SEPTEMBER 1965
PRODUCTION INFORMATION Produced by: ATV NETWORK at the Alpha Studios, Birmingham.
Cast and story information from ITC Entertainment Programme Synopsis: Crossroads Episodes January-December 1965, TV World/TV Times/ TV listings. Producer: REG WATSON Created by: HAZEL ADAIR AND PETER LING Directors: ALAN COLEMAN, TIM JONES, JACK BARTON, REG WATSON Written by: PETER LING & HAZEL ADAIR (week 43), PAUL ERICKSON (week 44), PAUL ERICKSON (week 45) KENNETH HILL (week 46) KENNETH HILL (week 47) Theme Tune: TONY HATCH Other Crew: Designers: REX SPENCER and ELIZABETH DORRITY, Floor Managers: PETER HARRIS and LIZ STERN, Production Manager: MARGARET FRENCH |
CAST LIST – SEPTEMBER
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Some TV listings note a ‘Jill Richmond’ as featured in edition 234 (September 23rd) as played by Jane Rossington. This is an error on the part of the listings magazine; there is no such character.
This month contains sequences recorded in France.
EPISODES
EPISODE 216 – August 30th: A new week in Kings Oak and in the kitchen Diane and Marilyn are discussing working on a bank holiday. Marilyn says sometimes she’d much prefer ‘one of them desk jobs, as I’d be sitting down all day’ Meg has quietly snuck up behind them and tells Marilyn that ‘sitting down all day is bad for the figure… it spreads’.
Sandy is on his way to France, to stay with friends of Hugh Mortimer. It’s supposed to be educational to assist him in learning French; but he’s more interested in what sights he might see – especially those of the female variety.
Brian is back from his management training course (he was deemed already capable so doesn’t need to complete the full scheme). He pops in to see Janice at the car hire office. Sam is also in the office as the newly installed manager. Brian tells them ‘I thought of you poor lot hard at work, so I came to cheer you up’. Once Sam has left on a taxi job, Brian asks Janice out to dinner. ‘I’d like to, I’d like that very much’ she tells him.
At the reception Louise and Meg are making small talk. Meg thinks she’s got trouble coming to stay on the 9th and 10th – a guest with ‘a very excitable poodle’. Louise mentions at one of their hotels in Florida a guest checked in with a sea lion who was very happy to spend the night in the bath. Meg then turns her attention to ‘Mr Borelli’s cufflinks’ did Louise manage to get them sent to her father America safely? (Meg knows full well Hugh is now wearing them). Louise says she changed her mind, she’ll get Pop something else. She casually says she’s given them to Hugh instead.
In the kitchen, Josefina is complaining of feeling unwell. Diane says she looks very unwell. Marilyn asks if she has any pain. Josefina points to her tummy. They take her to lay down. Carlos, now back doing light work, is very worried. Later, Meg speaks with Carlos in the kitchen…
Carlos: “Ah, my Josefina, how is she? …Is she not feeling better?”
Meg: “No She’s not better at all. I’m sorry Carlos we are going to have to send for the doctor immediately.”
Episode status: Full episode is wiped/missing, however, some sequences recorded on film survive. (Paris scenes).
EPISODE 217 – August 31st: Josefina is in hospital, Carlos is by her side as they await to find out what is going on with their unborn baby. Josefina suffered a miscarriage while in Spain a few years ago so they are both very nervous. Diane and Marilyn are talking during their breakfast duties rather than work. Marilyn says she told Mr. Freed she wasn’t being altered not for anyone.
“All that about having my nose altered. I didn’t fancy that at all. ‘Fame and fortune is all very well Mr. Freed’ I said to him, ‘but there are some sacrifices that are just too much – and I’m not sacrificing my nose for anybody!'” – Marilyn
Diane observes it’s lucky Mr. Freed hasn’t called back then, it would be a waste of fourpence. Carlos comes into the kitchen. He tells Diane and Marilyn he’s walked back from the hospital. He then notes ‘Josefina has been most brave, but there is not any baby. Not any more.’
In the reception, Meg is sorting through mail and bookings when Hugh pops in. One of the letters is from Sandy’s school with his GCE results. Meg is happily surprised. ‘Out of seven subjects, he’s only failed French and Geography.’ Hugh observes ‘My dear Meg, now Sandy’s in Paris, he’ll have too much on his mind to worry about exam results.’
In Paris Madame Caumartin is frantic with worry. Sandy was supposed to return home two hours previous, and there has been no sight or sound of him all day since he left to explore the city centre that morning. She calls Meg and lets her know. Meg isn’t so concerned and says he’s probably lost track of time and is enjoying himself. It’s a regular thing with Sandy to lose track of time. She reassures Madame Caumartin that he’ll be back soon enough.
Janice pops in to see Hugh at his penthouse. She’s been worrying about the night of the car crash and her compensation. She tells Hugh about how she didn’t officially hire the car on the night and how the booking was added retrospectively. Hugh thanks her for telling him the truth. He tells her not to worry, he’ll speak with the insurance agent and see if it changes anything. Hugh does a little flirting and offers Janice a drink, but she says sadly she can’t stay as her parents are expecting her home for dinner.
It’s nearly midnight and Meg hasn’t gone to bed as she is now rather concerned that there has been no news from Paris about Sandy. Hugh pops in to give some moral support and not long after Madame Caumartin calls once more – Sandy still hasn’t returned.
Episode status: Full episode is wiped/missing, however, some sequences recorded on film survive. (Paris scenes).
EPISODE 218 – September 1st: The episode begins where 217 left off. Meg tells Hugh everything Madame Caumartin has said, ‘Sandy was due back at six o’clock and he hasn’t turned up.’ She tells Hugh that they called this time to get her permission to call the police. She agreed.
“I keep thinking of Sandy – lost, all alone in that huge city. He’s only sixteen. In some ways, he’s still such a child” – Meg
Sandy is seen enjoying a saucy Paris floor show with dancing girls at the Moulin Rouge. He was found dishevelled wandering the streets by dancer Mavis, who realising he was young and alone took him into the club. She has promised to drive Sandy to his lodgings when she finishes work. After the show, in the dressing room, Sandy is surprised to learn that all the dancers are English. He explains he got stuck in the city centre after someone stole his wallet up the Eiffel Tower so he couldn’t pay to get the bus back to his digs.
Mavis: “Oh, all the best troupes in Paris are English – there’s the Bluebells and us, and…”
Shirley: “These French girls haven’t got the discipline darling! They can wiggle (she demonstrates) and that’s about their lot.”
Mavis: “Shirley behave, you know some people aren’t used to your display of personality!” (As Sandy grabs an eyeful)
The next morning at the car hire office Janice is telling Sam about her conversation with Hugh when he walks in on their conversation. Hugh says he’s already spoken to the insurance company to find out the ins and outs of the policy and tells Janice it is good news.’The insurance covers passengers in all circumstances – it’s a blanket policy and it applies to all the cars belonging to the firm, whether they’re on duty or not… so you needn’t have bothered trying to tamper with the facts after all’. Hugh suspects Sam may have been involved somehow with the ploy, but only hints at this rather than fully ask him outright.
