The Duchess of Duke Street (1976–1977): Season 2, Episode 13 - Lottie - full transcript

Are you wondering how healthy the food you are eating is? Check it - foodval.com
---
Watch any video online with Open-SUBTITLES
Free Browser extension: osdb.link/ext

Someone to see you.

Oh, not now.

She asked me to clear that out.

I don't know what
she wants to keep.

Who is it?

Says his name's Spedding.

I think he stayed here
in the war last summer.

Spedding?

Well, I'll tell him to
call back later then.

No. No. Show him in, will you?



And get the decorators
out of the hall.

Mrs. Trotter will
be back in an hour,

bringing a guest, the wise is.

All right.

Would you go in, then?

MARY: Brian.

Good memory. Well, of course.

How nice to see you.

Please, won't you sit down?

You in charge now? No.

No, I don't, thank you.

No. I've been made housekeeper.

Mrs. Trotter's still the boss.

She's been up in Yorkshire
for memorial service



for Lord Haslemere.

You met him, didn't you?

You've stayed in his
rooms with your 2 friends.

He died soon after you
went back to France.

Real sudden.

I thought you'd been killed.

I mean, you were so
certain you would be,

weren't you?

I might be a ghost.

Don't rule it out.

I thought if you'd
have been all right,

you might have written

to ask for your violin back.

Is that what you've come for?

I've kept it safe.

It might be a bit dusty.
I'll fetch it, shall I?

I won't be a minute.

Couldn't throw in a
cup of tea, could you?

Yes, of course.

Mr. Starr! Do tell Mr. Merriman

to bring a pot of tea
and some biscuits

to the parlor, please.

Right.

Oh, Ivy, see that
number 16 is made ready.

Mrs. Trotter's bringing
a guest back with her.

MERRIMAN: He's
finished the biscuits.

Wants some sandwiches now.

Well, I can't do 'em.

You'll have to cut 'em yourself.

How starved he looks.
Sandwiches, miss.

Not her! She's busy!

Is that why he
wants his violin back?

So he can play int the
streets without the tin can?

Ethel!

I'm sorry, but I seen him.

Well, I hope Mary
doesn't encourage him.

We'll have more around here,
cueing up at the back door.

You'd have to
feel sorry for him.

I've heard there's
Majors with DSOs

working as waiters
in some places.

It's an honorable profession.

Oh, give it to me, Mr. Merriman.

I'll do it.

Better?

When did you last
have a decent meal?

What have you been
doing since you got back?

All right, don't tell me
if you don't want to.

See if I care.

What have you been doing?

This and that.

Do you have a hard
time finding work?

Yes.

But I've got a job
now playing the violin.

Oh, that's good.
Where? In an orchestra?

Hardly. It's a band.
The thé dansant.

I'll come and listen to you.

No, you won't. It's no
place for a young woman.

Don't be silly. I can
look after myself.

Tell me where it is.

Victoria. Behind the station.

I'll be playing to the
accompaniment of trains.

Well, it's a start anyway.

Nothing to be ashamed of.

You played beautifully
when I heard you.

Real talent.

You'll end up playing
in the Albert Hall.

Did you have a bad time
when you got back to France?

I read the papers every day.

Looked for your name.

Just one of thousands, I was.

Remember that road
you told me about?

The one you thought
you'd be killed on.

Did you ever see it?

Yes.

Well, you were wrong,
weren't you? You're here.

So you can't tell the future as
well as you thought you could.

2 miles out of St. Quentin.

Daybreak.

Drizzling.

Quiet.

We weren't expecting much.

We were winning.

I saw the curve in the road

just as I'd imagined it...

..hedgerows, cornfield
on the other side.

I was with Reynolds.

The Welshman, the one
who stayed here with you?

Yes.

We started to walk up the road,

and I saw a rabbit
lying in a ditch.

It was hurt.

I stopped to look at it.

Reynolds went on.

There was a bang,
and I was flung forward.

Broke a tooth.

I looked 'round for Reynolds.

There was nothing left of him.

Booby trap.

The rabbit was dead, too.

Shock, I suppose.

Right spot. Wrong man.

After that, I didn't
see much point

in anything, really.

But you're alive.
That's what matters.

By a fluke.

I won't eat rabbit pie again.

My good friend, the rabbit.

You have to forget
about it, Brian. You must.

I'll help you, if
you want me to.

LOUISA: Where is
everybody? Starr! Cases.

STARR: Yes, madam.

I'd better be going.

Bloomin' decoratin' still
here. Pounds of paint.

Oh, pardon.

This is Lieutenant Spedding.

Do you remember? He's
just come to get his violin.

Afternoon.

He's just going.

- Got me wire, did you?
- Yes.

- Good-bye.
- Bye.

What's all this, then?

Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't
have time to finish it.

Don't worry. Come
in here a minute.

Welcome to the Bentinck.

Oh, don't be shy.

LOUISA: Merriman!

Mary, this is Miss
Lottie Richards.

Come to stay for
a bit. Miss Phillips.

How do you do?

Yes. Got a room
for her, have we?

Number 16.

Oh, yeah. That'll
do. Oh, there you are.

Clear away the tea
party, would you?

Fetch us a bottle of wine.

Get on with it!

Ah, now, this is
Starr, hall porter.

Owner of dog. She's
quite friendly, miss.

Yeah, well, you can
make friends with Fred

later on; if you go
with Miss Phillips now,

and she'll give you a hand.

