A Woman of Substance (1984) s01e03 Episode Script

1
You're not eating, Edwina?
I'm not hungry.
Here we are, home.
Look, Emma, I'm not totally useless.
Be quiet and do as you're told,
Bossy knickers.
All the property
To me?
I thought Kit would inherit.
Mr Lowther did leave
and an annuity to Edwina.
You are the executor, of course.
But all the property
He obviously trusted your judgment
Yes.
Of course I shall do my best.
Do you know what the time is?
Yes.
You're on a treadmill.
You're as much a drudge now
Don't be ridiculous.
You are never free of your work.
Has it occurred to you
How are you feeling?
I've even done a little work.
Frank, the hospital
Nothing much.
They want some information
or rather, used to know -
Edwin Fairley.
What do they want to know?
The usual things.
He's won the Victoria Cross,
for bravery above and beyond
You used to work at the house.
Is there anything interesting
Nothing at all.
It was a difficult birth.
It's a boy!
Yes. It's wonderful.
Blackie
..will be
..so pleased.
As soon as you're discharged,
you're coming to stay
I want him
..to be called
..Bryan.
Remember how you looked after me
Well, it's my turn.
Come closer.
I want
him to
..to be brought up
..a good Catholic.
Our Blackie
..is so careless
..about those things.
You will take care of Bryan?
You're going to do that.
I love you, dear Emma.
I love you too.
Please, don't cry.
There's nothing to cry about.
Listen to me, Laura.
You must fight. Please?
Fight!
What do you want?
She's asked for extreme unction.
Per istam sanctan unctionem
Mrs O'Neill wishes to speak to you.
Tell Blackie
..that I love him.
Laura.
What will we do without you?
You will manage very well.
God never gives us
My Christmas presents
are wrapped, in my bedroom.
And there's something for you.
I put it
God, in His infinite mercy
Don't talk to me
She never sinned.
She never hurt anyone!
She should be alive.
But Laura is dead!
There's nothing wrong with you.
You're perfectly all right.
Perfectly all right.
I suppose it wasn't your fault.
All right.
There, there.
There, there. There, there.
It's all right, shh.
Shh.
Mrs Lowther's name is not
nor as an officer of the company.
Mrs Lowther is, in fact,
but it is essential that this
We're to function as an acquisition
There are more than adequate funds.
Mrs Lowther has sold off
for an excellent price.
And so, as far as everyone
But why the secrecy, Ainsley?
It is Mrs Lowther's wish.
Thank you, that sounds excellent.
Incidentally
I hear that Thompson's Mill
No, it seems that Gerald Fairley has
You might let me know
No, I shall be in London next week.
You can reach me at The Ritz.
Frank, love, I'm sorry.
Mwah!
You look wonderful.
Thank you!
I can't imagine
Who would I marry?
There's a war on,
There soon will be.
Now the Americans have come in,
I'm serious, Emma.
You should get married again.
What about Blackie?
What about him?
He's always adored you.
You looked after that baby of his
He seems the perfect match.
Don't be silly, Frank.
Blackie's like a brother to me.
Besides, I'm not sure
I don't want a man
That blasted business.
I don't know,
How much is there?
It's not the money,
it's more than that.
Do stop worrying, Frank,
I'm sorry.
It's not you.
There are two men across the room.
Don't look now.
Well, you are the best-looking woman
Why do you keep looking at them?
If you can drag your gaze away from
perhaps you and I could have
Sorry, Dad.
When you gonna go back to France?
Soon as this leg of mine
I'm gonna see Adam Fairley
He's not very well.
Olivia's death was a terrible blow,
It's Mr McGill, sir.
Adam.
Bruce.
Good of you to come.
Paul with you?
Off at some damn party.
They don't want old codgers like us
I wanted
..to talk.
Problem.
This damn stroke,
I feel like I'm in chains.
Can you follow me?
Bruce, I didn't know
I thought you were in Australia.
