Departure Page #4

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that you were out for a bit?

No, we were there. Maybe at the back.

Anyway, I had to come back

and get on with all this.

It doesn't matter.

- You sold it?

- Yes.

Philip called and said.

Wasn't I supposed to know?

Oh, no, no, of course.

It's not quite finalised.

But you're packing.

Would you like coffee?

SALLY:
How's Elliot?

Horrible.

I should have told you

when the house went on the market.

You've always said how much you liked it.

- We're happy where we are.

- Are you?

- Happy?

- Yes.

Oh, it's quiet.

Dan's in Toulouse a lot, which is good,

because when he's home,

we tear strips off each other.

We'd hoped you'd come out more.

It's typical of Philip

to do it all so tidily.

He won't admit it,

but that's what he's doing.

Putting it all away.

First the house and then...

- It wasn't your choice?

- Is anything?

Maybe if we'd torn strips

off each other...

I wanted, well, I thought

we'd come here more.

I thought we'd retire.

I mean, not that I wanted to, but...

Or did I?

I don't know.

I wanted to go to Paris.

I thought that's what France was.

Not just another cold house

in the middle of nowhere.

Am I sounding ungrateful?

No.

It's happened before.

It wasn't my choice then either.

My parents...

Well, my mother, actually,

she made me give up a...

I had a child.

Before Philip. He knows. He knew.

They bought me a new set of clothes.

The child was going to be loved.

All neat. Tidy.

Beatrice...

I should have just knocked.

I've never been very good at friends.

- SALLY:
Come back and visit.

- (CHUCKLES)

SALLY:
A holiday.

On your own if you like.

I feel like I'm missing something.

Oh.

Oh...

(FRONT DOOR CLOSES)

[CLMENT, IN FRENCH] Nothing, nothing.

Did she ask for me?

OK. OK, bye.

There were thousands of fish.

The water was boiling with them.

It was disgusting.

Then they drained the water

into the river over there.

Wriggling over each other.

No one can live like that.

No one can live like that!

or for a studio audience?

Both.

He says I will be not happy

if I see her now.

Like I'm a baby

that will have bad dreams.

He wants you to remember her

when she was funny,

when she was well, that's all.

Stop it. And you hit someone.

CLMENT:
Do I come this evening?

[IN FRENCH] If you want.

[CLMENT, IN FRENCH] Your mum asked me.

Really?

Because you and I are friends, arsehole.

We don't know each other.

I know your mother is limited.

You know my mother has cancer.

I know you like Proust.

We share cigarettes. You like me, no?

- ELLIOT:
Maybe.

- Maybe, my arse.

In your dreams.

F***-sh*t.

Elliot!

Elliot?

You OK?

my body down an inky Thames,

past buildings painted black in mourning.

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