Five, six, seven, eight and zut.
Zut, zut... And zee, zee...
and, come on, Evelyn.
Clomp those mammoth feet. Pose!
Okay, from the top.
Great!
Look at me!
Here's Nellyl!
Nelly!
Nigel!
Alright, ladies keep your wigs on.
No! Forget it!
Two shakes of my tail feathers.
I'll be right with you.
Rehearsal's going well I see.
Such a "Karen."
Wonder whose calls you're hiding?
Ooh, wondering what business it is of yours!
Do you need some help,
or should we just give it up as a bad joke?
And just have your dominoes tournament.
I don't think so.
And, anyway, it's for charity.
So what exactly is your problem, Lois?
You. This.
Woman-facing just feels so regressive, don't you think?
A man's idea of women at their worst.
Says the woman
hovering like the Grim Reaper!
There! I've said it!
Maybe it plays with and disrupts the gender norms,
ever thought of that?
And for the record, I am a woman.
You could always redress the balance, Lois,
come as a drag king?
Could work...
I'd rather stick dominoes in my eyes.
Can be arranged.
Right then, from the top!
Bunch of big-haired, false-faced losers!
Do you never give up?
I've said all I need to say.
Actions always have consequences.
After you, sir,
Nothing...
The revered stage and screen legend no less.
Who squandered his talent on wine and women.
İt's easily done.
I imagine.
We're not talking cryogenics, I take it?
We are not.
Victim sustained a high... impact blow
to the left side of her head.
Is that the cause of death?
Hard to say without getting the body back to the lab.
Sir.
Her name's Lois Springfield, single,
owned Suds, Zaps & Zips.'
It's a local dry cleaners in the village,
does everything from washing and ironing
to dry cleaning and alterations.
Who found her? - The landlady Gill Templeton.
And one of her staff, Chantelle Dawlish.
There was a rehearsal going
on for the big event tomorrow night.
The rest of the performers are in the bar
awaiting to be interviewed.
Right. Lets start with the landlady.
Is she one of the Drag Queens? - Course she's not.
Dress isn't on properly,
and she still has her day to day clothes on underneath.
Whoever killed her, dressed her post-mortem.
No self-respecting queen would apply make-up like that.
I was once one half of a drag double act.
Ava Hart-Byme.
Did a stonking version of "Relight My Fire."
Ava Hart-Byrne and...
Morgan Donor.
Lovely bloke, Colin, legs to die for.
Never seen a man look so good in Lycra.
He could have gone all the way but had other plans.
Why, what does he do now?
He's Chief Healthcare Administrator for Scotland.
Are you okay? - Yeah.
Can I get you anything?
Can I get a glass of water?
DCI Barnaby, DS Winter. Mrs. Templeton?
Yes.
I just can't believe it.
It's so terrible.
I came in for my shift at eleven.
That's when I found her.
And did you know Ms. Springfield well?
Yes, er, erm.
She ran the dry cleaners for years,
the hub of the village.
Any family? - No, only child.
Never married, never had any children.
Why was Ms. Springfield here?
Setting up for her big domino tournament tomorrow.
Has that got something to do with the Charity Event?
Yes and no.
Every year the Parish Council, led by Lois,
nominate a worthy charity or cause
and then vote for an event to fund raise for it.
And...
this year they all very kindly agreed to...
erm, urgently raise funds to get my son Rocco to America.
He has leukaemia. - I'm very sorry to hear that.
The kindness has blown me away.
It's expensive but there's, erm,
a breakthrough treatment
at a specialist clinic in Florida,
that's where we wanna send him.
So, Ms. Springfield agreed to the charity event
even though it clashed with her domino tournament?
When Rocco's need became urgent,
this was the earliest date possible,
it just happened to clash with the dominoes.
But Lois went along with it...
or she was outvoted.
I see.
Mrs. Templeton, do you and your son live on the premises?
Then we'll need to speak to Rocco as well.
Of course. If he's feeling okay.
Is anybody else living here?
No.
Mr. Templeton, if that's who you mean?
That waste of space is long gone.
I thought you had clinic today?
I do.
I had a cancellation sol thought I'd get a run in.
Gonna be late tonight though.
Got a bit of business to sort,
so don't bother with dinner, yeah?
Don't tell me, another one of your half-baked projects?
You know me, I like to keep busy.
Dickie...
I know where you were last night.
Flashy new racing bike of yours, talk about mid-life crisis!
"Mid-life?" I'll have you know I'm in my prime!
I'll be fit in no time.
Just don't make a habit of it.
Take up a proper hobby, like golf or something.
Really, Nige?
Don't get all triggered on me.
I'm drowning my sorrows. - Don't pour me one.
I'm not. - So who's the second pint for?
I'm very, very upset.
Please, you of all people had zero time for Lois.
Don't pretend otherwise.
Stand by your stilettos, ladies! Here come da Feds.
Er, good afternoon, let me introduce you.
Gay man.
Straight man.
Cisgender.
And me, whatever the heck I am?
A rogue and vagabond minstrel, a poor player
that struts and frets his hour upon the stage.
We are such stuff as dreams are made on,
and our little life is rounded with a sleep.
Prospero. I'm a thesp.
Yes, I'm aware of your career.
Ophelia Crotchet.
Erm, DCI Barnaby.
DS Winter.
So, you were all here when the incident occurred.
Erm, did you see Lois Springfield at all?
She stuck her head in.
Oar in more like, around 10.30-ish,
she made her presence felt, then left.
You clearly didn't like Ms. Springfield?
Very good, sir.
Is that some kind of sixth sense intuition?
No, we overheard you talking as we came in.
Actually, I think you'll find it was Lois
that didn't like our vibe... just saying.
What did you do after she left?
We carried on rehearsing. Until the lights went out.
And how long were the electrics out for'!
About half an hour.
Er, Shawn Dawlish, local electrician.
Did anyone else leave the room?
I went to change the barrel.
So, you, you work here now, do you?
Heaven forfend, no.
But I have become more of a fixture
than the paintings on the wall.
Drag, dominoes, barrel changing,
I bestride all worlds like a colossus.
And I went to check my phone.
