Lark Rise to Candleford (2008–2011): Season 2, Episode 10 - Episode #2.10 - full transcript

Constable Patterson's wife falls ill, as she does every Autumn, and gives him permission to re-marry if she passes on. He takes a shine to Pearl Pratt, giving her presents, and, whilst she is initially shocked, she ends up kissing him, to Ruby's horror. Mrs. Patterson makes a miracle recovery, telling Laura her annual illness is due to resentment of her husband's enthusiasm for the Autumn Produce Fair and his obsession with his garden, which has killed their marriage. She resolves to make it work, helping him to win the show. As the couple reconcile, Ruby comforts her sister.

'The last few days of summer were
a time of headiness and plenty.

'And while the Lark Rise men brought home the harvest,
in a Candleford, Constable Patterson was also toiling,

'smug in the expectation of his annual
triumph at the Candleford harvest show.

'The annual show brought about another
yearly episode, Mrs Patterson's deathbed.'

"Cash prize..."

"biggest...potato."

Take it away.

I can hardly bear to look at food.

Just maybe a bite of Banbury cake.

There you go, Lisbeth.

You must rue the day you married



such a poor weak apology for a woman.

Not at all, Lisbeth.

I'll be in the garden if you
need me. Of course you will.

I'll sit with you if you like.

You'll only keep me awake.

I'll just...

At least... you'll have plenty of
time for gardening when I'm gone.

Now, Lisbeth... Of course, when I am,

no need to waste your time grieving.

A police constable must have a wife.

And you've my permission to get
yourself another without delay.

Don't talk like that, Lisbeth.

BICYCLE BELL RINGS

Oi!



Urgh.. Oh...

Alf!

What are you doing here?

I thought you were out on the
fields this week. Harvest is in now.

I'm back with your Pa. Just waiting
for him and you know, reading...

about the Candleford harvest show

and its best produce and preserves,
its prizes, its home baking

and I am particularly looking forward to
the dancing, even if I do have two left feet.

I'll bet Nan is looking
forward to the dancing too.

She is. And so must you be.

Yes.

There'll be plenty of handsome
fellows queuing up to dance with you.

WHISTLE BLAST

Oi, you two.

Arless!

Got my eye on you.

I seen you loitering.

I ain't loitering,
just reading a poster.

Reading?!

Oh, yes? Thinking of entering, were you?

I might, it's a free country.

Might take one of them blue
ribbons off you this year, as well.

Two shillings cash prize
for the biggest tater.

A fellow from Lark Rise
might find a use for that.

Need a garden to grow
taters in, young Arless.

Last time I looked, your
family didn't even have a house.

There are plenty of fine gardens
in Lark Rise, Constable Patterson.

Is that so, miss?

I've been watching you on
that dandy horse of yours

and you're a public hazard.

I shall be filing a report.

You ought to bring that vehicle

to the police station now
for a safety inspection.

SCREAMING >

SCREAMS CONTINUE >

Mouse, mouse, mouse, mouse, mouse,
mouse, mouse, mouse, mouse...

Stop that excruciating noise.

There, there.

A hazard of the harvest season.

That is all. WHACK!

Oh, dear.

A tedious addendum to provincial life.

Can I help you, Constable Patterson?

I... I...

..just wondered if I could be of any...

SHE SNIFFS

Oh! Oh, I beg pardon, ma'am. I was...

Oh, I...

Ladies.

Now, Miss Ellison, was it four yards
of the plain grey worsted? Ruby?

And he was snapping away at Alfie and
threatening me with a safety inspection. Oh, dear.

I must prepare some calf's foot jelly before
Constable Patterson confiscates your bicycle.

Ma'am, what has calf's foot
jelly got to do with my bicycle?

It's that time of year.

I must visit Mrs Patterson
with treats and comforts.

As the harvest show approaches,
she goes into hibernation

and her seasonal sickness brings
out the worst in Constable Patterson.

