WINTERHOUSE

SCREENPLAY BY

PAUL MARAIS

Paul Marais

PO Box 782

Odendaalsrus

9480

Free State

South Africa

+27 846047981

Copyright© 2015 Paul Marais iampaulmarais@gmail.com

1

EXT. FERRY – DAY

SARAH boards the FERRY. She is holding a LARGE BROWN ENVELOPE

in her hand.

Close up on SARAH’S SHOES

Sarah’s shoelace has come undone.

INT. FERRY - DAY

Sarah holds the envelope out to the FERRY WORKER who collects

the tickets.

SARAH

Can you hold this for a minute? I just

want to tie my shoelaces.

Sarah stoops and ties her shoelaces.

FERRY WORKER

I will put this away with the rest of the

luggage for you.

SARAH

(nauseous)

No, give it to me. I’ll keep it.

The ferry worker gives the envelope back to Sarah.

Sarah presses the envelope against her chest.

EXT. TOWN FROM ABOVE (GODSHOT)- DAY

A TAXI moves along the coastline next to a big lake. There are

woods on the outside of town.

EXT. LAKE - DAY

FERRY on lake

Sarah leans against the railing and waves.

SARAH

Goodbye winter house!

2

INT. TAXI - DAY

MATTHEWS is in the taxi, wearing a hat.

MATTHEWS

Can you slow down a bit?

The taxi drives by a house. There are FOR SALE signs on the

front lawn.

TAXI DRIVER

This house is to die for. Are you

interested in buying?

MATTHEWS

No, not really.

SUBTITLE

12 YEARS AGO

EXT. CHURCH – LATE AFTERNOON

OLD BUILDING with stone walls. PEOPLE walk into the church for

a wedding.

EXT/INT. FROM BACK TO FRONT INSIDE CHURCH – LATER

The BRIDE, GROOM, BRIDESMAID and BEST MAN are standing in

front of the pulpit.

POV. We see THEM from BEHIND.

CLOSE UP on PRIEST’S face

PRIEST

You may place the rings on each other’s

fingers.

CLOSE UP ON HANDS putting on RINGS

CLOSE UP on Priest’s face

3

PRIEST

I now pronounce you husband and wife. You

may kiss the bride.

CLOSE UP ON BRIDE AND GROOM FROM BEHIND

The bride and groom kiss each other but we do not see their

faces.

EXT. WEDDING RECEPTION – LATE NIGHT

PEOPLE are dancing all over the place.

INT. BAR

Matthews and Sarah arrive at the bar simultaneously.

MATTHEWS/SARAH

Can I get…?

SARAH

You first.

MATTHEWS

Ladies first.

SARAH

Can I get a whiskey on rocks please?

MATTHEWS

Make that two.

SARAH

Good choice.

The BARMAN sets down two glasses of whiskey. Matthews takes

his glass and it falls on the counter.

MATTHEWS

Sorry.

BARMAN

No sweat, I will get you another one.

4

INT. BAR – MUCH LATER

There are whiskey and shooter glasses placed before Matthews

and Sarah.

SARAH

Good speech, very impressive.

MATTHEWS

Well thank you my lady, you were not so bad yourself.

SARAH

‘My lady’ indeed! My speech was a

catastrophe; I’ve had enough.

MATTHEWS

I agree with that.

SARAH

With the speech or the drink?

MATTHEWS

Do you think we can slip away?

SARAH

Will anyone notice?

Matthews turns around and glances at the PEOPLE.

CLOSE UP on people on the dance floor

MATTHEWS (CONT’D)

Not a chance.

SARAH

I’m just going to powder my nose, don’t go

anywhere.

INT. LADIES’ ROOM - NIGHT

A YOUNGISH WOMAN applies make-up.

A TOILET flushes and an OLDER WOMAN comes out. She goes to

stand next to the YOUNGER WOMAN.

5

YOUNGER WOMAN

Bride or Groom?

OLDER WOMAN

(a bit drunk)

Honey, I think it’s obvious I’m neither.

YOUNGER WOMAN

I think it’s a shotgun wedding, those two

barely know each other.

OLDER WOMAN

Honey, I don’t care. All I know is that

this party is a lot of fun.

The older woman staggers out the door.

CLOSE UP on toilet door

INT. TOILET

Sarah’s face is resting on the toilet. She just smiles and

softly says to herself:

SARAH

Shotgun.

EXT. TOWN FROM ABOVE (GODSHOT) – NEXT MORNING.

EXT/INT. ANTIQUE SHOP

ANTIQUE SHOP DOOR

Matthews walks through the door.

CLOSE UP on SIGN on the door

HELP WANTED FOR WINTER HOLIDAY.

INT. ANTIQUE SHOP - DAY

Two hands reach in unison for the same ornament.

MATTHEWS

Interesting piece, whatever it is.

6

SARAH

It is genuine antique - dates back to the

fourteenth century.

MATTHEWS

Then I better not touch it. With my luck it

will break and it probably costs a fortune.

SARAH

Of course, I myself am only looking.

MATTHEWS

(playful)

I’ve been wondering if I was going to see

you again.

SARAH

(play along)

I thought you left town ages ago.

MATTHEWS

My new book will be launched soon after

which I’ll be going on a book tour, and

anyway it’s so nice here.

SARAH

This place does have a good vibe. Oh well,

in that case how about breakfast?

MATTHEWS

I’m starving.

EXT. SIDEWALK CAFÉ - DAY

Matthews and Sarah sit at a table underneath an umbrella. The

lake is in the background.

SARAH

It’s so peaceful here.

MATTHEWS

I’m a water person, could spend the whole

day in the water.

7

SARAH

In the water?

MATTHEWS

Pedal ski, swimming – water activities.

SARAH

Then you’re in the right place.

MATTHEWS

So what does the artist in you say about

the town?

SARAH

I get so inspired by the muses in the

woods.

MATTHEWS

And what exactly do they say?

SARAH

To start with… (fade away)

FROM SIDEWALK CAFÉ TO BIGGER TOWN - DAY

CARS go by in the street. PEOPLE walk on the pavements.

EXT. PAVEMENT NEXT TO LAKE – AFTERNOON

Matthews and Sarah walk down the pavement.

CLOSE UP on Sarah’s face

Sarah stops dead and is dumbfounded, as if she has seen a

ghost.

MATTHEWS

What is it? You look like you’ve seen a

ghost.

Matthews looks at Sarah and hits his head on a FOR SALE sign

that is hanging from a pole.

MATTHEWS (CONT’D)

Ouch, damn, are you ok?

8

SARAH

Look.

We move from the street to the house.

Sarah and Matthews see a FAIRY-TALE HOUSE.

A REAL ESTATE AGENT appears from behind a tree.

REAL ESTATE AGENT

Beautiful, like a house straight out of a

fairy tale, isn’t it?

MATTHEWS

Amazing.

REAL ESTATE AGENT

Come in and see for yourself. The previous

owners used it exclusively for a winter

house at first, but the last few years they

lived here permanently. They are now

retired and live in an old age home.

EXT/INT. HOUSE

Matthews and Sarah follow the Real Estate Agent and enter the

house as if they have been hypnotised.

INT. HOUSE

Matthews stands in front of a window and looks out across the

road to the lake.

MATTHEWS

My desk could go right here.

SARAH

(to Real Estate Agent)

He’s a writer.

REAL ESTATE AGENT

I know. I recognised him immediately.

The Real estate agent turn to Matthews

9

REAL ESTATE AGENT

I’ve read all your books and I’m crazy

about them.

MATTHEWS

Well thank you very much. In that case you

will be pleased to know that my new book

will be on the shelves at the end of the

month.

REAL ESTATE AGENT

What is it about?

MATTHEWS

Well, it’s about a Real Estate Agent who

tries to sell a house to a famous writer.

REAL ESTATE AGENT

I tried, but to be honest I didn’t think

for a moment that you would give anything

away.(To Sarah)And what do you do, madam?

MATTHEWS

Madaaam (drags out syllable) is an artist

of high calibre. She’s versatile – does

pottery, welds rubbish together to form

sculptures and not to mention painting.

SARAH

It’s not necessary to exaggerate.

REAL ESTATE AGENT

Then I have to show you the attic, follow

me.

The Real Estate Agent walks out. Matthews winks at Sarah and

Sarah playfully bows to him.

CLOSE UP ON SARAH’S FACE

Now it really looks like she’s seen a ghost.

10

REAL ESTATE AGENT (V.O.)

The previous owners were both artists and

fixed the place up like this.

INT. ATTIC

THE ROOF is a HUGE WINDOW with the woods on the outside. It

looks like a GREENHOUSE.

REAL ESTATE AGENT (CONT’D)

They were the ones who had the windows

installed. They replaced the roofing with

windows. Don’t worry, it’s not the type of

glass that can break – it’s Perspex. This

way more natural light enters the studio.

MATTHEWS

What do you think?

SARAH

How does one clean it?

MATTHEWS

The studio?

SARAH

Look at the woods outside the window.

MATTHEWS

(to Real Estate Agent)

She’s a wood nymph.

INT. HOTEL ROOM – NIGHT

Matthews speaks on the phone.

MATTHEWS

It’s perfect for the winter months; you

know I hate it when it snows in the city.

It’s an hour’s journey from New York by

train. We get on at Central Station and

then it stops here at the edge of the lake.

We take the ferry across the water, walk

half a block and then we’re home.

11

Matthews listens to SOMEONE on the other end of the line.

MATTHEWS (CONT’D)

No, everything is within walking distance

from the house. There is the most wonderful

restaurant two houses from here and they

say it gets so warm here in the winter that

one would still be able to swim in the

lake.

EXT/INT. BANK FROM OUTSIDE – DAY

INT. BANK MANAGER’S OFFICE - DAY

The BANK MANAGER sits behind a desk and Sarah sits across from

him.

BANK MANAGER

(gives Sarah the papers)

Just sign everywhere I have.

SARAH

And that’s it?

BANK MANAGER

That’s it and then the house is yours.

EXT/INT. LAKE AND WINTER HOUSE – DAY

A MOVING VAN is parked in front of the house and WORKERS are

unloading furniture.

INT. KITCHEN - DAY

Sarah unpacks the china into cupboards.

SARAH

I can’t believe we did it.

INT. BASEMENT - DAY

SARAH

Do you know what you’re doing?

12

MATTHEWS

It can’t be very difficult.

SARAH

Shouldn’t we rather get a plumber?

Matthews strikes the pipe with a hard blow.

The pipe bursts and water run out.

Matthews slips and grabs at Sarah – both fall and get

drenched.

MATTHEWS

You say you have the number of a plumber?

INT. LOUNGE - NIGHT

Matthews connects the HIFI.

MATTHEWS

Our own winter house.

INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT

SARAH

‘Winter house’ is such a beautiful phrase.

Music starts playing in the lounge. Sarah smiles and walks

over there.

INT. LOUNGE - NIGHT

Matthews bows to Sarah.

MATTHEWS

Our first dance.

SARAH

In our winter house.

MATTHEWS

Wait, I have a song I want to play for you.

Matthews places a CD in the player.

13

MATTHEWS (CONT’D)

To apologise for the basement.

Sorry little Sarah by Blue System starts playing.

Matthews takes the remote and uses it as a mic.

MATTHEWS (CONT’D)

(singing)

Sorry little Sarah Sarah.

Sarah stands next to Matthews and sings along.

Matthews and Sarah sing and dance.

DOORBELL ring and the door is opened from within.

MR and MRS MCLAREN and their TWO CHILDREN are at the door.

BILL

(offers his hand)

I’m Bill.

WENDY

And I’m Wendy.

BILL/WENDY

McLaren.

BILL

We are your neighbours.

WENDY

And this is Joyce and Macflarren, our two

sprouts.

MATTHEWS

I am Matthews Martin and this is...

WENDY

(interrupts)

Mrs Martin.

14

SARAH

Just call me Sarah.

MATTHEWS

Come in.

WENDY

Thanks, but we’re in a hurry. We just

wanted to come over and say welcome.

BILL

Welcome.

The door shuts.

CLOSE UP on Matthews and Sarah

MATTHEWS

Mrs Martin.

SARAH

(giggles)

‘Mrs’ it is then.

Both burst out laughing.

MATTHEWS

What is the boy’s name?

SARAH

Sounds like ice cream.

INT. DINING ROOM - NIGHT

A Candlelit table has been set. Matthews and Sarah are seated

at the table. Matthews takes the bottle of red wine.

MATTHEWS

More for you?

SARAH

Go ahead and pour.

