INT. SARAH’S LIVING ROOM – EVENING
SARAH (early 30s) enters with two steaming mugs. Her husband, HARDY, is glued to a sports match on TV. She places the cups carefully on the table and sits next to him. Hardy glances at her and focuses back on the TV.
SARAH
(handing the cup to Hardy)
Lemon - ginger with honey to my honey.
Hardy smiles and picks up the cup.
HARDY
Thanks, love.
He sips, puts the cup back on the table, eyes still on the game.
SARAH
(Cradling her mug for warmth)
Do you know Simi? Poor girl’s being evicted.
Hardy pauses the TV, turns to her.
HARDY
Evicted?
SARAH
(setting her drink down)
Dodgy landlord, I think. I didn’t press. I offered our spare bedroom until she finds a place.
HARDY
(exhaling)
And you didn’t think to run it by me?
Hardy gets up, and Sarah rises with him.
SARAH
(taking his hand)
You’re right. I should have asked. I know how much you value your space. She is new here and doesn’t know many people. It’s just a few days. I will help her find a new place as soon as I can, promise.
INT. SARAH’S KITCHEN – EVENING
Hardy dices vegetables, wearing headphones and an apron that reads “Doughn’t Worry, Be Happy”. His smartwatch buzzes. He pulls off his headphones and heads for the door.
INT. SARAH’S HALLWAY – MOMENTS LATER
Hardy opens the door. Sarah and SIMI enter, each with a suitcase and a bag. Hardy leans in to kiss Sarah.
SARAH
(Introducing)
Hardy, Simi, Simi, Hardy
HARDY
(polite, shaking hands)
Welcome. Nice to meet you.
SIMI
(flirty smile, eyes lingering)
Thank you,
Simi teasingly pinches the edge of his apron.
SIMI (CONT’D)
Love your apron.
INT. SARAH’S DINING ROOM – EVENING
Sarah, Simi and Hardy eat together. Sarah reaches for a bottle of wine and pours.
SARAH
(offering a glass to Simi)
Not sure if it’s your thing, a little welcome toast.
SIMI
That’s so sweet. Thank you.
Simi takes a tiny sip, then suddenly remembers-
SIMI CONT’D
Oh! I have something for you two. Be right back.
She hurries out.
HARDY
(Whispering)
I don’t know how, but she puts me on edge. Something’s off
SARAH
(undertone, dry)
This is called antisocial behaviour, darling.
Simi returns holding a wine bottle. Hardy suddenly notices and recognises the label
BEGIN FLASHBACK:
INT: A FINE RESTAURANT -EVENING
Sarah and Hardy are at a table. A SERVER enthusiastically pours some wine into Hardy’s glass. Hardy inspects it, swirling against the light. He then smells it, with his eyes closed, then finally takes a small sip - like a connoisseur. Sarah looks faintly embarrassed.
SARAH
(mouthing to the server)
He always does that!
The server smiles professionally.
HARDY
(enjoying the sip, to the server)
WOW, this is amazing. Can I see the bottle again?
He studies the label closely.
END FLASHBACK
SARAH
(to Hardy)
You okay?
HARDY
(adjusting)
Yeah, just remembered something, nothing major.
He glances at the bottle again, confirming.
INT. SARAH’S BEDROOM - EVENING
Hardy walks around in frustration.
SARAH
I have known her for almost a year. She wouldn’t cross a line. It must’ve been a misunderstanding.
HARDY
(fighting to be reasonable)
You don’t “accidentally” brush your fingers on somebody’s hand like that, Sarah. Tell her to leave. Or I will.
INT. SARAH’S LIVING ROOM – AFTERNOON (DAYS LATER)
Hardy is reading a book. The door opens, and Simi steps in.
SIMI
(playfully snatching the book)
Why do you always hide behind pages? Afraid of a little real-life plot twist?
HARDY
(smiling awkwardly)
Books make better company sometimes. Where is Sarah?
SIMI
(kittenishly returning the book)
Your darling wife is getting her nails done.
She saunters out.
SIMI
(over her shoulder, wry)
I thought you two talked.
BEGIN MONTAGE: SIMI FLIRTS WITH HARDY
INT. SARAH’S KITCHEN - MORNING
Simi hands Hardy coffee; her fingers linger on his.
INT. SARAH’S LIVING ROOM – EVENING
Simi “drops” something next to Hardy’s chair, bends to pick it up- her chest brushes his shoulder.
INT. SARAH’S KITCHEN - EVENING
Simi cooks, banters with Sarah, and slips in sly glances at Hardy.
INT. SARAH’S LIVING ROOM
All three watch a film, Simi laughs too loudly and leans into Hardy’s space.
END MONTAGE
INT A COFFEE SHOP- EARLY AFTERNOON.
HARDY:
(holding the gaze)
Is it wrong that I’m here with you?
SIMI
(low, intimate)
Sometimes what feels wrong is exactly what you want. Or maybe, that’s the problem.
[Silence. The moment hangs heavy with unspoken words.]
INT. SARAH’S KITCHEN – AFTERNOON (DAYS LATER)
Sarah is scrubbing the kitchen. The door opens, and Simi enters, humming in high spirits. Sarah bounces upstairs and returns with a hairband and a pair of underwear. She hands them swiftly to Simi without a word.
SIMI
(cheerfully grabbing the hairband)
Ah, I was looking for this.
She ties her hair.
SARAH
(steady, passing the underwear)
Aren’t you going to ask where I found them, and this one?
SIMI
(breezy)
Probably dropped them on the stairs.
SARAH
(grabbing her wrist)
They were in my bedroom, Simi. What were you in MY room?
SIMI
(defiant)
You are imagining things. Take a breath, Sarah. You are exhausted.
Simi moves away. Sarah follows. Voices rise in the next room.
SIMI (O.S)
You neglected him! It’s not my fault.
SARAH (O.S)
I kept you from being homeless. And your thank you is sleeping with my husband?
SIMI (O.S)
It takes two to tango, Sarah. He isn’t all innocent either.
Sarah re-enters, eyes wet.
SARAH
(tearful and shaky)
Just go, leave us alone.
FADE OUT
INT. STAFF CANTEEN- AFTERNOON
Simi is having lunch with a COLLEAGUE, both wearing nurse scrubs. Microwaves, water dispensers and a coffee machine line the room.
SIMI
(dabbing her feigned tears)
And she kicked me out… Just like that. All because I forgot to do her laundry.
COLLEAGUE
(appalled)
Unbelievable! What a horrible human being!!
BEGIN MONTAGE: SIMI, HARDY AND SARAH
INT. STAFF CANTEEN- AFTERNOON
Sarah shows Simi a photo of Hardie holding up some ripe tomato vines in the garden. Simi stares at Hardy lusciously.
INT. SIMI’S ROOM – EVENING
Simi scrolls through social media, finds a picture of him holding a bottle of wine in a restaurant, focuses on the wine.
INT. STAFF CANTEEN- MORNING
Simi confides in Sarah with practised sadness. Sarah hugs her; over Sarah’s shoulder, Simi smirks victoriously at the camera.
END MONTAGE
FADE OUT