Play for Today (1970–1984): Season 11, Episode 10 - Jessie - full transcript

[soft music]

I told you to stay where you were.

You'll be Miss Seton, no doubt.

Yeah that's right.

You're a day late, I was
expecting you yesterday.

I know, I was delayed.

Oh is that it then?

Well I could have guessed
that now I couldn't I?

'Cause you didn't arrive yesterday.

This all you've got then?

Why it isn't much for a
travelling London woman.



If it's too heavy for you
I can carry it myself.

Oh no, don't you fret yourself.

I could carry this and
you and all if I add to,

couldn't I Evie?

That's for sure.

Not like London men, you know,
we work for a living here.

My name's Harold by the way.

But when you get to know me
better, you can call me Harry.

Well let's hope I don't get
to know you better, Harold.

You got a right one here, Harry.

You think so.

[horse hooves clattering]

What is it they call you
then, Jessie is that it?

[Jessie] Yes.



[Harold] We've heard one
or two things about you,

Jessie from your auntie.

She's got a tongue on her,
hasn't she, your auntie?

Keeps us all in order.

Wasn't too pleased yesterday
when you didn't show up.

I'm only telling you like
so you'll be forewarned.

No, she wasn't too pleased at all.

Not easy to get a good job these days.

You think you're gonna
like our country ways then

you being used to other things?

[Jessie] It depends.

[Harold] What does it depend on?

[Jessie] Whether I have to listen

to your blather every day.

You may as well get one thing
straight from the start.

I don't know what you've heard about me,

but don't try and come it,

just keep your eyes on the
pony's arse not on mine.

[Harold] Go on.

Here, take this and that one.

Well. Here she is at last Mrs. Appleyard

Hello Auntie May.

Yesterday you were meant
to be here yesterday.

I know, I missed the train.

Well, we'll go into that later.

No, time now.

Don't thieve them tarts,

go and fill that bucket with water,

if you want to make yourself useful.

They're supping tea out there
faster than we can brew it.

Enjoy yourself

What clothes did you bring?

All I've got.

Bring an apron did you?

Oh yes.

Well get it on then.

Here take those.

This is my niece, Jessie from London.

She's arrived on a right
day, that's for sure.

You certainly picked the right day.

Is that it?

Not starched.

It's been packed.

Everything has to be just so

she's a stickler for that is the mistress.

Well, it'll have to do for now.

And straighten your hair.

That looks as if it's being packed too.

Oh you need eyes in the back of your head.

Not there, there's food
laid out. By the sink.

You can bring another of
those, we're bound to need it

Not a bad looker, your niece, is she.

We don't want any of that.

Elsie! Now let's look at you.

Yes. You'll just about pass.

Get hold of that tray and
take it out on the lawn.

[people laughing]

[Mr. Edmonds] Rather beautiful

-that isn't it.
-Yes it is.

Who's that girl.

I think she must be the
new maid, Cook's niece.

She was supposed to arrive yesterday.

Would you like me to go and see about it?

No, don't do it now.

Going to make my speech now.

[Woman] Hello

[knocks on table]

Ladies and gentlemen,

[china clatters]

ladies and gentlemen,

it is my happy duty to say a few words.

And it is indeed fortunate,
perhaps, dare I say fitting

that the almighty has not only
blessed me with a new son,

but has also provided a perfect day

on which to Christian him.

Perhaps I should be generous
and allow that possibly

our much loved Vicar had a hand in it.

[Vicar laughs]

The weather that is not the child.

[people laughing]

However, I will content
myself by marking the occasion

with a quotation from
the poet, Wordsworth.

"Our birth is but a
sleep and a forgetting,

the Soul that rises with us,

our life's Star,

hath had elsewhere its setting

and cometh from afar, not
in entire forgetfulness

and not in utter nakedness,

but trailing clouds of glory do we come

from God who is our home.

Heaven lies about us in our infancy.

Shades of the prison-house.

Begin to close upon the growing boy

but he beholds the light
and whence it flows.

He sees in it.

He sees it in his joy.

The youth who daily farther
from the East must travel

still is nature's priest

by the vision splendid
is on his way attended."

[audience applauds]

Thank you.

I've waited eight years for this moment.

God and my dear wife have not failed me

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you a toast.

The vision splendid, my son,
Albert Charles Augustus.

[Everyone] Albert Charles Augustus.

Peter, don't do that, Nanny, come here.

Give me the baby. Take
Peter up to the house.

[Nanny] Yes ma'am.

[baby crying]

Come here. There we are.

Come here.

Do as you're told. Don't make a scene.

Just get him out of here.

[maid yelps]

-Excuse me--
-Yes, please

will you give Nanny a hand.

It's all right.

What's the matter with him?

I'll give him what's the matter

making a fool of me like that,

just you wait til I get
you upstairs young man.

I mean is he often like this?

Oh don't ask daft questions,
you'll find out soon enough.

Right leave him to me.

[baby cries]

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.

[knock on door]

Getting yourself settled are you?

That's right.

What's your bed like?

Oh, I haven't tried it yet.

It's not much, I know, but
you've only yourself to blame.

Now, listen, I want to have
a straight talk to you.

It's not easy, you know to
land a good job like this,

14 pounds a year, and all found,

but I spoke for you, I spoke well for you

and the mistress took my word for it,

but you haven't made a good start

coming a day late like that.

Now, how did that come about?

I told you I'll missed the train.

Well, we won't go into it.

Look at you, it's a good thing

poor Kitty isn't alive to see you.

She was a good little woman, your mother.

Too good for this world.

She'd be turning in her grave

if she could see the
mess you got yourself in.

Who was he?

Nobody you'd know.

I know that, that's why I'm asking.

