The Devil in the Flesh (2026) Movie Script
1
(distant gunfire)
[Rachel,
VO] There's no greater evil than the
[Rachel, VO] devil in one's flesh.
[Rachel,
VO] That's why I write to you in such
[Rachel, VO] an unruly manner.
[Rachel, VO] Last night I
[Rachel, VO] begged you could see me.
[Rachel, VO] I begged you could place your
[Rachel, VO] lips on my breasts
(sigh)
[Rachel, VO] To be the boy you
[Rachel, VO] once were may solve this.
[Rachel,
VO] Yet you're hundreds of miles away.
[Rachel, VO] I need you to know
[Rachel, VO] that it's not personal.
[Rachel, VO] No matter what has
[Rachel, VO] happened between us.
[Rachel, VO] Desire is unholy.
(gunshots)
[Rachel, VO] Do you forgive me?
(somber music)
(screeching)
(music)
[Rachel, VO] You never ask
[Rachel, VO] about my contribution.
[Rachel, VO] I assume you disapprove.
[Rachel, VO] I now live in a
[Rachel, VO] home that's all mine.
[Rachel, VO] While it belongs to the
[Rachel, VO] family I'm working for.
[Rachel,
VO] But it feels more like mine than
[Rachel, VO] our house ever did.
[Rachel, VO] To think that I liked pink.
[Rachel,
VO] He ripped away my identity in the
[Rachel, VO] same way that he
[Rachel, VO] clawed at my skin.
[Rachel, VO] I felt free and liberated.
[Rachel, VO] I was his canvas,
[Rachel, VO] waiting for his paint
[Rachel, VO] to seep into my pores.
[Rachel, VO] At times his behavior is
[Rachel, VO] uncomfortably familiar.
[Rachel, VO] Close to home.
[Rachel, VO] Yet there is a naivety to his
[Rachel, VO] actions that feel
[Rachel, VO] far less manipulative.
(smashes)
(sighs)
[Rachel,
VO] To think that you're fighting for
[Rachel, VO] our country whilst I'm
[Rachel, VO] picking out furniture.
[Rachel,
VO] What a cruel world we now live in.
[Rachel, VO] Much of what I say could be
[Rachel, VO] considered unreliable.
[Rachel,
VO] It's not that I don't love you.
[Rachel, VO] I do.
[Rachel, VO] But love is complicated.
[Rachel,
VO] I am aware that up to this point
[Rachel,
VO] I've not given you much context.
[Rachel, VO] I assure you that in
[Rachel, VO] time that will come.
[Rachel,
VO] I myself am not yet sure of the
[Rachel, VO] how,
what or why of my situation.
[Rachel, VO] At first he was like a shadow.
[Rachel, VO] Thin.
[Rachel, VO] Soft, skinned.
[Rachel, VO] Almost transparent.
Sorry.
I wasn't expecting
someone like you.
Someone like me?
[Rachel, VO] I was unsure who this shadow
[Rachel, VO] belonged to, for he was blunt.
Berry?
[Rachel, VO] Rude.
[Rachel, VO] And tried his best
[Rachel, VO] to act like a man.
[Rachel] I'm looking for Mr Richardson?
[Flynn] Mr Richardson was my father.
[Flynn] He's gone to fight.
I suppose that makes you the man
of the house then.
Do I give off that impression?
[Rachel, VO] It made me think of you.
[Rachel,
VO] Whilst at first I'm certain he was
[Rachel, VO] embarrassed by his remarks.
[Flynn] I'm afraid my mother has no taste.
[Rachel,
VO] He charmed me with his naivety.
[Rachel] Charming.
[Flynn] I doubt a woman of your
[Flynn] sophistication surrounds herself
[Flynn] with a colour pink.
[Rachel] I don't know who you think I am.
[Rachel,
VO] He seemed to think that to be a
[Rachel, VO] man, you had to be in control.
[Rachel,
VO] The possibility that this trait
[Rachel, VO] was not yet locked is what
[Rachel, VO] propelled me to humour him.
Where is your mother?
[Flynn] We're all staying
with my grandparents
[Flynn] for the time being.
What, with my father being away?
[Rachel] I imagine that's very hard.
I never depended on him.
I never depended on him.
[Rachel,
VO] Outside of thanking his mother for
[Rachel, VO] the hospitality,
I felt urged to
[Rachel, VO] share a message of support.
[Rachel,
VO] But he stated that it would not
[Rachel, VO] benefit either party and in
[Rachel, VO] hindsight,
he's probably right.
God be with him.
[Rachel,
VO] I could feel his urge to touch me.
[Rachel, VO] It frightened me.
[Rachel,
VO] But it also propelled me to wonder
[Rachel,
VO] what impact I could make on a boy
[Rachel,
VO] who is not yet fully burdened with
[Rachel, VO] society's expectations.
[Rachel, VO] Either way, I'm
[Rachel, VO] passing on a message.
[machine gun firing]
[Rachel, VO] May God be with you, husband.
[machine gun firing]
[Rachel, VO] Always.
(music ends)
(birds chirping)
(sheep baaing)
[Flynn] You're late.
[Rachel] I would argue that I'm early.
[Flynn] Maybe I'm impatient.
You ever done this job before?
[Rachel] No.
But I've been thoroughly trained.
Well, as long as you're willing to
get your hands
dirty, you'll be fine.
I can assure you I have no doubts.
I didn't catch
your name yesterday.
It's Flynn.
[Flynn] Have you ever been to
Baltonsborough before?
No, this is my first time.
May I take you somewhere?
I'm afraid I'm on the clock.
But you work for me.
I work for your father.
Who could well be dead?
Please.
[Flynn] You won't regret it.
Quickly, then.
Nowhere far.
(water splashes)
[Flynn] I noticed the ring on your finger.
[Flynn] What does he think of all this?
[Rachel] He's yet to disclose his opinion.
[Rachel] I assume he disapproves.
[Rachel] But I think his anger has aimed
[Rachel] more at his own resentment
[Rachel] than the fact that I'm carrying
[Rachel] out the work of men.
[Flynn] Is that what you think?
[Rachel] I believe I've answered that
[Rachel] question by being
[Rachel] here in the first place.
(water splashes)
[Flynn] You're not what I was expecting?
[Rachel] In what way?
[Flynn] I don't know.
[Flynn] I guess the only girl I've ever
[Flynn] really been around is my sister.
[Flynn] So it's hard to tell.
I'm closer to the
age of your mother.
Yet you have my
sister's complexion.
Why did you bring me here?
The world is at war.
I wanted you to see that there's
beauty all around us, even now.
Is that what you see?
[Flynn] Sometimes.
Other times I see something that
no longer exists.
My father used to bring me and my
sister here all the time.
He'd skim the stones for hours.
He used to say that...
It's all in the
flick of the wrist.
My sister would flinch each and
every time he did it.
Eventually he caught one
of us all stop laughing.
[Rachel] I'm so sorry.
I don't know why I told you that.
Because you're angry at yourself
for missing him.
[Flynn] I shouldn't have brought you here.
[Flynn] It was a mistake.
[Rachel] I don't think that's true.
How could you know what I feel?
(water splashes)
(sighs)
(water splashes)
(urgh)
(Flynn laughs)
(gentle guitar music)
[Rachel] Oh no
[Rachel] Ok show me
[Rachel, VO] More than anything,
[Rachel, VO] he surprised me.
[Rachel, VO] He was so in tune
[Rachel, VO] with his emotions,
[Rachel,
VO] which was unlike all the men I've
[Rachel, VO] met in my life thus far.
[Rachel, VO] Yet in many ways,
[Rachel, VO] this was no man, was it?
[Rachel,
VO] I began to worry that he saw me as
[Rachel, VO] a version of his mother,
[Rachel,
VO] which was a feeling I was not yet
[Rachel, VO] willing to face.
[Rachel,
VO] It was clear that he didn't fully
[Rachel, VO] know how to handle a woman,
[Rachel, VO] and he used his adolescence to
[Rachel, VO] excuse his behavior.
[Rachel, VO] His overt strength,
[Rachel, VO] his need to get dirty,
[Rachel, VO] yet it was never
[Rachel,
VO] something I felt urged to tame.
[Rachel,
VO] Sometimes I thought he had no idea
[Rachel, VO] what he was doing.
[Rachel, VO] Other times it felt
[Rachel, VO] far more calculated.
[Rachel,
VO] I believe he was trying to show me
[Rachel, VO] that this was
[Rachel, VO] indeed a job for a man.
[Rachel, VO] But I did not let it
[Rachel, VO] deter me from my assignment.
You've proven your point.
So you admit he doubted me.
You should never doubt
experience.
(deep breaths)
(aroused moaning)
(distant gunfire and sounds of war)
(aroused moaning)
(distant sounds of war)
(aroused moaning)
(distant sounds of war)
(aroused moaning)
(knock)
(gasp)
(water splashes)
(staggered breathing)
(curtains open)
(door opens)
Flynn
What are you doing here?
