Escape to the Chateau (2016–2019): Season 5, Episode 5 - Cafe Grandma - full transcript

- [Narrator] In the heart of the French countryside,

a magnificent 19th century chateau

stood uncared for and abandoned.

Until four years ago, when everything changed.

- [All] Wow, look at that!

- [Narrator] And an intrepid British couple,

- Turn, turn , turn, turn.

(door creaks open) Wow.

- [Narrator] paid 280,000 pounds

to turn it into their dream, family home.

- Everything is gorgeous. (inspirational music)



(laughing) (camera shutter clicking)

(broom scraping)

- It's so, incredibly important to bring it back to life.

(grinder grinding)

- [Narrator] Since they moved in,

engineer Dick Strawbridge, (metal banging)

and his wife, designer Angel,

have transformed almost all 45 rooms,

including three sumptuous guest suites,

for their wedding and events business.

But despite their hard work,

their dream has often resembled a nightmare.

- You should not be able to see the sky out of your roof.

- Behind every romantic story,



is the reality. (laughing)

- [Narrator] Now summer's come to an end.

(muffled speaking) (wood cracking)

- [Narrator] It's time to find out what happens next.

(board slams loudly) (laughing)

In this 21st century French fairy tale.

(inspiring music)

(upbeat inspirational music)

The wedding season is finally over

and the guests have gone.

But Dick's already thinking ahead

by preparing the ground outside the orangery

for next year's wildflowers.

And in his eyes, a proper wildflower meadow,

means plowing up almost 3,500 square meters of grass.

Unfortunately for Dick,

Angel hadn't quite appreciated the magnitude of his plan.

- Okay, just, just... (laughing)

- Is it meant to look like that?

(snorting)

- I'd never done it before. (laughing)

- It's virtually impossible to walk on.

The kids can't play football or anything.

- Of course they can't play football.

It's a plowed field. (laughing)

I'm gonna go across that way, as well.

I'll try and break it up a bit.

(laughing)

- That's not gonna do anything.

It looks like organized sabotage.

- There's the plowing phase,

then there's the harrowing phase.

I think I'm gonna have to go and buy myself a harrow.

- [Narrator] As Angel is finding the situation

harrowing enough, Dick switches tactic.

- What's happening now, is we've broken it up

so the seeds, when they go in, can actually take easier.

We had some nice wildflowers last year, didn't we?

- Yeah, we did. - Not enough.

This'll be all wildflowers when we finish.

Trust me.

- [Narrator] Angel may need a bit more convincing.

But at the moment, there's an even bigger project

to contend with.

Four years ago, when Dick first explored

the chateau's seven outbuildings,

it was clear that they'd been neglected and left to rot.

Now, one of them, a massive 19th century coach house

next to the chateau, is being brought back to life.

Three times the size of an average British home,

the 13 meter wide building originally contained

the chateau's stables, carriage store, tack room,

and the cook's living quarters.

Last year, in phase one of the project,

both stables were converted into a temporary granny flat

for Jenny and Steve.

Now it's time for phase two;

a double height, family-sized kitchen for Jenny,

and a mezzanine level man-cave for Grandad Steve.

But, to make a mezzanine means demolishing

half the lath and plaster ceiling.

- Wow. - Look at that.

- [Narrator] Something that Dick and builder mate Steve

are actually quite looking forward to.

- Now, it is just gonna be a matter

of making a big mess, isn't it?

- It's the only time I'm gonna be allowed

to make a mess. (laughing)

Encouraged to make a mess.

- Yeah, yeah, the walls are the next thing

to get squared away when it comes to being next.

But we can't finish this wall,

until we make our mezzanine-level mezzanine.

- Yep.

- Which means taking this ceiling out.

- [Narrator] And that means going upstairs,

where everything, from barrels to machines

that separate the wheat from the chaff, were once stored.

- It's interesting how dark this feels,

because we've got this one little window

from the mezzanine level.

When this goes, it's all glass at the front, it's all glass.

There's big glass doors at the back.

This is gonna be a lovely light space.

That's what you promised Jenny, Steve.

- It is. (laughing)

- Alright. - You ready?

- I'm ready, let's go. (wood cracking)

- [Narrator] Up until the 1950s,

most ceilings were lath and plaster,

when wooden strips were nailed to the joists

and covered in lime putty, cement, or gypsum.

(plaster and wood breaking and clattering to the floor)

Half the ceiling might be going,

but it's a new beginning for the old carriage store.

