"That's it." "Okay." "Oh, yeah." "That's really great." "Yeah, yeah." "Okay, now as I said before, you're under no obligation to me." "You can, if you want to, give me a tiny, little twinkle." "Yeah." "That is..." "lovely." "Right." "A bit closer." "Now, don't you worry." "You'll be all right." "Hair's just a little bit..." "That's it." "And you've got an eyelash on your nose." "We don't want it." "Supposed to be on your eye, not on your snitch." "Ah." "See?" "You have a lovely smile when you smile, haven't you?" "Right." "Okay." "Now you keep that lovely, gorgeous smile." "That's lovely." "I think that'll do for the time being." "Well done, Sara." "That's the easy bit." "They make a noise, don't they?" "Least they can play out around here." "Suppose so." " What is it?" " Is that a suit?" "It came as a combination." "They go together?" "Well, if you think they do, they do, and if you think they don't, they don't." "It's nice." "Twenty-one in August." " She is." " I used to worry meself sick when she played out." " She survived it, though, didn't she?" " All things considering." " She's back on the streets now." " I beg your pardon?" " Well, she is, isn't she?" " I don't half miss her." "I know." "How long is it since we've seen her?" "Two and a half years." " We could always ask her over." " I'd like to." "For her birthday?" "It's only a couple of months away." "What now?" ""Hey, Roxanne, what you doing for your 21 st?"" ""I'm going over to my auntie and uncle's house for my birthday treat."" "It was only a suggestion." "She's probably doing her own thing." "I suppose we'd have to invite Cynthia as well." "There's no show without Punch." " I'm sure she'd like to see the place." " Oh, I'm sure she would." " She can't help it." " Can't she?" "It's about time you showed it off." " I mean, you've done a lovely job." " I think so." "I really must get down to see her." " You speak to her on the phone, don't you?" " It's not the same though, is it?" "She's your sister." "I'm really proud of that portrait." "Bet that's the last time she ever smiled." "I don't know what's got into you lately." " You complaining?" " No." "Well, shut up then." "Sit here on me own for years on end." "Can't get you to stop in at all." " Now you never go out." " Leave it out." "You've been sitting there for a month with a face like a slapped horse." "Well, what's there to smile about?" "Thought he might have phoned at the weekend." " Who?" " Who do you think?" " Ain't heard from him for ages." " He's busy, ain't he?" " We're all busy." " He's got his weddings and that." "It's the summer." "Out of sight, out of mind." "Well, if you're that bothered, why don't you ring him yourself?" "He's your brother." "I'm not running up me phone bill." "He knows where I am if he wants me." "He'd have had us up there to see it by now, I expect, if it weren't for her." "Toffy-nosed cow." "What's he want with six bedrooms anyway?" "What's all your mates doing tonight then?" "I don't know." "I ain't asked 'em." "You wanna get yourself a bloke." "That's what you wanna do." "I told you I don't wanna get anything." "I'm quite happy here, thank you very much." "When I was your age, I could've had the pick of the crop." "Well, why didn't you?" "Because I lost my poor mother, that's why." " Oh, here we go." " I was stuck at home... from the age of 10 looking after Maurice and your granddad." "Yeah, we know." "Then I got saddled with you." "That was my downfall, darling." " I didn't ask to be born." " No, and I never asked to have you neither." "Well, you should have thought about that before you dropped your knickers!" " With... or without?" " I think without." " Without?" "Okay." " Yeah." "What about this one?" "Better with or without?" " I think this time it's with." " With?" "All right." "We'll pop this one in then." " I hear you're a really good runner." " Yeah." "Cross-country." " Have you won anything?" " Not yet." " I've only just started." " Okay." "Now look up again." "Now, this is gonna blur a bit, but just tell me what you can read, okay?" ""H, L, A..." " C, T."" " Right." "And I can't read anymore." "Okay." "That's good." "Very good." "I'm gonna do your other eye now." " You off then?" " Yeah." " Got any plans for the weekend?" " I've got to go to my mum's house and sort through her things." " Oh, okay." "Hope it goes all right." " Yeah." " Well, it's gotta be done." " Yeah." " Okay then." " I'll see you on Monday." " Yeah." "Have a nice weekend." " Cheers." " Ooh." "Enjoy the christening." " I'll try." " Okay." "Bye." " Bye." " What are you talking about?" " I got 10 minutes." "Listen." "We've got to sort this out while we're here." "Face it, Leroy." "It's you one here in this massive house." "Thank you." "We have got two children." "You understand?" " And we could have more." "We wanna have more." " What?" "Listen, right?" "You can't stay here on your own." "It's not fair, is it?" "I mean, we can sell the house, can't we?" "Sell the house and split the money." " You could split this whole house in two." " We could sell the house." "We could split it into two flats and it'd still be bigger than..." "We could split it into two, possibly into three." "Well, there you are then." "Sort your tie out for you, if I might." " Looks just a little bit skewered there." " Oh, skewered again." "There." "That's lovely." "Can I have the paper?" " Yep." "Okay." " Oh, right." "You two ladies look gorgeous." "That's splendid." "Put your hands together." "There you are." "Really nice." "Okay." "Here we go." "Right down there." "Right." "And here we go." "Okay and..." " Do we say, "Cheese," Maurice?" " Well, you can if you like." "But you can." "You can say, "Cheese"." "You can say whatever you like, but just give me a little bit..." "Perfect!" " Aaah!" " Ah, yeah." "Very sweet." "Okay." "That's lovely." " So it took you 15 years, eh?" " Yes." " Did they give you a prize?" " No." "Not even a stethoscope?" "Lovely." "Ooh." "The baby." " Yeah." "That's really lovely." " I'm so glad he's got his eyes open." "Yeah." "That's it." "Yeah." "That's it." "And give him a look down." "Lovely!" "Are you gonna see that flea collar?" " You gonna see that?" " Don't worry about that." "You come out then." "Come out." " Hang on." "That's it." " You just come out the way." "Uh, pop out now." "Come out." "And here we go." "I think I got the comb in there that time." " Lovely." "Very good." " Ohhh." " Does he look good?" " He does look good." " Oh, good." "Yeah, yeah." " So do you." "Thank you very much, Jane." "That's lovely." " It's for my auntie." " Oh, what, fond of you, is she?" " No." "She's in India." " Oh, right." " Time I got married, isn't it?" " Oh, I see." ""Pick a bride" time, is it?" "I told you, I don't want flashy." "And..." "lovely!" "I never thought I'd have any." "Fertility treatment." "It's a miracle." "Don't do that with your nose." "Now stop it." "Put it there." "Hello." "Look at that lovely cat." "Look over there." " Look." "It's lovely!" " Look at that cat." " Oh, I see." "Then scratch it first." " No!" "Go on." "That's it." "That's it." "Lovely!" "I feel so silly." "Aha!" "Lovely!" "That's it!" "Ah!" "Thank you very much." " What do you think you're doing?" " Sorry." "Didn't you hear me?" " Well, hi." " What?" "Mind, out of the way." " Want a drink?" " What?" "If I want a drink, I'll get it myself, thank you." "Since when was Hoovering a spectator sport?" "Hello." " Can I have a glass too, please?" " Sorry." "I thought you didn't want one." "I've changed my mind." "I'm having milk." "Not in a wine glass." "Give me a highball." "You don't put milk in a wine glass." " There you go." " Thank you." " That'll do you good." " Meaning?" "Nothing." "Had a good day?" "Scintillating." "Suppose you'll be starving as usual." "I'm a little bit peckish, yeah." "I just wanted to say that." " Do you want me to do something?" " Like what?" " Anything you like." " No, I bloody well wouldn't." " Fair enough." " Well, all right then." "There's the fridge." "There's the freezer." "There's the hop." "There's the recipe books." "Help yourself." "And don't make a mess." "Unless you fancy a take-away." " You're not gonna smile, are you?" " No." "Okay." "It's a free world." "Now, you're under no obligation, but you can, if you want to..." "Give me a lovely big smile." "Thank you." "Oh, go on!" "Come on!" "Lovely." "You're under no obligation to me, but you can smile if you like." "Yes!" "Thank you." " Did you smile, Mother?" " No." "That's it." "To me." "Now look at each other." "That's lovely." " Don't." " Go on." "Look up." "Keep your face up." " Wait, wait, wait." "Wait, please." " That's lovely." " Yeah." "You were closing your eyes." " Wait a minute." "Don't forget to burp it properly." "Give it a drop of gripe water." "We used to pour it down Roxanne by the gallon." "She farted like a trouper." "Runs in the family." "Would madame care to test the temperature?" "I'm sure it'll be fine." "Thanks." " Been bad, has it?" " It eased off at lunchtime." "Managed a couple of crackers." "It's unpredictable, isn't it?" "No, it's not unpredictable." " You've drawn the short straw, mate." " You're telling me." "I wish it was unpredictable." " What are you gonna have for your tea?" " Tonight I'm eating fancy." " What?" " A steak." " Don't worry about me." " You'll be keeling over with a heart attack." "Don't we still