A Woman of Substance (2026) s01e05 Episode Script

1
Change the Grace Mirabella call
to an in person meet
at Vogue HQ this afternoon,
please.
I need to be out and about,
let people see for themselves
my children's claims
about my ill health
are greatly exaggerated.
Grandy, have you spoken
to any of them?
I wonder if a calmer,
more considered conversation
with Aunt Edwina might…
And get Henry Rossiter
to come and see me.
I need to liquidate some assets.
Really? How much do you need?
Seven million.
- Pounds.
- What for?
And as much as it pains me
to say it,
I should make
a television appearance.
So call Peter Lassally
and tell him it's finally a yes
for The Tonight Show.
And after that, I'd like you
to call Jim Fairley
and put an end to your…
dalliance with him.
I… I don't know what you…
I didn't even know who he was
when we first met.
I thought you were serious
about your future here,
Paula, I thought
you had ambition.
- I am. I do. But…
- Then it ends today.
But, Grandy, I love him.
Paula, I understand, believe me,
that occasionally one can
find oneself… distracted.
But one must use that
distraction as a springboard
for moving on.
You and Jim Fairley are over.
End of story.
You don't get to where I am
without making sacrifices.
Ready for
your grand opening day?
Have a lovely day.
Thank you.
All right, you, settle down.
He's my second. And compared to
the first, he's just an angel.
Emma? Is this terry towelling
or worsted wool?
Terry.
Perfect, Mrs Jacobs.
With the height
you've been blessed with,
I'd take the skirt up to mid-calf.
I'll have to persuade my
husband he needs a new jacket.
He'll be showing me up in church!
Perhaps sweeten him up first.
Have you seen my treacle tart
kits? My mother's recipe.
My dad used to ask for one
instead of a birthday cake in June.
So you've been working
every day, every second.
When will this place
be running smoothly enough
for you to take time off
and see your family, eh?
Menswear. That should be next.
Perfect way to expand
the customer base.
Can I have a look at yours?
Yes.
But if you're going
to undress me…
… perhaps without an audience?
Sorry.
Tweed. I'm going to need
lots of tweed. Can you…?
Go.
I'm good at being in charge.
I'm going to need
whatever you've got in tweed,
worsted wool, maybe some linen.
You can't be
running dry already.
We're starting a menswear line.
Did you hear they're selling
Dewsbury Mill?
Someone will make a fortune.
Yeah, they'll have
to spend one first.
You should buy it.
Think how much bigger
your profit margins would be.
No, thank you.
It'd be too risky for me.
I'd have to take out
a whacking loan.
It'd more than pay for itself.
Given how poorly everyone thinks
of Fairley Mill's produce,
I reckon the contracts
they've got left
would be yours for the taking.
Mr Lowther.
Have you seen what she's doing?
Treacle tart kits
in a dressmaker's!
Have you ever heard
of such a thing?
I knew it!
The second you let her move in,
I said to my husband,
I said, "She's after my shop."
Mrs Harte is free to sell
whatever she wants.
Oh, you would say that,
protecting your fancy woman.
Emma is a married woman.
Who's she married to?
The Invisible Man?
I've seen the way
she's in and out of your shop
like nobody's business.
Sounds like you've made it
your business.
Mrs Minton, if you want
to keep leasing my premises
I suggest you apologise
to Mrs Harte immediately
and spend less time
worrying about what she's selling
and more about what you're selling,
which, as of late,
I suspect is not very much.
Sorry.
Invisible husband,
invisible baby.
Thanks for asking, Mrs Minton,
but my daughter's
being very well looked after,
as a matter of fact.
- She wants for nothing.
- Emma…
What does she know, eh?
She thinks we're carrying on!
You should give me her shop.
I never keep you
waiting for rent.
I'd be too worried that
she'd bludgeon us both to death
with one of your treacle tarts.
Some fish-eye darts
at the front here
would make for a better
silhouette, don't you think?
It would pull in the waist
without…
Disturbing the pull.
Yes. You're right.
Cleaner lines.
Can I take your measurements
for samples?
Shall I?
Yes. Thanks.
Most people…
… would wait
more than a few months
after opening a ladieswear shop
to expand.
You think it's too soon?
No. I don't.
And this is exactly why
I wanted to work with you.
Because you're not most people.
I can't. I can't. I'm married.