15

Matthews fills both their glasses, puts down the bottle and

takes his glass.

MATTHEWS

Cheers.

Sarah brings her glass closer.

SARAH

Cheers.

MATTHEWS

To our winter house.

SARAH

Exactly how long will a book tour of yours

usually last?

MATTHEWS

Well there would be a few book signing

sessions and readings booked and after that

it normally depends on how popular the book

is.

SARAH

What do you mean by how popular the book

is?

MATTHEWS

It has to do with sales and reviews.

Sarah looks at Matthews questioningly.

MATTHEWS (CONT’D)

If the book sells well, more signing

sessions would usually be scheduled. If

book sales are poor, typically some of the

previously scheduled sessions would be

cancelled.

SARAH

And the reviews?

16

MATTHEWS

Works almost the same. If one or two good

reviews are published, they would book more

readings. If one or two bad reviews are

published, some of these sessions would be

cancelled.

SARAH

Tough to be judged according to your work.

MATTHEWS

Fortunately I’m used to it by now. The

opposite reasons also count towards how

much wine I drink on the tours.

SARAH

How?

MATTHEWS

The more bookings there are, the less I

drink and the more cancellations there are,

the more I drink.

SARAH

What I really want to know is how long

you’re going to be on tour.

MATTHEWS

Book launch, not tour - rock stars go on

tour.

SARAH

What I actually want to know is will your

book launch be over by Christmas time?

MATTHEWS

Over or not by Christmas we’ll all be here

in the winter house. They won’t be able to

make me work during that time.

Sarah raises her glass.

17

SARAH

Cheers.

Matthews raises his glass as well.

MATTHEWS

Cheers to our first Christmas in our winter

house.

SARAH

I just hope we’ll get everyone here.

EXT/INT. FROM ACROSS THE STREET TO INSIDE OF BOOK SHOP - NIGHT

A HUGE AUDIENCE is present.

INTRODUCER

Ladies and Gentlemen, can I have your

attention please. To read to us from his

new novel Night of Winter, here is the

prizewinning author himself - Matthews

Martin.

The huge audience applauds.

MATTHEWS

Thank you very much, I really appreciate

it. Like always it’s an absolute privilege

to spend time with you all and although

I’ve done this hundreds of times, it’s

still strange to me to read something out

loud that I’ve written myself.

INT. WINTER HOUSE – STUDIO - NIGHT

Sarah is seated behind her POTTER’S WHEEL and is forming a POT

out of clay.

INT. BOOK SHOP - NIGHT

MATTHEWS

(clears his throat)

Night of Winter is a story that is more in

depth than my previous work.

18

MATTHEWS (CONT’D)

From the title it is already apparent that

‘night’ and ‘winter’ describe something

cold and unpleasant, but whether or not it

will become day and summer for my

characters - well you’ll have to buy the

book to find out.

The audience laughs.

MATTHEWS (CONT’D)

Not to give too much away but at the same

time to make you want to buy it even more,

I will read a passage from the middle of

the book.

CUT FROM Matthews to the audience.

MATTHEWS (V.O.)

The sun was sinking. Elle unconsciously

started to fidget. (fade out)

A MALE ADMIRER wearing a RED JERSEY is listening attentively.

Matthews looks up and clears his throat.

Matthews POV. His eyes sweep over the audience and come to a

stop where the man in the red jersey is. Their eyes meet.

Someone in the audience coughs. Matthews clears his throat

again and reads on.

CLOSE UP on TABLE AREA

Matthews sits at the table signing books. A bunch of his books

are stacked on the table.

PEOPLE are standing in line for Matthews to sign their copy of

his book. The man in the red jersey is standing at the end of

the line.

19

INT. WINTER HOUSE STUDIO - NIGHT

Sarah sits at her potter’s wheel forming a pot out of clay and

happily hums a tune. There is clay stuck in her hair.

INT. BOOK SHOP - NIGHT

The man in the red jersey is in front of the table.

MAN IN RED JERSEY

I’ve read all your books.

MATTHEWS

Then you must have a favourite.

MAN IN RED JERSEY

I really like the fact that you stick to

your style and yet the story of every book

is something completely different. If your

name wasn’t on the books I would have

thought that each one was written by a

different writer.

MATTHEWS

That’s truly a very nice compliment, thank

you very much.

INT. WINTER HOUSE – STUDIO

The telephone rings and Sarah jumps at the sound, causing her

to crumple the emerging pot which she is working on.

INT. TELEPHONE BOOTH

Matthews waits for Sarah to pick up.

INT. WINTER HOUSE – STUDIO

Sarah drops everything and picks up the receiver with a cloth.

SARAH

Hello? Hello, is someone there?

20

INTERCUT – PHONE CONVERSATION

MATTHEWS

Sarah, can you hear me?

Sarah realises she is holding the receiver upside down and

turns it the right way up.

SARAH

There we go, now you can probably hear me.

Oh sorry, Sarah speaking.

MATTHEWS

Yes and what are you so busy with?

SARAH

(excited)

Matt, how was the reading?

MATTHEWS (V.O.)

Fantastic, more people showed up than I was

expecting.

SARAH

Any weird fans?

Matthews is standing inside the telephone booth and the man

with the red jersey is standing next to it.

MATTHEWS

No, but I’m going to have a drink with one

for a few minutes.

SARAH

Just be careful.

MATTHEWS

Enjoy the rest of the night, love you.

SARAH

Love you too, bye.

Sarah hangs up the phone and a frown appears on her face.

21

INT. RESTAURANT

WAITER

What can I get you to drink?

MATTHEWS

Can I get a glass...? I presume we’re not

in a hurry so bring us a bottle of red

wine, or do you want to drink something

else?

MAN IN RED JERSEY

I got the idea that you know I’m crazy

about red wine.

MATTHEWS

You did say the character in Man from

Nowhere could just as well have been you

and he loved red wine.

MAN IN RED JERSEY

That’s not the only thing he was crazy

about... (fade away)

EXT. JEEP DRIVES THROUGH LANDSCAPE - DAY

INT. JEEP – DAY

JACK is driving but doesn’t really want to go. ANNE is sitting

in the passenger’s seat, irritated because her husband has

come along. SUSAN is lying/sitting in the back. She wants to

smoke weed and get high rather than travel with her parents.

JACK

It’s not a good time to be on the road.

SUSAN

I told you we should have taken the train.

ANNE

Please, your dad riding the train?

JACK

What do you mean?

22

ANNE

Just trying to be friendly.

JACK

We have nothing in common.

ANNE

For the children’s sake.

JACK

Children are supposed to come to their

parents’ houses for the holidays.

SUSAN

You’re never there anyway.

JACK

Don’t talk nonsense.

SUSAN

Alright, what did I get for my tenth

birthday? Or for Christmas when I was

thirteen? Or what did we eat last year for

Thanksgiving?

JACK

Money was needed to get all that stuff.

SUSAN

Mom didn’t marry a house you know.

ANNE

Enough!

EXT. TRAIN STATION – DAY

BOB, BARBARA, KEVIN, JULIANNE, JULIETTE, KEVIN JR and JAKE

step out of the TRAIN.

BOB

Will we have to get a taxi now?

23

JULIANNE

No dad, the train station is next to the

lake, we will only get a taxi on the other

side of the lake.

BARBARA

The ferry has to be just outside here.

Kevin Jr, Jake and Juliette run out of the building.

Juliette and Jake run back.

JAKE

The sea is outside.

JULIETTE

Hurry up, the boat is here.

BOB

That’s not the sea, it’s just a very big

lake.

JULIANNE

We’re coming.

Jake takes Bob’s hand.

JAKE

Come grandpa.

EXT. WINTER HOUSE – CHRISTMAS, LIGHT SNOW IS FALLING.

INT. WINTER HOUSE - LOUNGE

DYLAN

I thought it didn’t get cold here.

MATTHEWS

This year is an exception.

SARAH

I think we should drink some wine before

the families show up.

24

DYLAN

I’ll pour for us.

DYLAN pours a glass of red wine for each of them.

MATTHEWS

To our first Christmas in our winter house.

DYLAN

Cheers.

SARAH

Cheers to our winter house.

A Jeep stops in the driveway.

INT. WINTER HOUSE - LOUNGE.

DYLAN

They’re here, good luck.

MATTHEWS

(raises his glass again)

To family.

SARAH

Cheers.

Sarah downs her glass.

Matthews looks out the window at the driveway.

MATTHEWS (V.O.)

My dad came too.

EXT. DRIVEWAY - DAY

Two TAXIS stop.

EXT. FRONT DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE

The front door opens. Matthews, Sarah and Dylan walk out.

25

SARAH

(her excited self)

You’re here.

EXT. DRIVEWAY

Greetings are exchanged all around.

DYLAN

Come in everyone, it’s freezing outside.

EXT/INT. WINTER HOUSE - FRONT DOOR

Everyone goes inside. Matthews and his sister are behind the

others.

MATTHEWS

You could have warned me he was coming as

well.

SUSAN

I didn’t know until he got into the car.

MATTHEWS

Ever heard of text messaging?

INT. WINTER HOUSE – KITCHEN

Barbara and Julianne walk in with dishes in their hands.

JULIANNE

Where should we put this?

SARAH

Over there on the table.

ANNE

I didn’t know that we were supposed to

bring something.

BARBARA

My daughter isn’t exactly one of the best

cooks.

26

SARAH

Mom is that really necessary?

MATTHEWS

(smells trouble and speaks loudly)

Come on everyone, go out there on the

balcony and see how beautiful it is. I’ll

bring something to drink.

INT. LOUNGE

Jack is reading the paper. Bob is watching the game on TV.

BOB

So Dylan, how’s it going at work?

DYLAN

Busy sir, I actually have to go back

tonight in order to work tomorrow.

BOB

Please drop this ‘sir’ business and call me

Bob. We’ve known each other long enough.

Jack lowers the paper.

JACK

(sarcastically)

So you’re not staying for the holidays?

DYLAN

No Mr Morgan. I have to.

Jack raises the paper again and pays no attention to Dylan.

BOB

I’m starving.

JACK

Question is will there be anything edible?

BOB

My daughter isn’t that hopeless.

27

DYLAN

There’s delicious food, all of us helped.

Matthews cooked all his grandmother’s

recipes.

Kevin, Jake and Kevin Jr enter the lounge.

KEVIN

It’s lovely here.

KEVIN JR

Grandpa, you should come see. We can go

fishing right over there across from the

house.

Matthews walks in. He makes eye contact with Dylan.

MATTHEWS

We are ready for you; you can come and sit

down for dinner.

INT. DINING ROOM

EVERYONE is seated at the big dining table.

JULIANNE

You could have set a table separately for

the kids.

DYLAN

Nonsense, there is loads of room and there

are three extra tables like this one in the

basement.

BARBARA

Are they movable tables?

DYLAN

Four-seaters. We can take away and add

according to the amount of people present.

Matthews and Sarah arrive with the dishes of food.

28

MATTHEWS

Who’s going to cut the turkey? Dad?

Jack pretends not to hear.

JACK

Are we going to get to eat today?

BOB

I will.

Dylan gets up and starts to cut the turkey.

DYLAN

That’s ok sir, I’ve got it.

BOB

There he goes ‘sir-ing’ me again.

ANNE

Jack just be a little patient.

JACK

We still have to drive back to the city.

JULIETTE

Mom, Kevin is grabbing at me.

JULIANNE

Do you kids have to start again? We can’t

just have one dinner in peace. Matt and

Sarah went through a lot of trouble.

SARAH

It’s ok sis, don’t worry about it.

KEVIN SNR

Please Julianne, it’s not necessary to be

so loud.

JULIANNE

(abruptly gets up out of her chair)

I’ll go see if the sauce is ready.

29

KEVIN SNR

(also gets up)

I’m going to go smoke.

Sarah, Matthews and Dylan glance at each other in turn.

JAKE

Can we finally start to eat? I’m hungry.

BARBARA

Wait we have to pray first.

KEVIN JR

We never pray before we eat at home.

MATTHEWS

It’s fine, you can start to eat.

SARAH

I will go see where Julianne is.

ANNE

Dylan, I thought your family would also be

here.

DYLAN

No ma’am, they’re all at my grandmother’s

house in Nashville.

SUSAN

(a little tipsy)

Yes, I still have a bone to pick with that

sexy brother of yours.

Jack stares bluntly at her.

DYLAN

They’ll be here for Thanksgiving.

Susan raises her glass into the air.

SUSAN

Yippee!