I woke up with his whistle whistling in my
ear this morning. What kind of a sickness?

Oh, don't worry, a little cajoling and some
home-made fudge usually nudges her from her bed.

Minnie, I need you to do some shopping.

SHOP BELL RINGS

A man that can reduce three women to silence,
clearly has a gift that many men would pay for.

The harvest show.

Yes, quite a grand affair this year,
I believe. No leaky old tent for us.

The function room is free. Still,

a generous gesture. Are you
interested in being one of the judges?

Some of the baking categories perhaps?

Well, I'm flattered to be asked
but I'm afraid I must decline.

The invitation is from the council,
Dorcas, it's not from me. Oh,

it doesn't matter who asks, James, I simply
have no wish to judge my neighbours' efforts.

Nor do I want anyone to travel to Ingleston
to shoe their horses or buy their stamps

because I've failed to appreciate
the glories of their Banbury cake.

It is not a role for a
businesswoman, believe me.

Perhaps one of the
councilmen's wives could...

I'm sorry to have wasted your time.
James, I'm sorry, that was tactless.

I'll inform the council of your answer.

Although I have to say, I hadn't noticed
a reluctance to sit in judgment before.

Hello there.

Look who was waiting to
meet us on the road...

again.

Evening, Nan. Evening, Mrs Timmins.

Alf was just telling me about the harvest
home dinner up at the Old Monday's farm.

Sounds better than the one at
ours. It was quite some spread.

Twister went without his tea on Saturday
night just so he could do it justice.

Old Monday thinks one good meal makes up for
paying starvation wages the rest of the year.

Well, Mr Timmins, I'm hoping that next year,
I'll be there to take advantage for myself.

No, Nan, I told you, they don't make
you bring your girl, just wives and...

Alfie ain't planning on being
in the fields next year, Nan.

I got these today, indenture papers.

We'll get you signed up
as an official apprentice.

No more fieldwork for
you then, Alfie, eh?

Um, no.

Oh, well, looks I'll have to be
content with a show in Candleford,

Cabbage Patterson strutting around
like a peacock with his prizes.

You never know, it might be
someone else's turn this year.

I'm certain if the jelly doesn't
restore you, then the fudge surely will.

I told him I don't want no visitors.

But as a neighbour I felt...

< WHISTLE BLASTS

You think that noise is bad,
you want to hear him snoring.

Please eat something,

it'll make you feel better.

I can't, I ain't got no appetite.

Do you have any other symptoms?

I'm tired.

I'm... Oh, I don't know.

I can't feel the blood in my feet.
Neither can I, but I assume it's there.

Mrs Patterson, I know

you are feeling poorly and I know it must
be difficult with your husband so busy...

but perhaps a little fresh
air and company would help?

It would be wonderful if you were
well to come to the show this year.

And I'm sure your husband
would... Oh, you're sure?

You know...

Why are you such an expert
on my life, Dorcas Lane?

It ain't like everything in yours is so perfect,
you got time to stick your nose into mine.

No, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to...

< WHISTLE BLAST

Oh, can't a woman even die in peace?

I live in mortal fear
of seeing another one.

Of course, all this doesn't help.

Next year we shall decorate with wax
comestibles. Altogether more refined.

Now what is the word on la saison
nouvelle? Everything all right, ladies?

Oh, good Lord!

Constable Patterson, we are closed!

Window dressing. Oh! Yes, ma'am.

Sorry, I'm... I'm, er... Yes, um...

it's unusual for your blinds to
be drawn at this hour, that's all.

I wanted to check nothing was amiss
and, after this morning's upset...

Oh, that's thoughtful of you.

Isn't it, sister?

Indeed.

Oh, and I brought this.

Oh, my!

Um, got a lot of them this year.

Wouldn't want it to go to waste.

SHOP BELL RINGS

Well!

What a neighbourly gesture.

Everything I say, he takes as
some sort of personal slight.

