In A Family at War Season 2, Episode 2 – I Can Be Happy, Can’t I?, the desire for normalcy clashes with the realities of war. As members of the Ashton family grasp for moments of happiness and connection, personal sacrifices and emotional wounds resurface. In a world turned upside down by conflict, the question of happiness becomes more complicated than ever. This touching episode captures the quiet struggles behind wartime resilience.
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00:40He think he's in charge of the whole port instead of some bloody old cannons.
00:44Right now, Captain. Gather up, please, Captain.
00:48Well, better little news, Doctor Teller.
00:51What, though?
00:53I'll tell you what I would like. A slice of bread and dripping, lightly salted.
00:59Gluttony.
01:00Okay.
01:01Now, I'll run over the names of the ship and give you your number.
01:05Answer up, please.
01:06You've left your shoes in the hall.
01:10Oh, thanks, love. We'll leave them down there. I'll give them a rub before I go up.
01:15I've put your bottle in. I'm going up now.
01:19Yes, yes, all right, love.
01:25Are you waiting up for Margaret?
01:27She's got a key, hasn't she?
01:28I should have thought the concert would have been ended by now.
01:33Well, she's probably called in it. Who's that woman she's gone with?
01:36Marjorie.
01:37Well, I'll be here for another half hour or so, anyway.
01:42Good night, then.
01:44Good night, dear.
01:45Oh, good night, Mum.
01:46Good night, Freda.
01:47One slice of bread and dripping.
01:50Spoilt to death, aren't you?
01:52I'm a ruined man.
01:54Lightly salted?
01:56Lightly salted.
01:58Mmm.
02:00Starla.
02:00Oh.
02:01Are you, uh, waiting up for Margaret, then?
02:06No, I'm waiting up to finish this book.
02:09Why does everybody think I should wait up for somebody who's got a key?
02:12Well, you're usually hanging around when I get in late.
02:14Am I?
02:15Hmm.
02:15Why don't you read in bed?
02:20Because it's cold up there.
02:22Oh.
02:25She, uh, seems a lot happier these days, doesn't she?
02:30Who, your mother?
02:30Margaret.
02:31Yes.
02:32Yes, she does.
02:34She's, uh, even started going to the pictures again.
02:38Yes.
02:39Oh, don't read that.
02:42Talk to me.
02:43About what?
02:44You still think I'm 16, don't you?
02:46Sometimes.
02:47Well, I'm not.
02:49I'm past the age of consent, whatever that means.
02:52You can read that any time.
02:55What is it, anyway?
02:56Oh, it's when your sister bought me from Harry Potter when they were moving.
02:59Oh.
03:01Do you think we'll ever hear about what happened to John?
03:05No, I don't.
03:06Nothing good, anyway.
03:09It's almost a year, you know.
03:11Hmm.
03:12Does Margaret?
03:13No, she doesn't.
03:15Well, she must still hope, though.
03:17Well, some people can feed on hope, and some can't.
03:20I think up to Christmas she did hope, and hope was killing her, but...
03:24She never said very much.
03:28No.
03:29You never know with Margaret, do you?
03:31No, you don't.
03:33Not like you, eh?
03:35Not like you?
03:36What do you mean, not like me?
03:37I suppose you think you can read me like a book, don't you?
03:40Mm-hmm.
03:41Hmm.
03:47Ah.
03:48Not too late, hope, Doris?
03:50No, that's all right, Mr Armstrong.
03:53Um, this is Mrs Porter.
03:56Hello.
03:57Doris has been looking after Barbara for me, is she?
03:59Oh, she only went off an hour ago.
04:01She's fast off now, though.
04:02I read to her a bit.
04:03Not from that, I hope.
04:04Good heavens, no.
04:06I have to turn my chair around to Faith's door before I dare read it meself.
04:09Well, I'll get off, then.
04:1220 miles an hour up the road before the vampires get me.
04:15Good night.
04:16Good night, Doris.
04:17Can I take your coat?
04:27No, I think I'll keep it on.
04:28I can only stay for a minute or two.
04:30Would you like some tea?
04:32Well, it's rather late, but...
04:35Well, yes, yes, thanks.
04:37I'll put the kettle on.
04:38That's Janet.
05:03Oh.
05:04She was very attractive, wasn't she?
05:06Well, that was the last one she had taken.
05:07She didn't like being photographed.
05:09She said the camera always bent her nose.
05:18Do you do the housework?
05:19Ha, ha.
05:20Yeah, it's a bit of a glory hole, isn't it?
05:22No, it's comfortable.
05:24John and I, we always stay with his parents.
05:25We never had time to find a place of our own.
05:28Anyway, you were going to show me Barbara's drawings.
05:31Oh, yes.
05:32Yeah.
05:33They're over here.
05:36Well, I probably sound like a fun parent, but, uh, I think they're quite good.
05:44Yes, yes.
05:45Oh, I like that one.
05:46Yes, that's one of the better ones.
05:50That one's nice.
05:51Hmm.
05:53It's funny, but they're much better than the one she does at school.
