Fanny by Gaslight Page #3

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of. She's away just now.

That's why I'm able to have you here

until we find a suitable home for you.

I want you to rest and

be quiet for a while.

Forget what you've been through.

Here we are, my dears.

A nice cup of tea.

It's all right. I've told her.

Nanny knows our story. In fact,

it was her idea that you came here.

We thought you'd better be

my niece from the country.

I don't want to be dependent on anybody.

I can earn my own living. I can sew...

And a very good idea, too. We're

short of a girl in the sewing room.

You'll earn your keep, never fear.

There, now, if I haven't

forgotten the sugar.

Run down to the larder and

fetch it, dear, will you?

Down the stairs on the

right and then left.

- Yes, Mrs Heaviside.

- That's the girl.

And then come back and enjoy your tea.

Tears not far off.

But she's the right

stuff, Mr Clive. She'll do.

There they are.

Fine sewing. Some people

have got all the luck.

Indeed to goodness, yes.

Tell me, Kathleen, what do you do when

a strange man makes sheep's eyes at you?

Och, I just toss my

head at him, nonchalant.

But what if he speaks to you?

Sure, I'd give him a clout.

Oh.

Which would you rather

have? A beard or a moustache?

Neither! I like them clean.

Oh, damn it.

Whatever do you want now?

Oh, to goodness. You don't say?

It's Mistress Seymore

returned home unexpected.

- Herself, begorra.

- And her bed not made. What are we to do?

Oh! What a day!

Changing her mind all of a sudden,

spending the night in London.

Packing all morning,

travelling all afternoon.

Mon dieu, comme je suis fatigue.

Fair worn-out I am...

Who are you?

I'm helping with the fine sewing.

She's Mistress Heaviside's niece.

Not bad.

Go and get a tray for

madame. Vite, vite.

I'm frightfully sorry.

I'm much too busy.

Mon dieu. Come on.

- Who's that?

- Miss Carver.

Mistress Seymore's personal maid.

I've got it, Kathleen.

Put it there.

No, no, no. It lives there!

Carver! Carver, where on earth are you?

Carver!

Hello. And who may you be?

Only Hooper, ma'am.

Only Hooper? Just like that?

- What do you do?

- Sewing, mostly.

- Who engaged you?

- Mrs Heaviside.

Well, I'm Mrs Seymore, Only Hooper.

Come and help me out of these

things. I like the look of you.

- But, ma'am, I...

- I'll tell you what to do.

This way.

- Oh, that's lovely. First the pins.

- Yes, madam.

Tell me about yourself.

Do you know, you've got

the most attractive eyes?

I believe you're blushing.

You mustn't mind what

I say, Only Hooper.

Nobody ever minds what I say.

- How old are you?

- 19, ma'am.

Come. Brush my hair.

I wish I was 19.

No, I don't. I'd hate to be 19.

Have you a lover?

No, ma'am.

You soon will have with

those eyes, I can tell you.

Give me the nail buffer. Thank you.

Hello, what are you doing home so early?

We didn't expect you

back so soon, my dear.

Don't worry, I'm not staying. I'm

off to the Hill-Morton's tomorrow.

I only rushed in for some

clothes and some money.

A hundred should do.

By the way, this is Only Hooper.

I found her in the sewing room.

I'm thinking of kidnapping her

to help Carver keep me in order.

Fancy that old dragon Mrs Heaviside

finding someone so attractive.

Now, don't forget the money.

Run away now. You know I don't

like an audience when I dress.

- Shall we see you at dinner?

- Hm? Possibly.

Go on brushing my hair, Hooper.

Watch Carver sulk when she sees you.

- Anything wrong, Carver?

- No, madame, nothing at all.

I really think I will have to

speak to Mrs Heaviside about you.

If only to annoy Carver.

Stuff and nonsense. Madam

will be gone tomorrow.

One night under the same roof

won't kill either of them.

I suppose not.

- I wish...

- What now?

Out with it.

They say blood is thicker than water.

Now, now, now, Mr Clive. Don't

you start getting fond of her.

If I only had other children...

So you should have. I

have no patience with you.

Letting that butterfly wife of

yours have it all her own way.

If anyone else spoke to

me as you do, Nanny...

I'd give them what for.

I know what I am going to do.

Take her to Orton. Give her a real

holiday before she begins her new life.

- Is that wise, Mr Clive?

- She's my daughter.

For a few weeks she

shall live as my daughter.

I haven't had a holiday

myself for years.

Don't spoil it, Nanny.

There. You see?

- Mate.

- Oh.

Am I very stupid?

No. Chess is an old man's pastime.

You've done quite well for a beginner.

- Want some more port?

- Mm.

You know, since I've brought you here,

you've given me more happiness than

I thought I should ever enjoy again.

I've loved every moment of it.

When you came to Belgrave Square,

I thought of you as someone to

whom I owed a responsibility.

But now I've got to know you better,

you've become a person in your own right.

I'd like the whole world to

know that you're my daughter.

Oh, no. That'd only make you unhappy.

You've been so good to me.

Good.

The only thing I can think of is to

find you a husband really worthy of you.

I don't want a husband.

At least, not unless I could...

Unless what?

Unless I could tell him the truth.

The truth?

About us.

Oh, you nasty little brute! Go away!

Tommy? Tommy?

Ah-ha. Tommy, come on.

Is she your dog?

- He is.

- Then you should make him behave better.

Look what he's done.

Oh, I'm terribly sorry. I had no...

Oh, I say. Not a very good swan, is it?

It's a beautiful swan.

- Look at its neck.

- What's the matter with its neck?

You must admit it looks

rather like a hen or a goose.

Please forgive us. Just this once.

Only on condition that you make

her behave better in future.

It's a he.

And on Tommy's behalf, I

promise he'll never do it again.

Well, I must go now.

- Lovely day, isn't it?

- Yes, lovely.

I always think the country looks best

this time of year, don't you think so?

Yes, it does.

You're awfully lucky living

in the country in this weather.

Do you live far from here?

Not far.

I'm thinking of spending my

summer holidays down here.

- Perhaps we'll meet again.

- I shall be gone by then.

Oh. Then you don't live here?

No.

Oh.

Well, I really must be going now.

I'm awfully sorry about the picture.

And it's a lovely swan.

Goodbye.

Tommy? Tommy!

Hello.

What are you doing here?

Come along. Come along.

Tommy. H Somerford.

1 Philimore Gardens, London.

So you're Tommy.

And he's H Somerford.

Come along, Tommy.

There's a good dog.

I imagine the PM will call an

emergency cabinet meeting at once.

The opposition are out for our blood.

Any sign of weakness will give

them the opportunity they want.

Still, they have a great respect for

you, sir, since the Egyptian debate.

I hope so.

You'd better take those and

wait for me in the carriage.

- I shall only be a few minutes.

- Right, sir.

Look what I found in my room.

I've got to go back to London.

- Must you?

- I'm afraid so.

I've had a message

that makes it essential.

- Did he bring it?

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