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    After the Thirty Days: Companion novellas to the Apostle John Series, #1
    After the Thirty Days: Companion novellas to the Apostle John Series, #1
    After the Thirty Days: Companion novellas to the Apostle John Series, #1
    Ebook131 pages1 hour

    After the Thirty Days: Companion novellas to the Apostle John Series, #1

    By Susan Preston

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    About this ebook

    A first century Jewish girl, a dying grandfather - how will she survive?

    A hurried betrothal to her cousin provides the protection she needs, and pleases her grandfather on his deathbed.

    Then a challenge to the betrothal!
    A cunning lie, a man who claims a previous arrangement was made with Esther's dead father.

    Can the lie be exposed?

    Who will Esther be marrying after the 30 days mourning period?

    First in a series of companion works to the Apostle John series, After the Thirty Days is a dramatic religious novella.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSusan Preston
    Release dateAug 7, 2019
    ISBN9781393531999
    After the Thirty Days: Companion novellas to the Apostle John Series, #1
    Author

    Susan Preston

    The fact I am alive today is a miracle. The surgery for aneurysms resulted in most of my aorta having a very long graft. Three surgeons had called me called a walking time bomb. But here I am. Well and busy. I was born in Peebles, a town in the Scottish borders, but moved to Australia in 1975. I live in Perth, Western Australia. I have worked as a shop assistant, double loom weaver, trained as a Psychiatric nurse and worked as an After-care Nursing Sister in an outpatient clinic and in the community. My last job (before being bitten by the writing bug) was as a certified computer trainer. (Certificate IV in Training and Assessing). The holder of a Microsoft Master qualification in Office 2007, I enjoyed my work in a Registered Training Centre. I also had some private students and wrote manuals for them re-interpreting the jargon filled, missing steps manuals that left beginners wanting to quit. I loved the 'aha' moment when it clicked for a student, especially mature aged learners. So far two books in this series have been published. Hold the Faith, and book 2, Grow in Grace. After the death of my husband, I was unable to concentrate for long, so spent my writing time completing 'Geoff's Last Journeyings', a record for friends and family my husband's last year in the battle with Pulmonary Fibrosing. I have also kept up my blogs... Hold the Faith. Now, it is time to start work on the existing first draft of book three in the Apostle John series . Christian history fascinates me and a Bible Study on the Apostle John inspired me to set this history down. I am a practising Christian, a Sabbath keeper and member of a very supportive church.

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      Book preview

      After the Thirty Days - Susan Preston

      Author note to readers of the Apostle John Series:

      The Apostle John (Saba) is not in this novella. Saba simply means ‘grandfather,’ and John was called that as an affectionate and respectful name... because of his age.

      This novella follows ‘Old Simon’s’ family – or some of them. He is referred to as Saba in this work. He is the grandfather of Esther and Judah, as well as Timon. Rachel too, but she has taken the heretic Christian faith, as is her mother, Elizabeth, doing.

      Time setting – late nineties AD, concurrent with some of the events in Hell Shall Not Prevail, the fifth and final book in the Apostle John Series.

      Characters – various characters from the different books in the series.

      This is the story ‘behind a story’ if you care to see it that way. It was the unwritten backstory of the people in the series, and particularly of the events of Hell Shall Not Prevail.

      You will find no ‘Christian’ characters in this novella, only the Jewish ‘side.’

      I hope you enjoy it.

      Susan

      Novellas in this series...

      After the Thirty Days

      No Evil Shall Befall You

      Clash of Faiths

      Chapter One

      97 AD, Old Simon’s home a week before Passover

      in Lila’s quarters

      Sweeping the strand of hair back from her face, Lila secured it in the knot it had escaped from, and went back to preparing the betrothal cup.

      Doran watched, wondering what changes this betrothal might bring.

      ‘Old Simon’ said he would not see Passover, Doran whispered to his mother.

      When he knew Esther was returning, and why, he was determined to see the betrothal done. She has arrived in time... just.

      I know, Aima, Doran breathed, but will this change our future? Will we still have a home here?

      You know Simon lodged formal documents...

      I wondered what we would do if Esther and Judah wanted them overturned and we no longer have a home.

      Reaching for the skin of good wine, Lila replied decisively, Simon gave me a large sum of money before Meshua returned. I have been considering moving back to my home city when... when Simon dies, and the mourning is over.

      Doran missed the first part of her comment and said, I asked the rabbi about mourning, and he said because I am not blood kin, I do not have to keep the one-year mourning period.

      I know, Simon and I talked about it. You are a stepson, not a blood son. As the law requires, I will keep the thirty days, you need to keep the week from the burial, only Meshua would have had to keep the year of mourning, and he is dead.

      I will mourn ‘Old Simon’ longer than a week. He has been good to me... even before he married you.

      I know son, and now you had better go back to the shop. He would tell you that he is not dead yet and the shop should remain open.

      Yes, Aima, I will go in by the back lane so I do not disturb him, or the family.

      Lila smiled at her son, she would have to find out what he wanted to do, but that conversation could wait. Carefully, she poured wine into the betrothal cup and waited.

      In the main room

      Rachel, come near girl, ‘Old Simon’ rasped as he lay on his daybed.

