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Episode |
Eleven |
Frank: Hello Martin, don’t often see you inside during the day.
Martin: Well, I don’t have much time to be wandering through here. A garden’s never finished, as I tell Shirley. But I like to poke around occasionally, see how things are coming along. John’s cleaning up outside, so I have a few extra minutes.
Frank: There has been some grumbling, but the house really is looking better. I think they like that it’s being taken care of again.
Martin: You know Frank, you really should spend more time outside. In here, listening to all your voices, it’s not good for a man.
Frank: But you’ve been here all your life Martin. You know the memories and people in the house are still here.
Martin: Oh there’s memories all right, but I spend my days in the sunlight. It don’t do to dwell on the past. There’s always another season in the garden.
Frank: And each season as it passes leaves a trace in the ground to enrich the next.
Martin: Well that’s true. All we are in the end is fertiliser for the next generation. Not such a bad ending in my book.
Frank: No indeed.
* * *
Shirley: Oh, it’s you. Wondered what was crawling around in here.
Chester: I was merely trying to ascertain if there had been any damage to the floorboards.
Shirley: Oh, so you’ve a reason this time for crawling around the house. I suppose you’re aware that Simon’s off on some ice cruise. Did the film crew harm the floors then?
Chester: No, it wasn’t the crew, and yes, I was aware that Simon’s away. You’ve no doubt heard about the discovery in the church of the dreaded death watch beetle. I though I should come here and check for similar infestations.
Shirley: Well, you can look as long as you fancy, but we don’t have infestations here! I keep this house clean, I do. You come in here suggesting I let bugs in the house! I’ve looked after this place for almost sixty years.
Chester: I assure you this was not a comment on your housekeeping. The Xestobium is a voracious creature, and doesn’t let a duster or a mop stand in his way, no matter how skillfully wielded. He and his mates could be anywhere, and unless you heard them, you’d never know. Perhaps I should check in the basement. If you see Ann, please tell her where to find for me.
* * *
Ann: Oh Emma, you scared me. Really, it seems so quiet around here with Simon gone.
Emma: To say nothing of an entire film crew.
Ann: I can’t say I miss them. It was fun, in its way, but it’s great to have the house back again.
Emma: Any word from the frozen North?
Ann: Yes, I had another message. Even in the deepest Arctic he’s having a good time. While we’re in chaos here he’s watching walruses – or is it walri? - frolic in the sea.
Emma: Do you mind him being gone?
Ann: I thought that it would be good timing—that I could collect my thoughts and get organised--but it hasn’t quite worked like that. You’ve heard about the beetles in the church?
Emma: No. Why should I? I don’t live at the vicarage any more, you know.
Ann: You don’t need to be so sensitive. I just meant it seemed to be general knowledge.
Emma: I'm sorry. It’s just life is getting a bit complicated and everybody assumes things.
Ann: Nigel thinks they may have to close the church for more repairs. After all they’ve already done. He’s pretty upset. Anyway, we’ll just have to wait and see…I have noticed you’ve been around here a lot more since the filming ended.
Emma: Frank was so upset and well…
Ann: Is John talking to you yet?
Emma: No, and neither is Shirley. Is that her now?
Ann: Shirley? Shirley, what’s the matter?