Episode status: Wiped/Missing
EPISODE 219 – September 2nd: In the motel kitchen Meg is feeling much better having had a call from Madame Caurmartin saying last night Sandy finally arrived home at 2 am. ‘She was a little vague about the details’ Meg notes, adding, ‘all I know is Sandy got lost and he was helped out by someone to get to the Caurmartin’s house’.
Sam has driven Hugh to the Chamber of Commerce for one of his councillor meetings. Sam is curious to see the council have a lot of hire cars from Westons outside. He thinks maybe it’s time Night and Day got into the act and starts wooing Judith Bradley, CoC secretary. She tells him Westons have had the contract with the council for the past six years and there is another year to go on their deal. So he turns his attention to asking her out for a date.
Carlos is worrying about Josefina, Meg says if she wants to come home she should come to the motel and rest rather than be alone and sad at the hospital. He says he will bring her back. But Josefina is already making plans, she wants to go and visit her mother in Spain next week or earlier if its possible.
Marilyn asks Meg what happened to Sandy the other evening when the topic turns to ordering olive oil for the French dressing…
Meg: “What indeed! He phoned me last night. He ended up in a chorus girl’s dressing room at some club.”
Marilyn “Oh, Mrs Richardson! French undressing more like it!”
Diane: “And he was there half the night…”
William: “You’ve got to realise Sandy isn’t a little boy now, he’s growing up. In fact by the sounds of it quite grown up. He obviously enjoyed the sights!”
Meg: “Well, sadly, he’s not that grown up; he’s managed to lose his wallet – and all his money. I’ve had to wire some more. Hopefully, he’ll spend it wisely.”
At the Moulin Rouge Club, Sandy pops in to thank Mavis and Shirley for all their help in getting him home. He gives them a bouquet of flowers. Shirley says she’ll buy him a drink …of lemonade.
Diane has decided to sunbathe during her lunch hour in the motel garden, ‘But you can’t do that here’ protests Marilyn. When William gets an eyeful of her bikini he adds, ‘Good gracious, Diane half naked outside the back door’. Marilyn says they’ll have to wait and see what Mrs Richardson makes of it.
In the garden Mr Freed, who has popped to the motel to try and persuade Marilyn to reconsider his offer, spots Diane sunbathing. Meg comes storming up ‘What on earth do you think you’re doing? …this isn’t some kind of lido, put your overall back on and cover yourself up…’ Mr Freed suggests what Diane needs is a new career, has she ever considered entering beauty contests?
Late night at the reception Meg and Hugh are talking about Louise and how before she heads back to America she’s keen to see as much of the UK as possible, Hugh has suggested ‘as an old friend of the family’ that he’ll take her to some of the ‘must see’ places. Before Meg can respond Stephanie ‘Stevie’ Harris rushes into the foyer very upset. Meg asks if her father is okay, Stevie says she doesn’t know where he is – she’s run away!
Episode status: Wiped/Missing
EPISODE 220 – September 3rd: In the final episode of the week Stevie is asking Meg for help. She says she’s running away from her father. He finally decided it wasn’t fair to keep taking her around the country with his sales work, so he decided to put her in an orphanage. ‘A children’s home? Well, that’s not such a bad thing’, Meg notes, Stevie says it’s a terrible idea.
At the motel reception, Meg calls Stevie’s father and gets a very blunt response. He’s far too busy to collect her; but he’ll make sure the social services know where she is to collect her. Meg is furious. Hugh still sat at the bar, suggests Mr Harris clearly doesn’t care much how Stephanie is feeling.
The next morning Diane is working at the motel bar when Mr Freed pops in. He tells Diane how impressed he is with her style, he suggests she could take part in up to 30 beauty contests a year. A lucrative business of beauty. And the side line interests are money spinners too – ‘modelling, commercials, promotion events’. Freed tells Diane she could be ‘in the big time’. Marilyn enters from the kitchen and tells Freed she’s been thinking. She tells him if it is desperately what is needed she’ll have the nose job to progress her beauty career. He tells her ‘There’s no need babe’ she’s old news.
Marilyn: “What made him change is mind like that?”
Diane: “I’ve really no idea”
Marilyn: “You’re behind this. I see it now, just what do you think you’re doing?”
Diane: “I don’t think – I know! I’m going to give in my notice right now. I’m off to be a beauty queen”
Later upstairs in their bedroom in Meg’s house, Carlos and Josefina reflect on Stevie’s issues. She says it is so unfair that some people have children and neglect them, whereas they want a baby and can’t have one of their own.
Brian and Janice are having an intimate evening out. They both say how it’s lovely to be getting along so well again. He says he’s grown up and realises how he was being stupid with all his silly jealous moods. She suggests maybe they get on better when they’re not engaged. Brian says maybe this time they should just cut out the engagement and get married?
Saturday morning, Meg is talking to Sally from the council who has come to take Stevie to the girls’ home. She says it isn’t like people think anymore. This house has sixteen girls and ‘a house mother’. But it can still be stressful in the initial process. Sally also reflects that ‘at least in this case there hasn’t been any physical violence’. Meg however suggests Stevie’s mental health isn’t in the best place. Sally notes ‘mental health issues can be a more dangerous situation to deal with’. Stevie comes into the foyer and hides behind Meg saying she doesn’t want to go and becomes hysterical once more.
Sam has popped in to see Judith at home, he meets her father who is the man who deals with the Chamber of Commerce’s contracts. Judith tells her father Sam runs the Night and Day Car Hire and is interested in getting the council contract. Mr Bradley’s response is not one Sam wanted to hear – the council are very happy with Westons, and no one gets a deal with him ‘through the backdoor’.
Sally and Meg are discussing Stevie. Meg asks is there no one that they could place Stevie with, if she’s so against the girls’ home? Sally asks if Meg is willing to do that herself. She has a vast house, and most of the bedrooms are empty?
Episode status: Wiped/Missing
EPISODE 221 – September 6th: Meg had explained to Sally that it is very unlikely she could foster Stevie Harris. It isn’t that she doesn’t want to but the motel is short-staffed and the business takes up a lot of her time. Meg explains how when her husband Charles was alive they ran the house as a B&B, but since his death security has been a concern for her. This is why she had the chalets built – as she didn’t want strangers in the house with just herself and her children on site through the night.
If she lets anyone stay in one of the bedrooms there is no way of stopping them from accessing the rest of the house, with just one main staircase, so isn’t keen on ‘having a stranger’ being able to access all areas private and public. Meg said that in the future, if Stevie visited often, and they got to know her better she might consider fostering her – once she’s proved to be able to be trusted in the building.
Sally thinks Meg might be making excuses, but realises she isn’t going to change her mind so despite much protest from the girl takes Stevie to the home for girls.
Monday morning and Marilyn and Diane are washing up in the motel kitchen and discussing Mr Freed. Marilyn says he’s all talk, Diane notes that wasn’t what she was saying yesterday when she tried to get signed up again. Diane says she isn’t trying to get signed up – she is signed up with Mr Freed and she’s leaving at the end of the week, she’s given Mrs Richardson notice.
