The Rain Has Stopped Moving On

'Dear Lilly and Joe, My hotel has a big garden.

'I can see the sea from my room. Missing you already.

'Dear Lilly and Joe, it's still raining,

'but I am having a lovely time.'

'I'm going on a boat trip on the sea. Love, Nan.'

"Today, we are going to the beach."

'PS the rain has stopped.'

She's here.

It's not Nana, it's a man.

He's got Nan's suitcase.

Yeah, that's because he's a taxi driver, he's helping Nan to...

-Who the hell's he?

-You said he was the taxi driver, Mummy.

It's not Buckingham Palace, but it's home.

I'm sure it will be splendid.

-Nana!

-Oh, darlings.

We missed you so much!

Surprise.

Who is he?

I've already explained.

Holding his hand, what's all that's about? He's black.

He's Asian.

Well, he's a black Asian.

Nepalese, actually.

Oh, actually.

Do you live in Devon?

Uh, Devon, no.

Ah, this must be you and your brother.

That's Mike...

..with our dad.

Mum's husband.

-Do you have any children?

-One daughter.

She lives in Australia.

Oh, I've put some towels in the bedroom, so you can have a bath.

-Thank you.

-I'm going to make a cup of tea.

Oh, right.

Women who let strange men into their homes get murdered, you know?

Yes.

He could be anyone.

-Are you listening to me?

-Yeah, yeah, he could be anyone, he probably is someone.

It's not funny.

Look, he's interesting and good company, and I had a lovely time.

Yeah, well, we all have a lovely time on holiday, don't we?

-Then when it's over, it's over.

-Is that right?

Normal people bring back a straw donkey or a box of fudge.

-Not a geriatric Asian.

-That's enough.

Is there...

anything I can do?

Yes, come outside, so as I can show you the garden.

Lovely, thank you.

You are not going to believe this.

Where is he?

She says she enjoys his company.

It looks like.

He's staying here.

-We'll see.

-I didn't expect them to be waiting.

Well, why not?

I think they miss you very much.

Well, I know, but I wanted to show you the house, just the two of us, you know?

Sort of make it special.

Yes, but being with you is special.

So, you met our mum on holiday?

On a day trip.

We were stroking the same donkey.

'How old is he?'

He's 56. He's an ex-soldier, 25 years in the army, all right?

So you're just here for a little visit

to extend your holiday?

You should go to the lakes or Scotland!

I don't think much of these turkey slices that you've bought.

Yeah, well, at least I shop local.

I was just saying to...Damar

he should visit the Lake District before he goes home.

Where is your home?

-Nepal. Sometimes Australia.

-What are your plans, Damar?

He's, um, staying around here.

-To do what?

-Look for a job?

Buy a house? Run for Mayor?

Mum! Where is your wedding ring? Have you lost it?

Oh, it's all right, it's quite safe.

-I've got your dad's ring on a chain, look.

-What?

Dad put that ring on your finger.

-What's going on?

-Elizabeth.

No, we're gonna have to...

Look, the reason Damar's staying here, is because we're getting married.

You what?

Possibly before Christmas.

Mike!

-I know it's a shock.

-A shock?!

It's insane, that's what it is.

Just because I'm Damar's wife, won't make me love your father any the less.

No, just less enough to take his ring off your finger.

Didn't it occur to you, that one day, I might meet another man?

No! No, it didn't. Never.

-Look, why get married?

-Yeah, why rush into it?

Let him get a flat.

If you still feel the same in 20 years, then, then get married.

I'll be dead by then!

-Damar's visa runs out after Christmas, so we want to get married before that.

-He's an illegal.

No, no, he's here legally.

-Until Christmas.

-I'm not an illegal.

Now, it makes sense.

You want a quickie wedding so he can park himself in England.

-It's me. I wanted to get married.

-What?!

Yeah! I would have married Damar the night I met him if I could have.

I need to go outside for a cigarette.

