1: EXT. NELIUS AND LOVVIES PLOT.

DAY:
ITS SUNDAY MORNING ON LONG SUMMER TRAVELLERS SITE
ANDEVERYONE IS HOME. DOGS BARK, CHILDREN SHOUT AND PLAY.
NELIUS IS MENDING A CAR TYRE PUNCTURE. HE HITS THE IRON
TYRE LEVER WITH A HAMMER SEVERAL TIMES. LOVVIE CALLS FROM
THE OPEN TRAILER DOOR
LOVVIE:

Want a drink Nelius?

HE STOPS WORK

NELIUS:

(OUT OF BREATH) Hey?

LOVVIE:

Juice or something?

NELIUS:

Yeah go on then.
HE HITS THE TYRE LEVER AGAIN WITH THE HAMMER

NELIUS:

And next time be careful where youre driving.

LOVVIE:

Thats a slow puncture divvie. Said yourself the tube aint got a
nail in or nothing.

NELIUS:

Slow punctures gotta start somehow.

SOMEONE PUTS RAP MUSIC ON SEVERAL PLOTS AWAY - LOUD

NELIUS:

Oh what?

LOVVIE STEPS OUT OF THE TRAILER AND WALKS TOWARD NELIUS

LOVVIE:

Thats Loopy Loo again. (SHOUTING ACROSS THE SITE) Turn

that music down will ya!

NELIUS:

Wheres Hank Williams when you need him.

LOVVIE:

Puts mi teeth on edge.

QUEENIE CALLS FROM HER TRAILER AT THE BACK OF THE PLOT

QUEENIE:

Whats all that row?

LOVVIE:

You can guess cant ya?

QUEENIE APPROACHES

QUENNIE:

Her again.

NELIUS:

You alright, aunt Queen?

QUEENIE:

Not with that machine gun music I aint.

LOVVIE:

What I was saying.

QUEENIE:

You got any idea what theyre rokkering about in them songs?

NELIUS:

Not a word.

QUEENIE:

Bet your life itll be mullorin somebody or stuffing drugs up their

noses.

SEVERAL VOICES ARE HEARD SHOUTING IN THE DISTANCE TO TURN

THE MUSIC DOWN. AFTER A MOMENT THE VOLUME DECREASES

QUEENIE:

(SHOUTING ACROSS THE SITE) Theres babies asleep on this

site!
NELIUS HITS THE TYRE LEVER AGAIN

QUEENIE:

Howd you get a puncture my boy?

LOVVIE:

Dont start him on that.

QUEENIE:

I thought Solomon and Charityd be here by now.

NELIUS:

This afternoon I reckon.

QUEENIE:

On the next plot anall.

LOVVIE:

Hes a married man now.

QUEENIE:

A zebra dont change its stripes.

NELIUS:

Thats a leopard aint it?

QUEENIE:

Dont be a div. Leopards got spots.

LOVVIE LAUGHS

2: INT. LOVVIES TRAILER. DAY:

NELIUS AND LOVVIE ARE JUST FINISHING SUNDAY LUNCH

NELIUS:

You get aunt Queenie her fags from the shop?

LOVVIE:

Yeah. Eighty year old and still dragging on toovalos.

NELIUS:

Waste of time stopping now.

CUTLERY ON PORCELAIN

NELIUS:

Youre turning into a proper wife Lovvie. Can cook and

everything.

LOVVIE:

Dik here, cheek of the mush.

NELIUS:

It was handsome, no word of a lie.

LOVVIE:

I was bound to burn mi first one or two.

NELIUS:

Well if you can feed me all right you can do the same with a
chavi.
NELIUS PUTS HIS CUTLERY ON THE PLATE

LOVVIE:

I dunno. What makes you think Id be any good at it?

NELIUS:

Learned to cook didnt ya?

LOVVIE:

Theres a bit more to bringing up a baby.

NELIUS:

Trial and error like everything else.

SHE GETS UP

LOVVIE:

Here, give us your plate.

HE HANDS HER HIS PLATE

NELIUS:

Youll be a lovely mother. And you know it.

LOVVIE:

I must admit I do get a tingle every time I think about it.

SHE TURNS TO GO BUT HE MOVES UP BEHIND HER

NELIUS:

Speaking of tingles
HE PUTS HIS ARMS AROUND HER WAIST

LOVVIE:

Whats ya doing?
HE KISSES THE BACK OF HER NECK

LOVVIE:

Nelius!

NELIUS:

No time like the present to start the new Arkley clan.

LOVVIE:

(BREATHLESS) Its the middle of the day

NELIUS:

When needs must

LOVVIE:

(GIGLING) Let go of me you radge.

SHE STRUGGLES PLAYFULLY

LOVVIE:

Ill drop mi plates in a minute

THE SOUND OF A LORRY PULLING UP OUTSIDE THEN THE SOUND

OF COLONEL BOGEY BEING PLAYED ON THE LORRYS HORN
LOVVIE:

(LOOKING THROUGH THE WINDOW) Its Sol and Charity!

NELIUS:

He cant half pick his time.

SHE BREAKS AWAY

LOVVIE:

Come on lets go and giveem a hand with the trailer.

SHE PUTS THE PLATES IN THE SINK AND THEY HEAD FOR THE DOOR

3: EXT. OUTSIDE SOLOMON AND CHARITYS PLOT. DAY:

SOLOMON OPENS THE LORRY DOOR AND GETS OUT
SOLOMON: (JOVIAL) Here we are.
CHARITY CLIMBS OUT OF THE LORRY
CHARITY:

(IMPRESSED) Made good time anall.

SOLOMON: Said I would didnt I?

SHE SURVEYS THE SITE
CHARITY:

Sites bigger than I thought.

NELIUS AND LOVVIE STEP OUT OF THEIR TRAILR

NELIUS:

(CHEERFULLY) All right mush?

SOLOMON: Bruvver Boy!

SOLOMON AND NELIUS ARE DELIGHTED TO SEE EACH OTHER AND
START MOCK WRESTLING
LOVVIE:

Afternoons a funny time to be moving.

CHARITY:

You know what hes like.

SOLOMON: Cant drive on an empty belly.

CHARITY:

With mi dad it was hook up and move first thing in the morning.

LOVVIE:

Same with mine. Wanna get there soon as and suss the place
out.

SOLOMON: Whereabouts on the plot do you want me to pull the trailer, doll?
CHARITY:

Give us a chance.

SOLOMON: Come on lets get this trailer backed in.

HE JUMPS BACK IN HIS LORRY AND STARTS IT UP

4. EXT. SOLOMONS PLOT. NIGHT:

SOLOMON, CHARITY, NELIUS AND LOVVIE ARE SITTING ROUND A
FIRE AT THE BACK OF THE PLOT
CHARITY:

You aint supposed to have a fire on a plot here are you Lovvie?

SOLOMON: This sites gonna have some new rules now Im on it.
LOVVIE:

Warden might chinger ya.

SOLOMON: Im already shaking in mi size tens. Hows the calling round here
Bruv?
NELIUS:

You need a licence.

SOLOMON: Take oath.

NELIUS:

Name badge anall.

SOLOMON: (CHUCKLES) With a little smiley photo of yourself to prove who

you is when youre knockin at the door? Like being in the FBI
innit?
NELIUS:

You can get away with a bit of garden work. Its what Im doing.
Turfing, a few patios

SOLOMON: Can I give you a hand for a few days till Im sorted?
NELIUS:

Yeah, course.
THE FIRE CRACKLES

NELIUS:

You cant beat a bit of fire. Me dad always had one on the go.
Been a long time since we had one here. I hadnt realised Id
missed it.

SOLOMON: So whos stopping on here then?

NELIUS:

Joby and Tilly are across the way. Tom and Isy down the
bottom. Mick and Syl are over the back there. About a half a
dozen more Romany and the rest is Irish.

