♪♪
-Hi, Mum!
Mum?
-Eddie.
Why didn't you tell me you were coming back?
I know how much you love surprises.
-Oh.
Oh, you look really well.
-Oh, you too, Mum. No more dark colours for you, eh?
-[ Chuckles ]
-And I wasn't going to miss the Olympics, was I?
-Oh, of course.
Well, uh, you must be desperate to see your old room.
-Why have you moved Dad's chair?
-Oh, I was just cleaning.
No, it's alright. I'll move it back later.
Let's get you upstairs, shall we?
Kept it tidy for you.
♪♪
[ Children laughing ]
♪♪
-Feels more like a village fete than the Olympics.
-Oh-ho. Don't be fooled, Miss Palmer.
Once a year, on Olympics Day,
the relations between Hambleston and Kembleford
become positively gladiatorial.
-"Shin kicking". "Dwil-ee flonking".
What on earth's that?
-You'll see. -Morning, Father.
-Mrs. Devine. -Surprise!
-Mr. Devine, how wonderful to have you back.
-Thanks, Father.
-And this is Brenda.
-Mum's told me all about you.
-Eh... -Ha-ha. The famous trophy.
-Such a wrench to hand it back.
-The village let Mum hold onto it after '52,
when the games were suspended.
-Ronald's last Olympics.
-Chief Inspector! Sergeant!
-Father. Brenda. Mrs, Devine.
-Ah. New hat, Father?
-A gift from Mrs. Devine.
-Saw it at Port and Market. Couldn't resist.
Oh, this is my son, Eddie.
You remember Chief Inspector Sullivan, don't you?
-Eh. Vaguely.
-Eddie. Enjoy the games, everyone.
-Right, well, I fancy a cuppa. Eddie?
-Sure.
-When is Mrs. Devine going to tell us
about her and Chief Inspector Sullivan?
-She'll tell us when she's ready.
More pertinently, when is she going to tell Eddie,
given what drove him to leave Kembleford two years ago?
-Mm.
Mrs. Devine told me he got angry with her
for clearing out her late husband's shed.
-Eddie felt that she was trying to erase his father's memory.
Truth is, they were grieving in different ways.
They were very close before Ronald's passing,
so it was all most...unfortunate.
-Well, he seems alright now.
-This is a message for Stanley Mossop...
-Perhaps time has mellowed him.
-Stanley, your friends want you to know
that the game of hide and seek is now over.
-Mystery in the library yesterday, Bren?
-[ Chuckles ]
Yeah, well, I was reading this weird play
with Mrs. Devine.
-"An Ideal Husband". Oscar Wilde.
She's making excellent progress.
-Who's this handsome man, then?
-Hi, Shirley.
-Oh, I know. Bit of a shock.
Took a tumble on a slippery floor.
One good thing now -- my shoes stay looking brand new.
[ Chuckles ]
-Eddie. -Hello, Mr. Fleming.
-Looks even more like his dad now. Eh, Isabel?
-Mm-hmm.
-I found Dad's photos from '52.
-Good Lord.
-Brian is Kembleford's finest ever Olympian.
-Well, Ron was pretty good in his day.
-[ Chuckles ]
-And what happened there?
-The heat got to me.
-Did you still win?
-Not that one. No. -Hmm.
-Ah.
That was always his favourite.
The wife carrying.
-We won it three times in a row in the '30s.
-I'll tell you what, Isabel.
How about you and me do it this year?
In Ronald's memory?
-Eh, can you do that?
-Since the war, yes.
The rules were changed because of the shortage of husbands.
-Oh.
Why not?
[ Taps microphone ]
-[ Blows into microphone ]
I'm delighted to declare the 1955 Kembleston Olympics open.
And may the better village prevail.
The Kembleford captain, Dr. Geoffrey Fleming,
will now say a few words on safety,
but first, I think we should all congratulate him
on the news of his MBE for services to medicine.
[ Applause ]
-Won't stop me thrashing him in the barrel rolling, though!
[ Laughter ]
-Injury, fainting, alcohol poisoning.
As doctor on hand, I've dealt with them all here
over the years,
and of course, these are the first games
since we lost Thomas Taverner
so tragically to heat stroke in 1952.
-How hot was it in '52?
-Like an oven. -Oh.
-Please remain vigilant.
