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It All Began in Africa
by Anna Murray (annaskitchenfr@yahoo.co.uk)

Rated: PG-13   Genre: Family   User Review:
NOT YET
RATED

ACT 1 Africa Act 2 and 3 not yet finished


This screenplay is copyrighted to its author. All rights reserved. This screenplay may not be used or reproduced without the express written permission of the author.



FADE IN:

EXT. MALINDI, AFRICA - (HELICOPTER SHOT) - DAY
                                                            
This scene opens revealing the white sandy beaches and the
tranquil blue ocean, white caps peaking through, with two
young tow haired children darting here and there and playing
in the waves while their African nanny, (ayah) dressed in
her blue uniform dress and white apron and cap, stands
vigil.
                                                            
                       ANNA (V.O.)
Malindi is where I spent the first
four years of my life. I was born
in Mombasa, the third generation
of a British family who came to
East Africa as one of the settlers
in 1902. We lived in Malindi
where my father had his shop or in
Swahili (duka). My parents ran
Murray's, selling everything from
paraffin to shoelaces as well as
alcohol and food. We had an
African nanny from birth, so my
brother and I grew up speaking
Swahili as our second language. I
remember blissful days walking on
the beach with Bessie, our beloved
Ayah. My mother boasted to her
friends that my brother Andrew and
I could swim before we could walk,
and that we spoke Swahili before
English.
                                                            
 
INT. BEDROOM - AFTERNOON - DAY
                                                            
PEGGY MURRAY picks up a small child from the crib.
                                                            
ECU WOMAN'S HANDS
                                                            
As the scene opens it widens to reveal a large python curled
up in the cot with the baby.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
Oh my God!! Jerogi, pesi, pesi,
nyoka!!!
                                                            
                       ANNA
      (screaming)
Oh Mummy quick!
                                                            

2.

Anna runs and hides behind a dresser, shaking with fear.
                                                            
                       ANNA (V/O)
Pythons are known to swallow
little puppy dogs and Andrew is no
bigger than a puppy dog!
                                                            
Two Africans come hurrying into the bedroom bearing a
hessian sack and sticks, and push the sleepy snake into the
bag and haul it downstairs to deal with it outside. Peggy
is muttering to herself as she hugs her son to her bosom.
                                                            
 
INT. DUKA - DAY
                                                            
CAMPBELL MURRAY is sitting at his desk working on accounts.
There is no one in the shop which is crammed with a wide
variety of items for sale; from cheese, boot laces,
paraffin, cigarettes, alcohol, gardening spades, rope and
sacks of grain and sugar. Peggy enters carrying the baby,
trying to get a response from her husband who is preoccupied
with his accounts and barely glances up at her. Dogs are
lying at his feet, ever hopeful that someone will suggest a
walk. Peggy passes the baby to Bessie, the ayah.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
Campbell, there was a python
asleep in Andrew's cot; thank
goodness I got to him before it
woke up.
                                                            
INTERCUT PEGGY ENTERS THE SEWING ROOM, NEXT DOOR
                                                            
She picks up her sewing and presses down with her foot on
the treadle WHIRR WHIRR....
                                                            
                       PEGGY
Did you hear me Campbell? There
was a python in the cot. You
treat it like it is an everyday
occurance.
                                                            
                       CAMPBELL
What can I do about it now? Thank
goodness you found it before it
woke up hungry, but I suspect it
curled up to sleep in the warmth
on a full belly and may not have
caused a problem.
                                                            
 

3.

EXT. IN THE GARDEN - DAY
                                                            
Anna stands on the verandah watching as many Africans appear
to watch Jerogi and the Africans kill the python and chop
off its head, then slit it down the length of the snake. The
skin is taken off and laid on the grass. Jerogi takes out
his 12' measure and lies it against the skin, marks it and
measures again.
                                                            
                       JEROGI
It is 18' long! It must be a
record.
                                                            
The Africans then hang the skin over branches on the tree to
dry, and chop up the meat and hand it around to the Africans
watching.
                                                            
 
INT. SEWING ROOM - DAY
                                                            
Woman is busy sewing at her treadle sewing machine, making
matching outfits for her children.
                                                            
 
EXT. IN THE GARDEN AND VERANDAH - DAY
                                                            
The ayah is seen collecting the washing off the line and
folding it into a basket which she carries to the verandah
where she has an ironing board set up. The iron with hot
coals is resting on an upturned debbi (10 gal tin
container). The baby is gurgling on a rug on the grass and
Anna is playing with toys in the sand under the mango tree,
while the ayah irons every item of clothing including the
diapers.
                                                            
A voice is heard from upstairs, shouting down to Bessie on
the Verandah.
                                                            
                       PEGGY (OS)
Bessie, don't forget to iron the
towels and nappies, as it will
kill any bugs that have got into
the laundry!
                                                            
 
INT. IN THE DUKA-ECU - DAY
                                                            
A child pulls on her father's trouser leg. Nanny in the
background carrying the baby and the dogs jumping up and
down, feeling the excitement of the possibility of a walk.
                                                            

4.

                       ANNA (ECU)
Daddy, daddy, please can we go
swimming?
                                                            
Looking down, lovingly at his daughter, he takes her hand.
                                                            
                       CAMPBELL
Go and change into your costumes
and we will have a swim before the
sun goes down.
                                                            
Children eagerly scamper off, shouting and yelling with
glee, to change into their costumes.
                                                            
 
EXT. LEAVING DUKA AND HEADING FOR HOTEL, EARLY EVENI - DAY
                                                            
The father, holding his daughter's hand, crosses the road
with the two dogs in tow and the Ayah with the baby
following behind. The dogs rush down to the beach, racing
each other. Once the party arrives at the pool the father
picks up his daughter and throws her in the pool and then he
takes his son from the Ayah and throws him in too. They both
come up spluttering with screams and giggles of delight, and
doggy paddle to the edge of the pool where their father
pulls them out.
                                                            
                       ANNA
      (gasping)
More please.Daddy, more. Please
do it again!
                                                            
                       
      (grinning from ear
       to ear)
More, Daddy, more!
                                                            
The father repeats this exercise a few more times and the
ayah dries the children with towels, while their father has
a drink, brought to him by an African waiter dressed in a
long white kanzoo and a red fez on his head.
                                                            
                       CAMPBELL
Asanti sana
                                                            
The dogs return, panting, after their exuberant run on the
beach. The party then return to the Duka.
                                                            
                       CAMPBELL
Lets go home before it's dark and
see what's for supper.
                                                            
 

5.

INT. DUKA - NIGHT
                                                            
The party are met in the Duka by Peggy, bearing the two new
outfits she has just finished sewing.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
I have finished your new clothes.
                                                            
                       ANNA
      (gleefully)
Please can we try them on, please,
please
                                                            
                       PEGGY
Now run upstairs and have a bath
first, when Bessie has you ready
for bed, then we can try on the
new clothes.
                                                            
Clapping her hands she SHOOS the children upstairs for their
bath.
                                                            
 
INT. CHILDREN'S BEDROOM - A LITTLE LATER - NIGHT
                                                            
Peggy sits on the bed with the children and the book
Struwwelpeter on her lap, and opens it to read aloud to
them.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
Shock-headed Peter.
Just look at him! There he stands,
with his nasty hair and hands,
See! His nails are never cut;
they are grimed as black as soot;
And the sloven, I declare,
Never once has combed his hair;
Anything to me is sweeter
Than to see Shock-headed Peter.
                                                            
                       ANNA
      (screaming)
Agggghhhhhhhhh
                                                            
Screams from Anna as she sees a very large black moth, the
size of a clenched fist, land on the mosquito net.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
Now look who has come to visit
tonight? It is Orphelia. Now she
is here I know I can leave you to
sleep peacefully. She will look
over you in the night and will
probably be there in the morning.
            (MORE)

6.

                       PEGGY (cont'd)
She was in our bedroom last night,
but tonight she is going to watch
over you.
                                                            
                       ANNA
But Mummy, will she bite us?
                                                            
                       PEGGY
No never, moths are harmless
creatures and would never hurt
you.
                                                            
 
EXT. ECU - ARICAN'S FACE - NIGHT
                                                            
In the dark forests of Kenya, Africans are seen carrying
guns, spears and pangas (long wide knives, 3ft in length).
They are huddled together discussing, in Swahili, their
plans for that night. Beads of sweat appear on their faces
as they prepare to put their plan into action.
                                                            
 
EXT. OUTSIDE A WHITE FARMER'S HOME - NIGHT
                                                            
A dog is sleeping on the verandah. An African creeps up to
it and slits its throat, before it has time to bark and wake
the family. The Africans make their way, silently, down to
the creek and up to the field where the cattle are quietly
grazing. The first African grabs a cow and three more pile
on to it and turn it over and tie a rope around its hind
leg. They throw the rope up over the branch in the tree
above, where they pull on the rope and haul the cow up so it
is dangling by one leg and the front legs barely touching
the ground. They tie a rope around the other back leg and
throw the rope over another branch, so its legs are spread
out and will probably break with the cow fighting to
survive. They leave the cow bellowing and disappear into
the forest again.
                                                            
 
EXT. OUTSIDE A WHITE FARMER'S HOME - DAY
                                                            
The rooster is crowing, and the farmer comes out on to the
verandah and finds his dog slaughtered. He calls to his
houseboy.
                                                            
                       FARMER
Hey, Peter, someone slaughtered my
dog in the night. Do you know
anything about that?
                                                            

7.

                       HOUSEBOY
Nah, Baas, I never heard a thing!
                                                            
                       FARMER
Well, please clear up this mess
and get rid of the dog before my
wife and children see it. I am
going to see what other damage has
happened.
                                                            
In the distance the farmer can hear cattle bellowing on the
hill the other side of the creek. He goes inside and comes
out with his rifle.
                                                            
ON THE HILLSIDE UNDER THE TREES
                                                            
The farmer finds a cow straddled by his back legs between
two trees. It is still bellowing but his two hind legs are
broken from thrashing around all night. The other cows are
hovering around trying to help. He raises his rifle and
puts the poor cow out of its misery. He then returns to the
house.
                                                            
                       FARMER
Those bloody murderers and
terrorists!!
                                                            
 
INT. IN A DRAWING ROOM WITH A COSY FIRE - NIGHT
                                                            
A couple are sitting in their dressing gowns, reading the
papers in front of the fire. The Radio is on the BBC
broadcast and they are listening to horror stories taking
place all over Kenya. KNOCK KNOCK
                                                            
There is a knock on the door.
                                                            
                       HOUSEBOY
Hodi (hello)
                                                            
                       MAN
Karibu (Come in)
                                                            
The houseboy enters carrying a tray with two cups and
saucers and a pot of coffee and jug of milk for the husband
and wife. He lays them on the table in front of them and
turns to leave. As he turns he pulls out of his trousers a
long panga and slashes at the wife and then the husband.
Another African enters the room and they tie up the husband
and wife with barbed wire.
                                                            

8.

ENTERING THE CHILDREN BEDROOM
                                                            
They find three children asleep and tie them up with barbed
wire, the children are screaming for their parents, but they
are presumed dead.
                                                            
                       CHILD 1
      (Screaming)
Mummmmmeeeee Daddddeeeeee,
Mummmmeeeee, help
                                                            
                       CHILD 2
      (crying and
       sobbing)
Mummmeeee where are you,
Dadddeeee!!
                                                            
The Africans silently leave the bedroom and disappear into
the night.
                                                            
 
EXT. HELICOPTER SHOT, HOTEL, LUSH GREEN TREES AROUND - DAY
                                                            
Nestled in amongst the banana trees and mangoes with
bougonvilia cascading down the banks,is the stone hotel.
Fields at the bottom of the hill with horses grazing
peacefully.
                                                            
                       ANNA (VO)
Terrible thingswere happening to
the white families during the Mau
Mau. Many were being attacked and
the farmers' animals were being
tortured and slaughtered. As a
young child I remember the adults
talking about a terrifying ogre
that had to be caught. My only
knowledge of ogres were the giants
in my fairy tales, Jack and the
Bean Stalk and Jack the Giant
Killer. But there were horrifying
tales of families being attacked
and eventually this ogre was
caught. The ogre was Jomo
Kenyatta, who meant nothing to me
at that time.
Our family moved up country to
Tanganyika, a better climate for
my father who was not well.
                                                            

9.

