Greek Tragedy

EP 06 | THE FIFTH WHEEL IN THE COG

EPISODE SIX

'the fifth wheel in the cog'

Saying our goodbyes to Leon's family felt like parting from a family you've always known and not like people I only met just last night. A mere few hours, really. But the tearful pleading looks, the genuine hurt in most of the kids' faces tugged hard at my heartstrings that I had knelt in front of them, apologised, and promised to see them again very soon, meaning every word.

When I stood back up, Helen was smiling still. That knowing smile that made me curious, especially as her eyes shot back to her son once again before she took me into another hug that felt just as tight and everlasting. Like a true fae ready to whisk me away.

Just as much as Leon had to pry me off his mother, Derek and Jasper had to pry off Davina and Eric from Leon. Eric was following Davina's tearful lead, confused as to why his sister was clinging but on her side regardless, while Matilda and young little James kept an iron grip on Leon's pants.

Promises were made, birthday wishes sung, and off we went.

As we parked the car just on the outskirts of Elizabeth's property, Leon raised an eyebrow. "Are you crying, my darling?"

"Look away." I sniffled hard, turning his face with a grumble when he started laughing. "I feel so guilty, you don't understand! It's Davina's birthday for God's sake."

"We'll see them again," he promised. "And she liked the macaroons and flowers you gave her. She liked it especially because you made me give her the flowers."

We got out with me grumbling, "As you should. We're getting her better gifts next time."

"Better than the ones I gave her?" he teased.

I fought off the urge to stick my tongue out but giving him a look regardless, mouth twitching. "Definitely."

He laughed, reaching for my hand as we crossed the wild array of flowers and herbs that lived free-range on Elizabeth's front yard like some untamed, overgrown forest of her own creation... which was exactly what it was. Only she knew and understood the plants she curated, as well as where everything was. I remember she made note that most of the poisonous ones she made sure to stick close to the house's window sill. I think the idea was from a book. Or a fable, I'm unsure.

Elizabeth's house is a structure of homey memories and childhood fairytales. Short as it was stout, it had an oddly made little tower at the very top, just at the edge of the lower back corner, with a gabled roof that is painted a deep violet. A contrast to the green roof of the main house. With small windows, it was held as Elizabeth's private, private office.

There were no big changes to the house, living this close to Leon's manor in a way that might seem illegal as the line between his property versus hers is thin. A dot inside the circle. But Elizabeth had owned and built this house with the specific intention of living close to Castle Morningstar as legally possible, even before Leon's grandfather bought it.

How she bought just a half a quarter of an inch of the property from the former owners are a Christmas morning favourite story to be retold over Eliza's infamous pumkin spice and my mother's burnt basque cheesecake recipe.

The only thing that seemed to be new is an intricately made bronze bee knocker on her pale yellow door. The design is three plump bees intricately intertwined over a magnolia.

But just as Leon was reaching for it, the sound of a crash, a shout, came from inside.

Leon moved me behind him in a second, pushing me back to the car.