Chapter One - Just Pebbles on the beach

Pebbles on the beach

CHAPTER ONE - Village Life is not boring!

Penwarth it’s beautiful, picturesque like a postcard. A small quiet coastal village, where in summer an influx of tourists arrive for bespoke craft shops, beautiful quiet beaches and coves. Where steep roads meander towards the beach, some cobbled and some not, all lined with houses either side. In recent times the village has expanded with a few high-class apartment blocks looking over the beach, new fish restaurants and a surge of swanky craft shops. Making the narrow streets an interesting walk on any day rain or shine. Further up the coast, there is a small harbour where fishermen use their boats to offer day trips for mackerel fishing, a great place to get fresh fish and busy at most times of the day in all seasons. A strong fishing community keeps the folklore and history alive ensuring the long surviving smuggling tales are still told, in many instances with a beer or two in one of the quaint pubs or inns. This makes Penwarth popular in the summer months with lots of tourists window-shopping and filling the beach on striped deck chairs, picturesque, a perfect place to visit in any season. Most residents in the village are familiar, saying “Hi” or “Hello” in passing giving a real community feel to it. There is pride in the village with all gardens manicured and pretty with hanging baskets and blooming beds. Many residents entering the best garden of the year competition, in previous years Penwarth has had many winners. Many residents are much older than Gill and Jon as the village is known for older couples to purchase property here for retirement. Only in recent years had younger people started to venture this far from the city due to the internet and the increasing online trends.

Gill and Jon have lived in the village all their lives and first become friends whilst at Junior school. Moving into the apartment after living in a smaller flat since they first both left home, it was a big step up! The new apartments had all the mod cons. Designed by J. Treadle a famous interior designer, unique and exclusive features and colours, making them a premium price. Jon was so proud to live in one, the rent was high but he could afford it, with such exclusive features this ensured most residents were city types using the apartments as holiday homes, making it peaceful, desolate most of the time.

Working in the local supermarket ’Superbuys’ - a boring job, but it kept her busy and Gill enjoyed it. The salary from Superbuys wouldn't cover the rent on their beach front apartment that they have lived in for over a year now. Without help from Jon, she would not be able to spend like she does. When out shopping Gill never has to think too hard about cost and never looks at the price tag. Jon does not understand why Gill wants to work at the supermarket in the village, often commenting that it is ’menial’, but for Gill, it gives her something to do and she loves it!

Working at the supermarket enables Gill to have contact with all the villagers and gets her out of the house daily while Jon is at work, everyone’s pleasant, most know or are familiar from childhood and the older villagers are probably friends of her parents. The village has one local primary school and every child goes there and with a population of just 2,000 people, everyone literally knows everyone. Gill’s best friend from school ’Adelle’ works at the supermarket too, which means most days are filled with gossip and jokes. Both sharing tales of what they have been doing or any other business that they can gossip about whilst they stack shelves, it helps pass the time for Gill but for Adelle it pays the bills. Nothing escapes the shop floor, everyone knows everyone’s business whether good or bad. Gossip that normally went around the village would be spread by one of the older residents and the network of village pensioners seemed to work like carrier pigeons passing news fast amongst themselves without the need for modern technology. If anything exciting is happening in Penwarth Gill and Adelle will be one of the first to hear about it. When headlines or gossip reached the shop regarding a big criminal being caught Gill would keep quieter than normal but still joining in the conversation enough not to arouse suspicion, she was good at it.

Even thou Adelle was Gill’s best friend she had no clue what Jon did, she also believed he was a sales rep just like the rest of the village. To tell her would be so risky as Adelle loved to gossip and if Adelle knew, so would the rest of the village! As much as Gill loved her best friend this information was way too important or secret for her to know. Jon would always remind Gill not to get too comfortable with her best friend and spill the beans. He liked Adelle and knew the importance of the friendship to Gill but also knew what girls were like and how they loved to gossip amongst themselves. Gill would never tell her, she knew the risk. Gill and Adelle shared everything else and sometimes Gill would want to tell her friend but always remembered the warning from Jon and manage to keep her lips sealed. The thought of losing everything they had would help silence her along with the fact she was scared of the police. Getting used to covering has become a natural lie and when asked she always replies with the appropriate reply or the Sales Rep story which ever was apt, without even giving it a second thought.

