Enid (2009) - full transcript

Edwardian child Enid Blyton begins to tell stories to her brothers as an escape from their parents' rows before the father deserts the family. Whilst training as a teacher after the Great War she sends her stories to publishers, one of whom, Hugh Pollock,takes her on and also marries her. They have two daughters but Enid is a terrible mother, letting a nanny rear them whilst she, ironically, bestows treats on anonymous children who worship her for her stories. She is completely self-absorbed,driving Hugh to drink and then to another woman. Enid uses the children as emotional blackmail to get a divorce on her terms before marrying Kenneth Waters, a weak man similar to her father. After World War Two she is as popular as ever, despite accusations of using a syndicate to pen her books and will carry on,adored by children who do not know her true nature, for another twenty years and her death in 1968.

Are we set?
'Good morning to you both.

'Stand by,

'live on green.'

Here we go.

Miss Blyton, you must be one of the
most prolific authors of all time.

Yes.

I probably am.

Although, there have been
subterranean rumblings regarding

the... The idea that I don't write
my own books? I'd like to make it

clear, here and now,

that those rumours



have absolutely no foundation
in truth.

Of course! I never suggested
for a moment...

It is very important
that I make it clear

for the sake of all my young readers
out there.

They trust me implicitly.

Whether they're in palaces
or tenements,

they take from my books

a feeling of security,

a sense of being anchored

and a sure knowledge of what
is right and what is wrong.

I've said it before,

and I'll say it again -

I am the guardian of
our children's morals.

But how can I uphold this position



if there is the merest hint

that I am not all that I seem?

DRIVER SNEEZES

Excuse me.

This is the third cold
you've had this month.

If you haven't got rid of it
by the end of the week,

I'm going to have to give you
your cards. Fit by Friday,

or you're sacked.

Lovely.

Oh, lovely!

Madam.

CLAMOURING

Any response to the accusations,
Miss Blyton?

What about the accusations you don't
actually write the books yourself?

ALL SHOUT QUESTIONS

Miss Blyton?

Shall we get you inside?

I'm sorry about all this,
Miss Blyton.

The children are waiting, though.

They're all very excited to see you.
Coat, coat. Yes, of course.

Thank you.
Thank you, very much.

How lovely!

Lovely!

Quieten down now, please, children.
Hello, everyone. How are you?

ALL: Hello! Fine.

You look marvellous,
you look all so smart. Now,

look what I've brought here.
ALL: Wow!

Today, I'm going to read to you

from my book, The Secret Island.

But first of all,

is there anything you'd like
to ask me?

Me, miss! Me, miss!
Oh...

Goodness!

Let me see.

Where shall I start?

Do you know, children,

I happen to think

that childhood is a magical time.

Hey, Hanly! Yes?
Come here.

Ha-ha - gotcha!

HE LAUGHS
Come back!

Hey!
Whoa!

Carey... Come here.

HE GIGGLES

And Enid...

What's this one?

Sycamore.

Good. What about...

What about this beauty, eh?

Beech.

Look at that.

Look.

Eh? Isn't that beautiful?
Thomas,

these boys are hungry. They need
their lunch and they're cold.

Does that bother you at all,
or don't you care?

Come on, boys.

Come on.

CLOCK TICKS

Oh, for God's sake, Theresa -
stop it!

You disgust me!

All this time,
how could you do this?

It is YOU who drove me to it!

SMASHING

MUFFLED SHOUTING CONTINUES

Is that all you care about?

Enough!
Nobody!

Enid?

Come on.

In you get. I'll tell you a story.

SHOUTING CONTINUES
Children, I'm Snapple the dog.

We're enjoying a holiday
at the seaside.

CRASH

Snapple was the sweetest,
loyalist dog in the world.

Snapple would never let them down.

But he was always getting
into trouble.

Mother had prepared them
a lovely picnic

with all the things the children
loved best.

But the children hadn't noticed

that Snapple had run off
without them...

Wake up, boys - we've got something
to tell you.

Your father's left.

Left what?

He's left us.
No!

Your father has found another woman,
Enid.

Enid, come here!

Enid!

Enid!

Enid, listen to me!

Enid!

HANGERS CLATTER

"She pulled back the curtains...

"..and looked down over the cliffs.

"There was the secret path.

"The one that no-one else knew.

"And the way down to the rocky cove,

"with its hidden tunnel.

"There, she could escape."

Enid.

You'll be back.

I won't.

What am I supposed to say to people?

Tell them the truth.

I'm training to be a teacher,
not joining the circus.

It's not right, you should...
Stay at home and darn socks?

I know.

You've told me.

What about your brothers?

"Dear Sirs,

"I'm sending you my book of poems
and short stories

"for your kind attention.

"Though I am training to be
a teacher,

"my real ambition is to become
an author...

"..and I do hope you will find
potential

"in my work.

"Yours faithfully,

"Enid Blyton."

"Dear Miss Blyton. Although
we did enjoy your writing..."

"..most entertaining,

"but unfortunately have no room
on our current list..."

"..our editorial meeting last week.

"However, we regret to inform you
that..."

"..though we were by your writings,

"they do not have a place
in our current list.

"My advice to all young writers

"is to keep trying.

"When I'm grown up,

"I won't forget the things
I think today.

"I won't forget the sort of things
I like to do and say.

"I won't be like the folk I know
who seems so very old,

"and quite forget the things
they did

"when they were eight years old.

"There's lots of other things,
of course,

"that I'll remember, too

"and then, when I'm grown up

"I'll know what children
like to do.

"I'll know the things
they're frightened of,

"I'll know the things they hate,

"and oh, I hope they'll love me

"though they'll know
I'm long past eight."

"Dear Miss Blyton,
thank you for sending us

"your manuscript,
poems and stories.

"Would you be so kind as to call
our office to make an appointment

"so that we can discuss your work
further?

"Yours sincerely, Hugh Pollock."

So,

Miss Blyton, suffice to say, um...

We can do something with your
stories, most definitely we can.

Shall we talk about it over lunch?

Absolutely!

