Murder Before Evensong (2025) s01e01 Episode Script

1
Star, that's what
they call you ♪
How long you've waited
to get where you are ♪
Star ♪
That's what you wanted ♪
This week, hot
shot, a video star ♪
Ohh-ohh ♪
I don't suppose "Opportunity"
could knock any quieter,
could it?!
Didn't think so.
Time for a walk, eh?
Excellent idea.
Stella!
Oh! Come on!
Let's not fall out over this!
Lord, Jesus Christ, son of God,
have mercy on me, a sinner.
Cuzzy?
Hildy?
Hi.
Oh. I love this passage.
"Free me, Lord,
from eternal death."
-I know the feeling.
-It's not that bad.
Oh come on! It's a bit gloomy.
It's a requiem honor!
Maybe next time go for
something with more of a tune.
A tune Dad can sing.
Okay! Very nice, everybody!
Any thoughts on the flower
contest this year, Stella?
I'm thinking
the final frontier.
The Space Shuttle.
Intergalactic travel.
Think of the opportunities
for arrangements.
I'm trying, Kath.
Also, with ascension
on the horizon,
with Jesus lifting off
-Ascending.
-to heaven,
which is most apt,
don't you think?
You've really given this
some thought, haven't you?
In case they ask questions
at the parish church council.
-It's good to be prepared.
-Oh well, I wouldn't worry.
The PCC is usually
run pretty smoothly.
Please! Everyone!
It's just a proposal!
It's out of the question.
The church needs a lavatory.
We've managed for
centuries without a toilet.
Yes, but I believe change
is necessary, Kath.
Even in the church.
-What about the noises?
-Noises?
-Noises!
No one wants to hear sounds
during divine worship.
Where would it go? The lavatory?
Oh, there's plenty
of room, isn't there?
You could put it in the back.
You mean where our
flower room is?
Strictly speaking, it's not
your flower room, is it?
Then whose is it?
Jane's Mrs. Thwaite's right!
I mean, over the years,
it's been lots of things.
During the war, I
believe that it's had
Really, Mr. Bowness?
Another history lesson?
I'm just saying
I think we might be
getting off the subject!
I am not giving up
the flower room.
Well, we'll put it to a vote
at next week's meeting
then, shall we?
Fine by me.
It's not happening.
Oh, it looks like you've
got a fight on your hands.
-Ah, it does, doesn't it?
-Hmm.
All set for your
open day tomorrow?
Yes. Yes, I think so.
Anthony's been rehearsing
his guided tour all week.
I'm looking forward to it.
I'm sure it'll be fascinating.
Well! Here's hoping.
Help earn his keep.
Hi, love.
Harry? You okay?
Can you come? It's Dad.
I will lift up mine
eyes unto the hills
from whence cometh my help.
Out of the deep have I
called unto thee, O Lord.
Lord, hear my voice.
What is it, Ernie?
Forgive me.
For what, Ernie?
Now, you can tell me.
Confession heals, Ernie.
It's God's mercy.
After D-Day
w-we was pushing south.
Middle of nowhere.
We rounded this bend.
And there they were.
Some Germans.
Younger than us.
Kids, really.
We rushed them.
And he was too slow.
I-I stuck my bayonet in him.
In. Out.
In.
Out.
I'm so so sorry.
I'm here, Dad.
Don't be scared.
I, uh, saw you
talking to Anthony.
Yeah?
What did he want?
Oh, just something about
his solo in the requiem.
Nothing important.
-Rector.
-Hello, Kath.
Uh, is everything alright?
I saw you leave with
Harry Cobb earlier.
It was Ernie.
I'm afraid he died
earlier this afternoon.
I'm sorry to hear that.
Hm.
He was a good man.
Lovely evening.
It is, isn't it?
Bye for now.
I met the vicar just now.
Ernie's died.
What are you going to do?
I don't know.
You don't have to keep
it a secret anymore.
Only it's not that
simple, is it?!
No.
Sorry. I suppose not.
I just need to decide
What's that?
My results are back.
Hello!
And how is that
helping, exactly?
I don't want to help.
Just want to get past.
So how about moving?
Which is precisely what we
would do if only you'd back up.
Listen, missus. You're in a car.
I've got a tractor.
You're the one
that needs to move.
Then we have a
problem, don't we?
Turn the ignition
off! Turn it off!
I can wait all night. Can you?
"Missus."
Alright. Now you're
starting to annoy me.
I'd do what she says, Nathan.
You won't win.
And she fights dirty.
-Yeah?
Ah, a friend of yours,
is she, Reverend?
