The War Bride

AIR-RAID SIREN

AIRCRAFT ENGINES ROAR

EXPLOSION

BOMBS WHISTLING

ANTI-AIRCRAFT FIRE

EXPLOSIONS

LOUD EXPLOSION

AIR-RAID SIREN

FIRE ENGINE BELL RINGS

VOICES SHOUTING

-Hey! Just over there! Up there.

-Right oh.

-You should've been there last night.

-They were gorgeous.

-Tell her about his mate. You've got no taste.

-Hold on, you slut. It wasn't me who dated that bleeder!

-What was his name?

-Peter.

-Yeah, Peter, the hedgehog, with the big teeth!

-Yeah, yeah, big teeth!

Very big lips!

LAUGHTER

SWING MUSIC

SHOUTING AND WHOOPING

Whoo!

Hiya!

Hey, hey!

Come on.

-What are you having, girls?

-Can we get two G and Ts and a port and lemon, please?

Hello, darling.

-Look at him, he's drooling.

-Eugh!

-Where are they?

-I don't know. I can only see ours.

Hey, Charlie, come on. Come on.

-Oh, my God, they're here. Look!

-Oh, God, look at them!

-All right, cowboy, where's your 'orse?

-Come over here and I'll show you!

-Here, Rosie, look at those two.

-'Ere, are they Yanks?

-I don't recognise the uniform.

Get in there.

Look at that one! He's smashing!

-He's staring at you.

-Well, he can forget it.

-He wants to dance with you. Look at him.

-He's gorgeous.

Go on! I'll dance with him if you don't want to. Go on. He's bloody gorgeous!

-Well, maybe just the one.

-Go on!

-Go on!

Look at the way he's looking at her!

He's really got a fancy for her.

MUSIC INCREASES TEMPO

Whoo!

Come on, Moira.

MUSIC: "Moonlight Serenade" - Glenn Miller

Let's get a drink, eh?

So what's your name, Corporal?

Charlie Travis, Spring Hill, Alberta. And you must be Ginger.

Why do you say that?

-Well, I could've sworn I was dancing with Ginger Rogers out there.

-You!

-All right, what's your hurry, soldier?

-There's a war on.

-So I've heard.

Oh, come on, this might be our last night on Earth.

-We could all end up as dust tomorrow.

-You've got some cheek!

-My name's Lily.

-That's pretty, like that song, Lily Of Laguna. My dad used to whistle it when I was a kid.

Your dad in Spring Hill, Alberta?

Well, he was. He, uh...

He died. Now it's just my mother and my sister.

My dad disappeared when I was five.

-Did your mum look after you?

-Kidneys copped it when I was born. Never met her.

-You had no home?

-Of course I had a home, silly!

Northford School was home to me and my mates over there.

Cheeky!

They're the closest thing I've ever had to a real family.

But it's not the same, I reckon, having a mum and a dad and all that.

No. I don't think it's the same at all.

You're a real softie, aren't you? And you being in the army, acting so tough.

-They don't make them like you in Spring Hill.

-Is that a good thing?

-Right now, it's a very good thing.

MUSIC: "In The Mood" - Glenn Miller

CHEERING AND WHISTLING

-What is it?

-That's my buddy Louie causing all the commotion. Man, can he kick!

-Let's go and dance.

-They learn that kind of thing in Montreal, you know.

WOLF-WHISTLES

Here, what was your bloke like?

-So-PHIE!

-I didn't know they spoke French in Montreal.

-Oh, yeah. My family owns an estate in Quebec.

-No kidding?

-3,000 acres.

-Well, my family has a spread on the prairie.

-Really?

Yeah, just outside of Spring Hill, Alberta.

-Where's Spring Hill, Alberta?

-It's near Hollywood, I think.

-Yeah, like a big old ranch on the prairie.

-Just around the corner from John Wayne.

-Now I know you're kidding!

AIR-RAID SIREN, BOMBS EXPLODE

Oh, my Lord! >

SIREN CONTINUES

Where is...? There we go, look.

LAUGHTER

Where's the bit about the suit? Right, here we go. Listen.

"If someone asks where were you in the winter of '41,

-"you should answer, 'In a coloured suit.'" I don't like that material.

-It's awful.

-But the shape's good.

"It's your duty to be beautiful. The hands at work today can be both beautiful and busy."

Look, I've got red ones!

Right, you lot, back to work! Don't you know there's a war on?

Come on. Come on. Hurry up!

-SIREN GOES OFF

-Oh, no.

Oh, not today. We're behind as it is. Well, come on then.

Cheers, love.

DISTANT EXPLOSIONS

Give us one then. Come on, don't be tight.

-We'll be late.

-Let's take the Underground.

-You can't get trains. It's used as a bomb shelter now.

Come on, let's have a look anyway.

