Season 1 | Episode 4

Previously on "Home Fires"... You want to join up?

It's where I believe my duty lies.

You can't enlist.

You can't stop me when I'm 17.

FRANCES: The problem with not opting in is that it rather looks like you're opting out.

Job's yours if you want it.

CLAIRE: I thought you liked me.

I got my call-up papers.

"Home Fires," tonight on Masterpiece.

(metal clanging) Morning, Joe!

Morning.

♪ 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 ♪ ♪ ♪ Can't find her cap.

Laura, I need to go now!

Laura!

Sorry, Jack.

Every morning!

(engines roaring overhead) You didn't mind dropping by for a look at the cottage on the way to work?

Renewed my conviction we've made the right decision.

I know it's small.

I just want you, alone, somewhere.

Any time either of you feels like giving me a hand, don't let wedded bliss stand in your way!

I look such a mess.

You're only sitting behind a desk all day.

I still need to look smart.

I had a thought about the box room.

Me too.

You first.

No, you.

No, you.

No, you!

Oh, for crying out loud.

Jack wants it for an office, Kate for a nursery!

What if I have it as an office until we need it as a nursery?

That may not be very long.

Fine by me.

BOTH: Bye.

♪ ♪ (switch flicks) Number, please?

(faint voice on phone) Putting you through now.

So where could we place an air raid shelter?

How about near the village hall?

Mm... Or there's Purkiss's old barn.

Arguably, a direct hit by the Germans might smarten it up a bit.

Or there's the vicarage greenhouse?

A near miss might cause horrific glass injuries.

Fine.

When did you last hear from Adam?

(sighs) A month ago.

Try not to worry about him unduly.

He's older and wiser this time around.

But he won't come back the same.

We'll all be different.

We have no choice but to adjust.

Well, you can't put an air raid shelter anywhere near the village hall.

Joyce will have a fit.

(laughs) There's a letter need opening?

It can wait.

Well, someone needs to see if it's important.

Dad's not here.

Really?

I hadn't noticed.

JOYCE: And two pork chops, please.

Two pork chops for Mrs. Cameron.

Busy morning?

I'm only halfway down my list!

And Mrs. Barden's got me doing all sorts for the new air raid shelter.

Dad's thinking of sticking a Morrison under the kitchen table and turning us into rabbits.

If the government says they do the job... A Morrison couldn't accommodate the entire village.

The village?

The WI wants to provide a communal shelter for everyone in the village who hasn't got one of their own.

Anything else, Mrs. Cameron?

No, thank you.

And where, may I ask, is the WI proposing to locate a shelter of sufficient size to accommodate everyone?

I don't think they've found anywhere yet.

In the middle of everything makes sense.

Somewhere quick to get to.

Shelters can't be set up willy-nilly.

Official channels exist to supervise the common interest.

Good day, Mr. Brindsley.

Mm.

Young lady.

Mrs. Cameron.

(neighbors greeting each other in distance) Stringer.

(sighs) Mr. Beeks, I have been a stringer on the local paper for the past 18 months.

But the fact of the matter is, since I'm paid by the word, I need to file more stories to make a living wage.

A living wage... A living.

Number, please.

Hello, caller, what number do you require?

Hello, caller?

(clears throat) It's terrific having you here, Laura.

Thank you, sir.

I'm really enjoying it.

Yes?

Very much.

Excellent.

(door closes) Mrs. Barden?

Mm-hmm?

Mrs. Barden, I'm so sorry.

I think I've put my foot in it.

Oh, which foot in what?

I let it slip to Mrs. Cameron in Brindsley's about the WI's plans for the village shelter.

Well, did you think it a secret?

Oh.

Claire!

You forgot the bacon!

Oh!

Go back.

Before you do, tell me, how did Mrs. Cameron respond when you told her about the shelter?

She said there were official channels for them.

I see.

Claire!

CLAIRE: I'll go get the bacon.

No talking!

Well, I can't just not speak!

You've never tried!

I'm going to have to deal with her, aren't I?

Oh, she's just a harmless chatterbox.

Not Claire.

Joyce Cameron.

Morning, Pat.

Morning.

Two hours three times a week to shop and run errands?

How bloody stupid do you think I am?

I know, I know, it sounds like a long time, but rationing slows everything down.

The queues take longer.

Oh, I see.

I see, so that means more time chatting with friends.

Exactly.

You know what women are like.

Yeah, I do.

Duplicitous.

Disloyal.

And they lie, don't they, Pat?

They lie all the time, and they take us men for fools!

Bob, what's happened?

What's happened is, I went to telephone my editor this morning to push him for more work.

