Welcome to the BBC Home Service.
This week, my guest on Memory Lane Melodies is Mrs Octavia Eden,
who I would describe as the Pablo Picasso of flower arranging.
Would you, darling?
That's so sweet of you.
Owner of a chain of flower shops.
You could call it a "daisy chain"!
HE LAUGHS
And, er... And a mainstay of the London social scene,
so it came as a surprise this week when she announced
that she was moving to the sleepy English village of Kembleford.
And, well, the question we all must be asking is - why?
Well, I suppose it gives my life a certain symmetry.
I was born in Kembleford, and now I'm going to die there.
HE LAUGHS
Well, hopefully that won't be for some time to come!
Oh, no, darling. The doctors have told me
there's nothing they can do for me.
I should be around for St Swithin's Day,
but I probably won't make Michaelmas.
HE EXHALES
Mind that Ming vase, please!
That's travelled 6,000 miles to be here.
And be very careful with that violin.
It was a gift from Yehudi Menuhin.
Do you not think she's doing too much?
Yes, I do.
But who's going to tell her?
MRS DEVINE: Oh, Father, she's so magnificent!
She's done the flowers for three royal weddings.
And she had a tulip named after her.
I understand she's written an autobiography.
Oh, yes! Thank you for reminding me.
Ooh!
I bought a copy of it, and, oh, what a life she's had.
I'd love to get her to sign it, but she does seem awfully busy.
Well, I think that can be arranged!
SHE GASPS
Who's it for?
Um...
Isabel Devine.
And I'm Father Brown.
Octavia Eden.
Hello, everyone.
Oh, it's so sweet to be back in Kembleford.
Now she's bringing out her clothes.
Why does she need so many hats? She's only got one head.
Well, I suppose, as a very successful woman,
she must get asked to open lots of things.
Shops and hospitals.
She's going to need plenty of hats for all of that.
Apparently she's turning the manor into a flower school.
Oh, we'll have giggling schoolgirls from morning till night.
I think it's really nice that she's bringing some life to the place.
We had some happy times there.
So, now you add a few stems of Sweet William.
This one.
BRENDA SIGHS
Mm-hm. Mm-hm.
Oh! No, careful you don't obscure the alstroemeria.
Why would I ever want to do this?
Well, supposing you were invited for dinner
and you wanted to bring a nice bouquet.
I live next door to a graveyard!
Perhaps Miss Palmer does not have any sympathy for arranged flowers.
Each to their own.
Oh, well.
Mrs Eden has invited us round to her Music and Movement class tomorrow,
including you, Father Brown. Really? Mm-hm.
I thought with her illness, she'd be much frailer,
but she does seem in very fine fettle.
CHIMING
SMASH!
Mother, are you all right?
Still in one piece.
Unlike my porcelain collection.
Auntie?! Oh, Noele.
I'm glad you're here. We really must discuss this business of my legacy.
Well, surely as your only daughter, I... You will be well provided for,
but who will inherit the family firm, hmm?
Who will ensure that 40 years of hard graft
don't end up on the compost heap?
So...
..I've set you a series of tests. Oh, yes?
Number one, I'm having a little party.
I want to meet the neighbours,
and I want you to make the drinks.
Now, they must consist entirely of botanical ingredients.
You know, jasmine gin, or wild flower whisky, that sort of thing.
And whoever creates the most delectable selection is the winner.
But I don't even drink alcohol.
And Lizzy knows all about herbs and botanical ingredients.
Then, you'll need to work ten times harder.
Now, Music and Movement. Mm-hm.
Oh, this is awfully jolly!
Yeah, if you like that sort of thing. Hello.
Morning!
Father Brown, I'm so glad you came.
I didn't want you to feel left out. Thank you.
Although I don't think I'll be limbering up.
You could always work the gramophone.
NOELE SNEEZES
Oh, bless you!
That's that hay fever back again. Yes.
Are you taking those pills?
Now, do be careful because this was a present from Daddy.
I will take the utmost care.
Mrs Mulch!
