Now, Brenda.
You've got to be
a very good girl.
And I know that
doesn't come naturally.
So, shoulders back, stand
up straight, and smile!
Hello. Dr McClurgy.
This is Brenda, the evacuee
I was telling you about.
Oh, can I see your hands?
I can assure you,
they're perfectly clean!
I wish to read your fortune.
Ah, yes.
Things have not
been easy for you.
Dragged away from someone who
loved you more than life itself.
But if we look
into the future...
..I see that we're going
to have so much fun.
And you did have fun with
Dr McClurgy, didn't you?
It was the best!
We'd spend all day, every
day, having adventures
and looking for buried treasure.
I mean, sometimes he'd
make me do my homework.
But I always had a way of wrapping
him round my little finger.
Well, he says ten long
years have passed,
and he'd like to see you again.
Well, I don't know if
I'd want to see him.
Seems a strange reaction to
someone who opened
up his home to you.
I know, but then one day, he
said I couldn't stay any more,
and he sent me away
to a children's home.
What did he do that for?
I don't know.
But Dr McClurgy says he may
not be long for this world.
So this may be your
last chance to ask him.
BIRDSONG
Butterley Rise.
Is it how you remember it?
It's like it's been
frozen in time.
Maybe it has! Just waiting
for you to come and visit.
I don't know if I can
do this. Whyever not?
Because of the way it all ended.
Except, by sending the letter,
he's tried to ensure that
it was not the end. Hmm.
Hello? Have you come
to read the last rites?
Not today, hopefully.
We just received your
very touching letter.
What letter? What are
you talking about?
It's me. Brenda.
"Brave as a lion" Brenda.
I don't know what your game is,
but you're not going to win.
What did he do that for?
Why did he even write
the pigging letter?
Dr McClurgy is
frightened of something.
And I'm not even sure
he did write the letter.
Hello, there!
Ah, look who it is!
I'm Dotty. Dotty Finglesham.
Father Brown.
Hello.
It's me! Brenda!
Oh, I know who you are.
And I have the grey
hairs to prove it!
We were trying to
speak with the doctor.
But Dr McClurgy does
not want to speak to us.
Is he all right?
It's a long story.
And it does require
a cup of tea.
Now we have treacle tart, apple
strudel, and some butterfly cakes.
Mrs Finglesham! This is a
gastronomic extravaganza!
Yes, well, living
in Butterley Rise,
one does grow very
proficient at pastry.
There's very little else to do!
It's lovely, but if you
don't have a hobby...
Are you perchance
thinking of Dr McClurgy?
I am, really.
He's always kept himself
to himself, but these days,
he's practically a hermit.
And yet, I think he has a very good
friend, who's looking out for him.
Who wrote a letter on his
behalf, hoping to summon help.
Oh, gosh!
You're right.
How did you guess?
You had not seen
Brenda for ten years,
and yet you showed no surprise
when she suddenly turned up.
Of course.
I should have put my own name.
I heard you were
working at St Mary's,
and I just remembered
how close you both were.
I thought he'd see you, and it
would just be like old times.
So did I.
I think we must have
just left it too long.
So what's it like,
living in Butterley Rise?
Oh, it's quiet,
though we do have
some exciting news.
As you can see, these
cottages are rather old.
Falling apart in some cases.
But Lord Sprockett has found himself
a property developer, who's going
to knock them all down, and build
beautiful new bungalows for us.
Does everyone share
your enthusiasm?
There is one fly
in the ointment.
The answer's no!
I haven't asked
the question yet.
I just thought I'd
save you the trouble.
Please, Angus.
All we're trying to do is
build a better Butterley.
Why don't you have a
word with my developer?
Morning, Dr McClurgy.
We understand you
rejected our last offer.
We have, therefore,
made a revised one,
and I trust you
will be impressed.
The only thing that would impress
me is if you take your plans
and your schemes and
scuttle off back to London.
You do know, we ARE going
to build this development.
But we could just
work around you.
Though there's always the danger of
subsidence, or some unfortunate...
..accident!
Get out of my house!
And if you set foot
on my land again,
you will be buried under it.
HE COUGHS
Well, I...
I tried to be reasonable.
Oh, dear.
He can be awfully stubborn.
Well, I'm calling a meeting.
