Berkeley Square (1998) s01e05 Episode Script

A Pocket Full of Posies

1 Jos Carrera for his beautiful bride @JosC on Gab.
Com Lydia! Remember you're pushing a perambulator, not a wheelbarrow.
Yes, Nanny Collins.
That girl's come on in leaps and bounds since you took her in hand.
You try to set an example.
Stoney faced old crows What did you say? Little pitchers have big ears? Now, who do you think can run to the pond first? Me! Me! Ready! Steady! Go! Never fails.
Oh, freedom! Nanny Simmons up to her usual tricks? Oh, she's been foul ever since Mr Bowles had a word about the christening cup.
Even Fowler than usual.
Hmm, guilty conscience? Put it this way.
She's just bought herself a very expensive new hat.
George, he's got a new hat.
The Homburg, it's called.
It's ever so dashing.
I'm surprise you've a hand on the fit? What's that supposed to mean? Oh, your wasting your time.
She's in love.
Besotted.
Oh, we all know who you've been making eyes at.
Lydia, we're only teasing.
Well, you wouldn't say he was bigheaded if you knew how nice he treats everyone.
It's funny, isn't it? He's a gentleman but he's the same really as other men, but he isn't.
Has Miss Hutchinson arrived yet, Hannah? Oh, she's due today.
I thought you'd welcome a bit of new blood.
Just what I need.
Some toffee-nosed little madam to tell me what to do.
But you're prone to expecting the worst? Tom won't let Bertie have any more breads for the ducks.
And Bertie got upset.
And Tom called him a bad name and he ran away.
I'm not telling tales.
No rest for the wicked.
Poor little mites.
Eight of them dead out by Limehouse.
It was in The Chronicle.
That is a terrible thing, typhoid fever.
Yeah, I had a death with it when I was with my Vicounts family.
Oh, poor little boy.
It started with him being fussy.
Wouldn't eat a thing.
Then he got a dreadful headache and before we knew it he was burning up.
You'd have thought the poor little creature had been dipped in pink paint.
Rash of spots.
Oh, it's a sight you don't forget in a hurry.
There'll be more than eight dead in the East End before this is over.
You mark my words.
Typhoid fever spreads like wildfire.
No more dawdling, Bertie.
Come on.
What is the East End? Is it where they have princes riding on elephants? These seem most appropriate, Mrs.
McCluskey.
Although I'm a little concerned about the strawberry tarts for tomorrow.
Cooks hand with pastry of late has been a little heavier than it might be.
I'll have a word, ma'am.
And will you ask Edward to deliver these? Of course, ma'am.
Tom has something to say, haven't you? Sorry, Bertie.
You alright? You look like you've lost a shilling and found sixpence.
I'll see you tomorrow.
Mrs St.
John wants these delivered.
Top one who needs an answer.
Right you are.
You're looking very nice.
Suits you.
Just as well, since I wear every day of the week.
Still, brings out your eyes.
It's more blue.
It's green.
Mrs.
St.
John wants them letters delivered today.
Nanny Wickham.
Hands washed, I won't be a minute.
Yes, madam.
If you try, I do not wish to see the children playing in the gutter while you consort with the footman.
Yes, madam.
Sorry, madam.
Look.
Come on.
Quickly, look.
Is this Charlotte's cup? I think it's probably best Bertie if we don't mention this to Nanny Simmons.
Lucky little devil.
Is that Master Hugh? It is, indeed.
Here for dear old nursery tea.
I don't remember that you were ever particularly fond of tea.
I'm mad about the stuff.
Well, you might fetch the tray instead of standing there gawking.
Tell them Master Hugh doesn't like China.
Yes, Nanny Collins That's China tea, Lydia.
Randall? Yes, Mr.
Bowles.
I, um I wanted to clear up this matter of the Christening cup.
Ah, it's come to light.
As I said it would.
Children can be very devious, in my experience.
