Land Girls (2009–…): Season 1, Episode 3 - Codes of Honour - full transcript

As Lawrence and Nancy continue their affair Esther, the Land Girls' supervisor, reluctantly hands Nancy's letters to Tucker, who arrests her as a spy because her father is Italian and her real surname is Morrelli but Lawrence steps in and has her released. Esther finds out that Bea is pregnant but, for the time being, decides to keep her secret. Farmer Finch has a narrow escape when a Rations Officer comes close to arresting him as a black marketeer. Joyce's husband John is less fortunate.He temporarily deserts to see her as he is scared his first bombing mission will be his last. Nancy unintentionally puts Tucker onto him but he escapes when Tucker has a car crash.

I want to talk to you about
what is called racketeering,

or the black market.

It is being stopped.

These food cheats are
the enemies of the people.

They've been cunning,

but they haven't been cunning enough.

They'll get no mercy from me.

There must be no dirty
fingers in the people's food.

Halte! Englander!

Lawrence!

Hey, hey, hey.



Bye!

Achtung! Englander!

Chalky!

That is the worst German
accent I've ever heard.

Come on, John, up you get.

Can't you snap out of it?

So caring and so sensitive.

Well, I am, but you've been
moping around for months now.

I want the old Annie back.

Well, maybe I want the old Bea back,

but that's not going
to happen either, is it?

Sometimes I just wish I
could wave a magic wand.

If you had a magic wand, you
could use it to hide that.

I'll be fine as long as
I wear a baggy jumper.



Bea, you're six months' pregnant.
You can't hide it forever.

I have to.

If they find out, they'll send me home.

You're right. You can't go back there.

John's finished his evasion training,

so any day now, he's off
on his first proper mission.

Oh, that's exciting.

Nerve wracking.

It's strange to think he'll be
flying to all these glamorous places

but he won't get to see them.

I've always wanted to see Belgium.

John said he'd take us after the
war. A chance to be a couple again.

Annie. Annie what about your breakfast?

Me and my big mouth.

Poor love.

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

Anything for me?

I always said, if one of us
had to go, I hoped it'd be me.

It's been steamed open. Has yours?

Don't think so.

- Joyce?
- No.

Before you say anything, it's
not cos it'd be too boring.

It's been translated.

You can hand it over in tomorrow's post.

When I've glued it down.

Here's one she's written to her father.

I can't be doing this much longer.

It stops when the War Office says so.

Italian again.

But we've been passing Nancy's
letters on for months now.

When will they be satisfied?

When they're sure she's not
in league with the enemy.

There are numbers.

Map co-ordinates.

Don't panic, don't panic. It's me!

John?

John, what you doing here?

No-one said we were expecting royalty.

You've forgotten Mr. Luckhurst
is coming, haven't you?

No, it's next week.

It's today. Any time now.

Who's Mr. Luckhurst?

My worst nightmare in a
stuffed shirt, that's who.

Food rations officer.

Tell me you've not got any
more black market goods.

There's a leg of ham in
a milk churn in the barn.

Well, we can't do anything now, can we?

Might as well just lock me
up and throw away the key.

Mr. Luckhurst! What brings
you back to my humble farm?

I think the word you're
looking for is derelict.

Well, a lick of paint, new
roof, new walls could be, er...

You know how tough it is to get materials,
what with the war and everything.

Some people find it remarkably easy to
get what they need, despite rationing.

Of course...

if I catch them,

then the penalties
are very severe indeed.

Shall we start with the barn?

Why didn't you just tell me?

What, and spoil the surprise?

I didn't even know you had any leave.

When you gotta go back?

Honestly, Joycie, you've got
more questions than the Gestapo.

Would they stop questioning
you if you kissed them?

They might.

Hey, I'll ask Esther, the warden,
if you can stop up at the farm.

- I don't want any fuss.
- It's no fuss.

"Esther, can my husband
stay in the spare room?"

"Yes, he can."

- Where's the fuss?
- No.

What I mean is, I've got a better idea.

Can you get it?

Not without him spotting.

What's that doing here?

What?

That.

It's got a hole.

We didn't want to use it by mistake,

otherwise the milk just flows right out.

I am aware of the properties
of holes, Mr. Finch.

