Lovett is sitting crossed legged on the floor of her living room in front the coffee table which is heavy with the Chinese take away on it. Die is sitting on the sofa on the opposite side of the table to Lovett and there is an open laptop at the far end of the table facing Lovett. They are both eating but Lovett is staring at Die; something is playing on her mind.
Die: “Why are you looking at me like that?”
Lovett: “Like what?”
Die: “I don’t know.”
Lovett: “I can’t help you then, can I?”
Die: “You are such a pain. Like you are studying for a test. Or like you are in biology class and really overly enjoying dissecting a cow’s eyes.”
Lovett: “You know, there are times when you have an amazing way with words and then there are other times, like now for instance, when you talk like a complete tit.”
Die: “And you have a god given talent for avoiding the question.”
Lovett: “Do you believe in god then?”
Die: “Your avoidance is a near perfect art form in fact.”
Lovett: “You going to eat that spring roll?”
Die: “It’s all yours.”
Lovett: “Thanks.”
Lovett grabs the spring roll and dips into the sweet and sour sauce up to half way and starts munching it.
Lovett: “Why did that little girl want you to carry her to the ambulance and not me?”
Die: “Maybe she is just an excellent judge of character?”
Lovett: “You’re a severe looking bloke in a suit and she knew you had a gun by then…”
Die: “Severe?”
Lovett: “And yet she wanted you…” “… to protect her.”
Die: “Has that offended you in some way?”
Lovett: “No, I’d want you to protect me too… if I was that scared. Which, is the point… I’m wondering what it is she is so scared of.”
Die moves the laptop to face him and starts reading.
Die: “Well, she doesn’t match the description of any child reported missing in the last two years. The medical repost says that she has no signs of physical abuse or injuries at all, not even any scares. They think she is nine or ten years old; slightly under weight for her height and they can’t find any physical reason why she is mute.”
Lovett: “Child psychologist report?”
Die: “There isn’t one yet.”
Lovett: “DNA tests?”
Die: “Awaiting results. There is a note from social services saying, she is virtually unresponsive to anyone or anything other than food. Maybe you two are related?”
Lovett: “She was responsive to you. Her little arms were so tight around your neck I thought she was trying to strangle you.”
Die: “We don’t even know the poor little sods name…”
Lovett is slowing (which is unlike her) eating her spring roll and staring into Die’s eye but seemingly not seeing him.
Die: “Okay; I can see we have stumbled on to something that you’re not going to let go of. You want to go and see her tomorrow don’t you?”
Lovett: “Yes. Very much.”
Die: “I doubt she will talk to you.”
Lovett: “I know she won’t; I want to see how reacts to seeing you again.”
Die: “You think I make her feel safe?”
Lovett: “Yes, but it’s more than that, she didn’t even make eye contact with me but she did with you. She listened to what you said; she didn’t seem to notice I was there at all. There is something about you that made her trust you and I want to know that is and I want to know what the hell is going on!”
Lovett’s eyes focus as if seeing Die at last.
Lovett: “You don’t have much experience with kids do you?”
Die: “Other than being one for a while, no not really.”
Lovett: “I can’t imagine you as a young boy.”
Die: “I was shorter but still as charming as I am now.”
Lovett stands up and goes over to her book shelves and starts looking at the books.
Die: “What are you doing?”
Lovett: “I have a dictionary here somewhere.”
Die: “And you are looking for it now because…?”
Lovett: “Because, apparently…”
She pulls out a large English dictionary and brings it with her as she sits back down on the floor and she starts leafing through the pages.
Lovett: “’Charming’ doesn’t mean what I thought it meant.”
Die: “You cheeky sod.”
Lovett: “Ah here we are…”
She silently reads it. And then closes the book and puts it down next to her.
Lovett: “Nope. I was right you were wrong.” “I bet you were a right sod when you were a little boy.”
Die is now looking at Lovett with a look of concentration on his face.
Lovett: “Why are you looking at me like that?”
Die: “Like what?”
Lovett: “I don’t know.”
Die: “I can’t help you then, can I?”
Lovett: “You can pack it in! What?”
Die: “I was trying to picture you as a ten year old girl.”
Lovett: “And?”
Die: “All I can see is that frightened little mute girl we found today.”
Lovett: “We’re going to see her tomorrow.”
Die: “Yes. Yes we are.”
Cut to black.
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All these little pieces weave themselves into such a detailed pattern depicting the lives of the characters, fleshing them out, making them feel so real and alive. I hope there will be more stories for a very long time indeed. ❤