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Transcript: Mrs. Armitage on Wheels
Quentin Blake's Box of Treasures
Descriptive Transcript
[Upbeat music plays, hedgehogs squeak, footsteps patter, engine revs]
DESCRIPTION: In a hand-drawn animation, paint drips onto a white background. A hedgehog family scurries across the background. A man drives a motorized trike with a long-haired woman riding on the back. Both wear green helmets.
[Opening Credits] Based on the book by Quentin Blake. Narrated by Adrian Lester. With the voice of Alison Steadman.
[Creaking, squeaking, upbeat music continues]
DESCRIPTION: A weight on a chain drops, and a boxing glove attached to a mechanical scissor arm punches forward. An eraser on a mechanical arm erases the last line of the opening credits.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: I'm going to tell you a story. The rather inspiring story of a woman named Mrs. Armitage...
[Rustling]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage appears, brushing lint off her green pants and green jacket. She has her brown hair in a ponytail and wears eyeglasses and a red scarf.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Mrs. Armitage? That's me. How exciting.
[Pop]
DESCRIPTION: Breakspear, a small white dog, appears beside Mrs. Armitage.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: And her dog, Breakspear...
[Breakspear pants, barks, thump]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage picks up Breakspear.
MRS. ARMITAGE: It involves my faithful canine companion, Breakspear? Even more exciting!
[Dog barks]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage holds Breakspear in the air and dances.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: And the time they tried to go on a distinctly tricky journey together. Our story is called "Mrs. Armitage on Wheels."
[Episode Title] Quentin Blake’s Mrs. Armitage on Wheels.
[Scraping, the music ends, Breakspear barks]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage pushes the episode title away and adjusts her glasses. She holds Breakspear under her left arm. She holds him up, and he climbs up on her shoulder.
MRS. ARMITAGE: I go on wheels? That's most exciting of all. I wonder what's going to happen.
[Upbeat music plays]
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: Well, the more you talk now, the later you'll find out.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Sorry.
[Mrs. Armitage giggles, tense music plays]
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: It's no surprise Mrs. Armitage is so excited about being on wheels...
[Whoosh]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage and Breakspear skydive.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Woo-hoo!
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: Because she was a very active, adventurous person. And Breakspear was a very active, adventurous dog.
[Breakspear barks, geese honk, upbeat music plays]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage holds Breakspear’s paws as they fall facing each other. Two geese fly past them in the sky.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: Look. Here they are, skydiving...
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage lets go of Breakspear, and they dive towards the grass.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Woo-hoo-hoo! Woo-hoo!
[Paper rustles]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage takes a Sudoku puzzle and a pencil from her pack and quickly completes it.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: And doing Sudoku, obviously.
[Engine rumbles]
DESCRIPTION: On a country road, Mrs. Armitage drives a motorbike with Breakspear riding in a sidecar.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: She and Breakspear also enjoyed motorbike riding...
MRS. ARMITAGE: Woo-hoo!
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: And poetry...
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage stands on the handles, with her left hand over her heart and her right hand in the air.
MRS. ARMITAGE RECITES: Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate.
[Breakspear barks, howls]
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: Bungee jumping...
[Slide whistle, upbeat music continues]
DESCRIPTION: In London, Mrs. Armitage and Breakspear bungee-jump from Tower Bridge.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: And crochet...
[Knitting needles tap, slide whistle]
DESCRIPTION: At the end of her bungee line, Mrs. Armitage crochets a yellow doily and puts it beneath a man’s cup of milk on the deck of a passing ship. Breakspear smiles as he holds the ball of yarn. Mrs. Armitage and Breakspear bounce up on the line.
[Water splashes]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage and Breakspear surf across the barrel of a wave.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Woo-woo-woo!
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: Surfing...
[Mrs. Armitage yodels]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage and Breakspear surf on the crest of a wave. She reads music from a music stand on a surfboard in front of her.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: And yodelling.
[Camera shutter snaps, rustling]
DESCRIPTION: On a street corner, Breakspear holds a photo of Mrs. Armitage yodelling on the wave in his mouth. She takes the photo and slides it into a red mailbox.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Look. Solo, Breakspear.
[Mrs. Armitage hums, mail slot creaks]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage and Breakspear on the sidewalk. Later, a postcard slides through a mail slot in a door.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: After every adventure, Mrs. Armitage would send a postcard to her cousin Angela in the next town, and cousin Angela would write back, saying, "Ooh, ahh. Sounds like scary fun. Love, Angela."
[Paper wobbles]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage holds Breakspear under her right arm while reading the postcard.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Nonsense. Nothing scary or fun, eh, Breakspear?
[Breakspear barks, tense music plays]
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: Then one day, while Mrs. Armitage and Breakspear were out paragliding...
[Whoosh]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage sits on a parasailing seat with Breakspear on her lap.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: And painting...
DESCRIPTION: Breakspear holds a paint palette while Mrs. Armitage holds a paintbrush and looks at a canvas attached to a mechanical arm.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Hmm.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: Something happened that changed things for Mrs. Armitage.
[Breakspear whines, barks]
MRS. ARMITAGE: What's that, boy?
[Breakspear barks]
DESCRIPTION: Breakspear looks down at the road.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Ah! Look who's there.
[Engine revs, upbeat music plays]
DESCRIPTION: On the road, the man and the long-haired woman ride on the motorized trike. The mechanical arm folds the canvas and puts it away.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Hello, Uncle Cosmo. Okay, Breakspear. It's time for one of my renowned acrobatic nosedives.
[Breakspear barks]
DESCRIPTION: The parasail swoops towards the road.
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage
MRS. ARMITAGE: Woo! Whoa, whoa!
[Knocking]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage knocks on the helmet of the man, her Uncle Cosmo.
LONG-HAIRED WOMAN: Oh.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Surprise!
[Uncle Cosmo gasps]
DESCRIPTION: Uncle Cosmo looks up.
UNCLE COSMO AND LONG-HAIRED WOMAN: Ooh.
[Uncle Cosmo laughs]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage flies in circles around the motorized trike.
UNCLE COSMO: Oh, my word. This must be the most fun way to say hello I've ever seen.
MRS. ARMITAGE: You know me. It's all about vim and velocity.
[Mrs. Armitage laughs]
MRS. ARMITAGE: Hey-hey-hey!
LONG-HAIRED WOMAN: You better watch out, love. Big haystacks ahead.
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage flies towards the big haystacks in a field as the motorized trike turns right, following the road.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Aha. Tighten your seat belt, Breakspear.
[Breakspear barks]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage waves around the haystacks.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Woo-woo-woo! Hoo-hoo-hoo!
[Door creaks, sheep bleats, knees knock]
DESCRIPTION: A pen gate swings open and a sheep walks towards it, then stops and shakes, wide-eyed. A shepherd holds the gate open.
SHEPHERD: Oh, go on, Doris. It's not your agoraphobia playing up again, is it?
MRS. ARMITAGE: Whoa!
[Mrs. Armitage laughs, Doris bleats, slide whistle]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage flies towards the shepherd and the sheep, Doris. Mrs. Armitage knocks the shepherd’s hat off his head.
SHEPHERD: Oh.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Sorry.
SHEPHERD: Guess not.
[Mrs. Armitage laughs]
MRS. ARMITAGE: Woo!
[Breakspear barks, whoosh, upbeat music continues]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage and Breakspear glance behind them as they fly out of the haystack field.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Steering well clear, captain.
[Thump, dramatic music plays, tree creaks, leaves rustle, thump]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage hits a tree, and all the leaves fall from the branches. Mrs. Armitage and Breakspear fall into the leaves.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Oof! Ugh.
[Engine rumbles, Uncle Cosmo and the long-haired woman gasp, parasail rustles, Breakspear barks, birds chirp, Uncle Cosmo pants, Uncle Cosmo and the long-haired woman gasp, leaves rustle]
DESCRIPTION: Uncle Cosmo and the long-haired woman get off the motorized trike and run to Breakspear. Mrs. Armitage sits up.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Don't worry. I'm fine.
[Mrs. Armitage groans, leaves rustle]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage faints back into the leaves.
LONG-HAIRED WOMAN: Oh, my gosh.
[Breakspear whines, slurping]
DESCRIPTION: Breakspear licks Mrs. Armitage’s cheek as the long-haired woman fans her with a cloth.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: Unfortunately, Mrs. Armitage was not fine.
[Breakspear howls, rooster crows, teacup and saucer clink, gentle music plays]
DESCRIPTION: At home, Breakspear pushes a table on a skateboard to Mrs. Armitage, who sits on an armchair with casts on her legs and arms. Her legs rest on a footstool.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: And Breakspear was totally fine, which meant he could help his owner recover.
DESCRIPTION: Breakspear nudges a straw in the tea towards Mrs. Armitage.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Thank you, Breakspear. Such a faithful companion.
[Slurping]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage sips from her drink.
[Plane engine rumbles]
DESCRIPTION: Outside, a plane flies in a loop-de-loop.
SOMEONE OUTSIDE: Woo-hoo! Woo-hoo-hoo!
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: Mrs. Armitage found her enforced inactivity hard to bear. She yearned to go out adventuring again, but had to content herself with simply reading about her own past daring exploits.
[Stand rattles]
DESCRIPTION: Breakspear pushes a music stand holding a photo album to Mrs. Armitage. She looks at a photo of herself on a mountain peak with Breakspear in her backpack.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Ah. Everest. That was exciting, wasn't it? Turn, please, Breakspear.
