Page 87 of Summer of Fire
When she turned to wave to him, he hadn’t moved. ‘I missed you,’ he said quietly, and she just made out the words over the sound of the soft wind.
‘I missed you too,’ she said, smiling.
That night, when Lizzie climbed into bed and lay her head on her pillow, she was too full of joy for the usual sinister thoughts to haunt her.
For the first time since her mission, she fell into a deep, sweet sleep and awoke refreshed and at peace.
CHAPTER 40
‘We had a deal,’ Lizzie said, gazing at Jack as he lay on the picnic blanket, his legs stretched out, clutching a glass of wine.
Things had settled down at SOE following his return, and Lizzie was delighted when Jack suggested they have a picnic in the park before winter really set in. The weather favoured them today—the sky was blue, and rays of pale sunshine glinted on the surface of the Serpentine lake like a choreographed ballet.
Jack wanted Lizzie to see Hyde Park and so here they were enjoying sandwiches and wine he had organised, on a rare lazy Sunday afternoon.
‘What deal is that?’ he asked, arching one eyebrow.
Lizzie’s lips twitched as she challenged him. ‘It seems like another lifetime now, but not that long ago, you promised me if I made it back from France in one piece,you’d tell me the story of how you got involved with Military Intelligence. I’ve made it back twice now, so it’s time to honour your end of the bargain.’
‘I don’t recall promising anything of the kind,’ Jack said, his face creasing into a smile.
‘Seriously? You don’t remember?’
‘I remember the conversation, but I don’t recall making any promises,’ he said, twirling and emptying his glass.
Lizzie poked him in the ribs.
‘Ouch.’ He rolled over and caught her hands so she couldn’t prod him anymore.
‘Aren’t you afraid someone from work will see us?’ Lizzie said, casting her eyes around the park when she stopped laughing.
He shook his head. ‘No, but if they do, they do. It’s unlikely, though, as long as we aren’t really obvious about it at the office. For an organisation of secret agents, they pay remarkably little attention to what’s happening right in front of them. And for another thing, SOE is mostly made up of workaholics, so it’s rare to see them leave the office, never mind strolling in the park.’
Lizzie laughed again. ‘That’s scathing.’
‘Scathing but true.’
‘Fair enough, but I know what you’re doing. You’re changing the subject, so you don’t have to reveal your spy secrets to me.’
‘Nonsense. You asked another question. I told you I am an open book. Ask me anything you like…’ His expression grew solemn, but she knew he was teasing her.
‘Alright, well if that’s true, tell me how Raven started out and how you became such a legend in Reims that they talk about you in hushed tones. Jeanne was so happy when you showed up—she had such confidence I would be fine once you were with me.’
‘And you were fine,’ Jack said.
‘Yes, you saved me from that soldier,’ Lizzie said. ‘I haven’t really thanked you properly. Everything happened sofast there was barely time. We raced from one emergency to another.’
‘No thanks necessary. That’s how it is when you’re in enemy territory. Life is in technicolour—emotions are heightened and everything moves faster than normal life.’
‘Because every day is like it might be the last?’ Lizzie said.
‘Yes, something like that. It’s exhilarating but terrifying too.’
‘Is that why we did what we did?’ Lizzie asked.
‘As in, what exactly?’
Lizzie contemplated the blanket, embarrassed but compelled to ask. ‘You know what I mean.’
