I want what I asked for. The amount in full. What's the problem?
I'm flat broke. Can you help me?
Sell whatever you have to. I can run the remaining companies from London.
I'll make it right.
Don't ever come near my family or my store again.
The Civic Building Society asked me to speak with you about your father.
Get me the company lawyer. I urgently need to speak about Harry Selfridge.
Will you be with me, Josie? Will you be my wife?
Bye!
Maybe we're too wrapped up in ourselves to notice we're drifting apart?
- The job offer's still open. - Good. - And I'm taking it.
- You don't own a woman like Mae, Jimmy. - Keep away from her.
He was a good man.
Let's go to work, Harry.
(DOOR OPENS)
Mother.
- Is there news? - There is news.
You don't have to hide any more.
The police suspect organised crime.
This means nothing. It's gossip. Rumours.
It means you're not in the frame.
In the frame or not...
...I killed him.
Accidentally.
Then why do I feel like this?
You take things on. More than you should.
Ever since you were a boy.
You can't hide here forever. People will talk.
You've business in London to attend to.
You've made powerful friends, Jimmy. Allies.
Men like Harry Selfridge.
You keep him close and you'll be fine.
Things have been difficult lately. We need this to work.
A store-wide summer promotion. Classic Selfridges.
It's a great idea, Pa.
And preparations for the meeting with Keen this morning...?
I've overseen it personally, every detail.
- Ground floor, please. - (LIFT BELL PINGS)
Mr Lyons has all he needs?
- Ice cream cart? - Mr Lyons has his cart.
(LIFT BELL PINGS) It's good to have you back.
Morning. Summer at Selfridges. What do you think?
I love it.
- Well done, Mr Lyons. - Thank you.
Mrs Edwards.
The summer selection, Mr Selfridge.
(SIGHS) A final triumph for you, Mrs Edwards.
- You shall be missed. - Well, we save the best for last.
Let's see if your windows do Madame Rennard's collection justice.
- Your first windows. - They're superb, Mae.
- Thank you. - A wonderful job, both of you.
We're in good hands.
- Thank you. - Thank you.
(CONNIE SIGHS)
How's George?
Erm... Well, he's not really talking.
He's been staying up late with his medals.
I think it's stirred up the past.
Well, him and Victor were best friends.
Give him time.
So... are you still telling people you and Frank are together?
That he'll join you in New York?
We are still married.
You must be nervous. I can't imagine how I'd feel.
Oh, nervous. Excited too.
Elizabeth Arden, New York City... It's a big challenge.
I meant about leaving Frank behind.
A bit of time apart might be just the tonic.
Anyway, must get on. I'll see you later at my leaving party.
Have you seen this?
They're saying that Victor was mixed up in the underworld.
Oh... Yes. Ghastly business.
Who knows what really happened?
Well... Your range is a sensation.
- Orders are flooding in. - Mm.
And the windows are a triumph.
Oh, yes. Mr Lyons, he's a real talent.
- He's rather peculiar though. - Well, most creative types are.
True.
Frank tells me you've declined press interviews.
Oh, Harry, I've been so busy with this range.
- To be honest, I haven't really felt like it. - Throw 'em a bone.
You know how Mr Crabb loves free advertising.
You love it.
Well, not that I want to tempt fate or anything
but, at the moment, demand isn't really our problem, is it?
The machine room is close to breaking point.
I'll get Gordon on it.
I've got 15 machinists turning out three dresses an hour.
That's 400 dresses a day.
We're doing our best, but demand's high and it's only gonna go up.
Right, well, I tell you what,
we'll look into hiring extra machinists to ease the load.
Make sure to give them all regular breaks.
Fine work, ladies. Keep it up.
(GIGGLING)
Don't sit there gawping.
And keep your seams straight, Brockless.
The board at the Civic have concerns, Mr Selfridge.
The incident with the broken windows.
The bad publicity.
Excessive, if not frivolous spending.
A disturbing pattern.
Mr Keen, you want us to show a greater transparency.
Am I right?
Well, you oughta know, we're getting our house in order. We're consolidating.
