5-9 November 1918

Thank you for downloading this omnibus of Homefront from the 5th to the 9th of November 1918, part of World War I on the BBC.

The 5th of November, 1918. Alice McNade. Bill? Bill? What? I brought you breakfast. Why? Why? Yeah. Why did you bring me breakfast? I always bring you breakfast. Oh, I know. But why do you do that? Well, because I don't want you in my kitchen, do I? It's not your kitchen. It's not your kitchen, all right?

But my point is, I think it's something else. You think what's something else? The real reason you bring me breakfast. Oh, do you really? Yes, yes, I've got this idea, right? I think, I think, right, I think it's that deep down... You still have feelings for me. Feelings? For you? That's right. What? What did I say? Oh, yeah, I do have feelings, Bill, I do. Despair, that's one feeling. Disgust, that's another.

Would you like me to go on? What about love? What about respect? What about admiration and gratitude? I don't feel none of them. Why would I? Look at me. Yeah, I'm looking. I went to war for you. No, you didn't. You went to war because you signed up when you were too sozzled to know what you was doing. Yes, yes, that is true. But then, like a man, I saw it through. You didn't have a choice. In a profound sense, I've truly changed my ways, but you, you remain the same.

Even the vicars think you should give me another chance. What vicars? What, all the vicars in the world? Reverend Hamilton. He's on my side. Well, that's because he doesn't know you, does he? And he's only one. He's only one vicar. You are a truly wicked woman. Do you know that? Perhaps. Perhaps I am.

But if I was truly wicked, Bill, there'd be arsenic in your porridge. But there ain't. There's just porridge in your porridge, all right? Now, I've packed up a cheese sandwich for your lunch and all so you don't have to trek back here. Look, I can trek anywhere. Well, we'll back here then. Mum? Mum? It's me. You look lovely. Do I? Are you going somewhere special? No, no, no. What are you doing out and about? I found it. My ring. I found it, see? Oh, where was it? In the flower bin of all places.

I'm so happy. I'm so relieved. I was afraid that if I couldn't find it, then it meant something. Like Oscar would never come back from Flanders. Why would it mean that? You know, like bad luck. Oh, you silly sod. I know. So I'm taking it to the jewellers on the high street to get it fixed. So it can't slip off again. Oh, that's a good idea. Yeah, you do, that is, my love. I'm afraid I'd best get a move on. Where are you going?

I don't want to tell no one. You can tell me, can't you? You won't say nothing. Of course not. I'm going to meet Roy. What? Roy. I'm going to meet him now. He's coming off the Dover train. Oh, Mum. I know, but I'm so nervous of anyone seeing us. Where are you going to go? I thought perhaps the house would be best.

But what about Dad? Well, he'll be at work. And what if he comes back? Well, I gave him his lunch, so we shouldn't do. And I'll hear him anyway, won't I? If he comes home, I mean. Well, he can't get into my bit of the house anyway. That's true. Do you think I'm a very wicked woman? A very wicked woman? I mean, it is adulterous, what I'm doing, or what I did, or what I'm about to do. The thing is, though, it was different when your father was in France. But I do love him.

Roy, I mean, not your father, obviously. I don't think you're wicked. I think you deserve happiness. Yeah, well, it'll only last a day. Why? Roy's got to get back on the boat at five. But one day's happiness is better than none, eh?

Excuse me. Excuse me. Are you Canadian? Yes, I am. Are you with Roy? Who's Roy? Roy Lavoie? Never heard of him. Oh. Well... But my name's Ryan. That's almost the same as Roy? How is that almost the same as Roy? It starts with an R. Excuse me. Excuse me. Forget about Roy. Choose me instead. Alice! Hello, Alice. Roy. What's wrong? No, no, nothing. Nothing's wrong. You look as if you might cry. It's just that I can't believe it. It's you. It's been a long time.

Oh, it has indeed. You look very lovely. You look exactly the same. Oh, you look exactly how I remember you. Why wouldn't I? I don't know. I thought maybe me imagination had made you taller or... More handsome or even that you didn't exist at all and I've just invented you. Sorry. Sorry. I don't know what I'm saying. I feel all jangly. Well, you certainly didn't invent me. No, I didn't. It's good to see you. Oh, it's good to see you too. So? So? Where shall we go? What shall we do?

I wish I could stay longer. Oh, so do I. Next time, perhaps I'll be back for good. I hope so. And then I'll return to Canada. Will you? What else would I do? You could stay here. In Folkestone? Well, England. I want to go home. Of course you do. Of course you do. Yeah, I was making tea, wasn't I? Yes.

When you go back to France, don't go and get killed or nothing, will you? I know it's been bad for the Canadians lately. It's been bad, hasn't it? Promise me. How can I promise that? Promise me anyway. All right, I promise. But I think the end is very close now. I know.

Did you hear that Turkey have surrendered? Yeah, yeah, I heard that just today. That's a big step in the right direction. I just don't want you to go and cop it before it's over. Well, I'll do my best not to cop it. Good, you do that. Right. Tea. I should be making tea. Forget the tea. Really? I like the way you kiss me. Well, that's very fortunate. Yeah. You're so different. From who? From my husband. I should hope so.

I'd like to go there one day. Canada, I mean. Well, I hope you will. With me. Why not? I don't know. It just sounds so unlikely. I mean, I've never been further than Chatham. How can eight hours go so quick when you're having a nice time and go so slow when everything's horrible? It's one of life's mysteries. I had a lovely day. So did I. Thank you. Why are you thanking me? For not forgetting me. Alice. For coming to see me. I meant it about you coming with me to Canada. I can't, Roy.

