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.)

[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

[WARD AND CHRISTINE]
There's another way of living
I believe in love

[WARD]
I believe
Life must be lived before it's over

[WARD AND CHRISTINE]
There's another way to Heaven
No one has to die

[WARD]
Maybe Heaven's always been
This side of the sky

[WARD AND CHRISTINE]
There's another way to Heaven
We don't have to die
If we're lucky, we find Heaven
This side of the sky