Two o'clock, Butterley Meadow.
I used to come here
with Dr McClurgy.
He'd leave messages
for the pixie folk,
asking when the w*r was
going to end. Ha, ha, ha!
This place!
Paradise! Hmm.
I don't believe it. Susan!
Brenda?!
What are you doing?
I'm an illustrator.
For the British Nature Review.
What are you doing?
I'm just here with my friends.
Father Brown. Hello.
Mrs Devine. Hello there.
This is Susan.
We were evacuated together.
I was just admiring your
forget-me-nots and ranunculus.
Gosh! You're awfully
well-informed on plant species.
Ah, well, at St Mary's,
we have a very enthusiastic
group of flower arrangers.
You two must have had
such fun living here.
We did. We never knew
there was a w*r on.
Hello there! Oh, hello.
Well, this is
awfully intriguing.
Hello, everybody! Hello.
As you are aware, one local
resident is making this development
impossible, and we must
therefore resort to Plan B.
I have purchased an area
of wasteland on the edge
of Butterley, and we will
be building there instead.
What?
Where exactly is this wasteland?
As a matter of fact,
you're standing on it.
This is not wasteland! It's
the most precious of places.
And it's a natural habitat for
pipistrelle bats and meadow pipits.
What are they supposed to do?
Fly away?
Mr Wainbody.
I've spent five years painting every
single wildflower in this meadow.
Oh, that IS good.
As I'll soon be putting
down weed-k*ller.
GASPS
Will everyone please calm down!
I'm sure we can resolve this.
This is awful.
If only Dr McClurgy
wasn't so difficult.
It would be nice to
know his point of view.
First time we visited him,
I am not entirely sure he
recognised you, Miss Palmer.
Perhaps you should
call on him again.
Oh, Eileen.
I miss you.
This world has changed
since you left it,
and generally not
for the better.
But I will continue to fight
for all that we hold dear.
HE KISSES PHOTO
KNOCKING
It's you. What do you want?
I want you to remember.
When you invited a little
girl to stay with you.
And every night, you would
read her a bedtime story.
And she would ask for another.
And another.
And before we knew it,
it was morning time.
Brenda! You've come back!
Course I did!
Someone has to protect
you from the monsters.
Oh, yes. The monsters are
getting closer all the time.
Come in.
Now, somewhere in
here, there's a chair.
What's happened to this
place? Hm? What do you mean?
Well, I mean the
mould and the dust.
Oh, aye, well, I got rid of
the dust some years ago, but...
..it came back.
And all these tins. Are you
getting ready for World w*r III?
Well, maybe I am.
I mean, if those thugs think they
can get me out of this house,
they'll have a fight
on their hands.
HE COUGHS
This is ridiculous! This
house is making you sick.
Why do you want to stay here?
Because all my
memories are here.
Everyone I loved and lost.
Yeah, and the mildew.
And the silverfish.
WINDOW SMASHES
Oh, are you all right?
I am. But the person who threw
this brick soon won't be!
All right, then! Who did it?
Who did what?
Someone threw a brick
through Dr McClurgy's window.
What are you talking about?
Oh, dear, I hope he
wasn't horribly hurt.
Well, at his age, any kind
of shock could be fatal.
SHE GROANS
I am telling you, it
were one of those two.
And I don't trust
either of them.
Did you ask Dr McClurgy
why he sent you away?
I didn't have the heart.
He's living in his crummy old house,
and it's making him ill and he...
Why don't we go back in
the morning, with a picnic?
Yes.
Yes.
He looked after you so
well during the w*r,
seems fair to return the favour.
Right.
LORD SPROCKETT: Chumleigh!
Chumleigh!
Lord Sprockett. Have
you lost something?
My dog, Chumleigh.
I think he must've caught
the scent of a badger.
There you are. DOG GROWLING
Chumleigh, what
have you got there?
That... is definitely
not a badger.
In nomine Patris, et Filii,
et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.
Butterley Rise has
never had a m*rder.
Until you came to visit.
Did you know the
deceased, Father?
Briefly.
He only recently
came to the village.
Brought in by Lord Sprockett.
Poor Mr Wainbody.
We didn't always see eye to eye,
but I wouldn't wish that on anyone.
Come on, Chumleigh!
Goodness! What's going on?
