Page 48 of Last Letter Home
‘I called at Flint Cottage just now,’ he said, beaming at her, ‘but there was only Mrs Allman and a boy.’
‘Yes, that’s Derek, our evacuee. Oh, Paul, you’re home. I can hardly believe it.’
‘And you mustn’t believe it. I’m not home, Sarah. Only visiting. I should not be here at all.’
‘Why?’ She didn’t understand, then she froze. ‘You didn’t run away, did you?’
‘No, no. I’ve been formally released from the camp. I’m not sure yet, but I think I have Sir Henry to thank for that.’
‘Good old Sir Henry.’ She allowed herself to think warmly of him again. ‘I wonder how he managed it.’
‘Some of us are being released now the danger of invasion has receded. But, Sarah, I am forbidden to come home to Norfolk. Any coastal county. They still fear that we will escape to the Continent, I suppose, or pass messages on to German ships. If I’m seen here . . . well.’
‘But you came anyway.’
‘I wanted to see Mutti. I’ve just visited the churchyard and saw the wooden marker. She’s in a nice place there under the trees, I’m glad.’
‘Paul, I’m so sorry.’
‘I know. And I wanted to see my friends, you particularly. Sarah, you don’t know how much I looked forward to your letters. They helped me so much.’
‘They weren’t very exciting, I’m afraid.’
‘It was the normality of them that kept me going. The sense that you were all there carrying on as usual. Mutti’s letters . . . ah, I shouldn’t complain. I loved to hear from her, but they were full of her unhappiness.’
‘She was so worried about you, Paul. But now she is beyond all worry.’
‘Yes. I must learn to think like that. And now I’ll visit the house. There are some things I need and—’
‘I expect you’d like to be by yourself for a while.’
‘Yes, you understand, I knew you would.’
‘How long will you be here, Paul?’ Would she see him again before he left? ‘What will you do?’
‘An Austrian man I met was released at the same time. He has family in London and says I’m welcome to stay there. It’s in Hampstead, near the Heath. I don’t know what work I’ll do, but it’s a start . . . Mein Gott,’ he breathed.
He was staring off at something behind her. When she turned, her breath caught. It was Ivor, trampling across the cropped field towards them, his face, as he drew near, like thunder.
‘Hartmann,’ he called out. ‘What are you doing here?’
Paul said nothing, only waited for Ivor’s approach.
‘I didn’t know they’d let you out.’
‘Yes, two days ago. I’m not back to work, I’m afraid, tell your father.’
‘You’re not supposed to be here. You know the rules as well as I do.’
How did he? Sarah wondered.
Paul took a deep breath. ‘Don’t worry, I’m only here to collect some clothes and then I’ll be gone. There’ll be no cause to suspect I’m a traitor, please be sure.’
‘I didn’t mean . . .’
‘I think I do know what you meant,’ Paul said smoothly, but two bright spots on his pale cheeks conveyed his anger. His eyes blazed. ‘Whatever your reasons, you don’t want me here, so I am pleased to assure you that I’ll not trouble you long. I am sure you would not deny me the short respite, but don’t worry, tomorrow, I will, as you have often told me to, cut along.’
Ivor growled, ‘It won’t be soon enough as far as I’m concerned.’ His expression was fierce at Paul’s directness.
