It's more liked "armed neutrality"

She has now got back and The Boy is back inside. SHe enquired as to why he was locked out of the house

SHe came back because she forgot to take something else vital with her. I don't know what "it" was, but I know from her evasive manner that she has no idea where "it" is. More rummaging and running about.
Ah, she has just run out of the house again and the car has whizzed off. And yes, this time she has locked us both in!
