Spyship (1983) s01e02 Episode Script
Episode 2
- Morning, Simon.
- Morning.
- What's going on? - Oh, just a party of Japanese tourists! The security in this building is getting very slack.
- Right.
- I had a look at those articles.
- Anything on him? - Nothing, according to Special Branch.
He's a clerk at the met office there.
No record.
No political affiliations.
Lives with his mother.
Oh, dear.
They did turn up something on the brother, Paul Silvers.
He was one of the crew.
Yes, what? Turns out he'd been under observation twice last year for agitating in the Transport Union.
Hmm Anyway we don't have to worry about him.
See if you can try and persuade somebody in Trade and Industry to drop a hint to the right people in Norway.
Discourage them it's a freelance operation with no proper backing.
- Lacks her govemmengt's blessing? - Exactly.
Simon? Use the sh redder.
I don't want security to find one item of scrap on this.
Right.
Bad light halted play at five o'clock this afternoon.
How are you, Evans? You're looking pretty fit.
What a picture it is here.
It's a long way for you.
Something important? There's a chance of some more work.
On an extemporary basis.
Someone's made a bit of a bish and as usual it's left for me to sort out.
- Bish? - I can't enlarge.
No, it's just the word.
It's funny.
- It makes me funny, does it? - You know me better than that.
I must say, you're very chatty today, Evans.
It's not for you, I'm afraid.
Sorry.
Here's a nice photograph.
Pity they're having very good weather in Florida at the moment.
Oh, that's lovely.
He got it from that second-hand shop in Gordon Street.
Oh, yes.
I may be moving on soon.
I thought you promised Caroline Lindsay that you'd help her find her husband.
- Yeah - Still, she can't expect miracles.
It's all right, mum.
I'll go.
Probably the postman.
Thank you, sir.
And who are you? Are you with this fanciful search party? Police Officers, madam.
C.
I.
D.
More than one of you? What are you doing in my house? It's all right, mother.
They've come to see me.
May I? - What have you done, you fool?! - Nothing! Well, you must have done something for them to come barging in here like this for all the neighbours to see! - Hey, hey! Hey, hey, you can't touch that! Is this it, sir? - This is yours, sir? - Yes, yes, it's for the expedition.
Would you open it, please? Thank you, sir.
You've booked a flight to the United States.
- Of course not.
Where would I get the money? - You fool.
I didn't buy it! It's got your name on it, sir.
Florida one way! Let me see that, please.
This is this is ridiculous.
That picture was in one of the papers.
I have no doubt it will be again, sir.
Come along, please.
- It's pathetic.
- One just has to play it by ear.
- By what? - You know exactly what I mean.
- Paul Silvers.
- Mmm? We believe he was working for you.
Tut tut um Uh, I'd rather you kept that away from me, if you don't mind.
Come and have a glass of tea.
On the republic.
Hello.
- Hello.
- Still here then, Martin? - Yes.
Eh, only I heard somewhere that you might be leaving us for the big smoke.
- Can't say I blame you.
- Oh, nothing's settled yet.
- Mmm um will you be selling the house? - It hadn't occurred to me.
I know it's a bit sudden, only if you are, there's them as might be interested.
You know where I work.
Miss Summer-field.
Well, he doesn't seem to be in any doubt.
The only time I go to churches is when people die.
I was married here.
Good.
Any trouble with the recovery? - The Soviets were very co-operative.
- First rate.
Good, good, good, good.
Thank you.
Now, the PM, through the co-ordinator of course, has been following this affair very closely.
I need hardly tell you how circumspect our actions will have to be from now on.
Silvers appears before the magistrate on Wednesday That should sort him out.
That and the discovery of the lifeboy.
- What's agreed? - Three months suspended.
He might get credit in a supermarket, not in a place like that.
- Can one get credit in a supermarket? - Who? Anyone.
I don't know l would have thought so, if one is creditable.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want, he maketh me to lie down in green pastures.
He leadeth me beside still waters.
He restoreth my soul he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
Yay though I walk through the valley in the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a temple before me in the presence of mine enemies.
Paul! Thou thou annointest my head with oil; My cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
- D'you think she'll be alright? - Yeah, let her be.
Poor love.
Did you see that son of hers? Real good for nowt.
Just stood there right bloody mess, this is.
Oh, sorry.
- D'you think you'll be able to manage? - Oh, I'll cope.
My lad's in work now.
You sort of expect it really, that he might go overboard.
Mmm.
- What am I doing? I don't smoke anymore.
- It's getting to you, I can see.
Where's Caroline Lindsay? You know, the Scottish girl? Aye, she's not here, is she? But she's a bit funny, that girl.
Well, it's worse on the younger ones.
In you go, or you'll miss the singing.
I'll stay with her.
Mr.
Taylor, please.
You're in trouble.
They're like a bunch of vultures! You don't believe I stole that money, do you? - I don't know anything about it.
- Oh, come on.
You must do.
Everybody does.
It's a set-up! They even had this passport with my photo in it.
But a phoney passport isn't something the local police can arrange.
I I know that, but it had to come from somewhere, didn't it? And the ticket.
But who would want to incriminate you? Well, the the Russians! They're the ones that 'sigh' Look, I know what it sounds like.
