Susan brusquely exited the room with Alan securely under tow while Matt remained seated somewhat disquieted by what had just happened. The front door opened and slammed shut. The atmosphere in the room was uncomfortably tense, so much so that if he had had a knife, he could have cut through it. Nothing was said.

Susan’s loud, scolding voice tapered off to a thin thread in the distance then finally nothing.

“Would you like your tea refilled?”

Startled, Matt peered up ...