Sally returns to see Meg. She tells Meg that Stevie is very unhappy at the girl’s home. Sally suggests maybe rather than any commitment Meg could take Stevie on a ‘trial period’ to see how things go. Carlos notes that as he now lives in the house ‘Meg need not worry about security’ he can ‘be the man’ if any issues arise during the night. Sally says she wouldn’t usually have returned to ask a second time however Stevie isn’t eating or socialising and as she appeared to be ‘happy’ at the motel she asks Meg to think about it. Meg says she has Jill and Sandy – her own children – to consult on the matter first before coming to a decision.
Josefina has finalised the arrangements to visit Spain for a while to stay with her mother to recover from her miscarriage. Carlos is rather depressed by it all.
In the motel office, Brian and Meg are waiting for a call from Kitty and Dick in Australia. Kitty tells Meg everything is going well, although Dick keeps worrying about the Car Hire. Brian tells him that Hugh says Sam is doing a good job so he should stop worrying. Brian promises his dad he’ll pop into the car hire to make sure everything is as it should be if it’ll stop him fretting.
In the evening Hugh and Meg are sat at the motel bar. He says he’s been thinking, thinking about their future.
Hugh: “Tell me Meg – have you ever thought of giving this up?”
Meg: “You mean the motel?”
Hugh: “Yes. Letting it all go – and instead setting for a more ‘normal’, quiet home life”
Meg: “You mean an ‘ordinary housewife? I have thought about it – many times – and thought to myself ‘what would I do all day long’ in a house probably alone for most of the time.”
Hugh smiles, Meg is left a little baffled by his cheery response.
Peeking through the door Marilyn tells Carlos that Mr Mortimer appears to have upset Mrs Richardson. Carlos tells her to stop trying to be James Bond and spying on other people. Marilyn says they used to be so happy until that ‘American woman’ came along. It will all end in tears she says. Marilyn recalls how ‘she’s seen it all before’. Carlos asks when. She replies, ‘in the movies of course’.
Episode status: Wiped/Missing
EPISODE 222 – September 7th: Carlos makes a phone call to a Mr Cowley who has advertised for a continental chef for his new hotel. He’s interrupted by Meg entering the reception from the office, so promptly hangs up saying it was a wrong number. Meg is not too interested in the call. Diane is more of her concern. Has anyone seen her this morning? She hasn’t turned up or called and its a busy day.
Stevie has arrived to stay from the Redlands Children’s Home and is happy to be at the motel. Meg is busy preparing for the arrival of a coach of Italian tourists for lunch so isn’t able to give Stevie her full attention, but promises they’ll have a good chat over dinner tonight. Stevie says she’d like to help with the motel work, Meg says no – she’s there as ‘family’ not as staff.
Marilyn informs Carlos she’s spoken to Diane’s landlady at her digs – she won’t be back to work at the motel – Diane is in London being ‘the next big fashion star’. When Meg is told she notes how let down she feels by staff treating the motel so shabbily, Carlos feels guilty for his own feelings of wanting to find a ‘better job’.
That evening, in the motel restaurant, Louise and Hugh are discussing the latest goings on in each other’s business empires. Marilyn takes their order of Prawn Cocktail and Wiener Schnitzel ‘for two’. She gives Louise a dirty look as she heads back to the kitchen. Hugh says he ordered the same as Louise as ‘we don’t want to overload Marilyn’s brain’. They both are amused.
Louise says it seems for an ‘American idea’ the motel is set in very ‘British ways’. She notes ‘Why don’t they use the numbers system on the menu?’ Hugh says ‘That just isn’t very elegant for an English establishment’. She says that when they open their hotel maybe they could have a number option menu for the restaurant. Hugh says Louise needs to keep quiet about the new hotel. He doesn’t want anyone finding out about that, yet.
“That Borelli creature, I know she’s up to something every time I go near their table they keep changing the subject of their conversation.” – Marilyn.
Episode status: Wiped/Missing
EPISODE 223 – September 8th: Sandy has returned from Paris. Meg brings up the subject of Stevie and how she’s staying for a while, but how would Sandy feel if he gained another sister? She says he should think it over for a while and let her know his thoughts later.
Sam and Brian catch up for a chat about the car hire. Sam says Dick is over-worrying and he has ‘already sent Mr Jarvis a letter to Aussieland explaining the latest. And that includes how the insurance will be paying out to Janice as Mr Mortimer has personally handled the case.’. Brian says his father will be pleased to hear all is going well. Although he fears Dick won’t stop worrying all the time he’s in Australia about the business.
At the Fairlawns Hotel Office Graham Cowley, the manager, is interviewing Carlos for the position of chef.
“Of course, you understand that opening a new hotel has very special problems. It has to make its name and become respected – quickly! That is why we want the very best staff right from the opening day… Happily in your case Mr Rafael I don’t need to look up any of your references. I’ve dined at the Crossroads Motel and I know the standard of the menu there is excellent.” – Graham Cowley
Carlos explains he’s very happy at the motel, but he needs more money due to a change of circumstances – he needs to send an income to his wife in Spain who isn’t working due to a recent health issue. Cowley says that at Fairlawns there will be more money. But also a change of circumstances too. There is a much bigger kitchen, with more dishes, and he’ll be working alongside other chefs – can he work in those new conditions? Carlos says he can. (Although really he doesn’t like the sound of not being the solo chef).
Hugh is at the car hire office. Sam mentions the Chamber of Commerce taxi contract. He suggests Hugh have a word. Hugh is not impressed. He strongly warns Sam; ‘Do not under any circumstances suggest that I lean on the council to enter into a contract with a company which I have a vested interest!’
On leaving the hotel office Carlos bumps into Louise. They are both surprised to see each other. Louise tells Carlos not to mention to anyone he saw her at Fairlawns. She says especially Mrs Richardson as the hotel is owned by Hugh and he wants to tell her about it himself.
That evening at Hugh’s penthouse Louise declares her love for Hugh. He’s surprised, he says he doesn’t feel the same. She bursts into a rage ‘I come here, humiliate myself… I’m not good enough for you! Is that it!’ She then gives him a warning;
“Get this Hugh Mortimer – I’ll make you sorry for what you’ve done this evening! You see if I don’t!” – Louise
Episode status: Wiped/Missing
EPISODE 224 – September 9th: Louise is sitting in the motel foyer drinking coffee when Meg joins her. Meg asks if she has any idea when she’ll be leaving for New York. Not that she is wishing her away, (she is) it’s just so she has some idea of how long Louise will require the chalet. Louise says she plans to be here possibly a few weeks more. Maybe less. She has found herself involved with a man and she’s hoping to make something of it, it depends how it goes. Meg wishes her the best of luck.
Sally from the child services has popped back to the motel to see how things are going with Stevie.
“Well, about Stephanie. Have you made any decision yet? Whether you want to act as her foster mother?” – Sally Morrison
Meg says she’s happy to, but the decision really is up to Sandy and if he wants to have someone else around the house. Sandy says having two sisters instead of one might be interesting. Sally asks if that is a ‘yes’. Sandy says it is, he adds, ‘And if they gang up to outvote me on family matters – I can always find a way around that’.
Louise and William are talking at the motel bar, she says it is a bit early but she fancies a brandy. She tells William that ‘Faith is what we all need. Faith in yourself and what you’re doing’. She says she is aiming for a happy private and professional life. Louise tells him how she’s also seen how much of a good worker he is. Would he be interested in doing the same job, but for better pay? He says no. Meg has been very good to him, he wouldn’t leave her in the lurch.
