Carrie's War (2004) - full transcript

CARRIE: I was just 14 when

I did the most dreadful thing

you can think of.

It wouldn't have happened

if we hadn't been sent away.

London was in

the middle of the Blitz.

Like thousands of

other children,

we were evacuated to

the countryside.

(HORN HONKING)

We weren't told

where we were going,

just told to

go to the station.

(SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)

(INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS)

Bye, Mummy!

(WHISTLE BLOWING)

BOY: Bye, Daddy!

BOY: Please come

with us, Mummy!

(INAUDIBLE)

(WHISTLE BLOWING)

Goodbye, Paddington Station!

(ALL SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)

Goodbye, London! Goodbye, Mum!

Aren't you going

to wave goodbye, Carrie?

Goodbye, London!

Goodbye, Mum!

CARRIE: It wouldn't have

happened if we hadn't

been sent away.

But it did happen.

And it was all my fault.

We were soon crossing

the border into Wales,

and boarding the train that

would take us to our new home.

Nick, come down from there!

That's for later!

-But I'm hungry now.

-Get down now!

(SIGHS) You have to

keep this on!

If we get bombed,

they won't know who we are.

(CHILDREN SINGING

INDISTINCTLY)

What is going on here?

Carrie, explain yourself.

You won't be getting anyone

if you behave like this!

Do you understand?

-Yes, miss.

-Sit down.

Sit down while the train

is in motion. Sit down.

NICK: What does she mean?

You have to be on

your best behaviour.

We all do.

Otherwise, when we get there

no one will want us.

(HORN TOOTING)

(SHEEP BLEATING)

(CHILDREN SPEAKING

INDISTINCTLY)

What if the people we get

don't like children?

What if they don't

give us any food?

Are you going to be sick?

No.

Looks like you've

seen a ghost.

(WHISTLE BLOWING)

(INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS)

I saw you in the carriage.

Is this it, then?

Our final destination.

Safe out of harm's way.

I bet it doesn't have

a good public library.

(WHISTLE BLOWS)

-"Caroline Willow."

-Carrie.

-"Sandwich"?

-I don't like my name

being abbreviated.

Nor do I like being called

"Jam" or "Marmalade" or

even "Dripping".

WOMAN: Right. Off we go.

Come on,

no lagging behind now.

(MAN SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)

Come on.

-Here, let me help.

-No, I'll be...

-It's my brother's.

-No, it's not!

WOMAN: Keep up

at the back there.

Keep up.

-CARRIE: What's happening?

-ALBERT: Cattle auctions.

We have to sit here all day

until somebody wants us.

(MAN READING OFF NAMES)

WOMAN: Right up to the front.

Move along. Move along.

MAN: Two Willows

and a Sandwich.

Get yourselves down over

by there. And be on

your best behaviour.

We don't want leftovers.

What if no one wants us?

Well, they won't, will they?

You looking like that.

It's all right.

I won't leave you.

MAN: Now what about

this pair, Meg?

MEG: Oh, I think

this girl will...

MAN: What's your name,

my lovely?

My name's Lauren.

Thank you very much.

(INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS)

MAN: Um, I don't know. Oh!

-Not very nice!

-No, no good on the front.

He smelt funny.

-WOMAN: Hello, dear,

what's your name?

-Miranda.

WOMAN: Oh, that's nice...

Surely you can take two,

Miss Evans?

Um, two girls, perhaps.

Not a boy and a girl.

I'm afraid I've only the

one room, see, and, uh,

my brother's particular.

Nick sleeps in

my room at home.

-No, I don't.

-Sometimes he does because

he has bad dreams.

Not that he'd have

them here, away from

the bombing and that.

I don't know what

my brother will say.

He's no trouble at all.

There's pretty

eyes you have, girl.

Oh, Nick's the pretty

one, really.

London's far away.

Did you have anything

to eat on the train?

Sandwiches? (CHUCKLES)

Come on. Let's get you fed

before Mr Evans gets home.

I suggest you call me Aunty.

Aunty Louisa or Aunty Lou,

if that's easier.

But, you know, it's best you

call my brother Mr Evans.

You see, he's a councillor,

and a really very

important man.

That's our front door,

but, uh, we'll go through

the shop just this once,

as my brother's not here.

(BELLS CHIME)

(DOOR CLOSES)

Wow! A sheath knife!

(GASPS)

Come on.

Mr Evans says dirt

and sloppy habits are

an insult to the Lord.

(TURNS FAUCET OFF)

So you will be good

children, won't you?

You look like good children.

We'll try, Miss Evans.

Oh! Aunty!

That was lovely.

Up we go, then.

As long as you're

careful not to tread

on the drugget.

My brother has very

strong chapel.

So you have to be

especially good on Sundays.

No games or books, see.

Just the Bible, of course.

It's new.

Lovely deep pile.

Mr Evans doesn't

want it trodden on.

But how are we

to get up and down?

Mr Evans says

twice a day is quite enough.

You see, four of us going up

and down twice a day

morning and evening,

-that's 16 times all together

and Mr Evans thinks that...

-(DOOR OPENS)

-He's home. Oh, dear.

-(DOOR CLOSES)

(WHISPERING)

It's a boy and a girl.

MR EVANS: I told you

to fetch two girls.

AUNTY LOU: The boy

is just a baby.

MR EVANS: No wet beds, I hope.

-That I will not stand.

