Page 66 of Whispers At Dawn
‘She seemed rather thrilled by it all, to be honest. You have nothing to worry about in Suzanne. I told her it’s essential she keep this matter to herself, and she swore she would. Actually, she asked if you are in the Resistance and volunteered to help.’
‘Good to know,’ Jack said. ‘That’s an interesting development.’
They formulated their plan, and Lizzie went down to the kitchens to find Suzanne and gather fresh supplies for the airmen.
‘You are still hungry, madame?’ the housekeeper asked when she explained what she needed.
Lizzie said it was for later, and didn’t elaborate.
Suzanne stared at her for a second and then hurried to slice some bread and cheese and extract a pot of jam from the pantry. ‘Shall I put it in a picnic basket?’
Lizzie shook her head. ‘No, thank you. Just wrap it in small packages and I’ll grab my raincoat as it’s still stormy outside. When Lizzie returned, several neat packages awaited her on the kitchen table with a flask of coffee.
‘Thank you so much,’ Lizzie said, scooping up the hastily prepared food and slotting it into her pockets.
How quickly things changed on a mission, Lizzie reflected. Only last night, the housekeeper held a gun to their heads. This morning, Suzanne was helping them. What strange times they lived in.
Jack and Luc had already returned to the vineyards, as they often did after breakfast. They all agreed the more normal they could keep their schedules, the less likely they would attract attention to their guests.
When Lizzie stepped out the door and onto the back steps, the high winds lifted her raincoat, and she buttoned it up to the collar. If she had worn a hat, it would have blown off her head, such was the force of the wind. Fortunately, the sideways rain had subsided, but the air was clammy, and the sky was an ominous grey blue. Thunder and lightning were on the horizon, she guessed.
Lizzie scrambled across the fields as fast as she could, clutching the flask, and as she approached the cellar, she saw Jack standing nearby smoking. He hastily extinguished his cigarette and disappeared into the dark recesses. Several minutes later, panting, she followed him in.
‘There you are. Everything alright?’
‘Seagrove,’ he whispered, flicking on his torch. ‘All as normal.’
‘I’ve got some food,’ she said, and they walked deeper into the musty cavern until they reached the false wall of the secret cellar.
‘Well done. Was Suzanne weird about it?’
‘No, she was helpful. Her discovery of our clandestine activities might be for the best. She could be useful.’
Jack tapped several times on the wall, and when they heard a gruff voice, he opened the door.They entered, and he pulled the door closed behind Lizzie.
‘How was your night?’ Jack asked the airman, who stood to greet them.
‘It’s always night in here,’ he replied.
‘True enough. Sorry about that, but this is the only way we can keep you out of sight.’
‘I didn’t mean to sound ungrateful,’ the airman said.
Lizzie passed the flask of coffee to him and then bent down to the wounded airman. ‘How are you feeling, Billy?’
He grunted in reply.
‘He’s been burning up all night and needs medical attention desperately.’
Lizzie rested her palm on his forehead. ‘Yes, he has a fever.’
Jack knelt beside her. ‘The wound is bleeding through the bandage.’
‘Any news on the doctor?’ Lizzie muttered to Jack.
He shook his head. ‘I’ll go and see if he’s at home and bring him back with me if he’s willing.’
Lizzie worried Jack risked blowing his cover by searching for a Jewish doctor in the village. When they weighed up the risks during mission preparation, Jack decided it was unlikely someone would recognise him after all these years.