The most unrelated topic turns
into the same old conversation.

I offered him my friendship, but I
don't know if it will be possible.

He's bruised, Dorcas.

Hurting.

So everyone keeps telling me.

They seem to forget that I, too, was
bruised and hurt by this experience.

I am the one whose trust was...

Sorry, that sounds... Oh,
Emma, I bore myself with this!

I'm sorry to bring it to your
door. Dorcas, don't be sorry!

I'm glad you came to me. We're family.

As if I ain't ever brought any of my
troubles to yours! Me and all of Candleford!

I think I prefer it that way round.

Well, it's easier to keep a clear
head on other people's problems.

I don't even know if
I have that any more.

I've been to see the
constable's wife today.

Her seasonal sickness...

I seem to have misjudged
it very badly, Emma.

How do you mean?

I breezed in there thinking
I had all the answers.

Never imagining that there might be
something really wrong. And is there?

I don't know.

I kept saying the wrong thing and I
couldn't seem to ask the right questions.

I'm sure you didn't, Dorcas.

Perhaps sometimes you just have to wait
until someone is ready to be helped.

I've promised a dance each to two of the
young smiths and three to the butcher's boy.

That's nice.

Yes, now we mustn't forget, Minnie, the Harvest
Festival is primarily a religious occasion.

A time of thanksgiving
and contemplation.

Although I must admit...

I am rather looking forward to
the dancing this year myself.

Now take care. It is very, very hot.

HE INHALES DEEPLY

You see why I couldn't do this at
the Rectory with all those children?

The Harvest Show would not be the Harvest show
without Miss Ellison's apple bramble jelly.

Next year it shall be Mrs
Brown's apple bramble jelly.

I shall be making it
in our very own kitchen.

Laura, the butcher's boy
has a brother in the army.

He should be home for the show.

He's ever so handsome and he's
seen a tiger and everything!

Oh, Minnie, I ain't even
decided if I'm going yet.

Oh, Laura! There was this
story in Miss Ruby's magazine

about this beautiful young woman, who was
so broken-hearted, she shut herself away

and didn't even notice when...
Everything all right, ladies?

Yes, ma'am. It's fine, Minnie.

I'm just going upstairs to read my book.

So am I, Laura, so am I. I've
been looking forward to it all day.

Now, your mother had wise
words for me, and this for you.

Oh, she's so good at making them.

And did you see Mrs Patterson?
Did she like the treats?

Oh, I'm afraid I was wrong, Laura.
It would appear that this year

Mrs Patterson's illness is not
something that can be cured with treats.

I got something to show you.

Something that'll wipe the smirk
off Cabbage Patterson's face.

You remember them taters
everyone grew a while back?

What were they called? They were
massive things. When I was little

they'd weigh 'em at the Wagon and Horses to
see who'd grown the biggest. White elephants?

Eugh! Terrible things.

Tasted of nothing. Boiled
to mush when you cooked 'em.

Big, though.

Yes, they were big.

Well, my Pa never dug ours
up. He went off to sea and...

Ma weren't much of a gardener... Look!

That's them all right.

Em, look at the size of this one!

I don't know why you're all
excited about those things.

A nice Ashleaf Kidney, or an Early Rose.
Two shillings at the Candleford show, Emma.

It says so on the poster. Satisfaction
of seein' Cabbage lose, a bonus.

Told you reading was worth it. If
you just clear up around here and...

Robert! This ain't
Alf's garden any more.

They're his taters! And people have been carrying
off plants from this garden all year round.

I know.

But if the landlord
comes? He never does.

I'm just sick of the way
that Peeler is with me, Emma.

He talks to me like I'm nothin'.

Less than that. Name's Arless
so you never amount to nothin'.

Just don't get yourself caught.

And see if you can find anything
in there actually worth cooking.

Good day, sir.

SHOP BELL RINGS

Miss Pearl?

Oh, stamps for these, please.

