"We're in England." "In the heart of Yorkshire." "In the town of Hutton Buscel." "As in every village, there's a church, a cemetery, an Indian restaurant... and a school." "This is the school principal, Toby Teasdale." "This is his wife, Celia Teasdale." "Toby Teasdale's best friend, Miles Coombes." "His wife, Rowena Coombes." "The whole town gossips about her." "Lionel Hepplewick, the school caretaker." "His father, Joe Hepplewick, the town poet." "Sylvie Bell, the maid of the Teasdales." "Josephine Hamilton, the mother of Celia Teasdale." "She's very discrete." "And then there's Irene Pridworthy, the vice-principal of the school." "It's the beginning of summer." "Celia Teasdale is doing the spring cleaning." "They must be in the shed." "I'll have a look." "Sylvie, can you continue with the attic?" "I'll be right back." "Damn." "Can't you hear the door bell?" "Open the door." "Mr Hepplewick." "You're busy, aren't you?" "I'm having a little break." "Time for a cigarette?" "Nice weather, isn't it?" "I hope it's going to stay like this." "After all the bad weather..." "It's going to be nice until Thursday." "Then the clouds come, in the late afternoon." "There's a chance of a shower, but all the signs say we'll have a hot weekend." "Will it be hot all day long?" "I think so." "You should be a weather man." "Impressive how you predict the weather." "What can I do for you?" "I promised to stop by." "What for?" "Did you forget?" "A while ago, your husband and you asked me to have a look at your garden." "Of course, I remember now." "Now that the sports field is finished, I have time for your garden." "Well, that's good." "And this is our garden." "We don't have green thumbs." "I can see." "To be honest, we don't spend a lot of time on it either." "Handy, this little shed." "It's full of junk." "The previous principal, Cowlishaw, built it." "He was a very good gardener." "Did you know him?" "No, in his time, your father was still the caretaker." "Isn't his name Joe?" "How is he?" "He's still very energetic." "He has a bit of a problem with his knee, but other than that, he's fine." "Does he miss your mother a lot?" "He's coping pretty well." "She was ill for a long time, wasn't she?" "Yes." "To be honest, we were quite relieved when she died." "At that stage, she was as thin as this." "Really?" "How thin?" "As thin as my fist." "From 95 kilos to as thin as a fist." "Yes, that's very little." "This thin." "I think it'll work." "We'll make something of it." "Shall I give you a tour?" "That won't take long, because this is all there is." "I'll make some tea." "Or do you prefer coffee?" "I never say no to a cup of tea." "I'll be right back." "Hello, Mr Coombes." "Everything alright?" "Is the lady there?" "No, she's making tea." "I'll be back later then." "Alright." "She wants to know if you want sugar." "One moment. 15, 18, 3." "Do you want sugar or not?" "Three lumps." "You didn't need to ask." "You know I want three lumps." "How?" "You knew." "I did not." "Working hard?" "Do you have to clean up his empty bottles?" "None of your business." "Your boss empties quite a few, doesn't he?" "What are you doing here anyway?" "I'm going to fix up their garden." "And my mother's garden?" "It's so small." "It has to be done as well." "A layer of concrete and that's it." "Isn't that Mr. Coombes?" "Yes, he must be looking for his wife in the bushes." "Who does she have this time?" "No idea." "She's doing it with the entire squash club." "Has she done it with you yet?" "No." "So she doesn't do it with everybody." "Easily solved." "I just have to buy a racket." "So, two lumps?" "Three." "Jerk." "Are we still going out on Friday?" "I don't know." "You promised." "I don't remember." "Or I can take somebody else." "When will you let me know?" "Later." "There are candidates enough, you know." "I have plenty of choice." "I bet." "Absolutely." "If you don't feel like it, I'll take somebody my own age." "Drop dead." "What a mess." "This can all go to the rubbish tip." "That asshole dumps all his bottles here." "It's a mess, isn't it?" "A bit, yes." "Without sugar, right?" "Can you do something about it?" "I'd have to buy some things." "Like what?" "Tools, seeds, manure." "We have garden tools, don't we?" "They can go straight to the scrapheap." "How unfortunate." "I can buy new tools, can't I?" "I understand, but this isn't a good moment to buy things." "How shall I put it?" "It's a bit delicate." "I can get it very cheap." "That's nice, of course, but that's not the problem." "There's a chance we're leaving this place if my husband gets transferred." "Transferred?" "It's not certain yet, but..." "And you'd go with him?" "Yes, of course." "It's not certain at all, but there is a chance." "It's all very uncertain." "I hate moving." "Actually, I don't want to talk about it." "Most people don't realise that school principal is a hard job." "The parents, the government, everybody wants something from you." "And who ends up the victim?" "Your husband." "Yes, and as a result his family as well." "It's really a very hard life." "As the wife of the principal, one shouldn't complain, but it's not easy." "Broken tiles would be good." "Sorry?" "Broken tiles." "Yes, maybe." "It has to be laid well, of course." "Of course." "So you don't know if you're going to stay?" "Whether your husband leaves or not?" "So what shall we do?" "I really don't know." "I don't want to burden you with this." "You're not burdening me." "What do you think is best?" "I can't really judge." "But there is a chance you might stay, so just let me start." "Really?" "You'll be happy with my work." "I can come over four times a week or so and I'll do everything." "Maybe that's the way to go." "And I'm not expensive." "That's true." "It's not going to be an expensive job." "Sweat is cheap." "I'm glad you agree to do it." "And now, to work." "It's going to be a joint effort." "After all, it's your garden." "Your money for my sweat." "One good turn deserves another." "When will you start?" "Right away." "First, I'll clean up the shed and I'll buy some things." "Can you keep the dockets?" "If only for tax purposes." "You'll get all the dockets." "Bye bye, Lionel, and good luck." "Goodbye, Mrs Teasdale." "Call me Celia." "Do you mind if I call you Lionel?" "No, that's fine." "Ok, there we go." "What a mess." "Use your brain." "You don't put that on clean laundry." "The word 'clean' doesn't ring a bell, does it?" "You can be so incredibly stupid." "I didn't see it." "That's how we do it." "You can throw that in the bin." "Stupid bitch." "Are you still there?" "I'm just about to leave." "What's happening?" "What do you mean?" "Are we going out on Friday or not?" "Answer me." "I think not." "What?" "I'm not going out with you." "Why not?" "I've got plenty of choice." "Who then?" "I'm sorry, but that's private." "But you promised." "Who is it?" "What's her name?" "You'll find out." "Ok, and when I know who she is, I'll smack her." "five days later the enamoured gardener" "Eat something, Toby." "I'm not hungry." "Just have some toast then." "No, thank you." "What's he doing there?" "He's cleaning up the shed." "Is that necessary?" "Do we need a clean shed?" "You can't even get in anymore." "When will he start on the garden?" "He's been in that shed for three days." "First, everything has to be neat." "He's a clumsy oaf." "Somebody got hurt on the cricket field because he made a miscalculation." "Beware not to end up in plaster by one of his mistakes." "What's that?" "That's tea." "If you eat something, you'll feel better." "No." "It's better than drinking all night." "Why do you drink so much?" "Without booze I'd have given up a long time ago." "You drink one bottle after the next." "You promised Miles and me you'd drink less." "I am drinking less." "You're not." "I stick to my limit." "Three glasses of whiskey." "So what?" "Plus what you drink in the pub." "Ok, plus one in the pub." "That makes four." "Ok, five." "And they're very full." "No, they're normal." "But that's way too much." "That's up to me to decide." "What's he doing there?" "Thanks to Miles you were not suspended that time." "He covered your back, as a friend, but there's an end to everything." "Irene tells me really bad things about you." "I don't care what she says." "And in the morning I read the paper." "We can't talk during the day." "At least, you're sober now." "When we talk, we always end up fighting." "You start to cry and I start to drink." "And that character has a good laugh." "We can talk normally, can't we?" "Yes, of course." "Apparently not." "In the beginning, we never had fights." "But we didn't talk either." "Now go do the dishes or something." "I have to go to a meeting." "You'll be rid of me for a while." "Sylvie's doing the dishes." "I thought Sylvie didn't work on Saturdays." "She's making up for Wednesday today." "It will be a nice weekend with Sylvie and Hepplewick." "He's working so hard." "He only makes noise." "He's so stupid, he might be lost in there." "He wants to use broken tiles." "Is that ok with you?" "Broken tiles." "What will they invent next?" "Don't start crying now." "I'm trying." "I know." "Our marriage is over, isn't it?" "I don't know." "It's best if I leave." "Ok, if you think that's best." "I should go and live somewhere else with the children, for a while." "I think I'll go to my mother." "Hey, Hepplewick." "Don't let me interrupt." "I only wanted to say the sports field needs mowing." "If you can spare a moment, that is." "That used to be mine." "I didn't think you were the type." "It belonged to my wife." "Celia, I'm off." "As if she cares." "You didn't go dancing, did you?" "I did." "Pete Barclett asked me to go with him and I liked that idea." "Are you working out?" "What did you say?" "Good morning to you too." "I'm going out with him again, soon." "He's very nice." "You know Pete Barclett, don't you?" "He's nice." "That's good." "He has a car." "Wow." "You don't care, do you?" "Well, you'll be sorry." "For sure." "Would you like a cup of tea?" "Yes, I could do with one." "Are you working on the tiles?" "It's really very beautiful." "It looks exactly like I imagined:" "red, green, blue, red." "My husband loves it too." "Did you just hear everything he said?" "You might have." "When he gets worked up everybody's got to hear about it." "He's a very intense man." "There's nothing wrong with that." "No, I envy him for it." "Few people are like that anymore." "Everybody's so superficial." "Terrible." "I saw your father in the village." "He looks good." "How old is he now?" "Almost 72." "That's not that old." "Sorry, am I talking too much?" "It doesn't bother me." "Once I start, I can't stop." "You're more the silent type, aren't you?" "I can talk away too, though." "Do you really want to talk?" "Shall we talk about music?" "Do you like music?" "That's not what I meant." "What kind of music do you like?" "You do like music, don't you?" "Yes, a lot." "What kind of music?" "Classical." "Don't you like pop music?" "Yes, some of it is quite good." "I think it's just noise." "Do you like Sibelius?" "Yes, very much." "Jean Sibelius, 1865-1957." "Do you know his violin concerto?" "Yes, beautiful." "And Swan of Tuonela?" "That's really great." "Do you know Nielsen?" "Carl Nielsen, 1865-1931 ." "He's a Dane, similar to Sibelius." "You'd probably like him too." "I'm very curious." "I'll definitely give it a try." "He sounds a bit like..." "Many people love Mahler these days." "Gustav Mahler, 1860-1911." "He's very popular, as opposed to Bruckner." "He's a lot better." "He's a real genius." "Somebody said:" "Mahler was looking for God." "Bruckner found him." "I think it was the Furtwängler." "Did he find Furtwängler?" "No, God." "Oh, of course." "Bruckner found God." "Anton Bruckner, 1824-1896." "1896?" "That's fairly modern then." "Fact is they both loved music." "And gardens." "My husband isn't a great music lover." "Look at that." "That's a thing to..." "An expander." "To get firm biceps." "You wouldn't need it." "All this work makes you muscular." "Sorry, I let myself go a bit." "You're insecure, aren't you?" "That's true." "As if you fell off your bike." "What do you mean?" "Everything hurts and you're afraid to get back up." "But you still have to get back up." "And ride again, right away." "Or else, you'll never dare to." "That's true, but..." "I'm getting confused." "You understand very well." "It's so hot." "I have trouble breathing." "You did a great job." "What a difference it makes." "Everything's so neat." "You're a real..." "Well?" "How long have you been a gardener?" "I'm really a baker." "I went to the baker's school." "Really?" "Why aren't you working as a baker anymore?" "The bakery was shut down." "It's all still there, but nobody's using it." "You should start it up again." "We have to drive kilometres for a decent bread, here." "How could I do that?" "With a loan." "Come on." "My only security is my father's wheelchair." "We'll find a way." "I could help you." "I'm not rich, but I know people." "We'll do it together." "I'll work in the shop." "Oh, I'm so looking forward to those lovely aromas." "You have to get up very early." "We'll also make cakes." "Can you do that?" "I can do a lot." "We'll make cakes, petit fours, apple turnovers." "I can smell them already." "What do you think?" "It's all going a bit fast." "Don't you think it's an exciting idea?" "You must think I'm strange, but I'm really excited about it." "Aren't you?" "Sure." "Of course, it's different for you, because you didn't live in that hell." "But I really couldn't continue like this." "I'd do anything to..." "Excuse me." "You can see what shape I'm in." "I'm only realising now how terrible it all is." "Sometimes I hate being a woman." "I'm glad you're a woman." "I'm going inside now." "I need to take a cold bath or wash my hair." "How about the sports field." "I'll get right to it." "You can count on me." "I have to go, madam." "Dirty bastard." "You'll regret this." "What a nitwit, that Hepplewick." "What's this?" "What happened?" "Hepplewick is a big asshole." "That's surprising." "I don't understand for a moment what someone can see in him." "Oh, is it you?" "I think so, yes." "Didn't you have a meeting?" "We finished early." "You've been crying." "No, hay fever." "No, you've been crying." "Are you surprised?" "I find it strange that everybody's crying." "Who else then?" "Sylvie was crying over Lionel." "Unbelievable." "To cry over Hepplewick." "She must have tears to spare." "She's attracted to the biggest fool." "What did you say?" "The biggest fool." "You're not exactly looking splendid." "Just the kind of comment I needed." "You clearly need a holiday." "You bet." "Listen, Celia." "I'm sorry about making these nasty comments all the time." "They're out before I know it and then I regret it." "I'm afraid that's how it goes." "Those nasty comments have become part of our relationship." "You don't know me any different, because I've always been like that." "Things slowly became like this." "In the beginning, you said these things as a joke, but now you mean them." "No, I don't mean them." "You don't know how much you hurt me." "Wednesday, when I wore that evening gown, you called me a monkey in a tutu." "That's really not funny and hurts me a lot." "An insecure woman continues to worry about something like that for a long time." "When I looked into the mirror after we got home, I thought you might be right." "Do you realise that a remark like that can hit me like a rock?" "I'm sorry." "You didn't look like a monkey in a tutu at all." "It's a nice day, isn't it?" "Shall we go for a walk?" "Where do you want to go?" "I don't know." "Maybe to the