The Seven-Thirty Train by The G Project

THE

SEVEN THIRTY TRAIN

The seven thirty train

FADE IN: EXT. VILLAGE OF COWEN, DAY A car passes a sign with ’Welcome to Cowen, Norfolk’s Friendliest Village’ written on it. INT. TRAIN STATION, DAY The station is quite small with only two ticket desks. There are a handful of travellers passing through. ISLA BRENDAN (36), a slim and well-groomed woman, enters with a suitcase. She approaches the ticket desk where ARCHIE COOPER (38), a more rough and ready sort, and DAVE (55) sit. ISLA One single for the seven thirty toARCHIE (Interrupting) Dover? Here you are. Archie prints off the ticket and hands it to her. He smiles at her and she smiles back, taking the ticket. Thank you.

ISLA

Isla heads for the platform. EXT. TRAIN PLATFORM, DAY Isla stands on the platform. The train pulls up and she disappears from view. The train leaves and Isla is still standing on the platform. She stamps her foot in frustration, causing other people on the platform to look at her. Shit!

ISLA

INT. TRAIN STATION, DAY Isla walks through the station and leaves. Archie watches her.

(CONTINUED)

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2. ARCHIE (To Dave) I don’t know how she can afford to do that every week. DAVE Well, when you’re that crazy, money doesn’t matter, does it? Maybe.

ARCHIE

DAVE I reckon she’s a glue sniffer. I’ve been reading about it and apparently it turns you into a nut job. ARCHIE Right. I’m going to get a coffee. Archie exits. EXT. TRAIN STATION, DAY LEWIS BRENDAN (38) stands outside, waiting for Isla. He is wearing a blue jumper and jeans, which he will always appear in. Isla exits the station and sees Lewis. He has a smug smile on his face. They walk away together. Shut up.

ISLA

LEWIS I didn’t say anything! ISLA I’m leaving one day, I promise you. Lewis shakes his head. ISLA Piss off, Lewis! And move back, I’m freezing! Archie exits the station and looks on to see Isla walking away, alone.

The seven thirty train

3. INT. PUB, EVENING Archie sits with his friends NICK (40) and PAUL (38), all drinking beers. They all look very casual, relaxed and happy. The pub is a typical country pub with a few drinkers, particularly elderly men who don’t seem to say very much to each other. Archie looks out the window to see Isla walking down the street, seemingly arguing with the air. PAUL You’re getting over Ruth, I see.

What?

ARCHIE (Snapping his head around)

PAUL Eyeing up Miss Crazy Train over there. Paul and Nick laugh. ARCHIE I wasn’t eyeing her up. NICK You were. It was the classic stalker stare. PAUL Yeah, like this up against the window. Paul widens his eyes and licks his lips. Paul and Nick laugh. ARCHIE The level of intelligence in this room never ceases to amaze me. Paul and Nick smirk then sip their drinks. ARCHIE (Tentatively) So does anyone know if she is seeing someone? Paul and Nick exchange confused glances.

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4. PAUL I don’t think she sees anyone unless they want to buy a stamp. NICK You know she talks to herself, don’t you? Like, has an actual conversation with thin air. PAUL My mum said she was outside her house once and Isla was screaming ’Lewis, just leave me alone!’ NICK Weird. Some people just can’t handle bereavement.

They all drink. ARCHIE Another round? Paul and Nick push their empty glasses towards Archie in unison. EXT. TRAIN PLATFORM, DAY Isla stands on the platform with her suitcase, looking agitated. Lewis stands next to her. ISLA (Whispered) Please, just go! LEWIS If you say you’re definitely going this time then I want to see it. The train pulls up. LEWIS Go on, go on, go on... SHUT UP!

ISLA

The people on the platform stare at Isla, who appears to be shouting at the air. Lewis has vanished.

(CONTINUED) The seven thirty train

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5. LEWIS Please, Isla. You can’t leave me on my own.

Isla picks up her suitcase. She looks at Lewis and then at the train. The train leaves. Isla exits. INT. TRAIN STATION, MORNING Archie sits at his desk next to Dave as Isla and Lewis walk past. Isla!