There's been a m*rder.
Lord Sprockett's
property developer.
No.
Not in our beautiful meadow.
Morning, Father.
Just like the Lord, I know
you move in mysterious ways,
but what exactly are you doing?
This grave was
dug for a tall man
and nobody would describe
Mr Wainbody as that.
And there's this.
Well, I'll be
darned. It's a rat.
Made of gold.
It's the membership badge of
the Grand Order of Water Rats.
A charitable organisation
of showbusiness performers.
I would be very surprised if
Edward Wainbody was a member.
Thank you, Father.
Perhaps we should pay
Dr McClurgy a visit.
Good idea.
Tell him the awful news.
Dead? Well, I don't
wish to gloat,
but I can't pretend
to be devastated.
Angus! He was a human being.
Was he? I did not make
a medical examination.
Oh, you're impossible.
I'm not going to
pretend I liked him,
but no-one deserves
to die like that.
He came to see you yesterday.
Is that the last
time you saw him?
Yes.
I keep myself to myself, and I have
not left the house for some days.
I can confirm it.
I've tried to get him involved
in village activities, but...
Oh, dear. Oh, my giddy aunt.
Can I help you?
So sorry.
I've just noticed all
the mould everywhere.
Oh, I know.
I've offered to come round
with a scrubbing brush,
but he won't allow it.
Mould is a form of life.
And has better manners
than some life forms.
When I was living here, you
kept this place like a palace.
It was cosy and it was warm
and everything was spotless.
Well, yes, because I had
a very important visitor.
So why did you get rid of me?
Cos one day, you just sent me away
to a stinking children's home.
I was an old man, and the
w*r was dragging on and...
Please. I am feeling tired.
Perhaps you'd all like to leave.
Dr McClurgy? Yes?
You said you hadn't left
the house for some days,
but these boots are
covered in fresh mud.
I have been to the back
garden to pick radishes.
Is that a crime?
Oh!
Well, that doesn't
answer my question!
There's got to be
something he's not saying.
Indeed.
And if we look at the
garden path... Yes.
..there are no muddy footprints
leading to the back garden,
but several leading
to the outside world.
Goodness! It's a police car.
Is that...?
It's Susan!
Thank you, Constable.
Oh, Father. I'm so
glad to see you.
And I'm sorry to see you here.
I was very impressed with your
watercolours of the meadow
wildflowers. It must be a
very special place for you.
It is.
Coming from London...
..in the Blitz...
..it was like a magical land.
I'd never seen so many flowers.
And yet, it is now
the scene of a crime.
The police have found strands
of wool from your jumper
on the piece of wood they believe
was used to m*rder Mr Wainbody.
No!
I didn't k*ll him...
Though I did hit him.
Oh.
He was working near
a log pile yesterday,
and I went to see him.
Mr Wainbody.
I'm sorry I lost my temper,
but this place is so precious.
It's a field.
It's a home. It's
teeming with life.
Well, I can see you're
very passionate.
Maybe I'll build somewhere else,
and turn this place
into a nature reserve.
Really?
No, of course not,
you stupid woman!
These creepy crawlies
have had their day.
Time for a nice rest
under the concrete.
Agh!
So, yes, I did att*ck him.
But...
..I don't think I k*lled him.
He didn't fall down.
And I certainly didn't bury him.
Miss Payne, I believe
that someone else m*rder*d
and buried Mr Wainbody after you
left, and I intend to find out who.
Susan.
Did you see anyone
else on the meadow?
Oh, um, only Mrs Finglesham.
She was having a
late evening stroll.
Yes, I was in the meadow.
I go there most evenings,
to visit my husband.
I thought your husband
d*ed in the w*r?
That's right.
He was in the
Royal Flying Corps.
Got sh*t down over
Arras, in 1917.
His body was never recovered...
..but I have planted thousands
of wildflowers in his memory.
Oh, Mrs Finglesham,
that is so lovely.
I've planted a dwarf rhododendron
in memory of my Ronald.
And when you were out walking in
the meadow, did you see Mr Wainbody?
Well, I didn't see
him, but I heard him.
As I walked past the marquee,
I heard the most almighty row
between Mr Wainbody
and Lord Sprockett.
What were they saying?
