Very short story :
"So, it's two words then?"
"Yes. Yes, of course it is."
She looks at him shyly from under her lids.
"And one is French?"
He frowns but his eyes show his delight at her scattiness.
"French?" Even the arch of his eyebrow makes her laugh.
"Grey Tante.." she manages, between the giggles.
"It's Great Aunt!" he says before laughter escapes from him as well.
They are the only two laughing. In a dark, gloomy corner of the café, an old man stirs his tea. He disapproves of the laughter but the Universe chooses to concentrate on other things than stopping the giggles.
His face is set grim against the laughter for so long that, when he finally remembers it, his tea has gone cold.
And that was what the Universe had been doing all along.
