24/11/2015 River City

I need to end things face to face.

You're going to America?

I can't break up with him over the phone, I owe it to him.

SQUEALS: Madonna!

This is Ruby, she's my new best friend.

Oh, Bob! The whole time I'm there,

I'm only going to be thinking about you.

'I saw you with Zinnie.

'Cheating on your pregnant girlfriend with your mate's girlfriend?!'

You're proper scum, you, ain't you?

She said she loved me, d'you think she meant that?

Aye, I do.

You should be lying cold in the ground now, no' her!

You know what you've done and you know why it happened and you don't care!

-SMOKE ALARM BLEEPS

-Oh, listen, open the front door!

Look, the pair of yous wait outside! LIZ COUGHS

-It's coming from the kitchen, look!

-The kitchen's on fire.

Oh, Bob, don't go in there, son, don't go in there!

Angus, Angus, come on, wake up!

-That's that bacon ready.

-Switch the cooker off!

Listen, I'm going to call the fire brigade.

It's no' that bad.

It was just the grill smoking.

Look, it could have caught fire at any minute!

ALARM CONTINUES TO BLARE

He must have fallen asleep with it on!

-Is that what happened, Angus?

-I don't mind it crispy.

-Oh!

-You are reeking!

You fell asleep with the cooker on?

-GROANS:

-Everything was under control.

Under control! Look at the state of the place!

It was just the grill! Everything's fine, naebody's hurt.

Oh! We could all have been burnt alive!

BOB SIGHS C'mon, let's get you to your bed, c'mon.

-Yous got any eggs?

-Oh, I'll gie you eggs!

-Oh.

-Oh!

Right, that's me away. D'you want to get her ready for school?

Right, madame, away and get dressed.

D'you hear what I said?

Will you do as you're told?

Madonna!

SHE SIGHS

Jimmy, d'you want to take it easy on her?

I don't know what's got into her these days.

Aye, well, she's not been the same since Zinnie died.

She's too young to understand.

-She keeps asking about heaven and all that.

-I know, I should have realised.

It's that Ruby McLean, she's a bad influence.

Madonna's been acting up ever since they started hanging out.

-I'll go and have a word with her.

-No-no, it's my mess. I'll handle it.

Yeah, well, see you later, then.

LAUGHTER

Don't even think about it. Honestly, I will kill you.

-Stevie!

-Right, right. Sorry, sorry. I won't dae it, I'm only kiddin'.

HE MIMICS LOUD SNORING, SHE LAUGHS

-Oh, stop it! Aah! Ah-ha-ow! Ow, watch!

-What-what-what? What is it?

-You, being a big lump!

-Oh, sorry. I didn't hurt you, did I?

Oh, it was just a wee bit sore there.

-Sore?

-Aye, it's nothing.

Right, well, if it's sore, maybes get the doctor to check it.

Naw, don't be daft! I'm pregnant, that's going to happen, ain't it?

Are you sure?

Maybes just get it checked, just in case.

Look, gonnae not worry? I'm absolutely fine.

Right, OK, fine.

-I love you.

-I love you!

-Go away!

-HE SNIGGERS

When I think what could have happened,

I mean, we're lucky to be alive!

Oh, come on! That's a bit of an exaggeration, is it not?

MOLLY COUGHS

You know, I can still feel that smoke, sucking the life from me.

Nae harm done, eh?

Aye, maybe THIS time, but what about the next?

There won't be a next.

Hah-ha, aye, you're right! Because I want him out.

Oh, the poor chap is still grieving, Molly,

you'll have to give him time.

He'll have plenty of that when we're in our graves.

Look, he'll be all right. I'm keeping an eye on him.

I'm sorry about this morning.

It was stupid.

Well, as far as that cooker's concerned, you are barred.

Oh, just leave it, Gran, eh?

C'mon, mate. BOB SIGHS

-You all right, mate?

-Aye, I'm fine.

-Sorry you had to deal with all that.

-Nae worries.

I'm still a bit rough. Just need a bit of a kip.

What's that?

It's...some sleeping pills the doctor gave me a while back.

They don't dae much now.

You don't want to be taking them with the bevvy.

I just need something to switch my heid off.

I know what I'm doing, don't worry.

I'll see you in a bit.

Where you going?

Best out the road for a bit, eh? After this morning.

See you.

PHONE RINGS

PHONE BLEEPS

Ellie...

Ah... Right, we all set?

-PHONE RINGS

-Oh...

You pair - stay right there, OK?

Let's go.

Madonna?

Ellie got a taxi fae the airport,

she'll be here any minute, so I'm off.

How's your pal, the arsonist?

HE SIGHS He went out.

-I just hope he's all right.

