Lark Rise to Candleford (2008–2011): Season 3, Episode 11 - Episode #3.11 - full transcript

HORSE SNORTS

Oh, good heavens!

Oh!

It is you! The clockmaker.
What are you doing here?

I was missing the welcoming charms
of Candleford so much, Miss Pratt,

I decided to come back.

Walk on!

LAURA:'Once a year, Candleford and
Lark Rise and all the local villages

'looked forward to the only night
when mischief was not only allowed,

'it was encouraged.

'Pranks and tricks and all
manner of shocks and surprises



'were played by one
neighbour on another.'

'No-one was safe.

'No-one.'

Oh, Laura. I was hoping
to find Mr Parish.

So was I, Miss Pratt.

I've been waiting for him.

Do you intend to remain
here until he returns?

Is something the matter, Miss
Pratt? We are blessed indeed

that such a man... a young
man as Daniel Parish -

educated, cultured,
civilised, chivalrous -

should favour...

..Candleford.

It is...for us all to appreciate.

I know what a fine man
Daniel is. Oh, Laura...



You are a hamlet girl. You do
exhibit some talents, I suppose,

but you must never lose sight

of the fact that fortune has been kind to
you.Miss Pratt, why are you saying this?

Sometimes people to whom life has
been generous are the least grateful.

I know what I have. I am grateful.

It is a great tradition.

For one night a year, we cast
off reason and good behaviour

and we indulge ourselves
in a feast of mischief.

When darkness falls, folks get up
to all kinds of naughtinesses!Why?

As my father explained it to me,
we live such principled lives,

the sprite in us all must
be released once in a while

or it might get us into real trouble.

So, for this one night, children
are permitted to sneak about

and lay traps for their neighbours.

No-one must be harmed, of course.

It is my favouritest
night of the whole year!

Best of all, adults are freed
from their responsibilities

and we, too, indulge our
childish delight in pranks.

We must decide who we
will play a trick on.

I wonder...

I suspect Miss Pearl could
do with a little cheering up.

Miss Pratt?

If we were to play a trick
on her and she didn't like it,

one of her looks could make
my bones shiver for a week.

Beneath Pearl's prickly front, there
is a child as playful as any of us.

A harmless joke might just
ginger up her mood a little.

Well, her shop window is so
perfect and splendid and hoity.

Oh, Minnie...

you have given us the best Mischief
Night trick in the whole town!

I have?

Forgive me. Sir, my haste made
me blind to you standing there.

It's a fine morning, all
the same, wouldn't you say?

For the time of year. Excuse me.

It's a fine morning for any time of
year. Any day above ground is a good day.

I didn't mean to be rude. Forgive me.

I have been distracted
all morning by a problem.

Daniel Parish.Fisher Bloom.

Journeyman, wanderer, clockmaker.

You may be familiar with me work.

I live by it.

What brings you back to Candleford?

I often think about
what I left behind here,

so I decided to come back
and see how it's faring.

It is faring very well indeed.

Your clock is a much-loved
and cherished part of our town.

I wonder...

A clockmaker.

Do you know anything about the mechanics
of a printing press? I have a crisis.

From a boy, I seem to be able to fix
most things. It's a gift I was given.

Today, that gift was given to me.

What are the chances of
me discovering you here?

I have been to Inglestone, Banbury. I
have been able to find no-one to help me.

Life is kinder to us than we realise...
if we chose to see it that way.

Why, Fisher!

Alf Arless.

Mr Twister. Quite a surprise.

It ain't the word I'd use
- surprise.

When did you get here? A moment ago.

I was on me way to the post office.

Sir, if I could detain
you to look at my machine,

I have an edition that
needs publishing tomorrow.

And your problem is
pressing. Let me take a look.

TWISTER: All the
surprises are yet to come.

Alfie, there will be tears.

Shall we stay a while?

Poor Laura.Poor all.

Hearts will be broke.

DOOR OPENS, BELL TINKLES

Oh, Miss Lane.

Miss Pratt.

You seem distracted.
Is something the matter?

I was hoping to find Daniel. I've searched
half Candleford. Have you seen him?

