The Child in Time

LINNEY

This is "Masterpiece."

STEPHEN

Ready, steady, go! (squealing) Kate! Kate! (voice

shaking)

She was right there. (crying): Where is she! Dad to Kate.

STEPHEN (on walkie)

We love you.

JULIE

She's not a cat.

STEPHEN

I'm trying to find her.

JULIE

You never bring her home! Stop!

STEPHEN

I'll never believe that I'll never find her. If it's an consolation, I see her, too.

LINNEY

"The Child in Time," tonight on "Masterpiece." (slow piano music playing) (din of the crowd amplified) (slow piano music playing) (din of the crowd amplified) Sir, do you want me to stay with you? Sir? Uh, no-- no, thank you. Once we get to your home, I'll give it 15 minutes and I'll follow you inside. Yeah. (blinker clicking) (loud music coming from passing car) (door opens) (door closes) (music playing on the radio)

JULIE

You took your time, didn't you? I was about to send out a search party. Where is she? She was there. She was there. Stephen, where is she? She was just there. (crying): She was right there... What do you mean?! I don't know. (crying): What do you mean! Where is she! Where is she now?! (tapping keys on keyboard) (water running)

MAN

Oh, I hope you don't mind me saying, but you're telling the world you're not at home. Your note. People see your note and they know you're out. "People?" Well, I'm just saying, why advertise you're out? (quietly): Well, just because. Idiot. (soft piano music playing) (din of the crowd amplified)

CHARLES DARKE (off-screen)

Look, just keep going, plowing on, write reams of the stuff if you feel the need, because, hey, your editor will edit. Look, trust me, Stephen, there are hundreds of thousands of children out there, they're all eagerly waiting the next Stephen Lewis masterpiece. I wish. It's true, you know it is, myself included. That's excellent, Paul, thank you. But what I don't want you to be doing, right, is-is sitting there with your thumb up your bottom, waiting for the muse. I'm having the duck.

THELMA DARKE

Yep, me too. And a fizzy water please, Paul. I feel like getting drunk.

CHARLES

I'm afraid I can't, but don't let that stop you. Work? Ah, reading and, uh... an early night. I'll have a good drink with you, Stephen. Thank you, Thelma. (glasses

clink) CHARLES

So how's the, uh... how's the committee work progressing? It's fine.

THELMA

You managing to stay awake? I am riveted. (Thelma chuckles)

CHARLES

Drop it if it's not for you. Although you are the poster boy. Not really. Believe me, when the brave new report is finally published, they are going to trumpet your involvement. Minimal involvement. Well, then, drop it. I only asked you to get you out of yourself. Um, you should also know that I'm-I'm leaving the government. And my sideline in publishing. So there. (blows raspberry) (exhales) Why would you want to do that? Retiring. Retreating, to the countryside. It's something we've been wrestling with for some time. Decision's made. Well, I don't mind you giving up running the country, but why the books? Why me? 20 years of 18-hour days have made Charles a very dull boy. But you adore 18-hour days. (phone vibrating)

THELMA

He hasn't even told the prime minister yet; you're very privileged. Sorry. I really do have to take this, it's New York. George? Yep, all right, ten seconds while I find some privacy. He really does need to stop everything. He's not ill, is he? (chuckling): No. He's just tired that's all, of being Charles, of being... responsible. You can visit you know, we're not leaving the country. Yeah, but who's going to look after me? Who's going to take me out for nice expensive dinners and get me drunk? You'll have to find another companion. Perhaps the person who asks me on a weekly basis how you are. You talk to Julie every week? Well, you should go and see her. I'm waiting for the invitation. Maybe she's waiting for a call. Or are you planning on avoiding each other till the end of days? Call her.

CHARLES

Hey. Don't look now but the table behind are having jam-roly-poly. Ooh! (whispering): I said not to look! I'm having it.

THELMA

How was New York? Rude. Yeah, very rude, and no longer my problem. To another life. I'll drink to that. (glasses clink) Tight hold. Now you're not too warm in that jacket, are you? No, not really. Good. Silly Daddy thought it was going to rain. Daddy, can we go fast? How fast? Very, very fast? Yes. Stupidly, ridiculously, illegally fast? Yes. Hair flying in the wind fast? Yes. All right. When there's no one around. Now, ready, steady, go! (squealing) (register beeping) (Kate squirming) Kate darling, stand still. Wait for Daddy.