I can't. I can't leave my kids. But they're grown-ups. I'd never see them again. I have to go. I wish you could kiss me. I can. Best not, I think. Just in case. Nobody's paying attention.

Still. All right. Take care, Roy. Don't cry, Alice. I'm trying not to. Oh, good afternoon, Mrs. McNate. Oh, hello, Reverend Hamilton. Your husband is preaching on Tontine Street again. Oh, is he? I must say he has a way of holding a crowd. Does he? Haven't you heard him? No, I haven't. Oh, but you must, you must. It's quite extraordinary.

He has a way of communicating with a crowd, of creating a relationship that's quite impressive. I really think that hearing him preach the word of the Lord might convince you. Convince me of what, Reverend? Well, that he really has changed. Come with me.

It's the unfaithful that the Lord despises. Them that break the temple commandments. You see, what am I supposed to say? How he draws a crowd. Let not your desire return to your neighbour's house or his wife or his manservant or his woman servant or his ox or his ass. Or anything which is his. God also despises women who bear false witness about their own dead daughters being saved by Canadian soldiers from drowning.

when all the time they are kissing behind walls while their poor crippled husband's bag is turned and then the poor sod sees it all through an hole in the wall which is made with an awl. A cobbler's all. Because he's trying to make a decent living as a cobbler. Like a bloody elf. This war has turned me into an elf. And now she. has turned me into a cuckold. And the Lord will damn you at us. He will damn you to hell. And you shall rot and burn and burn and rot. I'm a war hero.

You ain't no war hero. Look at the state of it! You lost your feet because you swapped your clean socks for beer. That is a filthy lie! It's true. He got trench foot because he wouldn't change his socks. Come on! Bill! Bill, you get off me! Bill! Mr. Matt Head, please stop the... It locks me out of my own house. And this is why, Mr. Magnate. Well, I got a key, didn't I?

And I read your letters. So I knew, I knew, I knew everything. Macnay, Macnay, behave yourself. You see, Reverend Hamilton, you see now what he is. It's what she threw. You're coming with me. Get your hands off me. This is my wife. with me own wife. In any other respectable town you can do what you want with your own wife. You can bat her a senseless and no one bats an eye. And that's how it should be. Mum?

What happened, Mum? He found out. He found out about Roy. Oh, Mum. Oh, he's never going to change Esme. Of course he's not. Of course he's not. He really had people convinced. But not us, Mum. Never us. What am I going to do, Esme? am I going to do? Go to Canada. Oh, I don't think so, love. Why not? Why not?

Well, cos that'd be like a fairy tale, and life just isn't like that, is it? No, no, no, listen, Mum. Mum, listen to this. Listen to what? I wanted to tell you straight away, but I didn't want to bother you while you were with Roy. What? See this ring yeah this

bashed up ancient looking thing is Saxon gold. Says who? Mr Reich on Tontine Street. He says I could sell this to the British Museum for hundreds of pounds. No. I went to get it fixed and he said you mustn't tamper with it. It's worth a lot of... money. Are you joking? No. Why would I? Don't know. Try and cheer me up. Mum, this is it. This is our security. Maybe it's our hat shop. At the very least, it's a ticket to Canada.

It's a lovely dream. Well, it's not going to stay a dream. One day it's going to be real.

Councillor Gabriel Graham. Is it just you and me? It most certainly is. Where's Phyllis got to? Keep his lodge. Well, she stayed the night there. She did indeed. A month ago, she was convinced that house was a den of iniquity. Yes, well, now she can't do enough for them. It's like the ladies' football all over again. I know.

She's just changed her tune, that woman. Yes, but once it changes, it doesn't change back, and she's terribly loyal and quite effective. I think it's wonderful the way she's making Keeper's Lodge a-going concern. That laundry is a hive of activity. No doubt.

No doubt. She's probably driving them all mad as well. Gabriel? Because she's maddening. And marvellous, too. She is both maddening and marvellous. That could be her epitaph. Well, it could be applied to more people than just Phyllis. But not me. No, not you, darling. The Germans are in full retreat on the Western Front, and you and I are going to eat breakfast together, alone. Didn't we manage breakfast alone two or three weeks ago?

Yes, but we still had a house full of children then, so that was just a temporary ceasefire. Whereas this, this is more like actual peace. Coffee, sir? Oh, yes. Quiet, isn't it? It most certainly is. I'm so sorry it's been such chaos, Esme. From now on, all will be calm. Oh, I wouldn't bank on it. Oh, don't say that.

There, you see. Shall I answer it, sir? No, no, I'll get it. No doubt whoever it is will want to speak to me and I shall just have to get up anyway. Whoever it is, tell them you haven't eaten breakfast and your coffee is getting cold. Yes, darling. That man is a... Tireless public servant. I know how he feels. Gabriel Graham speaking. Father, it's Cressida. Oh, hello, darling.

Oh, congratulations. It's another girl. Oh, well. I know. Better luck next time, eh? I'm not sure there'll be a next time. Oh, I do hope they will. Sebastian will need a boy to keep him company amongst all those female cousins. Well, Eddie... After me? Yes, I mean, after what happened with Juliet. Oh, well, thank you, of course, but won't that be a little odd for a girl?

Oh, I see. I see. I see. Sorry. Of course. Oh, well, that's very nice. Very nice indeed. Thank you, Cressida. In fact, I'm rather moved. Good. Do you want to speak to your mother? I'm sure she'll want to speak to you. Sylvia, darling, it's Cressy on the telephone. Yes, yes, in a moment. Daddy? Yes, darling? Do you know what Johnny's up to? Johnny? Well, I left him a message at the Grand and he sent me a telegram with his congratulations. So I know that he received my message.