Mannered was he?

Worked in the same place?

Yeah, he was the butler.

How long were you carrying?

Three months.

I don't suppose he
wanted any part of that.

Oh yeah. He did give me
three pounds towards it.

Oh, that was big of him.

You haven't told anybody here
anything about me have you?

Do I look that daft?

I told a few white lies that's all.

But God will forgive me for
that, but I won't forgive you

if you let me down, this
is my life too, you know.

I got a good position here.

So just mind your P's and Q's.

Now tomorrow the mistress

-will want to see y--
-oh yeah, what's she like?

I'm coming to that.

There's one thing she can't
abide, nor him for that matter.

That's untidiness.

Everything's got to be just so

but she's had her cross to bear.

You something of that today.

Oh, you mean the boy?

Aye Peter, he's dumb.

He was born dumb. He never has spoke.

Still that's God's will.

Now you get to bed and get some rest.

I want you down in that
kitchen, six o'clock sharp.

[Mrs. Edmonds] I'd like a word with you.

[Jessie] Yes ma'am.

[Mrs. Edmonds] It's...
put your basket down.

Jessie, isn't it?

[Jessie] Yes Ma'am, Jessie Seton, ma'am.

[Mrs. Edmonds] And how
old are you, Jessie?

[Jessie] 38 ma'am.

I don't usually take on staff

without first class references,

written references.

You didn't appear to
have any, why was that?

Well, I don't know ma'am, I didn't think.

I have got this ma'am from Mr. Matthews.

He was the butler where I worked before.

Yes, well it doesn't tell
us a great deal. Does it?

It says that your work
was quite satisfactory

but that you wanted a
change for your health?

What was wrong with your health?

Well, I had the bronchitis ma'am

and the doctor said I
should get into the country.

I don't want sickness
brought into my house.

-Not with a new baby
-Oh no ma'am

I'm perfectly fit now.

Yes, well, I shall be prepared

to give you a month's trial.

If your work proves to be satisfactory

you can have a good job here.

Is that what you normally wear?

Yes ma'am.

I shall advance you sufficient money

to purchase a proper uniform.

Mr. Edmonds does like his
staff to be neat at all times.

You'll keep yourself neat
and clean and be responsible

for washing your own bed linen.

And you will attend the
church service every Sunday

with the rest of the staff.

I take it that you're Church of England.

Oh yes Ma'am.

Good. Well, that's a relief.

My husband is very strict
about one thing in particular.

No, gentlemen callers.

No danger of that, ma'am.

Well then I think that we
understand one another.

[Jessie] Yes ma'am. Thank you ma'am.

[Mrs. Edmonds] Jessie.

[Jessie] Yes Ma'am?

[Mrs. Edmonds] My other son, Peter.

He suffers from a certain disability.

It is not something which we
ever discuss with outsiders.

[Jessie] Yes, ma'am.

[soft music]

[baby crying]

Peter. Come back here.

For what we are about to receive,

may the Lord make us truly thankful, Amen.

[All] Amen.

Ah you need a bit of muscle for that.

Look, like this.

Now feel that that's
like a sparrows kneecap.

Why don't you piss off.

Who is it? Who's that?

I should give notice. I really should.

Day in and day out and never a let up

now there's two of them,
nothing but aggravation.

And it goes right to my legs.

Oh I better not sit in her chair.

You should feel my veins.

Standing out like adders.

Yeah. Well I suppose new
babies are always a handful.

Not the baby. That little
beauty's as good as gold.

Him.

Is that kettle boiled?

Why, yeah.

Yeah. Just off the boil.

If I had their money, I'd put him away.

Not worth spit or tears.

Seeing as how he's dumb

I don't suppose you
can blame him for that.

Oh I can. I have the looking after him.

You see that? That's him.

Nothing but an animal.

Raves like an animal.

Wets the bed.

And now the baby's here,

I daren't turn my head for
fear he does some harm to it.

Oh, he wouldn't do
anything like that surely.

You don't know the half of it.

But I mean don't they
have the doctor to him.

Doctors! What do they know?

It's not a case of doctors.

He needs putting away.

Now look what I've done,

thrown away fresh tea
leaves I'm in such a state.

Well here, let me.

You ever had to mind any children?

Oh, only me brothers and sisters.

You know, you'd think
with all their money.

They'd be able to do something
about it wouldn't you?

If they listened to me they would.

It's a case of out of sight out of mind.

He doesn't wet their bed. Does he?

Oh don't pour it yet, let it stand.

Miss London, do you?

I was in London 14 years.

Belgrave Square, same house, same family.

Then they went abroad, Africa somewhere.

Didn't take me of course.

No, it was a case of thank you, Nanny

and a set of hair brushes.

Bloody hair brushes after 14 years,

I often wonder what happened to them.

They've grown up now, of course.

All I got is bloody dandruff.

[upbeat music]

[Driver] Come on then. Come on.

[hooves clattering]

Where they going then?

Baden-Baden

Where's that then?

Germany, and you know what they do there

they take baths all day long.

That don't sound like much of a holiday.

That's that for two months.

I ought to say I'm sorry but I'm not,

may arrest from dinner parties.

They say the German foods,
all pork, nothing but pork.

Great big sausages and the like.

Well it's all right for you.

I don't begrudge it but it
won't be any holiday for me.

When they're away he's worse than ever.

Everything he does is contrary.

Come on, let's get you inside shall we.

Well, they're off then.

I passed the carriage at the crossroads.

All right for some eh?

Well they ain't going to
read this til they get back.

That's a rum 'un innit?

I mean, most folks is waiting on letters.

You wouldn't be Miss Seton
by any chance, would you?

Yeah, that's right.

