Midwinter of the Spirit (2015): Season 1, Episode 2 - Episode #1.2 - full transcript
I want a new kind of Deliverance:
someone with experience in modern life.
You don't mind, do you?
No, of course not, sweetheart.
He was your dad. Canon Dobbs?
Canon Dobbs, it's Merrily.
I really need your help.
Denzil Joy is a powerful man.
- Scritch-scratch!
- (SCREAMS) - Powerfully evil.
They told us you had some sort
of training in occult matters.
Leave this thing alone, I beg
of you, for your own good.
Mum, you are so naive.
You're walking into this.
If you're weak, they'll get in, lass.
(INDISTINCT POLICE RADIO)
CANON DOBBS: I thought, with the
strength of St Thomas Cantilupe,
I could stand up to
this evil, but I can't.
Not even He can help us.
Not against them.
They've shown...
They no longer hide their deeds.
They want to rub our
noses in their blasphemy.
God help us.
God help you, Merrily.
(ANSWERPHONE BEEPS)
(ANSWERPHONE CLICKS)
I feel terrible I didn't hear that
until I played it back, this morning.
It's hard to hear him so... irrational.
Well, he wasn't irrational when
I spoke to him, just shit-scared.
He knew that Paul Sayer
was mixed up in something.
He mentioned Paul Sayer and
a man called Denzil Joy.
- Denzil Joy?
- Do you know him?
Coming across Denzil Joy would be enough
to drive anyone to take their own life.
He didn't take his own life.
Can't we safely say that...
.. if he was losing his mind that --
He wasn't losing his mind.
- He knew something.
- So you're saying he was murdered?
Yes. Yes, I am, yes. I'm saying
that he was murdered by the same
person who crucified Paul Sayer.
Murder, suicide...
Let's just wait for the outcome
of Dobbs' post-mortem, eh?
(CROWS CALLING)
(CLATTERING)
- Oh, bloody hell!
- Ooh, I hope you don't mind, lass.
It's right brass monkeys in here.
(EXHALES SHARPLY)
Still, it's nice when folk leave
their front doors unlocked.
Huw, what part of,
'Can you get back to me please,
now, please?' do you not understand?
Well, I'm a busy man.
You know, there's a haunting in Swansea
with all the bells and whistles.
- A right to-do, it is.
- I need you here.
Things are kicking off here.
I can't cope on my own.
Not ready to chuck in
the towel, lass, are we?
Not up to this Deliverance lark?
You bloody bastard.
You deliberately didn't get back to me.
Sometimes, when you learn to ride a bike,
you need to take the stabilisers off.
Knobhead!
Oh, Merrily, it was
a... you had a message.
A Reverend Jeffrey Kimball.
Quite agitated.
A problem at St Mary's
Church in Stretford.
What kind of problem?
Desecration.
- This better be good.
- Hiya.
Not exactly twiddling our
thumbs at the moment.
Yeah, well, as I said on the phone,
I really think it might be relevant.
Looks bloody awful, but
we'll sort it all out.
What are you going to do?
I've got a wedding on
Saturday, a christening Sunday.
I can't cancel. I can't tell them
that my church has been defiled.
This lovely place of worship has
stood here for nigh-on 1,000 years.
Its light isn't going
to go out in a hurry,
not if we have anything to do with it.
All right, you just...
This is Huw Owen, this is the
gentleman I told you about
and he's been brought up
to speed with everything.
I'm sorry I haven't tidied up.
I-I couldn't touch it, it was just...
- Could it be kids?
- No, this isn't kids.
(CLEARS THROAT) These people
know what they're doing. (SNIFFS)
They do it for a kind of intoxication.
You know, it's almost... sexual.
You bet your life they don't leave here feeling
disgusted and nauseous, that's for sure.
You really think these are the same
people who crucified Paul Sayer
and murdered Alan Dobbs?
Yes. Yeah, I do. I do think that, yeah.
What we should be asking
ourselves is why here?
Right... Why now?
Playing games with us, presumably.
You came to me for my expertise.
Huw knows what he's talking about.
Will you please listen to
him? I know this looks li...
- A crow sacrifice is deep. It is
deep in symbolic meaning. - Yeah.
They debased a sacred Christian
site going back centuries.
OK.
Let's organise a fingertip search.
See if these Satanists drop their litter.
OK, boss. I'll organise that ASAP.
Well, what I propose, Merrily,
is a ceremony of lesser exorcism.
Great (!) When?
The sooner the better, I mean,
the vicar wants his church back.
I don't like the idea of it
sitting here, openly violated.
What do you think?
Hm? Me?
Well, you're the one
that's going to be doing it.
Er... Oh.
- So, did you shag him, then?
- No.
We just talked,
about him being chosen as Boy Bishop.
That must be a turn-on (!)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER IN DISTANCE)
Hi.
Hi, you two.
- How are you? - Yeah, I'm
great, actually. - Good.
Thank you, for the other day, I mean.
It's been months since dad died
and I've never talked to
anybody like I talked to you.
It's churned you up and you can't
think about anything else, can you?
Don't worry, it'll pass.
If you act on what you discover,
make the right changes --
In other words, get a life.
- Could we talk again, do you think?
- Of course, any time.
You know where I am now.
Anyway, lovely to see you.
It'll get you out the dreary old vicarage
- on the long, winter nights.
- Do you think I should tell my mum first?
Why? What she won't know won't kill her.
Need a bit of quiet?
No, let's just get on
with it. (CLEARS THROAT)
Right. Right, start with the door.
Go right the way around it, 360.
Every corner.
Just follow the instructions, like
we went through before, all right.
Use the water.
Don't faff.
I'll be here if you want me.
Want to pray together first?
Oh, I'd rather have a fag.
(CHUCKLES) All right.
I'll keep it simple.
(CLEARS THROAT)
Lord, be with us in this
tainted place tonight.
Help this lass Merrily, your good
and loving servant, repossess it...
.. in Your holy name and the glory of God
from whatever dark hangs around it.
(GASPS)
Just... What is it?
What is it?
You... No... Get off!
(SCREAMS) Ow!
- Get out of here!
