The Last Letters of Francis Leopold (A Prisoner) - Letter Two

5th February

Dearest reader, allow me to get straight to the story of my predicament with this follow up letter. It was the 10th December, and I was walking through the markets with my sister, Macey-

You see this time I have recalled to inform you of important names early in the telling- we were exploring our local market, like most markets of Britain, they are a place that many come to buy and to sell, and as I discovered… to steal.

The fruit vendor from which the fateful apple incident occurred was quite close to where we entered the market area so Macey and I had agreed to only look at items in the stalls as we went through, then only on our return trip we could procure them if we wished. This was a strategy for market shopping that our Father had installed into us from a young age.

As I say we were exploring the markets-

Pardon once more dear reader, I feel it is imperative at this time to explain to you in greater detail, my father, sister Macey, and the rest of the Leopold family.

My father is a respected lawyer in the town in which I was raised, a senior partner is his firm to be exact, Leopold, Lockehart, & Leopold, my elder brother being made a partner quite recently I have heard, however during my youth, the firm was Leopold & Lockehart-

Actually I suppose it is inconsequential as it plays no real part in my life story to this point-

If you are thinking ‘Surely you were defended by Leopold, Lockehart, & Leopold in your trial?' You would like me think this a natural thing and logical. However I was defended by the lesser known Button & Button law firm, and one may be inclined to say this is partially the reason I find myself where I do… perhaps more on this later.

My mother was named Isabel, and came from a well off family from another county, sadly mother passed almost five years ago, since her passing my father became quite closed off and could often be found in his law office even when he had no work, he has struggled since she left us, but feels as though he must show the world a brave face moving forward.

It was always strange to me that after mother passed, we did not hear much from her family anymore. Possibly the odd card was sent addressed to the whole family around the time of Christmas, but no individual cards of celebration for other milestones.

I have long suspected that the mother's family was never partial to her marriage to father and quietly resented him and our lot but kept up appearances for the sake of their daughter, Loretta - My mother.

Then after she passed, the details of which I feel too personal to share with you at this time, please do not take offence dear reader, her family decided it was time to cut off the Leopold’s once and for all. They certainly have not been a help to me in my current situation.

And of course, my sweet sister Macey- with whom you will recall I was with at the markets on the fateful day I placed that cursed apple back. Macey is seven years my junior, and was only fifteen when mother passed.

As such, with father often busy with work or at least presenting to the world that he was, I took a lot of the responsibility for raising Macey, along with some of the house staff and until the apple incident our lives since mother’s passing have been relatively carefree and positive.

I’m sure you will hear much more about sweet Macey as my tale moves on, and when it is of importance to the story I am attempting to tell you, but so far have not been very successful at-

Oh Blast and damnation, I have allowed myself to get carried away once more in trivial details of matters and run out of room. I must try to make a note for myself, when penning letters, to try and remain focused on the main point-something I have never been great at in hindsight.

Until my next letter, yours faithfully,

Francis Hermes Leopold (Prisoner)

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Author's Note: The Last letters of Francis Leopold is a serial/episodic story that is presented as letters. Each letter starts with no real idea where it will end, and is written as a free flow train of thought, with minimal revision and editing for now. It is an experimental project and I have no idea where it’s going, enjoy the journey.

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