Vera (2011–…): Season 12, Episode 4 - The Darkest Evening - full transcript

Who's my handsome
boy? Give us a smile.

TV: 'Time to batten
down the hatches

'as the Met Office issues
a severe weather warning.

'Storm Alonso is set to strike
many areas of the UK this weekend.

'Red warnings for wind will
cover Wales, Northern Ireland

'and most of England from tomorrow
morning until 1pm on Sunday.'

Oh, no, we'll have to
get cosy, won't we?

Get Snuggy away so the
storm can't get us?

TV: '..flooding is likely for
locations mainly in the north east.

'Emergency services
are now on high alert.

'You are strongly advised not to
travel unless in an emergency.'



BABY CRIES

SHE SHUSHES BABY

RAIN SPLASHES

BABY CRIES

WIND HOWLS, SHE GASPS

Oh, bloody Alonso!

WIND HOWLS

BABY CRIES

Hello?! Hello! Anyone there?

BABY CRIES

What are you doing
here on your own, pet?

Hey, come on. I'm
getting all wet here.

RAIN PATTERS

Hang on, hang on. Oh,
would you believe it.



No signal. BABY SCREECHES

Aye, I know...

L-P-0-5-X-X-S.

Right... There we go, pet.

WIND HOWLS

Hey, we've got no option, pet.

You're gonna have to
meet this lot. BABY WAILS

RINGS BELL

Come on, come on...
Can I help you?

Oh, Juliet. It's Vera! Vera?

It's been years. What on
Earth are you doing here?

Is everything all right? Oh,
unforeseen circumstances.

I need to use your
phone. Oh, right...

Well, yes. Erm, just... come in.

I'm sorry to
gatecrash your party.

Oh, er, it's, well, it's not
a party. Oh, this is heavy.

Oh, is he, erm...?

Oh, I found him in a car
about a mile up the road.

What, alone?

Aye, which means there's someone
wandering around in this storm.

Oh, right. Er, yes, well,
that's very worrying.

Aye, it is worrying, so I need to
use your phone! Well, come through.

INDISTINCT CHATTER

Er, sorry, love, sorry. Sorry.

Erm, right. We've got a bit
of a situation, actually.

This is Vera, she's
a police officer.

Hello, hello.

Vera has found this baby
in an abandoned car. What?!

Er, the phone, love?
Oh, yes, erm...

Hey, could you cop hold?

Aye, just on the top road there.
Is it OK? Well, I think so.

He's a bit stinky.

But there's one of those baby
bag thingies in my motor,

if someone could go get it? I'll
do that. Yeah, it's not locked.

And can you turn my
lights off? Of course...

And, er, here's the landline.
Oh, thanks... I'll just, erm...

Right.

PHONE RINGS

'Good evening, duty desk.'

Oh, hello, it's, er,
DCI Vera Stanhope.

I need you to run a vehicle
registration check for me.

Hello.

Where is your
mummy? BABY GURGLES

And DOB? '2-6-61'.

June '61? 'Yeah.'

Right, thanks,
love. 'No problem.'

'Hello?' Aiden, I'm not
disturbing you, am I?

'Well...' Listen. I
got stuck in the storm.

And I need you to
get over to Kirkhill.

Tonight? Everything OK? 'No.

'I've got an abandoned
baby and a lost grandad

'by the looks of things!

'But I've got a name.'

Ronald Browne, 14
Pleasance Drive, Kirkhill.

'I can't go anywhere. I
mean, we've got a power cut

'and been absolutely battered.'

Yeah, well, I'm stuck up
over at Brockburn House.

Where? 'Brockburn House!'

I told you when we were
working on that Culvert case,

me dad's family used to live
here. Well, they still do.

'The toffee-nosed
lot.' Oh, yes.

What, your cousin's place?
Yeah, well, never mind all that.

Are you saying you can't go to
Kirkhill? 'I'm sorry, Ma'am.'

I've had a couple
of beers tonight.

Oh, now he tells me!

Oh, I don't know. Excuse me.

Where did you get to?
I'm so sorry, erm...

I wasn't... Who's that?

Vera is a cousin of Daddy.

She's a police
officer. Police?

Yes. We've got a
bit of an emergency.

A baby's been abandoned
on the top road.

A baby?

What, crawling down
the hard shoulder?

Can you come back in now? I
shan't be too much longer.

My husband, Marcus.
HARRIET: Vera?

What on Earth are you doing here?
Didn't realise you were invited.

Oh, I wasn't, Harriet. Oh?
So you invited yourself!

Shame you didn't invite
yourself to Crispin's funeral.

Your own cousin!

Er, yes, Vera's run into a spot
of trouble in the storm, Mother.

She found a baby all
by himself. Good Lord!

Oh, I'll be out of here as soon
as possible, Harriet. Don't worry.

How have you been? Not still
doing that awful job, I hope?

Oh, aye. Still
working. Poor you.

Well, I could lounge around
all day, drinking gin,

but that's not really
my thing. No, of course.

I can see why Hector's drinking
could put you off altogether.

I heard you'd moved into his cottage
when he died. I did, Harriet.

Well. Never mind.

Nice to see you.

Right.

Do any of you know
a Ronald Browne?

Just turned 60, lives in
Kirkhill? Don't think so. Dorothy?

No. Sorry. Er, cup
of tea for Vera.

How about you, pet?

Do you live down in the
village? No, I live here.

Not "here" here, obviously.
I live on the estate.

Er, Heslop Farm, it's on
the south edge. Oh, right.

I'll just go and ask your guests if
they know this fella? They won't.

They're not village people,
they're from the art world.

What, and artists don't live
in villages? Not Kirkhill, no.

Look here.

CLEARS THROAT It's Shakespeare.

That's what tonight
is all about.

We're fundraising for developing
an arts village here at Brockburn.

Yeah, it was all
Marcus's idea, actually.

We're going to have a, a
gallery and an artists' retreat,

and a theatre. Oh, jolly good.

Dad! Dad, what is it?

There's a body. What, a body?

Hey, come and sit down,
love. Thank you. All right.

Now, where, where's,
where's this body?

It's on the side of the road.

Between my place and...
and here. Oh, my goodness!

And it's a man in his early 60s?

No, no, no. No, it's some woman.

It's a young woman.

Surely you haven't been here
all night in a raging storm?

Well, I wasn't gonna leave the
woman up here on her own, was I?

Well, I say woman. She's
little more than a teenager.

What do you think
happened? Don't know.

Hit by the debris?

Doesn't make sense.
Driver's door was wide open.

Why would she abandon her
motor, leaving the bairn inside?

Any idea who she is? No.

Last night was a
total write-off.

I'm sorry I couldn't
get up to Kirkhill.