[Breakspear pants, page rustles]
DESCRIPTION: Breakspear turns the page with his nose. The next page shows Mrs. Armitage, Breakspear, and a large yeti. In a picture, the yeti wears a small chef hat and holds a three-layer cake with pink and white icing.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Remember we met that yeti on the way down? That cake was amazing.
[Breakspear barks, pants]
MRS. ARMITAGE: Abominable snowman? Abominably good baker, more like.
[Breakspear barks, Mrs. Armitage chuckles, sighs]
MRS. ARMITAGE: Oh, well. We are abominably clever engineers, aren't we, Breakspear?
[Pulley clicks, cuckoo clock dings, chain rattles, creaking, thumping, orchestral music plays loudly, whooshing, ticking, clatter, click, Mrs. Armitage shouts]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage pulls a chain, and the boxing glove attached to a mechanical scissor arm moves out the clock door and punches a roller skate on a shelf. The roller skate hits a one-kilogram weight on a chain that drops and comes to rest just above Mrs. Armitage’s head. A glove on a stick hits a fan on a ceiling, and a wooden stirring stick attached to the fan knocks a framed picture off a shelf. The pictures swing in front of Mrs. Armitage, and she leans forward as it swings behind her. The picture of Breakspear lands on top of a sideboard, knocking a trophy onto a radio button.
MRS. ARMITAGE: How do I turn it down?
[Dial creaks, music continues at normal volume]
DESCRIPTION: Breakspear turns a dial on the side of the radio, then sits in front of it with his ears wiggling and his tail wagging as he bobs to the beat.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Thank you, Breakspear.
[Chain creaks, whirring]
DESCRIPTION: In a bathroom, Mrs. Armitage pulls a chain, and her toothbrush moves on a mechanical arm. A second mechanical arm puts toothpaste on the brush.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Oh.
DESCRIPTION: The toothbrush moves quickly.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Whoa, whoa, whoa!
[Mrs. Armitage shouts, whirring, Breakspear barks, Mrs. Armitage burbles, sighs]
DESCRIPTION: The toothbrush spreads foamy toothpaste all over Mrs. Armitage’s face. Breakspear cleans her face with a cloth.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Thank you, Breakspear.
[Drone whirrs, clippers snip]
DESCRIPTION: Outside, a drone walks Breakspear as Mrs. Armitage watches through a window. On another day, Mrs. Armitage’s neighbours trim their hedges and rake leaves as she walks Breakspear, with only her left arm in a cast.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: And as a reward for all his help, Mrs. Armitage found ways to walk Breakspear, until eventually, as more of her casts came off, she could take him for walks properly again.
MAN WITH A MOUSTACHE: Oh, Mrs. Armitage! Good to see you up and about again.
[The music stops, birds sing]
MRS. ARMITAGE: Thank you, Harris.
[Leaves rustle]
BLOND-HAIRED MAN: Just get that last cast off and you'll be straight back in the paraglider, eh?
MRS. ARMITAGE: Uh, yes. Definitely. Can't wait.
[Mrs. Armitage chuckles nervously]
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: And then, finally—
[Saw buzzes]
DESCRIPTION: At home, Breakspear sits on the footstool and watches as a doctor removes the last cast.
DOCTOR: Ah. There we are. Good as new.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Brilliant. So, can I go adventuring again?
[Clock ticks]
DOCTOR: Well, maybe start slowly and gradually work your way up to bigger things. Okay?
MRS. ARMITAGE: You're the doc, doc.
[Mrs. Armitage chuckles, globe rumbles]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage spins a large globe.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: She immediately began planning her next daring adventure.
[Clock ticks, tap]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage stops the globe. She kneels and looks at Breakspear.
MRS. ARMITAGE: So, Breakspear, my trusty hound, what shall we do? Ski to the North Pole? Or maybe the South. What do you think? Do you prefer polar bears or penguins?
[Breakspear barks, upbeat music plays]
MRS. ARMITAGE: Quite agree. I prefer penguins, too. They always look so smartly dressed. So, South Pole it is. Except the doctor did say to start small.
[Mailbox bangs]
MRS. ARMITAGE: Ah. The post. Be a good lad and fetch it, eh, Breakspear?
[Breakspear barks, gentle music plays]
DESCRIPTION: Breakspear gives Mrs. Armitage a postcard with a yellow flower on the front.
MRS. ARMITAGE: It's from cousin Angela.
MRS. ARMITAGE READS: "So glad to hear you're better. Pop round for tea sometime. Love, Angela."
[Upbeat music plays]
MRS. ARMITAGE: Hmm. Cousin Angela only lives in the next town. Do you think that'd be a small enough adventure to satisfy the doc?
[Breakspear barks]
MRS. ARMITAGE: Me, too. Well, it's a pity about the South Pole, but doctor's orders are doctor's orders. How shall we get there?
[Thud]
DESCRIPTION: Outside, Breakspear sits on the driveway with one ear raised as he watches Mrs. Armitage.
MRS. ARMITAGE: No.
[Glass shatters]
MRS. ARMITAGE: No.
[Clanging, rustle]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage throws items from her garage into a pile by Breakspear.
MRS. ARMITAGE: No. No.
[Wheels squeak, bell dings, upbeat music plays, hair rustles]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage pushes a bicycle out of the garage and brushes dust off the seat. She puts on a blue bicycle helmet.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Aha! This is perfect. Daring, but not too daring. Just give it a test run, and if it works, off we go.
[The music stops, birds chirp]
DESCRIPTION: The man with the moustache, Harris, and the blond-haired neighbour look over a hedge at Mrs. Armitage.
HARRIS: A bicycle, Mrs. Armitage? A bit safe for you, I'd have thought.
BLOND-HAIRED MAN: Unless she's using it to leap over a tank full of sharks.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Actually, I'm using it to go to my cousin Angela's.
HARRIS: Well, cousin Angela's today, sharks tomorrow.
MRS. ARMITAGE: That's right.
[Footsteps thump, bike squeaks, upbeat music plays, Breakspear barks]
DESCRIPTION: Breakspear runs ahead of Mrs. Armitage on the sidewalk as the bike wobbles.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Yes, I know. I'm going slowly. Thank you, Breakspear.
[Breakspear barks]
MRS. ARMITAGE: Fine. I'll go faster.
[Chain creaks, Mrs. Armitage shouts, the music stops]
DESCRIPTION: The chain falls off the bike, and Mrs. Armitage stops. Breakspear stops and looks at her.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Oh. The chain's come off. Soon have it back on.
[Chain squeaks, light music plays, rustling]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage fixes the chain as Breakspear sits and scratches his ear.
MRS. ARMITAGE: There. Oh, look at my hands. Hmm. You know, Breakspear, what this bike needs is somewhere to wash your hands.
[Bike squeaks, footsteps patter, saw grinds, the music stops]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage turns the bike around and walks home. Later, as the sun sets, Breakspear sits on the driveway and watches Mrs. Armitage.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: So, Mrs. Armitage decided to solve the dirty hands problem.
[Bike squeaks, liquid squirts, insects chitter]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage pushes the bike out of the garage, with a bottle of soap attached to the handlebar stem. She pumps soap onto her hand, then rubs it into Breakspear’s paw.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Lavender and grapefruit. Your favourite, Breakspear. But fixing all that means there's no time to get to cousin Angela's today. We'll go tomorrow.
[Towel rustles, door creaks, slams, upbeat music plays, Breakspear barks]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage wipes her hands with a towel, then closes the garage door with the bike inside. The next day, Harris and the blond-haired neighbour work in their front yard as Breakspear runs past on the sidewalk.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: So, the next day—
[Bell rings]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage rides past them on the road.
HARRIS: That's the stuff, Mrs. A.
[Hedgehogs peep]
DESCRIPTION: In a bush, small hedgehogs follow a larger hedgehog towards the sidewalk. They cross the street in front of Mrs. Armitage as she rides.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Uh—
[Bicycle bell dings, Mrs. Armitage shouts, brakes squeal, hedgehogs peep]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage stops the bike in front of the hedgehogs. She looks down at them, and they scurry off the road.
[The music stops]
MRS. ARMITAGE: You know, Breakspear, what this bike needs is a really loud horn.
[Bike squeaks, upbeat music plays, Breakspear whines]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage turns the bike around and walks. Breakspear’s eyes narrow and he looks down at the sidewalk. He runs behind her as she rides down the street.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: So, Mrs. Armitage set off to solve her feeble bell problem.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Now, it has to be the right sort of horn.
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage rides past a French Horn shop.
MRS. ARMITAGE: No.
[Bike squeaks]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage rides past a Cream Horn shop. She smiles and stops the bike in front of Mr. Protheroe’s Noisy Horn Emporium.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Delicious, but no. That's the ticket.
[The music stops]
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Protheroe shows Mrs. Armitage a bike horn.
MR. PROTHEROE: Now, this one emits a D-sharp. Scientifically proven to be the most warning of all musical notes.
[Horn honks]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage takes the horn and squeezes it.
MRS. ARMITAGE: I like it. But do you have anything louder?
[Ladder creaks, upbeat music plays, tapping, horn honks]
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Protheroe climbs a ladder and removes a silver horn from a shelf.
[The music stops]
MRS. ARMITAGE: Not bad. Anything louder still?
[Background chatter, low-pitched horn blares, baby cries, people shout, door chimes jingle]
DESCRIPTION: Outside, a woman pushes a stroller past the shop. She cringes as the horn blares, then continues walking. Mrs. Armitage carries the silver horn and a twisted horn out of the shop.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Can't be too careful when it comes to horns.
[Bicycle horn honks, birds chirp, light music plays, banging]
DESCRIPTION: Breakspear carries the first horn in his mouth. Later, Breakspear sits on the driveway and stares into the garage.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: She soon fitted them to the bike and set off to test them.
