The Countess is here to see you, Mrs Harte.
Mummy!
What a dreadful week for you. I just can't bear it.
I said to the florist,
"Your absolute best bouquet, though no roses,"
and the girl knew immediately they must be for you.
How about that?
Oh, those wretched papers.
I was so pleased when you suggested lunch.
Are you surviving?
When have you known me not to?
Hello, darling.
I booked Patsy's for 1.30. Will that do?
Janet swears she saw Sinatra there only last Tuesday.
Mummy's favourite thing to say
is that she's done it all for her family,
which is ludicrous, of course,
for a woman who's spent every moment of her adult life
avoiding her family and making grand speeches
about bloody revenge.
She's pathetic.
There's a downside, of course,
to making certain one's children
never want for anything at all,
and that's being forced to watch them stroll through life,
taking everything in their path for granted.
Mummy, I'm so sorry. I...
What would you like to explain first, my love?
Your detailed expose to the press
of my confidential medical records,
or your use to Mr Fairley of the word "harridan".
I can explain.
Well, I'd love to hear it, darling.
Truly.
I'd love to understand,
because everything I've ever done has been for my family.
- Time sheets, Mr Fairley. - Thanks.
Is all well... at home?
What about it?
I know some of the staff at the hall were wondering
if Emma might have been in touch with any news...
around now.
It's been months since we saw her.
It's been six... six months.
Six and a half.
She sends money every month.
Postmark Leeds.
She's got a good head on her shoulders, Mr Fairley.
She gets on wi' it. No address, no news.
Don't want us to worry.
Anyway, I'm told congratulations are in order
for your engagement.
I've a late shift to keep awake.
*CREDITS*
Now, Mrs Fairweather, I've been up all night
finishing this dress just for you.
So I believe this will be exactly what you're after.
Where do you find the time, Mrs Harte? In your condition?
There's a name for Mrs Harte's condition. Tireless.
Fact is, Mrs Harte, I'm also in the family way.
Congratulations, Mrs Fairweather!
Perhaps I could make you a skirt like mine
with the drawstring waist.
See? Wraps around my front, like so.
Come and see me and I'll get you measured up.
See you soon.
I've never had a shop assistant bring as much custom as you.
It's all adding up.
Three-quarters for you, Mr Lowther.
And a quarter for...
Your plan. With a capital P.
A capital B, for baby.
I'm saving.
Well, you're not saving energy.
I'll sit down when the baby's born.
That's how it works when you're a mother, isn't it?
You do nothing but rest.
Well, I'm not sure that is how it works...
Mrs Barlow! I was hoping you'd be in.
You're going to love this.
Thank God.
All safe and sound in there.
I'm gonna keep you that way.
_
No!
_
All right in there? Are you having a little play?
- Here you are, sir. - I won't be long.
Not slacking off, I hope, Mrs Harte.
Lunch. Don't worry, though. I've not stopped working.
Heaven forbid.
Closing for the day already? She's never open.
I think you'll be very pleased
with what I've got for you today.
Oh! The new silks! They're perfect.
And to you, only two and six a yard.
Shame I'm only paying you two and six, then.
- Three... shillings. - Two and nine.
Oh, you're a tyrant.
Are those pin marks on those fingers?
Mrs Harte, how long have you been working for Joe Lowther?
Six months, is it? And every minute of that,
you've worked like a dog.
People love to tell me to slow down,
but babies don't write ahead and make appointments.
And I am running out of time.
The money's not coming in quick enough.
Does your husband mind you working so hard?
He's working too, I've told you. The Navy can't spare him.
Well, he's missing out, is all I'd say.
I expect you'll miss him too, being away from home.
I miss me dad and me brother.
No time to miss anyone else.
Anyway, I'm saving up,
so when the baby's born, I can have two months off.
Maybe even three, if I work hard in these last few weeks.
It's looking like another record-breaking day.
Teamwork, Mr Lowther.
I don't think so.
When I watch you selling,
you don't have a mind like a woman's at all.
Yours is more like a man's.
Is there a difference?
You're living here now, are you?
Got work to do.
Is this the new cloth? Looks pricey.
It was supposed to be!
It's to replace the Fairley stuff, Mr Lowther.
The fact is, customers can spot it.
Cloth from the Fairley Mill's just bad quality.
Rotten, some might say.
We've lost another cloth order.
More complaints about the quality.
