Anatomy of His Passing A Place to Call Home

-I came back to help you. Please, George, you're a fool.

-Leave us alone.

I keep trying to tell George,

Sir Richard is out to ruin the family.

Go through your accounts with a fine-tooth comb.

Investments, loans, everything.

There are three accounts on one statement.

Do you know whose money you've actually borrowed?

Frederick Stern is completely reputable.

They wouldn't put us in any danger.

Yes, but do they know? We should find out.

How long have I got?

Months.

I want to go at a time of my own choosing.

Absolutely not.

Jack's hospital meanders along in the past.

I support my husband.

As James would me, if he were here.

You must be missing him.

Do you really see his charade as necessary?

It will help Olivia announce their divorce

without too many awkward questions arising.

Your father loathes homosexuals.

Ironic, given his son.

We're going to have a party.

-Are we?

-On the 15th of next month.

Thank you. It's always a big day at the refuge, VP Day.

Victory in the Pacific.

Douglas won't be well enough to go to them, so...

..I'll invite them here.

I need your help.

If you're asking what I think you're asking, I...

I can't.

It's just so incredibly...

..sudden.

Sometimes the body...just gives out, sweetheart.

He was in his element this afternoon.

He loved every moment of the party.

-TEARFULLY:

-The men in their fancy dress!

CHUCKLES

His final moments were so full of joy,

surrounded by the people who loved him.

For that, we should be grateful.

Small comfort, when all's said and done.

Mother, can I get you anything?

-What would you like to do?

-Douglas abhorred maudlin displays.

He rather liked that quote from Berlioz, "Time is a great teacher,

"but unfortunately, it kills its pupils."

Carolyn, if you could assist with organising a memorial at the refuge,

for those unable to make it to the funeral.

George, if you might telephone James.

Of course. He'll want to be here.

Please make clear I don't expect him to drop everything and rush home.

Well, it's high time he did.

I'll speak with the funeral home if you take no issue with

the service being held later in the week.

-As you wish.

-If there's anything I can do...

I'll let you know.

If you'll excuse me, I'll say goodnight.

Of course.

Excuse me.

Mother?

Yes?

Would you like me to sit with you for a little while?

What?

No.

You've every reason to feel the shock of this.

This was hardly unexpected.

Just...

not today.

No.

MUSIC: Tristesse by Chopin

You need to keep a close eye on her.

-Yes.

-I'm not sure I've ever seen her like that.

She's just suffered a terrible loss.

Yes.

He was a fine man.

I think I need to hold her son.

Yes, me too.

It's higher than I'd like.

Must we revisit this conversation at every upheaval?

Perhaps something to help you sleep.

SHE SCOFFS

Douglas says insomnia is the refuge..

..of the guilty conscience.

Said.

He was very fond of you.

A good bloke.

I'll miss him.

After everything, I suppose it makes sense.

His heart giving out like that.

I'm sure you're right.

What?

Nothing.

-If you wouldn't mind...

-Of course.

SHE SOBS

SHE SOBS

DOG BARKS SHEEP BLEAT

Thank God you're here.

How is she this morning?

Strip the linen...

Come and see.

..and the equipment back to the hospital.

What are you waiting for?

This should have been done hours ago.

S-s-sorry, ma'am.

Really, is a little bit of initiative too much to ask?

Elizabeth, perhaps we can lend a hand.

Excuse me.

Thank you, Lynette. That'll be all.

Lynette, take that with you.

PHONE RINGS What happened there?

Does it matter?

I think tea. Anyone?

Yes.

Mr Bligh? Telephone. Sir Richard Bennett.

Go ahead.

This new information makes dealing with him...

A challenge, but you'll play your hand well.

Richard.

This really isn't a good time, I'm afraid.

George, I heard about Goddard. A terrible shock.

Condolences to all.

-I'll pass them on.

-Is it jumping the gun to ask about the funeral plans?

That's very kind of you to think of it,

but I know you have more pressing matters.

These are the times we need our friends close by, George.

Mother's keen for it to be a small affair, Richard.

Just family.

Good thing I am, then.

I understand there's to be a memorial in town

for his city friends, colleagues.

I'll let you know, shall I?

Ah, bunkum. I need to come down to your neck of the woods.

I just snapped up the local rag for a song.

-The Mercury?

-We really should discuss financing your re-election.

How deep will your pockets be?

Once the funeral's over, let's meet in town, shall we?

You're not getting cold feet on me, George.

I'll be in touch. Mother will appreciate your condolences.

Good-oh.

George. You're back from Canberra. I didn't realise.

-You've read my letter?

-I have.

You believe me now?