She's my mother.
awarded the
Nobel Prize for
I can't see what all
the fuss is about.
It's just you weren't
meant to move in
-Ohh!
-until next week.
So, by rights, you
should still be at Theo's
and I should be having
a quiet Saturday.
What do you live on? Air?
-Mother.
-There was a change of plan.
Your brother got a job.
"An Inspector Calls"
if you're interested.
He's playing Gerald.
Ah. Good for Theo.
A world of secrets,
lies, and murder
under the veneer of
middle-class respectability.
Just my cup of tea.
Now, isn't that better?
you had a few. And later on,
it's "Lunch Time
with Gordon Benjamin"
where he'll be bringing
you up to date
Right. What are these?
Oh, it's the local rag.
I use them to light the fire.
And they're pretty good
for cleaning windows.
"Champton vicar visits
victims of gay plague,
says, 'Everyone
deserves God's love.'"
Dear me. What were you thinking?
That right now
they are suffering
and could do with a
bit of compassion.
I meant pale socks
with dark trousers.
Socks should match the
trouser, not the shoe!
It makes your legs look longer.
Everyone knows that.
-Someone could have
at least just told
me you were coming.
Didn't Theo tell you?
Well, with your brother
treading the boards,
it made sense for me to
come to you a bit earlier.
It's just not very convenient.
Why? Do you have plans?
Well, then.
What can't be cured
-Must be endured.
Yes. I remember.
Dad used to say it.
-And it stood him in good stead.
-Until it didn't.
So what are we gonna do today?
She drives me crazy ♪
Ooh, ooh ♪
Like no one else ♪
Ooh, ooh ♪
I don't know what you've
been doing in here,
but there's a definite aroma.
It's not that bad.
Smells like death, Daniel!
It's just the dogs.
Probably the odd hay bale.
It was a gift from
Bernard when I arrived.
The smell came with.
Sort of a job lock.
"Bernard"?
I think you'll find that's
Lord de Floures to you and me.
He's perfectly happy
with "Bernard."
Did he actually ask
you to call him that?
I think so.
Well, you can't
just use their name.
It's far too familiar.
You have to be invited.
That's how it's done.
Rank and title, darling.
These things matter.
Just follow signs for parking.
Reverend, you can just
park up by the house.
Thank you, Edgy.
She drives me crazy ♪
Ooh, ooh ♪
Like no one else ♪
Ooh, ooh, she
drives me crazy ♪
You're an hour late.
So? No one noticed.
Boy, you better hope not.
Because they'd dock your pay.
And don't think I'll
make up the difference.
You worry too much, Granddad.
Hey. Listen.
It's good here. We're dug in.
Don't muck it up.
She drives me crazy ♪
Ooh, ooh ♪
Like no one else ♪
Ooh, ooh ♪
She drives me crazy ♪
The jousting tournament will
be taking place by the lake.
You won't want to miss that.
And for those of you
interested in Champton's
more recent history,
"Champton at War: A Guided
History" is at 2:00.
A real treat for all
you history buffs.
You're presenting the trophy to
the champion jouster at 3:00.
And you've got the photo
op for the Gazette at 4:00.
Honor wants it to look like
this every bloody weekend.
She thinks I ought
to open the place up.
Tea rooms and a
bloody gift shop.
Better than turning it into
a hotel or conference center.
You asked Donna to help
turn things around.
This is a start.
No, it's a bloody noisy one.
Bloody lucrative
one if it works.
Yes. Thank you. Margaret.
What would I do without you?
Right. Now where's Anthony?
Getting ready to do his
tour thing, I expect.
You know, "Champton
at War" and all that.
Oh, yes. Of course. Right.
Well, as soon as
he's done with that,
tell him I want to
see him, will you?
Rector, when you have a minute,
I'd like to go over
something with you.
-Oh?
-As you know,
the committee and I
have long been concerned
about the flower room
and its facilities.
Have you? I don't recall.
And they felt that we should
seek funds to improve it
and install a buttery,
for teas and whatnot,
thereby enhancing the whole
churchgoing experience.
-This was never discussed.
-I'd remember.
It was the standing
committee. Didn't I say?
For dealing with
those little items
that slip between the
cracks of the PCC.
Of course, if this
was to go through,
it would scupper any
plans to install a toilet.
Would it? Hm. I hadn't
thought about it like that.
Anyway, I shall be presenting
it at the next PCC for a vote
because, unlike your plans,
this is already funded.
You've got the money?
A private donation.
I see. And who's it from?
The donor wishes to
remain anonymous.
To the rest of the world
perhaps, but not to me.
As rector and incumbent.
Hm. They were most insistent.
