I'm Forever at your Side

[Gemini16]

A Sam and Andy script.

PART 1

(A car pulls up outside the Mitchell household. Andy and Sam step out. The car drives away.)

Andy: Well, we're back.

Sam: Back to good old Albert Square.

Andy: Couldn't agree more...shall we go inside, Mrs. Hunter?

Sam: Absolutely.

(Andy and Sam kiss. Then Andy sweeps Sam off her feet. Sam shrieks with laughter as Andy carries her over the threshold.)

(A few minutes later.)

Andy: Why do you go and sit down while I make some coffee.

Sam: Okay.

(10 minutes later.)

(Sam suddenly starts coughing badly.)

Andy: Easy..sweetheart, easy...

(Andy gently slaps Sam's back. A few seconds later Sam wipes her watering eyes.)

Andy: You okay?

Sam: Yes, just took a breath too quickly, that's all.

(Andy looks concerned.)

Andy: Sam, that's the 5th coughing fit you've had in the last 2 hours..are you sure you haven't got a bad chest?

Sam: I'm fine.

(That evening.)

(Sam and Andy are dancing and swaying to Donny Osmond's "Puppy Love".)

Andy, (whispering gently in Sam's ear.): I love you so much.

Sam: I love you too...I can't believe we're married!

Andy, (chuckling): Well, believe it! You are now Mrs. Samantha. Hunter!

Sam: It has a lovely ring to it, doesn't it?

(After the song. Andy escorts Sam to the sofa.)

Andy: Listen, why don't I clear up the kitchen then we head up to bed?

Sam: Fine by me.

(Sam places her hand on Andy's cheek then kisses him.)

(Andy clears up the kitchen and checks everything is locked. When Andy goes back into the living room he sees Sam, fast asleep on the sofa.)

(Andy realises how lucky he is to have someone like Sam to love him.)

Andy, (whispering): You're so beautiful, Sam and I'm so lucky to have found you.......you mean the world to me.

(Andy softly kisses Sam's head.)

(Andy picks Sam up, switching off the light as he carries her upstairs.)

[Gemini16]

PART 2

(A few days later.)

(Sam walks into the kitchen in her dressing gown. Andy is making breakfast.)

Sam: Well...to what do I owe this pleasure?

(Andy looks over.)

Andy, (jokingly): Don't be so cheeky!

(Andy gets a little water on his fingers and splashes Sam.)

(Sam wrinkles her nose as she giggles.)

(Sam goes over to Andy and kisses him. Andy wraps his arms round Sam's waist.)

Andy (slightly serious): You know, Sam..you shouldn’t have been so cheeky just now, as I will have to punish you...by (laughing)...tickling you mercilessly!

(Andy starts tickling Sam, she shrieks with laughter as she tries to fend him off.)

Sam, (laughing): Andy! Stop it! Stop it!

Andy, (laughing): Not a chance!

(Andy carries on tickling Sam.)

Sam, (breathless from laughing): Alright, alright! I surrender!

(Andy stops tickling Sam and kisses her lovingly.)

(Sam sniffs.)

Sam: Andy..can you smell something burning?

Andy: No.....oh no, it's the toast!

(Smoke is coming from the toaster, Andy rushes over. Sam laughs hysterically. The burnt slices pop up out of the toaster, Andy catches them. Unfortunately, the slices are so hot Andy burns his fingers.)

Andy: Ow!

(Andy drops the burning slices on the kitchen side.)

Sam, (slightly breathless but still laughing): Are you okay?

(Andy grabs one of Sam's magazines and fans it across the toaster, trying to clear the smoke.)

Andy, (coughing): Yeah, fine.

(A few minutes later.)

(Sam is beside Andy, holding his arm. Andy holds his hand under the tap, letting the cold water wash over his burnt fingers.)

Sam: I love you Andy Hunter...even when you burn the toast!

(Andy looks at Sam then smiles. Andy and Sam kiss softly.)

(Over the other of the Square.)

(A man walks up to Paul Trueman.)

Man: Do you know if Andy Hunter lives round here?

Paul: Yeah he lives at number 31, just over the other side of the Square, with his wife, Sam.

Man: Thanks.

Paul: You family?

Man, (sneakily): No..but you could say I'm...a very good friend of Andy's.

[eithne]

I am delighted at all these new stories you've started. I just hope that you continue them. The Chrissie/Den one is definitley my favourite so far.

[Gemini16]

PART 3

(Andy is ending a phone call as Sam comes down the stairs.)

Andy: Morning, sweetheart.

Sam: Morning.

(As Sam reaches the bottom step Andy takes her in his arms and kisses her.)

Andy: Sleep well?

Sam: Perfectly.

(Sam suddenly falls forward.)

Andy: Whoa! Are you okay?

Sam: Yes, just a bit dizzy.

Andy: Maybe you should sit down.

(Andy sweeps Sam up into his arms and carries her to the sofa.)

Andy: Do you fancy a coffee?

Sam: I'd love one.

(Andy kisses Sam's head.)

(Later that day.)

(Andy has been called away to business.)

(Sam is on the phone to Jane.)

Sam: So, Ian's finally let you have a day off! How do you fancy going into town and do some shopping?......... Great..meet you at The Queen Vic' in about...20 minutes?.....See you then.

(Later.)

(Over at the bookies.)

(The mystery man who spoke to Paul Trueman goes up to the counter.)

Mystery man, (to Pat): Could I have a word with the boss?

Pat: Hang on a minute.

(Pat knocks on Andy's door.)

Andy: Come in...ah, Pat, what can I do for you?

Pat: There's a man outside who wants to have a word with you..his name is Chip Macintyre, he said you'll
know who he is.

