Tim

CHATTERING >

Oh, damn!

-What's the matter?

-My gardener hasn't been for a month. Now it's another week.

-They're all useless!

I'm sorry about the dust on your bushes. The builders have just done the driveway. It was such a mess!

We're off. Hope you're happy with it.

I've left Tim to tidy up, so if you want anything, see him. Bye now.

Same again. Poor little bugger always cops the dirty work.

Hi, Tim!

Hose Mrs Horton's bushes, will you, dear?

-That's a good boy.

-Right, Mrs Parker.

Good-looking, isn't he?

Not over-bright, mind you.

But a nice kid.

-You must have seen him working here?

-No, I haven't.

-Oh, you'd always left for the office before they arrived.

Anyway, sorry about the dust, but Tim will take care of it.

Things to do. See you!

RADIO: 'Ten minutes to five, Eastern Standard Time.

'Now, we have the Gavotte Marie Antoinette.

'In this recording, the symphony orchestra is conducted by the composer.'

MUSIC STARTS UP

Hello.

Thanks for doing that.

-That's all right.

-Would you like to do some work for me?

-What kind?

Well, the garden is a mess. The man who usually does it hurt his back.

-If you could just tidy up and cut the grass. I have a mower.

-Have you?

-Well, would you like to do the work or not?

-Fair bit to do. I...

-When should I start?

-Tomorrow.

All right.

Bye.

-Er, what's your name?

-Tim.

Oh...

Tim Melville. Bye.

Goodbye.

< Hey, Ruth! Hi, boys. All right?

Beaut, thanks.

-Yeah?

-Yours too?

-He's going to win.

G'day, son. Your shout, Curly! Get one for Tim.

One for Tim... Make it all round.

-You're late. Where you been?

-Finished tidying up that job.

-Could do with the overtime.

-Got another job, too.

-Yeah?

-Can I have another one, Dad?

-You drink like that, you'll be pissed.

Sorry, I was thirsty. Can I?

In a minute, in a minute. Where's the job?

-Lady next door wants her grass cut.

-Next door to where?

-To where we were today.

-Does she want it cut front, back or otherwise(?)

-Shut your trap! Tim don't understand that kind of talk.

-I was only kiddin'.

-Well, don't.

Did you say you'd do it? Shut up or I'll flatten you!

-Did you?

-Tomorrow.

Good. Extra money'll come in handy. What sort of a lady is she?

Er...

you know...sort of an older lady.

-Lives in a big place.

-One of those.

-Mmm.

-Rich old biddy?

Oh, I dunno. Drives a big car back.

-She's a nice lady.

-They're all nice if they're in it!

-Think about something else.

Want another beer? Good, it's your shout.

Another round, please, sport. OK. >

I'm hungry.

Sit down.

Hi, Mum.

-Hello, mother.

-Don't mother me! Your dinner's ruined.

Aw, you always say that, Em.

What's to eat?

-As if you'd know, full of beer.

-We only had the usual.

-One too many.

It's Friday. What do you always get on a Friday? Fish and chips.

BOTH: As usual.

Now get that into you.

I like fish and chips.

Wouldn't matter what I gave you. You always say it's your favourite!

Make us a cup of tea later. There's a good movie I don't want to miss.

Get your father a glass and I'll open it.

Good boy!

DOORBELL RINGS

DOORBELL RINGS AGAIN

DOORBELL RINGS CONTINUALLY

Who is it?

Me.

Who? Who is it? Who is that?

Me...Tim. Tim Melville?

Hello.

Hello.

-You know what time it is?

-Yeah, seven o'clock.

-You always start work this early?

-Yeah, Monday to Friday.

-This is Saturday.

-Mmm.

Well, I'll show you where the mower is.

-Do you think you can manage that?

-No worries. I'm good with machinery.

-Is there anything else you need, Mr Melville?

-I'm not Mr Melville.

I'm Tim Melville. My DAD's Mr Melville.

Well...I'll leave it to you, Tim.

Righto, missus.

I'm not Mrs, I'm Miss Horton.

Miss Horton, anything you say.

ENGINE STARTS UP

Tim! Cup of tea?