Do you think the police would act on their behalf? Well there'll be somebody else, wouldn't there, in between? - But why? - Because they're up to no good.
Now, listen.
Look, we have reconnaissance aircraft that fly out there from the Met Office.
But that week, all flights were stopped.
There was nothing at all.
- Well, did they give any reasons? - Yeah.
Exceptional weather conditions.
Well, that sounds reasonable.
The Caistor sank in exceptional weather conditions! Did she? Oh, no.
No, there's more to it than that.
That's why they're going to all this trouble to keep everybody away trying to set me up.
The Russians don't want anybody sniffing around their patch.
You don't believe me, do you? At least I thought I could rely on you.
Listen, I've got to go.
Look, come to the house.
We'll talk about it.
- When? - Whenever you like.
Tomorrow.
Ooh, what have we got here? What is it? - Happy birthday, Simon! - Thank you, Betty! Yes? Ah, Simon.
There you are.
Did you get an IC-40 on the life-buoy? Um, I expect I did.
I've just got back in from lunch, actually.
Oh, thank you.
Is there anything wrong here? The lifebuoy.
It's already gone for examination to somebody called Dowdall.
I've never even heard of him! This sort of work is usually put out to nice Professor Dodds.
DO you want me to get in touch with the Department of Trade? No, it's much too late for that.
We'd better have some info on Dowdall.
Get on to Richmond Terrace, see if he's in the computer.
Let's be sure we're using somebody sympathetic.
Hmm Awful lot of letters after his name.
Mmm.
Far too many for this line of work.
See what you can dig up.
This afternoon? - May I hang onto this? - Please.
Er your um What did you want to ask me? Just now? Oh, about this evening.
It doesn't matter.
- Good.
-Thank you.
- Do you know anything about him? - No more than you! - Perhaps he is paranoid.
- Who? Perhaps he is paranoid but if he has been set up he wouldn'the wouldn't get a ticket to Florida, it's too stupid.
- It's something intelligence would do.
- Have you tried the travel agents? No, they could fix that easily.
What about the US Embassy? Do you know anyone at the US Embassy? - No.
- Who? Who could fix that easily? Hey, that smells good.
I'm starving.
Did you used to make it often? Oh, yeah.
Two three times a night.
- That must've been a long time ago.
- Ohohohoho! Didn't hear you come in.
What are you doing here so early? - I'm not early.
- Pardon? Excuse me.
I'm not early.
It's gone seven.
Well, you can wait for your tea.
I feel tired.
- Poor mother.
- Ooh, aye! Poor mother! Who made me so? I can't mix with decent folk now.
People coming hereto get their money back money you've spent.
I feel ashamed.
I didn't steal anything, mother.
If I had perhaps Whatever it is I've done to make you feel like this, please forgive me! You've been drinking.
I can smell it on your breath.
- Please.
Don't hate me.
- You're drunk! Go away! Oh, please! Nobody else cares about you but me! Go away! Get off! Get of-fl! You've been nothing since the day you were born.
Forever stuck upon Paul like a leech, trying to suck the life out of him.
Well, now you've succeeded.
It was you who persuaded him to leave me, to go away on a boat and kill himself.
You've stolen his life! You've broken my heart! How can I forgive you that?!! - Are you not tired? - No.
My mind's playing racing cars.
- There's nothing you can do for him, you know.
- Who? - Tom Silvers.
- Hm! It's not him.
Not especially.
- Harding phoned me today.
- You never said? He apologised for being short with me at the office.
Then he was going on about how much money I'd be getting how all the kin would be compensated.
"Fairly compensated.
" That's what he said.
- I suppose he feels responsible.
- Or guilty.
I guess the money is something.
- Who needs the money? - What are you doing? - What's that? - Eight hundred quid.
- Where from? - Me father.
- Hello.
- Hello.
- How are you? - Not too good.
I feel sad.
- Yeah, well.
It's only natural, isn't it? - It's Alex.
I don't know where he is.
- What do you mean? - M'husband.
He'd never go away and leave me this long.
No without writing to me.
I spoke to the man in charge but he said it's difficult at the moment.
I'll come back tomorrow.
Caroline? Um do you know Suzy Summer-field? Well I'm staying with her at her flat in Cable Street.
You must come and visit us.
You shouldn't be alone all the time.
- I'm not alone.
- Yes, well.
Come.
Bring the baby.
- Cheerio.
- Cheerio.
Come in! Oh, come in! Come in! Here, sit yourself down.
- I I hope I'm not disturbing you.
- No, no, no.
Not at all, no.
You, er given any thought to my proposition? Oh yes, um I'm not selling.
Oh, well.
See how you go.
You'll have a few bob coming to you, you know.
There's there's money coming in from all over.
- DO you get on with Harding? - Hmm? - Harding.
What's he like? - Well, he's a he's a private sort of man.
He doesn't have much to do with t'guild, to tell you the truth.
See, he's not an owner.
- But he hired Caistor.
- Aye, he chartered her.
Y'know, he pays a fee for the boat and hires his own crew.
Something troubling you? No, no.
Not me, um Tom Silvers thinks something sinister happened to Caistor.
Yeah, the Russians.
