King Henry calls us into the Privy Chamber for an urgent Privy Council meeting. "It has come to my attention," he begins, "that there are rumours surrounding the Queen and some of her household."
I glance at the Boleyns, but their gaze remains firmly fixed on the King. Cromwell has a smug look on his face. He caused this, and I will make him regret it. But would Cromwell do this without the King's consent?

Yes, he would. He would've had me arrested and executed if the King hadn't discovered it. Cromwell is behind everything, and I will do everything I can to bring him down before 1539. Is that possible? I guess I will find out.

"Richard Rich and Thomas Cromwell will lead the investigation," King Henry adds. "Mistress Smith-White, you are to investigate Catalina."

Me? I'm investigating one of my best friends? I need to warn Catalina and Anne! They must know that this is happening. When the meeting ends, I calmly walk out of the room but break into a run once I'm out of King Henry's sight. If I am questioning Catalina, I could make it better for her. Maybe I can... my thoughts trail off, and I slow to a walk. Catalina dies on the 19th of May. I cannot change that. However, there must be something I can do.

I walk into the queen's chambers, and curtsey to Anne. "Your Majesty, I must speak to the Dowager Princess alone. It is a matter of great urgency."
Anne looks up and nods. "However, I must first ask you. Is it due to some of my household disappearing?"
"How do you know about that?"
"Mark Smeaton has disappeared."

Mark Smeaton. I recognise the name, but how? "You might have heard him playing music here during the last few months."
"I must confess, Your Majesty, that I have not been around often enough to—" I cut myself off. Mark Smeaton is one of the accused!
"I see. Well, I will let you speak to the Dowager Princess in my bedchamber, and I will ensure that no one disturbs you."

Catalina and I walk into Anne's bedchamber. "What is it you need to talk to me about?"
"Catalina, King Henry has begun an investigation into Anne's conduct while she was Queen."
"Everyone knows that she was on the run for most of her reign."
I sit down on the bed. "This is more worrying. He's looking into people she may have committed adultery with, and he asked me to question you."
Catalina walks to the window. "I should have realised. It's May, and Anne's going to die."
"Yeah." My voice shakes, and tears stream down my cheeks. I can't bring myself to say more.
"But why is he asking you to question me? Unless..." Her voice trails off. "Does he know about Anne and me?"
"I don't know. I'm sorry, Catalina, I wish I could help more."
"You helped enough." She walks over to me and takes my hand. "We do not blame you for what happened. Anne will say the same thing."
"Are you sure?"
Catalina nods. "Now, what is it King Henry needs to know?"
"I'm thinking it's more Master Cromwell behind this."

Catalina lets my hand go. "Either way, I will tell the King whatever he needs to know."
"He is investigating the relationships Anne has between some of the men in her household or those close to the king."
"Does he suspect me?"
"I don't know. He told me to investigate you, so he might."

Catalina nods. "Then you are to give him something for the courtiers to talk about. My links to the Spanish Royal Family will protect me from him." She sits on the bed again. "Queen Anne and I have been having an affair since she returned to Court."
"Oh, hang on, I need to get this down." I find a desk and some parchment and a quill and ink bottle and write it down. "I will need specific details, I'm afraid. Where were you? What was the date? That sort of thing."

Catalina begins giving me the dates and places. "It was all while you were away from Court."
"I can see that." I look at the dates and places again. "I will need to take this to the King." I wait for the ink to dry before I fold up the parchment. "Thank you for your honesty, Catalina."
Catalina grabs my sleeve before I leave. "Emma, please, tell me the truth. Will your evidence get Anne killed?"
I look away from Catalina. "I do not know if it will be my evidence or not." I pull my arm away and walk out of the room.

The Council Chamber is one of the few rooms where the walls aren't decorated in wood panelling, tapestries, or silk. The walls are made of stone, and the furniture is mahogany wood. King Henry is already present with Richard Rich and Thomas Cromwell. "Your Majesty," I curtsey. "I have evidence from Catherine of Aragon." I pass him the parchment, and he opens it.
"Then we will begin arranging for her stay in the Tower. Mistress Smith-White, will you serve Catalina during this time?"

I stop breathing. "Pardon?"
"I want Catalina's friends to serve her while she is in the Tower. Since she is related to the Emperor, we cannot touch her. As such, I want to ensure her stay will be as comfortable as possible."
"What about the Queen?"

King Henry jumps out of his seat, but moans when he puts pressure on his bad leg. "I will have my supporters watch her. Queen Anne is no longer your concern."
"All your wives are my concern."
King Henry sits back down. "Sarah Jane is also on the list. She may bring a friend."

It feels like an eternity passes before I leave the Council Chamber. It is the 1st of May tomorrow. Everything is changing so fast.

There is nothing I can do to save anyone.

Tears well up in my eyes and spill down my cheeks. I bury my head in my hands and howl.