have something a bit lighter?" "There's a chicken Kiev in the freezer." "Be a bit cold, wouldn't it?" "Anyway, I'm on a diet." "You're disgusting." "Okay." "That's very good." "And we can see the ring perfectly." "All right now." "Sir, if you just bring your chin up..." "Yeah." "Just like that." "That's brilliant." " All right." "Great." " Wait." "Sorry." "Listen." " Um, take your glasses off." " I don't want to take my glasses off." "Take them off!" " Doesn't matter... keep 'em on, take 'em off." " No, it's all right." " It looks better without them." " It's not what I look like, okay?" " Come on." "Just... here." " Right." "Okay." "And to the..." "Can you..." "One moment, please." "Can you take the cross out, please?" " Mm?" " Take the cross out." "The gift." "Take it out." " I just think it looks awful." " It doesn't look awful." "It looks awful 'cause it's not gold." "I told you to buy gold." "Okay." "Right." "Okay." "And to me again." "Right." "That's lovely." "Now, if you want to look happy or sad, I don't mind." "That's it!" "Ah, look at me!" "And lovely!" "Hello." "My name's Hortense Cumberbatch." "I got your letter." "Hi." "All right." "Tuesday." " Hortense." "Hello." "Jenny Ford." "Nice to meet you." " Oh, hi." " Come this way." "How are you?" "All right?" " Fine." "Thank you." "Good." "I'm sorry about this prison cell." "We've been going on about it for years, but there you go." "Have a seat." "Make yourself at home." "Now, before we go any further, have you got any I.D... passport, driving license?" " Oh, yeah." " I have to get used to all this red tape." " Would you like a Rollo?" " No, thank you." " You sure?" " Yeah." "There you go." "Hmm." "Have a shufty." " That's great, Hortense, then." " Thank you." " You on your lunch break?" " Yeah, an extended one." " Well, have you had any lunch?" " No, not yet." "No?" "Me neither." "So what do you do?" " I'm an optometrist." " Oh, really?" "Oh, God." "That's one of those things you keep putting off and putting off, isn't it?" "When I got to the station, over the Guardian crossword... but I'm going like this, so I think the time has come." "I'll have to pop in." "You can give me a test." " Where do you live?" " Kilburn." " Right, right." "In a flat?" " Yes." " You share?" " No, I live on my own." "All right." "I lived on my own..." "For about six years." "Before I was married." "It's all right." "Right, Hortense." "Let's talk a little bit about you, shall we?" "Now, obviously, you've been giving a great deal of thought to things... and you've come to a decision, which is good." "But for me, the question is "why now?"" "I just feel that it's the right time, that's all." " Right, right." "You thinking about getting married?" " No." " Do you have children?" " No." " You thinking about having children?" " No." "That's fair enough." "Are you sharing this with your parents?" "Do they know that you're here today?" "How do they feel about it?" "They're both dead actually." "All right." "Uh, Mum died two months ago now." "Oh, that is recent." "I'm..." "I'm sorry to hear that." " Was it sudden?" " Yeah." "Perhaps that's what has made you start on this." "I don't know." "It's possible." "Well, I'm not trying to replace her." "She's irreplaceable." "They both are." "No." "Of course, of course." " And when you were growing up, was it a happy environment?" " Yes, very." "Oh, good, good." "And did you, um..." "Were you able to discuss the fact that you'd been..." "No." "It was never really an issue." "Right, right." "So you've only just found out?" "Oh, no." "They told me when I was little." "Oh, good, good." "And do you remember how you felt about that?" "Well, it's not exactly something you forget, is it?" "No." "No." "I'm sure it isn't." "So how did you feel?" "Well, we all just got on with it as a family, do you know what I mean?" "Yeah." "Perhaps you should have discussed it." "My parents loved me, and that was all that matters." "Isn't it?" "Yeah." "Yeah." "So, now that we've got you here, what are your expectations?" "Basically, I just want to know." "Yeah, yeah." "Of course you do." "Let me share something with you, Hortense." "Somewhere out there, and we don't know where... is your birth mother." "Now, she's probably married..." "perhaps not." "She may have other children." "She might be dead." "She may even be in Australia or somewhere." "We just don't know." "But what we do know is that at the time she gave you up for adoption... she was under the impression that she would probably never see you again." "Now, as I know you're very well aware... the law has changed since then and you are now legally entitled to seek your birth mother out." "But the snag is, she may not want to see you." "So I don't want you to raise your hopes too high at this stage." " Sure." " Okay." "Have a look at this." "What is it?" "It's all about you." "I tell you what." "I'll leave it with you and I'll be back in a few minutes." " Can I get you anything?" " No." "Uh, thank you." "How you doing?" "All right?" "Thank you." ""Cynthia Rose Purley"." "That's her." "Cynthia Rose." "It's a nice name, isn't it?" "That's her signature." "Does it feel strange?" ""Elizabeth"." "That's my middle name." "They must've kept it." "Well, that would be your birth name, you see?" ""Elizabeth Purley"." "Listen, is there any way I could get a copy of these?" "No." "Those are the originals and they're yours to keep." "That's your right under the 1975 Act." "I've made copies upstairs." "Can I pop those in here for you?" "So... what we need to do now is... you go away and have a think." "And when the time's right, and not before... you know, it's very much in your own time... come back to me, if that's what you want... and we'll get the ball rolling." "Now, it can be a very long-winded process." "And there's no two ways about it... it's a very traumatic journey we're embarking on." "And there may be other people's feelings to consider too." "So I'll wait to hear from you, okay?" "Now, y-you could decide to trace your birth mother by yourself if you want to... but I..." "I wouldn't advise it." "We're a professional service and we know how to handle these things." "So I think you should take advantage of us." " Hello." " Oh, you're back." "Hello." " I think I found a mistake." " I'm sorry, Hortense." "I can't stop." "I'm late now." " Look." "It says she's white." " Sorry?" ""Mother:" "White"." "Well, it's perfectly feasible that your mother was white, isn't it?" "Look, I'm sorry, Hortense." "Really, I've got to go." "I'm on an emergency case." "Yes, but could this be a mistake?" "I very much doubt it." "Look." "Give me a ring in the morning and we'll have a talk then." "Okay." "I'm sorry." "Look at that." " Legs like a teenager." " Do you have to?" " You'd like a pair like that." " What for?" "I'm known for my legs." "If you've got it, flaunt it." " You going out?" " Of course I ain't." " Who's that?" " Well, I don't know." "If it's what's-her-name, you could ask her to come in." "I don't even know who it is yet." "What you doing here?" "Just come to see ya." "Well, you can't come in." "My mum's here." " Who is it?" " I'm going out." "Hello." " You all right, sweetheart?" " Would you get inside?" "Nothing's changed much." " No." " Ain't your mum been around, looking after you?" "She came around Sunday, after mass." "Didn't take long to mess it up again." "She laying off of me a bit now though." " Well, I should think so too, at your age." " Yeah." "She should have a word with my mum." "I bet she misses you though." "Fuckin'... better off without it altogether, I'll tell ya." "Yeah, I know what you mean." "You and me, mate." "We're better off without 'em." "Look." "I'm sorry about..." "You know." "So you should be." "Don't get all serious on me, Paul." " No, no." "I ain't." " Yes, you are, you fool." "I just missed you." "How much?" " A lot." " Just a lot?" "No." "Y-Yeah." "Well, I might have missed you a bit." "Ya know, I've been going out of me head." "So was I." "Just so's you know, I ain't staying the night, not every time I come round." "And I want you to stop before." "I was just speaking my mind, all right?" " Yeah." " Now give us a snog." " Hello." "Good afternoon." "What can I do for you today?" " Hello." "Right." "That's fine." "Is that, uh, to post or collect?" " Collect, please." " Collect." "Thanks very much." "That's £6, please, madam." " I saw her, you know." " Did ya?" "8:00 in the morning..." "She's just, like, "You got a boyfriend yet, Dionne?"" "Nearly everyone who went to the funeral... reckoned they'd seen her and she'd given them some kind of sign." ""Me see your mother two years before she dead." "And she hold onto me arm and look in me eye as if she did know."" "I mean, if she knew, I wish she'd told us." "You're gettin' better though." "It's a nice day." "I don't know..." "why I can't contain it all." "It's too soon." "There's nothing rational about grief." "Maybe you cry for yourself." "Been out much?" "Nah." "I can't." "Some days I'm completely vulnerable." "I can feel everything." "Other days I'm numb." " If you wanna come out with me..." " No." " I've got stuff to sort out." " What?" "Life." " Look." "If there's anything I can do..." " No." "Thanks." "I'll be all right." " Have you heard from Bernard?" " Nah." "Yes!" "He sent a sympathy card." "Which I thought was a very nice thing to do." "I