Father Brown

INDISTINCT CHATTER - SHOTGUN FIRES

MAN LAUGHS

SHOTGUNS FIRE

So glad you could make it...

Lovely weather. Hmm, is that the ring?

Oh yes, it's a bit of stunner, isn't it?

Oh, how lovely, you're very lucky.

Yes, luckiest girl in all the county, aren't I, Daddy?

Weather's held out. - CAR HORN BEEPS

Set fair for the wedding. - CAR TYRES SQUEAL

CAR HORN SOUNDS

WHISTLE SOUNDS - Not again...

CAR HORN BEEPS - GUNSHOT

Shooting the messenger?

Uh... misunderstanding!

Damn hawkers.

If you tell me, if you let me help...

Back to your fiancé, now.

There's a good girl.

I will ruin you.

BUNTY SCOFFS Surely we're not travelling in that?

It's what they've always used, and I can't see them changing it just for you.

Well... - No, no.

We're not leaving you at home, not after that business with the Earl's son

splashed all over the newspapers...

Mr Fawlter.

Morning, Father.

Ladies. - Father.

Inspector Mallory, I had no idea you were a rambler.

I'm not.

Oh, it's the bird watching you've come for?

He's behind with the Chief Super's "Community Engagement Plan".

We get a point for each activity.

Community engagement my eye.

How many points for traipsing across the countryside with half the village?

Hello. ls everyone here?

Oh, jolly good. It's very exciting this year, our first overnighter.

So, as chair of the Kembleford Ramblers Association

I'd like to welcome old friends and new

on our annual Ramblers and Twitchers outing!

You'd have to feel sorry for Norman Fawlter.

Why?

Because Cathy Fawlter has been thick as thieves with young Randall Jones there

since he arrived in Kembleford.

Odd job man indeed.

We probably shouldn't speculate.

Just observing, Father. There is a world of difference.

Well, this hotel had better be half decent.

Nothing like being out in the countryside.

Absolutely nothing like it.

There's a picnic spot along the River Windrush, we'll stop there

and we should be able to cover the first four miles before lunch.

Splendid.

Are you sure about that shortcut, Cathy?

Quite sure. Don't worry.

For goodness sake!

That's a skylark, isn't it, Mr Fawlter?

Yes, that's right. Oh, there he goes.

"Higher still and higher, from the earth thou springest..."

Shelley. Ode to a Skylark.

"We look before and after, and pine for what is not."

What did I tell you? Thick as thieves.

If we cut through we'll avoid the road.

Hang on. Can't you read?

Come on, stragglers!

Don't say I didn't warn you.

GUNSHOT - WOMAN SCREAMS

Holy Mother!

Watch out, Mrs M. - Keep low, everyone.

What did I tell you?

Oi, you! Cut it out!

GUNSHOT Randall!

He's down! Oi! Stop shooting!

Oh no... He's bleeding.

Thankfully the shot only grazed him. May I ask you to put down your gun?

Yes. At once! Or I'll have you arrested!

Thought you were pheasants. Eyesight not what it was.

You could have killed someone.

It's rock salt, you fool.

I am Inspector Mallory--

I don't care who you are. You're trespassing.

There's a footpath, we've got a right, look for yourself!

It is an of fence to have in your possession any firearm or ammunition

with intent to endanger-- Oh, Daddy wouldn't have intended

anything, honestly.

I've warned you about this!

But they were off the path.

Oh you saw that, alright?

Bunty? Hetty?

I don't believe it! Oh!

THEY KISS NOISILY

Darling, is that a back pack?

Oh! - You poor thing, here...

Let me.

Hetty and I went to boarding school together.

I saw you in the papers, with that Earl's son, you naughty thing.

Same old Bunty! - BUNTY LAUGHS

Listen, you absolutely must stay for tea. Stay the night.

Oh Het, that would be...

Impossible, I'm afraid.

We are expected elsewhere.

Oh Shame.

Awfully dull around here since I got engaged.

Oh, congrats, darling!

To the Perfectly Dull Duke. - Oh...

Well, it seems we're safe to continue.

If you can refrain from shooting

we will endeavour to keep to the marked paths.

Damn interfering priest.

We could always take the road...

We're taking the path.

There will be a pile of sandwiches waiting, if I know, Mrs Kendall.

Blisters. Blisters everywhere.

Youth Hostel!

I've been duped.

Cathy! Oh I've been so looking forward to seeing you.

It's been how many years? You haven't changed a bit.

Oh I think I have.

I wondered when I'd ever see you again...

Well, it's marvellous walking out here. This is my husband, Norman.

Hello. - So good to meet you, Mrs Kendall.

Uh, Father Brown, Mrs McCarthy

Miss Windermere and um... our friend Randall.

Well, you're all very welcome. All of you. Any friend of Cathy's

Come in, come in.

We've tea waiting and all the dorms are prepared.

Dorms?

BUNTY SIGHS GRUMPILY

They lock the doors at nine.

I'm telling you, Hetty, it's worse than boarding school.

Why so keen to provoke Hollingworth, then?

Leave it, Norman, please.

What am I supposed to do, Cathy? When you keep me on the outside...

Perhaps you'd all like some cocoa now?

I remember how you loved crumpets, Cathy.

Thank you, Mrs Kendall.

BIRD CHIRPS NOISILY

It could be a sedge warbler?

Yes sergeant. Possibly.

Or a chaffinch, maybe?

Mr Fawlter would know.

MRS MCCARTHY SNORES

This is a prison, not a hostel.

I am quite literally being held prisoner.

MRS MCCARTHY MUMBLES

SHE SNORES

Doors locked, lights out, it's not even dark yet.

BUNTY SIGHS

STONES CLATTER ON WINDOW

Hetty! There's a party in town.

It's going to be wild.

Get a move on. - Hang on.

Mm?

I can't!

Have you forgotten everything you learnt at school?

HETTY GIGGLES

It'd be really awkward if I break my... SHE GASPS

Oh! - BUNTY SHOUTS

...leg.

Are you alright?

BIRDS CAW

Have you brought me some clothes?

What a trooper. Of course I have.

LOUD SNORING

WOMAN SCREAMS

That doesn't sound like a sedge warbler.

Help! Oh, no!

What the...?

MRS KENDALL GASPS

Is he dead?

Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine.

Et lux perpetua luceat ei. Excuse me, excuse me.

He's dead. - Requiescat in pace. Amen.

Strangled, I'd say.

Someone hit him, too.

On the back of the head...

and in the face - Thank you, Padre, I'm not blind.

It's obviously from where he fell.

Looks like they used a rope.

What are those marks on the neck?

Will you give me some room!

Father, oh excuse me, excuse me.

Father, I can't find Penelope anywhere!

Oh my goodness. He's not...?

Oh heavens above!

That means there's a killer on the loose.

We have to report her as a missing person.

I'll rouse the local Constabulary.

Thank you, Sergeant.

And after your cocoa with Mrs Fawlter and Mrs Kendall?

I went to read in the lounge. Until after lights out?

Uh, they have some excellent ornithology books.

And you returned to find the body at what time?

It was gone eleven thirty

I couldn't sleep, a hot milk always settles me...

what on earth was Lord Hollingworth doing here?

You knew him?

He used to be the patron at the Skylark.

I'll ask the questions, Padre.

You weren't in the dorm at lights out.