Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

PROLOGUE.

INT. CAFÉ - DAY

Sound effects of rain. Clatter of cups and cutlery. The camera fades up from black.

NICK and CHARLIE, casually dressed, are sitting across from each other in a greasy spoon café. The window beside them is steamed up from rain, harsh electric light above them; their body language tense, hostile. Nick has a half-eaten sandwich and nearly empty water glass in front of him. Charlie has an uneaten croissant and half drunk cup of coffee in front of him. The atmosphere is tense.

CHARLIE

(taken aback) A girl?

NICK

(frowning) Yeah? Um.

CHARLIE

(directly) Is it Tash?

NICK

(sighs) What does it matter who it is?

CHARLIE

(unflinching)..but is it her?

NICK

It doesn’t…

CHARLIE

Just tell me!

NICK

Yes! Okay! Yes I have been sleeping with Tash, but it’s over now. It was just, sex!

Charlie looks shocked. Nick looks pained.

CHARLIE

(bitterly) Of course it’s her.

FADE TO BLACK

END SCENE

***

//INT. HALLWAY/STAIRS/LANDING AT NICK’s UNI HOUSE

TEXT ON SCREEN: “6 months earlier…

TEXT ON SCREEN: "OCTOBER"

A SERIES OF QUICK CUTS

{MUSIC CUE: MALLRAT – CHARLIE}

Charlie and Nick come in from a Halloween party, dressed as Aziraphale and Crowley. They are giggly, shushing each other, holding hands as they creep up the stairs…

//INT. NICK’ S UNIVERSITY BEDROOM

They stumble into Nick’s bedroom which is lit by fairy lights above his bed, casting a soft glow, unable to keep their hands off each other. Charlie is taking off Nick’s jacket whilst Nick tries to take off his shoes. They look happy. In love. Enjoying each other. Charlie falls back on the bed, looking suggestively. Nick launches himself at Charlie. They kiss passionately. The camera pans down the bed…

…The camera pans up the bed. Charlie, hair wild, clutching the sheet to his bare chest, lying next to a naked sleeping Nick, propped up on one elbow. He traces a finger along Nick’s jawline. Nick grabs the hand and pulls Charlie’s hand towards his chest snuggling it to him like a teddy, so that Charlie is pulled down to cuddle Nick behind him. They look very relaxed and peaceful.

… An overhead shot of the bed

…The light changes, streaming in from the thin curtains. It is morning.

…Nick sits up and admires Charlie sleeping.

…Nick, in a hoodie and baggy soft shorts, is coming back in the room and put a two hot cups of tea, in matching ‘N’ and ‘C’ cups on the bedside table. He strokes Charlie’s hair.

{'My daddy works out west’}

…Charlie, eyes closed, pulls Nick back into bed with a sleepy hug and kisses the back of his head

…Now Charlie and Nick are sitting up in bed, Nick reading his phone with one hand on Charlie’s thigh, Charlie’s hand on top of his, as Charlie is leaning up against Nick, drinking his tea. Charlie has not yet got dressed.  

…Now Nick and Charlie are on their feet, both fully dressed in casual clothes for autumn, Charlie is stuffing his clothes into a rucksack. Nick chucks some boxers at Charlie’s head which makes Charlie laugh and he puts them in his bag.

//EXT. BUS STOP OPPOSITE NICK’S UNI HOUSE – MORNING.

… Now Nick and Charlie are walking down the street holding hands and chatting.

…Now Nick is hugging Charlie at a bus stop, like his life depends on it. Charlie, smiling, leans round Nick, managing to just get a hand out to hail the approaching bus which says “Leeds Terminus” at the front.

…They touch heads and noses together, Nick stealing a quick kiss before Nick stands back, putting his hands in his jacket pockets as Charlie gets on the bus. They are both smiling but a little melancholy. Charlie takes a seat and Nick raises his hand to say goodbye through the window. Charlie waves, hand moving side to side, as the bus moves off.

{hand claps}

//INT. NICK’s GYM – DAY

…Nick finishes on the treadmill, and heads over the free weights.

//EXT. MANCHESTER PICCADILLY TRAIN STATION - DAY

…Charlie gets off a train at Manchester Picadilly.  

//EXT. STREET OUTSIDE NICK’s UNIVERSITY HOUSE

...Nick walks up to his uni house, and opens the front door with his key.

END MONTAGE  {music fades out.}

END SCENE

***

 INT. NICK'S UNI HOUSE.

There is a hall way, with a front door directly opening onto the pavement outside. There is a tiny lounge with a box bedroom off the back, the hall ends in a kitchen with breakfast table, and utility area at the back and side of this.  Upstairs are four bedrooms and a narrow landing. At the front, Nick’s bedroom faces the street and is adjacent the bathroom which is over the front door. Behind Nick’s room is TASH’s, then TOKS’s room, with AMIRA’s room stepping off the stairs.  In the kitchen is TASH (21), White British, upper middle-class, home counties, a slim, attractive young woman with tanned skin, dyed blue-black hair, dark eyes and silver jewellery is making coffee. She is wearing an oversized Metallica band t-shirt and tight pyjama shorts and black flip flops, scuffed cat eye liner, and AMIRA (20), a friendly looking British Asian young woman from Birmingham is wearing a white singlet top under a burgundy dungaree dress with thick tights and bootie slippers. Her natural wavy dark hair in two plaits tied with sunflowers at the bottom.

Tash is making coffee whilst Amira is buttering toast.

Nick puts his bag down and walks into their small kitchen and starts opening a hanging cupboard.   

TASH

(To Nick) Coffee?

NICK

No thanks, post workout.

Nick reaches into cupboard and gets out a bottle of protein shake powder.  Tash pulls a face. Nick chuckles.

Nick’s phone beeps and finds he has a picture message from Charlie, smiling with his housemates at their living room drop leaf table. MAVI (a slender, dark haired Italian girl pulling a middle finger), AURELIE (an curvy, elegantly dressed French girl flashing a peace sign) and ALISTAIR (a very tall, slender Scot with spikey bleached blonde hair, laughing).

The message reads:

CHARLIE [TEXT]

 “Did you get out the gym yet? The guys say hi. Miss you, see you in 2 weeks. Love you so much. Xxx”

Nick is smiling at his phone. 

TASH

(teasing) Is that Charlie?

Nick smiles at Tash and we see him text back.

The message reads: 

NICK [TEXTING]

“Hi guys! Bet I love you more xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx”

TOKS, 21, a tall and gentle British/Nigerian young man from Yorkshire in shorts and a Prana t-shirt moves comes in from the utility area at the back of the kitchen holding a small bag of clean washing. Toks is profoundly deaf and wears hearing aids.

TOKS

(To Tash) Machine’s free. (To Nick) Hey Nick.

NICK

Hey Toks, you’re looking a lot better? We missed you last night.

TOKS

Ah much better thanks. You guys’ costumes looked great. Did you have a good time?

Amira sits down at the small breakfast table with her toast. Tash is next to Toks and hands him a coffee which he accepts graciously. Toks puts his washing down and sits down at the breakfast table next to Amira.

AMIRA

Judging from what I heard last night, they had a great time.

TASH

Be grateful you don’t share a wall with him!

Tash stands by the table and starts banging on it with her flat palm whilst bobbing up and down. Toks lifts his coffee cup up to avoid it getting spilt.

TASH [CONT.]

(Doing impressions of their voices) Oh Charlie! Oh Nick! Oh yes!

AMIRA

(Joining in) OH! Yes! Harder! HARDER!

TASH

AAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUGHHHH!

They both giggle. Toks looks at them disapprovingly.

NICK

(Blushing) …Thanks for that, ladies.

TOKS

That doesn’t sound very different to the noises I hear when Pete stays over, unless I turn my hearing aids off…

AMIRA groans

TASH

Don’t! Speak! His name! That useless waste of blood and organs!

AMIRA

(Wearily) Oh good, you’ve set her off

NICK

What?

AMIRA

They split up again

TASH

(Dramatically) He’s dead to me! Forever this time!

AMIRA

Cheated. Again.

TOKS

Seriously? He’s a waste of space Tash. 

TASH

He didn’t even deny it! He just said it proves he needs to spend ‘more time on himself’

AMIRA

More like trying to get off with every girl on his course

NICK

(Genuinely) I’m sorry Tash

TASH

Don’t be. I’m sworn off relationships. Not all of us can be blessed with “Great Love” like you and Charlie.

AMIRA

That’s lucky or else none of us would get any sleep in this house overhearing all your ‘great love’

Nick blushes again.

TOKS

Have you ever considered going out with a guy who isn’t a total knob? You know, nice?

Tash steps to the back of his chair and wraps her arms around his neck

TASH

Prince Charming you mean? (Turning to face him so he can lip read clearly) Sounds very dull…

Toks has stayed very still since Tash put her arms around him, with pursed lips. Tash’s tactile nature is an ongoing battle for Toks.

TOKS

(Without rancour) Tash, Personal Space?

Tash rolls her eyes and releases him.

TASH

Nope! That’s it, (pretentiously) I declare this the year of me. The only relationship I’m working on is with... myself.

AMIRA

I’ll believe that when I see it. You don’t understand the concept of ‘single’.

TASH

(Icily) Amira darling, much as I enjoy your company, don’t you have a vegan poetry reading to get to, or perhaps I don’t know, a heteronormative bypass to protest or something?

AMIRA

(Pokes her tongue out at Tash and then checks the time) Actually, I do have Pride Planning Committee to get to. (To Nick) Oh it’s the AGM on Thursday at 7, I expect you to be there!

NICK

(Innocently) Oh I think there’s an extra rugby practice scheduled!

AMIRA

(With a resigned smirk) Liar. Right. See you later losers!

Amira leaves.

Toks picks up his laundry and stands up.

TOKS

I’m going back to bed. (Earnestly) Say well done about the costumes to Charlie for me, I was sorry to miss seeing him. You’ve got a good fella there.  

NICK

(Blushing) Aww, yeah well, I like him. See you at the seminar later?

Toks smiles and nods, leaving.

Tash is drinking coffee at the table, seemingly engrossed in her tablet.

NICK

See you later Tash. And, sorry for keeping you awake last night

Tash laughs.

Nick turns to leave.

TASH

Nick?

Nick turns to look at her.

TASH

Sounded fun though. Charlie’s a very lucky boy.

She winks, in exaggerated fashion, and maintains eye contact with a smirk. Nick can feel himself blushing. He is a bit confused, it feels like she’s flirting. But he brushes it off. She’s a good friend after all.

Chapter Text

INT. CHARLIE’S UNIVERSITY BEDROOM - DAY

Charlie is working on some university coursework. His phone rings. 

He answers it. The screen splits. We see NICK,  is walking down a road- EXT LEEDS UNIVERSITY CAMPUS between buildings. 

NICK 

Hi! 

CHARLIE 

Hi! 

They are both grinning. 

NICK

I’m bored and I love you. 

CHARLIE

I am bored and I love you, what’s up? 

NICK 

So on Sunday is actually an away game, Dave said that so many of the WAGs are coming they’re going to get a coach organised for everyone. That does however mean that we don’t have the option to get away early, are you going to be alright with that? 

Charlie looks confused. 

CHARLIE

Wags? 

NICK 

Wives and Girlfriends. Although I guess it’s actually WACGS

CHARLIE

Whacks? 

NICK 

Wives, girlfriends and Charlie. 

CHARLIE

Nick… That would be WGACs. 

NICK

Wugacks? Uh, maybe B-WAGS? 

CHARLIE

Boyfriends, Wives and Girlfriends? 

As Nick walks through campus he spots various people he knows and waves. Part way through he is joined by SIMON, a coursemate. 

NICK 

(Frowning) Actually I don’t think there’s anyone married on the team so the wives bit is a bit redundant. Anyway, Are you okay with us travelling with the gang? Because our lift kind of vanished with the coach. 

CHARLIE

Uhh, yeah, sure, that will be fine I guess. Nothing I like more than a coach full of rugby lads and their highly strung misses. 

NICK 

Missuses, or should that be Missii?

CHARLIE

Stop that.

NICK 

Well, you’re the ancient greek nerd.

They both laugh. Charlie walks downstairs and goes to his kitchen cupboard, which opens and shows his eating plan on the inside of the cupboard door. He stares unseeing into the cupboard. 

CHARLIE 

 So hang on I’m confused. Is the away match against Manchester? Or is this in November? 

NICK 

It’s in York I think. Next weekend. Like, as in the weekend coming. This weekend.

Charlie has the phone propped under his chin, and pauses, selection a packet of microwave rice and a bottle of soy sauce. 

CHARLIE 

This weekend? As in, Sunday this weekend?

NICK 

Yeah!

CHARLIE

I’m not coming up this weekend love? I’m coming up next weekend? 

NICK 

What? No, this weekend.. because I’m going to a training camp next weekend. That’s why you’re coming up two weekends in a row. 

CHARLIE

What? The two weekends in a row are in November. This weekend I’m staying here because I’m going to a gig with my housemates on Saturday night, that’s why you’re coming up next weekend. 

NICK 

No I what, no, what? 

CHARLIE 

I came up last weekend. It’s your turn to visit me next. 

NICK 

Urrrrrrrrf. I don’t understand how we’ve messed this up. I wouldn’t have volunteered for the rugby camp if I’d realised…

CHARLIE 

(Primly) Well, if you used the google calendar like I asked you, this wouldn’t have happened. 

NICK 

Oh come on Char, how is this my fault? (Nick puts him on speaker phone and scrolls through his apps and opens his calendar app) Your gig isn’t even in the … 

Nick sees “Beabaddoobee Gig- Manchester Academy” clearly listed against Saturday night

NICK (CONT)

Okay you literally just put that in there.

CHARLIE

(Getting annoyed) I did not! Come on, we’ve talked about this! 

Nick pouts.

NICK 

I was looking forward to seeing you! So, I’m not seeing you this weekend 

Charlie is getting in a mood. 

CHARLIE

(Pointedly) Or next weekend 

NICK 

(Looking crestfallen) Well this… is shit (petulantly) Remind me why you went all independent on me and we’re not living together in Leeds?

CHARLIE

(Briskly, this is an old wound) We agreed. Space for personal growth. 

NICK 

Right. Personal growth. (A rueful smile) And nothing to do with Alan Turing.

CHARLIE

(Attempting joviality) Computer science legend and queer icon! How could I turn down a maths department named after him? 

Nick has stopped walking. He has arrived at a building. 

In his uni kitchen, Charlie is staring at a packet of uncooked chicken in his fridge. 

NICK 

I have to go to a lecture. I’m going out with my housemate this evening. So, I’ll say night now because I’ll be drunk later and might forget.  

CHARLIE

Oh. Rubbish. Okay. Night my love. 

NICK 

Bon nuit mon amour.

CHARLIE

Don’t think you can talk French at me to get out of trouble… 

Nick hangs up. We see him catching up to go into the lecture with Toks and Simon, both course mates. 

The split screen wipes to Charlie alone in his kitchen. He sighs, putting the chicken back in the fridge, rips the top off the microwave rice, and puts it in the microwave and presses Start. He looks at his reflection in the black mirror of the microwave. 

CHARLIE

(To his reflection) He hung up on me. 

END SCENE.

Chapter Text

A SERIES OF SHORT SCENES 

{MUSIC CUE- FROWN BY MXMTOON}

//INT. UNIVERSITY SPORTS BAR - EVENING

NICK is dressed for the pub with TOKS, SIMON, and RUGBY LADS #1 and #2. 

They are doing shots and being laddish, laughing at each other, jeering as they make terrible attempts at playing darts.

//INT. CHARLIE’S UNIVERSITY BEDROOM - EVENING

Charlie walks down the stairs into the lounge, where he collapses on the sofa.  There are two sofas at right angles to each other, with side tables to the side of both, at the exterior ends.  He is joined by Aurelie and Alistair who all cram together to watch a film. They have turned off the lounge lights and the three of them are snuggled together. They pick at popcorn, Charlie mostly avoids. He checks his phone, its 21:33. It is on 5% so he puts it on charge at a cable on a side table which is next to the sofa Aurelie and Alistair sit at. We see it is set to vibrate. Charlie sits on the other sofa and stretches out. 

//INT. NICK’S BAR - LATER THAT EVENING

Nick checks the time - 22:00. With a smile, he picks up his phone to call Charlie; it rings but eventually goes to voicemail. Nick frowns and puts his phone away.

//INT. CHARLIE’S UNIVERSITY LOUNGE - EARLY HOURS OF THE FOLLOWING DAY

The film has ended, Charlie has fallen asleep, with a blanket on his lap, his housemates leave the TV on for him and creep out. Charlie’s phone is buzzing in the corner.  We focus on Charlie’s slowly breathing body. A car’s headlights flash into the lounge, and Charlie wakes, disorientated. He checks his phone.  We see his phone screen - it’s 3.38am. 

His phone shows: 

"4 missed calls - Nick"

Charlie checks his messages, We see a text from Nick, sent 1am: 

NICK [TEXT]

“Boooooo. Wanted to talk to you. I’m falling asleep. Night Char. Love you loads”

Charlie texts Nick:

CHARLIE [TEXTING}

“Passed out on the sofa, with my phone on charge, sorry! I’ll call in the morning? Love you xxxx”

Charlie smiles, and goes up the stairs. 

//INT. NICK’s UNIVERSITY BEDROOM - MORNING SAME DAY

Fairy lights are being drowned out by the sunlight reaching into Nick’s room, Nick is asleep sprawled in bed. Nick snoring, his phone buzzing- it’s Charlie ringing, it’s 09.37am. Nick sleeps through it. 

//EXT. CHARLIE’S UNIVERSITY HOUSE - THE SAME MORNING

Charlie is listening to Nick’s voicemail. He sighs, then hangs up without leaving a message. Charlie is wearing a long sleeve top and black outdoor trousers, carrying a small backpack. Charlie gets into a car being driven by his housemate, ALISTAIR.

//INT. PARTHIAN LEEDS INDOOR CLIMBING CENTRE - DAY

Charlie is kitted out with climbing shoes and harness, ready for indoor climbing, a chalk bag, belay device and carabiner attached to his harness. He puts his bag with his phone in it into the locker. 

//INT. NICK’s UNIVERSITY KITCHEN - MIDDAY

Nick is up and dressed, cooking a fry up with his phone propped under his chin. When this goes to voicemail, he looks at his phone. It’s 11.23am. Nick composes a text and writes: 

NICK [TEXTING]

“Hey sorry I missed your call, what you up to love? Looking forward to your gig? xxx” 

Tash walks into the kitchen and looks at him neglecting his bacon, and from behind him, reaches round him with one arm, stirring his bacon for him, rolling her eyes at him. There is something slightly too close about what she’s doing, but it’s harmless enough to get away with. She bumps her hip against his, trying to get him out the way, but he brusquely bumps into her back, and shoo her out the way, both with giggled smiles. She shoves his shoulder with her hand and goes away. 

//INT. PARTHIAN LEEDS INDOOR CLIMBING CENTRE - DAY

Charlie is being belayed by Alistair and has just managed a tricky problem and is being lowered back down from the top of a climb. Alistair gives Charlie a high five and then ruffles Charlie’s hair, which Charlie screws his face up at, and Charlie pats him across the chest in a decisive gesture, his hands sufficiently chalky that this leaves two clear handprints across Alistair’s pecs, highly contrasting against Alistair’s dark blue sleeveless t-shirt. 

They laugh and walk back to the lockers. Charlie opens the locker and checks his phone - its 1.20PM and sees: 

"2 missed calls - Nick"

We the preview of Nick’s text 

NICK [TEXT]

“Hey sorry I missed your call, what…”

Charlie dials Nick but…

//INT. CHANGING ROOM, NICK’s GYM. 

Nick is in the shower, we see his phone buzzing on the bench next to Nick’s bag, Nick dives out of the shower and grabs his towel, tripping over his feet, nearly falling over himself to do so, clutching his towel round him and grabbing at the phone with the other. His hands are wet and the phone squirms out of his hand, time slows… it’s spinning in the air to the floor… about the land in the puddle by the central drain…

Brown hands grasp the phone, and now we see Toks, fully dressed in gym clothes. Toks swipes the phone to answer it.

TOKS 

Hang on Charlie, Nick will be with you in one second!

Toks gives Nick a bright smile and Nick manages to get to his feet and gratefully takes the phone from Toks. 

NICK

(dramatically) Charlie!  I thought I’d lost you!

CUT TO CHARLIE

Charlie is still at Parthian. He is walking towards the entrance with Alistair next to him. Charlie bursts into giggles.

CUT TO NICK

Nick puts Charlie on speaker phone and the screen wipes so only Nick is on screen. Nick is sitting on a bench, dripping wet with his towel wrapped round his waist. 

CHARLIE (on speakerphone)

Bit dramatic for less than 24 hours

NICK 

Yeah but… I missed yooooou.

Toks smiles at Nick and leaves the changing room. The camera focuses on Nick’s face as he is clearly bending forward, and we see he is wearing his boxers now and towelling his hair. As he does, two guys in their 20s walks in (GYM BRO #1 and GYM BRO #2), post workout, and head to their lockers, pulling out their towels. 

CUT TO CHARLIE

CHARLIE  

Do you fancy me or something?

Charlie and Alistair are walking through the main entrance to the car park.  

CUT TO NICK

NICK 

I’ve literally just fallen out of the shower trying to get to the phone to speak to you, so what do you think, but I actually ought to get dressed. 

Nick grabs his t-shirt and is pulling this over his head. 

CHARLIE (on speakerphone)

(mischievously) Don’t I get a show? 

In the changing room, a gym bro turns and gives Nick a disgusted look. Nick ignores this but picks up the phone and takes it off speakerphone. 

NICK

(Quietly, clearly a bit self-conscious) Not today… I’m at the gym. 

SPLIT SCREEN, CHARLIE ON LEFT, NICK ON RIGHT

CHARLIE

Spoil sport. 

Charlie and Alistair are standing by Alistair's car. Alistair is chuckling and opens the door for Charlie chivalrously with a bow. Charlie grins, mouths “Thanks” and gets in the car. 

CHARLIE [CONT.]

When am I actually seeing you? 

Nick is sliding his joggers on with his phone propped between ear and chin. The gym bros are stripping off and walk towards the showers. 

NICK

I can come up first weekend of November. I already put it in the shared calendar!

CHARLIE

(Seductively) Good boy

Nick flushes a little with a smirk. 

CHARLIE

Hey, Do you want to come climbing? You’ve never actually had time to do it before when you’ve been here? Alistair and I are trying to go every other week? 

Charlie looks over at Alistair, who is nodding. 

NICK

Yeah, I mean, I’m sure I’ll be terrible but, sounds fun!

CHARLIE

You’ll be fine... you remember how to tie a figure 8 right? 

Nick is tying his shoelaces. 

NICK 

Ummm…

CHARLIE

What kind of boy scout are you? 

NICK

One that left Cubs because it clashed with rugby practice? 

CHARLIE

To be fair I never even got that far. I lost interest when mum explained I couldn’t go to Rainbows with Tori… 

Nick laughs. 

NICK

Right. It’s a date! Okay got to go, talk to you later. 

Nick looks up to see the gym bros, now wet from the shower, wrapped in towels, back at their lockers, GYM BRO #1 is staring intently at Nick. Nick subtly shifts his gaze so that they are not making direct eye contact. 

CHARLIE

Love you, I'll call you before I go out later, Bye!

NICK 

(Taking a deep breath and swallowing) Love you too. Bye. 

Nick hangs up. The screen split wipes to just Nick. 

GYM BRO #1 hasn’t moved and is staring at him still, his mouth twisted into a grimace. 

NICK

(Still sitting, with a calm smile) Alright lads?

GYM BRO #2 who is putting his t-shirt on, pauses and looks at GYM BRO #1 with an uneasy look. 

GYM BRO #2

(Gently to GYM BRO #1) Come on mate, let’s get a move on. 

Before GYM BRO #1 can answer, Nick stands and turns, grabbing his gym bag. Nick starts to walk towards the door of the changing room. 

GYM BRO #1

(Aggressively) Poof. 

{MUSIC CUE -HELL BY RINA SAWAYAMA}

Nick hesitates, his back to the gym bros, the door in front of him. We see Nick’s face, a look of exhausted resignation. Without looking back, he sets his jaw, lifts his chin and steps forward out of the changing room resolutely.  Nick walks out of the gym, quick march and head up. His eyes flicker anxiously as if he's going to look behind him, but he resists the urge, deep breath and presses on. 

END SCENE

Chapter Text

Music continues from previous scene: {Music Cue - Hell by Rina Sawayama}

INT. CHARLIE UNIVERSITY HOUSE BATHROOM - EVENING

Charlie steps of the shower (we see his feet) and wraps a towel round his waist. He leaves the bathroom and dashes to his room. Alistair catches him and winks. Charlie rolls his eyes and the camera follows him as he shuts the bedroom door. The door reopens and Charlie is dressed for a gig - a dark blue band tshirt and a blue and green flannel over the top, blue converse, hair done. He walks down the hall and knocks on MAVI’s door, AURELIE opens the door, Mavi still standing at the mirror, putting final touches to her lipstick. Both girls are dressed in dark, tight fitting clothes, Mavi is ballet flats and Aurelie is wearing knee length flat boots. They grab their handbags and jackets and go. Mavi and Aurelie pile out onto the landing, and chase each other down the stairs. 

EXT. MANCHESTER ACADEMY, A QUEUE OUTSIDE A GIG - LATE EVENING

Mavi and Aurelie are passing a hip flask between them and bobbing around as if to music, Charlie is on a video call with NICK. Charlie turns the phone round so that Mavi and Aurelie can see him. They blow kisses. Nick scratches the back of his neck and chuckles. The queue suddenly moves forward, Charlie urgently starts saying bye to Nick and blows a kiss to the phone and ends the call, as he finds the ticket to his gig on his phone. 

INT. NICK’s BEDROOM. 

Nick goes on to his phone and swipes onto Trainline.com and books a return ticket LEEDS To MANCHESTER PICCADILLY, 6.05  Friday 4th November. He smiles, 

Focus on the QR Code for his virtual ticket

...A jump in time.... 

INT. TRANSPENNINE EXPRESS. 4TH NOVEMBER - EVENING

Now the visible QR code is being covered by a scanner, Nick is on the train and his ticket being scanned by the conductor. Nick smiles at the conductor who nods and moves on. Once this is done, Nick texts Charlie 

NICK [TEXTING]

“aaaaaagh so excited to see you  xxxxxxxxx”

After a few seconds he receives a message back from Charlie: 

CHARLIE [TEXT]

“asjdalfnjakljfnklajfnklajf not as excited as me!!!! ❤️"

Nick is getting off the train. He looks round to see if he can spot Charlie… Charlie literally runs at him, catching Nick’s face with his hands and spinning them both round and plants their lips together. They kiss as if their lives depend on it. They’re in the way, they are causing a scene, Nick has dropped his bag and has wrapped one arm around Charlie’s waist, the other clutching the back of Charlie’s neck pulling him impossibly closer, commuters stare, they literally don’t care. Close up on Nick and Charlie kissing… 

TRANSITION TO:

INT. CITY BUS- LATE EVENING SAME DAY

Now Nick and Charlie are on the back seat of a bus, snogging like teenagers, Charlie sitting on Nick’s lap. Charlie reaches a hand out and presses the bell without looking round, and then tries to pull away from Nick who isn’t keen on putting Charlie down. Charlie smirks at him, getting to his feet and pulling Nick by the hand. 

They alight the bus, the camera stays on the bus, the doors close, 

INT. CHARLIE’s UNIVERSITY HOUSE - LATER THAT SAME NIGHT

Close up on the interior of the front door, which swings open, Charlie struggling to retrieve his key as Nick practically drags him up the stairs. 

{MUSIC FADES OUT} 

MAVI and ALISTAIR meet each other coming out the lounge and kitchen respectively 

ALISTAIR 

Was that Charlie? I thought I was going to get to meet the famous Nicholas Nelson at long last.

MAVI

Well… maybe in a few hours caro mio. They won’t come out until they get hungry. 

ALISTAIR

(whining) Why don’t I have that?

MAVI 

(pragmatically) Maybe because… the boy you fancy just went upstairs with his molto attraente boyfriend for lots of sex? 

ALISTAIR

(blandly) Oh yeah, that. Bugger. 

Mavi pats him on the shoulder as they cross in the hall, Alistair going into the lounge and Mavi to the kitchen. 

END SCENE

Chapter Text

INT. PARTHIAN CLIMBING CENTRE, LEEDS. SATURDAY DAY.

Close up on Nick’s face, looking out of breath, face full of effort, sweat pouring from his brow. 

NICK

When you promised a weekend of leg shaking fun this wasn’t quite what I had in mind!

CHARLIE

(calling from below) You’re doing great Nick!

Nick is two thirds of the way up a climbing route, clinging to the holds for dear life. Charlie is belaying him with practised ease. 

ALISTAIR 

What’ll it be lad? Jail House Rock or All Shook Up?

NICK 

What?! 

ALISTAIR

For your Elvis legs!

Nick looks round tentatively, straining his neck to look incredulous at Alistair. Even Charlie looks at Alistair blankly. 

