AIDAN. I have the papers already drawn up. I have the contract right here.

He goes to a desk drawer, takes out the contract. Puts it on the desk. MR BRADSHAW cautiously flicks through it. Looks up.

BRADSHAW. Can I think about it?

AIDAN. Take your time.

,

I mean, we do have to resolve this today but. Take as long as you want.

A long pause. As long as possible. MR BRADSHAW makes a low, animal sound.

BRADSHAW. Okay.

AIDAN. Okay?

BRADSHAW. Okay.

AIDAN. Okay! No, that’s wonderful, that’s really – that was tough, wasn’t it? But we got there! I feel like Churchill at Versailles –

MR BRADSHAW stares at AIDAN. His fist twitches.

– you’re doing the right thing. Isn’t he, Charlotte?

CHARLOTTE.…

AIDAN. You are, Charlotte agrees, you are doing the right thing. Charlotte belongs to a group, Mr Bradshaw, a women’s group so you see she knows about these things, she cares about them, so you can take it from her, can’t you?

AIDAN offers him a pen. He takes it. MR BRADSHAW stares at the pen.

BRADSHAW. This is, this is, filth. I feel, you’re, you’re a, I feel mucky.

AIDAN. Go back to the hotel. Your five-star hotel. Run yourself a bath. Wash it off.

BRADSHAW. Fuck you.

AIDAN. The papers, Charlotte.

,

Show Mr Bradshaw the papers please.

CHARLOTTE shows MR BRADSHAW to the papers. He leans on the desk to sign them. As he does:

Did they give you the room with the view over Regent’s Park, like I asked?

BRADSHAW. Yes.

AIDAN. You can see the zoo from there, can’t you? I like the bird enclosure. Do you like the bird enclosure, Charlotte?

,

Charlotte, I said do you like the bird enclosure?

,

CHARLOTTE. I like the monkeys.

AIDAN. Charlotte likes the monkeys. I like the bird enclosure. There’s something for everyone at the zoo.

,

MR BRADSHAW gives AIDAN his pen back.

Thank you. Charlotte, give him the cheque.

CHARLOTTE doesn’t move. AIDAN fetches the cheque himself, hands it over.

There you are. We’ll call you a car.

BRADSHAW. I’ll get the bus.

AIDAN. You don’t want to be on public transport on a day like today. Not in this heat. Not in this climate.

BRADSHAW. I want to get the bus.

AIDAN. Okay. But before you. I just want to tell you. I don’t expect you to believe me but.

My heart is breaking for you. Really. Honestly truly.

AIDAN puts out a hand. MR BRADSHAW looks at it. Takes the hand, pulls AIDAN towards him, squeezing hard, he backs AIDAN towards the desk. He is surprisingly strong.

BRADSHAW. I hope you rot in hell.

He spits in AIDAN’s face. AIDAN manages to pull himself free, wipes his face. Retreats behind his desk.

AIDAN. Okay.

MR BRADSHAW goes to exit. CHARLOTTE catches him by the arm.

CHARLOTTE. Mr Bradshaw?

Listen.

When she reaches eighteen.