Cane Toad A Place to Call Home

-We found her collapsed.

-How serious, Jack?

-Serious.

The other night when you made love to me, was it on her orders?

Nobody told me to do this.

I never told anyone about us.

Step away from the car.

I've not met anyone I've admired in that way since.

Until now.

Father and Sarah are having a romantic picnic.

-And if he's seeing her, then he has to understand...

-Anna, Mama knows.

I can't approve of something so wrong.

All I ask for is time to make my father understand.

A month.

Would you be kind enough to make a telephone call for me?

Long distance?

What's wrong?

I was nervous you wouldn't be here.

There was no possibility of that.

What is it?

I was just thinking about the first day you brought me here.

The night I fell asleep in this bed.

This is the last thing I thought would happen.

Well, I knew I wanted it.

Yes.

From the moment I took you in my arms to dance.

What was your first impression?

I thought you were lovely.

Strong.

Lonely.

I was.

And now?

No.

Good.

What did you think?

I noticed your eyes first.

And then your smile.

And then your mother.

And she noticed me noticing.

Perhaps she feared that

more than anything you had to reveal about James.

She had reason to.

Here we are.

Mmm.

-When can I see you again?

-Tomorrow at the christening.

Church wasn't really what I had in mind.

As soon as possible.

What is it?

I worry what I can give you.

This is enough.

We'll live for what it is.

Don't worry about what it can't be.

MUSIC ON RADIO: # At last

# My love has come along

# My lonely days are over

# And life is just a song

# At last

# The skies above are blue

# My heart was wrapped up in clover

# The night I looked at you...#

SHE CLEARS HER THROAT

I'm off, unless you need anything?

Not a thing. Thank you.

Did something happen to Elizabeth?

Such as?

I don't know. Good news? She smiled at me when I was in the next ward.

Probably gas.

More "cat that ate the cream".

I'm feeling I'm definitely missing something.

I can't help. Sorry.

All right.

The rest must be doing her good.

That much good?

We can but hope.

-I'll see you tomorrow.

-Good night.

Dinner?

Soon.

Do you remember this day at the beach with Mother?

Are you feeling sentimental?

Must be Grandmother being sick.

Well?

Your mother had just taken you in the ocean for the first time.

And from the moment she did, you started laughing.

Do you still miss her?

Always.

You know that we'd understand if you found someone else.

What makes you say that?

Just felt like the right thing to say.

You deserve to be happy.

I am happy.

Well, you shouldn't be alone for ever.

I best freshen up.

I'm sure she'd want you to fall in love again.

It's early.

Sleep.

James!

Anna! Anna!

The baby moved.

What?

Feel. There. There, can you feel it?

Oh!

Oh, my.

James had gone but I had to share it.

There it is again. Livvy...

New life.

In your tummy.

Oh!

Sorry to interrupt. Clancy.

-Good morning, sir.

-You're up and about early.

That timber sitting out there. Are there any plans for it?

-Not that I know of.

-No, sir.

Why? Thanks, Clancy.

I thought the Walkers could use it.

Harry's fixing some white ant damage.

It's theirs. What's he like now?

Harry?

Yeah, he was a promising lad. Has he grown up well?

-Yeah, seems to have.

-Good.

Oh, I'll see for myself, I imagine.

At the christening.

Yeah.

Ah, James, thanks for keeping an eye out for Amy.

Grandmother asked me to.

Still, good man.

Big day, I hear.

Dousin' the bub's noggin. What have you got there?

I thought you could use it for the shed.

That's a lot of timber.

It was going to waste where it was.

-I'll give you a hand.

-No, no, I can manage.

I could help you rebuild if you like.

It's a big job and I've got the time.

-I owe you one.

-No.

I owe you, for the way I behaved.

-I understand.

-No.

It was no way to treat a friend.

-Tomorrow morning?

-Sooner the better.

Friends. Just friends.

Yeah.

They're just getting Eve into a wheelchair.

-Yeah, we're late.

-Won't be a tick.

-Bloody hope not.

-Language, hey?

Eve's brother and sister must be excited to be godparents.

Uh, yeah, better than Bligh and that bitch.

What did I just say?

That'd be right. Sticking up for them, of course you would.

Come down the operating room, I'll cut that chip off your shoulder.

Bloody smart-arse.

-Out.

-What?

I warned you.

I mean it. We'll bring Eve out to you.

You're as bad as each other.

Always everybody else's fault, isn't it?

You're welcome any time you can keep a civil tongue in your head.

We're sorry to hear about your husband.