pub." "No, not to the pub." "That was a joke." "We're not going to the pub." "I think I'm leaving for a while." "If I stay here, I'll go bonkers." "Where are you going?" "I don't know yet." "I need to broaden my horizon." "Start a small business, for instance." "Like a vegetable shop?" "Yes." "I see." "I want to do something useful again, something exciting." "What can I say to this nonsense?" "I don't know." "Just shut up." "five weeks later bad weather, in a tent" "Hello, Miles." "Hello, Celia." "Must be hard work on your own." "Yes, it clearly is." "I'm sorry for you." "You're in the way, Miles." "Attention, attention." "In ten minutes, the gate will open." "We'll start right away with the first contest: the 100 metres for mothers." "What's keeping him?" "Who?" "Lionel." "He should have been here an hour ago." "And we'll have 50 guests soon." "You have plenty of time." "Take it easy." "Can't you see we haven't got anything yet?" "It's only the school's sports day, isn't it?" "We have confidence in you." "That's why we picked your company." "And that's why nothing can go wrong." "Everybody chose you, except Toby." "For Toby, it's unbearable if I can do something independently." "Are you really working full-time as a caterer?" "Together with that Lionel Hepplewick?" "That's a strange choice." "Everybody says that." "It's true." "I don't think so." "Some people need a bit of stimulation." "Does he react to stimulation at all?" "Of course." "Don't be so negative." "He's like me." "I never had enough stimulation either." "And what's your company called?" "The Tea Service." "Did Lionel think of that?" "No, I did." "A fine name." "Certainly." "And what kind of a company is it?" "Very simple:" "Suppose you and Rowena are sitting on the couch and suddenly feel like tea." "You call us and 15 minutes later we bring what you ordered." "Isn't it easier if I put a kettle on myself?" "Let me summarise:" "I grab the phone." "I call you around tea time." "Earlier." "We're not magicians." "And what if you're underway to a customer?" "Than you leave a message on our machine." "We listen to your message while we're on the way and call you back." "That's pretty complicated." "Not at all." "If you have to keep calling your own number, nobody can get through." "I always get a reaction like this." "I don't say this to put you down." "It just seems complicated to have to keep finding a phone booth... when you're on the way to customers." "We have a van." "Did you buy it?" "Lionel found one, almost for free." "He really knows all about vans." "I don't feel like talking anymore." "I have too much to do." "Ok?" "Ok, I'll go." "I'm only asking these things because I want you to be well." "Isn't Rowena here?" "She's warming up for the 100 metres." "Good luck." "Where were you?" "Everything took a bit longer." "I'm disappointed in you." "It starts in 15 minutes." "Dad says: everybody works till they're dead, but the baker quietly bakes his bread." "I'm fed up with those rhymes." "You're developing a sharp tongue." "Better be careful." "You could scare me." "I don't like your tone of voice." "Why did it take so long?" "Do you want to see the bread or not?" "Yes, but hurry up a bit." "This is our first bread." "It looks a bit strange, though." "Was that intentional?" "It looks very peculiar." "Isn't that a good thing?" "You can recognise a real baker by his style." "Can you cut sandwiches from it?" "How do you cut it?" "Don't be so critical." "Where's the knife?" "That knife is way too blunt." "It's like concrete." "It's just firm." "That's what you want for sandwiches." "I'm sorry, but this is impossible." "It's really way too hard." "What is it made of?" "Yeast, flour and skill." "But this isn't edible." "What do you mean?" "Well, look." "Have a good look." "Did you hear that?" "There will be older people too." "Some with false teeth." "It's bread especially for young people." "Nonsense, this is really terrible." "What do we do now?" "I know." "We'll only offer cake to the guests." "Where are the cakes?" "I'm a bit behind schedule." "How is that?" "I had to help dad." "Yes, so?" "I didn't make them." "You didn't bake cakes?" "So, we have nothing." "There's bread." "This is a real disaster." "What shall we do?" "I know." "Let's quickly go to the supermarket." "Thanks a lot, Lionel." "Quick, give me the keys of the van." "I'll be right back." "Shall I help you start it?" "I'm not as clumsy as you think." "Good luck." "I'm sure you'll win." "Thanks." "Everything ok?" "Yes, fine." "I'd like to get my hands on that little woman." "Nothing wrong with that bread." "Hello, Mrs. Pridworthy." "Do I know you?" "I'm Lionel Hepplewick." "I'm a bit peckish." "Is there anything to eat?" "Is Mrs. Teasdale here?" "She's gone for a moment." "Are you giving her a hand?" "We're working together." "So you're that Hepplewick?" "Now I see:" "you're our caretaker." "The man of the explosion." "That boiler was old." "So you're her partner?" "Business partner." "And in bed?" "No, what makes you think that?" "She's a bit unstable lately." "Really a mental wreck." "What's that cow's muck doing there?" "That's bread." "Are you serious?" "Who made that thing?" "I did." "Can I taste it?" "Is it ok?" "I'll get the butter." "There's no need for that." "Nice, isn't it?" "It's got character." "You're an expert." "It's ok." "Keeps you regular." "Rich in fibre." "That's just what I needed." "Thanks and see you later." "What an incredible bitch." "Ladies and gentlemen, can I have your attention?" "In a couple of minutes, the mothers' race will start." "I don't want to miss it." "Participants, please come to the line." "The van isn't working." "Oh, no." "He's gone again." "It's going fine." "Everything's going well." "What's that van doing on the cinder track?" "It doesn't want to start." "Ok?" "Get it away from there, now." "What do you want?" "For me to lift it and put it aside?" "Lionel's in charge of the car." "Call him." "Don't you think I have enough worries?" "I'm all on my own here." "Take it easy, it will be alright." "We'll tow it away." "Where's Hepplewick?" "No idea." "He was here just now." "Shall I have him paged?" "Never mind, he's useless anyway." "Get a grip on yourself." "Why does everybody say that to me?" "Maybe because you act all stressed." "What's that strange thing?" "A bread." "Baked by Lionel." "Is it meant to be eaten?" "Careful, Toby." "I'm a nervous wreck and I can explode any moment." "Can I help you?" "What can I do?" "There's sliced white bread." "You can make sandwiches of them." "Is it in that bag?" "Did you buy biscuits as well?" "Yes, have a look." "Also in that bag?" "Isn't that a bit too little?" "There's never much left on Saturdays." "If it's not good enough, forget about it." "No, It's fine." "What do I put on them?" "There are tomatoes and cucumbers." "Is that it?" "Now what?" "Did you do that?" "Did you do that?" "I took them out of the bag like this." "What should I do?" "We'll just put it on the bread." "I didn't deserve all this." "It'll be alright." "No it won't." "It's going all wrong." "Don't yell like that." "Shut up." "What should I do?" "I'll tell you what you should do." "Take a bit of tomato sludge and dump it on a slice of bread." "Rub it in and then put another slice on top." "The result is a fine sandwich." "Please leave." "I can do it on my own." "I don't need help." "Shall I tell the people..." "No, I can manage." "I'll manage all on my own." "See you later." "They can't start until I say so." "I decide where and when they can sit down." "Mrs Pridworthy here and Colonel Malton there." "And they both get half a cake." "And Rowena Coombes has to sit outside." "Teddy bear there, Barbie there, and the rag doll there." "Mr. Rabbit here." "Fluffy can sit next to me." "And I pour the tea, because I'm the hostess." "Ladies and gentlemen, due to circumstance tea is served a bit later." "Not before your turn, Mr. Rabbit." "And get your feet off the table." "Say hello to Teddy." "What do you mean?" "Sit down, you." "Do as I say." "Not on Mr. Rabbit, idiot." "Sit down." "Is there alright?" "Sit down." "Ok, I'll sit down." "Sit." "Did you wash your hands?" "Yes, but..." "Eat, you." "Don't touch the pastry." "How often have I said you have to eat your bread first?" "Sorry, but I thought I already finished it." "Do you know what happens if you don't eat your bread?" "Please, stop it." "What on earth possesses you?" "Relax." "Stay here for a moment." "Nobody's going to hurt you." "I'll go get some help." "Teddy and Mr. Rabbit will look after you." "Won't you?" "We'll look after you." "Did you hear?" "Take it easy." "I'll be right back." "Is she there?" "Yes, but careful, she bites." "What kind of nonsense is that?" "It's me, Toby." "I don't know if you hear me." "I'm sorry about everything." "I know I haven't been a good husband." "I've often been nasty to you, but that's going to change." "Everything will change." "I'm with you." "From now on, I'll help you with everything." "Everything will be alright." "We can do it together, really." "five years later a funeral" "Wait one moment." "Do you want to sit down?" "Yes, I need to sit down." "There's a bench there." "Are you ok?" "Yes." "I'm not sure if it was wise of you to go." "We weren't that close to Joe Hepplewick." "I'll be alright in a minute." "Take it easy." "There's no hurry." "It was a beautiful funeral." "He's dead and buried." "Farewell, Joe Hepplewick." "The good thing is we got rid of his terrible little rhymes." "Did you see Lionel?" "Did you talk to him?" "Apparently, he's doing very well." "Unbelievable, isn't it?" "Nobody had faith in him, but you were right." "You always said he was being underestimated." "That Hepplewick." "Did I say that?" "Do you want to get away for a week?" "A short break would do you good." "You hate holidays." "No, I don't." "Not since I stopped drinking." "I don't feel completely recovered yet." "Remember what the doctor said?" "Recovery would take long." "That's true, but it's been five years now." "You go ahead." "No, I'm not leaving you here." "Would you mind getting a blanket from the car?" "I'm a bit cold." "Of course not." "I'll get it." "Don't walk away now." "You really look a lot better now." "Really." "I'll be right back." "Where is he?" "I'm freezing here." "It's very nice of you to have come." "I really appreciate it." "I heard you were ill." "Yes, that's true." "I would have visited you, but..." "No need for apologies." "I had very few visitors." "Everything was too much for me." "I needed peace and quiet." "I understand that very well." "You illness is taking very long." "Yes, five years now." "By the looks of it, you're doing fine." "I owe that to you." "You gave me the last push." "I did?" "Absolutely." "Because of you I'm now into snacks." "When you stopped, I bought a cafetaria." "Little investing, lots of profit, no losses." "Ideal." "Except, you shouldn't eat that junk yourself." "I was only kidding, of course." "Of course." "My wife is waiting for me." "I have to run." "She can have quite a temper." "Are you married?" "Yes." "Do I know her?" "No, she's very different from you." "A real little business woman." "One with brains." "She complements me well." "What would have happened if we had continued?" "What would have happened if we had continued together?" "What do you think?" "I don't know." "Nobody knows what would have happened." "You can't know, can you?" "Tonight, I'm eating fish in a herb broth, with parsley." "It's all ready in the fridge." "Toby made it." "With bread and butter..." "And than I'll have a piece of rice pudding." "Or it went like this." "Or he said this:" "You can count on me." "I won't let you down." "Has the lady come back yet?" "Yes, but careful, she bites." "She bites?" "I'm back." "No panic." "Don't get so worked up." "Don't panic so quickly." "You can always count on me." "five years later a new woman" "Is it really you?" "It's terrible." "At each funeral I feel like I'm being buried myself... but that everybody is too scared to tell me that." "You look good, as usual." "I just keep going." "Doesn't Sylvie look after you?" "Yes, as best she can." "I always thought you drank because of me." "No, I don't need anybody for that." "It's been a long time, hasn't it?" "Yes, five years already." "I sometimes hear about you from the children." "They sometimes come over." "They also talk about you sometimes." "They like you a lot." "Nice of you to come today." "I don't care about Joe Hepplewick." "Lionel and I are here because we were in the neighbourhood anyway." "We could combine it well." "Don't you get a day of for a funeral?" "He didn't ask for it." "Are you still in catering?" "Yes, I still am." "Business is going well, I heard." "Our turnover doubled in one year." "A question." "Do you live with him?" "With whom?" "With Lionel?" "I thought you knew me better than that." "No, I don't live with anybody." "Me neither." "How's Miles?" "He's in Australia, with Rowena." "Did they emigrate?" "Yes." "Why did you never visit me in that clinic?" "I was really very ill." "When?" "Five years ago." "I missed you a lot back then." "I thought I was the one who made you ill." "Sorry." "Don't forget to eat now and then." "Yes, I'll remember." "How did it go?" "Everything went perfectly." "The sermon was beautiful." "My cousin read my dad's poems." "I was touched." "Shall we go?" "Ok, the tank is full." "Tomorrow will be an early day for you." "Careful, don't slip." "Or it went like this" "Or he said this:" "Maybe we should take a break." "I almost left." "I was this close to leaving you." "Again?" "Yes, again." "Of course." "You don't think I'm happy, do you?" "In the morning, things sometimes look so pointless that I only want one thing:" "Stay in bed and never get up." "Happens to me too." "That's normal." "No, it's not." "Maybe we should take a break." "Yes, that would be good for both of us." "I've been saying that for ten years." "Ok, we'll bring the children somewhere and go on a trip together." "Are you serious?" "Yes, of course." "We'll make a new start." "We can do it." "It's all I want." "Let's go before it rains." "Oh, one more thing." "Don't ask me to stop drinking." "I can never do that." "But I'll make sure it doesn't bother you anymore." "Let me get a change of shoes." "What is it, Lionel?" "Sorry, I don't have much time but I wanted to tell you everything is fine." "What do you mean?" "Our bakery." "Oh, the bakery." "Yes and the other thing too." "I understood you well just now and you understood me too." "I can guarantee you:" "With me, you'll never fall off your bike again." "I don't think it's realistic." "What isn't?" "The bike, the bakery." "It's all just daydreaming." "But just now you said..." "I know." "But when you think about it, it's insane." "Insane?" "Sorry, it's my fault." "I'm rather confused, lately." "Forget what I said." "I'm sorry." "Can you just forget all about it?" "I'll be seeing you." "I don't agree with this." "No, I don't agree with it." "I love you." "Do you hear me, Celia?" "I love you." "five weeks later the terrace of a hotel" "Nice and lively here." "People everywhere, full tables and that gypsy music." "The sunlight reflects on the wheelchairs, the hearing aids are whistling." "You can die here without anybody noticing." "Waiter." "What do you want?" "I want a paper." "Even in this asylum, I need news." "I can't go a day without a paper." "I'm fascinated by people who want to convince others that they're right." "When you get older, you put everything more into perspective... and you join the mainstream, as Miles did." "Other people have no more opinion at all." "I find that more interesting." "Want to go for a walk?" "Let's