ARCHIE

Isla and Lewis both stop and look at Archie. Archie walks over to Isla. LEWIS What the hell does he want? ISLA Hi, Archie... ARCHIE How are you? ISLA I’m all right, thanks. Everything okay? LEWIS Don’t talk to him! He’s being nosey like the rest of them! ARCHIE Yeah, I’m fine. Where are you off now? Lewis stands between Isla and Archie, his face just centimetres away from Archie’s. Archie is oblivious to his presence. LEWIS I don’t like him. I never did.

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Shut up! Sorry?

ISLA ARCHIE

ISLA (Moving away from Lewis) Pardon? ARCHIE You said... Lewis pulls faces right in front of Archie’s face but Archie is oblivious. ARCHIE (Moving closer to Isla, part of his body passes through Lewis) Never mind. Have you got any plans for tonight? LEWIS (Sarcastic) That’s right, just walk right through me! ISLA Sorry, Archie, I really have to go. Isla begins to leave. Lewis follows. LEWIS (Turning around) Wanker! Isla and Lewis exit. INT. POST OFFICE, DAY DOT (64), a conservatively dressed lady who is a typical busybody, and Isla sit behind a counter, drinking tea. DOT So have you been seeing Lewis lately? What?!

ISLA

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7. DOT Some of the girls from the W.I. have been saying they heard you shouting at Lewis. ISLA Dot, Lewis died three years ago.

Dot drinks her tea. ISLA Why don’t you ever gossip about anyone else, hmm? Archie enters. DOT Hello, love. What can we do for you today? ARCHIE I just wanted a quick chat with Isla, actually. DOT Oh. I’ll go make myself another cup of tea, then. Dot winks at Isla and then leaves. ARCHIE I wanted to say sorry for yesterday. I was worried my bumbling idiot performance made you feel uncomfortable. ISLA No, it’s fine. ARCHIE Good. Friends, then? ISLA (Confused) Uhh... okay? ARCHIE Good. If you’re free tonight I’ll be in the pub at around seven if you fancy a drink. Isla opens her mouth to speak. (CONTINUED) 7

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8. ARCHIE Don’t say anything. If you want to go I’ll see you there. Bye!

Archie leaves. INT. ISLA’S LIVING ROOM, NIGHT Lewis sits at the dining table. Isla enters with a plate of spaghetti carbonara and sits opposite Lewis. She has a thick jumper and jeans on. Lewis stares at her excitedly as she eats. Isla avoids his gaze for a moment before looking up. ISLA Watching me eat isn’t going to make you feel any better. What?

LEWIS

ISLA You’re trying to make me feel bad for being alive! You might not need to eat but I do, okay?! LEWIS I’m not tryISLA (Interrupting) "I’d love to eat that Isla", "I wish we could kiss, Isla", "Please don’t leave me, Isla-" LEWIS (Interrupting) All right! Isla starts to eat again. LEWIS Anyway, I think I’ve found the solution to our problem. Isla continues to eat, looking at him. LEWIS Rather than you trying to run away every week I’ve found a way for us (MORE) (CONTINUED) The seven thirty train

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9. LEWIS (cont’d) to be together like a proper couple. All you have to do is kill yourself. ISLA (Her mouth filled with spaghetti) What?! LEWIS Think about it. I can’t be alive but you can be dead. With me.

Lewis smiles, very pleased with himself. Isla stares at him in shock. LEWIS If you’re concerned about the suicide thing I’m pretty sure you won’t go to hell. But I can always do it if it makes you feel better. ISLA (Sarcastic) Thanks. LEWIS Anything for you. ISLA You do realise that this is ridiculous, don’t you? Me dying isn’t going to solve anything! LEWIS Yes, it will! Think how great it would be if we were both ghosts together forever! ISLA I’m not ready to die, yet! The doorbell rings. ISLA Who the hell is this now?! Isla leaves.

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10. INT. ISLA’S HALLWAY, NIGHT Isla opens the door to reveal PAM (68), a quaint-looking woman, clearly faking a smile. ISLA (Annoyed) Hi, Pam. Lewis appears out of thin air behind Isla. LEWIS Not this old cow again. PAM (Not looking at Isla at all but around the hallway) Hello, love. I thought I heard shouting so I just wanted to check you were okay. ISLA I’m fine, thanks. There was no shouting. LEWIS Well, there was. ISLA (To Lewis) Can you just go away for five minutes?! Excuse me?

