Horror in the East: Japan and the Atrocities of World War II

That day was my first memory of you.

I remember that morning,

I had a sword in my hand and I thought I could take on the world.

But then I went out into the world and I realized something.

The real world, and the other people that live in it,

are terrifying.

And then I saw you standing there, and you seemed so... confident.

The fun-sized little princess who had it all figured out.

And you spoke to me.

Not that you had much choice about it.

That was the upside of living next door to each other

in the arse end of nowhere.

We did everything together.

Even ended up at the same uni.

Mum, Claire and Rob took me down and said their goodbyes.

And then, when they left, I felt scared all over again.

But you came to my room, and we drank red wine,

and you told me I didn't have to be scared

and since then I haven't been scared...

of anything.

Because I have you.

Aww!

And that's why I'm stood here...

dressed like an idiot...

Yeah, thanks.

For our first dance. Come on.

We turn our thoughts and prayers this week

to those affected by these terrible storms and floods.

There's a question I've been getting asked a lot recently.

If our God is a loving, caring god, why are we suffering like this?

Why are people losing their homes?

So it goes when hardships come,

things we cannot control, we lash out.

We question His existence...

A powerful weather system is heading towards Scotland,

with the Met Office having issued a red weather warning.

-Heavy rain and gale-force gusts of wind-- -

Can't move for all this talk about the friggin' weather.

Jamie.

Jamie!

-Take those things out. -Why?

Why? Because it's bad manners, that's why.

-I can hear that racket from here. - Right.

God forbid any part of Sunday morning be any fun whatsoever.

This. See this?

This is music.

This is Hank Williams.

There you are. Beautiful!

Hey, Charlie.

What brings you all the way out here?

Bill, Moira.

I, uh... I had a call from Edinburgh Police.

They've, uh...

found your girl, Grace...

in her flat last night.

There'd been a break-in.

She was murdered, Bill.

Her and Adam Elliot. But I just...

No, no, no. What about the baby?

-Sorry. -No!

We need someone to identify them.

I was thinking, Louise's other boy, Rob, he lives in Edinburgh, doesn't he?

She's my child, Charlie.

I... I should go and see her.

Not like this, Bill.

No! Why would you say that to me?

Why would you say that? Why would you say that to me?

Why would you say that to me, Charlie?

- -Hi, Ad. Me again, your big sister.

Remember me? Still haven't heard from you.

Maybe I don't want to.

-You're probably disgustingly tanned. -

Anyway, give me a call when it fades. Love you. Hope it was brilliant.

-Is he coming back then? -Who?

That fella of yours who went off to save the world in Nairobi.

-Mr. Lover Lover. -That was my brother.

- -Back from honeymoon.

Forgot I told you about Sam.

That'll teach me to drink on a school night.

Morning, Meredith. How are you today?

Fine.

Here. I have something for you.

Oh, can I help?

This one?

This was given to me by my grandmother.

-I wanted you to have it. -No, no, I couldn't. I couldn't.

I won't take no for an answer.

Thank you. It's beautiful.

I know you'll take good care of it.

As you have of me.

Is something wrong?

I looked into what we talked about.

There's this pill, it sends you quietly off to sleep.

-I can't do that, Meredith. -If there was anyone else I could ask...

-We've been friends a long time now. -It's against the law.

"Laws are like cobwebs, which may catch small flies,

but let wasps and hornets break through." Jonathan Swift.

Another quote from another book I haven't read.

I'm going to die, Claire.

I... I can't, Meredith.

We can do it so you won't get into any trouble.

I...

You're upset, that's all.

I should... I should get on.

Rob! Wait!

I thought you were going to give me a lift to work.

No, I'm sorry, I can't. I, um...

I forgot I'm supposed to be at Mrs. Wilson's place.

I thought you finished her garden months ago.

Yeah, I guess not.

You know, I don't think you should be in work.

Oh, not this again.

It's too soon.

What happened to me is in the past.

Life goes on, Rob.

Locking myself away isn't gonna help.

OK, then.

You can kiss me, you know?

You'll be OK?

Good luck with Mrs. Hill.

It's Mrs. Wilson.

Right.

Hello?

- Adam and Grace... -Claire?

They're dead.

Someone killed them.

Our little brother's gone, Rob.

I've got some stuff to sell on.

Laptop, jewelry, some photo frames.

-You've been busy. -Aye, take a look.

You've nicked some right old shit here, Lee!

Have you ever tried not getting high before you break into some place?

-A bit of free advice for you, mate. -Just tell me what I can get!

-Everything alright, pal? -I'm in a hurry.

-Need to get somewhere. -Where?

A place called Braeston, out in the islands.

I need the money for a train ticket.

I cannae get you anything for a few days, pal.

I need to find somebody to buy this shit first.

Front me. I'm good for it.

Right, cos I'm sitting on my savings, me!

Come on! You must have some money!

I'm out, man, honest.

Is everything alright? Are you in trouble?

I need to get to Braeston.

-Finish something that I started. -Like what?

They're all in there.

I checked. 75 sheets.

250 microgram LSD.

I can just see you now... at your kitchen table,

counting out tabs of acid, one by one.

You're a regular smiley face Nigella Lawson, aren't you?

If you want me to go and sell this shit to someone else, I will.

Alright. Alright.

I saw you in my street.

Well, we have to take precautions.

Someone like you.

You understand.

It's all there.

OK, then.

Will I be seeing you again then, Grandma?

Take care, dear!

I hope you don't mind...

Oh, it's fine. Claire drinks in the house.

Not that it's helping.

I've been sat here since I found out, just...

Just... Just sat here.

I'm glad you came over.

I know we haven't always, um...

I mean, I said things at the wedding...

Oh, it doesn't matter now. God.

Just... Just before Charlie Fuller came and told me...

I'd killed a bird.

I shot it clean out of the sky.

And I was so proud of myself.

It's just a bird, Louise.

What kind of person... gets pleasure out of death?

Hey. Can you help us?

- I just need a couple of quid. -No, sorry.