CASHIER

That's 53.76 pounds. Are you collecting school vouchers? No. Do you have a points card? No. Cash back? No. No, thank you. And PIN number please. (keypad beeping) Okay. And remove your card.

STEPHEN

Thank you. Thanks so much. Thank you. All right, thank you, bye bye. Kate? Sorry. Kate? Kate? Has anyone seen a little girl, a four-year-old girl, she was wearing a yellow coat? She was, uh... she's called Kate. No? Please? Kate? Kate! Kate! Please has anyone seen a four-year-old girl, she-she was wearing a yellow coat! Her name's Kate! Please? You must have seen her, she was standing just there, when I was paying-- no? Kate! Kate! (muted,

barely audible)

We'll find her. I promise you. (phone ringing out)

JULIE (on phone)

Hello. Hi. It's me. (horns blare)

LYDIA WEBB (off-screen)

We seem to have sleep-walked our way into a situation where we are apparently quite happy to hand over our children to complete strangers. Parenting is being outsourced. Parents have more important things to do, essential things to do like earn money to pay for housing and food (wry

chuckle)

and childcare. It used to be that Granny would help. But Granny is now miles away. And so childcare is being contracted to a faux-extended family of police-checked strangers, agency workers, whose major qualification is their willingness to work for as little as is legal and often less. (audio

fading)

Financial pressures are eroding family life and threatening the welfare of our children... (Stephen inhales) (muffled): Families need help, financial help... (Lydia's muffled voice continues) (panting) (phone ringing) (phone beeps) Hello?

JULIE (on phone)

Hey, it's me. You're still coming, aren't you? Yeah, definitely, yeah.

JULIE

Good. Would you mind bringing my old music sheets? They were in the sideboard, I think. Okay. You don't mind? No, no problem. Thank you. Kettle's on. (Stephen chuckles)

WOMAN (on TV)

Now I've got some top tips on how you can take charge of selling your own home, and save thousands of pounds... (woman continues, indistinct)

JULIE

She's not a cat. I know she's not a flipping cat. I'm trying to find her. Well, you lost her. (sighs) I didn't mean that. Why don't I just sit on my ass all day and watch TV as well? (door slams) I love you. I love you more. I'm so competitive. (chuckles) (door opens) (playing notes quietly) (door closes) Not find her then? Play your piano. (sighs) What is it you want? Do you want me to give up? Yes. I want you to give up, because you always let me down. You never bring her home. And you're drinking too much. I'm supposed to drink too much. (crying): I can't live here anymore! (sobbing) (train rushes by loudly) (grunts) Damn! Damn it! Oh for God's sake! (panting) (groans) (birds chirping) (women laughing) (indistinct chatter) (phone ringing) Hi. I-I'm here.

JULIE (on phone)

Where? I, um...

STEPHEN

I'm in the village, I think I-I turned right instead of left. Oh, you pillock. No, well I'll-I'll be with you soon. How far is it? About ten minutes. Everything all right? Hmm? Yeah. Yeah, no, yeah, I'm just uh, I'm being a pillock.

