Father Brown

OWL HOOTS

Charlotte?

WHITE NOISE

Charlotte!

Argh!

WHITE NOISE INTENSIFIES

BELL CHIMES

Ow! Home. Now.

Perhaps they've gone away.

No. Ever since Joan passed away,

William goes nowhere except church and work.

Something must be wrong. He's probably ill.

Well, maybe.

Anyway, I'll call round and I could bring him some of that soup

that's left over.

VEHICLE APPROACHES

What do you think?

Yes, it suits you -

unreliable, noisy, and good at getting people into trouble!

Actually, it's not mine. It's a present.

For Father Brown.

What would Father Brown want with a deathtrap like that?

Well, you said that your knees were hurting you.

I thought you should trade your rusty old bicycle in.

Bucephalus is NOT rusty!

Well, wouldn't you like to keep up with the fast-paced, modern times?

We can discuss this later. We have soup to deliver.

Sorry. I'm not expecting visitors.

William, I don't think you're very well.

But I have just the thing,

so I'll come in and heat it up for you, shall I?

It's really not necessary. I overslept, that's all.

Well, I'm not going anywhere

until I know that you're being properly looked after.

And where is that daughter of yours?

I'm not sure.

Well, when did you last see her?

Last night.

In the woods.

There was a light... over the wheat field...

A light?

(I think someone's trying to take her away.)

Aliens?!

He did not say "aliens".

That's a relief, cos I'd send Goodfellow to patrol

the outer cosmos, but his rocket boots are at the cobblers.

At least pretend to take this seriously!

Mr Bayley's a solicitor. He is a respected member of the community.

What would you have me do? Call Buck Rogers?

The girl's only been missing since last night,

and during that time I don't think we've had a report

of a flying saucer!

Help me!

Miss Bayley? What's happened?

It's trying to get out!

What is?

We need to call for an ambulance.

Now, will you take this seriously?!

Let's do a Galli Mainini test, please, nurse.

Yes, doctor.

We've sedated her. When she woke, she was very disorientated.

Did she say what happened?

Something about being held captive. She wasn't making much sense.

It appears she's had a fall,

but there's no sign of head injury or internal bleeding.

Don't fret. I'll keep a very close eye on her.

Get her through this, and I'll gladly waive my fee.

That won't be necessary.

"Fee"?

Oh, Mr Bayley's helping me resolve a legal misunderstanding

with a previous employer - all very tiresome.

If you'll excuse me.

I'm afraid you'll have to wait outside.

Surely you can make an exception for her father.

Sorry. Hospital rules.

I'm not letting Charlotte out of my sight.

I heard what happened. I wanted...

How dare you?! I just...

Get out!

Excuse me!

Please, wait.

Are you a friend of the family?

I'm their gardener.

Well, used to be.

Have you any idea how Charlotte got those injuries?

You think I did this?

No! No.

Just make sure Charlotte's looked after, yeah?

Yes.

Don't suppose he could shed any light on all this?

No. Pity.

A fall would explain the external symptoms,

but the abdominal cramps, disorientation, tachycardia...

It's like she's ingested some kind of toxin.

Can you treat her here?

In theory.

We're not the best-equipped hospital

but I was an army surgeon. I've made do with less.

The problem is not knowing what she's taken.

And you think she's pregnant?

The Galli Mainini test.

Abdominal issues, woman her age, makes sense to check.

The results will be with us in a few hours.

Until then, we watch and wait.

And pray.

Indeed. Poor girl. She doesn't deserve this.

Do you know Charlotte, erm, through Mr Bayley?

No, no. Actually, I treated her mother, Joan.

Charlotte used to come every day. She would comfort her, read to her.

She's got a good heart. I just hope it's a strong one.

I'll do everything I can to discover what happened.

If you do, let me know straight away.

Time is of the essence.

Yes. Fear not - my winged chariot awaits.

Now you just start her up.

I can't believe you're even considering it!

Here's your book. And now, thanks to you,

the librarian thinks I'm a homicidal horticulturalist!

Well, at least they'll never dare charge you overdue fees.

Did you find out anything about the gardener?

Yes. His name's Sean Crimp.

The neighbours heard them arguing a few days ago,

and Mr Crimp was told to leave the property and never to return.

Do you know what the argument was about?

The young rogue was probably trying to lead Charlotte astray,

and William found out.

Well, maybe this was his revenge.

Why take it out on Charlotte?

I think we need to hear Mr Crimp's side of the story.

I'm sorry, I promised William I'd go straight back to the hospital.

Well, I'll go with you, Father.

You did say "young rogue", didn't you?

CHATTER

He is head-over-heels in love with Charlotte.

Is he?

Well, he didn't even offer to buy me a drink.

His eyes lit up when I mentioned her.

After that, I could barely get a word out of him.

Maybe he kidnapped Charlotte, and then she escaped.

Why poison her?

And why didn't William Bayley call the police?

So, what now?

I think we need to examine his garden.

Anything?

Erm, nothing that fits Charlotte's symptoms.

Well, what's to say it's a plant?

You can find all manner of things in people's bathroom cabinets.

Father?

What is it?

I need to go to the hospital.

Ergot is a fungus,

and its effects might explain the uterine contractions.

You think she was trying to abort an unwanted pregnancy?

Well, it's possible. The fungus grows on wheat,

and the last time she was seen,

she was heading towards the field by her house.

Ergot's used for treating migraines.

Charlotte's mother suffered from them.

Perhaps she found some around the house and took it by mistake.

Either way, let's keep this to ourselves until we've spoken to her.

Doctor...

..will she survive?

Yes.

We'll flush out her system, give her some calcium chloride.

Her heart rate's already stabilising.

I've been trying to persuade William to go home and get some rest.

I'd prefer to stay. I'll telephone you the moment she wakes.

She couldn't be in better hands.

Dr Ashley's a war hero - saved more men than penicillin!

Nurse, what have I said?

Prone to exaggeration.

I'll prepare Charlotte's treatment.

He's won medals for it and everything.

Speaking of the doctor, here.

I asked him to prescribe you this. It'll help you sleep.

As you're so keen to get rid of me...

The moment she wakes.

She's all I have left.

Alisha.

What're you doing here?

Can I have sixpence? They're showing Monsters From Mars

at the village hall.

We can't afford to throw money away on silly films. Now go home!

Just a minute, young man.

I think I might just have a sixpence in here...

Thank you!

You didn't need to do that.

Oh, it was entirely my pleasure.

Is that your brother?

Yes. It's just the two of us since mother passed away.

Not easy on my wages.

We're always here to help if you need it.

Well, in that case, would you mind going along

and keeping an eye on Nikhil? In case he gets scared.

I'd go, but I'm on the late shift.

I was thinking more... We'd be glad to!

DRAMATIC MUSIC

HEAVY BREATHING

HE SCREAMS

HE PANTS