I picked up the receiver and was stunned to hear my wife's voice at the end of the line.

I was only trying to help.

How do you think it makes me feel, knowing that the entire village is laughing at me behind my back because my wife has to get a little job to make ends meet?

You'd feel even worse without the things that make your life just about bearable.

(muffled): Cigarettes, tea, coffee.

That's where the extra earnings are going, Bob.

Not on myself.

Today was your last day.

But that makes no sense!

Today was your last day.

Yes?

Spencer!

Why haven't you gone?

Surely you should be assigned a regiment by now?

It's more complicated than you think.

I assumed it was quite straightforward.

I never assume anything.

Oh.

So where are you going, all dressed up?

You don't want to know.

Why else would I ask?

Good day, Claire.

Still no ration book for David.

I'm telephoning the Ministry, see if they can sort it out.

David has a right to a ration book, same as everyone else.

The boy needs to eat.

Wait!

It's possible I might have made a mistake filling out the form.

A mistake?

It's possible.

Possible or probable?

It's possible I forgot to put something down.

You know what buggers official forms can be like.

Something about having a son?

It'll finish me if he goes.

What you've done is illegal.

I know.

Not to mention going completely against his wishes.

Bryn, please.

Against whose wishes?

I'm telephoning.

Before we get into serious trouble.

Telephoning who?

Ma?

You're my son.

Mine.

Not theirs.

I'm your mother.

You can't fight!

You can't!

(sighs) I'm your mother!

I wonder if I might have a quiet word?

Will was recently reading an article in one of his medical journals about the long-term effects caused by the kind of food poisoning Bob had.

What kind of effects?

Well, his whole body will have been weakened by it.

Oh, I see.

Well, yes, he has been weaker.

No question about that.

But a remedy's been produced that's showing very positive results, and we wondered if you'd be interested in giving it to Bob to try out.

No, Bob doesn't like taking medicines as a rule.

It's less a medication than a tonic that promotes general well-being.

There's no label on it.

It's not yet being mass-produced.

The dose is a teaspoon a day in food or drink.

It seems to help people feel better within themselves.

Teaspoon a day?

In food or drink.

In his tea?

In his tea would be perfect.

I need to give you these.

Oh, yes, thank you!

Air raid shelters.

Interesting.

The WI wants to provide one for the village.

Published in 1938.

Shows how long the government's been preparing for this.

So do you always start reading at the last page?

Occupational habit.

(laughs) On the off-chance my next sortie's my last.

I may go down in flames, but not without knowing the end of my last book.

I prefer not to think about you going down in flames.

In combat, there are no guarantees.

Sorry.

I mean in aerial combat.

Too late.

Small brain, big mouth.

It's fine.

You've still not heard anything?

I don't have the faintest idea how he is, what he's doing.

All I do know is that he won't be thinking about his own safety as much as I'd want him to.

Bloody men.

(laughs) Bloody men!

So where are they putting the shelter?

Uh, we don't know yet.

Well, don't leave it too long.

Why?

What have you been told?

Just... don't leave it too long.

Hello, Stan.

Heard you worked here now.

Uh-huh.

I'm the latest recruit.

What've you got there?

Milk bill.

Let me speak to the Wing Commander.

Excuse me, Sir.

It's the boy from the farm with the milk bill.

The Accounting Officer.

The Accounting Officer will deal with it.

I'll see she gets it.

RICHARD: Laura!

Could you come in here a moment?

I'd best go.

JOYCE: These look beautiful.

(door closes) What was that?

A rat?

Hazel, when was the last time you heard a rat close a heavy church door?

Or open one, for that matter?

Hello?

If somebody's there, will you kindly identify yourself?

(coughing) What on earth are you doing?

I was just looking at the vaults to see if they're big enough.

For what?

An air raid shelter.

(stomping) It's a good, solid floor, this.

Yes.

Yes, for praying on.

Furthermore, since my husband sits on the planning committee, no approval will be granted for any plans that interfere with the vaults of this church.

Yes, Mrs. Cameron.

Goodbye.

Oh, yes.

Yes, Mrs. Cameron.

I'm glad I caught you, Mrs. Scotlock.

I wouldn't want to leave these on your doorstep.

You have a lot of friends, Mr. Hughes.

All keen to place their margins in your safe hands.

Does it not bother any of you that you're profiteering?

Take these and spare me the lecture.

I refuse to do any more work for traitors.

I think you'll find that's not your choice to make.

I've made it.

If, God forbid, the authorities catch up with what I've been doing, then I'll explain to them that I am but one small businessman coping with complex new laws.

But you?

