In Lend Your Loving Arms, Season 2, Episode 10 of A Family at War, the longing for connection becomes more intense as distance and uncertainty weigh heavily on the Ashton family. Relationships are tested by the ongoing pressures of war, with each character seeking comfort, purpose, and reassurance in their own way. A tender and emotionally charged episode that captures the quiet heartbreaks of wartime separation.
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00:00I
00:30The markets never repairable love.
00:37Just about.
00:48There you are.
00:50Good as second hand.
00:52Better than walking about the wards in Bearfleet isn't it?
00:55I think that's everything.
00:57Oh no no what was the name of that book she wanted again love?
01:00Oh it wasn't Gone with the Wind because I haven't finished it yet.
01:03It was actually.
01:05Oh.
01:07That wasn't what you were reading last night.
01:10That was poetry wasn't it?
01:12Yes Michael brought me this book round because of something I said
01:15and had to glance at it in case he asked me if I read it.
01:18Well can she have Gone with the Wind or can't she?
01:22Yes I suppose so.
01:24I hope he doesn't want to start talking about poetry to me on the journey.
01:30Well I don't know.
01:32I always think poetry is a private thing don't you?
01:36Oh you want to get him going on music.
01:39You'd enjoy that.
01:40He's fantastic on music.
01:42You've been talking to him a lot lately haven't you?
01:44I thought you didn't get on.
01:46Yes well with the amount of time he spends in this house
01:49I mean what else can I do?
01:50You don't exactly go out of your way to entertain him now do you?
01:55Probably be him now.
01:56I'll go.
01:58Freda.
02:00I know you're trying hard with Michael for Margaret's sake.
02:03As I am.
02:05Let's keep on trying shall we?
02:19Michael!
02:20Freda.
02:21Your mother ready?
02:22Oh much.
02:23Just putting your best bed and tucker on.
02:24Come on.
02:27You ready to go in?
02:29Ah.
02:34Oh dear.
02:44And how's Freda?
02:45Oh very well thank you.
02:46And how's Michael?
02:47Oh.
02:48All right I suppose.
02:56Interesting?
02:57Sorry?
02:58Oh yes.
02:59I thought you'd find it boring actually.
03:00Oh why?
03:05Well you know.
03:06Metaphysical poets.
03:08It isn't exactly you somehow.
03:11Uh call it not heaven my love where we ourselves shall see and yet each other miss.
03:16So much of heaven I find in thee as though unknown all else probation is.
03:20Ah.
03:21Good heavens.
03:22So I did actually read it you see.
03:23Yes.
03:24There's some sardines in the pantry.
03:26Hello Michael.
03:27And there's some soup on the stove if you wouldn't mind looking after your father for me.
03:32And you won't forget it Saturday will you?
03:34No.
03:35I should be at home getting dad's dinner ready.
03:38I just got so bored.
03:40Had to come round anyway.
03:42You've come to the wrong place if you want cheering up.
03:44Me and Doris have just been having a moan if there's one day I hate worse than a Sunday it's Saturday.
03:52David rang up he's coming home.
03:54Oh.
03:55Oh dear.
03:56Well that's that then isn't it?
03:57We were going out.
03:58Oh well he said it might be today and it might be Monday.
04:01It might be Monday I see.
04:04So he might be splitting his leave then.
04:06Splitting it?
04:07Between me and whoever he happens to fancy at the moment.
04:09I know he's your brother but honestly Frida you don't know much about men do you?
04:18Probably not.
04:19I still get letters you know.
04:25Always the same no signature.
04:27That's one I know about for certain.
04:30You know what I ought to do don't you?
04:33Tit for tat.
04:34You wouldn't.
04:35Wouldn't I?
04:36You don't know what you can do till you put your mind to it do you?
04:39He had some good news I don't know if I'm supposed to tell you.
04:42He's got his commission?
04:44Yes.
04:45Well he did tell me last week on the phone and I thought perhaps he was just...
04:48Look that's what his leave's for.
04:49They've given him some money for uniform and things.
04:52So it's true.
04:53Sheila!
04:54Can I borrow your...
04:55Oh hello Frida.
04:56Can I borrow a little stocking stuff Sheila?
04:58Borrow it?
04:59What are you going to do then?
05:00Scrape it off your legs and put it back in the bottle?
05:02You're as sharp as a pickle there isn't you?
05:04Well can I?
05:05Yes.
05:06Only save some for me won't you because I'm coming with you.
05:08But Sheila gave a...
05:09Maybe coming back to an empty house will give him something to think about.
05:12Look what are we going to do in Southport in the middle of winter?
05:15Fresh air and foam.
05:17Well it'll be freezing.
05:18All right then.
05:19Fresh air, fun and a bit of frostbite thrown in.
05:21It does.
05:22Are them seats freeze we are?
05:25Yeah I think so.
05:26Right lads looks like we've...
05:28I think we've fixed up here.
05:30Only just in time has somebody once said to somebody else.
05:34Oh well.
05:35What?
05:36You've picked an Osmo King.
05:37You don't mind if you have a smoke do you?
05:39You didn't realise there's no smoking?
05:40No I don't mind.
05:41Oh I mind a cigarette myself.
05:43Here have one of these.
05:44Oh.
05:45Thanks.
05:48Hello.
05:49Thanks Charlie.
05:50Look.
05:51You're out rolling your own Reg.
05:52I've worked.
05:53You're superstitious.
05:54They had lights.
05:55Something to do with the trenches isn't it?
05:56Give us sniper time to take a pot shot.
05:57Is it?
05:58Reg you'll be as safe as an house in the trench mate.
06:01Where are you stationed?
06:02We're in a desert campaign.
06:03Oh.
06:04Just like South Southport.
06:05Are you from around there?
06:06No.
06:07No.
06:08No.
06:09No.
06:10No.
06:11No.
06:12No.
06:13No.
06:14No.
06:15No.
06:16No.
06:17No.
06:18No.
06:19No.
06:20No.
06:21No.
06:22No.
