inserting a nonbreaking space in inDesign

[richardhb]

I don't seem to be able to do this.
inDesign recognises "nonbreaking space" but if I try, say:

set tempbox to make text frame with properties {geometric bounds:{20, 0, 144, 504}, color:"none", name:"first", wrap:none, contents:"stuff" & nonbreaking space & "other stuff"}

the nonbreaking space with come in as "stuffnonbreaking spaceother stuff".
tia
rhb