They'll often lay the blame on others to prevent themselves getting into trouble.
Yes, Mr Bowles.
So, we'll hear no more about it? Randall? No, Mr.
Bowles.
I trust nothing of the kind will happen again.
No.
Thank you, Lord Hugh.
Here, let me take it.
You'll do no such thing, young strapping girl like that.
Put it here.
Eric or Little by Little? Dreadful pie nonsense.
And a little piety would do you no harm.
I remember reading that to you.
It's a lovely story.
Unspeakable little beast.
I don't suppose you were ever subjected to it? Oh, no sir.
Good afternoon.
Hugh, this is becoming something about habit.
One of the few which is both pleasant and utterly harmless.
He sleep.
Do you think he's well? He smells, old, sour.
You don't think it's a symptom of the typhoid, do you? This is schmultz.
I put schmultz, that's chicken fat, on his chest and I also sew it into his beds, for protection.
Always this works against disease.
Detectives investigating the death perpetrated in Limehouse in May have been assisted by a new description of the man responsible.
The man, believed to be a member of a gambling syndicate, is in his middle 20s, of tall and athletic build with brown hair.
The description was made by felon recently apprehended who confessed to being at the fight when a murder took place.
and from which the suspect absconded.
Wild goose chase.
If is said a one-armed midget with a ginger beard, there might have stood some chance at spotting this bloke.
Good afternoon, Nanny Wickham.
Good afternoon.
I was a trying to match the thread for Harriet's Fennell petticoat.
I wondered if you have any.
Mary taken any become to the sewing room.
There's bound to be something there to suit.
Thank you, Mrs.
McCluskey.
Think she was listening? Nah, she wouldn't.
Too much of a goody two-shoes.
Some would call it respecting people's privacy.
Well, look at him? She'll be respecting your privacy from now on, at any rate.
What you're on about? Mrs.
St.
John sent her off with a flea in her ear for talking to you in the square.
You promise you'll get a message to me if his poorly? A girl in next street, my neighbor she has a baby, like you and has to work, like you.
She pays this woman to keep her little girl in Uxbridge in the country.
A baby farm? This is a respectable woman.
I'll miss Billy but there is no typhoid fever in Uxbridge.
Thank you.
Here, please, take him.
For you.
What is it? To have Billy close.
Oh, you mustn't spend your money on me, Mrs.
Bronowski.
Who said I spent any money? Thank you.
You'll miss your train.
Mrs.
Hutchinson's arrived.
She's with an older lady That'll be Mrs.
Hutchinson's aunt Mrs.
Euphemia Saunders, I think she's called.
She made Mrs.
Hutchinson's match with Mr.
Hutchinson.
It's a shame they can't be here to see to their needs themselves.
I've never mind sorting out heathens abroad.
It's terribly late in the season for her to be starting, poor girl.
What was it she had she had? She had scarlet fever, I think.
Or measles.
Have they cut off her hair? She's gone inside.
Come in.
Evening.
Hello.
Sorry.
I came to say, I hope I didn't get you in trouble with Mrs.
St.
John.
Oh.
Earlier.
OnlyMcklusky said in it didn't seem fair or nothing, I mean I'll start talking to you.
Well, no harm done, aye Stop it! Stop it! You killed her! That's enough.
I didn't mean to.
The you shouldn't treating it like a whirlygig.
Now, Miss Harriet, no harm done.
He's killed her.
No, he hasn't.
I can mend it for you.
Really? Magic, these are.
What's that? There you are.
Pajamas and teeth.
Now.
There's plenty of time for that tomorrow.
I think he'd nearly finished.
Well, you're not paid to think, are you? I'm sure we couldn't afford you if you were with all the brains you seem to have.
Oh, hello.
Miss Isabel.
Gosh, you know who I am and everything.
I'm afraid I haven't got a clue who you are.
It was Nanny Bins in my day.
Nanny Simmons, Miss and this is Randall.
Miss Isabel.
