Alfie Page #2

Humphrey, I'm glad it's your bus.

- Are you?

- I haven't seen you for so long.

You don't need flinging down stairs

to know you're not welcome.

- I'm sorry.

- That's alright.

- I've missed our little chats.

- Have you?

Two six pennies,

when you've got the time!

Ta.

I've never seen you looking lovelier.

Still can't get you out of my mind.

How's... How's Alfie these days?

He's fine.

Mind you, it doesn't hurt

like it used to.

- What doesn't?

- The old heartache.

Still, I wouldn't be without it.

You haven't got engaged

or anything like that, have you?

No, nothing like that.

He doesn't rush into things, Alfie.

I don't expect you'll ever need me.

But if you do, I'll always be there.

Bye, Gilda.

God bless.

- Hello, Alfie.

- You're late, girl.

I ran all the way.

Any news? Any reports from the front?

No. It doesn't look like it.

We've got to do something

about this little lot.

I've tried everything.

You're taking stuff on the quiet?

You don't wanna make yourself ill.

Alfie.

- You're getting cooey lately.

- I'm sorry.

And in a way you're more bossified,

as if I've got to take notice of you,

instead of you of me.

I can't describe it,

but I can feel it.

- Do you love me?

- What can I say when you ask?

You shouldn't ask, you know.

I'll tell you, when I feel like it.

- I'll go and make the coffee.

- Yeah. Make it strong.

Alfie, I was thinking.

Why can't we... go through with it?

What an 'orrible thought!

I've never been through

with anything.

If I was to marry you, you'd gain

a husband but lose a friend.

You don't have to marry me.

I've got it worked out.

I don't care. Think twice before

you turn an innocent creature out.

I wouldn't turn him out.

I'll have him adopted.

What are you talking about?

Well, by a rich woman, see?

- A rich woman?

- I'd like to do that much for him.

I'd be certain

he'd have a good life, then.

Steady on, girl.

You can't be sure

there's something there yet.

This morning,

I thought I felt him kick.

How can they kick? It won't be

the size of my thumbnail.

- I'll tell you next time.

- You won't!

Don't give way to your impulses.

Something a woman

might think natural

a bloke will find sickening.

Mrs Artoni at the caf called her

husband every time their baby moved.

You don't realise that men

are more sensitive than women.

Remember that big bird

I'd dance with at the Locarno?

One Sunday night

she showed me her operation scar,

from when she was a kid.

A long scar with white skin round it.

I got straight out of bed

and put my clobber on.

"What's up with you?" she says.

"I'd sooner see a bleeding

horror film," I said, "than that."

Alfie, please.

Can I, you know,

go through with it and have the baby?

What you asking me for?

It's yours, isn't it?

Nobody in this world has any right

to stop you doing what you want to.

Steady on, girl. Now, then.

Don't break your bleeding heart.

If you wanna do something

and you think it's right, you do it.

To hell with 'em. Mind my shirt.

Now...

She was quite happy

them months she was carrying,

which to my mind

was out of place in a way,

her not being married.

Mind you, she came over

quite beautified for a time,

especially in the early months.

I told her. I says, "Blimey, girl,

you ain't as ugly as I thought."

Anyway, her time comes and into

the hospital she goes to have it.

I wasn't there,

so I didn't know till they told me.

Then, from all accounts,

the kid comes out a treat.

Right bang on the minute,

you might say.

Alfie?

I didn't see you there.

You look all different.

- What do you mean?

- Well, sort of mumsy.

I put my name down as Mrs Elkins.

Was that alright?

Course it's alright.

Put your name down as who you like.

It's a free country, isn't it?

I brought you some flowers,

but I didn't want to be seen

carrying them.

That's nice.

Freesias! How delightful.

I'll put them into a vase for you,

Mrs Elkins.

What do you think

of your son, Mr Elkins?

- My what?

- He hasn't seen him yet.

Here he is.

He's the image of his father.

Yes.

I can see more of me in him than you.

What are you gonna call him?

I thought Malcolm Alfred.

Malcolm bleeding Alfred?

He'll never forgive you

if you give him a name like that!

Here, he's moving.

Quick, you better take him.

The mistake I made with Gilda

was getting involved.

I was having a beautiful

little life and I couldn't see it.

There was this manageress

of a dry-cleaner's.

And I was getting

a suit cleaned in the bargain.

Well, you can't turn

something like that down.

Then, there was a chiropodist

from a foot-comfort service

I was having it off with.

She cut my corns handsome.

I never had my feet

in such lovely condition.

I was hopping about

like a little fairy.

She's got a little ginger moustache,

but I find I'm quite willing to

overlook the odd blemish in a woman,

provided she's got something else

to make up for it.

Well, that's why we're here - to

help one another out in this life.

Then there was Dora,

a little bird from Pimlico

I had it off with

Mondays and Wednesdays

when her young man

was at his body-building classes.

And, on top of them,

there was always the odd bird

that came my way by chance.

What a lovely baby.

- Is it yours?

- No, no, it's my sister's.

So why I had to get involved

with Gilda, I do not know.

- What's that brown round his mouth?

- A bar of chocolate I gave him.

Alfie, you shouldn't!

You smell a bit milkified.

I'm sorry, Alfie, I'll have a wash.

No, I don't mind, it smells mumsy.

How long will you do

the breast-feeding caper?

As long as I can.

It's the best thing for him.

Don't let yourself

get too attached to him.

Why not? I'm his mother.

And I'm his father,

but you've gotta be fair.

You've gotta think of him.

- What about this rich woman?

- What rich woman?

The one who was gonna adopt him,

so he'd have a chance in life.

I've got to think about it.

I can't rush into it.

- Make up your mind quick.

- Why should I?

He might get so drawn to you,

it'll fret his heart out

when they take him away.

- Who says they'll take him away?

- That's what you said.

You were gonna get him adopted

so he'd want for nothing.

That was a long time ago.

You know what you've had,

don't you, girl?

You've had a change of heart.

I can see it in your face.

What about it?

Haven't you ever had one?

Yes, but I've always resisted it.

Lying in hospital feeding him

brought it on.

I could see your face changing.

Coming over all mumsy.

- I'm not ashamed of it.

- But you've got to think of him.

You could never bring him up

like this rich woman could.

We'll see.

I'm going back to work next week.

She could really take care of him.

Dress him handsome.

Who says I can't dress him proper?

Look at that lovely shawl,

and the things for him

in that drawer.

You can't learn him to talk nice.

Not like this rich woman could.

I can if I try hard.

Not proper, you can't. He'll be

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