Day thirty two in the Big Brother house, and it’s the third day Max, the new housemate, has been inside the house. Big Brother has called him to the diary room.

Max: [Looking relaxed in the diary room chair] Hello Big Brother.

BB: GOOD MORNING MAX. ARE YOU AWARE OF WHY BIG BROTHER HAS ASKED YOU TO THE DIARY ROOM?

Max: Er… No…

BB: WHEN YOU AGREED TO ENTER THE BIG BROTHER HOUSE THE RULES WERE CLEARLY EXPLAINED TO YOU - YOU ARE NOT PERMITTED TO GIVE DETAILS ABOUT LIFE OUTSIDE THE HOUSE TO THE HOUSEMATES.

Max: Oh. So this is about what I said concerning Jan. I’m sorry, I take full responsibility for that. It was a… [Grinning] bad thing to do.

BB: BIG BROTHER TAKES THE RULES VERY SERIOUSLY AND ASKS THE HOUSEMATES TO DO THE SAME. BIG BROTHER IS ISSUING YOU WITH YOUR FIRST STRIKE.

Max: OK. Fair enough, I’ll consider my wrists officially slapped. [Not quite managing to look penitent] Sorry Big Brother.

BB: SO HOW ARE YOU FINDING LIFE IN THE BIG BROTHER HOUSE?

Max: It’s interesting… It’s smaller than it looks on telly.

BB: AND HOW ARE YOU FINDING THE OTHER HOUSEMATES?

Max: Well, it’s not like I don’t already know them. Lara and Dillon seem to be doing a fairly good job of ignoring me, and each other for that matter. I’m not sure why though, something must have happened between them that I didn’t see before I came in. Spencer is just being Spencer. Charlie looks about ready to shoot the messenger over what I told him about Jan. I think he’s sulking. Duffy seems genuinely pleased to see me, although I think she feels guilty about her part in the Jan thing. And Anna, she’s in her element! She seems perfectly happy to boss the rest of us around. It’s quite amusing really.

BB: AND HOW ARE YOU SETTLING IN?

Max: [Looking more solemn] To be honest I feel bad about upsetting Charlie. I’ve considered him to be a good friend for several years now and I feel a little guilty for everything that’s happened. Only a little guilty mind, after all it was Jan who broke confidentiality and brought all this on herself. Still, I hope I haven’t lost a friend over it.

BB: IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO DISCUSS WITH BIG BROTHER?

Max: No, I don’t think so. Shall I go then?

Monday, 11:34 - Living Room

[Duffy, Dillon and Anna are seated on the sofas. Dillon and Anna are playing a game of Snap, Duffy is half heartedly reading the vegetable garden manual. Max exits the diary room and comes to sit next to Duffy]

Duffy: [Discarding the manual] Nice chat with Big Brother?

Max: I got a strike for telling you lot about Jan.

Duffy: You’re the first person in the house to get one, doesn’t that make you feel special!

Max: Oh definitely.

Duffy: [Concerned] You upset about it?

Max: No, not about the strike. I rather enjoyed outing her; given the chance I’d probably do it again so I do deserve the strike, but I do feel I could have been more sensitive towards Charlie. I was just so pleased with myself that I didn’t even think about him.

Duffy: It’s not like I haven’t warned him about her plenty of times.

Max: That’s a bit harsh isn’t it Duffy?

Duffy: Do you think so? I don’t mean it to sound that way, really I don’t…

Anna: Snap! [Looking very pleased with herself] That leaves me with forty eight cards, to your four! You’re useless at this man!

Dillon: I wasn’t concentrating… OK, I concede. Anna, you are the champion.

Anna: Yeah, man I am! I’m going to make something to eat, anyone want anything.?

Dillon: No.

Duffy: No thank you Anna.

Max: Nor me, thanks Anna.

[Anna walks to the kitchen]

Duffy: Are you alright Dillon?

Max: You’ve seemed distracted ever since I’ve been here at least…

Dillon: I’m fine. Just worried about the evictions today… [Trying to change the subject] You know what you were saying about Charlie and Jan, well, just because she’s resigned doesn’t mean that she and Charlie are split up so why’d you feel bad about Charlie?

Duffy: It means she’s lied to him. She’s denied her part in Max’s departure over and over to his face, and all the stuff I’ve said to him about her not being trustworthy has been proved right.

Max: He might yet forgive her, but in the meantime it rather means re evaluating their relationship.

Dillon: Do you think he will forgive her?

Duffy: He was - is - really hurt by this, but all that proves is how much she meant to him. He kept saying that he loved her… I think I underestimated how much.