PAM

LEWIS If you were dead right now you wouldn’t have to talk to her. ISLA (To Pam) I appreciate your concern but there’s nothing to worry about. Have a nice evening. Isla shuts the door. ISLA We wouldn’t have this problem if you could behave!

(CONTINUED)

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11. LEWIS Behave? I’m not a naughty schoolboy... or is that what you’re into now? ISLA Jesus! I’m going out!

Isla grabs her coat and bag. She opens the door but it slams shut, seemingly by itself. ISLA (Turning to Lewis) Open the door! LEWIS No. We need to talk. ISLA Open the bloody door! Lewis stares at her. Isla tries to open the door but it won’t move. She pauses for a moment before aggressively kicking the door, forcing it open. EXT. ISLA’S HOUSE, EVENING Isla walks out of the house. ISLA Don’t you dare follow me, you psycho! Two teenagers see her walking away. TEENAGER #1 I remember when she used to teach us. You know, before she went mental. TEENAGER #2 Yeah, looks like she got into Wuthering Heights a bit too much. Teenager #1 nods.

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12. INT. PUB, NIGHT Archie sits clock: it’s to the bar. happy face,

alone, finishing his pint. He looks at the half past seven. He picks up the glass and heads The landlord, JOHN (63), a broad man with a stands behind the bar.

JOHN Same again? Please.

ARCHIE

JOHN (Pulling the pint) I’d stay away from her if I was you, son. Pardon?

ARCHIE

JOHN Stay away from Isla, she’s doolally. ARCHIE How did you know that I was waiting for Isla? JOHN Intuition. Plus Dot overheard you in the post office and had to tell me. John places the pint on the bar. JOHN Just be careful, okay? She’s got serious problems. Isla enters. The whole pub stares at her apart from Archie as he has his back to her. John nods in Isla’s direction and Archie turns around. Archie smiles. Isla walks over to him. Hi. Drink?

ARCHIE

(CONTINUED) The seven thirty train

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13. ISLA A small white wine, please. JOHN Coming up. I’ll bring it over.

Archie and Isla head towards a table and sit down. ARCHIE Everyone’s staring at us. ISLA Yeah, that’s what happens when you affiliate with the local lunatic. ARCHIE You’re not a lunatic. ISLA That’s sweet but we both know I am. John walks over and places the wine on the table. JOHN On the house. ISLA Oh. Thank you. John walks away. ISLA Maybe being the scary crazy lady does have its perks! Lewis suddenly appears out of thin air sitting on the chair next to Isla.

Shit!

ISLA (Jumping)

LEWIS You left me alone to go and meet this clown? ARCHIE Are you okay? ISLA Yeah, sorry. Got a shiver.

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14. ARCHIE Me too. I feel quite cold all of a sudden. LEWIS You know that he’s slept with half the village, don’t you? ARCHIE I hope you don’t think this is too forward but I was wondering... why Dover? LEWIS He’s probably riddled with God knows what. ISLA Oh... ummm... no one has ever asked me that before. Sorry.

ARCHIE

LEWIS Yeah, you nosey bugger. ISLA (Whispering to Lewis) Piss off! (To Archie) Sorry, not you. It’s silly, really. When I was little I always thought that Dover was the gateway to the world because once you got to Calais you were in Europe and then there was the whole world to explore. LEWIS Tell him we had our honeymoon there. Go on. ARCHIE That’s sweet. LEWIS I bet he doesn’t even know where Calais is. Probably thinks it’s a stripper he copped off with.

(CONTINUED) The seven thirty train

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15. ISLA (To Lewis) At least he can cop off with someone! Who?

ARCHIE

ISLA Umm... (Looking around the pub) George. Isla nods towards GEORGE (68), sitting at the bar with a pint, asleep. ISLA Now that his wife’s died he can cop off with anyone! LEWIS Is that why you’ve been nagging me to cross over? So you can sleep with him?! ISLA I’m really sorry but I’ve got this awful headache. I really shouldn’t have come out tonight. I’ll see you soon. Isla puts on her coat and leaves. LEWIS (To Archie) Lewis, one. Archie, ZERO! Lewis dances out of the pub. INT. ISLA’S BEDROOM, DAY Isla sleeps. A pillow floats above her head, edging closer to her face. As the pillow touches her cheek she quickly wakes up and SCREAMS. Lewis stands near the bed, watching the pillow. LEWIS It’s okay, Isla, just relax. (CONTINUED) 15

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16.

