Goodnight, Mister Tom (1998) - full transcript

( birds singing,
church bells pealing )

( radio tuning through
stations and static )

Radio announcer:
...Seeds, wait until the fruit
is nearly...

( crowd laughs )

Vicar:
Sorry about that.

BBC announcer:
This is London.

You will now hear a statement
by the prime minister.

Chamberlain:
I am speaking to you

From the Cabinet Room
at 10 Downing Street.

This morning the British
ambassador in Berlin

Handed the German government
a final note



Stating that unless we heard
from them by 11:00

That they were prepared at once
to withdraw their troops

From Poland, a state of war
would exist between us.

I have to tell you now
that no such undertaking

Has been received

And that consequently

This country is at war
with Germany.

( crowd gasps )

Give them an inch,
they take a yard.

Excuse me.

Oh, um, Mr. Oakley...

I thought I spotted you
sitting at the back there.

You've heard that our
choirmaster, Walter Wingate

Has just been called up...



No.

Which does rather present us
with a bit of a problem.

Oh.

Only I have it
on good authority

That you're something
of a musician yourself?

I used to play
the organ a bit, if
that's what you mean.

Doesn't mean
I know anything
about choirs--

Or would want to.

We all have to do our bit,
you know-- it's your duty.

And when I need you
to tell me

What my duty is, Mrs.
Ford, I'll let you know.

At least tell me you'll think
about it, Mr. Oakley.

I'll think about it.

( stationmaster blows whistle,
train chugs off )

Now wait here...

Well?

You realize that I am the
billeting officer for this area?

What's that to do with me?

His name is William beech,
and his mother says

She'll only let him be evacuated
if he's put with someone

Who's either religious
or lives near a church.

And the home office says
it is obligatory to take one.

So I'm sorry,
Mr. Oakley

But he just has to go somewhere.

You'd best come in then.

Come on.

Well, take your mac off.

Look...

If you've had
enough, leave it.

So, where you from?

( clears throat )

London.

( chair scrapes )

Look, uh, I have to go out.

You'll be all right for a bit
on your own, will you?

Yeah.

Right.

Have a look outside
if you want.

( door opens, then bangs shut )

Tom:
I'm not having him
and that's that.

What do I know
about kids of that age?

Excuse me, Mr. Oakley,
you have got him

Whether you like it or not.

And if you don't--

Well, you're just going to have
to lump it, aren't you?

For what it's worth,
I wasn't happy

About leaving the child
with you either

But I'm afraid it's a case
of needs must, Mr. Oakley.

There's not another
spare bedroom going

In the entire village.

Then try another village.

That is out of the ques... No!

We all have
to put our shoulders

To the wheel,
Mr. Oakley--

Even you.

There is a war on, you know.

Woman:
Hello.

You're one of the
London lot, aren't you?

Yes, miss.

And a regular wild bunch,
too, I've heard.

Man:
What's your name, then?

William beech.

Well, William beech

I expect I'll be seeing you
in my class shortly.

And it's not "miss,"
it's "missus."

Mrs. Hartridge,
all right?

So who are you
billeted with, then?

He lives there.

Oh, you mean Tom.

Well, good-bye, William.

( dog barks )

Get away! Get away
or I'll kill you!

Now, we'll have no talk
about killing, all right?

Because I reckon we've got
about enough of that already.

Now, as far as
the dog's concerned

It's my dog there.

His name's Sammy, and he's
soft as me pocket really.

So don't you go taking
no more sticks to him.

Do you hear?

( poker sizzling )

Well, now what?

( Sam barking )

( Sam continues barking )

( birds chirping outside )

( church bell rings )

Woman:
Dear sir or madam

I asked if Willie
could go and stay

With God-fearing people

So I hope he has.

Like most boys,
he's full of sin

But he has promised
to be good.

But just in case,
I've put the belt in.

( belt buckle clanks softly )

Good night, then.

Good night, mister.

You can...
Call me Tom.

( from bedroom ):
Good night, Mr. Tom.

