Hetty Wainthropp Investigates (1996–1998): Season 4, Episode 3 - Digging for Dirt - full transcript

Mrs Weston? It's Gordon Gregson.

Mrs Weston?

Oh, come on, Enid. Talk to me!

Enid, talk to me. You've made your
point, no-one's listening any more -

not the council, not the press.
Everybody's gone, Enid.

Don't "Enid" me! Good to
hear you sounding so fit.

Can't be fun in there.
I'll worry about that.

I've got something for you - a first
instalment, on top of what's on offer.

Keep it! I don't want your money!

I'm pushing it through.

I'm warning you, Gregson.



You cow!

And don't think it were water!

One way or another, you're coming out of
there! And I don't care if it's in a box!

The Whitby Gazette has no
classified column for lost relatives.

Where should my enquiries go?

Put a box in the family announcements section, your
cousin's name on top, asking her to get in touch.

Just that? Maybe something to say
there's no money in it for her!

That strimmer seems to be working. Why
did Noreen Bainbridge think it was yours?

She didn't.
You mean, she gave it to you?

A kiss-and-make-up present, perhaps?

Noreen?! Perhaps not!

Don't bring it in -
you don't know where it's been.

Oh!

Hello. Is this the Wainthropp Detective Agency?
Yes. Brian Weston. A friend said you might help.



I've got a problem with my mother.

Come in.

Yes I've read about her -
"Battling Ma Weston", "Wild Weston".

Yes. At first it was fair enough.

She had to make a protest, OK.

But she's been holed up in that place without
water, gas or electricity for six months now.

Who's supplying her with food?

Thank you. Me, my wife, friends.

As I remember, she wants
to draw attention to the building.

Glebe Hamlets.

There's no question,
the building's a civic disgrace.

It's been falling apart since it was built -
subsidence. Mum wants the guilty ones named

and brought to book.

The "guilty" people?

The builder. The council officials
who let it happen.

After 30 years? She says when they
demolish it, the evidence'll be destroyed.

What do you say? She should give up

- and get on with her life.
- What about the law?

If she ignores the eviction orders, the council will
have to use force, which they've avoided up to now.

Don't want to give the press any
more photo opportunities, eh? Right.

It's meat and drink to them - a
barmy old dear, effing and blinding!

Can't her councillor do anything?

Well, that's why I'm here.

I AM her councillor.

Is Janet in? Yeah.

Are you Geoff? Yes. Hi, I'm Adie.
Come in.

She's in the shower. Take a pew.

Cheers.

It's an embarrassment, of course.

The sale won't go through unless
the buyer gets vacant possession.

- She's standing between the council and thousands of pounds.
- You must be popular at the Town Hall

I'm getting stick from both ends. My mother won't
believe I've tried to get the truth about Glebe Hamlets.

And have you? I've tried. But if a week's a long
time in politics, what's a quarter of a century?

So how can I help?

Well, I think it's
a bit of a wild-goose chase, but...

if she can be convinced
a proper investigation's gone on,

she might come out.

Hiya. Hi. Are you putting that
straight on? Yeah, why?

It's a bit damp. It's all right.
I'll see you both. Have a good night

Bye. See you.

He's nice. Yeah. I was lucky -
I could've wound up with anybody.

Mm. Instead of just his body.
What d'you mean?

Nothing. What, Geoff?

It's a bit off-putting to be met at
the door by a half-naked stranger.

He was ironing. As it happens. So?

So nothing. Good.
Are we going out or not? Yeah.

If you want.
Right. I'll get my coat.

Do us a favour - put
the ironing board away, will you?

He seems a nice enough lad to me,
Geoffrey.

Mm. You don't want them
getting too pally, is that it?

He's just finished with his
girlfriend, that's why he's there.

If Janet and this fella are working
together at the garage AND sharing a flat,

there's more chance of boredom
setting in than anything else.

That's comforting.

I'd say so.

Mrs Weston? Hetty Wainthropp.

Who's that with you? Mr Shawcross,
my partner. Get rid of him.

Wait in the car, Geoffrey.

You must feel very strongly.
Oh, you could say.

It's a lousy building,
but the people here were diamonds.

It used to be a real community.
Thank you.

It got so bad,
people had to move out.

Wouldn't the council repair it?
No. You can't blame them.

It'd be good money after bad. It
wants knocking down and rebuilding.

Isn't that what they want to do?
Oh, yes.

Did my son tell you
who they're selling the site to?