30

JACK

Just don’t tell me we’re coming here for

Thanksgiving as well, I thought this was a

winter house.

MATTHEWS

You can stay at home dad.

JACK

I’m just saying that it will be summer by

Thanksgiving.

ANNE

Dylan, it’s probably tough for you to be

without your family on Christmas.

DYLAN

(a bit sarcastically)

Not really, you guys are here after all.

MATTHEWS

Dylan’s grandmother is very sick, that’s

why they are all there.

EVERYBODY is now at the table talking at the same time.

INT. LOUNGE - EVENING

A fire is blazing.

SARAH

You know, I just want to go to court and

divorce my whole family.

MATTHEWS

Yes, my dad was on a roll again.

SARAH

All my mom did was find fault with the

food, not to mention my dad who just wanted

to finish eating so that he could plop

himself in front of the TV.

31

MATTHEWS

Also, your sister ended up washing the

dishes all alone.

SARAH

That was just her excuse to get away from

her husband.

MATTHEWS

Not one of them said or asked anything

about my new book.

SARAH

Susan said she read it.

MATTHEWS

Susan is never sober long enough to

remember anything.

EXT. FROM WINTER HOUSE TO ROCKS ACROSS THE STREET.

Matthews sits on a rock and throws pebbles into the water.

Sarah walks out through the front door.

SARAH

Matt. Matt.

Matthews turns around.

Sarah beckons to him to come closer.

Matthews puts on his shoes and walks over to Sarah.

SARAH

I’m done. I’m going to go look for some

inspiration in the woods, are you coming

along?

MATTHEWS

Sounds like a good idea, maybe I’ll run

into the wood muse.

32

EXT. COASTAL TOWN AND WOODS

Sarah and Matthews lean against a tree.

MATTHEWS

What are you thinking about?

SARAH

Shhh, listen.

MATTHEWS

What?

SARAH

Close your eyes.

MATTHEWS

And then?

SARAH

Listen to what the tree is telling you.

MATTHEWS

I don’t understand fairy and nymph language

like you do.

EXT. WOODS

Sarah and Matthews both laugh.

EXT. WOODS FROM BELOW

Leaves fall from the tree. Clouds sail by above.

EXT. WINTER HOUSE – DAY, THANKSGIVING

A bunch of cars are parked in the driveway.

INT. LOUNGE

JACK

There isn’t enough room.

33

MATTHEWS

Dad, it’s for one night.

JACK

Where will everybody sleep?

MATTHEWS

Dad, this is a holiday town. The place is

full of guesthouses and there’s a hotel at

the end of the street.

SUSAN

Well I’m staying.

BOB

I’m so comfortable in this chair, I would

be able to sleep right here.

Barbara enters.

BARBARA

That will be the day. Everyone be seated,

the food is ready.

INT. KITCHEN

The children are sitting at the kitchen table.

JULIETTE

Mom, why do we have to eat in the kitchen?

JULIANNE

There’s not enough space, eat your food

before I...

KEVIN

It’s not necessary to take your

frustrations out on the child.

JULIANNE

(glares at Kevin)

What are you doing here?

34

KEVIN

I came to get you; everybody is only

waiting for you.

INT. DINING ROOM

EVERYONE is seated at the dining table.

MATTHEWS

Dylan, you did such a good job last time,

will you cut the turkey please?

Sarah walks in.

SARAH

There we go. Now that we have grandma’s

delicious sauce we’re ready.

MATTHEWS

Let’s start eating.

ANNE

(a little tipsy)

Doris, what did you do to get two such

handsome boys?

DORIS

It’s in my husband’s genes.

JACK

Please woman, stop the flirting.

ANNE

I’m just trying to make conversation.

JACK

Just keep silent if you have nothing

substantial to say.

DAMEIN

I’m crazy about the house.

35

SUSAN

It’s to die for. Have you seen the bar over

at the hotel?

JACK

I just got your mother to be quiet and now

you are starting again.

BARBARA

(To Bob)

Is this fine, or is there anything else you

want?

JACK

Don’t think my wife will dish up for me.

ANNE

You’re not paralysed.

SUSAN

Dad, mom is not one of your workers.

MATTHEWS

(jumps up)

A toast.

SARAH

To all our family gathered here.

MATTHEWS

Especially to Dylan’s parents and

grandmother.

SUSAN

And brothers.

MATTHEWS

Brothers who have come a long way.

DORIS

It’s a delight to be here.

36

DYLAN

Particularly to grandma who is healthy

again.

BARBARA

You were all with grandma on Christmas,

weren’t you?

DORIS

Yes, a very big part of the family. I have

five brothers and sisters and their

children, grandchildren - everybody was

there.

MICHAEL

(points to Dylan)

It’s only this one who decided to go live

on the other side of the country.

DYLAN

Dad, you know the work opportunities are

better on this side.

MICHAEL

People get sick everywhere.

DORIS

At least they were there for your birthday.

BARBARA

Julianne, why aren’t you eating?

JULIANNE

I can’t sit here and pretend that

everything is ok.

BARBARA

What are you talking about?

Julianne takes her glass and flings it at Kevin’s face.

BOB

What are you doing now?

37

SUSAN

You don’t waste alcohol just like that.

Julianne suddenly gets up.

JULIANNE

He’s been having a relationship with his

secretary for three years now.

Kevin wipes his face with a napkin

KEVIN

What are you talking about?

JULIANNE

My perfect husband and dad is sleeping with

his secretary.

SARAH

Is now really an appropriate time?

JULIANNE

He thinks I don’t know.

KEVIN

Please excuse me.

Kevin walks out.

JULIANNE

Yes, walk away you piece of garbage!

BARBARA

Julianne, don’t talk like that in front of

everybody.

BOB

Listen to your mother.

JULIANNE

Please, as if any of them care.

SARAH

Julianne walk with me.

38

JULIANNE

Just leave me alone.

MATTHEWS

Go and show her the wood nymph.

JULIANNE

Oh please, is he going to cast a spell and

make everything better?

DYLAN

Just go with her.

JULIANNE

Finish eating first.

Julianne walks out.

SARAH

Has everybody had enough? We’ll leave

everything right here on the table for

those who are hungry later.

MATTHEWS

There’s a lot of food left over.

SARAH

It’s thanks to Dylan’s grandmother and all

her family recipes.

INT. BEDROOM

Kevin shoves clothing into a suitcase.

JULIANNE

Where are you going now, to her?

KEVIN

You’re paranoid. I did not and you are a

bitch.

JULIANNE

Don’t even try to deny it, just go.

39

KEVIN

I’m going.

JULIANNE

I’ve been fed up with you for a long time

now anyway.

INT. KITCHEN

BARBARA

Listen to Sarah.

JULIANNE

I don’t want anybody’s sympathy for

godsake, I hate that man.

MATTHEWS

You and the children can stay here for a

few days.

EXT. WOODS

Sarah and Matthews lie beneath the trees.

MATTHEWS

Look how the trees are situated at exactly

the same distance from each other.

SARAH

Yes, they don’t intrude on each other’s

auras.

MATTHEWS

Like people.

SARAH

Exactly.

MATTHEWS

Now that you mention it…

40

SARAH

She’s ok, Dylan gave her a strong sleeping

pill and the children went to the mall with

the McLarens.

MATTHEWS

Come, we should probably go and try to

straighten up the house.

INT. KITCHEN

Sarah and Matthews enter. Dylan has an apron on and is almost

done with the dishes.

SARAH

Dylan you angel.

DYLAN

I couldn’t loaf about around here.

MATTHEWS

What would we do without you?

INT/EXT. LOUNGE WINDOW – NEXT DAY

Sarah and Julianne look out the window at Matthews, Juliette,

Kevin Jr and Jake playing outside.

SARAH

He would be such a good dad.

JULIANNE

Sarah, he’s never going to change.

SARAH

I don’t expect it of him.

JULIANNE

Look at yourself, what is it that you two

have here?

EXT. BEACH / ROCKS

Sarah is painting.

41

Matthews carrying a canoe.

MATTHEWS

What are you painting?

SARAH

A disaster, I should rather stick to

pottery.

MATTHEWS

I’m going to go row for a short distance.

EXT. BEACH / ROCKS - NIGHT

Lightning strikes in the background. Drops of rain start

falling.

Sarah grabs all her stuff and makes a run for the house. She

goes in through the front door, dumps everything on the floor

and goes to stand by the window.

INT/EXT. OUT THE WINDOW TO THE LAKE.

SARAH (V.O.)

Where is Matthews? Didn’t he see the

approaching storm?

EXT. BEACH / ROCKS – GROWING DAWN

Sarah, Julianne, Jake, Kevin Jr and Juliette call out to

Matthews.

SARAH

Matt!

JULIANNE

I think you kids should go inside.

JULIETTE

Where is Uncle Matt?

JULIANNE

I’m sure he’s ok.

42

SARAH

He would’ve seen the coming storm and gone

in search of shelter.

JAKE

Or he was struck by lightning.

JULIETTE

Mom.

JULIANNE

Don’t be stupid.

SARAH

He knows the lake; he knows where to hide

away.

EXT. BEACH / ROCKS – NIGHT

Bill, Wendy, Sarah and SHERIFF

WENDY

The storm appeared very suddenly.

SHERIFF

Didn’t he call? Where’s your cell?

SARAH

It’s lying somewhere at home. I’ll quickly

go take a look.

INT. LOUNGE

JULIANNE

Nothing rang here, I would have heard it.

SARAH

I’ll have to let Dylan know.

JULIANNE

Do you think that’s a good idea?

SARAH

I don’t know. I don’t know what to do.

43

Julianne hugs Sarah tightly.

JULIANNE

Just give it a little more time.

HAND knocks on FRONT DOOR.

JULIANNE (CONT’D)

I‘ll go check.

BILL (V.O.)

Sarah, open the door! They’ve radioed the

Sheriff that they found someone.

Julianne opens the door.

WENDY

They found someone who washed out on shore.

SARAH

(screams)

Washed ashore?!

BILL

He’s ok, he’s in hospital.

JULIANNE

Get your jacket.

SARAH

I’m not going alone.

WENDY

I’ll stay with the children.

JULIANNE

Thank you.

INT. CAR

Sarah calls Dylan on her cell phone; Julianne is driving.

SARAH

We don’t know how serious it is.

44

INT. WINTER HOUSE BALCONY – NEXT MORNING

SARAH

I’m sorry that I didn’t call earlier.

DYLAN

He’s fine, that’s the only thing that

matters. I’ve taken a few days off from

work and will stay here.

SARAH

Julianne and the children are going back

today.

DYLAN

That’s not necessary.

Julianne walks in.

JULIANNE

We can’t stay any longer. For far too long

I have avoided what I should have done long

ago.

SARAH

What are you going to do?

JULIANNE

Kevin is a very good dad. It doesn’t matter

how I feel about him; I can’t let the

children suffer through that.

EXT. WINTER HOUSE

INT. DINING ROOM

Pass through a few Christmases and Thanksgivings while music

plays.

CHRISTMAS

No one is unhappy but no one is overly happy. Jack and Kevin

are not there.

45

Matthews, Dylan, DANIEL and DAMEIN are wearing GREEN Christmas

sweaters that DORIS knitted.

SARAH

(raises her glass)

And to the men with their Christmas

sweaters.

THANKSGIVING

MATTHEWS

I’m thankful that my previous book did so

well and that this house inspired me to

write an even better one.

SARAH

I’m glad that everyone is here together.

CHRISTMAS

Matthews, Dylan, Daniel and Damein are wearing RED sweaters

that Doris knitted.

THANKSGIVING

DYLAN

I’m thankful that Sarah and Matthews got

this nice house and that all of us are able

to spend time here together.

INT. SARAH’S ROOM

Sarah wakes up and for a moment looks like she doesn’t know

what is going on around her. She jumps out of bed and runs to

the bathroom.

INT. BATHROOM

Sarah is on her knees by the toilet, vomiting.

EXT. OLD GRAY BUILDING OF FOUR STORIES.

INT. PUBLISHER’S OFFICE.

46

PUBLISHER

I’m not saying there’s something wrong with

the manuscript, it’s just that…

MATTHEWS

It’s just what?

PUBLISHER

It’s as if we published it before.

MATTHEWS

Are you accusing me of…?

PUBLISHER

I’m not accusing you of anything. Times

have changed, people have changed. Our

readers are looking for something new.

MATTHEWS

Something new?

PUBLISHER

Something fresh, something they haven’t

read before.

MATTHEWS

What I should do is set my story 300 years

in the future; or no wait, people probably

won’t have feelings anymore in that

scenario.

