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Spoilers Ahead!
Hastings, February 1941
In Digby Manor, Sir Michael Waterford sits miserable and alone at his dining table. As his housekeeper Mrs Roecastle serves him tea, she assures him that everything will be all right. He says he'd better get moving because they will be here any time now.
***
"They" arrive in a convoy of cars, and Red Cross lorries, by which time Waterford has left. Bathtubs and medical equipment are unloaded and carried into the house. Patrick Jamieson, a surgeon, leads the medical staff inside while Dr Brian Wrenn sticks a notice on the door, which states that the manor is an RAF requisition under the Emergency Powers (Defence) Act 1939.
Matron Grace Petrie complains to Jamieson about the state of the building. He is full of enthusiasm and tells her that they have a whole week to do the necessary before the first patients come.
Group Captain Lawrence Smythe arrives. He looks around at the activity and sourly comments to Jamieson that it looks like organised chaos. Looking at the room being prepared as the main ward, Smythe indicates a piano and says it will need to be removed, but Jamieson says it's only just arrived. The Group Captain is puzzled when someone pushes a barrel of beer in on a wheelchair.
***
Sir Michael moves into a cottage on the estate, looking very forlorn. Mrs Roecastle explains that she has offered to help clean at the manor and will be staying there. As she leaves, she sees her employer examining a revolver that he has taken from his briefcase.
***
Two weeks later: 21st February
In the churchyard in Hastings, DCS Foyle stands at a graveside. He contemplates the past as he looks with great sadness at the headstone, which reads: Rosalind Foyle 1902-1932 R.I.P. After a little time of revisiting his grief, he walks slowly and with head bowed, away from the grave. Sam has been waiting nearby and joins him. As they walk together, she asks when his wife died and is told "Nine years ago today."
She comments that nine years is a very long time and Foyle replies, "Well…not very." He suddenly decides against leaving so soon and stops to look back, saying he's just going to hang on a second or two longer.
Sam asks her boss what his wife was like, saying that he never talks about her. He replies that she was highly thought of and much loved, and Sam would have liked her. Sam says that he must miss her terribly. The fact that Foyle does is evident on his face as he replies, "Yes." He begins to walk back, but stops and turns again. "No. We should go."
***
Andrew Foyle's Spitfire lands on the base airfield. He has difficulty opening the cockpit and a mechanic has to climb onto the wing to assist him. Andrew is furious. He storms over to Aircraftsman Gordon Drake and an argument ensues. Andrew accuses the mechanic of not attending to the reported faulty slide on the cockpit, but the man protests that he did. Andrew blasts him, saying that he's lying and how can he be expected to fly sortie after sortie if he can't trust his plane.
Drake responds with insolence. Andrew says angrily that the mechanic has no idea what goes on in the air and doesn't care.
Greville Woods, a friend and fellow pilot, interrupts the encounter and drags Andrew away, telling him that Drake isn't worth it. As they leave, Woods instructs Drake to attend to the slide and Drake snaps that he'll do it again.
***
Peter Preston, a recently transferred ARP warden, signs out of Hastings police station after his night's shift. As he leaves the building, Foyle arrives. Preston introduces himself, saying that he is going to be based there for a while.
Dr Wrenn calls at the reception desk to report a problem. Detective Sergeant Paul Milner spots him there and reminds him that it was he who operated on him the year before. He takes the doctor in to see the DCS and Wrenn explains why he has come.
He says that Patrick Jamieson studied with Archibald McIndoe and the two men have revolutionised reconstructive surgery and burns treatment. "I mean, I don't need to tell you how many young pilots there are coming down horribly burnt."
Foyle says quietly, "No, you don't." Milner casts him a glance, understanding what prompted his boss' thoughtful response.
Digby Manor has been taken over to be run as a hospital for the treatment of pilots suffering from burns. The problem is that it appears someone is trying to sabotage the work. Since they took over Digby Manor there has been a series of
"accidents" - paperwork has gone missing, disinfectant mixed with milk, sheets torn, et cetera. When asked if they suspect anyone in particular, Wrenn mentions Sir Michael Waterford. Foyle remarks that he is known as a local hero, injured in the last war. Wrenn says he was turned out of his house and is having to live in a cottage on the estate, so he thinks the police should talk to him.
