Nigel had been sleeping soundly when Daphne went to find him, and she couldn't resist picking him up and cuddling him in her arms. She had missed him a lot, but she hadn't realized it until this moment as she held him. Nigel stirred, looking happy as his eyes open to find his mother.
She collected Nigel's bag and headed back downstairs to find that both Miles and Liam had left. She pursed her lips as she lifted her face to meet Millicent's eyes.
"I'm...really sorry," she said. She really was. About everything. "Thanks for watching Nigel. I hope he wasn't too much trouble."
She sighed, brushing hair out of her face. "I know it might not mean much, but don't worry about Liam," she said. "I'll take care of it. He won't lose another mother, not if he doesn't want to." She had to be really tired to be saying all this.