Season 3 | Episode 7

♪ ♪ GEOFFRIES: Mr. Selfridge.

Frank, what a great day-- peace at last.

The streets were full last night.

Like the armistice all over again.

Only better-- this is a beginning, not an end.

And as the nation celebrates, Selfridge's will, too.

We need something that... that speaks to people, something that captures the mood.

So tell me, Head of Print and Public Relations, what does the peace treaty mean for the man in the street?

The first proper holiday for five years?

Perfect.

(elevator bell dings) Trips to the seaside, picnics in the park.

Cricket and cream teas.

"Britain on holiday"?

"Britain at play."

Brief the heads of department-- they'll have ideas.

And I want press and advertising everywhere.

Good morning, Miss Plunkett.

Good morning.

Morning.

Morning.

How much can I spend?

Whatever it takes.

I have shareholders snapping at my heels.

We need all eyes on Selfridge's.

I'll talk to Mr. Crabb.

Make sure that he's sitting down first.

(chuckles) You give it a bash... and again.

And then you cut its head off.

(fussing quietly) You don't mind taking him again, do you?

I've got no job to go to.

It's no trouble, honestly.

And we're getting on like a house on fire, aren't we, Ernest?

I really am very grateful, George.

How is Mr. Grove?

I haven't seen him.

Well, he must be missing his family.

It seems hard that kids always get shipped off to aunties and the like when their mum...

I could take Ernest to see him.

Cheer them both up.

(door opens) Emily, would you mind watching Ernest for a moment?

George, may I have a word?

There's something I need to tell you about Ernest... and Mr. Grove.

(knocking on door) I don't want to intrude.

How are you?

Well enough.

I bought this for my godson.

It goes at quite a speed, if you wind it right up.

How thoughtful.

How are the children?

The girls are with their grandmother in Essex.

Arthur, as you know, and Jacob are in Bristol with their aunt.

And Ernest?

Is still with Miss Mardle?

Mrs. Crabb has knitted him a little cardigan.

With a matching hat.

Perhaps I should give them to Miss Mardle.

Thank you.

Ladies, Mr. Edwards wants to hear your thoughts for our "Britain at Play" event.

Mrs. Edwards.

Girls want to put on powder and rouge wherever they are.

We could offer portable beauty and cosmetics.

Miss Calthorpe.

Uh, we've got lots of new hats in.

(chuckles) They're getting much smaller.

Why?

Heads aren't shrinking, are they?

Uh, they're more practical.

For motoring and golf.

Cocktail party, day out at the beach.

We've got sun hats.

Let's have a look.

While you're waiting... Beauty could have a themed display.

One of the first things the customers would see...

He'll be back in a minute.

I think this one, Connie.

Yes.

Miss Mardle?

May I have a word?

Oh, yes, of course, Mr. Crabb.

Carry on, Connie.

Yes.

Mr. Grove is back.

Have you spoken to him?

No, he hasn't talked to me since, um... ...the night Ernest came to me.

Yes.

Yes, I'm sorry.

Oh.

Well, it's not your fault.

Mrs. Crabb made some clothes for Ernest.

Oh.

Oh!

She's in a knitting frenzy at the moment.

Ernest will have plenty of woolens for winter.

Wherever he is by then.

Thank you, Mr. Crabb.

Couldn't get a word in, standing there like a lemon.

Make an appointment with Mr. Edwards.

Run things past him without Queen Kitty there.

(laughing): She'd have your guts for garters if she heard that.

Mr. Gordon!

(gasps) Uh, I-I was... just helping... Miss Calthorpe.

I wanted some wool.

I'll come back later.

(door closes) Oh, my goodness.

Is Mr. Selfridge in?

Miss Webb.

HARRY: Thank you, Miss Plunkett.

Nancy, I wasn't expecting you.

I've received a letter from the Housing Department.

They'll give us the funding as soon as we give them our full budget.

That's great, isn't it?

It means I'll be very busy.

