Mr Selfridge

Laurie?

Laurence. It's already light. We must have fallen asleep.

Go. Before the rest of the house wakes up.

Got a meeting with my lawyers this morning.

Maybe they can persuade the press to see reason.

I can't believe they still won't print your side of the story.

Well, why would they be interested in the truth when their lies sell more papers?

It's my female costumers who are deserting me because of it.

I need to find some way of bringing them back.

You know, I've asked Delphine to come in and discuss strategy at the store today.

I'd love for you to be there too. Are you sure you can't join us, Rose?

I'm sorry, Harry. I'd really love to help, but... I have an appointment this morning.

Then I suppose I'll just have to struggle on alone!

But if you want my advice, I'd just keep things simple.

In times of trouble, people need something they can depend on.

Well, I'll be... What is it?

Here.

Town Talk.

They're saying that Mae has left Loxley.

Good morning, Miss. Good morning.

All for you, as usual.

There may still yet be word from George.

Missing does not mean he's...

I's been less than three weeks, my dear.

We mustn't give up hope.

Well? Still dripping.

But now at least I think I know why.

It's so nice to have a gentleman around the house.

I still have my reservations about seeing Mae.

She just walked out on Loxley, Harry. Doesn't that strike you as strange?

Why should I trust her again after what she did?

But what if there's more to it?

I felt as betrayed as you. But what she did seemed out of character.

And she's been such a loyal friend to us in the past.

I'll see her, but you know how I feel about this. Just hear what she has to say. Please?

I still think that working in a factory is a waste of your talents.

If it aids the war effort, I'm happy to do it.

Music can wait.

Well, if you're going to sweat and strain all day, at least eat a decent lunch.

They pay me a fare wage, Josie. I have money.

Here. Please. Take it.

Thank you.

No!

Well, I'm not giving this to Mr Grove.

I don't want to resign, Miss Hawkins.

I love it here. But my father's insisting.

He says he won't have me working here no more.

That Mr Selfridge is a friend of The Kaiser.

Oh, stuff and nonsense! If there's a bigger patriot in this store, I'll eat my hat.

But what with the papers and all - You don't want to believe

everything you read - and neither does your father.

Well, what should I do?

Tell him you've given the letter to me...

and that you've got to work a week's notice.

Then what? You leave that to me.

The scandal is still hurting us.

Only this week, seven more influential female customers have closed their accounts.

We must act now. We need to make this store the talk of the town again.

But for all the right reasons. Delphine's is on the up

because we offer people an escape.

Let's entertain them, Harry. Just like you've always done.

What exactly did you have in mind?

We bring the spirit of Delphine's to Selfridge's.

We recreate the club in the Palm Court.

Give me 24 hours and I will fill the place to the rafters.

If you get the right people in, then the rest will follow.

Let us hope so. Although, Selfridge's is a rather different beast to a...nightclub.

Well, I think it's a great idea.

Thank you.

I have another proposal which may aid us.

I've heard Winifred Bonfils Black is in London. The journalist?

I met her a few times in New York.

Her articles are syndicated everywhere.

She'd be the perfect person to write about our new promotion.

Winifred's... She's a one off.

If by that you mean she's trouble, then I'd be forced to agree.

We would have a tiger by the tail.

But when she speaks, women listen.

Which is exactly why it is such a risk.

But one we have to take.

I have faith in my store.

Henri, invite her to lunch. If you can't charm her, no-one can.

Thank you all very much.

Kitty. I was surprised to get your call.

Have you read this?

'Rumours of a separation between Lord and Lady Loxley continue.'

And what of it? Well, why would she leave him?

We've all met the man. Yes, but why now?

Just as the scandal breaks out.

Maybe she's telling the world that Loxley's to blame for all of this.

Or maybe it's just a coincidence.

Well, I hope you're going to look into it.

Miss Pertree handed in her notice today.

Her father read your article and insisted she leave the store. I'm sorry to hear that.

It's a matter of integrity.

If Loxley's behind this, then you need to prove it.

Put the truth out there in black and white so everyone can see it.