-There's a letter.

From Frederick.

Huh?

-He's been promoted.

-Oh!

My boy's been promoted.

-Corporal Frederick Evans.

-(CHUCKLES)

-What did I say?

Make a man of him.

-You did, you did.

We'll see how they

are in the morning.

One step out of line

and they'll be out.

You hear me?

(DOOR SLAMS)

NICK: I want Mum.

I want Mum.

I don't want to be

safe in the countryside.

It won't seem so bad

in the morning, Nick.

I promise it won't.

What's that?

Come on.

(DOOR OPENS)

Oh, you've got

a few manners, I see.

That's a bit of

sugar on the pill.

It's a wicked sin

to let good food get cold.

You've fallen on your feet,

let me tell you.

You'll get good food

in this house,

so no faddiness, mind.

No whining around my

sister's back for titbits

when my back is turned.

I know what boys are like.

Walking stomachs.

Mind your p's and q's, see,

and I won't complain.

Rules are made to be

kept in this house.

No shouting or

running up stairs.

And language.

I'll have no foul mouths here.

I don't know how you've been

brought up in London,

but this house is run

in fear of the Lord.

We don't swear.

Even Dad doesn't swear.

And he's in the Navy.

In the Navy, is he?

-What rank?

-Sub-lieutenant.

Oh! Is he?

Well...

Well!

(SLURPING)

(FALSE TEETH CLATTER)

What's so funny, boy?

(BANGS TABLE)

And you will be

quiet at meal times!

Is that understood?

(INDISTINCT TALKING)

NICK: Wait for me!

Wait here for me after school.

(BELL RINGS)

TEACHER: The bell's gone!

Quickly!

-Line up, line up! Quick!

-Bye, Aunty Lou.

AUNTY LOU: When our mam died,

our dad had been

dead long before.

-WOMAN: Morning...

-Mr Evans took me in

and brought me up.

His wife was still alive then,

poor dear soul,

and his son Frederick,

just a few years

younger than I am.

You might say Mr Evans

has been more like

a father than a brother.

MALE TEACHER: Now, sit down

in your usual places, boys.

-Reed?

-Yes, sir.

-Roberts?

-Yes, sir.

Sandwich?

(CHILDREN CHUCKLE)

Albert Sandwich?

Simpson?

CARRIE: Dear Mum and Dad,

me and Nick are missing home

but Aunty Lou and Mr Evans

are looking after us.

-School is...

-Today we will

begin with history.

-CARRIE: School is not so bad.

-Open your books.

CARRIE: The best thing of all

is that Mr Evans sometimes

lets us help out in the shop.

(BELLS CHIME)

I love weighing things,

and counting out the change.

(CASH REGISTER DINGS)

Aunty Lou is really nice,

and Mr Evans can seem

harsh at times, but I think

he wants to be friendly.

-(BELLS CHIME)

-Thief! Thief!

Sneaking in when I'm

safely out of the way.

You need a sharp

lesson, my lad!

NICK: Carrie! Carrie!

Please, Mr Evans,

he's not a thief.

Just a little boy

who likes biscuits!

We don't get them much

at home.

I don't suppose

he thought it was stealing.

-Then he'll have to learn

to think, won't he?

-If you hit him, I'll...

You'll do nothing

but go to your room!

-I'll tell my teacher!

-Ha! And what will

your teacher say?

That it's a fine thing to do,

steal from the good people

who've taken you in?

I'll say Nick was hungry.

O Lord, look down upon this

sinful child in his wickedness

and lead him from

his evil ways.

If he is tempted again,

remind him of the pains

of Thy Hell,

that he may quiver in his

wretched flesh and repent

in his immortal soul.

Amen.

(EXHALES) Thanks.

-You're hurting me!

-You're a horrible,

greedy little boy

who deserves more than

a belting round his backside.

You won't be wanting

yours, then?

If you do things like this

again, they'll make us leave.

Is that what you want?

They're moving out of London.

-Were they bombed?

-No.

Dad's ship's on convoy duty

in the North Atlantic.

-Where are they going?

-Um... Glasgow.

NICK: Glasgow?

So she can see him when

the ship comes into port.

And she's driving

ambulances in the air raids.

(IMITATING PLANE FLYING)

(MIMICS EXPLOSION)

Oh, you've a very

pretty mother.

What is it, Carrie?

She's not coming to see us.

She promised.

At Christmas.

She can't get the time off.

-She's not part of here.

-What do you mean?

She's not even part

of home any more.

Like a dream. Another life.

-We'll have to stay now.

-Hmm?

There's no going

home, is there?

Not now.

(SOFT MUSIC

PLAYING OVER RADIO)

Caroline.

For the Christmas goose.

From Dilys. My older sister.

I didn't know you

had an older sister.

It's not been your

business to know.

-Where does she live?

-Druid's Bottom.

Druid's Bottom?

Uh, don't make her go,

Samuel. It's so heavy.

I'll go tomorrow.

She and the boy'll

manage together.

It's too frightening

for children.

I hope you've not been

telling them any of

your silly tales, girl.

All that Old Religion stuff.

No. It'll be dark soon.

I'll go tomorrow,

Samuel. Please.

They're going now and

I'll hear no more about it!

We'll be fine, Aunty Lou.

Really, we will.

You be careful,

mind, Carrie, love.

You be very, very careful.

Along here, I think

Mr Evans said, there

should be a path.