Nah, well, couldn't be helped. Did
you go on the way up? To Kirkhill?

Ronald Browne. Well, I thought
you'd want me straight here.

Right, wait here for forensics,
and then get up to the house

and get statements
from the guests.

Guests? Aye. There was
a party last night.

What, they're still there?

Aye, you know, they were
stranded, like you were.

And get Jac and Mark
up there, and Kenny.

And ask someone at the house

if they've got a recent
map of the estate.

Right, and who should I ask?

You a detective or what?

Harriet or Juliet.
They're my relatives.

Where are you going? Kirkhill!

Now, listen, I'm sorry I didn't
answer your call last night,

I was well away.

So, you slept through the racket of
that storm? I had my earphones in.

I'm listening to War And
Peace. Come on through.

Watch out for that step
there. Here you go.

Er, sit yourself down. Er,
well, you're all right.

Oh, right. Er, OK. Er,
so how can I help you?

Look, if this is about the
car not being taxed, well,

actually, it's not mine any more.
I've sold it, sort of thing.

Er, well, how do you
mean "sort of thing"?

Well, I didn't really use
it. Not since my wife died.

So, who did you sell it to?

Lorna, a girl in
the village here.

She's by herself, so, you know,
I like to keep an eye on her.

Yeah, now, when you say
she's by herself...?

Well, with a little one, aye.

And what's Lorna's surname?
Falstone. Lorna Falstone.

Is everything all
right? Is Lorna OK?

Ah, there's no easy
way to say this, love.

I'm afraid a body was discovered
up on the Brockburn Estate. And...

What, and you think it's Lorna?!

Your car was also found abandoned
on the perimeter of the estate.

Well, what, what about
Thomas? Her baby...

He's fine. He's safe.

Oh, I'm sorry, this
must be a shock.

Were you very close to her?

Er, no, no... Not really.

Oh, so that was just
from the sale of the car?

Er, my, my wife was her old school
teacher, you know, years back...

and I know her from
art class. Art class?

Yeah, we meet every week,
but I didn't go this week,

so, erm, I posted the car keys
through on Thursday night.

So, how did she pay you?

Er, well, I said she could give
us it when she could. Hang on.

You gave your car to a girl you
only vaguely knew? For free?

Well, I knew she would
pay me, when she could.

Well, how would you know
that, if you barely knew her?

Look... I...

I hardly used it, and it
wasn't worth much, so...

So, who are the other
people in this art group?

Oh, I don't know their names.

Erm, us oldies didn't really
mix with the young 'uns,

erm... you'd have to
ask Josh. Josh who?

Josh Heslop. He's the tutor.

Heslop? Yeah, his...

his family have got a farm on the
Brockburn estate, like Lorna's.

Her family live on
the estate, too? Aye.

Ee, I cannot believe this.

Right.

Got some ID, Ma'am.
Driving licence.

Aye, Lorna Falstone.
How'd you know that?

Ronnie Browne sold, or rather
gave, his car to her two days ago.

Why would he do that?
That's a good question.

I need someone to
get over to Kirkhill,

I want his DNA and his prints.

He also told us that her parents
run a farm on the estate.

So maybe that's where
she was heading.

Vera!

Ooft... DCI Stanhope'll do.

Did she have a phone on her?

Afraid not, but the
injuries do tell a story.

PHONE RINGS

BIRD CAWS, SHUTTER SNAPS

Obviously, Storm Alonso may be
responsible for some of these marks,

but not all of them.
This here, for example.

It's actually bruising. The
scratches conceal it slightly.

So she was attacked? Yes.

And strangled?
Certainly looks like it.

But she also has a head injury,
which I'm quite interested in.

Well, could that not have been
caused by the storm, though?

A falling branch? Possibly.

But I would say it
indicates a targeted blow.

She was definitely fighting more
than the elements last night.

Broken nails, bruising
around the wrists.

Unfortunately, we've lost
a lot of forensic evidence

due to the conditions, but
we'll see what we can process.

The measurements around the
wound suggest a blunt object

and if I'm not mistaken, there
are tiny bits of wood in her hair,

caught up in blood fragments.

Well, good luck matching
that particular weapon. Hmm.

Now, if you were a gambling man,

would you say she was strangled
or died from the blow to the head?

At this stage, I'd
say the head wound.

The bruises are bad, but not so bad
to imply death by strangulation.

OK. And what about time of
death? I'd put it at around 9pm.

That's before I found the bairn.

OK, thanks, Paula.

We need to go talk
to the parents.

I don't understand. How
do you know it's her?

Because we found this on her.

Look, I know this is difficult,
but can I ask you to confirm?

And can you confirm if
this is Lorna's son?

Where is he? Is he OK?

Now, he's fine, love. He's being
taken care of by social services.

But we can arrange for him to
be brought here if you prefer.

Yes, please.
Where's Lorna now?

She's at the mortuary.

Well, we need to
ascertain cause of death.

A... A post-mortem?

W-W-Where was she going? I mean,
why would she go out in that storm?

She... She hasn't
even got a car.

Ah, well, she bought a car from
her friend... Ronnie Browne.

Do either of you know
him? Er, no, not really.

So she wasn't on her way here?
Er, no. I hadn't heard from her.

How about you, Mr Falstone?
Can you think of any reasons

why Lorna would have
gone out in the storm?

None whatsoever.

So, when did you last see her?

I didn't see Lorna.
Not on a regular basis.

Oh, any reason for that?

Not one in particular, no.

Well, of course we are gonna need
to talk to the baby's father.

Can you give us an address?

Er... Afraid not. No.

Well, er...

do you not have a
relationship with him either?

Er... No.

Neither of us do. Did Lorna?

Er... not that we know of, no.

OK, not to worry.

If you can just
give us his name...

No.

Because we don't know.

I need to get some air.

Aiden, why don't you step
outside with Mr Falstone?

No. I want to be alone, thanks.

Have you got any idea
who the father is?

Er, I don't.

Er... Lorna's always been
very... private. Even with us.

She, erm...

..she moved out when she was 16.

Alone? Or with a
flatmate? No, alone.

No friends, left home
when she was 16...

..the baby's father a mystery.

All a bit odd.

All right, now, listen
up. First things first.

Now, this case, these people
who own the Brockburn Estate...

They're distant rellies of
yours, aren't they, Ma'am?

Aye, they are, Kenny,
and as you well know,

I have a zero
relationship with them.

Now, I've spoken to the ACC
and he's given me the go-ahead

to remain on the case,
he's not concerned.

Is that all right with
you, Kenny? Aye, fine.

So, what have we got?

I've got witness statements
from the house, Ma'am.

A map of the estate from Juliet.
She said to give you this as well.

