The Advertisement

‘More coffee, sir? Alfred the butler, or man servant as he preferred to be called, attempted to gain his employers attention.

‘Sir?’ Alfred receiving no response from his employer, began pouring the coffee into the half full cup.

‘Alfred, oh thank you, listen to this’ his employer Mr John Brown, cleared his throat and prepared to read from the National Times newspaper. He was inclined to read out every headline, every morning to Alfred.

As luck would have it the doorbell chose to sound its piercing ring before John Brown could begin his reading and ranting of world news, as was his morning habit, which could become a marathon of which Alfred found so tedious, when he had so many other things of importance he felt he had to do rather then waste time. Saved by the bell, so to speak thought, Alfred, quickly headed to answer the door.

He managed to open the door before the fifth ring. Standing on the threshold was a tired looking mailman.

‘Hello Sam, how’s the twins?’ asked Alfred. He had known Sam the mailman for many years.

‘Damn little buggers up all night, not a wink of sleep for neither me nor the missus, but they aren’t half cute’

He laughed as he handed the morning post to Alfred.

Alfred placed the letters on the silver platter within the reach of John Brown and slipped out as softly as he had slipped into the room, avoiding the long drawn out updating of world news to get on with his daily routine.

John Brown gave a tut of annoyance. The news of the world was grim as usual. The headlines jumped off the front page:

‘The threat of war hung in the air’ John Brown very much doubted the Germans would dare attack England again. He huffed as he slammed the newspaper face down onto the table in disgust.

Taking a sip of his now cold coffee, he contemplated calling Alfred to make some fresh when his eyes fell on the Advertisement section.

He was not usually in the habit of wasting his time reading this section of the newspaper. Occasionally scanning the page and finding the usual nonsense of love to my wife from your loving husband, happy anniversaries, and birthdays. He usually found it all a lot of silly hoo hah.

Today though something seemed odd about a particular advertisement. It caught his eye as it was more of a story. It read as follows:

Dear Thomas, after seeing you today I realise this can’t go on. Take this communication as a farewell. Forget the docks, there not as important as we thought. Tell JB and TK that it’s over, I will not participate anymore. There is too much danger. My safety must-come first, too many rely on me.

Love Tess

John Brown read and reread the advertisement. There was a hint of excitement in him, something he had not felt for a long time. Not since he had worked in secret service with the government, so many years ago now.

The next morning John Brown grabbed up his National Times newspaper and instead of studying the headlines and absorbing every page in depth, he went straight to the advertisement page.

He was convinced yesterdays advertisement was more then just a lover's tiff. He was sure it was code. He knew code that had been his speciality among other things

There it was Thomas had replied.

Dear Tess,

I understand your concerns, but plans are made. They can not be changed. We can’t afford to let anyone down. I must insist you continue to participate, or risk upsetting JB and TK. You know I will always look after you. Safety is not an issue. Meet me at the docks like we planned at 3 o’clock Saturday and we will fix everything together.

Love Thomas

John Brown shook his head, could he be mistaken. Was his first thoughts wrong. Maybe it was just a simple love story.

Was he becoming senile, seeing messages where there was no more then just lover’s rendezvous.

There was nothing in Saturday’s newspaper and John Brown shook himself off as he drank his morning coffee.

‘Alfred, I fear I’m losing my faculties’

‘I’m sure, sir that’s not the case’

‘Maybe, but I’m not convinced’ said John Brown as he grabbed his coat and left to take a stroll along the docks. He glanced at his watch it was almost 3pm.

He wandered up and down. There were lots of couples, old and young, sitting or walking, some hand in hand, others laughing, just enjoying each others company. His couple, Thomas and Tess could have been any of them.

Why did he think he would know them. He laughed to himself and after an hour or more he headed home.

Sunday's paper arrived.

Dear Thomas, why did you not show. I waited for hours. I did as you asked, but you let me down, now they will be angry. I thought you were going to keep me safe. What shall I do now.

Love Tess

John Brown was outraged. Why didn’t Thomas show. Had something happened to him. Who would protect Tess.

John Brown felt responsible for Tess. He felt he had to protect her.

He began to write

Dear Tess,

I would like to help if I can.

John

He went straight to the National Times newspaper building and paid for his advertisement to go into Monday's newspaper.

Tuesday’s newspaper headlines read: Man found shot dead on the docks. The man has yet to be identified.

John turned to the advertisement page.

Dear John,

Thank you for your offer of help. I appreciate you having resolved my dilemma.

Love always Tess.

John Brown smiled to himself and laughed. There was still life in this old man.

‘That’s why we are called sleepers’ he had spoken out loud without realising .

‘Pardon sir’ Alfred asked, as he topped up the coffee.

‘Oh, nothing Alfred, just these silly advertisements in the newspaper’

‘Now let me just read what’s happening in this crazy world to you Alfred’

Alfred cringed and hoped for the doorbell to ring.

The end