Lip Service

I'm not supposed to tell you, but her aunt died. That's why she's over.

Frankie, stop! I said stop!

Tom, this is Tess.

Tess is an old school friend.

It's her first time with a woman. She's bound to be a bit anxious.

Aunt Carol wanted to tell me something before she died.

If she had anything to say to you, she'd have told me.

No, wait! I just want to talk to you!

It's for Becky. It's our two-year anniversary tomorrow.

I'm Sadie, by the way. Frankie.

A necklace doesn't just go walkabout. Who the hell could have taken it?

What time did you get in last night?

It must have been about...ten-ish.

It was about three, wasn't it?

I feel like shit.

Well, I'm on earlies from tomorrow, so I'll stay at my place tonight.

Don't do that, babe. I feel like I've hardly seen you lately.

Funny that, isn't it? >

Is that a new top? Yeah. I got it to go with my necklace.

I'll see you later.

WOMAN MOANS

You do think they're noises of ecstasy, don't you?

I'd feel terrible if we found Tess bludgeoned to death.

It'd scupper my chances of promotion, for a start.

I'm going to be late if I don't get a move on. Shit, I am so under-prepared.

How can you say that? You've been working on this for ages.

You are so talented, just give yourself a bit of credit.

Morning! How come you're up so early?

Embracing the day. Isn't it gorgeous?

And that's all, is it? Just your innate lust for life. Lou stayed over last night.

She didn't?(!) We always stay at hers. I think it's a real breakthrough, don't you? Huge.

You're going to be adopting orphans next. Does Lou want a cuppa?

I'll just go and ask her.

It's like living with a toddler.

Who has lots of noisy sex.

What's with all the photography CVs? We're looking for someone to do the new brochure at work.

Come off it!

Why not?!

Aside from the glaringly obvious issue of you and Cat, it's hardly New York avant-garde is it?

Anyway, I thought you wanted to get back there as soon as possible. Yeah, all right, I get the hint.

What day is it today?

Please don't say it's Tuesday...

Tuesday. Fuck! Fuck!

The elevation plans are complete, which my colleague Jay will show you when he gets here.

He shouldn't be too long.

Here's your Cassidy and Moore notes. They're waiting in there.

I'll take these. Thanks.

You're a darling.

I'd tuck your shirt in too, if I were you.

DOOR OPENS

I'm so sorry. Why don't you just take a seat and then we can get started.

Unforeseen disaster, I'm afraid.

One of the children...

It was amazing!

Went out, came back to mine early, went to bed, and then she did the...

All right, we get the picture. The royal visit.

So did Cat get her best china out, then?

Oh, we didn't see her. She was in bed with Sam when we got in.

Is that still on, is it? Yeah.

I've got high hopes, actually. She's great, isn't she?

Yeah, she's all right.

You hate her. I do not! Yes, you do. That's your hating someone face.

It isn't, stop shit-stirring!

She's fine. I just think three's a crowd in that flat, that's all.

Yeah, tell me about it.

I can't put anything down without Cat sweeping it away five seconds later.

She's like a bloody whirling dervish. Watch it, that's my sister you're bitching about.

I'm not slagging her off.

I'm just pointing out that she's very tidy. It's a compliment.

Well, why don't we get somewhere together?

Are you staying? I thought I might stick around for a while.

Great! It'll be just like the old days.

And I might get to see Lou Foster in the buff.

Er, no, there will be no funny business like that. Ground rule number one.

Come on, share and share alike!

No!

Anyway...

Yeah, I should be going.

Where are you going?

I have things to see, people to do.

Can't sit around here all day, can we?

Well, that went OK, didn't it? Save it, Jay.

Come on, there's no harm done.

You don't think it looks just a teeny bit bad to potential clients?

I've worked my arse off to get them in a room with us and you keep them waiting 45 minutes!

They were fine about it, when I mentioned the kids!

Which you might have got away with if you hadn't smelt like a brewery. I'm sorry.

I was out with Frankie last night. It won't happen again. Too bloody right.

You knew how important this was. Hey.

How did it go with Cassidy and Moore? Good. Really well, I think.

Oh, yeah, it's in the bag.

Excellent.

Are you OK, Cat? Yeah, why?

You just look a little worn out, that's all. I'm fine.

Can I borrow you for a few minutes? There's someone I'd like you to meet.

