Bert & Dickie Page #4

So... Still a way to go, though.

Well, the Danes are the ones

to watch. But the Dutch...

Yeah, yeah! We know, Dad.

We've done our homework,

so don't worry.

And I'll be... I'll be out

by the time you get home.

But I'll be back by nine. I promise.

She ain't there.

What?

You're goin' over to Margaret's,

aren't you?

Yeah. And I'm saying

I'll be back by nine.

Yeah, and I'm just sayin' to you,

she isn't there,

she's gone back to her mum's.

She's taken the train to Dumfries.

What are you on about, her mum's?

She... She said she'd meet me

at The Gaumont.

How do you know?

You told her to leave.

I did no such thing.

You forced her!

I did not!

She accepted it, you know.

She appreciated you need

a clear run now.

No distractions whatsoever.

I'd say shame on you,

but you don't know

the meaning of the word.

You don't have to go into digs.

It's easier.

I can... focus.

Not sure I'd be much company

for a few days anyway.

'London, 1948.

'The 14th Olympiad of the modern era.

'Here, the athletes of the nations

'gather to pit their strength

and skill.

'Physical perfection competing

in international friendship.

'Britain is set.

And so her King declares...

'I proclaim open

the Olympic Games of London,

'celebrating the 14th Olympiad

of the modern era.'

Which line does the Mexican

diving team

need to take for the Empire Pool?

Metropolitan. Can anyone speak...

What do they speak in the Lebanon?

Hello. Yes.

Er, oh, just a second. Matt Busby?

Something to do with a soccer team?

Right.

Mr Busby, good afternoon.

Yes, I see.

No. No, no.

I can appreciate that.

Hello. I'll sort it out

straightaway.

Yes! Er, two dozen footballs

to Enfield, please, straightaway!

Yes, of course, of course.

I'll get onto that straightaway.

Richard!

Father. I, er...?

I thought you wouldn't mind.

No.

Of course.

You're welcome.

Been far?

Five miles.

On top of your work on the water?

It's fine.

We go at a slow pace.

It, er... oxygenates the muscles

apparently.

Long and slow.

It's something Bert picked up

in the Argentine.

Ahh... Overseas technique.

They produce some terrific oarsmen.

Absolutely. I wasn't...

If you're going to go with that

sort of approach, then...

What sort of approach?

Here. I brought you something.

Single malt.

Help you relax.

Thank you. It's terrific.

You are allowed the odd nip,

then, are you,

on this regime of yours?

You're a Burnell.

That's all the impetus you need.

Let battle commence.

Burghley.

Oh, Prime Minister.

Right. I see.

Well, good night, then, sir.

Mr Attlee.

Yes, I gathered.

He's at the Savoy Grill.

There with Wilson.

Having to wait for a table,

apparently.

Place is...

Place is packed with foreigners.

Well, he's delighted.

Wanted to say, "Well done."

We're doing it, Clarence...

just about.

The world has come to London and...

we're bloody well doing it.

Mrs Bushnell?

Mm. I'm... Richard Burnell.

Oh.

I...I need to talk to Bert...

about tomorrow.

Oh, of course. Come in.

He's gone out.

Nerves.

He'll be walkin' round somewhere.

Shouldn't be long, I imagine.

Why don't you come in, anyway...

have a cuppa,

now you're here?

What's the problem?

Excuse me?

You're all over the shop.

What is it?

It's nothing. I...

Oh, come on!

You've got something on your mind.

That's why you're here, isn't it?

I'm someone you don't know well

who you can talk to

without it bein' embarrassin', so...

I'm scared we won't win.

I mean, I...

I've never thought that before.

Because I want to... so much,

only... suddenly, this evening,

when I was in my digs,

I... It's not Bert. It's me.

I just thought,

I'm not sure I'm quick enough.

You know, I'm really not...

Shhh!

You don't say that again. All right?

You've told me and I've heard you.

Only that's it, all right?

Because you ARE going to win.

You know why?

Because you deserve to.

You know why you deserve to?

Cos you're here now,

panickin' and worryin'.

I just...

Who doesn't want to win gold

at the Olympics? Eh?

Every oarsman does.

It's the pinnacle.

Yeah, I wanted one!

But I... I didn't know you rowed.

Right.

You come with me.

I won three coats and badges,

scullin'.

I was good.

Only, it was always a gold medal

I wanted, Olympic,

ever since I was a kid,

but soon as I started

up the boat yard, that was that.

I lost my amateur status.

Yeah, I could've waited,

I could've...

To get the boat yard goin'...

I could've given myself

the ultimate test.

But I didn't, cos...

I got the fear, too.

You know, "What if I'm not

good enough?"

Everyone gets it.

Question is...

what do you do with it?

You know, I walked away.

Told myself I could have won

if, you know,

if the rules for amateurs

hadn't been so tough.

I walked away.

But you're going

to get in the boat.

I can see you are,

even feelin' how you do now...

and because of that,

you're going to win, Dickie Burnell.

Dickie?

Anyway, I should...

We've said all we need to, eh?

I'll leave you to it. Mm.

What did he mean?

You've said all you need to say?

I...came looking for you.

Your father invited me

to stay for a cup of tea.

Oh. We had a good chat.

He said he's not going to watch

until the final.

No... he never does.

Says there's only one race which

matters, so why watch the others?

It's a fair point. Mm.

Great Britain has drawn

the Bucks station.

Italy on Centre

and France on Berkshire.

Good draw, lads. Italy and France.

Put down a marker, eh?

'We're going to lose, Bert.'

Nah, not against these.

Don't worry.

That's just the jitters, come on!

No!

We're going to make sure we lose.

What are you on about?

We're going to...

The draw doesn't favour us.

If we win,

we'll get the Danes too soon.

If we come second,

we'll be in the repechage.

Win that and we still

carry on through the competition

but we'll be on the other side

of the draw to the Danes.

We won't meet them until the final.

If we win the repechage. What if...

We will win it!

It's still a risk. It's...

Well, of course it's a risk!

But it's one worth taking.

You know that!

Trust me, Bert.

Please.

What the hell happened there?!

Came out the blocks like, er...

It was beautiful!

And then, all of a sudden,

it was like someone threw an anchor

over the side!

I got a bit of cramp. What?

My legs cramped up.

Oh, no. I'm not poorly.

It was just... temporary.

I'm certain!

It's all right, Jack.

We hung onto second.

We'll be in the repechage.

Ha! What? It'll be fine.

We'll win the repechage.

Against the Dutch!

No. Hang on. They're European

Champions. That isn't right.

They had a disaster. What?

Bow caught a massive crab and

they never got their rhythm back.

Just made second. So it's them

and you and, moments ago, Argentina.

Argentina?! What happened?

God knows. Somebody said that

they did it deliberately.

To avoid the Danes in the semis.

I know.

Apparently, the coach punched

the bloke who suggested it.

Don't blame him.

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