Page 2 of She Saw What He Did

‘There won’t be a collection straight after the drop. It’s up to you to keep the cargo safe for a while. A few days, that’s all. ‘

‘Sure,’ he said casually, although he would have been happier knowing just what he’d be caretaker of. Perhaps it was heroin this time. It was drugs, no doubt about that. It must be a big shipment. Still, what did he care?

‘We have to deliver. I’m making myself clear, aren’t I?’

‘How dangerous is this?’ he asked, combing his fingers through his brown curly hair.

‘Fifty thousand dangerous. Take it or leave it. I can find someone else.’

Sparrow doubted there was anyone else on the island that would be able to get the goods in as well as he did.

‘I’ve just got to keep it safe, right?’

‘That’s it. As soon as things are clear it will be collected.’

‘That’s all I’ve got to do?’ asked Sparrow, suspiciously. It seemed too good to be true.

‘You don’t have to take the job. There are others who …’

‘No, I’ll take it,’ interrupted Sparrow.

‘Think of this cargo as your baby,’ laughed the voice.

Sparrow didn’t laugh with him. The sound of the waves breaking on the rocks roared in his ears. The thought of fifty grand had heightened his senses. He’d be set up for life. He could move to South America, maybe even get his own bar. He could buy one of those open- top convertibles. He’s always fancied himself in one of those.

‘So, you’re in?’ asked the voice.

‘I’m in,’ said Sparrow.

‘I’ll be in touch,’ said the voice. There was a crackle and then the line went dead.

Chapter Two

3rd July

Ellen

Ellen Burden studied the passengers as they alighted from the ferry. Same old, she thought. There were the usual over 60s with their straw hats and bulky cameras. She recognised some of them from previous years. Don’t these people have anywhere else to go? She wondered. She sure wouldn’t spend her holidays on this boring old place.

‘I’ve been here too bloody long,’ she sighed, brushing her thick auburn hair from her face.

Some of the passengers waved and she grudgingly waved back.

‘Still on the island?’ remarked a grey-haired man, leaning heavily on his stick. ‘I thought you’d have moved on to pastures new by now.’

Ellen struggled to keep the smile pasted on her face. It’s not his fault, she told herself. He doesn’t know. All the same, it was a bit insensitive. She pushed her hands into the pockets of her navy trousers. Her fingers touched the crumpled letter she’d received a few hours earlier.

‘You can’t get rid of me,’ she joked.

Wasn’t that the truth? She would read the letter properly this evening when she was in her flat. That way she could shed frustrated tears without Ryan making some tactless comment. The stupid thing was she’d felt certain she would get the transfer. It’s not like she had applied to the London Met. It was only a few miles away for goodness’ sake. A job on the mainland would have given her a bit more action.

‘I promise not to cause any trouble while I’m here,’ smiled the man, oblivious to her forced friendliness.

He probably envies me, thought Ellen, living here on the island. If only he knew how much she envied him being able to leave whenever he wished.

‘I’ll hold you to that,’ said Ellen, wagging a finger at him.

‘Hi Ellen?’ called a woman from the quay’s café. ‘Do you want your usual latte?’

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