There were 30 people
invited on Friday,

and they ended up staying
over due to the storm.

We interviewed them
all and took their DNA

before they went
home in the morning.

The guests said that
a Paul Blackstock

disappeared a couple of times,
but I'm following it up.

Yeah, OK. Thanks, Jac.

Now, as you all know,

I found a stranded baby
in the storm last night.

Thomas Falstone.

He'd been left unattended
in a car on the top road

next to Brockburn Estate.

The body of his
mother, Lorna Falstone,

was later discovered
by Nial Heslop.

Lorna's parents have
a farm on the estate.

Aye, but I'm ruling out the idea
that that's where she was heading.

Totally the wrong direction
and she didn't have that

dropping-in-for-a-cup-of-tea
sort of relationship.

There's also a Dorothy
Elmsworth lives on the estate.

It's a cottage
attached to the house.

She's a friend of the family,
helps with running the estate.

Aye, I met her. Jac, did you
go up to the Heslop farm?

Apparently, the son, Joshua, teaches
art classes that Lorna attended.

Yeah. I got witness statements
from Nial and Nettie,

but Joshua was away teaching
at an artists' retreat.

Yeah, well, get that
corroborated. Yeah.

Now, then. Mark.

I want you to check
out Marcus Branagh.

What was his life like before he
married into Brockburn. Ma'am.

"One touch of nature makes
the whole world kin."

Quote from Troilus
And Cressida, Ma'am.

What? Ulysses.

SURPRISED: Oh?

Now, then, listen.
Very important,

vital, in fact, is to discover
the identity of the baby's father.

Now, let's collect any CCTV that
she might have been caught on.

I want her employment history,
college, friends, social media.

What was her average day like?

Now, who was the last
person to see her alive?

And why would she have
gone out in that storm?

Ah, well, definitely moving out.

Looks like.

Could be housing association
or local council.

Certainly into her art.
There's boxes of it.

Well, not just reading about it.

Take a look at this.
What do you think?

I think Joshua Heslop's
a good teacher.

And that is somehow familiar.

Maybe it's a copy of
a famous painting?

Mm.

Well, would you look at this.

It's a letter inviting her to
submit her art for an exhibition.

And look who it's signed
by... Marcus Branagh.

MARCUS: Juliet's out
walking. She'll be back soon.

Ah, actually, er, it
was you we came to see.

What about? Er, did you write
this letter to Lorna Falstone?

Who? Lorna Falstone.

The lass who was found dead
on the estate last night.

Oh, I see. I've
never heard of her.

Oh, so, but that's your
signature, is it not?

Inviting her to submit her
work for your art project?

Well, yes, but I didn't send it.

I don't do that kind of
thing. What sort of thing?

Deal with the community
arm of the business.

So you didn't sign this letter?

Not personally, no.

Who does deal with
the community arm?

Sophie Blackstock. She's
freelancing for us.

So you're telling me you've had
no connection with Lorna Falstone?

No. Why would I?

Well, for a kick-off,
her family lease land

and a farmhouse from
the Brockburn Estate.

Well, I know the
name, I suppose.

You suppose?

You either know the
name or you don't.

Sorry, is there a problem,
Detective? Aye, there's a problem.

We're investigating the
death of a young woman

and I'd like a little clarity.

I did not have a connection
with Lorna Falstone...

..but I do know the
surname from the estate.

Is that clear enough?

Now, if there's nothing
else, you must excuse me.

There is something
else. Right.

Sophie Blackstock's
address, please.

You already have it. She was here
last night, with her husband, Paul.

Paul Blackstock? Yes.

If he's married to your
cousin, that makes him your...

Absolutely nothing to
do with me. PHONE RINGS

Right, the Blackstocks. Paula?
'Hi, Vera, the PM results are in.'

OK, we'll be right there.
Post-mortem in? Aye.

Let's go there first.

Right, so I'm recording this
for my records. Is that OK?

It's fine by me. Great.

Just an unusual case this one.
You said that about the last one.

Well, I treat all
my cases as special,

but this one really
is quite unusual.

In what way?

Well, I confirm the time of
death to be approximately 9pm.

The head injury...

Is this the unusual
bit? Partly,

because I got it wrong. She
didn't die from the head wounds.

So she was strangled? No.

As I suspected, although
the larynx is damaged,

there is no fracture to
the hyoid bone in the neck.

So how did she die?
Cardiac arrest.

A heart attack? Correct.

Deteriorated heart muscle, creating
larger chambers and weaker walls,

making pumping more difficult.

And is that the official cause
of death? Cardiac arrest?

Brought on by strangulation.
And then there's this.

Indicating where she was initially
attacked. Ah, cuckoo-pint.

Correct term arum maculatum.
Yeah, I know what it is!

You find it growing in
woodlands and hedgerows

like the section of road
where the car was parked.

We found residue on her clothes.

Indicating a struggle next
to her vehicle. I think so.

Before she made her way through
the hedgerows and into the estate.

Aye, looking for
help, the poor lass.

OK, thanks, Paula. Let me know
when you're ready for the parents.

'Mrs Blackstock, according
to Marcus Branagh, '

you wrote this letter
to Laura Falstone.

Did you sign that for him?

The girl you found...
was that Lorna?

Well, we're awaiting formal
identification, but...

we think so, yes.
So did you know her?

I knew of her work. I invited her
to submit for the arts project.

Did either of you leave
the party last night?

We couldn't get
out of the place!

Witnesses say that you, Paul,
disappeared a couple of times.

To check on Lucy. Who's Lucy?

The dog.

It was the first time we'd
left her with the sitter.

So I went somewhere
quiet to call her.

And what time was
this? Not sure.

Maybe you could check
your call register.

What happened to her?

Well, we are treating her
death as suspicious, love.

Here we are. 21:06,
and again at 23:12.

Thank you.

I can't believe this.

PHONE RINGS Hi. Yeah. Great.

I'll see you soon.

That was Sarah. I'm
gonna collect the dog.

Is there anything at
all you can tell us

that would help with
our investigation?

I had met Lorna Falstone before.

Oh. When was this?

Three years ago.

It was at a clinic
for eating disorders.

I wasn't being treated.

I was working there
as an arts therapist.

And what was your
relationship with her like?

Not close. She was a
very private person.

And what was her
reaction to your letter?

Initially, she seemed
really excited,

but then I never
heard back from her.

I just thought she'd
changed her mind.

OK, love, can you give us
the details of this clinic?

Bit over-the-top with the
dog. You don't believe him?

I want you to verify those calls
with the dog sitter... and the dog.

Since when do dogs have
sitters? Oh, people do, Ma'am.

Got dog hotels. Doggy day
care. Doggy sleep overs...