OCTAVIA CHUCKLES
What a surprise!
Yes, I hope you don't mind, but I used to live here,
and I was curious to see the garden.
Perfect timing.
Please, do join us.
There you go.
All right, everybody. Morning!
Now, find a space where you can all stretch out.
Excellent.
And then take a deep breath... SHE INHALES DEEPLY
Music, please. Music.
JAUNTY MUSIC PLAYS
Thank you. And follow me.
And up, and round.
And up, and round...
Marjorie!
MUSIC STOPS
What were you thinking?!
I was only dancing. Come on!
Mrs Mulch!
You have a mind of your own.
You're more than welcome to stay with us.
I'm so sorry about your gramophone.
Well, YOU didn't smash it.
Oh, well, we'll just have to proceed without music.
Darling, don't let it upset you.
We've got all these guests to entertain
and we've got a party to organise.
Now, come on.
All right, let's try again.
Now, get ready.
Arms outstretched, and...
And I'm so looking forward to being part of your charming community.
Now, do help yourself to liquid refreshments.
And please tell me which ones you prefer.
CHATTER
Apparently, Father, this one is rum infused with rhubarb.
Ooh.
I can taste the rhubarb.
And is that a hint of hibiscus flower?
Gosh! You have an awfully good palate.
It's hibiscus sabdariffa, from my very own herb garden in London.
Inspector! Will you try one of these interesting concoctions?
INSPECTOR SULLIVAN: Well, probably best not.
Oh, come on, you're not on duty!
Oh, sadly I always appear to be on duty, but do tell me about them.
Now, dear, this one is vodka, flavoured with orange blossom.
BRENDA: Mm!
Oh, erm...
It kind of tastes like pond water.
I'm inclined to agree.
And get rid of these blooms.
They're way past their best.
Sorry.
NOELE SNEEZES
God bless you.
Thank you.
Mrs Mulch! Oh, Father.
I'm so sorry about my husband's behaviour.
There's no need to apologise.
John just doesn't like change.Mm.
But now he's made a fuss, and got it out of his system,
I'm sure things will improve.
Oh, Mr Mulch! Are you all right?
John? Why, Marjorie...?
Why...?
CROWD GASPS
In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti.
Amen.
On this occasion,
I think we can both agree on the simple truth, Father.
I have searched for the truth my whole life, and it is never simple.
Well, it appears he was poisoned,
and as we both saw him arrive, it must've happened at home.
I prefer to reserve my judgment on that.
Father, his last words condemn her.
Mrs Mulch? Yes?
Would you accompany me to the station?
First thing this morning, I gave him his porridge.
Made with water and a pinch of salt.
Did he seem unwell at this point?
He was grumbling about not having slept,
and a terrible pain in his guts, but that's not unusual.
Yes, would it be fair to say your husband had a temper on him?
Oh...
He was just sad.
Life passing him by.
All of his dreams...
..slipping away.
But he really wasn't a bad man.
I understand he dragged you home from the manor the other day,
causing that bruise.
He could sometimes be a little firm,
but I never fought back.
He's my husband.
He WAS your husband.
Do you know of anyone who gave him anything to eat or drink recently?
Oh... Not that I know of.
Then, I'm afraid you leave me no choice.
Marjorie Mulch, I am arresting you
on suspicion of the murder of John Mulch.
You are not obliged to say anything,
but anything you say may be given in evidence.
Mrs Mulch.
How are you bearing up?
Oh...
I feel like I'm in a bad dream, Father.
I'm sorry to have to ask you this...
..are you responsible for the death of your husband?
No!
Although I have been tempted, down the years.
John could start an argument in an empty room.
Have there been any recent altercations?
Well, there was something.
I thought I'd imagined it, but...
..I woke up in the middle of the night last night.
And I thought I heard voices...
..outside.
It sounded like John arguing with a woman.
Did you hear any of the words that were spoken?
No.
It was just a blur.
But I did hear a sneeze.
Sorry.
That's not very useful, is it?No.
On the contrary, that is most useful.
