Page 15 of Summer of Fire
Lizzie’s heart leapt as she studied his face. She was developing a huge crush on him.
‘I looked for a driver, but no joy, so let’s use this time to run through what you learnt today. We are up against it, so we must make use of every spare minute.’
Lizzie’s hopes sputtered like a dying fire as she realised Jack was only seeing her home as part of her training. She told herself that was probably a good thing or her feelings would spiral out of control, and she’d make a fool of herself.
Keep things professional and you won’t get hurt.
But there was something about Jack that captivated her emotions. She’d never met anyone like him before. Something deep inside told her she never would again. But this was not the time to let her attraction to him cloud her mind.Val had drilled into her, every move she made in France could be a matter of life or death and she must pay attention.
‘I didn’t know you worked with this incredible organisation,’ Lizzie whispered as they crossed the dimly lit hotel lobby with a handful of late-night stragglers hanging about. Most of the guests had retired, and the blackout was in progress.
‘There are a lot of things you don’t know, Elizabeth.’
Lizzie cast him a sideways glance. ‘When you call me Elizabeth, I keep thinking you’re talking to someone else.’
‘But that’s what you told me to call you,’ Jack said, meeting her gaze and searching her eyes.
‘I was annoyed by how rudely you dismissed me during our first meeting.’
‘Ah,’ Jack said. ‘That was a tough day and I put my rather large foot right in it. So, what would you like me to call you?’
‘Call me Lizzie. Everyone calls me Lizzie.’
Jack smiled. ‘I’m honoured,’ he said, his tone amused.
They walked along Caxton Street and although it was fine weather, the breeze whipped up suddenly and Lizzie shivered.
‘You’re cold,’ Jack said. ‘The second time today, but I’m prepared now.’
‘Maybe a little cold,’ she replied.
‘Here, take this.’ He took his jacket off and slipped it over her shoulders.
It was so warming that she accepted it gratefully.
‘Thank you. Are you sure you won’t be too cold?’
He shook his head. They walked for a way, and she told him what she had learnt about what she would need to take with her. ‘Val is amazing,’ she gushed. ‘She kitted me out with clothing made in France and even gave me an expensive red lipstick.’
‘That’s good. What is it with French women and fashion?It is imperative we get it right or they’ll know you’re English in a heartbeat.’
‘British,’ she corrected him.
‘What?’
‘British. I’m from Jersey, which is part of the British Isles, so I’m British.’
‘I stand corrected, Jersey girl,’ Jack said, the amusement ringing in his voice again.
They wound through the subdued, dark streets. ‘I’ve never been out walking around London at this hour. Is it always this quiet?’
‘Recently, yes, but not before the war. People get home as soon as they can to avoid the blackout. We’ve been lucky in London so far. Further south, they are constantly running for shelter in the air raids.’
They walked on and when Jack didn’t speak, Lizzie filled the silence. ‘Do you think the war will be over soon?’
‘I wish I could say yes, but in truth, I think we have a long way to go. Our sources tell us Hitler has been planning this war since 1933, and he’s going to take some beating. The German invasion of Europe was not reactive or spontaneous—it was strategic. Hitler’s aim is for the Third Reich to rule the world, and if we’re to stop him, we mustn’t underestimate the lengths to which he will go.’
Lizzie shivered again, but not from the wind this time.