Well, someone should remind
your husband of that,
because it's been
almost a year, Emma,
and he hasn't bothered
to come near you,
not even when you gave birth
to his child.
- But he's away!
- Week after week, I say to myself,
"Has he any idea who
he married? Does he know you?
"Has he seen you?"
Because surely if he'd had
even a glimpse of you,
he'd not be able to
tear himself from your side.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
Emma Harte, isn't it?
Yes.
How can I help you, Mrs…?
Miss.
Chandra.
At least,
for the next few weeks.
Then it'll be Mrs Edwin Fairley.
That's why I'm here.
Yes. I can see.
Just needs…
the odd adjustment.
All we have to do is…
Burn it.
It's a Fairley heirloom
they insisted I try on,
and, as you can see, it fits,
which is rather unfortunate,
because
it's an absolute monstrosity.
I'm sorry.
So am I.
But I kept hearing such
wonderful things about this place
I was hoping you could make it
even a tiny bit less hideous.
Let's see.
I always imagined
I'd get married
in what my mother wore
to her wedding.
It was a beautiful red sari.
Gold thread.
But as she won't be
at the wedding herself…
She passed away.
I'm sorry.
To lose a mother, that's…
I know.
It's the worst thing.
Yes. It is.
He writes to you.
Letters.
Constantly.
Though he seems to have no
intention of sending them, so…
… I suppose I was always
going to find them eventually.
Why did you come here?
If I'm going to spend
the rest of my life with a man
whose heart is broken,
I thought I ought to at least
have a good look
at the woman responsible.
If Edwin's heart is broken,
it's entirely his own doing,
I can assure you of that.
You can look.
Well, I'd have made me look an
absolute fright if I were you.
Oh, I considered it.
There was a time I'd have
ruined the dress completely.
Anything to get back at them,
even a little bit.
I made a vow, you see,
to spend the rest of my life
punishing them.
All of the Fairleys.
And now?
Sometimes I wonder
whether, in doing that,
I'm also punishing myself.
Don't marry him.
Not because I want him
or because I'm trying
to ruin his life.
I just…
… think you deserve more.
He's good to me.
And love can grow… I think.
I have… hope.
I know this might be
terribly inappropriate,
but I really did
want you to…
I'll have it delivered.
- Once it's finished.
- Thank you.
Sure, I thought
you'd be pleased to hear
Edwin's living a life of misery.
Doesn't it feel good, Emma,
to know you built all this
while he's been stood still,
right where you left him?
But part of me's been there
with him, hasn't it?
Wearing the ring he got me?
Even pretending
to have a husband at sea!
Making sure there isn't even
the slightest possibility
I might one day be able
to meet someone else.
Are you ready for that?
I want to be, I think.
But I'm scared.
That rage,
the rage against Edwin,
it's what's dragged me out
of bed every single morning.
It's what's keeping Edwina fed
and safe. If I let that go,
am I just going
to get distracted again?
Am I gonna let me mam down?
No. Emma, that fire inside you
is going nowhere.
It's not rage.
It's who you are.
Rage was just the fuel there
for a little while,
but that can come from anywhere.
It can come from love.
You're right.
Emma?
Would you speak to him for me?
Would you speak to David?
You've probably noticed
how we are around each other.
I never expected it.
Tried to tell myself
it wasn't happening, but…
He makes me feel…
I don't know.
Excited? Fluttery?
Hopeful?
Is that bad?
Never.
What, erm…
What do you want me
to say to him?
I know I should feel guilty…
… but these past months
with Adele away
have been the best of my life.
- Delivery for you, Miss Chandra.
- Oh, thank you.
My wedding dress.
So best not to mention it to…
Of course.
Wouldn't want to
bring about any… bad luck.
- What have you got there?
- Oh!
- It's, erm…
- Oh, sorry. Is that the…?
Wedding dress? Yes.
I had it altered a little
at this new dressmaker's
I kept hearing about.
Really?
Right. Good. Good.
Well, I hope you got…
… what you wanted.
These are… for you.
Mac told me about
your husband. I'm so sorry.
Thank you.
Why didn't you tell me sooner
that he'd died?
It was a while ago.
I think I was scared.
Of us.
Not…
… worried about me being…
… forward?
Worried I might.
I just came here to check
you were all right.
Well, Mac says you are,
but to lose a husband…
I feel awful,
the things I said about you.
You were right.
Truth is,
I lost him a long time ago.
Even before he died.
