The familiar voice drifted in from the front of the house. John?!! Lottie dropped what she was doing and rushed in.

"John!" Lottie screeched in surprise as she recognised the tall, deeply tanned man in uniform standing in the hall. She rushed up and threw her arms around him. He may have been a tall man, he have been a man in uniform, but he was still her little boy, so she hugged him deeply before letting go.

"I didn't know ye were back? When did ye get in? Why didn't ye write? How long can ye stay fer?" Her questions were rapid and answers were expected.