I'm afraid to the trained eye, you look like you're running a well-oiled criminal enterprise servicing many, many businesses with your special skills.

I'd probably get away with a slap on the wrist, but they'd most likely throw the book at you.

We're almost certainly talking about a lengthy spell in prison.

(barking) No dogs allowed.

(laughs) I'll collect them later in the week.

David.

I...

I want to explain.

No need.

I need to.

I understand why you did it.

Do you?

I was only trying to protect you.

I know.

Forgive me?

Nothing to forgive.

Best get on.

FRANCES: While we've yet to decide on the location of the air raid shelter, there's no reason why we couldn't begin stockpiling supplies now.

For how many occupants?

I think between 40 and 50.

What kind of supplies?

Well, I've grouped everything together.

So, can I have volunteers?

Well, I'll take food and drink.

ERICA: I could put together a first aid kit and sort out some Tilley lamps.

The school has lots of spare books and art materials.

And we're always getting donations of old toys that we barely use.

Steph?

Oh... Shovels and sand and a pickaxe.

They're not really required at school.

I could provide sand and a couple of shovels, but we've not got a spare pickaxe.

Well, I'll see what Thumbs can dig out.

Pun intended.

(laughing) Do you have an idea where the shelter might be located?

Not yet.

But we're having a little fun establishing where it won't be.

Sir?

I'm just finishing up, sir, so unless there's anything else, I'll be off.

Well, instead of waiting in the cold for the bus, why don't I drive you home?

I don't believe you're going my way, sir.

There are some things worth going out of my way for.

You are an exceptionally pretty young woman, Laura.

Thank you, sir.

Irresistibly so.

And call me Richard.

Though only in the office.

Excuse me, could I have a word, Steph?

Yeah, of course.

Well, the thing of it is, I've lived in Liverpool all my life, and I feel really out of my depth in the countryside.

Put me alone in a city, I'd be dead in a week.

You're doing better than I would.

It might help me feel a bit more part of things if I could make a proper contribution.

But you are.

You're teaching the children.

Within the WI.

(sighs) I've never had particularly green fingers, but I've always really liked the idea of keeping chickens.

Chickens?

What do you think?

Chickens aren't for everyone.

You have to actually like chickens.

Well, I've always really liked them when I've seen them.

I mean walking around on grass, not flat on the back of a plate.

Thank you!

Good night.

Good night.

(door opens and closes quietly) (soft footsteps) I was prepared to wait for the call-up.

Like you asked.

Try not to be angry with her.

I can't stay a day longer.

Have you packed warm socks?

Last time, we would've killed for warm socks.

Well, I'll be at sea, not in the trenches.

I don't know how I'll manage in the shop without you.

You will.

It's yours when you come back, son.

You know that.

(engine rumbling) I love you.

Your mother... loves you.

And when this is finished, you come right back to this spot and we'll be waiting for you.

(crying) My boy... Bryn?

Mim.

We have to get him before the bus comes!

No, no, no, it's too late.

It's come and gone, he's gone.

You didn't stop him?

I held my son and gave him a father's blessing.

You knew he was going to sneak away!

No!

I heard him leave.

Why didn't you wake me?

Why do you think?

He said he forgave me.

(crying) Oh, Mim... No, no, no!

(crying) Oh, no!

(crying) Oh, no!

There you are, love.

Thank you.

JOYCE: Mrs. Barden?

Mrs. Barden.

We were on our way to see you.

Really?

How exciting.

To save you a great deal of time and trouble.

In what regard?

Are you aware that an official village air raid shelter is already being planned?

I wasn't.

Official in what way?

A local architect has been commissioned by my husband, and the blueprints arrived this morning.

Thought you might like to see the difference between a professional and a cobbled together, amateur affair.

Oh, this is very impressive.

Isn't it?

It's just a shame we won't be needing it.

Why ever not?

Because the WI's shelter is not only planned, but well on its way to being up and ready.

Oh, the church is hardly suitable.

Oh, not the church.

What ever gave you that idea?

No!

My cellar, that's where we've decided.

Deep underground, ample space for all.

No planning permission required.

But these are... very pretty.

Good day, Mrs. Cameron.

Miss Flintham.

Tea!

Pat!

Sugar.

You have a visitor.

I'm not expecting anyone.

Hello, Teresa.

You were bloody difficult to find, but I suppose that was the point in you disappearing the way you did.

Who would like a cup of tea?

I wouldn't say no.

No!

No tea.

For either of us, thank you.

This is nice.

If you like plants.

(laughs) Why couldn't I stay for a brew?

I'm parched.

Because I need to talk to you in private.

