Woman in a Dressing Gown Page #2

I didn't say anything.

I was agreeing with you.

- Agreeing with me?

- About the old songs.

- You said there's nothing like 'em.

- No.

That's Billy Dean.

They say he's ever so good.

- He had an audition with the BBC.

- (Crowd singing)

# Oh, Antonio

# He's gone away

# Left me all alone-ee-oh

# All on my own-ee-oh...

What's the matter, Jimbo?

Do you want to go?

After this.

Why? Aren't you feeling well?

If you're not feeling well...

I'm all right.

Because if you're not feeling well,

we can go home now, this minute.

I'm all right.

I just want to talk to you, that's all.

What about? What about, Jimbo?

Not here.

- You're not in any trouble, are you?

- No, it's not that.

- Because if you're in any trouble...

- Come on, Amy. Drink up.

- Hello, Amy. Evening, Jim.

- Oh, hello, Harold.

- Saved you a seat.

- Thanks.

It's Billy Dean playing.

Oh, lovely.

- We can't go. Doesn't matter, does it?

- No, no, it's all right.

- You're sure? You're quite sure?

- It's all right. It doesn't matter.

Love you.

(Yawns) Honestly, I haven't enjoyed

myself so much in months. Honestly.

Oh, I do think Billy Dean's marvellous,

don't you, Hilda?

- Good night, Hilda. Good night, Harold.

- Night, Hilda.

The key.

- Night, Harold.

- Night.

I don't think I'll bother with my hair

tonight. I'm too tired.

- (Door shuts)

- Oh, that'll be Bri.

- That you, Bri?

- (Brian) Yes, Mum.

There's some cold meat in the cupboard

and cheese. Pie if you want it.

Oh, no, the pie's all gone.

Don't take too much milk. I'm short.

- Did you have a good time tonight, son?

- Oh, yes, sonic.

Good night, love.

Good night, Mum. Good night, Dad.

Night, Brian.

Mm. I shan't need any rocking tonight.

What were you gonna say to me

at the Cricketers tonight?

Just before Hilda came in.

Did you notice how unhappy she was?

Reckon she'd been rowing with Harold.

Did you notice?

- She did seem a bit off.

- A bit?

They're heading for trouble, those two.

The clock's on for seven, all right?

I can see it coming.

It's the baby I feel sorry for.

- (Grunts) You look tired.

- Hm.

Don't let's talk tonight, mm?

(Yawning) Whatever it is,

it can wait till tomorrow, can't it?

Yes. Yeah, it can wait.

Mm.

Mm.

Don't forget to put out the lights, Bri!

(Brian) OK, Mum.

- Night, Jimbo.

- Night.

(Clock ticking)

(Vehicle sounds horn)

(Jazz plays on radio)

Breakfast, Jimbo!

(Vehicle sounding horn)

And as requested, we have pleasure

in enclosing price list

for specially selected

quality imported softwoods.

Thanking you for your past business

and assuring you of our desire

to be of service at all times,

we are yours faithfully, et cetera.

That's all, Miss Barlow.

(Ship's horn sounding)

You didn't tell her?

- Georgie...

- No, Preston.

Please don't try and explain.

(Whispers) Please don't.

(lndistinct chatter)

(Ship's horn)

I waited lunch for you.

Where have you been?

Been offered a new job.

I... I went to see about it.

(Clock chiming)

(Clock chiming)

- Come on, you can buy me a pint.

- No.

All you think you have to do

is put your hand on my arm

and say, "Come on, you can buy me

a pint" and I'll come running.

- No, Preston.

- Georgie, all day I wanted to explain.

What is there to explain? You can't

tell her, that's all. You can't tell her!

I tried to tell her

but it just wasn't the right moment.

Oh, it's no good, Preston.

I don't mean to keep putting it off,

but it's got to be the right moment.

You think I don't understand? I do.

We can't go on like this!

Georgie!

If only she was different,

it would be easier to tell her.

But Amy isn't a bad person.

In her own way, she tries.

She wasn't always like this.

When we were first married, she was...

Perhaps it's my fault.

The thing is, I never noticed

she'd changed till I met you.

You see the same person every day,

you don't see them at all.

But women shouldn't be like that,

not bothering once they're married.

- That's when you should bother most.

- It's easier to say.

I'm sorry for her too, Preston.

I am, really.

But it's your life I'm thinking of.

I look at you now, unhappy and worried,

and I could weep.

Yes, I could weep.

I want to give you some happiness,

confidence. I want to take care of you.

So, please, for your own sake,

you must break with her.

I know you're right, but...

Oh, what's the use?

I've had the offer of that job.

I'm gonna take it!

Georgie, you can't leave me!

You mustn't!

Look, look, I promise.

I promise I'll tell her tonight.

- That's what you said last night!

- Whatever happens, I'll tell her tonight.

I promise you, Georgie.

(Ship approaching)

(Ship sounds horn)

Come on, I'll buy you that pint.

(lndistinct chatter)

Thanks.

Preston?

Hm?

You know back there

when I was going to leave you?

I couldn't have done it.

I don't think I could find the strength

to give you up now.

You'd find the strength to do anything,

Georgie, anything you thought was right.

No.

To cut out your own heart,

that needs strength, more than I've got.

You know what I'm trying to say.

That I've got to go through with it?

I know, Georgie, I know.

More than that.

I... l'm trying to say, don't let me

make you do anything you'd regret.

I don't want to drive you, Preston.

I think it's right for both of us,

but don't do it for me.

Don't do it because

you're afraid of... of losing me.

Tell her because it's right.

It's the only way.

I've got it straight, Georgie.

I want to do it.

I'm going to do it.

(Music on radio)

(Footsteps)

- (Music on radio)

- If it wasn't for the baby, I'd leave him.

Oh, get away with you, Hilda!

How do you like my Jimbo?

Working late nearly every night.

Weekends as well.

It's different for you, Amy.

You like staying in. I don't.

Oh, what's the use? All men are selfish.

Not all of them.

Oh, your Jim, you mean?

He's got his faults, but he's not selfish.

No one could call him selfish.

Don't you worry, girl. I know how it is.

When you're first married,

you want your man with you all the time.

But they always say

the first 50 years are the worst.

(Amy laughing)

- Mum!

- (Amy) Coming! Just coming!

I promised Bri I'd have his tea ready

on the table. Now, you cheer up.

Put a little something on your face

and let Harry see you don't care.

- (Music off)

- Oh, there you are, Mum. Is tea ready?

In two ticks. I'm all behind today.

You get washed.

I'll have it ready, time you are.

- I told you I'd be in a hurry tonight, Mum.

- You're not going out again tonight, Bri?

Mum, I told you I was.

I was gonna give you a nice bit of steak

but our butcher's was shut.

- I'll do you some eggs.

- All right, but hurry.

- (Piano plays single notes)

- (Woman) 'Billy, get away from there.'

(Man) 'They have a long history

of conflict with the law.'

- (Radio static)

- Mum, for once!

Just for once,

can't we listen to our own voices?

- (Big band plays on radio)

- Just finding a bit of music.

- What time's Dad coming in?

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