MIRANDA
…I can't explain right now, Stevie, but it's very important.
MIRANDA LEAVES THE SHOP AND GOES UPSTAIRS. STEVIE STARES AFTER HER.
IN THE FLAT, MIRANDA IS PACING, DEEP IN THOUGHT.
DAVID ENTERS UNSEEN. HE WATCHES MIRANDA FOR A MOMENT UNTIL SHE SENSES HIS PRESENCE AND TURNS TO SEE HIM STANDING THERE. HE INSTANTLY TURNS ON THE CHARM.
DAVID
Miranda; is everything alright?
MIRANDA
Yes, David. Gary and I… well, it's complicated. You know what he's like.
DAVID
I do.
MIRANDA
Tell me, David; why did you stop hanging around with me and Gary all those years ago?
DAVID
I had hoped you'd never ask me that Miranda. But I promised myself, that if you did, I'd tell you the truth.
MIRANDA
Well, I've asked you, so please tell me.
DAVID
It was Gary. He said three's a crowd and that he didn't want me around any more. I said we were all close friends, and why couldn't it stay that way. He told me that you and he were more than that. I was shattered. I couldn't tell you at the time, but I'd always had feelings for you, Miranda. I suppose Gary guessed that and wanted you all to himself.
MIRANDA
But you've come back, David. Why now? After all these years.
DAVID
It was my birthday a few weeks ago. I've had a lot of success in my life, Miranda, I have my own house, a good job, more money than I can spend. I should be happy. But I'm not. I'm not happy because I don't have anyone to share my life with. I've just never got over how I felt about you. How I still feel about you. I had to know if you could ever feel the same.
MIRANDA
I wish you'd told me all this before, David. Gary and I are just friends; I don't think we'll ever be more than that. And I'm like you in some ways; I've got this flat, my own business, but there's always been something missing. Perhaps you're the thing that's been missing.
DAVID
Do you mean that, Miranda? Really?
MIRANDA
Yes, I do.
DAVID
Wow; that's… well, that's amazing. I can't tell you how that makes me feel. Miranda; let's not waste another moment. Let's just get married and be together forever.
MIRANDA
It's very sudden; and very rash. But yes, let's do it!
DAVID
I'll phone my parents! Let's do it right away; what date is good for you?
MIRANDA
Well, I can't do next weekend; that's Tilly's wedding.
DAVID
What about the day after tomorrow?
MIRANDA
Really?
DAVID
Really.
DAVID APPROACHES MIRANDA AND TAKES HER HANDS IN HIS, GAZING DEEPLY INTO HER EYES.
MIRANDA FEELS RATHER GIDDY. DAVID REALLY IS ASTONISHINGLY GOOD LOOKING AND SHE DOESN'T STOP HIM WHEN HE GENTLY BENDS HIS HEAD AND KISSES HER SOFTLY ON THE LIPS.
AFTER A FEW MOMENTS THEY ARE INTERRUPTED BY PENNY, BURSTING INTO THE ROOM.
PENNY
Darling, only me, I wanted to…. Oh! Oh! David! I'll go.
MIRANDA
No, don't go, Mum. We have something to tell you.