When the DCS says he can't justify questioning a man like that on the strength of the doctor's suspicions, Wrenn is exasperated, asks if he's going to wait until somebody is killed and storms out of the office. Foyle indicates to Milner to follow and the sergeant catches up with Wrenn in the hallway. He advises him to log an official report the next time something happens and they'll see what they can do.
***
His CO, Wing Commander Turner, questions Andrew about the incident with Drake and explains that he is not happy with some of the maintenance work on his plane. The CO tells him that it does nothing for morale when Andrew, of all people, is seen rowing with the maintenance crew, so if he has any problems in future, he is to come to him.
Turner then softens a little and asks how many ops Andrew has flown that week. When he learns that it is as many as fifteen, he tells him that he needs a rest and to go home for the weekend. He says that Woods and all of the younger pilots admire Andrew a great deal, and warns him not to let them down. As the pilot goes to the door, Turner adds, "Don't let yourself down."
***
Evening
Foyle is walking down the station corridor when he spots Sam. She is in civilian clothes, her hair is down and she is wearing full makeup. He asks her if she is going out that night and she replies that she is. Her boss compliments her appearance: "You look very, em…" He doesn't need to finish the sentence.
She thanks him and asks if he will need her any more that night. He says no, he'll walk home. He wishes her a good time. Sam smiles and goes to the door. With a very appreciative eye, her boss watches her leave.
***
Gordon Drake knocks at the door of the home of Mary Wrenn, who has arranged for him to call while her husband is out. Neither of them notices that the Aircraftsman has been seen by Peter Preston, who is on night patrol.
Drake mends a fuse in the house and tells Mary he'll get her a couple of new light bulbs. He gives her a pair of silk stockings and says to tell Wrenn that she got them from a friend. Suddenly Preston bangs on the front door, yelling, "Put that light out!" Mary and Drake kiss and Drake then exits the house by the back door.
Mary answers the door and tells Preston that she has done the blackout, but he insists that light can be seen and walks in. He indicates a curtain in the living room, which she pulls further closed. He asks if she is on her own and she says yes. He asks if the man who came in was her husband. She says it is none of his business, but tells him that it was. He asks if she is on the household register and she replies that they are not because they haven't been there long. Preston takes out a notebook and says he has to ask more questions: name, how many people live in the house, where they sleep, next of kin and so on. She tells him to do what he has to do.
***
Sam and Andrew sit at the bar of a pub, watching Greville Woods and his fiancée, Anne Bolton, who are seated at a table. Anne is delighted when Woods gives her an orange, as there are none in the shops and apples are one shilling a pound. Andrew looks somewhat dishevelled and has had too much to drink. He says his friend is talking about marrying after the war. Sam asks if there is anything wrong with that and he replies moodily, "Making plans? Nothing I suppose."
Sam tells him that she hates it when he is in this kind of mood. He's says she's right, he's terrible company and is going to push off, and informs her that his CO has given him weekend leave because he thinks he's suffering from battle fatigue. They kiss cheek-to-cheek and he goes.
***
Foyle is reading a book by the fire in his living room when Andrew arrives. He is surprised to learn that his son has a weekend pass, but says it's good to see him. Andrew comments that his father is up very late. Foyle reaches for a glass of whisky on his chair-side table and simply replies, "Yup."
Andrew suddenly remembers and apologises for not having been at the graveside with his father. Foyle tells him that it's all right, he wasn't expecting him, but Andrew says he's let him down. Foyle shakes his head. "No, you've not let me down."
Andrew is full of remorse. He says that he seems to be letting everyone down at the moment, but he simply forgot. Foyle says gently that it doesn't matter. Andrew replies darkly, "No. Nothing much matters anymore."
As he turns to leave the room, his father asks if it is lipstick he has on his cheek. Andrew remembers Sam's kiss and puts his hand up to his face. He attempts a grin and dismisses the tell-tale makeup with, "Evening out."
Foyle responds innocently, "Oh…" Then, with a little raising of an eyebrow, he adds teasingly, "Colour suits you."
Continue on...
In Digby Manor, Sir Michael Waterford sits miserable and alone at his dining table. As his housekeeper Mrs Roecastle serves him tea, she assures him that everything will be all right. He says he'd better get moving because they will be here any time now.
***
"They" arrive in a convoy of cars, and Red Cross lorries, by which time Waterford has left. Bathtubs and medical equipment are unloaded and carried into the house. Patrick Jamieson, a surgeon, leads the medical staff inside while Dr Brian Wrenn sticks a notice on the door, which states that the manor is an RAF requisition under the Emergency Powers (Defence) Act 1939.Matron Grace Petrie complains to Jamieson about the state of the building. He is full of enthusiasm and tells her that they have a whole week to do the necessary before the first patients come.
Group Captain Lawrence Smythe arrives. He looks around at the activity and sourly comments to Jamieson that it looks like organised chaos. Looking at the room being prepared as the main ward, Smythe indicates a piano and says it will need to be removed, but Jamieson says it's only just arrived. The Group Captain is puzzled when someone pushes a barrel of beer in on a wheelchair.***
Sir Michael moves into a cottage on the estate, looking very forlorn. Mrs Roecastle explains that she has offered to help clean at the manor and will be staying there. As she leaves, she sees her employer examining a revolver that he has taken from his briefcase.
***
Two weeks later: 21st February
In the churchyard in Hastings, DCS Foyle stands at a graveside. He contemplates the past as he looks with great sadness at the headstone, which reads: Rosalind Foyle 1902-1932 R.I.P. After a little time of revisiting his grief, he walks slowly and with head bowed, away from the grave. Sam has been waiting nearby and joins him. As they walk together, she asks when his wife died and is told "Nine years ago today."She comments that nine years is a very long time and Foyle replies, "Well…not very." He suddenly decides against leaving so soon and stops to look back, saying he's just going to hang on a second or two longer.Sam asks her boss what his wife was like, saying that he never talks about her. He replies that she was highly thought of and much loved, and Sam would have liked her. Sam says that he must miss her terribly. The fact that Foyle does is evident on his face as he replies, "Yes." He begins to walk back, but stops and turns again. "No. We should go."
***
Andrew Foyle's Spitfire lands on the base airfield. He has difficulty opening the cockpit and a mechanic has to climb onto the wing to assist him. Andrew is furious. He storms over to Aircraftsman Gordon Drake and an argument ensues. Andrew accuses the mechanic of not attending to the reported faulty slide on the cockpit, but the man protests that he did. Andrew blasts him, saying that he's lying and how can he be expected to fly sortie after sortie if he can't trust his plane.
Drake responds with insolence. Andrew says angrily that the mechanic has no idea what goes on in the air and doesn't care.Greville Woods, a friend and fellow pilot, interrupts the encounter and drags Andrew away, telling him that Drake isn't worth it. As they leave, Woods instructs Drake to attend to the slide and Drake snaps that he'll do it again.
***
Peter Preston, a recently transferred ARP warden, signs out of Hastings police station after his night's shift. As he leaves the building, Foyle arrives. Preston introduces himself, saying that he is going to be based there for a while.Dr Wrenn calls at the reception desk to report a problem. Detective Sergeant Paul Milner spots him there and reminds him that it was he who operated on him the year before. He takes the doctor in to see the DCS and Wrenn explains why he has come.
He says that Patrick Jamieson studied with Archibald McIndoe and the two men have revolutionised reconstructive surgery and burns treatment. "I mean, I don't need to tell you how many young pilots there are coming down horribly burnt."Foyle says quietly, "No, you don't." Milner casts him a glance, understanding what prompted his boss' thoughtful response.
Digby Manor has been taken over to be run as a hospital for the treatment of pilots suffering from burns. The problem is that it appears someone is trying to sabotage the work. Since they took over Digby Manor there has been a series of
"accidents" - paperwork has gone missing, disinfectant mixed with milk, sheets torn, et cetera. When asked if they suspect anyone in particular, Wrenn mentions Sir Michael Waterford. Foyle remarks that he is known as a local hero, injured in the last war. Wrenn says he was turned out of his house and is having to live in a cottage on the estate, so he thinks the police should talk to him.
When the DCS says he can't justify questioning a man like that on the strength of the doctor's suspicions, Wrenn is exasperated, asks if he's going to wait until somebody is killed and storms out of the office. Foyle indicates to Milner to follow and the sergeant catches up with Wrenn in the hallway. He advises him to log an official report the next time something happens and they'll see what they can do.***
His CO, Wing Commander Turner, questions Andrew about the incident with Drake and explains that he is not happy with some of the maintenance work on his plane. The CO tells him that it does nothing for morale when Andrew, of all people, is seen rowing with the maintenance crew, so if he has any problems in future, he is to come to him.Turner then softens a little and asks how many ops Andrew has flown that week. When he learns that it is as many as fifteen, he tells him that he needs a rest and to go home for the weekend. He says that Woods and all of the younger pilots admire Andrew a great deal, and warns him not to let them down. As the pilot goes to the door, Turner adds, "Don't let yourself down."
***
Evening
Foyle is walking down the station corridor when he spots Sam. She is in civilian clothes, her hair is down and she is wearing full makeup. He asks her if she is going out that night and she replies that she is. Her boss compliments her appearance: "You look very, em…" He doesn't need to finish the sentence.She thanks him and asks if he will need her any more that night. He says no, he'll walk home. He wishes her a good time. Sam smiles and goes to the door. With a very appreciative eye, her boss watches her leave.
***
Gordon Drake knocks at the door of the home of Mary Wrenn, who has arranged for him to call while her husband is out. Neither of them notices that the Aircraftsman has been seen by Peter Preston, who is on night patrol.Drake mends a fuse in the house and tells Mary he'll get her a couple of new light bulbs. He gives her a pair of silk stockings and says to tell Wrenn that she got them from a friend. Suddenly Preston bangs on the front door, yelling, "Put that light out!" Mary and Drake kiss and Drake then exits the house by the back door.
Mary answers the door and tells Preston that she has done the blackout, but he insists that light can be seen and walks in. He indicates a curtain in the living room, which she pulls further closed. He asks if she is on her own and she says yes. He asks if the man who came in was her husband. She says it is none of his business, but tells him that it was. He asks if she is on the household register and she replies that they are not because they haven't been there long. Preston takes out a notebook and says he has to ask more questions: name, how many people live in the house, where they sleep, next of kin and so on. She tells him to do what he has to do.***
Sam and Andrew sit at the bar of a pub, watching Greville Woods and his fiancée, Anne Bolton, who are seated at a table. Anne is delighted when Woods gives her an orange, as there are none in the shops and apples are one shilling a pound. Andrew looks somewhat dishevelled and has had too much to drink. He says his friend is talking about marrying after the war. Sam asks if there is anything wrong with that and he replies moodily, "Making plans? Nothing I suppose."Sam tells him that she hates it when he is in this kind of mood. He's says she's right, he's terrible company and is going to push off, and informs her that his CO has given him weekend leave because he thinks he's suffering from battle fatigue. They kiss cheek-to-cheek and he goes.
***
Foyle is reading a book by the fire in his living room when Andrew arrives. He is surprised to learn that his son has a weekend pass, but says it's good to see him. Andrew comments that his father is up very late. Foyle reaches for a glass of whisky on his chair-side table and simply replies, "Yup."Andrew suddenly remembers and apologises for not having been at the graveside with his father. Foyle tells him that it's all right, he wasn't expecting him, but Andrew says he's let him down. Foyle shakes his head. "No, you've not let me down."
Andrew is full of remorse. He says that he seems to be letting everyone down at the moment, but he simply forgot. Foyle says gently that it doesn't matter. Andrew replies darkly, "No. Nothing much matters anymore."As he turns to leave the room, his father asks if it is lipstick he has on his cheek. Andrew remembers Sam's kiss and puts his hand up to his face. He attempts a grin and dismisses the tell-tale makeup with, "Evening out."
Foyle responds innocently, "Oh…" Then, with a little raising of an eyebrow, he adds teasingly, "Colour suits you."
Continue on...