Black Teeth and a Brilliant Smile by Adelle Stripe

Author:Adelle Stripe
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Published: 2019-06-15T00:00:00+00:00

Act Two

The Fine Young Cannibals play on the jukebox.

Andrea is at the bar. Mo serves her.

Andrea Another half when you’re ready.

Mo Feeling any better?

Andrea Worse.

Mo Maybe you should go home? Try and have ten minutes before your kids get home?

Andrea Maybe.

She takes her drink and returns to her table. She lights a fag and watches as Claire dumps two bags of clothes and toys in front of Young Andrea.

Young Andrea And where are am I supposed to go?

Claire Not my problem. You knew the rules. No men allowed.

Young Andrea Mick were never here!

Claire He was seen climbing in through the window!

Young Andrea How do you even know it were him?

Claire Tight white jeans and the unmistakable smell of Blue Stratos? Bit of a giveaway, Andrea. And you’ve been seen in his car on a night. Up on Baildon Moor?

Young Andrea So?

Claire You’re not the only one. He’s been seen with another girl as well.

Young Andrea I know! We take it in turns so there’s allus someone to watch each other’s kids!

Claire Bloody hell, Andrea.

Young Andrea I don’t see the problem.

Claire His wife trying to kick down the front door? That’s a problem. The neighbours complaining to the council? That’s a problem. Mick in the front yard, pissed and shouting for you? I’m sorry, Andrea. You’re going to have to go.

Young Andrea Fine. I’m about done with this place anyway.

The sound of a train and then hustle and bustle of King’s Cross.

Young Andrea carries her overnight bag. She approaches Liane.

Young Andrea Are you Liane?

Liane Andrea? Welcome to London. How was the journey?

Young Andrea Fine.

Liane Let me take your bag.

Young Andrea No you’re alright. It’s warm down here, isn’t it?

Liane Wait until you get on the Tube. We’re going to head to my office at Broadcasting House. Home of the BBC.

Young Andrea I’ve seen that on telly.

Liane I thought we could do a bit of work on your play before your meeting at the Royal Court. And then we’ll get fish and chips back at mine. How does that sound?

Young Andrea takes a seat and takes off her coat.

Andrea Liane worked in radio drama at the BBC. She took me up to the third floor and found me a desk to work at.

The sound of Liane’s busy radio office gradually – a snatch of The Archers theme tune, a news bulletin, a Desert Island disc – rises as . . .

Andrea All around there were people talking and listening to stuff on spools of tape over and over. And bits of music and that.

Liane Sorry about the racket.

Young Andrea Nowt compared to the mill.

Liane (amused) I suppose not. Well. I’ll leave you to it.

Young Andrea gets her battered manuscript out of her bag and starts working.

Andrea I just tuned it out and got to work. Having all that time to write down my thoughts . . . It were a luxury. Especially with Liane bringing me cups of tea and that. It were like the words just flowed out of me. And there it was, my play.

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