Miss Willoughby and the Haunted Bookshop (2021) - full transcript

Surely, goodness and mercy

shall follow me all the days
of my life,

and I will dwell in the house
of the Lord forever.

Into your hands,
Father of Mercy,

we commend our brother, Jack,
and our sister, Mary,

in the sure and certain hope
that together,

with all who have died
in Christ,

they will rise with him
on the last day.

For as much as it hath pleased
almighty God

of his great mercy
to take unto himself the souls

of our dear brother and sister,
here departed,



we therefore commit their bodies
to the ground.

Earth to earth, ashes to ashes,
dust to dust

in sure and certain hope
of the resurrection

to eternal life

through our Lord,
Jesus Christ.

Welcome back, sir.

May I be of any further
assistance?

Thank you,
we'll manage from here.

Very good, sir.

We'll leave you now, sir.

Why was your uniform
different to everybody else's?

Because they served
in the British Army,

and I served
in the U.S. Marines,

which is how I met
your father.



We served together overseas.

I didn't know that.

Good night, Lizzie.

What do you want me
to do with her, Jack?

What is it, today?

Terpsichore, the fifth
of the Herodotus histories.

Right now, the Megabazus
are thrashing the Thracians.

Sounds pretty bloody.

It is, Robert.
It's frightful.

Are you dragging me out now?

We made a deal. You can spend
the morning reading

if you spend the afternoon
exercising.

You've got to get
the heart pumping.

Can't I just kick a ball
around instead?

This is all about your
confidence, Lizzie.

This is all about you
not having to be afraid.

Now, you're right-handed,

so your left shoulder
faces the opponent.

Legs shoulder width apart,
knees bent.

Okay, one-two.

- I feel stupid.
- Well, you're not.

Pretend you're...
thrashing the Thracians.

That's it, left-right.

Remember, when you see
a good move,

look for a better one.

Emanuel Lasker beat
William Steinitz in 1894

to win the World Chess Cup.

- I'm impressed.
- Not really.

You tell me every time.

I was reading Appian today.

The Battle of Zama.

- Those poor elephants.
- Forget about them.

It's Scipio's maneuvers
you have to...

Robert! I could never forget
about the elephants!

Oh, for goodness' sake, Robert,

make your move
and stop pretending

that you're going to let me win.

Left-right.

One, two.

Three.

Goodbye, Laura,
and thank you for everything.

Goodbye,
Mr. Thompson.

What is it this time?

The wooing of the Amazons
by the Scythes?

That was last night.

Great Expectations.

Estella's being vile
to poor old Pip.

Are you going to go away,
Robert, like everyone else?

Are you going to leave me
like Laura?

No.

No, I'm staying here with you.

I'm your guardian.

It's what your mother and father
instructed in their will.

I have no reason to argue.

When you're an adult and running
the house and estate,

then it'll be up to you.

But for now,
you're stuck with me.

Good.

Lights out, Lizzie.

Yes!

Oh, shut up.

Oh, shut up.

- Thank you, Andrew.
- Miss Willoughby.

And so, through a lethal
combination of death,

extreme hubris
and rampant ambition,

the First Triumvirate
ceased to exist.

And clearly, politics hasn't
evolved that much

in the past 2,000 years.

That's all for today.

I'll get you the reading list
for tomorrow morning.

Please find time
in your busy social lives

to have a look at it.

I am so proud of the lot of you.
You bring me such joy.

Oliver, how lovely
to hear from you.

I've been meaning
to pop by the shop.

- How are you? How's Helen?
- Well, thanks.

Yes, uh, Helen's...

okay, she's okay.

Uh, the reason I'm calling:
the books have arrived.

- Oh, marvelous.
- And I wondered

if I couldn't swing by
and drop them off?

Oh, you really don't need
to do that.

No, no, no, honestly,
sweetheart,

it's no trouble.

Actually, we're headed in
your direction tomorrow, so...

To be frank, Lizzie,
it would be good to talk.

Is everything all right?

- I'd rather say in person.
- Oh, of course.

Why don't you come
around teatime.

It's a good excuse for cake.

Well, cake would be great.

- Thank you.
- Marvelous, see you then.

See you then.

Hmm.

Well.

I understand we're expecting
company tomorrow.

Yes. I got a call
from Oliver Deakin.

He and Helen are popping round

with those first editions
he found me.

I haven't seen Helen in a while.

Her father, Brigadier Ronald.

Wonderful old chap,

and a good friend
to your father.

He was in Burma under Wingate.
Chindits.

There was some controversy,

but I'd say that they were among

the bravest and the toughest.

Do you remember him?

Ah, that's a shame.

Tiny, but utterly
fearless.

You know, he never did approve
of Helen marrying Oliver.

Used to say his eyes
were too close together.

Oh, dear.

Well, they're coming for tea.

And?

And...

there'll be cake?

And?

And what?

You're no fun.

I can't keep anything from you.

Something's up.
Oliver wasn't himself.

- In what way?
- You'll laugh.

- Try me.
- He called me "sweetheart."

I've known him for 20 years,
he's never called me sweetheart.

He's just not the type.

Let me clarify a little
something for you.

All men are the type.

So, what do you make of Philip?

Does the author intend us
to feel sympathy for him?

Sympathy?

With Rachel throwing herself
at him?

Lucky sod.

I think it's obvious
we're meant to despise Philip

for the weak man-child
that he is.

- That's a bit harsh.
- He's so whiny and so lovestruck.

I'm surprised Rachel
had anything to do with him.

- She was playing him.
- We've all known women like Rachel,

women with a certain amount
of superficial beauty

but little intelligence,

using men and then throwing them
away on a whim.

