In A Family at War Season 1, Episode 13 – The End of the Beginning, the Ashton family reflects on how much life has changed since the outbreak of war. As old certainties disappear and new struggles emerge, the family braces for an uncertain future. This emotional season finale sets the stage for even greater challenges ahead in WWII Britain. A moving and powerful conclusion to Season 1 of this acclaimed drama.
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00:00To be continued...
00:30Hello Edwin. Hello Ted. First class blackout tonight. Reckon last night's lot must have scared
00:49everybody into putting their socks up. You know they've got St. George's Hall. I had a look at
00:55Love Lane this morning. They had a parachute mine on that naval place. Any Christmas shopping yet? I leave
01:01all that sort of stuff to the wife, don't you? I suppose I do apart from the odds and ends.
01:06What's a yellow pin mean? Yellow pin? Non-persistent gas. I doubt it will ever have called to use those,
01:12thank God. Well I'm glad you think so. There's one here right in the middle of St. Dan's Road. You what?
01:17It's that Jesse Cyril Parker again. He doesn't know whether he's coming or going. We'd be better off
01:21rid. It's time you took the course and came on the road instead of playing at it. Well I've got
01:25this fire watching since at the works here. I can't be in two places at once. Best to carry on
01:30fitting it in. That lass of you are still feeling badly about young Peter Collins. Somebody told me
01:35they'd just gone engaged when he was killed. No. No they weren't engaged. As a matter of fact she'd just
01:42given me these cards. I think that's what made it hard for her. She'll get over it. Yes I suppose she
01:47would in time. Oh it's Jean I'm worried about mostly. Young Robert's just finished his training.
01:54Oh he'll be off to sea then. 16 years old. Wouldn't be a problem normally but well she'd have a bit of
02:00a weep I suppose but with a war on. Doesn't seem right to me Ted. He's just a lad. She's after you to
02:07talk him out of going is she? Yeah but what can I do? I mean it's what he's been working for.
02:12Well the lads had passed out with them are going. She looks at me as if it was my fault.
02:18Wearing her down. What can I do? Well if I'm safe in your own house these days you could point that
02:24out. Well she knows that but it doesn't seem to make any difference. Something about the sea I
02:28think. She never cared much for the sea. And nowadays with all you keep hearing.
02:33I bet that's a yellow warning. You see they give you these red lights to put onto your life jacket
02:40so that then you can be seen in the water at night. I wish I hadn't asked now. I don't think
02:45I really want to know. Do you know they're building U-boats all the time? Half our convoys go out
02:51without any escort worth talking about because the government didn't build enough destroyers
02:54before it all started. Hmm. Well I can't believe that's true. You've been listening to Hoor Hoor.
03:05Could she hear me? Oh well it's my fault. I shouldn't ask silly questions.
03:10I'll go and have a word with her. But be careful Robert. I mean I know it's all you want of life
03:15but it's hell for Mum. Yeah yeah I know. Mum? Hey erm. Hey I'm sorry Mum. Sorry about what love?
03:38Well for all that daft chatting there. I was just I was just showing off to the women. You know what sailors are.
03:44Oh Robert.
03:48Hey Mum. Hey come on sit down. Oh I'm sorry.
03:55Hey I'll tell you what. If I go to the states I'll get you a pair of silk stockings fully fashioned from Macy's.
04:00All the blokes do that.
04:02All you've got to bring me back is yourself love. Understand?
04:06Anyway you haven't gone yet.
04:08Well no but er I will be.
04:12Has er...
04:14Has your father talked to you about er...
04:17about putting it off for a while?
04:19No Mum.
04:21I see.
04:24No use me asking you I suppose.
04:28Well I couldn't.
04:29Could I?
04:31I mean I've passed out now.
04:33All the other blokes are going.
04:34I... I couldn't not go Mum.
04:37Dad signed the papers and everything now.
04:42He has?
04:46He didn't tell me that.
04:50Well er...
04:51I suppose he didn't get round to it that's all.
04:54I'm supposed to wait until he does.
04:58It's a man's world isn't it?
05:00Seems we just have to accept it don't we?
05:03Hey look Mum.
05:05I'll be alright honest. I will.
05:10That'll be Mrs Gordon.
05:16Happy Christmas everybody.
05:18Tony!
05:20Good heavens. Young Robert.
05:22Hello.
05:23Sefton didn't tell me you were coming on leave love.
05:25Ah well he doesn't know actually.
05:26I'm er...
05:27on my way from the station.
05:28Thought I'd pop in and see how the troops in the front line were.
05:30We're alright we're coping.
05:31Yeah well the taxi driver told me he had a bad one last night.
05:34Oh and er...
05:35the night before that.
05:36But we had er...
05:37three weeks without a raid before that.
05:38Come on come in and see the others love.
05:41There goes wailing Willie.
05:43Is that the phone?
05:53No you could hear it out here.
05:56Lovely night.
05:58Yes beautiful.