That eating disorder would
explain the heart condition.

Yeah, that must've
been tough. Hmm.

I need you to get over to that
clinic first thing in the morning.

And talk to whoever it was who
treated her, in person. Yes, Ma'am.

I'll be at the morgue,
with the parents.

Oh, stay where you are, love.

Is your husband not here? No.

He's looking after the baby.

Are you sure you're OK
to do this on your own?

Are you not coming in with
me? Oh, aye, I'll be there.

No, I meant without
your husband.

I'm used to seeing
Lorna on my own.

JILL GASPS

Did she suffer terribly? No, I... I
don't think she suffered for long.

She died of a heart attack.

So she wasn't murdered?

Well, the official cause
of death is heart failure,

but we are pursuing a
murder investigation.

I understand she had an
eating disorder? Yeah.

It was a long, hard battle.

But she recovered?
Physically, yeah.

She was so...

..so strong, so...

..so determined.

And the family?

Her and I were back
on track. But...

..the relationship
with her father...

Robert felt, erm...

..helpless, and Lorna
felt... abandoned.

So you and her
were back on track,

but you definitely don't know
who the baby's father is?

I didn't want to rock
the boat by asking.

I just wanted to keep on seeing her.
And you did carry on seeing her?

Every Friday afternoon, yeah.

But not this Friday past?

No. She cancelled.

Did she say why? No.

And I never asked.

Why didn't I ask her?

Now, don't you go
blaming yourself, love.

You've got that wee
bairn to take care of.

You grieve, aye, but don't
go feeling guilty, pet.

You didn't do this.

Thank you so much for taking
the time to see me yourself.

That's all right. Sorry to keep you
waiting, we've had a busy morning.

Please, sit down,
Detective. Thank you.

You mentioned Lorna Falstone?

I'm sorry to have to tell
you that Lorna died recently.

How? She was doing so well.

We're conducting an
investigation into her death.

Oh, God.

Can you confirm the dates Lorna was
a patient here? Yeah, of course.

She was an inpatient for
eight months in 2019,

then she stayed
as an outpatient.

Was she fully
recovered? Not fully.

The effects of an eating
disorder can be life long.

How's her little boy? Is he
OK? He's with his grandparents.

Oh.

Well... that's good.

Did you personally
work with Lorna?

I did.

When was the last time you heard
from her? A couple of months.

Oh, so you stay in
touch with patients

even after they've
been discharged?

We always keep lines
of communication open.

There's no time limit on that.

And do the patients ever strike
up relationships? Romantic ones?

We don't endorse it,
but, yes, it does happen.

Was Lorna close to
anyone in particular?

Yes, but sadly, we lost
him... which was tragic.

Poor Nate. Who's Nate?

PHONE RINGS

Aiden? Guess whose brother

was also an inpatient at
Harton Hill Clinic? 'Whose?'

'Paul Blackstock.'

Why didn't you tell us
you knew Lorna Falstone?

You didn't ask. Well,
why wait to be asked?

You heard her name, and you knew
she suffered a hideous death.

And is there a reason you didn't
tell us your brother and Lorna

were once in a relationship?

It was hardly that.
So, what was it, then?

One messed-up person messing up
another messed-up person even more.

So, to be clear,

your brother, Nate Blackstock,
and Lorna spent time together

at the Harton Hill Clinic?

Aye. So in your opinion,
who was messing up who?

Why's it matter? Because
Lorna's dead, love.

So is Nate!

Ah, now, he died three
years ago, right?

Aye.

So are you referring to Lorna
messing your brother up? Aye.

She screwed with his head. So
safe to say you didn't like her?

No, I did not.

What was the nature of Nate's
relationship with Lorna?

Haven't you already found
this out from the clinic?

Nah, I wanna hear it from you.
Ah, he was in love with her.

So, they were in a
romantic relationship?

No, it wasn't reciprocated.

Well, that's a rather reductive way
of looking at it. It's the truth.

You seem angry.
I am. At Lorna?

Am I supposed to just change my
feelings about the whole thing

because she's died? When did
you last see Lorna Falstone?

I don't know. Did you see
her on Friday night? No.

Is that why you nipped
out from the party? No!

It was a coincidence that
we were at the party.

AIDEN: DCI Stanhope
has left the interview.

His story checks out.

I checked with his dog sitter,
and those calls were to her.

I also cross-referenced the
witness statements again,

and he did only leave the party
for a few minutes at a time.

No way he could've got
to where Lorna was found.

All right, well... thanks, Jac.

Can I go now? No.

You said Lorna was "messed up".

That's putting it nicely.
What did you mean by that?

She was an expert at pulling
people into her drama,

whatever that might be.

Well, such as? I don't know,
changes every week, man.

She's signing herself
out of the clinic,

her family aren't allowed to
visit, her dad's not her real dad.

I mean, the list
goes on... Hold on!

Are you saying Lorna thought Robert
wasn't her biological father?

That was one of
many dramas, yes.

Banning her parents
from visiting,

but letting another couple
come week in and week out.

Well, who were
these other people?

An older couple. Used to
come and stay for hours.

An old teacher or something.
It felt a bit twisted to me.

Paul Blackstock clearly harboured
ill feeling towards Lorna.

He had motive, but
I've ruled him out

because he couldn't
have got from the house

to where she was
found and back again.

Just couldn't do it.

But what I am interested in is
this notion that Robert Falstone

isn't her biological father,

and whether it was Ronnie
Browne and his missus

who went to visit
her at the clinic.

Er, Ma'am, I've actually got
some background on Ronnie Browne.

Now, he worked as a teacher at
Bamford High secondary school

for 20 years before
taking early retirement

to look after his wife in 2020.

But before he was a teacher,

he used to work as a grounds
person up at Brockburn Estate.

He what? From 1990 until 1996.

So clearly he'd
know the grounds...

..and the surrounding area
where the body was found.

Plus, if that was him
visiting her at the clinic,

when she wouldn't even
see her own parents...

KENNY: And he gave her his car.

I've just heard back from
Lorna's landlord, Ma'am.

She handed in her notice,

and then put down a deposit on a
new flat in Newcastle on Thursday.

Well, how could she afford that?
A single mum with no income.

Well, maybe good old
Ronnie coughed up again.

How well do you
know Jill Falstone?

Lorna's mum? I do.. I don't.

So you've never had a
relationship with her?

Wh-What, a romantic
one? Aye. Me?!

With another woman?!
No! God, no. Wha...

What, why, why would you
think a thing like that?

My wife and I had a
faithful and happy marriage.

Ah, well, you told us you
weren't close to Lorna. I wasn't.

No? So, how come you
paid her regular visits

up at the Harton Hill Clinic?

