Page 23 of Whispers At Dawn
‘Whoever named it didn’t realise how funny it would be hundreds of years into the future.’
Lizzie counted the arches of the bridge as they drove nearer. ‘You’d think they’d have called it Seven Arches,’ she said.
Pink-hued buildings encrusted the landscape on both sides of the river. ‘And this must be the famous River Garonne. Val and Drake were right. It is a charming city with impressive architecture.’
‘Indeed,’ Jack replied. ‘I don’t think I appreciated it fully as a boy.’
A delicate summer breeze wafted in through the open window.
‘That feels good,’ Jack said. ‘Let’s park and take a walk to find our bearings, shall we?’
‘How exciting, this feels like our first holiday.’
Jack laughed. ‘I won’t repeat my earlier observation in case of listening ears, but it’s just as I said.’
Lizzie knew he referred to their conversation at Baker Street when he observed that he’d never known anyone to be as excited to go undercover in enemy territory.
‘You know why I’m excited,’ she said. ‘This is our chance to be together every day.’
‘True, and you’re right. We’d better make the most of it.’
They left the car in a quiet side street, and Jack came around to open the door for Lizzie. She smoothed the skirt of her dress down and checked hersummer hatwas still in place after the bumpy car journey.
‘You look perfect, just like you always do,’ Jack said, reading her mind.
‘You look pretty good yourself,’ she said. ‘That jacket suits you and those trousers are the right length.’
‘Yes, lucky that. Luc said he’s shrunk a bit with age, but he’s kept many of his clothes from when he was a younger man, and we’re of a similar build.’
‘Seems like packing light or should I say, packing nothing to wear, has paid off.’ Lizzie threw Jack a mischievous smile, and he touched her cheek fondly.
Lizzie tucked her hand in his arm, and they strolled along the cobbled streetjust like any married couple. After a few minutes, Lizzie said, ‘A coffee would hit the spot.’
‘Yes, it would, and sitting at a café is a fabulous way to people watch.’
‘Are we watching for anyone in particular?’ she said.
‘I’ll be on the lookout for familiar faces, as that’s my biggest concern, but I doubt anyone will recognise me now. Let’s watch out for conspicuous types and see where they lead us.’
‘Ah, finally I’ll be able to learn spycraft in the field from the best there is.’
‘I don’t know who that might be,’ Jack said, winking, ‘but I’m happy to teach you what I’ve picked up over the years.’
‘You are too modest, darling. You should hear what the other agents say about you.’
‘Oh yes, and what do they say?’
‘You can play it down, but you’re the legendary Raven in Military Intelligence.’
Jack pooh-poohed the idea with an eye roll and a charming smile.
Lizzie knew Jack didn’t like people making a fuss of his accomplishments, but she was excited to shadow him and learn some new tricks. Hannah, the Jewish Resistance agent, had taught her so much, just by being near her and watching how she responded to situations.
‘You’re a natural. Don’t water your abilities down by copying how others do things. You know the basics and you’ve done an incredible job so far. The fact that you’re here, in France once again, is testament to that.’
Lizzie accepted the compliment with grace, and decided she would watch carefully what he did, without making a big deal of it. She still had so much to learn, and she wasn’t going to miss the opportunity of becoming a better agent by resting on her laurels. Jack was her undercover husband, but he was also her commanding officer, and he had years of experience in the field from before she had even considered being a secret agent.
‘Come on, Madame Dubois, let’s find a café to partake of our first hideous coffee in the city.’