-Why I've returned.

-I had a mind to.

Until Richard telephoned.

-I don't understand.

-Please, Regina.

No outsiders could have known of Douglas's death.

Who else could have fed him such intimate information?

Douglas passed away?

Oh, my!

Poor Elizabeth.

You...

You didn't know?

No.

So you don't have someone feeding you information?

Sir Richard is the one with spies.

So why is he so very determined to attend the funeral?

He wants to dance on the grave and savour Elizabeth's pain.

The malice I told you of.

I urge you not to underestimate it.

You'll find actual affairs. Have you investigated?

-When Parliament rises, I'll...

-Be forensic.

Instinct tells me that somewhere in your accounts is a road map

to his revenge. You must look...

Please, this is...!

It's too much. I won't take orders from you, Regina.

Please.

Please trust me.

He's moving faster than I suspected.

Grandmother, I've made a list of readings for the service.

The funeral is days away.

Reverend Curtis wants to dot the Is.

I was thinking perhaps Matthew 11.28.

Come to me, all you who...

It's hardly your place.

I'll leave the list on your bureau.

Grandmother, it's all right to be upset.

Or angry.

Or whatever you need to be.

This is where Douglas proposed.

The very spot.

He made you so happy.

LAUGHTER

Goodness me.

APPLAUSE

It's a beautiful work, Mr Gibbs.

When did you find time to do the sitting?

I did it when you weren't looking, Mrs Goddard.

And that wasn't very easy.

UKULELE PLAYS

LAUGHTER

I knew something was up.

Oh, my darling, you're wonderful.

# Oh, we're goin' to a hukilau

# Huki-huki-huki-huki-huki-hukilau

# Everybody loves the hukilau

# Where the laulau is the kaukau at the l'au

# Oh, we throw our nets out into the sea

# And all the 'ama'ama come a-swimmin' to me

# Oh, we're goin' to the hukilau

# Huki-huki-huki-huki-hukilau. #

APPLAUSE

Grandmother.

Not the Matthew.

And no roses in the church.

It's odd, though, isn't it?

He always had roses in the hospital.

It's the arrangement that matters, not the individual blooms.

Poor James and Miss Olivia,

having to drop everything and come home.

It's Mrs Goddard I feel for.

Having to wait. Five days is too long.

My dear Mr Collins was blessed and buried

36 hours from his final breath.

Right.

George...

What on earth's the matter?

It's Regina, isn't it?

What has she done?

The two bad years we had, the strike.

Richard steered me towards some solicitors' loans to tide us over.

She warned me to be more forensic.

The accountants have just discovered that the firms that issued

those loans are all...

..owned by one shelf company.

Richard's.

He can call them in.

He can take Ash Park any time he wants.

And she's convinced he's poised to make a move on us sooner

-rather than later.

-How can you be sure she's not part of this?

I can't.

But given what she did for Anna,

given that her information is correct...

This is Regina we're talking about.

I know!

And all that she's done, I know!

I almost dropped my guard in Canberra

and suffered the consequences.

I'd have to be very certain about Regina to allow for that again.

On the other hand, if I'd listened to her, that day at the car...

..we'd be way ahead on this.

You know how I feel.

What if I proceed to judge her in good faith?

And you...

You be the voice of caution in my ear.

FOOTSTEPS APPROACH

KNOCK ON DOOR

Bad news, I'm afraid.

A message from Olivia.

She says they stopped in Darwin to refuel and have been delayed by

weather. They won't be able to make Douglas's funeral.

But it's a comfort, isn't it, that they'll be here later?

We'd better get going.

Mother?

Simpering, pitying looks.

It's too much. I can't face it.

What are you saying? You can't not go.

Don't do something in the heat of the moment you'll later regret.

Mother, what is it?

Please tell me.

Well, no-one will force you to go if you don't want to.

Almighty God...

You judge us with infinite mercy and justice,

and love everything you have made.

In your mercy,

turn the darkness of death into the dawn of new life.

Ashes to ashes,

dust to dust.

In sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

who will transform our frail bodies.

God of Mercy...

..we acknowledge we are all sinners.

Forgive us

for that is past

and help us live each day in the light of Christ our Lord.

-Lord have mercy.

-ALL: Lord have mercy.

May God our Father forgive us our sins

and bring us into the joy of his eternal kingdom,

where dust and ashes have no dominion.

ALL: Amen.

MOURNFUL MUSIC

Just think, a couple of days ago

we were all here having a high old time.

Yes, indeed, indeed.

Are you going to finish that?

Funerals put me off my tucker.

Tell them what you were saying before.

It's interesting.

