Bay of Rainbows (ebook)

Argumento de Bay of Rainbows (ebook)

Outside in the April sunshine the temperature was over seventy degrees, but Polly felt chilled as she looked with rising desperation towards the window. Out there lay freedom. In the streaked and dusty glass she glimpsed her reflection and saw a drawn elfin face and green eyes huge with anxiety. Her dark curly hair, cut short for convenience rather than fashion, clung like damp feathers to her forehead and temples. This couldn't be happening. Not to her.

Gleaming like a huge silver bird, a passenger jet approached the runway which pointed out into the sparkling sapphire waters of Gibraltar Bay. Engines roaring, it swooped in to land, braking hard as its wheels touched the wide runway which was crossed halfway along by the single road connecting the British colony to the Spanish mainland.

This was the fourth plane Polly had heard arrive since she had been literally dragged from the boat, marched along the marina, and bundled into the white-painted Customs building.

Try to see the situation from my point of view, Miss Levington. On the far side of the desk the shirt-sleeved Customs officer leaned back in his chair and lit a cigarette, blowing a thin plume of smoke towards the cracked and yellowing ceiling.

Stockily built, with unshockable brown eyes, and black hair liberally laced with grey, he spoke in a tone of weary cynicism. Do you seriously expect me to believe you knew nothing about it?

His colleague, sitting on the far side of the room taking written notes of the questions and answers, looked up as he too waited for her answer.

Polly stiffened her spine. Yes, I can, she retorted crisply. Because it's the truth.

Mr Kemp didn't tell you what was in the box?

Yes, he did. He said it contained engine components. That's what was on the label. I had no reason to believe it was anything else.

You didn't think it strange that he would be prepared to go to Marseilles to deliver these engine parts? After all, your destination was the Greek islands. That's quite a detour.

Polly shrugged. I did wonder. But Clive Mr Kemp said it was a rule of the sea to help another boat in distress. Besides, he was sure we'd quickly make up the time once we got out to sea. Look, you've asked me these questions several times already. What else can I say? I've told you the truth, exactly as it happened. I'll admit I may have been naive0