Carlos visits Louise at her chalet and says he’s very concerned about the new hotel and how it might affect the motel. He says it is a bit unfair that Mrs Richardson doesn’t know, especially as Mr Mortimer is supposed to be friendly with her. Louise says she can see Carlos’ point.
“I think you’re right Carlos. Someone should tell Mrs Richardson what’s going on behind her back, what her precious Mr Mortimer is up to” – Louise
Episode status: Wiped/Missing
EPISODE 225 – September 10th: Louise has tasked Carlos with informing Meg about the soon-to-open Fairlawns Hotel. He tries to build up the courage to tell her but keeps faltering.
Sam is having another date with Judith at her home. Her father says he wishes he was still Sam’s age. ‘The exciting part of any journey is the start… I was just like you thirty years ago. Like me, you like to mix business with pleasure’. Sam protests that he isn’t just going out with Judith for a potential car hire contract with the Chamber of Commerce. Mr Bradley says if he really has a good deal for him to see he should send the details to his office and he’ll look it over via the official route.
In Meg’s office, Carlos asks to speak with her, on a very personal matter.
Meg: “What do you mean ‘Ah. The Mr Mortimer?”
Carlos: “Just that senora, this is so difficult, but I know he is a friend with you, and would not want to do anything to make you angry but you see… There is a new hotel which is opening… it is owned by Mr Mortimer”
Meg: “I see (stunned) I think you better tell me more about it.
Carlos explains he saw the extension being built onto the old house down the road, and went in to find out more. They said it was a new hotel being opened by Mr Mortimer. Meg asks how far away it is, ‘only a kilometre, maybe two’ Carlos tells her. ‘You mean about a mile away?’ She says it is bound to be bad for business.
Sandy gives Stevie his long mirror from his bedroom saying he doesn’t need it and she doesn’t have on in her room. She’s very grateful for his thoughtful gesture. They seem to be getting on very well. He’s not really had much female company since his ‘relationship’ with Kate Warboys fizzled out.
In her office Meg is furious but is keeping a calm exterior until she hears directly from Hugh what is going on. She has called him and asked him to come and see her as soon as possible. She doesn’t bother with any pleasant conversation when he arrives and gets straight to the point. When Hugh confirms the hotel business is true, she doesn’t hold back.
“I’m not interested in explanations at this point. All I recognise is this; you’ve been coming here, became part of the life of this motel – while at the same time you’ve been planning to open a rival hotel that can only mean one thing – it’ll put this place out of business” – Meg
She then tells Hugh, despite his protests to try and explain, to get out.
Episode status: Wiped/Missing
EPISODE 226 – September 13th: Friday evening continues and Meg and Sandy are talking in the office. She tells him of Hugh’s plans for a new hotel a mile away. ‘Another hotel in Burbank? That’ll take all the business away from the motel!’ Sandy observes. Meg says that is why she told Mr Mortimer to leave. Both are very annoyed with Hugh.
In the foyer, Hugh is talking to Louise. He tells her someone has told Meg about Fairlawns and she’s ‘accused him of all sorts’. Marilyn and Carlos observe the atmosphere from the side-lines. When Marilyn suggests she should tell Meg that Louise has gone off to Hugh’s penthouse Carlos tells her it’s better to ‘leave the sleeping dogs snoring’.
Monday morning at the motel, Meg has given Stevie a new dress. Carlos says she looks like a princess. She is full of joy. Meg is really pleased to see the girl so happy. Sandy, oddly, is also happy to have someone to hang around with. He says he’s going to write a poem in celebration of her newfound happiness, he’s cultured now he’s been to Paris. Sally later arrives with the paperwork to officialise Meg’s fostering role.
At the offices of Wendell and Cope, Brian’s employer, he meets with Mr Plumley who says Brian has ‘a real aptitude for possible managerial duties’. He then asks Brian if wishes to progress in a manager role within the company. Brian says he is ‘very interested’ in a promotion. Plumley suggests that Brian spends a few weeks in each department of the company to get a grasp of what all the various areas do. This would take a couple of years at the most.
“There is one slight problem, mainly to do with the fact that in most departments you will be going in at floor level. So, there’s a question of your salary. Union-agreed rates in these departments may be less than you’re getting now.” – Mr Plumley
Brian says he’ll think about it, as he’s planning to get married and money is important.
Episode status: Wiped/Missing
EPISODE 227 – September 14th: At the Jarvis’ shop Owen and Brian are talking about his job promotion offer and the problem that may arise with ever-changing wage pay levels depending on which department he’s working in; and with him soon to marry Janice he’ll be the only one working. Brian leaves Owen a little taken aback by Brian’s chauvinist attitude.
“I want the marriage to be the old-fashioned sort. With me earning the bread and Janice doing nothing but bake it. And the more I think about it – the job – Janice – everything I’m more determined than ever to get married NOW. And no messing about” – Brian
Meg is working through paperwork at the reception when Hugh walks in. Coolly she greets him. He says he wants to explain. She asks why didn’t he mention when he first said he was to buy the old Fairlawns house (as mentioned in episodes in March 1965) that he had every intention of turning it into a hotel.
He tells Meg that when they went to view the house he did plan to buy it as a family home, for himself and his future wife. But the house was so vast he decided a business site would make better use of it. Hugh then tells Meg he had hoped she would run Fairlawns Hotel as its senior executive and hire someone else to oversee Crossroads.
Hugh says as they were to be married he thought a little business venture together would be a nice surprise. Meg says she doesn’t think it is a good idea. At Crossroads she is her own boss, at Fairlawns she’d be answering to Hugh.
Miss Tranter pops into the shop and tells Owen, regrettably, she will have to cancel her subscription to ‘Fair Magazine’ – she simply can’t afford it anymore with everyday living costs rising so much. She then faints. Owen suspects she has also been ‘saving’ on buying enough food to look after herself properly. Brian and Owen take her into the parlour and Brian makes her lunch.
At the motel bar Louise asks Carlos if he’s heard anything from Mr Cowley about the chef’s role at Fairlawns. Carlos says he’s changed his mind, he must not be rotten to Mrs Richardson. Louise says as she co-owns the hotel she’ll double whatever Meg is paying him. She tells him to think about it. He doesn’t trust her and puts the suggestion out of his mind.
At the Chamber of Commerce, Mr Bradley and Mr Mortimer are talking about various projects. Bradley notes Mortimer is about to become a hotelier. Hugh says it is true. He says it seems nothing stays a secret long around here. Sam arrives to take Judith home, in passing he mentions the car hire to Hugh. Bradley is surprised to learn Mortimer owns that too. He said he had been thinking about giving Night and Day the contract for the taxis when Westons deal expires, but now he knows it’s owned by Hugh he’d have to really think about that. Hugh grimaces.
Episode status: Wiped/Missing
EPISODE 228 – September 15th: Mid-week at the motel and in the kitchen, Meg is thanking Carlos for keeping the kitchen running despite his own recent personal problems and being short on staff.