He was here again this morning.
You know he's in court tomorrow.
You don't want to go wasting your time with him.
Could the Russians have anything to do with it? They've got boats of their own.
Bloody thousands of them.
- They're going to be worried about one ship? - It's a large ship.
So? There was a woman in Harding's office.
She was on about the Russians.
It's what you get in spy books, isn't it? Oh they they've got to dream up sommat They've got to hope that their fellas are still alive.
It was her husband who told her.
Yeah, come here, look.
Now trawlermen are at sea for months at a time.
They get bored, they talk, and it's just fancy.
Now, here! Now this is where they reckon she went down.
The Barents Sea.
- It's the worst weather in the world! - But Caistor was build to withstand that.
There isn't a ship built which can anticipate everything that goes on.
Don't underestimate the sea.
- But the likelihood - "Act of God.
" You were in church! Hey, Martin! - C'mon, sit here, chuck.
Keep us company.
- Aye, couple of rich widows.
- Your attention, please! - Hey, we're off.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Inquiry is about to commence.
Will you please rise and stand silent for the Chairman of this Inquiry, Mr.
Marcus Carpenter.
- Good morning, everybody.
- Morning.
Right, will you please address the Inquiry, Mr.
Travis? Sir, I appear on behalf of the Department of Trade.
Also before you are representatives of other bodies concerned with this Inquiry.
Mr.
Harding of Harfleet Ltd, who chartered the Caistor for this voyage.
Mr.
Adams for the marine architects, the next of kin of the crew Mr Fielding of the Trawler Officers Guild and Gosforth Shipbuilders, the yard that build the Caistor.
May it please you, sir, I shall now read the order for the formal investigation under the Merchant Shipping Act of 1894.
- Please do.
Whereas on or about the eight day of February 1988, the British motor trawler Caistor official number 433875, was lost in approximate position 71 degrees forty-nine minutes north.
28 degrees fifty-eight minutes east with the loss of all hands, and whereas a shipping casualty has occurred.
- What's the fella on about? - He's explaining what happened.
We know what happened.
Why don't he bloody get on with it! Shhhhl! that a formal Inquiry be held into the said shipping casualty.
- Morning.
- Morning.
- God, it's cold.
- Oh, you think so? Hmm.
This was Wren's little nest, you know.
From here, he would watch the progress of his cathedral.
If he could see through the smog.
Oh, I'm talking of 1710, not 1910.
And Katherine of Aragon was here for one night in when would that be? 1502? Yes 1502, I think.
- Everythings going according to plan.
- Oh, really? The lifebuoy has been sent to the scientist Dowdall.
Hmm? - Yes.
- You're happy with that? - Such a respected man in his field.
- You assured me it was in perfect condition.
Well, I was assured.
It's just that competent people are a concern unless they're working for one.
- My competent assistant is taking care of all that.
- Anyway, it's our responsibility.
- Oh, of course.
When am I going to meet this fellow, Tait? He sounds like someone I could work with.
Oh, he's very choosey who he mixes with.
By the way, Tom Silvers is dead.
He got very depressed.
Yes? Damn Rokoff! How does he get to hear these things?! He already knew the lifebuoy had been sent to Dowdall.
Oh, they must have somebody at the Department of Trade.
Hmm.
I thought I'd go down to Plymouth and visit Dowdall.
Have a chat with him.
- Cut his bloody phone off.
- Just soften him a bit.
All right.
But, you go gently, won't you? - You go sailing down there, don't you? - Yeah, I've got some cousins nearby.
Ah, that's nice.
She was a modern vessel designed specifically for stern trawling.
All welded steel construction.
Now you'll see from from plan 147B Yes, please.
Have you got that? 147B.
Thank you.
The the vessel's frame numbers, indicated at the bottom of that profile there, sir Yes, I'm with you.
run from bow to stern, from zero to ninety-two.
Now, if I may deal with those frame numbers first, sir? CARPENTER Yes.
Ah, I want to make a call to Norway, please.
No, no.
I don't have a number.
Can you put me on to International Directory, please? - Do you know this Chairman? - No, he's a competent man by all accounts.
Really? Well, he didn't sound very hopeful in that opening statement.
Hopeful?! What is there to hope for?! He can't work a miracle, Mr.
Taylor.
No, of course not.
But the the lifebuoy does change things.
How's that? Well, it means there's more of this stuff floating around! It means it means we might discover what happened.
I don't think it tells us anything of the sort.
I really think you should listen to the Inquiry and let them judge.
It is their business after all, not yours.
Of course it's my business! Why do you think we're all here?! I thought writing for newspapers was your business.
It has been, yes.
- Look, I I understand how you must feel.
- Don't patronise me, Mr.
Taylor.
I've got enough on my plate, thank you.
- Who rattled his cage?! - He really is a rude bastard! Ooh, he's that stuck up, int'ee? - Cheers.
- Cheers.
- Do you get on with Jean Williams? - Well, I don't really know her to be honest she's Carol's friend.
You know, the wife.
Why is she so convinced that something's being covered up? What? That stuff about the Russians? She's been on about that for months.
Sommat Artie told her about the er the Captain telling him to go off course.
Deliberately, like.
What, on Caistor? No, other ships.