Yes. He was heading out
of town this morning.

On which road? Did he
say how long he'd be gone?

Did you speak with him? Did
he say when he might return?

Heavens, Pearl, such urgency.

It is as though something
terrible has occurred.

I had the most unexpected
encounter on the road.

You would never believe
who is coming to Candleford.

Fisher Bloom. Oh, you know.

He has been commissioned to
make a town clock in Inglestone.

But he's not headed for Inglestone.

He's very much coming in
the direction of Candleford.

We all know the last time he was here,

he enjoyed a certain...entanglement
with your assistant.

And now he brings his winning
rustic charms to our door once more.

Fisher was already on his way
when she received his letter.

In which case, his reckless,
selfish intrusion must be dealt with.

I take it you mean to warn Daniel?

Perhaps that is not
what is best for him.

Laura did not invite Fisher.

It puts her in a most...
delicate position.

I am sure what you want is for Daniel
to suffer as little as possible.

Wouldn't he rather hear this from Laura?

Daniel.Laura.

This gentleman has kindly
agreed to look at my press

to see if he might fix it.
He was here some while ago.

He made the town clock.
You may remember him.

Yes.

I do remember him.

Hello, Fisher.Laura.

I thought it was simply something
jammed, but the problem is beyond me.

It requires the eyes of a craftsman.

This old fella has seen better days.

The platen rocker's jammed and
buckled. It'll have to be straightened.

And there's a crack here. It'll
have to come off to be mended.

Will you take it on?

I'll pay you, of course.

I'm just passing through, sir, on the
way to Inglestone. I'm not your man.

But seeming as you're here...

I can see your difficulty.
I only wish I could oblige.

Everyone knows that Fisher
Bloom is always on the move.

He cannot help you, Daniel,
because nothing matters more

to Fisher than the road.

Oh, some things matter more.

A challenge.

When are you due in Inglestone?

A day or two.Then stay.

Have dinner with us.

Perhaps a day or so
won't do me any harm.

Do you suppose Miss Lane
might let me use the Forge?

Here you are
- black treacle for your bread.

You shall enjoy the best of times

till your ma and pa come
home from your auntie's.

Now, you haven't forgotten,
have you? Tomorrow night,

it's Mischief Night!

Edmund will show you what to do.

Mm...

Do you fancy yourself too old for
mischief now that you're working, Edmund?

It's silly.

Of course it is.

It's meant to be.

Well, you'll be out
playing tricks, won't you?

Yes!

There will be tears.
There will be hearts broke.

Fisher Bloom is come back to Candleford.

We saw him on the street.

Talking to Daniel Parish
like neither one of them knew

nothing about neither of the other.

We thought Emma and
Robert ought to know.

Someone has to look out for our Laura.

Edmund fancies himself head of
the house while his pa's away!

TICKING

TICKING STOPS

FOOTSTEPS

Oh, Daniel! How is your day?
How's Laura? All is well?

Of course it is. Indeed
it is, Miss Pearl.

I have fallen on good
fortune. What have you there?

It is an old pocket watch of my
father's. It seems to be broken.

And you have taken it out
because the clockmaker is here?

Not at all. No. I've no idea. Is he?

I have first call on his services.

He seems a splendid fellow,

and his arrival is most
timely and beneficial to me.

You met him?

I have persuaded him to stay
in order to mend my press.

The man is under your roof?
You trust him alone there?

He is a craftsman, not a rogue.

What could he possibly steal?

A pencil? Some paper? Ink?

Since the fellow is here, I will
take the watch for him to look at.

I see that Fisher Bloom is with us.

Yes.

And you have spoken with him?

Yes.

And is he yet aware
that you and Daniel...?

Yes.

I hope I do not meddle where
I am not welcome, Laura,

but you must admit this
is a dangerous moment.

Have you told Daniel yet of your
previous relationship with Fisher?

I intended to...

but the opportunity...

It was not possible.

Fisher Bloom must have
returned here for a reason.

He is just passing through.

We shall see.

Laura, you are young.

This matter...

two young men,

such feelings tugging at your heart.