-You're lucky, you are.

-Why?

You don't get bombs dropped on your head in Spring Hill, Alberta.

-That's why we came here, so we could get a taste of it.

-Are you scared?

-Of you?

-No, silly, the war?

Yeah, I'm a little scared of the war. But I am petrified of you.

AIR-RAID SIREN, VOICES OUTSIDE

Charlie!

Quickly now!

Oh, dear me. Over there!

EXPLOSIONS OVERHEAD

-Not bad for an old tablecloth.

-Do you reckon that's even?

-Oh, you look beautiful!

-Oh, Soph, don't blub. You've got to go through the whole bloody palaver next week.

-In a synagogue.

That's the best bit. Look at that.

BOTH: Whoo!

-Do they wear white in a synagogue?

-You look gorgeous.

-Thanks, love. Just got to heave that up a bit.

And have declared the same by giving and receiving of a ring and by joining of hands.

I pronounce that they be man and wife together in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.

Amen. You may kiss the bride.

GIGGLING

We've got a regular bed.

-What happened?

-The war.

It's not gonna happen any more.

I'll take care of you.

I'll take care of you for ever.

-I'll miss you, my darling!

-I'll miss you too.

-It's only been six days.

-Only two for you and me, Lou.

-Don't be upset, Sophie.

-I'll send you a silk scarf from Europe.

-I've got to go.

-I don't want you to go!

-I've got to go.

You just get home in one piece, all right? Come here, sunshine.

-You write to me, yeah?

-Every day.

Throw your stuff in. >

-I've got something to tell you.

-Travis!

-Yes, sir!

-I wasn't going to tell you, but...

-What?

-Oh, Charlie...

-NOW, Corporal Travis!

-I'm coming!

I might be pregnant.

-What?

-I don't know for sure, but...

-Charlie, you don't want to be AWOL before we even ship out.

-These things happen.

-Come on! Let's go!

-I love you!

-Corporal Travis. Private Maldoff.

-And boys, keep your peckers up!

-What?

-What?

Your peckers! Keep 'em up.

Louie!

-That's it.

-Aagh!

-Come on. Push! Push! Push! Push! Push!

PUSH!

Come on.

BABY CRIES

It's a girl.

SOBBING

Oh, she's lovely.

She's beautiful!

Hello.

Hello.

Hello.

Lil.

-Charlie!

-Hello, Lil.

-Charlie!

-They gave me three days.

Lindy, meet your daddy.

-She's perfect.

-Isn't she?

Every single time I look at her face, I just see you.

God, I've missed you so much!

I remember you.

Oh, Charlie!

Do you want to take her?

Who's that?

She's...

She's got your nose.

Oh, no.

OK...

SHE SIGHS

Let's say goodbye here.

I gotta go.

Gotta go.

-Lily!

-What?

-Lily!

Lily!

-They've come Special Delivery.

-What? Two of them?

Well, surely they can't both have copped it at once?

We're going to bloody Canada.

-Oh, my God! We're going to Canada!

-"Report to the Royal Canadian Army Regional Transportation Office

"at Euston Station at 8pm, 20th March, 1943.

"Baggage should be marked only with the individual's name and code.

-"And tell no-one." Well, March 20th, that's in three days' time.

-Yes!

-We've got to leave in three days' time?

-The whole neighbourhood has already gone!

-13 days!

I've seen my husband for a total of 13 days.

But we're going to bloody Canada!

SCREAMING

-We've got to pack.

-What time have we got to be at the station for? We've got a lot to do in three days.

'Canada welcomes the British wives and ladies of Canadian servicemen.

'Montreal takes care of the new arrivals, war brides and babies on their way to various parts of Canada.

'Married in Britain, a new life awaits these mothers and children, who are to become Canadian citizens.

'All that initial strangeness will disappear in the warmness of Canadian hospitality,

'so freely given to these war brides and babies.'

# Here I go again

# I hear those trumpets blow again

# All aglow again

# Taking a chance on love

# Here I slide again

# About to take that ride again

# Starry-eyed again

# Taking a chance on love

# I thought that cards were a frame-up

# I never would try

# But now I'm taking the game up

# And the ace of hearts is high... #

Come on, sweetheart. All right then. Time to wake up, love. Say goodbye to Auntie Soph.

Ma'am, need any help? >

-All right, baby?

-Thank you.

-I shouldn't have come. Oh, no, we shouldn't have come.

-Of course you should.

Sophie Maldoff? Mrs Louie Maldoff Junior?

Oh, Lord! I've hit the bleeding jackpot!

Is it Sophie? Come here.

-Elle est jolie.

-We're together now.

You take care, love, all right?

-Don't blub!

-I'm trying.

All right, darling?

-And don't forget me, all right?

-Look at you! You've got a big posh scarf.

-You write to me, all right?