But I know who this is.
Cousin Isabel.
We went riding on Pippin and we fed her apples and then you went ill and we had to go away.
Well, I'm much better now, at last.
I say, I've got no one to help.
I'm absolutely drowning in things to unpack.
You couldn't be a darling and lend a hand, could you? Of course, Miss.
I'll come down once Bertie's in bed.
I'll put the little treasure to bed.
Thank goodness.
It all seems to have sort of exploded everywhere.
fend off all the young men who are destined to fall hopelessly in love with me.
My fear is for the young men.
Of course, but I must appear helpless.
It's all part of my charm.
Don't you think Hannah, Miss, I mean Randall? I shall call you Hannah.
Excuse me, Miss.
Oh dear, can it be mended, you think? Well, it's (unknown), Miss.
Very delicate work.
It'll have to be sent away.
Aunt Elspeth promised me a french maid although that rather got swept away with her and Uncle leaving.
In my day, only married women had their own maids.
Well, that is no longer the case, Aunt Effie.
I suppose Bertie's got first dibs on you.
Yes, miss.
But we can still be great friends, can't we, Hannah? Yes, miss.
Arnold.
You're very engrossed, my dear.
Hardly.
You look pale.
Do I? Quite ashen.
You must have been working too hard, is that it? Well, I don't know about that.
You're cheating.
It's a pointless game, anyway.
Well, I'm off to dress for dinner.
Otherwise, I shall make a pretty poor show next to my wife.
Did I leave Yes, I did.
It's for my dressmaker You've got to come quickly.
Oh, Bertie.
Charles will be fine.
I just need to give him something to make him sick.
Don't make him sick.
Make him better.
It will make him better.
Hurry up, Randall.
Quick.
I'll give him this nasty stuff He's going to be sick and he'll wake up.
It's my fault because I didn't look at him very early.
No, it's not.
Come on, Charlie, come on.
That's a good boy.
Come on, Charlie.
Oh, yes.
Charlie was left all night, drunk so that he wouldn't wake up.
He might have died.
I gave him medicine, shop bought.
I know he's been colicky.
No one could say any different.
There you are, Godfrey's Cordial.
Calms and soothes infant colic and restlessness.
You've been drinking.
I think some fresh air would do Charlie some good.
Don't you, Bertie? There'll be no trips to the park unless I say so.
Hannah, could she be an angel and help me choose a gown for this afternoon? I can't decide what's ravishing and what's an absolute fright.
Desperation! If that's suitable for you, Nanny Simmons? Of course, Randall.
Perhaps Bertie would like to help you choose, miss? Oh, of course.
What fun.
Come along Bertie.
A gentleman's opinions is just what I need.
In the language of flowers, your mother told me Is Daisies, that's for innocence and white roses, that's "you are mine" and a pink one, that's "I will wait".
What are you looking at? Nothing.
Sounds a bit confused to me.
No, "you are mine" and "I will wait" and sort of innocence.
Innocence? Not talking about you then.
You should go on the oles, Mrs.
M.
You'd bring the house down.
I hadn't realized the occasion would be quite so well attended.
Nor was I.
Unlike you, young man, I remember the relief of Mafeking in vivid detail.
Really? Were you infantry or calvary? Impudent pup.
Thank you.
I shall decline to punish you for teasing my chaperone.
He was immune to punishment, I fear.
Not true.
A harsh word and I wither.
You are fond of London? Oh, tremendously.
I feel quite at home although I've stayed here very little, really.
Well, you seem admirably composed When I was your age, I was all elbows and mad for horses.
That is the one thing I shall miss being in town.
Riding.
Ah, but there's excellent riding to be had in town, Miss Hutchinson.
Hyde Park I'd be glad to accompany you, if you wanted a hack.
Oh, but I don't have a mount.
Oh, that's easily arranged.
Tom and Harry doing well, Mrs St.
John? As ever, perhaps a little too well.
Oh, nonsense.
