Prose

Andrina

Setting

Seleskay: The story is set on the fictional Orkney island of Seleskay, which is characterised by its close-knit community and the presence of individuals who know each other well.

• "Tina Stewart, the postmistress, knew everybody and everything."

Gossipy Community: Seleskay is a place where gossip plays a significant role. Gossip is abundant in the community, but it tends to be more benign compared to other stories by Brown, such as "A Time to Keep," where gossip can lead to conflict and tension.

Agricultural Cycle: While the story is not as directly focused on the agricultural cycle as some of Brown's other works, the changing seasons do impact the mood and events in the story.

• Bill struggles during the harsh winter.
• The brief and passionate summer affair between Bill and Sigrid is described as being "soaked in the light of a single, brief summer," reflecting the influence of the seasons on the narrative.