After everyone climbed into the car, Lachlan drove away. “Now that you are free, what are your plans?”
“Plans?” For the past fortnight, Gerrit hadn’t thought beyond escape and release.
“We can’t go home yet,” Bernardus said. “Who knows how long?”
Gerrit had only one plan established. “I’ll return to Jersey after liberation.”
Bernardus chuckled. “With the fair Ivy.”
“Oh?” Cilla glanced over the seatback with delight in her eyes. “Tell me more.”
In the afternoon, Gerrit had sent a telegram to the address Ivy had provided. Perhaps he could see her in a few days. “Later.”
“Later?” Cilla huffed. “Men being men, it’s a wonder marriage ever happens.”
“Aye, lass.” Lachlan smirked. “A wonder indeed.”
“Excuse me, Lachlan.” Bernardus leaned forward. “I can’t help but notice that you use a cane, and yet you serve in uniform. Is there any hope for me? I want to serve.”
Lachlan exchanged a glance with Cilla. “Aye, I’ll make inquiries.”
Cilla waved toward the scenery around them. “If not, look at the bomb damage. Surely a geologist and a civil engineer could find employment.”
“True.” Gerrit frowned at a vacant lot they passed. Jersey had endured many calamities in the past few years, but not the devastating bombing seen in Britain and continental Europe.
On the outskirts of town, Lachlan pulled up to a modest but handsome house of red brick. A blond woman flung open the front door and waved.
“Aleida!” Gerrit ran up the walkway and swung his cousin into his arms. How long since he’d seen her? He gripped her shoulders.Her face had changed, but she still had the same gentle smile. “It’s good to see you.”
“And you.” Tears filled her blue eyes, and she turned to Bernardus. “And Bernardus. How good to see you.”
“It’s been many years.”
“Too many.” Aleida ushered them into a sitting room. “Come, meet the children. My son, Teddy.”
A blond boy of about seven approached with a shy smile, and he extended his left hand to shake. He kept his right hand stuffed deep in the pocket of his little jacket.
Not wishing to embarrass the boy by calling attention to the error, Gerrit extended his own left hand. “I’m glad to meet you, Teddy.”
“That’s my sister, Caroline.” Teddy pointed to a little blond girl toddling toward a baby sitting on a blanket. “And my baby cousin, Magsie.”
“Her name is Margaret.” Cilla scooped up the baby and kissed her cap of strawberry-blond hair.
Gerrit met Aleida’s teary gaze. “What fine children. And your husband? Will he be joining us?”
“Oh yes.” A squawk from the toddler, and Aleida swung the child up to her hip. “Hugh will want to interview both of you. He’s with the BBC. That’s how he—”
“Aleida!” Cilla nudged her.
Gerrit frowned. “That’s how he what?”
Both ladies turned huge, fake smiles to him.
Gerrit groaned, rolled his eyes, and sank onto a sofa.
The front door opened and shut, and a man with brown hair entered the sitting room, followed by a middle-aged couple. They looked familiar, reminded him of—
“Ivy!” Gerrit stumbled to his feet.