The King Harald and the Harper, he were on both of them.
The Russians are always there, you know.
They some after you, just to see what you're doing like.
- What do they do? Just watch? - Well, usually.
But they bloody near rammed us once.
That were on the Harper, a couple of year ago.
Sheer spite, I reckon, just because we'd had a good catch, you know? One thing that occurred to me.
Why was there no SOS signal? Should have been.
I mean, even if there was no visual warning, like a freak wave or something the radio operator would still have time to get a distress signal out? - Aye.
It's automatic anyhow.
- He was alright, wasn't he? The radio operator? Millar? Well, I mean he were a bit of a nervous type, you know.
We took the piss a bit, but yer, he were okay.
I liked him.
- It were him who gi'us the letter to post.
- Who was it to? His wife.
He could hardly bear give it me, you know, eh? Kept saying how important it were, like.
Love letter, I suppose hadn't been married long.
Does your chest still hurt? Yeah, well l cracked a couple of ribs but they're mending.
Doctor says I've to take it easy, you know.
Cut down on me sex life.
Just three times a night.
Mr.
Fielding, you're currently chairman of the local branch of the Trawler Officers Guild? Aye, that's correct.
Though you were at one time mate on the Caistor? - That's right, um until two years ago.
- You knew her well? I did.
Hello.
What are you doing here? I'm a visitor from the Department of Trade, Mr.
Boyd.
Oh, oh I see.
Well, if you've come for the report on the buoy l'm afraid you're going to be, er disappointed.
Oh, you've had it for less than a week.
I can't imagine that you've had time to study it to your satisfaction.
Oh, no, no, no, no, no.
No, it's not that at all.
I've.
.
.
I've examined it carefully.
- And? - I'm not finding what I expected to find.
Either I have been seriously misinformed, or we are the victims of a first class hoax.
Surely if it were first class, you'd find what you expected? What exactly is it you do at the Department, Mr.
Boyd.
Sort of public relations.
As you are aware, the Inquiry is now underway and your analysis will shortly be required for evidence.
It has been decided that your report ought not to be too specific in its findings.
But the important fact is that the buoy has been recovered.
And London doesn't want any unnecessary controversy over this.
What an extraordinary thing to say.
My work is to be disregarded? I don't think you realise the seriousness of these discrepancies.
Of course, I'm simply conveying their wishes.
The Department wants to thank you for your diligence, but as you must realise your conclusions will cause a certain amount of confusion in London suggesting a chain of events which we do not wish to see pursued.
I do not succumb to bullying, Mr.
Boyd! I am unable to elaborate, but please don't ignore what I've said.
Your report will not be submitted to the Inquiry and I would advise you most strongly not to let your professional pride jeopardise that which is in the country's best interest.
- What country?!! - What are you suggesting, Dr.
Dowdall? I do assure you that you will be hearing from me, Mr.
Boyd.
My instructions, that's all.
What are the worst conditions you've encountered on the working deck? - Um under working conditions? - Not necessarily.
The worst on any occasion.
On deck oh not a great deal of water three or four feet.
And there was no difficulty in clearing this volume of water? No, that's what the freeing ports are for.
Mr.
Fielding, was there ever any obstruction to these ports any gear that might have been Oh, for gods' sake, what d'you keep on at him for?! He weren't even there!! Order! Look, he doesn't even know what happened, he's on our side! - It's the Russians you should be - Order, please! - asking questions to! They know - Order! what happened! They're the bastards - that killed our men! - Please, all - You tell him, love! What about the letter - sit down!!! that Millar wrote?! Why can't we hear what he had to say?!! Please be quiet.
Please, be quiet.
This is a tragic affair, and we're all aware of it.
But while I'm willing to make allowances, I cannot, and will not permit behaviour that undermines the formality of these proceedings.
We've hit a snag, I'm afraid.
Yes Well, everything was going sweetly, and then this woman started shouting about the Russians that they were responsible.
Yes, one of the wives.
And then some of the others started up some rumour about a a letter my wireless operator was supposed to have sent to his wife.
.
.
Millar I don't know, it's the first I've heard.
Just a minute.
Look, they've adjourned until tomorrow.
Good.
That might give me some time.
This little problem will have gone by then.
Alright? Excellent.
Look, he just wasn't the sort of guy to kill himself.
Oh, don't give me that, Martin! There is no sort, you can't tell.
But you saw him here, Suzy, talking about the expedition.
Yes, and I saw him after the service and he didn't look too good to me.
- Where are you going? - Mrs.
Millar.
- Do you have to go out as soon as I arrive? - I want to see Millar's wife.
Well, why don't you phone?!! She's not on the phone.
I'm not even sure where she lives! - Do you know where she lives? - Who? - Mrs.
Millar! - No, I don't! You stupid dingbat! Bad light will end play at ten o'clock this evening.
Bad light will end play at ten o'clock this evening.
- Yes? - Middlesex are eighty for three.
- Yorkshire were two-hund red for seven.
- Right.
I've got another little task for you.
Yes, sir? There's a Mrs.
Millar who lives at 83 Ammersley Road.
Her husband wrote her a letter aboard the Caistor posted either in Norway or the U.
K.
