SCENE 1: INT - THE BLACK SWAN BAR AREA

It is midday in FOSTER PARK. At THE BLACK SWAN, the town's local football team, FOSTER PARK FC, are gathered, celebrating their win against HALLAM TOWN FC the day before. They are sat around a table, talking. JOE GREEN stands up.

JOE
I'll get the next round in.

JOE heads over to the bar, where barmaid LAUREN CARPENTER is serving JAY CROSS.

JOE
Alright, Jay?

JAY
Hey. Well done on last night, by the way. I couldn't make it 'cos Mum suddenly decided she needed help with some boxes.

JOE
Ah, it's cool mate. How is your Mum?

JAY
She's alright. She's moving in to that flat above the shop, in't she, so she's excited, but... (beat) Well, she's lived in that house for forty-five years, so it's hard for her to just up and leave.

JOE nods, understanding.

JOE
Well, if she needs any help, she knows where I am.
(JOE smiles. He turns to LAUREN)
Eleven pints please.

LAUREN begins to pour his drinks as he smiles at her.

---

SCENE 2: INT - SAMANTHA'S (NO 6 RIDGE CLOSE). LIVING ROOM

SAMANTHA CROSS is in the living room, packing her stuff into boxes. The living room is almost bare, with just a few more pictures. SAMANTHA heads over to one on the mantelpiece of her and deceased husband PETER. She picks it up, staring it for a moment, and rubbing the picture. She smiles to herself, before placing it down in the box and sighing.

---

SCENE 3: INT - "SMART SHOP" (MINI SUPERMARKET)

Shop assistant FAYE HARDBROOKE is stacking shelves when boyfriend GLENN JOHNSON enters.

FAYE
Hey babe.

FAYE kisses GLENN, who grins.

GLENN
How's work been?

FAYE
(shrugging)
It's been alright. We've not been too busy to be fair.

(GLENN smiles)

GLENN
Am I alright to cook dinner for us tonight?
(Glenn eagerly awaits a reply. FAYE nods)
Great. My place at nine?

FAYE smiles.

FAYE
Sure.

GLENN kisses her, before saying goodbye and leaving, passing FAYE'S best friend AMANDA HUNTER as she enters the shop.

AMANDA
Hey.

AMANDA heads over to the refrigerator aisle and picks up two cartons of milk as FAYE positions herself behind the counter.

FAYE
Just this?
(AMANDA nods as FAYE begins to scan the items)
How's Craig?

AMANDA
Ugh, don't get me started on him. He's got a bad case of "man-flu", thinks it means the world and their nan's his slave!

FAYE chuckles.

FAYE
Typical men, eh?

AMANDA
What, yours giving you bother?

FAYE shakes her head.

FAYE
No, no. Glenn's lovely. He's cooking dinner for us tonight.

AMANDA grins.

AMANDA
Ooh.

FAYE
Yeah, hopefully it'll be really romantic...

AMANDA scoffs.

AMANDA
Depends. I'm pretty sure Glenn's idea of "dinner" is a microwaved meal, a few beers and a night in front of the TV watching the football.

FAYE chuckles, taking AMANDA'S money.

AMANDA
See ya later, babes.

AMANDA leaves, as FAYE'S face says exactly what she's thinking - she's worried about what AMANDA said.

---

SCENE 4: INT -THE BARTONS' (NO 21 RIDGE CLOSE). JONATHAN'S BEDROOM

JONATHAN BARTON is lying in bed next to COURTNEY TURNER, passionately kissing her. COURTNEY smiles at him.

COURTNEY
Good morning.

JONATHAN grins.

JONATHAN
(flirtatiously)
Isn't it just?

COURTNEY giggles.

COURTNEY
I couldn't sneak out, Jack's downstairs already.

JONATHAN
(sighing)
It's fine, I'll get rid of him. Just lemme get changed.

JONATHAN goes to climb out of bed, however COURTNEY pulls him back down.

COURTNEY
Or...
(COURTNEY trails off as she rubs her head along JONATHAN'S naked chest)
We could spend just a little bit longer in bed?