06:23No.
06:24No.
06:25No.
06:26No.
06:27No.
06:28No.
06:29No.
06:30No.
06:31No.
06:32No.
06:33No.
06:34We don't talk like sand grinders do we?
06:35Sand what?
06:36Sand grinders.
06:37People who live in Southport.
06:38No.
06:39We're from Liverpool.
06:40You're a Cockney aren't you?
06:41No.
06:42Clapham.
06:43Born and Brit.
06:44Aren't they Cockneys?
06:45No South the River.
06:46Cockneys are more sort of you know stepney wave.
06:47Charlie Conne is a name.
06:48If you are in Clapham and you want anything just ask for Charlie Collins.
06:52They're all called Buddy Charlie Collins.
06:54Reg Neida Mothersfield.
06:55Used to be a comedian before they caught on.
06:57Electrician.
06:58Penty Bartholomew just come up from Zumerset.
07:01What Penty doesn't know about zeider, wouldn't feel the back of a postage stamp.
07:04I don't know a thing about zeider.
07:07Oh, fish. I used to look after the rivers.
07:10The big estates for the anglers.
07:13What did you do?
07:15Oh, you know, the usual, this and that. Buy a bit here, sell a bit there.
07:18Sell a bit what?
07:19It all depends what you want to buy, doesn't it, darling?
07:21Can I ask you something?
07:23Yes, I think so.
07:25Well, is Penty short for something?
07:27Because I've been going through all the man's names I can think of and...
07:30Well, it is short for something, isn't it?
07:32No, it's just Penty, really.
07:35You don't hear it often.
07:36It doesn't say Penty in your pay book, Penty.
07:39It doesn't say Charlie on yours.
07:40Oh, no, it says Charles.
07:42Are you going to search for what?
07:45Visiting friends?
07:47No, just sit down.
07:51See what...
07:53See what turns up.
08:01Where are we?
08:02Brutal, brutal.
08:03Where?
08:04Brutal.
08:05Brutal, brutal where the bugs wear clogs.
08:11Oh, Christ.
08:13Christopher.
08:25Turn out cold again.
08:27Sister.
08:37Surrounded by the silent order.
08:39We've got nuns to the left of us, nuns to the right of us.
08:43What's the matter?
08:45Nothing.
08:46It's not funny.
08:47No name.
08:48No name.
08:49No name.
08:50Shh, shh, shh, shh.
08:54Don't say cigarette.
08:55Sheila.
08:56Yes.
08:57She...
08:58Yes.
08:59You haven't told me your name.
09:00Yes.
09:01Frida.
09:02Frieda.
09:03Frieda Ashton.
09:04Miss.
09:05Miss.
09:06Miss.
09:08Oh, I hear you're here.
09:17What's the concept?
09:19It's not perfect.
09:20So what are you saying?
09:21Oh, boy.
09:22I'm sorry.
09:23Good.
09:24Nice.
09:25Thanks, guys.
09:26But you're gonna Và Danielle and Mrs.
09:28Outlo.
09:29How is your son?
09:30It's not done.
09:31Yes, nice.
09:32Oh, lovely.
09:33Thank you so much.
09:36It's just Ainsdale.
09:40I, Town, Formby.
09:42Ainsdale, yeah.
09:45How'd you get off here?
09:46Yeah, we're stationed just up the road
09:47and there's semi-detached sand dune.
09:49Yeah, how about that, then?
09:55Ah, but what?
09:56What?
09:58You're coming on, Reg.
09:5945 minutes flat.
10:00It's not a smoke.
10:01It's more like a three-second fuse.
10:04Well, sorry, sweethearts.
10:05Have to love you and leave you on, I'm afraid.
10:07Cheer up, love, it might never happen.
10:08Have a good time in Southport
10:10and don't forget, if you can't be good...
10:11Yeah, we know.
10:12Join the club.
10:27Oh, come back when you start shaving.
10:35Oh, God.
10:44Oh, we could have had a game of a little job with it.
10:46It's so good.
10:48There's a coffee.
10:49Oh, yeah, turn it back to nice.
10:57Oh, God.
10:58What's your coffee like?
11:00Oh, um, lukewarm shoe polish.
11:03Could do your legs with this stuff, Doris.
11:05Cheaper than leg pan.
11:07You know, you two should take life as it comes more.
11:09You expect too much.
11:10If I ask for coffee, I expect coffee.
11:12Had there nothing at all to eat?
11:14Nothing you wouldn't fetch up.
11:15Coffee included.
11:16I bet they've got something under the counter.
11:18Well, I asked.
11:19All I got was a war on, you know.
11:21Anyway, have you thought out a bit?
11:22Oh, a bit.
11:23Hey.
11:24What?
11:25Buy a bit here, sell a bit.
11:26Theirs just walked in.
11:27And that mate of his that fancies you.
11:29If they look at us, pretend to notice them.
11:34Well, I never thought we'd see you three again.
11:36Oh, no.
11:37Mind if we join you?
11:39All right.
11:40Well, I never thought we'd see you three again.
11:43You just said that.
11:45Pleased to see me.
11:46Oh, you're sure of yourself, aren't you?
11:47Just my way of covering up an inferiority complex.
11:50Hey, I thought you had to go back to camp.
11:51Boy, I just nipped in to see if there was any German Panzer Divisions knocking about.
11:55The Taiso bloody far out here, if they invaded, you couldn't see them landing.
11:59Especially Sir Condi and Pently to wipe out any Panzer Divisions landing in Southport.
12:03Hey, where's the thingy?
12:06Oh, he's on guard duty at six.
12:08Oh.
12:10How long's that for?
12:11It's two hours on, four hours off till six o'clock tomorrow morning.
12:14David, come in, son.
12:28You come straight here?
12:29No, I went home first.
12:32Is she the working...
12:33Is she?
12:33How much is there, Kittel, aren't you, son?
13:02Uh, 45 quid, then.
13:05I suppose Sheila's money will go up now you're getting your commission.
