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)