Crunch crunch crunch .
Scientists had discovered a wasp in Central and North America - she had learned this from Edward , of course , during one of his private lectures over dinner - which lays its eggs inside caterpillars . The larvae then feed on the caterpillar ’ s insides while the host is still alive .
This was the image coming to her now : a swarm of larvae feeding , crunching greedily as they ate up the space between the walls . How much longer until they burst forth , until the wriggling brood crawled from the pipes and fell from the vent in the ceiling ? Would she wake one morning from a tickling on her cheek , only to find them twisting and writhing on her pillow ?
With a scream , Adeline threw off her duvet and jumped out of bed . The sheets were clean , and apart from the pillow by the cupboard , everything about the bed was as normal as could be .
“ Miss Adeline ?” came a voice from outside , and a moment later , Mrs Bunson opened the door . The old housekeeper still wore her dressing gown . She must have thrown it on in a haste because she was still tying the belt . “ Is everything all right , Miss Adeline ?”
No , Mrs Bunson , Adeline wanted to say . Nothing is all right . Can ’ t you hear this noise ? Can ’ t you hear the crunching , like toast crumbling between my dead husband ’ s teeth ?
But Mrs Bunson had been Edward ’ s housekeeper long before he and Adeline had married . She had practically raised him after the death of his mother , while his father had worked at the factory . She still cooked his favourite dish and more than once , Adeline had surprised
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