Emma:  A social worker in BallyK you say?  Hey, we're moving up in the world!

Passenger:  Mmm..(hand still clutching the dash at every jolt of the truck)

The clouds win over and a sudden downpour washes over the truck.

Emma: (Slowing the truck down  a bit) Would you look at that! There's Ireland for you.

Passenger (Peter Clifford): Yea, forty shades of gray.

Roll titles

It is mid afternoon in BallyK and the streets are fairly empty. Fitzgeralds is also empty, in between serving hours. The Dillon's truck pulls up across the street from the pub. Peter gets out and pulls his bag from the back. He smiles at Emma and thanks her for the lift. The truck pulls away and Peter is left facing  Fitzgeralds. For a moment Peter has second thoughts about accepting the job here. When he had heard that the county social service office in Cilldargen had recently decided to open a branch in BallyK, he felt it was a perfect opportunity for him. He missed the people that had become family to him and he still considered the village home, despite what had happened to Assumpta. He had thought that he had healed enough and that it was time to move on. But now, standing in front of the Fitzgeralds, Peter has a wave of doubt wash over him. He stands and looks at it for a moment then slowly starts to cross the street.

Cut to Kathleen watching him from inside her shop window.

Cut back to Peter as he reaches the door. He takes hold of the door knob and pauses. Peter draws in a breath then opens the door and enters. He closes the door behind him and with his hand still on the knob, leans back against it. He glances around, half expecting to see Assumpta, and is disturbed by the stillness of the room. Peter then walks to his familiar spot at the bar, drops his bag and leans with both hands against the bar, his head bowed. He has a flashback to the last time he was in this spot:

Cut to scene from "The Reckoning" where Peter tells Assumpta that he loves her. Flashback ends before Assumpta goes into the cellar. At that moment, Niamh bustles in from the kitchen and they both startle each other, then they laugh and embrace.

Niamh: Peter! You gave me such a fright!
Peter:  How are you Niamh? (she smiles and nods)
Niamh:  Where have you been off to all this time?!

Peter goes to answer but Brendan bursts through the front door.

Brendan:  There's the man then!(grabbing Peter's hand and shaking it)
Peter:  How'd you know..?
Brendan:  I was just in the shop and Kathleen said..
Peter:(smiling) It is good to know that some things haven't changed.

Just then, Padraig rushes in and exclaims:

Padraig: Kathleen said you were back.

They all laugh.

Cut to a few minutes later.  Sioban has also arrived and Niamh is pulling pints for them all.  She sets a glass down in front of Peter.

Niamh:  So you never answered my question, where have you been?  We have wondered how you were getting on. (Everyone turns to look at Peter)

Peter takes a sip of his pint, thinks for a moment, then speaks.

Peter: Well, after I left, I spent some time with my brother in Manchester. Then I signed up with the International Red Cross. Ya know, food, water, medical supplies where it was most needed. (He takes another sip)
Padraig: Tough work there Peter.
Peter:  Yeah, I needed get some distance and immerse myself:  to keep from thinking...
Niamh:  How is it that you ended up back here then?
Peter:  After some time, and a few close calls, the numbness started to fade. Even amidst everything there, I began to see that life, even hers, (glancing at Brendan) did have meaning. (Then looking at Niamh)  Then I remembered someone telling me to fight my demons amongst my friends.

They all share a smile, Brendan pats Peter on the back, then they all return to their pints.

Cut to later that evening. The Pub is bursting with well wishers celebrating Peter's return and new job in BallyK. Peter has wandered away from the crowd to a picture on the wall of Assumpta. He slowly raises his hand and runs one finger the face in the picture. Niamh get a lull in the orders and notices Peter. She slowly approaches him.
Niamh:  You really loved her didn't you? (Peter pulls back his hand shyly, then nods his head in reply.)
Peter: You know, I didn't even have a picture of her. (Niamh puts her hand on his shoulder)
Niamh:  She felt the same about you.  She never actually said so, but she did. (They both tear up and embrace) I miss her too!
Brendan :  Hey Niamh, stop hogging the guest of honor. (he waves Peter over to the table with himself, Padraig, Sioban, Liam , Donal, and etc. Peter gives a weak smile, nods to Niamh , and rejoins the party).