Sorry, mister.

Get them wet things off.

And the jacket.

Now, here's
the post office.

If you just
get a stamp

And post
this for me

While I have
a quick word
with the doctor.

Woman:
Your mum won't be able
to read that.

Yes, she will.

She's got
one of these, too.

And this way,
you see

You get twice
as much on.

Thank you.

You see, when I got
him up this morning

I found he'd wet the bed.

A not uncommon occurrence, Tom.

With a child who's been
ripped out of his home

Practically by the roots

And dumped
in some alien place.

But what am I supposed
to do about it?

What we're all having
to do these days, Tom.

Oh?

The best we can

Under the circumstances.

So, what's your name?

William,
William beech.

What's yours?

Zacharias wrench--

My parents' idea
of a joke, I think.

But you can
call me Zach.

Who've they
put you with?

Mr. Tom.

I'm here with the doctor
and his wife--

Friends of my mum
and dad's.

It'll come in handy,
I suppose...

If I'm ever ill.

You all right?

Yeah.

Come on, then.

See you around.

Yeah.

Bye.

Good lads.

Have you got
your Anderson up yet?

It's been
delivered.

I'll send the lads round
if you like--

Give you a hand.

I can manage,
thanks.

Who said you couldn't?

You still a member
of that knitting circle

Round at the church?

Of course.

Only, um... You'll have heard

I've been landed

With one of
these evacuees.

Talk of the village.

I'll bet.

Only the only
clothes he's got

Are what he's standing up in,
you see.

You haven't got
to clothe them, you know.

I wasn't planning to.

I was wondering if...

Between you
you could, like

Rustle him up
a couple of things.

I'll think about it.

For me?

Well, who else?

Well, come on,
let's see if they fit.

Never mind.

Come on, then.

( Sam whimpering )

Now, I thought

You were supposed
to be helping.

Me new shirt
will get dirty.

Then take it off.

Go and change it, then.

Aren't you roasting

In that jumper,
William?

No.

He's got a temperature,
hasn't he?

Trying to sweat it
out of himself

If you must know.

Well, come on, then, chop-chop.

Want this finishing by tonight.

I'm going over

To the church
for a bit.

Back in
about an hour.

All right?

All right.

( organ playing )

%% and did those feet
in ancient times... %%

No, just a minute,
just a minute.

I mean... Have I been wasting
my time these last months

Or what?

It's uplifting people want,
not burying!

Now, start again!

Let's put a bit of beef
into it this time!

Some sort of problem,
is there, Mr. Oakley?

Nothing I can't sort out...

If left to get on with it.

Right.

Now, this time
I want to hear you.

All right?!

So...

( plays first chord )

%% bring me my bow
of burning gold %%

%% bring me my arrows of desire %%

( joining in ):
%% bring me my spear:
O clouds unfold %%

%% bring my chariot of fire %%

Choir ( alone ):
%% I will not cease
from mental fight %%

%% nor shall my sword
sleep in my hand %%

%% till we have built Jerusalem %%

%% in England's
green and pleasant land. %%

( William groans )

( organ plays end of hymn tune )

Tom:
William?

William?

Have you no more sense

Than to be out here
at this time of night?!

Do you want
to catch your death?!

You said we had
to finish it tonight.

What?!

All right, come inside, then.

Come on.

( sighs )

( William pounding on organ )

Don't you ever touch
that instrument again

Without my permission.

Is that clear?

I'm... Going fishing this
afternoon if you want to come.

Need any help?

I think I can just
about manage, thanks.

Is will about?

We were just off out, actually.

Oh...

Going
somewhere nice?

Fishing.

Really? Can I come?

Afternoon.

( plane flying low )

Wow!

Well, cheer up.

It's only school
you're going off to,
you know

Not your own hanging.

Got everything,
have you?

Right.

Off you go, then.

( children laughing
and shouting )

Zach:
Will!

Will!

( young children
singing in distance )

I'm sorry, William.

