Although
Violet appeared by turns jovial, calm and optimistic, she was actually as
serious as a heart attack, as nervous as a mouse suddenly dropped into a room
full of hungry cats, and well on the way to being frightened out of her wits.
For heaven’s sake, she was just about to meet someone-- a stranger no less--
who had just had a real heart attack!
In
fact, Violet was a total wreck, but no one seemed any the wiser. There she was
surrounded by Victor and his sons and they were staring at her as though she had
tentacles growing out of the top of her head. Even her knees shook, so it was
amazing that she was still standing.