Max: So you do think he’ll forgive her after everything she did to me?

Duffy: I don’t know, he won’t even talk to me at the moment…People do choose lovers over friends sometimes.

Max: [Catching Duffy’s eye pointedly] Sometimes they would rather listen to their friends.

Duffy: [Catching on and looking embarrassed] Sometimes that’s the right thing to do.

Dillon: Why do I get the feeling that you two have lapsed into secret code? Well, don’t mind me… I’ll go give Anna a hand in the kitchen.

[Dillon gets up and leaves. Duffy looks stressed]

Duffy: Why’d you have to go and say that?

Max: What!? I just think it’s interesting that you live your life by Charlie’s orders, but he won’t listen to you even when you’re right.

Duffy: He was right about me.

Max: Was he?

Duffy: Max… [Looking deep into his eyes] I wouldn’t change any of my decisions… can we drop the subject now?

Max: [Smiling] OK... [Picking up the manual] Come on, give me a tour of the vegetable garden!

[He gets up and grabs her hand, pulling her to her feet. She laughs as she stands and he pulls her outside. Neither let go of the other’s hand]

Monday, 13:47 - Girls room

[Lara is sitting on her bed, looking through some photographs. There is a knock at the door. Lara looks up startled and hides the photos under the bedspread.]

Lara: Come in!

[Spencer opens the door and pokes his head inside]

Spencer: Not interrupting something Dr Stone?

Lara: No… come in… was there something you wanted?

Spencer: That’s what I came to ask you actually… You haven’t been outside today I wondered if you were alright?

Lara: I’m fine, just trying to sort some stuff out.

Spencer: Packing for the eviction?

Lara: Not that sort of stuff. [Taps the side of her head] this sort.

Spencer: Ah, I see… Anything I can help with?

Lara: Not unless you have a time machine handy.

Spencer: I’m afraid I left it in my other trousers.

Lara: [Smiling despite herself] I made a big mistake on Friday.

Spencer: I’m sure it can’t be that big a mistake. Do you want to talk about it?

Lara: I kissed Dillon, that’s got to be pretty high on the mistake -ometer. I don’t know what happened… I was talking about Patrick and how much I missed him, I was really upset, Dillon comforted me… the next thing I know I’m kissing him.

Spencer: Oh dear. What did Dillon do?

Lara: Kissed back. Then we got interrupted by the announcement about Max and I’ve avoided him ever since. Avoided everybody. People are going to think I’m such a slut!

Spencer: Now, Dr Stone, I’m sure no one would think that…

Lara: Lamenting the loss of my fiancé one moment and snogging someone else the next? I can’t believe I did that, and with Dillon of all people.

Spencer: Dillon’s a nice enough lad…

Lara: I know, he’s one of my closest friends, that’s what makes it worse. If it was a complete stranger I could write it off as a moment of madness and walk away… And the way he kissed me, well, I think he really meant it.

Spencer: And you didn’t?

Lara: [Horrified] No! I mean, I do like Dillon, but the whole time I was thinking about Patrick…[Pulls the photos from under the cover and shows them to Spencer. They’re of Patrick] I feel like I’ve betrayed him.

Spencer: I’m sure Dr Spiller would understand. People do stupid things when they’re grieving.

Lara: But will Dillon understand? I just can’t bring myself to face him at the moment.

Spencer: Has he tried to speak to you about it?

Lara: Actually no, he hasn’t.

Spencer: Maybe he feels as awkward as you do. Things might not be as bad as they seem.

Monday, 15:00 - Living Room

The housemates have gathered together in the living room in order to hear who will be evicted this week.

[All the housemates are gathered on the sofas. Dillon and Lara glancing awkwardly at each other trying to avoid eye contact. Spencer is sitting with Lara, and Anna is with Dillon. Duffy and Max are next to each other. He has his arm draped around her shoulder casually. Charlie is opposite them looking miserable and slightly perturbed by Duffy and Max’s closeness]

BB: THE TWO HOUSEMATES TO BE EVICTED TODAY ARE… IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER… ANNA AND SPENCER.

Anna: Oh man, I wanna stay!

Spencer: Oh, well, back to the real world I suppose.

BB: ANNA AND SPENCER YOU HAVE ONE HOUR TO PACK YOUR BELONGINGS READY TO LEAVE THE BIG BROTHER HOUSE.

Dillon: Never mind Anna, we’ll all be out within a fortnight anyway.

Anna: I s’pose. I really like it here though.

Duffy: It’s getting really weird now there are hardly any of us left.

Charlie: [To Duffy] You seem happy enough though.