I see. What could he be doing that's so important? Well, I couldn't possibly say. If you see him. I shall make it my business to call on him today. Oh, that would be wonderful. Consider it done. Is the baby where? I'm afraid your mother is standing by my side, absolutely desperate to speak to you. Councillor Pearce. Councillor Graham. Sergeant Harris. Yes, sir. Today is the day. Indeed it is. Shall we run through the plan? Yes, sir.

Inspector Forrester is expected to keep us lodge around 11. Miss Kingsley will answer the door. Sergeant Harris and I will hide in the broom cupboard in the hallway. And you, Councillor Graham, will be on the landing upstairs. Yes. Miss Kingsley will refuse to pay any further fines or lie...

and try to draw him out, so to speak. And if he says nothing incriminating? We simply have to hope that he does. If he says nothing incriminating, we'll have to come back and do it all again tomorrow. Really? That was a joke, sir. Oh. Oh, you're here. Thank goodness you're here. Good morning, Phyllis. We were starting to frit. Well...

Phyllis was starting to fret. Morning, Adeline. It's almost eleven. It's half past ten. Which is almost eleven. Good morning to you all, Mr. Pearce and Sergeant Harris. Good morning. Good morning, Mrs. Lamley.

We've cleared out the broom cupboard, so it oughtn't to be too uncomfortable. And I think you ought to hide in there right away in case the inspector is early. Whatever you think best. Where is Miss Kingsley? She'll be along in a moment. It's imperative that she is the one to answer the door. We do understand the put-up job, Mr Peer. Yes. Put-up job. Well, that's what it is, isn't it? I call it more of a set-up.

Set up? Put up? What's the difference? Well, let's not start squabbling about the technical term. I wasn't squabbling. Neither was I. My apologies, Mr Pearce. What about me? Don't I get an apology? Perhaps Miss Marshall is right that we should hurry into the cupboard. Thank you, Sergeant Harris. Actually, I've been thinking... What? Might I be the one to hide in the cupboard?

Well, it's just that in another life I should have liked to have been in espionage. Espionage? Well, military intelligence, I suppose. The idea of it intrigues me. Well, this might be the nearest I ever get. You'll be quite squashed, Mr. Graham. Oh, I don't mind about that. Actually, I think you'll...

find the cupboard quite roomy. And you did say, didn't you, Hillary, you did say it would be best if I heard Forrester with my own ears and, well, frankly, I'm not sure what I'd hear if I'm standing on the landing. Whatever you think best, Councillor. Excellent, excellent.

This is jolly. Well, if you are getting in the cupboard, you'd better hurry, Gabriel. All right, yes. I'll be at the top of the stairs, then, shall I? Yes, yes. You go on up to the landing. Will you be all right getting up the stairs? Yes. I meant with only one foot. Yes, I know what you meant. Trust him to be late today of all days. Yes, and I wouldn't call it roomy exactly. Yes. I'm sorry, Mr Graham.

Actually, it's rather like a game of sardines. Is it? Well, don't you think? I've never played sardines, sir. Oh, I thought everyone played sardines. That's a door, sir. Is that Forrester or not? Yes. Can you hear what he's saying? Not quite. How are you, Miss Kingsley? Very well, Inspector. How are you? Very well indeed. What can I do for you today? Well, now, you appear wholeheartedly to have disregarded my instructions.

Sorry, what instructions are you referring to? I specifically told you to keep your mouth shut. And yet I had Councillor Pearce asking me about the coal licence. Again. And then I had Sergeant Harris trying to rescue you from a lighting charge. So you clearly weren't keeping quiet. I have a good mind to charge you with solicitation. Solicitation? Everyone knows you have soldiers queuing up down the street. Yes, because you sent them here. Did I? You know you did.

And this is simply a new attempt to extort money from me. I have to recoup my losses somehow. Do you think that's enough? I think so. Can we get out of this damn cupboard? Yes, let's. Morning, Inspector. Good morning, Inspector. What the devil were you two doing in there? Playing sardines, sir. And listening to you incriminate yourself beyond all doubt. You're under arrest, sir. Ha!

You can't arrest me, Harris. Oh, I think I can, sir. I have the testimony of two respected counsellors to back me up. I see only one counsellor. And perhaps his hearing isn't all it might be, given his advanced age. You really are something, Forrester. Yes, you really are. Councillor Pitt. Good morning, Inspector. I thought I could count on you. Well, clearly, you were wrong.

Has the inspector liking his cell, Morton? I don't think he's liking it much, Sergeant. I asked him if he wanted a cup of tea and he told me to sod off. I mean to get lost, sir. Well... I think our work here is done. Don't you, Hilary? I believe it is. I didn't know.

When I was collecting all those coal licences, I didn't know the money was going to him. We know that, Morton. There is no blame attached to you, PC Morton. Of course not. Well, I'm very sorry that I had any part in it. Tell you what, make me a cup of char and all will be forgiven. All right, sir.

Well, no, you could say, I suppose, that a cup of tea in exchange for forgiveness is low-level corruption. I think I'll let it pass. It's a downward spiral. So, how many days left till your retirement? Well, now, about that, I don't think I'm going to do it. Retire, I mean. Really? I don't feel ready. I don't feel as if my work is done.

Does that mean we need to cancel your civic ceremony? I'm afraid so, Councillor Pearce. Will that be a dreadful inconvenience? Well, it would be a much greater inconvenience to find another police sergeant as effective as you. Thank you, gentlemen. But it means you'll have to wait a little longer for your gold watch. Oh, I can wait. I can wait for a gold watch. Johnny!

