Season 1 | Episode 3

usly on "Home Fires"... JOYCE: Have you ever wondered what might be achieved if we joined forces?

Unstoppable, Mrs. Barden?

Unthinkable, Mrs. Cameron.

ALISON: These are adjusted figures.

You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.

I wish I could be of more help, but I can't.

You didn't tell me you had a sweetheart.

You taking me for that drink, or what?

You are this close, Patricia.

WOMAN: Mrs. Barden is the new president.

(applause) "Home Fires," tonight on Masterpiec (motor sputters to a stop) (engines roaring overhead) ♪ I can see them talking ♪ ♪ But I only hear their voices in my head ♪ ♪ Waiting for the moment they'll be calling to me ♪ ♪ And if I try ♪ ♪ I'll remember all the words I've never said ♪ ♪ Only now the others hold no meaning for me ♪ ♪ I see with wide open eyes of blindness ♪ ♪ I leave the ever calling cries in silence ♪ ♪ Every place we go, we shouldn't go ♪ ♪ We see, we shouldn't see ♪ ♪ We know, we'll never know ♪ ♪ We'll go, then all I want ♪ ♪ All I see ♪ ♪ All I fear is waiting for me... ♪ ♪ ♪ (laughs) (door closes) Kate... Don't stop.

Are you sure?

Yes.

(wings fluttering) Appreciate you making time to see me, Reverend Collingborne.

I think I've had more parishioners asking to see me in the two months since war was declared than in the last five years.

Farming is a reserved occupation, so you won't have to fight.

No.

But you want to, don't you?

A lot of people would swap places with you in an instant.

I want to do my bit.

That's highly commendable.

But many would say you're doing that by farming the land.

You're keeping the country and our soldiers fed.

I can't sit on my tractor while we go the same way as the Czechs and the Poles.

I'm more use over there.

You've spoken to Steph about this?

I'm still trying to find the right words.

I can stay home, but I want to go and fight.

How does that not sound the most selfish thing I could think of?

(birds chirping, cows mooing) OFFICER: Good morning.

ADAM: Morning.

Busy day, padre?

No rest for the wicked.

Ditto.

New reports coming in every day now.

Yes, it's all beginning to get predictably nasty.

Mm.

Have a good day.

And you.

(engine revving) Is it what you were expecting with Stanley Farrow?

Uh, pretty much.

Did he want you to tell him what to do?

I think he hoped I might.

That's not your style.

No.

No, my style is to smile benignly while a man agonizes over whether or not to enlist, before sitting down with Mrs. Feldgate for an intense debate about floral arrangements this Christmas.

It'll be the usual toss-up between the holly and the ivy.

She always plumps for the holly, so I don't know why she insists on the pretense of a discussion year after year.

Could it be because she enjoys your company?

Is that all I'm good for now?

Of course not.

FRANCES: Sarah!

It increasingly feels like it.

Sarah!

I am about to commit murder, and I'm asking you in advance to be a character witness!

Adam too, if he can bear it.

Always useful having a vicar in one's back pocket when facing a capital charge.

What's happened?

This.

Your gates are being requisitioned.

My gates are being melted down for a tank!

Probably not a whole one.

So who are you planning to murder?

Well, the woman behind it, of course: Joyce Cameron.

You don't actually know she's behind it.

Her pettiness knows no bounds.

Well, either way, if it helps the war effort, then...

I know you're right.

I feel so foolish.

How could I not see that my gates are going to make all the difference in rebutting the Nazi horde!

They're gates, Frances.

They're bits of decorative metal pointing up towards the sky.

Sooner or later, someone would have come for them.

(sheep bleating) (bell ringing) Morning!

Just a couple of letters.

Mrs. Barden.

Thank you.

No need.

It's my job.

I always like to thank people, even if they're doing what they have to do.

Thought you might be like that.

Like what?

Nice like that.

Isn't everyone?

God, no.

Well, I'm sure Jenny is.

Actually, no, she wasn't.

Wasn't?

Not seeing her anymore.

Oh.

