"Hello, George." "Only me." "How are you today, dear?" "Having a little doze, or just resting your eyes?" "I'll make you a fresh cup." "Shan't be a minute." "Couple of biscuits." "Here you are then, dear." "That better?" "Yes, thank you." " A little bit" " A bit more?" "There." "Do you need anything else, dear?" "You sure?" "Drink your tea up before it gets cold." "I'll be on my way." "Tell Ivy I was asking after her, won't you?" "And don't get up to any mischief." "Ta ta, dear." " Hello, Reg." " Afternoon, Mrs. Drake." " You all right, dear?" " Can't complain." " Going off for your tea?" " Yes." " What you having?" " Bit of bread 'n dripping." " That all?" " Cup of tea." "Look after yourself, Reg. I told you." "You ought to come over to our house for tea one night." " I don't want to put you out." " oh, don't be daft." "What about tomorrow?" "You could come over after work." "You know where we are." "Number 82." "I'll feed you up a bit." "Do you fancy that?" " You sure?" " Be no trouble, Reg." " Go on, then." " Oh, lovely." "See you tomorrow, then." "Now don't you forget!" " Hello, Nellie." " All right, Vera?" " lsn't it cold?" " Yes." "That's better." "Nice cup of tea." " That you, Ethel?" " Hello, Mom." " Nippy today, weren't it?" " Yes." "Ooh." "Hold up, Ethel." " 'Scuse, Mom." " What you doing?" "I'm washing me hands like you told me to." " Oh, yes." "Your dad's here." " Hello, Dad." " Hello, Mom." "You all right, Ethel?" " Yes." " All right, Dad?" " Yes, thank you." " Good day?" " Not bad, you?" " Can't complain." " Oh, Ethel." "Take the teapot through." "God, I'm starving." "I could eat an 'orse." "Wash your hands, Dad, I'll put the tin on the table." "Just get me slippers on." "Well he's all on his tod, ain't he?" "Seems a nice enough fellow, though." " Oh yes." "Hard worker." " ls he the little bloke-- bald?" " No." " No." "Stocky fellow." " Lives opposite." " Oh, yes." "Does he?" "I shouldn't wonder he don't have bread and dripping every night." "There ain't nothing wrong with bread and dripping." "Not every night." " I wouldn't mind." " Oh yes?" "Like to see your face lf I put bread and dripping on the table every teatime." "No, I'll do him a nice stew." " Can we have dumplings, Mom?" " Of course, we can." " I love a dumpling." " You are a dumpling." " Oh, that's nice." " What you got your work clothes on for?" "It's a Tuesday, Dad." "I've got me night school." " Oh, yes." " That's right." "I've gotta leave in a minute." "Dumpling." "I'm meeting David this evening." "You're looking very flat-chested." "Have you lost weight?" "I don't know." "That was lovely, Vera." "Thank you very much." " Very tasty." " You're welcome, I'm sure." "Why don't you sit on the settee, Reg?" "Make yourself at home." "Yeah, Reg." "Sit down." "We'll have a smoke." "Make a fresh pot, Ethel." " Here we are." " Nah, go on." " Sid?" " Oh, cheers, mate." "How's work going, Stan?" " Was it motors?" " Motor mechanic, yes." "Well, they bring 'em in." "We mend 'em, push 'em back out again." "It's just the two of us, see?" "Me and my brother." "Oh, a family business like?" "Well, it's Frank's business." "I work for him-- with him." "Have you always worked on the roads, then, Reg?" " No." "I started in the war." " Oh." "Oh, what kind of war effort did you have, Reg?" " The pioneer corps." " Oh, yes?" "We laid tarmac on the American bases." " Did you?" " We did." " Went out in France-- 1940." " You was out there early?" "Dunkirk." "We done a running when they broke through." "Then we went out a few days after D-day." "Same as you, Dad." "'Bout a month after D-day, we went out there." " Just after the battle of Caen." " Oh, yes?" "It was murder then." "Mind you, others had it worse than us." "I was in the service corps--driver." "We pushed from Normandy into northern France, Belgium," "And I ended up in Hamburg." "I was in Hamburg and all, Reg." " Was you?" " Not then, though." " No, after the war." "National service." " Oh, I'm with you." "I'll tell you, they've got it worse over there-- the Germans." "We all had it bad." " lt weren't cozy for no one, was it?" " Right along, Dad." "No, but we done demolition before the war" " Me and my brother." " Oh, does he live around here?" "Not now." "He's in Australia." " Melbourne." " Ooh, is he?" "He went out two year ago." "That's a long way away, isn't it?" "Well, he was in Burma in the war." " My brother was in Burma." " Was he?" "Well, he met a few Australian blokes," "Came back, married a Scottish girl and went out there." "Oh, well, I never" "Was he a P.O.W., Reg?" "He don't talk about it, Stan." "No, my friend won't talk about it, neither." "You lose any mates, Reg?" "A few, yes." "I lost a couple of pals, and all." "I lost my best mate." " Ah, that's right" " Bill." " Did our basic together and everything." "Out in Palestine... he got ambushed in an orange grove." "I had to pack his kit up for him like" "Sit next to Reg." " lt's dreadful, isn't it?" " Terrible." "You warm enough, Reg?" "Put the fire on, Dad." "I lost my mom in the blitz." "Did you, Reg?" "Chapel Street market, 1941" " March." "Well now we remember that bomb, don't we, Dad?" " lt blew all the windows out." " Yes, it did." "It was just around the corner, Penton Street." " Opposite the church." " Oh, yeah." "Our flats never got touched." "She popped in to see my aunt, went shopping... gone." "Another cup of tea, Reg?" "Sorry to hear that, mate." "That was a lovely spread, Vera." "Thank you very much." "Well, enjoy your pub." "Make sure you wear a coat, Susan, if you're traveling" " in an open top sports car." " Yes, I am." " Cheerio, chap" " Goodbye, sir." "Good night, Sid." " Night, Dad." " Night-night, Ethel." "Night-night, Dad." "Night, Ethel." "Good night." "Where are you tomorrow, Mrs. Wells'?" "No, Mrs. Fowler's tomorrow." "I was at Mrs. Wells' this morning, bless her." " Night-night, love." " Night, dear." "Ooh, Stanley, your feet!" " Warm 'em up for us." " Come on, then." "I reckon that Reg would make a good husband to some nice girl." "Where's a bloke like that gonna meet anybody?" "We managed to find each other." "Sure enough." "Miracles do happen." "Let me go." "Don't." "Stop." " You're terribly beautiful, you know." " I should get a" " I should get a taxi." " Shh." "Come on, let's dance." "Don't be silly." " I do apologize." " What?" "I haven't got a gramophone." "It's not funny." " lt's not funny." " lt's not funny?" "It's not funny..." "Not funny?" "Oh, morning, Mrs. Fowler." "Good morning, Mrs. Drake." "Oh, I'm in your way, here?" "Lost something?" " I am in your way, aren't I?" " Oh, it's just... I can't see for looking, sometimes." "I'm like that myself." "Among other things." "All right, Mother?" "Ain't you been up today?" "Leave it alone." "You getting married yourself, sir?" "No, I fear." "No, it'll be a sister of mine that's getting married." " Oh, lovely." " Yeah." "But to tell you the truth, I haven't met her man yet." "He's a bit of dark horse, so I" " Just lower your arm for me." " Yeah." "So when are you catching the boat?" "A week this Saturday coming." " Oh, doesn't give us much time, then." " From Holyhead, I'm goin'." "Just lower your arms for me please, sir." " Yeah, yeah." " Thank you." "So I'll be having the waistcoat with it, then?" "That's no problem whatsoever, sir." "As I said, it's, uh-- we charge 10 guineas for the two-piece suit, moving up to 13 guineas for the three-piece." "Well I have your money on me now, so..." "Oh, lovely." "And I want the jacket just like the one you have