Page 6 of Positively, Penelope

I turned to the Henry Nobley–looking man and he had the nerve to accuse me of trying to kidnap his daughter! Kidnap! I was carrying a Mary Poppins bag! How could he even think such a thing? Mary Poppins may offer tremendous adventures to children, but she doesn’t kidnap them! After a rather intense conversation where I might have used unladylike language and even threatened him with my nail file, Iris intervened with the full story and the stranger growled out an apology and offered to buy my lunch (thus the comment about the squid shop).

You will not believe it, but the grumpy stranger is Matt Gray, the business manager / accountant of The Darling House (clearly not Alec Gray, the PREFERRED option, I’m sure). Mr. Gray didn’t seem in a mood to have a polite conversation. In fact, he reverted to more grunts and grumbles than words while Iris and I enjoyed a delightful discussion about Disney princesses. (I asked her how she spoke English so clearly and fluently, and her grumpy father informed me the schools in Skymar begin English-speaking classes at the start of their education.) Anyway, Mr. Gray didn’t like princesses and absolutely refused to allow Iris to wear the princess hat I’d brought with me, saying (and I can’t even believe this), “Don’t fill my daughter’s head with fluff and nonsense.” After which he continued to lecture me on the harm of teaching girls about fairy-tale romances, glass slippers, and happily ever afters!If I could have found my voice, I would have given him a severe tongue-lashing on the not so happily ever after of certain fairy-tale villains, but I didn’t want to frighten Iris. No wonder the little girl was crying! Besides being lost in an airport, her grumpy father had stolen magic from her childhood. No one had readCinderellato her! Ever! Can you imagine? And she is seven years old!

Well, I can tell you one thing for certain—there is someone in her life for the next few months who will be happy to introduce her to all sorts of fairy-tale “fluff and nonsense.” Her father could use a bit of it too. No wonder the theater suffers from a gloomy online presence and a foreboding financial future. You take away the wonder of childhood in any place and there’s an immediate loss of something beautiful. Especially in a theater!

The Darling House needs some childish magic, and I’m just the woman to bring it. A self-appointed joy-bringer. What could go wrong with a good-hearted start like that?

Positively,

Penelope

PS: “Gray” certainly matches the overall outlook of SOME people I met today!

PPS: At least Grumpy Gray has set me up in a charming apartment. The building looks like it used to be a garden house for a nearby estate. They call it acottage. I’m sending photos. Do you see the tower? It’s the main BEDROOM!!!! I am a princess!!!!

From: Izzy Edgewood

To: Penelope Edgewood, Luke Edgewood

Date: August28

Subject: The rest of the story?

Penelope,

I’m assuming there was a part to your story where you actually got into a car and rode to your cottage. Are you sure you want to start a professional relationship with a personal objective to sprinkle fairy dust into the life of a man who may not respond positively to your brand of joy?

I am ALL for bringing magic to a place. You’ll remember that’s how I felt about Brodie’s family’s bookshop when I arrived in Skymar, but Brodie waswilling. Your Mr.Gray doesn’t seem to give off those vibes... unless you actually FINISH your story and he improves upon better acquaintance.

I feel there is no need for me to remind you about the many literary examples of such a change.

Izzy

PS: Your place is the cutest gardener’s cottage I have ever seen. Are you staying near the city or in a suburb? (See? These answers probably would have come out if you’d given the rest of the story.)

Text from Luke to Penelope:How can you expect anyone with the last name Gray to be a cheery sort of person? This is called foreshadowing.

Luke:PS: Is it wrong if I am rooting for Grumpy Gray?

Chapter2

Skymarian Theater Troupe

From: HJ

To: JA

Happy to hear you’ve arrived in Skymar, JA. Several of my friends and I are meeting at one of the local pubs tonight. I know we maintain anonymity online, but if you want to have some real fun, PM me. Acting is only one of my many talents.

From: GK

To: JA

JA, whatever you do, don’t take HJ up on the offer. I know who he is and he’s not to be trusted, despite the fact that his initials are based on one of my favorite modern actors. And never agree to watch his cat. There are things that keep people up at night. His cat is one of them.

From: Penelope Edgewood

To: Izzy Edgewood, Luke Edgewood, Josephine Martin

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