Scene: Hawthorns’ house (Dan Rayner)

Jonathan, wrapped in a blanket, looks out of the window, cursing the blizzard. Lucy watches him.

LUCY: A watched pot never boils, y’know.

JONATHAN: I beg your pardon?

LUCY: The blizzard. It’s not going to stop anytime soon; if anything it’ll get worse before it gets better. You’re   lucky you found us when you did.

Pause.

LUCY: Oh, here’s your cocoa. Should warm you up.

JONATHAN: Thanks.

Pause

LUCY: So… where were you going?

JONATHAN: Huh?

LUCY: (Rolls her eyes) I think the cold has made your brain numb. I asked where you were going before the snow got worse.

JONATHAN: To a party.

LUCY: I see, I see. Hence the smart get-up. You look very handsome.

Pause

JONATHAN: Thanks.

LUCY: Trying to impress someone, were you?

JONATHAN: Maybe.

LUCY: A girl?

JONATHAN: (Sighs) Yes.

LUCY: A girlfriend?

JONATHAN: No!

LUCY: What’s her name?

JONATHAN: Mary. Her name’s Mary.

LUCY: How very festive.

Jonathan cracks a smile

LUCY: Ah! He’s beginning to thaw! …How’s the cocoa?

JONATHAN: It’s nice, thank you.

LUCY: That’s alright. …I’m Lucy, by the way.

JONATHAN: Jonathan.

LUCY: Well, Jonathan, it’s nice to meet you. Can I call you John? Like John Lennon.

JONATHAN: If you like.

LUCY: Do you like The Beatles?

JONATHAN: I don’t know. I don’t really listen to music.

LUCY: Well, I do. I saw them in London.

JONATHAN: I’ve never been to London. What’s it like?

LUCY: Very big. Very exciting. Full of new experiences.

JONATHAN: Hm.

LUCY: So, this Mary. You like her, do you?

JONATHAN: Of course I do, I wouldn’t be going to her party if I didn’t

LUCY: You know what I mean.

Jonathan looks at her blankly, while she looks knowingly back

JONATHAN: Oh, um, I suppose. I don’t know.

LUCY: Have you ever stepped out with a girl before?

JONATHAN: You’re very forward, aren’t you.

LUCY: I try to be. …Well, have you?

JONATHAN: I’m not going to answer that.

LUCY: I assume not then.

JONATHAN: Well… have you?

LUCY: Yes, of course I have!

JONATHAN: Oh.

LUCY: Have you ever kissed a girl before?

JONATHAN: Yes.

LUCY: Who?

JONATHAN: …my mum.

LUCY: That obviously doesn’t count.

Pause. Jonathan goes back to look out of the window.

JONATHAN: Thanks for the drink.

LUCY: I hope it’s warmed you up inside.

JONATHAN: A bit. This is quite a cold house.

LUCY: I’m feeling a bit chilly as well. Mind if I came inside that blanket too? We can share our heat.

She does so before Jonathan can answer.

LUCY: I think the snow is really rather beautiful. The way it flattens everything out, makes everything look so new and simple.Like a piece of paper waiting for words. What do you think?

JONATHAN: I think it’s inconvenient. It cuts everyone off from each other.

LUCY: But it also brings people together.

JONATHAN: I suppose.

LUCY: Do you think I’m beautiful?

JONATHAN: Pardon?

LUCY: Do you think I’m beautiful?

JONATHAN: I’ve only just met you.

LUCY: That doesn’t stop you having an opinion.

JONATHAN: You’re… alright.

LUCY: Alright?! Aren’t you a little Romeo. Mary’s a lucky lady.

Jonathon gives Lucy a brooding look

LUCY: I know what’ll cheer you up. We go to my room and listen to my records. Should be a new experience   for you.There’s more blankets there too. We could curl up in bed and keep warm.

JONATHAN: I was really looking forward to that party.

LUCY: (Snaps) Well, you’re stuck here now, so you may as well enjoy yourself.

Awkward pause

LUCY: Sorry.

She gives Jonathon a little kiss on the cheek. He goes a bit red, which makes Lucy giggle.

LUCY: Come on Romeo, let’s warm you up properly.

Lucy guides Jonathan off to her room

Later… (Mark Beeson)

In Mary and Anthony talking

Mary keeps looking towards the window

ANTHONY: So anyway, I replied that I had always wanted to go to Cambridge because of Hereward the Wake…

MARY: Is he a lecturer or something?

ANTHONY: No! Hereward was a Saxon who led a band of outlaws against the Normans and hid in the fens.

MARY: Oh.

ANTHONY: He had his stronghold on the Isle of Ely, from where he and his men plundered the Abbey at Peterborough. Anyway, Professor Jacques told me that his speciality was Saxon resistance to the Norman Conquest between the years 1066 and 1087 with special reference to Hereward. He then started talking about skating on the fens, and I knew the interview was in the bag, especially since they’d told me they were looking to admit more grammar school students….You’re not listening to me, are you Mary?