(upbeat music) (debris falling)

- Yeah, good man.

Well done. (birds chirping)

(leaves rustling in the wind)

- [Narrator] Up in her craft room,

on the top floor of the chateau,

Angel is already thinking about design details.

Downstairs in the new Potagerie guest suite,

pride of place is Angel's bespoke walled garden wallpaper.

Now, as her parents' future home

will also overlook the walled garden,

Angel has arranged for the same design

to be printed onto material.

(peaceful music)

- I love it.

There is a company for everything, these days!

And it's so easy.

I uploaded the image that I had

for the wallpaper online and then it turns up.

You choose your fabric, it says,

"Yeah, this one's good for upholstery."

"That one's good for commode", you know.

It gives you a list, but it has come a bit bigger.

You know, Dick always jokes with me,

I don't really do dimensions,

but I really didn't think it was gonna come this big.

However, it's gorgeous.

I love it!

Something quite satisfying about

seeing something that you've worked on

on wallpaper, and now the fabric.

It's very, very exciting.

- [Narrator] Angel's parents have found

at a local charity shop,

a couple of comfy chairs for Steve's man-cave.

All they need are some nice new covers.

- What I love is that nearly 80% of things I do,

I've never done before. (laughing)

- [Narrator] Angel wants to use the old covers

as a template for the new ones.

First though, she has to carefully unstitch them.

The chairs might not have been expensive,

but for Angel, it's crucial her parents like them.

- My mum and dad, they are here in France,

not so much for France; they're here for the family.

They want to be with the grandkids; they are their worlds.

And they are invaluable to us in the wedding season,

because when Dorothy and Arthur are spending time

with Grandma and Grandad, they're having a ball.

- [Narrator] And as far as Grandma is concerned,

the heart of the home is always the kitchen.

So much so, that the children have already

given it a new name.

- This kitchen, Cafe Grandma, is a big deal

because my mom needs a big kitchen,

because she loves to cook!

I mean, it's lovely.

- [Narrator] And to make Cafe Grandma even more special,

Angel's going to fill it

with a plethora of personal touches.

- I love doing things for mum.

Because I know when the kids make me something,

I'm all gushy-gushy,

cause it's just lovely.

And I can imagine that, that feeling stays with you forever,

doesn't matter how old your children are

or how old my mom is.

- [Narrator] Once Angel has unstitched

the old cushion covers, their pattern will be used

to create new ones.

- Right, good, good.

So, we've got our front.

Let's get the sides done.

(scissors snipping)

I just hope that mum, you know, she loves it.

(sewing machine whirring)

(leaves rustling) (birds chirping)

(mischievous music)

- [Narrator] As much as Grandma loves cooking

for her grandchildren, it's nothing compared

to four year old Dorothy,

who's just opened her own restaurant.

- Can I have a menu, please?

- We haven't got menus.

- [Narrator] The service may be a bit indifferent,

but being Dorothy's most loyal customer,

Grandad Steve already knows what he wants.

Even if the chef doesn't.

- I'd like my steak medium rare, please.

- Medium?

- Medium rare.

- Say what?

I'm making it.

- Yeah.

- I'll try my best.

- I'll try my best (laughing)

So, any other people in the restaurant that need serving?

- Nope, just you.

- Just me, it's very quiet tonight, isn't it?

- Everybody didn't like my restaurant.

- They didn't like your restaurant?

- [Narrator] But a lack of customers doesn't concern

a bon viveur like Dorothy.

- Wow, is that champagne or wine?

- Champagne.

- Champagne!

- It's actually champganey wine.

- Champagney wine? - Yeah.

- Fantastic.

(birds chirping) (vibrant music)

- [Narrator] Over in the coach house,

Dick and builder mate, Steve are moving on

to stage two of Operation Mezzanine.

- How simple can we make taking down the ceiling?

Ah, I just think I'll just sit here.

- It can't get any easier than that.

- [Narrator] With the plasterwork gone,

all that needs removing now are

the three meter long wooden joists.

Which, a 150 years ago,

were simply laid on top of the support beams.

- Right, now I think knocking this off

is as simple as tipping it... (wood falling)

- Just left, pull,

and let go of it.

- Ready? (board crashing)

- That's it.

- This is quite a good game.

Your turn.

(board crashing)

- This is a different technique.

(board crashing)

(laughing)

Do you know what the scary thing is?

The fact that those things are just sitting there.

Watch. (board crashing)

- That good man? - Well done.