- Reining in our spending. - The summer promotion...
A cost that will return to us tenfold.
Selfridges is on the up and up again, Mr Keen.
All to the good, but I should warn you,
that we at the Civic are looking to exert a more muscular executive presence in the future.
Of course.
For example, I would like to use an office space here, in store, for a couple of days a week.
Er, Mr Crabb?
We should be able to accommodate you, Mr Keen.
Why don't you come to our monthly directors' meeting?
Your input would be greatly appreciated.
Would that address your concerns?
- It would. - (DOOR OPENS)
(LAUGHTER) Boys!
I told you to wait. I'm so sorry. Granddad!
- We've been looking for you. - Aah! Ooh! (CHUCKLES)
Mr Keen...
Thank you, Mr Selfridge.
- What are you doing here? - Your father invited us.
- I have a question for you boys. - What?
One second.
- Who'd like ice cream? - BOTH: Me!
(GRACE GIGGLES)
It's all they could think about this morning.
They're good kids. About time I got to know them better.
As a matter of fact, why don't you and Gordon come to dinner?
Rosalie's been asking after you.
We'd love to.
- Can I have another one? - Please?
Another one already?
- All right. - Oh, go on, then.
Thank you.
- Grace, excuse us for a moment, would you? - OK.
What's wrong?
Lord Wynnstay, he's taking us to court. Breach of contract.
- What for? - Withdrawing our advertising.
I'll call the lawyers.
I can do it.
All right.
So you're ready.
And if anyone should ask, you were seeing to your sick mother.
The police are looking elsewhere.
They'll keep doing that, unless you give them a reason not to.
Oh, don't be a fool, Jimmy. Look in the mirror.
Give them half a chance, they'll string you up.
Go back out there. Put this behind you.
Focus on what really matters.
- And what's that? - Flying high.
So they can never tear you down.
(CUTLERY CLATTERING ON CROCKERY)
Here you are.
This arrived for you, by messenger from... Temple.
Open it.
Well, what is it?
Connie...
Victor set up a trust...
(EXHALES)
...for our baby.
Oh!
But why?
Why us? Victor knew so many people.
I haven't been a proper friend to him.
Not for years.
- I let things slide, Connie. - George!
Victor loved you.
And this is proof.
KITTY: My story's like many of yours.
I first started out in Selfridges in accessories...
...as an assistant.
I was ambitious.
But I had no idea how I might progress.
Mr Selfridge made that happen.
Not just for me... others as well.
Because working at Selfridges is like being part of a family.
Family is important. Mr Selfridge taught me that.
He's guided us through the ups and downs of life.
He encouraged us.
Believed in us.
Gave us a chance to shine.
This is the store that Mr Selfridge built and...
...I'm proud to say that it's made me who I am.
I...
(APPLAUSE) - Thanks.
Ah, New York won't know what hit 'em.
- Not quite sure I can do this. - (CHUCKLES)
I've never been more confident of anything in my life.
It's been a pleasure working with you, Mrs Edwards...
Director of Concessions, Elizabeth Arden.
I'll never forget what you've done for me.
Well, it's me who should be thanking you.
(BAND PLAYS JAZZ MUSIC)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
And I shall see you... very soon.
- New York's such a long way away, Kitty. - It's five days by boat.
- It's nothing. - Four by Zeppelin.
There's no way you're getting me on one of those things, George Towler.
GEORGE: Don't you feel guilty.
We always knew you'd be off one day.
Don't make me cry, George.
GEORGE: Have you said your goodbyes?
Nothing left to say.
I should go. Slip away.
My boat train's at 11. I've got a cab waiting.
Oh, Kitty.
A marriage that spans an ocean.
It's very modern, I suppose.
And absence may, as the saying goes...
Absence won't heal your marriage, Frank. You'd be a fool to think that.
I've been in your shoes.
Lost years with the woman I loved.
Life is short.
This is your last chance to make it right. You let her go, you may not see her again.
But my... my job is here.
Wynnstay's on our back with this damn writ.
To hell with Wynnstay. We've worked together a long time.
