Positively penelope, p.1
Positively, Penelope, page 1
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Dedication
To Dr. Broadway, who not only let me pick her brain about all things theater but also encouraged me with her excitement for this story.
Thank you, Kristin.
Contents
Cover
Title Page
Dedication
Map
Map
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Discussion Questions
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Acclaim for Pepper Basham
Other Books by Pepper Basham
Copyright
Map
Map
Prologue
Dear Reader,
I’ve always lived by the adage that “a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.” In fact, I’ve found that leading with positivity is a great way to face any situation in life, even if my older siblings doubt my logic just because I like to dress in costume—I work in theater, it’s a part of the job . . . most of the time. I mean, there are occasions when I dress in costume for fun, but who can really ignore a perfectly amazing pair of shoes and a vintage hat?
But being the baby of a somewhat well-adjusted family does not make one spoiled. Or wrong all the time, though the elder siblings may argue to the contrary.
In fact, being a faithful observer of older siblings could be said to make the youngest more prepared to avoid the possible missteps she’s seen her siblings make.
But then again . . . it may not help at all.
Especially when said—quite attractive, somewhat witty, and definitely single—youngest sibling ends up on an island surrounded by strangers with an impossible job: to save a historic theater.
And of course, there’s a little girl who very much needs a Mary Poppins in her life, or a Maria von Trapp.
And two very single men who may be vying for this particular sibling’s heart.
Until they are not.
And a few Chris Pine references, but I’m not apologizing for that.
And some life-threatening escapades on a bicycle.
Plus a sea monster.
But don’t let me frighten you away. It’s a good story. Mostly. Except for the mole.
Penelope
PS: Sometimes a girl just wants to be rescued now and again. Why is that so wrong?
PPS: I do not sing too much. No matter what Luke says.
Chapter 1
Skymarian Theater Troupe
From: GK
To: JA
Glad to know you’ll be arriving in Skymar tomorrow. Most people prefer the larger island of Ansling, but I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for Fiacla because of its preponderance of ruins, friendly natives, Troir Head with one of the oldest lighthouses on the islands, and the city of Mountcaster. But mostly because it’s home. I’m not certain where you will be staying for your job here, but if you get a chance to visit Mountcaster, it is worth at least a two-day trip for the buildings alone. Fantastic craftsmanship and history, as well as some of the best seafood on the island. There are two cathedrals, a lovely park in the center of the city, and the extraordinary Avelynn Palace. My brother enjoys the hiking trails as well, but I’d rather be within the magical world of theater.
You may even get the chance to meet some of the online theater troupe, but the ones who wish to remain unseen will simply continue to hide behind their online pseudonyms. I’ve found the anonymity to be particularly beneficial when one wishes to avoid former romantic disasters. But those in the online theater group usually have in-person meetings throughout the year, so the choice is up to you. Continued anonymity, or enjoy the company of possible new friends (or enemies . . . you know how it is in theater. You never really can tell until auditions begin).
But since you and I have been privately corresponding for the last month, I feel fairly safe in saying I wouldn’t mind meeting you in person. In the meantime, keep in mind that I’ll be happy to give any guidance as you acclimate to the wonderful world of Skymar. But for now, I shall remain,
Your anonymous friend,
GK
From: Penelope Edgewood
To: Izzy Edgewood, Luke Edgewood, Josephine Martin
Date: August 27
Subject: I’m here!!
My plane just touched down in Skymar! I’m so excited. And particularly grateful that I packed an equally adorable outfit in my carry-on bag since I have chocolate handprints on my blouse in two highly obvious places. It’s a white blouse, which makes the prints all the more obvious, so my plan is to pull my sweater closed at the front while trying to hold my bags and navigate the airport until I can find a bathroom.
What an introduction to Skymar! But the views out the window are so lovely. I can’t believe I have over three months to intern with one of the most historic theaters on the island! Beginning of December may sound very far away, but I’m sure it will come much too quickly!
The emails from Matt Gray, the business manager of the theater, haven’t given a whole lot away on how I can help the marketing team at The Darling House, and their online presence doesn’t really tell me much either because . . . it’s practically nonexistent (which may tell me all I need to know about how to help), but from my rather extensive online search, they have an incredibly rich history of high-quality plays and musicals!
Anyway, we are disembarking, so I’ll let you guys know more later.
One of the other managers of the theater is supposed to meet me at the airport. I’m guessing it’s going to be the one who is more of the PR person, Alec Gray. His photo is on the website and he’s very dashing! I think he and Matt must be related. There are several references to “the Gray Brothers” on the website . . . if you very carefully read the fine print on the very bottom of the Contact Us page. Anyway, Alec Gray looks like Chris Pine. I’m including the website link for you to see for yourself.
Love,
Penelope
PS: I wonder how different the island of Fiacla is from the other Skymarian Islands!