JONATHAN grins cheekily as he pulls COURTNEY into a passionate kiss before pulling the duvet over them.

---

SCENE 5: INT - THE BLACK SWAN BAR AREA

Back at the pub, barman LIAM JOHNSON is sat at the bar, speaking to grandfather - and landlord - DUNCAN JOHNSON.

DUNCAN
Are you not at the Garage today?

LIAM shakes his head.

LIAM
I've got to go into college just before lunch, but I'm off until Wednesday at the garage.

LAUREN enters from the other side of the bar and smiles at LIAM.

LAUREN
How's the flat-hunting goin'?

LIAM nods.

LIAM
Yeah, it's going alright. I've saved up for the deposit, just need to find a place that's decent now.

CONNOR JOHNSON
(entering from the back corridor)
Lets be honest, it's a shag pad, it doesn't need to look like the Ritz.

LAUREN cringes at the mention of a 'shag pad'. LIAM scoffs.

LIAM
It isn't a shag pad!

CONNOR
(teasing him)
Er, yeah it is.

LIAM
Jealous?

CONNOR
As if.

DUNCAN
Boys, you're scaring off the punters.

LAUREN
(sarcastically)
I think Connor's face does a good enough job of that on a daily basis.

CONNOR smiles sardonically.

LAUREN
(heading over to a customer)
What can I get ya?

MOYA HENDRICKSON
Gossip?

LAUREN
(confused)
Sorry?

MOYA holds up a business card: Moya Hendrickson. Journalist, News Reporter & TV Presenter

LAUREN
Oh, you work in the media?

MOYA
I guess you could say that.

LAUREN
So what are you doin' here? (beat. Quickly adds:) If you don't mind me asking, of course.

MOYA
Just doing what everyone else is - tryna make a living!

MOYA chuckles to herself as LAUREN nods uneasily.

---

SCENE 6: EXT - RIDGE CLOSE

BEN ELLIS is strolling through the street when he sees EMILY SWANN and ELLIE CARPENTER walking through the street.

BEN
(calling to EMILY)
Emily!

EMILY and ELLIE stop and turn around as BEN rushes over to them

EMILY
Ben?

BEN
Hi... (beat) You, er... you dropped this in the pub yesterday.

BEN holds out EMILY'S mobile phone. She thanks him, taking it and putting it in her pocket

BEN
So where are you two off to?

ELLIE
College. We're late already. Barnett's gonna kill us.

BEN
Barnett...?

EMILY
Our tutor.

ELLIE
He's a right tosser. Anyway, we've gotta run, else there won't be much point going in!

BEN chuckles

BEN
Alright, catch you's later.

ELLIE and EMILY leave, whilst BEN stares after them, smitten - but with who?

---

SCENE 7: INT - THE BLACK SWAN BAR AREA

LIAM is preparing to head to college, whilst CONNOR and LAUREN man the bar.

CONNOR
(to LAUREN)
I'll have you know my face is beautiful.

LAUREN
What type of mirror do you use, a trick one?

CONNOR scoffs

CONNOR
You know you'd swoon if I flirted with you.

LAUREN
(bluntly)
You flirt with me all the time. I just ignore you.

CONNOR scoffs again, as LIAM passes

LIAM
Right, I'm off. See you's later.

As LIAM leaves, DUNCAN wipes the bar. CONNOR watches him, noticing that something is bothering him

CONNOR
(heading over to DUNCAN)
Can we have a word? (beat) Out the back?

CONNOR and DUNCAN head out the back.

---

SCENE 8: INT - THE BLACK SWAN BARREL ROOM

CONNOR opens the door, and flicks the light on. DUNCAN closes the door behind them

DUNCAN
What's up?

CONNOR
Is everything alright? You seem... edgy!

DUNCAN
I'm fine.

CONNOR
You don't have to lie to me, Duncan. I can tell summat ain't right.

DUNCAN sighs

DUNCAN
You can't tell Louise...

CONNOR nods, and the camera pans out of the barrel room.

CUT TO: INT - THE JOHNSON's FLAT (ABOVE PUB). KITCHEN

LOUISE JOHNSON is sat at the kitchen table, as is nephew JOHNNY SPENCER

JOHNNY
Right, I'm off to work.