Such emotion could push you into...

haste.

There is no hurry.

If I could encourage you in one thing,

it would be to see that
this is not so much about

which suitor a girl might chose,

but what kind of life you want to have.

These are changing times.

A girl can make for herself...

I don't want to be like you, Miss Lane.

What do you mean, Laura?

I mean no offence.

I love my work here.

But it is not enough for me.

What makes you believe
you can say such a thing?

I have every reason to
treasure the life I have.

I only have to glance around
me to see how blessed I am.

DOOR OPENS

Ma'am, does Laura know our
secret about Miss Pearl,

about Mischief Night, about the
shop window, about the other thing?

No, Minnie, Laura does
not know of our secret.

She has other things on
her mind at the moment.

Oh, do you have secret plans
for Mischief Night, Laura?

I bet you do. We will tell you
our secret if you tell us yours.

I have no plan, Minnie.
I have no intention

of dressing up in a silly
hood and a ridiculous cloak

to run around town in
frivolous escapades.

Ma'am, is frivolous bad?

On the contrary, Minnie.

Frivolity is essential.

When we start to take
ourselves too seriously...

we are headed for trouble.

Ma'am, do I take myself too seriously?

Not often, Minnie.

I think you are safe.

We could put frogs in her
bed and snails in her tea

and worms in her shoes!

What are you two plotting?

Frank wants to hide under Queenie's
bed.And make noises in the dark.

You've got school the next
day, you'll need your sleep.

We could put salt in her milk
jug. And snails in her teapot.

What are you going to do
on Mischief Night, Edmund?

I'm going over to Candleford.

To see our Laura? To help our Laura.

So, tomorrow, just before
closing, I will make an opportunity

to sneak into the back of the
Stores and unlock the back door

so that we can skulk in after dark.

And in the morning, I
will go over to Lark Rise

to borrow the secret
thing we want to borrow!

Part of the fun, Sydney,
is that we must all dress

as dubious night prowlers,
with dark clothes and hoods.

Ma'am, I know this
is the best idea ever,

but what if Miss Pearl don't like it?

I have been thinking
the same thing, but...

something in me believes she needs this.

We must make her laugh

and hope that she will see
this as an act of friendship.

If we dare, she will respond.

You do love mischief, don't you,
ma'am? More than anyone I know.

I do. I relish it.

I don't know why it
appeals to me so very much.

It is one of your one weaknesses.

It is!

I think it might be to our advantage

to gently prepare Miss Pratt
beforehand, in a roundabout way,

to the idea that Mischief Night
is all about neighbourliness.

You are right, ma'am, but I
will be ready to run anyway.

BABY CRIES

Hey, ssh! KNOCK ON DOOR

Alfie, how about we have a tune
in the Wagon and Horses tonight?

I'm tired of hearing me
own voice night after night.

I have Patience to get to sleep.

And Lizzie's having trouble
with her teeth again.

I need to scrub this
floor before I go to bed.

It ain't no life for a young man, is it?

It is the life I have.

I'll make the most of
it. What about next year?

And the years that come after that?

My ma will come out of prison...
We all love your ma well enough,

but her coming out of prison is only
her way of getting into more trouble.

You supposeI don't know that, Twister?

You think I don't look at the
rest of my life and wonder?

I have three precious sisters.

And they have me.

A man can be too good, Alfie.

And if anyone knows that...

I do.

DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES

He will not come.

It seems that Fisher is
dedicated to fixing my press.

He was working at it till after dark.

Quite a fellow.Daniel...

since I did not come to
Sunday lunch with you,

I have been trying to
tell you...to explain.

You were unwell.

It is forgotten, I promise you.

If he can fix my press
bytomorrow, that would mean...

Daniel, please listen.

I must tell you.

When Fisher was last here in Candleford,

he and I were friends.

More than friends.

Oh.

I see.

You've been trying to tell me.

Does this mean you knew he was coming?

He wrote to me.

And what was in this letter...
that made you hide it from me?

Only that he was coming.

I am not obliged to tell you
what was in a letter to me.

