Series 5, Episode 4
"Leaps of Faith"
He steps out into the street, into the misty morning, and tugs his coat tighter around himself. She's still upstairs in bed; he's just kissed her good-bye, though he'll see her again for tea in a couple of hours. She looked tired, but she always looks tired these days, and it worries him because the last time Michael saw her he asked if she'd been taking her tablets, and she didn't answer him directly, but glanced at Peter before insisting she was fine. The tablets are in the toilet, over the sink. Four bottles. The directions say to take them with meals, but he knows sometimes she forgets to eat. She forgets a lot of little things these days, and Peter spends half of his day trying to remember things for her.
FADE IN.
A hospital ward. NIAMH lies in a bed, noticeably not pregnant. ASSUMPTA looks in the room, and then goes to Niamh's bedside and pulls the chair there closer to the bed. Niamh stirs, sees Assumpta, and then smiles.
ASSUMPTA
Another boy.
NIAMH
(looking tired and pleased)
Have you seen him yet? He looks like
Ambrose this time.
ASSUMPTA
He's lovely. What are you calling
him?
NIAMH
Colm.
ASSUMPTA
Good Irish name.
NIAMH
Wait a minute. You look different.
What's happened?
ASSUMPTA
Nothing. I'm just tired, is all.
NIAMH
Have you and Peter had a row?
ASSUMPTA
Honestly, Niamh, I'm just knackered.
NIAMH
Too much playing in the bedroom?
ASSUMPTA
Hardly.
NIAMH
Not enough, then? I could have Ambrose
have a word with him, if you like.
ASSUMPTA
I don't even want to think what
that conversation would be like.
NIAMH
A little like the blind leading the
blind.
ASSUMPTA
Speaking of which, I need to get back
to the pub. I left Paraig in charge, and
I'd like to keep as much of my beer stock
as I can.
NIAMH
Where's Peter?
ASSUMPTA
At the church. Father Mac has him teaching
Sunday school, and that's lead a bit of A Levels
tutoring.
NIAHM
How much is a bit?
ASSUMPTA
Enough.
NIAHM
Is it helping? The extra income?
ASSUMPTA
Some. Quite a bit, actually. You
wouldn't believe what people
are willing to pay to see their
children in a good school.
NIAMH
Well, that's a relief then.
ASSUMPTA
You'll be home tomorrow, yeah?
Will you need anything?
NIAMH
Ambrose's mother will be with
us the first three days, but it's
nice of you to ask.
ASSUMPTA
Well in that case, if you need a refuge,
you're welcome at my place.
NIAMH
Your place, is it? Not "our" place.
Assumpta narrows her eyes at Niamh, takes a deep breath, and then picks some lint from her long skirt.
ASSUMPTA
He's really not leaving, is he?
She looks out the window.
Tell me, Niamh. Tell me he's not leaving.
NIAMH
I don't need to tell you that.
You know he's not leaving.
ASSUMPTA
(closing her eyes)
Now tell me the truth.
NIAMH
Assumpta, he's not leaving.
ASSUMPTA
I'm trying so hard to believe that.
But you know me, I've never been
one to take a leap of faith.
NIAMH
But, he's not leaving.
ASSUMPTA
(nodding)
I've got to get back. I'll see you soon,
yeah? I'll stop by tomorrow and see
how you're settling in with the new
little one.
NIAMH
(touching Assumpta's arm)
He's home, Assumpta. He's not going
anywhere.
ASSUMPTA
I wish I had your faith.
NIAMH
Well, I wish I had your hair.
Assumpta smiles, and they share a moment of lightness.
You're going to have to accept that
he's here for good, and in order to
do that, you need to accept that his
going to the Vatican wasn't his fault.
ASSUMPTA
They put a gun to his head?
NIAMH
Worse. They threatened the immortal
soul of a devout priest. You know Peter.
You know the man he is. He had no choice.
It's time to forgive him. Give him a
break. Give yourself one, too.
ASSUMPTA
So, he's staying.
NIAMH
Looks that way.
ASSUMPTA
Damn. I owe Brendan a fiver.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN.
Siobhan's living room, mid-day. SIOBHAN is in a robe, looking worse for wear, holding and rocking Aisling. The baby is fussy, but not crying. A knock at the door.
SIOBHAN
The door's open!
We hear the door open and closed, and then ASSUMPTA peeks in the living room, which is a disaster. Dishes and baby things are everywhere.
ASSUMPTA
This a bad time?
