Broken Bird (2024)

[bunniefuu]

The wind

The sea air hurtles past me

No.

The sea air

Ignores me

Yes.

Nice.

There you go.

Morning, Emma.

Everything all right?

Yeah, all okay.

How long have you been there?

Oh, dear.

I'm gonna be late now.

Winter smiles

Its teeth brittle in the unforgiving wind

I rush through it

Sea air ignores me

For f*ck's sake.

The chaffinch winces its way

Towards what heat

It can pertain from the tree

Still

Still

Still

Wings wrapped around him

Nature's blanket

He watches silently from his perch

Thank you.

Thank you.

Oh, bless you all.

Thank you.

Well done, you.

Well done.

Excuse me.

Excuse me.

Excuse me.

"The Harlequin in the Storm."

The harlequin in the storm

Considers a new hat

For it is he who bites the frost

Started.

Yes.

Sit down.

I'm fine.

You're not fine.

And anybody in your situation

would not be fine either.

It's been three months now.

It's getting easier to...

Less...

I'm getting help.

I found a group. We talk.

You've been drinking.

You stink of alcohol.

-And your work--

-I'm fine!

-Emma.

-I'm sorry.

I'm here if you need me.

Thank you.

Yes.

I've worked in various funeral homes,

and recently one in Ashwoodly...

until the incident that sadly closed it.

Good people lost their jobs

and livelihoods.

But a mother lost her son.

It's awful. Just awful.

And you're recently bereaved yourself,

you say.

Yes.

Yes, my wife, she...

She...

We ran this place together

for 32 years,

although we were together, well,

ten years before that, so...

You know, so it's... it's not been easy.

I'm sorry.

I really should

call time on the whole thing

and retire to the seaside, but...

We talked about that.

We used to enjoy our trips to the coast.

What I'd do there on my own,

I really don't know.

Well, I can see how much you loved her.

And I can also see how much pride

you take in this place and what you do.

We're a small sort of cramp setup,

but we like to

offer individual service,

and we're proud of that.

Somebody the other week

called us boutique.

Do you have family?

Seat belts.

Where dips the rocky highland

of Sleuth Woods in the lake

There lies a leafy island

where flapping herons wake

the drowsy water-rats

There we've hid our faery vats,

full of berries

And of reddest stolen cherries

Come away, O human child!

Be good.

It can be a lonely,

cruel life sometimes.

Yes.

But I have my son now.

And he's at a lovely little nursery,

so I have much more time for myself.

Good. Good. Well, that's...

That's good.

When could you start?

Pow, pow, pow!

Jake! Jesus Christ!

Will you watch

where you're going for once?

Just get out of my sight now.

These are some of the oldest artifacts

found within the valley.

They date back to the Neolithic.

It's hard to believe

that people like you and me

were running around these very hills

thousands of years ago, hunting for food.

Whereas you and me,

we can just wander into local shop--

Sorry. I...

I didn't realize you had your...

I work here.

Sorry. Please, carry on.

Bye, then.

Hope you enjoyed your visit.

I did.

Thank you.

Let's leave this place together,

you and me.

And maybe you'd like

to leave us a review online.

My name's Mark, by the way.

My name's Mark, by the way.

A good review

really can make a difference.

Cheeky.

Sybil?

Where are you?

Ah, Sybil.

Sorry I'm late.

I was just making you a nice cup of tea.

Thank you.

Now, there's a Mr. Fisher

coming in this morning.

You can handle that, Sybil.

It's just a simple cleanup and prep.

In the meantime, do you think

you could tidy up in the viewing room

and throw away any flowers

that are looking a bit tired?

Of course.

Mr. Thomas, I was wondering,

the locked door in the corridor...

Yeah, the old cold-storage room, yes.

No, you don't need

to worry about that. That's...

That's...

You know, that's not in use anymore, so...

I'm just gonna catch up in here.

Emma?

Do you miss him?

Emma, you need to stop this.

If you ring again,

you know what will happen.

It's just that you tell everyone

that you miss him and--

And yet...

you left us.

Emma, you've been warned.

We're not going through this again.

Weren't we happy?

Have you been drinking?

I used to make you laugh so easily.

There was a lot of laughter here

before you--

Before you left us.

Look, I know it's not easy.

This is not easy for anyone.

But you can't keep ringing me.

I miss him.

I miss you.

Emma, please. This is not fair.

Maybe he's still here somewhere.

Under the bed.

What?

What do you mean?

Sometimes, I imagine

that none of it ever happened.

That you're all just hiding.