Oh.

Um...

So I've been thinking, and I want to take a step back from us.

I mean, this was supposed to be purely professional.

It was just about the estate, but, uh, we've been spending so much time together, I think I've lost perspective.

I wasn't expecting this, either, but it doesn't make it wrong.

I need to focus on my work.

I-If it's help you need...

I'm quite capable.

O-Or time...

I need to stop thinking about you.

T-Take a step back?

Just until I get the job done.

Didn't realize I was such a distraction, but if-if that's what you want...

Thank you.

Uh, once they have the budget, then the funds should be here pretty soon.

You should secure services.

That'll cost.

Well, we can't wait.

Will a thousand do it?

Yes.

Mm-hmm.

Thank you.

(playing lively jazz tune) Excuse me.

Good evening.

Regan sent us.

One moment.

Victor.

Regan's men.

Your bets, please, gentlemen.

(indistinct chatter) Everything all right?

Looking good.

GORDON: So you're a pilot, Mr. Sibour?

Vicomte de Sibour.

You can call me Jacques.

Yes, I was a captain in the French Air Force during the war.

ROSALIE: Jacques was decorated for bravery by both the French and the British.

And you're gonna be working with my son-in-law?

Uh, Jacques will be making a series of flights from one city to another.

My job will be to drum up press interest and attract investment.

Then we can set up commercial flights along the same routes.

And what about your plane?

Is getting that in the air part of your plan?

Um, maybe one day.

But I have others to think of now.

I need to keep my feet on the ground.

(several chuckle) Have you ever flown in a plane, Miss Selfridge?

Yes.

I loved it.

It's like a different world.

Above the clouds.

Everything seems so far away.

(woman screams) Get out, the pair of you!

This is my club.

This is Regan's place.

Don't ever forget that!

You're bleeding.

Get the band playing.

Joe!

(band resumes playing) I need you to make sure this is cleaned.

No glass, no glass.

Yes, Elsa, yes.

Make sure, all right?

(sniffles) (sighs) I thought I could keep them apart.

Regan's room, my club.

But his lot will cause trouble whatever I do.

He needs to sort it out, and you've got to tell him.

Regan?

(laughs) You know, when I first met you, you said you had a dream.

You said you wanted to be your own boss, remember?

So, what are you doing?

You haven't been running this place.

Too busy swanning around with Violette Selfridge.

Don't!

Regan wants gambling, fine.

I've worked the casinos, and you wouldn't believe the money that changes hands if you get the right crowd in.

Regan can't do that, but you... you can.

If you want to.

Morning.

Morning.

Dinner went well last night.

Mmm.

I thought Nancy might have joined us.

You two seem to have grown very close.

She called things to a halt while we work on the estate.

Oh.

Some might think that she was being prudent.

Oh, I don't know.

Came right out of the blue.

We're getting on so well together.

Does her family know about you and her?

Well, she doesn't really have a family.

Well, there's a brother.

What's he like?

I haven't met him.

(clears throat) Pretty much always working.

That's not quite true, is it?

Unless you have a lot of overnight meetings.

If Nancy wants to do her job properly, without distraction, good for her.

The estate will be finished soon enough.

And then you'll have all the time in the world to get to know each other better.

Now, golfing outfits?

Uh, walking skirts?

Uh-huh.

Good.

Ah, tennis dresses.

Here we are.

Ooh!

Hold on a mo.

Miss Lenglen.

Wimbledon Champion.

Goodness, that's a short skirt.

With hardly any sleeves.

I like the silhouette.

It's almost... Coco Chanel.

Ooh.

Mm-hmm.

I've been reading those magazines you lent me.

Well, very good.

I've got some more at home you can have.

Goodness, we must get a move on.

We've got to tidy this... Ooh!

Look!

Going flying!

(laughing) We open shortly.

Oh, Mr. Grove.

This looks like a church sale.

Get it tidied up.

Excuse me a moment, Connie.