Nine pence please, ma'am.

Oh, yes.

Miss Pearl, is everything all right?

Constable Paterson. Have you
noticed him behaving strangely?

No more than usual!

Thruppence back, ma'am.

What exactly do you mean by strangely?

Well, you know how he is
when Mrs Patterson is ill.

And it does seem worse this year.

He must be worried.

What is there to worry about
there, but bone idleness?

Lying in bed supping her
neighbours' cooking all winter.

We'd all like to take a rest
when the weather turns but...

Look at that!

Oh, he's at it again!

Oh, and I missed it!

He's been here again, hasn't he?

What is it this time?

Damsons, Victorias, carrots
and leeks, onions, potatoes.

These plums are absolutely delicious.

I might have another, actually.

Oh, for goodness' sake!

What are we supposed
to do with all of this?

And...look!

THIS is too much.

Pearl, what are you doing!

You love dahlias! Oh, Ruby, my
dear. You are such an innocent.

What would you do without
me to protect you from...?

From what?

From vegetables?

What are you doing?

I think it's time I made
Elizabeth Patterson some soup.

Just be gentle there.

Too much weight behind
your hand and the stone...

Mind on that girl of yours
instead of the job in hand, eh?

Sorry, I...

don't know what's the matter
with me. Not to worry, son.

You're bound to be rusty
after time away in the fields.

All the more reason to get
these indenture papers signed

for your apprenticeship
and do this properly, eh?

Reckon so.

You know, it in't all on
you with the family now, Alf.

The little 'uns couldn't be
in better hands than Queenie's.

And Sal'll be off to a place soon.
Someone else sending money home.

You can afford this now. You
can afford to get a trade.

You're right. You're right.

Can't think of a better way to show the
likes of Cabbage Patterson what you're made of

than a trade in your
hands, can you? Maybe not.

But takin' that two shilling
off him's goin' to be a start!

THEY CHUCKLE

Come on.

Miss Pearl.

I brought some soup.

For your wife.

Constable. The gifts you have brought us
- the produce.

Don't mention it, ma'am. It's my
pleasure. They have to stop. What?

It is too much. It attracts mice.

Well, no, er, what
you need for that is...

Constable Patterson!

Everything my sister and I have here
in Candleford, we have worked for.

No husband, no family to help.

We have achieved through diligence,
hard work and spotless reputation.

All the more admirable
for that, ma'am. Thank you.

But reputation for a woman is a precarious thing. And
these gifts... These... Neighbourly gestures is all.

I may be many things,
Constable, but I am not stupid.

I see no neighbourly gestures
to the ironmonger's or the forge

and there were none to us when
your wife was hale and hearty.

You may be capable of self-delusion, Constable
Patterson, but there is no deluding me!

A man cannot help his feelings,
Miss Pearl. Perhaps not.

But he can keep them to himself. I meant
nothing dishonourable, ma'am. Nothing improper.

Were you not a married man, no
doubt my sister would be flattered

by your attentions, but even if
you mean nothing improper by it,

I cannot allow you to
risk Ruby's happiness.

It ain't Miss Ruby, ma'am.

What?

Them feelings I spoke of.

They ain't for Miss Ruby, ma'am.

They're for you.

Oh!

That's disgusting!

I forbid you to...

I, I... Oh!

HE SIGHS HEAVILY

Oh!

Thank heavens you're back! I've
just seen two of them in the kitchen!

Oh. I'll get the poker.

Yes, White Elephants.

What, them big, tasteless, mushy things?

It's not the taste that
matters, Laura. It's the weight.

And White Elephants are
heavy. Where do I sign up?

Right here. Under Constable Patterson.

Where'd you plant 'em? Queenie's?

Been growing in our garden
since I was a nipper.

Don't tell the landlord. Your Ma thinks it
might be trespass, but you know, morally...

Oh, yes, morally... That'll
help when he's collared by...

