Original subtitles

Thank you.

Like this Paragrand order, we're well behind.

I want everybody on overtime so we can get it out tonight. Any problems?

Good. No, I can't stay, Mac. I've got to get back for the kids.

Won't somebody look after them for you?

Like who?

Oh.

Mac? You're all right, Julie. I've got you down. No, I can't do it either.

You what?

Sorry. Which time on the half?

It's not the money. I just... I can't. I've got to get off.

You've turned down a bit of all the time. What did I tell you Monday?

Oh, is it today?

Landon and I, I'm going to meet him at the airport.

How are you getting there?

Train. What, lift? To the airport?

Station. Oh!

Where's he gone for it? Bordeaux?

He'll be buggering about.

He's converted downstairs into a wine cellar. Now thinks he's Lloyd Grossman.

Here we are.

Chateau Greganoin, one of the finest wines you will ever taste.

He says that, and then you try it, and it might just as well be 3 .99. Blanc

from Spa.

Only to the unsophisticated palate, Brenda.

A toast to the homecoming of our firstborn.

It's very good to see you again, sir.

Rob. Rob. I

can't believe you're

still here, you know.

Why haven't you got your own place?

Dunno.

Just never got round to it.

You should get out, you know.

Hey, if it's Alice you're worried about, when they croak, it's yours.

Rob!

What happens when you bring someone back? They just turn Frank Sinatra on,

pretend nothing's happening?

Not something we have much bother with.

You think I'm sad, don't you?

No.

This do they're having, right?

Ruby wedding.

Forty years, Julie.

I mean, maybe it's time they had the place to themselves again.

Has anyone seen my purse?

Has anyone seen my purse? Behind the clock. What's it doing there?

Right, I'm off.

See you later.

Oh, Julie.

What? Rob, I'm going to be late.

Do you fancy a lift?

A lift? What in?

When did you get that?

Rented last night. Delivered this morning.

Good old Macintosh.

You don't have to say it like that.

Like what?

With that face.

What face? That face.

I'm surprised this place hasn't gone bust.

Bet most retailers get this stuff made miles cheaper abroad.

UK manufacturing.

I mean, look at it. It's like something out of Dickie. Rob. What? Shut it.

See ya.

See ya.

It's going to be a problem.

Come in.

Julie, this is Vicky Sullivan.

She'll be replacing Anne... Thing -me -jig, who's off having twins.

She'll be doing exactly the same runs as you, same batch, same orders, so show

her the ropes and make sure she knows the way around, OK?

Have you done much of this before?

Three years attached to them brothers. Mail order stuff.

Mainly bedding. Really?

You'd be up to it. No, you're right.

Do you smell oak? Yeah.

The odd one, you know.

Why?

I mean, as long as you've got money, the quality of life's unbeatable.

Great house, great friends, great social life. Amazing.

How are the girls taking to it? Oh, ducks to water.

Here.

They made me this so I don't miss them while I'm away.

I can't believe how much they've grown.

That video you sent us last Christmas, they were like babies, now they're

little girls.

Rhiannon don't half look like her mum, don't she?

Yeah. Katie's got more of our side.

Oh, they're beautiful, Rob.

Yeah, they love it out there.

I wouldn't bring them back here for the world.

They grow up with two languages and a whole different perspective on life.

None of this parochial crap that we had pumped into us.

They get education, experience, adventure.

I could not offer them that back here.

Camera shy.

How is she?

Great. Yeah, really great.

She sends her love.

Different world.

Same again.

Michelle's arrived.

Oh, yeah. I'll see you later. Right, see you.

Is that a boyfriend?

Brother. I've not got a boyfriend.

See you.

Yeah, see you tomorrow.

What are you doing here?

Taking you for dinner.

What? Two steamed hakwa.

Two sumai.

And we'll try some of your sliced chicken in Sichuan sauce.

Fried chicken gong bao and a side portion of fried rice.

Thank you, sir.

Go on.

Right, let's see if this lifts up to the real thing, shall we? I thought you'd

have been sick of all this. We're going to suggest Harry Ramsden.

There's a saying in China.

Which loosely translated means business before pleasure.

There's something I want to put to you. A proposal.

Offer. Oh, Rob, no, no. Hear me out.

Are you happy, Julie?

Yeah.

Well, I mean, what's happy?

The company I work for, right, Hoopers, they're crying out for people, British

people, women in particular.

wealthy businessmen are desperate to find mentors for their kids.

Someone who can bridge the culture gap, teach them things about the West, you

know, stuff they wouldn't find in a textbook.

Someone who can paint over the cracks.