Truth be told, I didn't really like her all that much.

Discovered she was the jealous type.

"Where were you?

Who were you talking to?"

That sort of thing all the time.

It wore me down.

Not all women are like that.

I'm not like that.

Best be getting on.

Why don't you take me out one day?

How about tomorrow?

Tomorrow?

You're keen.

Why not?

I could pick you up at 5:30.

I have the afternoon off.

Pick me up at 2:00.

You're keen.

Why not?

2:00 it is.

BOB: No, no, I've got it.

2:00 p.m. tomorrow, Town Hall, Ministry of Food meeting, 300 words.

I appreciate you thinking of me.

I'll do a good job for you, Mr. Beeks, you know that.

Yeah, indeed.

Goodbye!

Goodbye.

(tower bells chiming) Ten guineas?

(groaning) (footsteps) I'm off to educate the masses.

What is it today?

I am teaching seven-year-olds the concept of money.

Good luck.

I've never understood it.

Oh, you must-- you're a bookkeeper.

Oh, anyone can count the stuff.

There must be more to it than that.

Um... not much.

(laughs) Cheerio.

(door closes) Do you love me?

Wow, you don't waste any time.

There isn't any to waste.

Do you?

Easy-- yes.

From the moment you opened that door to me.

Next?

Does loving me mean you'd want to spend the rest of your life with me?

Right now, I can't think of anything I'd want more.

But how might you feel next week, or next month, or in ten years' time?

I can't think of any reason I'd feel any differently.

Next?

How do you know it's love?

Because I've never felt like this about anyone else.

Not even close.

Then why don't we get married?

Um... hang on.

You're all I'll ever want.

I'm apparently all you'll ever want, so... Um... You leave me no choice but to pretend we didn't have this conversation.

Jack?

Kate Campbell, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?

(laughing) I think you have to actually say the word, or otherwise it doesn't count.

Yes!

Yes!

Yes.

Yes.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (barking) Come on.

(barks) Well, somebody say something.

Getting engaged quickly is one thing.

Getting married in under a fortnight is another thing entirely.

You don't think it's a little... Well... Quick?

Fast?

Rushed?

Hasty?

We want to get married before Jack finishes his training.

Because after that, you could be stationed anywhere.

Yes, sir.

Fighting in any number of possible conflict areas.

I understand your concern.

It's not that we don't like you, Jack.

We do, very much.

We appreciate how unusual the speed of this may seem to you.

Very.

You knew each other less than a month before you married.

Because your father was returning to the front.

But you loved one another.

That's not the issue.

I'm sorry, but it's the only issue.

Kate... No!

No.

Hypocrites.

(door opens and closes) You don't think she's preg...?

Don't even say it.

What do you want to do?

I don't know.

I don't want to go back in.

Well...

I could do with a stiff drink.

This requires the president's signature.

And this.

That's interesting.

This is a list of charities to whom the institute makes annual donations.

So?

Joyce Cameron sits on the board of at least three of them.

You mean she was siphoning WI funds into pet projects?

Do not try to use this to get back at Joyce for targeting your gates.

When are the next donations due to be made?

Next month.

Just before Christmas.

Right.

But perhaps we should postpone until the new year?

Until we know the full extent of what's gone on.

A good point.

I suggest a full audit in January.

It's the only way we're going to get to the bottom of Joyce's largesse.

We're a branch of the WI, Frances.

There's a limit to what even Joyce can get up to.

You really are quite naive, Sarah.

I put it down to years spent as a vicar's wife.

So are you speaking at the Ministry of Food meeting this afternoon?

No, they're coming to remove my gates this afternoon.

I've already asked someone to step in.

Oh, excellent!

There was I, wrapped in my naiveté, assuming you'd struggle to delegate as president.

How wrong you were.

(applause) WOMAN: Thank you, Mrs. Goudie.

Most informative.

Next, we have a speaker from the Women's Institute at Great Paxford.

(applause) Good afternoon.

(nervously): I've been told-- well, not told exactly-- asked to talk to the meeting.

To you.

In your own time, Mrs. Simms.