Good morning, Constable Patterson.

And I'll take a penny stamp
with that, please, Laura.

Can I help you? Er, my
seed catalogues in yet?

No, sorry, I haven't seen them yet.

Constable Patterson?

I hope your wife gets better soon.

Oh, yes.

And when they found her...

CRYING:..quite dead and cold as stone...

SNIFFING

..she was still there,

by the window.

Quite alone.

Never to know that her
one true chance of love...

had passed her by.

Oh, for goodness sake, Ruby. Stop filling
the child's head with that codswallop. Minnie,

doesn't Miss Lane have
any work for you to do?

Yes, ma'am. She sent me
out for some tacking thread.

But can you imagine it, ma'am?
Not to know him when she saw him?

SOBBING: To miss out her
only chance of love! Minnie!

SHE CONTINUES SOBBING

Oh, no.

It was the only one
that survived, ma'am.

Heartless so-and-so didn't even put a stone
in. Not even the compassion to do it properly.

Oh, dear. That's awful. But I, I...

don't think my sister
and I will be able to...

Don't think we'll be able to what, Ruby?

Constable? Ma'am. This lovely
little kitten needs a home.

I thought it might help with
the mouse problem, ma'am.

But I understand if you don't.
Thank you. It's a very kind thought.

Ruby, my dear, would you find that
old blanket with the scorch mark on it?

Pearl...

I don't really like cats.

Do you like mice?

(No.)

I wouldn't have come, ma'am,
if I hadn't found them.

But I wanted to apologise
for my behaviour.

My...

outburst.

We won't speak any more about it,
Constable. It's forgotten already.

Thank you, ma'am.

This little fellow will
give my poker a rest.

Yes, your skills with the poker
were most impressive, ma'am.

Er... Sorry, I...

Where did you find him?

Oh... On the, er...

The old mill stream on
the road to Fordlow there,

you know, by the little
copse of trees there?

I walk there most days to...

point duty and back.

I know it. I know it very well. By a
coincidence, it is a way I sometimes walk myself.

Seven years on apprentice wages?

There ain't no chance of us getting
a home is there? Starting a family.

It's a long time, I know,

but if I can better myself, get
a craft, a stonemason like Robert,

well, that's gotta be worth it.

I s'pose.

This is a chance to
make something of myself.

Build a better life.

I like this life.

I was born to it.

Well, so was I but...

..this is my chance.

Where are you goin'?

I'll tell you when you catch me!

And this one here? Mugwort?

En Francais?

Armoise.

Armoise...

Sounds nicer like that, don't it?

It is a very elegant language.

Indeed, ma'am, it is.

Oh, I do love this time of year.

Everything so...

..ripe.

So do I, ma'am.

I should go, my sister will
be wondering where I am.

But it has been a very pleasant
chance encounter, Constable Patterson.

Your knowledge of the
local flora is unsurpassed.

I'll walk back with you
ma'am. I'm going back myself.

Perhaps not. There are vicious
tongues in Candleford who would take

even the most innocent of
encounters and... Ha-ha!

Hey! What you up to?

I was just looking' for...
Poachin', is it? I know your type!

No! Alfie?

Is everything all right?

Go on! Be off with you!
Before I lock you up!

And stay out of these woods.

There's traps set in here
that could have your leg off!

Come away, now. We'll go somewhere
a bit more private than this.

It's all right, ma'am. They're
gone. Just some Lark Rise riff-raff.

Did they see me? I
don't think so, ma'am.

Thanks to your admirably
quick reactions, ma'am.

But I shall investigate
further, if necessary.

Oh dear, you're all...

Some people have the most wicked
minds, Constable Patterson.

They would see wrongdoing...

..in any situation, even
one as blameless as...

Oh! Oh, my.. Oh, I can't believe I...

I am so sorry...

Oh, Miss Pearl...

No, no! You don't!

SHE SNIFFS

You didn't?!

