Page 22 of Resistance
‘Oh I don’t, never met the man in my life but my gramps knows of his family, the Townshends. They have connections with the new money lot apparently, something to do with theDaily Mail. I forget the ghastly details. But Gramps is never wrong, and I’ll have you know he was right about the king and that Simpson woman.’
‘Well there you go then, can’t argue with Gramps, but I thought you said you weren’t a snob!’
‘I’m not, darling, truly, but I just wasn’t keen on him, call it intuition. His eyes were on you every time I looked over, and he’s too quiet, shifty.’
‘Get off with you, he was not looking, and maybe that’s what they look for in male agents, the silent type.’
Again, another noise from Maude, this time a tut.
Dottie began taking off her woollen socks that ponged a bit but would last another day. ‘I’d call it only knowing half a story. My mum does that all the time, comes home with a bit of a tale then makes the rest up… anyway, my tummy is rumbling and Lord knows what they have in store for us tomorrow so let’s make a move.’
Maude yawned loudly. ‘You slave driver, heave me up then and I’ll raid the wardrobe and find something for us to wear. If I get tiddly later just throw me in bed as I am. I can get rather silly when I drink whisky, you know.’
‘Yes, Maude, I know. It was me who coaxed you down from the table last week when you went all Vera Lynn on us. Now move, I mean it.’ Dottie held out her hand and hauled Maude off the bed, then marvelled at how spritely and rejuvenated she’d become.
It was a good thing though because Maude’s spirit andjoie de vivrewas infectious and everyone in their group adored her. Sometimes Dottie felt like a jealous schoolgirl, craving all Maude’s attention, not wanting to share her with the others at mealtimes or when they lounged in the sitting room, listening to records. She’d even been jealous when one of the men, Gregory, had asked Maude to dance, which was silly really. But Dottie had never met anyone as wonderful and for however long they were together, she wanted Maude all to herself.
Two months later, the women were given their next set of orders. Dottie had felt the ball of tension unravel when her name was called out; then after Ivy, Penny and Lily, she heard Captain Walsh call out Maude’s. Camilla hadn’t come down for breakfast and when they went back to their rooms later, her bed was made, and she was gone. All of them suspected she was bound for the cooler.
Only Lily went with them to the New Forest; Penny and Ivy went their separate ways, neither mentioning where they were heading to finish their training, all of them aware they were being tested at every stage and one slip up would seal their fate. You didn’t really know who the friendly lady seated opposite was. The one who bounced her baby on her knee and asked you where you’d been and where you were off to. Or the man who asked for a light and then offered to take down your suitcase who was simply being kind, but then followed close behind and was still there when you came out of the ladies’ toilets.
They said tearful goodbyes at Paddington Station, promising to meet again afterwards. As far as Dottie was concerned, she meant every word, even though none of them could be taken for granted.
Beaulieu was beautiful though and at least Dottie could actually say she’d seen a bit more of England, if only to herself. They’d all been allowed leave for Christmas Day, the war didn’t stop for festivities and they were required at the holding flat on January the second. Here, they would be given clothing and footwear that had been donated by refugees or meticulously tailored in the French style, with labels and buttons, collars and cuffs, soles that were exactly as a seamstress or cobbler in France would have made them, nothing was left to chance. Their new identities would be revealed, and they would be provided with false papers, a cover story and a code name to be used in communications with London. The final addition to their kit would be a set of two pills, the L suicide pill, kept in a rubber cover and a Benzedrine pill to keep you awake.
All they had to do then was wait to be moved to the forwarding base and then when the moon was full and weather conditions suitable, the agents would be dropped into France and their new life would begin.
* * *
Dottie had succumbed to the heat from the fire and was starting to nod off, dribbling slightly on the cushion that she’d rested upon. Mémère Delphine, noticing she was awake, smiled and went to rise.
‘Ah, the sleeping babe awakes, I will make coffee.’
Jumping up, Dottie protested. ‘Non, Mémère, je vais le faire.’ It came so naturally now, something so simple as saying as ‘I’ll do it’, slipped out in French. She was beginning to think and dream in her second language which in a way was a good thing.
Delphine watched her as she put the kettle on the stove to boil then returned to the hearth. Dottie could tell her grandmother wanted to chat.
‘Dottie, you seem so different since you came home, distant perhaps, and definitely more assured. I can see it in the way you walk and hold yourself, and you are alert but then so tired. Is there anything you would like to talk about, things that you cannot say to your parents? You know I will listen and not panic, not outwardly anyway, perhaps a little inside.’ Delphine gave Dottie a warm smile then waited.
‘Oh, Mémère, there are so many things I want to tell you but can’t and won’t, because the last thing I want to do is worry you, but thank you for asking.’
Delphine nodded slowly. ‘I understand and for your thoughtfulness, I thank you. But I would like to say a few words, while I can, if I may?’
Dottie swallowed and forced down emotion, it was good practice. ‘Of course, Mémère.’
Wasting no time Delphine began. ‘I do not want you to respond, just listen. I think I know where you are going, to France, and I suspect it is to aid the Maquis, or spy. Either is dangerous, and this fills my own heart with terror, while yours is truly brave, that of a lion.’
‘Oh, Mémère, I’m definitely not a lion despite what you would like to believe, I’m no braver than any of the men who have gone to fight so shush, you will only upset yourself.’
‘No, I must say what is in here.’ Delphine touched her chest. ‘What you are going to do, wherever they send you, I will be thinking of my wonderful granddaughter every minute. My prayers are all I have to keep you safe, but I will say them so many times a day God will be tired of hearing my voice. You will be fighting forliberté, for peace and for the future and I am so proud of you, my child, so very, very proud.’
They parted from their embrace at the sound of footsteps on the stairs and the door to the corridor opening. Dottie flicked away a tear and pecked Delphine on the cheek, as the animated voice of her mum drew nearer.
‘Oh, she will be so pleased to see you, here, come inside.’ Paulette appeared first and before she even had time to introduce their guest, Maude was in the room.
‘Ta-da! Surprise.’ Maude flung open her arms and struck a pose, a huge red grin cutting her face in half.
‘Maude, what on earth are you doing here? I thought you were staying with your parents.’ Dottie rushed over to greet her friend and found herself swaddled in fur and assailed by her heavenly scent.