I stayed here to work on my costume,
which is gonna be a dream.
Er, dream on sweet cheeks.
Speaking of, I really should get back to it, inspector.
Did anyone see or hear anything untoward?
I did.
I saw that the stock in the cellar was alarmingly low.
Nigel!
I'm sorry, madam.
What the merry hell is going on here then?
There'd better not be a problem with the dominoes tomorrow.
Nigel!
Yeah. That'll be mother.
She'll be wanting her pint.
Bit of a problem, I'm afraid. May I?
Coming mother!
You shouldn't be out of bed.
What's going on?
Have you taken your meds? - Mum, what's going on?
There's... there's been an incident.
It's Lois...
she's been killed.
Does that mean tomorrow night will be cancelled?
No, of course it doesn't,
so stop worrying that little head of yours.
Ms. Springfield's body was found wearing
something crudely resembling drag.
Does that mean anything to you?
Hell no! Crude? And drag?
In the same sentence, surely not.
Joking! I dread to think what that would even looked like.
Makes no sense to me at all.
Unless someone's trying to point the finger.
Killer Queens and all that. Wouldn't be the first lime.
Meaning? - I'm being trolled.
So is Evelyn.
And I don't mean by a freakish, ugly creature
living under a bridge.
How long has this been going on?
Ever since we started working the event.
We'll need access to your social media accounts
so we can trace whoever's trolling you.
Be my guest.
Sometimes I wonder why I ever left London?
A broken heart before you ask.
Hotshot lawyer... well liked.
Too well liked as it turns out.
So, I came here to, erm... lick my wounds.
Moved in with Evelyn.
Not in the biblical sense you understand.
I do.
She's practically theatrical royalty, you know?
Dad's an impresario in London.
Sadly, he's not into drag.
And were you welcomed here with open arms?
When you dress like I do,
you learn not to expect a warm welcome.
And the temperature with Lois Springfield?
Below freezing.
Anyone else here have a problem with her?
Maybe Richard, Dickie Dent.
He's a local physio.
Rival domino nut.
At it like cats and dogs they were.
Rowing, that is.
Clinic's just across the road.
Evelyn} Confused?
Female drag queen and all that? - No, not at all.
One of my best friends is a, was a female drag queen.
AFAB queen, kin queen, diva queen, hex, hyper.
It's a sore point between me and Malik
but, I identify as a cisgender woman
and it's my right as a woman to do drag.
Drag is a high art.
And Lois Springfield didn't think so?
At least Lois was honest.
Lived as her most authentic self,
happily upsetting everyone in her wake.
No secrets where she was concerned.
Here are no secrets in life,
just hidden truths beneath the surface."
It's-ifs something my dad used to say.
And what's your hidden truth?
Some people just can't hide what they feel.
Malik was just as bad as Lois, giving as good as he got.
In what way?
He suggested she consider dragging up.
She countered saying she'd rather stick dominoes
in her eyes and he said...
"Can be arranged."
But I'm sure he didn't mean it.
Has anyone ever told you, you have perfect bone structure?
And buttocks like coconuts.
I sneaked a peak earlier.
You'd make a gorgeous Queen.
Would now be a good time to speak with Rocco?
Actually he's sleeping.
Maybe when he wakes, if that's okay'?
Sorry I'm late.
Or are you early?
You need to do more stretches by the looks of things.
Tight glutes. Getting up,
you were clearly having some difficulty.
No, no. No difficulty.
Richard Dent? - Prefer Dickie.
I've taken up cycling, you should give it a go.
DCI Barnaby. I need to talk to you about Lois Springfield.
God!
What's the old harlot gone and done now?
Died.
Or rather someones killed her.
Earlier this morning.
Can you account for your movements today?
Course. A patient cancelled so, I went for a run.
Shower, changed, then here.
So. Between 10:30 and say 11:00 you were...
Out running.
Did you get along with Lois?
You wouldn't be asking that question
if you didn't already know the answer.
I didn't. Made no bones about it either.
She locked horns with everyone.
Me, the parish council... - Drag Queens?
Yeah, well, that's a whole other bit of drama.
So, what did you fall out with her over?
Dominoes, the sport of kings.
I thought that was horse racing.
Not round here, it's a really big deal.
Me, Lois, Norinda Bellamy run rival teams,
we've all been honing our skills for years.
Your feud with Lois, just dominoes, nothing else?
That's right. I wasn't happy with the seedings.
Lois made her team The Scrubbers number one seeds
over and above my Spotted Dicks and Norinda's Boneshufflers.
Did she now?
Ill or not, we'll need to talk to
Rocco Templeton as soon as we can.
But, erm, tread gently. - Yeah, will do.
And the erm, clinic in Florida checks out by the way.
It's an absolute pioneer in its field, apparently.
Why would the killer dress her up as a drag queen?
Trying to point the finger?
Or to make a statement.
You know men have been, erm,
dressing as women for generations.
Pantomime dames, Les Dawson, Paul O'Grady...
Ru Paul.
Aside from Lois Springfield's dislike of drag
and her rivalry with Dickie Dent,
what else do we know about her?
Erm, well, financials are all in order,
laundry and dry cleaning business doing well.
Chair of the parish council.
Let's check the minutes of recent Council meetings,
see if there are any unsavoury alternations.
Usually are.
You know, any of these people rehearsing
had the opportunity to kill her.
Malik Payne threatened to put dominoes in her eyes
which implicates him.
Or one of the others if they wanted us to think it was him.
And what were the comments like on Malik Payne's social media?
Varied.
And, not just from our troll.
Mr. Payne was getting it from several directions.
From blind prejudice to people feeling that,
"Drag Queens mock the heterosexual narrative
and demean the feminine."
I mean the troller, however, goes by the name
"Superman-N-Me"
Tech are contacting service providers,
see if we can trace who sent them and where from.
Anything else? - Ooh, yes!
Actually, sir. About my annual review...
So, nothing pressing? Good.
Right, well, let's see where Fleur's at with this.
So inconsiderate of Lois.
I was going to have it out with her about the seedings.
But mother, she's dead.
Any excuse, that woman.