Or worse, driving them mad.

Never mind if they're
someone's husband.

- Family men.
- Ooh, Sarah,

are you speaking
from experience?

Absolutely not.
Don't be absurd.

I'm just saying that Philip
is a victim in all this.

Rachel is a predator.

And, of course, she's punished
for her sexuality.

- Perhaps we should just...
- She's punished for using

her sexuality to destroy
people's lives, quite rightly!

Oh, come on!

Philip gave her the jewels.
She didn't ask for them.

- Not directly, no.
- Now you're being obtuse.

And on that note,

I think we should
call it a night.

Excuse me. Sarah, are you
all right to drive?

No, I'm all right. Fine.

Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you.

You've upset her.

Ugh, Sarah ought to live
in the real world for a change.

It's not all gin
and jacks and bridge.

But you know that,
don't you, Helen?

You're such a free spirit.

Such a dear friend.

Hello?

Is anyone there?

Please.

- Thank you.
- Hi.

So good to see you.

Helen.

You have missed me, haven't you?

Come.

Hello, darling.

Nothing's changed.

Comforting,
isn't it?

So lovely to be here, Willow.

You know,
you're practically the only person

who still
calls me that.

Well, you don't mind?

Of course not.
It's lovely.

We have such fond memories
of this place, Lizzie.

Your parents...

such a tragedy.

You two met each other here?

No, no, but Helen proposed to me
in the folly.

Oh, Helen, you didn't?

Well, I'd still be waiting
if I'd left it to him.

She's probably right.

How's the...

the estate managing, Lizzie?

I expect it runs itself.

Oh, well,
that's Robert's domain.

I just sign the checks.

Yes, we've had
to make some changes

over the past few years,

but I've brought in
young Matthew Cridick.

He's worked out
wonderfully well.

Ah, well, I suppose it's
a business like anything else.

Yes, how's the bookshop?

I mean, do people even
buy books anymore?

I'm appalled at the gaps
in some of my students' reading.

It's not easy.

What is it, Oliver?

It's not Oliver.
It... It's me.

I'm sorry, it's just that

we couldn't think of
anybody else to talk to.

Well, there's nothing
you can't tell us.

I've been having
these weird experiences.

Encounters, I suppose
you could call them.

I think I'm being haunted.

I think I'm being haunted
by my dear old dad.

I know how it sounds.

It happened again last night
when I was closing up the shop,

only this time,
I saw something afterwards...

from outside.

Someone in the shop, I'm sure.

I don't know what to think.

Have you seen anything, Oliver?

Uh, no, no.

But that doesn't mean
it didn't happen.

Ah.

Oliver, old chap,

why don't I show you
some of the changes

we've made in the cellar.

Oh, yes, yes, of course.

We added more room,

which of course
means more wine.

Ah, marvelous.

I suspect Robert
will introduce Oliver

to a glass of single
malt on the way.

Helen, please don't.

I'm sorry.

Don't cry.
I'm sure it's nothing.

There's an explanation
for everything under the sun.

Why don't you start
at the beginning?

When did it first happen?

Well, it was a couple
of months ago.

And these encounters,

they've only ever
happened at the shop?

Well, they started small.

The odd book moving.

Things not being
where they should be.

I became aware of things
in my peripheral vision.

Just there.

Recently...

Go on.

Oh, it's the weirdest thing,

but sometimes there's this
distinct smell,

and it's my father.

He always wore
this particular cologne

from a perfumery
in Provence.

I'd turn a corner in the shop,
and the smell would just hit me.

And it's as though
he's standing right there.

And it couldn't be another
customer wearing the same scent?

I doubt it.

The perfumery went out
of business in the late '90s.

I remember my dad using
the last of it one Christmas.

I must sound insane.

Oh, so what if you are?
We're all a little bit potty.

It's what makes life
so interesting.

Have you told anybody
else about this?

Well, I'm seeing
a psychiatrist.

It was Oliver's idea.

Well, that's good.
How's it going?

Dr. Shirani's all right.

She can be a bit
cold at times, but...

Dr. Gaya Shirani?

- Oh, do you know her?
- Um...

I used to, yes.

Has she given you
any medication?

Just some mild
anxiety medication

when it all gets too much.

Is that why your hands shake?

Oh, do they?

I don't know.
I suppose it must be.

I'm just so exhausted.

I spend all my time waiting
for it to happen again.

Do you want me to see
what I can do?

What do you mean?

There's a logical explanation for this.
I know there is.

Do you want me to see if I
can get to the bottom of it?

You can't.
I mean, your work.

- You couldn't possibly.
- I want to do this for you.

You were so kind to me
when I was little

after my parents died.

I haven't forgotten.

Please let me help you.

Oh.

Thank you.

I still can't believe
you remember Daddy

calling me Willow.

Well, your father
copied mine.

His special name
for me was Bella.

Jack decided you had
to have one too.

That's so sweet.

I don't think I've ever heard
anybody call you Bella.

- Not even Oliver.
- No, I've never told him.

I've never told anyone.

It was just between
my father and me.

And now I've told you.

Well, I'm glad.

Now, why don't we have
some of that cake

before the boys come back
and eat it all.

Poor Helen
seems very fragile.

You've known her longer.
Is this in her character?

It certainly wasn't
in her father's.

I never knew her mother.

You noticed the shaking?

- Yes. It's not alcohol.
- You sure?

I couldn't smell it
on her breath.

More likely it's
the anti-anxiety medication.

So, we're in the business
of ghost-busting now?

Do I detect a teeny-weeny
degree of cynicism?

Can you blame me?