JULIE

Kettle's on. (waves crashing) Ta-da! Oh, my goodness... Yeah. What happened to you? Well, I swear to God, when I left the flat this morning I was spotless. You never said there'd be mud. You're covered in it. You best get out of those clothes, I'll put them through the wash. Thank you. Shoes off here? Definitely. Strip. You can wear my dressing gown, which fortunately used to be your dressing gown. Yeah, for all of a week. You never wore it. I never had the chance. This is nice, it's lovely. I like it. Thank you. Been working out? Being funny? Have I... have I been here before? The village? Not that I know; not with me. Why? I don't know, it looks familiar, I thought I had. Felt familiar. I'd lose the socks if I were you. Okay. You look nice by the way. You look well. "Well?" Lovely. You look lovely. Well fit. (chuckles) How long's it been now? Almost a year. Hmm, Christ. (sniffles) Beautiful is the word I was looking for. You look beautiful. Thank you. You could use a wash. Yeah. It's all in your hair. Mucky pup. You've lost weight. Just a little. You smell like you. That's because I am me. (shower running) (giggling) (panting) (moaning) Do you know, I've been here for almost an hour and you haven't even offered me so much as a cup of tea. (laughing) (distant seagulls cawing) Oh bugger. What? Need the loo, don't want to move. Bugger. (distant door closes) Mummy. Mummy, we're going to the shops. (distant seagulls cawing) My turn. Then I'll make you that tea. It can wait. You must be hungry. I teach a few hours at a few schools locally, I play Saturdays at a hotel about five miles from here, and I give lessons. I make ends meet. What else is there? Sounds good. It's nice. I like it. And the train's just a muddy field away, the village ten minutes' walk. So how did you manage to turn right instead of left? God... Disorientated by my fall. And how did you manage to fall? Uh, I was running because I thought I'd seen her. A girl in a yellow raincoat. I'd turned the corner out of the station and I... she went towards the village, so I followed her. You followed her? I'm an idiot. I'm still looking for her. Not actively, just out of the corner of my eye. I am a little bit better. Have you still got your private detective? No, no, he gave up. I think he got bored of taking my money. That was good of him. After he'd finished paying off his mortgage? Probably. If it's any consolation, I see her too. But I make sure I'm doing other things as well. She is out there. Yes. Are you busy? Writing? Yeah, yeah, I'm writing a story about a boy who wants to become a fish. Why does he want to become a fish? I can't tell you that, it's top, top secret. Why not a dog? That's been done before. And dogs sniff other dogs' balls, asses, who'd want to do that? It's gross, kids would love it. Yeah, yeah, they would. I'll just check on your clothes, wouldn't want them to shrink. What time's your train? 4:00

and then there's another at 6

00ish, I think. Dry as a bone. Thank you. Are you finished with that? Yeah, yes. Are we going to talk about what happened? Just now? Did I miss something? It was very nice, and that's all I have to say on the matter. I'm surprised I remembered what to do. (chuckles) Which is my way of saying there hasn't been anyone else. Same. There's no one else. Just me. Good. I mean, if you're happy. I know what you mean. (siren blaring) (din of traffic)

GREG ELLIS

It has been shown, proven, that we use but a fraction of our intellectual, emotional and intuitive resource. (voice

fading)

Now it's clear we get by on very little of our grey matter. Members of the committee, we have undernourished our capacity for empathic and magical participation in creation. (Greg's voice muffled, indistinct) By forcing literacy onto children between the ages of five and seven, we are shattering the unity of the child's world view. Madam Chairman, literacy should not be introduced to a child until the ages of 11 or 12, corresponding with the brain's natural and important surge...

STEPHEN

11 or 12? You're... you're saying that we shouldn't introduce the written word to children until they're 11 or 12? Correct. That's... no, I don't think that's correct. That's most definitely incorrect. (chuckling) Based on what evidence? Well, experience. An anecdote then. There have been trials in Sweden that have proven... Based on the joy of a three-year-old child when she almost writes her name for the first time. Or the joy of a four-year-old when she picks words or parts of words from a sign or a poster, which then in turn leads to the most wonderful, wondrous conversations. Or imagine the child sitting on a parent's knee when it's having a story read aloud to it and tracing all the words on the page, quite wrongly, and... (sighs) marveling at those meaningless black splodges, which somehow... enable closeness. Bring... warmth, happiness and comfort and... ease the separation at night. I suggest that you are looking at the scenario from the adults' perspective and not the child's. You can suggest what you want, but I know what I saw and I know how she felt. So that's how I know for certain that you're talking complete bollocks. (quietly): What a brilliant way to finish the day. Well done, you. I wasn't too rude, was I? Not at all, and if you were he deserved it. I've never heard such tripe. Could I treat you to a coffee? Um, yeah, why not? Good. Are you writing at the moment? Yes, yes, I am. A book? Yes. Of course, a book, about what? Can you tell me, or would you have to kill me? (soft chuckle) No. It's-it's about a boy who wants to become a fish. Oh. What kind of fish? Well, a colorful fish, a tropical fish actually. How lovely. How far have you got? He holds his breath under the water for about 43 seconds in the bath tub so...

JOANNA BUCKLEY

Excuse me, Mr. Lewis? My name is Joanna Buckley, I work at Number 10. The prime minister would like to see you, please.