First of all, let's get you
signed up, shall we?

If I could have your autograph...

..where I put the cross, here.

SHE LAUGHS

Congratulations, Mrs Pollock!

Mr Pollock!
You are no longer Miss Blyton!

No looking whatsoever,
you understand?

Mm-hm.

Don't look. Don't look!

Hm, heavy.
Open it, then.

SHE GASPS

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

TYPEWRITER KEYS CLACK

You've got to be quiet.

That one?
Mm-hm.

No, not that one.

That one?
Mm-hm.

Not that one.

What's wrong with that one?

No.

I like it.

Well, I don't. I don't!

THEY LAUGH
Right!

I like it!
Ow!

It's my book!

Put that down, right now!

I'm going to have two children.
Two? Mm.

At the very least.

Well...

How can I explain this?

Your uterus,

to put it frankly, is that
of a 12 or 13-year-old girl.

What?

It seems not to have developed
properly.

Goodness.

Does that mean...

Not at all. Although,

it does explain why you've been
having difficulties in that area.

No, we shall give you

a course of hormone injections,

which should sort you out.

Oh.

By the way...

I wondered if I could ask you
to sign this

for my granddaughter?

Of course. I'd be delighted.

She's Enid Blyton mad.

What are my, er...

chances, incidentally, of, um...

conceiving?

About 50-50.

Possibly a little better.

I'm a very determined woman,

Dr Beresford.

If I want a baby,

I'm jolly well going to have one.

BABY CRIES

Shh!

Stop it.

Stop it!

DOOR SLAMS

"Dear children,

"I have such news -

"can you guess what it is?

"Well, I'll tell you.

"A new pet has arrived
in our family.

"It's a dear little sister
for Gillian

"and a new friend for Bobs the dog.
BABY CRIES

"She's such a sweet little thing.

"So good-natured.

"Hardly ever cries."
BABY CRIES

Oh, for heaven's sake.

BABY CRIES

She's making a hell of a racket,
what's the matter with her?

No idea, Buns.

Gillian was exactly the same.

What is one supposed to do?

I'm trying to write my column
for Teachers' World.

Could you have a few days off?

I've a deadline to meet.

Never missed a deadline in my life
and I'm not about to start now.

BABY CRIES

Maybe we should pick her up,
what do you think?

I don't want you to spoil her, Hugh.

She's got to learn.

On the other hand,
if it will stop this racket...

Come on. This cannot go on.

BABY CRIES

DOOR SLAMS

CRYING STOPS

CRYING STARTS AGAIN

She's very darling,

but loves the sound of
her own voice, as you can hear.

Did your elder daughter
have a nurse?

Oh, yes - from day one.

Otherwise I'd never have got
any work done.

BABY CRIES

I must say, I do find them terribly
trying when they're tiny.

I imagined I'd be rather better
at it, frankly, but...

I don't seem to know
what to do with them.

Well, don't worry -

most women feel they're failing
somehow.

They imagine everyone else
is coping terribly well.

Of course, they're not.

Well, that's a relief.

Come and meet her.

You see?

It's absolutely frightful.
Isn't it, Bobs?

CRYING STOPS

Oh, my God.
How did you do that?

Well, I'm a midwife...

That helps, but really,
it's just confidence.

That's all.

She's a very beautiful little girl.

I suppose she is rather nice,
isn't she?

But so naughty.

She's only a week old.

Mm. And wilful already,
as you can see.

A one-week-old child
has no concept...

Now, I'm a great believer
in lots of bracing fresh air.

When she's not out in her pram,
she will be here, in the nursery.

Between the hours of four and five,
the children spend an hour with me,

unless of course I'm up in London.
How does that sound to you?

That all sounds very clear.

Oh, good.

I'm glad.

And please, call me Dorothy.

I will.

And you must call me Enid.

BABY COOS

Phew!

Fan mail.

Oh, lovely.

Lots!

Shall we go through the new book?

Oh, that's such a waste of time.

You don't have to proof read
everything I write.

SHE LAUGHS

That's so funny!

Care to share the joke?

It's, er...

Oh, never mind.
You wouldn't understand.

SHE LAUGHS

That is the sound of
a contented baby.

Isn't it bliss?

God, I wish Dorothy was staying
with us for ever. Who's Dorothy?

Oh, for heaven's sake, Hugh -
you know who she is.

The nurse.
Oh, it's Dorothy, now, is it?

Very cosy.
Don't be silly, Buns.

She's my new friend.

I thought I was your friend.

You still are.

Silly.

Now, we're going to check proofs
in a minute. Who's we?

Dorothy. She's helping me proof-read
'The Adventures of Bobs'. I see.

So she's a trained nurse
and a qualified...

Oh, stop fussing, Hugh. Look,
it's still light outside.

How about a game of French cricket?
No, thanks. Come on.

Otherwise I'm going to put you
in a story -

'Horrid Hugh, who hated fun'.

Come on - out you come.

I'll beat you.

Huh! Oop!

Whoop! Nearly. It's not good enough.

Cheer up.

You're not allowed to move closer.

You've got to do it
from where you picked it up.

Come on, Hugh.

Wahey, yes! Hooray!

Six to me!

Six to me! I win!

Go on, Hugh.

Cheer up.

Pen.

Pen.

TYPEWRITER KEYS CLACK

"The chair rose up in the air,

"flapping its wings strongly

"and made for the door.

"Out it went and rose high
into the air at once.

"The children hung on tightly
in the greatest delight.

"Thank goodness
everything was all right again!

"Good old Wishing-Chair.

"What would they do without it?"

BOBS WHIMPERS

He's had a good innings, Enid.

I thought the vet said
he would be fine. No.

No, he didn't, sweetheart.
He said...

FOOTSTEPS RECEDE

"Bobs is in such a playful mood
today.

"I don't know what's got into him.

"Do you know, he's already hidden

"one of my slippers, stolen
a sausage from the kitchen -

"right under cook's nose..."
SHE LAUGHS LOUDLY

"And chewed a hairbrush to shreds."

