Page 90 of Positively, Penelope

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Penelope stretched out her back after another long afternoon going through a few of the last storage boxes. She had to be getting close to some of the oldest ones, because most of the dates on the programs or playbills were in the 1920s. The costumes in some of the photos were stellar, not to mention the shoes. Penelope found a photo of Lorianna Gray in the most splendid pale gown that glittered like starlight. Those long white gloves just gave the entire outfit the perfect touch.

Penelope moved the closest box over to a table in the museum, just so she could stand while sorting through this one. A playbill ofTop Hatfrom 1936 waited on top, followed by an actual top hat and scarf, purportedly worn by Fred Astaire. She breathed out a laugh. It seemed like every time she opened a box, she uncovered more treasures.

Nestled at the very bottom of the container sat a few framed photos instead of the loose prints she’d been used to finding. A woman who looked a whole lot like the photos she’d seen of Lorianna Gray stood beside a tall, dashing man, both in evening attire and standing in front of The Darling House. The display featuredPeter PanandThe Wizard of Oz. Could those be Lorianna’s parents? The original founders of The Darling House?

A small wooden case rested at the bottom of the box. Penelope carefully lifted it out and turned the brass clasp. Inside, two golden-framed photos waited. One with the couple from the earlier photo standing with a little girl, and the other was of a different and more regally dressed couple with what looked like the same little girl. A card rested in the corner of one of the photos, so Penelope opened it.

12 November1933

Thank you for allowing Alaina the opportunity to play the part of Peter Pan in her first public performance. What an honor to celebrate a theater and a family we admire a great deal. May The Darling House continue the legacy of loving our community and bringing quality performances to Skymar.

Sincerely,

HRH

Penelope read it again. HRH? She glanced back at the little girl and the adults. Didn’t HRH mean His/Her Royal Highness?

She did a quick Google search on her phone for the royal family of Skymar and scrolled back to the current family’s grandparents. Diederik and Rowen.

Her pulse jumped into a gallop. This was them! Their daughter, the princess Alaina, performed as Peter Pan in 1933.

Penelope pulled the photo close. At some point in history, the Gray family had a fantastic connection to the royals! Oh, oh! She had to tell someone.

She jumped up from her place, grabbed her purse, and started for the door.

Grandpa Gray welcomed her into his office, and when she showed him her find, he rubbed at his chin like a very thoughtful Gandalf sort of character. Izzy would have appreciated the turn of her thoughts.

“My dear girl, this brings an idea to mind.”

“Does it?” She moved to sit in a chair next to him.

“Indeed. I should have considered it before.” He looked up from the photos. “How soon can you have the museum ready for a first viewing?”

She tried to tally her final plans. “My hope was to have it in place in time for the ball so we can give all the donors a preview, but if everything goes as planned, it will probably be ready the weekend before.”

“Next weekend?”

She nodded. “Well, beforePeter Pan, so if we wanted, we could even have a few days of public viewing before the show.”

“Excellent.” His smile spread to crinkle his eyes. “You said visibility is what we need, is that right?”

“Yes.” But she wasn’t quite sure whether to be excited or a little terrified at his ominous response.

“I have an idea for visibility.” He winked. “From the very top.”

He tapped the photo and then raised a brow.

“The royals?” She leaned closer, lowering her voice. “Do you mean they might come to the museum?”

“I’m not certain, but it’s worth a request. I went to school with the king back in my day, and I think he’d appreciate seeing these photos of his mother and grandparents.”

Penelope could meet a king. Or queen. In real life. Her posture straightened at the very idea.

“That would be amazing!” She squealed and pressed a kiss to Grandpa Gray’s cheek as she stood. “You’re definitely getting the hang of this visibility thing.”

He chuckled and relaxed back in his office chair. “You bring excellent inspiration.”

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