I can assure you, Marjorie, that I will find out who is responsible
for your husband's death, and you will walk out of here,
with your head held high.
FOOTSTEPS APPROACH
Here you are, Mother.
Oh, thank you, darling.
Please don't.
Don't what?
Stare at me as if I'm about to die.
I actually feel quite well today.
I'm sorry, it's just seeing that poor man.
I know he wasn't the nicest of people...
Oh, Noele. We were just talking about Mr Mulch's death,
and it's given me an idea for your second task.
I want you both to create a wreath.
Poor Mrs Mulch won't be able to arrange anything.
Splendid. I'll get onto it.
You're using a man's death for your competition?
Darling, there are two types of florist in this world.
Ruthless, money-grabbing mercenaries
and unsuccessful ones.
You need to work out which camp you're in.
KNOCK ON DOOR
Who is it?
Oh, Father Brown.
Good afternoon.
I thought I'd pay you a visit, see how you all are,
after the unfortunate ending to your garden party.
Yes, well, we're all still reeling.
Of course.
You must surely have known Mr Mulch,
from Kembleford all those years ago.
I, you know... I can't say I DO remember him.
It was such a long time ago.
And, well, it seems like another world.
Looking back... Oh!
Father Brown, my mother is not well
and I don't think she's ready to receive guests.
Miss Schama? May we talk?
Oh, darling.
How long have you lived with your aunt?
25 years.
She asked me to move in when my mother died,
and I've never looked back.
So, it must be a great shock to see her so unwell.
It is.
In my line of work, I'm always arranging flowers for funerals.
And it's only just hit me that, one day,
I'll have to make a wreath for...
Everyone is so fond of her.
Except the late Mr Mulch.
We barely knew him.
And yet, in the middle of last night...
..I think you went round to see him.
Someone heard you sneezing.
I was in bed, when I heard a noise.
Someone moving through the house, creeping about downstairs.
I came down to the dining room,
and someone had opened up Auntie Octavia's bureau.
What did you do?
I looked outside, and there he was - heading across the garden.
So I followed him to his house,
and told him never to darken our door again.
Why did you not call the police?
My aunt is very fragile.
She doesn't need any unnecessary stress at the moment.
Goodness! I'm surprised there are so many people.
Probably come to check he's really dead.
Marjorie, you have my condolences. Thank you.
Thank you for the flowers.
They're so beautiful. You're welcome.
Well, I think she has good reason to be grateful.
Your wreath is quite magnificent.
All the airy tracery of the willow herb is just sublime.
Thank you. And, Noele, yours, so stark,
with the wheat, and the teasel, and the deep purple hellebore.
On reflection, I think...
..I think yours says more about the man himself.
He was very prickly.
So you're the winner.
Congratulations. Thank you.
Now, I have some errands to attend to, so I'll see you both later.
How strange.
Miss Palmer? Yeah?
Follow that florist.
SERGEANT GOODFELLOW CLEARS THROAT
Oh!
OK.
I know I'm holding a hammer,
but I didn't smash that window.
Right. Who did, then?
Don't tell me.
Dame Nellie Melba was passing by and fancied a sing-song.
No. It was her! Mrs Eden!
She had a hammer in her handbag.
Well, where is she now, then?
I don't know. I...
Er...
Well...
..she must've scarpered!
Right.
Well, Miss Palmer, I think it's time for you to scarper,
right down to the police station.
Father Brown, as a man of God,
you have a remarkable gift of leading people astray.
I apologise, Chief Inspector.
I peremptorily told Miss Palmer to follow someone.
I had no idea she would follow them onto private property.
We're sorry for wasting your precious time,
and, if you were to release her,
I won't let her out of my sight, I promise.
Well, you're in luck, Mrs Devine, as we're rather short of cells.
Follow me.
Any news on cause of death?
Yes, there is, Father.
Mr Mulch died of aconite poisoning.
Aconite? Mm.It's a botanical toxin.
Unusual thing for Mrs Mulch to have in her possession.