INT. DOCTOR’S CONSULTING ROOM

Sarah touches and fidgets with everything on the doctor’s

desk.

The Doctor walks in.

DOCTOR

Sorry I was away so long, here are your

test results.

47

SARAH

And?

DOCTOR

And what?

SARAH

(incredulous)

What is the result?

DOCTOR

You are without a doubt pregnant.

Sarah’s face looks astonished, bewildered, happy and sad all

at the same time.

INT. SARAH’S ROOM

Sarah talks on her cell phone.

SARAH

It looks like an alien.

INT. HOTEL ROOM

MATTHEWS

Email me, I want to see.

INTERCUT – PHONE CONVERSATION

SARAH

What does the new publisher say?

MATTHEWS

They’re going to publish my book but…

SARAH

But nothing, you should’ve gone to a new

publisher long ago.

MATTHEWS

Will you be ok?

48

INT. AIRPLANE

Matthews is doing a crossword puzzle.

CLOSE UP ON MATTHEWS’S HANDS

Matthews removes a folded A4 leaf of paper from his book and

unfolds it.

LADY SITTING NEXT TO MATTHEWS

LADY

Oh isn’t it…?

CUT TO:

EXT. WINTER HOUSE

INT. DINING ROOM – THANKSGIVING

Anne drinks from her wine glass.

ANNE

What is this?

MATTHEWS

It’s non-alcoholic wine.

SUSAN

Non-alcoholic what?

MATTHEWS

Sarah is not allowed to drink and we are

all supporting her.

SUSAN

It’s already asking a lot that I’m not

allowed to smoke near the house, now…

JACK

It can only do the two of you good.

Sarah, Barbara and Julianne enter with the food.

BOB

At last! I’m starving.

49

Sarah puts down the tray and grabs at her legs.

BARBARA

Are you ok my darling?

SARAH

My water broke.

Matthews and Dylan jump up.

MATTHEWS

It’s too early, hopelessly too early.

SARAH

(starts laughing)

Got you, suckers!

BARBARA

That’s not something to joke about my

child.

MATTHEWS

Since we’re on the subject, please try to

talk some sense into Sarah.

BARBARA

Why?

MATTHEWS

She wants to go work in that antique shop

full time.

SARAH

I don’t want to work there, I want to buy

it.

MATTHEWS

She can’t make decisions of that kind now,

the doctor...

JULIANNE

The doctor what?

MATTHEWS

I can’t believe you didn’t tell them.

50

JULIANNE

Didn’t tell us what?

MATTHEWS

Sarah’s pregnancy…

JULIANNE

What about Sarah’s pregnancy?

SARAH

Nothing about Sarah’s pregnancy, I just

have to take it easy.

MATTHEWS

Working until two, three o’clock in the

morning in your studio is not taking it

easy.

SARAH

The child has to eat, get clothing and go

to school. These things aren’t free.

INT. DINING ROOM – CHRISTMAS - DAY

DORIS

You guys will have to put on your old

sweaters because this year there wasn’t any

time for knitting.

ANNE

Thank goodness for that.

SUSAN

Why not?

DORIS

I have knitted baby clothes.

ANNE

I don’t have time for something like that.

SUSAN

Mom, you can’t knit.

51

ANNE

You just keep quiet and hand me the wine.

SUSAN

Luckily we’re not drinking non-alcoholic

wine again.

BARBARA

Isn’t Jack going to join us?

ANNE

Possibly later.

SUSAN

It snowed too much in New York so I don’t

think he’ll be coming out here.

ANNE

Not that we’ll miss anything.

MATTHEWS

Susan, please come help me in the kitchen

for a moment.

INT. KITCHEN

MATTHEWS

I get the idea there’s more to the fact

that dad is not here than the snow.

SUSAN

Yes Matt, there’s more. Jack moved out.

MATTHEWS

And you didn’t at any point think to let me

know. When?

SUSAN

Three months ago already.

MATTHEWS

But you…?

52

SUSAN

(interrupts him)

I only noticed yesterday on my way here.

MATTHEWS

Come again?

SUSAN

You never show up there Matt; my friends

think I live alone in that massive house.

It’s always either mom or dad who is away.

The last time we ate together at the same

table was here for Thanksgiving. You know

I’m usually alone there.

MATTHEWS

Yes well, it is a bit unusual to make an

appointment in order to see your own

parents.

INT. DINING ROOM – CHRISTMAS - DAY

EVERYBODY is eating companionably at the big table. Kevin and

the three children aren’t there.

BARBARA

It’s not supposed to be like this.

JULIANNE

What do you mean mom?

BARBARA

Christmas is a time for being together -

family time.

Anne downs her glass of wine.

BARBARA (CONT’D)

The children should be here.

ANNE

Susan, refill.

53

JULIANNE

Mom, they have another grandma and grandpa.

BOB

They could have come over. Kevin’s dad and

I get along well.

SARAH

That’s because he loves the game just as

much as you do dad.

BOB

All men should love the game.

DYLAN

It’s not about loving it or not loving it

Bob. It wouldn’t matter that I love to

watch the game if my work doesn’t allow me

to watch it.

BOB

But you probably watch it on your days off

at least, otherwise how do you know the

scores?

JULIANNE

That’s what the news and newspapers are for

dad.

SARAH

Also Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and not to

mention…

SUSAN

Those things are only important if you

don’t have a life.

MATTHEWS

Let’s toast.

INT. WINTER HOUSE - SARAH’S STUDIO, EVENING

Sarah is making something on the potter’s wheel.

54

SARAH

(doubles up with pain)

Ouch, what the hell?

Sarah rubs her stomach.

SARAH (V.O.)

Don’t be so presumptuous, you still have

three months to wait.

EXT. STREET / ROCKS / BEACH

A RUNNER approaches, jogging closer.

INT. SARAH’S STUDIO – EVENING

Sarah gets up with difficulty and the clay falls off the disk.

EXT. STREET / ROCKS / BEACH

The runner is doing stretching exercises while standing and

looks out to the water.

INT. SARAH’S STUDIO

Sarah falls and grabs at the curtains. She pulls off the

curtain rod which breaks the window.

EXT. STREET / ROCK FACE FROM LAKE SIDE – EVENING

The runner hears a window break and turns around. He sees

Sarah collapse.

RUNNER

Hi, are you ok? Are you ok?

EXT. PORCH - HOUSE NEXT DOOR, EVENING

The Porch light comes on and Bill walks through the door.

RUNNER V.O.

Can you hear me?

BILL

What’s going on?

55

RUNNER

(points to window)

That woman fell.

BILL

Wendy, call 911, it’s Sarah. Something’s

happened.

EXT/INT. NEW YORK HOSPITAL – EVENING

Dylan on cellphone.

DYLAN

They’re bringing her by helicopter from the

lake hospital. They can’t help her there.

INT. BOOK SHOP

Matthews on bookshop phone.

MATTHEWS

I didn’t even know she was there, Wendy

called.

INTERCUT – PHONE CONVERSATION

DYLAN

I’m waiting for her here. See if you can

get a flight as soon as possible.

MATTHEWS

I’ll go to the airport immediately.

INT. NEW YORK HOSPITAL - WAITING ROOM, DAY

Matthews and Julianne are sitting in the reception area.

JULIANNE

I could break her neck. She should have let

me know that she was at the Winter house, I

could have…

56

MATTHEWS

Don’t think about that now, just call Bob

and Barbara.

INT. FOYER

Dylan approaches and seems to be crying.

Matthews and Julianne jump up.

DYLAN

The baby didn’t make it.

JULIANNE

And Sarah?

DYLAN

Sarah is ok. She lost a lot of blood and

it’ll take a while to recover.

EXT. WINTER HOUSE – DAY

INT. DINING ROOM

EVERYBODY is in funeral dress.

MATTHEWS

Thanks to my mom who made the food.

ANNE

(sober)

I can cook, you just didn’t know it.

INT. BEDROOM

Sarah is lying on the bed. Julianne is lying next to her.

BARBARA

They want to eat; will you two be joining

us?

JULIANNE

I don’t want to but I’ll have to eat

something. Sis, are you coming along?

57

SARAH

You go on. I want to be alone for a while.

INT. DINING ROOM

MATTHEWS

I think we should go ahead and eat, I will

get Sarah...

Sarah enters.

SARAH

I’m here. I’m going to eat with you.

Dylan, Daniel and Damein get up.

SARAH

Please you guys, sit down and carry on. I

just want to eat something light.

BOB

What are you going to do with the ashes?

BARBARA

Don’t be so insensitive.

BOB

I don’t mean...

SARAH

I’m not going to do anything with it at the

moment but later I will...

Sarah goes quiet and lowers her head.

JULIANNE

You don’t have to do anything straight

away.

SARAH

Later I will sprinkle half of it in the

woods and the other half, if it’s alright

with Matt...

58

MATTHEWS

If what is alright?

SARAH

He should row out with the other half and

sprinkle it in the lake.

SUSAN

Have you ever gone rowing again?

ANNE

You know what happened last time.

Sarah bolts from her chair.

SARAH

(screams)

Just leave it! Just leave it!

JULIANNE

Sarah they don’t mean...

SARAH

Don’t tell me what they mean. Nobody cares

about what I want!

MATTHEWS

Just go! All of you just get out of my

house!

INT. MATTHEWS’S STUDY – EVENING

Matthews slams his laptop shut and sweeps a bunch of pages

with notes off the desk.

Matthews walks right up to the window and stares out at the

water.

EXT. LAKE – EVENING

EXT. STREET IN FRONT OF HOUSE

A RUNNER approaches, stops in front of the house, glances at

Matthews and jogs on.

59

INT. MATTHEW’S STUDY

Matt suddenly gets a worried expression on his face.

MATTHEWS

Sarah! Sarah, where are you?

INT. BATHROOM DOOR FROM INSIDE

Knob turns but it’s locked.

INT. HALL

Matthews struggles to open the door.

Matthews’s HANDS knock on the door.

MATTHEWS

Sarah, open up!

Matthews hits his fists against the door hysterically.

Matthews kicks the door open.

INT. BATHROOM

Sarah is lying underneath the water in a full bath tub.

MATTHEWS

Sarah, no! What have you done!?

Matthews lifts Sarah out of the bath tub.

MATTHEWS (CONT’D)

Sarah can you hear me?

Matthews gives her CPR.

Sarah spews water.

Matthews embraces Sarah.

MATTHEWS (CONT’D)

Thank goodness; thank goodness!

60

Matthews sees the empty pill bottles lying next to the

washbasin.

MATTHEWS (CONT’D)

No not that too! Help! Somebody Help!

EXT. LAKE HOSPITAL

INT. HOSPITAL ROOM

Sarah is lying on the bed and looks relaxed. Matthews is

sitting next to her doing a crossword puzzle.

INT. TELEPHONE BOOTH

MATTHEWS

I’ve been so caught up in my own world

because of my book that is not selling.

INT. HOSPITAL

Dylan on cellphone

DYLAN

It’s not your fault. How many times do I

have to tell you she’s not your problem.

INT. TELEPHONE BOOTH

MATTHEWS

I can’t just leave her like this.

INT. CAR – MORNING

MATTHEWS

The doctor said that your body hasn’t

really started to absorb the pills yet.

SARAH

You should’ve just left me alone. I have

nothing to live for.

61

MATTHEWS

But what about me? What about us? What

about Dylan?

SARAH

What about me?

MATTHEWS

We also lost something, not just you.

SARAH

It’s not just a something, it’s my baby.

MATTHEWS

It’s our baby.

FLASH BACK

INT. NEW YORK APARTMENT - NURSERY

MATTHEWS

I can’t believe we’re going to do it.

INT. CAR

SARAH

Where are you going? The house is that

way.

CLOSE UP SIGN WITH ADVERTISEMENT NEXT TO THE ROAD

NEW TIMESHARE APARTMENTS AVAILABLE

INT. CAR

SARAH

What is that over there?

MATTHEWS

What?

SARAH

That advertisement sign, something about

apartments.

62

MATTHEWS

I didn’t see.

Matthews’s parks in front of the antique shop.

SARAH

What are we doing here?

MATTHEWS

I’m going to show you how much you have to

live for.

EXT. ANTIQUE SHOP – DAY

INT. ANTIQUE SHOP DOOR

Matthews unlocks the door.

SARAH

What are you doing with the key?

MATTHEWS

The key belongs to you now.

Matthews walks inside.

SARAH

Matt you shouldn’t have, not now, I’m not

ready.