The pillow pins Isla to the bed, covering her face. She writhes around, trying to pull it away. LEWIS If you could just calm down this won’t take nearly half as long. ISLA LEWIS, YOU BASTARD! LEWIS Not loving the smothering? Maybe we should try something else. The pillow flies away from Isla’s face and lands next to her on the bed. ISLA WILL YOU PLEASE STOP TRYING TO KILL ME?! LEWIS I really don’t know what your problem is. The sooner you let me kill you the sooner we will be happy. ISLA How many times do I have to tell you that I don’t want to die?! First it was the flying kitchen knives which I had to dodge, then it was the falling wardrobe which I managed to run away from, and now you’re trying to fucking smother me! LEWIS Well, if you weren’t so resistant to the first two... ISLA (Interrupting) I’m getting on that train today and I’m never coming back! You can spend eternity in this pissing village by yourself! Isla storms out of the room.

The seven thirty train

17. INT. TRAIN STATION, DAY Isla enters with a suitcase and approaches Archie at his desk. ISLA Hi. One single to Dover, please. ARCHIE (Printing the ticket) How have you been? I haven’t heard from you since last week. ISLA I know, sorry. ARCHIE (Handing her the ticket) Do you want to do something tonight? ISLA I can’t, sorry, I’m going to Dover. Isla heads to the platform. EXT. TRAIN PLATFORM, DAY Isla stands on the platform. The train approaches and she gets on with her suitcase. She sits down and the doors close. The train starts to move but comes to a halt almost immediately. TRAIN DRIVER (V.O.) Sorry, ladies and gents, we seem to have an unknown technical difficulty. I’ll try and get us moving again as soon as I can. Lewis suddenly appears on the seat next to her. ISLA (Sarcastic) Oh, great. I suppose this is your fault? LEWIS Please come home. I promise I won’t try to kill you. Isla ignores him. (CONTINUED)

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18. LEWIS Please, Isla. You know I can’t cope without you.

Isla looks out of the window and sees a bird sitting on a bench. It flies away. ISLA Lucky bugger. Isla grabs her suitcase and exits the train. Lewis smiles and then disappears. INT. ISLA’S LOUNGE, NIGHT Isla sits on the sofa, drinking tea. Lewis enters. LEWIS Nice cuppa? Isla pauses as the mug touches her lips. ISLA Have you done something to this? I thought it tasted funny! Isla stands, exits to the kitchen. LEWIS No! I promise! Isla re-enters without the mug of tea. ISLA Can we talk without you getting angry or acting like a child, please? I suppose.

LEWIS

Isla sits next to him. ISLA You know I love you, I always have, and you know that’s why I never get on that bloody train.

(CONTINUED) The seven thirty train

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19.

Yes.

LEWIS

ISLA But this isn’t normal, Lewis. LEWIS I’m aware of that. That’s why I think if you just died we could be really really happy. ISLA How selfish can you get?! For starters, there’s no guarantee I’ll even become a ghost and secondly, I DON’T WANT TO DIE! But-

LEWIS

ISLA (Interrupting) Why can’t you just try and cross over? The doorbell rings. ISLA Perfect! If this is Pam, again, I’m going to turn her into a ghost! Isla exits. INT. ISLA’S HALLWAY, NIGHT Isla opens the door to find Archie standing on the doorstep. Oh. Hi.

ISLA

ARCHIE Hi. Are you busy? ISLA Yeah, sorry. ARCHIE Can I come in for like ten minutes? I promise I won’t stay long.

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20.

Umm... Please?

ISLA ARCHIE

Isla steps back and gestures for him to come in. Archie enters. INT. ISLA’S LOUNGE, NIGHT Archie enters, followed by Isla. LEWIS (Sarcastic) Oh, great. Would it be okay if I killed him? ISLA So what’s wrong? ARCHIE Nothing’s wrong, I just... I’m not sure, actually. ISLA Archie, I really haven’t got time for this. LEWIS Yeah, you tell him, babe! Isla shoots Lewis an angry look. Lewis sits on the sofa like a scolded child. ARCHIE Have I pissed you off or something? We seemed to be having a nice time at the pubISLA You haven’t pissed me off at all. I’m going through some stuff at the moment and I don’t want to lead you on. ARCHIE But it’s been three years, don’t you think it’s time to move on? (CONTINUED) The seven thirty train

CONTINUED:

21.

