In We Could Be a Lot Worse Off, Season 2, Episode 9 of A Family at War, the Ashton family faces mounting pressures but strives to find perspective and resilience amid the chaos of World War II. As rations tighten, emotions strain, and news from the front remains uncertain, they cling to what they still have—and to each other. A reflective and grounded episode about enduring hardship with dignity and hope.
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TVTranscript
00:00you're looking well anyway not only looking well I'm feeling well you said
00:13that when you first came in you want to go don't you yes miss oh I don't mean
00:28that you fool I mean you just don't like hospitals do you hey the Winko's put me up for a commission
00:43by the way yep so they're sending me to group for a session with the AOC day after tomorrow
00:50who's he when he's at home air officer commanding well aren't you gonna congratulate me don't you
00:57think a better wait till you've got it oh it's a piece of cake Maggie the interview I tell you it's
01:03in the back well it will be in a couple of weeks build yourself up too much oh you sound just like
01:09Sheila I tell you it's a certainty what does Sheila think about it oh I haven't told her yet
01:18she'll say the same as you I suppose don't build yourself up too much day she'll be very proud of
01:27you I'm sure will she oh my god I can't seem to do anything right for Sheila these days oh now David
01:36look uh that chap of yours will be getting impatient to come in I'd better go it's time I was going
01:43anyway the war won't last forever you know it'll be over one day and you'll have the kids back again
01:49and everything will be just the same as it was but I don't want that Mac I don't want everything to be just as it was do you
01:56the sister asked me to make sure you drank this yeah well I'm just going forward enough take care hey
02:16and don't you worry so much about things there it'll all be all right again you see well uh tell me
02:26maybe see you in Liverpool sometime maybe
02:30I wonder
02:48you wonder what whether we'll ever be a family again here I had a letter from Philip mum must have given
02:59him my address he says sometimes I just now and then he gets terribly homesick he just closes his
03:06eyes and tries to pretend he's back at home bet lots of the chaps feel like that not our David
03:12not even Robert I think I know I haven't met him but from what you've said I should think Philip
03:17probably has more imagination than David or Robert oh well Robert's just a boy
03:22yeah I was dreaming about him the other night he was holding a little wooden train that he'd bought
03:29for John George and kept telling me he wanted me to be his next of kin I wish you could meet him
03:33oh I don't know why and he'd hate me saying this but I can never seem to think of him as grown up
03:40oh
03:45oh
03:47oh
03:49oh
03:51oh
03:53oh
03:55oh
03:59oh
04:01oh
04:14Sparky
04:16back already
04:17yeah I got a lift in a taxi with a Demsburg
04:19yeah I've got your chanson
04:21oh great
04:22got my cold cream unpacked here mate
04:24oh
04:25um
04:26uh
04:27three for you
04:28sir
04:29sir
04:30sir
04:31and three for the third
04:33only I doubt if you'll want it
04:35if you'll want it
04:36you know that silk stuff you got from Macy's
04:38I went round to take him this just before you came
04:41he was sat in his cabin tearing it up
04:43it was what
04:44tearing it up in pieces
04:46I just shut the door again
04:47the dude will give him his cards
04:49she has done
04:50that's why
04:51there was mail waiting when he got back
04:54she must have written to him
04:55Thomas told me another bloke
04:57Thomas said he swore for five minutes
04:59he spent three days shopping for that stuff you know
05:01yes
05:02she had his ring you know
05:04they were engaged
05:10take him or leave him that's my motto
05:12it's not all like that
05:14yours is all right I can tell from a picture
05:16you can
05:17you can with some you know
05:18you can tell
05:19Clarky
05:21oh hello
05:22you're looking for me
05:23I've got you a cold cream here
05:24three tons of it
05:25oh
05:26oh
05:27oh yes right
05:28well
05:29I'll take it then
05:30thank you
05:33what are you looking so solemn about
05:35eh
05:36still thinking about that blonde we met in the lift of the great northern
05:38eh Sparky she fancied him
05:39fancied you
05:40where are we going Russell
05:42well home as far as I know
05:43one of the Dems blokes says we're not
05:45oh does he
05:46er friend of the first sea lord is he then
05:49don't worry Sparky
05:50you'll see your girl
05:51what's up
05:52see you mate
05:54this hole's bigger than the sock
05:58have you been cutting your toenails
06:00well I can never find the scissors
06:02oh well
06:03hanging near the hatchway in the kitchen
06:05where they always hang
06:08well you two can sit here all night
06:10but I'm making myself a drink
06:12then I'm off to bed
06:14well anyone else want one
06:16you can put me down for a cocoa
06:17come on
06:18no thank you dear
06:19one cocoa
06:20no no thank you
06:21right
06:25well she seems more cheerful today
06:28cheerful
06:29she's been a bit down since Christmas
06:31not her usual self anyway
06:33oh
06:34can't say I've noticed
06:35I was wondering if everything was all right between Owen and her
06:41has she said anything to you
06:43no
06:45why don't you ask her
06:47you can bring the conversation around to it surely
06:51she changes the subject
06:53oh that's probably it then
06:56yes
06:58she did get a letter from him one day last week though
07:01I hope she's not leading him up the garden path
07:07he seems a nice boy
07:09yes he does
07:12I'll go
07:13it's a late caller
07:14it's me
07:29thought they might like to know how Margaret is
07:32yes they're in the back room
07:34I'll be in a minute
07:35I'm just gonna make some cocoa
07:36would you like some?
