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Downes saw it on the Regent’s Canal, on the stretch approaching Limehouse Basin. He was taking photographs for an evening course, trying to capture the reflections of buildings in the water. There was no wind to hamper him; he’d had a good afternoon.
The first he knew of it was a shadow passing over the water. Looking up, he saw something overhead: dark, dripping. He had the impression of a sodden bin bag inflated by the wind, but it was gone behind the buildings before he could work out what he was seeing.
Uneasy, puzzled, Downes resumed his position on the towpath, squatting down to get closer to the water, trying to line up a converted warehouse just so. The first picture was blurred, the second a little better. He adjusted for the light and took another.
He was about ready