Gill lived a good life and Jon provided well having great fun together and arguments were rare. Waiting until past midnight most evenings Gill would get lonely waiting for Jon when he would often come home, but Gill would do extra overtime at her job in Superbuys it helped to fill in the time and earn a few extra pennies. Pennies that’s all, but it does help her have the nicer things when Jon’s not around, but most of the time Jon paid and provided for everything.

Jon dressed dapper weekdays like he was working in an office in some large corporate firm. His smart dress sense would involve choosing one of his large assortment of his designer suit and ties out of the walk in wardrobe he so proudly had in the apartment. One glance and most passers-by would assume the well-dressed gentleman was a busy professional driving a flash company car. This was a good cover whilst he commuted the motorways in his brand new BMW to cities and towns all over the UK. It helped him blend with all the other business people doing their tasks, meeting contacts at motorway services and public houses, after having a short chat or a bite to eat Jon fills his boot with the merchandise then returns back to the sleepy coastal village where it can be delivered to various contacts in Penwarth and beyond.

Jon had participated in the business since leaving school, it was all he knew and he was comfortable doing it. Jon’s work was unconventional, he earned his cash by buying and selling. The work he participated in was illegal!
It paid well-selling marijuana

Gill chose to ignore what he did, she had always chosen not to know or be involved, but she loved to spend the money that it provided and living the high life, Jon loved nice things and so did Gill.

When Gill had met Jon and fell in love, Jon was selling to close friends and was not earning much money at all, so much had changed over the last 6 years since they were at University where Jon had made so many contacts it had changed his way of working and who he worked with. Jon had graduated from University where he met these people but meeting them had changed his career path, he did not pursue his chosen degree career path after Uni he did not need to. Gill had always supported him but Gill did not ask questions, she did not want to know the answer all she knew was, she was in love and very happy.

Jon did not have any competition in the local area and with contacts placed strategically across the South of England this ensured only certain people knew what Jon did some of them were in business themselves and a few people in the local area that purchased from Jon, but Jon was the biggest supplier with the best merchandise. There was a ranking in the business and Jon was near the top, not doing street deals or any deals that were not big, the people that purchased from Jon all sold to smaller street dealers and they did not know where the work that they had come from but Jon held a huge part of the business in the area and beyond.

The villagers all presumed he was a Sales Rep of the legal kind, working for a company in London and the stories he told and the life both him and Gill led fitted just right for the cover. Jon did not even think twice when talking to people keeping the story going like it was really a legitimate job. With a cover so tight it meant that they could spend and live their normal life and no one ever commented or suspected any different. It was perfect, the perfect set-up

Friday was a good day, it meant Gill finished early and would go straight to the local town and purchase something to wear for that evening. Every Friday her and Jon would go out it was a guarantee! Gill had a spring in her step, the weather was cold, it was November and would soon be Christmas and things for both Jon and Gill were just great, work for Jon had been super busy and they were both looking forward to a few days off together. All Gill could think of on the bus to town was the shoes she had seen in the shop window the previous week. Bright Red Suede with killer heels which she was sure would hurt her feet after wearing them for just a while, but she did not care they had her name on. Gill sat on the top deck and the double decker bus rattled up the coast road towards the town, sat looking out the window at the beautiful rugged coastline smiling, thinking about her shoes and what she could buy to go with them, whilst taking in the beautiful scenery. She was content, happy and very excited to be going our later that night and of course the shoes!

An hour later and it was starting to get dark, Gill was on the bus back from the town, still smiling but feeling a little cold as the wind was biting and the just 1 hour outside was enough to leave a chill. The Bus route took about 40 minutes she had taken the 67 bus back and this would take the scenic route allowing Gill to listen to her i-pod and get in the mood for going out. A large pile of bags full of purchases for both herself, Jon and the flat were at her feet she had spent the equivalent of 3 weeks Superbuys wages in just 1 hour. Gill’s spirits were high she could not wait to get home, shower and go out! Oh and wear those shoes that she was so excited to buy.

Back at the flat, Jon was sat at the kitchen table building a spliff, he smoked heavily it was his thing. Like some people drink coffee all day and some drink tea and smoke cigarettes for Jon he smoked weed all day and night just like a cigarette smoker. With the abundance of it around him, it was always available.