If I received such a letter,
I would want to tell you.

He came to Candleford.

We met.

We liked each other.

And we...

It is over.

All you need to know is
that it is in the past.

It feels such a relief

to tell you...

to be done with it.

Of course.

We all have past loves.
Daniel, make no mistake,

seeing Fisher, the man he is...

What I am trying to say is...

..I have found what I want in you.

He will be gone in a day or two.

Then we can get on with our lives.

POST OFFICE BELL TINKLES

I appreciate you working so late.

I hope to have your
press working by tomorrow.

Fisher, Laura told me about you and her.

Is she the reason you
came back? I mean...

more than to say hello.

I came back because I
have a job in Inglestone.

You could have turned down
the work in Inglestone.

That's true enough.

Perhaps I liked the idea
of coming back this way.

Was it on your mindthat you might...?

You must have been curious...

to see how you might
feel when you saw her.

Daniel, I imagined life here
would be exactly as I left it.

I told meself I might speak with Laura,

make peace, that she'd be
over the pain I caused her.

Are you saying you feel you
made a mistake in leaving?

I chose to keep moving.

That's my life. I made me
decision and now I'll stick by it.

I mean no harm.

I will not seek Laura out.
I won't open old wounds.

I'll do the job I've been asked
to do and then I'll be on me way.

If you wish to go now,

the world will survive without one
edition of the Candleford Chronicle.

Is that what you want?
Is it what YOU want?

I'll see the job done.

Let no man say that
Fisher Bloom ran away.

Whoa!

Alfie, can I borrow a
scarecrow? A scarecrow?

Only for one night.

And since it is wintertime,
you ain't going to need him.

It is to be our mischief.

I ain't saying what we have planned,
but if you come to Candleford,

be sure to look in the
window of the Stores.

Alfie, did you hear that
Fisher Bloom is come back?

I saw him with my own eyes.

Brazen as ever, he was.

I think Fisher is sweet,

because I know he went,
but he did come back

and he is nearly friends with Daniel,
and that must mean that he is good really.

He had no right to come back.

He made his choice.

He hurt Laura once and
what does he want now?

Trouble, that's what.

Breezing into town, expecting a welcome.

Men like Fisher Bloom, they love
their freedom above all else.

They have no thought for others.

But he is a young man and he is
free to choose the life he chooses.

And don't he know it.

Alfie, you do seem upset like it was
your heart was broke by him, not Laura's.

My pa is made of the same
selfish desire to roam.

Alfie, I have noticed you do
seem to be under your burdens,

and Miss Lane says Mischief Night
is when we should cast off our cares

and enjoy some naughty
pleasures. Is that so?

It is so. Well, perhaps I will.

Mr Bloom, I wonder if
you might look at this...

since you are here.

I came upon it in my drawer.

It was my father's.

It's a nice piece.

Looks like the back's been
taken off quite recently.

Oh, I took a look inside myself, but
of course, it's all fathomless to me.

Seems to me there's a
piece of grit caught inside.

How did that get in there?

How are you enjoying
your return to Candleford?

Grand.

The attractions of a town like this
might give a wanderer an itch to settle.

But surely not. I mean, what could
Candleford offer a man like you?

Well, you bringing me your watch
shows me there might be a life here.

There's not a clock
mender for miles around.

I could set up a little business...
selling watches and house clocks.

Might you know of an
empty premises nearby?

No. There is none.

I'd only need a small workshop.

Perhaps there might be room
at the back of the Stores?

That is not possible.

It's the friendliness of folks
like yourself which makes Candleford

such an appealing place to
spend the rest of your days.

There.

That should work now.

But there's no charge. Think of
it as a gesture of appreciation.

Laura.

Daniel's a fine fella.

You're a good match, the pair of you.

I wish you well.

What I said to you at
the time you were here...

..it was true...

..then.

But it's passed...

and you ought to know that I
hold no feelings for you now.

Good. Why should you hold feelings?

Daniel and I want the same things.

We read the same books.

It feels...

different.

It feels...grown up.

He wants to settle.

He shows such consideration.

Grown up is good.