I care very deeply for your mother.

You've gone off your head.

It's a holiday romance, Mum. You've known him two weeks.

-I know what I'm doing.

-Do me a favour!

You can't love him.

So you're relationship experts, are you?

With two marriages between you, both of them down the toilet.

Has he got anything, Mum? A house, land, anything?

-What does that matter?

-It matters!

If he's got himself four wives, halfway up some mountain.

All right, his wife is dead, and he's got a family home in Nepal.

That's what? A bunch of sticks on bamboo stilts, eh?

This isn't about Damar, is it?

You two would object to any man

that I bring through that door because they aren't your father.

Well, look I've prayed to God, that your father could come through that front door.

I've often imagined that he did, but he can't.

I know you love me and you want me to be happy, so please,

please, try and accept Damar.

Please, for my sake. I'm asking you.

-Look, shall I do it?

-No, I'm fine, Mum, thanks.

-Are we ready now?

-Yep, come on, kid, let's go.

See you all soon, yeah?

-Unbelievable.

-I know. He's waving.

Oh, he's got his arm around her...

Just drive!

Damar! That's my work telephone number and here's some keys.

Look, that's the back door and that's the front door.

Right, I'll be back about three. Bye.

Bye, love.

Move and I'll let him go.

Stop this! I'm getting the bicycle.

-Liz's bike!

-I'm not stealing it!

Look, Elizabeth is my friend.

We've had trouble with asylum seekers before.

MOBILE PHONE RINGS

Oh, I think that's mine, do you mind if I take it?

I am not an asylum seeker!

Hello.

Julie!

-What man?

-In your garage.

Funny looking.

-Is your name Damar?

-Yes, Damar.

We're getting married.

He's got nerve, he even says you're getting married.

Well, yes. Yes, we are.

We're married as soon as we can.

Oh, yeah, yeah, of course I'm having a party.

Ah, thank you, love.

Yeah, all right. Bye.

Married?

-I met him on holiday. I was going to tell you.

-Oh, my God!

That's fantastic. Where's he from?

He's from Nepal. Near India.

Oh, right! India.

He was a Gurkha in the British Army.

It won't change anything, I'll still be working here.

-Congratulations!

-Oh, thank you!

This hotel does a wedding package.

The service, meal and room.

-All in one place?

-Yeah, this is the brochure.

I need to look for work. I will get a work permit.

Of course, you will, my love.

Hello, love.

How was school then, all right?

Oh, here comes trouble.

-Have you got your reading bag?

-Yes!

And you've got your books in there?

-Are you sure?

-Yes!

Lilly? What's the matter, love?

Is something wrong?

Come on, I'm talking to you.

-They're all looking.

-What?

-They're all talking and looking.

Well, good.

If they're talking about me, then they're giving some other poor soul a break, aren't they?

Eh?

-Oh, hi, kids!

-Oh, hello!

I thought you were working.

I was. I've just had a shower.

Right, you two, get your coats off, wash your hands before tea.

Off you go! Go on!

Here, have a look at this.

-What do you think?

-It's a bit plain.

Father O'Keefe has offered to do a blessing. But I'm not sure.

Why? Wouldn't God approve?

Damar doesn't even believe in God. Here, I'll have one of those.

Get someone to make you a dress.

It's too expensive.

-Well, get Damar to pay.

-Oh!

He must have some money? Surely.

He's on a British Serviceman's pension,

which is less, than, a British, British Serviceman's pension.

He has some savings, but...

What little cash I've got's all tied up.

Right.

-Well, can he work?

-It's complicated.

Mum, it's not complicated. Can he work?

If he gets citizenship, possibly.

-Brown Sauce?

-Yes.

Well, when can he work?

He doesn't fit into any of their categories.

Oh, that's lovely!

Damar's religion allows him to eat meat, but just not pork.

Or beef.

-Or chicken or duck.

-When can he work?