STEPHEN

The prime minister? Yes. What, here? Now? Yes, he's not far. Looks like I'm outranked. Another time maybe? Yes, definitely, another time. That would be nice. You address him as "Prime Minister" unless he tells you differently. Right. He's just here. Mr. Lewis, thank you so much for sparing the time. Prime Minister. The Home Secretary. His children are avid readers of yours. Oh, thank you. Oh, it's nothing to do with me, it's their nanny. (chuckles)

PRIME MINISTER

Important work, happening on your committee. Well, I hope so, hopefully. It's vital that someone like yourself is involved. Now we have a mutual good friend, I believe. Charles Darke. Yes. When did you see him last? Oh... some time ago? We had dinner. How was he? He was Charles. (soft chuckle) Um, can I ask why? Did he mention, discontent at all? No, no, he was in good form. Um, we talked books... Oh, he was himself. Will you be seeing him anytime soon? I'm sure... Yes, I'll-I'll visit him once he's settled in. Right. I'd like to know how he is. (stammering): In himself. In confidence. Could you do that? I can't-- I can't spy on him, no.

HOME SECRETARY

And we wouldn't dream of asking, but you can let concerned colleagues know how he is, can't you? Charles is important to me, personally. And, I believe, to the country. Okay. Good man. As soon as you can manage, I'd very much appreciate your opinion. Right. (bell ringing) (bell ringing in the distance) (breathing heavily) (wood thuds) (chuckling): Charles, don't bolt your food. You'll give yourself indigestion. Sorry. Had a good day? Mm. Very. I got blisters on my hands, look. Oh? Well, don't do too much. It doesn't hurt. I'm building a shelter, it's like a den. I thought about like a tree house, but then you'd need ropes, pulleys, tools, none of which you're gonna find on a desert island, or a jungle forest. Yes, well, you'll have to watch out for wild cats. Wolves... I mean you don't have to force it. Is it forced at all? Your behavior? Or is it natural? That. Natural. (soft chuckle) What are you looking at? You. What are you gonna do about it? (chuckles)

DAD

What's that? Oh, it's Mum. I was just... She's doing five things at once as usual, making dinner. I met the PM the other week, the prime minister. He's a sleazeball. A very charming sleazeball. (scoffs) Aren't they all/ What did he want you for? Charles Darke, my publisher-- ex-publisher-- is also retiring from government and the prime minister wants to know if I can find out why. Well, maybe he's developed a conscience, taken an anti-(no audio) pill. I want to see him, Charles I mean, but I feel like now, if I do, I'll be spying on him. If you want to see Charles, you should go and see him. Don't let some ponce dictate when you should go and see a friend. I went to see Julie. Saw her, when? Where? At her cottage. It's just outside a village called Stanton Low, in Kent. Nice? Very nice, peaceful. How's she doing? Oh, she's doing well. She's doing bits and bobs. We just had a cup of tea. She sends her love. Will you be seeing her again? As and when, yeah. Good. The village was really familiar. There was a pub there called The Bell. Did we ever go there before? Together, I mean, when I was little, younger? Stanton Low. Yeah. No. I remember a pub called The Bell, but from years ago. Remember our one and only bike ride, Geoff? We stopped off at a pub. In Stanton Low? I don't remember the name of the village. When did we go on a bike ride? Before we were married. Oh. We borrowed the bikes from your shifty friend, Paul. And we stopped off at a pub called The Bell. Definitely. Did you give her our love; Julie? Stephen? Did you tell Julie we're always thinking about her? Yeah. Yes. Good. I feel for that girl. (yawns) (panting) (panting) (distant howling) (chattering in distance) Hey. What brings you to the big city? You do. It was a very nice surprise, to get your call. I needed provisions, and I have a proposition. Intriguing. Mm-hmm. Mm... Is this you pausing for effect? Is it working? (chuckles) This way. Okay. So how would you like to learn to play piano? Piano? Why? I mean, do you think I need to learn to play the piano? You don't need to, no, but it might be something you'd enjoy. Do you want to give it a try? Uh... I don't know. You don't have to, but you always threatened to. It's your call. Are you suggesting it would be therapeutic? It's just something for us to do, maybe, together. I'd teach you. And if you hate it, we stop. No pressure. If you're too busy...? No. No, not at all. Good. We'll make a start shall we? (playing ascending scales) (playing descending scales) Now you. Nice and slowly at first, there's no rush. (plays a note) (plays scales slowly, forcefully) Try not to hit the keys so hard. (plays softer) That's not bad. That's good. Am I a natural? You could say that. If you were a liar. (playing scales) (scissors snipping) Charles, what on earth are you doing? I don't like it, the fuzz. And some of it's old-man grey! Well, be careful with those scissors. One false move... Yeah, I wouldn't want to chop off Mr. Thing. (snorts) (slowly playing "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star") (seagulls cawing, piano playing continues) (CD of Stephen playing "Twinkle, Twinkle" tentatively) (playing "Twinkle, Twinkle" faster, improved) (stops playing) (chuckles) (car engine running) Ah! You found us!