ECU HOTEL, BEDROOM IN THE COTTAGE
                                                            
Children dressing in their riding clothes, squabbling over
whose boots are whose, when their mother comes into the
bedroom.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
      (irritated)
Come on children, get your boots
on, so we can go down to the
stables and get the ponies ready
for the gymkhana.
                                                            
                       ANNA
      (whining)
Andrew's got my boots on, these
one's don't fit. They are too
small. Please tell him to give me
my boots?
                                                            
                       ANDREW
What's a gymkhana?
                                                            
                       PEGGY
Darling, I told you yesterday,
while we were practicing; a
gymkhana is races with other
children and their ponies to try
and get the potato in the bucket
and the hoop off the pole as
quickly as possible. Now please
take those boots off and let Anna
have them. These are your boots.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Mummy, I can't find my hat. I
know I left it on the dresser.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
Don't worry darling, I have both
your hats in the hall. Now let's
hurry up, or it will all be over
before we get there.
                                                            
 
EXT. STABLES - DAY
                                                            
The syce (groom) is holding two ponies for the children and
their mother gives each of them a leg up on to the ponies
and adjusts the girths before they ride off.
                                                            

10.

                       ANDREW
Come on let's race to the field
Anna, I bet I can beat you!
                                                            
                       ANNA
Of course you wont beat me on
Nora, Flicka will leave you way
behind.
                                                            
Wails from Andrew as he kicks his pony forward, as they head
down to the field where the Gymkhana is taking place. Ponies
everywhere, grazing and all saddled up; tied to the fence
post and being held by syces. There were lines of poles
with a potato on each and a large bucket at the end. Cars
are lined up around the main arena area and mothers are
helping children on to their ponies and tightening girths.
                                                            
                       ANDREW
      (AGGGHHHHH)
It's not fair, Nora is not as fast
as Flicka. Mummy, why can't I
have a fast horse?
                                                            
                       PEGGY
You are three years old, when you
are older you can have a fast
horse. Now do you remember what
you have to do in these races?
They will explain at the beginning
of each race. Just remember to
trot as fast as possible and be
careful how you throw the potato
in the bucket. You will lose
points if you are careless. Now
good luck and have fun.
                                                            
 
EXT. OUT IN THE WOODS - DAY
                                                            
Mother riding her favourite dark bay horse, leading Andrew
on Nora and Anna following on Flicka. Suddenly they hear
screams and shouts and crashing through the undergrowth.
                                                            
                       SYCE
      (shouting and
       stumbling)
Memsaab, Memsaab, Hoi, hey
                                                            
Crashing out of the undergrowth, whinneying loudly and
squealing came Nero, the stallion, who had sired Flicka's
foal Winston. He charges towards Flicka and starts mounting
her. Flicka tries to get away and Anna is thrown in the

11.

undergrowth screaming. The syce arrives and tries to catch
Nero.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
      (screaming at the
       syce)
Wena funya kitugani? (What are you
doing?)
                                                            
                       SYCE
Memsaab, sorry, memsaab sorry
                                                            
ECU ANNA LYING IN THE UNDERGROWTH
                                                            
Blood pouring from her ear and still sobbing, Anna is
looking very frightened. Her mother dismounts and with Nora
and her horse's reins hooked over her arm she bends down to
check that Anna has no broken bones. She wraps her scarf
around Anna's ear and head and then walks over to where
Flicka is grazing quietly.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
Now darling, I will help you back
on to Flicka and we will go home
very quietly. .
                                                            
Holding back more tears, Anna allows her mother to leg her
up on to her pony, and they return to the stables.
                                                            
 
EXT. ECU AFRICAN'S HAND MANGLED AND BLOODY - DAY
                                                            
The syce is holding his mangled hand and explains what
happened.
                                                            
                       SYCE 2
      (shivering and
       frightened)
I went into the stallion's box to
feed him, and he slammed me up
against the door which shut on my
hand, and trying to free my hand,
the stallion charged past me and
was gone. I am very sorry
Memsaab, sorry.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
      (concerned look on
       face)
We need to take you to the
hospital to have that hand seen
to. It looks like you have broken
bones and you may need stitches.
                                                            

12.

                       PEGGY
      (turning to the
       children)
Now go and find Daddy and tell him
I am taking the syce to the
hospital.
                                                            
                       ANNA
      (as she grabs her
       brother's hand)
Ok Mummy, come on Andrew, lets go
and find Daddy
                                                            
 
EXT. ON THE VERANDAH OUTSIDE THE COTTAGE - DAY
                                                            
Peggy is packing a picnic into a bag and Campbell is folding
up a rug. The children are tying sweaters around their
waiste in case it gets cold.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
Come on children, are you ready? I
have the picnic things here and
Daddy has the rug. Now have you
got some paper bags as I asked
you, for the strawberries?
                                                            
                       ANNA
Yes Mum.
                                                            
THE FAMILY WALK UP BEHIND THE HOTEL, TAKING THE PATH
                                                            
Mother, Father and two children with two dogs follow the
path up the hill through the undergrowth, until they reach a
clearing and the river cascading down the mountain. Father
lays the rug out and Mother starts unpacking the picnic.
There is a sweet smell of wild flowers and strawberries. The
sound of the river tumbling over the rocks makes it
necessary to shout above the noise. The children rush off
with the dogs to find strawberries.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Oh, look here, there are masses of
strawberries.
                                                            
                       ANDREW
I found some too. They are
delicious.
                                                            

13.

                       ANNA
They are so sweet, I could just
sit here eating them all day, but
we must pick them and take them
back to Mummy and Daddy.
                                                            
Children returning to the picnic spot with their parents,
carrying bags of the strawberries.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Oh Mummy, you should taste these
strawberries, they are so sweet
and we have plenty to take home
too.
                                                            
 
EXT. LARGE LORRY WITH SLATTED SIDES IS BEING LOADED - DAY
                                                            
Africans are busy loading furniture, boxes and trunks into
the lorry. Precious Indian rugs are rolled up and slipped
in amongst the furniture. The children are running around
trying to be helpful but mostly getting in the way.
                                                            
                       ANNA (V/O)
My father was ailing more and
more, and it was decided that we
should move nearer to a European
hospital and his family in Nakuru
in Kenya.
                                                            
Once everything is loaded into the lorry, a tarpaulin is
tied over the top to protect everything from rain. The
following morning as the sun rises, friends and colleagues
come to say their farewells..
                                                            
                       MAN
      (shaking hands
       with Campbell)
Please write as soon as possible
and let us know how your trip went
and all your news.
                                                            
                       WOMAN
      (hugging Peggy)
Goodbye, darling Peggy and
Campbell, let us know how you get
on. Bye Anna and Andrew, now you
be good children for your parents.
                                                            
Plenty of sandwiches and drinks are packed into the cab,
with crayons and books for the children to keep occupied on
the long trip ahead. Only one dog is left, Tessa, and she
is sitting on the shelf behind the bench seat in the cab.

14.

The lorry lurches down the hill with Peggy at the wheel, and
everyone waving goodbye.
                                                            
                       ANNA
How long will it take us Mummy?
                                                            
                       PEGGY
Well I hope only a couple of days
but it depends on the road
conditions and weather.
                                                            
 
EXT. ON THE ROAD TO LUSHOTO - DAY
                                                            
The lorry trundles down into the village of Lushoto and then
takes the road to Moshi. It is a dirt road and very bumpy
and narrow until it reaches Moshi. Again a dirt road but
wider and considered a main road to Arusha. Mt Kilimanjaro
is always to the right as the lorry makes its way around the
base of the mountain. Leaving Arusha for Nairobi they turn
onto a track which has deep trenches, boulders and potholes.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
Ok now everyone, look out for a
nice place where we can set up
camp for the night. We must do
that before it is dark.
                                                            
                       ANDREW
      (pointing
       excitedly)
Look there is a good spot, near
those trees.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
Ok, we will unload the tent and
get the food out for supper. Don't
go too far away.
                                                            
The lush undergrowth has changed to tall grass and savannah
like terreine, with the occasional thorn tree dotted here
and there. The children rush off to explore while Peggy and
Campbell erect the tent.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
You never know what is lurking
around here, so be careful. Keep
close to the camp site and I will
get some food ready.
                                                            
 

15.

EXT. EARLY MORNING AT THE CAMP SITE - DAY
                                                            
Peggy emerges from the tent, calling Tessa, and finds some
kindling to light the fire to boil the kettle for tea. She
fills four cereal bowls with cereal and leaves the milk and
sugar ready to be used when everyone is up. She makes the
tea and takes two cups into the tent. The children emerge
and wander off in defferent directions for the call of
nature.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Can we have our cereal now, please
Mummy?
                                                            
Peggy and Campbell come out of the tent and join the
children for breakfast.
                                                            
                       CAMPBELL
      (looking up to the
       grey sky)
It looks like its going to rain,
we had better pack up quickly and
get on the road.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
Children will you go and roll up
your bedrolls and pyjamas and make
sure all your things are in the
lorry. And help fold up the
chairs and table to be stowed away
in the back.
                                                            
Everything is packed away in the lorry and they move off to
the unknown.
                                                            
 
EXT. INSIDE THE LORRY CAB - DAY
                                                            
The windscreen wipers are working double time to try and
clear the rain as it pours from the heavens. Visibility is
just feet ahead. The road ahead is difficult to negotiate
with the enormous potholes and mud.
                                                            
                       CAMPBELL
This is going to be a long trip
with this bad weather.
                                                            
                       ANNA
      (pointing to a
       lorry stuck in
       the mud)
Oh Mummy how are we going to get
past that lorry?
                                                            

16.

                       PEGGY
I don't know, dear, we will have
to just wait until they can push
it out. Lets have some sandwiches
and a drink while we wait.
                                                            
The lorry eventually gets pulled out of the mud with
Africans heaving and pushing.
                                                            
 
EXT. ECU RUTTED ROAD WITH HUGE POTHOLES - DAY
                                                            
The road leads up a hill, very rutted and full of potholes,
the rain is pouring down and the road is very slippery.
Peggy looks at the road and revs up the engine BRRRRRRRR,
CRACK, BANG as the lorry negotiates the enormous bumps.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
Hold on everyone, this could be a
very rough ride. I am going to
drive as fast as possible to get
up over this next hill, but the
road is very rough, so hold tight.
                                                            
She revs up the engine and lets the clutch out and as she
reaches the incline, she double declutches and changes gear,
the lorry is roaring and bumping. It gets steeper and
mother double declutches again which slows the vehicle down
but gives it more strength. The tyres start to spin and the
lorry is not moving forward. There is no traction for the
tyres. She turns the engine off and applies the hand break,
leaving the lorry in gear as she is afraid of it rolling
back on the slope.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
      (throwing her arms
       in the air)
Oh hell, now we are really stuck
and goodness knows how we will get
out of this one!!
                                                            
                       CAMPBELL
Do we have any sacks or something
rough we could use to give us
traction?
                                                            
                       PEGGY
Well I should have thought about
putting some sacks in the back for
this very thing. Never thought
about it. Bother!!
                                                            

17.

                       PEGGY
There are the childrens' mats from
their bedroom, perhaps we could
use those. I'll get them out of
the back and see if it works.
                                                            
Peggy gets out of the cab, pulling on a raincoat and climbs
in the back of the lorry to look for the childrens' mats.
She takes them out and puts one in front to each back wheel.
She returns to the cab and Campbell is outside in his
raincoat checking that the mats stay in place. Peggy
switches on the engine and puts the lorry into 1st gear and
tries to move off as gently as possible. The mats whip
around the wheel and have no effect whatsoever. The wheels
are still spinning.
                                                            
                       CAMPBELL
We'll have to think of something
else, as this is not working.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
The only thing I can think of is
our beautiful Indian rugs, they
are very sturdy and should give
the tyres enough traction to move
on. I really hate to ruin our
beautiful rugs but I can't think
of any other way to get us out of
here.
                                                            
                       CAMPBELL
I think we have to use whatever we
can at this stage. We'll get them
out.
                                                            
Peggy and Campbell clamber into the back of the lorry and
haul the large rolls of Indian rugs out on to the muddy
road. They are very heavy and it takes both of them to work
them in front of the rear wheels. Peggy returns to the cab
and starts the engine again.
                                                            
                       CAMPBELL
Ok darling, move forward as slowly
as you can and if you can change
to 2nd gear that will be better.
                                                            
At last the wheels gripped on the rugs and they are large
enough to give them traction to go forward.
                                                            
                       CAMPBELL
Hurrah, its working. Well done
Peggy.
                                                            

18.

