The Child in Time Page #3

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I work at Number Ten.

The Prime Minister would

like to see you, please.

- The Prime Minister?

- Yes.

- What, here? Now?

- Yes, he's not far.

Looks like I'm out-ranked.

Another time maybe?

Er, yes, definitely. Another

time. That would be nice.

You address him as Prime Minister,

unless he tells you differently.

- Right.

- He's just here.

Mr Lewis, thank you so

much for sparing the time.

Prime Minister.

The Home Secretary.

- His children are avid readers of yours.

- Oh, thank you.

Oh, it's nothing to do

with me, it's their nanny.

Important work, happening

on your committee.

Well, I hope so. Hopefully.

It's vital that someone

like yourself is involved.

We've a mutual good friend, I believe.

- Charles Darke.

- Yes.

- When did you see him last?

- Oh, er...

- Some time ago? We had dinner.

- How was he?

He was Charles.

Erm, can I ask why?

Did he mention... discontent at all?

No. No, he was on good form. Erm...

We talked books.

- He was himself.

- Will you be seeing him any time soon?

I'm sure.

Yes, I'll... I'll visit

him once he's settled in.

Right. I'd like to know how he is.

In... in himself.

In... in confidence.

Could... could you do that?

I can't... I can't spy on him, no.

And we wouldn't dream of asking.

But you can let concerned

colleagues know how he is, can't you?

Charles is important to me, personally.

And I believe to the country.

OK.

Good man. As soon as you can manage.

I'd very much appreciate your opinion.

Right.

BELL RINGS IN DISTANCE

Charles, don't bolt your food.

- You'll give yourself indigestion.

- Sorry.

- Had a good day?

- Hmm.

Very.

I got blisters on my hands, look.

Oh? Well, don't do too much.

It doesn't hurt.

I'm building a shelter. It's like a den.

I thought about...

Like a tree house, but

then you'd need ropes,

pulleys, tools, none of which you're

going to find on a desert island,

or a jungle forest.

Yes, well, you'll have to

watch out for wild cats.

Wolves.

I mean, you don't have to force it.

Is it forced at all?

Your behaviour?

Or is it natural?

That.

Natural.

What are you looking at?

You.

- What are you going to do about it?

- SHE GIGGLES

What was that?

Oh, it's, er, Mum. I was just, er...

She's doing five things at

once as usual, making dinner.

I met the PM the other week.

- The Prime Minister.

- He's an arsehole.

A very charming arsehole.

(HE SNORTS) Aren't they all?

What did he want you for?

Charles Darke, my

publisher - ex publisher -

is also retiring from government

and the Prime Minister wants

to know if I can find out why.

Well, maybe he's developed a conscience,

taken an anti-twat pill.

I want to see him - Charles, I mean -

but I feel like now, if I

do, I'd be spying on him.

If you want to see Charles,

you should go and see him.

Don't let some ponce dictate when

you should go and see a friend.

PHONE RINGS:

That's it, all done.

It's nice.

Very nice.

I think we can be pretty

bullish on the asking price.

Can you not say how much it's worth?

Not out loud. Could you

write it down, please?

Yeah, if that's what you'd like, sure.

That's my card.

If you do decide to go with us,

- we can send a photographer round any time.

- Thank you.

I'm sorry, can I just say...

... that I'm sorry. You're the

writer and wife, aren't you?

I remember you from the news and

when I saw the... the bedroom...

I don't know where you

get your strength from.

My wife cried buckets.

And those f***ers on social

media - excuse my French -

- but "trolls" doesn't quite cover it.

- Thank you.

Anyway...

Don't, for a second, blame

yourselves. Not for a nanosecond.

Thank you.

I went to see Julie.

- Saw her, when?

- Where?

At her cottage.

It's just outside a

village called Stanton Low.

In Kent?

- Nice?

- Very nice. Peaceful.

Hm. How's she doing?

Oh, she's doing well.

She's doing bits and bobs.

We just had a cup of

tea. She sends her love.

Will you be seeing her again?

As and when. Yeah.

Good.

The village was really familiar.

Um, there was a pub

there called The Bell.

Did we ever go there, before?

- Together, I mean, when I was little, younger?

- Stanton Low.

- Yeah.

- No.

I remember a pub called The

Bell, but from years ago.

Remember our one-and-only bike

ride, Geoff? We stopped off at a pub.

- Stanton Low?

- I don't remember the name of the village.

- When did we go on a bike ride?

- Before we were married.

Christ!

We borrowed the bikes from

your shifty friend, Paul.

And we stopped off at

a pub called The Bell.

Definitely.

Did you give her our love? Julie?

Stephen.

Did you tell Julie we're

always thinking about her?

- Yeah. Yes.

- Good.

I feel for that girl.

MUSIC DROWNS SPEECH

HE YAWNS:

RAIN PATTERS:

HE PANTS:

WOLVES HOWL NEARBY

"It was not always the case

that a large minority comprising

the weakest members of society

were able to devote much

of their time to play.

It should be remembered

that childhood is not

a natural occurrence.

Childhood is an invention.

Above all, childhood is a privilege.

Albeit a necessary privilege."

Prime Minister, I say

a childhood is a right.

Prime Minister?

Hey.

What brings you to the big city?

You do.

It was a very nice

surprise, to get your call.

I needed provisions and

I have a proposition.

- Intriguing. Hm.

- Mm-hm.

Is this you pausing for effect?

Is it working?

This way.

OK.

So, how would you like

to learn to play piano?

Piano? Why?

I mean, do you think I need

to learn to play the piano?

You don't need to, no. But it

might be something you'd enjoy.

Do you want to give it a try?

Er, I don't know.

You don't have to,

but you always threatened to.

- It's your call.

- Are you suggesting it would be therapeutic?

It's just something for

us to do, maybe. Together.

I'd teach you. And if

you hate it, we stop.

No pressure.

- If you're too busy... ?

- No.

No, not at all.

Good.

We'll make a start, shall we?

SHE PLAYS UP SCALE

SHE PLAYS DOWN SCALE

Now you.

Nice and slowly at

first, there's no rush.

HE PLAYS SCALE HALTINGLY

HE HITS KEYS HARD

Try not to hit the keys so hard.

That's not bad...

PLAYS MORE FLUENTLY

... that's good.

Am I a natural?

You could say that.

If you were a liar.

SNIPPING:

Charles, what on earth are you doing?

I don't like it, the fuzz.

Some of it's old-man grey!

Well, be careful with those scissors!

One false move...

Yeah, I wouldn't want

to chop off Mr Thing.

HE LAUGHS AND SNORTS

HE PLAYS HALTINGLY:

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

PIANO MUSIC PLAYS:

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

HE PLAYS MORE FLUENTLY

HE CHUCKLES:

Ah! You found us!

Eventually.

You're well hidden.

You didn't see the yellow

ribbon I tied around the tree?

Oh, it's so good to see you.

Have you lost weight?

Of course I have, you buggered

off and stopped feeding me!

- SHE CHUCKLES

- Where is he?

He's out, in the woods. He loves it.

Oh... Lord of the manor?

- You're to find him. Go to him, after you've eaten.

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