Episode 3 The Secret of Crickley Hall

This programme contains some scenes which some viewers may find upsetting.

This one's the worst. He's run away four times.

-What's your name?

-Stefan Rosenbaum.

You don't have to instil fear to get respect.

-Mr Cribben uses a cane, doesn't he?

-You're fired! Argh!

-I'm not dead, Mummy.

-We've got ghosts!

-Argh!

-Hands up who wants to move out of here.

Hands up who wants to know where Cameron is.

You think me and Cally and Loren are all hallucinating.

Don't forget the dog.

He didn't just beat them on a nightly basis, he kept a logbook.

If I see you near them, I will inform the police.

Someone in town told me you might be able to help me.

-Is it my son?

-Argh!

-They're just echoes of past events.

-Argh!

Maurice, you don't have to do this.

I'm going to try and reach the children.

Two of them were never found.

Stefan Rosenbaum and Maurice Stafford.

This is Gordon Pyke. He's an expert on Crickley Hall.

My son spoke to me. He isn't a memory or an echo.

Can you remember what he said to you?

I'm not dead, Mummy.

It's dark.

I'm cold.

I can see them. They're dead.

They know where I am.

Are you quite certain that was your son?

You think that I don't know his voice?

You were used to hearing your son and only your son.

Not surprising, then, you would think it was him

if you heard another boy in a similar way.

Those words could have been spoken

by one of the orphans traumatised here.

By the orphan who was the last to die.

SHE SOBS

When we're bereaved, we're far more open

-to supernatural wish fulfilment.

-You're wrong.

The last thing that I want to think about is ghosts.

I'm not bereaved.

-We're still hoping.

-Don't!

He thinks Cam's dead.

HE SIGHS

Do you blame him for what happened?

I was the one that fell asleep.

Why were you so tired?

-Work.

-Three young children.

Don't you make excuses for me, or I really will lose it.

Did your husband share looking after the children?

If he'd taken more of the load,

might you have been less tired?

On that day...Cameron was my responsibility.

And I closed my eyes.

But if your husband could accept even a tiny part of the blame...

He never blamed me.

Might it have been better if he had?

Then you could admit how you feel.

(Oh, I'm sorry!)

(I'm sorry.)

If there is a psychic rapport between you and your son,

we may be able to amplify it.

But not by talking to the dead.

No, please stop. We're just swapping one quack for another!

-Sorry.

-I've been called a lot worse.

Girls, can we just have another five minutes...?

You're just going to turn your back on these children?

I did that ten years ago.

He won't stop hurting them until someone makes him.

I think, Lili, whatever demons you found, you brought them with you.

Eve?

I have information about your son.

Cribben spoke to me. I'm so sorry.

Cam's dead.

-I'm sorry, Eve.

-Thank you for your time!

He said your son drowned. The canal they searched, about a mile down.

They use it as a dumping ground.

-Stop it!

-Cam's body's trapped inside!

The boy that you heard, it was one of the orphans. I'm so sorry, Eve!

But there are children here! They're abandoned! They're in pain!

That's enough! Get out!

-What are you doing?

-I didn't tell her about the canal.

-Come on! She read that.

-Detective Michael, please.

Eve, they're not going to send divers down again on her say-so!

I won't tell them who told us. No, I'll wait.

You said you could help if he's alive.

-It's enough now.

-The bathroom, if I may?

RUMBLING

Why did you tell her her son was dead?

And so...

-I'm not sure I can go through...

-WHIPLASH!

WHIPLASH!

(Yes, sir.)

Are we allowed down yet?

We're bored!

I know, you've been very patient. Five minutes.

-I'm sorry.

-It's not your fault.

Yes, it is.

-You're very late, Maurice.

-Sorry, Miss.

Are you expecting someone?

Miss? Stefan's got something in his pocket.

You know that every time you refuse to speak English, I will punish you.

Every German word will cost you dearly,

and it will not stop until you submit.

(I told you. No-one's going to rescue us.)

Well, since you dragged me back into this...

-I'm looking for Magda.

-Why?

Well, if Cribben won't listen to me, maybe he'll listen to his sister.

Her mind's gone.

-A girl got injured up there today!

-Which girl?

It's way past time anyone who knows anything spoke up.

And that means you, too, Percy!

Because I know you haven't told me everything.

OK, Ma?

What you done with her? Is she buried in the vegetable patch?

Can I not enjoy me own son for five minutes?

I've said my piece on that woman. I don't know where she is.

She's back in London, I expect.

Have you had any letters here the last few weeks?

If you lie to me, Mam, I'll never forgive you.

She's gone, son. I'm sorry.

Welcome home, Percy.

I'm so glad you've come back to us in one piece.