07:37oh thanks I would the train was like an icebox
07:39it took some four hours
07:40oh Michael we wonder who the dickens was
07:42I know it's late
07:44I thought you might like to know how she is
07:46hello
07:47it was good of you to come
07:49how are you gonna get back to your digs at this time of night
07:52oh well I sleep at the hospital
07:54it's a reasonable taxi ride there
07:56well you're not on duty are you?
07:58no no no no
07:59but some of us do sleep there if we miss the last bus
08:02oh it's a bit rough but I'll be too flat out to notice after all that travelling
08:06well you
08:09you don't have to go back there
08:11I mean you
08:13you could stay here in Margaret's room
08:16oh well
08:18um
08:20if you're sure
08:22come and sit down
08:24make yourself at home
08:29oh
08:31if only I'd felt this way about Owen
08:33I didn't
08:35but I didn't
08:43why why why
08:46oh Michael
08:49why you
08:51why you
08:58i don't know
09:17Oh, you know, back on form, read me a lecture.
09:27What about?
09:28The usual.
09:29Like being back here with you, mate.
09:31I felt like now you've taken me.
09:33Hey, where is she, then?
09:35Who's that?
09:36Who have you lost now?
09:37Eh?
09:38Who?
09:39The little redhead, you know, the one in the siren suit.
09:42Sorry, Jack.
09:46Hey, watch yourself, Bill.
09:49That'll be coming out your ears in a minute, mate.
09:59It's all slack and ashes, Frank.
10:02What is?
10:04Me and Sheila.
10:05Ah, go on.
10:06You're always saying that.
10:07It gets worse, though, mate.
10:10I told you what it was like at Christmas.
10:12Yeah, well, you said it was your fault.
10:14It was my fault.
10:17It is my fault, you know, but if she'd only come half way to meet me.
10:22Half way way, hey.
10:25Ah.
10:27Right.
10:28It's like when I get this commission, you know.
10:39I don't think she wants me to get it.
10:41Yeah, well, maybe you won't.
10:42Oh, thanks.
10:43Well, at first the AOC's put up and the Winkler's turned down.
10:47What?
10:48Oh, that's not the point, anyway.
10:50Oh, I don't know.
10:51The point is she doesn't want me to do anything in my life.
10:54She wants me to stay the same as I was, right down where I was when I first met her.
10:58No, that's a bit rough, Dave.
11:00That's what she wants, mate.
11:02She's as good as said so.
11:04Yeah, well, maybe she doesn't mean it in that way.
11:06Maybe you don't want to end up like Teddy Mayne was.
11:09What about Teddy Mayne?
11:10I thought I'd sold you, didn't I?
11:12Yeah, you said you'd had it over cologne.
11:14Thanks.
11:15I hope he knew the hell.
11:17Yeah, we know how he was.
11:19Always telling us how stinking rich his old man was.
11:22Laying on the accent, pushing the pay around and then some more.
11:25Well, he knew how to do it, though, Frank, didn't he?
11:27Give the man credit.
11:28Yeah.
11:29This old woman came round the station after we'd heard he'd caught it.
11:31She didn't even know he'd moved.
11:33Jack Hartley talked to her.
11:35Teddy's old man died five years ago.
11:38His old woman's been running an ironmonger shop in some backstreet in Birmingham.
11:41He must have been subbing off her for years.
11:44You don't know that.
11:47I do, though, Dave.
11:50So do you if you think about it.
11:52Well, he put up a damn good show, then, didn't he?
12:00You don't believe that.
12:02You know you don't.
12:04You're your own worst enemy, you know that?
12:08And don't use that phony accent with me.
12:11I've known you too long.
12:14By the way he takes advantage of this medomping off me.
12:18You know it's creative.
12:19I think the car chapter ends here.
12:23You're one tyoon, too, this mechanic.
12:26It feels like the car is not true.
12:29But, the car in which he is the best way to rec Login.