Where I come from,

we refrain from using the Christian name of the person

who's passed on. Or we don't look at pictures of them.

-Is that right?

-Yeah.

Because of respect.

It allows the spirit to pass on.

We call them Kumantjay.

Kumantjay Goddard.

The things you learn.

I thought you'd be hanging off the front gate waiting for James.

Is it wrong to be excited at a funeral?

-I expect so.

-You're a horrible man, Henry Fox,

but I don't think Douglas would mind.

He wanted everyone to be happy, didn't he?

Even if he didn't quite understand, he never judged.

James is coming home.

The men will be going down to the station soon.

You wouldn't like to say goodbye?

I'd like to be quiet for a little while.

Thank you.

All right.

Goodbye, my love.

-Thank you for coming.

-Thank you so much.

-It was lovely.

-You have a safe trip home. Thank you.

Thank you.

At least Mother made it through the service.

I wonder, should we bring her out to say goodbye to the men?

Carolyn's with her. She'll be...

The car! It's them. James and Olivia.

They're home.

-Shall we?

-Yeah, come on.

Oh, my goodness.

It is so wonderful to see you all.

Elizabeth.

I'm so terribly sorry.

It's wonderful to have you back, my dear.

-Grammy, it's me!

-It is, my darling.

-Olivia.

-Let's get you inside.

Livi, darling.

Where is James?

Livi, what's going on?

What's happened?

Let's talk inside.

It's best if I speak with the family first.

Just tell me he's all right.

He is.

It's better this way.

I have rounds to do at the hospital.

I'll come and find you as soon as I can.

Moved, permanently.

-The Riviera?!

-He wouldn't, not without telling us.

Please, let me finish.

This will not stand.

He's abandoning his child.

I beg you, George, everyone, let me start at the beginning.

We arrived in England,

playing roles that would quash any questions once we divorced.

Despite the subterfuge, we enjoyed ourselves.

Which is why the trip to see my brother in Cap Ferrat

seemed a good idea.

James could hardly come home without visiting William.

But when we got to the Riviera, it's as if it was destined to be.

As if what was destined to be?

His feelings for William.

It's a flight of fancy.

-That's what he's caught up in.

-It's much more than that, George.

His kind, they're thought of differently there.

And what that meant to him,

dining with Somerset Maugham and Noel Coward,

Edward and Wallis Simpson,

to feel so accepted.

You mean to tell me that James has deserted his family,

his son? For a bunch of gin-soaked celebrities?

George.

He's staying for love.

He couldn't tell us this himself?

Being here would have only made it harder for...everyone.

Harder for himself.

He's not here because he's a damned coward.

-You don't mean that.

-The hell I don't.

He thought this way would be easier for you.

Your health.

And what of Ash Park?

His life here? His responsibilities?

If you saw how contented he is...

William has a very successful design company.

James is helping him on the business side.

James?! Business?!

He thought you would want to telephone.

Did he?

It's the middle of the night there.

Excuse me.

-George.

-This is not the behaviour of the man that I raised him to be.

-I've a mind to cut off his allowance.

-Your mother!

Don't speak to him in anger.

The accommodations I made. And this is how he repays me.

You know that loving children isn't a quid pro quo transaction.

You've been a good father to him, as you are to David.

And when he abandons me for some bloody kibbutz in Israel?!

It's merely a matter of time before he deserts me too.

It's the natural way of things.

All boys separate themselves at some point.

International number, please.

France. Nice.

045471.

But they return in time.

With understanding.

James, wake up!

It's your father.

It will not do, James.

It will not do at all.

I simply will not stand for it.

And you know full bloody well

that we can't have a proper discussion on an open line.

Father, I realise that you're angry,

that this comes as a shock to you.

To have poor Olivia do your dirty work?

Left here to try to justify this appalling lack of character.

That is enough! I do not expect you to support my decision,

but you will respect it is mine to make.

No, not when you push the entire family aside.

Don't think I haven't thought about this long and hard, because I have.

If you could see my life here...

When you see my life here...

..you will understand.

I know it.

These fast friends of yours, this life you're living,

it's a passing fancy, James.

-Nothing more.

-You're wrong. There is a future here.

Happiness.

Shouldn't a father want what's best for his son?

And what of Georgie, James? Your son?

What's best for him?

He will be loved no matter where he is, by Olivia,

and all of you when he is there,

and by me when he is old enough to travel.

You'd bring a child into that?

What, to a house filled with joy and laughter?

Who wouldn't want to grow up like that?

You were given every advantage.

Most of which you've frittered away.

And I am not ungrateful.

But that house, that life, it suffocates.

I know you understand that.