      Saba, it is me, Esther, not Rachel.

      Struggling to raise his head, ‘Old Simon’ asked, Where is your sister? Working in the shop? Her father does not want her working there.

      I know, Saba, and she doesn’t work there now, Esther whispered tearfully turning to look at Judah.

      Saba, Judah said, You wanted to conduct our betrothal ceremony, are you well enough to do it?

      Judah, I am sorry, my mind must have been wandering. I thought Rachel was here, I wanted to apologize to her.

      Rachel does not live here any longer, Saba, Judah said patiently. Esther has come home from her aunt and uncle’s farm because I sought your permission to marry her.

      ‘Old Simon’ glanced at Esther before replying, It is what I wanted, Judah. You are my heir, and she is my granddaughter. A bout of coughing interrupted his words. Is her mother here? he asked when he regained his breath.

      With a sideways glance at Esther, Judah said, No, Saba, she was unable to come.

      Eyebrows meeting in a frown, ‘Old Simon’ said, She’s become one of them? I warned her a long time ago. He gasped for breath for a few moments then added, She did not say anything when she came to see me.

      I talked to her as she was leaving, Judah replied. "She was not ‘one of them’ as you put it, but she was taking lessons, or about to take lessons. I did not think it wise to include her, not under the circumstances."

      Esther stared at the floor, her eyes misting over. She would have no family members here, only her grandfather and Judah. Her brother and his family were far away in Patara, and her mother and sister were lost to her now.

      Judah glanced at her, wondering if she remembered their discussion about her mother.

      Looking up, Esther met his questioning gaze and nodded. She agreed with his decision, but she was glad she had talked to her mother when she had come to nurse her during her illness.

      You are willing, Esther? ‘Old Simon’ asked.

      I am, Saba, Esther replied. A myriad of thoughts went through her mind.  What choice did she have? He was her only male relative, and he was dying. It was for this reason she had been brought back from her aunt and uncle’s farm. Her mother would not be part of the celebrations, nor would she help her prepare for the marriage. Judah had no family members here. His father, brothers, and sisters were in Egypt. His only family here was Saba.

      ‘Old Simon’ said, Then let us do this before I go to my ancestors while waiting for you to be ready.

      Used to his grandfather’s ways, Judah simply responded, Lila was preparing the cup, are you well enough for the formal role, Saba?

      Of course I am. Help me to sit, ‘Old Simon’ insisted.

      No, Saba, but I will put more cushions behind you, Judah replied.

      After he was as comfortable as possible and had recovered his breath from the effort, he looked around until he saw Esther standing back, looking at him anxiously. His voice barely more than a whisper, he asked again, Do you want this, child?

      Esther took a step closer to her grandfather’s couch, and assured him again, Yes, Saba.

      Shall I bring in the cup? Lila asked, startling Esther who had been so caught up in her thoughts she had not seen Lila open the door.

      Yes, ‘Old Simon’ said. I am ready to do this.

      When Lila went to fetch the cup, Judah and Esther moved to stand near ‘Old Simon’s’ couch.

      ~~~~~~

      Loud knocking at the door startled Lila, but she picked up the betrothal cup, hurried into the main room with it, and said, Someone is knocking at the door, I need to answer it.

      We will carry on without you, ‘Old Simon’ coughed as he reached for the cup.

      Esther and Judah looked at him, concern etching their faces. They looked at each other, then turned back to ‘Old Simon.’

      I should take the cup, Saba, Judah said, afraid his grandfather would spill it and bring them bad luck. I am the one asking Esther to share my cup and my life.

      ‘Old Simon’ shrugged and gave in. He was leaving this earth, and he wanted to see the betrothal done. At least he could ensure one of his descendants through Meshua was looked after and remained in the faith. ‘Strange’ he mused, ‘how faith is more significant when there is nothing left.’ Struggling to concentrate, he watched Judah ask Esther if she was willing to share his life and drink of his cup, and when she agreed, offer the cup to her.

      When she took it and agreed, ‘Old Simon’ smiled and slumped back on the cushions.

      The knocking on the door grew more insistent while Lila hurried to answer it. Obviously, it was not someone who knew of ‘Old Simon’s’ approaching death, nor someone from the synagogue come to spend time with him in this period when he was approaching death. No one, knowing the facts would knock like this on the door of a dying man’s home.

      Opening the door, an admonition on her lips, Lila froze and stared bewildered. The stranger standing there looked like a younger, fitter, version of her husband.

      I would like to see my father, if he still lives, the man stated.

      Forehead furrowed in concentration, Lila continued to stare at the man, troubled. Finding her voice, she asked, "Who are you?"

      Simon, called ‘Young Simon’ here in Ephesus, and son of ‘Old Simon’ as he is known, and I am the father of Judah, who is his heir.

      I apologize, it is a distressing time... please come in.

      Does my father still live? asked ‘Young Simon.’

      Yes, he does, although he is very weak.

      Then will you take me to him?

      He is endorsing a betrothal between his younger granddaughter and... oh, Lila gasped.

      My son?

      Yes, if your son is his grandson from Egypt.

      "I said that Judah is my

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