12:32I put it 5-2, but.
12:33He fuels the fast way to invent software.
12:35I waternd, too.
12:36I don't really do that from dirhня.
12:37hey yeah the third Sparks rad last trip got logged in my tardy for palling up
12:54with one of the native tally clerks skipper gets him up on the bridge tells
13:00him not to talk to the monkeys it's your move by the way are you lucky going to
13:12the States your first trip was better before the Yanks came in mind they were
13:17all over us especially the duties they're gonna win the war all on their own now
13:23mmm like you said of that forces club through these portals past the finest
13:28fighting man in the world that do
13:38who taught you to play this game my father I don't think I told you before he's in
13:43the ministry oh yeah which one I mean it's a vicar you ask oh good heavens I haven't
13:51told him of course I mean he'd be terribly hurt but as a matter of fact I think I'm
13:56probably an atheist well come on I think I probably am check made you've done it
14:05again sorry about that Robert try again no thanks you're too good for me the Dems
14:15bloke told me the stuff we loaded in the drums is aviation spirit I'll keep away from that Dems bloke if I
14:19were you he's just a moment 95 octane that's pretty explosive stuff now look I've been at
14:25sea a year now and I haven't seen a thing apart from an odd scare just a few depth
14:29charges here and there my father's on his own see with hardly any relatives well none we really see
14:37anyway it didn't really strike me that I'll be leaving him like that until the day I came away
14:44came to the station to see me off it was too late then wasn't it look you'd have had to join the army
14:51sooner or later anyway I know that's why most of the blokes the wilder school were there
14:59you put those batteries on charge Peter yes yes I did good lad
15:04yeah come on let's go and see how many lights we've encountered in the Yankee blackout they're having an
15:17exercise tonight yeah well come on hey do you remember that first blackout at home must be pretty
15:26awful these days being a parent don't you think I'd rather be a parent in the duty on the streets of
15:31Manhattan tonight baby have you seen the time yes I've been telling myself I want to go to bed for
15:45the last half hour I've been waiting for you to order me up oh it's you that has to go to work in
15:52the morning yes you lose so much of your life and sleeping don't you oh we'd be in a sorry way if we
15:59didn't yes I know but I can't help presenting it sometimes the older I get the more I seem to want
16:05to stay awake you know I had an odd sort of telephone call at the office this morning it was
16:11about Harry Porter yeah a chap from London the security check he said he wants to come and see
16:17us sometime next week about Harry Porter that's what he said strange well I thought so myself of course
16:24Harry is working in that ordinance factory at Chorley so it makes sense in a way but why us
16:31why didn't you ask him well I tried to but he kept saying it was just a formality
16:36it's a heck of a long way to come just for a formality mind you I've heard of dafter things since
16:43Hitler drove us into the arms of the bureaucrats shouldn't you write to Harry well I thought I'd wait and
16:51see what was all about yes well put a bottle in your bed the nights are getting colder yes yes it's
17:01pretty wild out there tonight did you fix the leg of Robert's table oh no sorry um I'll do it tomorrow
17:09without fail yes well just see if the fire's all right good night good night love
17:39so
17:41so
17:45so
17:47so
17:49so
17:51so
17:53so
17:55so
17:57so
17:59so
18:01so
18:23so
18:25so
18:27so
18:31so
18:33so
18:35so
18:37so
18:39so
18:41so
18:43so
18:45so
18:47you
19:01so
19:03so
19:05you
19:21so
19:23so
19:25so
19:27that's a way to live I suppose isn't it
19:29do you like the life?
19:31well I did you know but
19:33well now I
19:35wish to god I'd never even seen the saviour must know
19:37I don't just mean because of this lot
19:39I'd rather be here than in Singapore
19:41why do you think the Jaffs will take it then?
19:43they've taken Hong Kong
19:45or into Burma
19:47I never took the little devils very much
19:49too bloody polite by half
19:51yeah
19:53you know some of these youngsters are gonna grow up pretty fast before this lot's all over
19:57you sound like the ancient mariner
19:59I know but you know Sparks
20:01it hardly seems yesterday you know since I was like young Ashton
20:04living for it
20:05oh don't we all?
20:07oh you haven't given that up surely
20:09you've got a one track mind Sparks
20:14we'll be there just about dawn won't we?
20:17just about level with those little crosses on the chart
20:31you alright Ken?
20:35what's the matter are you cold?
20:37yes I am a bit
20:39where'd you get the duffel?
20:41I turned Bob off a navy bloke
20:43skint in Freetown
20:45what's the only eh?
20:47feels a bit exposed out on the edge of the convoy
20:49yeah nothing between us and Greenland
20:55hey uh
20:57it was so cold on the way over my hair froze up eh?