[Duffy frowns at him, and shrugs off Max’s arm. Max moves it obligingly but doesn’t look too happy about it.]

Spencer: Well, I’m not that upset about going. I’ve been here a month, I think that’s long enough!

Lara: I’m going to miss you though.

Spencer: I’ll miss you too Dr Stone, I’ll miss all of you actually.

Anna: Me too. Group hug!

[Anna jumps up enthusiastically. No one else seems that bothered. Duffy Is the first person to stand up]

Duffy: Alright then. [Hugs Anna]

[Max rises and joins them, but is fairly obviously hugging Duffy. Gradually the others rise and give Anna a hug. She looks very pleased with this]

Monday, 16:00 - Base of the stairs.

Everyone has gathered together to say goodbye to Anna and Spencer…

BB: ANNA AND SPENCER YOU HAVE TEN SECONDS TO SAY YOUR GOODBYES BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE HOUSE.

Spencer: [To Lara] Take care Dr Stone [Quietly] And talk to Dillon before you both blow it out of all proportion.

Lara: Yes boss! [She hugs him]

Anna: Bye everyone, see you in a couple of weeks!! Bye!

[Anna stars hugging everyone in turn, much to their surprise.

BB: WOULD ANNA AND SPENCER PLEASE LEAVE THE BIG BROTHER HOUSE.

[Anna links arms with Spencer and practically drags him up the stairs to the door.]

Anna: Bye all! [She blows an ostentatious kiss to the others]

Spencer: Yeah, um, goodbye.

[Anna pushes open the door and bounds out to much applause. Spencer follows her, seeming somewhat confused by the crowd outside. After a moment the door swings shut and the five remaining housemates are alone.]

Wednesday, 13:27 - Kitchen

Day thirty four in the Big Brother house, and the five remaining housemates are having a meal together.

[Lara and Duffy have to cooked it and are finishing serving it up ready to take through to the men]

Lara: How did we end up waiting on those guys?

Duffy: Because we’re less lazy and incompetent than they are. And I for one want to have an edible meal. I miss Spencer, he was one of the few people in here who had a clue how to look after himself and actually didn’t mind doing the housework!

Lara: I miss him too…

Duffy: Yeah, you two did seem to be getting on pretty well.

Lara: He’s a good man… and a lot more astute than he lets on most of the time.

Duffy: Really? Mind you, I can’t say I’m surprised. He probably spends more time listening and watching to the rest of us muck things up than he does getting involved in our petty arguments. I should take a leaf out of his book and keep my trap closed occasionally.

Lara: Something specific?

Duffy: Nothing I can’t handle I expect. [Pause] How are you and Dillon? You’ve seemed frosty with each other…

Lara: Oh, it’s… It’s nothing I can’t handle…

Duffy: Right then, lets go feed the hungry hoard!

[Lara and Duffy carry the food over towards the table where Dillon, Max and Charlie are sitting. Charlie and Max are opposite each other. Dillon is at the head of the table. He and Max are talking and Charlie is looking grumpy.]

Dillon: I’ll bet we’ve been missing a hell of a lot of stuff outside, it’s strange to think we’ve been in here for so long…

Max: Funny that, because I’ve only been here less than a week and it feels like ages already. I don’t you’ve missed all that much though.

[Charlie harrumphs]

Max: [Glancing briefly at him before turning back to Dillon] Well, some work stuff I suppose, nothing spectacular.

Dillon: Missed most of the World Cup… It’ll be the final this weekend won’t it? England could be lifting the trophy for the first time in 36 years and I’ll have missed it.

Max: [Shaking his head gravely] I wouldn’t worry about that.

Dillon: Oh? [Max nods silently] Oh well.

Duffy: [Arriving with Lara] What are you all looking so… solemn about?

Dillon: Oh nothing, just speculating about what’s been going on outside.

Lara: And?

Charlie: Max was just telling us that England’s out of the Cup.

[Max and Dillon shoot Charlie an angry look]

Duffy: Max! [Sounding worried] You already have one strike for giving us information, you know if you get three they’ll kick you out…

Max: [Staring at Charlie] Yeah, well, I was trying to be subtle.

Charlie: [Not sounding the slightest bit apologetic] Sorry.

Lara: [Sitting next to Charlie, and sounding falsely chirpy] Shall we eat?

Max: Yes. [To Duffy] I saved you a seat…

Duffy: [Sitting next to him] Thanks.

[Everyone eats in silence. Charlie and Max are still shooting daggers at each other. Lara and Dillon are avoiding looking at each other still. Duffy looks generally awkward and keeps trying to catch Charlie’s eye and smile, but he’s not looking at her. After a short while Dillon and Lara both reach for the salt, their hands brush, and they automatically look up at each other]

Dillon: You have it.

