Marchlands (2011): Season 1, Episode 2 - Episode #1.2 - full transcript

It's been six months now.

You've just got to get on.

I'm trying.

Everything reminds me.

This imaginary friend, how long's it
going to last?

Until she grows out of it.

She lives here.
She's always lived here.

I don't want you talking to her any
more, do you understand?

She wouldn't wander off.
Why can't you just accept it?

Because she wouldn't do that!
But she did!

I didn't know you could sign.



Who's the woman?
Olive Runcie.

She's deaf, lives further out -
Forest Road.

She didn't mean it!
Who didn't mean it?

Alice.
Oh, my God!

Mark, if it's a girl,

what do you think about the name
Alice?

RADIO: 'Prescription charges are to
be reintroduced

into the National Health Service...'
You look tired.

Do I?

You and Ruth, both of you.

I'm not the only one who's noticed.

People are worried about you.

What people?
What do you mean?

Father Boyle.



He was asking you about you
yesterday.

What did you say?

I said Paul might drop in and see
him.

What?
He wants you to telephone.

You can't just -

I can't just sit here and watch you
like this day after day.

You've no right.

I'm your mother.

Oh, this is daft. I feel like an old
woman!

Maybe we should get a stair lift.
I'd settle for a stair carpet.

Or the bannister getting painted.
It's all on the list.

We'll be bringing a baby home to a
building site.

We'll get there, don't worry.
Don't say that.

Worrying's one of the few things I
can still do.

I'm not saying it's a bad idea,

just that you might have trouble
persuading Ruth, that's all.

You just need to know how to ask.
What's the p...

Morning.

RADIO: 'We keep hearing about the
deficit.

Just explain exactly what that is.'

RADIO: 'That defines everything we
are talking about.

The deficit is the gap between...'

RADIO: 'Stay tuned to York 105 FM.'

Our concern, for now, is what Amy
might do

during any further episodes.

You're gonna have to keep a close
eye on her.

She's not dangerous, not Amy.
What are you going to do?

I'm going to arrange some tests

and maybe a scan, to tell us if the
issue's psychiatric or physical.

How can it be physical?

Well, the symptoms could be caused

by something affecting the brain
itself. Like what?

The most common would be a blood
clot,

or temporal lobe epilepsy.

Or a tumour.

Oh, God.

(SIGHS)

(DOOR RATTLES)

(STIFLED LAUGH)

(RATTLING CONTINUES)

(SIGHS)

Hmm.

Alice - 5/10/65.

Alice - 15/8/66.

Alice - 10th of October, 1967.

Hello, little Alice.

Hiya, babe. It's only me.

Erm... You're probably in a site
meeting or something,

it's nothing urgent.

Erm...

I was just wondering if you could
pick up some milk on your way home.

Thanks. See you later.

Hm.

Do you think we should tell her?
Tell her what?

We don't know anything yet.

What are we gonna do?

We're going to find out what's wrong
with her.

Whatever it is, we're going to make
it better.

But, Helen, what if she -
Don't!

(DOOR OPENS)

Hey. Where's the funeral?

You what?

The suit - looks like someone died.

I should go and get changed.

How was school?

Is everything all right...with Amy
and that?

Yeah. It's fine, love.

Nothing to worry about.

'Ey up.
Hey.

Got your message.
Good. Well done.

How you doing?
(SIGHS) OK.

The office had to send a courier out
with court papers for a signature.

Must have cost them a fortune.

They'll charge it to the client.

That's what you law firms usually
do, isn't it?

I was glad to see him, actually.

The only person I spoke to all day.

(CHUCKLES)

You getting lonely in the big, empty
house?

No. Of course not!

It's just so quiet round here, that's
all.

Well, I'm back now, so you can
relax.

Only a little for me, please.
Not feeling well, Ruth, love?

Just not much of an appetite.
You ought to make the effort.

It's not that easy, though, is it?

I spoke to Father Boyle on the
telephone today.

Father Boyle? Why?

He was concerned about us.

How we're getting on.

What did you say?

I said we'd go in and see him,

have a chat.

What?

Such a nice man, very wise.

Don't you think you should have
asked me first?

Ruth, I'm asking you now.
What if I don't want to?

I've already said we would.

He is there to help.
He hardly knows us.

He married us, he baptised Alice.

And he buried her!
All the more reason.

AMY: It's not fair.

They keep asking questions about
you.

But none of them believe me.

Everybody's upset and it's all your
fault.

Go away.

Leave me alone.

Come on, Nisha.