This way. Allow me, miss.

SAFFRON: Oh, my dear Mrs. T.,

what a relief to have you back.

Excuse me.

The place has been
in turmoil without you.

Paint pots, labels...

LOUISA: Sorry. Can't
stop now, Saffron.

Charming creature.

Anything to do with you, Major?

What? Good Lord, no.

Just a girl from Bishopsleigh.

- Up in Yorkshire.
- Major!

Will you excuse me?

Come in.

All right for you?

All this for me?

Bathroom's just
down the passage.

First time I've ever
had a room of me own.

Oh, is it?

Where did you live before?

With me mum and
dad. Cottage in a village.

Oh, I come from a
small village, in Wales.

Some place, London, isn't it?

Buildings and folks.

We're all fields and
sheep where I come from.

It took me a long
time to get used to it.

When I came, I didn't
even know there were

trees in London.

Motor cars and buses.

Nice...fairly bust me eardrums.

Buses were all drawn
by horses in my day.

Shows how times have changed.

Oh, no, I can do it.

It ain't much, any ways.

Oh, I can't put my pictures up.

No, not really.

I expect we'll find somewhere.

Oh, that's pretty.
Did you draw it?

- Yeah, I did.
- Oh.

Thank you, Merriman.

Ma'am.

Decorators done
their job, have they?

Oh, yes, ma'am. Almost finished.

Just the dispense left.

That's good.

Nice to have kept
it pre-war, ma'am.

All spic and span but
the same old feeling

in the place.

Yeah. You could do with
a lick of paint yourself.

How long you been
wearing that suit?

Oh, good few years now, ma'am.

Time you had a new one.

What do you think, Major?

What? Oh, yes.

Not sure I could
afford it, ma'am.

Oh, I'll pay for it.

Thank you, Merriman.

Oh, thank you, ma'am.
Very kind of you.

Oh, well...

We're over the first fence.

Tricky course, though.

Um...

What do you make of it?

A bit mysterious, isn't it?

Oh, not if you're
a mathematician.

Eh?

Well, she's about
17 years of age.

Now what was happening
here 18 years ago?

Who is it?

Me. Mrs. Trotter.

It's a bit gloomy in here.

There. That's better.

Not a bad little room, this.

Max Bierbaum likes this room.

He likes to sit and
watch the courtyard.

He can see what's going
on without being seen.

Max Bierbaum is a
cartoonist and a man of letters.

- I think it'd be I
think it's be a nice idea

if you wrote to your
mother, don't you?

Let her know
you've arrived safely.

You're me mum.

Well, to Elsie,
then, if you prefer.

Here's the pen and
paper. Come on.

What shall I call
you in front of folks?

Well, most people call
me Mrs. Trotter to me face.

What they call me behind
me back's their business.

I can't call you Mrs.
Trotter. It ain't right.

Eh?

Well, you're me mother.

Yeah, well, up till a
couple of days ago,

Mrs. Richards was your mother.

Mr. Richards was your father.

That's right, isn't it?

Now, they took care of
you and brought you up.

All your early life
belongs to them.

Don't want to spoil
that, now, do we?

They ain't here
anymore, and you are.

It's different now.

Now, look, my
dear. I know all this is

very strange for you.

Strange for both of us.

But we don't want to
rush it, now, do we?

I think we should
just sort it out

quietly together, eh?

Now, this isn't a
private house, you know.

A lot of people here
knew your real father.

There's a lot of interest stirred
up just with you being here.

So, I think we should
stick to what we decided

on the train with the major.

See how it goes.

All right?

If you've got any better
ideas, let's hear 'em.

Right.

Oh, blimey. Think we'll
have to get rid of this lot.

We'll have a bonfire.

Go and buy some nice new
things in the morning, eh?

Lottie, I'm talking to you.

Sorry.

Now, would you like some supper?

Get Miss Phillips to
bring you up something.

Should I?

You liked Miss
Phillips, didn't you?

Yeah.

Right, now.

Come and write your
letter. There's a good girl.

Here, now.

Don't want none
of this, now, do we?

- Oh!
- Oh, she's upstairs with...

- Miss Richards.
- Yes.

Oh, allow me.

Thanks.

Would you like a drink?

No. I better not. Mrs. Trotter.

But you're the housekeeper now.

You've got responsibilities,

which you handle most capably.

If you feel like
a drink, I'd say

you're entitled to
one, wouldn't you?

Well, she still likes to
keep me under her thumb,

and I don't mind.

Hmm.

Suits us both, really,
for the time being.

Till some young man
comes and sweeps me off.

I can't think what
the delay has been

in that area.

I've had my share of attention.

But I'm hard to please,
that's my trouble.

Yeah, well, never
mind about that.

What's been happening
up in Yorkshire?

Everybody's been
gossiping and asking me

about it, and I don't
know what to tell them.

As a matter of fact, I
wrote you a letter about that

explaining everything
more or less.

But before I could post it,
we were suddenly on the train.

I have it here in my pocket.

Can't you tell me straight?

It's easier to put
things in letters often.

Oh, I see. You mean, you're
not supposed to tell me.

There were no strict
instructions either way.

Then it's what I think it is.

I'm afraid it probably is.

Afraid? I think it's wonderful.

Mrs. Trotter hasn't got
anything to lose by it,

and the girl's got
so much to gain.

Hmm...

Oh, I think she's a nice girl.