Lara: Cheers…

[She shakes some salt on her food. Looks up to see Dillon is still watching her, as soon as he sees she’s looking back he looks away. Lara sighs]

Lara: [Under her breath] This is ridiculous… [To Dillon] Can I have a word… in private?

Dillon: [Surprised] Now?

Lara: Yeah. [Stands up, abandoning her food]

Dillon: Er.. Ok…

[He stands, and then follows her as she leads him into the girls bedroom. The others watch them a bit confused]

Girls Room

Dillon: [Puzzled] What?

Lara: I can’t go on in this atmosphere.

Dillon: Lara, I don’t understand…

Lara: Sure you do. Ever since Friday we’ve been avoiding each other, and it’s really difficult seeing as there are only the five of us in the house and those three [Waves hand at the door] have been playing silly buggers with their own private argument.

Dillon: I haven’t really known what to say…

Lara: Neither have I… [Sighing] Actually that’s not exactly true. I know what to say, I just don’t know how.

Dillon: Just say it.

Lara: Ok… Dillon, that kiss…[Dillon tenses up, as though he doesn’t want to hear it] It didn’t mean anything. Not to me anyway. I was upset, and it seemed a good way of getting some comfort… I used you, I was wrong and I’m sorry. There, said it.

Dillon: Finished?

Lara: Yeah. Yeah, I’m finished.

Dillon: [Taking deep breath] I’m the one who should be apologising; I could see how upset you were and I still kissed you…

Lara: Well I kissed you first.

Dillon: That’s not the point… I should know better, especially after everything that happened with Gemma.

Lara: You’re comparing me to that fruitcake?

Dillon: She wasn’t a fruitcake! And I’m not saying that you’re the same but it was a similar situation for me, I’m just trying to help but I get too involved and can’t see what’s going on until it’s too late. I guess Charlie’s right, I have a lot more to learn than I thought. I’m sorry Lara.

Lara: Chalk it up to experience huh? It wasn’t exactly the most unpleasant experience of my life.

Dillon: Yeah?

Lara: It doesn’t mean anything though, right.

Dillon: Oh, right, yeah. Nothing.

Lara: [Smiling] I’m glad I’ve got you for a friend Dillon.

[Lara leaves to go back to her food. Dillon wait’s a few seconds, watching her go]

Dillon: [Resigned] Friend…

Wednesday, 16:55 - Garden.

[Duffy is lying on the grass on her stomach, propped up on her elbows and reading a Jackie Collins novel. Max enters the garden and spots her. He walks up stealthily behind her and looks down at her backside]

Max: Nice view.

Duffy: [Startled and sitting up] Max! What are you doing creeping up on me?

Max: [Dropping down onto the grass beside her] Have to entertain myself somehow, don’t I? [Takes her book off her] Quality literature eh. Aren’t those books all about sex?

Duffy: I have to entertain myself somehow.

Max: There are more entertaining things to do than reading about it…

Duffy: [Blushing furiously] Will you stop it!

Max: Why?

Duffy: You’ve been like a dog on heat ever since you got here.

Max: What do you expect? All these weeks of seeing you and not being able to get close, does funny things to a man.

Duffy: You never wanted to ‘get close’ before we ended up in here.

Max: Never?!

Duffy: You know what I mean. You never even said goodbye to me. I should be furious at you for that.

Max: But you’re not.

Duffy: I’m still pleased to see you. It’ll wear off and then I’ll be furious.

Max: Didn’t you wonder why I didn’t say goodbye?

Duffy: [Unconvincingly] No…

Max: I resigned on a principle which was either something close to dignified, or it was pure foolishness, but either way it was something I had to do. I gave up the job I love, and possibly my career for what I believe in, but if I’d seen you and let myself think about a life where I wouldn’t get to see you everyday I might not have been able to do it. I thought I could wait a few weeks for everything to settle down and then come to see you to explain, but then you came in here. I’ve spent the last month watching you being dismissed by Charlie, and crying over how no one appreciates you and all I’ve wanted to do was come here, hold you tight and tell you that I appreciate you. I always have.

Duffy: You do?

Max: Of course. I can’t understand how everyone else doesn’t.

[Max lifts his hand to brush down the side of her face and edges closer]

Duffy: This isn’t exactly the best of times Max…

Max: I understand that, but we’re both unattached, consenting adults… Is one kiss too much to ask?

Duffy: I don’t know… I need some time to think…

[She pulls away. He catches her arm and stops her from moving any further]

Max: I’m not trying to force you into anything Duffy, but you can’t deny we have a… spark. Take as long as you need, I’ll be waiting.