(elevator bell dings) I need to talk to you.

Fourth floor.

Ernest has been with me for three weeks now.

He can't stay forever.

He's just a year old.

This is neither the time nor the place.

(elevator bell dings) Then when are we to discuss this, Mr.

Grove?!

(elevator bell dings) I know you're angry with me.

But Ernest deserves better than this.

If you are determined to ignore him, I must approach his natural father.

Billy has a duty... Never mention his name in my presence.

You're not yourself, Mr. Grove.

I mean, goodness, you just lost your wife.

I lost her when she broke our marriage vows.

My life since then has been a lie in which you have been complicit.

Ernest cannot be handed around like lost luggage.

I counted you a friend.

Please leave my office.

Ah, yes.

Sweetheart, give me a moment, would you?

I want to look at accessories.

GORDON: Ah, just the man I wanted, Monsieur Longchamp.

This is Mr. De Bolotoff and Vicomte de Sibour.

Monsieur Longchamp is our head of Display.

(speaking French) So, you're the chap doing our aviation display?

Am I?

I wanted to talk to you about that.

Perhaps something in Fashion.

Uh, I would like to look around.

A tour of Selfridge's with a Selfridge?

Uh, well, I-I'm actually a bit busy, but... Oh, no, excuse me.

I mean with Rosalie.

Oh.

My pleasure.

Come on, Gordon.

There's going to be a raffle to win a flight with Vicomte de Sibour.

So we'll need some sort of display.

In Fashion?

Mm-hmm.

And what has an airplane to do with fashion?

(elevator bell dings) Well... Mr. Gordon.

Mr. Crabb.

Um, when you have a moment, there's something I'd like to discuss.

JACQUES: It is a shame your sister wasn't able to join us.

Violette's not herself at the moment.

She's usually pretty lively.

Yes, Princess Marie told me she had been in a little trouble?

She was going out to a club.

Lots of girls do.

And she was arrested.

The club was raided.

They arrested everyone.

She shouldn't have been there, of course, but she was seeing someone.

It's over now.

And Princess Marie shouldn't be gossiping.

Well, you know, these are the mistakes of youth.

A storm that will blow itself out.

We're giving away a hundred hampers.

Well, certainly get attention.

Yes, but will it boost profits?

This event budget is extraordinarily high, even for the chief.

It's all very well getting people in to admire the show, but the more we spend, the more they have to.

(sighs) Oh, uh, there's something else.

Uh...

I hope you won't mind.

Mrs. Crabb asked me to pass these on to you.

It's, um, mature, educated women happy to provide care of children.

For a man in your position, they could act in loco parentis.

Must be very hard for you and the children, being away from each other.

I do not wish my personal life to be discussed.

My domestic arrangements need not concern Mrs. Crabb any further.

It was just a thought.

Gentlemen.

Thank you for coming.

Lord Loxley.

I'm sure you've seen Selfridge's latest press campaign?

One could hardly miss it.

A very patriotic gesture.

Indeed.

Promises to be the usual Selfridge spectacle.

As major shareholders, perhaps we should pay a visit.

Lend our support.

Look at things from a business perspective.

Good idea, Loxley.

Yes.

Mm-hmm.

(doorbell rings) George Towler!

Connie Hawkins.

You scrub up well.

What are you wearing?

I was after Miss Mardle.

She's got some magazines for me on couture.

Well, uh, she's not back yet.

(Ernest crying) Hang on.

Come here, you little tinker.

This is Ernest, Mr. Grove's youngest.

I'm helping to look after him.

What?

You, looking after a baby.

Why not?

If you can sell frocks to posh ladies without scaring them.

(chuckles) What, you can be a nanny?

Miss Mardle said you're doing very well in Fashion.

Hmm.

Well, I try.

Well, I-I've got to give Ernest his tea in a minute.

Well, I won't keep you.

Tell Miss Mardle I called.

I'll get the magazines another time.