Yes, um... Start again.

My name is Mrs. Simms, and I'm here on behalf of the Great Paxford Women's Institute.

(metal clanging) MAN: It's gone now, you ready?

Refreshments for you, gentlemen.

Very nice.

Thank you very much.

What is the meaning of this?

Well, it's pretty straightforward, Mrs. Cameron.

All available nonessential land is to be utilized forthwith for food production.

I understand what it means!

Be that the vicarage rose beds, the village cricket pitch, or your tennis courts.

Of course, it's not legally binding.

I merely assumed you'd be happy to opt in.

Like everyone else.

I do not opt in.

Well, the problem with not opting in is that it rather looks like you're opting out.

I wonder how well that would go down when everyone else is pulling together so brilliantly?

Keep up the good work, gentlemen.

Take all of it.

Who knows?

The last hinge could be melted into the bullet that has Hitler's name on it.

Good afternoon.

PAT: Three months ago, my institute was not involved in food production of any kind.

We didn't grow so much as a bean.

And one might argue that it didn't matter, because three months ago, we weren't at war, and we could simply buy whatever we wanted.

But Hitler has changed everything.

That's good.

We can and must work together to make a definitive contribution towards ensuring the survival of the home front.

This may be a time for our men to fight.

But make no mistake, ladies.

This is our time too.

WOMAN: Very well said!

Thank you for listening to me.

(applause) (laughing) Not bad for a girl!

Bloody hell.

Keep up, boy!

I'll meet you by the canal!

(laughing) Where'd you learn to ride like that?

Like what?

So fast.

I don't know.

It's just how fast my legs go round.

Well, don't ever join the Post Office.

You'd put me out of a job.

Oh no, I couldn't do what you do.

It's easy enough.

Just stick the right letters in the right boxes.

No, I'm too nosey.

I'd want to read what's inside them.

It's against the law.

Wouldn't make any difference.

I'd be overwhelmed by the urge.

(laughing) Well, this is a side of you I don't see at Mrs. Barden's doorstep.

You won't tell her, will you?

What do you take me for?

Not sure yet.

That was very good.

I'm glad you enjoyed it.

I was wondering if you wouldn't mind giving my latest article a bit of a once-over.

Me?

Mm.

Sometimes I find it difficult to get the right tone for the local rag.

If you think I can help.

(clears throat) Trust I got your title correct.

You were there?

Why didn't you tell me you were giving a talk this afternoon?

I know you're not interested in the WI.

I never dreamt that your assignment would be to cover the same event.

Imagine my surprise when you took to the lectern, papers in hand.

Quite the public speaker.

And then imagine my embarrassment when you actually began to talk.

You embarrassed yourself, you embarrassed me.

How have I embarrassed you?

I now stand to be accused of nepotism by Mr. Beeks when he sees my wife's name in my article.

Change it.

What, and prompt some silly bitch from the meeting writing to him, accusing me of getting your name wrong?

This is what happens when you get too big for your boots, Pat.

You ruin everything.

I'm sorry, Bob, it won't happen again.

Yeah, well, it shouldn't have happened in the first place!

Frances asked, and I didn't want to let her down.

(shouting): What about letting me down?!

Bob, please... What about me, eh?

What!

About!

Me?!

(crying) Bob!

(knocking) (gasping) (knocking) Doctor.

Mrs. Campbell.

Good evening.

We heard a crash and wanted to see if everything was... You did hear a crash.

Pat slipped while serving supper.

And much like Humpty Dumpty, I'm afraid our favorite dinner set is beyond the repair of all the king's horses and all the king's men.

But she's all right?

Oh, she's absolutely fine, yeah, if a little embarrassed.

She's busy tidying up now, but thanks for your concern.

Extremely neighborly of you.

I'll tell her you popped round.

Please do.

(door locks) (holding breath) (footsteps) They're back.

Our reaction wasn't unreasonable under the circumstances, was it?

No.

But now we've had a chance to think about it...

It's still a shock.

It's their lives.

I know.

And we only get one.