I know it's an unusual one,

but I haven't had a case
to work on for ages.

This isn't a case.

Indulge me.

Where will you start?

I don't quite know yet.

- Good morning, Carole.
- Morning.

I take it
you have a plan?

I take it you found
the spirit level?

You do know they have nothing
to do with actual spirits?

Thank you, Andrew.

You have a nice day,
Miss Willoughby.

Let's go.

Everything seems all right
with your electrics.

Yeah, I told you.

There is no
explanation.

Not yet.

Hmm.

Do these shelves move?

Hmm. They did.

They haven't been
touched for years.

Hmm.

If you need any help,
I'll be over at the desk.

Thank you.

- Anything?
- Bubble gum.

Where exactly did the books
start flying off the shelves?

It was...

it was around here.

Sometimes, I catch
this look in his eye.

He thinks I'm going mad.

He's just worried about you.

That's all.

Where exactly am I
supposed to be looking?

It was around the Greek
mythology section.

I think. I'm sorry
I can't be more specific.

It's all a bit hazy.

It's okay.

God help us.

Sorry Willow,
will you excuse me?

Sure.

Ah, Diana.

Can I help you?

Hi, Helen, have you got
my first edition?

Oh! I'm so sorry.

You really shouldn't
just step back like that.

What were you thinking?

And in those boots.

Oh. Um, here.

I know you.

You're Elizabeth Willoughby.

- Yes, I am.
- I did enjoy your last book.

Informative, yet accessible,
which is so rare in nonfiction.

It's always nice
to meet a fan.

Sarah Clarkson.

And I wouldn't say
I'm a fan, exactly.

Oh.

Um, I think
this might be yours.

Oh, you can have it.

It's some harebrained project
of Diana Branson's.

For an intelligent woman,

she really does have
some ludicrous notions.

But given the circumstances,
well, she might be desperate.

Now that we've been
introduced, I wonder,

I might as well
come out with it.

I've written a book.

A family history,
I suppose you could call it.

I come from a long line
of accountants.

I wondered if you could
read it for me?

Tell me if it's any good.

Oh, good Lord.

Helen?

Helen! Oh!

What?

My pills, Ollie.

For God's sake, Helen, stop.

Here, sweetheart. Here.

Take a deep breath.

What is it? What?

I saw him again. He was here.

Who? Who did you see?

- My father!
- Hmm.

It was him standing right there!

If you don't mind,
Briony, please.

- Thank you, Briony.
- Thank you, Miss Willoughby.

Robert, there's something
I need to talk to you about,

and I don't want you
to take it the wrong way.

Oh, dear. Not sure I like
the sound of this.

No, don't be silly, it's just, well...
the thing is,

you've been looking after me
for 25 years now,

and basically put
your life on hold...

I'm not having
this conversation.

I worry about you,
and want you to be happy.

I am happy.

But do you not want to marry,
or do something different?

I feel like I've been selfish
and held you back

from the life
you could have led.

This is my life.

I'm just saying, if you did want
to move on, I'd be okay.

And you should do it now
whilst you're still... healthy.

I am not that decrepit.

You know what I mean.

Matthew's settled
into running the estate

and you could travel.

You could go
back to America.

Find a nice young lady
and live in Palm Beach.

- Do you want me to go?
- No, I knew you'd say that.

Lizzie, when Jack and Mary died

and I was left
to look after you,

I was terrified.

What did I know
about bringing up a child?

You were brilliant.

But I'm an adult now.

- You saying you don't need me?
- No, of course not.

You don't seem to understand
what you've become to me.

I could not be prouder
of the woman you've become.

Nothing makes me happier.

Just promise me
you'll think about it.

Promise me you won't sacrifice
your happiness for mine,

because it'll be okay, you know.
I'd manage.

Of course you would.

And I'm only saying this
because I love you.

I know.

- So that's settled.
- Settled.

- But I'm not going anywhere.
- You could if you wanted to.

- I don't want to.
- You might change your mind.

- I won't.
- Well, you never know...

If you keep this up,
I will go.

I won't mention it again.

Come in.

Elizabeth Willoughby.

For someone
who lives downstairs,

I don't see you
often enough.

Is this is a good time?

Yes, of course.
Yes, absolutely.

- Sit down, sit down.
- Thank you.

You know you only come here
when you want to pick my brain.

Oh, I don't, do I?

Well, maybe,

but I did bring you these.

Ooh.

Aah! Oh...

And this offering isn't
because you called my work

pseudo-scientific
claptrap?

Oh, Vernon, please don't.

Oh, I'm only teasing.

I mean, it is what
people are saying,

you may well be right.

Ooh, well, what is it?

Well, I have a friend.

Oh, ah, the mythical,
all-encompassing friend.

No, really, I do have a friend.

Um, she's a dear woman,

but she seems to have got
herself into a bit of a state.

Mm-hmm, tell me.

She claims to be haunted
by the ghost of her father.

How long has he been passed?

Um, 20 years or so.

And she doesn't have
history of hysterics?

She's, uh...

not a lover of drama,
or a narcissist?

- No.
- She doesn't take psychedelic

or psychotropic drugs?

- No.
- Alcohol consumption?

- Negligible.
- And you believe her story?

I believe that certain
unexplained incidents

have occurred, yes.

And are these
incidents unexplained

because they are
unexplainable,

or because you haven't
found an explanation?

I honestly don't know, Vernon.

Yes, you do.

You're just too polite
to tell me to my face.

I deal in facts,
not conjecture.

I think a logical explanation
is more likely.

So why do you come to me?

Because my friend is in pain
and I want to help her.

I'm not your man.

She smells him, Vernon.

