The Hardacres (2024) s01e05 Episode Script

1
I've been invited to Leeds
with a charitable ladies circle.
There's nowt charitable
about that nest of vipers.
Wheeling those poor lasses out
to make nice for the rich ladies.
I was one of them!
Filthy beggars they called us,
while you just said nowt!
Recoup the spend on the crane
or not a single other change
will be considered.
Please, Adella, help me be a lady.
Leave it, Joe.
Don't make a fool of yourself!
Says the greedy great mule herself!
SHE SCREAMS
Are you all right, Miss Liza?
Just shove off!
Morning.
Morning.
You know,
I've never done this before.
Neither have I.
I'm not the sort of the girl who
I know.
I know you're not.
It's just
I think you're brilliant, Joe.
You're the only boy I've ever liked.
I like you too.
But let's just keep it
between us for now.
Why?
You're not embarrassed of me?
No. Of course not.
But I'm already
in the bad books with my mum.
And yours doesn't really
think much of me, does she?
That's true.
Might be fun to have a secret.
First night apart in 20 years.
I didn't sleep a wink.
I shouldn't have lost my temper.
But I did not like
the way Emma spoke to you.
Or how she spoke about this family.
But Joe did punch Lord Bathurst.
You can't blame Emma
for being upset.
I want to fit in here, Sam.
I want to make friends. I do.
It's really important to me.
And I shouldn't have
lost my temper either.
Can we call a truce?
Do you really think we can
pay the crane off in a month?
Hugill has given us no choice.
You have a plan?
I have a hundred ideas of how
to make this place work better.
I'll pay it off
by the month's end if it kills me.
I promised you all an extra day off,
and you will get it.
But we have a point to prove
before then.
So, hear me out.
I won't have good men and women
put in danger by faulty equipment,
like I was.
But we've got to fight for it,
because the other shareholders
want it paid for by us.
CROWD MURMURS
So, let's show them how it's done.
Let's pull together, up the momentum
and fight our corner!
Are you in?
Can't make more hours in a day, Sam,
and I won't work Sundays.
I'm not asking you to, Albie.
I'm asking those of you who can
to come in half an hour early,
cut the chat to a minimum -
just for a month.
All us gutties,
we could trim our tea break.
Ten minutes instead of 20.
You're on, ladies. We can do this!
We will do this!
CHEERING
Ladies, let's raise those troughs
and save your backs.
There we go!
OK, ladies,
can you put your knives down?
Gonna give you out some gloves.
What?
Here you are. One for yourself.
For you.
Incredible.
Huh?
Post, Mr Beesley, for Mrs Hardacre.
Lady Fairfax. No doubt declining
Mrs Hardacre's invitation to tea.
Does anything happen in this house
without your knowledge, Mrs Dryden?
It does not, Mr Beesley.
That'll be the third rejection
this month.
What does she expect after her
no-good son attacked Lord Bathurst?
Maybe she'll finally get the message
that no real lady
wants anything to do with her.
Something wrong with those sausages?
Not hungry.
MARY CLEARS THROA
Will you pass me the salt, please?
Thank you.
Morning, Hardacres!
Why are you so cheery?
I'm always pleased to see your
beautiful face, Ma, you know that.
And today's the day
we tell Hugill and the board
we've paid off
the new crane in full.
I am so proud of you.
Well
let's hope the board are impressed.
A letter for you, ma'am.
Oh, thank you.
I invited Lady Fairfax for tea.
Oh, what a shame.
She's been laid low with a chill.
Oh. Just like the rest
of your fancy friends.
Lady Beaumont had an upset stomach,
actually. Oh, right.
And what was ailing
the monster of Malham Manor, then?
Lady Fitzherbert had a fever. Mm.
Seems like the grand dames of
Yorkshire are dropping like flies.
What are the chances of that?
I don't believe it.
What?
Look.
"The Marquess and Marchioness
of York are delighted to announce
"the engagement of their daughter,
Lady Adella Fitzherbert,
"to Lord Hugo Arthur Bathurst."
I didn't think she'd go through with
marrying that horse-faced idiot.