She has the look of both
of them, don't you think?

Good Lord, has she?

Oh, definitely.
I saw it at once.

And you can't keep a
thing like that a secret.

Well, I think we ought to try.

Oh, whatever for?

There's new feelings
about that sort of thing nowadays.

Really?

The war's changed
everything for women.

They're free.

They can do just
what they want to do,

which is what Mrs.
Trotter always did anyway.

There's still society,
playing to the rules,

the sort of people who
come and stay at the Bentinck.

Come here to break
the rules, most of them,

and do what they
shouldn't do half the time.

Oh, I don't think
it'll harm business

if that's what you're saying.

Mrs. Trotter's a
law unto herself.

So she might as well
make a clean breast of it,

to the staff, anyway.

Mr. Merriman's been
doing his sums already,

and he won't be fobbed off.

Not content with
entertaining vagrant fiddlers

to tea in my parlor?

She now uses it as a
marketplace for common tittle-tattle.

Vagrant fiddlers?

She knows what
I'm talking about.

Sorry.

Louisa, you've
got it all wrong...

where you off to? Stay put.

You know, then. The whole
bloody world knows, I suppose?

No, they don't.

and that's just the trouble.
They're guessing,

which is far worse,
in my opinion.

What do you think, Major?

I agree with Mary.
The staff should know.

Oh, so that's why
you blabbed, is it?

Blabbed? Good Lord, no.

Mary noticed the
likeness, dammit.

What likeness?

To you and Charlie.

His smile.

Balderdash!

It's absolutely true,
now Mary mentions it.

Fetch Starr and
Merriman in here.

And Mrs. Cochrane?

She's cooking dinner, ain't she?

Starr and Merriman I said.

I'll stay.

No, you won't. I'll handle this.

Oh, Roger!

To clear up any
misunderstandings

or rumors that might
be flying around,

her name is Miss
Lottie Richards.

She's the only daughter of

Mr. Wilford and
Mrs. Elsie Richards,

head groom and housekeeper

on Lord Haslemere's estate.

Her father died in the
flu, and her mother...

her mother is not in a fit state

to look after her.

So, I've brought her
down her on a little

excursion to get
a sight of London.

Got that fixed in your heads?

Oh, yes, madam. Madam.

And you believe it, do you?

Absolutely, madam.

You, too, Merriman?

I assure you, ma'am.

Well, you're bloody
rotten liars, the pair of you!

She's my daughter.

Lord Haslemere was her father.

Right?

But the other story's
the one you stick to

if asked.

And you don't tell no
one the real version.

Not the kitchen, the
rag and bone man,

your mothers, or
your mistresses.

On pain of death.

That understood?

MERRIMAN: Quite, madam.

You can rely on our
discretion, madam.

Right. Thank you.

Mary.

I'm relying on you and
the major to look after her.

God knows what you do with her, but...

..keep her occupied,
out of harm's way,

if you'll be so kind.

I won't ignore her.

Taking her out to buy
some new clothes tomorrow.

But I can't keep me eye
on her and run the hotel,

as I'm sure you'll appreciate.

And now, if you wouldn't mind,

it's been a hard day,
and I've got a headache.

What are you
smirking at, Charlie?

Do you wear stuff like this?

No, I don't. At my age?

Lovely against your skin.

I feel like one of them
wicked actresses.

Well, it shows off your figure,

but if you don't put
something else on,

you'll catch a chillin'.

Stay away from that window!

More decent than some
of me frocks back home.

You should have seen
me. A scandal I were.

I'd rather not hear about it.

Now, where are you going today?

Um, some art gallery.

Ohh...

This would be nice
for an art gallery.

Oh, you'd look pretty in that.

Put it on.

Oh, no. It wouldn't
fit. I'm too plump.

I'll wear this. She'll
like me in this.

No, I think that's more
for a big occasion.

This is the one.
Here we are now.

There.

All right.

She's bossy, isn't
she... Mrs. Trotter?

Folks at home are blunt,
but they got naught on her.

She's famous for her bluntness.

You'll have to get used
to it like the rest of us.

She doesn't always mean it.

- Careful! You'll tear it!
- Sorry.

There.

Would you call her a lady?

Well, she's a lady in one sense.

She's made herself into a lady,

the way she dresses and,

things like that,

but she's never forgotten
where she's come from,

which is a poor part of London,

and she's not ashamed of it.

That's why she speaks
the way she does.

It's like me being Welsh

and you, Yorkshire.

You can lose
the lilt if you try,

but some people prefer not to.

I don't know much about her.

She were a cook, weren't she?

Oh, the most famous
cook in all London.

She cooked for
the king of England,

and he gave her
a sovereign once.

Is that where she
met Lord Haslemere,

cooking in smart houses?

Lord Haslemere?

I can't remember. Probably.

Come on, now. The poor Major

will be wondering
where you've got to.

That's the one for
the Derby, Major.

Grand Parade?
33 to 1 - bit forlorn, isn't it?

Oh, look at the sire. Orby.

No, no, look, man. Dominion's
the choice from that stable.

Smith up 100 to 9.

The other one's just
making up the numbers.

I can't say more, Major.

I still have a hankering
for the Panther.

- A pound to win.
- The Panther?

He'll eat your money!

Oh! Ah, you're
looking...oh, mmm.

Me shoes pinch me.

We'll take a cab. Come on.

Brandy, sir.