Are you serious?

Well, you love kids, you're brilliant with them.

I'm not a teacher, though. Mentor.

You only have to teach them about things you already know.

Come over, Julie.

You learn more in a year than you would in ten at Macintosh.

Think about it.

New life, Julie.

And you wouldn't have to do a thing.

Word in the right ear, hoopers are sort everything.

House, flight, visa.

Just like that.

Business centre of the world.

If you want something, you get it, so yeah.

Like that.

Please say you're con.

Sounds like you've thought of everything.

Give me three good reasons to stay in Manchester.

Job, friends, family.

Job? Big deal.

You'll have a better job.

Friends? Big deal. You'll make new friends.

Family?

I'm family.

How can I just leave everything?

My life's here.

You haven't got a life.

Julie, you can do whatever you want.

No husband, no kids.

Chance to start again.

There's only one person stopping you, Julie.

You.

What are you leaving?

What have you got here that's worth staying for?

40 today, get out.

Not Jack Phil Farrell. No!

Oh, I give up. It's short, fat and bald.

Ed? 40? I only found out because his dad rang up. Fat gets trying to keep it

quiet. What shall we do?

Attention for a second, please.

I've got a very important announcement.

Apparently, congratulations are in order because today is Ed Cameron's 40th

birthday!

Under -15s team captain, three years running.

Netball.

England under -21 trials. Wow.

I even had a bit of a thing for football at one stage.

I used to tag along with my brother and mum till his mates let me join in.

I would have. I suppose you were now younger.

Then I discovered fags. It all went pear -shaped.

About you, do you do much?

Oh, gym twice a week.

Step class, if I can be bothered.

I don't know.

I used to play a lot of badminton.

Really? Yeah, I joined a club for a bit, you know, after my divorce.

No, fancy local league.

But it was good, cos you played every week no matter what, so, you know, you

were always motivated.

Not like now.

Sometimes when I'm packing my gym kit, I think, oh, shall I just put kettle on,

you know, and what am I doing?

But if I don't go, my daughter, she tells me off.

You know, she's at that age, scared to death of having a fat mum.

Do you have any kids?

No.

Yeah.

Best way.

Lovely when they're little, but ooh, you'd have a teenager.

I used to love badminton.

I'd play for ages, no -one to play with.

But we could always have a game.

You could whack me off court.

Doesn't matter if you're a bit rusty.

Rusty? I'd probably feed up.

There's a place near me. You can hire courts any night.

Well, if you fancy it.

Yeah, all right.

I've got to warn you.

If I collapse halfway through, you'll be the one giving me mouth -to -mouth

resuscitation.

I'm just going to toilet.

Are you for Susie, mate?

It's me.

Bye. Bye.

I ain't got any money, darling.

Oh, did you snuff for every man?

Yeah,

I wouldn't want to be here.

Oh, Sarah.

Mate, do you want to get a job or what? See you Monday.

Do you want this next one? Are you planning to go with me?

Can we share it?

Oh, no, it's how you win. It's not far, though. I don't mind.

Well, it's... Sure.

All right, keep your knickers on.

Come on, Julie.

Take him with you. Take him with you.

How can you tear him down?

How can you tear him down?

Well, no, you're all right.

You've got the last round in. Oh, here, take it, please.

Thanks for inviting me out. We're a good crowd, aren't we?

I really enjoyed it.

We should do it again sometime.

Yeah. Be nice.

It was my idea, but Mum's mate Cathy did all the legwork.

You don't think it's nafty?

No, no, it's brilliant.

We've been across the road, Range Rover.

They've been putting stuff in our bin again.

What do you want me to do? Arrest them?

You couldn't at least mention it. I mean, last week it was so full.

There wasn't enough room for our rubbish.

40 years.

Julie, I need an answer.

Please, say you're calm.

I don't know.

It's a big decision.

That's what makes it exciting. It's life -changing.

Do you want to be stuck here the rest of your life with them two?

Two choices, Julie.

Stay or go.

It's that simple.

What's this bit? She does a little dance.

Like a little spice girl.

How many times have you watched this?

Every week since it arrived.

She knows it off by heart.

Well, it's the only chance I get to see me grandkids.

You should do me a new one.

Little madam.

I don't know where that comes from, then, Robert.

Her mother.

Well, you were a shocker.

Talk about the terrible twos you used to beat me up.

You had that wooden crocodile Auntie Carol gave you for Christmas.

If he didn't go his own way, he'd start hitting me with his crocodile.

Probably deserved it.

Now, she was the exact opposite.

Dead placid. Never gave me any bother.

You're more like me, aren't you, love?