did something really bad." "Oh, no." "I don't think I can deal with no confession." "Cleanse my soul." " I did the do." " Do it." " Did the deed with a complete stranger." " Did it." " No!" "Who?" " I don't know who." " Well, what did he look like?" " Don't know." " He was in advertising." " Oh, Lord." " Did you use a condom?" " Yes." " Did you use two?" " Yes." " One on top of the other?" " One after the other." "Oh, God!" " Do you despair of me?" " No." " Yes, you do." " I don't." " Did you have a good time?" " Yeah." " That's all that matters then, isn't it?" " Yeah." "I liked my mum as a person, but I didn't know her." "I wish I'd known her." " She loved you." " Yeah, I know, but that's not in debate, is it?" "My mum, she resents me." "She kept you." "She fed you." "She clothed you." "She didn't give you away." " She could have." " I wish she had." "No, you don't." "The thing is, they're so secretive." "It's that back-home thing." "You know." ""Come out." "Big people are talking."" "That sort of vibe." "So you don't pursue things, because you're brought up not to." "Just let 'em get on with it." "What I seem to do is think about things..." "I wish I could have asked her." "Like what?" "I don't know." "There's stuff I wish I knew." " There's stuff I wish I didn't know." " No." "If you knew you had a limited amount of time, you'd sort it out." "You'd ask your mum questions... regardless of whether she got vexed." "Like, I don't know, what happened between her and your dad, for example." "No." "She didn't make no effort for me... so why should I be interested in her?" "And where's my dad anyway?" "I don't wanna hear her and Norbert having' it off." "I don't want her to know who I'm havin' it off with... and I don't want her to see me drunk." "Don't want her to know nothing about me." "Maybe that's because you're frightened that when you look at her... you can see yourself in 20 years time." " Please." " We choose our parents." "How do you mean?" "We choose the parents in this life that can teach us something... so that when we go into the next life, we get it right." "Well, sometimes it don't work, does it?" "I'm gonna pop out for a couple of hours." " What time will you be back?" " 4:30." " Okay." "Have fun." " Thanks." "Sorry to interrupt." "Do you think you can fit these things in?" " Right." " I'm a bit low." " I'll give 'em a ring." " Thanks." ""Seventeen-I."" " Hello." " Bloody hell." " What you doing here?" " Thought I'd come and see ya." "Where's Monica?" "She's at home, I think." "Gonna let me in then?" "Yeah, of course." " Do you want a cup of tea?" " Yes, please." " You all right then?" " Smashing." "Have you been working down this way?" "Yeah." "On the back of Tower Bridge." "If I'd known you was coming, I'd have warmed up the seat." "It's warm enough I should think." "Does Monica know you've come round here?" "No." "I didn't know I was coming meself." " She's okay then?" " Yeah, she's fine." "She's busy with the house." "What doing?" "I thought it was supposed to be a new house, you said." " Stenciling." " What, drawing?" "No." "Stencils on the wall." "Decorating." "You must've seen it in magazines." "It's very effective." "Roxanne not in then?" "She's got some bloke in tow." " Has she?" " Shifty-looking bleeder." " Walks like a crab." " Hmm." " Your tea's there." " Ta." " Do you want a sandwich?" " No, thanks." " So she's all right?" " I only see her first thing in the morning." "She comes in, grunts, then buggers off to work." " You should be glad she's got a fella." " I am glad, Maurice." "I want her to be happy." "But I'd like her to bring him 'round, see who she's knocking about with." " Just give her a bit of time." " You used to bring your girlfriends home..." "Front of the telly, laugh, drink." "You didn't mind me sittin' there, did you?" "What's her name?" "Never stopped talking." " Tina." " Tina." "And the other one, wouldn't open her mouth." " Maxine." " That's it." "Dad liked her, didn't he?" "Nice thighs." "So how's work then?" "Still at the same place?" "Yeah." "I gotta get her something for her birthday." "It's her 21st, Maurice." " August the 7th." " I don't know what she wants... apart from me under a bus." " That's silly talk." " Me head in the oven." "When you gonna come and see us then?" "You know, a bit of a get-together." "Come on Roxanne's birthday." "We'll have some champagne." "What about Monica?" " She'll be there." " No." "Won't she mind?" "No." "It was her idea actually." " How do you fancy a barbecue?" " If you like." "Anyway, it's about time you saw the house." " Thought you was never gonna ask." " I'm asking you now." " Ya been there nearly a 12-month." " Tell Roxanne." "She might not wanna come." "She'll say no just to spite me." "Yeah." "Well, I demand her presence." " Tell her." " What if she wants to bring him?" " Has he gotta job, this bloke?" " Scaffolding, she says." "Ahhh." "It's very well-paid." " Is it?" " Yep." "Twenty-one." "I can't believe it, Maurice." "I was carryin' her when I was 21, wasn't I?" "You was good with nappies." "Those safety pins though." "Never stabbed her though, did you, darlin'?" " Stabbed meself a couple of times." " Seventeen, weren't you?" "I was." "Place is still standin', isn't it?" "Not for much longer." "You should see Dad's room." " What's up with it?" " It's like the Niagara Falls up there." " What, it's got a leak?" " Yeah." "Only when it's rainin'." "I'll have a look." "Nice to have a man about the place." "Wish I'd known you was comin'." "It's dry at the moment." "The whole lot's gonna come down." "Does look a bit dodgy, I'll have to admit." " You up-to-date on the rent?" " Course I am." "Give him a ring." "Get him to do something about it." "It's his responsibility." "Don't be daft, Maurice." "He don't give a toss, does he?" "I'll get someone to look at it." "I'll pay." "Look at all this junk." "What you gonna do with it?" "Give us a cuddle, Maurice." "Please, sweetheart!" "Why have you left it so bloody long?" "Well, you know, it-it's work and all that." "There's nothing the matter with your dialing finger." " You can ring me." " You're always too busy, ain't ya?" "Look, um..." "See here." "Sit yourself down." "You're the only one I've got, Maurice." "You love me, don't ya?" "Hold me tight, Maurice, please." "Sweetheart!" "My little brother." "Look at you." "It's a good life for ya." "When are you gonna shave, eh?" "Slap your arse." "Why don't you chuck it all out, eh?" "I mean, look at it." "Some of it hasn't been touched since Mum died." "Can you use anything, Maurice, in your new house?" "Fill a space?" "No, thanks." "Thought I might move in here." "Front view." "See the world go by." "Remember this?" "Yeah." "Now it's no use to you, is it?" "I don't think so." "You ain't gonna make me an auntie now, are ya?" "Sweetheart?" "Listen, Cynth..." "I... bet..." "better be going." "You'll let me know about the barbecue then, will you, sweetheart?" "Yeah, of course I will." "Tell her if she can't make it, I'll give her a clump." " Not before I do." " Hang on." " Shall I say hello to Monica for you?" " If you like, sweetheart." " There you go." " Thanks, darlin'." " See ya." " Ta-ta." "What was your mum like when your dad died?" " What do you mean?" " How did she cope?" "I don't know." "Too young to remember." "She just got on with it, I suppose, like everybody else." "Did you have to look after Craig?" "What, you mean like your big sister looked after you?" "No, I did not." "My dad never said a word about my mum after she died." " That's men for you." " I hated him for it." "He must have been in real pain." "Maybe just couldn't share it." "I didn't know what I felt." "I still don't." "Cynthia's antics couldn't have helped him much." " Do you miss Craig?" " Why would I miss Craig?" " He's your brother." " He's in Saudi Arabia, isn't he?" "Yeah." "Well, I don't exactly miss him." "Why?" "Do you miss Cynthia?" "Do you think Roxanne's serious about this scaffolder bloke?" "Well, she's only known him for five minutes." "Mind you, I was married at her age, wasn't I?" " Yeah." " I wonder if she knows." "What, about us?" " What's there to know about us?" " You know what I mean." "How would she know about that..." "unless you've told her." " I haven't told her." " I hope Cynthia doesn't know either." "She doesn't." "That's all right then." "No, I meant if she knows about Cynthia..." "You know, before she was born." "I don't know." "I don't know." "I mean, she's got a half-brother or a half-sister, knockin' about somewhere." " She's got a right to know." " That's up to Cynthia." "You'd never say anything, would you?" " Of course not." " Good." "Anyway, she must have told her." "She never told her who her father was." "None of us knew who he was." "I wonder if she ever misses him." " Who?" " Roxanne." " You can't miss what you've never had." " Can't you?" "I was gonna kill him." " Poor Cynthia." " Saint Cynthia." " She tried her best." " Did she?" "Yeah." "Yeah, she did." "She gave me a lot of love." " What shall I tell him if he phones then?" " Who?" " Maurice." " I don't know." "Tell him what you want." " Are you gonna bring your bloke or not?" " No, I ain't." " Have you asked him?" " No!" "Hello?" " That will be him now." " Hello?" " Let me talk to him." " Shut it!" "Well, there ain't no one there." " One of them perverts." " Sweetheart?" "Oh, will