ALISTAIR

(To Charlie) Honestly, I’m wasted on you people. (To Nick) Nick, fella, you need to trust that right foot. It’s not going anywhere.  That foot is bomb proof. You need to rock your weight over to that foot and that’ll give you the reach you need to get your hands higher.

NICK 

(Under strain) That’s… not possible. 

ALISTAIR

 Lean into the wall and take your right hand off and rest it by your side. 

NICK

Nuh uh.

ALISTAIR

Ach come on Rugby Boy, show a little faith!

NICK 

Urfff. 

Nick reluctantly leans into the wall, taking his right hand off and placing it by his side. 

ALISTAIR

Right, now your left hand….

Nick awkwardly does this.

ALISTAIR (CONT) 

And relax. 

NICK 

How? 

ALISTAIR 

What’s your karaoke song?

CHARLIE 

(Immediately) Candyman by Christina Aguilera. 

ALISTAIR 

(Chiding) No, I mean his!

CHARLIE 

Yeah... that’s what I meant.  

ALISTAIR 

(Quirking his mouth into a smile) Seriously? Okaaay then, right, sing along with me and bounce your legs a little. 

ALISTAIR SINGS:

‘I met him out for dinner on a friday night

He really had me working up an appetite’

Charlie joins in and Nick hesitantly starts singing, bouncing his legs as instructed.  

NICK, CHARLIE AND ALISTAIR SING

‘He had tattoos up and down his arms

There’s nothing more dangerous than a boy with charms…

ALISTAIR 

(Between lyrics) Hands back on the wall now Nick, ready to go on my mark. 

THEY SING

‘He’s my one stop shop, makes my cherry pop,’

Alistair takes in the rope and braces, 

ALISTAIR

(In a sing- song voice) And rock over your right foot and stretch up with your right hand!

Nick does as he’s told, shifts his weight and makes the next hold. 

NICK

Oh! I can do it!

Nick makes the next couple moves look easy, gets to the top as Alistair takes in. 

NICK

(At the top) That’s me!

ALISTAIR 

Descend when ready. 

Nick leans back from the wall, hands on the knot as requested, and bounces back down the wall, landing neatly. Nick is so excited he’s like a little kid beaming a proud smile.

NICK

I did it! I did it! Charlie, I did it! That was brilliant, thanks Ally! 

ALISTAIR

(A little taken aback) Ah well, I gotta say, you’re doing really well, and that was a nice bit of technique there once you got out of your own head, remember it's not all about using your strength and height advantage. And not everyone’s confident enough to do a bit of Christina in public. 

NICK 

(Excitedly) You know, that was actually really fascinating! There was a lot of stuff in the early 2000s about positive mental attitude and visualisation for athletic success, but current research indicates that mindfulness, and stress management techniques are actually much more significant factors for performance! And that visualisation can actually hamper success due to rumination effects!  I’ve mostly experienced sports that are very time pressured, so it’s really cool to see that kind of approach to something so different in time scope! 

ALISTAIR

What language is he talking now? 

CHARLIE

(To Alistair) Sports science. (To Nick) I love it when you talk nerdy to me. 

ALISTAIR 

Okay, let’s untie, it’s Charlie’s turn to climb, Nick you can practice belaying. 

Nick nods and starts to fiddle with his knot but then looks at Charlie in panic. 

NICK

Er, my fingers don’t appear to be working.

Alistair and Charlie chuckle. Charlie steps over, breaks the back of the knot and helps him untie his figure eight.

Charlie has finished untying Nick and puts his hand on Nick’s arms, and they share a look, Charlie is proud of Nick. 

Nick lifts his chin proudly and walks over and collects the other end of the rope from Alistair and starts attaching the belay device. 

Alistair walks over to Charlie who is tying himself into the other end of the rope.  

ALISTAIR 

(Quietly to Charlie) So let me get this straight. He’s hot, he’s strong, he’s nice and he’s smart? 

CHARLIE

(Conspiratorially) Grammar school boy. Rugby concussions notwithstanding, he’s a secret smarty pants. 

Alistair looks wistfully sideways at Charlie, who is no longer looking at Alistair but is looking forward, fondly smiling at Nick. 

ALISTAIR 

Some guys have all the luck.

***

EXT CHARLIE’S UNIVERSITY HOUSE.

Alistair, Nick and Charlie get out of the car. 

NICK 

Thanks so much for today, and the lift Ally mate. 

ALISTAIR

No bothers my friend. 

NICK 

I forget how much I miss my car.

CHARLIE

RIP little red. 

NICK 

(Whimsically) RIP

He beats his chest with his fist twice and bows his head briefly. 

Charlie laughs. They go in the house. Alistair goes upstairs. 

CHARLIE

You’re such a dork. 

Charlie yawns

CHARLIE (CONT.)

Nap? 

NICK

(With a smirk, wrapping Charlie in his arms) Yep, Nap. 

CHARLIE

Actually a nap Nicholas…

NICK 

(Unwrapping reluctantly) yeah yeah yeah.. (Patting Charlie’s bum) off to bed with you. 

***

CUT TO:

INT. CHARLIE’S UNIVERSITY BEDROOM

Charlie and Nick are in bed, Charlie in t-shirt and boxers, Nick topless and just boxers. A tangle of limbs and bedsheets. Charlie opens his eyes, kisses up Nick’s arm, then leans over and grabs his phone from the bedside table. 

CHARLIE 

I’ve got to get up love

NICK 

(Sleepily clutching at him) Nope, mine. 

CHARLIE 

(Punctuated by kisses along Nick’s arms and neck) It's 4.30 now, I need a shower, and then I’ll be out at Music Soc for an hour and a half maybe two, if they really witter on, then I’ll be back for dinner, ready for 8 for drinks and games yeah? 

NICK 

Or you could just stay here. 

CHARLIE

Can’t love, I’m on the committee. 

NICK

Oof fine. What are we doing for dinner? I know your baguette was gross and I’m throwing off your routine being here…

CHARLIE

(Warningly) Nick…

NICK 

I’m just saying let's plan an actual meal please love? 

CHARLIE 

Well, seeing as you’re at a loose end this afternoon, I was kind of hoping you’d sort that. 

NICK 

Oh, I see how it is… any requests?

Charlie shrugs and looks blankly. 

NICK

Hmm? 

Charlie puts a hand on Nick’s chest, patting him and turning to leave. 

CHARLIE

(Pragmatically) Uh… you may need to go shopping.

Nick rolls his eyes. Charlie picks up his bath towel which is hung over the radiator and leaves the room, leaving the door ajar.

A few moments pass, Nick is looking at recipes on his phone. 

AURELIE

Charlie? 

NICK

Hello? Is that you Aurelie? 

AURELIE

Oh, yes, Allo Nick?

NICK

(Getting up and opening the door) Ca va? Voulais-tu quelque chose?

AURELIE

(Giggling, she always forgets Nick speaks French) Ah, oui!  Où est Charles?

NICK

 Il est sous la douche,  Il a une réunion de société de musique ce soir.

AURELIE

Ah, Bonne. Uh, normalement Charlie met les poubelles dans la rue le dimanche soir, mais cette semaine à cause de la grève, ils viennent le mardi à la place. 

NICK

D’accord. 

Nick grabs a post it note and writes “Bins, monday night” on it and sticks it to Charlie’s laptop. 

AURELIE

Okay, see you later yes? 

NICK

Um, Es-que tu utilise la cuisine ce soir?

AURELIE 

(Suprised) Non, mais Mavi nous prépare le dîner ce soir, elle est en bas, tu lui demandes?

NICK

Will do.

Nick follows Mavi out of the room, but she goes back to her room. He goes downstairs.

***

INT. KITCHEN, CHARLIE’S UNI HOUSE

Mavi is cooking up a storm in the kitchen, every available surface is covered with pans, bowls, she’s just checking and adjusting something in the oven, she has soup bubbling on the stove, an apron tied around her waist. Mavi is singing along to Happiness by McFly, which is playing on her bluetooth speaker.

NICK

Oh… you look busy. What you making? 

MAVI

(Proudly) Roast lamb, roast potatoes, stewed cabbage, parsnip soup, and an apple pie. 

NICK

Blimey

MAVI

Oh! Aurelie loves British food. Don’t tell anyone. She thinks they will take away her French passport. And I like to cook for her (Quickly, embarrassed) I mean I like to cook!

Nick smiles kindly. 

MAVI

(Rallying) Oh no.. did you need the kitchen? I can make the hob clear for you in about uh, 40 minutes? The oven uh, I’ll be done by 7? Sorry, nobody ever uses the kitchen except me and Jasmine and she’s away. 

NICK

Oh yeah uh, it’s okay, I can do something on the hob I guess, I haven’t decided what to make yet. 

Nick walks over and opens Charlie’s hanging cupboard, which is split between him and the other housemate, Jasmine.  Charlie’s meal plan is on the back of the lower part of the door.  The top of each shelf is labelled Jasmine or Charlie, with Jasmine’s two shelves crammed with rice, pasta, jars, tins, poppadums, spices, herbs, snacks. 

Charlie’s shelves are comparatively barren. He has a couple of packets of ramen noodles, a tin of sweetcorn, a tin of tuna and a two packets of microwave rice, and some condiments, a half-eaten packet of rice cakes. 

NICK

(Frowning) Charlie doesn’t cook? 

Nick walks over the fridge and opens this. We see the interior of the fridge has black marker names of the housemates on the food, very little of it is Charlie’s, some butter, some mayonnaise, half a loaf of bread. 

MAVI

(Blithely) He… microwaves?

NICK

(Baffled) And where’s all his food? I thought you guys did a big shop together on Thursday's? 

MAVI 

(scoffing) He stop coming after the first two weeks so I do it online now. He gives me money and I get him a few bits, you know, ramen noodles, rice packets, bread, milk, cereal bar, milkshakes, uh… That’s about it. 

NICK 

But, his meal plan…

MAVI 

(laughing as if this is very funny) His great muscle plan? (she raises her right arm as if a body builder, flexing his guns) He don’t stick to that. (Derisively) I tell him, you never gonna make those gains (she makes a gesture like she’s a big muscly man) unless you eat more! But he eat like a bird most of the time, that’s why he so skinny. 

Nick looks worried

NICK 

That’s … not good.

MAVI 

(Feeling sorry for him) Uh… I think Charlie have some salmon in the freezer? And I have potatoes and broccoli need cooking that I’m not gonna use. Maybe you could make with a white sauce? 

Nick opens the freezer and finds a bag of frozen salmon fillets labelled “Charlie”. He suddenly remembers to be polite. 

NICK

Uh, yeah. Thanks, that’d be good. I think I might have to pop out to the shop for butter and flour. 

MAVI

(Unconcerned) Ooh can you get me 20 Marlboro Gold? I send you the money. 

NICK 

Oh, yeah okay. 

{THE MUSIC CHANGES TO LIES BY MCFLY}

Charlie appears in the kitchen doorway, hair wet, but dressed and ready to go. 

CHARLIE

There you are! (Handing over to Nick) Keys. In case you go out.  Right see you later, love. 

NICK 

Uh yeah, see you. Salmon for dinner. 

CHARLIE

Sure! Thanks. 

Charlie walks over and gives Nick a quick kiss and heads out of the kitchen and leaves through the front door. It slams behind him.  

NICK

(Non-plussed) No problem. 

Mavi is singing along whilst she is cooking. 

MAVI

“Guess I could fill a book with things that I don’t know about you baby!”

Nick grabs his jacket from the coat rack in the hall, checks he has his wallet and heads to the front door.  

From the kitchen he hears,

MAVI (SINGS)

“Lies lies lies!”

Nick, unsettled, leaves through the front door. 

FADE TO BLACK 

END SCENE

Chapter Text

{MUSIC CUE - STAR STRUCK BY YEARS AND YEARS}

A SERIES OF QUICK CUTS:

Nick sets a large amount of Lidl bags on the counter and starts filling Charlie’s hanging cupboard with essentials. 

…Mavi is filling the dishwasher, and gives the hob a wipe before bowing before Nick. Nick slings a t-towel over his shoulder, and claps his hands together. 

…Nick is plating up a very appetising looking seared salmon, caramelised onions, boiled potatoes, steamed broccoli and samphire, with a creamy white sauce, Nick pours two glasses of white wine. 

…Charlie walks through the door and hugs Nick from the back and makes an appreciative face. 

…Charlie is walking back in the kitchen with their dirty plates. Nick has followed him into the kitchen. Charlie is scraping the plates into the food waste bin, Nick’s is basically picked clean, Charlie hastily scrapes the remaining third of his meal into the bin. Nick looks a bit concerned. 

//INT. CHARLIE’S UNIVERSITY LOUNGE - EVENING

…The housemates and Nick are playing Joking Hazard, Exploding Kittens, Pictionary. Charlie and Nick appear relaxed, sitting on the floor next to each other, bantering, failing to get each other’s clues. Mavi and Aurelie are sitting by each other whispering and giggling. 

…Nick catches something in Mavi and Aurelie’s behaviour, he looks at Charlie with a “What’s going on there?” raise of the eyebrows. Charlie winks at him. 

…Aurelie whispers something to Mavi and leaves the room. Mavi watches Aurelie leave with a wistful look. Nick catches Mavi’s eye; Mavi blushes and looks at her feet, adjusting her woolen dress.  Aurelie comes back into the room with a box of fireworks and waggles her eyebrows. The gang cheer and go to get their coats, hats and scarfs on. 

//EXT. GARDEN AT CHARLIE’S UNI HOUSE

..A narrow, long, poorly kept scrap of mud and weeds in lieu of proper lawn, with high back fence. The garden backs on to a public park. The kitchen backs on to it. There is set of flimsy garden chairs tucked in around a garden table near the house.  

…Alistair and Charlie are piling wood into a cheap fire pit, barging into each other, generally mucking about.   

In the kitchen,

…Mavi and Nick pouring hot chocolate into mugs in the kitchen. Nick shows off his chantilly skills with perfect swirls of squirty cream. 

In the garden, 

… The fire pit is starting to blaze, Alistair runs a tongue along a rollie to seal it, and puts it between his lips. Charlie lifts up a lighter and lights it for him. Alistair puffs out a big cloud of smoke. He and Charlie are chatting (not heard), Charlie is looking at Alistair and their eyes are meet.  Charlie takes the rollie from Alistair's lips and takes a drag with practised ease. He puts it back between Alistair’s lips, then looks at the floor with a smirk. 

…Nick and Mavi come out of the kitchen into the garden. They set the hot chocolates down, Nick hands one to Charlie who takes it with a smile. 

{The music fades.} 

AURELIE

Mavi! Come and help me do the fireworks!

Mavi looks at the boys 

MAVI

No rest for the evil.

Charlie and Alistair laugh at this. Nick smirks.

MAVi saunters over to where Aurelie is setting up cones for the fireworks. 

Nick’s phone starts ringing. 

NICK 

Hey!... What?.... 

A smatter of fireworks go off two houses down. 

The housemates ‘ooh’ appreciatively. Nick sticks a finger in his other ear, struggling to hear. 

NICK

Uh, hang on! Okay is the pilot light on? 

Nick walks back into the house. 

At the end of the garden Mavi and Aurelie are placing the finishing touches to the fireworks, 

AURELIE

D’accord! We’re ready to go! Oh where’s Nicholas?!

Nick walks back into the garden. Alistair is lighting another joint. 

NICK

Sorry I’m here! My housemate was in a tizzy about the boiler being off. 

CHARLIE

(smirking) Was it Tash? 

NICK

Yeah? 

CHARLIE

(finding this funnier than it is) Obviously

Nick purses his lips. 

ALISTAIR

Devil’s lettuce?

NICK

Uh, I don’t really… thanks. 

ALISTAIR smirks at this and winks at Charlie. 

ALISTAIR

More for us 

He hands it to Charlie who takes a quick drag and giggles. Nick looks shocked and is about to comment but is distracted by Aurelie yelling. 

AURELIE

(Shooing Mavi away from the lit fireworks) Allez-go. Vite. Vite! 

MAVI 

Here we go!

The girls grab their hot chocolates, Charlie snuggles in around Nick. The fireworks go off. A few bangers, a few showy ones, and a Catherine wheel. It’s short and sweet. 

ALISTAIR

Is that it?

MAVI

Oh shut up! I’m going to find the sparklers!

Mavi drags Aurelie by the hand back up to the house. 

Nick looks at them. 

NICK

Are they together? 

Charlie snickers. 

ALISTAIR

Not yet. Mavi’s in deep, but Aurelie still thinks of herself as straight, poor lamb. 

Nick winces. 

NICK

(with a wry chuckle) Ah… been there. 

ALISTAIR

Oh yes! So I hear! The great high school romance! 

Nick puts an arm around Charlie. 

NICK

(looking at Charlie) My one and only

ALISTAIR

Oh right! Of course! Well that makes sense given you’ve been together since you were kids. Yeeeowch!

Charlie is full on giggling. Nick stammers.

NICK

Uh, that’s not quite…

ALISTAIR 

But you’ve only been with each other? 

Alistair leans in to Nick 

ALISTAIR

Well, if you two ever fancy spicing things up, there’s room in my bed for three. 

Charlie blinks and looks up at Alistair. Nick is speechless. 

CHARLIE 

(hissing) Ally! 

But Charlie is blushing, and he bites his lip for a fraction of a second before catching Nick’s eye, and, is that a question in Charlie’s eyes? 

NICK 

(coldly) That’s definitely not our scene mate. 

Alistair hesitates and looks over at Charlie who attempts a sober expression. 

ALISTAIR 

(Brazenly) Okay pal, no offence meant. I mean, it’s not cheating if everybody agrees, but fair enough hey! (Feeling suddenly foolish) eh, I’m going to get another drink. 

NICK

(Grabbing Charlie’s hand and pulling him to the bottom of the garden) Charlie I need to talk to you. Now. 

END SCENE

Chapter Text

EXT. CHARLIE’S UNIVERSITY GARDEN - NIGHT

Charlie looks at Nick with a petulant expression. 

CHARLIE

(attempting insouciance) You okay? 

NICK 

I’m trying really hard not to freak out here. 

CHARLIE

Nick, Ally was just mucking about, he’s just a  bit more adventurous…

Charlie tails off, aware this is not going well

NICK 

Adventurous? Rather than what? Play it safe and boring like us? Like… me? 

CHARLIE

(struggling) Oh come on… noone said that, don’t…

NICK 

Don’t what? Don’t mention anything? Bite my tongue like I have all weekend? 

CHARLIE 

(confused) What do you mean? 

NICK 

(exasperated) Charlie! I get here, you’ve barely eaten since I arrived, there’s no food in the cupboards and I find out you’re not shopping or sticking to your meal plan, you seem to be running yourself ragged with society stuff, you’re smoking weed and now…

CHARLIE

(squinting, clearly stoned) What love? 

NICK

Do you … like the idea of that? What Alistair said? 

Charlie hesitates a second too long 

NICK 

Charlie!

CHARLIE

No! Noo… No of course not! (wrapping his arms around Nick’s neck). Love, why are we arguing about this? Alistair’s harmless. 

Nick is standing stock still and bolt upright, his face stony. 

NICK

What’s going on with the food Charlie? 

CHARLIE

(loosing Nick’s neck and staggering back slightly, belligerently) Alright, Mum. 

Nick opens his mouth but closes it again. 

NICK 

(simmering) What… did you say to me? 

CHARLIE

(rallying, pacifying) Nick. Nick. Love. Mi Amor. This is all just a misunderstanding! I’ve just been… busy! (trying really hard) Who?... Who said I wasn’t following my meal plan? 

NICK

(folding his arms across his chest) Mavi told me you weren’t going shopping with her and you weren’t following your meal plan. She seemed to think it was a bulk up plan for weight lifting. 

CHARLIE

(cheerfully) Oh! is that all. I didn’t live with these guys last year. They don’t know all my… stuff. I don’t always want to be that ‘eating disorder’ guy. I told them… I just said that it was to make sure I got enough calories and she must have just… extrapolated (Charlie is really pleased with himself for getting that word out). And going food shopping is really boring. 

Charlie giggles and moves towards Nick, winding his arms gently round Nick’s waist. Nick is breathing in and out of his nose quickly, trying very hard to process what Charlie is saying. He wants to believe.. wants to think that this is all explainable, rationalisable. 

NICK

Yeah? 

CHARLIE

(getting to grips now) Yeah! I’m sorry there was no food. I’ve been grabbing stuff just before I cook it on the way home from lectures. I may have been a bit disorganised (he puts on a pout, naughty school boy face). It’s just a lot when I was in catered halls last year. I didn't have to worry about it! But I promise I’ll start taking better care of myself. 

NICK

(slightly mollified) And the weed? And… Alistair? 

CHARLIE

Oh that’s nothing. Just a bit of something to help me relax! Not a lot. Not often. Just once or twice. And (he waves a hand towards the house)… That’s just Ally. (Pulling in to Nick, conspiratorially whispering) I think he fancies me a bit. (Confidently) But I’ve made it very clear that’s never going to happen. Which is probably why he suggested what he did- (looking into Nick’s eyes) he knows I’m off limits without your say so. 

NICK scowls, but there is a bit of mirth in it. 

NICK

(relaxing into Charlie and putting his arms around his waist) Hmm. Well. He can dream on. 

Nick moves one hand around the back of Charlie’s neck, pulling ever so slightly on the hair at the nape of Charlie’s neck, murmuring into Charlie’s ear. 

NICK 

 You’re mine. 

Charlie bites the corner of his lip and his eyes twinkle at Nick. 

NICK

(releasing Charlie) And… you’re sure you’re okay? I don’t need to worry about you? 

CHARLIE

One hundred percent. Honestly. My love. 

NICK

Well then. 

{MUSIC CUE- FAR FROM HOME BY JESSE D’KORA}

CUT TO

INT. AURELIE’S BEDROOM. 

Mavi is standing on a chair and reaching on the top of the wardrobe. Aurelie is searching under the bed. 

MAVI

Ooh! Got them!

AURELIE 

Rendons grâce à Dieu. Okay. Let’s go. Oh! Look! 

Out of the back window, A cascade of fireworks has started over the back fence, where there is a large firework display in the public park adjacent to their garden.

Mavi jumps down from her chair, Aurelie grabs her by the wrist and they scamper down the stairs and out into the garden. 

EXT. CHARLIE’S UNIVERSITY GARDEN.

At the bottom of the garden, Charlie and Nick are kissing, showing no sign of stopping, silhouetted against a spectacular firework display above them. Rainbow colours erupt in the sky, beautiful, bright, cleansing the air. 

Near the house, still holding Mavi's wrist, Aurelie gasps. As she looks on at Nick and Charlie's joyous kiss, her hand slips from Mavi’s wrist, fingers tracing down the palm, until she’s tentatively lacing her fingers through Mavi’s fingers. Mavi’s eyes flick sideways as she takes in what Aurelie is doing. Aurelie is breathing heavily, her eyes fixed on the fireworks, on Nick and Charlie, she swallows, breaths out slowly, steadying herself. 

Mavi squeezes Aurelie's hand back, and returns her gaze to the fireworks, a tiny grin appearing at the edge of her lips. The fireworks go on, Aurelie still breathless, a hopeful smile on Mavi’s face. 

END SCENE. 

Chapter Text

NOVEMBER

EXT. STREET OUTSIDE NICK’S UNIVERSITY HOUSE

TOKS is just setting off from the house and is walking along the street with is headphones in past the bus stop. Toks spots him and waves cheerfully, taking his headphones out.  CHARLIE alights the bus and smiles at Toks. 

TOKS

Hello mate! Rare to see you this early on a Friday!

CHARLIE

Hey Toks! I’m not meant to be coming til tomorrow but my last lecture was cancelled so I thought I’d surprise Nick. 

TOKS 

Ahh! Hang on, If I let you in, maybe you can jump scare him. 

CHARLIE

(giggling) Okay  

Toks and Charlie walk back to the house, Toks unlocking the front door. He gives Charlie a wink and gestures for Charlie to stay quiet. Toks nods and winks at Charlie and heads off. Charlie creeps forward, putting his bag down carefully. 

INT. NICK’S UNIVERSITY HOUSE HALL/KITCHEN

The kitchen door is ajar, We hear female giggling and NICK saying something low that we can’t hear. The camera angle shifts as Charlie approaches so we see Charlie’s POV through the door gap. Nick and TASH are standing in the kitchen, Nick leaning against the cabinets, and smiling cheekily at Tash. She is standing close to him, her head cocked to one side, 

TASH 

Oh come on… you know you’re my favourite…

Tash moves forward and puts one hand on his arm with a mischievous look in her eyes. Nick appears to be considering something with reluctance and a sly smile.  

NICK 

(with a “what am I going to do with you” sigh) Uhhh… Charlie is here first thing tomorrow. 

Tash pouts and rubs Nick’s arm.

TASH 

Well, maybe when your boyfriend’s not here…

Nick looks round and suddenly sees Charlie. Nick breaks into a beaming smile and hops away from the counter to rush at Charlie. Tash looks startled.

NICK

Charlie! (hugging him) How did you get in? 

CHARLIE

(slightly uncomfortably, looking warily at Tash) Toks let me in. My lecture was cancelled. Uh, perhaps I should have called? If you uh, have plans? 

NICK

(Oblivious, still squeezing Charlie, really happy) No, Nope. No plans. (looking into Charlie’s eyes, suddenly a shift of intensity) Well actually…

Charlie squeals and giggles as Nick suddenly hoists Charlie and picks him up in a fireman’s lift. Nick heads towards the stairs. He pauses at the foot of the stairs, and yells 

{MUSIC: Beg for you – Charlie XCX feat. Rina Sawayama – instrumental break}

NICK
(Doing a Belgian accent) ‘old my calls Miss Lemon! We’re indisposed!

CHARLIE 

(with a hot smile, to Nick) Oh my god talk French to me. 

NICK 

(scoffing) Pff …Poirot is Belgian!

CHARLIE

You’re such a dork.  

They disappear up the stairs, we follow them to the landing. 

NICK

(with a grin) Tu es lourd, mais je veux te deshabiller et t’embrasser partout. 

CHARLIE 

(overcome) Oh my god.

Nick puts Charlie down outside his bedroom door, running his hands along Charlie as he slides down. He pulls him close with one hand, the other hand on his bedroom door handle.  

NICK 

(seductively, kissing Charlie’s neck) Alors, je vais faire ce truc avec ma langue…

Without looking round, Nick opens his bedroom door behind him, they start kissing passionately. Charlie is pushing him into the bedroom backwards.  The door slams behind them, the camera stays on the landing. Muffled giggling and moans.  

INT. NICK’S UNI BEDROOM

The camera is low to the room panning across the floor level. We can’t see Nick and Charlie but we can hear they are enjoying themselves. Clothes are hitting the floor. Charlie’s jeans, Nick’s joggers, Charlie’s tops, Nick’s hoodie. The camera is close on their heads and faces, the rest of their bodies blurred, as if they are the only two people in the world, in this moment of lust and love and joy of being together. 

NICK 

(his words staccato as interrupted by him kissing all the way down Charlie’s face and neck) Tu es incroyable. Tes cheveux, tes yeux, ton cul parfait, ton sourire, tes lèvres baisables. Tu m'as manqué tous les soirs quand j'étais seul. Tu es l'amour de ma vie. Tu m'excites tellement. 

The camera is drifting behind Nick’s back, and now back towards the floor so we can no longer see their faces. There is a certain amount of movement seen briefly on the bed as sheets move about. 

CHARLIE 

(not seen) Oh Dios mío!!

They giggle. The camera blurs through the bedroom floor, to the ceiling of the hall

INT. HALLWAY NICK’s UNI HOUSE. 

We see Tash standing at the bottom of the stairs, looking scandalised. 

TASH 

(shouting up the stairs) As-tu oublié que je parle français?

There is no response except we hear Charlie’s voice very muffled.

 CHARLIE

(indistinct) Mi Amor!

TASH

(Throwing her hands in the air) And Spanish!!!

END SCENE

A sequence of short scenes showing the passage of the weekend

{MUSIC CUE-  JEALOUSY BY PALE WAVES}

[Text on screen scrolls past] SATURDAY MORNING

TASH adjusts her sleep mask, sticking her fingers in her ears as we hear a rhythmic thumping on her bedroom wall. 

TASH 

It’s 9am for God’s sake!

[Text on screen] …SATURDAY AFTERNOON…

NICK emerges from his bedroom in a rush, hair in disarray, putting his rugby top on whilst he’s running down the stairs, a large hickey on his neck. He smoothes his hair as best he can as he rounds the corner to go down the hall to the kitchen.

TOKS, coming in from the gym, opens the front door and sees Nick and raises his eyebrows… by the time Toks has had the chance to put his bag down, Nick is coming out of the kitchen, clutching a banana, a chocolate milkshake, a powerade, and between his teeth, an energy bar still in its packet. 

NICK dumps the bottle of powerade and energy bar on the telephone table by the front door, and TOKS steps out the way because CHARLIE has followed him down the stairs wearing Nick’s dressing gown loosely clutched round himself with apparently only boxers underneath. 