You're not an easy man to track down. Mr Graham, to what do I owe this pleasure? I just wanted to congratulate you on the birth of Gabriella. Gabriella? Your daughter. Ah, yes, Cressy hadn't decided when we spoke. When did you speak to her? Yesterday. I thought you'd have sent a telegram. Yes. So you didn't speak to her? No. When are you planning to go home? When I'm done. And when will that be? That's impossible to say. I think she'd like to see you.

And I'd like to see her. Unfortunately, I still have work to do. What work? Well, naturally, I can't give you the details. Your wife needs you. My country needs me more. Germany is on its knees, Johnny. We mustn't count our chickens before they're hatched. But your chicken has hatched. You have a child whom I will be thrilled to meet when my duty is done. Hello, darling. Gabriel!

What made you come here today? Today of all days? Actually, I come here at least once a week. Do you? Do you really? I can't bear the idea of him being forgotten. I had no idea you came here so often. Well, I don't like to mention it every time I'm here because, well... What? I don't want to upset you. Ah. What? I'm here at least once a week, too.

Really? Usually on a Tuesday after court. Well, that would explain it. Because I'm usually here on Friday morning on the way to the Bevan Food Committee meeting. Ah. And you didn't tell me you come here nearly every Tuesday. Because you didn't want to distress me. Indeed. What a foolish pair we are. Oh, I don't think we're foolish, exactly. Well, from now on, we should come here together. Yes.

Yes, we should. Dearest Freddy. Yes. He was a marvellous boy. Yes. Maddening, too. Yes. Marvellous and maddening.

The 7th of November, 1918. The Reverend Mr. Rafe Wynwood. Oh, Captain Summer. I'm Reverend Wynwood. Do you mind if I join you on the bench? Please, sit down. I was just eating my lunch. I try to come and sit here every day around this hour so that people can talk to me. Really? Sometimes people don't want to come to the church. They don't want to speak to a vicar so formally.

I've found it a useful way of doing things since the air raid. Oh, I see, yes. Ought I to move? Move? If you want people to come to talk to you. Well, you're talking to me. Yes, yes, but I'm not. I mean, I... I don't need to discuss anything. That's all right. Must have been a terrible time. The air raid. It was appalling. One expects it at the front. That sort of horror and such like, but it must have been a terrible shock.

In the middle of this street. Yes. A lot of children. Yes. Sometimes I go to Cheriton Road just to look at the gravestones. All the people that died that day. Some of them are so young. Annie Beer, two years old. Arthur and William Beer, eleven and nine. William Clark, twelve years old. Phyllis Cooper. Age nine. Dennis Hayes, age two, and so it goes on. It's unbearable. Yes. I hope it doesn't start raining. Father, you art in heaven. Hello be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth. Adam, forgive me for intruding, but I'm about to lock the church. Lock the church? I'm afraid so. Well, can't I stay? Can't I stay anyway? In a locked church? I'd like it. I'd like to be locked in the church. That's rather an odd thing to say. Please, please let me stay. Is something wrong? Has something happened to Mr Wilson? No, no, I think my dad's all right. We haven't heard anything bad. I just, I just want to stay here.

Adam. Please. Why don't you tell me what's wrong? I can't. I might be able to help you. You won't. I like to think in the past I have been able to help. You have. So? But this is different. How? When I die, I'm going to hell. Adam. It's true. I can promise you, I can promise you now, that you are not going to hell. Do you remember when I was worried about that parcel?

The one I took to the train station. And they paid me ten shillings to hand it to a man with a head like an egg. Yes. And do you remember that I was convinced that I'd had in my hands the gun that killed Archduke Ferdinand? Yes. Well, that seems...

That seems ridiculous now, like the worries of a stupid, innocent little boy. I mean, I wish with all my heart that all I was worried about was starting a war because a little boy can't start a war, can he? No. Wars are bigger than that. I mean, of course they are, but this... This is something that I really, really did do. Why don't you tell me what it was? And then what? And then we'll work out what to do. I'm afraid to. I'm afraid of what will happen next.

All I can hear is God telling me, telling me that I'm going to hell. Because I killed Sam. I killed him. I shot him. And I really don't know if I meant to do it or not. I don't know. I don't know. When he came back, he came back and he was different. He was sort of wild and he was, he had a gun. And I didn't like him having it.

I didn't think my mother would like it either. And then I don't even know. My memory of it is... It's not all there. How it happened. And I looked at him. And there was blood. And I thought... It's not real. But it was real. And afterwards we buried him. Me and mum and dad. We buried him on the warrant. We didn't tell no one because they were afraid of what would happen to me. And me getting hanged for murder.

I think about him every day. Every hour. Sometimes every minute. There's no escape from it. And now Jessie knows. Because we told Jack. And Jack told Jessie as revenge. And she doesn't want me no more. And... I don't know what to do or where to go and I should go to the police, shouldn't I? I should, but then what? Will they arrest my mum and dad too? And then who will look after Isaac? Adam, listen. If it had been deliberate...

then you would remember that very clearly. If we do something we mean to do, then we always remember that. Reverend Paul said something a bit like that too. Reverend Paul? I think that's what he said. I can't quite remember. So... He knows? He's known for a long time. I see. He told me that I shouldn't say anything because it was an accident and it was best to leave things how they are, but I feel as if I might be going mad. I'm not surprised. I feel as if I need to be punished.

I mean, now Jesse hates me and thinks I'm a murderer. That's broken my heart. But probably still not enough. I mean, I think if the punishment was big enough, then I wouldn't feel this sort of terror anymore.

I should go to the police station right now. That's what I should do. It's what I should have done a long time ago. I don't think that you should do anything today. Why? Because you're in a state of great distress and you might say things that you don't mean. But I do mean them. Please, Adam.