Poor Charles. So sudden.

This is her.

No stress, remember. And see if you can get her outside into the sun.

Come.

Regina, dear!

Oh, thank you for coming so quickly.

Thank you, dear. You sit.

No sooner do I call than you're here.

So kind.

I have a confession to make. I hope you won't think less of me.

I didn't ask you to come for purely selfless reasons.

George is on the precipice of a folly.

A woman?

If your sister was a rose, this one is a bramble taking root.

A nurse here.

Sarah Adams.

A gold-digger?

No, to be fair, but...

Her background is unclear

and her attitudes disruptive.

-A Jew.

-Oh.

I seem unable to prevent it.

If he won't take your advice, he'll hardly take mine.

It would be such a weight off my mind

if you were to stay at Ash Park until I've recovered.

As a steadying presence.

You could take in the lie of the land for me.

You make me sound like...

A spy?

No, no, no. More an ally.

In guarding the coop from the fox.

-I've been waiting for you.

-What's wrong?

Nothing. Nothing's wrong. Everything is wonderful.

Feel. Here.

You missed it.

The tiniest movement

and all the terrible feelings just went away.

I'm sorry for how I've been.

There it is.

Our child.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Regard, we beseech thee, the supplications of thy congregation,

sanctify this water for the mystical washing away of sins,

and grant that this child, now to be baptised therein,

may ever remain a member of thy faith and children elect.

In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Name this child.

Louise Sarah Walker.

Louise Sarah, I baptise thee in the name of the Father

and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.

Amen.

Amen.

-While I would love the company...

-Yes?

I'm terribly like Elaine.

I don't see why that's...

No-one likes a reminder of their dead wife hovering around.

Regina, it's your similarity to Elaine that may well save him.

A reminder of the gold he lost

may, I hope, make him see the dross he's contemplating.

Oh, go to the house.

Do sadden him.

Do whatever you can... to break this woman's hold.

Louise was Bert's mum and he lost her young

so he wanted to name her first.

Please, Eve, I understand. She's so sweet.

Are you ready? Just saying my goodbyes.

Thank you again, both of you.

You're more than welcome.

-Congratulations, Bert.

-Let's go.

Col, did you wanna go home or come with us?

Home.

You'll get a clip around the lughole you're not careful, mate.

-Leave him be.

-Did anyone ask you?

George can drop Eve and Louise back at the hospital if it helps.

-I can drive my own kid.

-She's just being nice.

Yeah, everyone's being real nice.

Come on!

Dad's gonna get his little girl back to her warm crib, isn't he?

It breaks my heart.

Come on, Col.

She'll marry him over my dead body.

Harry, if you're looking for work once Eve's home, let me know.

-I will.

-James spoke well of you.

-Yesterday was wonderful.

-It was.

Are you free now?

-I have to go to work.

-Later?

What about tomorrow before work? I'll drive you in.

-Six o'clock?

-That's perfect.

I should go before we do something to create a scandal.

That sounds wise.

When do you head back?

I'll be staying at least for the weekend.

You and Elizabeth were having a pretty serious mag.

So many things to catch up on.

Something worth thinking about -

tensions at Ash Park helped put Elizabeth in that bed.

Every family has its ups and downs.

Right. Well, she has a way of roping people into her schemes.

I am not easily lassoed.

I was an ambassador's wife, Doctor.

Berlin, 1938, a dreadful little man with a laughable moustache

tried to win me over at dinner.

If I can resist Herr Hitler's wiles,

I am quite capable of handling a sweetheart like Elizabeth.

But I do appreciate the concern.

-A right royal welcome.

-Regina!

Thank you for having me at such short notice.

I was delighted when I heard. Bags to the grey room, thank you, Norman.

Your favourite, from memory?

James. What a handsome devil you've become!

-Aunt Reggie.

-And you must be Olivia.

A pleasure to meet you finally.

Oh, handshakes are for strangers. Mwah. Mwah.

We're going to be great friends.

I also hear congratulations are in order.

-Yes.

-The first of many, I hope.

Darling girl! You've grown up. Who said you could do that?

Well, certainly not my father!

You're definitely your mother's daughter.

To the teeth. Perhaps you'd like to freshen up before dinner?

You read my mind.

I have some happy news for you. Later.

That's not fair.

Well, let's say, if you're not engaged to the perfect man

by the end of the summer, I'll forget about dinner and eat my hat.

Isn't that what you employ nurses for?

You're getting the personal touch.

You are dying to ask.

Am I that obvious?