[Duffy nods, and stands. She heads back into the house, leaving her book on the grass. Max watches her go, then sighs as he lies back on the grass. After a second he picks up the book and starts to read it.]

Wednesday, 17:00 - Boys Room.

[Charlie is flicking listlessly through a magazine, sitting o the floor with his back resting against the end of one of the beds. Duffy enters without knocking, comes in and sits opposite him]

Duffy: We need to talk… I want to talk.

Charlie: Do you really think we have much to say?

Duffy: Well I do. I’m sorry Charlie. I never meant for all this to happen.

Charlie: That’s odd, because I thought this was exactly what you wanted. You wanted Jan out of the hospital, you wanted the world to know that she couldn’t be trusted. You wanted me and her broken up and Max reinstated. You’ve got precisely what you wanted.

Duffy: I still feel bad about it, I didn’t want to hurt you in the process.

Charlie: She’d done exactly what you said she had, you have no reason to feel guilty.

Duffy: I just wanted to protect you from getting hurt and it all went wrong. I don’t want us to fall out.

[There’s silence for a few moments. Duffy is looking at Charlie, and Charlie is looking at the floor.]

Charlie: I don’t want us to fall out either. I want to say that it doesn’t matter, that she never meant that much to me and I’m glad to see what she’s really like. I want to say I never loved her anyway and just get on with my life, but… but I did love her, and the fact that everyone else could see this side to her that I was oblivious to doesn’t make it any easier to handle. I loved her.

Duffy: Past tense?

Charlie: [Wearily] I don’t know…I can’t trust her. I’ve been lied to before, but never in such a cold, impersonal way. She didn’t have to treat me like that and she did it anyway just to save her job. The sheer calculated way she’s dealt with things… [Shakes head in disbelieving manner]

Duffy: You’re better off without her.

Charlie: Maybe…

Duffy: Can you forgive me?

Charlie: It’s not really you I’m angry with.

[She moves around so that she can give him a hug]

Duffy: And you’ll talk to Max?

Charlie: I suppose,, he didn‘t have to be quite so happy about it all though… You two have been very pal-ly recently…

Duffy: Um, yeah, he’s… well, he’s made it clear that he wants us to start seeing each other. As a couple.

Charlie: I see.

Duffy: I haven’t said yes.

Charlie: No?

Duffy: I mean, he’s nice, kind, handsome, intelligent, not put off by my status as a single mother of three… and he really likes me…

Charlie: Sounds like you’ve made up your mind then.

Duffy: It’s been a long time since anyone has wanted me…And it’s not like I’m going to get any other offers… [Looks into Charlie’s eyes] Is it?

Charlie: [Giving her a squeeze, and a kiss on the cheek, then shaking his head sadly] No.

Duffy: I thought as much.

Charlie: You’d better go and tell Max then.

Duffy: Yeah.

[Duffy stands up and walks to the door]

Living Room

[Duffy walks through like a woman on a mission]

Garden

[Max is still lying on the grass, absorbed in Duffy’s book. Duffy walks over and sits down beside him. He sits up]

Max: Where’ve you been?

Duffy: Thinking.

Max: And?

Duffy: One kiss. Not too much to ask after all.

[She leans forward and kisses him full on the lips. He kisses back and pulls her closer with enough force for them both to fall backwards onto the grass]

Meanwhile…

Conservatory

[Charlie has followed Duffy out of the room and can see them through the window. Dillon comes up behind him to see what’s of interest]

Dillon: Ahhhh… Not jealous Charlie?

Charlie: [Softy] No, course not.

Dillon: Sounds like it!

Charlie: There are some people you’re supposed to be friends with and some you can be more with. Duffy and I are friends. It would never work if we tried for more than that and I don’t want to lose her friendship. And I’m sure there is supposed to be something noble about sacrifices…

Dillon: Yeah, I’ve heard that too.

Day thirty six in the Big Brother house and as the housemates time in the house is drawing to an end each have been invited to the diary to discuss with Big Brother what they think they’ve got out of whole experience. Charlie is first up.

[Charlie is sitting in the chair. He looks slightly worried about being under scrutiny like this]

BB: GOOD AFTERNOON CHARLIE

Charlie: Afternoon

BB: WHEN YOU CAME IN HERE YOU TOLD BIG BROTHER YOU WERE HERE BECAUSE IT WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A GOOD TEAM BUILDING EXERCISE BY JAN. WHAT ARE YOUR FEELINGS ON THAT NOW?