I thought you were in Yorkshire.
Yes, well, I am most of the time,
but a chap's gotta have a bit of fun
Well, I'm off.
Goodnight, Father.
I warned you
Father thinks I'm off
Frank, we have to leave.
Emma, Dolly is not just
she considers herself the
This is the genius
And Emma, at last
We must have a long talk.
God, Lulu has just captured
Introduce yourselves, darlings.
Paul McGill.
My sister, Mrs Lowther.
Well, I'm certainly glad I decided
Do all Australians have bad manners,
Or are you special?
I'm sorry, Miss Mosten, I must go.
I don't feel very well.
Something disagreed with me
A glass of champagne'll
Come along, Mrs Lowther.
Perhaps I can prove to you
Over here.
I take it you find this rough
works with some women?
With most women.
No.
No, you're not.
You're more beautiful
And more strong-minded.
Yes, two, please.
Thank you.
I would apologise for my behaviour
but really you are to blame.
I really have to go.
because I was amazed by your beauty.
I quite simply lost my wits.
Now, tell me about the luckiest man
Tell me about Mr Lowther.
My husband was killed
My God.
I'm sorry.
I'm just an idiot.
I really am sorry.
Will you have lunch with me
Feeling better?
And how is the wounded warrior?
Shall I be seeing you tomorrow
No, I have another appointment
..with destiny.
I don't think I know her.
Still, one can't be acquainted
I must circulate.
Would you tell Mrs Lowther I'm here,
Major McGill.
I'm sorry, Major, Mrs Lowther booked
She left a letter for you.
Will you please wait?
Which is the train for Yorkshire?
I'm just seeing a friend off.
Coward.
You're running away.
Who are you afraid of?
Me?
Or yourself?
I haven't much time left
Will you stay in London till I go?
Thank you.
Paul!
How did you
These are for you.
Put them on.
They're beautiful.
I can't accept them,
they're much too valuable.
My father gave them to my mother.
He was rather an inarticulate man
It was his way
They reflect the light
..in your eyes.
How did you arrange that?
It wasn't easy.
You're angry.
Yes, so, I don't blame you.
I'm not very subtle, am I?
Don't worry.
I don't want to seduce you.
That's not good enough.
I'm going to go back to my room.
Lock the door after me
..I'd like to take you
No obligations.
Right?
Why did you change your mind?
It's out of character, isn't it?
I'm, er, I'm astonished at myself.
I find I love you too much to want
..doesn't include your feelings.
I don't understand.
You have to want me and love me
as much as I do you.
Otherwise, there's no point.
Please, get dressed.
Paul?
Paul?
Emma.
I still think
Well, I had my reasons.
I have two things
Yes?
The first is I have never loved
You are my life.
You said there were two things.
I'm married.
Why didn't you tell me before?
No, it's a silly question,
I didn't tell you
If I had told you sooner,
Wouldn't you?
Yes. That's why I brought you here.
How could you be so devious,
Will you listen to me?
I just wanted to hold onto you,
I felt that, once you loved me,
you would learn to understand,
and the circumstances
I love you, Emma.
And your wife?
It's a meaningless marriage.
We haven't lived together
Then why don't you
When this bloody war is over,
I want to spend
if you'll have me.
You can take us back to the shore.
I won't run away.
Tell the factory they can go ahead
I checked the fabrics before I left.
Goodbye, Gladys.
Thank you.
My darling.
Are we being selfish?
Very.
Right.
Hello, room 120.
Could I have that Yorkshire number,
I have to go to the bank.
Just a few things to attend to.
All right. Hurry back.
Nothing could keep me away from you
I'll be back by four.
Hello, Kit, hello,
Why? Where are you going?
Of course.
All right, I'll call again tomorrow.
Give Edwina my love.
Bye-bye, darling.
I thought something
Nothing's going to happen to me.
My time's not up yet.
Your coat's wet.
I'll take it off.