Sit down.

-How do you like your tea?

-No milk, lots of sugar.

-Do help yourself.

I just put it in till it's sweet enough.

-Cake?

-I love chocolate cake! Specially with a lot of cream.

Good book?

Yes, it's very interesting.

Don't like books much.

-What DO you read?

-Don't.

You don't read anything?

-Can't.

-You can't read?

Or write.

You went to school?

Mmm. But I couldn't learn,

so mum and dad didn't make me keep on going.

I'm not the full quid. Anyone'll tell you that.

How old were you when you left school?

-About 15.

-How old are you now?

24 -

had a birthday last month.

Mmm. This is good, Miss Horton.

Please, call me Mary.

Ah. Are you sure? Dad says I should never call older people anything but Mr or Mrs or Miss.

-I'm not that old.

-Oh.

Well...

Got to get back to work.

You can always come back another day.

-Maybe next Saturday?

-Yes, I'd like that - as long as dad says I can.

I like you. I really do. Better than anyone - except Mum and Dad and Dawnie - she's my sister.

Thank you. That's nice of you.

Think nothing of it.

MARY LAUGHS

That's my imitation of a kangaroo.

That was very good, Tim. I could tell right away.

DOORBELL RINGS

I've finished out here, if you want to take a look. I'll start the back.

-Don't worry about finishing today. You can come back next Saturday... if your father agrees.

-All right.

Come inside and wash up.

-The bathroom's right over there.

-Oh.

Gee, nice house.

Come take a look at the rest of it.

You've got loads of books.

This is a nice house.

Isn't that beautiful!

It's my favourite colour, blue.

It's very old. It was my mother's. It was her favourite colour, too.

The bathroom's right through there. I left out a towel and soap for you.

Thanks.

My name and address are inside. Will you give this to your father so your parents know who I am?

-Righto. Thanks.

-You won't forget?

-I never forget anything when I'm told.

-I didn't think you would.

-Goodbye, Miss Horton.

Mary.

Goodbye, Mary.

RADIO: 'Here comes Blockbuster on the outside...'

-Hi.

-Hi, son. Want a beer?

-Wouldn't mind.

-Get another bottle.

RADIO: 'Blockbuster just in front...

'Leomotus at the line. Leomotus at the last, by a nose to Blockbuster. '

-How'd it go today?

-Real good.

Mary's nice.

-Mary?

-Miss Horton.

She told me to call her that. I didn't know after what you said about what to call older people.

-She said it was all right. Is it all right?

-Well, I suppose so, if she said so.

Did she, er, pay you like she promised?

Mmm.

20 dollars.

-I'll look after it for you, right?

-Right.

-She wants me to come again next Saturday.

-Didn't you finish?

-No.

Well, son, if she's willing to pay you, you can front up next Saturday.

And any Saturday you like!

That looks nice.

Not bad, eh?

-Come up to the patio for some tea.

-Sure.

PHONE RINGS

-Get the phone, will you, Tim.

-Mmm.

Hello.

Who? ..Oh, Mary!

Hello.

What?

Oh yeah, he's here... Dad.

-It's for you - Mary.

-Who?

Miss Horton.

Hello. ..Yes, Miss Horton. ..No, we've never met. How are you?

I'm fine, thanks. ..The boater?

..Well, I don't see why not.

If you want Tim to help you at the beach, that'd be all right. Tim won't mind. He enjoys working for you.

Good. ..Do you want to talk to him? Just a minute.

Miss Horton wants to talk to you.

Hello.

..Yeah, that'd be nice, Mary. I'd like that.

..Next weekend?

Goodbye, Mary.

D'ya hear that?

I'm going to the beach with Mary!

-Have you been here before?

-No. Don't get out much - none of us do.

Oh, except Dawnie - my sister.

She went overseas once on holiday.

-Have you ever been overseas?

-I was born in America.

-Oh.

-Take your bag. We'll leave the car here.

-OK.

-I got it.

-Good.

I have to pick up some things.

-Mr Thompson, hello.

-Hello, Mrs Horton. I've got your order ready.

That's 12 dollars 10. Make it 12 dollars.

-This is Tim.

