17x16 - Danse Macabre

[bunniefuu]

♪ Heartbeat

♪ Why do you miss when my baby kisses me?

♪ Heartbeat

♪ Why does a love kiss stay in my memory? ♪

MUSIC: 'Past, Present and Future' by The Shangri-Las

♪ Past

♪ Past

♪ Well, now, let me tell you about the past

♪ Past is filled with silent joys and broken toys

♪ Laughing girls and teasing boys

♪ Was I ever in love?

♪ I called it love

♪ I mean, it felt like love

♪ There were moments when... ♪

Oh, morning, Alf. Your car is ready.

Oh. Thanks for the lift, Geoff.

- You can go now. - Oh.

Well, there's a few things I need,

so I think I'll just nip to, er... - The village shop?

Yeah.

What's up with him?

♪ When the moon hits the sky like a big pizza pie

♪ Oh, amore ♪

Morning, Geoffrey. What can I tempt you with?

SNEEZES Oh, excuse me.

Sorry, I'd like a jam d... SNEEZES

SNEEZING

Oh, I'm so sorry, I don't know what came over me.

Oh, no. Don't serve him, Lucy.

I'm not having gypsies in my shop.

Did she pay for that loaf?

Oi! Stop, thief!

Come here, you!

- What's going on? - Shoplifting. Caught red-handed.

This bloomer is proof positive.

Oh.

Fetch Carol. Quickly!

Have you thought about my offer, Gina?

Brian, you're sweating cobs.

It's this bug. It's going through the Gazette like a dose of salts.

Say you'll help me out. Please!

What's all this, then?

He wants me to write the agony column for the Gazette.

Look, I've told you, it's not my thing.

What's happened to dear Daphne?

Got herself pregnant.

Ooh, well, I hope she's married, after the way she goes on.

Please, Gina. I can't write a whole newspaper on my own.

- Brian.... - There's a two-guinea fee.

Look, I'm in the same boat.

But I do know someone who would be good at it.

PEGGY: Well, yes, it's true.

I was called the Marjorie Proops of the Moors.

And a lot of other things too.

GINA: I wasn't talking about you, Peggy.

- What, me? - Him?

Yeah. Don't be fooled by that modest face.

Our David's wise in the ways of the heart.

All right, then. How about a trial run, David?

words.

I'll come back tonight to see how you got on.

- Sorry, I need you to speak up. - .

And you live at Throckton Grange with your guardian?

Please don't say anything. I wasn't stealing. I had money.

I didn't realise I was still holding the loaf.

Why did you run away?

He said if I don't behave, they'd come for me.

What do you mean?

Natalie, PC Mason and I are just going to have a word outside, OK?

She's too thin, Joe. Unnaturally so.

And her blood pressure's too low. That's probably why she fainted.

I'd say she's severely undernourished.

- Any idea why? - It's hard to say.

Lots of conditions result in food not being absorbed properly.

She should have some tests.

Well, I doubt the shop will prosecute.

Take her home, Carol, and have a word with her guardian.

I'm sure you can sort her out.

It's true. David's writing the agony column.

Here, I could do that. Dear Donald!

LUCY: Hello?

Hey up, Lucy.

Auntie Martha sent me. She doesn't want any fuss about the loaf.

And...

And I thought you were wonderful, the way you chased that girl.

So brave.

SNEEZES

Oh, sorry.

Well, erm... thank you for coming in, miss.

DONALD CHUCKLES

- Have you got a cold, lad? - No. I don't understand it.

Every time I get close to her, I start sneezing.

Oh, perhaps it's nerves.

I had a chum once, Arthur Bolsover.

Every time he met his fiancee, his leg jerked.

She ended up being a nun.

You need to get out, Geoff. You should write to Dear Daphne.

"When your husband is horrible to you..."

When he's rude...

"When he's rude to you, just tell him to..."

No. "ASK him to..."

"Just let him know how angry you..."

Angry... "How... hurt..."

