Oak
rolled out both maps across our coffee table, the newer one on top of
the old, which he scrutinized intently. After a few moments, he
lifted it up, holding it in the air while he looked at the old one.
A few moments more, and the first map was lowered, then raised again.
Finally he seemed to reach a decision.
“Nope,”
he declared, “The oldest better suits my purpose, especially
considering your specialism,” He actually winked at Edward when he
said that. Winked.
“Oh
for heaven's sake,” I said, exasperated with waiting to find out
what had happened. “Aren't you going to tell us what you know?”
“I'm
going to do better than that,” he replied, rolling the newer map
back into a tight scroll and handing it to my husband. “I'm going
to show you.”