SIOBHAN
Oh, thank God you're here. I
haven't had a toilet or a shower,
or anything to eat for that matter.
She shoves the baby at Assumpta, who takes her, but looks startled to do so.
I'll only be but a minute.
Siobhan hurries up the stairs and disappears, and Assumpta stares up after her.
ASSUMPTA
(calling)
It's good to see you, too!
She looks down at the baby and takes a deep breath.
I'm not ready for this.
We hear the door open and close again, and Assumpta turns with the baby to see BRENDAN walk in.
BREANDAN
Assumpta! Hello.
(slipping out of his hat and coat)
And what brings you around? Tea?
ASSUMPTA
Actually, I was hoping to meet you on
your lunch break. Here, I think this
belongs to you.
She tries to hand him the baby, but he smiles and waves her off.
BRENDAN
(going into the kitchen)
You're doing a splendid job of it.
I'll just make us some tea. Siobhan
will have to eat something. You
hungry?
ASSUMPTA
(following him)
Don't know. I haven't been hungry or
thirsty since the accident. Drives
Peter a bit batty. I never know if I've
eaten or not.
BRENDAN
(pulling out the makings of sandwiches and tea)
He's still keeping track?
ASSUMPTA
I think Michael's put him up to it.
BRENDAN
Yes, well, you almost died on his
watch. He takes those sorts of things
personally. Ham? Or egg with mayonnaise?
ASSUMPTA
Neither. I'll get something later.
BRENDAN
(looking speculatively at her)
What are you and Peter doing for Christmas
dinner?
ASSUMPTA
Erm…I don't…
BRENDAN
Why don't the two of you join us here?
ASSUMPTA
Oh, I don't think-
BRENDAN
There will be more than enough, and
Siobhan, as it turns out, is a marvelous
cook.
ASSUMPTA
I'm sure she is.
BRENDAN
Talk it over with Peter.
ASSUMPTA
Yeah. Okay. I'll talk to…
Brendan looks up when she doesn't finish the sentence.
Brendan.
Assumpta's gone very pale and looks as if she might be sick.
Take the baby.
Brendan quickly takes Aisling, and Assumpta reaches out to steady herself on the table.
BRENDAN
Assumpta? Are you all right? Should
I ring the doctor?
ASSUMPTA
(taking a seat at the table)
No. But I think I'd better eat something
after all.
FADE OUT.
He smiles at Kevin and he walks in the pub, and it feels natural to do both once again. The boy has forgiven him and is happy to see him, and Peter's relieved. He wants to be a friend and a role-model, a person Kevin can look to and ask questions. He still has the need to help and serve, to provide council and lend a carrying ear, even if the Church has released him and the community has taken a collective step back. He's not a priest anymore, and he has to continually remind himself of that. It's more difficult than he'd thought it would be.
FADE IN.
The pub is decorated for the holidays, and there are a few people having a pint or a bite to eat, but the place is mostly empty. It's mid-afternoon. KEVIN is behind the bar looking bored, and ASSUMPTA brings in a carton of clean glasses from the kitchen. NIAMH and COLM come in, and she pulls a baby bottle from a large baby back thrown over her shoulder.
NIAMH
Warm that, will you?
ASSUMPTA
(taking the bottle, and dropping it in the electric kettle)
You've recovered well enough.
NIAMH
Faster than the first time, that's
for sure. But this one is still
keeping us up all night.
ASSUMPTA
It's his job. Second son and all that.
NIAMH
Yes, well, what are you and himself
doing for Christmas? Care to join us
at the Eagan house? My father will
be there, of course, and Amrose's
mother, so it will be entertaining
even if the goose is tough.
ASSUMPTA
I'll have to talk to Peter.
Assumpta pulls the bottle from the kettle and hands it back to Niamh.
NIAMH
(studying her from the corner of her eye)
Assumpta? Are you all right?
ASSUMPTA
Of course. Why wouldn't I be?
NIAMH
We haven't really talked since I
I had the baby – I know, I've been
busy – but if you need to talk…
ASSUMPTA
I don't need to talk.
NIAMH
You don't?
ASSUMPTA
Everything is fine.
NIAMH
Is it?
ASSUMPTA
Yes!
NIAMH
You and Peter?
ASSUMPTA
Are good!
NIAMH
(leaning closer and talking conspiratorially)
Is it the...s-e-x? Because I could have
Ambrose had a word with Peter about…
Assumpta simply turns and walks into the kitchen. Niamh looks disappointed.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN.
