Soft

A soft, slightly out-of-breath voice next to his ear said ‘I see it too.’

‘Joe! What are you doing ‘ere?’ 

’Thought you might need a hand. What’s happening?’ Joe steered the Frenchman a little farther away from Xavier, who had acknowledged his presence with a wave. ‘Are you okay?’

‘Xavier’s located the other three - in zat building.’

Both men watched as Xavier set off for the gate with its striped barrier and queue of lorries.

‘What’s the plan? Where’s he going?’

‘He said ‘e would go in when he was sure zey were there…’ He shrugged eloquently. ‘He doesn’t seem to need us…’ 

Jean-Claude’s voice tailed off as Xavier arrived at the checkpoint, walking confidently up to the guards. He had both hands cupped at the side of his head, fingers braced against his temples. He didn’t appear to be speaking, although at that distance it was hard to be sure. The two men on duty nodded and opened the gate. Xavier strode confidently through in the direction of the blocky building. After a few paces, he turned and beckoned for the others to follow.

‘Curiouser and curiouser,’ muttered Joe. ‘ Shall we?’

‘I don’t think zey will let us in, but - okay, we try.’

At the gate, Joe said ‘We’re with him,’ pointing at Xavier.

‘Of course, go through.’

And they were inside the complex. Walking as fast as they could to catch Xavier up, although Joe was limping a little now, glad he had his stick.