"How upset you are and then tell him to..."

Oh! I can't do this!

- Shove over, will you? - Hey!

I want to clean my shotgun. Life doesn't stop, you know,

just because you're trying to be an agony uncle.

Don't be so horrible.

What do you know about affairs of the heart?

You're going to look a right nit.

Right!

Aunt Peggy, I'm going to put that kettle on..

...and then you and me are going to have a nice little chat.

MAN: Natalie?

Natalie!

MYSTERIOUS MUSIC

MAN: I want these gypsies moved on.

They're on Lady Victor's land. We've had them before.

- Throckton Grange, you say? - In the east paddock.

This is very urgent. Lady Victor needs peace and quiet.

GEOFF: Lady Victor?

I haven't heard that name in ages.

Bit of a recluse by all accounts.

And your name, sir?

I am Mr Edward Wilson, Lady Victor's representative.

Good morning, Mr Wilson. Did Natalie make it home all right?

Lady Victor's her guardian, isn't she?

There was a bit of trouble this afternoon.

The district nurse is concerned about her.

I was hoping you could shed some light.

I come here to report a serious incident.

Anything else is irrelevant.

Move those gypsies on tonight

or I shall contact the Chief Constable... and heads will roll.

Better tell Miller.

Throckton Grange is on my patch. I'll take care of it.

You know the score. This is private property.

- You have to move on. - We have children to feed.

I tell you what, have your meal and then move on.

I'll check this paddock again in the morning, around nine o'clock. OK?

Every time he sees me, he starts sneezing.

Oh, that's not very nice.

It doesn't do much for a girl's ego, that's for sure.

I don't know what to do, short of asking him out myself

and that might put him off.

Grab what you can while you can, Lucy. Life's too short.

I don't know. People aren't always what they seem, are they?

"If your husband is unfair to you again,

both sit down and have a nice cup of tea.

Then tell him how he's making you feel.

He might not even mean to upset you or even realise he is doing it.

It is always better to sort things out without fighting,

especially if the other person has a shotgun."

I told you, Brian.

There's only one words. I couldn't find the other nine.

The job's yours.

Three letters a column. Two columns a week. shillings a column. Deal?

I'll drop the letters round in the morning.

There's a bagful. You can take your pick.

If our David's an agony aunt, I'm Audrey Hepburn.

RINGS BELL

I've had a word with the gypsies. They'll be gone by morning.

I suppose it'll have to do.

I'd like a word with Lady Victor.

She's asleep.

DOOR CLOSES

MYSTERIOUS MUSIC

You left the house. You stole five shillings

You never, never leave the grounds alone. It's not safe.

Do you understand?

You know what happens to ungrateful little girls, don't you? Tell me.

The gypsies take them.

I was hungry. I'm sorry.

Right. Eat your supper.

FAINT CLATTERING

DOORBELL RINGING

You said the gypsies would be gone by now.

I've just checked the east paddock. It's empty.

They've moved to the woods. Are you always this ineffectual?

We're here to see Lady Victor on official business.

Well, you can't. She's working.

Then we'll come in and wait.

PIANO PLAYING CLASSICAL MUSIC

Don't dawdle.

What are these? Is this Olga Kaminska?

- Are you a student of the dance? - No, not really.

An enthusiast, ever since I saw my first ballet.

The magic happened. Yes, it's not uncommon.

Madame danced with Nijinsky, you know. In .

One of his last performances, one of her first.

She was just .

- Is Lady Victor Olga Kaminska? - Of course.

My mother dressed her, her whole career.

When I was small, Madame let me tie her ribbons.

This is all very interesting, but...

Yes, yes. Come.

PIANO CONTINUES

Stand there. Don't move... or make a sound.

Superb, isn't she?

Natalie will be a great artist... as I once was.

You have the eyes of a poet.

Diaghilev would have eaten you for breakfast.

I'm not sure I can do this, Aunt Peg.

It's giving me a terrible headache.

Well, now, what did you expect?