Oh, thank you, Merriman.

Oh, thank you, sir.

Here.

Huh?

We're old survivors, you and I.

Seen a great many
things in our time.

- Wouldn't you agree?
- Oh, seen it all, sir.

Precisely.

Not easily fooled by the secrets

of the human heart.

I mean, what we don't know,

what we're not told, we guess,

and our experience usually
proves us correct, hmm?

Take, for example,
our friend the major

and that heavenly young vision

from the Yorkshire
dales on his arm.

New clothes each day she wears.

Is the major in funds?

Unlikely.

Is he in love, hmm?

I really hadn't noticed, sir.

You hadn't?

I'm surprised at you, Merriman.

Oh, I see a good
number of things

I don't necessarily notice, sir.

A comment on
your failing powers.

Or a comment on the
nature of my business, sir.

It's my opinion nobody leads
an entirely blameless life.

We all have our little secrets,

which are best left
secret, aren't they?

Yes, but not in the
case of the gallant Major.

He flaunts his treasure.

Which suggests to
me he's nothing to hide.

Excuse me, sir.

Hmm.

That remains to be seen.

Right, Ethel.
Salmon for number 6.

Put it out of the way, will you,

and fetch me that
lamb from over there.

Have you finished that
pudding yet for number 3?

Oh, give us a chance.

Here.

Mrs. Cochrane...

What?

I think it's that girl that come back
from Yorkshire with Mrs. Trotter.

Well, she's no right to be
down here. Get rid of her.

Excuse me, miss.

You're not allowed down here.

I never seen nothing like it.

Are you the cook?

Well, miss, I'm not
the postman, am I?

Lovely food!

Best I've ever had in
me life since I come here.

Oh, thank you very much, miss.

Learned from Mrs.
Trotter, did you?

No, miss. Certainly not.

I'd be very much obliged, miss,

if you didn't touch the food!

I just wanted to watch.

Mrs. Cochrane doesn't
like being watched

when she's cooking, miss.

I just wanted to ask a favor.

And what might that be?

Wanted to ask if I could cook
Mrs. Trotter's dinner tonight.

What, miss?

You come down here and
cook dinner for Mrs. Trotter?

Aye, that's right,
but as a surprise like.

You mean come into my kitchen?

It's Mrs. Trotter's
kitchen by rights, isn't it?

Ethel, finish that pudding!

Where is she off to?

You're in the soup now, miss.

COCHRANE: Madam,
I've got a very busy evening!

I've got 4 dinner parties,

including the mayor of New York,

and there's a girl in my kitchen

making a thorough
nuisance of herself.

Would you kindly tell
her to leave me alone?

Or I won't answer
for the consequences!

What are you
doing in the kitchen?

- Nothing.
- Well, you can't go down there!

She wanted to cook
your supper, it seems.

- What?
- It were meant to be a surprise,

but she's gone and spoilt
it all by making a fuss.

- I made a fuss?
- All right, Mrs. Cochrane.

I'll handle this.

COCHRANE: She's gone and
put me timetable all out, she has.

All right, Mrs. Cochrane.

COCHRANE: Thank you, madam.

LOTTIE: What's
the matter with her?

What's the matter?
You've upset her.

That's what the matter is.

That's all I need.

This is a hotel. You can't
go running round the place,

interfering with people,
upsetting everybody.

Just wanted to cook
your supper, that's all.

Did you? What do you
know about cooking?

I cooked at home
for me mum...for Elsie.

Soggy boiled cabbage
and burnt sausages,

I've no doubt.

No. It weren't that
bad. You can ask her.

Now, you listen, my girl.
If you want to be a cook,

you start from the bottom like I
did, scrubbing the vegetables.

Do you know how long it took me

before I was even allowed
to touch a piece of meat?

4 years!

Is that what you
want for yourself now?

Is it?

I didn't say I
wanted to be a cook.

I just wanted to do something.

I can't go trailing round
with Major every day,

staring at blooming paintings

and eating fat teas all
over the blooming place!

Watch your language.

I just wanted to do
something for you.

Well, I appreciate what
you was trying to do, Lottie

but you went the
wrong way about it.

You're Lord
Haslemere's daughter.

The kitchen is no place for you.

You want to do something...

Well, that's very commendable.

I'll have to think of something.

I don't know what.

You're not suited
for much, are you?

It ain't my fault, is it?

No. I never said it was.

It's difficult. I'm
aware of that.

Never seen him in
his uniform before.

Eh?

My father. Looks very
handsome, don't he?

All the village thought
he were handsome.

They were proud of him.

Yeah. So they should be.

He won the DSO.

I know.

Could I have a picture of him?

I'd keep it hidden
under me pillow.

You'd squash it!

Well, in a drawer,
then, with me things.

Oh, nobody'd see it. I promise.

Yeah. I'll look one out for you.

Um... And one of you.

He came back for his violin.

Walked in the
door after 7 months.

He looked terrible, poor man.

He'd been unemployed,
you see, like so many of them,

and he was too proud to come
and see me without any prospects.

He was a lieutenant
up from the ranks...

Quite a hero, I think,

though he doesn't
like talking about it.

There.

Anyway, he finally got a job,

playing in an orchestra
in a thé dansant.

He's a marvelous violinist.

I slip out when I
can and listen to him.

Sometimes I get asked to dance,

and I think he
feels quite jealous.

I always refuse, of course.

