“I’m afraid …”

ALAS …

Not available

The clue "“I’m afraid …”" hints at a phrase people say when expressing regret or sorrow. "Alas" is an old-fashioned word meaning the same thing—it’s often used dramatically to show disappointment, like "Alas, it’s too late!" The ellipsis (…) in both clue and answer suggests the word is followed by more explanation, just as you’d say in speech. Think of Shakespearean characters sighing "Alas!" before bad news.