Page 25 of Shadows In Paris
Lizzie laughed and didn’t trust herself to comment. Her mother was perceptive, and she wished she could be truthful with her. They’d always been close, and the subterfuge was taking a toll on Lizzie, but what could she do?
The Official Secrets Act was not to be taken lightly, so she couldn’t divulge the SOE business to her mother. Her life wasn’t her own anymore. As far as her relationship with Jack went, it was challenging enough to keep their feelings for each other a secret at work, without risking sharing the truth with her family.
No, she had to keep it all bottled up inside and sometimes she thought she might explode. The only person she could talk to openly was Jack. Her mind flicked back to an image of his firm hands touching her skin, making her cry out. Shehadn’t known such pleasure existed until she met him, and it still amazed her. There was a lot to be said for falling for an older, experienced lover, instead of enduring the fumblings of someone her own age.
The lascivious thought made her smile. It was her little secret and she would draw on the delicious memory of it to get her through the difficult times now they were apart.
‘Lizzie, here is your chocolate,’ Hannah repeated, interrupting Lizzie’s daydream, and placing a bowl-like cup with two handles in front of her.
Lizzie inhaled the chocolate smell. ‘This smells divine.’
‘I don’t know how good it will be, but even a hint of chocolate will be amazing,’ Hannah said. ‘Let’s hope it tastes as good as it smells.’
They both drank the steaming beverage.
‘It’s superb!’ Lizzie said.
‘Not bad,’ agreed Hannah. ‘Who knew that one day a tiny sprinkling of chocolate in hot water would be such a treat?’
‘It makes a change from seedy tasting coffee, that’s for sure.’
The sweet chocolate warmed Lizzie and a wave of tiredness washed over her. She yawned uncontrollably.
‘You poor thing. You must be worn out.’
‘It’s hitting me now. Thank you for this,’ Lizzie said, pointing to the cup.
The blackout blinds were in place. Hannah lit candles when they entered the house, and a glass lamp cast a delicate glow around the room, giving it a hint of the ghostly.
‘What is this place? Whose home, was it?’ Lizzie asked, gazing around the large kitchen.
‘It’s an abandoned farmhouse. I don’t know the family who lived here, but there was amezuzahat the entrance. I took it down right away. May as well stick a Star of David on the door and announce Jews live here!’
Lizzie looked confused. ‘What’s a mezuzah?’
‘It’s a small case with a scroll inside. Mezuzah is a Hebrew word that means doorpost. It’s an old tradition and you’ll see them on Jewish homes everywhere. Or at least you used to. It’s too dangerous now.’
‘That’s so sad,’ Lizzie said. ‘What kind of scroll?’
‘Basically, it contains biblical verses of theShema Israel. It’s a Hebrew prayer Jews have been saying for thousands of years since the time of the ancient Jerusalem Temple services.’
‘That sounds like a beautiful tradition.’
Hannah nodded. ‘Yes, but it isn’t keeping Jews safe now. Look at this house.’
The silence hung between them as sadness enveloped them both.
After a pause, Lizzie said, ‘I know it’s difficult to believe now, but Jack says there will come a day when all of this will be behind us.’
‘Dear Jack. I hope he’s right. How is he, by the way?’
Lizzie blushed slightly and hoped Hannah didn’t notice in the dim light.
‘He is well. Busy as ever. He sends his love.’
‘And Henry?’ Hannah asked, her words tentative, as though they would catch in her throat.
Lizzie reached for her hand. ‘Jack said he is in good spirits. We wanted to bring you a letter from him, but decided it was too dangerous. Just as well I didn’t because my case was searched on the train, and I already had papers stuffed in my underwear.’