Cut to the next morning. Peter is up early and walking through the village cemetery. He stops on occasion to look at a headstone and is obviously looking for one in particular. He notices Fr. Mac approaching. They meet and shake hands.
Fr. Mac:   Ah Peter, I heard you were back.  It is good to see you.
Peter:  How are you Father?
Fr. Mac:  I'm fine.  I was told you were off feeding the poor and hungry. Very admirable. You can take away the collar , yet the man remains. (Peter smiles at the compliment)
Fr. Mac:  Out for a walk?
Peter:   I was looking for...Do you know where she is buried? (Peter is unable to speak Assumpta's name in association with death)
Fr. Mac:  Assumpta? Oh not here. I assumed that her next of kin took care of the arrangements. (He pauses and puts a hand on Peter's shoulder) I am sorry Peter.

Later that morning Niamh is wiping off the bar when Peter enters.

Niamh:  You were up early, out for a walk?
Peter :  Yeah, to the Church yard to see her.
Niamh:  Assumpta's not there, and you can say her name you know.

Peter looks uncomfortable.

Peter:  Do you know where she is?
Niamh:  Don't know.  Leo took care of everything.  It didn't seem to matter anyway, she was gone.
Peter:  Well, I need to know. I didn't come back to grieve. I came home to start my life again. I need closure.

(Niamh nods her head in understanding).

Peter:  So I'm off to Cilldargen to check her records.  I can stop in at the social service office while I'm there, to let them know I've arrived.
Niamh: (drops her towel and comes around bar) I'm coming with you.
Peter:  I thought it didn't matter to you were she's buried.
Niamh:  Well, now you've got me wondering!

Peter and Niamh are at the mortuary in Cilldargen where Assumpta had been taken after her death.  The secretary is searching through files.  He finds a folder and pulls it out.
Secretary:  Here we are then. (Looking at the date on it) Right before I started working here.  (Looking inside the folder) That's strange, the admission forms are here, but no sign of a death certificate or transport notes.  (Peter and Niamh look puzzled).
 
Peter:  What does that mean?
Secretary:  Well, I guess they could have been mis-filed.  Leave me a number and I'll call if I find anything.

 Cut to Peter and Niamh in Niamh's car driving back t BallyK.

Peter:  You heard what he said Niamh, it was just mis-filed.
Niamh:  I can't help thinking..what if?
Peter:  Niamh (very seriously), I was with her, I saw her. (His voice trails off).
Niamh:  I'm sorry Peter,

Later that afternoon, Niamh and Peter are in the Pub. Niamh is behind the bar, Peter is going through some paperwork that he had picked up in Cilldargen.

Brendan:  Ah, there you are Peter, care for some fishing?

Cut to Peter, Brendan, and Padraig fishing below the bridge in the River Angel. Brendan is teaching Peter how to fly fish and Padraig is sitting down, serving them beers. There are quite a few empty beer cans laying around. Brendan is taking the whole matter quite seriously. Padraig is commenting and drinking. Peter is tipsy but trying to concentrate on what Brendan is saying.

Brendan:  That's it Peter, nice and easy now.  (His line sails neatly into the river).

Peter tries in earnest but accidentally catches Brendan's fishing hat and casts it into the river.

Brendan:  Hey!  That's my lucky hat. (He splashes in after it).

Padraig, laughing hysterically, rolls backwards. Peter, laughing, tries to regain his composure as Brendan wades back out.

Padraig:  Another drink there Peter?
Brendan:  Not until I take away his weapon! (He grabs Peter's pole).

By then Peter is laughing so hard that he can not respond.

Brendan:  Well, I'm glad I can be of some entertainment to you.  So you still can then can you?!

Cut to Pub. Peter walks in wearing Brendan's hat carrying a tiny fish on a string. He is looking quite jovial. Niamh is on the phone making arrangements for airline tickets.

Peter:  I've caught dinner Niamh!  (She holds one finger up)
Niamh:  That's right, a flight to London, O.K. Thank you. (She hangs up)
Peter:  (Sobering up a bit) Why are you going to London ?
Niamh:  I called Leo, asking about Assumpta. He told me it was none of my business and hung up on me! I'm not gonna let him talk to me like that! He is up to something  and I'm going to find out what it is!
Peter:  (Seriously) I'm going with you.

Niamh hands him his bag which she had already packed and grabs her own. Peter looks surprised.

Niamh:  I thought you might say that!  Let's go then.

Cut to London. Peter and Niamh are getting out of a taxi cab in front of Leo's residence. The house has  stairs leading up to a porch. The door is recessed in the middle of the porch. They start up the stairs together, then Niamh stops and looks at Peter.