No. Gordon Gregson -

builder that built this rotten pile
in t'first place.

Well, perhaps he's learned a thing
or two by now. Oh, I'm sure

Next time he'll lay
proper foundations for a start.

But he won't be building for council tenants.
They'll be apartments for young professionals.

And you want to expose this Gregson
as a jerry-builder?

Anyone can see that
with their own eyes.

No. I want to nail him
for corruption.

And anyone else that was in with him.

We're talking over 25 years,
Mrs Weston.

If there WAS any wrongdoing,

people would've covered their
tracks. Are you a detective or not?

Yes. Then get a scent
and go after it.

I got a scent all right.

The state she's living in!

I feel guilty tucking in.

She sounds batty. No, very much
with it. Can we do anything?

I don't know, Geoffrey.

But she won't give up until she's
convinced we've had a darned good try.

Thanks, that was great.

There's some pudding.
No thanks, I'm full to bursting. Oh.

And there's something I've got to
ask Janet. Ah. About the car. Right.

So, see you later.

He's like a cat up the curtain
since she took that lodger!

What have you been up to today?
Doing a good turn, over the road. Oh

Strimming. No wonder Noreen said
you're never alone with a strimmer!

Hi! Come in.
Something's wrong with the car.

D'you want Adie to have a look
at it? No. All right, Geoff?

All right?
I want YOU to have a look at it.

We went for a pizza. For two hours?

It's supposed to be fast food!

He wanted to talk about his
ex-girlfriend. He's pretty cut-up about it.

And you're a shoulder to cry on?

Is there something wrong with that?

Depends. He doesn't fancy me, Geoff.

How do you know? I know, that's all.

Happy now?

No. Oh, for pity's sake!

How can I be, you sharing his pizzas and testing his
shirts for dampness? I didn't say we shared a pizza!

Well did you?

Yeah.

There - lies already. If you hadn't been a wimp
with the Wainthropps, you could've been my lodger.

You didn't give me time
to tell them. I didn't have time!

This isn't going to work, is it?

No.

Mr Gregson? Yes.

Mrs Wainthropp. Yes. Your office
said you'd be here. Did they now?

I hope I'm not imposing.
That depends. What can I do for you?

Enid Weston. What about her?
You know her, of course. Yes.

And I won't be proposing her
for club membership!

I like a man with a sense of humour.
What's your interest?

I'd like Mrs Weston to leave Glebe Hamlets
before they fall down on top of her.

Fine by me. But if you're her friend, you'll know what
we're up against. The money's there if she wants it.

You know she won't budge for money.

What else is there?
A confession, perhaps.

You built Glebe Hamlets, didn't you?

Ah, long time ago.

Not long for bricks and mortar.
It's no secret - mistakes were made.

And bribes taken? You don't seem
the kind to believe everything you hear.

Ignorance and ambition
were all I was guilty of.

You didn't know it was an old
landfill site? Mistakes were made.

I'm surprised you want to buy the site again.
Knock it down and build something to be proud of.

What better way to repair the damage
To your own reputation, maybe.

That's no consolation for
the residents. What's your point?

You should tell Enid
to take the money and move out now.

Take it from me, a sledgehammer
will have the last word.

Sorry I can't invite you in to the
club - we have a strict dress code.

Mrs Wainthropp? Yes.

Would you like to come this way?

The corridors of power,
eh, Geoffrey?

Makes you think, doesn't it?
Yeah. What of?

Floor wax, mostly! Yeah!

We were never big fans
of bureaucracy in my family.

My grandfather used to say,
"There's no government like no government."

Still, the wheelie bin's
been a success story.

All done.

Are you sure?

Yeah.

Let's have a look.
What's the problem? It's done.

Just checking.

Thank you.

It doesn't look as though
they're trying to hide anything!

Oldest trick in the book - give you so
much paper you'll never find what you want.

Have you found something?

No, it's all about
repairs to Glebe Hamlets.

Nothing about the original building.

The name James Cardwell
comes up a lot in this.

Who was he? The Clerk of Works. He
should have been on site to check the work.

Any joy? No, not yet.

If you need me for anything,
just phone me on 3491. Thank you.

Oh, there is something. Yes?

James Cardwell, the Clerk of Works,
is retired, I imagine.

Oh, yes. A few years back now.
Do you have an address for him?

I can check with Personnel for you.
Thank you.

Very obliging. I wonder why.

Mr Hoskins?
Mm?

Mrs Wainthropp? Yes. Phil Hoskins,
Director of Technical Services.