Do you think you could possibly deal with it, please? Yes, sir.
Come here.
- Morning.
- What's going on? - Oh, just a party of Japanese tourists! The security in this building is getting very slack.
- Right.
- I had a look at those articles.
- Anything on him? - Nothing, according to Special Branch.
He's a clerk at the met office there.
No record.
No political affiliations.
Lives with his mother.
Oh, dear.
They did turn up something on the brother, Paul Silvers.
He was one of the crew.
Yes, what? Turns out he'd been under observation twice last year for agitating in the Transport Union.
Hmm Anyway we don't have to worry about him.
See if you can try and persuade somebody in Trade and Industry to drop a hint to the right people in Norway.
Discourage them it's a freelance operation with no proper backing.
- Lacks her govemmengt's blessing? - Exactly.
Simon? Use the sh redder.
I don't want security to find one item of scrap on this.
Right.
Bad light halted play at five o'clock this afternoon.
How are you, Evans? You're looking pretty fit.
What a picture it is here.
It's a long way for you.
Something important? There's a chance of some more work.
On an extemporary basis.
Someone's made a bit of a bish and as usual it's left for me to sort out.
- Bish? - I can't enlarge.
No, it's just the word.
It's funny.
- It makes me funny, does it? - You know me better than that.
I must say, you're very chatty today, Evans.
It's not for you, I'm afraid.
Sorry.
Here's a nice photograph.
Pity they're having very good weather in Florida at the moment.
Oh, that's lovely.
He got it from that second-hand shop in Gordon Street.
Oh, yes.
I may be moving on soon.
I thought you promised Caroline Lindsay that you'd help her find her husband.
- Yeah - Still, she can't expect miracles.
It's all right, mum.
I'll go.
Probably the postman.
Thank you, sir.
And who are you? Are you with this fanciful search party? Police Officers, madam.
C.
I.
D.
More than one of you? What are you doing in my house? It's all right, mother.
They've come to see me.
May I? - What have you done, you fool?! - Nothing! Well, you must have done something for them to come barging in here like this for all the neighbours to see! - Hey, hey! Hey, hey, you can't touch that! Is this it, sir? - This is yours, sir? - Yes, yes, it's for the expedition.
Would you open it, please? Thank you, sir.
You've booked a flight to the United States.
- Of course not.
Where would I get the money? - You fool.
I didn't buy it! It's got your name on it, sir.
Florida one way! Let me see that, please.
This is this is ridiculous.
That picture was in one of the papers.
I have no doubt it will be again, sir.
Come along, please.
- It's pathetic.
- One just has to play it by ear.
- By what? - You know exactly what I mean.
- Paul Silvers.
- Mmm? We believe he was working for you.
Tut tut um Uh, I'd rather you kept that away from me, if you don't mind.
Come and have a glass of tea.
On the republic.
Hello.
- Hello.
- Still here then, Martin? - Yes.
Eh, only I heard somewhere that you might be leaving us for the big smoke.
- Can't say I blame you.
- Oh, nothing's settled yet.
- Mmm um will you be selling the house? - It hadn't occurred to me.
I know it's a bit sudden, only if you are, there's them as might be interested.
You know where I work.
Miss Summer-field.
Well, he doesn't seem to be in any doubt.
The only time I go to churches is when people die.
I was married here.
Good.
Any trouble with the recovery? - The Soviets were very co-operative.
- First rate.
Good, good, good, good.
Thank you.
Now, the PM, through the co-ordinator of course, has been following this affair very closely.
I need hardly tell you how circumspect our actions will have to be from now on.
Silvers appears before the magistrate on Wednesday That should sort him out.
That and the discovery of the lifeboy.
- What's agreed? - Three months suspended.
He might get credit in a supermarket, not in a place like that.
- Can one get credit in a supermarket? - Who? Anyone.
I don't know l would have thought so, if one is creditable.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want, he maketh me to lie down in green pastures.
He leadeth me beside still waters.
He restoreth my soul he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
Yay though I walk through the valley in the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a temple before me in the presence of mine enemies.
Paul! Thou thou annointest my head with oil; My cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
- D'you think she'll be alright? - Yeah, let her be.
Poor love.
Did you see that son of hers? Real good for nowt.
Just stood there right bloody mess, this is.
Oh, sorry.
- D'you think you'll be able to manage? - Oh, I'll cope.
My lad's in work now.
You sort of expect it really, that he might go overboard.
Mmm.
- What am I doing? I don't smoke anymore.
- It's getting to you, I can see.
Where's Caroline Lindsay? You know, the Scottish girl? Aye, she's not here, is she? But she's a bit funny, that girl.
Well, it's worse on the younger ones.
In you go, or you'll miss the singing.
I'll stay with her.
Mr.
Taylor, please.
You're in trouble.
They're like a bunch of vultures! You don't believe I stole that money, do you? - I don't know anything about it.
- Oh, come on.
You must do.
Everybody does.
It's a set-up! They even had this passport with my photo in it.
But a phoney passport isn't something the local police can arrange.
I I know that, but it had to come from somewhere, didn't it? And the ticket.
But who would want to incriminate you? Well, the the Russians! They're the ones that 'sigh' Look, I know what it sounds like.
