Joshua's Room

The bleep of James' laptop on a desk in Josh's room caught my attention, snapping me out of a pensive and philosophical mood. My wife, daughter, and soon-to-be daughter-in-law were lighting up the screen. I had been day dreaming in a spacious recliner.

A worried mother inquired, "Where's James?"

"He's trying the hot-tub. He'll be out in a minute," I placating her.

Rebekah came on and teased, "you have a hot-tub?"

"It's not ours," I said. "It's his. He's called Joshua or Josh." I pushed him forward.

I heard Elizabeth and Becky squeal with delight, "What a hunk!" At that point James appeared in a white Hilton hotel bathrobe and took a bow, his hair damp ginger dripping everywhere.

Sean uttered, "not you, James, it's the rabbi here. By the way where's Rachel?" Sean inquired.

Rebecca became prominent onscreen and said, "Rachel is In Berne for a conference with Save the Children."

"She texted me about that, but isn't she back yet?"

"Aww don't worry, lover boy, she'll be okay for the fitting." Becky said. She could see we were confused and explained Rachel and Becky were going to be chief bridesmaids at James and Aly's wedding in May.

Beaming with pride she announced: "and Wesley will be a page-boy." I asked about him and tingled to hear that he grew stronger by the day.

Not knowing the full story Josh inquired about Wesley. He seemed disappointed that Becky had a child, but wwhen we clarified the domestic situation a glowing smile reached from one ear to the other on the Mossad agent's countenance.

"Miss Morgan I think you've pulled," Sean mocked. "That was quick!"

Becky looked coloured and twirled her black hair. I rarely saw her blush.

The young Israeli soldier seemed amused as he stroked his chin and stared at the screen.

James sat at the laptop. "OK, that's enough comedy."

"If you don't pull that robe together we'll all be R.O.F.L.," Sean said. "See I'm not the technophobic Neanderthal you say I am." I laughed a belly laugh.

Blushes filling his cheeks to each ear, James drew the bathrobe together.

Aly's face came to the front of screen. "What hairy legs ya'll have, James." she mocked. Hilarity broke out. There were guffaws on both laptop screens: changing room laughs.

She then received a long update from us. Both groups had no revelation regarding the newspaper sneak with the initials GJ.

Josh said, "it's someone you all know." We started sounding out possible names: John, James, Jack, Jethro, Jasper...

I stroked my chin and interspersed, "someone at Wesley's party, someone who saw Joseph and invented a story."

"Someone with a grudge," Joshua added, "whose initials are JG or GJ." 'JG or GJ,' I thought, 'Good God! Like James' Morgan James: MJ'

Elizabeth said, "I've never thought of Sur name first. The only person that springs to mind is...."

"Yes it's him," I said. "I've worked it out. G.J, Gould Jason, aka Jason Gould!"

"Didn't that toad come to the party in a brand new Porsche?" Sean asked. "Of course. A friggin' 'Relocation bonus' of 115600 Euros: or Eighty five thousand pounds!" I nodded. James walked around the room cursing.

We explained who he was and Josh hit his left palm with his right fist. "He will be stopped!"

Joshua and Becky shared a tender moment as she mouthed a "thank you".

Sean drew his first finger across his throat.

James took charge again. He invited his mother to clarify the problem that they had at tea-time.

I sat cross-legged on the bed - watching the images on the laptop - eager to see my wife and hear her news. A bewitching face appeared, piercing green eyes that searched a soul; raven black hair adorned her shoulders.

"Go ahead, Liz," my hands clammy. I missed her warmth.

With careful words Liz said, "we were in the kitchen with Tony, plans, drawings and our notes spread out. We'd seen a place ideal for Morgan Fashion, a cafe and the charity offices above." Liz paused and continued, "Tony's lad, Alan, and Wesley played upstairs. Suddenly the front door reverberated violently with loud bangs. I hurried to open it and Maria - Tony's wife - stood there ranting and raving."

"What's her problem?"

"Bloody Morgan this, bloody Morgan that," Liz said "She shouted he was a puppet - that we pulled his strings. She ridiculed his surname "Bullock" and mocked that it should be "Bollock", insisting their lad went home ...NOW! she hollered. My eardrums throbbed. John," Liz continued tearfully, "Alan was dragged away tugging and crying. Wesley cried and shook too."

My wife looked to me for sympathy and support. I gazed into her sparkling green eyes acknowledging how much we all missed home and were sorry that we could do nothing about Tony tonight, but would discuss the matter when we were back home.

I mouthed "I love you" and she did the same with lips that I knew so well.

Aly's face came nearer on the screen, "I've a few things, ya'll. James and I've talked. We're fixing' ta hire two marquees for the wedding reception and evening' disco."

"Epic," James said.

"Also," Aly breathed quickly, "James an' I'll need a place to live after the wedding. I've some details from local Estate Agents I can e-mail, but we need guidance. We're nervous at the rising price of property."

"I've had an idea about that," Sean interjected. I drew my breath, waiting for some jocular punch-line, when he placed himself next to me, appearing onscreen. "You kids can have my apartments above the garages." he said." I can pack all my stuff into trunks and live in my workshop. Tony will make some alterations for me - like a toilet and shower. We would all have our own private door and access so there wouldn't be problem. But I don't want any rumpy-pumpy late at night 'cos my ceiling would be your bedroom floor." James face exploded in red.

I knew my friend would send us to bed with a smile. Josh was scratching his head.