When he's there,
she smells his cologne.

A specific cologne to him.

You know, I was bored.
You'd lost me.

But this, this rings
all the bells.

It's an olfactory experience.

It's an incredibly
powerful one.

Have I talked to you
about morphic resonance?

Um, focus, Vernon.

Sorry, sorry, sorry, yes.

Well, I'll need to
give you some homework.

You'll find messages online.

You'll come across
some firewalls, but...

perhaps you can
use a proxy.

Hmm.

Thank you.

And, Elizabeth...

you'll need an open mind.

Can you do that?

I can try.

Thought you could do
with a bit of this.

Thank you, Robert.

Oliver called.

He said Helen
was doing much better.

Good.

So, how far have you got?

I don't know.

I mean, look at this.

The Rogers' Foundry, 1996.

A night watchman was fired
for being drunk on duty

because he claims he saw
the ghost of a former employee

who died in an accident,

and then, the following year,
on the same day,

his replacement
makes the same claim.

And the next year,
and the next.

- Yes, Lizzie, but...
- Oh, the Docklands drownings.

2003.

Five independent witnesses
all call 999

because they saw
a woman drowning

in the same part
of the Thames,

but over a six-month period.

The same screams,
the same clothes,

but no body
was ever found

and no missing persons reports...

People drown
and are never found.

It happens all the time.

The Enfield Poltergeist.

Ah, I know about that one.
The sisters,

They were making it up,
weren't they?

I just... I mean,
I don't know at this point.

The Myrtle's Plantation...

I think you need
to take a break.

Yes.

I'm not saying
I believe in ghosts.

So, what are you saying?

I'm saying that the individuals
who witness these events

do believe in them.

All sane, rational people,
just like Helen.

And they may be mistaken,

and there's a logical
explanation,

but they're not lying.

And is that what
you're going to say to Helen?

If she thinks she's being
haunted by Ronald, then she is?

No, of course not.

It's just,
after reading all this bunkum,

it's made me even more
determined to find an answer.

I'm not going to let it
get the better of me.

That's my girl.

You're going to want
to finish that.

Where are you taking me, Lizzie?

They're rerunning
Heroes of Telemark

for the umpteenth time,

yet I am still eager
to watch it.

- I've made you an appointment.
- With whom?

Dr. Gaya Shirani.

You stole
her boyfriend.

She set fire
to my lab coat.

And why, exactly,

do I have an appointment
with the pyromaniac?

Because, Robert,
you've been seeing ghosts.

How long have you been
experiencing these apparitions,

Mr. Thompson?

Over the past
several months.

They just pop up
when I least expect it.

And has this ever
happened before?

Good God, no.

And have you suffered a trauma
recently or a bereavement?

These events can trigger
huge shifts in the psyche.

Nothing comes to mind.

I think you'd remember.

Yes.

Of course, no.

No trauma.

My doctor did give me
some pills recently and, um,

I think they might
be making it worse.

Could they do that,
you think?

Could they be giving me
hallucinations, for example?

- Is that what's happening?
- Yes, all the time.

What were you prescribed?

Uh, yeah.

It's, uh, hang on.

It's pro... Pro...

Yeah, Propram...

Propranolol.

It's a beta blocker,

often prescribed
for panic attacks,

but it rarely causes
hallucinations

or any kind
of delusional behavior.

- What was his name, by the way?
- Who?

Your doctor.

- Foster.
- Dr. Foster?

Was he in Gloucester,
by any chance?

Yes, do you know him?

Of course, having said that,

Propranolol is unlikely
to cause delusions.

There's always the exception
to the rule.

Hmm.

Tell me more about Dr. Foster.

Well, there's really
nothing much to say.

Then tell me about yourself.

Your childhood.

Oh, you don't want to hear
about that.

I do.

Well, it was, uh...

perfectly normal childhood.

It was a happy childhood.

I laughed a lot.

Brothers and sisters?

I was an only child.

And yet you laughed a lot?

With my dog.

I had a dog.

He made me laugh.

It was a great dog.

Was your dog
your only friend?

No.

Yes.

Yes, I suppose he was.

You know, I don't really see
what this has to do

with my seeing ghosts.

I mean, this was 50 years ago.

Our childhoods mold our lives.

The seeds of psychosis are
planted when we are very young.

Tell me, did you have
an imaginary friend?

- Doesn't everybody?
- I didn't.

Tell me about yours.

Her name was Betty.

And do you miss her?

No, of course not.

Is it Betty you see?

No, I haven't seen
or thought about Betty in years.

And how does it feel
to be talking about her now?

It feels rather wonderful,
actually.

You see?

Now we're getting somewhere.

No, thank you.

I know, bit of an odd request,

but you've been
very helpful.

Who knew the art of perfumery
was so involved?

Yes, thank you again.
Goodbye.

Hello, again.

Miss Willoughby.

You don't mind, do you?

I'm awfully worried
about Helen.

This really is too much.

I come in here for
my daily dose of me time.

Yes. Um, you seem to be somewhat
of a regular at the bookshop.

I suppose I am.

And, of course,
the book club meets there.

It's one of Helen's attempts
to stay afloat.

Bit of a mixed bunch.

And rather too much alcohol
is involved.

But it does one good
to flex one's critical muscles.

Yes, I'm sure.

Considering what happened
yesterday,

have you seen anything unusual
or different recently?

In York? Or in the bookshop?

No.

It's as dead as it always is,
thank God.

It was just a thought.
Thank you.

Of course, Helen isn't without
some stress in her life

on top of the bookshop.

I'm sorry?

There's talk that she's
being pressured

into selling the house.

It's her family's,
you know.