you stop going on about this fucking barbecue?" "You're going to see him now, ain't you?" "You can ask him." "I don't even know if I want him to go... and it ain't for ages anyway." "See you later." " "I, Zoe, - "I, Zoe..." " "take you, Darren, - "take you, Darren..." " "to be my husband, - "to be my husband..." " "to have and to hold..." " "to have and to hold..." " "from this day forward, - "from this day forward..." " "for better or for worse, - for better or for worse..."" "For richer..."" "Darren and Zoe have given their consent... and made their marriage vows to each other." "They have declared their marriage by joining of hands... and by the giving and receiving of rings." "I therefore proclaim... that they are husband and wife." "Ain't you seein' him tonight then?" "I'm havin' an early night." " Keep me company?" " I've got a hangover." "You should stop in more often." "You are lookin' after yourself with him, ain't you, sweetheart?" " What you mean?" " You know, taking care." "I don't want to ask you nothing personal, darling... but are you taking the pill?" "That is personal." " Why don't you bring him 'round?" " Leave it out." "I'd like to meet him." "I wouldn't know him..." " if he stood up in me soup." " Don't hold your breath." "You don't want to leave it up to him, darling." "Men are all the same." " Mum!" " I hope he uses a what's-name..." " Condoms." " Mind your own business." "They can leak." "You want to be careful." "You're jealous, ain't ya?" "Where is he tonight anyway?" " I don't know." " Most likely out giving somebody else one." "That's how I got caught with you..." "running' out of the pill." " You could have a coil fitted." " Change the record!" "Dr. Mulholland, make an appointment." " You'd suit the sponge." " Keep your voice down!" "I got a Dutch cap floating' around somewhere upstairs." "You could have that." "Run it under the tap." "A bit of talcum powder." "Where you goin'?" "I don't have to listen to this!" "Sweetheart!" "Roxanne!" "Sweetheart, darlin', I'm only trying to help you." " Leave me alone." " I'm your mother." " Get out of my room!" " It don't matter if you have a little baby." " I'll look after it." " I ain't gettin' pregnant!" " I'll give up me job." " It's nothing to do with you!" "Yes, it bloody is!" "I'm not havin' you droppin' it at my door!" " Jesus Christ!" " I'm sorry, darling!" "I didn't mean..." "Shut up!" "You make me sick, you stupid bitch!" " Hello?" " I'm sorry to trouble you... but I'm trying to locate... a Cynthia Purley." "Yes?" "Is that Cynthia Purley?" " Yes." " Cynthia Rose Purley?" " Yes." " Of 76 Quilter Street?" "Yes." "What is it you want, darlin'?" "Hello?" "Did you want Roxanne?" "She's gone out." " No." " She ain't in any trouble, is she?" " No, it's about Elizabeth." " Elizabeth?" "Elizabeth who?" "Elizabeth Purley." "Oh, oh, she's dead." " No, she isn't." " She is, darlin'." "I should know." "I should know." "Look, sweetheart, she's me mother." "She went in 1961." "No, I mean baby Elizabeth Purley." "Baby Eliz..." "Who is this?" "She was born on the 23rd of July, 1968." "At..." "Sorry about this." "At..." "Yeah." "At the Haven..." "Wells Grange Avenue, Sutton, Surrey." "Look, I'm sorry." "I know this must be a shock to you." "Listen, darling, what is it you want?" " I'm really sorry." " You mustn't come 'round here, sweetheart." " I didn't want to upset you." " You mustn't do that." "And you mustn't phone neither." "I just needed to know." "Yes, but you can't come 'round here." "No one knows about you, see?" " Right." " Promise me you won't come 'round." "Promise me." "Look, I've got your address." "If I wanted to come 'round, I'd have done it already." "I'm sorry, sweetheart." "I'm a little bit upset." " Promise me you won't come 'round." " All right, I promise." "Thank you." "Thank you." "Can I meet you somewhere?" "No, I shouldn't think so, darlin'." "See, I've got lots of, um..." "I've got lots of questions I want to ask you." "Yeah, well, I gotta go now." "Please." "What's your name anyway, eh?" " Hortense." " Hortense?" " Hortense what?" " Cumberbatch." ""Clumberbunch"?" "That's a funny name, isn't it?" "Yeah, I suppose it is." "You own a phone?" "Yeah." "Uh, do you want to take my number down?" "Oh, I don't think I've got a pencil." "I'll wait." "I got one." "Uh, it's 0171... 219..." "Sorry... 6194840." "Yeah, ta-ta." "Hello?" "Hello?" "Do you want to meet me or not then?" " Oh, hello." " Yes or no." "It's up to you." "Oh, yeah." "Of course I want to meet you." "Well, then..." "Are you sure about this?" " I mean, if you're not sure..." " Where do you want to meet me?" "Well, where would you like to meet?" "I don't know, anywhere." " Not here though." " No, of course not." "Uh, what about outside Holborn tube station?" "Holborn." "When?" "What are you doing this Saturday coming?" "Nothing." "I'm never bloody doing anything." " Saturday then." " What time?" " 7:30?" " Half past 7:00." "Now, listen, you mustn't phone me here again." "Do you understand me?" "Otherwise I won't come and meet ya." "Now, I'll see you on Saturday." "Hello?" "Don't even know what you look like." " Hello, sweetheart." " What's for tea?" " Got you a bit of steak." "Little treat for ya." " What for?" " Ain't you havin' none?" " I'll just fry meself an egg." " Do you want a beer?" " We ain't got none." " I got you some." " Oh, did you?" " You going out?" " No, I'm stayin' in." "I'm gonna have a few early nights..." "I've decided." " Excuse me." " What is it, sweetheart?" "Are you Cynthia?" " Yeah." "How'd you know?" " Hello." "I'm Hortense." "What you talking about?" "Hortense Cumberbatch." "I spoke to you on the telephone." " Well, that was you?" " Yeah." "Oh, no." "No, sweetheart." "No, darlin'." "You been ringin' the wrong person." " Cynthia Purley." " Where'd you get my name from anyway?" "It's on my birth certificate." "What you talkin' about, your birth certificate?" " It can't be." " It's got your name and your address on it." "There." "No, that's all wrong, darlin'." "They've made a mistake down in the offices." "You want to get down there, get that sorted." " That's someone having' a joke." " I don't think so." "Let me have a look at that." "I'm ever so sorry, sweetheart." "That must be a bit of a disappointment for you." "Look, I really think you ought to see these documents." "Why, what is it?" "Why don't we, go somewhere and have a sit-down?" "No, I think I better be going, darlin'." "Look, you've come all this way." "Please." "Let's..." "Let's go and have a cup of tea or something." "There's places down there." "Come on." "I hope you find your mum, sweetheart." "You keep lookin'." "Go on." "No, thanks." "I don't smoke." "Nor should ya." "My daughter smokes like a chimney." " You got a daughter?" " Yeah." "I ain't never been in here before." "They shouldn't go raisin' your hopes like that." "It ain't fair." "Is this your signature?" "This is stupid." "I don't understand it." "I mean, I can't be your mother, can I?" " Why not?" " Well, look at me." " What?" " Listen, I don't mean nothing by it, darlin'... but I ain't never been with a black man in my life." "No disrespect nor nothing." "I'd have remembered, wouldn't I?" "Oh, bloody hell." "Oh, Jesus Christ Almighty!" "I'm sorry, sweetheart." "I'm so ashamed." "You shouldn't be ashamed." "I can't look at you." "I didn't know, sweetheart." "Honest, I didn't know." " What didn't you know?" " I didn't know you was black." "See, I..." "I thought they got the dates all wrong." "All this time, I thought you was born six... six weeks premature... but you weren't." "You wasn't." "Who was he?" "You don't want to know that, darlin'." "I do." "Listen, I want to be honest with you... but I can't tell you that, sweetheart." "I'm sorry." "I'm sorry." "Look at ya." "I expect that I'm a bit of a disappointment to you, ain't I?" " You don't have to say that, darlin'." " I know." "You've been better off without me." "I'll tell you that much." "I done you a good turn." "Your tea's getting cold." "What's your mum like then?" "Does she mind you looking for me?" " My mum died recently." " Oh, I'm sorry." "What about your dad?" "He's dead and all." "Are you married?" "No, no, um, I ain't, uh..." "I ain't married, sweetheart." " Are you?" " No." "I'll bet you got a boyfriend though, ain't ya?" " No, not at the moment." " A nice-looking girl like you." "Have you got a boyfriend?" "I give 'em all a wide berth." "They got me into enough trouble in the past, ain't they?" "You got a job, have ya?" " Yeah." " That's good." " What doing'?" " I'm an optometrist." " Eh?" " I test eyes." "Optician?" "Are you?" "Well... there's a turn-up." "What do you do?" "I work in a factory." " Do you like it?" " Well, it pays the rent." "How about your daughter?" "She works for the council." " You got any sisters?" " No, two brothers." "Are they, um, adopted?" "What they do?" "One's a computer salesman, and the other one's got his own garage." "I'll bet your mum was proud of you, wasn't she?" " Yeah, she was." " Yeah, course she was." "I'd have been proud." "Why didn't you want to see me?" "Well, 'cause nobody knows about you, sweetheart." "I don't want to upset my daughter, do I?" "I mean when I was born." "Well, I couldn't." "I was too upset, see?" "They wanted me to look at ya." "They wanted me to hold ya." "But I couldn't." "I just couldn't." "I didn't know if I was comin' or goin'." "I was only a little girl meself... 