-Hello, son.

-Hi.

We're going to take the jeep.

I've never been for a ride on the beach before.

This is fun!

Sit down, or you'll fall out.

Oh, this is nice.

-I'll help you.

-I got it.

Well, I think that's enough work for today.

Would you like to go surfing?

-Oh yes! I brought my swim trunks, like you said.

-You go change and I'll get the towels.

-All right.

What's the matter?

You said we were going swimming.

Oh! Not me - you. I haven't been in years.

-You have to come swimming with me!

-I'm sorry. I burn so easily.

It won't be the same. I can't go by myself!

-Please, come with me!

-I don't think I have a bathing suit.

-Take a look.

-Please go and take a look.

-All right, I'll take a look.

You found one?

Yes.

-Now we can go swimming.

-Yes.

How come if you live down here, you never go to the beach?

Well...

-If I lived here, I'd go every day!

-It is beautiful.

-Yeah.

-Where do you want me to put the chair?

-This is fine.

-Right.

Are you comin'?

-Er...I'll check the water.

-Come on.

-Let's go in!

-Let me...give it a try.

Wait a minute. I've got my shoes on.

Come on!

Come on!

Oh, it's nice!

Hooh!

Come on!

SHE SCREAMS

-Where are you goin'?

-It's too cold!

Come on back!

Oh, it's so COLD!

-Are you comin' in?

-No, I'll stay here.

-I'll go for a dip.

-Won't you come in?

-I can't. It's too cold.

-Let's go for a run.

-All right.

Hey, turn your lights out.

-Goodbye, Mary. Thanks for taking me to the beach.

-Good night, Tim.

So that's Mary Horton.

Who?

Tim works for her weekends. Oh.

Hey.

I think, um...

that's about enough of that for one night!

Are you happy?

What do YOU think?

Mmm.

TV: 'Two maiden overs...'

D'ya want a cup of tea, son?

No thanks, Mum. I'm sleepy.

-I've got to go to bed.

-All right.

-Night, love.

-Night, Mum. Night, Dad.

-Night, son.

Good night. G'night.

CAR ENGINE STARTS UP

CAR HORN HOOTS

-Hello, Dawn.

-G'day, Tim.

-Been out tonight, eh?

-Yeah, with Mick.

-How'd the weekend go?

-Great! Look what Mary gave me.

-How about that?

-Oh, yeah! The Wind In The Willows.

-I read it at school.

-It's all about animals who talk like people.

-Mary's teaching me to read. She says I'm doing great. Shall I read to you?

-I'm tired. Tomorrow, maybe?

-All right. Night, Dawnie.

-Night, Tim. Sleep tight.

TV: 'He fielded beautifully...'

Hello, Mum. Hello, Dad.

-Hello, Dawnie.

-Dawnie.

Just saw the elusive Miss Horton.

-Oh?

-Dropping Tim off.

What's she like?

I didn't get much of a look at her, really.

Tim seems rapt in her, though.

All we hear nowadays is, "Mary this, Mary that." Drives you up the wall.

-Do you know she's teaching him to read?

-Yeah.

-Bought him a book.

-Should've been a schoolteacher.

-The Wind In The Willows.

-Told us about it when he came home. D'ya want a cup of tea?

-Yeah.

-Ron?

Sounds as though you're a bit jealous of this woman. Jealous, me?!

Well, the way you're talking, you'd think she was stealing your little brother away from you.

Who is she anyway? We've never met her. She sounds nice on the phone.

What does she see in Tim, anyhow?

What do you mean, "What does she see in him?"

You know.

She's good to him, that's all I know.

-Here y'are.

-Thanks, Mum.

Anyway, who were you out with?

The chairman of the board - 92, but very sexy(!) Huh! Very funny.

I want to know what all these blokes see in you. Things you never do.

None of that talk in this house, thanks very much. Smart arse.

Come on. Who's this bloke you've been seeing lately? Which one?

You know! The tall one who called tonight. At least he didn't toot outside - he came to the door.

Ah! Mick.

Mick Harrington. Well, as a matter of fact...

-..we're engaged to be married.

-ENGAGED?!

