Marlowe’s feet ached and his heart was weary. After inexplicable tattoos, magnetic mishaps, and a golden footprint fiasco, all he wanted was a break from the enigmatic episodes of his life. Tucked away from the world’s chaotic charms, he discovered a quaint little cottage, nestled deep within the woods. It seemed to promise solace, quiet, and most importantly, a life devoid of anything remotely magical.
Having hung his mismatched socks on a peg by the door, Marlowe sighed in relief. For the first time in a while, he felt grounded, free from mysterious ailments. The peaceful chirping of crickets, the gentle rustling of leaves; it was all so… normal.
That was until the next morning, when the serene silence was punctured by the sound of wings fluttering furiously. Marlowe squinted into the bright morning sun to see Postman Pixie, a petite figure in post-office blue, carrying a suspiciously sporty-looking package.
“For Marlowe Mismatch,” she announced, dropping the parcel on his doorstep.
Marlowe blinked in disbelief, tearing open the package. Tennis rackets? He didn’t even play tennis! Maybe it was a one-off mistake.
But the next day, the fluttering wings announced the arrival of badminton shuttles. The day after, a fresh pair of jogging shoes, although in a rather luminous shade of green. Each package came with a little note, “Courtesy of the best online sports equipment store in Australia.”
Postman Pixie, always punctual, greeted Marlowe’s exasperated sighs with a chipper smile. “It says here, delivered to Marlowe’s Magical Cottage! Got it from a place that offers home gym equipment for sale online. Address is spot on!”
“Look, Pixie,” Marlowe said, waving his mismatched socks for emphasis, “I haven’t ordered any of these!”
She just shrugged, leaving behind more parcels.
Weeks went by, and the clearing around Marlowe’s cottage began to look like an outdoor sports equipment expo. Everywhere he stepped, there were kettlebells, yoga mats, and baseball mitts. Even the squirrels started lifting tiny weights.
On the last day of the month, Marlowe noted with concern the increasing temperature around the area. It was turning out to be a hot summer. Between the deluge of deliveries and the rising heat, Marlowe began contemplating an air conditioning unit for his cottage. After all, what else could possibly go wrong?