LOVVIE:

I could never see you settling down Sol. Wasnt the type.
6

SOLOMON: Youre right there Lovvie girl. It took someone very special to get
the reins on me.
CHARITY:

What reins?

SOLOMON: But this girl heres knocked the fight right out of me.
SOLOMON PUTS HIS ARM ROUND CHARITY
LOVVIE:

You used to stop together?

SOLOMON: Yeah like we all did. Id see her on a few sites but me dad
wouldnt stay in one place five minutes so we didnt get to talk.
CHARITY: Then Sols mum and dad pulled on Southampton site one day and
that was it. We started chatting andSOLOMON: I couldnt let the chance go by. Now Im an old married man.
NELIUS: We both are.
SOLOMON: And all the better for it.

5. INT. CHARITYS TRAILER. NIGHT:

SOLOMON PUTS AINT TOO PROUD TO BEG BY THE TEMPTATIONS
ON THE CD PLAYER WHILE CHARITY IS IN THE KITCHEN HAVING JUST
FINISHED THE WASHING UP
CHARITY:

Nelius and Lovvie seem happy enough.

SOLOMON: (SITTING DOWN) What dyou reckon to this place?

CHARITY:

Chalets roomy. Washing machinell fit right in. And the

bathrooms clean.

SOLOMON: Plots are big anall.

CHARITY:

Could almost have a garden at the back.

SOLOMON: You want me to rotovate it?

CHARITY:

(DELIGHTED) Would ya? I always wanted to grow mi own

flowers.

SOLOMON: Flowers? You wanna grow some veggies, save us some luvvo
on scan.
CHARITY:

Oh Sol.
SHE GOES TO HIM SITS IN HIS LAP

SOLOMON: Here, careful.

HE LAUGHS - SHE HUGS HIM
CHARITY:

I can sit in mi husbands lap if I want to, cant I?

THEY KISS

SOLOMON: All this for a garden? If Id known that Id asorted you one out on
the last site.
CHARITY:

I hated that place. Dad called it Dodge City.

SOLOMON: Yeah, was a bit lively.

CHARITY:

Does the postman come on here?

SOLOMON: (LAUGHING) What different do that make, we cant read?

CHARITY:

Im just wondering how rough it is. Postman wouldnt jel on the

last place less he had a police escort. I hate feeling so cut off
from everything.

SOLOMON: Aint quite so bad here. Though I dare say the gavversll be
round most nights checking number plates, seeing if anythings
chordy.
CHARITY:

I like this site.

SOLOMON: You aint been here five minutes.

CHARITY:

I know but its like a new start for us, innit?

SOLOMON: New start?

CHARITY:

You know what I mean. Different people... I think the last place
was the cause of most of our-

SOLOMON: (WITH A SLIGHT EDGE) Most of our what?

SHE CHECKS HERSELF
CHARITY:

I mean the plots were smaller, people was closer. I just think
thats why we was things was tough sometimes...

SOLOMON: You lost me.

CHARITY: Well
SHE KNOWS SHES WONDERED ON TO DANGEROUS GROUND. SHE
GETS UP AND MOVES AWAY SLOWLY
CHARITY: It dont matter.
SOLOMON: No come on if you got something to say.
CHARITY: I aint. I was just trying toSOLOMON: Trying to what?
CHARITY: (SLIGHT PAUSE) Nothing Sol, nothing.

6. INT. LOVVIES TRAILER. NIGHT:

NELIUS AND LOVVIE ARE HUDDLED TOGETHER WATCHING THE
NEWS ON TV THE SOUND IS PRETTY LOW
LOVVIE:

He aint changed a bit has he.

NELIUS:

Did you think he would?

LOVVIE:

Ispose. I mean when youre married you lose something dont

ya, gain something else. (SMILES) He still calls you Bruvver
Boy.

NELIUS:

We was like brothers one time. Families always moved about

and stopped together. Dads got on and our mothers were best
of friends.

LOVVIE:

I mean me and Sol was sort of close but you and him was like-

NELIUS:

He never had no real brothers and neither did I. What dyou

think of Charity?

LOVVIE:

Shes a bit quiet but I reckon I could get to like the girl. She dont
seem his type though. I mean, well
WE HEAR THE SOUND OF RAISED VOICES OUTSIDE

LOVVIE:

Listen.

NELIUS:

What?

NELIUS TURNS DOWN THE TV. THERES AN ARGUMENT GOING ON

NEXT DOOR
LOVVIE:

Thats Sol and Charity.

NELIUS:

Lovers tiff.

LOVVIE:

(SMILES) We aint had one of them in a long time.

NELIUS:

Thats cos youve learned your place.

LOVVIE:

What!
SHE PLAYFULLY THOWS A PILLOW AT HIM

NELIUS:

Lovvie! You could have took mi eye out with that pillow.
LOVVIE MOVES TO THE WINDOW

NELIUS:

Are you ear wigging?

LOVVIE:

I dont have to. The whole site can hearem. Hark at it.

THE ARGUMENT ON THE NEXT PLOT STOPS SUDDENLY

10

NELIUS:

Just a passionate couple thats all. Now come away from that
winda. And speaking apassion where we earlier before we
got so rudely interrupted...?

7. EXT. OUTSIDE NELIUSS PLOT. MORNING:

SOLOMON PULLS UP IN HIS LORRY
SOLOMON: (SHOUTING) Lovvie? Is Bruvver boy about? Lovvie?
LOVVIE COMES OUT OF THE CHALET AND WALKS TOWARD HIM
LOVVIE:

What?

SOLOMON: Bruv?
LOVVIE:

Already gone to work.

SOLOMON: Hes keen.

LOVVIE:

Your blinds were down so he thought you was still abed.

SHE OPENS THE GATE

SOLOMON: Where you going?

LOVVIE:

Get a pint of milk.

SOLOMON: Jump in Ill give you a lift.

LOVVIE:

Its only five minutes walk. Ill ask Charity if she wants to come.

SOLOMON: Nah she wont.

LOVVIE:

No?

SOLOMON: Got a bit of a headache or something.

11

LOVVIE:

(SLIGHTLY CONCERNED) She alright?

SOLOMON: Yeah. Yeah Took some aspros.

REVVING HIS ENGINE LIKE A SPORTS CAR
SOLOMON: Anyway, Bruv still working out Boxstead way?
LOVVIE:

Far as I know.

SOLOMON: Ill see if I can catch him.

LOVVIE

(SMILING) Drive carefully.

HE LAUGHS AND DRIVES OFF

8. EXT. SOLOMONS PLOT. MORNING:

LOVVIE IS WALKING SLOWLY ROUND CHARITYS TRAILER. ALL THE
BLINDS ARE DRAWN
LOVVIE:

(CALLING SOFTLY) Charity?

SHE KNOCKS SOFTLY ON THE DOOR

LOVVIE:

Are you all right?

CHARITY:

Why wouldnt I be?

CHARITYS VOICE SOUNDS SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT BUT IT COULD BE

TIREDNESS
LOVVIE:

Sol said youve got a bit of a headache. Im just jellin to the

shop. Can I get you anything?

CHARITY:

No thanks.

LOVVIE:

You sure youre all right?

CHARITY:

Yeah, Im still in bed... Tired, thats all

LOVVIE LISTENS FOR A MOMENT

LOVVIE:

Okay. Ill leave you then. But come round for a cup atea and a
chat when youre feeling better. I wanna know all about the girl
who finally tamed Sol.

12

CHARITY: Ill see ya later

LOVVIE SLOWLY WALKS AWAY

9. INT. LOVVIES TRAILER. NIGHT:

LOVVIE AND NELIUS ARE SLEEPING.THE SOUND OF RAISED VOICES
AGAIN OUTSIDE, THEN SOMETHING BUMPING OR FALLING. LOVVIE
BEGINS TO WAKE
LOVVIE:

Nelius?
SHE NUDGES HIM

LOVVIE:

Nelius, are you awake?