Nearly forgot. This came for you.
Don't tell me, Ava Hart-Byrne's making a comeback.
Stranger things have happened.
But no. - Stiletto the cause of death?
No. Used to incapacitate.
Size nine, slim fit, handmade.
No prints, unfortunately.
Actual cause of death was asphyxiation
from the corset, pulled ever tighter.
The victim literally had the breath squeezed out of her.
Symbolic maybe?
Someone trying to silence her?
Dominoes... bog standard, nothing special.
There's something else.
I found this strip of cloth on a damaged windowpane
between the pub and the living quarters.
Maybe belonging to one our Drag Queens?
But why would any of them need
to climb through a window at the pub?
Over to you on that one. - Thanks.
Sir, the dry cleaners has been broken into and trashed.
Well, let's go over there, take a look.
Er, do you actually need me?
Because I could do with getting some prep done.
You know, fail to prepare. - Indeed, yes. Yes.
Prepare to fail.
Right.
I didn't think you'd be open today
after what happened to Lois.
The show must go on, babes.
Besides charity events don't pay the bills.
Mind you, neither does this really.
I'm ahead of my time around here.
Lois could have never seen this coming,
that's for sure.
Typical of that tricky mare,
trying to steal my thunder at the twelfth hour...
bad enough with Nigel.
Mr. Payne?
You were heard threatening Lois Springfield this morning.
Care to explain?
Handbags at ten paces.
My tongue's my only weapon, inspector.
The chances of me actually killing someone? Way loo messy.
Far too much chance of me messing up my nails.
And this is the box office, I take it?
Yes. Er, Olivia Dent.
Treasurer on the village committee,
drama teacher, bookworm.
Awful news about Lois. - Indeed.
Erm, would you be related to Dickie Dent by any chance?
He's my husband.
Are you one of the Spotted Dicks?
God no. Dominoes leave me cold, I'm afraid.
Erm, your husband said that he went for a jog this morning
between about 10:30 and 11:00-ish.
- Is that correct? - He certainly came back sweating.
Is this set text for your students?
Actually, I'm hoping to put on a play.
It's early stages, but maybe next year.
Now I've finally managed to persuade Nigel
to revive his Romeo.
Nigel Bellamy? As Romeo?
I've always, always wanted to do it
and when Nigel returned to the village
we got chatting tn the pub.
I think this could be the start of Nigel's comeback.
God help us.
And be careful what you wish for, girlfriend.
The dizzying heights of stardom,
not all they're cracked up to be.
Trust me.
As a drama teacher, are you involved in, erm
putting on the drag event?
Only as front of house. I leave the important stuff
to the pros here.
Less of the pros.
Erm, one more thing, what shoe size are you?
Is that a leading question, inspector?
Nine. Does that help? - It does.
Erm, do you own a sparkly, pink size nine stiletto?
(herds a pair in the props box,
they've been there all week at the pub.
They're yours if that's why you're asking.
It's not, as a matter of fact,
a pink stiletto was used to incapacitate Lois Springfield.
No.
Pink shoes aren't for me, I'm afraid.
Far too tacky.
Sorry, ifs just, am I next?
Why would you think you'd be next'?
I don't know. I'm one of the Queens.
I... I worked here with Lois a few times a week,
but I only came in to fix my outfit for tomorrow.
How did that work with Ms. Springfield?
We understood that she had little time for the Queens.
True, she also had little staff,
so she tolerates me because it suited her.
But believe me, I never heard the last of it.
Is there any CCTV?
Lois didn't believe in it.
Said she had all the security she needed.
She had this uncanny knack of knowing more about people
than they knew themselves.
Do you know why someone would write "Thief" on the floor?
I don't know.
Lois had a bit of a bad reputation
forgoing through people's pockets.
She sort of knew everyone's dirty laundry. Literally.
Anyone in particular?
Suspenseful music
Does this mean anything to you?
Chan? You there?
Yep.
You're joking, right?
Are you seriously going to do this?
You know I support your cross-dressing,
but why would you want to put yourself out there
for the whole world to see?
Why do Thai? - Because, why wouldn't I?
For Gill and for Rocco and for me.
What about me'? Don't I count?
Not this again, Chan.
It's not about you, it's about me.
I thought you're okay with it? - I am.
Here, at home.
But not in public?
I'm not ashamed Chan, and I don't want you to be.
Er, Winter, I want you to check for any CCTV
in the streets surrounding the launderette.
Another job to add to your list.
Er, will do, sir, tech traced the trotter to a phone account.
Rocco Templeton.
He's been trolling the people that are raising money
for his treatment.
Game faces back on! We've got rehearsal.
Triple espresso while you're at it.
In fact, make it a quadruple, will you?
How are you holding up, Nigel?
Never better, my dear old Liv.
Right, are you raring to go?
I'm having second thoughts. I'm done!
We must cancel! - Cancel? Cancel!
If you cancel,
I will do such things,
what they are, yet I...
what they... what is it?
Yet I know not, but they shall be the terrors of the earth.
There you go! What she said!
We're doing this for Rocco.
Did Olivier cancel? No, he did not.
He performed all through the Blitz.
Gielgud gave his Hamlet
three days after an appendectomy.
Yes, but they were legends. - So am I.
I'll have you know my Aguecheek was compared to O'Toole.
O'Toole... or a tool? - Woah!
And I seemed to recall you were banned from the West End.
That's why you came back here last year.
Yes, yes, yes, but think of what we can achieve here.
Do you really want lo risk your professional reputation?
At least I have one, sweet cheeks.
Why I ought a...
No, please, mister, don't! - Nigel...
Maybe we can grab a coffee later and go through some ideas?
Soon, soon, promise. But I best go.
I'll see you over there. Tout suite.
I'm not getting in that pile of junk.
I'm not an old man!
No, but you are a sick boy, and you need some fresh air.
I'm, I'm not a boy!
Excuse me.
We won't keep you but obviously you were in the building
when Lois Springfield was kilted earlier.
Did you see or hear anything unusual or untoward?
No. I had my headphones on to drown out the rehearsal.
The people that are helping you, the Drag Queens,
are you comfortable with who they are and what they're doing?