-Dawnie!

-When did this happen? Tonight.

-I'm so happy for you!

Jesus Christ. His family's got money. How will we pay for the wedding?

That's what I saved MY money for! You did?

-I'm going to have a beaut wedding.

-We don't want you to be ashamed.

No way! You've brought me up in the best, nicest and happiest of homes. That's why I love you both.

Mick's OK - a bit of a snob, but I'll knock that out of him.

-Good night, Mum.

-Good night love.

-Night, Dawnie.

Well, what do you think about that?

I think it's marvellous!

Well...

I'll turn the television off.

Who'd have believed it!

-I never thought it would happen!

-She was always too much for me!

-Mick! Mick Harrington!

-Mrs Harrington!

Our Dawnie!

It came as a bit of a shock to me, I can tell you!

I'll give you a hand.

No! Don't you strain yourself. Get off to bed.

-I hope Dawnie isn't making a mistake.

-Oh, she'll be all right.

-This Mick... What's his name?

-Harrington.

Seems a bit of a poof to me.

Oh, Ron! You don't even know him!

I saw him when he came to the door.

HE won't go to the pub with me and Tim.

Oh, Jesus! I forgot all about Tim.

He's always doted on Dawnie. He's going to miss her.

You're very quiet today.

Where do you want these planted?

Er...

What do you say we put the marigolds right over there?

-Whatever you say.

-Well, what do YOU think?

I dunno. Whatever you say.

Tim?

Is anything the matter?

No.

You've been so quiet today.

Anything I've done?

No.

You been doing any reading lately?

Would you read for me now?

All right.

It was a warm...day.

And...

out...of the hills...ran...

..rippling creeks.

The water...

ran on the...rocks

in pools where fish...

leaped and played.

And...

the little boy...

..was sitting on... the rock by the road.

And he...

And he...

Tim, what is it?

HE SOBS

Oh, Tim!

What's making you so unhappy?

-She's goin' away.

-Who's going away?

-Dawnie.

She's gettin' married. I don't want her to get married and go away.

It's part of getting married.

That doesn't mean she won't love you as much as she always has.

You won't ever go away and leave me, will you?

No.

Not unless I die, or something.

What's "dying", Mary?

No-one will ever tell me.

Not Mum or Dad, or even Dawnie. What's "dying"?

What's "dead"?

Do they mean the same thing?

In a way.

You see...

every moment of the day and night, your heart is beating inside your chest.

Like it is now.

-You can always feel it, can't you?

-Mm.

Well, while it does that, you're alive.

Now, you've seen things grow old and wear out - things that you've used.

Well, people wear out.

And their hearts stop.

Like a clock that you can't wind up any more.

It happens to everybody.

It just happens one day - and then you're dead.

It's nothing to be afraid of. It can't hurt you.

Is it going to happen to us?

Yes.

I don't want you to die before I do.

Tim.

Dying is like saying goodbye and going away. It happens to all of us.

-Dawnie's goin' away.

-That's different.

She's getting married, and you'll be able to see her.

Don't be unhappy about it, please. Promise.

-I promise.

-Good.

-Mary.

-What?

Just now when you hugged me...

Well, when I was a little kid, when I cried, Mum used to hug me.

Then when I got bigger, she didn't hug me again - but you did.

Well, it doesn't matter how big we are, does it?

I like you.

I like you the same as I like Mum and Dad.

-I don't like Dawnie as much as you.

-Now, Tim...

-No, I like you better.

I like you too, Tim - very much.

As much as you like your own mum and dad?

I don't have a mum and dad. They died a long time ago.

-RON: Flash-lookin' place, isn't it?

-We're only going to have a drink with the Harringtons -

-we're not going to buy the place!

-Hmm.

MICK: Ah, here we are.

MICK'S FATHER: Hello.

Emily, Ron, I'd like you to meet my mother and father - Dick and Vivian.

How do you do? Hello. How do you do?

And this, of course, is Dawnie. Ah, yes. Let's drink a toast.

Long life and happy days! Long life and happy days!

-Mick and Dawnie.

-Thanks.

To us!

Shall we sit down?

Naturally, Dawn will be married in white, with at least one attendant?