at least do something." "Aren't we doing something?" "We're sitting." "Very funny." "You should have gone with Lionel then." "He'll miss you." "I don't like this." "Good that I fired him." "He made your life hell." "It was no picnic." "Knocking on our window, yelling through our mailbox." "I didn't forget, you know." "Obsession in its purest form." "I don't wish this kind of insanity upon anybody." "I hope you never gave any reason for it?" "Did you encourage him?" "Of course not." "He's deranged." "In hindsight, it also had a nice side." "It's a boost to your ego when somebody's so crazy about you." "Every disadvantage his an advantage." "If those servants don't react, I'll get that paper myself." "After that, if you like, we can go for a walk." "Is that dance music or what?" "As if it's my fault that this hotel is so bad." "You always blame me." "Remember me?" "What are you doing here?" "I'm a waiter here." "They're keeping an eye on me." "I need to talk to you." "Who's keeping an eye on you?" "My boss." "He doesn't trust me." "I absolutely need to talk to you." "Why?" "It's a matter of life and death." "I'm coming." "I'll be right there." "There." "Now what on earth do I do?" "Can I help you?" "No, I'm only looking for my husband." "Nice weather, isn't it?" "Definitely." "What are you doing here?" "This is a better spot." "Ok, shall we go?" "You know who I just saw?" "No, who?" "An old..." "An old man?" "So what?" "No, really very old." "Ancient." "There's plenty of old people here." "Shall we go then?" "You're not wearing those shoes, are you?" "What's wrong with them?" "They're for inside the house." "So what?" "You can't go for a walk on them." "I'm hopeless." "I'll never understand these basic things." "Of course you don't wear shoes for inside the house outside." "I'll write to him and tell him once and for all... that it has to be over." "Here's your tea." "I don't want it anymore." "I already had some." "This is the only way I can talk to you." "Here's a note." "No, I have to pretend now." "No, I don't want anymore." "I already had three." "Then I'll kill myself." "Ok, pour me some then." "I love you." "Look out." "I already knew that, but..." "I'd give my life for you." "At least pretend you're working here." "People are looking." "Clear that table." "Do something." "Yes, of course." "Thanks." "You're right." "Have another cake." "No, thank you." "Please have another cake." "One more then." "My husband's coming." "Go, quickly." "We'll see each other." "I'm very grateful to you." "Blow your nose." "What are all those people doing in front of the windows?" "Are you ready for a walk?" "Did you order tea again?" "Yes, I felt like some more." "Is that a love letter?" "No, give it back." "It's mine." "It's none of your business." "'Don't bother me anymore...'" "It's a poem." "I don't know what you're doing, but I'm not crazy." "You stay here." "I'll go for a walk." "Didn't you order tea?" "It's the only way." "I'll pour you a nice cup." "I can't wait any longer." "Me neither." "Listen to me, Celia." "There it is:" "I love you." "We know that, but..." "I love you." "I knew I loved you, but now I know I can't live without you." "I love your voice, your hair, your eyes, your hands, your feet." "I love you the way you are." "I dream all night of you." "When I wake up without you, I feel a strong pain." "I don't suffer when I'm near you." "I wouldn't wish this suffering on anybody." "You're everything to me." "You're the north, the south, the east and the west of my life." "You're my universe, Mrs. Teasdale." "Nobody ever said such beautiful things to me." "I don't know what to say." "Say 'yes'." "It's not that simple, much as I'd want to." "Just say 'yes'." "But I have a family." "Your husband doesn't love you." "He does in his own way." "He doesn't love you." "Can you swear he loves you?" "No, not at the moment." "Have another cake." "Yes, please." "I have two children." "I'll look after them." "They cost a lot of money." "I'll work hard." "Now eat that cake." "I'm going to explode." "There are only a few more." "Shall I put them in my bag?" "Fine, but have some more tea as well." "You can sit there." "There's a table free here." "I received a compliment because they never made this much on the terrace." "I'll sit there, but I won't eat anything or I'll be sick." "Now, first about my plans." "The bakery?" "I did some research and there's not much future in it." "But I'm betting on more horses." "What's that?" "It's not very concrete yet, but there are options for a tinsmith." "Can you do that too?" "Yes, that's one of my skills as well." "I learnt the ropes from my uncle, who was a tinsmith." "You don't seem very enthusiastic." "I can't quite picture it yet." "I have more ideas." "I could be a grocer." "Or a real estate agent." "That's so simple, a child could do it." "You look for somebody who wants to sell and somebody who wants to buy." "You increase the price and the difference is for you." "It's hard to choose, isn't it?" "I could also work in hospitality." "They're happy with me here." "They're keeping a constant eye on me, so they'll make me an offer." "When you're with me, I can fly and the world's my oyster." "I think that's a bit scary." "Why?" "We're not really made for each other." "You need another type of woman." "You need an enterprising woman and I'm not one at all." "I don't like risks." "I'm from a pharmacist's family." "Pharmacist, that sounds good too." "No, that takes a lot of study." "No, no more cake." "You have to stop now." "If I understand you well, you want security." "Your chef keeps looking at you." "You'd better go." "I'll go." "Call me when the coast is clear." "What about a farm?" "That would be nice for your boys as well." "At your service, madam." "On top of everything else..." "That was a nice walk." "It really did me good." "You look sad." "What happened?" "Do you need a hanky?" "Is it in your bag?" "A bag full of cake." "Is that normal?" "Yes, apparently." "As is drinking three cups of tea at three different tables." "I need to tell you something." "I talked to Lionel." "He followed us and works here now." "I figured as much." "That explains a lot." "That damned Lionel." "Can you tell me what happened?" "No, it's too complicated." "So he works here as a waiter?" "I'll be right back." "What are you going to do?" "Tell them they have a lunatic working here." "It really has to stop." "Why are you staring at me like that, old codgers?" "Your husband is a bit overworked." "He wanted to hit me with a chair." "I managed to calm him down thanks to my medical knowledge." "Be in touch, ok?" "I'm patient." "I'm very patient." "I have all the time in the world." "five years later a funeral" "Sorry, Miles, I was lost in thought." "Of course." "I'll wait for you in the car." "Take your time." "That's very nice of you." "The board decided to dedicate a bronze plaque to Toby." "That's a beautiful gesture." "They wouldn't do that for me." "Do you know what you're going to do?" "I don't know yet." "Work." "Do something all for myself." "My life was not exactly a picnic." "I was always the laughing-stock." "And these last years were hell, with Toby paralysed, waiting for his death." "I'll wait for you in the car." "Ok?" "I'm coming." "Take your time." "Do you work here?" "I do the odd job here." "I'm digging graves." "Are you serious?" "I heard you moved." "Yes." "I waited for you for a while." "I expected to hear from you, but I didn't." "I kept on waiting." "Then things went wrong and I had to be hospitalised." "And now I have this job." "Do you like it here?" "Yes, but I have other plans." "We should talk about them for a moment." "Would you like to be a vicar's wife?" "You have to like it or I won't do it." "No, I wouldn't like to be a vicar's wife at all." "Sorry." "I respect that." "Ok, I'll forget about that then." "Sorry, but I really have to go now." "Know what I'll do?" "With each vacancy, I'll ask your opinion first." "Fine." "Goodbye then." "We'll get there." "It's a matter of days." "It's a matter of days." "Or it went like this" "Or he said this:" "I can hit him in the face but what good would that do?" "I have to tell you something, Toby." "I talked to Lionel." "He followed us and works here now." "Everything suddenly becomes a lot clearer." "That Lionel." "I've always said he's a raving lunatic." "I can hit him in the face, but what good would that do?" "It's my fault as well." "I did encourage him a bit." "So you encouraged him after all?" "Only a little bit." "Stop hiccupping." "I can't." "You wouldn't have done it if you had been happy, so it's also my fault." "I have to try a bit harder." "Did it go away?" "I'll go upstairs then." "Did he see you?" "You didn't tell him?" "Remember what I said earlier?" "Did you get the message?" "So you'll leave me alone from now on?" "Of course." "I'm patient." "I'm patient." "I have all the time in the world." "five years later a commemorative service" "What's wrong?" "Aren't you feeling well?" "I have to step outside." "You're not feeling poorly again?" "Don't worry." "Go back inside." "It's a nice celebration." "It's not every day the school's 50th anniversary." "Go then, don't stand there like a stupid cow." "Don't get so worked up." "Just leave me alone." "Alright, I'll leave you alone." "And I'm fed up with your insults." "Fed up." "I've had enough." "Go find somebody else, who accepts it." "It's over." "Maybe that's for the best." "I have to smoke again." "He makes me smoke so much." "It's me, Lionel Hepplewick." "I didn't recognise you." "It's been a long time." "Yes, five years." "I'm here out of respect for my father." "He loved this school so much." "I heard he died." "I'm sorry." "He's buried there." "You look like you're doing well." "Yes, I can't complain." "I waited a long time for you." "I kept hoping." "Finally, I realised I should stay out of a happy marriage." "Then the plan for the taxi company came up." "A fellow waiter and I started with one car and now we have 20 of them." "Look, my business card." "Vroom Taxis." "H  W. What does H  W mean?" "Hepple and Wick." "I split myself up fiscally." "That's smart." "Good to see you again." "Yes, likewise." "I've got something for you." "Look, Carl Nielsen's fourth symphony." "Remember?" "Called 'The Inextinguishable'." "It always reminds me of you." "My wife couldn't come, unfortunately." "She's giving birth soon." "I'm going inside for a bit." "Can I leave my Mercedes there?" "I think it's alright." "Are you coming?" "In a sec." "I'll finish my cigarette first." "Very nice to have seen you again." "I feel the same way." "Carl Nielsen, 1865-1931." "Symphony number four." "The Inextinguishable." "Or it went like this" "Or he said this:" "Alright, but on one condition." "I'll do it." "Stupid bitch." "Are you still there?" "I'm just leaving." "And?" "What do you mean?" "Are we going out on Friday or not?" "Answer me." "Alright, but on one condition." "That you stop talking about having other options." "Isn't that up to me?" "Then we're not going out." "Do you have to be the only one?" "Exactly." "Forget it then." "We don't go." "Fine." "Wait a moment." "If I only go out with you, will you only go out with me?" "You don't have anybody else?" "Then it's ok." "Deal." "So you on Friday then." "Yes, see you then." "Better prepare yourself." "I have great plans with you." "What kind of plans?" "What kind of plans?" "five days later a diligent student" "Lionel, I'm off." "I have to go now." "Sylvie opens the door if somebody calls." "Are you making any progress?" "Absolutely." "You worked really hard." "That's great." "Compliments." "Very well done." "I wanted to ask you something." "We're having people over for dinner tonight." "We'd like to eat outside." "Would you mind cleaning up a bit?" "If it rains, we stay inside of course." "You look great, if you don't mind me saying so." "Elegant women have become a rarity." "Most of them dress like frumps." "A real woman shows her figure." "I like it that you speak your mind." "I really have to go now." "Keep up the good work." "And once again, well done on the shed." "Am I interrupting?" "I had to take a break." "Teasdale was terrible again, yesterday." "I don't understand she puts up with it." "It was fun last night, wasn't it?" "I really had a good time." "It would be nice if we had our own little house." "Really nice." "It doesn't have to be big, just our own place." "Those houses behind your place are nice." "The view isn't great, but they have nice gardens." "What is it?" "I'm thinking." "I think you're so lower middle class." "It all sounds so gloomy." "If a house like that is your dream, we have little to talk about." "I want a woman with ambition." "I'm just realistic." "I'm just a respectable girl." "What's wrong with that?" "You also don't work on your looks." "Look at yourself." "This is my work outfit." "And when you go out?" "Then I make myself pretty." "I wore something nice yesterday, didn't I?" "That green thing?" "I thought you were the waitress." "Oh, that's mean." "I bought it especially for you." "And now cut it out, or we're history." "You're so obnoxious." "Come with me for a moment." "Why?" "Come on now." "I'm not going to eat you." "What is it?" "Sit down there." "Why?" "Just sit down." "But why?" "Shut up for a moment and listen to me well." "Are you listening?" "It's high time you started working on your self-esteem." "Wait, I'm not finished yet." "Is there a woman you admire a lot?" "No." "is there nobody you admire?" "No." "Don't you find Mrs. Teasdale attractive?" "Don't you think she has style?" "Yes." "Why?" "She has class and style." "And why is that?" "She has money." "That's not it." "But it does help." "But it's not the only thing." "Get up." "Come on." "Do you have to be rich to walk straight?" "No, of course not." "Then why do you walk hunched?" "Look at how hunched you are." "Relax." "I'm not going to hurt you." "Try to imagine you're attached to a cord on your head." "That's what I mean." "Do you understand?" "But I can't see where I'm going." "You don't have to be that stiff." "Relax." "No, keep your head up." "I'll trip." "Occasionally look down for a moment." "Do I look like her now?" "Yes and after a while it becomes automatic." "I bet not." "Now say hello to me." "Look at me." "I'm not in that tree, am I?" "Good." "Now say something like:" "Good afternoon, nice to see you." "This is giving me a pain in my neck." "You're not doing bad at all." "You have to practice, but that's logical." "Do you understand a bit?" "No." "And you were not nice." "I'm afraid to wear that outfit now." "That's a good thing." "If you do your best, you'll be even prettier." "Really?" "Do you find me pretty?" "Sometimes I find myself pretty, but other times I don't." "Do you know who I'd want to look like?" "Like Betty Simcock." "I admire her." "You're kidding." "I have to get to work." "Tea?" "No, I have to mow the sports field." "Practice well, ok?" "I'm going to be very demanding of you." "I don't want to rot away here." "Like my dad says: a weakling doesn't make any dough." "Never forget that." "See you later." "You enjoyed last night, didn't you?" "Very much." "Who were you talking to?" "Nobody." "I'm practicing saying hello." "Did my wife tell you to do that?" "Then practice in your own time." "Would you like some tea?" "No, thank you." "Isn't my wife there?" "She's helping out at a charity dinner." "Nice weather, isn't it?" "Yes, very nice." "What is it now?" "I wanted to ask you for a favour." "Why are you here today?" "Because I had Wednesday off." "What did you want to ask?" "It's about my general education." "I want to have some more of it." "And what's my role