-Och, aye, he'll come round in time, son.

"Death leaves a heartache no-one can heal..."

"Love leaves a memory no-one can steal."

Have you been at the gin already?

Aren't you gonna be late for that appointment?!

I was waiting for you!

Oh, I think you'll find I've been ready for at least five minutes!

Mm, get you.

LIZ SIGHS

(Right...)

You havenae seen a couple of schoolgirls, have you?

-The smaller one's got blonde hair.

-No, sorry.

HE SIGHS DEEPLY

'Stella, breakfast!'

Right, I'll be there in a minute.

-Oh, yas, we finally escaped!

-Yeah.

-It's not my first time missing school.

-Same.

Oi, you pair! Stop right there.

-HE PANTS

-Is he going to snuff it?

-Where d'you think you're going?

-School.

School's no' that way, that's a fib. You don't fib to me.

-SHOUTS:

-You hear me?

Madonna. Get back here!

Madonna!

All right, stranger! SHE LAUGHS

Aww!

-I missed you!

-Me tae.

You're looking great.

All the better for seeing you. Who's at home?

They're all out.

I thought you might have fancied breakfast at the Oyster.

-Before or after?

-SHE GIGGLES

You gonnae get the bags?

Eh, aye, aye!

BOTH LAUGH

SHE GIGGLES

'Hey, you've reached Zinnie.

'I've either missed your call or dingyed it.

'Leave a message if you want,

'if I like you, I might even call you back.'

SHE SIGHS

BOB AND ELLIE LAUGH

Cheers, mate.

I got you an extra sausage. SHE CHUCKLES

-It's so good to have you back.

-Aw!

-Mwah!

-It's so good to be back. I've missed a full Scottish.

BOTH LAUGH

So, Vegas, what's it like?

It was...tacky, but amazing. Like Blackpool just exploded!

There's so many lights, you have to wear shades at night

and the shows... they're everywhere you look.

And the people, uh...

You think this place is full of characters!

I can imagine.

Here, maybe we could go some day, together.

I'd like that.

Here, I got you a wee present.

Huh! SHE LAUGHS

Oh, thanks! SHE GIGGLES

Em, I suppose Buster was showing you round the place, then?

Not really, no. I never really saw him.

Really?

Mm. I spent most of my days sightseeing on my own.

What was he really like when you told him, but?

Not so good.

Aye?

But you said in your text he was all right about it.

Well, he was.

Eventually?

Aye, eventually.

TEXT MESSAGE JINGLE

-All right?

-Hiya.

-Angus.

I got your text.

How are you bearing up?

I'm OK.

Listen, you won't want to hear this,

but I've still got Zinnie's deposit money.

So, if you could give me her parent's address, I can return it.

-No, no, I'll do it.

-You sure?

Have to face these things.

Right, I'll just go and get it.

You all right, pal?

Just...

..tell Eileen something came up, eh?

-Where's my bag?

-Where you left it.

I'm already going to be late.

You cannae put anything down in this place.

-Have you tried looking with your eyes?

-Funny(!)

If you're looking for something to do, there's a pile of dishes.

You probably wouldn't know this,

but they abolished slavery a long time ago.

Just going to sit there staring at that thing all day?

Well, it's a study day. This is me, studying.

No way!

Like, the whole thing, right, it was just like one big whirlwind.

Even the cocktails, things you've never heard of.

They had this one thing, right, it was called a Breakfast Blast.

It had champagne, vodka, rum and lime.

-For breakfast?!

-I was half-canned most of the time.

-Aye?

-Aye!

I just... wish I could remember all of it!

Folk usually just say that cos they're embarrassed about something.

Uh, well... Obviously I was never that bad.

Aye? Right, out with it. What did you dae?

I've got...

I've got this vague memory of me

standing on top of a table singing karaoke,

making a total idiot of myself!

-That sounds like you, right enough.

-Hey, you!

BOTH LAUGH

-This has to be a wind-up.

-I think it's real.

It'll be that idiot Buster taking the mickey.

He's changed his status to "married"!

You're kidding me? Let me see it.

CAITLIN LAUGHS

It's not funny!

No, it's no'.

-LAUGHING:

-Oh...!

-I said, it's not funny.

Oh, she goes to Vegas to dump him and ends up daeing a Britney!

I'm gonnae phone her, wait, wait...

Cheers, mate.

PHONE RINGS

Hey, Caitlin, I'm just back.

What have you done, ya daft cow?!

-Eh? What you on about?

-CAITLIN LAUGHS

You and your Vegas LOVER BOY!

Oh, she's...

Who was that?

Och, just my daft sister, she wants to speak to me.

-What about?

