Waterloo Road Page #2

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Er... I don't know.

I was just... wondering.

What?

What are we going to do with this?

We could leave it under the seat.

Yeah, I suppose we could.

What were you wondering, Jim?

Do you feel the same as I feel?

When I look at you, I mean?

How do you feel?

My stomach sort of turns over.

Oh. Does it?

Same with me too.

Honest?

- I never knew love went to the stomach before.

- Neither did I.

You live and learn, I must say.

- We must be nearly passing the house now.

- Yeah, that's right.

Any minute now.

Another 50 yards, Till.

There it is, see?

That's the one, next to the end.

It looks good, doesn't it?

Lt'll be lovely having a place of our own.

Pity we've got to wait before we can move in.

They'll soon have it ready for us, Till.

Funny being in the hands of so many people,

isn't it?

How do you mean, Jim?

I don't know. Hire purchase for all those years.

Ansells for the furniture and the building society.

Who cares? We'll manage, you'll see.

The Electric Light Company and the wireless.

Maybe a pram sooner or later.

Yeah. Yeah.

I suppose we will have to take that into account.

I'd like to get my family over

while I'm young, Jim.

Then you sort of grow up with them.

- (Laughs)

- What are you laughing at, Jim?

Nothing. Just you...

...Mrs Colter.

It might have turned out that way

in spite of the war.

Only Jim...

JIM:
Plenty of other people's

had to give things up.

It isn't as if times was normal, Tilly.

Supposing anything was to happen to me.

TILLY:

I'd have someone to remember you by, Jim.

We had all that out when I joined up.

We agreed then it wasn't much of a world to...

to bring kids into.

It hasn't exactly improved since, has it?

TILLY:
If everyone thought like you,

the world'd just stop.

Good job too, if you ask me.

A woman wants a home and children, Jim.

It's only natural.

I wouldn't mind if it was only a room.

So long as it was our own.

If you 're fed up living with Mum and Ruby,

come out in the open and say so.

TILLY:
It's not just that.

Oh, I don't know what I want

You 're right there. The moon, I should think.

Well, I don' look like getting it, do I?

I'm sick and tired of this sort of life,

if you want to know.

Not doing this and not doing that,

just because of the war.

I've had about as much as I can stand

of your mum and Ruby.

If we're going on like this,

I wish I'd never met you.

I'm sorry you had to say that, Till.

I've done my best.

If that's how you feel...

Oh, Jim, I never meant it.

I hope you didn't mean it.

Why do we have to say things we don't mean?

You don't want to worry about Tilly.

She's all right.

Wants her husband. It's only natural.

I don't know what's come over her and Jim.

They never had a quarrel, even, till that last time.

Jim's a fine lad. Bit cautious, like.

Tilly takes after her dad.

Liked to take chances, he did.

He can't do that, as he found out. Poor bloke.

She'd have taken chances too,

started a home of her own,

brought up a family, war or no war.

But Jim...

I expect there's a lot to be said, both sides.

Don't let it get you down, old girl.

Yes, but Ruby's written to Jim

about her and... Ted Purvis.

(Low whistle)

(Low conversation)

I've got to get home, sir.

A few hours is all I want.

I'm sorry.

Never done this before.

I'll report back here as soon as you like.

You've put yourself in the wrong by absenting

yourself from your unit without leave.

- I had to come up, sir.

- You should have applied to your CO at camp.

Just couldn't talk about it, sir.

You understand I have no option in the matter.

What is the trouble exactly? Family bother?

Hm. There it is.

Look here. Your train 's still at the platform.

Can I put you on your honour to go back on it?

Very well, I'm sorry.

Corporal, see this man on his train as far as

Clapham Junction and make sure he stays on it.

- Yes, sir.

- That's all.

In here. Corner seat.

Well, anything for a break.

Fag, Jim?

Thanks, Bob.

Come up to see the girl?

- Married already, perhaps?

- Uh-huh.

- Children?

- Nope.

You're in tanks, eh?

What was your trade? Motor mechanic?

No, I worked here. Locomotive repair shop.

Studying to be an engineer.

Doing nicely till the war.

Hard lines.

It happened to plenty of others.

We were going to move into a little house

down the line. Own patch of garden.

It'd have been a change

from the Waterloo Road.

Yes?

Nice day, innit?

- Here, let me.

- Oh, thank you very much.

- That's really very kind of you.

- There you are.

(Whistle screeches)

- Anyone sitting here, chum?

- No, that's OK.

Cigarette, pal?

- Yeah, thanks.

- Help yourself.

Yeah, me too.

Canadian Red Cap right behind your guy.

Follow me.

- How long have you been playing hooky?

- Since this morning.

Hell, you're only a beginner. Follow me.

I've been absent without leave six weeks.

Stick to me. I've got the whole situation taped.

Go ahead.

Act normal, fellas. MPs.

Keep your head down and make a dive for it.

OK.

Let's beat it out of here.

- OK, go ahead.

- Thanks.

All in a day's work.

Where are you headed for?

Waterloo Road.

I guess they're watching all the exits.

Is that so? OK, follow me.

I've got my own private exit. Close the door.

Got blitzed in here.

Condemned, they say. Unsafe or something.

Hop through there and you're on the street.

You can take care of yourself then.

- OK, thanks a lot, Canada.

- Duggan 's the name. Mike Duggan.

Say, don't get me wrong. I'm no shirker.

Gosh, I joined up for action.

Recruiting day in Toronto.

Bagpipes and the maple leaf forever.

What do I get? A whole year of square-bashing

and making daisy chains.

Felt the same myself. Be seeing you.

I stick around here.

Dodging Red Caps gives me an interest in life.

- So long.

- So long. Good luck.

See you in the clink.

(Knocking)

- Jim!

- Hello, Mother.

How are you, Mum? OK?

Jim...

Why, Mum.

- Now, now, now, there's nothing to cry about.

- I can't help it, Jim.

I know, I know. You're just pleased to see me.

There there, you silly girl.

Come on, turn it up.

Gawd, you're a fine one, and no mistake.

Here. There, that's better.

Come on.

Give us a smile. Come on.

You would have to take the hankie

I've only just ironed.

That's more like you.

Haven't changed a bit, have you, eh?

(Laughs) Feel better now?

I was a bit tired. I'm sorry, Jim.

I'll get you something to eat.

You must be hungry.

Never mind about that now.

You come and sit down.

Right here. Where I can keep an eye on you.

- Where's Tilly?

- She's got the day off.

- She's out, eh?

- Mm.

- Shopping or something?

- I don't know. I expect so.

You know I had a letter from Ruby?

- Yes, Jim.

- What about it, Mum?

I don't know.

- It's not true, is it?

- I don't know really, Jim.

Her and Ruby's been getting on

each other's nerves just lately.

Ruby's got this idea into her head and...

Tilly?

Tilly? I...

(Knocking)

I'll go and answer the door.

- Just a minute.

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