Gill entered the apartment with a shortness of her breath. The hill to their apartment was steep and on top of that, you had to walk the even steeper stairs to reach the first-floor penthouse apartment. It was a nice place well furnished with a beautiful balcony and views over the village main street, but right now it was really foggy and filled with smoke. Pungent thick smoke, it did smell strong and the clouds were thick in the air. Jon had obviously been home quite a long time and had been smoking heavily. Gill smoked, but only in the evenings and was a light weight compared to Jon. He smokes so much it seemed as though it did not affect him. But Gill, on the other hand, was a couple of pulls kinda girl and that was it she was having a whitey and needing to lay down.

Gill entered the living room and dropped the bags went straight to the kitchen and opened the window.
“Hi babe” she looked at Jon smiling “It stinks in here!”
Jon replied “Does it?” laughing at the same time.
The radio was playing a chart party hit which was enough to get Gill bouncing to the beat as she went back to the living room to collect the bags full of purchases from her visit to town.
“This one is for you Babe” giving Jon a brown paper carrier bag.
He opened it and smiled he had wanted the t-shirt that was in the bag for a while but just had no time to purchase it. He was chuffed and showed his appreciation but grabbing Gill by the hand as she walked past and pulled her down to his level on the chair and giving her a kiss on the lips.
“Love you, Babe,” he said. Looking into her eyes.
Gill melted and instantly forgot about the smell that was lingering in the living room.
Gill liked Jon’s affection he was kind and very generous which made her feel special. Jon loved to spend his money on her. Bills were not a worry and the fridge was always full and the life that Jon’s work provided was lavish and when Jon needed a break they would both jet off to some far flung holiday destination for a five-star break. What girl would not like this life?

Just a couple hours later Gill and Jon were dressed and ready to go out.

It was raining hard and the wind was beginning to pick up. Both were feeling, as they arranged to meet their usual group of friends, it was going to be a great night it always was. Most residents were in bed in Penwarth, but not Gill and Jon only just leaving at eleven for the local club in the next town. Off they drove in Jon’s car music playing loudly leaving the village that was so quiet and peaceful behind. The club was their regular Friday night venue they went there most weeks, Jon was well known and always walked straight in, no paying or queuing and rarely paying for drinks, he was treated like a celebrity the owner was a good friend of Jon’s.

Arriving at the club around midnight, Gill and Jon entered as normal to meet their friends for a long night of raving which would also involve taking illegal substances which heighten your senses and make you dance until the morning.

Whilst in the club nothing else mattered other than the 700 people jammed in, the pills that the revellers had taken, friends and the music thumping loudly over 3 floors. It was hot inside, dark and very sweaty. The atmosphere was heavy, is was loud and as they entered the club the heat hit them, instantly increasing body temperature it would take a good hour to climatise. ’Here we go!’ Jon grabbed Gills sweaty hand and led her into crushing crowd. This was their enjoyment they had raved for a few years and knew a lot of people in the scene this helped Jon to keep his business moving, new clients and contacts were met on many a night out.
….…
What went on outside the club had been lost, there could have been an apocalyptic event and no-one inside the club would have noticed, they were all too busy having a great time. Not one thought about the existence of a world outside other than the people and music within the rave. Now the DJ had turned off his turntables and was beginning to pack up, the lights had been put on it was the end of the night but still, people were loitering even though the music had been switched off. No one was really leaving everyone just hanging about even a solitary raver still jumping to a beat still ringing in his ears not realising the music had stopped, and he was making a total prat of himself. The bar staff were starting to clean down the drink-sodden bar and a well-built bouncer announcing ’come on now guys and girls, time to go home make your way to the door please’, waving his arms in the direction of the door. Slowly everyone started to head towards the door and pour out of the club into the car park and drive off their separate ways home.

It was at 5 am. This was the prompt for them to leave 5 hours from when they first entered the club Gill and Jon left.

Gill ran to the car park leaving Jon walking at a slower pace, she was eager to get in the car. She was cold and needed her coat which was in the boot. Jon got into the car started the engine and off they drove back towards Penwarth.

