Letter from Cairo dated 28th April 1927 addressed to Mrs Mary Courageous

Dear Mama

I hope you and Papa are well. I'm glad to hear that the weather has been unseasonably hot and sunny. Long may it continue. Hopefully the regrettable incident regarding the substitution of a piece of glass in the church window with a small lens and the resulting scorch marks on Reverend Thorne's  shiny pate have now been largely forgotten. It's strange; that lens must have been there for some considerable time. You'd almost be forgiven for thinking that someone had deliberately placed it there at the exact point where the sun would hit the very place where the very reverend stands. One can only surmise the motives behind such a calculated action but the long tedious, narcoleptic sermons interjected by spasms of fire and brimstone to keep the adults awake and ensure that children never sleep again must surely be a strong contender. I wonder what went through his mind when it happened? Did he perceive and was filled with the white hot all embracing power of the lord almighty or the burning, fiery clutches of the netherworld pressing a thumb on his scalp and marking him as its own.

Anyway on to the reason why I am writing. I will be home on the 6th of June and staying for a week. The Wedding is in Guildford on the Saturday so I should have enough time to pick up some essential supplies for my return. Have invited cousin Lottie over as she will also be attending. I assume she will be staying in one of the guest rooms overlooking the, in which case please do not put her in the one with grandpapa's old hunting trophies. As you know, she does not agree with the killing animals and does not eat meet so to put her in that room would be akin to putting up the guest bed in the town's abattoir.

Look forward to seeing you all in a couple of weeks.

All my love.

Jack.