-It'll be her usual rubbish. I better go and see her.

You sure there's nothing wrang?

Aye, I'm just...tired.

It'll be jet lag. I need a kip.

Well, you just go hame and get all cosy, and...

maybe I'll join you later on, eh?

SHE LAUGHS

I'm so happy, by the way.

I've done some daft things in my time,

but credit where credit's due, this tops the lot.

-CAITLIN LAUGHS

-I don't believe this.

You mean it's real?

I'll kill him. I will, I'll actually kill him.

But does this mean you're actually married?

I was drunk, I thought we were just having a laugh!

I've often woke up in the morning

with some guy I don't remember meeting...

I have to say, I've never actually married any of them!

As far as YOU know!

What were you drinking, rocket fuel?

Aye, that's right. Just you fill your boots, why don't you?

-CAITLIN LAUGHS

-How can I get rid of this?

It's up on Buster's page, he's the only one that can take it down.

Why don't you phone your new husband and ask him?

You're really pushing it, by the way.

Oh, that's so sweet! Young lovers.

She cannae go five minutes without hearing his voice.

Surely something like this doesn't count as real?

I applied for an annulment just before I left,

I thought that'd be the end of it.

He's not answering!

Leave a message.

He checks those as often as he changes his socks.

Buster, you take those photos down right now, or I swear to God,

I'll be on the first flight out to rip your head off,

d'you hear me, you little snake?!

What am I gonnae do?!

I wouldnae worry about it.

He's just trying to get his own back cos you picked Bob.

Bob! I need to tell him before he sees this!

CAITLIN LAUGHS

POP MUSIC PLAYS

BOB HUMS TO MUSIC

# There's nothin' I, no, I wouldn't do

# I wouldn't do

# Just to get up next to you

# Girl, you're the one I want to want me... #

# And if you want me, girl... #

You all right, mate?

How you doing, mate? Thought you'd be sleeping all day.

What? Oh, the pills. Naw, naw, I... I never took any.

-Aye, you don't want to be taking too many of them.

-I know that.

Listen, mate, there's...

-There's something you should see.

-What is it?

-It's Ellie.

-Ellie?

Just have a look.

What's this?

It was up on Buster's page.

It makes it look like Ellie married him.

Huh...

It's got to be a joke, or something.

Right?

I just don't understand it.

I mean, we were together this morning.

-How could she no' say something?

-Bob...

Listen... That's not what it looks like.

What's going on?

Ellie?

I did something stupid.

You mean, this is real?

Did you marry him?

I thought we were just having a laugh and stuff.

Answer me.

Did you marry him?

I didn't know what I was doing.

-How could you do this to me?

-It doesn't mean anything.

It doesnae mean anything?! You're married to him!

I applied for an annulment as soon as I realised.

You were all over me this morning, acting like everything was fine

and all the time you were pretending?

-No.

-It was all fake. You're just lying to my face.

No, honestly, I tried to tell you.

I knew there was something. And I asked you, and you lied.

It was just a big, drunken laugh, all right?!

Just a big laugh? Oh, was it?

-At whose expense?

-Nobody's.

-Do you think I'm a daftie?!

-No!

Can you imagine what folk will say when they see this?

Who they'll be laughing at?

Bob, please, you need to listen to me.

-Naw, I don't. Just get out my sight.

-Just let me explain.

I don't want to hear it, all right?

I mean, what kind of woman would dae this to somebody?

Just... Go and get Buster. You obviously deserve each other.

-You don't mean that.

-Get out.

-Bob, please...

-YELLS: I said, get out!

PHONE RINGS

-PHONE BLEEPS

-Hi.

Madonna?

What is it, is she... Is she OK?

QUIET CHATTERING

Ready for you now.

Sorry to keep you waiting.

If you just want to take a seat...

TV BLARES IN BACKGROUND

PHONE RINGS

Hello?

'Hi, Caitlin. Jimmy Mullen here. Did you get a call fae the school?'

Aye, about Ruby?

Em, apparently she's looking after Madonna

cos she's upset about something.

'Did they say what it was about?'

Naw, just that she was upset

and they were sending the pair of them home.

So the thing is... I've got a bit of a crisis on my hands today, em,

so I wondered if...

'I'll... I'll pick 'em up.'

Aw, thanks, Jimmy, you're a gem.

-There's definitely something there.

-A lump.

Could be nothing.

Yeah, well, with my history we both know what it's likely to be.

Well, let's not jump to conclusions.

I'll get an appointment for you and we'll get it checked out.

-Could it happen this fast?

-It's a lump. We need to identify what it is.

It's...pointless speculating.

-It's cancer, I know it is.

-Well, if it is, we'll deal with it.