Hey, don't fret.

- I'll give you a hand. - No.

No, erm... No, you're not to touch these.

I had to promise Mr Parker.

Natalie's naturally thin and the dancing keeps her slender.

Her diet is extremely nutritious. Madame knows what a dancer requires.

I'm sure she does. But you're underweight for your height.

I'd like you to have some blood tests.

Absolutely not.

We mustn't interrupt her work. Besides, Natalie hates needles.

A solicitor contacted us ten years ago after her parents were k*lled.

Wilson can give you all the details.

He and his mother dealt with it.

- His mother was your dresser? - Yes.

Natalie was five when she came here.

CHUCKLES

An enchanting little elf.

And from the first, she loved to dance.

This is all a misunderstanding, of course.

Natalie has no reason to steal. She is very well fed.

Wilson can show you her weekly diet chart.

One gives up many things to be a prima ballerina, Constable.

Good health cannot be one of them.

Tell me about your mum and dad.

She doesn't remember them.

Lady Victor is her mama now.

They adore one another.

Don't you?

Perhaps the theft of that loaf was a cry for help.

I met Freud once, you know.

In .

His personal hygiene was not what it might have been.

But his theories are best applied by experts, wouldn't you agree,

not junior country policemen?

She might be happier if she went to school,

if she was allowed friends her own age.

Allowed?

Natalie is free as a bird.

She dances because she is a born dancer.

- And she understands the price. - Price?

The sacrifices one must embrace.

To be the best, one must feed the work with one's soul

and one's heart's blood.

Only then is there chance, a fragile chance, of being good enough.

- And is she? - She will find out tonight.

Michael is coming.

- Who's Michael? - Michael?

Huh!

Oh, Michael is a man who works magic.

Once he was my protege, but he has soared since.

He will do great things for her,

for he will recognise that she is touched by grace.

Our business is concluded, I think.

You have reported her alleged crime.

Your colleague has spoken to her.

You may leave the rest to me now.

For the time being, Lady Victor.

Show them out, Wilson.

I mentioned to Mr Wilson about some blood tests for Natalie.

I wish you would reconsider.

What's this? What tests?

- I strongly recommend that... - Oh, very well.

Whatever you think best. Liaise with Wilson.

Thank you.

PIANO PLAYING UPBEAT MELODY IN DISTANCE

No, no, no!

Don't you dare cry!

Cart horse!

SCREAMS

There was a man!

TENSE MUSIC

I lost him.

I told you, they're in the woods by the lake,

which you would know if you'd done your job properly

in the first place.

Natalie? What are these?

Have you been hitting her?

I've been teaching her.

I have had quite enough.

Would you leave now, please?

Go!

Something's wrong here, Joe. Natalie has no parents

and Lady Victor's hardly full of the milk of human kindness.

Natalie needs someone who really cares about her, someone...

Oh, I don't know.

Look, Carol, it isn't police business,

not unless Natalie makes a complaint or your tests throw something up.

- I'm off to sort some gypsies out. - OK.

'Ey, David, listen to this.

"Dear Daphne..."

- Aunt Peggy! - No, no, no, listen.

"Dear Daphne,

I am a young policeman based in Ashfordly.

There's a girl I would like to ask out,

but every time I am close to her, I can't stop sneezing."

What were you doing trespassing at the Grange?

Not me.

I've been here since we set up camp.

I have a dozen alibis.

You're illegally camped on private land.

I'm ordering you to move on, immediately.

I would love to oblige, but... my horse is lame.

She can't pull caravans.

We stay for a couple of days,

but we move on as soon as she recover.

I give you my word.

All right. As soon as your horse recovers.

Looks like your horse has recovered, sir. Move on. Now.

And there it was, in black and white. Geoff Younger.

- He signed it? - No! But who else could it be?

Lucy mentioned the sneezing. I told her to change her scent.

He might be allergic to it.

Oh, just wait till I lay eyes on him!

I wonder what David's going to say to him.