Should you observe any warning difficulty,
come and see me at once.
Thank you.
[ Camera shutter clicks ]
-Losing to you in 1952 still rankles with your brother,
it would seem.
-Winning has always meant more to Brian
than it does to me, Father.
-You're way too modest, Geoffrey.
If I'd have beaten Brian, I'd have been shouting it
from the rooftops.
-We all measure success in different ways.
Excuse me.
-Will you be competing in the stone lifting again
this year as usual, Mr. Redshaw?
-Yes, Father,
and trying not to come last as usual.
Well, got a good feeling about Hambleston's chances
this year, though.
Oh, did you hear, uh, Patty Denmore pulled out?
-Father. Who's that?
-That's Ursula Fanshaw,
Hambleston's prodigious shin kicker.
-[ Grunting ]
-Luckily, we have Brian Fleming.
We also have a champion in the dwile flonking.
-Oh, dwile flonking. That's how you say it.
Right, well, who's this champion, then?
-Me. Excuse me, Miss Palmer.
The azaleas you gave us are flourishing, Miss Denmore.
-That's good, Father.
-Is it true that you've pulled out of the games?
-'Fraid so. Three nights of stomach cramps.
Got no strength for my gardening work,
let alone a barrel rolling race.
I was determined to win today.
-[ Gasps ]
-[ Exhales sharply ]
-Brian.
William says he saw you putting something
on your shin kicking shoes.
-Steel tips.
-Don't be daft.
-Take them out, then.
-Ah. You little cheat, Fleming.
-Well, someone's done that.
-Under competition rules, you're disqualified from the games.
Otherwise, I'm pulling my team out.
-Get away.
He's obviously set me up.
-I'm afraid I have to trust William here.
-What?
You vindictive little...
Anything to stop me beating you, yeah?
-Hey!
I could arrest you for that.
♪♪
-I can't believe Brian did that.
Something caught your eye?
-Hmm?
-Morning, Shirley. -Dr. Fleming.
-Might I trouble you for a tea?
-Course.
-Good to see you. How you feeling?
-Well, I won't be winning the shin kicking this year,
but hey-ho.
-Well, if you feel any discomfort, any at all,
come and see me at once.
-Course.
[ Coins clatter ]
-Anyone would like their photograph taken
with the Olympics trophy
should speak to Albert Finley.
Please remember to return the trophy afterwards.
-That chemist planted those steel tips,
and my brother knows it.
-Care for a hand, Mrs. Devine?
-Oh, yes. Thank you, Chief Inspector.
-How is he?
-Certain he was framed.
-Actually, I meant Eddie. -Oh. [ Chuckles ]
Doesn't suspect a thing.
-So, uh, do you think you'll tell him?
-Yes, of course, just not today,
not when there are so many reminders of Ronald.
-I understand.
-We must be very, very careful.
-I know.
[ Clears throat ]
Is that alright, Mrs. Devine?
-Perfect, Chief Inspector.
♪♪
-All together now. One, two, three.
-Hey!
-Hey, hey! Hey, hey! Hey, hey!
-Shot, Father!
-Glad someone knows what's going on.
-One, two, three.
[ Grunting ]
-Oh!
-Go on, Father. You have to drink the beer.
-Go, go, go.
♪♪
-Oh.
-That is the most I've ever seen Father Brown drink!
[ Both grunting ]
-Come on, Sergeant!
-Ow!
-You're gonna lose to a woman!
-It's jolly sporting of Sergeant Goodfellow
to stand in for Brian.
Come on, Sergeant!
-Come on, Sergeant!
-[ Grunting ]
[ Applause ]
-An update from the tea tent.
Mrs. Gentley's Victoria sponge has now sold out
Mrs. Duckett's suet pudding is, however, still available.
-Ready, Sergeant.
-Yes, sir, but to be honest, I'm not a huge fan of spinach.
-Never mind,
Three, two --
-Wait!
What?
-Ready? Three, two, one, go!
[ Indistinct shouting ]
-Come on, Sergeant!
Kembleford's honour is at stake here!
[ Indistinct shouting ]
[ Cheers and applause ]
-The winner of the spinach eating contest
is Ursula Fanshaw for Hambleston.
-[ Coughing ]
-Oh...
-Miss Fanshaw?