Do you want me to call anyone?

No, if you phone Stevie he'll just panic.

I need to speak to him face to face.

Well, make sure you do.

ELLIE SNIFFLES

D'you want a cup of tea? I'll make you a cup of tea.

I don't want any tea.

I just want Bob.

-ELLIE SOBS

-Well, something stronger? I've.. I've got some gin.

I don't want anything!

He just needs a bit of time to get used to the fact you're married,

then he'll be fine.

Look, men love a married woman.

They see it as an extra challenge.

He wouldn't even talk to me. He wouldn't listen.

That's a perfect description of every man I've ever met.

I didn't want him to find out like this.

I should have told him when I had the chance.

Maybe you need to think about what you're going to say to him next time you see him.

Don't make it too complicated for his tiny wee brain.

-Why d'you always need to do that?

-Do what?

-Bad-mouth him.

-Oh, you know I'm only kidding!

Well, I don't know what else to tell him.

Well, you're welcome to stay here with us while you figure it out.

Always a place here for you, that's what family's for.

-What's that supposed to mean?

-Just what it says.

-You've always got to get a wee dig in, haven't you?

-You're the one that's being touchy!

Sorry. I'm just so tired.

It'll be the jet lag. Away and lie down for a while.

Are you sure you don't mind?

Of course I don't mind, that's what I'm telling you!

That's what sisters do.

I asked her what was wrong, she... just ignored me.

She seems fine to me.

She won't do a thing that I tell her,

it's like she's just no'... hearing me.

Well, what did the school say?

Nothin' - upset, quiet, no' speaking...

-No' answering any questions.

-'Mummy!'

-SOBBING

-What...?

What's goin' on now?

-What's wrong with you, darlin'?

-Tell us what happened.

Did you say something to her?

YELLS: Did you hurt her?

Come on, out with it, what's happened?!

MADONNA CRIES

Mum?

This daughter of yours is a pure disgrace.

-How, what's happened now?

-She's banned fae my house.

I don't want her within a mile of my Madonna.

-What have you done?

-Nothing.

She says she's done nothing. You, up the stair.

She's just after telling Madonna that my Jimmy's going to die

cos he looks so old!

After everything she's been through recently!

Aye, well, my Ruby does tend to tell it like it is.

Gets that fae me, I suppose.

What d'you mean, "Like it is"?

Well, Jimmy's hardly what you'd call a toy boy, is he?

Just you leave my Jimmy out of this! My wee lassie's up there breaking her heart.

You mean you've never discussed this stuff with her?

See, I don't believe in hiding stuff from kids.

Naw, that's how teenage pregnancy and everything else happens.

-Aye, well, you'd know all about that, wouldn't you?

-Not as much as you fae what I've heard.

Aye, well, maybe some of us are decent parents,

that believe in protecting their weans

afore they're old enough to understand all that stuff.

Who are you, Mother Teresa(?)

Is that why you called your kid "the Madonna"?

That'll no' do you any good...

..keeping looking at it.

I keep thinking it's some kind of joke, like it's not real.

We've all done stupid stuff when we're drunk.

What, like maybe jumping off the plane and right into Buster's bed?

-What, d'you think she'd go that far?

-How do I know how far she went, eh?

She must think I'm some kind of mug.

She doesnae see you like that.

So how come she's treating me like this?

I never learn.

I mean, here I am again, sitting like this - look at me.

Is it me? Is that why it always messes up?

Of course it's no' you, you've done nothing wrang.

How are we supposed to figure out women if all they dae is lie to us?

They're no' all like that, though.

Naw?

Naw. Look at me and Zinnie, we were different.

We were always upfront with each other.

Aye. I know, I'm... I'm just wound up.

-HE EXHALES

-I can still see her behind that bar.

And I keep thinking, "What would she want?"

I mean, I know she wouldnae want me sitting here like this.

-Naw.

-Naw!

She'd be chasing me, telling me to move on,

think about the future, but...

..every time I dae that, I just think about me and her...

..and the future we should have had.

You don't know what might have happened, though.

What d'you mean?

Just that you never know what's going to happen.

-Look at me.

-I know...

Nah, me and Zinnie were different.

She knew we belonged together.

Right, I need to go and see Eileen.

I am gonnae pure swing for that woman, I'm telling you!

Where's Madonna?

She's in her room. I tried to cheer her up, but...

it's beyond me.

-She still thinks I'm gonnae die.

-Well, tell her you're no'!

Oh, there's an idea(!)

-Right. Will I just have to do everything myself here?

-Hang on, I'll dae it.

Naw, Jimmy, just you sit down and relax.

I need to find a way of daeing this, OK?!

Well, find a way of daeing it then!