JOHNNY stands up and kisses LOUISE'S head

JOHNNY
See you later, Aunt Lou.

LOUISE
Ta ra, love.

JOHNNY leaves, as LOUISE opens the post. She frowns as she stares at a letter in front of her, telling her that she and Duncan are behind on payments...

---

SCENE 9: INT - FOSTER PARK COMMUNITY COLLEGE. CORRIDOR

EMILY and ELLIE are stood in the corridor as ELLIE pulls something out of her locker. LIAM passes.

LIAM
Alright, girls?

EMILY
Hey.

ELLIE
What do you want?

LIAM
(scoffs)
Charming(!)

ELLIE
Yeah well I - we - ain't got time for you right now.

LIAM sighs

LIAM
C'mon El, I've apologised...

EMILY
Apologised for what? (beat - LIAM and ELLIE look guilty) Come on, what's happened?

ELLIE
Nothin', it don't matter.

ELLIE leaves, as LIAM sighs. EMILY chases after her, calling her name

EMILY
Come on El, just spit it out.

ELLIE spins around angrily

ELLIE
(shouts)
Just leave it, Emily, alright!? Just stop getting involved in stuff that ain't nothing to do with you!

EMILY recoils, shocked at ELLIE'S outburst.

EMILY
(watching ELLIE walk away. Calls:)
El! Ellie!

---

SCENE 9: INT - THE BLACK SWAN BAR AREA

DUNCAN has gathered CONNOR, LAUREN, DANNY GREEN, LOUISE, GLENN and JAY - all of the pub staff - in the bar.

GLENN
Dad, what's up?

LOUISE
(grunts)
Yes Duncan, what's up?

DUNCAN
(nervously)
Me and Connor have been talking...
(DUNCAN looks at CONNOR, who smiles)
Connor's made me a proposition. He wants to buy into the pub.

LOUISE looks like she is daydreaming as JAY and DANNY congratulate CONNOR.

CONNOR
I'm only buying 20% of it, though, so you'll keep your 40%, Louise, and Duncan will have 40% instead of 60%. It just means I can share costs with you guys with stock and stuff, y'know, help you's out.

LAUREN
(flirtatiously)
So does this mean you're my new boss?

CONNOR chuckles

CONNOR
Maybe.

DUNCAN
No.

CONNOR
Well... I'm sure it can be arranged.

DUNCAN shakes his head at his nephew's flirtations with LAUREN, who is in a relationship with local resident BLAINE. LOUISE is still staring into space. DUNCAN turns to her.

DUNCAN
Lou? (beat) Say something?

LOUISE
Did you not think to ask me?

DUNCAN
Well it's my share...

LOUISE
You wanted rid of it pretty quickly. You've not brought it up before...

DUNCAN
Lou...

LOUISE
In fact, I asked you last night if you - if we - were happy here and you said we were.

DUNCAN
I am!

LOUISE
You're lying.

GLENN
Mum...

CONNOR
Louise, just drop it.

LOUISE
Just stay out of this, Connor! It's got nothing to do with you.
(beat)
You're selling your share of the pub because of that letter, aren't you?

DUNCAN looks gobsmacked at this.

DUNCAN
No...

LOUISE
Don't lie to me! Just tell me the truth, Duncan, for god's sakes! We've been married for forty-three years and you're still lying to me, after everything we've been through!

DUNCAN
This has nothing to do with the letter, and nothing to do with my testicles either!

There is a pause. They all stare at DUNCAN - no-one mentioned testicles.

DANNY
No-one mentioned testicles, Duncan.

LOUISE
Is there something you're not telling us?

A long pause.

GLENN
Dad?

LOUISE
Come on, spit it out!

DUNCAN fights back tears, as he prepares himself to make a painful admission...

DUNCAN
I... I received a letter last week... (he gulps) I had some tests done a month back and... it's my cancer.

CONNOR
What about it?

DUNCAN
(voice breaking)
It's back. My cancer's back.

The pub staff are shocked. LOUISE gasps; GLENN fights back tears; CONNOR remains emotionless; LAUREN, DANNY and JAY stand together, gobsmacked. DUNCAN sighs.