- Shall we, er...?
- Open it.

Beg your pardon?

You heard.

You're right, the beds at the farm
aren't comfy, I'll give you that.

They're better than sleeping in a barn!

- The barn's more romantic though.
- No, you like home comforts.

Slippers, open fire, cup of tea.

It means we can be alone.

Why don't you finish your deliveries,
and I'll meet you at the farm?

Oh, I can't wait for
you to meet everyone.

How are we going to be
alone if you tell everyone?

All right, our secret then.

Mrs. Fisher!

I've been looking for you.

I been on the egg run.

I've had a report from the RAF.

Apparently Air Craftsman John
Fisher has gone absent without leave.

No, you must be mistaken. No mistake.

Has he made contact with you?

No.

I haven't seen him, no.

If he does, you must
report it immediately.

Do you understand?

Are you even listening to me?

Annie, I'm talking to you.

Nancy, leave me alone.

Sorry I spoke!

Just wanted to know if your
letters had been tampered with.

Look, I don't get letters any
more, in case you hadn't noticed.

You having trouble?

- I can't bend like I used to.
- Here.

No bending needed.

Thank you.

You're very kind.

You're very welcome.

So, where's your dad?

Racing here, there and everywhere.

He's lost a leg of ham and he's worried
he won't find it before Luckhurst.

Shouldn't you help him look?

That's what I'm doing.

Perhaps it's out here. Somewhere.

Yeah, I've got it stashed up my jumper.

I wondered what that were.

Better get your sack.

- John.
- Joyce!

Something you want to tell me?

What do you mean?

I've just been speaking to
somebody from the home guard.

It's not like you think.

How is it then?

Talk to me, John.

Why did you do it?

Why did you lie about having
leave? You never lie to me!

You know what'll happen
if they catch you,

- how they deal with deserters.
- Joyce! Joyce!

Of course I do. That's
why I'm going back!

You're supposed to be on a mission.

I know. Look, I just...

I needed...to spend time with you.

You know you can't just go
off when you feel like it.

You don't understand.

What if...

What if my first mission...

is also my last?

How could I go without seeing you?

- You all right, Nancy?
- Not really.

I telephoned my mother earlier.

She told me she sent me a letter
a week ago, but I haven't got it.

You got one this morning.

Yeah, that was the one
from over two weeks ago.

Maybe the Cambridge
sorting office has been hit.

Have you asked Esther?
She's in charge of post.

Do you know what I think?

None of the letters actually go
missing. They just get delayed.

So that means someone
has been reading them.

Oh, don't be daft.

I'm going to go and
find out what's going on.

Billy!

Can you get those jerries started?

I need to talk to Annie.

What?

This came to the Manor House.

Lady Hoxley asked me to give it to you.

They found it outside Tobruk.

And Harry's body?

If there's anything...

Right, well, if that's all, thank you.

Right.

This is crazy.

You said it yourself,
Esther controls the post.

Just keep watch.

So, you never broken
the law, Mr. Luckhurst?

Let he who is without
sin cast the first stone,

Mr. Finch?

No.

I haven't.

Do you want to get
something off your chest?

This happens.

Forced to spend time with
a Food Rations Officer,

the suspect becomes
desperate to end the scrutiny.

And what better way to end
the pain, than to confess?

They'd be stupid, though.

A confession might be
looked on favourably.

I am going to catch you, Mr. Finch.

Mark my words.

She's coming.

Bea?

Bea, whatever's the matter?

It's Annie. She just
won't let me help her.

Yeah, poor love, she's, er,
she's taken it really badly.

But I never thought she
cared that much about Harry.

Who knows what people really think, eh?

Maybe Annie told you that, but
inside she really loved him?

Thanks for talking.

Right, well, I ought to get on.

I was right. She has been
intercepting my letters.

- Why?
- Well,

do you remember when Tucker asked Billy

to keep tabs on me? I think
he still thinks I'm a spy.

So he's had Esther steam opening my
letters, to tell him what's inside.

Wouldn't you have spotted it before?

Maybe she got careless.

- I've got to confront her.
- No, you can't.

You'd have to say you'd
been through her things.

Well, I can't just do nothing.

Why? You've got nothing to hide.

What you doing loafing?

