Across the lake a pale and pockmarked Serb checked his telescope. The lights of the castle were clearly visible, cars coming and going. He turned away and started to check his supplies again.
He had already worked out how much he could consume each day to make it last; four days so far, six days to the event itself, then another seven days’ wait before he could leave. It was odd, he told himself, but he was being paid well enough, enough to just sit and watch TV, eat and observe the castle.
Tiring of counting tins and packets he sat in front of the TV, quickly flicking to the German channel with game show contestants topless. He dropped his trousers.