Anthony (he’s heard many times before) Nell … Nell
If your birthday had been in January –
Anthony Not December, I know. Nell
Then you wouldn’t qualify for conscription.
Anthony Maybe the moment I arrive they’ll call a victory. Maybe I’ll never see the trenches. And if I do … well, I won’t take any risks or show off or anything like that. I’ll be sensible.
Nell No you won’t.
Anthony Yes I will. Nell
No, you won’t be sensible because you’re too bloody … good. There’s nothing you wouldn’t do for someone you cared for. Like going back for a man fallen. Sometimes I wish you were a bit more of a bastard and put yourself fi rst.
They smile at one another. Until death us do part, then.
Anthony (smiling with joy) A marriage isn’t legal until you’ve signed the register! He grabs the catalogue and scribbles on the page. He offers it to her. Sign your name, here.
Nell signs her name. Anthony Well. I now pronounce us husband and wife.
He tears the signed sheet out of the catalogue and feeds it through a gap in the wooden boards at the base of the wardrobe into the secret space underneath.
Anthony I swear upon my honour that I will come back for you, and I will dig it out we’ll take it to the town hall and have it signed offi cially by the mayor.
Nell But how will you know where to fi nd this wardrobe?
Anthony Because we’re going to buy it. Nell
But it’s so expensive.
Anthony So what? I might die next week. Nell (slapping him on the shoulder) You can’t make jokes like that. Anthony Sorry, from now on consider me silent as the dead. Nell
Anthony!
Anthony Come on. This wardrobe isn’t going to buy itself! He exits the wardrobe. Nell follows close behind.