Of course, he is. Why wouldn't he be?
Because abusive messages have been sent
to Malik Payne and Evelyn Hardy from your mobile phone.
I-I-I lost my phone weeks ago. Someone must have stolen it.
That's a new one I got him with a new number.
To reduce the amount of people who can contact Rocco.
I need to control that.
He needs his rest.
Will you raise enough from ticket sales
to get Rocco to America?
Not quite. We'll also be relying on donations on the night.
Nigel donated a ton of memorabilia
for people to bid on, so hopefully that will help.
And this, er, clinic in Florida. Is it the only one?
Or are there other clinics like it elsewhere in the world?
No. It's unique. The only one of its kind.
Er, one more thing.
Do you have any idea why someone might accuse
Lois Springfield of being a thief?
No. None at all.
Thank you.
Right, come on then, get in.
Do you think Rocco's telling the truth about his phone?
Possibly, I'm more concerned about the extent
to which his mother controls access to him.
She's just worried about him, isn't she? Because he's ill.
There's worried and then there's off-the-scale worried.
Just seems a little OTT perhaps.
So." which one are you gonna wear?
Never mind her, what number are you going to do?
"Are Friends Electric," obviously!
Or how about "Electric Avenue?"
Or "AC/DC," "High Voltage?"
I don't think so. You know I can't sing, right?
It's never stopped me. You can lip sync if you want.
Suddenly slipping into something velour
with some cheesy snacks and the telly seems very tempting.
Wow! - Yes! Finally!
Merry Christmas!
Good with electrics, are you?
Shawn helped.
Here for fittings, darling?
I hope so!
Do you recognize this?
Anyone got an item of clothing that's ripped?
Suspenseful music
Mr. Dawlish?
Rocco!
What do you want, Chantelle?
Chantelle.
We found this torn scrap of fabric earlier.
It was caught on a window here.
According to your father, it matches one of his shirts
that he says you wear.
Can you care to explain?
I had nothing to do with Lois, I swear.
She was coming to see me.
Why on earth was she doing that?
Mrs. Templeton, please.
Em, because.
Er, because we're seeing each other.
No, no, no, you're not.
Since when? You're not well, Rocco.
What were you thinking?
You're too sick to be involved with anyone.
I'm sick but I'm not dead... yet.
This is exactly why we didn't tell you.
Knew you would react like this.
Knew she wouldn't approve. - Approve! Of course not.
Why would I? - We've done nothing wrong.
This still doesn't explain why you break in.
You work here, so you must have access to all areas?
Ask Mrs. Cranky here.
I do what I have to do for Rocco, young lady.
You'd do well to remember that. Both of you would.
How can we forget?
It's for your own good. What if something happened?
The priority is to get him to Florida,
get him well, nothing else, nothing.
You know that.
The reason why I have to break in is because she locks him in.
Keeps him barricaded in that sick hole all day, every day.
Right, that's enough.
I want you to leave! For good.
Are you sacking me? - Yes.
Now get out of my sight!
And stay away from my pub, and stay away from my son.
No, don't drive her away like you did dad!
Just because you were jealous of Lois.
Truth hurts, does it?
See! Go away! And stay away!!
I'm fine, I'm fine.
I'm-I'm fine. Leave me alone!
Impressive.
You're clearly very talented.
Wouldn't know it to look at me now.
That's enough of that.
Y-you'll be fighting fit again before you know it.
Do you really lock your son up, Mrs. Templeton?
I don't lock him up at all.
It's nonsense.
It's ridiculous teen drama, that's all.
And what did Rocco mean about you being jealous of Lois?
His father walked out on us.
There had been rumours.
About your husband and Lois Springfield?
Did you believe them?
I...
I don't know.
I confronted him. He denied it but left anyway.
Why didn't you mention this earlier?
Why would I?
Water under the bridge.
Lois and me buried the hatchet a long time ago.
And yet I noticed that the pub's laundry
is done by a firm in Great Auburn.
Even though Lois' business is around the corner.
We have rooms.
Linen, bedsheets, duvets.
Too much for Lois' shop to deal with.
Now, if you'll excuse me. Business to run.
Are you coming in to rehearse or what'!
I've never seen you hesitate outside a pub before.
Are you okay?
Not really.
I've received a letter.
Sir, would now be a good time to talk...
Showstoppers and torch songs.
Excuse me, sir?
Our homework for tonight
to find out all we can about our Drag Queens,
their recent shows, followers.
Think of it as research.
Hello?
Something you need to tell me?
"Mm?
Erm, I forgot to ask. How did it go with Jamie?
How did what go?
You were supposed to give him his annual assessment.
He's been worried about it.
Me too, you know I dread that managerial stuff.
John, ifs important.
I've been busy. - I know!
Well, social butterfly that I am,
I shall be at the Kings Arms later tonight too.
Why?
I bumped into a very excited Olivia Dem.
She was telling me all about doing a play
with Nigel Bellamy next year.
Really? I didn't know she was a friend of yours.
Well, I wouldn't call her a friend exactly,
our paths have crossed.
In fact, she applied to be school head as well.
She was very gracious when I got it and she didn't.
Still, not everything's a competition.
Isn't it?
Suspenseful music
Dickie...
You dropped this.
All set for tonight?
Can't wait! To the victor the spoils!
Coat, check. Bag, check. Keys, check.
Right, let's get this show on the road shall we, team?
Well, you don't look too happy about it, do we?
Your strategic team building going's well then I see.
Jamie, we were just discussing
how John needs to adopt a more open door policy.
My door is clearly always open.
With safe boundaries, dear communication
and transparency at all times, wouldn't you agree?
As Sarah pointed out, a team works best
when we have the freedom 10 try, the freedom to succeed...
And the freedom to fail. - But most of all...
You need to be able to communicate
and make your voice heard...
Someone tried to kill Malik Payne.
Well, why didn't you say so, instead of standing there
blathering away? Come on!
Thank you.
Did you see or recognize the vehicle that drove at you?
No!
It was black and battered and...
Sorry, it all happened so fast, that's all I know.
Not really a car, car kind of a guy.
What about the driver? Male? Female?