NELIUS:

Uh?
THE SOUND OF A CRASH THEN GLASS SMASHING

LOVVIE:

(MORE AWAKE NOW) Did you hear that?

THEN EVERYTHING GOES QUIET, NOT EVEN VOICES

NELIUS:

What?

LOVVIE:

All that banging and crashing.

THEY LISTEN - SILENCE

NELIUS:

Probably thunder.

LOVVIE:

But I-

NELIUS:

Go back to sleep Lovvie

LOVVIE:

But it sounded like-

13

NELIUS:

Go to sleep

HE TURNS OVER LEAVING LOVVIE ALONE IN THE DARK

10. EXT. A TOWN GARDEN. DAY:

THE SUN IS SHINING AND BIRDS ARE SINGING. NELIUS TURNS OFF
HIS ROTOVATER HAVING JUST TURNED OVER THE GROUND IN THE
GARDEN. SOLOMON APPROCHES WITH HALF A DOZEN ROLLS OF
TURF ON A WHEEL BARROW.
SOLOMON: This is about enough turf to finish the last bit.
NELIUS:

Ill rake the rest of the ground level.

SOLOMON: Cushti.
NELIUS STARTS RAKING THE GROUND WHILE SOLOMON ROLLS OUT
THE TURF
SOLOMON: Yeah, yeah, so, as I was saying, it was love at first bite.
NELIUS LAUGHS
SOLOMON: Seeing mi blood brand on her neck made a man of me. Know
what I mean? Sort of made her mine for life.
NELIUS:

(STILL CHUCKLING) Thats a new one on me.

SOLOMON: Nah but seriously, you know- I think the world of her.
NELIUS:

Youre a one off mate.

SOLOMON: Not for much longer. A Chavvis on the cards.

NELIUS:

She expecting?

SOLOMON: Not yet but Ill soon get the job done. Sol Boy Junior. Ere, what
a day thats gonna be.
NELIUS:

The universe is waiting.

SOLOMON: How about you and Lovvie? Youve been married twice as long
as we have. Whats the matter wiv ya?

14

NELIUS:

Lovvies still thinking about it.

SOLOMON: Whats there to think about? No powers of persuasion, thats

your trouble. Here, pass us that spade, will ya?
SOL BEATS DOWN THE TURF WITH A SPADE
NELIUS: You call that turf level?
SOLOMON: Its as level as its gonna get for the luvvo theyre paying us.
THEY LAUGH

11: EXT. NELIUSS PLOT. DAY:

LOVVIE IS SWEEPING HER PLOT WITH A LONG HANDLED BROOM
WHEN CHARITY STEPS OUT OF HER CHALET CARRYING A BASKET
OF WASHING
LOVVIE:

(CALLING OUT) Charity.

CHARITY:

Hey?

LOVVIE:

You didnt come round for that cuppa the other day. You feeling
better now?

CHARITY:

Thought it was about time I cleaned mi things up and hang this

washing out.

LOVVIE WATCHES HER TAKE THE WASHING TO HER LINE. CHARITY

TRIES TO LOWER THE LINE PROP BUT SEEMS IN PAIN
LOVVIE:

Need a hand?

CHARITY:

(TRYING TO HIDE THE PAIN) Nah, Im all right.

CHARITY TRIES TO REACH UP TO THE LINE TO HANG A GARMENT OF

CLOTHING BUT CANT. SHE WINCES.
LOVVIE:

Are you okay?

CHARITY:

Lovvie I know you mean well but you should keep out of this.

15

LOVVIE:

But surelyLOVVIE WALKS TOWARD THE FENCE

CHARITY:

No! Stay your side of the fence. Look, dont think I aint grateful
but you have to stop there. This is a line you cant cross

LOVVIE:

What are you talking about?

CHARITY:

Ill be all right once I get mi washing hung up

LOVVIE:

Alright. But come round me Grans trailer when youre done

for a cup atea. She told me to ask ya. (SMILES) Wants to check
you out I think.

12. INT. QUEENIES TRAILER. DAY:

THE KETTLE IS BOILING
QUEENIE:

Howd you take it Charity?

CHARITY:

Milk, one sugar thanks.

QUEENIE STARTS MAKING TEA

CHARITY:

Youve got some cushty old photos on your mantel piece aunt
Queen.

LOVVIE:

(POINTING TO PHOTO) This is mi Uncle Jake outside the

boxing both at Barnet fair.

QUEENIE:

Thats some years ago.

CHARITY:

Shirt off, gloves on.

LOVVIE:

And thats me mum when she was six years old.

QUEENIE:

We was stopping down the Red House Road, then. Pea picking.

CHARITY:

(SMILING) And whos this in the sugar beet field?

LOVVIE:

Grandfather.

16

QUEENIE:

My Charley, God love him. I had to fight the raklis off with a
thistle on a stick, he was that handsome.

CHARITY:

Bit like Sol. All the girls was after him. Dunno what he sees in
me.

QUEENIE:

Whend you two start sparking?

LOVVIE:

Gran!

QUEENIE:

Well, its too late for blushes now.

LOVVIE CHUCKLES

CHARITY:

I was walking home from the pictures one day with the girls and
him and a couple of mates pulled up in a van and offered us a
lift.

LOVVIE:

(MOCK HORROR) You didnt get in?

CHARITY:

Course not!
THEY LAUGH

CHARITY:

But he was funny.

QUEENIE:

Gift of the gab see, like Charley.

CHARITY:

I think thats one of the things I love about him. He makes me

laugh even when Im boiling inside. And then he can be so
gentle.

LOVVIE:

(SURPRISED) Sol?
QUEENIE HANDS OUT THE TEA

QUEENIE:

Now heres your tea girls.

CHARITY:

Ta.

LOVVIE:

Thanks gran.

QUEENIE:

And who wants a biscuit?

17

13. INT. LOVVIES TRAILER. DAY:

SOFT COUNTRY MUSIC IS PLAYING AS LOVVIE STEPS INTO THE
TRAILER
LOVVIE:

Whats all this?

NELIUS:

What does it look like?

LOVVIE:

(SHOCKED AND DELIGHTED) You aint telling me you cooked

it?

NELIUS:

Well I did get a bit of help from the Taj Mahal on Brandly Street.
SHE LAUGHS

NELIUS:

But its the thought that counts.

LOVVIE:

And its a lovely thought.

NELIUS:

And that aint all.

LOVVIE:

Dinner, music, candles What other surprises you got for me?

HE TURNS HIS BACK AND UNCORKS A BOTTLE OF WINE

LOVVIE:

(LAUGHING) You really know your way to a girls heart.

NELIUS:

And dont tell anyone about this. Travellersll think Im as soft as

a lump acheese.

LOVVIE:

Your secrets safe with me.

HE POURS THE WINE - SHE MOVES IN CLOSE TO HIM

LOVVIE:

This aint got anything to do with the patter of tiny feet has it?

NELIUS:

Would I be so devious?
THEY CLINK GLASSES

18

14. EXT. SOLOMONS PLOT. DAY:

THERES A KNOCK AT THE DOOR AND LOVVIE OPENS IT
CHARITY:

(SOFTLY) Lovvie.

LOVVIE:

Mi gran asked me to bring these biscuits over as you likeem so

much.

CHARITY:

I know why youre here. Ill bet half the sites heard the rows.

LOVVIE:

(SHE PAUSES SEEING THE BRUISES) Rows and arguments

aint nothing new on here. But them bruises on your arms are.
Did Sol do that to you?

CHARITY:

Sol would never hit me. He loves me.

LOVVIE:

He might say he done it because he loves you.