You must come and meet him

and tell me if I'm off
my rocker, will you?

Go to the dance hall?

No, not there. Uh...

It's not a very
nice place, actually.

We'll have tea
together, the three of us,

on his afternoon off.

It'll make a nice outing.

- Good night.
- Night.

- Shall I leave the light on?
- Yeah.

Do? Do what?

We do things every day.

Well, find her an occupation.

That's what I meant.

Does she show any
interest in anything?

We've been to the Tate twice.

She quite likes the Turners.

But there's plenty
of time, isn't there?

Actually, I was going to ask you

if I could be excused for a bit.

I find all this running
about rather exhausting.

You don't look too bad on it.

But rumors will
start - if not already.

My reputation to consider.

Improve it, I should think.

- What does she talk about?
- Oh, everything.

Everything.

She's a fountain of curiosity.

About Charlie?

Sometimes...

Questions slipped in.

She's rather cunning about that.

Building the jigsaw
in her own time.

You can't blame her, can you?

Myths and legends.

You'll confuse her.

I do my best to
tell her the truth.

I think she's handling
it all rather well...

But she'd like to see
more of you, though.

I'm sorry, madam, but...

..I've got your winnings
for the derby, madam.

Grand parade at 33 to 1.

You never backed it!

Why shouldn't I have?

Thank you, Starr.

The major was on the
favorite...The Panther.

I tried to warn him.

Didn't do too well, did
he Major, The Panther?

He threw his head up
on the way to the post.

Then he broke the
tapes before they started.

Then he threw his
head up again at the off

and lost a dozen lengths
before his jockey got him going.

Then halfway round...

must you rub it in?

Oh, by the way, I've
been given 2 tickets

for the final of the
Ladies Challenge round

at Wimbledon on the 19th.

It's the gentleman in number
3, one of the competitors.

I was wondering if you'd
like to have them, madam.

LOUISA: Oh, uh...

Take Lottie.

No, thank you, Starr.

I don't much care for tennis.

You have them.

Oh. Well, thank you
very much, madam.

Here! Don't scoff them all!

- Let Brian have one.
- Sorry.

He needs fattening up.

- No, thank you.
- Go on.

I said, no. You have it.

Thanks.

You smoke too
many of those things,

and it's rude to
smoke in front of ladies.

Oh, I don't mind.

Oh, go on. I don't mind either.

How's your room?

Did you get the window fixed?

Oh, poor Brian.

He lives in this small attic room
on top of this drafty house

with a broken windowpane

which the landlord simply
refused to mend, didn't he?

Remember that thunderstorm
the other evening?

Came right in on
top of his head!

He should come
and live at Bentinck.

Oh, I wish he could.

How much you
paying at the moment?

How long you staying
at the Bentinck?

I don't know.

Up to Mrs. Trotter, I suppose.

Mrs. Trotter invited her.

Don't you miss your family?

Haven't got none, really.

Me dad's passed on,
and me mum, well...

..she don't miss me.

Glad to be shut of
me, I shouldn't wonder.

Your dad killed in
the war, was he?

No. Died of flu, didn't he?

Um, will you excuse me?

Sticky fingers.

Over there.

Oh, good.

Who is she?

- Oh, just a guest.
- Out with the housemaid?

Housekeeper, if you don't mind.

She was lonely.

She didn't have any
friends down here,

so I thought it would be
nice if she met my friend.

Beginning to wonder now, though,

the way you've
been looking at her.

She's pretty.

I know she is, but
I am, too, aren't I?

Least that's what you told me.

Her dress must
have cost a packet.

Yorkshire accent...

The daughter of a war
profiteer from Bradford.

Don't ask me. I don't know
who she is any more than you do.

- That's better.
- What?

Eating instead of smoking.

Oh, I brought you
something from the kitchen:

half a cake and some nice pâté

made specially for a French
duke, which he didn't finish.

Don't let the waitress see.

I don't need you
to bring me food.

- I'm quite all right.
- No, you're not.

Now, don't make a scene.

Take it quickly and
put it under your mack.

My mack's hanging up.

When you go out, I mean.

Oh, look, I'll keep
it till we get outside.

It's false pride not to take things

when they're offered
to you, you know that.

Waitress, can I
have the bill, please?

I'm paying for this.

No, you're not.

You can't afford it.

It's my treat. I asked you here.

- All right?
- LOTTIE: Yeah, thanks.

- Are we going?
- BRIAN: Hmm.

- WAITRESS: Your bill, sir.
- Thank you.

Thank you, waitress.

Heavens, this is rather a lot.

WAITRESS: That's a pot
of tea for three and 9 cakes.

LOTTIE: I'm to blame.

MARY: Yes, thank
you. Keep the change.

WAITRESS: Thank you, madam.

BRIAN: You must
get Mary to bring you

to the thé dansant
some afternoon.

No. It's not a very nice
place for miss Richards.

I can't dance any road.

Well, I'll see you again,
I hope, before you leave.

I expect so.

Won't you walk us to our bus?

Of course.

LOTTIE: He's me father.

I know.

Weren't sure if you did.

Not sure who knows what.

Just Mr. Starr and Mr. Merriman

and the major, of course.

We won't give it away.

I don't think I'd
mind if you did.

It's not something to
be ashamed on, is it?

No...but there's other
people to consider.

Remember that.

Who?

MARY: Well, Mrs.
Trotter, for one.

Have you thought
of her feelings?

