After Matthew parked the car in the front of the circle drive and stepped out he found himself just staring into the house. For several moments he just stood outside at the end of the steps looking into the house. It was it was dark but while he was still waiting to go inside Ania approached him.
"Boo." She called out and laughed quietly. "What are you doing just standing outside here? Is there something wrong?"
Matthew turned and looked at Ania, "I don't know" said Matt "it's just the house feels wrong not to mention dark."
"Hmm, I didn't know your were afraid of the dark!" she joked. But the smile slowly faded from her face as Ania looked up to the third floor of the Octagon House.
Matthew followed Ania's line of sight and you could vaguely see the flickering of a candlelight. Matthew noticed that she rarely went to the third floor to read, Emmeline was happy to sit in the library where she could see her 'family'. "She doesn't normally go up there, Ania, what is the matter? Whats going on? Its also very unlike her to keep the house in such a dark state! Emmy is the one that normally makes this place a home?" Matthew was speaking to himself as much as he was speaking to Ania. "Ania, Where is Papa?"
Ania shrugged her shoulders, "He was with Emmy up in the spare room, they were talking low and I couldn't really hear them. But then he left when she headed to the third floor and I believe I saw him headed towards the cemetery for a walk, or something. I'm not sure!" Ania glanced towards the path leading to the orchards and their small cemetery, "Emmy has been like this since after Erin had left."
Matthew choke for a minute before regaining his composure, "Erin was here?"
Ania nodded and then her eyes turned large and she threw her hands over her mouth.
"Ania? Ania? Come on Ania, just tell me! If it was a secret you already let it slip."
Ania bit her lip and considered for a moment. "Erin came over here for Tea, they had planned it a week ago when Erin came here," she paused, "looking for you." She added. Ania wasn't going to let the dress thing slip too, then she would be really bad at keeping secrets. She shook her head, who ever said the dead can keep secrets had clearly never been around the dead before!
"Erin was here with Emmy for tea?" Matthew pondered this for a moment he was struggling to wrap his head around the idea and then could only shrug and turn his attention back to the flickering light on the third floor. "I don't know whether I should bother her or just go about my business."
Ania considered what he said, "I think you should speak to her, I think she has been feeling down because you have been busy and she feels isolated. Papa can go across the street and work on the farm. I can go to school with you. Emmy is just here, alone."
Matthew nodded and headed slowly up the stairs to the third floor. When he reached the top he wasn't sure if she could hear him coming up or not. For a moment he watched her body shudder as if she were crying and it was at that moment that Matt felt that his heart was breaking for his dear Emmy, the one who always tried to make his world bright.
"Good evening Emmy."
Emmeline jumped out of her chair startled, she had been so lost in her own thoughts and pity that she did not hear anyone up the steps let alone join her in the small room. She put her hand on her chest, "Good evening Matthew." she whispered trying to maintain her voice after she had just been crying."
For a moment while Matthew had watched her he could have sworn her face was red and blotching as if she were crying. But that is impossible he thought, she is dead. When he took another look at her she returned to normal. Must be a trick of the candle he thought as that was the only logical. What possible other reason could their be?
"I'm sorry Matthew, I haven't prepared dinner." She said biting her lips and looking down as if she had been caught doing something bad.
Matthew reached for her hands and held them firmly in his hands, "No worries. I was out late studying and had something to eat while I was out." He lied, but he didn't want to add to her guilt.
Emmeline smiled wanly and set her book down.
Matthew was watching her with a strong intensity trying to assess her feelings and what he could do to relieve her pain. He had to do something, "Emmy, I was thinking we could 'Mousetrap'?"
Emmelines eyes brightened, "That would be wonderful we haven't played that in so long! I"ll go down and prep some tea and snacks for you and why don't you find Ania and Gregory?"
Matthew nodded glad to see her mood improved even if it was just temporarily. A game of mousetrap was all she needed. He made sure not to ask about the tea he had with Erin (he was insanely curious) for fear that it would cause Emmeline even more pain.