NICK holds out the banana and milkshake to Charlie at arms length, in a decisive “This is for you” gesture, but Charlie catches Nick’s face and kisses him deeply. NICK pushes the banana and milkshake into Charlie’s stomach and laughing, wriggles free. Charlie slaps his bum. 

NICK looks at him with amused incredulity and giggles, and then kisses him one more time. 

TASH comes out into the hall just as they are pulling apart

NICK

See you at 6!

Charlie catches eyes with Tash, holds her gaze a second too long, smirks and saunters up the stairs back to NICK’s room. 

Toks catches eyes with Tash. 

TOKS

(in wonder) What’s got into them?

Tash just gives a small smile and shrugs. Toks walks into the kitchen, Tash follows, a perturbed look on her face.  

[Text on screen] …SATURDAY NIGHT...

EXT. STREET SCENE OUTSIDE A NIGHT CLUB - NIGHT. 

A taxi queue, Tash, Toks, Amira and a girl we haven’t seen before, (NADIA), and Nick and Charlie are dressed up for a night out. Nick and Charlie are kissing, Amira and Nadia are kissing, 7 seater taxi pulls up to the rank and Tash pulls it’s door open. Toks gets in, Amira leads Nadia by the hand into the taxi. Tash stands by the door, looking over to where Nick and Charlie are still kissing and are paying no attention to the gang calling to them. 

TOKS

Guys

AMIRA

Fellas!

TASH

(in a command voice) Charlie! Put Nick down and come on!

Charlie lazily pulls away from Nick. Tash is standing with her hand on her hips. Charlie leads Nick by the hand to the door. He passes Tash, and we see him say into her ear…

CHARLIE 

Keep your knickers on, Tash. Don’t want to look jealous.

There is a tense look between Tash and Charlie, but Nick doesn’t notice and gestures to them both into the taxi and slams the door.  Amira is kissing Nadia hungrily, Nick and Toks start jeering and telling them to stop.  Charlie catches eyes with Tash and slides his hand into Nick’s, leaning up against him. Tash averts her eyes and stares out the window. Nick notices the tension and frowns but doesn’t say anything. 

INT. NICK’s UNIVERSITY HOUSE - DAY 

[Text on screen] …SUNDAY LUNCHTIME... 

Nick is walking downstairs, in clean day clothes, hair wet from the shower. 

He is surprised to hear tense voices from the kitchen. He pauses at the kitchen door. 

INT. NICK’s UNIVERSITY HOUSE KITCHEN 

Charlie and Tash are standing facing each other, with Charlie one hand on the open fridge door. Tash looks a bit frazzled by the sink, where she is rinsing out a plastic milk bottle.

CHARLIE

I was just pointing out that it’s Nick’s, and you used it up. 

TASH

Charlie, it’s just milk, like apart from Amira we all share? 

CHARLIE

But now there’s none for our tea.

TASH

(lifting up a full bottle from the sink, beaded with condensation) Yes there is, I took some out to defrost when I got up this morning. 

CHARLIE

Fine. 

Nick comes into the kitchen. 

NICK

Hey, alright? 

TASH

(curtly) There’s no teaspoons, as I had to put the dishwasher on this morning given it appears you were too distracted yesterday to put it on after dinner, Nick. 

NICK 

Oh (chuckling) yeah, sorry about that. 

TASH 

(rolls her eyes) Well, There’s some plastic ones left over from Amira’s birthday in the under-stairs cupboard. 

Tash prounces it “plaastic”, her upper middle class vowels coming out because she is tired

CHARLIE

(incredulous) Sorry what? 

TASH 

(still with a long vowel sound) Plastic spoons. For your tea. 

CHARLIE

(with exaggerated short vowels) Plas-tic. Plastic spoons.

TASH 

(looking embarrassed and leaving the room to sit in the lounge) Oh, whatever Charlie. 

Nick looks at Charlie, with a tight expression. He closes the kitchen door. 

CUT TO: 

The front door of the house opening. Amira and Toks come in carrying shopping bags. They find Tash sitting on the stairs, looking guilty. 

There are sounds of Nick and Charlie arguing, muffled through the kitchen door. 

CHARLIE 

Why do you care!

NICK 

Because you’re being rude to my friend!

Amira and Toks look at Tash, puzzled. 

TOKS

What’s going on?

Tash gestures at the kitchen door and holds up her empty coffee cup.  Toks frowns and starts to open the kitchen door. Tash grabs his hand and then pulls his face towards her, facing him, so he can see her lip read.

TASH

(quietly) Nick and Charlie are arguing. 

With the door open and Nick’s voice is raised even Toks can hear it now.

NICK 

You’ve been making mean comments about her accent and it’s really out of order!

CHARLE
Oh come on, who says plaaastic. What is she even doing slumming it here? Shouldn’t she be at Central St. Martin’s studying sculpture or something?

Amira snorts at this and covers her mouth with her hand. 

NICK

If that’s a reference then that went over my head. But don’t think I haven’t noticed you being snide to her all weekend. 

CHARLIE

I wonder why! When I got here she was all over you, like she always is, all the time!!

NICK 

She’s just a very … tactile person! 

CHARLIE

With no concept of person space apparently!

Toks looks at Tash who looks very uncomfortable. Toks raises his eyebrows. Amira looks abashed.

NICK

She wanted me to help move her bedroom furniture around.

CHARLIE

Oh really. Can’t hire some staff on daddy’s plastic for that? 

Amira winces at this. Tash looks as if she’s going to cry, and runs up the stairs. Amira and makes a decision, pushing her way into the kitchen 

AMIRA

Sorry lads but I’ve got to get the ice cream in the fridge and to be honest you might want to be a bit more mindful that the whole house can hear you.

Nick looks horrified and Charlie has the sense to look abashed.

NICK

Sorry, uh, we’ll get out of your way. Charlie, come on, put your shoes on, we’ll get our tea out, we both need a walk.

They leave.  We don’t hear the conversation.  They are walking along a small high street.  They are getting heated.   Charlie is looking down at the floor.  Nick looks pained. 

Charlie walks up to Nick slowly with his arms out.  Nick relents and hugs him back.   Nick wipes the tears from Charlie’s eyes.   They kiss. 

They carry on walking, Charlie clutching Nick’s arm.   We see Nick and Charlie walking along. Nick comes out of a café with two cups of tea in takeaway cups. 

They are chatting and laughing drinking their tea. Nick stops and bins both their teas and holds Charlie by the face very tenderly.  They kiss.  They walk home hand in hand. 

INT. TASH’s BEDROOM, NICK’S UNIVERSITY HOUSE. EVENING. 

Tash is sitting on her bed under her duvet, with her laptop on her lap, cuddling a soft toy. 

Her room has scattered clothes all over the floor and there are dirty cups next to her bed, some screwed up tissues next to her bed but it doesn’t appear that she’s been crying recently. 

There is a knock at the door. 

She wipes her face just in case. 

TASH

Come in?

Charlie opens the door a crack. 

CHARLIE

Uh, hi. 

TASH

Oh. Hi Charlie. 

CHARLIE

Can I come in? 

She gestures wordlessly. Charlie comes in to her room very slightly and leaves the door open. 

CHARLIE 

Uh, I’m heading off now, but I just wanted to come and, apologise. 

TASH

(uncomfortable). Oh. Um, okay?

CHARLIE

Amira says you overheard me saying some things which I shouldn’t have said. I’m really sorry if I hurt your feelings, Nick and I were having a row and I was just lashing out because I was annoyed with him. I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable and I’m really sorry if I upset you. 

TASH 

(with a tight smile, brushing it off) Oh! No worries! We’re all a bit moody with a hangover. 

CHARLIE

Anyway, I just wanted say sorry.

TASH 

Don’t think of it again. 

CHARLIE

Okay. Uh, well, by then. 

TASH 

Bye!

Charlie turns to leave. 

TASH

(The facade cracking a little) You know, I was the weird kid at school. Part of me is still adjusting to actually having friends. Nick’s my friend. That’s all I want. A friend. Okay?

CHARLIE

Oh. Yes, of course. 

TASH 

Safe travels Charlie. 

{Music Cue - I Eat Boys by Chloe Moriondo} 

Charlie gives her a brief smile and leaves. 

SCENE: 

INT. TRAIN FROM LEEDS TO MANCHESTER. 

We hear an automated announcement: 

Welcome aboard this is the Transpennine Express towards Hull. Next stop, Dewsbury.

Charlie is frowning at his phone. He is scrolling Tash’s instagram. There are three photos from last night, one of her outfit, a selfie of her with Amira and Toks. And then there is one of her pressed up to Nick, with her hand on the back of Nick’s neck, he is holding her waist and he is looking at her, smiling a Nick Nelson sunshine smile. She is looking back at him, saucily, biting her lip with a grin. 

The caption below says:

“About last night…. 1. Does my bum look big in this? 2. Besties. 3. Beautiful Boy”

Nick has commented underneath, 

“Gorgeous girl. Let’s do it again soon.” 

Charlie squeezes his eyes shut, opens them, then exits the app and puts his phone away and stares out the window. 

FADE TO BLACK 

END SCENE.

Chapter Text

Tu es lourd, mais je veux te deshabiller et t’embrasser partout.
You are heavy, but I want to undress you and kiss you everywhere

Alors, je vais faire ce truc avec ma langue…
So, I'm going to do this thing with my tongue...

Tu es incroyable. Tes cheveux, tes yeux, ton cul parfait, ton sourire, tes lèvres baisables. Tu m'as manqué tous les soirs quand j'étais seul. Tu es l'amour de ma vie. Tu m'excites tellement.
You are amazing. Your hair, your eyes, your perfect ass, your smile, your f***able lips. I missed you every night when I was alone. You are the love of my life. You turn me on so much

Google translates 'baisables' as 'kissable' which....is not quite what Nick meant. 

As-tu oublié que je parle français?
Have you forgotten I speak French?

Oh Dios Mio!
Oh my god

Mi Amor
My love

Did anyone get the Common People reference?

Also I have decided that watching Poirot repeats is something Charlie and Nick have in common as something they used to do with their mums when they were little, Nick when he was ill home from school,  and Charlie on rainy days during school holidays. I feel like  you watch a lot of weird telly when you're too young to watch interesting shows but your parents are going to scream if they have to watch anymore 'kids' tv.

I am probably showing my age.

Chapter Text

CHRISTMAS

{MUSIC CUE: CHRISTMAS  TIME (DON'T LET thebells end) by The Darkness}

INT. NICK’s HOME BEDROOM - 

[Text on screen] CHRISTMAS MORNING

Charlie and Nick are on the bed making out under the covers, both visibly naked from the waist up. They are giggling. On the bed, is a mess of gift bags and wrapping paper. There are new books for Charlie, a new sweater for Nick, chocolates and candy canes. 

EXT. NICK’S HOME HOUSE - 

[Text on screen] BOXING DAY

Tao Xu and Elle Argent are in a car waiting outside, Tao blowing the horn. Nick and Charlie, in christmas jumpers and coats, rush out the door towards the car, Elle dashes out the car and gives Charlie a great big hug which he gratefully receives.  Tao sticks his hand out the window and Nick laughs and shakes it. They get in and drive off. 

INT. TARA’S PARENTS HOUSE - SAME DAY

TARA is just tidying the mantlepiece in the lounge, and picks up a Christmas Card with a photograph of DARCY and some other enthusiastic looking young people, wearing Santa hats, all wearing Club Med polo shirts, standing on a beach with the legend on the front “Happy Christmas from Club Med Crew Cancun!

The inside of the card says “To Tara, my forever bestie. Have a great Christmas, give my love to the Paris Squad. Darcy x”

A tall, dark skinned girl with braids (Sayo) slides her hand into Tara’s, and Tara puts the card down carefully, smiles at Sayo, and then there is a ring on the front door. 

Tara runs to open the door, pulling Sayo with her. 

TARA

Hey guys!!!

Sayo slides back as Tao, Elle, Isaac, Nick and Charlie crowd in and give Tara hugs. 

TARA

(a little nervously) Everyone, this is Sayo. 

SAYO steps forward and gives a little wave.  The gang all smile and nod politely, Elle takes the lead.

ELLE

Oh hi! I’ve heard so much about you! 

As they all file past her and into the house, Tara breaths out, and shuts the front door. 

She reopens it, now with a cracker hat on her head, a glass of wine half drunk in her hand, we see Tao and Elle waving goodbye as they pass back out the front door, Charlie and Nick putting their shoes on and chasing to keep up. Isaac follows them out. Tara extends an arm, and Sayo slides in next to her, wrapping her hand around Tara’s waist. 

Charlie shivers as they pile into the car, Nick pulls off the santa hat from his head and puts it on Charlie’s, pulling it down Charlie’s ears. Charlie scowls, but Nick just kisses him on the nose, making Charlie giggle. 

INT. SARAH NELSON’S KITCHEN

[Text on screen] NEW YEAR’S EVE 

{Music fades out} 

Nick is sat by at his desk with his laptop open, an unfinished essay on his computer. He looks over at Charlie, who is sat on the bed looking uncomfortable. 

NICK

I’m really sorry, I thought it was due at the end of the week. Who sets a deadline for 1^st January? That’s just cruel!

CHARLIE
(resigned) Its fine, I’ll stay in and keep you company.

NICK

Urgh is there anyone that might want our tickets?

CHARLIE

Er… Tao and Elle are at a family thing. I’ll message Issac but I imagine he’d rather die. I don’t think anyone else is still home? 

NICK

But you should go, you haven’t seen them in ages!

CHARLIE

But … I wanted to go out with you? It’s not really my thing anyway?

NICK

But I’ll feel really bad about it if you stay in, there’s no need for us to waste the ticket money for both of us.

Nick’s phone is ringing 

NICK (cont)

Hang on Sai’s calling

Nick is chatting on the phone. Charlie is looking glum. 

NICK (on the phone)

Oh really ? Damn. Is there anyone else?

A lull – Nick is listening 

NICK (cont.)

Er. I’ll talk to Charlie. No it’s a complete cock up. Yeah I know. Really sorry man.

Nick lifts the phone from his ear so he can talk to Charlie 

NICK (Cont)

Apparently Christian has food poisoning, Sai says please come he doesn’t want to go on a romantic New Year’s Date with Otis.

Charlie snorts. 

CHARLIE

(to Nick) You really want me to go?

NICK

(sotto voce) You should go! You’ll have fun! (whispered) Go on, go on go on go on

CHARLIE

I… fine! What time am I meeting them? 

NICK 

(relieved, whispering to Charlie) I love you. (over the phone) Yep, Charlie’s coming. (listening) Uhuh, yeah He’ll see you at what, 9.30? Yep. Awesome. Yeah I know. Alright bye, yep. Bye. 

NICK (cont.)

Thank you

CHARLIE

You owe me. 

NICK

Oh do I? 

NICK comes close and starts kissing Charlie on the neck

CHARLIE briefly enjoys this but then looks at NICK pointedly. 

CHARLIE

(smirking) Don’t you have an essay to write?.

NICK

(resigned) I… yes, fine.

EXT. STREET SCENE OUTSIDE A NIGHTCLUB. 

There is a large poster outside saying New Year’s Eve Party. CHARLIE, SAI, OTIS are queuing to be admitted to a nightclub dressed smartly for a night out. SAI and OTIS are joking around, CHARLIE is slowly allowing himself to warm up and enjoy the jokes. A girl in the queue is rolling glitter on Charlie, with a lipstick sized roller ball who is chatting and laughing with her. Charlie gestures to ask to borrow it, she cheerfully nods, and Charlie starts drawing on a squirming Sai’s cheekbones. 

CHARLIE

Stay still!

OTIS

Don’t be finna come at me with that crap.

INT. NIGHTCLUB. 

{MUSIC CUE - DECEPTACON BY LE TIGRE}

A large countdown clock declares its 22:20:15. The dance-floor is still reasonably empty, but filling up. CHARLIE, OTIS and SAI down tequila shots, CHARLIE a bit reticent when he is handed a second, but downs it anyway. 

CHARLIE

Going to the loo!

We see Charlie washing his hands, and walk past a muscular, blonde, attractive looking man of about 20 (TANK TOP GUY) dressed in a tank top and tight jeans. They make eye contact, Charlie smiles cheekily, but keeps walking. 

CHARLIE makes his way through the crowd but can’t find SAI or OTIS. CHARLIE spots OTIS who is chatting up a good-looking young woman with red and blue braided hair. CHARLIE looks across the dancefloor, TANK TOP GUY catches his eye. TANK TOP GUY looks Charlie up and down and smiles suggestively. CHARLIE blushes. At that moment, SAI comes back with a tray loaded with beers and tequila shots. 

SAI

(shouting) The benefit of getting reasonably early is that you can actually get a few rounds in at the bar!

(yelling to OTIS) Otis! Otis!

OTIS looks up and says something in the girl’s ear before coming over. They are struggling to hear each other. They talk in simplified sentences and exaggerated head movements. 

CHARLIE

Looks like you’ve pulled!

OTIS

Got a boyfriend! Should have a badge saying “not interested” or something. So you don’t waste time!

SAI laughs and CHARLIE smirks. 

CHARLIE

Would be safer!

EXT. QUEUE LINE OF THE NIGHTCLUB

Outside the club, we see the back of the doorman checking someone’s tickets. 

DOORMAN:

Well, have a good night, not long to go now!

The camera pans round to see the side of a young man, dressed up in a royal blue suit, and looking confident in a white shirt with no tie, a glamorously dressed girl on his arm. The camera pans up to his face:

BEN HOPE

Yeah well. Some of us like to be fashionably late.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Chapter Text

{MUSIC CUE: WET LEG – WET DREAM}

INT. SAME NIGHT CLUB- NIGHT - NEW YEAR'S EVE

The night is wearing on. The count down clock says 23:46:10. CHARLIE, SAI and OTIS are swaying to the music. 

TANK TOP has made his way over to CHARLIE. Charlie catches his eye and presses his lips together with a grin, then looks down at the floor. When he looks up, Tank Top is still looking at him, a suggestive smirk at one side of his mouth. Tank Top makes his way closer as Charlie watches him out of the corner of his eye. Tank Top starts dancing next to Charlie, who is all smiles and giggles at this point. 

A dark haired girl comes over and starts dancing with OTIS, her friend taking an interest in Sai. Charlie is slightly separated from the group. Charlie is clearly tipsy and enjoying the attention. TANK TOP is edging closer, looking at Charlie with his lips slightly parted. Charlie runs a hand through his own curly hair, and maybe his fingers trail a little too long down his neck on the way back down… Charlie swings his head up and back side to side to the music, Tank Top is now in dancing distance from Charlie, and edges his way a little bit behind Charlie without touching him. Charlie catches, this blinks a bit with a slightly disconcerted expression - he’s not used to this attention - but carries on dancing as Tank Top syncs his movements to Charlie’s. Charlie turns around to look at him, with a nervous expression. But there is spark in his eyes too. 

Across the dancefloor, BEN HOPE turns around at the bar with two drinks, looking for GLAMOUR GIRL, who is just returning from the ladies toilets, Ben spots CHARLIE, who doesn’t notice him. Ben looks shocked, incredulous. He looks around wildly, to see who Charlie is with,  and then he has realised that the man dancing with Charlie isn’t Nick, and a curious look gets on his face, and then a smirk. Ben He shrugs off Glamour Girl, who is trying to kiss his neck. He spins her round for a ‘selfie’ deliberately angling the camera so it captures Charlie and Tank Top in the background. He snaps a few pictures on his phone of Charlie and Tank Top dancing together. He then grabs the girl and kisses her hard. He moves her round so that he can see CHARLIE head on. 

The New Year’s Eve Countdown begins. Sai and Otis look around to find Charlie, suddenly realising he isn’t with them. 

TANK TOP grabs CHARLIE’s face, and kisses him as the midnight alarm goes off. Confetti drops, music blares, Charlie doesn’t reciprocate, he puts his hands on the guys arms to push him off, squinting with the effort. 

SAI

(shouting) Where’s Charlie?

OTIS

(whirling round) He was just over there (seeing) Oh Sh*t!

Unseen by Charlie, Sai and Otis, Ben Hope snaps a burst of photos at just the right moment. Reviewing the photos, he zooms in on one that has Charlie with hands wrapped around Tank Top’s biceps, eyes closed, their lips together. Ben narrows his eyes and smiles thinly to himself, before kissing the neck of the GLAMOUR GIRL. 

Charlie is stepping back from TANK TOP shaking his head, OTIS catches up with CHARLIE and drags him away,

OTIS

(incredulous) Oh my days Charlie!

CHARLIE

He just kissed me! One minute we were talking the next he just ! Oh no. Oh no no no.

OTIS:

(reassuring) Alright bro don’t worry. No harm done. It’s calm. 

SAI looks doubtful.

CHARLIE

Uh, Are you guys having a good time?

SAI

I hate New Year’s Eve!

OTIS

(thinking) Yeah, me too.

SAI

Do you want to get out of here and get some chips?

OTIS

Charlie?

CHARLIE

Nick can pick us up by the Chip Shop?

OTIS

Right let’s do one.

Charlie stumbles into Otis.

SAI:

(clearly hammered) I forgot he’s such a light weight! I’ll text Nick.

Sai drops his phone, trips over his own feet and nearly falls. Otis catches him. 

OTIS 

Oh for the love of god!

CUT TO: 

INT. NICK'S HOME BEDROOM

Nick’s bedroom. He stares at confirmation email that says “Assignment received 11.50pm.” 

He raises his fists to the air in triumph. 

NICK gets a message from OTIS 

“Ayo did you get your essay in? Abeg you pick us? We’re done, and Sai and Charlie are hammered.”   

Nick texts back: 

“Essay done! Sure, meet me at the benches on the green?” 

Otis’s reply appears on Nick’s phone:

“Ok see you in 20 yeah” 

{Music - The Golden Age by Woodkid} 

{Boy we’re dancing through the snow}

EXT CITY STREETS, KENT

NICK arrives in his mum’s car to pick them up. They are eating chips which they bin before getting in the car. 

CHARLIE gets in the front seat. OTIS is keeping SAI upright on the way home. 

… They drive for a few minutes, Charlie drinking water from a water bottle slowly in the front seat. 

… We see Otis is demanding Nick pull over. 

… Otis scrambles out the car and opens Sai’s passenger side door, Sai vomits almost immediately onto the floor. 

OTIS

My shoes!

Otis and Sai are bickering in the background and Charlie is laughing at them. Nick gets a picture message just as he is about to drive off from an unknown number.  

{Bugles sound, the clatter of drum sticks … snare drums}

NICK looks at the pictures. His smile drops. They are cropped images, focusing on the kiss between TANK TOP and CHARLIE. The images make it look as bad as possible. 

The message reads: 

“Happy New Year Nick… but damn, might want to keep your pet on a shorter leash ;-) xxxx ”

The camera focuses on Nick’s face. He is confused. Horrified. 

CUT TO EXT. STREET SCENE - NIGHT SAME DAY

{The music is loud, and the only thing we hear - MUSIC ONLY}

NICK and CHARLIE are standing under a street lamp, yelling at each other.  OTIS is on his feet, leaning against the chassis of the car, next to Sai who is sitting with his head in his hands in the front passenger seat of the car with the door open, feet out onto the road.

Nick is furious. Charlie is still notably drunk but his righteous indignation is sobering him up. They are pointing and screaming in each other’s faces. 

{Listen I can hear the call}

CHARLIE

So you just want to blame me for everything? I didn’t do anything!

NICK

(rounding on him) You kissed him!

CHARLIE

(Pushing his chin out and leaning toward Nick) He kissed me! It was a second before I pulled away!

NICK

(An intimidating step closer) Why was he close enough to kiss you?

CHARLIE

(belligerent) Maybe because you weren’t there!

NICK

So this is my fault now?

CHARLIE

You never make time for me! I am constantly putting myself out for you!

NICK

(Scathingly, dramatically) Oh so now you're in your second year and it’s all about how difficult it is for Charlie? Unless you’ve forgotten this is my final year? I made it work last year so why is it so hard for you?

CHARLIE

(sneering) Leaving your coursework to the last minute so you can’t go out with me is not ‘making it work’ Nick. 

NICK

(Losing it) So this is what you usually get up to when I’m not there then is it? 

CHARLIE

 (taking a step back, coldly) I don’t have to listen to this. How dare you. When you’ve got girls draped all over you every time I visit, every night out photo.

NICK

(clenching his fists) They’re my friends, Charlie. I’m allowed friends!

CHARLIE

That want to sleep with you?

NICK

(hotly) Oh you can talk with Ally drooling all over you… 

CHARLIE

(snarling into Nick’s face) You know, what is your problem? You wanted me to go out without you, I went out. Somebody kissed me, so what? It wasn’t my choice.

NICK

You were dancing with him!

CHARLIE

(seething) You should have been there!

NICK

(With furious venom) Well you should have stopped him!

Charlie looks shell shocked. He walks away. Nick is devastated with himself, unable to comprehend what is happening, appalled. Otis and Sai stand, stunned. 

NICK

(pathetically, on verge of tears) Charlie, Charlie I didn’t mean that, Charlie,  I shouldn’t have said that, Charlie come back…

CHARLIE

(breathing labouredly) I’m leaving before we both say anything else we regret.

NICK

Char you can’t walk home by yourself.

CHARLIE

Just leave me alone Nick. 

NICK

(commanding) Charlie get back in the car.

CHARLIE

(with venom) Leave me alone!

OTIS 

(walking past, pointing to Nick, angry) You’re out of order. 

OTIS runs after Charlie. The camera stays with Nick and Sai.

OTIS

(in the distance) Ay, Charlie! Charlie!

Charlie pauses and acknowledges Otis. After a brief unheard conversation, they walk off together. 

SAI

(hammered) Otis will get him home, is fine. 

INT. CHARLIE’S BEDROOM - MORNING. 

Charlie is staring at his phone. It's 9:24AM, 1st January. 

TEXTS From NICK: 

“I’m a complete dickhead.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“I love you.”

CHARLIE types for a while and stop, deleting, a few times, looking pensive. 

"you say that like it solves everything"
"I feel like we don't trust each other anymore"
"do we need to talk about what's going on with us?"

He texts off quickly. 

“Can we please just forget it.”

“I hate New Year’s Eve.”

Immediate replies:

Text from Nick: 

“Yes. Please. Me too xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx”

Text from Charlie: 

“I’m so hungover x.”

Text from Nick: 

“Want a cuddle and snacks xxxx?” 

Charlie thinks for a minute, a suspicion forming in his mind. 

Text from Charlie

“You’re outside aren’t you?”

Text from Nick

“Maaaaaybe….” 

Charlie walks down the stairs and opens the door to Nick without a smile.  Nick looks rumpled and has a backpack. 

CHARLIE

(with pursed lips) Have you been out there all night?

NICK

(with an attempt at a guilty schoolboy smile) Not quite. I was tempted.

CHARLIE

(sighs) …you’re a dick.

Nick leans forward and hugs Charlie very tightly. 

NICK

I’m really sorry Char.

CHARLIE

(briskly) I’m sorry too. But let’s forget about it now. 

Nick picks Charlie up bridal style and carries him up the stairs. 

INT. CHARLIE’S BEDROOM

Nick unceremoniously dumps Charlie on the bed. Charlie giggles. 

NICK

SHH! You’ll wake your mum and dad!

CHARLIE 

(Feigning levity) Pfft, unlikely. They got in after me.

They lie on the bed, spooning. Nick settles down and closes his eyes. Charlie stares numbly out at the room, his mouth tense. 

Montage of Nick and Charlie, the next day, packing up their things in their respective rooms, Charlie’s dad picking Nick up from his house and taking both Nick and Charlie to the train station. The boys board a train, Nick falls asleep on Charlie. Charlie is staring out the window. Charlie gets off at Manchester Piccadilly, he gives Nick a hug, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. Nick changes trains and boards one heading to Leeds, Charlie leaves the station and gets on a bus to his university house. Charlie closes his eyes as soon as he gets on the bus. 

FADE OUT.

FEBRUARY

INT. NICK’S UNIVERSITY BEDROOM. 

[Text on Screen]

12TH FEBRUARY

Nick wakes up, looks at his phone. It’s Saturday morning, 14th February. He rolls over and smiles as he receives a text notification 

“Your flowers have been delivered to the address of MR CHARLES SPRING. Signed for by MARIA VITTORIA BIANCHI.”

Nick sends a text message to Charlie:

“Happy Early Valentine’s mon amour. I’m sad we aren’t together this weekend but looking forward to seeing you next week xxxx.” 

Nick hears that there is a knock on the front door and the front door opening, and TASH’s voice: 

TASH (off camera)

Oh Hey! 

There is some low murmuring, a male voice

TASH (off camera) 

 Oh, uh, yeah, sure, go on up…

There is the sound of feet by the stairs. Nick is already looking at his bedroom door when there is a knock on Nick’s door. He opens it to find Charlie, pink nosed and cheeked, bundled up against the cold. Nick’s face bursts into a beaming smile and he immediately hugs Charlie. 

NICK 

(thrilled) Ahh this is the best surprise!

