Page 44 of Summer of Fire
Pierre looked from Lizzie to Jack. ‘I hope I didn’t disturb you two lovebirds hiding away in the barn.’
Lizzie blushed fiercely and was grateful they couldn’t see her face in the torchlight.
Jack gave Pierre a playful punch on the shoulder. ‘You always talked nonsense,’ he said. ‘Nothing like that, I’m afraid, you old romantic. Lizzie and I are here in a purely professional capacity. Looking for Hannah, actually. Have you seen her at all, by any chance?’
At the mention of Hannah, Pierre cast his eyes about even though there was no one else around. ‘Let’s talk when we’re inside,’ he said, dropping his voice even lower. ‘This way, we’re nearly there now.’
Lizzie could make out the hazy shape of the large farmhouse in the moonlight. The storm had passed, and the air was fresh and cooler after the rain.
‘This damn blackout is a pain,’ said Pierre. ‘My wife is in bed already, but she’ll be excited to see you in the morning.’
Pierre ushered them into a large kitchen with a huge wooden table in the centre, surrounded by cushioned chairs. ‘You must be exhausted, you poor things. Sit down and I’ll bring you something to eat. There’s nothing hot now, but Camille will make you something tasty in the morning. I don’t know how, but that woman performs miracles with the meagre rations and what we manage to keep back from the farm produce,’ he said. ‘The German army takes most of it. They’re not going hungry anytime soon, that’s for sure.’ The disapproval rung through his words.
Pierre served them a hastily thrown together cold supper of bread, cheese, and homemade pickle, and poured them a glass of wine. ‘Made here in my amateur vineyard,’ he said proudly. ‘What do you think?’
Jack took several gulps and set his glass down, smiling. ‘My goodness, that could burn the hairs off your chest.’
‘Cheeky boy,’ Pierre said, bursting into laughter. ‘I’ll haveyou know if it wasn’t for this blasted war, my wine would be a prize-winning label by now.’
The atmosphere in the kitchen, lit only by the soft glow of a lamp, was warm and friendly. It was a welcome respite after the tension of the past days. The camaraderie reminded her of home, and she thought longingly of her family and wondered what they were making of her extended absence. She hoped they had believed her boss’s cover story and weren’t worrying about her.
The door creaked open, and Lizzie saw a woman, wearing a long pale nightgown, her hair in braids.
‘Am I dreaming?’ she said, staring at Jack as if she’d seen a ghost.
Jack rose hastily and closed the distance to the door, relieving the woman of the candle she held and engulfing her in a big bear hug. ‘Auntie Camille,’ he said. ‘I didn’t dare hope I would see you, but it’s so wonderful. You are just as beautiful as ever.’
Camille entered the kitchen, her smile so wide, Lizzie thought her pretty face would split. ‘You always were a charmer, Jack King. And who have you brought to see us this time?’ she asked, as Jack released her.
‘This is Lizzie. She’s one of ours and we needed somewhere to stay for tonight. She’s had quite a time of it.’
‘Well, I’m glad you came. We’ve talked about you no end since the war began, wondering how you are and hoping you, your dear mother and Henry are safe. It’s too dangerous to send messages now, you know. The Gestapo are becoming more efficient at tracking down wireless operators. We don’t listen to ours anymore for fear they’ll show up on our doorstep. Mind you, we still kept a spare one when they confiscated them.’
Jack gave them a quick overview of what had happenedsince he arrived and how they needed to get Lizzie to the pickup spot the following evening.
Camille asked what more she could get them. ‘Would you like a hot drink, Lizzie? I bet you could do with a cup of something to restore you. What a horrible time you must have had, you poor love. I do hope we can welcome you back here soon in happier, peaceful times.’
Lizzie sipped the tea the kind farmer’s wife made for her and felt the stress leave her body as she relaxed in the chair. It was good to just sit and listen without having to do more than smile or contribute occasionally. She was bone tired and couldn’t wait to close her eyes. The last few days were catching up with her now. Perhaps they would even get a proper bed to sleep in.
‘Come, my love. I see you are weary. Let me show you where you can sleep for the night. Not that there is much left before morning,’ she said.
Lizzie followed her slowly up one flight of creaky stairs as Camille led the way. ‘There’s somewhere you can sleep that’s safer, just in case.’ Camille stooped to clear some towels and bed linen from shelving set into the wall.
Lizzie gasped when Camille pushed the wood, and the shelves swung backwards to reveal a dark opening. ‘It looks ominous, but it’s comfortable enough once you’re in. We’ve had friends stay here since the war began.’
Camille lit a lamp in the secret room.
There was one bed in the centre and a small sink in the corner. Camille wished her good night and Lizzie opened her case and did her ablutions quickly. Her eyelids were leaden as she pulled her dress over her head and slipped into the one nightdress she had brought with her.
Lizzie hadn’t wanted to put it on in the barn, feeling too self-conscious with Jack there, but now she abandoned all thoughts of modesty, in her longing to sleep comfortably.When her head hit the soft pillow, she was asleep within seconds.
Shards of pale light infiltrated the blacked-out slit of a window, and Lizzie opened her eyes to a new day in enemy-occupied France. Rolling over luxuriously in the soft bed, she drew a sharp intake of breath when her body touched Jack’s.
He must have crept into the room because she hadn’t heard a thing during the night. That, or she was so exhausted, nothing could wake her.
Her heart filled with tenderness as she watched him sleep, and his chest rose and fell with each breath. His stubble was heavier this morning and would become the shadow of a beard if he didn’t shave soon. Long dark eyelashes swept over his eyes onto the skin below. He looked the most peaceful she had ever seen him, and she just lay there watching him for a while, wondering what would become of them in this mad world they now inhabited.
Then he stirred and muttered something. She drew closer and listened carefully, but she couldn’t make out what he was saying, for the sound was muffled. His warm breath caressed her skin, and she longed to reach out and touch him, but she held back.