Oh, I got one for you.

London postmark and all.

I had one from the Americas the other day.

Now that had come a
long way, and here's me

I haven't been further than
20 miles since I was born.

Here we are Miss Seton,

hope it's the one you was waiting for.

I wasn't waiting for anything.

Well then, I hope there's good news.

But will you take the rest of them then?

Of course, sometimes when the masters away

Cook do invite me in for a cup of tea.

She's your aunt I believe.

Yeah, that's right.

She brews a fair cup of
tea for a parched throat.

Come on in, then.

[Postman] Being a
postman's a mixed blessing,

sometimes I'm the bearer of bad tiding.

And nobody wants to be that do they?

She's in here. Someone to see you auntie.

Who? Oh, him.

Won't you credit it, I
come at the right time.

Villain. You smell a
cup of tea a mile off.

Jessie clean cup.

Perhaps it's you I'm after, not your tea.

That'd be the day.

Now, I met your niece here.

Now she's a looker,
must run in the family.

Give her a letter too, from London.

Aye well, would wouldn't it

seeing as though she lived there.

How many sugars?

Only two I'm sweet enough as it is.

Help yourself.

[soft music]

[Mrs. Appleyard] Who was
your letter from then?

Letter?

Yes. Didn't you get a letter?

Oh, that. Oh nobody in particular

just a friend of mine
asking how I was getting on.

You're finished in here?

No I've got a bit more to do yet.

I was thinking, I feel
ever so sorry for Nanny.

Oh Peter.

He's a great trial to her.

I was wondering, you know, perhaps I could

well, perhaps I could
take him off her hands

for a few hours, you know, give
him an outing or something.

[Mrs. Appleyard] How'd you mean?

Oh I dunno, take him into Thurston

next market day or something.

You know, just to give
Nanny a bit of a rest, like.

Well, there wouldn't be
much pleasure in that,

he don't take to nobody.

No. Well, just a thought.

I mean he might not play me up

seeing as how I'm somebody different.

Well, I'm sure Nanny wouldn't say no.

He might enjoy the market.

Up to you.

Right, come on.

You stop playing me up, walk properly.

Behave yourself, I might buy
you an ha'porth of sweeties.

And another thing you let me know

if you want to widdle, don't
you dare do it in your trousers

otherwise you're in trouble.

-Morning
-Morning.

How much is that?

[Shopkeeper] That? Well to
you my dear two and six.

I'm not trying to buy the
whole bloody store, you know.

Yeah, let's have a look.

Well, quite nice.

Two and three and I'm going
out of business at that.

I'll give you two bob for it.

All right.

There we are.

Ta.

Pick that up for the lady, go on.

There's a good boy.

I'll buy you some sweeties
now all right? Come on.

Thanks very much.

Yes. Now stop that, put those down.

How much are the dolly mixtures?

Right, ha'porth of those.

And I'll get a windmill I think,

which colour do you like? That one?

All right, thanks very much.

Thanks very much indeed. Now come here

that's for you.

Now you make them last all
right, and just behave yourself.

Come on.

Is everything all right miss?

Yes. Thank you very much, very nice.

Birds of a feather, you and me.

You're dumb. And I'm stupid.

God Jessie. You're stupid.

[indistinct murmuring]

Yes, that's right, yeah.

No. Look at your face.

You're all covered in cake.

Where's me hankie. Come here.

Hello Jessie. You weren't going I hope.

Yes, I was, if you must know.

Wouldn't have been very polite, would it?

It was a long journey I didn't
think I'd get here in time.

But then you always were
headstrong, weren't you?

Peter, come and sit over here.

I didn't know we were
going to have company.

Bring me a beer and a chaser.

Beer and a chaser, right sir.

How about you Jessie?

I don't want anything thank you.

Does he always stare at people like that?

Why don't you go and
have a play young man?

No, he can't. He has to stay with me.

You don't have to worry
he can't, he can't talk.

He's dumb.

Oh I see. Well you have certainly

buried yourself down here.

I wouldn't have thought that
it was your style, Jessie

not after the life you've been used to.

I didn't have much choice. Did I?

Ah. What do we drink to?

Old times? Or better still, new times.

It's over. I don't want
nothing starting up again.

Gotcha. You didn't stop
me coming, did you.

How could I? Knowing you
if I hadn't met you here

you might have come up to the house?

Are you surprised hearing from me again?

Huh? Oh dear no.

Nothing men do surprises me.

We had some good times together didn't we.

Nothing's changed.

What happened was
unfortunate I grant you that.

But I did stand by you didn't I?

I helped you through it.
And I still feel the same.

What I came to tell you is that if you,

if you're over it now, I
could make sense arrangements.

I've got a little place in mind.

It's not a bad offer is it?

It has to be a better
than wasting yourself

in this mired hole.

You take the bloody cake. You really do.

What's that meant to mean?

Oh can't you work it out.

I mean, you say nothing's changed.

Oh no that's right.

Nothing has changed as far
as you're concerned, has it.

You didn't come down here to
tell me you left your wife,

Did you?

Oh no, I know your little
arrangements, remember?

Well, I'll tell you
something. I've changed.

I'm over it. All right.

I can't afford to lose another job.

You better go and find somebody
else as stupid as I was.

Well, it's your loss. You silly bitch.

I really put myself out for you, you know?

Well you said it, you're stupid.

You don't know which side
your breads buttered do you.

I spent good money on you.
That's money down the drain.

Peter, come on.

[soft music]

Bloody men.

[maid yelps]

Mrs. Appleyard. I cut myself.

Cut my hand.

Well don't bleed it in the brussels

you stupid apeth, suck it.

Jessie?

What?

Come here, I got work for you.

