CHATTER
CHURCH BELLS RING
So, are we friends again?
Bella? Yes?
I said, "Are we friends again?"
Yes.
So...? Say it.
We're friends again. Good.
You know I can't bear it when I'm in bad odour with you.
Must you?
Bellakins.
It was nice, wasn't it?
Yes.
Then why do you look like such a wet weekend?
I have a lot on my mind.
Don't tell me. I know you hate talking about money.
I don't hate talking about it,
I hate all the unpleasantness that comes with not having enough of it!
Of course, there is an easy solution to all of this, sweetheart.
No. Cecil, there is nothing easy
about asking my father for more money.
There you go again.
He's been generous. He's been more than generous to us.
Please!
He's paid out precisely what was agreed in our marriage settlement.
Not a penny more or less. None of which has come to us.
Don't start that! You can't blame me for blasted death duties!
The house. The estate. Everything.
It will all come to Lucian in the end.
Well, should he ever want to go back. Well, whose fault is that?
Look, your father... you're all he's got.
He only wants you to be happy.
He doesn't begrudge you a brass farthing you spend on this place.
I can't keep going to him cap in hand!
That is utter foolishness! He has money coming out of his ears!
What's foolish about not wanting to be indebted to someone?
You already are indebted!
He's paid for every cushion and candlestick in this infernal place!
And I have promised to pay him back.
He's not expecting to see a penny of it.
Which is why I'm determined that he will.
Swallow your damn pride, Bella.
Namaste. I'm sorry?
Namaste. Did I say it wrong?
No. No, please. Not at all.
It's just the first word I've heard spoken in Hindi in quite a time.
Well, it's the first and the last. That's all he taught me.
And who is he? If I might enquire. The Maharaja of Jaipur's brother.
You've been to Jaipur? Hell, no. He came to see my show.
In America? In Paris!
I haven't been home since the war. Neither have I.
And how do you find Italy?
You mean, how does Italy find me?
Italy would like to arrest me on the spot.
They haven't got around to passing a law against me.
I have a feeling they soon might. It was him who taught me.
In case you're wondering. The Maharaja's brother?
He offered me a pearl as big as a duck egg.
I wasn't able to oblige him.
So he had to settle for giving me yoga lessons instead.
That is very honourable of you.
You wanna join me, honey?
Er, it's not really my thing. Ah, no. You'll catch on soon enough.
Let's go.
Ah, OK. Shoes. Take your shoes off.
Bring your arms above your head and just lean back a little.
What's this, then, callisthenics?
It's yoga, you fool.
Room for a couple of little ones? The more, the merrier!
Rose? Rose! Where are you?
I'd better not.
I'll be here every morning if you change your mind.
Here we are. The sooner we can get this place ready, the better.
And one less thing to worry about. Oh.
Are the Drummond-Wards leaving? Oh, goodness, no.
but they've asked to change rooms for some reason.
I'm not quite sure why.
I've never seen a room quite so beautiful, Mrs Ainsworth.
Oh, thank you, Constance. I do hope the Wingfields agree with you.
Oh, ciao, Paola. Ho chiesto a Constance di aiutarti.
Molte grazie, Mrs Ainsworth.
Paola doesn't speak any English. But perhaps she understands some.
You never know.
You do speak English.
A little.
Signor Lucian... Master Ainsworth?
He give me... lezioni. Lessons.
Lessons. Si, English lessons.
I have lessons too.
Signor Lucian? Si!
LAUGHTER AND CHATTER
I think I'd better just go. You know...
Yes. Of course.
You look flushed.
I've just been having a yoga lesson.
Yoga.
Yes, it's some sort of stationary gymnastics.
Apparently, the Indians have been at it for centuries.
Mr Sengupta has been teaching you?
Er, no, Mrs Turner, actually.
Oh, she is a woman of many talents.
Apparently so.
If I may be so bold, er, I was thinking...
I was hoping, actually, um... with your permission of course,
I was hoping that Rose might wish to accompany me
for a look around town.
I thought we might go to the beach afterwards,
have a little painting lesson.
Is this something you've discussed? No, Mama.
You'd be more than welcome to join us, if you wish.
I would insist upon it.
Won't it be ridiculously hot?
There's always quite a pleasant breeze by the sea.
And there's plenty of shade.
You'll be wasting your efforts on Rose, I'm afraid.
She's devoid of artistic talent.
You always say I should take every opportunity to improve myself, Mama.
Very well.
Father?