Charlie, unseen by Nick, looks pained but squeezes him tightly back, with balled fists. Nick pulls back and gives Charlie a trademark Nick Nelson beam. But Charlie is not smiling. He looks nervous. 

CHARLIE

 Uh, listen. We need to talk. 

Chapter Text

INT. NICK’s UNIVERSITY BEDROOM. 

A dreary morning. It’s raining. CHARLIE is sitting on the desk chair, NICK is standing by the window looking pensive. 

CHARLIE:

…and I feel like we’ve just been pretending everything was fine when it wasn’t, it hasn’t been for a while… And, we didn’t even talk about New Year’s Eve, and like nothing really happened, maybe it could have. I was so drunk I didn’t know what I was doing, and that’s not right, it’s not excusable, it’s not a defence to say “Oh I was drunk” when I was irresponsible 

NICK 

Charlie?! You were the victim and (face full of shame) I didn’t support you properly at the time because I just …saw red with those pictures… because Ben Hope of all people…

CHARLIE

No, no, I shouldn’t have let myself get like that. Like, he didn’t assault me. He just got the wrong idea.  

Nick doesn’t know what to say.

[A Beat]

CHARLIE (cont.) 

It was just… it’s just been so hard. This year has been harder than I could have imagined.

NICK

 (tense) It is for me too-

CHARLIE 

I know. It’s your final year. Things between us can’t be messing up your degree. Something has to change (swallowing, looking at the floor) And… and I think… I think that we should …

NICK

(Stepping towards Charlie and putting his hand on his wrist gently, face full of worry) Should what?

Charlie pulls away and turns round. He stands up and moves towards the window. Nick sits on the bed, as if struggling to stand up, his skin starting to pale. 

CHARLIE

(quietly, looking down at the floor with balled fists) The stress of long distance is just…too much for both of us. We need some time… to figure out who we are and what we’re doing. (Strongly) We’ve never even paused to accept that things aren’t the same as they were when we were living in the same town and doing the same things.

NICK

(struggling to make sense of this) So, what… like, a break?  Spend some time.. (realising that this makes no sense) apart?

CHARLIE 

(taking a deep breath) No Nick, Like a break up.

NICK 

(in shock) What? 

CHARLIE

Nick…

NICK

Charlie, No! No, no why? No. (Getting up holding Charlie’s forearms gently) If you need space, we can, I don’t know, I can, not call you or, or, or, we can set limits on visiting each other or, something 

CHARLIE

Nick…

NICK

 (with false mirth, disbelieving) We don’t need to throw away the last four years of our lives…

Charlie lifts his hands up so they are out of Nick’s grasp, he holds them up to stop Nick’s ramble. He continues quietly.

CHARLIE 

We already live in different towns and, we barely get to see each other. And the idea of being with you but having put some rules around when we’re allowed to talk to each other, (he creases his brow) that’s, that’s, that’s just not going to work, it’ll be, horrendous. 

 Nick's frustration is visible. 

NICK 

Charlie I don’t understand this. We’ve had a few arguments, I get it, it’s hard, I get it, but we can work through this. (Conciliatory, pragmatically) I’m, I’m sorry about New Year’s Eve. I shouldn't have gotten so jealous…

CHARLIE 

Nick…

NICK

 (Pleading) Charlie this is crazy, I don’t believe you really want to break up over some bickering-

CHARLIE

(Incredulous) Bickering? It’s been more than a few lovers’ tiffs Nick.

NICK 

(Angry) So you’re just going to bin us off because it’s hard? Is, is this about something else? 

There is a pause. Charlie swallows.

NICK (cont.)

(With horrified realisation) Have you met someone? Have you slept with someone?

CHARLIE

Jesus no! No. NO.

NICK

(Baffled) Then what?! You just, don’t love me anymore?

CHARLIE

I do! Of course I do…

NICK 

Then why are you-

Charlie interrupts him loudly

CHARLIE 

Nick! Just… look. I need to show you. 

[A beat]

Charlie closes his eyes, and slowly lifts his t-shirt on one side with one hand. There is a large white stick on bandage, just below the ribs. Charlie takes one corner of the plaster and starts to peel down. Now we see from behind Charlie, to Nick’s shocked and horrified reaction. From behind we see Charlie’s hand smooth the bandage back down, and his top fall loose again. 

Nick has his hands by his temples, devastated.

NICK

Oh my god. Char. What happened? Why. Why would you?

CROSS FADE

FLASH BACK.

TEXT ON SCREEN:

3 WEEKS AGO

INT. CHEESY NIGHT CLUB IN MANCHESTER – NIGHT

{MUSIC: PUT YOUR HANDS UP FOR DETROIT BY FEDDE LE GRANDE}

Charlie is in a night club with previously unseen housemate JASMINE, (19) and a gaggle of other bright young people. Posters say “2000s night”. It is Jasmine’s birthday and she is wearing a princess crown and sash saying ‘Birthday Girl’. With them is Mavi and Alistair, both dressed up, Alistair is wearing a mesh top and tight jeans. He looks good.

Charlie is wearing a slightly more stylish shirt than we usually him wear. He is drinking shots wincing, with his friend group, looking self conscious. He doesn’t appear to want to be there. He already looks a little worse for wear. 

ALISTAIR

Charlie! Sexy boyyyyy. What’s the matter? 

Charlie reacts to the 'Sexy Boy' comment with a taken aback open mouthed smile. He shakes his head as if clearing it

CHARLIE 

 I didn’t realise we were going 'out out'!

ALISTAIR

Ach, You’ve been moping for days!

Alistair takes Charlie by the hands, leaning in to speak in Charlie's ear. 

ALISTAIR (CONT.)

I know you and lover-boy had a row but you need to cheer up! Dance with me! 

Charlie looks up into Alistair's eyes,  unsure. 

CHARLIE

Uhh…

ALISTAIR

Oh come on… get out of your own head! (Cheekily) I promise I’m not going to jump you, so golden boy can’t hulk out on you! 

Alistair puts his hands on Charlie’s shoulders, one at his waist, and starts to move him around, to dance with him. Charlie appears a little hesitant but doesn’t resist, he starts to smile at Alistair. 

CHARLIE

I’m not really a dancer!

ALISTAIR

(with a wicked smile) I’ve got something that’ll help with that!

Alistair fishes in his pocket, brings out a closed fist, catches Charlie’s wrist with his other hand, brings it up to his lips like a knight to a lady, kisses the back of Charlie’s hand, then gently twists Charlie’s round so that it is palm up. He then folds something into Charlie’s hand, and curls Charlie’s fingers around it, flashing his eyebrows, indicating Charlie to open it. 

Charlie unwraps his hand lightly and looks shocked at Alistair. 

CHARLIE

I don’t …

ALISTAIR

(cutting across him) Jesus Christ Charlie when are you going to loosen up! You’re a young man for godsake!

Charlie hesitates, but Alistair puts a tab on his own tongue and, with one finger, then guides Charlie’s unresisting hand up to Charlie’s mouth.

ALISTAIR

(With mischief) Bottoms’ up!

{THE MUSIC MIXES INTO:  SOMETHING GOOD'08 -VANSHE TECH MIX by UTAH SAINTS)

Charlie makes a split second decision and takes the pill. As he chases it down with his alcopop, he looks shocked by his own decision. 

ALISTAIR

(Shrieking) Ooooh she’s done it now!

We see Charlie start to loosen up. He starts to move alongside Alistair. It’s tentative to start with but then Charlie is just having fun, sensually moving against Alistair, jumping up at the lasers, now he’s dancing with Jasmine, all the friends, they’re all moving together, it's intimate, it's frenetic, it's alive. 

QUICK CUT TO:

INT. CHARLIE’S BEDROOM 

TEXT ON SCREEN:

SUNDAY 

Charlie is lying on his bed still in his clothes from last night, with his phone ringing. 

Charlie extends a hand from out of the duvet and accepts the call, putting it on speaker phone. 

CHARLIE

(Weakly) Hey…

NICK (on the phone)

(Angry) Where the hell have you been? I must have called you 20 times last night? I thought you were dead!

CHARLIE

Just out for Jaz’s birthday.

NICK

And you couldn’t text me?

CHARLIE

Uh. My battery died.

NICK

Seriously, and you couldn’t borrow one of your friend’s?-

Nick’s voice fades out,  Charlie nod a few times 

CHARLIE

I'm actually really tired, I'm going to go back to sleep. 

He abruptly ends the call and put the duvet over his head. 

CUT TO:

INT. CHARLIE’S BEDROOM - THE FOLLOWING DAY

TEXT ON SCREEN:

MONDAY

Charlie now dressed in different clothes, but is lying in bed listening to Tori’s voicemail. He doesn’t leave a message. 

AURELIE is knocking on the door. 

AURELIE

Okay this come-down has lasted long enough. You ‘ave to come out your room? 

Charlie reluctantly gets out of bed. He opens the door a crack. He looks terrible. 

AURELIE

You need to eat something? Perhaps I will make you some crepes?

CHARLIE

I appreciate the concern Oz but I’m fine. I’ll be down later.  

AURELIE

Okay… but-

Charlie closes the door in her face. He gets back into bed. He checks his phone. There is a message from Nick and two missed calls. The time says 09:37. 

CUT TO:

Overhead shot of Charlie still lying in bed. The light has changed. The room is now darker. 

He checks his phone. It says 18:57

There is a text message from Nick: 

“Urg, Poor you, Two day hangover, that's impressive! Hope your head feels better *heart emoji*”

TEXT ON SCREEN:

TUESDAY 

Charlie sits up on the side of the bed, there are now two empty wine bottles at his feet and an empty packet of Haribo, the dregs of a glass of wine on the bedside table which he drains. 

He lies down on his bed, duvet tucked around him to try to dull the pain. 

Suddenly we focus on Charlie’s face and he closes his eyes. 

FLASHBACK (IN MONTAGE): 

…Charlie taking the pill and dancing with Alistair

… close up on his phone with 21 missed calls and three messages. 

… close up on Aurelie’s face saying “You need to eat something?” 

…Tash’s voice in voiceover “Maybe when your boyfriend isn’t here” 

… Charlie sees Tash flirting with Nick in the kitchen.

… Tanktop guy kissing Charlie

… Nick shouting at him outside the club. 

 “you should have stopped him!”

CUT TO:

INT. NICK’s UNIVERSITY BEDROOM- PRESENT DAY. 

Charlie and Nick are standing in Nick's bedroom as we left them, the atmosphere tense. 

CHARLIE 

I just couldn’t stop thinking about what I’d done. And what could have happened. And about who you were with, and what you were doing, and what was happening to us. And I just couldn’t stop. 

Nick frowns, as the scene transitions

CUT BACK TO FLASHBACK:

INT. CHARLIE’S UNIVERSITY BEDROOM - NIGHT

Charlie sits up, his hands at his temples. He closes his eyes again, and our viewpoint takes on an intense, nightmarish quality. Everything exaggerated and off kilter. 

He imagines…

… dancing in the club with Alistair, Charlie leaning back into him as Alistair is putting the pill on Charlie’s tongue. 

… 57 missed calls and 12 messages. 

.. Aurelie’s face, demanding “Eat something”!

… Tash’s voice in voiceover – “when your boyfriend isn’t here”

… Nick leans in and kisses Tash.  

… Charlie being kissed by Tanktop guy, but Charlie doesn’t pull away, he reciprocates. 

… Nick yelling in his face (direct to camera) at him outside the club. "You should have stopped him!"

Charlie's eyes flicker open, and then we're back to the flash backs/imagination whirling, getting faster, getting more intense. 

…He imagines

Himself grinding back into Alistair, Alistair licking his neck, Charlie reaching an arm behind him to pull Alistair’s body close by the hips.

…He imagines his phone with 127 missed calls and 37 messages.

… Aurelie’s face, with an enormous tray of pancakes covered in honey and butter “Eat!”

…He hears Tash’s voice – “your boyfriend isn’t here”

…He imagines Nick running his hands over Tash’s body, luxuriating in her curves, kissing her passionately, unable to keep his hands off her. She looks seductively at the camera laughing. 

…He imagines himself at New Year, passionately kissing Tank Top back as people shout a New Year countdown.

…He imagines Nick screaming wordlessly in his face at him outside the club, holding him by the collar. 

The images flicker like a strobe, flashing up worst case scenarios. 

…Nick comes into focus slowly in the middle, furious and frightening:

NICK

You should have stopped him!

Charlie is unable to take the visions in his head. He yells and throws his arms onto the wall. The framed picture of Nick and Charlie falls to the floor, smashing the glass. 

{We hear tones like a finger on the rim of a wet glass, drowning out the music, which pauses} 

Charlie impulsively picks up a large shard and he stumbles out into the hall to the bathroom and looks in the mirror. 

{The music resumes}

Staring at himself in the basin mirror, he puts his phone on the bathroom counter.  He holds the shard and closes his eyes as he lifts his top up to reveal a tiny patch on his stomach.  Charlie’s phone starts buzzing on the counter. It's Tori. Blood spatters into the basin.

CHARLIE (in voice over, present day)

Nothing made anything feel any better. I just couldn’t imagine things getting any better. 

IN FLASHBACK:

Charlie stares at the bathtub. He carefully sets the bloodied glass shard on the side of the bath and turns on the taps. Charlie’s phone rings again. It’s Tori. She rings again and it falls off the worktop. The screen smashes. Charlie pauses.  

CHARLIE (in voiceover, present day )

And I didn’t want to stop. But I kept thinking… what if they find me here and Tori thinks this is her fault. If she thinks, ‘if only she’d answered the phone’. 

IN FLASHBACK:

{natural background sounds}

Charlie slides down to the floor leaning against the bath. There are blood marks on his top and on his hands.  The taps are still running, steam is rising from the scalding bath behind him. 

Charlie picks up the phone, and holds it to his ear.  

CHARLIE

(Desperately) Tori I need help

{Music cue: CHVRCHES - How not to drown}

{Tell Me How}

Charlie clears up the bathroom as best he can and drain the bath. He grabs the towel and clutches it to his stomach. We see him come out of his room with a coat round him. 

Charlie clatters down the stairs and puts his head round the lounge door. 

CHARLIE

I’m er, just going to a friend’s. I might not be back tonight.

Alistair and Mavi nod from the sofa where they are watching TV. 

ALISTAIR

See ya

Charlie, clutching a towel to his stomach under his coat, gets into the taxi and asks for the hospital. 

CHARLIE (voiceover)

She borrowed her housemate’s car and drove for three hours so she could come and look after me.  

INT. A&E DEPT. MANCHESTER ROYAL INFIRMARY

Charlie is sitting in a triage room. Tori arrives and hugs him tightly whilst he cries. 

CHARLIE (voiceover)

And I just, didn’t tell anyone. I just pretended it never happened. 

CUT TO: INT. MANCHESTER ROYAL INFIRMARY – PHARMACY 

Charlie is queuing with Tori to collect medication. He is talking on the phone, leaving a voicemail. His voice appears cheerful but his face does not. 

CHARLIE

Hey love sorry I missed your call!  I’ve got another massive migraine so I’m going to take some painkillers and go to sleep. Can’t see to text. Okay bye, love you!

CUT TO: 

INT/EXT. LOBBY OF MANCHESTER ROYAL INFIRMARY - NIGHT

Charlie, dressed, leaving the hospital with a chemist’s bag and a leaflet about  Mental Health Crisis Team. 

{‘Watch as they pull me down}

{MUSIC FADES OUT}

CUT TO: 

INT NICK’S BEDROOM, PRESENT DAY 

Charlie is sitting on the floor of Nick’s bedroom with his head in his hands. Nick is sitting on his bed in complete shock. 

NICK 

Oh my god. And you didn’t tell me. 

CHARLIE

I … didn’t want to. I was drunk. I was on a come down. I was impulsive.

NICK 

(Softly, shaking his head) ...and you’re doing pills now Charlie? 

CHARLIE

Just that night. 

NICK

(At a loss) Char. How am I supposed to help you if you don’t tell me things?!

CHARLIE

That’s the point! You can’t help me when its… 

NICK 

(Realising) Me that’s the problem? 

CHARLIE 

Not you. Us. This. This situation. I can’t go on like this.

Nick puts his head in his hands. 

NICK

So this is why you wouldn’t let me anywhere near you this last couple of weeks. My god Char, it’s, it’s like I don’t recognise you any more! Lying to me, taking drugs? Cutting again? Keeping secrets? What else are you doing? 

Charlie looks helplessly at him. 

[A beat]

NICK

(Hopelessly) Okay.

[A beat]

CHARLIE 

 (Scared) …Okay?

NICK

(Defeated) I can’t be the reason you want to hurt yourself Charlie.

CHARLIE 

You know that’s not…

NICK

If it’s not me, then why are you breaking up with me?

CHARLIE

I…

{MUSIC CUE: The Hard Way – Pale Waves}

{Lately its haunting me}

NICK: 

(Voice shaking) So this is it?

Charlie is finally showing emotion,  tears in his eyes. 

CHARLIE 

I’m so sorry.

Nick rushes towards him, embraces him, shushes him and kisses him all over his face, his voice getting increasingly fervent.

NICK 

I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you.

CHARLIE:

(Desperately) I love you too

Charlie starts to stand.

CHARLIE (CONT).

I’m, I think I’m going to have to go.

NICK 

No. No, no, stay, no no…

Charlie breaks free of Nick's arms, Nick stops fighting. Charlie responds with heartbroken cheerfulness:

CHARLIE  

Good Bye Nick!

NICK  

(Devastated) Charlie!

Charlie walks down the stairs and down the front door and leaves. 

//EXT. STREET OUTSIDE NICK’S UNI HOUSE

Charlie, some way down the street looks up at Nick's bedroom window, wiping his tears. Nick is on his feet, pacing his room like a caged animal.

{Pretending everything’s okay} 

//INT. NICK’S UNI BEDROOM

Nick screams. It’s a long, low, guttural howl which escapes his body without his control. He picks up his mug from his bedside table and throws it, his N mug, across the room where it smashes into the ‘Nick and Charlie’ photo montage. It shatters to the floor, leaving tea stains across the photo montage.

Nick is losing his mind, pulling things off his desk. He seizes a bedside photograph of him and Charlie and throws it against the wall. 

//EXT. STREET OUTSIDE NICK’S HOUSE

Charlie gets on a bus to Leeds Terminus in silence, tears streaming down his face. 

//INT. NICK’S UNI HOUSE

TASH runs into Nick’s room. 

TASH

God, Nick!

Nick crumples to the floor against his bed, sweat pouring from his body, eyes swimming in tears. 

//INT. CITY BUS

Charlie grips his flesh on his arms with his finger nails, takes a breath and forces himself to grab the handle of his bag instead.  

//INT. NICK's UNI BEDROOM

Tash is holding Nick, both sat on the floor, Nick sobbing into Tash's chest. Amira runs in the room, and stands looking shocked by the doorway. Tash looks at her helplessly. 

//INT. CITY BUS 

Charlie wiping tears from his face with his palm. 

FADE TO BLACK

END OF PART ONE

Chapter Text

INT. NICK'S UNI BEDROOM

We hear the ringing out tones of a mobile on speaker phone immediately go to voicemail . TASH is standing by Nick’s window holding her mobile phone to talk to it. AMIRA is sitting on the floor facing Nick, holding his hands. Nick looks distraught, his eyes hot and red with tears. 

We hear from the speaker phone:

#you have reached the voicemail of *Victoria Spring*. Please leave a message#

TASH

Hi um, this is Natasha-Marie, I’m a friend of Nick Nelson’s. Um, Charlie has just left Nick’s very upset, they, well, they’ve broken up. Nick’s really worried about Charlie but can’t… he can’t phone him. Could you please let us know if Charlie’s okay? Thankyou. 

Tash ends the call. 

TASH

Look Nick there isn’t anything else you can do if you don’t want to call him yourself. She’s probably on the phone to him right now. 

NICK nods reluctantly. 

CUT TO: 

INT. SPRING HOUSEHOLD KITCHEN- DAY

A mobile phone in a cover with black cats on the design is vibrating against the kitchen table. We see that CHARLIE is ringing, the contact picture is of Charlie kissing TORI’s cheek whilst she scowls at the camera. 

JANE SPRING picks it up and answers it, perching it between her ear and shoulder. She picks up the kettle and starts pouring hot water on a tea bag in a blue and white striped mug. Next to her drink on the counter is a copy of Brene Brown “Daring Greatly”

JANE

Hi Charlie! Tori’s in the shower.

INT. SPRING HOUSEHOLD KITCHEN / CHARLIE'S UNIVERSITY BEDROOM

The screen splits and Charlie is on the right hand side. Charlie is pacing up and down in his university bedroom. When he hears mum’s voice, he stops dead. 

CHARLIE 

(choked) Mum? Is that you? 

JANE 

Last time I checked. 

CHARLIE 

Why are you answering Tori’s phone? 

JANE

(irritated) Because you’re my son? You sound upset, what’s the matter? 

Charlie is trying not to cry on the phone 

JANE (cont.)

Charlie?

Charlie tries to compose himself 

CHARLIE: 

Um, I er, just need to talk to Tori. 

JANE

Oh… okay. Well she’s just gone in the shower but I’ll sure she’ll only be a minute or two if you want to hang on? 

CHARLIE

Er… um. Are you visiting her? 

JANE

No we’re at home.

CHARLIE

Why is she at home?

Jane looks uncomfortable. This is unusual for Jane, she is not used to knowing things about Tori that Charlie doesn’t. 

JANE

(reluctantly) Well, er, your sister is having a rough time at the moment, she wanted to come home for a bit of TLC.  

CHARLIE 

(alarmed) Is she okay? 

Jane turns around and sees Tori with a towel around her head, standing in an oversized towelling hoodie, her lips pursed. She has her hand outstretched for the phone. 

JANE

(quickly) I’ll let her tell you about it. Here she is now, but, Charlie. You know you can actually talk to me you know, if you need to. I am your mum. 

CHARLIE

(wincing) Yeah. Thanks mum. 

Jane walks off, looking back at her children with a worried expression. 

TORI

(bluntly) You do realise Nick is getting his friends to message me to check up on you. He seems to think he’s not allowed to talk to you. 

CHARLIE

I broke up with him. Did you reply?

TORI

So I heard. I lied and said you were okay. 

CHARLIE

Thanks. Why are you at home? 

TORI

No, no, this is your therapy session. Are you going to be okay? 

CHARLIE

Probably. I’m not sure. I don’t know what I’m doing. I don’t even know if that’s what I want. 

TORI

I feel like you need to get some actual help Charlie. From a professional? 

CHARLIE

I was discharged from CAMHS when I became an adult and CMHT said I’m not high risk enough.

TORI

Student counselling service or something? I don’t think I’m necessarily in a good position to help right now. 

CHARLIE

(surprised) Oh.. okay. Yeah, okay, I’ll think about it. 

TORI

Okay, good. I’ll speak to you later okay? 

Charlie sits down and lies down on his bed, a bit perturbed. After a moment or so, TORI's number flashes up. 

CHARLIE

What’s up? 

JANE 

Hi it’s mum again. Listen, do you want to come home for the weekend? 

CHARLIE

(taken aback) Er, well, um, uh, it’s a bit expensive to come home on a whim, like I’ll only be there overnight and basically need to turn round and go back again. 

JANE

Well, I’ll send you a ticket code if you like? (whispering) Listen Charlie I’m actually a bit worried about Tori, and you for that matter based on what she’s just told me. 

CHARLIE

I… 

JANE

And I won’t pry or make suggestions or try to help, just, come home and spend some time arguing with your big sister and talking rubbish to your dad. 

CHARLIE

Er, I don’t know mum. I can’t take your and dad’s money what with things being as they are

JANE

Just… I think she really would like to see you. And I would like you both where I can see you. 

(A beat)

Please Charlie?

CHARLIE

Uuuuuh. Um. okay mum. Er yes, I mean thankyou. That’d be really good. 

JANE

Good. Is the 12.10 from Manchester Piccadilly okay? I’ll message you the code. Should get in around 5. Message dad and he’ll get you from the station. 

CHARLIE

Yeah, thanks mum. See you later. 

JANE 

That’s settled then

{MUSIC CUE: HOME – Edith Whiskers}

INT. INTERCITY TRAIN – AFTERNOON. 

Charlie is staring out the window, wiping tears from his eyes. 

He sleeps for a bit. 

He gets a coffee from the trolley

He gets up as the train pulls into Herne Bay station.

CUT TO

EXT ROCHESTER TRAIN STATION CAR PARK – EVENING

Julio Spring is on his feet out of the car, taking Charlie’s bag and putting it in the boot. He hugs Charlie, who tries not to cry. 

Jane welcomes Charlie in through the front door, taking his coat off him and hanging it up for him.  Tori is sat on the lounge sofa under a blanket. She raises her knees to let Charlie sit down. They half smile at each other.  Julio brings in a breadboard with pizza on it and puts it on the coffee table. They all dig in, except Charlie. He is aware of his mother’s eyes on him. He picks up the smallest piece of pizza and she opens her mouth. He looks at her, daring her to make a big deal of it. 

CHARLIE

(slightly hostile) What is it mum?

JANE

Oh, (a pause) I was thinking about how I didn’t realise until recently how lucky we are. Well. I’m going to make a cup of tea and then I’m having a bath.  

She gives Charlie a tight smile and leaves. Charlie looks at Tori, completely baffled. 

TORI

I’ll… Explain later.

The light changes. It is now late. The room is illuminated by the television.  Jane, now in a dressing gown, looks through the door and sees her children asleep on the sofa. She sighs, happy they are home, but worried. Julio appears behind her and puts his hand on her shoulder. She reaches up, and puts her opposite hand over his and leans into him. Julio kisses the top of her head. 

CUT TO:

INT. NICK’S BEDROOM AT UNIVERSITY

Nick is alone, sitting on his bed, he is looking at a printed photo of Charlie and him, a picture from Halloween, where Nick is kissing Charlie’s cheek and Charlie is smiling with his eyes closed.  Nick puts it down and starts crying but tries to pull himself together. Nick calls his mum’s mobile. 

SARAH (over the phone)

(brightly) Nicky! To what do I owe the pleasure? 

NICK

(voice cracked) Mum? 

FADE OUT

END SCENE.

INT. CHARLIE’s ROOM  - SUNDAY MORNING

A knock on the bedroom door. Charlie has been staring at his phone lying on the bed. 

CHARLIE:

(joking) Urgh what do you want now, Wednesday?

JANE:

(Irritated) Well, it's your mother and I wanted to talk to you.

CHARLIE

(sitting up rapidly) Oh, sorry mum, I thought you were Tori.

(A pause. The door doesn't open)

JANE

Can I come in?

CHARLIE

Uh, yes of course sorry.

Jane walks through the door holding a full cup of tea. She sets it down next to Charlie.

JANE

Thought a cup of tea might help.

CHARLIE

Oh, (touched) thanks mum.

JANE

Are you going back to Manchester today or can you stay a bit longer?

CHARLIE

(Taken aback) Um, Well, I’ve got lectures tomorrow and I have coursework due at the end of the week?

JANE

Ah. Oh okay. 

CHARLIE

Mum, what’s going on?

Jane (sighs) and sits on the end of Charlie’s bed.  

JANE

(with a big sigh) Do you know, when I was pregnant with you, everyone told me, (affects a prissy voice) 'oh, two under two, they’re going to fight like cats and dogs, you’ll never going to know a moment’s peace.'

But you two just loved each other. From the start!  You were Tori’s little shadow, and she just adored you. And when you were 2 and 3, you were so tall people would ask me if you were twins. And I used to say “Oh yes they are, Charlie was just a bit late,”...

Charlie is looking at his mum with a very thoughtful expression. He hasn't really heard her talk like this for a long time,  and whilst he has no idea where she's going with this he.. quite likes it?

JANE (cont)

...and I thought, (triumphantly) well, that showed you lot, I’m over the hard part.  But no one told me or warned me that actually, the hard bit hadn’t even started yet. That I had to let you out into the world and figure things out for yourselves.  And that I’d see you both hurt and be completely at a loss what to do, and if I did try to help, I just seemed to get it wrong and you ended up further away from me.

Charlie is sitting with his mouth open, he can't help but reach for his mum's hand. 

CHARLIE 

(gently) Mum…

JANE CONT.

(emotional) But I am still here. I am still your mum. And I am worried about you, and, and,

Jane doesn’t want to say this but gives up. She is almost in tears. 

JANE (cont). 

(miserably)... and I am so worried about your sister.

Charlie looks at his mum, confused, wanting her to continue

JANE

(in a whisper)

She has barely got out of bed for the last two weeks. She managed to have a shower, and she perked up a bit because you’re home. But I know you can’t just drop everything and even if you did, you can’t magically make everything better. But…you two have always been so good for each other! And I don’t know what to do? (blurting out) We’re thinking she’s going to have to pull out of her course. Her medication doesn’t seem to be helping this time.

CHARLIE starts crying. 

JANE:

(concerned) Oh Charlie! 

