It's good being Bishop, but I am a human being too. I would like to have a family. I want to find a good man and marry him. I know one such man.
He is kind, always helpful to others, especially women, gives to charity, goes to church on Sundays, is good-looking, and I like him, perhaps even love him. But, you are saying, what is the big but? Cuthbert has a harem.
I often go for long walks with him and try to persuade him to give up his harem. I always find new arguments against his hobby, as he calls it. He always listens to what I have to say and often agrees, but he keeps his harem.
The girls in his harem are friendly to me, this was a big surprise. As Angela said:
We all love Cuthbert, so we are happy. You too love Cuthbert, so we want you to be happy too.
I talk to the girls more often than to Cuthbert, because of their safe house for women in trouble. It is sad to have to say this, but there are too many husbands, boyfriends, fathers and even homes that are unkind to girls and women, and sometimes violent. The girls in Cuthbert's harem will take any girl in trouble and protect her.
It is not an official home for battered women; where the money comes from, I do not know. The girls just want to do this and do it right.
Often a girl will knock on their door, they take her in, they ask no questions, they bandage her wounds, they feed her right, they protect her against any violent husband or boyfriend or pimp, and she lives in the house as long as she wants or needs. She will not normally join the harem. The girls have also taken one or two battered men into their care.
I give them as much support as I can, because they are doing a good job, however unnecessary it should be. They overdo the protection though, several husbands have earned long stays in hospital.
The house is full of women, and one man. At my suggestion the girls invited the fire brigade and the police to check the building as if it was an official home. Two weeks later the house was decorated with fire escapes, extinguishers, safety doors, a strong steel fence, outdoor lighting and so on. The girls are very serious.
My feelings about Cuthbert grew and grew. One day we were sitting on a bench in the sunshine and I proposed to him. I did not know what to expect from him. He cried.
I put my arm round him, but he did not stop crying. I felt awful. What to do? I pulled out my mobile phone and called Cuthbert's house. I explained to Angela.
Righteo! Just wrap yourself round Cuthbert and hold him tight. We will be there as soon as possible.
Two minutes later a car stopped in front of me, four girls jumped out and helped Cuthbert into the back of the car. Two girls got in next to Cuthbert and another drove the car away as fast as it had come.
Angela sat next to me and put her arm round me. Don't worry he will be alright. You probably proposed to him. Yes, it happens every so often. Don't worry, he'll get even bigger dollops of tender loving care than usual. After a week he will be normal again.
A week! I gasped.
Oh, yes! A week or so. Without us it would take a month. Don't worry, he will be alright.
On Sunday Cuthbert was in church, he looked happy enough. After the service I took him for a walk. I apologised to him. He said not to worry and thanked me.
But I made you cry. What made you cry?
Oh, I don't know, I don't know really. Perhaps I was unhappy that I couldn't do what you wanted me to do. I always want to help.
Cuthbert, I can be happy with you even you don't marry me.
Bishop, I can be happy with you even if you don't join my harem.
Cuthbert is a happy man.