You saved my bacon more times than I can count.
Jobs come and go.
Love doesn't have to.
- FRANK: Kitty! - (FOOTSTEPS)
Don't go.
I'm not going through this again.
What you did, it doesn't heal overnight, Frank.
It takes time.
- Time and distance. - Wait, please, for pity's sake.
If you walk out that door, I'm scared I'll never see you again.
Please listen. I want our marriage back.
Whatever it takes.
I have to go.
Let me come with you.
What?
To New York. Now. Tonight.
Start a new life, just the two of us.
Well, what about your job here?
Harry's given me his blessing.
So...
What do you say?
You haven't packed.
That was rather short-sighted of you, Frank.
I didn't want to presume.
- To New York. - (GIGGLES)
(LIFT BELL PINGS)
HARRY: Hello, Mae.
On your urging, I talked to the press.
All they want to talk about is this.
The London Herald?
"Provincial store sell-off. Selfridges in trouble?" What's Wynnstay playing at?
- Frank needs to sort this out. - Frank's gone.
He left for America with Kitty last night.
Right. What do you want me to say, then?
"No comment." Tell 'em to move on.
This is because of the writ, isn't it? It could be months before we get to trial.
- Months of stories like this. - (SIGHS)
Normally, Frank would sort this out.
Would you be willing to call a truce?
Restore the advertising in Wynnstay's papers?
I would, but it's personal now.
Wynnstay's set against me.
He has no gripe with me.
If I sent you, he would take it as a sign of weakness.
He'll think he's got me on the run.
Perhaps that's a good thing.
(GULLS CRY)
MR GROVE: That is a beauty.
That's not for the collection. That's, er...
That, my dear, is for you.
- I married a romantic. - (CHUCKLES)
Thank you.
I love it.
Do you know something? I'm not afraid any more.
With you by my side, I feel that what will come...
Will come.
And, until it does, I shall live my life as normal.
My work. My family.
Ah. You wish to return to your old post.
Mm. (CHUCKLES)
(GIGGLES)
Do you know, I was rather afraid of your children.
But I have to confess I am rather missing them.
Well, they adore you.
- Even Meryl? - Even Meryl.
(SQUEALS)
- Just great. - I'm so sorry.
It's easily fixed.
- Sorry, where do you work? - Fashion.
Oh, perhaps I'll just knock over a few dress racks.
- Easily fixed. - I didn't mean to do it.
You were wandering along like a rummy.
(SOFTLY) I beg your pardon?
What gives you the right to be so rude?
I'm sorry.
(SEWING MACHINE WHIRRING)
Where is everyone?
Welcome lunch for the new machinists.
Why have you got all this work?
From when I worked on Miss Mardle's dress.
That isn't fair at all.
Forget I said anything.
Meryl, I need to get on. I don't want to give them any excuse.
- Excuse for what? - Just go.
(CLEARS THROAT)
(DOOR CLOSES)
Lord Wynnstay.
My father sends his apologies.
We would like you to drop your writ against us.
In exchange, we will place advertisements in your papers
as per our contract, which we intend to honour in full.
Your father said I'd never see another penny from Selfridges.
Passions have cooled.
You tell your father, messenger boy,
I will not drop my writ.
I shall see him in court.
I thought you might say that.
Our council feels this is a more than fair settlement.
Now you're young.
I expect you think everything has a price.
I wonder what your board would make of this.
You turning down such a sum on account of a petty grudge.
They are sure to hear about it.
You do not own all the press.
Lord Wynnstay...
The Selfridge pup has teeth.
Mm.
(KNOCK ON DOOR)
- How are you, Harry? - Jimmy!
Where have you been hiding?
With my mother. She's not been too well.
- I'm sorry to hear about that. - No, she's better now.
Can I just say the store is looking absolutely fantastic?
It is. Summer at Selfridges... Magnificent.
Mm. We're back on form.
We should team up again, Harry.
What do you say?
Easy money out there for men like you and me.
I'm gonna have to pass on this one.
Can't take my eyes off the ball again.
