Chapter 1
“Otto!”
I knew it was too late, his light steps waltzed away from me,
the music momentarily louder as he swept through the swishing curtain.
His moods were increasingly darker, he rarely had any time for me these days.
I remembered the warm musky aroma when he first took me from the cabinet.
It was the evening after his first rhapsodic performance as the new maestro.
His autumn-brown eyes peered at me mischievously as a slender hand rested on his chin. “So you are the famous Hedy?” His smile caught in my eyes.
He ruffled my hair and looked even closer at me. I could smell a rich, honeyed aroma
as he squinted his eyes and said “Maestro Leopold was right about your beauty, now
we’ll see if you are the musical inspiration he so often maintained.”
As he gently placed me back on my seat in the cabinet, he blew a kiss at me and winked.
I felt a flurry of warmth within.
Chapter 2
The operatic chords, like parting clouds fell away to reveal a harmonious lull
through which I glimpsed the crescent moon,
now like never before, her silvery grace
breathing life into my dream.
A small gasp escaped my lips as I noticed a shadow moving in the corner, a strange scurrying sound paused to reveal a raggedy-looking doll in a pale-green suit, with shiny silver buttons.
He had
a cruel but noble face with a crooked nose that looked like it may have been recently repaired. He bowed in front of the cabinet and smiled to reveal gnarly teeth, they reminded me of gravestones.
His head was squarish with just enough graying hair to cover it.
“Excellent to make your acquaintance,” he reached out as if to shake my hand.
“Hugo at your service, and what may I ask is your name mon cherie?.”
I felt myself blush as I replied, “I’m Hedy,” as I curtsied the finale of the opera could be heard, followed by rapturous applause.
Chapter 3
Maestro strode into the room, his coattails fluttering together like hands clapping,
“O, I see you’ve met Hugo, my childhood companion and eternal friend.” He lifted
Hugo close to his face and whispered something to him.
As I examined them I could see similarities with the squarish heads and noble outlines, but Maestro seemed elegant
and handsome compared to Hugo’s apparent deterioration.
“You must promise to look after him Hedy,” he said opening the cabinet and stroking my cheek. My heart quickened.
He pushed a gold statue to the corner of the cabinet and gently placed Hugo next to me. “Delightful!” he exclaimed, a glint in his eye “A duet of beauty and of course..my dear beastie!” he let out a small laugh and turned to leave the room.
The moon now cloaked by wispy clouds, was silent.
Chapter 4
The polished grandfather clock chimed punctually, it’s dulcet notes
caressing the early morning ambiance.
The sun promising its glory, illuminated the pendulum as it swung
rhythmically, reminding me of a wonderful aria I had loved.
Since his arrival, Maestro Otto had instructed a grand piano to be placed
in the far corner of our room which was directly opposite the cabinet. It was
golden- hued in the sunlight and appeared in harmony with the rest of the room.
Whenever he sat to play it, he would fling open the cabinet and allow both Hugo and
I to sit on the shiny surface of the piano and watch him compose his pieces.
On this day in particular, he came in as the chimes sounded seven times.
He had on a burgundy robe and small purple glasses perched precisely on his nose.
“Mon amies, my little darlings, how are you this magnifique morning?”
He unlocked the cabinet and his hand hovered near Hugo, then moved towards me,
“Actually I need une source d’inspiration today.” He beamed as he lifted me out.
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