I feel as if I've kept you
and from your friends.
What's wrong?
You've been to the War Office.
Then you went to your father,
You're going, aren't you?
Very soon.
Yes.
When?
Tomorrow.
My God.
Paul, I can't bear it.
You can, yes, you can.
Yes.
I don't want to talk about me
I want us to think only of now,
Cos until this mess is over,
'It's very cold.
'but we mustn't grumble,
'I think of you all the time.
'I read something years ago which
'well, it seems right for us.
'It went something like this
'This parting cannot be for long.
'Those who love, as we do,
'We shall always be
'and thought is a great magnet.
'I have often spoken to thee
'Now, I speak to thee of faith.
'Emma, my love
'..have faith.
'I will carry you in my heart
'Paul.'
'Dear Em.
'The ship was badly hit and I got
'Not too good, I'm afraid.
'Come and see me at
'Love Winston.'
I must warn you of one thing.
Because of the delay, the gangrene
We will have to amputate very high.
What does that mean, exactly?
Well, it means that he might not be
My brother
if I have to damn well
He's not going to spend
Hello, Winston.
Hello, Em.
Thank you.
Have they been telling you
I'm not having it.
Listen to me, Winston.
If they don't amputate, you'll die.
I might as well be dead
My life'll be finished.
I know it seems terrifying now,
Win, if you delay any longer
Please, please, I'm here.
I'll look after you, Win.
Let's get it over with then.
Miss Bossy Knickers.
Emma?
Yes, love?
Will you wait till it's done?
Of course I will.
You're doing fine.
That's very good balance.
Come on, Win.
You learnt to walk when you
It's over!
The war is over!
Armistice!
Winston!
I walked upstairs.
It's all right,
You won't knock me over.
Hello?
Hello?!
I can't hear you properly.
Paul! Where are you?
I'm I'm back in England!
You're safe?
Paul
They're sending us
But you'll be up to Yorkshire first?
Darling, I can't.
My ship sails in two hours.
I'm still under military orders.
I said I'm still under
but I will be back
There's someone on the line,
I'll come back as soon as I can,
We have the rest
I love you, Em!
I love you!
Write to me.
What?
Emma?
Paul?
Em?
Write to me.
Busy as ever.
How would you like to work for me,
I need someone I can trust.
Is there a genuine job for me?
This store is just a part of it.
I have other businesses.
I have companies, real estate,
Thompson's and Layton's Mill
and there's the Emeremm company.
You never mentioned that before.
That's because no-one knows
Men don't like doing business
when it's a question
And there is another
Now, you have some news for me.
Yes, well, as you know, since you -
well, that is since Emeremm
the turnover's improved.
I should hope so.
The point is,
has approached
Of course, Fairley has no idea that,
How much does he want to borrow?
£200,000.
Really?
He has been having a bad time
Well, I think Gerald Fairley's
should lend him the money -
on certain terms.
Yes?
I want a non-contestable note,
And the collateral?
The deeds to the Fairley mills
That's rather steep terms.
He can take them or leave them,
but he can't go back to his bank,
he's already borrowed from
Where can he go?
Mummy, you're home!
I thought you were out riding.
Hello, Annie.
We came home early.
I've been painting a picture
You look as if you've got more paint
Look, it's you and me, Mummy.
It's lovely, darling.
You're back, at last.
I had to work late.
You work too hard, Mother.
Well, I won't be working
I came to ask you
May I have it, please?
Are you telling me this is legal?
Procter's can take over our mills,
You put the noose
There's nothing
But it's Well, it's piracy.
It's the law. If you can't pay off
Why on earth did you do it?
I needed the money.
Why didn't you
No point. I had to have the money.
I thought Alan would be reasonable,
He's stolen my mills.
Alan hasn't stolen your mills,
You could lend me the money,
Are you mad?
I haven't got £200,000
You're supposed to be
Tell me what to do.
You still own the one mill,
and the brickyard.