05:56I wonder why.
05:58She misses her mother, of course.
05:59Yes.
06:02Yes, I got the feeling in the park last Sunday that she rather, oh, you know, resented me a little.
06:08Well, you never know how children's minds are working, do you?
06:13You enjoyed the browns, didn't you?
06:15Yes.
06:16Yes, it makes you feel life's worth living somehow.
06:19Yeah.
06:20And then you'll come out into the blackout and those awful blue lights and the buses and everything's just the same as it was.
06:28All worse.
06:29Yes, all worse.
06:32I don't know.
06:32Maybe we should give up going to concerts.
06:35I suppose we're not to be glad.
06:37Well, uplifted.
06:38But it never seems to last long enough.
06:42It just ruins me for the next few days.
06:44You wouldn't really want to stop going.
06:46No.
06:48No, of course not.
06:50Look, look, I really ought to be glad.
06:52I suppose when you've been unhappy for a long time and something reminds you of happiness, you do tend to shy away from it.
06:59You can't believe it's going to last.
07:02You can't bear having it only to lose it.
07:05Yeah.
07:06That's not a good way to live, is it?
07:10No joy, no comfort.
07:12Margaret.
07:14No.
07:17Margaret.
07:18No, Michael, it's too soon.
07:20We're both tied up in other people.
07:22Better too soon than too late, isn't it?
07:25You're not happy as you are.
07:26No, no, I'm not happy, but...
07:29Well, we shouldn't look for happiness at the expense of other people, should we?
07:33What other people?
07:35There aren't any other people, Margaret.
07:42No, no, no, it's not that.
07:56sorry you just wanted my friendship and I've spoiled it for you. no no no it's not that.
08:09what then?
08:11well the day I got married I said I don't know why I said someone walked over my
08:18grave the last time anyone touched me you know I yeah I know ghosts weeks after I
08:31got the telegram I'd be walking in the street and I'd see a uniform and I follow
08:36it until it turned and I saw that it wasn't even now sometimes
08:48ghosts Margaret yes ghosts
09:18for Mussolini has got just a teeny suspicion he's made a mistake saying the mediterranean was an
09:40Italian lady doesn't miss Porter like you anymore daddy why sweet she doesn't come
09:48anymore does she for weeks and weeks she doesn't smile at me in class now come on if we don't rush
09:56we'll be late
10:00don't forget your gas mask
10:02I don't like her really
10:04come on
10:06you haven't been to a concert for ages
10:09mum if I want to go to a concert I'll go
10:12I wish everyone would shut up about concerts going to concerts isn't going to make life all bright and beautiful now is it
10:18oh
10:20why don't you take the day off Reggie
10:22how should I do that hmm it's not just half the children that have been evacuated you know it's half the teachers as well
10:27I don't see why you had to go back to that teaching anyway don't you
10:32who was it complaining just before Christmas that she hadn't done enough with her life
10:36oh
10:37anyway who's gonna pay for John George's upbringing if I don't
10:40haven't got a husband to support me have I
10:42you have us and what if dad and uncle Sefton fell out and Sefton sold the roof over our heads what do we do then live off our freedom
10:50uncle Sefton wouldn't do that he's my brother his family
10:55is it
10:56anyway seems to appreciate your father more these days
10:59needs him you mean
11:00oh honestly mum it's about time you've decided whose side you're on dads or Sefton's
11:04I don't think I want that
11:06that time I was off anyway
11:08um
11:10I'll be going to the doctors after tea by the way I need another prescription for John George
11:14he doesn't need any more of that stuff love surely
11:17no but I'd like to have some in the house just in case
11:20why don't you get something for yourself eh
11:23something to make me easier to live with do you mean
11:27no
11:28only you were I don't know so much so much more your old self just after Christmas
11:34a bottle of something to bring back my old self is that what I asked for
11:40we're going to hang out our washing on the Siegfried line
11:46have you any dirty washing mother dear
11:50we're going to hang out our washing on the Siegfried line
11:53well other joys of spring father
11:55oh it's a lovely day for March very pleasant
11:57yes you wouldn't think there's a war on
11:59well we all try a lot to don't they
12:01hmm
12:02well what's on the agenda then
12:03in what respect
12:04why haven't you got anything mapped out for me
12:06well you're on leave lad what you do with it is your concern
12:08well I thought I might nip down to the works to see how Uncle Edwin's getting on
12:12yes I was hoping you might look in on him while you're home
12:15does this tie look straight to you
12:18oh rigid father absolutely rigid
12:20yes I'm going to see Edwin after I've been to the shop
12:23that chap Wainwright is not a patch on Carter
12:26you could teach him a thing or two yourself come to that
12:30go on
12:32don't underestimate yourself lad
12:34don't hide your light under a bushel
12:36well it's good of you to say so
12:39haven't I always said so
12:40no
12:41well I'm saying it now then
12:43how's business
12:45a holding operation that's what I call it
12:47a holding operation
12:49sit tight and hold on
12:50that's my order for the day
12:52and er
12:54when it's over
12:55back to the old routine
12:56I don't see why not
12:58isn't that what we're supposed to be fighting for
13:00oh by the way
13:02er
13:03I'd like you to have a word with Edwin
