Page 77 of Love in the Shadows

“Putain, putain, putain!” Fabienne climbed into the back, checked the men were dead, and rolled them out of the van. “It’s okay,” she said to the children. You need to stay quiet again now.” If they were stopped again, they would not be able to explain the blood.

“We need to get out of here.” They got back in the front, and Fabienne drove quickly. The children would be battered and bruised by the time they got to the church, but that was a small price to pay for their lives. She parked at the back of the church, as always at this time of day, and banged on the church door until Father Michel opened it.

“You’re very early.”

“We had some trouble.”

Johanna carried the sick child inside, while Fabienne released her brother and sister from the back. They hurried into the church and the priest locked the doors.

“I need to wash the van,” Fabienne said.

“There is a tap on the wall on the other side, and a bucket. Come with me, children,” he said.

He led them into his private chambers. Johanna lay the child down on the couch. Her brother and sister sat close to her and put their arms around her. They were both pale and wide eyed.

Johanna’s hands shook, and she couldn’t think straight with sound of the gunshots still ringing in her ears.

“What happened?” Father Michel asked.

“The girl was sick so we couldn’t put her in the back. Then we were stopped by a patrol. The lieutenant discovered the trap door. We had no choice.”

“These guards, they are dead?”

Johanna felt the whole of her insides trembling. “Yes.”

Father Michel made the sign of a cross at his chest. “We have been lucky to get the children out. I fear it is only going to get harder.”

Johanna didn’t want to think that these three might not make it to their destination. They had come so far already. But they wouldn’t be collected for hours yet, and when the guards were discovered, there would be hell to pay.

“I’d like to stay here until they’re picked up,” she said.

Father Michel nodded. “That would be helpful. I have things I need to tend to.” He turned to the children and smiled. “Who would like something to eat and drink.” He bent down to the sick girl and touched her head. “I will get some medicine to help your sister too.”

At that, the two siblings smiled for the first time.

When the priest returned to the room, Fabienne was with him.

Johanna stepped towards her, desperate to hold her, then stopped herself.

Fabienne half-smiled, something she often did to show that she was fine, but she didn’t look fine. Frown lines ran deeper across her brow, and she moved her eyes skittishly. “I’ve cleaned out the van. I need to go to the dairy.”

Johanna reached out to touch her, then dropped her arm to her side. “I’ve said I’ll stay here.”

Fabienne looked at the children. “I’m sorry about the loud noises. You were all very brave, and now you are safe.” She indicated for Johanna to follow her out of the room.

She looked Johanna up and down. “How are you?”

Johanna stifled a laugh, bordering on hysteria. “I wasn’t expecting that.”

Fabienne rubbed her forehead and her eyes. “That’s why I had the gun. It was only a matter of time before the hatch was discovered.” She cupped Johanna’s cheek. “You saved us.”

Johanna felt the pride in Fabienne’s words, even though she didn’t believe them. She bit her lip to stop it trembling. Tears were building behind her eyes, not from sadness or guilt but from the shock. She felt faint and dizzy and took a few deep breaths because the children still needed her, and she had to be strong. “We would have been killed if it hadn’t been for you,” she said.

She wanted to hold Fabienne close and wipe away the memory. She clasped her hands together to stop them shaking.

Fabienne took a deep breath. “We need to get home as soon as possible. Once they discover the guards, they will take revenge.”

The pain in Fabienne’s eyes reflected Johanna’s. “We had no choice, you know.”

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