One?

-She'll have four.

-Oh!

And the men in morning suits, Mr Melville?

Ron.

What do you think...Ron?

Well, whatever you say.

I'll give you a list of those the groom wants to invite, Mrs Melville.

Oh, call me Em - Emily.

Oh yes, well...Emily.

Sure, whatever you think.

I believe that Dawn has a brother.

Yes. That's Tim, but he won't be coming.

Dad, I want Tim to see me marry.

But you know Tim don't like crowds.

Your dad's right. With a lot of people, Tim gets overexcited.

I didn't realise he was a youngster.

He's not a youngster, he's simple.

Simple?

Tim's not the full quid.

You knew, Mick!

Yeah, I didn't really give it much thought.

We've never hidden it, have we?

Well, no.

Anyway, Tim's my brother and I love him, and he's coming to my wedding!

More champagne?

PHONE RINGS

309 4208.

-'Hello. It's Ron Melville.'

-How are you, Mr Melville?

-'Fine, thanks.'

Sorry to ring you at home, but Em and I need your advice on something.

Yes.

-Our daughter is getting married.

-'Congratulations!'

-Thank you.

It's about the wedding. I'm giving her a big one - four bridesmaids.

And, er...well...Em and I would like Tim at the wedding.

'But then there's the reception afterwards - all those people.'

We don't think he should go. He couldn't handle it.

Listen, why don't you let him go to the church, and I'll pick him up outside right afterwards.

He can go to my beach place and stay for the weekend.

-Thanks, Miss Horton.

-'Good night.'

-Goodbye.

-All right?

-Mm.

They kneel before Thee to ask Thy blessing on their life together.

May the light of Thy wisdom be about them

Thy love be their strength and stay, the spirit of Christ, their spirit. Amen.

- ALL: Amen. - May God make grace abound in you,

and that through the proving of your faith, men may glorify God. Amen.

BOTH: Amen.

Dawnie looks like a fairy princess, doesn't she?

You wait outside for Miss Horton, like I said, right?

-See you back home tomorrow night.

-Righto, Dad.

Well, how was the wedding?

-Were you happy for Dawnie?

-Yeah.

Mum cried a bit. So did Dad. I didn't, though.

Why should you cry if you're happy?

Some day I hope you're so happy that you'll cry.

How's it going?

It's good.

Night-night, Mary.

Night, Tim.

Thanks.

-Have you had a copy of this telex?

-Yes.

The problem is far from solved.

I haven't seen you today. D'you have a good weekend?

-Went down to the beach.

-You and Tim?

-Yes.

You're becoming quite a twosome.

-Yes.

-They need a decision right away.

-I went out the last time.

-I think we'll both have to go this time.

-When?

-Tomorrow morning. I'll fetch you in a cab. Plane leaves at 7.00am.

Hi, Mum!

There's some postcards for you.

From Miss Horton?

What's she say?

Er...

"Be back Saturday".

You miss her, don't you?

I got it, Mum.

Oh...Thanks, love.

-I have to make a phone call.

-I'll get the bags.

Tim?

I'm back!

TV: 'I was a primary school teacher. I went to England eight years ago.'

While there, quite accidentally, somehow I got drafted into a school

for mentally-retarded youngsters.

It fascinated me.

When I returned, I decided that THAT was the work I wanted to do.

So I studied to learn how to teach the children.

The youngsters are taught many things, not just to read and write.

Out there is part of the work of the Creative Leisure Movement.

They've been rehearsing a play for a week - a very special play.

They've written it.

They've made everything for it - all the costumes and bits and pieces.

The main thing is it's THEIR play.

It's THEM that have made it happen.

INAUDIBLE

You say you taught Tim to read?

-Yes, a little.

-Was he pleased about that?

Yes. He felt he had achieved something.

He's aware of his limits. It's incredible.

But you see...I'm not sure of what his limits are.

I want SO to know what he's really thinking,

what he's feeling, how he dreams.

BELL RINGS Would you like to see the rest of the school?

Very much.

-What does Tim do for a living?

-He's a builder's labourer.

-What are his parents like?

-I've only ever spoken to them on the phone.

