Early the next morning I was up helping mother set up her ingredients for her potions when knock came at our door.
Mother went to open the door.
It was none other than Alice's mother, Martha.
Martha stood at our door heaving and nostrils flaring as though she had stepped out for war.
"Martha." Mother said in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
I turned around to look at Martha.
Martha had a strange expression. "Why? You don't want me here?"
Mother gave an uneasy laugh. "No of course I do. I was only surprised to see you here because I didn't know you were coming."
And then I heard mother's voice change to worry. "Is everything okay? Is Alice fine?"
"Nothing is okay." Martha snapped at mother.
Mother turned to look at me as if asking for confirmation to be sure she had heard Martha clearly.
I shrugged and mother turned back to Martha.
