SAM nods. He stumbles out of the room. AIDAN takes a deep breath. Picks up the phone. Pushes a button.

Mr Bradshaw.

Sudden black.

2.

The next day. MR BRADSHAW in AIDAN’s office. He is holding a blue plastic bag with his book, reading glasses and some papers in it. AIDAN shakes his hand.

AIDAN. You found it okay?

BRADSHAW. The taxi brought me right to the door.

AIDAN. You didn’t have any problems?

BRADSHAW. No.

CHARLOTTE enters.

AIDAN. This is Charlotte.

BRADSHAW. Hello, Charlotte.

CHARLOTTE. Great to meet you, Mr Bradshaw.

She shakes his hand.

AIDAN. Can we get you anything, Mr Bradshaw? Tea? Coffee? Beer?

BRADSHAW. Bit early for that.

AIDAN. We can send out for anything you like. Have you eaten?

BRADSHAW. I had breakfast at the hotel.

AIDAN. Full English?

BRADSHAW. Continental.

AIDAN. It’s on us, you know. Go for your life.

BRADSHAW. I have angina.

AIDAN. I’m sorry to hear that.

BRADSHAW. Have to watch my diet.

AIDAN. Lots of exercise.

BRADSHAW. I play golf sometimes.

AIDAN. A man after my own heart! What’s your handicap, can I ask?

BRADSHAW. Three.

AIDAN. Three! Mine’s – mine’s – much higher than that, okay. Okay. Please. Take a seat.

MR BRADSHAW sits. Looks round. His eyes land on the dartboard.

You like darts?

BRADSHAW. No.

AIDAN. Okay. We’ll reimburse your travel costs, of course. You’ve come from Manchester, yes?

AIDAN sits behind his desk.

BRADSHAW. That’s right.

AIDAN. Great city. Great city. I’m a Man U fan myself actually.

BRADSHAW. I don’t follow football.

AIDAN. No. Waste of time. Just talk to Charlotte, she’ll take it from petty cash. The train fare. And the taxis. Anything you like. Wouldn’t want you out of pocket.

BRADSHAW. That’s very generous.

AIDAN. The hotel is alright?

BRADSHAW. It’s very nice.

AIDAN. Good. No, I’m glad about that. I looked it up myself, of course, but five stars, what does that even mean nowadays?

BRADSHAW. It’s a very generous gesture.

AIDAN. Not at all, not at all. Least we could do. You sure you don’t want a tea, coffee? We can send out for / anything you like –

BRADSHAW. Can I have a glass of water?

AIDAN. Water sure. Still, sparkling?

BRADSHAW. Just tap is fine.

AIDAN. Charlotte, a water for Mr Bradshaw. Tap. You want ice? Lemon?

BRADSHAW. No thank you.

AIDAN. No ice, no lemon.

CHARLOTTE goes. Beat.

She’ll just be a moment.

A long pause.

BRADSHAW. I’d like to start by –

CHARLOTTE returns with the water. She remains, standing, throughout.

AIDAN. Here she is! One water. No ice, no lemon!

BRADSHAW. Thank you.

AIDAN. Cold enough?

MR BRADSHAW nods.

Because the tap runs a bit warm sometimes and it’s a hot, I mean, this climate.

BRADSHAW. Yes.

AIDAN. This heat. In March. Bloody mental, isn’t it? Is it like this up north?

BRADSHAW. No it’s more. Cloudy.