MATTHEWS

Just give me a chance. Come look over here.

The whole floor is stacked with boxes.

SARAH

What’s going on here? What is all this?

Matthews opens a box, takes something out that is wrapped in

newspaper and gives it to Sarah.

SARAH

What is it?

63

MATTHEWS

Open up and see.

Sarah’s face lights up.

SARAH

Where did you find this staff?

MATTHEWS

There’s a lot to unpack.

SARAH

Matt, what would I do without you?

EXT. WINTER HOUSE - CHRISTMAS

INT. DINING ROOM

Only Matthews and Sarah are sitting at the table eating.

SARAH

Merry Christmas.

MATTHEWS

Merry Christmas.

INT. DINING ROOM - THANKSGIVING

Only Matthews and Sarah

SARAH

I’m thankful that I have the antique shop

to keep me busy.

MATTHEWS

I’m thankful that my writer’s block is

gone, or hopefully gone, and that I can

write again.

SARAH

You should write about our house.

MATTHEWS

What?

64

SARAH

Our Winter house – so much has happened

here already.

MATTHEWS

Not enough for a story.

EXT. WOODS - DAY

Sarah and Matthews lean against the trees.

SARAH

Listen to what they want to tell you.

MATTHEWS

Who?

SARAH

The trees.

MATTHEWS

I don’t hear anything.

SARAH

Keep quiet and listen.

INT. LOUNGE – EVENING

Sarah and Matthews sit by the fireplace, both with a glass of

wine. Matthews is doing a crossword puzzle.

SARAH

How is your new book coming along?

MATTHEWS

It’s not really. My idea wasn’t so hot

after all.

SARAH

Do you ever send these crossword puzzles

in?

MATTHEWS

Yes, whenever I manage to finish.

65

EXT. WOODS – DAY

Bulldozers knock down trees.

EXT. FROM WOODS TO TOWN

EXT. TOWN SQUARE

Sarah is standing on a monument and protesting.

SARAH

This is not a holiday town! We can’t allow

them to chop down and destroy our woods and

build whatever they want to.

POLICEMAN

Miss, I need you to step down from there.

SARAH

What’s next?

POLICEMAN

Miss, I’m going to come get you down from

there if you don’t come down yourself.

INT. MATTHEWS’S STUDY

Matthews is sitting in front of his laptop, but staring out

the window.

EXT. WINTER HOUSE – EVENING

INT. DINING ROOM

Sarah and Matthews are sitting at the table eating.

Sarah raises her glass of wine into the air

SARAH

It’s our woods. We will drink to our woods.

MATTHEWS

I can’t believe they actually managed to

buy the piece of land.

66

SARAH

The whole town should have voted.

MATTHEWS

At least it’s not on our side of the

mountain.

INT. MATTHEWS’S STUDY

Matthews is working on the laptop. Someone knocks on the door.

Matthews looks up.

MATTHEWS

Who is it this time?

Matthews gets up and looks out the window.

EXT. FROM WINDOW TO POLICE VEHICLE IN DRIVEWAY

MATTHEWS (CONT’D)

The police; what’s going on?

INT. WINTER HOUSE - FRONT PORCH.

Two POLICEMEN are at the door.

Matthews opens the door.

MATTHEWS (CONT’D)

Is there a problem officer?

POLICEMAN

You’ll have to come with us.

The police vehicle drives along the coast line.

INT. POLICE VEHICLE

POLICEMAN

It’s very serious.

67

MATTHEWS

I’m finding it a little bit funny that she

got passed everyone and no one saw her.

The Police vehicle comes to a stop at the edge of the woods.

A bunch of WORKERS are milling about.

FOREMAN

You guys must do something immediately.

She’s wasting our time.

POLICEMAN

We’ve brought someone to talk some sense

into her.

FOREMAN

Wood nymphs don’t have any brains.

MATTHEWS

You would be amazed.

FOREMAN

It’s trespassing on private property.

EXT. WOODS

Sarah is chained to a tree.

SARAH

Matt, will you join me?

CLOSE UP ON CHAINS

Very thick chain links are wrapped around Sarah.

Matthews stands underneath the tree Sarah’s in

MATTHEWS

How did you get the chains all the way up

the tree in the first place?

CLOSE UP ON SARAH HIGH UP IN THE TREE

SARAH

Desperation makes everything easier.

68

POLICEMAN

There are about ten locks on her. Ask her

where the keys are so that we can unchain

her.

MATTHEWS

Sarah, where are the keys?

SARAH

The wood nymph took it.

FOREMAN

That’s enough, my boss will be here any

minute and then I’ll have to explain. If

she doesn’t come down at once we will

bulldoze her along with the tree.

JOURNALIST

I can’t wait to see that.

FOREMAN

She has no right.

JOURNALIST

According to my new information your boss

has no right to destroy these woods either.

MATTHEWS

What are you talking about?

JOURNALIST

This piece of land has been purchased

illegally.

FOREMAN

You will have to prove that first.

To Policeman

FOREMAN (CONT’D)

Get her down from there.

POLICEMAN

Maybe she should stay there a while longer.

69

FOREMAN

Don’t be stupid, do your job.

POLICEMAN

It’s very inappropriate to destroy these

woods.

A taxi drops off two MEN with long beards wearing clothes that

are somewhat dirty. JAMEN’s pants are ripped.

MATTHEWS

Do you want to tell me she’s on to

something?

JOURNALIST

She’s definitely on to something. She’s so

on to something that I feel like climbing

up the tree and joining her.

MATTHEWS

(calls to Sarah)

Sarah you’re right!

SARAH

I can’t hear you.

JAMEN

Is this the tree lady?

ZOLTS

Can only be her.

POLICEMAN

We’ll have to help her get down.

JAMEN

We’ll get her down.

Jamen and ZOLTS climb up the tree.

POLICEMAN

Who are they?

70

MATTHEWS

No idea.

INT. POLICE STATION

LAWYER

They’ll drop the charge against you as long

as you don’t go near there again.

SARAH

Yet in the meantime they are damaging the

woods.

The JOURNALIST and Matthews walk in.

MATTHEWS

We’ve got good news.

JOURNALIST

They can’t continue without the court’s

approval.

MATTHEWS

The State of New York City has brought the

sale of the land under suspicion.

SARAH

What does that mean?

JOURNALIST

If the sale was illegal or underhand, it

will be retracted.

MATTHEWS

Then they won’t be able to build any

further.

LAWYER

But for now you will have to stay away from

there. According to their documentation

they are building there legally and until

the court decides otherwise there is

nothing that you or anybody else can do

about it.

71

SARAH

For now?

JOURNALIST

At this stage for now is a very good thing.

MATTHEWS

How did you manage to do that?

JOURNALIST

I just told them I will air my story on TV.

MATTHEWS

How is that possible?

JOURNALIST

We didn’t come here chasing the story

because Sarah chained herself to the tree.

I’ve been investigating the Turner and

Turner construction partnership for a while

now. The fact that Sarah attracted

attention was the perfect chance for me to

start talking.

EXT. POLICE OFFICE

Jamen and Zolts are sitting on the steps

Sarah and Matthews come out.

Jamen and Zolts embrace Sarah.

MATTHEWS

Do you know each other?

SARAH

My two saviours, they are from GREENPEACE.

JAMEN

I’m Jamen and this is Zolts.

Jamen and Zolts shake hands with Matthews.

72

EXT. WINTER HOUSE

INT. LOUNGE

The fire in the lounge is burning.

JAMEN

We heard on the radio about a woman who

chained herself to a tree and that’s when

they sent us to go check it out.

ZOLTS

Our ship is about five kilometres out on

the ocean.

MATTHEWS

Who sent you to go take a look?

JAMEN

One of the leaders.

MATTHEWS

Leaders?

ZOLTS

More like organiser.

SARAH

Then they came and saved me.

INT. DINING ROOM – THANKSGIVING

Sarah, Matthews, Julianne, the three Children, Anne and Susan

are at the table.

ANNE

Your dad and I did not separate.

SUSAN

You just don’t live together anymore.

ANNE

We’ve never lived together.

73

MATTHEWS

Is he seeing other women?

ANNE

All your dad ever thinks about is where the

next injection of money will come from and

to add more. Only the idea of a wife and

kids is good enough for him.

SUSAN

We are just an idea, do you hear that Matt?

Sarah turn to Julianne

SARAH

What about mom and dad, why didn’t they

come?

JULIANNE

Dad said that he has been embarrassed by

his two daughters’ outbursts long enough.

He doesn’t know where they got their

manners from, certainly not from him.

SARAH

Not from him, yeah right.

EXT. LAKE / BEACH / ROCKS / WINTER HOUSE – DAY

The POSTMAN puts post into the mailbox.

Matthews approaches the mailbox. His HANDS retrieve the post.

There is a letter directed to Matthews.

EXT. CEMETERY

Sarah wanders around among the graves. She wipes graves clean

with a cloth.

Sarah removes a bouquet of flowers from one of the graves and

puts back half of it. She puts the other half on another

grave.

74

Matthews runs towards her.

MATTHEWS

Sarah, Sarah! I’ve got good news.

SARAH

What is it?

MATTHEWS

(a little bit out of breath)

What are you doing here?

SARAH

How did you know I was here?

MATTHEWS

The old lady on the corner saw you coming

in here. But wait I asked you a question

first.

SARAH

I’ve just been taking a short stroll.

MATTHEWS

You never just take a short stroll.

SARAH

So, what’s the news?

MATTHEWS

I won.

SARAH

Won what?

MATTHEWS

The crossword puzzle competition – A

holiday for two to Rome, all-expenses paid

and for the duration of two weeks.

SARAH

That’s fantastic!

75

MATTHEWS

We’re going to Rome.

EXT. ROME FROM THE AIR – SUMMER, MORNING

INT. AIRPLANE

MATTHEWS

Thank goodness we’re almost there. I don’t

know how you managed to sleep while sitting

like that.

SARAH

(stretches)

Didn’t you sleep?

MATTHEWS

Not a wink.

EXT. LEONARDO DA VINCI AIRPORT - BUILDING

INT. AIRPORT BUILDING

Carlos is standing and holding a SIGN with Matthews’s and

Sarah’s names written on.

MATTHEWS

There (points to Carlos), those are our

names.

CARLOS

Ciao, I’m Carlos your guide. I’m going to

drive you around and show you everything.

Matthews offers his hand.

MATTHEWS

Matthews and this is Sarah.

Carlos kisses each of them on the cheek.

SARAH

I hope everyone is this romantic.

76

EXT. TREVI FOUNTAIN

SARAH

You throw your coin in the water, close

your eyes and think of the one you love.

MATTHEWS

The traditional legend holds that if

visitors throw a coin into the fountain,

they are ensured a return to Rome.

SARAH

Just close your eyes and throw it in.

Matthews closes his eyes and throws a coin into the water. He

opens his eyes and Sarah is gone from his side.

MATTHEWS

Sarah, where are you?

Matthews turns around; his face brightens.

INT. BOOK SHOP – EVENING

INTRODUCER

Tonight here in Rome, reading to us from

his new novel Forbidden Love, ladies and

gentlemen here is Matthews Martin.

AUDIENCE applauds.

MATTHEWS

Thank you very much ladies and gentlemen.

Matthews puts on his glasses. While he is reading we see them

in Rome:

SARAH as FRANCESCA

DOMINICO as himself

MATTHEWS as ALDO

77

MATTHEWS (V.O.)

Aldo is standing among the people in front

of the Trevi Fountain looking astounded and

staring into space. He can’t believe that

his Francesca left him there.

INT. TRAIN

Sarah is leaning her head against the window.

MATTHEWS (V.O.) (CONT’D)

Francesca is leaning her head against the

train window, lost in her thoughts. Aldo is

a good man, she thinks; she knows this is

why her father set up an arranged marriage

for them. She knows he is going to be very

disappointed if he found out the truth, but

even if she was with Aldo…

EXT/INT. SARAH AND MATTHEWS AT THE SPANISH STEPS, COLISEUM,

PANTHEON, ST. PETER’S SQUARE; WALKING INSIDE VATICAN CITY,

SITTING IN A RESTAURANT AT THE PIAZZA DEL CAMPIDOGLIO AND THEN

AT THE TREVI FOUNTIAN.

MATTHEWS (V.O.) (CONT’D)

In all of these wonderful places her

thoughts were fixed on DOMINICO.

