Free The Art of Standing Still by Penny Culliford

out.
    Josh climbed the steps on to the stage with a Bible in his hand. He was visibly shaking, and his face looked pale despite his tan. He swept his dark hair out of his eyes and swallowed hard. His discomfort made Jemma want to turn away.
    â€˜Off you go, Joshua,’ Ronnie said.
    Josh Wood opened the Bible and cleared his throat. ‘ “Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’ He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.’ ” ’
    The richness of his voice combined with the poignancy of the words had an electrifying effect on the people in the hall. The ‘Pharisees’ in the corner became silent, the ‘Romans’ by the broom cupboard watched intently, and Harlan Westacre stood with her hands clasped, captivated by Josh.
    â€˜ “Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.’ ” ’ He stopped reading and looked up. ‘Shall I go on?’
    â€˜No, I’ve found my Jesus!’ Ronnie clapped his hands and jogged onto the stage to pat Joshua Wood on the back. ‘The rest of you can go. I need look no further.’
    The other men gathered round Ronnie, grumbling their complaints.
    â€˜You can all be disciples!’ Ronnie announced with an extravagant gesture. The men didn’t seem mollified, but Jemma had to agree, the part couldn’t possibly have gone to anyone else.
    Josh closed the Bible and, wiping his hand across his face, climbed down from the stage.
    Jemma went over to him. ‘Congratulations. You were very good. I thought you said you’d never been on the stage before.’
    â€˜I haven’t. I was so terrified I thought I was going to throw up. Couldn’t you tell?’
    â€˜Not at all.’ Jemma fibbed.
    â€˜Besides, it was a bit different from acting, you know, just saying words. That meant something.’
    â€˜The Bible?’
    â€˜Yes, it’s . . . real.’
    â€˜Is it?’ Jemma had never thought of it as any more than an old collection of stories.
    â€˜Even as Jesus spoke those words . . . he knew what would happen. He knew he would die. In the garden, the bit I read, he asked his best friends to wait with him while he made the hardest decision of his life. He wanted some support from his mates, but when he went back and checked on them they’d fallen sleep.’
    â€˜That’s awful!’
    â€˜It really happened. He had to choose whether to go through with it – the cross and certain death – or to quit. And he made that decision alone.’
    â€˜What did he choose?’
    Joshua smiled. ‘He chose the cross.’
    â€˜I knew that!’ Jemma reddened a little. Of course she knew that Jesus Christ died on the cross. People complained about how badly Religious Education was taught in schools, but even she knew about the cross! She just never heard it explained so clearly. He had made it sound as if it happened yesterday. As if it was something he had read in the newspaper.
    â€˜Attention please.’ Ronnie Mardle clapped his hands. ‘Could I have all the Judases over there, please, and if you’ve already been cast in a part, please make sure you’ve given your name to our lovely vicar, the Reverend Wells . . .’ Ruth gave a little wave from her desk by the door.
    â€˜. . . and if anyone’s interested in coming tomorrow night, we’re doing the Old Testament. Bring along your stone tablets. We’re in need of a Moses.’
    â€˜Looks like I can go,’ said Josh. ‘What about you?’
    â€˜Still waiting to hear. One more