Oh, you did, you horrible
little beast! Go away!

Oh! Oh!

DOOR BELL DINGS AS DOOR
OPENS Sorry, we're closed!

CAT MIAOWS

Oh, Pearl, we have got
to get rid of that thing.

You won't believe what it's
done to the blue silk I cut...

Oh, my word! What happened to you?

Don't fuss, Ruby.

I slipped by a bramble
bush, that is all.

Oh, dear. Poor you.

You and nature have never
really seen eye to eye, have you?

I really can't think why you
wanted to go for a walk in it.

I'd put that thing down if I were you.

Oh, I don't know.

I think nature's rather growing on me.

Be dark soon.

You're right. I'll just
stir round these a bit more.

You're like my pa.

He'd say you've got to tickle
Mother Earth to make her yield.

I reckon he's got a point.

I had to tidy up bit myself.

Don't know why.

Landlord's job now, in't it?

Well, it must be hard
to see it all neglected.

Breaks my heart, and that's
the truth, Nan. Oh, Alfie.

It's good seein' you here, though.

Feels right somehow.
Feels right bein' here.

You'd want curtains in a nice
cheerful colour, wouldn't you?

I reckon you would. Maybe a
nice honeysuckle round the door.

My favourite!

Get out of there! Quick!

Landlord? Cabbage Patterson!

You found 'em! Thank you.

Oh, these children of mine. Honestly!

You never know where they're going
to hide things. Evening, Constable.

Ma'am?

Just a minute, young Arless.

Wouldn't mind a chat.
Man to man, as it were.

It's all right, ladies,
go on. I'll wait.

Nothing to worry about,
Miss, we won't be long.

I'm not one to stand in the
way of love's young dream.

Come on, Nan. >

Been doin' a spot of gardening?

Lookin' for Mrs Timmins' things is all.

Oh, it's lookin' good in here. Better
than it's looked for a long time.

In fact, better than it looked
when your ma was livin' here! Is it?

I don't take much notice of them things.

Yet your name is in the book
for the Candleford Harvest Show.

Funny, that. Wonder what
the landlord might think?

Might get the wrong end of the
stick. You can't prove nothin'. Me?

Nothin' to do with me.

Way I see it is...erm...

I don't see it!

Sometimes, that's best, don't you think?

NOT to see it?

Don't want to cause any
upset, if you don't have to.

Yes?

Reckon.

Good lad. Well, be nice to
have some healthy competition.

I'll see you at the show.

How extraordinary! I think it
should go in pride of place.

Good morning. I have the
entrants to the Harvest Show here.

It should give you an idea
of the numbers in each class,

though there are always one
or two extras. Thank you.

Are you well? Yes. You?

Of course.

Morning, Miss Lane.

Miss Ruby, good morning.

Are you alone? I do hope
Miss Pearl is not unwell.

My sister is hale and hearty, Miss Lane.

And taking breakfast with a cat.

A cat? Constable Patterson rescued a kitten.
He thought it might help with the harvest mice.

Really? Well, yes, it will.
It's the best thing for it.

We have a cat who lives in the forge...

Yes, Miss Lane the forge.
Not the house. Not the shop.

Not on the kitchen table at breakfast,
hair everywhere, and I'm sure it has fleas.

I couldn't eat a bite.

I shall starve to death at this rate.

Don't people surprise you? I must say I wouldn't
have expected Pearl to become so attached.

Hmmph! Who knows what to
expect from her at the moment?

I spoke to the young Lark Rise fellow.
Nothing to worry about on his account, ma'am.

Thank you.

Tres galant.

Might you be taking a
walk out that way again?

Well...

..it is a pleasant walk.

Perhaps even...

..this afternoon?

You're so beautiful, Miss Pearl. What?

Oh, sorry. You must have
heard it a million times.

No.

Not quite a million.

Au revoir.

Au revoir.

Ruby.

I didn't hear you come in.

How could you, Pearl?