He eats a truck load of veg, though.

-The price of them.

-Mum. Mum.

When can he work?

When we've been married for three years.

-Definitely?

-No.

Mum, you can't keep the both of you.

I love him, Alice.

Excuse me.

-Yes, mate?

-Are these your cars?

Oh, yes, all quality motors.

I know about cars. You see I'm looking for work, I fix engines.

I don't fix engines. I sell them.

-Where are you from?

-Nepal.

-Where's Nepal.

-Near Tibet.

Well, where's Tibet?

-Near India.

-India.

Right. Have you got a work visa?

-Not yet.

-Good. Follow me.

-Can you clean cars?

-I am a soldier.

-Gurkha.

-A what? A Gurkha?

Can you clean cars, Gurkha?

You have to smile and be polite.

The big cars like all that.

"Yes, sir, no, sir, three bags full, sir."

-OK.

-What do you mean, "OK"?

Say it.

-I am polite.

-No.

Say, "Yes, sir, no, sir, three bags full, sir."

Yes, sir, no, sir...

..three bags full, sir.

-£3.50 an hour.

-£3.50?!

Well, that's the offer.

No.

It's physical, you see, you're probably too old.

£3.50 an hour!

I'd like to tell him what to do with his jet wash.

I said no.

Good.

Is this how you thought it would be?

Here?

This house?

Me?

I didn't expect... Nepal, Australia.

Here, it's more closed in.

I've got an idea.

I'm off on the 15th.

I'm going to take you to Aberystwyth.

It's like the Himalayas with caravans.

< All right, Mum, just popped round.

I brought some washing over.

-Can you do my jeans tonight?

-It's nine o'clock.

You couldn't lend us some money, could you, Mum?

-Just until I get paid. I'm skint.

-How much?

I was thinking about 150.

Think again.

-Well, 50 then?

-All right, but I want it back, Michael.

I promise. Is it all right if I take these biccies?

-I can cook you something.

-No, I can't stop, I only nipped round with the washing.

And to see you.

The gherkin still here, is he?

Don't call him that.

I'm only joking.

So what did he do when he left the army? Engineering?

-Why?

-I'm just taking an interest, like you wanted.

What's my dad doing there?

I fancied a change, I've been switching things round a bit.

You've moved him from the living room to the hall.

Where's next, the front lawn?

Don't be silly. I like that picture.

Oh, aye, lights down dim, TV off. What's the matter?

Didn't you want Dad watching you getting cosy with him?

I didn't stop being a woman the day I buried your dad.

It's not his fault.

He's sensitive, he always has been.

I know he should have a washing machine, but I've always done it, you see...

It's time to stop doing it.

To start thinking about you.

The city council...

Damar!

They've stopped my council tax benefit.

-What do you mean?

-Well, it's a tax everybody pays.

If you live alone, they knock a bit off.

Now, you have to pay more?

Because of me, because I live here?

Somebody's bubbled me.

Told them that you're living here.

But, Elizabeth, I'm not working.

Oh, they don't give a monkeys. Oh, Lord.

-Hi, Mum.

-Oh, hello!

I'm just going into town to get a dress.

Really?

-Oh, they're gorgeous!

-They'd be lovely in your mum's bouquet.

It's for Jill's hen party, on the 15th.

-Oh, where are the kids going?

-I thought you could have them.

I'm sorry. I'm going away that weekend.

You can't.

I'm going to the Isle of Man.

It's all booked, everything.

You should have asked me.

I've never had to ask you before.

Mum, there's a whole gang of us going.

I'm sorry.

It's Momo,

fried vegetables and meat dumplings.

-Please, have some.

-No, I can't, I'm going to see my little girl.

I see her on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Elizabeth ironed these.

It's difficult, to be a father.

-Not for me, I love it.

-When they start growing up,

when they start seeing men.

-I'm a long way off that.

-No matter how much you like the man, he's still a stranger.