(A few minutes later.)

(Chip is in the office.)

Chip: Well, well..Andy Hunter workin' a bookies.

Andy, (annoyed): Look, what do you want? I haven't got time to waste?

(Chip suddenly grabs Andy's lapels and slams him against the wall.)

Chip, (threateningly): You know very well what I'm after, Hunter...the boss said the deadline for payment was Friday and it's Friday so I've just come to collect what's owed....give me the £15000.00 and there won't be any trouble.

(15 minutes later.)

Chip: Pleasure to do business.

(Chip leaves.)

(5:15 that evening.)

(Sam gets back loaded down with shopping bags.)

Sam, (calling out as shuts the door): Andy? Andy?

(Sam's hand flies to her mouth as she gasps in horror.
Andy is lying on the stairs, bruised and battered.)

[Gemini16]

Sorry it's been so long!

PART 4

(Sam rushes to Andy’s side.)

Sam, (stroking Andy’s face): Andy, Andy, babe, can you hear me? It’s Sam.

(Andy coughs.)

Sam: Andy?

(Andy turns his head painfully, his eyes open slightly. Andy smiles as his eyes come into focus and see Sam.)

Sam: Can you move?

Andy, (weakly): I’m not sure.

Sam: Okay, I’ll help you.

(Sam puts her arms around Andy’s shoulders and pulls him gently into sitting position.)

Sam: You look awful, what happened?

Andy: Got on the wrong side of a couple of thugs.

Sam: Does anything feel broken?

Andy: Nothing except my ribs.

Sam: I think we should call a doctor; your head wound looks bad.

Andy: Sam, sweetheart, there’s nothing to worry about, a cup of tea and some paracetamol and I’ll be right as rain.

(Sam did call a doctor in the end, Andy wasn’t too badly hurt, 2 broken ribs and cuts and bruises.)

(2 weeks later.)

(Andy is lying in bed with Sam; suddenly Sam bolts from the bed and runs to the bathroom. A few minutes later she returns.)

Andy: Are you okay?

Sam: Just feeling a bit queasy.

Andy, (worried.): You’re sick?

(Andy tenderly feels Sam’s forehead.)

Andy: You’ve got a bit of a temperature.

Sam: I’m sure it’s nothing.

(2 days later.)

(Sam is feeling really unwell.)

Sam: Ohhh, my head.

Andy: Sweetheart we really should get you to a doctor.

Sam: I’m f.............................

(Suddenly Sam faints Andy catches her.)

Andy, (slightly panicky.): Sam? Sam?

[Gemini16]

Here's the next part. Enjoy!

(Andy has called Dr. Leroy; he has just finished examining Sam and has gone to give Andy the news.)

Andy: Is Sam okay?

Dr. Leroy: Calm down, Mr. Hunter. Your wife merely fainted; she is in good health but a little tired.

Andy: Can I see her?

Dr. Leroy: Certainly, but she needs rest.

Andy: Thank you for coming so quickly, doctor.

Dr. Leroy: It’s my pleasure. I’ll see myself out.

(As Dr. Leroy leaves Andy goes into the bedroom to see Sam. Her head is propped up on pillows, she looks a little pale and tired.)

Andy: Sam, darling.

(Andy sits down on the edge of bed and takes hold of Sam’s hand, then leans in and kisses her cheek.)

Andy: How are you feeling?

Sam: Better, thanks.

Andy: You had me worried there!

Sam: I didn’t mean to worry you, I’m sorry.........you’re not angry are you?

Andy: No. Just promise me you’ll rest a bit more.

Sam: I promise.

(Andy and Sam kiss.)

(A couple of weeks later.)

(Sam is walking past Zoë’s stall.)

Zoe: Morning Sam.

Sam: Morning.

(A wave pain hits Sam, her head pounds as she sways unsteadily. Zoe puts a supporting arm on Sam’s shoulder.)

Zoe: Are you okay?

Sam: Yes, just felt a bit dizzy, I’ll be fine.

Mo: Maybe you’re pregnant!

(Later.)

(Sam is standing, locking the bathroom with a pregnancy test.)

Sam, (reading instructions): 3 minutes until result.

(Sam watches the white stick, twisting her fingers restlessly; every second seems like an hour.)

(The result arrives.........)

[Gemini16]

Sorry it's been so long.

I apolgise if it's short and borning.


PART 6

RECAP: Sam has done a pregnancy test.... is she pregnant?

(Sam is in the kitchen, eating an apple.)

(Andy walks in. He puts his arms around her waist. The couple kiss passionately as Sam wraps her arms around Andy’s neck.)

Sam: Good morning to you, too

(A few minutes later.)

Andy: Would you like a coffee?

Sam: No, thanks.. I’ve got to get off to work

Andy: Sam, try not to work too hard... you know what Dr. Leroy said, you need to let your body recover.

Sam: I promise you I won’t overdo it.

(Sam gently kisses Andy’s nose.)

(That evening.)

Sam: Could we go and sit down? (pause) I’ve got some good news

(They walk in into the living room, and settle on the sofa.)

Andy: So...what’s this good news of yours?

Sam: You’re...going to be a dad.

(Andy doesn’t say anything, he seems almost shocked.)

Sam, (worriedly): Andy, say something...please.

Andy: There’s not much I can say except.....(face breaks into a smile.) it’s absolutely fantastic!

(Andy sweeps Sam off her feet and kisses her. Their eyes alight with happiness.)

Sam: Thank goodness, I wasn’t sure if is was what you wanted for us...so soon I mean.

Andy: As far as I’m concerned....the timing is perfect.

(Andy lightly kisses Sam on the forehead.)