Well, Elaine, my wife,
and her were pals.

Ah, now, seems to me you
were more than pals, love.

Seems you were very close.
Even after your missus passed.

Is that what everyone's
saying? It's what I'm saying.

Why don't you just give us the
full picture, Ronnie? I am.

I, I... And you failed to mention
you used to be a groundsman

up at Brockburn.

Well, yeah. A long time ago.

Should I have mentioned
that? Is it relevant?

It's where Lorna's
body was found.

Right, well...

I haven't been up
there for years, man.

You know, they're really
not very nice people.

Yeah, well, be that as it may.

You led me to believe that she was
little more than an acquaintance,

and that's not true.

Yeah, well, I'm sor... I'm sorry, I
didn't know what to say. I panicked.

Why?

Look, people round
here like to talk.

You know, if it got out that I
was close to Lorna and Thomas,

and, you know, I had something
to do with her death,

well... What?

Well, they'd put it all
over the internet, man.

You know, gossiping and the like.
You know, it only takes one comment.

The lonely old man, friends with
the young single mum and her baby.

Is there anything else
you haven't told us?

Like what?

Like, do you know who
the baby's father is?

No! No, no, no.

Oh, well, let me
put it like this.

Who do you suspect
Thomas's father is?

Well...

her and Josh used to be very
friendly, so, I don't know.

You know, that's
Lorna's business.

She always kept that side of her
life to herself and I didn't ask.

Well, what made you think
her and Joshua were friendly?

He always paid lots of
attention to her work in class.

Did you ever see them together
outside of the art classes?

No.

What, never? No,
I didn't, honest.

I thought Jac verified
Josh Heslop's alibi?

She did. She called the
retreat. Well, double check it.

I want specific
timings. Yes, Ma'am.

And if this Ronnie fella
did work up at Brockburn,

the family must know him.

And you'd think finding an
abandoned baby in a car at night,

people'd give you straight
answers, wouldn't you?

Never mind finding a dead
body. So, where we heading?

Take a wild guess!

Heslops. Right.

Ah, it's Nettie.

Ah, Nettie, love, erm... Got
a couple of questions for you.

Now? Er, aye, now.
Is that all right?

I mean, is it gonna take long?
Cos I've actually got a lot to do.

Now, is Joshua home?
No, he's still away.

And when will he
be back? Not sure.

Well, when did he leave, exactly?
Well, I really don't know.

He doesn't actually
tell me his every move.

Now, that party at Brockburn
House, did you leave at all?

Before I turned up
with the baby? No. Why?

We're just confirming
everyone's movements that night.

Well, I was busy serving
guests all night.

Did you know Lorna Falstone?

I mean, I knew her to look
at, but not to speak to.

Are you all right, pet?

Yeah, yeah...

Dad doesn't actually
like people being around.

Ah, Mr Heslop. Er, DS Healy.
Police? What have you done now?

Nothing! They're just leaving.
She needs sticking in jail

for that botch-up job that I've
just had to fix up, you know.

I mean, I did what you said!

Thinks she knows everything
there is to know.

She's only been doing
it five minutes.

But I actually did what you
said. Kids, eh? Who'd have 'em?!

Thank you for the other
night, by the way,

when you came to the house.

No, no, no, you really
helped. With everything.

Ah, well, finding a dead body,
must've come as a bit of a shock.

Well, I appreciate it.

And I'm pretty sure
that you saved me

from fainting in front
of everyone, so...

Yeah. Is there, er, something
that we can help you with?

Well, er, we came
to talk to your son,

but we understand Joshua's
away at the moment?

Yes. Er, he's teaching
in Bragi Hall.

It's a posh, arty-type
place, you know.

Makes Brockburn look
modest, you know.

Is that everything, then?

Cos I need to get on with my jobs.
Aye, for now. But we may talk later.

Now, you need any support, Mr
Heslop, you just let us know.

Right, bye, love.

JAC: Oh, Ma'am, we've had a
call from Harton Hill Clinic.

Lorna left two voicemails for
her psychologist last week.

Last week? Why are we
only hearing about it now?

She didn't realise
Lorna had called.

She's only just listened
and called us straight away.

Have we got these
messages? Er, yes, Ma'am.

'Jem, it's Lorna. I, er,
I need to ask a favour.

'I'm trying to move house
and I need a guarantor.

'I hope you don't mind me asking.
Could you give me a call, please?'

And the second one's
quite different.

'Jemima, it's me again. Don't
worry, I'm all sorted now.

'My lovely friend Ronnie's
gonna give me the money

'and he says he's happy
to be my guarantor.

'I hope I didn't
worry you too much.

'I'll let you know my new address
when I'm settled. Bye, bye, bye.'

Well, let's bring Mr Browne in. See
what other secrets he's keeping.

DOORBELL

Mr Browne?

Need to talk to you.

Check upstairs.

Hello? Mr Browne?

Mr Browne.

Ronnie?

What the...

POT CLATTERS

He's not here. Do you
think he's done a runner?

Nah, his phone's still here.

Which means we can't track him.

Right, cancel all your plans.

Mark, I want the CCTV footage
from Kirkhill village,

covering the last two hours.

Er, what's happened? Ronnie
Browne's gone missing.

We've got an abandoned baby,

a dead mother, and now
a missing old fella.

Now, these have to be
connected. I want him found.

Meanwhile, Jac, get
over to Bragi Hall

and talk to Joshua
Heslop in person.

We need to know his
exact movements.

Yes, Ma'am. I've also got Lorna's
financial records from the clinic.

Seems she had a
wealthy benefactor.

£15,000 worth for eating
disorder treatment.

All from Crispin
Stanhope's account.

Crispin Stanhope?

The payments were authorised
by Dorothy Elmsworth.

She handles the family's
financial affairs.

What?!

Sorry, Ma'am, she didn't
give the impression

she was involved that much.

Aiden.

I wasn't expecting
you. Is Dorothy here?

Er, no, she's in the
cottage, I expect.

Shall I call her? No, we'll
get to her soon enough.

Now, at the party you told me
you didn't know Ronald Browne,

but we've subsequently discovered
he used to be your groundsman here,

for six years.

Ron? The gardener? Aye,
so you do know him?

Well, I know OF him.
He used to work here.

I wouldn't say that I KNEW him.

I had no idea that's who
you were referring to. Ah.

Well, don't tell me he's
responsible for this?

To think that anyone
connected to Brockburn

could have something to do
with this... terrible business.

And were you aware that your father
paid Lorna Falstone's medical bill?

What? To the tune of £15,000.

Well, that's ridiculous.

Sorry, what am I looking at?

That's an invoice
for Lorna's treatment

at the Harton Hill Clinic.