This is near where

the sheep were on the line.

When we first came.

-No, it's not.

-Yes, it is,

just round the corner.

You looked like a ghost.

-What did Aunty say, again?

-Something about

"old religion".

What's that?

Witches and ghosts?

-No. Nothing.

-What, then?

Wolves?

MAN: (MUMBLING) Hey, you.

What?

What?

I don't know. Something.

-Is it a ghost, do you think?

-No.

-(MAN CHUCKLING)

-What, then? A wolf?

-Shh...

-(MAN MUMBLING)

Listen.

(MURMURING INDISTINCTLY)

Did you hear it?

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

It's gone.

Whatever it was has gone.

(MOANING)

Run! Don't look back, Nick!

Whatever you do,

don't look back!

-(GASPS) Whoa! Carrie!

-Not much further! Look!

Can't!

Yes, you can!

NICK: Please! Help!

Please help!

CARRIE: Please, open the door!

-(POUNDING ON DOOR)

-Please!

Please shut the door.

We've come for

Mr Evans' goose,

but something was chasing us!

We ran... We ran but...

-Shut the door! It'll come in!

-Bless you, love,

its only Mr Johnny.

-(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

-No, it's not a person!

It didn't talk.

It made noises!

That's just Mr Johnny's

way of talking.

Is that what frightened you?

-(JOHNNY BABBLING)

-It's all right, Mr Johnny.

Come and say hello.

Come on.

(WHISPERING) Hello, Mr Johnny.

My name's Nick Willow

and this is my sister, Carrie.

(MUMBLING)

Caroline Willow.

BOTH: What are you doing here?

Hepzibah chose me.

-Why haven't you

been at school?

-I've been ill with pneumonia.

Hepzibah gave me

some special herbs

made into medicine.

The doctor was amazed.

He thought I was going to be

pushing up the daisies.

She's a witch, you know.

Not black cats

and broomsticks.

Just what country people

call a "wise woman".

-Mr Evans' sister, a witch?

-(CHUCKLES) Hepzibah

isn't Mr Evans' sister.

Mrs Gotobed is.

-Mrs Gotobed?

-Has gone to bed.

She's dying.

She's been ill for ages.

-Hepzibah looks after her.

-She also looks

after Mr Johnny,

who's Mrs Gotobed's cousin.

I read to her sometimes.

You'll like her.

No. I can't.

We have to get back.

Well, come

and look at this, then.

OLD WOMAN:

Albert, is that you?

Albert?

Albert?

Would you like to see

the screaming skull?

There's an interesting

story about it.

Untrue, I dare say,

but interesting all the same.

(CREAKS)

This house is called

Druid's Bottom because

thousands of years ago

there was a Druid

settlement here.

What are Druids?

Priests and ministers of

the ancient Celts who

lived here then.

What about the skull?

Well, when they

dug the foundations

for this house,

they found some bones

together with a skull.

They threw it aside.

The next day, all the

work they'd done on

the foundations...

Had been undone.

Who by?

Strange things

began to happen.

One of the builders

had a terrible accident.

Another went mad

and never came back.

So, the main builder went

to see a local wise woman.

What did the wise woman say?

She told the builder

to find the skull

and bury it in the house.

Then she wrote a curse.

"Should this skull

be broke or took,

"these hollow eyes

will on you look.

"For here the skull

must always lie,

"Or house and soul

will certain die."

The builder did what

she said and all was well.

The house was built.

But then Mr and Mrs Gotobed

moved in

and Mr Gotobed

wanted the cellar opened

out for his wine collection.

They dug the skull up.

That night all

the wine bottles were

mysteriously smashed.

They quickly put the skull

back in the house and it's

been here ever since.

So if it's moved

out of the house,

the curse comes true?

It's just a stupid story.

Who was he?

She. It was a girl.

She'd have been about

the same age as you, Carrie.

Some say she was

a young priestess,

who was then sacrificed

for the good of

the settlement.

Does that mean she was killed?

She was alive once,

with eyes and hair.

Come on. We'd better be going.

(OWL HOOTING)

(JOHNNY MUMBLES)

-Goodbye, Mr Johnny.

-Guba...

Bye.

NICK: He said we must

come back again.

You didn't understand him.

He said you were

cross because I sat

on Hepzibah's lap.

You're too old for

that sort of thing.

It made you look silly.

It didn't feel silly.

It felt nice.

Did you believe Hepzibah

about the skull?

She doesn't seem the sort of

person to make things up.

MR EVANS: "And lo,

"the angel of the Lord

came upon them, and

the glory of the Lord

"shone round about them,

and they were sore afraid.

"And the angel

said unto them..."

-(WHISPERING) When can we open

our presents from Mum and Dad?

-Shh!

"Fear not,

"for behold, I bring you good

tidings of great joy which

shall be to all people."

(ORGAN PLAYING)

* Hark the herald angels sing

* Glory to the new-born king

* Peace on earth

and mercy mild

* God and sinners reconciled

* Joyful, all ye nations rise

* Join the triumph

of the skies

* With the angelic

host proclaim

* Christ is born in Bethlehem

* Hark! The herald angels sing

* Glory to the new-born king *

(CLEARS THROAT)

Thank you.

(MUSIC PLAYING SOFTLY)

(SOFTLY) He'll be better

after his sleep.

I thought his son

was coming home.

No, he's been sent to Africa

or some such place.

