Page 21 of Whispers At Dawn
‘It’s not a story, it’s true. It is rather popular with the French,’ Lizzie said. ‘May as well play to my strengths, even if Jersey has been part of the British Crown since 1066, and I’m a loyal British citizen.’
‘True.’
‘I’m going to have a wash,’ Lizzie said.
‘I’ll ask Luc if he’s got a change of clothes for me, and then I suggest we find our way into the city.’
Lizzie was excited by the thought of visiting Toulouse for the very first time. How different this mission felt from her previous ones. She could almost pretend it was a real honeymoon, and as she washed, she twiddled the slim gold band on her wedding finger.
Lizzie's heart swelled with love for Jack, and she was determined to make the most of this unusual situation, which she never could have imagined. She was Madame Isabelle Dubois, and they would live as man and wife in the South of France.
Lizzie had a feeling their visit would be one to remember.
CHAPTER 10
Jack returned to their rooms, looking dapper in a borrowed jacket, shirt, and trousers. ‘I requisitioned these from Luc, in the name of the war effort,’ he smirked.
‘And very handsome you look, darling.’
‘Thank you, my gorgeous wife.’
Lizzie moved into Jack’s arms, and they kissed, swaying in the deliciousness of their newfound freedom. Jack’s solid frame gave Lizzie comfort as she rested against him.
‘Ready for our first adventure in Toulouse?’ Lizzie asked when they drew apart.
Jack reached over and straightened Lizzie’s lucky yellow scarf. ‘Ready now, yes. Let’s go.’
They descended the winding marble staircase and arrived in the great hall on the ground floor.
‘Where is everyone in this fairytale castle?’ Lizzie whispered.
‘Luc said he was going to see the workers in the vineyard. I don’t know about the others. I managed to arrange us some transport. Let’s go and see what we have at our disposal.’
They exited the château the way they had entered, through the main back entrance and down the stone steps.
‘That sounds promising,’ Lizzie said. ‘The most I’d expected was a battered bicycle. That’s my usual mode of transport.’
‘Luc said there’s an old car we can use in the garage.’
‘How on earth does he get fuel, or are there not the same shortages here, as in Paris?’ Lizzie asked, her eyes wide.
‘Luc said they keep a small amount of fuel for the château vehicles, and an old friend of his in the Vichy police turns a blind eye.’
‘That’s fortunate,’ Lizzie said.
‘Yes, but it comes at a ferocious price. The vineyard uses half the wine harvest to distil into industrial alcohol by order of the Vichy government for the Nazis. Luc said the Boche use it to make explosives, so he decided a bit of fuel for his car was fair game.’
Lizzie said, ‘I’d not thought of how they make fuel before. In Reims, the Nazis stole much of the champagne and wine, so I can’t say I’m shocked they’re bleeding the château dry too.’
The heat of the day hit Lizzie in the face as she walked with Jack around the courtyard in search of the promised car. Souffle like clouds floated across the deep blue sky and she admired the far-reaching views of the countryside. ‘What a gorgeous day,’ she said. ‘I’m glad I wore my light dress and didn’t bring my raincoat.’
‘You shouldn’t need that today,’ Jack agreed.
‘I wore my raincoat a lot in Reims, even though it was summer, because it was handy to hide things in the pockets.’
‘I think it would be more conspicuous to wear one here when it’s so blisteringly hot, but there are bound to be some rainy days. Let’s hope they coincide with our more clandestine operations,’ Jack said with a wry smile.
They turned the corner and saw a stone outbuilding covered in ivy. Lizzie followed Jack in and a strong smell she couldn’tquite place, permeated her nose. He whistled as she caught up to him.
