Scene 5 – Marrissa and Eric are sat at opposite ends of the same table from scene 2. Marrissa looks smugly happy, Eric looks miserable and keeps glancing from time to time at the spot that was once filled with Jenny.

Eric: (sadly) I wonder if Jenny is having a good time…

Marrissa: Why of course she is darling. She doesn't want to be stuck her with us, I'm sure she'd much rather be with girls her own age.

(Eric nods sadly)

Marrissa: (brightly) Let's make the most of being on our own! Let's go out! (beat)(she looks directly at him) No let's stay in….(she raises her eyebrow)

Eric: (gets up from his seat, goes over to Marrissa and pats her on the shoulder) Not tonight my dear. I'm feeling weary tonight.

Marrissa: (looks put out) Well then let's just chat about what we can do with all our free time…

Eric: Well…

Marrissa: (changes tactic) Darling remember that darling little women who used to nurse our dearest one?

Eric: Sabrina? (Eric sits down in Jenny's place)

Marrissa: Yes dearest Sabrina (beat) Is she still around?

Eric: You aren't going to try and sack her again are you? She's been with the family a long time.

Marrissa: (laughs) Oh, No, no, no….I just wondered where she is…

Eric: She lives next to the nursery, as she always has….(beat)…..awaiting a new family arrival (he looks wistfully at Marrissa)

Marrissa: (stiffly) Oh really! (then remembers her manners) Well maybe I should pay her a little visit then.

Eric: (looks happy) Marrissa, you didn't tell me the happy news!

Marrissa: (Looks shocked) Er….well darling…..it's early days yet.

Eric: Well in celebration I'll call Sabrina down here!

(Eric exits and Marrissa sits in silence, she then begins talking to the audience)

Marrissa: A right old mess I've got myself into here (beat) But I suppose a fake pregnancy could get me on the right side of dear, old Sabrina! (mock sadness) Oh and how sad Eric will be when I lose the baby….he'll have to buy me all sorts of lovely clothes and jewellery to cheer me up. I'm sure I can pull it off…I suppose I'll only have to play the game for a few months, and no-one will notice in that length of time….

(an old wizened women enters)

Marrissa: Sabrina?

Sabrina: It is I (beat) I hear that you are in need of me at last, although I must say I thought you had a drought for a womb.

Marrissa: Well so did I, but it seems not.

Sabrina: I'd better check you over just to be sure you are pregnant.

Marrissa: (short) What?

Sabrina: Well it would be such a shame for Eric to be tricked.

Marrissa: Why would I/ trick him…

Sabrina: Don't play dumb with me missy. You have Michael, and I know he has told you of my powers and that's the reason for this sudden fit of pregnancy. I forsaw this whole circumstance. But there's one twist you haven't seen coming.

Marrissa: (smugly) Oh really, surprise me.

(Sabrina moves towards her and puts her hand upon Marrissa's stomach)

Sabrina: It is as I forsaw. You really are pregnant. But it isn't a Royal child. It is a descendant of a lowly.

Marrissa: (shocked) Ben?

Sabrina: So I will be needed after all.

(she exits, leaving Marrissa sobbing centre stage)