Mr Evans must miss him.

Aunty Lou, they're great!

The Bible's lovely,

Mr Evans. Thank you.

When you collected the goose,

did you see my sister?

No. Not really.

She was upstairs in bed.

-Was the house in good order?

-Thank you.

We had a huge tea.

The best

I've ever had.

(SCOFFS) Better than here,

I suppose.

No.

Not really.

What are you talking about?

Hepzibah's mince pies.

It wasn't that good.

You know what Nick's like.

He'll eat anything.

MR EVANS: No, it's all right

when you don't have to

foot the bill, isn't it?

Miss Hepzibah Green

is very generous,

but then it doesn't

come out of her pocket.

She doesn't have to

sweat and slave

for every penny.

Hepzibah's a very good

housekeeper, Samuel.

She's been very good

to poor Dilys.

And why shouldn't she be?

She's on to a good thing

and well she knows it.

A mistress too ill

to keep her eye on the books.

Did you see the idiot?

Mr Johnny's not an idiot!

He's not!

-Why are you saying all this?

-I'm not!

(WHISPERING) I think you're

the meanest thing on this

earth, Carrie Willow.

Mean and ugly!

Hepzibah gave us

a delicious tea.

-I didn't mean...

-You're worse than he is!

He's just nasty about everyone

but you're nasty about

people you like!

-What am I meant to say?

-You're a traitor!

-No, I'm not!

-Go and tell him what

you really think!

All right. I will!

You see if I don't!

Oh, that girl's got

her head screwed

on, all right.

Miss Green didn't take her in

with her soft, smarmy ways.

I tell you, Lou.

This could work

to our benefit.

The girl can be

our eyes and ears.

-You can't ask her

to spy, Samuel.

-Spy?

What sort of word is that?

Hepzibah has some sort of

power over Dilys,

our own flesh and blood,

and well you know it.

MR EVANS: Caroline?

Where are you?

What are you doing

creeping around,

up and down the stairs?

I won't have it.

I only ever walk

on the paint.

I wonder,

perhaps you and the boy

could take a tin of biscuits

over to Miss Green

some time?

A little thank you

for preparing the goose.

(FALSE TEETH CLATTERING)

When the Gotobeds

first bought this place,

it was a huge estate,

stretching for miles

and miles.

-Why were they so rich?

-They had diamond

mines in Africa,

and railroads in America.

And did you know?

Mrs Gotobed was in Russia

when they had the Revolution.

She escaped at night to Paris.

-And then they lost it all.

-How?

Gambling and giving

grand parties and travelling

all over the world

on huge ocean liners.

All she's got left is a couple

of fields and a few animals.

They say it's

a bottomless pit.

(GRAMOPHONE PLAYING UPSTAIRS)

Mind yourself, Carrie.

I was just...

We collected the eggs.

Nick and Mr Johnny.

Why don't you come

and tell Mrs Gotobed

all about it?

It's all right,

she won't bite.

(MUSIC CONTINUES PLAYING)

Come and sit here,

pretty child. On this stool.

Albert says you have

the most beautiful eyes.

(CHUCKLES)

Do you like my dress?

-It's lovely.

-Mmm?

My husband gave it to me

just after we were married.

In Paris.

He bought me

29 ball gowns,

one for each year

of our marriage.

I want to wear each one

of them once more

before I die.

Pour the tea, child.

I've got a green chiffon

with pearls round the neck

and a blue brocade

and a grey silk with

pink ostrich feathers.

(CHUCKLES)

That was my husband's

favourite, so I'll be

keeping that one till last.

Just a little milk in my tea,

and two slices of bread,

folded over.

Would you like jam?

Its Hepzibah's blackberry.

No, child. No jam.

(SIGHS) So your

my brother's evacuee.

(CHUCKLES)

What do you think

of my little brother?

-Do you like him?

-Well, yes.

Then you're the only

one who does.

A cold, hard, mean man,

my brother.

What's he said about me?

-Have you come here

as his spy?

-No, I have not!

I think you and I, young lady,

are going to

get along just fine.

MAN: (ON RADIO) Flynn has

come along especially

today to meet you.

MAN: Thank you, Vernon.

And hello to all you

guys and gals

on the all Allied

fighting team.

VERNON: And how do you feel

about the British reaction

to your American band...

(CONTINUES SPEAKING

INDISTINCTLY)

(STATIC HUMMING)

(CHEERFUL MUSIC PLAYING)

* Pennsylvania 6-5000!

-(CHUCKLING)

-(MUSIC CONTINUES)

* Pennsylvania 6-5000!

(BOTH LAUGHING)

* Pennsylvania 6-5000 *

(LAUGHING)

(CASH REGISTER DINGS)

AUNTY LOU: (WHISPERING)

It's from my friend.

I need you to do

something for me, Carrie.

When I'm dead and buried,

I want you to tell my brother

that I hadn't forgotten him,

my own flesh and blood,

but that sometimes

you owe more to strangers.

I'm doing what I'm doing

because it seems right,

not because

I want to spite him.

You understand what

I'm saying, don't you?

Mmm-hmm.

He'll ask you about me.

-He'll want to know

what I've told you.

-I won't tell him.

Until you're dead.

(CASH REGISTER DINGS)

One shilling and five pence,

-and sixpence.

Half a crown.

-Thank you, Carrie.

I'll put these things

on order for you, Mrs Jenkins.