05:59My dad was a miner.
06:01When I was a lad I used to lie in bed and listen to the night shifts going on.
06:06The clogs...
06:08always seemed to have a ring to them on a night like this.
06:12Do you think about the past much Ted?
06:15No I wouldn't say I did.
06:16Not really.
06:18Funny how things turn out.
06:20You turn a corner.
06:21You don't mean to go on but you do.
06:23You never go back again.
06:27No.
06:28No I can say that.
06:30Here they come.
06:38Well I managed to settle them down in the shelter.
06:40Oh Robert will be bursting at the seams.
06:43He keeps wanting to go outside and have a look.
06:45Mom nearly has a fit.
06:47What is she going to do when he's out in the Atlantic?
06:51Have you been out in the ocean?
06:53Here a couple of trips.
06:55All that cold water doesn't it scare you?
06:57Scare me?
06:58That's what keeps the boat afloat.
07:05I was er...
07:06I'm sorry to hear about Peter.
07:09Oh that.
07:10Totally.
07:12Yeah.
07:14And what about the Aussie boyfriend?
07:16Oh that.
07:18Just get a little stalk eh?
07:20Oh he'll be here tomorrow for Christmas.
07:23He phoned up when I was out and Dad invited him.
07:26He might have asked me first.
07:29Well I thought it was the big romance.
07:31Romance?
07:32Who wants romance?
07:33That's us.
07:36The house has been hit.
07:38Yes.
07:39All right.
07:40Yes.
07:41Right away.
07:42I've got it.
07:43Er...
07:44Is that Tom Dawson?
07:45Tom.
07:47I've got a dozen eggs here your missus asked me for.
07:49Can you pick them up tonight?
07:51Good lad.
07:52Get one of the messenger lads to take this down at the first day towards the line.
07:55Never stops being engaged.
07:56Right away sir.
07:57And if you can't find one take it yourself.
07:59Yeah okay.
08:01Fiddler?
08:04Yes he's just come in.
08:05Hang on.
08:06Your lass wants a word with you Edwin.
08:08Ask her not to tie the fall upon private business as a raid on.
08:12Hello?
08:13Who's that?
08:14Hello it's me Frida.
08:15We've been hit.
08:16The upstairs is on fire.
08:17Tony and Roberts are up there.
08:18There's another in the garden.
08:19Well look.
08:20I'll be right there love.
08:21And get back to the shelter.
08:22Do you understand?
08:23One of those incendiaries hit my place.
08:25I've just sent the fibers all out to Queen Drive.
08:27I'll try and get the brigade.
08:28Doesn't feel like Christmas does it?
08:34Robert!
08:37I've got the spade mum.
08:39Mine's out the way.
08:42Hey.
08:43Hey mind my vault.
08:44Oh never mind your old vault.
08:46Look you go and look after the baby for me.
08:48Leave this to me will you?
08:49No no don't.
08:50Look go and get the dustbin lid.
08:51The dustbin lid?
08:52What do you want that for?
08:53Well the earth is hard as a rock.
08:54I can't budge it.
08:55Yes but you'll get hurt then.
08:56Oh now don't be silly.
08:57It's only like fireworks isn't it?
08:58Tony, Robert are you two alright in there?
08:59That's it.
09:00And another.
09:01Okay.
09:02Is it out then?
09:03Yeah it's out.
09:04Well that seems to be alright.
09:05Well that seems to be alright.
09:06Shit.
09:07That's a mess though isn't it?
09:08Get a grab of that.
09:09It's in mum's chin chest.
09:10We're gonna get a grab of that.
09:12It's in mum's chin chest.
09:13We're gonna get a grab of that.
09:16Yeah.
09:17It's in mum's chin chest.
09:19Well that seems to be alright.
09:21is it out then yeah it's out well that seems to be all right
09:29it's in mum's tin chest it would have come straight through otherwise
09:40I think I was a very creditable effort medals all round
09:44I think that dustbin lid was a brainwave though I says it shouldn't I think it's
09:53a marvellous idea love I just hope we can get a new dustbin lid that's all ours
09:57went out like I like once we got the sun on it though didn't it anyone would think you'd
10:02won the war at least we saved old Sefton's house for him sorry Tony I'd forgotten you
10:09were there sorry I didn't capture what you said well let's all have a cup of tea shall
10:14we
10:16Jean Margaret where is it are you all all right yeah I think so we're all right
10:27everybody aren't we well where's the fire good heavens we put that out ages ago
10:32there full jolly sailor boys come up from the sea there's Bill Blake will weatherly Jim
10:39Johnson and me enjoying our liberty good I'd like to have a word with them before I go
10:45off
10:47Robert says you signed the papers yes yes I signed them you promised me you'd talk to
10:57him try and put him off for a while yes I know you were just humoring me I thought
11:06about it and I decided there wasn't any point you might at least have told me you'd signed
11:13them Jean look love your sandwiches are on the table you're up there love um yes
11:26yes yes I'm here oh bit of a mess isn't it yes still could have been worse I suppose look I'd better be getting ready yeah you're going to the porters aren't you yes yes I am you seem to have been going around there quite a lot lately you and Celia Porter getting on a bit better are you I don't know about that she spends most of the time in bed actually
11:33oh I see so it's Harry you talk to mainly is it yes but we're going to miss that bus you know
11:40oh I see so it's Harry you talk to mainly is it yes but we're going to miss that bus you know
11:45um I'll see you downstairs love
11:50pass this to Tony dear will you
11:52pass this to Tony dear will you
11:54oh thanks very much Angie
11:56yeah
11:57can I do some shopping for you
11:58you love you you don't have much time
12:13Can I do some shopping for you love? You don't have much time.
