Right... Right.
(Car horn beeps)
Yes. Yes, I'm coming.
(Ticking)
(Ticking stops)
Alice, love. Welcome. Let's get you inside. That's right.
What about the suitcases?
We'll send someone out to fetch them.
One of our big strong lads.
Eh, Alice?
I wish you'd seen her when she was herself.
I was a very lucky man.
The only thing is, you do begin to think...
...with no children, that when you're gone, there's nothing left.
A whole lifetime of loving someone, just finished up...
...and forgotten.
It all seems...
...strangely wasteful to me. Inelegant.
The universe is usually so parsimonious,
conservation of energy and so on.
But not when it comes to love.
When it comes to love, the universe is oddly profligate.
James, when did you retire?
Last year. The year before.
And what have you done since then?
- I've looked after my wife. - And you've done a wonderful job.
You've bathed her and fed her and read to her and did what you could.
But now that job is done.
Just take yourself away. Relax.
Get used to the idea of having some time for yourself.
So, they don't want me around for a few days.
Getting under everyone's feet and disturbing your new routines.
Your mealtimes and so on.
So, I decided to take a few days away.
Take a peek at some of our old haunts.
Take some photographs, bring them back to show you.
Maybe a stick of rock.
I love you, my darling.
I'll see you soon.
Call me if you need me.
? Oh, whistle and I'll come to you, my lad
She spilt wine over my toes.
They said, "Wine!"
My mother was a darling.
She barked. She barked and barked'.
Been to Combe Bideford before, have you?
A long time ago.
My wife and I came here
not long after we were married.
Was it your honeymoon?
We used to ramble.
Yes, we were... we were ramblers.
I'm not quite sure what you'd call them nowadays.
Backpackers, I think. Hikers.
Not quite the same thing.
But, yes, we used to picnic on the beach,
open a bottle of wine, watch out for shooting stars.
Oh, you're an astrologer.
Astronomer.
Astrology is Capricorn, Aquarius,
tall dark strangers, Mystic Meg and whatnot.
I'm actually more of a scientist and so on.
Oh, lovely.
I had this dog was a Gemini.
A schnauzer. A little rogue, she was, I tell you.
Into everything the minute you turned your back.
So I've got you down for a double room.
Oh, no. No, that's not what...
No, that's not what I...
- Oh, I'm sorry. - No, I'm sorry. My fault.
Let me just...
- Is it a nice room? - Oh, it's a lovely room, yes.
Well...that'll be fine.
Can I show you to the room?
Just point me in the right direction. I'm sure I'll be able to find it.
Right you are. Up those stairs there,
through the door at the top, and right along to the end.
Right.
Thank you.
Right.
Right, right, right.
Sorry, if I could just...
What time does the restaurant actually open?
- Open for dinner from 7.00pm. - Excellent.
Off to work up an appetite?
How long were you alone,
waiting for someone to find you?
"Quis...est...iste...qui...
"...venit?"
"Who is this who is coming?"
Oh, I'm very well.
I just thought I'd give you a call. Erm... How is my girl?
(Nurse) Oh, she's fine. She's quiet.
She's content. Don't fret.
Enjoy the break.
I'm sorry.
Give her my love, won't you?
- Thank you. - No problem. Now go and relax.
He sends his love. He's missing you.
He does adore you.
Time to eat.
(Child plays loudly)
Oh'.
(Wind whistles)
(Creaking)
(Scratching)
(Scratching continues)
- Morning. Sleep well? - Oh, very well, thank you.
- Actually, not really. - Oh, sorry to hear that.
Was it the storm? What a ruckus'.
No, it was...
I think I have a rat in my room.
A rat?
I heard it scratching all night.
Did you see it?
No.
I got a feeling that it was trapped in the wall.
Or under the floorboards, maybe.
Oh, Mr Parkin, I'm so sorry. Would you like to change your room?
Oh, no, no.
But I assume you'll...?
Oh, gosh, yes. Absolutely. We'll look into it straight away.
Oh, not to worry too much.
Old building...
Actually, they're amazing creatures, rats.
Machines for survival. Admirable in their own way.
I expect it was driven in by the cold.
Anyway, not to worry.
Well, thank you for your kindness.
Not at all.