[Wheels rustle, upbeat music plays, bicycle horn honks, white-haired woman gasps, letter rustles]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage rides her bike out of the garage with the three horns mounted on the handlebars. She squeezes the twisted horn as she rides past a white-haired woman putting a letter in the red mailbox. The letter flies up into the air, then floats into the mailbox.
[Bicycle horn honks]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage rides past a small boy kicking a soccer ball towards a tall boy playing goalie in a net. She honks the horn and the small boy kicks the ball up into the air.
SMALL BOY: Oof.
[Tall boy giggles, thumps, horn honks, man wearing eyeglasses shouts, man with shaved head laughs, man wearing eyeglasses whimpers]
DESCRIPTION: The taller boy laughs, then the ball bounces off his head and into the goal. On a steep hill, a man wearing eyeglasses pushes a smiling man with a shaved head using a wheelchair. The man wearing eyeglasses startles and covers his ears. The man with the shaved head takes out a hearing aid and holds it to his ear as the wheelchair rolls backwards. The man wearing the eyeglasses chases the man with the shaved head down the hill. On the bike, Mrs. Armitage smiles.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Well, those seem to do the trick.
[Breakspear barks]
DESCRIPTION: On the sidewalk, Breakspear runs beside the bike.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: But after all that buying and fitting and testing horns, there really wasn't time to go to cousin Angela's that day.
DESCRIPTION: As the sun sets, Mrs. Armitage stops her bike at her driveway.
MRS. ARMITAGE: We'll go tomorrow.
[Bike squeaks, footsteps tap, Breakspear whines, birds chirp]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage slides off her bike and pushes it up the driveway. Breakspear’s ears and tail droop.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: So, the next day—
[Upbeat music plays, bicycle horn honks, hedgehogs scream, peep, bike rattles, tube pops, Breakspear barks]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage rides the bike out of the garage. At a broken fence, the hedgehog family walks beneath a broken slat. They walk onto the road, then flee back under the fence when they hear the horn. Breakspear runs in front of the bike as Mrs. Armitage rides away from town. She rides on a cobblestone path and a tire pops.
MRS. ARMITAGE: No.
[Mrs. Armitage sighs, water burbles, serious music plays, rake scrapes, bike squeaks]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage stands on a small cobblestone bridge over a creek, looking around. Breakspear walks ahead of her as she rides the bike back to her garage. Her neighbours work in their yard as she and Breakspear pass by.
HARRIS: Oh, bad luck, Mrs. A.
BLOND-HAIRED MAN: Oh, if it wasn't for that, you'd have been off like a rocket.
[Mrs. Armitage chuckles, air hisses]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage pumps air into the tire.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: As a very practical, capable person, Mrs. Armitage soon fixed her puncture.
[Birds chirp, Breakspear barks]
DESCRIPTION: Breakspear wags his tail, then stops.
MRS. ARMITAGE: You know, Breakspear, what this bike needs is a complete toolkit to handle every mechanical eventuality.
[Breakspear whines, hammer pounds, drill buzzes, upbeat music plays, footsteps patter, bike squeaks, insects chitter]
DESCRIPTION: Breakspear turns his back to the bike and flops down on the driveway. Later, Mrs. Armitage pushes the bike out of the garage.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Oh, dash it, Breakspear. Too late to set off today. We'll have to go tomorrow.
[Breakspear whines, birds chirp, peeping, bicycle horn honks, hedgehogs peep, bike rattles, Breakspear barks]
DESCRIPTION: Breakspear’s head and tail droop. The next day, the large hedgehog peers beneath the broken slat. They walk towards the road, then flee back under the slat. Mrs. Armitage rides the bike over the bridge and up a hill. She stops beside a sign that reads “Welcome” on one side and “Bye Bye!” on the other.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Right, Breakspear. Off we go.
[Crow caws, Mrs. Armitage gulps, Breakspear barks, tense music plays]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage looks at the shadowy road ahead of her.
[The music stops]
MRS. ARMITAGE: Actually, it's quite a long way. What if we get hungry?
[Breakspear grumbles, birds chirp, shears snip, brakes squeal]
DESCRIPTION: In the neighbour’s yard, Harris stands on a ladder, pruning a tree. The blond-haired man holds the bottom of the ladder. They both watch Mrs. Armitage ride back to her garage.
HARRIS: Everything all right, Mrs. A?
MRS. ARMITAGE: Fine, thank you, Harris. Just fitting a light snack carrier. Then, we'll be off.
[Footsteps thump, the music stops, birds chirp]
DESCRIPTION: Harris climbs down the ladder.
HARRIS: Is she all right, do you think?
BLOND-HAIRED MAN: I reckon that accident made her lose her nerve a bit.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: But her neighbours weren't right, were they? Mrs. Armitage hadn't really lost her nerve, had she?
[Tools clink, drill whirrs]
DESCRIPTION: As the sun sets, Breakspear curls up on the driveway. The hedgehogs walk on the grass behind him.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: She wasn't coming up with reasons not to go anywhere, was she?
[Birds chirp, footsteps tap, insects chirp, bottle clinks]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage walks her bike out of the garage, with a new tray behind the seat.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Ta-da! One snack tray and one refreshing drink holder. And don't worry, Breakspear. There's a biscuit-and-bone basket for you.
[Breakspear barks]
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: No. She's not making excuses. She's just being careful and making proper preparations.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Gah. Too late to go today. We'll have to go tomorrow.
[Breakspear whines, bike squeaks]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage puts the bike in the garage.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: Isn't she?
[Door bangs, squeaks, upbeat music plays]
DESCRIPTION: The next day, Mrs. Armitage opens the garage door, then rides her bike down the driveway with Breakspear following.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Ooh.
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage rides past her neighbours as they set chairs up in their front yard.
HARRIS: Bet you five quid she'll be back within half an hour.
BLOND-HAIRED MAN: That's not fair. I'll give her 10 minutes.
[Breakspear barks, pants, rustling, brakes screech, birds chirp, the music stops]
DESCRIPTION: As Mrs. Armitage peddles away from a house, Breakspear runs behind the bike, jumping at a sausage link hanging from his basket. Mrs. Armitage rides the bike over the bridge and up the hill. Breakspear stops and shakes. Mrs. Armitage stops beside the road sign.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Ah. The open road beckons, Breakspear.
[Breakspear pants, whines]
DESCRIPTION: Breakspear catches up and sits beside the bike, panting.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Hard to keep up, eh, boy? You know, Breakspear, what this bike needs is something for a faithful dog to ride on.
[Breakspear whines, upbeat music plays, creak, hat rustles]
DESCRIPTION: Breakspear looks up at Mrs. Armitage. She rides back to her house with Breakspear following slowly behind. After Mrs. Armitage passes, her blond-haired neighbour puts out his hand, and Harris gives him money. Later, as the sun sets, Mrs. Armitage pushes her bike out of the garage with Breakspear riding in a dog seat at the back. She straps a small helmet to his head.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: All right. I admit it. Even I'm beginning to think that Mrs. Armitage is just finding reasons not to go on her cycling adventure. Though I have to say that is a pretty cool dog seat.
[The music stops, insects chirp]
MRS. ARMITAGE: Darn it. Too late to go today. We'll have to go tomorrow.
[Bike creaks, gentle music plays]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage backs the bike into the garage.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: Oh, come on, Mrs. Armitage. The next day, it was anti-rain devices.
[Rain patters, thunder rumbles, umbrella rustles]
DESCRIPTION: The next day, umbrellas open over Mrs. Armitage and Breakspear as she rides out of the garage.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: The day after that, it was something to keep them entertained on the journey.
(Orchestral music plays, harmonica music plays, triangle tings]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage rides her bike out of the garage with the radio on a platform under her umbrella. Mrs. Armitage leans forward and plays a harmonica, and Breakspear hits a triangle.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: And the day after that, it was headlights.
[Insects chirp, clicking, Breakspear whines]
DESCRIPTION: At night, Mrs. Armitage pushes her bike out of the garage and turns on bright headlights. Breakspear stumbles forward in the light.
[The music stops]
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: Until eventually, one day—
[Mail slot creaks, rustling, upbeat music plays, spoon clinks, cup clatters]
DESCRIPTION: A postcard falls on a carpet, and Breakspear picks it up. In the living room, Mrs. Armitage stirs her tea and smiles out a window. Breakspear jumps onto the chair arm and sits. Mrs. Armitage puts down her teacup and saucer, and takes the postcard.
MRS. ARMITAGE: It's from cousin Angela.
[The music stops, Breakspear pants]
MRS. ARMITAGE READS: "Are you ever actually coming over? I'm baking a fresh cake every day, and if you don't come soon, I’ll be the size of a house."
[Breakspear barks]
MRS. ARMITAGE: Hmm. Oh, I have been putting off going, haven't I, Breakspear?
[Breakspear barks]
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: Oh, at last she's realized.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Maybe that accident shook me up more than I thought. Made me lose my nerve a bit. Took away some of my oomph.
[Light music plays, rustling, clock ticks]
DESCRIPTION: Breakspear sits on Mrs. Armitage’s lap and puts his paw on her hand. She picks him up and hugs him.
MRS. ARMITAGE: But I can get it back. All I need is some grit and determination.
[Breakspear barks, triumphant music plays]
MRS. ARMITAGE: Tomorrow, we shall go to cousin Angela's. And the day after that, skydiving.
[Breakspear barks, door creaks]
[Birds sing]
DESCRIPTION: The next day, Mrs. Armitage opens the garage door and looks inside.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Hmm. If I'm to get my oomph back, this bike needs some oomph of its own.