Gender fluid, I'm afraid.
I didn't see anyone.
What were you doing out there anyway?
You were quite far out of the village.
After a nightmare day, I needed some air!
Not to be nearly taken out by a silent assassin.
Well, maybe they weren't trying to kill you,
maybe they were just trying to warn you.
About what? And whatever happened
to having a conversation?
This is clearly about the show.
Someone's trying to stop it from happening,
maybe one of the dominoes lot.
If so, we Queens need to stand firm.
"We Queens?" - Yes! We Queens. You know it!
Don't worry, this is just what we're like all the time,
it's just playful bantz.
This is not realty about the Queens, is it?
Well, it would fit with the trolling.
Never mind the trolling, this is different.
L-I mean I've always been trolled.
I was trolled before trolls
were trolling, and it was even a thing.
Ii this is about something different, what could that be?
Suspenseful music
I really have no idea.
I think Mr. Payne is lying to us.
Let's find out everything we can about him,
past and present.
We might have something on the dry cleaners.
CCTV on a passing bus caught the moment on camera
when the shop was broken into.
Well, well, well. I'll go and talk lo Mrs. Bellamy.
Was it just pants?
No! Long johns, nip slips and reg grundies.
Every time I took anything into that place,
something mysteriously disappeared.
I had to go commando more than once.
Too much information, mother!
So, you broke in, turned the place upside down,
and wrote on the floor.
Could you not have just, erm, had a quiet word?
I'm not a "quiet word" kind of a person.
Besides, it's the principle.
It's also breaking and entering.
When mother gets a bee in her bustier, stand back.
And how well did you gel on generally with Ms. Springfield?
So so. I wasn't happy when she didn't ask me
to be one of her Scrubbers.
Her domino team, yes?
Had to start my own instead.
Norinda's Boneshufflers.
Well, before we play any more games,
we will have to charge you.
You can do whatever you want.
As long as I'm back before the tournament.
Over here everyone.
Free secco chop-ch... Here they are!
Come on! Grab a drink!
The event is bottomless! As it very much were!
So much sass!
And here comes the ass!
Domino Dickie,
or is it Dominatrix Dickie?
Drink, darling?
Your mouth will get you into trouble one of these days.
Trouble? You'd know all about that, wouldn't you?
The tricky Dickie little life you lead?
Mr. Detective!
Please tell me you've changed your mind
and you're joining us on stage.
Sadly not. - Shame.
You're wasted on this job, I tell you.
Wasted. Isn't he? - Clearly.
Mind if I put those lovely hands of his
to good use while he's prowling.
I mean, patrolling the room? - By all means.
You better make yourself useful then,
Winter, unless you'd rather, erm...
No, happy to leave the dominoes to you, sir.
Very well. Eyes peeled.
Yeah.
I'm really sorry! - No, It's my fault.
I've got it. Are you okay? - It's fine. I'm fine, yeah.
Rocco, you're not ready.
Come on, get a wiggle on!
I'm not going. - You have to.
This is all about you.
No, this is all about you. You made this all about me.
I never get a say. One minute too sick to go anywhere,
do anything, and now, now I'm well enough to go to this.
What if I got Chantelle down here?
Would you go then?
Let me try. Get ready.
I'll text her now.
Okay, ladies... Electra Dreams presents to you...
My goodness.
I've seen some slippery suckers in my time
but really that is a...
Marvellous! Bloody marvellous.
Bring it in girls! Come on, Davina!
We are gonna give this lot such a night to remember!
We're almost ready out there.
Once more unto the breach, as they say.
Break-a-leg!
Ready for the show? - As I'll ever be.
Where's Jamie? - In the function room.
On bucket duty. Don't ask.
Fleur, I didn't know you were coming.
Wouldn't miss it for the world. - Hi!
It's right up my boulevard.
Sarah. Ophelia Crotchet...
Hi. - He's very forward, isn't he?
Pleasure's all mine, Sarah. - And mine!
Ava Hart-Byrne! - My kind of woman!
Please... Enjoy the show, gals!
Gm...
Welcome, please follow me.
Kill me now.
Cheers, girls, cheers!
They're gonna eat us alive. - I do hope so.
Gird your loins, girls. We're up.
That includes you, Dee-Dee De Winter.
Fancy a spot of shimmy shaking?
Still time to join us, do a little number.
I Fought the Law? - I Shot the Sheriff?
I think I'll just, erm, stick to my bucket, thanks.
I'm just here to keep an eye on things.
You look fantastic, by the way.
Are you not going to tell me to break-a-leg?
Break-a-leg.
My distinguished guests,
not meaning to misgender anyone, obviously.
Welcome all to this very special night.
Now, I know what you're thinking,
you're thinking this stage is a bit mank!
But never fear, I can work wonders on a shoddy erection.
Isn't that right, sergeant?
And I don't mind telling you,
just in case you were wondering,
these bags under my eyes, they're designer, darling,
oversized, high-end, very expensive.
I'm so nervous! Can you tell I'm nervous?
But then just one look at you Winter Woo,
and everything's alright again.
♪ If love is a loser's game ♪
I I'm the winner once more I
♪ If you're not mine then ♪
♪ I'm the sinner item before ♪
♪ All I wanted was ♪
♪ A dream come true ♪
♪ All I wanted was a man called you ♪
♪ You can be up ♪
♪ But I'm going down ♪
♪ Everybody's fool ♪
♪ And nobody's clown ♪
♪ Time waits for no man ♪
♪ But I'll stay true ♪
♪ 'Cause all I wanted ♪
♪ Was a man ♪
♪ Called you ♪
Get in!
The Spotted Dicks take the lead.
Never fear! Nelly's here!
Right! Plenty of time for a comeback.
I'm not back on for 20 minutes, no-one beats my mother.
Double or quits? Winner lake all?
Deal. - Shuffle your bones, Dickie.
That's my boy!
And now, for one night
and one night only, or maybe not,
please give a warm welcome to
Davina Delish.
Well, that's got to be a first,
never that quick paying a bill.
Come on, Shawnie, don't be shy. Show us your legs!
Such a shame when alcoholics don't remain anonymous!
