Big Winners: Play For Today | Preview (5)

Edith and Arthur Thistle have never lived lavishly - they've always scraped by. But one evening, after Edith has made Arthur's tea, she comes in to find Arthur sat open-mouthed, staring at numbers on a TV screen. Lottery numbers. They've won. 14 million pounds.

Arthur, like a Lancashire Grandpa Joe, springs to his feet and begins reeling off all the ways they can spend the money. He talks of holidays, houses, cars, food. It’s all there for the taking. Arthur monologues like a steam train until Edith stops him in his tracks with a gently uttered wish of her own, a wish that stops their world in its tracks. Arthur looks at Edith, aghast. Edith looks at Arthur, surprised herself. But she can’t unsay it now.

And just like that, over an hour in real time, 53 years of suppressed emotions come crashing to the surface. Edith’s frustrations; opportunities, the lack of love, the silent regrets, the years of unspoken dreams; are all laid bare. Arthur’s inability to move forward, his emotional unavailability, the missed chances for real connection and adventure; it all spills out.

They enter into a fierce confrontation, with each blow landing harder than the last. As Arthur puts it, “We’ve got maybe six years left. Collectively!”

But after half a century of living with a distinct lack of hope, Edith’s not giving up on the future she’d always dreamed of. With every accusation and home-truth swung, her grip gets tighter and tighter on the winning ticket.

Play For Today continues Thursdays at 9pm on 5.