45 Years

1

Come on, Max.

- Morning, Mrs Mercer.

- Oh, Chris.

You're early this morning.

I've got the twins waking me up

at the crack of dawn.

Oh, my God, I completely forgot.

- Congratulations.

- Cheers.

- How are you both coping?

- It's a hell of a lot of work.

I don't doubt it a second.

But you'll be fine.

You were always a capable young man.

You must be getting excited.

- Saturday, isn't it?

- Don't remind me. So much work to do.

Yeah, it'll be fine.

- Good luck.

- Thank you.

And I'm really over the moon

for both of you.

- Thank you, Mrs Mercer.

- Kate. Call me Kate.

We're not at school any more.

Will do.

What do you think of that Platters song?

- The what?

- The Platters song.

What for?

First dance.

Or think it's a bit naff to have

the same song we had at our wedding?

No. Lovely song.

- I've always liked it.

- Yeah, I know.

Asked me how I knew

My true love was true

- What is it?

- A letter.

Yes, I know, but who from?

- It's in German.

- Yeah.

What's it say?

Well, I can't remember the verbs

as well as the nouns, but...

but I think it says they've found her.

Found who?

Well, her body, anyway.

God, who? Geoff.

T-They've found Katya.

Oh.

Y-You know who I'm talking about,

don't you?

Of course.

Cos, I-I remember telling you,

clear as day.

Of course I remember.

I mean, it was a long time ago.

Yeah, I-I know I told you about my Katya.

She's been there over 50 years,

like something in the freezer.

Now they've found her.

L-Like that, er, Tollund Man

in the Swedish bog.

Well, Danish, actually.

- Hm?

- It was on the curriculum for years.

I taught it to the third-formers.

I'll make some more tea.

Yeah, I'm going to need a dictionary.

I-I don't know where to look.

Why don't you check in the plastic boxes?

Nothing.

Nothing but "do-it-yourself" books.

Ah!

That's it.

Yeah.

Ah, thank you.

You see, what's happened is

the snow has completely melted.

All that's left is the ice.

A-And that's how they found her.

- What do you mean?

- Well, she's still there.

- In the ice?

- Yeah.

Way down, I'm sure, but the water

is very pure up there.

It must be, so they can see her.

- Well, haven't they taken her out?

- Not yet.

Why not?

Well, she's in a glacier

in the Swiss mountains, Kate.

It can't be that easy.

There are no roads up there.

Hm.

So, how do they know it's her?

I mean, it might not be her at all.

Well, they've made an assumption, I

suppose, from where they found her.

Maybe they can tell

from what she's wearing.

From what she's wearing?

Oh, yeah, yeah, th-those, er,

airmen in... Iceland, I-I think it was,

they were perfectly preserved.

Oh, I don't remember that.

Yes. I saw a documentary on it.

They were the same as when they died

because of how quickly they froze.

And you think that's what's happened?

Well, I don't know, but you can imagine.

Not sure it works like that.

Not after all this time.

How strange would that be, though?

She'll look like she did in 1962.

And I look like this.

What is it?

Er, don't be cross, Kate.

I'm going to have a smoke.

- Are you all right?

- Fine.

Please eat this. And take your pills.

Th-They've asked

if I want to go to Switzerland.

Why would they ask that?

Well, to see the body.

- When?

- Soon, I suppose.

- You aren't thinking of going?

- Don't know.

All the way to Switzerland?

It's not that far.

There are flights from Stansted.

Yeah, but it's far enough.

- You don't think I should?

- Honestly?

Well, no.

I don't see the point.

- Plus we've got the party on Saturday.

- I wasn't thinking of going now.

- I-I wouldn't go now.

- Yeah, but still.

I don't like the idea of you climbing

a big bloody mountain.

Well, I don't think it would come to that.

You don't like going for a walk with me

on the Broads

- and that's as flat as a pancake.

- I know.

Like I said, Kate,

it wouldn't come to that.

But still...

- Don't you have to go into town?

- Oh, I can rearrange.

No, y-you should go.

It's been a bit of a shock, that's all.

But I'm fine.

- Are you sure?

- Yeah, positive.

Oh. It looks different, all empty.

Well, this is where the tables

are usually placed.

The top one over there,

so that everyone can see you.

We won't be having a top table,

but thank you.

Really?

A top table is so lovely

at an event like this.

The two of you as a focal point

of the room.

We're not trying to recreate the wedding.

It's just a party.

Yes, well, it's your choice, of course.

I will say, though, it's a wonderful

place, location-wise, for an anniversary.

It's your 40th, isn't it?

45th.

That's an unusual one to celebrate.

My husband was ill and our 40th

was cancelled, so we had to rearrange.

Well, I must try and make this one

super-special, then, mustn't I?

And this really is a great venue

for such an event.

So full of history, you see?

Like a good marriage.

Did you know that the Trafalgar Ball

was held here?

Yes, your assistant told me.

It was in 1805.

Can you imagine

how incredible that must have been?

Everyone here, dressed in their finest,

celebrating such an achievement.

Wasn't Nelson killed?

But the battle was won.

And that has to be worth celebrating,

doesn't it?

We had a table at our wedding,

a top table, but we didn't like it at all.

My husband thought it

a horribly bourgeois tradition.

Shall we have a look at the canap list?

Er, yes, indeed.

I'll be right back.

No rush.

You have reached Geoff and Kate.

Please leave a message.

My Autumn's Done Come

You haven't listened to this

for a long time.

- How are you feeling?

- I'm fine.

What have you done to your finger?

Oh, yeah, I was, er... trying to mend the

lavatory and, er, well, I cut me thumb.

Ugh.

Did you manage to fix it?

It needs a new ballcock, I think.

- Tried calling earlier on.

- Did you leave a message?

No, I just wanted to check

you were all right.

Right.

- What are you reading?

- Kierkegaard.

Gracious,

are you having a go at that again?

You know, you have three editions

of that book,

and I don't think you've got past

chapter two in any of them.

Yeah, it's been an odd day.

It sure has.

I just, er... stayed at home,

you know, grappling with the ballcock.

But y-you're right.

I hardly go walking any more.

And it was a nice day, so off I went.

- So, where did you go?

- Just to the village.

To buy cigarettes?

I haven't lost my sense of smell,

you know?

I just don't want us

to start smoking again.

No, I-I won't, I won't.

I promise.

OK. Go on.

So, I was in the village,

and I don't know what happened

but that racist

from the community centre...

Mm. Sandra Wilkins.

Yeah, her.

She came up to me, right up to me face,

and she kept asking me if I was all right.

And when I said I was,

she wouldn't believe me.

And... I wasn't doing anything.

Nothing. Just sitting on the bench

by the duck pond,

minding me own business

and getting some air.

All done.

All I was doing, I promise.

I believe you.

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