Use my stuff if you like.”

She thanked him and he started moving again.

Whilst introducing herself as Carla Day, and exchanging pleasantries, she looked casually around the van. Single man, fifty-ish, some sort of professional on a long touring holiday she surmised. The man is organized, everything neat and tidy, all the comforts of home, including Mobile phone, computer and G.P.S. No sign of a woman, or children, in his life.

She spread out the contents of her bag as the van rounded the final hairpin bend on the stretch leading to the tunnel.

“We will go through the tunnel in a few minutes.” She thought. “I hope he keeps his brain in his dick like most men.”

“You don’t mind the internal light being on do you?” She asked.

“No, no problem.” Max replied, “I will drive very steady, so you don’t get thrown around in the shower.”

“Thanks!”

“This is it,” she thought.

Standing in the centre of the van she slowly removed her outer clothes, carefully placing them on the seat. Her movements were slow and deliberate as though she was on her own, stripping for an imaginary lover. She could see he was watching her in his mirror, but she did not let on.

The tunnel was now in the lights. She turned to face the front and removed her bra. Max could hardly tear his eyes away from the mirror; she appeared not to notice his stare. When Carla saw his eyes move and focus on the road in the tunnel she called out.

“Let me know if I can do anything for you!”

Still facing the mirror, she slipped off her panties. When his eyes returned to the mirror, she slowly turned her back on him, and he was transfixed hoping she would turn to face him again.

He exited the tunnel and blurted out “No! No! It’s my pleasure, anything for a damsel in distress.”

Carla smiled to herself and stepped into the shower.

When she was finished, she stepped out with the towel around her. Although covered and respectable, she still looked and moved invitingly. Walking up to him and standing between the front seats, she lent close to him. He breathed in the fragrances of fresh, clean skin, shampoo, body lotion, and toothpaste. It was quite erotic.

Carla asked Max if he was going to stop soon, or drive until they got to town.

Max wanted to stop and climb into the sack with her, immediately, but before he could answer, she said, “I must get into Piedimonte Matese by 6.00am tomorrow if you could do that for me?”

“Oh! Right, of course, my pleasure,” said Max barely keeping the disappointment out of his voice. No wonder her guy ditched her, the little tease!

“I must get some sleep,” said Carla. “And keep out of your way, you are so kind and such a perfect gentleman. Night! Night!” She said, innocently.

When she had settled down, he looked at her in the mirror and thought. “She is so sweet, how could anyone be so nasty to her?” He felt pleased with himself for being a gentleman and her protector.

Max drove on for about 20 minutes until he found a convenient place to stop, well out of sight from the road. Rather than disturb the girl by getting fresh bedding, he took his sleeping bag out and lay on the other bed. Setting his watch to ping at 5.00am, just enough time to freshen up, cook a breakfast, and drive into town for 6.00am.

He fell into a fitful sleep.

Carla did not sleep much though, she was thinking about her next move and listening for the sound of vehicles or a helicopter. Either or both would mean Philippe and his men were back on her trail already.

She had to get back to her hideaway, money was not a problem thanks to the contents of Philippe’s wallet, but by morning, the area would be crawling with people looking out for her. Once she got to Piedimonte Matese, she could at least arrange to collect her car from the railway station, nearby.

Carla had caught the train to a number of towns, depositing cash stolen from the drug deal into new accounts. It was then that Philippe’s men caught her.

She filed the problem with her subconscious and drifted into a restless sleep.

Sleepily, Max awoke, a few minutes before 5.00am.

Cancelling the alarm, he quietly carried out his ablutions and then made breakfast. He knew Carla was not asleep, but she did not attempt to speak until he called her to the table, and then she only mumbled a thank you. Eating quickly, she got up and dressed whilst Max cleared the table.

Carla still had not come up with a plan and did not want to answer any awkward questions, so avoided any eye contact with Max that might start him off.

Somewhat miffed at her unfriendly attitude, Max started the van and headed for town. As they entered town Max said unnecessarily that they had arrived and where did she want to be dropped off.

Part of him wanted to see the back of her because she was impolite and moody. Deep down, he did not want to lose her. Awareness of his conflicting feelings, made him cross with himself.

“Pull yourself together,” he thought. “One sniff of pussy and you lose it, get rid of the bitch!”

Carla replied, “See that street, by the red car, just there will do!” She turned to pick up her bag and briefcase, but Max braked hard throwing her off her feet.

“Christ!” He exclaimed! “They are getting out with guns!”

Three men got out of the red car leaving the driver and a passenger, as the camper van approached. The nearest man had a handgun near his side. To Max’s untrained eye, it looked like the gun was fitted with a suppressor.

Carla had regained her balance and shouted.

“Turn left here, up the side street.”

Max turned without a second thought, towards the side street.