What kind of clinic?
Eating disorders.

Approved by Dorothy.

Now, why do you think
Crispin would have done that?

I have no idea.

Really? No, of course not.

Juliet, can I remind you this
is a murder investigation.

Now, did you know Lorna?

Well, we all know each
other in some capacity.

Only we're looking
into the possibility...

..that Crispin was her father.

Oh. You don't seem
very surprised.

Well, do you think
that is a possibility?

This whole thing is a disaster.
Marcus is gonna be furious.

Do you think your father
could also be Lorna's father?

Well, I suppose
it's a possibility.

You know as well as I do he
couldn't keep it in his pants.

Seems like that's as
close to straight answers

as we'll get from
her. Aye, right.

Call the station, and see if
there's any news on Ronnie Browne.

Ma'am. Dorothy?

Hello. I was just on
my way to see you.

Have you got a
minute? Of course.

Erm... I understand
you acted for Crispin

regarding his financial matters.

That's right.

And you've approved payments
to the Harton Hill Clinic

to pay for Lorna
Falstone's treatment?

I did.

Why would Crispin
want you to do that?

He paid me to keep
his finances in order,

not to poke my nose
into his personal life.

Oh, so, it was a
personal matter, then?

I assumed. Hmm.

So, what else did
you arrange for him?

Many things. His will?

I did.

And was Lorna
mentioned in the will?

No. Not officially.

But?

Crispin wanted her to
have the Falstone farm.

So, if Lorna wasn't
mentioned in the will...

..how do you know he wanted
her to have the farm?

There was a letter. To me,
as a trustee of his estate.

And do the family know
about that letter?

Marcus does. Not
Harriet and Juliet.

Or at least we've never
spoken about it. Can I see it?

It went missing from my
office a couple of months ago.

I initially thought I'd
mislaid it, but then...

Harriet put the house
on the market, right?

Actually, I believe it was
Marcus who pushed for that.

Vera.

I've seen more of
you these past days

than in the last 20 years!

Oh, more like 30.

Tell me you've found out what's
happened to that poor girl?

Ah, not yet, no.

I do worry. For you.

I'm sorry, Harriet,
I'm not with you.

Well, what will people think

if you don't "crack
the case", as they say?

Well, people won't think anything,
cos we will crack the case.

I just hope being at Brockburn
isn't a distraction for you.

You know, a reminder of everything
you went through with Hector.

Oh, I've long since made
my peace with Hector.

I mean, no father's
perfect, are they?

I suppose.

As I could see from
those lovely photos

Juliet kindly sent over.

Really? That's nice.
Well, I'd better get on.

That's a good idea.

You've got some
nerve, I tell you.

Coming up here, asking
if I'm Lorna's dad.

Look, I know it's not the
easiest of subjects...

"Easiest of subjects"?!

My daughter's lying on a slab,
and you want to delve into...

Don't, Robert. They're just
trying to do their job.

Their job is to find
who killed Lorna.

And in order to do that,

we need to know every
detail of Lorna's life,

no matter how difficult.

BABY WHIMPERS

Lorna's my daughter.

That's all there is to it.

Robert, come here.

Come and take him
down for a nap.

And have one yourself,
you're exhausted.

It's come to our attention

that Crispin Stanhope paid
Lorna's medical bills.

Mm-hm.

Did you know that? I did.

Was Crispin Lorna's
biological father?

It's possible, yes.

And did Lorna know?

She did.

And instead of blaming me,

she took it out on the
person who loved her most.

Robert.

Maybe she was killed
because she had a stake

in the whole Brockburn
estate. PHONE RINGS

Jac, any news?

'Nobody's seen Ronnie
Browne since yesterday.'

Right. Well, keep me posted.

Still nothing on Ronnie? No.

Maybe he hasn't legged it.

Maybe he knew something
about Crispin's letter,

and someone needed to shut him
up before we talked to him again.

Catrina, this is what happens

when suspicion and
jealousy go to war

with reason and common sense.

I'm always telling
DC Lockhart that.

Is there somewhere
we can talk, pet?

Do I need a solicitor?
Well, I don't know. Do you?

I mean, you're not gonna
try and stitch me up?

SHE LAUGHS

Now, this arts
centre at Brockburn.

What about it?

That's gonna cost an
awful lot of money

to get up and running, isn't it?

Yes.

Well, not a single person that
we interviewed at your party

planned to invest
a single penny.

People always say
that. Do they?

Doesn't mean they
can't be persuaded.

Oh, the hard sell,
eh? Needs must.

And whose idea was it to put
the Falstone farm on the market?

Er... I can't remember now.

And I assume all the
proceeds from that

will be going
towards this venture.

Yes. They will.

Well, it seems that's your
only solid capital investment.

Making it a crucial sale, right?

Is that a crime? Ah, possibly.

Now, what do you know about a
letter from Crispin Stanhope

stating he wanted Lorna to
inherit the Falstone farm?

Nothing. Nothing at all.

Well, perverting the course of
justice is an offence, Marcus.

I don't know the details.

Ah, so you do know
about the letter?

W-With all due respect, I'm
having a hard time understanding

what any of this has
got to do with me.

Because if Lorna had a claim
in any way on that farm,

it would render your project
a non-starter and you know it.

But she didn't
have a claim on it.

All the letter says is that he would
prefer the farm to go to Lorna.

Ah, you even know the
details of the letter?

Well, it doesn't matter,

because that's not what
he said in the will!

PHONE RINGS

Do you know Ronnie
Browne, Kirkhill village?

No. Should I?

Where were you yesterday?

I was here, rehearsing.

It was too late to
get back to Brockburn.

Anyone with you?
A few colleagues.

I was helping them with
their lines. Oh, I see.

Ma'am, that was
Aiden. We need to go.

Now, Ma'am.

Is that bruising?

It is indeed, and I don't even
have to open him up to confirm

that he was strangled to death.

Why not?

I'm trialling some new technology
for the big tech company.

Listen, it's going to
transform forensics.

We're a bit pushed for time, Paula,
having two murders now on our hands,

so is there anything useful
about where he was found?

Yes. It seems that he was rolled
down the bank and into the stream.

We found bike tracks at the top.

What sort of
bike? A quad bike.

A quad bike? And we know
who's got one of them.

PHONE RINGS Aye, Nettie Heslop.

It's Jac.

PHONE CONTINUES RINGING

Er, Jac, you're
on speaker phone.

'Ma'am. So, I've just
left Bragi Hall.'

And?

'Joshua Heslop didn't arrive
until late Thursday night.'

So his alibi checks out?

'To a point.'
What do you mean?

'Well, he's covered
for Lorna's death,

'but he left yesterday
morning at eleven o'clock,

'after a phone call
from his sister.'