PPS: Brodie is coming to see me on Saturday! Did I tell you that? Oh, Izzy! I’m so glad you’ll be here in a few months! I’m sure he’d much rather see you than me!
PPPS: Do you think “the Gray Brothers” sounds like a pair of gangsters or am I allowing my recent viewing of West Side Story to influence me?
From: Izzy Edgewood
To: Penelope Edgewood, Luke Edgewood, Josephine Martin
Date: August 27
Subject: Re: I’m here!!
Maybe I’m asking the obvious, but . . . why do you have chocolate handprints on two “obvious” places on your blouse?
I’m not sure why, but “the Gray Brothers” sounds so much more like a group of gangsters than Brodie’s family at Sutherland’s Books ever did. And I hope someone is meeting you! Please say you’re not alone, Penelope!
Concerned,
Izzy
PS: Survive for a few days, cousin! Please? Then Brodie can rescue you from gangsters in person on Saturday.
PPS: Any movie/musical you watch influences you, Penelope. Recall Sweeney Todd and how long it took you to go to the hairdresser after that.
From: Luke Edgewood
To: Penelope Edgewood, Izzy Edgewood, Josephine Martin
Date: August 27
Subject: Re: I’m here!!
I’m just wondering why someone would waste perfectly good chocolate. Unless Skymarian chocolate isn’t so great? Oh wait, this was airplane chocolate. It all makes sense now.
Luke
PS: Sweeney Todd was actually a musical I liked. But not the singing parts.
From: Penelope Edgewood
To: Izzy Edgewood, Luke Edgewood, Josephine Martin
Date: August 27
Subject: Re: I’m here!!
I just got off the plane and wanted to send a quick response about the chocolate fiasco. It really was nothing. A mother of two small children was having a difficult time managing the baby during the flight and her three-year-old started crying due to the turbulence, so I offered to help. Needless to say, as the mother was handing the three-year-old over to me, I didn’t realize he had chocolate-covered fingers, and then we hit turbulence, he fell forward, and I can only assume he grabbed onto the most obvious and available parts of me. My squeal caused the flight attendant to come running in our direction, but by the time she arrived, I’d calmed the little guy down with a fun spinning toy I pulled from my Mary Poppins bag. (I did NOT pull out my stuffed otter. Chocolate does not wash off of him as easily as the spinning toy.)
Penelope
PS: Izzy, you didn’t tell me how lovely the airport is he re in Skymar. Except the playground. For some reason there is a giant toy sea monster in there for children to ride. Why would they make something like that? Don’t they know they are contributing to children’s nightmares? I avoided eye contact with it.
PPS: I refuse to respond to the Sweeney Todd reference no matter how much I enjoy the theatrics of Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter.
From: Luke Edgewood
To: Penelope Edgewood, Izzy Edgewood, Josephine Martin
Date: August 27
Subject: Re: I’m here!!
I bet one of the gangster brothers could protect you from the fake sea monster.
Luke
PS: Or you could pull a sword from your Mary Poppins bag.
Text from Luke to Izzy: If Penny-girl ever questions whether I love her, please remind her that I actually respond to her ridiculous emails.
Izzy: I’m so glad you do! It reassures me that your dear little sister really DID write what she wrote. I’m not going crazy.
Luke: Says the woman who is packing up her life in a few months and moving to a foreign country that has five months of winter.
Izzy: You’re just jealous.
Luke: Iz, you can have Brodie. He wears too many sweater vests for me.
Izzy: My boyfriend would not trade me, even if you can speak Klingon. I’m a much better snuggler than you. I was talking about you being jealous of the winters. You love winter.
From: Izzy Edgewood
To: Penelope Edgewood, Luke Edgewood, Josephine Martin
Date: August 27
Subject: Re: I’m here!!
Penelope,
It’s a good thing the sea monster is safely fake so you don’t have to worry about him. Besides, it’s just some fun thing Skymar uses for marketing to the tourists. I can’t remember where that particular sea monster is featured most, but there’s a place somewhere on Ansling where he supposedly makes his appearance.
And I will forever be amazed at what you carry in that magical bag of yours. Why on earth would you have a spinning toy?
BTW, Penelope, are any of the new friends you’ve made through that online Skymarian Theater Troupe going to meet up with you while you’re there? Since you’ve been emailing them for a few months, maybe it will be an easy way to make new friends.
Izzy
Text from Luke to Izzy: Iz, Penelope can make friends with a tree. By the end of the day, she’ll probably have the gangsters joining her in a musical rendition of something with sparkles and fairies, and the sea monster asking to wear that crown she carries around in her bag all the time. I don’t try to make sense of it because there is no sense to be made.