EXT/INT. SARAH and DOMINICO at the SPANISH STEPS, COLISEUM,

PANTHEON, ST. PETER’S SQUARE, WALKING INSIDE VATICAN CITY,

SITTING IN A RESTAURANT AT THE PIAZZA DEL CAMPIDOGLIO AND THEN

AT THE TREVI FOUNTIAN.

MATTHEWS (V.O.) (CONT’D)

She knew that the baby she was carrying was

not Aldo’s but Dominico’s. The fact that

she would have twins would later be a big

surprise to her and she would name them

Giovanna and Giovanni. She also knew that

her dad would never survive the scandal if

it was to be revealed that she had been

pregnant before her wedding.

78

MATTHEWS (CONT’D)

Even though her arranged marriage came in

handy and she knew she would’ve been able

to make Aldo believe that she was pregnant

with his child, she just couldn’t imagine

her life without Dominico.

EXT. TRAIN GLIDES PAST

Sarah is sitting and daydreaming, head leaning against the

window.

DOMINICO

Mi dispiace mettere qualcuno (Excuse me, is

someone sitting there?)

SARAH

I’m saving it for a prince.

Sarah looks up and sees Dominico.

DOMINICO

Cosa?

SARAH

Good heavens, no, please sit.

Sarah motions him to sit.

DOMINICO

Ciao il mio nome Dominico (Hi, my name is

Dominico)

SARAH

And I’m weak in the knees.

INT. WOMEN’S CLUB ROOM

A bunch of women sit in a circle on the floor, everybody

wearing headscarves and looking like hippies from the sixties.

SARAH

(signals with her hands)

Take a deep breath.

79

SARAH (CONT’D)

Breathe out.

INT. WINTER HOUSE - SARAH’S STUDIO

Sarah speaks on the telephone.

SARAH

They only do what I want them to do.

INT. HOTEL ROOM

MATTHEWS

Are you a guru now? What do all of you

actually do?

INTERCUT – PHONE CONVERSATION

SARAH

We are helping the people of Greenpeace.

MATTHEWS

Are you officially a member of them now?

SARAH

Something like that.

MATTHEWS

Just don’t tell me you go along with them

on their boat.

EXT. BEACH

A group of WOMEN from Greenpeace catch and wash penguins.

SARAH (V.O.)

Don’t worry, I won’t do anything that

drastic. A ship close by leaked oil and we

washed the penguins and put them back where

the water is clean.

INT. WINTER HOUSE - SARAH’S STUDIO

80

SARAH

How’s it going with the tour?

INT. HOTEL ROOM

MATTHEWS

Last night, I don’t know, I read out of

order. It’s as if I didn’t know where I was

and then just continued reading from a

different passage.

INTERCUT – PHONE CONVERSATION

SARAH

And you weren’t even drunk?

MATTHEWS

Not at all, I just feel exhausted; like I

could just sleep and never wake up.

EXT. WINTER HOUSE – THANKSGIVING, DAY

INT. DINING ROOM

EVERYBODY is seated at the table.

Matthews, Jack, Anne, Susan, Bob, Barbara, Julianne, Kevin,

Juliette, Kevin Jr, Jake (older), Dylan, Doris, MICHAEL,

Daniel, Daniel’s GIRLFRIEND, Damein, Sarah and Dominico.

MATTHEWS

I’m very thankful that my book is selling

so well.

SARAH

Especially the romantic Italian hero.

DOMINICO

Che parli abbastanza? (Who exactly are you

talking about?

SARAH

Although I’m not so sure about the twins

she’s pregnant with.

81

JULIANNE

I’m thankful that my eyes were opened and

that Kevin is with us once again.

MICHAEL

My three sons, what more can a dad be proud

of?

JACK

(speaks with difficulty)

I’m thankful that my wife and kids are with

me and stood by me after my stroke. It

almost cost me my life to realise that

money and work are not everything in life.

ANNE

(doesn’t drink at all anymore)

My husband, my son with his new book and my

daughter who...

SUSAN

(doesn’t drink anymore either)

I don’t think they want to hear about all

our dirty laundry mom.

BARBARA

I’ll have to take your measurements for

Christmas sweaters.

SARAH

Mom, I think it’s the grandchildren’s turn

now.

DYLAN

We can drink to it.

EVERYBODY raises their glasses into the air.

EVERYONE

To family.

EXT. WINTER HOUSE – EVENING

82

INT. MATTHEWS’S STUDY

Matthews is seated before his computer but only stares at the

screen.

INT. WOMEN’S CLUB ROOM

SARAH

That’s it for tonight then; see you all

next week.

INT. WINTER HOUSE FRONT DOOR

Sarah unlocks and goes inside.

SARAH

Matt, I’m back.

The house is deadly quiet. A chill goes down Sarah’s spine.

SARAH (CONT’D)

Just when I think it can’t get any more

interesting someone comes up with something

new.

Sarah puts down her handbag and keys on the table.

SARAH (CONT’D)

Matt! Matthews, where are you?

Sarah ascends the stairs.

SARAH (CONT’D)

Matthews?

INT. STUDY

Matthews is lying on the floor.

Sarah rushes in.

SARAH

Matt! Matt, what’s going on?

Sarah presses her ear against his chest and feels for a pulse.

83

SARAH (CONT’D)

(hysterical)

Matt! What’s going on Matt?!

Sarah presses her ear against his chest.

Sarah feels for a pulse.

SARAH

(hysterical)

Matt! Matt! What’s going on?!

EXT. NEW YORK HOSPITAL – EVENING, FEW DAYS LATER

INT. HOSPITAL ROOM

CLOSE UP SHOTS ON MONITOR AND DRIP

CLOSE UP ON MATTHEWS IN BED

Matthews is lying in bed. A bandage has been wrapped around

his head.

Sarah is sitting next to him.

CLOSE UP ON HANDS,Sarah holds Matthews’s hand.

SARAH

You gave us a fright.

MATTHEWS

I’m just glad you were there.

SARAH

Doctor Dylan is here.

Sarah releases Matthews’s hand and gets up.

Sarah and Dylan make eye contact. She sees in his eyes that

he’s got very bad news.

SARAH (CONT’D)

I’ll go and get coffee.

84

Sarah walks out of the room, we follow her.

INT. HALL

We gaze after her as she walks down the hall.

COFFEE MACHINE, Sarah inserts a coin.

EXT. PARK AT THE FRONT OF HOSPITAL

EXT. SARAH SITTING ON A BENCH – WINTER

The coffee is steaming in front of Sarah’s face. A tear rolls

down her cheek. She thinks back…

CUT TO:

EXT. LAKE / WOODS / TOWN - DAY

EXT. CHURCH – LATE AFTERNOON

An old building with stone walls. People walk into the church

for a wedding.

EXT/INT. FROM BACK TO FRONT OF CHURCH

The bride, groom, bridesmaid and best man are standing in

front of the pulpit; we now see them from the FRONT.

CLOSE UP ON PRIEST’S FACE

PRIEST

You may place the rings on each other’s

fingers.

CLOSE UP ON HANDS putting on RINGS.

CLOSE UP ON PRIEST’S FACE

PRIEST

I now pronounce you husband and wife, you

may kiss the bride.

85

BRIDE AND GROOM FROM THE FRONT

The bride and groom kiss each other. We now see their faces.

Sarah and Matthews are standing next to them as best man and

bridesmaid.

SARAH’S FACE

Sarah smiles.

MATTHEWS’S FACE

Matthews winks.

INSIDE OF CHURCH

Matthews and Sarah congratulate the bride and groom.

INT. HOSPITAL ROOM

CLOSE UP ON MONITOR AND DRIP

CLOSE UP ON MATTHEWS IN BED

Matthews is lying in bed. A bandage has been wrapped around

his head.

Sarah is sitting next to him.

CLOSE UP ON HANDS, Sarah is holding Matthews’s hand.

SARAH

You gave us a fright.

MATTHEWS

I’m just glad you were there.

Dylan walks in.

SARAH

Doctor Dylan is here.

Sarah releases Matthews’s hand and gets up.

86

Sarah and Dylan make eye contact. She sees in his eyes that

he’s got very bad news.

SARAH (CONT’D)

I’ll go and get coffee.

Sarah walks out of the room. Dylan approaches the bed.

Dylan kisses Matthews on his forehead.

MATTHEWS

Is this the kind of greeting I get?

Dylan lowers himself and kisses Matthews on his mouth.

DYLAN

How is our patient feeling?

MATTHEWS

Better now that the doctor is here.

DYLAN

I’m not here as your doctor Matt.

MATTHEWS

Better now that my husband is here.

Dylan goes to sit on the seat next to the bed. He looks like

he has very bad news to give.

MATTHEWS (CONT’D)

When can I go home?

DYLAN

Matthews.

MATTHEWS

Please don’t look like that, you’re not the

one in bed.

DYLAN

Matt, the operation doesn’t seem to have

been a success.

87

MATTHEWS

Then they’ll just have to operate again.

DYLAN

Matt…

Dylan squeezes Matthews’s hand.

DYLAN (CONT’D)

Matt, an operation is not going to help.

CLOSE UP ON DYLAN’S FACE

A tear rolls down Dylan’s cheek.

INT. HOSPITAL ROOM

Matthews caresses Dylan’s hair.

DYLAN (CONT’D)

It has spread too far.

EXT. PARK AT THE FRONT OF HOSPITAL

Sarah is sitting on the bench. Dylan goes to sit next to her.

SARAH

I already know, I spoke with Doctor Lang.

FLASH BACK

INT. HALL

We gaze after Sarah as she walks down the hall.

COFFEE MACHINE

Sarah inserts a coin

INT. HALL

Sarah approaches with coffee in her hand. A MAN runs after her

from behind.

DOCTOR LANG (V.O.)

Sarah! Sarah, wait for me!

88

Sarah turns around.

DOCTOR LANG

Wait, let me catch my breath.

SARAH

Doctor Lang, do you come charging at all

your patients like this?

DOCTOR LANG

I apologize; I saw you.

SARAH

I’m just joking.

DOCTOR LANG

Did you just come from Matthews’s room?

SARAH

Yes, I just came to get coffee.

DOCTOR LANG

How is he handling it?

SARAH

How is he handling what?

DOCTOR LANG

You don’t know.

SARAH

Dylan is there right now.

DOCTOR LANG takes Sarah by the arm.

INT. HALL

DOCTOR LANG

We can talk about it in here.

Doctor Lang leads Sarah into a room.

89

INT. DOCTOR’S ROOM

Sarah goes to sit in the chair at the desk. Doctor Lang is

sitting on top of the desk.

DOCTOR LANG

The cancer was inoperable.

SARAH

What does that mean?

DOCTOR LANG

The tumour is situated near a main blood

vessel, the chances of a haemorrhage is

too great.

SARAH

Are there other options?

EXT. PARK AT THE FRONT OF HOSPITAL

Sarah and Dylan are sitting on a bench. There is an awkward

silence between them. Dylan starts crying and lowers his head

into his arms. Sarah wraps her arms around him.

DYLAN

I can’t imagine my life without him.

CUT TO: WEDDING

INT. BAR

Matthews and Sarah arrive at the bar simultaneously.

MATTHEWS/SARAH

Can I get…?

SARAH

You first.

MATTHEWS

Ladies first.

90

SARAH

Can I get a whiskey on rocks please?

MATTHEWS

Make that two.

SARAH

Good choice.

Matthews offers his hand.

MATTHEWS

I’m Matthews, the best man.

They shake hands.

SARAH

I’m Sarah, the bridesmaid.

MATTHEWS

I gathered as much.

The barman sets down two glasses of whiskey. Matthews takes

his glass and it falls on the counter.

MATTHEWS (CONT’D)

Sorry.

BARMAN

No sweat, I’ll get you another one.

SARAH

What made you decide to do it?

MATTHEWS

(astonished)

The glass slipped out of my hand.

SARAH

(laughingly)

No, I mean what made you decide to be the

best man?

91

MATTHEWS

The groom asked me.

SARAH

I mean…

MATTHEWS

Why did I say yes?

SARAH

Exactly.

MATTHEWS

The groom is my cousin.

SARAH

I’m not family of the bride.

MATTHEWS

Then what made you agree to be the

bridesmaid?

SARAH

I wanted to see if the myth is true.

Sarah’s face turns red.

MATTHEWS

If which myth is true?

SARAH

That the best man and bridesmaid get

together at the end of the night.

MATTHEWS

I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you.

SARAH

Yes, yes, I’ve heard already.

Sarah turns around and looks at the PEOPLE who are dancing.

CLOSE UP ON PEOPLE ON DANCEFLOOR

92

SARAH

No luck for me tonight. All the good and

sexy men have been taken already.