Made back.

Obedient.

You're going to be found like a labrador.

No, you've just got different temperament.

Rob's always had that... drive that urgently, but you're happy just to float

along.

You want different things.

He's always been up and off, but you're more of a home bird.

I'll do it.

I'll come.

Cheers.

To a new life.

New life.

Hong Kong.

Bloody hell, Julie, you don't do things by halves, do you?

It's not cos I'm fed up.

I love it here.

And I really miss everyone, but...

Just seems like too good a chance to miss.

Yeah, well, don't worry. I'm not going to try and talk you out of it.

Given half the chance, I'd do exactly the same.

Go on, you have the time of your life.

Come on, the suspense is killing me.

Don't tell us you've won the pools.

You're not pregnant, are you?

No.

I'm leaving. Leaving?

You got another job?

Sort of.

Well, yeah.

In Hong Kong.

Hong Kong?

Doing what?

Teaching. Well, mentoring Chinese kids.

My brother's over there and the company works for a looking for people, so I'm

going. They don't speak a word of English, you know. You'll have to learn

mandolin.

Well, I think if you're 100 % it's it's what you want to do love

Don't worry, I'll look after her

Julie

right late tonight Six foot two, dark hair, looks like George Clooney. No

babysitter. Please.

Oh, go on then. You're a lifesaver. What a time. Bye.

Mum says you're going living in Hong Kong.

Yeah. Where's that?

It's where Hong Kong Fooey's from.

Who? Hong Kong Fooey.

Number one super guy.

Hong Kong Fooey.

Quicker than a human eye.

Before your time.

Hiya. Hiya.

How is George?

Fifty -five and balder.

And he's stank.

Honestly, you must change your clothes, let off and then nod it.

Just making a brew. Do you want one?

Yeah, if you took a whisky in it.

Ryan's dad was great.

I think we met too young.

I think if we met now, we'd be all right, but at the time, we just wanted

different things.

I wanted him, he wanted his sister's best mate.

What about you? Have you got a fella stashed away somewhere you're not

us about?

Not the minute now.

I suppose it makes it easier, doesn't it?

You should not get anyone to leave behind.

Are you scared about going?

Truth?

I'm terrified.

Part of me wants to just call the whole thing off, day exactly as I am.

But there's another part that...

No, that's the reason I've never really done anything with my life.

Not very good at change.

You're doing the right thing. You'd be brilliant.

You think?

Would you do it, given the chance?

It would be a bit hard, you know, taking Ryan out of school.

Leaving my mum and dad and Sam and Jenny and me mates.

But that's just me.

When Rob talks about it, it all makes sense.

It makes it sound wonderful.

Just when I'm on my own, thinking about what it'll actually be like, I just...

It scares the shit out of me.

Well, Julie, if it doesn't scare you, it's not worth doing, is it?

Hey, Frida!

Wait up!

You better be quick, I'm late as it is. Hey, go and see a thing tonight round at

Vicky's. Can't tonight, I've got aerobics.

Aerobics?

Am I early?

There you go.

Thanks.

Have you had to do much, or was it like this when you bought it?

Oh, no. They had this horrible mall colour. It made it dead gloomy.

I wanted something a bit more warm.

It's lovely.

It didn't take long. Me and my sister, we just set a weekend aside and bashed

through it.

Who did you invite?

Just the girls on the machines.

Right.

Did they say they were coming?

Not for definite, no.

Right.

Anyway, so there I am, 23 years old, stuck in this poxy little flat in

Tina's not even a year old.

And he's out boozing with his mates all the time, night after night after night.

And I don't just mean the odd few pints.

He was getting legless.

Just don't think he could cope with the responsibility.

When I was pregnant, I thought he'd make a great dad.

But the minute she was born, bam!

Complete transformation.

Anyway, one morning I look over and he's not there. I thought that's funny.

Perhaps he hadn't come home.

So I go downstairs.

And there he is, lying face down on the living room rug.

Kegs round his ankles.

Uke everywhere.

I thought to myself, I know where this is going.

And that were it.

Went upstairs, grabbed Tina.

I didn't think people did this.

I literally just packed me bags.

And that were it.

Bloody hell, Vicky.

Do you still see him?

Divorced in 79.

A year later, he got done for drink driving.

I haven't seen him since.

What about Tina?

Oh, well, I told her everything she needed to know.

And I said, if you want to see him, you see him. It's up to you.

No, she never did.

He didn't love her.

Not in any real way.

But he kept in touch.

Shall we open another?

Last time I could have phoned to buy them.

You should have told me that I won me rah -rah, girl.

