[An array of boxes,crumpled paper and bin liners on a table set the scene. Rosie, a woman in her forties, is sealing up a large cardboard box.]

Well, that’s the glasses done and it’s only seven-o-clock. I should be done by ten at this rate.

[Pushes box aside to start another]

And I’m going to be very rash. I refuse to take all my rubbish from one house to another. Where’s that bin liner? I’ll need it for this lot.

[Refers to label on box - ‘miscellaneous’]

Miscellaneous! And we all know what that means! Strange word - mis cell ane e ous - Ancient Greek I should think. I bet old Sophocles didn’t hang about when he was packing. Right let’s see. What have we got here? Two egg coddlers and four Irish coffee glasses....I’d better keep them - you never know when you might need to coddle a couple of eggs! And they’ve got such a lovely design on them - too nice to coddle eggs in really. That’s probably why I didn’t use them .

[Puts them in large box]

Okay, next . Oh no, this has got to go.

[Holding it in hands]

I mean, do I look like a blue glass ash tray sort of person? I detest smoking....

[Shakes head]

Wouldn’t you think people could do a bit more research before buying gifts? Sorry, I sound ungrateful and I don’t mean to.

[Puts ash tray in bin liner and then rummages in box again]

Oh God!

[dramatically]

- if there’s anything worse than a blue glass ash tray

[Holding up object]

- it’s a fucking pink glass ash tray!!

[Puts it in bin liner with the other one
then lift’s out small box labelled ‘childrens gifts’!]

Ahh - where would we be without our children? Don’t you just love the presents they bring you from school trips or on Mothers Day.

[Holds up a small ‘naff’ object]

How could I throw that away and anyway I don’t want to be responsible for causing my children psychological problems through feelings of rejection - I’ll just hang on to them until they’re about twenty-five and married.

[Puts childrens gifts in large box and looks at watch]

Oh dear is that the time already? Come on Rosie get a move on. What else have we got in here?

[Picks out African table cloth]

Yes, I’ll have that.

[Puts it in box and picks out African carving]

Yes, I’ll have that!

[Puts it in box and picks out African mask]

Oh yes, I’ll have that.

[Holds up mask to face, then moves it away]

Mmmmmm....memories of Africa.

[Stands still and stares for a moment]

The heat the colours; the richness.

[Realises she’s day-dreaming]

Get on with it.

[Goes back to box, digs deep and brings out a dish]

One large serving dish - no - it’s got a crack in it and I’m having nothing chipped or cracked in that new house.

[Puts it in bin liner and reaches into box again]

Nearly finished - oh...I know what this is.

[Picks out wrapped parcel and takes deep breath]

Aunt Mary’s coffee pot, I did love her. I just couldn’t bear to make coffee in this. Anyway - I might break it. It’s so delicate.

[Opens wrapper and lifts lid gently peering more closely inside]

What on Earth? Oh God!

[Pulls out old letter, sighs heavily and looks serious]

So that’s where I put it.

[Opens letter slowly and reads aloud]

"My darling Katya, you are the only woman I have ever loved. I want to be with you always and can’t wait until we are together. I’m not in love with Rosie, I’m in love with you. Remember that. All my love, Bill."

[Silence]

It didn’t last. She went the same way as Maria and Anne and......but it was the first time I saw it written down.

[Silence - half-smile]

It doesn’t hurt so much. Time has mellowed it like Aunt Mary’s coffee. Now it can go where pink glass fucking ash trays go.

[Rips letter up into little pieces and lets it fall slowly into bin liner]

I don’t want anything chipped or broken anymore.

[Man's voice calls "Rosie are you nearly finished there?"]

Rosie: Yes Bill, coming.