Episode 02

Mei: Hello, Mum and Dad. How are you both? I'm sorry for not writing before, but I'm trying to organise my new flat and the furniture before I start work. My new flat is nice. I'm not sure about the neighbours though. I met one called Milton. The first day he didn't have his key and I thought he was a ... a burglar, which was embarrassing. Then yesterday ...

Milton: Mei? Hello? Are you in there? It's Milton.

Mei: Hello.

Milton: Um, everything OK?

Mei: Yes, everything's OK. Thank you.

Milton: Um, I'm just going out. I'm going to work and I was wondering, well, if you could do me a favour. You know, after what happened before with the keys and climbing through the window and everything ...

Mei: You want to climb through my window again?

Milton: No! I don't want to do that again – ever. Which is why I want to ask you a favour. Do you think you could keep a spare key for me?

Mei: Keep a spare key for you?

Milton: Yeah, in case I forget mine again. Like I said, I used to leave one with Carolina downstairs, but she's gone away – and I've got such a terrible memory. I work evenings, so you'll probably be in when I get home. Would that be OK?

Mei: Uh, no, I don't think so. I don't want to have your key.

Milton: Oh. Oh, OK. Why not?

Mei: I don't think it's a good idea. You need to remember your keys. Every day.

Milton: Well, yes ...

Mei: Put a – what do you call it? – a thing like this, where you hang your coat ...

Milton: A hook?

Mei: Put a hook on the door, just by the lock, with your keys. Then you won't forget.

Milton: Well, yes, OK, that's a good idea. I just have to remember to put the keys on the hook ...

Mei: That's what he said. Really! I can be a good neighbour, but I'm not his mother. But then afterwards I started to feel a bit sorry. Maybe I was too hard. And then this morning ...

Milton: Mei? Hello? Are you in there? It's Milton.

Mei: Hello.

Milton: Hello. Are you OK?

Mei: Yes, thank you. I'm fine.

Milton: I haven't got any milk. I forgot to get any on Saturday. So I was wondering if, do you think you could ...?

Mei: You want me to give you some milk?

Milton: Lend, lend, not give. Just a bit. Enough to put in my coffee.

Mei: I can't. I don't have any milk.

Milton: Oh.

Mei: Really. I'm sorry. I don't want to be a bad neighbour, but I don't have any milk.

Milton: Oh, that's OK. You're not a bad neighbour. How's the new flat?

Mei: It's very nice. It's very big for one person. It's nothing like where I used to live in Beijing.

Milton: There are three of us in our flat. My room's the smallest one – like a cupboard. It's tiny, but it's cheap. I like sharing actually – I like being with other people. You never get lonely.

Mei: Mmm.

Milton: Have you got any friends in London?

Mei: No.

Milton: Family?

Mei: No. But that's OK. I've got a good job and that's why I'm here ...

Mei: And it's true – I'm here to work. I miss you all, but I'm OK. You know I can look after myself so don't worry about me. Give my love to Jiang and tell her I've still got the jade frog she gave me. I carry it with me all the time. I'll write again soon. All my love, Mei.