"And then ran around the house
like a puppy,

"and dropped it at my feet
as if it were a present.

"It's not even lunchtime.

"He's such a mischievous
little chap."

TYPEWRITER DINGS

LAUGHTER

No!

No, no, no, no!

LAUGHTER

HYSTERICAL GIGGLES

You do it! You do it!
You do it! You do it!

Drinks, anyone?

Oh, we've got one.

Thanks, Hugh.

SHE LAUGHS

Try it, I want to see you
say it again.

THEY LAUGH

Going through my list.

Uhhhh...

Gillian, don't, don't. Come on.

Come on, let's just do another one,
then. Come on.

Come on.

Smile, that's good.

All right.

Oh, um, Enid...

Here he is. Hugh, For goodness sake,
where have you been?

Sorry I'm not permanently
available, Enid -

I do have to go to work
from time to time.

Oh, well, hurry up. Nearly ready.
Stand here.

Next to me.

Come closer. No, closer, darling.

All right.

Um, girls, now... Maybe this time,
yes, look at the book.

Look at what I'm writing, as if, you
know, as if I'm reading it to you.

All right.
Ready? Big smile.

And Hugh, try and smile, please.

Is that all right?

Come on, then - faster,
faster, faster.

My poor father. He would have loved
to have seen the girls

growing up.
When did your mother die?

Um, not long after I left home.

She would have wanted them
to be good little housewives.

That's what she wanted me to be.

My father, he was different.

He was...

He expected things.

He was brilliant. He was funny,

he was utterly reliable.

Perfect, really.

Perfect.

Heaven's sake.

He's been quite difficult lately.

Thinks there's going to be
another war on.

Nonsense, I tell him.

Well, he's working on a book
with Mr Churchill, isn't he?

He's bound to be in the know
about these things.

Yes, but he's so gloomy.

It's hard for men of his generation,
Enid.

They haven't really recovered
from the last war.

Their nerves are still
shot to pieces.

Yes, but he was so dashing
when I met him.

He was so strong.

Such a stalwart.

And such fun.

Probably putting on a brave face.

Don't you think?

It's my turn!

THE GIRLS ARGUE

Now!
Now, girls...

It's not fair!

Nanny, can you take the girls inside
at once.

That noise is quite intolerable.

Come on.

Tea. More tea.

What do you mean,
your father was perfect?

In what way was he perfect?

He left you, Enid.

Yes, my father is dead, Hugh.
Perfect.

Irreproachable.
Godlike father walked out on you

without so much as a backward
glance. You told me so yourself,

in an admittedly rare moment
of frankness.

I mean, I know you're not
overly keen on the truth -

you prefer bunnies and picnics

and talking bloody golliwogs...
You're drunk.

CLOCK TICKS

I'm so sorry.

Let me just remind you
where all this comes from.

Let me remind you

that I do make a not inconsiderable
contribution myself, Enid.

I realise that your idea of success

is directly related
to the fan mail you get,

but some of us go to the office
every day.

Yes, but my books pay for all this.

Who commissioned your books, woman?

Oh, your contribution
was incidental, Hugh.

And if you really think

it had any more than a glancing
effect on my success,

you must be out of your mind.
Enid!

And my father
was twice the man you'll ever be.

And don't you forget that.

CHILDREN'S VOICES:
"Miss Enid Blyton..."

"Miss Enid Blyton...

"Dear Miss Blyton...

"Green Hedges, Beaconsfield.

"My name is Annabel.

"I'm writing to tell you how
brilliant I think your books are.

"I have been having adventures
just like the ones...

"..in my garden
where I have made a den

"called Pixie's Hollow.

"I keep hoping I'll see some pixies,
but I haven't yet."

"I love your books so much,

"especially 'Hurrah for the Circus'.

"I wish you were my mother.

"We could have so much fun.

"Love from Edward."

"Dear Edward,

"I know that were you my son,

"we would have such, such fun!"

MAN ON WIRELESS:
'These are today's main events.

'Germany has invaded Poland

'and has bombed many towns.

'General mobilisation
has been ordered in Britain

'and France.

MUFFLED RADIO IN OTHER ROOM

'Orders completing the mobilisation

'of the Navy, Army and Air Force

'were signed by the King
at the meeting this afternoon

'at the Privy Council.

'Details will be given
later in this news.'

ENID WRITES

Ah, girls.

This afternoon, there are some
children coming for a tea party.

They won a competition to launch
my Famous Five.

Anyway, this is work,

so will you run along
up to the nursery

and not a peep, all right?

Jolly good.

DOORBELL

Hello, my dears!

My name is Enid Blyton.

Do come in.

Come in.

Welcome to my famous high tea party.

You must be starving!

Have you got your milk bottle tops?
All: Yes!

Marvellous!

ENID LAUGHS

LAUGHTER

Who were those two children
on the stairs, Miss?

Oh, they're my girls.

Aren't they invited to the party,
Miss Blyton?

Oh, no.
No - they see me all day, every day.

Bored to tears with their silly
old mummy. Yes.

I had to squeeze my writing in
between trips to the seaside

and picnics and games, and...
You know. All the things

that children love to do.

SHE SLURPS HER JELLY

Don't you just love
raspberry jelly?

Yummy! Mm,

love the way it wobbles
in your mouth!

CHILDREN GIGGLE

Now, did you remember

to bring your milk bottle tops

for the poor children
at Great Ormond Street?

ALL: Yes!

Goodness, you have worked hard.

Weeee!

DOOR CREAKS

FLOORBOARDS CREAK

Do you know, last year,

I made more money than the
Chancellor of the Exchequer.

I had 23 books published.
Good for you.

How was the tea party?

Marvellous.

Where have you been, incidentally?
I went to the pub.

Not a crime, is it?

No.

No, of course not.

No, the party was a huge success.

We, um... We ate every scrap
of jelly.

We're about to go to war, Enid.

Will you stop going on about it,
Hugh? It's so depressing.

Reality often is.
Really?

I would have thought you were
too pickled to notice.

Oh, forgive me.