Unfortunately, the rector has
a fiduciary responsibility.
He has to be able to account
for all sources of funding.
And unless he can,
no such proposal
can go before the
PCC for approval.
Yes, I'm afraid
that's quite true.
And you are?
Oh, I'm sorry, Stella.
This is my mother, Audrey.
Who appears to be an
expert on PCC protocol.
It's amazing what you pick up.
Hm.
Watch that one, Daniel.
I have a feeling
she hates losing.
But, then, so do I.
Alright, boys! Give us a smile!
Come on, John. Let's
have you for the Gazette.
Okay. Here we go.
Wonderful. Thank you.
The war came to Champton
in a very real way.
The Special Operations
Executive, the S.O.E.,
were based here,
and training alongside
them was a covert army,
part of a network that
stretched across the country.
By day, they were
ordinary civilians
farm workers,
clergymen, gamekeepers.
But they were also
Churchill's secret weapon.
And should the Nazis invade,
they were to be our
last line of defense,
our very own resistance.
These men, nicknamed
the Scallywags,
were a secret army and
a well-equipped one, too.
Please feel free to
come up and take a look.
Thank you.
Of course, my war
was very different,
being on the front
line and all that.
You were a member of the
Women's Voluntary Service.
You made sandwiches.
To begin with!
You try driving an
ambulance during the Blitz
and tell me that's
not the front line.
How fearsome.
Hm. They weren't mucking around.
Small cells of around eight men
could mount guerrilla attacks
on the Germans if they invaded,
blowing up supplies,
booby-trapping roads,
killing soldiers
before melting back
into the woods,
hiding in a network
of secret bunkers.
-Really?
-Hm. Superbly hidden.
And the only people who
knew of their existence
were the Scallywags themselves.
As for the bunkers, well,
we still don't know
where most of them are.
You see, there are no records.
But I'm looking.
Do you think there
are some around here?
There's every reason
to think so, yes.
It's very exciting.
Can't the Scallywags tell you?
Ah, the thing is, if you were
invited to join the Scallywags,
you had to sign the
Official Secrets Act.
You didn't breathe a word.
Not to friends,
family lovers.
No one knew.
Even today, their
identities are a mystery.
See? We knew how to
keep a secret then.
Not like these
days, with everyone
blabbing away at the
first opportunity.
I blame Cilla Black.
Uh, please excuse me.
I have an audience
with my cousin.
Doesn't do to keep him
waiting, apparently.
You wanted to see me?
Yeah. Shut the door.
I feel like I've been, uh
summoned to the
headmaster's study.
Yeah. Why do you
think that might be?
Hm. I spoke to a chap earlier,
and he said that he went to
And this was fascinating.
He went to an art
gallery in Braunston
You like art.
Perhaps you know it.
Thing is, you'll never
guess what he saw there.
Really are a bit of a
shit, aren't you, Anthony?
I just I don't
understand why.
I don't understand
after all these years,
everything that we have done for
you and welcomed you in here.
And when you're in trouble,
I've sorted you out.
I gave you a job.
Yes.
And you've never let
me forget it, have you?
Oh, you are
unbelievable, Anthony!
You have the nerve
to take my generosity
-Don't give me that!
-and throw it in my face.
Well, enough is enough.
I
I'm going to report
it to the police.
What?
And risk a scandal?
Go to hell, Anthony.
Time to crown the
champion jouster.
Yeah, yeah. Yeah. Yeah,
I'll be right out.
Should we alert the
Saint John Ambulance?
I think it's art.
Who on Earth is that?
Alex. It's Bernard's son.
Ooh!
The impossibility of change!
In the face of
intransigent history!
Is he soft or something?
Yeah. It must be the inbreeding.
That was painful.
I'll say. Hessian
can chafe terribly.
I fancy taking a look
at the cake stalls,
get a sense of my new home.
-Really?
You can always judge
a place by the quality
of their bakewells.
What the hell was that?!
I told you. I tweaked it a bit.
I said you could do it as long
as you didn't upset anyone!
It was provocative but tasteful.
I warned you.
Screw up, and you
piss me and Pa off.
I can handle Pa.
It's not Pa you should
be worried about.
I think I'm actually
going to kill him.
-It was strangely hypnotic.
-It was a car crash.
I think my mother
quite enjoyed it.
Your mother? I didn't
know she was here.
Yes. She's moving in with me.
Permanently?
We finally sorted
out Dad's estate.
The only way to pay off
the list of creditors
was to sell the house, so
And she couldn't afford
somewhere of her own?
It was a long list.
And you're okay
with her moving in?
Why wouldn't I be?
