Hare - Skylight

A first-floor flat in north-west London. There is a corniced plaster ceiling, and underneath the evidence of a room well lived in: patterned carpets which have worn to a thread and a long wall of books. The kitchen area at the back of the room looks cluttered and much used. There is a main entrance on to the landing outside. Off to the other side, a bedroom and bathroom.

AtoncethroughthemaindoorcomesKyra Hollis. She is just past thirty. She is returning to her flat, blue with cold. She is quite small, with short hair and a practical manner. She has a heavy overcoat wrapped round her, and is wearing thick woollen gloves. She is carrying three large plastic bags. She puts two down at once on her work table and takes the third into the kitchen area. She takes out a packet of spaghetti and some tins of tomatoes. Then she turns, not taking her coat off as she comes through the main room again. She goes on through into the bedroom. The sound offstage of the bath being turned on. In the kitchen, an Ascot flares.

At the main door, which is still open, a tall young man appears. He is eighteen. He has blue jeans, leather gloves and a denim jacket. He has turned the collar up against the cold. He has a Walkman round his neck. He is also carrying three plastic bags. His name isEdward Sergeant. He comes in a pace or two, then stands, uncertain, hearing the sound of the bath.

After a moment, Kyra reappears on her way back to her shopping bag. She looks across the room, taken aback.

Edward The door was open

Kyra My goodness.

They stand a moment, both lost for what to say next. Then she gestures back offstage.

Just hold on a minute, Id started running a bath.

She goes out. He stands, still not coming further into the room. Then she reappears.

Edward Its my fault.

Kyra No.

Edward I shouldnt have called in like this. Ive grown. Yeah, I know. Everyone says that.

Kyra How tall are you?

But as he blushes, before he can answer, she moves towards him.

Well, will you give me a kiss?

Shekisseshischeek.Thenheraiseshisplasticbags.

Edward I brought these.

Kyra Whats this?

Edward Some beer. Its a present.

Kyra Thank you.

Edward And some rap records. I dont know how much you know about this stuff.

Kyra Nothing.

Edward I just spent 30 in that shop round the corner. Thats why Im here. Its next to the Nepalese restaurant. Theres this great specialist rap shop. All my friends go there. Then I realized you must live round here.

Kyra Thats right. I do.

Edwardwaits,notknowingwhattosay.

Edward I had the spare time. Im in my gap year. If you know what I mean.

Kyra Yes, of course.

Edward Out of school, not yet at university. Im doing what everyone does.

Kyra You have a job?

Edward Yeah. Im selling frankfurters outside football grounds. If you come close you can smell them.

Kyra Its all right, thanks, Ill stay over here.

Shesmiles,butshestillhasnotaskedhimtositdown.

Edward Its freezing.

Kyra I know. Close the door. You gave me a shock standing there.

Edward (asheclosesthedoor) Im feeling embarrassed.

Kyra Why?

Edward Ive never done this.

Kyra Hold on, Ive got a small fire in here.

Edward looks round nervously, as she gets a small electric fire out and plugs it in.

Edward Its a very nice place.

Kyra My God! You are growing up. When did you start saying dumb things like that? Its a very nice place! When I knew you, Edward, you always spoke your mind. You came to the point.

Edward Ah. OK. The point is my father.

Kyrahasaglimmerofhumour,asifsheisabouttoreply.But instead she stands up and looks at the miserable one-bar fire.

Kyra Ive plugged it in. I think youll find it makes very little difference. The last few weeks its been so damp I find you barely see it. Here, we even have indoor fog. You sit on that side of the room and peer, thinking, Im sure its on, Im sure the fire is on. But you cant actually see. Do you want tea?

Edward No, thank you.

Kyra So why not tell me what you came here to say?

She rubs her mittens together, still on the opposite side of the room. It seems more like Russia than England.

Edward Im not sure what you know. Did you know my mother had died?

Kyra I knew she had cancer. How long ago?

Edward Its about a year now.

Kyra A year?

Edward Dad hasnt told you?

Kyra I havent seen him.

Edward Thats why I came here today. I wasnt passing by

Kyra No.

Edward I dont suppose anyone does. Pass by this area, I mean. Unless, I suppose, theyre desperate to get from Willesden to South Finchley. Which I cant imagine most people are.

Kyra sits, not reacting to this familiar satire about her address.

Did you I mean, you lost your parents

Kyra I did. My father recently. My mother died young. I barely knew her.

Edward Once theyre dead, I find they keep changing. You think youve got hold of them. And its like you say, Oh I see. So thats what she was like. But then they change again in your memory. It drives you crazy. Now Id like to find out just who she was.

Kyra Alice?

Edward Yes. Its also you see I dont know its had an effect on my father.

Kyra Why, surely.

Edward I mean if you see him Id love it. I mean, if you did.

Kyra Why?

Edward Because hes changed.

Kyra And?

She is giving nothing away. He becomes more nervous again.

Edward Now Im really embarrassed. Im guessing. I think you can help him.

Kyra Help Tom? Tom needs help?