[Breakspear barks, clicking, upbeat orchestral music plays, drill buzzes, hedgehogs peep, sewing machine rattles, fabric rustles, flame whooshes, saw grinds, hammer pounds, drill buzzes, door creaks, bang, neighbours cough, neighbours gasp, birds sing]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage puts a tape in a stereo. Outside, her neighbours stare at the closed garage doors. Harris holds a rake and dances until the blond-haired man looks at him. The smiling hedgehog family runs up the driveway. The large hedgehog stands beneath a small opening in the garage, and the others stand on them and peek inside, where Mrs. Armitage sits at a sewing machine, sewing blue fabric. Breakspear rides on the fabric as it slides across the floor towards the machine. Mrs. Armitage and Breakspear put on welding masks, and she welds. Later, she saws lumber, then she and Breakspear tie two pieces of wood together in an X-shape. Later, Mrs. Armitage pushes the garage doors down, raising a dust cloud. She pushes the modified bike with a tall wooden mast and a blue sail outside.
MRS. ARMITAGE: This is no longer a bicycle. It is now a land yacht. And thanks to the wind, it shall go like the wind. Hoist the main sail!
[Sail rustles, upbeat music plays]
DESCRIPTION: Breakspear pulls a rope, unfurling the sail. Mrs. Armitage sits on the seat as the bike rolls slightly forward.
MRS. ARMITAGE: And weigh anchor, Breakspear.
[Rustling, whoosh, bike rattles, hedgehogs peep, bike rattles, sail flaps]
DESCRIPTION: Breakspear pulls a lever, and the anchor lifts off the ground. Mrs. Armitage rides forward with Breakspear in the dog seat. They ride past the hedgehogs, who roll as the bike sails past. They ride over the bridge and up the hill, past the sign. Breakspear sits smiling, with his eyes shut as he leans back in his seat.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Oh, I've missed this, Breakspear. The joy of speed. The thrill of velocity.
[Exciting music plays, Breakspear barks, howls, Mrs. Armitage howls, anchor clinking, tapping, creaking, Mrs. Armitage shouts, thump]
DESCRIPTION: They ride down a hill and over a bump. The bike bounces, and the anchor falls on the road. Breakspear looks at the anchor, then pulls the lever back and forth. The anchor snags on a tree root, and the bike stops and breaks apart. Mrs. Armitage flies through the air and hits a tree. Breakspear hits her back.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Ugh.
[Leaves rustle, thump]
DESCRIPTION: The leaves fall off the tree, and Mrs. Armitage falls on the leaves.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Oof.
[Leaves rustle, Mrs. Armitage phbts, birds sing]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage and Breakspear sit up in the pile of leaves. She spits leaves out of her mouth and looks down.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Oh. Maybe my days of doing and daring really are over.
[Leaves rustle, Breakspear whines, plate clinks, gentle music plays, crunching]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage hugs Breakspear. On another day, Mrs. Armitage sits reading in her armchair as Breakspear pushes a plate of cookies on the table on the skateboard. She takes a cookie and eats some, and gives the rest to Breakspear. The pages of her book feature illustrations of snails.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: After that, Mrs. Armitage retreated to her house for a while. Not because she was hurt; she was fine. But because this time, her nerve really had gone. She no longer read books about adventuring, but ones about slower, less daring things. And she took up less adrenaline-filled hobbies such as knitting...
[Knitting needles click, Breakspear groans]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage knits. Nearby, Breakspear sits with a long red scarf wrapped around him.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: And watching snails race.
[Snails squelch, Breakspear barks, skis clatter]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage leans her cheek on her hand and watches two snails move across her windowsill. On the floor, Breakspear nudges skis and poles towards Mrs. Armitage’s feet. He smiles and wags his tail.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: Even Breakspear couldn't get her feeling like doing and daring anymore.
MRS. ARMITAGE: I'm sorry, boy. I'm just not that sort of person now.
[Breakspear whines quietly, doorbell rings, knocking, clock ticks, birds chirp]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage pets Breakspear. She opens her front door, Breakspear on her shoulder, and finds Uncle Cosmo standing outside.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Uncle Cosmo!
[Breakspear barks, helmet clunks, birds chirp, the music stops]
DESCRIPTION: Breakspear wiggles off Mrs. Armitage’s shoulder and runs to Uncle Cosmo. He crouches, puts his helmet on the ground, and pets Breakspear.
UNCLE COSMO: Now, what's this I hear, my dear niece, that you never go out anymore?
MRS. ARMITAGE: The second accident has done it for me. You know the old saying: bad things come in threes.
[Key jingles, upbeat music plays]
DESCRIPTION: Uncle Cosmo stands with Breakspear under his right arm as he searches in his left pocket. He takes a key out and shakes it.
UNCLE COSMO: Ah, nonsense. All you need is a safer drive, and you'll be fine.
[Mrs. Armitage gasps]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage looks at the long-haired woman sitting on the motorized trike and smiles.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Oh!
[Key jingles]
DESCRIPTION: The long-haired woman points behind the trike at a green jalopy parked in the driveway. Mrs. Armitage stops smiling and takes the key.
MRS. ARMITAGE: I've always loved your old jalopy. But what about you?
[Engine revs, helmet scrapes]
DESCRIPTION: The long-haired woman drives the motorized trike to the end of Mrs. Armitage’s walkway. Uncle Cosmo picks up his helmet, then gets on the back of the trike. Mrs. Armitage picks up Breakspear.
UNCLE COSMO: Oh, you know me. I need to feel the wind on my face. Now, just remember: the gear stick squeaks a bit.
[Engine revs, tires squeal, Breakspear barks, upbeat music plays, thump]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage and Breakspear look inside the jalopy.
MRS. ARMITAGE: I get it, Breakspear. There's no harm trying. After all, this car has been road-tested more than enough.
[Breakspear barks]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage pets Breakspear.
MRS. ARMITAGE: All right, but we will have to have full safety gear. Better safe than sorry.
[Breakspear barks, car squeaks, seatbelts click, upbeat music plays]
DESCRIPTION: In the car, Mrs. Armitage and Breakspear wear goggles and helmets. They fasten their seatbelts.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Off we go.
[Squeaking continues, footsteps patter]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage drives slowly past her neighbours’ house. On the sidewalk, a man with short grey hair bends down and waves as he walks past the jalopy.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Hmm. Nope. I think this won't do, Breakspear. Hold tight.
[Engine revs, tires screech, upbeat music plays]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage pushes down the accelerator and the car speeds forward.
MRS. ARMITAGE: And you know what Uncle Cosmo said about feeling the wind in your face?
[Thump]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage takes off her goggles and helmet, dropping them into the back seat. Breakspear does the same beside her.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Woo!
[Mrs. Armitage laughs, engine rumbles]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage and Breakspear put their heads out the window.
MRS. ARMITAGE: That has just given me an idea.
[Drill whirrs, claw whirrs, metal bangs, door opens, slams]
DESCRIPTION: At Marvin’s Scrapheap, Mrs. Armitage waves her arm and a claw takes the roof off the jalopy.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Now, this is more like it. Thanks, Marvin.
[Engine revs, blond-haired man shouts]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage waves towards the claw and drives away. She drives past her neighbours’ house as Harris rakes the yard and the blond-haired man paints a door awning red. The wind from the speeding jalopy knocks the blond-haired man off the ladder, and Harris catches him.
HARRIS: I think she's got her oomph back.
BLOND-HAIRED MAN SHOUTS: Good for you, Mrs. Armitage.
[Engine rumbles, Mrs. Armitage laughs]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage drives past a house, across the bridge, and out of town.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: Mrs. Armitage had definitely got her oomph back, and was once more a doer and a darer. She still didn't get to see cousin Angela...
[Engine zooms, upbeat music continues]
DESCRIPTION: Cousin Angela stands in front of her house, holding a pink cake. Mrs. Armitage drives past her, grabbing the cake.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Sorry. Can't stop. Thanks for the cake!
[Engine rumbles]
DESCRIPTION: Cousin Angela smiles and waves. Mrs. Armitage smiles as she drives.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: Because she was having too much fun whizzing and zooming and adventuring again. And there was someone she needed to thank.
[Trike engine rumbles, tires screech, upbeat music continues]
DESCRIPTION: Uncle Cosmo rides on the motorized trike behind the long-haired woman. Mrs. Armitage drives beside them.
MRS. ARMITAGE: So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.
UNCLE COSMO: Oh, you go, girl.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Anyone for cake?
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage holds up the cake.
UNCLE COSMO: Woo-hoo! Yummy.
[Engine revs]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage gives the cake to Breakspear, who passes it to Uncle Cosmo. He eats the cake as Mrs. Armitage drives past.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: There was just one small problem, however.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Hmm. You know, Breakspear, what this car needs is a few more bits taken off.
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage drives on a country road.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Woo! Hee-hee!
[Clattering]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage drives up a hill and pieces of the jalopy fall off.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: But that's a story for another time.
[Upbeat music continues]
[End Credits] Narrator, Adrian Lester. Mrs. Armitage, Alison Steadman. Doctor, Liyah Summers. Fabian, Uncle Cosmo, Mr. Protheroe, Dave Baird. Farmer, Brett Lampitt. Harris, Richard Cotton. Shilpa, Sheena Bhattessa. Series Director and Co-writer, Massimo Fenati. Directed by Gerrit Bekers. Writer, Mark Evans. Producers, Luc Van Driessche, Axelle Vandeputte. Copyright Eagle Eye Drama Limited, 2024.
[Logos] Eagle Eye, B.B.C.
