Lottie drew breath sharply at the news. Kate and Anne were very good friends, their friendship went back a long way.

"There, there. It's alright." Lottie drew her daughter's head to her chest and stroked her hair. The dark curls were fine, if not slightly tangled. Lottie was trying to soothe the initial pain and shock with kind words and gentle gestures.

"Anne said ye couldn't be friends now?" Lottie scowled deeply "That doesn't sound like 'er.. ye two are like peas in a pod. Yer sure?"