The Girl Before

This programme contains some strong language and scenes which

some viewers may find upsetting, and deals with sexual abuse.

WATER RUNNING

HE BREATHES SHAKILY

DOOR OPENS

It's not your typical London one-bed.

But I think once you've looked round you'll see why it's a bit special.

Bloody hell.

Wow.

I mean...

Just...wow.

It's like an art gallery or something.

DOOR OPENS

DOOR SHUTS

It's amazing.

Everyone says that.

I've never seen anywhere like it.

And this is in our budget?

The owner sets an affordable rent

to people who'll live here the way he intended.

The way he intended?

Yes. He's the architect.

He was going to live here himself at one stage, I believe.

But now...he rents it out instead.

So, it's stuff like, what? No smoking, no pets?

It's a bit more than that.

No pictures, no ornaments, no carpets or rugs, no books.

No books?

No children, obviously.

No planting anything in the garden.

Anything else?

Oh, yes.

There's about 200 in all.

No drinks coasters, no magazines, no knick-knacks.

How do you turn the lights on?

He's not a fan of switches, either. Everything's automatic.

So, who lives here now?

No-one. It's been empty for quite a while.

Then why was the front door unlocked? You just walked in.

Again, all automatic.

You wear one of these, you don't even need a key.

Do you want to see upstairs?

What's he like?

The man who built this.

Pretty strange, presumably.

People say he's charming.

You might get to meet him, if you go for it.

Might?

He interviews prospective tenants personally,

those who get through the initial stages.

There's a questionnaire to fill in first.

Then usually we just get a email saying, "Thanks, but no thanks."

Not a fan of banisters, either.

And what sort of people get accepted?

Since I've been the agent, no-one has.

And how long has that been?

Three years.

Pretty much everything you'll need is provided.

Linen, pillows, mattress, even toiletries.

He's er...he's very particular like that.

Everything you see in the house has been chosen by...

WATER SPLASHES

SHE INHALES SHARPLY

And where do you put all your stuff?

He's not really into stuff, either.

This is your only cupboard.

But, just to warn you, one of the rules is nothing on the floor

or left on the bed. Everything has to be put away.

Well, how would he know?

Regular inspections are built into the contract.

And if the rules are infringed, we have to tell him.

No way, then. That's like school.

I'm not having someone tell me off for leaving

a pair of dirty socks out.

I mean, if it wasn't for all those rules, then maybe,

but, you know, we're messy people.

Em's side of the bedroom looks like a bomb went off in Zara.

We could change.

Yeah, right. Sorry, mate. It's got to be a no from us.

Si.

I'm just being practical.

Where's next? Brent Cross.

A one-bed just came on, a bit more conventional than this.

So, what do you think?

I think somewhere like this shouldn't be left empty.

Not for three years.

Feels like...

..it's waiting for someone.

Bye, house.

CHILD CRYING

It's all right.

Question one. "Please make a list of every possession

"you consider essential to your life."

And then he's left space for about five things.

THEY LAUGH

Yes, but you can see his point.

He's a minimalist architect.

If you've designed something for a certain way of living,

why let people just do what they want with it?

Look, are you sure about this?

Why wouldn't I be?

The house is amazing, honestly.

I could help you redecorate that bedroom.

And you...you could just think about getting some counselling.

I don't want to redecorate the bedroom.

Besides, living in a... a different way,

a different place...

..I think it'll help.

"Please make a list of every possession

"you consider essential to your life."

Em, we're not doing it.

I'm just reading it.

You know what, though?

I think that's a trick question.

Cos he's not really into stuff, remember?

I think the smart thing would be to leave this answer blank.

Yeah, because we're not filling it in.

Yeah. So we're agreed on question one.

Question two.

"Would you sacrifice yourself to save ten innocent strangers?"

Maybe I could start a blog.

My Minimalist Journey.

Emma Matthews, the princess of less.

You haven't posted anything on the last one you set up.

Yeah, cos I've not had any time because...

..I'm always clearing up clutter.

Oh, clearing up? Uh-huh.

This must be the only flat in London where the burglar left it

tidier than the occupants.

Fucking hell, Si.

Not funny.

Em... You promised we'd move out!

HEAVY THUD

DOOR CREAKING

WIND WHISTLING

WIND CHIMES JANGLING

This is so cool. I know.

Let's not get our hopes up, though.

It's just an interview.

PHONE PINGS

"Welcome, Emma and Simon.

"Please make your way to the ground floor."

How do they know we're here?

Emma, Simon, hi.

I'll take you to Edward.

They're here.

Ah. Come in.

Thank you.

Coffee?

It's good to meet you, mate.

I'm Simon. This is my girlfriend, Emma.

Er, please.

Coffee would be great. Thanks.

So...

Tell me why you'd like to live at 1 Folgate Street.

Well, it would obviously be a great opportunity

to live somewhere incredible.

You've done such a fantastic job of designing it,

and we'll just... try and do it justice.

And it would really just be our dream to live there.

Wouldn't it, Si?

Uh, definitely.

And I think it will change us.

In what way?

We were burgled.

Well, I was. Simon was out with his mates.

The burglar had a knife.

Carry on.

I think 1 Folgate Street could...

..help me be a stronger person.

Someone who wouldn't just stand there...

..and let someone like that walk all over me.

If that makes any sense.

Your coffee. Thank you.

Oh! Jeez, Emma!

I'll get a cloth. No need, no need. No need.

Alyssia.

Dispose of them, would you?

Don't worry, don't worry. They were very bad drawings.

I should have abandoned them weeks ago.

Mate, I am so sorry.

A word of advice, Simon.

You never apologise for someone you love.

It makes you look like a prick.

I'll let you know.

Thank you for coming, Emma.

You too, Simon.

I could have you struck off. By all means, try.

For fuck's sake, I worked on that house for six months!

It was a different house.

The house you worked on never would have won.

Fuck you.

Jane Cavendish.

Of course.

Come in.

Did you win? Please.

Win what? That argument.

Oh.

That was nothing.

A former partner.