on there." "Well, you have chosen the double-breasted jacket, sir..." " with the four buttons" " Yeah." "Now, the only difference is-- your lapel... is going to fasten down to the bottom button, giving it a much more streamlined effect" "Oh." "And what with the light blue bariff here, plus the stripe to accentuate your height, it's bold, it's sharp, and it's certainly going to make an impression when you walk into the church, sir." "Well, that's exactly what I want, sir." " Just face the mirror for me." " Yeah." " I'll be the lord of the manor in this?" " Oh yes, sir." " I'll be like your man, George Raft." " You will indeed, sir." "Me daddy won't know me, huh?" "Well, if you're going for the George Raft look, sir... we can always supply you with a pair of spats." "Oh, no." "No spats." "Whatever you want, sir." "I'm just going to measure your outside leg." "Yeah." "Come on." "Seized up?" "She's there." "is Joycie all right?" "She's fine." "We ain't seen her in ages." "She's started talking about moving." "Moving where?" "To a bigger house." "Your house is big enough, isn't it?" "Yes." " You ain't been there a year." " I know." "We had a bit of company last night." " Did you?" " You know what Vera's like." "She finds a young fellow, lives on his own, no family, hoicks him in with us, gives him his tea." "She's got a heart of gold, that woman." " She's a diamond." " You're a lucky man." "You're a lucky man in all, Frank." "What she invite him round for, anyway?" " He lives on his own." " A lot of people live on their own." "Don't mean you've got to invite them all round for tea though, does it?" "It's just Vera's way, ain't it?" "Maybe he wants to be on his own." "She wants to mind her own business." "She's a little busybody, bless her." "She's going to get herself in trouble one of these days." "I'm glad we moved out here, aren't you?" "I seen the washing machine I want this morning. lt's ¡ê25." "Oh no, not now, Frank." "Not your accounts." " lt'll take me 10 minutes." " I know your "10 minutes."" "An hour and 10 minutes, more like." "I thought we was going to have another early night." "I'll finish this and we can have an early night." "All right, dear." "Frank?" "Frank." "You're asleep!" "Don't go to sleep on me." "Frank?" "Well, you come on top of me then." " Come on." " Can't we leave it till tomorrow?" "No, we got to do it now, ain't we?" "Afternoon, dear." "Thank you." "This way." "Right then, dear." "First thing we've got to do... is put the kettle on." "Oh." "Got a bowl in here?" "Now, where are...?" "You got a towel, dear?" "Very good." "Where's your bed?" "Through here." "Now, what I want you to do... take your knickers off for me, lie down here." "Don't you be upset." "Because I'm here to help you, aren't I?" "And that's what I'm going to do." "So... hop your bottom on the bed and I'll be back in a jiffy." "Here we are, then." "Hop on the bed for me." "How long is it going to take?" "Not long, dear." "Open your legs." "You on your own?" "Only for a bit." "Now, what I'm going to do is have a little feel," "Make sure everything's as it should be and then we'll get the soapy water inside," " so you go all floppy for me." " What do you mean?" "Just lie down, dear." "Wet my hand a bit... and feel." "You're all right." "All right..." "Push this little tube in." "All right." "Here comes the water." "When you feel full, we'll stop." "Was you at work, today?" "I went in this morning." " Weather's turned." " Yes." "Now..." " that feel full?" " Yes." "You dry yourself off." "Hold that towel there for a minute and I'll clean out the bowl." "Now, what's going to happen is tomorrow or the day after you'll get a bit of a pain down below." "Take yourself to the toilet, you'll start bleeding" " then it'll all come away." " What do you mean, "it will come away"?" "It'll all be over, dear." "You'll be right as rain." "I won't die, will I?" "No, dear." "Right." "I'll be on my way." " I'll see meself out." " lt's all right." " Look after yourself, dear." " Right." "I've got 200 crate a day, and he's giving me eight pairs of nylons." "I'll have some nylons." "I'll take three pairs of nylons off you, Sid." " What you offering?" " Five packets of Players." "What, for three pairs of nylons?" " That's right." " No, no" "These are the Italian nylons." "They ain't the Czech ones." " Yeah, they're nice, Al." " I don't care." "I'm offering five packets of Players for three pairs of nylons, take it or leave it." "To hold it up, Ron, eh?" "I mean either I'm talking in another language," " or he's a bit Mutt and Jeff." " I heard you." "Look." "Make it 10 packets." " I'll give you six-- seven." " Eight." "Look, take 'em out with you Saturday..." ""How you doing, darling?" "Fancy a turn?" Slip her a pair-- happy days!" " All right, eight." " Done." "Good boy." "I'll give you two packets of tea for a pair." "What are you two, a double act?" " Hello, Lily." " Your bleeding' stairs." " they'll be the death of me." " You've must've heard the kettle boil." "No." "Just made a fresh pot." "How'd that go the other week?" "Same as usual." " Nervous little thing, wasn't she?" " I know." "I put her right." "Set her mind at rest." " You always do, don't you?" " Don't you want a biscuit, Lily?" "Won't say no." "Thank you." " I've got another one for you." " Oh, yes?" " Friday, is it?" " ls Friday all right?" " Mm." " I told her 5:00." " That's all right, yes." " Want some tea?" " Sardines?" " I'm all right this week, Lily." " Oh, now what sweets you got?" " Boiled sweets." "Here you are." "Don't you want some for your Ethel?" "How much are them, then?" "Tuppence a bag." "A penny eighty to you." "Righty-oh." " Kelp Street." " Oh, I know." "Nora." "She's got seven kids already." "Oh, can't she manage?" " No, could you?" " I've only got a thruppenny bit." "I've got change." "Ain't the husband around?" "I expect so." "Can't control himself, if you ask me." "Terrible." "Poor woman." "Serves her right." "Don't you want no sardines for your mother?" "No, she can't eat them no more, Lily." "Gives her heartburn." "How's she keeping anyway, your mom?" "Oh, you know." "Getting older." "Ain't we all?" "That's Ethel." " That you, Ethel?" " Hello, Mom." " Lily's here." " Oh." "Hello, Ethel." "Hello." " You want a cuppa?" " Yes please, Mom." " Ain't she got a boyfriend yet?" " No." "I ain't surprised." "That was a lovely spread, Vera." "Thank you very much." " You're welcome, Reg, you know that." " Doing a bit of mending?" "Yes." "You got anything that needs doing?" "You've got a bit of leg poking through your trousers." " Yes, he has." " I done that at work." " I ain't got round to it yet." " You do your own sewing?" "Well, I'm all fingers and thumbs, but I have a go." "You ought to bring 'em over here, Reg." "You need a little patch on that." "I'll get you a bit of cloth from the shop, Reg." "What is it?" "Navy serge, 19 oz." "Give it to Mom, she'll mend it for you, no problem." " I could do that." " Of course, she can." " Ethel will see you right." " I don't want to put you out." " I don't mind." " Thanks very much." "It'll cost you-- half a crown!" " Do you want another sweet?" " Ta." " What are you doing, love?" " Go back to sleep." "You're ill." "It's going to have to be quick." " ls it going to take long?" " No, dear." "I haven't told him, you see?" "He's supposed to be at work." " Yes, dear." " What's he want to come home sick for?" "Take your knickers off for me." "Can't have no more kids, see?" "I've got seven already." "I ain't having no more." " I