12:18Me? No thanks.
12:23That attic's an awful mess. Don't you think you ought to go and get cracking on it?
12:27Give me a chance. There's all sorts of stuff flying about.
12:32There's no point in doing too much love.
12:34The workmen are sure to make a mess when they start patching up the roof.
12:37Yes but I think you ought to go and have a look at it.
12:40I'm certainly being given my orders today.
13:10It says here that the Jerry's attacked a port on the north west coast last night.
13:19I wonder where that could have been. Wigan.
13:25What's it like in the Wrens?
13:27Ah well I did volunteer for the Wrens. It wouldn't help me.
13:31Don't know why. Defective eyesight I think.
13:37You're not thinking of joining the Wrens are you?
13:40Oh you know.
13:41What's the matter Fred?
13:43Well everybody else is going.
13:45House seems empty with fill away and David never comes.
13:48And Robert's going off to sea and Margaret's going back to teach next term.
13:53She'll be stuck in the front room marking books.
13:55How's she coping these days?
13:57Oh you know Margaret. She was born to cope.
13:59Any news?
14:01Sort of news.
14:03Well.
14:05You know people do turn up.
14:09Not no war.
14:11It's changing everything.
14:13Yeah it's not just a war though is it?
14:15I mean things would have changed anyway.
14:17When people grow up go away.
14:19People die.
14:25Are you coming back here after?
14:27To Liverpool I mean?
14:29Oh it's hard to say really.
14:31I don't know. Depends.
14:33I'm not sure if I'm capable of earning a living outside the family business.
14:37It's a cold hard world out there Fred.
14:41More tea love.
14:43Thanks.
14:44Sure you've had enough Tony?
14:46Oh yes thanks auntie.
14:48Hey.
14:49You'll be late you know.
14:50You better put a zip in it.
14:52This isn't going to win the war.
14:53I'm all right.
14:54Dad hasn't gone yet.
14:55Yes well he's late too.
14:59Edwin?
15:01It's ten past eight.
15:05Edwin.
15:06Yes.
15:07Yes all right I'm coming.
15:09Right well I'm off to the porters now.
15:11You know what to do if John George starts crying don't you?
15:14I should do by now love.
15:17Freda's going to miss her bus if she doesn't hurry.
15:19Mum?
15:21Never mind.
15:22I'll see you at dinner time.
15:24Yes.
15:25Yes of course dear.
15:27Freda!
15:28All right I'm going aren't I?
15:36Don't mind if your daughter walks to the bus with you do you dad?
15:46Dad?
15:47What love?
15:48I said do you mind if I come to the bus with you?
15:50No of course not.
15:51Well Hunter better say goodbye.
15:52We'll miss the bus come on.
15:53Your sandwiches are on the table.
15:56I've been taking sandwiches for the last 30 years.
15:59If I can't afford to have a proper meal now and then it's about time I could.
16:06Bye-bye sailor.
16:07Here I am.
16:08Oh by the way I think we'll be seeing you on Christmas day.
16:09We're dining here I believe.
16:10Yes.
16:11Well I'd better be off.
16:12Break the bag.
16:13Oh.
16:14You're out.
16:15You're out.
16:16I think I can think we'll be seeing you on Christmas day.
16:19We're dining here I believe.
16:20Yes.
