Another Year Page #6

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from beginning to end - it was awful,

people were getting so cross with me.

It's a lovely little car.

I want you to come out and see it later.

I feel really good behind the wheel,

really special.

- You looked so lovely holding that baby.

- He's delightful.

I expect you're looking forward

to being a grandmother.

Hm, you should ask my son about that.

It's got nothing to do with me.

He's great, isn't he?

You should come out and have a drink

with us sometime, me and your mum.

Yeah?

- Yeah, why not? We often go, don't we?

- Occasionally, yes.

- Yeah, I know you do.

- It doesn't even have to be your mum.

- It could be just us.

- Just you and me?

Yeah, well, we've known each other a while,

haven't we? We're old friends.

Could you get me a refill, Joe?

- Yes, Mummy.

- Thank you.

- Are you all right?

- Yeah.

- Can I get you a drink?

- Got one somewhere.

Oh, here comes Ken.

- Everything all right?

- Yes.

- He's a good lad.

- Yes.

He could be quite good-looking,

if he wanted to.

How's it going?

He's got a nice clean bum.

MARY:
He should lose a couple of

stone, shouldn't he?

He was a good-looking man

when he was young.

- Was he?

- Mm.

He's got a good heart.

Life's not always kind, is it?

No, it isn't, Gerri.

(low chatter)

I don't mind the grey hair.

I think that can look quite distinguished

on a man of his age, but...

You know.

- I'll give you a ring in the week.

- We'll have a proper game next time.

- Ta-ta.

- See you.

Hi, Joe.

Hi.

- Have you come back to me?

- I have.

- They all come back in the end.

- Do they?

- In my nightmares.

- Oh, it's as bad as that, is it?

Oh, let's not open that can of worms.

- No, let's leave that closed.

- Not today, anyway.

Oh, how are you, Joe?

- Is life treating you kind?

- Can't complain.

- Really?

- Yes.

Nothing you want to share with me?

No, I don't think so.

Because you know that you can talk to me.

Any time you like.

Well, I'll come and find you if I need you.

Yeah. Yeah.

I like to feel that I'm always there for you.

Thanks, Mary.

How are you?

Yeah, I'm all right.

No, I'm great, actually.

- Well, you look well.

- Do I?

Oh, thank you.

I suddenly feel...

really liberated.

- Well, you're a free spirit now.

- I know.

You're your own woman.

The world's your oyster.

It's so exciting, isn't it?

I feel like Thelma and Louise.

This little car is going to change my life.

Well, let's hope so.

I do feel a bit guilty, though,

but at the end of the day...

...so what?

It's my little present to me.

- That's fair enough.

- Yeah.

Because if I don't treat myself,

nobody else is going to, are they?

What are you going to call this car?

Ooh, I don't know.

Why? Do you give names to things?

- I've got names for everything.

- Really?

- Like what?

- Well, my nose is called Roger.

- Oh, you mean...

- (giggles)

...your body parts!

Yeah, I'm not going to introduce you

to everyone though.

What, not even little Percy?

You've already met my knee, then?

Oh, Joe, we must go out

and have a drink one night.

- We have such a laugh.

- Yeah, we do.

You see, the thing about you and me is

that we've always just sort of clicked.

- Haven't we?

- Yeah.

Yeah.

It's nice when that happens, isn't it?

Do you remember

when you showed me your little box?

Yes.

You wouldn't tell me what was in it.

I'm still not going to tell you.

I know.

What?

I'm not telling you.

I still think about that.

We had a barbeque that day, didn't we?

Oh! It still smells the same.

It's messy, isn't it?

Your kids will enjoy playing in here, won't they?

One day.

So, is there anyone special in your life

at the moment, Joe?

- No.

- Oh, good.

No, what I mean is, that's all right.

You're comfortable with that.

- Aren't you?

- Am I?

Well, the thing is, Joe, you're young.

You still want to be out there, don't you?

What, sowing my wild oats?

Well, yeah.

Live life while you can.

Don't think about tomorrow.

Well, a lot of my friends

are getting married.

Oh, but, yeah,

you wanna be careful, Joe, because...

See, I got married in my 20s

and, granted he was the wrong man,

but I was too young.

I couldn't handle it.

But when I was in my 30s,

I met the right man and I was mature.

I was ready for it.

I mean, he left me, but...

What can you do?

It's never too late, Mary.

Oh, no, I know it isn't, Joe,

and, you know me, I'm very much

a glass-half-full kind of girl.

But it's tricky, because...

I meet these older men,

who want somebody younger,

and that's great, because I fit the bill.

But...

when they find out that...

...you know, I'm not as young

as they thought...

they don't want to know.

My looks work against me.

How old do you think I look, Joe?

60?

70?

Oh, stop it.

Oh, it's all right.

You don't have to answer that.

So, when are we going to have this drink?

I don't know. I'll have to check my diary.

- Yeah. You do that. Give me a call.

- I will.

- Promise.

- I promise.

Mate, got to get your train. We should get

cracking. I'll run you to the station.

You've had too much to drink, Tom.

- No, I haven't.

- I think you have.

- I'm all right.

- We can get him a mini cab.

- No, I'll be fine on the tube.

- You don't want to get a mini cab.

It might take 20 minutes to turn up.

We haven't got time.

I had a really bad experience

in a mini cab once.

- You're going on the tube, aren't you?

- Of course.

Don't go on the tube, Joe. I can give you a lift.

You can be my navigator.

- Ooh, that sounds fun.

- Yeah.

You can give them both a lift.

All in the same direction.

- I'm not sure Mary can manage that.

- Of course I can. Oh, I don't know.

- I'll be fine on the tube, honest.

- It's a great idea.

- I don't know how to get to King's Cross.

- I do. We can all go together.

- Great. Is that all right with you, Mary?

- Yeah, of course it is.

It'll be good practice for me.

I'm going to run upstairs

before we go on the journey.

I'm not sure about this.

It'll be fine.

Better pack my bag.

- Tom.

- What?

What do you think, Tom?

Well, it's small and red.

It's what you asked for.

JOE:
What have you done, Mary?

- It's great, isn't it?

- Nice bit of parking, Mary.

- Oh.

Oh, God, I didn't lock it.

It's a good job it didn't get pinched, isn't it?

By the way, Mary, it's a 1.4.

Oh.

You must come again.

Now you don't know the way.

Oi, where are you going?

Oh, God, Joe.

- What am I going to do without you?

- You'll be fine.

Can't you stay just till we get to King's Cross?

- We'll be all right, Mary.

- Ken! You don't even know London.

It'll be signposted.

It's so lovely having you next to me, Joe,

telling me where to go and what to do.

It's been a pleasure, Mary.

Oh, please, I'll take you anywhere you want.

I'll take you home.

Just here will do.

Oh, God. All right. Let me pull in.

Oh, bye, then. But lovely to see you.

- Don't forget to give me a ring.

- No, I won't.

- Bye, Joe.

- Yeah, take care.

- See you soon.

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