13:09Well, the, uh, allowance that she draws stops, as a matter of fact.
13:13Oh?
13:14Yeah, they pay everything into the bank, and the rest is up to me.
13:18As an officer and a gentleman.
13:20Oh, I see.
13:22Yeah, an account at the bank, eh?
13:28First time I've had a checkbook and it took a war to do it.
13:34We seem to be bombing back with interest.
13:38Munster again last night, Rotterdam, Boulogne, Brest, Hannover.
13:44Yeah, it's a dicey run.
13:47Well, Hannover?
13:49You've got 300 miles of flack before you even get there.
13:53Oh, it's rough.
13:55I sometimes wonder if bombing's as effective as they tell us.
14:00It's effective enough, Dad.
14:02I've seen dizzled off half a light, you know, and still burning three days later.
14:07Yes.
14:09I suppose Luftwaffe pilots said the same sort of thing about London, Coventry, Liverpool.
14:17They were effective, though, weren't they?
14:19Yes, they certainly brought the war home to us.
14:22When the bombs started dropping was when we really got buckled down to things.
14:27Well, you know, what are you saying?
14:29We're doing them a favour.
14:31Now, that's not what I said, son.
14:34I've lost a lot of mates in two years, Dad.
14:38I wouldn't like anyone to think they died helping the German war effort.
14:42No, of course they didn't.
14:44I'm sorry, son.
14:45You know a lot more about it than I do.
14:48Civilians were all the same.
14:51Armchair generals.
15:04Oh, it's a bit fresh, isn't it?
15:06Oh, that's your word for it.
15:08What do you want to do?
15:09Oh, uh, huddle together for once.
15:12Come on.
15:16Hey, I read about this couple once in Iceland kissing.
15:19And their lips froze up.
15:21There they were, stuck together in a frozen kiss.
15:23Hey, what happened?
15:24Oh, I think they thawed out all right in the end.
15:27Charlie.
15:28I'm no Eskimo.
15:30Eskimos rub noses.
15:31Hey, there must be a nice warm dance-on.
15:35It's Saturday night.
15:37There must be a dance-on somewhere, Freda.
15:39Oh, I'll join.
15:40Hey, do you like dancing?
15:42Oh, well, I haven't done that much.
15:45Oh.
15:45I suppose you'll have the nimble tread of Fred Astaire.
15:48Matt, it's word for word what Jerry said to me
15:50when I was dancing to his tango grato orchestra.
15:54Who?
15:55Jerry, you know, Gerardo.
15:57Listen, let's just see if we can get into a dance first.
16:00All right.
16:01Penny.
16:08Hey, I think they're broke.
16:10I'll see if they'll let me lend them a pound
16:12till the war's over.
16:14I think you'd better make it too.
16:17Here.
16:18Thanks.
16:23Look, Freda,
16:24I don't want to go to a dance,
16:26so I think I'll go back.
16:27I hope you don't mind,
16:28only I honestly don't want to go.
16:29Oh, come on, Sheila.
16:30It'll take you out of yourself.
16:32I mean, there's bound to be a lot of, you know,
16:35unattached lads there.
16:36I'm not unattached there, am I?
16:39Oh, come on, Sheila.
16:40It's only a dance.
16:46Sorry we're late.
16:47There's a terrible club coming home.
16:48We had to change trains twice.
16:51Hello, Michael.
16:52Dave!
16:53Oh, no.
16:55All right?
17:01Hello, Michael.
17:02Hello.
17:02So, uh,
17:04how's Margaret then?
17:06Oh,
17:06grumbling about,
17:08you know,
17:08being woken up at half past five every morning,
17:10but
17:10it's a sure sign you're getting better
17:12when you start complaining, isn't it?
17:14She does seem improved,
17:16though, doesn't she, Michael?
17:16Oh, yeah, yeah,
17:17she did, very much so.
17:18Good.
17:20Oh.
17:21Oh, it's nice to see you, love.
17:24You'll stay to supper, won't you, Michael?
17:26Well, I don't know.
17:26Yes, of course he will.
17:28Well,
17:29where's Sheila?
17:31She went off with Frieda and Doris for the day.
17:35Well, where?
17:36Well, if I knew that...
17:37I didn't think to ask, love.
17:40I don't think they knew, anyway.
17:43Don't suppose she belong.
17:44She,
17:44she can't go on fire.
17:47She does know you're coming,
17:48doesn't she, love?
17:50Yes, she knows.
17:56Now I'm too hot.
18:04It's all snake hips here.
18:06Name me poison,
18:06me old Doris.
18:07Oh, well, have a shandy, please.
18:11Hey, is he a good dancer?
18:12Well, around for the fact
18:13that he's flat-footed
18:14and he's got two left feet,
18:16he's not very good.
18:17Still, his hands make up for his feet.
18:19He's got four of them.
18:20Here you are,
18:20me old Doris.
18:22Look, you can call me Doris,
18:24a Danny boy, if you like,
18:25but don't keep calling me
18:26your old Doris.
18:27Why do you call your wife
18:28your old Dutch?
18:29Wife?
18:29Why buy a book
18:30when you can join a library?
18:32Come on, there,
18:33play in a trot,
18:34let your shandy call
18:35always bring out
18:35the tiger in me.
18:44Ubiquay?
18:46Oh, yeah.
18:47That's everywhere.
18:48Why everywhere?
18:49Oh, I think that's where
18:50the gunners are supposed to go.
18:52Everywhere.
18:53Hmm.
18:53Yes, I think Doris
18:55will go along with that.
19:00Crow fast.
19:02Yeah, that's where right.
19:05Gloria and Glory,
19:07Dukunt, lead.
19:09Oh.
19:10Huh?
19:10Huh?
19:15Oh.
19:19Do you want a cigarette?
19:21Oh, yes, please.
19:22So that's your name?
19:29Pentecost.
19:30Oh, here we go.
19:32Well, no wonder I couldn't guess.
19:33I never heard a name
19:34like that before.
19:35No.