Almost lost everything - my store, my family.
I would've, if not for you.
I hope you understand, Jimmy.
So we will work together again, I promise, on the right project.
- My door is always open to you. - Thank you.
(CHATTER)
So first you were a showgirl, then a lady of the realm,
head of a Parisian fashion house and now designer at Selfridges.
My goodness. You have done your homework.
(LIFT BELL PINGS)
MAE: Ah.
Sorry. Could you excuse me just a moment?
Jimmy.
- It's been a while. - Yes, I know.
- Erm... My mother was ill. - Ah.
I did wonder where you'd been.
- I was sorry to hear about Victor. - Thank you.
Yes, he was an old friend. It was a...
- It was a terrible shock. - I suppose it was.
I'm very sorry.
I should let you get back.
Goodbye, Mae.
Madame Rennard, I wonder if we might go over these figures.
- Of course, Mr Crabb. - Madame Rennard, can you sign these order sheets?
I'm concerned about all these additional machinists.
I'm concerned about feeding customer demand.
- You missed one. - Did you speak to the press?
- Oh, will you all just go away? - (SHOCKED GASPS)
That was unforgiveable, Harry. I-I apologise.
Don't.
My head's in a whirl.
Victor?
Victor burned bright and fast.
Fought in the war, achieved in business.
A full life.
In a funny sort of way, my life and Victor's were quite similar.
He had no partner, no children.
Buried himself in his work.
You're not Victor.
I will die alone.
This collection... I've thrown myself at it
and it's worked, it's been a success.
I just feel so...
...empty.
We're having a family dinner tonight. I want you to come.
That's a lovely thought, Harry, but I'd be awful company.
(CHUCKLES) Even at your lowest, you still light up the room.
Come on. I'm not gonna take no for an answer.
Oh, now this was from Hythe. (CHUCKLES)
Oh, and this was from Dymchurch. Or was it Botany Bay?
- ERNEST: Did you swim? - Oh, yes.
Every evening in the warm bath of my cottage.
(DOOR CLOSES, FOOTSTEPS)
Oh. Hello. Welcome back.
How are things at the store?
- Very busy. - Hm.
Meryl, perhaps we could have tea one day next week, when you have your break.
Oh, that's a fine idea.
You could catch up on all the store goings-on.
Father, can I ask you something?
But she's being singled out. Loaded down with work.
Miss Brockless should bring the matter to me herself.
She doesn't want to make a fuss.
If those are her wishes, you should abide by them.
I don't want my first day back at work to be taken up by a petty squabble.
This all started because she worked on Josie's wedding dress.
So, in a way, you're morally obliged to help.
Very well.
ROSALIE: Mae, you must be thinking of your autumn collection.
Mm. Brown gabardine cloaks and sack cloth wraps.
(LAUGHTER)
I've certainly learned that one good idea is not enough.
You have to have several and for every new season.
- I don't know how you do it, Harry. - I have a great team around me.
The best in the business.
That's how you build a lasting enterprise.
I've made many mistakes, tragic mistakes,
but the best decision I ever made was bringing Gordon back into the store.
He steadied the ship.
I don't wanna let you go, so I've created a new position for you.
Managing Director at Selfridges, Oxford Street.
(GASPS)
(GIGGLES)
Here's to you, Gordon.
- GRACE: To Gordon. - Wow.
- Congratulations. - Thank you.
- Cheers. - Congratulations.
- Thank you. - Roly.
- Jimmy. - No. No, no, no. Don't get up.
(INHALES AND EXHALES)
You might want to tell me next time you disappear.
I've had to turn away reams of perfectly good business.
- Are you quite all right? - I'm fine, thanks for asking.
What have you got?
(CHUCKLES) Jimmy wants a project.
If you're ambitious, and I think you are, oil's the next step.
Bring me something big.
Bricks and mortar.
Well, maybe I do have something for you.
Very long-term.
You can't be alone on this one, Jimmy.
You need a team around you, proper experts.
You've got my attention.
(LIFT BELL PINGS) - Thank you.
- Mr Grove. - Morning.