Stop gambling, cut down
and build up the one mill
It's not so easy these days.
There's a hell of a lot
Your bloody Emma Harte, for one.
She's helping to ruin me.
Stealing some of my best men
Your bloody whore's been a nuisance
I don't think you'd better say more.
Don't you want to hear the truth
about your working class
Emma has made a success
..despite us.
She's a sparky little trollop.
Matter of fact, I tried to sample
I feel soiled just touching you.
You are scum.
Thanks for giving up
You know I enjoy work.
And anyway, it's like old times,
Emma.
There's something
Is something wrong?
I'm thinking of getting a divorce.
David.
You know things weren't going well.
Since I came home,
I thought, I hoped,
if I was free, you'd marry me.
David, you know
I didn't make that sacrifice nine
to cause a catastrophe
with two children.
I told you then,
it's not possible to build happiness
What about you and me?
There's someone else.
Are you going to marry him?
No.
He's gone back to his own country.
I haven't heard from him for
..for some time.
I don't think he'll come back.
He's not coming back, Emma.
You might as well face the facts.
I have.
I don't usually interfere
..but there are a few things
You mean that he's married?
I didn't realise you knew.
I suppose Dolly told you.
Only because I asked her.
And out of concern for you.
It seems her new leading man
He was to have met Paul McGill
but Paul wasn't there.
He was on holiday
..with his wife.
I can't bear
You need a drink.
And, for once in your life,
To the future.
The future, Frank.
No.
No, not yet.
Right, now.
Well?
What do you think?
Blackie!
It's exactly
Your Georgian mansion!
Bryan!
He's supposed to be asleep
I must see him for a minute.
Now then, Bryan-broo, sleepy time.
That's the boy.
Look at him, look at that dark hair.
He's a real you.
I was hoping he might look
Anyway, my sister has great plans
What's happening to her, Win?
What does she see in him?
I still think
and she tells me she's thinking
How in the world
I'll go and check on Nancy.
It's a lovely party, Blackie.
I always thought
He's not so bad.
He's more intelligent
and he is amusing.
You sound as if you've been
I only see him on business.
Now, talking of business,
whereabouts in London
I've found a piece of land
I can get it for a good price
..and I want you to see it.
So I shall, so I shall.
Now, if you go ahead with this deal,
I will build you the finest store
What's this nonsense, Emma?
The marriage is announced?
Thank you, Gladys,
You and Arthur Ainsley?
That dandy! That lightweight!
I don't like personal discussion.
And my life is my own concern.
do something you'll regret.
I know.
But I have to make my own decisions.
But why him?
Arthur is charming,
he has good taste in wine
So is a butler.
Well, a woman in my position needs a
I'm lonely, Win.
So he's the perfect choice then.
Apart from one thing.
You don't say you love him.
I'm fond of him.
Is that enough?
It has to be!
Mrs Lowther, please.
I'm afraid Mrs Lowther's away, sir.
She's on her honeymoon.
Good morning.
My name is O'Neill.
I've an appointment
Very good, sir.
What's it feel like?
Being back, after all these years?
I feel as if
I shall wake up
and the fires haven't been laid.
You wouldn't have found that
Have you any idea how many times
beat the carpets, polished
I counted once.
I remember everything, Blackie.
Morning, Mr O'Neill.
I seem to know your face.
You have no right
Get away from my desk.
I believe this is, in fact, my desk.
What the hell are you talking about?
You sold Fairley Hall
Well?
I am Deerfield Estates.
And, yes, this desk
And since you have already
this is now my desk.
And, of course, my house.
I cancel the sale.
if you can return the money.
Please vacate the house
And would you arrange
removed from Fairley Mill?
By five o'clock today at the latest.
I'm not wrong in thinking
to the General Retail Company
General Retail Company
which is owned by
Yes, I'm afraid I own Emeremm too.
It's plain theft!
It's business.