----

END OF PART ONE

BEGINNING OF PART TWO

---

SCENE 10: INT - THE JOHNSON'S FLAT. KITCHEN

DUNCAN, LOUISE and GLENN are gathered in the kitchen, sat at the kitchen table. DUNCAN has his head in his hands.

GLENN
When... when were you gonna tell us?

DUNCAN
I... I dunno.

LOUISE sighs.

LOUISE
Did you not learn? Did you not learn from the last time you kept your cancer from us?

DUNCAN
I thought... I thought it was just a false alarm, that the lump was just... coming back for a visit. Just to say 'hello', and then bugger off again. And then... I got called into the hospital and they told me and... I thought I could be strong, that I could just get on with it. But I can't. I can't cope with it... with it eating away at me, breaking me down. I can't do it again, none of it - the pain, the hospital visits, the chemo, the radiotherapy, the doctors, the nurses looking at me like I'm about to take my last breath. People staring at me in the street. "Ooh, I'm sorry you've got cancer. I know we never speak, and I'm only saying this 'cos I saw a post on Facebook where everyone was talking about you". I don't want to have the opportunity to use a sob story, to get special treatment. I don't want people laughing at me, pointing at me. Like "he's the man who beat cancer. But he wasn't strong enough 'cos it came back for him, and this time it got him!"

DUNCAN breaks down into tears as GLENN and LOUISE console him.

GLENN
Nobody thinks like that. Nobody points at you or laughs at you.

DUNCAN
But they do! You don't know, Glenn... you don't know what goes on behind closed doors.

---

SCENE 11: INT - THE BLACK SWAN BAR AREA

Downstairs, CONNOR, LAUREN, DANNY and JAY are still reeling from DUNCAN'S admission. CONNOR is understandably upset at his uncle's diagnosis. They all sit in silence in one of the booths. Eventually, CONNOR speaks.

CONNOR
I... I think we'll close up for the day. You can all go home, I'll lock up.

LAUREN
Connor...

CONNOR
Just go.

JAY
It's fine, we'll stay and-

CONNOR
(shouts)
I SAID GO! (beat - JAY, LAUREN and DANNY are speechless) GO ON, I SAID GET OUT! GET OUT!

CONNOR shoos JAY and DANNY out of the pub, before turning to LAUREN.

CONNOR CONTD
(more calm)
Just go. Please.

LAUREN reluctantly heads towards the door, but turns back to him before she leaves.

LAUREN
If... if you need to talk, I'm next door.

LAUREN smiles at CONNOR before leaving. He slams the door shut before punching the wall, and then smashing some glasses, before staring down at his bloody fist.

---

SCENE 12: INT - FOSTER PARK COMMUNITY COLLEGE. CANTEEN

ELLIE is sat at a table, texting somebody. LIAM enters the canteen and heads over to her.

LIAM
El?

ELLIE looks up, and groans

ELLIE
Go away Liam

LIAM
Please.

ELLIE
Can't you just take a hint?

LIAM sits down opposite her.

LIAM
We need to talk

ELLIE
We really don't.

LIAM
Why are you being like this?

ELLIE
Like what?

LIAM
Like... this! Is there something up?

ELLIE
(growing frustrated)
Nothing's up!

LIAM
(whispers)
El...

ELLIE
Don't Liam.

LIAM
Don't what.

ELLIE
You know what you're doing - I know what you're doing.

LIAM
(laughs)
I'm not doing nothin'!

ELLIE stands up and stares at him.

ELLIE
Just back off, Liam. I'm not going to go through all that again. I spent a majority of my teenage years lusting after you and you treated me like shit.

LIAM
I had a lot going on.

ELLIE
I know you did, but so did I. You can't use Lauren's miscarriage as an excuse, not any more.

ELLIE then leaves, leaving LIAM to consider what she's said.

---

SCENE 13: INT - CARTER CONSTRUCTION. OFFICE

BEN and fellow builder JAMIE CARTER are in the office, on their lunch break, chatting, when boss - and JAMIE'S brother - AARON CARTER approaches.