- Lovely to see you, Mr Grove. - Ah.
How was your honeymoon?
Wonderful, thank you, Miss Plunkett.
- Good to be back. - (GIGGLES)
There's plenty to do.
Right.
(GROANS)
Follow each pattern exactly, OK? Everyone understand?
- LADIES: Yes, ma'am. - Follow me. Go!
Make sure the new ones are up to speed.
They're a gobby lot. A few of them came from Corleys.
You used to work at Corleys, didn't you, Tilly?
Yes.
Hello.
Oh, hello.
Perhaps I was a little hasty in assigning blame for your little mishap the other day.
I'd just like to apologise.
- Again? - Oh, you-you heard me.
Sorry, I wasn't sure.
Perhaps because you muttered it so grudgingly.
Do you talk to your customers like this?
Thankfully none of them resemble you, Mr Lyons.
Now I'm very busy, so I'll say good day.
Oh, it's er... It's locked.
It's a cupboard.
I was wondering how your new machinists are settling in.
Very well, Mr Grove.
We're slowly making a dent in the orders.
Excellent.
One of your machinists...
Miss... Brockless...
I have been led to believe has been carrying an excessive workload of late.
What do you say about that?
Miss Brockless hasn't kept pace with the other girls.
Matter of fact, one of our new machinists worked with her at Corleys.
From what I hear, she was lucky to get this job.
Miss Brockless did have the correct references, didn't she, Mr Grove?
All right.
Thank you. You may go, Miss Ellis.
(DOOR OPENS)
Our new managing director.
- How does it feel? - Er... Exciting.
Challenging.
Intimidating.
No more so than stepping in the ring with someone like Wynnstay.
I couldn't have handled that one better myself.
- Well, I hope to do you proud. - You already have.
(KNOCK ON DOOR)
You said come back in with the right project, Harry. Here it is.
I can go, if you'd like...
No, no, no. Stay.
Right.
We should do this more often, you know, just the two of us.
I rather like coming into town. I miss it (CHUCKLES)
Meryl, is everything all right?
The head of display, Mr Lyons,
is possibly the rudest, strangest man I've ever met in my life.
After apologising once, he seeks me out the next day to apologise again.
My dear Meryl...
...have you ever considered that he may be soft on you?
What sense does that make, approaching it like that?
Well, your first mistake is assuming sense is involved at all.
(GIGGLES)
(WHISTLES)
Whiteleys.
Steel frame structure. Portland stone.
Medallion cornice, bronze balconies, fluted Doric columns.
But it's losing money hand over fist.
Now, people in the know tell me the Whiteley Brothers...
...are way out of their depth.
Word is they're running out of cash and want out.
Is it for sale?
We just sold several department stores.
- Now we buy one? - No, no, because, Gordon...
...this isn't just a department store.
It is a landmark of family business, like Selfridges.
Except it's in Bayswater. Not exactly thriving.
And Selfridges was at "the wrong end of Oxford Street".
Come on, Harry. That's what they said.
And you proved them wrong.
A mile of windows in central London. Ooh!
Two flagship stores.
And a big commission for you, Jimmy.
I'm not bringing this to you as a broker. I want to be part of it.
50:50, equity partner.
I didn't know retail was your game.
It's not... and that's why I'm coming to you.
You and your father are, without doubt, the best in the business.
I'm telling you, if there's anyone that can turn this place around...
...it's you.
What do you think, Pa?
It's a big job.
What do you think?
We could do this.
(HARRY CHUCKLES)
Jimmy's right. If anyone can do it, we can.
(TIMID KNOCK ON DOOR) - Come.
Miss Brockless, it has been... brought to my attention...
...that you were not entirely upfront about your previous employment.
As you came to us without a reference from Corleys,
I felt compelled to investigate.
I spoke to the foreman there. Er, Mr Sitch -
You mustn't believe a single word that man says.
Sorry.
Mr Sitch led me to believe
that you left Corleys under a cloud of scandal, amid allegations of dishonesty.
Would you tell me about that, Miss Brockless?
I'm a good worker, Mr Grove.