Enough. You made it very clear what
you thought at the Fitzherberts'.
Right, Liza,
we'll pay a call to Malham Manor.
Congratulate Adella.
Eh?
Do we have to?
Yes.
I will not have this family become
social outcasts. Do you hear?
Right, it's best I get going.
Have a good day, love.
You too.
And good luck with Hugill.
Right, be ready to leave
after lunch.
Well, you can count me out.
Nobody invited you.
Well, I wouldn't go if you paid me!
You seem very upset
Adella got engaged.
Well, she doesn't even like Hugo.
And now she's marrying him.
What about you and Betsy?
I thought maybe I liked her.
I mean, I do like her, but
She's a lovely girl.
I know.
I don't know.
It's different with Adella.
I've never met anyone like her.
She's exciting.
Exciting's all very well and good,
but you can't build a relationship
on that alone.
And what do you really know
about her?
All I know is how I feel.
Look, feelings are feelings.
A person can't help them.
But you can't lead Betsy on.
So if you see her only as a friend,
you've got to make it clear to her.
Now, come on!
What do you think?
I read that purple hyacinths
signify a request for forgiveness.
Forgiveness for what?
Our family making a show
of themselves. That's what.
Lady Cornwall said, "That's
the last time I'm eating cabbage."
Mrs Hardacre and Miss Liza Hardacre.
Oh, I'm so sorry.
We didn't mean to interrupt.
Mrs Hardacre.
To what do we owe
the unexpected pleasure?
Well, we wanted to congratulate
Lady Adella on her engagement.
But I also wanted to apologise again
for what happened at your soiree.
Purple hyacinths.
Someone's been studying
their floriography.
Thank you, Mrs Hardacre. How kind.
You and Liza should join us for tea.
Oh, no, no, no. We wouldn't want
We insist.
Don't we, Mama?
You're here now.
I am so sorry not to have made it
to the hall for tea last week,
Mrs Hardacre.
I'm just glad to see
that you're all feeling much better.
Thank you, dear.
Is that wise, Adella?
One must be mindful of one's figure
as the big day approaches.
Liza, why don't I show you
the sketches for my dress?
But we are discussing
the guest list.
Oh, you don't need me for that.
I'm only the bride.
Oh, thank you.
So, as I was saying, I'm hoping
Her Majesty will make an appearance.
If she's not up at Balmoral,
of course.
Joe?
Can I talk to you?
I need to tell you something.
Actually,
I have something I need to tell you.
You first.
You know how fond I am of you.
You know how fond I am of you, too.
I've really enjoyed
our time together. So have I.
But I don't think me and you
can go any further.
I don't understand.
These last few weeks, we
you know.
I know.
I'm so sorry.
I should've never have
let that happen.
And I promise
I'll never tell anyone that it did.
I thought you wanted us
to be together.
I just don't see you that way, Betsy.
And you deserve someone who does.
You can't mess
with people's feelings like this.
Cos you're rich you can
treat people however you want?
No, I'm just trying to be honest.
Honest?
You're not honest.
You pretend all the time.
Pretending to be a fancy gentleman,
pretending to be a boss.
You can lie to yourself
all you like.
But I see you, Joe.
I've always seen you.
Welcome to Hardacre's
Fish Merchants, gentlemen.
I really appreciate you coming down.
I think you're gonna like
what I have to show you.
Well, there she blows.
Isn't she a beauty?
How does it differ from the old one?
The steam cylinder winch means that
she can lift three tonne an hour
instead of one.
Is she paid for?
That's what I want to know.
Paid for in full, Mr Hugill.
This way, everyone.
Shaw used to throw
the fish guts away.
But now we grind them
into fertiliser
and sell it to the farmers.
That's a whole new source
of revenue.
Right, follow me.
Lena Temple, gentlemen.
Fastest gutter on the east coast.
Show the gentlemen your gloves, Lena.
They protect from cuts and injuries.
Getting salt in the nicks smarts
like a bugger, let me tell you.
Which has reduced stoppage time
by a third.
And with all these changes
leading to increased profits,
I have another proposal.