Niamh:  Maybe it would be best if I went up alone first.

Peter nods in agreement and steps back down to the street. Niamh walks up to the door and is about to knock when Leo opens the door on his way out. He shocked to see her  and is about to tell her to go away, but then changes his mind and silently motions her inside. Leo leads Niamh to the kitchen and closes the door behind them, he seems quite nervous.

Leo:  Niamh, what are you doing here?!
Niamh:  What do you think?!  I just want to know where you had Assumpta buried!
Leo:  I told you, it is none of your business!  I'm her husband!
Niamh:  And I was her best friend!

Cut to Peter who has become restless waiting in the street and has wandered up onto the porch. He walks to the right side and can hear the muffled sounds of Leo and Niamh's argument. He begins to pace back and forth. As he walks to the left side of the porch he absently gazes at a window whose curtain is parted. Something catches his eye and he can't help but lean
closer to get a better look into the sitting room of Leo's house. With an astonished look on his face he stumbles towards the door to let himself in.

Cut to Niamh and Leo still arguing.

Niamh: (in tears by now) Do you have any idea what losing her did to me. It's as though my life has fallen apart. I loved her too! (Leo's defenses seem to melt away)

Leo:  (Leo drops his head and turns away for her) I'm sorry Niamh.  I had no idea. I shouldn't have kept the truth from you.

Cut to Peter who had entered the house. He can hear the muffled voices of Niamh and Leo behind the door on his right. He looks to his left and moves towards the sitting room. He reaches the doorway and looks in to see the back of a woman sitting in a wing back chair. He can't see her face. She is so engrossed in a book (The Thorne Birds) that is oblivious to what is going
on around her. Peter moves slowly around the chair. keeping his back against the wall. He strains to get a look at her face and whispers questioningly:

Peter:  Assumpta?

The woman takes a fright and  spins around in her chair. Peter sees  her face as she exclaims:

Assumpta:  Do ya get a kick out of sneaking up on people?

Peter stumbles towards the chair and his legs seem to give out underneath him as he falls to his knees beside the chair.

Peter:  (with shock and disbelief) Assumpta!

Assumpta, confused,  looks at Peter seemingly without recognition.

Leo:  What is he doing here Niamh?! (Niamh and Leo have just appeared in the doorway).

Assumpta turns to look at them and a wave of recognition begins to come over her when she sees Niamh.

Assumpta:  Niamh? Niamh! (something clicks in Assumpta's head)

She is still staring wide eyed at Niamh when she remembers the man kneeling next to her. Ever so slowly she begins to turn her head towards Peter. Finally her eyes meets his and with tears beginning  to well up in her eyes she says:

Assumpta:  Peter?

Assumpta suddenly puts her hands to her head in pain as her memory rushes back.  She passes out from the shock and Peter catches her as she collapses forward.

Leo:  Look what you've done to her!!

Peter:  No! Look at what you have done to her!

Leo starts to move towards Peter and Assumpta but Niamh tells him to go call the ambulance. Niamh goes to help Peter with Assumpta.

Cut to the waiting room of the hospital. Peter and Leo are pacing at different corners of the room with Niamh standing  between them with her arms folded. Peter and Leo shoot an occasional  glare at each other, but they are all silent. The doctor finally walks in to give them an update. He addresses Leo. Peter steps back as the doctor speaks, feeling out of place.

Doctor:  Your wife is doing fine.  Her memory just came back a bit too fast.  She just needs a some rest.
Niamh:  Can we see her.
Doctor:  Yes, the nurse will be out in a moment .

Leo waits expectantly for the nurse as Niamh goes to stand by Peter. The nurse arrives, shuffling through papers on her clipboard.

Nurse:  Ms. Fitzgerald would like to see the gentleman in the waiting room--(Leo goes to move forward, as the nurse looks down to read the name) --Peter.

Leo backs up and turns away as Peter follows the nurse though the doorway and into Assumpta's room. The Nurse enters and takes a tray out leaving Peter standing just inside the doorway. He is uneasy, not knowing what to expect. Assumpta looks a him, smiles, and holds her hand out to him. He hesitantly moves towards her.

Assumpta:  I won't bite you know. (smiling at his uncertainty)

Peter smiles shyly and walks to take her hand and sits down next to her on the bed.  Peter stares at her in disbelief.  He holds her hand tightly.

