It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,

it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of

foolishness

Charles Dickens – a Tale of Two Cities

`Betty Betty’s mum Lorna

Lorna’s mum
Betty 3 Maisie
Betty 6 Harriet
Betty 7 Erin Indigo
Lorna 8
Betty 15: Hannah Elen
Betty 18: Hannah Lorna 18: Izzy
Betty 45: Elen Lorna 45: Lilwen
Betty 80: Mamgu (Anne Jones)
Lorna 80: Nan Evans

Finding Lorna
Start:
Betty 80 (in future): Charlies Dickens was
right. “It was the best of times, it was the
worst of times, it was the age of wisdom”. I
found Lorna, lost her and found her again. I
didn’t know that I needed to find myself too.
Let’s start at the beginning. I’m Betty.
Transition to Betty 3 – playing on her own on
the floor
Betty’s mum (Hannah/or Laura I’ve tried David,
I’ve really tried. She’s just doesn’t speak
when we’re out. I mean, she’ll speak to me but
no-one else. How is she going to make friends?
Betty’s dad: She’ll get there. She’s just
quiet.
Betty’s mum: I hope you’re right

Transition to Betty 5 – playing on her own on

the floor
Betty’s mum: Are you ok Betty? Shall we go out
for a walk?
Betty shakes her head
Betty’s mum: Can you use your words Betty
please?
Betty: Can I just carry on doing this please
mum?
Betty’s mum: How was school?
Betty: shrugs
Betty’s mum: words please Betty..
Betty: it was OK.

Betty: balancing on something like a beam…..

then sitting down again

Betty 18: They were the worst of times

Betty 50: They were the worst of times
Betty 80: They were the worst of times

Transition to Betty as 8? years old. Outside –

green grass
Betty’s mum (Laura?): Come on Betty
Betty 6: Stay with me mum
Betty’s mum: We’re only going to the park.
Betty 6: nods
Betty’s mum: are you ok?
Betty 6: nods again uncertainly
Betty and Betty’s mum walk across the common
towards the little Common
Betty’s mum: shall we go to see your favourite
tree?
Betty: yes, yes, yes!
When they arrive another little girl (Lorna 8?)
is playing round ‘the’ special tree
Betty hangs back, partially hiding behind her
mum
Lorna carries on playing and then looks up and
says: Play? (a question and a command all at
once)
Betty hangs back uncertain.
Lorna says in a stronger voice. Come and play,
let’s run.
Betty takes some slow steps towards the tree…
Lorna: I’m Lorna. Hello. Let’s run!
Both girls start running around the tree – and
both having fun…
Lorna: What’s your name?
Betty. Betty
Lorna: You don’t say much do you? Let’s be best
friends.
More playing and Bet doing some gymnastics and
Lorna laughing

Transition to more playing on the bridge at

Hughenden. Lots of laughing and giggling.
Change of clothes: more around tree, more on
bridge
Change of clothes: same again – more around
tree and more on bridge and more gymnastics
from Betty
Betty 18: They were the best of times
Betty 50: They were the best of times
Betty 80: They were the best of times

Transition to 8 years old:

Betty: Lorna, Lorna, Lorna!
Lorna: Betty, Betty, Betty!
Betty: I’ve got a present for you!
Lorna: Oh… (opens) it’s beautiful.
Betty: I’ve got the same.. look…. Best friends
Lorna: Best friends
More playing… more footage of over the bridge
at Hughenden

More footage around the tree and in Hughenden –

now wearing matching bracelets
Age appropriate: Can Betty be up on the tree?
And gymnastics from Betty. Lorna is louder.
Same with different clothes
Betty 18: They were the best of times
Betty 50: They were the best of times
Betty 80: They were the best of times
Betty still 8: What do you mean she’s gone
away? Gone away where? She wouldn’t go! She’s
my best friend!
Betty’s mum: I know darling… they had to move
away with her dad’s job. We knew you would be
upset so we decided not to tell you.
Betty: You knew? You didn’t say! I didn’t say
goodbye. (Cries)
Betty’s mum and dad look anxiously at each
other

Betty on her own on the floor – silent (another

day)

Betty (still 8): different day: sitting on the

floor playing on her own – repeat of the
dialogue from when she was 5
Betty’s mum: Are you ok Betty? Shall we go out
for a walk?
Betty: shakes her head
Betty’s mum: Can you use your words Betty
please?
Betty: Can I just carry on doing this please
mum?
Betty’s mum: How was school?
Betty: shrugs
Betty’s mum: words please Betty..
Betty: it was OK.

Betty 18: They were the worst of times

Betty 50: They were the worst of times
Betty 80: They were the worst of times

Transition to Betty at 15 – sitting alone on

tree
Then: Sitting alone on floor with phone
Scrolling, sad,
Betty’s mum: Are you ok Betty? Shall we go out
for a walk?
Betty: shakes her head
Betty’s mum: you’ve got to live your life
Betty. You’re almost 16. You have to shine your
own light. No-one else is going to do that for
you. You have to find what lights you up.
Something must light you up!
Betty: shakes her head
Sitting on tree again: scrolling through phone
and finds an advert to be a coach helper for
gymnastics. Glimmer of interest on face.
Later: text message: ‘Come for a face to face
chat at the gymnastics club’. Is 2 pm Saturday
possible for you?
Reply quickly: Yes, I’ll be there.
Bet: Oh God!

Then series of scenes which show Betty getting

her life back on track. Being happier at home.
Having meals with family, laughing and
coaching.
Betty 18:It wasn’t the best of times, it wasn’t
the worst of times, but it was the age of
wisdom
Betty 45:It wasn’t the best of times, it wasn’t
the worst of times, but it was the age of
wisdom
Betty 80:It wasn’t the best of times, it wasn’t
the worst of times, but it was the age of
wisdom

Transition to Betty 18
College, 18 pictures? Doing well and working
well.
Sitting on the floor and scrolling on Facebook
– coming across Lorna’s picture…
Betty: OMG Lorna!
Messages sent frantically backwards and
forwards
Re-union over Facetime?
Lots of laughing.
Footage intermingled with snippets of Betty
coaching, socialising and gymnastics –
achieving the balanced life.
Also footage of 18 Betty and Lorna on tree; on
bridge; also drinking wine
Betty 18 to Lorna: I’m having the best time!
Betty 50: They were the best of times
Betty 80: They were the best of times

Footage of Betty 50 and husband and Lorna and

husband walking over the bridge in Aberaeron.
Betty 50 to husband: I’m having the best time!
Betty 80: They were the best of times

Footage of Betty 80 and Lorna walking over the

bridge in Aberaeron
Transition:
Betty: It WAS the best of times, it WAS the
worst of times. We survive and grow… isn’t that
what growing up and living is all about?

The End