It's the door
just across the hall.

Now, what's the matter?

They put me with the babies.

Can we have a word?

Of course,
Mr. Oakley.

William tells me

You've put him
in the babies' class.

That's right,
Mr. Oakley.

Well, would you mind
telling me why

When you've got
all his friends
in your class?

Because they can read and write.

Tom:
Now, join up the dots

And see what
you end up with.

Never mind.

Now... Try again

Only this time,
take your time.

Don't try stabbing
it to death.

Here you are.

Have another go.

It's bad, isn't it?

No, it isn't!

Not bad at all.

Now, just get on
with the next one.

That's it.

There you are,
you see.

You've written
your own name.

Oh, Mr. Tom!

Now... Draw a line
under that

And get it copied.

And before you do,
just you draw me
another line.

Them's straighter than
I can do with a ruler.

Wherever did you learn

To do that?

Just did it.

Go on, then,
get it copied.

Won't I go to hell?

Hell?

Only you go to hell
if you copy, don't you?

It's cheating.

Well, whatever lunatic
told you that?

Never mind, just do it...

And if a chap with horns

And a pitchfork
comes looking
for you

We'll blame me, all right?

"the tinder box."

"a soldier was marching
along the high road

Right-left, right-left..."

"everybody used to mock
him and make fun of him.

The eldest son wanted
to go and cut wood..."

"the kingdom was
cer... Cer...

Cert... Certainly
very small."

( rooster crowing )

What's it say, Mr. Tom?

"in loving memory
of Rachel Oakley

"aged 27 years

"a dearly beloved wife.

"also John Oakley,
aged five years

A dear son, now with God."

And did they
just die?

No... They caught
Scarlatina.

What's Scarlatina?

A disease-- a killer.

At least in them days.

Two weeks,
it was all over...

Or so I'm told.

Why didn't you catch it?

Because I wasn't here, was I?

No, I was on a ship
on convoy duty

Fighting for king and country,
as they say.

What was he like-- John?

Oh, he was bright as a button,
sharp as sixpence.

Bit naughty sometimes

But...

Full of life...

To the brim.

In fact, very much
like her, really.

Anyway, what's this?

Out here in your 'jamas
and not even dressed yet.

I wanted to show
you something.

Oh?

Come on.

Come on.

( William panting )

Well?

Dry, Mr. Tom, it's dry.

That's great, William,
that's really great!

Tom:
Two and six?

This is quality
stuff, Mr. Oakley.

( thunder rumbling )

So this is

Where you've been
hiding yourself.

You do realize your
tea's been on the table

For nearly half an hour

Do you?

Sorry, Mr. Tom.

I should think you are.

%% happy birthday to you %%

%% happy birthday
to you %%

%% happy birthday, dear William %%

%% happy birthday to you. %%

( all clapping and cheering )

Go on, then, blow.

Zach:
If you manage

To blow
them all out

You get to make a wish.

( all talking at once )

Woman:
Anybody want the last rock cake?

( kids laughing )

So didn't she even
send him a card, then?

Nothing.

Shame on her.

Now, come on,
let's have a tune
out of you.

Come on, Alice,
you know better
than to ask that.

Look, Rachel wouldn't
have thanked you

For letting it rot
away in the corner

Just because
she's not here
to play it anymore.

You can't grieve
forever, Tom.

( kids laughing
and tooting noisemakers )

Boy:
Pop it--
pop the balloon.

( balloon pops )

( kids laughing )

( kids talking and laughing
in background )

( tones begin to emerge )

( playing "it's a long way
to Tipperary" )

All:
%% ...It's a long way to go %%

%% it's a long way to Tipperary %%

%% to the sweetest girl I know %%

%% good-bye, Piccadilly %%

%% farewell, Leicester square %%

%% it's a long, long way
to Tipperary %%

%% but my heart's right there. %%

Well done, Tom.

( all clapping )

( all calling good-bye )

Night.

Night, William.

Oh, and, uh... This is
for you as well, by the way.