On the contrary, it's easily extracted from wolfsbane,
a plant which grows all over the Cotswolds,
including Mrs Mulch's back garden.
Sergeant, see me in my office.
And as a result, Father, she's just been charged with murder.
APPROACHING FOOTSTEPS
Oh, you're back.
How was the funeral?
It was fine...
..but people were surprised when you walked out before it began.
Oh, I'm sorry, but it's difficult going to funerals.
Oh, Mother. If I could swap with you, I'd do it in a heartbeat.
Well, you can't, so don't go on about it.
And it's time for your final task.
I want you to organise a wake.
Whose? Mine.
I think the idea is...
One doesn't get to go to one's own wake.
I want an evening that's all about me,
with flowers and flamboyance, music and magic.
You can have one half of the ballroom, and you the other.
And whoever wins...
..wins everything.
I'm telling you, she had a hammer!
A hammer in her handbag?!
Florists frequently use hammers to pulverise the stems of their blooms.
Oh, I stand corrected.
Mrs Eden is going to be reading her book later,
at the Kembleford Ladies Society. Then, you must go along,
and try find out why she left Kembleford all those years ago.
And what will you be up to? Burglary.
There is no way I'm going back in there again.
No. I need you to stand guard.
Oh.
What are you after?
Whatever Mrs Eden was after.
"That my path through life has been lined with bluebells and buddleia.
"I hold my head up high and kiss the rain."
Thank you, everyone.
And now Mrs Eden will be happy to answer any questions.
Any, any relevant questions, that is, about the book.
Hello. Yes?
I was so moved by the passage in chapter one,
where you describe walking through the streets of London,
lost and alone,
until a little buttercup, poking through the pavement,
inspires you to carry on. Thank you.
Yes, I was quite pleased with that.
But, erm, why exactly were you so sad?
Oh, it was the usual.
I came to London, full of dreams,
and discovered that the streets really weren't paved with gold.
So there wasn't something more specific?
No. So, if there are no further questions. Thank you.
It's just, erm, you were having a very happy time of it in Kembleford
at the beginning of the chapter, and suddenly you're so full of woe.
Yes, because I had my heart broken!
I was eaten up, chewed up, and spat out!
Thank you, everyone.
And now my mother will be signing copies in the vestibule.
Every single drawer has been rifled.
Well, did you find anything?
No. Ah.
But I expect Mrs Eden did.
What are those doing there?
Erm, they're rose petals.
Probably fell off a rose bush.
No roses grow in this garden.
So, how did they get here?
Mrs Eden.
Oh, Father Brown.
I still thank God I can get down on my knees to plant things.
But sometimes I need human help to get up again.
Oh!
Thank you.
Lizzy doesn't like me gardening.
She thinks I should lie down in a darkened room,
but I think it's vital.
"A society grows great when old men plant trees
"whose shade they know they shall never sit in."
I agree.
And it's important to hand on knowledge. Mm-hm.
May I have a word?
Of course. Take a pew.
You know...
..when I was a girl,
I used to walk past this place on my way to school.
It seemed like a fairy-tale castle.
And sitting here now,
I almost expect I'll wake up, seven years old, my mother calling me.
And if you did wake up as a child,
would you live your life differently? Oh, no.
No, I'd make the same mistakes again,
but with even more relish.
What about John Mulch?
Was he a mistake?
I assume you were lovers.
Goodness!
For a man who must renounce worldly pleasures,
you're surprisingly worldly-wise.
And your answer?
Yes.
I loved him more than life itself.
We were together for six months,
but then he met Marjorie, whose father owned the manor.
Well, frankly, he married the house,
until he realised it was rather high maintenance.
And that was why you left Kembleford? Yes.
Because I couldn't stop crying from morning till night.
And at least in London, the noise was drowned out by the traffic.
This morning, you broke into John Mulch's house.
What were you searching for?
Oh, I don't know what I was looking for.
A love letter. Some... Some record...
..of the feelings he might've had.
What did you find? Nothing.
His childhood diary was full of cricket scores.
