A Place to Call Home

Just a tick!

I can't. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. Jack?

Anna Bligh, would you do me the honour...

I'm engaged!

Keep it.

I won't change my mind.

You've been very good today, haven't you, little one?

No kicking to disturb Mummy.

I know what you're doing.

And I've told George the worst that can possibly be told.

Nothing Regina unearths can hurt us if we weather this.

I don't care what it costs.

Find something that will rid us of her forever.

Three, two, one!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year.

Happy New Year.

Well, thank you, and for coming tonight

You seemed to enjoy yourself.

A brave face is a requirement lately.

He does make her happy, you know.

George, Miss Adams? James, Olivia? Young Poletti, Anna?

The choices do rather highlight

my need for a fixed smile.

Gino and Anna.

I can't share your optimism.

What about you? What does 1954 hold for you?

Well, life goes on.

The thing about wearing a mask

is that you recognise one when you see one.

Good luck with whatever it is.

Happy New Year. Goodnight.

Well, watch out when you come into town.

Doris is busting to congratulate you.

Oh, I think it's sweet she's so excited.

Yeah, once she got over the shock

of Italian lessons leading to an engagement ring.

What about her shock at your tales of the party?

'Night.

Happy New Year.

Did you notice? What?

Whenever I mentioned Carolyn or the party,

it either went very well and he's too shy to talk about it, or very...

Or he thinks it's no-one's business, Doris.

I want romance. I want him in the family.

I'm making it my business.

# I can see

# No matter how near you'll be

# You'll never belong to me

# But I can dream, can't I?

# Can't I pretend that I'm locked in the bend

I was thinking... Mm-hm?

My summer wardrobe's looking a little sparse.

I might pop up to the city.

I'm not sure I'm ready for crowds. That's alright.

You've much better things to do than watch me shopping, anyway.

Well, how about you take Anna?

I think I'd enjoy a day alone.

I may even drive.

What's this, the new independent you?

My driving skills will ossify if I'm not careful.

Well, it's our car, it's our money.

Feel free to use them both.

You will be sorry you said that.

Just drive safely.

Goodnight.

You too, little one.

Oh...

Have you slept? Oh, barely.

You? Soon.

Oh.

Oh, 1953, my annus horribilis, gone.

On a river of champagne. It helped.

Look who's made the New Year's Honours list.

A friend of yours, no less. Really?

Dame Pattie!

That bash, the one you promised to throw for Elizabeth Bligh...

If you want something a secret,

I suggest you keep your voice down while discussing it.

Rather plays into my plans too.

The telephone, ma'am. Lady Swanson.

Oh, thank you, Amy.

Prudence, Happy New Year. And to you.

How's Andrew? Well, nursing his wounds.

Have you seen this morning's 'Herald'?

Pattie Menzies is now Dame Pattie.

Oh, how lovely!

I suspect there's benefit in it for you.

The party? Oh.

I rather assumed that Anna's behaviour

had forfeited me any chance of a favour.

Oh, my dear, that's between the young ones.

Now, George can hardly refuse an invitation

to congratulate the Prime Minister's wife.

If you're sure...

Well, I restore my social bona fides and you destroy the Jew's.

Well, sooner is better under the circumstances.

Mm-hm, then soonest is best. Within the fortnight, then?

I'll send out invitations immediately.

I can't thank you enough. It's nothing.

Bye-bye.

Don't make me regret this.

Oh, you didn't wait.

My apologies.

Miss Adams not joining us? I dropped her at work.

Well, that's why we have Norman. It's a labour of love.

You old romantic. And proud to be so.

Olivia's off to the city on Monday if there's anything you require.

My summer wardrobe needs replenishing.

Well, you must buy something very special

for the Swansons' garden party.

Pattie Menzies has been made a dame. Ah.

Oh. Dame Pattie.

Prudence is hosting a celebration.

I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

We're all invited, and after Anna's disgraceful antics

no-one, George, will add insult to injury by declining.

Nor you by accepting.

I'm surprised I'm even included.

Some people know the meaning of the word courtesy.

And naturally Prudence included Miss Adams in the invitation.

Amy, this oatmeal's a little underdone this morning.

Jack.

You're back.

Someone had to break the impasse.

I've given you a week. I've been busy.

I accept that our situation is complex,

but my kisses aren't that repulsive.

I have a patient. Unless they're dying...

You were ashen when you fled.

The party can't have horrified you that much.

Of course not.

So it's not the differences in our worlds?

No.

Whatever the problem is... I can't say.

Why not? I just can't.

It's private.

Don't tell me James isn't the only one.

That's not even funny.

I'm just trying to make sense of this.

You owe me some sort of explanation.

I can't.

It's too personal.

I see.

I am falling in love with you all over again, Jack.

I've fallen. There, it's said.

Right.

We're too old to be coy. You feel it too.

Course I do.

I'll be back Monday.

I hope you're ready to trust.

Happy New Year. Oh!

We announce ourselves in polite society.

Welcome home.

Tea? Later.

I thought you'd had your fill of the bucolic life.

I'd like to move down here for an indefinite period,

take over the cottage.

I'd like that very much. But I insist you stay here.

The cottage is best.

I've developed feelings for Jack

and I'd like a private space in which to explore them.

Jack Duncan? Yes.

This is very sudden.

Love often is.

And it is love.

And that's why I want to be here.

Many a woman has tried with him and failed.

They weren't the right woman. Oh, Carolyn, he's a country doctor.

Your existence is...

I'm a lot more at home with a good book

than hanging from the chandelier of late.

Some consolation.

I don't want to sneak around behind your back.

For that I thank you.

I'll take possession Monday.

I'd rather you stayed well out of it.

I will say one thing.

If this might possibly be a whim, walk away. Now.

He deserves better than a broken heart.

Was it...anything that I did?

Looking for cause is pointless. It only adds to the sorrow.

There's no doubt? No. I'm sorry, Mrs Bligh.

My baby.

Is there someone I can contact, someone to collect you?

No. No-one must know of this.

Your husband, surely.

I want to tell him myself.

In my own time.

Thank you for your concern, but I will manage.

It won't be easy carrying your dead child to term.

You'll need all the support your loved ones can give you.

Time enough to grieve together when the baby is born.

Don't add secrecy to your burden.

I expect your discretion until I say otherwise.

I'm obliged to give it.

I do so reluctantly.

Thank you.

She's just outside. I won't be a moment.