I'm sorry, but... I need to deal with this.

CAITLIN CHUCKLES, ELLIE SIGHS

Oh, I'm so tired, but... I cannae sleep for thinking.

It'll pass.

I just can't believe how much of a mess I've made of everything.

-Your man'll come round.

-You don't know how stubborn he can be.

If you ask me, you're better off shot of the pair of them.

-Who asked you?

-I'm just saying, I mean...

Mr Blobby and Mini-Me? You can do better than that.

D'you know, I think you get a kick out of this.

-I'm just trying to help.

-Naw...

You just sit there and laugh at me,

you don't give a damn how much it hurts.

All you care about's yourself.

-Just as long as you get a big laugh, eh?

-Who's laughing?

I think you actually get off on watching other folk suffer.

That's unfair. I just think you can do better.

I don't want to do better.

-Hey!

-Hiya.

Look, I'm sorry I ran off earlier.

Oh, don't worry about it, it's totally understandable.

-I'm fine now.

-Are you sure? Because I don't mind doing this.

No, no, it...should be me.

It just, it didn't seem right, you know, that...

coming through the letterbox.

Naw, no, you're right. It's just...

What?

Well, I... I saw them at the funeral and that, but...

Zinnie...

..she never really got round to... telling her parents about us.

Look, maybe I should just take care of it.

Naw, no, honestly.

I should be able to do this.

ANGUS SNIFFLES

Angus... It's OK.

I mean...

I mean, they-they... don't really know about me, so...

Maybe it's better that they don't...

I think they'll want to know

EVERYTHING about their daughter's life.

Nah, I don't know.

-HE SIGHS

-Maybe she had her reasons for not telling them about me.

She thought she had plenty of time.

We all think that.

-SCARLETT:

-'Molly made out it was The Towering Inferno

'and you were like Steve McQueen!'

BOB: 'Aye, well, I bet he had nae bother with women.'

What's happened?

-Right, let's get this nonsense sorted.

-What nonsense?

Ellie says you'll not listen to her, is that right?

-Why should I?

-Cos you'll regret it if you don't.

I'm no' interested in anything she's got to say.

-She said you'd be stubborn.

-Is that why she sent you?

Naebody sent me. I'm here as her sister and she doesnae know.

If she did, she'd kill me.

I'm not interested in anything you've got to say either.

What's happened?

Ellie got married in Vegas to Buster.

-She what?!

-She made a mistake. Have you never done something you've regretted?

I've never married somebody by mistake!

-You mean ACTUALLY married?

-You know what she's like.

And how fantastic she is and how she feels about you -

none of that's changed.

Just her surname, eh?

This is what I was talking about! Your family's nothing but trouble.

You're going to sit there and let a tiny thing

like her marrying somebody else come between yous?!

Well... Aye!

Talk to your idiot son, will you?

Oi, who are you calling an idiot?

Well, gie him a slap or something, bring him to his senses.

Now you listen to me, no-one talks about my Bubba like that.

-SHE LAUGHS

-Your what?

He's been through enough hurt in his life!

Well, I'm only asking him to go and speak to her!

Well, he pure loved that lassie and this is what she's done to him?!

Well, maybe if he had a bit more spark about him,

he'd have got in there first.

That's right, just blame everybody but yourselves.

D'you actually think she wants to be married to that big oaf?!

Will yous two quit it?! Yous are daeing my heid in.

Ellie's in mine. Go and talk to her and let her explain. Or don't.

It's up to you. But you'll be throwing away the rest of your life.

Eh?

QUIET CHATTERING IN BAR

You did what?!

-Somebody had to say something.

-You'd no right to speak to him!

-How's that gonnae make me look?

-A bit late to be worried about that.

She was only tryin' to help.

Well, what did he say?

Oh! Now she wants to know.

Just tell me exactly what you said tae him.

Just that he'd be throwing the rest of his life away.

Good, that's good. And what did he look like when you said that?

Well, like... Like he always does, and that's a wee...

Mum, no...

So he didn't say anything?

Well, I didnae wait to find out.

He's not as daft as he looks. He'll be back.

HE SIGHS

HE EXHALES DEEPLY

-TV BLARES

-Right - Jenny, Ruby - vamoose.

You an' all.

You might need some moral support.

SHE TUTS

Caitlin said I should come and hear you out.

-I never sent her to come and talk to you.

-She said that.

Well, sit down, can I get you anything?

I'm fine.

So?

-Thanks for coming.

-What did you want to say?

Bob, you need to believe me

when I tell you that I never meant for any of this to happen!

I just... I did something stupid.

When did you tell him he was dumped?

-What?

-Or have you told him?

Because he doesn't seem to have got the message.