How could I what?

An assignation!

Don't be silly, Ruby. Don't "Don't be
silly, Ruby" me. That man is married!

Do you know what this could do to us?

What woman is going to want
to buy a dress from a...

From a husband stealer!
Ruby! You, of all people!

You have always been so
careful, so afraid of scandal.

Yet you are willing to risk
everything we've worked for...

..for Cabbage Patterson!

Don't call him that! Everyone
calls him that and you know it.

Although it seems his interests
extend further than we thought.

Don't be tawdry, Ruby. It
isn't like that, not at all.

A friendship. Elizabeth herself has said
she wants him to remarry when she is gone.

When she's gone? Pearl!

Elizabeth Patterson
is no older than you!

She rests for two months a year eating soup
and wine jelly! She will probably live for ever!

Oh, what's happened to you?

You're always telling me
that I'm naive. But this?

What's happened is that
somebody cares for me, Ruby.

Somebody makes me happy.

I had resigned myself to a
life without these feelings.

But it is impossible.

You must see that.

Pearl...

..please don't go.

Please, please give it up.

I can't.

DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES

FOOTSTEPS APPROACH

DOOR OPENS

Need anything?

Where have you been?

Just the garden.

DOOR OPENS

Good morning, Ruby. Morning.

I wonder, could I speak with Pearl?

She's not here, I'm afraid. Can I help?

Do you know where she is? No.

We don't live in each
other's pockets, you know.

Oh, Ruby...

Constable Patterson...

Are you there?

Hello?

Mrs Patterson!

You're better.

Am I?

I ain't decided about that yet.

May as well give these some care
and attention while I'm here.

Don't look like anyone
else is bothering.

Seems to have had his
mind elsewhere of late.

Constable Patterson's been
really worried about you.

You think so?

Of course.

I've seen you,

looking up at my window.

Why do you do that?

I suppose I was just wondering
about you, that's all.

I suppose I...

I wondered if you were sad.

Well...

Ain't no-one ever asked
me that one before.

I used to love this garden
when we first came here.

I used to love pottering around in it.

Don't you now?

Oh, it loses its appeal when your
husband never wants to do anything else.

But now that I remember,

there is something rather
satisfying about it.

The worst of it,

Miss Lane, the very
worst, is not the scandal,

although we will be
ruined when this gets out.

The worst is knowing

that my sister will be so hurt.

For she will, won't she?

There can be no happy outcome to this.

It is hard to think of one.

I want to help her,

to save her from her
folly, but she won't listen.

I will talk to her. It's what I...

No, Dorcas! She mustn't know I
told you. She'd never forgive me.

Very well. There is someone
else to whom I can speak.

Leave it to me.

You try to rest and save your strength.

I don't have any strength.

Pearl has always been
strong for both of us.

Oh, Ruby,

you do have strength.

And your sister is going to need it.

Going to the Harvest Show?

I ain't decided yet.

Oh. Missing your fella?

The clock lad?

Ain't much gets past me.

We probably weren't
right for each other.

Well, better you see it now, love.

It's better that than

walking down the aisle with
all your hopes and dreams

and next you know you're standin' in a garden
in your nightdress, wondering how you got there.

And why you can't hardly remember
the people that either of you were.

But you must still be those people.

Inside, I mean.

Do you think so?

I used to be so full of life.

And look at me.

A sad old shell that...

curls up into a ball, because she can't bear the
thought of another year gone by with nothing changed.

You're not a sad old shell.

You ain't even old. You're...

I'll tell you what, Ma'am.

I'll go to the Harvest Show if you will.

Why not?!

Oh.

These came for your husband.

Thank you.

If you see him before I do,
will you tell him something?

Course.

You tell him

I ain't dead yet.

It's gossip and slander, Miss Lane!

Slander, Miss Lane,

may I remind you, is a criminal offence!

Constable Patterson,

I am trying to be as sensitive as I can.