MARY: Of course I am. What makes you say that?

ANTHONY: Your eyes are wandering.

MARY: I was just watching the snow.

ANTHONY: Isn’t it wonderful? It’s so delicate and beautiful.

MARY: I wish it would stop. I hate it.

ANTHONY: It’s so delicate and beautiful…

MARY: (Interrupting) And cold!

ANTHONY: (Unable to stop himself in mid phrase)…like you…

Pause

MARY: I beg your pardon. Are you calling me cold?

ANTHONY: I meant you’re delicate and beautiful…

MARY: Let’s get this straight, Anthony. I said cold and you said ‘like you’. I think that means you were accusing me of being cold.

ANTHONY: No. No. I mean…you interrupted me…I didn’t mean…

MARY: You were comparing me to snow and snow is cold.

ANTHONY: Why do you insist on willfully misinterpreting me? I don’t understand.

MARY: Can we change the subject please?

Awkward silence

ANTHONY: Mary, I…sort of…well almost…love you…I mean I would…like you if you liked me…

Awkward silence. Mary glares at Anthony

MARY: (Ignoring Anthony’s declaration) I wonder what’s happened to Jonathan. He should be here by now.

ANTHONY: I thought the Sidwells weren’t coming.

MARY: They’re not, but Jonathan’s decided to walk across the common.

ANTHONY: Maybe he’s decided to turn back because of the snow.

MARY: Jonathan wouldn’t turn back. Of course he wouldn’t. Do you really think it’s that bad out there?

ANTHONY: No. No, of course not. Not bad enough to make him turn back at any rate.

MARY: That’s a relief.

ANTHONY: But….

MARY: But what?

ANTHONY: Anyone can get into trouble in the cold, especially in a wild place like Dartmoor.

In Ken

KEN: Very true, young Anthony.

ANTHONY: Mr Hawthorn, I didn’t see you there.

KEN: You know when I was working in the Yukon, they used to say that you shouldn’t try to walk more than three hundred yards with your feet wet in cold weather without lighting a fire, or you’d be a gonna.

ANTHONY: And of course there’s a lot of boggy ground on Dartmoor.

MARY: Oh, Jonathan!

KEN: Have I said something wrong?

ANTHONY: Mary’s worried about her friend Jonathan. He’s decided to walk through the blizzard to reach the party.

KEN: He’ll be fine, Mary. You might call this a blizzard in England, but in the Yukon it would hardly pass muster as a snow flurry.

LORNA: You say that, Ken.  Beryl’s husband works on the railways and he rang her this afternoon to say it’s very bad over Lydford way. There’s a passenger train buried apparently. They’ve got the gangs up there digging them out.

In Miranda and Rosie

MIRANDA: Ah, there you are. Anthony, come through into the other room and tell us all about the interview at Cambridge.

MARY: Mother, Anthony and I were talking.

MIRANDA: Oh I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you. Another time…

ANTHONY: No, no, no, it’s quite alright. Our conversation was..um …finished. I’d be delighted to tell everyone about the interview.

Out Anthony

In Lorna

MIRANDA: Such a nice boy and so clever. Are you coming, Ken?

KEN: Yes, of course. Now don’t you worry about Jonathan, Mary – I’ll go out and rescue him myself if needs be.

LORNA: Don’t be ridiculous Ken. The cold would finish your heart off in no time.

MIRANDA: And why should Mary be worrying about Jonathan. I’m sure he’s been sensible and turned back. She’s got Anthony to talk to.

Out Miranda with Ken and Lorna

Out Jenny

MARY: Rosie, I have to talk to you.

ROSIE: What is it?

MARY: You’ve got to help me. I’m so unhappy.

ROSIE: Oh Mary, what’s the matter?

MARY: It’s Jonathan – I need to see him. The thing is… I think I have feelings for him.

ROSIE: And Anthony?

MARY: He bores me.

ROSIE: Mum told me you and he were getting on famously.

MARY: Yes, well what does Mother know? Can I ask you to do something sisterly for me?

ROSIE: Of course.

MARY: I need you to cover for me while I walk over to Jonathan’s house.

ROSIE: You can’t go – not in the blizzard.

MARY: Look out the window – it’s stopped snowing.

ROSIE: Not on your own.

MARY: I have to.

ROSIE: I suppose it is rather romantic.

MARY: Tell Mother I’m feeling ill in my room and that you’re looking after me.

ROSIE: I’m coming with you. It’s dangerous on your own.

MARY: No you’re not.

ROSIE: In that case I shall tell Mum exactly where you’re going.

MARY: That’s blackmail.

ROSIE: No, it’s being sisterly.

MARY: Come on then.

Out Rosie and Mary