Mr.
and Mrs.
St John have the most delightfully lively children.
Oh, Bertie's told me all about them.
Might we see them? I adore children.
Why not? I'll murder Pringle when I see her.
What was she doing with the (unknown)? She offered to go.
I'll bet she did.
My sash.
Hang on, my hands are wet.
You do it.
And no singing this time.
Oh, you do a turn, do you, Miss Harriet? I'm a little bit in love with Harry.
I said that's enough.
Sounded very nice to me.
It's a vulgar song.
Papa almost washed Harriet's mouth out with soap.
I could do a turn, Nanny.
I know most of the charge of the Light Brigade now.
I said that's enough about turns.
Your mother and father want you to be nice, quiet children, not circus performers.
Thank you.
Right.
Let's have a look at ya.
You look very nice.
I'll wait.
What? Iwillwait.
I thought Mr.
Potter needed you to help clear away? Lord Hugh is undeniably good-looking and, of course, he's titled but he is just a boy.
Now, Captain Mason he has the manly experience of battle etched into his features.
I wish I were paler To be a femme fatale, one really must be quite pale.
In fact, you'd be perfect, Hannah.
Pale and interesting, although a little too gloomy.
Whatever's wrong? I've been to see a friend of mine whose ill, miss.
She's no one to look after her and only have the one afternoon a week.
But, of course, you must see her if she's ill.
Take tomorrow afternoon off.
But Nanny Simmons, miss Simmons will do as I say.
Now, Mrs.
St.
John's way of dressing her hair, do you think it will suit me? Well, thank heavens the children didn't disgrace us.
Miss Hutchinson's a perfect charmer, isn't she? She won't be long getting some poor chap to fall in love with her.
Her father left his entire estate to Inna.
A fortune in land alone.
Not everyone shares your interest in money, Arnold.
If you'll excuse me a moment.
Of course.
I just wanted to say well done, my dear.
Duties of the hostess and so on.
I'd like this delivered at once.
Victoria? Yes.
Good night, my dear.
Night, Arnold.
Thank God someone's up.
Father in bed? Constance in bed? Though perhaps not together.
No one to turn to for company but dear old Nanny Collins.
She's sleep so you best keep your voice down.
Oh, had, had I? Is that an order? No, sir, of course not.
Got anything to drink around here? Well, there's some cocoa in the jug but it'll be cold.
I can get you some fresh.
Cocoa? You are sweet, Lydia.
Nanny Collins secret Sherry supply Not so secret.
I best not, sir.
I won't tell.
No, thank you.
Lovely.
Sorry, sir.
Leave it.
I think you've teased me enough.
I'm sorry, sir.
You little bitch.
Pringle not down yet? No and there's nursery breakfast waiting.
Don't suppose you need asking twice to go up there? Youaremine? Iwillwait.
Drinking? Behind my back? And those sherry glasses were my birthday present from the family.
I don't know what you think you were doing.
I'm ever so sorry but Lord Hugh How dare you blame Master Hugh for your clumsiness.
And your deceit.
You are a very wicked girl.
But it weren't my fault.
Don't you make matters worse by telling lies.
You were little more than a savage when you came here and I have tried to set an example.
Oh, get out of my sight.
I'm sick of you, you great lump.
That's everything, I think.
Right.
You, ah, sure about that, are ya? Yeah.
So, what do you do on your off day? Don't know, as usual.
Come on, you don't have to do that.
You are mine.
I will wait.
The flowers.
What? What, you're telling me you didn't leave me them bunches of flowers? You flatter yourself, you do, Ned Jones.
It must have been one of your floozies.
I'm sorry, I I should think so.
What's a floozie? No questions until you've finished your porridge.
Mrs.
Saunders.
Miss Hutchinson.
Good morning, Mr.
St.
John.
We had such a pleasant time yesterday.
It was most kind of you both to join us.
I must say I am surprised to see one on foot, Miss Hutchinson.
