Edmund squirmed in Caroline's arms fussy and tired, unconsciously she swayed with him murmuring gentle cooing sounds. She could not remember a worse day - not even when the ship had sunk or Evander had been caught in the dragon attack. Then she had only to fear for herself and and her husband. The fear she had felt as they had run from their home, for her staff, her friends, her children, her husband. It was horrid. She'd done what she could at the Hallow helping staff find their families or places to be. She'd kept her eyes out for Shawn or his wife Niniane but had seen neither. Nor had she found Annabeth Adlard. It had been chaos and as much as Caroline had tried to help there hadn't been much she could do. When Evander had suggested coming to Sanditon and Alfred's she hadn't even argued. She'd simply nodded and followed him to floo here, clutching Edmund close to her as Lillian held on tight to her father.

"We are so sorry to impose Alfred." She assured him, laying a gentle hand on her brother in law's arm. "Is Zelda home?" She had yet to spot her friend but as she had never called unannounced like this she supposed she ought not to be surprised by it.