NO!

LEWIS (Standing up)

ISLA (To Lewis) Stop it! ARCHIE And who the hell are you talking to all the time? You know there’s no one there, don’t you? ISLA There is, actually. LEWIS Now he’s definitely going to think you’re mental! ISLA It’s Lewis. ARCHIE Your dead husband? ISLA Yes. I’m not crazy, I can see his ghost. Archie moves back slightly. ISLA I bet you’re feeling really cold right now, aren’t you? So?

ARCHIE

Isla nods towards a thermostat on the wall. It’s turned to ’MAX’. LEWIS Come on, Isla, he’s not worth all of this. He won’t get it. ISLA That’s because Lewis is in this room. (Turning to Lewis) Show him.

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22. No.

LEWIS

ARCHIE I think I’d better go. ISLA No! I’m going to prove to you that I’m not mental. (To Lewis) If you love me you’ll do this. Lewis sighs before focusing on a vase that is on the coffee table. ISLA (To Archie) Watch that vase. Lewis stares at the vase until it smashes into tiny pieces. Archie jumps. Jesus!

ARCHIE

Archie turns his head in the direction of Lewis. ARCHIE Fuck! I can see you! You’re... you’re by the sofa. Fuck! LEWIS You can see me? ARCHIE Yes! But you’re dead! But you’re thereISLA Why don’t you sit down for a moment? ARCHIE No, this is fucking crazy! ISLA I know butARCHIE (Interrupting) How can he just appear from nowhere?! (CONTINUED) The seven thirty train

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23. ISLA Please, Archie, if youARCHIE (Interrupting) I’m going!

Archie runs out of the house. INT. PUB, DAY Archie sits by the bar drinking whiskey. There are two empty whiskey glasses next to him. There are a few punters, mainly elderly men. Isla enters and walks over to Archie. Hi.

ARCHIE

ISLA (Nodding towards his whiskey) Still in shock? Hmmm.

ARCHIE

ISLA I know last night freaked you out but I wanted you to see that I’m not this mad, grieving woman that everyone wants me to be. ARCHIE I know, it was just a massive shock, that’s all. I don’t know how you’ve lived with all of this for so long. ISLA Me neither. And now he’s trying to kill me... ARCHIE What?! Why won’t you just leave him?! ISLA Because... he’s still my husband. I can’t leave him on his own. (CONTINUED) 23

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24. ARCHIE Yes you can. He’s made your life a mess for three years! And now he’s apparently trying to murder you! ISLA I don’t want to have this conversation. I only wanted to make sure you were okay.

Isla exits. EXT. PUB, DAY Isla walks away from the pub. Archie runs after her. ARCHIE Isla! Wait! Isla stops and turns around. ARCHIE I know you’re scared but you don’t have to do this on your own. Archie kisses her and Isla reciprocates. She pulls away. ISLA We shouldn’t have done that. ARCHIE Why not? Isla, if you want to live a normal life you have to start doing what you want to do, including leaving this place. ISLA I know! But I can’t! ARCHIE Let’s get the train to Dover next Monday. That gives Lewis just under a week to come to terms with it or to... cross over or whatever. Isla looks at him for a moment. Okay.

ISLA

Isla kisses his cheek.

The seven thirty train

25. INT. ISLA’S LOUNGE, DAY Isla enters to find Lewis sitting at the dining table. The table is covered with different-sized and coloured pill bottles. ISLA What’s all this? LEWIS I didn’t know which ones you would prefer so I stole them all from the chemist. I thought an overdose might be a calmer approach. ISLA This has to stop! I’m leaving with Archie for Dover on Monday and it’s up to you whether you cross over or not but I can’t cope with this anymore! Isla exits. Lewis looks angry and causes all of the lids on the pill bottles to fly off. INT. POST OFFICE, DAY Isla sits behind the counter. Archie stands on the other side. ISLA I’ve always wanted to see Sugarloaf Mountain. ARCHIE We can do that. Isla smiles. ARCHIE Just think, a month ago you were trapped in a crazy relationship and now you’re about to travel the world with an Adonis! ISLA You think a lot of yourself! And I wasn’t trapped, I just...

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26. ARCHIE Couldn’t live your life?