After Captain Mason's offer of a mount.
Tomorrow, I am to be provided with the barracks finest horseflesh Captain Mason has promised it.
And we can be sure that he is a man of his word.
Good day, ladies.
Good day.
You had a pleasant time at tea yesterday? Most pleasant.
Although, of course I would have preferred to enjoy your conversation tete-a-tete.
I've been considering how we might affect that very thing.
Soon.
In your vocabulary, Victoria, soon is remarkably elastic term.
Arnold is prepared for us to attend a luncheon party on Coronation day and I anticipate feeling unwell.
I will, of course, insist that he attends the luncheon without me.
I trust that you can make the appropriate arrangements? Of course.
Are you quite sure about this? Quite sure.
Room for a little one? Hello.
Where's Ivo? Out with Nanny Collins.
You're not in the doghouse again, are you? What was it this time? Not stirring her tea in the right direction? You'll only say you warned me.
Lydia? You alright? You promise you won't laugh at me? Of course I won't.
What happened? I was in the nursery Nanny Collins had gone to bed and I had all this ironing to do.
It's Lord Hugh, isn't it? Did he take advantage of you? I felt so stupid.
After all you and Jack said and all.
None of the boys at home would have done what he did.
Not without thinking I was fast.
Oh, Maddy, he said that I teased him.
He didn't manage anything, did he? No, I bit him.
Well, good for you.
Why was Nanny Collins angry with you? He broke this glass of hers and she thinks it was me.
I'll probably get dismissed.
The Lord knows I am not a difficult woman, Mr.
Fowler.
I have put up with more than enough in the way of clumsiness, no manners but when it comes to drinking in front of the little one Of course.
You've never been one to stand for any nonsense.
That's right.
I just think that I've treated that girl like one of my own.
It's the lying, I can't abide.
Now, there you do surprise me.
Lydia has never struck me as a deceitful girl, whatever her faults.
She's trying to put the blame on Master Hugh.
Lord Hugh? Yes.
She says it was he who broke my Sherry glass.
Now what would he be doing up in the nursery in the middle of the night? He has been spending a considerable amount of time here of late, Mrs.
Collins.
I know my Master Hugh.
That girl's only nine pence and a shilling.
Mrs.
Lawrence, I was told you boarded children.
By whom? A friend in London, I'm afraid I don't know her name.
Can't be a very good friend.
No, more of an acquaintance, really.
Do sit down, Mrs.
Randall.
I have a baby, William.
His father is dead and my work does not permit me to keep him with me.
My heart goes out to Mrs.
Randall.
It's a story I know all too well.
You're looking for somewhere to board the precious child.
Yes.
May I see the facilities? Naturally, I'll escort you myself.
Seems like fate, doesn't it? Once spare for little William.
I'll show you the bathroom.
Some say I'm over careful about cleanliness, but I do like to make sure the children have their best.
Oh, not for me, Fowler.
I must away.
There's a second reading of this dreaded Sanitation bill.
Cabinet pudding was ill advised.
I have an overwhelming desire to sleep.
Then you'll be in good company in the Lords.
Ha! Father Fowler, could you ask Nanny Collins to have Lydia bring Ivo down? I'll be out later this afternoon.
I think Lydia may be out on an errand at the present, madam.
At lunchtime? Oh dear.
Mrs.
Collins isn't punishing her again, is she? A glass seems to have been broken in the nursery, madam, and Nanny Collins feels that Lydia is to blame.
Well, lovely as she is, Lydia certainly is clumsy.
Yes, madam.
Perhaps one of the housemaids could bring Ivo down.
I don't trust Mrs.
Collins on the stairs.
Madam.
My fee is 20 guineas per annum.
20 guineas? I was going to say for a full-grown child.
For a baby such as little William, my fee is 12 guineas.
Preferable in installments.
Please, mum, the butcher wants to talk to you, mum.
Please excuse me, Mrs.
Randall.