Nice seeing you, Miss Hawkins.

And you, Mr. Towler.

(chuckles) Bye, Ernest!

What are you doing?

What does it look like?

Waiting for Harry Selfridge?

He won't be coming around again.

What?

I did what you said.

I told him I needed to take a step back.

You were right.

I should never have slept with him in the first place.

But you did.

And you can't just stop now.

I told you to get a grip on yourself, not push him away.

We could lose everything.

I didn't say it was over.

I said we had to wait until the estate was finished.

What did he say?

He wrote me a check.

A thousand pounds.

Clever girl.

He's really fallen for you, hasn't he?

We're so close now.

You just keep ahold of that dream.

America.

You and me.

The life we've always wanted, huh?

HARRY: Welcome to your special preview of our biggest event, "Britain at Play."

With the peace treaty signed, we felt we should celebrate along with the nation.

Whether it's a day at the races, a picnic, a game of golf or tennis... or even a flight in an aeroplane.

HARRY: At Selfridge's, we have the best of everything.

Did I mention we have a hundred packed hampers ready to give away?

FRANK: Gentlemen, if you'd like to follow me to the fourth floor, please.

Pleasure flights remain the privilege of a few.

But this week, customers at Selfridge's can enter a raffle to win a flight with the renowned aviator Vicomte de Sibour.

All the money raised will go to the Selfridge Estate fund.

FRANK: We have some very modern sporting wear.

And some very wearable outfits for leisure and travel.

(applause) FRANK: Gentlemen, if there are any further questions, please come forward.

Gentlemen, please.

MAN: How much money do you envisage raising, Mr. Selfridge?

(reporters clamor) I've packed everything he needs.

Now, whatever you do, don't lose yellow rabbit.

(chuckles) I thought I'd take him for a picnic.

And a ride on the bus.

He'll love that.

Yeah.

Let me go and get him for you.

George.

I wanted to say thank you.

For looking after him.

And please tell Miss Mardle how one day, I hope, I'll have a place of my own.

Then I can take him back.

For good.

(Ernest babbles) BILLY: There he is.

I hope you'll forgive me if I'm speaking out of turn.

I'm just concerned.

Chiefly for Miss Calthorpe.

Are you... involved?

Romantically?

Our friendship is surely a private matter.

Private or secret?

I have a great deal of respect for Miss Calthorpe.

I would never compromise her reputation.

You are Mr. Selfridge's son.

You may choose from many paths in life.

Miss Calthorpe has only a few, at best.

You have a responsibility.

Your gambling room is scuppering my club.

They're a rough lot, and they're starting to keep my lot away.

Colleano's could be closed in a month's time.

I do hope you're not going to disappoint me.

We could all be making a lot more money.

Now, let's say we lose the roulette and the back room.

We bring it out front, we make Colleano's a gambling club.

And there's one thing that means big money-- baccarat-- if we keep out the rough crowd, make it exclusive.

A member's club.

Exactly.

See, I know a lot of rich people from when I used to run the Palm Court in Selfridge's.

We want high rollers.

No limits.

Higher stakes means a bigger bank.

Are you asking me for more money?

Yes.

And I'm giving you the chance to make a lot more.

You're sticking your neck out here, Mr. Colleano.

I know how to make money.

My way.

But if you think you can do better, I will want to see results, and fast.

Because if I don't, my boys will shut you down.

For good.

I'll take that as a yes, then.

Red is not your color.

Green would suit you.

Or gray.

I'm not really looking.

You are drifting.

If you say so.

You are a little lost.

If you say so.

Well, when you tire of pretending to look at dresses, I will buy you a drink.

I can tell you about my plane journeys.

Where I've been, where I'm going.

Perhaps you will feel a little less lost.

Mademoiselle.

Jacques was asking me about you.

Well, I do hope you told him all about my shameful history.

That should put him off.

Actually, it didn't.

So you did tell him.

He knew anyway.

Will you stop gossiping about me?

