Joseph was a little taken aback by Miss Howard's insistence that he come with her. He suddenly had the distinct impression that he was the one on the back foot, despite the woman's protests to the contrary.
Nevertheless, he was an adventurous sort and so followed behind her until they reached an address he was unfamiliar with. He paused, eyeing Miss Howard warily. Just what was he getting himself into? Visions of himself being set upon by brutish shadowy figures shouting Unionist slogans flashed into his over-imaginative mind. He took a shaky breath and prepared to follow her in.
Then she surprised him again by demanding his name before they entered.
"Joseph. Joseph Steinberg. But people just call me Joe." He offered without guile, deciding to keep to the bargain he'd agreed upon even if he was about to walk into a proverbial lion's den.