Charlie: [Scoffing] Team building! I’ve seen, and been a part of, more arguments in here than we were having outside. We’re locked in together so we can’t just walk away and calm down… everyone has been far more confrontational. I mean, all that business with Josh and Simon, do you think that would have happened outside?

BB: BIG BROTHER CANNOT COMMENT OF WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED OUTSIDE.

Charlie: [Sarcastically] Of course not.

BB: DO YOU FEEL THAT YOUR LIFE HAS CHANGED IN ANYWAY SINCE YOU CAME IN TO THE BIG BROTHER HOUSE?

Charlie: When I came in here I was seeing Jan, I was the pretty much well respected senior nurse and things were looking up for me for the first time in years. Now my relationship with Jan is over, my judgement has been called into question which has to have a detrimental effect on my work position and if I see Duffy and Max fawning over each other for much longer I think I’m going to… [Stops himself and takes a big breath] Next question.

BB: HOW HAVE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES BEEN AFFECTED?

Charlie: I suppose I’ve got a better understanding of most of them now, but I’m not sure its really been worth it.

BB: HAVE YOU ENJOYED, OR LEARNT ANYTHING, FROM THE EXPERIENCE?

Charlie: I’ve enjoyed bits of it… I’ve learnt that I can be blind to what’s going on under my nose sometimes and that I have to trust other people to see what I can’t. I’m not always right, that’s quite a big lesson to learn…

BB: IS THERE ANYTHING MORE YOU WISH TO DISCUSS?

Charlie: [Preoccupied] No, no I don’t think so.

BB: PLEASE COULD YOU SEND DILLON IN NEXT THEN?

Charlie: Right.

[Cut to Dillon sitting down in the diary room chair. He looks a little more eager than Charlie did. He is wearing swimming trunks with a towel wrapped round him. He looks wet.]

BB: GOOD AFTERNOON DILLON

Dillon: Good afternoon Big Brother…. Will this take long? Only I was in the pool.

BB: IT WON’T TAKE LONG. DILLON, WHEN YOU ARRIVED AT THE BIG BROTHER HOUSE YOU WERE KEEN TO SEE THIS AS A CHANCE TO UNDERSTAND PEOPLE BETTER. DO YOU FEEL YOU HAVE ACHIEVED THAT GOAL?

Dillon: Er… With some people I have.

BB: COULD YOU EXPLAIN?

Dillon: Well, the people I was closest to outside like Lara, Anna, Jack and Tony… I feel I know them better now, I know more about their feelings and their … um… [Goes red] desires. I’ve got a better rapport with Charlie now too I think, I’ve seen his human side rather than this Almighty Boss act he has outside. The others though, like Duffy, Max, Josh and Simon, I don’t think I understand them any better at all.

BB: DO YOU HAVE ANY REGRETS ABOUT YOUR BIG BROTHER EXPERIENCE?

Dillon: I’ve learnt quite a lot about the others, and quite a lot about myself too so I wouldn’t say I regret the experience as a whole… I regret the way I acted with Tony, but I think that’s all patched up so no real harm was done. I hope. I also regret what happened with Lara and me in the garden last week. We’ve sorted that now too, but I still feel I shouldn’t have let things get that far.

BB: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH LARA NOW?

Dillon: Much the same as before, but I understand her relationship with Patrick more, and how it’s affected her. We’re still friends though, that’s the main thing, isn’t it?

BB: BIG BROTHER CANNOT COMMENT ON THAT.

Dillon: Well, I think it’s the main thing. That and now I have a clearer idea of how I should be dealing with people in my work and in my voluntary work… things are so much more intense in here and that and the feeling of being trapped and not quite knowing how to cope in a situation has to help me understand the calls we get in the Samaritans. It’s not the same I know, but it’s another insight and I think it’d be helpful.

BB: YOU TOLD BIG BROTHER THAT YOU THOUGHT YOU WOULD MISS MEETING AND INTERACTING WITH PEOPLE MOST WHILE YOU WERE IN HERE. HAS THAT BEEN THE CASE?

Dillon: Actually, no it hasn’t. There have been enough fresh perspectives between those of us in here. I have learnt though, that I’m happiest when I’m talking to someone. When I’m by myself I feel really lonely. I thought I’d be better company for myself than that but I do need people.

BB: IS THERE ANYTHING MORE THAT YOU WISH TO DISCUSS?

Dillon: No. Thanks Big Brother, but I want to get back to the pool…

BB: OK, PLEASE SEND DUFFY IN NEXT.

Dillon: Sure.

[Cut to Duffy arriving. She looks incredibly happy]

Duffy: Good afternoon Big Brother, isn’t it a lovely day?