AARON
You two look busy(!)

BEN
It's our lunch break.

AARON
Well hurry up and shove that sandwich down 'cos we've got a job in half an hour.

JAMIE
Where?

AARON
The Westbridge Estate. We've gotta be there in half an hour and it's a twenty-five minute drive so hurry up and get ready.

BEN
Do you need us both?

AARON
It's advisable.

BEN
It's just I was gonna ask for the afternoon off.

AARON
Sorry, no can do.

BEN sighs.

BEN
Alright. Is the van set up?

AARON nods. JAMIE finishes eating his sandwich, wiping his mouth with a tissue.

JAMIE
Alright, I'm ready.

As they stand up to leave, BEN'S phone vibrates. He looks at it and quickly types back a reply, grinning to himself.

---

SCENE 14: INT - THE CARPENTER SISTERS' HOUSE (NO 3 RIDGE CLOSE). LIVING ROOM

LAUREN is sat on the sofa, watching Come Dine With Me when the doorbell rings. LAUREN stands up and heads over to the door. She opens it and smiles as CONNOR stands in front of her.

LAUREN
(smiling)
Connor.

CONNOR smiles as he holds his bloodied fist with his other hand.

CONNOR
Can, erm... can I come in?

LAUREN
Yeah, sure.

LAUREN moves aside, allowing CONNOR into the house. She notices his fist, and frowns.

LAUREN
What happened.

CONNOR
Picked a fight with the wall... and some glasses.

LAUREN
Mm, I take it I should see the state of the other guy(!)

CONNOR
Depends if you like staring at walls.

LAUREN
Well it's not exactly my hobby.

CONNOR
What is, apart from obviously sleeping with any men with a pulse.

LAUREN shakes her head disapprovingly.

LAUREN
Get out.

CONNOR
Lauren, I didn't mean that. I'm just... angry, alright?

LAUREN sighs.

LAUREN
Lemme go and get some stuff and I'll take a look at your hand.

CONNOR smiles as LAUREN enters the kitchen. CONNOR sits down on the sofa.

LAUREN (OOS)
How's Duncan?

CONNOR
I dunno. Louise and Glenn are still upstairs with him.

LAUREN re-enters the living room and smiles softly at him as she sits next to him.

LAUREN
Come on then, let me take a look at that hand.

LAUREN takes his hand, and begins to dab CONNOR'S knuckles with a wet wipe. CONNOR winces.

---

SCENE 15: EXT - RIDGE CLOSE

ELLIE is walking through the close, alone. College is over, and ELLIE is obviously quite upset. ELLIE heads towards the shop when the CARTER CONSTRUCTION van pulls up outside it, and BEN steps out.

BEN
(to AARON and JAMIE, who are in the van)
Mountain Dew, yeah?

ELLIE goes to enter the shop as BEN steps forward, accidentally cutting her up.

BEN CONTD
Oh, sorry.

ELLIE
It's... it's fine.

ELLIE smiles, as BEN notices she is upset.

BEN
Is everything alright?

ELLIE
I'm fine.

BEN
Do you wanna talk about it? I've just finished work for the day...

ELLIE
No, I'm fine. Honestly. Can I, er... can I get past?

BEN
Yeah, sure, sorry.

BEN moves out of the way, allowing ELLIE access to the shop.

CUT TO: INT - SMART SHOP (MINI SUPERMARKET)

ELLIE enters the shop, and smiles at FAYE

ELLIE
Hi.

FAYE
Hiya.

ELLIE heads over to the magazine aisle, whilst BEN heads over to the refrigerator aisle and picks up three bottles of MOUNTAIN DEW. He heads over to the counter and puts the items down.

FAYE
Anything else?

BEN
Yeah, can I have 20 Silk Cut please.

FAYE nods, opening the cupboard behind her.

FAYE
I didn't know you smoked.

BEN
Oh, I don't. They're for Aaron. I used to, but I gave up.

ELLIE
It's a disgusting habit.

ELLIE puts her stuff down on the counter.

BEN
Yeah, well, some people can't help it.

ELLIE shrugs, and BEN pulls out a £20 note from his pocket.