You and your mother
under one roof?
No, there's nothing that
could possibly go wrong there.
I am perfectly capable
of living with someone.
Thank you very much.
The dogs don't count.
It'll be fine.
Besides, she has
nowhere else to go.
Did you leave any
for anyone else?
Rector!
Give me a minute, will you?
Dora got the test results back.
I'm sorry.
The thing is
she doesn't want any treatment.
Nothing. No drugs. No tubes.
None of it.
She's been through it all once.
She can't face it again.
I can understand that.
All my life
I've believed if
there's a problem,
you assess the situation
and you make a plan.
You do something. You know?
You don't just stand
by and do nothing.
Why can't she
I don't know what to do.
They can't tell
me when she'll
She's not in any pain.
It might stay like
that for years.
No one seems to know.
But however long she's got
she wants to enjoy
it here, with me.
Kath, I
I'll work it out. Thank you.
I didn't really do anything.
You listened.
You're good at that.
You ever thought of
doing it professionally?
Hm!
times do I have to tell you?
I'm not doing this anymore.
You get this done, the
quicker you can get back
to that weird performance art.
-I'm not doing this!
Edgy.
Got a little something for ya.
Don't tell His Lordship, though.
You can get a nice
pie out of that.
Do it soon, mind. They
done half turn quick.
Ma'am.
Oh! Good Lord!
-Edgy likes to share his bounty.
-Well, it's all gone a bit
"Cold Comfort Farm"
for my liking.
Still explains the smell.
I suppose I could get a
couple of pies out of it.
I think I'd rather give it a
decent burial in the garden.
Next to all the others.
Besides
How many more pies you
think we can fit in here?
That's why God
invented the freezer.
"A," I'm not sure he did.
And, "B," I don't have one.
Which is why you're
going to get one
first thing Monday.
-Mother.
We need one, Daniel,
especially now
there's two of us.
-No, we can't afford to.
-Nonsense!
And it works out much
cheaper in the long run.
I can batch-cook some
of my old favorites.
-Stop it.
-Chicken a la king,
cod in parsley sauce, a
myriad of hearty soups.
-Please!
-All I'm doing
No, I know what you're doing.
It's the same thing
that you've always done.
I have no idea what
you mean by that.
You can't just put things right
by rearranging cupboards
and batch-cooking some soup.
I'm simply making
do, soldiering on.
Is that what you call it?
I'd have thought
you'd be pleased.
Pleased?
That I'm not
dwelling on the past.
I mean, when you consider
the way you behaved
-Here we go.
-I'd be perfectly entitled
to hold a grudge.
-Now, that is not fair!
After everything your
father and I did for you.
You can't blame me for Dad!
Do you mind?
Uh, be my guest.
Huh. Don't worry.
Angostura bitters and tonic.
Almost like the real thing.
Even so, I'd have
thought coming in here
Would, uh, trigger a relapse?
Let's hope not, eh?
I had no idea Champton House
was so important in the war.
Hm! Not just the house.
The more I looked,
the more I realized it
was the whole community.
It's turned into a bit
of a treasure hunt.
Clues everywhere.
And a few memories.
Memories?
Well, I spent a
lot of time here.
Bernard was only two
years older than me,
so we were more like brothers.
Having adventures. Inseparable.
And then you grow up.
Bernard inherited the title,
and I went down to London,
tried my hand at a few things,
but, uh, I'm not very good
at, uh, sticking to stuff.
So you decided to
come back here?
Well, it was actually
Bernard's idea.
And I've ended up
disappointing him, as well.
Wasn't deliberate.
No.
No, it never is.
All my fan mail is returned,
but not known at this address.
My wife
Out where I live in the
country, post is really slow.
Good Lord. This week I got a
I don't suppose "Opportunity"
could knock any quieter,
could it?!
Our postman committed suicide.
His wife didn't get the
note for three weeks.
Oh, just a few
letters get through.
I started to read this just
before I came out here.
Look at this.
"Dear Bob, even our dog
recognizes you on TV."
Isn't that lovely?
It goes on. It says, uh,
"When your program comes
on, he pricks up his ears,
walks to the set,
lifts his leg"
Yeah.
Canon Clement?
DS Vanloo. Bronson BCID.
Yes. Hello.
Hello.
Pentel. A P205, if
I'm not mistaken.
Nice.
I don't know why I said that.
How can I help?
Uh, yeah. I need to ask
you a few questions.
Of course.
And we'll need your clothes,
I'm afraid. And a swab.
Right. Um
Well, um, the rectory
is just down the road.
-And you're sure of the time?
-Yes.