CHARLIE:

(crying) It’s my fault mum. I, I’ve been putting too much pressure on her since my therapy finished, and I have had some … problems… I’ve not been looking after myself, and, things with Nick and uni and, and I just piled it onto Tori. She even came to the hospital with me. And I just offloaded onto her about Nick and all my problems, *sobbing* I didn’t even think about her feelings.

Jane puts an alarmed hand on his shoulder. 

JANE

Hey hey hey. Look at me. Look at me. (she puts a hand on his face) Come on. (reassuring) Come on. You know that’s not true. Tori would be furious if she thought you were blaming yourself. Tori’s problems are her own. (Firmly) You didn’t cause this Charlie. And she’s your big sister. She always wants to look out for you. We’ll figure this out, don’t worry. That's what I meant about being lucky. We've got each other. We will figure out. I promise. But, what’s going on with you? I know you and Nick split up, I’m not deaf and blind, but what’s all this about hospital? 

CHARLIE

(tries to articulate in words and fails) I…. I’ve messed it all up mum, I don’t know what to do.

{MUSIC Girl in Red - Serotonin}

{I’m running low on Serotonin}

Jane puts her arms out for a hug, which he hesitantly accepts. She cuddles him up into a hug, making reassuring shushing noises. 

JANE (cont)

Hush now. Hush. Shhh shh shh. Oh my little boy. It’s okay. We’ll fix it. Everything will be okay. I’ve got you. 

JULIO appears in the doorway. 

JULIO

(concerned) Charlie?

Jane looks helplessly at Julio and just carries on holding Charlie as he rocks and cries. 

TRANSITION

{I get intrusive thoughts}

MONTAGE - CHARLIE'S TWO WEEKS

//INT. GP SURGERY

{Music continues}

Charlie is talking to the doctor with his Dad by his side. He leaves with a prescription and doctor’s note. 

//INT. SPRING HOUSEHOLD. DINING ROOM

{Music continues}

Charlie is on his laptop, writing an email:

“Dear Dr Hemslock

Further to our phone discussion, I attach medical evidence to support my request for an extension to my module APM03 coursework due on 24^th February, and leave of absence from lectures for 2 weeks. 

Kind regards, 

Charlie Spring”

He clicks send as Julio walks into the room with his wallet, and Charlie flicks webpage and it shows 

“Good Thinking Online Therapy”

“Shopping Basket”

“Initial consultation – concession rate – 1 x 45 minutes £45.00”

Julio puts his hand on his shoulder and hands him his debit card over his shoulder.  

Charlie hesitates and smiles before turning round and giving Julio a hug. 

//EXT. SPRING HOUSEHOLD PORCH - DAY

Charlie is pulling Tori out of the house by pulling her by the hand. He nearly pulls her over, She raises a rare chuckle. 

//EXT. URBAN PLAY PARK – DAY 

Charlie and Tori are on the roundabout, Charlie is running it round whilst Tori holds on for deal life. She is grinning. 

…Now they are on the park swings, swinging higher and higher. 

...They sheepishly get off so that two young children can play on them. 

...They are walking home, Charlie reaches out for Tori’s hand which she ungraciously accepts, he raises his eyebrows, and they skip down the road, holding hands. 

{I’m running low on serotonin}

//INT. SPRING HOUSEHOLD LIVING ROOM – DUSK

JULIO is very quietly putting down a cup of tea, a diet lemonade with a straw, and a frothy latte, for his wife and two children, who are all sat in the lounge reading what are clearly library books. Tori and Charlie on the sofa, Tori reading “I Think I Might Be Autistic”, Charlie reading “Eliminate Negative Thinking” and Jane is reading “I’m Okay, You’re Okay”.  They are more or less oblivious to Julio, acknowledging him with a quick flick of their eyes, although Jane grabs his hand as he goes to sit in his armchair. Julio winks at her. He settles down with his own cuppa, watching the football on low as his family breath around him. 

//INT. SPRING HOUSEHOLD HALLWAY -  THE NEXT DAY

Charlie is standing by the front door with his coat and bag, dad with his car keys in hand, Tori hugging him.  Jane hugs Charlie and she and Tori wave him goodbye, Jane's hand on Tori's shoulder. 

{MUSIC FADES OUT.... }

CUT TO:

INT. HALLWAY, CHARLIE'S UNIVERSITY HOUSE

CHARLIE arrives back at his uni house. Aurelie comes in from the lounge and gives him a hug.

AURELIE

Thankyou for your messages, Ahh, We had no idea.  

Mavi runs down the stairs punches him on the arm. Charlie looks at her incredulously. 

CHARLIE

What was that for??!

MAVI

Because you should talk when you have a problem, yes?

CHARLIE

I’m trying. I promise.

MAVI

(she gestures ‘watching eyes’, pointing at her own eyes with two fingers and then his) I am watching you Primaverino. So, you put down your things and we go shopping in 1 hour okay? And we do the cooking together, uh?

CHARLIE

(chuckling) Yes Ma’am.

Mavi potters off to the kitchen. Alistair has stepped down the stairs gingerly, looking very sheepish. 

CHARLIE

(kindly) Hey Ally 

Charlie reaches out for a hug, which Alistair accepts tentatively.  

ALISTAIR 

(upset) I'm really sorry Charlie. I should never…

CHARLIE

I'm a grown man Ally. I need to take responsibility for my own actions. 

ALISTAIR

Uh, okay fine. But, still. I’m sorry. 

Charlie smiles gently and puts a foot on the bottom stair. 

CHARLIE 

(with a terrible Scottish accent) Ach, dinna fash yersel

ALISTAIR

(folding his arms) Oh, Okay that is rubbish, never ever do that again. 

CHARLIE

(going up the stairs, with more bad accent) Hoots mon!

ALISTAIR 

(mock outrage) No, no, pack it in!

Charlie runs up to his room with a giggle. Jasmine comes through the front door.  Ally nods at the ceiling. 

ALISTAIR

Oh, Jaz, Charlie just got back. 

JASMINE

Oh great, I’ll pop up in a second, I’ve got loads of lecture notes to give him (she looks at him wryly) so… he’s single now I hear? 

ALISTAIR

That’s what he told Oz. 

JASMINE

(conspiratorially, quietly) So are you going to you know… shoot your shot. 

ALISTAIR

(frowning, resolutely) No, no.

JASMINE

(incredulous) Why not??

ALISTAIR

(simply) I let him down Jaz.

JASMINE

(scoffs) Oh come on, that wasn’t your fault. 

ALISTAIR

(firmly) No. A rebound is the last thing he needs right now and anyway, what on earth makes you think that Nick and Charlie won’t get back together?

JASMINE

Sounded pretty final to me

ALISTAIR 

That’s because you've barely seen them together. (matter of factly) Because that’s: that’s endgame, I’ll bet you. 

MAVI coming from the kitchen

MAVI

(with a cheeky grin) I ship it. 

{MUSIC: SEROTONIN RESUMES - We hear the final swell of music before it fades out for end of scene}

Jasmine holds her hands up in defeat and walks up the stairs.  Mavi pats Ally on the shoulder, goes back in the kitchen. Ally walks up stairs with a faint smile.  

END SCENE.

Chapter Text

INT. NICK'S UNIVERSITY BEDROOM- MORNING.

AMIRA and TOKS knock and push their way in to Nick’s room, looking concerned. Nick is in bed, a blanket cuddled to his chest, watching Black Widow on his laptop. Nick's room looks much as we saw it last, with tatty pinboards with photo collages, fairy lights strung by the bed, not much in the way of soft furnishings other than functional pillows and a duvet. 

TOKS

How are you feeling today, Nick?

NICK 

(He pauses the movie) Um? I don’t know. 

AMIRA

Have you heard from him? 

NICK

He messaged me to say he was okay and getting the help he needs.  I thought maybe after a week or so he'd change his mind, but he says he needs to prioritise himself right now and he needs time.  And then I asked how much time and he, kinda sent me an essay.

Nick pulls out his phone and reads from his messages

NICK 

(reads aloud) "I don't know, and I care about you too much to ask you to wait for me indefinitely, that's not fair on you, when I can't set a deadline or a timescale on this. We've got into some really unhealthy patterns that would have to change before we could even think about getting back together, and I don't feel strong enough to work on unpacking all of that right now, and maybe it will never be the right time, I don't know.  That's why I said a break up,  not a break. I love you so much and I hope you understand I never meant to hurt you and I wish you lots of happiness." 

AMIRA

Damn,  that sounds… final

TOKS

I’m really sorry this has happened. It doesn’t make sense. 

NICK

(With an effort, looking directly at Toks) … Thanks Toks. Yeah. I’m trying to understand it myself. But I mean Charlie's pretty clear it's over. 

AMIRA

He's saying don't wait for him, I think you need to believe him. 

TOKS

(Looking at the tea stained, tattered pinboard, with the tea stains dried on it) Um, do you want me to try to save this?

NICK looks at it, hopelessly

AMIRA

(Putting a hand on Tok’s shoulder to be sure she has his attention) Maybe we should just, clear off the pictures and put them away? 

She pauses, looking around. 

AMIRA (cont).

Bloody hell. I never realised this place was like a shrine. There are pictures of you and him… Everywhere.

She gestures to the pin boards around the room where there are photographs of Nick and Charlie included with pictures of Nick’s friends from home. Nick looks like he’s about to start crying again but just blinks hard and drags his hands down his face. Toks gives Aurelie a dirty look. 

TOKS

That wasn’t very diplomatic Amira

AMIRA

Oh come on. It can’t be doing him any good staring at all this. Nick, don’t you think we ought to do something about this?

NICK

Yeah maybe.

AMIRA

Do you have any of your loan left? I feel like we need to redecorate. Obviously, we can't paint the walls, but some new bedding and stuff would cheer the place up a bit. 

TOKS

 (Excitedly signing as he talks) Ooh! Can we go to Ikea? 

Amira and Nick look at him. He carries on earnestly. 

Toks talks animatedly, signing some of the key words he is saying. He signs Ikea as 'Swedish furniture shop'

TOKS

I love Ikea. I always used to go with my mum from when I was little. Even when we had no money, I’d sit in the trolley and we’d buy tea lights or serviettes and steal the tiny pencils and mum would buy me one of those little hot dogs and the post mix orangeade stuff. 

Nick actually starts to smile and chuckle at this as Toks is talking. 

TOKS

What?

AMIRA

You know, for two sporty lads you really are a right couple of mama’s boys.

TOKS

(shrugging) I love my mum. 

Nick pats him on the shoulder 

NICK

Mama's boys united, eh? Well (thinks) I do have a bit of Christmas money left from my dad…

Amira and Toks look at him pleadingly, encouragingly. 

NICK (cont)

You know what? Let’s do it. 

{MUSIC CUE: CHOSEN FAMILY BY RINA SAWAYAMA}

{I chose you, you chose me}

INT. IKEA LEEDS- DAY 

Montage of Amira, Toks and Nick at Ikea, chucking stuff into the trolley, Nick taking stuff out he doesn’t like, adding a giant fluffy blanket.  They chase each other through the kitchen section, Amira and Toks jump scare Nick amongst the bathrooms, Amira helps Nick chose a new duvet cover, they finish eating hotdogs and orangeade by the exit kiosk.

INT. HALLWAY AT NICK'S UNI HOUSE. 

Tash and Amira grab Nick's bags from him and refuse to let him into his room. Tash squeezes past with her own shopping bags, including one from Snappy Snaps.

INT. NICK'S UNI HOUSE LOUNGE- LATER THAT DAY

Toks and Nick sit in the lounge with Toks teaching Nick basic sign language. They giggle a lot, Nick getting it wrong and Toks adjusting Nick’s hand positions in a completely un-self-conscious way. 

They sign “My name is Nick”

“My handsome friend Toks”

“I’m single and like rugby”. 

“I’m bisexual”

Toks is friendly and encouraging. Amira comes down the stairs and gestures for them to follow her. Amira leads Nick up the landing and holds her hands over his eyes.  They theatrically open the door, Tash is standing inside the room, practically bouncing on her heels, because TADA! The room is transformed.  Where the pinboard and photos were, there is a large retro style movie poster of Iron Man, and an abstract print, on the opposite wall, a large, framed photo of Nellie and Henry, and another large photograph of the housemates at last year’s summer ball. 

Instead of his fairy lights, a smart LED light strip is behind his bed, casting a blue light which washes up the wall, changing the tone of the room. Nick’s bed is covered by the ridiculously fluffy blanket and some new giant cushions, there is a new mat on the floor. Tash lifts the duvet from the edges to show him that under his bed are two smart archive boxes labelled ‘Memories’. Tash hands him a wrapped present, which is in a box, a brand new ‘N’ mug to replace his smashed one.  Nick is overwhelmed. Nick is teary eyed but with an immense gratitude in his heart for these lovely people he calls his friends. Amira and Tash swoop him up into a hug, even Toks comes in to join the group hug.

FADE OUT

END SCENE

INT. DOWNSTAIRS AT NICK'S UNIVERSITY HOUSE - NIGHT

{MUSIC CUE - I DON'T WANNA TALK (I JUST WANNA DANCE) BY GLASS ANIMALS}

The house is full of people, drinking, music is playing, AMIRA is snogging NADIA on one of the sofas. NICK and TOKS are chatting to SIMON, beers in hand.  TASH, wearing a fitted, above the knee knitted maroon dress with a lace up front, she looks good, she is dancing and doing shots with a group of lads around her. Nick glances over and gives her an appraising look, eyeing her long legs and curves. Li the previously unseen housemate, come out of his room which is at the back of the lounge, with an enormous bottle of toffee vodka with a pouring spout, and a stack of florescent coloured plastic shot glasses. He is a stocky and short white young man with a dyed blue French crop, dressed like a member of Oasis circa 1996.

NICK

Li! Didn't know you were home mate! I literally haven't seen you in weeks.  

LI

The missus is having a girl's night in, and I know when I'm not needed. 

Li catches that Nick is subtly watching Tash out of the corner of his eye. Toks and Simon disappear off towards the kitchen.

LI

(Quietly to Nick) Sooooooo. You going to go there? 

NICK 

What? You mean… (he whispers) Tash? I mean… I don't think…

LI

Mate, you know what they say… the best way to get over a man, well, in this case it's to get a girl under you. 

Nick wrinkles his nose with a false smile. Toks and Simon return with more beers.  Nick takes his gratefully and pulls on it as the conversation carries on without him. 

TOKS

Did you see the game at the weekend? Your team got hammered! 

LI 

Ooh no mate no! It's too soon! The pain!!!

Nick quietly disengages from the party,  grabs another 2 beers from the fridge and heads upstairs to his room, opens the door, steps through and shuts the world out. 

INT. NICK'S UNIVERSIY BEDROOM,- LATER THE SAME NIGHT.  

His room is softly lit with a pink wash by his LED backlight. Nick is sitting in bed, topless but his duvet is pulled up high under his arms. Nick is looking through one of his memory boxes. A picture of Charlie and Nellie. Nick wipes his cheeks with his palm, puts the photograph back in the box with the others, leans over and slides it back under the bed.  He lifts the beer bottle from his bedside table. Sounds of thumping music can still be heard coming from downstairs. Nick grabs his keys and second bottle from the bedside table and pops the lid with the bottle opener from his key ring. He chucks the lid and keys back on the table. He pulls open his laptop from beside him on the bed and settles back with his beer. 

CUT TO:

INT. DOWNSTAIRS, NICK'S UNIVERSITY HOUSE- LATER THAT NIGHT

TASH, AMIRA and NADIA, are standing in the hallway saying goodbye to a crowd leaving the house

TASH AND AMIRA

Byeeeee!

TOKS 

Thanks for coming! 

They close the front door.

LI and two others, BLAKE and DAVEY, are sitting in the lounge. 

DAVEY

We might go on up if that's alright Tash? 

TASH

Mmhm! I've put my pjs and that in the bathroom already so yeah no probs. You've got clean sheets and I tidied especially for you two! 

Toks snorts at this. 

TASH 

(Aggrieved) Hey!

BLAKE

Thanks for putting us up Tash. 

TASH

No worries!

Blake and Davey head upstairs. Toks and Li are setting up a PlayStation on the lounge tv. Amira and Nadia sneak past, up the stairs hand in hand, giggling. Tash walks into the kitchen, opens the fridge and gets out a screw cap bottle of white wine, opens it and takes a swig from the bottle. She stares up at the ceiling. 

CUT TO:

INT. NICK'S UNIVERSITY BEDROOM- LATER THAT NIGHT. 

There is a quiet knock at the door. The light is very low. Nick puts down the second empty beer, shuts his laptop and puts it on his desk, revealing he's just in a pair of sleep shorts.  He opens the door. Tash is standing there, in a black oversized Metallica t shirt and bare legs. She has black painted toenails and a silver anklet visible on her pretty feet. 

TASH

(Quietly) Can I come in a minute?  

Nick opens the door enough to let her through, then pushes it to, so it's just ajar 

TASH (cont)

Uh, so my friends are staying in my room tonight and I'm supposed to be sharing with Amira but she and Nadia sound busy, Toks and Li are having some sort of gaming marathon in the lounge so I was wondering… since you have a double bed…

Nick sighs, and smiles with one corner of his mouth. 

NICK 

Fine. You better not snore. 

Nick climbs into the far side of the bed, adjusts the duvet so she can get in and pats the bed next to him. 

 NICK

In you get. 

Tash gets in. He rolls over so he's facing away from her. After a moment or so, she scootches closer, and wraps an arm round him. 

NICK

Tash?

TASH

(innocently) I'm cold, I'm just stealing your warmth. 

Nick chuckles.

NICK

Right. Okay. 

Nick becomes aware she's drawing circles on his exposed shoulder with her finger.  He shuffles round so he's facing her with a suspicious expression. She grins with her mouth open, her eyes getting wider

TASH

(looking at his lips then into his eyes) Fancy warming me up?

Nick 

(Nick looks uncertain but not reluctant) Uh…

Tash raises a hand to his face. 

{MUSIC CUE: TEETH BY MALLRAT - FROM SECOND VERSE}

{In my prayer, I don't speak}

TASH 

Just a bit of fun? No strings attached?

{When I ask, I received, don't play fair, don't be sweet}

There is a long pause. Nick is breathing shallowly.  Nick reaches out and tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, then his finger trails along her jawline, up across her lips. She bites the end of it briefly. Nick's eyes are wide, his mouth open, he's breathing heavily. He brings his hand around her back and pulls her in close suddenly and presses his lips against hers for a wanton kiss, hard, full of desire. She laughs and backs out of bed, pulling her top off revealing a black bralet top as she walks backwards and kicks the door closed before scurrying back into bed with Nick. 

{Its in my head,

it's in my sleep,

with my hands

in my teeth}

The angle changes, we see the camera pulling focus slowly back away from the bed, so they become slightly blurred in the background. She's sitting astride Nick, him sitting up against the headboard, they're kissing, Nick has his hands wrapped around her, feeling the skin on her back, she's lowering the straps of her bralet… 

The camera angle focuses in the foreground to the new glossy photo of the housemates on the wall, shiny and wholesome, as Nick and Tash blur out.

FADE OUT

END SCENE. 

Chapter Text

*MID SEASON TRAILER*

COMING SOON ON THIS SEASON’S

NICK AND CHARLIE FOREVER

//

{Music - CHANGE by PALE WAVES}

//

NICK

(angry) Do you have any idea the amount of crap I put up with to be out and proud, for you?

CHARLIE

(nastily) It must be a relief not to have that burden any more. 

//

TASH

I want wild romance with a mysterious foreigner, adventure!

//

TARA

Charlie’s doing a lot of growing up and figuring stuff out for himself.

//

Charlie getting a guy’s insta handle.

//

Charlie kissing said guy

//

Nick s chatting to a girl of his age who looks interested. He is laughing and teasing her.

//

Nick, dressed as an instructor, coaching under 8' s multisport

//

CHARLIE 

Teaching? What like, PE?

//

NICK

Er, no, primary, actually.

//

NICK, SIMON and TOKS outside a nightclub

SIMON

(shouting into the phone): Bye, Charlie!

TOKS

 Yeah bye, Charlie! We miss you!

SIMON

Love you!

Nick wrests the phone back. Charlie hears Nick saying “Alright, give me that!”

//

OTIS

Think fast Nelson (calling out to his right) Oi Charlie! Charlie Spring!

//

NICK

(sincerely) I don’t like you Charlie

//

Charlie, wearing tight fitting electric blue tshirt, white skinny jeans, he is wearing eyeliner and glitter around his eyes, dancing with his bohemian friends.

//

CHARLIE

 I slept with someone.

NICK

(weakly) So, its serious with this guy? 

//

CHARLIE

I don’t want who I’m with to feel that I’m reliant on them, or that I’m fragile or breakable or can’t survive without them!

//

TARA

But you're not ready to move on?

NICK

I don't think I can

//

CHARLIE

 Nick’s ...with a girl...an actual girlfriend!

//

Tash is smoking by Nick's sash window. She's wearing Nick's dressing gown.

//

TOKS, NICK, AMIRA and TASH wearing formal wear having photos against a James Bond inspired backdrop - doing James Bond fingers, The girls draping themselves over the boys. All of them reaching to touch Tash’s bump.

//

NICK and CHARLIE are just staring at each other with soft expressions.

//

ISSAC 

We wouldn’t be having this conversation if you didn’t feel like you wanted to get back with him. 

//

NICK picks up CHARLIE and carries him across the threshold laughing.

//

SARAH

I don’t exactly approve of you bringing people home without asking Nick. Charlie’s a bit of an exception but you’re not together anymore.

//

TARA

So... Maybe it's time to see if... Maybe there's a chance,  you can be Nick and Charlie again?

//

NICK (text)

“I’m home! Falling asleep now. Miss you loads xxx”

CHARLIE (text)

“Miss you too. X”

//

{MUSIC: TELEVISION ROMANCE by PALE WAVES}

Don't miss the next instalment on

NICK AND CHARLIE FOREVER

COMING SOON

Chapter Text

INT. NICK'S UNI BEDROOM- MORNING

Nick is lying in bed,  alone.

(Flashback)

Tash's face in close-up

TASH

(Hushed) Uh, Nick, are you okay? You're…shaking.

NICK [not seen]

(Murmured) I'm fine.

[BEEP BEEP BEEP]

Back in the present, Nick's alarm is ringing, it's 10.30am. Nick groans and holds his head.  He is alone.  He looks at the door which is ajar.

Nick puts on a t-shirt and heads downstairs to the kitchen. 

TASH stands by the back door in her Metallica tshirt with a dark green flowery oversized knitted cardigan over it, and a pair of bootie slippers. She is holding a cigarette out the back door. 

TASH

Morning

She stubs the cigarette out on the outside window sill and comes in. She begins pouring coffee from a large cafetiere. She looks at him wryly, and gets another cup out and pours him a cup. 

NICK

Uh, morning. You been awake long?

She puts in milk and sugar to the coffees and stirs.

TASH

I couldn't sleep so I made a bit of a nest on the sofa.

 NICK

 (Teasing) Nice cardi.

TASH

Everyone else is still asleep, so I robbed this off the coat rack.  I think it's Amira's? (In explanation) I was cold.

She grins shyly

NICK

Hmmm. Yeah, About that.

She pushes the coffee towards Nick.

TASH

Um, we'd both had a quite a lot to drink? but like, I was a bit worried maybe I was a bit … pushy? Because I would never want to put you in that position-

NICK

(Holding his hands up) Tash stop, No. Everything is good. 

TASH

(Relaxing) You sure?

She walks over to the breakfast table and sits down.  Nick joins her.

TASH (cont).

 I know you said you were fine but at one point you just…seemed really nervous.

 NICK

(Cringing) Was it that bad?

TASH

No! No! (She thinks, then continues mischievously) hmm… 7 out of 10. (With mock seriousness) Would recommend to a friend.

She grins. Nick chuckles with embarrassment.

NICK

Well, So you know I was with Charlie since I was 16…

TASH

(startled) so… that was your first time with someone else? (Realising) Oh shit that was your first time, with a girl??

Nick gives her a flat smile

TASH

(Looking horrified) Oh I feel terrible now, that didn't occur to me.

NICK

Tash! It's fine. I didn't do anything I didn't want to.

TASH

Well. I guess you get a bonus point for like, improvisation?

NICK

Improvisation?

Blake and Davey appear at the kitchen door,  dressed and with overnight bags in hand. 

DAVEY

What we improvising?

TASH

(Smoothly,  standing up) A duet. You guys off?

BLAKE

Yeah, it was lovely to see you Tash, see you at Easter yeah?

DAVEY

(Leaning and putting a hand on Nick's arm) It was nice to meet you too Nick, give us a call if you're ever down our way…

BLAKE

(Hitting his arm) Stop that!

DAVEY

I'm only being friendly!

He winks. Nick looks mortified. Tash laughs and kisses Blake and Davey them on both cheeks.

TASH

(Laughing) Ciao darlings

DAVEY

Ciao!

BLAKE

Bye gorgeous!

She sees them out the front door.

Nick is still loitering. She walks back to the kitchen door tentatively. 

TASH

Uh, I did mean it though. No strings? I'm not interested in dating. Anyone. 

NICK

(relieved) yeah,  uh, thanks. Me neither. 

TASH

But I guess… I might occasionally get a bit bored… (She raises her eyebrows)

NICK

I … see.

TASH

Right, I'm going to see what state my room's in. Enjoy rugby,  I'm going back to sleep.

NICK

See ya.

She walks up the stairs.  Nick sits down at the breakfast table and puts his head in his hands.  

{MUSIC CUE- WAIT BY GORDI AND TROYE SIVAN}

MONTAGE: THE PASSING OF TIME

//INT. LECTURE HALL - LEEDS UNIVERSITY

...The passage of time.  Nick goes to lectures. 

//INT. NICK'S UNIVERSITY HOUSE - DAY

Nick and Toks are playing computer games in the living room, sitting on opposite sofas. Tash walks in and plonks herself next to Toks, Amira walks in, shaking her car keys at Toks who checks his watch and stands up to leave. He hands Tash the controller. Amira and Toks leave, the front door slams. Tash raises her eyebrows and walks up stairs. Nick hesitates but follows her up.  She goes to her bedroom but pointedly leaves it ajar with a backwards glance at Nick.

Nick goes in to her room,  pulling the door shut behind him.

CUT TO

//INT. CHARLIE'S UNIVERSITY BEDROOM

...Charlie does coursework, 

...goes to online therapy. 

...He takes his medication standing in the kitchen. 

INT. LIDL SUPERMARKET - LEEDS - DAY

...He and  Mavi shop and cook. Charlie is starting to look better. 

[MONTAGE ENDS]

{MUSIC FADES OUT}

INT. CAFE ON MANCHESTER CAMPUS

Charlie is studying in a busy cafe on campus at a four person table.

A good looking, athletic young man (NICE MIKE) walks in. He has a rainbow wrist band. Charlie not so subtly checks him out, whilst the young man gets a coffee in a reusable cup. The young man catches Charlie looking at him and grins,  causing Charlie to blush furiously. The young man puts sugar and cinnamon on his coffee and looks around for somewhere to sit,  but the only free space is Charlie's table.  He wanders towards Charlie. Charlie is studying a fluid dynamics text book. 

NICE MIKE

(Pulling out the chair diagonally across from Charlie) Um, mind if I sit here?

CHARLIE

(Shaking his head) Not at all,  please.

A few minutes pass.  Charlie reads a page,  flips it over to the next page,  runs his hand over his face in frustration and grimaces, picking up his mug of tea. He realises NICE MIKE is looking at him. 

NICE MIKE

(Quickly looking down at the text book, sympathetically ) Uh, That looks complicated?

CHARLIE

(Shyly) …Yeah, uh, I thought a change of scene might help (he slams the book closed) but literally regretting my life choices right now.

NICE MIKE

(With humour) Well it certainly  makes my drama degree look like a doss.

They laugh. Nice Mike sips his coffee.

NICE MIKE

I'm Mike

CHARLIE

(Still shy) I'm Charlie.

NICE MIKE

Uh… this might be a bit… so, I have to get to my lecture now but you're really cute so I wondered if maybe I could get your number and we could …hang out sometime?

CHARLIE

(Uncertain) Uhhh

NICE MIKE

Oh! Sorry if I…

Charlie cuts him off with a smile and a shake of the head.

CHARLIE

No! I mean, sorry.  Yes. Um, I'm really bad at this.  That would be nice?

NICE MIKE

(Slightly uncertain) Well, tell you what- can I?

He lifts Charlie's pen and Charlie nods. Nice Mike writes his number upside down on Charlie's notepad

NICE MIKE (cont)

Maybe you can message me?

CHARLIE

(Blushing) Yeah, (more confidently) I will. 

Nice Mike grins and leaves.

Charlie gets out his phone, and, hesitating, opens his messages. He selects Nick's name.

We see their recent messages.

***

Nick

If that's what you need.

Charlie

Hey, just to let you know I'm back at uni.

Nick

That's good to hear. Hope things are getting better.

Charlie

Thankyou. You too x

***

Charlie thinks for a moment before typing out and sending a message.

Charlie (texting)

"Hey. How are you?"