Peggy drove the lorry to the top of the hill and switched
off the engine and applied the breaks and left it in gear.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
Now you children stay here in the
lorry. I am going back down the
hill to help Daddy bring the rugs
up so we can pack them in the back
again.
                                                            
Slipping and sliding down the hill, Peggy goes to help
Campbell roll up the rugs and bring them back to the lorry.
The rugs are twice as heavy now, full of mud and rain and
the road so slippery and the rugs so awkward to carry.
Eventually after two trips back and forth the rugs were
safely stowed away in the back.
                                                            
 
EXT. APPROACHING NAIROBI, - DAY
                                                            
Africans walking up and down the edge of the road, children
running with them. A dog on the verge tied up to a tree.
Huts with their shambas (fields) next to them and women with
babies on their backs digging in the fields. Bicycles and
the occasional car filling the now busy road. In the
distance the tall buildings of hotels and businesses in
Nairobi, wide boulevards with jacaranda trees in full bloom.
The hussle and bussle of city life.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
We will stop at the Norfolk hotel
and get a bath and supper and a
good night's sleep before we leave
for Nakuru tomorrow.
                                                            
 
EXT. NEXT MORNING, ON THE ROAD TO NAKURU - DAY
                                                            
The roads are better here and dry. The lorry heads to the
top of the escarpment, which is very steep and a sheer drop
on one side down to the Rift Valley below them.
                                                            
                       CAMPBELL
      (pointing to
       volcanic mountain
       in the middle of
       flat plains)
Look children, that is Mt
Longenot.
                                                            

19.

                       ANNA
Everything is so huge. How can
that be a valley? Where is the
other side?
                                                            
                       PEGGY
It is miles away and when we get
to Nakuru you will see where it
goes up the other side to make the
valley.
                                                            
                       CAMPBELL
      (pointing to a
       lake below them)
Oh and there is Lake Naivasha, and
shortly we will see Lake Nakuru it
will be pink from all the
flamingoes. It is a salt lake;
the flamingoes like that.
                                                            
Even though the roads are better here, there are still
enormous pot holes, and travel is very slow. Driving down
the escarpment, there is a sheer drop of 1000's of feet to
the Rift Valley below. Miles and miles of flat land as far
as the eye can see, except the odd mountain or crater and
then Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru with pink tinges around
one edge, where the flamingoes congregate.
                                                            
Nestled in the bend of the road, half way down the
escarpment is a tiny church.
                                                            
                       CAMPBELL
      (pointing to the
       tiny church)
Anna and Andrew, do you see that
tiny church? It was built by the
Italian POW's during the first
World War.
                                                            
                       ANNA
What's a POW?
                                                            
                       CAMPBELL
POW"S were Prisoners of War.
                                                            
 
EXT. ECU CAMPBELL HOLDING HIS DAUGHTER'S HAND - DAY
                                                            
Father is holding daughter's hand as she skips along beside
him. They are on the quiet road edged in jacaranda trees,
heading towards the Arboretum where they will meet the
child's mother as she returns from work.
                                                            

20.

                       ANNA
      (as she lets go
       her father's hand)
Oh look! There she is Daddy.
Mummy, Mummy...
                                                            
Anna runs towards her mother with arms outstretched. Her
mother bends down and hugs her as they walk back to her
father.
                                                            
                       CAMPBELL
Hello darling, how has your day
been?
                                                            
                       PEGGY
Oh no excitement, the usual
everyday things.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Mummy, Daddy bought chocolate cake
for tea, I am so excited. Lets
get home quickly.
                                                            
 
INT. FATHER LYING ON THE SOFA - DAY
                                                            
Father is lying on the sofa, not feeling himself. Anna is
drawing at the dining room table and the dog is lying at her
feet.
                                                            
                       CAMPBELL
Darling, would you mind going
alone today to meet Mummy? I am
not feeling well.
                                                            
Anna gets up from the table, looking very disagreeable.
                                                            
                       ANNA
      (pouting)
Oh Daddy, why can't you come with
me? It isn't fair! Please come
with me. I love walking to the
Arboretum with you.
                                                            
                       CAMPBELL
No darling, I am not feeling well.
Please tell Mummy I am not well.
                                                            
Anna stomps off, not happy that she has to go and meet her
mother on her own.
                                                            
 

21.

EXT. ON THE ROAD TO THE ARBORETUM - DAY
                                                            
As if by magic, Anna's solemn face changes and she skips
down the road towards the Arboretum to meet her mother.
                                                            
                       ANNA
      (waving)
Hello Mummy.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
I have to organise a party for
Andrew and his friends. They are
going to have a picnic in the
park. Perhaps you can help on
Saturday.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Oh yes, Mummy, that will be fun.
                                                            
They are approaching the house and Anna remarks.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Oh, by the way Daddy is not well.
                                                            
Her mother rushes back to the house.
                                                            
 
INT. IN THE LIVING ROOM - DAY
                                                            
Peggy rushes in to find Campbell looking very pale, and she
calls the doctor and an ambulance. Anna is keeping a very
low profile now, as it seems really serious. The doctor
arrives about the same time as the ambulance.
                                                            
                       DOCTOR
Yes, we will take him in to
hospital and give him tests.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
I am just going round to the
neighbours to ask them to look
after the children while I come to
the hospital.
                                                            
 
INT. THREE WEEKS LATER - IN THE LIVING ROOM - DAY
                                                            
Peggy comes in and takes Anna and Andrew's hands. Her eyes
are brimming over as she tries to stifle the tears.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
Darlings, I have some very sad
news. Daddy died this morning.
                                                            

22.

                       ANDREW
But when is he coming back?
                                                            
                       PEGGY
I am afraid he is never coming
back, he has gone up to heaven to
be with the angels.
                                                            
Great sobs from Anna, who is feeling so guilty that she
didn't tell her mother sooner that her father was ill.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Oh Mummy, you mean we will never
see him again. I want my Daddy!
                                                            
Mother hugs them both as they all cry and sob.
                                                            
 
EXT. ON THE ROAD TO MOLO - DAY
                                                            
A green Austin van with mother and two children inside is
followed by a large lorry carrying all their worldly goods.
Farmland and forests line the murrum road (red soil). Coming
around the final bend tall gum trees on the left and a sharp
drive up a steep hill.
                                                            
 
INT. THE HIGHLANDS HOTEL - DAY
                                                            
                       ANNA
Oh Mummy, this is lovely. Where
will we live?
                                                            
The Highland Hotels consists of black wooden individual
buildings and the van and lorry pull up in front of a
smaller building with OFFICE written above the door. A man
comes out of the door to greet them.
                                                            
                       MAN
      (pointing to a
       house on the left)
Hello Peggy, welcome. I would
suggest that you back the lorry up
to the house and I will get the
watu (Africans) to come and unload
it.
                                                            
The children are busting with excitement and jump out of the
van and rush off to see their new home.
                                                            
 

23.

INT. INSIDE THE COTTAGE - DAY
                                                            
Anna and Andrew run through all the rooms, stopping to
glance out of the window to the garden.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Which bedroom can we have? I hope
we can have this one, it's nice
and big.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
      (pointing outside)
Now children, why don't you go and
explore outside. See if you can
see the ponies in the field. Off
you go now and let the men get our
stuff in here.
                                                            
 
EXT. TWO VERY HIGH THYER HEDGES - DAY
                                                            
The children run down between two very high thyer hedges and
as they come out to the golf course, there are masses of
young totos (African children)
                                                            
                       TOTO 1
      (totos all
       clamouring around
       children)
Jambo memsaab kijana, bwana kijana
(Hello Little Miss and Little
Master
                                                            
                       ANNA
      (smiling)
Jambo
                                                            
                       ANDREW
      (a little shyly)
Jambo
                                                            
Ahead of them is the golf course which seems to go on for
ever in all directions, right up the hill for miles, it
seems. On the right is a paddock with several ponies and
Anna and Andrew run to the fence and climb over to pet the
ponies, which come over to the children.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Oh aren't they gorgeous. I wonder
what their names are?
                                                            
 

24.

EXT. ON THE ROAD UP TO KITALE - DAY
                                                            
Peggy, Anna and Andrew are driving Andrew to his new school,
300 hundred miles away. Ahead is a bridge over a railway
cutting. In the distance is the loud CHUFF CHUFF of a
diesel train and huge puffs of grey smoke coming from it.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
      (chanting)
We are south of the Equator, we
are south of the Equator..... now
we are north of the Equator, we
are north of the Equator!
                                                            
The children laughing in the back of the car. Peggy pulls
up on the side of the road and they all get out to watch the
train passing under them.
                                                            
                       ANNA
      (sniffing deeply)
Oh I love the smell of that
diesel, Mum.
                                                            
 
EXT. MANOR HOUSE SCHOOL - DAY
                                                            
The car draws up to the front door of an old stone building.
Other cars are unloading trunks and parents are saying
their goodbyes to their sons as they start the new term.
Andrew is very quiet.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
      (cheerfully)
Lets get the trunk and your cases
out and we will go and see your
new dormitory.
                                                            
                       ANDREW
      (holding back)
I don't want to go to this school.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
      (taking his hand)
Come on darling, when you meet the
other boys and make some friends
you will be very happy here.
                                                            
                       ANDREW
      (tears welling up
       in his eyes)
I don't want you to leave.
                                                            

25.

                       PEGGY
      (bravely smiling)
It wont be long before the end of
the term and you will be home for
the holidays. Anna and I will be
coming to visit you for half term.
The time will pass quickly once
you start school.
                                                            
 
INT. INSIDE THE DORMITORY - DAY
                                                            
Seven beds down each wall separated by lockers. Boys
unpacking trunks and some parents helping to bring trunks
in. They find Andrew's bed and locker and Peggy starts
unpacking his trunk and putting things away. The matron
comes in and introduces herself to us.
                                                            
                       MATRON
Hello Mrs Murray and hello Andrew,
welcome. This must be Anna? Hello
Anna.
                                                            
                       ANDREW
      (in a choking
       voice, and
       looking down)
Hello Mrs Beasley.
                                                            
                       MATRON
      (kindly)
Andrew, why don't you go off with
your mother and Anna and say
goodbye to them and then we will
unpack your trunk together?
                                                            
                       PEGGY
I think it is better we say
goodbye here. Bye bye, darling.
We will write and we'll see you
very soon.
                                                            
                       ANDREW
      (sobbing)
Please mummy, I don't want to
stay.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
      (trying to be
       cheerful)
Now, you will feel better very
soon. Help Mrs Beasley unpack
your things then I am sure you
will be having supper and meet all
            (MORE)

26.

                       PEGGY (cont'd)
your new friends. Bye
                                                            
Peggy hugs her son, Anna with her bottom lip quivering runs
up and gives her brother a quick hug.
                                                            
 
INT. IN THE BAR AT THE HIGHLANDS,EARLY EVENING - DAY
                                                            
The sound of clinking glasses as the barman is washing
glasses, pouring drinks, wiping the bar. Peggy and
ELIZABETH RYAN are sitting quietly at the bar discussing the
forthcoming EAWL (East African Womens League) meeting.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
Ok, I will collect the boards and
then come and pick you up around
10 o'clock.
                                                            
                       ELIZABETH
I will have the dishes of food
ready when you get here.
                                                            
CRASH BANG, the door from the garden swings open and is
slammed behind two girls, Anna and BELLA RYAN running in,
wearing green gingham school dresses, and rushing up to
their mothers.
                                                            
                       ANNA
      (excitedly)
Oh Mum, you have to come and look
at this. The Africans have brought
in a little baby buck.
                                                            
                       BELLA
It is so sweet, I hope we can keep
it.
                                                            
Peggy and Elizabeth follow the girls outside where the
African is holding a tiny fawn.
                                                            
                       AFRICAN
      (pointing towards
       golf course)
I found it lying in the grass, its
mother was dead beside it.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
      (pointing behind
       the office)
We will put it in a cardboard box
for the moment and Jerogi, please
get the men to build a fenced in
area on the back lawn behind the
            (MORE)

27.

                       PEGGY (cont'd)
office.
                                                            
The two girls jump up and down with excitement.
                                                            
                       ANNA
We will have our own little fawn,
what shall we call it Bella?
                                                            
                       BELLA
      (dreamily)
Bambi, it looks just like Bambi,
lets call it Bambi.
                                                            
 
EXT. OUTSIDE THE OFFICE - DAY
                                                            
Anna is tucking her school dress into her johdpurs. The syce
is holding two ponies and Peggy comes out of the office
holding a bag and riding hat.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
      (handing Anna her
       hat)
Now do you have everything for
ballet this afternoon?
                                                            
Peggy legs Anna up onto her pony and hands the bag to the
syce to carry.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
      (touching the back
       of the saddle)
Now have a nice ride to school and
I will see you later after ballet.
                                                            
Anna and the syce walk down the drive on the ponies and turn
right onto the road, keeping to the soft verge to save the
ponies feet.
                                                            
 
EXT. APPROACHING THE SCHOOL - DAY
                                                            
Anna jumps off her horse, throws the reins over its head and
gives them to the syce and takes the bag he has been
carrying, while she is pulling her school dress out of the
jodhpurs.
                                                            
                       ANNA
      (waving and
       running)
Asanti sana. (thank you)
                                                            

28.

