Joseph unburdens himself

Joseph, Sean and I entered the hall and wiped our feet. I called Liz, who came from the kitchen. Her cheeks were flushed with joy. I needed her tact and diplomacy: good at pouring oil on troubled water.

Drawing her to one side in the hall-way I said quietly, "can you make sure we aren't disturbed, Liz?"

Puzzlement on her face, she smoothed her raven black hair behind her ears. "OK," she said. Opening the lounge door she addressed a group of children watching a DVD, "Can you guys play in Wesley's room please?"

"Aww gran ... its Toy Story ..." a voice pleaded.

"You can watch it later, Hun," Liz the diplomat added, "come on let's go... I haven't seen your toys yet."

Like the Pied Piper Liz herded a party of boys and a few girls up the stairs. The noise of chattering and laughter continued until a door closed.

We took our seats in the lounge; pressure in the room built up like somebody inflating a tyre. Even the Bourne seemed to understand the tension; he curled up in the hearth, his head low.
Joseph edged forward on the blue leather settee, which made a soft squelching noise. He cleared his throat and stated the reason for his anxiety.

"My niece Esther called me in great distress from Jaffa yesterday - Jan 3rd," Joseph said. "She sounded overwrought. Nobody had heard from Simeon for several days. Since New Year's Day he has vanished."

Shocked I said: "Vanished?" ... nobody just vanishes." I indicated with my palm that Joseph should continue. Sean edged forward on his recliner.

Joseph swallowed, wiping his eyes with a white handkerchief. "A phone call the day before had instructed her to get The Box to her house if she wanted to see her father again. She insisted she didn't know about a box but they hung up."

I looked across at Sean questioningly. 'Who knew about the Box?' Sean's face muscles tensed. He gritted his teeth. He stood and placed his back against the fireplace, moving Bourne with his foot. The Labrador looked back with questioning eyes and slunk down on the carpet, stretching his paws.
"Please carry on, Joseph," I felt an increasing nervousness.

"She had called me with her concern. Who had taken her father and why? What was this box? I called friends in Tel Aviv, where I thought Simeon would visit. It soon became clear to me that Simeon had been ...kidnapped."

At this phrase Joseph broke down sobbing. He continued after some time, his voice becoming hoarse, and his hands shaking. "I assured Esther I would help, warning her that she must not contact the police yet, because that could result in danger to her and Simeon."

"You did right saying that," Sean said, "let's find out what they want."

"It's The Box," Joseph cupped his hands like a man in prayer.

"We share your worry, Joseph," I stood to place my hand on his shoulder. "We'll do whatever is necessary."

"Aye we will," Sean added, "don't worry, we'll find your brother ... and deal with those who took him."

I felt that dark claws were reaching across the globe: dragging me back to Israel. The box and its contents were linked mysteriously to both good and evil.

My head spinning with the news I said, "Joseph you must stay in our Guest Room. You're welcome. We'll call the family together tonight and make plans".

"I'm afraid that I cannot make this evening. I'm celebrating our Sabbath with friends. I believe we need Our God's help." Joseph said. "Please we must call Esther; maybe we can meet on Sunday?"

"OK. Sunday it is then. Meet at 10.00?" I looked at Sean and Joseph and they nodded

I took Joseph by the arm into the kitchen, put the kettle on, and offered him the phone from the wall. Sean and I opened cupboards while our friend held a conversation in his native tongue. I poured boiling water into mugs, adding milk and sugar to Mellow Birds.

Joseph said, "no milk, please, John." Sean had his coffee black too.

Placing the phone in its cradle Joseph said, "Esther is comforted to hear we'll do something. She says it's like a cloud has lifted." Joseph added, "she is trying to busy herself with her job as a Staff Nurse."

After we had supped our coffee I asked Rebecca to drop Joseph at the town's railway station. Joseph shook our hands and embraced us, kissing us all on both cheeks. I felt a chill as we stood on the doorstep waving to Joseph seated in the passenger side of Becky's car; the wind or some ominous feeling of dread? James and Aly squeezed into the back of the purple Ka, eager to share their news with friends in Aly's college digs in Stockport. The car crunched over the gravel and eased to the gateway. It looked cramped with only four people.

Amidst the discomfort over Joseph's news I had forgotten James' engagement. 'Engaged,' I thought, 'my lad is engaged!'

A secret love revealed. I thought of another secret, and who knew?