Right. Thanks, Jac.

So, Joshua leaves
there at eleven.

Ronnie goes missing
about two thirty.

Josh could have gone
home in that time.

Aye, and could easily
have got over to Kirkhill!

LOUD TECHNO MUSIC
FROM INSIDE HOUSE

Bit early for a party, innit?

Take a photo of these
tyres before we knock.

Can I help you?

Ah, Nettie, love.
Is that Joshua home?

Yeah, must be.

Now, were you out on the
quad bike last night?

No. I mean, I don't think so.

What do you mean,
you don't think so?

No, I wasn't.

Joshua Heslop?

DCI Stanhope, DS Healy.

We need to talk to you,
love, about Lorna Falstone.

Is there somewhere we can
chat in private, love?

LOUD TECHNO MUSIC

Can you turn the music off,
pet? As soothing as it is.

SLURRING: Sorry about the mess.

I'll find some chairs.
MUSIC TURNED OFF

Before you left
Bragi Hall yesterday

you received a call from
your sister. Is that correct?

Yeah.

Hmm. Well, what about?

Er, nothing. She
just wanted to talk.

Did you talk about
Lorna's death?

No. I mean, not really.
Obviously, we spoke about her.

What time did you get back here?

Not until late. After midnight.

Ah, but you left Bragi
Hall at 11am, so...

SHE CHUCKLES What were
you doing until midnight?

Where were you?
Nowhere. Just around.

Could you be more specific?

I went for a walk, and
then I went to the pub.

Alone?

HE SCOFFS Yeah.

Which pub?

The Crow's Nest.

What exactly was your
relationship with Lorna?

She came to my art
classes in Kirkhill.

We were just good mates.

Are you the father of her baby?

No, I'm not Thomas's
father. Who told you that?

Ronald Browne suggested it.

Well, I don't know why he'd
say something like that.

So you knew him?

Er, yeah. I think he's
a really nice bloke.

He thought the world of Lorna.

Well, we're now also
investigating his death.

Ronnie's dead? Yes.

Were you ever in a romantic
relationship with Lorna?

I can't believe it. Both of 'em?
Can you answer the question?

SNARLING: No, we were
just really good mates...

until she got pregnant, and
then we stopped doing stuff.

Stopped hanging out.
Look, is that all?

I need to get some sleep.

Is that one of
Lorna's paintings?

Yeah.

Where is that?

I don't know. It's something
she painted again and again.

Yeah. Is it a real place?

I don't know.

Hmm.

Anyway, Joshua, we're gonna send
someone to take a DNA sample,

and we will need to
talk to you again,

so don't leave the area.

Didn't even ask how
either of them died.

No. Get his DNA off him.

Tell 'em I want it back ASAP.

Absolutely, Ma'am.

We're now looking at Joshua
Heslop as Ronnie Browne's killer.

And we're ruling
out Marcus Branagh,

because he claimed he was working
with a colleague yesterday,

and unfortunately, yes,
that has been corroborated.

Now, we've spoken to Joshua,

and he told us he did have
a relationship with Lorna,

but claims it was platonic.

But Ronald Browne told us

he thought Joshua could
possibly be the baby's father.

Now, Joshua went to this Bragi Hall
retreat early Thursday evening,

so that rules him out
of Lorna's murder,

but he left there yesterday
morning around 11am,

after receiving a
call from his sister.

What about? Nothing
specific, he says.

Oh, so he could
have killed Ronnie?

Ah, well, the timings fit.

Right, he claims that he was
walking and drinking alone

from the moment he got
back until late last night.

Yeah, so get over to
the Crow's Nest, Kenny -

that's where he said he went
- and see if that checks out.

Will do, Ma'am.

Maybe he thought Ronnie
had killed Lorna...

..and went there
to confront him.

PHONE RINGS Or even if
he didn't think that,

he still could have
gone there to his house.

He knew Ronnie and
Lorna were friends.

And, well, Joshua's a
drinker, he's hot-headed.

Maybe it was an accident,
things got out of hand.

Ma'am, Lorna's baby's missing.

Jill thinks he's been abducted.

Molotov cocktail, Ma'am.

The fire was started
deliberately in the barn.

VERA SIGHS You've
got to find him!

OK, now tell me
exactly what happened.

Everything you can remember.
We've done that! We've told them!

I'm sorry, pet, but I need
to hear it for myself.

Now, what time did
you last see Thomas?

Oh, God!

It's OK. Jill, we've got
to go through it again.

We had our tea, I gave Thomas a bath
and Robert gave him his last bottle.

Yeah, he didn't finish it. He...
He went off after six ounces.

So I put him down
just after six twenty.

What, into his cradle?
Now, was that upstairs?

Yes, in our room.

I went back five minutes
later to give him the rest,

but he was well away.

Six thirty-five. That was the
last time I checked up on him.

So at six thirty-five,
he was still there? Yes.

And that's when I saw
the fire, in the barn.

And you both came
over to the barn? Yes.

And that's when someone
must have... Yeah.

And when you got
back, Thomas had gone?

Yes. OK.

Now, do you know
a Joshua Heslop?

Er, Heslop? Er... is he the chap
who was clearing up after the storm,

who lives on the estate?

No, his son. Josh.

Josh? No, no, I
don't know him, why?

Now, are you sure Lorna
didn't mention a Joshua?

Yes, I'm sure! OK, love.

Now, we need to take a look
around inside, so come on.

Let these people get on
with their job. Come on.

Come on. Oh, God.

I think us going up there has
pushed Josh over the edge,

and he's panicked.

He's come down and
snatched his son,

cos he thinks it's the
end of the road for him.

Panic and a baby -
that's not a good combo.

Where's he taken him?

I need to check something.

Look, I have to go now,

but DS Healy will stay, and
he'll take care of you, right?

Where are you going?

Just stay here.
I'll be in touch.

Joshua?

EXHALES, THUMPS MAP

'You've reached the voicemail
of Detective Sergeant Healy.'

Aiden, meet me at
the Palaihora Lane.

It's just past the old school.

VERA CHUCKLES,
BABY CRIES FAINTLY

GUNSHOT, VERA YELLS

'Emergency dispatch.'
I need backup, now!

SHE GROANS

SHE EXHALES

Ma'am?! Are you OK?

Have you been shot? SHE HUFFS

Oh, don't start.
What's happened?

I cracked my head on the wall. We
need to get up to the Heslops'.

But you need first aid!
Are you coming or what?

Oh, Jac. Search this place and get
an SFO team up to the Heslop farm.

Ma'am.

Hold on, Ma'am. We've
got to wait for SFOs.

SHE SIGHS

They're saying 20
minutes. SHE SIGHS

Cuckoo-pint.