Descriptive Transcript
[Upbeat music plays, hedgehogs squeak, footsteps patter, engine revs]
DESCRIPTION: In a hand-drawn animation, paint drips onto a white background. A hedgehog family scurries across the background. A man drives a motorized trike with a long-haired woman riding on the back. Both wear green helmets.
[Opening Credits] Based on the book by Quentin Blake. Narrated by Adrian Lester. With the voice of Alison Steadman.
[Creaking, squeaking, upbeat music continues]
DESCRIPTION: A weight on a chain drops, and a boxing glove attached to a mechanical scissor arm punches forward. An eraser on a mechanical arm erases the last line of the opening credits.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: I'm going to tell you a story. The rather inspiring story of a woman named Mrs. Armitage...
[Rustling]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage appears, brushing lint off her green pants and green jacket. She has her brown hair in a ponytail and wears eyeglasses and a red scarf.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Mrs. Armitage? That's me. How exciting.
[Pop]
DESCRIPTION: Breakspear, a small white dog, appears beside Mrs. Armitage.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: And her dog, Breakspear...
[Breakspear pants, barks, thump]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage picks up Breakspear.
MRS. ARMITAGE: It involves my faithful canine companion, Breakspear? Even more exciting!
[Dog barks]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage holds Breakspear in the air and dances.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: And the time they tried to go on a distinctly tricky journey together. Our story is called "Mrs. Armitage on Wheels."
[Episode Title] Quentin Blake’s Mrs. Armitage on Wheels.
[Scraping, the music ends, Breakspear barks]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage pushes the episode title away and adjusts her glasses. She holds Breakspear under her left arm. She holds him up, and he climbs up on her shoulder.
MRS. ARMITAGE: I go on wheels? That's most exciting of all. I wonder what's going to happen.
[Upbeat music plays]
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: Well, the more you talk now, the later you'll find out.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Sorry.
[Mrs. Armitage giggles, tense music plays]
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: It's no surprise Mrs. Armitage is so excited about being on wheels...
[Whoosh]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage and Breakspear skydive.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Woo-hoo!
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: Because she was a very active, adventurous person. And Breakspear was a very active, adventurous dog.
[Breakspear barks, geese honk, upbeat music plays]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage holds Breakspear’s paws as they fall facing each other. Two geese fly past them in the sky.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: Look. Here they are, skydiving...
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage lets go of Breakspear, and they dive towards the grass.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Woo-hoo-hoo! Woo-hoo!
[Paper rustles]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage takes a Sudoku puzzle and a pencil from her pack and quickly completes it.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: And doing Sudoku, obviously.
[Engine rumbles]
DESCRIPTION: On a country road, Mrs. Armitage drives a motorbike with Breakspear riding in a sidecar.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: She and Breakspear also enjoyed motorbike riding...
MRS. ARMITAGE: Woo-hoo!
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: And poetry...
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage stands on the handles, with her left hand over her heart and her right hand in the air.
MRS. ARMITAGE RECITES: Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate.
[Breakspear barks, howls]
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: Bungee jumping...
[Slide whistle, upbeat music continues]
DESCRIPTION: In London, Mrs. Armitage and Breakspear bungee-jump from Tower Bridge.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: And crochet...
[Knitting needles tap, slide whistle]
DESCRIPTION: At the end of her bungee line, Mrs. Armitage crochets a yellow doily and puts it beneath a man’s cup of milk on the deck of a passing ship. Breakspear smiles as he holds the ball of yarn. Mrs. Armitage and Breakspear bounce up on the line.
[Water splashes]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage and Breakspear surf across the barrel of a wave.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Woo-woo-woo!
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: Surfing...
[Mrs. Armitage yodels]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage and Breakspear surf on the crest of a wave. She reads music from a music stand on a surfboard in front of her.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: And yodelling.
[Camera shutter snaps, rustling]
DESCRIPTION: On a street corner, Breakspear holds a photo of Mrs. Armitage yodelling on the wave in his mouth. She takes the photo and slides it into a red mailbox.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Look. Solo, Breakspear.
[Mrs. Armitage hums, mail slot creaks]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage and Breakspear on the sidewalk. Later, a postcard slides through a mail slot in a door.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: After every adventure, Mrs. Armitage would send a postcard to her cousin Angela in the next town, and cousin Angela would write back, saying, "Ooh, ahh. Sounds like scary fun. Love, Angela."
[Paper wobbles]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage holds Breakspear under her right arm while reading the postcard.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Nonsense. Nothing scary or fun, eh, Breakspear?
[Breakspear barks, tense music plays]
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: Then one day, while Mrs. Armitage and Breakspear were out paragliding...
[Whoosh]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage sits on a parasailing seat with Breakspear on her lap.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: And painting...
DESCRIPTION: Breakspear holds a paint palette while Mrs. Armitage holds a paintbrush and looks at a canvas attached to a mechanical arm.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Hmm.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: Something happened that changed things for Mrs. Armitage.
[Breakspear whines, barks]
MRS. ARMITAGE: What's that, boy?
[Breakspear barks]
DESCRIPTION: Breakspear looks down at the road.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Ah! Look who's there.
[Engine revs, upbeat music plays]
DESCRIPTION: On the road, the man and the long-haired woman ride on the motorized trike. The mechanical arm folds the canvas and puts it away.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Hello, Uncle Cosmo. Okay, Breakspear. It's time for one of my renowned acrobatic nosedives.
[Breakspear barks]
DESCRIPTION: The parasail swoops towards the road.
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage
MRS. ARMITAGE: Woo! Whoa, whoa!
[Knocking]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage knocks on the helmet of the man, her Uncle Cosmo.
LONG-HAIRED WOMAN: Oh.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Surprise!
[Uncle Cosmo gasps]
DESCRIPTION: Uncle Cosmo looks up.
UNCLE COSMO AND LONG-HAIRED WOMAN: Ooh.
[Uncle Cosmo laughs]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage flies in circles around the motorized trike.
UNCLE COSMO: Oh, my word. This must be the most fun way to say hello I've ever seen.
MRS. ARMITAGE: You know me. It's all about vim and velocity.
[Mrs. Armitage laughs]
MRS. ARMITAGE: Hey-hey-hey!
LONG-HAIRED WOMAN: You better watch out, love. Big haystacks ahead.
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage flies towards the big haystacks in a field as the motorized trike turns right, following the road.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Aha. Tighten your seat belt, Breakspear.
[Breakspear barks]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage waves around the haystacks.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Woo-woo-woo! Hoo-hoo-hoo!
[Door creaks, sheep bleats, knees knock]
DESCRIPTION: A pen gate swings open and a sheep walks towards it, then stops and shakes, wide-eyed. A shepherd holds the gate open.
SHEPHERD: Oh, go on, Doris. It's not your agoraphobia playing up again, is it?
MRS. ARMITAGE: Whoa!
[Mrs. Armitage laughs, Doris bleats, slide whistle]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage flies towards the shepherd and the sheep, Doris. Mrs. Armitage knocks the shepherd’s hat off his head.
SHEPHERD: Oh.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Sorry.
SHEPHERD: Guess not.
[Mrs. Armitage laughs]
MRS. ARMITAGE: Woo!
[Breakspear barks, whoosh, upbeat music continues]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage and Breakspear glance behind them as they fly out of the haystack field.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Steering well clear, captain.
[Thump, dramatic music plays, tree creaks, leaves rustle, thump]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage hits a tree, and all the leaves fall from the branches. Mrs. Armitage and Breakspear fall into the leaves.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Oof! Ugh.
[Engine rumbles, Uncle Cosmo and the long-haired woman gasp, parasail rustles, Breakspear barks, birds chirp, Uncle Cosmo pants, Uncle Cosmo and the long-haired woman gasp, leaves rustle]
DESCRIPTION: Uncle Cosmo and the long-haired woman get off the motorized trike and run to Breakspear. Mrs. Armitage sits up.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Don't worry. I'm fine.
[Mrs. Armitage groans, leaves rustle]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage faints back into the leaves.
LONG-HAIRED WOMAN: Oh, my gosh.
[Breakspear whines, slurping]
DESCRIPTION: Breakspear licks Mrs. Armitage’s cheek as the long-haired woman fans her with a cloth.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: Unfortunately, Mrs. Armitage was not fine.
[Breakspear howls, rooster crows, teacup and saucer clink, gentle music plays]
DESCRIPTION: At home, Breakspear pushes a table on a skateboard to Mrs. Armitage, who sits on an armchair with casts on her legs and arms. Her legs rest on a footstool.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: And Breakspear was totally fine, which meant he could help his owner recover.
DESCRIPTION: Breakspear nudges a straw in the tea towards Mrs. Armitage.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Thank you, Breakspear. Such a faithful companion.
[Slurping]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage sips from her drink.
[Plane engine rumbles]
DESCRIPTION: Outside, a plane flies in a loop-de-loop.
SOMEONE OUTSIDE: Woo-hoo! Woo-hoo-hoo!
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: Mrs. Armitage found her enforced inactivity hard to bear. She yearned to go out adventuring again, but had to content herself with simply reading about her own past daring exploits.
[Stand rattles]
DESCRIPTION: Breakspear pushes a music stand holding a photo album to Mrs. Armitage. She looks at a photo of herself on a mountain peak with Breakspear in her backpack.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Ah. Everest. That was exciting, wasn't it? Turn, please, Breakspear.
[Breakspear pants, page rustles]
DESCRIPTION: Breakspear turns the page with his nose. The next page shows Mrs. Armitage, Breakspear, and a large yeti. In a picture, the yeti wears a small chef hat and holds a three-layer cake with pink and white icing.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Remember we met that yeti on the way down? That cake was amazing.