And, anyway, these legs are way too good for the likes of you.
Hello? Er, yeah, hang on, hang on...
Come on...
Yes! - Damn!
You cheeky so and so!
And remember, folks, stop being a drag and always be a queen!
And can I get an amen?
Amen!
That's my dad!
I see, thanks...
Stay calm, everyone. Please, everyone, stay calm!
Did anyone leave the function room before the lights went out?
I'm not sure. I took a call about Malik Payne.
He's been lying to us. - Okay.
Where are Sarah and Fleur? - They must still be inside.
Why am I even here?
We're talking to everyone, but you were in the wings
and you had time after the lights went out.
Apart from the performers, who else could have
entered he dressing room?
Pretty much anyone.
There's access around the back.
Look, we're the ones being trolled.
We're clearly the targets here.
Lois was made up to look like some kind of grotesque Queen.
Evelynmis dead.
Evelyn who you disapproved of. - Seriously?
We had a love-hate relationship.
That doesn't make me a psycho murderer.
Do I really look like someone who'd kill over a frock!
Okay, don't answer that.
Look, my point is... yes, we had our differences,
but, but unlike someone out there we embrace,
accept and live with our differences.
We don't kill over them. - Fine sentiments, Mr. Payne.
Then why don't you believe me?
Because you haven't been entirely honest with us.
You never satisfactorily explained where you were going
when someone tried to run you over.
And more to the point, you didn't leave London
because of heartbreak.
You left London because your former housemate
and lover accused you of theft and assault.
We tracked down the court papers.
Still pending I believe.
So, the truth, please.
There are two sides to every story.
I'm not proud of what I did or- or didn't do for that matter,
but...
but now I'm being blackmailed over it.
Someone found out about it and they threatened
to tell everyone here.
Unless? - I don't know.
I went to meet them down by the meadow.
I was on my way there when the van ran me down.
And how are you sent these messages?
Not through your social media accounts,
we, we looked into those.
By text on my phone.
Well, we need to check.
Why didn't you tell us about this before?
Because I'm ashamed of what I did.
I've started again here. I like it.
I finally feel as though I fit, like I have something
to stick around for...
maybe even get my happy ever after.
So, do you want to take Mr. Payne in?
No, I think we can let him go.
And I checked the phone that was sending the messages.
Pay as you go.
The question is, is the blackmailer also our killer'!
What I don't understand is, if someone was blackmailing him,
why would they try to run him over?
They wouldn't.
You head back to CID. See if we can find out
who owns this van and who might be targeting
our Drag Queens.
Who are you going to interview next?
0 that this too, too solid flesh would melt,
thaw and resolve itself into a dew.
Her fight has dimmed too soon and all our yesterdays.
Yes, yes, I, er, understand that you're upset.
And yet, I'm confused' I saw you yesterday clearly having
an altercation with Ms. Hardy.
What sort of feral, sullen and misshapen wretch am I?
A rather florid one, Mr. Bellamy.
Plain English would be appreciated, please.
Yes, yes.
I've been a pariah in the business for years.
Decades even.
Evelyn convinced me to get back out there.
We... we were planning a touring production of Romeo & Juliet.
Yes, I know, I'm no spring chicken,
hardly right for Romeo.
But McKellen played Hamlet in his 80s.
And where were you touring to?
Major cities around the world by any chance?
Rome? Milan? Paris? - Not that I know of.
London had been mentioned as a start,
but none of those places.
And why the argument?
I received a letter from her father.
Evelyn had put us in touch, he was prepared to fund us.
I choked. It freaked me out completely.
I told Evelyn I couldn't do it.
I was too scared, shot to pieces, a busted flush.
And Ms. Hardy, what was she saying?
She was trying to convince me otherwise.
She was telling me how good I was, that she'd support me
because that's the kind of person she is... was.
So, you were arguing because she believed in you?
Yes! She stuck her neck out for me. It meant so much.
Look at me, sir. I am an open book.
I couldn't hide anything if I wanted to.
We've raised enough money, more than enough.
So I can go ahead and book the flights.
Not long now.
We can't go, not after what happened.
Of course, we can. All the more reason.
Everyone said so.
We can't let what happened stop the cause
Evelyn and everyone else was working for.
We have to go. For them.
I want to see Chantelle.
Where's my phone? I can't find it.
No idea. But now's not the time.
Anything in the council meeting minutes?
Well, a dog fouled on the pavement outside the butchers
and there is a general shortage of crab apples this year.
But apart from that... - Keep looking.
What about the van? Anything there?
Well, possibly.
The tyre tracks are distinctive
and consistent with a Mark 5 transit.
Now, no second-hand dealers
lay claim to one, but a junkyard might.
So, checking that out now. - Can't be many of those around.
But there is something else though.
I asked Tech to check out the social media
accounts of everyone in the village.
Now our troller consistently misspells homophobia,
he or she says that it's misunderstood.
And?
Well, in a message claiming to support the Queens,
Chantelle Dawlish misspells it the same way.
Okay, okay' You did good last night.
Is this about Evelyn?
More specifically H's about trolling.
And the messages we think you sent
to Malik Payne and Evelyn Hardy?
I don't know what you're talking about.
Try talking to the button-upped
codgers floating around the village.
Believe me, my daughter is not homophobic.
She's not great at spelling either.
Chantelle, this might be better if it comes from you.
It...
It was me, dad. - Why? I don't understand.
You were okay with it last night.
But I wasn't before.
I didn't want you associating with them.
I wanted to stop the event, put it off,
make them think twice about going ahead,
so you wouldn't get any more involved...
get too close.
The event was raising money to send
your boyfriend to Florida.
Why jeopardize that, why steal his phone
I didn't think it through, I panicked.
I saw a chance and took it.
Never thought anyone would actually trace the messages.
It's not just about the Queens.
It never really was about them.
You wouldn't understand...
Perhaps I understand more than you think.
Your username "Superman-n-me,"
this is about your father, isn't it?
I didn't want him up there for all the world to see.
I didn't want to hear all the snarky comments afterwards.
I didn't want people laughing saying he's a cross-dresser
and no wonder mum left, because that's why she did.
