I am lost in the past with The Woodlanders and my notepad, quietly passing a half hour before my lunch break is over.

Well that is what I want the librarian to think but over the top of my book I’m watching the jewellers opposite, waiting for the delivery van. My mate Pete is in the coffee shop over the way and I see him looking out casually like any other tourist.

And Jamie will be in his trusty transit round the corner, just another white man van.

The black and gold delivery van pulls up and I push my chair back with a squeak and toss the Hardy casually to the table.

‘Shhh’ she says

I mime sorry and then as I pass say ‘lost track of the time but I should be at work now’

No doubt she pictures me in an office all nice looking in my suit and tie, but hell no my job is different to that.

I reach the door and saunter over toward the coffee shop clocking but not acknowledging that Pete is just coming out, in unison we turn toward the van and as the driver gets out I push him back in and jump in alongside him. He looks like me, but I knew that anyway as I say gently ‘shhh’ pushing the knife into his ribs letting him know what will happen if he squeaks.

My suit, his suit, hey guess what they’re identical I just need his hat and his silence.

‘Shh’ I say again.

And in I go all smiles, hat pulled low and collect the famous Empress Ruby, it has been on display. ‘Such a shame it has to go back to the vaults’ the young assistant says as he hands it over all safely snuggled in it’s case.

‘Priceless’ he says as he and his security team sign me out.

I head back toward the delivery van and hop in beside Pete when just in the mirror I see a hint of blue flashing on and off.

The delivery driver looks at me and smiles a slow smile, I see it all then - the panic button, the stab vest, the wire to his ears.

I see Jamie drive past pretending he doesn’t know us and to be honest I don’t blame him.

Pete pulls the van into the traffic and with a squeal of tyres we’re on our way. Like a demented pin ball Pete bashes into the traffic jam and tries to ram his way through.

The flashing lights get closer.