I've finished me work.

You've finished when I say, come here.

Oh you're not still moaning, are you.

Let's have a look.

Anybody you think you'd cut it in half

Go bind some muslin round it.

Gimme a hand finishing these.

I want to talk to you.

Cut that cabbage up. What you been up to?

Up to? Nothing.

Who'd you see when you went
in the market last week?

Nobody.

Don't lie to me. You were seen.

Seen having a drink with a fancy man.

You want your bloody
head examining you do.

Haven't you learnt?

Look, he wrote to me. He
said he was coming here.

I knew I couldn't put him off.
So I had to meet him there.

Anyway. I give him his marching orders.

So you needn't worry.

But you had the boy with you didn't you.

He's known about these parts.

Everybody knows the Edmonds

Gentry. They got a position.

If that gets back to them,
you'll be out on your ear

It didn't do him any harm, did it?

We're not talking about him.

We're talking about you and me.

What you do reflects
on me, on my good name.

And I don't want my
name mixed up with a...

Go on, go on Auntie say it. With a whore.

That wasn't what I was going to say.

Oh yes it was.

Look I'll tell you what
sort of whore I am.

I've been to bed with
two men in my life, two.

I was going to marry the first,

but he died of the
tuberculosis as you know.

The second couldn't take me to the altar,

but he did get me pregnant.

I'm 38. So what sort of
whore does that make me?

Oh, I should have been
better at it. Shouldn't I?

All I did the other day was have a drink

in a bloody marketplace

with about 20 other people looking on.

And if that reflects on your good name

then I'm sorry for your good name.

Look Auntie, I know you got me this job.

And I've said I'm grateful,

but I'm not going down on me knees

unless it's to scrub floors.

[soft music]

Lord help us.

[Nanny yelling]

[baby crying]

Nasty little boy, don't you kick me.

[Nanny yelps]

Can I help then?

Oh! Come here.

What's he doing?

Grab him!

-Oh! Go on, get his--
-[child crying]

Come here! Stop that, stop!

God help us!

Here, you get on down,
no concern of yours.

Go on, get out of here.

What in heaven's name is going on.

You might well ask, I'll be
covered in bruises for a week.

But what started him off.

Well don't ask me, I just heard the noise

and come on down.

Now come here. Come here, come here you.

[child crying]

Now you just stop, stop.

-You stop this.
-It started out of nowhere

all I did was show the baby
that thing and he went for me.

And then he tried to go for the baby.

Well I don't suppose he meant to do that,

he probably just wanted his windmill back.

[Nanny] I'll give him a bloody windmill.

He's gonna be locked up until
he learns do you hear me?

You're gonna be locked up.

Well, look don't do that. Let me have him.

I mean locking him up is no good.

Well what are you gonna do about it?

[screams]

Yes Jessie don't interfere.

I'm telling you locking him up is no good.

I mean, it was the same
with me brother Charlie.

Don't talk such, your Charlie
was was nothing like him.

Oh yes he was, he was a little bugger.

Mum used to lock him up for days.

It never did him any good.

[Mrs. Appleyard] I don't
know, I just don't know

and them being away and all.

Come here. Stop that.

Now then I give him the windmill,
so perhaps I'm to blame.

But you do what you like
it's no skin off my nose.

Have you got hold of him?

Yeah look, I've got him. I've got him.

Oh well then you take him
off and see what you can do.

It's probably better.

If you give him to me I might
do him some harm I'll regret.

Come on down with me.

Now, you stop. You stop.

Stop that. Listen.

You stop. You be quiet.

Come here. Stop it, stop.

[baby crying]

Stop. Stop.

No use doing that with me it...

And I'll make you

-a nice cup of tea.
-no use doing that with me.

Now then, you listen to me.

You come here, come over here, stop it.

Come here, sit down, there.

Now then.

Now, stop

stop. Listen, you come here.

Look at me, look at me.

I don't want you to think I'm a pushover

just cause I said I'll take you out.

Alright. Cause I'm doing
it for myself, see.

I want to get out just as much as you do

but listen, any of your inky
dos, any of your paddies

and you'll find this
hand is as hard as hers.

So don't you play me up.
Stop being a silly monkey

and you and me will get on fine.

All right?

Now then, [sighs]

I'm going to take you out for a walk now.

Come on then.

[soft music]

There what's that? See that
over there, that rabbit?

It is. D'you know something,
before I live in your house

the only rabbits I'd ever seen

was hanging up in the butcher's shop.

It's true.

Here, would you like me to tell
you something really awful.

Where I come from, London, you know,

we used to eat horses, we did.

Bet you think I'm making
that up? It's true.

Cross me heart, hope to die.

Didn't ride 'em, like your dad and Harry,

we used to eat 'em.

Chickens, well I mean chickens
there was a real treat.

We only had chicken at Christmas.

D'you like Christmas do you?

Father Christmas.

Yeah. Well you believe in him don't you?

Yeah, well you should.

It's nice Christmas innit? Yeah.

When I was little we
didn't have stockings,

nobody was there to fill them you see.

Well it was so crowded

I think Father Christmas
couldn't get there.

Didn't know who he'd got to visit,

who's stockings he'd got to fill.

I mean just because you don't talk

don't mean you can't
believe in things do it?

What is that over there?
Go and have a look?

D'you know something,

there used to be a man in
our street who was like you.

He couldn't talk.

He used to draw pictures on a pavement.

You know with coloured chalks

lovely pictures, churches, and sunsets.

D'you know I bet there's lots of things

like that that you could do if you tried.

If you stop being naughty.

You see being bad, getting in trouble,

it don't get you anywhere.

Just makes you miserable.

