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CHANGE OF PLANS

wanted to start her own salon. They were heavy to carry around, but they would also provide a good distraction at the airport. If the police were suspicious, that’s the first place they would look.

As it got later and later, I began to worry. The colonel still hadn’t called. After another half an hour, I went out and called his house from the phone booth down the street. No one answered. I called his work number. No answer. The hotel receptionist shook his head when I asked if there had been any calls while I was out. After another half an hour, I went out and phoned again. There was still no answer. Finally, at 11.30, I heard the phone ringing in reception. I ran downstairs. It was for me.

‘Hello.’

‘Mr Thomas, hello. There has been a small change in the plans. Nothing big.’
My heart started thumping, but I didn’t say anything. I hoped it wasn’t bad news.

‘Hello. Mr Thomas?’

‘Yes.’

‘We change one thing only. I cannot come to take the bags on to the plane. But everything else is the same, OK?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Is too suspicious, if I arrive to my work with two big bags. People might see.’

‘What do we do, then?’

‘Is OK. You just take the suitcases to the airport yourself. Check the bags in at the counter, then get on the plane and fly to Europe. You understand?’

As soon as he said that, I wanted to call the whole thing off. I never liked to change my plans. But I was locked in. I’d swallowed the stuff and I’d set up everything at the other end. I’d paid the money to the colonel. I’d paid for the flight and couldn’t change it.

‘Mr Thomas, are you there?’

‘Yes.’

‘You understand how we going to do it now?’

‘Yes, I understand.’

I had trouble getting to sleep that night. I was angry with the colonel