*** HEATHROW AIRPORT - 12:50 PM ***

Greg is standing impatiently on the roadside, yelling at Polly.

Greg Matthews:

Leave the bloody thing in there! We can't take it with us.

Polly kisses the puppy on the forehead, before shutting the car door.

Polly Page:

It's okay sweetie, we'll be back soon!

Ian looks at Polly with disgust.

Ian Page:

It's icky and it smells. It's worse than Polly is!

Polly Page:

Shut up you! She's just a puppy. She can't help it if her breath smells.

Ian Page:

Well your breath smells too! You need mouthwash! Greg, can we get Polly something to clean out her mouth?

Greg grunts.

Greg Matthews:

Leave your sister alone Ian. We need to get there with a minimum of squabbling.

Ian pouts. Polly grabs Ian on each arm, digging her fingernails into his flesh. He squeals.

Polly Page:

Yeah, you little baby!

Ian Page:

Greg, look! She scratched me with her claws! Polly has claws and she's ripped my arm up!

Ian holds out his arm. There are some faint marks on it.

Greg Matthews:

It doesn't look too bad, Ian. Come on.

Greg grabs Ian and Polly and starts pulling them towards the airport terminal at a terrific pace. They rush into the arrivals lounge, check the computer terminal for the gate number and run up to gate twenty-seven.

Greg Matthews:

Made it.

Polly watches as the people finish disembarking, keeping hold of Ian's arm.

Polly Page:

Just calm down, will you pest. You've only done this a hundred or so times before!

Ian Page:

This is exciting! I wanna ride the escalator again!

Greg paces back and forth impatiently.

Greg Matthews:

Shush you two!

Ian runs over to the window. Greg watches as the crew disembarks, smiling briefly as he catches sight of Anne.

Polly Page:

There she is!

Greg grins as his wife steps off the concourse and walks over to them.

Ian Page:

Mummmmmmmmmmy!

Ian rushes over to his mother and literally leaps into her arms. Anne grins as she collects the eight year-old boy, shower him with kisses.

Anne Matthews:

Hi, angel! How have you been?

Anne eventually makes her way over to Polly and Greg.

Ian Page:

Great! I've missed you Mummy. You're looking good!

Anne chuckles.

Anne Matthews:

Why thank-you, sweetie.

Ian starts absent-mindedly playing with Anne's hair. She looks down and pats Polly gently on the head, stroking her curls.

Anne Matthews:

And how's my little plum-cake?

Polly smiles, a big childish grin.

Polly Page:

You'll never guess what I got!

Anne frowns.

Anne Matthews:

What has he gotten you this time?

Polly wraps a hand around her brother's mouth before he can ruin the surprise.

Polly Page:

It's a surprise, come on!

Ian pulls Polly's hand away from his mouth.

Ian Page:

It's really yucky Mummy. It's horrible and furry and icky and just gross.

Anne smiles broadly.

Anne Matthews:

I can't wait to see it, where is it?

Polly grabs her Mother's hand, pulling her along the corridor.

Polly Page:

Out in the car! Come on!

Anne runs along lightly by Polly's side as Greg and Ian struggle to catch up with them. They reach the exit, dash over the road and arrive at the car.

Anne Matthews:

Well it's not a new car. This thing is as big and old-fashioned as ever.

Anne peers inside the car.

Anne Matthews:

Good grief, there's something moving around inside.

Polly Page:

Isn't she gorgeous! Greg got her for me this morning! Her name's Bella. Ain't she just the cutest!

Polly taps the window, the golden Labrador puppy licking the glass on the inside. Anne gasps.

Anne Matthews:

Awww she's adorable! Greg, why did you get a dog?

Anne turns her questioning eye on her husband. Greg shrugs.

Greg Matthews:

Well, she's been bugging us for months and a mate paid back a debt the other night, so I thought, what the heck.

Anne sighs.

Anne Matthews:

You're too soft-hearted for your own good sometimes, Gregory.

Greg unlocks the car, putting Anne's suitcase in the boot.

Greg Matthews:

I know.

Ian is annoyed that his mother seems to like the new pet.

Ian Page:

Can we give it back, please Mum? It is all stinky and horrible.

Anne shakes her head softly.

Anne Matthews:

It's too late now, Ian. Never mind, I'll get you a pet rabbit someday soon for you to play with.

Ian grins.

Ian Page:

Yay! I'll watch them making heaps of little rabbits!

Polly glares at her little brother.

Polly Page:

That's gross! Mum, tell him that's sick!

Anne ruffles Ian's hair.

Anne Matthews:

How I've missed you two. I'm only home for tonight, though. I have to fly out at six tomorrow morning. But at least we can have a family dinner together.

Polly climbs into the backseat, cuddling the little puppy, while Ian commences his dinner routine.

Ian Page:

I want KFC! I want KFC!

Greg chuckles, settling into the driver's seat.

Greg Matthews:

No way, kiddo. I've told you the stories about that! We'll have pizza. That okay with you, dear?

Anne nods. She is extremely tired but manages to conceal it well.

Anne Matthews:

Just so long as Ian doesn't scoff the lot.

Ian grins cheekily.

Ian Page:

I'd be more worried about Polly. She eats like a horse!

Polly pinches Ian in defence.

Polly Page:

I do not!

Ian Page:

Do too!

Ian pinches Polly back.

Polly Page:

Oh! You rat!

Anne sighs.

Anne Matthews:

It's good to be home.

Anne smiles across at her husband.

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