Well, this is the third excuse you've made to come in

since she left.

Why Regina?

Yes.

You badger me about reducing stress,

and then when I try to do something about it, you suspect my motives.

I'm just curious.

No, suspicious.

I am not trying to control from a distance.

Aren't you?

A house needs to be run.

Anna is a child, Olivia is expecting,

and Regina's available.

I always got the feeling you didn't quite approve of her.

Why would that be?

Oh, something in the way you said 'dear'

whenever you talked about dear Regina.

Well, she is not without her faults but...

are any of us?

The main thing is I can happily submit

to my doctor's orders now that she's here.

It's a winning situation all round.

Her timing is terrible.

How long is she here for?

The weekend, she says, but I know she's going to stay longer.

But...you like her, yes?

She's fun.

So have fun.

But the more Father wants Sarah,

the more he'll understand us.

And Aunt Reggie will get in the way of all that.

There's plenty of time for all that after.

There's more.

She started hinting about Andrew Swanson.

She wants to marry me off.

She's got to go.

The wine is delicious.

Are you sure it's all right my sitting here?

Mother would want you to.

When Grandmother sits there, it's a throne.

When you sit there, it's a chair.

When was the last time we were all here together?

Just before I left for Oxford, I think.

You're right. Four years.

Charles had just been appointed to India.

I would love to see India.

Fascinating and abhorrent.

I had a picture book as a little girl

with a swami clambering up a rope and disappearing.

The Indian rope trick.

I never saw it but I know those who did, and were amazed.

"There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio..."

You're very quiet, my darling.

Oh, no, I'm just listening.

I hope you're not planning to rush off.

I meant what I said earlier.

But there must be so many exciting things

to do in the city at this time.

For a woman just out of mourning, no.

Of course, I...I don't want to impose.

You would never be an imposition.

Livvy would love the company.

We all would.

It's settled.

Well...

It seems it is.

May I join you?

Of course.

I took the liberty.

You were always a whisky straight man, if my memory doesn't betray me.

Through and through.

I hope I haven't brought up sad thoughts.

Not at all.

I know my similarity to Elaine has been difficult for you.

It was once.

And now?

The pain of losing her...has dimmed.

Thankfully, the joy of having her...never will.

What a beautiful thing to say.

I always envied you both.

Charles and I were hardly a love match.

But I envy those who've lived a grand passion.

You are still a very young woman.

Perhaps one day.

I hope so.

In time.

I love you, Sarah.

I love you too.

-He must be wondering.

-Only if we look guilty.

I'm too old to blush.

Jack. Ran across Sarah on my way here.

Early for you?

Got a busy day. I thought I'd get my visiting out of the way.

-And my legs are the beneficiary. Thank you.

-Glad to be of service.

He's not the only one with a busy day.

Thank you.

She heard I was ill.

She hurried straight down.

Such a lovely surprise.

How did she find out?

Prudence Swanson.

Are they friends?

Obviously. Never mind the whys and wherefores.

The fact is she's here.

I've told her she can stay as long as she likes.

That's lovely.

It's just the tonic we all need.

If you'll excuse me.

Of course.

It will give us a lovely chance to chat a deux.

I'll see you later, darling.

-You're glowing.

-Am I?

Elizabeth mentioned there have been difficulties.

What did she say?

Simply that.

As you can see...

She was talking of you and her.

Don't shoot the messenger.

But she did ask me to find a private moment

to say she'd like to see you.

I've upset you.

It's not your fault.

She's not an easy woman. I understand.

I don't think you do.

Well, I've done my duty by her.

I'm not here to badger.

The rest is up to you.

My dear, how nice to see you.

Regina gave me your message.

I'm glad it had its effect.

No.

I couldn't come before now.

I was wishing you dead.

I see.

I don't like...

..what you've made me.

I'm sure you think that's unfair.

If that's where you apportion the blame.

As I said to James, if seeing me as the villain

helps you to love him, then hate me.

The baby moved yesterday.

It helped me do this.

My dear, I can't think of a more wonderful reason.

The sort of thoughts I was having,

the feelings,

they can't be good for the baby.

I imagine not.

So I won't come again.

I just had to say that

time apart will be good for all of us.

Then that's what you must have.

Go home.

Go home and love James.

Love your husband.

You and I can wait.

I intend to play the fakir while I'm here.

Troubles and cares up the rope and out of sight.

The Inverness rope trick?

Exactly.

Ah, there you are.

Regina said you missed breakfast.

I'm fine now.

You wouldn't be offended if I went to the city, would you?

Of course she would.