And for God's sake, stop matchmaking.

I just want you to be happy.

What did Mr. Crabb say?

He's just worried about tongues wagging.

I told him it was none of his business.

Never mind him.

We need a night out.

Uh, Victor's or somewhere else.

Somewhere that isn't the storeroom.

George Towler.

Mrs. Edwards.

How are you?

Well, thank you.

Connie said she'd seen you.

Haven't been in here for a while.

Do you miss it?

Of course.

Well, you should think about coming back.

Connie said you were out of a job, and... place hasn't been the same without you.

Excuse me.

Mr. Grove.

Could I have a word?

It's about Ernest.

Mr. Grove, I'm going to have to insist.

Not here.

Miss Mardle?

Miss Mardle?

Oh, goodness.

We're all late home today.

I just wanted to say thank you.

For looking after Connie.

Oh, it's my pleasure.

Must have the patience of a saint.

She's doing so well here.

Well, I'm glad I'm doing something right.

You've got Mr. Grove's youngest staying with you?

Um, Connie told me.

Well, just for the time being.

And George is helping out?

(chuckles) He's pretty much looking after Ernest single-handed.

I tried it one weekend.

Couldn't wait to get back to work.

(chuckles) I've often wondered what sort of mother I'd have been if I'd have had children.

I suppose if you've never had the opportunity, it's very easy to daydream.

It turns out, I'm rather lacking in maternal instinct.

Perhaps work is the only thing I'm any good at.

No, look how much you've helped Connie.

And all the other girls who've worked for you.

You've been the making of us.

Come on, I'll walk with you.

GEORGE: Miss Mardle told me.

About you.

And Ernest.

He's a lovely little chap.

Smart as a button.

I wouldn't say boo to a goose when I was small.

My father was a drunk.

I was terrified of him.

That's why me and Agnes were so close.

'Cause she was all the family I had.

He may have been my father, but he was no parent.

What is it that you want to ask me?

Ernest keeps saying these names.

I don't know who they are.

Uh, Arthur?

His brother, three years older.

Ella?

Or, uh, Mellie?

Meryl.

She's the eldest.

She used to help bath him, get him dressed.

"Little Mother," Doris called her.

Sometimes Ernest wakes up at night.

Crying.

And when I comfort him, he points, as if he wants to go somewhere.

So I carry him.

From room to room.

Him pointing and looking.

And he says those names.

And "Mum."

And "Dada."

He's looking for his family, Mr. Grove.

He's looking for you.

You've been very busy.

Well, there's a lot more to do.

Well, when this estate is finished and your work is done, we'll start over again.

There's a whole world out there for us to explore.

Restaurants, galleries, theater... Just you and me.

Nancy?

(sighs) I'm sorry.

Miss Calthorpe here can show you all manner of finery.

Hello.

POLLY: Gordon!

Oh, excuse me, ladies.

Look... Polly Maxwell Taylor.

Hello.

She seems pleased to see him.

LOIS: She's a nice girl.

What does Gordon think?

Mmm, he's spoiled for choice.

Eligible young men are thin on the ground.

They're a good family.

You know Lady Maxwell Taylor's charitable lunches... MARIE: Oh, yes.

Stop, I won't speak about it.

This is the ideal place to start.

Look, isn't it adorable?

Mother would have a fit.

(laughing) I-It is one of our more modish hats.

Gordon, what do you think?

Oh!

Topping!

That settles it.

Tell the girl I'll take it.

I can wear it to the regatta.

Cause a stir.

Miss Calthorpe... Of course.

POLLY: Now, I want to see this exciting aviator.

Your family seems to collect them.

(giggles) I'll do it.

Take five minutes, wash your face, come back.

No one'll know any better.

Loxley.

We weren't expecting you.

Mr. Barratt, Mr. Lowe.

As shareholders, we thought we'd see for ourselves what's being done for us.

Is Selfridge's selling cars now?

(laughs) It's... it's just a talking point.