19:42Pentecost Bartholomew of Somerset.
19:44A sort of yeoman of England
19:46sort of ring to it.
19:47Right.
19:49Why don't you like telling people?
19:51I mean, they don't laugh, do they?
19:52Oh, no, no.
19:53They usually say,
19:54I've never heard that name before.
19:56And then they want to know the
19:58how and the when and the wherefore.
20:00Was it because you were born
20:01at Whitsuntide?
20:02Yeah, mainly.
20:04Well, you never know.
20:04They might have christened you
20:05Whitsuntide,
20:06and then everyone
20:06would be calling you a witty.
20:07Ah, but it's Whitsuntide and ain't.
20:09Well, I never even knew
20:10Pentecost was.
20:12Hey, do you see
20:13where's Sheila
20:13suddenly the most?
20:14Oh, she's dancing.
20:17Oh, so she be.
20:18A corporal, no less.
20:19No, Lance Bombardier.
20:22I ought to give him
20:22his full title
20:23and acting unfade
20:24jumped up Lance Jack.
20:25She's very quiet, isn't she?
20:32Sheila?
20:33No, she's got things
20:34in her mind, that's all.
20:35Very old.
20:37Husband.
20:39Why husband?
20:41There's no reason,
20:42just a feeling.
20:43You're pretty sharp, aren't you?
20:45Well, then, what about me?
20:47Oh, you.
20:48You've got six kids at home,
20:49I can tell that.
20:52No, go on, what about me?
20:53I don't know.
20:55I don't know about you.
21:05Seems the crew
21:06it stays in here
21:07ready for breakfast.
21:07You stay in here now, Ned?
21:27No.
21:29No, I mean,
21:30digs in Bootle
21:31until we move into the flat.
21:32The house was a complete
21:35write-off, you know.
21:37Yeah, yeah, I remember.
21:43So you decided
21:44not to join up then?
21:46When?
21:47Well, Dad said you might,
21:49you know, when time
21:49when I was home.
21:50Oh, yes, well,
21:52I didn't think
21:54it was fair to Margaret.
21:55Oh, otherwise
21:56you would have done.
21:57Probably.
22:06So you're not a
22:07concier these days, then?
22:09I'm a registered CO, yeah.
22:11Oh, yeah, but only
22:11because you haven't told him
22:13you've changed your mind.
22:13Yeah, I suppose so.
22:14That's dicey.
22:17It's, uh,
22:19it's difficult, yeah.
22:21Makes you feel
22:22a bit of a hypocrite.
22:23I'd prefer not to talk
22:24about it, if you don't mind.
22:25I don't blame you, mate.
22:28Look, David,
22:29I know you've been dying
22:30to have a go at me
22:30ever since, uh...
22:31Listen, Margaret's
22:32the tops for me, Armstrong.
22:35If you must know,
22:36I'm sorry it ever happened.
22:37I'm not, of course.
22:39And I don't think
22:40she is either.
22:41We just wish
22:42that the circumstances
22:44could be different.
22:46But people make
22:47the circumstances, don't they?
22:49People like me, you mean?
22:51You're not alone.
22:52Believe me.
22:59Will you excuse me?
23:00Excuse me.
23:07Is she all right?
23:08I think so.
23:11Are you all right?
23:13Tickety-boo.
23:18I suppose you'll have, uh,
23:20quite a few chasing you, like?
23:22Got a boyfriend?
23:24Quite a few.
23:27Got one special one?
23:28No, no, just all of them
23:29and none of them, you know.
23:31How about you?
23:32Boyfriends?
23:35No, nobody.
23:37Oh!
23:37Oh, dear.
23:38How are you doing, blokes
23:39and blokeshes?
23:40All right.
23:41Making ends meet
23:42as the actress said to you.
23:43Yeah, thank you, Charlie.
23:44Well, this is what
23:45we're doing for, mate.
23:46Oh!
23:47Hey, panty,
23:48this is supposed to be
23:48an excuse, Mr. Combs.
23:50Won't you save me
23:50for fake words than dancing?
23:52Come on, Angeline,
23:52to the woods.
23:53We're only passing through.
23:56Well, they seem to be
23:57getting on better anyway.
23:58Yeah.
23:59You know, I envy Doris,
24:01in a way.
24:03What, Charlie?
24:04Well, Charlie, too.
24:05I mean, they both live
24:06right, bang, slap
24:07in the middle of today,
24:08don't they?
24:09I mean, no yesterdays,
24:10no tomorrows,
24:11just day after day
24:12after today.
24:14Oh, silly.
24:16How do you live?
24:17Oh, I'm rather
24:18like a pendulum.
24:19I swing from
24:21nostalgia to the past
24:22to nightmares
24:23about the future.
24:24Two in a front row,
24:25two in a front row.
24:25Would you like to dance?
24:29Oh, would you, Pentecost?
24:31Yes, I would,
24:32but the stubborn fact
24:34is I can't.
24:35You don't get many places
24:36like this down in Somerset.
24:40Well,
24:41tell me about Somerset.
24:44What do you want to know?
24:46Oh, anything.
24:47No.
24:49No.
24:50Tell me about, um,
24:53green fields
24:54and trees
24:55and dragonflies.
24:58Green fields
24:59and things.
25:01No, I know.
25:02Tell me about your fish.
25:04Do you catch, uh, trout?
25:06Oh, no, no.
25:07They'd be the fish
25:08I look after, trout.
25:09Yep, for the gentry.
25:12No, the fish I catch,
25:14well,
25:14that'd be tench,
25:15for instance.
25:16Oh, and what's a tench like?
25:17Oh, well, he's, uh,
25:19he's quite a big fella.
25:21He's sort of, uh,
25:22greenish.
25:23He's almost amber at times.
25:26He's got blue fins.
25:27No, no, he hasn't.
25:29He's got handsome blue fins.
25:30Oh, handsome blue fins.
25:32Oh, he's all over
25:34west country waters.
25:36All the rivers.
