Chapter 2

The four-berth touring van had been Dan's refuge since that day. Homely as it was with its black carpet and curtains, that were hung up to try to keep as much light from escaping into the blackest of nights as possible, it was certainly not the way he wanted his life to be. Working since the age of fourteen he had nothing to show for the long hours of the day and night shifts that he had put into various genuine jobs over the past twenty odd years. The UK was dying, and dying fast. The Government, bullishly controlled by some desk pusher in Europe, seemed to be on the take more and more with rising taxes. Always blabbing on about needing more money to pay for some new worthless scheme that would show the world how great the UK still was. If the economy were any lower, even the Devil himself would feel the pinch. Watching the rich get richer and the poor, well, just being forgotten was not Dan's idea of a great country. How can a country let war veterans die from the cold in winter, yet spend countless millions on the Olympics that last less than three weeks?

He wanted out, out from the thieving corrupt bastards called Government and MP's with their country houses, lavishly furnished by the taxpayer. Out from the concrete and glass jungle that used to be beautiful green and pleasant England. Out from the poxy soul destroying weather. In fact, just about everything regarding England made him want to leave. He knew money was needed for that dream to flourish but there was no chance, in this day and age, of earning enough cash legitimately. Now most legitimate companies' employ new staff on the zero hour contracts, banks were the quickest way to acquire it. He told himself that the money taken was insured therefore it hurt nobody. He was only taking back from the establishment all the hard-earned cash they had taken from him in Tax, directly and indirectly.

With the rain thundering into a crescendo onto the roof, the aluminium amplifying the sound making it seem like each little drop was a sledgehammer, it was understandable that he could not sleep. Not that much sleep was to be had anyway, every bark from the devilish dog along the nearby lane, or a neigh of a distant horse made his heart thump in his chest. Was it someone coming up the lane? Had he been found and was about to be jumped? No matter how well hidden the caravan was in the thick trees, he was sure that some nosey ramblers on their early morning dog walks would spot the light from the flickering candles used to light the place.

One thing about being alone and hiding, there was plenty of time to think. Looking out of the little gap in the curtains over the damp fields, Dan was happy to see the glimmer of the sunrise piercing through the dark blanket of rainy clouds. The cover of night was too easy for someone to sneak up without being noticed. Rising over the tree line, the sun did not shine directly onto the caravan, plus, being painted green it melded in quite well with the surroundings.

Relaxing slightly, his mind wandered to happier times of sun, sea and sand with Berenice. They had been together for years until he stupidly broke his promise that he was finished with these jobs. They had moved to Egypt a couple of years back with the money from the previous job to do what they both loved, scuba diving. What he made could not have bought a dustbin in London but it was enough to live very comfortably under the Egyptian sun. Smiling slightly to himself, he could still see Bernie breaking the surface of the water from a dive in the beautiful clear Red Sea. Her hair shined every colour of the Egyptian sunset as it fell seductively down her wet neck.

Her amazing blue soul searching eyes appeared even bigger through her mask as she smiled and moved seductively through the still glass like water for a kiss. Everyday her body would become more and more toned from diving, and bronzed, as it soaked up the sun like a baby suckling its mum for life giving fluid. He could not keep his hands off her. He realised that he was truly in love with Bernie and never wanted that feeling, or life, to end.

Life was wonderful from the first day the plane landed and the door opened on the runway. The hot sandy air hit you like a semi-truck slamming into you at 100 miles an hour. Coming from the cold damp UK, their bodies were not used to the heat and took a few weeks to acclimatise. Dan relished in the relaxed lifestyle from the get go. The harsh reality of the UK was so different and quickly became a distant memory. The daily life of walks in the warm evenings along the beach under the glistening night sky, brightly lit by the clear shimmering stars, and the cycling and diving very quickly became a way of life. As more and more memories entered his head, seemingly taunting him, pictures of the house they lived in came flooding back. It was no mansion but by Egyptian standards, it was fancy. It was a white brick built house with a few coloured bricks making a little pattern along the walls. Three bedrooms, cushions on the floor for a seating area, a kitchen and a wet room was the entire house but that was more than most houses consisted of that the locals lived in. The inside was tiled, floor to ceiling throughout. With views of the mountains of Sinai from the bedroom window, and the Gulf of Aquaba from the front window, waking up in the morning was a joy. That feeling was something he had not felt in a long while.