Freelander 1 (2002) load cover

I've just bought a 2002 Freelander ES auto. It's got a solid parcel shelf with what looks like a lock in the middle but when you lift the latch it's just a solid piece of plastic with no lock. Why? as there's nothing underneath the cover, no hidey holes etc. to need a lock anyway.

But the thing that's really puzzling me is this - there are two strings with loops on just like a normal parcel shelf which you would hook to side stubs near the top of the tailgate. But the Freelander's tailgate opens sideways, not up the way and these strings are hanging below the shelf not fitted to the top.

Where are you supposed to hook the strings to/what's the point of them if not to lift the cover out of your way?

Can anybody enlighten me please?

You'd be betterer to ask Freelander questions in the Freelander section. Less tratterers in there. Also post a pic of yer load cover as it may be an after market part rather than standard LR part.

oops never noticed that. Found a link to this forum from Google where somebody else had asked a different question about load covers and it was in this section so I posted here too. Will repost, thanks.