You think that's why your mum left.
Because I cross-dress? - Yes! No!
I dunno, dad, you never talked about it, ever.
It's-it's not why she left.
She left for another man.
L-I didn't want you to know that,
I didn't want you to think bad of her or blame her.
So, you let me think it was because of you?
I didn't realise you did.
It'll be up to Mr. Payne whether he wants to press charges.
It's okay, Rocco. You'll be fine.
Yes, I need an ambulance urgently, Elverton-Cum-Latterly.
Where's your mum? Is she in the pub?
The village green. The sick teenager. It's an emergency.
Rocco, your mum, where is she? Rocco, can you tell me?
We need to get Gill.
Liv, it's, er, it's not what you think.
It's Rocco, he's collapsed on the green, he needs you now!
It's not what it seems. - It's everything it seems.
Dickie by name, Dickie by nature.
Rocco, what happened?
What happened?
What are you doing here?
Who called the ambulance? - I did.
What the hell did you do that for?
How could you be so stupid?
Mrs. Templeton, your son clearly needs help.
He needs nothing of the sort.
I look after him. No one else!
Leave my son alone.
I said leave him alone.
I'll take it from here.
Mrs. Templeton, at the very least
he needs someone to check him over.
He doesn't.
They'll only make him worse, so would a hospital.
I have his meds. He just needs rest before we go to Florida.
The clinic's on standby.
I've known about their affair for ages, I'm not stupid.
He always had some project going on,
some reason to be elsewhere.
Still, I guess like all of us
he deserves his shot at happiness.
Nigel Bellamy and Evelyn Hardy
were also manning a production of Romeo & Juliet.
Did you know? - Yes.
Didn't you mind? - Not really.
Me and Nigel were just chatting, throwing ideas about, you know,
and if he ended up doing it with Evelyn and her father,
that's fine by me.
When she told me, she was so excited,
it was lovely to see.
I'm just delighted Nigel's getting
back out there where he belongs.
Winter?
Located the scrapyard that sold the van.
Cash buyer, apparently.
Used a false name and said that he wanted the van for parts.
Meet me at the Dent's house.
I want to talk to a man about a project.
We're here about your van.
I waited for Malik to leave the house and I followed him.
Because? - I don't like Drag Queens.
And I'd had enough. I know it's not politically correct
to say that but it's the truth.
They're sorry excuses for masculinity.
Not in Evelyn Hardy's case.
Clearly, you have no time for Malik or the others.
I don't and I'm not ashamed to admit it.
No wishy-washy wokeness from me.
I think the event was a disgrace.
Thankfully, not everyone shares your opinion.
I have to spend my days massaging clients,
listening to almost everyone banging on
about how wonderful that lot are!
Does that in dude Gill Templeton?
What happens in my private life has nothing to do with you.
She must think the Drag Queens are wonderful,
given their fund raising for her son.
You were out running when your domino rival Ms. Springfield
was murdered, and you were at the Kings Arms
last night when the lights went out.
Did you kill Lois Springfield or Evelyn Hardy?
No! I didn't kill anyone! I just had a pop at Malik.
You drove at van at him, Mr. Dent.
What is this?! I told you what I know!
Please sit down, Mr. Dent. - I told you!
This has nothing to do with me!
I bought the van so I could use it as an excuse with Olivia,
pretend I was doing it up, okay?
Malik knew how to wind me up.
I think he sensed how much I despised him,
and I played up to it.
I followed him and thought I could get my own back.
It was an "in the moment" thing, it wasn't planned.
I just wanted to scare him! That's all, I swear.
Earlier you said almost everyone thinks that Drag Queens
are wonderful, who else shared your dislike of them?
Lois, obviously. But, erm, mainly Norinda Bellamy.
Take Mr. Dent down to the station and charge him.
I'll talk to Mrs. Bellamy.
I just want to check something first.
So, have you liberated my tighty-whitey?
I can't say I have.
What I have done is, I've read some court papers
from Malik Payne's time in London.
It turns out I'm not alone. You also accessed them.
Why'! - No, what have you done now?
Another bee in your bustier, perhaps?
Does your mother have a pay as you go phone?
She does. Why?
It would seem she's been using it to blackmail Mr. Payne.
Well, what of it?
My son is worth way more than this.
Look at him. Film premieres.
Red carpet. First nights.
And now he's reduced to doing drag in the back room
of a boozer in Elverton-Cum-Latterly.
Is that a problem for you?
No! - Yes. Ifs humiliating.
He's a star!
And you blame Mr. Payne for the state of your son's career
so you blackmailed him?
Well, I just wanted him to stop
and leave my boy alone, and not just professionally.
What?! - Stop it!
That lad is soft on you.
It's obvious to anyone with eyes in their head apart from you.
As soon as the event was over, I just wanted Malik to pack up
and leave and take all that silly drag stuff with him,
so my boy could concentrate on his real career.
And if he didn't?
Then I would tell the whole world his guilty secret.
Nigel...
you We worth more
than some poxy backroom event.
That's just where you're wrong, mother.
I was an actor too broken to do what I do best.
That silly drag stuff as you put it,
has given me back my life.
But you should be getting back out there,
living your dream before it's too late.
I am! I was!
Evelyn's father was investing.
I was making a comeback!
I'm just on hold with the clinic in Florida
chasing up Rocco's medical records.
They're resisting because of patient confidentiality.
Keep pressing. - I did find this though.
Lois Springfield, chair of the village committee,
voted for the drag event.
But she hated drag, why would she do that?
Maybe there was too much local pressure to veto it.
Maybe. - Evelyn Hardy's autopsy report.
I think I know cause of death.
High voltage electric shock presumably?
Electric shock, yes. Voltage, no.
It's the amperage that makes all the difference.
Something came up about the dress.
The heels were held together by knicker elastic.
Kind sometimes used by a mature woman.
Maybe Mrs. Bellamy was right about her clothes being stolen.
Okay, thank you.
The clinic in Florida has never heard
of Rocco or Gill Templeton.
He's not booked in for any medical treatments
or consultations, nothing.
Why lie about your son's illness?