You make me feel…
Whoa. Whoa.
Dewsbury Mill is up for sale.
We could ask them
whether they'd sell us
one of their looms.
We're still down one
from the fire,
but if we could just get back
to running at full capacity…
There's little point
running at full capacity
when we're not even selling
the fabric we're making
- at half…
- Not a hint of
that sort of talk
when Sir Vikram arrives.
All focus on the wedding.
If you sense the conversation
is turning to anything
more serious, deflect.
I think we're all
pretty good at that.
Now, Olivia, at the luncheon,
I'm going to need…
Did somebody say luncheon?
I love luncheon.
Oh! Adele,
we weren't expecting you.
- Mother! You look…
- I know, darling. Come here.
- Sherry, Mother?
- Shut up, Gerald.
- No, thank you, darling.
- Yes. Wise.
We've had to switch
to the cheap stuff
in those two long months
you've been… on holiday.
Still, it's here
when you need it.
- Tea? We've got tea.
- I think I'll rest.
- Right.
- I've come a long way.
But I'm so looking forward
to hearing what you've all been
up to while I've been gone.
I may have got ahead
of myself earlier.
I had a plan, you see.
I know how much you like them.
What did it involve, this plan?
Well, the first step was
going to be persuading you
to take a day off.
I know how committed you are
to hard work.
It is time I took a day off.
I need to go back.
Home, I mean. See my family.
I'm so out of touch with them.
Would you be able
to mind the shop?
Of course. But this isn't
exactly in line with my plan.
I'm sorry. It's just
any spare moment I have,
I go to my cousin's to see
Edwina. So going home…
I think I've been scared
of the reminders of my husband.
But now I think I'm ready
to see my dad and my brother.
Anyway, that's my plan
for Friday.
On Saturday…
… I'm very much committed
to your plan.
Two days off in a row!
Emma Harte, you slacker!
I'm sorry for not being here.
Don't be sorry for that.
It's a relief, if anything.
I'm not just talking about
when I left.
I've not been the mother
you deserved.
Not for a long time.
Not… ever, perhaps.
Do you remember when I was
first learning to ride…
… and being rather…
pathetic about it?
Hmm! And that night…
… Father made me sleep there,
in the stables.
I was so against it.
You came, and I…
… I begged you to take me
back to the house.
But you said no.
That I had to face it,
- that it was the only way.
- I'm so sorry, darling.
No. You were right.
And you stayed with me
right through till morning.
And by then,
I wasn't scared anymore.
You were… You were
a wonderful mother…
… until you weren't.
And that's what made it
so much worse.
There have been so many times
where I've needed…
I'm here now.
What is it? You can tell me.
I was trying to help.
I really was.
And I'm bloody good at it -
poker.
Everyone says so.
And things are so bad
with the business,
I thought that if I could
make a bit of extra cash,
then Father would…
I got reckless and…
Oh, Christ.
I'm in such a lot of debt!
And Father will be so upset.
You leave your father to me.
I'll fix it, I promise.
Trying to do your lunch.
I'm making a right pig's ear of it.
I'm not hungry, anyway.
Frank!
Where were you?
Armley. In Leeds!
Why didn't you send an address?
We didn't know where you were.
- We couldn't even write.
- I've been working
all hours of the day and
trying to get myself settled.
But I am now.
You don't look like you.
Or even sound like you.
Frank… please.
I'm sorry.
But listen, I've got so much
to tell you.
I don't care, Emma. You can't
just come walking in here
after all this time,
acting like nothing's happened.
I suppose you don't want
these presents, then.
I've brought loads -
for you and for Dad.
Come on, Frank, I'll help you
clean this up, and we can talk.
Expecting Dad home
for lunch, are you?
Well, he won't want to eat
off the floor, will he?
Why is his winter coat here?
Is he home?
Dad?
Dad!
Dad?
I couldn't get rid of them.
I couldn't get rid of any of it.
I would have known.
Known…
In my heart,
I would have felt it.
I know I would. I would have!
When? What? What happened?
There was a fire.
At the mill.
Near on three months ago.
He had to be the hero, of course
running in to save folk.
I wasn't here. I wasn't here!
- You are now.
- I'm sorry.
Oh, Frank, I'm so sorry.
And of course, we'll show you
the church tomorrow.
- It's spectacular.
- Oh, yes.
Fairleys have been
marrying there for centuries.
To family.
To family.