His heart must've been made of ice.
He caused you immense pain.
Did you ever wish to take revenge on him? Oh, yes!
For 30 years, I thought of burning this place down.
Destroying John, and the thing he loved most.
But then I realised...
..whilst he was struggling to pay heating bills,
I had become a rather wealthy woman.
Really...
..you couldn't ask for sweeter revenge.
Mrs Eden and Mr Mulch?
I don't want to think about that!
Then don't, Miss Palmer.
But I wonder, did Mrs Mulch know about their relationship?
Oh! You know that rose petal that you gave me?
Did you find a match?
No, but I did find...
..this book, with pictures of flowers in it.
That belongs to Mrs Eden!
Mrs Eden's daughter.
I've seen her consulting this.
Well, it doesn't belong to you.
I'll return it forthwith,
but first, there's a little trick with a book.
If you let it fall open naturally,
it will show you which page has been most frequently used.
SHE GASPS
Poisonous plants.
Hmm.
Well, yes.
I'm always consulting the poison section.
When you scour the hedgerows, as I do,
you need to know if the plant you're picking is poisonous.
Oh. I see.
Though many plants are toxic if taken to excess.
Caffeine, curare...
..even aspirin.
These things can cure us, or kill us.
So, it would be fair to say that you keep poisonous substances
in your medicine chest? Some.
Colchium autumnale.
Autumn crocus.
Now, this is a very effective cure for gout.
But if you double the dose, you kill both the gout
and the person suffering from it.
Aconitum napellus, that's another plant toxin, isn't it?
Yes. I think I have some of that somewhere. Er...
Half-empty.
This is the poison that finished off Mr Mulch.
I didn't like the man, but he would've been very suspicious
if I'd offered him something to eat or drink.
We weren't exactly the best of chums.
Could anyone else have borrowed your apothecary kit?
No.
No, this is for my use only.
Mimosa.
I must have mimosa.
SHE SIGHS
Noele, what are you doing?
I'm recreating the bouquet Auntie Octavia had at her wedding.
I was going to do that! Oh, well.
Now you won't have to bother.
This is ridiculous!
Mother is dying, and she's got us running round in circles,
playing these silly games.
Well, you could always just...
..drop out.
If I do win control of the business,
I'd find a position for you...
..somewhere.
How did you become so cold and hard and unfeeling?
I learned a while ago that a thing has to be firm to survive.
I remember when you came to live with us.
Oh, you were the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.
You were just like Mother.
And that meant I could be me.
I'm glad that worked out for you.
Noele? Yes?
What would happen if we refused to compete,
and joined forces to give Mother the best party of her life?
She could disown us.
Would that be so bad?
To work together...
..and be friends again?
Father!
Have you found out who did this? Not yet.
Mrs Mulch...
..your husband's past came back to haunt him.
Many years ago, he had a relationship with Octavia Eden.
Mrs Eden?
Did you know there was someone else before you?
Yes.
I knew there was someone.
But John could never talk about his feelings.
Then, one day, I found a note in his study.
What did it say?
It was a long time ago, but...
..I remember every word.
"I've lost the baby.
"Now I'll be out of your life forever.
"Merry Christmas."
Merry Christmas? Yes.
Well, thank you, everyone, for coming.
Er...
Some time ago, my doctors told me I had a growth.
This surprised me, as it wasn't the growing season.
LAUGHTER
Naturally, I have made arrangements,
and my family have been arranging my funeral.
Now, I didn't want to miss that,
so I asked for a sneak preview.
Lizzy, Noele, this is quite wonderful!
Now, I don't want any sadness or frowns,
I just want you all to enjoy the champagne!
Cheers! Cheers!
APPLAUSE
I hear you've been to see Mrs Mulch again, Father.Yes.
I have.
As much as I would love her to be innocent,
her husband was poisoned, and she is the only person who made his meals.
This is exquisite!
My very first shop.
Oh!
Who's responsible for what?
Well, Mother, I hope you won't be too cross,
but we hated having to be at war.