-[ Coughing, gasping ]
♪♪
-Quite an achievement, to choke on spinach leaves.
-Ursula Fanshaw didn't choke to death.
This is deadly nightshade,
indistinguishable from spinach
apart from the fine hairs on the leaf.
-That spinach contained poison, Father?
-If it had been in your bowl too,
you'd know about it by now, Sergeant.
-Hold on.
If that bowl was poisoned,
then given Ursula swapped it with Geoffrey...
-She wasn't the intended victim.
-Poor, poor woman.
-How long were the spinach bowls left unattended for?
-As long as Father Brown's dwile flonking.
15 minutes?
-Mm.
-So someone must have added the poison to Dr. Fleming's bowl
in that 15-minute window.
-And picked it.
Deadly nightshade.
Poisonings are usually calculated affairs.
This one was impulsive.
-Why would anyone want to murder
such a respected man as Dr. Fleming?
-Quite.
And the killer would have had to have get passed through
either the first aid tent or the tea tent to get out here.
-Well, Shirley was in the tea tent.
You could ask her what she saw.
-And Dr. Fleming was in the first aid tent,
uh, when I left.
-What about the man who was helping to prepare the spinach,
about half an hour after he'd attacked Dr. Fleming?
-Brian's no murderer.
-Were you with him for the whole time?
-Me?
-Mrs. Devine confirms that she found you
in the spinach eating tent, alone.
-Well, I'd gone in there to calm down.
-You clearly harbour a deep jealousy of your brother,
which we all witnessed spill into violence.
-Look, I was framed, and Geoffrey knew it.
And anyway, that wasn't a fight.
You should have seen us as kids.
-Show me your hand.
That from the spinach?
Well, I-I must have accidentally touched the poison
when I straightened the spinach bowls.
-Brian Fleming, I'm arresting you on suspicion of murder.
-What?
-He's got his MBE, and I'm an odd job man,
barely making ends meet.
Who's going to believe me?
-You are a skillful handyman
with a reputation for scrupulous honesty.
-Geoffrey winning in '52 hurt. I'm not going to lie.
He'd never beaten me in a race before.
I was desperate to put him back in his place.
That's why I was so angry earlier.
But I didn't try and kill him, Father.
And I didn't cheat, either.
-I believe you, Brian.
Can you think of anyone who might have wanted Geoffrey dead?
-Everyone loves him, don't they?
Though I did see him arguing earlier,
in the first aid tent.
-Father.
Patty's feeling a little shaken.
-Ursula's passing has hit us all hard.
I've just come from Brian.
He's protesting his innocence.
-Ah.
It gives me no pleasure to say it,
but there has always been jealousy on my brother's side.
-Enough to want you dead?
I understand you two argued just before the poisoning.
-Oh, it was nothing.
-Eh, at my check-up last week,
Dr. Fleming said my blood pressure was up
and prescribed some pills.
After I took them, I got those stomach cramps.
-And you think Dr. Fleming's pills
forced you out of the Olympics?
-Well, I told her she was experiencing side effects.
-How did that make you feel?
-Angry. [ Exhales sharply ]
But not angry enough to want to kill him, though, Father.
-If the Chief Inspector is wrong about Brian,
and I believe he is,
then the person who tried to poison you is still here,
and you need to be very careful.
-Point taken, Father.
-Can you think of anyone else here
who might have a grudge against you?
-No.
-And did you see anyone leave this tent
15 minutes before the spinach eating?
-Not that I recall.
-Yeah, Shirley said she didn't see anyone
come out into the spinach eating tent either
during those 15 minutes.
-Refreshments?
-Gosh. Thank you, Eddie.
-Most kind.
-Well, someone poisoned the spinach.
So, either Shirley or Dr. Fleming missed them
or they're lying.
-Or Brian really did try and poison his brother.
-What's all this Sherlock Holmes stuff about, Mum?
-Oh, I just help Father Brown out a bit.
-Your mother's insights have proven invaluable
over the past year.
-New dresses, rearranged furniture, now this.
All change for Mum since I've been away, isn't it?
I'm going to have a wander.
-I might stretch my legs as well.
♪♪
-What's Eddie going to say
when he hears Mrs. Devine's biggest news of all?
-I hope she chooses her moment carefully.
-Mm.
-It's been almost three years since Ronald passed,
but I'm not sure how much Eddie's moved on.