One very simple reason. Money.
And if Lois Springfield and Evelyn Hardy discovered
the truth, it might explain why they were killed.
Do you think Rocco's in on it?
There's only one way to find out.
I'll talk to Rocco. You keep an eye on Mrs. Templeton.
It's locked! I'm locked in!
Are you okay?
So your mother is locking you in'?
Has something happened?
I just need to ask your mum
some questions about your condition.
I'm 16! Not a kid! If it's about me, ask me.
When did your illness start?
We think about a year, year and a half ago? Why?
What were the symptoms?
Lethargy.
My heartbeat was all over the place.
My tongue swelled up and that's when they ran blood tests.
That's how I was diagnosed.
Who told you about the diagnosis? A doctor?
No, mum did.
I was too sick to go to the hospital with her.
And what about when you went for scans? Follow-ups?
Mum didn't want me to hear anything bad
so she always spoke to the doctors privately.
W-Why are you asking?
Because the medications you're on aren't for leukaemia.
In fact, if you have any kind of blood disorder
they We to be avoided like, nuts, chocolate and grapes,
or they can make things worse.
What's going on? Is everything okay?
You had no right to talk to Rocco without my permission.
In this instance, we had every right.
We were concerned for his safety.
I need to see my son.
We need to ask you a few questions first.
He needs me. He's desperately ill.
Desperate to talk to someone else about
his condition would be more accurate.
We've checked, your son doesn't have leukaemia.
What he does have is a mother
who is deliberately making him ill.
Mum?
Get off! Tell me what's going on?
I just wanted what's best.
How can this be what's best for your son?
And you were never going to any clinic
because there's no illness.
I was going to explain when we got there.
Rocco's always dreamed of America.
We were gonna go with his father, but he-he left.
Why?
He said I was possessive and jealous.
I've lost one love of my life,
I'm not going to lose the other!
I want Rocco's dream to come true.
So, you happily accepted the proceeds of a charity event
as a way to get out of the country?
You have anaemia. That's all.
You took dad leaving so badly, I wanted to make it better.
You'll be fine when we get there.
You've been poisoning me?
You-you-you made me think I might be terminally ill?
It was only meant to be for a short time, for a holiday.
But then the village got carried away,
and the sicker Rocco seemed, the more people supported us.
L-I got tempted... by a new life.
A fresh start. Away from here.
Did Lois Springfield know about this?
Evelyn Hardy? - No. No one knew.
Absolutely no one.
Rocco, I promise.
I wasn't trying to hurt you.
I'm sorry.
Mrs. Templeton, I have to ask you about something else.
We've discovered that at the parish council meeting,
Lois Springfield voted in favour of the drag event,
even though she hated it.
We need to understand why she would do that.
I'm not sure.
But because of the voting process
it came down to either...
the Queens or Romeo and Juliet.
Why would Lois hate Romeo and Juliet
more than the Drag Queens?
Olivia maybe.
There were rumours that Lois and Dickie once had a thing.
And then Olivia infuriated Lois
by trying to take over the parish council.
So Lois was getting back at Olivia by voting
in favour of the drag event.
Yes. I guess.
I don't know.
Thank you, Mrs. Templeton.
An officer is waiting to accompany you
to the station, where you will be charged
for defrauding members of the public...
and for what you've done to your son.
Er, one last thing, Mrs. Templeton.
Dickie Dent, where did he fit into your plans?
He was planning on coming with me.
I need you to check on Nigel Bellamy.
I think he might be in danger.
Mrs. Bellamy said that Nigel went for a walk.
Did she say where? - To the meadow.
Ready for your final curtain?
What is this all about? - Us. It's all about us.
It was always about us. - Until he let you down.
Another in a long line. - You know nothing about me.
I know more than you realise.
Your life has just been a chain of disappointments, hasn't it?
Like a, a domino effect.
I wasn't asking for much.
I wanted to be a head teacher, not a drama teacher.
A chair, not a treasurer.
I wanted someone who would love me and stay with me,
not a marriage to a lowlife serial Lothario!
And then Nigel turns up and you fell in love
with him, didn't you?
And what better way to win him
than putting on Romeo & Juliet together.
But Lois vetoed the performance in favour of the Drag Queens.
To spite me.
She also found your ever so ambitious tour list, didn't she?
She ripped it in two, teased me about it,
said I was a fantasist to even dream of Nigel, said
she was going to tell everyone, and I couldn't have that.
I needed my chance to show Nigel that we were meant to be!
And Evelyn Hardy?
Told me about her father financing their play and tour.
My Play and tour!
Was that at the charity event when you dropped the glasses?
She said I should have known Nigel was leading me on,
that's what he does.
But she took my idea, my dream,
and most of all my Nigel.
But I never was your Nigel.
You flirted with me. - I-I flirt with everyone.
You talked with me,
took away all my past hurts and disappointments,
and you buried them forever.
You unlocked my heart, Nigel. - Olivia.
I followed every second of your career.
Every triumph, every disaster, and then you were here.
You offered me something better
and then you took it away, like everyone else.
You betrayed me! - I don't understand.
Can't you see? You gave me hope!
That's all I had.
And then you took it from me...
and now I want the pain to stop!
No! - But, soft!
What light from yonder window breaks?
It is the east and Juliet is the sun.
Arise, fair sun,
and kill the envious moon
who is already sick and pale with grief that thou her maid
art far more fair than she.
It is my lady.
O, it is my love!
Erm, sit down, please, Winter.
I have something to tell you.
I gather you might be looking for someone to play Juliet.
Indeed, I might.
You do know that essentially I'm straight, right'?
I think.
No one's perfect.
Good to know all the money raised for Rocco's trip
will be returned to the community.
Yeah. Sure.
How was the assessment? - Erm, I don't know what to say.
That good? - Glowing assessment.
Flawless performance.
Of course, it's all about the training.
Which I think deserves a round of drinks, don't you?
It'll be my pleasure.
Before you go, Sarah and I were just talking.
Mmm?
Police Federation Annual Bash.
What do you think?
Is Ava Hart-Byrne looking at the new Morgan Donor?
Yeah.
Yeah, why not?