Conversations With Friends

FRANCES and BOBBI, best friends (and exes) have the summer before their final year at Trinity College, Dublin, stretching out ahead of them. Frances writes spoken word poetry, and the duo perform in clubs together in the evenings after work. After a gig one night, they meet and befriend Melissa – an impressive and enigmatic writer in her 30s. Melissa takes the girls sea swimming and later they have lunch together in her home where they meet Melissa's husband, NICK – a quiet, somewhat withdrawn actor in his 30s. It's clear that Bobbi and Melissa have chemistry; but Frances finds herself strangely drawn to Nick and the two chat comfortably when Bobbi and Melissa peel away. Solo, Frances goes to see him perform in a play and they begin texting each other – something she keeps from Bobbi, who thinks that Nick is dull. Frances invites Nick to watch her and Bobbi perform. Having drinks after, Nick awkwardly tries to compliment Frances – and jokes that it might be easier to message her, as they won't have to make eye contact…but Frances coyly suggests that maybe they should try anyway...

Frances and Bobbi arrive at Melissa and Nick's idyllic villa in Croatia where they're introduced to their friends Derek and Evelyn. As the group lounge by the sea Bobbi notices Frances staring at Nick and teases her again for having a crush, but Frances brushes it off. Nick takes Bobbi and Frances sightseeing, and they stop at a cove where Bobbi goes for a swim. Alone for the first time, Nick apologises to Frances for how he handled things and admits that it's good to see her. That night, unable to sleep, Frances wanders downstairs and bumpsinto Nick - confirming the chemistry is still strong between them. When Frances ditches Bobbi in favour of hanging around the villa (and Nick) for the day, Bobbi is hurt - and as the group play a drinking game late that night, Bobbi turns her teasing to Nick, which mortifies Frances. But a late-night visit from Nick proves that the two can't stay away from each other.

Melissa's agent, Valerie, who owns the villa, is coming for a visit and Melissa is in full prep mode. Frances joins Nick to set the table for breakfast; they're flirty and easy going - but Frances is thrown when Nick admits he still loves Melissa. Their conversation is cut short when Melissa joins, assigning tasks for the big dinner that night. Bobbi apologises to Frances for the previous night, and jokes that Frances could totally hook up with Nick. Later, while grocery shopping, Nick also apologises to Frances for being so blunt at breakfast – but it's rushed, and she's left still trying to process things. Valerie arrives; it becomes clear that she's a big personality and the energy of the group shifts tangibly around her. When Valerie and Melissa speak casually and, to Frances's mind, unkindly, about Nick's mental health, Frances becomes frustrated and leaves the table in a huff to be on her own. Bobbi joins to calm her down, and they both feel their friendship is back on track. Back at the villa, Valerie has gone to bed and Frances has an awkward conversation with Melissa that compounds her complex feelings about the affair. Later, Frances confides to Nick that she hadn't really considered the repercussions of their actions - but both will be forced to reckon with them sooner than they think.

Frances and Nick reconnect and agree to see each other when he returns from Croatia. Bobbi reveals that she is looking for a place to rent as she is struggling at home with her parent's impending divorce; Frances suggests that she can move into her spare room. On her first night in the flat, Bobbi and Frances warm up to each other again and life seems to be returning to some sort of normality. Frances starts back at college and when Nick arrives home, they start seeing each other again, with Bobbi's blessing. But when Frances and Bobbi bump into Melissa in town, Bobbi is hit with the reality of lying to Melissa and shares her discomfort with Frances. Frances is torn by the secrecy of her relationship with Nick, and when he makes a radical suggestion, she is both excited and scared for the future.

Frances and Bobbi attend Melissa's book launch where Frances is overcome with jealousy as she watches Nick and Melissa together. She tries to use Bobbi to make Nick jealous, and when Bobbi sharply reprimands her, Frances leaves, shocked. Later, Bobbi brings a woman home. Feelings lost and self-destructive Frances joins a dating app. Frances apologises to Bobbi but continues to ignore Nick's texts before going on a Tinder date. Bobbi accepts her apology but still acts a little combative, accidently forcing Frances to reveal her affair to a mutual friend who is more judgemental than Frances expected. Bobbi is understanding - but worriesthat Francesislosing herself. At Nick's, Frances bluntly tells him that she slept with someone from Tinder. Nick is hurt by Frances' behaviour, and they fight. Frances leaves Nick distraught. Back at home, Frances starts writing furiously.

Frances reads over her short story - about Bobbi, and their relationship. She seems like she's exorcised something – though she's still feeling low. Later, when her bank card is declined, she realises that her dad hasn't been putting money in her account - she calls him but there's no answer. An unexpected invite from Valerie leads Frances to impulsively share her short story with her. That night, Frances is again in deep pain and vomits. The next day, a visibly ill Frances collapses on the way to meet Bobbi, who takes her home and cares for her. Conversations With Friends", F. Programme & Programme Synopses, FINAL [April 19th 2022] Vulnerable, Frances admits to Bobbi that she and Nick aren't speaking. Seeing how upset Frances is, Bobbi calls Nick and invites him over. When he arrives, he and Frances speak honestly, and he makes a startling announcement.

Lonely and low, Frances struggles to concentrate in college. When she receives a hard copy of the magazine with her story in it, she calls Melissa and asks her outright why she shared the story with Bobbi. Melissa can't believe that Frances feels that she's been the victim amongst all these events, and challenges her. Although combative at the start, Frances begins to engage with Melissa's perspective, and realises that she needs to take responsibility for the hurtshe's caused. Frances emails Bobbi to say sorry. She triesto explain her actions and why this apology is different and more significant than before. Moved by Frances' honesty, Bobbi comes over and they embark on a new phase in their relationship. Frances' life enters a happier period, but Nick isstill on her mind. She is taken by surprise when Nick accidentally calls her one afternoon while she is shopping for a present for Bobbi. Although the call was unintentional, Frances wants to address what went wrong between them. They start unpacking their feelings - and the question of what the future looks like for them hangs in the air.