Joshua's place

The front wheels of his green Land Rover grab and skid on the compacted snow. It was embedded with brown mud and broken twigs from the maze of countryside tracks. Jacob Jonas and his family feel the soothing warmth from the vibrating car engine. Up through the windy road they go past overlooking trees and ancient stone farm buildings. Then they approach the red front door of a rustic Victorian cottage clad in irregular stone and sagged slates on the roof. Through the large, grand and impressive front door, they navigate the polished oak hallway. This takes them through to the red and gold decorated seasonal front lounge.

A large, grand, wood burning fireplace greets the four of them after snow drenched coats, scarves, hats and gloves are piled from the hooks which hang them. The crowded white tiled pantry is drenched with the mudded water from strong leather boots. Smooth, auburn varnished armchairs and couches surround a maroon, irregularly rectangular floor mat. On this Jacobs' children lovingly play a game with plastic toys. Jacobs' friend sits in a soft padded armchair with a large glass of velvety maroon wine. Jacob takes his place, on a cold mid-December evening, as Joshua's three children were visiting their mothers' parents. Red raw noses and cheeks thaw to their soft original states as the young family of guests settles before Christmas food. This was a selection of mince pies, pigs in blankets, sausage rolls and that which helped make the festive party feel very English.

Jacob with his three children, Francis, Alfred and Florence, then form part of the circle with Joshua in the armchair near the entrance to the cozily set out front room. Jacob was a tall man, in his mid-thirties, with short shaven hair who occasionally wore reading glasses. Francis and Alfred were 7 and 8 respectively, and both had brown hair and green eyes. They loved trips away to Joshua's' house in festive times, so that they could play in the large corridors, between bookcases and around warmly clad couches. Florence was a pretty young 5 year old, with flowing auburn hair and hazel eyes who loved every type of book she could be shown. The five of them sat round whilst Joshua then begins to recite an unlikely story, with the listeners still, leaning forward and engaged.

After the story, which left the listeners in sheer amazement, Jacob asks, 'Tell me then, who was the man at the end of the story?'