I've got a meeting with the bank
this morning.

If I don't write it down, you'll
forget,then you'll have to make two trips.

Can't I just pick up a pizza, or
something? No.

It's not just about tonight, we need
some proper shopping and I can't go.

What about the internet?

I don't want somebody else picking my
fruit and vegetables for me.

I suppose I should be flattered.
At what?

That you trust me.

Don't have any choice, do I?

(MOBILE PHONE RINGS)
Oh, it's Mum.

Right, I'm out of here.

See you later.
OK.

(RINGING CONTINUES)

Hiya, Mum.

No, everything's fine.

Yes, he is.

Yes, he's looking after me.

Stop that!
You know he is.

(SIGHS) Well, we'll get by somehow.

Open University.

(BELL TOLLS)

FATHER BOYLE: The death of a child
is always hard to understand.

We can't only believe when we
understand.

Faith is about believing, even when
we don't understand.

This isn't a crisis of faith, Father.

What about your faith in each other?

I think that's what's being tested.

R-Ruth won't accept Alice is gone.

I know she's dead!

But she's still here.

I can feel her.
That's just grief.

No, it's more than that!
What, ghosts?

Please, tell her, Father.

You do need to be careful

that your genuine feelings aren't
being corrupted by superstition.

It's not superstition.

It's believing, even when we don't
understand.

Marriage is a covenant between two
people before God.

A lifelong partnership for the good
of each other

and the procreation and education of
offspring.

That vow can't just be abandoned.

If grief is distracting you,

put it to one side.

You must remember your matrimonial
responsibilities.

We've been trying.

It's been difficult to...

..regain that...intimacy.

I'm not talking about intimacy,

I'm talking about duty.

It's not about candlelight and
Mantovani,

it's a contract with God.

You need to fulfil your marital
obligations.

And then...see if He'll bless you
with another child.

(TYPING)

(SIGHS)

(SQUEAKING)

(SQUEAKING CONTINUES)

(SQUEAKING CONTINUES)

(SQUEAKING CONTINUES)

(SQUEAKING CONTINUES)

(SQUEAKING CONTINUES)

(SQUEAKING STOPS)

TV: 'You seem so flat about marrying
him. Unhappy, even.'

TV: 'I am not unhappy!'

What are you doing, Amy?

A collage for school.

We're doing a project on fashion.

Where did you get the scissors from?

Kitchen drawer.

Mum said it was all right.

OK. But be really careful, yeah?

I'm always careful.

I know, sweetheart.

I'm sorry.

(RUNNING WATER)

(SIGHS)

Howdy, Hopalong!
What you reading?

About changes to National Insurance
for employers.

Any good?

Great opening, flags a bit in the
middle.

Do you think I look fat and bloated?

No! You look radiant and blooming.

And slightly ridiculous.

You do know you've got a bin bag on
your foot, don't you?

I'm not supposed to get it wet.

Shit. The bath!

But...

I left it running.
You can't have.

Must have turned them off, then
forgot. No.

I left it running.

Well, it's off now.

No harm done.

(SIGHS)

What's up?
You scared me.

Listen, what happened at that
clinic?

Nothing.

I spoke to the doctor,

then Mum and Dad spoke to the
doctor, then we came home.

So why are they acting all weird?

I don't know.

I've got to go back - they're gonna
scan my head.

You don't think it'll hurt, do you?
No.

It's just like an x-ray.

You won't feel anything.

Probably just want to see if there's
a brain in there.

Sorry.

You don't wanna leave these lying
around.

If Amy finds them -
I'll keep them out the way.

I don't know why you're reading
them.

The doctor doesn't even know what's
going on yet.

She talked about possible causes.
Oh, yeah.

And what a list that was.

What's wrong?

It's this business with the
scissors.

I was thinking about what the
psychiatrist said,

about keeping an eye on her.

When she caught me looking at her
like that, like...

..like I was afraid she was gonna do
something really bad.

I thought she was gonna cry.
Oh, Eddie.

I don't wanna be thinking about her
like that.

Or talking about her as if she's a
set of symptoms, or a case study.

She's not well, love. We need to find
out what's wrong.

That means doctors and clinics and
medical jargon.

But not here, eh?

This is her home.

When she's here,

let's let her just be Amy, eh?

Please.

Come here.

MARK: The family started a little
sooner than we'd intended.

WOMAN: These things happen, don't
they?

Then Nisha, my partner, she broke
her ankle.

Oh!

So she's stuck in the house.

