LOTTIE: You have not been talkative of late. Homesick, I suppose? Thinking about your mother and father? Thinking you have seen them forever when you've only been away three days? I can gather from that busy little brain of yours, that you're worried you'll be trapped in this island for all eternity, when in truth, you know as well as I that in five days' time, your mum will be running through that gate, swooping you up in her arms, and your da' will likely do the same but swooping up the both of you, and throwing his back out in exchange. He's not so young anymore, you know. And your mum isn't the wee spritely lass she used to be. Yet, I can close my eyes and it seems as though a mere moment ago she was standing beside me, helping me with the laundry, not a bit taller than you are now.