STEPHEN

Eventually. You're well hidden. You didn't see the yellow ribbon I tied around the tree? (chuckles) Oh, it's so good to see you. Have you lost weight? Of course I have, you buggered off and stopped feeding me. (laughs) Where is he? He's out, in the woods. He loves it. Oh... lord of the manor? You're to find him, go to him, after you've eaten. All right. He was so pleased to hear you were coming. Hm. He's changed. So have you-- is that a twinkle in your eye? No, no, it's just conjunctivitis. She's started to teach me how to play the piano and I'm finding myself desperate to impress her. Why's that, I wonder? Who knows? What's your news? Oh, reading mostly. You know, books I've always wanted to read. Bit of writing, while, um, Charles is off enjoying himself. How long is it going to be? His exile? I wish I knew. Well, the PM no less wants to know. The PM can go screw himself. It's none of his business. They-they've been here snooping, I've asked them not to. Is there anything I can do? You're here. (birds chirping) Charles! (animal calling) Charles? Charles? Charles? Hello? (branch thuds) Over here! Oh? (laughing): You walked straight past me! Didn't see you. (grunts) (strained laughter) Well. Look at you, Boyz in da Wood. Do you want to see my place? My den. (chuckling) What? You've got a den? This way. Keep up. It's amazing! I've been building it for weeks!

HOME SECRETARY

Could be worse. You could easily say he was out jogging.

PRIME MINISTER

But he's not out jogging, he's out playing. Could be worse. It could destroy the report, if it continues. Then put a stop to it. Tell him he's grounded. (breathless): Oh, for... (panting) You're not very good at this sort of thing, are you? I used to be. We're here. Come on. It's bigger on the inside, like the thingy. Come on. Wow. Yeah.

It's got everything

cool box, tool box, fool box. Fool box? Yeah, games, puzzles. Drink? No thanks, I just had a cup of tea with Thelma. Try some. I made it myself. Okay. Go on. (laughs) Guess what's in it? Lemons and piss going by the taste. (laughs) Half right. (chuckles) (snorts) Oh, my god. (burps) When the weather improves I'm going to sleep out. (exhales) I should tell you I've written a book. Any good? Not really. Might even become a joke book. Climb a tree? (scoffs) In these shoes? No thanks. You can see for miles. I'll give it a miss. You'll love it. No, I won't. What, are you chicken? Chicken. (imitating chicken) (snorts) Chicken. What's going on? What is it that you're doing here? I'm just having fun. I'm being myself. This is you? Yeah, it's a part of me, yeah. It's mixed up. I mean, it's complicated. (laughs) At the same time, you know, it's... it's really easy. I understand it, and I expect you'll get it, easy. I'm searching for a child, and he wasn't taken. I mean, he was sort of, he... was forbidden. He was denied and... (softly) I need to find him. You understand that, don't you? I haven't got a first clue what you're going on about. Are you angry with me? Can you even hear yourself? Sitting there with your bottle of piss and talking about "searching for a child?" Are you disgusted by me? Yeah. I'm disgusted, I'm disappointed, I'm... disillusioned, every "dis" under the sun. Why? Why do you think? You need a shave, Charles. You have a man's stubble. Look down the front of your pants and you'll find you have a hairy pair of bollocks. Yeah, well, that is where you're wrong, so there. (blows raspberry) Where are you going now? To climb a tree. Charles! Charles, this is ridiculous. Charles! For pity's sake! Be careful!

CHARLES

It's easy! With practice! Charles! Charles, that's high enough!