BB: GOOD AFTERNOON DUFFY. BIG BROTHER IS PLEASED TO SEE YOU SO HAPPY.

Duffy: [Looking a little embarrassed] Thanks.

BB: HOW ARE ENJOYING YOUR BIG BROTHER EXPERIENCE?

Duffy: These last few days have been wonderful. I haven’t had so much fun in ages. I feel like a silly schoolgirl; I probably look ridiculous though… Thank you for letting Max come in.

BB: WHAT ABOUT YOUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE OTHER HOUSEMATES, PAST AND PRESENT?

Duffy: Well… OK, Charlie, we’ve always been close so I was probably most confident about being able to spend time with him than anyone else. For the most part I’ve enjoyed spending time with him, but I pushed to far with the Jan thing, and although we’ve made up I wish I’d handed it better. We know where we stand now though, and I think he’s genuinely pleased for me and Max. Which is great, because I’d hate to think that he’d take against our relationship the way I did against his. I know now that there will never be anything between us couple-wise, but I’d hate to lose his friendship. Um, Lara, well we’ve got on quite well in here. She always seemed a bit frosty towards me before but she’s opened up and relaxed a bit. I like her. I’ve also got on quite well with Anna and Nikki which was a surprise, but a nice one. I haven’t had much contact with the other boys, and or course Colette went very early on. And Jan, well, the least said the better.

BB: BIG BROTHER NOTED THAT YOU HAVE BEEN PARTICULARLY CONCERNED ABOUT MISSING YOUR CHILDREN WHILST IN HERE. HOW HAVE YOU COPED WITH THAT?

Duffy: It’s been hard, but I know they’re in safe hands with Mum, and I’ve come into the diary room every night at their bedtime to say goodnight to them, that helped in a funny sort of way. Max said he saw them before he came in and they seemed happy enough. I can’t wait to see them again though. [Thinking] I just hope they understand about Max…

BB: YOUR OTHER MAJOR CONCERN, AND THE REASON YOU GAVE FOR ENTERING THE BIG BROTHER HOUSE WAS A DESIRE TO FEEL INCLUDED IN YOUR COLLEAGUES ACTIVITIES. HAVE YOU FELT THAT?

Duffy: I have. I sort of ended up as a bit of a mother to Nikki when she was upset, and I’ll admit it was nice to feel needed, and I have been acting up a bit in that role, you know, trying to get Jack and Tony to behave themselves! Now there are fewer of us I don’t have to be mother anymore and I can just be myself and have some fun. Having Max here has helped as well, I could never accuse him of ignoring me! [Grins] Yeah, I feel much happier about things now. It’ll almost be a shame to get back to the real world again.

BB: IS THERE ANYTHING MORE YOU WISH TO DISCUSS WITH BIG BROTHER?

Duffy: I would just like to give a message to my boys, if that’s alright?

BB: GO AHEAD.

Duffy: [Leaning forward to look closer into the camera] Hello Peter, Jake and Paul! I’ll be home soon kids, I love you and I’ve missed you like mad. See you soon darlings! [Waves at them]

BB: ANYTHING ELSE?

Duffy: No thanks. Shall I go now?

BB: YES, AND PLEASE SEND IN LARA.

Duffy: I will!

[Cut to Lara entering. She’s been swimming as well but is wrapped up in a fluffy robe]

BB: GOOD AFTERNOON LARA, HOW ARE YOU TODAY?

Lara: I’m alright… Just enjoying a swim and some decent British weather for a change. [Smiling] Not to mention the hilarity of watching Max trying to get the barbeque started.

BB: AND HOW HAVE YOU BEEN FINDING THE BIG BROTHER EXPERIENCE IN GENERAL?

Lara: Well, it certainly has been an experience!

BB: COULD YOU PLEASE ELABORATE?

Lara: I thought it’d be really dull stuck in here with a load of work colleagues but it’s been like living in a soap! People have been fighting and bitching and pouring out their hearts… It’s amazing, I had no idea about all the complicated relationships the people around me had. I kinda never felt I fitted in back at work… you know, the new girl, a foreigner and I reckon I’m not the easiest person to get along with but I feel part of the team now. I have a better handle on everyone, and feel more relaxed about myself.

BB: SO HAS THIS EXPERIENCE TAUGHT YOU ANYTHING ABOUT YOURSELF?

Lara: I guess… I’ve always been a bit of an adrenaline junkie, and in here I haven’t really had my fix… it’s made me a little bit more introspective I suppose and maybe that’s what I needed. I haven’t really wanted to let myself think about Patrick too much, I’ve launched myself back into work like I always do but it means that nothing gets resolved. In here, talking to Dillon and Spencer I’ve exorcised a few demons I think. I actually feel calmer. I’ve even cut down on the smokes!

