Woman in a Dressing Gown

(Bells chiming)

(Pigeons warbling)

(Baby crying)

(Radio playing orchestral music)

(Baby crying)

(Radio volume up)

(Loud orchestral music)

(Tune stops)

(Orchestral ballad starts)

(She sniffs)

(Music continues in the background)

(Radio volume down)

Jimbo, I didn't hear you get up.

I thought you'd lie in this morning.

No such luck.

I've got to work today. I told you.

Not Sunday again?

I thought you were joking.

No joke. New shipment of timber in

from the Baltic.

Simpson wants the whole lot

checked by morning.

Simpson!

Doesn't he think you've got a home?

- Morning, Mum. Is breakfast ready?

- In a minute, Bri.

Are we eating in here this morning?

Ha-ha! You really have

to go in today, Jimbo?

Yeah, I told you,

I don't like it any more than you do.

- What's up?

- Your father's got to go to work.

You'll overdo it. That's what will happen.

- Tough luck, Dad.

- Yeah.

I'm shaving every day now, Dad.

Have to. I get real stubble if I don't.

So, you're the one that's running off

with all the blessed blades.

What you gonna do with yourself today?

I've got a match this morning.

Taking Christine out this afternoon.

- Christine? Oh, getting serious, eh?

- No, not me. Too much sense.

I'll start getting serious about girls

when I've done my army training.

Yeah, that'll be time enough.

(Orchestral ballad plays loudly)

- Hey, Mum, how about breakfast?

- It's all ready, all ready.

Jimbo! Your breakfast'll be cold.

- Amy, there's no button on this collar.

- Button? Didn't I do it? I was sure I...

Never mind. You sit down and eat,

and I'll sew it on after. Won't take a tick.

Now, my work box. Where is it? Oh.

- Mine in the oven?

- Yes, Bri, I'll get it.

(She hums tune)

While you're out today,

I'm gonna have a real go at this place.

Tidy it up once and for all.

- What's funny in that?

- Nothing.

Don't you think I'm capable of being tidy?

I didn't say a word.

- Could I have a bit of the table?

- Oh, sorry, Bri.

(Orchestral music playing)

(Clattering)

- Where do I sit?

- Honestly!

I don't know what you think I am!

Honestly!

Well, anyone would think, to hear

you two, I never did anything!

Let me tell you, I've been on my feet

since seven while you were snoring.

- I never said you didn't work, Mum.

- Ooh, thank you!

- Here, Jim. This'll do.

- (Brian) But nothing's organised.

You work like a horse

but you never seen to get anywhere.

You do a bit of this and a bit of that,

but nothing's ever finished.

Fine way to talk to your mother!

Ha-ha-ha!

I don't mean it in... in a bad way, Mum,

but I am right.

I mean, well, just look round this room

for a start.

Oh, it's a bit of a muddle,

but you can't say I don't try.

- I wouldn't change...

- Mind my needle!

Come on, Amy, let's have that button.

I must go.

(He grunts)

(She laughs)

Anyway, what does it matter

so long as we're happy?

Hope this Sunday work

isn't going to become a habit, Jimbo.

- Do you get paid overtime for Sundays?

- Ho-ho!

They expect too much of you, Jim.

No, I'm hoping you'll make a fortune,

Brian, and keep me in my old age.

Expect too much, they do.

Expect too much. There.

Thanks.

Oh, thanks.

- Clean hanky?

- Hm?

- Shall I save your supper?

- No, I'll get something hot midday.

I was so looking forward to today.

I thought we might go out this afternoon.

- Never mind.

- Look, I tell you what.

Get your best bib and tucker on,

round about seven,

and we'll go up to the Cricketers,

have a drink.

Lovely.

- So long, Brian.

- Bye, Dad.

Grey hair.

Found a grey hair!

I'm not as old as all that.

Oh, your father's left his cigarettes.

Jimbo! You forgot...

Jimbo! Jimbo!

You forgot your cigarettes!

You'll forget your head next!

- Here, catch!

- No, I'll come up!

Don't be late!

(Phone rings)

Hello?

That you, Georgie?

Preston, what's happened?

Is anything wrong?

It's just I wanted to tell you

I was on my way.

(Chuckles) For a moment I thought you

were going to say you couldn't make it.

I'll be along.

(Birds chirping)

(Doorbell rings)

- Let me look at you.

- You saw me yesterday.

I haven't changed.

- Hair's all different.

- (Snorts)

Every time I look at you,

I get a new surprise.

I see the same thing,

but I'm surprised every time.

You're beautiful, Georgie.

I love Sundays. I've got you all to myself.

No office.

No Simpson.

(Whispers) No telephone.

I love these Sundays.

I love you, Georgie.

Georgie, will you answer me something?

Depends.

Every morning when I'm shaving,

I look at my face in the mirror

and I say, "Why me?"

Why me, Georgie?

You tell me.

I always had a clear idea

of the man I'd fall in love with.

He smoked a pipe,

worked outdoors at some interesting job,

and loved music.

Then I met you.

You smoke cigarettes, you work indoors

at a dull job, and you hate music.

- You explain it to me.

- I'll explain it to you.

I'm the first man in your life.

You were ready to fall in love

and I just happened to be there.

You'll get around a bit,

you'll soon forget me.

Don't say that.

Don't ever say that, not even in fun.

I love you, Preston.

The way you call me Preston!

(Both chuckle)

That's to distinguish me

from all the others.

(Bells ringing outside)

When have you got to go?

Soon.

- Preston?

- Mm?

It's got to be settled.

One way or another,

it's got to be settled.

This way, it...

seems so underhand.

- I feel...

- I'll settle it.

You've said that so many times.

I'm not blaming you.

But you have said it over and over.

I want you to be sure.

I'm a lot older than you, Georgie.

I don't want you to make a mistake.

How can you say that?

You're all I want.

But I don't want part of you.

I hate all this hiding away.

I'll tell her, Georgie.

It's been a wonderful day.

It could be like this always.

I'll tell her.

I'll tell her tonight.

(Music playing)

- (Knocking at door)

- Hello?

- Hello, Amy.

- Harold's going to be late tonight.

- So, we'll meet at the pub, OK?

- Fine.

You're looking mighty pleased

with yourself. What's going on?

It's for Jimbo. Thought I'd surprise him.

- Ooh, looks good.

- Should be.

Cold ham, cold beef and cold pork.

Got it at the complete shop.

You can spend a week's money

in that place.

You're telling me.

I started to save for new curtains.

But a man likes a good meal of an

evening, especially before a few beers.

- Evening, Hilda. Hi, Mum.

- Hello, Bri.

Hope Dad won't be late for supper.

I've got to meet Christine.

- We've got tickets for Chris Barber.

- Sauces!

Bye-bye, now.

See you at the Cricketers.

I think Billy Dean might be playing

tonight, Mrs Jackson said.

Could have a bit of a singsong.

Jimbo likes a bit of a singsong.

(Crowd) # I'd like to meet him

With his new sweetheart

# Then up will go Antonio

And his ice-cream cart...

- There's nothing like those old songs.

- No, nothing.

- You all right now? Better?

- Yes, thank you.

Good.

Mrs Barker.

She had nasty turn. Heart.

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