“Saira turned to Joe, open-mouthed. She’d already de-coded the first paragraph and couldn’t believe it.

‘What’s up?’

‘Wait till you hear this,’ she said, her voice trembling.

Dear Saira,

First and foremost, please read this letter before decoding any labels. I’m writing this before I leave for Egypt and if you are reading it, then, I’m sorry to say, I am no longer with you. But this doesn’t mean I’m dead…not quite, anyway.”

From ‘The Golden Goblet– included in the showcase