"Aye," said Tobias. "It's not natural. We just need to get her past that point." He had already figured out that kindness was getting him nowhere with Alice. "Please get Emma."

He knocked on the door before opening it. The books moved across the floor. "Alice?"

His wife had pulled the blanket over herself completely and didn't answer. He strode over. "Enough of this." He pulled the blanket away. "Come on, sit up." Alice struggled, shrieked and dug her nails into his hand as he pulled her up. "Agh! Stop it!" he shouted, giving her a shake.