“You’ve been working here the best part of a year now… we’ve built up a good reputation – and that’s largely due to our good cuisine, thanks to you.” – Meg
Carlos says he has been very happy working at the motel for the last ten months. Meg says as a reward for the dedication he has shown she is going to give him a small pay rise. Carlos tells Meg he had been thinking of looking for work elsewhere; due to Josefina being in Spain and needing money. Meg says she can understand that, however when he says he’s very happy at the motel Meg is put in a good mood.
At Hugh’s penthouse Louise is discussing the setbacks Fairlawns Hotel is having, the lack of staff is a concern. She says even Carlos has decided to stay with Crossroads. Hugh says he wasn’t aware Carlos had been asked; he’s pleased the chef is remaining with the motel. Louise is unimpressed ‘you care more about that motel than our hotel!’ He then tells her he’s actually asked Meg to be the executive in charge of Fairlawns. Louise is furious. Hugh is unmoved, ‘if Meg wants the job, she will have the job’.
Sam is planning a rebrand and refresh and a small advertising campaign. He’s re-introducing the original car hire name of Drury Cars ‘as it has a more family-sounding tone’ and the adverts will be placed around the local area, including a prize slot across from the Chamber of Commerce. Hugh pops into the office and gives Sam the approval to continue. He just notes to ‘keep his name out of any dealings with the council or CoC’ he doesn’t want to be accused of pulling strings again.
At the motel reception, Louise tells Marilyn she will be checking out ‘Friday next, and returning to the States’. Marilyn says she hopes she’s enjoyed her stay at the motel. Louise says she has, and it’s been very profitable business-wise being in the Midlands. Later she tells Meg she’ll be returning from New York in a couple of weeks. Louise then asks if Meg has come to any decision about working for ‘them’, Meg says she doesn’t understand. Louise says ‘Fairlawns, the hotel is 50/50 owned between Hugh and herself’. Meg is unable to respond as Louise makes her excuses and leaves.
Episode status: Wiped/Missing
EPISODE 229 – September 16th: Marilyn is excited to have received a letter from an old school friend, Clive Hudson, who is now out working in the Middle East. She says he’s sent two pages talking about his life and his work and has put in lots of lovely memories of her. She says they never went out officially, as Diane Lawton ‘stole’ him away before they could get anywhere other than a quick moment behind the school bike shed – and even then he only asked her to hold his bicycle while he pumped up the tyre.
Sam is having problems finding a secretary for Drury Cars, Judith – who Hugh has warned is very smitten with Sam and he should be careful how he treats her – offers to help him out after she’s finished work at the Chamber of Commerce. Sam isn’t so concerned if she’s in love with him, she’s a quick typist and that’s all he needs at the moment.
At Hugh’s penthouse, Meg pops in for a chat. Hugh observes that Meg ‘looks serious, what is it?’
“I’ve been thinking about that offer you made me to run Fairlawns… Hugh, I’m not accepting the offer. It’s quite enough that I have Louise as a paying guest at the motel. Having her as a boss?…” – Meg
Hugh says that isn’t how it would be at all, Meg responds that whatever the circumstances the answer will continue to be ‘no’. He asks Meg if she’s jealous. Meg says he can ‘call it whatever he likes’.
Sandy is sat at the reception, Louise comes in asking for Marilyn. She explains she’s packing and Ms Gates had her laundry sent off for washing yesterday. Sandy asks if it was done ‘express’, Louise says she wasn’t asked if she wanted it ‘express’. Sandy says in that case it’ll not be ready until tomorrow. Louise isn’t impressed. Sandy, however, is enjoying her inconvenience.
Later Meg and Sandy are talking about Louise, Stevie arrives mid-conversation and hears Sandy state ‘I’ll be glad when she’s gone’, Meg replies ‘We have to be nice to her while she’s staying with us…’ Stevie bursts in and says she always knew they were only pretending, no one really wants her. She storms off.
Episode status: Wiped/Missing
EPISODE 230 – September 17th: William has been roped in to help Marilyn write a reply letter to her old school pal Clive Hudson, to make her sound ‘sophisticated and elegant’ so that when he pops back to the UK she might be in with a chance of romance. She says he’s an awfully good-looking man. William says she should really try to write a letter that shows her true character, not something enhanced.
In her office, Meg invites Stevie in for a chat. Meg tells her about how Sandy and Louise were having high words over ‘late’ laundry and it was Louise that they were discussing last night, not Stevie. She says she wouldn’t usually name a guest they were discussing but she understands Stevie needs strong reassurance; so in this case she’s told her, then gives Stevie some advice.
“Look, if I ever have anything to say about you I’ll talk to you face to face. Not behind your back; the difference being that you are part of the family. Whereas Louise Borelli is a paying guest.” – Meg
Owen and Gwynne are discussing Miss Tranter and her ill health. Owen says there isn’t really much they can do, as she is a lady with a lot of pride and she doesn’t take to accepting charity. Gwynne says they’re neither young themselves, but are keeping busy. Owen suggests making something up to get Miss Tranter round for a meal. He suggests he pretends it’s his birthday. Gwynne says the idea isn’t a bad one – but not a birthday as that might make Miss Tranter feel she’d have to bring a gift.
Benny pops back to the motel to see Marilyn – who isn’t too pleased to see him ‘After the way you treated me, you have a cheek coming here’. Benny explains that Georgie Saint and the Dragons was a major flop on tour. No one wants to know him now, Marilyn says she doesn’t want to know him either…
Louise is checking out, she pays Meg what she owes and then makes small talk about the flight home to New York. Meg says she hopes Louise has a peaceful journey. Louise responds that ‘they will’ dropping the news Hugh is also flying stateside with her.
Episode status: Wiped/Missing
EPISODE 231 – September 20th: Mrs. Aynesworth has hired Carlos as her personal cook, he is to provide her with lunch every afternoon. He’s making her meals at the motel and hoping Meg doesn’t notice. All to earn a little extra cash on the side. All is going fine, apart from the days when the food Aynesworth wants isn’t on the motel menu. Carlos has to be extra sneaky especially as she has a love of curry from her years she spent in India.
Janice and Brian have popped in to see Sam at the Drury Cars office, she’s telling Sam about Brian’s ‘promotion’. Sam thinks a pay cut for up to twelve months is a strange way of getting promoted.
“A year! That’s a bloomin’ long time to take a salary cut just on the off-chance they might make you an executive at the end of it. I should look for another job if I were you, mate” – Sam
Janice suggests that Brian has to make that decision and she’ll back him either way. Brian says he knows where not to come in future for employment advice.
Carlos sneaks back from delivering Mrs Aynesworth’s lunch, the kitchen is empty – apart from William who is having his cup of tea in the staff room next door. He walks into find Carlos ‘tip-toing’ about. Carlos makes an excuse that he doesn’t want to disturb Mrs Richardson. William is puzzled, he notes as it’s Carlos’ lunch break, he doubts Meg cares if he’s loud or not; she’s reading her latest Mills and Boon in her bedroom, and as it is at the other end of the house she’d not hear if he screamed the kitchen down.
In the reception, Benny Wilmot has called back in to have another try with Marilyn. He says he’s got a song for her to hear. She says she’s not interested. He tells her it’s called ‘Marilyn’. She says it won’t work – she’s already had quite enough of his flannelling over the years.