Nearly forgot
to give it to you.

Happy birthday.

Thanks, Mr. Tom.

This has been the best time
I've had in me whole life.

( retching )

Obviously.

Come in.

Mrs. Black said
I were to see you

Before I went home.

That's right,
William.

I've got a bit
of news for you.

Mr. Tom, I've been moved up
to Mrs. Hartridge's class!

She says I can read and write
good enough now.

It's from your mum,
William.

Seems she's not
been very well.

Wants you back.

Where have they
come from, Mr. Tom?

Place called Dunkirk...

And lucky to get
out alive, I heard.

Walk on.

( steam engine whistles )

Now, don't
forget to write.

And, um, if you do
change your mind

About them paintings
of yours

You just let me know

And I'll post them
to you, all right?

They belong here with you

And anyway,
they'll still be here

When I get back,
won't they?

Course they will.

I will be coming back

Won't I?

Course you will.

Now, you just take
good care of yourself

Do you hear?

You just take
your time.

You haven't seen your
mother for a few months

So... It's bound to be
a bit awkward at first.

I'll miss you.

You'll, uh,
make sure he
gets off all right?

Don't worry.

( train whistle blows )

Here you are,
then, son.

Rise and shine.

Station announcer:
...On platform four.

Willie?

You look different.

Put weight on.

See, I'll take...

( slaps )

I'll say

What to take

And not to take.

So, how are you
feeling now?

Fine... I'm fine.

Only they said
you was ill.

Did they?

So... What you got
in the bag, then?

Just me things

And a present
for you from Mr. Tom.

Mr. Tom?

Mr. Oakley, the man
I stays with
down there.

Well, I don't need
charity, thank you.

It's just
some bed socks.

And Mrs. Little-- that's
the doctor's wife--

She sent you a bottle
of tonic wine.

Wine?!

Haven't I told you
about the evils of drink?!

It ain't
a real drink, mum

Like you get in a pub.

It's got iron in it

To help you get
your strength back.

And what
would you know

About what
you get in a pub?

When we get home

I want no noise
from you, all right?

Why?

Because nobody
has to know

That you're here,
that's why.

And when
we get inside

I've got
a surprise for you.

( unlatching door )

What's that smell?

What smell?

Doesn't matter.

Not a dog, is it,
this surprise?

What surprise?

This surprise
you've got for me.

It's over there...

In the box.

( crying )

It's a baby.

It's a present
from Jesus.

Don't you dare!

A bit of discipline,
that's all she needs.

( crying continues )

She's just a baby, mum.

Sit down!

Now!

My God, but isn't my life
bad enough as it is?

Stuck here on me own
in this house

Night after night

Frightened half
out of me head
half the time

Without you starting?

What are you
frightened of, mum?

The air raids, is it?

The air raids...

Look, if we're killed,
we're killed

And that's God's will, right?

So what are you
frightened of, then?

By what's going on
out there, of course.

Oh, Willie,
if you knew...

If you only knew
what's going on out there--

The filth...

( grimly ):
The rising tide of filth.

Perhaps you should
see somebody, mum.

Like who?

Like an head doctor,
perhaps?

That's what
you think, is it?

That perhaps
I'm off my head

Just because I know
what's going on
out there?

You just keep a civil tongue
in your head, my lad

Or else.

You have brought it back,
haven't you-- the belt?

I forgot.

Liar.

Liar!

You left it behind
on purpose, didn't you?

No, mum, honest!

But I can get another.

I know a shop

Where they sell
lots of them.

Now, get upstairs

Out of my sight!

( baby crying )

And you can shut up and all!

( crying continues )

( pans clattering )

( cats yowling )

( baby fussing )

Your favorite.

Certainly got
your appetite
back, anyway.

Must be all that
fresh air, I expect.

Oh...

Such a beautiful baby
you were, though.

Proud as punch
I was, wheeling you
out in your pram--

Sun shining,
people stopping

Just stopping
just to look at you.