(sigh) You're ice cold.
[Flynn] I need to ask you a question.
Can't you wait until morning?
[Flynn] If that's what you prefer?
At least, come and warm up by the
fire before you go.
[Flynn] Only if you're sure.
(dog barking in distance)
[Rachel] I should get dressed.
You needn't worry.
[Rachel] It will only take a moment.
Sit down.
It's cold.
(fireplace burning in the background)
What did you want to ask me?
Oh, it's nothing.
It can't have been nothing.
Truthfully, there
never was a question.
And what are you doing here?
I wanted to see you.
Don't you have a girlfriend?
You could be
spending your time with me.
Don't you have a husband?
I should go upstairs.
This is your home, after all.
Don't you miss your home?
There's nothing to miss.
No children?
I am unable to conceive.
[Rachel] It's okay.
[Rachel] I don't expect
[Rachel] you to say anything.
My husband...
blames me for the
downfall of our marriage.
Yet even when I imagine myself...
pregnant or with a child...
[Rachel] I don't see a different outcome.
It's easier for men...
to blame an imperfect woman.
In my view,
imperfections don't make us human.
Is that so?
Why'd you do that?
[Rachel] What?
Mistake my age for ignorance.
It's not that that...
Then what is it?
I've been around for
far longer than you have.
I know every game...
every trick that you're
trying to play on me...
Yet you still engage.
Yet you still
plead your innocence.
Only for as long as it
takes you to catch me.
Is that when you'd finally get
bored of this, charade?
Why?
Are you willing to
humor me until then?
I'm wondering...
at what point?
This man...
goes back to being a boy.
(door opens)
(running footsteps)
(dog barking in distance)
(Rachel humming)
[Rachel, VO] I received your first letter.
[Rachel, VO] Your timing is, as
[Rachel, VO] always, impeccable.
[Rachel, VO] But the
[Rachel, VO] conversation felt sanitized.
[Rachel, VO] You speak of death...
[Rachel, VO] whilst I speak of life.
[Rachel,
VO] I'm envious of your conclusions.
[Rachel, VO] What is this act I'm playing?
[Rachel, VO] I'm unsure if I'm
[Rachel, VO] seeking company...
[Rachel, VO] lust...
[Rachel, VO] or validation.
[Rachel, VO] In the eyes of God, lines have
[Rachel, VO] already been crossed.
[Rachel, VO] But I don't yet feel guilty.
[Rachel, VO] I wonder if it would take his
[Rachel, VO] touch to make that
[Rachel, VO] feeling come to fruition.
[Rachel,
VO] I didn't hear from him from many
[Rachel, VO] days after that night.
[Rachel, VO] I was unsure if I
[Rachel, VO] would ever see him again.
[Rachel, VO] Tragically,
I started looking for
[Rachel, VO] the silver lining in it all.
[Rachel, VO] Damn, your impact on my soul.
[Husband] One day...
[Husband] you'll be grateful that you've
[Husband] stopped
making a fool of yourself.
(clanging)
(bang)
(bang)
(bang)
(bang)
(bang)
(bang)
(bang)
(bang)
(bang)
(bang)
[Rachel, VO] Whilst I know this
[Rachel, VO] could cause you pain,
[Rachel, VO] I do think it will
[Rachel, VO] help you understand.
[Rachel, VO] Remember,
no matter how we both
[Rachel, VO] come out of this,
[Rachel, VO] you will always be the hero.
[Flynn, VO] Dear Rachel,
[Flynn, VO] in your absence, I've taken it
[Flynn, VO] upon myself to change
[Flynn, VO] the layout of the house
[Flynn, VO] and to tidy your wardrobe.
[Flynn,
VO] Please know that I was only unable
[Flynn, VO] to face the
[Flynn, VO] possibility by the fire
[Flynn,
VO] because I was unable to face the
[Flynn, VO] familiarity of my past.
[Flynn, VO] I now believe that if
[Flynn, VO] you are to work here,
[Flynn, VO] this should be your home,
[Flynn,
VO] and it should leave no traces of
[Flynn, VO] my mother or my sister
[Flynn, VO] or of someone that
[Flynn, VO] might no longer exist.
[Flynn, VO] Whilst I am far from
[Flynn, VO] the boy I used to be,
[Flynn, VO] I understand that I am also far
[Flynn, VO] from the man that I'll become.
[Flynn, VO] Despite this,
I believe we share
[Flynn, VO] that similarity.
[Flynn,
VO] Comfort does not come from within,
[Flynn, VO] but from finding
[Flynn, VO] sanctuary in the unknown.
[Flynn, VO] I am in the magnet's power.
(slight laugh)
Your silence is killing me.
I wasn't expecting you.
I take it you received my letter.
Smells lovely.
My mother's recipe.
(laughs)
[Flynn] What's the matter?
(laughs), nothing
I'm just... I'm surprised.
Well, you haven't tasted it yet?
mmmm
I wasn't expecting to see you.
Well, I guess I thought you might
have wanted some company.
If this is truly my home,
you probably should have asked
before you came to cook me dinner.
Would that have
changed the outcome?
Yes.
Because I wouldn't have expected
you could do it.
(laughs)
I'm going to go freshen up.
Would you like me to be
here when you get back?
The first man who's
ever cooked me dinner.
I might as well enjoy it.
(water splashing)
(sighs)
You look beautiful.
Why are you doing this?
What do you mean?
The dinner. The dress.
Well, I wasn't
sure if you'd wear it.
Answer the question.
You wonder if I'm ready.
I wonder if I'm capable.
Hopefully this answers both.
Has anything I've
said put you up to this?
No. But your words
have motivated me.
Flynn...
I don't want to say
this, but I think...
You must go...
and never come back.
I don't understand.
You're just a boy.
(distant train)
Can't you understand, then?
Then I don't understand why you're
so upset with me.
I'm upset because
I'm too old for you.
Doesn't matter.
(train approaching intensifies)
(train whistle blowing)
[Flynn] I should leave.
At least stay for dinner.
[Flynn] I don't know.
Please.
You've gone to all this effort.
(guitar music)
[Rachel, VO] Whilst I knew it was wrong,
[Rachel, VO] I was so unwilling to let go.
[Rachel, VO] I knew that one day
[Rachel, VO] he'd grow out for me.
[Rachel,
VO] But I believed that he at least
[Rachel,
VO] deserved to retain his dignity.
[Rachel, VO] Even if I was willing to
[Rachel, VO] have mine stripped away.
(indistinct chatter)
(music)
[Rachel, VO] Despite my actions,
I didn't wish
[Rachel, VO] to force subject to my age.
[Rachel,
VO] But his kiss grew in familiarity
[Rachel, VO] the longer that I tasted it.
[Rachel, VO] Could I really deprive
[Rachel, VO] myself of that forever?
[Rachel, VO] If you were in my shoes,
would you
[Rachel, VO] even have hesitated?
[Rachel,
VO] Two wrongs don't make a right, but
[Rachel, VO] they would at
[Rachel, VO] least make us equals.
[Rachel,
VO] I desperately looked for excuses
[Rachel, VO] in my behaviour.
[Rachel, VO] Maybe I'm depressed.
[Rachel, VO] Maybe I have been all along.
[Rachel,
VO] I had never smiled so much that I
[Rachel, VO] felt pain in my cheeks.
[Rachel, VO] It was as if my body had
[Rachel, VO] lost all of its weight.
[Rachel,
VO] I walked in the streets as lightly
[Rachel, VO] as in my dreams.
[Flynn] Will I see you again?
[Rachel] You probably shouldn't.
[Rachel] You didn't say goodbye.
[Finn] Exactly.
[Rachel, VO] This all begged
[Rachel, VO] one single question.
[Rachel, VO] I have always
[Rachel, VO] been honest with you.
[Rachel, VO] But when have you
[Rachel, VO] been honest with me?
[Rachel] Charles.
[Rachel] Have you been?
I was waiting for you.
Hmm
Oh your face is wet
(gasp)
Stop.
[Rachel] Go and dry yourself off, okay?
Darling
You'll catch a cold.
[Rachel] Do you want me to help you?
[Rachel] Stand up.
Are you okay?
[Rachel] You shouldn't be here.
[Flynn] I know I
[Rachel] Shhh
(Flynn breathing heavily)
[Flynn] You look tired.
I am tired.
[Flynn] Do you want me to
[Flynn] turn out the light?
[Rachel] No.
No.
I need to keep my eye on you.
I didn't mean to scare you.
I hope thats true.
(birds chirping)
Hmm.
(knocking)
Who's that?
It's okay.
Stay here.
(birds chirping)
[Flynn] Is everything okay?
[Rachel] It's a letter from my husband.
You sure about this?
Yes.
I'm sure.
Dear Rachel,
I've written to you a
handful of times recently,
so you may well
get them all at once.
Our work has been busy.
The air has been ice cold.
But for you,
I have remained resilient.
As the war rages on,
I see that my chances of returning
to you are becoming rather slim.
