Beneath the Oak

EXT. – A FIELD, DAY

A broad field. A sunny meadow with a few distant trees around the edge and harsh sunlight.
KIRA ruffles through a rucksack. FINLEY is using a pair of binoculars to watch birds wheeling in the sky – it's an idyllic, cloudless blue. The pair sit sprawled on a picnic blanket beneath a large oak tree.

Kira
(looking up from the bag)

Did you pack the sunscreen?

Finley

(distant)
Sorry. Must've slipped my mind.

Kira
(sighs)
Fin, you know I've got sensitive skin.

Finley
(still looking through his binoculars)
I'm sorry. Wasn't on purpose.

Kira
(smiling)
It's fine, I'll just stay in the shade. 

She leans over and kisses his temple. He grins and puts down the binoculars. They wrestle playfully before settling happily under the tree.

Finley
So, what's for lunch?

Kira disentangles herself from him and searches through the bag.

Kira
Okay, so there's a cheese sandwich and two bags of prawn cocktail crisps.

(she holds the two options up, he doesn’t look)

I also got you that coronation chicken Tesco’s wrap you said you liked the other day. It got a bit warm in the bag though, so I hope it's alright.

As she pulls out the plastic wrapping, she eyes it dubiously. ​Finley smiles and grabs it from her. He tucks in immediately. Her empty hand still hangs in the air.

Kira
(shortly)
No problem. 

The two eat in silence for a while. When Finley finishes, he lies back down with his head in Kira's lap. She is surprised but pleased and strokes his hair tentatively.

(beat)

Kira
Being so far out in nature, it really makes you think.

Finley
(not paying much attention, has his eyes closed)
Oh yeah? How so?

Kira
(glances down at him, nervous)
Well, summer is almost over. Some of the leaves are falling already. You can't help but wonder how much longer we're all gonna be here.

Finley
Uh-huh. I guess.

Kira
(gaining confidence)
And if we're only here for so long, shouldn't we enjoy everything life has to offer?

Finley stills, eyes open. But she keeps talking – lost in her own fantasy.

Kira (CONT.)
I know you said you weren't sure about it, but I really think we should have another go. It's nearly been a year, Fin. And I won't be able to forever, y'know? This might be our only chance at a real family...

She trails off as he sits upright, pulling his head straight out from underneath her hands. She seems apprehensive, as though about to be chastised. Her gaze remains on the floor. Neither of them move.

(beat)

Kira (CONT.)
(near-whispering)
Sorry.

Finley still won't look at her. He sits perfectly still, staring at the sky. A bird glides past. Without a backwards glance, he picks up his binoculars and walks after the bird.

CAMERA pans to the field, perpendicular to the way Finley walks, to the falling leaves and trees and early starlings. Still centred on Kira – who watches him recede. The camera stops moving as he leaves the shot. She puts her head in her hands, hiding her face.

END SCENE