I should know I was a
little bugger I was. [gasps]

Oh I shouldn't have
said that word should I?

Oh dear, just as well you can't repeat it

else you'll get me a bad name.

You see, there's lots of
things I could tell you.

Lots of things I mean if you and me

could get out of the house

there's lots of things
we could do together.

Come on. Give me your hand.

[cheerful music]

Shall we have another little rest, eh?

All right.

Here, I know how you feel.

I've been in trouble all
me life. Big trouble.

The sort they send you to prison for,

I mean, I'm telling you all this because

well, because you don't want
to end up like me do you?

A bleeding misery. No.

I'm not happy either.

But you got to pretend and you see,

you and me, we could pretend
together couldn't we?

I might even be able to
teach you some things.

Can't teach you much
because I don't know much.

But talking ain't everything.

It isn't. Don't make you rich.

Don't make you clever, do it?

Just opening and shutting
your mouth going,

myeh, myeh, myeh, myeh, myeh.

Yeah. I bet you think I'm
a right case, don't you?

Yes you do.

I bet if you could talk, you'd say

"That Jessie, she's a
right nutter." [laughs]

Oh well you gotta laugh haven't you,

otherwise you'll go off your chop.

Bet you could laugh, if you tried.

Got a little laugh there somewhere,

what happens if I tickle you, eh?

Tickle, tickle. Tickle, tickle tickle.

Here. Let me have a look at you.

You're laughing, yes you are,
you're laughing aren't you.

Oh, that's better.

Hello, what are you doing?
Let you out did she?

Here why don't you come and look

at some of these beautiful pictures.

There's a lot of reading in all
these old books isn't there.

Beats me how anybody ever
finds time to read them all.

What?

Oh, that's right. That's a windmill.

Like the one I bought you isn't it.

You clever old stick.

D'you know something, I bet
if they let you go to school,

you'd be a very good reader.

I shall have to teach you a few words.

I'm not very good mind,

but, well be better than
nothing, wouldn't it?

Oh in here is he. Been looking all over.

He's been helping me.

Time for his dinner. Been good has he?

Right as rain.

Well that makes a change.

Come on, Peter, time for your supper.

H.

A, B, C, D, F, G, H...

I, J...

I wrote the alphabet out for you.

There you are see, I may have
got them in the wrong order.

But I think they're all there.

Now what I thought was

if you learned a few letters every day

by the time your mum and dad get back

you could surprise them
and write your name.

Be a surprise for them
that wouldn't it, eh?

All right, now you see if you can do it.

Do that one first. Now you
put a line down, down there.

Round a bit at the top, there.

It didn't quite meet there. Did it?

No, well, doesn't matter.

Try another one do it again,
you'll soon get the hang of it.

Bet you learn quicker than me.

[gravel crackling]

You're a good voice in church,
singing like a blackbird.

I'm talking to you, you know,.

I want to tell you something my bird.

Tis no good you being mardy all the time

'cause you're going to spoil
what's left of your looks.

You'll be a lot better off
letting some of that hair down

and having a bit of fun now and then.

Bring a bit of colour to your cheeks.

I'm a patient man.

Well you have to be when you're
looking after brood mares

and I can be a loving man.

If only you'd say the word

[sombre piano music]

Oh God, Jessie you're a mess.
You've always been a mess.

-[thunder rumbling]
-[waves crashing]

Oh god help us, just look at you.

Didn't you see it coming?

Oh I did but I was miles away.

Well go and dry yourself

before you catch your death, child.

Where's Peter? Isn't
anybody looking after Peter?

Where is he?

Oh, he's all right. He's in his room.

[baby crying]

Peter! Peter, Peter?

Peter!

Oh come here. Come here.

Oh come on.

Oh it's a nasty storm.

It's all right, Jessie's here.

Come on, I'll take care of you.

Come on, stupid old cow.

[thunder rumbles]

Don't worry, it's only a nasty old storm.

[Jessie coughing]

[Nanny] Peter? Come on down.

You know you're not allowed up there.

You're awful hot.

Oh I know, it's getting
caught the rain that did it,

There was a woman struck by
lightning over Dunston way,

black like charcoal them says.

[soft music]

I'll look in again.

[dramatic music]

[horse hooves clattering]

You're out and about again then.

I heard you was poorly .

I was heard you was real
sick there for a time.

Yes.

You don't like me, do you?

I can take you or leave you.

Now why is that then?

I've heard some folk think
that I'm not bad looking.

Really? That must be a comfort to you.

I'd rather it was a comfort to you.

There's a lot of things I'd rather be

as far as you're concerned

but I don't seem to be
making much headway.

Perhaps you're too good looking for me.

Jessie. I'm not as bad as I am painted.

And I've had a mind to
you ever since the moment

you first stepped down from that train.

Now you think about that,

you could do a lot worse, you know.

[horse hooves clattering]

[birds cawing]

Them's crows I think.

Or rooks is it? Noisy
creatures whatever they are.

Only birds you ever see in
London are sparrows or pigeons.

Now, we're not getting
on with our work, are we?

I think we better do a bit more writing

and then I've got something
very special to tell you.

Now, let's see.

What word should we write now?

Oh, I know, what about pigeon, eh?

Come here. Now, P-I-D-G-I-N, there.

No, wait a minute. Don't look right do it?

No, what is it? Pigeon, P-I-G-I-N.

No, nah silly word that init.

Let's do something else. Let's write.

Tell you what? Let's write
my name, Jessie, yeah.

That's it. See if you
can write that for me.

There we are. Here's a pencil.

[Jessie sighs]

Not long now your mum
and dad will be back.

Think how pleased they're gonna be

when they know you can
write your own name.

You never know,

they might let you have
some proper teaching.