Gill and Jon pulled onto the Penwarth coast road back towards the beach this was usual for them after a heavy night out. All seasons on a Saturday morning they would go to the beach and chill, smoke a spliff for a while before heading back up the road to go home. Once at the car park the sun had risen and shone brightly it was still very quiet and the parking spaces were all empty. The parking spaces reached right up to near the edge of the cliff this was so people sitting in their car could see the sea. The car park was higher than the beach giving a great view of the sea, even on a winter’s overcast day. It was now about 5:20 am and everyone in the village was still in bed so the area was very quiet.

Both Gill and Jon were in high spirits, buzzing in fact, the m.d.m.a from the night before had not quite worn off the windows on the car were open and the sound of the waves crashing on the beach could clearly be heard. It was brisk like any other November windy day and the chill could be felt gushing in the car. Feeling the cold wind on their faces was just what was needed to kill the last of the buzz off, they then could go home and sleep. After a hard night partying it felt good and the only noise was the sound of the waves and a gentle humming which could be heard from the music still playing quietly in the background. It was not quite on but not off but on enough to have a slight rumble of bass coming from the speakers. For a few moments, they just sat there staring out the window at the sun sparkling on the sea as it rose into the sky.

Jon was ready for a walk. He announced to Gill whilst opening the car door.
’Really’ she replied.
’Yes let’s go, put your scarf on and you’ll be fine’
It was bloody freezing!

The previous night whilst Gill and Jon had been dancing the night away, unbeknown to them there had been a winter coastal storm. The wind had been extremely bad, shipping warnings had been released on the radio. This was normal weather in the coastal areas winter weather was always rougher by the seas when storms crossed heading inland. The remnants of the previous night's storm could be seen around the village with broken branches which had fallen onto the path and the last of the remaining autumn leaves also had been blown onto the road. Gill and Jon had not noticed or really paid much attention to this as they drove to the car park.

But just a few hours previously the beach was extremely rough and most probably not safe to venture on to. Now the morning was breaking, the sun was shining and it was a clear sky, the sea had settled and the waves were gently breaking leaving a slight taste of salt in the air. Looking at the beach now you would never know. It’s amazing how quickly the British weather can change.

Gill and Jon walked down the steep path that lead to the beach and as they got further down the wind got stronger. It certainly made them wake up that was for sure. ’This was madness’ Gill was thinking after all it was not really what she wanted to do following a busy day working and a night jumping up and down to drum and bass in a hot steamy club, they could of just sat in the car, she was beginning to feel tired and was freezing cold!

Once down on the shingle beach, there was a bit of shelter which helped break the wind. The beach would usually be very busy during tourist season but in the winter months, not many people ventured down there unless they lived close by or was privy to know where it was.

It was now 5.30am in the morning and it was still peacefully quiet, just the waves gently crashing on the shingles and in the stillness of the morning that was all that could be heard. Jon was walking fast and Gill was casually walking behind.
’Come on, keep up’ Jon said not even looking back.
Gill picked up her walking pace and grabbed his arm.
’That’s better it’s good for us to take in all this fresh air after all them fags from last night, we must have smoked at least 20 each!’.

It was true smoking lots of cigarettes was a given on a night out plus the other illegal drugs consumed the tiredness and coldness of the wind was starting to bite. Gill’s chest was burning from the cold air and walking over the shingle was making her already tired legs burn all she really wanted to do was go back to the car.
’Can we go back in a bit, I’m getting cold’.
The end of the cove was in sight.
’Just get to the end, we can go round the corner and sit and have a spliff’
Jon was laughing out loudly, smirking and looking directly at Gill.
’Well, you know’ giving a cheeky wink.
Gill smiled back. It was hard for her to be enthusiastic while being so cold all she really wanted to do was to wrap up in her quilt in bed.

As they approached the cove end they reached a large ragged rock that faced out into the sea. When the tide went out you could get round. Last night the waves would have been crashing over this rock and the rough seas had moved a fair amount of the lower shingle to one side making it slightly easier to climb over and pass.

Jon went first climbing over the rock then turning back and offering a helping hand to Gill. Gill jumped down off the rock.
’Look, what's that?’
Clearly visible in the distance was a large object in the corner of the small much more secluded cove. Jon turned around and walked over to what appeared to be a large black box or package it was as big as a pallet. The closer he got to the strange object the faster he walked.