- Breakfast is...? - It's being served right now.
Excellent.
Oh, could somebody look at my bedside lamp as well?
- Loose connection, I think. - Oh, absolutely. No problem at all.
Thank you.
(Wind whistles)
(Wind blows)
(Creaking)
(Scratching)
(Creaking)
(Rattling)
(Squeaking)
(Thump)
(Banging)
(Knocking)
(Banging)
(Banging continues)
(Intense banging)
(Metallic jangling)
(Sobbing)
(Sighs)
Oh'.
Excuse me'.
Oh, no!
Excuse me'.
Hello?
I'm so sorry you got a fright.
I had to... It's my son. He's got the flu. It's the weather.
It's all right.
What's not all right is that one of your guests
tried to get into my room last night.
I was two seconds from calling the police.
Thank God I had locked the door.
You're the, er...
You're the only guest currently staying with us.
No, there's another couple, with a young child.
They checked out yesterday.
Really?
I'm afraid they did, yes.
Well...
Well, who was knocking at my door?
Could it have been you?
I stayed at home. My son, the flu...
Another member of staff?
Not only was I the only guest in the hotel,
I was the only person in the hotel?
I was completely on my own all night in an empty hotel.
The season, the weather. It's so quiet.
I'm so sorry.
Is it even legal? What would happen if there was a fire?
Mr Parkin, I'm really sorry.
- My son... - He's got the flu, yes.
So who was banging on my door?
- I don't know who it could have been. - Well, somebody was.
- Could it have been a dream? - Chance'd be a fine thing.
Well, this building's not as young as she was. Perhaps it was a ghost.
A ghost?
A discorporate human personality that has survived bodily death?
One of those, yes. If you like.
Well, I have to admit that I've never seen a ghost,
so my empirical evidence is zero.
But what I have seen is the opposite.
A body that has outlasted the existence of the personality.
And that is far, far more horrifying
than any spook or ghoul you could ever hope to glimpse, believe me.
There is nothing inside us.
No ghost in these machines.
Man is matter, and matter rots.
Oh, and I do hope your son gets better.
(Whispering) No. You're nothing. Nothing.
James. How are you, my love? You sound out of breath.
Yes, well, I've just been for a ramble.
Is she well?
I'd say she was missing you.
You couldn't possibly put her on?
I'd just like to...
Oh, thank you.
Call for you, my love.
She can hear you, James.
Gossip away. I'm not listening.
'Hello, darling.'
I just wanted to say hello, and see how you are.
'I'm staying in our old hotel. Do you remember it?'
Do you remember the wine when we first came?
I think it was Sarson's.
We did laugh, though, didn't we?
We laughed and...
Listen... don't worry about me, OK? I'm fine.
I just wish you were here.
So many happy memories.
I'll see you soon.
Bye.
Bye now.
Don't fret, my love. You'll see him soon.
You will. Don't fret.
Oh, Mr Parkin.
I'm off for an early bed because I shall be leaving in the morning.
Oh, you're not cutting your stay short because of last night?
We could change your room.
No, it's not that.
In all honesty, it's not.
Well, it sounds pathetic,
but I'm afraid I miss my wife.
Oh, it's not pathetic at all.
It's lovely. You're very lucky.
How long did you say you were married?
I was 21 and she was 19.
A lifetime, really.
- First love? - First and only.
- Well, erm... - Yes, of course.
Goodnight. Sleep tight.
Your son, is he better at all?
He is better, I hope.
Not to worry, Mr Parkin. My mum's looking after him.
You won't be alone tonight.
Ah, good.
Not that it matters all that much, but it's nice to know.
Whoever thought you'd be a homely nick-knack?
A madman or a sadist?
Who is this?
Stop it!
Stop it.
(Creaking)
(Scratching)
(Scratching continues)
Go away! Go away, please. Go away'.
(Squeaking)
(Thump)
(Door thumps continuously)
(Whispers) Please, please, please.
Go away'. Go away'.
(Banging and knocking)
Go away'.
(Banging stops)
Argh'.
No!
Please, God! Please, God! Please, God!
I am still here.
I am still here!
I am still here! I am still here!
I'm here!
(Scratching)
(Knock at door)
(Intense knocking)
Oh...