-Come on. Come on, darling.

Bye.

All aboard! All stations to Vancouver!

All aboard!

All stations west!

Ooh! Do you look gorgeous? Mummy's little pretty girl?

-Let's see.

-WOLF-WHISTLES

-It's good to be home, Dad.

-You just need some good home cooking!

Hello. You must be the Travises. I'm Lily.

And this is your grand-daughter, Lindy-Jane.

Can you do what we were practising? Go, "Howdy, all! Howdy!"

Follow us.

We don't wear that here.

All aboard!

Oh, dear.

-Come on, love. I thought you did very well.

-I did?

-Yes.

I said, "Where is it you live?" He said, "Canada." I said, "Canada?"

He said, "Yes, I live on a big ranch on the prairie." I said, "You don't!" "He said, "I do."

He said, "Yeah. And I live just round the corner from John Wayne."

-We haven't heard from him in three months.

-And his pay cheque goes to you now, you're his wife.

That's that.

MOUTHS SILENTLY

Welcome to the ranch(!)

Yeah, it's a farm, love.

Mum...

Well, it's a sort of farm.

All right, careful down the steps. Careful! There we go. Big girl. Wait for Mum. Oh, yes!

Bloody hell!

Come here, love.

Come here.

It's all right, love.

Through here.

Now... You and your, uh...

You and your girl, you're going to have to both sleep here because we have no spare room.

-Unless you want to sleep in the barn?

-So there's a barn then? With cows and horses and such?

-Oh, yes.

It's a big barn on a big ranch.

-Lovely.

-Come on and I'll show you.

-All right then.

See?

The barn.

Oh. Well, in Canada, you might call that the barn.

In the big European cities, you call it the lavatory.

Well, well, Charlie boy, you've stitched me up good and proper, haven't you?

Come on, Lil, old girl, keep your pecker up.

For the cold.

-They're lovely.

-They're warm.

Eugh!

Bleeding hell!

Ta-da! If someone were to ask you, "Where were you in the winter of '43,"

-you should be able to answer, "In a coloured scarf."

-We don't do that here.

-Oh, really?

-Well, in London, we do it all the time.

-Oh, really? As far as I can tell, you're not in London any more.

LOUD THUMPING

Oh, it's bloody freezing!

Ohh!

WIND WHISTLES

What have I done?

FRONT DOOR OPENS >

Mom, you didn't have to do that.

CONVERSATION CONTINUES >

Oh!

-Do you want eggs?

-I'd love some. We haven't had eggs since before the war.

-Put the boots on and get some.

COCK CROWS

CLUCKING

-LOUD SQUAWK

-Oh, God!

Right, come on, shoo! Shoo, you smelly old things! Out the way!

Right, that's it, nice chicken.

Lift up.

Oh, I can't do it.

Sit.

I can't... Come on.

Oh, God, you bit me, you bugger!

You bloody bit me! Go on, get out of it. Get out! Go on!

Go on, shoo!

Nasty bleeder!

Smelly, horrible things, aren't ya? There we go.

That's it.

So where's the nearest town then?

-What town?

-Well, you know, um, Spring Hill...Alberta.

Seven miles north.

It's where you came in.

No, I mean the stores and the picture house and such.

There's no picture houses here.

You have to drive 60 miles to Drayton. Cost you 40 cents in gas just to get there.

Cover yourself.

How's that gonna get me home? Nowhere near enough.

-Hi, Peggy.

-Hi, Peggy. Come on in. Here, have a seat.

< CONVERSATION CONTINUES

She gets off the train. She's got her and the kid dressed in red cowboy hats. So ridiculous!

Syl!

Hello.

You must be Lily. It's very nice to make your acquaintance.

-Peggy is a friend of Charlie's.

-Charmed, I'm sure.

-(Charming!)

-Blimey, looks like a salon in here!

-Since Charlie's pay cheque goes to you, we have to make money somehow.

-And this must be...?

-This is Lindy, Charlie's daughter.

-She's very pretty.

-Thank you.

And your dress, why, that is very nice!

Do you like it, Peggy? Ta. I made it myself. I've got a passion for sewing.

I could make you one if you want.

Lord, no, I don't think so! You can see right through it in the light.

-Would anyone like a cuppa?

-A what?

-A cuppa. Tea.

-No, thanks. No cuppa.

-That ain't your colour.

-Pardon?

-You should wear autumn colours. Sienna Sunset would look devastating on you.

-I like pink.

-It was Charlie's favourite colour.

-Oh!

-Oh, I see.

Well, it was very nice to make your acquaintance, Peggy.

Yeah, well, she can be like that.

-Very nice.

-Yeah.

Bye!

-Oh, thank you.

-Thanks, Mrs Travis.

-Bye, Syl!

-Ta-ta!

-Syl, no girls' stuff!