Oh!

Have you found anything?
Not really, no. Oh.

I understand you're interested in digging up some
ancient dirt on the building of Glebe Hamlets.

What gave you that idea? Well, you
are a private detective, aren't you?

There's no secret in that,
Mr Hoskins. We are in the Yellow Pages.

Enid Weston must have more cash than
I thought. We're very reasonable.

My partner, Mr Shawcross. Be sure
to tell her how helpful we've been.

There's nothing here on the building work.
I'm sure there is, if you look hard enough.

Some "dirt", you mean? I'm afraid
that's all in Enid Weston's mind.

Really?

Glebe Hamlets
does none of us any credit.

On the other hand, everyone,
bar Mrs Weston, has been rehoused.

Away from all their old friends?
To make new starts in better places.

We can't offer more.

Go and tell your client
to stop wasting her money.

Mr Hoskins.

Mm?

I've asked your secretary
for Mr James Cardwell's address.

I'll see if she's found anything.

Thank you!

The thing is, Reverend, it's not a
heavy-duty strimmer. Quite the opposite.

Yes, yes...

Yes, so you've said... But I really
feel that your grass is...

I see. Well, I suppose
I could have a look.

Noreen Bainbridge told the vicar.

Oh, you're well blessed!

Mr Weston's waiting.

Good afternoon, Mr Weston.
Mr Weston.

Sorry to call without an appointment That's
all right. Nothing much to report, I'm afraid.

I've heard enough already. Oh? Did you tell people
you're working for me? No. Why? Questions from above.

Hoskins has asked the Chairman of
the Housing Commitee who's paying you.

We're ruffling feathers.
That's a good sign.

Oh?

You know the saying about omelettes
and broken eggs.

If it goes on much longer,
Gregson will pull out,

Glebe Hamlets will stay derelict and
the council will lose their money.

Won't other builders be interested?
It was an old tip.

The cost of foundation work
scares them off.

We can stop our enquiries whenever you want.
You can convince my mother to stop? No.

Oh.

I'd take the opposite view.
The choice is yours, of course.

They bought the house
off the Cardwells eight years ago.

Jim Cardwell died not long after.
Oh. What about his widow?

Still alive, she thinks,
but she's no forwarding address.

Won't she still have his pension?
They're sticky about giving details.

And unless the Cardwells shared a
fascination for reinforced concrete,

it's hard to see
how she can be of help.

You see the problem? You're
asking a boy to do a man's job.

With two weddings on Saturday and my man
off sick, I really need to get it straight.

It's only the graves by the path.

Hiya. Hiya.

How's it going? Fine. What's up?
Just wondered if you needed any help.

What sort of help?

What is this?

Don't make a fuss. Has he sent you?

Just let me look like I'm working,
all right? No, it's not all right.

I said it's not all right, Adie!

Janet!

Why did you ask Adie to check my work? I'm
the gaffer. Has a customer complained? No.

Why not ask me to check on him?
Or anyone else?

Cool your boots, young lady.
Lady? Is that it?

You don't think I'm equal to any of these blokes?
If the boss wants to take you on, that's up to him.

But your work is down to me.
So put up and shut up!

Stick it.

Thank you for coming in.
Do you like it? Is this a statue?

A statue or a sculpture -

by a local artist, perhaps. There's
not much space for children to play.

This isn't designed for families.
Couples, most likely, and singles.

It's a very big market -
the single person.

Has it a name?
No, but I'm open to suggestions.

Ascot House, perhaps.
Or Windsor Court.

What about Gregson Towers?
I'll put it on my list.

How are you going to stabilise this?
By pile-driving the foundations in deep.

Why didn't you do that
with Glebe Hamlets?

Our test holes missed the soft spots. We
thought it was solid ground. But you know this.

Do I? You've seen the records.
The ones that matter are missing.

Oh? The building inspection reports.

But maybe your office has copies.

Can we cut the crap, Mrs Wainthropp?

What's your role - Enid Weston's
friend, a go-between or a busybody?

Why don't you just tell me
how much you want?

Fill your lungs, Geoffrey.
Pure fresh air.

D'you think she'll change her mind?

No.

The smell of corruption is very
pungent. Make sure it never sticks to you.

Right.

Still... Still what?

The money would've come in handy.
What for?

A holiday. A new stereo system.

A season ticket for Man Utd.

And what's the good of all that if
you can't look yourself in the face?

Hiya.

Hello.