13:05I thought you were coming down yourself
13:08I am
13:09I see it's one of those is it
13:12won't you see me
13:40please
13:41no
13:43no
13:44no I don't think so
13:46and it chanced that when half of the short summer night was gone
14:03with a grisly wound to be dressed he had left the deck
14:05with a grisly wound to be dressed he had left the deck
14:07but a bullet struck him that was dressing it suddenly dead
14:09John be patient with me please
14:11oh
14:13John be patient with me please
14:15oh love
14:17I'm gonna be patient with you for the next 40 years
14:18oh
14:20and himself
14:22and himself he was wounded again in the side
14:25and he said fight on fight on
14:26fight on
14:27and then he said fight on
14:32and then he said fight on
14:34John be patient with me please I'm gonna be patient with you for the next
14:4240 years and himself he was wounded again in the side and the head and he
14:50said fight on fight on then night went down and the Sun smiled out far over the
14:58summer sea and the Spanish fleet with broken sides lay round us all in a ring
15:03anyone who wants to do an arithmetic lesson instead of listening to poetry just
15:10tell me and I can arrange it now
15:17Miss Hermes she did it. very well thank you. I can judge for myself
15:26take your arms from the desk
15:33Barbara Armstrong you are a perpetual nuisance in this class and you can take that innocent
15:44smirk from your face I can see right through it now move
15:51it isn't clever to behave like this you know
15:53move girl come on come on Barbara out to the front of the class
16:04no Barbara tell my daddy off you I will I will I will
16:10look at it there was better stuff than that hanging in the toilets before the war fancy having to ask the craftsmen to work with that
16:16well he's still got some left craftsmen I mean a couple that's another problem
16:21Pringles don't seem to have any trouble getting them Pringles
16:24so I've been led to believe well they get what's going because they got a better class of machinery
16:30well I'm not stopping Edwin it's time I was back at the shop I've got 10 doing the work of 15 there
16:34you know are you hanging on for a bit
16:37yes I think I will if you don't mind
16:40put him to work let him make himself useful
16:43I'll see you at home then
16:47put him to work let him make himself useful
16:51yeah present from the seaside
16:54good heavens razor blades
16:56I've got a source as they say
16:58well uh what have you been up to anything
17:04he uh wants me to drop a hint that I won't be coming back here at the end of hostilities
17:08oh then let's take it as dropped shall we
17:12well I think you knew that anyway still there it is
17:15he uh he wants you to feel more permanent
17:19times have changed haven't they
17:20you think so
17:23you don't
17:23I went after another job at Pringles as a matter of fact
17:26he seems to have got wind or something
17:30are you gonna take it
17:32I doubt it if I've been an operator well they're machinery's first class
17:35but on the management side working with Pringle
17:38it might sound like a backhanded compliment Tony
17:41but there are worse men in business than your father
17:44out of the frying pan eh
17:46that's about it yes
17:48well uh better the devil you know
17:51something like that
17:52oh god why doesn't he just come straight out with it
17:56why doesn't he ask you why you want to leave and then you can talk it out between you
18:00that's not the way he plays it is it and me well if I lost my temper I could finish up with
18:03the labour exchange from choice and I'd live to regret that he owns the house I live in for a start
18:10if Pringle had been all right I might have chanced it but I can't throw myself on the market at my end
18:15oh for god's sake don't tell him that
18:17no but I suppose he'll go on playing his little games
18:28remember the night's mother used to have us round the piano
18:31this is the way I'd like it she says
18:33all the brigs together and no changes pending
18:36hey they don't tell you much the last time I was down there I might as well not have bothered
18:42she didn't know whether it was me or the callman
18:46there's not much they can tell you I suppose
18:49it's a good nursing home Sefton I
18:51I know you'd like her nearer so would I but you know better not well you might be right I dare say
18:59you and Edwin sorted things out yet
19:02what things oh I'm not blind you know about young Robert wasn't it
19:08I can't seem to resign myself that he's gone
19:12I know there's nothing I can do about it but
19:16I can't accept that it was necessary that's all
19:20you mustn't blame Edwin Jean
19:24he signed the papers didn't he I don't suppose he likes it any more than you do if the truth were no
19:28you're defending Edwin Sefton you've always seemed a very happy family to me I like to see people contented that's all
19:38Sefton
19:40was there ever a time when I let the family interfere in my marriage
19:44father anyone interfere who's interfering I'm certainly not it's just that he seemed to
19:50uh well a bit unsettled lately has Edwin unsettled the word
19:55oh
19:55Sefton
19:56I don't see what's so funny about that
19:58I can read you like a book Sefton Briggs I always could
20:01would you mind telling me what you're talking about
20:04and you better be off and get home before the blackout
20:09well I dare say I should be thankful I've got a smile out of you
20:20I don't know how to say anything I'm sorry so I can't see you
20:29and I can't see you
20:40it's a cat
20:42Come on, let's go.
20:58Martha, I was wondering if you were all right.
21:03You know I didn't mean to hit you like that.
21:06Wendy!
21:12I wish I could find that code I worked out with Philip.
21:27Well, we know he's in the Middle East.
21:30I think that's as much as we ought to know.
21:33He keeps mentioning your brother Wilf. Here, read it.
21:38I haven't got a brother called Wilf.
21:40That's just the point. It's the word for a place.
21:44Oh.
21:47Does Robert have a code?
21:50He's never likely to be in one place for very long, is he?
21:55I've forgotten where I put his address, by the way.
21:58Um, it's the name of the ship, care of the GPO London.
22:03Where's Margaret tonight?
22:05She's gone to the surgery.
22:07Oh?
22:09Get a prescription for the baby.
22:11Oh.
22:13Can I, uh, take this with me to read?
22:16Hmm?
22:17Yes.
22:18You...
22:19You're going to the post?
22:20I promised Ted,
22:22providing I wasn't far watching at the works,
22:24it gives him a chance to pop home for half an hour.
22:28I've...
22:32I passed father's old house this afternoon.
22:36It's been hit.
22:38Must have been one of the two last raids.
22:41Oh, I'm sorry about that badly.
22:44I shouldn't think anybody's ever going to live in it again.
22:48I'm sorry. These things hurt, don't they?
22:50I could see my old bedroom.
22:53The blast had stripped the paper off.
22:56There was a strip of paper hanging down underneath.
23:02It was a piece of the paper that was there when I was a girl.
23:11I'll get back as soon as I can.
23:14Edwin?
23:15Yes?
23:17We've...
23:19We've got to be very careful with Margaret.
23:22Margaret?
23:23Hmm.
23:24She hides herself.
23:25What?
23:26I know it's never been easy to know how she thinks or feels about things.
23:30I mean, you know, she'd...
23:32she'd known John for ages before...
23:34before he came to the house and not a word to us, remember?
23:38What are you trying to say to me, Jean?
23:41I want you to understand how it is with her, that's all.
23:47In her mind, she...
23:49she knows John is dead now.
23:50I know that.
23:51I know that too.
23:54When the porter's left at Christmas, she...
23:57she seemed to cut herself off somehow.
23:59She missed them.
24:01While they were here, it was some kind of contact with him, I suppose.
24:05Their hope seemed to rub off on her somehow.
24:08I don't know.
24:10It's a pity she stopped going out like she used to.
24:12She was hardly in the house at one time.
24:15She seemed to...
24:17come alive again.
24:19Is there...
24:20is there anything...
24:22we could have done...
24:23we haven't done?
24:27I don't know.
24:28I'll never smile again...
24:29I've got a share in a pig.
24:42I'll never smile again...
24:44I beg your pardon.
24:49I said I've got a half share in a pig.
24:54Well, congratulations, Father.
24:56Which half?
24:57It's a very good thing to have these days.
24:59I'm very fond of a bit of bacon.
25:01It's kept at the back of a garage where Mrs Foster's brother works.
25:04He looks after it and we share the profits.
25:06It's a 50-50 investment, so to speak.
25:09Um, are you allowed to visit?
25:11Oh, I go and have a look now and then.
25:13I shan't eat it all myself, of course.
25:15A few portions here and there to the clients might not be a bad idea.
25:20Treasure's in heaven, eh?
25:21Well, it won't last forever, will it?
25:24Oh, I don't know.
25:25I sometimes get the feeling it might.
25:28Oh, by the way, Father,
25:29how much is my share in the works worth these days?
25:32What do you mean, share?
25:34Well, you know, grandfather's will.
25:36I just wondered what the current valuation might be.
25:38Nothing.
25:40Well, that's short and simple.
25:41How come?
25:42Because we don't talk about it while your grandmother's alive.
25:44Because while she's alive, it's hers and nobody else's.
25:46I'm sorry, I didn't mean to.
25:48I'm very fond of you, grandmother.
25:49I meant I was sorry.
25:51I shan't mention it again.
25:53Did you talk to Edwin by the way?
25:56Yes.
25:58I said I wouldn't be coming back.
26:01I doubt if it'll make him feel any more permanent, though.
26:05If you want to know why, you'd better ask him.
26:09I...
26:10I could give you a clue.
26:12Well?
26:13Well, it doesn't just apply to Uncle Edwin, does it?
26:18I dare say most people who want to own the roof they have over their heads.
26:21I dare say they would.
26:22He gets his rent free, doesn't he?
26:24Yeah, it's not quite the same thing, though, is it?
26:25It's a dumb sight better if you ask me.
26:27Yeah, but it's tied to the job, Father.
26:30Look, it makes him feel chained.
26:33Still, I suppose that's the general idea, really, isn't it?
26:36You're at me again, are you?
26:39Well, you asked me and I told you.
26:42Those kind of chains, Father, they're not going to last much longer.
26:44Not the way things are going.
26:46Suppose I offer to let him buy it. Where would he find the money?
26:49Mortgage, perhaps.
26:50At his age.
26:54Well.
26:57Make him a present of it, then.
27:00A present?
27:02A share in the pig, Father.
27:03Do you have to talk in riddles?
27:07PHONE RINGS
27:16Yeah?
27:17Is Mr Armstrong in?
27:19Can you nip in quick? They switched at the other end.
27:23Don't suppose it really matters a light like this,
27:25but you can't be too careful, can you?
27:27Is Norrie in?
27:30Oh, um...
27:32Well, have you any idea where he's gone?
27:34All he didn't say, he just asked me if I'd look after Barbara.
27:37I've wanted to see her about Barbara, my daughter.
27:40She's in your daughter's class.
27:42Oh.
27:43If you don't mind waiting.
27:49She should be back very soon. She's only gone to the doctor's.
28:01Look what I've got.
28:03Good heavens!
28:04Half a pig and a bottle of scotch.
28:07We're supposed to be on the verge of being starved into submission further.
28:10I wish Dr Goebbels could see you.
28:12Now he'd realise what he was up against.
28:13You wouldn't say no to a drop, I suppose?
28:15No.
28:16You wouldn't?
28:17No.
28:18No, I wouldn't say no.
28:21They're quite a good crowd at the club tonight.
28:23You should have come with me.
28:24Sure.
28:25God forbid.
28:26I don't know what you see against the place.
28:30You get some quite nice company.
28:33Yes, there's...
28:35quite a few lads your age.
28:39Um...
28:40Do you want to talk, Father?
28:41You don't mind, I suppose.
28:42No, no.
28:43I don't mind.
28:44It's just a start in the same sentence about six times.
28:48You sang?
28:49That was a very interesting conversation we had before I went out.
28:54Was it?
28:55Is that enough for you?
28:56Yeah, it'll do to be going on with.
28:58Yes, it opened my eyes to one or two things did that.
29:01Times are changing, you know.
29:03You think so?
29:04I don't think there's any doubt about it.
29:06Not for the better altogether, but not entirely for the worse either.
29:10Do you follow me?
29:12Er, yes.
29:13Well, this chap Crips will keep hearing about.
29:15Your grandfather would turn in his grave.
29:18You've no leaning that way, I suppose.
29:21Which way?
29:22Socialism.
29:23Oh, not so you'd notice.
29:25I've never been too sure about Edwin, you know.
29:28Look, Father, wanting to own his own house doesn't make him a socialist.
29:31I didn't say it did.
29:32In fact, I can well understand it.
29:35Well then, why don't you do something about it?
29:38As a matter of fact, I propose to.
29:39Between you and me, the shop's not doing very well.
29:44I reckon we'll have to look to the works quite a bit when this lot's over.
29:48But you were throwing up all sorts of objections before.
29:51Like, where does he get the money?
29:54Oh, there's ways and means, you know.
29:58We can't let something like that stand in the way, can we?
30:01Hello.
30:04Hello.
30:06Sorry I was out.
30:08Oh, I'm talking to you, Mother.
30:10Yes, she told me you were here.
30:12You haven't said anything about her.
30:14No, no, of course not.
30:15Yes, well, I thought you'd come.
30:16You've come about Barbara, haven't you?
30:19Partly.
30:21I'm sorry I hit her, even if she was taking advantage.
30:24Advantage?
30:25Well, of the fact that she knows me, used to know me out of school.
30:29You know what I mean.
30:30She needs attention.
30:31She does these things to get attention.
30:33Yes, I know she does, but...
30:35Sometimes in class you just react.
30:39You forget these things.
30:41Her teacher has problems too, you know.
30:44When the bombing started, I wanted to send her away to me sisters,
30:46but there was such a scene.
30:48She needs me.
30:50Yes.
30:52Well, it might be for the best.
30:54It's a difficult thing to decide, isn't it?
30:57She cries in the night sometimes.
30:58I wouldn't want Tom to be there.
31:00I'm sorry.
31:01I didn't help very much, did I?
31:02You can put things right between you.
31:05I'll try.
31:07It's important to me.
31:08Is it?
31:11I want us to see each other again.
31:16Why will you not see me?
31:18I mean, the real reason.
31:24You were happy when you left me that night, weren't you?
31:28Weren't you?
31:29Yes.
31:30Yes, I suppose I was.
31:33Why then?
31:37Why will you not see me again?
31:40Guilt, I suppose.
31:41Guilt?
31:42I was unfaithful to my husband.
31:44But he's dead, Margaret.
31:45But you can't say that.
31:46Only I can say that and I'm not allowed to.
31:48But you know he is.
31:49Yes, sir.
31:51I should be allowed to know, shouldn't I?
31:53A woman should be allowed to know when her husband's dead.
31:56Margaret, I...
31:58Now, you want a mother for your child, don't you, Margaret?
32:00I want to marry you, yes.
32:02And I want a father for mine, so it all seems a very good arrangement, doesn't it?
32:06I don't believe the way you're talking or the things you're saying.
32:14I don't believe that's how you feel at all.
32:18In fact, I know it isn't.
32:21You wouldn't see me because you were scared to talk to me.
32:25Because you knew I'd convince you.
32:28So, if you want me to go away, tell me why.
32:35I mean, really, why?
32:39I haven't been honest with you, Michael.
32:41You see, I know that John's dead because I have to know.
32:45Because I can't go on from one day to the next hoping a little bit one day and not at all the next.
32:50And I didn't tell you because...
32:53I've come to believe, and I really do believe, that I'm never going to see him again.
33:00But they won't tell me that, you see.
33:01All they'll say is that he's believed killed.
33:04He's missing, believed killed, they say.
33:06And it seems that's all they will say unless there's evidence.
33:08And it's too late for that now.
33:10So I'm just expected to go on and...
33:13Well, if you want to marry me, you'll just have to come back again in seven years' time and ask me then.
33:16Because that's how long I have to wait and...
33:20You shouldn't have told me.
33:23It wasn't worthy of you just to be silent.
33:25I don't know why I didn't. It wasn't deliberate.
33:28I just couldn't bring myself to talk about it.
33:35I know that in books and stories, people who care very much for each other say they'll wait forever and all that, but...
33:42We know it's not true, don't we?
33:44I mean, I wouldn't expect it of you.
33:47And you wouldn't expect it of me, would you?
33:51Oh, no, I wouldn't expect it of you.
33:54Yes, well...
33:56There we are, then.
33:58Oh! Sorry.
34:00Didn't know you had a visitor.
34:02Michael Armstrong, a parent.
34:04My sister, Frida.
34:06I've broken one of my heels.
34:09How do you do?
34:11I'll come to the door with you.
34:12Margaret, I...
34:13It's difficult to find the catch of the curtain across.
34:17Bye, Miss Angela.
34:18Bye!
34:19I'll see you again.
34:20I don't see the point, do you?
34:35I'm a bit knocked out by it just now.
34:38I'll try to make it up to Barbara.
34:40I'll see you at the school, perhaps.
34:43Perhaps.
34:45Margaret...
34:46Good night, Michael.
34:49Is that the boyfriend, then?
34:50What do you mean, boyfriend?
34:51Oh, nothing.
34:52I know you've been going out with him, because Doris told me...
34:53she looks after his little girl while he goes.
34:54Why shouldn't I go out with someone sometime?
34:55No, no, no.
34:56I know you've been going out with him, because Doris told me...
34:57she looks after his little girl while he goes.
34:58And why shouldn't I go out with someone sometime?
34:59No reason at all.
35:00Look, I know he's not a boyfriend.
35:01I mean, not like that.
35:02I was only pulling a leg, you know.
35:03You've had something to drink, haven't you?
35:04I know you've been going out with him.
35:05I know you've been going out with him, because Doris told me...
35:06she looks after his little girl while he goes.
35:07Why shouldn't I go out with someone sometime?
35:08No reason at all.
35:09Look, I know he's not a boyfriend.
35:10I mean, not like that.
35:11I was only pulling a leg, you know.
35:12You've had something to drink, haven't you?
35:13One small sherry.
35:14You'd better not let mum smell your breath.
35:15Mum still thinks I wear navy blue knickers.
35:16I know you've been going out with him.
35:17I know you've been going out with him, because Doris told me...
35:19she looks after his little girl while he goes.
35:20And why shouldn't I go out with someone sometime?
35:21No reason at all.
35:22Look, I know he's not a boyfriend.
35:23I mean, not like that.
35:24I was only pulling a leg, you know.
35:25You've had something to drink, haven't you?
35:26One small sherry.
35:27You'd better not let mum smell your breath.
35:29Mum still thinks I wear navy blue knickers.
35:31I left a dance in disgust.
35:32Hardly anybody there.
35:33I had a battle with an engine room, Archie.
35:34You've had something to drink, haven't you?
35:35One small sherry.
35:36You'd better not let mum smell your breath.
35:37Mum still thinks I wear navy blue knickers.
35:52I left a dance in disgust.
35:54Hardly anybody there.
35:56I had a battle with an engine room, Archie.
36:00You ought to have more sense.
36:03It's all right.
36:04I said I had a battle.
36:05I didn't say he'd won.
36:06We're not all content to live spotless and blameless lives, you know.
36:09Meaning what?
36:10Meaning I just want to live a bit, that's all.
36:13Oh, look, Margaret, I'm not stupid.
36:15I'm not going to get myself into trouble or anything daft like that, you know.
36:23Hey, what's wrong?
36:25What is it, Max?
36:27Well, I've been invaded while I've been gone.
36:31I don't think they'll bother now.
36:32Do you, Dred?
36:33My brother knows a chap that said they've already tried.
36:35What?
36:36A cousin of his, the chap said,
36:38met a fellow seeing German buddies on the beach down near Folkestone.
36:41Go on.
36:42So work that one out.
36:43There's no need a finishing, though, is it?
36:44Well, there's one thing sure.
36:45It's not going to stop next week.
36:46Short of a miracle.
36:47Miracles are few and far between these days.
36:50Don't mind.
36:51Churchill will pull us through with a bit of help from the rank and file.
36:54He had a very funny story this morning.
36:56The air raid sirens had sounded, you know.
36:58And this whole couple are running down to the air raid shelter.
37:01And suddenly the wife turned back and started running upstairs.
37:04Showsburn shouted,
37:05What are you doing?
37:06She said, I've left me teeth at the side of the bed.
37:08He said, Come on, they're dropping bombs, not fish and chips.
37:11Oh, hang on, love.
37:16Yes, I'll put him on.
37:18It's for you, Edward.
37:19You are that clot.
37:21Who is it?
37:23It's me, Dad, Frida.
37:25What's wrong, love?
37:26Well, it's Margaret.
37:28She's in trouble.
37:29Could you come?
37:30I don't want to upset Mum.
37:32Yes, of course.
37:33Is she there, Margaret?
37:35Yeah, she's in the kitchen.
37:37Dad, she says she's pregnant.
37:40Is she pregnant?
37:56Margaret?
37:59Megs?
38:10where is she she's gone out out well I was talking to you on the telephone well out where
38:33we don't know well didn't somebody go after her I did dad I went down the road both ways and there
38:38wasn't a sign of us well you know why she's gone don't you she's gone because you can't face it
38:41and she can't face it because she doesn't think we're up to it it's nothing to you you're you're
38:46just prepared to accept it what did you say to me this morning I want you to understand how it is
38:50with her do you understand how it is with her or doesn't your understanding stretch that far
38:54understanding seems to come very easily to you let me know when you've finished I'll be in the kitchen
39:01you have to talk to me like that in front of Frida I could see it on your face you see when I came in
39:09shame it happened once before with David and you had the same look on your face you blamed me then
39:15for the way I brought him up didn't you well didn't you you you don't seem to realize the
39:22implications I realize the implication John the fact that she can't get married it's not the
39:28implications I'm worried about right now it's Margaret out there with God knows what running
39:33through her mind hadn't you better go out after her we don't even know which direction she took
39:38this is David all over again for you isn't it you're wrong Jean it happened to David because
39:44because well whether you like it or not that's David and it's no good looking at me like that
39:50because you know it as well as I do it happened to Margaret because of a war we pull people up by
40:00the roots and tear them apart and expect everything to go on as usual I just wonder sometimes what we're
40:09going to reap from all this we don't know anything we don't even know who it is we shall have to find
40:16out then shan't we poor John yes poor John and poor Margaret too isn't there anything you can do oh I'll go and
40:28have a walk around the minute if it'll put your mind at rest she'll come back you know when she's ready to face us
40:37all right love yes I suppose so I don't think it's gonna be much of a raid but if anything does start
41:05to happen try and get your mother into the shelter will you you're going out I'm gonna have a look
41:11around don't worry dad hmm I think I know who it is who what is love well this man Margaret his little
41:29girl goes to the school he's married his wife's dead he was here tonight when I got back he lives in one of
41:39those roads off the parade well how come you know all this well one of the girls at the office looks
41:47after his kiddie for him Margaret goes out with him sometimes you seem to have kept it to yourself
41:54very well I didn't see anything wrong with it you thought we would I thought mum would yes
42:00anyway how was I to it's not like Margaret is it no well then Margaret isn't like Margaret these days
42:14on the other hand perhaps we never took the trouble to find out who Margaret really is
42:21father are you serious about letting uncle Edwin have the house I'm serious about giving him the opportunity
42:28at current valuation of course and properties going up after this lot you know
42:32well here's to you then oh I've done something right for you at last have I
42:36I don't think you'll regret it no I don't think I shall I don't think I shall regret it
42:46daddy all right sweet somebody somebody at the door
42:55daddy my tummy's hurting all right chicken I'll be back in a minute
43:00it's me yes here we are I'm some Michael occupants Armstrong might line strong Barbara that's right
43:20I know it is now comes in the shop sometimes what sort of chap is he youngest works at the hospital
43:25somebody told me it was a conscientious objector hang on I'll write the address down for you
43:31he seems such a decent sort of man
43:35well what did you expect from our Margaret a monster
43:41look mum it happens to decent people you still talk to our David I notice
43:46it ruined David's life he ruined his own life
43:49you've been listening to your father no I haven't I know David I always have done
43:53I tremble to think what he gets up to in the air force but that's David mum
43:57don't say things like that all right hide your head in the sand if you must
44:01but as far as I'm concerned David made his own bed
44:05Margaret didn't she had it made for her by this bloody war and I'm all for her baby or no baby
44:10I think you'd better go upstairs love
44:12here we go navy blue knickers again look mum
44:15I don't want to argue with you but things are changing
44:17and if you don't see it you're going to be hurt
44:20Margaret's dead
44:32is she
44:35I think that Tommy must be better she's asleep
44:38I'll take her
44:39all right Jane
44:42the air ain't over daddy's taking me up to bed now
44:44reminds you does it
45:01when you were that size
45:03yes I suppose it does
45:05didn't know what you were in for though did you
45:07not with you I didn't
45:09don't be too hard on him dad
45:13he's put someone I care about someone I care about very much
45:17in an impossible situation
45:19he didn't rape me dad
45:21don't say things like that
45:24it's the only honest way I know of putting it
45:27it was stupid wrong indulgent if you like but
45:31I don't know if you'll understand this
45:33we were both running away from misery
45:36with you I can understand it
45:39both of us
45:39Michael's wife died just before the war
45:42and
45:44it's difficult to explain about being on your own
45:48when you've been as happily married as I was
45:50and I was
45:51very happy with John dad
45:53I know you were
45:54are you
45:56are you all right
45:57yes yes I think so
46:00can't quite believe it you see it's still happening to someone else
46:05like after you got the telegram about John
46:08you know
46:08what's gonna happen now love
46:14I don't know it's
46:17it's what they call a pretty kettle of fish isn't it
46:21oh love
46:23she wants you to say good night to
46:29oh
46:30oh that's nice
46:32yeah
46:33I won't be long
46:36Mr. Ashton
46:49I suppose you're gonna tell me you feel ashamed of yourself
46:52I don't think what I feel about me is important dear
46:54what I feel about Margaret seems more to the point
46:56if you'd cared anything at all about Margaret
46:58she wouldn't be in this situation
46:59I didn't know until tonight
47:01you didn't know she was married
47:02I knew she was married yeah
47:04I thought her husband was dead
47:06I mean officially dead
47:08she told you that
47:09well she
47:10implied it
47:11you're saying she deceived you on purpose
47:13no no of course I'm not
47:14should have thought you'd know Margaret better than that Mr. Ashton
47:17I know Margaret very well
47:18I know hardly anything about you
47:19I suppose you realize her husband John could still be alive
47:24is that what you believe
47:25what I believe is beside the point Mr. Armstrong
47:28it's what the law believes that counts in a situation like this
47:31I want to marry her
47:32the fact is that you can't
47:33unless you're ready to wait for seven years
47:36I'll wait Mr. Ashton
47:37you say that now
47:38a lot can happen in seven years
47:40what's gonna happen to her in the meantime
47:42people talk
47:44and even if you don't listen it poisons things
47:48who's gonna sustain her through all that
47:51I am
47:52with two children to support
47:53I am
47:53brave words
47:56Mr. Armstrong
47:58well there's only one thing seems possible
48:00I'm gonna ask Margaret to live with me
48:03you're not listening to me are you
48:09if you will come round on wash day
48:12I'm offering you and Edwin the house Jean
48:15well can't you come round when Edwin's here
48:17no I can't
48:19I don't know people's tempers don't seem to improve much these days
48:21things getting you down are they
48:23all right go on
48:26as I said I'm offering you the house
48:29where would we get the money
48:33I'll lend you the money
48:38it'll be a private mortgage
48:40at Edwin's age you wouldn't get one elsewhere anyway
48:43now he's due for a rise in salary
48:46I'll make sure it's enough to cover repayments
48:48that way it won't cost you anything
48:50all I need is a gentleman's agreement between you and me
48:54go on
48:56you're in a proper old mood today aren't you
48:58yes well the long and short of it is that the business will be a partnership one day
49:05when that happens I want to know that your vote as one of the partners will go with mine
49:10when will that happen eh
49:13oh not immediately of course
49:15when mother dies
49:18I see
49:20well it's the only way I can see of doing it
49:23I shall have to talk to Edwin about it
49:26oh
49:27I'll tell him about the house
49:29but there's no need to mention the other thing
49:32he's got some funny ideas about business as Edwin
49:35different from yours you mean
49:38it'll be the best thing that ever happened to him
49:40mourning this house you know it will
49:41I hope you're not going to let him throw it away
49:44I tried to protect him in that way once before
49:49that came home to roost last Christmas
49:54the best thing that ever happened to him Gene
49:58he'll learn nothing from me I promise you
50:01it'll go to the moon the price of property will after all this is over
50:06will it
50:07you've always wanted me and Edwin to be better friends
50:12you know you have
50:13he'll be tickled pink to think he owns this place
50:16he deserves it
50:19it's more than generous
50:40I just can't find the words
50:46I've always wanted to
50:50well
50:50own
50:52the roof over my head
50:54Edwin
50:54it's as much a pleasure to me as it is to you
50:57I think we are beginning to understand each other
51:01don't you
51:02have you spoken to your mother yet
51:21and do you think she's going to take it any better for waiting
51:26I don't know
51:27hello Mrs. Paulson
51:30hello Mrs. Peterson
51:31I mean a thought of me living with someone
51:34to have
51:35she prefer things as they are you mean
51:38I don't know
51:39be patient with me
51:42I'm going to be patient with you for a lot longer than seven years
51:46I'm not afraid of it
51:48I'm not afraid of it
51:49you need it
51:49you need it
51:50you need it
51:50you need it
52:20you need it
52:22you need it
52:50you need it
52:52you need it
52:56you need it