"Hello," Ellen said, equally politely. She eyed the space behind the other woman, inquisitive but not too obvious about it. "I was wondering if Bobby was home." She paused for a moment, before deciding she just might as well rip the bandage off: no need to delay the inevitable. "I'm Ellen," she said, holding out a hand, assuming that the Drakes would never be so rude as to refuse a guest. "John's mother," she continued, before easing herself past the other woman to stand inside and take a proper look around.