Alastair whips his head around and hopes to all the stars above that he has managed to drop his expression into something neutral.

His mother smiles at him, so she at least has decided to pretend she hasn’t noticed. She graces each of her children with a smile, then brushes her eyes over Oliver like he isn’t even there. Cecil stands tallest among them and offers only Alastair a nod of acknowledgment.

“Welcome home, children,” Violet tones hospitably. ...