-Ta-ta!

-Come on, out.

-Come out for a cuppa!

-Stop, Sylvia!

-What does she expect?

Many things. I expected a long trip and a strange place and a frightened baby,

but what I never expected is that you wouldn't even want me here!

I think this belongs to you. It's Charlie's pay.

Thank you.

SLAMS DOOR >

Go on, tidy up.

# Sometimes I wonder... #

TAPS ON DOOR AND WHISTLES

-What the bloody hell are you looking at?

-Sorry.

-So you should be!

# And each kiss an inspiration

# But that was long ago... #

Joe?

I didn't see nothing, sweet pea.

# Beside a garden wall

# When stars are bright

# You are in my arms

# The nightingale tells his fairy tale... #

-My physical said that I had a heart murmur.

-What's a heart murmur?

It's bloody freezing! Hello.

-You haven't got a spare cup of tea for me there, have you?

-Oh...

Thanks.

Lily, this is Joe, Peggy's brother. They run the grocer's.

-Sorry if I intruded.

-No harm done.

I like the way... I like the way you talk.

Ta! Thanks.

It's coffee.

Well, it's hot anyway, innit?

# This is the GI jive

# Man alive

# It starts with the bugler blowin' reveille over your bed when you arrive

# Jack, that's the GI jive

# Roodley-toot

# Jump in your suit and make a salute

# Voot

# After you wash and dress

# More or less

# You go get your breakfast in a beautiful little cafe... #

-Hello. Have you got any work available?

-No, no. Sorry.

# Jack, when you convalesce

# Out of your seat Out on the street

# And make with the feet... #

-Hello. Do you have any jobs available?

-Oh... No.

Excuse me, sir. Have you got any jobs going?

-No.

-What, nothing?

-This is a garage. We work on trucks here.

-Well, I can see that.

So have you got any jobs?

-Doing what?

-Anything. I'm very mechanical.

-Why don't you go home and fix your family some dinner?

-Thanks very much.

Hello.

(She looks like a tramp.)

Does she help around the house...?

..I know and she married somebody else.

- How long did they know each other? - Seven and a half years...

Yee-ha!

Ha!

Come on, I've got work to do here.

Yeah, just, just wait. Here we are.

Come on.

Here, Sylvia. She won't bite you.

Mrs Travis?

Look.

From tablecloth...to table wear.

-What's that?

-It's for you.

Look.

Women of today are both practical and beautiful.

Well, that's good.

And look, Syl, for you.

Sensual appeal in a slinky slip by Lily of London!

What do you reck?

-Syl...

-No, thank you.

-KNOCK AT DOOR

-Syl?

Can I come in, love?

What is it?

-SOBBING

-Go away!

-No.

You have no idea. Do you see this?

-Do you see this is what polio did to me?

-I know, sweetheart.

That's the whole point.

Look, I'll show you something.

Look at me.

-You are perfect.

-No, look!

See that?

That's what comes from living in a war zone. It hurt like bloody hell!

It looks awful, but when I wear pretty things, it makes me feel better.

Will you try it for me?

No. I don't want it.

This has got to stop. You've got to stop putting ideas in her head.

-I wasn't putting any ideas...

-Don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about.

Charlie might have liked your smart city ways, but we are simple country folk, so don't try it here.

Leave her alone.

I can't bear to be in this house.

I can wear it myself. Fine!

COCK CROWS

Thank you very much.

All right, we're done.

Excuse me.

Who the hell's that?

Soph?

-Bonjour, ducky!

-Sophie, what are you doing here?

EXCITED SCREAMS

-You're a laugh! What are you doing here?

-Look at you!

-Look at YOU in your fur!

-It's a bleedin' dump!

-I know, look at it. I can't believe it.

-When did you decide to come?

-It was a surprise.

-It's lovely to see you!

-And making you all this stuff?

-I know!

I says, "Just put me on the train to Alberta and I'll find my way."

-Whose car is it?

-Do you like it?

It was all arranged. They found me a lovely hotel in Drayton.

-The Stratford.

-No?

-You should go there some time. C'est fantastique.

You've got to have money to stay at The Stratford.

Cover yourself.

Excusez-moi!

Anyway, Lil, tell me everything. Tous les everything!

-There's not much to tell. I'm still sewing.

-I'm so happy to be finished with all that!

-I've got to sell what I sew.

-You've got to make your own way round here.

Um, so, do you hear from Charlie?

Yeah, occasionally, not enough.

I, um...

(I think they're hiding the letters from me.)

So how's Louie then?

-26 scarves from France so far.

-No?

-I wanted one husband, I got 26 scarves. Silk.

You can pass them on to me when you're done.

GIGGLING

Let's go and have a look at your room, eh?

It's through there. It's all right, Lind!

GIGGLING >

Well, welcome to my boudoir.