I just wondered if you got any er...

any call to write any reference letter for Miss Linnet?

I expect Nancy has realised her vocation does not lie with children.

I'm sorry.

'I've had an idea how I can get the children out of Crickley Hall,

'but I won't put it in writing.

'I don't want to get you into trouble.

'One day, this will all be over.

'We'll look back and wonder

'how people could ever have been so cruel to each other.

'We'll have our own children and we'll smother them with love.

'You'll make the most wonderful father.'

Hey, Stefan.

You're not supposed to be here. Go away.

We all remember Nancy.

She said she was going to get us out of here and then she ran away.

We're not supposed to talk to you.

What are you doing up here?

I was looking for Magda.

You know you're not allowed.

Yes. Sorry, I forgot.

I'll have to tell the Cribbens.

Yeah, well, you do that, they'll most likely fire me.

That can't be helped, I'm afraid.

Get back downstairs.

You're used to giving orders 'round here, in't ya?

To kids half your size.

You can't touch me.

Magda!

You think because Nancy's gone, it's back to business as usual?

(I got news for you.)

(I'm taking over where she left off.)

Tell your brother I've got my eyes on him.

He touches those kids again, I'll split his head open.

I heard there's been an accident.

Yeah, I bet you did.

Lili Peel was your idea, wasn't she?

Thank you, Percy, that's exactly what we need(!)

Are the girls all right?

The girls would be fine if there wasn't a procession of freaks

trying to scare the living daylights out of them.

I told your wife to move out of here, now I'm asking you.

You told her in a way that was guaranteed to make her stay.

I'm sure you've met Percy before. He comes with the house.

Percy wasn't invited the last time I tested the house.

He was thought to be more in Lili's camp.

-You're that psychologist.

-Parapsychologist.

Gordon Pyke.

Still don't believe there are ghosts here? Why have you back?

That's between me and Mrs Caleigh.

You're disturbing the dead.

(That can't be helped, I'm afraid.)

If you care about your children, you'll take them home.

-Don't you talk to me about my children!

-Please!

Magda? I've got a visitor for you.

-She's come to talk about the old days.

-Thank you.

Magda? I'm Lili Peel.

I'm here today to talk to you about your brother.

I know it was long time ago

and I know other people have asked you and you haven't told.

But I'm praying you tell me now.

It's still going on.

It's got all the punishments Cribben dished out to the children.

Why do you think he kept it? Do you think he wanted to be found out?

Perhaps it gave his life a semblance of order...

..as his mental health disintegrated.

Write it down, keep everything nice and tidy.

All the children are in there except Maurice Stafford.

What do you know about him?

One of the bodies that was never found.

How come Maurice never got punished?

He'd already suffered extreme hardship by the time he came here.

Unlike the other orphans, he knew what pain was.

And so he gave the Cribbens what they demanded.

Total subservience.

He did what anyone would do.

Cribben still turned on him in the end.

You don't believe they all drowned.

No.

Poor little Maurice.

He escaped the book.

Little good it did him in the end.

-Ah!

-Argh!

Argh!

Ah!

Maurice, you don't have to do this.

Imagine what he'll do to you.

Don't let her do this to you!

-Lili!

-Argh!

What did you do?

What someone should have done years ago.

You can drop the act, Magda.

She was in the cellar.

I don't know why they killed her.

They wouldn't do that.

It's not so easy to kill someone.

Not unless you're mad.

Are you telling me everyone in that house went mad?

Why didn't you see that ten years ago?

Nancy died trying to protect those children.

They still need rescuing.

Nancy had no evidence anyone was being mistreated.

I spoke to all the children and they withdrew their complaints.

They're petrified of him, that's why.

And after making her allegations, she ran away.

(She was made to.)

Percy, can you really have no idea

why she might not have wanted to stay here?

You had an intimate relationship with that young woman.

She might not have wanted to deal with those consequences here.

Perhaps she wanted to spare you those consequences.

-She may have wanted to spare herself.

-She might have left me...

..she wouldn't have left those orphans.

There's no speaking to you, Percy.

When was the last time you saw Cribben?

He ain't been seen outside Crickley for months.

-Nancy told you and I'm telling you, he's not right in the head.

-Percy!

If he's fit to be in charge of those kids,

why can't he drag himself to church?

And if anything happens now, it'll be on your head!

DOORBELL

Reverend. Is there some problem?

There's no problem Miss Cribben, no.

I was just passing by

and I thought it was such a long time since I saw your brother.

I'm sorry, he's sleeping.

Do come in.

I hope I'm not interrupting.

The children are upstairs studying. Would you like to see them?

No, it's not the children that I came to see.

Would you like to come in?

No. I won't keep you.

I don't think I've seen Augustus since the soldiers' leaving party.