16:21well I'd better be off break the bad news to father sorry love bad news well I've
16:47got Christmas leave oh Tony love he'd be pleased to see you he he misses you
16:56that ridiculous big house yes my ridiculous big house
17:17my god
17:25father
17:33what are you doing here
17:38what's the Christmas leave steaks
17:40what
17:41what you've been doing having the poison you want to catch it from Mrs. Foster when she sees this lot
17:46Mrs. Foster's left we had a disagreement I see I've had the flu as a matter of fact
17:53what didn't you ring Aunt Jean I've managed well enough
17:57still I I'm glad to see you
18:01yes I bet you are must be a week's washing up here
18:05anyway I'm over it now just a bit a bit run down that's all
18:10well did anybody know you real
18:11I'll let them know at the shop of course Dr. Bean he wasn't asked
18:15well he'll have to get her back you know
18:17after the way she spoke to me
18:19well don't be dumb father I mean what are you going to do what do you propose to do
18:23are you going to go on living like this
18:24I propose to get somebody else that's what I propose to do
18:28you'd be lucky
18:30I suppose you've got a better suggestion
18:31look father she'll come back asked in the right way
18:35I expect you wish you've gone and spent your Christmas somewhere else don't you
18:41but why don't you go and have a shave eh
18:45make you feel better
18:46I'll get started on this lot
18:48I think I'll go and investigate the kitchen
18:52now don't get under my feet love
19:06I've got a lot to do before bedtime
19:08I'm only trying to help mum
19:09oh hello Owen
19:14you won't mind sharing a room with Robert
19:17no no not at all
19:19is there anything I can do to help
19:22no I don't think so
19:23oh yes yes I was going to ask Robert to get me some butter before the shops close
19:28if you'd like to go with him you you might meet Frieda off the bus
19:32yeah I don't
19:34okay I'll just go and get my coat off
19:35Mrs Ashton
19:39I uh
19:41it's very good of you to have me
19:44we were very glad you could come
19:46I know I haven't known Frieda all that long
19:51but uh I'm very uh
19:53well it's not just uh
19:56you uh you heard about Peter
19:59no no I didn't
20:01it was the uh night you went back
20:05there was an air raid
20:08he was killed
20:10so if she's a bit
20:18well not quite like her usual
20:22you will understand won't you
20:25yes
20:28yes of course
20:31you found that copy Alan
20:41yes I'll put it here
20:43well that's the way they want it as it is there
20:45see you later Mr Tony
20:47yes
20:47yes I'll uh I'll take a walk around
20:50sure the family face
20:54well I've been home
20:59he's been down with flu
21:00and accounts for it
21:02been living downstairs in the drawing room
21:04you've never seen such a tip
21:05Mrs Foster ill
21:06she's left him
21:08again
21:08mhm
21:09suppose I shall have to go and abase myself before
21:12shouldn't he do that himself
21:14yeah but he won't though will he
21:15think I should let him stew in his own juice
21:18I won't though will I
21:20don't ask me why
21:22the ties of flesh and blood
21:24maybe
21:26you know I was trying to imagine what it must have been like for him stuck there on his own this last week
21:31I mean he hardly ever reads a book
21:33and the whole musical repertoire
21:35there are about three pieces he can bear to listen to
21:37not the least bit interested in any sort of sport
21:39when he opens his mouth it sounds like a record of the closing share prices
21:43I mean what sort of life is that
21:44seems to be what he wants son
21:46I reckon if mum hadn't died when she did
21:48she'd have died of boredom
21:49why'd you say that
21:52well
21:56she loved books
21:59music
22:00and conversation
22:02conversation
22:04you never saw them in that room together in evenings did you
22:06he managed to force out three sentences
22:09before he went to bed
22:10it was an occasion
22:11should say something to me
22:14he'd just grunt
22:16like a pig
22:18I'm sorry I shouldn't talk about him like this
22:23not even to you
22:25I always thought she was very fond of him
22:27yes she was
22:29that always made it seem worse to me
22:34your mother always seemed content enough to me
22:36but then
22:36it's not easy to look into other people's hearts is it son
22:40you can go through a whole life
22:42thinking you know somebody as well as you know yourself
22:45you can't ever be sure can you
22:48does he come round here often?
22:52I told you the other day
22:53good god
22:55seemed only to interest himself in the shop when I was here
22:58what's brought that on?
22:59I just thought it was pretty obvious
23:00he doesn't trust me does he?
23:02otherwise why does he keep coming round?
23:05he just likes to feel he's in charge
23:07I mean
23:07that's him
23:08he didn't do it when you were here
23:10you just said so
23:11he didn't have to did he?
23:13I mean I went home every night
23:14there I was
23:14a sitting duck every night
23:15why do you think I didn't wait to get called up?
23:17well I'm not waiting either
23:18I've been here 30 years Tony
23:20I thought it was for life
23:21well something's turned up
23:23and I'm grabbing it
23:24it's taken a war
23:26to make me free of your father
23:28I see
23:30do you want to talk about it?
23:33I think it might be better if you didn't know
23:35don't you?
23:37now look I
23:38I know I'm always saying that
23:40I don't know how you stick it
23:41well I shall be sorry to see you go
23:46do you want to come home
23:50and tackle him about it this evening?
23:52why don't you?
24:09hopeless
24:09no you're not
24:11you used to be better than any of us
24:13but you hardly ever play these days
24:15why don't you?
24:19I've lost touch it seems
24:21and if you can't do it well
24:24don't do it at all
24:25as your grandmother used to say
24:26you should have kept it up
24:27with five children to look after
24:29well we'll soon all be off your hands
24:31won't we?
24:34oh now mum cheer up
24:37is it Robert you're worrying about?