25:37There's the, uh,
25:38the parrot,
25:39the brew,
25:40the eggs,
25:41and the Bristol haven.
25:43Uh,
25:44there's a fine flowing
25:45ribbon of water
25:46for you.
25:47She twists her away
25:49through the woods,
25:50she does.
25:51Go on.
25:53My heart.
25:54They all like the haven.
25:56Chub,
25:57roach,
25:58lugs.
26:00They're sort of, uh,
26:01silver beaches.
26:03Well, it's sort of
26:04silver overlaid
26:05with gold, like, you know.
26:07And there's shoals of bream.
26:08They're sort of
26:09slow and awkward.
26:11And, uh,
26:12little dace.
26:12Now, he likes the light
26:13on the water.
26:14He likes chasing after it,
26:15flirting with it, in a way.
26:17Then there's the two
26:18villains of the piece,
26:19now,
26:19Pike and Perch.
26:21Uh,
26:21right savage,
26:23vicious pair of
26:24devils, haven't you?
26:24Mmm,
26:25Pike and Perch,
26:26they are very good
26:27bad names for villains.
26:29Why fish,
26:30Pentecost?
26:31Why not
26:31farming?
26:32Oh, well,
26:33now,
26:34Granny Bartholomew,
26:35she'd have the answer
26:35to that one.
26:37Just as the twig
26:38is bent,
26:39so is the tree
26:40inclined.
26:41Just as the twig
26:42is bent.
26:44Oh,
26:45father like son,
26:46you mean.
26:47More or less.
26:48Now,
26:49when I was a kid,
26:50there always seemed
26:51to be fish.
26:51Uh,
26:55Frida,
26:55I'm off now.
26:56Can you tell Doris?
26:57No,
26:57you're not.
26:58You can't go
26:59and I'm with his
26:59Doris.
27:00Not exactly
27:00having a tiny
27:01time in my life.
27:02I'm like,
27:02I'm like,
27:02I'm like,
27:03I'm like,
27:03I'm like,
27:03by yourself?
27:04Yeah,
27:04all the way
27:05to Liverpool.
27:06No,
27:06you can't go
27:06and by yourself
27:07and see you
27:07tomorrow.
27:08Bye-bye,
27:08Pentey,
27:08it was nice
27:09knowing you.
27:09No,
27:10it's Pentecost.
27:11I've never
27:12heard that name
27:12before.
27:14I'll probably
27:15see you tomorrow.
27:16Can you tell
27:17Doris
27:17that I've got
27:17the 10.15
27:18All right.
27:19I've got to.
27:48Oh,
27:54I'm sorry.
27:56Did I startle you?
27:58Yes,
27:58you did a bit.
28:00I thought I had
28:01the promenade
28:01to myself.
28:03Yes,
28:04well,
28:04I don't suppose
28:05there are many
28:05people sitting
28:06in promenade
28:06shelters
28:07at half past
28:07ten at night.
28:08In January.
28:09In January.
28:11Mind you,
28:12you never know.
28:13There might be
28:13thousands.
28:16Yes,
28:17well,
28:18thousands
28:18minus one.
28:20It's about
28:20time I was
28:21making tracks.
28:21Well,
28:21don't go on
28:22my account,
28:22will you?
28:23Not just
28:23because of me.
28:29Well,
28:29you wouldn't
28:33happen to have
28:34a cigarette light
28:35or a box
28:35of matches
28:35on you,
28:36would you?
28:37Oh,
28:37yes,
28:38yes,
28:38I think I did
28:39have some matches
28:40when I came out.
28:42Just a minute.
28:47There you are.
28:51I would like
28:52them.
29:04Oh,
29:04that's all right.
29:05You can keep them.
29:07Thank you very much.
29:08Are you,
29:15are you a
29:16Southportian?
29:18No,
29:19Liverpudlian
29:19and it's
29:20sand grinder.
29:23Oh,
29:23that's right,
29:24yeah.
29:28You're stationed
29:29around here.
29:30No,
29:31no,
29:32no,
29:33I'm in the
29:33royal civilians.
29:34I'm not being
29:34called up.
29:35The powers
29:37that be
29:37and decree
29:38these things
29:38reckon I'm
29:39more valued
29:39or in my
29:40own job.
29:44I'm
29:44Colin
29:45with the
29:45cushy number.
29:47You know,
29:47friends who are
29:48in the army
29:48and that.
29:50Well,
29:51that's not
29:51your fault,
29:52is it?
29:53It isn't as if
29:54you deliberately
29:54avoided your
29:55call up.
29:56Or did you?
29:59I don't jump
30:00to conclusions.
30:01I like being
30:01Colin with the
30:02cushy number.
30:03It's a lot better
30:04than getting shot.
30:05and the money's
30:05all right.
30:08Sorry if that
30:09sounds selfish,
30:09but it is how
30:10I feel.
30:11I'm just not a
30:12king and country
30:13man.
30:14Look,
30:14you don't have
30:14to apologize
30:15to me for not
30:16wanting to get
30:16killed.
30:17It's nice to
30:18meet somebody
30:18who's honest
30:19about you.
30:23There's a bloke
30:24at work.
30:26He's about my
30:27age,
30:27and he was
30:27convinced people
30:28stared at him
30:29wondering if he
30:29was a
30:30conscientious
30:31objector or
30:31a consumptive
30:32or something.
30:33So for the
30:34past few months
30:34he'd been
30:34walking around
30:35with a limp
30:35hoping people
30:36would think
30:37he's a war hero
30:37or something.
30:38Can you imagine?
30:38what do you do
30:45then,
30:45your work?
30:47It must be
30:47very important.
30:49Machine tool
30:50design.
30:51Oh,
30:51sorry.
30:52We had one
30:53but the knobs
30:54fell off.
30:54Ah,
30:55well,
30:56you see,
30:58supposing
30:59you wanted
30:59to make
31:00something.
31:01Parts of
31:01an engine
31:02say,
31:02well,
31:02you need
31:02a machine
31:03to make
31:03them,
31:03don't you?