I'm sure they're not well-educated.

They love him a lot.

They didn't know what to do with him when he was a child.

When he couldn't manage at school, they sent him off to work.

-I'd like to meet him.

-I think he'd like that.

-Does he have a speech abnormality or physical deformity?

No. He's quite handsome actually.

THUMP OF HEARTBEAT

Hello.

Wonder where Mum is. Em, we're home, love!

Em?

She must be having a lie-down.

Mum!

Dad! In here, Dad!

DAD!

Oh, Jesus!

Jesus Christ!

She... She's as cold as ice!

Get a cardigan or a blanket or something.

Hello. Dr Perkins, it's Ron Melville here.

Doc, it's Em. I think it's her heart.

She's just lying here.

All right. We'll wait for the ambulance.

Em...

Hear me speak, love. It's Ron. Can you hear me?

Em! Em, love...

Em, it's Ron. Can you hear me?

Oh, Ron!

I'm so pleased to see you!

The pain was terrible.

Where's Tim?

He's here, love.

I'm here, Mum.

Don't worry! The ambulance is coming to take you to the hospital.

How d'ya feel?

Like something the cat dragged in.

Oh, Ron!

I wet myself.

The chair's sopping.

Bugger the furniture!

Oh, Em!

Don't let anything happen to you.

Hold on till we get you to the hospital.

SIREN WAILS

Ron.

I'm here, love.

We're at the hospital. Soon have you fixed up.

Ron.

Yes, love?

Take...care of...Tim.

Do the...best thing...

for Tim.

LIFT BELL RINGS

Dad!

Dad! Don't cry, love. Don't cry!

Is she all right?

We got her here OK. She's going to be all right.

Come on, Dawnie. Sit down.

Take it easy.

OK.

Sorry, Ron.

Why did I go to the pub?

I coulda come straight home. I coulda come straight home for once.

Don't blame yourself, Dad.

But I do.

Tim.

Don't worry about Mum.

She's going to be all right.

But what if mum dies, Dawnie?

Mary told me about dying.

What if Mum dies?

Talk to you a moment, Ron?

She's gone, mate.

We did all we could.

Gone.

How will I tell Dawnie and Tim? Do you want me to?

Could I see her?

She's gone.

O-o-oh, Mick!

Better take Dawnie home, Mick. Yeah.

Come on, son.

We're going for a walk now.

DAWNIE SOBS

Well, she's gone, Tim.

We've got to learn to get along without her.

But it's going to be awful hard.

She's really and truly dead?

Yes, son.

Really and truly.

Mary told me about dying.

I know what dead is.

It's like saying goodbye and going away.

Isn't it?

That's about the size of it, son.

Except we never got to say goodbye.

PHONE RINGS

Mary Horton.

'Miss Horton, it's Ron Melville.

'Sorry to ring you at your office,'

but my wife, Em, died last night.

Well, the early hours of this morning - it was very sudden.

I'm so sorry.

Thank you.

'Miss Horton, I know you're real fond of Tim, and I was wondering...'

..Em's being buried tomorrow,

but I don't think he ought to be there.

-'I'll come over as soon as I can. I'll take him down to the beach.'

-Thanks, Miss Horton.

Bye.

Goodbye.

KNOCKING

I'll get it.

-Yes?

-I'm Mary Horton.

-Could you please tell Mr Melville that I'm here.

-Oh. Yeah, sure.

Someone for you, Ron.

Oh.

Oh!

-Miss Horton?

-Yes.

How is Tim?

Oh, he's taking it all right. I'm sorry I rang you at your office, but I didn't know what to do.

I'll take him to the beach. Perhaps you could come and stay.

I might just take you up on that. Come in.

-This is Miss Horton, Tim's friend.

-Hello, Mary.

-Hello. We're going to the beach. Hello, Dawnie.

What do you want?

-I've come for Tim.

-I can see that!

Are you having it off with him?

Dawnie! It's between me and her!

Can't you get a real man? RON: What in heaven's name... Keep out, Dad.

Him doing YOUR garden? You've been doing his!

Well, a middle-aged woman with a young man, it's just...