You vindictive bitch.
You want everything we've got!
Yes.
How can you coldbloodedly
That was my plan,
I just helped you along the way.
I suggest you start moving your
Suppose I don't?
Then they will be
Well, it's a solid enough place,
I can put it right quite easily.
Tear it down.
What?
Brick by brick by brick,
until there is nothing left.
But I thought you wanted
I want it wiped off
As if it had never existed.
And demolish that rose garden.
Destroy it all.
I don't want one leaf,
And, after it is demolished
..I shall turn this into a park
A beautiful park.
In memory of my mother.
Penny for your thoughts.
Sorry, my rates are higher
Er, what you drinking?
I'll have a gin fizz, please.
Hectic day, I need one.
When wasn't it a hectic day for you?
Well, at least I can flop into
Arthur will be out, as usual.
Why the hell
He doesn't bother me.
What's the point?
Well
And there are other women. I know.
Then why don't you get a divorce?
For the children, mostly.
Rubbish, that's an excuse. Edwina
I meant Elizabeth and Robin. They're
Arthur is hardly
It's not like you to put things off.
It's not so bad.
I can't bear to think of you
I don't have time to be lonely.
Enough of that.
Have you seen the house
Do you like it? Does Charlotte?
It's pretty expensive.
If it's too much,
No, you can't do that.
if it makes you happy.
Blackie once said
He said
It's Paul.
Paul McGill.
My God, he's coming this way.
Hello, Emma.
Frank.
Well, you haven't changed.
Except for the short hair.
I like it.
Well, er, I have to go,
Bye.
I have to go too, excuse me.
Emma?
Don't be angry with Frank.
I asked him to arrange this meeting.
Because I knew
Do you blame me?
Would you just listen to me?
Please.
Is your wife here with you?
What?
The last news I had of you,
Was this about four years ago?
Yes, well, Constance threatened
We had to take her
She's an alcoholic.
Why didn't you write?
Forever.
Why didn't you answer my letters?
And they all got lost in the post?
No.
Here.
I don't understand.
Well, I'm not surprised.
Here.
It's, er, rather a bizarre story,
and I won't blame you
but it happens to be the truth.
They were stolen by my secretary.
I knew she was devoted to the firm,
but what I didn't realise was that
But you knew I was waiting for you.
Why didn't you just come back?
When I got home,
Three weeks later, he died.
I'm sorry.
I was working 16 hours a day,
trying to learn it all at once,
My father's secretary was a godsend.
She knew it all.
I trusted her completely.
So, when I got the chance,
I came on a boat to London to find
You'd just left on your honeymoon.
If you were happy now, I wouldn't
But Frank said
I thought that I
Have you thought
No.
Have you?
I've tried for years,
but Constance is a Catholic
and refuses to discuss it.
But I haven't given up hope.
Have dinner with me.
No, I can't.
I'm sorry.
I asked you once before,
who you were afraid of -
me or yourself?
I'm not afraid of anyone.
You're back.
Has something happened at school?
No.
I came home to see you.
About this!
Whatever they teach you
it certainly isn't manners.
Don't bother to look inside.
It's my birth certificate.
I wrote to Somerset House
I can see why you've kept it from me
Well, don't look so shocked, Mother!
I'm the one who should be shocked.
I'm the one who's illegitimate.
Edwina, if I'd told you
Spare me the details, please.
You let me grieve for Joe all these
Blackie O'Neill.
How could you?
Joe was your father,
in the best sense of the word.
Any man can father a child.
That's quite obvious!
It's what he does
That's what makes someone
That's what counts.
Don't touch me!
Edwina, I know
but I would like to try and explain.
I'm not interested
I'm going to stay with Aunt Freda
Next term, I want to go
I take it you'll pay the fees?
I have never denied you anything.
Edwina, we have to talk.
I've said all I want to say.
I don't want to see you again.
I think he does it on purpose,
Ain't she never complained?