20:59yeah
21:03I can't see the escort that peeled off
21:05look it's probably just an old tub that's not making seven knots more than like here
21:09you put the oldest back in the box when you came off now didn't you?
21:13yes yes I did
21:18look Spark why don't you go back in the wireless room and get warm
21:27look don't worry
21:29it's just death charges
21:33it's just the navy sniffing them out eh?
21:35and I'm out eh?
21:45thought you were ringing home?
21:47not working up to it aren't I?
21:49have you had any news about your interview yet?
21:51no
21:53tomorrow I reckon
21:55sometimes to talk to you then eh?
21:57thank you mate
22:01thanks very much
22:03ah there you are then
22:05sit down love
22:07now what's it to be?
22:09usual? right
22:11pop's as usual please
22:13uh
22:15what's your ambition then Frank?
22:17civvy street can't come soon enough for me
22:19what are you gonna do when it does come?
22:21I don't know I haven't thought about it really
22:23not much point
22:25I reckon we'll all be on the old age pension before this is over
22:27something up?
22:29eh? no we're not no
22:30that's all right
22:31that's all right
22:32pop's as usual
22:33pop's as usual
22:34pop's as usual please
22:36pop's as usual please
22:37what's your ambition then Frank?
22:39pop's as usual
22:40pop's as usual
22:41I haven't thought about it really
22:42not much point I reckon we'll all be on the old age pension before this is over
22:44something up?
22:45eh?
22:46not
22:47not
22:48no
22:49that's horrible
22:53that's horrible
22:54you know what I do one Dave?
23:01I wanna go to bed when I feel like it
23:03eat what I fancy
23:05I want to go to bed when I feel like it
23:07Eat what I fancy, wear slippers and have people knock on the door when they come and call for me.
23:13You are the earth you do, mate.
23:16I reckon you wouldn't mind stopping on, would you?
23:20No, it wouldn't mind.
23:22Squadron Leader Ashton.
23:24What's funny about that? Nothing. Nothing.
23:29You got it in you if that's what you want.
23:32Only there's, er...
23:34Only what?
23:36We're not going to like this.
23:38Now, go on.
23:40I'm just going to say, Dave, if you don't get this commission...
23:42If I don't what?
23:43Well, if you don't get it.
23:45Oh, great, thanks. You know, that's great.
23:47Right little optimist you are, aren't you? Eh?
23:51Some mate.
23:58Well, why shouldn't I get it, Frank?
24:00I'm just going to say, Dave, if you don't get this commission, it could be because you fly off the handle too quick.
24:05Don't know why they bother with cows when you get it in tins, eh?
24:09We've changed course, haven't we?
24:10Yeah, north-east.
24:11Still, er...
24:12Can't get any colder than it is already, eh?
24:13What's that?
24:14Tobacco I got for my father.
24:15Oh.
24:16I've got, er...
24:17200 duty-free and tins for mine.
24:19Put it in each pocket and a dozen pairs of fully fashioned tied around me middle.
24:21I suppose I could do the same thing.
24:22Keep your tummy warm.
24:23Drink up.
24:24Do you want a fag?
24:25I don't smoke.
24:26Well, neither do I, but they say it relaxes you, you know.
24:29Here we go.
24:30Here we go.
24:31Here we go.
24:32Ah.
24:33Shall we?
24:34Try.
24:35Try one, I suppose.
24:36Try one, I suppose.
24:37Try one, I suppose.
24:38Try another thing once, eh?
24:39Here.
24:40My mum went off.
24:41Go on.
24:42Tell me what.
24:43Drink up.
24:48Do you want a fag?
24:49I don't smoke.
24:50Well, neither do I, but they say it relaxes you, you know.
24:55Here we go.
25:02Shall we?
25:03Try one, I suppose.
25:04Try another thing once, eh?
25:07Yeah.
25:08My mum went off.
25:09Go on.
25:14Good match.
25:28A tanker of Stern seems to be losing weight.
25:31What's she look like to you?
25:33Hard to say.
25:37It's so bloody dark, isn't it?
25:39Yeah.
25:42That's her over there on the inside, isn't it?
25:44Yeah.
25:45She's the big one.
25:47Yeah.
25:49Tidy few petrol coupons there.
25:51I wouldn't let the old man see you carving your name on a specialist woodwork.
26:02I'm not.
26:03I'm collecting a specimen.
26:05Of what?
26:07Ice.
26:08No.
26:09No.
26:15They've got it.
26:17They've got the tanker.
26:18Christ.
26:21Better check up young Maitland.
26:23See the old man.
26:24Here.
26:25Somebody's got the hammer.
26:26Um.
26:27Life jackets.
