Home to Roost A Place to Call Home

-He was set upon?

-Homo-bashed.

It's all right, Harry. It's Sarah.

He was beaten to within an inch of his life.

He can recover here without any stigma attached to him.

I doubt George will thank you.

Nor James.

Relax.

If your dubious virtue was in any danger,

you'd be on your back already moaning for more.

Has he behaved inappropriately towards you?

SHE SOBS

What did he do?

Let's set a date. Husband and wife.

Yes.

Anna wants you both to know she doesn't believe the rumours.

-What rumours?

-Oh, there are some real gossipy types around here.

People are saying things about us?

Oh, who cares.

They're all liars, anyway.

Gather the staff. The Prime Minister dines this Wednesday.

Despite everything, she's proven her worth, hasn't she?

The Prime Minister is a coup.

But I will keep an eye on her.

I suspect a crowd at the gates.

Make sure it's vetted. We don't want any left-wing outbursts.

There will be none of that.

I'd like you to move along peacefully.

Go on, get. Your name is on a list of troublemakers.

She may well have secured George's election with this dinner.

Let's go back tomorrow, then.

Timing, my darling.

Timing is everything.

You are returning?

At half past six tonight, precisely.

That's very specific.

Oh, it's for a very specific reason.

You are looking forward to it, then?

Oh, you have no idea.

You're starting early.

My wound's playing up.

Can I fetch some morphine?

I kept all of the bottles, just in case.

You shouldn't have.

This perverse need to suffer...

-..just for tonight.

-I need a clear head.

He says, gulping whisky.

We can't have you either drunk or wincing

in front of the Prime Minister.

I'm done with that stuff.

I know why you're abstaining.

You'd rather suffer than risk dropping your guard again.

Is touching me so loathsome?

If I wasn't befuddled...

..it wouldn't have happened.

Here...

You still have feelings for Mrs Nordmann, I understand...

-I'd rather you didn't...

-But you are entertaining the Prime Minister.

You deserve more than being the second choice of a country nurse.

Do you value yourself so little?

-Rose.

-Mrs Poletti.

-I'm so embarrassed.

-Don't be.

I just wanted to say that our dinner invitation is genuine.

-When you are free.

-Thank you.

-And the lessons?

-Let's do them together.

My Italian could always do with some improvement.

I hope I find a man like Mr Poletti, one day.

-I'm sure you will.

-You're both so lucky.

Small sips will leave you pain-free

and much sharper than too much of that.

I promise not to ravish you.

The truck is bedecked and on its way.

Are you sure you won't come?

I'd be a red rag to a bull.

Anyway, I should be here when Harry arrives.

Doctor? Your fiancee.

I'll see you all outside.

Isn't it romantic?

Doctor Duncan and Miss Carolyn.

Have you received your invitation yet?

-The wedding?

-Well, of course.

I don't think they've gone out.

I suspected as much.

I check my letterbox daily.

Are you sure you won't come?

Someone has to mind the shop, but, Valda, you go if you want to.

To see Menzies?

I'd rather poke my eye out with a fork.

Poor old Doris got a rough trot, we're going to support her.

'For George's sake, don't do anything foolish.'

Like beating the living daylights out of Seb bloody Richard?

Mother knows what's happened.

-She's on her way down.

-'How?'

It just came out.

'Are you...all right?'

I'm fine. But I doubt he will be.

Or Regina.

You really do have a novelist's imagination.

It's obvious you sent Rose over to tempt him.

To the paranoid, perhaps.

And when she didn't, you implied that she had.

You're wasting your time.

We're in love.

Unlike you and father.

I adore George...

You are expedient.

He simply tolerates you.

You loathsome minx.

If you weren't so pathetic, you'd be laughable.

I have invited the Prime Minister to dine.

I will be with George when he's sworn into Parliament.

And where will you be?

With your dirt-farmer husband on your drab little farm,

tapping out stories to justify your dreary existence.