16." "I didn't have no choice." "If I had seen you, I'd have wanted to keep you." "You do believe me, don't you, sweetheart?" "I don't blame you, darlin'." "You only just found out?" "No." "I've known since I was seven." "What, your mum and dad told you, did they?" "Yeah, they did." "They sound like nice people." "My mum told me on the plane on our way back from Barbados." "Little girl." "Was you upset?" "I just looked out at the clouds." "Haven't you ever thought about me?" "Yeah, course I have." "But it ain't no good pining over what you ain't got, is it?" "But didn't you think I'd look for you?" "No, I didn't, as it happens." "Wish you hadn't bothered now, don't ya?" "I'm glad." "I don't want to disrupt your family or anything." "I just had to see you." "I had to know who you were." "Listen." "I want to wish you all the best, sweetheart, whatever you do." "And I'll be thinkin' of ya." "Quiet, ain't ya?" "What's up?" " Are you goin' out?" " Yeah, in a bit." "You feelin' all right?" "Oh, there's nothing the matter with me, sweetheart." "Nothing at all." " Did you find anything today?" " Frozen chicken." " Where, in the road?" " No, in a bin." "Still cold." "Some dirty magazines." " Did you bring 'em home?" " No!" "So, I suppose there are worse jobs." "Gotta laugh, ain't ya, sweetheart?" "Or else you'd cry." " Hello?" " Is that Hortense?" " Speaking." " It's Cynthia." "Hello." " I didn't think you'd be in." " I am." "Well, I just, um, wanted to ring up and say..." "How nice it was to meet you yesterday." " That's all." " Thank you." "Been thinkin' about you all day." "I've been thinkin' about you." "Yeah, well, um..." "I just wanted to say that." "Thank you." "Don't know what to say now." "Daft, ain't it?" "Yeah, thank you." "What have you been doing today?" "Oh, just out the back sunning' meself." " What you been doin'?" " Just chillin' out really." " Yeah, hot, ain't it?" " Yeah." "Well, that's all I wanted to say, sweetheart." "Ta-ta then." "I'd really like to see you again." " Would ya?" " Yeah." "Oh, that'd be nice." " Do you like Italian food?" " Yeah, I'll eat anything, me." "Chinese, kebabs, the lot." " What?" " Nothing." "It's great." "Okay." "Other side, please." "Lovely." "So if you bring your face 'round this way, please, I want..." "Can you shut the door, please?" "Yeah, sure." "Sorry." "So, who did your original photograph?" "My dad actually." "But my solicitor said that they weren't good enough." " Do you have a police photographer?" " No." "Just gonna come in a bit closer." "So I hope you don't suffer from claustrophobia." " No, I don't actually." " That's good." "Okay." "So, I'm just gonna..." "Sorry." "It's great." "A little bit closer." "Now, I know this isn't very nice." "It's got to be done, hasn't it?" " I want it to look as bad as possible." " Of course." "I lost my job." "I was good at my job." "What did you do?" "I'm a beauty consultant." "Anyway, I'm on a diet." "Okay." "And if you just bring your chin up." "Put it up here." "Lovely." "And..." "That's it." "So, what actually happened to you?" "My seat belt was broken." "I went through the windscreen." "Uh, it wasn't my car." "I wasn't driving." "It wasn't my fault." " Yeah, you said." " It wasn't!" "You okay?" "Did the driver sustain any injuries?" "No, unfortunately." "He's obviously not in your good books." "I haven't seen him since." "I don't want to see him either." "Life isn't fair, is it?" "Someone always draws the short straw." "Okay, that's very good." "Yeah." "One more." " Here's your receipt." " Thank you." "Give us a ring in the morning." "We'll see what we can do." " Fine." " Bye then." "Mind how you go." "Oh, Maurice, that's terrible." " How'd she do that then?" " Car crash." " Oh." "She's so lovely." " Not anymore, she isn't." "It's tragic." "She's gettin'an earful from that dosser now." "Oh, he's been looking at me." "Gives me the creeps." " I don't believe it." " How much money do you think she'll get then?" " What?" " Insurance." "Oh, if she's lucky, 15, 20 grand." "I don't know what I'd do if it happened to me." "Think I'd kill meself." " Hi." " Hello." " I didn't expect to see you." " Well, I'm terribly sorry." " Hello, Monica." " Hi, Jane." "Just been for a facial." "I'm dyin' for a cup of tea." " Look over there." " What?" " That bloke." " What bloke?" " See who it is?" " What, by the lamppost?" "Yeah." "It's Stuart Christian, isn't it?" " No." " It is." " But he's in Sydney." " Is he?" " He's comin' over." " Doesn't look very well, does he?" " It's that man." " It's all right, Jane." "We know him." " Do you?" " What's he want?" " God knows." " Well, it's over to you then, buster." "Thanks very much." " Hello, Stuart." " Maurice." "Long time no see." "Yeah." "How's things?" "Fine, thanks." "Fine." " Good." " You're looking well." " You're still here then." " Yep." " Good." " I thought we'd lost you to Australia." " How's the wife and kids?" "Maureen." " Monica." " Haven't got any kids." " Haven't you?" "No." "She's great, thanks." "Good on ya, mate." " Are you still in the game?" " Look at all this." "What are you doing?" " It's lost its style, Maurice." " Has it?" "Looks like a dentist's waiting room." "I'd kill for a cup of tea." "If you're 21 or a millionaire, it's great." "Or you've got nine kids." "You're fine, brilliant." "Open arms." "But for guys like you and me... it doesn't matter how good you are..." "forget it." "But it was an experience, and now I'm back." "That's too bad." " You were full of such big plans as well." " Well, it's a big place." " That's true." " Too fuckin' big." "You're lookin' as gorgeous as ever, Monica." "So, Stuart, you thinkin' about settin' up again?" "No." "Forget it." "Too much of a pain." "You know what it's like, Maurice." "You sweat your balls off for years... and try and make people happy." "And what you get back?" "Nothin'." "Thanks." "By the way, Stuart, this is Jane, my assistant." "This is Mr. Christian, the gentleman I bought the business from." " Hello." " Hello, Jane." " I hope he's treatin' you well." " He's all right." "Let me share something with you, Hortense." " You can work for me anytime." " I'm all right where I am, thank you." "Your wife must have been sorry to come back." "Which wife?" "Ah, that bitch." "She never came out there in the first place." " So, where are you living at the moment, Stuart?" " Down at Grays." " Essex?" " Yeah." " Me mum's place." " Must be nice for her." " Havin' her boy to fuss over." " She's dead." "She died when I was still in Bangkok." " Sorry to hear that." " It's a shame." "Didn't see much of her anyway." "It's my dad I miss." "You win some." "You lose some." " You must have had some lovely weather in Australia." " Too hot." "It's too hot over there." "It's too cold over here." " Hasn't changed much in here." " Just a lick of paint." " Still got the Bronica then." " Yep." "I should have thought you'd be able to afford a Hasselblad by now, Maurice." "I can." " Well-off, are you?" " Hmm." "Survivin', mate." " You've done very well out of my business, haven't you?" " It's my business." " No." "It's my business." " No, Stuart." "No." "It used to be your business." " I bought it from you." "It's my business." " Listen." " This was an antique shop." " That's right." " There was nothing here." " That's right." "I know." "I gave you my good will." "I gave you my clientele." " I gave you my fucking reputation." " You gave me nothing, Stuart." " With all due respect, your client list was shit." " It wasn't." "I followed it up." "I wrote to them." "I rang them." "I didn't get one bite." "If there's any success in this shop, it's down to me." " That's bullocks." " No, it's not bullocks, Stuart." "It's the truth." " How many weddings do you do?" " Oh, enough." " How many?" " Oh, about 40 a year." " I used to do 140." " What, personally?" " No, not personally, no." "Nobody does 'em personally." " I do." "Then you're a bloody fool." "You get people in, get 'em out there." "If the work's there, take it." "You gotta grab it while you can." "It's not in my interest to get some tosser in." "I'll have no control." " He could fuck up my reputation." " I'm not a tosser!" " I didn't say you were." " I'm not a fuckin' tosser." " I'm not talkin' about you." " Don't call me a tosser!" "I wasn't talkin' about you, Stuart." "I can still do it!" "I've still got an eye." "They can't teach you that." "I'm still a photographer." "Of course you are." "So if you want someone to help you out..." "No worries, mate." " I'd be all right." " Right, right." "I see what you're saying, Stuart." "Yeah." "I'll bear it in mind." " You could lend me a camera." " Yeah, sure." "I had mine nicked." "Yeah, great." " Thanks." " Sure." "I thought we were never gonna get rid ofhim." "There but for the grace of God..." "Tea's on the table." " Aren't you havin' none?" " No." "Why not?" "I'm goin' out." "Where are you going?" " I'm off now then, sweetheart." " Ain't you gonna tell me where?" "You never tell me where you're going." " You don't never go nowhere." " Well, I'm going somewhere tonight." " Ta-ta." " Have fun." "Don't wait up." "If you've got it, flaunt it." " You going out?" " Of course I ain't." "She been actin' right funny." " Where's she gone?" " Don't the fuck know." "She wouldn't tell us." "He's all right though, Maurice." "He's