We decided to make peace, and we did all of this together.
Oh, darlings!
That's just what I wanted you to do. What?
You've been fighting for so long now
and I don't know whether it's jealousy
or fear of what might happen when I'm gone,
but you're better as a pair, you need each other.
Oh, I think I need to sit down.
Could you fetch me a chair?
Oh!
Ow!
Well, that serves you right!
What is the name of Mrs Eden's book? A Rose Amongst The Thorns.
Yes.
Yes!
Miss Schama...
..might I have a private word?
Erm, yes, Father, this way.
Please, I can't be too long.
Auntie Octavia's very ill.
You've been very loyal.
Helping her return to her roots.
A happy homecoming.
Apart from the appearance of one man.
John Mulch.
A very disagreeable character.
And yet, he was once her lover.
And, I believe, the father of her first child.
45 years ago, she sent him a note,
saying she'd lost a baby.
And, in ways, she had.
She entrusted the care of the newborn to her sister.
And as it was Christmas...
..they called the little girl Noele.
I believe your mother loves you very much.
But your father,
John Mulch...
..was a man with very little love in him.
He broke into the house and went through your mother's things.
What was he looking for?
He was furious at Mrs Eden's return.
Did he want to find something that damaged her?
He got more than he bargained for.
What did he find?
Her diary?
Your birth certificate?
Either way, he found out the truth.
And so did you.
I chased after him.
There must be some mistake!
You can't be my father...
It's news to me too.
You were supposed to have died at birth.
I wish you had.
He was an astonishingly cruel man.
Not the sort to die peacefully in his bed.
At first I wondered, how was it done?
What did he eat?
But, of course, the best way to poison someone
is through the bloodstream.
You gathered a bunch of roses for John Mulch...
..dipping the thorns in poison.
If he had accepted your gift graciously,
he would still be alive. I've got something for you.
But he rejected it...
Get away from me. ..angrily, no doubt.
Please!
JOHN SCREAMS
They smell so beautiful.You pressed the bouquet into his hands,
and his fate was sealed.
Do you think I care?
Do you think he ever gave a second thought for me?
I do not believe that you could ever have made peace with him.
But you must make peace with God.
DOOR OPENS
Noele, Mother needs to see you.
Oh, there you are!
I was worried about you.
Hello, Mother.
You know.
I know everything.
Oh, darling.
I never meant to hurt you.
I wish it could've been different.
I wish the world would've allowed us to be together.
But you were always my daughter.
I'm so proud of you.
Both of you.
Now, be good to each other.
I love you.
I want you both to have a wonderful life.
Think of me, as the garden grows.
As you grow.
Ego facultate mihi ab Apostolica Sede tributa.
Please! Be gentle with her.
Oh, darling. No need to worry.
I'm a tough old thing.
I'm not.
I don't know how I'll cope without you and Mother.
Just remember.
We're both...
..cuttings...
..from the finest, strongest tree in the whole forest.
LIZZY CRIES
ENGINE STARTS
CAR DRIVES AWAY
Oh, I hope she likes sweet Williams.
I'm sure she will.
Oh, hello! What's this?
It's just to say, erm, welcome to freedom.
Oh, thank you!
I thought I'd never see another flower again.
Hello, there, Mrs Mulch.
It's so nice to see you.
Oh, and you.
Oh! I've got you a present for you.
Oh?
For finding the truth.
I only hope that people will understand
why my sister was driven to it.
I know what this is!
This is a Tulipa Octavia,
named after your mother. Indeed.
I'm going to send one of those to everyone who knew her.
GREENWICH TIME SIGNAL BEEPS
This week, on Memory Lane Melodies, some sad news.
The celebrated flower arranger Octavia Eden has passed away.
Last time she appeared on the programme,
I asked why she had devoted her life to flowers.
She said, "Because flowers ARE life.
"Dirt is thrown at them,
"water falls on them,
"and still they rise, beautiful and defiant,
"with colours to dazzle your dreams."
CLASSICAL MUSIC PLAYS