Hey, have you got any banana -rama?

I used to love banana -rama. I did.

Robert De Niro's waiting.

Talking Italian.

Talking Italian.

I love this.

So do I.

A lot went open.

I thought I was going to be stuck in there all night.

Doesn't matter. That bath's quite comfy.

Thanks for inviting me over.

I don't know what happened to the others.

Probably busy.

Yeah.

See you in the morning, then.

Yeah.

Taxi, I'd best get going. Sorry.

OK.

Any for them?

They wouldn't waste you, would they?

Thank you.

Hi, Miss Love.

Oh, I was wondering, how many spoonfuls do you put in here?

Six. Six.

Just as I know.

For when you've gone.

Well, you do it.

Just right.

Make sure you put milk in first.

I spoke to Mr Chang. He reckons you'll be perfect.

Says he can't wait to meet you.

He's going to write a letter to the embassy explaining the position he's

offering, and he'll fax a contract through first thing Monday.

Two years minimum, with an option to extend.

That'll speed your visa application up, and as soon as they see the name

Hoopers, rub a stamp.

In you come.

Did he mention the accommodation?

Oh, that'll be easier to sort out when you're over there, you know. Get a feel

for the place.

In the meantime, you can stop at mine.

Have you asked Amanda?

Hmm? Have you asked Amanda?

Don't look now, but I think some madwoman's heading our way.

What are you doing here?

You've got to help me.

Hiya, Susie. Rob. What's up?

Date from hell.

Again? Oh, no, worse than George Wright. This fella can board for England.

He has just talked about the internet for three quarters of an hour.

You've got to save me.

He's looking for you.

Not close up.

What's he doing?

He's turned back the other way. Quick, let's make a run for it.

I've been your place to find them.

Where's Rylan?

I said Jenny's in there. I was supposed to be up all night writhing around in a

bed of fashion.

I haven't bought any undies.

Sounded really nice on the phone.

Do you know what I'm thinking of putting one in? Oh, yeah?

Yeah. Single mother, 29.

Deep.

Good -looking, 20 -something male for commitment -free shag fest.

I should get the phone ringing.

How come you're doing all this?

I'll put it this way, I'm not exactly beating them up with a shitty stick, am

Well, with that smile and those legs, I'm surprised they're not queuing round

the bar.

You can come again.

Hey, there's this place I go to, right, in Lan Kwai. It's a pick -up joint.

You'd love it. I mean, that's the only reason people go there. It's like

shopping for sex.

But there's no embarrassment to it.

It's all totally normal.

And what's a nice boy like you doing in a place like that, then? Yeah, well, I

took a friend, didn't I? Yeah, right.

Yeah.

Right, are we off, then?

I'm just getting my second wind.

Big day tomorrow. I don't want to spend half of it in bed.

Well, I'll tell you what, love. You go. I'll stop here for a bit, if you don't

mind, Susie.

No, listen, mind. You're not going anywhere till this house is a booze

zone. It's warm. There's a taxi number back there.

Stay when. Keep going. Keep going. I'm a grown -up, you know.

Bloody hell, Dad.

He scared me half to death.

You and your old?

Yeah.

Gone on one of his adventures, has he?

You think I'm doing the wrong thing, don't you?

Doesn't matter what I think, Junie.

It's what you think.

You don't have to seek my approval anymore.

I'm not unhappy.

I just... Sometimes just feel like there's something missing.

Something important.

Do you think Hong Kong is where you'll find it?

I don't know.

But at least I'll...

I look around and see people getting on with their lives.

And I know they've got their problems and worries and stuff.

But at least they've got something.

And I'm there.

Helping out.

Babysitting. Making curtains for Frida.

Organising nights out.

And I enjoy it, but... I feel like I'm just joining in.

Taking a piece of other people's lives because I haven't got one of my own.

You should see people's faces when I tell them what I'm doing.

They can't believe it.

That's great.

But in the back of their minds, I can see them thinking about themselves.

And the things I won't be able to do for them anymore.

Because that's how they see me.

Good old Julie.

Safe.

Reliable.

That's how your mum seen me.

Adventurous Rob.

Reliable Julie.

We don't all have to be adventurous, you know, Julie.

Give me reliable any...

Hi, love.

Where the hell have you been?

Oh, just popped over to Paris for some croissants. Where did you think I'd be?

You stayed the night.

I'm a big boy now. I can look after myself.

Rob. Oh, spare us the moral outburst, Julie.

Nothing happened. You were practically sticking your hand up her dress when I

was there.

Nothing happened. Then why stay the night?

All right.

I shagged her then.