A lot of that equipment is old and tired,
and we can't keep asking the men to work round the clock.
Your usual gripe is, we don't pay the plebs enough money.
Now we're offering night-time hours,
suddenly they have to be home for their tea.
They're not plebs. They're people...
who have rights and feelings.
Oh, Priya.
You're back!
Sorry. Long day.
Oh, you must be tired.
Edwin, Priya and I were hoping that tomorrow we might
get down to the real business of the week.
Wedding planning.
We should talk about churches, certainly, at some stage.
I was hoping we might decide on a date,
at least, while I'm here.
Because your father's a busy man.
Sir Vikram needs to make plans.
So, we must get every wedding detail fixed,
mustn't we, Edwin?
He's preoccupied at work.
Good old Edwin.
Doing all he can to save the business.
Who the hell do you think you are?
You should be ashamed of yourself.
You don't just stroll in here when for months you don't come near her.
Well, sure, I'm here now,
when I... can see she's been busy.
Mavourneen, what the hell have you been playing at?
Mr Harte, you should know that your wife
has been working tirelessly every minute.
In the absence of anyone else bothering to...
Mr Kallinski... David. This is not my husband.
This is just a friend.
A dear friend.
Mac.
He barely knows my husband.
You'd be surprised by how little.
But I had no idea.
I'll see you at closing time. After.
See you soon.
Adele? I brought you these.
I was looking for a vase like Mother's, you know,
that allowed the flowers to splay out, but...
Do you remember? She always had such a way with flowers.
Edwin rushed off early again.
But work never stops at the mill.
Not these days.
I mean, Adam's barely home.
I mean, I hardly ever see him. He's barely here.
Do you need more hot water, darling?
Or anything, you know? Anything to eat?
Darling...
I wonder if maybe you ought to get out.
Do you think?
Just get away from this place.
I was wondering about Aunt Jessie's cottage by the sea.
Would you like that?
Remember that little beach down below, and the gulls?
And she'd love to have you. I know she would.
And you may just find that...
Adele?
Adele.
Adele, please. Stop...
Are those lily of the valley?
Yes.
Glorious, aren't they?
There's hundreds of them out there.
They do that.
They're invasive...
if left unchecked.
Lily of the valley will simply take over the whole garden.
You can't get rid of them.
Well, I'll find that vase.
Oh, sorry. We're... closed.
Your guard dog not with you, no?
Mr Kallinski just does the deliveries.
- He's only being kind. - Oh, kind, is he?
As well as handsome?
It's like you were born to work here.
Emma Harte, are you going to avoid looking at me
for the whole rest of your life?
What's going on, darling?
Here.
Dad doesn't know I'm here.
And he mustn't.
I can't take trouble to his door.
Not after Mam.
I haven't seen him.
I haven't seen him or Frank.
How can I afford to bring up this baby by myself?
Darling...
How the hell have you got yourself in this old mess?
It was a lad back home.
You don't know him.
He let me down.
Then I'll thrash the living daylights out of him.
No need.
He said he'd marry me at first,
then ran away to join the Navy.
And this?
So nobody thinks bad of me.
Also, cos I like remembering.
Remembering him?
Remembering I won't ever again
let someone make me feel the way he did.
Not till the day I die.
And remembering what drives me now.
What'll drive me my whole life.
Revenge.
Emma, how are you going to look after the baby and work?
I'm making dresses.
And I'm good.
I am.
I get such a thrill seeing the money pile up.
And I've saved up for two months,
which means when the baby's born, I can stop a while.
Did you drop something?
You know I'll marry you, Emma Harte.
And happily.
It'd be an honour.
Emma, will you marry me?
You're the best man I know.
Sure, to marry you will be a privilege.
Burden, more like.
Have you seen these shoulders?
I could look after the both of you.
I know.
I know you would.
But I've got it planned.
I'm going to look after us myself.
Somehow.
I'm going to be a mother, Mac, a mam.
I'm going to have a real baby.
The most precious thing you can have.
And more than anything I've ever done,
I want to take care of it.
Well, I could have at least an eye...
Mac...
You have the biggest heart I know.
It's bursting.
Which is why I want you to be able to give that heart
to someone you love, for real,
not just a girl you feel sorry for.
- Ah, Emma, but... - The answer's no.
But it's a no with the biggest thank you in the world.
You might want to...
get under that seat with the sweeping brush.
The... dust is shocking.
Morning!
Let me rent next door.