No! It was... just not long after I got there.

I had to work up to it, but I did tell him, I did.

He's just doin' all this out of spite.

You said he was fine about it.

Not at first.

He was...upset.

But then, after a couple of days it was like nothing had happened.

He must have been planning this wedding trick all along.

So that's your story? He tricked you into marrying him?

That's what happened.

-What else did he trick you into?

-What?

When you were out yer heid, what else?

I woke up and there was this bridal veil lying on my pillow

and a wedding certificate on my dressing table, and that's all I can remember.

-He left it there, did he?

-What? No.

He was in your room now, is that it?

-Stop lying to me.

-I'm not.

-He was in your room, wasn't he? He was in your bed.

-No.

-Tell me the truth.

-I am.

You slept with him, didn't you?

-No!

-Well, how would you know?!

I mean, you cannae even remember marrying him!

I can't remember marrying him, but I would remember...

I can't believe you'd think that!

You lied to me this morning, and you're lying again.

I didn't lie to you.

I just... I just couldn't tell you the truth cos I didn't want to hurt you.

Oh, I see. You were thinking about me all of a sudden?

-You're not being fair.

-I'm no' being fair?!

I got drunk and I did a stupid thing

and that's all there is to it!

It's you I want to be with.

Except when you're with Buster, then you want to be with him!

Well, I'm sorry, but I'm not interested in sharing, all right?!

Bob, please!

We're done.

DOOR BANGS

There you go.

-What do you say?

-Thanks.

Now... You and I have to have a wee chat.

About...folk dying and all that.

You won't die, though.

Well, everybody dies eventually.

-No, they don't.

-It's natural, you see...

We're all given a certain amount of time...

..and then, that's it.

Look, it's OK, I'm not going to die just now!

I don't want you to.

I know, but you cannae stop it happening.

When it does, you'll...

Yeah, you'll be sad...

And so you should be...

But you'll be older...

And you'll have, well, a lot of people around about you

to make you feel less sad, you see?

I don't want to be older.

-HE SIGHS

-I know that, darlin',

but it'll help you to...

To understand things better when it happens.

But I'm not going to die for a long time yet.

Never?

-Well... I can't go on forever.

-HE CHUCKLES

Everybody dies.

SHE SOBS

Aw, come on, now!

HE SIGHS

BOB EXHALES DEEPLY

Mind if I join in?

Be my guest.

-Everybody's welcome at the nae-chance saloon.

-Hmm.

I'll fit right in...

And I've got beer.

Good man.

BOB EXHALES DEEPLY

I finished with Ellie.

I'm sorry to hear that, mate.

And...I'm sorry I had to tell you.

Naw...

..I'm glad it was you that told me.

That's what mates do, right?

Aye.

I've had it up to here with women messing us about.

Us?

What d'you mean, "us"?

No, I meant me and Ellie.

Well, as long as it's what you want.

What d'you mean?

You're no' just doing it cos you're angry?

-I've a right to be angry.

-I know, but...

you don't want to be cutting off your nose

to spite your face.

-You saying that I'm overreacting?

-I'm just saying...

..you want to be sure of things before you go making big decisions.

What things?

Like, you don't know what you've got until you lose it.

-ANGUS SIGHS

-Every day now...

..just before I wake up...

..everything's just normal...

D'you know what I mean? Like it should be.

And Zinnie's there, and...

And we're making plans, and I can see all that.

I can even...feel what it's like, I can feel her.

And then I open my eyes, and...

..the day's just nothing.

And I just want to go back to where I know I can...

see her and feel her, and...

..stay there.

You don't want to be thinking that way, man.

I cannae help it.

I cannae see that ever changing.

What if Zinnie...wasnae the perfect angel that you thought she was?

I know what Zinnie was.

She was everything to me.

Sometimes you think you know somebody...

What are you on about?

HE SIGHS

I don't know how to tell you.

Tell me what?

-Tell me what, Bob?!

-She slept with Stevie.

What? What...

What are you talking about?

You've got her pegged as this perfect woman.

What... What d'you mean, "she slept with Stevie"?

-Why would you say that?

-Because it's true!

She slept with Stevie in The Tall Ship.

(But...)

-Bob... Bob, I'm not getting the joke here, mate.

-Nae joke.

I'm telling you the truth, she went with Stevie on her last day.

But...

-Wait... How would you know this?

-Because I saw them. At the festival.

And I've been trying to tell you ever since, but then she...she died.

And everything happened so quick and you were in this state, and I just...

There was never any time.

But...

Naw.

Naw, naw, naw, this is... This is wrong. This...

D'you mean to say you knew about this and you said nothing?!