Your neighbour said you'd be here.
Why aren't you at work? I walked out

Was that wise?

No. What are you doing? Burning
this strimmer out, with any luck!

How are you doing? I'm overheating. Oh,
dear!

You need a petrol-driven motor
for this.

It's out of commission, I'm afraid.
Bust? Yes.

Where is it? In the shed over there.

I'll take a look if you like.

Of course! Let me show you. Right.

I'll come. No, she'll be watching.
I can't leave you here. I'll be fine.

Off to Janet's, and remember - lashings of
sympathy. Right. I'll collect you here in one hour.

Hey!

Enid! Enid!

It's Hetty Wainthropp.
Quickly! Quickly!

No, no, no. It'll steady you.
No, I'm all right now, thank you.

You say this happens all the time?

As soon as it's dark. Who are they?

I never see them, I just hear them
in the corridors and the flats above.

Gregson's men? Who else?

I wish I had something to persuade
you once and for all to leave.

As long as I know you're on the job,
I'm happy.

The Technical Services Director
let us see the council records.

Hoskins.

Mm. We found nothing.

Not surprising. He were the building
inspector when this place were built.

Hoskins authorised the certificates?

So if there was any wrongdoing,

he and the Clerk of Works
were in it together.

Find Jim Cardwell and ask him.

I can't. Jim Cardwell's dead.

It wasn't Adie's fault.
He should've stuck up for you.

He couldn't! He could've refused to check
your work. And put both of us out of a job.

Perhaps he could speak to the boss,
get you back in.

No. I was on borrowed time with that pig in the
office. If he can't trust me, I don't want the job.

You shouldn't have left her there.
I know.

I told him to go, Robert.
It's my own fault.

Well, it was stupid and dangerous.

Organised scare tactics,
nothing more.

No more night calls.

All right.

Your day seems to have
left its mark as well. Aye.

I'll be seeing tombstones
in my sleep.

I'd have got away if Janet hadn't
got their heavy-duty strimmer going.

Blisters or not, we'd swap jobs
with you! Gregson tried to buy us off.

Oh? Very sunny he was, at first,

like a basking shark.

He must've thought you had something
I only wish we had.

The Clerk of Works -
what was his name? Jim Cardwell.

Why? I'm not sure.

It just seems to ring a bell.

You knew him? REVEREND: Very well.
He was a sidesman here.

Smashing chap. We wrote a booklet
on the church's history. Really?

Jim was a dear friend.
And Lilian, too, his wife.

Jim got all the facts together
and I did the scribble.

Keen on his facts, was he? Very meticulous. He loved
local history. Made it part of his job, he said.

As Clerk of Works?
At every excavation,

Jim would be there to make sure
that nothing was lost to posterity.

Thank you.

Do you still see Lilian Cardwell?
No, she's in a home.

Rather fragile now, I believe.
We exchange Christmas cards.

He's rather enjoying himself!
I dare say he is, Reverend!

He asked me where to stop.
I said, "The wall's the limit!"

Thank you for your time.

She's just over here.

You've got visitors, Lilian.
Visitors?

Hello, Mrs Cardwell.
It's Hetty Wainthropp.

And I have a young man with me -
Geoffrey Shawcross. Hello.

Thank you.

Hetty Wainthropp? Yes.

Hetty Wainthropp. Do I know you?

No. Oh.

We want to ask you
about your husband, Mrs Cardwell.

Jim? My Jim?

Yes.

He isn't here. He passed away.

Yes, I know.

He's been gone for some time, I'm sorry. I
forget how long. What did you want to know?

Can I help?
I'm Mrs Cardwell's daughter.

We would have checked if we'd known
where to make contact. No harm done.

All visitors welcome.

How long has your mother been blind? Ten years
or more. Partially blind for 20 before that.

Oh, dear. That's hard.
Hard on all the family.

Yes, of course.

Dad wanted to find a cure. Jackie,
where are her photos? The album?

No, I've got that. The loose photos.

Obviously, he failed to find a cure.

Not for lack of trying. He even took
her to the States to a specialist.

When was that? In the '70s. He was
still paying the bills years later.

Are these them? Yes. Thanks, Jackie.

Did your father ever mention
Glebe Hamlets? Glebe Hamlets?

They're council flats. I know.
Why d'you ask about Glebe Hamlets?

It's about to be demolished. As local
historians, following in your father's footsteps,

we're documenting its rise and fall.

I see. Well, he was rather
ashamed of it, to be honest.

