18.Once inside, Nicholas breathed not only the heavy air that was in the store, since it was probably not aired for a long time but also a tense atmosphere, as if something inevitable should have happened soon.
He went there very few times, always accompanying Anna on some errands. He had never paid attention to the store. All he wanted during shopping was for his wife not to take too long.
Evelyn Archer must have been in an adjoining room: Nicholas heard a noise somewhere as if someone was moving objects without too much care.
He announced his presence.
For a few moments, he did not get a reply. Then, on the door that led to the back of the shop, the owner appeared.
The appearance of the woman had nothing unusual: she wore a quite well-kept grey dress and a work apron usually dusty;