What other proposal?
I want to reduce workers' hours.
The increased efficiency means
we can hit the same profits
we always have on fewer hours.
Workers on the same pay,
you on the same dividends.
Everybody wins.
Is there somewhere we can
discuss this amongst ourselves?
Let me show you to the office.
They don't give much away, do they?
BETSY SOBS
What's wrong? Betsy?
Me and Joe
been keeping company
with one another.
Since when?
A few weeks.
But he broke it off with me.
Oh Oh, sweetheart.
How far did it go?
Just a kiss and a cuddle.
SHE SOBS
The silk is from China,
the lace from France,
and if the waist
is any more than 20 inches,
there will be hell to pay.
She doesn't care
if I'm half-starved,
as long as I'm dainty.
I'll never be dainty.
I've skipped breakfast for a month, and
it hasn't made any difference.
Why bother when you're not
under pain of death over a wedding?
At your party, Hugo said
something unkind about my size.
As though he can talk
about anyone else's appearance.
LIZA LAUGHS
Twenty inches?
How is that even possible?
If you really want
to improve your figure
A corset?
This will never fit me.
You could use these
as a helping hand.
Mama gives them to me.
"Trilene tablets,
the best cure for stoutness."
I have a cousin who was stout.
But after a couple of few weeks
of those, she was as neat as a pin.
One forgets how much organising
a wedding takes.
You would not believe the trouble
I've had with the flowers.
Oh. Erm
The gardens at Hardacre Hall
are set to be splendid come spring.
We'd be more than happy to help
That won't be necessary.
I'm dealing with my supplier
in Holland.
Of course.
But should we need any fried herring
for the wedding breakfast,
I'll be sure to let you know.
STIFLED LAUGHTER
Right.
Well
Liza and I should be getting back.
Of course, dear.
We mustn't keep you.
Goodbye.
Gentlemen, please.
The tour was very informative.
You've done well, Hardacre.
I knew you'd be impressed
when you saw for yourselves.
And we are.
The question is,
if you could achieve these profits
on reduced hours,
what could you achieve
if you stayed as you are?
What will that lot do
with extra time off anyway, eh?
Get drunk and make trouble,
you mark my words. Steady on!
These are good men and women.
Furthermore, with all
the efficiencies you've introduced,
we believe you could cut, say
ten men.
Now, hold on, gents.
The whole point was to maximise
profits and improve worker welfare.
Careful, Hardacre.
You're starting to sound
like a radical.
Let's take a vote.
All those in favour of remaining
on the current working hours
with labour cuts of ten men?
I gave the folk out there my word.
I won't go back on it.
You'll abide by
the vote of the board, Hardacre.
And if I don't?
Then we'll vote to remove you.
TINNY BARKING
You have a nice time with Lady Em?
Did you manage to drink tea and
kiss her backside at the same time?
It was lovely. Thank you for asking.
I think I'll take a walk.
Are you all right to do this?
If I don't,
the board will force me out.
Then who'll speak for the workers?
Get a shift on, Sam!
I've some plans for fishing
for my extra time off.
LAUGHTER
It hasn't gone as well as I'd hoped.
CROWD MURMURS
The board had a vote
for reducing working hours.
I lost.
You lost? Seems more like we did.
I know. I know, and I'm sorry.
Sorry doesn't cut it, Sam! We broke
our backs for you this last month.
Aye!
I'm afraid there's worse to come.
The board have demanded that
I cut ten jobs across the operation.
But you set them straight?
My hands are tied, Lena.
I was outnumbered four to one.
If there was anything else
I could have done, believe me
We'll not believe
another word you say!
They gave me no choice!
No choice?
So you're one of them now.
Hey! Hey!
If Sam Hardacre won't stand by us,
we'll stand by each other.
Aye!
They think they can lose ten of us?
Let's see how they manage
when they lose all of us!
Aye!
I say we strike!
Aye!
Strike!
Strike!
Strike! Strike! Strike! Strike!
THEY CONTINUE TO CHAN
Evening.
Evening.
Mother.
What's happened?
