Testament of Youth Page #2

VICTOR:

He is good at everything.

VERA:

Including being modest, I hope?

EDWARD:

Of course.

VERA:

Brilliant and modest, I hate him

already!

They start to walk away.

EDWARD:

(light)

Give him a chance, Vera, alright? I

mean it!

As they enter the trees Vera lingers behind. *

She pauses, turns back to the lake for a moment -

Breathes it in one last time

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- The breeze across the water, glittering in the sunlight,

the swaying rustle of the leaves - the tranquil, mysteriousbeauty of the place - she smiles, loving it *

8A EXT. COUNTRYSIDE, DERBYSHIRE - MINUTES LATER 8A

Vera, Edward and Victor walk home across a beautiful stretch

of countryside.

9 EXT. MELROSE - MINUTES LATER 9

The three of them walk towards the front garden of MELROSE,

the family house, a grand, grey Victorian building. Verasuddenly remembers her wet hair, and hurriedly tucks it up,

out of sight. Then she sees -

Parked outside - a delivery van, with “Somerson’s Pianos”

written on the side.

Vera stops, dismayed - immediately looks at Edward, who lookssheepish. Fearing the worst, she hurries to the garden pathand strides up it, Edward and Victor right behind her.

VERA:

(furious, thrown back atEdward)

You knew about this!

EDWARD:

I knew Father wanted you to have

one VERA

You colluded with them!

No -!

EDWARD:

Vera goes through the open doorway, into the house 10

INT. HALLWAY/LIVING ROOM, MELROSE - CONTINUOUS 10

Vera sweeps along the hallway, towards the living room The

sounds of a heavy object being moved into place, theCLANG of piano keys -

VERA enters the living room, to see delivery men manoeuveringa GRAND PIANO, overseen by her parents, Mr. and Mrs.

BRITTAIN, and family friend Mrs. ELLINGER, with a teendaughter in tow.

Mr. Brittain is a self-made businessman, extrovert, kind, but

prone to outbursts of temper and depressions.

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His wife is both more delicate and more level-headed - once

less conventional than her husband, now the subservient wife,

she flaps on the surface, but underneath exerts complete

domestic control.

MR. BRITTAIN

(seeing her)

Vera! Come and see your surprise!

Her mother comes over and takes her arm.

MRS. BRITTAIN

I’ve been dying to tell you, but I

just couldn’t. Mrs. Ellinger’s been

in on the secret, she wants to hear

you play!

Mr. Brittain opens the piano lid with a flourish. Vera holds

back, her expression is tight and sullen.

MR. BRITTAIN

She’s an absolute beauty - so I’m

told. Come on darling, give us a

taste of what we can look forward

to!

As the delivery men finish and leave, Mrs. Brittain takes a

seat next to a very proper Mrs. Ellinger and her daughter.

Victor sits too.

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