Anna runs in to the school changing rooms and comes out a
few minutes later, dressed in her school uniform, as the
bell rings for assembly.
                                                            
 
EXT. MARINDAS FARM - HELICOPTER SHOT - DAY
                                                            
The view is of rolling hills of ploughed fields with a
thicket here and there. An old farm house with barns and
horses everywhere. A huntsman appears with a pack of hounds
and the hunt moves off and the whipper-in blows his horn.
                                                            
                       ANNA (VO)
The Master of Hounds is Bella's
father and the whipper-in is her
brother, Pip.
                                                            
                                         CU ANNA'S FACE
                                                            
Anna, Andrew and Bella move off with the rest of the hunt.
                                                            
                       BELLA
      (chatting to Anna)
You will stay with me, Anna, won't
you?
                                                            
                       ANNA
Yes, of course. I can never keep
up with Andrew anyway. He always
goes far to fast for me.
                                                            
                       BELLA
      (looking relieved)
Oh thanks, Anna. You know how
nervous I am hunting, especially
on this pony. I will be mortified
if I make a fool of myself in
front of Daddy and Pip.
                                                            
                       ANDREW
      (turning in his
       saddle)
Hey you girls, I am going to catch
up with the rest of the field. See
you at the end.
                                                            
Andrew pops over a small fence into the next field, while
Bella and Anna go through the gate. They canter off to
catch up with everyone else.
                                                            
 

29.

INT. IN THE BATH AT BALLYVISTEA - NIGHT
                                                            
Four children, Anna, Andrew, Bella and her younger brother
JAMIE RYAN, are all in the bath, laughing and splashing when
MWANIKI, the Ryan's most faithful houseman, comes into the
bathroom carrying a hurricane lamp, as it is nearly dark and
he places it on the dresser..
                                                            
                       MWANIKI
      (holding up a
       towel)
Ok, it's time to get out of the
bath. Your supper is ready.
                                                            
                       JAMIE
      (complaining)
Oh no, I want to stay in the
bath!!
                                                            
                       MWANIKI
Ok, who is going to be first out?
                                                            
                                         CUT TO LIVINGROOM
                                                            
 
INT. SITTING AROUND THE SUPPER TABLE - NIGHT
                                                            
The four children are sitting around the supper table, which
is in the corner of the living room, where JIM RYAN and
Elizabeth are reading the papers in front of the log fire.
Pressure lamps are placed around the room and give it a
warm glow. Jim is wearing his white hunting shirt and
britches and long stockings, his pink hunting jacket hanging
on the back of his chair and his hunting boots propped up
against his chair. Mwaniki brings baked eggs for the
children.
                                                            
                       MWANIKI
      (handing BP sauce
       to Bella)
Now eat up your supper, and I have
apple pie for you afterwards.
                                                            
                       ANNA
      (to Andrew)
Did you keep up with the hounds
till the end?
                                                            
                       ANDREW
Yes, it was great and Clonshee was
just amazing, she missed all the
antbear holes. I saw someone come
a cropper when her horse went down
            (MORE)

30.

                       ANDREW (cont'd)
one.
                                                            
                       BELLA
Well, at least Jeremy Fisher
didn't run away with me because
Anna stayed with me.
                                                            
                                         TO THE LOUNGE AREA
                                                            
The children get up from the table and go and sit in front
of the fire with Bella's parents.
                                                            
                       JIM
      (folding up the
       newspaper)
Ok Kids, are you ready for
prayers?
                                                            
The children kneel down at the sofa and Jim leads them in
prayer.
                                                            
                       JIM
      (kneeling at his
       chair)
Lord, we thank you.....
                                                            
                       ANNA (VO)
After the Hail Mary and the Lords
Prayer, Jim finishes the prayers
with..
                                                            
                       JIM
God Bless Mummy and Daddy, Pip,
Mark, Michael, Charles, Isobel and
James, Peggy, Anna and Andrew.
                                                            
                       ANNA (VO)
Prayers at the Ryan home were
always ended by blessing all
present and those not present of
the two families, when we were
with them.
                                                            
 
INT. THE CHILDREN'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
                                                            
The children run into the bedroom and jump on the beds.
Elizebeth follows them.
                                                            

31.

                       ELIZABETH
      (tucking Jamie in)
Now get yourselves tucked in. You
must be tired after hunting today.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Goodnight Mrs Ryan, sleep well,
see you in the morning.
                                                            
                       BELLA
      (arms outstretched)
Night Mum, can I have a big hug?
                                                            
 
INT. IN THE DINING ROOM - DAY
                                                            
Several weeks later, Peggy, Anna and Bella are being served
breakfast at the Highlands Hotel. A waiter, in a long white
kanzoo wearing a pez on his head, brings coffee to Peggy and
two glasses of milk for the girls. Peggy is buttering her
toast and the girls are finishing up their cereal. Other
hotels guests are scattered around the dining room being
served breakfast.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
      (looking at the
       newspaper)
It looks like they are setting
Jomo Kenyatta free soon. They
will then get their Independence
and I have no idea what will
happen to the Europeans.
                                                            
                       ANNA
      (enquiringly)
Will we have to leave Kenya?
                                                            
                       PEGGY
Yes, it looks like it as they are
demanding we take up Kenya
citizenship and give up our
British Passports.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Oh Mum, where will we go?
                                                            
                       BELLA
You can't leave Kenya, Anna is my
best friend. What will I do?
                                                            
The waiter returns and removes the cereal bowls and lays a
plate of eggs, sausage, bacon, tomato and mushrooms in front
of us. The girls tuck in.
                                                            

32.

                       ANNA
      (with her mouth
       full)
Mum, where will we go?
                                                            
                       PEGGY
      (peering over her
       glasses)
I think we will be going to South
Africa. I had a letter from Mo
and she thinks we should go there.
                                                            
                       BELLA
Who is Mo?
                                                            
                       PEGGY
Mo is Anna's half sister. Anna's
father had two daughters before I
was married to him, and Mo is
married to a lovely South African
man and they live in Natal, in
South Africa.
                                                            
                       BELLA
Will I ever see you again if you
move to South Africa?
                                                            
                       PEGGY
Oh, I am sure we will all meet up
again. Maybe not for a while as
your parents are probably going
back to their farm in Ireland.
                                                            
 
EXT. OUTSIDE OUR HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
The car is being loaded with a trunk and suit cases. Anna
is running around saying goodbye to everyone, tears in her
eyes as she hugs Bella, who has come to the hotel to see her
off.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
      (putting her hand
       on Anna's
       shoulder)
Darling, it is time we left now. I
hope we haven't forgotten
anything.
                                                            
Anna and Andrew get in the car and Peggy starts the engine.
A roar and shouts of BYE.....BYE as they drive down the
drive way.
                                                            

33.

                       BELLA
      (waving and
       shouting)
Have a safe journey.
                                                            
 
EXT. LEAVING NAIROBI - DAY
                                                            
Bicycles, cars and Africans are on the road as they approach
Nairobi. A large sign saying "Welcome to Nairobi" Tall
buildings, horns hooting PAAAARRP PAAARP. The car travels
down the road signposted to VOI.
                                                            
                       ANNA
How long before we get to Voi?
                                                            
                       PEGGY
We'll get there in time for
supper.
                                                            
On the side of the road is a small shelter, thatched with
banana leaves, with piles of mangoes, pineapples, custard
apples, bananas and tree tomatoes.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
      (pointing to the
       fruit stand)
Let's stop and get some fruit.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Oh, I would love a mango.
                                                            
                       ANDREW
And I would like a custard apple
please, Mum.
                                                            
As Peggy is buying the fruit, a bus trundles by, travelling
at a very slow speed. It is packed with Africans, far more
than is probably allowed by law. On the roof of the bus are
boxes, a bed, a drum, two chicken coops and a goat, tied
securely.
                                                            
                       ANNA
      (pointing to the
       bus)
Oh Mum, they have a goat and
chickens on the roof of that bus.
Those poor animals!
                                                            
 

34.

EXT. APPROACHING MOMBASA - DAY
                                                            
The temperature is very hot, dusty and dry with the odd
Baobab trees here and there, the smell of the sea is very
strong. Two enormous elephant tusks make an archway across
the road with a sign saying WELCOME TO MOMBASA.
                                                            
                       ANNA
      (pointing to the
       tusks)
Do you think those are real tusks?
The elephant must have been
enormous!!
                                                            
                       PEGGY
No darling, they are a model of
tusks, making the archway so
vehicles can pass through them.
                                                            
Mombasa is very crowded with cars, lorries, carts being
pulled by Africans, bicycles and Africans on foot. Traffic
is moving very slowly as the car makes its way towards the
docks.
                                                            
                       ANNA
How are you going to know the
Dawsons?
                                                            
                       PEGGY
Well, we agreed to meet at the
checking in office, so we should
have no trouble finding them.
                                                            
                       ANNA
      (apprehensively)
I hope they are nice.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
Oh I am sure they are very nice
and you will have a wonderful
trip. Mo and Bert will be in
Durban to meet you.
                                                            
                       ANDREW
      (pointing at a
       ship)
Oh Mummy is that Anna's ship?
                                                            
                       PEGGY
Yes it is, it's the AFRICA. Look
Anna, isn't that a grand ship to
be travelling on.
                                                            

35.

Anna is beginning to show some excitement, as the car draws
up near the building marked OFFICE. Peggy and the children
get out of the car and go and see if the Dawsons have
arrived.
                                                            
 
INT. OFFICE BY THE DOCK - DAY
                                                            
An attractive lady in her 40's is standing talking with four
boys aged from 4 to 12 years old. Peggy goes towards them
and asks..
                                                            
                       PEGGY
      (smiling)
Jane Dawson?
                                                            
                       JANE
      (smiling back)
Yes, hello, you must be Peggy
Murray, How nice to meet you at
last. And this must be Anna.
Hello Anna.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
      (shaking hands
       with Jane)
So nice to meet you too. It is so
kind of you to escort Anna down to
South Africa. I know she will be
in good hands. This is my son
Andrew.
                                                            
                       ANDREW
Hello Mrs Dawson.
                                                            
                       JANE
Anna, This John and Michael and
Peter and Charles is the baby.
Well actually he is four but I
still look upon him as my baby.
                                                            
                       ANNA
      (a little shyly)
Hello.
                                                            
 
EXT. WALKING UP THE GANGPLANK ONTO THE SHIP - DAY
                                                            
After handing over the luggage to a porter, the Dawsons' and
the Murrays' make their way up the steps to the ship. They
are greeted by the Captain.
                                                            

36.

                       CAPTAIN
Welcome aboard, I hope you have an
enjoyable trip. It looks like the
weather is going to be calm and
warm.
                                                            
A steward shows them to the stairs and down to their cabin.
                                                            
 
INT. IN THE CABIN - DAY
                                                            
There are six bunks, three on each wall, the floor space
between is fairly large with a tall cupboard and hand basin
between the bunks. There is another cupboard by the door
with a loo closet on the other side of the door.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
Well, this looks very cosy. I
suppose we should be making our
way on deck. I expect visitors
will be asked to leave soon.
                                                            
                       JANE
OK, everyone lets go on deck to
see Mrs Murray and Andrew off and
we can wave from the rails as we
leave Mombasa.
                                                            
 
EXT. DESCENDING THE GANGPLANK IN DURBAN - DAY
                                                            
It is a very hot summer day, a sea of faces greets them.
Friends and relations looking for their loved ones,
colleagues or friends. Mothers waving, children shrieking.
Excitement on everyone's faces.
                                                            
                       ANNA (VO)
I am excited to be arriving in
Durban, and I am searching for Mo,
my half sister, my father's eldest
daughter, whom I haven't seen
since I was very young. Ahh, I
think that is her and that must be
Bert, her husband.
                                                            
Anna walks up to two smiling faces.
                                                            
                       MO
      (running to hug
       Anna)
Anna!! It is so good to see you,
Welcome to South Africa.
                                                            

37.

