To any onlookers, they were apparently chatting enthusiastically about their holiday.

At the first hotel they came to, they booked in as a couple in Max’s surname. They filled out the usual forms and passport details. Having explained their breakdown, and they had to see the police at once, the hotel took photocopies of their passports and handed them back.

Along the street from the hotel was a small house offering bed and breakfast, Max was amazed when Carla walked in and booked the room.

Formalities were non-existent, only cash was needed, in advance.

They went to the room; a small and rather dirty place sparsely furnished with a sagging double bed, a dressing table, and a carved antique chair. Sanitary facilities were at the end of the passage overlooking the back yard.

Carla said, “We must split up now, I have things to do and you must see the police. They do not need to know about me, or the fact people are after us. Here is some money to cover fines and smooth out any irregularities.”

She also wrote down the name and address of the garage and who to talk to and said. “Pay them a good deposit for repairs and don’t mention this place, say we are at the hotel. I will see you here in four hours. The men who are after us will be watching the garage, so go with the Police.”

“Where the hell are you going?” Exclaimed Max.

“Don’t worry, I will be back, and I promise I will explain everything then. Trust me!”

“Where have I heard that before?” Said Max to himself.

Carla left.

Max sorted things out with the Police and phoned the garage, telling them there was a cash deposit, held at the hotel in their name, could they collect it.

At 10.00am, he decided to have a coffee to kill the remaining half hour before meeting Carla, so he chose a small cafe, just opposite a Bank. He went to a table near the window, and sat facing the street.

Although he was extremely hot and seats were available outside, he did not want to push his luck and be seen by his pursuers. He realized they had not had a good look at him and that he had changed his clothes, but better safe than sorry.

He was just taking his first sip when Carla sidestepped into the Bank. A curious move if analysed. Max knew how she had this knack of invisibility, but to anyone else, it would not have been noticed.

Close behind, moving furtively, was the man who stood by the red car, the one with the gun. Hell! What should he do! Another man went into the bank, after glancing around him. I bet that is another of them thought Max.

Max walked over to the counter and whispered to the waiter. “I think there is a robbery taking place in the Bank, phone the police.”

The man hesitated. “They had guns when they went in,” Max urged. The man picked up the phone and spoke to the police. A few minutes later, police on foot and in cars had encircled the building. No one had left the Bank or could enter since the call to the police.

Armed Police entered the Bank.

Thirty minutes later, people were escorted out and went on their way. Carla was one of them; she was the last to leave. The two men had been arrested and taken out the back entrance for attempted armed robbery, because they both carried guns, and were known felons.

Max decided to follow Carla, no easy task because she was checking for a tail all the time. He thought it unwise to get closer than 10 metres and to keep other people in between them. In general, she was heading back to the house, so he felt sure if he lost her, he would see her again there.

Max stumbled, looked down and back at her, but she had vanished. “Damn! How does she do that?” He walked on looking all around to see if he could pick up her trail, but no, she had disappeared.

He reached the house and found the room empty, she had not returned. The rucksacks were still on the bed where they had left them. Max suddenly felt desperately alone, and vulnerable. In despair, he let out a deep sigh, kicked out at the bed sending it screeching, wood on tiles, sliding across the room. He walked past it and slumped down in the chair. Slowly he raised his eyes from the floor, his face sad and dismal, his eyes started to fill with tears.