Lilting Page #2

I told her I was your friend.

She asked, how are you?

I'm good. Well, I'm OK.

How's she? How's her health?

She's fine.

She's... so-so.

Shall we sit down and

I can explain to her?

So this is Vann.

Sorry. You've already met.

And she is here

to translate for you and Alan,

so that you can

get to know each other better.

She's surprised you

want to help her.

How does she feel about it?

She doesn't mind.

Can you say to her that I'm sorry

I didn't come and visit her sooner,

but that there was a lot to do

after Kai's death,

a lot of reorganising and so forth.

And obviously I don't speak Mandarin

and she doesn't speak English.

Shall I say that again?

No. I got it.

There's still a lot to organise,

but if she would like to come round

one day when she's free,

she could look through his stuff

and take away what she likes.

Are you giving her the belongings

you no longer want to keep?

No, no, they're not his rejects.

They're his things.

I'm only keeping what...

No, they're Kai's belongings.

She's always free.

You just have to make a date.

OK.

She asked,

why have you come here?

Well...

Well, I wanted to see how you are.

I think Kai...

I was concerned and I...

I wanted to make sure that you're OK

living here without Kai.

She wants to know

where Kai's ashes are.

They're at home.

- She wants to have his ashes.

- No.

- Why not?

- It's just...

You have a house filled with his things.

Why won't you let me have...

her have her son's ashes?

I want to scatter them somewhere,

and I think Kai would like that.

- He was my only child.

- He was my life. He was my hap...

Don't... Don't translate that.

She doesn't know.

She doesn't know

that we were together.

He said Kai was his best friend.

- Bad timing?

- No, no, no. Come and join us.

Alan, this is Vann.

And Vann speaks Mandarin

and Cantonese

and she's going to translate

for you and Junn.

You brought someone

to translate for us?

Yeah.

That's very good of you.

What shall we chat about?

Anything you want.

What's her name?

Oh, no. I know that already.

Actually, I don't, because

we haven't been formally introduced.

How old is she?

Oh, no. That's no good.

Tell her that she looks lovely.

She said thank you.

Did you enjoy Kew Gardens?

No, no, it was a bit boring.

I'm gonna go outside.

She said it's really sweet

that you give her flowers every day.

She appreciates that.

It's my pleasure.

- Do you like gambling?

- Gambling? No, I never gamble.

It's a waste of money.

I'd sooner spend it on wild sex instead.

No, I'm joking. Don't say that.

You didn't say that, did you?

No, I didn't.

No, it's just... I'm a bit nervous.

I feel as though I'm on my first date.

You know what I mean?

I understand.

Just take your time.

What do you do in your spare time?

So you don't mind

continuing with this, then?

Of course not.

- It's beautiful.

- Very romantic.

- What will you do?

- What do you mean?

Will you leave her in the home?

I'm thinking of asking her

to stay at mine for a trial period.

I mean...

Actually, I don't know what I mean.

Do you think it's a bad idea?

I don't know.

Would you come over and translate

for us one weekend?

- Obviously I'd pay you.

- Of course I can.

You're really thinking of living with her?

Do you think I'm mad?

It would drive me mad,

living with my mum.

F***ing suicidal even.

Sui-f***ing-cidal.

What can I do?

Leave her in the home.

It's not so bad for her to be in there.

I could learn Mandarin.

She could learn English.

That's not gonna happen.

- Sorry.

- It's all right.

Thank you.

I've been thinking about putting

my mum in a sheltered home.

I've been reading about this place

that's really interesting.

The decor is made to look like

the '50s and '60s

so the elderly can feel younger.

It takes them back

to like a younger, happier time.

I doubt they'll have mid-century

furniture from Cambodia.

Stop being so clever.

Always have to have the last say.

- That's not true.

- It's not just the decor.

They actively encourage them

to help themselves.

I thought it was because

she needed looking after.

See? You're doing it again.

Slight memory loss is not serious.

Her memory loss is not slight.

It's not just the memory loss.

It's not even about her memory.

You know this.

- Are you gunning for a fight?

- No, of course I'm not.

You look so conflicted.

Relax your forehead.

Here.

Relax it there.

Bring her over to stay with us, then.

Are you mad?

That'd be sui-f***ing-cidal.

What choice do you have?

How long can you keep this up?

She has to know.

You can't lock her up forever.

I'm not locking her up.

For f***'s sake.

Sorry. I didn't...

I didn't mean that.

I just... I don't know what to say

to you about this any more.

You have my absolute support.

And you know you have to tell her.

If you think about it,

we're constantly coming out to people.

So really you should be good at it.

If only she liked you.

It'd make this a lot easier.

But for some reason

she thinks you're a dick.

You love this dick.

I can't stay too long today, Alan.

OK, we'll just do the best we can.

You have a few hours with me

and then it's back to the flirting

and kissing, I'm afraid.

Goody, goody.

She'd like you to leave.

She feels awkward

with so many people watching her.

OK.

Have fun.

This is just in case I forget.

You know, they're not that important,

but when you leave, I start wondering

whether I'd asked them,

and then I forget to ask them.

Can I ask them?

Ask away.

What's her favourite ice cream flavour?

Chocolate.

That's my favourite too.

We've loads in common.

What does she prefer,

cats or dogs?

- Cats.

- Me too. I love cats.

How long has she been here,

I mean in this country?

Nearly 29 years.

Tell her that she's lovely

and she looks really beautiful

and that she smells

really nice today.

What was that grin there?

She said thank you

and that you have a nice dimple.

I thought so.

She can't keep her hands off it.

Do you have any children?

Two boys, Brian and John.

When was the last time

they visited you?

Not for a while, a long time.

We were never that close.

They were closer to their mother.

Why were you not close to them?

Did you not love them?

Of course I loved them.

I wasn't a very good father.

They couldn't wait to put me in here.

- Do your children not love you?

- I didn't say that. They...

Well, I'm old and clumsy.

It seemed to be

the best solution for everyone.

Less guilt for them to deal with.

Everybody's happy.

I'm happy, they're happy.

Don't you wanna

see your grandchildren?

No.

This isn't going so smoothly.

It's fine.

It's part of the process.

Thank you, Mum.

Tell her I'd like to take her to dinner

a week on Saturday.

I'm... I'm a good cook.

It'll be lasagne.

What are you smiling about now?

Nothing. I told her you'd be cooking

Chinese food for her

and that you're a really good cook.

I said lasagne. I only do lasagne.

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