Oh, it's so much

easier asking you.

I know if I asked

Mr Evans, he'd say,

"Don't you know there's

a war, Mrs Jenkins?"

He's at a council meeting

at the moment.

(WHISPERS) I rather hoped

he might be.

Hello.

I wish your brother had

your arithmetic, young lady.

But he can run faster than me.

The amount of trouble he

gets into, he needs to.

(BELLS CHIME)

CARRIE: How can I help you?

(IN AMERICAN ACCENT)

Is Miss Louisa Evans

at home, ma'am?

Major Harper.

Major Cass Harper.

-You're American.

-Is Louisa here?

No. There's just me

at the moment.

Well, do you mind

if I wait a while?

Mr Evans is coming back.

Uh, Miss Louisa's brother?

Oh, I'd be more than glad

to get acquainted with him.

He hates American soldiers.

Well, I'm a very respectable

American soldier.

Even if you did see him,

Mr Evans wouldn't let

you go out with her.

He says dance halls are

the haunts of the Devil.

Well, I know for a fact

Miss Louisa doesn't

altogether

agree with her brother

on that score.

-Are you from Pennsylvania?

-(CHUCKLES)

You can't meet her here.

He won't let you.

Well, would you tell her

from me that I called by?

And I'm sorry I missed her.

(WHISTLING TUNE)

Nick!

Nick!

There's going

to be so much trouble.

Hello, Carrie!

Aunty Lou! Your friend...

-What friend?

-Major Cass Harper.

The Red Lion.

He wants to see you.

(WHISPERING)

I can't go in! Mr Evans...

He won't know if you

don't tell him.

But there's plenty of ways

this could get back to him.

Oh, look at me!

It doesn't matter.

He seems too nice

to worry about that.

He is, Carrie.

He's really nice.

Where's your aunty?

It's been a lovely

autumn evening.

She went for a walk

up the mountain.

I said I'd get the supper.

(DOOR CLOSES)

How's your son getting on,

in Africa?

He'll be home soon.

Then you'll see

what a fine boy he is.

(YAWNS)

(SIGHS)

Must you work so hard?

Oh! Sympathy, is it?

That's something

I don't often get.

As I say to Frederick,

the only things worth having

in life are the things

you've worked hard for.

Was it nice up the mountain?

MR EVANS: All right for some,

isn't it?

Messing and humbugging about

all hours of the night!

I'll tell you something,

this girl's a far better cook

than you'll ever be!

(MUSIC PLAYING

ON GRAMOPHONE)

(MOUTHING) Thank you.

(BOTH LAUGH)

ALL:

* Happy birthday to you

* Happy birthday to you

* Happy birthday, dear Carrie

* Happy birthday to you *

Happy birthday, Carrie.

(MUMBLES INDISTINCTLY)

He says you're

queen for the day.

JOHNNY: (MUMBLES)

Come, Nick. Come on.

-NICK: Can we see

the rabbits now?

-(MUMBLES INDISTINCTLY)

Why didn't Aunty Lou

live with Mrs Gotobed?

Mr Evans wouldn't allow it.

The Gotobeds led a bad life,

to his way of thinking.

Mrs Gotobed says that

Mr Evans is cold,

hard and mean.

He's had a hard life.

Nursed his wife through

a long illness...

No wonder Mr Evans is...

Bitter about those

that've had it easy.

Like Mrs Gotobed.

I hope I'm never

like that about Nick.

They're two of a kind.

Peacock proud

and stubborn with it.

He'll never forgive her

for the life she's spent

and she won't let him see

what she's come to

at the end of it.

ALBERT: Hepzibah says the

stream's got magical powers.

Soak the flowers

in the sacred spring

and they'll last forever.

CARRIE: Do you believe that?

Hepzibah does.

She uses this water

to make her medicines.

This whole place

was sacred once.

The grove...

The mountain.

I think it still is.

And it always will be.

Carrie...

Happy birthday.

Thank you.

Girls don't usually

say thank you

when they get kissed.

(WHOOPING JOYFULLY)

Carrie, where are you going?

Through the shop.

It's my birthday.

I'm queen for the day.

Oh, so it's you, then.

No, it's the ancient

wise woman

from the sacred mountain,

come to tell your fortune!

To your room, boy.

Liberty Hall!

That's what you've

made of my home!

Sorry. I told Aunty Lou

we were going to see Hepzibah.

-We're not late...

-Always going to see Hepzibah!

All summer long!

The same story.

It's only me and Nick

ever go there.

Have you been invited, though?

My sister's house, isn't it?

Suits Miss Green, all right...

Out of sight, out of mind.

She's not shut away.

She's just ill.

Oh! So you've seen her, then?

Why didn't you tell me?

-I didn't think.

-Didn't think?

Didn't think what?

My own flesh and blood

and I'm not interested?

There wasn't anything to say.

Said nothing, did she?

Sat dumb?

No message for me,

for her brother?

-(GASPS)

-What did she say to you?

-(GASPS)

-You will tell me!

Lipstick?

Most women wear

lipstick, Samuel.

I didn't want to be

any different

when I go to the dance.

-Dance?

-At the camp.

The American base,

down the valley.

Out! Now!

Now, wash your

godforsaken face, girl.

Get rid of that filth!

You're not my father, Samuel.

MR EVANS:

Don't answer me back.

You have a secret,

don't you, Carrie?

