Cora looked straight up, and relief flooded her face the second that she saw me. I noticed that our mother was sitting up in bed looking extremely glum.

"Oh, Isla. Please will you forgive me?" She started to weep as soon as I closed the door behind me.

Cora shrugged her shoulders, not sure what to say to either of us.

"What do you mean?" I queried, making my way to the empty side of the bed.

"I am so sorry for suggesting that Daniel fetch you. Your uncle has been ...