MATTHEWS

And those who aren’t taken are gay?

Sarah and Matthews clink glasses..

MATTHEWS / SARAH

Cheers.

INT. BAR, MUCH LATER

Whiskey and shooter glasses are placed before Matthews and

Sarah.

SARAH

Good speech. Very good speech, very

impressive.

MATTHEWS

Well thank you my lady, you weren’t so bad

yourself.

SARAH

‘My lady’ indeed! My speech was a

catastrophe; ( burb ) I’ve had enough.

MATTHEWS

I agree with that.

SARAH

With the speech or the drink?

MATTHEWS

Do you think we can slip away?

SARAH

Will anyone notice?

Matthews turns around and glances at the people.

CLOSE UP ON PEOPLE ON DANCE FLOOR

93

MATTHEWS

Not a chance.

INT. HOTEL ROOM

Matthews is speaking on the phone.

MATTHEWS

It’s perfect for the winter months; you

know I hate it when it snows in the city.

It’s an hour’s journey from New York by

train. We get on at Central Station, then

it stops here at the edge of the lake. We

take the ferry across the water, walk half

a block and then we’re home.

INT. HOSPITAL - NURSE’S STATION

DYLAN

Is it possible to rent a car there?

INTERCUT – PHONE CONVERSATION

MATTHEWS

No, everything is within walking distance

from the house. There’s the most wonderful

restaurant two houses from here and they

say it gets so warm here in the winter that

one would still be able to swim in the

lake.

DYLAN

We’ve been talking about acquiring a

getaway for a long time now and you say

it’s less than an hour’s drive by car?

NURSE

Doctor, they’re waiting for you.

DYLAN

I have to go. I’ll call you when my shift

ends.

94

MATTHEWS

Ok enjoy the work, love you.

NURSE

What do I hear about a getaway?

DYLAN

Matthews found a place, sounds perfect.

NURSE

Romantic.

EXT. WINTER HOUSE – CHRISTMAS, LIGHT SNOW IS FALLING.

INT. WINTER HOUSE - LOUNGE

DYLAN

I thought it didn’t get cold here.

MATTHEWS

This year is an exception.

SARAH

I think we should drink some wine before

the families show up.

DYLAN

I’ll go get a bottle, I need more than one.

SARAH

Sounds like he’s having a difficult time

since his family couldn’t come.

MATTHEWS

He didn’t invite them.

SARAH

Why not?

Dylan enters.

Matthews communicates to Sarah with his eyes to leave it

alone.

95

Dylan pours a glass of red wine for the three of them.

MATTHEWS

To our first Christmas in our winter house.

DYLAN

Cheers.

SARAH

Cheers to our winter house.

A Jeep stops in the driveway.

INT. WINTER HOUSE - LOUNGE

DYLAN

They’re here, good luck.

MATTHEWS

(raises his glass again)

To family.

SARAH

Cheers.

Sarah downs her glass.

Matthews looks out the window at the driveway.

MATTHEWS (V.O.)

My dad came too.

DYLAN

Can it get any worse?

EXT. DRIVEWAY

Two TAXIS stop.

EXT. FRONT DOOR FROM OUTSIDE

The front door opens. Matthews, Sarah and Dylan walk out.

96

SARAH

(her excited self)

You’re here!

EXT. DRIVEWAY

Greetings are exchanged all around.

DYLAN

Come in everyone, it’s freezing outside.

EXT/INT. WINTER HOUSE - FRONT DOOR

Everyone goes inside. Matthews and his sister are behind the

others.

MATTHEWS

You could have warned me he was coming as

well.

SUSAN

I didn’t know until he got into the car.

MATTHEWS

Ever heard of text messaging?

SUSAN

Oh Matt, you know by this time you

shouldn’t let dad get to you.

MATTHEWS

He’ll never accept that I’m not like him.

SUSAN

You’ve got Dylan and that’s all that

matters.

MATTHEWS

That’s a bit of a problem at the moment.

SUSAN

Why, what did he do?

97

MATTHEWS

Not him, me.

SUSAN

Do I have to drag everything out of you?

MATTHEWS

There was a fan at my book launch.

SUSAN

And?

MATTHEWS

That’s just it, nothing happened. I don’t

know why I even mentioned it in the first

place.

SUSAN

Is that why his family didn’t come?

MATTHEWS

Grandma really is sick.

SUSAN

I thought that was just an excuse.

MATTHEWS

In reality it is.

SUSAN

But you said she’s sick.

MATTHEWS

Not so seriously that it would cause her

death.

INT. LOUNGE - EVENING

The fire blazes.

SARAH

You know, I just want to go to court and

divorce my whole family.

98

MATTHEWS

My dad was on a roll again.

SARAH

All my mom did was find fault with the

food, not to mention my dad who just wanted

to finish eating so that he could plop

himself in front of the TV.

MATTHEWS

Also, your sister ended up washing the

dishes all alone.

SARAH

That was just her excuse to get away from

her husband.

MATTHEWS

Not one of them said or asked anything

about my new book.

SARAH

Susan said she read it.

MATTHEWS

Susan is never sober long enough to

remember anything.

SARAH

Your dad and Dylan don’t look like they’re

getting along very well.

MATTHEWS

That’s not the problem.

SARAH

What is?

MATTHEWS

My dad is old school, he wants a daughter-

in-law and grandchildren.

99

SARAH

I got the feeling that Dylan couldn’t wait

to get away from here.

MATTHEWS

I called you that night in Boston after my

reading.

SARAH

I remember.

MATTHEWS

I said I was going to go get a drink.

SARAH

With a fan.

MATTHEWS

Yes well not exactly, he was more than a

fan.

SARAH

How?

MATTHEWS

I told Dylan.

SARAH

Is that why he was so uptight?

MATTHEWS

I don’t know why I told him because nothing

happened.

INT. KITCHEN

Sarah and Matthews walk in. Dylan has an apron on and is

almost done with the dishes.

SARAH

Dylan you angel.

DYLAN

I couldn’t loaf about around here.

100

MATTHEWS

What would we do without you?

DYLAN

You could come back with me to New York.

MATTHEWS

Just a few days until Julianne has bared

her soul.

DYLAN

She’s not your responsibility.

MATTHEWS

You know I can’t just leave Sarah alone

with the mess.

INT. CAR

Sarah calls Dylan on her cell phone; Julianne is driving.

SARAH

We don’t know how serious it is.

INT. HOSPITAL - NURSE’S STASION

DYLAN

I’m on my way.

EXT. WINTER HOUSE – BALCONY, NEXT MORNING

SARAH

I’m sorry I didn’t call earlier.

DYLAN

He’s fine, that’s the only thing that

matters. I’ve taken a few days off from

work and will stay here.

SARAH

Usually he comes back first and puts away

the pedal ski, after which he goes to sit

on the beach. I thought he just stayed

there.

101

DYLAN

It’s not your fault Sarah.

SARAH

I don’t know if I’m imagining it but I

catch him often.

DYLAN

Often?

SARAH

Daydreaming, just staring into space.

DYLAN

I’m a bit worried. I tell him things and

later he doesn’t remember it.

INT. DOCTOR’S CONSULTING ROOM

Sarah touches and fidgets with everything on the doctor’s

desk.

The Doctor walks in.

DOCTOR

Sorry I was away so long, here are your

test results.

SARAH

And?

DOCTOR

And what?

SARAH

(incredulous)

What is the result?

DOCTOR

You are without a doubt pregnant.

Sarah’s face looks astonished, bewildered, happy and sad all

at the same time.

102

INT. SARAH’S ROOM

Sarah on cell phone

SARAH

What am I going to do?

INT. HOTEL ROOM

MATTHEWS

And the father?

INTERCUT – PHONE CONVERSATION

SARAH

I don’t know who the father is.

MATTHEWS

Really?

SARAH

We were at an exhibit; a bunch of my

friends were there and we hadn’t seen each

other in ages. He was hanging out with us.

MATTHEWS

And not one of your friends know who he is?

SARAH

A real Italian look.

MATTHEWS

Your dream man’s looks.

SARAH

Yes but I don’t know him. For all I know

he’s married.

MATTHEWS

Someone will know who he is.

103

SARAH

I’m more worried about being a mom. I don’t

think I’d be a good mom, especially not

now.

MATTHEWS

You can always get an abortion.

SARAH

That was my first thought when the doctor

told me I was pregnant but really I can’t

fight for rights and so forth and at the

same time get an abortion. It’s completely

against everything that I take a stand and

fight for. Oh Matt what am I going to do?

MATTHEWS

I’ll be done here by tomorrow morning. Why

don’t we go to the Winter house for a few

days before you make any rash decisions?

EXT. WINTER HOUSE - THANKSGIVING

INT. DINING ROOM

Anne drinks from her wine glass

ANNE

What is this?

MATTHEWS

It’s non-alcoholic wine.

SUSAN

Non-alcoholic what?

MATTHEWS

Sarah is not allowed to drink and we’re all

supporting her.

SUSAN

It’s already asking a lot that I’m not

allowed to smoke near the house, now…

104

JACK

It can only do the two of you good.

Sarah, Barbara and Julianne enter with the food.

BOB

At last! I’m starving.

Sarah puts down the tray and grabs at her legs.

BARBARA

Are you ok my darling?

SARAH

My water broke.

Matthews and Dylan jump up.

MATTHEWS

It’s too early, hopelessly too early.

SARAH

(starts laughing)

Got you, suckers!

BARBARA

That’s not something to joke about my

child.

MATTHEWS

Since we are on the subject, please try to

talk some sense into Sarah.

BARBARA

Why?

MATTHEWS

She wants to go work in that antique shop

full time.

SARAH

I don’t want to work there, I want to buy

it.

105

MATTHEWS

She can’t make decisions of that kind now,

the doctor...

JULIANNE

The doctor what?

MATTHEWS

I can’t believe you didn’t tell them.

JULIANNE

Didn’t tell us what?

MATTHEWS

Sarah’s pregnancy…

JULIANNE

What about Sarah’s pregnancy?

SARAH

Nothing about Sarah’s pregnancy, I just

have to take it easy.

MATTHEWS

Working until two, three o’clock in the

morning in your studio is not taking it

easy.

SARAH

The child has to eat, get clothing and go

to school. These things aren’t free.

DYLAN

(looks at Matthews)

Matt, I think now is a good time...

MATTHEWS

No, not in front of everybody.

SARAH

What not in front of everybody?

106

MATTHEWS

We wanted to talk to you before everybody

got here.

DYLAN

But then our flight was delayed.

SARAH

Then you got here after everybody else.

MATTHEWS

Saar, Dylan and I had a talk and we…

SUSAN

Oh out with it.

BARBARA

The food is getting cold.

DYLAN

Matt and I want to adopt the baby, your

baby.

ANNE

What is your dad going to say about this?

SUSAN

Oh mom, he will just have to come around

for once; it’s wonderful!

MATTHEWS

We know it’s not an easy decision and

besides this is not the way we wanted to

bring it up.

DYLAN

No pressure, we’ll talk later.

SARAH

I think it’s fantastic.

DYLAN

You think?

107

SARAH

I’m not ready to be a mother, in fact I

don’t think I’ll ever be ready.

MATTHEWS

Are you serious?

JULIANNE

I suppose you can stay in touch.

MATTHEWS

That’s what we were thinking. The baby has

to know that Sarah is its mother.

SUSAN

I think we need real alcohol now.

INT. AIRPLANE

Matthews is doing a crossword puzzle. Dylan is sitting next to

him.

CLOSE UP ON MATTHEWS’S HANDS

Matthews removes a folded A4 leaf of paper from his book and

unfolds it.

A LADY is sitting next to Matthews. Dylan is now sitting on

his other side.

LADY

Oh my, isn’t it…?

DYLAN

Yes it is.

LADY

Don’t tell me…?

MATTHEWS

We’re going to adopt him or her.

108

LADY

Oh how darling! Did you find a surrogate

mommy?

MATTHEWS

It wasn’t planned.

LADY

But then how?

MATTHEWS

It’s actually someone who got into trouble.

DYLAN

In addition, both of us have been talking

about starting a family for a while now and

this is the perfect opportunity.

LADY

Well you two will make perfect parents. I

can see you’re very much in love with each

other.

MATTHEWS

Thank you very much.

LADY

I always say rather give the children to

gay couples than have them living in houses

where the father and mother don’t care.

DYLAN

Ma’am, you should go into politics. We need

a mouthpiece like you.