26:28I suppose they're here aren't I?
26:29Yes.
26:30I'll be right outside the door.
26:31Have you seen me close anywhere, Sparky?
26:32I can't find them anywhere.
26:33Sparky, that's us.
26:34Sparky, that's us.
26:35Yeah, come on, Sparky.
26:36Yes, you.
26:37Yes, you.
26:38Come on.
26:39Come on.
26:40Come on.
26:41Come on.
26:42Come on.
26:43Come on.
26:44Come on.
26:45Come on.
26:46I'll see to those.
26:47Get up there.
26:48There it is.
26:49That's us.
26:50Right.
26:51Do you both take milk?
26:52No.
26:53No.
26:54No.
26:55No.
26:56No.
26:57No.
26:58No.
26:59No.
27:00No.
27:01No.
27:02No.
27:03No.
27:04No.
27:05No.
27:06No.
27:07No.
27:09No.
27:10No.
27:11No.
27:12No.
27:13No.
27:14No.
27:15No.
27:16Ah.
27:18Please.
27:19Are you going to work by ferry the Mr Ashton?
27:22Er...
27:23Generally yes.
27:24Good start to the day.
27:25All right.
27:26Blows the cobwebs away.
27:28Yeah.
27:30Is this your daughter Mrs Ashton?
27:32Yes, that's Margaret.
27:33She's our eldest.
27:35She's in a special hospital in Shropshire.
27:38She injured her back in one of the raids.
27:40And this is Mr Porter's son isn't it?
27:43Yes.
27:44That's John.
27:45oh thank you he was posted missing about the time of Dunkirk missing believed
27:48killed. you'll forgive me asking but how do you know it's John? they showed us a
27:55similar photograph. you've seen the porters? yes we paid a very fleeting visit.
28:00she's a bit well disturbed wouldn't you say. difficult to talk to. she lost her
28:06son mr. Dimock. oh yes yes of course. look I don't know what sort of job
28:14Harry's doing but he is all right you know. yes I'm sure he is. I've seen his
28:19army record from the last lot. well then. well there's a war on mr. Ashton. ours not to
28:24reason why etc. I don't agree. it all seems if you'll forgive me a bit
28:30unnecessary. yeah it seems a bit like that to us. he was in the signals wasn't he?
28:40infantry I thought. no I meant the son. oh yes yes he was. made his own sets and
28:46sound didn't he? a lot of the TA blokes started like that. we made our youngest
28:51Robert a crystal set. oh? do you remember that love? yes but I'm afraid I don't know what
28:58became of it. Robert insisted on throwing out all his old rubbish the last time he
29:03was home. the old cat's whiskery. we haven't forgotten where do you inform me in the morning Peter?
29:09oh yes here we are. 19 TC. 19 TC do you know? yes that's where he was. John I mean before he went to France.
29:19dare say a lot of chaps passed through there on their way to the road awakening.
29:25you um you don't have an album we could look at perhaps mrs. uh... an album?
29:32Ashton photographs of the wedding and so on. just to check that our mr. Porter is the
29:36same as your mr. Porter if you see what I mean. well is there any doubt? surely not.
29:41no stone unturned mr. Ashton. no avenue unexplored. we're thorough if nothing else.
29:46I don't think it would be any use to you in any case. mrs. Porter was ill at the wedding
29:51and they left before the photographs were taken.
29:56these movers and we talked all about off much.
30:06no aren't there anyone in a suit. no dont. no snow new!
30:17noные. noные. noные. noные.
30:24It's not the team off!
30:27Tank is still burning.
30:31Christ, it's cold.
30:40Get his back on for me! He's done it!
30:42There's no room, Wax. I'm sorry.
30:45You've got to hang on, eh?
30:50Where's that bloody Corvette gone to?
30:53She's buggered off.
30:55She picked up the lads off the other two rafts and then she buggered off.
30:58She'll be back. She'll have picked something up on the Aztec.
31:01She'll be back!
31:02Walker!
31:03Fuck Olivia!
31:04There's this thing! Walker!
31:05Go back!
31:06Young Sparky's the next anyhow.
31:08It's not warmer up here.
31:11Lawson?
31:13It's Malaby. He's gone.
31:15Let's have a look. Are you sure?
31:17He's gone!
31:18He's gone.
31:19Come on.
31:21Give him over.
31:26I love you. You need a room.
31:29All right, lad.
31:32Let's see if we can get young Sparks up, shall we?
31:35Oh, come on, Sparks. Come on, lad.
31:37Here you are.
31:38Come on, lad.
31:39All right, you look.
31:40Come on, lad.
31:41Come on, lad.
31:42Come on, lad.
31:43Come on, lad.
31:44Here you are.
