SCENE SEVEN

We are faded back into the hospital. The two detectives scribble in their note books.

RACHAEL BLACK

[Narration]

That's why my brother came over. I phoned him after I got into the house and he went over to the Burrow's to talk to David about his crazy wife attacking me.

D.I. THOMPSON

And what is your brother's name?

RACHAEL BLACK

[Narration]

It's Robert. He took Úna with him.

D.C. KELLY

Whose Úna?

RACHAEL BLACK

[Narration]

My dog.

D.C. KELLY

Ohh, right..

D.I. THOMPSON

Where were you when Robert went to the house?

RACHAEL BLACK

[Narration]

In my house, watching from the living room window.

D.I. THOMPSON

Why didn't you go across as well?

RACHAEL BLACK

[Narration]

Robert told me it would be better if I didn't, because Aimee might come to the door. I suppose he didn't want another fight.

D.I. THOMPSON

So what happened while he was at the door?

RACHAEL BLACK

[Narration]

David spoke to him. Then he brought Úna back with David, he looked more embarrassed than annoyed. He actually started apologising for his wife, I almost fell over. I was sure he would have been angry since it was technically him the fight was over.

The hospital noises fade and we hear a television on but the volume is very low.

DAVID BURROW

I'm so sorry about earlier. I don't know why she does this, when she gets an idea in her head she can go...overboard.

RACHAEL BLACK

She seems to think I'm trying to seduce you. I will admit, I may have deliberately tried to wind her up the wrong way with that cake, but I didn't think she would come into the communal garden screaming like a crazed banshee.

ROBERT BLACK

I think what my sister means is she was surprised by your wife's reaction. I don't think she would have given you the cake if she had known it would have provoked her...Right Rachael?

RACHAEL agrees but she says it in a way that it's obvious that she really wouldn't have done anything differently and regrets nothing.

RACHAEL BLACK

No I wouldn't have...given you the cake.

The hospital noises fade back in.

RACHAEL BLACK

[Narration]

We spoke for a while and the general gist of the conversation was that Mrs Burrow was a nut case, and David was the one that ended up making peace with the neighbours she pissed off.

The hospital fades and we are back in the living room with the television on low. We can hear the door being closed and a gentle thud of feet coming into the living room.

RACHAEL BLACK

[To her puppy Úna under her breath]

Here he comes, are you ready for it Úna?

ROBERT BLACK

Why is it that you only ever phone me when you need me to fix your mess?

RACHAEL BLACK

Because your my big brother and it is your duty to take care of me.

ROBERT BLACK

You better hope that this is the last of it, if you keep winding that psycho up then you'll regret it.

RACHAEL BLACK

I wouldn't dream of it brother dear.

ROBERT BLACK

I'm being serious Rachael. You've only just moved in here, I'm not moving your crap again because your neighbours don't like you.

RACHAEL BLACK

Okay, look, I'll just pay money next time and wear a berka!

ROBERT BLACK

Now you're just being childish.

The door bell rings and the dog start's barking.

ROBERT BLACK

I'll get it.

He plops the still barking puppy back into the living room and closes the door behind him before he answers the door.

We hear the sounds of the hospital mixed with the sound of the living room and slightly muffled voices.

D.I. THOMPSON

So who was at the door?

RACHAEL BLACK

It was Aimee Burrow. She came over to invite me and Robert across for dinner the next day.

We hear the sounds of the hospital.

D.

And you agreed to go? To put aside bad feeling?

RACHAEL BLACK

[Narration]

I agreed to nothing. My brother did that and I had no choice in the matter.

END OF SCENE SEVEN