-Dr. Fleming didn't help his team much, did he?
Banning his best athlete, and getting the other one ill.
-Agreed.
Is his erratic captaincy linked to the attempt on his life?
-Still can't believe that man died in the heat.
-Poor Thomas.
Nobody saw he was in difficulty until it was too late.
By the time Dr. Fleming was alerted, he'd gone.
-Ah. Well, what was he like?
-Thomas? -Mm.
-He was a teacher and a charmer.
-[ Exhales sharply ] -His poor wife was heartbroken.
She moved back to Scotland afterwards.
What is it, Eddie?
-Someone's removed a photo.
The one of Brian falling over.
-Interesting.
I know someone who can make you a copy,
if you have the negatives.
-Yeah, Mum's got them. I'll go find her.
-Ah, Father. I thought you should know.
Brian turns out to be the sole beneficiary
of Geoffrey's life insurance policy.
-Oh.
-So, family loyalty, I suppose.
But the Chief Inspector says, "The game's up".
-Thank you, Sergeant.
-Ladies and gentlemen,
everyone can breathe a sigh of relief,
for police have apprehended Ursula's murderer.
Chief Inspector Sullivan has now charged Brian Fleming.
On that basis, Dr. Fleming and I
believe the games should now resume.
It's what Ursula, fierce competitor that she was,
would have wanted.
[ Applause ]
♪♪
-This is seriously dangerous. -I know.
Look, about Eddie -- we really must be very --
♪♪
Eddie. -Oh, um...
Uh, let -- let me say, um...
I'm not trying to take the place of your father,
who I have the most... utmost respect for.
Uh...uh...
-Sadly, we are now out of sausage rolls.
A reminder to please keep dogs on a lead at all times.
Thank you.
-Eddie. Eddie.
I was waiting for the right moment to tell you.
-Tell me what?
That you're only doing this 'cause of how much you miss Dad?
What would he say to you now?
-Mrs. Devine?
-Are you alright?
-I'm fine. [ Sniffles ]
It's fine.
-Might I trouble you for the negatives to those photographs?
-Oh. Of course.
-Thank you.
Most kind.
-Right. Well, I'd better...
Um...
-Oh, dear.
I fear the cat may be out of the bag.
-Hmm. -Albert.
-The stone lifting competition will begin in five minutes.
Five minutes until the stone lifting competition.
[ Indistinct chatter ]
-You alright?
I knew about your mum and the Chief Inspector.
They weren't exactly very subtle.
-You can say that again.
-She would never want to hurt you.
-No?
Then why is she carrying on like a 16-year-old?
Here?
This is meant to be my dad's day.
After he passed, she told me
that she sometimes felt relieved.
That was bad enough.
Now this?
It's like he never even existed.
-All I know is...
your mum talks about your dad all the time.
I lost my mum.
-Yeah? -Hmm.
And people say that time heals everything.
I'm not sure that's exactly true.
[ Sighs ]
-I'm sure that Mrs. Devine is talking about her relief
that Ronald would be spared any more suffering.
-Right, then. Next up is William Redshaw.
Eh, look out, everybody.
[ Laughter ]
-[ Grunts ]
♪♪
[ Applause ]
-12 seco-- 12 seconds!
William is the winner!
-Ah! Yes!
Yes! Oh. Yes, yes!
-You'd think he'd never won anything before.
-I'm not sure he has.
-Hmm?
-Congratulations on a striking victory, Mr. Redshaw.
-Thanks, Father.
-Quite the transformation
from your usual struggles in that event.
-Well, it just goes to show how far hard work can --
-Medicine?
-Just aspirin. -Oh.
If I may, I feel a slight headache coming on.
Must be the heat.
-Wait.
-Amphetamines.
I saw them handed out to soldiers in the trenches.
Nowadays, of course,
more usually used for illicit doping.
They transform muscular strength and endurance, do they not?
-Look, I'm a laughing stock at sport.
I...I always have been.
The village only made me captain because no-one else
wanted to do the organising.
This year, I really just wanted to just win something.
-I sympathise.
But how disappointing you felt you needed
to break the rules to do so.
And risky, too.
I imagine the stock of amphetamines at your pharmacy
is closely audited.
-Dr. Fleming gave them to me.
-Why would Dr. Fleming risk his reputation
by supplying drugs to help you cheat?