You realise this nonsense will have to stop sooner or later, don't you?
Nonsense?
This. It isn't worth anything, any of it.
I have it on good authority.
Well, it's worth something to me.
Um, I thought I might take Miss Drummond-Ward
for a painting lesson. At the beach.
Oh?
I thought you'd be pleased.
Well, it's something, I suppose.
Well, don't keep the lady waiting!
What are you putting in the sandwiches, Betty?
La lingu... La... Oh, hang on a minute.
Mrs Ainsworth wrote it down for me. La "ling-ewer"...
Lingua. Thank you.
La lingua di vitello.
Hmm. And what's that when it's at home?
Veal tongue. It's a local delicacy.
Are you excited? About the beach. I'm only there to fetch and carry.
Oh, you might get to dip a toe in. Eggs.
I'm sure Mrs Drummond-Ward will keep me far too busy.
Proper little dragon, that one. Betty!
What? She is.
The way she bullies that poor little girl...
Thank you.
Rose is very beautiful. Yes, well. That's as may be.
Silly little ninny. Wouldn't say boo to a goose.
Still, I should hold me tongue. SHE LAUGHS
The tongue. No pun intended, Conny.
Ma'am. LAUGHTER
Rose will be the boss of us all before too long.
Rose will be?
Haven't you worked it out?
Her and master Lucian. They're in love?
Oh! Plenty of time to talk about love once they're married.
It's all agreed, then.
No. But it will be. Before the summer's over.
At least, if Mr Ainsworth's got anything to do with it.
BUSY CHATTER
Telephone? No, no, no telefono, no.
Excuse me, a telefono?
It's like bloody Bombay. Signore.
You require some assistenza?
Yes, I was hoping to find a telephone.
Telephone. Hey, look. We are poor Italians here.
We marvel at you English and your inventions.
Try telling that to Marconi.
Scusi, Signore.
Please.
This way, sir.
Ah, Mussolini. The great man himself.
The great man indeed.
I don't suppose you'd lend him to us?
Crack some English heads together.
Please. Perhaps not.
As long as you need.
Ah, I see you've been pulling my leg.
I'm sorry? Never mind. I will pay.
Absolutely not! No, no, no. I insist.
And I insist, too. Vincenzo Danioni at your service.
Ah. Cecil Ainsworth. At yours.
Please.
PHONE RINGS OUT Operator!
'Buongiorno Signore. Con chi desidera parlare?'
The centralino. 'D'accordo.'
RAIN POURS, DOG BARKS
THUNDER RUMBLES
Your brother, sir.
Cecil?
'Is that you?' It's me!
'All the way from Italy.'
'Yes, Edmund. All the way from Italy.'
'Well, I'll be damned.' How is the old place?
'Well, you know.'
Still creaking under the strain a little.
And Margot?
Happiest when she's in the saddle.
Now, you got my telegram, I take it.
Right here in front of me, old boy.
'Well, I'll get straight to the point, then.'
I wish you would.
Do you still have Grand-papa's Rubens?
Naked wench, mirror, west wing sitting room?
'The very same.'
'Still gathering dust with the ancestors, the last time I looked.'
Well, then. Crate it up and send it over. There's a good fellow.
And why exactly would I want to do a thing like that?
Because I may know someone who wants to buy it.
'For more than it would cost to send?'
Much more. Enough to keep the tax man off your back for a year or two.
'Only if it is a Rubens.
'And as you well know, it's most likely nothing of the sort.'
We'll see about that.
'Besides which, we've only got the old boy's word for it.'
Not for very much longer, I hope.
Will the Epson suite be ready, darling?
Yes. What time do the Wingfields arrive?
Oh, any time. Oh, what's that?
Lucian. Lady Latchmere!
Can my son tempt you to go on his beach expedition?
Gracious, no. I can't abide sand. Oh.
Perhaps a trip to church on Sunday might suit us both a little better.
To church? In Italy? I'm sorry, I assumed...
No, no. Religion is my greatest consolation,
but only the right sort. Forgive me.
All that smoke and popery. Any port in a storm, I always say.
Oh, Mrs Turner. Are you a regular churchgoer?
Nothing about me is regular, honey.
But a spot of confession is always good for the soul. Right?
UPBEAT JAZZ PLAYS
HORN TOOTS
That's him. That's... That's Pelham Wingfield.
Who's Pelham Wingfield? One of the Suffolk Wingfields?
I haven't a clue. I only know he's a tennis player and a terrific one.