STEPHEN

Where does all this leave you, now, Thelma? What are you, are you his wife? Yes, I'm his wife. Of course I'm his wife, that's why I'm still here. Putting up with it? Waiting. Thank you. Every day, I remind myself that it's what he wants. And he's out of time, and that's all. Not out of his mind? Why can't it be real? I mean, we all look older but how many of us actually grow up? Look at the books you write. He's a grown man. He's a brilliant and sophisticated man. And you want him back. (scratching stubble)

THELMA

He'll be disappointed that you won't stay longer. Oh well, I'm sure he'll get over it. Sorry. I really am being an ass. Yes. You are. (chuckles) Well you're right, I-I just want him back and you. And I'm feeling very sorry for myself. So, there you go, being childish. Must be contagious. (soft chuckle) (soft chuckle) I'm sorry. I was, um... a bit of a bully to him out in the woods. I should tell him I'm sorry. Hmm, you are the grown up. Charles? Charles?

CHARLES

Busy. Charles, look I'm-I'm sorry. When we were in the den, and you were talking about finding a missing child, all I could do was think of Kate. And... I thought you were comparing. (door opens) I would never do that. No, I know, I know. It's my fault. I'm sorry. It's okay. It's fine. Shall I come in? Um... I've betrayed you. What? (chuckling): No, you haven't. I have. You'll see. Bollocks. Hairy or, otherwise. (chuckles) I should walk the plank. Do you think you'll ever find Kate? (softly): I hope I will. I'll never believe that I'll never find her so... She'll have grown. Yes. And if you find her, ten years from now, she'll be a young woman almost. Yes, but she'll still be Kate. She'll still be my little girl. Will you want to take her to the park, to the slide and swings, and just... catch up on all those things you missed? I'm not comparing, you understand-- No, I understand. And, um... I'll try to understand. I promise. (softly): Thanks for coming, Stephen. You're my best friend. (hand thuds against door) Charles... What? Night-night. Night. (birds chirping) (children chattering) Stop the car.

DRIVER

What? Stop the car! I can't mate, I'm on a red route. Stop! Mate, it's cameras. (loudly): Stop the car! Stop it! (door opens, closes) (panting) (children's indistinct chatter) (quietly): Too young, too young. (children

reciting in unison)

Good morning...

TEACHER

Show me this one. And this one. And where did we see this one? (children overlapping chatter) So, your creative writing exercise, is to write about your day at the zoo. So, if you can get to your tables, please. Thank you everyone. And you can do some pictures, too. (chairs scraping on floor) Hello. Do you know who I am? Excuse me, can I help you? What are you doing? I'm saying hello. Now's not the time or place. No, I don't think you understand. I'm her... Sorry, can I speak to you in private? Please, outside, please? Children, on with our work please. I-I might as well just say it. Um, the girl that I was just talking to, just now, that girl sitting right there, she's my daughter. Ruth? No, her name's Kate, her real name is Kate. And she's my daughter. I think I should call the Head. She's my daughter and she was abducted three years ago, which is probably why, why she doesn't recognize me, but she will, she will, I know she will because it's her, it's... (sighs) (voice

breaking

...it's Kate. Mr. Lewis, I do remember your daughter going missing. The girl you say is your daughter is Ruth Lyle. But if that's what they've called her, yes. Can I say I know who they are? I've known Ruth's father Jason Lyle for many years, he's a parent-governor. I know my daughter and I know that that little girl out there is my daughter. Now look, I-I'm not going to shout, I'm not going to make a fuss, I just want her back. If I bring Ruth into this office, you're not going to make a scene, or interrupt? I'd rather not involve the police. By all, by all means involve the police, but no, I'm not going to make a fuss. (knock at door) Come in, Mrs. Forrester. Come in Ruth. We won't keep you a moment and then you can get back to class. And if you could stay, Mrs. Forrester. Ruth, I wonder if you could tell me your full name, please? Ruth Elspeth Lyle. And how old are you? Eight, miss. And what's the name of your older sister, at this school? Chloe. She's ten, miss. And when did you first come to St. Edwards? To the school or to nursery? Nursery. When I was two. Mrs. Forrester, and how long have you known Ruth? Since nursery. No, no, no, that's not right.