How could I? I didnae know what it would dae to you!

Stevie? Zinnie went with Stevie?

I'm sorry, mate. Maybe I should have told you, but...

I'll kill him.

Angus! Angus!

Angus.

-Angus, come on, man.

-Leave me.

-You don't want to do this.

-I said get away from me.

You need to let it sink in and give it a bit of time.

What and take advice from the guy that's been lying to me all this time?

Angus... Argh!

What's wrong with you, eh?

Is one woman not enough for you? You had to take mine as well?

Just get on with it.

That's enough, mate!

You beat it!

This is between me and him.

Bob, just go. Go.

-I'm sorry.

-You're sorry?

There's animals wouldn't do what you've done.

I know and I'm sorry. Angus, listen to me.

I never...

Shut it! There is nothing you can say will fix this.

We didn't plan it.

Tell me what happened.

It was the day of the festival. All right?

We were drinking. It just went to our heads a wee bit.

A wee bit?

Look, I was trying to get her to talk to you.

Talk to me? What about?

She wasn't ready for anything that was happening.

Neither of us were - me having a wean,

Zinnie felt that she was trapped.

Stevie, we were planning on getting married.

No, Angus.

You could be telling me anything here to get yourself off the hook.

I'm telling you the truth.

She wasn't ready, for any of that.

But it doesn't matter what I say. All right?

It was wrong and I'm sorry. I'm really sorry.

-She loved you.

-Aye, not enough.

Where's Angus?

Why did you tell him?

He'd a right to know.

Aye, but why now? After all this time.

I couldn't stand it any longer.

How he was thinking about Zinnie. It was killing him.

Is that the story then? Let everybody know how bad I am?

What if I do?

Come on, Bob. I mean, Angus, all right, fair enough...

Everybody should know what you're really like.

It was one time, one mistake.

You knew what you were doing. You always do.

You deserve what's coming to you.

What about Stella and the wean? Do you think they deserve it?

Don't you go laying that stuff on me. This was all your doing.

Think about it.

What good's it gonnae it do them if you drag all this all up now?

So you want me and Angus to hide your dirty wee secret?

I'm not thinking about me. It's Stella.

Is that what this is? You getting your own back?

You cannae stand to see us be happy, can you?

-What?

-You've been waiting on your chance, all this time.

You're talking rubbish.

Cos I stole your woman, and you can't get over it,

and now you get to have your revenge.

You're wrong.

Well, I've seen the way you've been avoiding me.

It's been eating away at you. Admit it.

But even if you were right, what would it matter?

It matters, all right,

it matters cos I'm not the only one getting hurt here.

Aye, well you should have thought of that

before you had your tongue down Zinnie's throat.

Thank you.

Dr Jandhu.

I got your voicemail.

Thanks very much for sorting that appointment tomorrow.

-No problem.

-Didn't think I'd get one so soon.

You've got history, and you're pregnant. You're a priority.

Aye but it's dead sudden, in't it?

Suppose that's a good thing.

It is.

I've played out the scenario a million times in my head.

-Can't stop myself.

-That's not going to help anyone.

I went through it all before when I was diagnosed the first time.

I read all the books and leaflets, but they just seem a bit...

Naff.

I was going to say overwhelming, but aye, that an' all.

Some are better than others.

Look, this isn't my specialty,

but if you ask at the clinic tomorrow,

I'm sure they'll have the number of a support group.

Have you told Stevie yet?

You have to tell him.

This is something that you should not be dealing with on your own.

I know it sounds selfish, but I just can't help thinking...

..can't I just be happy?

For a while.

Ten minutes would do.

Everything's a pure fight man. I'm pure sick of fighting.

What's the alternative?

OK, listen to me, lady.

If this is cancer,

then you're going to have a hell of a fight on your hands.

I can see that you're strong, and you're going to have to be,

no matter what happens tomorrow -

because you have a baby to think about.

I've looked at your file. You're a survivor.

Let's just see what happens tomorrow and we'll take it from there.

OK?

Thanks for being straight with me.

You can always rely on me for that.

I cannae get her to talk about it.

I tried explaining about...folk going to heaven.

-She's having none of it.

-Maybe I should just have another go.

You've done enough damage.

What were you thinking, telling her you were going to die?

What else could I do?

We need to try and get her to understand.

Maybe we could buy a hamster. They don't last long.

Then when it dies, we can talk about it then.

That's your solution, is it?

Aye. Maybe we could put the cage where the telly is, and we, as a

family, could all sit round until it pops it's wee legs in the air.

Aye, well, somebody's got to fix it and you're obviously not up to it.

I think you're right.

That's what most folk are thinking, me included.

What do you mean?

Will I be here when she's married? When she's having weans?