31:04Which you
31:04design.
31:05Sort of.
31:07A cog in the
31:07wheel,
31:08you know.
31:09You design
31:10machines to
31:10make machines.
31:13It's a bit
31:13like big
31:14fleas have
31:14little fleas
31:15and so on,
31:16isn't it?
31:16Yeah.
31:16And what
31:20do they
31:20make then?
31:21These
31:22machines?
31:23Aircraft.
31:24We make
31:24aeroplanes.
31:27What time
31:27is it?
31:2922.11.
31:30We mustn't
31:30miss that
31:31last train
31:31back,
31:31you know.
31:33What time
31:33does it
31:34go?
31:34Ten past
31:35twelve.
31:36We've got to
31:36allow ourselves
31:37a bit of time
31:37to get to
31:38the station.
31:39Oh,
31:39yeah,
31:39but it's
31:39only just
31:40roaming the
31:40corner.
31:40A couple
31:41of minutes
31:41with the
31:41women behind
31:41you.
31:42Yeah,
31:43I know,
31:43but you're
31:43going to
31:43come and
31:43see us
31:44off,
31:44aren't
31:44you?
31:45Say good
31:45night.
31:45I know,
31:47but it'll
31:47still only
31:48take a
31:48couple of
31:48minutes to
31:48get down
31:49to us.
31:56What's
31:57up?
31:57I was
31:57wondering,
31:58uh...
31:59What?
32:01Oh,
32:02I think
32:03it doesn't
32:04matter.
32:05You can't
32:05get shot
32:05for asking.
32:06You can
32:07get your
32:07face slapped.
32:08Oh,
32:08I see,
32:08it's like
32:09that,
32:09is it?
32:10Oh,
32:10no,
32:10don't get
32:10me wrong,
32:11no,
32:11no,
32:11I mean,
32:12I was
32:13wondering
32:14how to
32:16invite you
32:16for a
32:17drink
32:17without
32:17you
32:18thinking,
32:19you know,
32:20that I
32:20was trying
32:20to,
32:21uh,
32:22pick you
32:22up.
32:23Well,
32:24that's not
32:24a bad way
32:25of putting it,
32:25actually,
32:25is it?
32:26I mean,
32:27it covers
32:27all eventualities.
32:29Yeah,
32:29I suppose
32:29it does.
32:33And aren't
32:34you...
32:35What?
32:37...trying
32:37to pick
32:38me up?
32:38Well,
32:42yes,
32:43I suppose
32:43I am.
32:45Would you
32:46like a
32:46drink?
32:50Yes.
32:51Yes,
32:51I would,
32:52I'd love
32:52one.
32:53Thank you
32:53very much.
32:55Right,
32:55well,
32:55I suggest
32:56we go...
32:57Oh,
32:57hell.
32:59Oh,
33:00no,
33:00it's just
33:01my luck.
33:02Look,
33:02I'm sorry.
33:03Oh,
33:03Sheila.
33:04It's gone
33:05half past
33:05ten.
33:07Closed.
33:08Oh.
33:18Look,
33:19I've got
33:20a pass out
33:20to a dance.
33:21They've got
33:22a bar there.
33:23I could give
33:23you the pass
33:24and tell them
33:25that I'd lost mine.
33:26I'm sure
33:26the lady on the
33:27door would
33:27remember me.
33:30Have we done
33:31this before?
33:31Oh,
33:32yeah,
33:32every Saturday
33:32at least.
33:35Come on,
33:35then.
33:35you're
33:38sure you
33:39want to
33:39go,
33:39aren't
33:39you?
33:40Well,
33:41I don't
33:41want to
33:41sit here
33:41all night.
33:44No,
33:44Liverpool
33:45can wait
33:45for a bit,
33:46can't it?
33:48Why not?
33:53I've got a
33:54present for you.
33:56Oh.
33:58Now,
33:58the next time
33:59you go trout
33:59fishing in
34:00Somerset.
34:01You use
34:01that.
34:02Oh,
34:03it's lovely.
34:06Did you
34:06make it?
34:07Yeah.
34:08It's a
34:09fly.
34:11You see,
34:11that attracts
34:12the fish,
34:13and then when
34:13they bite on
34:13it,
34:14they're caught
34:14on a hook.
34:17It's a bit
34:18like a woman.
34:22What do
34:22you know
34:23about women?
34:25Oh,
34:26not very
34:28much.
34:30What do
34:32you know
34:33about men?
34:34Not much.
34:41Won't be
34:42seeing you
34:42again,
34:43I suppose.
34:47No,
34:48I suppose
34:48not.
34:51That's a
34:51funny old
34:52war,
34:52isn't it?
34:55Hmm.
35:00You all
35:11right,
35:11love?
35:12Yes,
35:13I could have
35:14done without
35:15that,
35:15though.
35:17Do you want
35:17some cocoa?
35:19Are you going
35:19down to the
35:20post?
35:20Well,
35:21I think I'd
35:21better report
35:22I'm not sure
35:22who should be
35:22down there
35:23tonight.
35:25Couldn't you
35:25stay at home?
35:26I best
35:27go,
35:27love.
35:27Three weeks
35:30without a
35:30raid,
35:31I was
35:32beginning to
35:32think,
35:33no more
35:33raids.
35:35Margaret's
35:36out of it,
35:36thank goodness.
35:37Yes,
35:37I wonder if
35:38we can ask
35:39Michael to
35:39stay under
35:40the circumstances.
35:42If he
35:43wants to.
35:44I wish
35:45Frida were
35:46back.
35:47Yes,
35:47well,
35:48they'll have
35:48the sense
35:49to take
35:49cover.
35:50Why don't
35:50you get
35:50the shelter
35:51ready,
35:51and Michael
35:52will wait
35:52in for
35:53Frida.
35:54Yes,
35:54yes,
35:55all right.
35:55Edwin,
35:58those men
36:00who came
36:00last week.
36:01What,
36:02you mean
36:02the Galloping
36:02Majors?
