Lisa looked across Ramsgate harbour. "I'm sure that wasn't there before", she thought.

"Aye," said a voice behind her, "a fine vessel don't ye think?" Startled, she turned to see a shabby, bearded man in an 18th Century frockcoat and tricorn hat. He snatched off his hat and gave a deep, theatrical bow.

"Captain Henry Dunwoody at your service."

Lisa was unsure how to react. If this was some sort of street theatre he'd certainly put a lot of effort into his appearance - from his ruddy outdoor complexion to the salt-stained coat and the strange musty smell of antiquity he had about him.

"So, is this historical re-enactment?" she asked, "or a film or something?" The stranger's weather-beaten face furrowed in puzzlement.

"I'm not sure I gets yer drift. I'm here on business, ye sees, and it's always an especial pleasure to escort an attractive young lady."

Lisa sighed, Why do I always attract nutters? she wondered. She grew impatient, "OK, well, look, I really have to get back work, nice meeting you." She turned and walked briskly away. To her relief there were no following footsteps.

She gazed across at the newly-arrived ship. Some sort of replica galleon she supposed. It looked very weatherworn and dilapidated though and somehow strangely menacing. Steve will love this, she thought, reaching for her phone to call her boyfriend. But the phone was dead. Angrily she thrust it back into her handbag.

"Ah, of course, ye don't realise do ye?"

Lisa recoiled as the stranger now blocked her way. How the hell did he do that? she wondered. She was suddenly apprehensive. What if this man wasn't just some harmless eccentric.

"Some don't twig right away." he continued. "I'll explain all once ye're aboard." He gestured towards the ship.

Now a sudden chill ran down Lisa's spine.

"Look, whoever you are, I don't have time for this." She made a move to step around him but he barred her way. "Look this isn't funny! I really have to get back to work."

"Aye that was your problem - hurrying, not keeping a lookout. Like it or not ye have to come along with me now. Ye can't wander here alone."



Lisa was growing afraid now, and angry. Should she run or call for help? But strangely, no-one was about. Not a soul. The harbour was completely deserted. She tried to shove past him again but to her horror he grabbed her and violently flung her over his shoulder.

"Put me down!" she screamed, "you can't do this!" She swore and kicked but his grip was vicelike. Its broad daylight, she thought, and I'm being kidnapped by a......what? Its got to be a joke, a TV stunt, calm down, kidnappers and rapists don't go about dressed as pirates with their very own ship. This is ridiculous. I'm going to sue.

Suddenly she found herself hurled to the floor - she was on the ship, she could feel the deck pitching and rolling under her. Now she was more bewildered than angry. What's happening? she wondered. How did I get here? - we're surrounded by sea.

"Ye didn't see it coming did ye lass?" She gazed blankly at him. "Something took yer life in an instant but you was none the wiser it seems."

"What? What are you talking about? Who are you? I don't understand all this." There was a rising panic inside her. Somehow reality seemed to be gradually slipping away from her, leaving her feeling strangely empty. A lifetime of memories - joyful, sad, tender and trivial were drifting off like half remembered dreams - draining away to reveal a brief stark image: a screech of tyres, a scream, and then....then what? Blankness.

She felt suddenly cold. No, it can't be true. This isn't happening. This is stupid. She turned to him, half incredulous, half terrified.

"So you're some sort of.......Grim Reaper?"

"Aye ye could say that - one of 'em. Ever since I made me pact with fate. Back then all me customers around these parts was worthless matelots and theiving doxies but now, well here you are, blameless, but off to the next world nevertheless."

"But....it can't be. It's not fair. Don't I get to say goodbye to anyone? You can't do this. I haven't said goodbye. I don't want to be dead."

"Aye, Death's a bitch." he muttered.

And with that he spun the ship's wheel, the sails billowed, the timbers creaked and Lisa's old world faded slowly away in the ship's wake.