I call that pathetic.

I am so looking forward to tonight.

Oh, bloody hell.

Oh, perhaps I should hang back, Doctor.

Come on.

Have a gander at the wowzer brigade down there.

Whose idea was this?

I wouldn't have a clue.

-Doris.

-Mr Briggs.

I feel safer now between two burly men.

Oh, Mrs Calwarth!

And little Emma.

Now, are you feeling any better now?

-Yes.

-Good.

-Hey.

Have you got something to do with this truck being here?

I thought I'd told you to clear off?

That goes for some of you others, too.

We've got as much right to be here as anyone.

He's got you backing up his pet commie.

Missy's about as red as you are a copper's bootlace, son.

Take that down. Roy Briggs, inciting riots.

Mr Briggs is simply defending an absolutely powerless woman.

And Doris Collins.

She was warned off and came back with a mob.

I did no such thing!

Haven't you got something more important to be getting on with?

-Is there a problem?

-Mr Bligh.

-Glad you made it.

-MR BLIGH:

-George.

There's your platform.

I'll let him know his constituents

might appreciate a bit of a speech.

Well, thank you.

Thank you, all, for being here.

You know, it's as exciting for me to entertain our Prime Minister

as it is for you to greet him.

And I know that you will give him a real Inverness welcome.

Three cheers for our next MP!

-Hip hip... CROWD:

-Hooray!

-Hip hip... CROWD:

-Hooray!

-Hip hip... CROWD:

-Hooray!

Thank you.

-Thank you, Roy.

-Mr Bligh.

-Mrs Collins.

-Oh, it's an absolute thrill, Mr Bligh.

But are you aware that this man is trying to drive us away?

-Sergeant?

-I suspect there's an element out

to cause trouble for Mr Menzies.

Private word.

Just doing my duty, sir.

By harassing my constituents?

-Mrs Bligh, sir...

-Mrs Bligh?

She had reason to believe there would be a disturbance.

And then there's the petition.

For?

Some of the parents complained about things being taught at school.

Commie things. Things against the good Lord.

Others opposed them with the petition supporting it.

So this has something to do with Mrs Nordmann's time teaching?

-Yes.

-And my wife encouraged you?

Just said to keep an eye out.

Wanted the day to go as smooth as possible.

Sergeant, any harassing of any of the crowd...

..and you will have me to answer to.

Is that understood?

Good.

Thank you again for being here.

And enjoy your day, all of you, enjoy your day.

Vote for the Country Party!

Good on you, Mr Bligh.

You were saying something, weren't you?

Doesn't it look marvellous?

The sitting room.

Now.

Close the door.

Has Anna said something?

-Anna?

-She was most unpleasant earlier.

I put her in her place.

Sarah and Sergeant Taylor.

What about them?

Taylor said you've encouraged him to keep her supporters from the gate,

as possible agitators.

Reds ARE amongst us.

And Jews have a long history as communist sympathisers.

She was also asked to leave the school for blasphemy.

I felt better safe than sorry.

If I find you causing mischief for Sarah again...

..you will be out on your ear.

-You don't... You don't...

-The good thing about morphine.

You're more likely to express your true feelings.

Play your agreed role.

Never presume to play me.

We'll take him through to the far room.

Why is he being moved here?

-He's a friend of mine.

-What happened to him?

-Car accident.

-Oh.

VIP treatment.

Thank you.

Thanks.

Just hang in there, mate.

Pain?

Yes.

I wonder if he'd be so friendly if he knew.

No-one needs to know. You're safe from that here.

Why are you doing this?

That sounded ungrateful, sorry.

No, it's a fair question.

A man I knew was abandoned in hospital.

-Is he OK now?

-He died.

Let me get you something for that pain.

James Bligh.

What about him?

There's no reason for him to know that you are here.

Can we keep it like that?

If he found out how this...

He'd be glad you're being looked after.

How's Libby?

Trying her best.