I hope in time you find a way to forgive me.

To understand.

I miss you all terribly.

So, there's...

..there's nothing I can say to change your mind?

I'm afraid not.

Very well.

Goodbye.

HE WHIMPERS

Apologetic, but unrepentant.

Wait until I get my hands on his skinny neck.

For what it's worth...

..I am sorry.

Olivia...

You know that you are always welcome here.

You and little Georgie.

Thank you.

It would be a grave mistake for you to stay here.

Mother!

I say, "Bravo, James. Bravo."

At last, someone in this family has had the courage

to embrace their happiness.

What are you saying?

Look at us.

Look at what obligation and duty have done to our lives.

How I wish I'd walked out of those gates when I was James's age.

How different my life could have been.

How much more time I would have had.

Curious indeed that she arrived without her husband.

It's none of our beeswax, is it?

One trusts there's not a more European reason.

We can give you a lift home if you'd like.

No, thanks, I'm parked round the bend.

SHE GROANS

Are you all right, Dawnie?

Mm. It's just a cramp.

She's been off her tucker too.

Oh, I see.

You see what?

It's too many figs.

The tree out the back's filthy with them.

Mm.

Very perilous fruit, the fig.

He's the eldest son, and it means nothing to him?

It's been a long day.

How about we take David down to the

-river bank while there's still some sun?

-I've been a fool.

I've been a blind fool.

You couldn't have foreseen this.

I shouldn't have let James go,

and I shouldn't have let Richard into our lives.

We can't change the past.

But we can look forward.

Yes, we can look forward.

Why not let him have it?

Richard, why not let him have Ash Park?

SHE SCOFFS

Why am I fighting for something that no-one else wants?

James may well reconsider.

Mother's right.

Why shouldn't we all be free to pursue happiness?

MURMURING

It's a terrible blow.

I gave up a life for him.

A career.

Friends.

For him.

I hope he rots in the stinking Riviera.

Finish the letter.

I'm not even worth a telephone call.

Henry.

Oh, Henry.

I wrote to him every day.

Every day.

He was with someone else.

William was...

..a great love.

I suppose...

..I've come to see that...

..there is love...

..and then there is great love.

Like Elizabeth and Douglas.

Why not James and I?

Nor he and I.

Yes, yes, Mr Fox may well think that's how the rosters should be,

but that doesn't make it any of his business.

I've got to go.

-I need to talk to you.

-If it's about rosters then you can...

Who asked you to order toxicology on Douglas Goddard?

Who asked you to open my mail?

Was it you?

-You were close to Douglas.

-You know my feelings on that.

Someone wasn't so reticent.

You were the one promoting a comfortable death.

Which is why I wanted the report.

I told you that. Insurance.

We had no cause to think that's what's happened.

You and I both know that Douglas died too suddenly.

We have a responsibility to find out what happened.

What, you want to start an inquisition?

They're a grieving family. My grieving family.

I've been blackmailed once before.

By a member of your family.

Regina, a long time ago.

Any number of people had access to Douglas before he died.

Friends, men from the refuge...

Your family.

Anyone could have given him the phenobarbital.

I'll look into it.

Look fast.

Sarah.

Regina, what are you doing here?

If the mountain won't come to Mohammed...

If you'll excuse me.

I won't keep you long.

I hoped that you might have returned from Canberra

more open to accepting me once you read my letter.

I didn't bother. I tore it up.

It was important.

I do wish you'd told me that you promised David was safe.

What else is there to say?

I accept that you have George's confidence, but mine...

It's not relevant. Let's just leave it at that.

I was hoping that once you understood

what happened with Rene...

Rene?

I know what he meant to you.

Your marriage, your shared faith.

It wasn't Rene who pulled the trigger. It was me.

It wasn't Rene.

And I didn't do it with any malevolence or intent.

I came across them arguing, George and Rene.

Rene was very agitated.

Put the gun down!

I tried to take the gun.

There was a scuffle. And in the confusion, it went off.

GUNSHOT

I never believed Rene shot George.

Believing and knowing are two very different things.

That's why the letter was so important.

I'm serious about making amends.

This is my way of proving it to you.

We going to talk about this any time soon?

You're in the family way, aren't you?

Doris ain't the only one that can put two and two together.

Don't be angry.

I didn't know how to tell you.

I know how you feel about more little ones.

And with Emma off our hands in a few years...

Now I'm closer to Douglas Goddard's age than yours.

Who knows how long a man's got?

Well, rather a short time with you..

..and our bub,

than a long time with neither.

Maybe a little bundle of joy

is just what the doctor ordered right about now, eh?

It's half shock,

half blessing, isn't it?

