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EPISODE ONE
INT. FOSTER HOUSE. GEMMA’S BEDROOM. DAY
Early morning. We see details around a room, as sex goes on in the background. A discarded suit on the floor, a suitcase, the curtains letting in the morning light. We can hear the sex is good – the sex noises are slightly hushed, but clearly enjoyable.
On to a pillow on a bed. In profile.
Suddenly Gemma falls back into shot, beaming. She’s thirty-seven, very bright. She smiles –
SIMON
You miss me?
GEMMA
Yeah, I did.
Simon leans down. He’s forty, young looking, sincere. They kiss passionately, then roll over so she’s on top –
CUT TO –
TWENTY MINUTES LATER.
It was great sex but now they’re late. Gemma’s getting dressed but looking for her jacket. Simon emerges from the en suite bathroom in his shirt and underwear.
GEMMA
There’s only a few days to go and there’s a lot to arrange.
SIMON
You didn’t need to, it’s just a few friends. And we’ve got Neil and Anna tonight?
GEMMA
It’s all under control.
Gemma moves Simon’s still-packed suitcase, picks up his trousers from the floor. As she does, some coins fall out, along with a red lip salve. She picks it up, and looks at it.
GEMMA (CONT’D)
(holds up the lip salve)
Is this yours?
SIMON
Yes, actually. Dry lips.
GEMMA
(teasing)
Bit girly.
SIMON
Red? Nothing wrong with that, and it was the only one they had.
GEMMA
(not listening)
Remember you’re taking Tom to school.
SIMON
I’m late.
GEMMA
(finds her jacket)
Me too.
(smiles)
Worth it though.
He smiles as she leaves. Loves her.
INT. FOSTER HOUSE. HALLWAY/KITCHEN. DAY
A radio plays Bon Jovi – ‘Living on a Prayer’. We pan across the front of a fridge, where various things are pinned up with magnets. A photo of Simon, Gemma, Tom, and an older woman in a wheelchair (this is Helen). A list of names with the heading ‘Simon Birthday’, and a calendar.
As we come off the fridge, Gemma rushes in, to find Tom, her son, already eating cereal. We see the kitchen – it’s the working hub of the home. Piles of paperwork on the table, and the side. Unwashed mugs in the sink. It all works, but only just.
Gemma’s not happy with her hair.
GEMMA
(to herself)
No one’s going to notice, it looks fine.
TOM
What does?
GEMMA
Nothing.
TOM
Morning, Mum.
GEMMA
Morning, darling.
TOM
You know we’re late.
GEMMA
The form for the trip is in your bag.
TOM
Thanks.
GEMMA
No problem. Don’t forget your coat.
TOM
Yeah, okay.
She picks up her car keys, puts on her coat just as Simon enters in his suit, holding some papers and blueprints.
SIMON
All ready mate?
TOM
Nearly.
Tom gets down from the table and goes into the hall to get his stuff ready.
GEMMA
Where’s my scarf?
SIMON
Have mine.
GEMMA
(picking it up from the chair)
It’s black. I’m wearing blue.
SIMON
I think you’ll manage.
She wraps it round her neck. Kisses Tom as he comes back in, in his coat.
GEMMA
Bye.
SIMON
Bye.
Then she turns to Simon. Kisses him too. Then leaves.
TOM
Dad, did you drive back last night?
SIMON
Yeah. Got meetings this morning.
INT. FOSTER HOUSE. HALLWAY. DAY
As she goes Tom and Simon are still talking.
TOM (O.S.)
What happens in a meeting?
SIMON (O.S.)
What do you mean?
TOM (O.S.)
What do you do?
SIMON (O.S.)
You sit and drink coffee and discuss things.
Gemma opens the front door and goes out.
GEMMA
See you later!
SIMON (O.S.)
Bye!
TOM (O.S.)
Bye, Mum!
The front door shuts.
EXT. PARMINSTER. DAY
Parminster in morning sun. It’s a medium-sized town, a few miles away from the nearest city. Old buildings, mixed in with new-build and sixties housing estates.
Aerial shot as Gemma’s blue car makes its way up a street. On speakerphone in the car, she’s talking to Anna.
GEMMA (V.O.)
Right, we’...
