Still Life

1

- Thank you Father.

- See you soon Mr May.

Lovely music Mr May, great choice.

- Who shall it be today?

- Mr Sandberg please.

Here's Mr Sandberg.

Coming up to two months now.

Just the one?

Just Mr Sandberg, thank you.

We'll give the others a little more time.

You never know.

- Morning Mr May.

- Morning Mr White.

They're piling up in there Mr May.

I'm just expecting some news of

Mr Radulovitz and Mrs Casement.

I'm very optimistic.

Mr Radulovitz has been on

the shelf two good months.

What about the others?

Come the summer

they'll be sharing bunks.

We do have leads, not

every door is shut.

There may still be someone.

She was found two days ago.

Someone saw the cat in

the street, bleeding.

"To my little Suzie,

happy birthday, Mum"

I was told there was no family.

No, for ten years I've

never seen anyone.

Postmark is last year

Monday, went to the shops.

Bought some fish.

Tuesday, shops.

It's all the same.

"Dear Mum, thank you so much

for my wonderful present".

Does she have a daughter?

"Please write again soon.

Love you with all my heart..."

Susie. Susie's the cat.

Look.

It's from the Cat.

Signed with a little paw.

Some people, eh?

Please call these people.

Anything they won't

take can be thrown away.

London Borough of Kennington Client

Services, John May speaking.

Mr Radulovitz?

Yes, and you are...

Mr Radley.

And your connection with Mr...

His son?

But your sur...

You've changed it?

Right, right!

Thank you very much for calling.

Great, just, just wonderful.

Unfortunately, as you know

your father has passed away.

Yes.

Died six weeks ago.

Well you were contac...

Actually in this office

we're charged with

tracing the relatives

of those who passed away in

the Borough and failing...

Yes, your father...

No, no, no, there's no obligation for the

next of kin to pay for the funeral.

No, you don't.

Indeed...

There is no obligation to attend, but...

If I may say so,

I understand, Mr Radul...

I mean... Mr Radley.

Your father, Mr Radulovitz,

might not have been...

the best of fathers, but if I...

What do I?

My family?

No, I don't have...

But surely, now that he's passed

away his children should...

But you've found a father

after all these years...

I would...

Wouldn't you want your children,

his grandchildren, to know?

It's not too late.

No, I know he's dead, but...

You're right

I wouldn't know.

And would you be able to think of

anyone who might have had contact?

Someone who might at least want

to be present at the funeral.

No.

And you, y-you would...

No.

Very well Mr Radulovitz.

I'm sorry, Mr Radley.

I understand. Thank you.

Goodbye.

Case Closed.

Who says it's my dog?

Recognize his piss?

That dog is always out here.

Always

I only have to open my door

and it rushes in my house.

Are you some sort

of dog piss expert?

Have a look up the wall.

Look how high it is.

I've only got a little dog.

If you would just keep

your dog on a leash...

I would like to confirm that a package

addressed to Miss Dawn Harvey...

What was in it?

Why do you need to know?

Ashes.

Ashes, the ashes of Mr George Harvey.

What kind of ashes?

Excuse me, am I speaking

to Australia Post,

Yeperenye shopping centre,

13 Cactus Street, Alice Springs?

What else, let me see.

He has a blue paw, and there's

a grey mark on him...

Ah now, this could help. There's a...

He has a tattoo on his right ear of...

Well as I said, we found the

dog next to the body...

I mean, in the apartment of Mr Didion.

And we thought that someone involved

with dog racing might know the dog,

and therefore the owner.

We are here to celebrate

the life of Jane Ford.

A woman who enjoyed life

for all it could bring.

She was born in the summer of 1945,

as peace finally came to

the world, in Scarborough.

The only daughter of

Jack and Nora Ford.

And what a joy it must have

been for them to hold her.

The lovely, maybe unexpected, fruit of a

rare reunion in those turbulent times.

She grew to enjoy what

life most readily offered.

The warmth of a sunny

day at the beach,

a simple yet tasteful necklace,

a new stick of red lipstick.

She was passionate about

dance, flamenco in particular

and always looked gorgeous when stepping

out on the dance floor in her red dress.

Later in life, a love of animals made

her care for her sweet cat Susie

with whom she shared

many happy years.

Always celebrating Christmas

together in great style.

Just you again, Mr May.

Afraid so.

Six in this one already,

this is the last one.

Got yourself a cracking spot there Mr May.

By the time it's your turn those branches

will be shading anyone who comes to visit ya.

It's good to plan this kind of thing.

Uncle Fred ended up in Surbiton.

I'm sure he wouldn't have liked that one bit.

London Borough of Kennington,

Client Services.

Good afternoon, Mr Huxley.

Very well, thank you.

Found... today.

No point of contact.

Yes, I will go this afternoon.

And the address?

The neighbours complained about the smell.

The police said it must have been weeks.

I didn't really know him.

Bit of a loner, you know the type.

So you live opposite, eh?

Did you know him?

No, I didn't know him.

I only get involved if there's a problem.

Boiler...

Something like that.

You better wear these.

I can't see a record player.

He probably sold it for

a couple of drinks.

What about that eh!

Time stops for no one.

Here he is.

Billy Stoke.

I can't say I recognize him.

They all look the same don't they?

Call the Health Department.

They need to clean and clear

this place as soon as possible.

Except for the Carriage clock.

That goes to the Pawnbrokers

in the High Street.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Goodbye now.

No family again Mr May?

- Maybe.

- Mr May!

Mr Pratchett.

Could I see you in my office please?

As I said, your Department is being

amalgamated with that of the Dulwich office.

Here represented by Miss Pilger.

And from today the Coroner is referring

all cases to the new office.

Dulwich?

- I guess I could buy a bicycle.

- Ah, no. You don't understand.

You won't need to travel,

that's the point.

Given the current

pressure on finances

the Council is undertaking a new

round of efficiency savings.

We're letting you go.

- You're letting me go?

- Mr May, in the two months I've been here

I've been able observe you at work and

there's no doubt you are very thorough.

But if I may say so

you're also very slow.

Not to say expensive

given the number funerals you choose to

organize as opposed to cremations.

There were no indications of religi...

John, you've been with the

Council now for how long?

- Twenty two years.

- Twenty two years?

Well, I think you should see this as an

opportunity for a new beginning, don't you?

A new life

I'm sure the Council's references will

enable you to find new and challenging work.

A job where people are

alive, for a change?

What about this morning's case?

This morning?

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