Another Year Page #3

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But when you've got your car, Mary,

you'll be able to go wherever you want,

- very reasonably.

- Exactly, Tom.

That's exactly why I'm getting it.

You see, I like just taking off

and escaping, don't I, Gerri?

Hm.

I feel like I'm being somebody else.

- Really? Who's that, then?

GERRI:
Tom!

I like to get on the train...

But, you see,

the car is cheaper than the train, isn't it?

GERRI:

Not environmentally.

Oh, what you mean...?

(bangs feet on floor)

(laughs)

Those are my carbon footprints, Gerri.

- Yes, I know.

- (giggles drunkenly)

Financially, cars are cheaper.

That's why there's no incentive to go by train.

Well, what about the airlines?

No government wants to increase

the duty on aviation fuel.

No.

And this government

won't invest in the railways,

so anything we do is a piss in the ocean.

Absolutely.

And then there's the big corporations,

who keep their lights on all night

in empty office blocks.

We're all expected to do our bit with eco bulbs.

I know.

Should I stop recycling, then, Gerri?

- No.

TOM:
You've got to set an example.

- Yeah.

- Plant a few tomatoes.

And courgettes.

I am very environmentally friendly, actually.

- Are you?

- Yeah.

I don't fly.

I don't live in a house

that's more than I need.

I don't cook.

- Other people cook for you, though.

- Who?

You get takeaways, don't you?

That doesn't count.

Everybody gets takeaways.

You've built whole motorways, Tom.

How environmentally friendly is that?

Exactly!

More cars! More cars!

At least I'm buying an old car.

- Recycled.

- Yeah.

Yet we're constantly told that

the measure of a thriving economy

is the sale of new cars.

Yes, but, Tom...

...if I buy a new car...

...that's another car.

You're absolutely right, Mary.

And would you like some coffee?

No, thank you.

I'd like my usual.

Are you all right, Gerri?

Yes, Mary, I'm fine.

How are you?

I'm happy.

Good.

I just wanted to say...

...that if you ever need to share anything...

...l'm here for you.

I'm a very good listener.

Thank you, Mary, but I'm fine.

Yeah, I know.

It's very kind of you, Mary.

Oh, Gerri.

Everybody needs someone to talk to,

don't they?

Yes, Mary, they do.

Oh, well, onwards and upwards.

You'd better stay the night.

No. No.

Well, I think you should.

All right, Gerri, you're the boss.

We'll find you a T-shirt again.

Will you?

I've found you a toothbrush.

I sometimes wonder what he's doing.

If he thinks about me. I bet he does.

GERRI:

How old was he?

He'll be 64 now.

TOM:
64?

Blimey, he's older than me.

- Almost a pensioner.

TOM:
He'll be past it now, Mary.

- Give us your hand.

- Oh, no, Tom.

He was lovely.

Well, we all grow old.

Oh, no, but he was very, very, sexy, Gerri.

Do you know what I mean?

TOM:

Too much information.

I bet he regrets it deep down.

I hope he does.

He was my big love...

...but he was married.

Well, what can you do, Tom?

You can't walk around

with a label saying,

"Don't fall in love with me,

I'm married," can you?

Some people wear a ring.

He didn't.

But he wasn't a bad person.

He loved me.

Sounds to me

like he was a duplicitous sh*t.

GERRI:

Tom?

Do you think it was my fault, Tom?

No, I don't, Mary.

Honest.

It takes two to tango.

Oh, so you think it was my fault, Gerri?

- I didn't say that.

- No, I know you didn't, really.

I blame my big heart.

Well, we all have to make choices,

don't we?

Why do I always get it wrong, Gerri?

I mean, look what happened

when I got divorced from that sh*t.

I let him palm me off with 5,000...

nothing pounds

and what am I left with now?

Sod all.

I'm living in a poky rented flat when

I should have my own home at my age.

It's not fair.

Bastard.

My goodness.

Hm?

- She gets worse.

- I know. Desperate.

I feel a bit guilty.

What?

Well, you know.

No.

No. You're right.

I don't think I really enjoyed history at school.

Didn't you?

Maybe I did.

It's just that the older you get,

the more relevant it seems.

Hm.

To state the bleeding obvious.

We'll be part of history soon.

Exactly.

- Aha!

- Aha!

What are you doing riding

on the pavement, young man?

I'm breaking the law, officer.

- 'Ey up.

- Hiya.

- How long did it take?

- About an hour.

- Are you knackered?

- I'm ready for bed.

- Late night?

- Hangover.

- Do you want a hand?

- Yes, please.

- I'll stick this away.

- All right.

Oh, he's back. That was quick, Tom.

- Didn't you get the manure?

TOM:
Compost.

- Here's Joe!

- Hi, Mary.

Hello, Joe, what a surprise.

- Are you all right?

- I'm great. How are you?

- Oh, continental! He's all sweaty.

- I've been riding all morning.

Have you? I like your hat.

- Aha!

- Aha!

Ah, that's right.

Never forget to kiss your mum.

- I never do.

- No, you're a good boy, aren't you?

- Yeah.

- I remember when you were this big.

You were a naughty boy.

- I still am from time to time.

- Oh, really?

- I like your coat.

- Oh, thank you.

I think I'm a bit overdressed for

a Sunday morning. What do you think?

- Is that what you wore in bed?

- I slept in your bed. Is that all right?

- As long as you cleaned the sheets.

- No, I didn't. Is that a problem?

- We'll have to wait and see.

- Oh, right.

Oh, sorry, Tom. I'm in your way.

All of these strong men.

- Look at his muscles.

GERRI:
That's why we had him.

All right, well, I'm off, then.

- You want a lift to the station?

- It's all right.

- Are you sure?

- I'll be fine. I could do with a walk.

Yeah.

- Sorry about... you know...

- It's OK.

TOM:
It was good to see you.

- Oh, thank you, Tom.

Are you all right?

Yeah, you know.

Had a bit of a wild night, Joe.

Well, I'd best be off.

Oh, thanks for saving me that breakfast.

It was really delicious.

- You're very welcome, Mary.

- Yeah.

It's lovely to see you, Joe.

I'll see you soon, I hope.

JOE:
See you soon.

- Yeah, hopefully.

Well, have a lovely day together, all of you.

- Right. Ta-ta, then.

- Yeah, OK. Bye.

- See you on Tuesday, Gerri.

- Bye, Mary. Take care.

Bye.

- Bye Joe.

JOE:
Bye.

- Bye.

- Bye.

There you go.

- Delicious.

- Present for you.

Matt's getting married.

Oh, Mathew!

Oh, is he? Matt with the guitar?

No, that's Paul.

Oh, Matt, yeah.

That's great.

- Have you met the lady in question?

- Certainly have.

- Is she worthy of him?

- No, they hate each other.

You mean, is he worthy of her?

Oh, beg your pardon, Mrs Pankhurst.

Where's the stag do this time?

Buenos Aires?

- No, Dublin.

- Ooh, lovely.

Another capital city brought to its knees.

Well, we'll try and leave it as we find it.

- When are you going?

- July. The wedding's August.

Lovely. I'll make some tea.

So, when's it going to be your turn?

A week on Wednesday?

- Oh, you didn't say.

JOE:
I didn't want to spoil the surprise.

- I knew.

- Oh, no, I haven't bought a hat.

Any news?

Nobody...?

No, still quiet on that front.

What?

Sorry, love. Excuse me.

(knocking on door)

Who's that a-knocking on my door?

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