The checkered violet and blue carriage creaked and swayed as it trundled along the cobblestone streets. Inside, Noel Rivet sat with his arms crossed, his face the very picture of calm, as though he hadn't just yanked his wife, Isadora, out of her afternoon plans and stuffed her into the carriage with nothing more than a clipped, "It's today."
Opposite him, Isadora sat with a stiffness that rivaled a suit of armor, her red and black dress puffing indignantly with every deep, exasperated breath she took. She stared at Noel, daring him to meet her eyes, but he was too busy looking out the window as if the passing scenery were the most fascinating thing in the world.
Finally, unable to bear the silence any longer, she spoke. "So, you're not even going to explain what this is about?"
Noel glanced at her briefly before returning his gaze to the window. "I told you. Work."