Page 56 of Tides of Resistance
Judith replied, saying that sadly she was right to be cautious and even neighbours could no longer be trusted not to steal each other’s possessions. ‘We really should secure this back area so no one can enter when we’re not here.’
Lizzie nodded. ‘Yes, I’m evidence of that, although I’m glad you didn’t secure it yet.’
Their eyes met, and they laughed. Lizzie instantly took to Judith and wished things didn’t have to be so complicated. Her heart ached for Sophie and how she was doing the best she could for her dear friend. The irony was crushing. Lizzie and Judith were both using false names, and Lizzie felt bad that she was keeping the fact that she knew Judith’s real identity from her, but Sophie said it would be for the best so as not to alarm them.
When Fabian emerged with a small tray filled with coffee and slices of fresh bread, Lizzie pointed to the supplies she hadbrought, now arranged on the table. ‘From your mother,’ she said.
‘Ah, my dear mother. Though why she insists on sending us apples when we have our own apple trees is unclear.’ He smiled ruefully.
‘I confess I wondered the same,’ Lizzie said.
They all laughed and sipped their hot coffee and nibbled the bread, conscious there would be no second helpings.
Lizzie said, ‘There was a jar of your mother’s delicious strawberry jam, which would have gone wonderfully with this bread. Unfortunately, it was confiscated at the St. Vincent gate on my way out of the city.’
Fabian cursed when he heard how the soldier had helped himself to the jam. ‘Thieving bastards, helping themselves to anything and everything they fancy. You’d think I’d be used to their behaviour by now, but it still incenses me.’
Judith said, ‘Fabian gets furious at any mention of the occupying forces.’
‘Understandable,’ Lizzie said. ‘It must have been awful to fight in the war and then come home to be ruled by them.’
Lizzie noticed Fabian and Judith were careful not to show any obvious signs of being a couple, but she detected the deep connection between them, whether it was because she knew the truth, she couldn’t say. Either way, she was pleased Fabian wasn’t stuck out here all alone and lived with his love in these dark times.
Fabian crossed to the table. ‘What have we here then?’ He picked up the novel and passed it to Judith with a smile. ‘I believe this is for you, Fleur.’
The cousin she knew and loved wasn’t much of a reader, so it made more sense now. Aunt Giselle was taking care of Judith too.
Fabian gathered the apples and cabbage and said he would stash them in the storeroom.
Lizzie flinched, worried he would see the blanket-covered radio.
She jumped to her feet. ‘I’ll walk with you,’ she said, unable to think what else to do.
Fabian looked taken aback at the awkward gesture but nodded, and she joined him, leaving Judith alone after excusing herself.
As they neared the steps, he said, ‘What’s going on?’
Lizzie cleared her throat. This was the moment when she must reveal her real reason for visiting him. She hoped he wouldn’t be angry with her for endangering them like this. It had occurred to her he might be, given they were protecting Judith, but she couldn’t think of another way to message London safely. Another transmission from inside the city walls was out of the question, and there were no other safe houses she could use.
Conversely, learning about Judith’s presence at the farmhouse had helped her decide to trust him. If he knew people who created false identity papers for Jews, he was sympathetic to the Resistance.
They descended the steps, and he opened the door for Lizzie.
‘It’s probably best I show you,’ she said.
CHAPTER 33
Lizzie and Fabian entered the faintly lit storeroom and Lizzie crossed the floor to the blanket-covered table in a few steps.
‘What on earth is that? Fabian asked.
Lizzie whipped the blanket off like a magician in one swift movement.
Fabian squinted and approached the table. Then she saw his eyes widen as he faced her. ‘A radio set! You know we could all be shot for having this in our possession?’
He rushed back over to the door, grabbed a key off a hook and locked it before returning to her side.
‘I’m sorry I brought it in without checking with you first, but you weren’t here, and I have nowhere else to hide it.’