You won't be now.

Tell me you didn't sleep with him. Just tell me you didn't shag him.

You better come home.

Now it happened.

Could have done. God knows I was up for it.

But... Look, right, I'm not going to lie to you, Julie, cos you're a mate and...

God, this won't be coming from me.

What?

Susie, what is it?

He's getting divorced.

His wife wants to bring the kids back to England, so we need you there to look

after him.

It doesn't change anything, you know. It's still a brilliant opportunity.

International Operator Group.

Oh God.

Auntie Ivy's over there picking up their time.

You don't need to talk to them.

You're right for drinks.

Dad, what are

you skulking in here for?

Speech. Final touches.

How's it going?

Rotten.

Don't tell any jokes. You know they always backfire.

Knock them dead.

Hey, send me all that champagne, I'm dying of thirst here. You've got legs,

haven't you?

It's like the night of the living dead.

Just think, it's time you can leave all this crap behind.

Rob, if you haven't got anything nice to say, I think you should be bleeding

first.

What's up with you?

You.

In here.

What?

What? There's something you want to tell me, Rob, eh?

Have a think.

Anything happening in your life that I should know about?

Anything you've forgotten to mention?

Susie told you, did she?

Women. Can't keep their gobs shut for five minutes.

You can tell someone you've only just met, but you can't tell your own family.

was doing it for you.

For them.

I didn't want this big cloud hanging over us. Because that's what would have

happened. Divorce. Oh, my God, big drama.

But you know how much they like Amanda.

I'd have had nothing but them two going on and on and on, inventing solutions to

something that they know nothing about.

That's why I didn't tell you.

You'd have had me come over, wouldn't you?

You'd have had me give up everything and come over to help you out, to sort out

your mess.

Julie. Save it, I don't want to hear it. You've got it all wrong. Don't lie to

me, Rob.

Everything I've ever suggested has been for your benefit. Don't lie to me!

I've spoken to Amanda.

Oh, great.

You've been planning it for months.

Months? Like some business deal.

Using me as a bargaining tool.

Threatening her with it. You'll get me over to look after the kids. Her kids.

While you drag her through every court you can to try and keep hold of them.

One of your shit -up lawyer friends arguing they're better off staying where

they are.

No, Rob, I don't think I have got it wrong. I think I can just about believe

you'd do that.

I thought you liked the kids.

That's not the point.

I don't like being used, especially by my own brother.

All right, you coming over, it suits me, it helps me out.

But I was doing it for you.

You're doing it for yourself like you always have done since we were that big.

You think you can just wave your magic wand and we'll all sing to your tune.

And I fell for it.

Again.

And it's pathetic.

No, Julie, you know what's pathetic.

35, single, still living at home, still in the same shitty job you've had since

school and still scared to death of anything resembling change.

That's pathetic.

Might seem like that to you, Rob.

Your big exciting job and your big exciting friends.

But it's my life, and you know what?

I'm happy with it.

People want me here.

Need me.

And I love that.

Because this is who I am.

And I don't need you or anyone else trying to change that.

I don't want your kind of life, Rob.

Because you're never satisfied, are you?

Never happy with what you've got.

And that's why Amanda's leaving you.

And why I'm not coming over.

Sorry.

Candlelighting. Just need the cake.

Seems we're not for right, doesn't it?

Julie, I'm going to lose them.

My girls.

If you don't help me, I'll lose them.

Rob, that's between you and Amanda.

It's got nothing to do with me.

I've nearly finished.

Now, the reason we're all here is to celebrate this, our 40th wedding

anniversary.

And I know some of you might think that that's a life sentence. Well, two life

sentences.

But I can honestly say that not a day has gone by when I've wanted to be

anywhere other than beside this beautiful woman.

She's not only been my wife and the mother of my two wonderful children.

She's also been my best friend, my guide, my comfort and my

joy.

The one that has made everything worthwhile.

So I'd like to ask you to raise your glasses to my wife Brenda and the

next 40 years. To Brenda.

To Eddie and Brenda.

Somebody loves you.

You're nobody till somebody

cares.

If you have a fancy holiday, you know where I am.

See you.

Have you advertised my job yet?

No, I haven't had a chance.

Well, yeah, I think I might know the perfect person.

Funny, reliable, shot dead gorgeous.

What happened?

Changed her part.

Well, you better tell her she didn't start straight away. Go on, get in

I was just wondering... Tonight, do you fancy going for a drink?

With a girl?

No.

Just you and me?

Yeah.

Yeah, that'd be great.

Great.

Why don't I come round to yours and we'll take it from there?

Yeah. OK.