He looked upwards into the clearest of spring skies and gave thanks to heaven that his ordeal had come to an end. He knew he couldn’t have lasted much longer. As he walked he turned over the events of the past few days in his mind, smiling grimly to himself at how strange life was. In a million years he could never have guessed that this would have been the outcome. He’d known only that a man like Dunbeath could never have tolerated him sitting in his view for long. And now a boat and the money to start again! This was more than he could ever have hoped for. All he had to do was get the man to London and then sail him back. He could even drop him off in a dinghy near the shore when he returned – he wouldn’t be surprised if he’d have to stand clear of the English by then. If they’d worked out who he was they would have his head in a noose before he could blink.
But this could only be the first stage. If he managed all this he had still to arrive at a strategy for Sophie. He suddenly felt bone weary and knew he would have to put these thoughts to one side for the present.