Well, not only did the board
not agree to reduce working hours,
they also said
I had to lay off ten workers.
No, they can't do that.
They can.
It's one vote per shareholder.
And then when I went and told
the workers, they went on strike.
Not that I blame them.
Right. What can I do to help?
Nothing. It's my fault.
I've got to figure a way
to put it right.
COCKEREL CROWS
Have you been to bed?
I've spent all night
trying to figure out what to do,
and I'm still none the wiser.
HE SCOFFS
Who was I kidding?
HE SIGHS
What a mess I've made of the docks.
It's not your fault, Dad.
And Fred, my God.
Look how wrong I was there.
He could have been here
bloody helping me
if he hadn't have done what he did.
All my grand plans and promises.
Just arrogance.
But now all the men think
I'm in cahoots with the board.
They don't think that.
Yes, they do.
Go on, son.
Leave me to it.
Fred.
I'm not interested
in anything you have to say.
Fred. Fred! Hear me out.
Please.
Oh, good, you're awake.
Oh, just as well,
what with you stomping around
like a herd of elephants.
Well, do you fancy a walk?
I haven't even had breakfast.
Oh
What's got into you?
It's a beautiful day, Ma!
We should be making the most of it!
Oh, fine.
I'll find Tinny, I'll take him.
Leave you to it,
you grumpy old woman.
Hang on! I'm coming with you.
Blimey, Liza!
Are you trying to kill me?
How many times
have you outrun the exciseman,
and you can't manage a little walk?
Maybe you're losing your touch, Ma.
Bilge! I'll never lose Oh!
Bugger and blast.
It's not funny!
What's wrong with you?
What's wrong with your eyes?
Nothing! I'm just
I didn't get much sleep, is all.
Come on, muddy arse.
Let's get you home. Tinny!
There's something
I need to tell you, Dad.
Fred didn't steal that money.
I did.
I took it from the safe,
and I put it in his desk.
Why?
I were jealous
of how well you two got along,
of how much better
at the job he were than me.
I thought if he were out of the way,
I'd have a chance to impress you.
What the hell were you thinking?
I know I've let you down.
But I want to put it right.
I've apologised to Fred.
I told him about the board.
That you need help,
and I'm not good enough to give it.
So, Fred agrees,
he'll take over from me.
You understand what you've done?
You cost this man his job.
You made me think
Yes, I know! And I've never been
so ashamed in my whole life!
I'm sorry I believed that of you, Fred.
It looked how it looked.
That's big of you.
I heard about the strike.
Joe says you could do with a hand.
And you'd lend it, after all that?
These are my people, Sam.
If I can help, I will.
All right, Joe. You can leave us.
Come on!
MA HUFFS
Ugh. My God.
'Ey up!
What's happened to you?
TINNY BARKS
Oh, she fell on her backside.
Shut it, you!
LIZA LAUGHS
Come on, Tinny!
I haven't seen you at the game
for a few weeks.
What, you think I'd play
with you again
after you plied me
with all that brandy?
As you wish, m'lady.
Come on, Tinny!
TINNY WHIMPERS
Fine. You'll come home when
you're hungry, you little traitor!
Er, what have you been up to now?
Look at the state of you!
There's summat strange about Liza.
Huh.
Well, you're a fine one to talk.
I'm serious! She's acting odd.
Well, she seemed happy enough
when I last saw her.
Aye. That's the problem -
she's acting too happy.
Since when has being in
a good mood cause for concern, Ma?
She can't sit still,
she she's laughing at nothing,
and you must have noticed
she's hardly eating?
She probably just wants to lose
a few pounds.
It's normal enough for young ladies.
I'm telling you, she's not right.
I know that girl.
And you're saying I don't?
I'm saying you'd see for yourself
if you bothered to look.
Fine. I'll speak with her.
Good!
Thanks ever so much.
SLAMS CUP ON SIDE
Ooh, come on, Maggie.
Put your back into it! I am!
Thanks, Maggie.
Miss.
Ma'am.
Oh. Now, don't you look nice, hm?
Thanks. Adella gave me some tips.
You and Adella are getting along
a lot better, aren't you?
