SIMON: He wants you, doesn’t he?

JESSICA: He’s vulnerable.

SIMON: Vulnerable!

Is that what you call it? /

JESSICA: Okay, he likes me.

SIMON: Do you ‘like’ him?

JESSICA: Stop it.

SIMON: Are you fucking him?

JESSICA gives him a hateful look and goes to leave.

See, you don’t even need to answer.

He puts his arms around the back of her head, looks into her confused face.

Because I trust you.

SCENE THREE

SIMON barges into ANDY’s inner city office.

SIMON: They came to my house.

In uniform! /

They spoke to my wife.

They spoke to Jess.

ANDY: I know this must be terrible for you.

I’ve spoken to them.

It won’t happen again.

It was a mistake.

SIMON: A mistake!

ANDY: They were just local cops.

SIMON: Why were they there?

ANDY: Simon they’re investigating a missing child case.

SIMON: So what are you saying?

They’re investigating me!

ANDY: They have to rule you out,

That’s all.

You work in the area where they found the child’s shoe!

Now, I have a client coming in, you have to go.

SIMON: They won’t think that’s a coincidence!

ANDY: Calm down.

SIMON: I’m the perfect suspect, aren’t I?

ANDY: They’ll follow procedure and rule you out.

I know you didn’t do this Simon.

SIMON: How do you know?

ANDY: I know.

I understand you.

SIMON: What? What do you understand?

Tell me!

ANDY: I understand you are not that ten-year-old boy anymore and

I know that you understand that to lie to me is to lie to society.

And I know you don’t want to do that.

Now go home, back to the life you’ve built.

Stay calm, continue to maintain your new identity, and I’ll speak to the Inspector allocated to your case about a safe time to interview you.

Beat.

Go.

SCENE FOUR

Christmas Eve.

LACHLAN is at JESSICA’s place.

There is a plastic Christmas tree with decorations.

LACHLAN: If he wakes up it usually means he’s thirsty.

Give him the bottle in the fridge.

And then just pat him back to sleep.

Thanks for this Jess.

You’re wonderful.

JESSICA: Mummy in training.

LACHLAN makes to go and then turns back.

LACHLAN: I’m sorry I couldn’t help with the trunk!

It’s locked tight.

I’m sure

Simon’ll get it open. /

JESSICA: No. No. I don’t want to tell Simon I lost the key.

Okay?

He’ll think I’m so—

I don’t know,

Don’t say anything, will you?

Beat.

Lachlan.

I’m worried—

LACHLAN:—

JESSICA: I’m worried you’ll be late.

Go, make things better.

LACHLAN kisses her.

SIMON enters. He is wearing his uniform.

SIMON: Not interrupting I hope!

LACHLAN: Just heard congratulations are in order.

SIMON: Okay. Thanks.

SIMON doesn’t trust him.

LACHLAN leaves.

What was he doing here?

JESSICA: Shh. We’re babysitting Angus.