Don't you dare mock me.

You have no right to make
fun of me, Fisher Bloom.

Who do you think you are?

You come back here...

you give me no chance
to warn you to stay away.

What about what Daniel might feel?

I am lucky he understands.

Another man might have
found it difficult.

You do not think of such things.

Your intent is only on your own needs...

your own desires.

Perhaps you could do with a little
growing up yourself, Fisher Bloom.

You claim that a life
on the road is romantic.

Is it?

Or is it simply cowardly?

It's so easy to keep moving on,

to leave behind responsibilities...

..to never have to
face up to other people.

For someone who has no feelings for me,

that was a lot of emotion.

Oh, yes...

I have feelings.

But they are not of endearment.

You see how things are
between Daniel and I,

yet you walk in here to see
me like nothing else mattered.

I came into the post
office to see Miss Lane.

Oh.

But it's been most enlightening
speaking with you, Laura.

Shall I fetch Miss Lane?
There is no need, Laura.

What might you want with me, Mr Bloom?

Could we speak in private?

Thank you, Minnie.

That will be all, Minnie.

DOOR CLOSES

You find us all in a state
of excitement, Mr Bloom.

It is Mischief Night tonight, when
all manner of tomfoolery is permitted.

What I recall of you, Miss Lane, is that
every day has a splash of mischief in it.

Yes, I have been reflecting on that.

There must be a reason why I so
enjoy teasing and troublemaking.

Do you suppose there is a secret
streak of cruelty running through me?

Me ma was a wise old bird

and she said that larks and the like
are the sign of a contented soul.

Then I shall defer to your mother.

Though Laura seems to think
I am rather too frivolous.

Did you wish to speak
with me about Laura?

I want to talk to you about Inglestone.

Me work there.

You are providing them
with a clock, I hear.

A railway clock. There is a
new station soon to open there.

It is most exciting.

The railway, on our doorstep.

I've seen what happens to a town
when it gets a railway, Miss Lane.

The world changes.

Thank heavens it is
Inglestone and not us.

I'm fond of Candleford,

even if Candleford ain't
so fond of me these days.

So I feel obliged to
tell you what I know.

Now, the railway will bring people,

it'll bring goods and
it'll bring the mail.

Inglestone will become
the hub of all around.

We are quite secure.

We serve our own community.

This neighbourhood needs us.

All I'll say is, Miss Lane,

what I've seen on me travels.

The railway feeds some towns,
so that they grow fat and greedy.

Others are left to feed off the scraps.

I've seen post offices die.

I see.

Now, I'm not wanting to scaremonger you.

I only wish to tell you, so that...
you can look out for yourself.

Thank you.

Is that why you came back here?

I told meself it was.

Truth is...

..I was longing to see Laura.

That's my mistake.

Cos she certainly
doesn't want to see me.

And who can blame her?

I'm glad I came back,

cos now I know...

..I have to let her go.

But you did let her go.

There's letting go
and there's letting go.

I'll be gone from here
soon enough, Miss Lane,

and I'm not likely to come back,

so I'll dare to say what's on me mind.

Perhaps this love of frivolity,
this desire for mischief...

perhaps a woman like you
has too much responsibility,

so many people depending on you,

perhaps you need a little bit
of nonsense to ease the burden.

Alfie, what you said about
Fisher Bloom being in Candleford,

how it can only mean
heartbreak for our Laura.

That man is a troublemaker
and nothing more.

My ma and pa ain't here to do
nothing about it, so I have a notion.

Whoa!

You and me, Alfie,
we'll go over to town.

You can tell Fisher that
since it's Mischief Night,

you are going to get me drunk.

And when I am drunk, I shall
start talking and I'll tell him.

Tell him what?

The secret.

I ain't following.

BELL TINKLES

A cake?

For me?

Why?

It is a new recipe

and since you have such a fine palate,
I thought I might ask your opinion.

You have never leaned on
my palate before, Miss Lane.

Pearl, tonight is Mischief Night.

And how tasteless it is. I shall be
in bed long before the moon is up.

But isn't it good for us to
indulge a little deviltry?

