The Scapegoat Page #6

and even if it did, what kind of life would it be

if we can eat when everyone else is hungry?

That's not something

that bothered you before.

So what are you suggesting?

We find a way to raise some finance

while we come up with another plan.

I read Alice Farr's report last night,

and I think it could work.

- You said it was completely impractical.

- I was wrong.

Blanche will never agree.

I don't understand

what you're trying to do.

Make it better.

Well, you can't.

I have to try.

Blanche,

no-one can bring Alice back.

Don't you dare bring Alice into this.

You know nothing about her.

You never understood her

for a single second.

Do you remember when

you set fire to my doll's house?

You did it because I loved it.

Because it was mine.

Because you were jealous.

Just like you always are,

jealous of anything you can't have.

Well, Daddy can't buy a new one

and make it better this time.

I know that.

She loved me.

That's what you couldn't bear,

wasn't it?

So you had to have her.

Alice wasn't like us.

She had no idea how people like us can behave.

It drove her mad.

And because of me and...

what I had done,

she felt she couldn't turn to anyone?

Not even you.

You may not believe it,

but I know how that feels,

and I think you do too.

We can't bring Alice back,

but we can think about

what she might have wanted.

We can make the ideas she believed in real,

and that way, something survives.

- That's new, isn't it?

- No. I just haven't worn it for a while.

- Can you turn the light out, please?

- Yes.

Oh, not now.

- Your Ladyship?

- Not tonight.

I feel too tired to be tired.

If you're sure.

I just wanted to say good night.

Good night.

I...

I liked your speech.

Thank you.

- You're a very surprising man.

- I don't think my sister was impressed.

Give her time.

Do you think you can find the money?

I don't know, but I intend to try.

I just wish there was

a way I could help.

You have. I wouldn't have had the courage

to say anything without you.

Good night.

J...

- Yes?

- I did something very silly.

- Please, you don't have to explain.

- No. I want to tell you.

I broke your regimental plate.

It was completely stupid of me,

I just touched it somehow,

- and it broke.

- I know.

It was my own fault.

You've every right to be angry.

I don't mind if you are.

I'm really not angry.

I know I've been a terrible disappointment

as a wife.

None of this would be happening

if I'd had a son.

I'll make it up to you somehow.

- I will find a way. I really will.

- Don't worry about anything.

Please, just go to bed.

Of course.

- I didn't mean to annoy you. I'm so sorry!

- No, you haven't. I'm... not.

- Stop fiddling about, woman, and come help me.

- What do you need?

I need to get up

and I need to get dressed.

- Are you sure?

- Of course I'm sure.

Do I look like someone who isn't sure?

Let me help you.

- You're looking very good, if I may say so, sir.

- Thank you, George. I wish I felt the same way.

- I'm not looking forward to this.

- Don't worry, sir. You'll beat your record. You always do.

- Darling?

- Excuse me.

- What do you think?

- You look wonderful.

Ugh, kissing!

Can I go to town with Auntie B? Thanks!

Make sure you're back

in time for the lunch.

I'm so happy.

I'd almost forgotten

how beautiful it is.

- What would you like to wear?

- The tweed, of course.

It's the shoot today.

You didn't take the pistol out

by any chance?

- Certainly not. Why?

- It's gone missing.

One of the keepers

must have borrowed it.

- Morning.

- Good morning. Thank you.

- Morning, sir.

- Thank you.

- Ooh, that's a little heavy.

- Well, it's your gun, Johnny.

- Yes, of course. I'll manage.

- You can try mine if you like,

but you're always so rude about it.

- Why not?

- I'll try yours, then.

- Always wanted to.

- That's much better.

Sawyer, come here, boy.

- Good dog.

- Come on. Come.

- That's not like Captain.

- Captain, come on. Come here.

Something must have spooked him.

Never mind,

Sawyer can look after us both.

- I thought that was a brave thing you said last night.

- Thank you.

Morning.

What's the matter?

Have they left you behind?

Don't you worry.

We'll soon have everything back to normal.

What's that scratch

on my rear bumper?

- It's being attended to, ma'am, I assure you.

- It had better be.

Now, let me be. I can manage this.

Darling, what are you doing here?

Is something the matter?

- What on earth are you wearing?

- Don't ask. I've had a terrible morning.

You really are quite remarkable.

Thank you so much.

For what?

Everything.

Listen...

I know how much you love me,

so I want you to do something for me,

something very, very sinful,

but it'll make everything right

for all of us.

For you, for Piglet

and for me.

That's what you want, isn't it?

Of course.

Good.

Good.

Come and sit down.

Please.

I want you to write something for me.

Will you do that?

I want you to write,

"To my darling.

I love you so much.

To my darling..."

I know what to write.

Where is everybody?

They must have already

gone to the barn for lunch.

- We'd better get a move on.

- I just need to do something.

- I'll be quick.

- All right. I'll wait in the car.

I'm told you've been shooting

like a girl all morning. Is this true?

No, no. He borrowed one of my guns

instead of using his own.

That's the problem.

He's just too polite to admit it.

I've never heard him

accused of that before.

Ladies and gentlemen,

on behalf of my family,

I'd just like to say how pleased

we are to see you all here today.

I'm told we have

a record kill this morning.

Why aren't you at

the head of the table?

I thought Paul would do it better.

Another minor record is that,

for the first time in living memory,

I've managed a fractionally higher tally

than my brother Johnny.

He'll make a fool of himself.

Just you wait.

And, finally, if you would join me

in raising a glass to my mother,

who is here today,

looking so radiant.

To your very good health.

- Lady Spence.

- Lady Spence.

I've spent too long away

from this family.

I don't seem to recognise anybody.

Even you look a little odd,

now I come to think of it.

Mummy,

I didn't expect to see you here.

I'm not dead yet.

What have you done with Frances?

Isn't she here yet?

Excuse me. Sorry.

- Darling, where's Mummy?

- You know.

- What do you mean?

- I saw you.

Where?

Just now, with Mummy,

giving her Granny's medicine.

Why do you keep

changing your clothes?

Oh, God...

- Where's Frances?

- Isn't she at lunch with you?

No, she's not.

Frances? Frances!

Darling?

Charlotte! Quickly!

- How much has she taken?

- Enough. Lift her.

We need to get her blood pressure up.

If she stays unconscious for too long,

she'll stop breathing.

- Why wasn't it kept locked up?

- You know perfectly well that it was.

Now, leave her to me,

and go and telephone for an ambulance.

Now.

Please don't let her...

I won't.

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