I couldn't make out the words, but
Lord Sprockett sounded furious.
Standing here now you can see why
this is such a precious place.
BIRDSONG
Those insects seem to be
performing a symphony.
Yesterday, you said that
living in Butterley,
you didn't know
there was a w*r on.
And yet Miss Payne went
very quiet at that moment.
Well, she were
obsessed with the w*r.
Once, she said she saw a
German airman in the woods.
Well, when I went looking,
there were no-one there.
How fascinating.
Well, I still want to
know what Sprockett
and Wainbody were arguing about.
Yes.
Shall we?
So, this is the epicentre
of the development.
Indeed.
And no shortage
of blunt objects.
Oh!
Plans...
..of the new bungalows.
Oh, they're really
rather attractive.
And a sales contract.
Mr Wainbody bought a hectare of land
from Lord Sprockett for 100 guineas.
How much is a hectare?
About two and a half football
pitches, or the size of this
meadow, and worth considerably
more than 100 guineas.
Well, Lord Sprockett must
be a complete nincompoop.
Nincompoop?!
Nincompoop!?
Sorry, Lord Sprockett, we
didn't know you could hear us.
Obviously not! What are
you doing in my tent?
Ah. I apologise, Lord Sprockett,
for the unauthorised visit,
but we are keen to know
more about Mr Wainbody.
So am I.
Strange sort of cove.
Seemed nice enough when I first
met him, not so much in retrospect.
He took me out for
lunch last week.
It was rather a good lunch,
with a great deal of wine.
And as he topped up my glass,
he gave me some papers to sign.
And it was only yesterday I
realised quite what I'd given away.
Yesterday evening, you were
heard arguing with him.
May I ask what was said?
I called him a charlatan.
And one or two words I wouldn't
use in front of the fairer sex.
Oh, don't worry.
We've heard it all.
What happened afterwards?
I headed home for
Ovaltine and a sticky bun.
And didn't see
him again until...
..this morning. Hmm.
With Mr Wainbody dead,
I presume the sale of the
meadow will not be completed.
I hope you're not suggesting
I did something sinister.
No-one's suggesting that,
but we're all rather relieved
that the meadow will be saved.
Yes. Although I DO still plan
to renovate the old cottages.
I've just appointed
a new developer.
And hopefully this one will
get through to old McClurgy.
How dare he? Take a wrecking
ball to everything I hold dear.
They can't make you
sell this place.
Yes, but I'll have more and more
people hammering on my door.
Trying to trick me
out of house and home.
Look, there's no point
worrying about it.
I've made us all a picnic.
Well, any kind of food
would stick in my craw.
I'm going to barricade
the windows and the doors.
Turn this place into a fortress.
HE COUGHS
That does seem a bit extreme,
and it can't be good for you,
shutting yourself
away from the world.
I've managed to avoid the
outside world for a month now,
without any ill effects.
That's not quite true,
is it, Dr McClurgy?
Because there are a set
of muddy footprints,
leading from your front
door towards the meadow.
Indeed.
I did go out the front door.
Walked down the garden path.
But when I got to the gate
I couldn't go any further.
What do you mean? Well, I mean, the
outside has started to scare me.
Everything.
The daylight. Birdsong.
It seems to just keep
hammering in my head, and...
..I shall remain indoors now.
No. That's not like you.
You always said, "Look
fear in the face and go..."
BLOWS RASPBERRY
Yeah, well, I was a
braver person then.
Then there was a terrible
evil in this village.
No! Butterley Rise
is as safe as houses.
That's why they sent us here.
Although there was the story of a
German airman living in the woods.
It was more than just a story.
Yes. His plane crashed
near Tawny Lake,
but there was no-one inside it.
And that's when
the rumours began.
He was a giant of a man,
hiding out there somewhere.
A giant of a man?
Yes.
Is that why you sent me away?
It is.
I kept thinking, "What
if he's the first
"and we're about to be invaded?"
"And is this really a
safe place for a child?"
And Susan, well,
she saw him, and...
She was never the same again.
Miss Payne?
Yes?
I've been thinking about
Mr Wainbody's death.
And burial.
He was buried in a hole,
considerably larger than he was.
But perhaps this grave was
originally dug for a much
taller man.
Like the German airman
you saw during the w*r.
It was the strangest thing.
