Page 88 of Summer of Fire
‘You’ll have to spell it out for me,’ Jack said, brushing a lock of hair out of her eyes with his hand.
Lizzie blushed.
‘You’re adorable when you get embarrassed,’ he said.
‘No, I’m not. I hate it,’ she said, frowning until he laughed at how cross she looked.
The gap between them disappeared as Jack bent his head towards her. They kissed and soon they lost themselves in the moment as the world around them disappeared and all they could think about was being in each other’s arms.
When they pulled apart, Lizzie said, ‘Come on. Tell me about Raven. I’ve been dying to know ever since I first realised that is your codename.’
‘It’s a long story,’ Jack said.
‘And I’ve got all the time in the world,’ Lizzie said, her head resting against his shoulder as he stroked her hair.
‘Okay, well, I was very young when Val recruited me at Oxford—not much older than you. A child, really.’
‘I am not a child!’
Jack laughed again. ‘You’re so much fun to tease. It’s difficult to resist.’
‘I’ve never been out with an older man before,’ Lizzie said, taunting him in return.
‘Touché. Lord, you make me sound like a bloody geriatric, though.’ He exploded into loud laughter and people glanced at them curiously, wondering what all the fuss was about.
Jack told Lizzie how he lived as a British agent undercover in various locations in France.
‘How did you meet Pierre? He said your father was his best friend?’
She saw a shadow fall across his face. ‘Yes, that’s right. I’ve known Pierre and Camille since I was a boy. We used to visit them often with the family. When the early rumbles of war threatened Europe, Military Intelligence posted me to Northern France. Reims was the obvious place for me to be based. I’ve been in and out so many times in the years leading up to the war, I’ve lost count.’
‘So that’s where you met Hannah?’
Jack nodded. ‘One evening I was in the city, monitoring a house where communists gathered, and I noticed her putting up anti-Nazi posters. I approached her, and we became friends and stayed in touch. Later, she became my first recruit for the Resistance.’
‘But what about your brother? When did they meet?’
‘It was the summer of 1937, as I recall. Henry came out to visit me and stayed at the farm with Pierre and Camille. Hannah came over one evening and Henry couldn’t take his eyes off her all night. The attraction was mutual, and it was love at first sight. If it weren’t for the war, I imagine they’d be married by now.’
Lizzie mused, ‘It’s tragic and beautiful all at once.’
‘Yes,’ Jack sighed. ‘And now you know why I feel such a responsibility to keep her safe.’
Dark clouds threatened rain, and they packed away their things and jumped on the Underground to Regent’s Park.
‘You escorting me home is becoming a habit,’ Lizzie said as they entered her street.
‘It is. And one I rather like,’ Jack said.
They walked, not holding hands, but rubbing arms as if they didn’t want to break their connection a second earlier they must. Lizzie stopped before they reached her door, just like the last time he walked her home.
Only this time, her door opened before they said goodbye.
‘There you are,’ Rose said. ‘I thought I heard your voice.’
Lizzie’s mother’s sudden appearance startled her, but she quickly recovered.
‘Hello, Ma. This is Jack King, my boss at the new job.’