Perhaps we should stick to
raspberry jelly,

with lashings of ginger beer,
like you and your little fans.

They are not my fans,
they are my friends.

They are children, for God's sake!

Boring, Hugh, and you're drunk.
We are about to go to WAR!

Does that bother you remotely?

Hell, no - let's just stick with
the Famous Five, shall we?

If you're going to be quite
so unpleasant,

I'd rather you slept in
the spare room, Hugh.

Fine, I'll do that.

DOOR CLOSES

HANGERS CLANK DULLY

Miss Blyton, you're probably

the most popular children's author
of all time.

Actually, I describe myself
quite simply as an author

who happens to write for children.

Of course, forgive me.

I wonder if you could tell us,
Miss Blyton,

what do you think is the secret
of your extraordinary success?

Well, it's quite simple, really.

'I'm able to enter a child's world,
you see?

'I seem to understand instinctively

'what it is that children want
from a story.

'They don't want brutality,
or squalor, or violence.

'No - they want familiarity,
they want reassurance,

'and most of all,
they want to escape'

to a magical world of adventure.

Without their parents!

Well, you now have two young girls
of your own. Hm.

How do you juggle the demands
of motherhood and writing?

How many words is it in a day?

6,000.

Good gracious.

Mm. I think Trollope
was very similar.

Really?

No, of course one has to juggle.

But children need their mothers.

Mothers are the heart
of any household.

'No, I try and spend as much time
as I possibly can

'with my girls whilst also
fulfilling my professional duties.'

It's tricky,
but I think I manage it!

I'm sure you do!
Thank you, Miss Blyton.

PHONE RINGS

Yes, yes - of course.

No, no - I quite understand.

Thank you.

Goodbye.

Enid, I'm afraid I have to go away.

What?

I've been asked to take charge of
the Home Guard in Surrey.

Why Surrey?

Because that's where they asked me
to go, Enid.

It's where my old regiment's based.

You could have said no.

Why didn't you say no?

Because there's a bloody war on.

Oh, I see.

You didn't have the guts
to explain to them

that you had responsibilities.

That you have a family.

So typical, Hugh.

So utterly thoughtless.
So utterly selfish.

What about US?

It's not about you.

You can't just walk out
on your family!

This is ridiculous. I'm not walking
out on anyone, I have a duty to do.

You've a house full of staff, here,
Dorothy popping in morning, noon...

Oh, fine! Go on, then - get out!
Go to Surrey.

Abandon us.
Leave us to fend for ourselves!

MUSIC: 'Run, Rabbit, Run'
by Noel Gay and Ralph Butler

HE SINGS ALONG

# On the farm

# Every Friday

# On the farm

# It's rabbit pie day... #

MUFFLED MUSIC PLAYS

MUFFLED SINGING

# ..little song

# Run, rabbit
Run, rabbit

# Run, run, run

# Run, rabbit
Run, rabbit

# Run, run, run

# Bang, bang, bang

# Goes the farmer's gun... #

DOOR CLOSES

Hugh?

'Your father's left.

'You're lying.

'Daddy would never leave me.

'He told me I was the most important
thing in the world to him.'

"The little boy who came to live
next door

"was not a very nice little boy.

"He wouldn't let the children
join in

"any of his games.

"He was secretive and spoilt

"and thought only of himself

"so the children decided
to punish him."

He is rather sweet, isn't he?

Yes. Now, don't get too attached.

If you want to give them names,

it should be Bunny Meat Ration One
and Bunny Meat Ration Two.

But, Mummy, I don't want
to eat our rabbits!

We may jolly well have to.
Now, pop them back in the hutch

and let's get on with digging
for victory, shall we?

What are we planting today?

Um, runner beans, Mummy.

Mm, delicious. And what else?

Well, I thought we'd put carrots
and radishes here.

Madam, there are some gentleman
here for you.

Goodness, is that the time?

The beans are going to have to wait.

What?! But...
No. Inside, now, girls.

No, don't argue - you know how
I loathe children who argue.

Oh, please?

Nanny can help you stitch blankets
for the troops. That'll be fun.

Come on.
Come on.

It's not fair.
Don't sulk, Imogen. Don't sulk.

Are they in the drawing room,
Maggie? Yes, madam.

Hello.

My husband's still stuck

on manoeuvres
somewhere in darkest Surrey.

I'm afraid you'll have to make do
with me.

Well... Is that too disappointing?

Not at all.

It's an honour and a delight.

Oh, good.

So relieved.

Right - anyone want a drink?

LAUGHTER

Like a horse!
Well, you made that happen!

No, you can tell a lot
by a man's tooth.

Really?
I mean teeth. Yes!

LAUGHTER DOWNSTAIRS

LAUGHTER AND CHATTER

ENID GIGGLES

Dorothy!

What a surprise! Goodness.

Sorry, am I interrupting something?
I didn't realise you had company.

Er... No.

Don't be silly.

No - come in.

Come in. Lovely to see you.

No, um...

These chaps came to see Hugh,
didn't realise he was in Surrey.

Had to make do with me.
Um... Do you want a drink?

Right, yes - I'll have
a small sherry, thank you.

Jolly good.

Er, sit down.

This is fun.

LAUGHTER
We've had such fun!

LAUGHTER

Goodbye! Bye!
DOOR CLOSES

CLOCK CHIMES

Weren't they delightful?

Enid... This is not a good idea.

What?
Are you out of your mind?

Think of the scandal

if it gets out that you're
entertaining the troops

while Hugh is away.
Imagine if he finds out!

Oh, Hugh's having some fandango
with some floozy.

I'm sure he couldn't care less
about what I get up to.

"A fandango with a floozy?"

An affair.

I'm absolutely sure of it.

He's always been
the most appalling flirt.

Tries to charm every woman he meets.

Have you never noticed?

No.

Oh.

Well, obviously,
he wouldn't flirt with you.

Why obviously?

Well, you know.
He respects you too much.

Enid...

This...

It's not appropriate.

You shouldn't be entertaining
soldiers in your house.