- [Narrator] Now the demolition is over; creation can begin.

And after decades of neglect,

the 19th century coach house

is about to start a new life in the 21st century.

- This is a pretty special kitchen.

- Look at that.

(mischievous music)

- [Narrator] 150 years ago,

the seven stone and lime outbuildings

that surround the chateau heaved with horses, and pigs,

grain, and gardening equipment.

Now, what was once a dark and dingy carriage garage,

is about to become Jenny's dream kitchen.

(tractor rumbling)

At the back, inside the walled garden,

a patio is being dug out for summer season dining.

Whilst at the front, the sun is also about to be allowed in

for the first time in decades. (upbeat music)

Removing the three meter high wooden doors is one thing;

the original iron framework, quite another.

(metal grinding)

(hammer pounding)

- I would say that wasn't moving, Steven.

- Definitely not moving. (laughing)

(creaking and scraping) There ya go.

- Oh it's flared at the end! - Oh no!

- That's why; hold on. (dramatic music)

Well, that's a nice, neat job.

Couple of little bits to plug in there, Steve.

- [Narrator] Soon, a 21st century,

aluminium and glass facade fills

the 19th century stone archway (drill buzzing)

or at least it will be, once they've worked out how it fits.

(drill buzzing)

- Put it in with that brick in it.

Come on, Jenny.

You can say things like, "It's not straight".

- God, yeah it is definitely not straight.

- Well what do you reckon, then?

- It's transformed it, isn't it?

- It's a completely different place now.

- Yeah. - That is--

That's great.

You can now see that it is so big.

- That's pretty special.

Right, we just need a little bit of fixing

to get it all nice and tight.

But, I gotta tell you, that's a very different building

from the one that was there this morning.

(Jenny giggling)

(upbeat music)

- [Narrator] A week later,

the coach house is beginning to look like

the ultra-modern kitchen that Jenny wants.

(footsteps)

But, with over 42 square meters

(door opening) of floor space to fill...

- Oh wow.

- [Narrator] There are design decisions to make.

Luckily, she has Angel as her personal interior designer.

- All right, I need a list of what you haven't got.

This is what Dick does to me.

"Right, what I need is: a sink, some taps,

some lights, lights, lights lights."

And it's very modern, so far.

So, do you want to have some kind of like coach housey

or more rustic accessories?

- I did want a little bit of new and old.

- But this is all very new so far.

- It is.

- Do you like the idea, because of the coach house,

like trying to find old ropes and kind of keeping it

in the sort of ropes the horses

would be pulled on and stuff?

(both laughing) But do you like the idea?

- Yeah, yeah, some of the old woody ones,

wooden lights, I like them.

- Do you? - Yeah.

- Great, okay.

- I'm not saying your dad does, though.

(laughing)

- It's Cafe Grandma. (laughing)

Can the kids draw on the walls?

(both laughing)

- No, not at 40 pound a pot.

- And you definitely don't chalk board area

so the kids can draw on the walls?

- Um, no I think I've got a lot of paper,

(laughing) in my cupboard.

- [Narrator] They may have different views

on how to entertain the children,

but Jenny is happy to let Angel choose

her fixtures and fittings.

- And a little side, a little side table.

- [Narrator] Especially if it means Cafe Grandma

will be ready by the time she returns from holiday

in four weeks' time.

- We're having balustrades, two chairs.

I have not even been up there.

Have you been up there? - No.

- Is there a wooden floor?

Do we need a big rug up there?

- No idea.

- Can you hold that for me? - Do you want to go?

- Yeah, I'm just gonna have a quick look.

- Careful. (stairs creaking)

- Oh my God.

Dad is gonna be so happy.

You know what mom, this is the place

where dad has to bring all his mess.

- I've said to him he can have it all up there,

but I mustn't be able to see it.

- Yeah.

- [Narrator] And that includes the vintage winnowing machine

that somehow ended up there.

- I've told Dick I'm not staying up at night

to do the wheat in that machine.

You've got to get rid of it!

- I have to say, it's very attractive, mum.

(laughing)

this floor is gorgeous.

Can you write on there for me, please:

lighting for dad's catalog area.

(laughing)

My dad can't resist picking up a catalog if he sees it.

- [Narrator] Angel's dad may collect catalogs,

but it's nothing compared to her husband.

Last year, when the old stables were demolished,

Dick made sure that all wood (wood falling)

and metal partitions were kept safe.

- Take us around.