36:04Hmm,
36:05it was
36:06John they
36:07were interested
36:07in,
36:07I'm sure.
36:09Did they
36:10give you
36:10any clue
36:11as to why?
36:12Well,
36:13nothing that
36:13registered
36:14with me.
36:15It could
36:15have been
36:15just Harry.
36:17They walk
36:18around in
36:18circles,
36:19chaps like
36:19that.
36:20I see.
36:22I'll be
36:23away now,
36:23then,
36:24Dad.
36:24Right,
36:24son.
36:25Oh,
36:25David,
36:26love,
36:26not in
36:26the middle
36:27of a
36:27raid.
36:27This could
36:28go on
36:28all night,
36:29you know.
36:30It's better
36:30if I go
36:30now.
36:32See you
36:32tomorrow?
36:33Yeah,
36:34I wouldn't
36:34be surprised.
36:35You take
36:36care,
36:36eh?
36:39Good night,
36:39then,
36:39Dad.
36:40Get your
36:40coat,
36:40I'll walk
36:41down with
36:41you.
36:41I'm off
36:42to the
36:42post.
36:43Oh,
36:43yeah,
36:43yeah,
36:44all right.
36:45So-ra,
36:45Mum.
36:46Good night,
36:47love.
36:48Better
36:49if he
36:49goes.
36:50You're
36:50getting a bit
36:51on edge
36:51about
36:51Sheila.
36:53I'm not
36:54surprised.
36:56Have you
36:56seen the
36:56time?
37:05Would you
37:05like another
37:06drink?
37:06No,
37:07thank you.
37:07I'm fine.
37:11Enjoying
37:11yourself?
37:14Only it's
37:15nearly midnight.
37:16Oh,
37:16sure.
37:18Oh,
37:18you mean
37:20like Cinderella?
37:22Something
37:23like that.
37:24I've got to
37:24go for the
37:25train.
37:26What time
37:26did it go?
37:27I don't
37:27know,
37:27I didn't
37:28think to
37:28ask.
37:29I'll get
37:29your coat.
37:29Oh,
37:30you don't
37:30have to
37:30come with
37:30me.
37:31I want
37:31to.
37:31look,
37:34I think
37:34there's
37:35something
37:35I ought
37:35to tell
37:36you.
37:38Yes,
37:38I know.
37:39No,
37:40you don't.
37:40You're
37:40married.
37:43You're not
37:43very clever,
37:44I tell you.
37:44Most women
37:45take it
37:45off.
37:45much less.
37:50Much less.
37:50Much less.
38:15Frida. Hello where's everybody? Your father's at the post and your mother's in bed. I promised I'd
38:41wait up here. We've had a rave. Yes I know. I had a walk all the way from the station. Is Sheila
38:46ready? No. She caught an earlier train. I'm just a teeny bit tiddly. There was a sailor on the train
38:56with a bottle. I think Doris is a very bad influence on me. Where have you been? In the flesh pots of
39:04Southport. Where? Southport. Why Southport? Why anywhere. It was mostly very dull and very windy.
39:11Did you see Margaret? Yes. Are you all right? Tell me about Margaret. Was Michael pleased
39:24to see Margaret? And was Margaret pleased to see Michael? Call it not heaven my love where
39:36where we ourselves shall see and get each other miss.
39:46I think it's a good job your mother's in bed don't you? I'm only a teeny bit tiddly you know.
39:52A bit tiddly and a bit sad. Sad? Well everything's so boring and dull.
39:59Do you know what that is? Catching fish isn't it? Hmm. Isn't it beautiful though?
40:17It's like the ships in the river before the war.
40:25And now they're all grey and dirty.
40:29That's how I feel. Grey and dirty.
40:33That's not how you look. Oh compliments!
40:38You're young. When it's over you'll still be young.
40:42Oh will I? Will I?
40:52Oh yes. Your poetry book.
40:55Thank you for lending it to me but it's not quite my cup of tea.
41:01Can I have my fish thing back please?
41:03It is sad though isn't it?
41:25It's beautiful and cruel.
41:28With a nasty sharp hook inside that hurts.
41:33Good night Michael.
41:40Well where the hell is she then?
41:42I told you. We met these blokes.
41:45Who met what blokes?
41:47Me and Frida.
41:48We met her on the train going to Southpool and then they got off a bit later.
41:52Oh listen I don't want to know the grisly details Doris.
41:54I just want to know where Sheila is.
41:55Well I don't know.
41:56Well didn't she meet a bloke then?
41:59No she didn't and you ought to know better than ask questions like that about Sheila.
42:03All right all right I ought to know better.
42:05I ought to know where my wife is too but I don't.
42:09Do you know something?
42:10I've been hanging around for eight hours.
42:13Half a day's traveling and eight hours hanging about.
42:15I go back tomorrow.
42:16Oh I see.
42:17It's that you're worried about not Sheila.
42:19Look there's no time for nicer this Doris.
42:22Yes it's me and my weekend I'm worried about.
42:25I haven't come home for a cup of bloody tea you know.
42:32Listen love I'll tell you something.
42:35Four nights ago I was in a shaky crate over Hamburg.
42:39We got back but 84 poor sods didn't.
42:44Now next week I'll be in an old crate again over Hamburg or Düsseldorf or somewhere else.
42:50And some more poor sods won't be coming back.
42:54That's why I'm worried about my leave Doris.
42:57I want my wife.
43:04Any joy?
43:05Not much.
43:07First one to Liverpool is about 20 past seven.
43:09Oh no.
43:16What about yours?
43:196.55.
43:22Six hours.
43:28It's a cold night.
43:31I'm sorry you want one?
43:32No thank you.
43:35I can't sit here all night you know.
43:39It's a damn sight colder outside.
43:48Come on.
43:50Come on where?
43:51We'll find somewhere to spend the night.
43:54What do you mean a hotel?
43:55It beats this.
43:56Come on.
44:00Now Colin.
44:02Look I'm not.
44:05Really I'm not trying to take advantage of the situation or anything.
