Alphy and Mrs. C.

(bright instrumental music) (birds chirp) - Roses for the kitchen.

- I came home and just found her here.

- She likes to be helpful.

- Mrs. Chapman's role at the Vicarage, Alphy hasn't got a clue why she's there.

She kinda just (laughs), she kinda just turns up and starts cooking breakfast and dinner, and Alphy's very confused.

(plate clangs) What's this?

- Something to keep your strength up.

- He knows that she used to work there, but that she doesn't work there anymore, and Alphy's quite happy to just kinda be on his own and do his own thing.

He's very independent.

He's never needed anyone in his life.

- He seems, I think, quite self-contained, doesn't seem to need her around, so I think it's more a thing of, you know, she needs to put her mark.

He doesn't get a choice in it.

- There is that classic, like your mom still treats you like a little kid, and I think that's what Mrs. Chapman is doing with Alphy.

It's like she treats him like he's a little kid and he's like, "I don't need your help.

I can do this on my own."

And there's friction there and he just wants his own space.

He doesn't want someone constantly nagging him.

You don't work here, Mrs. C. - What do you think I'm doing right now?

- Nothing I asked you to do, that's for sure.

- You see them starting from a position sort of far away, and gradually, and when we had the read through, Rishi said to me, "oh, do you think they're always gonna be, are they always gonna be antagonistic?"

I said, Rishi (hands clap), trust the writing on this.

- I know you had a very special relationship with my predecessors, but I'm afraid I just don't need a housekeeper.

- I don't think your predecessors would describe me as a housekeeper.

- Forgive me, but how might they...?

- A friend.

A listening ear.

Someone who cherishes you and you cherish in return.

Mainly someone with a hot meal at the end of a rotten day.

- And then I think he eventually warms to her and they have a really beautiful relationship, actually.

Just the way it develops over the season is, is really lovely.

- I'm sorry.

I was rude and snappy and- - Hurtful.

(mid-tempo instrumental music) - You're not a hugger?

- I could be persuaded if the occasion warrants it.

(bright instrumental music) (Alphy laughs) (bright music continues) Thank you, Mrs. C. (bright music continues)