END SCENE

TEXT ON SCREEN: 

1 WEEK LATER

EXT. LEEDS CAMPUS- DAY

Nick is walking through campus. He is texting Charlie. He is looking at his most recent message from Charlie and frowning. 

On-screen we see his messages:

***

Nick

Well not exactly but I imagine they are very determined.

Charlie

Insanely so. And together now!

Nick

Ahh, I did wonder. Good for them.

Charlie

So if you're around this weekend the Europeans are dragging me to a gig on Saturday in Leeds. I thought maybe we could meet up in town before, if you like?

***

Nick hesitates-

NICK (texting)

"Yeah?"

There is a pause, "typing" appears under the messages.

CHARLIE (received text)

"How about 5.20pm at the cafe by the train station? Then I can grab a bite before my gig?"

NICK (texting)

"Yeah sounds good."

CHARLIE (received text)

"Great! See you then x"

Nick smiles uncertainly, takes a deep breath and types out a hopeful message. 

NICK (texting)

"I've really missed you Char ❤"

Nick smiles and puts his phone away, heads into his lecture.

TRANSITION TO:

INT. A PARK, MANCHESTER- SAME DAY

Charlie slides into view. Charlie is sitting at a park bench, looking at his phone at Nick's last message with an awkward look on his face. He types out a message.  

CHARLIE (texting)

"I've missed you too. Sorry I…"

We don't see the rest of what he types. He bites his lip nervously, closes his messages and and looks at the time.

NICE MIKE (off screen)

Hey, Charlie!

Charlie looks up and sees Nice Mike strolling towards him.

CHARLIE

(grinning and standing up,  he tucks his phone away) Hey!

Nice Mike hesitates but goes in for a continental cheek kiss which surprises Charlie but he smiles bashfully.

NICE MIKE

I wasn't sure you were going to text to be honest.

CHARLIE

Uh, yeah neither was I. Look I'm sorry, I just got out of a long term relationship I'm really a bit of a mess right now, sorry, and you seem really nice I don't want to like, make your like more complicated. Sorry, I'm not with anyone right now, I mean,  I do want to be here,  uhhh sorry.  I'm really bad at this. 

NICE MIKE

Wow. I don't think… I've ever heard someone apologise 4 times in one go before.

CHARLIE

(with an effort)... it's a bad habit.

NICE MIKE

(Gently) Well,  tell you what.  No pressure but, you're here,  so,  do you want to wander over and get some tea or a coffee?

CHARLIE

Yeah,  okay

He smiles. Nice Mike places a hand gently Charlie's shoulder blade and guides him forward. 

Nice Mike and Charlie walk through the park.  They're chatting,  easy, relaxed.  They get tea from a kiosk, Nice Mike has his reusable cup. 

A rain drop falls off the kiosk roof and splashes Charlie's face. They laugh and Nice Mike wipes the drop from Charlie's cheek with his thumb, holding his face for a millisecond.  Charlie looks into his eyes and looks back at his cup,  blushing.

They wander back to the park gate, stand looking at each other. 

NICE MIKE

Um… if you're not busy on Thursday afternoon, can I see you again? I finish lectures at 2.

CHARLIE

(Chewing his lip) Um, yeah,  that would be… nice.

Nice Mike tentatively lifts his arms gesturing for a hug which Charlie accepts,  lightly putting his hands on Nice Mike's shoulders briefly.  It's very quick and they just smile at each other.

NICE MIKE

I'll text you,  yeah?

CHARLIE

(nods) Yeah.

They head in separate directions out of the park. Charlie has a small smile. 

CUT TO

EXT. LECTURE HALL,  LEEDS- DAY 

Nick leaving his lecture,  chatting to Toks and Simon. He checks his phone. 

He reads Charlie's last text,  and his face falls. 

CHARLIE (received text)

"I've missed you too. Sorry I just want to be clear although I really want to see you,  its only been a few weeks and this isn't me asking to meet up so we can get back together. But I'd like us to be friends"

END SCENE

FADE OUT

***

INT. NICK'S UNI HOUSE- EVENING.

FADE UP

Nick walks in the house with some shopping bags. Toks and Amira are yelling, watching football in the lounge. Tash is in the kitchen with pizza boxes.

TASH

Oh Hey! (Politely) How was your day?

NICK
Not good. Next question?

TASH
Okay….do you want some pizza? it was by one get one free but ‘neither meat is murder' or Mr Macros in there want any.

NICK
(Looking briefly at his shopping bags,  then over at the pizza) Uh yeah,  great thanks,  saves me cooking. 

Tash pushes it towards him-

TASH

Chicken and bacon.  All yours. 

 Nick opens the pizza,  nods appreciative, then looks at Tash appraisingly. He opens the glasses cupboard and gets two wine glasses out.

NICK
Er, you up to much?

TASH
(Raising her eyebrows) No... what did you have in mind?

NICK
Well…I was going to make a Bolognese so I bought some red but if you're not busy we could just, drink it?

There is a pause. He steps towards her.

NICK (cont).

In my room?

TASH

(Mischievously) Can we…?

NICK

(Sighing with mock imposition) …If we must.

Tash squeals, and grabs the pizza boxes and heads to the stairs. He checks to see the housemates don't notice him and follows her.

INT. NICK'S UNI BEDROOM- LATE EVENING

Tash is smoking by Nick's sash window. She's wearing Nick's bathrobe clutched around her. It’s clear they've just had sex.

Nick is reposed in bed, drinking water from a sports bottle.  There is a box of condoms and an open wrapper on the bedside table.

NICK

(in an undertone, teasingly) You know,  I was told nice girls only did that twice…

TASH

(With mock outrage) Ah! (With a grin) Well…. they don't have access to an expert.

NICK
(Grinning) Well, thank you for… taking my mind off things.

TASH

Happy to squeeze you into my (she flashes her eyebrows)… busy schedule. Although this is probably the last time…

 She smiles slightly awkwardly.

NICK

Yeah… About that… (With good natured interest) When’s this big first date with the American?

TASH
Saturday (She looks excited). He's taking me for a steak.

NICK
(Amused) Keen!  What was his ridiculous name again?

TASH
William Bradford Connors Jr.

Nick raises an eyebrow.

 TASH

 I actually made him show me his driving licence to prove it. 

She picks up her phone from Nick's desk by the window, opens the date's instagram profile and throws the phone at Nick who catches it.  Nick studies it.  A headshot of a very preppy, good looking African American young man.

TASH

He played American football in high school, and his father's a pastor. Amira reckons that means he's filth!

 Nick scrolls through the photos, he's a very athletic, muscular young man, based on the pictures, from a well to do family.

NICK
(Appraising) Fit.  Not my type. Too muscly.

Tash rolls her eyes and grins.

NICK (CONT)
But yeah, if you're actually about to start dating again, this was officially our last hurrah.

TASH

(Cheekily) How moral! But... I, agree. No more housemate hookups.

NICK

(Non committal) Hmph

TASH

(Curious)  ....Are you.... jealous?

NICK

(Honestly) Urmph... a bit?

TASH

(Aghast) Niiick!

NICK

(quickly) Of you, though,  not really about you. You've found someone you actually want to go out with whereas like, 4 texts from Charlie have shown me how desperately not over my ex I am.

He pauses thoughtfully.

NICK (CONT).

(Frowning) Why, did you want me to be jealous?

Tash considers

TASH

Well as much as it's nice for a girl's ego… but, no, dearest Nick. (She waves her hands around) You're nice,  you're kind,  you're good looking in a ridiculously wholesome way,  you're,  you're husband material!!

NICK

(Amused curiosity) Those don't sound like negatives…

TASH

(firmly) I'm ten years off wanting a husband. At least. I want wild romance with a mysterious foreigner, adventure! You (she points are Nick raising her eyebrows)- You're too safe.

Nick has shuffled his boxers on and is picking up Tash's discarded clothes including a bra. She stubs out get cigarette on the outside wall of the window and puts it in a dirty wine glass next to the empty pizza boxes with a smirk.

He rolls his eyes and pushes her clothes into her chest, which she clutches with one hand. 

NICK

Whereas you, are a chaotic hedonist who lives for drama-

Tash catches his neck with her free hand and kisses him. It's a brief smooch rather than lusty. He lets her, but doesn't take it further.  Nick looks at her wryly.

NICK (CONT.)

(Deadpan) …and taste like cigarettes.

She purses her lips amusedly.

TASH

Just taking one for the road.

She smirks, smacking his bum and pushes him towards the door, he sighs with mock annoyance, opens the door and checks the coast is clear.

NICK

And I'll have my dressing gown back in the morning, ta.

Tash rolls her eyes.

TASH

(At the threshold, serious) Nick, promise me you'll get out there, meet people? Don't waste your last few months at uni moping.

NICK

I'll... try. 

TASH

Attaboy

She dashes out into the corridor.  Nick sits on his bed, lost in thought.

FADE OUT

END SCENE

EXT. HIGH STREET NR. LEEDS TRAIN STATION

FADE UP

TEXT ON SCREEN:

MARCH

{MUSIC CUE- SO SICK OF MISSING YOU BY PALE WAVES}

Nick is walking through a high street in Leeds. He's on the phone.

NICK

I know, Immy, but he has a gig in Leeds this evening with his friends, he asked to see me so… I'm here.... I'm not expecting anything, he made it clear... I don't know.....Well if he asks me I'm not going to lie...because if there's even a chance we might- get back together- I don't want any secrets.  Look I got to go hun.  Yeah bye Ims. See you at Easter. Say hi to Chris for me.

He hangs up.  Nick sees Charlie through the window of a cafe, Charlie waves side to side at him.  Nick raises an arm and crosses the road.

{Another day goes by…I’m so sick of missing you}

{MUSIC FADES OUT.}

CUT TO:

INT. CAFE- DAY

{NATURAL BACKGROUND SOUNDS}

Charlie and Nick have met up at an old-fashioned greasy spoon style café. It is drizzling outside. Nick has a half finished sandwich, Charlie is toying with a croissant and a glass of water. They are sitting in the window seat with the door on the left. Nick sits on the left, Charlie to the right. Charlie is chatting away, Nick looks a bit awkward.

CHARLIE

…So that’s all of us in therapy. Literally the whole family. I’m seeing someone online, which seems to be helping, I still feel guilty though, it’s really expensive. But mum and dad insisted. Apparently, mum’s counselling is helping her with like, her control issues? And finding positive ways to express her feelings? Around dad’s redundancy and well, her liability children.

NICK

Really?

CHARLIE

Yeah. I’m kind of, really proud of her?

NICK

Wow.

CHARLIE

And whilst I was home, I realised I needed to streamline things, I was making life too complicated.

NICK

Oh?

CHARLIE

I dropped my extra modules, and I resigned from the music committee. And I’ve been going for runs in the morning! Which has been helping.

NICK

(Tentatively) That’s good. I’m glad you’re feeling better.

CHARLIE

Anyway enough about me.  How are you?

NICK

(frowning) Yeah, things are… fine.  My housemates helped me redecorate my room so it's a bit less… teenaged I guess. Otherwise not much. 

CHARLIE

Been out anywhere? Met anyone interesting?

An awkward pause. Nick is flustered.

NICK

(misunderstanding) What, like, met someone? Why… Have you met someone?

CHARLIE

As in, like met someone met someone?

NICK

…have you?

CHARLIE

Er, well. I mean not really.

NICK

Not really?

CHARLIE

(Flustered)  Well, We've hung out but we haven't… (He trails off, wishing he’d said nothing)

Nick has frozen up, no longer meeting Charlie’s gaze. Even the faux bonhomie of earlier gone.

CHARLIE (CONT)

 Are you seeing someone?

NICK

Sort of.

CHARLIE

 (Cutting across Nick, taken aback) A girl?

NICK

(Frowning) Yeah?

CHARLIE

Is it Tash?

NICK

(Sighs) What does it matter who it is? It’s nothing serious?

CHARLIE

…but is it her?

NICK

It doesn’t…

CHARLIE

Then, Just tell me!

NICK

(Rashly) Yes! Okay! Yes I have been sleeping with Tash, but it’s over now. It was just, sex!

Nick frowns and squints his eyes shut, He is aware that he is being hurtful. Charlie is shocked by how much this hurts.

CHARLIE

(Bitterly) Of course it’s her.

NICK

(exasperated) Oh what’s that supposed to mean?

CHARLIE

You know what? You’re right. It’s none of my business.

NICK

You told me not to wait for you.  You clearly aren't waiting for me.

CHARLIE

 I… you know what, you're right.  Good for you. (with an edge) I mean I guess it is easier for you.

NICK

(coldly) What?

CHARLIE

 Well, you’ve got all those straight girls to choose from. I’ve just got the few gay guys who are actually out and … (muttered) interested in me.

NICK

(angrily) It’s not my fault I’m bi, Charlie.

CHARLIE

No, I’m just saying, it must be nice to just go with anyone you fancy and get to just… pretend to be normal.

Nick is taken aback. He reacts without processing, the anger building up inside him. Charlie realises what he has said.

NICK

(furious but trying to contain it) Pretend to be normal? You know what, of all the things I thought I knew about you Charlie, being bi-phobic wasn’t one of them.

CHARLIE

Nick that’s not, look don’t shout at me!

NICK

Do you have any idea the amount of crap I put up with to be out and proud, for you?

CHARLIE

Oh, just for me? I didn’t realise you were doing me such a favour.

NICK

(Exasperated) Charlie no,-

CHARLIE

(nastily) It must be a relief not to have that burden any more.

NICK

(losing it) You know, you’re the one that wanted to break up. If you're not happy, whose fault is that?

A beat. They both realise the conversation has gotten away from them. Charlie is mortified. Nick knows he is not being himself, ashamed of what he’s said. Nick takes a breath and tries to calm himself.

NICK

Um. Look. Sorry Charlie, Um. I don’t think this was a good idea.

Nick pushes his chair back and braces his hands against the table to stand up.

CHARLIE looks up to protest but doesn’t find the words. He realises this is hopeless.

NICK

(Getting up) Er. Well. Look after yourself Charlie.

CHARLIE:

Yeah. See you around I guess.

NICK

(With a mirthless half smile). Bye.

The café door slams with a jingle. Charlie pushes his plate away from him.

{MUSIC CUE:  TRAITOR BY OLIVIA RODRIGO}

{Guess you didn’t cheat but you’re still at traitor}

FADE TO BLACK

END SCENE

FADE UP

INT. TRAIN CARRIAGE- NIGHT.

{MUSIC CUE:  WITHOUT ME BY SMOOTHBOI EZRA}

CHARLIE sitting in a train carriage, Mavi and Aurelie are laughing and giggling, occasionally kissing.  Charlie is staring at his phone.

CUT TO:

INT. NICK’S UNI BEDROOM.

NICK is sitting on his bed.

CHARLIE (received text)

“I’m really sorry about earlier. I didn’t mean things to come out that way. I do want us to be friends.”

Nick hears a ping and reads. Wry smile. Begins typing.

NICK (texting)

“I know. I’m sorry too. I said things I shouldn’t. I overreacted.”

Nick receives a text from Charlie a few seconds later.

CHARLIE (received text)

“Are you coming to Issac’s thing at home next week?”

We see Nick typing something not seen, then put his phone down and look out his bedroom window.

CUT BACK TO CHARLIE:

INT. TRAIN CARRIAGE - NIGHT

Charlie receives a text. We see him frowning. We see the message on his phone screen.

NICK (received text)

“Ah, no I’m really tied up at uni. Say hi from me though.”

CHARLIE looks crestfallen. He looks away from his phone, and pauses. He opens Nick's Instagram.  The most recent photo is one from Christmas, of him and Nick cuddling at Tara's party. He stares at it for a long time, then puts his phone away and stares off into the middle distance. 

CUT BACK TO NICK:

INT. NICK'S UNI BEDROOM

NICK is still looking out the bedroom window, when he sees a taxi pull up. William Bradford Connors Jr gets out the far passenger side, walks to and opens the door of the other side, deftly handing Tash out. They share a sweet goodbye kiss, then William Bradford Connors Jr gets back in the taxi. Tash looks thrilled. She dashes into the house. The taxi drives off.

Nick leans back against his bedroom window and closes his eyes.

BLACKOUT

END SCENE

Chapter Text

{MUSIC CUE – DID IT TO MYSELF BY ORLA GARTLAND}

EXT. STREET OUTSIDE CHARLIE'S UNIVERSITY HOUSE. 

Charlie is walking down the street towards his house, wearing his coat and a backpack, staring at his phone, which says it is 4.09pm. He has Nick's messages open, there have been no conversations since we last saw them. Charlie has half typed out: 

"Hey so I have a lot of your stuff..."

As he has the phone open, he receives a text from NICE MIKE - he is in his phone as 'Mike' with a coffee emoji next to it.

"Looking forward to seeing you later, haven't had a computer game sesh in a while! See you at 5 x"

Charlie gives a half smile at this, and then clears the half-written message to Nick with a frown. He puts his phone away. 

INT. CHARLIE'S UNIVERSITY HOUSE KITCHEN - AFTERNOON

Mavi is rather aggressively checking her cupboards, muttering to herself, when she spots Charlie who is walking through the front door, taking off his coat and bag. She claps her hands and beckons him. She adopts a determined look. 

MAVI

Ah, Primaverino. Come, we do our meal plan, yeah?

CHARLIE 

(sighing) Oh really? Now?

Aurelie walks into the kitchen and starts to fill her water bottle. Charlie notices strained looks between them. 

{Music fades out}

MAVI

(Disgruntled) Yes Charlie, we do this now. 

CHARLIE

Can we do it in the morning Mavs I'm really tired and-

Mavi snaps. 

MAVI

(In temper) You know what, fine, you do want you want Charlie. I do this for you not me, I got my own life to deal with. 

CHARLIE

Mavi…

MAVI

You don't want to look after yourself, you don't want to eat properly, you get sick again, your mother crying…

AURELIE

Maria Vittoria! You're angry at me, don't take it out on Charlie! 

MAVI

Gah!

Mavi throws her hands in the air  and storms out the room. Charlie stares curiously at Aurelie, who perches against the worktop. 

CHARLIE

(a bit shocked) ...What was that about?

AURELIE

(She looks to heaven) Mon dieu. She asked me to come to Italy to meet her parents this Easter. 

CHARLIE

And…you said no?

AURELIE

I didn't tell maman about Mavi yet. I didn't tell her about me. So I can't explain why I would want to go to Italy instead of home, so I have to go home. But, now, Mavi thinks I'm ashamed… of her. 

Charlie gives a bittersweet smile. 

CHARLIE

Ah… I feel for…you both, actually. 

AURELIE

It's new for me, you know? I don't know exactly what my mother will say. I think she will be fine about it, disappointed maybe. 

Charlie tentatively offers her a hug. 

AURELIE

(accepting the hug gratefully) She didn't mean that,  what she said to you. 

CHARLIE

I know. Should … I try to talk to her? About this?

AURELIE

She might like that. Or, she will eat you. 

They giggle. Aurelie leaves the kitchen, Charlie fills the kettle. 

INT. MAVI'S BEDROOM

Mavi has Klimt prints, a pin up picture of Sophia Loren and a McFly 2020 tour poster on her walls.  She is lying in bed, looking at her laptop.  Charlie knocks on the door.  She wipes her eyes and rolls out of bed, opening the door. Charlie is standing on the landing with two cups of tea.  

CHARLIE

Need a cuppa?  

MAVI

Oh, Hello Charlie. 

CUT TO

Charlie and Mavi are sat on the bed, Mavi explaining, her tea on her bedside table, Charlie sitting nursing his tea in his hands, and nodding sympathetically. 

MAVI

But I am sorry I shouted at you and said those things…I know I'm not being so reasonable, but I spent so much of my life hiding. I don't want to do that again.  

CHARLIE 

Well, I accept your apology. And I can understand.  But, in Aurelie's defence, it is a big step to meet someone's parents anyway, you've not been together very long.  

MAVI

(Hotly, folding her arms) Prima it's nearly Easter. We been together since basically Bonfire Night. She went home for Christmas and didn't tell anyone.  She's going to go home for Easter and not tell anyone as well. I don't want to be a secret.  

Charlie thinks for a moment

CHARLIE

(gently) Nick wasn't out, when we got together.  In fact, the guy before him was so scared of people finding out, he pretended he didn't know me in public.  Nick didn't want to hurt me like that but he needed time,  a few months, to figure out his own feelings.  I think Auz is the same? She didn't know she liked girls like that until you? 

Mavi nods

CHARLIE

So, really, this isn't about, how she feels about you? Like,  I'm pretty sure she's in love with you.

Mavi hesitates. 

MAVI 

Did she say that to you? 

CHARLIE 

She didn't have to… it's obvious.  The way she looks at you.  

Mavi sighs

MAVI

But… that was how you Nick looked at you. 

CHARLIE

(Painfully) Well, there you go then.  

MAVI 

Do you think you two will ever..?

CHARLIE 

(trying to get out of this conversation) I don't know Mavs. We said some pretty nasty stuff when we saw each other at the weekend. We both apologised but...  (Briskly) And I'm sort of seeing Mike, like I told you. 

Charlie gets up to leave.  He's just as the door frame when Mavi pipes up. 

MAVI

(wryly smiling) Did you kiss him yet?  

CHARLIE

(glossing over) No, Not yet. But he's coming over later, so you'll get to meet him. 

Mavi raises an eyebrow

MAVI

But, does he make your heart…to flutter? Because I don't think you and Nick are really over...

CHARLIE

(Warning) Mavi…

MAVI 

(bluntly) You should kiss him. 

CHARLIE

(Surprised) Why? 

Mavi looks earnestly at Charlie and sighs. 

MAVI 

So you stop wasting his time. 

Charlie rolls his eyes and leaves. 

INT. CHARLIE’S UNIVERSITY HALLWAY

Charlie opens the front door, Nice Mike appears. Nice Mike goes for a cheek kiss but Charlie aims for hug, its a bit awkward, Charlie ends up giving him a weird half cheek kiss. 

CHARLIE

Um, come in. 

So far we’ve always seen Nice Mike in a coat and hat, but he takes these off to reveal curly, dirty blonde hair, and runner’s physique rather than a gym rat one. He hangs these up on the pegs by the front door, and looks expectantly at Charlie. Ally has appeared behind Charlie him at the bottom of the stairs. 

ALLY

(Quietly to Charlie) Who’s your friend? 

NICE MIKE

(Smiling) Oh, hi there. 

CHARLIE

(flustered) Mike this is my housemate Alistair.

ALLY

(Leaning over Charlie) Hi there yourself. And call me Ally. I’m only Alistair when I’m in trouble.

Nice Mike and Ally shake hands. Nice Mike smiles at Ally with a twinkle. 

NICE MIKE

That’s quite the accent, West Lothian?

ALLY 

(suprised) Ah, yeah? That’s a good spot. There’s no many English can tell their Scots accents. 

NICE MIKE

Well, maybe they’re not sufficiently familiar with David Tennant

ALLY 

Oh it all becomes clear

NICE MIKE

What can I say, some things stick with you, and DT more than most. 

ALLY

Amen to that. 

They smile at each other. Charlie is looking at them curiously.

CHARLIE

Uh, so, Supersmash bros? 

NICE MIKE

(snapping back to Charlie’s attention) Ah, yeah sounds good. 

ALLY

Well, catch you fellas later. Let me know if you want a rematch once Charlie’s thrashed you. 

CHARLIE

Hey! Mike might be better than me. 

ALLY

(thoughtfully) Ach, so he might. 

Charlie gives Ally a quizzical look but gets all innocence back. Nice Mike gives Ally a shy look. 

CHARLIE

Come on, the console is in here. 

CUT TO

Nice Mike and Charlie playing computer games and NIce Mike is groaning as Charlie wins aagain. Charlie cheers half heartedly. 

NICE MIKE

(cheekily) Well, clearly you have way too much time on your hands.

CHARLIE

Outrageous! Why, what should I be doing with my free time instead? 

Nice Mike looks amused, and brushes a curl behind Charlie’s ear. 

NICE MIKE

Uh, well, I can think of a few things. 

Nice Mike’s teeth rest on his own bottom lip, he moves his hand down past Charlie’s ear to cup the side of his face lightly, they look at each other… This is it. The moment they are going to kiss…

CHARLIE

(standing up) Um, I’m just going to go to the loo. Er, do you want anything from the kitchen whilst I’m up? 

Nice Mike blinks, and looks over to the wall clock. 

NICE MIKE

Um, I have to go in a bit but I'll have a glass of water thanks?

Charlie heads out of the room sheepishly. 

CUT TO: 

Charlie is washing his hands in the bathroom and heading down the stairs. He pops into the kitchen and hears shouts of enthusiasm from the lounge followed by Nice Mike crowing in victory.

NICE MIKE

Yes!! Victory at last!

ALLY

Nooo! I demand a rematch! 

Charlie walks in with Nice Mike’s glass of water. Nice Mike and Ally are sitting on the sofa, looking very comfortable. 

NICE MIKE

Oh thanks! (taking the water off Charlie). Uh, I think…

ALLY 

Oh, here you go Charlie (trying to hand him the controller).

CHARLIE 

Oh no,  please,  carry on. 

Charlie sits on the other sofa.

CUT TO:

Charlie is walking to the front door. Ally and Nice Mike follow him out of the lounge. 

ALLY

...So whilst Capaldi made a great contribution,  honestly there's nothing like the RTD/Tennant era.

NICE MIKE

I agree! And has the most underrated companions!

They become aware Charlie is waiting. 

ALLY

Ah, well then. It was nice to meet you.

NICE MIKE

Yeah you too.  

Ally looks a bit awkward but heads into the lounge. Nice Mike puts his coat and hat on. 

NICE MIKE

So… 

CHARLIE

So…um. Thanks for coming over. 

NICE MIKE

Yeah, well, um.

CHARLIE

(Wincing) Uh, look. I'm not sure… 

NICE MIKE

(Shoulders dropping, with a nod) Ah. Yeah. I kind of figured.  

CHARLIE 

You're a really nice guy… 

NICE MIKE

But this isn't going anywhere.

CHARLIE 

Mhmn.

NICE MIKE

Oh well. To be honest, I wasn't really feeling much spark. You're a bit… fragile?

CHARLIE 

(Chuckling awkwardly) Right.

NICE MIKE

I mean kind of,  right now? I don't mean- uh, I don't mean-

CHARLIE 

(Cutting him off) Honestly,  it, it really doesn't matter. Don't worry about it.  

NICE MIKE 

Okay, well, er bye Charlie. I hope things work out for you.  

CHARLIE 

 Thanks.  You too. Bye Mike.  

Mike steps through the doorway. He hesitates. 

NICE MIKE 

Er, This is a bit awkward but… (wincing) is Ally single? 

Charlie blinks,  steps backwards,  calls into the lounge

CHARLIE 

Ally! Come and give Mike your number! 

ALLY

(coming into the hallway, looking astonished) Uh, what? 

 CHARLIE 

(Amused, to Ally) Honestly?  Knock yourself out kiddo. 

Charlie walks up the stairs, we see Charlie from the front, Ally and Nice Mike out of focus in the background.  As he does so, he hears Ally and Nice Mike's voices.

ALLY 

So… uh. Hi

NICE MIKE

…Hi.

Charlie shakes his head and grins and slowly walks up the stairs. 

{MUSIC CUE - REPRISE - DID IT TO MYSELF BY ORLA GARTLAND}

{I know I did it to myself, I know I did it to myself}

BLACKOUT

END SCENE

Chapter Text

INT. NICK’s UNI KITCHEN - MORNING

AMIRA and TASH are swaying to “2 become 1” by the Spice Girls as Tash makes coffee and Amira butters toast. Both girls are dressed for the day ahead, Amira in pale purple Lucy and Yak dungarees, and a set of love heart hair bands, Tash is wearing a tight black scoop neck top and a pair or high waisted stone wash jeans.  TOKS is wearing a grey Muddy Fox hoodie and chinos, sitting at the breakfast table watching them, his expression one of mild amusement. 

TASH AND AMIRA (THEY SING)

“”Come a little bit closer baby””

“Get it on, get it on. “

They lift their hands in the air and wind seductively and look at each other, making sexy faces, 

TASH AND AMIRA CONT. (THEY SING)

“Cause tonight is the night when two become one”

AMIRA giggles and plates up the toast, pushing one towards Tash. TASH walks over and leans over the breakfast table with three coffees in hand, and puts a coffee down in front of Toks and pushes it forward to him, in doing so gives TOKS a rather alarming POV of her cleavage, TOKS averts his gaze up to the ceiling and then makes eye contact with her pursing his lips and raising his eyebrows, she’s still dancing and wiggling 

TASH (sings)

(smirking) “Set your spirit free, it's the only way to be”

Nick walks into the kitchen with his N mug and a dirty cereal bowl. He  begins loading them into the dishwasher. 

NICK

(amused) Spice Girls? 

AMIRA

6 months! That’s how long her resolve lasted. 

NICK 

How’s that? 

AMIRA
Dating! 

Nick nods and smiles. 

NICK 

Right, of course. When are you next seeing Chad Michael Murrary the Third? 

TASH
William Bradford Connors Junior!

NICK 

So easy…

TASH 

(scandalised) Ah!

