BERT is at the table, wearing a cap, a magazine propped in front of him. ROSE is at the stove.

ROSE: Here you are. This’ll keep the cold out.

She places bacon and eggs on a plate, turns off the gas and takes the plate to the table.

It’s very cold out, I can tell you. It’s murder.

She returns to the stove and pours water from the kettle into the teapot, turns off the gas and brings the teapot to the table, pours salt and sauce on the plate and cuts two slices of bread

BERT begins to eat.

That’s right. You eat that. You’ll need it. You can feel it in here. Still, the room keeps warm. It’s better than the basement, anyway.

She butters the bread.

I don’t know how they live down there. It’s asking for trouble. Go on. Eat it up. It’ll do you good.

She goes to the sink, wipes a cup and saucer and brings them to the table.

If you want to go out you might as well have something inside you. Because you’ll feel it when you get out.

She pours milk into the cup.

Just now I looked out of the window. It was enough for me. There wasn’t a soul about.

Can you hear the wind?

She sits in the rocking –chair.

I’ve never seen who it is. Who is it? Who lives down there? I’ll have to ask. I mean, you might as well know, Bert. But whoever it is, it can’t be too cosy.

Pause

I think it’s changed hands since I was last there. I didn’t see who moved in then. I mean the first time it was taken.

Pause

Anyway, I think they’ve gone now.

Pause

But I think someone else has gone in now. I wouldn’t like to live in that basement. Did you ever see the walls? They were running . This is all right for me. Go on, Bert. Have a bit more bread.

She goes to the table and cuts a slice of bread.

I’ll have some cocoa on when you come back.

She goes to the window and settles the curtain.

No, this room’s all right for me. I mean, you know where you are. When it’s cold, for instance.