Someone you love is now being intimate with someone else.

Well, like I said,

my little girl's only four.

You want to protect them, you have to let them go.

Maybe you feel the same when your mother is in a new relationship.

No, it doesn't feel the same.

-I've got to go.

-You have a key to this house?

No, I just broke in through the window.

You wouldn't want to come in at a bad time.

An intimate time.

Are you asking me for my key?

I want you to respect our home.

You what?

You've been here for two seconds.

This isn't your home. 21 years I've lived in this house.

I know this is difficult.

Do they even have keys where you come from?

We have children, families.

I was 13 when he died.

I've looked after her ever since.

If she wants my key back, she can ask for it herself.

Dirty rotten tricks, they don't give you any warning.

Julie, what's happened?

They're laying us off.

They've just finished us.

The three of us,

well, the English three.

-You've lost your job?

-I've had it snatched from under me nose by them.

Bulgarian, Romanian, Latvian, bloody God knows who.

But they work for less.

They work shifts, they work the weekends, bank holidays.

They haven't got their family here, have they? Oh, bits of kids, living together.

But they haven't got the bills that we have.

There must be something you can do? Isn't there a union?

It's an old people's home, Liz.

An English old people's home.

They don't just want their backsides wiped for them,

they want someone to talk to them, you know, share a little laugh.

How can them foreign girls do that, eh?

I'll put the kettle on.

12 years I've worked there.

And d'you know the worst thing?

Having to go back and say goodbye.

Come on, come and have a cup of tea, Jules.

Come on.

Damar!

Love, it's the middle of the night!

I'm on Nepal time.

I wanted a cigarette.

It's my religion to try to make sense of things.

Even the stars,

the planets...

..I was thinking about your son,

about my father.

Mike misses Joe.

He's angry with the world because his dad died young.

My father was a Gurkha in the Queen Elizabeth's Own Rifles.

He had his head cut off when he was 34.

Oh, God!

Still mothers want their sons to be Gurkhas. It makes them feel proud.

Also, they can send money home.

-You know, in Nepal, we have a caste system.

-Mmm.

I travel...

I see all countries have inequality, their own caste system.

Money, colour, skin, religion.

Yeah, I suppose so.

I fight the Argentineans.

But what my father did, that was something else.

My mother was so proud.

He defended an empire.

Now, the word "empire" is an embarrassment here.

It makes me feel so sad.

And, like your son,

I'm very angry that my father died young.

I'm sorry.

And still, there aren't enough British soldiers.

So we are required, but we are not wanted here.

If there was a caste system here,

soldiers would be a low caste and foreign soldiers... the bottom.

No, that's not true.

Yes, I think it is.

My sister moved to Spain, it was her big dream.

She came home three months later.

Places, like people, don't live up to what we expect.

Mind you, I'm proud to live here.

-Really?

-Yeah.

For all its faults,

I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

THEY CLAP AND CHEER

Your nan's made this cake. She's a very clever lady.

-Be careful.

-I'll be out in the garden.

Do you like that cake?

-Right put them on there, I'll follow you.

-Be careful, kids!

Are you all right to pick them up tomorrow afternoon?

Yes, but, after next week, I'm going to be doing more hours.

I've decided to work four days in the shop. Look at all this mess.

What am I supposed to do?

Well, I only decided myself yesterday.

I've given you a week's notice.

That's good of you(!) Who's supposed to take them to school, look after them?

You'll have to find someone. Sort it out.

-Like I did, when you two were little.

-I'll wash up.

No, that's all right, that's all right, it's women's work, you go and have a smoke.

Women's work?

-Have I just been transported back into the 1950s?

-Give him a break.

He's doing his best.

That's part of his culture, is it? Women being subservient.

Don't talk stupid!

Damar made all these sandwiches and all the jellies!

So you're waiting on him and keeping him?

-That's not fair!

-Fair?

