“Julia has always needed company” from the film “Nowhere Boy.” Mimi tells the story of John’s birth. 2-3 min.
MIMI: Julia has always needed company. Do you understand what I mean by company? She found it with a young soldier whilst your father was away. You have another sister, Victoria. The Salvation Army took her. Then after that, she, your… mother… decides to shack up with her fancy-man, Bobby. Still married to your father I might add… and then raise you like that was normal, like that was… acceptable?
Even when your father came home to save their marriage it made no difference. She told him to get lost. Surprise surprise…. But he wasn’t going that easily. Alf. Was he, Julia? Feel free to join the conversation. (pause) No. Didn’t think so. You were staying here when Alf turned up out of the blue. Said he wanted to take you into Liverpool for the day – shopping. (pause) He took you to Blackpool instead. We hadn’t a clue where he’d taken you. I was distraught. Luckily The Seaman’s Mission had an address for a brother in Blackpool. So we went to get you, bring you back.
Alf wouldn’t let me in. He said this was between him and your Mother. As Alf pleaded. Again it was of no use… was it, Julia? (pause) But what to do with you? So, knowing Alf was planning to take you to New Zealand. And knowing she would probably never see you again… That’s when I ‘stole’ you. And if that’s stealing then… I’m a thief.