Well, that's the trouble.
Must be hell, though, living with
I didn't know
They're old friends of my father's.
Frank, my boy. And who's this?
Paul McGill, Arthur Ainsley.
Friend of Emma's, are you?
The whole family.
How nice.
The whole family.
Well, not quite the whole family.
You're no friend of mine.
Not yet, anyway.
I promised I'd look in
Paul.
I'll see you later.
Would you excuse me?
We have to really talk.
We'll go to my home.
I can't go on, just standing by,
seeing you so unhappy.
There hasn't been a day
Longed for you.
Needed you.
Wanted you, my love.
I've always loved you.
I'm not gonna leave you
..ever again.
We're going to be together.
For good.
I know.
We're gonna make up
Emma!
What a surprise.
If you're not in Paris
I want to talk to you.
It's important.
Well, if it's important,
I'm going to have a baby.
That's rich.
The second immaculate conception
Who's the father? The Holy Ghost?
I merely wanted to tell you.
Thank you
I'll obviously get a divorce.
Try and stop me.
I wonder what your father would say
I think he'd say my private life
Possibly,
where women and drink are concerned.
But I think the young men
That's a lie and a slander.
In any case, I don't give a damn
Not even if he cuts you
You're bluffing.
I've had a detective on you
My father won't believe you.
of everything.
I'm supposed to turn a blind eye
Don't be a hypocrite.
It's what I've had to do,
Em
You can keep the house.
I'll be in touch
I just saw her!
She's a real beaut.
I want to call her Daisy.
Daisy, great, great, great.
But I wish you'd let me put my name
on the birth certificate
When she's old enough to understand,
I don't want her to be illegitimate.
It's not so important, is it?
You don't know my life, Paul.
You couldn't understand.
Well, try me?
When I was 15,
I was at the same dinner party
at Fairley Hall.
He never told me.
I was invisible.
He was the guest of honour.
There she is!
I'm afraid visitors will have to go.
It's feeding time.
He wants to take a photograph.
Yes, just a few minutes.
All right, my daisies, smile.
Say wallaby!
Daisy, my love.
Don't forget to wish.
It's a great party.
Now she'll get her wish.
I don't remember family birthday
Now, now, don't be ungrateful,
Mother always tries to be home
Cut the cake!
And don't forget next Monday.
Goodnight.
Nice to see you.
Stop all this kissing, it's late!
Goodnight.
You look beautiful.
Goodnight, Mum.
Goodnight, happy birthday.
I do love the children.
But it's nice, isn't it,
when it's just the two of us?
Don't worry, my darling,
there are going to be years
I don't care what their excuses are.
If suppliers can't meet orders, they
Follow it up
Paul, darling, what is it?
I've just had a call from Texas.
Harry Marriott,
What?
I booked a passage
for Thursday.
That doesn't give me much time
I want you to stay here.
I have to go to Sydney anyway.
To see Constance.
One more try for a divorce.
I don't want you to go.
You might get stuck in Australia
Please, don't go, darling.
I won't stay long.
I'll be back with you
Yes.
'I've been tied to you
'Isn't that enough?!'
I've been tied to you for 30 years!
I'm a Catholic.
'No, no, no.'
The Church does not allow it.
'Not allow it'
'Never, never, never, never'
Tied to you for 30 years!
I'm your lawful wedded wife.
Wedded wife.
Well, the surgeon says
Well, let's give thanks
Yes.
Yes. Did you bring the papers?
I've got 'em all here.
Let's get down to it then.
Righto.
You, er, need to sign
Right.
We'll need witnesses
Paul, I think you should
Send for her.
No.
The war news is getting worse
and I don't want her travelling
at such a dangerous time.
It's not fair to her.
You're underestimating Emma.
She would want the truth, mate.
Well, as to that
..there's something
The doctors don't know how long
Apparently, that's what
Kidney failure.
The prognosis is bad.
Well, what What are you saying?