At first,
this was something that
scared me tremendously.
In these conditions,
you soon become accustomed to the
possibility of death.
Forever yours
Charles.
(piano music)
(fire crackling)
(heavy breathing)
(moaning)
(music)
[Rachel, VO] How are you feeling?
[Flynn, VO] It's hard to put into words.
[Rachel, VO] Would you tell me if you
[Rachel, VO] ever grew to regret this?
[Flynn, VO] If there's a reality where that
[Flynn, VO] ever happens... then yes.
(water splashing and laughter)
[Rachel,
VO] Do you think that it's possible?
[Flynn, VO] Why do you worry so deeply?
[Rachel,
VO] I worry about anything that could
[Rachel, VO] be deemed a mistake.
[Flynn, VO] Would you tell me if you ever
[Flynn, VO] grew to regret this?
(music)
[Rachel, VO] If there's a reality,
[Rachel, VO] then yes
(heavy breathing)
(moaning intensifies)
[Flynn] Is this ok?
You can tell me, I don't mind.
Are you sure?
If you slow down slightly
It could be better
for the both of us.
Okay.
[Flynn] Like this?
(exhales)
(birds chirping)
What's the matter?
It's nothing.
You could tell me.
Last night,
it actually felt like you were mine.
But now all I can think
about is your husband.
(sigh)
Please don't feel guilty Flynn.
This is my choice to make.
[Flynn] This is not that.
[Flynn] It's just that this is the first
[Flynn] time I've not
[Flynn] wanted the war to end.
You know you shouldn't
say things like that.
[Flynn] I can't help but
[Flynn] the way that I feel.
It's okay.
I understand.
I should be punished for saying
something like that, shouldn't I?
And what good would that do?
If this is the only
time we have left,
is that such a bad thing?
What do you mean?
In 15 years.
Your life will just be beginning.
You would only have stayed
with me out of weakness.
And I'd hate to see you sacrifice
your happiness for me.
Why don't you believe
that I want to be with you?
Because the years between us
aren't just a number, Flynn.
They're a measure
of our differences.
Why did you marry him?
Because I loved him.
That's not what
you said yesterday.
Well, love is complicated.
Isn't it just?
(music)
[Rachel, VO] I've now received all
[Rachel, VO] of your recent letters.
[Rachel, VO] I want to thank you
[Rachel, VO] for holding me accountable.
[Rachel, VO] It has made me far
[Rachel, VO] more aware of my actions,
[Rachel, VO] and it has made it
[Rachel, VO] feel more like a choice.
(music)
[Rachel, VO] In the beginning,
[Rachel, VO] I believe I humored him
[Rachel, VO] because I had accepted
[Rachel, VO] the fate of our marriage.
[Rachel, VO] Whilst at first,
all I thought about
[Rachel, VO] was the day you'd return home.
[Rachel, VO] As the months went on,
[Rachel,
VO] I began to believe that you may
[Rachel, VO] never come home.
(engine starts)
[Rachel,
VO] I began to believe that you may
[Rachel, VO] already be dead.
[Rachel, VO] In hindsight,
I think that it is
[Rachel, VO] that sense of clarity
[Rachel, VO] that has blinded me.
[Rachel,
VO] You must think I'm a whore, and
[Rachel, VO] maybe you're right.
[Rachel, VO] Maybe I am.
[Rachel,
VO] But what helps me sleep at night
[Rachel, VO] is knowing that
[Rachel, VO] when this war does end,
[Rachel,
VO] I will be faced with my reality.
[Rachel, VO] In many ways, I am
[Rachel, VO] already facing it.
[Rachel, VO] It didn't take long for the
[Rachel, VO] rumours to begin.
Have you heard about
the little farmer's boy?
I heard they're making
butter with their tails.
She's bringing nothing but shame
to our town, I tell you.
Shame.
Is she married?
Don't be facetious.
Well, is she?
She'll get bored
with the wee laddie.
He's just a pup.
(dismayed sigh)
[Rachel,
VO] I could tell that it bothered him
[Rachel, VO] more than it bothered me.
[Rachel, VO] For this is his home.
[Rachel,
VO] I knew that I could leave if it
[Rachel, VO] became unbearable.
[Rachel, VO] But the thought of
[Rachel, VO] leaving him was my weakness.
(music)
She's not wearing a ring.
I'll be damned.
(bang)
(bang)
(bang)
(bang)
(clanging)
(loud breathing)
(spits)
[Rachel, VO] This might be the last time I
[Rachel,
VO] write to you for the time being.
[Rachel, VO] Your replies have
[Rachel, VO] become too painful,
[Rachel, VO] as has my own honesty.
[Rachel, VO] I'm afraid I no
[Rachel, VO] longer have the strength.
[Flynn] You don't have to
[Flynn] do this, you know.
I know.
(Rachel sighs)
You seem different.
[Flynn] I'm okay.
[Flynn] I'm just in my head
[Flynn] about things, that's all.
(birds chirping)
(gate opening)
(gate closing)
(birds chirping)
(knocking)
(knocking)
[Army Officer] Ma'am
[Army Officer] Our deepest condolences.
(birds chirping)
(dramatic music)
[Rachel, VO] The letter was
[Rachel, VO] intended for his mother.
[Rachel, VO] But fear clouded my judgement.
[Rachel, VO] The weight of his grief.
Flynn, stop! Stop, Flynn!
[Rachel, VO] In my bloody hands.
(sighs)
[Rachel, VO] Spite me where I stand.
(dramatic music)
He's dead.
(music)
Does this news bring
you a sense of peace?
Even in your silence you hold so
much power over me.
[Rachel] Do you have nothing to say?
[Husband] I am without words.
(music)
You must think so little of me.
[Husband] In your eyes I always did.
Not always.
[Husband] Then enlighten me.
He doesn't just
remind me of the bad,
but the good is no less painful.
[Husband] Is that why you've betrayed me?
It's not as simple as that.
[Husband] Then what is it?
You, of all people,
should understand.
[Husband] Well, assume that I don't.
[Rachel] When the soldier
[Rachel] arrived this morning,
[Rachel] I initially felt
[Rachel] a sense of relief.
I was relieved that
this could all be over.
In many ways I'm ready.
Ready to grieve for
the man I no longer love.
[Husband] One has to admire your honesty.
Do not care what I'm
trying to tell you.
[Husband] Your bluntness
on the matter shows
[Husband] such little care that it makes it
[Husband] impossible to
[Husband] communicate with you.
If I'm completely honest with you,
there's a part of me
that does in fact miss you.
But if I admit that to myself,
then I may want you to come home.
And I'm not yet
ready to feel that.
[Husband] Then where do we go from here?
I was hoping the war would make
that decision for us.
[Husband] There's still time.
(birds chirping)
(door squeals)
(sigh)
(clanking)
(door closes)
(sigh)
(birds chirping)
(crunch)
(water splashing)
[Rachel] I thought I might find you here.
I didn't mean to disappear.
I wanted to go to your
grandparents' house to check on
you, but I didn't
think that would be wise.
No. It wouldn't have been.
How is your mother?
She's holding up.
We all are.
Is there anything
I can do to help?
Stay away from us.
I'm sorry?
My family doesn't have the
capacity to deal
with anything else.
I don't understand.
Please, Rachel.
What about... us
What did you expect to happen?
You don't mean this.
Tell me you don't mean it.
I need you to write a
letter to your husband.
What do you mean?
I need you to tell him
that this was a mistake,
was a misunderstanding, and that
your heart belongs
to him and only him.
I will not lie.
Please, Rachel.
Why would you have
me do such a thing?
Because if he were to get killed,
I couldn't live with the guilt.
Then you would have nothing to
feel guilty about.
This is my choice to
make. I've told you that.
You belong to another man, Rachel.
You always have.
I belong to no one.
I used to want to believe that
when we first met.
But now, all I can think about is
our differences.
I romanticised our connection to a
point that became impossible.
And now, without children, it's
hard to see a future for us.
So what are you trying to say?
Our love is worthless.
So you'd admit it, then?
[Flynn] Admit what?
That you love me.
[Rachel] Well?
To be honest, I've
never loved anything more.
Do you love me?
Then forget it. Forget everything.
I am yours. You are mine.
(train approaching in distance)
[Flynn] We can be together.
[Flynn] We can make it work.
[Flynn] It doesn't matter what anybody
[Flynn] says or what anybody thinks.
[Flynn] We can do this.
(train approaches loudly)
(dramatic music)
(thud)
(gunfire in distance)
(baby crying)
Are you Nanna's little soldier?
(baby crying)
(gunfire in distance)
(baby crying)
Oh
Yes you are
(laughs)
[Flynn] You're awake.
What's happened?
[Flynn] Careful.
You need to rest.
[Flynn] I have something to tell you.
What's happened?
Rach.
I'm not quite sure
how to tell you this.
But you're pregnant.
Please.
Doctor said you need to rest.
You've suffered a
light spot of bleeding,
but he told me that it's
completely normal and
it's nothing to worry about.