STEPHEN

That's-that's not right... Thank you, Mrs. Forrester. Thank you, Ruth. We have school records. School photographs. Would you like to see? I'm good friends with Ruth's family. I remember her mother, Jaqueline, being pregnant with Ruthie, that's what they call her and have always called her. Is there going to be a problem, Mr. Lewis? No. Sit here as long as you need. (softly): No... (sobbing): Oh, Kate. (shallow breathing) (sobbing) (exhales sharply) (shallow breathing) (sobbing) (children playing in the distance) (tapping at the door)

MAN

Taxi for Julie? Yes. Yeah, almost there. Okay. No rush. I'm a bit early anyway.

STEPHEN

Five minutes or more, I thought I'd found her. Five minutes at least of euphoria. I thought I've done it. And I thought of you and telling you. Lucky I wasn't arrested. I think she might have to be the one to find us. Can't give up? Can't give up hope. No. How certain are you that she's alive? I'd know that if she wasn't, I'd feel it. Yeah. I would too. I know that she's out there. I have no idea where or where to begin looking. It's hard to accept that we're helpless, but we are. And all we can do is be here, ready. And sane. You should know I'm going away for a while, a few months. Going where? Undecided. Somewhere warm. Somewhere I can get to by train. France, not sure. Why? Why now? I want to. What if I asked you to stay a while, a while longer I mean. I need to. Want me to send a postcard? You better. (birds chirping) Dinner's almost ready, just waiting on the potatoes. Why don't you wait in the warm? I am warm, besides I need to tell you something. Oh, ominous. I took a trip out to that pub, The Bell. When? A few weeks ago. I had to, couldn't get it out of my head. You have been there before, in a way. In-in what way? You, were with me, love, very much with me. I remember it so well, because that was the day I told your father I was pregnant. You weren't planned, and, you know, we weren't married. I was dreading telling him, but it turned out to be a wonderful day. It was the first time I saw you. It's true. I was sick with nerves. I wasn't sure how your father would react. Being pregnant was bad news, really. We'd made plans. And then... I saw you. This... beautiful child, at the window, looking in, this face. I knew it was you. That's why I remember. (crying): I'm not mad and it, and it wasn't the lights, or hormones, or... No, no, no, no. No, I believe you. I do. Oh, oh, I am glad because it made me think-- and this is important. If it was you that I saw, if you were actually there, before you were even born, then Kate must be somewhere. And you have to keep on loving her. Loving her is different to missing her It will find her. She is somewhere. (sighs) (soft piano music playing) (piano playing continues) (cello playing accompanies piano) If you're in a book shop, do you ever sneak a peek at your own books? Oh yeah. Every time. Do you? Yes, of course I do. If they're hidden I make them more visible and cover up the competition. (laughs) How long have you been a teacher? I've already asked that question. I'm sorry. (laughs) You have. The answer is forever. Sorry. Ah, I'm good at it. I made the mistake of becoming head of department a few years back-- Mistake? Well that can be hard work. Staff are more difficult than the children. I can believe it. So, how's your boy who wants to be a fish doing? How long can he hold his breath for now? 51 seconds. What's funny? (laughing): You were so certain.

It's a fact

last bath-time he held his breath for 51 seconds. (chuckling): I'll look forward to reading it. If I ever finish it. Do you not think you will? Hopefully. But it can happen. It's... train time. It's been nice. Yes, it has been nice. I'll walk you. I know the way. I'll see you at the next meeting. Yes. Bye. Bye.

STEPHEN (voiceover)

"What's your name?" said the curly haired boy in the red t-shirt. "Fish," said Fish. "Cool," said Boy. "Why Fish? What's it short for?" "I forget," said Fish. "I forget everything. (keys clacking on keyboard) Every day I wake up is like a brand-new life!" He was telling lies, of course, big fat lies. He wanted it to be true. Fish had so many memories that he wanted to forget, even the good ones. "That's plainly ridiculous," said the almost middle-aged man. Who couldn't climb a tree due to unsuitable footwear. Are you working, Daddy? Does it look like I'm working? I want to remember everything about you. Everything.

RACHEL

Hi. I'm so sorry to be bothering you like this. You're bleeding. I'm sorry, do you have a cloth, or a flannel? Yeah, of course I do. Come in. What happened? Oh, I tripped and fell. Not looking where I was going. Useless on dance floors and pavement. You might need a trip to A&E. No, no, no, no, no hospitals. I'll reconsider in the morning. You weren't at the committee meeting. Uh, no, no. Well, that's what I came to see you about. It's all a waste of time. Well probably. No, no, it is, it's a sham.

