17/11/2023 - a podcast by BBC Radio 4

Pat knocks at Joy’s door after midnight, asking after Helen. Helen’s still not home and sounded strange on the phone. Joy says Helen’s told her nothing, but Pat knows it’s to do with Rob. Pat insists on going to Rob’s flat, and Joy says in that case she’ll drive. On the way Joy explains how she’s been there before with Helen and Jack, but ends up soothing Pat about the fact Helen didn’t go to her for support instead.

When Rob wakes up in his flat Helen is there. He still wants her to smother him with a pillow, but Helen refuses. She didn’t come to help Rob die. She came for Jack, even though he didn’t want to see Rob in the end. Helen remains calm as Rob gets meaner. He intuits that Helen and Lee are no longer together, and says she’s not a good liar. Unlike you, she replies. Rob’s room reminds Helen of her remand cell. It was horrible there, but still better than being with Rob. Rob tells her once more to end his life, but Helen says he’ll have to do it himself. Rob then throws insults at Helen, saying she caused his tumour. Helen compares Rob to his father, before recalling Rob’s words when he put a knife in her hand. She won’t put him out of his suffering though, he’ll have to wait to die. And then she goes. Outside, Helen hugs Pat and Joy. When Pat asks, Helen confirms Rob is still alive - but they won’t be coming back.

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