While chewing slowly at the table, Oliver can’t help noticing the silence hanging over the room. The clinking of silverware against plates is the only soundtrack to lunch, and it bothers him deeply. His eyes move from one child to another, especially the twins, who haven’t exchanged a single word since coming back from outside.

“What the hell is going on?” he asks, more sharply than he intends, dropping his utensils onto the plate with enough force for the metallic sound to echo through the din