Footsteps in the Fog Page #2

Aren't you going to congratulate Stephen?

- On what?

- On the new partnership.

From now on, it's to be Travers & Lowry.

- Congratulations.

- Thank you.

It really has been a blessing.

I've been so at loose ends,

not quite knowing

how to pick up the pattern again.

Don't try. It's better to make a new one.

Beth, er... We'll be late.

- I'm taking Elizabeth to the theatre.

- Gilbert and Sullivan.

- Good night, sir.

- Good night, my boy.

- Oh, I'm so pleased, Stephen!

- Are you?

Shall we go?

You know, there's another reason why I'm glad

you've decided to go in with me.

I'm not as young as I was, and I want someone

to have a firm rein on the business

- for Elizabeth's sake. She's all I have.

- What about young Macdonald?

My dear boy, he's a barrister,

not a businessman.

- Besides, nothing is settled between them yet.

- Oh, I thought it was.

- I thought he was becoming quite serious.

- Well, of course.

- They've grown up together. He's a fine lad.

- Oh, he's a splendid fellow.

Now, I think the first thing for you to do

is to make a good survey of the warehouse.

- Tomorrow, if it suits you.

- Just as you please. The sooner, the better.

Ah, Burke!

Back on night duty again?

- Yes, sir, and very glad I am, too.

- Doesn't the wife mind?

No, it gives me some time at home

and a chance to see something of the nippers.

Oh, it sounds like a happy family.

I must confess I'm a bit envious.

I er... beg your pardon, sir, but... I'd like to take

the liberty of extending my condolences.

- It was very sad indeed, sir.

- Thank you, Burke.

You know, I don't know what it would be like

to come home and not find the missus there.

I can tell you.

It's like always being in the dark.

- Good night, Burke.

- Good night, sir.

Don't ever use her perfume.

- Morning, Wells.

- Why, Mr Macdonald, I didn't recognise you!

- Miss Elizabeth at home?

- I'm waiting for her.

Pardon me, sir. Aren't you afraid of... this thing?

Ah! Here she is.

- David, what are you doing here?

- Competing with Wells.

He's offering ancient transport.

I'm offering modern. You choose.

David! Oh, David, how lovely! Is it yours?

Yes. It's not exactly new, but it goes jolly fast.

12 miles an hour!

Oh, how wonderful!

Where are you off to?

Well, I was going shopping

and then to pick up Father at the warehouse.

I have a better idea.

Let's go for a spin in the country.

I should love to!

- Wells, you'd better call for Father.

- All right, miss.

- You'll need this for travelling at high speed.

- Thank you.

- How long have you been driving this thing?

- All of half an hour.

Oh, David, this is great fun!

Have you noticed

how I've steered away from all the ruts?

I couldn't do a better job myself.

Certainly couldn't look so beautiful doing it.

Oh, David, look, look!

There's the road ahead!

Brake like this.

Before you do any more driving,

I suggest you pay me a retainer.

From what I've just seen, you're likely to need

the services of a promising young barrister.

- Consider yourself retained.

- May I present you with a receipt?

- That wasn't very fair.

- Why not?

Because... you're in love with Stephen Lowry.

How did you know?

I've seen you both together.

Beth, don't you realise? Only a few weeks ago,

you saw him standing in front of his wife's grave.

- You stood there yourself!

- Oh, I know. I know it's wrong.

- It's not only wrong, it's...

- But I've said nothing. Nor has he.

Does one have to say?

David, you are right and...

...I'm very ashamed of myself.

I've told myself all these things

over and over again.

Whenever I look at him, I make myself look

at that mourning band on his arm,

hoping it'll create a barrier between us.

But it's no use. Nothing is any use.

I find myself so deeply attracted to him.

I'm sorry.

Beth, believe me when I tell you

he's not the man for you.

Why? Why do you say that?

There's something I can't quite put my finger on.

I don't know what.

Perhaps I'm being unfair. I hope not.

Of course, you realise

I'm in love with you myself?

I've never handled a case quite like this before,

so some expert advice might be helpful.

Of course. Anything I can do.

The claim is that a shipment of parrots

from Madagascar was a total loss,

because the ship put into an unscheduled port

where the weather was bitterly cold and er...

- all the birds perished.

- Oh, dear. Poor little chaps!

But would they be so sensitive

to a change in climate?

Of course! You've no idea what care I take

of my little beauties.

But there is one thing...

You don't mind my asking questions?

Certainly not. I'm most grateful for your interest.

Well, perhaps my geography

is getting a little rusty,

but I can't understand what port they could have

touched on the way to Madagascar.

One with such a violent change in climate.

Do you happen to know what port it was?

Well... I'm afraid I didn't enquire,

but the ship may have been driven

off her course.

- It would depend on the time of year.

- May I suggest something?

- Oh, please do.

- I suggest that there was no ship,

that there is no case

and that there were no parrots.

Now, don't you think it'd be a good idea to tell

me what you really came to see me about?

- I suppose I've made a fool of myself.

- Well, we all do, from time to time.

Well... You see...

Hang it all, I may as well tell you outright.

Elizabeth thinks she's in love with you.

I know her so well.

All I want is her happiness.

If I thought she could find it with you, I'd...

You come to my house and speak to me

about another woman,

knowing that my wife has been dead

only a few weeks?

I am still in mourning

and you accuse me of having made advances?

- No, you don't understand...

- How else am I to interpret what you're saying?

Or are you trying to imply

Elizabeth has committed this breach of taste?

Of course I don't mean that!

Elizabeth's the most wonderful girl in the world.

I couldn't bear anyone to think ill.

I should have kept this to myself.

I'm sorry.

Well, we can all make mistakes

when one's young and in love.

Let's forget about the whole thing. How about

a whisky to fortify yourself against the fog?

Thank you, sir.

You can't go in. He's got a visitor.

- I don't care if he is busy! I'm seeing him.

Is this the thanks I get, sir, after all the years

of loyal service I've given to you and Mrs Lowry?

That I may be sacked

by that snake you've made housekeeper?

Lily, can't you settle these affairs?

She insisted on seeing you, sir.

I couldn't stop her.

Not the likes of her will stop me,

nor tell me my business!

She refused to take orders, Mr Lowry.

That's a lie!

She don't want me to stay here to see what

new tricks she's up to. She knows I'm onto her.

Her and her scheming to be housekeeper

before the poor Mistress was cold in her grave!

She never ought to have been hired

in the first place.

There's no making a silk purse

out of a sow's ear.

- That'll be all, Mrs Parks. Please go.

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