know, dear." " lt'd kill me." "Lay the towel on the bed for me." "You sit right on the edge." " What's that?" " Just soapy water, dear-- a bit of disinfectant." " Do you want me to lie down?" " Stay where you are." " I've just got to get this inside." " All right." "All right." "You all right?" "Yes." "Oy, oy." " What?" " See them, blonde, brunette?" " Oh, tidy!" " Ain't they?" "How do you do?" "Right, 'o mugger-- bright-eyed, bushy-tailed and look lively." " We only just got here." " Oh, come on, Kenny," " let your hair down." " Enjoy the view." " Let's have a swap, eh?" " All right." "Do you reckon she likes him?" "Well, she's gone for a walk with him." "She wouldn't go, would she, if she didn't like him." "Would she?" "He should take her out dancing." " I don't think he's that type." " I can't see Reg dancing." "She'd come back black and blue, wouldn't she?" " Dad." " she'd have to give her feet a soak." "They might turn out to be a proper Fred and Ginger," "The pair of them." "You never know." " Did you have to come far?" " Not far, dear, no." "Are you sure you wouldn't like a drink?" "No, thank you." " Have you done this before, dear?" " Yes, as it happens." "Here we are..." "One bowl, one towel." " Kettle's on." " Oh." "Thank you." "Are you sure you wouldn't like a drink?" "No, dear." "What?" "You know, your hair looks really lovely." " Do you think so?" " Yes." "Oh." "Why don't you make us all a cup of tea?" "What, do you want a cup of tea as well?" "Oh." "Good luck." "All right, dear." "You're gonna have to take your knickers off." "Okey-dokey." "So, how are you?" "This is rather a surprise." " Haven't seen you for ages." " Yes-- no..." "Sugar?" "No, thank you." " Thank you for coming today." " Yeah?" "Not at all." "An excuse to get out of that dreary old bank." "Would you like a fag?" "No, thank you." "Thank you for" "Sorry." "What's the matter?" "Oh, sorry." "Have some cake." "I had a piece before you arrived." "Can't resist--it's delicious." "I wanted to talk to you." "Fire away." "Um." "You're the first person I thought of." "Really." "Crikey, Susan." "What is it?" "I have this, um... friend, who... she needs some help." "I'm sorry." "Sorry." "You've got yourself into trouble, haven't you?" "Oh, Susan." "You clot." "Who told you to phone me?" "All right." "I'll tell you what you have to do." "Oh, and when you see the psychiatrist, you have to make up a fearful fib about some potty aunt or something or other." "Here." "Have a hanky." "Thank you." "You'll be all right, you know." "Hello, George." "Oh-- hello, Peggy!" "You off work, today?" "Sit up, then" "Oh, she's all right, George." "Bless her." "This has slipped a bit." "Ivy taken bad again, has she?" "Oh, dear." "Well I'll make a fresh pot of tea." "And you'll want a biscuit, Peggy, I shouldn't wonder." " Hello, Ivy." " All right, Vera?" "Having one of your bad days?" " I'm sick of it." " Oh, dear." "I'll put the kettle on." "Didn't you sleep last night, dear?" "You don't sleep when you're like this, do you?" "Have you managed to kip at all today?" " No, I ain't." " Oh, ain't you?" "Still, you're in the best place, Ivy." "I should be at work." "You can't go to work in this state." "Somebody's got to earn the money." "If I stay off, she wants to stay off." "I'll lose me job if this goes on." "It's not your fault, dear." "Try telling that to your boss." "They don't understand nothing, men." "Bastards." "Now... is this your first pregnancy?" "Yes." "And what does the father say?" "Um... I don't want my parents to know." "No, no, no." "I mean the father of the child." "Big as you can." "Come and sit down." "Have you considered the possibility of having the child?" "I can't." "Very well." "I'll help you," "But I'm afraid we are obliged to discuss" "The delicate matter of money." "It'll come to ¡ê150.00." "How much do you have available?" "Um, just over ¡ê100.00." "I see." "Well..." "Let's say 100 guinea, shall we?" "In advance. ln cash." "Now, I shall require you to see a psychiatrist." " I know." " Do you?" "Yes." "And I'll arrange the nursing home... and the obstetrician." "Baxter." "Terribly good man." "Any questions?" "Pretty day." "Yes." " How many weeks pregnant are you?" " Seven." "And were you a virgin?" "Yes." "Miss Wells, it would be helpful lf you would give me simple and honest answers lf you can." "What does your father do?" " My father?" " Yes." "Um, he works in the Ministry of Defense." "And are your parents happily married?" "Um, I think so." "is there any history of mental illness in your family?" "Yes... an aunt of my mother's committed suicide." "Did she?" "Yes." "And your own mental state, how would you describe it at the moment?" " Um." " Anxious?" "Depressed?" "Tell me your feelings towards the father of the child." " Do you love him?" " No." " Does he love you?" " No." "Did you love him at the point of conception?" "No." "Did he force himself on you?" "Miss Wells... if you were to have the child, would you keep it or have it adopted?" "I can't have it." "I'd rather kill myself." "Well, I don't think we can allow that to happen... can we?" "Tea's brewing." " Miss Wells." " Hello." " I'm Nurse Willoughby." " How do you do?" " ls this all your luggage?" " Uh, yes." " lf you'd like to follow me." " Thank you." " Have you had far to come?" " Not really, no." " Miss Wells." " Hello." " Sister Beech." " How do you do?" "I hope you'll be comfortable." "Thank you." "There, dear." "I'll put this back under the bed for you." "Now...that didn't take too long, did it?" " What, you finished already?" " Yes, dear." "So when am I going to see you again?" "What did you say, dear?" "You have to come back, yes?" "Oh no, dear." "I've done all I've got to do." "Now you've just got to wait." "What is it I'm waiting for?" "For it to come away, dear." "But all you used was a little bit of water." "Don't you worry." "What happens if something goes wrong?" "Now what's going to happen is this... tomorrow... or Sunday, you'll have a pain down below." "Get yourself to the toilet." "You'll start bleeding, it'll all come away, you'll be right as rain." "What you need now is a nice hot cup of tea." "Take care, dear." "Ta ta." " Hello, dear." " Good morning, Mrs. Drake." " Hello, Mommy." " Good morning, dear." " How was your weekend?" " Lovely, thank you." "How was Norfolk?" "Oh, bearable." "Terribly sunny." "Extraordinary." "Have you got the money?" "I've got the ¡ê2.00." " ¡ê2.00?" " That's what she told me." "Well, she told you wrong." "It's two guineas." " Oh, I'm sorry." " Ain't no use being sorry." "Oh." "You want payment now then, do you?" "Well, I don't want payment next week, do I?" "Where is your husband, anyway?" "Korea, since you're asking." " ln the forces, is he?" " Yes." " Two guineas." " Thank you very much." "So it's not his, then?" "What's the matter?" "Cat got your tongue?" "Done this for a lot of girls then, have you?" "Mind your own bleeding' business." " I'm only asking." " And I'm only telling you." "Right." "You put your address down there." "She'll be there at 5:00." "Don't mention the money." "That's between me and you." " ls that understood?" " Yes." "Good." "Can you do one on Friday?" " At 5:00?" " Yes." "That's all right." " Married lady." " Oh, yes?" " Got herself in a bit of trouble." " How is that, then?" "Having a bit of "how's your father" on the side." " Oh, that's not right, is it, Lily?" " Well, I don't think so." "Still, gotta help them out, ain't you?" "How'd you get on with that darkie?" " Oh, I did feel sorry for