24:40Robert
24:42and David
24:45and Philip
24:47and you love me
24:51oh I'm all right
24:52you're more than all right
24:55I don't know what I'd do without you
24:56it'll be all right in the end
25:00you say
25:00it's just that
25:05now and then lately
25:08I've caught a glimpse of someone that was me
25:12a long time ago
25:15you see
25:19I've always wanted to do something more than
25:22just bring up a family
25:25and much as I love you all
25:31I do just sometimes wonder if things have been different
25:36you see the choice I made
25:41I mean
25:43the kind of life I chose
25:46it's
25:46it's coming to an end now isn't it?
25:53everybody going away
25:55I don't know
25:58what's this?
26:04it's yours isn't it?
26:08where did you find it?
26:09in the box room when I went up this morning
26:11that's why I suggested you ought to go and tidy up in there
26:13there were some letters in it
26:15and well I happened to glance at one without knowing you see
26:19it's empty
26:21yes
26:22well I know it's an awful thing to say
26:25but I rather think dad's pinched them
26:27I mean they were from an old flame weren't they?
26:29he's probably a bit jealous that you kept them
26:30was there a large brown envelope in it?
26:34I don't know
26:34yes I think there was
26:36was something in it?
26:37I don't know
26:38I mean I just glanced at one of the letters
26:40hello?
26:50oh
26:51Mrs. Foster yes
26:52Flew?
26:54oh I'm sorry
26:55yes
26:57yes of course
26:59I'll go round and see if there's anything I can do to help
27:01I brought you a visitor father
27:07oh
27:10Edwin
27:11I didn't know you weren't well Sefton
27:13why didn't you ring one of us?
27:14I only had a bit of flu you know
27:16Jean would have come over
27:17gladly I'm sure
27:18I think Jean should speak for herself don't you?
27:22I'd have thought she'd have had enough on with you
27:24lot on her hands
27:25we're her family Sefton
27:27I'm her family too if it comes to that
27:30would you like a drink uncle Edwin?
27:32dad's still suffering from the after effects
27:34I beg your pardon?
27:36who's the scotch fella?
27:37there isn't any
27:38oh
27:39well there's a bottle in my bag
27:41your Christmas present
27:42you won't mind drinking it now will you?
27:46well come in lad
27:47I haven't got eyes in the back of my head
27:49sit down
27:50anything alright down there?
27:54if it hadn't been and I got in touch
27:56I've been meaning to ring anyway
27:58I've had an incendiary through the roof last night
27:59what?
28:00at home I mean
28:01good heavens
28:02what have you done about it?
28:04I got a local firm to put a tarpaulin over it
28:06is it serious the damage?
28:07it would have been if
28:08Robert and Tony hadn't got it out
28:10he said nothing to me about it
28:11why didn't you do something about getting it fixed properly?
28:15because in the first place
28:15I'm not in a position to pull strings
28:17in the second place
28:18well
28:18damn it it's your house Sefton
28:20you don't have to shout Edwin
28:22I'm not deaf
28:23if I had done something about it
28:24you'd have told me I was exceeding my authority
28:26I wouldn't you?
28:28well wouldn't you?
28:29what's the trouble Edwin?
28:31air raids getting you down early?
28:32good god no
28:33I can stand any amount of air raids
28:34it's the other things I can't stand Sefton
28:37you've got another visitor father
28:41comparable
28:44they'll be a different name
28:45Frida?
28:51oh
28:51hello
28:53Margaret said you got here
28:55I've just been down to the shop with young Bob
28:58we must have passed each other in the blackout
29:00well how are you?
29:03fine
29:03and you?
29:06well I'm alright you know
29:07it seems ages since I left you on the station in the middle of that raid
29:13yes
29:14yes it does doesn't it
29:16I hope you're not going to be bored stiff
29:20it's going to be a deadly quiet Christmas with David and Phil away
29:23well I came to see you didn't I?
29:28Frida
29:29oh and I'm sorry
29:30what's the matter?
29:36I don't know
29:37I just don't feel the same as I did when I last saw you that's all right
29:42I don't know why I just don't
29:45because there's a war on and people get killed
29:50your mother told me about Peter Collins
29:55yes I
29:57I suppose that's part of it
29:59but what it boils down to is
30:02well you've
30:03just gone off me right?
30:05I don't know Owen honestly
30:07I just don't know
30:09well I think I'd better pack up and go
30:13but what would you?
30:14you think up some excuse for your folks
30:16I'll nip upstairs and get my gear together
30:18oh and you
30:24don't go now
30:26not now it's Christmas
30:33could I have my letters please?
30:40I didn't read them
30:42I didn't think you would
30:45is father's will here?
30:47yes
30:49did you read that?
30:50yes I read it
30:51is there any reason why I shouldn't have?
30:53no
30:55it affects you too I suppose
30:5725% of the estate
30:59do you know how much that's worth on my reckoning?
