Like a ringmaster opening a circus, Edgar waves an arm towards a door on his right and stridesbackwards to the far corner of the room.
There is a beat of awkward silence when nothing happens and everyone is just waiting in breathlessanticipation.
Then, slowly, a woman appears in the doorway.
She is wearing a purple dress that is tight, but still fails to hug her frail body. She looks like shehasn’t had a proper meal in months. Her cheeks are hollowed and dark circles that makeup couldnever hide hang heavily under her eyes.
With slow, shaky steps, she walks through the door and across the fireplace to stand a few feet fromEdgar. I can see her hands are trembling, and her eyes dart around the room like a nervous mouse.
The room draws