Well, it's time you did.

It's not easy for her, you know.

She's given you all this.

She's been more than generous,

and you seem to
take it all for granted.

I don't.
Well, you don't seem very grateful.

She don't want me here.

Now, that's just silly.

She don't. She don't
know what to do with me.

He'd have known.

He'd have taken me places.
He wouldn't have just left me.

What do you mean?

Mrs. Trotter is a busy woman.

She hasn't got time to...

He lived here, didn't he?

- Which room did he have?
- It doesn't matter.

It does. I want to see it.

You can't. It's occupied.

Which number?

If you don't tell me,
I'll ask somebody else.

It was number 3
if you must know.

Are you satisfied now?

He died there, didn't he?

He must have died somewhere,

and it were this
hotel, weren't it?

Did he die in her arms?

That's what they said
at village. Is it true?

Tell me.

I think she was with him, yes.

What did he die from?

He weren't killed
on the battlefield,

but he's on war
memorial. He's a hero!

So what were it?

Why don't you ask Mrs. Trotter?

I'm sure she'd tell you.

She won't. She tells me naught.

You're the only
one who can tell me.

You're me friend.

He was a brave man...

..and he died of his wounds
that he got out in France...

And perhaps that
was for the best.

Why? What do you mean?

He was going blind.

Blind?

My father?

There, you see?

It's best not to know too much.

You only upset yourself.

Tea, sir?

Oh, thank you,
Merriman. Splendid.

Thank you.

Can I help you, sir?

I'd like to see Miss
Richards, please.

Miss Richards?

- Yes.
- Out, I'm afraid.

Oh. Do you know
if she'll be long?

Oh, couldn't say, sir. Gone
for a walk with the dog,

hall porter's dog and
Major Smith-Barton.

- It's raining (!).
-If you'd care to call back, sir...

No, I think I'll wait, thanks.

Could I have your
Mackintosh, sir?

You'll make the chair wet.

I'm sorry.

Can I get you something, sir?

Um...

Could I have a
cup of tea, please?

Afternoon tea,
cakes, sandwiches...

just a cup of tea, thank you.

Cup of tea. Very good, sir.

MERRIMAN: Mary's young
man in the hall, wants a cup of tea.

Mary's gone to
Wimbledon with Mr. Starr.

- I know she has.
- Lovely weather for it. Ha!

- What's he want?
- Tea.

No. What's he
come to see her for?

Come to propose, has he?

Fine time for it when she's
off skylarking with another man.

Only Mr. Starr. He don't count.

As a matter of fact, he
hasn't come to see Mary at all.

- Who hasn't?
- Mary's young man.

He's come to see Miss Richards.

Come here, Fred.

Do you think
she'll catch a chill?

Oh, a tough little breed,

aren't they?

Oh, hello. I know you, don't I?

Spedding, sir.

You brought me here
from hospital last August.

That's right. How are
you? Will you excuse me?

Damp footwear.

Hello, Brian. Do you
want Mary? She's out.

Yes, I know. It's
you I've come to see.

Can we talk somewhere?

Well, here.

No, not here. Somewhere private.

What's it about?

Well, it's about Mary in a way.

- Can we go to your room?
- Me room?!

Anywhere, please.
It won't take long.

- Oh, if it's really important.
- It is, believe me.

All right. Go through that
door and up the back stairs.

It's number 16 on
the second floor.

Don't get caught!

Bloody thing!

Oh, Saffron, got a pen
on you? Mine's gone bust.

Oh, yes. Allow me, dear lady.

Ta. Lovely.

Take a pew. Won't be a minute.

Oh, I've got all the
time in the world.

People keep thieving
the blooming towels.

Got to order a whole new set.

I don't know...

Never happened in the old days.

No. People have lost all
sense of morality nowadays.

One finds it in
all areas of life...

a general lowering of
standards everywhere.

You may be right. Ta.

Even the ancient art of gossip
has sunk to miserable depths.

Well, you should know
that, if anyone does.

Time was when a
small indiscretion

could be savored
like a delicate prawn.

Now it's gobbled and spat out

like a laborer's breakfast.
No taste anymore.

Oh, yeah.

Take, for example,
your little Yorkshire waif,

whom you've so generously
tucked under your wing.

Astonishing rumors
circulating about her,

as you've probably heard.

No, I never listen to gossip.

According to one
informed source,

she's the love child of
2 notable personages

- not unconnected with this hotel.
- What?

Of course, one does one's
best to stifle such rumors,

of course, but in the face
of increasing evidence...

What evidence?

Bishopsleigh...daughter
of a groom, was it,

on the master's estate?

I don't know what
you're talking about.

New wardrobe
supplied by someone,

and the major's curious
role as watchdog,

and, uh, the similarity of look.

All right, you old
ratbag, spit it out.

Spit what out?

Your poison.

Get over it. Get
out of my sight.

Have I stumbled on
something by accident?

Stop your mischief
and get off out of here.

If only one could
stop the mischief,

but it's so far advanced.

Listen, let's you and I get
one thing straight, Saffron...

If I find you've been telling
tales to your dowager duchesses,

I'll tell them what
you get up to

with your lover boys,

and that'll be your meal
ticket gone, I'm warning you!

Now, come on. Out of here.

My dear Louisa! Calm yourself!

- Out!
- We're old friends.

Look, I'm quite harmless.

You're harmless as a
blooming rattlesnake.