31:01it's worth nothing while mother's alive
31:03I understood it was a pittance
31:05don't you ever distort the truth
31:09when I asked you to speak to Robert you'd already signed those papers hadn't you?
31:13well hadn't you?
31:15what you were asking me to do was unreasonable
31:17was it so unreasonable?
31:21he's 16
31:23he's a boy Edwin
31:25they're all boys
31:27do you think you're the only mother who wants to hide her son?
31:29you
31:31you can say that
31:33to me
31:35I've had
31:37three sons Edwin
31:39here we are then
31:43aren't seem to be my birthday
31:47that's the stuff
31:49you know I'm beginning to feel better already
31:51remind me to bring a couple of bottles round on Christmas day
31:55what we all need is a good old fashioned family Christmas
31:59eh?
32:01you
32:27you had a fair whack at the old scotch last night, didn't you?
32:29last night, didn't you? You didn't do too badly yourself, considering it was my
32:33Christmas present. I was joking about that. Yeah, happy Christmas, Father. Oh. And if
32:38you don't like it, you can lump it. I spent half a day combing the middle of it.
32:41You'll find yours over on the bookcase there. Give us a clue. What do you mean,
32:47clue? Well, I mean, is it lurking behind Mrs. Beaton or the life and times of
32:51Lloyd George? It's in that envelope there. You know, you should try reading some of
32:58these sometimes. Well, aren't you going to open it? It's a check, isn't it? Well, you could
33:03hardly mistake it for a pair of slippers, could you? Eh? No, I can't. Oh, thank you
33:10very much, Father. Just what I've always wanted. Where did you get this from? It's
33:15me and your mother at Scarborough, isn't it? Yes, well, I borrowed the negative from
33:20Aunt Jean and got it enlarged. The frame was the difficult bit. What? Well, it's the
33:26same as she used to have on our dressing table. Got lost, didn't it? No, no, I gave
33:29that to Mrs. Foster. Oh. Yes, it's a good sharp picture, is that? Near that Roman fort up at
33:38the castle it was. You get a grand view from up there, you know. Yes, yes, Aunt Jean was telling me.
33:43Yes. By the way, did you get the impression that there was something going on last night?
33:48I had the feeling that she and Edwin have been falling out. He's happy enough at the works
33:53these days, isn't he? Well, you should know. You seem more than an idea. You go around there,
33:57don't you? Every other day, just about. I go for the chat as much as anything else. What chat?
34:02Well, there's nothing much else to go for. You know, you were right about Edwin. He does a good job.
34:08He runs the place very nicely. Have you ever tried telling him that? No, I haven't. Too many pats on
34:15the back and you know what you end up with? Complacency. I've seen it happen too often. Oh, not with you,
34:21father, surely. You can laugh. When you've had as much experience as I have, you'll know what it's all
34:25about. By the way, has he said anything to you about that pension I've arranged for him? No.
34:33Pringles are losing Jack Thorpe at the end of the month. I wouldn't put it past him to come porching.
34:38Here, help me on with this, will you? I'm not saying Edwin's likely to be tempted, mind.
34:43I think we can count on his loyalty after 30 years. Loyalty? Aren't you forgetting the family motto?
34:51What's that? Well, you've said it often enough. It's a little thought that goes something like
34:55there's no sentiment in business. Right?
35:02Oh, where's mum? Um, she's upstairs and she's got a headache. I sent her to rest at five, six, seven...
35:11Would you want a hand? I thought you'd never ask. I've been trying to cope by myself for the past half hour.
35:16You don't need to ask. I didn't know, did I? Honestly, what is it about Christmas Day that
35:20brings out the worst in everybody? Dad's just gone out with a face like thunder. Oh, where?
35:26A walk, he said. They're rowing, aren't they? I suppose it's about Robert. Look, Tony and
35:31Old Sefton will be here any moment. If you've come in here just to talk... Look, go away.
35:35Just go away and leave me alone. Margaret, I'm sorry. Don't keep saying you're sorry.
35:38Oh, now, why should you be sorry? It's... It's me that's... Oh, I don't know. We're all
35:49going mad in this house, what with one thing and another. I'm sorry. Look, if you say that again,
35:54I'll... I'll crown you. I will. That's another thing. I hate people bending over backwards
36:03not to upset me. I mean, why should I get special treatment? Because of John. Look, I know what
36:11you're all thinking, you know. What shall I do first? Spouts? Um, um, no, they're done. Um, you could peel
36:19the apples for a start and somebody ought to lay the table. Look, Paul Owen's in there all by himself
36:25with no one to talk to. Anyway, it's up to you. Look, I'm just going upstairs for a minute.
36:33Where are you going to, then? Out for a walk. I've got some thinking to do. Oh, yes.