Playing a game.

Emma, what do you mean,

he's under the bed?

Emma?

Emma!

I take flight and meet the gargoyles

Only to realize they know my name

Higher still, up to the spire

like a miniature Lazarus

My wings flutter forth, sending me north

I set a course with such force

The eagles show remorse

But for a simple touch

Of those strawberry locks once more

But youth

Regret

Alas, no more

Alas

No more

Mrs. Fisher's coming in an hour

to view her husband.

You can handle that, Sybil.

Ah, yes, of course. He's almost done.

Just get his shoes on,

and I'll have him in place and ready.

Good.

Very good.

Did you hear that?

Your wife's coming in.

We were married for 40 years.

Together even longer.

It's difficult being alone

after having lived together

as a couple for an entire lifetime.

The only life I'll live spent

doting and caring and tending

to your every whim and need.

An existence as a drudge.

All through our married life,

you mentally and physically abused me.

I stood by you through all your affairs,

the drink, the gambling,

and then you go and die.

A heart attack you so very well deserved,

you f*cking b*stard.

I hope it hurt.

Hope you were in pain.

Surely one more.

Mrs. Fisher, would you like

a glass of water?

Yes, please.

Oh, but for a simple touch once more

Of those strawberry locks

But youth

Regret

Alas, all gone

That's lovely. Thank you.

Yeah.

All right. Listen up, everybody.

There's been a further complaint

made by Emma's ex-husband,

and a very serious accusation.

John, you're with me, please.

Can we come in?

Sorry, Emma.

We had a call.

Yeah.

I suppose you just have to

cover all your options, don't you?

Look, we're not giving up,

I can assure you.

We're doing everything

we can to find your son.

By coming here?

To my house?

Listen, this whole situation is unique

and very difficult for everyone involved.

I'm sorry.

You work for the police

in the same borough as the crime.

Everybody's trying their best.

Everybody's going way above and beyond

because they want to help you,

their colleague.

I don't want to ever have to come here

and do this ever again.

You can't call your ex.

You can't say the things that you said

without this happening.

I know.

I was drunk.

I was angry.

I was lonely.

We're doing everything we can

to find out exactly what happened,

as I'm sure you can appreciate.

I want to find him too.

There's nothing here, sir.

Get yourself out of here.

Go away, just for a few days.

The candle's flame

Can no more survive the lake

Than can the fish survive the air

Thank you once again for coming

to our Wednesday-night poetry sessions.

Would anyone like to start?

Oh! I'm so sorry.

The museum.

-Mark?

-Yes.

Yeah, that's right.

Maybe can I get you a drink, or...?

No, um...

If you're ever passing by the museum,

I could give you a private guided tour.

That would be very nice.

Thank you.

-How was work?

-Yeah, it was good, actually.

Yeah. Someone brought in

some medieval pottery they'd found.

I think at first

they thought it was Roman,

but you could tell the year at first sight

just from the materials

and the camber on the rim.

Roman?

Idiots.

I'll have a sherry, please, Mark.

Yes.

Get your new friend

a sherry, please, Mark.

I mean, it's the least you can do.

Otherwise, you might get drawn

into this f*ck-awful poetry meeting.

Go on, then.

-Who was that?

-Here we are.

Thank you.

Thanks, mate.

Hello.

It's...

Just a minute. I've brought the milk.

Well, it's... It's been raining.

I don't know if you saw that.

You'd have laughed to see the birds

that were on the bird table

this morning and...

So I put out the--

Some stale breadcrumbs...

Not quite ready.

You look good enough to eat,

Sybil Chamberlain.

Stop it.

We mustn't.

We must.

Daddy!

-You got a day off today?

-Nursery.

Lucky you. Enjoy.

Sorry.

-I bought lunch, yeah?

-Thanks.

Come on.

Stupid. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Yes, mate.

-That was really good.

-Nice.

-We'll have a drink?

-Yeah.

What are you looking at?

Why don't you look at yourselves?

"Oh, look at me on my skateboard."

"Look at me skating with my pals,

up and down, up and down."

You look like a bunch of f*cking pricks.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry for shouting.

Please don't-- Don't be upset.

I know you don't want to be here. I know.

I'm trying.

But I'm just so weak.

Just so weak.

Night-night.

Yes, Mr. Arnold. No, no,

I understand your predicament.

It's just, well,

we're not really set up

to do work for the coroner at the moment.

Well, I was hoping to take a few days off.

Yes. Yes, I could.

Yes, I'm sure

we'll manage, Mr. Arnold.

