The back-boiler fire is roaring away. It is swelteringly hot. Dr Swaby, Lockwood and Inspector Noble sit there sweating while Joyce makes desultory conversation.

JOYCE   I must apologise for this room. It’s in dire need of decorating. More sherry, Inspector?

INSPECTOR NOBLE   Don’t mind if I do.
Dr Swaby, disgusted by him letting the side down, peeps through the curtains.

LOCKWOOD   I wonder what he thinks we’re doing.

DR SWABY   Playing cards. It’s a perfectly normal activity.

JOYCE   Bridge! Why didn’t I think of it? Do you play, Doctor?

DR SWABY   No.
Lockwood also shakes his head. Pause. Allardyce comes in quietly. He is holding himself back.

JOYCE   The royal wedding is exciting a great deal of interest.
Pause.

DR SWABY   Could I ask you something?

JOYCE   Certainly.

DR SWABY   Have you ever had any mental illness?
Nuttall pops his head round the door. He is wearing a floral apron, one of Joyce’s.

NUTTALL   There might be some noise. Put the wireless on.

JOYCE   We don’t need the wireless. (She approaches the piano.)

INT. GILBERT’S SURGERY. NIGHT.

Gilbert, also wearing one of Joyce’s floral aprons, is trying to hold the pig’s head still. Joyce is heard to start playing Ivor Novello’s ‘Rose of England’ on the piano. Nuttall raises the heavy hammer. Gilbert cringes, waiting for the blow. There is a knock on the door. Nuttall stops just short with his hammer. He jerks his head at Gilbert.

INT. CHILVERS’ HALL. NIGHT.

The piano playing loudly in the sitting room, Gilbert opens the door in his apron.

PRESTON   (anxious) Am I too late?
Nuttall beckons him sharply but then sends him back for Gilbert’s apron. As Preston puts it on, Nuttall hustles him into the surgery and shuts the door. Left in the hall, Gilbert covers his ears and sits at the foot of the stairs.

INT. CHILVERS’ SITTING ROOM. NIGHT.

Joyce is playing with élan. She talks over her shoulder as she plays.

JOYCE   Nice that he’s in the Navy. Of course she was in the ATS, Princess Elizabeth. I believe she can drive a heavy-goods vehicle. Not that she has to, of course. Still, nice to have something like that up your sleeve. Were you heavily involved in the war, Mr Lockwood?
Lockwood loosens his collar, sweat pouring down his face.
Too modest to say, I know. Gilbert did his bit, in the ARP. I was in the St John’s Ambulance. Lost count of the cups of tea I served. They also serve … I must say I’m looking forward to the wedding. I read in the paper they are going to spend the honeymoon at Broadlands.

DR SWABY   (to Lockwood) Unfortunate name. Could be an institution.