What's so sad is we both still love each other.

Gino?

-He's good.

-I'm surprised that still fits.

-All that pasta.

-You can't talk.

Is that a little spread I see around your middle?

Too much room service.

-Dined in a lot?

-Two men dining out?

It's rather obvious, isn't it?

They do it all the time in gentleman's clubs.

The way we are, it might show.

You're hardly wearing feather boas.

Henry says I'm overly sensitive.

He's training me in the subtle art of avoiding attention.

What?

What a conversation to have before meeting the Prime Minister.

If he only knew.

Doris Collins!

Breaking into the CWA!

Good on you, Bob!

Oh, is Dr Duncan in attendance?

-Oh, Mrs Bligh.

-Sarah.

Elizabeth.

Mr Kohl to X-ray, please.

-How lovely to see you.

-How lovely to see you on the road to recovery.

We have much to catch up on.

Is taking on Regina wise?

You are still recovering.

I intend to pull her claws or die trying.

Possibly literally.

Pardon me, I'm on a very precise schedule.

I trust she's causing YOU no harm?

That requires a much longer conversation, and...

..one I'd like to have.

-We've ten minutes.

-We'd barely scratch the surface.

Oh, look at you.

-Gussied up for battle.

-The latest in flak jackets.

I gather Carolyn telephoned?

It was time you made an honest woman of her, as they say.

-Congratulations.

-I'll leave you to it.

-How did it go?

-Er, we made our point.

-When you're settled...

-We shall speak.

You were at Ash Park, I hear.

I gather you saw him?

-I should have throttled him.

-The man is mine.

Are we sure he wasn't bashed?

I took a look at the bruising on his back.

Apparently, the car rolled twice.

I'll take over from here.

It's all right.

It's all right.

It's all right, it's all right,

It's all right.

It should be me having a go at him.

Jack, listen.

It shows more strength respecting Carolyn's wishes.

And I can dress him down with fewer consequences.

Now, I must go.

It is essential that I arrive precisely as dinner is called.

So, Richard wasn't exaggerating.

Quite the property.

I am very fortunate.

In more ways than one, eh, Jude?

THEY GIGGLE

Dear Anna!

The artist of the family.

Quite the budding author.

Olivia embraces the more traditional values of home and hearth.

I think the modern woman can aspire to both.

-As I do.

-Well said, Dame Pattie.

Shall we join the men?

Deirdre.

-I may vomit.

-She does rather hog the limelight.

Perfect word.

Hog.

Time to go in. Shall we lead the way, my darling?

-You're a cougar.

-I am, rather.

To think, Mrs Bligh is using my parsley for the Prime Minister.

Oh, would I were a fly on the wall.

You want to watch out for that Mortein.

Oh, Mr Briggs.

Isn't he a wag, Dawn?

That he is.

Do my eyes deceive me?

Mrs Bligh! The mother of our member, oh!

Oh, and looking so well. Welcome home.

Thank you, Mrs Collins.

-They'll be thrilled to see you.

-Not everyone.

You'll need a few days in here to be on the safe side.

Then home nursing should do.

I've got nowhere to go.

That's all been organised.

-Who am I staying with?

-I will make up the annexe where I live.

With Roy Briggs.

-Does he know?

-He knows you're hurt and there's a job for you.

-I'm tired.

-Sleep.

-Charming house.

-Mr Menzies, Dame Pattie.

Anna's husband was unable to join us, so our table is somewhat askew.

-Not ill-health, I hope?

-Oh, slight indisposition.

-Just over there.

-Have we found our places?

-We have indeed.

-I won't interrupt,

I simply want to mention that I'm home,

and to wish you all bon appetit.

-Mother!

-I hope my arrival's not inconvenient.

Elizabeth.

How lovely to see you.

We were concerned about your health.

Rumours of my infirmity are greatly exaggerated.

Prime Minister, my mother.

Pattie's often spoken of you.

You must join us.