-(DOOR OPENS)

-MR EVANS: Louisa? Louisa!

NICK: I know you

have a secret.

I can tell.

And so can Evans.

(GROANS)

I won't tell him anything!

I won't!

This came.

From Glasgow.

It's from Mum and Dad!

Wait outside.

What for?

Because I want you to.

Carrie?

Carrie?

(SOFTLY) The wrong size.

(WHISPERS) He's come

all the way from Africa.

(IMITATING PLANES FLYING)

Enemy in sight, gunner?

Lining them up, sir!

Fire at will.

(MIMICS FIRING)

Good shot, Gunner Willow!

-Enemy retreating!

-(BOTH MIMICKING GUNFIRE)

(BOTH LAUGHING)

Oh, Albert!

Give me that.

Albert.

What are you doing?

Building a bonfire.

Mrs Gotobed wants it done.

But you can't.

Fires are banned.

Same old Aunty Dilys.

Never one to let

authority come between her

and what her wants.

CARRIE: This is Frederick.

Mr Evans' son Frederick.

(JOHNNY MUMBLES INDISTINCTLY)

CARRIE: And that's Mr Johnny.

He says leave it to you!

FREDRICK: Oh!

(LAUGHING)

(JOHNNY MUMBLES INDISTINCTLY)

This is the best place

in the whole wide world.

In the whole universe.

Don't you think so, Albert?

(MOCKING GIBBERISH)

(LAUGHS)

Stop it!

(GRUNTING)

-No!

-No!

Ah!

(GROANS)

ALBERT: Come on, Nick!

Help me!

FREDRICK: Look what that

madman did to me!

He ought to be locked up,

a vicious loony like that.

Look who's coming!

Well, Frederick...

Still playing the

bully boy, are you?

FREDRICK: It was only

a bit of a joke, Aunty Dilys.

I don't see anyone laughing.

Enjoying your time

in the Army?

It's good, yeah.

What will you do afterwards,

when the war is over?

Come back to the grocery shop?

Who knows?

Well...

Miss Lovely Eyes...

Enjoying burning all

my unwanted things?

I love this dress.

Pale grey silk

with pink ostrich feathers.

Remember?

-The last one before you...

-Mmm-hmm.

Things are seldom as bad as

you think they're going to be.

Not when you come to them.

So it's a waste of time

being afraid.

You remember that.

All cleared away now.

Tidied up and done with.

And you remember

the other thing too.

What to say to my brother.

What do you mean,

this place is too narrow?

The town, the valley.

Well, compared

to Africa maybe,

but this is your future, son.

(SCOFFS) I don't know.

Things have changed.

I've seen how other

people do things.

You get what you

work for, son,

-you remember that.

-(SIGHS)

How the bloody hell

do you put up with him?

-Went away a boy,

comes back a man.

-(BELLS CHIME)

What do you want?

Last night...

Mrs Gotobed passed away

in her sleep.

The shop is closed.

Understood?

Closed.

Did she...

Did it hurt her much? Dying?

Hepzibah said it was

just like

putting a light out

at the end of a day.

I keep seeing

the screaming skull

and then Mrs Gotobed's face.

What'll happen to Hepzibah?

Will she have to leave

Druid's Bottom?

And what about Mr Johnny?

Hang on, Miss Tragedy.

Mrs Gotobed said she was

going to make a will

saying they could

both stay on,

without paying rent

as long as they wanted to.

Evans will be raving mad

when he finds out.

I bet he's counted on it.

Her own flesh and blood.

"But sometimes you owe

more to strangers."

That was what she told me

to tell Mr Evans

when she was dead.

I didn't understand.

I just thought she was mad.

It'll make him so happy.

She knew you wouldn't mind

if Hepzibah and Mr Johnny

stayed in the house.

It's in her will that they

can stay for life.

Albert told me.

And you didn't think to

tell me this earlier?

She made me promise.

"You owe more to strangers".

She didn't want you to think

that she'd forgotten you.

My own flesh and blood!

(GLASS SHATTERS)

Louisa!

Louisa!

Louisa!

AUNTY LOU:

What on earth has happened?

That snake in the grass!

That viper! That witch!

I thought you'd be pleased!

I will have what's mine,

even if I have to go through

every court in the land!

We have a visitor,

thanks to you.

Mr Evans has given Hepzibah

and Mr Johnny

a month's notice.

But you said they

could stay here.

I was wrong, it seems.

-But you told me!

-And you told him, didn't you?

What's happened?

Tell me.

There's no will.

Evans rang the bank

and her solicitor

and there's no sign

of one anywhere.

MR EVANS: Has anything been

taken out of here?

HEPZIBAH: Nothing.

MR EVANS: Well,

we'll see about that.

29 ball gowns?

HEPZIBAH: One for each year

of her marriage.

MR EVANS: I will hold you

personally responsible

if a single one of

them goes missing.

One silver hairbrush...

One silver hand mirror...

One crystal candlestick...

Did you honestly

think my sister would

leave you this house?

Not the house.

Just somewhere to live.

Promises are worth nothing,

Miss Green,

without the proper

legal papers.

She told me she was

going to write a will.

Not that I can find.

She was always full

of promises, was Dilys.

From now on,

I want a detailed account

of everything you spend.

Everything you eat,

every penny.

Is that understood?

She's not going to

steal anything!

What are you doing here?

Who's minding the shop?

Aunty Lou and Nick.

