The Loveliest Lies of All

Five: Mad Love

 As always, we were wandering through the woods, although this time we were able to rest our legs as we rode Fred. Greg was at the front, clinging to the horses neck, Wirt was in the middle taking the reigns and I was at the back, clutching onto Wirt's waist, trying to ignore my feelings yet again. Beatrice was flying next to me sending me knowing looks but I merely sent her glares back, glares that said 'if you say anything, I'll kill you'.

Suddenly the trees began to disperse and in front of us stood this ridiculously large old fashioned mansion lined with columns, tall windows and neatly cut hedges all around the magnificent garden. The garden was fenced off by a very large ornamental golden gate, and beyond it we could see a number of white and coloured peacocks. "This place looks incredible!" I breathed.

"Let's go see who lives there! They might be able to help us," Beatrice said. Wirt clambered off of Fred, helping Greg down and then me. We pushed open the large golden gates and carefully stepped through the peacocks, walked past several large fountains and under a beautiful rose arch towards the grand doors of the mansion.

"Er... is this a good idea?" Wirt asked, unsure.

"What could be a better idea? Look at this place! We could probably get lots of food and who knows, he may be able to help us get to Adelaide's quicker," I said. Greg jumped up and pulled on the long cord that rang a very loud bell. On the side of the door I noticed a large plaque that read 'Quincy Endicott'.

"But we're just complete strangers, he doesn't know us," Wirt said.

"I have an idea!" Beatrice said, when suddenly the door was answered by an old man wearing a smart red Edwardian style jacket with gold lining. "Y-yes who is - is - it?" He asked, stuttering.

"Hello good sir, these two here," she gestured Greg and Wirt, "are long lost relatives of yours!"

"Huh?" We all said in unison.

"That's right! Sir they've been trying to find you for a while now and they finally have, Mr Endicott!" She read from the plaque. "They're your nephews!"

"My - my nephews? Goodness gracious come on in!" He said happily. "P-pleasure to have company here in this - this large mansion of mine," He said, leading us through the halls. There were large intricate paintings hanging all along the walls with large vases standing on columns lining the walls. It was an incredible house, and Mr Endicott babbled away to Greg who babbled back as we walked for quite a while along this corridor until we finally reached a large room which had an incredibly long wooden dining table in, with twelve or fourteen chairs around it, and it was littered with delicious looking food which made my mouth water.

"My nephews! Welcome, please, eat as much as you like! It's so - so nice to have c-company...," Mr Endicott said trailing off.

"Should we trust this guy?" I whispered to Wirt.

"I don't know, he's making me nervous," Wirt whispered back.

"You! There!" Mr Endicott said suddenly as Greg and his frog sat down at the table, immediately digging into the food.

"Me?" I asked nervously.

"Yes you! If you're not my - my relative then why are you here?" He said intimidatingly, squinting his eyes and glaring at me.

"I... er...," I mumbled before Beatrice interrupted.

"She's his girlfriend!" She said suddenly.

"What?" Wirt and I said in unison.

"Yes, this lovely young lady here, Mary, is your nephews girlfriend!" She said again, pulling me by my top towards Wirt. "See! Don't they make a lovely couple!"