PETER has come down from the church and is rounding the fence on to the sidewalk when he happens on BRENDAN holding AISLING.
PETER
Hello!
BRENDAN
Just the man I was hoping to see.
PETER
Am I?
BRENDAN
Walk with us a bit, will you? And
hold this.
Brendan hands Aisling to Peter, who happily accepts her.
I don't know what Siobhan is feeding
her, but it must be made of stone.
The walk OUT OF FRAME as we:
FADE OUT.
He watches her nightly ritual from the bathroom door. She pulls her hair back, washes her face, brushes her teeth, flosses. She knows he's there, but she ignores him. He can't tell if she's irritated or if she likes it. She smears a cream on her face, on her neck, on her chest. Her skin is like silk. She lets her hair down again. Assumpta wears a t-shirt to bed, one that both of them could fit inside if they wanted to. And knickers. And nothing else. Her legs are beautiful. Her neck is beautiful. Her lips…eyes…breasts…all of her is beautiful. She meets his gaze in the mirror. There is no smile of recognition, or grin to share the moment. Brendan is right. Assumpta has stopped smiling. How had he missed that?
FADE IN.
Night. ASSUMPTA and PETER are in bed, wearing pajamas and t-shirts. The light from the corridor falls across them, and we see that Peter isn't sleeping. He's staring up at the ceiling, and then over at Assumpta next to him, curled on her side. He touches a strand of her hair.
PETER
I spoke with Brendan today.
ASSUMPTA
Mmm.
PETER
Something is wrong. Even he can see it.
Is it me?
ASSUMPTA
I'm knackered. Can we do this later?
PETER
Of course.
He stares at the ceiling again. He sighs.
I thought that I made you happy.
ASSUMPTA
Oh, for the love of…
Assumpta sighs in frustration and then rolls to him, wraps an arm across his middle and pillows her head against his shoulder.
This better? Can we sleep now?
PETER
I thought this was what you wanted.
ASSUMPTA
What?
PETER
This. Living together. Making love. I
thought this was what you wanted.
ASSUMPTA
It is. Now, will you go to sleep?
PETER
I haven't seen you smile in days.
It's because I'm teaching at the
church, isn't it?
ASSUMPTA
I've smiled.
PETER
How can I make it right it if you won't
tell me what's wrong?
ASSUMPTA
You can't fix everything.
PETER
So, there is something?
ASSUMPTA
It's two in the morning.
PETER
(running his hand through her hair, pulling it back from her face)
Tell me what I can't fix. Tell me what's
the matter. Is it the pub? Is the debt getting
worse?
ASSUMPTA
No. That's holding its own. Everything's
fine.
PETER
I can see it's not.
ASSUMPTA
I'm tired Peter. I've just had a lot
on my mind.
PETER
You don't feel you can talk to me
about it?
ASSUMPTA
There's nothing to – damn it,
Peter, go to sleep!
Assumpta rolls away from him, and Peter rolls toward her, props himself up on an elbow.
PETER
Now we can't go to sleep angry.
Talk to me.
ASSUMPTA
That's only for married couples.
PETER
We could get married.
ASSUMPTA
Peter!
PETER
Father Mac told me once that I
could never make you happy. That no
man could make you happy for long.
ASSUMPTA
Father Mac is an idiot.
PETER
Why do you hate him?
ASSUMPTA
(flopping on her back)
That's a long, complicated-
PETER
The short version, then.
ASSUMPTA
It's two in the morning.
PETER
Why do you hate the Church?
ASSUMPTA
Why do you love it?
PETER
I love God.
ASSUMPTA
That's not an answer. Martin Luther
loved God, too.
PETER
And, I'm not a priest any longer, either.
ASSUMPTA
I'm begging you-
PETER
Do I…not…satisfy you?
Assumpta groans, throws back the blankets and gets out of bed.
Assumpta, wait! Come back!
ASSUMPTA
If you're not going to let me sleep, I'm going
to make some tea.
She puts on a robe and goes to the kitchen. Peter follows.
PETER
I'm sorry I upset you. I didn't
want to upset you.
ASSUMPTA
Put on the kettle.
Peter fills the electric kettle, and watches as she pulls container after container from the refrigerator and puts them on the workbench. He turns on the kettle, crosses his arms, and then leans against the workbench while she makes herself a plate.
PETER
Tell me about your father.
ASSUMPTA
(pointing a finger at him, in no uncertain terms)
No!