Isla looks annoyed. ARCHIE Don’t be like that. (Leaning against the glass) Come on, let me in and we can have a snog. Isla smiles, stands up and opens the door in the counter. They kiss. EXT. CEMETERY, DAY It’s a sunny day. Isla walks up a gravel path and approaches a headstone. She kneels next to it. It reads "LEWIS HENRY BRENDAN, 19752009, FOREVER MISSED." She has tears in her eyes. ISLA I’m sorry. I know it was meant to be forever. Lewis appears standing behind her. ISLA I’ll always love you. Isla cries for a moment. Lewis watches her. LEWIS I love you, too. Isla turns around. ISLA (Standing up) How did you know I’d be here? LEWIS I heard Dot mentioning to someone that you were heading this way. How often have you been coming here? ISLA (Quite tearful) Once a week. I even bring flowers, sometimes. (CONTINUED) The seven thirty train

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27. LEWIS I’m sorry I’ve been such a dick. I... I just can’t imagine being without you. AndISLA (Interrupting) It’s okay. I know. LEWIS I wish I could hug you. Me, too.

ISLA

LEWIS I’m going to miss you so much. ISLA What do you mean? A bright light appears behind Lewis. He turns and looks into it. ISLA (Worried) What’s that? What’s happening? LEWIS I think it means it’s time for me to go. You’re going to have an incredible life, Isla, I know it. I love you. ISLA (Crying) I love you, too. ButLEWIS (Interrupting) Goodbye, sweetheart. Lewis turns around and walks into the light. The light and Lewis both continually fade until they disappear. Isla looks at the headstone once more.

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28. INT. TRAIN STATION, DAY Archie stands with a suitcase. He looks at a clock. The time is quarter past seven. INT. ISLA’S HALLWAY, DAY Isla puts on her coat, grabs her suitcase and exits. INT. TRAIN STATION, DAY Archie is still standing in the station. The clock now reads twenty-five past seven. Dave enters with an envelope in his hand. DAVE Oi! I’ve got something for you. Dave hands the envelope to Archie. DAVE That crazy woman of yours gave it to me last night. Archie opens the envelope and takes out a letter. ISLA (V.O.) Dearest Archie, I’m so sorry that I couldn’t tell you this face to face but you have such a charm that I’m worried if I ever spoke to you again I would jump on that train with you and make us both miserable for a very long time. INT. TAXI, DAY Isla sits in the back, looking out the window as she passes through Cowen. Some of the locals look at her and she smiles at them. I think I’m not crossed made me

The seven thirty train

ISLA (V.O.) you can probably tell that going away with you. Lewis over a few days ago and it realise something.

29. INT. TRAIN STATION, DAY Archie reads the letter. ISLA (V.O.) As much as I wanted him still felt scared about own and when you showed in me I thought I could have a normal life with

to leave I being on my an interest actually someone.

EXT. AIRPORT, DAY Isla enters the airport with her suitcase. ISLA (V.O.) I’m ready to leave Cowen and all its memories and that is all thanks to you, but now that I’m a normal woman I’m worried that my appeal will fade. After all, what do we actually have in common? INT. TRAIN STATION, DAY Archie reads the letter. ISLA (V.O.) I hope you don’t hate me too much and I urge you to get out of that place, too. You’re far too open-minded to stay there and they’ll soon be gossiping about why I left and why you didn’t stop me. I wish you nothing but the very best of luck, love, Isla. DAVE What does it say? Archie re-reads the letter and turns it over, looking on the back, but there is nothing written on it. DAVE Archie? You all right? ARCHIE (Raised voice) No, not really!

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30. DAVE Okay! No need to shout! What’s happened? ARCHIE She’s not coming! We were going to leave this sodding village together but she’s already sod off by herself!

Archie scrunches up the letter into a ball. ARCHIE After everything I’ve done for her! I was meant to be the one who took her away from all of you! DAVE Charming. I’m not surprised she left. Who could possibly live with someone so self-righteous? ARCHIE I just wanted to give her a better life! DAVE Well, maybe she thinks she can do that for herself. Archie glares at Dave for a moment. I’m out.

ARCHIE

Archie grabs his suitcase and exits through the barriers. INT. PLANE, DAY Isla looks out of the window as the plane takes off. FADE OUT.

THE END

The seven thirty train

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