Oh, Dorothy.

I am left here all on my own,

I work very hard for the war effort

and I am bored to tears.
What else am I supposed to do?

Well, my sister's getting up
a bridge party at the weekend -

why don't you come along?

Because it sounds
absolutely frightful.

SEDATE MALE VOICES

Hm.

Well, this is fun.

A bridge party without the bridge.

Oh, Miss Blyton,

I really don't know
where Kenneth's got to.

I've told him all about you and he's
so looking forward to meeting you.

Mm.

DOOR OPENS

Oh, thank goodness - here he is.

Yoo-hoo! Kenneth! Over here!

We're over here with Miss Blyton.

Sorry about that.
Woman with indigestion.

She thought it was a heart attack.

Your bridge salvation has arrived.

Of course, I...
know you two ladies.

Kenneth Waters. Enid.

Blyton - your fame, if not your
bridge prowess, proceeds you.

PRE-cedes.

Sorry?

Proceeds - money obtained
from an event,

precedes - to go before.
There are proceeds from my fame,

but thus far none from
my bridge playing.

I think you'll find the word
is "precedes".

Ah.

Good Lord.

Popped in for a game of bridge, had
my grammar brushed up by an expert.

It's obviously my lucky day.
Now, I should just warn you, this...

contraption is mighty unreliable
and I do sometimes have problems

hearing calls, so I beg
your forbearance in advance.

I hope that's the right word, is it?

Miss Blyton?

Perfect.

Excellent.

Well, shall I?

It's kind of extraordinary,
you know.

Normally, I can't hear a word
anybody says,

but yours are all crystal-clear.

Must be something to do with
the timbre of your voice.

Have you always been, um...

No, no, no, no.

I was torpedoed during the war.

Still, luckier than many.

Shall we take our coffee
in the lounge?

Love to.

Excuse us.

It's not actually coffee.
It's hot and brown and liquid,

but there the similarity ends.

It's not creosote, is it?
I do draw the line at creosote.

LAUGHTER

Snap!
Ha!

You're not at all how I imagined
an author to be, you know.

I thought authors were all vague
and wiffly,

waiting for a muse,
that sort of thing.

Oh, useless -
they're a lot of nonsense.

If you want to write,
you sit down and write.

Do your children read my books?

Er, I don't have any.

Always wanted them, but...

No luck, I'm afraid.

And your, er...wife?

The marriage is not...

How shall I put this?

Not a happy one.

But tell me about you. Tell me
everything - parents, brothers,

sisters - the lot.
Husbands?

Good Lord, how many have you got?
Hm! Just the one.

And that's...?

Not happy. No.

MUSIC PLAYS

MAN: Cheerio.

Cheerio! Night-night.

What I don't understand is,

why did you leave home so young?

I suppose...

After father left,
I couldn't wait to get away.

And then I never wanted to go back.

Couldn't face any of them.

What about your mother?

Dead.

Oh, sorry.

You know, for years, I thought
it was my fault my father left.

I thought I...

must have done something
terribly wrong.

That I had some sort of black...

Black wickedness inside of me.

Otherwise, why did he go?

Well, of course
he didn't leave you.

He left your mother.

I'm sure he loved you with every
fibre of his being.

How could he not?

Gosh.

I haven't talked about this
to anyone before.

Must be your sympathetic
bedside manner.

Not that we're in...

That was a lot more fun
than I anticipated.

And Kenneth,
that charming surgeon...

Is married, Enid.

DOORBELL RINGS

How lovely, thank you.

Are they from Daddy?

Yes. Yes, they are.

" 'Let's explore the island!'
yelled Anne,

"who was now climbing up the rocks.

" 'Oh, do come on!
Oh, DO come on!'

"It was a natural little harbour,

"sheltered below the high rocks.

"The water was like glass
and had hardly a wrinkle.

"George felt very happy.

"She'd often been on her island
before, but always alone,

"except for Tim.

"She'd always vowed that she never,
never would take anyone there,

"because it would spoil her island
forever, but it hadn't

"been spoiled -
it had been made much nicer."

Girls!

Girls, come here.

There's someone I want you to meet.

Girls,

this is Mummy's friend, Mr Waters.

He's coming to supper.

Isn't that marvellous?

Well, what do you say?

How do you do?
How do you do...

Maybe don't shake hands.
Ah. Perhaps not.

Why don't you show us what
you're up to? All right!

Let's...

It's marvellous, isn't it?

Digging for victory.
Yes.

Where are you taking me?

It's a secret.
Kenneth, tell me!

What do you think?

I've rented it for six months.

Just to make sure your reputation
remains unsullied,

I rented it under a false name.

What false name?

Well, just...

Popped out of my mouth,
I couldn't help myself.

Kenneth, what false name?

Well...

Dorothy.

Dorothy Richards.
You did not.

That is a terrible thing
to do to poor Dorothy!

She'll never know, will she?

THEY LAUGH

Father! Father!
Hello, girls!

Where's your mother?
She's gone out with Uncle Kenneth.

Who? Uncle Kenneth?

Yes, Mr Waters, her friend.

Oh, yes.

Oh, yes, I know - him.

You know him?

Mother mentioned him to me.

Do you want to come and see
our rabbit?

All right.
We did have two,

but Mummy and Uncle Kenneth
ate the other one.

Oh, really? That's a shame.

Hugh!

What are you doing here?

How did you get in?

Technically, I still live here.

Oh. Oh, good. Because actually,
I think we need to talk.

Girls? Nursery.

See you shortly, children.

Shut the door, Hugh.

Oh, incidentally, I'm sending
Gillian away to school.

I think it will do her good.

Any objections? Would it make
any difference if I had?

Probably not.

Sit down, Hugh.

Do you never stop?

No, I don't, Hugh.

Because I know what works
for children.

I know what they want
and I know what they need.

They want something
they can rely on.

And I intend to keep on
providing that.

I don't know how you get them
published - there's no paper.

Oh, got round that.

Six different publishers.

Six different paper rations.
Simple.

