Old Edna had stood stock still for a while now. Her seven guests were just beginning to fidget when she gave a loud sniff, smiled as she did so, and then opened her eyes.
The crooked old lady that had stooped before them seemed more alive now, than before. Someting – a memory, perhaps, had rejuvenated her slightly, and her eyes were alive with excitement. She cocked her head up at her audience, and surveyed them all in a line.
What happened next resembled a patrol inspection. Edna walked up and down the line, peering intently at each and every face there, scrutisining, appraising and assessing. Sometimes, she apperaed pleased. At other times, she was displeased. Her mouth puckered and she sucked in her breath on several occasions, but when she grunted – that appeared to mean she was satisfied.
Then, she homed in on one of the faces, and approached it with meaning.
“Charles.” Edna nodded as she approached the man on the end of the line. The one who, until now, had tried to stay well under the radar. Charles shifted uncomfortably as she came, but couldn’t take his eyes from her. They were familiar. He couldn’t decided if he was scared or not.
Edna, on the other hand, knew how she felt. It was clear to everyone there too. She was elated. Her mean old face had taken on a look of something else entirely – it looked like pure joy. As the old lady approached Charles, she reached out her hand – more softly this time, and stoked his cheek. “Charles, she repeated, and tears rolled down her cheeks.