That'd be nice, wouldn't it, hmm?

[lively piano music]

You know what? It's gonna
be me birthday soon.

And what I was thinking was this.

You and me, we could have a
party, would you like that?

We could have cake with candles and games.

We could have, let's think now,
pin the tail on the donkey.

Blind man's bluff. All
sorts of lovely things, eh?

Only you see, it's got to be a secret.

Because I don't want
everybody at the house

finding out it's me birthday.

So, you and me, we'll keep
it a secret, all right?

[horse hooves clattering]

[Driver] Walk on.

Thank you Scares.

Thank you.

Welcome home, ma'am.

Thank you, Perkis. It's good to be back.

Mrs. A.

Hello, Darling.

Oh Nanny, my goodness me. Hasn't he grown?

-He has indeed, ma'am
-Let me have him.

I trust you've got one of
my favourite meals prepared,

Mrs. Appleyard.

I have indeed sir.

I was depending on it.

I've had enough of that foreign muck.

Look at your Augustus, Dearest.

Isn't he the very picture of health?

Oh a credit to Nanny, yes you are.

You are.

[baby cries]

[Mrs. Edmonds] Oh Darling, no,

that's not the way to greet your papa.

No it's not.

Nanny, a word with you.
Everything satisfactory?

Oh yes sir.

Good, good. That's what we want to hear.

Healthy sign, isn't it? When they cry.

Oh yes, sir. He's healthy all right.

Good, good. Couldn't be better.

Thank you Nanny. Thank you.

Do you want to take Papa's hand?

I expect he's shy, sir.

Not having seen you for a time.

They do grow shy at that age.

Yes. I expect that's it.

[Mr. Edmonds laughs]

You let me down every time,

now come inside and behave yourself.

What'd you think of that, Jessie?

Oh, it's lovely ma'am.

Yes, it is rather splendid, isn't it.

Am I to put it away, ma'am?

No, I thought that if
it wasn't too creased

I'd wear it tonight to
celebrate coming home.

Your aunt tells me that
you've settled in very nicely.

I'm pleased because I
could admit to you now

that I wasn't too sure
that you would fit in,

but I always liked to be
fair and as good as my word,

I would like you to have different duties

from now on Jessie.

You may take care of my
wardrobe and my laundry.

Thank you very much, ma'am.

I must say that I was
considerably influenced

in my judgement by what I
gather has been your kindness

to my son, Peter.

Because of his disability
he's not always been

the easiest child to cope with.

And I have not always been able to accept

that he will never be like other children.

Not being a mother yourself

you probably find that very
difficult to understand.

I've always blamed myself do you see.

I'm told that you have
quite a way with him.

Well, I just talk to him a bit, ma'am.

Of course we must be careful

not to cut across Nanny's
feelings on this matter.

You understand?

He's quite a bright little lad

when you get to know him ma'am,

I've been teaching him his letters.

Teaching him?

Well, showing him really.
He can write his name now.

I see. Yes, well you
must've taken great pains.

I shall tell Mr. Edmonds.

[cutlery clattering]

The garden looks neglected.

Does it, dear? [laughs]

You always say that.
Every time we come home.

I say it because it needs saying.

The moment I am not here
to keep them up to the mark

they don't do a stroke.

Well, I've got one bit
of good news for you.

While we've been away Peter
has learned to write his name.

Peter has?

[ Mrs. Edmonds] Yes! Yes.

Apparently the new girl, Jessie

has been taking quite an interest in him.

And who asked her to do that?

Well, I don't think
anybody asked her, Dearest.

I think she did it out of kindness.

I thought that it was really
a good thing on the whole

and that we should encourage her.

What sort of a girl is she?

Cook's niece, Dearest.

Don't you remember, I told
you when she first came.

I repeat what sort of a girl is she?

I don't want just anybody
taking care of my son.

I don't think she's taking
care of him, Dearest.

Not in that sense.

I just felt that anything
that would help him

would please you.

Of course if you objected,
Dear, I'd put a stop to it.

Do you?

Hmm?

Object, Dearest.

I need time to think about it.

I don't want you to
grasping at straws again.

Well, if the child can write his name.

That's all well and good
but it hardly denotes

that he's about to burst into song.

Charles.

What you have to accept
once and for all, my dear,

as I have accepted, is that
the child is not normal

and never will be.

Never will be normal.

That is our cross in life.

Now, please don't start crying, my dear,

I don't want you crying
on our first night home.

I'm not crying.

God has seen fit first to
curse us and then to bless us.

It is his blessing that we must remember.

I do. I do.

The birth of that child
was a crushing blow to me,

but God has answered my prayers.

He has given me a son

without blemish.

And I rejoice with you, Dearest.

But I cannot help hoping
that a miracle will happen.

Am I so wrong?

Wrong? No, it's just misguided that's all.

You do not condemn me for hoping?

My dear, if there's one person on Earth

that I condemn, it is myself.

[finger tapping]

Peter, your father wants you. Well go on.

Come in, boy.

Come in.

You're not frightened of me, are you?

It would distress me to think that.

I have been hearing good
reports of your behaviour

while your mother and I have been away.

That makes me pleased, very pleased.

Well, I understand that
you have made a new friend,

Jessie, is that her name?

And that she's been teaching
you to write your name.

Will you show me? Sit down.

Show me what you've learned. There.

You dip the pen in the ink. Off you go.

[sighs]

Now look, Peter.

Peter start again with a
fresh sheet. Give me that.

Now don't take so much
ink on the pen this time,

a little and often.

Turn the pen the other way round.

P-E. It's not P-T, it's P-E-T.

I thought someone had taught
you to write your name.

You can't even spell. Can you?