What happened at Corleys?
You won't believe me.
Miss Brockless, if you are honest with me...
honest and thorough in your explanation of what happened,
maybe we could come to an accommodation.
I can't tell you.
Then you know I have no choice.
Your references and two weeks' pay.
That will be all, Miss Brockless.
(DOOR OPENS)
(DOOR CLOSES)
Just follow my lead. (KNOCKING)
It's William and Frank Whiteley.
Ah, William.
Frank.
- My son Gordon. - Gordon.
Of course you know Jimmy Dillon. He'll be partnering with us on this deal.
Still flying on Mr Selfridge's coat tails, I see, Jimmy.
I only work with the best. So does Mr Selfridge.
- Shall we get on with it? - Mm.
(CLEARS THROAT)
Before we start, you should know we've had another offer.
- A very good offer. - From another retailer?
- There's none better than me. - A developer.
- What do they intend to do? - Housing.
All your father's work turned to dust.
Father's gone. We've got to do what's best for us now.
One day you'll be in our shoes.
I'd never send a wrecking ball into Selfridges.
Right, let's discuss a price.
What's your offer?
You're going to have to do better than that.
Hm...
Gentlemen, excuse us.
How much more do you think we need?
No more than £300,000.
Are you all in, Jimmy?
What about the money left over from the sale of the provincial stores?
That... might just be enough.
Mm. That's all our liquidity.
No more safety net. No margin for error.
Isn't that how all great enterprises begin?
HARRY: Let's make this deal.
(KNOCK ON DOOR) - ..Smith... Yes?
Yes...? Josie, I wasn't expecting you.
I met Meryl for tea. There we go.
Oh, I'm glad.
Ooh. Ooh, I say. Thank you.
Is your return not as you'd hoped?
I'm not sure I can give this job what I used to.
Whatever decision you make, Roger...
...I will support you.
Then...
...I think... I shall retire.
There.
I shall tell the Chief... when I find the right moment.
Then that's that.
Mae.
- Oh, whatever's happened? - Something unexpected.
- Something wonderful. - Oh. Well, tell me...
Whiteleys. We just bought Whiteleys.
(CHUCKLES) - Oh, well, that is incredible.
Jimmy, Gordon and I, we just shook hands on a price.
It's an icon. A London landmark and it's all ours.
And we're gonna fill it with your range.
Madame Rennard's scarves, hats, lingerie...
I haven't felt this happy since Selfridges was a muddy hole in the ground.
Well, welcome back, mile-a-minute Harry.
I've really missed you. (LAUGHS)
You're the first person I wanted to tell.
I just wanted to see the look on your face.
Oh, gosh. And after all that talk of consolidation.
(CHUCKLES) You know me better than I know myself.
Well, I've always believed in you.
From the moment I first set eyes on you.
Why did I ever let you go to Paris?
(DOOR OPENS, FOOTSTEPS)
GORDON: Pa?
Gordon, your father has just told me about Whiteleys.
Congratulations.
It will be a challenge, but I think we can make it work.
- Jimmy needs us. - Yes, well, I'm so happy for you, Harry.
Thank you.
Excuse us.
- Morning, Mr Selfridge. - Hi.
- So... All right? - Oh, yes.
What a sight.
- It's beautiful. - A palace.
Evening, boss.
Tooby, this'd better be good.
Victor Colleano, a vaudeville impresario, died a few weeks back.
The police tried to link it to some underworld associates of his,
but the investigation's hit a brick wall.
Well, that's not much of a story, is it?
I think they've been looking in the wrong place.
This fellow Colleano mixed with some very interesting people.
Very interesting.
Would you like me to dig, boss?
Please.
Is it true? You gave Tilly notice?
It seems Miss Brockless was let go by her previous employer due to inappropriate behaviour.
This is two great dynasties coming together in a historic union.
Several of the suppliers are refusing to do business until outstanding debts have been met.
I don't want to be alone.
My wife is insisting that I retire.
It's high time I started to slow down.
Do much business with Colleano before he died?
Why on earth would you be interested in Victor Colleano?