He nearly won the Davis Cup last year. Hmm.
I'll have to take your word for that.
Rose, is that what you're wearing? Well, I thought so.
I'm sure we can wait five minutes while you go and change.
POLITE CHATTER
Please. How was your journey? Very pleasant.
Hot, I imagine. And long. And sticky.
Yes. Oh, Mrs Wingfield, your key. Thank you.
If I might say, it's such a pleasure to have a tennis champion
staying in the house. My son's an absolute fanatic.
It's my pleasure, really. Oh, well...
He is from the north of Italy. Will you excuse me one minute?
Yes. Oh, do you mind if I... Oh, yes, of course.
The winning racket. I'm sorry. Thank you so much.
Well...
Which part of the country exactly? Oh, listen.
It's really not important where he's coming from,
but where he's going. Oh, Cecil?
Oh. Here you are, darling. This is Signor Danioni.
It is my honour, Signora Ainsworth.
Forgive me. Could I borrow my husband for a moment?
Sure. Please.
Scusi.
What is he doing here? What?
Well, he's really been most obliging.
I thought the least we could do
was offer him some hospitality in return. Hospitality?
You know, tea. A sandwich or two. A bit of Betty's cake.
Let him think he's an Englishman for an afternoon.
Has he asked you for anything?
No, not a sausage. Why are you whispering?
Darling, he let me telephone home entirely free of charge.
You do know that he's a... What?
He's a Fascist, Cecil.
Well, better them than the damned reds.
But we agreed that we'd stay out of local politics.
You never know, he might prove useful.
Lady Latchmere might come across him.
Lady Latchmere
They probably have more in common than you think.
Am I forgiven now? Oh, yes. Yes, of course.
Bellakins. Yes?
Would you ask Albani if he wants to join us?
He might jolly the conversation a little bit. Yes.
Do forgive me.
CHATTER
Rose. Mrs Drummond-Ward.
CHATTER
Gelato per la bambina...
Will you try a gelato, Mrs Drummond-Ward?
I shan't.
SHE EXHALES
See, I'm just sort of working light to dark.
Then you end up with something that looks sort of delicate.
I see. See, that's lovely.
Thank you.
What are they doing?
They're diving for scallops. Or sea urchins maybe.
Is that Billy? Billy?
I was wondering what he was doing this afternoon.
Lucian, are you going to take me swimming?
Sorry, Lottie, I'm a bit busy.
Oh.
How about a paddle instead? Yes!
Shall we? Come on, let's go in the water.
We'll just dip our feet in.
There's a little fish. Oh!
Nel mezzo del cammin di nostra pita...
Oh, no. No, di nostra vita.
Oh, vita. It means "life".
Oh, darling. Oh, no, please. Please, no need.
Do sit down. Are you joining us?
Sadly, no. I was just coming to see
that you were being well looked after.
As always. Danioni has been in raptures over the scones.
Oh, yeah! Come si chiamano queste?
A fat rascal, I believe.
How apt! Exquisite.
Really, really, really... delicious.
I'm so glad.
Well, Mr Danioni thinks we could make a bundle.
Serving afternoon tea to the locals. I have to agree with him.
Unfortunately, Betty is rather overstretched
with all of our guests,
but I shall be sure to pass on the compliments.
Thank you so much.
Oh. Don't know what all that was about.
Anyway, where were we?
May I borrow those?
Of course. Thank you.
God's teeth.
Oh, it's not much to look at. Not yet, at least.
I'd die happy if I could do anything half as well as that.
You're welcome to have a go, if you want.
Come on, put that down.
Take that. Have a scribble.
Uncle Lucian, look what Rose found!
Did she? Must be worth a fortune, Lots.
Are you ready to resume? My word!
Oh, well... What is it?
Oh. Do you think she needs rescuing?
Heavens, no. She'll be selling tickets in a minute.
Bellissima signorina, buon giorno.
QUIET CHATTER
Cosa devo fare per un po' del suo tempo?
Mi dica, per favore. Solo un pochino.
Two lemonades. One for me, one for you.
I must say, Signor Danioni, that I'll think about it.
You're confident we can drum up this custom by next week?
Absolutely! I will make that possible.
Where are these guests going to be coming from, exactly?
Well, people from the council... The council?
Yeah. Right.
What about the local aristocracy, or something like that?
Yeah, I will take care of that. Allora arrivederci.
Anche a voi. E mi raccomando.
You don't much care for him. Ah. Was it that obvious?