I've got to get you out of here.

Soph, what are you talking about?

Lil, this place, it's awful.

-It's not so bad.

-Damn that Charlie, he lied about everything!

-I've been saving up. I've been thinking of going back, but I'm not sure.

-Come to Montreal with me.

Soph, don't be so silly. Look...

Sometimes I hate it here. I absolutely hate it.

But he's still my husband.

Got to remember that.

-Will you think about it?

-I will.

-All right, love.

-See you tomorrow, Soph.

-So that's it then?

-I don't expect you to understand. I don't think I do.

-I could stay.

-Yeah, right(!) You in your fur coat in these parts?

-There's still so much to talk about.

-Yeah, I know.

I just need time to think, Soph.

-But I'll write to you.

-You've learnt how to write(?)

-Shut up, you!

I will. I'll write to you.

-All right.

-Now, you take care. Look after yourself.

-I'll miss you.

-I'll miss you too. Stop it, I'll cry.

You keep your pecker up, eh?

LILY LAUGHS

As always!

-OK, three pedals - forward, back and stop.

-Here goes.

ENGINE STARTS

Oh, God!

Good, good.

Good. Careful now.

-Brake!

-Agh!

-Brake!

-I can't stop it!

-LOUD MOOING

LAUGHTER

Oh, God!

-Lily, brake!

-Agh!

TOOTS HORN

Thank you.

All right.

There we go. Thank you.

Oops!

And can I get four cans of powdered milk

and a bag of oatmeal, please?

-And two spools of yellow thread.

-We don't have yellow thread.

-Eggshell blue then.

-We don't have eggshell blue.

-Scarlet red?

-We definitely do not have scarlet red.

People here don't like scarlet red.

Yeah, I forgot. They like pink, if I recall.

Or they used to. It's a shame, that, innit?

-CLATTER

-Lindy!

-Can't you watch your child?

-Yes, I can, thanks very much.

Now, what have you done? Let's put these back. Come on!

SLOW JAZZ MUSIC PLAYS

There...

-Oh, thanks.

-That's pretty.

-Yeah, it is. We used to dance to this back in England.

Whoo! Up we go!

-You're a long way from home.

-That depends on how you look at it. Move up for Mum.

Come on. Move up.

Move over. Come on.

-Thanks.

-Here!

-That's lovely. Thanks.

-Don't tell Peggy.

She lied. Some people here like scarlet red a lot.

Thanks.

I'm not sure you're ready for this.

Give over. Course I am! I've got it down pat now.

-Syl, are you sure you don't wanna come, love? It'll be fun.

-No!

All right then.

-Oops!

-Thanks.

I'll see you later on. Ta-ta!

Hello, smellies!

TOOTS HORN

Too much pride, Sylvia.

# Now, I don't care what the weatherman says

# When the weatherman says it's raining

# You never hear me complaining

# I'm certain the sun will shine

# I don't care how the weatherman points

# When the weatherman points to gloomy

# It's got to be sunny to me

# When your eyes look into mine

# Oh, jeepers, creepers

# Where d'ya get those peepers?

# Jeepers, creepers

# Where d'ya get those eyes?

# Oh, gosh, all get up

# How'd they get so lit up?

# Gosh, all get up

# How'd they get that size...? #

Hello, Charlie love. It's me, it's Lily.

They've said I can record in here and they'll make a record of it.

Only in Canada, eh? Wouldn't get that in London!

I hope you're well. I miss you. I miss you so much, you wouldn't even believe it.

Um... I hope you miss me.

Um...

Well, here I am in Canada. It's everything you said it'd be(!)

Cheeky bugger! I'm on a...

On a farm in the middle of nowhere.

I feel quite alone at times, but I keep thinking of you coming back, which you will.

So I hope you're well and warm and happy.

Or you're not cold. Anyway, enough of that.

Please miss me and please still love me and please come back soon.

We're thinking of you. We're really proud of you.

Can you get that? Can you get my kisses...?

I'll send you lots of them.

I love you.

-May I help you?

-I hope so.

I had some extra fabric. It's for you.

In London, they call it a teddy.

Oh...

I couldn't.

Oh, Peggy, please. I want us to be friends.

All right, I suppose.

Good. Well, I'm cooking tonight. A real English meal. Will you come?

-That sounds nice. Thank you.

-Smashing.

-Oh, and bring your family too if you want to.

-All right.

Well, I'll see you this evening.

Oh, and Peggy... You look good in pink.

-Is it OK?

-It's amazing what you can do with a pair of old curtains.

-It's not too trampy?

-I'm not even gonna answer that.

-I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, Lily. I'm just nervous.

I hope Joe likes it.

Course he will.

-Syl, do you want to learn how to dance?

-I can't.

-You can. I'll show you.

-No, I CAN'T. My leg.