Well, she's not as bad
as I thought she were.
Once you get to know her.
Well, I'm glad
you're making new friends.
So there's nothing bothering you?
No. Why would there be?
Just Ma. She thinks
you've been acting strange.
LIZA SCOFFS
That's rich, coming from her.
That's what I said.
THEY CHUCKLE
So there's nothing
you want to tell me?
You're not worrying about anything?
Nothing.
Well, apart from
that silly old woman fussing.
THEY CHUCKLE
Right.
OK.
Well?
MARY GASPS
MARY HUFFS
You're worrying about nothing.
She's enjoying herself, is all.
Spending time with people
her own age.
There is something wrong
with that girl.
And there's something wrong with you
if you can't see it. Huh.
You, giving me mothering advice?
That's rich.
I can try and talk to the men,
but from what you've said,
they won't give up easily.
And who could blame them?
My God, I should be standing
shoulder to shoulder with them.
HE SIGHS
But the board has me over a barrel!
You could try throwing money
at the problem.
That seems to be the only thing
the board care about.
DOOR OPENS
I'll explain later.
The workers are picketing the gate.
Hugill showed up
and tried to order them back in.
Little Pete and he had a conversation.
We'd best get down there.
You have a plan?
It's like Fred said,
all they care about is money.
And money is what I have.
So I'm gonna offer to buy them out.
Why don't you let me
take the idea to Hugill?
He's not going to even consider it
from a radical.
HE SCOFFS
All right. Let's get down there.
PANTING
Miss Liza.
SHE HYPERVENTILATES
Miss Liza!
Liza What happened?
She collapsed outside.
There you go, lass.
Liza?
Liza!
Liza, please
Go get your dad!
I'll fetch the doctor!
Liza, come on!
Liza!
Come on, wake up, girl!
Come on, love.
Liza, come on, girl. Wake up.
Liza?
Please wake up. Please. Please.
Mrs Hardacre.
Thank you.
Liza Oh.
Mum, I don't feel well.
What is it? What happened?
Everything hurts, Mum.
What do you mean? In what way?
I'm so hot.
Let me help you.
I'm so hot.
This way, Doctor.
Oh, thank God!
Liza? Liza, can you hear me?
I'm burning.
We can't get any sense
out of her, Doctor.
How long has she been like this?
I don't know.
Mr Ward found her outside.
Just before I fetched you.
Have you eaten anything unusual?
We haven't served anything
out of the ordinary, Dr Mason.
Could she have taken
any medications? Like what?!
I suspect there's something
in her system that it doesn't like.
I'll check her room.
I need you to take a deep breath.
In through your mouth
and out through No, Liza. Liza.
Liza, I know
Liza, let him help you.
Well? What did Hugill say?
You've just shown the board
how profitable this place can be.
They're not gonna give that up.
They're not selling.
Damn it!
Dad!
It's Liza!
Could it be these?
Trilene tablets,
the cure for stoutness. Yes.
Mrs Hardacre, I need to flush out
any of these
that remain in her stomach.
Well, is that safe?
Safer than letting any more
of that muck get into
her bloodstream, yes.
If you'd like to step outside.
No, I'm not leaving her.
Could we clear the rest of the room?
Bring me a bowl of warm,
salted water.
LIZA RETCHES
That's it. Get it up, get it up.
What's happened? Is she all right?
She'll be fine.
Mr Hardacre, I believe
your daughter's taken these.
What are they?
They're designed to suppress
the appetite.
They're laced with all sorts -
arsenic and the like.
Ladies take them
to improve their figure.
Are you telling me
all this happened for that?
I suspect Liza took a large amount
in a short period of time.
Probably in an attempt to hasten
the desired result.
But she'll be all right, though?
Everything that was in
her stomach is out.
She's conscious and lucid,
so the immediate danger's passed.
I want to go to bed now.
She'll need fluids and rest,
but she will be fine.
We can't thank you enough, Doctor.
You'll be all right.
She wouldn't let me kiss her
if she was awake.
Not since she was a little girl.
"Get off me, Mum," she'd say.
