Father Brown

SEABIRDS CRY

WOMAN NO): I am nobody's nymph, goddess, Venus or Aphrodite.

I'm just me.

chaste maid from Ireland.

Goodbye forever.

Isabella. ”

"The Eternal Flower."

For the third and final time...

Going, going...

Gone.

Thank you. For praying for Isabella.

How are you?

If I'm honest...

I can never forgive myself, Father. I can't... I...

Benjamin. - I...

I should have seen it... you know, how unhappy she'd become.

You cannot continue to blame yourself.

She was living under my roof, so...

Sorry. I'm...

Sorry.

I understand your new exhibition is devoted to Isabella's memory.

Yes. "Earthly Angels".

It's about those rare people that have a saintly quality about them.

Not unlike your good self, Father.

Twelve o'clock today.

We will be there.

PEACOCK CRIES

Hello, you.

You always liked the blue ones.

So...

just... for... you.

Benjamin.

Hello, Benji.

Uh, I baked you some buns.

Thank you, Rose, but you're a little early for the exhibition.

I was hoping to have a word.

Now that poor Isabella's gone

I thought maybe I could start modelling for you again.

Now just really isn't a good time for me...

What Benjamin is trying to say is that he's got a new model.

Who... who is she?

Come along, dear. He's very busy.

And don't bother him again.

Sorry I'm late.

No, not all. Your timing's perfect, in fact.

Now, let's get you out of that dress, hm?

You know where to go.

Now put your fist in the air, Grace.

CAMERA CLICKS Excellent

Alright, grab the placards, we'll take some up by the house.

Take a break, ladies.

Katie? What on Earth are you doing?

That brother of mine is trying to extend his half of the estate.

But I thought Benjamin wanted to end your feud?

Then why erect this?

Probably to keep the guests off the grass.

No. It's his way of letting me know that I'm not welcome.

A warm welcome indeed.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

Let me introduce myself.

Conrad French. Art critic and collector.

Katie Milton.

I'm here for the art exhibition

and was told that you run a B&B on the estate.

Welcome to Milton Manor.

Charming.

Oh, no, it's...

Delightful.

JAZZ PLAYS

No, thank you very much.

INDISTINCT CHATTER

I'm so glad you could make it.

More drink for the Father.

Oh... thank you.

Isn't he a little old for a nanny?

I think nowadays, she's more of a... housekeeper.

Oh.

GLASS RINGS If I may have your attention.

Um...

it's time to reveal the centrepiece of the exhibition

a monument to the ethereal beauty of my tragically deceased muse.

Ladies, gentlemen, I give you...

Isabella?

Um... HE CLEARS THROAT

Sorry.

CROWD GASPS - on!

What?

HE GASPS No...

Isabella... - Katie!

I might have guessed.

It wasn't me.

Out YOU go!

Benjamin, I'm telling the truth!

You lying little harpy! - That's not mine...

Ow! You're hurting me... Benjamin!

DISTANT CRACKLE - MAN CRIES

The cable from the lamp has been wired to the door handle.

So when Mr French opened the door from the outside...

He was lit up like Blackpool Tower. It's not still live, is it?

No, I've unplugged it.

I take it this room is not open to the public?

No. No, it's my studio.

No one ever comes in here.

Except you.

So, it looks like you were the intended victim.

The police want to speak to everyone.

Penelope...

Adore your new hat, Mrs M.

Although I do think it would look a bit better without the price tag.

What?

Penelope, you should be ashamed of yourself.

I saw you, buckling up your belt.

Oh, well, I was just sitting for a painting.

Benjamin wanted me to be a Jacobean strumpet.

Oh, yes, I'm sure he did.

Just a bit of harmless fun.

That kind of harmless "fun" easily leads to scandal.

Oh, Mrs M...

He has a reputation for persuading his models

to take off their clothes.

Well, yes--

So, if you continue modelling for him, I may simply have to write to your aunt.

BUNTY SIGHS

You really should let them take you to hospital, sir.

I can't miss this exhibition.

Anyway, it's only a minor burn.

Oh, sir, Mr French's injuries, they're not life threatening.

Well, I can see that.

Now, what exactly were you doing in the studio?

Benjamin said he had some sketches of Isabella in there.

That's the model who took her own life, sir.

I just couldn't resist.

Obviously, you were trying to steal them.

No, I just wanted to look. I'm hoping to buy them.

Out of the question. I'm not having Benjamin's art fall into the hands

of a common thief. - How dare you!

She's wrong.

Ever since buying a sketch, I've been rather obsessed by Isabella.

Bit of a looker, was she?

It's a question of aesthetics.

Prosthetics?

No, he's talking about artistic beauty, sir.

Who do you think you are, Van ruddy Gogh?

Well, get in the car, Goodfellow!

Benjamin, any word from the police?

No, not yet.

Don't worry, Father Brown will get to the bottom of it.

Well, I'd be eternally grateful for any help you could offer, Father.

Any idea who might benefit from your death?

Well, Katie would get my half of the estate

but no, she's not capable of murder.

Excuse me, Father.

Poor Benjamin...

Ah, Father Brown.

I saw...

Benjamin?

Where did you get it?

A friend of mine, from the forces.

I need it for protection.

Boys and their silly toys.

Well, here is some warm milk for your nerves.

Thank you, but, um...

I'd rather a brandy, I think.

There's no need to be scared. Not with me around.

Come to Nanny.

I'm not a child anymore.

You always will be to me.

Had enough of the exhibition?

No, no. No, just thought I'd freshen up...

after my "ordeal". - SHE CHUCKLES

I heard about the sculpture...

I had nothing to do with it.

Do you really think I'd be stupid enough to leave the hammer in my bag?

No.

Looks nasty.

Eh, I've had worse.

Nanny was always walloping me for something.

Here, let me...

You're very gentle. - Well...

Lots of practice.

My children were always grazing themselves.

I bet you're a great father.

I miss when they were little.

All the bedtime stories and nursery rhymes...

Nanny never told me any.

Georgy Porgie, pudding and pie...

Kissed the girls and made them cry...

I wouldn't cry.

Sorry.

No, no. I'm, uh...

I'm sorry if I misled you.

Was it this?

No, of course not.

That's what they all say.

I saw you looking.

So the attacker probably went to the studio to do his wiring

whilst everyone else was at the gallery.

Nanny Ribble?

Oh, hello there.

She's in trouble!