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Little Miss Miller
This is a transcript from the CCTV footage of the interview with Sophie Miller, 3 years old. Daughter to Melissa Miller. Helen Palmer was the child interview specialist.
Sandra Miller: It’s ok Sophie, stay and play in here for a little bit while Grandma does a few jobs. This lady’s name is Helen. She’d like to play with you, just for a little bit, Ok?
Sophie: [Silence]
Sandra Miller: I’ll be back before you know it. [Leave the room].
Helen: Hello, Sophie. I’m Helen. Would you like to play with some toys? Some farm yard animals, oink, oink, quack, quack.
Sophie: [Giggles].
Helen: Oh, the kitchen. Good choice. There’s a drink and a snack on the table if you want it.
Sophie: Pasta!
Helen: Ooh, yummy, my favourite! Do you like pasta?
Sophie: Yes.
Helen: I like cake the best.
Sophie: Chocolate cake, mmm.
Helen: What’s mummy’s favourite?
Sophie: Errr, krisspies.
Helen: Ooh, yummy crisps. What’s daddy’s favourite?
Sophie: Erm, WORMS!
Helen: Euck! Really?
Sophie: [laughing] No.
Helen: Do you love mummy and daddy?
Sophie: Yes!
Helen: Are they silly sometimes?
Sophie: Mummy sleeps lots.
Helen: Who looks after you when mummy is sleeping?
Sophie: Daddy. But sometimes me.
Helen: Sometimes you?
Sophie: I’m a big girl.
Helen: You are. When do you look after yourself?
Sophie: When Mummy shouts.
Helen: Does she shout at you?
Sophie: No, daddy.
Helen: What do you do when then happens?
Sophie: I go upstairs.
Helen: where upstairs?
Sophie: To the place where the monsters can’t get me.
Helen: Where’s that?
Sophie: The hidy room.
Helen: Your bedroom?
Sophie: No, they can get me in there.
Helen: The monsters?
Sophie: Yes, I go to the little room. LOCK me in.
Helen: What’s it like in there?
Sophie: Dark. Mummy says I’m safe in there.
Helen: Does mummy put you in there?
Sophie: Yes, sometimes I go myself.
Helen: Why?
Sophie: So the monsters don’t get me. Mummy knows when they are coming.
Helen: What do the monsters look like?
Sophie: They sound like daddy. ROAR!
Helen: Have you seen them:
Sophie: No. Can the dolly have a cookie?
Helen: Yes, I think she can.
Sophie: mmmm, nom nom nom.
Helen: I think the dolly is enjoying those.
Sophie: She needs more.
Helen: Do mummy and daddy shout lots?
Sophie: Hmm, don’t know.
Helen: Do they shout everyday?
Sophie: No, sometime mummy sleeps all day.
Helen: Do you miss mummy when she’s sleeping?
Sophie: Yes, she wont play with me.
Helen: Does daddy play with you?
Sophie: Yes, we play tickling.
Helen: Dady tickles you?
Sophie: Yes and I tickle daddy.
Helen: Show me with the dolly. How do you tickle daddy?
Sophie: Like this [tickles dolls neck, chest, waist, underarms and feet].
Helen: That looks fun. Where does daddy tickle you?
Sophie: [Jumps up and wriggles all over, tickling the same areas demonstrated with the doll].
Helen: Ooh, that looks even more fun. Does he tickle you here? [Uses doll to indicate genital area].
Sophie: Nooo, they’re my bits.
Helen: Oh, silly me. Well, I’ve really enjoyed playing with you. Thank you very much. I think your Grandma will be back any minute now.
[Door opens]
Sandra: Sophie!
Sophie: Ganma, look at this.
Sandra: It’s a lovely kitchen, ooh and a lovely dolly.
Sophie: We had pasta and cookies.
Sandra: Oh wow. That sounds lovely. Its time to go home now.
Sophie: Will mummy be there?
Sandra: No, she’s got some things to sort out. Come on, lets get some real cookies!
Sophie: Yay!
***
You’ve come so far, we are nearing the end. I hope you enjoyed this episode, do you think you have all the facts? Thanks for reading. See you next week for the penultimate installment.