Yes, they've been there
for generations.

I wouldn't know about that,
but I'd heard,

God knows where,

that a developer
is offering her silly money.

You don't happen to know
the name of this developer?

- Ch...
- Charles Vaines.

Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

Diana Branson.

No relation.

And I know who you are.

Has Sarah been telling you
about her book?

Oh, you should ask Elizabeth
to read it.

I'm sorry, Charles Vaines has
been putting pressure on Helen?

Oh, he's been hounding her
for months.

Very stressful for her.

I'm sure it's not helping
anything.

In fact, everything could
be his fault, don't you think?

Should we blame him?

I mean, knowing Charles Vaines,

I wouldn't be
at all surprised.

Poor Helen.

She's such a free spirit.

Such an old and wise soul.

The Charles Vaines of this life

must be something
of a shock for her.

It's no wonder she's falling
apart, really, is it?

- Mr. Vaines.
- You can speak to my secretary.

- She'll make an appointment.
- This won't take long.

Ah.

Miss Willoughby,
how lovely to see you again.

You look a bit hot and bothered.

You can't still be angry
with me.

A row of 16th century
tied cottages

converted into a health spa
aimed at the celebrity market.

Of course I'm still
angry at you.

Well, at least we can
pretend to be civil.

Why are you pressuring
Helen Deakin

to sell her father's estate?

It's been in her family
generations.

Not everyone can afford

the luxury of sentimentality

when it comes
to paying the bills.

What are your plans for it?

Green Acres Golf Course and Spa.

- Another spa?
- That house is falling apart around their ears,

coupled with that hemorrhaging
albatross of a business.

They'll soon be begging me
to take it off their hands.

Helen Deakin doesn't want
your money,

and no amount of bullying

is going to make her
change her mind.

Bravo. Fabulous.
You quite made my day.

But I will get my hands
on that property,

histrionics or no histrionics.

I'll send you a voucher
for a facial.

You can bring a friend.

Elizabeth.

Vernon.
Robert, you made it in time.

- I take it everybody's met?
- Yes.

What is that?

It's an electromagnetic
field meter.

It detects objects
that move with electricity.

Wait, do ghosts
move with electricity?

Well, by way
of electrical field, yes.

Possibly.

It all comes under the banner

of the theory
of morphic resonance.

It's a fascinating hypothesis
if you've got a minute.

Not now, Vernon.

Well, so, I shall use
the recording equipment

to capture any electronic
voice phenomena.

Of course you will.

I think that's it.
I think we're all set.

And we'll start where
you first sensed something.

If you wouldn't mind observing
from over there, thank you.

So, how was the charming Gaya?

Oh, absolutely delightful.
We had a wonderful time.

Yes, she is still crippled
by your treachery

and your betrayal
of the sisterhood,

but she's not going to
let that stand in her way.

What did she say
about the medication?

She did mention
post-traumatic psychosis.

But I think
that's a non-starter.

You shouldn't really
be encouraging this, Lizzie.

I completely agree.

Oh, come on.

Aren't you just
a little bit intrigued?

I think it was...

I hear Charles Vaines
has been snooping.

...around about here.

Helen won't sell.
I pleaded with her.

But she just won't.

Absolute quiet, please.

Sorry.

Please.

I don't want to go on.

No, just a little
bit farther, please.

All right, you can return.

- Did you get anything?
- Did anything happen?

- Bit of a washout, I'd say.
- Shh.

Let's see what we've got.

I don't want to go on.

Just a little bit
farther, please.

There!

No, I... I didn't hear anything.

Listen, listen.

I don't want to go on.

Just a little
bit farther, please.

There.

I can hear what it's saying.

- Do you know that voice?
- It's him. It's my father.

And I know what he's saying.

- Bella.
- Bella.

He's saying "Oh, Bella."

Oh, Bella.

I'm really excited.
This is an incredibly strong response!

- Yes, thank you, Vernon.
- When do you think I could come again?

- I'd like to bring a colleague.
- I don't know.

I'll see you later, thank you.

I... I think we
should go, Robert.

Right.

Get a good, stiff drink down.
You're going to be just fine.

The book club this
evening, I can't let them down.

To be among friends
will do me good.

I'll, um...

I'll call you tomorrow, okay?

Yes, thank you, Lizzie.

I think.

Do you think
that was a mistake?

Helen wouldn't even
look at me.

Did you see that?

You felt something,
didn't you?

Not sure what I felt.

It was pure theater, Lizzie,
nothing more.

If I felt anything,

it was because I was being
manipulated by Murray

by tapping into
and exploiting some

latent fear
that we all share.

Are you listening
to me, Lizzie?

Oh, I'm sorry.

Uh...

why don't you take the car
and go home?

I need to clear my head.

I can call Andrew later
and he can come get me.

All right, Lizzie.
Take your time.

Who the hell is Bella?

That's me, Oliver.

For God's sake,
that was Daddy's name for me.

I'm Bella.

How was I supposed to know that?

Oh, it doesn't matter.

Helen...

- you're not going ahead with this evening.
- Why not?

It's not as if my dead father's
trying to make contact with me.

It's not as if
I'm losing my mind, like,

unraveling or falling apart
or losing my grip or anything.

So why not?

May as well carry on
as if nothing's wrong

and your wife isn't a lunatic
with unresolved daddy issues,

because, admit it,

that's what you're
really thinking.

Hotel by the Shore.

Oh, next week's offering.

Diana's choice.

Such a very slim volume.
Not really to my liking.

I find extramarital
relationships rather dispirited.

I thought it was more to do
with the loneliness and futility

of being a middle-aged woman.