Let me talk to Reverend Poole about this matter first, and then if you still want to go to the police station in a day or two when you've calmed down, then he and I can come with you. And at least you won't be alone. Oh, is Alec home? Yes, yes, he is. But I'm afraid I'm just on my way to the Bevan. Oh, you're back at work. Yes, yes, I am. I'm very much happier for it. Oh, that's good. I'm glad. Are you all right, Rafe?

No, I've had a difficult day and there's something I need Alex's help to resolve. How long have you known? Two years. I don't believe he meant to do it. I don't believe he meant to do it either, but Alec, he killed someone and one cannot possibly brush that under the carpet. No. This appalling secrecy has done the boy no good at all. But if he confesses to manslaughter, then what?

He must not. He mustn't confess to manslaughter. He simply has to outline what happened. But he's very confused about what happened. And then there are Mr. and Mrs. Wilson to think of. Well, they must take some responsibility for the situation. But we all make mistakes, Rafe. We do. We do, of course. And we must all take responsibility.

Isabel, I'm so sorry to call on you unannounced like this. That's quite all right. Did you... Do you want to come into the house? Is your husband at home? No, he... Well, he just went for a walk. He had a bad head. He'll be back soon, no doubt. Could we speak briefly now? Would that be all right? Yes, of course. Come in, please. Thank you. Lovely house.

It is lovely, isn't it? It's very light. Yes, yes. With a south-facing garden. Excellent. Should I make some tea? No, no, thank you. How is Dorothea? Dorothea's very well. And Asher? Asher as well, too? Yes, yes, she's wonderful. Well, I'm glad to hear it. I met Captain Summer earlier today. In Tomtyne Street. Oh, he didn't mention it. Seems as if he's suffered and is in fact still suffering. What did he say? He cried. Oh, well, that isn't unusual. But I'm sure that over time... I hope so.

He seems like a very decent chap. Oh, he is. He is. You deserve to be happy, Isabel. I am. I came here today to tell you that I'm more sorry than I can ever say. That I behaved so badly. That I offended your decency. There's really no need... I broke my vows to Dorothea, to the church, and to God. Honestly, Rafe, it was all so long ago. But I didn't mean to... I wasn't intending to rake things up. It was only that I realised today that I never said sorry to you, and when I realised that, well...

I wanted to come here immediately and ask your forgiveness. Dear Rafe, you have it. You have my forgiveness. Thank you. That will be Charles. Reverend Wynwood. Captain Summer. What a pleasant surprise. Are you staying for tea? No, I won't. Charles has baked the most delicious plum cake. Indeed I have. I think I might send the recipe to Mrs Peel. That's an excellent idea. Please stay for tea, Reverend.

The house is very quiet. My mother has gone. Oh. I thought you wasn't leaving till tomorrow. I think she was ready to go back to Saffron Walden. Ah, well. so it's just us well that's no bad thing certainly isn't but do you know what's strange what i miss her i do I actually do. And I never thought I would say that. Well, things change. Yes, some things change, but I never expected that. Well, I'm sure she'll come back very soon. Christmas. Christmas? Do you mind? Terribly?

She looked so alone when Asher and I were waving her off at the station that I shouted out, will you come for Christmas? She looked so thrilled. It was almost heartbreaking. I don't mind at all. Oh, and while we were waiting on the platform... Guess what she said. You and Rafe ought to have another child. Did you really? It's extraordinary, isn't it? Yes. Yes, it is. When you think of her previous attitude...

Almost her whole life. And then you and Rafe ought to have another child. And then she got on the train. Are you all right? Yes. You look tired. No, it's been a long war. I mean... I mean, it's been a long day. Yes, sorry, yes, I... It's been a long day.

The 8th of November, 1918. Johnny Marshall. Isabel. Hello, Johnny. How lovely to see you. Um... I went to that office on Marine Parade, but Major Valentine said you weren't there. So I thought I'd leave this at the desk. But the concierge said you were in your room. I hope that's all right. It's perfectly all right. Come in, come in. All right.

It's a present for Gabriella. Who? The baby. Your baby. Oh, yes, I keep forgetting that's what she's called. Oh. In my defence, Cressida was still undecided when I last spoke to her. But you haven't spoken to her. I have, I have. But I know you haven't. Really? How? Because I have spoken to her. Oh. How is she? She'd like you to come home. Oh, good Lord.

Has she enlisted everyone to harangue me? She didn't. And anyway, I'm not haranguing you. You are, but in a very nice, polite way. Now, would you like a drink? A drink? I've got some whiskey stash somewhere. Hold on a moment. It's ten o'clock in the morning. That's not too early, is it? It is for me. We used to like that time of day. Do you remember? What?

Johnny, good God. What? Have a whiskey, go on. For old times' sake. I'm not having a whiskey at ten o'clock in the morning in a hotel room with my brother-in-law. Brother-in-law and ex-lover. I think the ex-lover part is quite relevant. Well, you didn't think it was relevant when you married my sister. No, I didn't, but now I'm beginning to think I was wrong about that.

You're wrong about so many things. Perhaps. Do you have regrets? About what? Marrying your husband. No, I don't. I have regrets. Well, keep them to yourself. I'm bored. I don't want to know. I came here today to make my peace, just as someone else came to me. Who was that? That's none of your concern. Who was it? Johnny.

Was it that twerp Alec Poole? Thank God you didn't marry him. It wasn't Alec, no. It was someone else. And it wasn't exactly the same situation since you broke my heart and he didn't. Did I break your heart? Did I? Oh, for goodness sake, you needn't take such pleasure in it. That glass is for you, by the way. It's a mobile. A mobile? My present for the baby. It's a mobile. Oh, I see.

