[Iris doesn't rush to fill the conversational hole, only leans back herself and takes a long drag of her cigarette. When she does speak it's softly, and under the table, someone warm and furry presses his head up under Ricki's hand. Pet me now.]

It'll be all right, sweetheart. It's an interesting, challenging place to be but it's not too bad. Culture shock's always a bit of a bugger to start with. D'you want to borrow a dog or so for the night?