So if Kate and Jack are as adamant they want to spend theirs together as I am about spending every extra minute I have with you...

They barely know one another!

Enough to want to get married.

The rest they'll learn on the hoof, like everyone else.

All they have is this moment.

Who can blame them for grabbing it with both hands?

Not me.

Come on.

What are you doing?

I'm writing them a letter to explain myself.

Wouldn't it be better to speak to them?

I already tried that.

After you drove off, they spent most of the afternoon regretting the way the conversation had gone.

They do understand why you want to get married quickly.

So do I.

We're just shocked, that's all.

FRANCES: This, ladies, is notification of a five-pound fine for the institute's failure to obtain a tea and biscuit license.

Since when was it necessary to have a license for tea and biscuits?

The war will shortly require each of us to have a license for breathing in, and another for breathing out.

(laughs) ALISON: Well, five pounds seems remarkably steep.

You'd think the authorities would have more important fish to fry than frying us over this.

You would, and they do.

But that's to forget that a certain Joyce Cameron sits on the Food Control Committee.

How can you be sure it was Joyce?

I don't have it in writing that the sun will rise every morning, Miriam, but there are some things about which I live in absolute certainty.

Do we have funds to cover the fine?

Oh, one for the treasurer.

Our cash reserves are more than adequate to cover this.

Why don't we do that audit next week?

Next week?

So that we know exactly where we stand.

Fine.

LAURA: Everything happened so fast.

But it isn't just you, is it?

Other people are doing the same thing.

KATE: Lots are.

LAURA: But it's different when it's...

When it's your own flesh and blood.

They just want you to be happy.

I think I will be with Jack.

Very.

And if Jack knows any pilots half as good-looking as he is, tell him I don't mind a few awkward nights at the pictures until I find a nice one.

I will.

(gentle knocking) Why don't we have a look at my old wedding dress?

(geese honking) Is that not too hot?

Stan?

Is it not too hot?

No.

Adam?

Adam?

(silently praying) (phone ringing) (door opens) DRISCOLL: I have to admit, this is an unexpected surprise.

I've been reconsidering your proposition.

Perhaps it's no longer on the table.

Then tell me I'm wasting my time and I'll leave.

What changed your mind?

We live in a time of uncertainty, Mr. Driscoll.

Both national and personal.

We do indeed.

I'll do what you've asked on one non-negotiable condition: that this is a one-time arrangement.

When can you start?

As soon as you agree to my fee of ten guineas.

Oh!

You drive a hard bargain, Mrs. Scotlock.

Take it or leave it, Mr. Driscoll.

WOMAN: Oh, not still waiting?

MAN: Spencer stood you up?

He isn't coming, is he?

He was very punctual the first time he called for you.

I'm sure there must be a good reason to be less so this time.

You can't sit here all day, Claire.

Just... Just a little while longer.

There's something we need to talk about.

(spoon clatters on bowl) I've been thinking a great deal about my situation over the last few weeks, and I think I've finally made up my mind.

I think I know what you're about to tell me, Adam, but please don't expect me to say it for you.

There are boys from Great Paxford who will shortly find themselves screaming out for their mothers in fear or pain.

But their mothers won't be able to help them in their hour of need.

I can.

You want to join up.

It's where I believe my duty lies.

Not here within your parish at its time of greatest need?

If we had a son, Sarah, wouldn't you want someone like me helping him prepare for what he was about to face?

Then let someone like you do it!

Why does it have to be you?

Because I truly believe that that's how I can best serve God, by being there alongside them.

And what God wants, God gets?

(knocking) The boys and I are popping down to the Horse and Groom for a quick half, padre.

I wondered if you'd like to join us?

Um, thank you, Nick, but...

I'm sure he'd love a drink with the boys.

Wouldn't you, "padre"?

We'll wait for you outside.

(typewriter keys clacking) (knocking) (sighs) Mrs. Barden.

Good afternoon, Mr. Simms.

I've come for a word with Pat, if she's available.

I'm afraid she's having a lie down at the moment.

FRANCES: Oh, is she unwell?

