Velma’s Mysterious Halloween Mystery

Chapter 4
Care for a cuppa?

Chapter Description: Velma gets the royal treatment. (Hannibal? Is that you?)

Smiling wistfully, Augustus came over and picked up his folders from the lampstand where Velma had left them. He offered his hand to Velma and she took it with the innocence of a trusting child. He walked her out of the guest room to another well-kept room. “It’s my daughter’s. I never forget the days of innocence and fun we had when she was your age. Won’t you play a game or two of house or have tea as the high queen with me, my dear?”

“Jinkies! What about my friends? Shouldn’t they be cared for?” asked a serious Velma.

“All taken care of, my dear! The help has been alerted and will come out of their hidey holes to take care of the babies and puppy. Now about that tea, hmm?” Augustus rang a bell to summon his personal attendant. After arriving, Augustus gave him instructions for tea and seated her at a middle-sized table that was a little tall for children and a little small for adults.

“Oh! Where are my manners!  You should change out of that frumpy sweater into something more appropriate. You’ll find some clothes and princess costumes in that side closet over there. Please feel free to get dressed up for our tea, my dear. I’ll wait here while they bring it.”

Velma decided to play along for a while this would allow her to gather the information that might be helpful to her escape. She dressed up in a pink chiffon princess gown with a pair of matching buster-brown shoes and lacey white cotton ankle socks to complete the outfit. Velma returned to Augustus and courtesied for him before sitting down.

“Ah, good timing, your highness! The tea has just arrived. I’ll put in some milk and sugar to take the bitterness out,” he handed her the tea and she sniffed it to see if it might be laced with something. Nope! Smelled like a good English breakfast tea to her! She sipped it experimentally and found it good. 

“Ah, there’s nothing as good as an all-around tea such as P.G. Tips, don’t you agree?” he said as he took a sip from his cup.

“Well, Jinkies! I –”

“Uh, uh, uh! You’re playing a princess, you have to act like one!” enthused Augustus.

“Oh! Um, We are most pleased that you are with us on this occasion, um, Augustus. May we call you Augustus?” play-acted Velma.

“Most certainly, your highness! It brings us great pleasure to be called on a first-name basis, we thank you! Do proceed!” encouraged a delighted Augustus.

“We note that we haven’t become as young as our friends by your, um, elixir? Is there a delayed effect, perhaps?”

“Oh, my! So quick to get to the heart of our discussion. Very businesslike! So I’ll tell you, my little princess, If you can amuse me, I won’t ‘unbirth’ your friends! Do you understand, highness?” as he said the word "unbirth", he held up his hands and made a quoting gesture. His smile became chilly.

Velma gulped, “Um, we would be happy to do so, d-dear Augustus! Maybe we can talk of how your formula works, yes?” she asked, her face clearly showing her fear as she attempted to cover it up with a plastered on smile.

Augustus warmed back up as if nothing had happened between them, “Well, that’s just fine, very fine indeed! I was worried that I would have to spend the next few decades with you not being able to discuss the finer points of chemistry and biology! I do hope you’re up to the challenge, my dear!”