"where do you get
him from, then,
missus, Heaven?"

Happiest days of
my entire life
then, Willie.

Finished?

Mum?

What's this?

My present to you.

It was Mr. Tom's idea.

Mr. Tom?

I told you, the man
I stay with down there.

Well, go on, open it.

It's where
I live down there.

Did you steal this?

I did it meself.

Liar.

I did, mum,
honest I did.

And these?

Where did these
come from then, eh?!

Did you steal these as well?!

They were presents
from Ginnie and Carrie.

Girls?

You've been mixing
with girls down there?

But they're nice, mum

And they all
go to church--

Well, except
Zach, of course.

Zach?

He's me best friend.

And why doesn't
he go to church, then?

Because they ain't
got one down there--

A synagogue, I mean.

A synagogue?

That's what they
call their church,
the synagogue.

He's Jewish?

You're telling me

That you've been consorting
with Jews down there?

But what's wrong
with Jews, mum?

Like Zach says,
Jesus was a Jew,
wasn't he?

Blasphemer.

Blasphemer!

You know what we do
with blasphemers
in this house?!

No, mum!

Please!

Not there!

Please, mum, not there!

( baby crying )

( playing "it's a long way
to Tipperary" slowly )

Radio announcer:
The German raiders are leaving
blazing and destroyed buildings.

Overhead I can hear the pulsing
drone of the circling bombers.

Below ground in the shelters,
men, women and children listen

To the muffled sounds of bombs
and antiaircraft fire.

Zach:
Mr. Oakley?

Still no news, then?

Afraid not.

Contact him, Mr. Oakley?

Only I thought I'd have heard
from him by now, you see.

It's been
over a month.

It does tend to happen
like that, you know

Once they get back
into the home
environment.

( Sam whimpering )

( air raid siren
begins blaring )

Warden:
Everybody, down in shelter!

Lost are we, sir?

Looks like it?

Never mind
about that now.

Let's get
down the shelter.

Come on.

Come on.

Come on, hurry up!

I'm sorry, mate,
no dogs allowed
in the shelter.

So what am I supposed
to do with him, eh?

Leave him out here
to be blown to bits?

Oh, come on, then.

And he definitely
didn't run away,
you say?

Only it's happening
all the time--

Kids just taking off,
coming back to London.

No question of that.

Look, I just want
to make sure

He's all right,
that's all.

And you've got
an address for him
round here, have you?

Well, come
tomorrow morning,
God willing

We'll see if
we can find him
for you, shall we?

( bomb exploding )

( whimpering )

( baby crying )

( all-clear siren blowing )

Young couple,
just married.

He was home
on embarkation leave.

And are they...
Are they both?

Oh, yeah.

Bloody, bloody war.

Well, I suppose you'll
be wanting to find

This kid
of yours, right?

If it's not...

Just give me
ten minutes, will you?

Of course.

( knocking on door )

If it's Mrs. Beech you're
wanting, she's not here.

Do you know
where she's gone?

To the coast,
she said.

What about the boy?
Did he go with her?

Can't remember
ever seeing any boy.

Little lad,
ten years old.

Oh, young Willie, you mean.

Evacuated to the country,
last I heard.

Probably
just as well--

Quiet boy, no friends
as such, bullied a lot.

Sitting target, really.

I mean, this house--
real house of mystery, you know.

You don't half hear
some funny things sometimes.

What sort of things?

Well, whimpers
sometimes, bumps.

Bumps?

Like somebody humping
furniture about.

Well, people do
move furniture about.

Huh, at 3:00
in the morning?

So when did you
last see her?

About a week ago.

In fact, I nearly
dropped dead with shock

When she condescended
to speak to me.

Talk about la-di-da.

( Sam whimpering )

There's nobody
in there, Rover.

Not like him
to make a fuss
over nothing, though.

Smell something,
do you?

Uh, look, I'll see
if I can find a copper.

Oi, hang on a minute.

Cor, what died
in here, then?

( Sam whining )

Quiet, Sam.

