Cover of The Postcards from Nowhere

Owen's family moved into their new house just two months ago. Since then, postcards keep arriving addressed to someone named Priscilla Hart. The first one shows a beach with a short note: "Wish you were here! Miss our summer walks. Love, G." Owen assumes it's simply a mistake and leaves it on the counter.

But another postcard arrives the following week, and then another the week after that. Each one is signed differently, but they all mention memories Owen doesn't recognize. There's a garden, a dog named Biscuit, and a trip to the mountains. His younger sister Nora starts to find it a little unsettling.

"Maybe someone is sending secret messages," Nora says one evening, clearly more excited than worried. "Or maybe this Priscilla person is missing and nobody has told us."

Owen isn't convinced by his sister's dramatic theories, but even he has to admit the pattern is strange. He decides to look up the previous owner of the house. A quick search shows that a woman named Priscilla Hart lived there for almost thirty years. She later moved into a retirement community across town.

Once Owen has her new address, he visits the retirement home. He brings the whole stack of postcards to the front desk. The woman at the desk recognizes the name immediately and smiles.

"Oh, these are from her sister," she explains. "They've been writing to each other for years. Her sister just still uses the old address out of habit. I'll make sure Priscilla gets them today."

Owen feels a small wave of relief, mixed with something else. He's a little sorry the mystery has such a simple answer. Nora, on the other hand, is delighted to hear that Priscilla has a dog named Biscuit. She insists they should visit sometime.

A few weeks later, a new postcard arrives, this time addressed correctly to Owen's family. It's from Priscilla herself, thanking them for their kindness and inviting them over for tea.

🧠 Check your understanding

  1. What keeps arriving at Owen's new house?

    Show answer

    Answer: Postcards addressed to someone named Priscilla Hart

    Postcards signed by different people keep arriving for a woman named Priscilla Hart.

  2. What does Nora think might be happening?

    Show answer

    Answer: That Priscilla is missing and nobody has told them

    She dramatically suggests Priscilla might be missing, though Owen isn't convinced.

  3. Who has been sending the postcards, and why?

    Show answer

    Answer: Priscilla's sister, who still uses the old address out of habit

    The woman at the retirement home explains that Priscilla's sister just never updated the address.

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