I've got so much on at work at the
minute

and can't be about as much as I'd
like.

Sounds like it's all happening at
once.

That's what it feels like.

But basically you're...looking for
some help around the house?

A bit of cleaning

and some company for Nisha?
Exactly.

Just for a while.

I thought it might be good to get
someone in a couple of times a week.

That's why I put up the ad.

Well, I was a midwife for 25 years,
before I retired.

And I can cook a little, if need be.

Sounds perfect.

And you're local, aren't you?

I lived here when I was younger.

Moved back recently.

That's a bit like me.

I couldn't wait to get away when I
was a kid.

Now I'm here and about to have my
own.

That's nice though, isn't it?

Well, the job's yours, if you want
it.

But what about Nisha?

Nisha?

Oh, no, she'll be fine.

I'll talk to her.

I'm going back there now.

All right, lads?

You all right, Mark? How's it going?

All right, Scott.

Want some?
Yeah. Thanks.

So, what are you up to?
Labouring.

Mum got talking to Mrs Runcie

and...suddenly I'm supposed to be
sorting her garden out.

The Runcies?! Sooner you than me.

Well, I need the cash.

She is a bit weird, though, her and
her daughter.

No wonder. Up there on their own,

enough to drive anybody bonkers, eh?

Here. Better get going. Thanks.

Well, if you're not back in a few
hours, I'll have to call the cops.

Well, they'd only arrest you,
wouldn't they?

I think he's right.

We have a duty.

To have another baby?

To try.
But we've been trying.

Since Alice was five.
Things are different now.

We had Alice before.

Now He might decide to bless us
again.

I don't think it works like that.

He said it were a contract with God.

With responsibilities...obligations.

And love?

That, too.

All those things.

We have to try.

You don't know anything about her.
If you'd seen her -

Yeah, but I didn't, did I? You did
all of this behind my back.

It wasn't behind your back!

It was...a surprise.

Mark, I'm six months pregnant, the
last thing I need is a surprise.

Fine. I'm sorry, I should have done
things differently.

But it's done now.
Well, you're gonna have to undo it.

What?
Tell her there's no job,

tell her that you've made a mistake.
I can't do that.

Phone her.
I didn't take her number.

Well, when she turns up, you're gonna
have to speak to her, OK?

Fine. OK. If that's what you want.

Right, Mark. You can clear
everything by the wall,

but watch out for the thorn bushes.
The hedge needs cut right back,

it's not been done for ages.

Once you've got everything under
control, you can tackle the lawn.

There should be a mower somewhere in
the shed, so...

Are you listening to me?

Yeah. Yes, Mr Runcie.

Got it.

Mower's in the shed.

Right. Well, you'd better make a
start.

I've just got to go into the village
for a bit,

so if you need anything, ask Olive.

She reads lips.
Right.

Keep an eye on him.

So, what makes you think it's your
daughter's?

It was her first Communion gift.

She wore it all the time.

But when...when we collected the
body,

there were two things missing -

her duffle coat and her cross.

Well, if you fell into that water,

you'd try and get a heavy coat off,
wouldn't you?

It's not engraved, is it?
No.

So it's just like hundreds of other
crosses

that hundreds of other little girls
wear.

It's hers. It was draped over her
headstone -

someone's trying to tell us
something.

Tell us what?
I don't know!

There was no evidence of any kind of
foul play.

She wouldn't just wander off on her
own like that.

Kids behave differently when their
parents aren't around, don't they?

If you ask me, one of her old
classmates

has gone to visit the grave and left
it there as a token of friendship.

Nothing more.
So you're not gonna investigate?

Investigate what, exactly?
Where it came from.

What it means.

What happened to her.

She drowned, Mrs Bowen.

Fell into Blackwater Tarn and
drowned.

The case is closed.

The case is not closed!

My daughter died and no-one can tell
me how it happened.

For God's sake, why don't you just
do your job?

I am doing my job.

I've been doing it for 30 years and
I can tell you this -

if mothers like you did your job
properly,

mine would be a whole lot easier.

Now, if there's nothing else...

RADIO: 'You're listening to York
105 FM.'

(COUGHS)

Thanks.

Sorry, I don't... You know.

Oh, I look hot?

Well, how do I, er...

What's 'thank you'?

Thank you.

You're welcome.

You spoke.

You can speak?

But I thought that...

I mean... I didn't know.

Not many people do.

Why not?

Not many people talk to me.

Come with me.
That? That's nothing. Honestly.

How's he getting on?
Fine.

Any problems?

Good.