Isn't it wonderful?
It's impossible.
Then it's meant to be.
I don't know what you
remember from before.
I want you to know that I'm here
[Flynn] for you, and together
[Flynn] we will make this work.
Where will we go?
Where will we
live? What will we do?
Why, we'll live here.
I shall speak with my
mother in the morning.
It could be just what she needs.
It could save her.
Me.
My father.
[Flynn] I could teach him to draw, to
[Flynn] farm, to grow crops.
[Flynn] It'll be beautiful.
To draw.
[Flynn] Yes. There's still a lot you don't
[Flynn] know about me, Rachel, but this is
[Flynn] about to bring us closer together.
[Flynn] I need you to write a letter.
A letter?
[Flynn] Yes.
To your husband.
We talked about this.
[Flynn] Yes, we did. That
[Flynn] was before this news.
He needs to know that your heart
does in fact belong to me.
He needs to know that it was him
that was insufficient.
He needs to pay for the way that
he made you feel, for there is
absolutely nothing wrong with you.
Can,
[Rachel] Can we just slow down, please?
Of course.
(birds chirping)
Flynn, what aren't you telling me?
Nothing.
If you don't want to
write to him, then we won't.
(birds chirping)
Can I get you anything?
I just need to get some sleep. We
can talk about this later, OK?
[Flynn] OK. I'll go and
[Flynn] make us some dinner.
Be lovely. Thank you.
[Flynn] Of course.
(deep inhale and exhale)
(gunfire in distance)
[Rachel, VO] Please excuse my silence.
[Rachel,
VO] He told me that I can no longer
[Rachel, VO] write to you,
[Rachel, VO] to let bygones be bygones.
[Rachel, VO] But I've grown concerned.
[Rachel,
VO] Whilst I know he would never admit it,
[Rachel, VO] I'm almost
certain that a few months ago,
[Rachel, VO] he did write to you.
[Rachel,
VO] And that is what explains your silence.
(music)
(sigh)
(fire crackling)
[Rachel,
VO] I can only apologise for his lack
[Rachel, VO] of emotional maturity
[Rachel, VO] and the pain that it
[Rachel, VO] must have brought you.
[Rachel, VO] If I'd have known he
[Rachel, VO] would do such a thing,
[Rachel, VO] I would have been
[Rachel, VO] sure to prevent it.
You're truly beautiful.
Would you tell me otherwise?
If there was a reality where that
was true, then yes.
(music)
[Rachel,
VO] The circumstances of my choices
[Rachel,
VO] have taken such unexpected turns.
[Rachel, VO] In many ways, I feel blessed.
[Rachel, VO] But whenever I look
[Rachel, VO] down at my growing belly,
[Rachel, VO] it's hard to imagine that
[Rachel, VO] something we both
[Rachel, VO] wanted for so long
[Rachel, VO] now belongs to a boy.
[Flynn] There's still no reality.
Sure.
[Rachel, VO] In a few weeks, it
[Rachel, VO] will be his 18th birthday.
[Rachel, VO] I guess at that point I should
[Rachel, VO] stop referring to him as a boy
[Rachel, VO] and accept that he is a man.
[Rachel, VO] Shouldn't I?
(music)
[Rachel, VO] Despite his
[Rachel, VO] attempt to convince me,
[Rachel, VO] I know that his eyes
[Rachel, VO] have started to wander.
[Rachel, VO] It may not have come
[Rachel, VO] at the hands of my age,
[Rachel, VO] but it has come at
[Rachel, VO] the change in my body.
[Rachel,
VO] There's a girl his age that lives
[Rachel, VO] just down the road.
[Rachel, VO] And as we both know,
[Rachel, VO] temptation affects us all.
[Rachel, VO] Despite everything,
[Rachel,
VO] I do hope that you make it home,
[Rachel,
VO] whether you want to see me or not.
[Rachel, VO] I think that it's important to
[Rachel, VO] remember that we
[Rachel, VO] were once friends.
[Rachel, VO] Could we be friends again?
Is everything okay?
[Flynn] Crops are dying.
[Rachel] What can we do?
[Flynn] I've tried everything.
Worst part is my father would have
known exactly what to
do if only he were here.
[Rachel] We'll figure his back together.
[Rachel] I promise.
I just can't help but feel like
I'm letting him down.
What's that?
[Rachel] It's nothing.
Show me!
You promised me we
were done with this.
It's not as simple as that.
Then what's going on?
I'm concerned, Flynn.
Surely you can understand that.
Dead or alive, what
difference does it make?
You used to feel guilty.
And you reminded me that it was
your weight to bear.
Please.
Just give me the letter, Flynn.
It will be the last one I promise.
How am I supposed to believe you?
Because I'm not a liar.
Enough of one to
hide it from me, though.
I didn't want to, but you've been
very difficult to
talk to recently.
Why can't you understand the
pressure I'm under?
We are both under pressure.
Please don't compare our efforts.
Give me the letter, Flynn.
One day, you'll have to let go.
(slap)
(sombre music)
(birds chirping)
(water splashing)
(water splashing)
(sigh)
(water splashing)
(shovel hitting ground)
(soft music)
(birds chirping)
(music)
[Flynn, VO] I wish I could turn back time.
It's lovely.
It's nothing.
(music)
[Flynn, VO] Why can't I talk to her?
[Rachel, VO] Oh, I miss him.
[Flynn, VO] I love her.
[Flynn, VO] I need her.
[Flynn, VO] Have I made a horrible mistake?
[Flynn, VO] She'll never understand.
[Rachel, VO] He's become so hard to read.
[Flynn, VO] Am I...
[Flynn, VO] my father's son?
[Rachel, VO] I failed him.
I volunteered to fight.
(music)
[Rachel, VO] Did I hear him correctly?
[Flynn, VO] Did she hear me?
[Rachel,
VO] I cannot believe he would do this.
[Flynn, VO] Have I made a mistake?
[Rachel, VO] This must be a mistake.
[Flynn, VO] There's no going back now.
[Rachel, VO] I failed him.
Tell me why.
The pull of my past has
been too hard to ignore.
I'm nothing like him.
You never met him.
The more we're together, the more
it feels like I have.
He was a good man, Rachel.
Then why are you so ashamed?
(music)
[Rachel, VO] I wish he spoke to me sooner.
[Flynn, VO] I wish I never said anything.
[Rachel,
VO] I wish I could have helped him.
(snifs)
You look very handsome.
You think so?
Some might say
you look like a man.
And is that what you'd say?
I would say,
that it's time I let go of the boy
I fell in love with.
Will you be here when I return?
You know this was never my home.
But it's ours.
When the time comes, I'll make
sure you know where to find me.
Will you promise?
Will you promise?
I don't have to do this.
I'm afraid it's already too late.
You're a good man, Flynn.
You always were.
(sighs)
(birds chirping)
(deep breaths)
[Flynn] Are you okay?
I'll see you again.
I really hope that's true.
I will be ok.
(dramatic music)
(sighs)
(piano music)
(rapid gunfire)
(music)
[Rachel, VO] Long ago, I said
[Rachel, VO] something along the lines of,
[Rachel,
VO] "There's no greater evil than the
[Rachel, VO] devil in one's flesh."
[Rachel,
VO] And I now believe that to be true.
[Rachel,
VO] We've all had a part to play in
[Rachel, VO] this war of men,
[Rachel, VO] hearts and minds.
[Rachel, VO] And now that you
[Rachel, VO] are on your way home,
[Rachel,
VO] I've spent many hours debating how
[Rachel, VO] to respond to it all.
[Rachel, VO] When it was announced
[Rachel, VO] that the war was over,
[Rachel, VO] I felt obliged to
[Rachel, VO] think about what is next.
[Rachel, VO] Not only for myself and
[Rachel, VO] our child, but for us.
[Rachel,
VO] Life has never been so simple and
[Rachel, VO] yet so complicated.
(music)
[Rachel, VO] Whilst this may
[Rachel, VO] come as a surprise,
[Rachel, VO] I wanted you to know that I've
[Rachel,
VO] decided to leave Baltonsborough.
[Rachel,
VO] This is by no means a reflection
[Rachel, VO] of the life we had together,
[Rachel, VO] but of an urge to start anew.
(music)
[Rachel, VO] Before you left,
it became evident
[Rachel, VO] that you started to
[Rachel, VO] question our differences.
[Rachel, VO] So this letter
[Rachel, VO] comes with a choice,
[Rachel,
VO] that you are free to make without
[Rachel, VO] judgment or contempt.
[Rachel, VO] No matter how you
[Rachel, VO] decide to respond,
[Rachel,
VO] please know that our child will
[Rachel, VO] only ever know you
[Rachel, VO] as the man you were,
[Rachel, VO] the hero you became,
[Rachel, VO] and the boy who
[Rachel, VO] stole my broken heart.
[Rachel, VO] Forever yours, Rachel.
(music)
[Inspector] Tickets please.