The large black object was covered in rope and as he approached it he could see the labels under the plastic they looked like shipping labels but clearly, he could see they were definitely in a foreign language.
’What do you reckon it is Gill? Do you think the labels might give us a clue as to what it is?’
Neither Gill or Jon spoke Spanish which became obvious that what is was the closer they got. So neither did not have a clue what it said thou some words were familiar.
’Port Saludé EMERGENCIE - Rodriquez - 1500’
then on another, it stated.
’Shipmenté 100’.
’What does this all mean, as far as I can see it does not say anything important just some sort of shipment labels’.
’Do you reckon it’s some sort of lost treasure?’ Gill said jokingly. Feeling like it was a total waste of time, she was getting colder by the minute and really now losing patience with the walk and wanted to go home.

Jon was intrigued as to what it was inside this mysterious object it could be anything. Not knowing about the storm, he had not put together the storm and the fact that maybe a ship had lost the object over the side in the rough seas from the night before. Looking slightly battered and literally like it had been dumped there randomly, the package was big! Jon was thinking there was no way it could not have been carried there by someone, it was impossible the sheer size of it made that obvious. The cove was only accessible the way Gill and Jon had climbed and got there which made it obvious it came from the sea or above. Jon looked up, it was a sheer rock face and if dropped from up there it would be smashed to pieces and it wasn’t. So that was ruled out, so it had to come from the sea, it could be anything he thought. Jon was excited, his heart was racing and with the previous night's enhancements still lingering in his blood was making his mind race and he had a light surface of sweat on his forehead and his imagination was running wild.

Just a few seconds later Jon was beginning to untie the rope to gain access to the large black plastic object. Ripping the black plastic with his hands it revealed brown sticky parcel taped packages. All had a 250 stamp on them it was stamped in red ink in a circle. He had seen packages like this before, well once and he was now beginning to think that just maybe it was something that was worth finding. His voice had gone up an octave when speaking and he was now on the verge of frantic as he ripped the black plastic open further.
’Good fucking God Gill I reckon this is drugs’
Laughing loudly while still ripping the black plastic to reveal more packages. There had to be over 100 this was unreal Jon could not believe what was happening, doubting what they had found but his heart was beating hard and he was sure.

Gill just stood shivering hands deep in her pockets watching Jon ripping further into the large object. Not really believing what she saw in front of her neither did she have the knowledge to figure out what it might be being revealed in front of her. Gill was slow to pick up on things even if they were obvious to everyone else. Gill was thinking to herself that Jon was still buzzing and obviously it could not be drugs in there, what would they be doing here? That would be so random! Gill was having a little chuckle and smile about it. Jon was still busy opening the black plastic to notice. All his concentration was on the packages in front of him while Gill stood there with a smirk on her face.

It didn’t take long before Jon had several packages out and had cut open one of the brown taped individual packages using his car keys as a makeshift knife. He took his glove off and dropped it on the pebbles feeling the bitter cold on his fingers. Whatever it was inside it was white and powdery, he could see it and his heart was racing and the cold that Gill was complaining about was the last thing he was thinking about. He instructed Gill to grab some packages and put them in her coat pockets.

There was now an urgency in grabbing as many packages as they possibly could and getting off the beach before the local dog walkers arrived for their 7 am walkies. Both Gill and Jon’s hearts were racing and Gill’s complaints of the cold had slowly disappeared as she was now concentrating on Jon and his sheer excitement of the situation unfolding. Gill had no clue as to why she felt excited but Jon’s vibe was rubbing off on her and she was busily loading herself up with the brown taped packages.

No thought was being given for the situation by either of them, it was a grab and run scenario which neither Gill or Jon were accustomed to. Well, it’s not every day you walk on the beach at 5.30am after a storm and find a pile of washed up drugs. Gill and Jon were loaded. Every pocket and space filled, even their hoods were full. Gill was feeling the weight of the packages she now was carrying and was eager to get off the beach. They had no chance of taking all the packages there was way too many so they left the remaining packages 80 or so behind but Jon had decided he would come back for some more if he had the time. At this point, he had no idea what was in the packages his main focus was to leave the beach and coming back was the last thing he was worried about at that moment.