always got plenty of wine in and that." " We'll get well-pissed." " Yeah, nice." "I'm a little bit shy of you, to tell you the truth, sweetheart." "Of me?" "Oh, you shouldn't be." "Oh, look at you sittin' there." " You look like a model." " Oh." "Do I?" "I bet you was a pretty little girl, weren't ya?" "Yeah, lovely." "Don't do that." "You'll stay like that." "Stop it." "Don't spoil it." " I used to drive my mum mad pulling faces." " Did ya?" " Bet she was a laugh, weren't she?" " Nah, not really." " I thought you said she was a midwife." " Yeah, she was." "Well, I'd like to have been one of them." "I love babies." " I'm sorry, darling." " It's all right." " Cheers." " Cheers." " Is that all right for you?" " Yes." "Lovely." "Wet, isn't it?" "Where's this food then?" "I'm ravishin'." "What?" "There are so many things I wanna ask you, but I can't remember what they are." "Nice to have somebody to talk to, isn't it?" " Give us your hand, dear." " Oh." "God, you've got beautiful skin." " Right." "Let's have a look at you." " What?" "Can you read palms?" "I used to." "I ain't done it for years." "Nobody's interested no more." "If I didn't know you, I could see just by lookin' here what a nice girl you are." "Big heart." "Oh, and you're gonna live to a ripe old age and all." " Let's have a look." "Couple of kids." " Wow." " Do you want babies?" " I'm not sure really." " No, don't you?" " Maybe." "I don't know yet." "Yeah, of course you do." " What star sign are you?" " Leo." "I'm on the cusp of Cancer." "When's your birthday?" "Oh, it's the 23rd ofJuly, ain't it?" "You'd think I'd know that, wouldn't you?" " That was the other day, wasn't it?" " Yeah." "Sunday." " Well, why didn't you say nothing when I phoned you?" " It's no big deal." " Did you have a party?" " No." " What'd you do then?" " Stayed in, read me book, had a little drink." " What, on your own?" " Yeah." "Well, happy birthday for Sunday, sweetheart." "Thank you." " You're out now, ain't you?" " Yeah, in good company." "With your mum." "You thought about havin' some driving' lessons?" " What for?" " I could get you some for your birthday." " Don't be stupid." " Get yourself a little motor." " Eh?" " Ain't you goin' out tonight?" " No." " Why, what's happened?" " You goin' out?" " Yeah, later." " Where you goin'?" " Down the pub." "I hope you're takin' care of yourself." " What do you mean?" " You don't wanna go gettin' knocked up, do you?" " Don't be so bloody cheeky." " Not at your age." " All right." " Missed a bit, darlin'." " Who's this?" " Oh, don't start with that again." "Come on." "Who is it?" " It ain't me, is it?" " No." " Then who?" " Sylvester Stallone." "Oh." "I can't understand a word he says." "You like lookin' at him though." " No." "He ain't my sort." " What is your type?" " What, film star?" " Yeah." "Marlon." "I like a bloke with a bit of meat on him." "What sort of bloke do you go in for then?" "Intelligent." "Sensitive." "What, don't you care what they look like?" "Yeah, but they gotta have somethin' goin' on upstairs." "You only have black boyfriends, do you?" "How'd you look after yourself then?" "You know, if you don't wanna have babies." "Condoms." "Oh, you just stop at that then, do you?" "Yeah." "It's the best way really." " You can't be too careful, can you, these days." " You gotta protect yourself." "It's my daughter's birthday next week." " How old is she?" " Twenty-one." " Nice age." " Well, she's your sister now, really, ain't she?" "Yeah." "I suppose she is." " Does she look like you?" " Yeah, a bit." "You look more like me than she does." "We're the same build." " What are her eyes like?" " Blue." "My brother's doin' a party for her." "That's nice." "At least it takes the strain off of you." "Yeah, well, there is that." " Shame you ain't comin' really." " Ah." "Meet your new family." " Oh, sweetheart." " What?" "I nearly forgot." " Oh." " Happy birthday for Sunday." "It's..." " Oh, you shouldn't have bothered." " It ain't nothing much." "Ah." "Oh, thank you." "Don't start cryin'." " Perhaps I should ask him." " What?" " If I can take someone." " Oh, I don't know." " It's a family thing, isn't it?" " Well, you're family, ain't you?" "I'm proud of you." "Listen, Maurice, sweetheart." " I wanted to ask you a favor." " Oh, yeah?" "What's that then?" " You know the party Sunday?" " The barbecue, yeah." "Yeah." "Can I bring a mate?" "Sweetheart?" " Hello?" " Is it a bloke?" "Of course it ain't a bloke, you silly bugger." " Chance would be a fine thing." " Good." "Who is it then?" "Oh, just someone at work." "We've been out a couple of times." "And I was meant to have seen her Sunday, only I forgot." " That all right then?" " I suppose so." "What you mean, you suppose so?" " That'd be fine." " Smashing." " I have to check it out though." " Check it out?" "Who with?" "Listen, if I don't phone you back, bring her, all right?" " I don't want to upset nobody." " Ah, don't worry." " Are you sure then?" " Yeah, yeah." "No problem." "Yeah." "Okay then, sweetheart." "Lookin' forward to it." "There's stuff I wish I knew." " All right." "Well, say hello to Roxanne for me." " Yeah." " Ta-ta then." " All right, ta." "Bye, Cynth." "Listen, I spoke to my little brother today, and he says it's all right." "So, do you wanna come then?" "Ooh." "I don't know." "I told him you was me mate." " I'd still feel a bit awkward." " Oh, don't be daft, sweetheart." "You'll be with me, won't you?" " It won't feel right." " I thought you wanted to come." "Oh, of course, if you've changed your mind..." " I was lookin' forward to it." " Oh, I know." " What you think then?" " All right." "I'll come." " You comin'?" " Yeah." "All right then, sweetheart." "Listen." "I'll give you a ring later in the week and give you the address and everything." " Okay then." " Okay." "Ta-ta then." "Bye-bye." "You should have just said yes." "Make me look like a..." " I can hardly say no now." " It's up to you." "Oh." "I don't know anythin' about this person, whoever she is." "Some new mate." "They've been out a few times." " Oh, two hysterical nutters." " I'm just glad she's got a friend." "I'm gonna have a great time." "I thought I'd ask Jane as well." "Anybody else you want to invite?" "We've only got four garden chairs." "Oh." "Give us two of them painkillers." "There you go." "Do you fancy some fish-and-chips?" "Don't be sarcastic." "I wasn't." "Sorry." " There's a bell here." " Don't do that." "I just done the knocker." "All right." " Hello there." " Hello, sweetheart." " You got here in one piece then?" " Long time no see." "Yes, that's right." "Thank you." "Hello, birthday girl." " Hello, Monica." " Oh, look at you." " This is Paul." " Hello, Paul." " How'd you do?" " Nice to meet you." "Oh, there's Maurice." "Now, come away in." " Hi, Jane." " Hello, Monica." "This is Jane." "Maurice has just been picking her up from the station." "Here he is." "Hello, sweetheart." " Hiya." " You all right, Maurice?" "I got you that." " You didn't have to do that." " It's all right." "This is Paul." "This is Maurice." " Ain't you got one for me then?" " Yeah, of course I do." " Hello, darlin'." " Don't kill 'im." "Coo!" "You've landed on your feet here, ain't you, Maurice?" "This is Jane, my lovely assistant." " I've talked to you on the phone, ain't I, Jane?" " Yeah, that's right." " Can I take your coats?" " Yes." " What you want to drink... red, white, rosé, beer?" " I'll have white, Maurice." " I'll have a beer." " Oh, thanks a lot." "Cheers." " Cynth?" " I'll have white, please, Maurice." " Jane?" " Rosé." "Okey-doke." " Where's the friend then?" " I have no idea." " You got an ashtray, darlin'?" " There's one on the coffee table, Cynthia." "I didn't think you would have given up." "Oh, one of the few pleasures in life, Monica." " These are very bright." " Don't you like 'em?" "I'll just put them in a vase." " What you got that up there for?" " We like it." "Well, don't laugh." "It's stupid." "It's one of my early works." " The miserable little git." " He was fuckin' around behind the camera." "Oi." "Mind your language, you little sod." " So, how's work then?" " Oh, it's all right." "Yeah." " You still enjoying it?" " Yeah." "It's all right." " When you goin' to college again?" " Shut up about college." " You're goin' to college, ain't you?" " No, I ain't." " You should." "You got a good brain." " I don't wanna use it though." " Well, suit yourself." " Yeah, I will." " Paul's a scaffolder." " Yeah." "Your mum said." " Bet it's hard work, isn't it?" " Can be, mate." " Yeah, especially in the winter." " That's right." " I wanted to give it a Mediterranean feel." " It's a lovely kitchen." " And this is..." "Oops." " Oh, it's a big lavatory." " This is the downstairs toilet." " That's handy, isn't it?" "'Cause if you're in the garden..." "Exactly." "It's really convenient." " And I think the peach tones make it quite tranquil." " Yeah." "So, you know where it is if you need it." "Now..." "Excuse me, Jane." " This is the garage." " I thought it was the cupboard." "You didn't mind me sittin' there, did you?" " Is that a new car?" " Yes." "That's my car." " What was the matter with your other one?" " Nothing." "I'll show you upstairs." "Ah." "We'll start with this." " There's the tank." " That's where I keep my towels and bed linen." " Just your ironing cupboard." " Mm." "It's not very