Is John okay? Ellen suppressed a brief moment of triumph on hearing those words: from everything she'd been told about Robert Drake, and their scant conversations, she had developed a fairly detailed mental picture of just the sort of good young man whose instincts were to help and care, and whose affections were not shaken easily. If her quest had been a fool's errand, if he was driven more by hurt and anger, then that would have been his first, telling reaction.

She moved closer to the stairs, fixing her eyes on Bobby, and all but ignoring his mother, lips forming a reassuring smile. Nothing too eager, nothing too pleased. "Oh, he's fine, he's being a mopey little grump. But you're probably used to that more than I am," she gave a little chuckle, inviting him into her confidence. "And please, Bobby - call me Ellen. Now," and she glanced over at Madeline, somewhat significantly, before looking back at Bobby, "could I have a few words?"