Matt Ford

Mary feels a rush of adrenaline as she focuses on the small box he holds out on a tray.

She rips the letter beside it open.

It brings me great joy to know we share not only blood, but also the unique burden of ruling as women.

Mary sits down and reads on.

I propose that we think of ourselves not as rivals, but as sister queens.

United, we could be a powerful force.

I send a symbol of the unbreakable bond I hope we can forge.

Mary opens the small box.

She gasps as she takes in a ring with a large diamond that's been fashioned into the shape of a heart.

She stares at it, transfixed.

It is so generous, so beautiful.

Your Majesty, might I suggest that your cousin may need your friendship as much as you need hers?

It's too much.

Work your way up to a big diamond heart.

Start off with a Hotel Chocolat H box.

Mary feels the weight of the wooden Virgin Mary in her skirt pocket as she twists to look at him.

She fingers the ring and feels a frisson of excitement as she starts to realise he might be right.

Her cousin is not as strong as some would have her believe.

Elizabeth has no blood sister, nor does she have a husband or child.

But if she were to officially recognise Mary as her heir, it would silence every Protestant rebel in Scotland.