"No, ah--" Thomas huffed a laugh, though it was entirely humorous, maybe a bit exasperated. "She died. She was killed during the Purge."

He shook his head, a bit worried that he might look hysterical. Edith's loss was still fresh in his mind. "We weren't living as husband and wife, and had not been since I arrived here, but..."

Thomas trailed off and looked across the table at Greta, half apologetic and half bewildered.

"I'm sorry," he said at last. "Do you like reading?"