Read 1 The Assassins' Village for Free Online

make it a foursome. Besides, we owe Bernard and Jen a lunch and it would be a good opportunity to pay our debts. As for their car, they really don’t have the money for a new one.’ She turned to make her way upstairs.             
    ~~~
    ‘Mmm. What a good idea of yours this was.’ Lying, floating on her back Jenny looked completely relaxed. Her ears were under the water, blocking out the noise from the shore. The beach was packed with holidaymakers and locals, who had all come down to the sea to catch a respite from the heat.
    Small waves rippled the surface making it appear oily and immobile. That is until, out of nowhere a big wave crested and curled and came crashing down over her head.  Jenny disappeared under a ton of water with a small shriek. She tumbled towards the direction of the shore, caught in the frothy energy.  ‘Well!’ She exclaimed laughing as she struggled to stand on the sandy sea bottom.
    ‘Oh I’m sorry,’ Di spluttered joining in her laughter. ‘I couldn’t warn you in time. That was a rogue wave. It must have come from a ship out at sea. There’s no wind to make any. Are you all right?’
    ‘Yes of course I am. It’s a good thing Ann isn’t here, as she hates waves of any kind. Let’s swim out once more to the orange buoys and back, and then go in for a drink? Coming?’
    With long lazy strokes, they made it as far as the buoys that separated the swimming from the sailing boats area. After taking a breather they agreed to head for the shore. Diana felt the first tell-tale twinges of leg cramp and didn’t want to get caught out.
    Massaging her calf, Diana became aware of a long and slim, dark-grey shape gliding in the water nearby. Panic gripped her. A shark! She turned back towards Jenny.
    ‘Jenny!’ the scream tore from her throat.
    ‘What is it?’ Jenny puffed up alongside. 
    ‘Did you see it? I think I saw a shark.’
    ‘What? Where?’ Jenny’s large eyes darkened with terror. She thrashed around and peered down into the water’s depths.
    ‘Keep calm and still. Movement might make it come back. Stay close to me.’
    ‘How can I stay calm if there’s a shark out here? Did you, did you see a fin?’ Jenny squeaked with terror.
    ‘No.’ Di gasped as she too looked fearfully down into the depths.
    They kept close together as they swam steadily towards the shore, terrified and trying hard to keep back the rising panic. Just then, a glistening grey beak poked its head out of the water just in front of them. Its eye was turned towards both women and Diana felt as if it was looking right at her as it moved forward.
    Jenny let out a horrified scream of terror and started swimming erratically towards the shore.
    ‘Jenny, Jenny it’s all right! It’s not a shark! It’s a dolphin. Look.’
    The intelligent eye slid back under the surface and glided nearer to Diana. She held her breath in wonder, not daring to move. Despite being a dolphin and not a shark, it was still a large wild animal. Then, the most amazing thing happened. The mammal slid alongside and gently thrust its beak under her armpit. As Diana was about to call out in alarm, the dolphin began to swim towards the shore taking Diana along. The dolphin was gentle, and stopped every now and then to reposition its beak in her armpit. They overtook Jenny who stopped swimming and looked on in astonishment. With a look of total bewilderment on her face she watched the dolphin carry Diana in towards the shallower waters. As quickly as the dolphin arrived it turned and swam out to sea again, giving a wiggle of its tail.
    Placing her feet on the sandy bottom Diana was left wondering, why me? She stood there quaking with excitement and wonder. She glanced around and nobody onshore had noticed, they all appeared absorbed in their own activities. She felt privileged. It was beautiful, by far one of the most astounding things she had ever experienced.
    ‘Di! Are you all right?’ Jenny asked her in a breathy