her." " Long way from home?" "She was very scared." "What are they doing over here, anyways?" "Trying to make a better life for themselves, I shouldn't wonder." " They should stay where they are." " They're hard workers." " You need any sugar?" " How much you charging this week, Lily?" "¡ê1.80, to you." "All right, then." " Here you are." " Ta." "Thank you." "I'm ever so scared." "Try not to upset yourself, dear." "S- sorry..." "I've got to pull myself together." "Oh, I've got to go through with this." "Oh, I know I have to--it's just that... nobody knows-- well, my friend knows, but she doesn't know-- l mean she doesn't know it's today." "So if anything were to happen to me..." "no one would know." "You've got to get your knickers off, dear, and lie down." "Oh." "Oh, no." "No, no, no." "No, no, no." "Oh, no." "No" "I'm a terrible person!" "What's the matter?" "Nothing." "Ain't you had a nice night?" "Yes." "You?" "You ever thought about moving out?" "What do you mean?" "What do you think about getting married?" "What, to you?" "Yes." "I ain't never thought about it." " I've been thinking about it." " Have you?" "About three or four weeks." "What do you reckon?" "Do you wanna?" "Yes." "I do." "All right, then." "Better tell your mom." "Dad..." " Dad, wake up." " What's the matter?" "I've got to go in the kitchen." "Woke me up-  oh, hello, Reg." " Hello, Stan." "Good kip?" "Yes, all right." "Can I have a word, Stan?" "What's the matter?" "Can I have your permission to marry Ethel?" "Have you asked her?" "Yes." "What'd she say?" "She said yes." "Well, of course you can." " You sure?" " Congratulations!" " Thanks very much." " Vera?" "Ethel?" " You know what he's just asked me?" " I'm ever so pleased." " I'm delighted!" " Me too." " What's all this chatting about?" " These two just got engaged!" " Congratulations, mate!" " Thanks very much." "I was asleep on that chair, there." "Sorry about waking you up." "Oh, don't you worry about that." " I asked her last night." " Oh, did you?" "Well done, the both of you." "Wow, Reg, good going." " Don't look so worried." " You're sure?" "Of course, I'm sure." "I've been to the doctors and I'm sure." "About time and all." "You have to start taking things easy." "What, you gonna look after me?" " Yes." " Are you?" "We have to tell Stan and Vera." "Yes, we'll tell Stan and Vera... but we'll tell them together, properly." "We'll go around there..." " next weekend." " I'll ask him in the morning." "Can I have my washing machine now, please?" " Morning, Frank." " Morning, Stan." "Got some news for you." "What?" "Here you are." "Have a guess." "Good news, or bad news?" " Bad news." " Wrong." "Try again." "All right, good news." "Come on, then." "What is it?" "Eh?" "Spill the beans, old cock!" "My little Ethel?" "She got engaged." " What?" " Yesterday afternoon." " What, to Reg?" " I couldn't believe it." "I thought they'd be courting for years." " Congratulations." " Thank you, Frank." "You must be a very proud man." "You should've seen Vera's face." "It was a bolt from the blue." "So, on Sunday... you and Joycie got to come over for your tea." "We'll get some beers in-- some sherry for the girls." "We'll toast the happy couple and Reg can meet the family." " On Sunday." " About 4:00." " You tell Joycie?" " I'll tell her." "Can you feel that, dear?" "Starting to fill up?" "Yes." " Does that feel peculiar, Pam?" " Yes, Mom." "That's how it's meant to feel, ain't it?" " Peculiar?" " Yes." " You've done this before, ain't you?" " Yes, dear." " So, it's safe." " lt's safe, isn't it?" " Yes, darling." " And when it's full, that's when we'll stop." "I know your face from somewhere." " Who, me?" " Yes." " Do you?" " I can't think where, though." "You all right?" "Of course." "Sunlight laundry." " Oh, dear." " lt's Vera, ain't it?" " That's right." " Vera Drake." "I knew your mother before the war." " Did you?" " Was you doing this back then?" "That feel full, dear?" "Yes." "All right." "Just dry yourself off." "Get that down you, come on." "Cold." "Cold." "Cool you down." "Cool you down." " Cheers." " Cheers." "Hello again, Pamela." "How are you feeling?" "Poorly, hmm?" "Now, I need to take another look at your tummy." "Don't worry, I'll be as gentle as I can." "Pamela, we just need you to straighten your legs." "Good girl." "Right onto the bed." "I promise you, I have very warm hands." "Bring your bottom up." "Good girl." "That's it." "Now, I'm going to press gently" "And I want you to tell me what happens when I let go." "Good girl, well done." " We'll do an internal, Sister." " All right, doctor." "Now then, Mrs. Barnes, I, uh..." "I don't have very good news, I'm afraid." " Why, why, what's happening?" " I'm going to have to operate." " Pamela is a very sick girl." " She ain't gonna die, is she?" "We sincerely hope not, Mrs. Barnes," "But this is a grave situation, as I'm sure you'll understand." "Now then... when Pamela was admitted this evening, you stated that she was having a miscarriage." "Yes." "But that isn't the whole truth, is it?" "Mrs. Barnes... did you do something to Pamela to try" " to bring about a termination?" " No, I didn't!" "Well, somebody did." "You know that and I know that." "Mrs. Barnes, I've been a doctor for over 25 years." "Sister and I see cases like this every weekend," " don't we, Sister?" " Yes, we do." "All right... someone come to the house." "And what did they do?" "She grated pink soap into a bowl of warm water and she had a bottle of stuff and she put" " And she used a syringe." " Yes." "And no doubt, she'll use her syringe again." "And again and again and again, and Sister and I will have to deal with dozens of cases just like Pamela's." "Mrs. Barnes, these people must be stopped." "You're going to have to inform the police." "I ain't talking to them." "Sister Coombes." "Righty-oh." "They're ready for you in theater, Mr. Walsh." "Thank you, Sister." "Mrs. Barnes, if you don't inform the police, I'm going to have to." "Unfortunately, it's my legal obligation to do so." "Excuse me." " Excuse me, nurse." " Yes, sir?" "We're police officers." "We're looking for Sister Coombes." "Oh yes, sir, just follow me." "Sister, it's police." "Good evening, sister." "I'm Detective Inspector Webster," " this is D.S. Vickers" " Good evening." "Oh, good evening." "We was sitting by the side of the road, there was bodies everywhere--stink, petrol..." "I'd had enough." "I couldn't do nothing." "Couldn't run away, couldn't cry, couldn't feel nothing-- l just sat there." "And all of a sudden, there was this old girl... staggering past us, muttering in French." "Guess what she was carrying under her arm?" " What?" " A pair of old mirrors." "You ain't told me that before." "We've got a lot to be thankful for." " Yes, we have." " I have." "For one thing, you ain't turned out nothing like your mother." "She can't help it." "Did you ever ask her who your dad was in the end?" "No." "If I'd have been 11 and not 12 when Mom died," "I'd have had to go in an orphanage, like Frank." "I know." "You went straight out to work." "I had to fend for meself, didn't I?" " Still. it did you no harm." " Ah, well." " Look at everything you got now." " Yes." "I'm a lucky man." "You telephoned for an ambulance this afternoon," " is that right?" " Yes." "Now, why did you do that?" "She was having a miscarriage, weren't she?" " A miscarriage." " Yes." "Mr. Walsh has told us that somebody came round to your house to perform an operation on your daughter." "Well, there you are, Mr. Walsh just told