大象传媒

In the throes of splitting up from her boyfriend, 29-year-old Charlotte is determined to prove she's not as self-centred as he says she is. She signs up as a volunteer to visit the elderly, expecting to be paired with a frail and needy old lady who's full of gratitude and appreciation for such a selfless act. Instead she meets 82-year-old Lillian, a belligerent and feisty old bat who sees through her in an instant.

Needless to say, they don't get on.

But Charlotte and Lillian's conflicting outlooks on life belie a striking similarity in their personalities. Both are profoundly selfish, self-involved and stubborn. Both are quietly curious about each other - though they'd never dream of admitting it. And both are lonely.

For Charlotte, spending time with Lillian brings certain benefits, and she's keen to maximise them for her 'personal brand'. She starts capturing moments of their time together with her phone's camera - something Lillian quickly takes exception to. She wants full editorial control, along with the final say over any photos. A battle of wills and vanities ensues, but not before each of them has picked up some unforeseen advice from across the generational divide.

Starring Helen Monks as Charlotte and Miriam Margolyes as Lillian.

Written by Holly Walsh and Kat Sommers

Recorded on location.

A Giddy Goat production for 大象传媒 Radio 4, first broadcast in September 2017.