You send him over. Of course.

Sybil, there's a big job

coming in this morning,

so we need our wits about us.

We'd better start with a nice cup of tea.

Of course, Mr. Thomas.

I'll just clear the viewing room

and take Mr. Fisher back down.

-Oh, and, Sybil, Yorkshire, mind-- Yes.

-Yorkshire. Yes, Mr. Thomas.

Best prepare

yourself for this one, Sybil.

Oh, dear, oh, dear.

Motorbikes, motorbikes, motorbikes.

As often as not, it's not the person

on the bike, it's everybody else.

Driving too fast,

everybody looking in their mirrors.

-It's just such a waste of a life.

-Excuse me.

Yes.

A waste of a life.

Come on.

Oh, yes.

Yes!

You all right, Sybil?

Yes, I'm fine, thank you.

You see, it's creputing there.

I think under the circumstances,

we've done very well.

I'll leave you to finish off, Sybil.

I'll... I'll go and start

on the paperwork.

Day off tomorrow.

A good day by the seaside.

But I'll be back on Tuesday.

If I leave the keys on the desk,

can you lock up?

Yes. Thank you, Mr. Thomas.

Just a sec.

There.

Thank you.

I can't thank you enough, Sybil.

It's really... It's first-rate work.

Thank you.

Be good.

Looking well.

Better.

Yes?

Jake! Jesus Christ!

Can you not watch

where you're going for once?

Get out of my sight now.

Hi.

Yeah, no, I'm fine.

I've just got my hands full.

Yeah.

The childminder filled him

with sweets at the park.

Yeah, well, I've told her.

Sorry, have we met?

He's not ready.

He's not ready?

What does that mean?

It means I need to get him ready.

Well, can someone call me

when he is ready?

-Anything else?

-No.

I'll be going now. Thank you.

f*cking b*tch.

I'm here now.

You're better off without her.

I think you know that now.

Let's turn the lights down, shall we?

Did she say when

you might be able to see him?

She said she'd call.

I'm okay.

-That's good to hear.

-I just had to get away.

Yeah, I understand.

Sarah, if you hear anything,

anything at all, please call me.

You know I will. It's just...

Yeah, I don't care what Miller says.

Of course. I'll do my best.

Thank you. Thank you.

-Bye.

-Bye.

Don't know about you, but I've worked up

quite an appetite after that.

Do you think that's funny, do you?

Yeah, you would.

I saw you watching.

Don't think I didn't, pervert.

It's dirty little deviants like you

that need to be taught a lesson.

Don't they, Mark?

Oh, you like that, do you?

How about this, pervert?

f*cking b*stard!

You'll be choking

with laughter now.

Just to let you know,

Poetry Night starts in half an hour,

if you wanted to join.

If you wanted to join us,

Poetry Night starts in half an hour.

Poetry Night starts in half an hour,

if you wanted to join us.

f*ck off.

Right.

Do I know you?

No.

Yes, I'll be there right away.

Thank you for letting me know.

-Winter smiles, its teeth brittle

-Where dips the rocky highland

-In the unforgiving wind...

-There lies a leafy island

Where flapping herons wake

The drowsy water-rats;

-Sea air ignores me

-There we've hid our faery vats

The chaffinch winces its way

Towards what heat

It can pertain from the tree...

So to the flames

An empty space once more

Not even a shadow left

A life, a single soul

Who only knew love through--

A nice slice of Battenberg.

Thank you for this.

So...

When can I see Mark?

Didn't bring anyone with you today, then?

Wouldn't want to keep anyone waiting

while we go through all the paperwork.

I don't know what you mean.

You mean Lee?

Oh, you don't have

to explain anything to me.

I got a message from Mr. Thomas.

-Is he here today?

-He'll be back later.

Everything's all in order,

don't you worry.

Once you've finished your cake,

I'll take you through to the viewing room.

That's very kind of you, thank you.

You need to look through these and sign.

I made that.

It's very nice.

Have some water.

All done?

Right. Let's go and see him, then.

If you don't mind, I'll take it from here.

You can let yourself out

when you're done, then.

Very busy day ahead.

Very busy.

Visiting time is over.

Who the f*ck do you think you are?

Calm down. You'll upset him.

This is my fianc,

and I have every right to be here.

Please leave.

Come along.

Up you get.

Finished?

I think it's time you left, don't you?

We don't like your sort around here.

And I'd prefer it

if I never saw you again.

Off you pop.

I can't get up.

Don't feel very

good.

Too much Battenberg, you fat little pig.