BB: THE YOU GAVE TO BIG BROTHER FOR JOINING THE BIG BROTHER EXPERIENCE WAS THAT YOU DIDN’T WANT TO GIVE SIMON A HEAD START WITH THE BOARD OVER THE REGISTRAR’S POST. HOW DO YOU THINK BIG BROTHER HAS AFFECTED YOUR PROMOTIONAL PROSPECTS?

Lara: You know I haven’t even been thinking about that recently. Work seems like a long way away suddenly. Um, well, Simon rather ballsed up his chances by drinking at every opportunity, and I hope that I’ve shown that I can be a team player and that I’m a good prospect for the post… In a way though it doesn’t seem as important. I know now I can live without work and not self destruct.

BB: AND WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNT ABOUT YOUR COLLEAGUES?

Lara: That they can be friends too. With Patrick gone I’ve been pretty lonely even when I’ve been around people, I suppose that’s been another reason for throwing myself into my work. Now I’ve got closer to Dillon and Spencer, and also Duffy, and the others I feel more comfortable with too. Well, expect dear old doctor Kaminski that is.

BB: IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU REGRET ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE?

Lara: I regret kissing Dillon. It was a stupid thing to do, but I think he’s alright about it now. Things could’ve been much, much worse. On the whole it’s been a good few weeks. Mind you I’ll be glad to be going home so I can get a bit of privacy in the bathroom!

BB: IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT LARA?

Lara: Not really. I just want to enjoy the last few days I’m here now!

BB: WOULD YOU PLEASE SEND MAX IN THEN LARA?

Lara: It’d be a pleasure, with him out of the way the rest of us might get that barbeque lit my the time we leave.

[Cut to Max entering, wearing apron over his clothes]

BB: GOOD AFTERNOON MAX.

Max: Good afternoon. What do you want to talk about.

BB: ON WEDNESDAY YOU WERE ENGAGED IN A CONVERSATION WITH DILLON ABOUT THE WORLD CUP. YOU USED THAT CONVERSATION TO PASS ON INFORMATION ABOUT HOW ENGLAND HAD BEEN KNOCKED OUT. THIS IS STRICTLY AGAINST THE BIG BROTHER RULES.

Max: [Groaning] Oh… I didn’t actually say anything…

BB: WHEN DILLON MENTIONED THAT ENGLAND MIGHT WIN ON SUNDAY YOU REPLIED ‘I WOULDN’T WORRY ABOUT THAT’ AND FROM THAT THE OTHER HOUSEMATES INFERRED THAT ENGLAND HAD NOT MADE IT TO THE FINAL.

Max: Exactly! They inferred it.

BB: FOR THEM TO INFER ANYTHING YOU MUST HAVE PASSED ON SOME INFORMATION. BIG BROTHER IS ISSUING YOU WITH YOU SECOND STRIKE. IF YOU RECEIVE A THIRD STRIKE YOU WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE BIG BROTHER HOUSE.

Max: OK, I promise I won’t say anything more about anything.

BB: HOW HAVE YOU BEEN FINDING THE BIG BROTHER EXPERIENCE?

Max: Well, I’ve only been here for less than a week but I’m enjoying it.

BB: IS THERE ANY PARTICULAR PART OF THE EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE ENJOYED?

Max: I’ve enjoyed being with Duffy. It wouldn’t really matter where we were in that respect. Of course, if we were outside the house there wouldn’t be any prying eyes and we could do more than kiss and cuddle… Not that I can complain too much, the kissing and cuddling is highly enjoyable!

BB: WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU WILL TAKE AWAY FROM YOUR TIME IN THE BIG BROTHER HOUSE?

Max: A girlfriend? I don’t think I’ve been here long enough to learn anything about myself or the others. Although I think I have learnt that I can’t work a barbeque…

BB: IS THERE ANYTHING MORE YOU WISH TO DISCUSS?

Max: Er, no. If that’s all I should get back out there…

BB: THANK YOU MAX.

Friday, 13:41 - Garden

[Max re enters the garden after being in the diary room. Dillon and Lara are in the pool, Duffy’s sitting on the edge of it, talking to Lara as Dillon swims around in the background. Charlie is at the barbeque and has got it working. Max sees this and takes off his apron, throwing it at Charlie, then heads to the pool, sitting down beside Duffy and giving her a quick kiss. Charlie is clearly trying not to watch and is stabbing the sausages instead]