Damage

I don't mean to hurry you.

The prime minister did ask...

to see you at once.

He doesn't have long, sir.

It's all right. I'm on my way.

- Stephen.

- See you later.

Dr. Fleming, Prime Minister.

Ah, Stephen.

- Welcome.

- Good afternoon, sir.

I owe you a debt of gratitude...

from what I'm told.

Thank you.

You saw off

this backbench rebellion...

over the finance bill.

Rebels went in breathing fire.

Then they came out...

purring like lambs.

That's not quite true.

How did you do it?

Same time tomorrow, Raymond.

Very well, sir.

Good night.

I'm sure she's very nice.

They all are.

Very funny. You'll like her.

Are you in for dinner?

Your father's here.

I have to go.

- Good evening, Beth.

- Good evening, sir.

- Seen Sally?

- She's upstairs.

I'm cooking, believe it or not.

I've got the evening off.

- Enjoy it.

- I will.

Bye, Martyn. Speak to you soon.

Any news?

He's got a new girlfriend.

Really?

What does that mean?

Why can't women see through him?

He just wants to get his leg

over them.

What?

By the way, Edward phoned.

I don't believe your father.

He said the prime minister had

summoned you into his office.

So?

So... he just wanted to chat.

He asked me whether power

meant anything to me.

What did you say?

The usual.

I said my family

was far more important.

Can you come and help me?

God, this is rough.

Does anyone speak English?

One or two.

Why are the French

always so good at these things?

We should be making tracks.

One for the road.

You know my situation.

These days, I don't hurry home.

One more...

and then I really must go,

Donald.

Whiskey?

You're Martyn's father.

I'm Anna Barton.

I felt I ought

to introduce myself.

How do you do?

How long have you known him?

Not very long.

I see.

I've...

We've been close

just a few months.

I've heard about you.

I bumped into Tubby Haycroft.

He's just been clobbered

in the spending review.

Hang on a minute.

Apparently,

the treasury's way out of order.

He says

they're simply out of control.

Poor old Tubby,

he's hopping mad.

Of course, he says he's bored

with his department.

I think the problem is

he can't stand his minister.

Hello, stranger.

I know. Don't make me feel bad.

It's been hectic at the paper.

Lovely to see you.

You must be Anna.

Anna Barton, my mother.

How are you?

Come on through.

Hello, Sally. Hi.

What are you doing here?

This is

my horrible little sister.

Lunch is all ready.

We're only here for a drink.

We can't stop for lunch.

Say hello to your father.

Hi, Dad. This is Anna.

My father.

Let's have a drink,

and I'll show you around.

Nice to meet you.

Have you been all right?

Yes, mostly.

Tied up a lot

with the children's home.

It's turning into a proper job.

People ask me to do things.

I find it difficult to say no.

Is she all right?

She hasn't said anything.

Are we going to go around

the garden all day?

We have to go.

Thank you for the drink.

Not at all.

It's always nice

to meet Martyn's friends.

It was lovely.

It was nice to see you, Ma.

Bye.

It was funny.

The great joke was

he didn't spot it at auction.

It was staring him in the face.

It was Delft.

He would have thrown it away.

Thank you, Tommy.

- I'm off to London.

- See you later.

Miss Snow here.

My name's Anna Barton.

I'm a friend of the minister's.

I was wondering

if I could have a word.

Hold on.

I'll see if the minister's here.

A Miss Barton for you.

Put her through.

It's Anna.

Give me your address.

I'll be there in an hour.

Raymond.

Mind you,

hysteria is perfectly treatable.

I'm not very pleased about it.

We'll get the bill through.

No doubt about that.

We've got some worried masters.

Excuse me, Dr. Fleming.

This is a rare pleasure.

I was hoping

we might have a word.

Over here.

I've got a new job.

I've been made

the deputy political editor.

That's wonderful.

Already?

I know.

That's extraordinary.

You got it so young.

I know. I'm going to have

to write about you.

Try to be kind.

I'll try to be objective.

Ma insisted I come down

and tell you.

She said you'd be thrilled.

She's right. I am.

Who else knows about this?

Only Anna.

It's great news.

Ma's saying

we all have to go celebrate.

She's right. We must.

Nothing too rich.

That's very safe.

Here they come.

Welcome the hero.

Hello, Grandpa.

Congratulations.

Well done.

You don't know Edward.

My grandfather.

Gracious.

Is this your new friend?

I'm honored.

I've read all about you.

Please. Mine was

a very overrated career.

Let's face it,

we look to Stephen.

I'm afraid it was me that

forced him into politics...

me and Ingrid, at least.

I don't think he'd have

chosen the life himself.

What will you drink?

Champagne.

Champagne, indeed.

Well done.

Well done in every respect.

I was brought up abroad.

My father was a diplomat.

We almost never lived here.

My mother's sort of...

She's very French.

And now,

she's with her fourth husband...

and lives in Palm Springs.

Palm Springs? Good gracious.

So it was quite

an odd childhood.

We moved about, yes.

The Argentine, Africa.

For a long time,

we were in Rome.

Then, I don't know,

I moved to Paris.

I wanted to be free.

I even had a spell

as a waitress.

When you're young...

Then I'd ended a relationship.

I moved to England

about three years ago.

You live by yourself?

Do you see your mother?

It's turning into a grilling.

Not at all.

Anna's here to have a good time.

But I am.

Were you an only child?

I had a brother.

Anna's brother died.

He killed himself when I was 15.

I'm sorry.

- How old was he?

- Sixteen.

Did you see his body?

What was it like?

Rough.

Why did he kill himself?

Love.

I've got to go back

to the office.

I've got work to finish.

Could I have the bill?

Thank you

for such a lovely evening.

Thank you.

Good night.

Good night, everyone.

I don't trust her.

Don't worry. I don't think

it's anything serious.

I'll take the car.

You go home with Raymond.

I've got to go vote.

See you.

How's that tummy?

Full.

Will you be all right?

I'll be all right.

Sleep well.

I'll see you tomorrow.

We've got to find

a structure for this.

All through dinner, I just...

I wanted to touch you.

I wanted to hold you.

You must never worry.

I'll always be there.

Who are you?

Tell me about Aston.

My brother and I?

We were always together.

Every few years,

there was a new country...

or there was

a new language to learn...

so, of course, Aston and I

grew closer and closer.

We had nothing else,

just each other.

I loved him...

but he couldn't face the fact

that I was going to grow up.

He couldn't let go of me.

He wanted me all for himself...

so it's made me terrified

of any kind of possessiveness.

You see...

if you can imagine...

the worst thing

that could happen ever...

in the whole of your life...

well, that happened to me.

My brother

killed himself over me.

I had to decide.

I made up my mind because

I could have gone under...

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