It's already written

the Authorized Childcare Handbook. It doesn't matter what we recommend, it's already been written! Authorized by who? Government. Not that we have a government, we have a Politburo. Have you read it? Oh it's a love letter to the past. It's impossible to implement. I mean, pass it to the press, they'll lap it up like matrons on the ward. Nothing will change. It's a flipping joke! (stammering): I didn't know who else to come to. Can I, um... can I use your bathroom? Yeah, sure, of course, it's just first on the left. Thank you. I know it's not... it's not Watergate, but it's still a sham, and with children. (door closes) Oh, my Lord... Why can't they get on with doing something worthwhile instead of all this posturing? Why go into politics in the first place? I'm not going mad. It's just... something that got out of control. I'm sorry, I-I saw the lights and had to look, I shouldn't have. No, don't worry about it. It's me... self-harming. It looks very lovely. She'd have been ecstatic seeing this. Yes, she would. How long's it been? Three years, just. She'll be seven, somewhere. Somewhere... I like that. She could be somewhere, she could be loved. She is loved. Of course she is. (sighs) Are you able to think of anything else, besides her? I must and I do, yes. Although I do live in a rare world. Yes. I think I know who wrote the joke book-- the report. Who? He's a friend. Best friend. (ringing bell) Charles! Charles! Charles, I'm not leaving the track!

STEPHEN

Charles? Okay, game's over, you win! Charles! (breathing heavily) (sighs) Where are you? Charles! Charles! Show yourself! Come on! Please, please, please, please, please. Charles! (footsteps approaching) Oh please, please, no... Oh, oh please, oh please... (grunting) (loud thud) (shallow breathing) (weeping) (sobbing)

STEPHEN (off-screen)

Charles George Andrew Darke was quite simply too good a man to be a man in this world. Because what he had managed to hold on to was the honesty and the purity that we are all born with... Sorry....but that in time, we lose, without noticing and often without caring. And like a child, he was without cynicism. First and foremost, he would always see the good in people, he would place his trust in them, he would care. His love was his ever-loving wife, Thelma. And his passion was literature, and in particular children's literature. He recognized how precious those... early years are. And he often spoke of the importance of a supportive, stimulating, caring, and loving environment. Well, the very last time I saw him, in fact, he-he told me he had written a book himself. A joke book he called it. And I've often wondered, about finding that joke book. And if... if I did, if there would be any clues in there, as to why he took his own life. Something we've all pondered I'm sure. But I won't do that. I have decided to remember Charles as I loved him. For his warmth, his smile, his generosity, and his brilliance. His... his ability to make my world appear to be a better place. I will remember him as my friend, my best friend, forever. The end. Dad to Kate. (static)

STEPHEN (on walkie)

Dad to Kate. I just wanted to tell you that we... love you very much. And we miss you. And that we hope to see you very, very soon. For lots of hugs and games. Over. (softly): Take your time. We'll be here.

KATE (on walkie)

Daddy, Daddy, I'm here. Look at me, I'm here with Mummy! (phone ringing) Julie?

JULIE (on phone)

How are you doing? I'm so sorry about Charles. I'm-I'm okay. Thank you, I'm okay. Um...I saw you yesterday at the church-- well, glimpsed you briefly and then you were gone. How are you?

JULIE

I'm good. I'm fine. I've not been back for long. I've been wanting to call you for a while. Where are you? Are you at the cottage? I'll come. I'm in town. There's nothing to worry about, but I'm in the hospital. I was hoping you would come. Which hospital? Are you hurt? No, I'm fine. Really, I'm good. I'm in Ward 17. The Alexandra Wing. You will come, won't you? (sighs) (Julie groaning) Julie? Stephen. My husband.

NURSE

You took your time, Mr. Lewis. (groans, panting) We're having a baby. A brother. The baby's nearly here. Just breathe. (groaning loudly) It's okay, it's okay, it's okay. You're doing really well, Julie, nearly there. Nearly there. It's okay. Keep breathing, keep breathing. Keep breathing.

LINNEY

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