PETER
Er…okay.
He watches her as she puts her plate in the microwave, and the numbers start to count down. She stares at the display.
What about your mother?
ASSUMPTA
(shoulders sagging, eyes closed)
Just what did Brendan say to you?
PETER
Do you want me to stop teaching at the church?
ASSUMPTA
(after a moment)
No.
PETER
Are you going to sell to Brian?
ASSUMPTA
No.
PETER
Smile for me, Assumpta.
She looks at him, then walks to him, gently takes his head in her hands, and pulls him down for a kiss.
ASSUMPTA
If we make love on the floor
right now, will you tell Father Mac?
PETER
I'll tell him that I committed the sin
of fornication outside of marriage, but I
won't tell him how or where or how many
times. Or who with, though I think he
suspects.
ASSUMPTA
Will he offer you absolution?
PETER
Yes.
ASSUMPTA
Even though you're going to do it again
Tomorrow night, or the night after?
PETER
I'm not a priest anymore, I'm just
a man in love.
Assumpta kisses him deeply, and then touches his chest.
ASSUMPTA
I don't what him to marry us.
PETER
I know. I've accepted that. I didn't
mean…what I said before, I know
how you feel about…I wasn't trying to
pressure you. I just wanted to make
you smile.
ASSUMPTA
You'll ask Father Chris, then?
For a moment Peter stares at her.
About marrying us?
Peter shakes himself from his shock.
PETER
Yes. Yes, of course. If…if you like.
And slowly, slowly Assumpta smiles.
FADE OUT.
She screams in her sleep, and he's sitting up even before he knows who he is, and he's pulling her into his arms. It's late – or early – the sun's not up yet, and the room is dark, and she's shaking in his arms, crying. Her dream has terrified her, and it's difficult to pull her from it. He turns on the light so she can see. Her eyes are wide and dark and searching. She says Leo's name over and over, it's the name she cried out from her nightmare. He holds her, kisses her head, as she tells him what she dreamt. She trembles for hours until she makes herself sick.
FADE IN.
Assumpta's living room. PETER's on the phone. The sunrise is filtering warm light through the window, and Peter looks exhausted, with his hair going every which way. He's been up all night.
PETER
Michael. Hi. Yeah, it's Peter. Listen,
Assumpta's sick…No, no, nothing like
that. Not faint at all. But she's been
vomiting for hours now…No, at this
point nothing's coming up at all…she's
a bit warm, I think, but I don't know about
a fever…Really? Kevin and Paraig, too?
It does sound like something is going
around, doesn't it? All right. I'll do
my best to keep her hydrated. Just get
here as soon as you can.
From the other room we hear ASSUMPTA retching.
If it gets any worse I'll ring you again.
Peter hangs up the phone and turns toward the bathroom as we:
FADE OUT.
FADE IN.
Morning in Fitzgeralds. The place is fairly empty with a couple at one table, and AMBROSE is sitting at the bar. PETER comes out of the kitchen with a plate of eggs on toast, and puts it down in front of Ambrose.
AMBROSE
Kevin's got it, too, I've heard.
Half the school is out with it,
including Brendan. Siobhan has
kicked him out of the house until
he's no longer contagious. Can't
say I blame her. Not with a newborn
in the house.
PETER
Where's Brendan staying, then?
AMBROSE
With Eamonn. He's got it, too. I
heard it from Kathleen, who had it
from the Leary brothers.
ASSUMPTA trudges down stairs in jeans and a sweatshirt, and her hair pulled back in a sloppy pony tail.
ASSUMPTA
(pointing at Peter)
Don't start. I'm feeling better.
PETER
You know what the doctor said.
ASSUMPTA
I can't lie about all day.
PETER
You'll scare the customers looking
like that.
ASSUMPTA
Oh, nice. Make us some toast.
She sits at the far end of the bar, leans her elbows on it, and rests her head. Peter gives her a frustrated look as he disappears into the kitchen. NIAMH comes in, scans the room, and goes to Ambrose. But, she sees Assumpta and says:
NIAMH
Oh, no! You've got it too? I've just
come from – no, never mind. Where's
Peter?
PETER
(coming in from the kitchen)
Right here.
NIAMH
It's Father Mac. He's collapsed.
PETER
What?
NIAMH
They're saying it's his heart.
PETER
Oh, God.
ASSUMPTA
Go, Peter.
PETER
I have to go. It's Father Mac.
