JOHN. Oh, I think you know what I’m talking about.

(Looking round him.) Have you got anything to drink in here?

ANNABELLA enters moving fast. She glares at him. She gathers up a bottle and gives him another glare as she exits. Water’s fine.

As MARGARET still doesn’t respond.

Or not. I’m fine.

MARGARET. Have you any other business here?

JOHN. Why do you defend him? Why do you help him?

MARGARET. Why don’t you? You’re a God-fearing man, aren’t you? You’ve kneeled in the church and sworn to protect your King, haven’t you? What’s your word worth? What’s your promise worth, my lord?

JOHN. You tell me. Looks like you’re the one juggling all the figures.

MARGARET. I just help where I’m needed.

And there’s not much money here to count. So it’s easy.

JOHN. Maybe you could sell a necklace or two. Help us out.

MARGARET touches her throat defensively.

Not that one. That one suits you too well.

A beat.

What does he say about me?

MARGARET. Who?

JOHN. The King.

MARGARET. He says you’ve got no sense of humour.

JOHN. He’s wrong about that.

MARGARET. So tell me a joke.

JOHN. James Stewart is King of Scotland.

MARGARET. That’s not funny.

JOHN. No, it’s not.

What else does he say?

MARGARET. Why would I tell you what my husband says?

JOHN. Is he your husband? We’re none of us very sure about that.

A beat.

This whole nation is like a house a few of us are trying to hold together with our bare hands. The weather’s getting in… the door can’t hold its lock… and there’s a stormy night coming.

MARGARET. Yes.

JOHN. If he’s going to have favourites he needs to pick them better and give them less. It’s like he’s making a game of us all. Dancing about with some laundry maid in public when he won’t even come out to talk to his councillors. Do you know what I mean?

MARGARET. Yes.

JOHN. Can’t you do anything about it?

MARGARET. I’m trying.

JOHN. Well… I suppose that’s something.

He gets ready to leave.

You look better here, in your own room.

MARGARET. Better than what?

JOHN. You look good.

You look like a queen.

You look like a bonny flower, a Marguerite, turning up to find the sun.

A beat.

MARGARET. Why would you say that?

JOHN. Because it’s true.

You should always tell folk what your eyes see, it’s important.

See, I can’t do jokes but I can do compliments.

JOHN exits. After a moment, MARGARET follows.

The Garden, Early Morning

A riot of roses. JAMES stands alone in the garden, looking at the roses in the early light.

His CHOIR begin to sing a capella, a haunting and beautiful song.