NICK (cont) 

To wind up! God!

Nick catches Toks’ eye and winks, but Toks just sips his coffee. 

TASH 

Hmmmm… well, In answer to your question, I’m going over to his tonight. Did I tell you he has his own actual apartment in town? He’s picking me up. 

AMIRA
Only Tash would be able to find someone with parents richer than hers. 

TASH 

Amira darling? 

AMIRA

(sweetly) Yes Natasha-Marie? 

TASH  

Has anyone ever told you you’re a jealous cow-bag? 

AMIRA

Yes, you actually, several times (she grins)

They smile at each other. 

TOKS 

(standing up) 

Nick, are we going? 

EXT. LECTURE HALL, LEEDS UNIVERSITY

TOKS, SIMON and NICK are leaving the Hall and walking across campus. 

SIMON

So what was so bad about seeing Charlie?

NICK

Urgh. Honestly, we said worse things to each other than we did when we broke up. 

TOKS

But why? You were always so nice to each other?

NICK 

I don’t know mate.

SIMON

That’s breakups though! God I was a mess after me and Cara broke up. (Putting his hand on Tok’s shoulder to get his full attention) That’s why you’re well out of it, Toks my man. 

TOKS

What do you mean? 

SIMON 

Well, you’re …. a confirmed bachelor mate. Single Pringle. 

TOKS

That’s not because I don’t want a relationship.

SIMON

(Stopping and turning to look directly in front of Toks, teasing) Oh is there someone you’ve got your eye on? 

Toks looks a bit uncomfortable. Simon looks gleeful, Nick looks surprised and curious. 

TOKS

Maybe. 

Nick and Simon look at each other. This is big news. 

SIMON

Oh come on spill, spill who is it? 

TOKS

Nah, nah, nah, nope no nooooo. 

NICK 

Oh, come on….

TOKS

No chance. 

NICK

(really curious) Is it someone we know?

Toks has gone very quiet very unusually, drops eye contact. 

SIMON

Oh my god it is!

They crowd him a bit, forcing him to look at them. 

NICK

Is it?

TOKS

It doesn’t matter I’m not going to go after her

SIMON 

Why not? 

TOKS

 (he looks at Nick’s feet) I… she wouldn’t be interested

SIMON

She! Well at least we’ve narrowed it down to half the population

TOKS

(Looking at Simon) Well, I am straight. 

SIMON

Hey! Doesn’t pay to assume. And what’s with the defeatist attitude? You’re a good looking guy, why aren’t you shooting your shot?

TOKS

(tense) She doesn’t like me like that! 

SIMON

Has she actually said that? 

NICK

C’mon Simon leave him alone. 

TOKS

(agitated, looking at Simon) She didn’t have to! 

Toks breaks from the two other lads and walks forward. Nick jogs forward to put a hand on his shoulder. 

NICK

Hey Toks, look, sorry mate, we didn’t mean to pry we’re just a couple of heartbroken losers trying to get a bit of a second hand romance that’s all. (shooting Simon a meaningful look and then back to Toks) You don’t have to tell us anything. 

TOKS

(not quite making eye contact with Nick) I… don’t want to talk about this with you- with you two. 

SIMON 

Okay yeah, sorry man. 

TOKS

Look let's just go home. 

SIMON 

Hang on a minute, Nick, I was meaning to ask you. You like kids right? 

NICK

(surprised, responding as if its a punchline but confused)  But I couldn’t eat a whole one? 

SIMON 

Nice. No, but, you know I said I'm stepping up as lead worker at the kids programme for the Easter holidays, well one of the volunteers has torn his cruciate and can’t work. So I'm a man down . And you're still registered as a volunteer from the trip at half term. It’s multisport, runs for 5 sessions over the holiday before the bank holidays. I was really hoping to be able to talk you into it? 

NICK

Uhh well i was planning on staying up here to work on my dissertation. 

SIMON

Awesome! It's 9-12, for 5 days.  It'll be great! Bit of exercise in the morning,  ready to crack on with the dizzle in the afternoon.  I can’t pay you but it’ll look awesome on your CV…

NICK 

Um? Can you send me the details and I’ll have a look at it?

SIMON 

Oh my god Lifesaver! (he hugs Nick)

NICK

I did not actually agree yet!

SIMON
(hugging uncomfortably long) Shhhhh…. just let it happen.

Nick laughs, and tries to get away,  Simon doesn't let go.  Nick pokes his tongue in Simon's ear. 

SIMON 

(Releases) UGH! No fair! 

Nick looks pleased with himself.  Toks raises a small smile. 

SIMON

Right Nick, the friendly tomorrow. I'll pick you up at 1 yeah? Toks have a good Easter,  mate,  catch you next term. 

Toks bumps fists with Simon, who leaves. 

NICK 

Home? 

TOKS

(Mildly) Yeah. 

They walk.  Toks quiet, Nick with little worried frown.  

FADE OUT

END SCENE. 

A MONTAGE OF DIFFERENT SCENES

INT. NICK’S UNI BEDROOM

NICK'S alarm goes off,  it's 10am. He wakes up and gets into his rugby kit.

//EXT RUGBY FIELD. LEEDS UNIVERSITY. 

{MUSIC CUE: BLOOM BY MATILDA MANN}

…Nick is playing rugby against University of Birmingham. Nick tackles a lithe, good looking young man with brown eyes and short dark hair, who Nick literally knocks off his feet (Brummie Lad). The guy grins and flashes his eyebrows as Nick gets up after the tackle and grinning. 

{Don’t be surprised when you open your eyes and find there’s noone to hold}

…Nick's team wins,  the two teams shake hands,  give claps on the back. Brummie Lad pats Nick's bum, causing Nick to giggle.

{Too young to make our promises made}

//INT. STUDENTS UNION BAR- LEEDS

…The two teams are in their respective clubs causal wear,(club hoodies,  shirts etc). Nick gets chatting at the bar with Brummie Lad who is giving Nick some flirty vibes.  Nick tentatively puts his hand on Brummie Lad's arm. Just then, a girl wearing a Birmingham shirt comes over and asks Brummie Lad a question, he nods and kisses her on the lips- obviously his girlfriend. 

{I’ll do it better alone}

Nick has hastily retracted his arm and is looking at his pint. 

CUT TO: 

INT. VINTAGE MUSIC AND CLOTHES STORE, AFFLECK'S PALACE, MANCHESTER.

…Ally, Nice Mike and Charlie are browsing the shop. They are casually dressed, Charlie is wearing a long sleeved navy v neck with a padded grey overshirt,   and a pair of black skinny jeans. There is a good looking, gym bunny type guy of about 20 with sandy blonde hair (VINYL MIKE), wearing a white Stüssy by Goldie shirt, rolled to ¾ sleeves and a light grey ribbed singlet top under it, a pair of large over ear headphones round his neck, tight camel coloured chinos and dark grey vans on his feet. Charlie catches his eye and smiles. VINYL MIKE checks him out and grins back. 

{But it's just too soon, it’s not me or you}

…Ally and Nice Mike looking through the cds, bumping hips, holding hands,  stealing kisses.  

…Charlie takes off his jacket and picks up a grey wool pea coat and holds it against himself in the mirror, Ally and Nice Mike flank him on his left,  reflected in the mirror, Ally makes a 'so-so' gesture. Vinyl Mike comes out from behind the till, pulls an asymmetric black calf length wool coat with a subtle grey geometric labyrinth repeating pattern and cowl neck, off an adjacent rack, and deftly holds it out for Charlie to try on.  He slides in front of Charlie and zips it up for him,  meeting Charlie's eyes and smirking as he adjusts the collar for Charlie. When he steps away,  Charlie sees himself in the mirror, he is delighted by it. It fits him perfectly, he looks sensational in it, it's very cool. Ally makes a "chef's kiss" action, Nice Mike applauds.  Vinyl Mike takes a bow.

{I met you too soon for anything to bloom}

…Now Charlie has the coat bagged up at the till, Vinyl Mike is writing on Charlie's receipt. He hands this to Charlie along with Charlie's debit card.  The receipt reads

"Fancy a drink?,

DM me @vinyldjmike02"

…Charlie grins and takes the receipt, very pleased with the interaction. 

//Ext. COMMUNITY RECREATION GROUND,  LEEDS

{Don’t be surprised when you open your eyes and find I’m suddenly gone}

…Nick, Simon and an attractive girl with an athletic figure,  blonde hair and clear blue eyes (AOIFE), and another young man (Multisport Volunteer) are setting up cones, hoops, bean bags etc. Simon blu-tacs a printed sign:  

"Under 8's Multi-Sport" 

The activity is laid out as circuits, with six stations. There are about 30 kids split between stations. Nick is coaching a small group of children aged 3-8 with aplomb, they're practising throwing bean bags into a hoop, Simon blows a whistle and the children run to rotate to the next station… Nick is a natural with the kids,  encouraging,  friendly, crouching down to talk to a little girl of about 4 who seems unsure…  Aoife, who's group is confidently getting on more or less by themselves, looks over and notices Nick with a warm, appreciative smile…

Simon blows the whistle 3 times and the activity ends…  Nick gives the kids enthusiastic high fives. Nick looks very happy and relaxed… 

{I’d like to stay and make it all okay}

… Nick is in the car being driven by Simon when he gets a message from Aoife: 

AOIFE (TEXT)

"Fancy a drink on thursday?"

…Nick looks surprised but pleased. 

//INT. A BAR, LEEDS

… They are in a bar, Aoife and Nick are chatting, Aoife is flirting, Nick looks a bit uncomfortable, They finish their drinks, 

{Tell me if it’s strange and I’m maybe deranged}

They start slowly walking out together,

//EXT. A BAR, LEEDS

It's time to say goodbye, she goes for a kiss, he dodges it deftly into a hug, he shakes his head a little at her, 

NICK

Um, sorry, I’m not looking to date right now.

{I met you too soon for anything to Bloom}

She frowns but is accepting, Nick waves and walks off, looking somewhat deflated. 

// INT. VINTAGE MUSIC AND CLOTHES STORE, AFFLECK'S PALACE, MANCHESTER - LATE AFTERNOON

{Duh duh duh duh…}

…Charlie pokes his head round the door just as Vinyl Mike is closing up the till and turning the lights off, locking the door.

// EXT. STREET IN MANCHESTER  - EARLY EVENING

… They are walking to a cafe, chatting, Vinyl Mike slides his hand into Charlie’s, making Charlie blush and smile, 

//INT. TRENDY CAFÉ, MANCHESTER - EARLY EVENING

…They are at the cafe, Charlie talking animatedly, Vinyl Mike looking at him and smiling and chipping in, 

//EXT. HIGH STREET, MANCHESTER - EVENING

… Vinyl Mike is walking Charlie back his bus stop. 

… Vinyl Mike leans in for a kiss… Charlie leans in too, they kiss…

… Charlie laughs, a bit shocked. Charlie walks off, the cat that got the cream. 

// INT. CHARLIE’S UNIVERSITY HOUSE – LATE EVENING

… Charlie arrives back at his house, Jaz, and Aurelie are waiting for him with questioning faces. 

JAZ

(eagerly) So… did you kiss?

… Charlie nods and smiles, Ally looks surprised, Jaz claps her hands with glee.

CUT TO: 

INT. NICK’S UNIVERSITY BEDROOM – EVENING

Nick looking at post university options – he is looking at teaching. He flicks through various pages. 

Steps to become a teacher | Get Into Teaching GOV.UK (education.gov.uk)

PGCE Primary (5-11) - Postgraduate - Courses - Leeds Trinity University

Routes into Teaching (kent-teach.com)

…After a pause, he looks at another page

PGCE Primary (2023 entry) | The University of Manchester

Nick looks thoughtful and closes his laptop lid. 

NICK looks out his bedroom window and sees TASH leaving with her boyfriend. They kiss on the doorstep. Nick smiles, and looks at his tea. 

FADE OUT.

END SCENE.

***

FADE UP.

INT. CHARLIE’S UNIVERSITY BEDROOM - EVENING 

Charlie is packing things to leave for Easter. He checks his phone - its 8th April 7.37pm, which shows that he has a ticket for tomorrow, 13:05 Manchester Piccadilly to Herne Bay. 

He gets a message from Vinyl Mike:

VINYL MIKE (TEXT)

“Really enjoyed yesterday. Can’t wait to see you again. x”

Charlie breaks into an enormous grin. He sits on his bed, texts back:

CHARLIE (TEXT)

"Too bad I’m going home for easter tomorrow ☹️ x"

SPLIT SCREEN

INT. CHARLIE’S UNIVERSITY BEDROOM // INT. VINYL MIKE’S UNIVERSITY BEDROOM.

Vinyl Mike is standing holding his phone, wearing over ear headphones round his neck, next to a set of DJ decks and a laptop which are tucked into a corner desk. There is a shelf behind him with the following books visible, along with a load of vinyl records. 

Modern Recording Techniques by David Miles Huber and Robert E Runstein

Music Habits: The Mental Game of Electronic Music Production by Jason Timothy

Mixing Secrets for the Small Studio from Sound on Sound

Music Theory Remixed: A Blended Approach for the Practicing Musician

We see Charlie and Vinyl Mike texting each other. 

VINYL MIKE (texting)

(biting his lip) “What time is your train?”

CHARLIE (texting) 

“About 1pm, why?” 

VINYL MIKE (texting)

“… fancy coming over?” 

CHARLIE (Texting)

“What, now?” 

VINYL MIKE (texting)

“Unless you want me to come to yours?😛"

VINYL MIKE (texting)

(with a grin) “I’d love to see you”. 

Charlie looks pensive, clutching his phone, with his expression full of possibility. 

VINYL MIKE slides off screen so we just see Charlie in his room. 

CUT TO:

INT. VINYL MIKE’S STUDENT HOUSE

A girl opens the front door and looks at Charlie, standing outside in his coat bought from Mike’s shop. 

VINYL MIKE’S HOUSE MATE

Mike, your date’s here!

VINYL MIKE

Hey… 

CHARLIE

Hey… 

VINYL MIKE

Want to come upstairs? 

{MUSIC CUE STAY THE NIGHT BY ZEDD FEAT. HAYLEY WILLIAMS}

{I know that we are upside down}

Charlie nods, they go up to Vinyl Mike’s room. Charlie goes in first and looks around the room admiring, takes his coat off, he is wearing a short sleeved maroon t-shirt and indigo blue drainpipe jeans. He runs his fingers over the decks, Mike comes up behind Charlie and puts his arms around him from the back. Charlie intakes breath sharply, but doesn’t resist. Mike starts to kiss his neck.

{Are you going to stay the night? Are you going to stay the night?}

Charlie is breathing hard with his eyes open, but raises his hands to place them over Mike’s hands. 

{Doesn’t mean we’re bound for life}

He turns round, kissing him gently at first, then passionately, putting his hands around and under Mike’s tshirt. Mike starts to lift Charlie’s top, Charlie gasps. They look at each other.

VINYL MIKE

(hushed) Is this okay? 

CHARLIE

(Swallowing, nodding) Yeah. Yeah. (smiling) Yeah. 

…We see from the back of Charlie, Charlie reaches down and takes his own top off, Mike pulls Charlie over to the bed, Mike lays back on the bed propped up on his elbows, Charlie climbs on top of him, starts pulling Mike’s top off, … Mike twists them round so that he is on top of Charlie, fighting to get the top over his head quickly, then lays down on top of Charlie. Charlie looks breathless, overwhelmed, Mike kisses him, kisses his neck, his head disappears down the bed… Charlie closes his eyes and bites his lip. 

FADE TO BLACK

{Are you going to stay the night? Doesn’t mean we’re bound for life

So - Are you going to stay the night?}

END SCENE

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

INT. SARAH NELSON’S HOUSE- AFTERNOON

Nick opens the front door and is immediately mobbed by Henry and Nellie

NICK 

Hello boy, Hello Girl! Oh I missed you.  I missed you too. Yes I did. 

SARAH

Yes, yes enough about the dogs where's my hug? 

Nick stands up and goes over to his mum and gives her an enormous bear hug.  As he lets go,  he wipes a tear with the back of his hand.  

SARAH 

(Chuckling) You soppy sod, don't start or I'll go too. 

NICK 

(Warmly) Sorry mum.  I just missed you. 

SARAH

(Patting his shoulder) I'll put the kettle on.

CUT TO:

INT. SARAH NELSON'S LOUNGE- EVENING

They have dirty plates from a Chinese takeaway on the coffee table, and are toying with leftover prawn crackers. 

SARAH

So… Charlie… and… Tash?

NICK

Charlie and I … aren’t really speaking. And Tash, she's got a boyfriend and we were never a thing thing… we just …(he screws his face up)...hung out. 

Sarah nods with a 'is that right…' expression.

SARAH 

And…

NICK

And Charlie went mental about it.  I mean.  He apologised but. It's properly, properly over.  

SARAH

So…

NICK 

So, nothing.  I'm busy with uni work. I’m just concentrating on that. Um… actually.  

SARAH 

Hmm?

NICK 

Do you reckon my dad would help me with rent if I did another year at uni? 

SARAH

Oh god,  have you failed something? 

NICK

(Laughing) No,  that's not,  no I’m… thinking about training as a teacher.  

SARAH 

Oh yeah! That's a brilliant idea Nicky! PE? 

NICK

No… er … I was thinking primary actually.  

SARAH 

(Surprised) Oh! Well I think you'd be amazing sweetheart. Gosh! So you want to stay in Leeds to do that?

NICK

I’m not sure. I could do it at Leeds, or Kent, or, anywhere, really. I’ll need to speak to Papa, obviously if it's a no from him… could I move back in here for a year?

SARAH

You can move back in here whenever you like! But as much as I’d love to have you back here, your father will be putting his hand in his pocket to help you if I have anything to do with it. 

NICK
(chuckling) Okay well let me talk to him first before you go nuclear at him 

SARAH

(pursing her lips, but with humour) Hmmh.

Nick hugs his mum. 

SARAH
So are you seeing any friends whilst you’re down? 

NICK

Otis, Sai and Chris have suggested a carvery and then the pub quiz at The Millers Arms tomorrow?  Unless you had big sunday roast plans? 

SARAH

No I was thinking of something simple tomorrow as I'm planning a big one for Easter Sunday, so you go and enjoy yourself. How are Immy and Christian getting on? 

NICK

I think he’s going to propose when they finish uni. 

SARAH

Blimey! 

NICK

I know. 

SARAH

Well! I didn’t think he’d be the first of your lot to get engaged! 

Nick looks crestfallen. Sarah winces. 

SARAH

Sorry love, I didn’t mean… Oh god, well since we're on the subject, I might as well tell you.

NICK

(Concerned) What?

SARAH
David’s getting married.

Nick looks stunned. 

NICK

To who?

SARAH

She’s called Zara and apparently she works doing something important at Dartigon Group. Whatever that is. Fashion merchandising, I think. Apparently, they’ve been dating for a year. Not that he mentioned her to me at all! Oh and her father is loaded, and she wants a French chateau wedding, so there's an outside chance your father might actually turn up. 

NICK

Jesus.

SARAH

Are you okay? 

NICK

Oh god, he's not coming here for Easter is he?

SARAH

No… he’s gone to stay with her parents in Windsor (she sniffs).

NICK

Well that’s a win then. 

SARAH

Nicky…

NICK

Does he know … about me and Charlie? 

SARAH 

(primly) I inadvertently failed to mention it. (Softening) I’m … still kind of hoping I won’t have to. 

NICK

Ugh. (Getting up) Right, Love you mum. I’m going to bed. 

SARAH

Good night baby. 

END SCENE

EXT/INT A PUB “The Miller’s Arms” - KENT - DAY.

CHARLIE, TAO, ISSAC AND ELLE are sat at a corner table eating and listening intently to Charlie, who is sitting with his back to the door.  

CHARLIE

…And I just sort of … went for it! I kind of surprised myself. 

ELLE

(shocked) Charles Francis Spring! 

CUT TO:

IMOGEN is standing in front of CHRISTIAN, SAI, OTIS and NICK, in the middle of two sets of double doors at the entrance to the pub. 

IMOGEN

(Looking a little wild) Actually, Why don’t we see if the Cat and Fiddle has got a table. 

CHRIS

Ims we’re here babe, why would we?

IMOGEN 

I just think it's nicer there, and we could sit out by the river? 

SAI

It’s April Imogen. It’s raining. 

OTIS

I’m not finna get my hair wet. 

She’s still dithering, but Christian pushes past her.  

INT. THE MILLERS ARMS

As he walks in, he notices Charlie’s group, and turns back quickly. 

CHRISTIAN

Yeah, maybe we should go somewhere else. 

The four boys and Imogen are all crowded in between the two sets of double doors. 

CUT TO:

CHARLIE 

I mean, different, but … good? But then he kind of, bundled me out the door in the morning? I know I had to get my train but still it would have been nice to…

CUT TO:

IMOGEN

Umm… 

But Nick is just looking at her quizzically and opening the door. 

CUT TO:

CHARLIE [cont]. 

…I don’t really know if I even… but he said we’ll catch up after Easter so-

But Elle, Tao and Issac are now all looking over Charlie’s shoulder with horrified expressions. 

ELLE

Shut up now, Charlie. 

CHARLIE

Hey! What…? (he turns round) Oh shit. 

CUT TO: 

SAI, OTIS, NICK’s stunned faces.

IMOGEN

(hopelessly) … so, Charlie’s here.

CUT TO:

Imogen and Nick are standing out in the rain outside the main entrance. Imogen is vaping, and offers to Nick who shakes his head.

IMOGEN

I should have just said immediately. 

NICK

It… doesn’t matter. 

Elle appears at the door. 

ELLE

Um. I don’t want to intrude. But- 

She gives up and walks over to Nick and sticks her arms out. Nick hesitates for a second before embracing her. 

ELLE 

Hi buddy. It’s good to see you. 

NICK

Hi Elle.

ELLE

(admonishing) Haven’t heard from you in a while. (Pulling back from the hug, giving him an appraising look) Not for my lack of trying I might add. 

NICK

(sheepishly) Uh, yeah, sorry Elle. It’s been, a lot. 

ELLE

Are you leaving?

Imogen looks at Nick. 

IMOGEN

Well…

ELLE

Look if you're worried about it being awkward, Charlie’s fine with it. 

IMOGEN 

Well of course he fucking is! (she remembers herself) Sorry. 

Elle looks so shocked, Nick actually laughs. Nick puts his arm around Imogen’s shoulders. 

NICK

I’m hungry. Let’s get some lunch. 

They walk in. Elle follows them and walks off towards her table, where Sai, Otis and Christian are standing chatting to Charlie's group. Nick and Imogen follow them over, Nick letting Imogen go so she can slides herself next to Christian. 

NICK

(With false lightness) Hey guys. Fancy meeting you here. 

Tao and Issac raise their hands 

TAO

Hi Nick

ISSAC 

Hi

Charlie turns around awkwardly in his seat. 

CHARLIE

Hello. 

There’s an awkward pause. 

SAI

Nice to see you all! But um, we’d better get on and order our food. 

CHRISTIAN

Yep, good idea. 

Nick’s group turn to go to their table.  

CHARLIE 

Nick? 

Everyone stares at Nick. Charlie stands up and offers him a hug. Nick reciprocates, they have a very brief, very awkward, shoulders only hug. 

CHARLIE

You’re looking well. 

NICK

Thanks. You too. Uh, I really have to sort my food. 

CHARLIE

Sure. 

Nick follows his group over to the table they have reserved for them. 

Charlie sits back down, his back to Nick. 

Imogen hands Nick a menu, breaking his attention from looking at Charlie.  Otis pats him on the shoulder. 

CUT TO:

It's later. A waitress is clearing the plates at Nick’s table,

CHRISTIAN 

Right sorry guys, great to see you but we've got to go, 

SAI

What! But the quiz! 

IMOGEN 

Mum announced we're going to my nana's in bloody Derby for lunch tomorrow and we have to leave at 5.30 and so we uh, we're off to bed.  

SAI

It's 7.30! 

CHRISTIAN winks and pats Imogen on the bum. 

CHRISTIAN 

I just do what I'm told mate

SAI 

Oh I'll bet you do.

NICK 

(Getting up and offering a hug) Bye Immy

IMOGEN

(Hugging him) Bye gorgeous, did you mind, I can stay if you really want? 

NICK 

Nope bugger off. 

SAI

We can still do the quiz with the three of us, yeah? 

Otis nods, Nick considers and then nods along.

There is a production of leaving and saying goodbye, Christian and Imogen are seen to wander over to Charlie’s table, and we see pleasantries being exchanged. 

Tao gets up from the table and goes over to the bar. 

OTIS 

(standing) Right I’ll get another round in shall I? 

He heads to the bar without waiting for a response. 

CUT TO:

Otis and Tao are standing next to drinks at the bar. Issac is sitting at Nick’s table, chatting to him. Nick appears to be his affable self. 

Elle and Charlie are sat at their table, apparently serious. Nick and Charlie catch eyes very briefly before turning back to the people they’re talking to. This is observed by Otis and Tao. 

OTIS

It’s just weird. I mean New Year’s Eve was bare raw - Charlie was shook! I never saw Nick go off like that at Charlie before. But I never thought Charlie would just… dash him like ‘nah’.

TAO

(frowning) I think it was all a bit more complicated than that. Charlie wasn’t looking after himself. But yeah I couldn’t believe it when Charlie told me.

OTIS

Is Charlie sound now though?

TAO

Honestly I think he’s a lot less sorted than he thinks he is. 

OTIS

Oh swear down? Damn. (Conspiratorially) Ay… Is he linking with someone? 

TAO

(Giving Otis an old fashioned look) He might be. But I think if Nick wants to know that, he needs to talk to Charlie about it. (Wistfully) Although I heard last time they had that conversation it didn’t go well.

OTIS

I heard. Nick was a mess. Still is, if you ask me.  

TAO

(Raising his eyebrows coolly) Wow, for once I understood all the words in that sentence. 

OTIS

(Sarcastic, in an upper class accent) Oh I’m terribly sorry old bean, has my patois been inappropriate for the discourse? 

Tao and Otis smirk at each other. 

TAO 

(Honestly) I feel a bit helpless. I don’t think they’ve actually talked since. 

OTIS

(Looking thoughtful)….You guys staying for the quiz?

TAO

Well Issac is going home in a minute but we hadn’t decided- (with excited energy) oh my god are we meddling? 

We see Issac give Nick a hug and leave. Issac waves at Tao. 

OTIS 

Lesse we can’t push tings in the right direction. 

CUT TO: 

Elle is at Nick’s table, Tao is having an earnest conversation with Charlie, who is staring at his phone, frowning. 

ELLE

…so would you mind? If we joined you? It’s just, we're going to be hopeless if any sports questions come up.  

SAI

Oh yeah! No that'd be great,  seems silly to have two teams of three.

OTIS

Tao's a film buff and that so…

They look at Nick. Nick raises his eyebrows at Elle who smiles back innocently

NICK 

Uh, Yeah, sure, of course.  

Elle gestures to Tao, who we see say something to Charlie. Charlie looks like a deer in headlights and looks over to Nick's table and can clearly be seen to say 'Now?' But Tao is bundling them towards Nick's table. 

It is a 6 person table, with Nick and Otis on the far side, with Sai on the right end. 

ELLE

I’ll scribe, shall I? 

She sits herself at the end of the table, Tao sits next to her, which is opposite Nick, and ushers Charlie to sit to his right, next to Sai and across from Otis. 

Otis immediately gets up.

OTIS

I’m going for a vape. 

SAI 

(standing) Just popping to the loo

ELLE

Actually, Tao honey, do you think you can pop out to my car, I’m pretty sure there’s a pen in the glove box, I haven’t got one in my handbag? I’m going to order a coffee before the quiz starts. 

TAO 

Oh, yeah, okay!

Elle and Tao stand up and leave. 

Nick and Charlie watch their friends walk off. Nick goes to pick up his pint, Charlie looks incredulously around him. Nick starts to chuckle, and then they both laugh at the ridiculousness of what’s just happened. 

Nick clears his throat, amused. 

CHARLIE

(Gently) I’m sure they mean well. 

NICK

(Warmly) Yeah. 

[A Beat]

NICK [CONT]

Well, since they’ve gone to all this trouble… (He catches Charlie’s eye), How’s home?  

CHARLIE

(with a half smile) Yeah, Tori’s… not great, but her GP  seems to be listening now, and I know she won’t mind me saying that she’s been referred for an autism assessment. 

NICK

Oh, wow. 

CHARLIE

But it's a long waiting list apparently.  I was a bit stressed thinking about Easter lunch but yesterday mum announced she’s doing a casual buffet because - and I quote “it’ll be less stressful for everyone rather than having a big sit down thing” 

NICK

(surprised) Really? Fair play. 

CHARLIE

How’s Sarah? Oh god. I’ve just realised… 

NICK

What? 

CHARLIE

…David…

NICK

(Nick breaks into a chuckle) So… funny story - he’s not coming for Easter. He’s with his fiancee, meeting his future in laws. 

CHARLIE

(stunned) With his what, meeting his what now? 

NICK 

I know!

In the background, a compere with microphone calls from a table at the end of the bar. 