It's only me.

(SQUEAKING)

(SQUEAKING CONTINUES)

Scott?

Oh, for God's sake.

What's wrong with you?
Sorry.

I'm going upstairs.

Hey, keep it down, will you. Nothing
too loud.

I've got a headache.

Robert?

I come in here sometimes...

..just to remember.

Me, too.

She was such a good little girl.

That's why it's so hard to
understand.

I suppose we'll never really know
what happened. We will.

I will.

I'll find out, I promise you. I have
to.

What else is there?

Tell me again.
Oh, Ruth.

Tell me. The dog...

The dog ran off and disappeared into
the trees.

And you told Alice to wait on the
track?

While I went to find the dog.
She was wearing her coat?

Yes, uh... Her coat, she must have
been.

And then?
And then...

You were gone a few minutes.
It was only a few minutes,

but when I got back to the track -
She'd disappeared.

Yes.
No shout, no scream?

Nothing. She must have...wandered
off.

But you told her to wait.
Yes.

And she's a good girl, you said so.

She must have gone looking for me
and got lost in the trees.

But you told her! Why would she do
that?

I don't know, Ruth. I wish I did.

There's not a day goes by I don't
regret leaving her like that.

It should have been me in that
water.

Me...that they had to pull out.

That would have made more sense.

It's not your fault.

I will find out what happened.

(PHONE RINGS)

Well, none of the tests found
anything physically wrong with Amy.

That means we now treat it as a
psychiatric illness.

Which one?

Erm... Hard to say.

Maybe some kind of dissociative
amnesia.

What's that when it's at home?
It's...

It's like a problem in the way the
mind files memory.

It's usually triggered by some sort
of trauma.

It's this trigger that we'd be
looking for.

But...it could be anything -

school, friends, family.

That's why we work so closely with
Social Services.

You're gonna get Social Services to
check up on us?

Where's this trauma usually located?

Every case is different.

In your experience.

In my experience,

it's usually something that happened
at home.

I don't believe this. Social
Services?

She said it's standard procedure,
like the scans.

You know when they say they're
looking for some trauma,

what they mean is some sort of
abuse. I don't care.

If it'll help Amy get better, they
can investigate whatever they like.

(DOORBELL RINGS)

(DOORBELL RINGS)

Oh, hello. You must be Nisha.

I spoke to Mark yesterday and -
Oh.

..he asked me to -
Yes. Yes, I know.

Erm...

Look, I'm really sorry, but there's
been a mistake.

I don't know what Mark told you,
but...

(MOBILE PHONE RINGS)

Shit. I'm sorry, I'm gonna have to
get that.

Oh, damn!

Here.

Why don't you let me?

(RINGING CONTINUES)

Nisha's phone.

Can you tell me who's calling,
please?

One moment. I'll see if she's
available.

It's 'Bloody Derek'.
(It's my boss.)

(Don't want to speak to him.)

I'm sorry, she can't get to the
phone right now.

Can I take a message?

Tell me, Derek, do you speak to your
mother like that?

(STIFLES LAUGHTER)

No, I'm sure you didn't.

Yes, she must be very proud.

Thank you. Goodbye.

He'd like you to call him back when
it's more convenient.

Oh, I wouldn't blame Mark.

He just thought you could use an
extra pair of hands.

It is a nice thought.

This isn't exactly the easiest
situation.

No, I can imagine.

Carrying a baby can be difficult
enough

without adding broken bones to the
equation.

The truth is, it's a bit of a
nightmare, really.

Well, it's quite simple - decide if
you want some help around the house

and then decide if you want me to
provide it.

And if we get that far, we can
always see how it goes for a while.

And if you're not comfortable, I'll
leave.

Hm.

Anyway, I'd better go, I can see
you're busy.

No. Wait. Erm...

Let's try it.

Are you sure?
(CHUCKLES) Yeah.

Why not?

I don't even know your name.

Oh, didn't Mark say?

Well, it doesn't matter.

It's Ruth. Ruth Bowen.

Welcome to Marchlands, Ruth.

Top of the stairs, on the left.

Thank you.

(GROANS)

(PANTING)

(GASPS)

ALICE: 'Over here, Mummy.
Over here!'

It should have been a secret.

I should never have told them about
you.

I want it back the way it was
before.

Alice.

Sweetheart.

Mummy's home.

Where we you, Ruth? Where were you?!

You know where I was.
Not where you should have been!

I think Alice drowned.

She's always wet and cold.

You mean, you see her?

Is she here now?

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