Brittany picks up her notebook and pen. “Let's try something tricksy,” she says to Linda as she writes I want to tell you a secret x. She rips the page from the book, folds it twice then walks to the dining room door and pushes it under.
“That should do the trick,” she says, returning to the kitchen.
“What will that achieve?” Linda asks.
“We're teasing it. Coaxing it out with a little curiosity. They can't resist a secret.”
“They...? What do you mean...”
“Shush” retorts Brittany, as they hear the sound of a dragging chair and the click of the dining room door opening. Linda starts to get to her feet but finds Brittany's hand on her knee.
“Better if it's just me,” she tells her. “Don't worry, everything will be back to normal soon enough.”
With that, she stands, smooths the wrinkles from her coat, takes a deep breath and walks into the dining room, closing the door behind her.