capacious." "And this is Maurice's bathroom." "It's green." "Matches your tank." " These all new carpets, are they, sweetheart?" " Oh, yes." "And this is the master bedroom." "Coo!" "It's more like the bridal suite." " It's beautiful." " I've always wanted a four-poster." " I can see Maurice thrashing about in there." " It is a king-size." "It's like somethin' out of a fairy tale." " I bet this cost a bob or two." " It certainly wasn't cheap." "And here's another lavatory." "Oh, that bathroom's mine, the en suite." "You've got the one each, have you?" "That's nice, ain't it, Jane?" " It's like a hotel." " We don't want to be trippin' over each other." "Ah, you got everything, Monica." " So, where's this friend then?" " He's here, isn't he?" " No." "Your mum's." " What you talkin' about?" "She rang me at the shop and asked me if she could bring a friend from work." " That's the first I've heard of it." " Is it?" " Yeah." " What, she never mentioned it?" " No." " Peculiar." "That must be who she's been goin' out with." "She's a dark horse, isn't she?" " Hello." " No, I'm sorry." "I'm a friend of Cynthia's." "Yes." "Yes, of course." " Hello, sweetheart." " Hello." " I thought you were, uh..." " Come on in." " That's me mate, Hortense." " Hi." " That's me brother's wife." " Oh, pleased to meet you." " Monica." " Hello, Monica." " Come on out in the back." "Meet me brother." " Okay." " Can I take your coat for you, um..." " Hortense." "This is me little brother, Maurice." " Hello." "Pleased to meet you, Maurice." " How do you do?" "Ain't that little, is he?" "That's Hortense." " Hortense." " Yeah, that's right." " And this is me daughter, Roxanne." " Oh, happy birthday." " Oh, you didn't have to do that, sweetheart." " Here you are." " It's okay." " That's Paul, her intended." " He ain't me intended." " And this is, um..." " Jane." " Maurice's assistant." " Hi." " Very nice to meet you." " That's nice, isn't it?" " What would you like to drink?" " Red, white, rosé?" " White wine, please." " Thanks." "That's really nice." " You're welcome." "Place is still standin', isn't it?" " We'll have it later." " No." "Don't waste it." "I've got some for later to have with the cake." " We thought you'd got lost." " Well, I took a couple of wrong turns." " Did you come in a cab?" " I drove." " She got a car." " That's really nice." "Thanks." " There you go." " Who wants to top up?" " I'll have one with you, Maurice." "Not for me, thanks." " You all right?" " Yeah, so far." " Would you like a crisp, Hortense?" " No." "I'm fine, thanks." "I only met Paul for the first time today, Hortense." " Really?" " He's a scaffolder." " Yeah." " Another one bites the dust." " That must be quite dangerous, Paul." " Well, it can be." "Come have a look over here." " Do you have to go up really high?" " Sometimes." " Just you and the elements really." " Ever fallen off?" "The whole lot's gonna come down." " Would you like any crudités?" " Thank you, no." " I think I'll wait till later." " Oh." " So you work with my mum, yeah?" " Yeah." " On the machines?" " No." " You comin' 'round tomorrow night, Paul?" " Well, it's..." " We're goin' out." " You'll come 'round before, then, have a drink?" " It's her 21 st." " It's no big deal." " I ain't give you your present yet." " Chicken drumsticks." " Do you want some salad, sweetheart?" " Yes, please." " I'll get you some." " You doin' somethin' special tomorrow night, you two?" " No." "Down to the pub, as usual." " Can we use fingers?" "Use what you like." "Use your feet if you want." " You've a knife and fork there, Jane." " It's a bit late now." " What you do at the factory?" " This looks really lovely." " I hope it don't kill you." " There's salad servers there, Cynthia." " You ain't her boss, are you?" " No." "Here you are, sweetheart." "Do you want some salad, Paul?" " No." "I'm all right." " It's good for you." "Make you grow." "He don't want none!" "What aboutJane?" "Does she want salad?" "Yes." "Not very much." " What do you do then, Roxanne?" " I work for the council." "Well, you know, it-it's work and all that." " What, down at the hall?" " No." "I'm a road sweeper." " Are ya?" " Who's for a potato?" " She's got my plate." " Here you are, sweetheart." " One for you, Hortense?" " Yeah, I'll have some of that." " "Please."" " You do get girl road sweepers, don't you?" " Right." "Burgers and bangers." " Nice one." "That's your one, Roxanne." "That's the one with your name on it, the burnt one." " All right?" " Potato for you, Paul?" " Please." " A nice big one." " Here you are, darlin'." " One for you, pet?" " Shall I do you, Monica?" " I can see to myself, thanks." "Why don't you sit down?" "What about Maurice?" "Who's lookin' after the worker?" "Don't worry about me." "I've been pickin'." "I'll eat later." " Your potato's on your plate, Cynthia." " I'll have some salad." " Can I have my tongs back, please?" " Got butter?" " Yes." "Just a minute." " I'll have some mustard while you're there." " You like the American, don't you, Roxanne?" " Yeah." "Ta." "All right." "I'll just get some salad." " Do you want some butter, Paul?" " Are you all right, darlin'?" " Yeah." "Just waitin' for the butter." " There you go, Cynth." " Oh, Maurice!" " That'll shut you up." " Oh?" "You havin' a steak, are you, Cynthia?" " Yes, thank you, Monica." "Oh." "That'll put hairs on your chest." "Like some mustard, or would you prefer the French?" " This looks lovely, Maurice." " Right." "There you go, mate." "Half a cow for you." " Look at the size of that!" " That's ridiculous." " There's enough for all of us." " That'll put color in your cheeks, Paul." " You're sure no one else wants a steak?" " Ain't you havin' one?" " No, he's not, Cynthia." " Not allowed." " Would you like some mustard, Paul?" " Oh, it's lovely." "Can't get rid of it, can you?" " Oh, it's a real communal thing, eating." " Yes." " This is a lovely house." " Well, we like it." " I'll show you around later, if you want." " Thanks." "That'll be nice." "Yeah." "It's brilliant." " Do you live in a flat then, Hortense?" " Yeah." "Yeah." "It's her own." "She's got a mortgage and everything." " Whereabouts are you?" " Kilburn." "That's a bit of a schlep, isn't it, the Old Kent Road and back every day?" " You just get on the tube." " She drives!" "I drive to the station." " You've got a bedsit, ain't you, Paul?" " That's right." " Oh, that's a shame." " Wish I had a place of me own." " Do you still live at home then?" " No chance." "So, do you two work on the same machine?" "Remember this?" "No." "I'm the only one on slits." " Do you choose your own working hours then, Roxanne?" " Not bloody likely." "Just biding' her time till you go to college, aren't you?" " I ain't goin' to college." " Hortense went to college." " Mm." "What did you study?" " Optometry." " What's that then?" " It's to do with the eye, isn't it?" " That's right." " Testing." " And you've given that all up now, have you?" " Not exactly." "What you doin' workin' in a cardboard-box factory then?" " I'm doing research." " Oh." " That's interestin'." "What sort of research?" " Medical." "What, you lookin' at her head?" "Take no notice." "There's nothing wrong with her head." " Did you go to university?" " Yeah." " Did you do a degree?" " Yes, I did." " She just looks at our eyes, don't you?" " Yes, I do." "What for?" "Oh, you can tell a lot about people from lookin' at their eyes." " That's true." " Can you?" " Windows to your soul." " That's a nice way of puttin' it." " It's true, though, ain't it?" " Who wants to top up?" " Hortense?" " No, thanks." "I'm drivin'." " Yes, please, sweetheart." " Yeah, Maurice." " Oi, greedy guts." " You wanna take a leaf out of her book, Paul." " Lost his license." " All right, Mum!" " Did you have an accident, Paul?" " Just had one too many." "That's all." " There you go." " The demon drinkie." " Is that who you been goin' out with then?" " Yes." "She thought I'd been seein' a bloke." "Could've been, I suppose." "I can still turn a few heads." "You turn stomachs." " I didn't think this'd go off." "I was just playing." " Here." "You pop one, Hortense." "We might as well pop the lot then." "# Happy birthday to you #" "# Happy birthday to you #" "# Happy birthday, dear stinker #" "Oh, yeah, Maurice, very funny." " Happy birthday to you" " Come on, darling." "Join in." " Oh, I need my camera." "Did anybody bring it?" " It's there, Monica." " Do you have to, Monica?" " Of course I have to." " Watch where you point that, Maurice." " All under cover." "No, I did not." "Okay, and... whoop." "Come on." "Blow your candles out, Roxanne." "Everybody else, gather round." " Come on, darling." " Cynth, you tuck in there." "Okay." "Hortense, in there." "Come around there." "Hurry up!" "It's burnin' me eyebrows off!" "Right." "Make a wish." "One big blow." " And..." " Cheese.!" " Yea!" " I hope your wish comes true, pet." " Here, Roxy." " Ta!" " All right, Cynth." " Here you are, sweetheart." " Oh, that's nice." "Mm!" " And Paul." " Cynth again." " Thank you, Maurice." " Coo!" "This is livin', ain't it?" " Yeah." "Thank you." "Okay." "One for me." "You go ahead." "Oh, yeah." "Okay." "I would like to propose a toast." "To Roxanne, on her 21 st birthday." "Now it's all legal and twice as boring for it." "It's been legal since you're 18 anyway, so I don't know what I'm talkin'about." "Why?" "Do