Nine months.
At the most.
You want to stay to dinner?
Well, I
..was thinking of inviting myself.
There's a great claret
We'll have some.
No point in saving it.
Paul!
Would you like
Ooh.
What's the latest news?
Er,
we're pretty sure the Nazis
That means the men
My God, the boys.
Robin and Kit will have to go.
Perhaps there's something
Turn it on, would you, Winston?
There won't be anything new on.
Look, Emma
There's something I
..I have to tell you.
'Mr Paul McGill,
'was found shot dead on Sunday night
'Mr McGill, who was 59,
'had been involved in a serious
'in which he received severe spinal
'Mr McGill, who had spent much of
'during the past 16 years,
Turn it off, please, Winston.
I heard about it
I wanted to tell you before you
Why didn't he tell me?
I should have been with him.
Why didn't he tell me?
So as you didn't have
Pain?
I loved him.
Emma, drink this, Emma.
He was my life.
I loved him.
There's nothing left now,
except empty years
..until I can die too.
'My dearest Emma.
'You are my life,
'but it seems
'So I have decided
'At least I am taking charge
'Waiting for the end would be
'for both of us,
'we have been lucky, Emma.
'We have had
'shared so much.
'And the happy memories are alive
'and will be as long as you live.
'Thank you for giving me
'And
'Take good care of our Daisy.
'Your face is before me.
'Not just a picture on my desk,
'..in my heart.
'And try, my darling, to forgive me.
'Forgive me, forgive me.'
Grandy?
It's time to wake up.
I was just dreaming.
Sit down, Paula.
I want to talk to you.
Yes?
About Jim Fairley.
Well, there's nothing to talk about.
I wanted to ask you
Well, what does it matter?
It's all over.
On a plane, coming back from Paris.
Jim hates flying. His parents
Yes, yes, I know.
I cheered him up a bit.
He invited me out to dinner
..and that's when I found out
and working for your newspaper.
So it was just a chance meeting.
Jim called it destiny.
Destiny?
Many, many years ago,
your grandfather
It was ridiculous and wicked,
to let bitterness
Grandy, I
I always thought it's my life,
I thought I could control things.
It's time I gave a Fairley
and maybe I ought to stop
Grandy.
Now, you telephone young Fairley
but don't say a word to anyone.
The family will collapse
They'll have other things
Are you sure about this?
Very sure.
Blackie!
Emma,
darling, how are you?
Let me have a look at you.
God, you've put on weight, girl.
Is that all you can say,
Sure and not a silver hair
It was silver years ago -
What happened?
Damned horse, threw me.
You fell off!
You're absolutely sure of that?
I've got the banking page
Mother, what is going on?
I just walked into the drawing room
behaved as if I was carrying
Don't ask me.
Nobody tells me anything.
'It'll be easy.
'I've got people standing by,
'It might be difficult to prove
'She'll step down
'She'd hate the world to know
Come in, Blackie.
Am I disturbing you?
Yes, thank God!
I need a break.
Well, you're quite a matriarch,
..with your brood around you.
Or the queen bee
and you know what happens to her
And what sort of talk is this, Emma?
There's nothing wrong, is there?
Nothing I can't take care of.
Excuse me. Mr Fairley has arrived.
Jim?
What's he doing here?
Getting his orders, I expect.
She must love telling a Fairley
You know Paula could never have been
I have something for you, Jim.
It's a new ten-year contract
and I am appointing you
..managing director.
Mrs Harte!
Emma.
Thank you.
Emma,
I didn't have the courage
Grandfather wanted you to have this.
Edwin and Emma.
When did he give you this?
Just before he died.
So, he kept it all these years.
He told me the whole story.
About the two of you.
And I suppose you knew
I think I guessed.
She ran away when she discovered
When Adam found her, she'd lost
Then she came back
and never spoke to Adam again.
So much bitterness.
Well, that's in the past.
Now, take my arm, young man,
Listen, everybody.