Assumpta:  What..?
Peter:  I would never have left you ...I thought you had died. (breathlessly)
Assumpta:  You can't get rid of me that easily! (Peter gives her a weak smile)
Peter:  (seriously) I was sure you were gone. I stayed with you..(Assumpta begins to realize the pain he had gone through).
Assumpta:  I'm sorry. I can't imagine how that was for you. (she gently strokes his face and his emotions take over as he breaks down. Assumpta holds him in her arms as he quietly sobs).

Cut to Niamh and Leo, still in the waiting room, in the middle of a conversation..

Leo:  Went I went back to Cilldargen to claim Assumpta's body, I couldn't believe it, the medics were working on her! They said she just started breathing! She was in a coma, but alive. I brought her back to London, to a special clinic. Everything seemed normal, she just wouldn't wake up. I didn't even think of calling you, all I cared about was her. Then one day, she woke up. I was there and she knew me. Her memory was limited. She thought we were still together; right after school. The doctor said it was best not to push it , to let her memory come back in its own time. But it didn't, and we were happy. She remembered me Niamh! (Leo walks towards Assumpta's room and Niamh follows).

Cut to Peter and Assumpta.  He sits up wiping his eyes, regaining his composure.

Peter:  What do you remember?
Assumpta: (slowly, trying to sort it all out) These months in London seem like a vague dream from which I have just awakened.  For me, it was yesterday that we made plans to be together .

Peter draws in a sharp breath of disbelief.  He had been afraid to hope that she would again choose him over Leo after all that had happened.  Assumpta is unsure of what  Peter is thinking so she continues.

Assumpta:   Peter where have you been since then?
Peter:   All that doesn't matter now. (Still trying to absorb what she had just confessed).
Assumpta:  (guardedly) Yes, it does. Time had passed for you Peter. Your life has gone on. I would understand if you feel differently now.

Peter looks at her with shocked disbelief and takes her hand in his and holds it to his chest.

Peter:  Assumpta, you have always been with me. I have never, could never stop loving you. (They smile deeply at each other as reality sinks in).

Leo, who has been standing in the doorway, turns to leave. He seems genuinely moved by what he has just witnessed.

Niamh:  Where are you going.
Leo:  To see my solicitor.
Niamh:  (suspiciously)  What for?
Leo:  To do what I should have done long ago, to set her free.

Cut to Niamh picking Assumpta up from Leo's house. Assumpta is carrying a small piece of luggage.

Niamh:  Is that all you're taking?
Assumpta:  Nothing in there is mine.  Time for a fresh start.

Cut to Peter talking on the Hotel phone to Brendan.

Peter:  Brendan, its Peter.  (smiling) Ya better sit down!

Cut to interior of Fitzgeralds.  It is late at night and the pub is closed. Peter, Assumpta, and Niamh enter. The pub is decorated for Assumpta's home coming celebration, planned for the next day.

Assumpta:  I'm glad we didn't tell them we were taking an earlier flight in. (wandering around the pub) I'm not in for a crowd tonight.

Niamh opens a bottle of champagne and fills three glasses. They each take one. Assumpta walks behind to bar and smiles as she scan's the familiar room. Peter moves to the fire place to stoke the fire. Niamh watches them both and takes a final sip of her drink.

Niamh:  I'm off to bed now.  Welcome back Assumpta. (They embrace and Niamh says goodnight to Peter and Assumpta  then goes upstairs). Peter is watching Assumpta intently as she walks from behind the bar toward him.  He raises his glass to touch hers as she joins him in front of the fireplace.

Peter: (tenderly) Welcome home Assumpta.

She smiles up at him and they each take a sip. They set their glasses down and join hands.

Peter:  Ya better pinch me, I'm afraid I'm dreaming.
Assumpta:  I have a better idea.  (She slides her hand behind his head and gently pulls it down as she tenderly kisses him).  Still think you're dreaming?
Peter:  No! (his voice his nothing more than a small squeak out of the back of his throat )

They both laugh at his reaction to the kiss. Peter then becomes serious and her softly holds her face between his hands. They look intensely into each others eyes, there are no words that could be spoken now. Peter bends forward and nuzzles her hair then kisses her forehead. He pauses another moment then moves to kiss her deeply on the lips. They give into the kiss, their arms wrapping around one other, as their passion takes control. After a time, the kiss subsides into an embrace, with Assumpta's cheek against his chest and Peter's face buried in her hair.