I'm sorry.

Here, finish this.

I want an inventory

of everything in this room.

Miss Green, if you would

follow me, please.

(JOHNNY MUMBLING)

I don't understand

what you mean.

Nick would know.

Mr Evans does that.

His false teeth.

He's with Hepzibah.

Did he take something,

Mr Johnny?

Out of the jewellery box?

There was an

envelope in there.

Yes, when Mrs Gotobed

was showing me

her favourite pearl necklace.

A brown envelope.

ALBERT: Suppose Mrs Gotobed

got a local solicitor

to make a will for her,

and then kept it in there,

and Mr Evans came up...

Mr Evans wouldn't take

Mrs Gotobed's will.

If a person dies without

making a will,

then everything they've got

goes to the nearest relatives.

The house and all the jewels

and all the dresses

will go to Mr Evans

and Aunty Lou.

Nothing to Hepzibah

or Mr Johnny,

not even the right

to stay on here.

I don't believe he'd do it.

All Mr Evans had to do

to get rid of her

was to take the will

and destroy it.

Thank you, Carrie.

(BELLS CHIME)

So sorry to hear

about your sister, Mr Evans.

Yes, well, it's over now.

-(DOOR OPENS)

-(BELLS CHIME)

Oh. What's happened?

I've short-changed her.

-How much?

-Six pence.

Well, run after her, girl.

Oh, and this came

for you earlier.

From your mother.

Quick, now.

Mrs Jenkins!

Thank you!

(CHILDREN SPEAKING

INDISTINCTLY)

(NICK SIGHS)

Where will we sleep?

There's an attic room.

I don't want to leave.

I like it here.

We'll be able to see Dad

when his ship comes in.

How long have we got?

She's meeting us at

Cardiff railway station

on the 21st of November.

That's just a week away.

ALBERT: Evans wants

rid of them.

He's counted every single one!

Have Hepzibah and Mr Johnny

found anywhere yet?

There was a farm

willing to take them,

but the wife is worried

that Mr Johnny might

frighten their children.

I've got to help them.

There's time yet.

It's from my mum.

There's so much to do.

I went to see Mr Rhys,

the solicitor in the square.

I sat there in the

waiting room

for about 10 minutes

and then I came back out.

I was scared he'd laugh at me.

It wouldn't have done

any good.

Grown-ups only listen

to grown-ups.

One day, I'm going to

buy Druid's Bottom

and we can all

live here together.

CARRIE: What will happen

to Hepzibah and Mr Johnny?

I mean, you can't just

throw them out.

I've given them

notice enough.

And the skull...

Are you going to

throw that out as well?

-If you do...

-Is this all your

Old Religion nonsense, Louisa?

Come on, I've a little

surprise for you both.

A sheath knife!

This is my very

best thing ever!

It's beautiful!

I've so loved having you here.

So much life in the house.

That's the best cheese

and onion pie I've ever had.

(MUMBLING)

I know I finished it!

Could I sit with you now

while you tell us a story?

Which one do you want, then?

You must have heard them all.

The one about the wise woman

and the skull.

Why that one?

Put that down this minute,

Mr Johnny.

(MUMBLING)

He's been running me

ragged just lately.

Look what I've got.

A new knife.

A real hunting knife.

If you give me the skull,

I'll let you look at it.

Mr Evans gave it to me

and he gave Carrie a ring.

HEPZIBAH: He gave you a ring?

How lovely.

ALBERT: It's her ring,

isn't it?

Her special garnet ring.

HEPZIBAH: It belongs

to Mr Evans now.

He stole it.

I didn't want it.

He just gave it to me.

And I'm glad he gave

it to you, Carrie.

And Mrs Gotobed

would be glad too...

If she knew.

If he took that ring,

he might have

taken something else.

That's enough, Albert.

Carrie, my love...

Do you think Mr Evans

took the will?

I don't know.

Who's to say?

Maybe there never was one.

I just don't

believe he could.

Of course he could!

How else could

it have disappeared?

But what will happen

to you and Mr Johnny?

HEPZIBAH:

We'll be just fine, Carrie.

But you can't leave here.

You can't.

It's your home.

HEPZIBAH: Home is

where you make it.

It's not bricks and mortar.

I'll take this back

to the library.

HEPZIBAH: "Should this skull

be broke or took,

"these hollow eyes

will on you look.

"For here the skull

must always lie,

"or house and soul

will certain die."

(SCREAMING)

Let's be friends, Carrie.

You write first...

Care of Mr Morgan,

the minister.

That's where I'll be staying.

I shan't write till you do.

And if you don't,

I'll know,

won't I?

Know what?

(SIGHS) What a waste

of electricity!

Aunty Lou must have gone mad.

Hmm.

Good thing we got home

before Mr Evans.

She's gone.

She's now

Mrs Major Cass Harper.

They got married secretly

this morning and she's gone.

What's Mr Evans going to say?

(CLATTERING)

Bit early, isn't it?

Late, you mean.

I was going to wake you.

Train leaves at 7:00.

Your mother will be

waiting for you

when you get to Cardiff.

Soon have a cup of tea,

bit of breakfast.

I can do that.

-Aunty Lou...

-Ate a lot, your aunty did.

Always at it... Munch, munch.

There'll be one less

mouth to feed.

Like a thief in the night.

Perhaps she was scared

of what you might say.

(SCOFFS)

No, she wanted to

make me look small.