CHARITY:

(AFTER A PAUSE) Okay, but I was talking back, being a right

mouthy cow. And after all hes done for me, moving on the site
and that. I should be more grateful.

LOVVIE:

But-

CHARITY:

Look, hes never done it before and he was really sorry after.

LOVVIE:

All the same-

CHARITY:

Lovvie dont worry, it wont happen again. Im sure it wont. Tell

your gran thanks for the biscuits but Ive gotta get on now.
(SLIGHT PAUSE) Alright?

15. IN. LOVVIES TRAILER. EVENING:

NELIUS AND LOVVIE ARE ALONE WITH THE RADIO ON IN THE
BACKGROUND
LOVVIE:

You should have seen the bruises, great purple things they
were, and they was the ones I could see.

19

NELIUS:

You shouldnt go poking your nose in. What they do in that

trailer is nobodys business but theirs.

LOVVIE:

What am I supposed to do?

NELIUS:

Let her sort it. Shes married. She made her choice. She
belongs to him now. You know how things are.

LOVVIE:

Nelius!

NELIUS:

Keep out of it, Im telling ya. She said its a one off didnt she?

LOVVIE:

And what if it isnt?

NELIUS:

All the more reason for you not to get caught in the middle of it.
You remember meeting me uncle Whiskers dont ya?

LOVVIE:

Beard down to his belly button? I aint likely to forget.

NELIUS:

Well hes driving along one day, happy as Larry, when he sees
his newly wed daughter and her husband coming the opposite
way. He puts his hand up to say hello but as they drive passed,
the husband, who aint clocked Whiskers, gives her a left hander
in the mooi, busts her nose, her mouth the lot. Me uncle turns
round, catches up withem on the motorway, drags the husband
from the cab and gives him the hiding of his life.

LOVVIE:

Plenty good enough.

NELIUS:

Then his daughter turns on him, tells her father its none of his
business, to stay out of it, and not to come near either ofum
again. And that was the end of that father-daughter relationship.

LOVVIE:

But it aint the same-

NELIUS:

If a girlll turn on her own father for stepping in, what chance
have you got hey, someone she dont even know?

20

16. CHARITYS TRAILER. EVENING:

CHARITY IS EATING
CHARITY:

How is it?

SOLOMON: (SILENCE)
CHARITY:

The dinner? Youve hardly touched it.

SOLOMON: What you been up to today?

CHARITY:

Done the washing. Hosed off the plot. Cleaned the trailer, inside
and out. Cant you see the difference?

SOLOMON: (SLIGHT PAUSE) Youve been rokkerin to Lovvie.

CHARITY IS STUNNED BUT TRIES TO STAY CALM
CHARITY:

What?

SOLOMON: She been asking questions about us?

CHARITY:

No she-

SOLOMON: What didya say to her?

CHARITY:

I aint said nothing.

SOLOMON: You reckon you can blow your nose on here without the whole
site knowing about it? Theres forty pairs of eyes on you every
minute of the day. Its a kind of human surveillance. What else
they gonna do with their time but stare out of the windows?
SHES TERRIFIED
CHARITY:

I take oath on-

SOLOMON: You should keep away from her. The boys used to call her hot
Lovvie, did you know that?
CHARITY: No.
HES GETTING UP SENSE OF IMMINENT VIOLENCE

21

SOLOMON: Ill tell you what doll, them jeans dont leave much to the
imagination do they?
CHARITY:

(CLOSE TO TEARS) Solomon please-

SOLOMON: While youre up there why dont you pull them blinds down?
SHE STANDS AS STILL AS STONE
CHARITY:

No Sol

SOLOMON: Drop them blinds now dinnilo.

AS MUCH AS SHE FIGHTS AGAINST THEM THE TEARS START TO
FLOW AS SHE GOES ROUND THE TRAILER DROPPING THE BLINDS
SOLOMON: Whered you get them jeans from anyway?
CHARITY:

I you.

SOLOMON: I aint seen em before.

CHARITY:

Yes you have. You broughtem for me.

SOLOMON: Know what I think? I think our naughty neighbors already

teaching you bad habits.
CHARITY:

No
ANOTHER BLIND DROPS

SOLOMON: One blind left now sweet Charity. In the bedroom you go.
SHE DOES WHAT SHE CAN TO STIFFLE HER SOBS BUT THEY ESCAPE
ANYWAY. SHE MAKES HER WAY TO THE BEDROOM AND SLOWLY
DROPS THE FINAL BLIND

22

17. INT. LOVVIES TRAILER. DAY:

LOVVIE IS DOING THE WASHING UP WHEN THE PHONE RINGS. SHE
WIPES HER HANDS THEN ANSWERS IT
LOVVIE:

Yeah?
CHARITYS SPEECH IS SLOW AND BROKEN

CHARITY:

(V.O) Its me

LOVVIE:

(CONCERNED) Charity? What the matter? Where are you?

CHARITY:

(V.O) Im in mi trailer.

LOVVIE:

Your Well why are you phoning me? Why dont you just come
round?

CHARITY:

V.O) I cant.

LOVVIE:

Why not?

CHARITY:

(V.O) Can you come here?

LOVVIE:

Yeah Ill be there in thirty seconds, all right?

CHARITY:

Kay.

18. INT. CHARITYS TRAILER. NIGHT:

CHARITY SLOWLY TURNS TO HER AND LOVVIE GASPS IN SHOCK
LOVVIE:

What has he done to you?

CHARITY:

You mustnt tell anyone Lovvie, you mustnt.

CHARITY COUGHS AND PUTS A PIECE OF WHITE RAG TO HER MOUTH

THEN TAKES IT AWAY
LOVVIE:

Show me that rag?

CHARITY HANDS IT TO HER. LOVVIE NOTICES BLOOD ON IT

LOVVIE:

Youre coughing up blood. Weve gotta get you to hospital.

23

CHARITY:

No!

LOVVIE:

But-

CHARITY:

No! Then he would kill me.

LOVVIE:

Youre hurt and youre hurt bad.

CHARITY:

I cant.

LOVVIE:

Call your family, tell 'em to come and get ya.

CHARITY:

And start a blood feud to last a lifetime? It aint worth it.

LOVVIE:

I thought them bruises werent a one off. (SLIGHT PAUSE) Why

does he do it?
CHARITY TURNS AWAY

CHARITY:

I dress like a slut, Im lazy, dont clean enough, me cookings

terrible -

LOVVIE:

But you dress in jeans and t-shirt most of the time. And you
never stop cleaning and your cooking smells lovely from here.
Even Nelius said so.

CHARITY:

(EMBARRASSED) And Im Im rubbish at... well, you know.

PAUSE
LOVVIE:

Thats a horrible thing for him to say.

LOVVIE SITS BESIDE HER

LOVVIE:

Does he drink at home, in the trailer I mean?

CHARITY:

I aint ever seen him drunk.

LOVVIE:

I know hes got a bad temper-

CHARITY:

No worse than anybody elses.

LOVVIE:

Then what I dont understand.

LOVVIE IS TREADING VERY CAREFULLY

24

LOVVIE:

Could there be. I dont know

CHARITY:

Another woman? Nah.

LOVVIE:

Do you think its something else?

CHARITY:

I know its something else.

LOVVIE:

(WITH TREPIDATION) Go on.

CHARITY:

When Im in pain. When I cry. Well it It does something

to him.

LOVVIE:

Howd you mean?

CHARITY:

(EMBARRASSED AGAIN) You know.

LOVVIE:

(CONFUSED) No, I aint sure I (IT STARTS TO DAWN ON

HER) do you mean?

CHARITY:

Yeah. The more he hurts me, the more he wants me.

LOVVIE:

Oh Charity. Theyre getting worse. The beatings. Well aint they?

CHARITY:

(SLIGHT PAUSE) What am I gonna do?