'Course you will.

I mean, what am I doing trying to bring up a wee lassie that age?

What do I know about how she's thinking?

Nobody understands her better than you.

Why do you think she's in such a state about you dying?

'Hey, you've reached Zinnie. I've either missed your call

'or I've dingyed it. Leave a message if you want.

'If I like you, I might even call you back.'

Here he comes.

The best mate a man could ask for.

Don't start with all that, eh?

-Why did you have to tell me?

-What?

I mean, now.

You could have just left me with my memories.

Have you had a look at yourself recently?

Hitting the bevvy, the pills. What was I supposed to do?

You should have told me right away.

Not have me believing some stupid lie.

I did what I thought was right at the time.

I told you this morning about Ellie as soon as I knew.

Right away. I never hesitated.

Aye, well, it helps a bit that Ellie's still alive.

You had time to come and tell me.

I didn't. That's the point. It happened so fast.

-I never had any time.

-You could have told me after.

With the state you were in?

What does that mean?

Do you think I cannae handle it?

No, I didn't think you could, all right?

You stood there and you watched me, at that ceremony.

You even set the whole thing up and I'm there crying my eyes out,

and you did nothing.

What could I do, eh?

You were saying goodbye to the woman you loved.

I step in.

"Eh, excuse me, mate, but do you know she slept with Stevie, by the way?"

Wait, wait.

She said sorry.

Her last words, "I'm sorry."

This is what she meant.

She was talking about this and you stood there and you did nothing?

She was lying there dying, and I'm supposed to blacken her name,

-right there and then?

-But after, you could have told me.

I've already said - you were a mess, mate.

Since then, there's so many times you could have told me.

But no, we'll just let him suffer a wee bit longer, eh?

How could you even think this? All right, I got it wrong.

But I didn't want to make things any worse for you.

Looks like I have.

So you're walking out on me!

See! I don't know what to do.

But I was only thinking about you and you were hurting enough.

I don't want to fight with you, man.

You're all I've got left.

If I'm all you've got...

..then you're really in trouble, mate.

I can't sleep.

Have a seat, darlin.

It's hard to sleep when you're worried, eh?

See when you go to sleep at night, do you think of me?

Well, that "me" that's in your head, that's a different me.

But it's still me, right?

When I think of you, wherever I am...

I shut my eyes and I see your big smiley face.

You can do the same. You close your eyes, you can see me.

Give it a try, close your eyes.

Can you see me?

You can do that any time you like.

That "me" that's in your head. Well, you can see me, any time.

And that man'll never die. Not if you don't let him.

-I won't.

-Good girl.

If anybody asks...

..I'll tell them.

-No, no, you're right.

-I'll say to them "This..."

What was I saying?

Oh, aye, "This is the best wee mate that anybody could ask for."

You're damn right, and I am.

-You are.

-I know.

-So do I.

And listen, see, if I had been Zinnie, right?

-You're Zinnie, right.

-Aye.

No... Aye, if I had been her,

I would never, never have slept with Stevie.

-I know that.

-Am I right?

Cos I could trust you.

With something like that, I could trust you.

Aye, I would be faithful.

I tell you something, see if I was Ellie...

-I know what you're going to say.

-No, listen to me.

I know exactly what you're going to say.

If I was her, right? I would never, never have married Buster.

-There you go.

-You see?

-Totally.

Cos we trust one another. Am I right or am I right?

You're definitely not wrong.

We need to talk.

Bob told you, then.

I can explain.

Explain?

I know how it must look...

..but I'm telling you, it meant nothing.

It was just one of those heat of the moment things.

We were both drunk...

..and Zinnie was leaving anyway.

We didn't know what we were doing.

I've been dreading this ever since it happened.

I wanted to tell you but I could never find the right time.

You and Zinnie?

-Well... Aye...

-What?

I thought that was what you...

What were you wanting to talk about?

Get out.

I thought you knew. I thought Bob told you.

Just shut up and go, Stevie.

-Stella, please, can we just talk about it?

-Now!

# Lovers will come

# And lovers will go

# This rare seed all from which true love might grow

# And if you see her, won't you please say hello?

# Cos I don't know

# If I can do this alone. #

Stella, I know you're in there.

-Can I have a look?

-No, get off me.

Were you in a fight? Drew, who did that to you?

My husband sharing a bottle of bubbly with his old flame.

Oh, no. There's nothing to be upset about there.

It's Stevie, isn't it? Bubba told us.

No, that's not it.

What's happened, Stella?

What gives scum like you the right to call me a bad mother, eh?

You stay away from me and stay away from my son.

Scarlett, if something's happened you've got to tell me.

I've got a right to know.