Sam pops in to see Meg, upon her request. They discuss his manager position for the Crossroads Filling Station. Sam is surprised. Meg says she’d heard from Hugh how well he’d been running the car hire business. Now she has decided she’d been terribly harsh on him, so if he’s willing to take on the role, she’s happy to offer it. Meg also notes that Kitty is usually a good judge of character and she had also given her a push to give Sam a chance. Sam agrees to become manager for Meg.
Episode status: Wiped/Missing
EPISODE 232 – September 21st: Sandy has lost his watch – an expensive gift given by Meg to him – and he’s very annoyed. So annoyed he accuses someone of stealing it when he took it off to wash his hands in the kitchen. Stevie asks if he’s sure he can remember taking it off in the motel kitchen, he admits he can’t recall. Sam, who is still at the motel, asks if he could he have left it at school. He isn’t sure. Sam suggests they drive to the school and see if he can find it. Meanwhile, Carlos says maybe the strap broke – it could be anywhere. Sandy says his mum is going to go mad if they don’t find it.
Marilyn: “What a shame, it’s always a bit awkward if you lose a present.”
Carlos: “He should take more care of his things. I never lose anything.”
Marilyn: “No, only your temper daily”
Carlos: “You and your nasty sayings. Is like calling the teapots black”
William is manning the reception but has lost the pen. He takes a call from Miss Aynesworth asking for Carlos to pop in half an hour early today. He then takes a call from Mr Waggstaff who wants two nights with dinner. When he finds a pen he muddles the messages into nonsense. Luckily Carlos figures it out, although Marilyn has her suspicions he’s having a fling behind Josefina’s back. ‘Why you always poking your elbows into my affairs’.
Outside the motel Benny is still trying to get his song heard by Marilyn. Stevie says to sing it, she loves a romantic song.
‘Marilyn’ by Benny Wilmot
#I’ve been away a long time. I’ve gone a thousand miles or more, I’ve been around, but I’ve never found what I was looking for.
#I’ve been away a long time. I’ve travelled over land and sea. I’ve been around, but I’ve never found the one that’s meant for me.
#I went away in search of love, but then at last I knew. The love I tried so hard to find, I’d left behind with you.
#And now I’m here beside you, I see so clearly. I was wrong. I’ve been around, and what have I found? I’ve been away too long…
At the Bradley house, Sam pops in to see Judith. Her father tells Sam he’s put in a word about Drury Cars to the Chamber of Commerce for when the contract is to be renewed. Sam thanks him for the support. Mr Bradley tells him despite Hugh owning the company, he can see Sam has vision and it is a good proposition, so Sam won him over despite Mortimer’s involvement.
At the Jarvis’ Brian and Janice are making plans for their wedding – Saturday, November 13th. Brian suggests the motel function room would be suitable for the reception afterwards, in the hope of a reduced rate or freebie from Aunt Meg.
Episode status: Wiped/Missing
EPISODE 233 – September 22nd: At the Bradley’s house Judith is asking Sam why he seems so distant. ‘We’ve known one another long enough now and you’re always going on about how much you want to be alone with me, and then when we are you just sit around saying nothing!’ Sam says he’s just tired. She thinks he never was that interested and is less so now he’s got her father onside over the council taxi contract.
Sandy is fretting about having to tell his mum he’s lost the expensive watch she’d given him as a present some time ago.
“She’s always going on at me about how careless I am with things. This’ll just prove the point to her once and for all. Besides I don’t want to have to tell her I’ve lost it – it was a present from her.” – Sandy
Marilyn wants to send Clive a photo of her from her beauty queen win. William says their correspondence is on a higher level, maybe she should send it when the conversation is ‘warmer’.
Gwynne has popped in to see Miss Tranter and how she’s feeling. She’s shocked to see her cupboards are bare, with only a few tins. Later, back at the shop, she tells Owen ‘It’s not the amount of food you eat that matters, it’s the sort of food you have.’ Owen says many older people are in the same boat, the shop can’t put up advice posters about it. Gwynne says no they can’t help everyone. But having thought on his earlier idea; she’s invited Miss Tranter round on Thursday for a meal under the guise of how they’d both be grateful for company at the Jarvis’ with Dick and Kitty away.
At The Crown, Amy is still covering for the holidaying landlord Harry. Sam is telling her about the new petrol station and how he’s not overly keen to be working for anyone else – he had wanted it as his own business. But he reckons it’s better to be working for Meg than Hugh. He says Hugh is fine, but he’s ruthless and one wrong word and his career could be over. At least with Meg she seems to eventually come around with a bit of persuasion.
Having seen some sort of light coming from the old barn in the grounds of the motel Marilyn has gone to investigate. Once inside she sees the shadow of a man, she tries to let out a scream but only makes an ‘eek’.
Episode status: Wiped/Missing
EPISODE 234 – September 23rd: At the barn Benny comes into the light, and Marilyn is furious. ‘I should yell my bloomin’ head off!’ she proclaims. He notes, ‘don’t do that, doll. We might never fit it back on again…’ He explains he’s been rehearsing in the barn his song, with Stevie and Sandy as an audience. They’ve not long left and he was just going to have one more practice performance, so she might as well hear it. He performs the song for her. Once it’s over she describes it as ‘lovely’.
The next morning Brian is onto his first ‘placement’ in the packing department. Mr Saunders shows him the procedure, it’s all about putting the right product into the correct box. He’s teamed up with Bob Lang, who isn’t keen on ‘a knob from upstairs’ being on the shop floor.
In the motel kitchen, Carlos is chastising Marilyn for her ‘wandering off’ last evening, which left his sauce burned to the bottom of the pan.
“According to you I was having a sort of quick orgy in between meals in that barn last night. Well, you can think what you like. I wasn’t. The point is, anyway, I’m not married – unlike some people (she looks sternly at Carlos)
“You, you hypocritical old Spanish chef! I’m talking about people like you!” – Marilyn
Carlos says he doesn’t understand what she means. Marilyn says what about ‘Mrs Aynesworth’ and the affair he’s been having every afternoon at her house? He says Mrs Aynesworth is a pensioner in her 80s. He tells Marilyn her husband died two years ago and he has been hired by her to cook her lunches. Marilyn is disappointed ‘and I thought you were up to something interesting…’
At the motel bar, Sam and William are discussing a problem of the female kind. Sam says he didn’t realise, despite warnings from Hugh, that Judith is madly in love with him – however, he sees her as nothing more than a friend. William says when it comes to love no one can offer any meaningful advice – not even how to escape it easily without the other person being hurt.
Later, Sam is inspecting the petrol station site and sees something shining in the cement. It looks like part of a watch. He decides it might be wise to give Sandy the bad news.
Episode status: Wiped/Missing
EPISODE 235 – September 24th: In the motel kitchen Sam arrives with the news of Sandy’s watch. William says it’s an odd place for it to have been dropped; surely the workers would have noticed it when pouring and levelling the concrete. Marilyn thinks maybe it fell off when Sandy was looking at the work progress, ‘maybe it fell into the sand? They put sand in cement don’t they?’ Sam says either way the watch, even if its dug out, is beyond repair. Now someone has to give the boy the bad news.