-Yes, mother.

-Oh, the journey has left me a tad peckish.

If it wouldn't disrupt your plans?

There, now your table is balanced.

-ANNA:

-What could be better?

Another setting.

Olivia, dear, perhaps you remain next to the Prime Minister.

I'm sure he would enjoy a youthful perspective on matters.

Isn't this wonderful?

So much more than I expected.

Well, it's wonderful to have you back, mother.

Darling?

I think we can all be seated, then.

Sir Richard, if I may have a private moment with you later?

There's a matter on which I require your particular advice.

Of course.

Well, what could be more perfect?

Time we ladies left the gentlemen to their brandies,

cigars and mysterious matters.

Oh, let's not impose

that sort of antiquated tomfoolery on Dame Pattie.

Why don't we all repair to the sitting room,

unless the Prime Minister objects?

Your mother is a progressive, George.

Only recently.

We have a woman on the throne.

I think it's high time we shared in the after-dinner conversation,

-don't you?

-Bravo, grandmother.

Thank you, dear.

Perhaps I might retain you, Sir Richard,

and we'll have that private moment.

-Why not?

-Regina, dear, I look forward to a good catch-up.

As do I, dear.

I want a balloon of your best ready, George.

Rest assured.

Girls, you may close the doors, please.

Well, you showed who is still lady of the manor.

-I did.

-Reggie spitting silent chips.

So, what can I do for you?

You can explain how you thought you could rape my daughter

-and suffer no consequences.

-Ah.

Did you imagine that, as her mother, I would spare you this conversation?

Well, she's crying innocent because her boyfriend turned up.

Your girl likes a good time and you know it.

You say anything, and the world will know she's a slut.

She'd come out of it worse than me.

-You filth!

-Christ!

-Bloody hell, woman!

-You vile, rotten pig!

How dare you?!

You say the knife slipped,

or I will tell the Prime Minister everything.

Accident! Quickly!

You stay away from Carolyn.

And Anna. Or, next time, I will geld you.

So much blood.

Dr Bell is the night doctor, but most competent.

Are you sure we shouldn't have Jack in?

Not that Dr Bell doesn't have experience...

No. But we can phone if needs be.

George.

Has the Prime Minister left?

Yes. He wants to be kept informed.

Bolting the stable door, perhaps,

but the girls must dull those knives.

Are you all right?

I'm trying to remain calm.

I'm so sorry.

Oh, it's no-one's fault.

Perhaps you should take your grandmother home.

It might be wisest. Come on, grandmother, let's get you home.

James, I will let you know if I'm feeling unwell.

Well, doctor, how is the patient?

The wound's been sutured.

About 20 stitches.

Well, they're more than welcome to stay, if need be.

He is well bandaged up.

I suggest he sees a surgeon in the city

to assess possible tendon damage.

Perhaps Henry?

The man who saved my life.

He's a top-notch surgeon.

-May I go in?

-He'll be out in a moment.

He asked for a quick word with Mrs Bligh.

Of course.

No doubt concerned with the effect it's had on you.

So thoughtful.

I prescribed something to help him sleep.

What if I called your bluff?

With the Prime Minister and your wife there?

-I think not.

-What now?

Books are meant to be balanced.

An eye for an eye?

Good Old Testament justice.

-Better than none.

-You old hypocrite.

You treated your daughter like a slut for decades,

and you exiled her from the family for it.

I only gave her one night of shame.

This must be why you never won Best Mother of the Royal Easter Show.

You want Old Testament justice?

I am a fierce and vengeful God.

Oh, you loathsome creature.

-Oh, Richard.

-Oh, don't carry on, I'll be right as rain.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Excuse me, ma'am.

We've cleared away. Is there anything else that needs doing?

Not until the others return.

We've got Mrs Bligh's room all ready.

I am Mrs Bligh.

Always refer to her as Mrs Bligh Senior.

She is the elder.

She's old.