- My liberty's at stake here.
- You still haven't found it then?

- You should be looking.
- Mr. Finch! Mr. Finch!

Not now, this is grown-up business.

Luckhurst is getting closer.

- Go on.
- But I might...

I'm not looking any more
for that blasted ham.

- I'm going for a drink.
- I might be able to help you!

I've saved your bacon.

Where is it?

It'll cost you.

Mr. Luckhurst.

Just having a breath of fresh air.

You'd take anything that
doesn't need paying for.

Do you want to...

Come on then. Join me.

Don't be shy. It'll only
cost you a nettle brandy.

Drink?

You'd better make it a double
as there's only one of you.

Well, you've passed my inspection.

Although I have no idea how.

Your luck's run out.

Unless, of course, you've got
suitable documentation for this.

Looks like a ham bone.

Well, have you?

No.

But then again why would I need it?

Because it's black market goods.

Ah, yeah, but it was in your motor.

So surely, you're the one
that needs the documentation.

- Don't be absurd. It's not mine.
- It was there when you arrived.

We thought it was a
bit strange, didn't we?

Yeah. We did.

If you're gonna keep a black market ham
bone in your car, that's your business.

But perhaps we should do the
right thing and report you.

Next time, Finch.

Next time!

One of these days, you're going to
find out what prison food's like.

Not today though, eh?
Not today, Billy boy!

Did anyone see you?

I took care.

Thanks.

Where have you been all afternoon?

Working.

And worrying.

I made a mistake coming, didn't I?

No. You made a mistake going AWOL.

Who is it?

No-one.

I thought part of you
would be happy to see me.

It is, I just can't play
happy families, can I?

Not when the police could
bang down the door any minute.

They won't find me.

- You have to go back.
- What, now?

I'll get the train tomorrow.

I said it could be romantic
sleeping in a barn, didn't I?

What do you say we make the most of it?

We should stop,

Ellen'll be waiting.

And so will your chickens.

We all have responsibilities.

Oh, come on, live dangerously.
Stay another ten minutes.

Sorry.

You know, if you'd told me a year
ago I'd enjoy feeding chickens

and this whole ruddy-cheeked
life, I'd have said you were barmy.

- So what changed your mind?
- What do you think?

- I don't want it to end.
- Why should it?

Well, things could happen
that are beyond our control.

Nothing is beyond our control. Is it?

Nancy?

You're right, it'll be fine.

Ellen will be waiting.

So will the chickens.

Time for a refill.

Annie.

Annie.

You've had enough.

Why?

I mean it's not like I'm
a married woman, is it?

I used to be a married woman but
then my husband went and died on me.

- Annie, you're embarrassing yourself.
- And you can push off.

Here he is, eh? Knight
in shining armour.

Well, my sister might be
impressed but I tell you, I'm not.

Come on. Let's not do this in public.

Annie, come on.

- Miss Morrell.
- You gave me a start.

Did you feel the earth move?

What are you talking about?

Last night, Condover munitions
dump got a direct hit.

Question is,

how did the enemy know about it?

Well, don't ask me.

What are you doing here?

Someone is passing
co-ordinates to the Germans.

- Suddenly it all fits.
- What fits?

The pieces to the jigsaw.

Can't you do that outside?

You'd ration happiness if you could?

I'd ration your vocal cords.

Annie said nothing about last night.

Probably too embarrassed. Or
perhaps she can't remember.

I thought she might
be getting over Harry.

Things seem to be getting worse.

I'll leave you to it.

Nancy, come on.

Spoilsport.

I thought you'd be at work by now.

You mean you hoped I would be,

so you didn't have to face me.

Billy told you then?

What's going on?

I've grown up a lot
these last few months.

Who's to say I can't look after you too?

No-one's going to take
away your big sister badge.

You wouldn't understand.
I don't understand.

- Talk to me, Annie.
- Just leave it.

Besides, you've got enough to
worry about in your condition.

No need to ask if you slept well.

What time did you go?

I don't remember.

What is it?

It's just...

Usually every minute together is
just lovely. But not like this.

I am touched that you did this for me.

How many couples get this chance?

And if anything happens, then
this is what I'll remember.

You sneaking up on me in the
lane, making love in the hay.

Stay with me today.

I can't, I can't.