Marilyn offers to tell Sandy, but she says she worries how he’ll take it. Carlos says he’ll do it. ‘Sandy and I we understand each other’. He also observes he’s going to be very upset about it, but not as upset as Meg will be.
Carlos: “I am afraid Sandy I have the great tragic news for you”
Sandy: “Huh?”
Carlos: “We have found your watch”
Sandy: “You have? Well, there’s nothing tragic about that, mate! Where is it?”
Carlos “Buried in the cement floor of the filling station forecourt”
Thursday evening continues at the Jarvis’ parlour. Miss Tranter has enjoyed her evening with Owen and Gwynne. Gwynne tries to help the pensioner with some ideas of better ways to spend her funds on food. She shows her their ‘shopping list’ and its costs (especially made for Tranter) and how it isn’t so difficult to be cost-effective and still get a good meal. Tranter is suspicious that she’s becoming a charity case, but Owen says his Gwynie is always making shopping lists and counting the pennies, they thought it might be helpful – Tranter is mollified by his comments.
Friday morning at the factory, Brian is working again with Bob Lang. Brian is getting sick of the digs from Bob and other workers that he doesn’t know what ‘proper work is’. He is also furious that ‘Johnny Hoggs showed me how to pack the toolboxes entirely the wrong way’. Bob says Brian has no sense of humour. It was a joke. Brian says Bob won’t mind if he knocks out some of his teeth ‘as a joke’.
Marilyn and Benny are at the motel bar. She tells him while his wooing has been lovely, and the song he wrote for her is great, her heart belongs to someone else – Clive Hudson. She says Benny must just realise they are done. When Benny leaves Marilyn ponders ‘I wonder how many hearts have been broken on the rough pathway of love’. William suggests a nice cup of tea.
Sandy visits Stevie in her bedroom. He says he’s been talking to the workmen at the building site. One of the builders told him, ‘a young girl was hanging around the site yesterday’ and how she took a ‘keen interest’ in the cement mixing.
He asks her outright, did she steal the watch and throw it in the mixer? At first she says ‘it was an accident’, then explains when the workers went home and the cement was drying she pushed the watch into the recently laid floor.
“I’ve never had a watch in my life, but she gave you one. She hasn’t thought of giving me a watch at all. Why should she, I’m not her daughter” – Stevie
Sandy leaves, slamming the door in the process. Stevie shouts as he goes for him to not tell Meg, as she’ll send her away.
Episode status: Wiped/Missing
EPISODE 236 – September 27th: The final week of September begins with Marilyn excited about her latest correspondence with Clive. He’s coming home on leave. She tells William it is sooner than she expected and there might be a problem ‘we’ve gone to a great deal of trouble to create this big egg head image of me; the lover of poetry, classical music and the arts’ She asks William ‘how am I going to live up to all this stuff without you around to help me?’. He says she mustn’t worry she has time to learn the basics and that should get her through the visit.
At Drury Cars Janice is back fully at work, although they’re still searching for another secretary to help with the new increased workload. Judith pops in to speak with Sam, but he’s out on business. Janice asks if she’s a friend of his; when she says ‘she is’ Janice invites her to stay for a coffee until he gets back.
“I suppose he’s quite popular with the ladies. He looks as though he might be? Does he go out with many?” – Judith
Janice says Judith is the first female who has ever called in to see Sam, so no he’s not very much a womaniser as far as she’s seen. Janice says that if Judith is in love with Sam, and he is likewise with her, then she shouldn’t be worrying.
In the motel staff room, William is trying to teach Marilyn how to impress Clive. William is pretending to be Clive while Marilyn is trying to ‘speak like The Queen’. ‘Of course, Clive, the trouble with existentialism is that it’s so terribly, terribly dull – don’t you think? It’s rather stark – if that is the right word for one to use..’
In the Kitchen, Meg is talking to Carlos who is being rather casual in his effort to begin cooking the lunch service. Meg suggests he needs to get a move on. He says there is plenty of time – Meg observes it’s gone 12 noon. He realises the kitchen clock has stopped. Marilyn and William enter, she notes ‘maybe the clock has had a concreting over too’. Meg asks what on earth she means – they then tell Meg about Sandy’s watch. She wonders why he’s not mentioned it.
Later Meg and William are looking at the barn. She says she has plans to open it up as a coffee shop, but just hasn’t the funds to do it at the moment. William suggests it could be done relatively cheaply – what’s the point of a full modern conversion when you can theme the coffee shop ‘like a barn’ and ‘make the barn theme its gimmick’. Meg says she hadn’t thought of that, but it sounds an interesting idea – but will the youth she was hoping to attract visit a place called ‘The Old Barn Coffee Bar’?
Brian and Janice, Marilyn and Sam, have popped to The Crown for a drink. Sam explains he’s trying to avoid Judith; she’s nice, but he has no feelings for her romantically. Marilyn is just a platonic accompaniment – who doesn’t stop talking about ‘her Clive’ anyway. Brian says if only his life was that simple. Trying to find somewhere to rent is proving difficult. He’s looked at several flats but they’re all far too expensive to rent.
Meg at the motel reception gets a visit from Mr Thrush, a solicitor acting on behalf of Hugh Mortimer. He says he’s here on business. The business of a loan she had discussed and confirmed to accept with Hugh. Meg finds it all a bit baffling. She simply asked for a loan to put into the petrol station business, so that it wouldn’t entirely be owned by Go-Col and they could have a garage alongside it.
Mr Thrush says he is aware of the finer details of the site – he always checks over Mr Mortimer’s business affairs. However, there appears to be some information missing. He then asks Meg what security the loan is against… With Hugh in America, Meg is left wondering what to do other than say the deal is off – leaving the petrol station doubtful.
Episode status: Wiped/Missing
EPISODE 237 – September 28th: In Meg’s office she is explaining to Sam what has happened with Hugh and the loan.
“Mr Mortimer doesn’t lend friends money – not even those he’s engaged to – he simply passes their request onto the appropriate department” – Meg
Sam says maybe they can get the money another way. He isn’t going to give up on the idea without a fight.
In the staff room Carlos tells William he is wasting his time trying to ‘electutionise’ Marilyn, she’ll never pull off being a lardy-dah lady. Marilyn is starting to think Carlos is right about it, although she hates to admit it.
Meg corners Sandy in the garden about his ‘concrete watch’. She says it is unfortunate what happened to it – but why didn’t he tell her about it? He says he was trying to find the right time. Meg says she’s a bit baffled about the timeline of events; he lost it washing his hands in the kitchen and then it ended up on the site of the filling station half buried in concrete. How?. ‘Stevie did it’ he responds.
Episode status: Wiped/Missing
EPISODE 238 – September 29th: Meg has asked Stevie into her office. Once she’s admitted she took the watch she asks Sandy to leave. Meg then asks for an explanation.
“I went to the kitchen. There was nobody there I saw the watch on the windowsill. I knew it was Sandy’s. I picked it up and put it in my pocket. It just seemed like a good idea at the time. I wanted it.
“I took it to my bedroom and looked at it – and suddenly I didn’t want it after all I couldn’t care less about it, and I was frightened. I thought if anyone finds me with it they’ll send me away again. I decided to get rid of it before anyone found it.” – Stevie.