It's made up of all these little silver birds, and they made me think of doves. That sounds delightful. Well, I thought doves were appropriate, you know, since it's a kind of peace offering. Perhaps you'll find that... Silly or sentimental. You didn't have to. Make peace with me, I mean. Well, actually, it's Cressida I wanted to make peace with. Of course. Well, it sounds like the perfect gift and very kind of you. Thank you.

Are you going to drink that? Don't you want to meet your baby? It's a girl. So? I wanted a boy. Go home, Johnny. Please. And if you're not going to drink yours, do you mind if I do?

Don't go near the water. Peter! Good afternoon, Kitty. Oh, Johnny, hello. Peter, please. How are you? I'm all right, thank you. Apart from this one, it's going to give me heart attack. Peter. I want to see the boat. But you don't have to go so near the edge. Kitty. Oh, hello, Dad. Don't let him so near the edge. No, I'm not. You try telling him. Mr Wilson? Mr Marshall? They've brought Dad back from France, especially to help raise the onward.

All the way from France, eh? Yes. Yes, that is correct. You must be very important. Well, this is his station, you know. Yes, I did know. It's a fairly serious undertaking. Oh, it is, it is. I mean, a ship of that size. My granddad is going to pull the big boat out of the water with a tree. Whoa. Not just one, Peter. One engine would never do it. How many, then? Five. Five engines! Well, I'm looking forward to it. Should be quite a spectacle. Oh, I think we're nearly ready.

Please try and keep him away from the edge, Kitty. Is it possible? Why don't you go and stand on the other side, by the wall? Yeah, you might get a better view and all. Yeah, all right. All right, come on then, Peter. Let's go and stand over there. We'll be able to see you better. Come on. I'll see you in a bit. See you later, love. All right, Albert. Oh, Bill. Come to watch. Who's this then? Who's who? Your friend?

Oh, this is Mr. Marshall. Pleased to meet you, Mr. Marshall. Mr. Marshall, this is Mr. Magnate. How do you do? How do you do, sir? Are you related to Esme Magnate? Well, I'm indeed. I'm her father. Ah. That's me, that is. That's me. What's you? I'm like that ship. Amputated. Living underwater. Well, we're going to raise you up, Bill. Nothing can raise me up.

I'm permanently sunk. I doubt that. Oh, here she comes. The adulteress. Morning, Albert. Where's Florrie? I don't know. She's here somewhere. Did you hear all about my Alice and the Canadian soldier? That's why I'm sunk. That's why I'm broken. That's why I am like that once noble ship. Yeah, except you was never once noble, Bill. I was, I was. You just forgot. I see you, Albert. Well, where are you going? To find Flory and to get away from you.

Charming. That's women, eh? Yes. No end of trouble, eh? Yeah, my feelings exactly so. You and I are of one mind. Right, gentlemen, I must set to work. A pleasure to see you again, Mr. Marshall. Likewise. Bill? Albert. Yeah, it's a good sort, Albert Wilson. Good sort with a good wife. She's not much of a looker, but she's faithful. Unlike my Alice. But, but, but, here's the thing. What's the thing? Je ne regret rien. Sorry? It's French. Thought you'd speak French, man like you. I do speak French.

So you ought to know what it means. I do know what it means. I regret nothing. Yes. Even though I'm a broken boat, I regret nothing. Johnny? Ah, Aunt Adelaide. Might I have a word with you? Certainly. I'm afraid you must excuse me, Mr... Macnade. Bill Macnade. Mr Macnade. Of course, of course. It was a pleasure speaking to a gentleman such as yourself. A gentleman who speaks French. There's not many of them about.

Unless, of course, you go to France. You can't move for them. Yes, there are always the Canadians. What's that got to do with anything? I just meant they also speak French. Oh yeah, yeah. Yeah, I suppose they do. Sorry, sorry Aunt Adelaide. No, I... Is this about Cressy? Cressy? Yes. No.

Oh. Have you heard my news? What news is that? Staff Sergeant Morrow and I are engaged to be married. I didn't hear. No. Congratulations. And Phyllis is to be bridesmaid. Really? No, not really. Ah, can you imagine? But she doesn't entirely disapprove, which is quite something, isn't it? She's here somewhere. I'm not quite sure where. I think they're about to begin. Oh, it's quite exciting, isn't it? I should have brought my sketchbook. Johnny! Oh, there you are.

Hello, Aunt Phyllis. Johnny, I'm glad I've seen you because I wanted to let you know that I'm going to stay a little longer at Keeper's Lodge, which means you'll have to drive back to Tynemouth alone, which is a pity because we had a very jolly drive down here, didn't we? Yes, it was...

A great deal of fun. I am sorry. Oh, well. Actually, I am not rushing back just yet. Oh, I just assumed. Because Cressida's had the baby. I think something is about to happen. Well, we've been waiting long enough. sad. You're rather wonderful. I could almost try. That's me, that is. What, you? That boat. That's me, that is. I don't understand. Have you been drinking? It's a Y-5.

Sometimes a man has to drown his sorrows. Sometimes the good Lord won't cut the mustard, if you know what I mean. But I don't know what you mean. I am like that ship, amputated, living under water. But it's not underwater anymore. Good morning, everyone. Hello, Gabriel. Phyllis, Adeline. It's quite a sight, isn't it? It certainly is. I find it heartbreaking. But it's optimistic, isn't it? Seeing it rain...

So, all in all, I've failed. I've had no luck with finding an enemy agent and I've come to a dead end. That's because there never was one. What? An enemy agent. It was all a show. An act of propaganda. I see. We could hardly publicise the fact that one of our troop ships accidentally caught fire and had to be scuttled, could we? No, I... I don't suppose we could. So, we turned the situation to our advantage.

to maintain the town's commitment to the war effort in the face of rumours of peace. They're not just rumours. Yesterday there were rumours circulating London that Germany had already signed the armistice when they have not. You might have told me, Valentine.

