The Knot of the Heart by David Eldridge

Author:David Eldridge
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781408156018
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Published: 2019-11-23T00:00:00+00:00

Eight

A room in the North London crisis intervention centre. There are three plastic chairs.

Barbara waits nervously on one of them. She checks her watch. Silence.

Lucy enters carrying a sports bag. She is accompanied by Marina who has a folder under her arm. Barbara stands.

Barbara Hello Lucy.

Lucy Hi Mum.

Barbara You look well.

Lucy Thanks.

Marina Who let you in?

Barbara A young man.

Marina Well you shouldn’t be in here.

Barbara It had started to rain. What do you expect me to do? Stand on the street?

Silence.

You look well Lucy.

Lucy Thank you.

Marina You know she’s put on nearly a stone since she’s been here.

Barbara Have you?

Lucy I was a bit skinny.

Barbara I made a spaghetti bolognese. Its on the hob.

Lucy Great.

Barbara And in case you didn’t fancy that there’s macaroni cheese. I made that as well.

Lucy I don’t mind.

Barbara And I thought you might be hungry so I brought some sandwiches. Cheese and jam. And some crisps as well.

She rifles around in her bag for the sandwiches which she brings out in a tupperware box.

Lucy I had breakfast.

Barbara Oh what did you have, I suppose the food’s not up to much is it?

Lucy Mummy that’s pretty rude.

Silence.

It’s great.

Marina We don’t have a fantastic budget but our chef Gaz works some miracles and we’re all convinced its only a matter of time before he’s on the box on Masterchef.

Barbara Look I brought Mr Dog.

She puts the sandwiches back in her bag and fetches out an old battered soft toy of a Labrador dog.

Barbara Look Mr Dog. Mr Dog Lucy.

She gingerly advances towards Lucy with the soft toy. Lucy doesn’t want it.

Marina Barbara I’m not sure –

Lucy takes it and looks at it. Barbara embraces Lucy.

Marina Barbara.

Barbara Sorry, sorry.

She backs away.

Lucy It’s okay.

She goes to her mum and gives her the hug she wants. Barbara wipes her eyes.

Barbara Look at you.

Marina Lucy I think we should pop upstairs and talk privately for ten minutes don’t you? I’ll get someone to fetch down a coffee for your mum.

Barbara What about?

Lucy No.

Silence.

Marina What is it Lucy?

Lucy We can talk here.

Barbara What about?

Lucy I don’t know what happens next.

Barbara Don’t you want to come home?

Silence.

She doesn’t want to come home.

Silence.

Lucy No I do.

Barbara I love you Lucy.

Lucy I love you Mummy. I do want to come home.

Marina Lucy’s doing great. She’s been a star.

Barbara She’s always been a star you don’t need to tell me that.

Marina But every step takes great courage and strength.

Silence.

Barbara Angela’s coming round at the weekend.

Lucy Is she?

Barbara That will be nice won’t it?

Lucy Yes.

Marina Is Angela your older sister?

Lucy Yes.

Marina Would you like to see her?

Lucy I don’t know.

Silence.

Barbara Things are better.

Lucy Are they?

Barbara I contacted Angela.

Lucy Did you?

Barbara I’ve tried to make things up to her Lucy.

Lucy Have you?

Barbara I apologised with all my heart.

Silence.

Lucy What did you say to her?

Barbara I said sorry.

Lucy What for?

Barbara Well I said sorry for – You know. I said sorry.

Lucy What for?

Barbara glances at Marina. Silence.

Marina Look I feel – This is an inappropriate situation for me to be in.

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