Do you think the police would act on their behalf? Well there'll be somebody else, wouldn't there, in between? - But why? - Because they're up to no good.
Now, listen.
Look, we have reconnaissance aircraft that fly out there from the Met Office.
But that week, all flights were stopped.
There was nothing at all.
- Well, did they give any reasons? - Yeah.
Exceptional weather conditions.
Well, that sounds reasonable.
The Caistor sank in exceptional weather conditions! Did she? Oh, no.
No, there's more to it than that.
That's why they're going to all this trouble to keep everybody away trying to set me up.
The Russians don't want anybody sniffing around their patch.
You don't believe me, do you? At least I thought I could rely on you.
Listen, I've got to go.
Look, come to the house.
We'll talk about it.
- When? - Whenever you like.
Tomorrow.
Ooh, what have we got here? What is it? - Happy birthday, Simon! - Thank you, Betty! Yes? Ah, Simon.
There you are.
Did you get an IC-40 on the life-buoy? Um, I expect I did.
I've just got back in from lunch, actually.
Oh, thank you.
Is there anything wrong here? The lifebuoy.
It's already gone for examination to somebody called Dowdall.
I've never even heard of him! This sort of work is usually put out to nice Professor Dodds.
DO you want me to get in touch with the Department of Trade? No, it's much too late for that.
We'd better have some info on Dowdall.
Get on to Richmond Terrace, see if he's in the computer.
Let's be sure we're using somebody sympathetic.
Hmm Awful lot of letters after his name.
Mmm.
Far too many for this line of work.
See what you can dig up.
This afternoon? - May I hang onto this? - Please.
Er your um What did you want to ask me? Just now? Oh, about this evening.
It doesn't matter.
- Good.
-Thank you.
- Do you know anything about him? - No more than you! - Perhaps he is paranoid.
- Who? Perhaps he is paranoid but if he has been set up he wouldn'the wouldn't get a ticket to Florida, it's too stupid.
- It's something intelligence would do.
- Have you tried the travel agents? No, they could fix that easily.
What about the US Embassy? Do you know anyone at the US Embassy? - No.
- Who? Who could fix that easily? Hey, that smells good.
I'm starving.
Did you used to make it often? Oh, yeah.
Two three times a night.
- That must've been a long time ago.
- Ohohohoho! Didn't hear you come in.
What are you doing here so early? - I'm not early.
- Pardon? Excuse me.
I'm not early.
It's gone seven.
Well, you can wait for your tea.
I feel tired.
- Poor mother.
- Ooh, aye! Poor mother! Who made me so? I can't mix with decent folk now.
People coming hereto get their money back money you've spent.
I feel ashamed.
I didn't steal anything, mother.
If I had perhaps Whatever it is I've done to make you feel like this, please forgive me! You've been drinking.
I can smell it on your breath.
- Please.
Don't hate me.
- You're drunk! Go away! Oh, please! Nobody else cares about you but me! Go away! Get off! Get of-fl! You've been nothing since the day you were born.
Forever stuck upon Paul like a leech, trying to suck the life out of him.
Well, now you've succeeded.
It was you who persuaded him to leave me, to go away on a boat and kill himself.
You've stolen his life! You've broken my heart! How can I forgive you that?!! - Are you not tired? - No.
My mind's playing racing cars.
- There's nothing you can do for him, you know.
- Who? - Tom Silvers.
- Hm! It's not him.
Not especially.
- Harding phoned me today.
- You never said? He apologised for being short with me at the office.
Then he was going on about how much money I'd be getting how all the kin would be compensated.
"Fairly compensated.
" That's what he said.
- I suppose he feels responsible.
- Or guilty.
I guess the money is something.
- Who needs the money? - What are you doing? - What's that? - Eight hundred quid.
- Where from? - Me father.
- Hello.
- Hello.
- How are you? - Not too good.
I feel sad.
- Yeah, well.
It's only natural, isn't it? - It's Alex.
I don't know where he is.
- What do you mean? - M'husband.
He'd never go away and leave me this long.
No without writing to me.
I spoke to the man in charge but he said it's difficult at the moment.
I'll come back tomorrow.
Caroline? Um do you know Suzy Summer-field? Well I'm staying with her at her flat in Cable Street.
You must come and visit us.
You shouldn't be alone all the time.
- I'm not alone.
- Yes, well.
Come.
Bring the baby.
- Cheerio.
- Cheerio.
Come in! Oh, come in! Come in! Here, sit yourself down.
- I I hope I'm not disturbing you.
- No, no, no.
Not at all, no.
You, er given any thought to my proposition? Oh yes, um I'm not selling.
Oh, well.
See how you go.
You'll have a few bob coming to you, you know.
There's there's money coming in from all over.
- DO you get on with Harding? - Hmm? - Harding.
What's he like? - Well, he's a he's a private sort of man.
He doesn't have much to do with t'guild, to tell you the truth.
See, he's not an owner.
- But he hired Caistor.
- Aye, he chartered her.
Y'know, he pays a fee for the boat and hires his own crew.
Something troubling you? No, no.
Not me, um Tom Silvers thinks something sinister happened to Caistor.
Yeah, the Russians.
He was here again this morning.
You know he's in court tomorrow.