BEN
Keep the change.

BEN picks up his items before exiting the shop. He passes two of the mountain dews and the cigarettes to JAMIE, who is sat in the car.

BEN
I'm gonna head to the gym, I'll see you's two tomorrow?

AARON
Alright. Well done today you two.

BEN
Cheers. See ya.

AARON drives off, and BEN turns around as ELLIE exits the shop.

ELLIE
You're stalking me, aren't you?

BEN
(playfully)
Maybe it's the other way round.

ELLIE
In your dreams.

BEN
Are you gonna tell me why you look like you've been crying?

ELLIE
Nope.

BEN
Looks like I'll have to stalk you some more then. (beat) Look, I was gonna head to the gym, but Tommy's visiting his brother in Manchester, so if you wanna talk, my place is free.

ELLIE
Thanks for the offer, but I'm fine.

BEN
If you're sure.

ELLIE
Positive.

ELLIE begins to walk away, as BEN smirks to himself. However, ELLIE turns around.

ELLIE CONTD
Alright, maybe five minutes won't hurt.

BEN
Sure.

BEN smiles as he and ELLIE head towards his house.

---

SCENE 16: INT - THE BARTONS' (NO 21 RIDGE CLOSE). LIVING ROOM

JONATHAN makes his way downstairs into the living room, where JACK BARTON is sat on his laptop.

JONATHAN
Mornin'.

JACK
Afternoon(!)

JONATHAN chuckles nervously.

JACK CONTD
Who kept you up all night?

JONATHAN
(taken aback)
Sorry?

JACK
I heard you, last night. I know you had a girl in there.

JONATHAN
Nah, you're hearing things. Must be your old age(!)

JACK
That's funny, 'cos I had a look in your room this morning to try and wake you up. (beat. JACK tuts as JONATHAN looks petrified)

JONATHAN
And, erm... what did you see?

JACK
All I'm saying is your secret fling with Courtney Turner isn't a secret anymore.

JONATHAN sighs, scratching his stubbled face.

JACK CONTD
And she doesn't have to sit on the stairs, either. I know she's there.

A guilty COURTNEY emerges from the stairs, and smiles awkwardly.

COURTNEY
I'm just gonna... I'm gonna go...

COURTNEY kisses JONATHAN quickly before leaving, as JACK grins.

---

SCENE 17: EXT - RIDGE CLOSE

JOE is walking through the street when he passes the busstop where MOYA is sat. She jumps up

MOYA
Sorry, can I have some help?

JOE
Erm, sure... What with?

MOYA
I'm looking for someone...

MOYA pulls out a photo and hands it to him. The photo is of AMY CARPENTER. JOE nods.

JOE
She lives over there.

JOE points towards the bottom half of the street, by the pub.

JOE CONTD
Number 3. It's the one right nextdoor to the pub.

MOYA
Thank you so much.
(MOYA stares at JOE)
Y'know, if they all look like you around here, I might just stick around.

MOYA winks as JOE laughs nervously, shaking his head as MOYA walks away towards Number 3.

---

SCENE 18: INT - THE CARPENTER SISTERS' HOUSE (NUMBER 3 RIDGE CLOSE). LIVING ROOM

LAUREN is cleaning CONNOR'S cuts on his knuckles from the glass. He winces, pulling his hand away.

LAUREN
If you keep doing that I can't clean it and we won't know if there's any glass in there.

CONNOR
It hurts.

LAUREN
Don't be a baby.

CONNOR scoffs.

LAUREN CONTD
Just... just sit still, alright?

LAUREN continues to clean it, with CONNOR wincing.

CONNOR
I can't face him.

LAUREN
Sorry?

CONNOR
Duncan. I can't... I don't think I'm gonna be able to do it.

LAUREN
Why not?

CONNOR
Well what am I supposed to do? Tell him everything's gonna be alright?

LAUREN
Yes.

CONNOR
I... I wasn't there the last time. I didn't see how bad it got. How can I tell him everything's going to be OK when it might not be? He was a lot younger the last time, a lot more healthier... (quietly) a lot stronger.

LAUREN
What's to say he's not gonna be strong this time?