"As a rule, girls don't like being sneezed on.

Not on a first date, anyway.

If this young lady is interested,

there's no need to...

rush things.

Ask for medical advice about the sneezing.

And in the meantime, always carry a clean hanky."

Welcome to Throckton Grange, Mr Michael.

Michael!

Oh, what a treat I have in store for you!

Veronique. years and you still look just the same.

I don't want to.

Oh, listen, Natalie.

If Michael likes you, he will take you to London,

introduce you to everyone who matters.

This is your golden moment.

Enjoy it.

CLASSICAL PIANO PLAYING

Natalie! You know what happens to ungrateful children!

You have shamed yourself. Shamed me!

- Take her upstairs. - Go!

DOOR SLAMS SHUT

- Hiya, Geoff. - Hiya.

- How are things? - Fine, thanks. Oh, thank you.

- Is everything OK? - Yeah.

Why?

Nowt wrong with being shy, lad.

Some of the nicest people are shy.

Has summat happened?

There's no need to put on a brave front.

You're among friends.

We all know about... MOUTHS WORDS

Ladder? What ladder?

HORSE APPROACHING

I can't stop thinking about Natalie

stuck in that house with those awful people.

Yeah, I know. Some cases are a bit close to home.

They tell you not to let it get to you, but it's easier said than done.

I know what it's like to be abandoned, Joe.

Don't get me wrong, the people at Barnardo's were fantastic,

but... it's not the same.

They're not yours, you know?

You don't have anyone who HAS to be on your side, no matter what.

What about your family? You never seem to talk about them.

My mum d*ed when I was young.

- Oh, Joe, I'm sorry. I didn't know. - That's OK.

She was on her way home from work. She was att*cked by this g*ng.

All they wanted was her purse.

They punched her and kicked her and...

and she d*ed from her injuries a week later.

- How old were you? - .

Is that why you joined the police, do you think?

Maybe, yeah. My dad looked after us as best he could,

but, you know, it was like a light had gone out.

My brother and sister left home and I had to look after him.

So I know what it's like being alone. A bit, at least.

OMINOUS MUSIC

HORSE WHINNIES

I didn't want to disturb you.

I've got a meeting at the Opera House at four.

Oh, stay!

Last night's debacle was my fault, not hers.

I should have prepared her.

Veronique, my dear, she bucked at the first hurdle.

One more chance. One hour, Michael.

What's the point? I don't think she's serious.

You know what the life is like.

You have to want it more than anything.

I haven't lost my touch, have I?

You haven't lost your touch. She has something special.

Give her a few months.

Then, if you're certain she's ready to dedicate herself completely,

I'll see her again.

- Fetch Natalie. - Yes, Madame.

Madame?

- Aunt Peggy's not in. - Oh, it's... you I want.

Me? Oh, dear.

I understand you have several letters addressed to the Gazette.

I have reason to believe that one of them is a forgery.

A forgery?

Oh, dear, this whole thing is turning into a...

I suppose you'd better have a look, then.

- It's anonymous. - Yeah, well, they all are.

I didn't write this, David. All right?

Everybody thinks I did, but I didn't.

Please, don't put this letter in the paper.

It's a direct appeal, man to man.

The gypsies have taken her.

There's no evidence to suggest that.

From what you've described of last night, she's probably just run off.

- Gypsies steal children. - Only in fairy tales, sir.

How dare you talk to Wilson like that!

A child is missing! Why aren't you out searching for...

- When I get my hands on her... - You'll what, Lady Victor?

GASPS

- You should lie down. - Don't tell me what to do.

Someone's got out of bed the wrong side.

And what we want to know is, whose bed was it?

That's just typical, in't it? Eh?

Typical of you,

typical of this town full of people with nothing better to do

but to meddle in other folk's business.

What's the matter, lad?

Someone's written to the Gazette's agony column pretending to be me,

and now my feelings for Lucy are the talk of Aidensfield.

Do you think it was done maliciously?