in that?" "I was hoping you'd help me." "Funny." "No, that won't be possible." "I'm to busy with school." "I can pay you." "That's not the issue." "It would only cost you one evening per week." "I appreciate that you're eager to learn." "I hardly see that at school." "At your age, you realise what your shortcomings are." "Still, you'd better pick one of the teachers." "No, they're worthless." "I only want you." "What would you want to learn, anyway?" "Languages?" "Literature?" "Literature." "Literature?" "Well, I don't know." "Please say 'yes'." "Do you have a neck problem?" "Do you want to do it?" "I'll discuss it with my wife." "Why do you want this all of a sudden?" "Are you doing it for somebody?" "For whom?" "For myself." "Let's start next week then." "I'm going back to work." "On the shelves, there's a book called Tom Jones." "Do you know it?" "Not the movie either?" "That book seems like something for you." "It's got a few interesting characters." "What on earth is he doing now?" "What's he doing with that lawn mower?" "Only do the edges." "Use the little one." "He can't do anything." "He's a disaster." "Keep the dress, if you like." "Are you back already?" "That Hepplewick is such a jerk." "Do you feel like tea?" "Everybody wants me to drink tea." "It's a change from whisky." "Don't start again." "You know you were almost fired." "If Miles hadn't covered for you, they would have kicked you out." "He said you'd stop drinking." "That's easy to say." "You don't care at all." "What should I do?" "What's with Sylvie?" "She wants private lessons from me." "From you?" "That's strange." "Well, I am a teacher." "She wants to learn about clothes from me." "She must be in love." "With me?" "No, with Hepplewick." "Lesson one is stay away from that loser." "Why?" "He's got something." "He's a big fool." "Are you eating at home, tonight?" "Yes, but I'm hardly hungry." "You can't stop eating." "Ok, but first, I'll save the sports field." "Do you like it?" "It used to belong to Mrs. Teasdale." "Do you like it?" "Do I look good in it?" "Am I walking straight enough?" "Do you want to go to bed with me?" "You must ask me nicely." "I do that now." "I'll have to think about it." "Mr. Teasdale is going to teach me." "About whisky and liver failure?" "Mrs. Teasdale will teach me all about clothes." "Am I doing well or what?" "Do you still think I'm lower middle class?" "Ok, see you tonight." "I love you." "It's going to be great tonight." "Really great." "five weeks later the town festivities" "There's nobody there yet." "I'll quietly wait until they arrive." "I don't see your son either." "Yes, Lionel is here already." "It will be alright." "How are your knees now?" "I'd like to get up and answer: fine." "Unfortunately, there's no improvement." "How awful for you." "Get old if you can, but too old you're half a man." "Did you make that one up yourself?" "You write a lot of poems." "3914, Mrs. Teasdale." "Don't you want to publish them?" "No, I'd rather not." "But why not?" "One should not benefit from a God-given gift." "Think about that one." "I'll be alright here." "What you say is very noble, but it's not correct." "Yes it is." "Somebody who'd be a good doctor, can't become a doctor then?" "No idea." "I've never seen a doctor." "Never?" "No." "What about your legs then?" "That's between God and me." "He wanted it this way." "If God had wanted, you'd have been born with wheels." "God doesn't want us to sit on our butts and suffer." "Sorry, I shouldn't have said that." "It's ok." "I don't like to disagree with the wife of the boss." "Is it alright if I go now?" "Sylvie will be here soon." "She has changed a lot, hasn't she?" "Not at all." "Don't you think she changed?" "She improved a lot." "We teach her what she needs." "So I've heard." "Those are all tricks." "What matters is what's under her clothes." "You're just like all the other men." "See you later then." "when I observe my friends running around like ants and see what a little flower can do in less than an hour then I say to the busy bees relax, let's have some peace." "That's a very good one." "You're way too early." "It only starts in half an hour, at half past two." "You're way too early." "I can do what others can't." "That's the privilege of old age." "The other old people are queuing up." "What's that?" "They put you in this and then they throw sponges at you." "Today, it's my turn." "That's no good for a woman." "Oh, come on." "Which century are you from?" "I'd like to have a word with you." "I have to work." "Just a moment." "I have a lot to do." "take it easy stress makes you queasy" "Lionel's not doing well." "He's worried, I can see." "What can I do about that?" "A lot." "You promised him something." "I promised him nothing." "Yes, you did." "You promised to marry him." "Or are you saying my son's lying?" "I hope not." "A promise is a promise." "Or didn't your teacher tell you that?" "I already knew that." "I don't want to hurry things, because this is a decision for life." "He's waiting for you." "He's busy building a garden house for the two of you." "He's always busy." "He has plenty of time after he got fired." "Listen, that's another story all together." "Teasdale will disagree, but his dismissal was unjust." "Do you hear me?" "As if destroying the heater and two lawn mowers isn't enough reason." "Those are all things from the past." "He's a serious boy and he'll find work again." "You have to be there for him now." "That's your duty." "These days, you think you can do anything... but you're still a woman so you have a woman's duties." "Do you know what I mean?" "I don't want to hurt him, you know." "I'm getting private lessons from Teasdale these days." "We talk about everything." "I didn't know he was such an interesting man." "He's a principal, so he's interesting by definition." "He makes me look at the world completely differently." "And he started drinking less." "The question only used to be:" "do I marry Lionel or somebody else?" "Now I see there are a lot more options." "I have no idea what I really want now." "You're like a fish that looks beyond the water and jumps on the shore." "Exactly, that's it." "But what happens next?" "You suffocate and die." "Because you're out of your element." "Am I not in my element now?" "No, Sylvie." "But it's your life." "All I know is that you have to be subservient to a man." "You must kneel to him and he must kneel to God." "Maybe you think I'm old-fashioned, but it's the truth." "Is that clear?" "You'll be soaking wet." "Shall I push you away?" "I can do it myself." "Think about what I said." "Hey, Mrs. Zambo." "You thought you could avoid me, didn't you?" "I don't know what to do anymore." "Sorry, Mrs Pridworthy, that was an accident." "This is unacceptable." "Look at me." "I'm a gorilla." "Can you see I fixed it?" "I still hate the thing." "Make sure they only throw sponges." "Last year somebody threw a beer can: seven stitches." "And you only tell me now?" "You'll be ok." "You're a woman." "Your dad was also telling me that." "Did he also tell you about my plans?" "I'm full of ideas." "Does a tinsmith sound good to you?" "And what about the bakery?" "There's no future in it." "How are your studies going?" "Did you get your certificate yet?" "I don't like your tone." "You wanted me to educate myself." "Yes, but not like this." "This doesn't help you." "How would you know?" "What are you reading now?" "What if I like to read?" "Your sun lounge is almost ready." "Come and have a look soon?" "I didn't ask for it." "You still want to marry me, don't you?" "I don't know." "Oh, please." "Let me think about it." "First, I have to get to work here." "Ok, we'll see each other later." "Is that thing working again?" "Lionel fixed it." "I wanted to tell you I have some time tomorrow afternoon." "Does that suit you?" "How did you like Great Expectations by Dickens?" "A bit heavy, I suppose?" "No, I loved it." "Would you like a new book?" "What's wrong, Sylvie?" "Something's wrong, isn't it?" "I don't know if I want to continue." "Continue what?" "The lessons." "Why not?" "It sounds strange... but I think, in the end, it's useless." "Didn't you like reading those books?" "Yes, I did." "Then it's not useless, is it?" "No, it doesn't help me." "I've decided to stop." "Did you discuss it with anybody?" "Did Lionel say it's useless?" "And do you agree?" "That's what matters." "I don't know." "That's nonsense." "Don't yell at me." "Sorry." "Everybody always yells at me." "Sorry." "I don't think you want to stop." "I do." "And now leave me alone." "I don't believe you.." "I've never had such an eager student." "I'm stopping." "I can't accept that you stop just because Lionel wants it." "Lionel, the biggest idiot around." "A total twit." "He can't decide what you do." "Listen to me carefully." "You're exceptional." "In 30 years, I only had a few like you." "They don't want to know anything." "They're bored to death." "You're unique." "You have a deep love of knowledge." "You can't stop." "We continue." "Understood?" "It's a waste of time." "See you tomorrow then." "You'll be there tomorrow, won't you?" "Please." "If you want to talk to me, you have to buy sponges." "You don't have to become a hermit, do you?" "Get a sponge." "Don't become like Lionel." "Come on with those sponges." "You're not listening, are you?" "Yes, but you only see me like some kind of toy." "That's nonsense and you know that very well." "You probably hate me." "Not at all." "You can't do anything about it." "On the contrary." "Just let me be, Toby." "Let me be, Mr. Teasdale." "Maybe we'll see each other later." "Think about it." "It would really be a shame if you stopped." "This is ridiculous." "I want to get out now." "Damn, I'm stuck." "Are you the one carrying on?" "Yes, what did you think?" "Well, what's wrong?" "I can't get out." "That thing is stuck." "You call that fixed?" "It's nothing." "I'll fix it in no time." "Will it be yes or no?" "Get lost." "I don't like this." "Please." "I'm going crazy." "I don't know you like this." "You're a dirty bastard." "In that case, I'm gone." "Ok, I say yes." "Yes to what?" "I said it." "Yes." "That I'll marry you." "I have no choice." "Why?" "Are you pregnant?" "No, stupid." "I'll get you out now." "Come on out." "Never mind." "What?" "Do you want to stay like this?" "Are you sure?" "Very sure." "Shall I throw a sponge?" "Yes, please." "Do it." "It will do me good." "Careful." "I never miss." "That wasn't bad, was it?" "five years later a christening service" "Tom, come here." "You have to look after Jones." "Jones, come back." "Do as I say." "Come off that cross immediately." "You can't play with it." "Do you want me to keep an eye on them?" "No, it's ok." "Tom is really bad." "Didn't you want to be at the christening?" "No, I don't need to." "They're difficult, aren't they?" "Yes, he's a pain especially." "I give them too much freedom." "My father used to belt me." "He always said:" "Spare the rod and spoil the child." "Sounds like him alright." "Short but to the point." "Sylvie doesn't want me to hit them." "And what she says goes in our home." "Aren't you going inside?" "I want to smoke." "I should quit really." "What will be the name of your daughter?" "Anne Charlotte Emily." "Sylvie insisted on calling her that." "Toby's very touched that he can be the godfather." "Yes, Sylvie thought that he..." "Hey, where did Tom go?" "He's there, behind that grave." "So you work for the city?" "I'm in charge of the skittle alley." "I'm making it level." "I found out it's been slanted for 87 years." "Get off your grandfather's grave." "That's my father's grave." "He's been there for two years now, right?" "Yes, he caught a cold in the sun lounge that I built for him." "Your husband's looking well." "He's doing much better since he left education." "It became too hard on him." "Now he works in Miles' computer company." "Microchips and such." "Do you know his friend Miles?" "I don't see them anymore." "Can you keep an eye on the little one?" "What are you doing, Jones?" "You can't play with that." "Put it back." "Those flowers don't belong to you." "Put them back right away." "In memory of Joe Hepplewick, 75 years." "Joe has gone, but his poetry lives on." "I told you to be careful." "This isn't a playground." "Don't do that again, ok?" "There you are." "Couldn't you wait until the end?" "No, I couldn't, to be honest." "Are you officially a godfather now?" "Yes, isn't that something." "I'll personally keep an eye on her education." "I thought you were fed up with education." "This is a special case." "Oh, no." "What is it?" "I thought I saw something there." "A little monster jumping behind a grave." "Look there." "That's a little Hepplewick." "Are you sure?" "Keep an eye on him." "I'm going to say hello to Sylvie." "Where did he go?" "Where is he now?" "There you are." "You gave me a fright." "And another fright." "That's enough or I'll have a heart-attack." "I can do that too, you know." "Don't you forget it." "Are you doing that to my son?" "What's this?" "That's very bad behaviour, Tom." "Come here." "Your wife said you're not coming." "I guess not then." "Thank you for letting me be godfather." "I'll keep an eye on her education." "She's a lucky girl." "Come here." "Don't do that or else..." "Do you still read?" "Yes, but only when I have a little time." "I still don't understand why you wanted to stop back then." "Can you tell me now?" "It was because our relationship took a certain turn." "I don't understand." "Didn't I always behave like a respectable teacher?" "But I'm not talking about you." "You have to come." "We're going home." "We have to eat." "Hurry up, you." "Or it went like this" "Or she said this:" "No, I don't want to marry you." "Come on, please." "Is that better?" "Yes." "That was terrible." "And what's your answer?" "No." "No to what?" "I won't marry you." "Because of those private lessons?" "I'll stop with those as well." "I have other plans." "Mind if I laugh?" "When you see my sun lounge, you'll change your mind." "Help me with that head." "It's rather narrow." "Can you push?" "Ok, how do I look?" "This is a lot better." "It's really a lot better." "It's stuck." "Isn't that what you want?" "It can't come off." "It's completely stuck." "Relax." "I'll help you." "You're right." "It is stuck." "I told you so." "Don't panic." "Come with me." "What will you do?" "Put your head between those." "What are you doing?" "I can't see." "This is a good lever." "I can't see anything." "Hurry up." "I did it." "Now you're the victim, instead of me." "Throw sponges at the gorilla." "That's enough, Sylvie." "five years later the return of the prodigal child" "Are you ok?" "It's my stomach." "Do you believe that yourself?" "Sit down." "Ok, don't sit down." "Great, the principal keeps going outside to vomit." "Everybody's watching." "The parents, the former pupils..." "Yes, I know the guest list." "I'm disappointed that you don't have any self control even now." "And later you have to give an interview." "Why?" "Because you promised." "Who's coming then?" "A reporter from a women's magazine." "I'm already worried about what you're going to say." "What kind of magazine?" "A women's magazine." "Feminist?" "Then I won't do it." "She might be here already." "What's it about?" "No idea." "I hope I won't become aggressive." "You'll probably be very friendly, as always." "We really have to go back inside now." "What should I say to her?" "Up to you." "That you're against abortion and against women's suffrage." "Nonsense." "I don't mind that women vote." "She's here because of the anniversary, so talk to her about the school." "Come along." "A bit longer." "Come, please." "Just