Why the change in venue?

Oh, isn't it marvelous?
So much space.

And what about Helen? She's over
there right now, setting up.

No. No, she knew.
I thought you'd told her, Diana.

- What?
- Well, I thought you'd spoken to her,

it was your idea after all.

Oh, God,
I'm so sorry.

It completely
slipped my mind.

So you just thought you'd hijack
her book club without telling her?

Hardly hijacking.
Slight overdramatization.

- We just thought...
- You thought.

I thought that with everything
that's going on,

this was just the last thing
that Helen needed.

She's not well.
We worry about her.

I worry about her.

I worry about her safety.

I worry about Oliver
and his safety too.

But you know what she's like,
Elizabeth.

She wouldn't dream
of letting us down.

It's just a shame
you didn't bother to tell her.

It was a genuine mistake.

I really don't know why
you're making such a fuss.

You've got something green
stuck in your teeth.

Yeah, it is right there, love.

Yeah, you've got something.

Good night,
Miss Willoughby.

Thank you, Andrew.
Good night.

Not for me,
thank you.

You're letting all this
mumbo jumbo get to you.

You're probably right.

But listen to this
and tell me you can't hear it.

I don't want to go on.

Just a little bit
farther, please.

What do you want
to achieve?

I want to hear it again.
It was so clear in the shop.

You heard what you
wanted to hear.

So did Helen.

But that's the point.

I don't want to hear it.
I don't want it to be true.

I don't want it to be the ghost
of Helen's father.

I don't understand.

Because...

because if it is...

then...

then why haven't Mummy and Daddy
ever come to see me?

Lizzie...

There's nothing there.

What you thought you heard,
what we all felt...

it's just a flimflam.

Pepper's ghost,
with Murray as the Wizard of Oz,

pulling his levers
and fiddling with his dials.

Can you be absolutely certain?

The only think I can
be absolutely certain of

is that Helen is a wonderful,
lovely woman,

who is not well.

The kindest thing to do
is to take a step back

and let Oliver get her
the help she needs.

I'll see you
in the morning.

Lizzie...

You parents loved you.

They loved you very,
very much.

Oliver?

Oliver?

Oliver?

Helen?

Did you hear the piano?

Just now?

I'm just
grabbing a glass of water.

- He's here.
- Who?

My father. He's here.

- Do you hear that?
- What?

I can't hear it.
Anything, I can't hear it.

- For God's sake!
- Please, let me go!

No! There's no one here.
Helen, I promise you!

There's nothing
to be afraid of.

- Let me go, Oliver! Let me go!
- Listen to me!

Hello?

Hello? Hello?

Helen! Helen, Oliver!

Somebody pick up the phone!

Andrew, I'm sorry to wake you,

but I need the car brought
around immediately.

Are you sure
about this, Lizzie?

You didn't hear them.

I don't think turning up
half-handed is the answer.

- She said her father was there.
- Sounds like she's hysterical.

She wasn't. It was when Oliver
got the phone it all kicked off.

- Should I drive?
- Do you want to?

- Yes!
- Don't be ridiculous.

I've got my advanced
driver's certificate.

Lizzie!

He's still breathing.

Oliver. Oliver!

It was like this
when you arrived?

- Lizzie?
- What? Sorry.

The front door was open
and Mr. Deakin unconscious...

I found him there, yes.

And you heard Mrs.
Deakin attack her husband?

Well, I don't know
what I heard.

Mr. Deakin said
it was his wife.

She's been under an awful
lot of stress recently.

And there's
no sign of her.

No. Both cars
are still here,

so she's on foot.

I hate to say it,
Elizabeth,

but you are a trouble
magnet, aren't you?

Hmm. That is exactly
what I keep telling her, Jimmy.

Well, I do.

She probably ran into the woods.

And what makes you
think that?

Well, there's only one track out
of here, and none of us saw her,

and Helen knows these woods
like the back of her hand.

Oliver said she's wearing
a blue tartan dressing gown

with slippers.

It's a full moon,

should make it easier
to find her.

You stay here in case
she doubles back.

- I'll go with Jimmy.
- You and I are going nowhere.

It's the middle of the night
and I've only got one officer.

- What time does backup arrive?
- God knows.

- That's not good enough, is it?
- It's protocol, Elizabeth.

- Helen is out there alone.
- And we'll find her.

But we've got to do it
by the book.

You're gonna let a defenseless
member of the public,

a woman, and a taxpayer,
I might add,

go out there into
the impenetrable forest, alone,

in the middle of the night,

with just a torch
to protect herself?

Or are you going to start acting
like a detective?

Stay with Deakin, will you?

Elizabeth's right.

She usually is!

Helen! Where are you?

Mrs. Deakin!

Helen!

Helen! Mrs. Deakin!

Mrs. Deakin!

Helen?

Helen Deakin!

Helen!

Helen!

Mrs. Deakin!

Mrs. Deakin!

Jimmy! Jimmy, I found something!

Helen!

Helen.

Have you done this before,
Jimmy?

Do you think she's down there?

I'll keep you posted.

Any luck?

Where's Oliver?
They put him in the ambulance?

No, it was just
a superficial wound.

He's asleep upstairs.

You were right.

About what?

Helen.

I should have listened to you.

She's very ill,

and I didn't see it
because I didn't want to.

I can solve a mystery,

but I can't solve
somebody being sick.

This is all my fault, Robert.

Me and my ego

thinking I know better
than everybody else,

when all I've done
is make it worse.

Lizzie...

don't do this.

You were just
trying to help.

It's what you always do.

You can't win every battle.

How many times
have I told you that?

Too many.

I'll go up and check on Oliver.

