C39 The real world out there

**CHERYL**

As soon as I stepped into the dining room, chatters coming from everyone sitting around ceased and their heads swiveled in unison to gaze at me in anticipation.

What? What's this? An ambush of some sort?

“Oh, good morning everyone,” I choked out, my throat clamping up from their intense stares.

Mrs. Heron smiled at me sweetly from where she was sitting at the end of the long table