LADY

Not at all young man, I’m too old for

something like that.

MATTHEWS

The State of New York will not allow us to

get married but we’re allowed to adopt a

baby.

109

LADY

A ring isn’t always necessary to prove your

love for one another. I say it’s something

that a person should be able to see in your

lives daily.

DYLAN

Are you sure ma’am?

The STEWARDESS bows down in their row.

STEWARDESS

Can I get you anything else?

LADY

Look here. (shows her the photo)These two

young men are going to adopt this baby.

Isn’t that fantastic?

STEWARDESS

In that case Champaign sounds about right.

STEWARDESS (V.O.)

This is just an announcement to

congratulate the two men in row 12. They

are soon to be new parents of a baby.

EVERYONE in the airplane applauds.

INT. DYLAN HOSPITAL

Dylan on his cell phone.

DYLAN

They’re bringing her by helicopter from the

lake hospital. They can’t help her there.

INT. BOOK SHOP

Matthews on bookshop phone

MATTHEWS

I didn’t even know she was there, Wendy

called.

110

INT. HOSPITAL

DYLAN

I’m waiting for her here. See if you can

get a flight as soon as possible.

INT. BOOK SHOP

MATTHEWS

I’ll go to the airport immediately.

Matthews hangs up and looks worried.

WOMAN

Everything alright?

MATTHEWS

Can we finish up please? I need to get

back straight away.

WOMAN

Is something wrong?

MATTHEWS

It’s my, my… I just need to get back now.

INT. NEW YORK HOSPITAL - WAITING ROOM, DAY

Matthews and Julianne are sitting in the reception area.

JULIANNE

I could break her neck. She should’ve let

me know that she was at the Winter house. I

could have…

MATTHEWS

Don’t think about that now, just call Bob

and Barbara.

INT. FOYER

Dylan approaches and seems to be crying.

Matthews and Julianne suddenly get up.

111

DYLAN

The baby didn’t make it.

JULIANNE

And Sarah?

DYLAN

Sarah is ok. She lost a lot of blood and it

will take a while to recover.

Matthews embraces Dylan. Both are crying.

EXT. LAKE HOSPITAL

INT. HOSPITAL ROOM

Sarah is lying on the bed and looks relaxed. Matthews is

sitting next to her doing a crossword puzzle.

INT. TELEPHONE BOOTH

MATTHEWS

I’ve been so caught up in my own world

because of my book that is not selling.

INTERCUT – PHONE CONVERSATION

DYLAN

It’s not your fault. How many times do I

have to tell you she is not your problem.

MATTHEWS

I can’t just leave her like this.

DYLAN

And what about us?

MATTHEWS

What about us?

DYLAN

Sarah never wanted the baby.

112

MATTHEWS

That has nothing to do with our problems.

DYLAN

So you admit we have problems.

MATTHEWS

I can’t talk any longer.

EXT. BEACH CAFE - DAY

MATTHEWS

We’re going to Rome.

SARAH

I think you should rather take Dylan with

you.

MATTHEWS

Dylan has lost interest and besides he’ll

just say he can’t get away from the

hospital.

SARAH

Do you still love him?

MATTHEWS

Of course, how can you even ask such a

thing?

EXT. LEONARDO DA VINCI AIRPORT - BUILDING.

INT. AIRPORT BUILDING

Carlos is standing and holding a SIGN with Matthews’s and

Sarah’s names written on.

MATTHEWS

There (points to Carlos), those are our

names.

CARLOS

Ciao, I’m Carlos your guide. I’m going to

drive you around and show you everything.

113

Matthews offers his hand.

MATTHEWS

Matthews and this is Sarah.

Carlos kisses each of them on the cheek.

SARAH

I hope everyone is this romantic.

MATTHEWS

And so sexy.

EXT. TREVI FOUNTAIN

SARAH

You throw your coin in the water, close

your eyes and think of the one you love.

MATTHEWS

As if that will help.

SARAH

Just close your eyes and throw it in.

Mathews closes his eyes and throws a coin into the water. He

opens his eyes and Sarah is gone from his side.

MATTHEWS

Sarah, where are you?

Matthews turns around, his face brightens.

Dylan is standing before Matthews.

MATTHEWS (CONT’D)

What, I can’t believe my eyes! What are

you doing here?

Dylan throws his arm around Matthews’s neck and kisses him on

the mouth.

MATTHEWS (CONT’D)

Wow.

114

DYLAN

That’s all you need to know.

MATTHEWS

But where is Sarah?

DYLAN

She left you a note.

CLOSE UP ON NOTE

MATTHEWS

But it’s written in Italian.

DYLAN

What both of you learned before coming

here.

MATTHEWS

Yes, but only to be able to get directions

and buy food.

DYLAN

Then I’ll just have to read it for you.

MATTHEWS

So you can…?

DYLAN

My darling Matt,

What is life without a prince in your life?

Because we’re living in the twenty-first

century they don’t ride on white horses

anymore but are often right under our noses

without us realising it. By the time you

read this I will probably be on the train

to Venice to go look for my prince, and

your prince has been delivered so enjoy

him.

Your loving friend. Little Sarah

MATTHEWS

But how?

115

Dylan puts his arm around Matthews’s neck.

DYLAN

You heard her, all you have to do is…

MATTHEWS

Enjoy. Well my prince I have a lot to show

you.

EXT. TRAIN GLIDES BY

INT. TRAIN

Sarah is sitting and daydreaming, head leaning against the

window.

DOMINICO

Mi dispiace mettere qualcuno ? (Excuse me,

is someone sitting here?)

SARAH

I’m saving it for a prince.

Sarah looks up and sees Dominico.

DOMINICO

Cosa?

SARAH

Good heavens, no, please sit.

Sarah motions him to sit.

DOMINICO

Ciao il mio nome Dominico. (Hi, my name is

Dominico)

SARAH

And I’m weak in the knees.

INT. DYLAN AND MATTHEWS AT THE SPANISH STEPS, COLISEUM,

PANTHEON, ST. PETER’S SQUARE, WALKING INSIDE VATICAN CITY,

SITTING IN A RESTAURANT AT THE PIAZZA DEL CAMPIDOGLIO AND THEN

AT THE TREVI FOUNTIAN.

116

EXT. BEACH CAFÉ

Matthews and Dylan are sitting at a table.

MATTHEWS

I can’t believe she did it.

DYLAN

I was a bit sceptical.

Dylan drinks some of his wine.

DYLAN (CONT’D)

Matt, you are the best thing that ever

happened to me, I wanted to…, I can’t lose

you.

MATTHEWS

I’m sorry about…

DYLAN

Let’s leave sleeping dogs where they

belong. We’re in the most romantic city in

the world.

MATTHEWS

Let’s just take it from here.

EXT. WINTER HOUSE – CHRISTMAS, DAY

INT. DINING ROOM

EVERYBODY is at the table.

Matthews, Jack, Anne, Susan, Bob, Barbara, Julianne, Kevin,

Juliette, Kevin Jr, Jake (older)Dylan, Doris, Michael, Daniel,

Daniel’s Girlfriend, Damein, Sarah and Dominico.

MATTHEWS

Sarah and Dominico made us traditional

dishes from all over the world.

DYLAN

All over the world?

117

MATTHEWS

I mean Italy.

SUSAN

Just don’t tell me we’re eating spaghetti

on Christmas.

SARAH

I didn’t do much. Dominico’s dad,

grandfather and great-grandfather all had a

restaurant. Dominico could already cook by

the age of three.

ANNE

So isn’t he going to take over the

business?

DOMINICO

My big brother is taking over.

SARAH

We’re going to open up the same restaurant

in New York.

MATTHEWS

That’s great.

SARAH

Furthermore, all the main dishes that

Dominico…

DOMINICO

That we…

SARAH

That we are going to serve was prepared by

him.

Julianne and Kevin enter with their arms wrapped around each

other and guilty smiles.

JULIANNE

Sorry we’re late, I…

118

KEVIN

Nobody wants to know where we were.

Julianne elbows Kevin in the ribs.

JULIANNE

I’m talking about the food in the kitchen.

DYLAN

What about the food in the kitchen?

JULIANNE

You’re not serious, didn’t you?

MATTHEWS

Everybody has been banned from the kitchen.

SARAH

We thought it would just be easier if we

left the food in the kitchen and dish up in

there.

BOB

My child, what are you saying about the

food?

JULIANNE

There is enough to feed ten orphanages

houses.

KEVIN

I didn’t know you could be funny too.

DOMINICO

You should all come.

EXT. DINING ROOM

EVERYBODY gets up and walks over to the kitchen.

EXT. KITCHEN

Dishes have been placed everywhere. Dominico explains what

everything is.

119

JULIETTE

Look at all the loaves of bread.

DOMINICO

Pane this is Ficattola; this is Focaccia;

this is tortano, panino and michetta.

INT. PASTA DISHES

DOMINICO (CONT’D)

Pasta stoviglie is penne all’arrabbiata and

tortelloni alla zucca, lasagne and of

course ravioli.

SARAH

And these are not pasta dishes.

Dominico points out the other dishes.

DOMINICO

This is tortellini and coda di bue alla

vaccinara , polipo alla Luciana - it’s

octopus.

JAKE

Octopus, but I don’t want to…

JULIANNE

You don’t have to, you can eat what you

want.

KEVIN JR

Then I’m excluding vegetables.

DOMINICO (CONT’D)

This is pollo alla cacciatora, prosciutto

cotto, ossa buco and capicollo and

vegetables panzanella, peperonata and

pinzimonio.

SUSAN

I assume I’m getting a glass of wine with

every dish?

120

BOB

I’m starting with the dessert.

DOMINICO

Ah for dessert we got crostata, struffoli

and torta caprese.

SARAH

All of this he learned to make in their

family restaurant.

EXT. WHITE LIGHT OUT OF FOCUS

EXT. WHITE LIGHT BACK IN FOCUS

INT. LONG HOSPITAL HALL

INT. POV. SOMEONE is lying on a BED being pushed, HALL LIGHTS

flash by.

INT. HOSPITAL HALL

A bed is being pushed down the hall.

INT. BED FROM ABOVE BEING PUSHED DOWN THE HALL

Matthews is lying on the bed.

INT. FERRY

Sarah boards the ferry. She’s holding a large brown envelope

in her hand.

INT. SARAH’S SHOES

Her shoelace has come undone.

INT. FERRY

Sarah holds the envelope out to the ferry worker who collects

the tickets.

121

SARAH

Can you hold this for a minute? I just

want to tie my shoelaces.

Sarah stoops and ties her shoelaces.

FERRY WORKER

I will put this away with the rest of the

luggage for you.

SARAH

No give it to me, I’ll keep it.

The ferry worker gives the envelope back to Sarah.

Sarah presses the envelope against her chest.

EXT. LAKE

FERRY on Lake

Sarah leans against the railing and waves.

SARAH

Goodbye Winter house!

EXT. TOWN FROM ABOVE

A taxi moves along the coastline, woods on the other side of

the town.

EXT. STREET

TAXI approaches

EXT. FROM SIDEWALK

The taxi drives by.

There is a MAN wearing a HAT with his head leaning against the

window.

122

INT. TAXI

Matthews is in the in taxi wearing a hat.

Matthews is holding one of his BOOKS. He pages through the

book, removes the photo of the baby sonar and folds it up.

BACK FLASH

INT. NEW YORK APARTMENT - NURSERY

MATTHEWS

I can’t believe we’re going to do this.

DYLAN

Our own baby.

INT. TAXI

Matthews notices that they are close to the Winter house and

rolls down his window.

MATTHEWS

Can you slow down a bit?

The photo of the sonar blows out the window. Matthews grabs

for it but he’s too late.

The page blows away into the sky.

The taxi drives by a house, there are FOR SALE signs on the

front lawn.

TAXI DRIVER

This house is to die for, are you

interested in buying?

MATTHEWS

No, not really.

INT. TAXI DRIVER’S MIRROR

Matthews takes off his hat, he is bald.

123

The taxi driver sees him in the mirror and recognises him.

TAXI DRIVER

Aren’t you the guy who…?

MATTHEWS

Lived here? I did, I spent twelve winters

here.

TAXI DRIVER

I heard about…

Matthews leans his head against the car’s window.

MATTHEWS

I’ve just come to say goodbye.

INT. SARAH

Sarah is sitting on the bench. She takes the MANUSCRIPT out of

the brown envelope. She smiles. She places the manuscript next

to her on the bench.

INT. MANUSCRIPT

Winter House by MATTHEWS MARTIN