I was walking in the woods,
and there he was.
Sort of floating,
amongst the trees.
And I ran and got Brenda,
but he was gone.
Was that the last
time you saw him?
I suspect that all these
things are connected.
I did see him again.
Three weeks later.
MAN GRUNTS
I was playing on my own because
Brenda had been sent away.
And I heard a noise
coming from a woodshed.
It sounded like
an animal in pain.
HE GRUNTS AND COUGHS
Thank you. Thank you.
And there he was.
And he begged me
to set him free.
So I did.
HE GROANS
Then he left me in the dark.
Goodbye, little girl!
SHE SCREAMS
For how long? Hours and
hours. I don't remember.
Do you know whose
woodshed it was?
No.
We used to play in
everyone's garden.
And this German...
..what did he look like?
He was tall, with
intense hazel eyes.
And he had a wound in his
foot, with stitches in it.
HE PLAYS SPOONS
Ow!
Please, Dr McClurgy,
do have some more.
Oh! These strawberries
are quite delicious.
I know they grow them
down at Tatton Farm.
Dr McClurgy? Yes?
When did you last
practise medicine?
Oh, well, I hung up my
stethoscope many moons ago.
Although I suspect during
the w*r you performed minor
surgery on a German airman.
I did.
Everything I told you is the
truth, but not the whole truth.
I had a neighbour
who found the airman,
and decided to keep
him as a prisoner.
I said this was madness.
We could be hung for
harbouring an enemy alien,
but I was summoned to
stitch up his wounds.
He'd been badly
injured by his fall.
He survived,
and a few weeks later,
Susan Payne set him free.
What was the name
of the neighbour?
Erm...
I cannot recall.
Erm...
Dr McClurgy took some
photographs of me,
the day I arrived here.
Oh, you look so innocent!
Well, you know what they say.
The camera never lies.
Who's this?
Oh, err, let me see.
Ah, yes.
That's Freddie Finglesham.
Well-known entertainer
of this parish,
but that was some time ago.
Indeed.
But sometimes the past
refuses to remain buried.
Father Brown.
Can I help you?
I do hope so, Dotty.
I'd like to thank you for
everything you did during the w*r.
Especially looking
after my young friend.
You saw she was a unique spirit,
and you found another unique
spirit to look after her.
SHE LAUGHS
You're welcome.
But it must have been
a most upsetting time.
Bringing back memories of the First
w*r, and the loss of your husband.
It was a terrible time.
Seeing all those
young men called up.
The constant fear of invasion...
..and a terrible
feeling of loneliness.
And yet, your loneliness
came to an end when,
walking in the woods,
you saw a German airman.
Yes.
It was the anniversary
of Freddie's death.
I was walking around,
feeling utterly empty.
And suddenly, there he was.
I was confused.
And I should have
told the authorities,
but they would only lock him away
in some awful prisoner of w*r camp.
I thought, if Freddie had been
lost behind enemy lines, I'd
like to think that a hausfrau
would have taken him
home to look after him.
So that's what I did.
Good morning!
I hope you had a good night.
Yes, thank you.
I was most comfortable.
I'm just grateful that...
..you were able to look past my
uniform, and did not report me.
How could I?
You know, Dotty, I dream
that when this w*r is over,
I can take you to my
home village of Wallgau.
And you can meet my mother,
and she can thank you from
the bottom of her heart.
Oh!
I would love that.
But we must get
this wound seen to.
I know a doctor who could
work wonders with it.
Perhaps you can untie my hands
and I can wash myself
before he comes over.
I don't think so.
But soon, maybe.
Whatever happened
to your airman?
Susan Payne happened.
She broke in and untied him.
Friedrich ran, and he
was never seen again.
I'm not surprised Friedrich ran.
But he would have
needed money to survive.
Earlier today, I found an item that
must have been buried for years.
It was the membership
badge of the Water Rats.
I believe your
husband was a member.
Did Friedrich break into your
home, and steal the badge,
along with other
items of jewellery?
And did you ensure that he never
broke the eighth commandment again?
No!
No, no, it wasn't like that!
I...
I l...
I was fond of him.
But he gave me no choice.
Oh! Friedrich!
What are you doing?
It's not safe for me.
I'm going to leave the country.