Stubborn as a mule.
I wonder where she gets that from.
Aye, I wonder.
Never in my life
have I felt fear like I did today.
I don't know what
I'd have done if she'd I know.
But she didn't. Yeah,
but I should have listened to you.
How could I have missed this?
That's what being a mother is.
A lifetime of wishing you could
go back and do it all again.
That you could
That you could be better
make better choices.
Oh, Mary,
you have no idea how much I wish
I could turn back the clock
and do things differently.
You were dragged
from pillar to post as a bairn.
The time spent in that
in that bloody workhouse.
If I could change it for you,
I would. But I can't.
All I can ask
is that you forgive me.
You know, I I tried. I
I really tried, but
I know I let you down.
And I'm sorry.
Oh, Ma.
Is she asleep?
Oh, come on now. You didn't know
she was taking those pills.
Yes, but I should have.
Ma knew summat was wrong,
but I wouldn't listen to her.
Well, if we're handing out blame
you're not the only one
who didn't see
what was right under their nose.
Fred didn't steal the money.
Joe set him up.
What?! Why?
He says he was jealous.
He wanted Fred out of the way
so that he could impress me.
Oh, God, Joe!
He was way out of his depth
at the docks. Deep down, I knew it.
I just wanna go back
to our old lives,
before any of this happened,
because it's been nothing
but a bloody curse. All of it!
I know. I know, love. Me too.
Er go back to what, exactly?
Working yourselves
into an early grave?
Not a pot to piss in?
Abject misery?!
You do understand what's happened
here? Oh, I understand all right.
You got everything you ever wanted,
and then you let it send you wrong.
In here. You let that stuck-up cow
up the road
make you think
you weren't good enough.
Ma!
You're no better.
So what if those clowns at the board
want to play silly buggers?
Let 'em. Since when did you lie down
and die at the first punch?
The only curse that money's brought
is that it's made you forget
who you are.
We're Hardacres.
We never, ever give up. We fight.
And it's high time
you two remember that.
Hey up. How's Miss Liza doing?
Doc says she's gonna be fine.
Sorry.
Don't be daft.
Crying is understandable.
You've had a bad day.
It would have been a lot worse
without you.
So, I, er
I came to say thank you.
All part of the service.
As is a cup of tea
to calm the nerves?
Oh, have you got anything stronger?
Oh, aye.
Ma's right about me.
Well, she's right about me, too.
I hate it when that happens.
And you were right an' all, Sam.
About the way I've tried
to fit in with Emma and her lot.
I'm sorry.
Aye, well
I'm sorry too.
I was always running away
to the docks.
I should have been here.
Oh, we've both messed up.
And look where that's got us.
Remember when we got 'ere?
I thought that nobody could ever
treat us like dirt again.
But you see,
the likes of Emma will always think
they're better than the likes of us.
You know,
just sitting there in judgement,
telling us that we're too
loud, coarse, just too much.
You know, they want us
to feel ashamed so we'll be quiet
and just follow along like sheep.
It's exactly the same
with the board.
You know Hugill reckons
I'm a radical?
A radical?!
SHE CHUCKLES
Well, you've embarrassed them
by being better,
that's their problem with you.
And they're idiots,
who wouldn't know a day's graft
if it bit them on the backside. Aye.
Four idiots deciding the lives
of a hundred.
Four idiots, a hundred workers
Four idiots, a hundred workers
Four of them, a hundred of us.
You've cracked it, Mary!
Shh
It's the numbers.
It's always been the numbers!
What are you talking about?
I'm gonna do what Ma said.
I'm gonna fight. And so are you.
What's your father up to this time?
Remind me, Mr Hugill,
it's one shareholder, one vote, yes?
I fell for her nonsense,
so I'm the one
that's gonna set things right.
You are a nasty piece of work,
Lady Emma!
You're nothing but a common thief!
That boy's trouble.
You're better off without him.
Do you love me?
Aye, course.
I'm running away.
There's a ship from Liverpool
to New York next week.
A lady can't just run off
to America unaccompanied.
What if I wasn't unaccompanied?