I do so enjoy it when my
neighbours play a trick on me.

Don't you ever wish you
could take the opportunity

to let loose with your
own mischievousness?

I have no wish to
play at trickery and...

Thank you for the cake.

Excuse me, I must
attend to my customers.

Then let me put this cake
in the back room for you.

How are you today?
What can I do for you?

Oh!

Oh, Minnie. I'd forgotten
it was Mischief Night.

Ain't you got no pranks to play, Laura?

Put that thing down,
Minnie, we must be patient.

There are still lights on in
the Stores.I surely will, ma'am.

Ma'am, might I ask you what it
was that Fisher wanted with you?

I can understand how this must
present quite a mystery to you, Laura,

but I can assure you that what
Fisher came about did not concern you.

But, ma'am, what else is there? I mean,

I feel I have a right to know if
he asked about my feelings or...

I think you will find that the world
does not revolve around Laura Timmins.

I'm sorry, Laura.

That was rather more
harsh than I intended.

It is only your youth, I suppose, which
possesses you with such self-concern.

Fisher has a true
fondness for Candleford.

For all of us.

And for this reason...

How shall I say this?

Let me find out a little more before
I trouble you with this matter.

Ma'am, I am not so youthful that
I must be treated as a child,

if I may say so.

Laura...

don't be in such a hurry to grow up.

Innocence is easily lost...

but never regained.

Laura, the whole town
will be mischiefing,

and you'll be the only one
at home being buttoned-up.

Ain't that extraordinary!

Fisher, might we sit with you a while?

Mischief Night is when boy-chaps
have their first drink or two,

and it's got the better of young Edmund.

I ain't drunk. I can stand up.

I ain't drunk!

Miss Pearl said she'd be gone
to bed before the moon was up.

She will, Minnie. She will.

Candleford is the best
town there ever was.

I hope it doesn't ever change.

It's good to see you again, Alf Arless.

You're just as I remember you.

I never thought I'd see
your face back here again.

I've often thought of
the friends I made here.

I envy what you have, Alfie.

Ain't nothing for a man like
you to envy in a man like me.

You're wrong, my friend.

My life...

I meet folks, get to know them a
little, then in a week or two, I'm gone.

You have true friends.

Lifelong friends.

You get to see them
through life's milestones.

Like young Edmund here, tonight.

What do I have?

Passing acquaintances.

What kind of man wants
that for his life?

But you have adventures...

travel...

master of your own days.

Not trapped by nothing, no-one.

Sometimes that's a blessing.

Some days it's a blight.

Are you saying you've had
enough of the wandering life?

Sometimes an idea comes to your mind,

and you don't know it's happening.

It's just there.

You don't ask for it. You
might not even see it coming.

But it's part of you.

I have a secret...

that no-one knows.

Alfie don't know.

You're drunk. Miss Lane don't know.

Best not say anything
else till you sober up.

I ain't a boy no more. I shall
say what I know if I want to.

I heard Laura talking to my ma.

Edmund, hold your tongue. Let him talk.

He's got something to say to me.

Our Laura loves Daniel.

That ain't news, boy.

There's nothing secret about that.

And she's going to marry him.

She's certain in her heart that
she's found the man she loves.

You see, Alfie?

Fisher Bloom can pronounce all the
words of wisdom under God's heaven...

..I know nothing.

I'm no more than a fool who
learns too late what truly matters.

You fellows best get going.

I've work to finish and I'd as
soon be left to get on with it.

Come home.

Edmund, you head on home. I
want to stay here a little while.

I'll stay with you.

No, I have a little bit of
mischief of my own I wish to enjoy.

Mr Bloom. Miss Pratt.

I have something I think you should see.

If it's another broken watch,
I'm not your man this time.

It is something that
concerns you. Please.

I promise you will be grateful
for what I have to show you.

Are you sure it's OK? Yes,
she's gone in. Let's go.

Everyone knows why you have
come back here, Mr Bloom.

What you ought to know is that
your efforts are pointless.

It is not yet public knowledge, but
Laura and Daniel are already making plans.