And that was three months ago.

The doctor has prescribed peace and quiet.

But that was six months ago and no-one's seen him since.

Oh, I don't think that's entirely true, is it?

People do love to exaggerate. He's hardly housebound.

Please, take it from me, there is nothing to worry about.

There's no shame in feeling the pressure

now you have to manage without Miss Linnet.

I am perfectly capable of running Crickley Hall myself.

It's not you I'm worried about.

Did Doctor Grainger send you?

I hope he hasn't broken a patient's confidence.

No. I came as a concerned friend.

If you want to cast aspersions on my brother's state of mind,

you'll have to do that through official channels

and not under the cover of friendship.

No-one's accusing him of anything.

I saw Percy Judd skulking in the back for the first time in weeks.

He and his girlfriend Miss Linnet have a vendetta against us.

It would put my mind at rest

I could just have a couple of words with him.

-MUFFLED YELLS

-I told you why that's not possible.

Good day.

-Ow!

-A-A-A-A-A-A-Argh!

I had no idea.

Augustus, you shouldn't have to deal with this kind of behaviour.

These children, they need specialist care.

I thought I could reform them.

Is this why you've been avoiding us?

I couldn't face God whilst I failed in my duty.

You're too hard on yourself.

I shall be in church on Sunday.

It will make you stronger.

Yes.

You don't judge me!

You'd best make preparations to leave this place.

If you don't want to end up in jail.

PHONE RINGS

Hello.

Yes, it is.

Yeah. No, sorry, mobiles don't work here.

What is it?

Yeah.

Yes.

When?

Where?

Yeah. I can, er...

be there in a couple of hours.

Thank you.

They've found a body...in the canal.

And the clothes match his description.

I have to go and identify him.

-It's not him.

-(I have to go.)

I want to go home.

Not with the girls. Not till we know.

I'll go.

I'll go and I'll call you from London and we'll tell them together.

Maybe it's not him.

Gabe, this is my fault. It's not yours.

I wasn't there.

(I promise you I will never let you down again. I promise.)

Where are you going?

Work.

I love you.

(I love you, too.)

-WHIPLASH!

-Yes!

-WHIPLASH!

-Argh!

-WHIPLASH!

-Argh! Argh!

-WHIPLASH!

-Yargh!

HE SOBS

-I don't like him.

-Why's that?

The children don't like him.

Well, children aren't always right about everything.

-None of them like him.

-No-one likes bullies.

Ask your sister.

When's Daddy going to be back?

Soon. I'm here.

I'm staying awake until he gets back.

I'm just across the hall.

Don't go to sleep.

I promise.

RAIN PELTS

Why haven't they called us for dinner?

It's your fault.

Door was open.

Up to its usual tricks.

RAIN PELTS

Gus? Gus?!

CLICK!

The shoes are missing. So are the socks.

We have to assume that the currents took them.

There are no signs of violence to the body before drowning.

It seems like it was an accident.

No-one hurt him.

-They're his.

-You're absolutely sure?

(I'm so sorry, Gabe.)

Where is he?

-If you're sure. You don't need to do it.

-I need to see him.

He's been in the water.

She won't believe it if I don't see him!

You don't have to do this to yourself. You won't recognise him.

Just his little finger. That's all I need to see.

SCREAMING

Let me out of here!

Ssh!

(Go to sleep.)

PHONE RINGS

(Gabe?)

HE SOBS

No!

It's him, love.

Argh!

I've seen him.

A-A-A-A-Argh!

A-A-A-A-Argh!

SHE SOBS

RAIN PELTS

ENGINE PURRS

SHE YELLS

SHE SOBS

You've always been a good boy, Maurice.

Do you want to be with the children...

..or do you want to be with me?

I want to be with you, sir.

Then help me find him.

I can't tell you how sorry I am.

You're wrong about ghosts.

They do exist and they do communicate with us.

But only so they can play sick games.

Let's make a drink, shall we?

Help you sleep until he gets home.

I promised I'd stay awake.

PHONE BEEPS

I love you, Daddy!

If you care about your children, you'll take them home.

I love you.

ENGAGED TONE

PHONE BEEPS

RAIN PELTS

Do you have sedatives?

I've only just managed to wean myself off.

You didn't bring any with you?

I told you, I don't want to sleep.

Yes, of course. I understand.

We'll just stay and chat.

(That can't be helped, I'm afraid.)

That can't be helped, I'm afraid.

-YELLING

-You'll hang, Gus!

-Stand back!

-You'll hang!

I told you what would happen to you!

(Sorry.)

(I don't know what's the matter with me.)

You're in shock.

You're cold and tired and...

need to sleep.

No. I promised I'd stay awake.

