‘Josh has gone crazy again,’ my sister-in-law’s voice on the phone says. ‘He’s moved to the abandoned mine workings in the woods and is trapping his own food. Says he doesn’t trust anyone. He has the place lined with lead.’
‘Lead?’
‘Well, he says it’s lead. I told him I was going to call social services but he swore if anyone came near the mine he’d shoot them with his crossbow.’
Two hours later I’m outside the disused mine where my sister-in-law is waiting. ‘Josh, it’s Trish,’ I shout. ‘Can we talk?’
‘Keep your distance,’ Josh yells. ‘There’s only enough here for Emily and me. You need to find your own refuge.’
‘Emily’s a girlfriend from way back,’ my sister-in-law explains. ‘He seems to think she’s coming to join him.’
I can see Josh crouching in the shadows of the mine entrance wearing camouflage. He seems to be loading the crossbow.
‘If you want to help,’ he yells, ‘you could bring us a pack of multivitamins.’
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Simon Collings
Picture Nick Victor
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