a bit longer." "I'm going inside now." "Wait." "Why are you doing this to me?" "What should I say to that woman?" "I shouldn't drink anymore, today." "In memory of Joe Hepplewick." "Joe has gone, but his poetry lives on." "That's what I call a sense of humour." "Are you still alive?" "You gave me a fright." "Yes, I'm alive." "Oh, no." "Is that you, Sylvie?" "It's Sylvie." "How long has it been?" "Five years?" "Can I help you?" "I'm alright again." "You've changed." "May I know why you're here?" "Not for the anniversary, I suppose?" "Yes, but for my work." "What's your work then?" "Reporter." "I'm here to interview you." "So you're the woman of the magazine?" "Do you write for a women's magazine?" "It's a news magazine for women." "It's not that bad." "You haven't changed a bit, have you?" "I hold my own." "Our appointment's at three o'clock at your place." "So we can have a chat now." "What about?" "About the school, about yourself." "I heard that Lionel got married." "He found a woman." "She wasn't as lucky as you were." "Are you seeing somebody?" "Yes." "Is he nice?" "He's very nice." "I bet you didn't marry." "No, that's not my style." "Very good." "I have to go inside or Celia will get angry with me." "In case I never get the chance again." "Thank you." "For what?" "For opening my eyes." "You showed me the way so that I could escape." "I didn't do much." "Oh, yes." "I was happy to do it." "We're in England." "In the heart of Yorkshire." "In the town of Hutton Buscel." "Like in all other towns, there's a church, a graveyard... an Indian restaurant and a school." "And this is the principal:" "Toby Teasdale." "And his wife, Celia Teasdale." "Toby's best friend, Miles Coombes." "His wife, Rowena Coombes." "The whole town talks about her." "Lionel Hepplewick, the caretaker." "His father, Joe Hepplewick, the official town poet." "Sylvie Bell." "She works for the Teasdales." "Josephine Hamilton, the mother of Celia Teasdale." "She's very discrete." "And Irene Pridworthy, the vice-principal of the school." "It's the beginning of summer." "Celia Teasdale is doing the spring cleaning." "It must be in the shed." "I'm coming." "Sylvie, continue with the attic." "It's unbelievable." "How can you ever find something in here." "What's that?" "How are you?" "Fine." "Did you ring the doorbell?" "The doorbell." "No, really." "But somebody rang." "Maybe Lionel Hepplewick." "I wonder what he wants." "I see you're very busy." "Yes, the the spring cleaning." "Do you have a moment?" "Not really, Miles." "I understand." "Sorry, but we're really very busy." "You look pretty desperate." "Is it important?" "Ok, I'll listen for a moment." "Don't you want to talk to Toby?" "The thing is, it's about Toby." "Why talk to me then?" "You're his wife." "But he doesn't listen to me." "That's not true." "You're very important for the school." "Sylvie's still sitting on a roof-beam in the attic." "You're indispensable." "Everybody comes to you." "I'm stupid enough to listen." "You're not stupid, you're great." "If only Toby..." "I'm fed up with talking about Toby." "Let's talk about me." "Just five minutes." "I'm taking this to Sylvie." "I have a meeting." "Ladies and gentlemen, I've known Toby Teasdale for a very long time..." "No, that's crazy." "Ladies and gentlemen, before you judge him..." "No." "What did you want to say to me?" "It's very simple." "Toby's no longer a good principal." "No, he drinks all day long." "Not at work." "But the quality of the school's going down." "Teachers are leaving, parents are complaining." "Yes, to me." "Now we've reached the point where the disciplinary tribunal want to fire him." "As a chairman, I can tell you that Toby will do something about it." "Can I count on it, you think?" "No." "What should I say then?" "That the principal's a drunk, that he's violent, rude... and that his wife's leaving him." "You've decided that." "Exactly." "Without you, Toby's a real mess." "He already is." "Are you sure?" "Isn't there anything holding you back?" "No, nothing." "I gave him 10 years of my life." "For nothing." "I haven't heard a thank you since we've been married." "He's clueless." "I'd say thank you every day." "That's nice, Miles." "Do you ever say thank you to Rowena?" "For what?" "For making me look like a fool?" "In the beginning, he once said 'Bravo' after I baked a cake." "That was encouraging at least." "And the children?" "They'll come with me." "Will you take them away from the school?" "They're not happy here anyway." "But they're very happy." "I know my children." "Should I tell them that his wife's leaving him as well?" "Then he'll lose his job for sure." "That's a good thing." "How awful." "But it's the truth." "Toby's no good." "Even the children are starting to notice." "You're shocked by what I'm saying, but my life with him is hell." "Life isn't always pleasant." "There has to be more than this." "One should be able to have a bit of fun." "But you can't dump him." "Well, you pick him up if you want to." "Go to the meeting and save him." "I've had it for the moment." "Celia, listen to me." "Use your brain." "You can't put that on the clean laundry." "Yes, Mrs Teasdale." "Do you know what that is, clean?" "Ladies and gentlemen, Toby Teasdale has always been a fine teacher." "I can't tell them that he's a drunk." "What a mood." "She's in the attic." "Could you say something to Mrs Teasdale?" "That I can't believe her." "And that I want to have dinner together, the four of us, this Saturday." "Alright, Mr Coombes." "Ladies and gentlemen..." "Ladies and gentlemen, Toby Teasdale is my friend." "five days later dinner on the terrace" "Yes, I think it's possible." "I hope so." "When it rained, I thought it wasn't possible." "Can you open it?" "I always push the cork in." "That's because you should pull." "So that's it." "People often do that wrong." "I think it's about to rain again." "Not at all." "Do you realise we never had dinner on the terrace before?" "I'm wondering what Rowena's doing." "She did tell me she had a meeting." "She'll be here soon." "I hope we're not ruining everything." "I don't know where Toby is either." "He went to get cigarettes." "An hour ago." "Where?" "In the pub at the corner." "Cheers." "I'm sorry about the other day." "I was so worked up." "I was angry with Toby and shouldn't have taken it out on you." "What matters is that things are better now." "It's not going better at all." "We're getting a divorce." "We're waiting until the school holidays." "Thanks for making sure Toby kept his job." "I don't know what you said at the tribunal, but it worked miracles." "I made a big deal of it and used words like 'integrity'." "You know." "Not a good sign that he went to the pub." "And how's Rowena?" "Fine." "She's all energy." "Where do you want to go if you..." "To London." "That won't be easy." "I'll have to find work." "A bit more sherry?" "Yes, please." "Do the children know?" "Yes, I had to tell them." "They're taking it well." "They must be used to it." "They sometimes witness terrible scenes between us." "Do Rowena and you ever fight?" "Not a lot." "She's not often there." "And you give in more easily." "We'll wait another five minutes and then we'll start." "Ok?" "It's absurd." "We were going to eat outside." "In half an hour it'll be too cold." "Shall we taste the wine?" "So you were saying... that Rowena isn't home a lot?" "Yes, she's home now and then." "And what does she do?" "You don't want to know, do you?" "No." "Why do you ask me that?" "For no reason." "Generally, I kind of know where she is." "So where is she tonight?" "I don't know." "Her meeting." "I don't really keep an eye on her." "Maybe you should." "I mean, maybe you should keep an eye on her." "A beautiful wine." "Rowena isn't coming tonight." "I'm sorry." "Not at all?" "Why didn't you tell me right away?" "I was embarrassed." "I couldn't find an excuse." "A cold..." "That's stupid." "You could tell the truth, couldn't you?" "Yes, of course." "She didn't feel like coming." "Does she hate me that much?" "On the contrary." "Well, I don't need her respect anyway." "But I think it's very rude." "I should have shut up." "You're a victim, just like me." "You're much too nice." "I'll get the entrees." "Let's not lose our appetites over it." "I'll pour you some more wine." "And I'll light the candle." "That looks delicious." "Prawn cocktail." "Do you like it?" "Lovely." "I added some onion." "Parsley, lemon, a bit of white wine..." "Excuse me?" "Sorry." "Olive oil." "Yes, that's a good idea." "Mayonnaise, of course." "Tabasco..." "To make it spicy." "Olives." "And lettuce." "I saw that." "And paprika." "Anyway, it tastes great." "Toby's still not here, the asshole." "Don't say that." "Stop defending him." "He's just an asshole." "And we are ninnies." "I'm fine here and I don't think we're ninnies." "Thanks." "Cheers." "And those two can go to hell." "Exactly, to hell with them." "You know, Miles, you're unique." "So are you." "I have to make a confession." "Don't get angry, alright?" "About Rowena, I made that up." "I didn't invite her." "She doesn't know?" "That's strange." "Do you know why?" "I don't think I want to know." "But why with Toby and me?" "I knew Toby wasn't coming." "He told me a little while ago." "Toby wanted you and me to have dinner together?" "He didn't want for you and me..." "No, of course not." "I mean of course Toby didn't want that." "I'm not against it myself." "You know everything and I know nothing." "I'm the only ninny here." "Great." "That was the pinnacle of hypocrisy." "I didn't know whether I should tell you everything..." "Toby asked me to talk to you." "I'm very angry." "I don't like this at all." "I was embarrassed as well." "Well, tell me what you've got to say and then leave." "Quickly." "Toby doesn't want to lose you." "Won't you reconsider and stay with him?" "Is that it?" "Out of the question." "Ok, that was it." "So what are we eating?" "I asked and you said no." "Done." "What a relief." "Good for you." "I had to get it out." "We had a good time and now this." "What a schemer." "Charming, but efficient." "I'm getting to know you." "Don't say that." "I love it here with you." "And I think you're great." "Don't talk nonsense." "It's true." "I'll get the food." "You're so beautiful." "Poulet Méditerranée." "Lively..." "With paprika and olive oil..." "she sees me, hears me, comforts me" "Ham, shallots..." "my heart cries" "Tomatoes, parsley." "I'm in love with you." "I know." "You do?" "I was afraid so." "For a couple of years, you've been giving me these looks..." "Not at all." "Yes, you have." "When?" "All the time." "Furtive looks." "It's stronger than me." "What do we do now, Celia?" "What do you mean?" "We just continue eating." "Don't." "There's Toby, me, my two children." "Rowena, your three children..." "Hubert, Wilfrid..." "No, Colin, Sandra and..." "It's not realistic." "Timothy." "Don't you feel anything for me?" "I didn't say that." "That's what I feared the most." "Do you have some feelings for me?" "Maybe." "You know, right now I can't give you any hope." "It's too much for me." "Life's too complicated." "I shouldn't have come, should I?" "Is it Toby?" "He has a key." "Sit down quickly." "We didn't do anything wrong." "Somebody's ringing, mummy." "Yes." "Go back to sleep." "I want to say goodnight to them." "Alright, mum." "It's ok, it's my mother." "Should I..." "She won't stay long." "You must have lots to discuss." "What will she think about the two of us?" "Nothing." "She's here for the children." "She won't notice us." "She's very discrete." "Can I know who it is?" "Please..." "Can I have a look?" "He can hear you, you know." "Are you hiding things from your mother?" "It's coming." "It got cold, so I'm reheating it." "So, between you and Rowena it's not all roses either." "I'm leaving." "Do that and I'll throw the chicken in your face." "Please, I want to know." "You already do, I think." "That affair with Terry Hogg, you mean?" "That guy's so tall but his legs are so short." "Did you notice?" "Yes, during squash." "Do those short legs bother him?" "No, he always won." "Strange for a gym teacher." "Women seem to like him." "Well, not me." "And he also has such small buttocks." "Or no buttocks, really." "Terrible." "I like men with a little bum." "A real bum." "Terry Hogg has..." "Please..." "Sorry, I wanted to heighten the atmosphere." "With Terry Hogg's bum?" "They're probably in bed together now." "Does that bother you a lot?" "Yes." "No." "Well, I don't know." "I'll get the rest." "Mum, what are you doing there?" "Go home." "I can say hello, can't I?" "I said no." "Good evening." "He's gone." "Good evening." "What are you doing there?" "I was looking for something." "Something?" "I'm Miles Coombes." "You must be..." "Josephine Hamilton." "Nice to meet you." "I had dinner with your daughter." "We were four people." "We already left." "What a pity." "I sprained my ankle." "Just when the chicken arrives." "Oh, is it coming?" "Great." "We thought it was over." "I'll warn the others." "Is it your ankle?" "Do sit down." "Put your feet on that." "Thank you." "Can I keep you company for a moment?" "Certainly." "There's plenty of room now." "Don't try to fool me." "I think it's great." "She should have done it a lot earlier." "That would have gotten that D.I.C.K.'s attention." "D.I.C.K?" "That'll teach him." "Do you know what she needs, my daughter?" "A good roll in the hay." "And I'm saying that as her mother." "Do you agree?" "The other day, she called me in tears." "'I can't do it anymore.'" "I said:" "Leave him." "Now there's still time to start a new life." "She's still young and pretty, isn't she?" "Certainly." "Have you slept with her yet?" "No." "You should." "She's a volcano." "And her skin's like silk." "We can't leave her with that drunk, can we?" "Terrible." "Sorry, but Toby's more than that." "You know Toby?" "He's my best friend." "And you're having dinner with his wife?" "Rather shady, isn't it?" "Nasty, I'd say." "I have to go." "Before your friend comes back." "He knows about it." "He asked me to come." "What are you saying?" "We're taking turns with her." "Toby on Tuesdays and Thursdays, me the other days." "She's being fucked by Terry Hogg." "What are you talking about?" "You can't say that." "You're totally pissed." "We should have organised an orgy." "What's that door doing there, in the middle of the garden?" "Where the hell am I?" "What's this mess?" "What did you tell my mother?" "Miles, where are you?" "Here." "Everything's alright." "I'm here." "What are you doing?" "I'm in the shed." "Are you really alright?" "I'm resting for a moment." "I'm tired." "Come on, don't you want to eat?" "No, thanks." "What are you doing?" "Are you drunk?" "For sure." "It's my fault." "Come on, Miles." "Please." "I need a bit of hope first." "I love you." "My mother even had to lie down." "I love you." "I'm really touched, but I already told you..." "It's difficult to talk in the dark like this." "Miles, are you there?" "If you're hiding..." "You gave me a fright." "No, please." "What are you doing?" "Outside?" "I don't see anybody outside." "Why do you say they're outside?" "What's that over there?" "Is there anybody there?" "What were you doing there?" "Nothing." "Nothing special." "Do you want some chicken?" "Where are they?" "Miles and Rowena." "They're home." "Is there anybody there?" "No, nobody." "Do you want some chicken?" "Sorry that I'm a bit late." "Were you in the pub?" "No." "Actually, yes." "But I hardly drank anything." "One or two glasses." "Just social drinking." "Cut it out." "You can't be the only one who doesn't drink." "Here you are." "What's that?" "Poulet Méditerranée." "I'm