Page 16 of Summer of Fire
‘Regent’s Park, isn’t it? Are you alright to walk the rest of the way? I don’t think we’re going to have much luck catching a bus or the Underground at this hour. Besides, it’s such a lovely night.’
Lizzie nodded. The sky was starry, and it was a beautiful summer’s night. Secretly, she was thrilled to get the chance to hear his observations about the war and experience London at this hour—just the two of them.
By the time they arrived at her terrace, her feet were sore,but she was running on pure adrenaline, and didn’t want the night to end.
‘I’d better leave you here,’ Jack said as they approached her door. ‘It’s best you don’t mention me to your family,’ he added.
‘Alright.’ She nodded tentatively. ‘Val told me I must keep quiet about everything—even things I think are of no consequence.’
‘Here, don’t forget your jacket. Where do you live, by the way?’ Lizzie asked.
He shrugged the jacket over his blue and white pin-stripe shirt that accentuated his broad shoulders and lean torso. ‘Thank you.’
‘I hope I haven’t taken you too far out of your way,’ Lizzie said, curious to learn more about the mysterious Jack King.
‘No, not far at all. I’ll be home in no time,’ he said, avoiding her pointed question with ease.
It was clear no more details would be forthcoming, so she wished him goodnight. ‘Thank you again for seeing me home. It was very good of you.’
‘Nonsense. Let me assure you my motives are purely selfish—I am counting on you to get the intelligence and to find out what’s happened to our Resistance agent, Hannah.’ He gave her a wolfish grin.
‘Of course.’ Lizzie managed the brightest smile she could muster, but she was disappointed, even though she knew it was foolish to get carried away over a man so much older and more experienced than her. And he was her new boss…
Besides, Hannah was always on his mind. There was clearly something more personal going on between them than just work.
‘Night. See you tomorrow,’ Lizzie said.
‘Yes, you will. We’ll pick you up at 6 a.m. sharp. Night, Lizzie Beaumont. Great job, today. Well done.’
CHAPTER 8
Jack was worried about Lizzie, but he didn’t want her to know. After their bumpy start, it was critical she believed he had total faith in her ability to operate behind enemy lines.
‘You leave tomorrow,’ he told her.
In the brief time he’d known her, he’d learnt to interpret some of her facial expressions. He could see she was worried too, and like him was pretending not to be. The only difference between them was, he’d had a great deal more experience at controlling his emotions during his long-standing career with Military Intelligence.
‘It’s normal to be scared,’ he said. ‘The key thing is you’re a quick thinker and fast on your feet. You will be fine.’
‘The waiting around is getting to me,’ she said, abandoning the pretence. ‘I wish I could just leave now.’
Jack nodded. ‘Waiting is always tough but use the time wisely. Don’t let nerves play tricks on you, so you start second guessing yourself. You are the best person for this assignment, and you are ready. I was an idiot not to see that straight away.’
‘I won’t argue with that.’
Jack laughed out loud and grimaced. ‘Ouch.’
‘What should I do then?’
‘Everything is squared away with your family, correct?’
It was Lizzie’s turn to nod. ‘Yes, they think I’m attending an intensive translation course and need to stay over on site.’
‘When do they expect you back?’
‘I did what you said and told them I’m unsure of the exact day, but I may be away the whole week or longer. I said my boss will be in touch.’
Drake knew his star translator would be absent from the office, and he was prepped for any questions from Lizzie’s family.
