Page 51 of A Fresh Start at Bramble Cottage
He took his phone from his pocket and photographed each side of the medal, and then tapped a message into the keyboard. “In the meantime, why don’t you put this back in your bag to keep it safe, and I’ll work out a price for you for these other pieces.” He handed her the brooch. “Would you like a cup of tea while we wait for Leonard to get back to us?”
“Oh . . . yes, please.”
They drank tea together and negotiated a very good price for the trinkets as they waited for the medal expert to call back. The response came sooner than Vicky had expected. Mr Digby read the message, and smiled.
“I thought so. Your Aunt Molly’s real name was Meline, wasn’t it?”
“That’s right.”
“Meline Marston. My friend says this is a French Resistance medal. The meaning of the inscription is ‘the nation does not forget’. It was awarded to those who participated in the Resistance during the war.”
Vicky stared at him. “But... Molly would only have been about fourteen or fifteen when the war ended.”
“That’s right. But there were quite a few young people who took part, carrying messages, that kind of thing. It seems that Molly’s adventuring days started early.”
“Wow!” Vicky laughed a little unsteadily. “And I only knew her as a slightly eccentric old spinster.”
The old man chuckled. “Oh, she was certainly that. Leonard would like to look into this a little further. May I give him your email address so that he can get back to you?”
“Of course.” For the second time that morning she pulled out a business card and handed it over to him. “Thank you.”
“Do let me know what he finds out. It’s a very interesting story.”
“It is.”
Chapter Ten
Vicky was in a dream, not really looking where she was going as she walked back to the car park. She had to skip out of the way of a cyclist, and stop for a moment to remember where she had parked the car.
“Hi.”
She glanced round, startled.
Bez was standing by the car, smiling a little sheepishly. “I changed my mind. Can I have a lift home?”
“Of course.” She was careful to show no surprise. “There’s room in the boot for your backpack now.”
It was probably best to take the situation completely for granted. Don’t ask why she’d changed her mind, don’t say she was being sensible... No, for heaven’s sake, don’t saysensible!
She popped the boot open and Bez dropped her backpack in it. As they settled in the seats, the girl fastened her seat belt without being prompted, and slanted Vicky a quirky little smile.
“Can you drop me back at school?”
“Of course.”
“Only... could I leave my pack with you and pick it up later?” She glanced away, awkward. “I don’t want people asking questions.”
“That’s okay,” Vicky assured her. “Pick it up when you like.” She put the car in gear and drove out of the car park. “Shall we have some music?”
“Okay.”
They drove out of town as the rich voice of the Queen of Soul filled the car.
“Who’s that?” asked Bez with genuine interest.
“Aretha Franklin.”
“Never heard of her. She’s good though.”