- Family.
- Family.
Oh, look at them. Did you ever
see a more handsome couple?
Oh, well, Adam and I turned
a few heads back in the day,
didn't we, Adam? He couldn't
keep his hands off me,
I'm glad to say,
but Edwin is more respectful.
- Priya, Edwin tells me that…
- I suppose it's different,
isn't it, with a marriage
of convenience?
- Adele…
- Convenience?
In that it's conveniently
good for business.
My mother has an unusual
sense of humour.
Well, it is good for business,
isn't it?
More so for ours than yours,
I suspect, Sir Vikram.
Priya, it's so wonderful
that you're going to be
wearing Adam's mother's
wedding dress.
Oh, are you? That is wonderful.
Something borrowed.
You will fit in perfectly.
In this family, you can borrow
anything you like.
For example, Sir Vikram,
my sister has been borrowing
my husband
- for some time.
- Adele…
What? I'm sure Priya knows.
Don't you, darling?
She's been sleeping under the
same roof. And if she doesn't,
she ought to know
what she's marrying into.
I'm so sorry, Sir Vikram.
The truth is,
my wife is… very ill.
Oh, I have never felt better.
Well!
This was fun.
- I'm so sorry!
- Don't do that, Livvy.
Don't apologise, as though
it was just some accident,
some mistake.
You wanted my husband,
and you took him.
I've loved him
for a very long time.
Longer than you've loved me?
Same old Aunt Lily, then.
Remember when she caught Dad
teaching us to whistle
in the house?
"Satan!
They're gonna summon Satan!"
I think Dad did it on purpose,
to wind her up.
Good of her to come
and look after you.
But she needn't anymore.
You can come to Armley,
help me in the shop.
I can't. I'm starting
boarding school soon.
- What?
- Yeah.
The Fairleys are paying for it.
They've been ever so kind.
Why would they be doing that?
I suppose they feel
they owe us a debt,
given how Dad saved
Master Edwin's life.
- Edwin?
- Yeah.
That's who he ran back in for.
Emma? Emma!
What the hell
were you playing at?
Do you have any idea how
important that marriage is?
You are going to lecture me
on the importance of marriage?
Adele, the business
is in an incredibly
precarious position.
Our finances are…
For God's sake, don't bore me
with the details, darling.
I shall read about them
in the divorce papers.
We can't divorce.
Let's see. Adultery.
Yes, we can be certain of that.
And for additional grounds,
I believe I shall go for cruelty.
Cruelty?
You are the queen of cruelty.
Do you really blame me, Adele,
for seeking solace elsewhere?
Elsewhere? Perhaps not.
But my sister?
Why?
Why did it have to be her, Adam?
Because she is the only one
who understood what it was like
to watch you disappear.
You caged me, too,
when you locked yourself
in this damn room.
In sickness and in health, Adam!
That was the vow, remember?
I spent years blaming myself.
But you abandoned me!
The second you saw
that I was sinking,
- you let go of my hand.
- That is not true.
I tried.
You drowned yourself, Adele.
All I ever wanted to do
was to please you,
to stay on that pedestal,
where you put me.
The perfect,
proper little wife…
… to sit by your side
at church every Sunday
and then to submit to your
darkest desires every night.
I have never done a thing to you
that you didn't yearn for.
That's absolutely true.
You loved every second
of turning me
into your little whore.
But then you couldn't
bear the thought
of being married to one.
Get on your knees.
I will never be
on my knees again.
If I am the problem,
then why is it that Olivia and I
have been perfectly happy
without you here?
You always were unfit, Adele
to be a wife and a mother.
Olivia, though,
she's wonderful at both,
born for it,
just like you were born…
… a dirty, rotten, little…
… whore.
I'm coming. I'm here.
- How was your trip home?
- I want the grocer's.
You've only had Harte's
a few months.
What do you know about selling
groceries? It's too soon, Emma.
It's too much to manage.
Too risky.
What could be more risky than
the loss you're already making?
I'm ready for it. Put me in there.
Not only will I pay you
a month up front, I'll increase
the rent 5% every month,
and I'll still be
making a profit.
10%.
Eight.
Done!
I've never met a woman like you.
I'm not sure
there's ever been one.
On that…
… I do have one more
proposition for you.
Help! I need help here!
Mama…
Mama…
Oh, my God!
No… No!
What did you say to her?
What? I…
Ta-da!
