SOLVED. Wartime, rich girl, poor boy, boy learns French [s]

[Solly]

Wartime Britain
The boy used to come over to the big house where he met the rich girl. The boy learns French from a grumpy old woman who says she doesn't need the money but he will pay more attention if he has to pay for it.
One of characters becomes a spy in the war and the boy pines for the girl for years.
I thought Jenny Agutter played the girl in a TV series or film, but don't recognise any of the title in her wiki.
TV mini series would of aired between 1975 & 1985

[Solly]

Have just realised it cant of been Jenny Agutter that played the girl in the TV series

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

You are looking for a book, right? On which a TV miniseries was later based?

[Solly]

yes....the 2 characters met when young, she is from money if i remember right, he is no-one. I remember him having to learn french and later when they are adults, the war is on, cant remember if she or he becomes a spy.
I dont remember much else other than I had a crush on the actress who play the girl at a later date

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Was the miniseries broadcast in U.S., Britain, somewhere else? What nationality was the actress?

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

It's not Brideshead Revisited, is it?

[Solly]

Hi, no not brideshead, dont think its a well known series. was screened in NZ, I imagine in UK as well.
Im quite sure the main actors were English. Thought Jenny Aguter played the women when she was an adult, but now think I had that wrong, would be same age though.

[``Laurie]

I watched a lot of miniseries during that time frame but this is not ringing a bell for me at all. Can you remember any more info about this one?

[Solly]

Cant think of anything right now. I have drawled through the BBC 70-80 TV programs and nothing jumping out...Its just too long ago...

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

The time frame would fit with one of Elizabeth Jane Howard's early books, no idea if that's even close, but she's a British author who did write a wartime series (Cazalet) but not until the 1990s. Then Cazalet was made into a TV miniseries.

[``Laurie]

Good suggestion - I read a few of those Cazalet books and watched the miniseries and found them both disappointing. Maybe that's why I'm unable to remember much about either one - except the alcoholic father a little too fond of his lovely daughter.

[Solly]

OMG - I worked out Jenny Seagrove was the adult girl part...found it
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diana_%...
Anyway, thank all for your time.

[``Laurie]

Sounds like a great miniseries Solly, can't wait to see this one.