Emilia had no idea how much Mr. Podmore could know about her marriage, which was always an interesting position to be in. Eavan had worked at the zoo when Kit was kidnapped, but she didn't know that Mr. Podmore had always been there. And sometimes people knew things about people without knowing them; Emilia was certainly always interested in information about other people.

So in the absence of knowing how much context he had, she said, "By myself. Unless I can get Eavan or my sister to come." (Winnie was as much of a sister as Nola had been; Emilia didn't like that in-law reduced her.)