Macky: Sometimes I think he suspects something is going on but he’s a bit slow and doesn’t always see what’s happening right under his nose. I usually manage to confuse him so he doesn’t get to know the truth about how much we are helping the rebels. But it is very dangerous and it may not last forever!

Macky: What! Portia and I are just good friends! We like spending time together and she’s a great help in my adventures too but as for romance I don't think so! And as for me marrying a Roman – that would be very strange - I really can't see it happening - can you?

Macky: That’s a really interesting question. I’m usually trying to run away from him so I don’t often get too close! He is very big though and I wouldn’t like him to stand on my foot!

Macky: My best friend has probably become Portia. Although when I was in Alexandria Sollie was a great friend; it was just so difficult to get him away from his books to join in any adventures. Sarah and I became very close when I was in Jerusalem and we had to have great trust in each other.

Macky: I’m sure I’ve already answered that question – Portia is a good friend. I’m not interested in that sort of thing yet – I’m too busy resisting the Romans. You’ll have to keep following my adventures to see if it ends happily.

Macky: Oh, what a question! I do like Portia but I’m too busy helping my family and friends to think about that sort of thing!

Macky: Portia is a great friend and because she is a Roman she can help me do things that would be really difficult for me to do on my own. It’s a pretty big risk for her to even be seen with me!

Macky: Portia is a good friend and she has helped my family a great deal by letting us know what Toadie and Brutacus are up to! She may be a Roman and a member of the Governor’s family but she’s also honest and faithful – that’s the kind of friend I like!

Macky: I'm sure Portia doesn't mean to cause any offence with her dress; she follows her own (Roman) culture and fashions. I'm starting to understand how people from different backgrounds think that different things are acceptable, for example, when choosing what to eat or how to dress. Will Portia become a Friend of Jesus? She is learning more about him all the time but that's a decision that she will have to make for herself.

Macky: Do you mean the Roman boy who challenged Leah to a horse race? I think he was about 12 years old but I didn’t really spend any time with him. He is a high-born Roman like Portia but he didn’t seem to be as honest or as friendly as Portia so I don’t really think I’d choose him as a friend. I don’t think he’d choose me as a friend either!

Macky: Hmm! Having a Roman friend is just a little bit strange actually. Until I met Portia, I thought all Romans were my enemies. They are always oppressing my people and taxing us as much as possible. But I've come to learn that there are 'good' Romans (just as some of my people can be 'bad' too). There's a huge difference between our homes, and how we live. Portia lives in great luxury but my family is very poor - and taking refugees Rebecca and Leah into the family has made life even more difficult (though exciting too!). I'm really glad I met Portia - I'm learning a lot and sometimes she's even used her position to help us - so I'm quite happy to have a Roman friend!

At what age are you considered an adult?

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