Oh dear.

Only she wasn't at the committee meeting, and I wanted to pass on how well her speech went down.

I'm told Pat was quite brilliant.

(laughs politely) She fell off a chair hanging a picture yesterday, and it seems to have taken more out of her than we initially thought, so...

I'm so sorry to hear that.

(door opens) Oh, Pat, there you are, you poor thing!

I was just hearing about your accident!

I'll just say hello and then I'll leave you both in peace.

I thought you liked me.

I do.

I thought we had a lovely time the other day.

We did.

But then why did you stand me up?

I thought it was better to leave you thinking I wasn't worth the candle.

What do you mean, leave me?

I got my call-up papers.

I wanted to come and explain, but I thought it over and decided it was best for you to think you'd had a lucky escape.

Yeah, but now you've told me what happened... No, Claire.

I still think it's for the best.

Sorry for messing you around.

We could write while you're away!

Your talk was a tremendous success, by all accounts.

The chair telephoned to say how inspirational you were.

In future, they only want you.

You must be very pleased.

Are you sure you wouldn't like a cup of tea, Mrs. Barden?

Oh, I've taken up too much of your time already.

Besides, you look exhausted, Pat.

You clearly need to rest.

I'll see you at the wedding.

The wedding?

The Campbells' wedding.

Next weekend.

Oh, I don't think Pat will be up to it.

Oh.

Shame.

It won't be the same without you.

I'll see you to the door, Mrs. Barden.

Goodbye, Pat.

Get well.

Your presence is missed.

Thank you.

(door closes) You should never have come downstairs.

Get out of my sight.

♪ ♪ What's all this?

You've spent so much time in your own head the past few weeks, I assumed you'd prefer your lunch alone.

Steph!

Steph!

I've seen you looking at the planes overhead.

The trucks going past.

You're staring into your plate at supper.

You're lying in bed, your back to me.

Taking yourself off up here to brood instead of talking to your wife about the most important decision you'll ever make in your... in all our lives.

You want to go and fight, Stan?

Go.

Because you're no bloody good to us like this.

I know every inch of you, man, inside and out.

I always have.

I always will.

♪ ♪ Morning!

Morning.

You need a hand with that?

Oh, it's not necessary; it's only bunting.

Mrs. Collingborne...

I've been meaning to apologize for the other day.

You and the padre seemed to be in the middle of a heated discussion when I interrupted.

I think it was rather useful you did.

Really?

I came quite close to throwing something at him, so your timely interruption probably stopped me.

If I can be as effective in action, the war should be over in no time.

(laughs) But, um... Everything's all right?

Yes.

Thank you.

Good.

You must be so excited!

(laughing) Ah!

Marvelous!

I love it!

That's wonderful!

(typewriter keys clacking) (knocking) (door closes) Ready?

Let's go.

This is the last wedding I'll be doing for a while.

Best not cock it up, then.

Let me do that.

No, no, no, you can spend as long as you like brushing down your new uniform.

Sarah... No, I want to.

It's the last time I'll be able to do it for a while.

(bells ringing) (applause) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (camera flash crackles) Happy?

Extraordinarily.

Are you?

There's only one other place I'd rather be.

A barn about two miles from here?

(laughs) Thank you for asking me to marry you.

Thank you for asking me to marry you.

(upbeat dance music playing) Don't tell Will or the girls, but I've always wanted a son.

JACK: Does that mean I should call you...?

You tell me what I should call you.

ERICA: Whatever you feel most comfortable with.

(laughs) Erica.

My choice too.

I'll never fail to support her.

You have my word.

WILL: I'll hold you to that.

JOYCE: Mrs. Campbell.

Mrs. Cameron!

I wanted to thank you for inviting me.

Thank you for coming.

JOYCE: It's a splendid party.

As a rule, I really don't like parties.

Well, I won't let on you're enjoying yourself.

Please don't.

Mrs. Cameron.

Dance?

(upbeat music continues) Was your wedding like this?

Mine?

No, not like this.

Considerably smaller.

Have you ever come close?

No.