Meg says Stevie really hadn’t thought about it. She could have – seen as she joined in the search party – pretended she’d found it in the garden, in the grass. Rather than destroy it. Stevie says she didn’t think, but she didn’t mean for it to be ruined. Meg says she is lying and wanted to deliberately hurt Sandy. She asks if she would do it again. Stevie says she doesn’t know. Meg says ‘that’s only a risk rather than a certainty’. She also notes that she knows it is difficult to join a family that isn’t her own. She doesn’t expect Stevie to fit in instantly. But Meg notes if anything like it happens again, there won’t be a second chance.
In the kitchen, William is trying to help Marilyn with her posture. She has a book on her head and is trying to walk upright, but she drops the book on her toe and lets out ‘Ow! Me ruddy toe! Bas…’ William cuts in and says the language, if one is swearing, should be more Shakespearian.
At the factory, the staff are not happy their car park is closed for a period due to building work. Bob Lang says it’s not good enough and they probably will strike until something is done. Maybe golden boy Brian can have a word with his friends in the top offices? Brian says he’ll see what he can do.
Carlos has once again dropped in lunch for Mrs Aynesworth at her home. She tells him she’s lucky she can afford to eat well and she really enjoys his delicious food. He says he’s thrilled that his meals are appreciated, ‘is no fun when you prepare a nice meal that is not appreciated’ he notes, adding, ‘British men are the worst. They will swill sour beer and not complain, but turn their nose up at good food’. She asks Carlos if he can do dinner for her, she’s expecting a friend this evening. He says it would be an honour…
Judith has managed to catch up with Sam and invites him out for a drink. He fails to notice her new hairdo or the frock. She is downbeat by the lack of romance.
Brian returns home from work to the Jarvis’ parlour when he pops into the shop to get a newspaper. He spots someone slouched in the shop doorway. He opens the door and Miss Tranter’s body slumps inside. Owen calls for an ambulance.
Episode status: Wiped/Missing
EPISODE 239 – September 30th: Brian attempts to speak with Mr Plumley about the car park situation at the factory. He tells him how many of the staff are unhappy about not having anywhere to put their cars while the new building is under construction. Plumley says he knows of the company parking situation, but thanks Brian for making him aware there is unrest in the ranks. This is not what Brian had intended for. He hopes he’s not caused any trouble.
At the motel reception, Marilyn is answering the calls with an air of decorum.
“Crossroads Motel, Good Morning. Can I help you? ….I’m afraid Sir that Mrs Richardson is not available at this moment. She will have to be fetched, with whom shall she be speaking… Sam… (when she realises its Sam she drops back into Brummie)
“Oh, its yow! I thought it was a gentleman caller on the line. Ang on Sam, mind your heels while I get Mrs Richardson for yow…” – Marilyn
Once on the line Sam tells Meg that he’s been speaking to a regular who uses the Drury Cars to get around town. He says that Mr Keeling is very interested in investing, and he is ‘loaded’. Meg tells Sam its good news but there will be no celebrating until everything is legally in place for the deal.
In the kitchen Carlos and Benny are talking about Marilyn, Carlos tells Benny that he’s wasting his time chasing after Ms Gates, she’s not worth it. There are lots of nicer girls out there. Benny says that isn’t how love works, and is going to keep trying to get back into her good books.
At the car hire office, Sam is telling Janice about Mr Keeling and how he’s keen to invest – but he wants a stake of the profits instantly. A share, a cut. Janice says Meg will never agree to that. Sam says Meg doesn’t need to know…
Episode status: Wiped/Missing
EPISODE 240 – October 1st: Friday morning and Brian arrives at Wendell and Cope to find the staff in a much more jovial mood. He is shown a notice on the fence noting staff can now park in the adjoining company’s car park – and the workers think it’s happened thanks to Brian having his word with Plumley.
Sam confidently strides into the motel foyer where Meg is working at the bar stocktaking. He buys a ‘pale ale’ for ‘four and a penny’ and then brings Meg round to talk about the investment with the petrol station and garage.
He tells Meg that Mr Keeling is going to invest. Meg is very, very surprised. Sam gives her a folder of the proposal and the ‘terms of the deal.’ Meg asks if this investor is a philanthropist – as his terms are incredibly reasonable. Sam leaves out the part where Keeley will have a stake in the business/profits.
Meg: “It seems an odd way to do business?”
Sam: “Yes, he strikes me as being a bit of an eccentric.”
Meg isn’t entirely convinced by Sam’s paperwork or story. She asks for more information, but Sam says he must rush and they’ll talk later.
As William has very little to do in the evenings he suggested to Meg that the motel restaurant could have a ‘head waiter’ – and he would be happy to fill the position. Tonight is the first evening of his restaurant role. Meg sees he’s taken the post very seriously, even inspecting the waitress’s hands and fingernails. Meg tells him not to go too far, she’s already got staffing issues without losing anymore more kitchen staff.
Benny is telling Marilyn how he’s now working in a coffee bar in Castlewich called The Traviata. Marilyn says that’s a strange coincidence as Mrs Richardson is planning on opening a coffee bar on ‘the other side of the road’ in her old barn. Benny says that is a very interesting idea.
Meg pops into the foyer and Benny asks her about the barn idea. She asks if he’d be interested in working at it when it is up and running. He tells her if she wants to aim it at teenagers, he’s the man to get in to run it.
Late evening at the motel bar and it’s busy with a group of ‘lively businessmen’. As the evening concludes, and they head to their chalets, Stevie notices something on the floor. She picks it up – a wallet full of money.
Episode status: Wiped/Missing
NOTES OF INTEREST
Crossroads co-creator Hazel Adair appears in some of the Paris recorded sequences as Madame Caumartin, the French friend of Hugh Mortimer. As all of Hazel’s scenes were shot on film it appears she was accidentally missed off the cast list issued to the TV listings magazines, however, she does survive in some of the footage recorded in Paris in character.
Peggy Hughes, first seen in episode 10, returns as Heathbury resident Miss Tranter in episode 227.
216 contains a film-recorded sequence; ‘The Journey to France.’ The sequence runs for ‘2 and a half minutes.’ Episode 217 features three scenes recorded in Paris. ‘At the Eiffel Tower’, ‘On a bus’ and ‘Sandy lost in Paris’. It also features the end-of-credit stop shot ‘neon lights of Montmartre’. Edition 218 contains one Paris filmed sequence of a ‘Paris floor show, nightclub’. The dance group that help Sandy (or ‘Lofty as they nickname him) is called ‘The Eight Mademoiselles’.
Episode 220 shows one of the other bedrooms in the old house – the one used by Carlos and Josefina. In episode 222 we see Sandy’s (original upstairs) bedroom for the first time. Episode 225 shows Stevie’s bedroom. The Children’s home Stevie Harris was to be sent to is the ‘Redlands Home, Warwickshire’ as seen on a label on a suitcase in the stop shot of episode 220.
Episode 223 is the first time the Fairlawns Hotel is seen. The exterior shot is a film sequence of the Romulus Restaurant and Discoteque, Hagley Road.
Episode 233 first appearance of ‘the barn’ on the motel land.
Synopsis written by Mike Garrett for The Crossroads Years. With thanks to Bob Hope for additional cast information from TV World listings.
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