It's a fine thing that you should have
such consideration for Daniel and Laura.

Your hopes will only cause
you distress, Mr Bloom.

Laura's future is decided.

But perhaps too much consideration.

Ican't help thinking you're
all of you trying too hard.

A wedding dress cannot be denied.

Your hopes will only cause
you distress, Mr Bloom.

I hear the message you're
trying to get across.

You want to push me down the
road, and who can blame you?

(You two put the
scarecrow in the window.

(I will keep watch here
by the stairs. Go on.)

What is it you fear so much?

I ain't some demon come here to
ruin the lives of decent folks.

If Laura had plans to marry...

it would be the simplest thing in
the world for her to tell me herself.

Why would she not?
It'd settle everything.

Now I'm thinking to myself...

if it was all as neat and decided
as you'd like me to believe,

then why would you be so
desperate to get rid of me?

Your determination for me to
go might just tempt me to stay.

If you remain here,

you will meet contempt from one
end of Candleford to the next.

Don't you worry your precious
heart, Miss Pratt. I'll go.

But not because I'm pushed.

I like Daniel.

I care for Laura.

I'll leave because me conscience
tells me that's what's needed.

I'll go because I'm the
creator of me own torment.

Good night to you, Miss Pratt.

LAUGHTER

SNORING

Argh!

THEY SCREAM

SHE LAUGHS

Thought you'd fox old Queenie, did ya?

You can't fox an old fox!

Minnie!

Beg your pardon. I thought
you were a friend of mine.

That's fine. It's the
curls in your hair...

DOOR SLAMS

Minnie, what is it?

Mischief Night is the worst
night of the year, that's what.

I'm most grateful that you have
remained here to see the job done.

I hope that you will permit me to
pay you a fair price for your work.

Daniel...I told you I
wouldn't seek Laura out.

I didn't keep that promise.

I saw you going into the post office.

I went to see Miss Lane.

But I did speak with Laura.

I tell you this because...

..whether I come or go,

it makes no difference
how she feels for you.

You're a very fortunate man.

I know it.

Then all that's left is...farewell.

My dear, that was the most feeble
Mischief Night there ever was.

Not so much as a fright.

Not even a startle
came anywhere near me.

HE GASPS

SHE LAUGHS

I thought I would find you here.

I saw the clock had stopped.

Someone's Mischief Night trick,
I expect. How could I walk by?

I am sorry I was so
angry with you, Fisher.

It's to be expected.

It is.

Then why did you stop the clock?

Are you accusing me?

You suppose I've done
this to keep you here.

I saw you going out.

Are you convinced you
are that important to me?

Do you suppose I've been
pining ever since you left?

There are bushes

and wildflowers

I know better than me own hand.

The pond where the yellow
brandyball water lilies grow...

..the little birch thicket

where the long-tailed tits congregate.

How can you remember that so well?

Here's why I came back.

The memory of you didn't fade.

It grew.

I told myself, keep moving, it'll pass.

It's not like some blinding flash.

It crept up on me.

I'd find myself smiling and I
realised I was thinking of you.

Do you suppose I want to hear this now?

It is too late.

I know it's too late.

And I accept that.

But the clocks have stopped.

At least, this one has anyway.

It's Mischief Night.

Why did you go out, Laura?

What were you looking for?

You will laugh at me, I know you will.

I was determined to be frivolous.

I was searching for...something.

I just wandered around.

Buttoned up.Don't you dare!

It's too late. The night's not over yet.

Dance with me.

No!

What an idea!

Dancing's only dancing, Laura.

Showing the world your
cares are all in the past.

Ain't there fiddles
and drums in your head?

Don't you hear them? Come on...

Show the world Laura
Timmins ain't buttoned up.

I can't. This is wrong.

What's wrong with a bit
of light in your eyes?

Wild joy in your face?

Daniel is out there.

I never know when
you're playing mischief.

Folks want me to believe that
you already plan to marry Daniel.

Is that what you want, Laura?

Who said such a thing?

The closer you get to that moment...

is it truly what you want?

Did Daniel tell you that?

Not Daniel, no.