Not really.

You must have had no end of interest from eligible young men.

For one reason or another, things never worked out.

There's plenty of time yet.

Such a lovely couple.

Well, they say you can't go wrong with a man in uniform.

Nigel Hughes.

Mrs. Scotlock.

And this is Teresa Fenchurch.

Nice to meet you.

Would you care to dance?

Me?

If you don't mind getting your toes ever so slightly crushed.

I haven't danced for 20 years.

Then I would be honored to be the man to help you back on the horse.

(door opens and closes) (band playing "The Very Thought of You") I'm told you're the bride's sister.

Yes, sir.

I'm Jack's commanding officer, Richard Bowers.

Your sister's bagged an extremely good man.

She's a lucky girl.

With all due respect, sir, the luck is all Jack's.

(laughs) Very well said.

What's your current assignment?

General clerical duties, Croughton Park, sir.

Would you care to dance, Miss Campbell?

Is that an order, sir?

Not for a moment.

I find it very difficult to believe it's been 20 years.

You're clearly extremely good.

Let me guess: you're a very successful salesman.

Very good.

I have a medical wholesale business in Chester.

Oh.

I supply all the surgeries in the area.

And you are a bookkeeper, I believe.

That's very impressive.

How did you know that?

Someone told me.

Oh, that would do it.

Dr. Campbell?

No.

Theo Driscoll.

We belong to the same club.

Theo was most complimentary, Mrs. Scotlock.

He told me that you don't come cheap, but that you're worth every penny.

I appreciate the recommendation, but I'm not looking to take on more clients at the moment.

I think you'll find you don't have much choice about it.

I'll be in touch.

Oh, goodbye.

I'm very sorry Pat couldn't come.

I saw her last week.

She wasn't in a good way.

Very... subdued.

I've slipped and fallen hard before.

It can take it out of you, I suppose.

Well, more so off a chair.

She didn't fall off a chair.

Bob told me she fell off a chair rehanging a picture.

When did he tell you that?

Wednesday.

He told Will and me she slipped while serving supper.

(door opens) Well, how odd.

I've been looking for you everywhere.

Is anything the matter?

Yes, I'm desperate to dance with my wife, but she's skulking around outside with the president of the Women's Institute!

(laughing) Do I have permission to whisk her away?

Whisk away!

WOMAN: ♪ Faithful forever ♪ ♪ Whatever I do ♪ ♪ Remember I'm true ♪ ♪ Remember that ♪ ♪ Faithful forever ♪ ♪ And thankful for you ♪ ♪ I'll keep smiling through ♪ ♪ Remember that ♪ ♪ We may be apart ♪ ♪ Now and then ♪ (faintly): ♪ But I'll hold you in my heart ♪ ♪ Till I hold you in my arms again... ♪ Ever regret marrying an agnostic?

(laughs) Not for a moment.

Ever regret marrying a believer?

Never.

I love you, Reverend Collingborne.

If He exists, then the Almighty and I have that much in common.

RECRUIT: Arthur Selby.

ADAM: Reverend Collingborne.

RECRUIT: Samuel Mills.

GIRL: Where are all these people going?

What's happening?

Best get on.

(crying) Be good, son.

Do what your mother says.

They reckon it'll be over soon.

Well, then, I'll be home in no time.

Steph... You'd better come back in one piece, or I'll kill you.

Stanley Farrow.

(engine starts up) Next time on Masterpiece...

Number, please.

Today was your last day.

But that makes no sense!

You look like you're running a well-oiled criminal enterprise.

Get off my land before I do something we'll both regret!

We're going to be very happy here, aren't we?

You have a visitor.

Hello, Teresa.

"Home Fires," next time on Masterpiece.

♪ I can see them talking ♪ ♪ But I only hear the voices in my head ♪ ♪ Waiting for the moment they'll be calling to me... ♪ Visit us at pbs.org/masterpiece to watch video and explore features, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media.

To order this program on Blu-ray or DVD, or the original novel, visit shopPBS.org or call us at 1-800-PLAY-PBS.

Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org