Your landlady seems nice.

Bit nosy.

Wanted to know who I was and how I knew you.

Don't worry.

I didn't reveal anything scandalous.

Why have you come, Connie?

Why did you vanish without telling me where you'd gone?

The Head didn't give me much of an alternative.

Shackleton?

Someone had seen us together, and I went to see him.

He asked me to deny it.

And when I refused to admit or deny anything, he gave me an ultimatum.

I could leave quietly, and he'd give me a glowing reference and let you stay on.

Why didn't you tell me?

Because you'd have caused a huge commotion and we'd have both been sacked, drummed out of the profession for good.

So you left a note and ran.

I had so little time to decide!

I didn't know what else to do!

Spoken to me!

You should've spoken to me.

I thought that you loved me.

I did.

I do.

I always will.

But I'm just not as strong as you are, Connie.

I don't want to spend the rest of my life being pursued from pillar to post.

Just once more.

From Liverpool to New York.

One way.

It's the best berth that my savings could buy, but we'll get there.

The SS Alexis sails next Friday.

A new life in a new world.

The life that we always talked of living.

Open, without shame.

You don't have to decide immediately.

I've booked a room in the pub for the night.

Sleep on it.

I don't leave until tomorrow.

America?

(laughs) The land of the free.

The home of the brave.

I'll be waiting at the pub at 1:00.

Come and find me.

♪ ♪ (faint laughter) (gasping) (metal clanking) What was that?

I don't know.

Didn't you lock the door?

I thought I had.

(door closes) Even when we were stepping out, I knew he wasn't quite right.

Left all decisions about what we did and where we went to to me.

Always backed down when we had an argument.

No backbone.

I should've guessed.

You should count yourself lucky.

We both should.

About what?

Spencer.

Now Mrs. Cameron's exposed him as a coward.

Thanks, Mrs. Brindsley.

Good day.

Spencer isn't a coward.

Spencer isn't a coward.

He refused the call-up, didn't he?

What?

Mrs. Cameron's husband was the magistrate at the tribunal Spencer had to appear before, explaining why he'd rather be a conchie than a soldier.

No, that isn't true.

It's the talk of the village.

Well, it doesn't necessarily mean he's a coward.

He stays whilst other lads go off to fight?

What would you call him?

Mim...

This isn't the place.

Don't you say a word to me!

You were happy enough to see David go.

Happy?

Is that what you think?

Spencer's not welcome in this shop.

Not him or his mother.

♪ ♪ (sighs) (car pulls up) It's bad enough you coming here, Mr. Hughes.

I really don't appreciate other men coming to my house.

Great Paxford is a small village.

Gossip requires the slightest pretext.

And I have my reputation to consider!

Reputation?

You sure?

I think that horse has bolted, don't you?

Which is why you're in no position to dictate who I bring or when.

See you in a week.

STEPH: You wouldn't be saying this to my husband!

MAN: Mrs. Farrow, I assure you I'm telling you no different to what every other farmer is being told!

STEPH: And if my husband was here, he'd knock you sideways for saying it!

I have a good mind to do it myself!

Son, can you talk some sense into your mother?

When did I give you permission to speak to my son?

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

You've been sent all the literature explaining the changes we need.

Now, I suggest you read that when you've calmed down and talk it over with your son.

One more word!

MAN: This is going to happen with or without you, Mrs. Farrow.

Now, we'd like it to be with, but we will settle for without if we have to.

We're at war!

Read the literature!

What was all that about?

If we can't change the way we farm within two months, the WAEC will take over the farm and we'll be evicted.

I told her we needed to get those letters read.

I told her over and over.

Can they just give your land away?

If farmers don't grow what the government needs, that's what'll happen.

Don't think it's the best time for your first session with the hens.

(metal clanging) Can I come in?

Seems I can't stop anyone doing anything they want round here anymore.

Now we have to grow what they want how they want, with records and charts and God knows what.

What's he asked you to do?

Farmers farm.

They don't need to be wasting their time on paperwork.

Couldn't agree with you more.

We're getting more and more of it at school too.

Look what came through for me the other day.

You can't read it, can you, Steph?

Don't be ridiculous.

I know the signs.

Signs?

I see them all the time in the classroom.

The covering up.

The avoiding potentially embarrassing situations.

The effort that it takes to keep it all concealed.

I don't know what you're talking about.

I can help you with all of this.

And then I can teach you and Stan to read so that you won't need to ask anyone's help ever again.

I may know nothing about farming, Steph, but I'm a very good teacher.

I absolutely promise you that together, we can sort this out.

Come.

Mrs. Cameron.

Mrs. Cameron!

