MARGARET. I can’t say I’ve ever studied it that closely.

JAMES. Well, you should. When were we last together?

MARGARET. Two months ago. Nice to know it was memorable.

JAMES. Two months is an eternity. It’s been so long I’ve forgotten. It’ll be like the first time all over again.

MARGARET. You’re a bastard, James.

JAMES. But you missed me.

MARGARET. I don’t even like you.

JAMES. I don’t care.

He kisses her.

JAMIE and ROSS are back. JAMIE is holding a piece of paper.

MARGARET gently pushes JAMES off her, indicating the boys.

MARGARET. Jamie’s written a poem for you.

JAMES (surprised). Has he?

MARGARET. It’s beautiful.

(Coaxing JAMIE.) Show him, Jamie! Go on.

Shyly JAMIE offers the poem to his father. JAMES looks at it.

JAMES. You wrote this yourself?

JAMIE. Yes.

MARGARET. It took him weeks.

JAMES (reading). This isn’t for me. It’s about your mother.

(To MARGARET.) It’s for you.

MARGARET. Yes, but…

You inspired him.

JAMES. How do you make that out?

MARGARET. You…

But you love poetry. That’s why he wrote a poem! To please you! You’re always talking about the poets you love, the work you’re sponsoring…

JAMES (interrupting). Aye, but I don’t make an arse of myself writing the stuff, do I? And I tell you, if I did, I’d do better than this adolescent pap.

(Showing her line.) Look at that! Look! Doesn’t even scan.

He throws the poem back at JAMIE.

You leave poetry alone till your balls have dropped or till you can buy some decent lines.

JAMIE picks up his poem and exits.

(To ROSS.) Well, what are you hanging about for? Have you got a sonnet you want to assault me with as well?

ROSS. No.

JAMES. No. Good boy. I like you. Go and find yourself something sticky and indigestible.

JAMES gives ROSS a coin. ROSS takes it and exits.

MARGARET is settling the baby by ANNABELLA and getting up.

I’ll see you upstairs in a minute.

MARGARET. I’m not coming with you, James, I’m going after Jamie. You’ve upset him.

JAMES. How can you make me wait after two months apart? Margaret, I need you.

A pause. JAMES kisses MARGARET.

Good, I’ll see you up there.

He exits. MARGARET looks at ANNABELLA and PHEMY.

ANNABELLA. The wee man’s safe with us.

PHEMY. If it’s the way you’re feeling, it’s the way you’re feeling.

MARGARET. I hate the way I’m feeling. I hate it.

ANNABELLA. Oh, I’ve been there. I have.

MARGARET exits.

PHEMY starts to sing.

Robin sat on a good green hill

His sheep all he could see

Merry Makyne said him till

‘Robin please pity me

For I hae loved you loud and still

These years two or three,

I’ve loved in secret noo if you will