Let me rent it from you and open a dress shop.
My own shop, filled with dresses made by me.
Give me one reason why not.
Oh, you only want one?
Well, which reason do you want?
That you've no experience running a shop?
That you've no experience running a business of any kind?
That you're barely 19?
That you're pregnant?
Mr Lowther, the answer to all of them is the same.
I can do it.
Mrs Harte, that's fanciful at best.
Two people have failed in that shop this year.
Two inefficient people.
Mrs Cleveland, her stock was shoddy and too expensive for its quality.
She didn't know her customers.
I do. I know what kind of clothes they like.
And I'm good. You know I am.
And you said it yourself, I'm a grafter. I can sell.
Which is why I can't afford to lose you from my shop.
You wouldn't be losing me.
We'll drive business to each other. Right now,
when people come in, all they see is rolls of cloth.
With my dress shop next door,
you'll have a showroom for what that cloth can become.
Double your profits in a month. Treble them, probably.
Plus, I'll be your best customer.
Every dress that I sell,
I'll be buying the cloth from you.
And the shop's empty, Mr Lowther, gathering dust.
I can take it off your hands today, now, this minute,
so you don't lose a moment's rent.
Mrs Harte, you forget I know your circumstances.
You live in my upstairs room.
The deposit on that shop is sky-high.
I have enough in here for your deposit.
And because I know you're nervous about me,
which you won't be the moment you see the profits I bring in.
I know you usually ask for four weeks' rent in advance,
but I have enough in here for eight.
It's all in here.
- Take it. - Mrs Harte...
do I need to remind you, you're having a baby?
That's for me to take care of.
And it's why I'm absolutely certain that this is right.
- Oh, I'm sorry. - No, it's fine. I was just...
I was just walking home.
You're allowed to walk where you like.
Nice aim you've got there.
I've sat through three days now
of your aunt talking about bridal bouquets,
and of you and your father shouting at each other about looms.
I had some steam to let off.
So, let's see...
- Not bad, not bad. - Not bad?
- Terrible! - Dreadful.
Well, they'll be wondering about dinner.
Yes.
You know when you asked me to marry you?
I thought we had a connection.
That you were optimistic, like me.
You seemed... starry-eyed,
and I wasn't sure if we made each other's hearts soar,
not in the way people talk about hearts soaring in books.
You probably don't read those kind of books.
Not really.
But you know the concept of hearts soaring?
Yes.
Anyway, I just wanted to say...
not everyone gets that, the heart soaring.
That's not what life is, I don't think.
But recently,
stars have left those eyes of yours, and...
I know this engagement pleases your father,
and he's not an easy man to please, but...
we could just walk away.
There's a lot to be said for pleasing people.
And not just parents.
Priya, I wouldn't have asked you.
I wouldn't have considered it if I hadn't intended...
somehow...
I'll do my very best to please you, too.
Well, let me know, will you...
when the "trying to please me" starts?
Mother.
How are you?
I suppose I... wanted to see you.
If you don't mind?
Because everything just feels a bit...
wrong somehow.
Priya's a sweet girl in many ways.
Where is your father?
He never comes to me.
Your father never comes anywhere near me.
Where is he?
He's... not back yet.
I don't know. He's been busy at the mill. We all have.
But does he not know that I'm here, Edwin?
And I'm not nobody.
I'm not nobody.
Take your hands off me!
Mother...
Stop it!
Get out!
Sorry. I'm sorry.
One, two...
Shelves here, rails of dresses here and here,
and a fitting area here.
And also, a range of elasticated skirts
for pregnant women.
And a chair for them, but also for people like you.
Menfolk.
And there will be a fire. The shop will always be warm.
And you'll pay to heat it, will you?
Yes. And it'll be worth it because people will want to come,
and every customer will be greeted by a name.
And, Emma,
in a few weeks' time... the baby.
I'll manage.
Fire! Fire!
Oh... Oh, God!
Move! Move!
Move!
- What's happened? - It overheated.
And it's empty? No-one in there?
Who's in there? Who?!
My brother. Edwin.
Edwin went in.
Master Edwin!
We can do this.
Ohh! We can do this.
Can't we?
Of course we can.
I'm here.
We're alone.
But we can do it together.
Edwin!
Oh, my God!
Emma Harte.
Is there nothing in the whole world you can't do?
Mother loved to say I spent my christening
pulling faces at the vicar.
