Dickensian

It wasn't Bob, it was me. I killed Marley, it was me.

Inspector Bucket, to what do we owe this pleasure?

Hoping that it is a pleasure, of course,

and you ain't come to arrest me again! Ha-ha! - Well, Bob...

Inspector Bucket's come to collect a pie.

I promised I'd hold one back for him and Mrs. Bucket's tea.

Speaking of which, um,

Silas picked me up some meat scraps.

You couldn't be a darlin' and go and fetch them for me, could ya?

Oh, well, almost got me coat off, didn't I?

Enjoy your pie, Inspector.

- It might have been better if he was here with you. - No!

Could I ask you to repeat what you said to me, Mrs. Cratchit?

I killed him.

On Christmas Eve, I killed Mr. Marley.

And your husband knows this?

Is party to it?

No!

How could he?

Then I'm at something of a loss to understand how this happened,

the circumstances.

Afternoon, Daisy. Silas in?

He's not, I'm afraid.

Oh? Only Emily asked me to pick up some meat scraps?

- I'll go have a look. See if he's left a box? - Thanks.

You must be truthful, it's the only way.

Christmas, it's...

It's a struggle at the best of times, Inspector.

I'm not making an excuse, it's just the way it is.

But we had Martha's wedding coming up.

When we got the Christmas pay-packet,

Jacob Marley had docked Bob's wages.

And not for the first time neither.

It's what he does, you see?

It's what they both do.

Scrooge and Marley.

They prey upon the likes of my Bob.

And they get away with it...

cos no-one ever stands up to 'em.

Bob tried to put a brave face on it like he always does,

but... it was such a worry.

I told him to speak to Mr. Marley,

to tell him that it wasn't right, it wasn't fair.

Did you talk to him?

I've got a job, many haven't. We must be grateful.

- Back to work, Cratchit. - цI'd better get back.

Thanks for the pie!

Mr. Marley? Can I have a word with you, sir?

'I tried to make him understand that we had children,

'he couldn't keep doing this to us.

'But he wouldn't listen. He said he wouldn't argue in the street.

'And when I told him that I insisted on being heard...'

I have business at the dockside this evening around 9pm -

perhaps I can help you then.

You agreed to meet him?

No, not really.

He just... He just told me where he'd be.

I suppose he thought I'd...

I'd never walk down the docks on me own at that time of night.

It was just his way of trying to get rid of me.

But you went?

Christmas Eve?

'I knew that Bob would be going out

'around that time like he always does.'

Time for my Christmas Eve stroll.

The traders will be long gone.

See if they've left any mistletoe.

'So, I went.

'And I... I knew that it wasn't a place that I should be on me own,

'not at that time,

'so I, er...'

You didn't see the folly of going to meet a man like Mr. Jacob Marley,

alone, at night,

in a place even police constables avoid after dark?

No.

See, I've not had much of an education, Inspector...

...nor much of anything else in me life...

...up until the day that I met Bob Cratchit.

Neither had he.

But, together, we built something here.

Somethin' more than bricks and pots and pans.

Somethin' that, try as you might, you couldn't put a price on.

Somethin' worth fighting for.

So, yes, Inspector, I was scared, going out on my own,

but I was more frightened of losing what we have.

- Nothings laid out and the larder's all locked up. - Hm, strange...

I looked everywhere. Sorry.

Never mind, it's not your fault. I'll try again later.

Whilst Bob was out collecting things left behind at the market,

you walked down to the docks?

Yes.

- Go on. - I'd been there a little while

and I started to worry about Bob coming home and finding me gone.

So, I was about to go.

'I heard footsteps.'

He came out from the shadows.

'I think he was shocked to see me there.

'I think it amused him.

'I talked to him.

'Tried to explain about Martha.

'Stupid as I am, I even thought he was listening.'

But he... He wasn't.

He tur... He turned nasty...

..saying what he'd do to my children.

Saying how he'd... How he'd buy 'em off us

and sell 'em to the highest bidder!

I wasn't going to put up with him talking to me like that!

- Hm. - And then he...

He turned on me.

- Are you a goose? - йPlease, Mr. Marley, don't...

'He said if we needed money

so bad, how...

How I could earn some.

I didn't know what to do.

He was... He was so close,

he was breathing on me,

his hands were everywhere.

I... I managed to... I managed to push him off.

But he was coming back.

Come on, hold still!

I suddenly realised how stupid I was even being there.

I just wanted to go home.

I hit him as hard as I could.

I just wanted to make him stop!

I didn't know he was dead, Inspector.

I swear.

And I... I... I heard voices,

so I ran.

I ran all the way home.

'Picked up the coal bucket in the yard and...'

'It was like nothing had happened.

'It was like a bad dream.

'The house was so warm, the little ones were in bed.'

And Bob back from the market with a sprig of mistletoe.

How could I have just killed a man?

Yet, that's exactly what you had done.

I didn't mean to, Inspector - you have to believe that.

If the account you have given me is accurate,

then, yes, I do believe that is the case.

But it's still murder.

Will I hang?

Bob!

Er, young Tim?

How is he managing with the crutch?

Very well indeed! Thank you for asking, Mr. Venus.

I have trouble keeping up with him once he gets up a head of steam!

You know, er, I can make adjustments,

you know, I extend it a little as he grows?

- That's very kind of you. - No problem. Just... give me the word.

Ah! Ah, you know what?

I think I might have something else for him. Do you have time now?

- Er, a little. - Good! Come!

- I'm sorry. - Please, don't apologise.

Quite a burden you've been carrying.

When will you have to take me?

Can I at least say goodbye to my family?

I have to confess, Mrs. Cratchit,

that I am more than a little taken aback by this sudden turn of events.

Part satisfied to finally learn the truth

about how Jacob Marley was despatched.

Part at a loss as to how to proceed with that information.

I don't understand.

I must ask you to wait here while I collect my thoughts...

...assimilate them, shape them into a course of action.

Can I trust you to remain in the house?

Yes.

If you are not here when I return,

I will notify every police officer in London.

You will be apprehended and it will be the worse for you.

Where would I go?

Havisham! Well, you don't look any more pleased to see me

than you did earlier.

Though she begged me not to,

I left the warmth of your sister's bed to find you.

So, you care for her dignity no more than you do mine.

I care for myself, Arthur, as always.

Which is why I was a little shocked to discover

a clerk from the offices of Jaggers and Tulkinghorn

has been making enquiries about me.

- And you think that has something to do with me? - Has it? - No.

Though I expected Jaggers would do as much,

the moment the marriage was announced.

And are you secretly hoping he'll find something

to expose me for the liar and charlatan I am?

Because, if he digs deep enough, he'll find you too, won't he?

'Honoria?

'May I come in?'

How was your trip?

It went well enough.

I'm pleased.