Here, let me.

( groans )

God almighty

What the hell's
been going on here?

All right, let me
have the baby, son.

Get away.

Let me.

What's his name,
then, William?

It's an her.

I call her Trudy.

Trudy.

That's
a nice name.

Are you going to let me
have a hold, then?

( sniffling ):
Why didn't you come?

I kept calling for you,
but you didn't come.

( moaning and mumbling )

( shrieks )

( shrieking continues )

( Sam whining )

Keep an eye on him,
will you?

Thanks.

( Sam whining )

He's in deep shock,
Mr. Oakley.

We've had to keep him
well sedated, I'm afraid.

Well...

Saves combing,
I suppose.

How are you
feeling now?

I had a nightmare.

They stuck
this needle in me.

Can't I come home
with you, Mr. Tom?

Nurse:
I'm afraid

You have to
leave now.

Don't go.

Stay a bit more.

Now, you just
concentrate

On getting
yourself better.

All right?

Man:
Not something

I have a lot of Faith
in myself, mind you--

Drugging them.

You'll be
Mr. Tom, then?

Tom Oakley.

My name's Stelton.

I'm a psychiatrist.

I work in conjunction
with the children's home.

Our feeling is

That he'd benefit
from treatment there.

What sort
of treatment?

Psychiatric treatment.

I'd like him to come
back home with me.

As I understand it

You aren't actually
related to him, Mr. Oakley.

So, are there any
other relatives

Who'd take him in?

Well, that's,
of course, something

That we would
have to go into.

And if there aren't?

As I said, there is
the children's home.

( Sam barks and whimpers )

( door closes )

( horse snorts )

Mr. Tom?

How did I get here?

I kidnapped you.

Oh.

That's what I did, boy,
I kidnapped you.

I kidnapped you.

( chuckles heartily )

( loudly ):
I kidnapped you!

Well, they seem
to have patched you up

Pretty well at
the hospital, William.

Now, you just
settle down

And I'll call in to see
you again tomorrow.

All right?

The sores will soon
heal, of course.

It's the wounds inside

That we need
to worry about.

Right.

And you do realize,
don't you, Tom

That sooner or later

They're bound to
come looking for him.

No.

No, they're far too busy
to go chasing evacuees.

Besides, they didn't even
know he was in London.

She saw to that.

Good night, then, Tom.

Night, doctor.

Oh, and, uh

You will let young Zach
know he's back?

You mean he hasn't
been round here yet?

( chuckles )

No, no, no, no, no!

No, no!

Get away!

Hey.

Hey!

Hey, hey, hey.

Come on, now, come on.

It's him, Mr. Tom.

It's him.

( panting )

Don't you ever knock?

Sorry.

So, can I see him
today, Mr. Oakley?

When he's had
his breakfast you can.

But he takes ages.

You know
what he's like.

He chews everything.

I thought we all did.

Not everybody.

I just give mine
a quick bite and
swallow it.

William:
Mr. Tom?

Yes?

Is that Zach
down there?

Go on, then.

Take that up.

Thanks, Mr. Oakley.

So, what's been happening
while I've been away?

Not a lot.

Been dead boring,
really.

Oh, except Mrs. Hartridge's
husband got shot down

And killed.

Least they never
found him.

But she still had the baby okay.

Baby?

You did know
she was having
a baby?

No.

But you must have noticed
how big she'd got.

You do know about sex and stuff

Don't you?

Only it's something dirty
and you go to hell for it.

That's rubbish, will.

Zach:
My dad says
sex is

Just a man and
a woman's way

Of showing how
much they love
each other.

We wouldn't
be here

If it wasn't
for sex--
any of us.

But can't a lady have
a baby on her own?

( laughs )

Of course not.

There has to be
a man involved.

Right, Zach, home time
for you, I think.

Don't want William
overdoing it.

But I can come

And see him tomorrow,
Mr. Oakley?

Course you can.

In that case

I'll see you
tomorrow, then, will.