Why are you telling people Spencer's a coward?

He stood before the tribunal and declared himself a conscientious objector.

I think that makes him a coward.

No, it's not true.

No, a conscientious objector is... And you hold truth in high regard, do you?

You, who walked into a place of worship, told me a story about the church being used as a shelter, which you knew perfectly well wasn't true, just to deceive me.

I... You're a treacherous young woman, Claire, so I suppose it's of little surprise that you'd want to defend an unpatriotic coward.

You've made your bed.

Now lie in it.

It's perfect!

As soon as I saw it, I knew it was the one for us.

When can we move in?

Next Saturday.

I spoke to the agent earlier.

How fantastic, to go to the lavatory in vest and pajamas without having to worry about meeting your mother on the landing.

And make love at full volume.

And love you at full volume.

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

Extraordinarily.

Will you carry me over the threshold on the day?

And all the way upstairs.

(laughs) Let's not tempt fate.

Or your back.

Over the threshold's fine.

Carefully does it.

Look out!

Can't you see what's in front of you?

What on earth's got into her?

Cookie?

Will?

Will?

It's going to be very disconcerting if you assume that every time I nod off, I've actually kicked the bucket.

Don't you ever do that to me again!

I promise if I feel I'm about to expire, I'll wait until you're in the immediate vicinity.

I'll even put on a bit of a show to make it clear what's happening.

Exaggerated moaning, hand gestures, perhaps a little foaming at the mouth... All right, that's enough.

I just felt tired and lay down for a bit.

We have to tell the girls.

And Jack, of course.

They're all so happy at the moment.

Let's wait.

You've always made a point of being scrupulously honest with your patients.

My daughters aren't my patients.

They'll find out soon enough.

Do you have any idea how upset that girl is?

Claire?

When you decided to involve her in your war with Joyce, did you give a second thought to the possibility that she might get caught in the crossfire?

What on earth are you talking about?

Joyce rubbed Claire's nose in the fact that Spencer Wilson has apparently declared himself a conscientious objector.

That woman will do anything to undermine the WI.

Keeping her in her box so that we can do what we need to do is part of my job as president.

Is it?

Or do you just enjoy it?

Why don't you have a sherry?

And stop being such a damn vicar's wife.

(clock ticking echoes) I haven't heard typing for a while.

No, I stopped.

Can I get you anything else?

Some more biscuits?

No.

Thank you.

Uh, I know you're against it, but Jenny's asked if I might possibly fill in at the exchange this afternoon.

They're a person short and they've asked everyone else.

Bob?

If you want.

Are you sure?

If you want.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ I wonder how long it'll take for all this peace and quiet to drive someone mad.

It hasn't got to me yet.

I'm not as brave as you, Connie.

I can be brave enough for us both.

You need somebody that won't run away at the first sign of trouble.

I can teach you to be fearless.

I need to learn it the hard way.

Here, not three-and-a-half thousand miles away.

A clean break.

Where there's no guarantee that anything's going to be any better for either of us.

I can't take the chance.

The ship doesn't sail for a week.

You might change your mind.

I won't.

Teresa... Not in public?

Having found out where I was, you could have written to me.

You could have asked how I was or what I was doing.

But that's not you, is it, Con?

No, your way's to come bursting in here with a one-way ticket to the other side of the world!

I came to get you.

To be an accessory in your life.

Well, for the time being, this quiet little nothing in the middle of nowhere?

It's mine.

Teresa...

I've made up my mind.

Going to America's your choice, staying here is mine.

Goodbye, Connie.

You might change your mind.

(whispering): Goodbye, my love.

Aren't you worried you'll get bored rattling around in a house all by yourself?

It's not a prison, Laura.

I'll be allowed to leave.

See people, do things.

And Jack will be home in the evenings.

I bet you won't come back as often as you think you will.

I'll be round all the time.

ERICA: Laura!

Someone to see you!

(laughs) Stan?

What are you doing here?

I came over to say... (car approaching) It can wait.

Sir.

Is your sister at home?

My sister?

Mrs. Jack Heaton.

What's this about?

Wing Commander?

Mrs. Heaton, I'm afraid there was an accident this afternoon during a training exercise.

What's happened?

The plane Jack was flying crashed on landing.

Where is he?

I'm so very sorry, Mrs. Heaton.

Your husband is dead.

(wailing) Next time on Masterpiece...

I thought we'd go to that hotel I mentioned.

Why don't you allow me to cook you something?

SARAH: No man has ever offered to cook me supper before.

(sirens wailing) Get to a shelter!

(frightened talking) Is this a drill?

Bob!

"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