Home Fires

The Czechs learned this morning they're soon to be redeployed.

I kept my word and I've told no-one that you're here.

I can't go back.

- It's mine. - The book... yes. The contents... most definitely not.

- You saved nine men. - You're a hero, son.

No, no.

I thought inviting you here might be the best way to ask you to marry me.

I will!

We're shutting your factory down, with immediate effect.

- Scour the outhouses. - Yes, sir.

Ma?

We have permission to search your property.

- For what? - We'll be quick.

I'll remember that the words were never said

Only now the others hold no meaning for me

And I'll see

With wide-open eyes

Of blindness

I'll leave

The ever-calling cries

In silence

Every place we shouldn't go

We shouldn't see, we will never know

And all I want

All I see

All I fear

Is waiting for me

Now I see

I'll be

Eyes wide open

All the cries

Broken

For now...

Of course I was nervous to begin with.

Working here is one thing,

but it hardly prepares you for Radio Operator training.

I imagine it must be very technical.

You can't make mistakes when you're talking to pilots on ops against the Germans.

"Ops" means "operations", by the way.

- Oh, is that right? - You have to be prepared for every eventuality,

because, as my instructor says all the time,

"Your first shift could be your worst shift."

Well, it's... lovely of you to come back and see us.

Isn't it, Pat?

I've always believed...

as we move forward in life,

it's important not to forget the people we leave behind.

Oh, it's... an honour to linger in your thoughts.

Oh, I'm sure.

It took Peter 23 years to build up this business.

Four months for me to bring it to its knees.

When I took over, I trusted Taylor without a moment's hesitation.

That he brought criminals into this business is utterly incredible.

Lyons must have paid him a great deal of money.

I hope it rots in his pockets in jail.

If the Ministry shuts us down, there'll be no business to sell.

I'll be lucky to avoid prison myself.

This isn't your fault.

If not mine...

.. who else's?

You're lucky you caught me.

I was just about to leave...

.. to meet your fiancee.

To counsel her to change her mind before it's too late?

The "wedding committee" meeting to finalise the responsibilities for the reception.

Look, I didn't want to... burden Teresa with this

so soon before the wedding, but um...

.. I needed someone to talk to.

And the best person I could think of was you.

One of my young airmen has gone missing.

- What? - For nearly a week.

We've searched local farms, woodland. No sign.

The thing I can't seem to shake is...

.. feeling that I've failed in my duty of care.

Why would you think that?

I clearly failed to see how much pressure he was under.

It must be difficult to notice when everyone's knuckling down to the job in hand.

I'm his commanding officer. Why didn't he regard me as someone he could confide in?

I told Adam, years ago, that his dog collar doesn't make him omniscient.

It just makes him think that he should be.

Beneath the uniform you're just men

trying to do your best in extraordinary circumstances.

If he's caught, what will happen to him?

Let's just say it would be best all round if he returned of his own volition.

- Knew I was right. - About what?

Coming to see you.

I should be going.

I'll... I'll see myself out.

Right. Right. Right.

Looking down the list...

Everything's covered except for decorating the hall.

- I'd say you're all set. - Thank you so much. You've all been fantastic.

- Sorry I'm late. Errands to run. - Hello.

We didn't have hall decorations when we got married.

Didn't even have a hall. Just a... barn with a leaky roof.

Steph!

Me... Me and Bryn had a guard of honour when we came out of the church.

Five butchers on either side...

.. with their arms aloft, holding gleaming cleavers.

You should have seen them.

What was it about Bryn that made you certain he was the one?

Oh, that's easy. Once I met Bryn, I... I knew I'd never want anyone else.

- Oh... - Why, what was it about Will?

The same.

What was it about Mr Simms?

He was very kind.

And he shared my love of literature.

So, what is it about Nick?

Well...

.. I had a feeling, once I'd met him...

.. that he'd be the only man for me.

Aww.

You're very good at posting the letters. Little postman in the making, aren't you?

Mrs Cameron.

For Mrs Cameron.

And who might this young man be?

- My name is Noah. - Noah. What a lovely name.

He's staying with Mrs Barden while his grandparents find a new place to live.

Their street in Liverpool was badly bombed during a raid.

Very pleased to meet you, Noah.

If you're staying with Mrs Barden, you'll be in very good hands.

And if they aren't hers?

She's taken him in but it seems to be everyone else looking after him.

- Mainly Claire. - No doubt Mrs Barden is busy at the factory.

As enjoyable as it may be riding with Mr Wilson, young man,

handling the Royal Mail really should be undertaken by Post Office employees.

- Sorry. - He's not really handling the mail.

He's posting it for me.

I make sure all the letters go in the right place.

- I'm sure you do, Mr Wilson. - We'd best get on.

Enjoy your day, gentlemen.

Oh, thank you.

Sarah.

Mm.

We haven't managed to find a tablecloth good enough to set off the wedding cake.

I remember there was a lovely one at last year's Harvest Festival.

- Oh. - Was that yours?

It was the best thing I ever made under the banner of the WI.

- Took me three years, mind. - It's beautiful. Any chance?

- Of course. I'd be honoured. - Thank you. I'll come and pick it up.

Er... well, why don't I just pop it round later?

Because I don't want to put you to any trouble.

- It's no trouble. - Don't be daft. It's on my way home.

It's my advance.

I can't tell you how good it feels to finally hold this cheque.

So many dark days.

And when the book takes off...

we'll be able to buy a bigger place.

Dine out regularly. Buy a car.

I don't want any of those things.

The status that comes from being the wife of a best-selling author.

- I don't want that. - Well, then, what do you want?

L... Let me make you some lunch, Bob. You must be hungry.

Yeah. I am, actually.

Quite an appetite.

And then, after lunch, I'm gonna go and bank this.

I could run to the shop for some ham, if you like. We still have some left on the ration.

No need to go out. I'll have whatever you can rustle up.

- I don't mind. - I said there's no need to go out.

So there's no need to go out.

I'm afraid it's out of my hands.

What do you mean, out of your hands?

You assured me, whatever the Lyons did, the factory would not be harmed.

We assumed they'd simply channel dirty profits from other enterprises

through the factory's books.

We'd no idea that they'd attempt anything as contemptible as this.

I betrayed the trust and loyalty of a very dear friend.

You decided you wanted to serve your country.

Not at the expense of everything else!

What's going to happen to the factory?

Its fate lies in the hands of the Air Ministry Inspectors.

Neither myself, nor Frances Barden,

knew anything about the substandard silk.

She believes she might end up in prison over this.

Could she?

- We live in unforgiving times, Mrs Scotlock. - Ohh...

- Sarah. - Mm?

- Do you have anyone staying with you? - Uh...

No. Why do you ask?

I think you should fetch the police.

Why?

I'm almost certain your house is being burgled.

I understand, and I would have to be a criminal, or criminally insane, to do that,

but I could be facing a charge of treason, for God's sake.

Keep trying, Roger, please.

I feel I'm fighting for my life here.

Sorry to disturb you, Mrs Barden.

Cookie and Thumbs have invited Isobel, Spencer and me

to join them on their overnight trip to Blackpool this afternoon.

I see.

Claire hasn't had any time off since Mr Barden's funeral, Mrs Barden.

And... I'd quite like to spend some time with my wife.

Well, I... understand, of course.

Time together is very important in a young marriage.

And Noah will almost certainly love Blackpool.

Well, no, Mrs Barden. Thing is...

Time off for Claire means time off, Mrs Barden.

So we won't be taking Noah.

Well, I...

I hope you have a very enjoyable time.