As Penny expected, things were in a tizzy in the party room. She could hardly process all of the chaos that was going on around her but it seemed as though her family, at least was in a tight little cluster. Penny spotted her parents - her mother's face white with shock and her father's red with fury - and her brother who was resolutely holding Spebbington still while he looked as though he wanted to sink into the floor as much as Penny did.
No, she wouldn't feel bad for him, she reminded herself, though she couldn't help but feel a tad guilty for upsetting her parents so. She shrunk a little into Gen's arms as they neared, hearing the roar of her father's anger. Spebbington's mother looked a combination of angry and unnerved, as though she weren't exactly quite sure how to behave but it was clear she did not like the way she was being addressed.
And suddenly all eyes were on Penny. Again, Penny felt herself shrinking, wishing she could hide behind her sister. She was grateful that Gen had her by the arm because she began to tremble again and if she hadn't the support, she might not have been able to stand at all.