Unless he risked something even greater if he did not...
which would also explain helping you frame Brian for cheating
and sabotaging Patty's prospects.
What do you have on him, William?
-I'll tell you, Father...
on condition you let me lift that trophy
if Hambleston triumph.
-I will leave the confession of rule breaking
to your own conscience.
-Everyone thinks that Geoffrey Fleming is this perfect doctor,
but I know otherwise.
He was the one that put poor Shirley in that wheelchair.
-Go on.
-Oh.
-What do you know about Miss Warner's relationship
with Dr. Fleming?
-Um, not much.
Um, I mean, when she was serving his tea, her hand was shaking.
I wondered if she might have been a little bit scared of him.
-Thank you. That is most helpful.
I don't suppose you've seen her in the library
reading any books about medicine?
-That's all she reads.
Great big thick things.
-Mrs. Devine and partner,
please can you head to the start line
for the wife carrying championships?
-Gosh!
-[ Sighs ]
-I'm so sorry.
I was supposed to be racing with Brian.
-Well, if you can't find anyone,
the points will be awarded to Hambleston.
-Uh, why don't you pair up with Mrs. Devine, Chief Inspector?
-Well, that's not be fair.
Uh, he has jurisdiction for Hambleston too.
-Quite.
-Come on, sir.
Kembleford need all the points we can get.
-Kembleford! Kembleford!
-I'll represent Hambleston in a later event, Mr. Redshaw.
-Kembleford!
-Three, two, one.
[ Whistle blows ]
[ Indistinct shouting ]
-Now, if you want a slice of cake, Father,
you'll have to wait, 'cause, uh, I can't find the knife.
-Oh.
Miss Warner, I wonder if I might I ask you a question?
-Anything you like, Father. [ Chuckles ]
-Do you blame Dr. Geoffrey Fleming for your condition?
-What do you mean?
-After your fall, Dr. Fleming prescribed painkillers,
and when you went to the chemist to collect them,
Mr. Redshaw told you he was baffled as to why
the doctor hadn't sent you for X-rays straight away.
-You don't question your doctor, do you?
-That's true.
But Mr. Redshaw is persuaded
that had your fracture been diagnosed earlier,
you would still be able to walk.
I gather you've been doing some reading at the library lately.
-Yes.
And this week, I found my proof.
-That Dr. Fleming is responsible for your disability.
-I lost my job, my independence.
At times, it's felt like I've lost my whole future.
And it's all thanks to him.
-Then today, you had to watch him being applauded.
-I wanted to scream.
Tell everyone what he's done to me.
-But you didn't, because you had another plan for revenge.
I didn't try to poison him, Father.
I'm going to report him to the General Medical Council.
I've written a letter.
All I need now is the courage to send it.
[ Indistinct shouting ]
-Come on, Chief Inspector.
-Come on through!
[ Cheers and applause ]
-Your attention, please!
My mother and Chief Inspector Sullivan
have been secretly... carrying on together.
And my father would be turning in his grave.
I just thought you should all know.
-I'm sorry. I hated keeping it from you.
You knew?
-True happiness is impossible to conceal, Mrs. Devine.
-And also, you two were about as subtle as a brick.
-Oh, no.
But what do I do about Eddie?
-He's not quite ready to accept change.
But he do when he sees how happy you are.
-Gosh, I hope you're right.
-Any progress, Father? -Yes.
I've established that Dr. Fleming
was guilty of medical negligence
over his treatment of Shirley Warner.
But did that provoke her enough to try and poison him?
Red geraniums.
Interesting.
-With Hambleston still out in the lead,
it's now time for the penultimate event,
the toe wrestling.
Chief Inspector Sullivan has agreed
to represent Hambleston on this one.
He will be up against a late replacement for Brian Fleming,
Eddie Devine.
-Didn't waste any time, did you?
-It was not like that. -No?
How many other widows you got
grieving on your shoulder, then?
-Oh, I can't look.
[ Indistinct shouting ]
-Back shortly.
-[ Grunts ]
Yes!
-[ Sighs ]
-[ Not audible ]
♪♪
-Hello, Thomas.
Oh.
Poor girl.
[ Sighs ]
Some say that red geraniums are a symbol
of deep love and passion.
You were in love with Thomas Taverner.