Peter. Write it again.

Start again and write it properly.

Do as I say.

P-

E-

Peter.

[paper crackling]

Peter will you do--

I will not tolerate that! That temper.

Come back here. Come
back and write your name.

Make me proud of you for once.

[bell tinkles]

[tapping on door]

Yes.

You sent for me sir?

Yes. Come in and close the door.

Now I... You may come closer.

I gather from my wife that
during our stay abroad

you took it upon yourself

to give our eldest son
some elementary lessons.

Is it so?

[clears throat]

Well, not lessons exactly, sir.

Like I told the mistress, I
just took notice of him sir.

Hmm. Do you have any qualifications
for teaching children?

Sir?

Were you trained as a teacher?

No sir.

I thought not.

Well I, I just felt sorry for him, sir.

[laughs]

I don't think you need
to take it upon yourself

to feel sorry for any member of my family.

I'm sure you acted with
the best of intentions

but unfortunately good intentions
are not always sufficient.

We must be careful not to burden my son

with matters that he
cannot make full use of.

His life, his life is in delicate balance

and we must be careful not
to disturb that balance.

Do you understand what I'm saying?

I'm not sure sir.

I would prefer you to
keep your relationship

with my eldest son on a
more conventional basis.

Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

[woman mimicking baby babble]

Darling, come and sit over here with us.

Come and join us there's a good boy.

Come on. There's a good boy.

Why don't you show him his Teddy Bear.

Didn't do that, that's naughty.

Go and pick it up straight away.

You'll make my mama very angry.

Peter. Did you hear what I said?

Go and pick it up, do as you're told.

Now! Pick it up.

Now show it to him.

Upstairs in the house!

If you can't behave, then I
don't want to have you with me.

Hello. Where are you off to.

Peter?

[people muttering quietly]

And we'll decide...

Yes well thank you again, Lewis.

It will be put to very
good use, I can assure you.

I'm sure.

Promise me you'll enjoy [indistinct].

[muttered conversation]

[Woman] You shall notice he's got it

one hand is in his pocket

and the other hand is supposed to be--

bitten by a horse.

Hey, what was that with you today?

That was no way to treat me, was it?

Walking straight past me like that.

Just 'cause I haven't
seen much of you lately

doesn't mean I've forgotten about you.

We're still going to
have our birthday party

like I promised.

Not tomorrow but the day
after that, all right?

They didn't say I couldn't take you out.

They only said I wasn't to teach you.

You're still my best friend.

Night night.

My boy's going to go there, he's two,

so we've got to go and put his name down.

[people chattering]

[Woman] Meant to be three years time,

going to prep school first.

[indistinct chattering]

Oh no, did you really? That was very rash.

[both laugh]

[people chattering]

[wood creaks]

How much was that one again?

Sponge is sixpence, those are fourpence.

And that's fourpence ha'penny.

Erm, I think I'll take that one.

[paper crackles]

Thanks very much.

Thank you, again.

-Bye
-Goodbye

[clock chiming]

-Morning
-Morning.

-Nice morning, aye.
-Nice innit.

Come on. There we are.

There's one. Another one.

Oh, Jessie you're only
three years old, aren't you?

That's another one like that. There.

Don't that look nice?

Now shall I blow them out?

Think you better help me?

All right.

Oh! Oh dear, oh dear.

You blew them out before me didn't you?

Oh, then I couldn't make me wish.

Nevermind. Don't suppose it matters.

Now sir, if you would like
to sit down. Yeah, like that.

Oh, that's it.

I shall cut the cake
and serve the champagne.

Now I better take the candles off

'cause we don't want to eat them, do we?

You don't want to eat them do you?

No? All right.

Ta Da! There.

Oh cuts all right. Let's
hope it tastes all right.

There's a first slice for you.

Give you the biggest 'cause
you're a little piggy wiggy.

Now don't get it all down you

otherwise you'll be in trouble.

And a slice for me, now let's see.

Mm, now that, said she
speaking with her mouth full,

and setting a bad example,

is what I call a very nice piece of cake.

It should be too, cost enough.

Well you see, I couldn't get
Cook to make it, could I?.

Else it wouldn't have been our secret.

Hmm, I'm forgetting the champagne.

Now then, there you are sir, some for you.

Don't you get tiddly, will you?

'Cause Nanny will never
forgive me. Some for me.

I think I'll make the toast.

Happy birthday Jessie.

-[glasses clink]
-Cheers.

Ooh. Oh dear.

Bubbles have all gone up me nose.

[sighs]

Oh, this is nice, this is.

I like a party.

D'you know something?

If this was a real party, we'd
have a dance, wouldn't we?

Oh, I used to love dancing.

Oh many is the night I've
danced all night long.

Come home with the milkman.

I used to like the fast ones best.

You know like the polka.

♪ Da Da, ♪

♪ see me dance the polka. ♪

♪ You should see me sweep the floor. ♪

♪ La dada dada da dada da ♪

♪ Dada dada da da da. ♪

D'you know what?

I could teach you the
Polka if you'd like me to.

Would you like that? It's ever so easy.

Now look, we can't do it in here.

Tell you what? We'll go outside.

Come on, come and have
some cake afterwards.

Now then, it's ever such an easy dance.

Now, let's get out here so
that we got lots of room.

Careful, now, get down over this bit.

There we go. Ooh, look at all
those pretty shells there.

Come on. Oh, you are going to enjoy this

'cause this is one of my favourite dances.

I haven't done this for ages
and ages, d'you know that?

Now then, let's have a look.

Now you stand there like that.

Now I'm going to show you

what you have to do with your feet.

You go one, two, three, hop.

One, two, three, hop.

One, two, three, hop.

