Notting Hill Page #4

WILLIAM:

Eighteen yards. That's my house

there.

He doesn't lie -- it is eighteen yards away. She looks down.

She looks up at him.

INT. WILLIAM'S HOUSE - CORRIDOR - DAY

They enter. She carries a few stylish bags.

WILLIAM:

Come on in. I'll just...

William runs in further -- it's a mess. He kicks some old shoes

under the stairs, bins an unfinished pizza and hides a plate of

breakfast in a cupboard. She enters the kitchen.

WILLIAM:

It's not that tidy, I fear.

And he guides her up the stairs, after taking the bag of books

from her...

WILLIAM:

The bathroom is right at the top of

the stairs and there's a phone on the

desk up there.

She heads upstairs.

INT. KITCHEN - DAY

William is tidying up frantically. Then he hears Anna's feet on

the stairs. She walks down, wearing a short, sparkling black

top beneath her leather jacket. With her trainers still on. He

is dazzled by the sight of her.

WILLIAM:

Would you like a cup of tea before

you go?

ANNA:

No thanks.

WILLIAM:

Coffee?

ANNA:

No.

WILLIAM:

Orange juice -- probably not.

He moves to his very empty fridge -- and offers its only contents.

WILLIAM:

Something else cold -- coke, water,

some disgusting sugary drink

pretending to have something to do

with fruits of the forest?

ANNA:

Really, no.

WILLIAM:

Would you like something to nibble --

apricots, soaked in honey -- quite

why, no one knows -- because it stops

them tasting of apricots, and makes

them taste like honey, and if you

wanted honey, you'd just buy honey,

instead of apricots, but nevertheless

-- there we go -- yours if you want

them.

ANNA:

No.

WILLIAM:

Do you always say 'no' to everything?

Pause. She looks at him deep.

ANNA:

No.

(pause)

I better be going. Thanks for your

help.

WILLIAM:

You're welcome and, may I also say...

heavenly.

It has taken a lot to get this out loud. He is not a smooth-

talking man.

WILLIAM:

Take my one chance to say it. After

you've read that terrible book,

you're certainly not going to be

coming back to the shop.

She smiles. She's cool.

ANNA:

Thank you.

WILLIAM:

Yes. Well. My pleasure.

He guides her towards the door.

WILLIAM:

Nice to meet you. Surreal but nice.

In a slightly awkward moment, he shows her out the door. He

closes the door and shakes his head in wonder. Then...

WILLIAM:

'Surreal but nice.' What was I

thinking?

... He shakes his head again in horror and wanders back along

the corridor in silence. There's a knock on the door. He moves

back, casually...

WILLIAM:

Coming.

He opens the door. It's her.

WILLIAM:

Oh hi. Forget something?

ANNA:

I forgot my bag.

WILLIAM:

Oh right.

He shoots into the kitchen and picks up the forgotten shopping

bag. Then returns and hands it to her.

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