You don't want to go wasting your time with him.
Could the Russians have anything to do with it? They've got boats of their own.
Bloody thousands of them.
- They're going to be worried about one ship? - It's a large ship.
So? There was a woman in Harding's office.
She was on about the Russians.
It's what you get in spy books, isn't it? Oh they they've got to dream up sommat They've got to hope that their fellas are still alive.
It was her husband who told her.
Yeah, come here, look.
Now trawlermen are at sea for months at a time.
They get bored, they talk, and it's just fancy.
Now, here! Now this is where they reckon she went down.
The Barents Sea.
- It's the worst weather in the world! - But Caistor was build to withstand that.
There isn't a ship built which can anticipate everything that goes on.
Don't underestimate the sea.
- But the likelihood - "Act of God.
" You were in church! Hey, Martin! - C'mon, sit here, chuck.
Keep us company.
- Aye, couple of rich widows.
- Your attention, please! - Hey, we're off.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Inquiry is about to commence.
Will you please rise and stand silent for the Chairman of this Inquiry, Mr.
Marcus Carpenter.
- Good morning, everybody.
- Morning.
Right, will you please address the Inquiry, Mr.
Travis? Sir, I appear on behalf of the Department of Trade.
Also before you are representatives of other bodies concerned with this Inquiry.
Mr.
Harding of Harfleet Ltd, who chartered the Caistor for this voyage.
Mr.
Adams for the marine architects, the next of kin of the crew Mr Fielding of the Trawler Officers Guild and Gosforth Shipbuilders, the yard that build the Caistor.
May it please you, sir, I shall now read the order for the formal investigation under the Merchant Shipping Act of 1894.
- Please do.
Whereas on or about the eight day of February 1988, the British motor trawler Caistor official number 433875, was lost in approximate position 71 degrees forty-nine minutes north.
28 degrees fifty-eight minutes east with the loss of all hands, and whereas a shipping casualty has occurred.
- What's the fella on about? - He's explaining what happened.
We know what happened.
Why don't he bloody get on with it! Shhhhl! that a formal Inquiry be held into the said shipping casualty.
- Morning.
- Morning.
- God, it's cold.
- Oh, you think so? Hmm.
This was Wren's little nest, you know.
From here, he would watch the progress of his cathedral.
If he could see through the smog.
Oh, I'm talking of 1710, not 1910.
And Katherine of Aragon was here for one night in when would that be? 1502? Yes 1502, I think.
- Everythings going according to plan.
- Oh, really? The lifebuoy has been sent to the scientist Dowdall.
Hmm? - Yes.
- You're happy with that? - Such a respected man in his field.
- You assured me it was in perfect condition.
Well, I was assured.
It's just that competent people are a concern unless they're working for one.
- My competent assistant is taking care of all that.
- Anyway, it's our responsibility.
- Oh, of course.
When am I going to meet this fellow, Tait? He sounds like someone I could work with.
Oh, he's very choosey who he mixes with.
By the way, Tom Silvers is dead.
He got very depressed.
Yes? Damn Rokoff! How does he get to hear these things?! He already knew the lifebuoy had been sent to Dowdall.
Oh, they must have somebody at the Department of Trade.
Hmm.
I thought I'd go down to Plymouth and visit Dowdall.
Have a chat with him.
- Cut his bloody phone off.
- Just soften him a bit.
All right.
But, you go gently, won't you? - You go sailing down there, don't you? - Yeah, I've got some cousins nearby.
Ah, that's nice.
She was a modern vessel designed specifically for stern trawling.
All welded steel construction.
Now you'll see from from plan 147B Yes, please.
Have you got that? 147B.
Thank you.
The the vessel's frame numbers, indicated at the bottom of that profile there, sir Yes, I'm with you.
run from bow to stern, from zero to ninety-two.
Now, if I may deal with those frame numbers first, sir? CARPENTER Yes.
Ah, I want to make a call to Norway, please.
No, no.
I don't have a number.
Can you put me on to International Directory, please? - Do you know this Chairman? - No, he's a competent man by all accounts.
Really? Well, he didn't sound very hopeful in that opening statement.
Hopeful?! What is there to hope for?! He can't work a miracle, Mr.
Taylor.
No, of course not.
But the the lifebuoy does change things.
How's that? Well, it means there's more of this stuff floating around! It means it means we might discover what happened.
I don't think it tells us anything of the sort.
I really think you should listen to the Inquiry and let them judge.
It is their business after all, not yours.
Of course it's my business! Why do you think we're all here?! I thought writing for newspapers was your business.
It has been, yes.
- Look, I I understand how you must feel.
- Don't patronise me, Mr.
Taylor.
I've got enough on my plate, thank you.
- Who rattled his cage?! - He really is a rude bastard! Ooh, he's that stuck up, int'ee? - Cheers.
- Cheers.
- Do you get on with Jean Williams? - Well, I don't really know her to be honest she's Carol's friend.
You know, the wife.
Why is she so convinced that something's being covered up? What? That stuff about the Russians? She's been on about that for months.
Sommat Artie told her about the er the Captain telling him to go off course.
Deliberately, like.
What, on Caistor? No, other ships.
The King Harald and the Harper, he were on both of them.