- (PANTS)
Get out now!
(PANTS)
(WHEEZES)
Our Father, who art in
Heaven, hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come...
(THUNDER RUMBLES)
I don't know why you
bother putting pictures up.
The place is a complete pigsty. You've
got to start pulling your weight, Jane.
- I knew you wouldn't like it.
- I don't care either way, to be honest.
- You're not going to make me forget him, Mum.
- (SIGHS) All right.
It's all I've got left of him.
(SLAMS)
(RETREATING FOOTSTEPS)
(THUDDING)
Jane?
(CLATTERING)
It's all right, Mum. Everything's
gonna be all right from now on.
(SHRIEKS)
(EXHALES SHARPLY)
- Hey.
- (GASPS) Oh, bloody hell.
Are you stalking me?
(CHUCKLES) No.
No. When, I stalk people, I tend
to do it really, really badly.
No, I was just visiting
a client, actually.
Are you all right?
I'm sorry about last time.
Er, I was a bit overly-defensive
about my daughter.
Supposed to be a fresh
start. That's a joke.
What have I got instead?
A huge photo of my dead husband grinning
at me from daughter's bedroom wall.
And that's bad... why?
Because coming here was
supposed to help her get over it.
That was the whole point.
You could tell her how you feel.
How can I be truthful with her about
everything that's going on in my life?
'Sweetheart, I'm just popping out
to deal with a tribe of Satanists.
There's a ready-meal in the fridge.
Oh, and there's a crow that's just been
sacrificed on the altar in Stretford, so...'
- Sorry, have I said something...? - No.
Nothing.
- What, you think someone put it there?
- Well, somebody did.
A dead crow on your doorstep...
It never occurred to you that might be,
I don't know, some kind of a threat?
Or a warning, you know? That you
might be in some kind of danger?
Sorry, but you seem
totally unfazed by this.
You don't, you seem very fazed.
I always thought they
were birds of ill-omen.
Or good omen.
When I was little, I used
to stand in our farmyard
and wish that the crows
would come down from the sky
and play with me and they did.
It was amazing. They'd gather at my feet.
I remember it so clearly.
Do you want a vodka in that (?)
Joke.
I like that you worry about me.
Rowenna, it's my job to worry about you.
Hiya.
Right.
What happened last night,
lass, at that church?
I think I've had a bug, or something.
- I think that was the problem.
- (LAUGHS) No.
I could see your face.
That is not the problem. That is
pretty bloody far from the problem
and you are bloody far from OK.
Huw, I'm fine. I've just
said to you, I had a...
.. a dickie tummy, I'd had
it all day. I've got to go.
Bishop Mick's gonna say a few words
about Dobbs at the morning service --
Forget about Bishop Mick,
forget Dobbs, you need...
(GASPS)
- Hell!
- (GROANS)
How did you get that?
Have you had that seen
to? It could be infected.
Look, Huw, I can look after myself, OK?
If anything, it was the
fact that you were there,
with all your doubts and
misgivings undermining me.
Now, listen, I prayed
with you last night, lass,
and that hand -- it was
red hot, I could feel it.
It was below zero last night
and you were burning up.
- Mick, I've got to go.
- What stopped you... - (GRUNTS)
.. from praying with me, Merrily?
Oh, Merrily!
Canon Dobbs gave his
life to this cathedral.
True, selfless dedication for
the love of Christ, our saviour.
And, whatever the manner
of his tragic passing...
.. which has shocked us all,
I will not tolerate the whispers I
have heard... of Christian disapproval.
Rosemary, I can't seem to
access Rowenna's case notes --
from before she came to Hereford.
If they're old notes, they might
not be migrated onto the system.
I'm just sure they were there before.
Don't worry about it.
See her safe and settled and
get her off our caseload.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Good words. Thank you.
It's so dreadful to have it
confirmed by the post-mortem.
Sorry, what?
Suicide.
DCI Howe called me. I thought you knew.
No.
No, I didn't.
Excuse me?
My name's Merrily Watkins.
Did you know Canon Dobbs well?
- Oh, yes, I was his cleaner
for 40 years. - Oh, right.
Oh, he was a lovely man.
Till... Till he changed, you know,
telling me to get out and shouting.
And do you believe he'd
erm... become unbalanced?
Well, he had his head stuck in
that book all hours of the day.
- What book was that?
- The one about the old Bishop of Hereford,
you know, from the Middle Ages.
- What... St Thomas Cantilupe?
- That's it.
Read it from cover to cover
over and over, he did.
- Well, why? What was his fascination
with Thomas Cantilupe? - God knows.
God knows what was going on in that house.
What do you mean?
Well, he'd sit watching the
television with these voices.
I don't know what they were. Chanting.
And when was that?
Well, just after a man came
round and gave him something.
A man? What did the man look like?
Well, he had long hair, beard...
After that, he knew something.
He knew something that he didn't like.
Something that made him ill.
So ill that he...
Oh, the sad thing is that's
what he'll be remembered as.
A mad old vicar.
That won't happen. I'll make
sure that doesn't happen.
Oh, look at me! These are his keys.
I should return them
to the Bishop's Palace
- but, what with everything, I...
- Don't you worry about that.
- I'll take care of them.
- That is good of you. - Yeah.
(DISTORTED WHISPERING VOICES)
(GIRL'S DISTORTED CRYING)
(DISTORTED VOICES CONTINUE)
(CRYING CONTINUES)
(TURNS TV OFF)
(SIGHS)
(THUDDING)
(DISTORTED VOICES)
(GROANING)
(GRUNTING)
That date line indicates
this was shot 12 years ago.
I'd say his cellar hasn't changed a bit.
A little girl of what, six? Seven?
(GIRL WEEPING)
How did this come to
be in Dobbs' possession?
His cleaner, er, she said
that a man visited Dobbs.
The description, it fitted Paul Sayer.
Maybe... Paul Sayer visited Dobbs
because he wanted to
get out of this thing.
Maybe he wanted... to confess.
It cost him his life.
Strung up as a warning to
others. Keep him in line.
Stop it there!
That is Denzil Joy, I know from that scar!
