The Wasp

Morgan Lloyd Malcolm

• Publisher: Oberon Books
• Year: 2015
• ISBN:
  9781783198610
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: British Drama
• Index: Literature

A twisting two-hander, a psychological thriller from the acclaimed author of Belongings. Heather and Carla haven't seen each other since school. Their lives have taken very different paths – Carla lives a hand-to-mouth existence while Heather has a high-flying career, husband and a beautiful home. And yet, here they are in a café having tea and making awkward conversation. That is until Heather presents Carla with a bag containing a significant amount of cash and an unexpected proposition… Morgan Lloyd Malcolm's electric new thriller asks how far beyond the playground we carry our childhood experiences and to what lengths some people are willing to go to in order to come to terms with them.

ACT ONE

A cafe. The outside smoking courtyard. CARLA sits with an ashtray full of cigarettes in front of her. She is pregnant. She is considering having another fag. She is in her early thirties though is dressed like she always has since her teens. Tracksuit bottoms, air-tex-shirt, necklace, slicked back hair. She fiddles nervously with her phone. She has a second phone that she also removes and looks at then puts away. One is a smart phone, one is a cheaper older phone.

HEATHER emerges from the entrance into the cafe. She is also in her early thirties but dressed up to date. Neat, simple, more expensive than high street. Statement handbag.

HEATHER: Carla?

CARLA: Yeh.

HEATHER: I’m so sorry! I didn’t realise there was this bit out here. I’ve been in there all this time.

CARLA: …

HEATHER: I texted you.

CARLA: Yeh.

HEATHER: Did you get it?

CARLA: I was just finishing my fag.

HEATHER: Course. Yes. Thought I’d just nip to the loo and saw this door. Glad I spotted you! Could have been sitting there ages. Both of us thinking the other was late.

CARLA: I got here early.

HEATHER: Did you?

CARLA: Yeh.

HEATHER: Do you want to come inside or shall we sit out here?

CARLA lights a cigarette.

HEATHER: I’ll just rescue my latte.

HEATHER goes and returns with her cup.

HEATHER: Actually do you want a drink? I may get another.

CARLA: Tea thanks.

HEATHER: Milk and sugar?

CARLA: Yeh.

HEATHER: Right then.

HEATHER leaves and CARLA smokes and texts. HEATHER returns with two teas, a milk jug and some sugar sachets. Over the following CARLA puts milk and four sugars into her tea.

HEATHER: Thought I’d join you in a tea. Already had my coffee hit. Don’t want to be bouncing off the walls! Got you a builder’s. That right? Got myself a camomile. Trying to be good. Trying. Well. Look at us!

CARLA: Alright then are you?

HEATHER: Well how long? I mean. You haven’t changed a bit. Well. Other than. When are you due?

CARLA: Couple of months.

HEATHER: Wow.

CARLA: Thanks. You have.

HEATHER: Sorry?

CARLA: Changed.

HEATHER: God I hope so!

CARLA: What happened to the plaits. And the glasses then?

HEATHER: Oh long gone! Long gone! As soon as I went to uni I wised up and basically realised I had spent years looking like a complete idiot. No wonder. Well. No wonder you lot found it so funny.

CARLA: Yeh well. Sorry about that.

HEATHER: Oh no bother. Water under the bridge. We were all young.

CARLA: I’m not like that no more.

HEATHER: Course.

CARLA: I’m not. Problem with school is that you think that’s everything and then you leave and you realise it’s basically nothing and then you’re like out in the world and you have to work with people and they didn’t know you at school and like don’t care and that.

HEATHER: …

CARLA: That’s why I was OK to meet you.

HEATHER: Right.

CARLA: When you got in touch I thought, none of that old stuff matters no more. Course I can meet you.

HEATHER: I’m glad.

CARLA: Cos if it were, like, almost twenty years ago then there’s no way in hell I’d be seen dead with you right?

HEATHER: No.

CARLA: But I reckon twenty years can make you wiser yeh?

HEATHER: Yes. Absolutely.

CARLA: And I done stuff. So. And I can deal with this.

HEATHER: Great.

CARLA: So. What do you want then?

HEATHER: Well. How are you? What have you been doing since we last saw each other? I mean I see the bits and bobs on Facebook but, well, you have kids now don’t you?

CARLA: Yeh. Four.

HEATHER: Gosh!

CARLA: Had one straight after school, then another, then another, then another.

HEATHER: Yes.

CARLA: Oldest is sixteen, youngest is six. And this one will make five.

HEATHER: Congratulations.

CARLA: Thanks. They’re alright.

HEATHER: Good.

CARLA: Pretty hard work if I’m honest but I love them and that. What about you? You got kids.

HEATHER: Well, no. No. But I’d like to.

CARLA: Better hurry up.

HEATHER: Yes I know.

CARLA: I tell you what I’m glad I had most of mine when I was young and had energy and that. At least now I know what I’m letting myself in for. I can prepare.

HEATHER: Well, I guess I didn’t really feel ready, I suppose.

CARLA: Are you ever ready, that’s what I say.

HEATHER: No. I guess not.

CARLA: My old man wanted another and I just told him to fuck off.

HEATHER: So. What happened?

CARLA: Just happened I guess. And now he’s all happy about it.

HEATHER: And you’re not?

CARLA: Well he won’t be the one getting up with it at night and changing nappies and such. He never helped with all that. He’s traditional like that I think. Don’t mind. But I do mind. You know?

HEATHER: Sometimes you need a second pair of hands I guess.

CARLA: Yeh. He’s alright I suppose but he’s a lazy fat fuck too. And he’s really old.

HEATHER: Really?

CARLA: Yeh. In his sixties n...