Factions will be forming.

I trust I can rely upon you.

After all I've done for you, you would hesitate?

No, ma'am.

Good.

I'll remind you of that, should it become necessary.

You may go.

Regina.

Regina?

Regina?

Regina!

Oh, I must have dozed off.

-How is he?

-He's on his way home.

More concerned for mother than himself.

Is he?

-You should get to bed.

-In time.

You know she did it deliberately?

She knew what the evening meant to me and she invaded it.

I asked her back home.

She timed her arrival perfectly.

Playing the fragile flower,

to see me relegated to the middle of the table,

across from your brat of a daughter.

Regina!

-No!

-You've drunk too much.

I've sipped too much.

-Have you...?

-As you say, George, morphine loosens the tongue.

You want it all your own way.

Don't you?

-Goodnight.

-You will stay and you will listen.

I have loved you for years.

You have known it, you must have.

You knew it when you suggested our arrangement.

But who cares about my feelings?

I'm simply useful.

And in your drugged stupor,

when you made love to me, what did you do?

You retreated into your infatuation with the Jew.

It was as if you had fouled yourself.

Well, I have news for you, George.

You are married to me.

And you do need me,

and you will treat me with respect and never disgust,

or I will pull your entire world down around your ears,

brick by brick!

-Stop now!

-I will tell the truth of your son,

I will harass Elizabeth into an early grave,

and I will announce you've sired a bastard!

ENOUGH!

ENOUGH!

How do you know?

I stumbled over the codicils in your will.

You went through my papers?

I had no choice.

Where is the morphine?

Where is it?!

-Who knows?

-No-one.

All I did for tonight, and you let your mother humiliate me.

I offer you love...

..and you prefer that woman?

I suffer abuse from your family.

It's no wonder my heart is broken.

I will gather the family tomorrow

and we will deal with this once and for all.

I am your wife...

The day room at eight.

Keep your distance from mother.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Yes?

A family conference in the day room at eight.

There are matters that need resolving.

-Olivia?

-Rose is informing her.

A driver is taking a message to Anna and Gino.

Goodnight.

-Mother.

-Hm?

-Could you be in the day room at eight o'clock?

It's time we had everything out in the open.

-Regarding?

-How we all proceed in this disaster of my making.

-Of your making?

-I married the woman, I take ultimate responsibility.

I've asked Regina to keep her distance until then.

I ask the same of you.

Couldn't go to sleep without a kiss?

-Carolyn.

-Oh!

George. I'm sorry, I thought...

I know I'm presuming, but a car is collecting you in half an hour.

-Mother?

-'No, it's nothing to do with her.'

Or to worry about. A family meeting,

'first thing in the morning.'

I can drive myself.

A car will collect you.

-What's happened?

-I wouldn't be asking if wasn't essential.

We'll talk in the morning.

-What's wrong?

-Mr Polson's gone.

DOG BARKS

Here they are.

Shut up, you silly mutt.

Missy! Missy!

Harry!

He can't see me. He can't. He can't see me.

He was there. He was right outside the door.

It was an unfortunate coincidence.

He can't see me, not yet. Not like this.

They left. No-one was admitted,

there is no reason for James to return.

It's better here.

Can I stay here? You could look after me.

I have my job, Harry.

You said there's a room.

It's not ready.

All right.

Sit down.

Dr Duncan can check you over tomorrow.

If he agrees, fine.

-What about you?

-I'll manage.

The man who died.

-Yes?

-He's why you're helping me?

It's what we nurses do. Here, lie down.

I'm doing what I wish someone had done for him.

How long was he in hospital?

Eight years.

Eight years?

Yes.

Who was he?

My...

The love of my life.

You are helping me as much as I'm helping you.

Get some rest.

I reckon you might need this.

I should let the hospital know.

-I can go, if you like.

-No, it's better it's me.

Did he tell you why he'd done a bunk?

There are things about him that I didn't tell you.