I could check his medical records.
All right, we could have evidence
that Paul Sayer knew Denzil Joy,
but we know that Denzil was in
hospital when Sayer was strung up.
There's a dozen people in that video.
Any one of them could've done
that -- more than one, most likely.
Please, please, you can't
deny the connection now.
What about Dobbs?
OK.
I'll speak to the coroner about Dobbs.
- I want a new post-mortem.
- Thank you.
Leave that.
There. That includes
your share of the tips.
Customers liked you. I knew they would.
- How did you enjoy your first night?
- It was fun.
I'm glad. Maybe you didn't think
about your mum for five minutes.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Hiya.
I can clock off soon.
Are we doing anything?
- I mean, the three of us?
- Nah, I've got a sermon to write, remember.
Oh, we're in the presence
of the Boy Bishop.
Not yet, you're not.
Yet? I still don't get it. (LAUGHS)
I told you, once a year, a lucky
chorister gets to play Bishop.
I get to wear the mitre and
hold a staff and everything.
Oh, that explains why you practise
holding your staff every night (!)
- (FORCED LAUGH)
- Can I go now please, Angela?
I forgot to ask. I'm having a
party at my house tomorrow night
and I need someone to hand
out drinks and nibbles.
Would you two be up for that?
25 quid in it for you each?
Done.
Am I speaking to Mrs Napier? Carol Napier?
Yes.
Mrs Napier, hi. I'm
Rowenna's social worker.
I told you, Mr Ambrose --
Ambrose? N-No, my name's
Lol Robinson, in Hereford.
- Hello?
- What do you want?
Yeah, it-it's just that there's
a few holes in Rowenna's past
and I thought, being the adoptive
parents, you might be able to --
Steer clear of her, all right?
That's all you need to know.
Steer clear of her, like we had to.
- Mrs...
- (HANGS UP)
Oh, go away!
It was you what sent
the police round here.
- They had me down the station. - Mrs
Joy -- - They were all over my home.
- Mrs Joy --
- Ah, you pathetic woman!
Mrs Joy, I saw a little
girl, recorded on video,
pawed and manipulated, made to
partake in things I cannot unsee.
I cannot bleach from my mind, Mrs Joy.
You need to speak about this, for
your soul, if for nothing else.
(DOOR CLOSES, DOG BARKS)
(SIGHS)
Men like that, you think you be
rid of 'em, but you'll never be.
And the other people, did you know them?
They were Denzil's secret life.
His hobby.
I was never a part of
that... that sickness.
And God help me! Soon as
I knew, I got her away.
- Who? The girl?
- Mm.
I put my own daughter into
care to get her away from him.
His own daughter?
He never knew.
If you were a mother...
.. you'll understand...
.. that you'll do anything,
anything to protect your child.
Mr Ambrose, please, you
were supervising her
before she became my responsibility.
Just getting this address was like
getting blood from a stone. Please!
Do you remember Hilary Pile?
- Who's she?
- He.
He was a canon, Salisbury Cathedral.
Married with kids.
Not the sort of person you'd have thought
would get caught having sex with a schoolgirl.
- Rowenna.
- She was 15.
He was 45.
Terrified of his name coming out.
Terrified of the consequences.
Killed himself.
Exeter to London train.
The church managed to hush up the
sexual affair part, but he left a note.
Said exactly what you'd expect
a sex-mad clergyman might say
to expunge his guilty conscience.
Said Rowenna was, 'Sent by the Devil.'
Oh, my god.
(GIGGLES)
Great. Welcome.
This wasn't much then,
it was just a scratch.
Well, it only takes a scratch.
I bloody told you, didn't I?
Just hold it there.
Denzil Joy had something to
do with Paul Sayer's murder.
I know he abused his own daughter.
Now he's in my life, I
can't get rid of him.
You've got to tell me
how to get rid of him.
Right, happen he's a carrier.
A carrier's a nasty piece of work
who uses that nastiness as an engine,
usually with an overly-powerful sex drive.
Yeah, there was.
I could erm...
I could feel...
.. his touch...
It was...
It was inside me.
Mm. Oh, yeah, you told me the
nurse had said much the same.
Hey...
(CLEARS THROAT)
Sitting there, holding his
hand whilst he slipped away,
what did you feel?
Oh, I don't know. Er, sick.
No, I didn't feel sick, I felt...
- .. angry.
- Angry?
I hadn't really been that close
to death since my husband died
and those feelings, that...
.. that I could be so stupid
to love someone who would...
Go on. Tell me.
I don't know, it was
all mixed up in my head
with the feeling when...
.. er, Sean touched me.
And the erm, lie of that tenderness,
after he'd been with that girl.
The...
The betrayal of it.
- How did Sean die?
- It was a car crash.
(GIGGLES) She was... She was...
She was next to him.
That's how I found out.
I just...
See, it was just the
feeling of it was my fault.
He used to call me a pious bitch.
Maybe, if I hadn't been so pious,
then he wouldn't have had to
find a young secretary to screw.
Well, there you have it.
That's why you were such a magnet
for Denzil's residual energy.
Oh...
What, because... I'm a little bit upset
about my husband having an affair?
It all lays you wide
open -- I've told you.
- Rage and resentment --
- Why am I listening to this?
- Because you need to listen to this.
- No. No, no, right from day one,
you have told me that I am not
worthy to be a Deliverance Minister.
Well, you're not. Don't this prove it?
Do you know what? You are
right. You are right.
I should leave this to the police.
I should go back to
being a vicar and a mum.
I should have the courage to tell
Bishop Mick where to shove his job.
Congratulations. You got your own way.
That is the best decision
you have ever made for me.
(DOOR CLOSES)
(LAUGHTER AND MUFFLED MUSIC)
Thank you.
Sweetheart, I just got your message.
Can you just give me a call and let
me know where... where you are?
Thanks. As soon as you can. Thanks.
- Oh, you scared me.
- I did knock, the door was open.
Oh, I didn't expect you to come at all.
- Tomorrow would've been fine.
- It sounded urgent.
Oh! Thank you.
Great. I'm gonna drink all of that.
