You shouldn’t have sent two of them. That was just aggravation. Asking for it. You had your answer when the first boy never came home.

He’s grabbed the wine and poured it.

Are you not drinking?

JAMES says nothing, he’s just studying him.

Fuck that, if you’re not drinking I’m off home, either you’ve poisoned the stuff or you’re planning on staying sober enough to stab me. Safe conduct my arse, I’m not safe unless you’re as pissed as I am, drink, will you!

JAMES lets him fill his glass.

And why are you looking at me like that?

He pushes away from the table.

Come on then. Come on.

JAMES. Will, what are you doing?

WILLIAM. You’re after a fight. Come on then.

JAMES. Do I look like I’m after a fight?

WILLIAM. Course you’re after a fight, what’s wrong with you?

JAMES. Man, you came in here under safe conduct! What do you th–

WILLIAM (cuts him off). Aye, so did my big cousins.

Remember?

The nightmare is just coming back at the edge of JAMES’s vision. It is only there for him.

JAMES. You’re my friend. You were a friend to me that night, William, I’ll never forget that.

WILLIAM. Oh I think you will. I think you did, Jamie. You forgot all about it. Didn’t you?

ANNABELLA enters at the other side of the room.

JAMES. Annabella, I told you we needed some peace.

WILLIAM. She can’t keep away from me, can you, Annabella?

ANNABELLA sits down quite a distance from them, watching them.

Crazy as a drunken goose. Who’s going to marry that?

(Calling over.) Sorry, Annabella. I won’t marry you but you can still have a fuck if you like, I know you want it.

JAMES. Alright, shut up, man.

WILLIAM. You ready to fight?

JAMES. No, I’m not ready to fight! What’s wrong with you? Just shut up. Keep your nasty mouth shut.

WILLIAM. Looks to me like you might be thinking of starting that fight.

JAMES. What’s wrong with you!? What’s wrong with you?! Suppose we did fight, you’re in my castle, my men, my family all round me… how do you think that would end?

WILLIAM. You threatening me, Jamie?

JAMES. I’m not threatening you! That’s the bloody point.

I’m making up with you! Trying to. Have you noticed that yet!?

WILLIAM. You think I’m frightened of falling out with you? You think I care about that?

JAMES. No! You don’t! It’s fucking obvious. You’re a defiant fucking hero or whatever you think you are. Why are you here, Will?

WILLIAM. You asked me here.

JAMES. And why did you come?

A beat.

WILLIAM. To let you know.

JAMES. Let me know what?