you." "Doctors know everything." "why don't you ask him?" "I want to hear it from you, Mrs. Barnes." "He's the one what phoned you." "I never phoned you." "It ain't got nothing to do with me." "Keep your voice down, Mrs. Barnes." "Who was it that performed this operation?" "A woman." " Do you know her name?" " No." "How did you get in touch with this woman?" "I don't know." "You just ask about." " Who did you ask?" " People at work." "Where do you work, Mrs. Barnes?" "Allied Laundries--Clerkenwell Road." " Who did you talk to at work?" " What does it matter now?" "Your daughter's just nearly died, Mrs. Barnes." "It would be in your best interests." "You do realize this is a criminal matter." "All right." " Vera." " Vera?" " Vera Drake." " That's who you talked to at work?" "No, sir, she's the one what come round." "She's the one what done it." "Vera Drake is the person that performed the operation on your daughter?" " Yes." " So you do know her name." "Yes." "Had you met her before?" "We both worked in a laundry in 1931." " Have you seen her since then?" " No." " Do you know where she lives?" " No." "What does she look like, Mrs. Barnes?" "Um, small-- small hands." "I ain't going to get" " in to trouble for this, am I?" " lt's a bit of a coincidence, isn't it?" "Somebody you haven't seen for years just suddenly turns up on your doorstep." "Well, I ain't lying!" "You're twisting my words." "That's not fair!" " lt's all right, dear." "I'm not suggesting you are lying, Mrs. Barnes." "I'm just trying to get to the bottom of things." " There you are, Sid." "Grab here." " Coming in." "That's better." "Where we always have it." " Gives us more room, don't it?" " Oh, yes." "Got the Christmas cloth." "We want it to look nice, don't we, Mom?" " Yes?" " Good afternoon." "Are you Mrs. Lillian Clark?" " Why, who wants to know?" " D.l. Webster, metropolitan police." "There we are!" " Hello!" "Hello, Joyce!" " All right, Stan?" " Just catching my breath." " Hello, Joyce!" "Oh, doesn't she look lovely?" " All right, my darling." " Hello, dear." " Hello, Auntie Joyce." "How are you?" " Hello, Sidney." " Look at the inside of this!" " How are you doing, Uncle Frank?" " All right, Sid." " Ain't seen you for ages." "You look like a film star." "Congratulations, Ethel, it's lovely news." " Do you like it?" " Yes, I do!" " I sewed the lining in myself." " Did you?" " lt's leopard print." " Leopard print." "Come on, you make yourself comfortable" "Blimey, look at that, eh?" "Here, I hope you left your rifle at home, Auntie Joyce!" "Do you know Mrs. Edna McKenzie?" "What if I do?" "Just give us a straight answer, please." "I might." "Are you familiar with the standard tearooms" " on the Holloway Road, Mrs. Clark?" " Yes." " Were you there last Wednesday?" " I can't remember." "You're really not helping yourself, Mrs. Clark." "What's this all about, anyway?" "Do you know Vera Drake?" "Quite a grocery shop you've got here, love." "It's for the old people-- for Christmas." "How much you charging for a bag of tea?" "Did you take two guineas off Jessica Barnes last Wednesday?" "I don't know what you're talking about." "I think you do, Mrs. Clark." "Nice living you're making for yourself." "Have you got a little bit of lipstick on, Ethel?" "Don't she look lovely in that top and all?" "Did you knit that yourself?" "No, we got that from the market, didn't we?" "How's the house coming along, Uncle Frank?" "I've been keeping Frank busy, ain't I, Frank?" "Been up a ladder the best part of six months." " The neighbors have just got a tv." " Have they?" " ln the front room." " Have you seen it?" " Only through the window." " You'll have to get one now, Frank." " That's next on my list." " Dear though, ain't they?" " Only ¡ê36.00. - ¡ê36.00." " A bit steep, that." " They must have a few bob." "Oh yes." "Got lovely color and all, ain't they, Frank?" " V-8 pilot." " He's doing rather shifty at the job." "I was hoping for a little spin round the block." "You can see it out the window." "Oh, that ain't the same thing, is it?" "Will it be all right out there, Frank?" " I've already told you." " lt'll be fine." "Of course it will." "Well, you can't be sure, can you?" "There he is!" "Let him in, Ethel." "Talk of the devil-- the man himself." " Hello." "Come on in." " That you, Reg?" "Yeah, Reg, in you come." " Here he is." " Afternoon." "Hi, hi." "How's your luck, pal?" "Reg, this is my brother Frank." " Pleased to meet you, Reg." " How do you do?" " Congratulations." " And his wife Joyce." " Hello, Reg." " How do you do?" "Here, take your coat off." "We can eat now." "I'm starving." "Didn't hold everybody up, did I?" "Oh, don't be so silly." "Go on, sit yourselves down." " Where do you want me to sit?" " Looks smart, don't he?" " Yeah, he does." " You sit there, Reg." " Here, Uncle Frank." "You're next to me." " Well, don't make trouble." " Now come on, everyone." "Tuck in." " Fill your boats." "Ethel, thank you." " This is nice." " Aw." "Ayup." "Ayup." "Here's to Ethel and Reg." "Welcome to the family, Reg." "And all the very best to the both of you." "Cheers." " Cheers." " To the happy couple." " Here's to you." " Ta very much." "And if you're half as happy with your wife as I've been with mine, you'll be a lucky man." " Quite right." " lt's the truth." "Well, there's no turning back now, Reg." "You'll be coming to us for your Christmas dinner, won't you, Reg?" "Yeah, you don't want to miss Christmas here." "Well, Frank and Joyce, you'll be here, won't you?" " Of course we will." " We ain't made no plans yet." " Wouldn't be the same without you." " We'll be here, don't worry." " We have a laugh, don't we?" " Yes, we do." "And you want to get your name on the housing list, Reg." "Yes, you want to get yourself somewhere nice." "We'll be all right at my place." "Mind you, we was in one room after we got married, weren't we, Dad?" "We was in one room for years, yeah." " Yeah, had some good times in there." " Christmases." "But one of these days you might find that... one room ain't enough." "I'm being a bit previous." " He knows what I mean." " Take no notice." "Yeah, I'll be an uncle." "We've-- we got a bit of news to tell you ourselves, me and Joyce." " Yes." " Oh, yes?" "What is it?" "I've had to keep me trap shut all week." " Oh, dear." " Come on, Frank." "Spit it out." " Well?" " Well, go on then." "Joyce is going to have a baby." "Gonna have a family." "Congratulations, Frank." "I'm really pleased for you." "Congratulations, Uncle Frank." " Congratulations, Auntie Joyce." " Thank you, Sidney." "Well, blimey, this is a double celebration, isn't it?" "Here, Joyce." "You'll have a little top-off wouldn't you?" "Hey, you kept that one quiet, didn't you?" "I'll go." "Hey, Sid--pour the drinks." "Here, pass 'em over." "Good afternoon, sir." " D.l. Webster, metropolitan police." " Oh, yes?" "Does Mrs. Vera Drake live here, sir?" "Yes, she does." "Yes." "Would you be Mr. Drake, sir?" "Yes." " ls Mrs. Drake at home now?" " Yes." "We'd like to have a few words with her... if we may." "Oh, well, we're having a party." "My daughter's just got engaged--celebration." "I'm sorry about that, sir, but we do need to talk to your wife." " What about?" " I can't tell you that, sir." "But it is a serious matter." "Well she's good as gold." "She's never done" " a dishonest thing in her life." " Yes, sir." "May we come in?" "Hold up, hold up. lt's the police." "Eh?" "Good afternoon." "Sorry to interrupt your celebrations, but we need to talk to Mrs. Vera Drake." "This is my