19: INT. CHARITYS TRAILER. DAY:

THE SOUND OF QUEENIE WRINGING OUT A WET RAG IN A BOWL OF
WATER. QUEENIES SEEN IT ALL BEFORE AND KEEPS THE ATMOS
RELATIVELY BRIGHT
QUEENIE:

Here, hold still.

CHARITY GASPS AS QUEENIE DABS THE RAG ON HER FACE

QUEENIE:

The blood on your face comes from what you was coughing up.
You aint got no cuts and bruises there. Wouldnt know a thing to
look at ya.

CHARITY:

He dont hit me there.

QUEENIE:

Something to be thankful for my lovely.

25

LOVVIE:

Hes clever all right.

CHARITY:

Feels a bit better now aunt Queen.

QUEENIE:

Right, lets have a look see under your jumper.

CHARITY LIFTS HER JUMBER

LOVVIE:

(A SHARP IN TAKE) Oh Gran

QUEENIE:

Gonna be all the colors under the rainbow in a day or two. Let
me touch it.
QUEENIE TOUCHES IT AND CHARITY YELPS

QUEENIE:

You ought to go to the hospital really.

CHARITY:

You know I cant do that.

QUEENIE:

Couple acracked ribs at least I reckon. And who knows whats

been knocked about inside.

CHARITY:

No doctors.

QUEENIE:

(SLIGHT PAUSE) Well, Ive got some bandages in here, in mi

bag.
QUEENIE GETS UP

CHARITY:

No Aunt Queen, I dont want no bandages. He might-

QUEENIE:

Got to my girl, cracked ribs have to be bound tigh.

CHARITY:

(FRANTIC) Hurry please, Sol could be back any minute

QUEENIE OPENS HER BAG

QUEENIE:

Here. Here they are. Now this is gonna hurt a bit.

QUEENIE PICKS UP A PIECE OF RAG AND TWISTS IT INTO A RIGHT

WAD
CHARITY SCREAMS INTO THE RAG AS QUEENIE TIGHTENS THE
BANDAGES

26

20. EXT. NELIUSS PLOT. DAY:

NELIUS IS UNLOADING THE ROTOVATER AND TOOLS FROM HIS VAN.
THE ROTOVATERS ENGINE IS RUNNING SO THEY ARE SPEAKING
OVER IT
NELIUS:

Here Lovvie, level these ramps to the wheels of the rotovater will
ya so I can get it out the van.

SHE TAKES THE TWO SHORT WOODEN RAMPS AND PLACES THEM
CLOSE TO THE ROTOVATER WHEELS
LOVVIE:

That about right?

NELIUS:

Yeah, looks it.

NELIUS STARTS COMING DOWN THE RAMPS

NELIUS:

Watch out.
LOVVIE MOVES ASIDE

LOVVIE:

Decent days pay?

NELIUS:

We need it the way things is going.

HE PARKS THE ROTOVATOR TO THE SIDE OF THE PLOT

NELIUS:

Now come here. I think Ive earned a smooch today.

NELIUS MOVES IN BUT LOVVIE PULLS AWAY

LOVVIE:

No, dont.

NELIUS:

Whats up?

LOVVIE:

Nothing.
SHE PUSHES HIM AWAY

NELIUS:

Youre dancing around something. What is it?

LOVVIE:

(SLIGHT PAUSE) Charity.

HE TURNS OFF THE ROTOVATOR

NELIUS:

That again.

LOVVIE:

You should have seen the state of her this time.

27

NELIUS:

Weve been through this.

LOVVIE:

She was half mullored.

LOVVIE:

Gran patched her up as best she could.

NELIUS:

(DISMAYED) So now youve mixed old Queenie up in it.

LOVVIE:

I had to.

NELIUS TAKES A SPADE, FOLK AND RAKE FROM HIS VAN

NELIUS:

Dyou really think Charitys gonna thank you for this?

LOVVIE:

I cant look the other way.

NELIUS:

Nobodys asking you to.

LOVVIE:

You are.

NELIUS:

Im telling you to mind your own.

LOVVIE:

Its too late for that.

NELIUS STOPS

NELIUS:

What dya mean?

LOVVIE:

(SILENCE)

NELIUS:

Lovvie?

LOVVIE:

I went down the town today. Theres a theres a place for

women like Charity.

NELIUS:

What dya mean women like? You mean sort of one of

them-

LOVVIE:

A womens refuge centre.

HE TRHOWS DOWN HIS TOOLS

NELIUS:

Oh my savior.

LOVVIE:

You aint seen what hes done to her.

28

NELIUS:

I dont care if hes cutting her with razor blades its none of our
business. Ive told you before Lovvie, keep out of it. Youre
gonna make it worse for her, for yourself and for everyone else.
You know the kind of reputation youll get if you keep interfering
on the site. You know what people are like. Whyd you wanna go
around causing trouble?

LOVVIE:

Can you have a word with Sol?

NELIUS:

(INCREDULOUS) Have a word, tell another man how to treat

his wife? Its about the biggest insult there is. You know all this.
Youve been brought up with it as well as I have.

LOVVIE:

I aint been brought watching husbands beat their wifes half to

death. Just cos its mi culture or mi tradition dont mean its right
or cant be changed.

NELIUS:

Look, I aint all bad you know, I feel for the girl. Course I do. But
mi hands are tied on this. Its how things is Lovvie.
HE WALKS AWAY FROM HER

21. EXT. SOLOMONS PLOT. DAY:

SOLOMON COMES OUT OF THE CHALET WITH NO SHIRT ON AFTER
TAKING A SHOWER AFTER WORK. CHARITY IS SITTING IN THE
DOORWAY OF HER TRAILER
SOLOMON: These chaletsve got decent showers Ill say that forem.
CHARITY:

Thought I might ride over and see mi mum at the weekend.

SOLOMON: So why the sudden urge to see your mum?

CHARITY:

It aint sudden. Havent seen her for weeks.

HE TAKES A SHIRT OUT OF THE CUPBOARD AND PUTS IT ON

SOLOMON: You aint mentioned it before.
CHARITY:

I was thinking about it today thats all.

29

SHE SITS BACK DOWN BUT HER JUMPER RIDES UP A LITTLE

SOLOMON: EreWhats that?
CHARITY:

What?

SOLOMON: That, under your jumper?

CHARITY:

(SHE CURSES HERSELF) Oh, its uh- thats uh- I went to the
shop and got a bandage. Mi ribs is-

SOLOMON: Oh, lets have a look.

CHARITY:

Its all right. Theyre feeling- feeling better now.

SOLOMON: Turn round.

SHE DOES SO
SOLOMON: Lift the back of your jumper up and careful what you show
theres chavvies about.
SHE LIFTS THE BACK OF HER JUMPER
SOLOMON: You put this on you say?
CHARITY:

Yeah.

SOLOMON: You sure?

CHARITY:

Course.

SOLOMON: Only Its uh- its done up at the back.

CHARITY:

Hey?

SOLOMON: The pin. Its in the back.

CHARITY:

I I know.

SOLOMON: How come you pinned it at the back and not the front?
CHARITY:

Well I I run out of bandage. I had had to.

SOLOMON: Lets see you reach it.

30

CHARITY:

(SLIGHT PAUSE) What?

SOLOMON: You put the pin in the back. Show me how you done it.
CHARITY:

SOLOMON: Come on Houdini show me how you done it.

SHE TRIES TO PUT HER HANDS ROUND HER BACK BUT WINCES IN
PAIN. TRIES AGAIN BUT ITS NO GOOD
CHARITY:

I cant.

SOLOMON: What?
CHARITY:

I cant reach it.

SOLOMON: (SLIGHT PAUSE) So if you didnt pin your bandage, who did?
SHE FIGHTS BACK TEARS

22. EXT. NELIUSS PLOT. DAY:

NELIUS IS IN THE CHALET AND QUEENIE AND LOVVIE ARE IN THE
TRAILER WHEN SOLOMON WALKS ONTO THE PLOT
LOVVIE:

Pass us that basket over, will ya?

