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Episode |
Twelve |
Nigel Morcombe: Just wanted you to know how terribly sorry Honoria and I were to hear the news. Shame really, isn’t it.
Honoria Morcombe: And just so sudden! Well, it must be very hard for all of you, especially Mrs. Johnson. They were together for so long.
Simon: Yes, they were. Can’t imagine it myself. I mean, I hope Ann and I are together that long and everything, but it seems like a very long time.
Honoria: And they still don’t know what caused it?
Simon: No. He’d be in and out of hospital in the spring, but seemed to be feeling better. Then he just went. Just like that. The doctor asked about an autopsy, but Shirley refused it. Said it didn’t matter any more.
Nigel: I suppose she’s right. Sad days.
Simon: I guess it was just old age.
Honoria: People say that, but old age isn’t actually a disease. It seems to be an excuse for not finding one these days.
Simon: Well, we don’t live forever. Still, it’s quite sad. I’ll miss him.
Honoria: Yes, very sad indeed.
Nigel: Well, we’d best be shoving off. I suppose you’ll miss the match Saturday. We’re against Wooden Forest.
Simon: I think I will give it a miss. But good luck.
Nigel: We’ll need it. They’ve got a great spin bowler you know. As a matter of fact, Bert Walsham was saying to me just the other day, when was it, Thursday maybe, that their bowler…
Honoria: Nigel dear, I think we’d best be on our way.
Nigel: Oh, of course. Sorry. Well, give our condolences to Shirley. And Ann. How is she?
Simon: She’s coping.
Nigel: She’ll be fine. After all, she’s got a wedding to plan. You know how women get.
Honoria: Nigel! Good bye Simon.
Simon: Good bye.
Emma: Frank, what are you doing sitting here in the dark?
Frank: Just thinking. Couldn’t be bothered really to turn on a light, that’s all.
Emma: Not listening, are you?
Frank: No, I don’t know what’s happening in the house these days. They’ve all gone quiet.
Emma: Well, maybe they’re sad too.
Frank: How’s John tonight?
Emma: He’s all right. Going through some of his granddad’s things. Shirley asked him to do a bit of clearing while she was away. She doesn’t want him to throw anything out, just pack it up so she doesn’t have to look at it all when she gets back.
Frank: Did she say how long she’d be gone?
Emma: I don’t think she knows. It will be hard for her to come back here. Maybe she’ll decide against it.
Frank: No, she’ll come back. Her life is here, with this house.
Emma: Hmmm. It was a nice ceremony.
Frank: Shame it couldn’t be at the church, but yes, it was nice.
Emma: His sister was nice. A bit of a surprise, to be honest. I mean, after spending so much time with John, I felt like I should have known he had an aunt.
Frank: I’ve known Martin for years and he never mentioned her. I guess they didn’t see much of each other. Him leaving home so young and all.
Emma: Imagine being sent away when you were ten years old to learn a job! Things were different then. That’s a silly thing to say, coming from a historian, but you know I never really thought about how it would affect people. I mean real people, like Martin.
Frank: He must have been quite a lonely man before he met Shirley.
Emma: And maybe after.
Frank: No, he seemed content. I never knew him to be unhappy.
Emma: Did you have a chance to talk to the sister?
Frank: Yes, she told me her dad, Martin’s dad, was a head gardener at a big estate in Hampshire. Seems to have run in the family. She lives in Norfolk these days. Apparently hasn’t visited Stoney Grove since before Martin was married.
Emma: I’ll have to ask John what happened. There must be some reason she never came ‘round.
Frank: Let it be. It doesn’t matter now, does it?
Emma: It might matter to John.
Frank: And does that matter to you now?
Emma: Yes, I think it does.
Nigel Banks: Hello. It’s good to see you both again.
Ann: It was a lovely service, Nigel. Thank you so much. And thanks for making time to counsel us today.
Simon: Yeah, glad you could come.
Nigel Banks: How are you?
Ann: Just really sad. But coping, I think.
Simon: Busy actually. This dying business is quite sociable. I mean, not to be crass, but half the village has been popping in to leave their condolences. It’s nice that they’ve made the effort, but I’m knackered. I’ve never drunk so much tea in my life. I mean, everyone who comes expects a cup, and I hate to disappoint them.
Ann: Oh, Simon! The least we can do for Martin is be kind to his friends. I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to snap. I really do think we’re both just tired.
Nigel: Shall we have this meeting later?
Simon: No, no. Let’s do it now. Fire away.
Nigel: Well, it isn’t really a "firing away" type of activity. I think we should approach this conversation thoughtfully. This is a time to really share your feelings, hopes, and fears about each other. The ground we cover today is helping to lay the foundation for your marriage.
Simon: Don’t hold back, Nigel. I mean, we might get intimidated by all of this.
Nigel: I’m not trying to be intimidating. For heaven’s sake, you two have been through a lot together. You have a solid relationship. This discussion will just ensure that there aren’t any issues that you feel that you haven’t dealt with properly, and might give you a few tools for communicating. That’s all. Important stuff, of course, but nothing frightening.
Ann: All right. Where do we start?
Nigel: Well, I thought we could begin with some basic things, and then move on to the logistics of the ceremony.
Simon: Sounds good. Basic things. Like kids and money?
Nigel: If you like. Have you discussed having a family?
Ann: Yes. I think we’d both like children, but not right away.
Simon: And no need to really get into money. I mean, you must not have too many customers who are in better shape than we are.
Ann: Simon!
Simon: Well, really. I mean, we did win the lottery.
Ann: Actually, since you bring it up, I do have something to say about money. I don’t want to nag, but your gambling is really worrying me.
Simon: I’m not gambling! Okay, so maybe I lay the odd bet, but it’s not a problem. Trust me.
Ann: That’s just it. Every time I bring it up, you deny it, and then you get emails from The Hat, or some guy who claims to be your uncle. I’m not stupid, Simon. I know you’re gambling.
Simon: Well, I never said you were stupid. Maybe a bit fixated, but…
Nigel: Now this is where our communications skills come in. The first rule of confrontation: keep it about the issues. No name calling. We can disagree, but we should do it respectfully. Remember, you both love each other, and want to treat each other lovingly.
Ann: Fine. I love you, Simon, but I hate it that you’ve been untruthful with me.
Simon: I love you Ann, but you need to cool out.
Nigel: Er, better, but still needs some work. We’ll come back to this. Let’s talk about the ceremony.
Ann: Let’s talk about cold feet.
Nigel: It’s perfectly normal for you to have cold feet at this point.
Simon: I’m the one who should have cold feet. I’ve just spent a week in the Arctic!
Ann: Well it was you that I was talking about. And I wasn’t referring to your bachelor party.
Simon: What the bloody hell are you on about now?
Ann: Don’t yell at me! You’re the one sending pick-up emails to all the old maids in England. "The desert rose was born to bloom unseen…" or better yet, "An old boyfriend once summed me up in one word: ‘Wow!’" Ring any bells?
Simon: What are you talking about?
Ann: Oh, come on! Didn’t Nigel just say something about honesty?
Nigel: I believe I did. I really think that you both need to slow down for just a moment and consider your words.
Ann: The hell with my words. While he’s off at sea, less than a month before our wedding, Simon’s sending out a general call for a new girlfriend.
Simon: Ann, you’re bonkers. I haven’t a clue…Oh, wait a minute. Oh, God. You think that I…Oh my…
Ann: This is not funny! Stop it!
Nigel: Simon, at this moment it would be helpful if you could put into words why you are laughing.
Simon: Sorry, Reverend. It’s just that my dad, well, it was you’re idea, Ann. "Have him bring a date to the wedding," you said. So he signed up for some internet con called LoversLink, or is it LoverSlink? Anyway they’re his emails, not mine.
Ann: His?
Simon: Yeah. He sent in a description, and all these lonely hearts are queuing up to be his date.
Ann: Oh, Simon, I’m so sorry. I’m an idiot. It’s just that…
Simon: You thought I was backing out. Even now?
Ann: I guess I did.
Simon: And you didn’t say anything?
Ann: Well, you were away, and then Martin died, and with the funeral and everything else, it was never the right time.
Simon; I don’t know how many ways I can say this. I love you. I’m happy to be with you. I want to marry you. I’m not trying to replace you with a computer date. Trust me.
Nigel: Good, good! I think you’re getting the hang of this.
Maude Tinsley: Hello, Simon. Just popping in again. Luigi and I are getting quite comfortably settled. Thanks for sending the curtains over for us.
Simon: Hello, mother.
Maude: You know, I hate to be morbid, but that fellow dying was just at the right time. I mean, I met half the village at the funeral, and they’ve been ever so kind since. All sorts of people popping in, telling me about you and Ann and how sorry they are that you’ve both lost your friend. We’ve hardly had a moment to catch our breath. The lady who runs the lingerie shop-- oh, what’s her name?—anyway, she’s quite a dear. She’s invited me round to play cards with the Wives’ Club later in the week. I feel so…respectable. Well, I guess that’s what village life will do for you, won’t it? I don’t know if I should tell her that I’m not exactly Luigi’s wife. Do you think she needs to know? Well, it can’t hurt to keep things a bit quiet. I mean, you and Ann living together is probably scandal enough for this place.
Simon: Mother, we’re kind of in the middle of something here.
Nigel: Mrs. Tinsley, so nice to see you again.
Maude: Oh, goodness, don’t tell me you’ve got religion! No offence Reverend, you’re a lovely man , but I’m a bit suspicious of your employer. You know, the Big Man. Ha, Ha. Well, never mind. I can take a hint, can’t I? I’ll pop ‘round later. And Ann, dear, you should get some rest. You’re looking a bit pale.
Ann: I’m fine, thanks. We’ll stop by the Grange later and catch up with you.
Maude: Oh, do. We can make it a party. That will be such fun! Wait til I tell Luigi. And I can’t wait til I meet your parents, dear. Exciting times! Well, then, cheerio.
Emma: John, I thought this room was empty. You’re so quiet. What are you doing?
John: Granddad kept a box of things. I almost missed it, it was tucked away in the shed. I was just looking through it.
Emma: What’s in it?
John: Is this a professional interest? No, sorry, take that back. I don’t want to fight with you anymore. Take a look, there’s some clippings from Big Vegetable competitions. He had his heyday in the late 80s, you know. He won a bunch of competitions. We had some letters from his fellow gardeners saying what a great man he was. I knew he did it, I even went to a couple of shows with him when I was a kid but I never really took it seriously. He had that cutting too, the one from the Puckering Gazette when they featured him.
Emma: Was there anything about his family?
John: There was a photo of this bloke –he’s a bit scary. I think it might have been his Dad. There’s a date on the back of 1912. He was a gardener as well. I guess it runs in the family. There’s another photograph too of my gran. She’s with Monty Hall.
Emma: I’ve seen that one.
John: Funny he would have saved it. I didn’t actually see any of him and Gran together. Maybe they’re in another book. They spent almost sixty years together. They really loved each other, you know.
Emma: Yes, I’m sure they did.
John: Even with all that happened, you know my Mum being Monty’s and all…
Emma: It’s okay, John. I’m sure Martin forgave them. He told me that he did. He told me that he loved Shirley.
John: Well, I wish he’d told me. Now it’s too late to ask him.