(music)
(train rolling past)
(music)
(distant gunfire)
[Rachel,
VO] There's no greater evil than the
[Rachel, VO] devil in one's flesh.
[Rachel,
VO] That's why I write to you in such
[Rachel, VO] an unruly manner.
[Rachel, VO] Last night I
[Rachel, VO] begged you could see me.
[Rachel, VO] I begged you could place your
[Rachel, VO] lips on my breasts
(sigh)
[Rachel, VO] To be the boy you
[Rachel, VO] once were may solve this.
[Rachel,
VO] Yet you're hundreds of miles away.
[Rachel, VO] I need you to know
[Rachel, VO] that it's not personal.
[Rachel, VO] No matter what has
[Rachel, VO] happened between us.
[Rachel, VO] Desire is unholy.
(gunshots)
[Rachel, VO] Do you forgive me?
(somber music)
(screeching)
(music)
[Rachel, VO] You never ask
[Rachel, VO] about my contribution.
[Rachel, VO] I assume you disapprove.
[Rachel, VO] I now live in a
[Rachel, VO] home that's all mine.
[Rachel, VO] While it belongs to the
[Rachel, VO] family I'm working for.
[Rachel,
VO] But it feels more like mine than
[Rachel, VO] our house ever did.
[Rachel, VO] To think that I liked pink.
[Rachel,
VO] He ripped away my identity in the
[Rachel, VO] same way that he
[Rachel, VO] clawed at my skin.
[Rachel, VO] I felt free and liberated.
[Rachel, VO] I was his canvas,
[Rachel, VO] waiting for his paint
[Rachel, VO] to seep into my pores.
[Rachel, VO] At times his behavior is
[Rachel, VO] uncomfortably familiar.
[Rachel, VO] Close to home.
[Rachel, VO] Yet there is a naivety to his
[Rachel, VO] actions that feel
[Rachel, VO] far less manipulative.
(smashes)
(sighs)
[Rachel,
VO] To think that you're fighting for
[Rachel, VO] our country whilst I'm
[Rachel, VO] picking out furniture.
[Rachel,
VO] What a cruel world we now live in.
[Rachel, VO] Much of what I say could be
[Rachel, VO] considered unreliable.
[Rachel,
VO] It's not that I don't love you.
[Rachel, VO] I do.
[Rachel, VO] But love is complicated.
[Rachel,
VO] I am aware that up to this point
[Rachel,
VO] I've not given you much context.
[Rachel, VO] I assure you that in
[Rachel, VO] time that will come.
[Rachel,
VO] I myself am not yet sure of the
[Rachel, VO] how,
what or why of my situation.
[Rachel, VO] At first he was like a shadow.
[Rachel, VO] Thin.
[Rachel, VO] Soft, skinned.
[Rachel, VO] Almost transparent.
Sorry.
I wasn't expecting
someone like you.
Someone like me?
[Rachel, VO] I was unsure who this shadow
[Rachel, VO] belonged to, for he was blunt.
Berry?
[Rachel, VO] Rude.
[Rachel, VO] And tried his best
[Rachel, VO] to act like a man.
[Rachel] I'm looking for Mr Richardson?
[Flynn] Mr Richardson was my father.
[Flynn] He's gone to fight.
I suppose that makes you the man
of the house then.
Do I give off that impression?
[Rachel, VO] It made me think of you.
[Rachel,
VO] Whilst at first I'm certain he was
[Rachel, VO] embarrassed by his remarks.
[Flynn] I'm afraid my mother has no taste.
[Rachel,
VO] He charmed me with his naivety.
[Rachel] Charming.
[Flynn] I doubt a woman of your
[Flynn] sophistication surrounds herself
[Flynn] with a colour pink.
[Rachel] I don't know who you think I am.
[Rachel,
VO] He seemed to think that to be a
[Rachel, VO] man, you had to be in control.
[Rachel,
VO] The possibility that this trait
[Rachel, VO] was not yet locked is what
[Rachel, VO] propelled me to humour him.
Where is your mother?
[Flynn] We're all staying
with my grandparents
[Flynn] for the time being.
What, with my father being away?
[Rachel] I imagine that's very hard.
I never depended on him.
I never depended on him.
[Rachel,
VO] Outside of thanking his mother for
[Rachel, VO] the hospitality,
I felt urged to
[Rachel, VO] share a message of support.
[Rachel,
VO] But he stated that it would not
[Rachel, VO] benefit either party and in
[Rachel, VO] hindsight,
he's probably right.
God be with him.
[Rachel,
VO] I could feel his urge to touch me.
[Rachel, VO] It frightened me.
[Rachel,
VO] But it also propelled me to wonder
[Rachel,
VO] what impact I could make on a boy
[Rachel,
VO] who is not yet fully burdened with
[Rachel, VO] society's expectations.
[Rachel, VO] Either way, I'm
[Rachel, VO] passing on a message.
[machine gun firing]
[Rachel, VO] May God be with you, husband.
[machine gun firing]
[Rachel, VO] Always.
(music ends)
(birds chirping)
(sheep baaing)
[Flynn] You're late.
[Rachel] I would argue that I'm early.
[Flynn] Maybe I'm impatient.
You ever done this job before?
[Rachel] No.
But I've been thoroughly trained.
Well, as long as you're willing to
get your hands
dirty, you'll be fine.
I can assure you I have no doubts.
I didn't catch
your name yesterday.
It's Flynn.
[Flynn] Have you ever been to
Baltonsborough before?
No, this is my first time.
May I take you somewhere?
I'm afraid I'm on the clock.
But you work for me.
I work for your father.
Who could well be dead?
Please.
[Flynn] You won't regret it.
Quickly, then.
Nowhere far.
(water splashes)
[Flynn] I noticed the ring on your finger.
[Flynn] What does he think of all this?
[Rachel] He's yet to disclose his opinion.
[Rachel] I assume he disapproves.
[Rachel] But I think his anger has aimed
[Rachel] more at his own resentment
[Rachel] than the fact that I'm carrying
[Rachel] out the work of men.
[Flynn] Is that what you think?
[Rachel] I believe I've answered that
[Rachel] question by being
[Rachel] here in the first place.
(water splashes)
[Flynn] You're not what I was expecting?
[Rachel] In what way?
[Flynn] I don't know.
[Flynn] I guess the only girl I've ever
[Flynn] really been around is my sister.
[Flynn] So it's hard to tell.
I'm closer to the
age of your mother.
Yet you have my
sister's complexion.
Why did you bring me here?
The world is at war.
I wanted you to see that there's
beauty all around us, even now.
Is that what you see?
[Flynn] Sometimes.
Other times I see something that
no longer exists.
My father used to bring me and my
sister here all the time.
He'd skim the stones for hours.
He used to say that...
It's all in the
flick of the wrist.
My sister would flinch each and
every time he did it.
Eventually he caught one
of us all stop laughing.
[Rachel] I'm so sorry.
I don't know why I told you that.
Because you're angry at yourself
for missing him.
[Flynn] I shouldn't have brought you here.
[Flynn] It was a mistake.
[Rachel] I don't think that's true.
How could you know what I feel?
(water splashes)
(sighs)
(water splashes)
(urgh)
(Flynn laughs)
(gentle guitar music)
[Rachel] Oh no
[Rachel] Ok show me
[Rachel, VO] More than anything,
[Rachel, VO] he surprised me.
[Rachel, VO] He was so in tune
[Rachel, VO] with his emotions,
[Rachel,
VO] which was unlike all the men I've
[Rachel, VO] met in my life thus far.
[Rachel, VO] Yet in many ways,
[Rachel, VO] this was no man, was it?
[Rachel,
VO] I began to worry that he saw me as
[Rachel, VO] a version of his mother,
[Rachel,
VO] which was a feeling I was not yet
[Rachel, VO] willing to face.
[Rachel,
VO] It was clear that he didn't fully
[Rachel, VO] know how to handle a woman,
[Rachel, VO] and he used his adolescence to
[Rachel, VO] excuse his behavior.
[Rachel, VO] His overt strength,
[Rachel, VO] his need to get dirty,
[Rachel, VO] yet it was never
[Rachel,
VO] something I felt urged to tame.
[Rachel,
VO] Sometimes I thought he had no idea
[Rachel, VO] what he was doing.
[Rachel, VO] Other times it felt
[Rachel, VO] far more calculated.
[Rachel,
VO] I believe he was trying to show me
[Rachel, VO] that this was
[Rachel, VO] indeed a job for a man.
[Rachel, VO] But I did not let it
[Rachel, VO] deter me from my assignment.
You've proven your point.
So you admit he doubted me.
You should never doubt
experience.
(deep breaths)
(aroused moaning)
(distant gunfire and sounds of war)
(aroused moaning)
(distant sounds of war)
(aroused moaning)
(distant sounds of war)
(aroused moaning)
(knock)
(gasp)
(water splashes)
(staggered breathing)
(curtains open)
(door opens)
Flynn
What are you doing here?