Now, get out and keep
your bloody mouth shut!

Good afternoon.

Oh, that's better.

No, you can't smoke here.

What'll they think?

Sorry.

Um, sit over there
if you don't mind.

You won't stay long, will you?

I don't know what
my mum'd say...

If she knew,

or Mary, come to that.

Well, what do you want to say?

I'm going away.

Where to?

Anywhere. It doesn't matter.

Leaving London? What
about your orchestra?

I packed it in. It
was rotten anyway.

Well, you could find another.

No! Well, yes, sometime, maybe.

It's not the point.

What'll Mary say?

She's the reason I'm going.

But she loves you.

I know.

Don't you love her?

She won't leave me alone!

She's always organizing,

patting me like a stray dog.

I'm not a bloody stray dog.

She smothers the life out of me.

You're upset.

I'm not upset! Don't you start.

I just want to be
left on my own.

She's a nice girl... Mary...

She means well.

She'll make somebody
a wonderful wife,

but it won't be me.

I don't want to settle down.

You can blame the
bloody war if you like.

I've had enough of
responsibilities and I'm getting out.

Well, you're going to
have to tell her, aren't you?

I'm asking you to tell her.

Oh, no, you...

you're her friend, aren't you?

It has to be you.

If I try, she won't
let go of me.

She'll probably get me
a job here as a bootboy.

I'm sorry, but I
can't face telling her.

You'll break her heart.

No, I won't.

There are plenty of
war heroes just begging.

I'm sorry.

Look...

Even if I did make
something of my life,

I wouldn't want
to share it with her.

I'd want to share it
with someone like you.

Don't be daft.

You're my ideal.

Um, I think you better go.

Don't worry. I'm not
going to make advances.

You're far out of my reach.

You're a lady, for one thing,

in spite of your accent.

Why do you say that?

I know these
things. I'm psychic.

Did she tell you, then?

Tell me what?

Oh, um, nothing.

Don't matter.

Good-bye, Lottie.

You can't just go.

Saving your reputation.

What'll I tell Mary?

You'll think of something.

Miss Suzanne Lenglen
versus Mrs. Lambert Chambers!

Match of the blooming century!

ETHEL: Didn't you see nothing?

We saw the king and queen.

They were as soaked as we were.

COCHRANE: Mr. Starr,
would you mind

not making puddles
on my kitchen floor?

Where else can we dry off

with the painters
still in the dispense?

Go and fetch a mop, will you?

I marched straight
to the referee's room,

waved the tickets in his face,

called him a damn profiteer,

and asked for me money back!

He did, too. I was with him.

Mr. Starr, you never even paid

for the tickets
in the first place!

It's not the point.
It's the principle.

Tell him what answer you got.

Never mind that.

The referee looked him
straight in the eye and said,

"Cheerio." Just that.

"Cheerio," he said.

Can't you go and
see them tomorrow?

We haven't got
tickets for tomorrow.

Yes, what is it?

I want a word with
you. It's urgent.

Not here. Upstairs.

COCHRANE: And take
your blessed shoe with you!

Grass looked lovely and
green, anyway, after all that rain.

Be all over London
by the morning.

That old snake Saffron Walden's

not going to keep his
mouth shut for 5 minutes.

Hell hath no fury like
an old woman scorned!

It's outrageous. We've
known him for years.

Never liked him, mind you...

Slippery, like a
number of your friends.

He pays his bills!

Most of them.

Anyway, that's the
least of our worries.

What?

Well, it's not
working out, is it?

Having her here.

You can't keep
taking her places.

Said so yourself.

And Mary...never
see her these days.

I've done me duty by Charlie.

She can't stay here
forever. That's certain.

Just till she finds her feet.

Yeah, but what's
she going to do?

Tell me. What's she going to be?

She going to be a
working girl like her mother

or a blooming peer's daughter?

She'll be herself. We
can't mold her into anything,

only guide her.

Yeah, but which way?

The way she decides.
We'll leave it to her.

She's got a mind of her
own. She has interests.

Did you know she
liked music? Sings?

Enchanting voice.

She sang to me today
in St. James' park

before the rain came.

Yeah, well, it's not
what she decides.

It's what I decide.

Have a look at these.

Finishing schools?

Switzerland?

She can learn to
sing if she wants to,

and she can learn the King's
English at the same time.

Hello. Here's your supper.

It's lovely tonight.

Chicken done Mrs.
Cochrane's special way.

You heard what happened
to us at Wimbledon, I suppose.

Oh, so funny.

What have you
been doing all day?

Not stuck indoors, I hope.

Took Fred for a walk.

Oh, did she go willingly?

Always a bit fussy
when I take her.

It rained. Fred got soaked.

Oh, dear. That won't
please Mr. Starr, either.

Did you give her a rub down?

No.

Hope it's fine tomorrow.

There's the victory
parade in the morning.

We'll go and see it, shall we?

Brian will want to see it.

He may even be marching.

Come on, eat up. It'll get cold.

I'm not very hungry.

Not ill, are you?

Let me feel your forehead.

No. I'm all right.

Something happened?

Something with Mrs. Trotter?

What is it? You can tell me.

Brian.

What about Brian?

He came here this afternoon.

To the hotel?

That's silly of him.
I told him I'd be out.

What did he want?

He asked me to...

What?

To tell you he's going away,

leaving his job, leaving London.

Oh, that's impossible.

He can't do that. Why should he?

