MURDAC. It stays here.

ISABELLA (showing him). That’s mud off my boots, look, here on the cloth.

MURDAC. It belongs here.

ISABELLA. You want me to leave them this?

MURDAC. Yes.

ISABELLA. My muddy footstool?

MURDAC. Yes.

ISABELLA. I suppose you want me to clean it for them too?

MURDAC. No, just put it back.

ISABELLA. Alright. If that’s how we’re doing things. If we’re worried that they’re going to count the furnishings.

She throws it down, a bit rough.

Ooops.

MURDAC. You’re an oath-breaker.

ISABELLA. What did you call me?

WALTER sucks in his breath. The brothers are enjoying this hugely.

MURDAC. Were you with me when the families met?

Do you remember what was agreed?

ISABELLA. Are you going to keep asking me questions when we both know the answers?

MURDAC. Did you put your hand on mine and agree, before all the other families, that we’d step away from the throne, and all that belongs to the crown, when England sent the little King home?

ISABELLA. Yes. And now I’ve changed my mind about the silver.

MURDAC. Then you’re an oath-breaker.

ALISDAIR. Fair point.

BIG JAMES. That’s true enough, Mother, a promise is a promise.

MURDAC. Put the silver back, boys.

They start to do so.

We don’t need the royal treasure. We’ve got our own. We’re rich and we’re none of us dead. God loves this family. Put the silver back.

ISABELLA snatches silver away from WALTER.

ISABELLA. That’s my spoon.

MURDAC. It is not your spoon.

ISABELLA. It is my silver spoon and it’s out of my mouth.

MURDAC. It’s got the Scottish royal crest on it.

ISABELLA. It’s got my teeth marks in it.

WALTER shows BIG JAMES. They nod.

BIG JAMES. She’s right.

WALTER. I’d say anything we’ve had our teeth in we couldny let go.

ISABELLA. So we’ll be having that and these plates and the bloody footstool. Get it, Walter.

BIG JAMES is absorbed with the spoon. WALTER squares up to his father. MURDAC knocks him down and whacks BIG JAMES’s sword away before BIG JAMES realises what’s going on. ALISDAIR is already holding up his hands in surrender, laughing.

ALISDAIR. You’re still the big man! We’re doing it! Look! We’re doing it!

He starts clearing up. BIG JAMES and WALTER join in, BIG JAMES enthusiastic, WALTER sullen.

BIG JAMES. Here’s to you, Father! No way we could kill you yet, is there?

(Looks to his brothers for agreement.) No way!

ALISDAIR. None. He’s still got it. For sure.

WALTER. He’s near broken my bloody wrist.

ALISDAIR cuffs him.

ALISDAIR. Ach, stop your grietin, get faster, get stronger, go for his belly next time.

MURDAC. Back here as soon as you see the procession coming in the gate. And on your best behaviour, mind.

ALISDAIR. We’re always on our best behaviour, Father. Don’t you know that?

MURDAC is watching them exit with their loot and all their mess. He doesn’t notice ISABELLA creeping up to attack him until she’s right on him. They’re evenly matched. But MURDAC finds an advantage. He disarms her and pins her.