Okay, here’s a bit from the radio play I’ve started. I’m very pleased, so thought I’d share it with you…

FX: NATHAN’S MOBILE RINGS

NATHAN:

It’s David. He’s lost and can I come and get him.

I’m sat in my dressing gown, microwaved paella in my lap, and fifteen minutes into my beloved Heroes, one of those confusing bits.

“Dave, where are you?”

He’s gibbering. “All gone wrong.” Road with big houses. Lots of them. I’m thinking probably the Hockering, but I don’t know. Could be anywhere. And what’s he been doing to get lost in the first place?

And then he’s shouting, but not at me. A dog barking. Obscenities. “Bastard! – I weren’t gonna mug ya! Just wanna-”

And then he’s crying. “I was happy”, he’s saying, “I was happy. I don’t want this anyone.”

It’s raining, heavy. I can hear it. And he can’t see anybody. Don’t want him flagging down a car. Not in the road. Not in the dark. Not in the rain.

Somehow, I’m managing to persuade him to knock on a door. Any door.

And then there’s a voice. Soft and concerned and surprised, and…

And I’m pulling on a pair of jeans, trying to convince her he’s okay, and no it’s not a prank, and please don’t call the police, and yes I am his father, and why did I tell her that, and where are you, and I’m very sorry, and no he has hasn’t done this before, and it’s a bit confusing for me too, and please don’t hang up, and yes I’m on my way, and where exactly are you, and why is he bleeding, and yes he loves dogs, and where are my keys, and yes I’ll be there in twenty, and will I need my wallet, and how the hell did he get that far, and yes I’m getting in the car, and then she’s all Hook Heath, and I’m just give me the sodding postcode, and then he’s crying again, and he’s really sorry, and he’s please don’t be angry, and he’s please don’t tell my mum.

And I’m driving way too fast.

I went for a long walk in Woking yesterday while waiting for Richard. I was hypo with my head buzzing with ideas about this play, and wasn’t concentrating on where I was walking, and yes, I got lost, and there were some very big houses!

As always, comments appreciated.