So, what was
all that about, then?

Zach says a lady
can't have a baby

Without a man.

Oh, yeah?

Is that right?

Yeah.

Trudy's dead, isn't she?

I think you knew that already,
didn't you?

And I killed her.

You killed her?

I should have got out--
I did try.

Honest, I did.

Well, of course you did.

Only you were tied up-- right?

Only what you have
to remember is

That the way
she treated you
and the baby

Was because
your mum was
sick, William.

In fact, very sick, I'd say,
to do what she did.

The trouble was

With this war on

People so busy
surviving themselves
to even notice

So there was no one to help.

Hello!

What are you doing here?

I've come to see
Mrs. Hartridge.

She's round the back.

( gurgles )

Hello, William.

Now...

This is my Peggy...

Who looks just like her dad,
they reckon.

( baby cooing )

So, how are you feeling now?

I'm all right.

Oh, well, at least you're back
safe and sound anyway, eh?

So, how about a glass
of lemonade, then?

Yeah, please.

Then you just hold on
to my Peggy for me, will you

While I get it?

( baby cooing )

That's where
my dad's based--

In the east end.

He'll be all right.

Course he will.

I'm afraid we
have some bad news
for you, William.

It's about
your mother.

She don't want me back again,
does she?

She's dead, William.

Dead?

I'm afraid
she drowned
herself, son.

Now, Dr. Stelton's here
from a children's home

In Sussex.

Lovely place
from what
I'm told.

Right out in
the country.

I'm sure you're going
to like it there, William.

I want to stay here
with Mr. Tom.

Tell them, Mr. Tom.

I want to stay
here with you.

Now, then,
that's enough
of that, my lad.

Mr. Oakley
is in trouble
enough as it is.

It's a serious
offense, is
kidnapping.

I weren't kidnapped;
I were rescued.

Why doesn't William
wait upstairs?

Go on, then, up you go.

William.

The man in your dream--

Is that him, the one
with the moustache?

Right.

This, uh,
children's home

You're on about
taking him to.

Oh, yes?

You're in charge
there, are you?

That's right.

Only... He's been having
these nightmares, you see

Ever since I got
him back here.

It's hardly surprising,
Mr. Oakley

After all he's...

About you, apparently.

Me, Mr. Oakley?

That you're going to come
and take him away again.

In fact,
he wakes up
regularly

Screaming
about it.

All of which bears out

What I've just been
saying, I think:

What the lad needs
is specialist
medical treatment.

What the lad needs is love

Dr. Stelton

Something he hadn't seen
a lot of, apparently

Before he came to me.

Now, are you people

Really trying
to tell me

That he's going
to get more of that

Where you're
on about
taking him to

Than he is here?

Because if you are,
I'm telling you

You're talking
a right load of rubbish.

Mr. Oakley

Dr. Stelton is

One of the very best
people in his field

And you can
take it from me

That along with
the rest of us

His one and only
concern here

Is for the boy's
own welfare.

Let's get a spot
of fresh air

Shall we,
Mr. Oakley?

( door opens and closes )

But then it isn't
the boy's welfare

This is all about

Really, is it, Mr. Oakley?

Isn't it?

No, it's about
you, I'd say...

Your welfare.

Me?!

A lonely and,
from what I hear,
embittered old man

Facing a lonely
and bitter old age.

You really think

That's the only reason
I want him back?

Just to be company for me
when I'm past it?

Well, isn't it?

No!

It bloody well isn't!

And I resent the implication!

Doesn't it bother you
at all that when you're 70

He's still going
to be in his teens?

Course it bothers me.

I'm not stupid, you know.

There's not a lot we can
do about that, is there?

Look, I know it's not
an ideal situation--

Anything but, but...
Well, put it this way:

It's got to be
a damn sight more ideal

Than your
Dr. Stelton in there

Turning him
into some sort of
human guinea pig.

Just tell me one
thing, Mr. Oakley.

Why is the boy
suddenly so
important to you?

He's an evacuee,
for God's sake.