But the fact remains, that, whether you
choose to acknowledge here it or not,

we both know the truth of this matter,

and I am asking you to protect not only
Miss Pratt's reputation, but your own.

As a policeman you...

KNOCK ON DOOR Yes?

Sorry, Miss Lane, but I need your
signature on this. Thank you, Laura.

Constable Patterson. Ma'am.
Did you get your catalogues?

I left them with your wife.

What? Ain't you been home?

She seemed so much better, sir.

She's up and about and she might be
attending the Harvest Show and everything.

She said that? Thank you, ma'am.

What else did she say?

Oh, she said to tell you
that she ain't dead yet.

She said you'd know what that meant.

She knows.

Constable Patterson,

if you care anything for
Pearl and her future at all,

you know what you have to do.

"Weekly Chronicle...

"Tower of London."

What are you doing in here?

Just thought I'd take a look.

When I lived here,
this was just a pattern.

Never really thought of it as words.

You've achieved a lot, Alf.

You should be proud of yourself.

I can't do it, Robert.

I can't wait seven
years to be a stonemason.

It was a nice dream, but I
need to earn a living now.

Earn a lot better if you wait.

It's not just about that, Robert.

It's who I am.

I've been on the land since I was 12,

and it seeps into you somehow.

I hate the thought of never feeling

the weight of a plough shaft as it
cuts a clean, straight furrow again,

or looking out across a field of grain

and breathing in the weather and knowing that
tomorrow is gonna be just the day to harvest.

There are things I want to do, Robert.

So many things, but I need
a man's wage to do 'em on.

I hope ain't disappointed you.

I am truly grateful for
all you've done for me.

Of course you ain't.

I respect a man who loves his craft.

How are them white
elephants coming along?

Massive! Come and have a look.

Now you're talking.

What will you do if you
win them two shillings?

Save it.

You wanted to see me, Miss Lane?

Do you have something for me?

Someone actually,

not something.

Please come through.

We've had it, Pearl.

She knows. I don't know how
it happened, but she knows.

You told her, didn't you? You told
Lisbeth Patterson! My own sister!

You just couldn't bear to let me have
my one little moment of happiness!

No, I didn't, Pearl, I promise.

Pearl...

You told her, too.

Didn't you?!

How many others? Did you place
a notice in the Candleford News?

Everything I've done for you, Ruby,

and you do this to me.

I didn't tell Lisbeth Patterson.

Pearl, please, no-one has told Mrs
Patterson, but she is at this very mo...

Ladies. Mrs Patterson.

You look very well, Mrs Patterson.

Thank you.

Miss Pearl...

The soup was delicious.

It did me a power of good

and I've just come to
return what's yours.

And I'm trusting you'll
be doing the same for me.

We don't know what
you mean by... Ruby...

Thank you.

Oh, Miss Lane.

The calf's-foot jelly was a tonic.

She must think I'm such a fool.

Oh, Pearl. You are not the first woman
who has loved where she should not.

Nor the last.

To have my head turned
like a silly girl.

I'm sorry, Ruby.

Shhh, shhh.

It's all right.

I'm here.

Hello, Lisbeth.

Arthur.

Let's do some work in the garden.

Constable Patterson did win first prize

for best cabbage.

The Harvest Show did bring
all of its usual triumphs,

but there were others
who were newer to success.

And that year's show
brought other changes too.

Mrs Patterson never did
take to her death bed again.

And for some of us younger ones,
it was time to move on, too,

to let go of the past.

To dance.

Rainwater rendered the
name and address illegible.

I have only just discovered
for whom it was intended.

I would consider it a great favour
if Robert were to give me away.

He ain't even from Lark Rise!

He's a family man and
strong arm to lean on.

That's all Miss Ellison means.

I hear it so clearly.

A child crying.

Help! Alf's going to the farm.

He says he's going to
kill the farmer's son!

You have a son?

I have a son.