Separate Lies

No life is perfect, though it may seem to be.

Secrets and discontent lie hidden

beneath the smoothest surface.

In this, as in so many things, my life was no exception.

Try and get the 6:00 tonight, please.

I'll do my best.

I promise I'll try.

That's okay.

Good morning, sir. Good morning.

Guess what?

There's a meeting on Whirlwind at 2:00.

Oh, really? Why?

What happened?

Did the French come back into the ring?

I've no idea, but Mr. Hardy's terribly excited.

Is he, indeed?

What's this about?

Priscilla says Mike's jumping up and down.

Keep calm, Sherlock.

We've probably given him the wrong advice

and we're in for a bullocking.

I don't suppose you've got any boredom suppressants.

Why should I? You're the one who needs them.

Evening. Hello.

You made it. I'm amazed.

Only just.

And no thanks to Simon.

He's always saying

how bored he is,

and then will not shut up.

What was the meeting about?

Oh, it's a new thing.

I'm not allowed to talk about it.

Oh, James, you are funny.

Has it got one of those mysterious names you all love?

Project Whirlwind.

Sounds like something out of the Famous Five.

Do you all sit around drinking tea

with lashings and lashings of strawberry jam?

You haven't forgotten you're playing cricket tomorrow?

Of course I had.

Yes, yes.

Hello, hello.

Horlicks, you hopeless dog. You missed me?

Don't you dare be nice to him.

He's dug a hole in the lavender hedge

and he's absolutely wrecked it.

You're a bad dog, aren't you?

I thought we were getting rid of the lavender hedge.

Were we?

I'm sorry. I'd forgotten.

Drink?

Yes.

Come on.

Sorry, guys.

What is it?

I can't find the raffle tickets.

Oh... what have you done with them?

That's just it. They say that they were delivered to the house,

but I don't remember ever seeing them.

Is there a problem?

Only that I'm supposed to be running a raffle,

and I've lost the tickets.

Oh, dear.

Oh, yes, very funny.

Go and ask Sarah Tufnell.

She's bound to have some spares somewhere.

Come on, James!

Sorry.

They're a bit bashed,

but they'll have to do.

I suppose I better buy one.

Who's that?

Lord Rawston's son, William.

Golly.

That's William Bule?

I thought he was in New York.

Well, he is, or, rather, was.

Gather he's moving back.

What's he like?

You know, honestly,

I've hardly seen him since his wedding.

He used to be quite a pal of David's.

He's married then?

Divorced.

Shame, really.

She's rather sweet.

So...

there we are.

Excuse me.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

What can I get you?

Two teas, please.

I've got to sit down.

I'm nearly dead.

How's James getting on?

Holding his own.

He's always in for hours

but he never seems to score any runs.

What's he do?

Something high-powered in the city?

He's a solicitor. Is that high-powered?

- I assume he's very good. - He's very expensive.

They're closing up in the tent, and I thought I'd steal this for you.

You're a lifesaver.

Can I give you a hand with those tickets?

Are you serious?

That would be simply wonderful.

I'm completely defeated.

I'm sorry.

You must know each other.

Maggie Pearce, William Bule.

Yes, I know Mr. Bule.

I used to work up at the house

when his mother was alive.

Yes.

Well, I better get going.

I'd forgotten she worked for your parents.

How long was she there?

Quite long.

Well, she's been marvelous to us.

She runs the house.

She feeds the dog when we're in London.

I can't think how we'd manage without her.

Oh, God, that's me.

Good luck.

What happened?

Oh, the husband came back.

He wasn't dead after all.

So who went off with James Mason?

Nobody.

Turns out he was a Nazi spy.

Well, I'd have gone off with him anyway.

They didn't think like that in 1954.

I wonder if we ought to have a party down here.

Oh...

I don't know why you're making that noise.

All you have to do is turn up and drink.

Oh, on that basis, go ahead.

Well, we never entertain.

We must owe everyone within a 20-mile radius...

I've got a better idea.

Let's stop going to them. Oh, don't be so grumpy.

You're the one who wanted a country life.

I didn't want a country life. I just wanted to get away from our London life.

I'm talking about a drink and some nibbles, not an embassy ball.

I'll get it.

Hello?

Darling.

Oh, don't say what I think you're gonna say.

Well, I-I wouldn't, if I didn't have to,

but there's this guy coming over from Paris.

And there's no other time in the history of the world

when you can see him?

I'll try and catch the half past 8:00.

I should get in about 20 to 10:00.

I'll meet it.

Oh, don't you dare.

I'll get a taxi.

No, I'll meet it.

It'll give me an excuse to get rid of the stayers.

So everything under control?

What have you done about the glasses?

I've borrowed some.

From Bill Bule.

So you really are organized.

Yes, sir.

What are you doing here?

I thought you were giving a party in the country.

I don't believe it. You're not staying for the meeting.

What's the matter? Afraid we'll reach a decision without you?

You're like a mountaineer, clinging on for dear life to every tiny detail.

You've got to learn to let go, James.

In my experience, mountaineers who let go usually regret it.

You're sweet.

Mmm...

How was it?

Well, you know, they came,

they drank too much, they left.

How was your meeting?

Oh, all right. Needless to say,

the French are making a song-and-dance about everything,

but I think it'll be okay.

Well, you're home now.

Who's that?

Oh, it's Bill.

What's he doing here?

I couldn't find the car keys.

Wasn't it stupid?

Yes.

Anyway, he was just leaving so he said he'd bring me.

Oh...

That really was very kind of you.

Thank you.

Pleasure.

Uh, can we tempt you in for a drink?

Thanks.

What's that?

What's what?

This scratch.