Ma'am.

Lizzie.

He's out like a light.

You look like you could
use some rest.

I'm fine, honestly.

I'm not going to take no
for an answer.

Come on, you can curl up
in one of their spare bedrooms.

I will wake you
if there's any news.

I know.

I know, yes.

They're searching the lake.

I know, you were right.

- Lizzie.
- Sorry.

I'm just gonna put my head down
for a minute.

Yes, yes, of course, of course.

They're searching the lake.

I know, you were right.

Lizzie, wake up.

They found something.

I can't do this, Lizzie.

It's okay.
You stay with Robert.

Do you think it's her?

We don't know.

You sure you want to do this?

Oh.

Call the coroner, please.
Tell her it's not Helen Deakin.

Tell her we've got another
corpse on our hand,

looks like he's been down there
a while.

- What now?
- We keep looking.

What are the odds of you
finding another body down there?

Extraordinary.

Bodies aren't like London buses.
They don't come all at once.

The coroner
would like a word.

Excuse me.

I can't believe it.
I convinced myself it was her.

No, it's...

it's been down there
a few years,

by the looks of things.

Well, then this
is good news.

Yes.

Yes, I know.

Um...

Ahem, I'm going back
to the house.

I can't go through that again.

- We'll come with you.
- No, it's all right.

I'd... I'd rather be
on my own, please.

Just leave me alone.

That was odd.

Very.

That was Oliver!

Where's he going
in such a hurry?

I don't know,
but I'm going to find out.

You stay here
and wait for Pryce.

Willoughby.

You caught me,
got me bang to rights.

I'll come peacefully, officer.
No need to cuff me.

- Oliver, what are you doing?
- I actually...

You'll laugh, because I know
this sounds strange,

but I booked Helen a spa day
for when she returns,

because that's what she's going to
do, isn't it?

She's going to...
She's going to come back.

I realized that when
she wasn't in the lake,

that she's going
to come back,

and when she does,
she'll have a spa day.

For our wedding
anniversary.

- Oh, I see.
- Hmm.

When is that?

Next month. Why?

Oh. August wedding.
How lovely.

Oliver I...
I think you should go home.

Have something to eat,
take a shower,

wait for D.I. Pryce
to update you.

You're right.
Of course you're right.

I'm not thinking straight, am I?

I'll go home now.

Look at me going home.

Diana Branson.

- What about her?
- Who is she?

I'd heard you were
the amateur sleuth.

I'd have thought that was
basic research.

But you know everything.

Humor me,
and I'll read your book.

Born and raised in London,
then Oxford,

a degree in something
pharmacological.

Oxford's also where
she met her first husband.

- Her first?
- There have been four.

First one died,

choked on a salt and vinegar
crisp.

Second one divorced.

Third one disappeared.

- And the fourth?
- He was some financial hotshot.

- "Was"?
- He died...

about a year ago, in prison,

having been convicted of fraud.

Diana was also tried,
but got off.

She lost all her money.

How she pays for that house
is anyone's guess.

As for that ridiculous
business of hers...

Thank you.

Where do I send my book?

Lizzie, call me back, please.

Oliver's back.
He is acting oddly.

Elizabeth, what a surprise.

- May I come in?
- Yes, of course you can.

Do you want tea?

I was just steeping some matcha.

- What do you say?
- Uh, no, thank you.

I'm a English breakfast
kind of girl.

That's a shame.

So you know Charles Vaines?

Mm, Charles and I
go back years.

This house was one of his
more recent developments.

You visited him on the
same day that I did.

Was it to warm him?

Have you been following me?

You left a rather
juicy calling card.

House like this
can't come cheap.

You have been doing
your homework.

Subject: The Lifetimes
and Finances of Diana Branson.

Oh, not really.

I just had tea with Sarah.

Oh.

Dear Sarah.

The eyes and ears of the world.

Why are you here?

Helen's missing.

Oh.

That's dreadful.

Uh...

how's Oliver coping?

He's devastated, obviously.

Yes, I can imagine.

What have the police said?

Nothing.

They haven't
found anything?

No clues as to
her whereabouts,

isn't that what they say?

The investigation is ongoing.

And you?

What about me?

The word around town is

you're quite the detective.

Since the police
are getting nowhere,

I wondered if you
had the answer.

Just another question.

Which is?

How long have you and Oliver
been having an affair?

It's a long story.

I've got plenty of time.

Why don't you let me go
and put the kettle on.

I've let this get cold.

You're sure I can't tempt you?

No. Thank you.

I don't know about you,

but I quite fancy a drive.

What do you think?

You were in the house
when Helen disappeared.

Stop talking.

I've done this before,
you know?

The third husband?

Where is Helen?
Is she alive?

"Where is Helen?
Is she alive?"

Yes, of course
she's alive.

Come on.

Pretend I'm your
best friend.

Where are we going?

Get in.

Get out. Come on.

You won't need that.

Walk, walk, walk.

Here, take these keys.

The big one.

Inside.

Helen!

Get back.

How long until
they've finished?

Twenty-four hours
at a guess, 36 tops.

After that,
we'll focus on the moors.

Hmm.

If that's Willoughby,

tell her to call me back.

What is it?

Elizabeth Willoughby.

What?

She turned up at the house.

My house.

She knows about everything.

Sweetheart, sweetheart,
I can't just leave.

My wife's supposed
to be missing, remember?

This is your mess.

Come and clean it up.

I can't, not right now.

Everything all right?

Yes.

Absolutely.

That was Helen's
psychiatrist.

I have to go into town.

Now?

Yes.

Uh, I want to pick up
Helen's prescription.