No. Your manners were impeccable.
Italy would be heaven if it weren't so full of petty bureaucrats.
You would be wise to tolerate him. Because of his politics?
Because men like Danioni enjoy nothing better than making
a perfect nuisance of themselves. Yes, I'm learning that.
So, how about next Thursday?
Thursday?
For our first tea party. Danioni's promised to drum up some custom.
Oh, Cecil. That is presumptuous of you.
Oh, nonsense. Nonsense. What do you think, Carlo?
The whole town will beat a path to your door.
We Italians pretend to despise the perfidious English.
But we aspire to be just like you. Just as I thought.
Care to join me for a drink? Yes, sure. Maybe in a little while.
Good, good. Have I said the wrong thing?
No, no, no. It's a lovely idea.
I would be delighted to assist you with your little project.
Oh, well, your help is always most welcome.
Perhaps Mrs Mays-Smith and I might plan the menu between us.
Oh, that's a marvellous idea. Yes, she would enjoy that.
A perfect union of Italian gusto and English refinement.
Perfect. Would you excuse me?
It's gone a bit strange here, but you really made an effort.
It's wonderful. The perspective is spot on.
Well, then, carry on. You'll be an expert in no time.
Oh, bother it! Rose, I'm so sorry.
It's ruined! What is it?
Paint, Mama. Lucian, it won't come out.
I told you to be careful.
No, it was my fault, Mrs Drummond-Ward.
Her blouse brushed my palette. It won't come out.
No, it'll come out, I promise. We just need to dab at it...
No, Lucian... Just let me dab at it.
No, please. It will.
Just let me have a look... Lucian, please.
It's on your undershirt as well. Oh, Lucian. No! I feel faint.
We had best go back. Of course.
Immediately.
What a bit of fuss, over a bit of paint.
She seemed very upset.
Well, who wears a silk dress to the beach?
She just wanted to look her best.
I shall be in the doghouse. I'm sure Rose will forgive you.
From my father, I mean. Oh.
Well, it'll be quicker to walk than wait.
I'm sorry to ask, but can you manage?
I don't mind.
So, I take it it wasn't a great success, darling.
You could say that.
Well, we shall just have to get Paola to work her magic.
What are you suggesting?
Only that she could clean the dress.
Has Father said anything? Not to me.
He's been drinking with Count Albani.
That's just my luck.
I keep telling you, please don't worry about what he wants.
Well, try telling him that.
All that matters is whether you and Rose
think you could be happy together.
Do you think there's a chance?
Well, it's rather difficult to make any kind of impression at all
with her mother hanging over us like some awful gooseberry.
Yes. Yes, she's rather difficult to, er... shake off, isn't she?
Oh, let me see.
You know, I find it difficult to imagine her and Father
were ever an item at all.
Oh, they were too young to ever be serious.
Really? They weren't engaged?
Not formally, no. I'd rather imagined that they were.
I thought that's why Father was so hell-bent
on getting Rose and me hitched.
I'm not sure I follow.
You know, righting the wrongs of the past.
Him and Mrs Drummond-Ward not being able to link the two estates
by marriage, so they thought they'd have another go with Rose and me.
If that is his intention, he certainly never confided it to me.
Darling, I think you should give it time with Rose.
Oh, gosh. Look.
She has an artistic eye.
And that's something, isn't it?
LOW CHATTER
Please try, darling. Just leave it, will you?
Just... put on a good show.
Can we talk about this later, please? Right.
Questo e la mia ricetta, come questa. Si?
Grazie, perfetto.
How the other half live, eh?
I'd give my right ball for one of those fancy drinks.
SHE CHUCKLES Sorry, may I?
Hello, my darling.
Constance...
Hello. Hope I'm not interrupting anything.
Oh, not at all. Lucian Ainsworth.
Pelham Wingfield. I know.
This is my wife, Lizzie. Hello.
I saw you play in Queens. Er, 23.
You beat some Australian. Tom... something.
Oh, Todd Philips. Yes, that's the one.
6-2, 6-4, 6-2, if I remember well.
Well, 6-3 in the third, but what's a game between friends?
Well, you barely missed a ball.
And now he rarely hits one.
So what brings you to Portofino?
Well, I played in Monte Carlo last week...
He lost in the first round.
And I'm heading to Milan at the end of the week.
The local championships start the Monday after.
Which means we'll be taking the train home on Tuesday.
With any luck.
Er, it's a wonderful spot. Isn't it?
