Hapgood Page 9

  HAPGOOD What is? What exactly? The game has moved on.

  Read the signs. It’s over.

  BLAIR Try telling that to the opposition.

  HAPGOOD Oh, the KGB! The opposition! Paul we’re just keeping each other in business, we should send each other Christmas cards—oh, f-f-fuck it, Paul!

  So that’s that.

  Blair turns away, hesitates, and leaves. The next time Hapgood moves she is standing by the rugby pitch.

  SCENE 7

  Hapgood stands on the touch-line. She isn’t looking at much. Kerner is standing some way behind her, wearing an overcoat. Some rugby sounds.

  Kerner comes down to join her.

  Hapgood sees him.

  HAPGOOD Joseph … You came to say hello?

  KERNER On the contrary.

  He looks front, a bit puzzled.

  (Gamely) Interesting.

  HAPGOOD It hasn’t started yet. They’re just practising.

  KERNER Oh yes, which one is he?

  HAPGOOD (Pointing) New rugby boots. I’m awfully glad to see you.

  KERNER (Spotting him) Oh, yes.

  HAPGOOD He’ll come over when they take their tracksuits off. I tried to find you this morning.

  KERNER I was buying my ticket. Also a suitcase.

  HAPGOOD I heard you’ve been sending your luggage on ahead for months. Does Paul know why?

  KERNER (Shrugs) Paul thinks I was a triple, but I was definitely not, I was past that, quadruple at least, maybe quintuple.

  HAPGOOD They found out about Joe, didn’t they? They turned you back again. You made up the truth.

  KERNER It is nothing to worry, you know.

  HAPGOOD I’m not worried. I’m out of it now. This is him.

  Joe runs in, wearing his tracksuit, which he takes off now. His rugger kit is clean. The new boots.

  JOE Hello, Mum.

  HAPGOOD Good luck, darling. This is Mr Kerner—Joseph. Another Joe.

  JOE Hello, sir.

  KERNER Hello. How are you?

  JOE All rights’a, thankyous’a. (To Hapgood) Will you be here after?

  HAPGOOD Yes, see you later.

  She has the tracksuit. Perhaps the top half goes round her neck. Joe runs off. Pause.

  KERNER Very nice. Very English. (Pause.) Of course, he is half English, one forgets that. Well … good.

  HAPGOOD Do you want to stay for tea? They lay it on for parents.

  KERNER Better not, I think.

  HAPGOOD Oh, Joe.

  She breaks down. He holds her, awkwardly.

  Prosty, Josef.*

  KERNER Da nyet—vyet u menya byl vybar, Lilichka.

  HAPGOOD Nyet, tagda u tibya nye bylo vybora—

  KERNER Da—nu ya pashol … ya napishu kagda dayedu …

  Kerner kisses her and starts to leave.

  HAPGOOD How can you go? How can you?

  * HAPGOOD I’m sorry, Joseph.

  KERNER No, no. I had a choice too, Lilychka.

  HAPGOOD You had no choice then.

  KERNER Yes, I’d better go. I’ll write when I get there.

  She turns away. The game starts. Referee’s whistle, the kick. After a few moments Hapgood collects herself and takes notice of the rugby.

  When the game starts Kerner’s interest is snagged. He stops and looks at the game.

  Come on St Christopher’s—We can win this one! Get those tackles in!

  She turns round and finds that Kerner is still there. She turns back to the game and comes alive.

  Shove!—heel!—well heeled!—well out!—move it!—move it, Hapgood!—that’s good—that’s better!