Mrs. Stanley, whose son Oliver died during World War I, visits Albert Bullivant to learn more about her son's last day onboard a ship. Albert is hesitant to discuss that day but agrees to speak with Mrs. Stanley. He tells her that Oliver's last words were about returning home to Wales and his mother. When Mrs. Stanley asks if Oliver was frightened, Albert admits that he was, and that they were all afraid as they were sent to fight in another country after hoping the war would be over.

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WOMAN: My name's Mrs Stanley.
The woman spealrs with a Welsh accent and Albert understands at once.
ALBERT: Oliver's mother?
ETHEL: (Motioning Gwen to leave with her) We,ll leave you two alone.
MRS STANLEY: Oh no, don4't leave on my account, it,s quite all right.
ALBERT: What can I do for you, Mrs Stanley?
MRS S: I came to ask you about Oliver, anything you can tell me about...about that
last day, onboard the ship.
Albert sits back down.
ALBERT:
remember.
I've got to be honest with you, it's not a day I've particularly wanted to
MRS S: I understand it must be hard for you, but I miss my boy terribly. He,s all Ithink about, morning till night. I've lived his life a thousand times ou". i, my iread, from
when he was first laid in my anns, his first smile_ and there never was a baby with a more
beautiful smile-, to his firstlittle steps. Then, all too soon, I get to the day he stepped out ofthe door in his uniform, with that same beautiful smile as he looked back and waved
goodbye. From there I have to piece together everything from the letters he sent, with tales
of far off places and cavalry charges. His life turns into"something out of a storybook, but it,s
a story without an ending. (she pauses) Nineteen years sounds likJa long time,doesn,t
it? But when those nineteen years are spent watciring your child grow, it goes by quicker
than you can blink. Then you discover ihor. ur" tt .i"ty years with your child you,re going
to get... (with quiet strength) I need to know the rest of his story, Mr Bullivant. I want to
know about the end.
ALBERT: If youreally must knotv, Mrs Stanley, his very last words were about home_
Wales, the cottage and you. He just wanted to get Uu"f *A we were hoping not to be inFrance too long.
MRS S: Was he frightened?
Albert considers telling a lie, but realises Mrs Stanley just wants the truth.
ALBERT: Yes.
Mrs Stanley nods.
MRS S: He spoke of you often in his letters. He looked up to you; he thought you
were so brave.
ALBERT (almost eagerly): I was frightened too, god, we all were. We felt as if the warshould have been over and here we were, going to figh"t in another country. It iust seemed so