Page 85 of Shadows In Paris
When they arrived, Hannah said, ‘I can’t believe I spentmy first night in London in the hospital. All that time in the Resistance and I’ve not even been to a doctor.’
‘How are you feeling?’ Lizzie asked.
‘I’m fine. A bit sore, but the doctor said it’ll soon pass.’
‘That’s what the medic said yesterday, so that’s great news.’
‘Is there someone you’d like to see?’ Jack asked.
Hannah’s eyes lit up, and she looked around. ‘Is Henry here?’
‘Not yet, but he’s on his way to London. We’re taking you for tea at St. Ermin’s Hotel and he’ll meet us there shortly.’
Hannah’s blonde hair was tangled, and her man’s wig lay discarded on a chair. ‘I must look dreadful. It’s not exactly how I envisioned reuniting with my fiancé. I need to change out of this gown and at least wash my face.’
Lizzie helped Hannah out of bed, and they went to tidy her up. When they returned, her hair was rolled and gripped, and she was dressed.
‘We should have brought her a new outfit,’ Lizzie said to Jack.
There was blood on Hannah’s sleeve. She looked far from her best with her injured arm and bruised face.
‘I’ll telephone Baker Street and get them to organise her some temporary clothes until we can kit her out properly,’ Jack said.
‘I won’t be here long,’ Hannah reminded them.
‘Yes, I haven’t forgotten. You need to be here at least a few days for your arm to heal, so you’ll need some clothes,’ he replied.
Lizzie and Jack had been debriefed that morning and Val had given them both leave. ‘Take a few days off. That’s an order,’ she said, holding one hand up before they could interject. ‘Show Hannah a good time. I understand your brother is on his way home?’
Jack offered Lizzie a cigarette, and she refused. ‘I’ve decided I only smoke undercover.’
‘Smart girl. It’s a dreadful habit,’ Val said pointedly, looking at Jack.
He inhaled and sat back in his chair. ‘Yes, Henry is on his way to London now.’
‘Very well, I’ll see you both in a couple of days. You’re under strict orders to enjoy yourselves and stay out of trouble.’
Jack and Lizzie left Baker Street together to collect Hannah, who was waiting for them, eager to escape her confinement.
Lizzie drove again, with Jack in the passenger street directing her when she wasn’t sure where to turn. The car crossed Westminster Bridge and Hannah admired the famous landmarks.
‘It’s amazing to be back,’ Hannah said as they passed Big Ben, the Palace of Westminster, and Westminster Abbey, before pulling up in front of an impressive-looking hotel.
‘The SOE was based at St. Ermin’s when I joined,’ Lizzie said.
‘In a hotel? How ingenious,’ Hannah said. ‘No one would suspect that.’
‘We can tell you now, without having to kill you,’ Jack laughed.
‘Of course, so I’m guessing I won’t be allowed access to your offices.’
‘Val, who you met at the airfield, wants to see you before you leave, but she’ll meet you here, I imagine.’
‘Fair enough. You wouldn’t want me divulging your HQ location if the Gestapo get hold of me.’
‘Let’s forget about all that for today. I’ve got a surprise for you girls,’ Jack said. I booked us a table in the grand ballroom for this evening, so it’s dinner and dancing for the four of us.And you and Henry can sleep here tonight before you visit my mother who will no doubt be pacing the floor the minute she knows you’re both here. I haven’t told her you’ve arrived yet for that very reason.’
As they entered the lobby of the iconic hotel, a tall, handsome young man dressed in RAF uniform, who looked like Jack, leapt from his seat and strode towards them. His eyes scanned the three of them and lit on Hannah. She rushed towards him and he towards her.