And one at that,
as I understand it

You took
violent exception

To having foisted on you
in the first place.

Isn't it obvious?

Not to me, no.

Nor to Dr. Stelton.

Because I love him,
of course...

As if he was my own
flesh and blood, I do.

And for what it's worth,
I think he loves me as well.

And is that really
enough, do you think

In this day and age?

Well, I suppose
it has to be

Hasn't it,
Mr. Greenway?

In this day and age
or any other

Because if it isn't...
What else is there, eh?

( door opens and closes )

I won't go with them, Mr. Tom.

I won't go with them!

( sternly ):
Oh, won't you?

No, I won't!

Just as well,
then, isn't it?

Because nobody's
asking you to.

What?

Come here.

You see that one
in the dark suit?

William:
Yeah.

Well, he's from
something called
the home office

And he reckons

That after all
the trouble
you've caused

He don't want
you back anymore,
thanks, so...

As long as
I adopt you

All legal
and proper like

Looks like I'm stuck
with you, doesn't it?

Oh, Mr. Tom!

( car driving away )

Mrs. Little,
can I see Zach?

Only I've got some
really great news
to tell him.

Of course you can,
William.

( breathlessly ):
Thank you.

He's upstairs...
Packing.

Packing?

Yes... You see

He's just had
some news himself--

Not very good news
in his case,
I'm afraid.

I got a phone call
from my mum.

They bombed the docks.

My dad was there.

I'm sure he'll be
all right, of course.

Take more than
a German bomb to stop him.

Only I have to go and see him...

Just in case he's...

( airplanes roaring )

Are they going
to bomb us, Mr. Tom?

They're saving them
for London, I expect.

( airplanes roaring overhead )

( Sam whimpering )

Radio announcer:
This is the BBC home service.

Here is the news.

Last night's mass air raid on
London is estimated to have been

The heaviest of the war so far.

At least 400 people
have been killed

And 1,400 seriously injured.

Fires are still burning
all over the city

And many homes in the east end
have been razed to the ground.

The fire and the rescue ser...

( clicks radio off )

Boy:
Stop pushing.

Woman:
Come along,
that's it.

Boy:
I wasn't
pushing...

( train whistle blows )

Oh... William.

William...

Has anybody any idea
where William is today?

Class:
No, Mrs. Hartridge.

( bicycle bell rings )

Zach:
Yeah!

Whoo!

Yeah!

Whoo!

( door opens )

Where have
you been?

Are you all right?

Yeah.

Up you go and wash, then.

Tea will be
on the table
in five minutes.

I'm not hungry.

Dr. Little sent it round
for you.

Thought you
might like

To learn to ride it.

I'm sure Zach would have
wanted you to have it.

Now, you just
come with me
for a minute.

Come on!

You think you're
the only person

Who ever
lost anybody?

It's happening
to people all over.

This very minute.

And all because
some maniac wants

To rule the world.

And how do you
think I felt, eh

When it happened to me?

Not just my wife
I lost, you know.

She was my best pal
as well... My very best.

And my lad.

Except I didn't lose them

You see...

Not really...

Because they're still here...

Inside here

And always will be...

Just like Zach will be for you

In every
little thing

You'll ever
remember about him.

And that is something

That nobody can ever
take away from you...

Nobody... Ever.

( bicycle bell rings )

William!

William!

What's wrong, Mrs. Hartridge?

Nothing's wrong,
William.

It's just... Well,
I had to tell somebody.

See, I've just
had this telegram

About my David, and he
isn't dead after all.

He's alive... A prisoner of war.

Isn't that
wonderful,
William?

Isn't that absolutely wonderful?

Yes, Mrs. Hartridge

Really wonderful!

( baby crying )

Yeah!

Yeah!

Yeah!

Yeah!

Yeah!

( bicycle bell rings )

William:
Whoo!

Yeah!

Yeah!

Whoo!

Yeah!

I can ride, dad.

I can really ride!

Right!

---the end---