[Breakspear barks, pants]
MRS. ARMITAGE: Abominable snowman? Abominably good baker, more like.
[Breakspear barks, Mrs. Armitage chuckles, sighs]
MRS. ARMITAGE: Oh, well. We are abominably clever engineers, aren't we, Breakspear?
[Pulley clicks, cuckoo clock dings, chain rattles, creaking, thumping, orchestral music plays loudly, whooshing, ticking, clatter, click, Mrs. Armitage shouts]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage pulls a chain, and the boxing glove attached to a mechanical scissor arm moves out the clock door and punches a roller skate on a shelf. The roller skate hits a one-kilogram weight on a chain that drops and comes to rest just above Mrs. Armitage’s head. A glove on a stick hits a fan on a ceiling, and a wooden stirring stick attached to the fan knocks a framed picture off a shelf. The pictures swing in front of Mrs. Armitage, and she leans forward as it swings behind her. The picture of Breakspear lands on top of a sideboard, knocking a trophy onto a radio button.
MRS. ARMITAGE: How do I turn it down?
[Dial creaks, music continues at normal volume]
DESCRIPTION: Breakspear turns a dial on the side of the radio, then sits in front of it with his ears wiggling and his tail wagging as he bobs to the beat.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Thank you, Breakspear.
[Chain creaks, whirring]
DESCRIPTION: In a bathroom, Mrs. Armitage pulls a chain, and her toothbrush moves on a mechanical arm. A second mechanical arm puts toothpaste on the brush.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Oh.
DESCRIPTION: The toothbrush moves quickly.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Whoa, whoa, whoa!
[Mrs. Armitage shouts, whirring, Breakspear barks, Mrs. Armitage burbles, sighs]
DESCRIPTION: The toothbrush spreads foamy toothpaste all over Mrs. Armitage’s face. Breakspear cleans her face with a cloth.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Thank you, Breakspear.
[Drone whirrs, clippers snip]
DESCRIPTION: Outside, a drone walks Breakspear as Mrs. Armitage watches through a window. On another day, Mrs. Armitage’s neighbours trim their hedges and rake leaves as she walks Breakspear, with only her left arm in a cast.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: And as a reward for all his help, Mrs. Armitage found ways to walk Breakspear, until eventually, as more of her casts came off, she could take him for walks properly again.
MAN WITH A MOUSTACHE: Oh, Mrs. Armitage! Good to see you up and about again.
[The music stops, birds sing]
MRS. ARMITAGE: Thank you, Harris.
[Leaves rustle]
BLOND-HAIRED MAN: Just get that last cast off and you'll be straight back in the paraglider, eh?
MRS. ARMITAGE: Uh, yes. Definitely. Can't wait.
[Mrs. Armitage chuckles nervously]
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: And then, finally—
[Saw buzzes]
DESCRIPTION: At home, Breakspear sits on the footstool and watches as a doctor removes the last cast.
DOCTOR: Ah. There we are. Good as new.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Brilliant. So, can I go adventuring again?
[Clock ticks]
DOCTOR: Well, maybe start slowly and gradually work your way up to bigger things. Okay?
MRS. ARMITAGE: You're the doc, doc.
[Mrs. Armitage chuckles, globe rumbles]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage spins a large globe.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: She immediately began planning her next daring adventure.
[Clock ticks, tap]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage stops the globe. She kneels and looks at Breakspear.
MRS. ARMITAGE: So, Breakspear, my trusty hound, what shall we do? Ski to the North Pole? Or maybe the South. What do you think? Do you prefer polar bears or penguins?
[Breakspear barks, upbeat music plays]
MRS. ARMITAGE: Quite agree. I prefer penguins, too. They always look so smartly dressed. So, South Pole it is. Except the doctor did say to start small.
[Mailbox bangs]
MRS. ARMITAGE: Ah. The post. Be a good lad and fetch it, eh, Breakspear?
[Breakspear barks, gentle music plays]
DESCRIPTION: Breakspear gives Mrs. Armitage a postcard with a yellow flower on the front.
MRS. ARMITAGE: It's from cousin Angela.
MRS. ARMITAGE READS: "So glad to hear you're better. Pop round for tea sometime. Love, Angela."
[Upbeat music plays]
MRS. ARMITAGE: Hmm. Cousin Angela only lives in the next town. Do you think that'd be a small enough adventure to satisfy the doc?
[Breakspear barks]
MRS. ARMITAGE: Me, too. Well, it's a pity about the South Pole, but doctor's orders are doctor's orders. How shall we get there?
[Thud]
DESCRIPTION: Outside, Breakspear sits on the driveway with one ear raised as he watches Mrs. Armitage.
MRS. ARMITAGE: No.
[Glass shatters]
MRS. ARMITAGE: No.
[Clanging, rustle]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage throws items from her garage into a pile by Breakspear.
MRS. ARMITAGE: No. No.
[Wheels squeak, bell dings, upbeat music plays, hair rustles]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage pushes a bicycle out of the garage and brushes dust off the seat. She puts on a blue bicycle helmet.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Aha! This is perfect. Daring, but not too daring. Just give it a test run, and if it works, off we go.
[The music stops, birds chirp]
DESCRIPTION: The man with the moustache, Harris, and the blond-haired neighbour look over a hedge at Mrs. Armitage.
HARRIS: A bicycle, Mrs. Armitage? A bit safe for you, I'd have thought.
BLOND-HAIRED MAN: Unless she's using it to leap over a tank full of sharks.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Actually, I'm using it to go to my cousin Angela's.
HARRIS: Well, cousin Angela's today, sharks tomorrow.
MRS. ARMITAGE: That's right.
[Footsteps thump, bike squeaks, upbeat music plays, Breakspear barks]
DESCRIPTION: Breakspear runs ahead of Mrs. Armitage on the sidewalk as the bike wobbles.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Yes, I know. I'm going slowly. Thank you, Breakspear.
[Breakspear barks]
MRS. ARMITAGE: Fine. I'll go faster.
[Chain creaks, Mrs. Armitage shouts, the music stops]
DESCRIPTION: The chain falls off the bike, and Mrs. Armitage stops. Breakspear stops and looks at her.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Oh. The chain's come off. Soon have it back on.
[Chain squeaks, light music plays, rustling]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage fixes the chain as Breakspear sits and scratches his ear.
MRS. ARMITAGE: There. Oh, look at my hands. Hmm. You know, Breakspear, what this bike needs is somewhere to wash your hands.
[Bike squeaks, footsteps patter, saw grinds, the music stops]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage turns the bike around and walks home. Later, as the sun sets, Breakspear sits on the driveway and watches Mrs. Armitage.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: So, Mrs. Armitage decided to solve the dirty hands problem.
[Bike squeaks, liquid squirts, insects chitter]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage pushes the bike out of the garage, with a bottle of soap attached to the handlebar stem. She pumps soap onto her hand, then rubs it into Breakspear’s paw.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Lavender and grapefruit. Your favourite, Breakspear. But fixing all that means there's no time to get to cousin Angela's today. We'll go tomorrow.
[Towel rustles, door creaks, slams, upbeat music plays, Breakspear barks]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage wipes her hands with a towel, then closes the garage door with the bike inside. The next day, Harris and the blond-haired neighbour work in their front yard as Breakspear runs past on the sidewalk.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: So, the next day—
[Bell rings]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage rides past them on the road.
HARRIS: That's the stuff, Mrs. A.
[Hedgehogs peep]
DESCRIPTION: In a bush, small hedgehogs follow a larger hedgehog towards the sidewalk. They cross the street in front of Mrs. Armitage as she rides.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Uh—
[Bicycle bell dings, Mrs. Armitage shouts, brakes squeal, hedgehogs peep]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage stops the bike in front of the hedgehogs. She looks down at them, and they scurry off the road.
[The music stops]
MRS. ARMITAGE: You know, Breakspear, what this bike needs is a really loud horn.
[Bike squeaks, upbeat music plays, Breakspear whines]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage turns the bike around and walks. Breakspear’s eyes narrow and he looks down at the sidewalk. He runs behind her as she rides down the street.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: So, Mrs. Armitage set off to solve her feeble bell problem.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Now, it has to be the right sort of horn.
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage rides past a French Horn shop.
MRS. ARMITAGE: No.
[Bike squeaks]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage rides past a Cream Horn shop. She smiles and stops the bike in front of Mr. Protheroe’s Noisy Horn Emporium.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Delicious, but no. That's the ticket.
[The music stops]
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Protheroe shows Mrs. Armitage a bike horn.
MR. PROTHEROE: Now, this one emits a D-sharp. Scientifically proven to be the most warning of all musical notes.
[Horn honks]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage takes the horn and squeezes it.
MRS. ARMITAGE: I like it. But do you have anything louder?
[Ladder creaks, upbeat music plays, tapping, horn honks]
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Protheroe climbs a ladder and removes a silver horn from a shelf.
[The music stops]
MRS. ARMITAGE: Not bad. Anything louder still?
[Background chatter, low-pitched horn blares, baby cries, people shout, door chimes jingle]
DESCRIPTION: Outside, a woman pushes a stroller past the shop. She cringes as the horn blares, then continues walking. Mrs. Armitage carries the silver horn and a twisted horn out of the shop.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Can't be too careful when it comes to horns.
[Bicycle horn honks, birds chirp, light music plays, banging]
DESCRIPTION: Breakspear carries the first horn in his mouth. Later, Breakspear sits on the driveway and stares into the garage.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: She soon fitted them to the bike and set off to test them.