- [Narrator] Now he's hoping to redeploy them

as a characterful balustrade for the mezzanine.

- I don't think they're in bad nick at all, are they?

- They're not and we can tell by the weight,

that that's a hard wood. - Yes.

- [Jenny] Yeah, yeah that'll be beautiful, won't it?

- Yeah, but it is tired in a lot of places.

- Mhm. - Got a bit of woodworm.

- You think?

- Yeah there's been rumors of..

- Thanks, Steve. - Well, Steve, what we'll do,

is we're gonna grab another one out,

(coughing)

just to have a look at the variety, look.

Stand out in front of it. (wood clanging together)

Now, you see, that's much, much better nick,

isn't it? - It is.

They've really had a chew on that one, haven't they?

- So each one of these, what do you reckon that is about?

Like six foot or so?

- 164, but you see what we have here

is this structure that was used to segregate pens.

And I think the wood itself, this bit,

we've got a fair job to do on it, Steve.

And I think preparing the metal and then metal paint on it,

that'll work.

The wood, this wood, is sound but not attractive.

- No, I think that can be covered.

- See that?

We put a wood hardener on it. - Yes.

- Then it doesn't flake, it doesn't drop off,

but you still keep the history, the patina of age.

- And we only need about four of these, don't we?

- Yeah, that's all it'll take I suppose.

- I reckon it's only about four, max.

- These have to be cleaned down, stripped off, yeah?

So that's just dog work,

the sort of thing we have to get done.

Where do you want to do the work?

I said where do you want to do the work?

- We've got to have it done by the end of the week, so.

- Well, then that's fine.

- It's hot all week.

It's predicted. - I'll do it.

- Okay.

- That's really doable, that is.

- Mhm.

(birds chirping) (upbeat music)

- [Narrator] In the nearby town of Laval,

Angel's also on the hunt.

- Bonjour.

- [Narrator] Two more chairs need recovering

and as far as the material's concerned,

Angel's been given carte blanche, as long as Jenny likes it.

- I do love, like, a toile fabric, so, it's very French.

It's a very modern shop, actually.

They've got a little mixture of materials,

which is quite nice.

Maybe that's for some pillows for the children,

at some point.

This sort of velvety velour, it's quite nice.

This feels so soft and lush,

like I'd wanna sit on this.

The color, the texture, these are nice.

There, my two babies.

- Voila. - Thank you.

(speaking foreign language) (laughing)

(mischievous music)

(sander whirring)

- [Narrator] At the chateau,

Steve and Jenny are hard at work

ensuring the old stable partitions

make a suitably modern balustrade.

As well as live up to Jenny's high expectations.

- Does that feel a bit rough?

- Just a bit of sandpaper, just on these little high bits.

- I think it feels quite good.

- It is. (sandpaper scraping)

- So I think we've done it

the right way round. - I think it's really good.

- Yeah, we're getting there.

It may take another day or two.

- What? (laughing)

- Another day?

Well, we'll start on the next one

and then we'll go back to the first one.

(Steve laughing) I think so.

- Right, more sanding.

More sanding now. (sanders buzzing)

(birds chirping) (upbeat music)

(upbeat music)

- [Narrator] Angel though, is still trying to tick things

off her long shopping list.

(upbeat music) (door creaking open)

(upbeat music)

- It's my favorite charity shop in the world;

and basically our second home.

I mean, we are in here every single week,

and I always come away with something.

I never leave empty-handed, so.

I wanna try and get something for mum's kitchen,

that is gonna, it's just gonna make her smile.

- [Narrator] Like a traditional French baguette box.

- The thing is, in France,

is that they make their baguettes fresh every day,

and that's great.

But, if you buy a baguette in the morning,

by the evening it is a little bit crusty.

So they need a baguette box.

Wow.

Whoa, that's heavy.

Not in the best condition, it's crackled a bit,

but that is a mean serving platter.

- [Narrator] Trying to gauge someone else's taste

is always hard, especially when it's your mum.

- It's a bit dented.

- [Narrator] And it's their dream kitchen.

- This is the sort of thing, look at that, ten euros.

That's nothing, is it?

But I'm looking for to go over their island,

but it's not quite right.

- [Narrator] But Angel has thought of something

that might work.

- When I was down in East London,

there was this amazing shop.

And it was just always lit up beautifully.

It's like, "the neon light shop".

I can't even remember if that's called,

but that's what was in my head.

And I just keep floating with the idea

of getting mum a Cafe Grandma sign.