31:45You're there now.
31:50I suppose he could be flying and you wouldn't know, of course.
31:53Yeah.
31:54That's what we always say, isn't it, Frida?
31:56It's a bit of a joke, really, me and my phone calls from David.
32:01Anyway, I'm popping upstairs for a bit, so if he should happen to ring.
32:04Hey, Sheila, I wouldn't go just yet.
32:06It's all right, I'm not going. I'll be back.
32:08You're only disappointing, do I?
32:15I'm sorry you've got to sit in here.
32:17Don't ask me what it's all about.
32:19All right, it's terrible outside. It's good to be warm.
32:27It sounds as if they're going away.
32:31Well, I just dropped in to say I found a flat.
32:33Hope?
32:34Oh, it's nothing to shout about. I hope Margaret will like it.
32:36But it's on the ground floor and there's a bit of a garden at the back for the kids.
32:43You won't mind, will you?
32:45Why should I mind?
32:47Will you?
32:48No, it's nothing to do with me, is it?
32:50Well, you're part of our family. If we can't learn to be friends, she'll be unhappy.
32:53Look, we've accepted it, haven't we?
32:55Yeah, even your mother seems to have accepted it.
32:58I used to think it'd be enough just to...
33:01Frida, do you...
33:08Do you find me such a terrible person?
33:12No.
33:21Well then, I'll...
33:23Can you rest a bit more sugar, love?
33:27I'm not sure, Orson.
33:29Shove him over.
33:30I'm not sure!
33:31Walk a lad.
33:33He's gone.
33:41Here.
33:42That fire.
33:43It's drifting this way.
33:46It's us that's drifting into the fire.
33:49Where's that bloody Corvette gone?
33:51Get the paddles out from under.
33:53We've got to move.
33:54Right, all you lads in the water.
33:55Come round this side and shove.
33:57Come on, everybody.
33:58Ashton.
33:59Ashton, come on out, lad.
34:00Come on.
34:01More out, Orson.
34:02I said, come on out.
34:03There's a lad.
34:04I'll be more use in the water than you will.
34:06Walker, get him out.
34:08Right.
34:21Come on in.
34:48It's time Michael got himself a watch.
34:50Will he make that last bus?
34:51I told him to come back here if he didn't.
34:53What about Sheila?
34:54I'll put her up in Margaret's room.
34:57It looks as if they're both dropped off.
34:59Who's dropped off?
35:00Sheila's out at the wide anyway.
35:04It's all those nights at the naffy.
35:06I'm sure she could spend more days on if she wanted to.
35:09I suppose she's like a lot of other wartime grass widows.
35:12She turned her days into nights.
35:14What else can she do with her nights?
35:15Well, I know what I'm going to do with this one.
35:17I'm going to bed.
35:18Shall we give them another half hour?
35:20Oh, you're very hopeful, Dad.
35:21Mm.
35:24Good night, love.
35:25See you in the morning, love.
35:27Yes.
35:28They said they were coming back again tomorrow, didn't they?
35:34Those men.
35:35After they've been to Formby, God knows why.
35:37Two perfectly fit chaps like that with a good military training, more likely than not.
35:41Why aren't they out with our Philip instead of running around the country asking a lot of stupid questions?
35:47They'll have to do a lot better than this if we're going to win the wine.
35:50What do they know about Harry Porter now that they didn't know before they came?
35:56As a matter of fact, I got the impression that it wasn't really Harry they were interested in.
36:00Oh.
36:01Didn't it seem to you they were more interested in John?
36:04Yes.
36:05I wasn't going to say anything, but it did.
36:09Well, that's probably David.
36:11Oh, I'll go.
36:12Oh, wait, Sheila.
36:13Sheila.
36:14I'm not absolutely sure, but I think David's on the telephone.
36:18It's all right.
36:19Jean's going to answer it.
36:20You don't rush.
36:21Where did I put my shoes?
36:23Here they are, love.
36:24Yes.
36:25Yes, she's here, love.
36:27Edwin's gone to wake her up.
36:28She fell asleep in the chair.
36:30Why, is there a raid on?
36:31No, no.
36:32We haven't had a raid for some time.
36:34You know, touch wood.
36:35Well, how is everybody then?
36:37Fine.
36:38We had a letter from Philip last week.
36:40At least he's somewhere warm.
36:42It's freezing down here.
36:43Mm, same here.
36:44We're managing to keep warm, though.
36:46Yeah.
36:47Well, she's here now, love.
36:48Take care of yourself.
36:49Goodbye, love.
36:50Bye.
36:55It's me.
36:56Hi.
36:57Hello.
36:58Have you heard from Mrs. Thomas?
36:59What?