- I'll try and get away later.
- OK.

Joyce?

I'm touched you did this for me too.

Another Jerry for you.

Crouch down. I put potatoes in.

Ich verstehe nicht.

You know how to use a machine gun
so don't tell me this is beyond you.

Go easy.

Look at him. His war's over. His
family hasn't been torn apart.

He's just waiting to go home.

- He didn't kill Harry.
- No.

But he's the closest I've got.

You can't do anything.

I can't wait for them to
make the first move, either.

No!

You looks like you've got the worries
of the world on your shoulders.

Perhaps we're worried about
the way we're being treated.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Did I forget to iron your clothes?

Chance would be a fine thing.

It's just been a long day. Isn't it?

Well, if you've something on
your minds, you should tell me.

Don't cover anything up.

So we should be open
and honest, like you?

Nancy.

Forget it.

You make yourself useful.

Go find Joyce.

She's been ages clearing that barn.

Eine moment, was machst du?

Was machst du?

Annie!

Annie!

Joyce? Esther sent me to...

- Who's this?
- Stay there.

Mind who you're pushing!
Tell me his name then.

None of your business.

- Wait until I tell the others.
- No, you mustn't tell anybody.

And you a respectable married woman! Who'd
have thought the mouse was a tiger underneath!

That's not what it is.

They say it's always the quiet
ones you've got to watch for...

Miss Prim and Proper, the scarlet woman.

Stop it, Stop it! He's my
husband, if you must know.

- What?
- He's just come to

see me before he get's posted.
Why are you hiding him then?

- Legenda n?o traduzida -

He's deserted, hasn't he?

Joyce, what are you doing?

You're a fine one to
lecture me on morals.

I'm not the one with an AWOL
husband holed up in a barn.

He's going back soon. We wanted
to spend some time together.

Surely you can understand that?

Look, I never saw either of you.

Sorry.

Well, you didn't hurt him,

- that's something.
- I came close, though.

It'll get easier.

The grief.

You don't think?

I feel relieved that Harry's dead.

I'm sorry if that shocks you but...

I feel relief that I don't have to
feel a failure in our marriage any more.

Relief that I've got another chance.

Relief that he's gone.

I see.

No, you don't.

And I really wish that
you could say it's normal

but I know you can't, cos it's not.

So I know I shouldn't feel like this.

Well,

we all sometimes feel bad about things.

Every time I laugh, I feel guilty I'm enjoying
myself while my husband's locked up in a POW camp.

And what would you do if he died?

I'd be devastated.

That's the difference between us.

I am sorry.

I couldn't even tell Bea.

No, no, well, she's
got problems of her own.

Hasn't she?

I have two words for you:

romantic picnic.

I have two for you: yes, please.

Dennis?

Sir.

Miss Morrell.

Get in the car.

I've got some questions
that need answering.

What's this about?

The War Office has reason to
believe she's a collaborator, sir.

- That's utterly ridiculous.
- In the car.

Nancy.

Bea,

will you come and sit down, please?

What's going on?

I know you're pregnant.

I'm not pregnant.

Bea. She knows.

You can't hide it any more.

Well, I'm not.

Follow me.

You've no authority to ask me anything.

I'm a patriot. That gives me authority.

I'll answer questions to
proper military personnel,

not a deluded gamekeeper.

Sit down.

Or do you want me to
stop you from leaving?

Now...

Miss Nancy Morrell?

You know full well who I am,

Sergeant.

But that's not your real name, is it?

It's Nancy Morelli.

An Italian name.

Which explains you
speaking I-tie to the POWs?

It's not a crime.

My father only changed it to protect us.

To cover up the truth more like.

I am not a sympathiser.

I'm just a land girl doing my bit.

Strangely enough, I was about
to give you the all-clear.

I've had your letters
translated and examined.

The War Office, they seemed happy.

But then...

there was this.

It's a letter to my father.

It contains two coordinates
of the Condover munitions dump.

Paragraph eleven of the
Women's Land Army Rules states,

any girl found to be pregnant

must be demobbed
immediately and sent home.

With no opportunity to re-enlist.

It's a shame it has to end this way.

It doesn't have to.

You could keep quiet,
not tell Lady Hoxley.

Then I wouldn't have to go.

