I never thought, when I took the photograph, that it would become part of a murder inquiry.

The innocent-looking couple, apparently so in love, were in reality part of a jewellery raid on the shop behind them, just out of the picture.

They were there to distract the security guards on duty in front of the shop; and a good job they did of it.

Our holiday had been going well, and my wife and I were admiring the quaint streets and some of the unusual goods on display.

We had just come out of the restaurant on the left of the photograph, having had a wonderful lunch. The taste of the French wine we had consumed was still on my lips, and the memories of the enticing smell of delicious food was still teasing my olfactory organ when I decided to take the snap.

I hadn't really noticed the couple until the photograph was in the camera, but others had, and a crowd began to gather to watch their antics. None of the spectators, including ourselves took much notice of the robbers as they approached the guards, and they were able to disable them with stun guns without arousing any suspicion.

One guard did utter a few words, but these were lost in the sights and sounds of the street. I can remember only a few grunts, and this was in hindsight. They appeared to be in deep conversation with the robbers, who looked to our untrained eyes as if they were their reliefs. After all, they were in the same sort of uniforms; we soon forgot them as they all disappeared into the jewellers shop.

A slight smell of burning wafted towards us, and I thought I had seen a couple of puffs of smoke. I was to learn later that this was from the scorching of the unfortunate guards' uniforms.

While all this was going on the young couple had become more brazen, fondling each other, and seemingly trying to eat each other whole, then after a few minutes they seemed to realise that they had attracted a crown of voyeurs, and after disentangling themselves, strolled away unconcernedly, disappearing into the now thinning crowd.

"Well that was some show!" My wife murmured.

"Free too!" I rejoined jokingly. I don't think she appreciated my sense of humour.

Suddenly chaos reigned. The scream of police cars rebounded from the walls of the little street, and gendarmes appeared as if from nowhere, all converging on the jeweller's shop.

While our attention had been cleverly diverted, the shop had been looted. One of the staff had managed to press the alarm, which was wired directly to the police station.

He has paid dearly for his brave action though. The robbers had shot him down as they attempted to stop him from reaching the button.

We were interviewed afterwards, and my film taken away and developed.

The outcome was that the young couple were identified, and quickly arrested. Threatened with a murder charge they gave up the robbers, who were caught before they could dispose of their loot.

We were awarded a certificate by the police, which you can see hanging by the side of the photograph on that wall.

We also received a reward from the insurance company, so we will be able to eat once more in that lovely restaurant. I think I will leave my camera at home then though.