                       ANNA
Hello Mo and Bert. Oh its great
to see you. This is Mrs Dawson
who escorted me down from Kenya.
                                                            
                       BERT
So nice to meet you Mrs Dawson.
                                                            
                       JANE
Oh please call me Jane. These are
my boys, John, Michael, Peter and
little Charles.
                                                            
                       MO
How was the trip? I hope Anna
behaved herself?
                                                            
                       JANE
Oh the trip was wonderful, except
the rough seas as we passed Beira.
We were all sick as dogs. Once
we got well passed Madegascar the
ocean calmed down.
                                                            
                       BERT
Well lets find your bags Anna and
we should be on our way. Thank
you so much for escorting her into
our hands.
                                                            
 
EXT. ECU RICKSHAW DRIVER - DAY
                                                            
A rickshaw is carrying a couple along the street. The
African pulling the rickshaw is wearing the most elaborate
colourful headdress of feathers and horns, decorated with
coloured beads, and a mantel of beads and fur. Modern cars
are everywhere, people walking in the street in shorts and
skimpy T-shirts. Shops with huge glass windows and
beautiful clothes on mannekins in the windows. A shop with
TEAROOM across the glass.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Goodness, everything is so smart
here. I have never seen shops
like this before. That rickshaw
is amazing. It must be so hot for
him wearing all that headdress and
mantel.
                                                            
                       MO
Well, I think they get used to it.
they make their money that way,
so I suppose it is worth it for
            (MORE)

38.

                       MO (cont'd)
them.
                                                            
 
INT. IN THE SCHOOL OUTFITTERS - DAY
                                                            
There are racks and racks of blazers in different colours,
red, green, blue, brown, black, maroon. racks of school
dresses in different shades, white dresses in different
styles, panama hats, racks of ties, berets, bobby socks,
piles of bloomers in different colours; shoes in brown or
black in different styles, but all lace ups. There are
cardigans and sweaters and white shirts and white blouses,
long and short grey trousers. The shop is crammed with
every uniform for all the different schools in
Pietermaritzburg.
                                                            
                       ANNA
      (turning to Mo)
Wow, I have never seen anything
like this before. Do you think we
can ask them what bloomers and
nicker liners are?
                                                            
A saleslady approaches and Mo catches her eye.
                                                            
                       MO
Hello, we have the clothes list
for Maritzburg Girls High, can you
please help us.
                                                            
                       SALESLADY
      (smiling)
Yes of course, Maritzburg Girls
High clothes are over here.
                                                            
Pointing to the the line of light green tunics and brown
blazers.
                                                            
                       MO
      (pointing to the
       list)
We are intrigued to know what
nicker liners are?
                                                            
                       SALESLADY
      (picking up a pair
       of bloomers)
Well, these are bloomers and the
girls wear these with their own
normal underwear beneath them.
Those are nicker liners.
                                                            

39.

                       ANNA
So we have to wear two pairs of
underwear?
                                                            
                       SALESLADY
Yes, because you do gym in the
bloomers. They have gym every
day, and it wouldn't look right to
be doing gym in skimpy underwear.
                                                            
Anna tries on dresses and blazers, hats and shoes and all
the other items on the list. She and Mo leave the outfitter
fully laden with bags.
                                                            
 
INT. IN THE FRONT HALL OF BOARDING ESTABLISHMENT - DAY
                                                            
Girls in pale green tunics, with white square necked blouses
and wearing brown blazers and white panama hats with a green
and white band around it, are gathered in the hall. Some
are carrying cases and others helping parents bring trunks
in. Suddenly Anna sees a familar face.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Sue, is that you Sue? I didn't
know you were coming here too. Oh
this is great.
                                                            
                       SUE
Anna!! Oh this is wonderful to see
you. There are already six
ex-Kenya girls here already.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Oh do I know them?
                                                            
                       SUE
I don't know. There are Ann and
Lyn Robertson who were at Nakuru
High with me and Lindy Wragg.
                                                            
                       ANNA
No, I don't know them. But hang
on there is Pamela Crystal who was
in my class at Molo. Hello Pam!
                                                            
                       PAM
Hello Anna, I heard you were
coming this term. I have already
been here a term.
                                                            
Mo and Bert bring the last of my things from the car.
                                                            

40.

                       ANNA
Mo and Bert, this is Sue Phillips
who used to be at Molo school and
her parents ran the Dairy in Molo.
and this is Pam Crystal who was
in my class at Molo.
                                                            
                       MO
Hello girls, this is so nice for
Anna to already know people here.
We will be off and leave you all
to settle in. We will be in touch
for your first Exeat.
                                                            
Anna goes out to the car with Mo and Bert and waves them
goodbye.
                                                            
 
INT. THE SCHOOL CORRIDOR - DAY
                                                            
All the ex-Kenyans go to a class, after school, for extra
Afrikaans.
                                                            
                       ANNA
I don't think I will ever pick up
this language.
                                                            
                       PAM
And it takes up so much extra
time, we still have to do homework
for this and all our other
homework too. It seems so
unfair!!
                                                            
 
INT. IN THE GYM - DAY
                                                            
Anna's class has just arrived in the gym and MISS JOHANNSON
arrives.
                                                            
                       MISS JOHANNSON
Ok girls, hurry up and get ready
for gym. I want you out here as
quickly as possible.
                                                            
The girls stream into the changing rooms and start stripping
off their tunics and putting on plimsolls.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Oh my god, I am not wearing
bloomers! What on earth shall I
do?
                                                            

41.

                       MARTHA
      (pointing to Miss
       Johannson)
Go and ask Miss Johannson if you
can do gym in your uniform as you
forgot to wear bloomers today.
                                                            
Anna goes into the gym in her plimsolls and approaches Miss
Johannson.
                                                            
                       ANNA
I am very sorry, I forgot my
bloomers today, can I please do
gym in my uniform?
                                                            
It was like an explosion ....BANG.
                                                            
                       MISS JOHANNSON
      (flinging her arms
       in the air, and
       shouting)
You know the rules! How many
times do I have to tell you to be
properly dressed for gym. You can
take an order mark for that and
stay in detention.
                                                            
                       ANNA
I am sorry, this is my second day
here, and I didn't realise....
                                                            
                       MISS JOHANNSON
Don't answer me back, now go and
take your tunic off and join the
rest of the girls.
                                                            
Anna slinks back into the changing room and takes off her
tunic and comes out to the gym in her scanty underwear.
There are sniggers from some of the girls and Anna hangs her
head in shame.
                                                            
 
INT. IN THE FRONT HALL OF BOARDING ESTABLISHMENT - DAY
                                                            
Sue and Anna are dressed in their Sunday white dresses and
white panama hats, with seamed brown stockings and lace up
shoes, waiting for Mo and Bert to come and pick them up for
their Exeat. Both girls are carrying a small bag containing
swimming costumes, towels and shorts and shirts.
                                                            

42.

                       ANNA
Ah here they are are now. Hello
Mo and Bert. You remember Sue
Phillips?
                                                            
                       SUE
Hello Mo and Bert. thanks so much
for inviting me today as well. I
am very excited to be going out
with you.
                                                            
                       MO
      (hugging Anna)
Agh, it makes it more fun for Anna
to have a buddy along with her. We
are going to Durban and I am sure
we will have a great day.
                                                            
 
EXT. ARRIVING IN DURBAN - DAY
                                                            
The two girls have changed out of their white frocks in the
back of the car and now wearing shorts and sandals. One of
the first things they see are the rickshaws.
                                                            
                       ANNA
      (excitedly)
Oh do you think we can go for a
ride in a rickshaw? It looks such
fun.
                                                            
                       MO
Yes, and I will get a picture of
you both in it.
                                                            
After the rickshaw ride they all make their way to the
dodgem boats.
                                                            
                       BERT
      (buying two sticks
       of candy floss)
Have you ever had candy floss
before? It's all sugar but rather
fun to eat.
                                                            
Handing the candy floss to the girls as they arrive at the
dodgems boats.
                                                            
                       ANNA
This is all so much fun. I have
never been on any of these things
before or tasted candy floss.
Thank you so much Mo and Bert.
                                                            
 

43.

EXT. ARRIVING AT THE BEACH - DAY
                                                            
Everyone gets out of the car and carries the picnic things
down to the beach, and Bert carries the cooler with the iced
drinks. The beach is almost deserted with miles of sand as
far as the eye can see. There are two flags out to sea.
                                                            
                       ANNA
      (jumping up and
       down)
Can we swim before lunch? It
looks so inviting.
                                                            
                       BERT
Yes, but d'you see those flags?
You must keep within them, as they
have shark nets across to protect
bathers from sharks.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Ok, let's go, Sue.
                                                            
 
INT. IN THE FRONT HALL OF BOARDING ESTABLISHMENT - DAY
                                                            
Three months later Peggy and Andrew arrive from Kenya,
having settled all their affairs in Kenya and come and visit
Anna at school. She is jumping up and down and smiling all
over, in excitement to see her family again.
                                                            
                       ANNA
      (hugging Peggy)
Oh Mummy, I am so excited to see
you both. Did you have a good
trip?
                                                            
                       PEGGY
Isn't this very nice. And Mo
tells me there are quite a few
ex-Kenyans here too. At least you
have some buddies from back home.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Yes and we actually tend to stick
together and support each other.
It's nice.
                                                            
 
EXT. OUTSIDE THE NEW FAMILY HOME IN WINTERSKLOOF - DAY
                                                            
There are beautiful views with Pietermaritzburg in the
valley far off.. Below is a field and an orange grove.
There are fields all around the house, plenty of room for

44.

two horses. Anna and Andrew are excitedly waiting for a
horsebox to arrive with two horses their mother has bought.
                                                            
                       ANNA
      (pointing)
Oh there is the horsebox. I can't
wait to see the horses.
                                                            
The large bay is taken out of the box first and then
followed by a smaller dun.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Oh I bags the dun, she is
beautiful.
                                                            
                       ANDREW
That's fine Mum and I can share
the bay. I wonder what their
names are?
                                                            
                       PEGGY
I have the paperwork here and the
bay is Springbok and the dun is
Sherry.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Can we ride them now Mum, please.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
Ok groom them and check their
feet. the saddles and bridles are
all ready. Lucky you cleaned them
last night.
                                                            
 
INT. ON THE VERANDAH, A FEW WEEKS LATER - DAY
                                                            
                       ANNA
Oh please Mum, come for a ride
with me. Springbok is a great
horse.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
      (reading the paper)
Not today darling, I am not
feeling up to it
                                                            
 
INT. IN THE CAR COMING BACK FROM SCHOOL - DAY
                                                            
                       PEGGY
I have found a big house in
Pietrmaritzburg that I am going to
rent, then we can have all the
            (MORE)

45.

                       PEGGY (cont'd)
Kenya kids come and board with us
instead of at the schools.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Oh that's great, I know Sue, Lyn
and Ann really want to come and
live with us.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
And there is David Carnegie and
Liz Darvel who also want to come.
                                                            
 
EXT. A LARGE WHITE TWO STOREYED HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
The house is surrounded by a large garden with three avocado
pear trees, two mango trees and a lychee tree. A mango tree
hangs over the tennis court. The shrubs and flower beds are
mature and overflowing with an abundance of colour. Rose
bushes are planted in a central bed giving a wonderful
splash of colour and perfume.
                                                            
                       ANNA (VO)
My mother is complaining of tennis
elbow and she has been to the
doctor a couple of times. I have
never known my mother ill, I pray
they can sort out her problem.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Mum can we make a den in the
garage at the end of the garden,
and put our record player there so
we can listen to music without
disturbing you.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
Yes, why not. If you put wooden
boxes around the edge you can make
seats and I have spare curtains
you can use to cover them, with
cushions underneath. It should be
quite cosy for you teenagers.
                                                            
 
INT. GARAGE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE GARDEN - DAY
                                                            
Ann, Lynn and Anna take boxes over to the garage and Peggy
brings spare cushions and curtains to cover the seats. Sue
arrives with posters from magazines and tapes them to the
wall. Full size photos of John, Paul, Ringo and George, The
Rolling Stones, Cliff Richard and Elvis Presley and various

46.

other singing groups. Paul Newman and famous film stars. It
is beginning to look like a teenage dive. Peggy finds an
old rug to put on the floor.
                                                            
                       SUE
Thank you so much, Mrs Murray, for
letting us do this.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
Well, now you have somewhere to
congregate with your friends.
                                                            
 
EXT. IN THE CAR COMING BACK FROM SCHOOL - DAY
                                                            
Peggy is driving, Anna is sitting in the front seat and
Andrew in the back. They approach traffic lights.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
I have to go into hospital during
the holidays for minor surgery.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Oh Mum, what is it? Why are you
having surgery?
                                                            
                       ANNA
Well they did a biopsy a few weeks
ago, and feel they need to explore
more. Everything will be all
right. I am in good hands.
                                                            
                       ANDREW
      (leaning forward
       in the car)
Well, what is it Mum?
                                                            
                       PEGGY
I will know more after the
surgery. I have arranged for you
two to go and stay with the
Hartland-Mahons. You'll have a
great holiday with lots of riding
and Marcus and Sally will be home
too.
                                                            
 
EXT. SITTING ON THE SWING CHAIR IN THE GARDEN - DAY
                                                            
Peggy and Anna are sitting on the swing chair in the garden.
                                                            

47.