(AMPLIFIED CLOCK TICKING)
- (DOOR CREAKS)
- Here you are.
S-Sorry, I was just...
Is this what you believe in?
I don't believe in one book.
Why should we, when there are
whole libraries at our fingertips?
It never made sense to my dad, either.
He always used to say,
'The Christian church is just another
empire, wanting to spread its tendrils.'
Did he give you that necklace?
For my last birthday.
It's beautiful.
Can I see it?
I've let you down, I know
I have. I'm really sorry.
I just... I thought that coming
here would bring Jane and I closer
and actually, we're just further apart.
Look, it won't always be like this.
I've got faith in you.
I just wish you had as
much faith in yourself.
You're an extraordinary woman, Merrily.
(CHUCKLES)
- Can I have that in writing, please?
- I speak my mind.
Does get me in trouble, sometimes.
Look, just don't give up.
You're tired. Nobody makes good
decisions when they're tired.
It's what drove him away, isn't it?
From your mother, not from you.
- Never from you.
- She changed.
She found God.
He tried.
He tried so hard, but...
.. her faith wouldn't meet him halfway.
Ruined his marriage, his family...
.. and even now, he knows it's the
problem at the centre of your life.
He can see it and he can't ignore it.
He wants you to reject these
constraints imposed upon you.
(ECHOING) The belief that replaced
love, it cost him his life.
I'm sorry, I don't... I don't feel...
It's all right, Jane.
It's all right. Relax.
Just relax.
Close your eyes and just think about him.
Whatever way he comes
to you, just let him.
You love him.
I know you love him...
.. and love doesn't end with death.
He's your flesh and blood.
Your spirit is his spirit...
.. and that bond can't be broken.
(GASPS)
(BREATHES RAGGEDLY)
(WEEPS)
(MOBILE RINGS)
(WEEPS)
- Good night, Merrily.
- Night.
Can we talk, please?
(GIGGLES)
This is Lol.
Hello.
Rowenna's told me all about you.
She was extremely flattering.
- Ange is a friend of ours.
- Yeah.
I work for her part-time at
a bistro in Church Street.
- Does you Mum know about that?
- Yes.
Dear me.
You seem very anxious,
Lol. I don't know why.
I have popped round to thank them
for doing me a little favour.
It's good for youngsters to start
the day with a decent breakfast.
Yeah and to get a good night's sleep.
Jane looks hung over or... worse.
What have you come here for, anyway?
I can wait.
(ENGINE STARTS)
You think I can't see
what's going on here.
Well, Rowenna has people
who care about her now
so, why don't you follow
your dick elsewhere?
(BELL TOLLS)
Last night, she stayed over at Rowenna's.
You know she's been working at this
bistro part-time in Church Street.
- How could someone...
- No, sorry. No, I didn't know. What?
She's working for someone called Angela.
I don't know what's going on, but there's
something not right about that woman.
I don't trust her.
Jane is 16.
- Who is this woman?
- It's not just that.
Rowenna has... some emotional
issues that go very, very deep.
All right, obviously, I can't
tell you many more details,
but... the more I find out,
the more it worries me.
Worries you?
- (GIGGLES)
- Come on!
Come on.
(LAUGHS) Come round.
Just come back to mine.
- My parents are gone all night.
- My mum would murder me.
What, you...
- You don't want to?
- No, I do.
Of course I do. Just...
Just not yet.
- That's fine. - Yeah?
- Yeah, it's totally cool.
OK.
Bye.
She's got it real bad for you.
Yeah.
I thought that was the idea.
(ANSWERPHONE BEEPS)
Merrily, it's Huw. Don't ignore this call.
- You really need to call me back, now.
- (ANSWERPHONE BEEPS)
- Where were you, last night?
- Oh, Jesus!
- Am I allowed to say 'Jesus'?
- You don't have to say what I tell you to say.
Oi! Come back here. I want to talk to you.
I'm seeing a lad who's
gonna be Boy Bishop.
- I thought that would please
you, but... no. - (TV ON)
- I want some answers, please.
- Answers to what?
Life (?) I thought you had all of those.
I was with people I want
to be with, all right?
Rowenna? No, not all right. I don't
want you hanging out with her.
Who's this Angela you're
working for, anyway?
Oh! So now I'm being spied on?
What, my every fucking
move is being monitored?
I just want to know where you are
and who you're hanging out with.
- Is that too much to ask?
- She's a good person.
A nice person. One who's been helping me.
- Helping you with what?
- Coming to terms with my pressures.
- What pressures? - If you must
know, she let's me talk about Dad,
which is more than you ever do.
Now I've got to listen to
you hero-worship your dad.
I've got news for you,
he was a complete shit!
Oh, listen to yourself! You don't
see that's the exact problem!
You can't get over the
fact you hate his guts
for what he did to you.
Who's the child here (?)
For Christ's sake, get over it!
(DOOR SLAMS)
At least it explains why
Rowenna returned to Hereford,
to be with her biological father.
Wait, is that what she told you?
Yeah.
Well, that's strange, cos
he was the reason she left.
The fella had a record for molestation,
aggravated sexual assault, all sorts.
Perfect name for it too, I remember: Joy!
Denzil Joy.
(SCRAPING)
(THUDDING)
Jane! Jane! Come down here!
Do you know what? I do hate him.
He treated me like crap. I hate
every fibre and microbe of...
- What are you doing with that bag?
- Well, he wants me to have a life,
- even if you don't. - You what?
- Angela gave me a message from him.
I know it's true. Truer than
any bullshit you believe in.
You've got no idea who
you're mixed up with.
Jane, listen to me. You don't know who
these people are, spinning these lies!
- They're better than your lies. - My lies are
what you're stuck with. - I don't have to be.
- You're not going anywhere! - You're
fucking joking! I am never coming back here!
Jane...
Jane! Hey!
(GROANS)
(GRUNTS)
- Just drive, please.
- Jane! - Can you just drive?
Please!
(PANTS)
(MOANS)
(SOBS)
[Please. Please. Please. Please.]
[Please. Please.]
[Please.]