It's not that simple, Kitty.

You owe it to Mr Selfridge to put this right.

Come on, Jameson, think about it. Loxley rang me with the story.

What if he planned all this to divert attention from himself?

If he's manipulating both of us, we have an obligation to investigate.

Taking on Harry Selfridge is one thing.

Attacking the government? I may be mad, Frank, but I'm not crazy.

You know, I thought you'd say that.

Which is why I brought you this.

I'm resigning from my column.

If I can't write the truth, I won't write at all.

I'll see if he's available. One moment, please.

I'm sorry, Mr Selfridge. Frank Edwards is on the telephone.

I have nothing to say to him. Please tell him not to call again.

Very good, Mr Selfridge.

We'll start with the large pieces over here.

Frame this space.

I thought you should know what was being planned.

Well, it's different, I've gotta say that. Mm.

This your idea?

Direct from Mr Selfridge. And...and Miss Day, of course.

'Bring the spirit of Delphine's to the Palm Court.'

An...Arabian theme, I understand.

Well, as long as they don't expect Franco to do a belly dance...

No word from your George? Not yet.

I...I should get back. There's a... a new window to finish for tomorrow.

Monsieur Leclair promised me some advice.

And how long have you had these symptoms?

Say three or four months. Perhaps more.

And the difficulty in breathing?

Uh, the same.

I'm sure I'm wasting your valuable time, Doctor.

It's just, the last few weeks, I've had so little energy.

I thought some kind of tonic... would help.

Perhaps so. But first...

I should like to examine you.

If you've no objections. Of course.

Come.

You wanted to see me? Please sit down.

What I witnessed this morning was unbecoming of an employee of Selfridge's.

And frankly, embarrassing.

This 'affair...' has gone too far.

I have done my utmost to persuade you to end it in a dignified fashion,

but you seem determined to ignore me.

As a result,

you have been humiliated.

I had hoped you would come to realise that financial gain

is the most likely motive for this boy's...

apparent...infatuation.

That is a despicable suggestion.

And yet, this morning, I saw him receiving money from you with my own eyes.

Could it be any clearer?

You're being taken for a fool, Miss Mardle. An old fool.

If you've quite finished, then I'll reply.

My life is my own, Mr Grove.

How I choose to live it is my business.

And I would ask you, in future,

to keep both your opinions...

and your insults...

to yourself.

One Manhattan, Madame. And I should charge this to...?

Harry Selfridge, of course.

Winifred Black.

Thank you so much for coming to see me.

The pleasure is all yours.

And Monsieur Leclair.

It's been too long.

Miss Black.

I got your message, practically insisting I pay you a visit.

Which made me think you want something from me.

Am I that transparent? Oh, I find that men usually are. It's one of life's constant disappointments.

I see that my Fleet Street colleagues have been giving you a rough ride.

Damn lies. But mud sticks.

We need some good publicity.

An article by you would be a fantastic start.

I don't do puff pieces.

My readers rely on me for the unvarnished truth. Which is what we want you to write.

You have integrity and so do I. And I am confident

that my store will speak for itself.

Monsieur Leclair will give you all the access you need.

Here's how it works.

You give me carte blanche

to look around and talk to your staff.

I find a story that inspires me... maybe I'll write it.

It's a deal.

Let's hope you don't live to regret it.

Hm.

It was brave of you to leave him.

I couldn't live with him a moment longer.

Anyway, I'm very glad that you called, Mr Edwards.

I presume this is about Harry Selfridge.

I wanna get to the bottom of the wretched business.

But Harry won't take my calls.

It's understandable, I suppose.

And there's no point in a direct approach to the committee. They'll only close ranks.

Well, then, perhaps we should find the weakest link.

Lord Edgerton and Loxley... they were at school together.

Now, Miles had certain... peccadilloes even then.

And...let's just say he's never grown out of them.

What are you saying? I overheard Loxley blackmail Edgerton...

for a seat on the Procurement Committee.

This was all planned, Mr Edwards. Right from the very start.

And now Harry's taking the rap for it?