you miss Cynthia?" " Happy birthday, sweetheart." " To Roxanne." " Happy birthday." " Happy birthday." " There you go." " What's that?" " A book token." " Don't be stupid." "Mm." "Fuckin' hell, Maurice." "Thanks." " Yeah, well, it's your 21 st, isn't it?" " Thanks, Monica." "Oh, happy birthday, pet." "Don't spend it all in one shop." "Here." "Happy birthday." "Wish I'd brought my present with me now." "You can give it to her tomorrow, can't you?" "That's her birthday." "It's a bet, though, if she's there tomorrow." "Are you gonna sit down, darlin'?" "Yes." "Come and sit down, everybody." "Have some cake." "Hortense." "Jane." " Where am I goin'?" " Anywhere you like." " Uh, yeah, we need another chair." " Come here, Paul." "Hortense, that's for you." "Where's the bathroom?" "It's just through there, sweetheart." "It's the door straight ahead, and the light's on the left." " She's a nice girl." " Yeah, she is, Maurice." " Seems very pleasant." " Yeah, she's all right." " How you doin', Paul?" " All right." " Your shirt dried off now?" " Yeah." "It's fine." "She takes after her mother." " Does she?" " Do you know her as well?" "Work at the factory, does she?" " You're lookin' at her." " Eh?" "She's my daughter." "What's the matter with ya?" "Maurice, it's me daughter." "Don't be stupid." "She's had too much to drink." "She can't be the one that..." "What?" "Hortense, sweetheart..." "She's your sister." "What?" "It's her own sister, Paul." "You eat your cake, sweetheart." "Thanks." " What's the matter?" " I'm all right, darlin'." "I told 'em." "Tell 'em who you are, sweetheart." "It wasn't supposed to happen like this." "Yeah, well, it has, ain't it?" "So you tell 'em." "Go on." " Is it true?" " Yes, it is." "You never told her then." "I'm sorry, darlin'." "Someone tell me what the fuck's goin' on?" "She's your sister!" "I always said she had a right to know." "No!" "Roxanne, sweetheart!" "Don't!" " Please!" " If you touch me, I will smack you!" "You slag!" "You fucking slag!" "It ain't enough you had one bastard!" "You had to have two!" "Stop it." "Roxanne." "Roxy." "Sit down, darlin'." "Sit down, Paul." "Cynthia, I think I should go." "No." "I don't want you to go, darling." "You sit down." "Eat your cake, Jane." "You don't half choose your moments, Cynthia." "But when's the right moment, Maurice?" "You tell me that." " Paul, get my coat." "We're going." " Don't go, Roxy." " Why didn't you tell me?" " I thought you knew." " You used to tell me everything." " I'm sorry." " Well, you fuckin' well let me down!" " Don't say that." "As for you, well, thanks for the present!" "You've ruined my party, and I hope you're happy.!" "Roxy." "Roxanne." "She don't mean it, darlin'." "She's just a little bit upset." " Where are you going?" " I don't know." "It's all been a bit of a shock, isn't it?" "Eh?" "Look, I don't get it." "Did you know about her?" " I always thought she'd had a boy." " She's a slag." " No, she's not." " Yes, she fuckin' is!" "She loves ya." "We all love ya." " You comin' back?" " No." " You got to." " Why should I?" " You got to face up to it." " Face up to what?" "She's left her card." " Oh, well." "I'll post it on to her." " I'll take it." "The state she's in, you'll be lucky if you ever see her again." "Oh, you'd like that, wouldn't you, sweetheart?" " Would I?" " You've been workin' at it for 18 years, ain't you, Monica?" "You turned my father against me." "You turned my Maurice against me." "And you turned me daughter against me." "You'll be havin' a go at her next, I expect." "I'm sorry about this, Hortense." "You finished there, Jane?" " Why don't you sit down?" " You've got a short memory, ain't ya?" " What are you talkin' about now?" " You wouldn't have none of this... if I hadn't given Maurice the money to start with." "That money wasn't yours to give." "That was your father's insurance money." " That money was for me and Roxanne." " And Maurice." "He didn't want none of it till he come home and talked to you." " He was entitled to it." " I was goin' out cleanin' at 5:00 in the mornin'..." "Is that Cynthia Purley?" "Comin' home, takin' her to school..." " And then goin' out again to do a full-day's work." " And didn't we know it?" "You've done nothing but spend his money since the day you clapped eyes on it." "What are you supposed to do with money but spend it?" "At least we've made somethin' of ourselves." "Oh, haven't you?" "Just you wanna try bringing' up a kid on your own!" "She can't help it." "She's never had enough love." " And you've never got on." " But it ain't my fault." "I know." "I know." "But she needs you." " Come on." " I don't want to." "What do you think, Paul?" "I think he's right, darlin'." " Do ya?" " Yeah." " Well, I ain't sayin' nothin'." " You won't have to." "You just have to listen." "Come on." "I'm sorry, Roxanne." "It just came out, darlin'." "Look, I'm sorry." "I know this must be a shock to you." "I didn't mean to spoil your party." " Tell her, Maurice!" " Leave her alone, Cynth." "Just tell her the truth." "Darlin'." "I got pregnant when I was 15." "And your granddad sent me away to this place... didn't he, Maurice?" "I didn't know she was gonna come lookin' for me, did I?" "But I gotta tell you the truth, darlin'." "I'm glad she did." "It ain't her fault, sweetheart." "She didn't even wanna come." "She didn't wanna hurt you, no more than I did." " Oh, you tell her, sweetheart." " It's true." "She didn't wanna upset you." "I'm sorry." "You all right?" "She said you weren't never gonna come back." " Who did?" " I never said any such thing." " She's twisted everything as usual." " Yes, you did, Monica." "You was wrong, weren't you?" "'Cause she has come back, ain't you, sweetheart?" "I always thought you should have known, Roxanne." " You should've told her, Cynthia." " Of course I should've told her..." "But I didn't think there was ever gonna be no need to." "You seemed to have told her all and sundry." "Meanin' me, I suppose." "And why shouldn't he?" " I'm his wife after all." " Then why don't you behave like his wife?" " What?" " Why ain't you give him no kids?" " Be quiet, Cynthia." " That's between Maurice and me." "You're so selfish, Monica." "You might not have wanted 'em, but he did." " Shut up, Mum!" " You don't know what you're talkin'about." " Don't I?" " There are things you know nothing about." " Maurice." " Like what?" "Tell her." "Tell me what?" "Why can't you tell her?" "She can't have kids." "Simple as that." "Please." "She's physically incapable of having children." "We've had every test known to medical science." "She's been pushed around, prodded, poked, had operations." "We've had 15 years of it, and she can't have a baby." "I love you to bits..." "But it's almost destroyed our relationship." "You know it has." "There." "I've said it." "So where's the bolt of lightning'?" "Secrets and lies." "We're all in pain." "Why can't we share our pain?" "I've spent my entire life tryin' to make people happy..." "And the three people I love the most in the world hate each other's guts!" "I'm in the middle!" "I can't take it anymore!" "I'm sorry, Hortense." "But you are a very brave person." " Very stupid person." " No, you're not." "You wanted to find the truth, and you were prepared to suffer the consequences." "And I admire you for that." "I mean it." "You're so lucky, Cynthia." "Have you really been working in the factory?" " What you do then?" " I'm an optometrist." "Well, welcome to the family." "Maurice." "I wish I'd had a dad like you." "You're lovely." "His name's Bingham..." "your father." "He's from America." "I met him on holiday." "Benidorm." "He was a medical student." "Then one mornin' I come down, and he wasn't there no more." "But he was a nice man." "He was." "Was my father "a nice man"?" "Oh, don't break my heart, darlin'." "I'm all right." "Oh, please, Roxanne, sweetheart." "Please!" "Please." "I'm frightened." "Why?" "You don't love me anymore." "Not like you used to." "Maurice." "You don't know how much I love you." "Do you?" "We've got each other, haven't we?" "Bet you never seen so much shit, have ya?" "You wanna see my mum's house." "Do you miss her?" " Did you get on with her?" " She used to drive me mad." " That's what they're there for, though, ain't it?" " Yeah." " That's me old chair there." " Ah." "I always wanted a little sister." "No." "It's just that my brothers were much older than me... so I ended up playing on my own most of the time." "I know what you mean." "What you laughin' at?" "Do you feel like we're sisters?" "I don't know." "Do you?" " It's a bit weird." " Yeah." " I don't mind it though." " No." "Nor do..." "Nor do I." "I don't even know you yet, do I?" " Do you wanna go out one night?" " Yeah." "Yeah." "You can take me to one of your pubs." "Yeah, all right." "How would you introduce me?" " As your half-sister?" " Yeah." " No, man." "Too much explaining' to do." " It's what I'd say though." " Would ya?" " Yeah." "Yeah." "Best to tell the truth, isn't it?" "Yeah, it is." "That way, nobody gets hurt." "Here you are, sweethearts." "Tea's up." " Oh." " Go on, darlin'." " Want a biscuit?" " No." "I'm all right, thank you." "Well, sit yourself down." " You all right with that?" " Yeah." "That's it." "Who'd have thought it, eh?" "Look at you two sitting' there like a couple of garden gnomes." "Coo." "Oh, this is the life, ain't it?"