The walls pulsed, and the floor groaned. Small collectible figurines began to look at one another nervously within their curios. Ms Angus sipped quietly at her tea with only the faintest of smiles across her thin mouth. Looking up from the tea she cast a look of both innocence and frailty.

She was neither.

Clive drew in a massive breath causing Gecko no small amount of discomfort within the pocket. He let the air out in a massive sigh that quieted the room.

No breathing walls. No ominous sounds from the floor. No faint, growing rumbling from the downstairs. The hundred eyes of the helpless figurines blinked in anticipation.

“Now ma’am, you and I both know such problems don’t create themselves. You’ve been…dabbling.”

Gecko couldn’t resist, “Violating basic tenants of archaemency, colluding with forces unnamed, not to mention several abuse of…”

“What my partner is saying, is there no need for dramatics. You’ve put the kettle on, so to speak, and now it’s time to drink the tea.”

“Oh is it?”