Did he say why?

Just had to be on his own,

get away for a bit.

That's what he said.

Well, why should
he tell you that?

Why couldn't he tell me himself?

Thought you might
try and stop him.

Of course I would.
Of course I'd try.

He doesn't know what he's doing.

Leaving?

Did he come up
here and tell you?

This room? Has he been up here?

Yeah.

He didn't do anything
to you, did he?

Oh, no, no. He's a
perfect gentleman.

What did he say about me?

Nothing.

I mean...

Oh, you're such a good person.

I tried to tell him. You're
much better than me.

But he wouldn't listen.

It's not what you think, honest.

He's muddled about war and that.

Oh, Mary... Please don't cry.

Don't cry.

You'll find somebody
else. I know you will.

No, I won't.

LOUISA: How long
was he up there?

About 20 minutes, ma'am.

Did you hear what they said?

No, ma'am.

Their voices was too low.

STARR: We wasn't originally
going to trouble you with it, but...

..he was Mary's young man,
and she seems very upset about it.

Does she?

I see. Right. Thank you.

Yes, ma'am.

Probably quite a
harmless encounter.

Harmless, eh?

I think it's about time I had
a word with that young lady.

Lottie!

Lottie!

Excuse me, miss.

- Mary, I wanted to talk to you...
- I'm sorry miss.

I've a lot of work to do,

and there's guests
expected in this room.

Oh, Mary. Have you seen Lottie?

She's in there.

Well, what's she doing in there?

Lottie...

What's this I hear about you
having young men in your room?

I can explain.

Well, I hope you can.

It were nothing at all, really.

He just came to say
good-bye. Honest.

Well, you don't have young
men alone in your room again,

not ever, not without
asking me first.

- Is that understood?
- Yeah, sorry.

What do you think
you're doing in here?

Room's empty.

You can't go
around all the rooms,

taking vacant possession.

Not all rooms. Just this one.

- Come on. Out of here.
- No!

You'll do as you're
told, young lady!

No. I'm doing no harm.

He'd want me to see
his room. He won't mind.

It isn't his room anymore.

It'll always be his room.

I don't know how you can
have strangers come in here.

Well, I can't wall it up, can I?

I've got to earn a living.

I don't believe in shrines,
and he wouldn't either.

What's so special
about it, anyway?

I came from it, didn't I?

And he died in it
from his wounds.

And if he'd lived,
he'd have been blind.

Mary told me.

I wish you had.

Now, listen, Lottie...

I've done me best
by you, haven't I?

I brought you here.

Did you want me to start
mothering you, did you?

Sorry, but I can't do
that. It's not in me nature.

And we found you a good home.

He kept his eye on you,

and I'll do the same.

But you can't ask
for anything else.

I remember once...

I were on me way
home from choir practice.

He passed me on his horse,

asked me if I wanted
to ride home with him.

It were raining, and me
boots were letting in water.

He picked me up
and held me tight,

and we rode off like
a knight in a story.

It were only a short way.

Next day, me dad gave
me a new pair of boots.

Naught was said, but I
knew where they come from.

After that, he
always smiled at me.

He didn't mind
me up at big house,

though they always
said I shouldn't.

I couldn't tell them
he wanted me there

because I were his.

Somehow, I knew I was.

Half his.

But I'm a lady. Brian
Spedding said I were.

He didn't know,
but he could tell,

in spite of me voice
and everything.

Do you want to be a lady?

Yeah.

Well, you'll have
to learn, then.

Can you teach me?

Oh, yes, I could, I suppose, secondhand...

But I think it would be
better if you went to school,

did it proper.

School?

Yeah, there's one in Switzerland

that's very good, I'm told...

Where young girls
are turned into ladies.

I think he'd approve of that.

But leave here?

Come home in the
holidays, of course.

Be out of your road,
then, wouldn't I?

Now, that isn't
the reason, Lottie.

I'm trying to think
what's best for you.

London's no place
for you, not yet.

You feel that
yourself, don't you?

No right place for me, is there?

- Never will be.
- Now, that's nonsense.

No. Major were
telling me about society

and how it works.

There are some funny rules.

Folks like me don't
seem to be part of it.

Now, listen, my girl.

All my life, society has used me

and I've used it...

To my advantage,
I'll admit that.

But I've never been part of it

because I was just a
plain, ordinary cook...

well, I was the
best, as it happens...

but I've never pretended
I was anything else.

Now, you, on the other
hand,you can be part of it

because you're Lord
Haslemere's daughter.

Now, you can go to this school,

learn the rules,
and join the game,

if you put your mind to it...

And still be true to yourself.

You understand
what I'm getting at?

No.

Oh, blimey, you need
your father for this.

Here, I'll tell you what.

We'll have a glass of wine,

just the two of
us... you and me...

and drink to his memory.

Whoop!

Right?

That's something
I can do for you...

your first glass of
wine in his presence.

It is your first, I hope.

Yeah.

There you are.

Now, this he would
definitely approve of.

Hey, steady on. This
is good stuff, you know.

It's lovely.

That's my girl.

Will you talk about him?

What do you want to know?

Just how it were
from beginning...

And how it ended.

I've got a right to
know, haven't I?

Yes. Yes, you have.
You're quite right.

You'll have to wait a bit.

You'll hear about it someday.

I promise you.

Please rate this subtitle at www.osdb.link/f7z9b
Help other users to choose the best subtitles