That it was all a lie. Then you might have made your search less rigorous. You've made me look a fool. I've made you feel a fool. I haven't made you look a fool, since everyone still believes it was sabotage. What about the evidence of a thermite bomb? That was me. You planted it? No. I just told you that one had been found and let you do the rest. And why are you letting me in on it now? Because it's over. How do you know that?

You said it yourself. The rumours of peace are rumours. Nothing more. Nothing is agreed. And if it is agreed, I doubt very much it will hold. This game, this particular game, is over. Shame. Drink? Yes, I don't mind if I do. Cressy? Johnny! Hello, darling. I've been absolutely desperate to speak to you. I know. I'm so sorry. I've been incredibly occupied. Is it over? Is what over? Whatever it is that's been occupying you. Yes, I think it probably is.

Good. How is she? Our baby girl. She's darling. Absolutely darling. Does she look like you? I'm not sure. If she's like anyone, she's like you. Then she'll be trouble. No doubt. Three more pennies if you want to continue the call. Well, darling, I'll see you tomorrow. Tomorrow? Yes, tomorrow. You're coming home? Yes, I'm coming home.

The 9th of November, 1918. Mrs Kitty Lumley. What do you think of the school? Well, it seems lovely. What about the house? Oh, the house is good. Well, can you imagine living here? I'm trying not to. Oh. Well, no, I mean if Victor doesn't get the job. Oh, I think he'll get the job. Well, you seem very confident. I suppose I am. Perhaps I'm too confident. But do you think he can manage to teach all day, every day?

With his headaches and everything. Well, they know he's suffering from war neurosis. I'm sure they'll make some allowances for him. Well, he's not trained, is he? To be a teacher, I mean. No, but he's had an excellent education. He went to a very good school and he's very personable. He knows how to talk to people. Yeah. Yeah, that's true. Would you secretly prefer if the school turned him down? No. No, of course not. It would be understandable if you...

didn't really want him to get the job. But I do want him to get the job, I do. But perhaps you'd prefer him to get the job somewhere else. No, because then he wouldn't be happy. But it isn't the future you imagined, is it? Not exactly. I... I'm sorry about that. Oh, but I mean, it's not bad. It's not bad, Daniel. Lots of it's quite good, really. Oh, there he is. Did he get the job? Yes!

Peter, will you sit still? It's been a long journey. It's not been that long. You're nearly there now and be a good boy, won't you? I want to see the ship. The ship's gone, Peter. It might.

It's not coming back. I want to go there. I want to go there now. I don't mind taking him if you want me to. Thank you, Daniel. That's very kind, but we're supposed to be at my mother's house by five. Well, we could take him to the harbour while you went ahead. Oh, actually, that's not a bad idea, because I...

I think she might be a bit funny about Ramsgate. Really? I think she's sort of hoping that we'll stay. In Ferguson? Well, yeah. So if I go on ahead and I tell her, then she's got the chance to sort of... Get used to the idea? Well, yeah. Hello, Kitty. What are you knocking for? Dunno. You don't have to knock. You don't have to knock. This is your home. Well, not really. Not anymore. Oh, come in. Have you been all right? Good as gold. Oh, good.

Where's Victor and Peter? Oh, Pete wanted to go and have another look at the harbour. What for? Well, he still can't believe it. The boat's gone. Oh, right. He was insisting he wanted to go and see it if it had come back, so Victor and Daniel said they'd take him down there, but they'll be along soon. Victor and Daniel?

Oh, no, I meant Victor and Peter. I wasn't sure if, well, Daniel was invited. Oh, any friend of Victor's welcome here. Oh, yeah, I'm sure he is. I just... Listen, Mum, I've got some news. Oh, what is it, then? Is it bad? We went to Ramsgate today. That's your news? That you went to Ramsgate? Victor has an interview about a job. Oh, I see. And he got the job, Mum. He's going to be a teacher. The same school as Daniel. In Ramsgate? Yeah. That's wonderful. Isn't it? Isn't it?

Well, Victor's very happy, and it comes with a house, and the children could probably go to the school, and it's a very good school, but it's not in Folkestone, so... But it's only Ramsgate, isn't it? I mean, I was afraid Phyllis Marshall would persuade you to move to Newcastle, so Ramsgate is... Ramsgate's much better. Oh good. That's good. That's alright then. It's lovely Kitty. Good.

Oh, hello, Jack, love. All right. How are you, Jack? All right, I suppose. Where's your father got to? Dunno. Well, he's only been home five minutes. He's disappeared again. What you saying about me? Oh, much I love you. Tea's nearly ready, so I hope Victor isn't long.

Adam. They're still at work. Otto Mark's still working him hard. Giving him free fish. Free fish? Dad? Yes, sweetheart. Is it true they're going to sound the air raid siren to announce the armistice? I believe that is correct. Isn't that going to panic people? Well, not if they know in advance.

Well, if it's a real air raid, then everyone thinks it's the armistice. Well, that's not very likely, is it? I don't know. I mean, the war's very nearly over. Well, not if the Germans don't sign. Well, why wouldn't they sign? I don't know. They can change their minds. People do change their minds, don't they?

Jessie changed her mind over me. Not quite the same thing, though, is it? Leave him alone, Flory. It's only been a couple of weeks since Jessie broke his heart. Just remember that it would have broken Adam's heart a lot more if you'd married her. Please don't ruin a lovely tea. Your father's home. We're all going to be together. Isaac, Isaac, Isaac. Oh, you're such a big, strong boy. Oh, it's so lovely to have you back home. Oh, it's lovely to be home. I still can't get over it.