(sigh) You're ice cold.
[Flynn] I need to ask you a question.
Can't you wait until morning?
[Flynn] If that's what you prefer?
At least, come and warm up by the
fire before you go.
[Flynn] Only if you're sure.
(dog barking in distance)
[Rachel] I should get dressed.
You needn't worry.
[Rachel] It will only take a moment.
Sit down.
It's cold.
(fireplace burning in the background)
What did you want to ask me?
Oh, it's nothing.
It can't have been nothing.
Truthfully, there
never was a question.
And what are you doing here?
I wanted to see you.
Don't you have a girlfriend?
You could be
spending your time with me.
Don't you have a husband?
I should go upstairs.
This is your home, after all.
Don't you miss your home?
There's nothing to miss.
No children?
I am unable to conceive.
[Rachel] It's okay.
[Rachel] I don't expect
[Rachel] you to say anything.
My husband...
blames me for the
downfall of our marriage.
Yet even when I imagine myself...
pregnant or with a child...
[Rachel] I don't see a different outcome.
It's easier for men...
to blame an imperfect woman.
In my view,
imperfections don't make us human.
Is that so?
Why'd you do that?
[Rachel] What?
Mistake my age for ignorance.
It's not that that...
Then what is it?
I've been around for
far longer than you have.
I know every game...
every trick that you're
trying to play on me...
Yet you still engage.
Yet you still
plead your innocence.
Only for as long as it
takes you to catch me.
Is that when you'd finally get
bored of this, charade?
Why?
Are you willing to
humor me until then?
I'm wondering...
at what point?
This man...
goes back to being a boy.
(door opens)
(running footsteps)
(dog barking in distance)
(Rachel humming)
[Rachel, VO] I received your first letter.
[Rachel, VO] Your timing is, as
[Rachel, VO] always, impeccable.
[Rachel, VO] But the
[Rachel, VO] conversation felt sanitized.
[Rachel, VO] You speak of death...
[Rachel, VO] whilst I speak of life.
[Rachel,
VO] I'm envious of your conclusions.
[Rachel, VO] What is this act I'm playing?
[Rachel, VO] I'm unsure if I'm
[Rachel, VO] seeking company...
[Rachel, VO] lust...
[Rachel, VO] or validation.
[Rachel, VO] In the eyes of God, lines have
[Rachel, VO] already been crossed.
[Rachel, VO] But I don't yet feel guilty.
[Rachel, VO] I wonder if it would take his
[Rachel, VO] touch to make that
[Rachel, VO] feeling come to fruition.
[Rachel,
VO] I didn't hear from him from many
[Rachel, VO] days after that night.
[Rachel, VO] I was unsure if I
[Rachel, VO] would ever see him again.
[Rachel, VO] Tragically,
I started looking for
[Rachel, VO] the silver lining in it all.
[Rachel, VO] Damn, your impact on my soul.
[Husband] One day...
[Husband] you'll be grateful that you've
[Husband] stopped
making a fool of yourself.
(clanging)
(bang)
(bang)
(bang)
(bang)
(bang)
(bang)
(bang)
(bang)
(bang)
(bang)
[Rachel, VO] Whilst I know this
[Rachel, VO] could cause you pain,
[Rachel, VO] I do think it will
[Rachel, VO] help you understand.
[Rachel, VO] Remember,
no matter how we both
[Rachel, VO] come out of this,
[Rachel, VO] you will always be the hero.
[Flynn, VO] Dear Rachel,
[Flynn, VO] in your absence, I've taken it
[Flynn, VO] upon myself to change
[Flynn, VO] the layout of the house
[Flynn, VO] and to tidy your wardrobe.
[Flynn,
VO] Please know that I was only unable
[Flynn, VO] to face the
[Flynn, VO] possibility by the fire
[Flynn,
VO] because I was unable to face the
[Flynn, VO] familiarity of my past.
[Flynn, VO] I now believe that if
[Flynn, VO] you are to work here,
[Flynn, VO] this should be your home,
[Flynn,
VO] and it should leave no traces of
[Flynn, VO] my mother or my sister
[Flynn, VO] or of someone that
[Flynn, VO] might no longer exist.
[Flynn, VO] Whilst I am far from
[Flynn, VO] the boy I used to be,
[Flynn, VO] I understand that I am also far
[Flynn, VO] from the man that I'll become.
[Flynn, VO] Despite this,
I believe we share
[Flynn, VO] that similarity.
[Flynn,
VO] Comfort does not come from within,
[Flynn, VO] but from finding
[Flynn, VO] sanctuary in the unknown.
[Flynn, VO] I am in the magnet's power.
(slight laugh)
Your silence is killing me.
I wasn't expecting you.
I take it you received my letter.
Smells lovely.
My mother's recipe.
(laughs)
[Flynn] What's the matter?
(laughs), nothing
I'm just... I'm surprised.
Well, you haven't tasted it yet?
mmmm
I wasn't expecting to see you.
Well, I guess I thought you might
have wanted some company.
If this is truly my home,
you probably should have asked
before you came to cook me dinner.
Would that have
changed the outcome?
Yes.
Because I wouldn't have expected
you could do it.
(laughs)
I'm going to go freshen up.
Would you like me to be
here when you get back?
The first man who's
ever cooked me dinner.
I might as well enjoy it.
(water splashing)
(sighs)
You look beautiful.
Why are you doing this?
What do you mean?
The dinner. The dress.
Well, I wasn't
sure if you'd wear it.
Answer the question.
You wonder if I'm ready.
I wonder if I'm capable.
Hopefully this answers both.
Has anything I've
said put you up to this?
No. But your words
have motivated me.
Flynn...
I don't want to say
this, but I think...
You must go...
and never come back.
I don't understand.
You're just a boy.
(distant train)
Can't you understand, then?
Then I don't understand why you're
so upset with me.
I'm upset because
I'm too old for you.
Doesn't matter.
(train approaching intensifies)
(train whistle blowing)
[Flynn] I should leave.
At least stay for dinner.
[Flynn] I don't know.
Please.
You've gone to all this effort.
(guitar music)
[Rachel, VO] Whilst I knew it was wrong,
[Rachel, VO] I was so unwilling to let go.
[Rachel, VO] I knew that one day
[Rachel, VO] he'd grow out for me.
[Rachel,
VO] But I believed that he at least
[Rachel,
VO] deserved to retain his dignity.
[Rachel, VO] Even if I was willing to
[Rachel, VO] have mine stripped away.
(indistinct chatter)
(music)
[Rachel, VO] Despite my actions,
I didn't wish
[Rachel, VO] to force subject to my age.
[Rachel,
VO] But his kiss grew in familiarity
[Rachel, VO] the longer that I tasted it.
[Rachel, VO] Could I really deprive
[Rachel, VO] myself of that forever?
[Rachel, VO] If you were in my shoes,
would you
[Rachel, VO] even have hesitated?
[Rachel,
VO] Two wrongs don't make a right, but
[Rachel, VO] they would at
[Rachel, VO] least make us equals.
[Rachel,
VO] I desperately looked for excuses
[Rachel, VO] in my behaviour.
[Rachel, VO] Maybe I'm depressed.
[Rachel, VO] Maybe I have been all along.
[Rachel,
VO] I had never smiled so much that I
[Rachel, VO] felt pain in my cheeks.
[Rachel, VO] It was as if my body had
[Rachel, VO] lost all of its weight.
[Rachel,
VO] I walked in the streets as lightly
[Rachel, VO] as in my dreams.
[Flynn] Will I see you again?
[Rachel] You probably shouldn't.
[Rachel] You didn't say goodbye.
[Finn] Exactly.
[Rachel, VO] This all begged
[Rachel, VO] one single question.
[Rachel, VO] I have always
[Rachel, VO] been honest with you.
[Rachel, VO] But when have you
[Rachel, VO] been honest with me?
[Rachel] Charles.
[Rachel] Have you been?
I was waiting for you.
Hmm
Oh your face is wet
(gasp)
Stop.
[Rachel] Go and dry yourself off, okay?
Darling
You'll catch a cold.
[Rachel] Do you want me to help you?
[Rachel] Stand up.
Are you okay?
[Rachel] You shouldn't be here.
[Flynn] I know I
[Rachel] Shhh
(Flynn breathing heavily)
[Flynn] You look tired.
I am tired.
[Flynn] Do you want me to
[Flynn] turn out the light?
[Rachel] No.
No.
I need to keep my eye on you.
I didn't mean to scare you.
I hope thats true.
(birds chirping)
Hmm.
(knocking)
Who's that?
It's okay.
Stay here.
(birds chirping)
[Flynn] Is everything okay?
[Rachel] It's a letter from my husband.
You sure about this?
Yes.
I'm sure.
Dear Rachel,
I've written to you a
handful of times recently,
so you may well
get them all at once.
Our work has been busy.
The air has been ice cold.
But for you,
I have remained resilient.
As the war rages on,
I see that my chances of returning
to you are becoming rather slim.
