(music)
(mobile phone beep) (siren wailing)
(horn blares)
(melancholy music)
[Rita] Here, Mrs Flora.
Ooh! Mmm.
Thank you. Bless you, Rita. (Rita laughs gently)
Now he's had his boosters,
you can take him to the park so he can play with his friends,
and if you ask Amanda nicely,
she'll give him a treat 'cause he's being brave, all right?
Go on.
Er, Myra Nicholson? - That's me.
But you can call me Steve.
Hello, Myra, there we go.
Okay.
(cat yowls softly)
19's a good age, but her heart's giving out.
We should put her to sleep to spare her suffering.
I hadn't realised how long I'd...
Do you need a moment?
No, it's fine.
I hadn't expected to...
Bloody cat.
She resented me from the start.
I'm sorry.
(phone beeping)
(mysterious music)
(groaning) (objects crashing)
(moaning)
[Adam] Oh, yes, yes.
[Rita] I'm off now, Mrs Flora.
- Goodnight. - Buona notte.
I left shepherd's pie and broccoli for you.
I turn it down so it doesn't dry out.
[Flora] Ah. You spoil me.
- Home at last, Adam. - Night, Rita.
All good with my granny?
Same old, same old.
Well you could take the food out of the oven.
I love your plate warmer.
Oh, don't you mock me.
It's generational.
My generation has toast racks and plate warmers,
and yours has double espresso machines and dating apps.
How do you know about dating apps?
Well you know, Rita's my Google.
By the way, that jacket needs to go to the dry cleaners.
Something on the shoulder.
Really?
On the back.
I do hope this is all right.
She always over-seasons.
You're looking a bit flushed.
It's, er...
It's London. - Hmm.
You're like me, I hate crowds.
Am I like you?
Of course you are.
Dinner with Claudie next week before her twins arrive.
Oh! (laughs)
Well...
she'll make a better mother than I ever did.
You did all right with me.
Well, I was lucky. Fate gave me a second chance.
My bridge cronies are always asking me,
when is he going to settle down?
I say to them,
you know some of us prefer our own company.
That's what I tell them.
(pensive music)
(water running)
(phone beeping)
(doorbell buzzing)
Hi, it's Adam again from the vet's, I've brought...
(intercom buzzing)
(elevator dinging)
You'd better come in.
Hi, I was expecting Steve.
Of course you were, but I'm Caspar.
Do you live here too?
[Caspar] I do rather.
Oh, is that..?
Yes, sorry. Had to happen when you were away.
Hmm. Well...
I have to nip to the post but you'll find Steve
in his study, in need of distraction.
Hello?
- You can't leave them there. - Oh.
Hi.
Caspar'd have a fit.
Sorry, I...
I just thought I'd drop off Myra's ashes
on my way home.
I thought the box was quite nice.
Yeah.
But it's not Biedermeier.
Caspar's been known to change hotels
if the carpet upsets him.
What are you working on?
A redesign of a perfect flat in Limehouse.
All my work gets undone.
If you heal a dog, right, it stays healed.
Unhappy people can have persistently unhappy pets.
So you're an architect.
Oh, um...
Caspar swept me off my feet before I qualified.
This place is really quite nice.
Your 10 minute call.
I'm sorry, um...
(mysterious music)
So Tracey and thingy want more bubbly
and Gavin wants another glass of that stuff he likes.
[David] Okay. Riesling
You know, the one with the...
- Hey. - He-ey!
- You are vast. - I'm a whale.
Twins. Nightmare.
What am I saying, it's brilliant.
It suits you.
Well, thank God it turns him on
because it's made me so horny.
So, umm...
What?
I wanted to see you properly
but I've done that thing again.
I thought it was just gonna be us.
Yeah, I know but there's someone I want you to meet.
Hi, David.
His name's Dwight, and he teaches drama.
(chattering)
- So, Adrian. - Adam.
Yeah. How do you know David?
Claudie was my girlfriend at uni.
Oh. But I thought you were...
Yeah, I am.
I turned him.
(laughter)
I love how relaxed you Brits are.
I was told you'd all be uptight and judgemental.