But, I don't know whether they'd like it?

I don't know, I just don't know,

it's a really big investment for something.

I don't know, I think I need to have a bit of sleep

and come back to this with a bit of a fresh head?

Super, thank you. - Merci.

(upbeat music) (footsteps)

(car door opening) (upbeat music)

(calming music) (wood dragging)

- Here you go, pop.

Will you grab that front end? - Mhm.

- Good? - Mhm.

- [Narrator] At the chateau, the old stable partitions

have now been upgraded to designer balustrade status.

To support the balustrade,

Dick has gone out and bought four solid oak posts.

All they need to do now is attach them securely

to the edge of the mezzanine floor.

Which seems to be much simpler said than done.

- We've got a piece of wood, okay?

And we're going to cut out a corner here.

Cause this is the fillet that sits down below it,

against the big beam, cause this is a big beam.

Okay? - Absolutely.

This is two zero five, and this is 74.

And that 74 brings us level with the top of the old floor.

On top of the old floor, we've got the new floor.

But this bit here has to be cut out.

That make sense? - Yes.

Thank you.

- No pressure. (Steve laughing)

- Don't know what you're laughing at.

(all laughing)

Go make your measurements.

- [Narrator] As neither the floor, the walls,

nor the old stable partitions have

a perfectly straight edge, the job soon develops into

a carefully calculated compromise.

(drill whirring)

- Happy, Steven, obviously? - Yes.

- It's too bloody confusing, put your end in,

put your end in, put your end in, put your end in tight.

What's the verdict?

Do you think Jen, will Jen buy into that?

- Well that, yeah she'll love it.

She'll love it.

I'm telling you, will love it.

We like modern, but I love keeping some of the old.

- [Narrator] Angel and Jenny though,

have a slightly different opinion.

- What do you think of the oak?

- I'm not sure about that. - No.

It's too clashy, mum.

- Sorry?

- It needs to be uniformed.

It looks a bit too, there's too much going on up there.

- You did it!

What do you mean you're not sure about it, Jen?

- No, but now you've got that.

- We've got a job to do either way.

We've either got to stain the beams, these,

or you've got to make this lighter.

Because it's too clashy, mum.

- But, say we put some stain on the oak,

it's gonna go dark isn't it? - Hello, beep, beep, beep,

beep, beep, 'scuse me ladies.

Just a, just... (imitates siren)

alert, alert. - Sorry.

- Dark oak.

There's only this color to make it uniform.

It is dark oak, what color is it, Steve?

- Dark oak. - It's dark oak, okay?

So, making dark oak lighter... (imitates siren)

- Well, I was gonna - little alert.

- put a light wash on it or something,

to paint over it. - Sorry?

- I love them, I love the oak.

I don't know.

We've either got to go one way or the other.

- Are you serious, you're not joking?

- She's not joking.

- Do you know, I think these beams

make them a little bit, make them more uniform.

(laughing)

- Steve, Steve you left us.

The last thing you said to us was that Jen's gonna love it.

- Yes. - Yeah?

Tell your daddy what you think, Angel.

- I love it, but it needs to be uniformed.

It's too..

- The color? - Yeah.

- The dark? - Yeah.

- But, that's gonna be stained.

- It has to be uniformed with this color, partly.

- Dick, can we get it that color and not this color?

- No, you can't.

- Let's try a little bit of oil on there

and see what color they come up.

- You're going, no, you're going on holiday!

Right, just trust us it's gonna look lovely

when you come back, all right? - Okay.

- And Steve will just do whatever she says.

I gotta tell you, making that light's

gonna be really interesting. (laughing)

- Bye, we're going. - Bye.

- We're going now.

- Let's just walk away and pretend we were never here.

(upbeat piano music)

- [Narrator] Now, the wedding season is over at the chateau,

Angel's parents, Jenny and Steve,

are off on a well-deserved holiday.

- Right, passports. (grunting)

How long you going for?

- [Narrator] Though a couple of stowaways

may delay their departure.

- What are you two doing? (laughing)

- Well, we're gonna miss you!

- You're going to miss us!

- Are you coming with?

- Yeah!

- We've got a couple of stowaways.

- 'Scuse me, 'scuse me, out of the car,

Grandma and Grandad..

- But you can't! (laughing)

- Do you want to come with?

Next time we go, we'll take you two, right?

- In the boot!

- In the boot.

Is there a weight limit on your luggage?

