Borley Rectory: The Awakening

Can I ask for one more story?

- He's interested in the ghost stories.

I see

- Borley has quite the reputation.

Oh, of course it does.

Nearby villages often ask me how I can stand it.

And with good cause.

This is an old place, and old places have lots of secrets.

There have been many strange and unusual occurrences here.

- Have you ever experienced anything unusual?

- Well, that's an interesting question

to ask a man of faith, Charles.

- Yeah, I suppose it is. - Oh, go on, Father,

tell him the story. - No, Harry, don't.

I don't think the young man's stomach could take it.

- I'm strong of mind. This subject intrigues me.

- I do have some stories, I suppose.

Very well, this.

It all began a great many years ago, of course.

There was a nun, you see, her name was Marie.

She was a diligent, hardworking, devoted woman,

but not to the Lord.

Her relationship went against everything

the church stands for.

Please. Please. Please.

A great scandal at that time.

Even now, it seems that men of power

and the corruption that comes with it go hand in hand.

He knew, he knew she would be a problem.

- You should have seen your face.

Bravo, Kitty.

It is all Henry's fault, he suggested it.

- Oh really? - Well, of course, old chum.

I knew you were more interested in the spooks

in the gauze than the Bible, so yes,

I decided to have a bit of fun with you.

- And of course, I allowed them to indulge

in this little prank.

- Well, it doesn't feel very- - I think it's time we retired

for the evening.

Now, there are no such things as ghosts

and nothing haunts this place.

I give you my word.

- I really don't know why you felt the pressing need

to tell that ghastly story.

The young like the macabre.

- Mm, indulging them is not prudent.

What are you doing? - Nothing.

Get to bed,

Kitty, is that you?

- Father. - What?

- Father, what is it? - The box, son.

The box. Now!

I'm fine. Just need a moment.

Listen to me, my boy. Listen to me.

I charge you this box, my son,

the stories are true, Henry.

What do you mean they're true?

True. These eyes have seen it.

And if you believe in the word of the Lord,

you must believe me.

Now, one day you will tread in my footsteps.

- Father, of course, perhaps as rector.

No, no, no, no.

Not just as rector.

Your mother, your sisters,

they will need your protection.

Now, not just the strength of the Lord,

your strength, Henry.

Yours.

Now, you must promise me-

- I do. - Promise me now!

- I promise. - Promise.

I promise. I promise, Father.

What is it?

It's your legacy, my son.

Good morning, dear sisters.

How are we all today?

- Henry. - Oh, thank you.

Oh, what lovely basket. Oh, and another one.

Would you mind taking my hat?

- Ah, are we incapable of holding our own hat boxes?

Oh, thank you.

Right. Thank you.

- I must say, being the rector does suit you, dear brother.

- Oh, thank you, Mabel, you're too kind.

- Father would be proud. - How was London?

- Delightful, though a sign

of husband material,

I must say. - I'm awfully tired now.

- God, must you be quite so obvious?

- Do not judge me so harshly, Caroline.

Kitty had her nose in a book again.

Oh did she now?

- Nothing wrong with being educated.

Well, that sounds like a dig

- Now, now, dear sisters, come on.

Let's save the lashings 'till at least after supper.

- Freda, it's you. - I'm ready.

Good one.

- Caroline. - Don't gripe.

- She likes griping. - Thank you.

- Who's turn is it? - It's Henry.

Oh, is it me again?

- Henry. Henry, you disappoint me.

I disappoint you?

Yes, your sisters,

they flagrantly disregard the teachings of the Bible.

- Mother, you act like they're out of control.

I mean, they're just trying to be like any other girl

in this country.

- Of course, Freda wants to get married, but Kitty,

ugh, I fear your father indulge her far too much

when she was younger.

- Kitty would much rather make her own way in this world.

- Well, I don't think that's Kitty's choice to make.

Mother.

- Anyway, I've spoken to Mrs. Smith.

Her son Roger seems like an eligible bachelor.

- Mother, are you trying to marry her off?

- Henry, the rectory is your world,

mine is raising the children.

Freda wants a husband.

I don't know why you don't focus your efforts

on trying to find her the most eligible bachelor.

Because Freda is younger.

She has time. She will find a husband.

But Kitty, I mean,

I cannot bear the thought of her becoming a spinster.

- Kitty knows her own mind, Mother,

and with that, she knows her own heart.

And I don't? I'm her mother.

- Well, yes, but- - And I'm yours.

- Yes, Mother. Look, I'm not trying to argue with you.

I'm simply saying-

- Good. - Right. Yes.

- Very well. I'll speak to her in the morning.

- Oh, this is quite the punishment.

I know, sister.

- You know, I sometimes wonder if mother's whole purpose

in life is just to make our lives as difficult as possible.

- You wouldn't be blamed for thinking so.

I suppose we are helping Henry.

Yes, there is that.

Oh, is that the priest hole?

Yes. I remember that.

You hated going in there.

Yes, well, I was a child then.

And now?

You're still frightened of it.

- No. - Then go in there.

- No, you go in there. - Oh, I'm not scared.

- Well? - It's cold in here.

- Kitty! - I'm fine.

There's something in here.

What is it?

- I think I remember Father with this box.

Oh my.

What is this?

Do you think Henry knows?

Why didn't you tell me?

- Father, he made me swear to him.

Swear to what? Not tell us?

He was a complicated man.

Oh, I understand that.

But even the letters in there were for Reverend Shaw.

Yes, I know.

- Father said all of this was nonsense.

- Yes, but I feel he might have just been saying that

for the sake of Mother.

Mother?

- Look, I think the best cause of action here

is to just draw a line under the whole thing.

- Henry. - Kitty.

But you haven't seen anything though, have you?

That's not the point.

Father surely felt that something was going on here.

I dunno. I dunno.

But I can see what I have seen, and I haven't seen anything.

- Uncle! - Freda!

- We wondered if you were going to visit.

- Your smile alone is worth the journey.

A flattery uncle.

- Oh, I do so wish you wouldn't call me uncle.

He does age oneself so.

- I'll try to remember that, uncle.

- How are you? - Freda?

- Duty calls. Will you join us?

Well, that depends.

Is your mother still- - Prone to being a battle axe?

Your words, not mine.

Come and judge for yourself.

- Mr. Somerset, it's been some time.

I thought I'd drop by.

I heard the whole family was here.

Hmm. Indeed.

Freda, I need you and your sisters

to run some errands for me in the village.

- Oh, Mother. - Freda.

Very well.