[Wheels rustle, upbeat music plays, bicycle horn honks, white-haired woman gasps, letter rustles]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage rides her bike out of the garage with the three horns mounted on the handlebars. She squeezes the twisted horn as she rides past a white-haired woman putting a letter in the red mailbox. The letter flies up into the air, then floats into the mailbox.
[Bicycle horn honks]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage rides past a small boy kicking a soccer ball towards a tall boy playing goalie in a net. She honks the horn and the small boy kicks the ball up into the air.
SMALL BOY: Oof.
[Tall boy giggles, thumps, horn honks, man wearing eyeglasses shouts, man with shaved head laughs, man wearing eyeglasses whimpers]
DESCRIPTION: The taller boy laughs, then the ball bounces off his head and into the goal. On a steep hill, a man wearing eyeglasses pushes a smiling man with a shaved head using a wheelchair. The man wearing eyeglasses startles and covers his ears. The man with the shaved head takes out a hearing aid and holds it to his ear as the wheelchair rolls backwards. The man wearing the eyeglasses chases the man with the shaved head down the hill. On the bike, Mrs. Armitage smiles.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Well, those seem to do the trick.
[Breakspear barks]
DESCRIPTION: On the sidewalk, Breakspear runs beside the bike.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: But after all that buying and fitting and testing horns, there really wasn't time to go to cousin Angela's that day.
DESCRIPTION: As the sun sets, Mrs. Armitage stops her bike at her driveway.
MRS. ARMITAGE: We'll go tomorrow.
[Bike squeaks, footsteps tap, Breakspear whines, birds chirp]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage slides off her bike and pushes it up the driveway. Breakspear’s ears and tail droop.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: So, the next day—
[Upbeat music plays, bicycle horn honks, hedgehogs scream, peep, bike rattles, tube pops, Breakspear barks]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage rides the bike out of the garage. At a broken fence, the hedgehog family walks beneath a broken slat. They walk onto the road, then flee back under the fence when they hear the horn. Breakspear runs in front of the bike as Mrs. Armitage rides away from town. She rides on a cobblestone path and a tire pops.
MRS. ARMITAGE: No.
[Mrs. Armitage sighs, water burbles, serious music plays, rake scrapes, bike squeaks]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage stands on a small cobblestone bridge over a creek, looking around. Breakspear walks ahead of her as she rides the bike back to her garage. Her neighbours work in their yard as she and Breakspear pass by.
HARRIS: Oh, bad luck, Mrs. A.
BLOND-HAIRED MAN: Oh, if it wasn't for that, you'd have been off like a rocket.
[Mrs. Armitage chuckles, air hisses]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage pumps air into the tire.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: As a very practical, capable person, Mrs. Armitage soon fixed her puncture.
[Birds chirp, Breakspear barks]
DESCRIPTION: Breakspear wags his tail, then stops.
MRS. ARMITAGE: You know, Breakspear, what this bike needs is a complete toolkit to handle every mechanical eventuality.
[Breakspear whines, hammer pounds, drill buzzes, upbeat music plays, footsteps patter, bike squeaks, insects chitter]
DESCRIPTION: Breakspear turns his back to the bike and flops down on the driveway. Later, Mrs. Armitage pushes the bike out of the garage.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Oh, dash it, Breakspear. Too late to set off today. We'll have to go tomorrow.
[Breakspear whines, birds chirp, peeping, bicycle horn honks, hedgehogs peep, bike rattles, Breakspear barks]
DESCRIPTION: Breakspear’s head and tail droop. The next day, the large hedgehog peers beneath the broken slat. They walk towards the road, then flee back under the slat. Mrs. Armitage rides the bike over the bridge and up a hill. She stops beside a sign that reads “Welcome” on one side and “Bye Bye!” on the other.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Right, Breakspear. Off we go.
[Crow caws, Mrs. Armitage gulps, Breakspear barks, tense music plays]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage looks at the shadowy road ahead of her.
[The music stops]
MRS. ARMITAGE: Actually, it's quite a long way. What if we get hungry?
[Breakspear grumbles, birds chirp, shears snip, brakes squeal]
DESCRIPTION: In the neighbour’s yard, Harris stands on a ladder, pruning a tree. The blond-haired man holds the bottom of the ladder. They both watch Mrs. Armitage ride back to her garage.
HARRIS: Everything all right, Mrs. A?
MRS. ARMITAGE: Fine, thank you, Harris. Just fitting a light snack carrier. Then, we'll be off.
[Footsteps thump, the music stops, birds chirp]
DESCRIPTION: Harris climbs down the ladder.
HARRIS: Is she all right, do you think?
BLOND-HAIRED MAN: I reckon that accident made her lose her nerve a bit.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: But her neighbours weren't right, were they? Mrs. Armitage hadn't really lost her nerve, had she?
[Tools clink, drill whirrs]
DESCRIPTION: As the sun sets, Breakspear curls up on the driveway. The hedgehogs walk on the grass behind him.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: She wasn't coming up with reasons not to go anywhere, was she?
[Birds chirp, footsteps tap, insects chirp, bottle clinks]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage walks her bike out of the garage, with a new tray behind the seat.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Ta-da! One snack tray and one refreshing drink holder. And don't worry, Breakspear. There's a biscuit-and-bone basket for you.
[Breakspear barks]
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: No. She's not making excuses. She's just being careful and making proper preparations.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Gah. Too late to go today. We'll have to go tomorrow.
[Breakspear whines, bike squeaks]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage puts the bike in the garage.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: Isn't she?
[Door bangs, squeaks, upbeat music plays]
DESCRIPTION: The next day, Mrs. Armitage opens the garage door, then rides her bike down the driveway with Breakspear following.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Ooh.
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage rides past her neighbours as they set chairs up in their front yard.
HARRIS: Bet you five quid she'll be back within half an hour.
BLOND-HAIRED MAN: That's not fair. I'll give her 10 minutes.
[Breakspear barks, pants, rustling, brakes screech, birds chirp, the music stops]
DESCRIPTION: As Mrs. Armitage peddles away from a house, Breakspear runs behind the bike, jumping at a sausage link hanging from his basket. Mrs. Armitage rides the bike over the bridge and up the hill. Breakspear stops and shakes. Mrs. Armitage stops beside the road sign.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Ah. The open road beckons, Breakspear.
[Breakspear pants, whines]
DESCRIPTION: Breakspear catches up and sits beside the bike, panting.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Hard to keep up, eh, boy? You know, Breakspear, what this bike needs is something for a faithful dog to ride on.
[Breakspear whines, upbeat music plays, creak, hat rustles]
DESCRIPTION: Breakspear looks up at Mrs. Armitage. She rides back to her house with Breakspear following slowly behind. After Mrs. Armitage passes, her blond-haired neighbour puts out his hand, and Harris gives him money. Later, as the sun sets, Mrs. Armitage pushes her bike out of the garage with Breakspear riding in a dog seat at the back. She straps a small helmet to his head.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: All right. I admit it. Even I'm beginning to think that Mrs. Armitage is just finding reasons not to go on her cycling adventure. Though I have to say that is a pretty cool dog seat.
[The music stops, insects chirp]
MRS. ARMITAGE: Darn it. Too late to go today. We'll have to go tomorrow.
[Bike creaks, gentle music plays]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage backs the bike into the garage.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: Oh, come on, Mrs. Armitage. The next day, it was anti-rain devices.
[Rain patters, thunder rumbles, umbrella rustles]
DESCRIPTION: The next day, umbrellas open over Mrs. Armitage and Breakspear as she rides out of the garage.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: The day after that, it was something to keep them entertained on the journey.
(Orchestral music plays, harmonica music plays, triangle tings]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage rides her bike out of the garage with the radio on a platform under her umbrella. Mrs. Armitage leans forward and plays a harmonica, and Breakspear hits a triangle.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: And the day after that, it was headlights.
[Insects chirp, clicking, Breakspear whines]
DESCRIPTION: At night, Mrs. Armitage pushes her bike out of the garage and turns on bright headlights. Breakspear stumbles forward in the light.
[The music stops]
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: Until eventually, one day—
[Mail slot creaks, rustling, upbeat music plays, spoon clinks, cup clatters]
DESCRIPTION: A postcard falls on a carpet, and Breakspear picks it up. In the living room, Mrs. Armitage stirs her tea and smiles out a window. Breakspear jumps onto the chair arm and sits. Mrs. Armitage puts down her teacup and saucer, and takes the postcard.
MRS. ARMITAGE: It's from cousin Angela.
[The music stops, Breakspear pants]
MRS. ARMITAGE READS: "Are you ever actually coming over? I'm baking a fresh cake every day, and if you don't come soon, I’ll be the size of a house."
[Breakspear barks]
MRS. ARMITAGE: Hmm. Oh, I have been putting off going, haven't I, Breakspear?
[Breakspear barks]
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: Oh, at last she's realized.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Maybe that accident shook me up more than I thought. Made me lose my nerve a bit. Took away some of my oomph.
[Light music plays, rustling, clock ticks]
DESCRIPTION: Breakspear sits on Mrs. Armitage’s lap and puts his paw on her hand. She picks him up and hugs him.
MRS. ARMITAGE: But I can get it back. All I need is some grit and determination.
[Breakspear barks, triumphant music plays]
MRS. ARMITAGE: Tomorrow, we shall go to cousin Angela's. And the day after that, skydiving.
[Breakspear barks, door creaks]
[Birds sing]
DESCRIPTION: The next day, Mrs. Armitage opens the garage door and looks inside.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Hmm. If I'm to get my oomph back, this bike needs some oomph of its own.