COMPERE

Alright folks, those of you doing the quiz, we’ll be starting in 5 minutes, so take your seats please. 

Elle rushes back to the head of the table, clutching an answer sheet, Tao following. 

ELLE

(Sitting down) Sorry to interrupt but we need to think of a team name. 

As if by magic, the rest of the friends rapidly appear back to their seats. Nick and Charlie grin at each other. 

{MUSIC CUE: HEAVY BY ORLA GARTLAND}

…Everyone is looking at Elle, they are making suggestions. 

…Elle points at Sai and smiles, writes Tru-hell Survivors at the top of the answer sheet. Nick claps. 

…The answer sheet gets pushed around between them as they try to identify the celebrities and locations for the printed picture round. 

…We see the group conferring as the compere asks questions, Nick and Charlie both contributing. The group looks relaxed, comfortable, getting excited when one of them knows the answer. 

COMPERE

There will be a 10 minute break whilst we collect your answer sheets before we go through the answers.  

…As the group chat, Nick and Charlie converse freely with their friends, chipping in to each other’s conversations with no apparent tension. 

…Now they are marking an answer sheet

COMPERE

The correct answer was of course, the late great Ayrton Senna!

…Their group cheer and pat Nick on the back, Charlie and he catch eyes for a second as Charlie is looking at Nick with a fond smile. Nick averts his gaze quickly and when he looks back, Charlie is looking shyly down at his drink. 

COMPERE 

Third place goes to, The Tru-Hell Survivors!

…Tao collects their prize, a very fluffy teddy bear which he gives straight to Elle, who coos at it… 

…The group are on their feet, saying their good byes. 

NICK 

See you Char. Charlie. 

CHARLIE

Good luck for your dissertation. 

Charlie offers Nick a hug which he accepts briefly. 

INT. ELLE’S CAR - NIGHT

Charlie is in the back of Elle’s car, Elle and Tao are sitting it the front. Charlie is staring out the window as they drive through the dark, the street lights flickering across Charlie’s face. 

Charlie leans his head back and closes his eyes. 

FLICKERING FLASHBACKS:

{Do you think about

Do you think about, think about

Do you think about

Do you think about it too?}

… Nick’s face as the friends patted his back earlier. 

… Nick picking Charlie up and swinging him round at the train station. 

… Nick dressed as Aziraphale, chasing Charlie up the stairs, 

… his fingers running through Charlie’s hair

… the curve of the back of Nick’s head, 

… the freckles on the skin behind his ear and across his cheeks

… his hand reaching for Charlie’s

… his eyes crinkling at the corners when he smiles

… his mouth quirking into a smile. 

The street lights flicker across Charlie’s face. 

Charlie opens his eyes. 

END SCENE. 

Chapter Text

EXT. STREET OUTSIDE NICK’S UNIVERSITY HOUSE - AFTERNOON

{MUSIC CUE: AMERICAN BOY - YEARS AND YEARS}

Nick is walking towards his university house, a large DPM pattern bergen bag on his back. The sun is shining. Nick looks good, in a tight cuffed white tshirt, loose and straight blue jeans, a slight smile on his face. 

INT. NICK’S UNIVERSITY HOUSE, HALLWAY/KITCHEN/LOUNGE

{She said…}

Nick arrives at the front door. A beaming Tash bounces out of the lounge and gives him a big hug. Nick picks Tash up with a big grin and gives her a big squeeze, making her giggle. 

TASH 

(excited) Ready to meet him? 

Nick smiles and nods his head. He follows Tash into the lounge, where sits the most American man you’ve ever seen, wearing a crisp white Ralph Lauren polo with a discreet logo, tucked into a pair of pressed tan chinos, a woven brown leather belt, and a neat fade, a (real) square cut diamond earring in one ear, who stands and looks at Nick appraisingly, but politely. 

TASH

William, this is Nick!

William Bradford Connors Jr extends a hand with a blinding white smile. His accent sounds like a well-heeled Donald Faison doing a campaign tour.  

WILLIAM BRADFORD CONNORS JR

Good to meet you buddy, call me Will. 

Nick shakes his hand and gives him a Nick Nelson sunshine smile. 

NICK 

Yeah really good to meet you too. Uh. Sorry to be rude but I’ve had a long train ride so I’m going to freshen up before dinner.  

WILLIAM BRADFORD CONNORS JR

(clapping his hands together) Alright, we’re all going to Las Iguanas, right Natasha?

TASH

That’s the plan! We’re leaving at 7 Nick, we should all fit in Will’s car, uh, (slight frown) Toks isn’t coming. 

NICK

(being careful not to react) Oh, cool okay. 

Tash beams, Nick leaves the room smiling, on his way past to the stairs, he sees Toks standing in the kitchen, leaning against the sink,  scowling into a cup of tea. Nick bangs on the door of the hall understairs cupboard to get Tok’s attention and waves at Toks, who looks up. 

NICK

Hey Toks, you okay? 

Toks blinks and signs “fine” [gives him a quick thumbs up], puts his tea down, grabs his bag from the kitchen table and brushes past Nick to the front door where he leaves without looking back. 

Nick frowns and goes up stairs. 

{I really want to, come kick it with you. You’ll be my American Boy}

CUT TO: 

Tash is giddy and girlish. She settles on William Bradford Connors Jr’s lap, he kisses her hand, making her giggle.  

CUT TO:

INT. NICK’S UNI BEDROOM, 

Nick is looking out the window, across to the distant bus stop. Toks is sitting at the stop staring into space.

CUT TO:

EXT. BUS STOP NEAR NICK’S UNI HOUSE

{Would you be my love, my love, Would you be my love, my love}

Toks sits with his head in his hands. He looks back at the house. Nick waves at him. Toks lifts a hand to acknowledge him, but turns and walks away. 

MUSIC FADES OUT

END SCENE

***

INT. BUS - MANCHESTER

{MUSIC CUE - Red Flag by Lauren Murray x Sunship}

Charlie and Jasmine are sitting on a bus, Charlie is wearing his padded jacket, Jasmine is wearing a Manchester hoodie over jeans, Charlie has his backpack on his lap, Jasmine is clutching a folder.  

Charlie gets his phone out, which states its 22nd April,  17:14. 

He clicks open messages from Vinyl Mike, and frowns.

@vinyldjmike02 

22nd Apr 

00:12

You up? 

09:51

You awake yet? 

10:15

Was in therapy,  sorry, what’s up?

10:27

Okay,  that's random. Are we still on for tomorrow? Unless I can persuade you to see me later 🍆🍑💦😈

14:24

I’m not used to being ignored Charlie….

Charlie has typed out “I’m sorry, I had lectures”, but Jasmine interrupts him. 

JASMINE 

So is it your birthday this weekend? Or was it last week? 

CHARLIE 

No, 27th. Next Wednesday. 

JASMINE

 (teasingly) Got any plans with Mike?

CHARLIE 

Uh, I'm not sure. He wants to take me out on Saturday night, and meet his friends? 

JASMINE

That's great!

Charlie clears his message and doesn’t reply, he clicks his phone off and puts it away. 

CHARLIE 

I've kind of… been putting off seeing him.  

JASMINE 

Why?....(rolling her eyes) Ugh, Is this because you saw Nick? 

She presses the bell on the bus. They get up. 

{Music fades out}

CHARLIE 

…yes? 

JASMINE 

Right,  so, did anything actually happen? 

The bus slows to a stop, they walk down the bus and get off. 

EXT. STREET OUTSIDE CHARLIE’S UNIVERSITY HOUSE. 

They are walking towards the house. 

CHARLIE 

Not with Nick,  no. 

JASMINE 

So you're not back together?

CHARLIE 

No. We just chatted. In a group. 

JASMINE

So…

CHARLIE

So I don’t know how I feel about this. 

JASMINE

Do you like Mike? 

CHARLIE

(unsure) He’s hot, and he’s funny? And… I like that he’s …cool?

JASMINE 

(laughing) Then stop dithering and let the guy take you out! You like Mike, you clearly fancy him, so you owe it to yourself to see where this goes!

CHARLIE 

But, what if I just want Nick back? 

JASMINE 

Okay, what if you just think you do because you haven't really let yourself experience something different? I don't mean just …sex… or whatever, I mean an actual relationship with someone else.  

CHARLIE 

I…

JASMINE 

You know I'm right.  

CHARLIE 

I don't know…

JASMINE

Exactly. You don’t know! What’s the harm in letting things play out with Mike? If it’s not going anywhere, you’ll figure that out soon enough. 

{Music fades back in}

{This unhealthy fear of missing out…}

They reach the front door, Jasmine gets out her key and lets them in. Charlie gets out his phone and writes out a text to Vinyl Mike

CHARLIE (TEXT) 

Yeah sorry 😛 Just been super busy. Can’t tonight but on for saturday 🕺 

He hits send, smiling but looks unsure. He goes upstairs and  knocks on Aurelie’s bedroom door. 

AURELIE

Just a moment! Uh, Entrez!

Charlie opens the door to find Mavi and Aurelie in the process of sitting up on the bed and straightening themselves up, hair astray. 

CHARLIE

I’d ask if I was interrupting but…

MAVI

(sulkily) Well, you were. 

AURELIE

(laughing) What can we do for you Mr Spring? 

CHARLIE

I’m going to a cool club night with Mike. I have no idea what to wear. He told me to ‘doll myself up’.

Mavi and Aurelie squeal and clap their hands. 

MAVI

Yes, we will help you Primavera. Leave it to Mamma Mavi. 

{This is gonna end bad, I can see them red flags…}

MUSIC FADES OUT 

FADE OUT

END SCENE

***

TEXT ON SCREEN: SATURDAY 

INT. NICK’S UNIVERSITY BEDROOM - DAY 

MUSIC CUE: SOLO - CLEAN BANDIT (FEAT. DEMI LOVATO)

Nick is typing on his computer, writing his dissertation. He’s checking through text books, with his headphones in, listening to music. 

Toks knocks on the open door. 

NICK

Oh hey!

TOKS

Can I come in? 

Nick takes out his headphones and the music stops. 

NICK

Sure!

Toks comes in and sits on Nick’s bed. Nick turns to look at him. Toks looks a bit unsure. 

NICK

Are you okay?  

TOKS

How was dinner last night? 

NICK

(confused) Yeah, it was good? Will seems nice enough. 

TOKS

(Toks nods) Um. I was a bit off with you. Before Easter, and yesterday.  

NICK

Um, a… bit, yeah. 

TOKS

I just wanted to say sorry. 

NICK 

Did I do something to upset you? 

TOKS

Not really. I’ve just been in a mood. I’m over it now. 

NICK 

Did you want to talk about it? 

TOKS

Not really. But we’re cool, yeah? 

NICK

Oh, yeah of course!

Nick stands up and offers Toks a hug, which Toks stands and accepts. 

NICK 

(Bewildered) Hey. We’re okay. (Pulling back so Toks can lip read) Of course we’re okay.

Nick smiles and Toks smiles back. Toks looks relieved. 

TOKS

Did you see Charlie at Easter? 

NICK

(looking genuinely relieved) Yeah. It was good. We’re friends again. 

TOKS

(frowning) Just friends? 

NICK

Yeah. (reassuring) It’s okay. I’m … adjusting. Honestly. Just got to focus on getting this dissertation finished. 

Toks gets up. 

TOKS

Yeah of course. 

NICK 

I didn’t mean, You don’t have to go, I’m just sort of on a roll. 

TOKS 

Nah, it’s cool. (He smiles). Simon wants to go out next tuesday. Shall we go? Might be good to get a break.

NICK

(Earnestly) Sure! Sounds great!

TOKS 

Cool. I’m going to the gym, then I’ve got to get at least 1000 words done this evening 

NICK 

We’re nearly there mate, nearly there!

TOKS 

Catch you later then. 

Nick salutes at him, Toks chuckles and leaves. 

CUT TO: 

INT. CHARLIE’S UNI UNIVERSITY BEDROOM. 

{Music Cue: HOT IN IT - TIESTO FEAT. CHARLI XCX}

We see Mavi and Aurelie are fussing around Charlie, who is wearing his dressing gown, Aurelie picking up make-up brushes and eyeliner, Mavi holding two different tops on hangers and holding them up to Charlie, deliberating, blocking our view of Charlie. 

…We see Charlie’s feet as he zips up some black leather boots. Charlie is walking down the stairs in slow motion, panning from his boots, tight black dress trousers with a satin stripe up the side, a high necked with a ruffed neck, fairly opaque black mesh top with abstract floral patterned flocking. Charlie has black eyeliner on his waterline, and a dusting of highlighter on his cheekbones. Charlie has had a hair cut, the sides of his hair much shorter, with his curls tousled on the top of his head. His fingernails are matt black with his ring fingers in a sparkling midnight blue. He looks sensational. 

{Tonight I’m going to be rocking it, dropping it, shake my ass I’m stopping it. I look hot in it, hot in it.}

He reaches the bottom of the stairs where Ally and Nice Mike are standing in the door frame of the lounge, looking a bit shell shocked. 

Mavi chases down the stairs, and rushes ahead to take a photo of Charlie by the door. 

Charlie giggles, pouts and blows kisses as Mavi snaps away on her phone. Aurelie follows down the stairs, holding a midnight blue, velvet jacket,  dancing and whooping as Charlie poses. 

The music fades until it is just being played by the kitchen speaker. Ally clears his throat.  

ALLY

Holy smokes Charles!

Charlie sags, the thin veneer of confidence disappearing as he sags. 

CHARLIE

It’s too much isn’t it… (he looks helplessly at Aurelie) I think the other shirt…

AURELIE

Pour l'amour de Dieu! Tu es incroyable ! N'ose pas!

Mavi looks alarmed and glares at Ally and Mike.

ALLY 

I agree, don’t you dare. You look fabulous my friend, it’s just, wow. 

NICE MIKE

Really, like, wow. 

ALLY

Seriously.  

The front door rings. Charlie opens the door and Vinyl Mike is there, dressed in a tight white long sleeve shirt with grandad collar, open to the waist, showing his chest to advantage. He has a pair of straight blue jeans and brown leather boots on. 

VINYL MIKE

(looking Charlie up and down and licking his lips) Fucking hell Charlie.  You’re worth the wait. 

He immediately pulls Charlie towards him by the waist. 

VINYL MIKE

(Into his ear) You look… edible. 

Charlie smiles and laughs shyly. 

VINYL MIKE

You ready to go babe? 

Aurelie passes Charlie the jacket which he starts to put on, Vinyl Mike steps forward and takes over sliding it up Charlie’s arms. Vinyl Mike walks in front of Charlie, smoothes Charlie’s shoulders and kisses Charlie deeply. The housemates look a bit surprised, Aurelie and Mavi avert their gaze, Nice Mike and Alistair stare. 

Charlie giggles awkwardly. 

CHARLIE

Uh, bye guys. 

They wave. 

AURELIE

Have a great time!

MAVI

Bye Prima!

Charlie and Vinyl Mike leave. Aurelie and Mavi go into the kitchen. Ally and Nice Mike are still staring at the front door. 

ALLY

Do you… want to go upstairs, like, right now? 

NICE MIKE

(thinks) Yep. 

Ally leads Nice Mike up the stairs by the hand. 

END SCENE.

EXT/INT. THE MAYFIELD DEPOT, MANCHESTER - NIGHT

{MUSIC CUE - SWEET NOTHING BY CALVIN HARRIS FEAT. FLORENCE WELCH DIRTYLOUD REMIX}

Charlie and Vinyl Mike arrive at the nightclub. It’s a mega club, quite overwhelming. They check their jackets at the cloakroom

Charlie is introduced to 3 gym bunny type guys all dressed similarly to Vinyl Mike, CAL, RUSS, PAUL friends of Vinyl Mike’s.  They give each other bro hugs and complicated handshakes. It’s all very masculine energy. A girl, is hovering near Russ, LAINEY, who is dolled up in clubwear, smiles in a friendly way at Charlie. 

VINYL MIKE

Charlie, this is Cal, Paul, Russ, Lainey. Guys, this is Charlie. 

RUSS 

(eyeing Charlie, talking to Mike) Oooh, she’s pretty.

CHARLIE

Um. I’m he/him actually? 

Russ just laughs

VINYL MIKE

(laughing) Take the compliment babe. 

The bros start chatting to each other in a huddle, leaving Charlie out of it.

LAINEY 

(looping her arm through Charlie’s) Hi! I’m Lainey. Oh, it's so nice to have you here! Normally it's just me and the guys. 

CHARLIE 

I’ve never been to such a big club before. 

LAINEY

(full of nervous energy) Well, perhaps we can dance later? Russ doesn’t like to. 

CHARLIE

(being nice) Oh, yeah okay. 

Vinyl Mike comes over and puts an arm possessively round Charlie’s waist and settles his hand on Charlie’s bum. Russ arrives as they are talking. 

VINYL MIKE

Me and the guys are going to ugh, powder our noses, come on. 

RUSS

(To Lainey) Stay here. 

LAINEY

Oh, okay.

CHARLIE

I’m fine, I’ll stay with Lainey. I don’t do that.

VINYL MIKE

Come on Charlie, loosen up. 

CHARLIE

No, really I don’t. 

VINYL MIKE

(rounding on Charlie and holding him by the elbow) Didn’t realise you were this up tight.

CHARLIE 

(Looking at his arm) No it's just, (he shakes Mike off) with my medication it’s not a good idea. 

VINYL MIKE

Oh so it’s alright to stick a load of chemicals in your body when a doctor tells you but you can’t have any fun? 

CHARLIE

(confused but firm) I said no Mike. 

Vinyl Mike shrugs. Lainey takes Charlie’s hand. 

LAINEY

Russ, Charlie and I are going to dance, is that okay? 

RUSS

(rolling his eyes) Whatever. 

Lainey leads Charlie onto the dance floor. Lainey is fun and friendly. She and Charlie dance together, Charlie seems to enjoy making her smile, he twirls her. Lainey starts dancing closer to Charlie, Charlie gets lost in the music. Lainey puts her hand on Charlie’s waist and he puts his on hers.

Charlie closes his eyes.  The lights flicker and strobe.

The music builds to a crescendo. Florence’s voice isolates and elongates on the word “Nothing” … and in Charlie’s mind Lainey’s slender glittery pink nailed hands on Charlie’s waist morph into Nick’s, pale and freckled with clean nails. Charlie imagines Nick’s mouth and nose are grazing Charlie’s neck. Nick’s lips whisper into Charlie’s ear.

NICK [imagined]

Charlie…

Charlie breathes in… 

VINYL MIKE

(cutting through harsh and foreign) Charlie. 

Reality snaps back. Vinyl Mike is standing with Russ, who is scowling at Lainey, who springs back and flinches. Suddenly everything is too loud, too bright, too frenetic.

LAINEY

Um, I need the loo. Back in a minute. 

CHARLIE

(suddenly) I don’t want to be here. 

VINYL MIKE

(Pulling back from him angrily) What? 

CHARLIE

I want to go home

VINYL MIKE

What, now?

CHARLIE 

Yeah, this isn’t, I don’t, I’m sorry.

VINYL MIKE

You should be sorry! You can’t just expect me to just drop everything to come with you?

CHARLIE

Actually, you don’t need to leave, just go back to your friends. 

VINYL MIKE

(angry) You’re supposed to be coming back to mine. 

CHARLIE

I’m sorry, I don’t want to. 

VINYL MIKE

Jesus you’re hard work you know that? Let’s just get you a drink and you can stop being such a prick tease and head case. 

CHARLIE

(thoughtful) No, but, thank you?

VINYL MIKE

What? 

CHARLIE 

For making this really, really straight forward. (Puts a hand abruptly on Mike’s shoulder) Um. This is over. I don’t want to see you again, sorry. Have a nice life, and uh, cheers for the coat.  

The music mixes into another song, Charlie leaves the dancefloor,  Charlie walks off and finds the cloakroom. He opens his phone. It's 12:35am. He is texting Ally as we hear muffled thumping beats in the background. 

CHARLIE (TEXTING)

I need that anytime favour. Can you come get me? 

Lainey appears in the foyer by the cloakroom as Charlie is queuing. She sees Charlie and leans back against the wall.  As he’s collecting his coat, he borrows the pen from the cloakroom attendant and writes on his ticket stub. He walks over to Lainey.  

CHARLIE

Are you okay? Um, I’m leaving. I won’t be seeing Mike again.

LAINEY

(She nods and sniffs) They’re horrible. I should leave Russ, really. But… 

CHARLIE

My friend’s picking me up. Do you want to get out of here?

LAINEY

(she shakes her head, helplessly) We live together. 

CHARLIE

Here, um. (He hands her the ticket stub with his Instagram name on it). If you ever need someone to talk to?

She puts it in her bra and gives him a hug. 

LAINEY

Good luck Charlie

CHARLIE

You can do better. 

She smiles. 

CUT TO: 

INT. ALISTAIR’S CAR. 

{MUSIC CUE: OH I JUST DON’T KNOW BY SUNFLOWER BEAN}

Charlie is sitting in Ally’s car, leaning against the window, tears down his face. Ally reaches over and squeezes his hand.

CHARLIE

Nick really loved me, didn’t he?

ALISTAIR

(sighing) I’d say so, yeah. 

CHARLIE

I want him back

Alistair takes a deep breath, relieved. 

ALISTAIR

…There you go. 

CHARLIE

How do I even start to try to get what we had back? 

ALISTAIR

Just … find a reason to talk to him. 

CUT TO:

NICK’S UNIVERSITY BEDROOM. 

Nick closes his laptop screen and picks up his phone. It's 01:04

There is a picture message from Charlie. It’s a very good photo from earlier in the night, of Charlie posing in his outfit. The message under the photograph reads:   

“I let the Europeans dress me. What do you think?” 

Nick gasps, a smile at the edge of his lips.  

BLACKOUT.

END SCENE. 

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

23 Apr 22

CHARLIE - 01:03

I let the Europeans dress me. What do you think?

NICK - 01:10

😲 WOW. 

NICK - 01:12

What’s the occasion? 

CHARLIE - 01:15

Went out for a pre-birthday thing. 

NICK - 01:17

Well, say well done to Mavi and Auz for me.

CHARLIE - 01:18

Yeah? I was a bit worried it was too much. 

NICK - 01:19

Honestly it really suits you.

CHARLIE - 01:22

Thanks.😊 You’re up late?

NICK - 01:23

Was writing up my dissertation, trying to wind down a bit before bed. 

CHARLIE  - 01:25

You watching Good Omens again?

NICK - 01:26

In no way….

CHARLIE - 01:28

Comfort watches are comforting

NICK- 01:29

Indeed. You okay? 

CHARLIE- 01:35

I’m actually feeling a lot better. I wasn’t sure I really wanted to go out, but I’m really glad I did. Helped clear my mind.  

NICK - 01:37

Sounds like a good night out 

CHARLIE - 01:44

How are you? 

NICK - 01:45

Yeah, this dissertation is kicking my arse. 

CHARLIE  - 01:47

Yeesh yeah I’ve got to submit my topic soon 😬 Can’t say the idea is filling me with glee. Is it coming together okay? 

NICK - 01:48

Yeah, Toks and I have been motivating each other, it’s been really good actually. Chipping away at it. 

CHARLIE - 01: 49

That’s really good Nick.

NICK - 01:50

I am actually falling asleep though. 

CHARLIE - 01:51

Okay I’ll let you go. Night Nick

NICK - 01:52

Thanks. Night Charlie. 

CHARLIE - 01:53

Night night x

NICK - 02:17

Seriously though, that fit 👍 

CHARLIE - 02:19

😇 x

NICK - 02:19

x

CHARLIE - 13:23

Sorry for keeping you up last night

NICK - 14:47 

That’s okay, it’s nice to hear from you. 

CHARLIE - 15:49

How’s the work going?  

NICK - 16:15

Got a few hours done this morning, went to the gym, going shopping in a bit, I'm doing a big housemates roast tomorrow.  

CHARLIE - 16:17

How is everyone? 

NICK- 16:45

So…. Li is Li, we don't see much of him,  Amira seems to be getting on alright,  she broke up with Nadia over the Easter but doesn't seem bothered. I think they're going to get back together.  And since you asked, Tash has an African American boyfriend called William Jr who is minted and I swear I've never seen her so happy. 

Oh and Toks has seemed really down lately but I think he's going to be okay?

CHARLIE - 17:28

I'm not surprised about Toks

NICK - 17:35

How'd you mean? 

CHARLIE- 17:42

Well… Tash.

NICK- 17:44

Okay that's interesting,  because I was wondering if that might be the case but what makes you say that?

CHARLIE- 17:46

Well it's always been pretty obvious.

NICK- 17:47

HAS IT??? 

CHARLIE- 17:48

I reckon you were too blinded by your own crush on him to notice. 

NICK- 17:54

… I regret telling you about that!!!!!

CHARLIE- 17:55

 😋 but it was super cute!!!

NICK- 17:58

Look I'm sorry if I have form for not being sure if I fancy my new best friend or just really like them! Fortunately I was just 'Confused By Genuine Friendship'. 😅

CHARLIE- 17:59

Well, they do say straight boys will break your heart 😋 

NICK- 18:15

Well… in my case it's gay ones. 

NICK- 18:17 

Anyway ttyl I've got to blitz Morrisons.

CHARLIE- 18:18

 Right yeah. Ttyl x

NICK- 18:18

X

Chapter Text

INT. CHARLIE’S UNIVERSITY LOUNGE- EVENING

TEXT ON SCREEN:

TUESDAY 26th APRIL 

Charlie walks down the stairs and finds a nervous looking Mavi hovering in the kitchen.  

Aurelie is sat on the sofa, talking via a Portal on the tv with an elegant looking French woman in her mid 50s, CELINE.

CELINE

…bien, tu vas nous présenter?

AURELIE

Je vais la chercher. 

Mavi looks at Charlie panicked.  

MAVI

(Whispering) What if she doesn't like me? 

Aurelie comes through to the kitchen. She holds out her hand to Mavi, 

CHARLIE

She'll love you. 

Mavi breathes out slowly before taking it and following her.  Charlie loiters in the hallway, eavesdropping. 

AURELIE

Mavi, this is my mother, Celine Moreau… Maman, this is Maria Vittoria, my …Mavi. My girlfriend. 

CELINE 

Ahhh! Enchanté Mavi. 

Mavi giggles

MAVI

Enchanté Madame Moreau

CELINE

Ah, you must call me Celine. We are family now. 

AURELIE

Maman! Elle est ma petite amie, pas ma femme! 

 CELINE

Well, anyway, you must come to France and meet me properly in the summer. I must know better the woman who makes my daughter smile so much.

MAVI 

Thankyou, that would be very nice. 

Celine 

 Eh bien Aurelie, elle est très belle. Tu es chanceux!

AURELIE

(Giggling) Maman! 

In the corridor, Charlie smiles.

CUT TO:

It's later. Charlie is putting out cutlery at the drop leaf table in the lounge. His phone buzzes. 

NICK (TEXT)

"Happy birthday Charlie. I'm out tonight and don't want to accidentally miss wishing you the happiest of birthdays for tomorrow.  I hope that 20 brings you all the things you want it to and that this is a great year for you. 💛💙💛"

Charlie blinks at the message and smiles. Mavi and Aurelie walk in with three plates of risotto and give him knowing smiles. 

MAVI

Buon appetito!

They tuck in.

CUT TO:

INT. NICK’S UNIVERSITY KITCHEN- EVENING.

Tash is sitting in a dressing gown at the kitchen table, drinking lemon water, looking nauseous. Nick brings in some plates and pours himself a glass of water. Nick looks concerned. Nick is dressed nicely for a night out. 

NICK

(Caringly) You still feeling ill? 

TASH

(Groaning) Not to be too graphic but I’ve barely kept anything down for the last few days. The thought of food is just making me worse. (With mock frivolity) At least no squits though!. Ugh. Sorry. TMI. 

NICK 

(Leaning in to whisper) I’m pretty sure you and I are well past the point of things being TMI.

Tash giggles weakly. 

TASH

Sorry, I probably shouldn’t be hanging around germing up the kitchen.

NICK 

(Pragmatically) If one of us is ill, we’re all going to get ill. It’s inevitable. Will not coming over to uh, play doctors and nurses then? 

TASH 

(Laughs) Not really his scene. He was like, ‘I’ll see you in a few days babes’

[A beat]

TASH [CONT.] 

(Appreciatively) You look very nice by the way, are you going out? 

NICK

Oh, thanks! Yeah, Toks and I are going to meet up with Simon for a (he gestures bunny ears with his fingers) “quiet one” 

TASH 

(Chuckling) …So I’ll expect you back around dawn then. 

NICK

(Jokingly) Lads lads lads!

TASH 

I’m glad you’re taking Toks out, he’s seemed a bit stressed lately. (She laughs) He seems even more moody with me than usual. 

NICK

(Carefully) How’d you mean? 

TASH 

Oh come on. It’s no secret he doesn’t really like me. 

NICK 

What? What makes you say that? 

TASH 

Oh come on! Ever since we’ve known Toks he’s always been so on / off with me. 

Nick frowns, looking confused.