At first,
this was something that
scared me tremendously.
In these conditions,
you soon become accustomed to the
possibility of death.
Forever yours
Charles.
(piano music)
(fire crackling)
(heavy breathing)
(moaning)
(music)
[Rachel, VO] How are you feeling?
[Flynn, VO] It's hard to put into words.
[Rachel, VO] Would you tell me if you
[Rachel, VO] ever grew to regret this?
[Flynn, VO] If there's a reality where that
[Flynn, VO] ever happens... then yes.
(water splashing and laughter)
[Rachel,
VO] Do you think that it's possible?
[Flynn, VO] Why do you worry so deeply?
[Rachel,
VO] I worry about anything that could
[Rachel, VO] be deemed a mistake.
[Flynn, VO] Would you tell me if you ever
[Flynn, VO] grew to regret this?
(music)
[Rachel, VO] If there's a reality,
[Rachel, VO] then yes
(heavy breathing)
(moaning intensifies)
[Flynn] Is this ok?
You can tell me, I don't mind.
Are you sure?
If you slow down slightly
It could be better
for the both of us.
Okay.
[Flynn] Like this?
(exhales)
(birds chirping)
What's the matter?
It's nothing.
You could tell me.
Last night,
it actually felt like you were mine.
But now all I can think
about is your husband.
(sigh)
Please don't feel guilty Flynn.
This is my choice to make.
[Flynn] This is not that.
[Flynn] It's just that this is the first
[Flynn] time I've not
[Flynn] wanted the war to end.
You know you shouldn't
say things like that.
[Flynn] I can't help but
[Flynn] the way that I feel.
It's okay.
I understand.
I should be punished for saying
something like that, shouldn't I?
And what good would that do?
If this is the only
time we have left,
is that such a bad thing?
What do you mean?
In 15 years.
Your life will just be beginning.
You would only have stayed
with me out of weakness.
And I'd hate to see you sacrifice
your happiness for me.
Why don't you believe
that I want to be with you?
Because the years between us
aren't just a number, Flynn.
They're a measure
of our differences.
Why did you marry him?
Because I loved him.
That's not what
you said yesterday.
Well, love is complicated.
Isn't it just?
(music)
[Rachel, VO] I've now received all
[Rachel, VO] of your recent letters.
[Rachel, VO] I want to thank you
[Rachel, VO] for holding me accountable.
[Rachel, VO] It has made me far
[Rachel, VO] more aware of my actions,
[Rachel, VO] and it has made it
[Rachel, VO] feel more like a choice.
(music)
[Rachel, VO] In the beginning,
[Rachel, VO] I believe I humored him
[Rachel, VO] because I had accepted
[Rachel, VO] the fate of our marriage.
[Rachel, VO] Whilst at first,
all I thought about
[Rachel, VO] was the day you'd return home.
[Rachel, VO] As the months went on,
[Rachel,
VO] I began to believe that you may
[Rachel, VO] never come home.
(engine starts)
[Rachel,
VO] I began to believe that you may
[Rachel, VO] already be dead.
[Rachel, VO] In hindsight,
I think that it is
[Rachel, VO] that sense of clarity
[Rachel, VO] that has blinded me.
[Rachel,
VO] You must think I'm a whore, and
[Rachel, VO] maybe you're right.
[Rachel, VO] Maybe I am.
[Rachel,
VO] But what helps me sleep at night
[Rachel, VO] is knowing that
[Rachel, VO] when this war does end,
[Rachel,
VO] I will be faced with my reality.
[Rachel, VO] In many ways, I am
[Rachel, VO] already facing it.
[Rachel, VO] It didn't take long for the
[Rachel, VO] rumours to begin.
Have you heard about
the little farmer's boy?
I heard they're making
butter with their tails.
She's bringing nothing but shame
to our town, I tell you.
Shame.
Is she married?
Don't be facetious.
Well, is she?
She'll get bored
with the wee laddie.
He's just a pup.
(dismayed sigh)
[Rachel,
VO] I could tell that it bothered him
[Rachel, VO] more than it bothered me.
[Rachel, VO] For this is his home.
[Rachel,
VO] I knew that I could leave if it
[Rachel, VO] became unbearable.
[Rachel, VO] But the thought of
[Rachel, VO] leaving him was my weakness.
(music)
She's not wearing a ring.
I'll be damned.
(bang)
(bang)
(bang)
(bang)
(clanging)
(loud breathing)
(spits)
[Rachel, VO] This might be the last time I
[Rachel,
VO] write to you for the time being.
[Rachel, VO] Your replies have
[Rachel, VO] become too painful,
[Rachel, VO] as has my own honesty.
[Rachel, VO] I'm afraid I no
[Rachel, VO] longer have the strength.
[Flynn] You don't have to
[Flynn] do this, you know.
I know.
(Rachel sighs)
You seem different.
[Flynn] I'm okay.
[Flynn] I'm just in my head
[Flynn] about things, that's all.
(birds chirping)
(gate opening)
(gate closing)
(birds chirping)
(knocking)
(knocking)
[Army Officer] Ma'am
[Army Officer] Our deepest condolences.
(birds chirping)
(dramatic music)
[Rachel, VO] The letter was
[Rachel, VO] intended for his mother.
[Rachel, VO] But fear clouded my judgement.
[Rachel, VO] The weight of his grief.
Flynn, stop! Stop, Flynn!
[Rachel, VO] In my bloody hands.
(sighs)
[Rachel, VO] Spite me where I stand.
(dramatic music)
He's dead.
(music)
Does this news bring
you a sense of peace?
Even in your silence you hold so
much power over me.
[Rachel] Do you have nothing to say?
[Husband] I am without words.
(music)
You must think so little of me.
[Husband] In your eyes I always did.
Not always.
[Husband] Then enlighten me.
He doesn't just
remind me of the bad,
but the good is no less painful.
[Husband] Is that why you've betrayed me?
It's not as simple as that.
[Husband] Then what is it?
You, of all people,
should understand.
[Husband] Well, assume that I don't.
[Rachel] When the soldier
[Rachel] arrived this morning,
[Rachel] I initially felt
[Rachel] a sense of relief.
I was relieved that
this could all be over.
In many ways I'm ready.
Ready to grieve for
the man I no longer love.
[Husband] One has to admire your honesty.
Do not care what I'm
trying to tell you.
[Husband] Your bluntness
on the matter shows
[Husband] such little care that it makes it
[Husband] impossible to
[Husband] communicate with you.
If I'm completely honest with you,
there's a part of me
that does in fact miss you.
But if I admit that to myself,
then I may want you to come home.
And I'm not yet
ready to feel that.
[Husband] Then where do we go from here?
I was hoping the war would make
that decision for us.
[Husband] There's still time.
(birds chirping)
(door squeals)
(sigh)
(clanking)
(door closes)
(sigh)
(birds chirping)
(crunch)
(water splashing)
[Rachel] I thought I might find you here.
I didn't mean to disappear.
I wanted to go to your
grandparents' house to check on
you, but I didn't
think that would be wise.
No. It wouldn't have been.
How is your mother?
She's holding up.
We all are.
Is there anything
I can do to help?
Stay away from us.
I'm sorry?
My family doesn't have the
capacity to deal
with anything else.
I don't understand.
Please, Rachel.
What about... us
What did you expect to happen?
You don't mean this.
Tell me you don't mean it.
I need you to write a
letter to your husband.
What do you mean?
I need you to tell him
that this was a mistake,
was a misunderstanding, and that
your heart belongs
to him and only him.
I will not lie.
Please, Rachel.
Why would you have
me do such a thing?
Because if he were to get killed,
I couldn't live with the guilt.
Then you would have nothing to
feel guilty about.
This is my choice to
make. I've told you that.
You belong to another man, Rachel.
You always have.
I belong to no one.
I used to want to believe that
when we first met.
But now, all I can think about is
our differences.
I romanticised our connection to a
point that became impossible.
And now, without children, it's
hard to see a future for us.
So what are you trying to say?
Our love is worthless.
So you'd admit it, then?
[Flynn] Admit what?
That you love me.
[Rachel] Well?
To be honest, I've
never loved anything more.
Do you love me?
Then forget it. Forget everything.
I am yours. You are mine.
(train approaching in distance)
[Flynn] We can be together.
[Flynn] We can make it work.
[Flynn] It doesn't matter what anybody
[Flynn] says or what anybody thinks.
[Flynn] We can do this.
(train approaches loudly)
(dramatic music)
(thud)
(gunfire in distance)
(baby crying)
Are you Nanna's little soldier?
(baby crying)
(gunfire in distance)
(baby crying)
Oh
Yes you are
(laughs)
[Flynn] You're awake.
What's happened?
[Flynn] Careful.
You need to rest.
[Flynn] I have something to tell you.
What's happened?
Rach.
I'm not quite sure
how to tell you this.
But you're pregnant.
Please.
Doctor said you need to rest.
You've suffered a
light spot of bleeding,
but he told me that it's
completely normal and
it's nothing to worry about.