I always like to deal with tradesmen personally.
Of course.
Lord, no.
Oh my god.
No.
Seen enough, have ya? You have no right spying.
You have no right to keep children like animals.
The babies.
The babies are getting lung .
.
and what if I do? You're all about your little baby and want him treated like a prince.
Your no better than me, so don't pretend you are.
What all this you made of? Carla had locked the Port away and I wanted a drink.
I'm afraid I was a bit of a butterfingers.
I thought I'd brought you up to be mindful of other people's things.
I'm very, very sorry, Nanny.
Well, you shouldn't go letting other people take the blame.
You're a very naughty boy.
Fowler.
It's not on.
I mean a girl like Lydia, she probably thinks, I don't know, you find babies in the cabbage patch.
She did grow up in the country, Jack.
Still, she wasn't expecting to be treated like that.
What was she expecting? A proposal of marriage? You're not saying she deserved it? Nah, of course not.
I'm just saying, if she knew a bit more about him, she might have seen it coming.
Even if she had, someone like that, he's used to taking whatever he wants.
There's not much any of us can do about it.
Now, you don't have to do that straight away.
Oh, I best do.
I got Ivo's jacket to mend.
I sent down for a bite for you to eat since you missed your lunch.
Well, are you going to let it go cold? Thank you, Nanny Collins.
You can't be expected to work on an empty stomach.
That's best brisket.
To whom it may concern.
I wish to draw your attention to the establishment to run by a Mrs.
Lawrence of the Elms Uxbridge.
She has in her care a number of children ill-nourished and ill-treated without their parents knowledge There you are.
Like I said, good as new.
Thank you.
She's Harriet's favourite.
Uh, no, she ain't.
What's this? Harriet.
She must have been leaving the flowers and all.
I will wait.
She'd have to, wouldn't she? About 15 years.
Well, it was Cooks idea.
All that language of flowers rubbish.
Well, it must be love.
Harriet's very partial to toffees.
You made a really good job of this.
I like mending stuff.
Wouldn't mind doing it for living, you know.
Apprentice to a carpenter or something.
Some chance.
You could still do it.
Nah.
It's good to have a plan.
Is that what you got? Loads of them.
Randall, there's a monster.
He's sleeping in the cupboard.
She'll think you're even more amazing now.
My half day.
Yeah? We could go walking if you still wanted to, I mean.
Yeah.
Of course, alright.
Oh, good.
I'd hoped you'd be up.
It's as quiet as a grave, isn't it.
Yes, Miss.
I shall not sleep for hours.
I fear that this season will seriously overtax me.
I might suffer a nervous collapse.
You all right, Hannah? Fine, miss.
I hope you didn't find your friend worse.
No, no Then whatever is it? I'm just a bit tired, that's all.
I'm is quite exhausted myself but Captain Mason is taking me riding tomorrow so I must be on top form.
I may decide to fall passionately in love with him.
Do you have a young man, Hannah? No, miss.
It's surprising, really.
You're quite pretty.
But you have had admirers, I'm sure.
I suppose so.
How thrilling.
You're sure it's not a beau you've been fretting about? No, miss.
You can tell me, you know.
I do so want us to be friends.
Honestly, (speaking in French) A french maid would have been such bliss.
Well? I can assure you, miss, that it has nothing to do with a beau.
Well Do you know, I've been thinking and I've quite decided once I've left a trail of broken hearts in my wake and finally settled on a brilliant match, You shall be my maid.
That's very kind of you.
It'll be such fun to be married.
Imagine a honeymoon.
France.
Italy.
You weren't have been abroad? No, miss.
I've always wanted to go.
Italy especially.
I've always imagined Venice, a gondola ride in Venice.
and you shall have one.
I will insist you travel everywhere with me.
Wouldn't it be heavenly? Yes, miss.
There you are.
You see? They're simply masses to look forward to.
Venice? Venice.

Previous EpisodeNext Episode