“I can’t understand what they’re saying. Do you think they’re robbers?” Josh whispered, speaking through his cupped hands held close to Ahmad’s ear. The light began to penetrate all the nooks and crannies of the van, sweeping backwards and forwards, until finally coming to rest on the sheet covering the boys. They felt the van shake as if someone had climbed up on the tailgate. This was quickly followed by another tremor, and more whispering. Ahmad cupped his hands over Josh’s ear.
“Yes, I believe they are.”
“Wait here,” Josh said, sliding off the settee and onto the floor of the van and, snake-like, slithering towards the light. Inch by inch he crawled, careful not to unseat anything that could give his presence away. He could see the light moving backwards and forwards, stop, and move again; several times shining on his feet. Josh was convinced that there were two men in the van, both with flash-lights. Then, raising his voice in an excited whisper one of the men appeared to have discovered something. Josh could hear his own heart beating like a road hammer as a hand grabbed hold of his left foot and twisted it forcefully. Suddenly, Josh burst from his cover and, scattering furniture in all directions, pulverised the man nearest to him with a kick in the chest, sending him flying out of the back of the vehicle. The second, shocked and numb with fear, was unable to move for a second, then it was too late. Josh hit him with a bone-crushing, rib cracking blow just below the heart, causing him to gasp in agony and collapse onto the floor, paralysed and unable to breath.
Thinking quickly and clearly, knowing that the police would be alerted and questions asked if an injured man was found in the van, Josh grabbed hold of the intruder and threw him out of the back of the vehicle.
“I don’t think either of them will be anxious to complain to the police,” he said quietly to Ahmad as he turned round to face him. “But I think we should still get out and stretch our legs before our drivers return.” Without another word they quickly vacated the van and secured the canvas flap. Both of the would-be robbers were lying on the ground in foetal positions, groaning. Grabbing them by their coats the boys pulled them into a dark area of the car park and left them. “They won’t give us any more trouble.” Josh said.
Keeping the van in their sight the whole time, they hurried away and relieved themselves in the bushes.
“They’re coming back,” Ahmad, who was looking down on the van from a mound of earth, whispered excitedly. Josh ran to his side and studied the situation.
“We must get down there as soon as possible,” he said. “But first, we must wait until they both get in the van. Then I’ll go and open the back and get aboard. When it starts moving, run and jump in.” Without another word he disappeared into the shadows. A moment later Ahmad saw the driver and his employee approach and get in the vehicle.
Just as it started to move Josh appeared, untied the canopy and jumped in. Ahmad, trying to make sure that he wasn’t seen in the vehicle’s mirror, or by anyone else in the car park, tore after it as it bumped over the rough and potholed surface. Leaping for the back of the van Ahmad managed to fasten his hands on the closed tailgate and hang on. As his feet dragged on the ground a strong grip grabbed hold of his wrist.
“Well done,” whispered a greatly-relieved Josh Cody as he pulled Ahmad up. “Don’t worry,” he continued, reading his thoughts, “if anyone saw us they’d think we were hitch-hikers.”