HE LAUGHS

Only you, Enid, could turn a war
into a business opportunity.

That sort of remark, Hugh, is one
of the reasons why I want a divorce.

A divorce?
Yes.

I want this over.
I want this marriage to be over.

On what grounds?
Adultery.

Well, that could be a little bit
risky. Do you think your sales

would survive the scandal?

"Enid Blyton takes lover."

Imagine that on the front of
the News of the World.

Not MY adultery, Hugh - yours.

I know about the girl
you've been seeing.

And as you say,

the damage to my reputation
will be too great.

What about my reputation?
You don't HAVE a reputation, Hugh.

Although, sorry, of course you do -
as a drunk.

Since I left this house,
I've hardly touched a drop.

Why do you think that might be?

Really, I don't know
and I don't much care.

All I do know is that I cannot...

You are SUCH a hypocrite, Enid.

Can you really take the moral
high ground with your fans

when this is what you're like?
The only reason your little fans

adore you is cos they don't
actually KNOW you.

You're beneath contempt.

DOOR SLAMS

HANGERS CLANK DULLY

'Your father's left.

'Your father doesn't want to live
with us any more, he's gone away.

'Your father has found
another woman, Enid.'

Here's a little honey.

There you are. Thank you.
Aren't you excited?

TYPEWRITER KEYS CLACK

"The first day or two of a new term
is always an exciting time.

"There's a lot of unpacking
to be done

"and best of all,
there are tuck boxes to empty.

"The twins missed their home
and their mother at first,

"as did most girls.

"But there was so much to do
that there was no time

"to fret or worry."

TYPEWRITER KEYS CLACK

Maggie, there's someone on
the drive - can you see who it is?

I'm so sorry to have
kept you waiting.

I'm sorry, I don't know
where to start,

so I'll come straight to the point.

I'm Kenneth's wife.

Kenneth?

This is very difficult for me.

You could at least try to be honest.

I'm sorry, I have no idea WHAT
you're talking about.

I know that you and he...

That...

You're having an affair
with my husband.

Sorry, this is ridiculous.
I'd like you to leave.

You've been seen together!

Will you keep your voice down?!
I've a child in the house.

You've been seen with my husband.

Look, I am a public figure,
I'm seen with a lot of people.

Now, what did you say this man's
name was? I know about the house

you've rented in Knightsbridge.

Oh, dear.

You're clearly terribly upset.

Why don't you sit down a moment?

Sit here.

SHE SOBS

Er, I'm sure this is all
a big mistake.

I'll just get you something
to drink.

Here.

Knock this back, yes?

Now, look - how can I help you

unravel this appalling muddle,
Mrs, um...?

Sorry, your name was...?

Really, I nearly died on the spot.
What can have possessed her?

I don't know how she found out
about this place.

I thought I'd taken the papers
with me when I moved out.

Thank God you put it
in Dorothy's name,

that's all I can say.

I think I managed to convince her.

Good Lord.

Now she'll think I'm having
an affair with Dorothy Richards!

Oh, no!

She must think I've taken leave
of my senses!

That's so cruel!

Apparently, it's common knowledge

that I'm having an affair.

With Kenneth Waters.

You?

We have a love nest
in Knightsbridge, apparently.

Where on earth could that
have come from?

I can't imagine.

Very peculiar.

Anyway, it's lovely
that you're here,

because I have some news.

Can you guess?

I could probably sue for slander.

Don't be absurd!
Oh, don't worry, Enid -

I won't.
Course not!

It's not as if anyone's died,
is it?

No. My news...

Hugh and I are getting a divorce
so that Kenneth and I can marry.

Oh, Lord.

Aren't you happy for us?

Won't it create
the most awful scandal?

And the girls will be devastated.

Oh, don't be ridiculous.
Gillian's away at school, now.

And Imogen's...
She's too young to understand.

But remember how
YOU felt when YOUR father left.

That was an entirely different
kettle of fish.

My father and I
were kindred spirits.

Hugh's been an absolutely useless
father.

The girls won't miss him at all.

Oh, for goodness sake, Enid -
that is absurd.

If you want this divorce to go
smoothly, you're going to have to

take Hugh's feelings into account
somewhere along the line.

Of course I'm going to take
his feelings into account.

Obviously.

I'm not a complete monster,
Dorothy.

Do you want another one, Gillian?

No, thank you. Hobnob?
What about you? No, thank you.

You must want another one.

No, thank you.
No?

Well, I...

think we must be done, then.

Get Maggie to, um, clear.

Are you having a nice birthday?
Yes, thank you, Daddy. Maggie!

Will you come and clear, please?

Are you coming back
to live here again?

Well, um...

Well, it's... Imogen, it's...
Children, why don't you, um,

go out and play in the garden?

Yes? Go on, Gillian.

Don't be silly, Imogen. Daddy's got
important work to do for the war.

We're lucky to have him at all.

Think about the poor children
whose daddies are fighting far away.

Think of the poor children
whose daddies are dead, even.

Now, run along.
Play with the others.

Stop making a fuss, right?

Go on. Shoo!

You rang, madam?

Very funny, Hugh.

Now, I've been thinking.

I realise how much the girls
mean to you,

so I don't want you to be excluded
entirely from their lives.

Oh, I like that - entirely.
How jolly decent of you.

I'll give you unlimited access.

Thank you, Lady Bountiful.

If you let me sue YOU for adultery.

We both want to start afresh,
so let's get on with it.

And you'll let me see them
any time I like?

Absolutely.

And then it's over?

And you won't interfere in my life
in any way?

Why would I do such a thing, Hugh?

Because I know you, Enid.

Come along, Hugh -
haven't got all day.

Yes, or no?

Agreed.

Hang on - there's something
we have to do, first.

Enid...

Will you marry me?

Yes!

THEY LAUGH

PHONE RINGS

Oh. Hugh.

No, I'm sorry, Hugh.

I'm afraid she's visiting some
little friends. No. No point.

She won't be home for hours. Mm.
No. That's no good, either.

What about the following week?

Yes. Why don't you try that?