NELIUS:

Okay, do I look like a laundry, mate?

SOLOMON: Lovvie, I wanna word with you.

NELIUS COMES OUT OF THE CHALET
NELIUS:

Easy boy youll cause a riot.

SOLOMON: Ill cause more than that if you dont keep your woman away
from mine.
NELIUS:

Steady on Sol. Whats this about?

SOLOMON: As if you didnt know.

NELIUS TAKES A STEP CLOSER TO SOLOMON

31

NELIUS:

You got something to say?

SOLOMON: Yeah. I got plenty.

NELIUS:

Then say it to me.

LOVVIE OPENS THE DOOR OF HER TRAILER WITH QUEENIE BEHIND

HER
SOLOMON: Keep her away from Charity.
LOVVIE STEPS OUT OF THE TRAILER AND MOVES TOWARD THEM
LOVVIE:

I could say the same to you.

NELIUS:

Lovvie.

LOVVIE:

Dont take his side.

SOLOMON: No harm Bruv but this aint right and you know it.
LOVVIE:

Ill tell you what aint right-

SOLOMON: Youll tell me nothing.

LOVVIE:

If I was Charity-

SOLOMON: Well you aint.

LOVVIE:

Id put a knife in you while you slept.

QUEENIE STEPS OUT OF LOVVIES TRAILER

QUEENIE:

Will you lot keep it down? Youll have the whole site on here.

NELIUS:

Shes right well have an audience in a minute and none of us

wants that.

LOVVIE:

Especially you Sol.

SOME TRAVELLERS HAVE ALREADY COME OUT OF THEIR TRAILERS

TO SEE WHATS GOING ON
NELIUS:

Sol, youd better-

SOLOMON: If you dont keep her away from me and mine theres gonna be
trouble.

32

NELIUS SQUARES UP TO SOLOMON

NELIUS:

What kinda trouble you got in mind?

SOLOMON: You better keep your woman in order Bruv Im telling ya.
LOVVIE:

Nelius are you just gonna let him speak like-

NELIUS:

Leave it Lovvie.

LOVVIE:

Leave it? Oh I dont think so. I aint even started yet!

SHE STORMS OFF

23. INT. QUEENIES TRAILER. NIGHT:

QUEENIE HANDS LOVVIE A CUP OF TEA AND SITS DOWN
LOVVIE:

Thanks Gran but I could do with something stronger.

QUEENIE:

Teall do you more good than anything else.

LOVVIE TAKES A SIP

QUEENIE:

You should have listened to Nelius first off.

LOVVIE:

(SHOCKED) You aint taking his side?

QUEENIE:

It aint about taking sides. Its showing respect.

LOVVIE:

But what Sols doing aint right.

QUEENIE:

You know better than that my girl. Charitys gotta find her own
way.

LOVVIE:

You anall.

QUEENIE:

Theres always trouble for them that comes between man and
wife.

LOVVIE:

And when hes killed her?

QUEENIE:

You cant fight her battles for her Lovvie.

33

LOVVIE:

Ive gotta say what I think.

QUEENIE:

Theres a time and place and it aint in front of a site full of

Travellers. Youve gotta sharpen up my girl and not take too
long about it.

25. INT. LOVVIES TRAILER. NIGHT:

THE TV IS ON BUT NEITHER LOVVIE OR NELIUS ARE WATCHING IT.
THERES AN ATMOSPHERE AND THEYRE SITTING APART
LOVVIE:

(GENTLY) Nelius?

NELIUS:

Yeah?

LOVVIE:

I look Ive been thinking.

NELIUS:

Halleluiah.

LOVVIE:

Im serious.

NELIUS:

So am I.

SHE PICKS UP THE REMOTE CONTROL AND TURNS DOWN THE TV

LOVVIE:

I reckon Ive been making things worse for everyone by you

know.

NELIUS:

No. You tell me.

LOVVIE:

(TAKES A BREATH) By trying to sort Charitys problems out for

her.

NELIUS:

(SURPRISED) Yeah?

LOVIE:

Youre right, I should have just leftem to it.

NELIUS:

Why the about turn?

LOVVIE:

I was wrong. I know it. Cant that be enough?

34

NELIUS:

You change like the wind.

LOVVIE:

Youve just gotta let people sort out their own lives.

NELIUS:

(SLIGHT PAUSE) Its right, Lovvie. Babe, I dont like it either

but Travellers is Travellers. You know Im right, dont ya?

LOVVIE:

Yeah, I reckon.

NELIUS:

Too good hearted thats your trouble. Come here.

SHE CUDDLES INTO HIM

25. INT. LOVVIES TRAILER. NIGHT:

LOVVIE AND NELIUS ARE BOTH ASLEEP WHEN THERE IS A LOUD
KNOCK AT THE DOOR
LOVVIE:

(BLURRY EYED) What

ANOTHER LOUD KNOCK

SOLOMON: (FROM OUTSIDE) Open the door Lovvie. Now.

NELIUS:

I dont believe. Not again.

NELIUS AND LOVVIE GET UP. NELIUS OPENS THE DOOR WITH LOVVIE
AT HIS SHOULDER
SOLOMON: (COLD AS STEEL) Look, where is she Lovvie?
LOVVIE:

I dont know what youre talking about Sol.

SOLOMON: Charitys gone. You know she is.

LOVVIE:

I aint got a clue what youre talking about.

SOLOMON: Ill find her. And when I doNELIUS:

You heard what Lovvie said. She dont know nothing about it.
Now Ive gotta go to work and I dont intend losing any more
sleep.

SOLOMON: This is your doing Lovvie.

35

NELIUS SHUTS THE DOOR

SOLOMON: (SHOUTING FROM OUTSIDE) Its all down to you.

26. EXT. LOVVIE TRAILER. DAY:

LOVVIES PHONE RINGS
LOVVIE:

(FRANTIC) Charity? Ive been looking for you everywhere!

Where are you?

27. INT. CAR. DAY:

LOVVIE AND CHARITY HAVE JUST LEFT THE HOSPTIAL

CHARITY:

Thats the first and last time Im going hospital.

LOVVIE:

Good job you did. Two broken ribs, four stitches over your eye,
another three in your mouth and-

CHARITY:

One of me teeth went through me lip.

LOVVIE:

Blood anall when you went to the toilet?

CHARITY:

Cakkas ladjin.

LOVVIE:

Thatll be from the bruised kidney.

CHARITY:

I shouldda just gone to an undertaker, cut out the middleman.

LOVVIE:

Dont be daft.

CHARITY:

Its what Ill need when Sol finds me.

36

LOVVIE:

He wont find you.

CHARITY:

You think?

LOVVIE:

You had to leave. But how you got out that trailer without waking
him-

CHARITY:

(TEARING UP WITH FEAR) This time I thought I really

thought he might after I got out that door I just run for mi life. I
didnt even feel any pain till I got in the hospital.

LOVVIE:

Hes messed you up good and proper this time. So much for not
hitting you in the face.
LOVVIE PULLS OVER AND TURNS OFF THE ENGINE

CHARITY:

Where are we?

LOVVIE:

Its a womens refuge centre.

CHARITY:

(SCARED AND UNSURE) A what?

LOVVIE:

Least youll be safe.

CHARITY:

But you gone doolally? Dordy

LOVVIE:

Look, nobodyll know youre here cept me. And they dont let
men in.

CHARITY:

I cant live in here.

LOVVIE:

It wont be for long.

CHARITY:

I aint ever slept in brick before.

LOVVIE:

Just a few days thats all. Till I think what to do next. Shall I tell
your family?

CHARITY:

I told ya!

LOVVIE:

If trouble kicks off theyll just have to deal with it.