It's better if you sleep.

DOORBELL

RAIN PELTS

Maurice.

Percy.

I told him you weren't to be disturbed.

-Is that all right?

-(Thank you.)

Mum?

Mum is feeling a little under the weather.

-Mum, are you OK?

-She'll be fine.

You run along back to bed.

I don't want to sleep.

It's best you sleep through this.

-Loren!

-Ssh-ssh-ssh-ssh-ssh!

Don't make it worse for them.

When you wake up, it will all be over.

You've been through this before.

You'll recover.

And you're young. You can have more.

STRUGGLED GASPS

I know you've suffered...

..but he's been haunting me for 70 years.

(He must have another child, or he'll never let me go.)

(Please.)

(Don't hurt them.)

I'd rather kill myself.

But he'd still be there.

Hurting me, like the others.

Forever.

Just one more child...

and he'll be at peace.

And so will they.

So, you see, I'm saving the orphans, too.

Sleep now.

(Cally!)

THUNDERCLAP

-(What happened?)

-(Ssh!)

THUNDERCLAP

BRAKES SCREECH

RAIN PELTS

Please!

SHE SOBS

Please!

Argh!

I'll find you!

-(He's gone. Loren, he's gone.)

-(Ssh!)

RAIN PELTS

Help me find him, or I'll find you!

ECHO: Help me find him, or I'll find you!

WHIPLASH!

WHIPLASH!

Can you hear me?

RAIN PELTS

-WHIPLASH!

-Ya-a-a-a-a-argh!

HE SPEAKS GERMAN

I think you should come out now, Stefan.

Argh!

-Argh!

-Ah!

(I'll find you!)

RAIN PELTS

-(Mummy!)

-(Ssh!)

FOOTSTEPS

Ah!

He only wants one of you.

We haven't done anything.

Neither have I.

And I can't die until Cribben gets what he wants.

All I want is to rest.

In peace.

You've had a good life.

You were...loved.

Which one do you want?

Loren, go!

Argh!

THUNDERCLAP

Please help us!

-Get help!

-No!

-Go!

She's mine.

Daddy!

Please! Please!

A-A-A-Argh!

Daddy!

SHE GRUNTS

-Argh!

-Ah!

-Baby! What's happened?

-Loren!

Stay there!

Eve!

The cellar!

-Loren!

-Daddy!

-Argh!

-Ah!

SHE BREATHES HARD

-SHE WHIMPERS

-Daddy!

-Argh! Argh!

-Daddy!

Argh!

Somebody...please! Help, please!

No, I'm sorry, Mr Caleigh.

'Maurice?'

'You don't have to do this, Maurice.'

(Nancy.)

SPLASH!

FOOTSTEPS

SHE SOBS

-CHILD'S VOICE:

-Mummy?

I'm not dead, Mummy.

It's dark.

I'm cold.

I can see them.

They're dead.

-They know where I am.

-Stop!

I heard it as Cam.

Think how blessed you are to have known his voice.

Clyde?

Clyde!

Come on!

What's going on, Percy?

It was best for the animal.

I'm sure you can appreciate that.

You took him?

Is that Gordon?

I'm sorry.

(Hey, hey.)

-Argh!

-Hey, hey, no, no, no.

You'll be all right. It's me, it's Percy.

-You're all right, you're all right.

-Argh!

Argh!

Argh!

Magda!

Magda?

Please!

The dock's underwater.

It's like something out of the Bible.

-What's he doing here?

-The rest of them are dead.

-What, they're all drowned?

-(I didn't say drowned.)

(That...bastard!)

-Percy...!

-He did it.

People have been drowned all over Hollow Bay.

They were in the cellar.

-(Oh, my God!)

-KNOCK AT DOOR

Don't let him suffer any more, Mam.

I'm sorry to disturb you on this terrible morning, Mrs Judd.

Mrs Kenley thought she saw your Percy arrive here with a boy.

We understand feelings are running high after what happened up there,

but I can assure you he will be given the best possible care.

And this is on my honour...

as a man of God.

Haven't you got better things to do on a day like this

than accuse law-abiding people of kidnapping?

Pity you didn't take an interest in them when they were alive.

Well, I'll be making amends for that for the rest of my life.

And the next one, too.

KNOCK AT DOOR

I had a friend in the army whose son was killed in the Blitz.

They changed his name.

He passed away a couple of years ago.

He had a family. Children, grandchildren.

He had a good life.

They're leaving!

They're mine.

Come with us.

You can change.

Back to retirement?

Until the next sob story.

Take care, Eve.

I'm sorry I didn't listen to you.

No. Look, I wanted so much for it to be him.

He was never here.

We'll see him again.

He's at peace.

He's safe.

Nancy.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd