Sacrifice & Separation in Wartime Britain
In A Family at War Season 2, Episode 4 – Is Your Journey Really Necessary?, the Ashtons face the emotional strain of wartime travel restrictions, strained relationships, and difficult choices. As the pressures of duty and longing for loved ones intensify, each journey—literal or emotional—comes at a cost. This poignant episode explores how separation, sacrifice, and resilience define life during war.
In A Family at War Season 2, Episode 4 – Is Your Journey Really Necessary?, the Ashtons face the emotional strain of wartime travel restrictions, strained relationships, and difficult choices. As the pressures of duty and longing for loved ones intensify, each journey—literal or emotional—comes at a cost. This poignant episode explores how separation, sacrifice, and resilience define life during war.
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00:00I'm sorry, I've come across a bomb that's not coming.
00:30I've gone off down there.
00:32There again it may be one of the late action jobs.
00:35Don't you know?
00:36I'm certainly not going to kick it to find out.
00:45It's a beautiful day Sefton.
00:47It's not the sort of day to be out
00:49tackling on exploded bombs.
00:52I can't imagine tackling an exploded bomb on any sort of day.
00:55Not that I'd much want to.
00:58Tony used to be in that line of business, you know.
01:03Minesweeping.
01:05But he's been put onto a Corvette.
01:07Escort duty or something.
01:09Huh? How is he?
01:11Oh, well, if no news is still good news in wartime,
01:14I assume he's all right.
01:17This, er, this business I wanted to talk to you about,
01:21I'm seriously considering turning the printing side into a limited company.
01:26Well, this excess profits tax for a start.
01:29Well, it is a shade on the steep side right now.
01:33Hundred percent?
01:35Twenty percent back after the war,
01:37and back when and if they think fit.
01:42It's that Tom Noddy Kingsley Wood again.
01:47Remember him objecting to us bombing Germany?
01:50Might cause damage to private property.
01:52Well, while your mother's alive, the equities stood in trust.
01:57And speaking as a trustee, there's very little you can do about that.
01:59It's too late to contest your father's will after twenty-odd years.
02:02The trust will end when mother passes on.
02:04I'm looking to the future.
02:05I see.
02:06Well, when the time comes, you can propose the formation of a limited company.
02:11Of course, the other legatees will have to be consulted.
02:14But you will have to get the majority vote.
02:17But surely as proprietor, am I...
02:19Nominal proprietor, Sefton.
02:21And that's only while your mother's still alive.
02:23When Mrs. Biggs dies, you'll share the proprietorship with all the others.
02:28But whether or not you retain overall control is a matter of some doubt.
02:33I never could properly fathom out why father divided the firm up between the family like he did.
02:39He could have settled a lump sum on all of them,
02:41and every year had part of the profits apportioned to them.
02:44They'd all have done a damn sight better out of it, I know that.
02:46Well, you have said he never really approved of you starting up your own shop.
02:49Oh, that's water under the bridge.
02:51The majority holding's still mine.
02:53Yeah, it's the largest single holding, but it's only thirty percent.
02:57You're going to want fifty-one.
02:59I was coming to that.
03:01The stone is ten percent, and my sister's twenty-five.
03:05Jean?
03:06I think we can forget the Australian back to the family.
03:10Helen will go along with whatever Jean does anyway.
03:13Hmm.
03:14What?
03:16Well, if Jean supports you, then she'll virtually be giving you complete control of the company.
03:23Aye?
03:24I think you're expecting a lot for the significance of her support to be overlooked.
03:29And if it was, certainly it wouldn't escape your brother-in-law.
03:33Well, the company I have in mind will have four directors.
03:37Tony, me, someone unnamed as yet, but with a good legal background, and Edwin.
03:45And the promise of a seat on the board for Edwin means that I shall get Jean's twenty-five percent.
03:51I'll be very surprised if it doesn't anyway.
03:55Cheese is going on the ration now.
03:57One ounce a week each.
03:59Oh, that's not much.
04:01It's funny how you suddenly take a fancy to things the minute they're rationed.
04:04Cheese! I mean...
04:05Well, I've never bothered much with cheese.
04:07Has the afternoon post been yet, Mrs. Foster?
04:09Yes, he came early.
04:12He said the letters might be a bit tiggledy-piggledy for a day or two.
04:17No word from Tony again.
04:20No.
04:24I'll fix your pop of tea.
04:26Oh, Mrs. Foster, did Mr. Ashton telephone when I was out?
04:29No, telephone's not gone all day.
04:39Now, get me Garson 8552, will you?
04:46He'll get by without his rabbit bite.
04:50Hello, Sefton?
04:52Well, I'm in the office now.
04:55I've got a backlog of this and that and these and thems to wade through, you know.
05:00Well, how if I call in on the way home?
05:05Oh, half seven-ish, thereabouts.
05:11I'll see you later.
05:15Looks as though it's going to be a clear night again.
05:18It's not a cloud, so as you'd notice.
05:23They call it a... a bomber's moon when...
05:28Hey, Mr. Sefton, I'm praying to God they'll not come again tonight.
05:33Oh, most likely it'll be somebody else's turn tonight, Mrs. Foster.
05:37We get them for a few nights and then they're off elsewhere.
05:40Aye, that seemed to be the pattern.
05:42Oh, excuse me.
05:50Oh, how are you, Mrs. Foster?
05:52Keeping well out.
05:54I can't say anything about you.
05:56Just praying we'll have a peaceful night.
05:58Yes.
05:59Mr. Sefton's in the living room.
06:01Oh.
06:02Oh, I'm sorry.
06:03Give me that, will you?
06:04Thank you very much.
06:05Shall I just go straight in?
06:10Oh, Edwin.
06:12Managed to get much done?
06:15Fair amount.
06:16Good.
06:17Well begun is half done, as they say.
06:18Sit down.
06:20You will have a scotch and water while the stocks last.
06:23Stocks?
06:24Oh, I've got the odd bottle or two tucked away enough.
06:26Oh, settling in for a long siege, eh?
06:28Well, that's what this war is going to be all about.
06:30A siege.
06:31If we can't win, we'll make sure the Germans can't either.
06:34We fought one or two wars like that and come out all right in the end.
06:37Make it a small one, please, and you'd better drown it, old bud.
06:40I've not eaten yet.
06:44I, er...
06:46I've heard a rumour that, er...
06:48Pringles have offered you a job.
06:50Oh, rumours seem to have ways of their own of starting, don't they?
06:54Strong on the ground, as rumours go.
06:56General manager.
06:59I, er...
07:03I was wondering if there was any substance to it.
07:05Yes.
07:09There's quite a bit, as a matter of fact.
07:11Well...
07:13Have you accepted?
07:14No, not yet.
07:16I'm sorry you got to hear it like this, Sefton, but with nothing finalised,
07:19there didn't seem to be much point in telling you.
07:22Mind you, the terms and conditions are more than tempting.
07:24Oh, well...
07:25Now, don't take me the wrong way, Sefton.
07:28I'm not trying to play you against Pringle.
07:30Pringle would be a fool not to make the terms tempting.
07:33A general manager with your experience is at a premium these days.
07:36Experience didn't seem to count for much when you made Tony general manager.
07:40At the time, I don't think Pringle was up-poaching for you either.
07:44This war's changed things for you, Edwin.
07:46So I'm finding out.
07:48Though I'd have preferred something slightly less drastic than a war.
07:55Now then...
07:56I can only go bald-headed of what I want to say.
08:01I don't see any roundabout way of broaching the subject.
08:04I'm sorry, Sefton.
08:05I've missed a gist somewhere.
08:08If I lose you to Pringle,
08:11I might as well put up the shutters.
08:13I can't run the works without you.
08:16That's been clear enough for a month or two now.
08:18Same again?
08:20No, no. I'm all right, thanks.
08:23I mean...
08:25I couldn't make a counteroffer if a bigger management have brought you.
08:28Well, look at Pringle's.
08:30Four or five for the hands we've got.
08:32Re-equipped right through in 1938.
08:35There's plenty of scope there, all right.
08:37And then there's Merton's, twice as big again.
08:41I'm told they'll be angling for a general manager come July, early August.
08:44Yes, I suppose it does come down to paying that premium I'm supposed to be at.
08:50Of course, there's ways of paying it.
08:52You could get it cashed right away by going to Pringle's.
08:56Or you could...
08:58You could consolidate it by coming in with me.
09:03Coming in to what with you?
09:05The business turned into a limited company with you as managing director.
09:09Just three directors all told.
09:11You, me and Tony.
09:12How does that sound?
09:15Just you, me and Tony.
09:20Managing director.
09:21Eh?
09:23Mm-hmm.
09:30Well...
09:32It's something to think about, Sefton.
09:35You don't want a snap decision, do you?
09:37Not after working for you for 30 years?
09:39Oh, you sleep on it, Edwin.
09:41But you'll find the pros outweighing the cons every time.
09:47How did Tony react?
09:48Huh?
09:49Suggesting me as managing director.
09:51Oh, he couldn't be more strongly in favour.
09:54I think he sees it as your due, really.
09:57Well...
09:58Tony's always had a great deal of respect for you, Edwin, you know that.
10:02Well...
10:03I'll sleep on it, Sefton.
10:04Aye.
10:05Good night.
10:06Good night.
10:07Good night.
10:08Good night.
10:10Good night.
10:11Hello.
10:12Telegrams, please.
10:13I want to send a telegram.
10:14Yes, very urgent.
10:17uh hello telegrams please
10:24i want to send a telegram yes very urgent it's to my son he's in the navy
10:47four parts forward now sir okay chief finish with engines you can tug her up for the night
10:54finish with engines sir well we seem to be holding our own sir back having said that
11:00i'll get this reversible console as soon as possible get that water level down better
11:17roll on the bloody day they send us some semen
11:29and what was my first officer sailing the day hostilities broke out a printing machine
11:34well murdoch's straight off the farms scratch any englishman near boy and you'll find salt water
11:41murdoch's irish well only means he's english by default
11:44anyway naval tradition has it that farmers make the best sailors of all
11:50won't jenny be waiting for you oh yes i suppose she will sir
11:53blunt the account yes sir don't keep the poor girl hanging around
11:58pleasure and action make the hours seem short sir
12:14so
12:23so
12:25so
12:35Oh, my God.
13:05Hello.
13:21Hello.
13:23Quite a trip?
13:25No.
13:27Hospital, all right?
13:30Fine.
13:32Jenny.
13:33Hmm?
13:35You know, us.
13:40Yeah.
13:40Well, love, I'm sorry, but I can hardly move my landlady out.
13:46I can't move you in.
13:47I mean, there's a marked streak of chattel round here.
13:52Well, did you manage to ask about a hospital flat?
13:56Yes, I did.
13:59But do you see, I'm afraid we come rather low on the list.
14:02Pharmacists don't get called out on emergency calls.
14:07Oh, well.
14:08I've got a Friday while coming up.
14:10Friday while?
14:11No, a long weekend.
14:13Friday while mundi.
14:15What, this Friday?
14:16Mm.
14:17We've got to stay here a few days.
14:19It, uh, it wasn't a quiet trip.
14:23Nothing too bad.
14:24No.
14:25Near miss.
14:27She's got to go into dry dock.
14:30So, every cloud.
14:33Yes.
14:35Come on.
14:59Hello, Mrs. Mack.
15:19Oh, hello, my loves.
15:21It's a beautiful evening, isn't it?
15:23Your usual, is it?
15:24Yes, please.
15:26We could go home.
15:28Well, I mean, Mother would love to meet you.
15:31You could have one of the boys visit both the way from home now.
15:33No, Jenny, not London.
15:34We'll be throwing away so much time.
15:36We're just traveling.
15:37Hello, Jenny.
15:38Hello, Rupert.
15:38Oh, there's a telegram in the hut for you.
15:40Still keeping the home cauldrons burning.
15:43Twenty grains make one scruple.
15:46Three scruples make one dram.
15:49One large scotch makes one happy Rupert.
15:52Oh, and another large scotch too, please.
15:55Hello, Gerald.
15:55Anything right?
15:56Well, I honestly couldn't hazard a guess.
15:59My father sends cryptograms, not telegrams.
16:01Telephone at once, end of message.
16:03Well, you're better then, haven't you?
16:04Hmm?
16:05A telephone at once.
16:07Well, yes, I suppose I'd better.
16:08Yes, I'll see you in a minute.
16:11Thanks.
16:12Tony said you've got to get into dry drop for a bit.
16:14Oh, yes.
16:15Poor old girl sprung a plate.
16:16Nothing serious.
16:18Bottoms up.
16:18Mm.
16:18Which I like has greatly tempting Providence.
16:28I'm sorry.
16:29I've got no leave coming out.
16:32No.
16:33No, not even a weekend as things done.
16:35Can't you tell me over the phone?
16:36Yes, you keep telling me it's a bad uncle opening the business.
16:47Well, can't you tell me what it is exactly?
16:52Yes, all right, Father.
16:53Yes, we'll do it by letter.
16:56Right.
16:58Oh, the pips are going.
17:00How is everybody?
17:01Look after yourself.
17:03Bye.
17:03Oh, I don't know.
17:13Something about the business.
17:15Won't tell me what, but wants me to go to Liverpool
17:17to discuss some scheme or other,
17:20some safeguard for the future.
17:22He expects me to waste a weekend pass on that.
17:25Why is it a waste?
17:26So your future is safeguarding, isn't it?
17:28Well, what my father calls a future,
17:30it's futile optimism.
17:35The city lives in Bond almost every night.
17:38Hitler's and the Balkans.
17:39We're on the run in Africa, Greece.
17:42And we're losing half a million tons of shipping a month.
17:45Rupert's got his trouble with 900 tons,
17:47or however much you said it was.
17:49I'm serious, Jenny.
17:51Well, I don't suppose your father's unaware of events either.
17:54It can't be that easy carrying on as if nothing's happening.
17:59Perhaps I should have just told him.
18:01I've got a woman,
18:01and I'd rather go away for the weekend with her
18:03than talk business with you.
18:05Yes.
18:06Why didn't you?
18:07Oh, my God.
18:10You know, I've got an odd sort of feeling
18:11he might not understand.
18:13He's got a set of Victorian priorities as father,
18:16in mint condition.
18:18Business before pleasure.
18:19Before pleasure.
18:20Before living.
18:22Before people.
18:23So I'm to be kept the young master's dark secret, am I?
18:27Yes, you are.
18:29Sorry to barge in again, dear boy.
18:30Just had a classic, famous last words.
18:34Tony and I collect them.
18:35You know, when somebody opens their mouth
18:37and puts both feet in it.
18:38Message yesterday from the skipper of a sweeper
18:40in Eboat Alley to the captain of a corvette.
18:42There's no mines there, sir.
18:44We swept there yesterday.
18:47Well, meaning that the corvette probably had a cherry mine
18:50a few seconds later.
18:53Well, it might seem callous, Jenny,
18:55but it stops us from getting too complacent.
18:57Our famous last words started the day we were caught for a sucker
19:00by a couple of Heinkels.
19:01Famous last words then were,
19:03it's all right, they won't have bombs,
19:04they're going home.
19:06Needless to say.
19:07Well, if you nice young people excuse me,
19:11I think it's time I turned in.
19:13Oh, right.
19:13Good night, Robert.
19:21You won't have another one, will you?
19:24Oh, Mrs Mack,
19:25if only you were a wealthy widow,
19:27I wasn't a married man.
19:29We'd have conquered new worlds together, I know it.
19:31And you owe him three pounds at the bar.
19:34You have a way with you, Mrs...
19:36What's your Christian name?
19:40Noreen.
19:43Noreen.
19:45Noreen.
19:45You don't like the Corvette, do you?
20:03She'd roll on wet grass, the Corvette.
20:07I've got to be quite fond of that old minesweeper
20:09in a funny little way, you know?
20:10Mm, I know.
20:12Still, a few months and I might be back.
20:14Maybe longer.
20:17Well, just so long as it's not far away from here.
20:21Not half.
20:25Guess what?
20:27One.
20:31Just that.
20:44I love you.
20:54Perhaps we could go away somewhere for the weekend.
20:59Scarborough's not too far.
21:02Shall I book a room?
21:06Mr and Mrs Smith.
21:07Mr and Mrs Tony Briggs.
21:25Hmm?
21:26Hmm.
21:27It's much better.
21:29Real flesh and blood people.
21:31Mr and Mrs Tony Briggs.
21:38Tony?
21:39Hmm?
21:40Just for this weekend.
21:44Hmm.
21:45Hmm.
21:45Hmm.
22:06Hmm.
22:06Hmm.
22:07Hmm.
22:07Hmm.
22:08dead as a tent peg they must have got the exchange oh they might have done it that mr ashton
22:17pretty rough round there last night you know harbour board copped it corn exchange overhead
22:22railway the rumpteen churches burnt out yeah i get with oh sir good grief have we uh have we any
22:32serious damage no not really but a blast few chunks of shrapnel we got off light all things
22:37being considered oh you'd um you better shelve this lot stan bin's warehouse it's not there anymore
22:47all right you going on a trip what oh i've let mrs foster to go and stay with her sister at portland
22:59for a few days so i think i'll go over to the east coast to have a look at tawny oh be a surprise for
23:04him you've not said you're going no he phoned me last night though i'm going to have lunch with
23:09george askew and then go to the station i was wondering how that uh little proposition sounds
23:15in the cold light of day well i didn't manage to sleep on it not last night i'm sorry safton i've
23:22not really been able to give it much thought at all well don't hum and har too long you'll have
23:26a man sir when you get back how long you're staying oh two days no more oh mr safton uh mr askew's
23:34waiting for you at the end of the street in his motor car says he can't get it down here
23:37well i've got an ulterior motive we're off in a couple of minutes well it's just that we've
23:49been taking tony's 10 percent for granted he assumed that his 10 percent will support your 30
23:55he's my son i suppose in the final analysis i'm doing all this for him tony might not look at it
24:01that way except there's no sense in denying that you two haven't had your differences
24:05come on george what are you driving at well as i've said while your mother's alive you're safe
24:10enough i might be safe enough but i don't consider the uncertainty good enough i want this settling
24:15very well don't forget but if you can form a company it might occur to one of the others to do
24:21the same except nobody could get a majority how about jean's 25 percent plus helen's 25 which goes
24:27wherever gene goes and tony's 10 percent tony safton i'm not telling you anything you don't already
24:34know you need tony's 10 percent to be safe what i'm trying to say is don't tell him more than
24:41well what you're doing is as much for him as it is for you i'll call you on monday
24:57you're going home this weekend
25:04uh no sir i see that means you're you're going away with jenny yes sir i was 19 when i got married
25:19dear boy sweet innocent young lad of 19 now i've got a six-year-old daughter i see in a sort of
25:27ration book basis and her wife i never see at all
25:29well we're going away for the weekend not to get married sir
25:34i shan't be using the morgan it's yours for the weekend if you care to go and pick it up
25:41thank you very much sir
25:43oh uh rupert says we can borrow his old banger for the weekend
25:50three gallons in the tank that should be enough
25:53um i've been thinking you really ought to have a ring you know
26:00i could wear this one back to front
26:03oh yes sounds as if you've done this before
26:09no i have not
26:10i'd like to buy you one no love yes tomorrow afternoon when i go and get the car
26:18but tony i've got the afternoon off
26:22now i can't make it a surprise because i'll have to borrow that one
26:26just to get the size right won't i
26:29not much news today
26:40pity about greece
26:44yes we're doing all right in creed though
26:50his name was stephen
26:56stephen edward mcallister
26:58his mother always called him stephen edward
27:02never just stephen or edward
27:05but stephen edward
27:07we were students together in london
27:10well
27:12well what
27:14no i'm sorry it's none of my business
27:18he married someone else
27:18it's funny
27:21when he broke off the engagement i thought everyone would expect me to be heartbroken
27:25so i i tried
27:27quite hard to be
27:29somehow i just felt relieved
27:31don't know why
27:33well you obviously weren't in love with him
27:36oh i think i probably was back in those far off days
27:39she was a friend of mine
27:43the girl he married
27:44that did bother me
27:48i thought why rosemary instead of me
27:51i finally conceded that rosemary's charms must have been more charming than mine
27:57and her passions more passionate
27:59she probably called him stephen edward like his mother
28:03no she just turned out to be more pregnant than me
28:06oh
28:07you kept the ring though
28:11half right
28:12i bought it
28:13out of our joint account
28:14didn't know which half to send back
28:16there have been lots of others
28:20rings
28:21no
28:22men
28:23i suppose i've fallen in love the usual amount of times
28:27can we talk about the women in your life now for a change please
28:37what all of them
28:39well let's just start with the letter a and work through the alphabet
28:42well
28:45been nothing like engagement drinks
28:50just weekends in scarborough
28:52no no weekends in scarborough
28:54well then
28:58there haven't been many weekends anywhere
29:03you
29:05you mean i'm the first
29:08thank you
29:15what do you want to do
29:36do you want to do that
29:39do you want to do that
29:43i don't think i recall seeing animals at the zoo behaving quite like those do
30:12this war is doing terrible things to britain
30:15terrible
30:16immorality
30:17they were planning to spend the night together you know
30:20well we must expect moral standards to be suspended in wartime
30:25we can't send boys away to the front to shoot and bomb and kill
30:29and then be offended if they kiss a girl when they're on leave
30:32i never accept a general lowering of standards
30:35and this is a first class compartment
30:37but they did not have first class tickets
30:40oh we are running late
30:45yes
30:46alright love
31:00oh i'm dead
31:06thanks for uh you know
31:08good afternoon sir I'm sorry to have kept you waiting oh good afternoon are you Mrs McDermott
31:25yes I rang with you last night from Leeds oh Mr Briggs oh that's right it was um it was just the
31:33one night wasn't it Mr Briggs no two if it's possible oh I'm sorry we've nothing for tomorrow
31:39it's Saturday we're all booked up for the weekend well I shall have to try and finish my business
31:46tonight then well if you just sign here please Mr Briggs and let me have your identity card
31:51I'm here to see my son Sir Lieutenant Briggs perhaps you know him most likely by sight I will yes he's
32:07taller than me oh look that's him oh yes Tony oh yes he comes in after they've darked and what time
32:20would that be roughly oh I really couldn't say Mr Briggs it could be any time they don't keep
32:25regular hours you see oh that sounds like Tony of course he's on Corvette's they came in earlier
32:33this week the skipper's Rupert Inns oh that rings a bell they're they're waiting to go into dry dock
32:40some of them have the weekend off do you know what I could find Tony well you could try down at the
32:47shed they might tell you if he has the weekend off or not it's just down the road
32:53so
32:59so
33:03so
33:05so
33:09so
33:14Tony!
33:26Father, what on earth are you doing here?
33:29I'm here to see you.
33:30What kind of a greeting's that after travelling the breadth of the country?
33:34Well, why on earth didn't you let me know?
33:39Are you booked in somewhere?
33:41Yes, at the dolphin.
33:44It's nice to see you again, Tony.
33:46We miss you, you know, the family, Mrs. Foster.
33:52We miss you.
34:08You told me you couldn't come home on Wednesday.
34:11Yes, I remember.
34:12And it's only Friday now.
34:14You must have known then that you were going into dry dock.
34:16Not necessarily.
34:18What does that mean? Did you know or didn't you?
34:20I believe you did.
34:24I can't understand why you go to the length of telling me a lie that brings me on what might have been a wild goose, Jase.
34:30I didn't bring you.
34:32I didn't bring you.
34:34But here I am.
34:36You don't ask after me, the family.
34:38You don't even ask about the night after night of bombing we've been having.
34:42It's unnatural.
34:44It's beyond me.
34:46Well, your uncle Edwin has been offered a job at Pringles.
34:52If he goes we shall have to shut down.
34:54So I'm proposing that we form a limited company with Edwin on the board as managing director.
35:04It's not my future, it's yours.
35:06I've got a date.
35:10This very minute.
35:12Soon.
35:14Was she, uh...
35:16All right, is she?
35:21Yes.
35:26Well, I think I would like that drink now.
35:29Can I get you something?
35:31About the beer.
35:33I'll manage.
35:36Jenny.
35:38My father's here.
35:39When?
35:40He's sitting over there.
35:41He just turned up.
35:43I'm sorry.
35:44You mean the weekend's off?
35:46No, I don't.
35:47No, it isn't.
35:49Ah, Tony.
35:51I've changed my mind.
35:52I'll have a scratch if they have any.
35:54Yes.
35:55Father, this is Jenny Graham.
35:57Jenny, my father.
35:58How do you do?
35:59How do you do?
36:00Jenny's a chemist.
36:01A pharmacist.
36:02Thanks, I'm sorry.
36:03A pharmacist by any other than that.
36:05And do you have premises in the town?
36:07No, no.
36:08I work at the hospital.
36:09Really?
36:10You don't sound like a local lass.
36:12Oh, I'm from London.
36:13Oh.
36:14Um, what would you like to drink for me?
36:16Uh, gin and orange, please.
36:18Here.
36:19Tony.
36:20Good.
36:21Yes.
36:22Well, shall we sit down?
36:23Yes.
36:24You've, er, come from Liverpool.
36:37Ah, yeah.
36:38Been having rather a bad time, I hear.
36:39Bad enough.
36:40I've known Tony for long.
36:41He doesn't tell me much.
36:42Well, we, er, we met about the third or fourth day he arrived, and I've been seeing him regularly
36:54ever since.
36:55He's a lucky lad.
36:56But I think I approve of you, Jenny.
36:59I hope you don't mind me calling you, Jenny.
37:04It seems I've come at an awkward time.
37:07Tony tells me he's got a date.
37:09It is with you, isn't it?
37:13I'd like to ask you something, which frankly, if I were Tony's age and had a girl like you
37:19waiting for me, I wouldn't entertain for a second.
37:23But I wonder if you'd mind postponing your date slightly, so that Tony and I can have
37:28a little time together.
37:30Ah, Tony.
37:32I'm just telling Jenny about this awkward visit of mine.
37:37I have come a long way, but it is a long way back.
37:42Tony, we could postpone the date.
37:45Ah, but not for long, of course.
37:47Not for long at all.
37:49That's reasonable enough, isn't it?
37:51No, I don't think it is.
37:53Tony!
37:54Were you going off somewhere for a bite to eat?
37:57Yes, we were, but...
37:59Oh, well, that's all right now.
38:01Let me see.
38:02It's 7.30.
38:05Give me an hour with Tony, then he can get off for dinner with you, and we'll do the
38:09rest tomorrow.
38:10Tomorrow?
38:11Could I make another suggestion?
38:13Would you like to be my guest for dinner?
38:15How would that be, Tony?
38:17Then I can get to know Jenny a little better.
38:19Yes, I'd like that.
38:22Is that all right with you, Tony?
38:24Well, it looks as if we're stuck with him for dinner.
38:38I like you, Father.
38:39It's so late before we get away.
38:41What?
38:42I mean, do you still want to go tonight?
38:44God, yes.
38:45God, yes.
38:46Look, let me go back in there, and I'll get out of the dinner, and then we'll get going like
38:50we planned.
38:51He's got no damn business turning up on us.
38:52Well, he has done.
38:53So you go back in there and be nice to him and see what he's come for.
38:54And then?
38:55Dinner.
38:56No.
38:57Then we get going.
38:58Hey, where's your case?
38:59Back at the deep.
39:00Oh, yes.
39:01Well, look, you go back in there and see what he's come for.
39:02And then?
39:03Dinner.
39:04No.
39:05Then we get going.
39:06Hey, where's your case?
39:07Back at the deep.
39:08Oh, yes.
39:09Well, look, you go back and get it and come back here, and then...
39:12I'll just do that.
39:13I'd say.
39:14Hey, Jen, I bought you a ring.
39:30Look, I know that we didn't decide on anything, but I just don't want to go back in there and
39:35talk to him about it.
39:38Will you marry me, Jan?
39:50Tony.
39:53I'm sorry.
39:54I just don't know.
39:58I really don't know.
40:06I'll see you at dinner.
40:08I'll see you at dinner.
40:38How about coming over to Newcastle with me tomorrow?
40:41It's only an hour and a half from here.
40:43We'll be back before dark.
40:44Yes, I'd like to, Father, but not now.
40:47What?
40:49After the war.
40:50First things first.
40:52Don't be stupid, Tony.
40:53We've got a bit of capital.
40:55We ought to start laying out plans for the future.
40:57Well, I won't be here tonight.
41:00Well, will you be tomorrow?
41:02I'll be with Jenny.
41:06This date of yours, was it something more than that, then?
41:10I was...
41:15I am going away with Jenny, yes.
41:18All right, Tony.
41:22I understand.
41:23No, I don't think you do.
41:24You're going away with her.
41:26That's what you said, wasn't it?
41:27For the weekend.
41:29I'm in love with her.
41:30Well, I'm glad you're in love with her.
41:36If you tell me a bit more, I might be even more glad.
41:39She's a pharmacist.
41:41She comes from London.
41:42Jenny told me that herself.
41:44And you've known her for just over a month.
41:48Yes, well, that's enough if you're just going away for the weekend with her.
41:51But if you're in love with her, I'd like to hear a bit more.
41:57How old is she?
41:5831.
42:01Four years older.
42:04Oh, well, there's no great harm in that.
42:06Harm?
42:07I mean, are you thinking of marrying her?
42:11We'll have to wait for an answer for that.
42:15So, you're going away with her for the weekend.
42:19That's back to where we started.
42:21And the reason you told me a lie that brought me across England
42:25was that you'd rather have the weekend with her
42:27than help me decide your future.
42:30And I said and I meant it, and I still mean it.
42:34But I understand.
42:36You don't understand any part of it.
42:38Oh, yes, I've known that.
42:41Weekends?
42:43Yes, but not many.
42:51Weekends?
42:52Weekends?
42:52Weekends?
42:53Weekends?
42:53Weekends?
42:54Weekends?
42:54Weekends?
42:55Weekends?
42:55Weekends?
42:56Weekends?
42:56Weekends?
42:57Weekends?
42:57Weekends?
42:58Weekends?
42:58Weekends?
42:59Weekends?
42:59Weekends?
43:00Weekends?
43:00Weekends?
43:01Weekends?
43:01Weekends?
43:02Weekends?
43:02Weekends?
43:03Weekends?
43:03Weekends?
43:04Weekends?
43:04Weekends?
43:05Weekends?
43:05Weekends?
43:06Weekends?
43:06Weekends?
43:07Weekends?
43:07Weekends?
43:08Weekends?
43:08Weekends?
43:09Weekends?
43:09Weekends?
43:10Weekends?
43:10Weekends?
43:11Weekends?
43:11Weekends?
43:12Weekends?
43:12Weekends?
43:13Weekends?
43:13I don't know.
43:43I don't know.
44:13I don't know.
44:43I...
44:45I bought you this.
44:49Oh, Tony.
44:53Would you like to wear it?
44:56On my engagement ring.
44:57I'd like you to.
45:03Tony, I...
45:04I didn't say yes.
45:07But if it is an engagement ring, I'd...
45:10I'd just like it to mean something.
45:13I mean, we'd have to think ahead, plan just a little.
45:16Would you mind if I kept it in the box just for now?
45:27Hey, let me take this.
45:28He's worn out.
45:40Wake up.
45:50Oh.
45:51Oh, you've gone then.
45:53Oh, good evening, Jenny.
45:54Hey, I wasn't quite sure if you were coming for dinner or not.
46:00Yes, please.
46:02And then we'll be off.
46:06Well, can I get you a drink?
46:08Well, I'll go and see what Mrs. Mac has got under the counter.
46:12Uh, please.
46:18I think you've got much business done then.
46:26No.
46:28You going away?
46:31Yes, we are.
46:33You don't mind me intruding on your supper.
46:41I'd like you to talk to Jenny.
46:43I'd like you to get to know her.
46:48Not something that I could have done with my father.
46:53No.
46:57Oh, well.
46:58There's a war on her.
47:00No.
47:02Great.
47:03So now the shop's down to nothing again.
47:20And I was quite proud of it before the war.
47:23Down to nothing.
47:25Mind you, it's still standing.
47:27Or it was when I left yesterday.
47:29Well, thank you, Father, for...
47:34Oh, that's all right, Tony.
47:36It's been long enough since we've eaten together and talked together.
47:41How long would you say?
47:42Well, about three months, isn't it?
47:44I'd put it at about 20 years.
47:47Oh, it's been a long three months.
47:50It seemed like 20 years sometimes.
47:54Yes.
47:54Well, really, it must be off.
47:58Well, we've not settled anything yet.
48:00What about this limited company idea?
48:02Is Uncle Edmund happy about it?
48:04Of course he is.
48:05We're making him managing director, aren't we?
48:07But it's your signature I need on the odd document or two.
48:11Me and your uncle are stymied without your say-saw.
48:13All right, Father.
48:14I'll sign anything you want me to.
48:15Blank checks, blank contracts, blank anything.
48:19All right.
48:20I'll do what I think is best for all of us.
48:22Look, why don't you go and get the car and bring it round here?
48:29Let Jenny finish her coffee.
48:32All right, I'll be about five minutes.
48:35Then we must go.
48:46There have been times when we got on very well, you know, me and Tony.
48:50Yes.
48:50His mother was the one he loved.
48:53But a boy needs a father as well as a mother.
48:56I think he's very fond of you, Mr. Bray.
48:59He doesn't show much.
49:01No, he doesn't.
49:02But he talks about you a lot.
49:05He's fond of you, though.
49:06I wouldn't like to see you and Tony rushing into a wartime marriage.
49:23You'll just have to do some trusting, Mr. Bray.
49:25And what will you do when Tony does get married?
49:32You live alone, don't you?
49:35Aye, in a big house.
49:36Perhaps Tony will come back there with his wife and raise a family.
49:40That's what it's for.
49:42Are you lonely?
49:45Aye.
49:45When it comes to the bit, you've only one life to live.
49:50And then you look around you and wonder, where are you?
49:56Do I keep busy?
49:57This doctor of them thinking.
49:59Well, what you say, you think about marriage.
50:03Mind you, I've thought of taking another wife, but not seriously.
50:08Why not?
50:09You're an handsome man.
50:11Am I?
50:14Women.
50:15I understand women.
50:20How long are you going away for?
50:22Till Sunday.
50:23It used to be called immoral.
50:28I'll go to Newcastle tomorrow and be back home for Sunday.
50:31You should get someone yourself.
50:34Oh, yeah.
50:35My house?
50:37My housekeeper.
50:38She looks after me.
50:45Mr. Briggs.
50:48I'd like you to know that Tony gave me this.
50:55It's not an official engagement.
50:58Not yet.
50:59But it might be.
51:02We might get married.
51:06We are in love.
51:08It never happened before.
51:10Not to me.
51:15It's funny.
51:17I really wanted this ring.
51:20I really wanted Tony to give it to me.
51:22It doesn't seem important anymore.
51:35You don't want us to have this weekend, do you?
51:37Do you have far to go?
51:53Only to Scarborough.
51:55Well, I've got my case.
51:56I can't find it.
51:56Everything ready, then?
51:58Something good.
52:08Take care of yourself.
52:12No damn minds or anything.
52:14Oh, no.
52:15None of those.
52:15Well, you'd better write to me.
52:20Tell me if the house is still standing.
52:23Hi.
52:25Jenny.
52:27I'll probably not be seeing you again.
52:29Not in the near future.
52:30I'd just like you to know you'll be welcome in my house.
52:36Thank you, Mr. Beats.
52:39Goodbye, Tony.
52:41Goodbye, Father.
52:42Goodbye, Father.
53:12Goodbye, Father.
53:26Goodbye, Father.
53:29Goodbye, Father.
53:30Goodbye, Father.