Might I interest you in a nightcap later?
Oh, er... "You" singular.
Not "you" plural, honey.
Well, if it's all the same to you, I think I'll pass.
Yeah. Perhaps tomorrow?
Yes, perhaps.
Ah, well. It can wait.
What? Hmm?
What can wait?
Oh, the story of Grand-papa's Rubens.
Sorry, your grandfather owns a Rubens?
Owned, not owns.
He kicked the bucket right about the time Her Majesty passed away.
Uh-huh. And where is it now?
Still hanging out back home, I imagine.
And you're... sure it's a Rubens?
Well, I rather thought you might tell me.
Mm-hm. A domani.
Yeah.
You look beautiful. What do you want me to tell you?
Melissa, have you found her? Melissa, bring her here now.
I can't bear it, Melissa. I'm packing my bag.
Is everything all right? My aunt is most unhappy.
Oh! Let's see if we can resolve the issue.
Completely inedible.
I've almost chipped a tooth. Your Ladyship, I'm terribly sorry.
I shall get a fresh tray brought up for you straight away.
Melissa. Yes?
I'd like you to check. Um...
Ow!
Rough. Did I hurt you?
Yes, I think I might need another. Yes, Aunt.
Oh, morning, darling. Morning. Er, is there a problem?
Why do you ask?
Because there doesn't appear to be any breakfast.
Let me talk to Betty.
What on earth is going on?
SOBBING Oh, Mrs Ainsworth...
I can't get any sense out of her!
Betty, remember when you took the job. We said only your best will do.
It's not her fault. Hold your tongue!
She can't make breakfast from thin air.
What do you mean, thin air? There's no food, Mrs Ainsworth.
See for yourself, nothing's delivered.
No bread, no butter, no milk, no eggs.
The cupboard's bare, ma'am.
Oh, Billy. Oh, you little beauty.
The best I could do, ma'am.
Nobody would sell me owt, Mrs Ainsworth.
I had to beg what I could. There must be some misunderstanding.
Begging your pardon, ma'am. But, no, I don't think so.
They shut the door in my face.
BELL TOLLS
CHURCH ORGAN PLAYING
Don't worry, I shan't make a scene.
Not before Mass, anyway.
Ah-ha! Ah!
You didn't fancy church, I take it.
Oh, no. No, no. I only kneel at the altar of Mammon.
HE CHUCKLES My sentiments exactly.
I wondered if you'd... Well, if you'd like to join me for a spin.
Why not?
Excellent.
I am so sorry that I didn't give you more notice
that we were planning to come here today. I'm happy being spontaneous.
Didn't think church would be your thing.
My thing?
Well, because Lucian has become so anti all of this.
He says God died in the trenches.
A lot of people we served with feel the same.
You were at the front? Indian Medical Service.
And do you think... God failed to come back from the war, Mr Sengupta?
England's God maybe. Not mine.
Hello.
UPBEAT JAZZ PLAYS
If the Eye-Ties had had some kit like this in the war,
they might have fared a little better.
You served?
No. Not the last time.
My fighting days ended out in Africa,
at the end of the last century. Uh-huh.
You? No.
About this painting...
Mm-hm. I, er...
I tore this out of one of Lucian's art books.
Well, that's not Rubens.
I know, but the idea's broadly the same.
Venus With A Mirror. That's the girl.
She's quite a common theme in Renaissance art.
If you say so. So, your Rubens, it isn't titled?
No. And not signed either, unfortunately.
Well, that's not uncommon for the period.
Which is, presumably, where people like you come in.
Well, there's no way of knowing
without getting my guy to take a look at it.
No, of course. Of course. I'm having it sent over as we speak.
You really are serious about this.
I'm always serious when it comes to making money.
Aren't you?
HE CHUCKLES
Well, if it's not what you say it is, then...
it's a whole lot of trouble to go to. For both of us.
Don't worry, old boy.
I'm sure we can find a way to make it worth our while.
BELL TOLLS
Lady Caroline!
Well, I never. Maybe she didn't see you.
Or didn't choose to. THEY CHUCKLE
What's funny, darling? I think I've just been snubbed.
Oh. By Lady Caroline Haig.
Should I know who that is? The Earl of Harborne's daughter.
They're staying at the big villa in the hills.
We called upon them when they arrived.
Yes. I hope it is not my account.
Oh, no. I'm sure there's a perfectly innocent explanation.
Buongiorno.
Did I miss something?
We were just talking about the Haigs.
