Charlotte and Lillian are back, spending time together as part of a Befriend the Elderly scheme.

They may bicker about everything from signs of dementia to the appeal of Harry Styles, but underneath it’s clear they are two kindred spirits. Two selfish, self-absorbed spirits, but ones who mirror and rely on each other nonetheless.

Very nearly 30, Charlotte is still living at home with her parents and chronically unable to figure out what to do with her life. Beneath her attempt at do-gooding is barely disguised despair. She's terrified she is no good. Useless. Unloveable. She looks to Lillian to provide some meaning to her life - if she can help to improve Lillian’s life somehow, she’d feel a lot better about her own. And there’s all the kudos and social media likes that come with charity work - not to mention the lure of Lillian's large spare room.

Charlotte is forced to intervene when Lillian gets in too deep with a group from the local church with a suspicious – and all-too familiar – agenda.

When Lillian’s new friends turn up at the door, she and Charlotte hide. Until they’re caught red-handed, that is.

Lillian realises there’s nothing for it but to claim Charlotte is holding her hostage.

Charlotte …… Helen Monks
Lillian …… Miriam Margolyes

Written by: Kat Sommers and Holly Walsh

Producer: Lucy Armitage

A Giddy Goat production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2019. Show less