ASSUMPTA
I know. It's okay. I'll cover here.
PETER
But you're sick. You should be in
bed.
NIAMH
I'll stay.
AMBROSE
You will not!
NIAMH
(giving him a look)
Do you have any idea what your
mother is doing at this very moment?
AMBROSE
Making breakfast, which is why
I'm here.
NIAMH
She's moved on to laundry.
AMBROSE
Not my laundry, surely.
NIAMH
She was sorting your pants when
I left.
AMBROSE
And my wool socks?
NIAMH
That you paid twenty quid for
because they're the only socks
made in all of Europe that will
eep your feet both warm and
dry while you're on patrol? Those
wool socks?
AMBROSE
And you didn't stop her?
Niamh shrugs and Ambrose drops his fork on the bar and hurries out. Peter looks anxiously at Assumpta.
ASSUMPTA
Go.
Peter kisses her forehead and whispers to Naimh:
PETER
Thank you.
Peter hurries out the door, grabbing a jacket on his way, and we follow him out. He slips on the jacket and is pulling a key from his pocket when he looks up and sees a convertible with the top up parked outside the pub, and LEO gingerly getting out. Peter looks as if he's been struck. Then he clenches his jaw squares his shoulders, and walks purposefully to Leo.
PETER
Just what the hell are you doing here?
Leo looks up at this greeting, and half of his face is covered in bruises and cuts. His cheek is swollen.
Oh, God.
LEO
Help me inside.
Peter, of course, can't not help, so he gently shoves a shoulder under Leo's arm, and Leo starts to limp to the door.
PETER
You were in a car accident last night.
LEO
You've got a flare for observation.
PETER
You've got a large cut across your back
from where you had to crawl out the
windscreen.
LEO
(looking at him)
Yeah.
PETER
And there was someone else in the
car. Your sister.
LEO
That's some parlor trick.
PETER
She dreamed it last night.
LEO
Assumpta?
PETER
(nodding)
I'm very sorry for your loss.
LEO
I know I shouldn't have come, but…
I couldn't put it in a letter. I couldn't
call. I needed to see her. She knew Anna.
PETER
I think, maybe she needs to see you,
too.
It visibly costs Peter to say this, and Leo raises his brows.
LEO
Is she all right?
PETER
No. I love her. God knows I love
her with everything I am, but I don't
think I'm making her happy.
LEO
Yeah. I know how that goes.
PETER
She's going to marry me. We're
getting married, so don't get
any ideas.
LEO
I don't seem to remember that
stopping you.
PETER
Leo-
LEO
Relax. I'm not here to win her back.
He looks at the door.
I don't really know why I'm here.
CUT TO:
Fitzgerald's interior. NIAMH is behind the counter when Peter and Leo hobble in. Her eyes go wide and she stares.
LEO
Nice to see you, too, Niamh.
NIAMH
What are you doing here? Peter?
What is he doing here?
PETER
Where's Assumpta? Upstairs?
ASSUPMTA comes in from the kitchen with a tray of glasses which she promptly drops the moment her eyes land on her two men.
LEO
Anna's dead.
He's overcome, and Assumpta runs to him, and Peter steps out of the way as she and Leo embrace. She holds him while he cries hunched over her shoulder, and her face twists as she fights back her own tears. When Leo pulls away, Assumpta leads him up the stairs while Peter fetches a broom and dustpan from the kitchen.
NIAMH
I'll do that.
PETER
I can manage.
NIAMH
Aren't you going to go with them?
PETER
No.
NIAMH
You're going to let her take him
upstairs? Alone?
PETER
His sister just died. I expect
they'd like some privacy.
NIAMH
But…but it's Leo!
PETER
It's Assumpta.
NIAMH
Peter, you know that I would never
speak ill of Assumpta, she's one of my
closest friends, but she does tend to
sabotage her relationships, and…
PETER
If she does make that choice, and
I'm not saying that she will, but
if she does, then it's her choice.
NIAMH
Fight for her.
PETER
Have faith in her.
NIAMH
Leo trusted her, too, you know.
With you.
PETER
(handing her the broom)
I'm going to see Father Mac now.
Niamh looks anxiously at the stairs.
Leave them alone, Niamh. It will
be all right.
NIAMH
You're just going to give her up?
PETER
I love her, Niamh. I will not hold her
captive, and I will not keep a good
friend from her in his time of need.
NIAMH
Ex-husband.
Peter turns and leaves.
FADE OUT.