Dear Ms Walsh,
I am writing to apologise for missing Tuesday's lesson. I know I should have contacted you before the class, and I am sorry that I did not.
The reason I was absent was that my younger brother had an accident at school and hurt his arm. My parents were both at work, so the school phoned me, and I went to meet him at the hospital. We spent the whole afternoon there waiting for an X-ray, and I did not look at my phone until late in the evening. By then, it was too late to let you know, although I did intend to.
I feel particularly bad because I know that the lesson was about the structure of the final essay, which is an important part of the course.
Could you please tell me how I can catch up? I have asked a classmate for her notes, and I would be happy to meet you in your office hours.
Thank you for your understanding.
Yours sincerely,
Alina Moroz