(Race With The Devil by Gene Vincent)
I Well, I've led an evil life So (hey say
a' But H! hide from the devil On the Judgment Day
I Isaid, move, hot rod, Move, man
♪ Move, hot rod, move, man
I Move on down the line
♪ Oh, yeah... I
So, we have done spanners, pliers...
Ah, now, this... this is a wrench.
An adjustable wrench.
Not to be confused with a socket wrench.
I hope you're taking this all in.
(She turns the radio off) What the Dickens?!
He's here!
Don't worry. Our meetings not till five.
- Which is in precisely seven minutes! - Plenty of time.
(He treads up the stairs)
(Wall clock chimes)
I'm sure he won't be much longer.
Archdeacon.
So good to see you.
Hm...
ARCHDEACON: This is a momentous day, Mr Davenport.
To commit yourself to a new parish is something that should not be taken lightly.
Oh, I don't take it lightly.
- I can assure you of that. - Hm.
It'll be the Bishop of Ely presiding.
You may find him a little, er...
...vague at times.
How old is he, exactly?
No-one's ever been entirely sure.
The institution Sen/ice is an important day in any clergyman's life.
Being a parish pnestis a challenging role.
And that demands structure and order.
Sometimes these demands can be slitting for the young.
And you are young, Mr Davenport.
So...
...it is my duty to ask...
"are you certain that this is your calling?
I've never been more certain of anything in my life.
BISHOP OF ELY: William, do you believe, as far as you know in your own heart,
that God has called you to serve here?
I believe that God has called me.
And will you commit yourself to the mission and the...
...erm...
- WHISPERS: Ministry of these people. - What?
- Ministry of these people. - Oh, yes.
...and the ministry of these people to further the Kingdom of God?
With the help of God, I will.
- You do those. - Es.
What did the doctor say?
He won't give me a note for another week, so...
I still don't really understand what's wrong with you.
Ifs my nerves, apparently.
Mm. Did you tell him you have four kids?
I thought you loved your job.
Oh, I do.
So why are you letting your silly nerves stop you?
WILL: Thank you all for being here.
I want you to know that my door is always open.
Whether you want to talk about God
or the trials of being a Cambridge United supporter.
(Laughter)
I can't promise to have all the answers,
but I will have tea and home-made cake, so...
...I only ask one thing of you.
Please, call me Will.
(Congregation mutters)
Bollocks!
All right...
...double or quits?
Oh, I thought you weren't a betting man.
Absolutely not. It's a disgusting habit.
- How many times, Larry? - Knock first.
Knock first.
I mean, these are highly confidential cases we're discussing here.
Sorry, guv. It's just we've got a tiny bit of a...
...situation.
He just walked in off the street.
What's your name, son?
I asked him that.
(Boy whimpers)
Where's your mum and dad?
I asked him that, too.
(He sighs)
Can you tell me where you live?
Oi...
Answer the officer.
The blood's not his.
But someone's been rough with the poor little sod.
Ah, just stick him in a cell for a bit.
That'll sort him out.
- You shouldn't be making tea. - Why not?
You're the parish priest now.
I'm not sure how that renders me incapable of boiling the kettle.
The appropriate place to attend to guests is the sitting room, not the kitchen.
- What will people think'? - I don't think anyone cares, Mrs C.
I care. They'll see my dishcloths.
"Call me Will."
You've opened a Pandora's box now.
I know. Wonderful, isn't it'?
How are you? Good to see you.
Er, excuse me, ladies. I just need to drag the vicar away.
Sow!-.
- You don't need to thank me. - For what?
For saving you.
(He chuckles) I didn't need saving.
What, sow your oats before you settle down?
I don't blame you.
There's only one relationship I'm interested in, and that's with...
Well, it's changed a bit since I was last here.
I'm sorry, I won't be able to help.
- I didn't ask for your help. - Ah, you were about to.
Look...
...the only lead I have on a case is of a biblical nature.
- And you are the only man of God I know. - You know Leonard.
The only man of God with common sense, then.
Look, you've seen the house.
And I've got my first sermon to prepare for.
You have my sympathy. I know Sidney struggled writing those.
Oh, no. No, I've got three written and ready to go.
Just choosing which one is the tricky part.
Best get back to my guests.
I just need you to take a look at a page in the Bible.
I'm really not sure if Mr Davenport has a lady friend.
You'll have to ask him yourself.
