Page 60 of Summer of Fire
Pierre said, ‘Quick, we must gather up these supplies.’
The small group stashed them in a nearby van. And then Pierre helped her remove her equipment and steered her gently by the elbow to jump in next to him. Soon they were on their way. The engine hummed quietly, and they drove slowly without headlights, inching along an uneven, dark road.
‘How on earth do you see where you’re going?’ she asked.
Pierre chuckled. ‘I don’t…’
Lizzie’s heart raced as she looked around her, shadows in the pale moonlight making her jump.
‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to alarm you. I’ve lived on our farm all my life and been driving this route for most of it. I could probably do it with my eyes closed.’
Lizzie gradually relaxed and decided she must trust Pierre’s instincts. There was nothing she could do now, anyway. It was still pitch black by the time they bumped down the lane towards the farm and the old van rumbled to a stop in front of the house.
Lizzie saw Camille in the doorway, her silhouette lit bythe torch she held low in her hand. She stepped forward to welcome Lizzie and enveloped her in a big, warm hug.
‘Here you are, my dear. How good it is to see you! Come in, come in.’ She bustled Lizzie into the kitchen and made her a cup of hot tea. ‘You must be weary after your journey. Would you like to get some sleep after the tea?’
Lizzie yawned. ‘Yes, please, Camille. It’s so good to see you too. Thank you for hosting me again like this.’
‘Jack is so sorry he couldn’t be here,’ she said.
Sleep deserted Lizzie at the mention of Jack. She was intensely disappointed he hadn’t been there to meet her, but didn’t want to make it obvious by asking Pierre where he was.
‘A wireless operator received a message from Hannah. Finally! Jack left for the Free Zone this morning to meet with her. It was too good an opportunity to miss. One of our workers had to make a delivery in that direction, so Jack rode with him disguised as a labourer.’
‘You are putting yourselves in grave danger by helping us,’ Lizzie said. ‘Has Jack been staying with you ever since I left?’
Camille nodded. ‘Yes, he’s been busy. He reactivated the Resistance network, and Pierre agreed to be the leader in Hannah’s absence. After she disappeared, it all fell apart, you see. A few members fled Reims and others laid low, thinking if Hannah was discovered, it was only a matter of days before they came for them. But Hannah wasn’t captured after all. Isn’t it wonderful news?’
Lizzie nodded. It was wonderful news, and she was happy for Hannah and happy for the Resistance. But her heart felt leaden with stone when she thought about what this meant for Jack. He would be reunited with the love of his life.
Lizzie shook herself. What the hell was she doing, letting her feelings affect her like this? She may as well have stayedat home if she was going to behave like some poor love-crushed sap.
No. I must rise above this.
There would be plenty of time for love after the war—unless Germany invaded England—in which case, life as they knew it would be over forever.
Either way, there was no time for mooning around over Jack.
Camille sipped her tea and continued. ‘Pierre and I decided working with the Resistance and the Allies is the only choice we have if we’re to live with ourselves after the war.
A couple of our friends were arrested last week, purely because they are Jews. They are not even religious. The French police are not bothering to pretend it’s for any other reason now. Our dear friends were born and bred in France, but it means nothing to those traitors. They are as evil as the Nazis. Honestly, I am ashamed to be French. For that reason, we must do all we can to resist and support the Allies.’
Lizzie was now wide awake. Pierre joined them at the kitchen table and Camille brought him a cup of tea.
‘Thank you for meeting me,’ Lizzie said to Pierre. ‘Camille was just telling me you’ve been working with Jack to create the new network.’
‘That’s right. He should be back in a day or two. We need all the support we can get for what lies ahead of us.’
‘Do you know what I am to do? I was told I’d be briefed on my mission after I arrive. Safer that way, I suppose.’
‘The less you know, the better,’ they all said at once, smiling.
‘I can see Jack has drilled you,’ Lizzie laughed.
‘The plan is to blow up the German airfield,’ said Pierre.
Lizzie’s eyes widened and then she squinted as the firstrays of light entered the kitchen and she heard the birds chirping. ‘How are we going to do that?’