She'll need it
when she comes back.

Why didn't you pick it up
earlier when you were in town?

Different direction.

Went to fill the car up.

I have to do something.
I can't bear all this waiting.

I completely understand.

Mind if I catch a ride with you?

Hmm.

Great.

Willoughby's left me
high and dry, you know, so...

Hey, thanks for this.

Thought you could use
some company anyhow.

Um, actually...

actually, uh...

no.

No, I'd prefer to be by myself.

Well, if you're sure.

Drive safe.

I need to speak to D.I. Pryce,

and I need somebody
to give me ride

back to Willoughby House, now!

Here it is.

Success. Pryce, I have him.

The Howardian Hills.

He's a long way from home.

Okay, Robert, direct me.

What a mess.

You weren't followed?

No.

They were all too busy
at the lake.

Oh! Oh, Helen!

Sweetheart.

I know it's difficult,

but you did agree
it was the only way.

I know.

- What am I going to do?
- Try and stay calm, okay?

- She's going to kill us.
- Take a deep breath.

Now, just be calm.

You sure I can't
just talk to her?

Get a divorce,
like normal people.

And live off
what the bookshop makes?

I don't think so.

We need the house.

But it's her family home.

Do you want to spend the rest
of your life with me or not?

Notice you have
to think about it.

No! No, of course I...
Of course I do, of course!

I just...

Look, there are
two of them now.

You got Willoughby involved,

you can sort her out.

Key, gun.

Bang-bang.

That's it.

Do it for me,
sweetheart.

Do it for us.

Hmm?

This way.

Okay, shh.

Stay here. Just stay.

Shh.

I'm sorry.

Helen!

Helen!

You're utterly pathetic.

Keep going.

It should be the next right.

Down the bottom of the track.

Where are they?
Where's Willoughby?

Hey, shh, hey.

Come on, quick,
this way.

Quick!

Cuff him.

I need armed response.

We've got gunfire
at the Howardian Hills.

Shh, stay here.

Elizabeth!

Jimmy. Just in time.

- Thank you, Willow.
- I think I broke her nose.

Good.

So, a lovestruck husband,

a bankrupt mistress,
an estate worth a fortune.

Why didn't Oliver
just ask for a divorce?

Well, because a divorce
would mean sharing,

and Diana's
not the sharing type.

So the two of them set about
to drive dear Helen mad.

Well, they set about
making her think she was mad.

It's classic
gaslighting.

You know, sometimes I fail
to see how you do it.

You and I have exactly
the same information and yet,

to me, it's still
a mystery.

Well, our brains work
in different ways.

Once I realized that Oliver
was having an affair with Diana,

I mean, everything fell
into place.

And then he confirmed it
with that silly little lie

about the date
of his wedding anniversary.

She'll have a spa day
for our wedding anniversary.

When is that?

Next month.

August wedding.
How lovely.

I'm afraid I really don't
understand what you are saying.

I suspect that Oliver
ran to Diana in a panic

after that other body was found,

which, by the way,
I think we'll find

was Diana's third husband,
the one that disappeared?

Classic black widow.

Then there's
the connection to Vaines,

because that's
what this was all about.

You left a rather juicy
calling card.

The house and the estate,
I mean God knows

what would have happened
to Oliver eventually.

The abduction?

Well, Diana was in the house
that night.

She had a recording
of the piano music,

and her car was parked outside
while it was raining,

hence the dry patch
on the driveway.

She drove off with Helen,
probably drugged,

and Oliver hit himself
over the head with a plant pot.

That's why the wound
was so superficial.

But how did you know
that Diana was in the house?

Her OCD.

She has this thing
about straight lines.

It was all in the pencils.

She couldn't resist.

What about Ronald's ghost?

Well, you gave me
the clue for that

when you mentioned
Pepper's ghost.

It's easy to make
a few bookcases wobble.

I mean, they're movable,

and they had been moved
recently,

because I saw fresh drag marks
on the bookshop floor.

Books fly off the shelves
with a push, that's easy.

They put the idea of the ghost
in Helen's head,

and that's what she saw.

With the aid of Diana's
pharmaceutical knowledge,

I'm willing to guess her beta
blockers were anything but,

swapped out for something
more prone to hallucinations.

I'm supposing
they must have sourced

Ronald's cologne
from somewhere.

Yes, the cologne.

It's the only thing
that's niggling.

I checked with the perfumery
in town.

Ronald's cologne
was an artisanal creation

that was made before certain
ingredients were banned.

A synthetic musk in particular.

There's just no way that anyone
could recreate that scent now.

So, it was all in her head then?

We'll never know.

You know,
you have a brilliant mind.

Thank you, Robert.

Ha.

Oh, you monster.

Good night, my dear.

Good night, Robert.

Gaya! I'd forgotten
you were Helen's doctor.

- How is she?
- She'll be fine.

She's still affected
by the medication,

but it'll take time
to get out of her system.

Good. Well, it's...

It's nice to see you
after all these years.

No hard feelings, I hope?

Of course there are.

Oh.

Mr. Thompson?

How are you feeling?

Wonderful.

I feel wonderful.

That's marvelous.

Do send my regards
to Dr. Foster.

Miss Willoughby,
how lovely to see you.

Come in, come in.

I, uh...

I couldn't leave Helen
here on her own.

She's been through so much.

That's very nice of you.

- Can I take those?
- Of course.

And who's this?

Um, uh, Robert,
an old friend.

And American? How romantic.

I'll just...
I'll just go.

I made some tea.
And there's cake.

Lemon drizzle.

Ooh.

Oh, Bella.

Oh, Helen,
this will make you laugh.