JOAN. So we can sit in the two towers of our castle, the sun in the sky between us…
MEG. Ah now, I can’t promise you sun. Not every day. There’s usually some nice weather about September, when you’ve given up on there ever being any sun again ever… and that’s nice for ripening the brambles and they’re delicious.
JOAN. And he’ll wave from his tower, and I’ll wave from mine… and sometimes, in the evenings, we’ll meet under the moon in the courtyard below…
MEG. If the wind’s no in the east…
JOAN. And dance all night.
MEG. That’s definitely possible.
JOAN. And eat rowan jelly.
MEG. And bramble jam.
I do love a bit of bramble jam.
JOAN considers again.
So will you do it? Will you marry him?
JOAN. I’m getting old. I’m seventeen already… but I might have a better marriage.
MEG. I don’t know. I heard them talking about convents.
JOAN. And that would kill me.
MEG. It’s not where I want to end my days. Not what I was hoping for when they put me in your service, my lady.
JOAN. Shall I marry him then?
MEG. I can live without figs. I can’t get by without drinking and dancing, not when death comes so soon.
JOAN. Then I’ll do it.
MEG. Aw, then you’ll be my Queen, my lady, all the days I’m alive.
JOAN. Oh, this will be good! When will I meet him?
JAMES enters, he stops dead, staring at JOAN as she turns to face him, transfixed.
Southwark Cathedral
A CHOIR enters, singing. JAMES and JOAN are still facing each other as SERVANTS dress them in lavish wedding clothes. They process up to the altar. JAMES puts the ring on JOAN’s finger and kisses her formally.
Singing over all of this.
Song.
Busy ghost flit to and fro,
Never quiet, you never rest,
Till you go back to where you’re from
The dark was first, it’s your last nest.
Day after day life wraps you up in pain,
If you wear flesh your waking hours are trouble
That grows in sleep, so all your grief is double.
And then you see –
A BISHOP is blessing JOAN and JAMES. They kneel, facing the CONGREGATION.
A white bird and a gilly flower
A white bird and a gilly flower
A white bird and a gilly flower
Wake up! Wake up! Lovers look what I’ve got
Good news, it’s bliss, it’s safe, it’s sure
It’s consolation. Laugh and play and sing
You’re close to such a great adventure,
Look up, it’s love, it’s love, it’s love…
The BISHOP raises his hand in a final blessing. JAMES and JOAN bow their heads in prayer.
The CONGREGATION and the CHOIR file out leaving JAMES and JOAN.
JOAN keeps her head bowed. After a moment JAMES looks over at her.
JAMES. Are you… sorry… are you still…?
JOAN (looking round at him). What?
JAMES. I don’t want to disturb your prayers.
JOAN. Oh no, I’m finished. I was waiting on you.