37:00Oh, no, no.
37:01I had a letter from Peter, though.
37:02Um, he said how lovely it was, you know, seeing you at Christmas.
37:05You're making it up, aren't you?
37:06No.
37:07Of course not.
37:08I'm just another fella to our Peter now, aren't I?
37:11Well, aren't I?
37:12Well, aren't I?
37:18You know you're not.
37:19Yes, I am.
37:20Well, look, David, if you're going to feel like that, what can I say?
37:28aren't I yes I am look David if you're gonna feel like that what can I say I've
37:43I've got my commission by the way
37:46oh just oh congratulations they'll be giving me a week's leave what you have to pay for it yourself
38:01then do you I shall make you an allowance of course I'll be all right I mean I can manage
38:16I earn my own living now don't I you just see to the kids I'll be there's no need to take that
38:21attitude I'm just telling you that I can manage that's all it's definite I suppose what the
38:33commission um yeah well you know it's definite things are yes oh I see
38:40Sheila you think I'm shooting you a line don't you you don't want me to get on do you Sheila hey
38:53you want me to stay in the same old rut and come back in the same old rut don't you
38:59you still there yes your time is that caller do you wish to pay for further time no no I've no more
39:14change well I'll see you when I see you then Sheila David
39:24you
40:24It's all right, lad. How's your oppo?
40:36Came around at night, and then he went back.
40:47Bloody Colbeck never did come back.
40:51Probably got the hammer, like us.
40:58There's a boat coming.
41:03It's one of ours.
41:05It'll be no bloody warmer in there, Wack.
41:12You're my old missus.
41:21You're settling down to eggs and bacon, I don't know.
41:24With a lodger.
41:27You think that's funny, don't you?
41:29To eggs.
41:31In these half times.
41:32And bacon, mate.
41:35And bacon.
41:37It's the third.
41:39Lofty.
41:43Aussie Dems bloke.
41:46Chief Sparks and one of the Stokers.
41:49That's it.
41:54I wonder if the old man made it.
41:58If he did, he'd be on the Corvette.
42:01If the Corvette got the hammer.
42:03We could be a lot worse off, couldn't we, lad?
42:12Eh?
42:14A lot worse off.
42:24Good morning, lad.
42:25You sleep well?
42:27Oh, so-so.
42:29I'll tell Junior now.
42:30It's all right, she knows.
42:31Oh.
42:34Dad?
42:35Mm-hmm?
42:36I want to get the kids back.
42:38Do you think it will be all right?
42:39What do you mean, for good?
42:40Yes, for good.
42:42I mean, the raid's getting less now, aren't they?
42:44Well, we've no guarantee in them not going to start up again, love.
42:46You'd be taking a bit of a risk.
42:48They're happy enough where they are, aren't they?
42:50No, yes, yes, they are.
42:51Well, don't you think it'd be better to leave things as they are for the time being?
42:57Yeah, I suppose you're right.
42:59I don't know.
42:59Sometimes I just feel as if I haven't got anything left.
43:05Luke, love, it won't go on forever, you know.
43:10He's got his commission.
43:13I couldn't tell you last night I was too upset.
43:15Oh, so that's what he was.
43:17He won't come out now, not now, not even when it's over.
43:20It's the best thing that's ever happened to David.
43:22And if he can get rid of me as well, he'll have everything that he ever wanted.
43:27I don't think that's true, you know.
43:29You think I'm not being fair on him, do you?
43:31I'm not even thinking along those lines.
43:33You ought to know, love.
43:34I've told you often enough in the past.
43:36I don't think David knows what he does want.
43:38Oh, yes, he wanted a commission.
43:40I dare say, he'd be cock-a-hoop for the time being.
43:44But when he's worn off or something happens to upset him, I know who he'll turn to.
43:47The one who's always there.
43:49Is that what you mean?
43:50Now, it isn't just that, is it?
43:52I can't even blame it on the war, can I?
43:55Well, it's the war that split you up and broke up the family.
43:57If it hadn't, you'd have stuck it out, wouldn't you?
43:59Is that what it's all about, then, marriage?
44:00Is it sticking it out?
44:02No, it's not what it's all about.
44:04It's what some of it's about.
44:09This war's done things to my marriage that I wouldn't have believed possible.
44:13Yours?
44:14You and Mum?
44:15Well, she hasn't really forgiven me for letting young Robert go off, you know.
44:18Well, when you've been married as long as we have,
44:23you learn to live with a lot of things, but she hasn't forgiven me.
44:26Oh.
44:28Well, you only did what a lot of fathers had to do, I suppose.
44:31But it was wrong from her point of view, and maybe she was right.
44:36It's kept my mind pretty well occupied in the dark, as I can tell you.