(laughter)
(soft music)
And two doubles with an over-trick. Oh!
That's, oh, I can't work it out.
With all this excitement, I've just got to pee.
They've been on two dates now.
What, to the theatre?
No, to a hotel.
She's on some pills.
Certainly helps her card play.
I don't understand.
It was such a relief when I could quietly give up.
But your Michael died so young.
He was 60.
Yes, but...
Oh, I'm just not wired that way.
Never have been.
(phone beeping)
[Claudie] Hey.
Hey.
We've hardly spoken.
Yeah, will you make my apologies, this is my round.
No, it's me you apologise to.
He better be worth it, let me see.
Yeah, and his face. - Oh.
Oh yeah, he's hotter than Dwight.
That voice.
It'd be like sleeping with a chainsaw.
Sorry.
I worry about you, that could be anyone.
Is that the cock of a serial killer?
This is so not okay.
You are leaving a table of friends,
just to fuck a complete stranger.
You used to envy me and now you're judging.
Hell yes, I'm judging.
It's not cool, it's just weird.
I will give you a full report.
I'm not sure I want you to be godfather.
(phone beeping)
(chattering)
(moaning)
Oh, sorry.
Yeah...
You're...
You're very passionate.
Sorry.
No, no, don't be stupid, it was hot.
What did you say your name was again?
I didn't.
- I'm Bruno. - Hello, Bruno.
I'd like to do that again.
Anything's possible.
Sorry, but after that I need to go and use the bathroom,
so just play some music or something.
(water running)
(sombre piano music)
Where have you gone now?
[Adam] I'm just fixing your router.
[Flora] Can't it wait?
I'm almost done.
That's really kind of you to get all that kit for me.
But, really, apart from the emails,
I never use the internet.
I know, but I do.
Well then, you sit down, eat, while it's still warm.
Oh no, not again.
She puts chilli in all the time.
Poor Rita, it's fine.
So, something important, you said. - Mmm.
From the letting agents, they're not going ahead
with the cottage.
It says it's too much work to be done to be let-able.
So I want to give you that cottage now
rather than you have it later.
It's good for a man to have a project.
And it could get you out of the city.
God, wow.
Thank you.
Well, come on.
There you go.
Eat while it's still warm, please.
You're a good boy, Merlin.
All right, bye bye.
Hi, Steve?
Yes, yes, it is.
Look, this is really unprofessional, but...
(lush orchestral music)
So they never actually put central heating in
which is amazing.
There's a proper hole in one of the bedroom floors.
I should probably just sell it as is.
No, no, no. It's brilliant.
You just have to dig past all the crap.
You can't sell.
You're not seeing it. It... Oh..!
So, um...
was it like your parents' weekend cottage or...
No, we never came here.
Perhaps Flora did before she let it, but I...
I really don't know.
[Steve] Who's Flora?
My grandmother.
Christ, that's depressing junk.
Oh, but that's nice.
You see?
I'd really, really like to do a job like this, Adam.
It's like working on a site with my brothers
when I was growing up.
All hands on.
I'm bored of tarting up kitchens.
What would Caspar think of you working outside London?
Well, we're not joined at the hip, and, ah...
and he's in Brighton with his latest squeeze.
- Oh. Really? - Yeah.
You don't mind?
I don't own him.
(birdsong)
What?
Do you mind kissing me?
(ambient sound muted)
(single breath echoes)
(ambient sound fades back in)
(sound of kiss echoes)
Ah. Am I, um...
Am I barking up the wrong tree?
No.
Oh...
What?
It's not a porn film.
(struggles for words)
There's a person in these jeans, okay?
(breathing heavily)
[Adam] I can't.
This is...
I'm sorry.
(melancholy music)
Sorry, did I misread...
You saw the place, it's such a lot of work.
Oh.
Okay.
I'll make my own way from here.
Really?
Yeah.
I'll pay for your time.
Whatever.
I'll wait.
(emotive music)
Adam.
How did it go?
You were late back.
I took a designer friend with me for a second opinion.
He likes it, but I...
So it's your instinct, what, to sell?
