CHAPTER 2

Bill and Lili entered the tea room, and they immediately spotted Karl and Margaret.

LILI

Here we are.

MARGARET

Finally.

Bill and Lili sat down, and they all ordered a cup of good old English tea.

KARL

Darling, your show was amazing tonight. Well your show's always great, but tonight it was a firework! Don't you think so Major Larrabee?

BILL

Yes, it was breathtakingly amazing.

LILI – blushing

Thank you.

MARGARET

Especially the finale … what a highlight! Your kiss seemed so real. My girl's a damn good actress! I had under-estimated your talent dear.

LILI

But …

MARGARET

And you Bill, I must admit that you are a great actor. For how long have you been acting? I guess that you had to stop during the war, so you could join the Army.

BILL

With all the respect I owe you Mrs Smith, I am not an actor, and I don't intend to become one. In fact, I am deeply in love with your daughter.

MARGARET – shocked

You mean … it was a real kiss?

BILL

Yes indeed it was.

KARL

Oh that's so romantic.

MARGARET

Romantic? Yes maybe … But Major, don't you have to go back to America? I mean, I guess you are not a permanent resident.

BILL

Yes I unfortunately have to go back, now the war is over.

LILI

Good God Bill you're joking, aren't you? Tell me this isn't true …

BILL

I am afraid it is darling … I'm so sorry, I thought you knew that I'd have to go back to America. I didn't want our reunion to be spoiled by thoughts about the future, that's why I avoided the topic. Not to hide it from you …

LILI – getting teary

Oh you don't have to feel guilty, it's not your fault. You would stay if you were allowed to, wouldn't you?

BILL

Can you doubt it?

A tear rolled down Lili's cheek. But she forced a smile.

LILI

No, sure not.

KARL

Are you ok my dear?

LILI

Yes I am, don't worry Dad. Just a bit surprised.

Being all deeply involved in the conversation, no one had noticed the angry look of Lili's mother.

KARL

Love isn't easy.

LILI

Yes, but worth it anyway.

MARGARET – upset

Love? Who's talking about love?

LILI

Mother!

MARGARET

What? I've had enough of this! Look at you! Look at what HE's done to you!

KARL

Maggie darling, please.

LILI

It's ok Father. If she's something to say, she'd better say it now, when we're all here. So Mother, what the hell has Bill done to me?

MARGARET

He's broken your heart, and now you look miserable. You believe in something that's never existed.

LILI – stunned and angry

Go on …

MARGARET

We all know how it's gonna end. Like every love story that starts during the war. American soldiers come to help us, and I thank them for that, they flirt with our girls and then, when the war is over, they go back to their country like if nothing had happened. And most of the time, they have a wife and children waiting for them. You both had fun, but now it's time to get back to reality.

LILI

How dare you?

MARGARET

Face it Lili, it wasn't more then just a gentle flirt … and now he's leaving you.

BILL

A gentle flirt? Not more than just a gentle flirt? I LOVE your daughter and you should know that we …

LILI – interrupting

Bill please don't say what I think you were about to say. It's not the best idea, trust me.

MARGARET

What?

LILI

Nothing.

KARL

Lili my dear, your mother isn't completely wrong. You should seriously think about all this. I can see that you love him, eyes never lie, but I don't want you to be hurt. Actually, you both should think about the future … your future, together or apart.

LILI

Father … you too … are against me?

KARL

No, never! But I want the best for you. And I'll be by your side whatever you do.

LILI – sobbing

Thank you Father.

MARGARET

Karl, you're such a coward! You never dare saying anything … it is your daughter we're talking about for God's sake!

KARL

Indeed, and she's a grown-up.

MARGARET

All of this … just makes me sick.

LILI

Ok, I can't stand this anymore! Bill darling, shall we go to some romantic, quiet and PEACEFUL place?

BILL

Of course, I'll take you out for dinner. Erm … if your father agrees.

MARGARET

You won't get away with that so easily my girl!

KARL

Of course I do! And I'll take my tigress back to her cage.

MARGARET

You bastard!

KARL

Have a great evening. But please don't get back too late.

LILI

I won't. Thank you Father.

BILL

Thank you. My Cinderella will be back at midnight.

KARL

Thanks. See you soon

LILI

See you later.

BILL

Bye Mr Smith … erm … and Mrs Smith.

Margaret lift her eyes up to Bill, still angry, and her face all red.

MARGARET

Goodbye Bill. Have a nice journey back to America.

Lili looked at her mother, not saying a word. She held Bill's hand, and almost ran out of the tea room.