One, two, three, hop.

[laughs] That's very good.

One, two, three, hop.
One, two, three, hop.

Now, then this is the dance floor.

And the orchestra is playing over there

and all the ladies are
dancing in their dresses.

They're going like this, you see

all the way round like this, whee.

You see?

And what you have to do,
you have to look around

and you think, who shall I ask to dance?

That's going to be me. All right?

So you have to do a little bow.

Do a little bow.

Very nice.

And then you come up to me

'cause that's how you ask
a lady to dance, you see.

And then I say, "Oh, thank
you very much, sir. I accept."

And you put one hand round like that,

the other hand, wait a minute,
that's covered in cake.

Come here. That's better.

Now then, one hand round
here. Are we ready?

Now, we go and one, two, three, hop.

One, two, three, hop. We start again.

And what we've got to do this time.

We got to twirl all the way around.

All right, so,

♪ you should see me dance the Polka. ♪

♪ You should see me sweep the floor. ♪

♪ You should see me dance the Polka. ♪

♪ Do do do. ♪

Oh very good!

[polka music]

[squealing happily]

Oh, oh everything's going around.

Oh, Oh, Oh.

Oh dear, oh, oh.

Oh, I haven't danced so
much for a long time.

Oh, that brings back some
happy memories, that does.

Oh dear.

Hey. What's that?

What is it? Is it a present?

Is it for me? Oh, you
shouldn't have done that.

Bet it's something you
made yourself, is it?

Let me have a look. [gasps]

Oh, how exciting. Oh let me see.

Oh beautifully wrapped.

Oh my lovey.

Oh what have you done?

Oh what have you done?

[sombre piano music]

We stood there and she never showed up.

And that was Thursday.

Really? That's a long time,

-innit?
-I know.

What's the matter with you this morning?

You look washed out.

Pining for me. No doubt.

I hope she's got more sense than that.

You're not sickening again are you?

I just didn't sleep much
last night, that's all.

Having dreams about me, were you?

Nightmares more like, now,
I don't want anymore of that

foolish talk in my kitchen.

Jessie isn't bothered
with the likes of you.

Hurry up and finish your breakfast.

You're taking Nanny and the children

to Bilston, don't forget.

Are the children going out. Peter too?

That's the arrangement.

[bell chimes]

That's the mistress just
finish off her tray there.

Pot has been warmed and
don't keep her waiting

otherwise she'll be in a bad
mood for the rest of the day.

And I've got another dinner party tonight.

I knew that'd be the case,
the moment they got home.

I'd hate to have that many friends,

have to be forever entertaining
and what he like, she don't.

Go on, get that upstairs. Dawdling about.

[tuts]

Anyway, you were saying.

He stood there for four hours
and she never showed up.

-Bottom of left field.
-Oh I'd loved

to have seen that.

[laughs] You would, you'd like that.

[muffled talking]

-He took everything out.
-Oh he didn't.

He stood there with
everything out [laughs]

Cow, you know, like you
like in that back closet.

Good morning ma'am.

It seems to be a very pleasant one.

Yes. Very nice ma'am.

Oh dear, I really must
stop eating so much.

I shall undo all the good of the holiday.

I always find it so much
easier to stop eating abroad.

There are so many things
that one doesn't care for.

Tell Cook that I shan't
be requiring luncheon

but to ask what the master wants.

Yes, ma'am.

And Jessie, I haven't
decided what to wear yet.

I'll tell you when I've had my morning tea

and thought about it.

Thank you ma'am.

What are you doing in
my jewel case, Jessie?

Nothing, ma'am.

[ Mrs. Edmonds] That is a stupid answer.

You have something in your hand. Show me.

I never took it, ma'am. I found it.

I was just putting it back.

Give it to me.

[Jessie] May God strike me
dead, that's the truth ma'am.

I don't think we need bring God into it.

This is a profound
disappointment to me, Jessie.

I thought better of you.

But I never took it ma'am.
You, you have to believe me.

That is where you are mistaken.

If you didn't steal it, if
you found it, as you say,

why didn't you show it to me just now?

That would have been the
obvious thing. Would it not?

If you are telling the
truth. Well, would it not?

Yes ma'am.

It therefore follows that you
are not telling the truth,

but a deliberate lie.

You stole it. Did you not?

No ma'am, I never stole it.

I borrowed it like and I was just putting,

I was just putting it back.

Oh, you think there is
a distinction, do you?

Well, I don't want to
discuss this any further.

You will have to leave my employ.

In view of your kindness to my son Peter,

I shall take a lenient view
and not inform the police

but I would like you to
leave as soon as possible.

And of course, without references,

now, go to your room, pack your things

and wait there until sent for.

That is all. You are dismissed.

Yes ma'am.

[door creaks]

Now don't do anything silly,

there's no point making
a fuss now is there.

You're in for a pound,

you may as well be in for a bad penny.

We're a bit alike, you and I, aren't we?

All I want is a goodbye kiss.

You wouldn't begrudge
me that now would you?

You know I've been after you
ever since you first came here.

Well now you're going,

you've got nothing to lose now, have you?

You see there's now harm in
it, not unless you make a fuss.

It isn't as if it's the
first time now is it?

But I won't do it against your will.

I could've loved you given half a chance.

Yes

What?

Yes.

[sombre music]

[dramatic music]

Mrs. Appleyard? Mrs. Appleyard?

Don't talk to me. I
can't be talked to today.

I'm too upset.

The roast is burning Mrs. Appleyard.

Well take it out then. If
it's burnt, it's burnt.

I can't be doing with anything today.

You'll just have to get on with it.

[horse hooves clopping]

[birds cawing]

[train engine roars]

All right.

[sombre piano music]