This Side of the Sky

(The exterior of WARD's rented cottage on the bank of the Thames at Cliveden. "Cottage" is not really the word for the substantial half-timbered house, gabled, with a distinctive wooden first-floor balcony and a twisting exterior wooden staircase. There's a tinkling waterfall amongst the house, a rockery and flower beds down by the river with irises and marigolds. Everything is bathed in glorious late-afternoon sun

CHRISTINE is installed on a chair facing WARD, who is sketching her on an easel, his chalks and black ink to hand.)

There's another way to Heaven

I am here right now

Look around

So many pleasures for the taking

I intend to stay in Heaven

While the sun is high

Heaven has turned out to be

This side of the sky

There's another way of thinking

I believe in love

I believe

Life should be lived before it's over

On this golden summer evening

River flowing by

Maybe Heaven's always been

This side of the sky

(WILLIAM WALDORF, Third Viscount Astor, ambles into view. He's in his early fifties, undistinguished-looking and hesitant in manner. He stands, listening and staring at CHRISTINE.)

Never seen a place so peaceful

Like a fairy tale

With no sign

Of any dragons in the forest

I'm not used to being happy

Makes me want to cry

Never knew all this was waiting

This side of the sky

There's another way of living

I believe in love

I believe

Life must be lived before it's over

There's another way to Heaven

No one has to die

Maybe Heaven's always been

This side of the sky

There's another way to Heaven

We don't have to die

If we're lucky, we find Heaven

This side of the sky