Why do you always do that? Why
do you always stick up for him?

You lot don't care. You
never tell me the truth.

What's going on?

Is Thomas OK, pet? Yeah.

Are you OK? Are you hurt?

Why's she got Lorna's baby?

Listen, love, why don't you
give Thomas to DS Healy here,

and we can talk about this?

Talk about what? What
haven't you told me?

You haven't even been here,
Josh. Let's just stay calm.

Now, then, whose is the
pick-up truck in the barn?

What?

With the broken windshield.
Now, is it your dad's?

What?!

Is your dad here, love?
Is he in the house?

Me dad? This isn't
what you think it is.

I know, you don't have to protect
him any longer, love. It's over.

Now, you come with us. Come on.

Dad, please. What
are you doing?

Dad, just put the gun down.

Now, listen to your
daughter, Mr Heslop.

Why? It's over. She
just said so herself.

Oh, not for your children
it's not, Mr Heslop.

Not for Nettie, Joshua
and Thomas it's not.

What did you just say?

Now, Nettie is
leaving now... Dad?

She's leaving with my colleague.

Tell us. What did you do?

Shh. I never meant to hurt her.

You killed her?

You killed Lorna?
You murdered her!

Get her out!

THEY GROAN Murderer!

MR HESLOP WHINES

HE LAUGHS

Hey, Joshua, put the gun down.

You make me sick!
Go on. Shoot me.

Joshua. He's not worth it, pet!

Think! You can get
through this, love.

I can't. I won't.

You can, and you
will. I loved her.

I loved her. You killed her.

Joshua, if you shoot, you'll be as
bad as him. You'll go to prison.

Is that what you want?
I don't understand.

I don't understand any of it. Now,
just, just you give me the gun, pet.

Just, just, just
give me the gun!

Nial Heslop, I'm arresting you
for the murder of Lorna Falstone

and Ronald Browne.

You do not have to say anything,
but it may harm your defence

if you do not mention,
when questioned,

something you later
rely on in court.

Anything you do say may
be given in evidence.

Come on.

SHE PANTS, HE SOBS

Why didn't Nettie say something?

Oh, the lass was just keeping
her dad's secrets for him.

We've all done that.

Displaced sense of loyalty
make you believe anything.

How did you find the lodge?
Well, from her paintings.

Suddenly, the penny dropped.

Harley Lodge - my dad used
to take me there as a kid

when we came to
visit the big house.

I always had in the back of my mind,
why were they being so secretive?

Mm? They're both
young, free, single.

Why go sneaking about?
Doesn't make sense.

And then I realised the only person
at the scene apart from yours truly,

who hadn't been eliminated,
was Nial Heslop.

And then when I saw that foliage
on the bumper of his pick-up,

well, that confirmed it to me.

It was the same as that
found on Lorna's body.

Cuckoo-pint.

You know, I can't help thinking when
I found that bairn in the motor...

..if only I turned up sooner.

I'm sorry about the
bump to the head.

The bump?

You took a shot at me!

I needed a-a-a dis...
distraction to get away.

Ah, well, I'd say I came off
better than Lorna and Ronnie.

I didn't mean it.

I didn't mean it, you know.

Killing Lorna or killing
Ronnie? I didn't kill Lorna.

She collapsed.

Aye... while you were
trying to strangle her.

What was your relationship
with Lorna, exactly?

Oh, me and Lorna? Mm.

Well...

..we, er... we wanted
to be together.

SHE TUTS

Before Thomas was born...

..we used to meet
up at that lodge...

..where no-one
else could see us.

And she was, what, roughly
the same age as your daughter?

I don't know, didn't matter.
We had plans. A life...

..away from here. Just...
the two of us together.

Ah.

Is that why she was running away
from you in a force ten gale?

Not me, no. That
was because of him.

"Him"? You mean
Ronald Browne? Yeah.

Feeble excuse of a man.

Going on about, you know, how
she could be an artist and, er...

..look after Thomas on her own
terms. Didn't need anyone else.

He just wanted her for himself.

See, this...
this... all of this.

It's all down to him. All of it.

Ah, well, newsflash, love.

Ronnie didn't know you had
anything to do with Lorna.

I went over to his place
to have it out with him,

and he was... he was
acting all innocent.

And that's when...

..he told me how
fond he was of Lorna.

And that's why you killed an
innocent man, because he was fond?!

SLAMS TABLE I loved
her! I loved her.

Why did you even
go to his house?

Lorna was already dead.

HE STAMMERS

No, no, no. She was
dead because of him.

Mr Heslop, Ronald Browne
didn't kill Lorna...

you did.

No, no, no, no.

I couldn't let her
take away my boy.

So, why didn't you go
back for your boy? Hmm?

After you'd chased
his mam to her death?

Ah, you couldn't do that, could
you, draw attention to yourself?

No, you'd rather leave the
bairn to the mercy of the storm.

No, I would've gone back.

I would've. So,
why didn't you?

But when I saw
Nettie was... was...

was holding him in the kitchen...
I just... didn't know what to do.

If you ask me, they're all
better off without you.

The loyalty that
Nettie has shown you...

Hey.

I'm her father.

She should be loyal to me.

Yeah, well, that doesn't
make you her master

any more than it did Lorna's.

Take him down.

Thanks for bringing
the rest of his things.

Ah, you're welcome, love.

And for finding him.

Are you OK? Your head...

Oh, this, it's nothing,
just throbs a bit.

And, erm... him?

What's gonna happen to him?

Well, hopefully, he'll
plead guilty as charged,

and then you can start
rebuilding your lives.

Oh... and we had the results
of the DNA test back.

Lorna was not related
to the Stanhopes.

You are Thomas's
biological grandfather.

Thanks. But none of that
ever really mattered to me.

Lorna was always mine.

Aye.

Oh, I see they've taken
the "for sale" sign down.

Er, yes. Erm, Harriet
called earlier.

They're not going to sell?

They are. To us.

Ah, well, watch her, make sure
she gives you a fair price.

Ta-ra. Bye-bye. Thank you.

I can't believe it.

He actually came in here,
didn't he, Vera? Yeah...

And pretended to
find her like that,

and all the time, he
killed her himself?

What a terrible
person. Well, quite.

It's like something
from a horror film.

Don't be so dramatic, Juliet.

Anyway, I just thought your
people would like to know

I did "crack the case".

Indeed. Job well done.

Was that a compliment, Harriet?

JULIET LAUGHS Of course it is.

Oh, and we really didn't
know about Daddy's letter.

Yeah, I believe you.

Would you like to stay...
for a cup of tea, Vera?

Ah, thanks, Juliet,
somewhere to be.

Well, don't be a stranger.