(PRAYS SOFTLY)
(CREAKING)
(CONTINUES PRAYING SOFTLY)
(PRAYS SOFTLY)
someone with experience in modern life.
You don't mind, do you?
No, of course not, sweetheart.
He was your dad. Canon Dobbs?
Canon Dobbs, it's Merrily.
I really need your help.
Denzil Joy is a powerful man.
- Scritch-scratch!
- (SCREAMS) - Powerfully evil.
They told us you had some sort
of training in occult matters.
Leave this thing alone, I beg
of you, for your own good.
Mum, you are so naive.
You're walking into this.
If you're weak, they'll get in, lass.
(INDISTINCT POLICE RADIO)
CANON DOBBS: I thought, with the
strength of St Thomas Cantilupe,
I could stand up to
this evil, but I can't.
Not even He can help us.
Not against them.
They've shown...
They no longer hide their deeds.
They want to rub our
noses in their blasphemy.
God help us.
God help you, Merrily.
(ANSWERPHONE BEEPS)
(ANSWERPHONE CLICKS)
I feel terrible I didn't hear that
until I played it back, this morning.
It's hard to hear him so... irrational.
Well, he wasn't irrational when
I spoke to him, just shit-scared.
He knew that Paul Sayer
was mixed up in something.
He mentioned Paul Sayer and
a man called Denzil Joy.
- Denzil Joy?
- Do you know him?
Coming across Denzil Joy would be enough
to drive anyone to take their own life.
He didn't take his own life.
Can't we safely say that...
.. if he was losing his mind that --
He wasn't losing his mind.
- He knew something.
- So you're saying he was murdered?
Yes. Yes, I am, yes. I'm saying
that he was murdered by the same
person who crucified Paul Sayer.
Murder, suicide...
Let's just wait for the outcome
of Dobbs' post-mortem, eh?
(CROWS CALLING)
(CLATTERING)
- Oh, bloody hell!
- Ooh, I hope you don't mind, lass.
It's right brass monkeys in here.
(EXHALES SHARPLY)
Still, it's nice when folk leave
their front doors unlocked.
Huw, what part of,
'Can you get back to me please,
now, please?' do you not understand?
Well, I'm a busy man.
You know, there's a haunting in Swansea
with all the bells and whistles.
- A right to-do, it is.
- I need you here.
Things are kicking off here.
I can't cope on my own.
Not ready to chuck in
the towel, lass, are we?
Not up to this Deliverance lark?
You bloody bastard.
You deliberately didn't get back to me.
Sometimes, when you learn to ride a bike,
you need to take the stabilisers off.
Knobhead!
Oh, Merrily, it was
a... you had a message.
A Reverend Jeffrey Kimball.
Quite agitated.
A problem at St Mary's
Church in Stretford.
What kind of problem?
Desecration.
- This better be good.
- Hiya.
Not exactly twiddling our
thumbs at the moment.
Yeah, well, as I said on the phone,
I really think it might be relevant.
Looks bloody awful, but
we'll sort it all out.
What are you going to do?
I've got a wedding on
Saturday, a christening Sunday.
I can't cancel. I can't tell them
that my church has been defiled.
This lovely place of worship has
stood here for nigh-on 1,000 years.
Its light isn't going
to go out in a hurry,
not if we have anything to do with it.
All right, you just...
This is Huw Owen, this is the
gentleman I told you about
and he's been brought up
to speed with everything.
I'm sorry I haven't tidied up.
I-I couldn't touch it, it was just...
- Could it be kids?
- No, this isn't kids.
(CLEARS THROAT) These people
know what they're doing. (SNIFFS)
They do it for a kind of intoxication.
You know, it's almost... sexual.
You bet your life they don't leave here feeling
disgusted and nauseous, that's for sure.
You really think these are the same
people who crucified Paul Sayer
and murdered Alan Dobbs?
Yes. Yeah, I do. I do think that, yeah.
What we should be asking
ourselves is why here?
Right... Why now?
Playing games with us, presumably.
You came to me for my expertise.
Huw knows what he's talking about.
Will you please listen to
him? I know this looks li...
- A crow sacrifice is deep. It is
deep in symbolic meaning. - Yeah.
They debased a sacred Christian
site going back centuries.
OK.
Let's organise a fingertip search.
See if these Satanists drop their litter.
OK, boss. I'll organise that ASAP.
Well, what I propose, Merrily,
is a ceremony of lesser exorcism.
Great (!) When?
The sooner the better, I mean,
the vicar wants his church back.
I don't like the idea of it
sitting here, openly violated.
What do you think?
Hm? Me?
Well, you're the one
that's going to be doing it.
Er... Oh.
- So, did you shag him, then?
- No.
We just talked,
about him being chosen as Boy Bishop.
That must be a turn-on (!)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER IN DISTANCE)
Hi.
Hi, you two.
- How are you? - Yeah, I'm
great, actually. - Good.
Thank you, for the other day, I mean.
It's been months since dad died
and I've never talked to
anybody like I talked to you.
It's churned you up and you can't
think about anything else, can you?
Don't worry, it'll pass.
If you act on what you discover,
make the right changes --
In other words, get a life.
- Could we talk again, do you think?
- Of course, any time.
You know where I am now.
Anyway, lovely to see you.
It'll get you out the dreary old vicarage
- on the long, winter nights.
- Do you think I should tell my mum first?
Why? What she won't know won't kill her.
Need a bit of quiet?
No, let's just get on
with it. (CLEARS THROAT)
Right. Right, start with the door.
Go right the way around it, 360.
Every corner.
Just follow the instructions, like
we went through before, all right.
Use the water.
Don't faff.
I'll be here if you want me.
Want to pray together first?
Oh, I'd rather have a fag.
(CHUCKLES) All right.
I'll keep it simple.
(CLEARS THROAT)
Lord, be with us in this
tainted place tonight.
Help this lass Merrily, your good
and loving servant, repossess it...
.. in Your holy name and the glory of God
from whatever dark hangs around it.
(GASPS)
Just... What is it?
What is it?
You... No... Get off!
(SCREAMS) Ow!
- Get out of here!
- (PANTS)
Get out now!