Stuff your bloody boring leg! I'm fed up hearing about it. Come here.

Put all your weight into that hand there. I won't let you fall. Ready?

Now watch my feet. I'm gonna go back...

side...together.

And...back, side, together.

And...one, two, three. And one, two, three.

Sylvia is dancing.

Sylvia is dancing.

-And twirl!

-Agh!

Right, it's just you, innit, Joe?

So we've got steak and kidney pie, black pudding, bubble and squeak,

-then for dessert, we've got a lovely lime swirl.

-It's good.

-You like my cooking, Joe? You like my sour apple pie?

-It's not bad.

-Do you want more?

-I'm OK. Thank you.

-I think it's very tasty.

-What's this?

-It's a bit of bacon.

-Is it raw?

-No, it's just soft-cooked.

-It's how we have it in England.

-Well, it's different. I'll say that.

I can't eat it.

I'll take it, Mom.

TRIES SEVERAL STATIONS

WALTZ MUSIC PLAYS

(Syl, go on. Ask him to dance. Go on.)

Joe, do you wanna dance?

With you?

Yes.

OK.

Hold on now. Hold on. Hold on.

Good.

Good.

Good. That's great.

No, just let me.

-Oh!

-OK...

Never mind.

You keep practising like that, Syl, you'll be Rita Hayworth in no time!

She's doing well, ain't she?

-How about you, Miss Lily?

-Not me.

Show us how they do it in England.

-It's not my type of music.

-Just the one. Just one.

All right then, what the hell? Let me change it.

SWITCHES STATIONS

SWING MUSIC

I'll take my pinny off.

I'll show you how the London girls do it, shall I?

Ready? Just get straight...

Syl, watch my feet. See?

When you get really good, you can add a bit of a twist to it, like, you know...

You're good, Joe.

Syl! Syl!

Syl, I thought that went really well. He was really taken by you.

You're a slut.

-That is all you are. A slut!

-How dare you!

-You stole Charlie from Peggy and now you want to steal Joe!

-I'm not stealing Joe!

-What do you call it?

-Dancing! It was harmless.

-How can I look like a woman to him with you...

-Stop hiding behind that leg and get on with your life!

-LINDY CRIES

-Ssh, ssh, ssh, ssh.

Ssh!

Ssh, ssh, ssh.

-Mummy!

-Ssh, ssh.

-Mummy!

-Let's go.

Please be quiet. Come on. Ssh. Be a good girl for me. Please.

Come on, we'll get some pots.

You're only taking out what's yours.

Now, where's that key?

Look. What have I got?

Mummy!

-It's all right.

-Mummy!

-Mummy!

-What, babe?

LINDY CRIES

Ssh, ssh. All right, Lind.

Mummy will be right back.

For goodness sake! It's the middle of the night!

Oh!

I'm sorry to disturb you, Mrs Clark, but is Joe there?

My car's broken down.

-Hi.

-Have you got a minute?

-You want me to take you where?

-To the bus station in Drayton.

-Where are you headed this time of night?

-Montreal.

-Montreal?

-I've no place else to go.

Look, Joe, I can't take the car. They can call me any name under the sun, but I'm no thief.

I was kinda hopin' you were comin' to see me.

Yeah, well, I wasn't, all right?

Nasty scars.

I thought you didn't see nothing.

I lied.

I can't do this. I'm married. I'm a married woman.

LINDY STARTS CRYING

It's all right, darling.

Stop, stop, stop.

It's all right, darling. I'm here. Mummy's here.

It's all right, sweet.

It's all right, darling. There we go. Ssh. There we go.

It's Mum. There we go. Ssh.

Joe, stop it.

Stop. It's not what I want.

It's just that I...

You're so...

-Different, you know?

-You think that's good?

Maybe that's why I like you, eh?

Do you still love Charlie?

I did once. God, I really loved him!

Now I can't even remember his face, I can't remember what he looks like, I can't remember how he speaks.

I can't remember anything about him, my husband!

I'm sorry.

I can still drive you to Drayton if you want.

I'll take her.

Come on.

How are you?

Come on, sit down here. There's a good girl.

LINDY SHOUTS OUT

-Are you hungry?

-Yeah.

-You know what it is?

-Yeah.

-Try that.

More...? OK.

Well? Is there anything?

-From Charlie...? Nothing from Montreal either?

-No, nothing.

# It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing

# Do-wah, do-wah, do-wah, do-wah Do-wah, do-wah, do-wah, do-waaah

# It don't mean a thing All you've got to do is sing

# Do-wah, do-wah, do-wah, do-wah Do-wah, do-wah, do-wah, do-waaah

# It makes no difference if it's sweet or hot... #

-All right?

-Thanks.

Ta-ta! Bye-bye!

