The Witches

Pack the books tightly, Mark,

we don't want to leave any behind.

Mark! Stop that!

It is what men say, Miss.

It's not true.

Nothing like that can happen to you.

They're just trying to wear us down.

This continual noise...

Come on, let's get the other things.

I don't think

anything can happen to us now.

As a matter of fact I know it can't.

They probably know

that help is on its way as much as we do.

Oh, more books, Mark.

Oh dear, but...

There's... so much to pack

and so...

Come on, get some desks.

No good, Miss. He come now.

They're just

trying to terrorise us, that's all.

That his sign.

That say he come.

No, he'll eat your soul.

Nothing can eat your soul.

Adam! Mark!

Come back here!

Don't...

Adam!

I wonder,

are there any messages for me?

I'll check, Sir.

Would you come this way,

please, Madam?

Your coat, Madam?

- Miss Gwen Mayfield?

- Yes.

- How do you do? I'm Alan Bax.

- How do you do?

- Please sit down, won't you?

- Thank you.

- Er... waiter!

- Sir.

- We'd like some tea.

- Please.

- And anything to eat?

- No, thank you.

No? Just tea then.

- It was good of you to come.

- It was good of you to ask me.

We had a lot of replies

to the advertisement.

- Oh?

- But there was something about yours.

Exceptional.

That's why I suggested meeting.

Your background sounded

more interesting, your work in Africa.

Yes, well, er...

my letters told you all about me.

I've been teaching

since I came back to England.

Yours is a church school?

Er... no, a private school.

Just for the village.

My family founded it many years ago.

- Private?

- Oh, the salary's good.

Oh, I didn't mean...

Well, I know about private schools,

but ours is well-endowed.

We're a rich family, I'm afraid...

or used to be.

Not quite so rich now,

and that's just my sister and myself.

And we both felt...

someone who's worked abroad

might stimulate the children's minds.

- Was it a mission school in Africa?

- Yes.

Now, you mentioned

a breakdown in health.

Well, I did have,

but I'm perfectly all right now, thank you.

Well, I'm sorry to have to...

Well, of course you do.

I understand.

- When 0ne's dealing with children...

- Mr Bax, I'm completely well now, I...

Well, I mean, there were

special circumstances, you see.

A tribal rebellion,

and things got out of hand.

It wasn't the people's fault, the...

It was the witch-doctors

who led them.

You see, they wanted us out,

and they used horrible ways, I...

I can't, I mean...

Well, what happened, ljust can't...

You'll like Heddaby,

Miss Mayfield.

It's a remarkably attractive village,

though I've known it all my life,

of course, but it really is.

We've taken care of it, you see.

And the schoolhouse -

you'll like that, too, I know you will.

- Do you mean... I've got the job?

- If you want it.

- Goodbye.

- See you tomorrow.

- Erm...

- Can I help you, Miss?

Yes, please.

Which way is the schoolhouse?

- Just round the corner.

- Round there. Hm, thanks.

- You the new head teacher?

- Yes, I am.

- Pleased to meet you, Miss.

- Thank you.

Miss Mayfield.

Oh.

- Welcome to Heddaby.

- Thank you.

They told me to say that

the very first.

- I'm Valerie. Valerie Creek, that is.

- How do you do?

- Er, can I take your bags?

- Oh yes, please.

- Afternoon, Miss.

- Good afternoon.

I'm Dowsett.

I look after your garden for you.

It's lovely.

- It's nice, isn't it?

- Mmh.

They do look after it.

Old Miss Westleton,

what I was here till now,

she never had to do a thing.

They wouldn't let her.

Mr Bax,

he says to me this morning,

"Now, see everything's perfect

for Miss Mayfield when she comes."

Mind you, I...

I didn't expect you so soon, like...

I would have had tea all ready.

Still, I'll er...

I'll make it in a minute.

Here's the bedroom.

You all right then?

More than all right,

thank you... Valerie?

Yes, Valerie.

I come in every day.

Er... do you want to see it all

right away?

- No, you make tea. I'll explore.

- All right.

Ah...

Hello, puss. Hello.

Does the cat belong here?

Oh... no, he don't.

But he's hung about all day.

Maybe he's looking

for a new home.

Pretty boy.

You like it here too, do you?

How far is the rectory?

- The rectory, Miss?

- I thought I'd pay my respects to Mr Bax.

Oh, you mean the Bax's house.

Is it far from here?

Why, it's just up the lane

and around.

I'll show you after tea, Miss.

- I'm Miss Mayfield.

- Please come in.

Miss Mayfield?

I'm Stephanie Bax,

Alan's sister.

- How do you do?

- I've been so longing to meet you.

Will you come into my study?

Excuse the mess.

I'm in the middle of an article.

- Sorry I Interrupted you.

- Not a bit. It deserved interrupting.

It just won't jell.

Well, perhaps it will tomorrow,

you never know.

- Will you have a drink?

- Please.

Gin? Or there's er...

oh dear, gin again, or...

Oh no, it's not possible -

more gin.

Well, let's call it

a very dry Martini.

- Will you sit down?

- Thank you.

Er, are you the Stephanie Bax?

"The"? Oh dear!

I knew your name straight away,

but I wasn't sure it was the same person.

I read your articles

in the Sunday papers - I really do.

And agree

with every single word?

- N0.

- That's better.

- Do you often disagree?

- Sometimes. Violently.

I think you'll like it here.

It's primitive,

septic tanks and all that, but it's real.

- The church...

- What about it?

I looked for it on the way -

I couldn't see it.

Well, there isn't any.

- But surely...

- Alan?

- Isn't he the rector?

- The Reverend Alan Bax? No.

But the collar?

It's all perfectly harmless, really -

you'll see.

Alan. Visitor.

Miss Mayfield. I'm sorry,

I didn't know you were here.

I was running a new tape.

Nice to see you again, Mr Bax.

At first I thought it was the real thing.

Well, it is the organ

of Salisbury Cathedral.

Just as well

we have no neighbours.

What a fascinating room this is.

Alan's the collector, not me.

I have no visual sense.

Actually, most of it belonged here,

didn't it, Alan?

- This lovely lady...

- From the old church.

But I thought you er...

- Oh yes, there was once.

- I'd like to show it to you.

Well, what there is left of it.

Why don't you stay to supper?

Oh, I'd like to,

but there's a meal waiting for me.

Oh... well, next time.

And soon please, because

we're determined to see lots of you.

- That's very kind of you, Miss Bax.

- May we drop the formality?

Gwen, Alan, Stephanie.

Thank you both.

I know I'm going to love Heddaby.

I'll see you home.

How long has it been like this?

- Almost 200 years.

- Hmm.

It was damaged.

They didn't try to rebuild it.

Just let it go.

Did a storm do it?

Did Stephanie tell you about me?

About my not being a priest?

I rather wish she had.

There's nothing wrong in it,

you know.

I don't try to officiate

or persuade anyone, but...

I wanted to enter the church,

but I failed.

Somehow it's just the collar,

just sometimes it...

...gives a feeling of security.

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