wife." " What's going on?" " Could you sit down please, sir?" "Do as you're told, Sid." "May I speak to you in private please, Mrs. Drake?" "This way, Mrs. Drake." "What is it, Dad?" "Hold on, Sid." "I'll come with her." "If you don't mind staying in the parlor please, sir." " What's all this about?" " We will keep you posted." "I'm her husband, I've got a right to know." "I appreciate that, sir." "If you'll just do as I've asked." "Close the door." "Thank you." "Mrs. Drake." "I'm Detective Inspector Webster." "This is Detective Sergeant Vickers and W.P.C. Best." "I know why you're here." "Beg your pardon?" "I know why you're here." "Why are we here?" "'Cause of what I do." "Because of what you do." "Yes." "What is it that you do, Mrs. Drake?" "I help young girls out." "You help young girls out?" "That's right." "How do you help them out?" "We're having a party today." "Can I sit down, please?" "Yes, of course." "I don't want to spoil it for my family." "Can't you come back tomorrow?" "I'm sorry, Mrs. Drake." "But we have to deal with this matter today." "Oh, do you?" "Yes." "What are they taking so long for?" "I don't know, Sid." "Someone might've been murdered." " Oh, my godfathers, Sidney!" " All right, Sid." "No, in one of the houses she cleans in." "I mean he said it was serious, didn't he?" "Someone's pinched something, that's all." "But there were a couple of detectives." "Plainclothes, aren't they?" "Can you answer my question, please?" "How do you help them out?" "When they can't manage." "When they can't manage?" "That's right." "You mean, when they're pregnant?" "So, how do you help them out?" "I help them start their bleeding again." "You help them to get rid of the baby?" "I've spoiled their day for them now, haven't I?" "You perform an abortion." "is that right, Mrs. Drake?" "You perform abortions, don't you?" "That's not what I do, dear." "That's what you call it, but they need help." "Who else are they gonna turn to?" "They've got no one." "I help them out." "Did you help Pamela Barnes in this way?" "Pamela-- yes, I did." " On Friday?" " That's right." "is she all right?" "She nearly died, Mrs. Drake... last night." "She'll live." " Thank you." " She's in a hospital, but she'll live." "Mrs. Drake, I'm arresting you for carrying out an illegal operation on Pamela Mary Barnes, of 37 Flixton Street, London, N1... on the 17th of November, 1950." "You're not obliged to say anything, but anything you say may be given in evidence." "Do you understand?" "I think so, dear-- yes." "I must ask you to accompany me to the police station." "Mrs. Drake... does anybody in that room know why we're here?" "No." "No." "You won't tell them, will you?" "No." "Now, the equipment you used to perform these operations... is it here on the premises?" "Can you get it for me, please?" " Can you manage?" " Thank you, dear." "Pop it on the bed for me, please." "Would you mind showing me what's inside?" "Sorry, dear?" "I need to see the contents of the bag." "Take your time." "Can you open it up, please?" "Thank you." " Go on." " Ask him, Dad." "It's your house, Stan." "Could you stay in the room, please?" " I want to know what this is about." " I don't know, sir." "Mr. Drake." "Could I have a word with you, please?" "What's going on?" "I'm afraid I'm going to have to take your wife to the police station" " to help us with our inquiries." " Well, I wanna go with her." "You're free to do that, sir." " You'll have to make your own way." " Will I?" "She's got to go to the station." " This is a mistake, ain't it?" " Yes, it is." " How we doing?" " Ready, Sarge." "Follow the sergeant." "You'll be all right, Vera." " You know where the station is, sir?" " Yes, I do." " I'll just get my coat." " I'll take you." " You stay in." " I've got the motor." " Be better if you stayed" " Go with her, Dad." " What are you doing?" " Having a look." " Sid." " Frank!" "Ethel, come back inside." "You'll catch your death." "Mom!" "Don't worry, love." "I'm coming with you." "Let us see, Vera, this is just procedure." "It's nothing to worry about." "We'll look after everything we've taken from you here today." "Just have to put them on for me." "Sit yourself down." "Thank you." "Now, Vera, do you have any jewelry?" "No, dear." "Your wedding ring." "I'm going to have to take that off you, I'm afraid." "I can't." "I know this is difficult for you." "I never took it off." "I know." "... 27 years." "We'll take extra special care of it." "It's regulations." "Thank you, m'love." "I'll just hand this over to the station sergeant." "Do you know how long this is going to take?" "I have no more information than you, sir." "Take a seat, please." "Excuse me." " Excuse me." " Sit down, sir." "Don't get up, Mrs. Drake." "Now, Mrs. Drake... you help women who are in trouble." "How long have you been doing this?" "I don't know, dear." "Well... roughly speaking." "Five, 10 years?" "A long time." "20 years?" "Maybe, yes." "About 20 years." "No-- l don't know." "Mrs. Drake, you're in a police station under arrest for a serious criminal offense," " do you understand me?" " Yes, I'm sorry." "It's very important that you try to answer my questions truthfully." "Yes." "is my-- is my husband in yet?" "Yes, Mrs. Drake." "He is." "How did you start... helping girls in this way?" "I can't." "Don't worry, Vera." "Just answer the inspector's question." "Mrs. Drake... did it happen to you, when you were a girl?" "Now... as far as you're aware... have any of the other girls you've helped over the years become ill?" "What did you say, dear?" "Sorry." "Have any of them gone to the hospital?" "No." "Are you sure?" "Yes." "Do you always use the syringe?" "You don't ever use knitting needles or hooks..." " No." " or any other metal objects?" "No, no. I wouldn't do that." "How much do you charge, Mrs. Drake?" "What?" "How much do they pay you?" "I don't take money." "I never take money. I wouldn't" "That's not why" "You do it for nothing." "Of course I do." "They need help." "Do you know a Mrs. Lillian Clark?" "Yes." "How long have you known her?" "I think it's when we was kids." "She puts young girls in touch with you, doesn't she?" "Sometimes." "Did she put you in touch with Pamela Barnes." "Did you know that Lillian Clark was paid two guineas by Pamela's mother?" "No." "She never gives you any money." "No." " You telling me the truth?" " Yes, I am." "Can I go home now, please?" "No, Mrs. Drake." "I'm afraid not." "My children will be worried sick." "They won't be long now." "Well, we can't stay here all night, can we?" "It would be all right, if you want to get off." "We don't mind." "He told us to stay, so stay is what we'll do." "I don't like driving in the dark." "It's already dark anyway." "Well can we have the wireless on, please?" "So now, Mrs. Drake." "I'm going to invite you under caution" "To make a statement in your own words which I shall write down and then read back to you." "If you agree it to be a true statement, you shall then sign it. ls that clear?" "Yes." "So if I can begin by asking you how long you've been helping girls out?" "A long time." "Can you be specific?" "Exactly how long?" "Um." "You previously stated to the inspector," ""about 20 years."" "Oh, did I?" "So if I put..." ""l have been... helping girls out... for 20 years."" " For about 20 years." " Yes, sir." "What's wrong with climbing a wall?" "Well, it depends what's on the other side of it, sir." "You are charged that you, Vera Rose Drake, on the 17th day of November, 1950, at 37 Flixton Street, North 1, with the intent to procure a miscarriage, did unlawfully and feloniously use an instrument" "on Pamela Mary Barnes, contrary to section 58 of the Offenses Against the Person Act, 1861." "Do you wish to say anything in answer to the charge?" "You are not obliged to say anything unless you wish to do so," "But whatever you say will be taken down in writing and may be given in evidence." "No." "Thank you, sergeant." "Very good, sir." "This way, Vera." "Mr. Drake" "What's going on?" "What's all this about?" "Look, I'll tell you what, could you bear with me for a minute?" "Have a seat." "Sir." "Mrs. Drake, I've just been talking to your husband." "He doesn't know why you're here, does he?" "No." "He's going to find out, you know?" "Why don't you tell him yourself?" "I can bring him through, now." "I think it's for the best, don't you?" "Yes, dear." "Myself and the W.P.C. will have to be present, do you understand?" " When you're finished." " Sir." "That's it, Vera." "I'm sorry." "What do you got to be sorry about?" "What is it, love?" "Look at the state of her, she don't deserve this." "You're going to have to tell him, Mrs. Drake." " l" " What?" "Your wife has been charged..." "I'm afraid she's going to have to spend the night here in the police station." "We will take good care of her, sir." "She'll be appearing before the magistrate in the morning." "If you'd like to come with me, sir." "Don't tell Ethel and Sid." "Promise me." " Where's Vera?" " Where's Mom?" "Dad?" "They're going to keep her in there overnight." "What for?" "Dad, what's going on?" "Let your dad take his coat off." "Let me have a word with your Uncle Frank. lt'll just be five minutes." " Why can't you tell" " Five minutes." " She's in serious trouble, Frank." " Why, what's happened?" "What am I gonna do?" "What is it?" " Tell me." " I can't." "She's been helping young girls out." "How do you mean?" "What find themselves in the family way." "You mean-- l don't believe it." "She told me herself in front of the cops." "She asked me not to tell the kids." "What shall I do?" " You got to tell them the truth." " I know." "What's gonna happen to her?" "She's got to go to court in the morning." "Copper gave me the name of a solicitor." " Gonna go around there first thing." " I'll come with you." " Yeah?" " 'Course, I will." "Thanks." "Joyce, get your coat." "Thank God for that." "Excuse me." "I'll see you tomorrow." "Ethel, where's my hat, please?" "It might be better if you just get off home, Reg." "Yeah, 'course." " Nice to meet you, Reg." " Nice to meet you." " Cheerio, then." " Cheerio." "Night." "You still got your hat and coat on, Dad." " Pop round tomorrow." " After work." "All right." " Thanks for the do, Stan." " You're welcome." " Look after yourself, Reg." " And you, mate." "Here." "Tea?" "How 'bout a sandwich?" " No, thank you." " Are you sure?" "Well, good night then, Vera." "Thanks, Arthur." "I don't believe it." "How could she do that?" "She was trying to help people out, Sid." "She wasn't, though." "Well, whatever she done, she's done it out of the kindness of her heart." " She's let us down" " No." "Mrs. Drake." " Yes?" " My name is Mr. Lewis." "I'm your solicitor." "Stanley came to me this morning to ask me to represent you." " Oh." " He's waiting outside with Frank." "is Frank here?" "Yes, they're taking care of each other." "Now, I have a number of questions I need to ask you, but I would imagine" "That you have a thousand and one questions that you'd like to ask me." "So why don't you go first." "Hmm?" "This is case number five on the list, Your Worship." "Vera Rose Drake." "Good morning, Your Worship." "It is my privilege to appear for Mrs. Drake this morning." "It is my intention to make an application for bail, subject to Your Worship's views in this matter." "I understand from the inspector, the police will raise no objections to this application." "Thank you, Mr. Lewis." "Are you Vera Rose Drake?" "Yes." "What is your address?" " 82" " Would you speak up?" "82, Essex Buildings..." "Oslow Street," "North 1." "You are charged for that you, on the 17th day of November, 1950 at 37 Flixton Street, North 1 did unlawfully and feloniously use an instrument on Pamela Mary Barnes, contrary to section 58 of the Offenses Against the Person Act, 1861." "Sit down, Mrs. Drake." "Inspector." "Detective Inspector Earnest Webster," "G-division, metropolitan police." "I swear by almighty God that the evidence I shall give shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth." "As a result of a telephone call from Ward Sister Coombes," "Detective Sergeant Vickers, W.P.C. Best and myself went to the North London General Hospital" ""l know why you are here." "I help young girls who are in trouble." "I help them to start their bleeding."" "I said, "You mean you perform abortions?"" "She said, "That's not what I call it." "I just help them."" "She admitted performing an illegal operation on Pamela Barnes and on hearing of the girl's critical condition, became distressed." "I arrested and cautioned her and at my request she produced the equipment used in the operation, which included a Higginson's syringe and a cheese grater." "Mrs. Drake accompanied us to the police station, where she made a voluntary statement under caution." "Mrs. Drake was cooperative throughout and is not previously known to the police." "We will not be opposing bail for this defendant." "Mr. Lewis." "Thank you, sir." "My application for bail ls based on the grounds... that Mrs. Drake is gainfully employed as a domestic in several households." "Um, she has a permanent residence and is married with two children, in addition to which, there is an aged mother, all of whom rely upon her for domestic duties." "I understand that she has cooperated fully throughout the police investigations and-- and has not received, nor sought to receive any remuneration for performing this operation." "She has no previous convictions." "Um, however, she is unable to provide a surety." "Yes, I shall grant bail." "Much obliged, Your Worship." "Stand up, Mrs. Drake." "I shall admit you to bail in your own recognizances in the sum of ¡ê50.00 to appear in this court three weeks from today... on December the 18th, sir." "That is at 10:00 A.M." "on the 18th of December." "Thank you, inspector." "I don't think I can go to prison, Stan." "I'd better be getting off." "Gonna do a bit of work?" "I think I should." "Let's get your coat off." "Sid?" "Hello, Sid." "I didn't think you'd be here." "Come here and sit down, Sid." "I'm going to go up to me room." "I've known her since I was six." "She's been like a mom-- she was me mom." "The two of them..." " paid for me apprenticeship." " Yes, I know all that, Frank." "All their savings..." "When I left on me own, I spent all me time round there." "She taught me how to waltz in the front room." "She always made us laugh." "Stupid cow." "How can she be so selfish?" "So now you both know what we know." "I wish I didn't know any of it, Dad." "Well, we all wish that, Sid." "I'm ever so sorry." "How could you do those things, Mom?" "I don't understand it." "I don't expect you do, Sid." "Why'd you do it?" "I had to." "It's wrong though, ain't it?" "Eh?" " I don't think so." " of course it is!" "That's little babies." "I mean, you hear about these things, you read about it in the papers, but you don't expect to come home to it on your own doorstep with your own mom!" " You ain't got no right!" " That's enough, Sid." "Of what?" "So what are we supposed to do then, eh?" "Sit round, playing happy family, pretending like nothing's happened?" " I said that's enough!" " You lied to us." " No, she never" " She did." " She never told us, but she never lied." " Same thing!" "No it ain't!" "It's dirty." " All right?" " Come on in." "It don't seem fair." "Look at my own mom." "Six of us in two rooms." "It's all right if you're rich." "But if you can't feed 'em, you can't love 'em, can you?" " Poor Sid." " I know." "Everything's black and white for Sid." "He's young." "I can't blame him." "He'll come round." " I don't know, Stan." " Here, come here." "I don't think I can tell mother." "She don't need to know." "It's all right." "It's all gonna come out, Sid." "Everyone will know." "Some people won't be able to look us in the eye-  cross the road to avoid us." " Can you blame 'em?" "You wanna be one of them people?" "Can't look your own mother in the eye?" "Eh?" "You know when you went off into war," "You turned round to me, you said, "Sid, you're the man of the house now, you've got to look after things." And I did." "I was only 13" "Me and Mom, we pulled together-- and Ethel..." " she must've been doing it then." " I know." "So how many has she done over the years then, eh?" "Dozens?" "Hundreds?" "And all right, fair enough-- she's kept it from me and Ethel, but she didn't even tell you." "If she'd told me, I'd have put a stop to it, wouldn't I?" "I don't get it, ain't you angry?" "Of course I'm bloody angry, you silly bugger." " You're asking me to forgive her." " Yes." "You can forgive her, Sid." "She's your mother." "She'd forgive you anything, wouldn't she?" "I know you think she's done a bad thing... but God knows, she's going to get punished enough for what she's done." "We can't let her down." "I don't know what to say to you, Mom." "You don't have to say nothing, Sid." "I'm scared for you, that's all." "You'll have to look after your dad." "'Course. 'Course I will." "I love you, Mom." "Stand up." "Vera Rose Drake." "I commit you for trial at the central criminal court of the next session commencing... the 10th of January, 1951." "I shall admit you to bail in your own recognizances in the sum of ¡ê50.00, and I shall grant a defense certificate." "Much obliged, Your Worship." "I don't want to see that woman, Frank." "I can't be near her." " lt's Christmas." " I won't sit round the dinner table" "With her, eating food." " I'm sorry, I can't help it." " He's me brother." " What am I supposed to say to him?" " I don't know." "We ain't never going to have a Christmas by ourselves!" "Just you and me." "All right, I'll go." "For you." "I ain't staying though." "We'll have a quick drink and then we'll leave." "All right?" "Now I have received a reply from three of Mrs. Drake's four employers." "Mrs. Wells has not even had the decency to respond to my second letter, I'm afraid to say... and whilst they all speak very highly of Mrs. Drake," "I'm afraid that none of them, under the circumstances, feel able to appear as a character witness on your behalf." "Uh, Miss-- uh, Miss Kitchener uh, does, however, send her blessing." "On a more positive note, I have secured the services of Mr. Hampton Ward, who is an excellent barrister, and will present our case in the best possible light." "Now, the judge may see fit to give us the minimum sentence, which could be as little as 18 months." "I'm afraid I'm unable to offer you any more hope than that." "I'm sorry." "You been feeling all right, Joyce?" "Yes, thank you." "You gonna have one of your chocolates?" "Oh, yes." "I'll have one of these." "Frank?" "No." "Ethel?" "No, you're all right, mate." "This is the best Christmas I've had in a long time." "Thank you very much, Vera." "Smashing." "is your name, Vera Rose Drake?" "Yes." "Prisoner at the bar, you are charged with using an instrument with intent to procure miscarriage, contrary to section 58 of the Offenses Against the Person Act, 1861." "The particulars of the offense, are that on the 17th day of November, 1950, in the county of London, you did unlawfully use an instrument with intent to procure the miscarriage of a woman named Pamela Mary Barnes." "How say you?" "Are you guilty, or not guilty?" "I'm guilty." "Could you please speak up, Mrs. Drake, that the court might hear you?" " I'm guilty." " Thank you." "Please be seated." "...and cautioned her." "on being asked to surrender the equipment used for the abortion, the defendant produced nine objects from the top of a cupboard in the bedroom." "My Lord, they were: a Higginson's syringe-- that is exhibit EW-1." "A cheese grater--exhibit EW-2." "A nail brush-- exhibit EW-3." "A bottle of disinfectant-- exhibit EW-4, wrapped in a towel--exhibit EW-5." "A piece of carbolic soap wrapped in a dishcloth-- they are exhibits EW-6 and EW-7." "Those last two objects were both enclosed in a tin." "Which is exhibit EW-8." "All the aforementioned items were kept in a cloth bag, which as Your Lordship can see is exhibit EW-9." "Vera Drake is not concerned with riches." "She simply helps people as and when she's asked." "She's always helped people." "Her solicitude for others has led her to commit one of the most serious offenses in the calendar, but her intention... was to help the young girl and not to harm her." "I may assure Your Lordship" "That Vera Drake is more relieved than anyone about the recovery of Pamela Barnes." "I submit that Your Lordship would have little doubt that this... unfortunate woman is now ever likely to reoffend... and that is the case for the defense, my Lord." "Thank you, Mr. Hampton Ward." "Prisoner at the bar, please rise." "Prisoner at the bar, you stand convicted of felony." "Have you anything to say why the court should not give you judgment according to law?" "No." "Please remain standing." "Vera Rose Drake, you have committeda crime, the gravity of which cannot be overestimated." "The law is very clear and you have willfully broken that law." "And furthermore, in so doing, you have put at risk the life of a vulnerable young woman." "And but for the timely intervention of the medical profession... you might have been before me on an even more serious charge" "than the one that has brought you here today." "Now... I have heard your plea of guilty, and I have taken that into account... and I have listened very carefully to the submissions of your council." "But nothing has been advanced me today on your behalf which would persuade me to take any course other than to impose a custodial sentence." "Indeed... the extreme seriousness of your crime is bound to be reflected in the sentence that I am about to pass." "And that must serve as a deterrent to others." "I therefore sentence you to a term of imprisonment, which will be two years and six months." "Take her down." "All rise." "She won't be able to come round and see you." "Not for awhile." "Why not?" "Ethel will come over." " She ain't dead, is she?" " No." "No, she ain't dead." "How long did you say you got?" "Two years and six months." "First offense?" "Oh, yes." " Did she die?" " No, dear." "I don't know what I'd have done if she had." "My girl died." " Did she?" " So did mine." "Oh, dear." "What'd you use?" " A syringe." " There you are." "Hundreds of times--safe as houses." "Yes, I don't know what happened." "We just do our best, love." " How long you in here for then?" " Three years." " Four." " Second time for us." "Oh." "Cheer up." "You'll only do half." "You'll be out before you know it." "Yes." "See you later, then." "Mind where you're going, Drake."