not very hungry." "It's cold." "Isn't it supposed to be?" "I thought Méditerranée meant cold." "Lovely." "Did Miles talk to you tonight?" "He talked to me." "I know I've been obnoxious lately." "But it would be terrible for the children." "We can't end all those years together like this, can we?" "People who divorce, often don't get any happier." "Let's try it again." "Fine." "Let's try one last time." "That's fantastic, Celia." "You know, you often just forget to say thank you to people." "'Thank you' isn't that difficult, of course... but nobody ever says it." "Well, say it then." "Yes, I want to." "And?" "Didn't you want to say thank you?" "Tomorrow morning." "Why not now?" "Not now." "Why not?" "Miles isn't here right now." "You wanted to thank Miles." "He saved me." "And me?" "You can thank him too." "Who's ever going to thank me?" "You?" "Well, that depends on what you did." "Yes, the chicken." "It's great." "Bravo." "Fantastic." "Really, Celia." "We're very lucky to have a friend like Miles." "Come, let's propose a toast to him." "Come on, get up." "I'm proposing a toast to..." "What's that?" "Nothing." "Come on, eat your chicken." "To Miles." "five weeks later a game of golf" "Not bad." "Hey, Coombes." "You gave me a fright, Pridworthy." "You're not even allowed to be here." "I'm a member of the club." "We're closed today." "For the Women's Championship." "Tell that to your friend Teasdale, who's zigzagging to number 4." "Better put him on a leash, next time." "He's just not that good yet." "You know how I feel about him." "You're very clear about that." "So get him away from there." "And put that flag down again." "Didn't you lose any balls?" "We lost seven of them." "Does Teasdale have them?" "Don't exaggerate." "Don't forget the flag." "Alright, Pridworthy." "Thanks." "Old bitch." "What a terrible woman." "I could have done it in three times." "Miles." "Damn." "What is it?" "Nothing." "Were you playing?" "I only had to get the ball into the hole." "But the ball is there." "Yes, I hit it there." "But the hole is there." "Shall we stop talking about it?" "What do you want?" "Aren't you playing with Toby?" "He has his own system." "Are you looking for him?" "Is it important?" "No, not like that." "What do you mean, like that?" "'Is it important?" "' Not like that." "That doesn't sound very friendly." "Weren't we friends?" "Nothing more than that?" "Please." "Let's not talk about it anymore." "Did I do something?" "Did you just forget?" "No, but you also didn't really encourage me." "I didn't know if you were serious." "Is that why I was in the shed that night?" "Toby came and I panicked." "It's never been this bad between Toby and me." "It's only gotten worse since he stopped drinking." "He loves me less now." "I never see him, he's always with you." "You're exaggerating." "You keep calling him to do things." "And what about me?" "Do you want me to call you?" "I'm being kept out of everything." "That's not fair." "I don't deserve that." "Celia, please." "Don't cry." "I'll finish this now." "Putting already isn't easy." "What can I say?" "Right, let's go to the 11." "What's he thinking?" "What does he want me to do?" "Throw myself into his arms?" "No, I never did that and I'm not going to do it now." "My God." "What are you doing here?" "It's dangerous to sit there." "Did you see where it went?" "No idea." "Which hole is this?" "How should I know?" "Why do you play this silly game?" "To keep myself occupied during the day." "Everything beats sitting at home, doesn't it?" "Exactly." "The children need a father." "We have nothing to say to each other." "We have nothing in common." "They're always so neat, impeccable..." "And since the youngest one's into the Lord, she's always praying for me." "Really depressing." "So you're not interested in me or the children." "What are you doing?" "I'm looking for my ball." "We were talking about you and me." "Let's be honest:" "we don't love each other anymore." "Really, to be dumped for Miles." "Miles is just a very good friend." "He did come on to me, though." "When?" "When you wanted him to talk to me." "Did he really?" "He was very passionate." "But nothing happened." "Bravo." "I'll feed the children." "I don't have time to be depressed." "How do I get it out of here?" "One, two, three..." "That one doesn't count." "There." "Ok, we count that one." "Fourteen." "And fifteen." "And sixteen." "That's not working." "Good." "That's it." "Seventeen." "Hey, Rowena." "Toby, you gave me a scare." "Did you happen to see my ball?" "Here, I've got plenty." "The children found them." "No." "I'll look for my own." "Is Miles with you?" "Yes, he should be there somewhere." "You like him a lot, don't you?" "Yes, he's an old friend." "I understand." "But the children and I want to see him too sometimes." "Give him back to us." "We never see him." "There must be a reason for it." "He's with you." "He must not be happy." "How would you know?" "He told me." "What did he say?" "You can't behave like this and expect your husband to be happy." "Did he tell you we don't have sex anymore?" "Not for months." "It doesn't bother him too much, but it does bother me." "So I'm looking elsewhere for it." "I don't need to know that." "It's not a secret." "Everybody knows." "I'm not telling everybody about it, but the men..." "Are you very critical or do you take just anybody?" "He must feel like it, of course." "Is that your only criterion?" "Yes." "Would you do it with me too?" "If you want to." "Wouldn't you feel guilty?" "Why?" "Because of Miles." "Maybe you should." "Deal." "It's going to cost you, though." "I only do it for free with Miles." "How much?" "Three golf balls." "Terry Hogg pays with chocolates." "Absurd." "Two golf balls?" "I'm only doing it because Miles was coming on to Celia." "Really?" "Nothing happened." "Celia would never accept golf balls." "Now we're even." "I didn't know this side of you, Toby." "Alright, one little swing and there we go." "One, two, three..." "Rowena, what are you doing there?" "You're standing on the green, you know." "You can't stand on the green." "You'll make a hole in it." "Give it to me." "The ball as well." "What are you doing here anyway?" "I wanted to see you." "Where are the children?" "There, in the sandpit." "That's a bunker, something quite different." "Are they alright?" "Good to see you." "Are they alright?" "Sally's married now and she has three children..." "Colin is a test pilot and Timothy runs a brothel in Rio." "They hope to see you again this Christmas." "I'm not going home yet." "Toby's waiting for me." "Give me a moment." "I'm in the middle of a game." "I want to tell you something." "Alright." "Well?" "I love you." "That's all I wanted to say." "Bye." "Wait a moment." "Thank you." "Did you really go to bed with Celia?" "Who says that?" "There are rumours." "I behaved like an idiot." "You always had a soft spot for her." "Did you read her poetry?" "Please." "Yes or no?" "No." "Admit it." "Ok then." "One." "Will you read me a poem again, please?" "Please." "Maybe." "Here, now?" "No, you'd laugh." "Not at all." "Yes, you always laugh." "I'm like a clown to you." "Not at all." "When I come home in the evening and say something, everybody cracks up." "'Hello, everybody.' Ha, ha, ha." "We like you." "Think of something better." "And the situation in bed isn't helping either." "But that's not the real problem." "I think it is." "So, if I stop laughing, everything will be ok again?" "Could be." "What are you doing, Rowena?" "Come on, I'm not laughing." "No, get off the golf course." "I want a poem first." "I can't." "Celia got one too." "Now it's my turn." "I'm not in the mood." "One: grass grows in the valley, a dog ran through the alley." "See?" "Quite hard." "Sit down." "she saw me, heard me comforted me my heart cried..." "No, Rowena." "Please, my mouth is full of sand." "I'll report this to the committee." "five years later Easter" "I'm sorry." "Celia, sorry." "I was..." "Are you alright?" "Fine." "Good." "Did I just see Rowena sitting in the car?" "It's been a long time since you were here." "Four years." "Still in Australia?" "Yes, still." "I've come..." "I heard about Toby." "Terrible." "Yes." "It's been three years now." "Did it happen suddenly?" "No, with alcohol it goes slowly." "The last time he quit drinking." "It went downhill fast." "Really?" "Worse than ever." "I did what I could... but he never listened to me anyway." "When I left, I didn't know that." "You can't blame yourself for anything." "I had to accept the proposal." "Financially, you know." "Money is most important, after all." "Are you working again?" "I had to." "They've been very nice to me at the school." "I do administrative work." "Irene Pridworthy did a lot for me." "Ok, I'm going..." "Are those flowers for Toby?" "No, for Easter." "Toby didn't like flowers." "Say hello to Rowena." "She changed so much." "In memory of Joseph John Hepplewick, 77 years old." "Joe is gone, but his poetry lives on." "Is that a promise or a threat?" "Are you coming?" "Did you see Celia?" "Did you talk to her?" "A bit." "Are you alright?" "What happened?" "You're so down." "Nothing." "Everything's so small here, isn't it?" "Such a little village." "And once, this was our life." "Did you find Toby's grave?" "Yes, here." "Was it a good idea to leave?" "Why?" "We're happy there, aren't we?" "Space, kangaroos, friends..." "The people of the cricket team are mainly your friends." "He was my friend." "Are we going?" "Or it went like this" "Or she said this:" "I think I should go." "Come on, I'm not in the mood to have fun." "Come off the golf course." "If you'll read a poem." "I can't." "I'm not in the mood." "I think I should go." "she saw me, heard me she comforted me" "That was pretty good." "my broken heart was crying" "Coombes, are you still here?" "What do you think?" "You really have to get going." "I'm sorry." "Did you ever get that ball?" "Good." "With which club?" "With my foot." "But that's not allowed." "I'll report this to the committee." "five years later friendship prevails" "Sorry, I wanted..." "No, I wanted to avoid you." "We both had the same idea." "Crazy." "A beautiful ceremony." "Yes, 50 years is quite something." "Is Toby with you?" "No, he has a cold." "The new principal seems nice." "Very intelligent." "Beautiful speech." "Alright, I'd better..." "This is the first time you came back, isn't it?" "Since Pridworthy fired me, yes." "Four and a half years." "Are you back to work?" "Yes, administrative work at the school." "Pridworthy of all people helped me get it." "Unbelievable." "You're looking good." "Thanks." "How's Toby?" "Better." "Apart from the cold." "Do you still live in London?" "In the same house?" "That must cause some gossip." "There will always be people like that." "What's he doing now?" "He gives the occasional private lesson." "Well, he doesn't do much." "But you know Toby." "He doesn't really know what he wants." "He's playing house wife." "That's too much honour." "He's quite obnoxious really." "You know him." "But you have to bear him now." "Did you see Rowena?" "No, but I think she's travelling." "And the children?" "They too." "Didn't you know?" "No." "Where to?" "India or Indonesia." "Somewhere there." "To India?" "Yes, you know Rowena." "She once called me from Bangkok or something." "She'd forgotten to tell the milkman that she was gone." "She was a big help to me when Toby left." "I really underestimated her." "Without her, I wouldn't have coped." "She helped me a lot." "Yes, she was very..." "I have to go back to Toby." "If only he could stop drinking." "He doesn't listen and doesn't eat." "And those insults." "You get them too now?" "He calls me all kinds of things." "He hurts you and you won't forget those words." "I bet he still puts his cigarettes out everywhere?" "I'm really happy to see you." "Me too." "Dear Miles." "If you ever need advice or..." "I've lived with Toby for years, so I'm an old hand." "Thanks." "Maybe I'll call you." "Yes, please." "Goodbye, Celia." "Thanks." "What a lovely man." "What a great man." "Or it went like this" "Tell her I'll defend him and that she can get lost." "What a mood." "She's in the attic." "Please tell her I'm disappointed in her." "I'm not finished yet." "Tell her I'll defend him... and that she can get lost." "Fine." "Ladies and gentlemen, Toby Teasdale is my friend." "five days later confession in a shed" "Come on, Rowena." "You can see there's nobody here." "They're gone." "That's normal around this time." "Come on." "Celia should be here." "I don't want to see either of them." "Come." "I thought you liked Celia?" "What is it?" "Nothing." "Did you have a fight or something?" "Don't be an idiot." "But I am an idiot." "What a mess, that garden." "Come on, it's going to rain." "Why don't they plant anything here?" "Herbs or something." "Why?" "This is not our garden." "What does it matter?" "It does." "I wouldn't want it either." "You're getting old, Miles." "They're not going to kill us." "Toby owes you one." "Thanks to you, he still has his job." "So what?" "Weren't we going for a walk?" "I am walking." "No, you're sticking your nose into someone's private life." "I want to talk to you." "What's this?" "How terrible." "This is private." "It's their shed." "What did you want to say to me?" "Can we get out of their garden first?" "I don't feel comfortable here." "Look at that." "Dozens of boys running." "Who's that with them?" "Terry Hogg, you know that very well." "A gym teacher who can hardly keep up with his students." "You know very well who Terry Hogg is." "Just enjoy the walk." "We can talk at home." "So you just don't want to talk." "Talking never works for us." "It's still the best form of communication." "For instance, it helps me to find out whether you'll still be fooling around with that jerk in a couple of years." "It's going to rain." "Come, let's get in here." "Not in their shed." "Quickly." "It's just a shower." "It's raining cats and dogs." "Those poor boys." "And Terry Hogg." "I'm not answering anymore." "You'll twist my words anyway and make me look stupid." "But I'm not stupid." "I never said you were." "Oh, yes you did." "You just sometimes pretend not to understand something." "Sometimes you act like a retard." "If I don't understand something, I just say so." "Nobody's that stupid." "That's not what I meant." "I told you talking is useless." "I'm not intelligent enough for you." "I was like this when you met me for the first time." "But back then it didn't bother you." "You were still interested in me, in everything." "Do you remember what we wanted to do?" "Go tracking through Great-Britain, along the coast." "Via Scotland..." "Why didn't we do it?" "I was pregnant." "A fling would do you good." "It might wake you up." "Is that your conclusion?" "Why don't you try Celia?" "Don't you have a bit of a soft spot for her?" "Think before you talk." "Stupid." "Yes." "Sometimes, you're incredibly stupid." "And you ask me why I have lovers?" "Doesn't matter, you know." "I'm used to it." "You know, I'm getting older and I'm in need of love." "I thought it would get less, but quite the opposite." "And you find love with..." "Not with Terry Hogg of course." "Not with Frank Arrowsmith, not with Geoff Hampton and not with the others." "I just want attention, even though it's an illusion." "And that comes at a price." "Did you sleep with all those guys?" "So, with about my whole squash club." "I'm sorry." "I only did it to find myself interesting." "Geoff Hampton?" "Are you very hurt?" "I don't know." "Is it still raining?" "No, it almost stopped." "Do you want to go?" "No." "What do you want then?" "Call me names?" "Hit me?" "Commit