CHARITY:

It aint only that. Mi dad never did like Sol. Mi mum neither. Dad
said he was too cocky for his own good. Warned me against

37

him. I went against their wishes. Mum said dont come crying
back here when he turns ugly, which he will.
LOVVIE:

She didnt mean it.

CHARITY:

The thought of her seeing me like this I cant Lovvie. I just

LOVVIE:

At least have a think about it.

CHARITY:

(SLIGHT PAUSE) And youd better watch out anall.

LOVVIE:

Me?

CHARITY:

Sols gonna be after your blood.

28. EXT. LOVVIES PLOT. DAY:

LOVVIE IS HOSING DOWN HER PLOT WHEN SOL APPROCHES ON THE
OTHER SIDE OF THE DEVIDING FENCE. LOVVIE EXPECTS TROUBLE
SOLOMON: Youre doing a good job with that hose Lovvie girl. But Im a
cleaner down thanks to you.
LOVVIE:

Neliusll be back in a minute.

HE NONCHALANTLY LEANS ON THE FENCE

SOLOMON: (SMILING) Im glad Charitys all right.

LOVVIE:

(SLIGHT PAUSE) Youve heard from her?

SOLOMON: No, but I know youve seen her and she must be all right or you
wouldnt be standing here like this.
LOVVIE CARRIES ON HOSING

38

SOLOMON: Look, we lost it a bit the other day didnt we? Bad blood dont do
nobody no good. Hey, lets bury it. Weve been friends for too
longLOVVIE:

You think shes coming back dont ya?

SOLOMON: Im her husband. Where else she gonna go?

LOVVIE:

She might surprise you.

SOLOMON: She might surprise you.

LOVVIE:

This is the second time youve been on my plot uninvited.

SOLOMON: Technically I aint on your plot. Im still my side the fence.

LOVVIE:

Why dont you go-

SOLOMON: Look Im trying be civil, make up and mend. But if you wontLOVVIE:

Ive said all Im gotta say to you.

PAUSE
SOLOMON: Ill find her in the end you Lovvie. We both know it. So why dont
you save us all time and tell me where she is?

NELIUS PULLS UP IN HIS VAN

NELIUS:

You all right Lovvie?

LOVVIE:

Yeah.

SOLOMON: (SMILES) Bruv.

LOVVIE:

But Sol was just going, werent ya?

SOLOMON: Things to do, places to go. And people to see.

HE WALKS AWAY
NELIUS:

How long you think before he finds her?

LOVVIE:

He wont look there.

NELIUS:

Hes put a price on her head you know.

39

LOVVIE:

(INCREDULOUS) I dont believe it.

NELIUS:

Offered a finders fee for anyone who sees her and tells him
where she is.

LOVVIE:

He aint all there.

NELIUS:

Somebodyll catch sight of her sooner or later and tell him where
she is. Bound to.

LOVVIE:

Look, Im sure shes got the strength to stay away.

NELIUS:

You really think so?

29. INT. WOMENS REFUGE CENTRE. DAY:

LOVVIE AND CHARITY ARE IN CHARITYS ROOM. LOVVIE IS TAKING
CLOTHES OUT OF A BAG AND LAYING THEM ON THE BED
LOVVIE:

So theres two pairs of trousers, a skirt, a couple of t-shirts-

CHARITY:

Thanks for this Lovvie. Packing a bag before I left was about the
last thing on mi mind.

LOVVIE:

Should keep you going for a while. But if you need anything else
let me know.
LOVVIE GLANCES ROUND THE SPACE

LOVVIE:

This aint a bad kenner.

CHARITY:

I laid on the floor last night.

LOVVIE:

(SURPRISED) What for?

CHARITY:

The beds too soft and bouncy. Not like a trailer. Turn over on
that and youre bouncing. Its like trying to sleep on a trampoline.
LOVVIE LAUGHS

40

CHARITY:

And I must be 30 feet off the ground.

LOVVIE:

Its only the second floor.

CHARITY:

Much higher mi earsll pop. And that aint all.

CHARITY WALKS TO A DOOR AND OPENS IT

CHARITY:

Thats mi toilet.

LOVVIE:

I think its what Gorgias call on suite.

CHARITY:

Theres nothing sweet about that. On my life Lovvie how can

they live like it?
LOVVIE SITS ON THE BED

LOVVIE:

It wont be for long.

CHARITY:

(SLIGHT PAUSE) Hows Sol?

LOVVIE:

Well, to look at him youd think he didnt have a care in the

world. But underneath hes about as stable as a cut snake.

CHARITY:

And twice as dangerous

PAUSE
LOVVIE:

Have you changed your mind about getting in touch with your
family?

CHARITY:

Thats a call Im dreading.

LOVVIE:

So you are gonna make it?

CHARITY:

Theyll find out sooner or later anyway. (SMILES) Mi mums

gonna do her nut. I can see it now. (PUTTING ON HER
MOTHERS VOICE) I told you his people were rubbish I told
you he werent no good and never would be. But you didnt
listen to me
THEY LAUGH

41

CHARITY:

For all mi complaining about this place, it was the right thing to
do, to come here. I do feel better somehow.

LOVVIE:

Its gonna be alright.

CHARITY:

Yeah. Yeah I think it is.

30. EXT. WOMENS REFUGE. DAY:

CHARITY IS JUST OUTSIDE THE DOOR
REFUGE WORKER: Are you okay there Charity?
Im just going for a walk. I need some air

CHARITY:

REFUGE WORKER: Okay, call me if you need anything.

CHARITY SHUTS THE DOOR AND STARTS DOWN THE STREET TO THE
SOUND OF CARS PASSING AND PEOPLE WALKING BY
SOLOMON: (SINGS) The minute you walked in the joint.
SHE STOPS DEAD. SOLOMON IS SITTING ON A WALL BEHIND HER
SOLOMON: I could see you woz a girl of distinction, a real mind bender
good looking, so refined
HE JUMPS DOWN FROM THE WALL
SOLOMON: Well wouldnt you like to know whats going on in my mind?
CHARITY IS SCARED TO DEATH BUT SOL IS ALL SMILES
SOLOMON: From Sweet Charity. You know- Mi favourite film. You know that.
CHARITY:

Sol

SOLOMON: Where you going in such a rush?

HE MOVES TOWARD HER
CHARITY:

Dont come near me

SOLOMON: I aint gonna do nothing. Look, Ive been worried sick about you
thats all.

42

CHARITY:

(SLIGHT PAUSE) Worried?

SOLOMON: Course worried.

CHARITY:

I dont think youve ever worried about me.

SOLOMON: Three days and nights.

CHARITY:

(SLIGHT PAUSE) Howd you find me?

SOL IS LOOKING AT THE BUILIDING

SOLOMON: I aint ever heard of a Traveller woman coming to a place like

this. Lovvies a slippery one and no mistake. But she aint
slippery enough to know when shes got a tiger on her tail. She
should use her rear view mirror more when she comes to see
you.

CHARITY:

Last time Sol I thought you was gonna you frightened me

SOLOMON: (REMORSEFUL) I know and Im sorry.

PAUSE
CHARITY:

What?

SOLOMON: Im sorry. Look, I know I done wrong. Look, Ive learned mi

lesson. I wont ever do it again.
CHARITY:

I aint coming back.

SOLOMON: Youve got to Char.

CHARITY:

No.

SOLOMON: I aint no good without you. I never was.

CHARITY:

I cant.

SOLOMON: (SLIGHT PAUSE) Lets walk. Look, I dont I dont like standing
outside this place.

CHARITY:

No.

43

SHE DOESNT MOVE

SOLOMON: Oh, come on. Please. Look, all I can think about is you. Its
getting silly. And dangerous. Ive been stumbling about like Mr
Magoo, bumping into lamp-posts and all sorts.
CHARITY:

I cant see any bruises.

