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This story is a total fabrication; the characters do not, and never did exist. However, several of the places do, or did exist and some of the people could bear some resemblance to people who do, did or could possibly exist.
The ‘action’ takes place in and around the old town of Bexhill, situated on the South Coast of England in an area that was notorious for the gangs of smugglers who were very active from the mid- eighteen century and, for all we know, could still be plying their trade on and off the same East Sussex beaches.
John Smethurst, the main character, is a fabrication but could be any one of a number of local young, and not-so-young men who are, colloquially, ‘a bit dodgy’.
If you feel that you recognise yourself, a member of your family, or a friend, you should be thoroughly ashamed, smuggling is illegal and people apprehended will probably find themselves ‘up before the magistrate’ – but that is part of the story and, anyhow, Bexhill Magistrates Court is long gone.
Traditional Sussex smuggler’s language, both English and ‘Franglais’, is used in several parts of this story.
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