You bloody creep! You miserable, poofter bastard!

-I ought to knock your teeth in!

-Don't let him get you going, Dad.

I don't know what's going on here. Can I go and pack my bag now?

You do that, son.

Hey!

-You're a beaut, boy.

-You're all right, too, Dad.

-You're very, very wrong, my dear.

-RON: I'll show you out.

Don't take no notice of them, Miss Horton. The one that matters is Tim.

Em said, "Do the best thing for Tim", and I've got to do that

because she ain't here any more.

Em and me had some bloody good years together and I'm going to remember every one of them.

Maybe Dawnie and Mick wouldn't understand,

but Mum would want me to raise a glass to her every night at the pub. You know what I mean?

Thanks.

I'm ready.

Yes, Tim.

Off you go.

-Bye, Dad.

-Bye.

SHE LAUGHS HYSTERICALLY

Mary, are you laughing or crying?

I don't know!

"Eternal God, in whose comforting there is shelter from the storm,

"in whose pity there is shadow from the heat of life,

"hear now our prayer for those who mourn their dead.

"Send pity to lighten their darkness, and Thy presence and sympathy to fill their loneliness.

"Touch their wounds with Thy healing hands,

"help them to be still.

"Amen."

WATER BIRDS CRY

-Oh, hello, Mary!

-Good morning.

-Morning. You're on the go early.

-I'm a working lady. I have to go. Tim knows where everything is.

-Fine.

-Morning.

-Where are you going?

-The office.

-Oh. Will you be back tonight?

-No. The weekend. I'll see you both Friday.

-Bye.

-Take good care of your dad.

-I will.

-I'll call you tonight.

-Promise?

Thank God it's the end of this week.

-Would you like another drink?

-I wouldn't mind.

You didn't tell me what happened after you picked Tim up last week.

Oh, nothing really.

Oh, come on. Something went on.

No, really.

All right.

But you haven't been your usual self all week.

-Sorry about that.

-Thank you.

We've known each other...

Well, it's a long time, isn't it?

Mmm.

You realise it's almost 20 years since I came from America?

-And I've never tried to tell you how to run your life.

-No, you haven't.

Do you know what you're about now?

-Haven't I always?

-That's not what I'm asking you.

-I know.

It's late, Tom.

Good luck. It'll work out.

Thanks for the drink. And the advice.

-<

-I'm back!

-I-I'm glad to see ya.

-Why aren't you in bed?!

-I wouldn't go till you got here.

-He waited up.

-I'll go now. Will you come and say good night?

-I will in a minute.

Tea's just made.

How has it been?

Good and bad.

He cried a lot for his mum.

I'll go say good night.

Oh, Mary. I wish you'd been here all this week.

So do I.

It's sad to remember Mum isn't here any more.

-It was awful not having you here to talk to. I'm glad you're back.

-So am I.

'Night, Mary.

Good night.

It ain't the same without the old girl.

If anything should happen to me... will you look after Tim?

Of course I will.

He's enough to break a man's heart. I don't know what's happening with him and me.

I don't seem to be able to talk to him any more.

-I don't want to interrupt your reading.

-It's all right.

I thought you might look at this.

It's what I was telling you about - my will, bank books, insurance...

All the things Em and me put a few bob into over the years to make Tim secure.

I thought you might look after them for me.

You see, Mary...

..I'm dying.

Or put it this way -

I don't want to live.

I just can't make myself want to live any more.

I'm running down like a clockwork monkey.

Running down, and there's nothing I can do about it.

And I'm glad.

I'm glad.

If I'd been a young man...

I might not have felt her going as bad as this. Age makes it different.

She's left a great big hole I can't fill with anything.

Not even Tim.

All I want now...

is to lie with her under the ground.

Oh, Ron.

That's right! Hug him! You're always doing that!

What's wrong?

Let me talk to him.

Tim!

Tim!

Tim!

What have I done?

Nothing. Go away!

Don't touch me. Don't!

Please, tell me. What have I done, Tim? Tell me!

Nothing.

Tell me what's the matter. Please.

-I can't.

-You can. You've always been able to tell me everything.

I can't! I can't! I... No.

