Home Fires

Hey! - All right, ease up!

Easy, now. Whoa, whoa, whoa.

On your way. Come on!

Come on, girls, come on. Come on. - Come on.

Get a move on!

Come on.

Come on. - Are you bloody deaf?

On your way. Come on.

Keep the girls moving, Stan.

Slow as they want. - All right, Mum.

What's she playing at?

Morning.

How do you do?

Well, all I can advise is don't get complacent. - I won't.

Asthma's a condition that can lie low for years,

then out of the blue, something triggers an attack

and then suddenly you're in trouble.

Thanks for the all-clear, Doctor.

Give my regards to your mother, David. - Will do, Mrs Campbell.

Thank you.

Have you given any more thought to what I've asked - about enlisting?

I just want to know whether or not they'd take me. That's all.

But if they say "yes", then that won't be all, will it?

Erica, I'm not going to do anything rash.

I just want to know my options.

I suppose I was hoping that the girls and me wanting you to stay with us

would be the only option you'd need.

The appointment's at 3:30.

I'll be back in time for evening surgery.

David's turning into a fine young man. - Hmm. He is.

Best enjoy this while we can.

Hitler's got enough on his plate without picking a fight with us.

His appetite for territory seems rather insatiable.

Will you be there this evening?

If I can get away. - Oh, do try and make it, Miriam.

Turning out in force to oppose Joyce's proposition

is the only way to get it thrown out.

Will you be there, Alison?

Of course. Boxing gloves on. Granite chin at the ready.

Excellent. You may well need it. I suspect it could get rather bloody.

How was the check-up?

Fine. - Good.

What can I get you, Alison? - Some tongue would be lovely.

Oh, I was expecting you back half an hour ago, Claire.

I'm sorry, Mrs Cameron. Bit of a queue at Brindsley's.

And then, in the grocer's,

a few of us were talking about tonight's meeting.

As my employee,

you'll appreciate that I expect you to vote

in favour of my proposition tonight.

Staff loyalty is a quality that I hold in very high regard.

It's essential for a harmonious household.

Yes, Mrs Cameron.

There's a list of chores on the kitchen table.

I'd like them completed by the time I return.

I'll be out all afternoon.

Yes, Mrs Cameron.

Mr Taylor, please.

Dr Campbell?

This way, please.

Waiting for inspiration, Mr Simms?

Well, it has to come from somewhere!

We all assumed Pat was your muse.

Doesn't quite work like that.

See you at the meeting tonight? - Yes.

Thought you might like a sandwich.

Another coffee would be more useful.

How did it go?

Will? - You'll be pleased to know I didn't pass the medical.

What do you mean "didn't pass"? You're the fittest man I know.

They found a little something during the examination. - What?

Well, a slight irregularity with my breathing. - How slight?

I'm sure it's nothing significant but I need to get it looked at.

Well, then let's hope it's just enough

to prevent you from going back in.

Be careful what you wish for. - Mm-hm.

Ladies, none of us should be under any illusion

about the prospect of imminent war with Germany.

If and when hostilities break out,

there will be much to be done

to ensure that our homes and families are protected

from the trials and tribulations the war will inevitably bring.

And it is for this reason

that your committee proposes the Institute closes its doors

until we can raise our flag again in a time of peace.

Oh! Argh!

It needn't be for long.

The government assures us, if and when they begin,

hostilities could be over by Christmas.

Madam President. Few who lived through the last conflict

will set much store by government assurances

that any war against Germany will be over swiftly.

Mrs Barden - - When war does begin,

it will hurl us all into a period of great change.

Something you, Madam President, have proven steadfastly resistant to

over the course of your term in office.

Mrs Collingborne, would you kindly control your sister?

As you know, Madam President,

that isn't as straightforward as you imply.

Ooh. Can you help me up?

Blimey... what happened to you?

Army lorry.

Ow. - Ooh.

Oh... - Oh!

Sorry.

Are you all right? - I'm late.

Where are you going?

I am more than willing to put my proposition to the vote.

Any objections to that, Mrs Barden?

Only that the membership has been so tightly managed over the years,

it will almost certainly deliver whatever you ask of it.

Shame on you for not sharing my faith

in our colleagues' independence of mind.

Shame... on... you.

If we walk slower, it might not hurt so much.

I can't walk slower, Mr Wilson. I'm late.

Well, why don't we leave your bike here...

and I'll get you to where you need to be double-quick

on the back of mine?

Sure you can carry me?

You're no heavier than a bag of mail. - Charming!

A small, light, bag of mail. - Hmm.

Uncommonly pretty eyes.

Oh!

Ow. Ooh. - Are you all right?

Ow. Ow.

13.

Nail-biting stuff, this is, isn't it?

Ladies...

it is with some surprise...

I announce the vote to be...

a tie.

This means that, as president, I have the casting -

So sorry I'm late!

Uh...

.. bit of an accident on my bike, Mrs...

Madam President.

You haven't voted yet, have you? - Indeed we have, Claire.

The vote was a tie, which means that I have the casting vote.

With all due respect, Madam President -

And I cast my vote...

.. in favour of closing the Institute for the duration of the hostilities.

But...

But I'm here now.

And it's lovely to see you.

But, alas, I'm afraid too late for you to vote.

I respect what you said about loyalty this morning, Mrs Cameron...

.. Madam President.

Think very carefully about what you're about to say, young lady.

Feel free to speak your mind, Miss Hillman.

You're among friends here.

I'm not ashamed to say the thought of war scares me.

It terrifies me, if I'm honest.

But that's why I need this.

You.

I feel very strongly...

the Institute should stay open.

So that's how I would've voted.

That's all very well, Miss Hillman. But I'm afraid the vote is closed.

A president's casting vote should only be used

when there is a genuine deadlock.

If Miss Hillman hadn't been waylaid,

then she would have been present to vote.

Yes, but she was waylaid.

And the vote was taken. And it was a tie.

And, consequently, I had the deciding vote.

If you don't allow her vote to count, I shall have little choice

but to call a vote of no confidence in the president.

This could have far-reaching consequences, Mrs Barden.

The president is, after all, elected by the members,

and I urge you to think very carefully -

I demand a vote of no confidence in the president!

I have served this branch to the best of my ability

for six long years...

I'm sorry, but I absolutely demand it.

.. and I categorically refuse to be subjected to this indignity,

and hereby...

offer my immediate resignation.

They'll come back. - I don't think they will.

Well done, Frances.

Well, one way or another you've handed Joyce exactly what she wanted.

What's up with your arm? - Shh.

It's fine. - Steph.

Show me.

Agh! - Bloody hell, love.

It's nothing. - That's a cow-kick. - It's my own fault.

I was in a hurry to finish milking so I could get in and dry off.

That's a bad one. If it's no easier by morning, I'll call Dr Campbell.

Don't be such an old woman.

'Now a special announcement.

The German government announced tonight

their response to a British communication

and gave their proposals for a settlement of the Polish problem.'

Where's Dad? - In front of the fire.

Kettle done? - Not for an hour or so. - Right.

I've come to a decision, Ma.