Just like her

fine sister, Dilys.

The two of them

make a right pair.

Sending messages,

leaving notes...

You look at this now.

That's all I had from Dilys

on her death bed...

And not even sent

to me either.

I had to find it,

going through her things,

making a record,

as her grand London

lawyer instructed me.

Is that you and Mrs Gotobed?

Here's another picture

I've got of her.

See the ring she's got on?

Same one you've got now.

I bought it for her, see.

With my first wages.

When she gave it back,

I gave it to you.

When she gave it back?

It was with the picture.

No letter, nothing.

Just my name on the envelope

tucked in her jewellery box.

Nothing else at all?

What else would there be?

What are you grinning for?

I'm so glad she

gave them back,

the ring and the picture.

It meant that she

thought of you.

I knew I was right.

I knew you couldn't have

stolen the will.

There was no will.

Go and wake your brother.

Quick now.

-MAN: Bye, Carrie.

-WOMAN: Bye, Nick.

Goodbye!

You'll be all right now.

No point in my waiting.

Well, that's over with.

Don't be mean.

He was nice to us.

(WHISTLE BLOWS)

No Albert?

This time of the morning?

He might be waving

up on the line.

I would, if I were him.

And if not, we can wave

to the house.

I shan't look.

Goodbye, town!

Goodbye, war memorial!

Goodbye, square!

Goodbye, chapel on Sundays!

Goodbye, red line!

Goodbye... Let me go, Carrie!

Let me go!

Wave to the house.

(SCREAMS)

Carrie?

It's on fire, Nick!

Druid's Bottom!

It's all my fault!

They'll all be dead, Nick!

They're dead!

(ECHOING) Dead...

Dead, and it's all my fault.

Dead.

Dead...

And it was all my fault.

I was only just 14

and it was the most

dreadful thing.

It wouldn't have happened

if we hadn't been sent away,

none of it would've been...

All my fault.

And then what happened?

We went to live in Glasgow.

With Nanny and Granddad?

And after the war we went

and lived in London again.

And you never went back?

Did they really die?

I wrote to Mr Evans

but he never wrote back.

So I assumed...

I don't know.

Would you ever

send us away?

No.

I don't think so.

You sent Daddy away.

Isabel!

That was different.

Daddy wanted to go.

We're not going to

see him for ages.

You'll see him

after the holidays.

He's going to

drive us to France.

Is he?

That'll be nice.

It's much better on a train.

(CARRIE SOBBING)

(SNIFFLES)

ISABEL: Hepzibah, Mr Johnny,

and Albert Sandwich.

Such silly names.

Ghosts and wolves...

Did she really kill them

by throwing a skull

into the pond?

That's the bit she made up.

That sort of magic

doesn't exist.

(LAUGHS)

ISABEL: Come on.

I can smell bacon.

Someone's there.

(CLICKING TONGUE)

How old was Hepzibah?

Mummy didn't say.

Excuse me?

Are you Miss Hepzibah Green?

Carrie's boy?

You look just like

your mother used to.

Same eyes?

More than that.

You'll be wanting

your breakfast.

White ones or speckled-y ones?

EDWARD: Come on, Suzy.

HEPZIBAH: Look who's here,

Mr Johnny.

Carrie's children.

(GARBLED)

Hello. How are you?

-He can speak.

-Told you it wasn't true.

Albert got me

a speech therapist.

HEPZIBAH: A speech therapist,

all the way from London.

Did your mother tell

you about Albert?

Sit yourself down.

She thought he was dead,

that's why she never wrote.

And he never wrote because

she promised to write first.

Nothing would budge him.

She thought you were all

dead in the fire.

She knew

about the fire?

She saw it on the train.

She threw the skull

in the pond.

She started the fire.

Poor little Carrie.

She believed all those tales.

You wouldn't, would you?

The insurance people said

it was Mr Johnny,

playing with matches.

All I know,

was it was him what woke up.

Saved our lives, probably.

So the house burned?

Badly damaged inside.

We moved to the barn.

Camped out to begin with.

Oh...

It all belonged to Mr Evans,

didn't it?

They never found her will.

We'll never really know

if there was one.

So it all passed

on to Mr Evans.

JOHNNY: Egg cup.

HEPZIBAH: He came down

that day...

He came down and said

we could stay.

Had a complete change

of heart for some reason.

Then he died, poor man.

Heart, the doctors say.

But it was more grief

and loneliness.

He missed his sister.

Aunty Lou.

Her and Major Harper

moved to North Carolina

after the war.

Came over with her

children some years ago.

Aunty Lou brought me

some chewing gum.

Albert came to meet Lou

and fixed to buy the place.

"You'll be safe now," he said,

when the papers were signed.

He's family.

HEPZIBAH: Well, we're all

the family he's got.

Parents are dead,

he never married.

Comes down to see us

at least once a month.

Due this morning,

as it happens.

Your mother still like her

eggs boiled for five minutes?

She won't come, Hepzibah.

We walked up here yesterday,

but when we

got to the grove...

You just go and meet her.

Tell her all's well,

her eggs are on the boil

and Mr Johnny and Hepzibah

is waiting.

Go on, then.

JOHNNY: Go on.

Stupid. As if she knows Mum

better than we do.

She's no witch.

Maybe she is a witch.

What?

-Mummy!

-Mum!

There you are!

Come on! Come and see!

(SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)