My mother had just started
watching "Opportunity Knocks."
Bob Monkhouse is
one of my favorites.
But not yours?
Not really my thing.
My son is a cultural snob.
Thanks for the biscuits.
So why did you go to the church?
Um, t-to say night prayer.
Right.
Was there any particular
reason why Anthony Bowness
would be in the
church at that time?
Not that I know of.
But perhaps he wanted to pray.
Why did you say that?
Because of where I found him.
I assumed that he'd
been kneeling to pray.
Right.
You say you saw Mr. Bowness
in the pub at about 7:00.
How was he?
He was a bit down, actually.
He said that he'd been
a-a disappointment.
Who to?
Mostly Bernard.
Lord de Floures. His cousin.
Okay. Thank you.
I should go up to the house now.
May I come?
Uh, well, I wouldn't normally
It's just something like this,
people are gonna be scared.
I thought maybe a
friendly face
Anthony had, you
know, his problems.
He, um He went
a bit off the rails
when he went back up to London.
He was an alcoholic.
He'd only been sober
for about eight months.
-Honor!
-Well, there's no point in
He got into a proper mess.
And my father sorted him out.
How?
Oh, um
Well, I paid for him to
dry out, and then I, um
I brought him back up here.
And gave him a job
and a place to live.
He worked for you?
Uh, yeah. Sort of.
As an archivist.
I got him to
research the history
of the house during the war.
They're still there.
You sure?
Gin.
Are you letting me win?
Because that's not allowed.
Won't you change your mind?
No.
It's what I want.
And I'd like you by my side.
But if that's too hard
I'm not going anywhere.
Peas in a pod.
Peas in a pod.
Did Mr. Bowness have
any other relationships?
Um, uh, what? Like a girlfriend?
Someone he might confide in?
No.
No. Uh, just us.
And you all got along well?
Yeah. Absolutely.
Right.
When was the last
time you saw him?
Uh, well, I think it was probably
first thing this morning.
Sorry. It was all a bit of a rush
trying to get everything organized.
-Wasn't it later than that?
-What?
Only Anthony said that
he had a meeting with you
after his tour, which would
have been closer to 3:00.
Right. Sorry. No. Yes.
You're absolutely right.
Sorry. I, um
Sorry. I forgot.
It's just, um
This business.
What was the meeting about?
Oh, it wasn't really
a meeting as such.
We were just discussing
financial stuff.
It was nothing important.
Did he mention anything?
Something that might
be troubling him?
No. No.
No, h-he was the same as always.
You must know quite a lot
about everyone living here.
Only what they want to share.
Even so. I think
you might be useful.
How do you mean?
Well, as a vicar,
you know these people
better than anyone.
You're a way in.
Detective! I
thought I heard you!
Why don't you come
in for a drink?
You must be exhausted.
DS Vanloo was just leaving.
Actually, there is something
else I'd like to discuss.
Marvelous! Come in!
I want to hear everything!
I must admit, when
I first arrived,
I thought life was
gonna be pretty dull,
but now I'm positively agog.
I was hoping to
have a private word.
Oh, yes.
With the vicar.
Let's go into the study.
There is one possibility
I haven't considered.
We know the church
was in darkness,
and we now know from
the blood spatter
that the murderer
struck from behind.
Now, there are no
defensive wounds,
which would suggest the victim
didn't know what was happening
until it was too late.
-That makes sense.
-Yeah, but that means
the murderer wouldn't have seen
their victim's face, either.
So unless this was
a random attack
possible, but unlikely
the murderer must have assumed
they knew who they
were attacking.
So?
So what if they made a mistake?
A lone man praying
in one of the pews,
barely seen in the half light,
but someone the murderer
expected to be
there at that time.
Who knew you went to
pray before evensong?
Well, it was
it was no secret.
And you did it every night.
So now the question I
have to ask you is
can you think of anyone who
might want to cause you
"The plague is real.
It's God's will.
You should burn in hell."
Does that answer your question?
Reverend Clement! Daily Express.
Can you tell us about
the murder last night?
-What did you tell them?
-I said no comment.
I've always wanted to say that.
Well, you don't think the
killer's here, do you?
I think it's a
definite possibility.
And you kept it
secret all that time.
Nothing happened. I swear.
The day before Anthony
Bowness was killed,
five phone calls
were made to him.
I imagine you were pretty angry.
Damn right I was!
Take on my son, you
take on me, too.
You think they'll
want to talk to me?
Just stick to the story,
and we'll be okay.
What would be better is if
they didn't have anything
to talk about in
the first place.
Take care walking home.
Haven't you heard?
There's a killer about.