Absolutely.

Yes, of course I will.
Yes, I promise.

Oh, for heaven's sake, Hugh,
I really must dash. Goodbye.

IMOGEN LAUGHS

Yes, hello.

Mr Hawes, please.

Enid Blyton.

Yes, I want you to promise me
that when the war is over,

Hugh Pollock does not come back
to his job at Newnes.

No, I'm sorry - I really am
your most valuable author,

Hugh Pollock is no longer
part of my life

and I simply cannot have him
in the building.

I don't think you're quite hearing
what I'm saying.

If Hugh comes back,
to Newnes, I'll leave,

and I'll take my books elsewhere.

I'm sure you understand
where your priorities lie.

Good. How very sensible of you.

Goodbye.

Your mummy said she just wanted
to have a little word with you,

so I'm sure it's nothing
to worry about.

KNOCK AT DOOR
Come in.

Ah, there you are.
Come in, dear.

I've got some wonderful news.

Yes, Mummy?

Sit here, darling.

There.

Now...

Uncle Kenneth and I are going
to get married next week.

Isn't that marvellous?

Mm, I don't know.

Really, Imogen - you can be
extraordinarily dense, sometimes.

Don't you know what this means?

No.

It means you'll have a new father.

But...

But what about my old daddy?

Don't be silly, Imogen.
Don't you like Uncle Kenneth?

He's been so good to you.

I only want my old daddy.
Yes...

Well, you can want and want
until you're blue in the face,

but your father has joined
the war effort in America.

Is that still in England?

No, it's a very, very long way away
from here.

And he won't be coming back for,
ooh, a very long time.

But, don't you see, Imogen,
it does give us a chance to start

our new lives as a new family.

And in this new family,

Uncle Kenneth will be Father.

No!

Well, I can see you're a little
upset. Of course you are.

But what do we do when we're upset?

We take all the bad things

and we put them away

right at the back of our head.

Until, poof!

They disappear.

Now, if anybody asks you,
just say that...

Well, Uncle Kenneth is your father.

It'll be our special secret.

What do you think?

Trust me, Imogen -

new beginnings are always
marvellous.

Now, run along, darling.

I've got an absolute pile of work
to get through.

Upstairs, there's a good girl.

As a special treat,

I may read you a story tonight,
you lucky girl!

DOOR SLAMS

TYPEWRITER KEYS CLACK

'At her famous home, Green Hedges,

'Enid Blyton enjoys a game
of tiddlywinks

'with her husband Kenneth
and their two daughters.

'Watch out, girls - it seems that
mother might be beating you!'

Thank you.

Is that it?
Yes, thank you.

Excellent.

Tidy up, girls.

Father and I are going out
to supper. We certainly are.

Come along.

Well, that was all right.

Enid?

Yes?

May I help you?

You don't recognise me, do you?

No.

Should I?

It's Hanly.

Hanly...

Your brother.

Yes. Yes, I know.

You look a bit surprised.

Well, you...didn't telephone.

Is something wrong?

Mum's dead.

Oh.

Wouldn't mind a cup of tea.

Yes, of course.

How long has it been

since we last saw each other?

30 years.

Something like that.

I hear you're divorced?

Remarried?
Yes.

Six months ago.

Her funeral's next week,

I brought your invitation.

I would have sent it...

Thought it might get lost
amongst your fan mail,

like my other letters.

Hanly, I...

Thanks for your support,
Enid, over the years.

I've been very, er...

Well, I...

She was ill for over ten years.

Her mind went.

Sorry.
HE SCOFFS

Really?!

Could've fooled me.

You know what I've never got,

Enid, is why you cut me and Carey
out as well as Mum -

what did we ever do to harm you?

Well, it was all her fault.

She drove Father away
and then she drove me away.

That is absolute rot, Enid.

He was a womaniser, any bit of
skirt... You have no evidence

for that, that sounds like
one of Mother's inventions.

You didn't
answer my question -

what did Carey and I do?

I never wanted to see anything...

..that reminded me.

Of what?

Everything.

Mother.

All that strangulated
respectability.

Father going.

I'm sorry, Hanly. Um...

My husband, he'll be home soon.

He's working terribly hard.
He's a surgeon. Um...

Anyway, I think it's best
that you're not, er...

Maybe after the funeral.

You're coming, then?

I'll go, shall I?

This is some place.

Yes.

Bit grander than Beckenham.

Yes.

Different world.

Different girl.

DOOR SLAMS

THUNDER RUMBLES

SHE WAILS

Come on, Enid! Come on!
It's picnic time!

Come on!
Let's go!

Aha!

Hooray, I win.
Damn! I was right behind you.

Poor Imogen was right at the bottom.

Actually, darling...

Yes, five o'clock. Time for you
to go back to the nursery.

Mummy,

who was that man that came
this afternoon?

What man?

And he said, "Mum's dead".

Did he mean your mum?

No idea what you're talking about,
Imogen.

But you said your mum was dead,

how could she be dead
if she just died?

Will you get up
and go to bed at once!

There will be no supper!

And there will be no special hour
with Mother and Father tomorrow!

What on earth is she talking about,
Enid?

SHE SOBS

Darling, darling...?

She's such a sneak.

She is SUCH a sneak.

How DARE she?
What's she talking about, Enid?

What is it, darling? Darling?

My mother...

My mother has been dead to me
since the day I left.

Don't you understand?

Now she actually is,

and little Imogen has obviously
been spying on me.

Shh, shh, it's all right. It's
all right, there, there. It's OK.

I understand, of course I do.

Darling, dry your eyes.
It's all right.

She needs to be sent away to school.
That's all there is to it.

Well, I couldn't agree more.
She's always been difficult.

We spoilt her, Kenneth.
She needs to pull her socks up.

I'll call the school tomorrow.

Right, right.

Oh, for goodness sake -
if they won't fit in there,

put them in the front seat,
there's plenty of room.

I'm sorry, sir.

Just get a move on -
we've got a train to catch.

Come on, Edith!
Sorry, sorry.

In the back, darling.