I know how this works, Geordie.
You'll reel me in and, next thing I know,
I'll be down at the police station doing your job, instead of mine.
I'm needed here.
Sitting in my office is a young boy covered in someone else's blood.
He's refusing to speak.
Surely, there's no greater need than that?
(He sighs)
"From henceforth, there shall be five in one house divided,
"three against two, and two against three."
I never was any good at maths.
"The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father,
"the mother against the daughter."
Well, that doesn't sound very Christian.
It means hold fast to your belief, no matter what people think.
Even members of your family.
Who's your family?
No, I've asked him that.
- Are you in trouble with your mum and dad? - I asked him that as well.
He'll be in all kinds of trouble when I'm done with him.
Talk, you insolent bastard.
How about we take a break from all these boring questions, eh?
You and your bloody vicars.
Bollocks.
Your name what?
It's Adam.
Where does he live?
Home. Where?
Hm.
My name Will...
...Davenport.
Your name...
...Adam...
...what?
Carter.
His name's Adam Carter.
Hello, Maureen.
Oh, hello!
Hiya, Claire.
Oh, new hair!
Mrs Keating... How are we?
Oh, much better, thank you, Mr Draper.
My wife suffers terribly with her nerves. Awful business.
Well, I'm back now and I'm raring to go, so...
We've been at a loss without you.
- A desert without its rose. - Oh.
Welcome back.
(She sighs)
Your home.
“God is our refuge and strength.
"An ever-present help in trouble.
"We will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the sea."
(She sniffs)
Hannah!
Sorry, Father.
"We will not crumble..."
(Door creaks open)
GEORDIE: Er, Mr Cartel'?
I'm Inspector Keating.
Is this your son?
(He inhales a deep breath)
Get out.
Get him out.
- Mr Carter... - I don't want to see him.
I don't want to look on him. It's his fault.
He killed her.
Your own mother.
It's your fault!
Oh, God...
A sudden death at home has to be investigated.
It's the law.
Your law. It's not ours.
The law's the law, Mr Carter.
You're Mennonite?
The quicker you answer his questions, the quicker we can leave you in peace.
She fell from the hayloft.
The boy went up, knowing he wasn't allowed.
And your wife went up to find him?
Are these hers?
Did you find the other pan of this lens?
I must have offended God...
...somehow...
...to be punished with such a black-hearted son!
- He's a child, Mr Carter. - My wife is dead!
And he will be punished for it.
- By God, and by me. - This is no time for punishment.
Let's just concentrate on this hayloft, shall we?
This is my house. My rules. And he will be disciplined.
I've seen how you mete out your discipline, Mr Carter.
My wife raised our children according to Scriptures.
To be God-fearing, respectful.
How dare you question that?
Mr Davenport, might I have a word?
(He breathes heavily)
Right, first rule of an investigation...
I'm a priest. I don't need to know the rules of investigation.
...don't aggravate a grieving family.
This is not the time to challenge him.
That man is a disgrace.
- I need him on side. - His views are totally unacceptable.
Well, have you ever considered he might think the same about you?
Well, he'd be wrong.
- Oh, you're right. Is that it? - No.
Look, maybe you'd be best back home with your three sermons.
I'm not going until I know Adam is safe.
Fine.
But you leave this to me.
Mennonites?
The only law they answer to is the Kingdom of God.
Your badge means nothing here.
Bloody religion...
I'm sorry about your mother.
Thank you for returning Adam to us.
I like your necklace.
Adam makes them for me.
He knows how much I love wild flowers.
Oh, well, in that case...
Oh!
Red is the colour of the devil, Grandma.
Red was your grandfather's favourite.
I'm keeping them, Hannah.
Flowers!
How beautiful!
It's time for Grandma's nap.
I don't want to sleep. I want to talk to this nice vicar.
They don't trust me.
Don't judge them for it.
- It's how they were raised. - Ah.
Beautiful.
My Alfred found it by the river...
...the day he went off to war.
He said it would protect me and Ernest till he came home.
But he never did come home.
Blasted scratchy thing!
You weren't born into this way of life, Mrs Cartel'?
Oh, Lord, no!
Neither was my son.
Adam... seems afraid...
...of his father...
- ...of coming home. - Mm.
My grandmother is sick.
She needs to sleep.
- (Key turns in the lock) - Is that really necessary?
Father insists.
I don't mean to pry, or judge.
Well, you're different to the rest of town, then, aren't you?
People fear what they don't understand.
Race, religion, rock n roll.
I've never heard rock n roll.
Oh, you're missing a treat.
Mother always said,
"Resist the devil and he will flee from you."
Hm.
I prefer, "O God, my heart is steadfast. I will sing and give praise."
Adam should be learning sign language properly.
I got a book once.
There was no-one to teach us, but...
...we tried to understand it.
Mother found it and made Father burn it.
She said Adam had the mark of the devil on him.
You know that isn't true.
She'd make him kneel in rock salt when he prayed.
So God would feel his suffering and forgive him.
God wouldn't want Adam to suffer.
Mustn't we all suffer for the sake of God's glory?
Did your Mother tell you that?
I've tarried enough.
I'm sorry.
(Footsteps on the ladder)
Adam's mother made him kneel in rock salt.
What kind of person does that?
Some people have lives that turn them sick and twisted.
People are born with innate goodness.
- How they turn out is a choice. - If you met some of the sorry creatures
I've come across and heard their stories, you might see things differently.
From Miriam Carter's glasses.
Well, surely that should be down there, where she fell?
Ah, she didn't fall.
She was pushed.
Will seems to have settled in, don't you think?
Perhaps he'll be a breath of fresh air.
If he ever makes a reappearance.
What are you making?
Victoria sponge? You do make the best...
(Blender whirs loudly)
I was just saying how nice...
(Blender whirs)
I know you're upset.
Upset?
"Strive to enter through the narrow gate,
"for many will seek to enter in and shall not be able."
I might not get into heaven, is that it?
There's no "might" about it.
Won't you at least look at me?
(Blender whirs)
(Whining continues)
(She stops the blender)
Hello!
Ifs nice to see you back, Catherine.
And looking more radiant than ever.
Drink after work, perhaps?
A Tom Collins, for old time's sake.
Leave me alone, please.
Leave me alone!
Oh...
I don't think you mean that.
Let's, erm...
Lets have that drink soon.
(Door closes)
Changed your mind about going somewhere?
They're linens. I have to store them.
Does this belong to you?
No.
It's mine.
It was a present.
From one of the farm hands.
But please don't tell Father.
So, were you in the hayloft when your mother died?
- No! - What was your ribbon doing there?
I don't know. MR CARTER: Leave her!
Leave her!
No!
Please! Put her down!
Put her down!
My wife must be buried here.
There needs to be a postmortem.
She must be laid to rest.
- Mr Cater... - This ain't right! Don't touch her!
Don't touch her!
Please, don't touch her. Don't touch her!
- Esther, what's wrong? - Esther!
It's all right, Esther, I'm here.
Mr Carter, you're scaring your children.
She wouldn't want this. She wouldn't want to go with strangers.
Go back to your room, boy, now!
She was murdered, Mr Carter.
Your wife was murdered.
So, I'll need to take statements from everyone.
Including you.
(Rock n roll music on radio)
Mrs Bennett dropped by.
She was devastated to have missed you.
She baked you an apple strudel and everything.
To be honest, it was a bit sour.
I'm sorry, I got caught up.
With Geordie?
It's a strange thing.
Helping him...
...it felt like I was exactly where God needed me to be.
- Do you ever get that feeling? - Rarely, if I'm honest.
God and I have been moving in rather... different circles recently.
Some girls...
...brought them by for you.
Very gig9lV-
You know what they say.
Red is the colour of the devil.
And those girls clearly had devilish things on their mind.
Another?
Or is that a stupid question?
Pretty bloody stupid.
(Telephone rings)
Keating.
Hannah is God-fearing.
She's pious. She wouldnfi have accepted the red ribbon.
To her, red is the colour of the devil.
Rebellion, maybe?
No, she's not the type.
The younger sister.
Esther?
She's a different story.
I'll pick you up first thing.
When I'm doing my questioning,
- you need to keep your trap shut. - I can do that.
- And if you forget... - I won't.
- ...I'll give you the look. - The look?
Got it.
(He starts the car)
This isn't your ribbon, is it, Hannah?
It's Esther's.
Why did you lie?
To protect her.
Paul gave it to me.
He's so funny and kind.
He makes life worth living.
Why was your ribbon in the hayloft, Esther?
- Were you up there when your mother died? - No.
- I'll swear on the Bible, if you want me to. - There's no need for that.
I gave Adam the ribbon.
To remember me by.
Where were you going?
We were running away.
She couldn't stand it any more.
But then Mrs Carter...
We couldn't go, could we?
Why were you running away?
Esthefs pregnant, isn't she?
Sow!-.
Esthefs pregnant, isn't she?
She hasn't been well with it.
Ifs knocked her for six.
Her mother was many things.
But she was no fool.
She guessed.
I was feeding the chickens when she came at me.
She told me I was damned to rot in hell.
And all I could think was...
..."Hell sounds like a blessed relief compared to life with you."
She was going to tell Father there and then.
She was so angry, I feared to look at her.
But the carts were leaving for market and Father needed us to come.
And when you returned home...
...your mother was dead.
You would do anything to protect Esther, wouldn't you, Paul?
I'd die for that girl.
Would you kill Mrs Cartel'?
I hated her.
The world's a better place now she's gone.
But...
...why would I kill her...
...when we could've just run away?
It's Mr Carter you should be talking to.
Why?
They were rowing.
Screaming.
He gave as good as he got.
Can't say I blame him.
You live with someone like her...
...they grind you down,
reduce you to a speck of who you were.
What was the row about?
My»
...domestic discussions with my wife have nothing to do with you.
She was demanding you put your mother in a nursing home.
Is that right?
You think I'm weak.
I didn't say that.
I was in charge. Not my wife.
Did your wife undermine you, Mr Carter?
Belittle you?
There's only one person to blame for Miriam's death, and that's Adam.
"0 full of all subtilty and all mischief,
"thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness."
You will answer Inspector Keating's questions!
Or we will drag you kicking and screaming down to the station.
And every person in the town will know that you're under suspicion
for killing your wife.
You woeful excuse for a father!
I thought you were going to knock him out.
Tempting.
From a man of God as well.
Whatever Caner says, the man was clearly terrified of his wife.
She sounds like a piece of work.
Gives him a motive.
Mm-hm.
They all have motive.
Esthefs argument with her mother.
She said it was here by the chicken coop.
It doesn't make sense.
You said you were arguing with your mother by the chicken coop
when your father called you from the courtyard.
You can't see the courtyard from the chicken coop.
Why lie, Esther?
I told her to.
Hannah, you wouldn't advocate lying.
I was afraid.
- I didn't want her to incriminate someone. - Who?
Adam.
You whore!
You've brought shame on us!
You've brought shame on God!
Miriam, please...
Just listen to the child.
ESTHER: He used to be ever so meek when she raged.
But she was getting worse.
And this time...
HANNAH: I've never seen such hate in my brothefs eyes.
Adam ran. But she wouldn't leave him be.
We knew she'd punish him.
But the cans were leaving and...
We should've stayed, Hannah. Why didn't we stay?
HANNAH: When we returned from the market, Adam was holding her.
I don't know much sign language, but I knew that one.
What was it?
"I'm sorry."
Those were happy days, weren't they?
I understand how difficult this must be for you.
Please, will you just look at me?
You've forced me to make a very difficult decision, Leonard.
I make it with a heavy heart.
What do you mean?
What are you going to do?
(She sighs)
(Knock on the door)
Come in.
(She sniffs)
I'm sorry. I promised myself I wouldn't get upset.
Does anyone else know about this?
No.
Good.
Best to keep it that way.
Mrs Keating...
...you are a woman of a certain age...
...who has lived a sheltered life.
This is the real world.
But he was...
"over-familiar with me.
Mr Hobbs is a man.
You're a woman.
Maybe you gave him the wrong idea.
No!
It sounds to me like you've made it very clear to him
that you're not interested any more.
Any more?
I... I never was.
That's the end of the matter, then.
Put it down to experience.
Now, wipe your eyes,
there's a good girl...
...and get back to work.
I want to hear no more about this.
I won't have Mr Hobbs' name besmirched
because of some silly misunderstanding.
(Thunder rumbles)
(Will sighs)
Who did it'?
Pushed. Who?
(Will sighs)
Let's call it a day.
We'll come back for him first thing tomorrow.
I haven't got the stomach for it now.
What will happen to him?
He'll await trial in a remand home.
If he's found guilty, he'll stay there indefinitely.
We failed him.
(He sighs)
Sometimes, it's the way things go.
You and your God can't control everything.
(Car engine starts)
Urgh! Huh, huh!
Urgh!
Ah-ah-ah-ah!
Urgh, ah-ah, argh!
Ha!
(He pants and gasps)
- Morning. - Morning.
- Morning, all. - Morning.
Breakfast finishes at eight o'clock sharp.
Four minutes past.
I'll help you clear up.
No, thank you. I can manage.
Well, I'll leave you to it.
You've clearly decided that police business is no longer my remit, so...
(He sighs)
Is it always like this?
No.
Must just be me, then.
Ready?
(He sighs heavily) Not really.
No. Me neither.
What if there was someone with Adam in the hayloft?
- Ah, he confessed, Will. - Out of fear, maybe.
Fear alters people.
They'd do anything to make it go away.
You say that like you know.
What is it with you? One minute, you're Mr Affable.
The next, you're like a scowling bloody teenager.
He was afraid.
And no-one protected him.
It's unfair. I know.
I understand if you'd rather not come.
Geode'.!
Geordie...
That's why it happened. It's why she died.
They were protecting him.
I'd like you to go now, please.
Haven't you asked enough of us?
Not everyone was at the market the morning your mother died.
But Grandma is old.
- She's frail. - No, she isn't.
She's just treated that way.
You'd had enough of being contained and patronised.
And if your son couldn't control his wife...
...then you would.
You've already denigrated our mother.
Please leave the rest of us in peace.
You did it for Adam.
Didn't you?
I couldn't let her hurt him any more.
Your husband said it would protect you and the ones you love.
He had no idea how right he was.
MRS CARTER: "Suppose ye that I'm come to give peace on earth?
"I tell you, nay.
"But rather division."
What is this vanity?!
Stop!
Urgh!
I did it for the children, Ernest.
She was their mother.
She hurt them!
In God's name, maybe,
but it was still pain.
It was still suffering, Ernest.
And you stood by.
We must be brave.
I love you all so much.
Remember that.
I don't need your pity, sir.
You don't have my pity.
You judge me, though, and find me wanting.
It's not my place to judge.
Only God can do that.
My mother taught me the words of the Bible.
They were good words then.
- Kind words. - They still are.
There was a time when Miriam was kind.
Her smile.
God, her smile...
...broke my heart.
Life is a struggle for some.
It can harden the softest of hearts.
She became cruel.
We both did.
Then this is your chance to make amends.
I don't know where to begin.
Remember who you were.
Remember who Miriam was.
The girl whose smile broke your heart
I've spent so long...
...trying to contain everything,
to control it.
If you accept life is out of our hands and in God's...
...I think that's where real peace lies.
I don't deserve your kindness.
Everybody deserves kindness.
(He sighs)
I need to...
I believe I have a right to know what you're planning to do.
This is my livelihood.
My profession.
It's my life.
You're leaving?
The shelves have been dusted.
I've bleached the sinks.
There's a mutton pie in the larder for your supper.
Well, who will I talk with?
Laugh with?
Bicker with?
And what will I do without my friend? I...
Cheers.
Will, I'd like to say ifs been a pleasure, but...
...I think "interestinqs" a better description.
- Decided on which sermon yet'? - I am starting from scratch.
- Why? - They weren't good enough.
They were too structured.
Too ordered.
Don't worry. Nobody listens to them anyway.
Mun laughs)
I want to get it right.
You will.
Where did you learn sign language?
Ah, there was a girl.
A long time ago.
Always a girl. What was her name?
You're a dark horse. Don't worry, I'll get to the bottom of you.
Hm, you can try.
Sorry to interrupt, ladies. You're up, Geordie.
See you again.
- (Dickens barks) - Hey.
(Pants happily)
What?
You and your bloody vicars.
I've been...
...deliberating over what to say to you today.
Worrying might be more accurate.
And I thought it only fitting that we should talk about fellowship.
Most of you here are strangers to me.
But in time, I hope that we can become friends.
I hope that we can help and guide each other.
And I'm going to need every bit as much guidance,
maybe even more than you.
In God's eyes, fellowship is a form of love.
As strong as the bond between a parent and child.
Fellowship is a constant.
A comfort.
A source of strength...
“in a world that can be complicated...
...and frightening.
Two are better than one.
For, if they fall,
the one will lift up his fellow.
And I hope, in the days to come, that we can lift each other.
I'm here.
I'm your friend.
Particularly if there's cake involved.
(Laughter)