Once the imagination has moved, the hand automatically goes in the purse.

"Win a flight in a plane"?

More expense?

The flight is a gift.

From my son-in-law's business partner.

Ah.

Family and business never too far apart.

And all proceeds from the raffle go toward the Selfridge Estate?

Mmm.

Forgive my ignorance, but you'll have to explain to me how this works.

In business terms.

And a hundred hampers you're giving away?

Uh, "Britain at Play," it's just the first step.

You'll see the next one soon enough.

Oh.

Then we can expect profits-- and dividends-- to soar?

Well... BARRATT: Thank you, Selfridge, that's enough.

May I ask, what is the "next step"?

Something we've never done before.

It's bold, aggressive.

I'll need your advice.

Mr. Crabb...

Sorry to trouble you.

Might you still have those magazines?

For the female help?

Yes!

Yes, I'll get them now.

Uh, thank you!

It's the moment you've all been waiting for... the raffle draw!

Who will win a flight with Vicomte de Sibour?

There we go.

SERGE: And the lucky winner is... ...Violette Selfridge!

(laughs) Go on, they want a photograph.

Thank you, but I can't accept.

Please draw again.

My word is final.

I insist.

Very well.

Then my flight with you will be a gift.

Promise me you will accept.

I promise.

Good.

You draw.

I'm sorry.

Polly... Polly is a nice girl, really, when... when you get to know her.

And how would I do that?

At a regatta, or a charity luncheon?

Or would she come round to my room and have pilchards on toast, sitting on my bed?

This'll never work.

You and me.

I'll tell my father about us.

All right?

Take you home, meet my family.

I've already met them.

I'm the girl who sells them hats.

I'm sorry.

It's over.

This has to stop.

But Grace...

I'd like to speak to George Towler.

Yes, of course.

Please come in.

Thank you.

George, Mr. Grove is here to see you!

(Ernest fussing) Good evening, George.

Mr. Grove.

I, um...

I've made arrangements for my children to return home.

Whatever the difficulties, they... belong with me.

What about Ernest?

He is not to blame for his mother's sins.

I want him to come home.

To his family.

I'll get him ready.

Thank you.

I can't believe I was about to give up on all this.

And now you have Regan eating out of your hand.

Thank you.

For what?

For sticking by me.

What are we playing?

You tell me.

I thought you might be out.

Serge and Rosalie have gone to the theater.

With Jacques?

No, thanks.

Rosalie is trying to pair us up.

Huh.

Would that be so bad?

Oh, I forgot...

I'm the damaged goods that no one else wants.

I should be grateful that any man would look at me.

I can't even hold down a job, so I really should focus on getting married.

What job?

Nancy sent me a note.

Thanking me for my hard work.

I'm no longer needed.

When?

Yesterday.

Not that it was a real job-- working for my father's mistress.

She's not my mistress.

Could have fooled me.

Nancy means a lot more to me than that.

Well, I hope you told her.

You used to have quite a reputation.

She must know.

Everyone else does.

I know you've been very hurt by Victor, but you will get over him.

No, I won't.

Because I'm not giving up on him.

When you love someone, you don't just walk away.

(Ernest fussing) Mr. Grove.

He's only just woken up.

Bless him.

Daddy!

Daddy!

Come on, then.

Oh...

There you go.

(laughs) (knocking at door) HARRY: Nancy!

(knocking continues) No...

I need to talk to you.

Harry, I've said everything there is to say.

Well, I haven't, so please just hear me out.

This hasn't been some... casual affair for me.

Look, you barely know me.

It's been a whirlwind romance, but I've learned so much about you.

You're not always as strong as you pretend to be.

When you're unhappy, you hide it.

And if I knew you better, I'd know why.

I need to show you how much you mean to me.

Wh...?

Nancy, will you marry me?

Yes.

Yes, I will.

I will.

Next time on Visit us at pbs.org/masterpiece to watch video and explore features, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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