From: Penelope Edgewood
To: Izzy Edgewood, Luke Edgewood, Josephine Martin
Date: August 27
Subject: An underappreciated Mary Poppins rescue
Oh dear! I have so much to tell and most of it is very good. Well, part of it. The dimples part. And the scenery, but as you three know, I do try my best to make rainbows out of rain!
Do you remember how Grandma Edgewood always used to say that I had a remarkable gift of making a first impression? (Now that I think about it, I’m not sure whether she meant that as a positive thing.)
Anyway, I gathered my bags and made it through customs, and apart from one of the security workers mistaking my curling iron for a weapon and another one insisting on checking my shoulders (since they beeped as I went through the security scanner), all was well. I’m not quite certain how shoulders can be dangerous for airport security, but I’ve seen dance moves where the shoulders give off risky vibes. (Grease, Moulin Rouge!, to name two.)
It was very crowded as I searched the waiting area for Mr. Gray. Of course, I expected some sort of colorful banner with my name in neon but didn’t see anything to give me a clue to someone waiting for me. Plus, I couldn’t understand half of what the people around me were saying. As you can imagine, I’d already made out my game plan if no one arrived to pick me up. I’d even printed it out in case Wi-Fi was disabled due to some horrible situation involving whatever island problems can disable Wi-Fi. So, with bags in hand, I marched toward the “dros” and buses—which is taxis and buses, BTW. (I downloaded Translate Now to my phone and the app actually has Caedric!)
Before I’d even made it to the taxis, some man who looked a little like Doc What’s-His-Name from Back to the Future approached me. I think my eyes must have gotten really wide, but not because I was afraid of him; it’s just he wore a constant look of surprise and you all know how I sometimes imitate other people’s facial expressions without knowing it. Anyway, he asked if I’d rather take the ferry to the main island instead of a taxi because “it’s much more scenic,” but I quickly told him I planned to stay on Fiacla instead of going to Ansling right away. (There was no way I was going to tell a complete stranger that I’m petrified of boats!) But I feel it was very providential that I stopped to talk to this ferryman because I might not have heard it otherwise.
Someone was crying, and not just anyone! A child. I’m particularly sensitive to crying children, as you all will remember, since I was so good at crying myself. As the youngest in the family, I ended up getting the brunt of the teasing, not that I’m pointing fingers or anything. (Luke.)
Not too far away sat a little girl crying. She was the most adorable creature. Golden curls in two pigtails, a checked jumper, and the most fantastic patent leather shoes known to man . . . er . . . woman. Mother would have adored them. I immediately thought of Shirley Temple. At any rate, I tugged my cloche hat more tightly on my head, took a firm hold of my Mary Poppins bag, grabbed my suitcase, and dashed toward the little damsel. (I instinctively knew she needed help. I’ve always been in tune with children.)
When I sat down beside her, I immediately pulled my Peter Pan handkerchief from my bag—you know, the one with Tinker Bell on it—and offered it to her. She stared at it long enough to stop crying and then took it, but not before shooting me a confused look. Maybe she’d never seen such an excellent handkerchief.
Within one minute, I found out she had lost her father in the crowd, dropped her milkshake on the floor, and then run away to hide in utter shame from not only the loss of the milkshake but the chocolate stain now donning her jumper. I feel certain that she is my spirit animal.
I offered her a peppermint and asked whether I could help her find her dad. Her face immediately brightened into double dimples! Can you believe it? And she told me that her name was Iris. After I did a quick check on my phone for any shop within the airport that sold milkshakes, Iris took my hand and we started walking through the airport toward Skremtik, which evidently means something ice cream-y.
Now here’s the part where the villain shows up. Though he mistakenly thought I was the villain. Ridiculous, really. What villains wear red cloche hats and Nine West pumps? A female villain would definitely be in Valentino or something expensive like that. We’d barely made it to the food court (or whatever they call it in Skymar) when someone grabbed me by the arm and nearly sent me teetering into some fish shop with the logo of a hat-wearing squid. I expected some older man with a grumpy brow and a voice like he’d chewed on glass, but instead I came face-to-face with a man, probably in his late twenties-ish, who looked a lot like that man Izzy likes to stare at in the movie Austenland. You know? The one who plays the Darcy character. He had the grumpy countenance for certain, and there was a bit of a wave to his brownish hair.
Do you remember that character, Izzy? Not the captain or the barn guy. The other one.
Penelope
PS: The fish at the squid place was very tasty.
PPS: GK from the Skymarian Theater Troupe has sent me some good notes but I’m not sure I’d call her a friend just yet. I don’t even know her real name. Only the initials GK, as the whole online group has a strict rule about sharing real names in the forum—a rule I appreciate. No real names and no real photos. Though if they choose to forsake anonymity, there are opportunities to meet in person too. I gladly chose the initials JA. Not for Jane Austen, as you may think, Izzy, but for the undeniably charming and delightful Julie Andrews.
