Little Maria had been missing for a few hours

[Bassim]

I am wondering if my sentences are grammatically correct. I am not sure if my second sentence sounds natural.

Little Maria had been missing for a few hours and her parents were beside themselves. Later when she turned up in the evening, they were both relieved and furious. They told her never to go anywhere without telling them first.

 

[GoesStation]

I think beside themselves requires a little more information: with worry, with fear,​ etc. You can be beside yourself with joy, for example, and the next sentence suggests this was not the emotion in question.

Later doesn't work with in the evening. Leave it out.

 

[Roman55]

I'm not sure about, beside yourself with joy, at least not in BrE. I only associate to be beside oneself with negative emotions. I do agree though that it could do with a bit more information.

 

[GoesStation]

I'm not sure about, beside yourself with joy, at least not in BrE. I only associate to be beside oneself with negative emotions. I do agree though that it could do with a bit more information.

Now that you mention it, I think the expression is reserved for negative emotions over here, too.