                       ANNA (VO)
My mother has just returned from
having a second massectomy and
still tells me all is well. I
don't want her to tell me she has
cancer. No one has been known to
survive cancer.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
      (cheerfully)
I just heard from Uncle Reg, he is
coming to visit us. It will be so
nice for you to meet him at last.
                                                            
                       ANNA (VO)
Uncle Reg is my mother's brother
who left England at the age of 21
and went to live in Canada where
he married a lady from Baltimore
                                                            
                       ANNA
Oh that's wonderful Mum. I can't
wait to meet him. He has always
been so kind and generous to us.
                                                            
 
EXT. IN THE CAR GOING TO THE HOSPITAL - DAY
                                                            
Uncle Reg is driving to the hospital to see his sister, my
mother.
                                                            
                       UNCLE REG
Which way is it now?
                                                            
                       ANNA
What does the sign say?
                                                            
                       UNCLE REG
Pietermaritzburg is to the right.
Can't you read that sign?
                                                            
                       ANNA
No, I can't, and yes, go towards
Pietermaritzburg.
                                                            
                       UNCLE REG
Well this is serious if you can't
read that sign. We need to get
your eyes tested.
                                                            

48.

                       ANNA
Oh no Uncle Reg, I can't, Mum has
too much expense with all these
hospital bills.
                                                            
                       UNCLE REG
That's OK, your Mum doesn't have
to worry about it. I will arrange
everything.
                                                            
                       ANNA
I haven't dare tell Mum that I
couldn't see the blackboard at
school. I know she can't afford
any extra expense.
                                                            
                       UNCLE REG
How on earth have you been
managing at school.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Well to start with, I sat in the
middle of the class but when I
realised I couldn't see, I moved
to the front of the class, but
even then I couldn't see, so I
moved to the back of the class.
                                                            
                       UNCLE REG
Well, that wasn't very clever
sitting at the back.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Well, I just copy notes off the
board, from the girl next to me,
and hope to avoid being asked
questions. It means I have more
homework to do but that is the
only way I can manage to keep up.
                                                            
 
INT. IN THE HOSPITAL, SEVERAL WEEKS LATER - DAY
                                                            
My mother is lying in a hospital bed, with yellow eyes and a
very enlarged stomach and small hose running from her
bedclothes into a bag, on the side of her bed, filling up
with yellow fluid. Tubes are hanging from above and
plastered to her hand.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Hello Mum, how are you feeling
today?
                                                            

49.

                       PEGGY
Oh I will be all right once they
can treat this jaundice.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Mum, do you know Uncle Reg is
finding other places for our
boarders to live.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
No, he can't be doing that.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Well, he is and Sue, Ann and Lyn
are going the YWCA and the boys
are going to the YMCA. I think
its terrible what he is doing.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
Don't worry darling, I will sort
it out.
                                                            
 
INT. OUTSIDE THE BIG WHITE HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
Anna, Andrew, David, Sue, Lyn and Ann arrive back from
school, and Uncle Reg comes out to meet them..
                                                            
                       UNCLE REG
Anna, may I have a word with you
please. Let's go down into the
garden.
                                                            
Uncle Reg and Anna walk down to the swing chair and sit
down.
                                                            
                       UNCLE REG
Anna, you can't go running to your
mother and telling her I am
getting rid of the boarders. I
have to do this.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Why are you doing this?
                                                            
                       UNCLE REG
Your mother has 10 months to live,
I have to make arrangements before
it is too late.
                                                            
Tears well up in Anna's eyes. She runs to the tennis court
and hides behind the bushes. She sobs and sobs.
                                                            

50.

                       ANNA (VO)
      (through her sobs)
What on earth will happen to us?
Who will look after us? I am 14
years old and Andrew is 13. I
prayed this was not true and hoped
against hope that if I never said
it, it wouldn't be true. How are
we going to tell Andrew? He is
going to be devastated.
                                                            
 
EXT. ARRIVING AT UMGAZI MOUTH HOTEL - DAY
                                                            
Travelling on the dirt road, in front of them, Peggy, Anna
and Andrew see The Bungalows that make up the hotel rooms,
leading down to the river mouth. Across the river are sand
dunes with the ocean in the distance.
                                                            
                       ANNA (VO)
My mother had spent some time in
and out of hospital. We had
packed up the house and the
furniture was put into storage.
She had taken a job, during the
Christmas holidays, catering in
The Bungalows at Umgazie Mouth.
My mother was carrying on as if
she had all the time in the world,
she was so brave, taking on a
catering job when she was
obviously so ill. Somehow I felt
safe while she was there and it
was easy to pretend the inevitable
would never happen. How could
this brave stoic woman not be. It
wasn't possible and it wasn't
possible to imagine life without
my mother.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Oh look there it is; doesn't it
look really nice. I can't wait to
explore.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
Now don't rush off, we'll unpack
the car first and find where we
are staying.
                                                            
                       ANDREW
Ok Mum. I hope there are children
our age staying here.
                                                            

51.

The proprietor shows us to a large room just behind the
office, with three beds in it.
                                                            
                       PROPRIETOR
I apologise for not giving you
more space, but the hotel is so
fully booked, we had no other
rooms available.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
Oh that is fine, we can manage
here.
                                                            
 
INT. IN THE BEDROOM LATE AT NIGHT A WEEK LATER - NIGHT
                                                            
Andrew is asleep and Anna has difficulty sleeping as her
mother is groaning and moaning in her bed.
                                                            
                       ANNA
      (in a whisper)
Mum, can I get you anything?
                                                            
                       PEGGY
No darling, but tomorrow we will
go to St Johns to see a doctor. I
need some more pain killers.
                                                            
 
EXT. DRIVING OFF IN THE CAR TO ST JOHNS - DAY
                                                            
Peggy and Anna head off along the dirt road to St Johns.
                                                            
Peggy parks the car outside the doctors office and struggles
to get out of the car. .
                                                            
                       PEGGY
Wait here Anna, I shan't be long.
                                                            
                       ANNA (VO)
Terrible thoughts are going
through my mind. What if Mum is
really seriously ill. It is
unthinkable. I have just turned
15 and Andrew was 14 two days
after Christmas. What will become
of us if she was to..... die. Oh
my God, I have never said that
before. She wouldn't die and
leave us?
                                                            

52.

Wiping away tears that have welled up in her eyes, Anna sees
her mother returning and jumps out of the car to help her
in.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Did you get what you need Mum?
                                                            
                       PEGGY
Yes thank you darling, I will be
fine soon.
                                                            
Peggy drives off but obviously in distress. As they leave
the small town, Peggy pulls the car over.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
Darling, I know I shouldn't ask
you but I would like you to drive
back to the hotel.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Oh my goodness Mum, you know my
driving is not very good. I wish
Andrew had come with us, he drives
so much better than I do.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
Don't worry there are no other
cars on the road and you will
manage fine.
                                                            
Anna drives off in a jerky fashion and then steadies the car
until they reach the hotel. She gets out of the car and
helps her mother into their room.
                                                            
 
INT. IN THE BEDROOM - DAY
                                                            
Anna helps her mother into the bedroom, where Peggy sits
down on the bed and Anna bends down and takes her shoes off
for her and suggests she lies down for a while. Anna gently
lifts her feet on to the bed and pulls a cover over her
mother.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Mum, can I get you anything? Would
you like a cup of tea or some
water?
                                                            
                       PEGGY
Thank you darling, some water
would be lovely.
                                                            

53.

                       ANNA
Mum, I am going to leave you to
rest for a while and then I will
be back to check if you need
anything.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
Don't worry about me, I will be
fine, now you run off and find
your friends. I will get up in an
hour to go to the kitchens for
this evening dinner.
                                                            
                       ANNA (VO)
How can she possibly work? I
don't think she will be working
this evening. Oh my God the world
is just tumbling around us.
                                                            
Anna watches her mother's eyes close and she rushes from the
room, tears pouring down her face. She runs out into a
quiet corner of the garden, sits down and sobs her heart
out.
                                                            
 
INT. IN THE OFFICE NEXT DOOR TO THEIR BEDROOM - DAY
                                                            
Anna telphones Mo and Bert, sobbing very quietly.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Hello Mo, can you come and pick us
up. Mum is very ill.
                                                            
                       MO
Yes of course, Bert and Tony will
leave immediately so they can
bring your car back. They will
not get there until tomorrow.
                                                            
                       ANNA
      (sobbing)
Oh thank you Mo, I am so worried
about Mum.
                                                            
                       MO
Hold tight dear girl, they will be
there as soon as possible.
                                                            
Anna wipes away the tears and enters the bedroom.
                                                            
 

54.

INT. IN THE BEDROOM - NIGHT
                                                            
Anna returns to the bedroom to find her mother dozing with
intermittent groans.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
Darling, why are you crying?
                                                            
                       ANNA
Oh Mum, I am so worried about you.
I have called Mo and Bert and
they are coming tomorrow to take
us back to Pietermartizburg.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
Oh Darling, that's not necessary,
I will be fine shortly.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Mum, you can't possibly work in
all the pain you are in. I have
spoken to the proprietor and and
they are making arrangements for
tonight, so don't worry.
                                                            
 
EXT. IN THE CAR PARK - DAY
                                                            
Bert and Tony help Peggy into the back of their estate car,
where they have put the back seat down and laid a mattress
for her to travel in more comfort. All the baggage is
loaded into Peggy's car. Anna travels with Bert and Peggy,
and Andrew travels with Tony.
                                                            
                       ANNA (VO)
I am travelling with Mum and Bert,
in case she needs anything on the
trip, and I especially want to be
near my mum. There is no room for
Andrew in the car with the back
covered with a mattress for Mum.
We are travelling in convoy with
regular stops as she is so sick.
                                                            
 
EXT. ARRIVING AT THE HOSPITAL IN PIETERMARITZBURG - DAY
                                                            
The two cars draw up to the hospital entrance and Bert goes
inside to get the stretcher for Peggy. Nurses and doctors
are waiting for her to arrive and rush her into a private
room to examine her.
                                                            

55.

                       BERT
The Whitfield's are going to have
you to stay for a while, as we are
still on holiday on the coast.
Then you will be close by to visit
your mother.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Ok, are they going to collect us
or will you be taking us there.
                                                            
                       BERT
We will drop you off on our way
back to the coast. We will just
make sure your mother is
comfortable and say goodbye to
her.
                                                            
 
INT. AT THE WHITFIELD'S HOUSE-IN THE BATHROOM - NIGHT
                                                            
ECU Anna lying in the bath, almost dozing off when there is
a loud knock on the door.
                                                            
                       MRS WHITFIELD
Anna dear, I have just received a
telephone call from the hospital.
We have to go as soon as possible.
Can you get out of the bath
quickly please.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Ok, coming.
                                                            
 
INT. AT THE HOSPITAL AN HOUR LATER - NIGHT
                                                            
Peggy is lying as if asleep, drips and tubes everywhere.
Andrew and Anna stand each side of the bed. Anna puts her
hand on her mother's arm.
                                                            
                       ANNA
      (tears in her eyes)
Mum, Andrew and I are here.
                                                            
                       PEGGY
      (slightly muffled)
Where is Taiking? I can hear him
crying.
                                                            
                       ANNA (VO)
Taiking is our pekenese who Mum
adored. We had often brought
Taiking to visit Mum in hospital
            (MORE)

56.

                       ANNA (cont'd)
and we would go into the garden
together and sit on a bench, so
she could be with her favourite
dog.
                                                            
                       ANNA
      (tears pouring
       down her face)
No Mummy, Taiking is not here, he
is at home waiting for you.
                                                            
Peggy never uttered another word and shortly afterwards, she
stopped breathing. Mrs Whitfield and the nurses comforted
Anna and Andrew as they kissed their mother for the last
time, and said their goodbyes.
                                                            
 
INT. IN THE OUTFITTERS - DAY
                                                            
Lines of blazers, dresses, tunics, skirts, shirts and
blouses in all the different colours of the different
schools.
                                                            
                       ANNA (VO)
After my mother's death Mo and
Bert returned for the funeral and
Andrew and I went and lived with
them for the rest of the holiday.
I had to move to another school as
Pietermaritzburg Girls High had no
room as a boarder. We could not
stay permantently with Mo and Bert
as they had just adopted three
children. I was going to Ixopo
High in a few weeks. So we
returned to the outfitters to buy
my new uniform.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Gosh orange checked dresses, I
have never seen that before. The
winter tunics seem so old
fashioned with three pleats down
the front and back and no waist.
                                                            
                       MO
We need to get black bobby socks
and a cardigan and a black blazer
with orange and white striped
binding, and black shoes.
                                                            

57.