Imogen, don't be silly. Come on.

Open the door, please.

Imogen, let your mother
into the car.

I don't want her to come.

Just stay here.

I'll take myself.

WIRELESS: 'In the small hours of
this morning, May 7th, 1945,

'I saw the formal acknowledgement
by Germany's present leaders

'of their country's complete
and utter defeat by land,

'in the air and at sea.'

What is it?

Nothing.

Darling, something's the matter -
what is it?

People are saying that I don't write
my own books, Kenneth.

What? Who?

Don't know - some awful man
in the paper.

It says that

I have a team of people,
churning them out like a factory.

So cruel!

It's so unfair!
How can they say these things?

That's ridiculous.

They don't know what
they're talking about.

Take it away.

You call your agent?

What about?

The newspaper business.

Oh, yes.

Yes. He's dealing with it.

Good.

There's, um... something else.
Mm?

I'm pregnant.

What?

I'm pregnant.

Oh, my God.

Are you sure?

Saw the doctor today.

Er, I...

It's unbelievable! I...

I-I never thought it would happen,
I...

Neither did I.

You are amazing.

I'm 47, Kenneth.

It's actually quite frightening.

What if there's something wrong
with it? I'll look after you.

I always do, don't I?
You'll be fine.

You're the most extraordinary...

..clever creature!

Oh!

Ohh!

TYPEWRITER KEYS CLACK

"We tried to take the burdens from
the backs of the three children,

"but they cried out in pain.

" 'Don't! Don't! It hurts when
you try and pull them away'.

"They can only lose them by going
to the Land of Far-Beyond,

"through difficult ways
and hard paths,

"otherwise they must carry them
for the rest of their lives,

"and alas, they will grow bigger

"and bigger

"for there is no chance of losing
a burden of this kind

"in the wicked City of Turmoil."

Put it here.

Is it a good idea?
Just here.

What?

I really think I ought to go up.

Oh, don't be silly, Maggie.

I'll be absolutely fine,
stop fussing. Now...

There's one.

Marvellous.

Ah, wonderful.

What about this one, here?
Madam!

Madam!

Kenneth...

I'm so sorry.

I so wanted to have your child.

Darling.. I know how much
it meant to you.

You mustn't blame yourself.

The most important thing
is that you're still here.

I don't know what I'd do
if anything happened to you.

I'll be fine.

I'm strong as an ox.

That's right.

Stay positive.

I'm sorry, darling.

Darling, I'm sorry.

It was a...

It was a boy, Enid.

Oh, no.

Now, you...

You...

You must get some rest. Hm?

Just get some sleep.

That's right.

That's right.

SHE SOBS

" 'What are you? Are you a toy?'

"asked Big Ears.
'I've never seen one

" 'quite like you.'

" 'No, I don't think so',
said the strange person,

nodding his head.

" 'I belong to old man Carver
in the woods.

" 'He made me.

" 'What's your name?'
asked Big Ears.

" 'I haven't got one',
said the nodding man.

" 'What do you suppose
my name ought to be?'

" 'Noddy, I should think.' "

Oh, look.

Here he is.
What a lovely little chap.

Sweet, isn't he?

Look at all these letters!

Darling, the receipts are fantastic,
the show is a huge hit

and they want it back next year -
what more could you possibly want?

I WANT people to stop saying that
I don't write my own books, Kenneth!

Look at this. "It seems to me that
it is not possible for one person

"to produce the number of books
that Miss Blyton claims to write".

"I suggest that you are a liar
and a fraud,

"Miss Blyton.

And, "Why are all your working class
characters criminals?

Well, at least that one
breaks the monotony.

These people are beastly, darling,

but you really must try and
get over this. I know.

But...

SHE SOBS

The more I think about it,
the worse it gets.

What about my children

who read my books?
They'll think that I'm a fraud.

They'll think that I've...

Let them down.

They're saying my life is a lie,
Kenneth, and I'm NOT a liar!

Of course you're not, darling.
Of COURSE you're not.

Come on...

HE SIGHS

'Are you coming back
to live here again?

'But what about my old daddy?'

'What did Carey and I do
to offend you?'

'I don't want her to come.'

If you can't beat them, join them.

I'm not a bad person, am I?

Of course not.

I've never heard such rot.

By the way, you look very pretty
in this early morning light.

SHE LAUGHS

Now, moving on.

Critics do often say
of your books...

Really, I don't care about
any critic over the age of 12.

Nevertheless, they do suggest

that your books are perhaps
a little old-fashioned.

Well, I only care about children.

And they will always love my books,

because...

Well, I understand what they want.

I know about all the secret places
they like to escape to.

I don't think that will ever change.

Do you?

I'm sure it won't, Miss Blyton.

HE SIGHS

Well, that went marvellously.

I think you deserve a little drink,
darling.

What'll you have - G&T?

G&T?

HE CHUCKLES
Gin and tonic!

Oh!

No. Yes!

Please.

You all right?

Hm?

I was, um...

I was just wondering, um...

Trying to remember
the name of my brother.

Hanly.

Oh, yes. Hanly.

How ridiculous.

How could I forget that?

The other one?

Carey.

Yes.

Carey.

What about them?

Um, shall we have that, um...

What was the drink you mentioned?

G&T.

Yes.

That sounds delicious.

Let's have one of those.

Coming right up.

You should, er...
take your coat off, darling.

Does the house seem very empty
to you, Kenneth?

CLOCK TICKS

HE POURS THE DRINKS

SHE WHISPERS
" 'Goodnight, secret Island',

"said the others.

"And then they slept.

"And they dreamt of their island,

"of the summer days when
they'd go there once more

"and live merrily and happily
all alone, without the grown-ups

"in the hot, hot sunshine.

"Of winter days in the cosy cave.

"Of cooking over a campfire

"and sleeping soundly
on heathery beds.

"Dear Secret Island,

"DEAR Secret Island,

"only wait and you shall have
the children with you

"once again."

There.

The End.

Marvellous.

Marvellous.

Bye!

QUIET CHATTERING

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