I take it this is your
handiwork, Miss Lane?

I am glad you find it amusing.

You were quite correct
- mischief has its purpose.

Fisher Bloom set out
on the road last night.

I watched him go. I hope you agree
this is a glad day for all of us.

When I came into the
Stores last night...

I do not wish to conceal
from you, Pearl...

..I witnessed your
encounter with Fisher.

Let me apologise. I did
not intend to spy upon you.

I am sure that, in your mind,

what you did was for the sake
of Daniel.If you're preparing

one of your sermons on morality,
Miss Lane, spare yourself the effort.

You yourself told me only yesterday

that the sprite in all of
us must find expression.

Surely even more so when
it is in a good cause.

If what you did goes undiscovered, then
you may achieve the ends you intended.

But supposing Daniel were to
find out? What would it do to him?

That is not possible. Mr Bloom is gone.

We will see no more of him, and
there is no-one left to tell Daniel.

Perhaps my little ruse will turn out
to be a premonition of the real thing.

Would that not be a great
cause for celebration?

We can consider ourselves
fortunate, Miss Lane.

We have had a near escape.

Mr Bloom has come and gone and
left no lasting mark on our town.

If only that were true.

Oh, Laura,

our conversation the other day,

what you said
- "It is not enough for me."

I'm sorry, ma'am. I only meant...

I understand that may be so for you.

But I would like you
to understand that...

it is enough for me.

ALF: Whoa!

Minnie, I was inCandleford last night.

I know you was.

I was looking out for you. Well,
I weren't looking out for you.

Still, it was a grand
night, all the same.

Alf Arless, you ain't got no more
heart than that bag of straw and rags.

And he's more handsome, an' all.
Minnie, I was wanting to tell you...

I don't want told.

If I live my whole life long

I never want to meet a lump of
a boy like Alf Arless ever again.

Daniel!

I'm so glad to see you.

Will you do something for me?

Will you hold me?

I am so sorry, Daniel.

The town clock has stopped.

Everyone's talking about it.

Seems like it was some
Mischief Night prank.

You don't think I did it, do you?

Laura, I know it wasn't you.

Daniel, I am so confused.

I don't want to hurt you.

But I must ask you
to be patient with me.

For us.

What are you saying, Laura?

Isn't it inevitable?

The shock of Fisher coming back here.

It's bound to...

I have tried...

Surely you can see that I have tried...

to cast these thoughts out of my mind.

What a pity it is that you must try.

I'm trying to explain to
you that it is distressing...

it's confusing.

I can see that, Laura.

But if you loved me,

truly loved me...

you would have no room in
your head for these "thoughts".

Let's call them what they are -

doubts.

You want certainties.
Life is not like that.

I am human.

I am here, telling you the truth,

so that we might come through this.

Can you not see, Laura, what
Fisher coming here has done to us,

done to me?

I look at you and I wonder,
isshe thinking of him?

You went to see him in the clock.

Yes...

I watched you.

So every day I will wonder,
does she want to go to him now?

And that is why I
stopped the town clock.

You?

I wanted to know, Laura.

I wanted to find out,

if he stayed,

what would happen.

And now I know.

Daniel, please...

it is only doubt.

I mean...confusion.

It is confusion.

I am confused.

And I am clear, Laura.

BELL TOLLS

LAURA:'When that one night
of mischief had passed,

'life was meant to be
restored to its familiar order.

'Our little town would take on
again its peaceful character.'

'But I felt that
restless longing of youth.

'I found myself remembering
what my father had once told me.

'We are all a curious
mixture of good and bad.

'Our best hope is to live and to act so
that we do not look back with regret.'

Don't expect me to treat
you with courtesy.Why's that?

Laura knows what I
offered to her. I'm here.

If I asked you...to marry me...

Me and you, Minnie,
it just ain't possible.

She does seem so naturally at home here.

We must not allow ourselves
to think such thoughts.

He wishes to buy the
Candleford Post Office from me.

He'll keep the staff on.

But I will be cast out of my own home.

He's bent on finishing you.

We cannot outmanoeuvre him...

we must outwit him.