SOLOMON: Thats coz theyre all on the inside.

A CAR GOES PASSED HE TAKES A STEP CLOSER
SOLOMON: Look. I cry meself to sleep every night. Take oath I do. LookAnd Ive been neglecting you. I know that now. Whens the last
time I took you to the pictures? Or out to get a decent dinner.
CHARITY:

I dont care about-

SOLOMON: Im a div, pure and simple.

HE TAKES ANOTHER STEP CLOSER - HIS IN TOUCHING DISTANCE
SOLOMON: But tell ya the truth Im just standing here thinking up excuses to
see you dressed up again. You take my breath away when
youre dressed up you know that. Your hair done all cushti and
smelling lovely. You knock me to pieces doll. I cant help meself.
A LORRY GOES PASSED
SOLOMON: Like Piccadilly Circus here innit. Look, the river aint far away.
CHARITY:

You aint gonna talk me round.

SOLOMON: I just wanna spend some time with ya thats all. Oh come on, do
I have to get on mi knees and beg like when I proposed to ya?
CHARITY:

You wouldnt. Not here.

HE GOES DOWN ON ONE KNEE

CHARITY:

Get up you radge, peoplere watching!

44

SOLOMON: Well say yes then. And put a wiggle on Im getting covered in
doggy doo down here.

31. EXT. RIVERSIDE. DAY:

BIRDS ARE SINGING AND A LIGHT BREEZE BLOWS THROUGH THE
TREES AS THEY WALK TOGETHER
SOLOMON: Its cushti here.
CHARITY:

Pretty.

SOLOMON: Like you.

HE IS FULL OF REPENTANCE
SOLOMON: Look, Ive said Im sorry.
CHARITY:

I know what you said.

SOLOMON: It wont happen again.

CHARITY:

You said that anall.

SOLOMON: (APPEARS CLOSE TO TEARS) Im Im lost Charity. Without

you I I just aint no good.
CHARITY:

The thing is Sol, I dont believe you. And I dont think I ever will
again.
HE STOPS

SOLOMON: You know, I can understand you feeling this way now. Course I
can. I aint some monster with no feelings you know. But in time
youll come to see Im right.
CHARITY:

Sol-

SOLOMON: Coz you see girl, we belong together you and me. Them vows
we took werent just for Christmas. Youre mine. You need to
understand that. I behaved bad, you left me, fair enough. Maybe
I deserved it, but Ive done mi penance and you got your own

45

back. So now youve gotta stop messing about and come home
with me.
CHARITY:

Look Sol-

SOLOMON: And I aint gonna lay a hand on you for walking out, not this
time. (TAKES A BREATH) See, mi love for you is so deep, so
true and endless Ill die for you in a heartbeat. Yeah, Ill give
mi life for you, spend the rest of it behind bars if I have to. What
Im trying to say is Dont you never, not ever, leave me again.
You do, and no matter where you go, what you do, Ill find you,
yeah, theyll be no hiding place from me, and when I do... My
feelings for you are out of control doll. You know, thats how
much you mean to me

32. INT. LOVVIES CHALET. DAY:

NELIUS IS WASHING HIS FACE IN THE SINK AND LOVVIE IS TAKING
WASHING OUT OF THE MACHINE WHEN WE HEAR THE SOUND OF A
LORRY PULLING UP IN THE DISTANCE. NELIUS GRABS A TOWEL
LOOKS OUT OF THE WINDOW AND SEES CHARITY GETTING OUT OF
SOLOMONS LORRY
NELIUS:

Lovvie

LOVVIE:

What now?

NELIUS:

The happy couple have just returned.

LOVVIE:

(SLIGHT PAUSE) No!

SHE LOOKS OUT OF THE WINDOW

NELIUS:

Youve done all you can.

LOVVIE:

Hell kill her Nelius this time I know he will.

NELIUS:

Leave it Lovvie.

46

LOVVIE:

I cant. I just cant!

SHE RUNS OUT

33. EXT. SOLOMONS PLOT. DAY:

LOVVIE RUNS TOWARD THEIR PLOT AS SOLOMON HELPS CHARITY
OUT OF THE LORRY CAB
LOVVIE:

Take your hands off her!

SOLOMON: Oh dik here.

CHARITY:

Lovvie leave it.

LOVVIE:

He aint hitting you again. Why have you come back? You had a
chance to get away from him.

CHARITY:

Hes promised not to touch me.

LOVVIE IS ON THE PLOT NOW

LOVVIE:

And what do you think thats worth?

NELIUS CALLS BEHIND LOVVIE

NELIUS:

Lovvie.

LOVVIE:

No Nelius I cant stand by and let him beat the girl to death.

OTHER TRAVELLERS ARE GATHERING NOW AND CHARITY BECOMES

AWARE OF THEM AND GETS EMBARRESSED
CHARITY:

Lovvie. Dik at the Travellers acoi.

LOVVIE:

I dont care. Letem gorp.

CHARITY:

Youre showing me up. Its none of your business.

NELIUS:

Cakka Lovvie.

QUEENIE:

Whats going on here again?

SOLOMON: Do as youre told Lovvie.

NELIUS TRIES TO PULL HER AWAY

47

LOVVIE:

(TO SOL) Do you know what a man like you is worth?

CHARITY:

(GETTING ANGRY) Lovvie please.

SOLOMON: Why dont you tell me in front of all these people?

LOVVIE:

Im gonna do more than tell ya. Im gonna-

CHARITY LASHES OUT AND SLAPS LOVVIES FACE. LOVVIE GASPS

AND IS STUNNED
CHARITY:

I told you

LOVVIE:

Charity what what did you hit me? I was only trying to

CHARITY GRABS LOVVIES ARM AND TAKES HER A FEW STEPS

AWAY SO NO ONE ELSE CAN HEAR
CHARITY:

Listen Lovvie All this has only made things worse.

LOVVIE:

(CLOSE TO TEARS) You dont mean that. You had a chance, a

you had a way out.

CHARITY:

There is no way out for me, now. There never was. Youve got
to leave it now Lovvie. For my sake.

SOLOMON: Charity?
CHARITY:

(SLIGHT PAUSE) Coming Sol.

CHARITY GOES TO SOLOMON LEAVING LOVVIE HURT AND

HUMILIATED
QUEENIE:

I tried to tell ya-

LOVVIE:

I was only-

NELIUS:

Youll get no sympathy from me. You dont interfere in peoples

business.

LOVVIE:

And when he when it happens again, then what?

NELIUS:

The girls made her bed.

LOVVIE:

What, so life goes on?

48

QUEENIE:

Yeah, life goes on, Lovvie girl.

34. INT. LOVVIES CHALET. DAY:

THE WASHING MACHINE WHIRLS IN THE BACKGROUND
NELIUS:

Perhaps we can get back to normal again now.

LOVVIE:

(SOFT AND LOW) Normal, whats that?

NELIUS:

You know, you and me Not all Travelling men are bad you
know.

LOVVIE:

(SMILES) I think I got lucky.

NELIUS:

Ill go along with that.

LOVVIE:

Oi!

SHE PLAYFULLY HITS HIM HE PUTS HIS ARM ROUND HER

NELIUS:

Im the lucky one, Lovvie.

LOVVIE:

(AFTER A PAUSE) Nelius, if were gonna start a family I want

us to bring our children up to respect each other and other
people.

NELIUS:

We will.

LOVVIE:

And if theres disagreements betweenem-

NELIUS:

Theyll talk it out, and argue the toss-

LOVVIE:

But they wont cut the blood out of each other.

NELIUS:

They just need to be brought up right thats all.

LOVVIE:

Straight and strong.

49

NELIUS:

And well showem how.

LOVVIE:

Yeah. (SLIGHT PAUSE) Well showem how

THE END

50