[Breakspear barks, clicking, upbeat orchestral music plays, drill buzzes, hedgehogs peep, sewing machine rattles, fabric rustles, flame whooshes, saw grinds, hammer pounds, drill buzzes, door creaks, bang, neighbours cough, neighbours gasp, birds sing]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage puts a tape in a stereo. Outside, her neighbours stare at the closed garage doors. Harris holds a rake and dances until the blond-haired man looks at him. The smiling hedgehog family runs up the driveway. The large hedgehog stands beneath a small opening in the garage, and the others stand on them and peek inside, where Mrs. Armitage sits at a sewing machine, sewing blue fabric. Breakspear rides on the fabric as it slides across the floor towards the machine. Mrs. Armitage and Breakspear put on welding masks, and she welds. Later, she saws lumber, then she and Breakspear tie two pieces of wood together in an X-shape. Later, Mrs. Armitage pushes the garage doors down, raising a dust cloud. She pushes the modified bike with a tall wooden mast and a blue sail outside.
MRS. ARMITAGE: This is no longer a bicycle. It is now a land yacht. And thanks to the wind, it shall go like the wind. Hoist the main sail!
[Sail rustles, upbeat music plays]
DESCRIPTION: Breakspear pulls a rope, unfurling the sail. Mrs. Armitage sits on the seat as the bike rolls slightly forward.
MRS. ARMITAGE: And weigh anchor, Breakspear.
[Rustling, whoosh, bike rattles, hedgehogs peep, bike rattles, sail flaps]
DESCRIPTION: Breakspear pulls a lever, and the anchor lifts off the ground. Mrs. Armitage rides forward with Breakspear in the dog seat. They ride past the hedgehogs, who roll as the bike sails past. They ride over the bridge and up the hill, past the sign. Breakspear sits smiling, with his eyes shut as he leans back in his seat.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Oh, I've missed this, Breakspear. The joy of speed. The thrill of velocity.
[Exciting music plays, Breakspear barks, howls, Mrs. Armitage howls, anchor clinking, tapping, creaking, Mrs. Armitage shouts, thump]
DESCRIPTION: They ride down a hill and over a bump. The bike bounces, and the anchor falls on the road. Breakspear looks at the anchor, then pulls the lever back and forth. The anchor snags on a tree root, and the bike stops and breaks apart. Mrs. Armitage flies through the air and hits a tree. Breakspear hits her back.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Ugh.
[Leaves rustle, thump]
DESCRIPTION: The leaves fall off the tree, and Mrs. Armitage falls on the leaves.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Oof.
[Leaves rustle, Mrs. Armitage phbts, birds sing]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage and Breakspear sit up in the pile of leaves. She spits leaves out of her mouth and looks down.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Oh. Maybe my days of doing and daring really are over.
[Leaves rustle, Breakspear whines, plate clinks, gentle music plays, crunching]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage hugs Breakspear. On another day, Mrs. Armitage sits reading in her armchair as Breakspear pushes a plate of cookies on the table on the skateboard. She takes a cookie and eats some, and gives the rest to Breakspear. The pages of her book feature illustrations of snails.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: After that, Mrs. Armitage retreated to her house for a while. Not because she was hurt; she was fine. But because this time, her nerve really had gone. She no longer read books about adventuring, but ones about slower, less daring things. And she took up less adrenaline-filled hobbies such as knitting...
[Knitting needles click, Breakspear groans]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage knits. Nearby, Breakspear sits with a long red scarf wrapped around him.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: And watching snails race.
[Snails squelch, Breakspear barks, skis clatter]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage leans her cheek on her hand and watches two snails move across her windowsill. On the floor, Breakspear nudges skis and poles towards Mrs. Armitage’s feet. He smiles and wags his tail.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: Even Breakspear couldn't get her feeling like doing and daring anymore.
MRS. ARMITAGE: I'm sorry, boy. I'm just not that sort of person now.
[Breakspear whines quietly, doorbell rings, knocking, clock ticks, birds chirp]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage pets Breakspear. She opens her front door, Breakspear on her shoulder, and finds Uncle Cosmo standing outside.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Uncle Cosmo!
[Breakspear barks, helmet clunks, birds chirp, the music stops]
DESCRIPTION: Breakspear wiggles off Mrs. Armitage’s shoulder and runs to Uncle Cosmo. He crouches, puts his helmet on the ground, and pets Breakspear.
UNCLE COSMO: Now, what's this I hear, my dear niece, that you never go out anymore?
MRS. ARMITAGE: The second accident has done it for me. You know the old saying: bad things come in threes.
[Key jingles, upbeat music plays]
DESCRIPTION: Uncle Cosmo stands with Breakspear under his right arm as he searches in his left pocket. He takes a key out and shakes it.
UNCLE COSMO: Ah, nonsense. All you need is a safer drive, and you'll be fine.
[Mrs. Armitage gasps]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage looks at the long-haired woman sitting on the motorized trike and smiles.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Oh!
[Key jingles]
DESCRIPTION: The long-haired woman points behind the trike at a green jalopy parked in the driveway. Mrs. Armitage stops smiling and takes the key.
MRS. ARMITAGE: I've always loved your old jalopy. But what about you?
[Engine revs, helmet scrapes]
DESCRIPTION: The long-haired woman drives the motorized trike to the end of Mrs. Armitage’s walkway. Uncle Cosmo picks up his helmet, then gets on the back of the trike. Mrs. Armitage picks up Breakspear.
UNCLE COSMO: Oh, you know me. I need to feel the wind on my face. Now, just remember: the gear stick squeaks a bit.
[Engine revs, tires squeal, Breakspear barks, upbeat music plays, thump]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage and Breakspear look inside the jalopy.
MRS. ARMITAGE: I get it, Breakspear. There's no harm trying. After all, this car has been road-tested more than enough.
[Breakspear barks]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage pets Breakspear.
MRS. ARMITAGE: All right, but we will have to have full safety gear. Better safe than sorry.
[Breakspear barks, car squeaks, seatbelts click, upbeat music plays]
DESCRIPTION: In the car, Mrs. Armitage and Breakspear wear goggles and helmets. They fasten their seatbelts.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Off we go.
[Squeaking continues, footsteps patter]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage drives slowly past her neighbours’ house. On the sidewalk, a man with short grey hair bends down and waves as he walks past the jalopy.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Hmm. Nope. I think this won't do, Breakspear. Hold tight.
[Engine revs, tires screech, upbeat music plays]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage pushes down the accelerator and the car speeds forward.
MRS. ARMITAGE: And you know what Uncle Cosmo said about feeling the wind in your face?
[Thump]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage takes off her goggles and helmet, dropping them into the back seat. Breakspear does the same beside her.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Woo!
[Mrs. Armitage laughs, engine rumbles]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage and Breakspear put their heads out the window.
MRS. ARMITAGE: That has just given me an idea.
[Drill whirrs, claw whirrs, metal bangs, door opens, slams]
DESCRIPTION: At Marvin’s Scrapheap, Mrs. Armitage waves her arm and a claw takes the roof off the jalopy.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Now, this is more like it. Thanks, Marvin.
[Engine revs, blond-haired man shouts]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage waves towards the claw and drives away. She drives past her neighbours’ house as Harris rakes the yard and the blond-haired man paints a door awning red. The wind from the speeding jalopy knocks the blond-haired man off the ladder, and Harris catches him.
HARRIS: I think she's got her oomph back.
BLOND-HAIRED MAN SHOUTS: Good for you, Mrs. Armitage.
[Engine rumbles, Mrs. Armitage laughs]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage drives past a house, across the bridge, and out of town.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: Mrs. Armitage had definitely got her oomph back, and was once more a doer and a darer. She still didn't get to see cousin Angela...
[Engine zooms, upbeat music continues]
DESCRIPTION: Cousin Angela stands in front of her house, holding a pink cake. Mrs. Armitage drives past her, grabbing the cake.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Sorry. Can't stop. Thanks for the cake!
[Engine rumbles]
DESCRIPTION: Cousin Angela smiles and waves. Mrs. Armitage smiles as she drives.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: Because she was having too much fun whizzing and zooming and adventuring again. And there was someone she needed to thank.
[Trike engine rumbles, tires screech, upbeat music continues]
DESCRIPTION: Uncle Cosmo rides on the motorized trike behind the long-haired woman. Mrs. Armitage drives beside them.
MRS. ARMITAGE: So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.
UNCLE COSMO: Oh, you go, girl.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Anyone for cake?
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage holds up the cake.
UNCLE COSMO: Woo-hoo! Yummy.
[Engine revs]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage gives the cake to Breakspear, who passes it to Uncle Cosmo. He eats the cake as Mrs. Armitage drives past.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: There was just one small problem, however.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Hmm. You know, Breakspear, what this car needs is a few more bits taken off.
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage drives on a country road.
MRS. ARMITAGE: Woo! Hee-hee!
[Clattering]
DESCRIPTION: Mrs. Armitage drives up a hill and pieces of the jalopy fall off.
ADRIAN LESTER NARRATES: But that's a story for another time.
[Upbeat music continues]
[End Credits] Narrator, Adrian Lester. Mrs. Armitage, Alison Steadman. Doctor, Liyah Summers. Fabian, Uncle Cosmo, Mr. Protheroe, Dave Baird. Farmer, Brett Lampitt. Harris, Richard Cotton. Shilpa, Sheena Bhattessa. Series Director and Co-writer, Massimo Fenati. Directed by Gerrit Bekers. Writer, Mark Evans. Producers, Luc Van Driessche, Axelle Vandeputte. Copyright Eagle Eye Drama Limited, 2024.
[Logos] Eagle Eye, B.B.C.
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