It would be safer to wait
till the w*r is over.
This w*r will last
longer than you think.
Never underestimate
the power of Germany.
I think Germany is on
its knees at the moment.
But if you're determined
to be so reckless,
then I'll come with
you, to keep you safe.
You really think I
could last another
minute of your pathetic
worthless wittering?
No!
I thought you liked me.
Then you're even more
stupid than you look.
Oh! Oh!
THUD!
FRIEDRICH GROANS
What did you do with the body?
We have our own beautiful
God-given burial ground.
And he would have
remained there.
Except that yesterday, Mr
Wainbody announced that
because Dr McClurgy
refused to sell,
he was going to build
on the meadow instead.
A few minutes later,
someone threw a brick
through Dr McClurgy's window.
I think you know who.
That was a terrible thing
to do, I know. I was just
so angry that his stubbornness
was causing all these problems.
The next day, Mr Wainbody was
found dead, in an enormous hole.
But of course, you didn't
dig that grave for Wainbody.
You were digging up Friedrich's
bones, and Wainbody caught you.
Oh, please, Father.
I never meant to k*ll.
Even a centipede in the garden.
But that man wouldn't
leave well alone.
Mrs Finglesham.
What are you doing?
These are human bones.
Suddenly it all makes sense.
Why YOU didn't want me
to build on the meadow.
So, who is it? I'm
guessing it's your husband.
No!
It's no-one.
You mustn't tell anyone.
Oh, the police need
to know about this.
Everyone needs to know.
SHE GROANS AND SHOUTS
And I knew if he told the
police, then everybody...
It just had to stay secret.
But that secret has
tormented you for years,
and now you have another secret.
You must confess, or your
soul will never be free.
And that is eternal damnation.
All right, then.
DR MCCLURGY: Well...
I've never felt
such an old fool.
I knew she was reckless, but I
had no idea she was a m*rder*r.
Because you're kind
and you're caring,
and you always see
the best in people.
And we're all so grateful
how you looked after Brenda.
No, I have been so guilty
of gross negligence.
And now, I'm going inside.
To fossilise.
I think there's only one person
who can get through to him.
None of this was your fault.
What? All you did was keep
a secret for a friend.
How were you supposed to
know she was a m*rder*r?
Well, yes, it does cut to the quick
when you're betrayed by a friend.
And I betrayed you
when I sent you away.
No.
You did it to protect me.
And, yes, I had a hard
time with it to begin with,
but you taught me how to be strong,
and how to see the funny side,
and how to have an adventure.
And that's what's
got me through.
Aye, well. Maybe I wasn't
a complete waste of space.
Now, shall we have
a wee cup of...
HE COUGHS
Hold on!
I don't understand!
Why are you staying in a mouldy
old shack, when they're offering
you a brand-new place with
hot water and electricity?
I bought my Eileen here, and
we had 40 wonderful years.
All my memories are here.
No! They live inside you.
I had your voice inside my head
all those years I was in that home.
But right now, I need you
to be very brave indeed.
So, I've spoken to
my new developer.
And he was quite clear -
it is not going to happen.
I see.
I had such plans for this place.
I was even going to accommodate
people in Sprockett Hall
while their homes were rebuilt.
But alas and alack...
Good evening, all.
This young lady is very much
in need of a nice cup of tea.
I'm just glad to
breathe fresh air again.
And thank you, Father,
for making that possible.
You're welcome, Miss Payne.
Glad I've got you.
Fortunately, Butterley
Meadow has been saved.
My solicitor says the
sale was never completed,
so we can all breathe
a sigh of relief.
Thank goodness! But are you still
going to rebuild our cottages?
I'm afraid not.
Apparently, if Dr McClurgy
won't sell, it's no-can-do.
And there's no persuading him.
Father. It seems like
Brenda can still wrap him
round her little finger.
DR MCCLURGY PUFFS
Hello, everyone.
Ah, it's nice out!
Dr McClurgy, it is
so good to see you!
Aye.
So, when are you going to
start work on my new bungalow?
I thought you were
dead against it!
Well, I had to talk it
through with an old friend.
Are you glad you came
back to Butterley?
I am.
But I'm also glad that I left.
Really? Why's that?
Well, if I'd stayed,
I never would have met the two
most important people in my life.
Oh!