I was waiting...

for the right moment.

I hope you can understand.

Harry was beaten...

..for being a homosexual.

-You're kidding me?

-No.

-Nah.

-Yes.

Harry's...? Nah. Pull the other one.

-He IS.

-A big, strong bloke like Harry?

Yes!

Strewth.

Well, I've never met one before.

You have, you just haven't known it.

-James.

-James Bligh?

-Yes.

-Now, you ARE having me on.

Harry ran tonight because he saw James at the hospital.

-James is a married man.

-Yes, but...

As I'm dragging you into the middle of this,

you deserve the whole truth.

Blokes and blokes?

Not natural.

If you'd rather Harry didn't stay, I can't force you...

And all this "He can't see me" stuff, what's that about?

James and he were attracted to each other,

I imagine that's why Harry left town.

The things that go on behind a bloke's back.

I should let the hospital know, they'll be worried.

You want to help him.

He has no-one else.

We'll see how it goes, eh?

So long as he doesn't give me the glad eye.

I think you'll be safe.

Thank you.

Thank you, Rose.

Sorry to have kept you up.

I don't mind.

-Is my mother awake?

-She turned in early.

Things have been at sixes and sevens...

-I rather gathered.

-..with Sir Richard and all.

-Mother?

-Oh...

-Mother, it's me.

-Coming.

Oh, Carolyn.

Why's your door locked?

It will be locked every night.

From now on.

I woke to the odour of Fleur de Nuit, Regina's perfume.

-She was in your room?

-While I was asleep.

That is positively sinister.

Indeed it is!

I assume you are here at George's summoning.

-Do you have any idea?

-No.

What's this business with Sir Richard?

His fruit knife slipped.

It was a nasty gash.

Clumsy.

-Mother.

-Vile creature tried to put the blame on you.

He had the gall to smirk.

It was a moment of impulse.

-Mother.

-Do you think I'd see him go unpunished?

Thank you.

I'm so sorry, Carolyn.

What for?

All the years we missed because...

..I sat in judgment of you.

It is my shame to bear.

SHE SOBS

Now, if you can manage to talk to James.

Let's just see what your father says first, huh?

A minute late. Apologies.

Now we're all here, I'd appreciate your full attention until I'm done.

I'm happy to hear anything you have to say privately.

I will speak frankly and honestly.

Please don't interrupt.

Firstly, Regina.

I have been unfair to you.

You were right in what you said last night,

I thought more of myself in marrying than I did of you.

I should have made my expectations much clearer.

I will do so now,

so we all understand the situation.

You're my wife in name only.

You are not the mistress of Ash Park.

-George...

-Be quiet!

There is no mistress of Ash Park.

Mother, I'm glad to see you back.

But the bitterness that came between us before could well return

if you assume that role again.

Ash Park will always be your home, but not your domain.

That is an old concept linked to the family as it was.

But too much has changed for us to cling to old concepts.

We are about to have our first divorce...

..hopefully, with no animosity, for the sake of Georgie.

We have our first budding author.

And winemaker. And, Gino,

I would like to finance your venture as an expansion of Bligh interests.

George, I would never have asked.

I am very happy to offer.

And our old maid...

-Oh!

-..is finally embracing respectability, and her joy is ours.

How thrilled we are.

And, now, as head of the family,

I am taking it on myself to dictate what happens next.

Mother stays.

I would love Carolyn to move back to prepare for her wedding,

and I would appreciate Olivia moving back into the house.

The choice of bedrooms is hers.

And, Regina, we will move you to the cottage.

It makes you available leading up to the election,

but it also means that animosity can be avoided.

I want no more nasty spats in...

..in various corners.

That goes for all of you.

How can I hope to help govern the country

if I can't even govern my own home.

One final thing.

The child that Mrs Nordmann is carrying is mine.

I am about to see her now.

The matter is between the two of us.

Interfere at your peril.

George!

I think it's time for that talk.