This is how Mam must have felt about me.
She'd be so sad there's no christening now.
Vicars don't look kindly on mothers like me.
Who needs a church?
Or a font?
Now, what are you naming her?
Because, mavourneen, lucky you, the decision's all yours...
on account of her father...
your local lad, being off on his boat.
Edwina is her name.
Well...
what an elegant name.
Edwina Shane Harte.
Named after her Uncle Mac.
Best man I know.
Edwina Shane...
Harte.
In the name of God,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.
May you be healthy, wealthy and wise.
No sense adding beautiful, cos look at her mother.
She didn't even cry.
Sure, what has she got to cry about?
What are you going to say
when the registrar asks for her father's name?
Unknown.
Ah, Emma, don't go making her unknown.
Don't give her that.
Put me.
Mac, it's such a responsibility.
Ah, now, do I have to be telling you again
about these shoulders?
Well, darling, how do you feel?
Safe.
Almost.
I'm beginning to feel me and Edwina might be safe.
Sure, if that little girl's not the luckiest in the world.
No-one in my family is going to suffer.
Not ever again.
Do you mind, darling?
Stay, Olivia. Please.
I will stay in this house while my son needs me.
Then, the moment Edwin's well, I need to be, too.
I need to leave.
My darling.
I've not been the mother you deserve.
And I'm so sorry.
But I promise I will put this right.
I promise you.
It's all right. I'm coming.
I just need...
Stop.
You're my baby girl.
Yes, you are.
And, Edwina, you are so loved.
So loved.
And I won't let anything happen to you.
I'll take care of you.
And you will have the best of everything.
I promise you.
You know, those Fairleys turned their back on us
because they think they're better than us.
That's what they think.
And if it takes my whole life,
all of my energy and everything I've got,
I'm going to prove to them that they're wrong.
I will keep you safe.
And if I have to make sacrifices,
give a few things up, then I will do.
If it means you're taken care of,
I'll sacrifice anything in the world. I will.
Dad?
Dad.
There's a bag by the door with all her necessaries.
She's had a good sleep
and two bottles already this morning.
So she's good at taking bottles.
And I've put a letter in there for cousin Freda, thanking her.
Um, and I've put in some lists,
songs that Edwina likes sung and so on,
because Freda might not know what kind of song she likes.
You're sure about this, mavourneen?
You're... certain?
Sacrifices must be made.
If that means we have to be apart
while I get this up and running...
And this is all for her.
One day, Edwina will thank me for this.
She will.
Cousin Freda's the motherly sort.
Will you tell her I'll visit next weekend?
And after that, every other Sunday.
And I'll send money, of course.
And will you tell...
- Emma... - tell her I have to do it.
Please.
Will you make sure she understands that?
- Tell her there's no choice. - Ah! Darn it!
As soon as I get back on my feet
and I can look after her properly,
I'll bring her back to me.
Now, just take her.
Please just take her.
Emma...
God knows you're doing all of this for this child.
I don't know about him, but I just hope Edwina knows.
Now, will you please just go?
Just go. Please.
All for me?
All of this has been for your family?
Well, I'm sorry to tell you, Mummy,
but it's felt an awful lot from where I've been sitting
as though you've done it all for you.
And where have you been sitting, Edwina?
On which cushioned seats,
on which velvet chaise longue and at which polished table
have you spent your entire life sitting?
Would we have starved to death, do you think,
if you'd worked less and been at home more,
or would we have eaten just less costly brie?
I am struggling not to feel ashamed!
If you have ever been in any doubt
that I love you, Edwina,
- with all my heart... - All of it?
Or is there just a little bit of that heart
that resents me?
Resents all of us for not being you?
Oh, we can't compete on the suffering front, of course.
Dry bread, holes in your shoes...
And if only your mother could have afforded a paracetamol or two,
she might have lived!
And there it is.
Now I feel ashamed.
I'm not your only rebel child,
but because I'm the first-born,
the first palmed off on a relative,
the first lied to about her father...
So what's next in your bold new world
of skulduggery and initiative, Edwina?
Well, I shall call my anarchic siblings.
To tell them you fumbled it.
No. To tell them that the plan may no longer be secret,
but that nothing has changed.
We continue.
And then who will you have?
I shall have Paula.
Paula?
- Is that Jim Fairley? - Yes, Mrs Harte.
He came in to collect the paperwork
for the reopening of his magazine.
*CREDITS*