- Probably. - Oh. That's a shame.
I better get on.
[Flora] Perhaps we could... Oh.
(mysterious music)
(music covers dialogue)
All right, thanks.
I know you want to sell, but I couldn't stop thinking
of all you could do there.
Can I show you? - Not here.
We have a backlog from this morning.
I finish at five. Um...
There's a cafe down the street.
Will you please get Eddie's profile?
(soft piano music) (chattering)
Ah.
I wasn't sure you'd come.
I owe you an apology for the weekend.
It doesn't matter, it was my fault, I...
Anyway, do what you like with this.
It may even help you sell it if you can get someone
to see past the hideous wallpaper, I'm talking too much.
Sorry.
I'll shut up.
These are beautiful, seriously.
Thank you.
I was a prat on Sunday.
I'm not used to...
You know.
No (laughs) But...
Thanks for doing these.
I don't know what I want to do with the cottage,
but I should pay you.
That's fine.
They're a present, call me and...
If you change your mind or whatever.
(haunting music)
Coffee.
Thanks.
I saw Adam Berryman again today.
I want to do that cottage, Caspar.
What about Hugo's new place?
Hugo needs therapy, not new taps.
It'd be a great opportunity for me.
But, countryside.
Country people.
[Flora] You're probably right to sell it.
Gin.
Gin again.
Who did you go with?
A friend I met through work.
Steve.
(sighs)
(bleep)
(hopeful music)
Hi. - Hey, boss.
- Someone's happy. - Like you wouldn't believe.
I'm not redesigning another high-end kitchen.
I'm in heaven.
So.
You skiving?
Saturday's surgery's only short
and they owe me so much leave.
Good.
(drill whirring) (phone beeping)
Mr Popular.
Trust me.
Living with Caspar, you could write a thesis
on sex addiction.
So, was your dad tough on you?
Let's just say his model of masculinity
wasn't exactly Lord Bernard.
You've no idea who that is, do you?
(laughs) No.
[Steve] Just tell me that you can't explain
the offside rule.
If you're closer to your opponent's goal line
than both the ball and...
I so had you there.
Bitch. (laughing)
If beds could talk, eh?
I'm sure this had a quiet a blameless life.
(hopeful music)
It's getting late.
I should go.
I got a lot more done with you here, so...
It's only Sunday tomorrow.
What, you have a hot date? - No.
That old sofa folds out into a bed of sorts.
This is so good, what did you...
Pepper, salt, lemon.
It's just steak.
Do you both cook?
What?
Sorry.
Um...
Yes, we both enjoy cooking when we're in, thanks.
We got out a lot.
Do you mind me asking all these questions?
I don't get a chance to...
Stick around long enough to make conversation?
I'm sorry, that was mean.
You're not even out, aren't you?
I bet you've still not told your granny.
Flora's so not a granny.
Not in so many words, she's...
she's never invited confidences.
And you're scared she'd...
I, um... I don't know.
Is that rain?
No.
(laughs)
This is nice.
Yeah.
(gentle music)
- Steve. - Yeah?
It's a picture.
Here. - No. Erm...
You have grease on your hands.
Better off just blowing it.
Close your eyes.
One, two, three.
[Adam] Wow.
(sighs heavily)
- Adam, can I come in? - Mm, come in.
Now, um...
No, you're going to spoil your appetite if you eat all those.
I've been working so hard all weekend, I'm starving.
Steve has a real vision for how he can...
Now doesn't he have a life in London?
No, well, it's complicated.
He has Caspar.
An art dealer and what Steve calls semi-detached.
Tuh!
Hmm! I have to show you this.
We found it in a cupboard.
I thought it was really rather lovely.
It might've been...
(soft music)
I don't remember that.
Must've belonged to the Brewers.
It's addressed to you and Grandpa.
To Flora and Michael in the hope the enclosed
might one day hang in your drawing room. Thomas.
Who's Thomas?
Oh, he was a friend of your grandfather's.
But we didn't like the picture
and, um, we put it away, chucked it out.
Why did you just pretend that you...
I can forgive.
It's how you're made. I wish you would be discreet.
But, of course, that's my age. - What..?
You and the man.
There's nothing between... There's nothing.
Well, I never expected when I gave you the cottage,
that you'd turn it into somewhere
that you'd bring your latest...
- Stop. - ...pick up.
Just stop right there.
- Using your father's money. - Just stop.
I'm 34 years old and I'm still hiding in your basement.
Is it any wonder...
It's no business of yours who I fuck.
I don't need to hear this.
I'm sorry, silly of me to forget
that anything below the neck disgusts you.
Do you ever lose control?
What do you mean?
Did you ever feel the need to give yourself?
I loved your grandfather!
- Yes, but passion! - Yes!
I loved him!
With passion!
Shit.
(breathes heavily)
All right, you win.
I've been ashamed all my life.
And I wondered why that was.
Yes, you should be ashamed because it is terrible,
it's disgusting to live with other people
as if you were animals.
- Animals? - Yes!
Animals!
(he exclaims angrily)
I always feel as if I'm in the wrong. It's not fair.
(dialling)
Come on, Steve, come on.
[Operator] The person you are calling is not available...
Shit!
(discordant notes)
Fuck.
(engine starting)
(music plays in bar)
Have you got somewhere we can go
that isn't halfway to Gatwick?
- Yeah. - Good.
(phone beeping) You wanna have a drink?
(club music)
[Man] Watch where you're going.
If that was you, here I am, let's go.
No, mate.
Well, what are you waitin' for?
Fuck off.
(throb of music)
(urinating)
You want some?
Oh yeah, that's right, take it.
(gagging) (groaning)
(sombre music)
(car engine rumbling)
(car door closing)
(knocking)
I'm sorry, I didn't know where else to go.
I just... just for a... the night.
I'm sorry.
[Steve] It's your place.
Oh, God, I stink.
I need a shower.
I left a message at work.
I've taken tomorrow off. I'm sorry for waking you.
Even the shower's not working, the plumber comes tomorrow.
The sink is fine, just go to bed.
- Are you... - Go to bed.
(melancholy music)
(scrubbing)
It's okay.
It's not okay.
It will be okay.
(tender music)
Here.
Oh...
Don't you want to talk?
I wouldn't know where to start.
(sniffling)
- I'm sorry. - Shh, shh.
I don't think I can...
Could you just hold me?
Until I sleep?
Sure.
(birdsong)
(gentle music)
(sighs)
(soft footsteps)
Ha.
[Adam] So what happens now?
I want you,
but I'm going to have to tell him.
I don't do casual. I can't do app sex.
I need more.
Okay.
No, really.
I can't share you.
Look, deleted.
Is this gonna feel weird with me paying you?
No, you're just humping the help.
- Yeah. - I will tell you when it gets weird.
Yeah?
(city noise)
The trouble with open relationships
is they don't end with a satisfying plate-smashing row.
They just become about coffee beans and cat litter.
Yeah.
He's so inexperienced.
[Caspar] Is that what they call him nowadays?
You know what I mean.
(laughing)
Just promise me you don't think
you can save him from himself.
You saved me.
You just needed pointing in the right direction.
(gentle music)
Oh, it was a lovely send off.
Perfect music, and readings by all the grandchildren.
But we all knew that relations had broken down
between her and their parents years ago.
You're lucky Adam's so close.
[Flora] Yes, I am, aren't I?
Flora?
Oh, sorry.
Miles away, where are we?
Agnes passed, I aimed heart and Geraldine said two clubs.
Are you quite well, dear?
Thank you.
(chattering)
(laughter) Oh...
(glass clinking)
Look I just wanna say I am so happy
that you were all able to help us celebrate
finally getting sewage mains.
(laughter)
But seriously.
It's good to meet Adam's surprisingly wholesome friends.
- Ooh. - And, uh, I just...
You didn't tell me you were inviting Flora.
Flora!
Hi!
Hello.
I'm sorry, I should've rung.
Don't be silly.
It's good to see you.
Yes.
I came to bring you this.
Well, it belongs here, with you.
Thank you.
Come and meet Steve.
[Flora] They're so sweet when they're new.
When they're sleeping or they've just been fed, yeah.
(laughter)
(Steve and Adam chat indistinctly) [Claudie] Steve's a honey.
You must be really glad that Adam's finally met someone.
[Flora] He's very...
I'm trying to adjust, Claudie,
I can't turn overnight into a liberal.
[Caspar] This is rather good, you know?
March has become very collectible.
Ah, I see.
I wish I hadn't told Michael to throw away his painting.
How well did you know Thomas March.
Not at all well.
They were at school together and in the army.
To Flora and Michael, in the hope that one day
the enclosed might hang in your drawing room.
What was enclosed with it?
Oh, Thomas was probably drunk.
He must've meant the painting.
Can I have some wine?
Yes, of course.
Would you mind, I think there's something peculiar
about the frame.
Something odd going on.
It's just a hunch.
[Flora] Oh, my goodness.
Yeah, there's definitely a second painting under there.
(whistle)
It's grandpa, isn't it?
(sobs quietly) Hey. It's okay.
Here.
I thought I'd won.
Won what?
His love.
But Thomas March loved Michael
and Michael loved Thomas March.
Grandpa was gay.
Yes.
Grandpa was gay.
He loved me, but he married me to be like everybody else.
[Adam] How did you find out?
His love letters. They were beautiful, and I burned them.
You burned them?
I was angry and scared that Michael
would be sent to prison.
Thomas was.
I thought I'd won.
(sighs)
(solemn music)
(sighs)
I ruined both of their lives.
They hurt you, too.
(hushed) Yes.
I wish I'd known him.
Thank you.
Could you ever imagine...
What?
...having kids with me?
I certainly could.
I got so broody today with those twins around.
Me too.
Thanks for making today so special.
Teamwork. (both laugh)
(phone beeping)
I'm so sorry.
It's just I...
Wished you had left it on silent.
I did delete it.
Yeah, but then you put it...
Steve, it's a habit.
I didn't... I haven't.
Okay.
Steve, Steve.
Hey, Steve, come on. Steve?
(keys jingling)
(door clunking)
(phone beeping)
Shit!
(sombre music)
[Flora] My God, are you all right?
What's happened?
What's happened, are you hurt?
Come on. (Adam sobbing)
Come on, now,
now let's sit down.
Here we go.
- I'm sorry.
He left me. - Oh..!
It's all my fault.
It's all my fucking fault.
Weren't you happy together?
I've never been so happy in my life.
Well, you must go after him, you can't lose him.
I'm sorry for waking you.
No, I'm glad you came to me.
I just thought of something.
I thought of something. I'd forgotten all about it
until I saw the painting.
Um...
Here.
When I thought I was losing Michael...
Oh, I fought like a tigress, to get him back.
I was all ferocity!
Oh, there was...
There was no pride.
Now,
this is a letter your Grandfather Michael wrote,
he never sent it.
I found it after he died.
Oh, you'll see. I want you to keep it.
Keep everything. And you know whatever happens,
I know that your Grandfather Michael and Thomas
would've been very, very proud of you.
Oh.
Well done.
Thank you.
(soft music)
[Michael] My darling Thomas.
I'm at work.
Nobody knows I'm writing to you here.
You refuse my visits, so you're probably tearing up my letters, too.
But there's nothing else I can do but keep trying.
It's beyond my control, do you see?
All those months ago when I had nothing to lose really,
I wrote to you in my head but was too cowardly
to set more than lies on paper.
And now I find I no longer care.
The love I feel for you runs through me
like grain through wood.
I love you, Thomas.
Your face, your voice, your touch enter my mind
at the least opportune moments.
And I find I have no power to withstand them.
No desire to.
I want us to be together as we were in the cottage,
only forever, not just a weekend.
I want it to go on so long that it feels normal.
I think of you constantly.
Your face, your breath on my neck at night.
I want to do all the ordinary, unbedroomy things
we never got around to doing.
Making toast,
raking leaves,
sitting in silence.
I love you, Thomas.
I've always loved you.
I see that now.
Tell me I'm not too late.
(gentle piano music)