Well, it's because of what you said.

We girls have been conspiring. May I?

Of course.

Young Miss and Andrew Swanson rather hit it off,

according to Prudence.

That's not the impression I got.

Oh, you men!

I suggested it was time Anna gave him some encouragement.

And you're right.

I think I should go up there, run across him,

flash him a smile or two.

I didn't think you were interested.

There's what a woman says, George, and what a woman thinks.

Hmm. I'm not rushing into anything,

I'm just keeping him on the hook.

So you don't mind?

I'm thrilled to have helped.

Take your shirt off!

I'm fine, thanks.

What do you think I'm gonna do?

It's not that.

Nothing's gonna happen you don't want to happen.

Nothing will happen.

There you go, then.

You are not welcome!

-HAMMERING

-Stop.

It's not your place to say.

-What?

-I'll go when Eve tells me to.

OK, I'm delivering the message for her, yeah.

From HER mouth!

She might be stupid enough to forgive you, I'm not.

-You watch your lip.

-Or what?

-You'll break my back, too?

OK, I asked her to marry me and she said yeah.

So that means it's my place, so you can piss off.

-Touch her, I'll lay you out.

-You and whose army?

The day Eve's out of hospital and says to go, then we'll go.

-I am not leaving Colin with you.

-Then take him.

It is his home, before it's yours - now go!

You want to fight someone? Fight me! Come on.

-You smart-arse...

-Do it.

You'd love to see me tossed in the clink, wouldn't you, James?

If it helps them see the back of you.

You'll keep.

Yes?

Norman can take you all the way if you'd prefer?

Oh, just as long as he gets me to the train.

This is very sudden.

Why not?

Why?

Andrew, as I said.

Exactly. Why Andrew?

You've shown no interest so far. Why now?

I'm not blind. You and Sarah, I've seen.

Seen what?

The way that you...look at her, and the way that you talk about her.

You and your romance novels.

If you don't want to admit it, fine.

But it got me thinking about myself.

And there are things that I want to feel too.

And I need someone to feel them with.

-Andrew?

-I didn't give him a chance before.

-Is this about giving him a chance?

-Yes.

I just want you to be happy. If he does that...

So you'd be happy with anyone who made me happy?

Yes.

Within limits, of course.

I'll be downstairs. The car's waiting.

Stop, could you, please, Norman?

Gino.

Hey, where are you going?

You have to trust me.

Promise me that no matter what you hear, that you trust me.

-Anna...

-Promise me?

All right.

Everything's going to be fine.

Thank you, Norman.

It doesn't worry you?

What?

Being as you are.

Missing out on all the wonderful things that marriage brings.

"Wonderful." Like Eve and Bert?

They don't represent all marriages.

Just as Bert doesn't represent all men.

You're right.

I felt my baby move for the first time yesterday.

It was an incredible experience.

I bet.

I'll do you a deal.

I won't try to change you, if you don't try to change me.

-I'm not trying to change you.

-Yes, you are.

-You must want to change.

-No.

Never occurred to you, has it,

that someone could accept his lot in being like this?

No.

Even if I hide it from the world, I'm being honest with myself.

If Bert gives you any more trouble, let me know.

Norman's back from taking Anna to the station

if you want the car to see Mother.

Thank you. Family album.

Anna had it out.

Happy memories.

Darling Elaine.

Yes.

I'm needed at the shed, so... Norman's ready when you are.

There you go, Mrs Jones. The fresh air will do you good.

Thank you so much.

Here, I'll just pop this over your knees.

How's that?

-Leah Goldberg's sputum test results.

-Ah.

A very elegant woman just arrived in the Bligh car.

It's Regina Standish. George's sister-in-law.

Elizabeth summoned her.

-Really?

-Yeah, I'm not sure why.

Well, she is family.

Maybe.

Leah's not infectious any more.

-Wonderful.

-Yeah, it is.

I have to admit, I'm shocked. Why would Olivia hate you so much?

Well, I am the nearest thing she has to a mother-in-law.

But she is a changed girl, thanks to you.

Oh, I'd like to take all the credit but...

No, what you've achieved in one day is nothing short of miraculous.

Olivia, Anna off seeing Andrew Swanson.

It augurs well for how you'll manage with George.

I'll take it slowly.

We wouldn't want him suspecting collusion.

That's such an unpleasant word.

Cooperation?

Much better.

Oh, excuse me.

You must be Mrs Standish. I should introduce myself. Sarah Adams.

Ah, yes. I've heard about you.

Oh.

The Jew.