Wonderful portfolio.

Very edgy. I think she'll do an excellent job.

Can she start straight away? Yeah. She's terribly enthusiastic.

Cat, this is Frankie.

Frankie'll be doing the photos for our new brochure.

Hi, Cat.

Hi. I thought it'd be a good idea if you were to take Frankie on to site this afternoon.

Maybe you could familiarise yourself with our latest projects.

Can't wait.

Excellent.

PHONE RINGS

Good morning, Stenbridge Insurance.

Joe Klein? Certainly, sir.

Can I ask who's calling?

Please hold on a second, Mr Simpson.

Just putting you through now.

It's not a problem.

So how do you fancy having a wee go by yourself?

I think I'm ready.

Super. Now, we won't do a live call just yet, OK?

So let's do a dry run first, shall we? Yeah. Best be on the safe side.

Exactly. Exactly.

Bring-bring, bring-bring.

Hello, Stenbridge Insurance.

It's "good morning, good afternoon and good evening," OK? Not "Hello".

Sorry. It's not a problem, go again.

Um, good morning, good afternoon or good evening. Exactly. OK.

Bring-bring, bring-bring.

Good morning, good afternoon. Oh, shit. Ah, sorry.

Shall we go from the top?

(Hey, thank you for earlier. You're a bloody life-saver.)

No worries.

You're looking a bit better now. Was I that rough?

Not your usual debonair self, let's put it that way.

I don't know if debonair's the right description.

What are you playing at?!

What?

Frankie, our new photographer. I assume you put her forward?

No! Oh, come off it, Jay.

How else did she find out about the job?

I... Shit, shit.

She saw the CVs. I warned her not to even think about it.

If she's been hired, it's over my head.

Well, I'm not going to rise to it.

I'm going to be totally professional, I'm just going to do my job.

Gosh, it's very open, isn't it?

Sorry. Do I sound like an idiot?

It's just, I've never been in a gay bar before.

Well, I have been in a gay bar, just not like this. Not as a...a...

Gay woman? Aye.

Is this hidden enough? There's a broom cupboard over there if you feel too exposed.

Sorry. Look, I know this is a big deal for you.

Don't be. It's just a bar. I'm fine, really.

You're not freaking out? Maybe just a little bit. Is that OK?

Course. I just thought you'd be curious

to see what dens of iniquity me and my sort fraternise in.

We can absolutely go somewhere else. No, no! No, I like it. I do.

Watch it. That was very nearly a public display of affection.

When in Rome...

Sorry I'm late. I had to get out for a bit.

I don't know how you stand it being cooped up in there all day. It's called having a job.

Yeah. He's a peculiar specimen, Alistair, isn't he?

Are you up to speed with what we're doing this afternoon?

You point, I click. Any questions? Things you need to know?

I'm used to working with hysterical art directors,

I can manage a cavity wall and some concrete flooring.

CAMERA WHIRS AND CLICKS

You've done a brilliant job. It looks great.

We've exploited the vernacular window proportions with balconies to the courtyard,

so we need images of that for the brochure. Also we need to look at the sustainable design features...

What?

"Vernacular window proportions"?

Well, what else do you want me to say?

I'm just adjusting, that's all.

To what? You.

In work mode.

I've never seen it before.

It's nice.

Any more architectural jargon you want to sling my way?

OK. Um, there's outside shots, obviously,

and a few to match the "before" photographs Alistair should have given you already.

I'll be over there if you need anything. What, you're not staying with me?

This is much less fun than I imagined.

This is work, Frankie. Yes, I know, Cat.

And when you've had your kicks, you'll go skipping back to New York.

Yeah, well, I'm not going back.

What? Glasgow's my home.

I want to stay.

You're staying?

I have tried getting in touch with you, but you just keep blanking me.

Can't we just be friends?

We're not 12. Why would I want to be friends with you anyway?

My real friends want me to be happy.

I want you to be happy.

You don't. You're all about distractions, Frankie.

Anything that takes you away from having to deal with your own shit.

Can I ask you something?

Go ahead. Um, how do you feel about,

um, coming back to mine, we could spend the day in bed,

I could wear the new lingerie you bought for me... I can't.

I've got something on now, but, um...

I could always come round later, unless you've got plans?

It is Scrabble night, but I'm prepared to make the exception.

Great. Well, I'll see you later then.

Yeah, see you later.