The Girl Before

This programme contains some strong language,

some scenes of a sexual nature,

some scenes which some viewers may find upsetting

and deals with sexual abuse from the start.

I don't think Facebook follows me into the shower.

It's the price the tenant pays for living there.

She died in that house three years ago.

When we examined your phone, we found evidence suggesting that a man

may have used it to film himself forcing a sexual act on you.

I couldn't help overhearing you'd lost a child.

They're doing an investigation, postmortem and so on.

You're amazing and you're perfect and I love you and...

I don't love you, Si.

I want you to move out.

Jane, there's something I want to ask you.

I would like to have a relationship with you.

Odessa by Caribou

He said what? He said he only does relationships unencumbered

by convention, something like that.

Otherwise known as a casual hook-up.

Would that be such a bad thing?

No, no.

If you're ready for one.

Well, I don't think he does hook-ups.

In fact, I don't think he does anything casually. Hmm.

And Flower Man - any more from him? No.

But Edward did tell me what happened to his girlfriend

was an accident, apparently.

She fell down the stairs. And you still don't put up a handrail

even after someone died?

I'm so sorry.

There's nothing to apologise for, Emma.

You needed to tell me when the time was right for you.

Any type of sexual assault is incredibly difficult to talk about.

I just thought if I didn't talk about...

It's just so confusing.

The most important thing to understand...

..is that you did nothing wrong.

So then why do I feel so ashamed?

I used to enjoy...

..having sex, but...

..what if I never feel like myself again?

We can begin by doing some exercises to remember how you felt

before the assault.

Well, how do you mean?

Well, your flat, for example,

was a place of safety which changed with the attack.

Will you stop going on about the flat?

Sorry.

I'm giving you my mobile number...

..in case you need to talk before our next appointment.

We're on this journey together, OK?

SCREAMING

SHE GASPS

Well, that's your first inspection done, and I'm pleased to say

there are absolutely no issues.

How are you finding it here?

Not too demanding, sticking to all the rules?

No, I love it.

Good.

Camilla...

..do you know anything about the young woman who lived here before?

The one who died? I don't.

It happened with the previous agent.

We took over when they lost the contract.

FOOTSTEPS APPROACH

SHE SPEAKS TO CAMILLA

Give me that - just give me that.

Sorry.

It's personal.

Is there anything else?

All done.

Hey, who messed with my brilliant slogan?

Leona.

So, um...

..I heard you and Si broke up.

OK, and what, he's asked you to put in a word, has he?

You could do a lot worse than Si, given that I'm taken of course.

Fuck off. Easy.

Just the messenger.

But, um, if it is really over, which I can kind of understand,

just let him down gently.

Edward, so that tenancy Simon and I signed,

what would happen if one of us moved out,

but the other one wanted to stay?

It would depend on which one of you wanted to stay.

Er, me.

I want to stay.

Simon has moved out.

What are you doing at lunchtime?

I wondered if you want to look at a building with me.

Is that architect speak for, "Would you like to go on a date?"

Is that a yes?

Thanks for coming.

Thanks for asking.

I've never been invited to see a building before.

I'm intrigued.

Good.

So is one of these by you?

If I'd designed any of these, I'd feel compelled to take the lift

to the top floor and throw myself off.

The place I want to show you is right here.

Shall we?

The tourists flock to St Paul's, but this is Wren's masterpiece.

I'm not really into churches.

They're all pomp and ceremony,

nothing to do with the actual religion.

What?

It's all about architectural legacy for me.

On the face of it, it's totally different from your work.

But then you start to see the similarities.

Restraint, simplicity.

Like Folgate Street.

To have let go of that house

you must have moved somewhere incredible.

I'm on site mostly.

Minor caravans or hotels.

It's bearable as long as you put the cushions in the wardrobe.

Really? No.

Yes.

Sometimes.

The original building burned to the ground

in the Great Fire of London.

Do you know what the best thing about a church is?

The acoustics.

# La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la. #

# Amazing grace

# How sweet the sound... #

Church girl, after all.

I love that about churches.

How the living and dead rub shoulders.

And the altar.

That's modern, presumably.

Yes. Henry Moore.

Beautiful, isn't it?

Mmm. So simple.

I wonder how many couples have stood in this exact same spot...

..pledging their lives to each other.

So why did you bring me here?

It's a very special building.

So, about the tenancy?

You'll both need to sign a deed of variation,

and that's something any solicitor can take care of.

Sorry for messing you about.

I didn't mean for this to be such a problem.

Not at all.

I actually wanted to have lunch with you.

As in a date?

Well, I wouldn't know, since I don't do dates.

So what do you do?

I'd like to have a relationship with you...

..but before you give me an answer, there's something you should know.

I don't do conventional relationships.

What do you mean?

People aren't so different to buildings, it seems to me.

It's all too easy to accumulate the unnecessary romantic gestures,

meaningless endearments.

What if you strip all that away?

What if you were to have a relationship

unencumbered by expectation?

So, a relationship without the pressure.

I sometimes think all marriages would be better

if divorce was obligatory after a certain amount of time.

Three years, say?

People would appreciate each other so much more

knowing it wasn't going to last forever.

But wouldn't that then require a lifetime

of finding the right person over and over

instead of one fulfilling relationship

where you grow old together and work through problems?

Well, that's what one hopes for, but it doesn't always work out that way.

Oh, God, sorry, that was insensitive.

No apology necessary.

How did it happen, If you don't mind me asking?

An accident on a building site.

I'm so sorry.

Thank you.

Do you always tie your hair back?

No, just for work, it's easier I like this.

It's considered more professional.

I'm sure it looks lovely when you wear it down.

And how does Edward Monkford let his hair down, so to speak?

Can you honestly see me doing anything of the sort?

Maybe I'll find out one day.

So...

I'd like to cook for you

at Forgate Street this weekend, no other obligation.

OK, then.

OK, then.

Thank you for a lovely afternoon, and thank you for accepting me...

..at Forgate Street.

Well, you seem like a perfect fit...

..which is rare.

I'm flattered.

Do you mind if I ask you about Emma Matthews?

How well did you know her?

Not very well.

I had a lovely afternoon too.

OFFICE CHATTER

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