Does it matter? The damage is done, in't it?

Nobody will ever take me seriously again.

She's asleep. Nurse Cassidy gave her a sedative.

I'll need a recent photograph of Natalie.

- Well, there aren't many. - And the adoption certificate.

Or a court order placing Natalie with Lady Victor.

I'm not sure where those are. I'll see what photographs I can find.

We took some on her last birthday.

Constable... the gypsies have Natalie.

I'm tired of hearing that from you, Mr Wilson.

I'll conduct a thorough investigation

into Natalie's disappearance, but in cases such as this,

the chances are she'll be back by supper time.

She won't. She's with him, the one who came into the house.

What makes you so sure?

She'll die... if Natalie goes.

It's the only thing that's kept her going these last ten years.

You should have seen her before Natalie came,

wandering round the house like a ghost.

Natalie gave her purpose.

Find the gypsy and you'll find Natalie.

Anyway, he swears blind that he never wrote it.

Well, he would, wouldn't he, now it's gone public.

I mean, he can deny it till he's blue in the face,

but Geoff Younger wrote to Dear Daphne about young Lucy.

Oh, yeah, and what did he say?

HOOVES CLOP, CANS CLANK

HORSE WHINNIES

Shh. It's OK.

Don't you recognise me?

I'm your father.

I've had a word with Ted Barker in Danby.

The gypsies have been sighted there, but there's no sign of that Rafael.

- You'd better let Joe know. - Thanks, Alf.

- Er, Don... - What?

Talk to Geoff.

What about?

Look, it was supposed to be a joke, Alf.

Look, er, Geoff...

It was me that sent the letter to the agony column.

I don't blame you for being angry. It was a stupid thing to do.

And I'm sorry.

I accept your apology, Don.

You know, there are some things I'm good at.

Asking girls out isn't one of them.

I expect there are things you're not good at,

and I hope nobody mocks you because of them.

Anyway, don't matter now...

I won't be asking Lucy out.

She'd just laugh at me...

...like everybody else.

CLASSICAL PIANO PLAYING

That's right.

Good.

Now... lift the hand.

A little higher...

Oh. Good girl!

No, don't spread the fingers!

That's it. Good.

Oh, I'll make an artist of you yet, Natalie.

- Are you all right, Geoffrey? - Yes, thanks.

You're not sneezing.

No. No, I'm not.

Gina was right. I was wearing some scent I got down the market.

I'm wearing Arpege now, it's my auntie's.

Do you like it?

I heard about the letter and everything. I'm sorry.

It must have been awful.

And I'm sorry you didn't ask me out, Geoffrey, because...

...I'd have said, yes.

- You what? - You heard.

Oh! Right, well...

How about it, then?

- Pictures? Tomorrow night? - Yes.

Well, see you then, then.

If you buy me a drink, Geoffrey, you can see me now an' all.

Where's the girl?

You're under arrest on suspicion of abduction.

This isn't funny.

You don't understand.

Can a man abduct his own daughter?

She's your daughter?

I remember a handsome man saying he'd come and find me one day.

I wanted that so much. I'm sure it's him.

- You sold her? - It was act of animal.

A man and a white-hair old woman came to me.

They said Eva was special.

They offer me £.

I was .

Her mother had d*ed and I was left with a kid.

I drank a lot.

I was in and out of your jails.

I was a mess.

As soon as I got myself straighten out, I began to look for her.

I've been looking for her for ten years.

OK. Tell us more about Wilson.

He said he owned me.

And the last six months, he stopped feeding me very much,

said I was getting too tall.

I had to be the same shape as Madame.

I always had to do what they said,

Wilson and the old witch.

David? You look terrible.

I'm not very well, Aunt Peg, I'm really not.

It must be that bug that's going round the Gazette.

Mr Parker must've given it me.

Well, you better go back to bed.

I can't. I've got to get Dear Daphne to Mr Parker.

- I'm meeting him at the pub. - Well, I can do that for you.