- Yeah, about three ton. (laughing)

(car door shuts) - Aww.

- Have fun. (faintly speaking)

- No you're not, kisses!

(pleasant music)

Have a lovely holiday.

- Have a lovely holiday!

- [Narrator] As Angel has promised that Cafe Grandma

will be finished on their return in three weeks' time,

Dick's rather keen to get going.

- Bye bye.

Bye bye!

- Bye! - Right, okay nevermind that,

let's get to work! - C'mon!

- That's right, Cafe Grandma's

going to be worked on, quickly.

Let's go do some work.

Arthur, start cleaning the floor.

Dorothy, I'll let you do the dusting.

Angela, make sure all the furniture's in the right place.

Right, remove yourself from there into there.

Let's go team, let's go! - [Angel] Let me get

my magic wand out.

(calming music) (birds chirping)

- [Narrator] Top of Angel's to-do list is lighting.

And with a five meter high ceiling,

she's hoping to find something

that not only fills the space, but more importantly,

keeps her mum happy.

- Getting in my mum's head, is...

it's a privilege, and it's a little bit stressful.

Cause I really wanna get it right.

So, I'm just gonna take the reins and go for it.

(laughing)

I've been looking at these,

they're sort of art deco ball lights.

But they look really modern,

and I really think, I think they'll love 'em, actually.

And there's loads, but it's getting the right one

that looks really good quality.

And doesn't mean that we have to remortgage the chateau.

(laughing)

(tentative music)

- [Narrator] There's one thing at the chateau

that has always caused Dick a headache,

and that is the poor power supply.

From the moment they arrived four years ago...

- I have now got one socket in the whole chateau,

but whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. (light clicks)

We have electricity.

- [Narrator] To the present day.

- Supposed to have 230 volts.

We got 196 volts.

That is absolutely abysmal.

Bloody ridiculous.

- [Narrator] The electricity has never been enough

to power a 45 room chateau,

never mind weddings and granny flats.

But now the electricity company

has finally agreed to turn up the dial.

- We're gonna have more electricity.

(laughing) I can't wait.

(speaking foreign language)

Normally in your house you've got 220, 240 volts

which means you've got two wires coming in giving it to you.

For us, all we had for the whole chateau,

and all we've had since we moved in is 60 amps.

We had less than you get

in an average bungalow back in the U.K.

running the whole chateau and Jenny and Steve.

Which means that if we basically have four kettles

or four electric heaters on the go,

and turn on a fifth one. (grunting)

it all disappears on their spike.

But now, Jenny and Steve will have enough power

to turn their kettles on, turn some bits and pieces on.

We've got enough power to still be stingy, but to use it.

I might just go put a fan on or something.

(laughing) Use some more juice.

I wonder if I can get him to do

some rendering while he's up there.

- [Narrator] With just over a week to go

until Cafe Grandma opens for business,

Angel's already thinking finishing touches.

So she's persuaded Dorothy and Arthur,

with a little help from Dick,

to paint their favorite moments from the summer.

- Do you know what we've forgotten?

What was the biggest thing we grew in the greenhouse?

- [Angel] Yeah, I'm doing some butterflies.

- Your watermelon. - Your watermelon!

- I'm gonna do it!

- Well, hold on I'm gonna make you some colors to do it.

- [Narrator] While Arthur celebrates

his freshly honed horticultural skills...

- [Dick] That's a brilliant watermelon slice.

- [Narrator] It seems grandma,

has also acquired something new.

- One, two, three, four, five, six.

Six fingers. - Oops!

- Oh we got an extra finger!

That one's a sausage, is what it's gonna be.

Yeah?

Yeah, alright.

- [Narrator] Angel may be thinking decorative details,

but there's still plenty of work to do over at Cafe Grandma.

(fish splashing)

Outside the back door, builder mate Steve is busy

creating a South-facing walled garden seating area.

Inside though, Dick's getting his wiring in a twist.

- See, you put this first fixed electrics in

so far in advance because there was no walls.

Now we've put the walls in

and forgotten what some of the wires do.

(laughing)

So, not clever.

Okay, but they are labeled but I can't actually remember

what the label meant.

So, all in all, going very smoothly.

I feel like James Herriot. (laughing)

just turn the calf around, it'll come out.

Ah, ha ha!

That'll teach ya.

- [Narrator] Eventually, after a lot of hard work,

there's light at the end of the tunnel.

(car engines roaring)

Or at least a neon light at the end of the Channel Tunnel.

