KEV WAS PONDERING THE trip; all he had to do was to keep his eyes open. But he knew it would be more complicated than that. For a start, who knows how mad Mad Mike could be?

'Soon, see,' he thought.

Mr Black and Khun Sombat arrived in Hua Hin the next day. They ordered Kev to meet them at lunchtime.

The meeting place was, by chance, at Kev's favourite beach restaurant. They would all be dressed as tourists. Kev was puzzled by all the "James Bond" stuff. Easy for Kev, as he always looked like a tourist. He was not so sure about the other two, who he had only seen in tailor-made business suits. When they appeared, they looked like they were on holiday and like a gay pair on a weekend break. So good was their act that Kev thought it was no act. The Embassy "pair" was staying in the Railway Hotel, a large double room. The choice of the restaurant was easy, as it was in front of their room.

It was only later Kev found out they were married. Not to each other, Sombat to a former Miss Thailand, and Mr Black to an international school teacher.

Mr Black talked even before their coffee arrived.

'Kevin, I will tell you things today that nobody outside the secret service should know. Both Sombat and I work for the Foreign Office. Read into that, whatever you will. It uses us to watch and care for any British interests in Thailand.'

Kev was very puzzled about the charade the FO men were playing; they must meet "pink" community members. Kev remained silent. Sombat took over.

'I will be very near to you when you go to the jungle, you wonʼt see or hear me, but Iʼll be there. Hopefully, I will not be needed, but I will be nearby. But, of course, that depends on Mr Black's decision. I am keen to experience some action.'

None of this made Kev comfortable.

Mr Black carried on until he was disturbed by their food arriving. He then held onto Sombatʼs hand. Too convincing!

'All we need you to do is gather information. Watch and report. No more and no less, please. And I do not want any heroics. I have heard about you in the boxing ring!'

Kev was no longer surprised by Black's information-gathering skills.

'So, this time, Iʼll take a camera?' said Kev.

'Yes, you can be a tourist, be careful what pictures you are taking, and watch out. They are not idiots. Sombat, you can forget about going this time, maybe the next time, okay?' said Black, dashing Kevʼs hopes that this would be the last time, and dashing Sombatʼs wish for some action.

This meeting carried on with Black giving tips. What he expects to happen, and what to look out for. None of it made Kev relax. He had a few questions he was dying to know the answers to.

'Mr Black, please may I ask you something? If this is about criminal activity, why is the British Embassy involved? And what happens if I get arrested by the police?'

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'To answer your second question first. We will act as we do with all British citizens. We will get you out of custody as quickly as possible if you are innocent! And to answer question number one, it is not just criminal activity!'

'If it is not just criminal, what is it? Please donʼt tell me it is to do with terrorists?'

'What makes you say that?'

'For a start, I can read the newspapers. The Bangkok Post has been reporting about various actions to destabilise the Government. And what with the Thai Communists closing their party down? It does not take a genius to work out that some hardliners donʼt want to pack it in. They may want to go out with a bang.'

'Kevin - keep your thoughts to yourself,' said an agitated Mr Black. He went on. 'You have a job to do for your nation, for which they will protect you. Okay?'

Kev scratched his head; it was clear the meeting was over.

Black and Sombat went off, hand in hand, back to their hotel room.

A while ago, Kev had read the news article in the Bangkok Post.

'Thailand crushes coup plotters. The Thai Government emerged unscathed after an attempted coup. The attempt by former army officers collapsed yesterday. It lasted barely 10 hours. After that, there were several brief outbursts of fighting in which four people died. Two of them were foreign journalists. Some 200 to 500 troops with 22 M 41 tanks were used. Under the nominal leadership of the former armed forces supreme commander. General Serm na Nakhon entered Bangkok early in the morning.

Kev remembered thinking surely a newspaper reporter would get an accurate figure. 200 to 500 was not precise reporting. What else was wrong?

They seized control of a government broadcasting station. Issued bulletins in which General Serm declared the formation of a revolutionary council. The suspension of the constitution and the dissolution of parliament and the cabinet.

The Army's deputy commander, General Tienchai Sirisamphan, rallied government forces. He responded swiftly. Broadcasts on army radio ordering all troops to remain in their barracks. The Prime Minister, Mr Prem Tinsulananda, cut short a visit to Indonesia. He returned to Thailand yesterday afternoon.

Fighting erupted. Rebel troops and tanks attacked an army radio station in Bangkok. They were plotting to silence the broadcasts. Two journalists working for NBC were shot. Australian cameramen Neil Davis and his American soundman, William Latch, were caught in the line of fire. The rebel forces started shooting without warning. Neil Davis, aged 53, a veteran of the wars in Vietnam and Kampuchea, died almost immediately.

Bill Latch, aged 35, died in the hospital of chest and leg wounds several hours later.

The coup took members of the Government and diplomats by surprise. After a year where General Prem appeared to strengthen his relations, quelling speculation about possible military intervention.

The instigator of the coup was Col Manoon Roopkachorn. He was a prominent member of the Young Turks group of officers. They rose to prominence in the late 1970s but were dismissed from the Army. They staged an abortive coup against the Government.

A gentleman who goes by the name of Pu Yai seems to be at the root of all disturbances in Thailand. He remains at large. The Bangkok Post is still unclear on how Pu Yai funds his violent activities.

Kev remained in his seat, struggling with several thoughts. What has all that got to do with Britain? And why would anyone wish to mess with something running so well? The beach-loving German with the ill-fitting wig disturbed his train of thought.

'Hi, my name is Charlie. I have seen you here a few times, and I thought it was time I introduced myself. I hope you donʼt mind.'

'No, I'm always pleased to meet new people. My name is Kev.'

The last thing Kev wanted was to be disturbed. But, on the other hand, maybe it was just what he needed.

It turned out that Charlie was a twice-divorced teacher, which in Germany was not good, financially at least. Being divorced once was bad enough, but twice was economic suicide. So Charlie came to Thailand, where he could follow his dream and become a professional singer.

He left, saying his father was a dentist for the Nazis during the war. A strange man, thought Kev, but harmless enough.

Not only that, he wants a long-term rental.