I've done nothing and I'm being punished!

-What?!

-You were OK for money before him, eating like a horse, leaving the heating on.

-If you work more hours, me and the kids suffer.

-Nobody's suffering!

The kids love having Damar around. He's good with them.

He takes them to the park. They like him.

They shouldn't like him. They shouldn't like him

or play with him, or go anywhere with him! Not ever.

Eh, eh, eh! No smoking near the kids, don't smoke near them.

No. Don't go in! We want you to stay out.

Happy families, Mum, it's never going to work.

And I'm not going to pretend.

You! Everything is always about you!

I'm not the one being selfish!

You have dropped me right in it! I'll have to pay for a child minder!

Is that what you want?!

A stranger looking after your grandchildren?

Listen, Alice!

If you can pay a stranger, you should pay your mother.

-Listen, illegal, they're her grandchildren.

-Don't start on him.

It's his problem. And we were OK before he came along.

Dad would be turning in his grave!

-He'd be ashamed of you.

-Do you think he'd be proud of you?

Throwing your family away, for some destitute foreigner?

-You know nothing!

-I know that if you marry him, everything changes!

Come on, kids, get your stuff together.

-Party's over.

-God, you must be desperate.

-Shut up.

-Pretty damn desperate.

I said shut up!

If you marry him, my kids will get nothing when you die!

-That's not true.

-If you marry him, what'll happen to my dad?

-What?

When you die? Will you cast him aside like his ring and his photo?

If you marry him, everything changes!

Alice.

Here's that 50 quid I owe you. I'll give it to him, shall I?

Since he seems to take all your money off you.

And you better have this back as he's calling all the shots.

Well, go on, take it!

This is me letting go.

Alice?

It's Mum.

I've got Lilly's scooter here and I thought she might be wanting it.

Alice, please, pick up the phone.

VACUUM HUMS

Oi! Stop!

-One minute.

-No, no. Stop now.

Go on, go home.

-You've been blown up.

-What?

Blown up, bubbled, mate, shopped to the immigration for working.

My...wages, my money.

-No chance.

-I've worked five hours.

So? I don't pay half shifts. Now go.

'I've got their paddling pool.

'I know it's the middle of winter...

'Alice, please! Don't stop me seeing the kids!

'It's ripping my heart out.'

SOBS: If you don't want to speak to me,

then just let the kids ring me,

so that I can hear their voices and tell them that I love them,

and I love their mum, as well.

Mum. Mum, it's me.

Mum?

I've brought them up since they were tiny babies.

This is not how you thought it would be.

Me being here?

You asked me this question.

No, I shouldn't have, it's a rubbish question.

I thought they'd be happy because I'm happy.

You don't look happy.

Living alone, eating alone.

Getting selfish,

forgetting to compromise.

That's not living!

They're young.

Sharing a meal,

a sunset...

..your bed.

SHE CRIES

I can't take these.

Oh, don't be silly, I got them from the shop.

-I got a discount.

-Take them back.

Julie, hold on. I bought them for you.

You shouldn't have.

-I had to tell them.

-Tell who what?

The council tax people.

-About him living here.

-Why? Why would you do that?

Hold on, Julie.

It wasn't Damar who stole your job.

But he's working though, isn't he?

And I rang them up as well, the whistle blower number.

I told them about your boyfriend who cleans cars.

He's a refugee, an immigrant, he shouldn't be working.

No, Damar is not a refugee!

He didn't come here under a lorry.

I met him in Torquay, on holiday.

He was a Gurkha, for God's sake.

He was a soldier in our army.

-He was a mercenary, he was paid to kill.

-He fought for us.

Well, I didn't ask him to fight for me!

Julie, we're getting married.

It's the NHS they come here for,

free health care, that's why he's marrying you.

Oh, why didn't I think of that?

It's not me he wants, it's a plastic hip.

There we go.

Bye-bye.

So, does he have a prayer mat and light candles and all that?