Apparently you know Lady Caroline. Oh, yes.
I was at Oxford with her uncle. Will you excuse me one moment?
Signore... Una parola per favore.
Mm-hm.
I take it I have you to thank for this morning's wonderful surprise.
Sorry, I don't understand what you mean.
I think you do. You said yourself,
nothing occurs in this town without you knowing about it.
Oh, I see. Well, perhaps I said that, yeah.
And perhaps we could find a way to resolve this difficulty.
I simply cannot run the hotel
without the town's supplies or its goodwill.
My wife. Ah.
Does your wife know that you are blackmailing me?
Please, such an ugly word!
And then we do not believe in blackmail in Italy, Signora.
Oh, I see. What do you believe in?
Furbizia. You know, being shrewd. Oh.
It is what puts food on our table and buys dresses for our wives.
Pretty dresses. Zaffiro?
Yes. Sapphires.
Yeah, zaffiro. My wife, she likes very much.
Don't get too close, Conny. They'll give you a nasty little nip.
I think they're dead, anyway.
Glad to see you're recovered, Betty.
Oh, thank you, Mrs Ainsworth. I'm feeling much more myself.
Gosh, someone's been busy. It's Billy, ma'am.
Did he catch them all by himself? Oh, no, Mrs Ainsworth.
There's some lads he knows down by the harbour,
they all help each other out. Please do thank him for me.
This will make the most wonderful dinner.
I'll pass it on, Mrs Ainsworth.
Oh, and normal deliveries shall resume tomorrow.
Very relieved to hear it, ma'am.
Gosh, he is rather an ugly fellow, isn't he?
We were just saying the same thing, ma'am.
It's the spit of my Uncle Albert.
Well, let's just hope that they taste better than they look.
I'm just wracking my brain, ma'am,
trying to think what to do with him. Paola...
Conosci questo tipo di pesce? Si, pesce cappone.
E buono da mangiare in uno stufato di pesce.
Ah, si. Then we shall bill it as "A Taste Of Italy."
Yes.
See you later. Ma'am.
Well, then, Paola. So, what you doing there, then?
'FIN CH'HAN DAL VINO' FROM MOZART'S DON GIOVANNI PLAYS
BUSY CHATTER
Ah! Gorgeous.
PIANO PARLOUR MUSIC PLAYS
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
Oh, no, I don't think so. No, thank you.
Mmm. Oh.
Is that alive? No, it's not. Have a taste.
Well, I suppose, when in Italy...
Mmm!
Actually, not too bad. Perfectly edible.
Well done.
LIVELY CHATTER
SHE SIGHS
Right, then, I'm away to me bed.
Buona notte, Elisabetta.
You did us proud tonight, Paola.
Do you understand?
Oh! Oh, bless you.
Night-night.
SHE GASPS Madre di Dio.
You frightened me.
Basta! Get off.
Dai, ci facciamo un giro insieme... Che giro? Ma voi siete.
LOW CHATTER
Ma lasciatemi stare. Guardate questi tre imbecilli!
Filthy Fascist scum!
Che volete? Guarda questi figli di puttana!
Inseguili, inseguili, corri! Dai, dai! Prendili! Dove andate?
Fermatevi! Se vi prendo, vi ammazzo! Vi apro la testa!
Venite qui se avete il coraggio!
'My dearest Ma, I have so much to tell you.
'I served lunch on the beach today and got my first look at the town.
'It's straight out of a picture postcard.
'Italy really is as different from the North country
'as chalk and cheese. The sun seems twice as large here
'and the sea is like a warm bath.
'There are lemons growing everywhere I look.
'It's difficult to describe the effect it all has on you,
'but already I feel different somehow,
'like I can breathe a little more easily.
'Everyone has been so kind and patient with me,
'particularly Mrs Ainsworth.
'Betty is just as you said she would be, warm-hearted and cheerful,
'despite the losses she has suffered.
'Billy is a comfort to her, of course, though also a worry.
'They are good people and already dearer to me
'than I would have thought possible
'after so short a time in their company.'
'Dearest Henry, I have so much to tell you.'
Who shall I confide in now?
CLATTERING
Cecil? Is that you?
Billy?! I'm so sorry.
I didn't know what else to do, please don't be angry...
What on earth?! He's hurt.
I-I didn't know where else to take him.
It's the Fascists, ma'am. They've beaten him senseless.
Oh, my goodness! Billy.
Oh, Billy, he needs help. Lift his head.