36:39Anything in particular? It's me that's causing all this. Oh, what? You know. Oh, now, look,
36:44for heaven's sake, don't you start. It's got nothing to do with you. What is it, then? It's, um,
36:53oh, I don't know. It's something to do with work, I think. Anyway, it's something private between them,
36:58so you can take that off and go in there and say something nice to Owen. Goodness knows what the
37:02Paul Adams be thinking of us all. Hey, come on, do something useful, eh? No, I'd sooner go for a walk.
37:08I won't be long, Meg, honest. All right, then. But promise me something. Hmm? Try and come back
37:14looking a bit more cheerful, will you? You promise? All right, I promise. All right, then off you go.
37:19Hey, you've done the apples. I'm just going to lay the table there. You feel better? Yes,
37:33yes, yes. Just don't fuss me. Can I be of any use? Of course you can, if you want to. All right. So.
38:03All right, how many places? Um, Mum, Dad, Margaret, Robert, you, me, Uncle Sefton. I bet you've got
38:17nothing like him in Australia. And Tony, that's a lot worse luck. Right.
38:22Have you heard anything of young Phil? Once. We think he should be somewhere at sea about now.
38:33Poor old Phil. We used to go on the boatswain and went on holiday. Everybody but me and Phil.
38:39We only went once and we were sick as dogs.
38:44I wonder when we'll see him again. When it's all over, I suppose.
38:48Oh, maybe before then.
38:51Well, it could be years, couldn't it?
38:53Oh, I don't know. If the Americans come into it...
38:56He'll be a man when he comes back. A real man.
39:00I sometimes wish I'd been born a man, don't you?
39:03Oh, I'm sorry. I'm always coming out with things like that.
39:08Old scatterbrained Dad used to call me.
39:12Oh, sometimes I feel like I never want to go away from this place and
39:16and then I get bored.
39:20And then I feel I just want to get away to some new place and
39:25and live.
39:28And live, you know.
39:31I think we're a spoon short.
39:34I'm sorry, Owen.
39:37Maybe it'll be all right.
39:40Maybe.
39:46Where's your mother?
39:49She's upstairs resting.
39:51She's got a headache.
39:58Tony and Sefton arrived?
39:59No.
40:00I thought I caught a glimpse of Robert as I came up the road.
40:02Yes, he's gone for a walk.
40:04To think.
40:05I signed the papers, you know.
40:07Yes, I did know.
40:08I suppose you think I would have talked him out of it.
40:11I suppose you agree with your mother.
40:12Oh, no, I don't know, Dad.
40:14I mean, none of these things are easy, are they?
40:17That's the trouble, isn't it?
40:18We always like to have things simple and clear-cut.
40:21A straight yes or a straight no.
40:25Oh, that'll be Uncle Sefton now.
40:26Look, you go on upstairs.
40:27I'll let them in.
40:33Margaret Lover.
40:35Sorry I'm late.
40:35You can blame this lordship here.
40:37Yes, well, I'm afraid we're going to be a bit late too.
40:39What?
40:39Happy Christmas to see you.
40:40Well, mother's got a headache.
40:41Oh, yes.
40:41Happy Christmas.
40:42It's upset the timetable a bit.
40:44Oh, dear, dear.
40:45Anyway, go on in and make yourselves at home.
40:47Yes, we're good, shall we?
40:52Can I get you something?
40:53I was looking for that new cardigan you bought me.
40:56I put it in the wardrobe, I think.
41:03You didn't get much sleep last night, did you?
41:05I usually do wake up when you go downstairs.
41:10I'm sorry.
41:10It seems to be a habit I've got into.
41:12I was thinking when we get the box room roof fixed up, I could move in there.
41:17It doesn't seem fair to disturb your sleep.
41:22There'll be three empty beds in the boys room when Robert's gone.
41:28Yes.
41:30Yes.
41:30Well, we'll see, shall we?
41:32I'll just tell Margaret that you're on your way down then.
41:36Yes.
41:39Yes, I'll be down shortly.
41:41Yes, I've got it here somewhere.
41:45Ah, yes, here it is.
41:47The Federal Parliament House at Canberra.
41:50Canberra.
41:52I beg your pardon.
41:53It's Canberra.
41:55Yes.
41:58Oh, yeah.
41:59We don't want this thing on, do we?
42:02You want to have a good look at that, Frieda?
42:04It's the last one our Jo sent before she joined this army nursing thing.
42:07Her writing doesn't get any better.
42:09Thanks very much.
42:11Yes.
42:14Well, so you've got a boyfriend at last, have you?
42:20Do you know what she said to me at her sister's wedding when I asked her when it'd be her turn?
42:24First that asks, she said.
42:28Have a nut.
42:30No, I don't take them, thank you very much.
42:33Do you mind?
42:39Oh, Edwin.
42:46I see you've managed to get a Christmas tree.
42:48It's the one we had last year, Sefton.
42:51I've had it in the garden.
42:52The future will be hard, but our feet are planted on the path of victory.
43:06And with the help of God, we shall make our way to justice and to peace.
43:19Yes, well, he's right about the dangers and the difficulties.