44:09I mean single rooms.
44:11No you don't.
44:11Of course I do.
44:12I wouldn't say single rooms if I didn't mean single rooms now would I?
44:16Yes.
44:16Anyway I can't afford it even if I wanted to.
44:25All right.
44:27Only sometimes I wish I could.
44:28Well don't you uh...
44:31Don't you uh...
44:33Don't you get on with him then?
44:37No.
44:41We used to.
44:42When we were a family.
44:44When the kids were at home.
44:45It's in the RAF he flies those bombers that you helped to make.
44:51Oh.
44:54I blame it on the war sometimes.
44:57Oh sometimes I blame him.
44:59Sometimes me.
45:00I don't know.
45:02It's a bit of all three I suppose if the truth were known.
45:04And who were you blaming when you went back to that dance with me?
45:08Him I suppose.
45:11Tit for tat eh?
45:14Well so much for the old charm then.
45:16If they'd have gone back with anybody.
45:18Probably.
45:20Well that puts me in my place doesn't it?
45:23I wouldn't talk about it like this though not just to anybody.
45:29Honestly?
45:31Honestly.
45:33You'd think that was a load of old bull I was telling you about flying didn't you?
45:37No.
45:37No I didn't.
45:39I go to the pictures.
45:40I see the newsreels.
45:41Oh you go to the pictures do you?
45:44You see the newsreels.
45:48Oh Doris if only you knew.
45:53They're a bad rage you know.
45:59Every bloody thing goes wrong.
46:02Bad reconnaissance.
46:04Low clouds that should have been there and aren't.
46:07Light flack that turns into a bloody barrage.
46:15Come on Doris drink up.
46:16Knock it back.
46:17Honestly Dave I've been drinking all night.
46:19Come on it'll do you good.
46:22I might have gone off in a puff of smoke this time next week.
46:25Ash.
46:30You do see don't you?
46:31You do see Doris.
46:39Why I'm so selfish.
46:41What makes me so selfish.
46:44Hey.
46:49You came back on the last train did you?
46:50Yeah.
46:51Look you mustn't love.
46:52Oh come on Doris.
46:54No I'm sorry love.
46:57Sorry.
46:57What are you sorry about?
46:59Well I'm Sheila's friend.
47:02Oh my god.
47:03Sheila's friend.
47:07What about that bloke in Southport then hey?
47:10Don't tell me he was satisfied with a little squeeze and how is your father?
47:14I'm Sheila's friend Dave.
47:20What did he cost?
47:22Oh I'm not sure.
47:23Wasn't it the day when everybody who spoke a different language suddenly understood one another?
47:27A sort of miracle wasn't it?
47:29Was it?
47:31Reckon the real miracle would be if everybody who spoke the same language suddenly understood one another.
47:35You're quite a wise sort of person aren't you?
47:37Oh how.
47:39I make more problems myself than anybody I know.
47:41Me wise?
47:42You don't make the problems.
47:45It's just something about you.
47:47You're like a jigsaw puzzle all messed up.
47:50You make people want to put you back together again.
47:56Why do you say that?
47:57Oh I don't know.
48:00I could still be here at Tiddly, couldn't I?
48:05I think I'd better go back to bed.
48:06Good night.
48:12Good morning.
48:13Oh yes.
48:15Oh it is.
48:16Good morning.
48:17Good morning.
48:25Oh.
48:28David.
48:30Hello.
48:32You came.
48:35Frida told you then?
48:36No, might.
48:38She said you might come.
48:39She said that you might come yesterday and you might come on Monday.
48:42Don't try that one, Sheila.
48:43Like all the other times that you've said you might come, but you haven't.
48:45When?
48:46When did I ever say that?
48:47David, don't you try that one on me.
48:51Where were you last night?
48:52Do you want some breakfast?
48:56I asked you where you were last night.
48:58And I asked you if you wanted some breakfast.
49:00No.
49:01Out.
49:03I was out.
49:04Yeah, Southport with Doris and Frida.
49:06Well, if you already know that, what are you bothering to ask me for?
49:11I missed the last train.
49:12They didn't.
49:13Oh, didn't they?
49:15Well, I'm going to get some breakfast.
49:17No, you're bloody well not!
49:18You're going to tell me where you were last night.
49:20Southport!
49:21Yes, I mean, where did you stay?
49:23Where did you sleep?
49:23Oh, now, I don't ask questions like that, do you?
49:26I just get letters.
49:27I've got a right to ask.
49:28Is that what you call it?
49:29A right?
49:29Who were you with, Sheila?
49:30You would have to ask me a question.
49:32I said, who were you with?
49:33Do you really want to know?
49:35I'm bloody well gonna know.
49:36All right, then.
49:37I met a man and we spent the night together.
49:39Is that what you want me to say?
49:41And I'll tell you something else.
49:42I don't even know what his name was.
49:43Ah!
49:47That's the first sign I've had in years that it wouldn't matter to you.
50:05I'm sorry.
50:07Yes?
50:08Why?
50:10Why did you do it?
50:11Do what?
50:11Want something more from you, David?
50:13Want respect?
50:14Want love?
50:14I did.
50:15I do.
50:17In my way.
50:18Your way.
50:19It's your way that I can't take anymore, David.
50:22I can't.
50:23Sheila.
50:24No, don't touch me.
50:26That's not gonna work anymore.
50:27Please, Sheila.
50:28David, please!
50:30Don't touch me.
50:43And if I told you that it wasn't true, if I told you that I'd spent the night in a waiting room,
50:52everything would be all right again for you, wouldn't it?
50:55But you didn't.
50:56But you didn't.
50:59Did you?
51:07Goodbye, David.
51:08Bye, David.
51:09I was gonna be on this.
51:10Oh, that's very brief.
51:17Yes.
51:19Thanks.
51:21Thanks, David.
51:21Thanks, Ivan.
51:52Breda, shut that front door, will you, love?
52:05Oh, Robin.
52:10Breda, shut that front door, will you?