Page 93 of Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure
“Do you know—he took two eggs this morning,” Clive said. “Two eggs. And he put all that sugar in his coffee. Doesn’t he know we are on rations?” He rolled his eyes. “And yesterday he asked Tommy to polish his shoes.”
“And did Tommy do it?”
Clive gave a little grin. “Tommy said there were no servants in this house, and anything he wanted done he’d have to do for himself. He went away in a huff, but he did later come down to ask for the shoe polish.”
It was going to be a big adjustment for Roland, Ellie thought. He’d probably never had to do a thing for himself his whole life. He was lucky to be with three such patient people. After a few admonitions, he seemed to realize that they were being kind to him because he started to offer to help set the table, do the weeding. However, he declined at being asked to collect the eggs.
“Horrible birds, chickens. Absolutely murderous eyes. They’d peck you to death if they could.”
A month went by with nothing terrible happening. At the villa they were still surviving quite well with enough eggs, cheese, vegetables plus the occasional fish that could be bought from the dockside. Christmas was approaching, but there was no sense of excitement or anticipation in the village. The boulangerie was now barely given enough flour to make small loaves—one each per family.
“There will be no bûche de Noël, no special patisseries, no holiday at all,” Madame Blanchet said. “And one of those cursed Germans had the nerve to ask me why I do not bake pain au chocolat. I told him we have not seen chocolate for two years now. If he’d like to produce some for me, along with the necessary butter, I will most certainly bake him a pain au chocolat.”
Ellie came out of the shop with her small loaf and had started towards the steps when she heard a scream. Bruno’s mother was running towards her, her hands waving in panic.
“You must help me, madame,” she screamed. “My boy. They’ve taken my boy.”
“The Germans have taken Bruno? Why?”
“The officer saw him, asked why he wasn’t working in a factory and then realized he was not as other men. So they came in a big black lorry and took him away. They said there is no food for those who are not useful to society. And nobody did anything to help me. They let it happen. They just watched and let him be taken. Where can those devils have taken him?”
“I really don’t know,” Ellie said. She felt sick. She had heard that within Germany they had removed those with disabilities, sending them to the notorious labour camps, or perhaps to their deaths.
“He won’t be able to cope without me,” Bruno’s mother said, clutching at Ellie’s sleeve. “You know what he’s like. How easily he gets frightened, and then he starts talking gibberish.”
“I wish I could do something for you,” Ellie said. “Have you spoken to Father André? To Monsieur Danton? They could perhaps enquire officially to see where he might have been taken.”
Tears were streaming down the woman’s face. She shook her head fiercely, causing tears to fly out. “What good are they? They believe we should not make a fuss and thus keep the village safe. But it’s my son. My poor Bruno.”
“I’ll do what I can,” Ellie said, although she had no idea what this might be. She thought she might have a word with Father André, just in case the word of a priest might help, and she was on her way to the church when she saw Nico. She ran over to him, grabbing his arm. “You have to help,” she said, breathless. “They’ve taken Bruno.”
He looked down at her with concern. “That poor boy. I feared this might happen. But I’m afraid it’s too late to do anything. If they’ve already taken him, there is little we can do.”
“We can stop them,” Ellie said. “You could stop them. You must be able to send a message to somebody, someone who can help.”
He was frowning. “I’ll come up with you and try to contact someone on the radio. It depends how long ago it was and where they are taking him.” He put an arm around her shoulder. “Come on, then, let’s hurry. Did you bring your motor car?”
“Of course not. There’s no petrol,” she said. “I always use the steps.”
He didn’t say any more, but together they climbed the steps, pausing, panting at the top before going into the house. Clive opened his mouth to say something when he saw Nico, but Ellie shot him a warning look and shook her head as Nico ran up the stairs. A little later he came down again.
“They will try to intercept the lorry before it reaches the train station, assuming he is to be deported to a camp or even to Germany,” he said. “But they are not hopeful.”
“At least we tried,” Ellie said. “That’s the main thing. That poor woman. She dotes on that boy.”
Nico looked at her with concern. “I fear it is getting worse,” he said. “The Germans are suffering defeats. They fear the Allies will come up through Italy. There are already reprisals. So for God’s sake, stay up here out of the way.”
Ellie walked with him out of the front door. “Listen,” he said. “We should have a sign if you need me.” He paused, looking around. “The property can’t be seen from the village, which is lucky for you, but useless for me.” He walked around to the terrace overlooking the sea. “But from my boat or even from the end of the harbour, I could see these palm trees. If you erected a washing line, maybe between the trees? Hang out your laundry regularly on it, but if you need me, hang out something ...” He paused, thinking. “Something blue, the colour of France, eh? And I’ll come right away.”
“Something blue,” she agreed.
“I made up a room for you,” she said, “but you haven’t needed to stay the night.”
He shook his head. “I didn’t want to disturb you. I have managed to slip down into the village without the sentry seeing me.”
She realized that he did not want to involve her, to let her run any risk. She reached out to touch his sleeve. “Nico, don’t take chances,” she said.
He looked at her tenderly now. “I have to take plenty of chances, I’m afraid, but I want to involve you as little as possible.” He put his hand gently against her cheek. “I wish things were different,” he said. “I wish I could protect you better.”