                       ANNA
None of my other uniform is the
same in colour. Even the panama
hat is a different shape.
                                                            
                       MO
I wonder if we can get away with
the white dress, but I don't think
so as the style is different.
                                                            
 
EXT. ARRIVING AT IXOPO HIGH SCHOOL - DAY
                                                            
ANDREW, MARCUS & DEBBIE(Mo's three adopted children) and
Andrew all come to the school with Mo and Bert. Bert and
Andrew carry the big trunk and the children help bring
other things in. Yet another MATRON greets us and shows us
where my dormitory is.
                                                            
                       MATRON
Welcome Anna, I will show you
where your dormitory is.
                                                            
 
INT. IN THE DORMITORY - DAY
                                                            
There are four beds down each side with a shoulder high
dividing wall after the first bed and the third bed, so the
two in the middle have a divider on each side of them. Each
bed has a locker beside it and there are cupboards for
hanging and more shelves as you come into the dormitory. One
cupboard for each person.
                                                            
                       MARYTHE
      (pointing to her
       bed)
Hello, my name is Marythe, I am in
that bed. You must be the new
girl?
                                                            
                       ANNA
      (smiling)
Yes hello, I am Anna.
                                                            
                       ANGELA
Hello Anna, weren't you at
Pietermaritzburg Girls High?
                                                            
                       ANNA
Yes, but I had to move here.
                                                            

58.

                       ANGELA
I was too, but I failed last year
so my parents decided to send me
here instead to resit the year.
                                                            
                       ANNA
It's nice to see a familiar face
although you were in a different
year, but I guess we will be in
the same year now.
                                                            
                       ANNA
It's going to seem strange to have
boys in the class.
                                                            
                       ANGELA
Ooh I'm looking forward to it and
already have my eye on someone I
rather fancy.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Oh I know I will blush like mad if
I am asked a question in class
with boys. I shall feel so self
conscious.
                                                            
                       MARYTHE
Oh, don't worry about them, you
will soon get used to them in the
class.
                                                            
                       MO
Well, this looks very nice and
friendly. You will let us know if
you need anything, wont you? I
put a bottle of that guava squash
you like into the bag, but let me
know if there is anything else we
can send you.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Ok, I will come and see you off,
thanks so much for bringing me
here today, I know it was a long
drive.
                                                            
 
INT. IN THE DORM AT NIGHT A WEEK LATER - NIGHT
                                                            
The girls are getting ready for bed.
                                                            

59.

                       MARYTHE
Hey, did you hear Lorna's mother
died last night. She had cancer.
                                                            
                       ANGELA
Who is Lorna? I don't think I
have met her.
                                                            
                       MARYTHE
You might not have met her, she is
in the next dorm, a year ahead of
us and she was only here for two
days at the beginning of term
before they called her home again.
                                                            
                       ANGELA
Oh the poor girl, I can't imagine
anything worse than losing your
mother.
                                                            
The lights are out; girls are whispering. Anna is in her
bed sobbing quietly.
                                                            
                       ANNA (VO)
      (crying softly to
       herself)
It is two weeks since Mum died and
I miss her so much. I haven't
told anyone that she has just
died. I am afraid to talk about
it. I have to try and be brave.
Oh I do miss you Mum.
                                                            
                                         FLASHBACK 1949
                                                            
 
INT. A FEW DAYS AFTER THE FUNERAL - DAY
                                                            
Mo and Anna are going through some of her mother's papers
and photos. They come across a newspaper cutting with
photos and several pages of typed notes, dated May 1949.
                                                            
                       MO
Look at this Anna! Your Mum was
quite a gal. She and her cousin
Elizabeth made a trip to South
Africa from Kenya.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Oh let me see.
                                                            

60.

                       MO
That was really something in those
days, for two women to make that
incredible trip.
                                                            
 
EXT. ECU A REVOLVER - DAY
                                                            
Peggy is placing a revolver in the glove compartment of a
1946 Morris. She and her cousin ELIZABETH are loading
camping equipment, tennis rackets, fishing rods, riding
gear, typewriter, puncture kits, petrol cans and fluffy
slippers into the old car.
                                                            
                       ANNA (VO)
My mother was such a brave
adventurous woman who travelled
from Kenya to South Africa with
her cousin Elizabeth. They
travelled though Kenya to Uganda
and visited the Ruwenzori
Mountains (The Mountains of the
Moon) where they saw pygmies and
gorillas. In the Albert National
Game Reserve they narrowly escaped
a charging bull elephant and they
had trouble cashing cheques in the
Congo so had to go without food
for three days. They travelled
through Northern and Southern
Rhodesia to the Cape, and had six
punctures which they fixed
themselves.

My mother was a pioneer and now
she is gone. She fought so
courageously with the deadly
cancer and still tried to give us
a good life.
                                                            
                       ANNA (VO)
      (sobbing)
Oh Mum, what are we going to do
without you now?
                                                            
Anna falls asleep, her pillow drenched with tears and her
eyes smarting, her head thundering with pain.
                                                            
 

61.

INT. MO AND BERT'S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
Cases are stacked by the door, the family are ready to leave
for the airport. Anna is going from room to room, making
sure she has everything she needs.
                                                            
                       ANNA (VO)
At the end of the school year it
was decided that I would go to
England to study Hotel Management
and Catering. I would be flying
from Durban and I had persuaded Mo
and Bert to let my boyfriend,
Tony, drive me there, and we would
all meet up at the airport. They
were rather against this idea, in
case anything went wrong en route.
I won.
                                                            
                       MO
Anna, Have you remembered
everything now? You have your
passport and Aunt Lois' telephone
number and address and the ten
pounds we gave you?
                                                            
                       ANNA
Yes, I have all those. I am just
checking my room to make sure I
haven't forgotten anything else.
                                                            
                       ANDREW
      (yelling)
Tony's here. Do you want me to
take some of your things out to
his car?
                                                            
                       ANNA
Thanks Andrew.
                                                            
                       BERT
Now you know the way to the
Airport in Durban? It will be
signposted with an airplane, so
just follow the signs.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Hello Tony, just checking I have
everything.
                                                            

62.

                       BERT
Ok you guys, have a safe trip, we
will see you at the airport in
just over an hour.
                                                            
Mo and Bert Drive off with Andrew and the children in the
car. Tony and Anna follow.
                                                            
                       TONY
I will have to stop for petrol,
but it won't take a moment.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Ok, I'm going to grab some sweets,
to eat in the plane, while you do
that.
                                                            
Tony and Anna leave the petrol station and head for the main
road to Durban. It is very hot and the windows are open,
with the stereo booming out music. Suddenly the car starts
to splutter and slow down.
                                                            
                       ANNA
What's happening? What's wrong?
                                                            
                       TONY
I don't know. I'll have to have a
look under the bonnet.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Oh for goodness sake, we don't
have time for that. Mo and Bert
will be so mad if I miss this
plane.
                                                            
                       TONY
Well, let me have a quick look.
                                                            
Anna has decided to get out of the car with all her things
and stand on the side of the road, putting her arm out and
her thumb up, hoping someone would stop and give them a
lift.

It is very hot and no shade, and Anna is getting more and
more irritable as the time goes on. Tony is trying to sort
the car out.
                                                            
                       ANNA
      (in a raised tone
       of voice)
Mo and Bert will be livid that I
wouldn't listen to them. Can't
you fix that damned car?
                                                            

63.

                       TONY
I'm doing my best but I think
something major has gone on it.
                                                            
                       ANNA
      (shouting)
Oh I was crazy to to accept your
offer to drive me to Durban.
                                                            
                       TONY
Look, I don't think it is going to
get us anywhere shouting at me! We
can't do anything about it now.
lets try and get a lift.
                                                            
Tony joins Anna on the side of the road and give the
hitchikers sign. a few minutes later a car pulls in to the
side of the road.
                                                            
                       DRIVER
Are you having problems? Can I
help?
                                                            
                       ANNA
      (sweat pouring
       down her face)
Oh, are you going to Durban? I
really need a lift to catch a
plane.
                                                            
                       DRIVER
Yes, I am. Hop in, I will get you
there.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Come on Tony, leave the car, we
have a lift. Oh thank you, thank
you, so much.
                                                            
 
EXT. ARRIVING AT THE AIRPORT - DAY
                                                            
Standing near the entrance to the airport are Mo and Bert
with the children and Andrew. A look of surprise as Tony
and Anna get out of a strange car.
                                                            
                       MO
Whatever happened? We were
getting very worried.
                                                            

64.

                       ANNA
Tony's car broke down and this
kind man stopped and offered us a
lift.
                                                            
                       BERT
How extremely kind of you. We
were a little worried letting Anna
come with Tony, in case something
like this happened. We are
extremely grateful to you for
delivering her here to us, thank
you.
                                                            
                       DRIVER
Not at all, my pleasure. I have
teenage children too, and would
hope someone would help them out
if in trouble.
                                                            
 
INT. AIRPORT DEPARTURES - DAY
                                                            
Anna is kissing Andrew, Mo and Bert and each of the children
goodbye. A big hug from Mo.
                                                            
                       MO
Now don't forget to write and let
us know what its like in England.
We are going to miss you.
                                                            
                       ANDREW
      (giving Anna a
       last hug)
Please write and let us know how
you are getting on. Bye...
                                                            
Tears welling up in Anna's eyes as she hugs Tony and says
her last goodbyes, waving as she goes through the gate.
                                                            
 
INT. HEATHROW AIRPOT - DAY
                                                            
The airport is crowded with long lines for passport control.
Anna heads for the British Passport line.
                                                            
                       PASSPORT OFFICER
Hello, you have just arrived from
South Africa. How long are you
staying?
                                                            
                       ANNA
Oh I don't know? Two years maybe.
                                                            

65.

                       PASSPORT OFFICER
Where were your parents born?
                                                            
                       ANNA
My mother was born in Kenya and my
father was born in Scotland
                                                            
The Passport Officer stamps her passport and Anna moves on
to collect her luggage. The tannoy makes an announcement.
                                                            
                       TANNOY
      (Announcement)
Would Anna Murray who was
travelling on flight number SA284
from South Africa, please go to
the Information desk.
                                                            
                       ANNA (VO)
Oh dear that is me. Perhaps Lois
couldn't come to meet me, Oh
heavens, now what?
                                                            
Anna arrives at the Information desk and says she was asked
to report here and gives her name. she is handed an
envelope, which she opens to find instructions to go
somewhere she has never heard of.
                                                            
The Passport Officer, who had stamped her passport rushes up
to Anna.
                                                            
                       PASSPORT OFFICER
Where did you say your father was
born?
                                                            
                       ANNA
Scotland.
                                                            
                       PASSPORT OFFICER
May I see your passport again,
please.
                                                            
The Passport Officer, scribbles something in the passport
and hands it back to Anna.
                                                            
Anna hands the letter back to the Information desk.
                                                            
                       ANNA
I don't think this is for me, I do
not recognise any names or places
that are mentioned. Perhaps there
was another Anna Murray on the
same flight?
                                                            

66.

                       ANNA (VO)
How strange everyone sounds, I am
struggling to understand what
people are saying. It is like I
am in a foreign country.
                                                            
                       LOIS
Anna! Anna!
                                                            
Anna glances up out of her dreamworld, of thinking she has
landed on another planet, to see the smiley face of her
Aunt.
                                                            
                       ANNA
      (releived)
Oh hello Lois. I am so glad to
see you. I seem to have had quite
an adventure in the short time I
have been here.
                                                            
Lois is holding up a coat, and puts it round Anna's
shoulders.
                                                            
                       LOIS
Well, come on lets get your things
and go to the car, and you can
tell me all about it.
                                                            
 
EXT. DRIVING THROUGH THE VILLAGE OF COOKHAM - DAY
                                                            
                       ANNA (VO)
After my father died my mother
brought Andrew and I over to
England for one month. We stayed
at MOOR COTTAGE, Lois' home while
we were here. Andrew and I were 7
and 8 years old and found it very
exciting staying in a village
where we could walk to the shops.
                                                            
The weather is damp and drizzling, and although it is the
middle of the day, head lights are needed.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Oh, I remember The Old Apothecary
and the Post Office. There used
to be a sweet shop Andrew and I
visited with the 3d you used to
give us to spend. Is it still
there?
                                                            

67.

