Page 44 of Hearts of Resistance
‘Any change in the pickup instructions for tomorrow night?’ she asked.
‘No,’ Sophia said. ‘But it’s going to be difficult. There are German guards everywhere, more along the coast than ever from what I’ve heard. It’ll be our hardest yet, and I doubt there’ll be many more men we can rescue and get out. They’reeverywhere.’
‘What we will do with any more we find?’
‘There are rumours they’ll have to be smuggled to Spain from now on, through an intricate network of helpers.’
Rose felt shivers go up and down her spine, the tiny hairs on her arms all standing on end. Up until now, they’d been so careful, and they’d done so many drop-offs that it no longer felt as dangerous as before. But Sophia wouldn’t be scaring her if she didn’t absolutely believe that what she’d been told was true.
‘But we still go ahead with rescuing them, regardless?’ Rose asked. ‘At what point do we decide it’s not worth the risk? That maybe we should’ – she paused, hating the words she was about to say – ‘leave them behind and focus on disrupting the Germans instead, with the other cells?’
‘We radio Paris tonight,’ Sophia said. ‘It’s the only way. And then they can communicate with London and follow their orders.’ She looked sad, her mouth drawing down. ‘We don’t give up on any of them, Rose, not until we’re told to. We can’t.’
There was a chance they’d be found out, if the others talked, but they were all trained to keep their mouths shut. Giving away information about another meant certain death, and Rose knew she’d much prefer to die than give up her fellow Resistance members. But if they were spotted trying to get Samuel to the submarine, then they’d be found and tortured regardless.
‘We have a radio here now, and that’s something,’ Sophia continued. ‘If Hazel is as good as she’s supposed to be, and she damn well better be, then we’re going to be stronger than ever. It’ll save me having to make that long ride out to the others in the circuit so often.’ She sighed. ‘Although from the looks of her, a feather could blow her over.’
Rose stifled her laugh. ‘Have you ever heard the saying “don’t judge a book by its cover”?’
Sophia made a face and shrugged, clearly unimpressed. ‘She can prove herself to me and then perhaps I’ll change my mind.’
Rose continued, ignoring the look Sophia was giving her. ‘Look, we’ll do the drop tomorrow night together, just you and I. But I doubt our newest visitor will be in any shape to be transported.’ She turned to make Sophia a drink, certain she needed something hot to keep her going after the day and night she’d had. There was a watery soup that wasn’t half bad still sitting on the cooker, and she wanted to make sure Sophia had some. ‘Hazel will be great, trust me. I’ve known her a long time, and they wouldn’t have sent her in if she wasn’t one of the best.’
She took out two large mugs. They were low on bowls and it was often easier to sip their soup from a cup anyway. It was hardly worthy of a spoon, although she often used one simply to make it feel like she was having a proper meal.
‘Have this and then get some rest. We don’t need you tonight and you won’t be any use to us tomorrow if you haven’t had any sleep.’
‘Sorry to disturb you.’ Hazel’s soft voice floated towards them and Rose turned, taken by surprise.
‘Oh, it’s fine. We’re not keeping secrets from you, we just don’t need anyone else hearing them.’ She personally trusted their allies, especially given the help they were giving these two men, but if they were put under pressure? Tortured? She had no idea if they’d keep their mouths shut or give away their location and what they were doing.
‘We have a problem. With Harry,’ Hazel said, her brows drawn together.
‘What is it?’ Rose asked, putting down the spoon she was about to use to ladle the soup out of the pot.
‘I was wondering if either of you have any experience in dislocated joints?’ Hazel had been frowning, and now she was grimacing. ‘That’s the reason his leg is causing him so much pain, I think, or at least it’s one of the reasons.’
Sophia groaned. ‘I’ll do it. After that I’m trudging up those stairs to bed though.’
Hazel looked relieved and Rose nodded. ‘Let’s get this over with.’
CHAPTER TWELVE
HAZEL
Hazel’s hands had begun to shake when she’d leapt from the plane, and she wasn’t sure if they would ever stop.
She sat next to Harry, reaching for his hand and clasping it when his fingers connected with hers.
‘I thought I was supposed to be the scared one?’ he said through gritted teeth, now fully conscious and holding on to her tight.
Hazel laughed, and with his hand in hers, she finally felt the shaking start to subside. ‘Nice to see you awake again. You’ve woken up for the good part,’ she teased, trying to keep the conversation light.
‘Are you a nurse?’ he asked, his breathing laboured, each inhale sounding too short and sharp to be comfortable. ‘Is this some kind of makeshift hospital?’
‘No,’ she answered honestly, not about to lie to him. ‘But just think of us as your angels, I suppose.’
‘I’m feeling like the luckiest bloody guy on the planet,’ he said, teeth gritted again as he tried to shift his weight. ‘Rescued from the middle of nowhere by a beautiful woman, and now surrounded by two more. I think I must be hallucinating.’