suicide?" "Kill me?" "Please." "Ok, stay there then." "Ciao." "Oh, a leprechaun in the shed." "He looks exactly like my husband." "Locked." "Can you believe that?" "I'll be... 36 years old, three children and then this." "I want to get out of here." "Can you open the door, Sylvie?" "Yes, one moment." "Thank you." "You're welcome." "They locked me in." "My wife, as a joke." "Do you have to work?" "On a Saturday?" "Yes." "I wasn't here on Wednesday." "My mother had radiation." "Does your mother..." "Yes." "How terrible." "Your father must be worried." "No, he's dead." "Are you the eldest?" "Yes." "That's my little sister." "Which one is she?" "The little fat one." "Look at her." "She's almost collapsing." "What a bastard." "What a jerk, that Terry Hogg." "Definitely." "What's that?" "Nothing." "Do you have a boyfriend?" "Something like that." "Lionel Hepplewick." "The school caretaker." "He thinks it's for eternity, but I have my doubts about that." "Why?" "Maybe I can find somebody better." "He's only interested in himself and in his father." "You have to be careful, or you get stuck." "I want to see things in life." "I'm not going to wash his socks all my life." "Are you the type that wants women in the kitchen?" "Women should have the same rights as men." "Do you leave your wife entirely free?" "What do you mean?" "She does what she wants, doesn't she?" "Yes." "Many men would become violent in that situation." "I don't believe in that." "Sometimes you have no choice." "There's always another way." "Maybe in your circles." "Some people need that before they start listening." "Then the world's a sad place." "It sure is." "Why did she lock you in there?" "For fun." "She really likes jokes, that's really her." "It may sound strange, but she's also tender and vulnerable." "There are two sides to her, you see?" "Then why do you let her fool around with that Terry Hogg?" "I don't want to discuss that." "She humiliates you." "That may be." "Not everybody needs to know, do they?" "Because everybody knows, don't they?" "I figured as much." "I have to get back to work." "All their trash has to go." "Especially the empty bottles." "You know..." "I don't want to talk about Toby." "But for a principal..." "Sometimes he can hardly stand up." "He's my friend." "You should talk to him." "If only for Mrs Teasdale's sake." "She's a nice lady, isn't she?" "You like her, don't you?" "Yes, that's enough." "To work." "Naughty girl." "You have to work for your money." "You can be pretty strict." "Are you still there?" "Sorry." "Of course, it's none of my business... but how old are you?" "I'm of age." "I can go to bars." "And smoke." "You're quite mature already." "My dad always said that, in the course of your life, you forget everything you learnt." "And how old are you?" "I'm of age." "You have brown eyes, don't you?" "Just like a cow." "My dad said: brown eyes..." "He must have been some kind of Kierkegaard." "I wouldn't know that." "she saw me, listened to me comforted me my heart cried from love... dreams and happiness" "Did you write that yourself?" "Unfortunately not." "It's very beautiful." "I always wanted to travel through Great-Britain." "On foot." "Along the coast." "On foot?" "Yes, along the coast." "Via Scotland, along the east coast and down." "And back up through Wales." "But it never happened." "I feel that it's now or never, that it's my last chance." "It always beats staying here." "I have to go." "Mrs Teasdale's coming back soon." "Does it sound good to you?" "A long walk with someone?" "Are you asking me to come?" "This is very sudden." "I have to think about it first." "Yes, of course." "I can't just go." "Of course." "Especially on foot." "Absolutely." "I'll tell you after I've given it some thought." "Quickly?" "I have to think about it." "It's not easy for me either." "What am I doing?" "You got out." "Sylvie let me out." "Do you want some tea?" "How did you know I was locked up?" "Rowena just called me." "She pulled another prank, didn't she?" "You have to have a screw loose to do something like this." "Sometimes..." "Did you want tea?" "No, I really have to go now." "Thanks." "I'm sorry about the other day." "I was all worked up." "I was angry with Toby and not very nice to you." "That's alright." "Forget about it." "Thanks for everything." "I don't know what you said, but it worked." "I put my foot down." "Toby's drinking a bit less now." "Good." "I'd like to see you one day soon." "Tomorrow, I'll be alone." "Toby and the children will be gone." "I don't know." "I'm very busy." "Oh, don't feel obliged." "Oh yes, Sylvie wanted me to say something:" "She loves adventure, but not long walks." "Can you make anything of that?" "It has an effect on you." "Are you ok?" "Yes." "You look so disappointed." "Don't you want a cup of tea?" "No, I'm going." "Oh, another thing." "Rowena said something as well." "Tonight she'll be at the squash club." "Does she play squash?" "Yes, she does." "All day long." "What are you doing?" "Can I rest here for a moment?" "Of course, if you like." "I'll make you some tea after all." "five weeks later resistance" "He must be waiting for his desert." "He ate everything." "He's hungry again." "Hopefully, he like this apple sauce." "I hope he chokes on it." "Miles?" "It's me, Celia." "Here's your desert." "I hope you like it." "Don't forget we have to go for drinks at the school." "He's doing better, I think." "But it's hard to say." "Do you think it's time to empty his bucket already?" "He'll put it outside when there's nobody around." "This can't go on." "He has to go." "He needs time." "Five weeks is enough." "Look at it from his point of view for a change." "The drinks start in five minutes." "You already said that." "Aren't you getting changed?" "No." "Are you going like this?" "He doesn't bother you." "He makes no noise." "I've had enough." "I want quiet in my garden." "Doctor Burgess said it was good for him." "He got traumatised." "You shouldn't force him now." "What kind of trauma?" "An emotional trauma." "Listen, Toby." "It's better if you know." "I didn't want to tell you, but Miles is in love with me." "With you?" "Ridiculous." "Yes, but it's the truth." "Did he say that?" "No, I can feel it." "All the signs are there." "Is his nose growing or something?" "So that's why he locks himself in my shed for five weeks?" "You don't know what it means to be in love." "Are you in love with him too?" "Of course not." "I like him a lot." "He needs love, respect." "Rowena destroyed him." "He doesn't deserve that." "You're in love with him." "I like him." "Anyway, he's leaving." "Leave him alone." "Come out, stop with the nonsense." "Be a man." "We're late already." "And he gets coffee too." "Emotional trauma..." "Hello, Mr Teasdale." "What are you doing there?" "I'm helping Mrs Teasdale." "On a Saturday?" "Why?" "For no reason." "And that?" "For Mr Coombes." "When are you leaving?" "after dinner." "No, right after this." "But then he'll be alone." "He'll get by." "Go home." "Hello, Mr Coombes." "What's wrong with everybody?" "If I locked myself in a shed, nobody would notice." "I'm bringing you your coffee." "He almost laughed." "Has he burped yet?" "Mr Coombes?" "It's me again, Sylvie." "Isn't the coffee too strong?" "Would you like something else?" "It's a nice day today." "The idea of that long walk is beginning to take shape." "I know why you locked yourself up." "Everybody disappointed you." "Why don't you talk to me?" "I'm all alone." "What did the poem say that you read the other day?" "'she saw me, listened...', do you remember?" "What are you doing there?" "I'm working." "Who were you talking to?" "None of your business." "It's Mr Coombes, isn't it?" "I know he's in there." "For weeks." "Because of his wife, right?" "No, really." "You've got it all wrong." "Why then?" "I won't tell." "Mrs Teasdale?" "None of your business." "What then?" "You don't use your brain, do you?" "And now go." "You can't be here." "I'll tell Mr Teasdale." "He got me here." "To do what?" "I have to get him out." "How?" "Watch me." "Nothing dangerous, I hope?" "No, I'll smoke him out." "He'll suffocate." "That's the idea." "I don't want to have anything to do with it." "Maybe I'll go out with you tomorrow." "Thanks, but I can't." "I'm going for a walk." "Mr Coombes, did you hear?" "Mr Teasdale says you have to come out." "I have to read you a letter." "I'll read it:" "Dear Miles, you're starting to become a nuisance." "That's why I'm using strong measures in the form of Lionel Hepplewick." "Listen to him." "Life is too precious." "Signed:" "Toby." "I'll start now." "Good evening." "Hello, Mrs Coombes." "What are you doing?" "Burning leaves." "Is Mrs Teasdale here?" "No, they're all gone." "Dear, I brought some oranges." "The children say hello, but they're embarrassed at school." "Raise your arm if you hear me." "Can't you burn some herbs?" "How's your squash going?" "Excuse me?" "Are you getting better?" "I don't play squash." "I heard you like to play." "Do you play squash?" "I'd like to." "Do you have strong legs?" "You need strong legs." "I think so." "Do you want to see them?" "What about this calf?" "Beautiful." "Is the other one the same?" "Close enough." "Fine." "And your thighs as well?" "They're not weak." "Can you..." "Let me pull this up." "Better take it off completely, because I can't see anything." "Not here in the garden." "There's nobody here." "Yes, but..." "Alright then." "Very impressive." "Can you walk up and down a bit?" "Of course." "Can you hold this for a moment?" "And?" "I'm stunned." "Look, I'll walk around for you." "Look at that." "Unbelievable." "Look, I'm running full speed for a minute without getting tired." "Is it a minute yet?" "Just half a minute." "I'll stop." "What a disappointment." "I almost fainted." "You need some more exercise." "I was going too fast." "Where are my pants?" "Isn't this nicer?" "Please give me my pants." "I can't." "I burnt them." "What?" "I threw them into the fire." "You threw my pants into the fire?" "You're crazy." "Look." "How do I go home now?" "Bitch." "Get lost." "Did you hear that?" "I said no." "I can do that now." "I think you should come out now." "You punished us." "The children are unhappy." "We need you." "Come on, Miles." "You're making me cry, and I never cry." "I'll stop it all, really." "Are you ok, darling?" "Hello." "Don't talk too much yet." "It's so good to see you again." "What did you do in there?" "I've been thinking everything over." "I feel a lot better." "Great." "Are you ok?" "Can we go home?" "Are you coming?" "We all want you to come back." "Sorry, but I'm leaving." "I want to start all over." "That's absurd." "No, really." "Nobody can start all over." "It's worth a try." "Just like that?" "You'll always be nice and vulnerable, and me egotistical and superficial." "I don't agree." "Where are you going?" "To the station, to catch a train." "Can I help you?" "I don't think so." "Miles, I love you." "she comforted me..." "Don't cry." "That's stupid." "Stop sobbing, Rowena." "Why can't I borrow a pair of pants from him?" "I'll give them back." "Why are you being difficult?" "That Rowena bitch has another thing coming." "I'll write her phone number on the walls of the station toilet." "Mr Coombes?" "I'm going to smoke you out." "This is your last chance." "No?" "Alright then." "Why did she burn your pants?" "For fun." "You stay here." "When he comes out, quickly lock the door." "Keep the key." "Understood?" "Careful, I'm lighting the fire." "Ready?" "He's out." "Quickly, let's go there." "That's a fast reaction." "Where is he?" "What's all that smoke?" "To get Mr Coombes out." "Has he gone?" "Yes, here's the key." "That idiot set the shed on fire." "This is all that's left of Miles." "five years later midnight mass" "Yes, it's really you." "Hello, Sylvie." "Mr Coombes." "It's been a long time." "How are you?" "Very well." "You're back." "For a short time." "And how are you?" "Fine." "I'm married, to Lionel." "And I have two children." "Are you waiting for Mrs Coombes?" "Yes, I'd like to see her." "It was nice seeing you again." "Goodbye." "Goodbye, Sylvie." "We never did that long walk, did we?" "Maybe that's for the better." "You never know what would have happened." "No, you never know." "Goodbye, Mr Coombes." "Merry Christmas." "Alright, Rowena." "I'm not asking you to come back home." "I'm not..." "No, I'm not fooling myself." "Good evening." "No, I don't have any money." "But I do have a knitting needle and I'll use it." "What's that, Celia?" "Who are you?" "It's me, Miles." "Miles Coombes." "You remember me, don't you?" "Oh my, Miles." "Why are you harassing people?" "I'm just waiting for you." "That's very scary, at night." "What are you doing here?" "I though you left for good." "I wanted to come back for a short while." "Are you waiting for Rowena?" "How are you?" "I'm fine." "Toby's not so well, as usual." "Other than that, things are ok." "And you?" "I'm fine." "I heard you've got a new girlfriend." "Didn't she come?" "She's with friends." "Just like Rowena." "I'm glad you found someone." "See you soon, maybe." "Aren't you going to the mass?" "No." "Do you really carry a knitting needle?" "And razor blades." "I'm very happy to see you." "I often think of our escapade five years ago." "Don't you?" "I mean, maybe we should have..." "No." "Yes, it's better not to talk about it anymore." "We didn't really realise it back then but we had a good time, didn't we?" "Yes, exactly." "Goodbye, Miles." "We had such a good time." "Don't start again, Geoff." "No, that's quite enough." "Stop it." "Hello, Rowena." "Miles." "It can't be true." "I think I'm seeing a ghost." "I didn't mean to scare you." "That was..." "Geoff Hampton." "He dropped me off." "He has a car." "Did you come for the children?" "No?" "They're doing well." "They're missing you a bit less now, but they're ok." "The first year was especially hard." "I had to leave." "Of course." "And how's Phyllis?" "Janice." "Oh, sorry." "She's doing fine." "Has she divorced yet?" "Not yet." "Her husband's still in the picture." "Are you going to mass?" "No, I'm only here for a short while." "See you soon then." "You were right." "I was?" "You can't start all over again." "I'm sorry." "Or it went like this" "Or she said:" "Great, then we can go home." "Great, then we can go home." "Are you coming back?" "We want that so much." "Miles, my dearest." "No, Rowena." "Please." "What?" "I don't want it." "I'm embracing you." "You do that when you love somebody." "I feel a bit..." "I really need a bath." "Yes, you do." "Are we going?" "Yes." "Do you mind if I go home alone?" "I need that." "I have to get used to it bit by bit." "We'll see each other there." "I love you." "I love you too." "five years later party at the school" "How boring, how utterly boring." "Mrs Coombes." "Sorry, I thought you were Miles." "How's your wife doing?" "Very well, thank you." "It won't be long, will it?" "No." "Would you prefer a girl or a boy?" "A girl." "Two of each." "I heard you were ill." "Who said that?" "The rumour went around." "A depression, nervous breakdown." "Yes, I was eating light bulbs all day." "Good to see you again, Mrs Coombes." "Do you still set fire to pants?" "Do you still crap in your pants?" "Goodbye, Mrs Coombes." "Nothing has changed." "In memory of Joseph Hepplewick." "Joe is gone, but his poetry lives on." "What a miserable family." "I've had enough." "I want to go." "What are they all doing in there?" "Blah blah... the school's 50th anniversary..." "very successful..." "I feel so trapped." "Trapped and old." "What are you doing outside?" "I'm waiting for you." "Why did you leave?" "Everybody was looking." "As