# It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing

# Do-wah, do-wah, do-wah, do-wah Do-wah, do-wah, do-wah, do-waaah... #

Forwards, backwards, stop.

Right, so gently, go easy, go easy.

Right, that's it.

Keep your foot ready by the brake in case you have to stop.

I know.

HORN TOOTS

Mummy!

What is it, Lind? Come here, darling. Come here. Come here.

What's the matter, sweetheart?

SHE CRIES

What's the matter? Eh?

Come on, what's the matter? Let's go and see.

Good girl.

There's nothing there, you silly sausage! What are you talking about?

Charlie!

Hello, Lil.

They didn't tell me that you were coming home! They didn't...

Oh, Charlie!

How are you, love?

Are you all right? Are you in one piece?

One piece.

God, I don't know what to say!

This is your daughter. This is Lindy.

-Lindy.

-There's your daddy. Remember I said Daddy would be coming home?

-That's him.

-Hey, Lindy.

Oh, Charlie!

I hardly recognised the place.

Looks nice.

-Do you want a cup of tea or something?

-Some pie would be great.

Do you want to stay and talk to Daddy?

Look! It's your dad!

-All right?

-Hi.

-Mrs Travis, look.

-I can't open it.

-Look.

-What?

-Look!

-Oh, Jesus, Jesus!

-Hello, Mom.

Hello, Syl.

Oh, my God!

Oh, Charlie, come here! Charlie! Charlie!

Charlie... Oh!

Oh! Oh!

I'm all here. Mom, you look good.

Oh, Charlie!

Thank God! Oh, Charlie!

Good night, Lil.

Good night, Charlie.

Charlie!

Come to bed, sweetheart.

Cover yourself. My mother's in this house.

Well, you never used to complain, soldier.

We're not in London any more, Lily.

Don't I know it!

BANGING

LINDY CRIES

Oh...

BANGING CONTINUES

Ohhh!

What the bleeding hell is that?

SOUND OF SAWING

What are you doing, love?

-I'm building a bathroom.

-Really?

-Yeah, working with my hands again.

-That's good.

-So, tell me, how is Louie doing? Has he gone home yet?

-I don't know.

Charlie, please look at me when you're talking to me.

I know it must've been hard.

I know it must've been very hard.

But I've just missed someone to talk to so much, Charlie.

You don't know.

I don't know what to do.

Well, it ain't easy. I can tell you that.

It's never easy.

You know, when I met Frank...

when I married Frank, I was a child.

I knew nothing.

-The shock!

-What did you do?

-We worked hard, we got nowhere.

We were filled with longing. We just kept going until one day Frank's heart stopped.

I don't even know him any more. He's like a different person.

Time.

Give him time.

Yeah, hello. Can you hear me?

Yeah, I'll hold. Yeah.

Hello?

Yeah, can I speak to Sophie, please? Sophie.

All right, OK. Well, can I leave a message?

Just say that Lily called.

Yeah, Lily.

No, there's no number.

No, just, um, tell her...

Um... Tell her to keep her pecker up.

Her pecker. Keep her pecker up.

That's right. Yeah.

All right, thanks. Bye.

HORN TOOTS

< Joe! Charlie!

< Where have you been keepin'?

Look at you!

Welcome home.

So Lil tells me you've been looking after her. That's mighty fine of you.

No... No trouble. So, back in one piece, eh?

Yeah.

Looks like you could use some help. What are you doing?

Oh, indoor bathroom.

Looks all right.

I'll get my tools, eh?

Yeah.

BANGING

Is that what you're wearing?

Yeah.

Is that what YOU'RE wearing?

Well, the uniform's gone. The war's over for me.

KNOCK AT DOOR

-Hello.

-Good evening.

-Hi. How are you doing?

-Peggy.

-Hi, Lily.

-Sweet dress.

-Thank you. How are you?

-All right. How are you? Can I take your coat?

Hello, Charlie.

Hello, Peggy. You look nice.

-Can I get you a drink?

-Tea would be lovely.

-Sugar?

-Just clear, thanks.

Looks lovely. >

-There you go.

-Thank you.

-Nice cake if you want some cake or...

-Mm-hm.

SHE WHISPERS

-Charlie, hey, Charlie!

-What?

What was it like in the war?

Uh, I don't know.

Did you kill anyone?

I don't know.

I thought you were a hero.

You thought wrong.

Are you all right, Charlie?

Everything's swell.

Will you dance with me?

Please.

Come on, love. Let's dance.

SLOW WALTZ MUSIC PLAYS

-This is just like London, eh?

-Mm-hm.

Come on. I think we're gonna have to show 'em how it's done.

She can't dance.

Oh, yes, I can.

Why don't you show us how you dance with Joe?

-Peggy...

-No, come on. Like that night the truck broke down

-and you were dancing and kissing out on the back road.