Ashamed of what?
That he hadn't done his job properly

The building was going up at the time
my mother's condition was diagnosed.

I don't think his mind was on it.

That's Dad.

Very smart! Not really typical.

He was more
a cardigan-and-slippers man.

What's that a photo of?

A topping-out ceremony - laying the
last brick before the roof goes on.

Did they take a photo of Glebe
Hamlets being topped out? I expect so.

Yes. Glebe Hamlets. You're in luck.

May I borrow this? Yes, of course.

I'll take the album downstairs.

She likes to look through it.

What would make a God-fearing man
desperate enough to take a bribe?

To see his wife going blind?

If that's true, he must've been
in a dreadful turmoil.

Hello, it's Jackie
from Whiston Grange Retirement Home.

Yes, you said to call
if Mrs Cardwell had any visitors.

Assuming we're right,
we still can't prove anything.

Maybe someone in the photo can help.

A fair few will be dead by now.
True.

And by the time we've traced the rest, Brian
Weston's money will have run out. Even so...

What?

Jim Cardwell
was an amateur historian.

He was passionate about
reclaiming the past for posterity.

What are you saying?

I'm not sure.

Most people take their guilty
secrets to the grave, Geoffrey.

But I don't think
he was one of them.

Nearly there?

Nearly done? I've booked the end
plot to drop into when I get there!

You've done a good job.
He might want you to stay on.

Not likely! You missed Janet.

She's taken the strimmer
back to Noreen Bainbridge,

who threatened revenge on me
and she's had it!

Only Jim.
I don't recognise anyone else.

But, to be honest, I need my glasses
Same here!

But I can see
he's holding something. Jim? Yes.

Let's find my magnifying glass.

That's better. Now then...

It looks like his Thermos flask.

No. It's a container,
but it's not for his tea.

Time capsule, I think. Time capsule?

Containing artefacts
for future archaeologists to find.

Mr Gregson!

Looks as though
you're going to be received.

What use is an old photograph?
You said the records were clean.

- It's just a photograph.
- Worth more than a thousand words

Are you sure the council kept a copy?
What sort of system is this?!

We're talking about 25-years'
worth of photos! So just find it!

This picture was taken
as the last brick was laid.

And you think he put his capsule
behind it. Yes, in the cavity wall.

You must know this place like
the back of your hand. Hold on!

That's the gable end. Which gable
end? I'll look round for some tools.

You can't see in this light.
Come outside and have a proper look.

It's all right.

Got it!

Well?

Nothing.

See? It's just a photograph.
What's that? What?

I'll check the roof space. That's
where the last bricks must be.

Yes!

I've got something!

Hello?

Come on!

It's all here.

Jim Cardwell's confession...

Everything. Does he name names?

Oh, names are named all right.

So you've found
some of the council's property.

- Mr Hoskins will take charge of it.
- Not on your life.

- Do you intend to steal it?
- Yes. Call the police!

A citizen's arrest will do.
You're no citizen!

Your lot are poison to citizens. If it hadn't been
for Enid, you'd have got away with it scot-free.

- My back's not against the wall.
- You're going down, both of you.

Just hand it over.
Nobody needs to get hurt.

Scream. AH!

Finished? OK.

So let's have it.

Let's have it!

How did you know
they were going down?

Oh, hi! Hiya.

Are you going away? I made up with
my girlfriend. Oh. Moving back. Ah.

It's a bit awkward for Janet, but...
one of those things.

Yeah. D'you need any help?
No, thanks.

I've just got to load up.
You're best off in there.

Right.

Well... I'll see you round.

Yeah. OK. All right.

Hi.

He's gone, then.

Happy? Course not. Weren't you
worried he'd show me his ironing again

We got a result today.

Good. D'you want to go out?

Take Adie.
He's in a celebration mood.

What are you going to do?
Have an early night.

I need to find a job and a lodger tomorrow.
It's not MY fault! Not all of it, anyway.

Bang the door as you go. Janet!
Night, Geoff.

The settee?
You're not serious!

I'm keeping it. But it's
a new flat! It's a comfort.

It's a health hazard!
It's going!

Let it rest, or she'll be back in! To think,
this is the day I've been praying for!

Funny the way things turn out. There was
a moment when you wanted us to call a halt.

I hope I can still
rely on your discretion. Really?

I thought politicians
enjoyed taking the credit.

Too much blood spilt for that.
And we're none of us blameless -

next time, you might be after me!

Subtitles by Diana Watts, BBC - 1998