Isn't it wonderful?
It's impossible.
Then it's meant to be.
I don't know what you
remember from before.
I want you to know that I'm here
[Flynn] for you, and together
[Flynn] we will make this work.
Where will we go?
Where will we
live? What will we do?
Why, we'll live here.
I shall speak with my
mother in the morning.
It could be just what she needs.
It could save her.
Me.
My father.
[Flynn] I could teach him to draw, to
[Flynn] farm, to grow crops.
[Flynn] It'll be beautiful.
To draw.
[Flynn] Yes. There's still a lot you don't
[Flynn] know about me, Rachel, but this is
[Flynn] about to bring us closer together.
[Flynn] I need you to write a letter.
A letter?
[Flynn] Yes.
To your husband.
We talked about this.
[Flynn] Yes, we did. That
[Flynn] was before this news.
He needs to know that your heart
does in fact belong to me.
He needs to know that it was him
that was insufficient.
He needs to pay for the way that
he made you feel, for there is
absolutely nothing wrong with you.
Can,
[Rachel] Can we just slow down, please?
Of course.
(birds chirping)
Flynn, what aren't you telling me?
Nothing.
If you don't want to
write to him, then we won't.
(birds chirping)
Can I get you anything?
I just need to get some sleep. We
can talk about this later, OK?
[Flynn] OK. I'll go and
[Flynn] make us some dinner.
Be lovely. Thank you.
[Flynn] Of course.
(deep inhale and exhale)
(gunfire in distance)
[Rachel, VO] Please excuse my silence.
[Rachel,
VO] He told me that I can no longer
[Rachel, VO] write to you,
[Rachel, VO] to let bygones be bygones.
[Rachel, VO] But I've grown concerned.
[Rachel,
VO] Whilst I know he would never admit it,
[Rachel, VO] I'm almost
certain that a few months ago,
[Rachel, VO] he did write to you.
[Rachel,
VO] And that is what explains your silence.
(music)
(sigh)
(fire crackling)
[Rachel,
VO] I can only apologise for his lack
[Rachel, VO] of emotional maturity
[Rachel, VO] and the pain that it
[Rachel, VO] must have brought you.
[Rachel, VO] If I'd have known he
[Rachel, VO] would do such a thing,
[Rachel, VO] I would have been
[Rachel, VO] sure to prevent it.
You're truly beautiful.
Would you tell me otherwise?
If there was a reality where that
was true, then yes.
(music)
[Rachel,
VO] The circumstances of my choices
[Rachel,
VO] have taken such unexpected turns.
[Rachel, VO] In many ways, I feel blessed.
[Rachel, VO] But whenever I look
[Rachel, VO] down at my growing belly,
[Rachel, VO] it's hard to imagine that
[Rachel, VO] something we both
[Rachel, VO] wanted for so long
[Rachel, VO] now belongs to a boy.
[Flynn] There's still no reality.
Sure.
[Rachel, VO] In a few weeks, it
[Rachel, VO] will be his 18th birthday.
[Rachel, VO] I guess at that point I should
[Rachel, VO] stop referring to him as a boy
[Rachel, VO] and accept that he is a man.
[Rachel, VO] Shouldn't I?
(music)
[Rachel, VO] Despite his
[Rachel, VO] attempt to convince me,
[Rachel, VO] I know that his eyes
[Rachel, VO] have started to wander.
[Rachel, VO] It may not have come
[Rachel, VO] at the hands of my age,
[Rachel, VO] but it has come at
[Rachel, VO] the change in my body.
[Rachel,
VO] There's a girl his age that lives
[Rachel, VO] just down the road.
[Rachel, VO] And as we both know,
[Rachel, VO] temptation affects us all.
[Rachel, VO] Despite everything,
[Rachel,
VO] I do hope that you make it home,
[Rachel,
VO] whether you want to see me or not.
[Rachel, VO] I think that it's important to
[Rachel, VO] remember that we
[Rachel, VO] were once friends.
[Rachel, VO] Could we be friends again?
Is everything okay?
[Flynn] Crops are dying.
[Rachel] What can we do?
[Flynn] I've tried everything.
Worst part is my father would have
known exactly what to
do if only he were here.
[Rachel] We'll figure his back together.
[Rachel] I promise.
I just can't help but feel like
I'm letting him down.
What's that?
[Rachel] It's nothing.
Show me!
You promised me we
were done with this.
It's not as simple as that.
Then what's going on?
I'm concerned, Flynn.
Surely you can understand that.
Dead or alive, what
difference does it make?
You used to feel guilty.
And you reminded me that it was
your weight to bear.
Please.
Just give me the letter, Flynn.
It will be the last one I promise.
How am I supposed to believe you?
Because I'm not a liar.
Enough of one to
hide it from me, though.
I didn't want to, but you've been
very difficult to
talk to recently.
Why can't you understand the
pressure I'm under?
We are both under pressure.
Please don't compare our efforts.
Give me the letter, Flynn.
One day, you'll have to let go.
(slap)
(sombre music)
(birds chirping)
(water splashing)
(water splashing)
(sigh)
(water splashing)
(shovel hitting ground)
(soft music)
(birds chirping)
(music)
[Flynn, VO] I wish I could turn back time.
It's lovely.
It's nothing.
(music)
[Flynn, VO] Why can't I talk to her?
[Rachel, VO] Oh, I miss him.
[Flynn, VO] I love her.
[Flynn, VO] I need her.
[Flynn, VO] Have I made a horrible mistake?
[Flynn, VO] She'll never understand.
[Rachel, VO] He's become so hard to read.
[Flynn, VO] Am I...
[Flynn, VO] my father's son?
[Rachel, VO] I failed him.
I volunteered to fight.
(music)
[Rachel, VO] Did I hear him correctly?
[Flynn, VO] Did she hear me?
[Rachel,
VO] I cannot believe he would do this.
[Flynn, VO] Have I made a mistake?
[Rachel, VO] This must be a mistake.
[Flynn, VO] There's no going back now.
[Rachel, VO] I failed him.
Tell me why.
The pull of my past has
been too hard to ignore.
I'm nothing like him.
You never met him.
The more we're together, the more
it feels like I have.
He was a good man, Rachel.
Then why are you so ashamed?
(music)
[Rachel, VO] I wish he spoke to me sooner.
[Flynn, VO] I wish I never said anything.
[Rachel,
VO] I wish I could have helped him.
(snifs)
You look very handsome.
You think so?
Some might say
you look like a man.
And is that what you'd say?
I would say,
that it's time I let go of the boy
I fell in love with.
Will you be here when I return?
You know this was never my home.
But it's ours.
When the time comes, I'll make
sure you know where to find me.
Will you promise?
Will you promise?
I don't have to do this.
I'm afraid it's already too late.
You're a good man, Flynn.
You always were.
(sighs)
(birds chirping)
(deep breaths)
[Flynn] Are you okay?
I'll see you again.
I really hope that's true.
I will be ok.
(dramatic music)
(sighs)
(piano music)
(rapid gunfire)
(music)
[Rachel, VO] Long ago, I said
[Rachel, VO] something along the lines of,
[Rachel,
VO] "There's no greater evil than the
[Rachel, VO] devil in one's flesh."
[Rachel,
VO] And I now believe that to be true.
[Rachel,
VO] We've all had a part to play in
[Rachel, VO] this war of men,
[Rachel, VO] hearts and minds.
[Rachel, VO] And now that you
[Rachel, VO] are on your way home,
[Rachel,
VO] I've spent many hours debating how
[Rachel, VO] to respond to it all.
[Rachel, VO] When it was announced
[Rachel, VO] that the war was over,
[Rachel, VO] I felt obliged to
[Rachel, VO] think about what is next.
[Rachel, VO] Not only for myself and
[Rachel, VO] our child, but for us.
[Rachel,
VO] Life has never been so simple and
[Rachel, VO] yet so complicated.
(music)
[Rachel, VO] Whilst this may
[Rachel, VO] come as a surprise,
[Rachel, VO] I wanted you to know that I've
[Rachel,
VO] decided to leave Baltonsborough.
[Rachel,
VO] This is by no means a reflection
[Rachel, VO] of the life we had together,
[Rachel, VO] but of an urge to start anew.
(music)
[Rachel, VO] Before you left,
it became evident
[Rachel, VO] that you started to
[Rachel, VO] question our differences.
[Rachel, VO] So this letter
[Rachel, VO] comes with a choice,
[Rachel,
VO] that you are free to make without
[Rachel, VO] judgment or contempt.
[Rachel, VO] No matter how you
[Rachel, VO] decide to respond,
[Rachel,
VO] please know that our child will
[Rachel, VO] only ever know you
[Rachel, VO] as the man you were,
[Rachel, VO] the hero you became,
[Rachel, VO] and the boy who
[Rachel, VO] stole my broken heart.
[Rachel, VO] Forever yours, Rachel.
(music)
[Inspector] Tickets please.
(music)
(train rolling past)
(music)