I saw your initials on the pots.
-So?
-But he was married, so you had to keep your love a secret.
And you also had to hide your grief,
and that must have been incredibly hard.
And then today, this caught your eye.
-Mm.
-So you looked more closely and made a shocking discovery.
-[ Inhales shakily ]
Thomas didn't have to die.
He could have saved him.
I couldn't breathe.
You saw Thomas was dying.
He asked for your help!
You could have saved him!
-That doesn't prove anything.
-It proves you're a fraud.
-I think I'll survive.
-[ Breathing heavily ]
I'd already seen the deadly nightshade.
No-one saw me add it.
Everything was fine...
until Ursula switched bowls.
[ Indistinct shouting ]
[ Applause ]
-[ Coughing ]
-I couldn't say anything without giving myself away.
[ Voice breaking ] All I could do was watch
as that poor woman...
-You and the doctor both knew a dangerous secret
about each other.
Stalemate.
-[ Breathing heavily ]
It should have been you, not her.
-You're crazy.
-Then report me,
and I'll show the world who you really are.
I've done a terrible thing.
I'm ready to face the consequences.
-Good.
-But first, I'm going to say goodbye to Thomas.
♪♪
-Mrs. Hudson, please come to the beer tent
to collect your husband.
Thank you.
♪♪
-What is it, Father?
-Patty Denmore has just...
Oh, no.
Kindly summon the Chief Inspector.
Vengeance will not bring Thomas back.
-I owe him this.
-You loved him profoundly. You owe him nothing.
-He was going to tell his wife.
We had it all planned.
-Thomas would not want you to sacrifice your future.
-Why didn't you help him?
-Dr. Fleming, confess your sins
and you too will have a chance of redemption.
-I'd never beaten Brian, at any sport.
I know it shouldn't have bothered me.
Then suddenly, I had a chance.
-Doctor.
-[ Grunts ]
-Help me.
Please.
-I'll come back. I promise.
I won the race, but what I lost...
I'm so sorry.
-And Miss Shirley Warner?
-That poor girl came to me two years later to the day.
The guilt meant I wasn't thinking straight.
I let her down too.
Miss Denmore, you and Miss Warner
are constant reminders
of Dr. Fleming's failings.
Reminders that will cut sharper than any knife.
♪♪
-I hope you lose everything.
-Contestants in the barrel roll,
please come to the start line to collect your barrel.
-Will Dr. Fleming lose his job?
-That, and his reputation,
will depend on whether Miss Warner reports him.
-Any remaining competitors for the final event,
the men's barrel rolling,
to the start line immediately, please.
-Eh, good luck Mr. Fleming.
-I'm sorry. I-I would have said something.
-When? As I was climbing the scaffold?
Father, how can I ever repay you?
-Well, that's easy.
-Win the Olympics for Kembleford
[ Indistinct shouting ]
Come on, Brian.
[ Shouting continues ]
-Come on, Brian!
[ Cheers and applause ]
♪♪
-Love you, Ron.
♪♪
[ Applause ]
-So, what do the competition rules say
about drug cheats,
Mr. Redshaw?
♪♪
-Miss Warner?
Report me.
It's the right thing to do.
♪♪
-Dad would have loved that.
-Yeah. He would.
-We owe your father a debt of gratitude, Eddie.
It was his photos that solved this crime.
♪♪
-[ Chuckles ]
♪♪
-Ah. Maybe Kembleford will just keep on winning it.
-That would be lovely.
Eddie?
-There's a London train in 15 minutes.
I'm going to take it.
-What? Eddie, wait!
Stay a little longer.
Stay as long as you like.
-Look, Mum,
I've got my life in London,
and you've obviously got a new life here.
-I've never told you this,
but before he died,
your father made me promise
I wouldn't spend the rest of my days alone.
-He said that?
-No-one will ever, ever take his place in my heart.
I'm still wearing his ring.
But Chief Inspector Sullivan is a --
is a kind and decent man,
and he makes me happy.
-I'd better go.
-Bye, Mum.
-Bye, love.
Gosh, it's hard to say goodbye to them, isn't it?
-I have some paperwork to finish.
-Of course.
-This changes nothing, Father. -No.
Don't worry, Mrs. Devine.
Like the Prodigal Son, Eddie will return,
when he's ready.
Definitely.
♪♪