Letters From Laura

8

Dear Mum,

Do you remember when you took me to the fair when I was younger? I couldn't have been older than 9 or 10 because I remember wanting to eat blue cotton candy and I haven't done that in ages.

Do you remember how you bought me a whole ream of tickets to go on rides and play games? And when they were all out we still had a few hours left until we had to go home, so you bought us tickets to see the magic show.

Up until then it had been a great day- perhaps the best in my young life. A complete sugar overload combined with a ton of rides and prizes, who wouldn't have loved that?

And when you told me to get ready for magic I was excited. I had only seen magic on the telly occasionally and I didn't really grasp the whole concept. I was ready to learn the secret of magic!

So when a man in a black suit and top hat came out and began to make flowers appear out of thin air and make his female assistant disappear, I kept waiting for an explanation. I never did like mysteries.

I was confused. I didn't understand how he had done those things and no one else seemed bothered. This man had done something impossible but I didn't know how. I was upset.

I guess that was the first time I felt that it was possible for life to be unfair. Unfortunately, it wouldn't be the last.

I remember saying to you "It's so strange. It just feels wrong." Of course, back then I didn't realize the direction my life would take.

But that's how I feel right now, too.

After tea with Victoria I went back to the library to look at the Norwood book but it was gone. I searched the whole section to find it but it wasn't there. Someone had moved it but why?

I left the library feeling defeated. And as I was walking back to my room, I ran into Ms. Merwin, who was in an even fouler mood due to being bossed around by Victoria.

"What are you doing out in the hallway?" She asked through clenched teeth. "You should not be wandering about the halls. Either spend your time in your room or outside- there will be no more prancing around the whole manor!" She made to grab my arm but I took a step back.

"I am not prancing, thank you very much! I was just coming back from the library." As I looked at her mean mugging me, her eye literally twitched.

"Aha, so it was you who was snooping around in there! I'll have you know that the materials in there are very delicate and must not be tampered with. I don't know how that book left his office in the first place."

"The Norwood book? It's from dad's office?"

You could tell the old hag thought she had said too much. She shut her eyes tight and when they opened it was like the rooms temperature had dropped about 50 degrees.

"I didn't say that, you insolent child. Just make sure you remember your place around here." Her voice was deadly and after she was done she actually did grab my arm and practically dragged me back to my room.

What is so bloody important about this book that it needs to be kept under lock and key?

Things are strange and it just feels wrong.

I will find out what's going on- even if it takes all summer.

Your confused daughter,

Laura

P.S. While Merwin was taking me back to my room, she mentioned that after lunch my room things will be arriving. So between that and dinner with everyone I don't think I'll be able to write until tomorrow.