What is it? What's happened?
Joe Lowther and I
are getting married.
- What?
- I'm sorry, David.
You're not serious?
Joe?!
Does he know you're
marrying him for his shops?
- That's not the only reason.
- Oh, I do apologise.
I was forgetting, he owns
a rather nice house as well!
Emma!
I really think
there's something here,
something between us
that could be remarkable
- if we can just let it…
- I've got to do this.
I really am truly sorry.
I'm sorry,
but you're quite early.
That's all right. I can wait.
If you and your husband…
He's not my husband yet.
You do know I'm here
about the loan?
I do. I made the appointment.
You realise an unmarried
woman cannot take out
a loan of any kind?
I realise, and in less than an
hour that won't be a problem.
I don't make a habit
of wearing wedding gowns
on days I'm not getting wed.
Excuse us.
I know it's only a quick
ceremony, but I thought
you might wear
something a bit smarter.
I can't do it.
I can't walk you down the aisle
to a man you don't love.
What about David?
I'm not in love
with David either!
But there are feelings there,
at least,
and feelings are important.
I'm not looking. I just noticed
you hadn't closed up,
so I'm just checking
that you are still…
- Yes.
- Are you the groom, sir?
Yes. Sorry, who's that?
Mr Ivens, solicitor. And I must
make sure you understand
the risks of guaranteeing
such a very large loan.
If your bride cannot pay it
back, the debt will be yours.
Only in name.
The risk is all mine.
And I won't default. But if I did,
we've agreed it'd be
my stock we'd sell off
to pay it.
The law says I need a husband
to sign on my behalf.
Well, in 45 minutes,
that's exactly what I'll have.
No-one's going into this
blind, Mr Ivens.
Emma!
I don't believe in superstition.
I think we make our own luck.
I'm not sure what I did
to get this lucky.
You head to the church.
I won't be long.
Come, if you like, Mr Ivens.
We can discuss the terms.
Emma…
Your stock.
Everything you built.
This? This is just
the foundations.
And the loan. What's that for?
I'm buying Dewsbury Mill.
If I'm making my own fabric,
the profit margins'll be huge!
You don't know
how to run a mill.
But I know a lot of men who do.
Men who loved my dad
as much as I do.
Men who are dissatisfied
with their current employer.
You're going to steal workers
from the Fairleys?
I'm just going to make them
a better offer.
So it's back, then, the rage.
I thought you were moving on.
But this is all about revenge.
Yes, it is.
And it feels wonderful.
Emma!
A loveless marriage…
- There are worse things!
- Well, if you're so hellbent
on marrying someone
you don't love, marry me, then.
I already asked you once.
But I do love you.
Imagine me ruining your life.
Joe can help me.
And he wants to.
And he's got influence.
Joe's a decent man,
and he won't be a distraction.
I let myself get carried away
thinking I could
put all of this behind me,
put them behind me.
And now my father's dead.
- That wasn't your fault.
- Oh, I know that.
My father's blood's on Fairley
hands! And I won't rest
until every drop of theirs
is on mine!
No Fairley will ever come near
me or my family ever again!
You can't tell me who to love.
I'm a grown woman.
I'm simply giving you a choice
between Jim Fairley and
your future at this company.
You don't even know him.
Only his surname.
Do you think it's a coincidence,
his interest in you?
My grandchild? My protegee?
Neither of us knew who the
other was when we first met.
Oh, come along, Paula,
don't be so naive.
The whole world knows I've
been training you to be me,
to take over everything!
Of course a Fairley would seek
to take advantage.
What if this isn't about you,
as incomprehensible
as that may seem
to someone so self-centred?
You have no idea
what I have sacrificed.
What if Jim loves me for me?
The fact that you think
I would want to be you,
surrounded by people
but entirely alone!
No, thank you. I choose life!
- Yes, Mrs Harte?
- Jerry…
Mrs Harte?
Would you call
an ambulance, please?
Mrs Harte?
I think I'm having
a heart attack.
Oh, my God!
Mrs Harte?
Mrs Harte!
It's Christmas Eve,
and there are stockings
that need hanging,
trees that need decking.
I can't just pretend to be a
regular friend of your family.
I was hoping we might
get to, er, lie in?
Do I fall short
in that department?
- Mavourneen. Are you all right?
- I am now!
Joe deserves some consolation
for his absentee wife.
Where's the child you had
that belongs to my brother?