Chapter 7

Marcia and Silas were in Marcia's tiny bedroom, flipping through magazines. They had both agreed that Marcia's flat was far too small for two and were now searching for another to share.

"That one seems pretty good," commented Silas, passing a brochure across.

His fiancée considered it for a moment before answering:

"Yea it's nice! I especially love the Jacuzzi in the bathroom."

The two of them laughed.

"Oh my god! I almost forgot! Marcia, you'll have to meet my parents."

"Oh ok, that's no problem."

"Well…you might find my mother a little, erm…challenging…"

"I'm sure it'll be fine. We can even go now if you want!" offered Marcia, trying to fight the anxiety rising in her.

"That sounds good. Get it over with."

Silas stood up and helped the young woman off the floor.

They walked through the Ramblings for a while. It was around seven o'clock and the air was very chilly. Marcia shivered silently in her short-sleeved T-shirt. Her companion smiled and draped his grey sweater around her shoulders. It was grey with the letters WANNA DANCE written on. Just as she was about to protest that there was no reason for her to be warmer than him, they reached a big door, which Silas pushed open.

The tumult in there was beyond anything Marcia had ever imagined. Two boys, who seemed in their twenties, were wrestling. A woman, sitting on a large couch, dressed in what looked like a large patchwork tent was talking to a young man who couldn't be much older than Silas.

"This," said the latter pointing to the lady on the couch "is my Aunt Zelda. She is a white witch in the Marram Marshes."

"Hello there Silas dear! And who would this be then?"

"This is Marcia, my fiancée!"

"Your fiancée!? Why didn't I hear about this before?"

"Well it's pretty new…"

"Oh. Well it's very nice meeting you Marcia!" concluded Aunt Zelda before turning back to her conversation. The young girl was astounded. No-one seemed to find it special that Silas was engaged. She decided to associate that with the fact that he was the seventh child in the family. Meanwhile, the lad was introducing her to everyone else.

"Those two wrestling are Louis and Edmund. And the one talking with Aunt Zelda is Garth. My Mum is probably in the kitchen."

He guided her to a small room, tiled in white, with an assortment of pots and pans all over the walls. There was a lady, quite large, wearing an apron and busying herself at the stove. She turned around and smiled at her son.

"Silas dear! How nice to see you. And this must be the young lady you were talking to me about. Hello there."

"Hello. Pleased to meet you." Marcia said shyly. For some reason, she felt as if this woman would be trouble. Silas's mother then proceeded to inspect her appearance. Silently she exclaimed:

"Silas! Why is she wearing your jumper?"

"Um I lent it to her because she was freezing…"

"But what about your cold?" she turned to Marcia. "Didn't you notice he was sick?"

"Uh…no…not really! I'm really sorry!"

"You didn't care did you? I know you type of person, girl. We don't want any of that in the family! And there's no way I am letting my son be engaged to someone who doesn't even care about him."

Aunt Zelda suddenly walked in.

"The girl seems sweet enough to me Jenna. And besides, if I recall correctly, you weren't welcomed by our mother either and you and Benji ran away and eloped. I don't know if that is what you want for Silas but I don't think it is a wise decision…"

"Thank you Zelda, I shall treat this matter my self. In fact I already have. Now go on girl, whatever you name was, shoo!"

Marcia felt numb as she directed her footsteps towards the door. She couldn't believe it! She touched the doorknob and felt someone's arm around her shoulders.

"Now, don't you worry dear. Jenna's a bit of a nutshell but if you come back on one of the good days, she'll forgive you alright!"

The girl didn't check to see who it was but she had a vague sensation it might be Zelda. Either way, Marcia was not going to apologise; that woman had been aggressive and, if there was one thing that was sacred to her, it was her pride.

*****

Marcia lay crying on her bed after two consecutive visits from Silas and Endor. Neither could understand why she wouldn't apologise and both had come to the conclusion that this was her way of refusing the engagement. Endor had said that Marcia was cold and heartless to be hurting Silas so badly and she had said that she could consider their friendship over. But Marcia felt betrayed for she thought Silas ought to have stood up for her. Besides, if he really loved her, he would come back…

Septimus was distraught. He realised that Sarah's death was his fault as she had high blood pressure because he had upset her. Moreover, he knew that if he didn't get to Marcia soon, she would probably die too. The young boy wasn't sure that he could bear something like that happening. He was trying to explain to Silas what was happening.

"No Dad, you don't understand! I have to go see her now. I can't be responsible for two people's death!"

"What do you mean Septimus? You are in no way responsible for your mother's illness!"

"No but I'm the one who raised her blood pressure by making her upset."

"No you're not. Actually, she thought quite funny when you stormed off. She was annoyed because all the herbs she had collected had been trampled. Which is why she had to collect new ones and from those, she got poisoned."

Septimus was relieved that he was not to blame himself but, still worried.

"Ok but Marcia…"

"It's ok. I will deal with Marcia."

"Yes but you can't go yourself. Only someone who really cares about her can come in to her rooms."

"Don't worry I will find someone." Finished Silas, hasty to get it done with. "Now Septimus promise me you'll go to bed: it's past one in the morning!"

"Fine, fine," he replied as he watched his father walk out of the room to help the only person, which he could always count on, left in his life…

AN: I'm so sorry, I know these memories must be boring but that was the last one and I had to get it over with. Thank you so much to Camilla Richard and Izanami' for their constant support! :) And to all you wonderful people reviewing!