The fact that they brought you all the way back from France to raise the onward, that makes you seem very important. Well, not really. Well, you must be. Well, you can think so if you like. Well, you must be, Albert. You must be more important than I thought. What, you didn't think I was important? Well, no, not like the government. Well, Johnny Marshall didn't believe it, did he?

Well, he was a bit surprised, that's all. No, no, he really looked as if he didn't believe it. As if you were lying. I don't like that man much. It's all charm with no actual substance. As if you would lie about being in France. Yeah. Yeah. What? What? You hesitated. When? Just now. Just then. No, I didn't. Were you not in France? Yeah, of course I was. Of course I was. Albert. I was. I don't believe you. Mum. Leave him alone. Now, if you weren't in France, where were you? I...

I'm not supposed to say. So you weren't in France? Where were you? I'm not supposed to say, am I? Deb? I've only been up the road. Up the road? I was working at a secret port in Richborough. Richborough? Where's that? Near Sandwich. That's it. Sandwich? All this time? Only don't say anything to anyone. But all this time... You've been in Sandwich. Yeah, but I wasn't supposed to tell anyone. You could have told me. But I wasn't supposed to. But I'm your wife.

They don't make exceptions for wives, Mum. Yeah, they don't make exceptions for wives, you know. Well, you could have made an exception for me. But I couldn't, could I? Could you could, you could. But I didn't want to break the rules. You're breaking them now. Only because Mr. Marshall gave me away. I've been worried sick. I have had sleepless nights. I imagined you shot and me widowed and all my whole life grieving and poor Isaac...

Fatherless and all sorts. Nursing you back to life from near mortal injuries. All sorts. And now you say you've been moving crates about in a shunted yard in Sauron. It wasn't just crates, was it? If it was just crates, I wouldn't have to keep it quiet. It was... Tanks and military hardware. You could have told me. It was top secret, Mum. I don't care. Oh, blimey. I wish I'd never told you now. Just...

I can't believe you've been in Sandwich all along. You can't say nothing. Forget anyone said anything about Sandwich. I'll get it, shall I? Thank you, Kitty. Sergeant Harris? This is lovely. Is your mother at home? Yeah. Yeah, I'm your dad. Do you want to come in the house? Thank you. Sergeant Harris is here to see you, Mum. Both of you. I didn't realise that Albert was still here. Everything all right, Norman? Oh, not really, no. What's happened? It's Adam. What's happened to him?

Perhaps you should all sit down. I don't want to sit down. Please, just tell us. Well, he's currently down at the police station with the Reverend Poole and the Reverend Winwood. Having confessed to shooting his brother Sam. Oh, my Lord.

What did he do that for? I wasn't expecting that. Neither was I. He didn't mean to do it, Norman. It was an accident. It was an accident. I imagine it was, but I could hardly say I won't run along then, son, could I? No, no, of course not. Did he tell you about my part in it? Now, Flory.

Did he? What part was that? Mum, please stop. Mum. I helped him. I buried Sam's body. We helped him. It wasn't just you, Flory. I didn't want to speak for you, love. As if I would let you stand there and take all the blame. We were afraid, Norman, of what would happen to Adam if we... If we... I think you'd best both come down the station. What will happen? What will happen now? I don't know, Jack. I haven't got a clue.

I've not really known a situation like it. I'll take Isaac, shall I? Yes, yes. Kitty, you take Isaac. Oh, my Lord, the dinner. Never mind about the dinner. It'll spoil. We can eat it cold. Bye-bye. Bye, Mum. Bye. Tell Victor. Tell Victor. I don't know what you can tell Victor. Well, let's not worry about that, love, eh? Come on. After you. Should I go with him?

Mum and Dad. I want to go with him, but I don't know if he's right. Well, if you want to. But Kitty, he's done this because of me. No, he hasn't. See, if I hadn't told Jessie... Told Jessie what? I told her. I told her about Sam. What? Why?

As revenge. Jack. I know. I know I shouldn't have done it and I actually don't want nothing to do with him. And if I hadn't told her, then maybe he would never have felt he had to go to the police. He wouldn't, would he? I don't know. I was just so jealous of him. I said it in, like, a sort of rage. I wasn't thinking straight, and if I could take it back, I would, but I can't. Well... Well, maybe it's not a bad thing, in the end. For Adam, I mean, telling the police. How can it not be bad?

Well, this weighs on him so much all these years. Maybe it's better that he's out in the open. Do you think so? You should go. I think you should, if you want to. Yeah, I do. I really do. Because he's my brother. Well, go then. Go. Right.

Thank you. Thank you, Kitty. Oh, that'll be Victor and Peter. It's still gone. It's still gone. Three ages. No, no. Sorry, Victor. Sorry, I've got to go. Where? I'll see you later. Where's he going? Come in. Come in the house. Where is everyone? Well, they had to go out. It was kind of an emergency.

I hope they'll be back very soon. I am so hungry. I'll get you some dinner. Are we going to wait for the others? I think they might be a while. Kizzy. I will explain. I'll explain in a minute, but first I want to tell you something else while we're... Well, there's no one else here. Is it good or bad? That depends. What do you mean? Well, if I was in the family way, would that be good or bad? What? Because I think I am.

In the family way, I mean. I see. So, is it good or is it bad? It's wonderful. That was the last episode of Homefront. Two days later, on 11 November 1918, an armistice was declared that held until the terms of peace were agreed in July 1919. If you want to catch up with some of our characters one year on, there's a special full-length play you can listen to. A Fragile Peace by Katie Hims is set in Folkestone on the eve of Remembrance Day 1919.

Visit the Homefront website for all our other episodes and for more information on the history, stories and cast.