always." "I'm the village idiot." "What did you say?" "Even the children are embarrassed." "I can never go to school activities." "They're ashamed of me." "Not at all, they're embarrassed quite often." "About what?" "Other children at school whisper." "They also want a normal mother." "Thanks." "You know what I mean." "I taught them to use their own mind, to be critical." "And it didn't work." "And I'm becoming normal too." "I'm bored, I have boring children and a boring husband." "Breakfast, lunch and dinner are boring, everything's boring." "Can't we do something else for a change?" "Something outrageous, anything." "During the holidays." "At the Costa Brava, you mean?" "Not necessarily." "We always go there." "Tell me where you want to go." "Greenland." "Nobody wants to go there." "That's why I do." "What do you want, Rowena?" "I'm dying, withering away." "No, give me that snowball." "Act like an adult already." "The more you act like an adolescent, the more embarrassing you become." "Accept that you're getting older and act like it, damnit." "Alright, Miles." "Sorry." "No, you're right." "No, I'm really sorry." "Come on, it's time to go back." "I'll make some lunch." "Come." "Or it went like this" "Tell him I love adventure and long walks." "Oh yes, Sylvie said something as well." "What was it again?" "That she loves adventure and especially long walks." "Something like that." "Very good." "Thank you, Celia." "I understand it very well." "It's fantastic." "That she likes long walks?" "Yes." "Thanks a lot." "Are you ok?" "Yes, I'm very well." "Thanks." "five weeks later hazy love" "What is it now?" "My legs are killing me." "Come on." "I can't anymore." "I need to rest." "That's not normal at your age." "I've got cramps." "Those shoes weigh a ton." "I should have worn gym shoes." "That would have been worse." "I'm really beat." "I'm like my father." "You have a very good jacket." "Well, it was very expensive." "For some women you buy a fur coat and for me a jacket." "Don't sit still too long in this cold." "Wait, I have to catch my breath." "A trip like that takes more." "I've changed my mind about it." "If we really have to do all of England and Scotland on foot, I'm out of here." "Are you giving up after ten minutes?" "Look around you." "Come." "Look at that view." "Do you see houses, highways, cars, tourists?" "We're all alone." "Isn't that special?" "You can be alone at home." "You don't need a long walk for that." "That's very philosophical." "What are you doing?" "I'm taking them off." "Your feet will freeze." "If I still have any." "Hurry up." "What could this be?" "A cabin." "But what is it for?" "Oh, I know." "I think I know what it is." "It's a shelter." "If you're lost, you can find shelter there." "They saved many people's lives already." "Strange, it's locked." "I'm really getting hungry." "You should have had breakfast this morning." "On holidays, I don't have breakfast before 8." "They should have brought us the breakfast." "It was only a small inn." "I almost hit that boy." "He had no manners, did he?" "He was constantly winking at me when he showed us the room." "What a pig." "We'll see." "Did you see that boat?" "Where?" "The boat of a hard working fisher man who returns with fish in the evening." "It's an oil rig." "It's not a boat, it's an oil rig." "Stupid that we didn't have a double bed." "But we solved it well." "So much work." "Everything to the side, mattresses out of the beds... and then put everything back." "But we pulled it off." "It was worth it, wasn't it?" "Definitely." "It was silly to put everything back." "It went fast." "And tonight again." "Yes, that's a bummer." "Can we go now?" "I'll have to wear the same dress for dinner tonight." "Everybody will say:" "There's that dress again." "Not at all." "It's a beautiful dress." "It's an evening dress, isn't it?" "Very smart." "Too smart?" "No, but not very well suited for in a restaurant." "Your wife sold it to me at the bazaar." "Did you get that hat from my wife too?" "That turban." "She said it went well with the dress." "I'll wear my jeans." "Yes, that's a good idea." "It's different." "You don't feel like you're going out." "We really have to go now." "Are you coming?" "Do you want to kiss me?" "Yes, of course." "That wasn't very good." "My lips are half frozen." "Come, let's warm each other." "I love you." "Do you love me?" "I really love you." "It's gone." "What?" "The oil rig." "Look, it's gone." "You can't see anything anymore." "Sometimes they move them to drill somewhere else." "Really?" "Yes." "You know so much." "I read a bit and keep myself informed." "I don't." "A shame." "I didn't read a thing." "Start reading then." "You should read." "You've got your whole life ahead of you." "Funny, that guy at the bar this morning." "'I hope your daughter's of age.'" "That made me laugh." "I saw that." "Come." "But it's foggy." "The oil rig hasn't gone." "It's foggy." "Yes, sea fog." "Come on, let's go." "Let's go to the cabin." "We'll rest there." "It's locked." "Kick the door in then." "That's vandalism." "You're afraid to, aren't you?" "Not at all." "That shed must belong to somebody, or it wouldn't be locked." "It's open." "It was just stuck," "This isn't good." "All empty." "Yes, everything was stolen." "Nobody has any respect for anything anymore." "Terrible." "Sit down." "What are you doing?" "I'm taking off your shoes." "I can't." "Not here." "Why not?" "At my age..." "I need some comfort." "Alright then." "Do you understand?" "I didn't hurt your feelings, did I?" "You're hurt, I can see." "No, disappointed." "It's not your fault, it's me." "I know that." "Look, you can't see anything anymore." "The fog is travelling along the whole coast." "Look how fast it's approaching." "Sea fog moves very fast." "Just like oil rigs." "I hope my mother will be alright." "She's ill." "If there are any problems, they'll call." "Call where?" "To the hotel." "Did you give them the number?" "You should always be reachable." "Who will they ask for?" "Sylvie Bell." "Nobody knows her." "You're registered under my name." "Am I Mrs Coombes?" "Unbelievable." "Come on, let's go." "You can't see anything." "That's alright, we'll find it." "You can't see the cliff anymore." "That's alright." "We'll go down there." "The cliff's further away there." "We just have to keep a distance." "Watch me." "What's that?" "A compass." "Of the children." "The hotel should be there..." "North East or North North East." "And if I'm correct..." "Don't move." "So, North should be there." "So, we'll go that way." "Stand still for a moment." "Each time you move, the needle follows." "Can't you stand a bit further away?" "Good." "Is that better?" "Much better." "Alright, wait." "Now it's turning around." "Why is this happening to me?" "I'm turning around and it follows." "Wait a moment." "I'll put it on the ground... and maybe..." "See?" "If I step away, it works." "Now it's pointing to the North." "Except I can't see anything." "Like this." "Give me your hand." "Isn't it over there?" "No." "Come along." "Yes, look." "We walked up this path before." "We'll end up at that intersection." "Come on." "Careful." "If I'm right... we'll get to the intersection now..." "See?" "They put another cabin here." "It's the same one, isn't it?" "Yes, it's the same one." "Is it still pointing towards you?" "I think we should go that way." "No." "Yes, I'm sure." "Come on." "Wait." "Listen carefully." "What do you hear?" "Just the sea." "We're near the abyss." "And we don't know where it is." "Yes, it's there." "We don't know for sure." "Don't, that's dangerous." "I want to go back." "Take it easy, I read about this." "You should stay where you are." "Don't descend, that's dangerous." "Do you realise what happens?" "You lose your sense of direction." "You have to wait." "But for how long?" "Until it's gone." "It's getting thicker." "Wait in the cabin then." "It stinks in there." "Really, it's too cold here." "Cold can kill you in the mountains." "Come inside." "We'll leave the door open for fresh air." "Wait, I heard something." "What?" "There's somebody behind the cabin." "No way." "Who then?" "Wait a moment." "I'm having a look." "Stay here." "It's big and black." "It's just a sheep." "It was something big." "It was a sheep." "That big?" "Sheep are big." "Afraid?" "I just got a fright." "Something black and big." "What?" "I'll really keep this address." "It's tiring, your constant whining." "About the road to take, my driving style, the hotel, the beds..." "I'm doing everything I can." "Why didn't you pick a good hotel then?" "It is a good hotel." "No, it's not." "It's miserable." "I expected a bit more class, breakfast in bed for instance." "I'm better off at home." "Go home then." "Not even a vodka-martini." "But you had a shandy." "I always have those." "I want something else for a change, not the same old same old." "That's how it always goes." "You expect too much from life and..." "It was worth a try, wasn't it?" "We'll continue by car tomorrow, if you can survive one more night." "Otherwise we don't need to move the beds." "I always have my worst moments in sheds." "Shall we go?" "In that fog?" "I'm going." "Everything's being ruined now." "I want to go." "Please stay." "You'll get lost." "I don't care." "That's not the right way." "What do I tell your mother?" "Follow my voice, Sylvie." "Let my voice guide you." "Exactly, very good." "Alright, that way." "I'm here." "Let my voice guide you." "Rowena?" "Such pea soup." "What are you doing here?" "Just catching my breath." "First of all, I'm not here to keep an eye on you." "Your friend's mother's very ill and couldn't reach you." "So she called me." "Terry Hogg drove me here." "And who do we meet first?" "Your friend." "We almost drove over her." "But I said:" "Careful, a sheep." "is her mother having a crisis?" "It looks that way." "Did you like her dress?" "She'd be pretty if she looked after herself better." "Tell her that." "I'll try." "You don't look well." "Is she making your life miserable?" "No, I make hers miserable." "You?" "You never do that, do you?" "Are you taking her back?" "You do it." "I still have to pay the hotel." "Then you have to drive alone." "You know what?" "Terry can bring her back and I'll come with you." "Good." "Are you sure that..." "I'll hold on to you, or I'll fall." "five years later a wedding" "Where is he?" "How should I know?" "Yes, I'm coming back." "They'll just have to wait." "Sorry, I'm so very sorry." "At least you're here." "I had problems with my suit." "I'll tell them we're ready." "I'm very sorry." "Well, I'll be..." "The pastor's making a phone call." "30 people are waiting and he's on the phone." "He's slowing us all down." "You look magnificent." "Not ridiculous?" "No, beautiful." "A waste of money." "I'm doing it for mummy." "I showed it to her." "There were other patients as well." "They loved it." "Some of them had to cry, my mother as well." "Make him hurry, I'm worried." "I organised it." "With Lionel it would have been a disaster." "We've hardly been married and I'm already fed up with him." "Maybe I should leave." "Why not?" "I can't do that to him." "I'll be Mrs Hepplewick, as it should be." "I expected something totally different." "Remember, as Mrs Coombes?" "I've never been Mrs Coombes." "You were for one night." "Did you ever think about it again?" "I did." "Remember that cabin?" "You remember, don't you?" "No, really." "The fog?" "I don't remember a thing." "I'll go back inside and then I'll scream." "I'm very happy you wanted to do it." "I'm glad I could do it." "It was hard to find somebody to walk me down the aisle." "It has to be somebody decent and a bit older." "That pastor's getting on my nerves." "I'll do something about it." "Wait here." "she saw me, heard me comforted me my heart cried..." "Ladies and gentlemen, it is with big pleasure..." "Why do I always give speeches?" "Dear friends..." "Stop it, Rowena." "What a pastor." "Sylvie was all panicking." "I was too late too." "Didn't I get everything ready?" "Yes, your suit was on the bed." "No, it wasn't mine." "Whose was it then?" "Somebody with short legs and chocolates." "I understand." "You're playing the father of the bride." "She has fond memories of you." "No, I was just of the right age." "You're escapade made an impression." "She doesn't remember a thing." "Yes she does." "She's forgotten everything, she told me." "Oh no, she remembers." "You're not a man one easily forgets." "Right, they're ready." "Are you coming?" "Good." "Do I look good?" "Fantastic." "Really beautiful." "Is this ok, this suit?" "Yes, beautiful." "Walk her down the aisle." "Or it went like this:" "Or he said:" "Rowena, the sea is that way and the path is over there." "See you later." "And how did you like her evening dress?" "She'd be pretty if she looked after herself better." "Tell her that." "I'll try." "Come on, they're waiting for us." "I'd rather go back on foot." "On foot?" "I want to think." "I'm going this way." "That way?" "We'll see each other at home." "What do I say to her?" "Whatever you want." "That I went that way." "You don't mind?" "No, but be careful." "The sea's there." "No, the sea's there and the path is over there." "See you later." "Are you sure?" "Yes, I am." "Dearest." "five years later a simple ceremony" "Why this ceremony, you might wonder." "We wanted to do something in the memory of our friend Miles Coombes... who died in an accident five years ago." "The members of the school council, and I as chairman.... wanted to give him a bronze plaque with a commemorative text." "Where should the plaque go?" "His widow told us he had a preference for sheds." "I was rather surprised, because I was his good friend and I didn't know." "The plaque will be placed on the graveyard shed." "Rowena will now unveil the plaque herself." "Sorry, I'm a bit emotional now and I'm not sure what to say." "Miles, my husband, was a unique person... whom I loved with all my heart." "I was never able to tell him how much." "Anyway, it's too late now." "This shed is for Miles." "If he sees us, he'll be touched." "It's Miles' shed." "Thank you for coming." "To be honest, I think it's an absurd idea." "Why a shed?" "For no reason." "What, for no reason?" "There must be a reason." "Are you ok?" "You look so pale." "I miss him so much, Toby." "Really terribly." "He's been dead for five years and I'm still crying." "I think about him so often." "Terry would be furious if he heard me talk about him." "He's often furious, isn't he?" "He seems to be rather violent." "Please mind your own business." "It's a beautiful shed." "I come here every now and then." "And I start thinking of him." "Thanks for doing this." "See you soon." "Take good care of yourself." "In memory of Miles Percival Coombes... friend and honorary chairman of the Bilbury council." "His heart cries from love, dreams and happiness." "Not bad." "Hello, Mrs Hepplewick." "Everything alright?" "How's your little family?" "Fine." "I came by." "Can I have a look at this?" "Yes." "It's rather original." "You knew him well, didn't you?" "Yes, from a while ago." "Is the little one growing well?" "He's due in March." "It will be the third, won't it?" "Hepplewick doesn't waste any time, does he?" "May I?" "Of course." "Do you understand that shed thing?" "Strange, isn't it?" "It's a beautiful shed." "Thanks, Mr Teasdale." "Do they lock the shed?" "No idea." "Not during the day, I think." "Then I'll come here every now and then." "Thank you." "Do you think there are more women who want to come here?" "I'd be surprised." "Are you sure?" "There won't be any others." "Goodbye, Mr Teasdale." "Incredible, what a story." "Hard to understand."