What's the matter, don't you trust me?

David, I give you my word of honour

that I will not look at a word you have written.

DOORBELL RINGING

Let's try the back.

Wilson? Where are you?

What are you doing?

Search upstairs. Find him.

Lady Veronique Victor,

I am arresting you on suspicion of abduction, false imprisonment

and as*ault.

Starving her? b*ating her? Locking her up?

Do you think I am the wicked witch from Hansel and Gretel?

There is a lock on Natalie's room.

There are on most of the bedrooms. It doesn't follow that they're used.

Natalie ate the same food I ate.

You ate together?

I retire early. Natalie prefers to eat in her room with her television.

There's no television in Natalie's room.

W-why would I hurt her?

- She's my own flesh and blood. - We both know that that's not true.

She's a Romany gypsy.

You bought her ten years ago from a country fair for £.

We have a witness. Natalie's father can identify you.

Then he's either a liar or a scoundrel.

I haven't left this house in over years. Ask Wilson.

OK, I'll have to take a formal statement, Natalie.

It's nothing to worry about.

Just say what Wilson and Lady Victor did to you.

- Lady Victor? - She'll never hurt you again.

No, you don't understand.

A letter came, from a solicitor.

There was an abandoned child. I signed something.

They went to fetch her, Wilson and his mother.

That's ridiculous. Mary was a wonderful woman.

Can you describe her?

Tall, rather sturdy. White hair.

White hair?

Wilson's mother. She was hateful.

I thought things would get better when she d*ed.

- Lady Victor didn't know? - She wouldn't have allowed it.

She's strict about the dancing. But she has to be.

Ballet demands discipline.

Why didn't you tell her what he was doing?

He said her heart was weak, that any upset would k*ll her.

And I didn't want to hurt her.

She'd always been wonderful to me.

How can she ever forgive me?

If this is true, you're just as much a victim as Natalie.

But I'm an adult. I should have checked!

Mr Wilson, stop right there!

Edward Wilson, I am charging you with conspiracy to kidnap.

Other charges will follow.

- Where's David? - Here you are. He got your bug.

But he wouldn't give up, not even on his death bed.

I think you owe him a bonus.

That doesn't look like David's writing.

"Tell her she'll have to put up with it"?

"What can you expect? He's a man"?

"If he's cheating on you, empty his bank account"?

- That's never David. - Of course it is.

He's... He's just seen sense, that's all.

Anyway, what's wrong with it? That's good advice, Mr Parker.

Tell David the deal's off.

I'll write Dear Daphne myself.

Well, it's better advice than she ever gave.

How did you know it was me?

- I'm sorry, Eva. - My name's Natalie.

I will get used to it.

They say that I'm free to go.

Come with me.

I want you to be my dad.

I want to know you, but... I'm going to dance.

You were born to dance.

We did what we had to.

- Oh, Wilson! - We loved you, Madame.

Mummy said we were losing you.

You were perfection, Madame Olga.

How could we let such glory fade from the world?

All that silly child had to do was be like you,

but she insisted on being herself.

But then nobody could be you, Madame.

You're irreplaceable.

I only ever wanted the best for you...

...and I can never recompense you for what you have lost.

How will you manage without Wilson?

MADAME SIGHS

I suppose I shall have to move.

I've never lived by myself.

You could get a housekeeper.

What would I do with myself?

Keep on teaching me. If you wanted to.

But... no more locked doors. No beatings.

My father might visit from time to time, if that's all right,

just while we get to know each other.

If that's what you'd like.

I want you to be happy, Natalie.

I always have.

- Here they are! - Hey!

- Well? - Oh, he's lovely, but...

He's a bit cautious, you know, on the physical side.

Go in the snug.

Geoff, can I have a little word, in private?

Yeah.

CHEERING, APPLAUSE

- Can I take you out again? - I'd love that, Geoffrey, only...

my brother came out of quarantine this morning.

I'm going home on Sunday.

But look on the bright side. It's four whole days away!