(PANTS)
(WHEEZES)
Our Father, who art in
Heaven, hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come...
(THUNDER RUMBLES)
I don't know why you
bother putting pictures up.
The place is a complete pigsty. You've
got to start pulling your weight, Jane.
- I knew you wouldn't like it.
- I don't care either way, to be honest.
- You're not going to make me forget him, Mum.
- (SIGHS) All right.
It's all I've got left of him.
(SLAMS)
(RETREATING FOOTSTEPS)
(THUDDING)
Jane?
(CLATTERING)
It's all right, Mum. Everything's
gonna be all right from now on.
(SHRIEKS)
(EXHALES SHARPLY)
- Hey.
- (GASPS) Oh, bloody hell.
Are you stalking me?
(CHUCKLES) No.
No. When, I stalk people, I tend
to do it really, really badly.
No, I was just visiting
a client, actually.
Are you all right?
I'm sorry about last time.
Er, I was a bit overly-defensive
about my daughter.
Supposed to be a fresh
start. That's a joke.
What have I got instead?
A huge photo of my dead husband grinning
at me from daughter's bedroom wall.
And that's bad... why?
Because coming here was
supposed to help her get over it.
That was the whole point.
You could tell her how you feel.
How can I be truthful with her about
everything that's going on in my life?
'Sweetheart, I'm just popping out
to deal with a tribe of Satanists.
There's a ready-meal in the fridge.
Oh, and there's a crow that's just been
sacrificed on the altar in Stretford, so...'
- Sorry, have I said something...? - No.
Nothing.
- What, you think someone put it there?
- Well, somebody did.
A dead crow on your doorstep...
It never occurred to you that might be,
I don't know, some kind of a threat?
Or a warning, you know? That you
might be in some kind of danger?
Sorry, but you seem
totally unfazed by this.
You don't, you seem very fazed.
I always thought they
were birds of ill-omen.
Or good omen.
When I was little, I used
to stand in our farmyard
and wish that the crows
would come down from the sky
and play with me and they did.
It was amazing. They'd gather at my feet.
I remember it so clearly.
Do you want a vodka in that (?)
Joke.
I like that you worry about me.
Rowenna, it's my job to worry about you.
Hiya.
Right.
What happened last night,
lass, at that church?
I think I've had a bug, or something.
- I think that was the problem.
- (LAUGHS) No.
I could see your face.
That is not the problem. That is
pretty bloody far from the problem
and you are bloody far from OK.
Huw, I'm fine. I've just
said to you, I had a...
.. a dickie tummy, I'd had
it all day. I've got to go.
Bishop Mick's gonna say a few words
about Dobbs at the morning service --
Forget about Bishop Mick,
forget Dobbs, you need...
(GASPS)
- Hell!
- (GROANS)
How did you get that?
Have you had that seen
to? It could be infected.
Look, Huw, I can look after myself, OK?
If anything, it was the
fact that you were there,
with all your doubts and
misgivings undermining me.
Now, listen, I prayed
with you last night, lass,
and that hand -- it was
red hot, I could feel it.
It was below zero last night
and you were burning up.
- Mick, I've got to go.
- What stopped you... - (GRUNTS)
.. from praying with me, Merrily?
Oh, Merrily!
Canon Dobbs gave his
life to this cathedral.
True, selfless dedication for
the love of Christ, our saviour.
And, whatever the manner
of his tragic passing...
.. which has shocked us all,
I will not tolerate the whispers I
have heard... of Christian disapproval.
Rosemary, I can't seem to
access Rowenna's case notes --
from before she came to Hereford.
If they're old notes, they might
not be migrated onto the system.
I'm just sure they were there before.
Don't worry about it.
See her safe and settled and
get her off our caseload.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Good words. Thank you.
It's so dreadful to have it
confirmed by the post-mortem.
Sorry, what?
Suicide.
DCI Howe called me. I thought you knew.
No.
No, I didn't.
Excuse me?
My name's Merrily Watkins.
Did you know Canon Dobbs well?
- Oh, yes, I was his cleaner
for 40 years. - Oh, right.
Oh, he was a lovely man.
Till... Till he changed, you know,
telling me to get out and shouting.
And do you believe he'd
erm... become unbalanced?
Well, he had his head stuck in
that book all hours of the day.
- What book was that?
- The one about the old Bishop of Hereford,
you know, from the Middle Ages.
- What... St Thomas Cantilupe?
- That's it.
Read it from cover to cover
over and over, he did.
- Well, why? What was his fascination
with Thomas Cantilupe? - God knows.
God knows what was going on in that house.
What do you mean?
Well, he'd sit watching the
television with these voices.
I don't know what they were. Chanting.
And when was that?
Well, just after a man came
round and gave him something.
A man? What did the man look like?
Well, he had long hair, beard...
After that, he knew something.
He knew something that he didn't like.
Something that made him ill.
So ill that he...
Oh, the sad thing is that's
what he'll be remembered as.
A mad old vicar.
That won't happen. I'll make
sure that doesn't happen.
Oh, look at me! These are his keys.
I should return them
to the Bishop's Palace
- but, what with everything, I...
- Don't you worry about that.
- I'll take care of them.
- That is good of you. - Yeah.
(DISTORTED WHISPERING VOICES)
(GIRL'S DISTORTED CRYING)
(DISTORTED VOICES CONTINUE)
(CRYING CONTINUES)
(TURNS TV OFF)
(SIGHS)
(THUDDING)
(DISTORTED VOICES)
(GROANING)
(GRUNTING)
That date line indicates
this was shot 12 years ago.
I'd say his cellar hasn't changed a bit.
A little girl of what, six? Seven?
(GIRL WEEPING)
How did this come to
be in Dobbs' possession?
His cleaner, er, she said
that a man visited Dobbs.
The description, it fitted Paul Sayer.
Maybe... Paul Sayer visited Dobbs
because he wanted to
get out of this thing.
Maybe he wanted... to confess.
It cost him his life.
Strung up as a warning to
others. Keep him in line.
Stop it there!
That is Denzil Joy, I know from that scar!
I could check his medical records.