Because Dick and Angel have come

to Angel's old stomping ground in the East end of London

to pick up what they hope will be

the kitchen's crowning glory.

- Hello, hiya. (giggling)

- [Narrator] Angel has taken the plunge

and has commissioned a neon sign for Cafe Grandma.

(Angel laughing)

- But I am so excited!

- That is, wow.

- [Narrator] 120 years ago, neon gas

was first discovered in a lab,

less than five miles from here.

And has been lighting up the world,

and hopefully now Jenny's kitchen, ever since.

- You gonna show us how it works?

- Yes!

- You ready, darling?

Here ya go.

This is for your mum? - Mm hmm.

- Oh! - Oh!

I love it, I absolutely love it!

(heartfelt music)

Oh my goodness, me. (laughing)

(faintly speaking)

- Oh, the chair.

Oh, you've done a grand job.

It is beautiful.

Have they spelt grandma right?

- [Shop Owner] Yeah. (laughing)

Don't, because I've only gone by your drawing!

- I love it, I love it.

You've done a splendid job, it looks beautiful.

- [Dick] Yeah, you happy?

- Yeah, I'm really happy.

- [Narrator] All they can hope for

is that Jenny likes it as much as they do.

(upbeat music)

There are now just a couple of days until Angel's parents,

Jenny and Steve, return from their holidays.

While Ian, a specialist kitchen fitter,

finishes off the work in Cafe Grandma;

Angel's in the chateau preparing

some personal touches for their new home.

Like some super special fridge magnets.

- My mum and dad have just

always collected fridge magnets when they're on holiday.

So, we've got that nostalgia,

the memories of every holiday is on our fridge.

So, without customizing their space too much,

they will love, they'll just love little drawings

from the kids on their fridge.

- [Narrator] To give them a little frame,

Angel's using old tin lids.

- And these are nice as well, because you've got

the design of the tin around the edges, which is quite good.

(upbeat orchestral music)

Grandma. (chuckling)

- [Narrator] All Angel needs to do

is cut the pictures to size, and glue them inside the rim.

(glue spraying)

- Little bit of PVA.

Put that in.

And then, literally just glue

a fridge magnet on the back of it.

It's all about creating smiles, isn't it?

Happiness.

It's lovely.

Love it.

- [Narrator] Once the picture's glued into place,

Angel seals them with a coating of epoxy resin.

- Ooh, yeah.

(upbeat orchestral music)

Right, and I guess you just leave it.

- [Narrator] Making bespoke fridge magnets may seem easy,

but installing a custom-made neon sign

is a completely different matter.

- Everything's fragile.

Right, the thing is, having got it

all the way from London, here.

- In one piece. - In one piece.

The last four feet is the most vulnerable.

And if this doesn't work

when it goes up there, can you imagine?

- Nope. (tentative music)

(shoes knocking against scaffolding)

- Okay, oh dear. (suspenseful music)

Good.

Which way up does it go? (giggling)

Right, wanna go upstairs?

- Yes.

- I just hope you don't hear a tinkle.

The tinkle of breaking glass.

- Should be ready.

Can I pull?

- Okay Steve, pull away!

Keep pulling!

Slow, steady!

Bit more, Steven!

- Bit more?

- Bit more!

Hold on, steady!

Hold on!

Steve, stop pulling!

Do not move!

- I'm not moving.

- Do you know what I forgot? (laughing)

My glasses.

- [Narrator] If Dick manages

to get the sign up in one piece,

his work in Cafe Grandma is done.

(drill whirring) (tentative music)

Once he's managed to get down. (laughing)

- Better bloody well work. (laughing)

(enchanted orchestral music)

- [Narrator] As soon as Dick's cleared out,

it's Angel's turn to go in.

Unfortunately, some of her creations

are still up in the attic.

(sighs) - That looks lovely.

This is where my work room

being level five is really, really impractical.

(laughing)

On the one hand, it's great

because, well, I've got peace and quiet.

And on the other hand, it's a total pain in the ass.

- [Narrator] As there are over a hundred steps

to negotiate between her craft room and the mezzanine,

it's lucky she's keeping the furnishings to the minimum.

- This is my punishment for making Dick bring baths up.

(gravel crunching underfoot) (dramatic orchestral music)

(footsteps) (dramatic orchestral music)

I'm actually not going to put too much in here.

I want them to start unpacking their old stuff

and to be excited about it,

cause that's what you do when you move into a room.

It's the best part, isn't it?

