Ridley - First Season

Didn't know we had a singer on tonight.

We didn't. Jamie knows her. Asked her to guest.

What's her name?

Eve Marbury. She's back for a funeral.

She flew in from Chicago this morning.

Right.

Jed should be here.

He needs to say goodbye.

He's not coming, Liza.

So, how does Jamie know her?

Oh, they played together at Long Beach Festival.

I've never been to California.

What I wouldn't do for a bit of sun right now.

- Ah, yeah, the west coast. - Huh!

All you can afford is Blackpool.

Thank you. Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Eve, this is my business partner, Ridley.

Hi, I'm really sorry.

I didn't know you were on. I'd have been here sooner.

It was all very last minute.

Ridley sings with us every now and again.

I mean, not very well, but we humour him.

Listen, can I get you a drink? It's the least we can do.

- Yes. - Oh, sorry, excuse me.

Just the two of us, then. What'll you have?

Er, surprise me.

Here we are.

Single malt Irish whisky.

The traditional welcome of the weary traveller.

Perfect. Thank you.

- Slainte. - Cheers.

Ridley's an unusual name.

Yes. It's, er, my surname.

I was christened Alex.

So you're a singer?

An enthusiastic amateur, yeah.

What's the day job?

Detective. Retired. But I still do a bit of consultancy work, you know?

And your wife?

She passed away, sadly. 18 months ago. Yeah.

- I'm sorry. - Oh.

So how long are you here?

- Just till the weekend. - Ah.

First time I've been back since I moved to the States.

What took you so long?

My mother had a problem with alcohol,

and my brother left home when he was 15.

Are you still in contact with him?

He's written to me over the years

but never with any way of contacting him.

I've tried all the missing persons sites,

but no, he's not to be found anywhere.

Maybe I could help you find your brother if... you wanted me to?

Hmm. Interesting. I might take you up on that.

Can I get you another?

Better not. Jetlag's starting to catch up with me,

and I have to save my voice.

Oh, why's that?

I'm singing at a funeral later in the week.

Do you mind me asking whose funeral it is?

- Julian Varnham. - Julian Varnham. God.

Yeah, he was quite the impresario, wasn't he?

He certainly was.

Well, look, it's, er... lovely to meet you.

I hope I can see you again some time.

I'd like that. Thank you for the drink.

Thank you.

Did you manage to get hold of Jed?

I've left him several messages, but as yet have no reply.

I've got to leave by one,

I'm afraid, so if your brother's not here by...

Jed!

Where were you last night?

Can we just get this over with?

Dad would've wanted you to say goodbye.

It's time to let go of the past.

Eve! Thought you'd be having a lie-in.

Hmm. Still on Chicago time. I need to speak to Ridley.

He's not here. He might be in this afternoon.

Where would I find him now?

Probably at home. But he lives up in Hepton Water.

That's OK. Hotel got me a hire car.

Do you want me to call him?

No, no, just his address. I'd like to surprise him.

OK.

Annie told me I might find you here.

Yep.

This is some place.

Yeah. Not bad, is it?

I've come to take you up on your offer.

I'd like you to help me find my brother.

Oh, right.

'Thanks for agreeing to see me.'

As family solicitor, I thought a meeting would be beneficial to discuss

aspects of the will that might need further explanation.

What are you doing here?

Housekeeper let me in.

All right if I sit here, Liza?

Sorry for your loss.

This is a private family meeting.

To which I've been invited. Isn't that right, Simon?

Your father made one bequest outside the family.

Ms Conway is a beneficiary.

It was when you said you were a retired detective,

I thought maybe you could help.

This is Luke. About 14 there.

And that's him in the middle.

Think that must've been taken not long before he left.

And you're sure that he was officially reported missing?

Mm-hm. Did it myself.

My mum didn't even notice he'd gone.

And what did the police say?

Well, it wasn't the first time, so he was already on their radar,

and I don't think they took it seriously.

So there was no follow-up at all?

No. Nothing.

- They just thought he'd turn up. - Hmm.

These are his letters. He wrote fairly regularly until recently.

Christmas, birthdays.

And, er, when was the last time you heard from him?

Be a year this April. And it's the first time he's missed my birthday,

so... I really need to know he's OK.

Some people just go off grid, and they want to stay there.

If I do find your brother,

you may have to accept that he doesn't want to see you.

At least I'll have done everything I can.

OK.

I'll hang onto these. And anything else you've got.

So is that a yes?

Well...

it's better than sanding that boat, I can tell you!

And on to page four, subsection E.

"To the person named below, Ms Julie Mary Anne Conway,"

"of 13 Alcot Way, if she survives me,"

"I will give the property described below."

"Ravenstoop and all surrounding land as per the title deeds."

I'll invite you both to the housewarming. That'll be fun.

Procreating has become an ethical and a moral issue.

No-one can deny that having ever more kids

in the era of climate catastrophe is increasingly problematic.

I've thought long and hard about that, Seb,

but surely what's more important

is how soon countries transition away from fossil fuels,

not the phasing out of human existence.

I get all that, but I'm still conflicted.

Right, the thing is, Seb,

Geri's ovulating right now and she's not getting any younger.

And I'm gonna be late for work.

- Another green tea? - Thanks.

Are you deliberately trying to sabotage this, babe?

But the thing is we've already made our decision,

so he's either up for it or he's not.

He fits all our criteria, has a perfect medical history,

and he's here!

Well, why don't you send him upstairs right now, then?

Tell him to get started.

I'll get that.

Excuse me.

- Ridley! - Yeah, what's going on?

I've been trying your phone all morning.

Oh, Geri made me turn my phone off.

We're interviewing prospective sperm donors.

You can join us if you like?

No, I think I'll pass on that, thanks.

Is everything OK?

Yeah. I'm just looking into a long-term missing persons case.

Gotta get access to the files, we're gonna have to run it past Goodwin.

I promised Geri I'd have nothing to do with work.

How long are you gonna be, then?

I can be back at the station in an hour. Tops.

Send me everything you've got, I'll see you there.

OK.

Julie?

Julie!

You swore to me you'd never see him again.

And you said you loved me.

Don't worry. It won't be long till I'm out of your life for good.

Oh, here we go! Are you gonna top yourself?

Haven't we had enough drama?

I'm ill, Jed. Really ill.

Like you were really pregnant?

You stay away from me. I mean it this time.

I never wanna see you again.

You'll be seeing me sooner than you think,

when I tell the police what really happened.

I need to make my peace before it's too late.

And if I'm going down, I'm taking everyone with me.

There'll be no hiding then for any of you.

All right? Any news?

Ah, there's no record of a MisPer report for Luke Marbury,

but we did find his criminal youth record.

Yeah, all minor offences. Theft mainly. Cash. Wallets. Jewellery.

But his disappearance was reported at this station!

I mean, it must be on file somewhere.

Not all files pre 1985 made it to the database.

If you want, I can get Darren to go and check the archives for you?

Cheers, boss!

Thanks, Darren.

No problem.