The Russians are always there, you know.
They some after you, just to see what you're doing like.
- What do they do? Just watch? - Well, usually.
But they bloody near rammed us once.
That were on the Harper, a couple of year ago.
Sheer spite, I reckon, just because we'd had a good catch, you know? One thing that occurred to me.
Why was there no SOS signal? Should have been.
I mean, even if there was no visual warning, like a freak wave or something the radio operator would still have time to get a distress signal out? - Aye.
It's automatic anyhow.
- He was alright, wasn't he? The radio operator? Millar? Well, I mean he were a bit of a nervous type, you know.
We took the piss a bit, but yer, he were okay.
I liked him.
- It were him who gi'us the letter to post.
- Who was it to? His wife.
He could hardly bear give it me, you know, eh? Kept saying how important it were, like.
Love letter, I suppose hadn't been married long.
Does your chest still hurt? Yeah, well l cracked a couple of ribs but they're mending.
Doctor says I've to take it easy, you know.
Cut down on me sex life.
Just three times a night.
Mr.
Fielding, you're currently chairman of the local branch of the Trawler Officers Guild? Aye, that's correct.
Though you were at one time mate on the Caistor? - That's right, um until two years ago.
- You knew her well? I did.
Hello.
What are you doing here? I'm a visitor from the Department of Trade, Mr.
Boyd.
Oh, oh I see.
Well, if you've come for the report on the buoy l'm afraid you're going to be, er disappointed.
Oh, you've had it for less than a week.
I can't imagine that you've had time to study it to your satisfaction.
Oh, no, no, no, no, no.
No, it's not that at all.
I've.
.
.
I've examined it carefully.
- And? - I'm not finding what I expected to find.
Either I have been seriously misinformed, or we are the victims of a first class hoax.
Surely if it were first class, you'd find what you expected? What exactly is it you do at the Department, Mr.
Boyd.
Sort of public relations.
As you are aware, the Inquiry is now underway and your analysis will shortly be required for evidence.
It has been decided that your report ought not to be too specific in its findings.
But the important fact is that the buoy has been recovered.
And London doesn't want any unnecessary controversy over this.
What an extraordinary thing to say.
My work is to be disregarded? I don't think you realise the seriousness of these discrepancies.
Of course, I'm simply conveying their wishes.
The Department wants to thank you for your diligence, but as you must realise your conclusions will cause a certain amount of confusion in London suggesting a chain of events which we do not wish to see pursued.
I do not succumb to bullying, Mr.
Boyd! I am unable to elaborate, but please don't ignore what I've said.
Your report will not be submitted to the Inquiry and I would advise you most strongly not to let your professional pride jeopardise that which is in the country's best interest.
- What country?!! - What are you suggesting, Dr.
Dowdall? I do assure you that you will be hearing from me, Mr.
Boyd.
My instructions, that's all.
What are the worst conditions you've encountered on the working deck? - Um under working conditions? - Not necessarily.
The worst on any occasion.
On deck oh not a great deal of water three or four feet.
And there was no difficulty in clearing this volume of water? No, that's what the freeing ports are for.
Mr.
Fielding, was there ever any obstruction to these ports any gear that might have been Oh, for gods' sake, what d'you keep on at him for?! He weren't even there!! Order! Look, he doesn't even know what happened, he's on our side! - It's the Russians you should be - Order, please! - asking questions to! They know - Order! what happened! They're the bastards - that killed our men! - Please, all - You tell him, love! What about the letter - sit down!!! that Millar wrote?! Why can't we hear what he had to say?!! Please be quiet.
Please, be quiet.
This is a tragic affair, and we're all aware of it.
But while I'm willing to make allowances, I cannot, and will not permit behaviour that undermines the formality of these proceedings.
We've hit a snag, I'm afraid.
Yes Well, everything was going sweetly, and then this woman started shouting about the Russians that they were responsible.
Yes, one of the wives.
And then some of the others started up some rumour about a a letter my wireless operator was supposed to have sent to his wife.
.
.
Millar I don't know, it's the first I've heard.
Just a minute.
Look, they've adjourned until tomorrow.
Good.
That might give me some time.
This little problem will have gone by then.
Alright? Excellent.
Look, he just wasn't the sort of guy to kill himself.
Oh, don't give me that, Martin! There is no sort, you can't tell.
But you saw him here, Suzy, talking about the expedition.
Yes, and I saw him after the service and he didn't look too good to me.
- Where are you going? - Mrs.
Millar.
- Do you have to go out as soon as I arrive? - I want to see Millar's wife.
Well, why don't you phone?!! She's not on the phone.
I'm not even sure where she lives! - Do you know where she lives? - Who? - Mrs.
Millar! - No, I don't! You stupid dingbat! Bad light will end play at ten o'clock this evening.
Bad light will end play at ten o'clock this evening.
- Yes? - Middlesex are eighty for three.
- Yorkshire were two-hund red for seven.
- Right.
I've got another little task for you.
Yes, sir? There's a Mrs.
Millar who lives at 83 Ammersley Road.
Her husband wrote her a letter aboard the Caistor posted either in Norway or the U.
K.
Do you think you could possibly deal with it, please? Yes, sir.
Come here.