No, that's Muslim! He's a Hindu.

Ah, Mrs Williams. It's Joe's teacher here, Mr Hall.

MOBILE PHONE RINGS Oh, sorry.

Hello? Alice!

'I'm afraid Joe didn't come back to afternoon registration.'

No, no, he's not with me, why would he be?

'Could you call us, please, as soon as you can?

'We're searching the grounds.'

Our Joe's gone missing.

Joe. Joe.

Joe! Oh, please, God, no...

MOBILE PHONE RINGS

Well, where are you?!

All right, well, stay there!

-Alice!

-Oh, Mum!

He was sent outside to get his coat.

They don't know how he got out or where he is.

-The school's rang the police.

-Where's Lilly?

She's gone to my house with Mike in case he's goes home.

He'd go with anybody, Mum, he'd go with anyone...

All right. We'll find him. OK. Now, come on.

MOBILE PHONE RINGS

Damar! Joe's missing...

Is he all right?

Oh! Joe's with Damar.

Whoa!

I nearly got you!

-You ready?

-Yeah.

-Joe!

-Mum! Nan!

Come here! What did you do that for, eh?! You scared your mummy!

Joseph wanted to see his Nan.

And his Nana wanted to see him too.

Don't you ever do that again, OK?

Never leave school without your mummy, OK?

Good boy, good boy.

The things that go through your mind.

And the fear... Oh, my God.

The whole of my insides froze.

Children don't understand why adults argue.

Alice said that.

She's coming to the registry office.

I think we should all go for a meal afterwards.

And Michael?

Oh, he'll come around.

Say, yes, sir, no, sir, three bags full, sir

Gurkha.

Mum?

I've made you a drink.

Can I get you anything else?

I don't know what to say, Mum.

What do you want me to say?

That I'm sorry he's gone? Cos I'm not.

That I'm sorry you're upset? Of course I am.

It was too hard.

Another man around here.

I always thought that when I grew up...

..into this big successful man, it'd be me looking after you.

I know.

It's not really worked out like that, has it?

Not really grown up.

And then when he came along it was like you didn't need me.

I did try, Mum.

No.

You did not try.

I told you, I told you both.

I would have given anything to have Joseph back.

We didn't even get to say goodbye.

Do you know how hard that is?

And then, after all those years of being alone...

..I found the next best thing.

Someone who every time he came through that door made me smile.

Made my life worth living.

And now he's gone, as well.

You should do something.

-I think I'll go and lie down.

-Mum.

How much money have you got?

-Nothing.

-Tied up. You said that you had some tied up.

No, it's rainy day money.

It is raining, Mum.

It's bucketing down.

You should use it...

..and go and find him.

Put the house up for sale.

-What?

-Why?

In case I don't find Damar.

Probably won't find him.

And if I don't, I'm not coming back here.

Be on my own again.

I can't.

'I'm proud to live here, for all its faults.

'I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

'I want you to respect our home.

'You what?

'You've been here for two seconds, this isn't your home.

'21 years I've lived in this house!

'Listen, illegal, they're her grandchildren!

'Put the house up for sale,

'in case I don't find Damar.

'And if I don't, I'm not coming back here.'

'Dear Lilly and Joe, Singapore has the most fantastic zoo...

'Dear Lilly and Joe, we are in Hong Kong...

'Dear Joe and Lilly, I'll tell you a secret,

'I don't want it to ever rain again.

'Love Nan.'

Here we are.

OK?

Wait a minute.

Oh, I know, that stupid British custom.

No, no.

Here, give us a hand.

THEY GRUNT

OK. Now, the stupid British custom!

Come on!

-ALL:

-Surprise!

Oh! Oh!

Look at that!

# It's time

# Time for moving on

# Maybe if I'd had a better plan

# Maybe I would not be where I am

# Maybe I'll find the courage and the strength

# To make a stand

# Moving on... #

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