The Scapegoat Page #3

I trust you haven't let me down.

Now, tell us what's happening

in London.

Who did you see?

What's the gossip?

I don't see why you're acting

so surprised.

When has he ever behaved

any differently?

- Perhaps he really was ill.

- Oh, don't be so bloody naive!

Well, I think I'll go up

and leave you to it.

Tell Charlotte, if you ever see her again,

that I won't be needing anything else.

Good night.

- I'm sorry.

- It's all right. I'm fine.

You have to stand up to my brother,

otherwise he just takes advantage.

Yes, I know.

I think I'll go up too.

Good night.

Good night.

Do you have it?

Her present.

Shall we get it?

That'll be the one.

Nearly ran out.

We were expecting you yesterday.

Is that all you got?

It's not going to last very long.

Oh! You gave me a fright!

- I'm... I'm so sorry.

- Standing in the dark, I thought...

- I'm sorry. It's entirely my fault.

- No, I shouldn't have barged in.

I thought you were with your mother.

I'm sorry.

Could you undo me?

Please?

I was so worried.

I thought something

must have happened.

Did it?

- Did... Did what?

- Something happen?

- No.

- Oh.

Good.

Thank you.

- Did you speak to Piglet?

- Who?

She was waiting up for you.

You all right?

You're very quiet.

Would you like me to run you a bath?

You must be exhausted.

No.

No. Thank you.

- How... How are you?

- All right, I suppose.

Charlotte is being beastly to everyone.

It seems to be my fault.

I don't see Piglet

from one day to the next.

She leads a completely secret life.

Did you say anything to her

by the way?

She's been acting particularly oddly

since you left.

What about you?

How was it?

The business with the contract.

Oh, um...

let's not talk about that now.

Of course.

I'll be done in a minute.

I know I'm going on and you hate that.

- Darling, I...

- What?

What?

No, it's nothing.

You said darling.

I'm being silly.

Ignore me. Sorry.

I think I'll pop out for a while.

I'm not very tired.

Do you have to?

Yes.

- What the hell are you doing?!

- I'm just popping out for some air.

I left my door open for you.

You've been away over a week.

I wanted to see you!

Why do you think I told Paul to

go to that dinner alone?

I thought we could spend some time together.

It's hard enough in this madhouse.

- You'd rather spend the evening with your mother?

- I didn't have much choice.

I thought you'd come to me afterwards

instead of wandering round like a ghost.

Can we talk about this

in the morning?

You can be a real bastard.

- I'm very s...

- Don't touch me!

It's no good now. There's no time anyway,

even by our pathetic standards.

See? That's him now.

Go on, go.

Get some bloody air,

and leave the rest of us to suffocate.

Ow!

You didn't come and say good night.

- That hurt!

- You promised.

I'm sorry.

If you don't come up by the time I count to 50,

I swear I'm going to jump.

- Get back inside now!

- Don't say I didn't warn you.

One, two...

- Get back inside!

- Three, four,

five, six, seven,

eight, nine...

You're lucky I'm not dead.

What on earth did you think

you were doing?

You said you'd come up.

Well, I... I was busy.

- I'm very sorry.

- You promised.

I said I was sorry, and I am.

Very well.

I forgive you. Kiss?

You smell funny.

- What sort of funny?

- Funny, like a doctor.

I thought you were never

coming back at all.

Why?

Because you said if things got too difficult,

you'd disappear.

Hmm...

Stop!

What's the matter?

This is Mrs Simpson.

Oh, Mrs Simpson the goldfish.

Oh...

She's certainly dead.

What would you have done

if I had disappeared?

Topped myself.

- You don't even know what that means.

- Of course I do, silly!

Children don't kill themselves.

Then why did you run upstairs

so fast just now?

Because you might have slipped.

I was holding on.

Now, pass Mr Rabbit.

Thank you.

Now you can tuck me in

and make me snuggly.

And you can promise not to

do anything silly like that again.

- Only if you promise.

- What?

That you'll never go away

and leave me.

Look...

Um...

I can't make that promise,

I'm afraid.

Well, you must just hope

for the best

that you stay at home

and that I stay alive.

If I do have to go away,

whatever the reason,

I promise I'll tell you first.

Cross your heart and hope to die?

Cross my heart

and hope neither of us has to die.

Now, go to sleep.

Eee! Eee!

- What's that?

- Mr Rabbit saying good night too.

Good night.

Is that you?

Yes, it's... me.

Yes, it's me.

Is this for me?

It says F for Frances.

Oh, then I suppose so.

Can I open it?

Oh, it's beautiful!

Did you have it made specially?

I love it. Thank you.

Will you put it on for me?

Yes, of course.

Good morning, sir.

- Mrs Spencer, I hope I'm not disturbing you.

- Not at all.

- I'll go and get dressed.

- Right.

Oh, thank you... George.

Ah... where...

where is everyone?

Your brother's at the foundry, sir.

He's expecting you at er... ten.

And your sister and Mrs Paul

are at breakfast.

- And Her Ladyship?

- Indisposed, sir. Likely to remain so the rest of the day.

I... er found this

in your waistcoat pocket, sir.

- Ah... Good morning... Annie.

- Good morning, sir.

- I was just on my way to breakfast.

- Oh, sorry, Mr Spence.

Thank you.

Morning.

- What are you doing?

- Nothing.

Can you have a word with Charlotte about having a fire?

It's ridiculous that there isn't one.

Would you like me to light one?

- Did you enjoy your fresh air last night?

- Yes, thank you.

Daddy brought presents for everyone.

Mummy got a locket with a picture of his face on it.

- I'm not sure you should be...

- Is this one for me?

- It says an L on it.

- Ah... well...

And this is for you

and for Auntie Nina

and one for Auntie Blanche

and my one.

Charlotte's Web!

Just what I wanted!

- Thank you.

- Pleasure.

I suppose you think that's funny?

You really don't care about anyone,

do you, except for yourself!

- Can I open her present?

- No, you can't.

George is waiting out front, sir,

when you're ready.

Thank you. I'm coming now.

- Can I have it?

- Absolutely not.

"To my darling B. XXX"

Isn't it pretty?

That stinks.

May I offer my congratulations, sir?

- What for?

- The Leverton contract.

Your mother gave Mr Paul the good news

this morning.

Ah.

There'll be

quite a celebration tonight, sir.

Well done, sir.

I'm sorry.

I couldn't keep it a secret.

It's been like Christmas.

I don't think anyone's done

a scrap of work all day.

Welcome, sir.

Come on, how did you do it?

I just couldn't believe it.

I hardly know myself.

It's incredible that

they accepted our terms.

- Well done, sir.

- Thank you

- Have you got the contract?

- Er... no, not with me.

But you did sign it?

There are some details to finalise.

They'll send it on.

A letter arrived for you this morning.

That's probably it.

I want to hear the whole story,

but I've got to go to the bank.

I had a tricky meeting with Thornton

while you were away.

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