Page 120 of Daughters of Paris

‘Are you going to keep her?’ Colette asked.

‘Of course. Why wouldn’t I? I expectMamanandPapawill throw me out. They are already unhappy enough. I thinkPapawas preparing to write to the Governor of Paris himself to complain about the behaviour of the Luftwaffe untilMamantold him not to be so stupid. She cries every time she looks at me and won’t let me even work on the reception desk. Did your parents throw you out or have you been locked in a sanatorium somewhere?’

‘Neither. I left of my own accord,’ Colette replied. ‘I was lucky, of course, that there was an apartment above Fleur’s shop that I could move into with Fleur.’

‘I have nowhere else to go.’ Sophie sighed. ‘Did you ever think all those years ago when we were dancing at the Cabaret des Papillons that we would both end up in this situation?’

‘Not at all,’ Colette answered. ‘We were both going to marry rich, handsome men, weren’t we, and now look at us. Sophie, if you want a friend then please come see me at the bookshop.’

Sophie looked doubtful. ‘What about Fleur? I was fairly unpleasant to her on occasion.’

Colette wrapped the baby back to her chest, thinking what an understatement it was. ‘Yes, you were, but luckily she does not hold grudges.’

She hoped she was right because three days later Sophie appeared at the bookshop door. Colette was not surprised to see her, however the large suitcase that stood beside herwassurprising.

‘I decided I would leave. I don’t suppose I could sleep here for a night or two?’

Sophie looked so anxious that Colette couldn’t bring herself to refuse or question the wisdom of leaving without a destination in mind.

‘I’ll give you my food tokens as payment and I brought two tins of biscuits, a whole peppered saucisson, and a can of pork fat. The soldiers come and go so quickly that things are always getting overlooked,’ Sophie said.

Stolen food! Colette’s mouth began to water. She would just have to apologise to Fleur and hope for the best. She picked up the suitcase and invited Sophie inside.

‘You can share my room. The bed is large enough for two people and, god knows, I haven’t had anyone to share it for long enough.’

They were both sitting on the bed chatting and playing with the baby, considering and rejecting names, when Fleur returned. She peeked round the bedroom door and froze, then walked out.

‘Wait here,’ Colette murmured to Sophie.

Fleur was in the kitchen. She unwrapped a paper bag of small potatoes and put them on the table beside a courgette.

‘Laurent gave me these. Marcel, the old mechanic, grows them. I didn’t know you were friends with Sophie still.’

Colette admitted that not only was she friends, but that they had a temporary houseguest.

Fleur’s expression became thunderous. ‘What were you thinking inviting somebody here to stay!’ she exclaimed.

‘I didn’t invite her to stay. She came off her own accord and begged.’

Colette reached for her hand but Fleur whipped it away.

‘But you didn’t have to agree.’

‘I could hardly turn her away onto the streets,’ Colette pleaded. ‘You know I’ve never turned anyone away, and there is no risk like when we sheltered Michal.’

‘There’s every risk! What if she gets an inkling of what I do? She’s going to wonder where I go. She could endanger us all. What if she lets something slip when she goes dancing?’

Colette sagged onto the dining chair, feeling stupid for not thinking of that. ‘She won’t be going dancing in her condition and she doesn’t have any friends to tell. I’m sorry. Truly. She said she would only need to stay for a night or two.’

Fleur crossed her arms. ‘Do you believe her?’

‘I don’t know. I’ll tell her to leave if you want, but I want to help her. Think of what would have happened to me without you. She isn’t as lucky as I am. No one could be as lucky as I’ve been to have you.’

Fleur closed her eyes, looking pained, then gave Colette a weary smile.

‘You don’t have to flatter me. I know you’re too compassionate for your own good, but it is going to make life much more difficult for me. I need to be in and out at all hours and that is going to be hard with somebody who may not be trustworthy. Just promise me you will come up with some explanations for if she wonders where I am.’

Colette grimaced. ‘I don’t think she will notice or wonder. She is quite self-centred.’

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