You don't like me any more, that's all. You like Dad better than me.

Since you met him, you haven't liked me!

Oh, Tim...

-How could I ever stop liking you?

-Well, you did when you met Dad.

Oh, that's not true, Tim. Oh, please!

Believe me, that's not true. I like your dad, but...

-I could never like him as much as I do you.

-You don't like me any more!

It's him you like now. I've seen you hugging him all the time. And I want you to hug ME, but you don't.

But you do it to him.

Tim...

I know that you miss your mom a lot.

But not in the same way that your dad does.

You know...

you're young.

And he's...old.

I know how Dad feels.

He wants to die and lie next to Mum.

He just wants to be with her.

He misses her terribly.

He misses her like I'd miss you if you died.

Mary...

Ah!

Dear God!

What's wrong?

Let's go back.

John, help me. I don't know what to do.

I feel so guilty.

When we're together, I...

I see him looking at me with such confusion.

He trusts me and I'm hurting him.

-I promised his father...

-What's your solution?

Only not seeing him again.

-I can't do that.

-There is another way, you know.

What?

Why don't you marry him?

-That's a crazy...!

-Is it? Is it really?

John, that really is crazy!

Why not marry him?

It's so frightening.

For some reason, out of everyone, Tim's fixed his affections on you.

With you it will stay.

I stopped thinking of myself being married for so long...

Mary, what do you really want?

Do you want Tim to live on his own, while you sit in your house wishing you had the guts to do something?

You can't walk away from him now, Mary - you know that.

Tim loves YOU.

With every part of his being, he loves YOU.

Will you come to my wedding?

I'll even dance at YOURS!

"..I am a sounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

"I may have faith strong enough to move mountains, but without love, I am nothing.

"Love is patient, kind, and envies no-one.

"Love is never boastful, nor conceited, nor rude -

"never selfish, not quick to take offence.

"Love keeps no score of wrongs but delights in the truth.

"There is nothing love cannot face.

"There is no limit to its faith, its hope and its endurance.

"Love never comes to an end. There are three things that last forever -

"faith, hope and love.

"But the greatest of them is love."

Do you, Tim Melville, take Mary Horton as your lawful, wedded wife?

I do.

Do you, Mary Horton, take Tim Melville as your lawful, wedded husband?

I do.

I now pronounce you man and wife.

SOUNDTRACK DROWNS SPEECH

What is it?

You told me that one day I'd be so happy that I'd cry.

I love you so much.

SOUNDTRACK DROWNS SPEECH

PHONE RINGS

Hello?

Hello. This is Fred Carlton speaking. Is Mr Melville - I mean Tim - there?

This is Mrs Melville.

Sorry to disturb you like this, but we are neighbours of Ron Melville.

We hadn't seen him about his place for a few days...

OMINOUS SOUNDTRACK DROWNS SPEECH

..Could you come up and make the necessary arrangements?

Yes, we...

We'll be there...

We'll be there.

"Oh, Lord, support us all day of this troublous life,

"until the shadows lengthen and evening comes,

"and the fever of life is over and our work is done.

"In Thy mercy, grant us safe lodging and holy rest,

"and peace at the last. Amen." ALL: Amen.

"Lord, bless us and keep us. Make His face to shine upon us and be gracious unto us.

"Lift up the light of His countenance upon us and give us peace. Amen." ALL: Amen.

My condolences in your loss.

Dawnie...I'm so sorry.

Don't talk to me. You got what you wanted - Tim.

Tim... My condolences to you.

Dawnie.

-You don't... Dawnie, you don't...

-I never want to see that woman again.

-Don't say that, Dawnie.

-I feel sorry for you, I do, Tim, but...

-Look, it's different.

-What is?

-Me.

-I

-am. I'm married. Mary's my wife, just like you're Mick's wife.

All I know is Mum and Dad are in their graves, and you're with her.

Don't say...

I-I just want things to be the way they used to.

I want you to love Mary.

I love you, Dawnie. Please. Please.

Oh, Tim.

Everything's going to be all right.

Yeah.

Course it is.

Come on, love. See you later, Tim...Mary.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

E-mail [email protected]