Woman in a Dressing Gown Page #4

I... we've not been really happy.

Jimbo, how can you

make such a statement?

We've hardly had a cross word

in all our married lives.

Look, look, Amy!

I'm trying to say this without hurting you.

Say it! A few more words won't matter!

Then listen!

Well?

No, leave it. Leave it.

- Tomorrow we'll talk about it quietly.

- No.

Tell me now, Jimbo.

Tell me what I did wrong.

Tell me what I did.

Eh, Jimbo?

Please tell me what I did wrong.

- (Chatter)

- It's Bri and... It's Bri.

Mustn't let them see.

- Hello! Hello!

- Hello, Dad.

Hello, you two! Hello, what have you

got here? Got a new...

Christie's got a new record.

- It's really groovy.

- Do you want to hear it?

- Yes, yes.

- OK.

- Come on, take your coat off, Christine.

- Thank you.

What about some food, Mum?

We're starving.

Come on, Mum. Stop dreaming.

We're hungry.

(Record player playing jazz ensemble)

There's some pie.

(Record player playing jazz ensemble)

(Smash)

(Record player playing jazz ensemble)

(Music playing outside)

(Retching)

(Gasping)

(Sobbing)

(Sobbing)

Dad?

- She's OK, don't you think, Dad?

- Christine? Yes, she's a nice kid.

- (Clock chiming)

- Is Mother asleep?

Yes, bad headache.

She's taken some aspirin.

- She should have said something.

- Shh.

I hope we didn't make it worse

playing all those records.

- No. Good night, son.

- Good night, Dad.

(Birds chirping)

(Clock ticking)

(Radio playing upbeat jazz)

(Kettle whistling)

(Radio playing upbeat jazz)

(Radio playing

romantic classical music)

You didn't eat your egg!

I did it four minutes.

The egg was fine. I just didn't want it.

I'm late, darling. Got to rush.

You never could do your tie properly.

You know that? Never.

- Look, I'm late, Amy.

- Jimbo?

Jimbo, you're not to worry.

I made up my mind about that.

We'll work it out all right.

You're not to worry, you hear me?

Yes.

Didn't notice what I did this morning?

Six o'clock I was up working.

Ironing all done.

I heard you.

I didn't sleep either.

Bri? Bri, you'll be late.

Breakfast is ready.

- You'll be home early?

- Not too early.

Simpson wants

the blasted books made up

so he can take 'em home

at the weekend.

Jimbo, try and make it early tonight.

- I don't want to sit here tonight...

- I'll try.

Jimbo, I've been thinking, really hard.

If you could give it another chance,

I know I could alter...

Amy, I can't talk about it now!

I've got to go!

You will think about it though, Jimbo?

It's been a long time all these years.

- If we've got through so far...

- Amy, please!

I've got enough on my mind

with Simpson.

That Simpson's the whole trouble,

if you ask me.

Everybody has their ups and downs,

Jimbo.

The Wallaces were gonna split up,

remember? And that came out all right.

Morning, Mrs Preston. Morning, Jim.

- Jimbo?

- Amy, it's no good, no good talking now.

But you'll think about what I said?

That's all I'm asking.

- I promise.

- I just know it's gonna be all right.

- Amy, I've got to go.

- Jimbo?

(Baby wailing nearby)

I've been thinking, Jimbo. I've been

working out all kinds of plans. I know...

- Amy, what's the use?

- But you'll listen, won't you?

I won't make a fuss or anything.

Just to talk.

- Will it do any good, Amy? Will it help?

- It will help me.

All right, then. Anything you say.

We'll talk it all out. Now I'm late already.

I'll have everything shining, really tidy!

I'm gonna make a real effort, you'll see!

Don't be late!

Jimbo!

(Big band playing on radio)

I say! We are tidy this morning.

I've been up since six.

- On one of your annual bursts?

- Don't, Bri.

Come on. I'm only kidding.

- (Volume down)

- What's the matter, Mum?

I wanted to say something special

to your father. He's gone.

Cheer up. There's always the telephone.

Course. There you are.

Bacon and egg this morning.

It's not broken and it's not burnt.

- All right?

- It's fine.

Tastes just like bacon and eggs.

Bri, have you got any money?

I want to borrow some. I want to get

my hair done, get one or two things.

- I'll pay you back at the weekend.

- Come off it, Mum.

You know how much

I get paid at the factory.

I thought you were saving for a suit.

- If you could just lend me...

- Mum, no!

Besides, why the sudden concern

over your looks?

You've done without hairdos all this time.

It's a bit late to start now, isn't it?

- Never mind, I'll manage.

- I didn't mean it like that.

It's all right. It's all right.

Don't go making a martyr out of yourself.

Here, look, glamour girl.

Here's ten bob. Present.

Go on, take it.

It's in a good cause. You'll see.

Four bob.

I haven't got time for any more, Mum.

I'm late.

- What's up?

- Nothing!

- Bye, then.

- Mind how you go!

(Ship's horn sounds)

(Footsteps)

You told her?

What did she say?

What could she say?

Poor Preston.

Poor Amy.

(Buzzes)

Simpson and Ross?

Could I speak to Mr Preston, please?

Who's calling, please?

Oh, his wife.

'Mrs Preston.'

It's rather urgent. Who's that?

Miss Barlow here, Mrs Preston.

Oh. I want to speak to Jimbo.

One moment, please.

Amy.

Jimbo?

I... l've been thinking.

I want you to do me a favour.

No, don't say no,

because it's important to me.

Jimbo?

I want you to bring her,

Georgie, back with you tonight.

Amy, no!

I... I won't make a scene or create.

I just want

that we should all talk properly.

- (Amy) 'Ask her, Jimbo, please.'

- (Jim) Amy, I can't.

Jimbo, you've got to.

It's not much to ask.

Jimbo, please! Please!

I shan't let you down, really.

All right, I'll try. I won't promise, Amy.

'But I'll try.'

Thank you, Jimbo.

I know it'll be all right.

Honestly, you won't regret it.

Amy, I must go!

Oh, sorry for disturbing you, Jimbo.

I had to ask you. See you tonight, then.

(Buzzes)

(Buzzes)

We can go to my place for lunch.

We'll have time. We can talk there.

(Ship's horn outside)

- (Shop bell rings)

- It's not exactly new, is it?

You've been bringing it here

for at least six months.

Well, it's nearly new. 15, eh? 15?

It's more than my job's worth.

Ten's the limit.

(Woman) Oh, all right, all right.

Give me a ticket.

- Do you want a hanger?

- I want it taken care of.

Penny for a hanger.

Tuppence for brown paper.

I know.

There you are.

Yes?

Um... l've got a ring.

- This is your own property, of course?

- It's my engagement ring.

Had it for years.

Never been off my finger till this morning.

- How much?

- Oh.

I don't know what he paid for it.

It was dear, I know that.

No, I mean how much

do you want on the ring?

Oh, I see. Um...

- (Vehicle outside sounds horn)

- Well, I hadn't thought.

- Three pounds?

- Oh, yes.

Three pounds will be very suitable.

- Name and address, please?

- Um... Mrs Preston.

Never been in your shop before. I've

passed it often, of course. It's very nice.

I expect you're always busy.

It's a beautiful ring. I'll pay you back

very soon and take it back again.

I feel so strange about it.

It's very nice of you to help me.

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