No, it's all blessing, Dawnie.

It's all blessing.

And you think it was me?

I have to ask.

-Do you?

-If there was to be a proper investigation...

Whoever did it deserves a medal.

Look, I don't want this getting out of hand.

Henry's ready to bring in the police,

which actually is his duty.

If that's everything...

Caro!

Don't you dare mention this to Mother.

They weren't happy faces.

Did you check?

Oh, ah, yes, everyone who signed out phenobarbital.

Nothing out of the ordinary.

You saw Douglas before you went to Canberra.

That's right.

Anything I should know?

I have to ask. Someone did.

Perhaps a man from the refuge worked at the party.

You know what we're doing, don't you?

Avoiding the obvious.

We were escaping from some action against the Germans.

And there was a field we had to cross.

Two shots sounded and she fell.

Her name...

Her name was Ness.

Her resistance name Simone.

She was a good friend.

A good fighter.

I couldn't move her.

And she couldn't bear the idea of what the Nazis would do to her

if she were captured, so...

She begged me.

To look into the eyes of...

..someone you care for so much...

..and be asked to take their life.

What did you do?

I did it.

How could I not?

MOURNFUL MUSIC

I helped Douglas.

May God forgive me enough to allow us to meet again in the afterlife.

You have to tell the truth about that afternoon.

Well, I can't. There's too much turmoil in this house.

-I can't.

-At least tell Henry.

His respect for you will be the only thing that stops him from calling

in the police. Because if he does,

the strength of your beliefs may make you immune from inquiry,

but not the men of the refuge.

It was Douglas' choice.

And I will not have any of the men from the refuge crucified for it.

One of them clearly loved Douglas enough to help him.

You knew he had the means?

Not until the end.

Was it his doing alone?

It was

Douglas' choice.

I see no need to take it further.

So now we're just to pretend that nothing untoward has happened.

I'll see to it that my friend destroys the carbon.

Thank you, Henry.

I'm very grateful.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I...

SHE SNIFFLES

..have some preparations to make.

Take off.

It's comforting, isn't it? The resilience of children.

What have you told Georgie?

That Grandpa Douglas has gone to visit the angels.

And Daddy...

..is on holidays with a school friend.

Is that wrong of me?

Oh, where's the harm in protecting them from unhappiness?

Darling, Mother's about to leave.

Oh, she didn't say.

She's asking to see you.

Will you keep your eye on him?

-Yes, of course.

-Thank you.

Oh! How did we go?

Did we take off everywhere?

Surely this isn't all you're taking.

I'll pack up some things tomorrow and send them on.

I'm taking all that I need.

How much does one need for a visit to the city anyway?

Haven't you heard? It's not a visit.

I've decided that some things, some memories, are best left behind.

I'm not yet strong enough to return to our home.

Prudence has offered hers.

She's away, so it'll be perfect.

And Anna will stay with her for as long as Mother needs.

-You will come back and see us soon?

-Or we can come to you.

I am so very grateful for your understanding.

Perhaps I could travel with you, Mother, help you get settled.

You have fussed quite enough.

And I've appreciated it.

Grandpa Douglas.

Thank you

for the most wonderful day.

It was too much for you.

I shouldn't have done it.

After our wedding day...

..this has been the happiest day of my life.

And to see the men.

Oh, my God, Lizzie, you have no idea what that meant to me.

And to them.

HE SIGHS

-What is it?

-Light me a...

Here, let me help you.

-No.

-It's all right.

Leave me.

You know, Lizzie...

..we've come to that sweet...

..and perfect day.

The most perfect day...

..for me to take my leave.

Don't you think?

What's in that bottle?

But I can only go with your blessing.

RASPING BREATHS

Not yet.

Not now.

I'm being selfish, I know, but we have more time.

You're the first real happiness in my life.

And you for me.

But my poor old body's done for.

I can't manage any more.

GROANING

Can't you see it's hopeless?

Give it to me.

No, no, I can't have you involved.

Before I change my mind.

But, but your fingerprints.

I'll get rid of it.

Oh, Lizzie.

I love you

so much.

Please, let's kiss now.

You know what I'd like to hear?

Chopin.

Tristesse. It's on the table.

MUSIC: Tristesse by Chopin

Don't mind me if I...

..doze off.

Wish I was coming with you.

RASPING BREATHS

I'll be waiting for you when you do.

Goodbye...

..my love.

Oh, Douglas.

Douglas.

HE GROANS

My darling.

MUSIC CONTINUES

Best thing for it, Mrs Goddard.

Does a heavy heart the world of good.

-TEARFULLY:

-Thank you, Raymond.