All right, we could have evidence
that Paul Sayer knew Denzil Joy,
but we know that Denzil was in
hospital when Sayer was strung up.
There's a dozen people in that video.
Any one of them could've done
that -- more than one, most likely.
Please, please, you can't
deny the connection now.
What about Dobbs?
OK.
I'll speak to the coroner about Dobbs.
- I want a new post-mortem.
- Thank you.
Leave that.
There. That includes
your share of the tips.
Customers liked you. I knew they would.
- How did you enjoy your first night?
- It was fun.
I'm glad. Maybe you didn't think
about your mum for five minutes.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Hiya.
I can clock off soon.
Are we doing anything?
- I mean, the three of us?
- Nah, I've got a sermon to write, remember.
Oh, we're in the presence
of the Boy Bishop.
Not yet, you're not.
Yet? I still don't get it. (LAUGHS)
I told you, once a year, a lucky
chorister gets to play Bishop.
I get to wear the mitre and
hold a staff and everything.
Oh, that explains why you practise
holding your staff every night (!)
- (FORCED LAUGH)
- Can I go now please, Angela?
I forgot to ask. I'm having a
party at my house tomorrow night
and I need someone to hand
out drinks and nibbles.
Would you two be up for that?
25 quid in it for you each?
Done.
Am I speaking to Mrs Napier? Carol Napier?
Yes.
Mrs Napier, hi. I'm
Rowenna's social worker.
I told you, Mr Ambrose --
Ambrose? N-No, my name's
Lol Robinson, in Hereford.
- Hello?
- What do you want?
Yeah, it-it's just that there's
a few holes in Rowenna's past
and I thought, being the adoptive
parents, you might be able to --
Steer clear of her, all right?
That's all you need to know.
Steer clear of her, like we had to.
- Mrs...
- (HANGS UP)
Oh, go away!
It was you what sent
the police round here.
- They had me down the station. - Mrs
Joy -- - They were all over my home.
- Mrs Joy --
- Ah, you pathetic woman!
Mrs Joy, I saw a little
girl, recorded on video,
pawed and manipulated, made to
partake in things I cannot unsee.
I cannot bleach from my mind, Mrs Joy.
You need to speak about this, for
your soul, if for nothing else.
(DOOR CLOSES, DOG BARKS)
(SIGHS)
Men like that, you think you be
rid of 'em, but you'll never be.
And the other people, did you know them?
They were Denzil's secret life.
His hobby.
I was never a part of
that... that sickness.
And God help me! Soon as
I knew, I got her away.
- Who? The girl?
- Mm.
I put my own daughter into
care to get her away from him.
His own daughter?
He never knew.
If you were a mother...
.. you'll understand...
.. that you'll do anything,
anything to protect your child.
Mr Ambrose, please, you
were supervising her
before she became my responsibility.
Just getting this address was like
getting blood from a stone. Please!
Do you remember Hilary Pile?
- Who's she?
- He.
He was a canon, Salisbury Cathedral.
Married with kids.
Not the sort of person you'd have thought
would get caught having sex with a schoolgirl.
- Rowenna.
- She was 15.
He was 45.
Terrified of his name coming out.
Terrified of the consequences.
Killed himself.
Exeter to London train.
The church managed to hush up the
sexual affair part, but he left a note.
Said exactly what you'd expect
a sex-mad clergyman might say
to expunge his guilty conscience.
Said Rowenna was, 'Sent by the Devil.'
Oh, my god.
(GIGGLES)
Great. Welcome.
This wasn't much then,
it was just a scratch.
Well, it only takes a scratch.
I bloody told you, didn't I?
Just hold it there.
Denzil Joy had something to
do with Paul Sayer's murder.
I know he abused his own daughter.
Now he's in my life, I
can't get rid of him.
You've got to tell me
how to get rid of him.
Right, happen he's a carrier.
A carrier's a nasty piece of work
who uses that nastiness as an engine,
usually with an overly-powerful sex drive.
Yeah, there was.
I could erm...
I could feel...
.. his touch...
It was...
It was inside me.
Mm. Oh, yeah, you told me the
nurse had said much the same.
Hey...
(CLEARS THROAT)
Sitting there, holding his
hand whilst he slipped away,
what did you feel?
Oh, I don't know. Er, sick.
No, I didn't feel sick, I felt...
- .. angry.
- Angry?
I hadn't really been that close
to death since my husband died
and those feelings, that...
.. that I could be so stupid
to love someone who would...
Go on. Tell me.
I don't know, it was
all mixed up in my head
with the feeling when...
.. er, Sean touched me.
And the erm, lie of that tenderness,
after he'd been with that girl.
The...
The betrayal of it.
- How did Sean die?
- It was a car crash.
(GIGGLES) She was... She was...
She was next to him.
That's how I found out.
I just...
See, it was just the
feeling of it was my fault.
He used to call me a pious bitch.
Maybe, if I hadn't been so pious,
then he wouldn't have had to
find a young secretary to screw.
Well, there you have it.
That's why you were such a magnet
for Denzil's residual energy.
Oh...
What, because... I'm a little bit upset
about my husband having an affair?
It all lays you wide
open -- I've told you.
- Rage and resentment --
- Why am I listening to this?
- Because you need to listen to this.
- No. No, no, right from day one,
you have told me that I am not
worthy to be a Deliverance Minister.
Well, you're not. Don't this prove it?
Do you know what? You are
right. You are right.
I should leave this to the police.
I should go back to
being a vicar and a mum.
I should have the courage to tell
Bishop Mick where to shove his job.
Congratulations. You got your own way.
That is the best decision
you have ever made for me.
(DOOR CLOSES)
(LAUGHTER AND MUFFLED MUSIC)
Thank you.
Sweetheart, I just got your message.
Can you just give me a call and let
me know where... where you are?
Thanks. As soon as you can. Thanks.
- Oh, you scared me.
- I did knock, the door was open.
Oh, I didn't expect you to come at all.
- Tomorrow would've been fine.
- It sounded urgent.
Oh! Thank you.
Great. I'm gonna drink all of that.
(AMPLIFIED CLOCK TICKING)
- (DOOR CREAKS)
- Here you are.