Hi, Sarah.

No, no, I'm fine.

-Can you do me a favor?

-Yeah, okay.

I need you to get me all the information,

anything you can, on a Sybil Chamberlain.

Right, of course. I'll do my best.

Okay, thanks.

Associate in Applied Science.

Mr. Thomas, I'm sorry.

Stay where you are, Sybil. It suits you.

I was just cleaning up,

ready for your return.

Sit down, sit down.

I'm gonna make you a cup of tea.

Thank you.

Oh, God.

Hello, Mr. Thomas.

How was your break?

Just what I needed.

It gave me the chance

to get things straight in my mind.

Was everything okay while I was away?

Yes, everything's been fine here,

thank you.

I knew it would be.

We're lucky to have you.

You came along at just the right time.

You've been a lifesaver, Sybil.

I don't mind admitting that

I've been very low since Caroline died.

Some days were unbearable, really.

And I think it's because

we kept ourselves to ourselves.

It would have been different, I daresay,

if we'd been able to have children, but...

I was out walking

along the shore yesterday,

thinking about life and getting things

into perspective, and...

I just wanted to say that

you've been a breath of fresh air,

and I've come to think of you

as the daughter that we might have had.

I'm rambling now.

Anyway, these are for you.

That's your own set of keys.

That'll give you a bit of flexibility,

and you can manage your own hours.

And then I'll talk you through

the office paperwork so that one day--

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Thomas, but I can't.

I've thought about this long and hard.

I've had some recent news

which means I won't be staying.

Yes.

You see, I've met someone.

Someone I've rather

fallen in love with, it seems.

And... I'm gonna have a baby.

Quite soon, actually.

You're--?

You're pregnant?

Oh, well...

No, that's-- That's come as a shock.

I thought we'd--

You know, that's-- That's a shock.

When were you thinking of leaving?

In one's lifetime,

you can hold in a hand the number

of like-minded people you meet.

It's been an honor, Mr. Thomas.

Thank you for everything.

Without you,

I would never have met my love.

Yes. Oh, well, that's...

And I will be forever grateful.

Yeah, I've got it in front of me

at the moment. What's her name again?

Right, thank you.

Sarge, I found out

where she's currently working.

Bloody hell.

Right, we're on the move.

Well done, Ian. Come on.

We've got a significant lead here.

Let's get down there straightaway.

You and I are both cut

from the same cloth, it seems.

We both have our little peccadilloes...

Our little secrets behind the scenes.

What?

Behind closed doors.

Frozen in time.

Did you see?

Yes, I saw.

Well, you must have misunderstood.

I don't think so.

Love can make us be...

What--?

What are you going to do?

What about?

-Your little secret tucked up in there?

-No, stop. Just stop.

I don't know what you think,

but you're wrong.

What are the chances

of the two of us ever meeting?

I suppose we always

find our tribes in the end.

Our kind.

Goodbye, Mr. Thomas.

I don't care what you think.

Just wait. Just wait.

What are you going to do?

I told you, I'm going to have a baby.

You won't tell?

Thank you for everything.

Mr. Thomas? Police.

Police. We need to come in.

Police. If you don't let us in,

we'll have to use force.

John, get the battering ram.

-No!

-Stop it!

I'm not going home!

Get back here!

Oi, come back! Stop!

Okay.

Okay.

You're mine now.

We need forensics down here,

and get this place fenced off.

On it, sarge, right away.

...suspect in the abduction of an infant

at Whitebridge Park.

f*ck, we need to get

down there right away.

That's got to be her.

Emma, it's me.

You got a pen and paper?

Got some information for you.

-Go ahead.

-It's her family's home.

-The address is Seacroft Hall.

-Yeah.

Briar's Lane.

I'll be back at the car when

you're ready. I'll try her again.

It's not unusual for those close to the

deceased not to make it to the funeral.

I know Tina has struggled

enormously with her loss.

She's your sister...

and she'll need a lot of support

from you and Helen now.

She's beautiful.

I couldn't be happier.

This is what I've always dreamed of.

A beautiful family.

Thank you.

Dear God.

My baby.

Jesus Christ.

You two upstairs.

Through there.

Emma?

Emma.

Emma.

Help me.

Thank you.

Thank you. Bless you all.

And so to the flames

An empty space once more

Not even a shadow left

A short interval in time

Where once stood a great life

A solitary essence

Not forged for this world

A mortal body

Who wanted for nothing but love

And whose heart could beat no longer

A single, deserted being

Who only knew love

Through death