but I've no need of a keepsake.

You are firmly lodged in here.

Always will be.

But...thank you for everything.

Thank you, Mrs McCarthy.

Canon Fox.
Bishop-elect.

The Vatican announced it
this past hour.

Well, I will ensure that our bells
are rung in your honour.

Thank you. Although I fear the bells
may be tolling for you,

Father Brown.

Once I take over, there'll be no
more extracurricular distractions.

Best listen to your boss, Father.