Daisies in December

Well, it looks very nice.

Don't you think it looks lovely, Gerald?

Look Dad, if you really object to this we can turn right round.

You can come with us, granddad.

We've already had this discussion, Matthew.

We can always look around for something else.

It's not the place, Joyce, it's the philosophy that offends.

What philosophy?

I'm not to be trusted on my own.

I mean one little mistake.

One nearly fatal mistake.

And that brands me as a menace to society, does it?

You're certainly behaving like a menace now.

With a face like that, you'll terrify those nice old ladies.

Bugger the nice old ladies.

- That should brighten up their Christmas. - Shut up, Steven.

Help me get your granddad's stuff out of the car.

Bye, Gerald.

Goodbye, Joyce.

I'm sure you'll have a marvellous time.

Not if he's got anything to do with it.

Well, I think this is very nice.

Say goodbye to your granddad and wait downstairs, boys.

At least there's a decent bed.

Mm.

You ought to be coming with us.

And what would I do on skis?

- Fall over a lot. - Precisely.

You mind you don't break anything.

Oh, we've got mum and dad well insured.

A big enough bathroom, isn't it?

Even got a shower cap, at least... I think it's a shower cap.

Soap.

Nice big towels.

Oh...

well, that is handy.

A little sewing kit and...

something to polish your shoes with.

Look.

Oh, wonderful.

I can't wait to sit in the bath,

sewing my socks, shining my shoes and wearing my shower cap.

Dad, we really want you to enjoy this.

We couldn't leave you alone, not after what happened.

It was an isolated incident.

Yes, well... no point in going over old ground.

Absolutely.

Well, 'll see you in 2 weeks then.

Don't be surprised if I'm still sitting here.

And you'd be a damn fool. Places like this are bloody nice.

Places like this are the equivalent of a kennel.

When you go on holiday,

pets go into kennels, elderly relatives go into places like this.

You could have a very pleasant 2 weeks here,

if you weren't so determined to be miserable.

I do not enjoy being surrounded by old people.

Mr. Carmody, I'm Miss Glaistow,

resident physiotherapist and general dogsbody.

And I always make it a point of greeting our guests and explaining the room.

Oh, really?

Have your guests had little experience of rooms?

What is their natural habitat?

The Serengeti? The Arctic tundra?

My father's a little unhappy at being dumped. At least that's how he sees it.

That's exactly how it is, Arthur.

I don't mind accepting that fact,

but I do object to your dressing it up

as a little treat for the old man.

So... is he going to settle in?

Just drive.

Almost finished.

Likes and dislikes.

I like privacy and I dislike personal questions.

Very well.

I'll leave you to get your bearings.

Thank you.

Mr. Carmody,

this is not a prison.

And though you may not believe it,

we actually have guests who keep coming back...

year after year.

Tea is served in the main lounge at 4 o'clock.

Can I help?

- Which way is the town? - You mean the shopping centre.

The shopping centre in the town.

Well, there is a shopping centre in town,

but it's not as near as the one off Downing road.

- Are you driving? - Walking.

Well, in that case you're best go to the one off Downing road.

Let's-let's-let's start again, shall we? I mean...

the front, the seafront, is that anywhere near Downing road?

Oh, no, no. That's at the bottom of the town.

But it's nowhere near the shopping centre.

- How far? - What?

The seafront.

A mile and a half.

It's not so bad going down because it's downhill,

but coming up is uphill, so you best get a taxi.

Oh yes,

I will.

They said it was going to rain this afternoon.

Oh, dear me,

and I left my shower cap in the bathroom.

Yep, where to?

- I'm looking for an hotel. - Yeah, what sort of price?

I-I don't need an hotel, I have an hotel.

I just seem to have mislaid it.

What's the name of it? What's it called?

I don't know.

Oh, you mean you've forgotten?

I doubt I ever knew it. I wasn't paying particular attention when I arrived.

And you don't know where you're staying?

No.

Ah, this is a first, this is.

Can you give me a clue?

It's a large imposing building, overlooking the sea.

Well, there's about 15 like that in this place.

It-it has a large garden.

Hm, well, they've all got large gardens.

Look, just-just drive around will you, I'll know it when I see it.

Did you bring your room key?

No.

Well, have you got a receipt?

No, nothing.

Nothing.

You got no receipt nothing or no money nothing?

I left my wallet in the safety my room.

How much money have you got?

Got some loose change.

Hmph.

Find the hotel, will you? You'll be paid in full.

Don't look at me like that, I'm completely trustworthy.

Well of course, the place looks quite different at night.

Yeah, don't we all.

- You stay here. - Ah, no, I don't think so.

After all you forgot the name of the hotel, didn't you?

I told you I forgot to make a note of the name of the place when I went for a walk.

Oh, same difference.

Who's to say that you won't forget that you owe me 12 pounds on the clock.

- Don't be impertinent. My key please. - Yes of course, Mr. Carmody.

- Can you remember your room number? - Yeah, you'll be lucky.

Oh, here it is.

Number 316.

316. You got that?

Young lady, I'm going to my room and I shall be returning almost immediately.

If this man makes any attempt to follow me

I'll be very grateful if you will take steps

to have him removed from the hotel. Is that understood?

Hey!

Hang on a minute.

You know, I've really got to hand it to you,

you've got some nerve.

Yes, and limited patience.

Look, I'm the one who's had patience, for driving you around all afternoon.

because you didn't know where you were staying.

Ugh!

I'm so sorry.

How stupid of me.

Are you alright?

Look, I-I was an absolute idiot, lunging out like that.

You didn't happen to play rugby as a boy, did you?

Rugby, sorry?

Not important.

I seemed to have dropped my book.

Oh, well, allow me.

Thank you.

I want to give you my...

my profuse apologies.

No great harm done.

Just took me by surprise, that's all.

American football, perhaps?

And perhaps not.

I thought I'd save you the trouble of coming back down.

And the woman at the desk said not to worry.

Why, it happens all the time, guests forgetting where they're living.

All these hotels look the same, but you know that.

After all you saw enough of them this afternoon, didn't you?

20. I've got change in the taxi.

Not necessary.

Well, thank you very much.

Look, if I was out of line back there, I apologise.

Well, after all we're all going to grow old one day.

Yes, one day we undoubtedly will.

Mr. Carmody,

reception told me about your afternoon.

I hope it wasn't too upsetting.

Well, I'll be off then.

Thank you.

Ooh, um...

- What's that? - My card.

In case you need a taxi.

And my name's Derek.

And, uh, what's the name of this hotel again?

Look, just go away, will you.

It's Tregenna Castle Hotel.

316.

Thank You.

I'm afraid you've missed your dinner.

Perhaps you'd like some sandwiches.

Oh, I don't think so. I'm...