His mind was racing thinking all sorts of scenario’s and the sooner he got home he could confirm exactly what was in the 15 or so packages him and Gill were now in possession of and carrying back to the car.
’What do you reckon it is’ Gill asked breathlessly as they literally marched with power and speed behind each step back to the car.
’Don’t know, just hurry will ya, we need to get off this beach and get home’.
Gill’s heart was racing this was exciting and all she could think while walking back was what was it in the packages. Her thoughts had sprung from plant food to drugs, but really she thought it was some kind of industrial cleaner and with this thought were they wasting their time with it all and stealing items washed up on the beach was an offence and she did not want to get in trouble. Not worth it for some crap that would be no use. But still, she was excited with the whole scenario.

Back at the car, Jon opened the boot and they both emptied their pockets and threw the packages in. Jon grabbed the car blanket and placed it over them. Both got in the car and drove off back up the coast road to the flat only a couple of minutes away. Outside the flat, they both quickly left the car and run up the steep stairs. Jon grabbed a bag went back down to the car to get the packages in the boot. Gill went to the kitchen put the kettle on for a hot drink which was just what she needed. She was wide awake now with all the excitement but sleep was still lingering, she was shivering and still cold.

Jon returned a few seconds later with the large bag full to the brim with the brown taped packages, placing the bag on the table with a loud thud.
’Do you want one?’ Gill asked reaching for the mugs from the cupboard above.
’Yeah please, Gill can you believe what just happened to us’.
Gill did not reply she was too interested in the boiling kettle and the soon hot cup of tea she was going to sit down and drink. Her interest was non-existent now they were home and she really was not paying much attention just concentrating on making the tea and thinking of bed and pleased to be warming up.

The bag with the packages had now been placed on the floor and one of the smaller packages were on the kitchen table. He had opened it and emptied from inside it a small pile of the white powder onto the table.

’This is coke, Gill it is its coke!’
Jon spoke loudly without realising due to the excitement and his heart racing.
’Keep ya voice down ya doughnut’ Gill replied walking over to the table with the cups of tea. She sat down, bending over and taking a good look at the pile of white powder on the table. She did not know what cocaine looked like she had never seen it other than on tv and the thought of it scared her.

Even thou Gill and Jon had smoked weed and maybe brought a pill or two at the club, neither had really any interested in the ever growing coke scene emerging.
Jon had seen his mate Rick do a bit when he was collecting trying a little bit in the club scene but nothing serious. So having little knowledge he smelt it first then dabbing a small amount from his finger on his tongue and rubbing it into his gums. Instantly he remembered the numbness it give him when he had previously tried it.
’It is, fucking hell, it is!’ nearly screeching the words out.

It was only a few seconds and Jon was beginning to feel the effects of the very strong coke. He had only dabbed the tiniest of coke and he could tell it was strong, he was shocked it was not like his mates, silently questioning himself if it was, in fact, coke he sat quietly thinking. Sitting at the table for a good ten minutes or so Gill and Jon said nothing it was silent, just spacing out looking at the pile of white powder and drinking tea.

Jon was buzzing and had now perked back up after the initial strong buzz it that the powder gave him that had calmed down and he was now chatting fast and jumping from one subject to the next but all with regard to the morning's events and the packages.
’Look let’s go to bed and then decided what to do with it all’
Gill was eager to go to bed now.

’You do realise Gill what we have? There's loads! There still is another bags worth in the boot and we left lots at the beach’.
Pausing and looking very serious he continued.
’This is not something you can tell Adelle or tell anyone at all’
Getting up from the chair and animating what he was saying by banging his wrists together to imitate cuffing of hands.
’We could be in a lot of trouble for what we did this morning we should have called the police!’.
Jon was serious he was a little scared just thinking about the implications, whatever it was he had it was strong and had him sweating he would rather not think about the implications and was thinking more about the money.

’I am tired now can we go to bed, are you gonna get the bag from the car?’
’No I’m gonna leave it now, really bed, but I am buzzing’
’Bed yes let's go I’m tired’ Gill was more than ready and was leaving the kitchen as she spoke.
He knew Gill was right, they both needed to sleep so even thou still buzzing from the dab of white powder, he cleared the table, put the bag in the cupboard and followed Gill to bed.