Missing in Egypt Read Free Page A

but obviously very distressed about the lack of information regarding his brother.   The Minister’s response, when it came, was not very helpful.   Apparently the Australian Embassy in Cairo had spoken to Ramy’s aunt and uncle when Kareem had first contacted them and they were unable to give much information. When they checked again, no further postcards had been received nor had Ramy made any contact with them.   The airline’s records showed that he had taken the flight to Abu Simbel but there was no record of him taking a flight back, nor of him leaving Egypt .   The good news was that no-one matching Ramy’s description had been found through the morgues or hospitals. The Minister’s letter concluded by assuring the family the Embassy would continue to search for Ramy and advise of any developments.
    I rang Kareem to let him know that the reply had arrived.   He was anxious to receive it as soon as possible and wanted to pick it up on his way home from work. “If you can wait until I can get there, I’ll buy you coffee” he said.   I didn’t normally become friendly with constituents on a personal level but I actually found him quite charming, so I decided to make an exception.
    Kareem arrived around six. He was wearing a brown sports jacket and dark brown trousers with a white shirt that accentuated the olive colour of his skin.   I handed him the Minister’s letter.   He read it slowly and put it carefully into his inside jacket pocket.       His huge eyes searched my face inquiringly.   “What do I do now ?” he asked.   “Well,” I replied “ I think you have to wait and see if the Embassy can find out any more information.”   He looked thoughtful for a moment and then said “Come on, I’ll buy you that coffee I promised you”.   “There’s really no need” I responded, feeling awful that I didn’t have any better news for him.   ‘No, please, I would like to talk to you.”   We walked around to the coffee shop and both ordered a cappuccino. Kareem sat quietly for a while, drinking his coffee. “I must go to Egypt and search for my brother. My parents expect it of me” he said by way of explanation.
    He sighed as if he was relieved to have made a decision that involved some action on his part.   Then he smiled at me.   “But enough of my problems.   Tell me something of yourself”.  
    I told him a little of my background and my job and we chatted amicably for a while.   I was impressed by the way he listened intently as I spoke, how his eyes locked into mine and how he asked interested questions without probing too far into my personal life.   I explained to him that both my parents had died at quite a young age and I had no brothers or sisters.   I could see it upset him a little to know that I had no-one close as family was obviously very important to him. We sat there for a couple of hours before he paid the bill, saying “I have enjoyed your company, Anna.   I would very much like to have dinner with you before I leave for Cairo .   Can I ring you once I have made my bookings?”   ‘Yes, Kareem” I replied” I would like that.”
    A couple of days later the phone rang late in the afternoon and it was Kareem.   I had found myself waiting for his call and it was nice to hear his voice.   “Anna,” he said “are you free for dinner tomorrow night?   I know its short notice, but I am flying to Cairo Saturday morning and really want to see you again before I leave.”   Not one for playing games I replied that I was indeed free this Friday.   “Do you like Italian food?” he asked.   “I like all food!” was my quick response.   “Well, most food anyway” I added, remembering a visit to a Persian restaurant.   Kareem suggested a very nice local Italian restaurant and I said I would meet him there at 7.30 pm.   I like to drive myself on dates until I know someone really well –it gives me a quick out if I need one and keeps my home address