Perhaps... I don't know, perhaps it was...
Perhaps it was too perfect...
nothing was to disturb the surface of things.
Everything was fine...
no questions.
It isn't healthy.
That's all I'm saying. It's not a big issue.
But it's good to have roots.
But roots aren't that great...
unless something else comes with them.
- Like what? - I don't know.
Warmth, I suppose.
Passion.
It was probably my fault.
It came more from Dad, if I have to name anyone.
They make a wonderful couple, don't they?
Granddad.
Good night, you old devil.
You'll sleep well in this room.
It's one of my favorites.
Right, now concentrate.
Put your arm here, hand on there, and look there...
and look up.
Close.
Come on here.
Had a good walk?
Who's winning?
I think Martyn is winning everything.
This house was full...
It was full every weekend.
There we are.
I thought Bob Marley was dead.
Of course he's dead.
Then why...
Ingrid's mother loved entertaining.
Happy birthday.
Politicians, of course, and artists came, writers also.
Boundless hospitality!
My wife understood that.
Life's pretty empty without her.
That's why I'm so pleased...
I'm so pleased for both of you.
Am I going too far?
Not yet, but you may soon.
I doubt it.
Come along, I think we've all guessed.
I assumed that's why you brought Anna along.
Please!
Can't you see you're embarrassing Martyn and Anna?
Not at all. Far from it.
Since Grandfather has said...
I've just asked Anna to marry me...
and I'm pleased to say she said yes.
Oh, my God.
It's really marvelous.
We both think that's wonderful.
Congratulations, my dear.
Thank you. It's very sudden.
We're taken aback.
But you're pleased?
Of course.
Delighted.
I do mean for both of you.
Congratulations... I'm sorry.
Clumsy. All right.
I was always sure you two had this in mind.
I'm pleased I've hastened the announcement.
You have.
Let's drink a toast.
Come on, children... to Martyn and Anna.
When did you ask?
When did you ask Anna?
It was a few days ago.
She accepted straight-away?
I know I've hurt you.
All that stuff at dinner last night.
I don't know what that was.
It's all right.
The funny thing is that today I feel very close to you.
Heads or tails?
Tails.
And Mum... I know I'm hurting her, but...
whoever I married, it was going to be hard.
I can tell she's worried about Anna.
I think she's worried you're taking on a lot.
But you have to see that that's why I'm drawn to her.
There's a sadness... in her.
I don't know why, but it's very interesting.
I've discovered I can help her, and that's great.
It's the best feeling.
Makes you sound like a nurse.
I'm not trying to stop you.
I like Anna. I really do...
but are you sure she's really what you want?
You don't know her.
There's a whole side to her...
that's only there when we're alone.
If you could see that, then you'd feel differently.
When we're alone, she's like no one else.
Sir, I tried to find all the people you asked for.
I hope so.
- Sir, will you need me? - I need everybody.
Good morning, sir.
Do you know what I think of that?
Sir, before we start, I'd like to apologize...
This is supposed to be a final draft...
a ministry position paper...
and it's full of major factual errors.
But what really irritates me is that I'm the one...
who has to stand up in Parliament...
and if I've been wrongly briefed...
then it's me that gets it in the neck.
It's all very well for you lot. You shelter behind the woodwork.
You wander in here and say...
"Sorry, we slipped up on the ozone figures..."
but it's my job!
Has that occurred to you?
If I hadn't spotted your ball's up...
then my job would've been on the line.
Do you know that?
You're redrafting?
- Already. - Good.
That's it. I'm done.
- Good evening, sir. - Good evening.
Where's your mother?
Work, I suppose. I haven't seen her.
No Henry tonight?
Sal... I wanted a word.
You know when I saw you at Hartley the other night...
on the stairs?
I'd had to talk to Anna.
That's what I was doing.
Your mum's a bit upset.
You've probably sensed that.
And...
I was trying to bring all the parties together.
I'm going to bed.
Oh, dear. Not a bit.
I just love it.
Would you at least choose the music for the wedding?
You should.
I suppose so.
She doesn't trust me, though.
I'm so sorry I'm late.
That's all right.
- We started without you. - Good.
Mrs. Prideaux, welcome to London.
Thank you. How do you do?
How are you?
I was just saying I am so thrilled at this occasion.
Thrilled for Anna, of course.
One way or another...
I haven't seen much of her lately...
so it always moves me so much when I do.
Thank you.
And one look at Martyn...
- My goodness. - I know.
I feel flattered.
Though, of course, he's not Anna's usual type.
I'm sorry?
If I may say that.
Anna's first boyfriend did set a sort of pattern...
tormented, difficult.
And all the others have followed from there.
Are you talking about Peter?
I've met him. He seems very nice.
He is.
I miss him.
Mother, everything's fine.
How's the salmon?
Good.
When Peter and Anna broke up...
Peter got married to a brilliant young lawyer...
a striking-looking girl...
but it only lasted eight weeks.
I can't boast.
My own record isn't much better than that.
You've been married a few times?
Good Lord!
And one nearly in Reno.
We went as far as the Chapel of Love...
and then I got cold feet.
Thank goodness. Otherwise, it would have been five.
Of course, it's hard for us.
I'm sure Anna has told you.
Told us?
About the brother she had.
Of course, it strikes me.
It had to strike me, looking at Martyn.
He does look so like Anna's brother.
I don't know if you realized that.
Not, of course, that Aston was as handsome.
Why do you always make it worse for me?
Do you think it isn't bad enough?
Do you think I constantly need to be reminded?
I'm sorry, I'm sure.
Perhaps this is why we shouldn't meet.
It's all right.
Really, it's fine.
I think I made a bad impression.
I'm afraid your wife didn't look very pleased.
I was nervous. That was the trouble.
It was fine, really. We both enjoyed meeting you.
But I'm not nervous now.
You must realize, this is a chance for Anna.
At last, with Martyn, she has a chance.
She can make a new life.
It would be too bad if anything prevented her.
I'm not sure I understand what you mean.
I think you do.
I watched you throughout the meal.
You can't even look at her.
You must get out of the way.
I'm asking you.
Please.
I won't speak of this again.
Thank you.
The ministry, sir?
Just drive around for a while.
I need to get out.
I won't be a minute.
It's me. Don't say anything.
I don't want you to say anything.
I have to let you go.
It's the right thing to do for Martyn and for you.
We both know it's the right thing.
It's got to stop.
I am sorry.
- To the ministry now, sir? - City Road.
Do you know where I can find Martyn Fleming?
Over here.
- Thank you. - I'll tell him you're here.
Why don't you have it?
May I?
Are you sure?
What brings you here?
Sentiment.
Feeling...
that I haven't behaved as I should.
You know what you were saying in Hartley about... passion?
You were right.
I was distant.
I know I was.
I thought you could control life...
but it's not like that.
There are things you...
There are things you can't control.
That's right.
Somehow you know that.
I came to wish you both good luck.
Are these for me?
I really appreciate this.
It's very kind. Thank you.
The piece doesn't fit, that's the problem.
We need something out... 200 words or so.
Sorry. I see.
I love all this.
I think it's wonderful. I love all this.
You're still there.
Everyone's here. We're just about to go in.
I'm sorry.
We're struggling with this redrafting.
Everybody's here... Donald, Trevor...
We've got to get it done tonight.
I'll keep your food hot.
Fine.
I'll get back as quick as I can.
I just heard from Edward.
He says the word is they're going to offer you Health.
That means you'd be in the cabinet.
When did this happen?
It was rumored a couple days ago.
What will you say?
I don't know.
I really don't know anything.
Why?
Because...
Because what?
Maybe it's what you always say.
Maybe I just don't want to get to the top.
Is that all?
I can't explain.
It's all right. I'll get it.
It's nobody.
This has just come up for you.
It's been passed by security.
They've put it through the machine. It's quite safe.
Excuse me.
I have to go out for a while.
I'll be back as soon as I can.
Beautiful wedding cakes.
- Wedding cakes. - You look at those.
Now...
You look at the banqueting brochures...
and I'll look at plum-duff.
Cheers.
Your mother should be choosing the caterers.
She's happy to leave it to us.
And the church.
She's had enough.
She said she's tried them all.
No one service is better than any one else.
I suppose she should know, if anyone.
But you know, Stephen and I know St. Anselms.
We do?
The groom's father. Good evening.
We were just discussing the wedding.
We're not having a white wedding...
as I've already moved in with Anna.
Come on. You said we'd go through the guest list.
I will as long as I can weed it out.
Of course.
It's actually quite fun.
Do you think I would have married Martyn...
if I couldn't be with you?
I'm coming.
Hi, Jenny.
We've done everything we can.
As soon as possible.
Couldn't be too soon for us.
Everything will be fine tomorrow.
How's Rachel?
It's Martyn. Can I speak to Anna?
I'm afraid she's left.
Excuse me, please.
Come on.
Miss Barton was to marry your son?
You were here in the flat?
Your son didn't know...
He didn't know of your relationship?
You sure?
You were careful?
We were careful.
Where did Miss Barton go?
Sir?
Do you know why she left?
Do you have any comment to make at this time?
Have you got a statement for us, please, sir?
Come on.
Stay right behind the line of the gate, please.
There are people living here.
How are you feeling now?
What does your wife think, sir?
What have you done?
The pain was unbearable.
I was beating myself.
The owner of the flat called at the mews...
to give Anna instructions on how to work the boiler.
It just happened that Martyn was there.
He'd never heard of the flat.
Never heard of it.
He took the address.
It was chance.
Why didn't you kill yourself?
You should have killed yourself when it began.
Didn't you know?
You thought you could go on?
Every day into the future?
Go on betraying us both every day?
You are not an evil man.
You should have killed yourself when you first realized...
and then I would have been able to mourn.
It would have been hard, but I would have buried you.
And I would have wept.
Take these.
I don't...
Come on.
...want pills. I want him back!
I want my son back!
I want Martyn!
Give me my son!
Martyn is dead. Your son is dead.
Give his death to me. Give it to me.
Give me his death.
Give it to me.
It's true, isn't it?
What a pity we ever met.
I think for everyone there's just one person.
For me...
it was Martyn.
For you, Anna.
Poor Anna.
Who?
Were you ever in love with me...
and this?
Not enough?
Not enough for you?
For a moment there, I thought of making love to you.
Time. Grand healer, time.
Time, not a day and a night.
Come through, gentlemen.
Gentlemen, in order to protect my family and my colleagues...
I am this morning tendering my resignation.
Come in.
I tried to warn you. I did try to warn you.
I know.
Do you know where she's gone?
Where?
She came here last night.
She wanted to stay with me.
Did she...
I wonder, did she leave a message?
I do need to know where she's gone.
I think you know.
You must remember.
She told you the story of what happened last time.
She'll go back to Peter.
You must know that.
I must go.
I am sorry.
Good-bye. We shan't meet again.
Thank you.
She's here, isn't she?
She's here.
It takes a remarkably short time to withdraw from the world.
I traveled...
until I arrived at a life of my own.
What really makes us is beyond grasping.
It's way beyond knowing.
We give in to love...
because it gives us some sense of what is unknowable.
Nothing else matters, not at the end.
I saw her once more only.
I saw her by accident at an airport, changing planes.
She didn't see me.
She was with Peter.
She was holding a child.
She was no different from anyone else.