-Peggy!

Joe?

Peggy, you are heartless.

-Joe?

-It didn't mean nothing, sweet pea. I swear.

Is that true, Joe? Is this true? Not you, Joe! Not you!

Stop! Stop fighting!

Just stop tearing each other apart and bringing poison into my home.

-Why did you come here? Because you loved me or because it was an easy way out of London?

-Charlie...

I lost a husband and I almost lost you. Does family mean nothing to you? This is just irreplaceable!

STARTS SOBBING

Do you wanna go home?

Yeah, I think I do. Yeah.

I've been earning some money...

Things change. If you go home, you might find that you don't fit in any more. People aren't the same.

-Yeah, well, then I'll just have to start again then, won't I?

-How?

-How do you start all over again?

-I wish I knew, Charlie.

I'm real sorry, Lil.

Charlie...

I don't blame you.

Even if I wanted to, I couldn't blame you.

We were both so young.

-Both so young.

-I feel like I've lived a hundred years since then.

I know.

-Soph, what are you doing here?

-Surprise, eh?

-Hiya.

-Oh!

How are you, love? Are you all right?

Just a bit tired. It's been a long journey.

Hey, cowboy. Hello, Sophie.

Where's your 'orse(?)

SHE SOBS

Soph? What's the matter?

Let's go inside, eh?

Soph?

We need to talk.

Look at me, all a-blub!

Soph, what's going on?

I'm going home, Lil. Back to London.

Why are you going home to London?

Louie's dead.

What do you mean?

No, you said he'd gone back home. You said Louie had gone back home.

I didn't, Lil.

I just... I just couldn't talk about it.

I'm sorry.

Is this true, Soph?

He was captured.

He died in the camp.

No, he didn't!

Oh, Soph, I'm so sorry, love!

Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't I know? Eh?

WIRELESS CRACKLES

'Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.

'I'm speaking to you from the downtown area of Edmonton,

'around 103rd with Main.

'Although the Minister of Information has announced

'that Victory Day in Europe will be proclaimed tomorrow,

-'the citizens of Edmonton...'

-Oh, Lord!

'..like the citizens of London, Paris, Toronto and all over the world,

'from coast to coast, are celebrating VE Day today.

'If you could possibly see this scene,

'you would see an endless stream of cars going past...'

-Mom!

-Ssh.

-Mom, come down here!

You won it for us, Charlie.

'Hundreds of people out here are all celebrating this great day...'

-What? What's going on?

-'And people are dancing...'

It's over?

Oh, that's wonderful!

At last!

'Almost everyone here in the street has a flag in their hands.'

-Dear God, thank you! How about that then, eh?

-'They're having the time of their lives.'

-Have you done it, Charlie? Let's have a butcher's.

-Voila!

-Charlie! Look at that!

-It's so shiny!

-TOILET FLUSHES

LAUGHTER

LAUGHTER AND CHEERING

FIREWORKS EXPLODE

Jeez, would you look at all this?

SHOUTING AND CHEERING CONTINUES

SINGING IN DISTANCE: "Land Of Hope And Glory"

HORN TOOTS

Come on.

# Land of hope and glory

# Mother of the free

# How shall we extol thee

# Who are born of thee?

# Wider still and wider

# Shall thy bounds be set

# God, who made thee mighty

# Make thee mightier yet... #

That's not clean.

-No, no...

-Give it back.

Do you think, uh...

Do you think there's somethin'... special about me?

I mean, uh...

You know, the way I think there's somethin' special about you?

Yeah.

I mean... Yes.

Cos, uh...

I think... I think we get along real good.

Hello, love.

I think it's... It's about time I showed you this.

What is it?

It's a journal I kept in the war.

I think it'll help.

I'd never even been to Calgary.

Lily, um...

I've never been a religious man.

But now I pray for forgiveness.

I'm so tired.

I'm so sorry, Lil.

I'm so sorry.

Oh, my darling!

Come here, love.

HE SOBS

My sweet, sweet darling.

-SOBS UNCONTROLLABLY

-It's all right.

Darling, I'm so sorry.

I was so alone.

-We're going up here.

-I'm not going up there!

-Yes, you're going up there!

-Get lost!

-Get up there!

-Oh, no, it's slippy!

Be careful if I fall!

SHE LAUGHS

Show us your name.

I'm not gonna drop you. I promise you.

# Give me a kiss to build a dream on

# And my imagination will thrive upon that kiss

# Hmm, sweetheart, I ask no more than this

# A kiss to build a dream on

# Give me a kiss before you leave me

# And my imagination will feed my hungry heart

# Leave me one thing before we part

# A kiss to build a dream on

# When I'm alone with my fancies

# I'll be with you

# Weaving romances

# Making believe they're true

# Hmm, give me what you alone can give

# A kiss to build a dream on... #