I don't have a choice, lovey, I don't.

- There must be something you can do.
- Please.

We need each other.

And you like having
me around, don't you?

And I promise I will never to lie
to you about anything ever again.

No. It's too late for
that, Bea, it's too late.

So this is it?

Yes.

- You can't send her home.
- Annie.

I've got to tell her. It's the only way.

You've got to tell me what?

Our father's very strict.

He's more than strict.

That's why I married as soon as I could.

We needed to get away from him.

And you're sticking to this lie?

It's not a lie. I've told you,
they're dress measurements.

Because your mother's
making you a dress?

They'll prove it's a lie when the
Military Police round up your parents.

You can't do that.

And you can't keep me here any longer.

This badge says I can.

Look, I've told you all I know.

Please let me leave.

Miss Morrelli, are you
familiar with a code template?

It's a piece of paper with
holes in specific places.

When placed over a
seemingly innocent letter,

it highlights a crucial phrase.

Read your letter now.

Condover... dump...

And the co-ordinates.

The name and the co-ordinates
of a target hit by the Germans.

Condover... there's a
lace shop in Condover.

For this dress?

Dump... telling my mother not to
dump any of the leftover fabric.

Look, this is crazy!

Yes, it is and it will
stop any time you want.

Once you admit you're working for
the Germans it will come to an end.

But... if the letter wasn't sent, then
how could it have tipped them off?

I'm not stupid; you're working
with other collaborators.

Just because I'm Italian?

Look this is exactly why we
changed our name to start again.

You're just like the rest of them.

Perhaps your mother will
confess more readily.

Leave her out of it.

Will she survive the camp?

- Please, I am loyal to the King.
- Would she survive interrogation?

I don't know why you're terrorising me.

- Confess!
- Why are you doing this?

What's my mother ever done?

Well, we'll soon find out.

Leave us alone.

Look, you should be out there catching
the real spies or the deserter.

And what do you know about that?

Got everything?

I don't think you'd fit in me bag.

I don't know if I can go
through with it, Joyce.

You're gonna be fine.

A couple of days in the
cooler, that's what you said.

No, no. I mean go on a mission.

Dropping bombs. Slaughtering families.

I'd be just as evil as the men
that destroyed Coventry, wouldn't I?

- Don't you dare.
- But I thought...

I'd get in those bombers myself
if I could. We've got to fight.

Otherwise, all the pain, all the
loss it isn't worth anything, is it?

Come on. We've...

we've all got to do our bit, haven't we?

Whether that's dropping
bombs or planting spuds.

What would I do without you?

Let's never find out, eh?

Air Craftsman John Fisher?

I'm to escort you to HQ and
hand you over to the authorities.

- No, he was going back.
- Move it!

Please, he was going back!

What have you done?

You couldn't keep your mouth shut,
could you? I didn't do it on purpose.

- Legenda n?o traduzida -

Stop it, Joyce, Joyce.

Go for a walk and calm down.

It's all right.

I've ruined Joyce's life and
Tucker thinks I'm a traitor.

Thank you for intervening, sir.

I want you to stop
persecuting this woman.

With respect, sir, I believe
she's working for the enemy.

Based on what evidence?

Coded letters. Translated
by the War Office.

And the War Office are
satisfied she's a spy, are they?

Yes.

Only I've just been
speaking with Major Driscoll.

When you took her in for questioning, he'd
already told you there wasn't enough evidence.

But that didn't seem to stop
this one-man vendetta, did it?

You leave her alone or
you'll have me to answer to.

Well?

Look,

I've got no choice.

She can either come and see Lady
Hoxley with me or I can tell her myself.

But the bottom line is she can't
keep working in the Land Army.

I can.

But you don't have to tell Lady Hoxley.

Bea could stay here. We could hide her.

That's ridiculous.

I'll pay her keep.

She can help out around the place, making
meals, doing laundry, anything that needs doing.

You're serious?

I'll do whatever it takes
to stop her from going home.

You won't hear a peep out of me. Honest.

Please.

I'll think about it.

Surprised to see me?

You owe me an apology.

What's going on now?

Of course, you'll be
handed over to the MPs.

They'll make my treatment
of you seem like a cake walk.

Sergeant?

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd