[instrumental music]
Father.
What's happened?
The Kembleford Players auditioned for
Private Lives yesterday.
But I heard you weren't there.
I decided to give someone else a go this time.
And you got new suitcases.
Saw 'em being delivered yesterday.
I've been meaning to give this to you for days.
[Father Brown] Ah.
What's that?
I rather suspect it's a resignation letter.
Mr. Sullivan's got Edgar this amazing job.
So after the wedding, we're moving.
To London.
[theme music]
[Lady Felicia] Come along Mrs D.
Irene is a marvellous florist. Such a find.
So, I've done exactly what Lady Felicia asked.
I really hope you like it.
I'm sure I will.
Isn't it gorgeous?
[Mrs Devine] It's... gosh.
What is it, mum?
Well, I suppose I'd imagined a tiny bit more colour.
[Lady Felicia] Colour?
[Mrs Devine] Pink roses, orange peonies.
They're also lovely at the moment.
And perhaps some green as well...
Oh no. One has to be far more subtle these days.
Audrey Hepburn went entirely white at her wedding.
Did she?
I could add a few peonies if you like...
No need Irene.
Mrs Devine, you have so much to think about.
Just leave the hair and the flowers to me as we agreed, mmm?
Of course. Thank you Lady Felicia.
Ah.
[Eddie] Poor mum. She's got a lot on her plate.
What's it like then? London?
Huge, loud, dirty. I love it.
I don't get why mom wants to go there.
Kembleford's perfect for her.
Did she approve?
I fear my advice about what's "in vogue" is
wasted on Mrs Devine.
This is the bride who chose the Red Lion over Montague
as a reception venue.
Anyway, I've got big plans for her hair.
My friend Raymond owns one of the most
a la mode salons in Kensington.
[door opens and closes]
Lady Felicia's being awfully kind Father.
But I do feel a little out of control.
You must have the day that you want Mrs Devine.
Something old.
[soft music]
Our Lady. That's so thoughtful, Father.
[birds chirping]
[shoes clacking]
I was thinking here. Mrs Devine?
Yes, lovely. Thank you.
Flowers, moving house.
You know, none of it really matters as long as
you're with the right man.
Are you married, Irene?
I was engaged once.
It didn't work out.
But at least with this job,
I get to imagine the day I might have had.
I hope I'm not interrupting.
Oh, just important flower discussions.
Ah.
I'll be inside if you need me.
Your "Something New".
To stop you getting lost.
[soft music]
Look at it all.
I know it's a wrench for you to leave this place.
It's worth it.
[car honks]
Oh
[Sullivan chuckles].
[Grace] Darlings!
[Sullivan] Hello mother.
[Grace kisses]
How was the drive?
I averaged seventy after Chiswick.
Married for over fifty years and
I'm still terrified of him. Hello Isabel.
Lovely to see you, Mrs. Sullivan. Mr. Sullivan.
Isabel.
Father Brown.
Any joy finding a new parish secretary?
Not as yet, Mrs. Sullivan.
But replacing Mrs Devine was never going
to be an easy job.
With Edgar and Isabel gone,
perhaps you'll focus on your real job.
- [Eddie] Mr Sullivan. - Hmm, yeah.
Nice motor.
Fancy driving it to church, sonny?
Seriously?
Oh Eddie's bringing me in Hercules.
[Walter chuckles]
I can't have my future daughter in law turning up
in that wreck.
- [Grace] Walter... - What?
If it's what Mr Sullivan wants, Mum.
Is it what you want Isabel?
Oh, absolutely. Thank you Mr Sullivan.
So... Have you got the ring?
Goodfellow's bringing it later.
- Right - Oh, poor chap.
He must be so disappointed.
Well you think a disgraced copper's a
suitable Best Man, do you? Really?
- No. - Really?
I think I'll just go and see if Isabel wants some help.
Right.
That paperwork you asked for.
A colleague is bringing it to the drinks.
Alright, you're doing the right thing son.
I'm proud of you.
[dramatic transition cue]
[Sullivan and Mrs Devine laughing]
Archie!
There he is. The man of the moment.
Oh, I'm so glad you could make it.
I wasn't gonna miss the wedding of the year.
Hello, Mr Sullivan.
Archibald. Edgar told me you were on duty this weekend.
I've got someone on the cover for me.
[Walter] Ah, Right.
[Archibald] Now Edgar, there's a rumour going round you're
coming back to the Smoke...
[Sullivan] Well, the rumour is true.
Oh, fantastic! Well, I can't wait to hear all about it.
[Walter tapping his glass]
[Walter] Ladies and gentlemen, if you'd all like to
charge your glasses...
We'll- eugh!
[Walter coughs]
I think I'll stick to water.
If he thinks that's bad, he should try the house white...
Well, my wife and I are delighted to be
welcoming Isabel into the Sullivan family on Saturday.
And we're thrilled that she
and Edgar have chosen to join us in London.
To the happy couple.
[All] To the happy couple.
[guests cheering and clapping]
[instrumental music]
When I saw the engagement announcement in
the Times I almost fell off my chair.
[Lady Felicia chuckles]
I had Edgar down as a life long bachelor.
Oh, you must have some stories from wild days in London.
I couldn't possibly comment.
What a shame.
Perhaps another drink will loosen your tongue...
Why not?
I sometimes think Walter takes pleasure in
scaring me with his driving.
Mrs Devine likes driving really fast.
I drove ambulances in the war.
Good for you, Isabel.
You know, before I married Walter,
I so wanted to be a doctor.
I was top of the class but it wasn't to be.
[Mrs Devine] Oh, well.
Here, Archie.
[Archibald] She seems lively.
[Sullivan chuckles]
[Sullivan] And also happily married, Archie.
Shame. So, what's this new job then?
Detective Superintendent.
Oh.
Yes. To be honest, my father had a helping hand in it.
So yes, I'm very fortunate.
Ah, excuse me. Back in a minute.
I am sorry about this Goodfellow.
Not my choice, I should hasten to add.
I didn't leave your father an option, Sir.
[Walter] Mr Goodfellow.
Mr. Sullivan.
No hard feelings, I hope?
None at all, sir.
Thank you.
Come in for a drink.
I won't Sir. But, thank you though.
You will still come to the wedding though, won't you?
Wouldn't miss it for the world Sir.
Mr Sullivan.
Mr. Goodfellow.
Right...
Ah! Thank you Constable.
Double scotch, no ice.
Did duty call?
Yeah, something like that.
Another.
Somebody's stop being fun.
She looks pretty rum too.
Irene?
I think I'll get an early night Lady Felicia,
Did somebody die?
[Walter] What's bothering him.
I'm not sure. He didn't seem overjoyed about my new job.
Ha, Jealousy. It's a terrible thing.
Well look, I think I'll turn in. So I'll say goodnight all.
Come on, grace.
[Grace] I's better just go and make sure he's alright.
Stay, mother.
Oh dear.
Don't worry Mrs D.
They'll all be on better form tomorrow.
[soft music]
What the...!
[loud gunshot]
No, father, father!
The bullet is embedded in his shoulder.
They're going to surgically remove it later.
It's just the shoulder?
The nurse said he had lucky escape.
Should make a full recovery.
That's a relief.
Has he been able to speak yet?
Enough to tell me he didn't see who shot him, Father.
He also said whatever happens, mother,
he wants the wedding to go ahead.
Good.
Well, your father doesn't want me fussing around and
so I'll see you later at the church, for the rehearsal.
[Sullivan] Oh, okay.
Right...
He won the King's Police Medal you know.
Then on his last day of service, May 12th 1941,
he arrested Reggie Robinson, the Met's most wanted gangster.
Forced him off the road in W5.
Your father and your role model.
This was in his jacket pocket.
He's insisting I get the wedding party checked
for criminal records.
Old habits die hard.
[Father Brown] "Irene Frost. Larceny."
Miss Frost retired to bed early last night. She was upset.
If my father spoke with her, he wouldn't have held back.
For that reason alone I suspect she is worth talking to.
Father?
I need your assistance. One last time.
Help me find out who shot my father.
I will do my best. Chief Inspector.
Oh hello, Father.
Sergeant.
I spoke to Mrs. Sullivan.
Sounds like Mr. Sullivan had a narrow escape.
He did indeed.
And the chief inspector has asked me
to help find the perpetrator.
And to that end, I would very much like to speak
with Miss Frost.
The florist? I just walked past her.
She stood at the bus stop.
Oh yes, the bus for Gloucester leaves in ten minutes.
Thank you, Sergeant. Very helpful.
Oh, if there's anything else I
can help you with, Father...
Yes, there is.
Leaving us, Miss Frost?
Father Brown.
Before you go,
I wanted to talk to you about Walter Sullivan.
Yes, that's such terrible news.
I heard the gunshot from my bedroom.
I wonder did you talk to him last night, about this?
He sacked me
Because of your previous conviction.
He said any convicted criminal could never be trusted.
Which clearly upset you.
Yes, because this job was so important to me.
Making a living from flowers has always been a struggle.
But with Lady Felicia's high society connections,
I thought my troubles were finally over...
Given the circumstances,
angry feelings towards Mr Sullivan would
have been understandable.
I didn't shoot him Father.
Yet here you are, slipping away without a goodbye.
How can I look Lady Felicia in the eye,
when she now knows I'm a thief?
I think you should talk to Lady Felicia and Mrs. Devine.
Why?
[soft music]
I think you will find them surprisingly forgiving.
Shoplifting?
It's not an excuse but I was having a difficult time.
I had just lost my fiancé.
Oh no. Had he been ill?
He died in the Blitz.
Irene, I'm so sorry.
Does this transgression bother you Mrs. D?
Not at all.
Right, we're all agreed. You are officially re-instated.
Let's get you checked back into the Red Lion.
Really?
[Irene laughs]
Thank you. Thank you.
[knock on door]
[Father Brown] Sergeant.
Father, Mrs Devine.
I found the gun abandoned in a hedge along Marrow Lane.
Oh, well done. Sergeant.
Ah, I put you in a difficult position.
I presume you handed it in at the police station.
I did. Father, turns out it's a police issue.
Signed out by Detective Superintendent Archibald Kelly.
[dramatic transition cue]
Detective Superintendent Kelly.
They found your gun.
It's at Kembleford police station.
I'm intrigued as to why you failed to report it missing.
What sort of a Priest are you?
I'm a friend of Chief Inspector Sullivan's.
I gather his promotion in London to
Detective Superintendent, was a surprise for you.
It's your job he's taking, isn't it?
It gets worse.
I'm being shown the door. Early retirement.
Do you sense Mr. Sullivan Senior's hand in this too?
Of course.
Walter Sullivan retired as
Assistant Commissioner 14 years ago,
but top brass still listen to that old fool's every word.
Given that the gun belongs to you.
Spare your breath.
If I'd shot Walter, I wouldn't have missed.
The warning shot across his [indistinct] perhaps?
Wrong again Father.
[dramatic transition cue]
[Mrs Devine] No, it doesn't look like the act of a
high-ranking policeman.
Perhaps that's the point.
[door opening]
Edgar,
How is your father?
Still insisting we go ahead tomorrow,
still adamant he'll be here.
But his doctors aren't very keen and neither am I.
If he leaves hospital, he'll be a far easier target.
Maybe we should delay it a week?
No Isabel. No. You mustn't let what happened to
Walter change your plans!
I'm sorry but, I just want you to have
the day you've dreamed of.
[door opening]
Archie. Father Brown updated me.
I'm heading back to London.
I honestly had no idea my father did this to you.
Now you do.
[Sullivan] Do stay.
[Archibald] Your priest friend accused me of
shooting your father.
[Sullivan scoffs]
He wouldn't have missed.
[Archibald] That's what I told him.
If I do stay, it's for you. Not for him.
[Father Brown] Goodbye, goodbye.
Well done.
Thank you Father.
Well done.
Thank you Father.
Thank you for stepping into
the best man role, Mrs. Sullivan.
Well, let's just hope my husband is well enough tomorrow.
Indeed.
Father Brown, Eddie's found something next
to Mr Sullivan's car.
It was in amongst the broken glass.
[soft music]
Intriguing.
Well done, Eddie.
Ah, good morning, Father. Any progress?
Yes. The local jeweller has confirmed that
the cut stone Master Devine found was a diamond.
Ah, right.
So, the impact of the golf club against
the glass must have dislodged it from its setting.
Right, yes.
[car door shutting]
Oh, what!
Father? What are you doing?
I discharged myself. What's he up to?
We're just... Look I told you. It was too dangerous.
I'm your Best Man.
And I need to get that window repaired.
Mr Sullivan, you have a rash on your hand.
[Walter] So?
May I have a look?
No you may not!
Your one and only job today is to marry my son.
Now, Edgar, get me to a garage. Come on.
[Walter sighs]
Well don't just stand there, open the door!
Hellooo! Raymond will be here any minute Mrs D.
I can't wait to see what he's got planned.
Lovely.
Your bouquet, Isabel.
My something blue.
It should of course be entirely white but
Irene twisted my arm.
Thank you.
Oh, don't forget your "something borrowed" from Grace.
Oh yes.
Her engagement ring!
Oh, I say...
How much is that worth?
There's a diamond missing.
[Lady Felicia] Oh so there is. Oh, that's bad form.
You can't wear that Isabel.
[Father Brown] Lady Felicia. Where is Mrs Sullivan?
At the Red Lion finishing the seating plan.
Thank you
Father.
How's Isabel?
Delighted with her ring.
Oh good.
Despite the missing stone.
This displaced jewel was found at the scene
of your husband's shooting.
Curious choice of a gift I thought,
your own engagement ring.
And I've been struck by
how much cooler you've been towards your husband
since his injury.
Yes. I smashed his precious car
and I can tell you it felt bloody good.
May I ask why?
At the drinks, Archibald shared a secret with me.
He told me it was Walter who stopped me becoming a doctor.
When I was eighteen, Walter offered to
post my application to medical school.
It turns out he dropped it in a dustbin.
Thus destroying your hopes of a career.
I'd always assume the university didn't reply
because I was a woman.
Why would your husband do such a thing?
Because father, a woman with her own career did not fit
with Walter's idea of a wife.
Dependent, uncontrollable.
It seems he divulged this when Archibald asked him for
tips on a "happy marriage".
And as a housewife,
I've had to swallow my pride
and bite my tongue in that man's company for 50 years
and all because he sabotaged my future.
Mrs. Sullivan, I can fully understand your feelings
of anger towards your husband.
Did you take matters into your own hands?
No Father. But by God I was tempted.
When I asked you to help, Father,
I didn't mean accuse my mother of
attempting to murder my father.
I'm not persuaded that it was your
mother who shot your father.
However, I suspect she would
appreciate a conversation with you.
Oh Edgar. Thank God I have got you.
[Grace sniffles]
Thank you Raymond. Marvellous. See you soon.
That man is in such demand. Right, Mrs D. Ready?
[Mrs Devine] I think so.
Ah, just in time Father, doesn't she look wonderful?
Just like Doris Day.
It's very striking.
What do you think Mrs Devine?
This is awful.
Well it's all the rage in SW1...
I mean the wedding, the suitcases.
I haven't been honest with you.
Mrs Devine?
Mr Sullivan won't give his blessing for the marriage
unless we move to London.
That's the real reason we're leaving Kembleford.
[Lady Felicia] He's manipulating you?
[Brenda] But why?
[Mrs Devine] He says I'll ruin Edgar's career if
we stay here.
Because of my connection to you Father.
I didn't want to tell you 'cause I
didn't want you to feel bad.
Thank you for telling me Mrs Devine.
I knew from his first visit that Mr. Sullivan had concerns.
Mrs Devine.
In your heart of hearts, what do you want?
I want what's best for Edgar.
Yes, I am ready to leave Kembleford for him.
But,
for my last day here,
I really just want to be "me".
Calamity. What have I done?
Isabel I am so, so sorry.
I could try and find some colourful flowers for
the church if you like.
Oh, do you have time?
I'll hand these out at the Red Lion
and then see what I can find.
[Mrs Devine] Oh, thank you Irene.
Irene made London sound nice.
She was telling me about Ealing.
Is that where she's from?
And where her fiancé Alfie died in 1941.
Two days before their wedding, can you imagine?
Did she mention the date of the wedding?
I think they got married on Whitsun. Why?
May, 1941, London W5...
The button holes...
[Mrs Devine] Father?
[soft music]
I can help you put it on.
Oh no, thank you, no.
Let me give you a hand Mrs Sullivan.
Oh, thank you.
Well, this is nice.
Ah, ladies and gentlemen,
please join me in raising a glass to my son Edgar.
[All] To Edgar.
What the...
[Father Brown] Perhaps your father would be
better off with a pint.
Miss Frost, a word please? In private?
[suspenseful music]
What is it Father?
Methanol.
It kills the bubbles.
The same poison you used two days ago on Mr Sullivan.
To avenge the death of your beloved fiancé Alfie.
Pardon?
Alfie wasn't killed by a Nazi bomb,
he was killed by Walter Sullivan.
In pursuit of a celebrated gangster.
[door creaking]
What was hell's going on?
Can I ask you both to leave?
No. No. I want them to hear this.
The day before our wedding,
Alfie and I went on a walk in Ealing.
We were so excited.
[solumn music]
[police car bell ringing]
Alfie
Help me!
Help!
By the time the ambulance arrived, Alfie was dead.
I didn't recognise your name.
You told your people that Alfie was
standing in the middle of the road.
You said that it was, you said it was his fault.
And they believed you!
That's how I remember it.
Liar!
Have you any idea how long we've
been after Reggie Robinson?
I promised Alfie that I would avenge his death.
But Walter Sullivan wasn't in the phone book.
I couldn't find him anywhere
Until you saw his name on an
engagement notice in the Times 14 years later.
Yeah I persuaded Lady Felicia to hire me as a florist.
Everything was going perfectly...
[glass chimes]
Ladies, gentlemen, if you'd like to charge your glasses.
[Walter] Oh, eugh-
[Father Brown] Until Mr. Sullivan refused his wine,
gave himself a nasty rash.
Luckily I heard that policeman mention that he was armed.
Then I just waited until morning.
[loud gunshot]
I was about to shoot a second time.
But then I heard the car.
[car revving]
You know, I really needed it to be third time lucky today.
You are a very troubled woman.
[Father Brown] Miss Frost.
It's not too late for you to atone for your actions.
To repent and ask the Lord for forgiveness...
I regret nothing Father. Except not finishing the job.
This man has had a terrible power over you for 14 years.
Perhaps now it is time,
finally for you to let go of your anger.
It is not what Alfie would've wanted.
[sorrowful music]
[Walter] I told you she was trouble.
Why the hell didn't you listen to me?
I don't want you as my Best Man.
What?
The ring, please?
Hold on a moment, Edgar.
No. I'm not listening to another word from you. The ring.
During the service,
you will sit at the back and say nothing.
Understand?
Mother.
Walter Sullivan covered up his fatal recklessness
to protect his King's Medal and his reputation.
Poor Edgar. To learn that about your father.
Today of all days.
It's two o'clock Mrs D.
Well where are Brenda and Eddie?
[Mrs Devine screams]
[crowd ambiance]
What are you two up to?
Just sorting out present for mum.
Ta-ra!
Oh, um.
Goodfellow?
Oh, hello, sir.
Uh.
In the absence of my father,
I would
very, very much like to reinstate you as my best man.
And you would of course have every right not to accept.
Sir, I do accept.
Really?
Yeah.
Oh, that's - that's erm, thank you, Daniel.
Thank you so much.
Here.
Oh!
And er, don't worry about the speech.
Actually, sir, I'd already written the speech
when you suspended me.
Oh.
Oh!
[both laugh]
[organ music]
You look marvellous Mrs D.
You really do, Mum.
[uplifting instrumentals]
Me and Eddie got them from the Presbytery garden.
Thank you.
[organ starts playing]
[Sullivan] You look beautiful.
Thank you.
Take Isabel's right hand in yours.
I Edgar Percival Sullivan take thee
Isabel Jane Devine to my wedded wife;
to have, and to hold; from this day forward;
for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer;
in sickness and in health; until death do us part;
and thereto I plight thee my troth.
Isabel take Edgar's hand.
I, Isabel Jane Devine take thee Edgar Percival Sullivan
to my wedded husband;
to have, and to hold; from this day forward;
for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer;
in sickness and in health; till death do us part;
and thereto I plight thee my troth.
Ego vos conjungo in matrimonium.
In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.
[Congregation] Amen.
In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.
[Sullivan] In the name of the Father,
the Son and the Holy Ghost.
Amen.
I also promise,
that we will stay in Kembleford - if you'd like to?
[congregation gasps]
Yes, I would very much.
[joyous music]
[crowd cheering and clapping]
[Lady Felicia] Congratulations.
It's brilliant news.
I can't believe this.
Although I wonder what Mr Sullivan's gonna say.
It won't make any difference now.
Congratulations Edgar.
Thank you Archie. And for staying.
I'll telephone the office first thing on Monday and
insist that they give you your job back.
You're a gent.
Although, you'd have done well back in London.
I'll do even better here.
I'm sure you will old chap.
You're making a big mistake, son.
I'd have bitten hands off for that opportunity.
Yes Father.
And you're also someone who killed an innocent man,
lied to protect his own reputation,
and destroyed his wife's dreams of becoming a doctor.
I wouldn't have done any of those things.
But I did make one big mistake.
Spending so long believing I had to listen to
a man like you.
[Brenda] I do love it here.
But part of me wishes I could come to London with you.
I'd like that.
Really?
Yeah. Whenever you're ready.
As you know, it's customary to give one's Best Man a gift.
But you re-instated me as your Best Man, Sir.
Yes, well I'm also going to get you
re-instated as a police officer.
But how?
I'll take the rap.
You'll pay a very heavy price for doing that Sir...
It'll be worth it.
Thank you, Sir. Thank you.
We, we, we should talk.
Yes we should. But in a couple of days.
Why not later, at the reception?
Because your name isn't on the seating plan.
Perhaps it got lost in the post.
[Father Brown] Group photograph!
What do you think of the flowers then Lady Felicia?
Audrey Hepburn wouldn't have approved,
but I thought they were lovely.
Oh, Father, I'd like to withdraw my resignation.
Withdrawal accepted. Mrs. Sullivan.
We've got some unpacking to do.
I can't wait.
[Photographer] Everyone say cheese!
[Mr and Mrs Sullivan] Cheese!
[camera clicks]
[Father Brown theme]