I'd like to propose a toast.
A birthday toast, to Grandmother.
I'd like to drink
for we all love her very dearly.
Emma Harte, a great lady
To Emma Harte.
Thank you, Emily.
Thank you, all.
Now, this is my birthday party and
I'd like to give
I, Emma Harte Lowther Ainsley,
of Pennistone Royal, Yorkshire,
being of sound mind and body,
hereby declare this
revoking all wills and codicils
Isn't this a bit morbid, Mother?
I don't think so, no.
Now, this is
so why don't I just tell you
Grandchildren first.
Anthony, Amanda, Francesca,
I have set up a trust fund
and I am giving you all my houses
most of my jewellery
apart from the Van Gogh
That is for you, Blackie.
What?
Well, you always loved it.
Daisy will have this house
and the McGill sapphires
Thank you.
Which brings us
In my view, the best way to
is to put control
So,
52% of the Harte shares
My God.
And the remaining shares
to be divided equally
Emily, Sarah and Jonathan.
(I told you
Say something!
You said you'd take charge.
May I say something?
Now I come to the Harte
I built that chain from nothing,
with the toil of these hands.
We all have regrets in life
is that when you were a baby,
I thought I was
Well
A lifetime's work
one of the biggest chains
and I want it to remain that way.
I give and bequeath all my shares
to my granddaughter, Paula.
I told you it wouldn't work.
Don't be bloody stupid.
I'm not standing for this!
But I don't understand.
Thank you, Grandy.
And I promise you
I know.
Now, why don't all of you
go into the drawing room
The rest of us will be along
I am not going to take this.
You've been monstrously unfair.
Coldbloodedly cut us four
Deprived us
I'm not surprised, mind you.
Daisy was always your favourite.
And you were always
That's what makes it all the sadder.
We're your legal heirs.
I intend to contest this will
I shall prove that you were
Shut up and sit down, Robin!
Yes, I did cut you out of my will
and for very good reason.
The four of you plotted
You planned to snatch it and break
But you underestimated me
and that is a fatal thing to do.
I'm not going to be vindictive.
These are cheques made out to each
These are not gifts, by the way.
I'm buying you.
If you accept your cheques,
not to challenge my will.
You're a lawyer, Robin,
you know that means
Well?
Make up your minds.
Where's the pen?
I think you've been very wise.
Now, why don't you go and join
I certainly don't intend
Why not?
It's not every day
Don't be a hypocrite, Robin,
Well done, Mother.
You were wonderful.
Quite a performance, Emma.
Quite a performance!
I wish it hadn't been necessary.
Perhaps it was my fault.
Perhaps I made them what they are.
We're each the authors
They've made themselves
Blackie, I'm so tired.
Well, you've outlived them all.
Frank and Winston.
Adam Fairley.
And Gerald.
Even Edwin.
Poor Edwin.
And now Paula will become a Fairley.
Strange, isn't it?
If I live long enough,
I may have Fairley
to bounce on my lap.
I'm beginning to think
you're a sentimental old woman
Don't you believe it.
Remember what you called me once?
I'm a hard-headed Yorkshire lass.
Are you though?
Well, maybe so.
Maybe so.
Now then, girl.
I've got a little birthday present
When you were a slip of a girl,
I once gave you a little bauble.
My blue bow?
You remember that bit of glass?
Yes.
Well, maybe you remember
one day, I'd make it real sapphires.
There you go.
Blackie.
Thank you.
Sure, I was going to give it
but, well, the McGill sapphires
It's very beautiful,
but it could never take the place
of the one I cherished
My little blue bow, made of glass.
What are you crying for, girl?
I'm not, it's your damn cigar!
To be sure.
I'd ask you to pin it on me,
Hey, look, look.
Love you, Granny!
Happy birthday, Granny!
Here's to those
Those we've loved and lost.
And here's to the next generation
and may they find
Which is?
To endure!