MARY. If I do die I will wait for you at the gate of heaven. But of course you will miss me. Your heart will break. Ça c’est sur. So you should think of that. Of what it means to be my King.

JAMES. Shhhh!

The Bishop’s frowning at us.

ANNABELLA is now listening intently.

MARY. I did not talk while he prayed. Et en plus… I am his Queen you are his King.

JAMES. He’s one of my advisers. I don’t want to…

MARY (interrupting). What? Why are you so afraid of all these old men who order you about?

JAMES. I’m not afraid of them, I just…

MARY. This is your kingdom! You do not need advisers to be King. You are King.

JAMES. Aye but…

I’m young yet. I don’t need to be bothered with all that… MARY (mutters). Mon Dieu.

JAMES. What? No, what?

She shrugs.

I’ll come into my power soon. You’ll see. One day soon.

MARY. Well, I hope this day comes before the baby.

JAMES. What baby?

MARY. Nom de Dieu, are you a baby still?

JAMES. You’re…

Are you…?

MARY. What did you expect?

JAMES. Oh my God!

Everyone turns to look.

MARY. Careful. All your advisers will scold you for being so noisy.

JAMES. But… Mary, that’s…

MARY (cutting him off again). So when the day comes that you are really the King, tell me. My son will be a prince. His father should be a king. I do not want to die before I see this.

A huge surge of music, triumphant.

Castle Courtyard

LIVINGSTON. Your King’s coming in! The King’s coming in!

The chant and reprise as in James I. The MUSICIANS have got closer and closer to LIVINGSTON on this chant, at the final shout, as if they’re doing a trick, they suddenly have weapons in their hands, pointing at LIVINGSTON’s throat.

A silence.

CRICHTON moves slowly in on LIVINGSTON.

Aye, very funny, very funny. Enough of the jokes, the King needs…

CRICHTON. This is no joke. We’re arresting you.

LIVINGSTON. Arresting me! For what?

CRICHTON. You’ve stolen the King’s wealth long enough.

LIVINGSTON. Crichton, the King has seen all the tricks and jokes he needs to for Holy Innocents’ Day. Balvenie! Tell them!

BALVENIE. This is no trick. I can’t help you, Livingston, sorry. Not my place to meddle in the King’s business.

LIVINGSTON. The King’s business!? The King’s business!? What does any man here know about that if I don’t?

CRICHTON. Out of his own mouth.

LIVINGSTON. Balvenie! Get the crown officers!

CRICHTON. What makes you think Douglas would stand with you? You’re a dusty wee owl trying to roost wi peacocks, Livingston, but we’re plucking your feathers the day.

LIVINGSTON. Balvenie!?

BALVENIE. The thing is… no one likes you, Livingston. You made too many enemies. And now you stand alone.