44:42If there's a clear-cut answer to it all,
44:46I couldn't tell you what it is.
44:48Right, lad, let's have some grub, shall we?
44:58Now, then, share them out, Toppy.
45:02Pass them round, and some of these, though.
45:04Right.
45:06Here we are, lad.
45:07Yeah, let's get some of them.
45:10Here we are.
45:11Here, Johnson.
45:13Take some of that poison, Dad.
45:15Here we are.
45:15Here we are.
45:28Here we are.
45:35Young Astor sounds bad.
45:37Yeah. The oil.
45:41Lawson says he was in the water for some time.
45:44I think he can do.
45:46It's in his lungs.
45:48It's corrosive.
45:49What am I supposed to do?
45:59I'll give this a rest.
46:01Spare the battery.
46:04Try again later.
46:08I reckon Lawson was right, you know.
46:10That Corvette.
46:11They must have got the hammer.
46:13They'd have been back otherwise.
46:14What about the other escorts?
46:17Probably thought everyone was on the first one.
46:19We were masked by the ship before she went down.
46:21Otherwise we would have been...
46:24Hey, Lawson.
46:27Hang on to this, will you?
46:28Come on, sir.
46:38That's it.
46:39We'll have a look at the lads.
46:42When are we going to get the sail up, then?
46:44Well, I think we'd better hang around here a bit longer, don't you?
46:46So, um, I've worked at a course.
46:48Where's the nearest land?
46:50Luke, we'll talk about it when I come back, right?
46:53Yes, I thought it might be something like that.
46:55Well, I'll just keep the spray off him, eh?
46:56You all right?
46:57I'll just keep the spray off him, eh?
46:58I'll just keep the spray off him, eh?
47:24You all right?
47:28Oh, you are a wetlet.
47:35Yes, thank you very much.
47:36I'll put them on there.
47:38Are you all right?
47:39Nice of you to stay at home at some short notice, Mr. Ashton.
47:42Oh, that's all right.
47:43I phoned the works and told them I'd be in bed this morning.
47:45Let me take that and put it over here for a time.
47:47Thank you, Mr. Ashton.
47:48There we are.
47:49I, um, my wife's out at the shops, I'm afraid.
47:54Yes, well, as a matter of fact, we did want to talk to a letter, Mr. Ashton.
47:56Oh.
47:58I won't beat about the bush.
48:03What we really wanted to see you about yesterday was John Porter, not his father.
48:08Perhaps that doesn't surprise you?
48:10Oh, not particularly.
48:13Yes.
48:14We need certain information and we've no option, it seems, but to take you into our confidence.
48:18Oh.
48:18It's, uh, well, it might come as a bit of a shock.
48:22We picked up a transmitter in Belgium a couple of weeks ago.
48:25Asked them to identify and got a name, rank and number.
48:29John Porter.
48:29John.
48:33Well, it doesn't mean a thing at this stage, Mr. Ashton, nothing at all.
48:38I...
48:38In fact, it's more than likely to be the Jerrys using his name, hoping we'll put them in touch
48:42with one of the groups, you know.
48:44Which means they'd, they'd have his tags and they'd know that, uh...
48:48Well, uh, no, he was dead.
48:51Yes.
48:52On the other hand, it could be a resistance group for using his credentials.
48:56And experience.
48:57The radio transmitter, you know, it would have to be made.
49:00A long drawn-out, drawn-out job, getting the parts and so on.
49:04I see.
49:06What we need, Mr. Ashton, is a few personal details.
49:09Things he'd know about, but the Jerrys definitely wouldn't.
49:11You follow me?
49:12So we could be quite sure it was him and not the Jerrys.
49:16Yes, yes, I do.
49:17Yeah, in return, uh, well, with a bit of luck, uh, we might be able to clarify that telegram.
49:23The one you had from the war office.
49:25Missing belief killed it, didn't it?
49:26Yeah.
49:28Something we both need to know, isn't it?
49:30Must be a great burden to you all, not knowing.
49:34Yes.
49:35Perhaps at least, I mean, to know one way or the other.
49:40Yes.
49:41What sort of a chap was he, Mr. Ashton?
49:43Well, he was very quiet, lad.
49:45And he, he worked in the treasurer's department before all this.
49:50Most of these groups are pretty tough.
49:53We come across one or two we're not very fond of.
49:55One chap of ours, a linguist, had him knocked in a cellar for 18 months, translating from the radio.
50:01He's a very ordinary sort of chap, John.
50:04He joined the territorials for the summer camps, I think.
50:09He's just a very ordinary chap, but I suppose they all are, really.
50:18All right.
50:23All right.
50:25Oh, my God.
50:55Oh, my God.