S-Sorry, I was just...
Is this what you believe in?
I don't believe in one book.
Why should we, when there are
whole libraries at our fingertips?
It never made sense to my dad, either.
He always used to say,
'The Christian church is just another
empire, wanting to spread its tendrils.'
Did he give you that necklace?
For my last birthday.
It's beautiful.
Can I see it?
I've let you down, I know
I have. I'm really sorry.
I just... I thought that coming
here would bring Jane and I closer
and actually, we're just further apart.
Look, it won't always be like this.
I've got faith in you.
I just wish you had as
much faith in yourself.
You're an extraordinary woman, Merrily.
(CHUCKLES)
- Can I have that in writing, please?
- I speak my mind.
Does get me in trouble, sometimes.
Look, just don't give up.
You're tired. Nobody makes good
decisions when they're tired.
It's what drove him away, isn't it?
From your mother, not from you.
- Never from you.
- She changed.
She found God.
He tried.
He tried so hard, but...
.. her faith wouldn't meet him halfway.
Ruined his marriage, his family...
.. and even now, he knows it's the
problem at the centre of your life.
He can see it and he can't ignore it.
He wants you to reject these
constraints imposed upon you.
(ECHOING) The belief that replaced
love, it cost him his life.
I'm sorry, I don't... I don't feel...
It's all right, Jane.
It's all right. Relax.
Just relax.
Close your eyes and just think about him.
Whatever way he comes
to you, just let him.
You love him.
I know you love him...
.. and love doesn't end with death.
He's your flesh and blood.
Your spirit is his spirit...
.. and that bond can't be broken.
(GASPS)
(BREATHES RAGGEDLY)
(WEEPS)
(MOBILE RINGS)
(WEEPS)
- Good night, Merrily.
- Night.
Can we talk, please?
(GIGGLES)
This is Lol.
Hello.
Rowenna's told me all about you.
She was extremely flattering.
- Ange is a friend of ours.
- Yeah.
I work for her part-time at
a bistro in Church Street.
- Does you Mum know about that?
- Yes.
Dear me.
You seem very anxious,
Lol. I don't know why.
I have popped round to thank them
for doing me a little favour.
It's good for youngsters to start
the day with a decent breakfast.
Yeah and to get a good night's sleep.
Jane looks hung over or... worse.
What have you come here for, anyway?
I can wait.
(ENGINE STARTS)
You think I can't see
what's going on here.
Well, Rowenna has people
who care about her now
so, why don't you follow
your dick elsewhere?
(BELL TOLLS)
Last night, she stayed over at Rowenna's.
You know she's been working at this
bistro part-time in Church Street.
- How could someone...
- No, sorry. No, I didn't know. What?
She's working for someone called Angela.
I don't know what's going on, but there's
something not right about that woman.
I don't trust her.
Jane is 16.
- Who is this woman?
- It's not just that.
Rowenna has... some emotional
issues that go very, very deep.
All right, obviously, I can't
tell you many more details,
but... the more I find out,
the more it worries me.
Worries you?
- (GIGGLES)
- Come on!
Come on.
(LAUGHS) Come round.
Just come back to mine.
- My parents are gone all night.
- My mum would murder me.
What, you...
- You don't want to?
- No, I do.
Of course I do. Just...
Just not yet.
- That's fine. - Yeah?
- Yeah, it's totally cool.
OK.
Bye.
She's got it real bad for you.
Yeah.
I thought that was the idea.
(ANSWERPHONE BEEPS)
Merrily, it's Huw. Don't ignore this call.
- You really need to call me back, now.
- (ANSWERPHONE BEEPS)
- Where were you, last night?
- Oh, Jesus!
- Am I allowed to say 'Jesus'?
- You don't have to say what I tell you to say.
Oi! Come back here. I want to talk to you.
I'm seeing a lad who's
gonna be Boy Bishop.
- I thought that would please
you, but... no. - (TV ON)
- I want some answers, please.
- Answers to what?
Life (?) I thought you had all of those.
I was with people I want
to be with, all right?
Rowenna? No, not all right. I don't
want you hanging out with her.
Who's this Angela you're
working for, anyway?
Oh! So now I'm being spied on?
What, my every fucking
move is being monitored?
I just want to know where you are
and who you're hanging out with.
- Is that too much to ask?
- She's a good person.
A nice person. One who's been helping me.
- Helping you with what?
- Coming to terms with my pressures.
- What pressures? - If you must
know, she let's me talk about Dad,
which is more than you ever do.
Now I've got to listen to
you hero-worship your dad.
I've got news for you,
he was a complete shit!
Oh, listen to yourself! You don't
see that's the exact problem!
You can't get over the
fact you hate his guts
for what he did to you.
Who's the child here (?)
For Christ's sake, get over it!
(DOOR SLAMS)
At least it explains why
Rowenna returned to Hereford,
to be with her biological father.
Wait, is that what she told you?
Yeah.
Well, that's strange, cos
he was the reason she left.
The fella had a record for molestation,
aggravated sexual assault, all sorts.
Perfect name for it too, I remember: Joy!
Denzil Joy.
(SCRAPING)
(THUDDING)
Jane! Jane! Come down here!
Do you know what? I do hate him.
He treated me like crap. I hate
every fibre and microbe of...
- What are you doing with that bag?
- Well, he wants me to have a life,
- even if you don't. - You what?
- Angela gave me a message from him.
I know it's true. Truer than
any bullshit you believe in.
You've got no idea who
you're mixed up with.
Jane, listen to me. You don't know who
these people are, spinning these lies!
- They're better than your lies. - My lies are
what you're stuck with. - I don't have to be.
- You're not going anywhere! - You're
fucking joking! I am never coming back here!
Jane...
Jane! Hey!
(GROANS)
(GRUNTS)
- Just drive, please.
- Jane! - Can you just drive?
Please!
(PANTS)
(MOANS)
(SOBS)
[Please. Please. Please. Please.]
[Please. Please.]
[Please.]
(PRAYS SOFTLY)
(CREAKING)
(CONTINUES PRAYING SOFTLY)
(PRAYS SOFTLY)