I'm just gonna put some essentials out,

to say thank you, for you know,

for being here and supporting us.

- [Narrator] And in Angel's eyes,

home essentials include fresh eucalyptus

from the walled garden.

- Oh, it just smells so, so beautiful.

I want them to come home tomorrow and be like, "Mmm"

but also, I don't want

to put too much personality of mine in it,

because it's their space. (upbeat music)

- [Narrator] As Cafe Grandma will inevitably become

the cozy hub where all three generations gather,

plenty of comfy chairs will be required.

Even those that appear in cross section.

- Everyone has said, "why is the back not finished".

It's done on purpose, I think it's quite nice

to see the way that it's constructed.

I think it's quite beautiful. (upbeat music)

(upbeat music)

I want it to be perfect for them, I really, really do.

I can't wait for mum to see the sign.

- [Narrator] After years of neglect,

the old carriage store is once again

filled with life and purpose.

- Oh I love it, I absolutely love it.

(door opening) (birds chirping)

(door closing) (footsteps falling on gravel)

(birds calling) (birds swimming)

- [Narrator] Hopefully, her parents

will be just as delighted,

because the very next day, they're back from their holidays.

(car driving on gravel)

- Hello!

- Grandma!

- Go on, you run on and hug your grandma.

You go big boy.

He's coming, be careful grandma, brace yourself.

(yelling excitedly) (laughing)

- Hello darling.

- Welcome home. (kissing)

Arthur, whoa!

- We missed you.

How long has it been?

A long time, hasn't it?

- Dorothy. - You have to shut their eyes.

- Grandma in first.

- Grandma first.

- Ladies first.

- Can I open me eyes?

- Yeah, open your eyes, in you go.

- Oh my gosh! (laughing)

oh wow, oh wow!

(all talking excitedly) (laughing)

Oh my God! (laughing)

Oh no, oh look! (laughing)

Oh, it looks fabulous.

Oh, thank you so much!

Thank you!

- What do you reckon?

- I can't believe it! (laughing)

- Thank you. - Oh, pleasure.

- The kids have made you something to go on your fridge,

cause we know how much you love fridge magnets.

- Oh my God, look at that.

- And that one's mine, and that one there.

- Can you show me?

- That's a picture of you.

- Thank you.

- Oh and I love them chairs.

- Do you? - Yeah.

Good. (laughing)

Good.

- It's all really, really nice.

- [Narrator] Just as impressive is how

a little bit of wax on the posts

has resolved the barney over the balustrade.

- Remember when we went, yeah?

And it was like you wasn't sure,

but it looks absolutely really, really nice.

- It does? - Yeah.

- Woo hoo!

We've got upstairs for you.

Shall we show Grandad upstairs?

- [Narrator] Where Angel has made sure

that Grandad has everything he needs.

- This is your room, darling. (all laughing)

- It's lovely.

- No one in the world has got a chair like this.

- Where did you get the fabric?

Is that from France?

- That's the Potagerie suite fabric.

- No, I knew that, I knew that.

(laughing)

- This is grandad's den.

(heartfelt music)

- I am so pleased that you're pleased,

if I'm honest with you.

- We're both pleased.

I know you've worked so hard.

Don't cry, darling.

- I'm not, I'm not, I am happy, I'm really happy.

(heartfelt music)

- Let's get the kettle on. (laughing)

(heartfelt music) (birds chirping)

- [Narrator] But very soon Cafe Grandma

is offering much more than just a cup of tea.

- Woohoo!

- Yeah, that's the last one (muffled speaking)

Put it on Arthur's end.

- [Narrator] Because on it's menu, everything's on offer.

- Is that alright?

- There you go, gonna make a start then?

- Yep. - Oh.

- Can you blow on it for me, granny?

- [Narrator] From Grandad's highly prized cutting skills,

to Grandma's more than generous helping

of love and laughter. (laughing)

- Thank you for your dream. (laughing)

- The whole thing's a dream, isn't it?

Thank you, darlings. - So welcome.

Cafe Grandma is officially open, isn't it?

(Angel laughing)

- [Narrator] Next time.

- Wheelbarrow race!

- [Narrator] Prodigious pumpkins.

- Don't crash! (laughing)

Don't crash you two. (laughing)

- [Narrator] A dancing Dick.

- I am not the smallest person in the world.

That's rock solid.

Yes!

- [Narrator] And a gaggle of geese.

(goose honking) (laughing)

(upbeat music)