                       LOIS
Well, that shop is gone now but
there is another one in its place.
                                                            
They approach a large white house on the right with a huge
magnolia tree in the front, with a sign over the front door
saying "MOOR COTTAGE". The car turns up the drive past the
house and Lois parks it in the back.
                                                            
                       ANNA
I wonder why the tallest house in
the village is called Moor
Cottage?
                                                            
                       LOIS
Here we are darling, now lets get
your things out and I will show
you to your bedroom.
                                                            
The house is freezing cold and Anna shivers.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Gosh, is there no heating? It's
very cold in here.
                                                            
                       LOIS
Yes, we have storage radiators
which come on at night and the
heat stays all day.
                                                            
 
INT. ANNA'S BEDROOM - DAY
                                                            
This room seems even colder than the rest of the house but
it looks very cosy with the bed and a large chest of
drawers, a writing table and chair with a vase of flowers
and two built-in cupboards on either side of what used to be
a fireplace but is now boxed in. The cupboard on the right
has a basin and mirror with interior lights.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Oh this looks nice Lois, thank
you.
                                                            
                       LOIS
I will leave you to unpack and
perhaps you would like to come and
take the dog for a walk with me in
a while.
                                                            

68.

Anna unpacks her suitcase and hangs shirts and dresses in
the cupboard and neatly folds her underwear and socks in the
drawers, with the sweaters in the large drawer at the
bottom.
                                                            
                       ANNA (VO)
      (brrrrrrr)
It isn't even snowing and its
freezing in here. Do people
really live in cold like this? I
suppose the damp weather makes it
even colder.
                                                            
                       LOIS (OS)
      (calling from
       downstairs)
Anna darling, I am taking Jemimia
out for a walk now, are you ready
to join me?
                                                            
                       ANNA
Ok, coming.
                                                            
 
INT. LOIS' SITTING ROOM - DAY
                                                            
Anna flops down in an arm chair, after a very brisk walk
with her aunt and dog.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Will the television work now? I
can't wait to see what its like.
                                                            
                       LOIS
Yes, the children's programmes are
probably on now. I am going to
get supper ready.
                                                            
Anna jumps up and sits on the arm of a chair near the TV,
she twiddles the knob on the side of the box and it crackles
and a fuzz shows on the screen. She turns the other knob
and all she gets is lines, fuzz, squiggles and a horrible
noise. Whichever knob she turns, no picture shows up on the
screen. Frustrated, she goes to find her aunt in the
kitchen.
                                                            
 
INT. LOIS' KITCHEN - DAY
                                                            
Lois is standing over the sink, busy peeling potatoes, with
a cigarette in her mouth. A pot on the stove is bubbling
away and a pan of brussels is ready to cook.
                                                            

69.

                       LOIS
Hello darling, did you find what
you wanted?
                                                            
                       ANNA
No, I couldn't get the television
to work. I think I broke it.
                                                            
                       LOIS
Well it may still be a bit early
for the children's programmes. I
am sure you haven't broken it.
                                                            
                       ANNA
I am just dying to see how it
works. I can't believe that you
can get a picture out of that box.
                                                            
 
INT. SECRETARIAL COLLEGE - DAY
                                                            
The hall is crowded with 16 and 17 year old girls; girls
from India, Pakistan, Nigeria, China, Japan, Israel, France,
Asia and Australia. The headmistress is trying to get some
order and calling out names to go to various classrooms.
Anna grabs her books and goes to her classroom when her name
is called. She is confronted by a room full of girls from
every part of the world, and takes a seat next to an Indian
girl.
                                                            
                       ANNA (V/O)
      (gazing around the
       class)
Mum would be turning in her grave
now, if she could see me in this
class with Africans and Indians
and Chinese. I am not sure why
she was so prejudiced, because
they are such nice girls. I was
not given the chance to share my
life with anyone except white
people. That was how we were
brought up. In Africa, everyone
was segregated and I knew no other
way. This is so much better.
                                                            
 
INT. LOIS' SITTING ROOM - NIGHT
                                                            
Lois is busy ironing a pile of clothes in the sitting room.
Anna comes bounding in and drops her school bag on the floor
by the table.
                                                            

70.

                       LOIS
How was your first day at college?
Did you make some new friends?
                                                            
                       ANNA
It was great, but we only have
five white people in the class. I
have never been in a class with so
many different races. I didn't
feel such an odd man out with my
South African accent.
                                                            
                       LOIS
Well, we are going to have to get
rid of that ghastly accent. It is
so vulger.
                                                            
                       ANNA
      (sulking)
Oh I am sorry I don't speak
properly.
                                                            
                       LOIS
I heard from the Redesdale today
and they will accept you in
September, but you really will
have to learn to speak well. It
is for Educated Young ladies and
with that dreadful accent of
yours, you certainly don't sound
like an educated young lady.
                                                            
Anna grabs her books and slams out of the room to go
upstairs and do her homework.
                                                            
 
INT. IN THE BEDROOM - NIGHT
                                                            
Anna sits down on her bed and shivers.
                                                            
                       ANNA (V/O)
      (tears welling up
       in her eyes)
I hate it here. It's so cold. I
don't speak properly and I don't
eat the same food they eat,
everything is covered in pepper.
Lois is always complaining that I
don't wear enough clothes and my
shoes are unsuitable. I can't
seem to do anything right.
                                                            
 

71.

INT. THE REDESDALE ARMS - NINE MONTHS LATER - DAY
                                                            
Mr and Mrs Oldrey are standing in the hall waiting to greet
Anna and Lois.
                                                            
                       MRS OLDREY
      (Putting her hand
       out to Anna)
Hello Anna, and welcome to the
Redesdale.
                                                            
                       ANNA
      (smiling)
Hello Mrs Oldrey, I have been
looking forward to this day.
                                                            
                       MRS OLDREY
I will show you around here and
then I suggest you drive around
the back to your house with your
luggage.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Ok thank you.
                                                            
                       MRS OLDREY
You will find a blue overall on
your bed, and you will wear that
first thing in the morning when
you come over here at 7am. We
will give you a starched white
overall for the dining room
tomorrow when you start.
                                                            
                       LOIS
I will drive the car round to the
back. Now you will be a good
girl, won't you Anna, and work
very hard here?
                                                            
                       ANNA
Yes Lois.
                                                            
                       ANNA (V/O)
All the girls at the Redesdale
spoke with a plum in their mouths,
as Lois did. I had spent nine
months trying to catch her out. It
seemed such an exaggerated way to
speak, but I never did catch her
out. I still had a problem with
my accent, and was teased
mercilessly about the way I spoke.
                                                            
 

72.

INT. PARKHILL HOTEL - ONE YEAR LATER - DAY
                                                            
PARKHILL KITCHEN
                                                            
A huge kitchen with light coming from the large ceiling
windows above the kitchen range with pots boiling and
simmering. Cooks busy rolling pastry and chopping
vegetables, wait staff hanging orders on the clips and
shouting out the order for table 12. Anna was ladling soup
into bowls.
                                                            
                       ANNA
      (shouting to
       Francie)
Hey Francie, lets hitch hike to
Cookham, as we can't use the car
for our day off.
                                                            
                       FRANCIE
Yes, lets do that. Should be ok.
Mandy said she would run us out to
the A3 to start us on our way.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Great as soon as lunch is over,
lets get going.
                                                            
 
EXT. ON THE A3, GOING NORTH TOWARDS LONDON - DAY
                                                            
The busy A3 dual carriageway, with cars whizzing by, and two
girls standing with their thumbs up asking for a lift.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Oh this will be a hoot. do you
think anyone will stop for us?
                                                            
                       FRANCIE
Well, I hope so. Could be cold
sleeping out here on the road.
                                                            
A jaguar pulls up and the driver winds down his window.
                                                            
                       TED
Do you girls want a lift
somewhere? Where are you going?
                                                            
                       ANNA
Cookham on Thames, are you going
anywhere near there?
                                                            

73.

                       TED
We're going to London, but could
easily drop you off in Cookham. No
problem at all.
                                                            
The two girls get in the back of the jaguar. It is a 1947
vehicle with leather seats and dark mahogony dashboard, and
large enough to have a party.
                                                            
                       TED
Hello, I am Ted and this is my
friend Tom.
                                                            
                       ANNA
I am Anna and this is Francis.
                                                            
 
EXT. MOOR COTTAGE, COOKHAM - DAY
                                                            
                       ANNA
Thank you so much dropping us off
at the door. That's really kind
of you.
                                                            
                       TED
No problem, we have enjoyed your
company. Perhaps we can meet up
in Southampton for a drink or a
film.
                                                            
                       FRANCIE
Ok, thanks, that sounds fun. this
is our telephone number at work.
                                                            
 
EXT. IN THE GARDEN AT TED'S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
Ted and Anna are sitting in the garden, arguing.
                                                            
                       ANNA
What do you mean, you have no
money? How did you buy all that
furniture?
                                                            
                       TED
I bought it on the never, never
and I can't pay the next
installment.
                                                            
                       ANNA
That's crazy and what about the
baby?
                                                            

74.

The phone is ringing from inside. Anna runs inside to
answer it.
                                                            
                       LOIS
Anna, you have to leave Ted. He
is a bad piece of work, he is a
crook and already has two
illegitimate babies by two
different girls, and the next
thing we will hear is that you are
pregnant.
                                                            
                       ANNA
I don't know where you heard that
from?
                                                            
                       LOIS
I have had him investigated and
you must get out of there as soon
as possible.
                                                            
                       ANNA
OK,
      (as she slams down
       the phone)
                                                            
Anna returns to the garden, sobbing.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Lois says she has had you
investigated and you have two
other babies, and now we are going
to have one too. What are we
going to do? I can't go back to
her. She would love that.
                                                            
                       TED
Ok, we are going on a little trip,
pack a bag and get rid of any
identification. No passport or
letters or anything showing your
address or name.
                                                            
 
EXT. SOUTHAMPTON RAILWAY STATION - DAY
                                                            
The train draws into the station and Anna and Ted clamber on
with their luggage.
                                                            
                       TED
Ok we have agreed that you are Liz
and I am Steve from now on. Don't
slip up.
                                                            

75.

                       ANNA (V/O)
What am I doing? This is crazy! I
know better than this, but what is
the alternative? Going back to my
aunt who will never let me forget
what a mess I got myself in. I
know this is wrong, but Ted
promised he would look after me.
That is all I want at the moment,
to be looked after. I don't know
which way to turn.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Ok, Steve.
                                                            
Ted, goes through Anna's bag, to make sure there is nothing
to incriminate them.
                                                            
                       TED
What's this? I told you not to
bring anything to identify you. I
will have to tear this up and
throw it away.
                                                            
Ted tears up the passport and lets it flutter out of the
train window.
                                                            
                       ANNA
Oh no, not my passport.
                                                            
                       TED
Don't be so damned stupid, woman!!
You want us to get nabbed?
                                                            
 
EXT. COTTAGE IN IRELAND - 3 MONTHS LATER - DAY
                                                            
Ted is returning to the cottage Liz and Steve have rented.
He is carrying crabs for Anna to dress. He slaps them down
on the table.
                                                            
                       TED
Why isn't my supper ready?
                                                            
                       ANNA
I am just finishing it off. I
hope you like egg and baked beans
tonight.
                                                            

76.

                       TED
      (screaming at Anna)
Have you no imagination? Can't you
think of something different for a
change?
                                                            
                       ANNA
      (tears welling up
       in her eyes)
There is no money to buy anything
else.
                                                            
Ted picks up the plate and throws it across the room at
Anna. Congeled egg and baked beans slither down the wall.
                                                            
                       TED
Do you think this is a suitable
meal for someone who has been
working all day?
                                                            
                       ANNA
      (sobbing)
I'm sorry, there is nothing else
in the house and I have no money
to buy food.
                                                            
                       TED
I am sick and tired of your
pathetic whining ways. It's time
you went back to your aunt!
                                                            
                       ANNA
Oh no, please Steve, no. How am I
to face her now?
                                                            
                       TED
I really don't care. I am fed up
with being responsible for you.
                                                            
                       ANNA
What about the baby?
                                                            
 
INT. DUBLIN AIRPORT - DAY
                                                            
Ted is led off in handcuffs by the police and Anna is put on
a plane to Heathrow.
                                                            
 
INT. MOOR COTTAGE, COOKHAM - DAY
                                                            


FADE OUT.


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