CONNOR
Nothing, I just...

LAUREN
My nan's beat cancer three times, and she's older than your Grandad.

CONNOR
I'm sorry, I didn't...

LAUREN
It's fine. But that's not the point. If you're... if you're thinking like this, he's gonna pick up on that, and then how's he gonna feel?

CONNOR sighs.

CONNOR
I should get back to him.

LAUREN
No, I've not finished.

CONNOR
Just leave it, Lauren.

CONNOR attempts to yank his hand away, but LAUREN keeps hold of it. CONNOR stares at her for a moment, before leaning in and kissing her. Although she is shocked at first, LAUREN soon finds herself kissing back, and the pair fall back on the sofa as they kiss passionately...

---

SCENE 19: EXT - RIDGE CLOSE

Outside of the house, MOYA is staring at it. She smirks to herself, looking down at the picture of AMY.

CUT TO: INT - THE JOHNSON'S FLAT. BATHROOM

DUNCAN is stood in the bathroom, staring into the mirror. He takes a deep breath, before placing his hands down his trousers and feeling around. He gulps as he feels a lump, and a lump forms in his throat as he begins to sob. LOUISE stands in the doorway and smiles at him.

LOUISE
It's gonna be OK. Everything'll be fine, we'll get through this.

LOUISE pulls DUNCAN into a hug as he cries on her shoulder, with GLENN watching from the doorway.

---

SCENE 20: INT - BEN & TOMMY'S HOUSE (NO 20 RIDGE CLOSE). LIVING ROOM

BEN enters the living room where ELLIE is sat, carrying two cups of tea.

BEN
Here.

ELLIE smiles at him as she takes a cup. He sits down opposite her, and smiles.

ELLIE
Thanks.

BEN
So, are you gonna tell me what's wrong?

ELLIE
Nothing, I'm fine.

BEN
Yeah, I usually cry too when I'm fine(!)

ELLIE
I'm not crying.

BEN
You have been. In the shop, your eyes were wet and your mascara started to leak.

ELLIE dabs her finger against her eye, before sighing.

ELLIE
It's nothing, I just got a bit upset.

BEN
You seemed a bit... off earlier, an' all. Is it Emily? Where is she, you two were together earlier?

ELLIE
She could be on the other side of the planet for all I care.

BEN
Whoa, where'd you get all this hostility from?

ELLIE
It's just... Liam.

BEN
Johnson?
(ELLIE nods)
What about him?

ELLIE
On, erm... on New Year's Eve, me and Mark... we had an argument and he... he ended our relationship. I was angry and I... I went to the club. Liam was there, and we...

ELLIE sighs, rubbing her head.

ELLIE CONTD
We had sex, in the toilets.

BEN
(under his breath)
Classy(!)

ELLIE obviously hears him, but ignores him.

ELLIE
Me and Mark, we're back together now, but...

BEN
But what?

ELLIE
Liam keeps pestering me and I... I don't think I can carry on with Mark like nothing's happened. I don't... I don't think I actually love him anymore.

BEN
So end it with him.

ELLIE
It's not that simple. He's got a lot going on at the minute, with his addiction and... when he comes back from rehab I'm not sure I'll be able to do it.

BEN smiles at ELLIE, rubbing her hand.

BEN
You need to tell him how you feel.

ELLIE nods, sighing.

ELLIE
You're right. I will. I'll wait till he's clean and then I'll...

ELLIE trails off as she fiddles with her fingers. BEN smiles at her.

ELLIE CONTD
Thanks, Ben.

BEN
(laughs)
For what?

ELLIE
For listening.

ELLIE leans in and kisses his cheek. She pauses, before kissing his lips softly. BEN smiles, leaning in to kiss her again, more passionately this time. They both stand up and kiss passionately, and ELLIE takes his hand, leading him to the hallway.

ELLIE
(whispers)
Which room's yours?

BEN grins as he and ELLIE both run upstairs, and the camera pans back to the living room, where ELLIE'S phone begins to ring -- MARK is calling.

END CREDITS

This episode marked the first appearance of recurring character Moya Hendrickson, played by Gemma Bissix