43:30We're doing very well in Egypt by all accounts, but what does that mean?
43:32Look what happened at Dunkirk.
43:34We didn't do too badly in the Battle of Britain, Father.
43:37Yes, but it's not over yet, is it?
43:38All these air raids, they'll not get me down, but not everybody has the nerve, have they?
43:43And are the supplies getting through?
43:45It's out in the Atlantic we shall either win or lose this war, same as in the last lot.
43:49And the ship's going down every day.
43:51Thousands of tons of shipping being lost.
43:54Thousands of lives.
43:55I'll go.
44:01Are we all finished then?
44:16I'm sorry about that. I should have stopped him.
44:20Have you ever tried to stop him?
44:21No.
44:23Why not?
44:24Once or twice I've come pretty near to walking out on him.
44:28But I've never quite made it for one reason or another.
44:32Because of me and the children?
44:34There was me too, of course.
44:40Maybe you'd have been happier married to someone else.
44:45Someone in my own class.
44:48I didn't mean that.
44:50Not in that unpleasant way.
44:51You'd have been more...
44:56comfortable.
44:58We've lived together for over 30 years.
45:00We're a bit old to start wondering whether we did the right thing.
45:04You do though, don't you?
45:05When I went over to see Dad in the autumn I told him about Tony going and me taking over.
45:14When I was leaving he looked at me and he said,
45:17so you're a manager now then.
45:18That's all.
45:20Nothing else.
45:21But I felt as if I'd been desenerated.
45:27All those years ago when you took father's offer.
45:30I never expected you to, you know.
45:34You wanted it though, didn't you?
45:37I wanted to stay near mother.
45:40It seemed the best thing at the time.
45:42I thought I'd be able to keep you in a manner to which you were accustomed, as they say.
45:48But when I began to see it wouldn't work.
45:51David had come along, then Margaret, Philip.
45:55Jobs were at a premium, had the house rent free.
45:57It's not that you don't know that there's a hedge growing up around you,
46:02but one day you look and it's six foot high.
46:08I'd have understood if you'd talked to me.
46:12You should have talked to me more.
46:15Did you ever try talking to me about your father's will, for instance?
46:22I started to tell you.
46:24You said what we had was what you earned.
46:31I didn't want to cut into your pride anymore.
46:34Pride? Illusions. Isn't that what you mean?
46:39Ten years ago, you were different.
46:42Yes, I was different.
46:46But I might have had the sense to see it for what it was.
46:49Security for you and the children, and I might.
46:51Just have had one last go at finding that other job.
46:57Would it have been all that different?
47:00Does it really mean so much to you?
47:02I don't know. I don't know what I am anymore.
47:05Now and then at the works, I'll hear myself say something.
47:08It's not me.
47:09It's your father talking, even Sutton sometimes.
47:14Things rub off on you and you don't really notice at the time.
47:17There's a bit of me in Philip, I think.
47:23Not much in David.
47:25And I can see a lad that I was in Robert now and then.
47:34That's about all there is to show for those 30 years.
47:38I'm sorry you feel like that.
47:57Robert's as all right as we could make him, you know.
47:59It's mainly up to him now. The rest is chance.
48:03We all have to live with that.
48:06Don't we?
48:08When there's a war, it's just that much harder.
48:13Yes, it's harder.
48:17Why don't you have a rest?
48:18Yes, I think I will.
48:23The others won't mind if I don't come down for a bit, will they?
48:27No.
48:29No, of course not.
48:33They don't really need us anymore, do they?
48:48Is Saffron gone yet?
48:58Yes.
49:00Tony took him off.
49:02You know, I don't think he realizes even now how stupid he was.
49:06What was it somebody said about him?
49:09He lives his life like he drives his car without a thought of anybody else on the road.
49:14Yes.
49:15Well, something like that.
49:18I thought you were going for a walk with the others.
49:21No, I'm too tired.
49:25I'm hoping John George will allow me to have a siesta.
49:33Mum all right?
49:34She's having a rest for a bit.
49:37I'm not surprised.
49:44I wish we could have got your grandfather over for Christmas.
49:48Well, why doesn't he come?
49:50It's not all that far, is it?
49:51He always says he can't stand the train journey.
49:55Well, he'd be a lot more welcome than old Sefton, anyway.
49:59There speaks your father's daughter.
50:04Dad, I can't stand another year of it.
50:09Of what love?
50:10Well, helping Harry and Mrs. Porter to pack the other day, it's like watching part of your life come to an end.
50:22Why can't they tell me?
50:24Why can't they tell me?
50:27Why doesn't somebody say?
50:29Margaret.
50:29I want somebody to tell me because I've no hope anymore.
50:34I've no hope at all.
50:38I want somebody to tell me that John is dead, Dad.
50:45Please, Dad.
50:55I want somebody to tell me that John is dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead.
51:11He's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he's dead, and he
51:41that hasn't found some change and the bishop said the ways of God are strange
52:11you