Ivy sucked in a breath and jammed the bottle deep in her coat pocket as if the label read “crime against the occupying forces.”
Surely a physician picking up a medication wouldn’t arouse suspicion, but the Germans had made it a crime not to report infractions of their orders. Ivy was defying the Germans not only by treating these poor men but by not reporting those who sheltered them.
Never in her life had she imagined herself a criminal.
She turned for home to fetch her bicycle and medical bag.
“Ivy!” Charlie loped across the street with a package, grinning, and he ducked under her umbrella. “Look. Fern sent me to the grocer for our special ration for the week—eight ounces of dried beans each.”
“Lovely.” She resisted the urge to wipe the raindrops from her brother’s face.
“I’m supposed to meet Fern at—oh, there she is.”
Ivy plastered on a smile.
Her sister approached under her umbrella, and her jaw lowered. “Ivy! You’re supposed to be halfway to St. Ouen’s village by now.”
Ivy waved to the west, toward Gloucester Street. “I was seeing a patient in hospital, then I picked up a medication.”
Fern’s mouth tilted to the side. “Now you’re late again. As always, you disregarded the timetable I made for you, ignored all my hard work.”
The sourness in Ivy’s stomach dissolved her usual apologies. “I’ll be leaving now.”
“I’m surprised you’re even making rounds. I thought home visits were beneath you.” Fern sniffed. “I can’t believe how many patients have told me you forced them to come to town.”
“Forced?” Ivy couldn’t force anyone if she tried. She’d merely explained the situation and offered a choice.
Fern jerked her head to the side. “I’ve done all I can to save the practice as Dad wanted, but you refuse to cooperate. You’ve left me with no choice but to take another job.”
Ivy gasped. “Another—”
“You can’t leave the practice,” Charlie said. “Ivy needs a receptionist.”
“I already hired a new girl. Aunt Ruby can train her.”
Ivy’s vision blurred, and no amount of blinking would clear it. “You hired someone without consulting me?”
“It’s hardly necessary. The new girl is quite capable.”
Ivy’s breath accelerated. This couldn’t be happening.
“Your new job?” Charlie said in a hard voice. “What is it?”
“Oh.” Fern adjusted the parcels in her arm and raised a smile. A twitchy smile. “Do you remember that nice officer who allowed us to keep La Bliue Brise? He was so impressed with me—and my German—that he offered me a job on the spot. Every time I see him in town, he repeats his offer. And this time I accepted. I start Monday.”
Ivy’s chest hollowed out. “The officer? At the Field Commander’s headquarters?”
Charlie scowled at Fern. “You can’t work for the Germans.”
“Why not? You do.”
“I do not. It’s a Jersey boat.”
“Hired by the Germans.” Fern’s pretty chin edged high. “You mustn’t be self-righteous, you two. We do what we must, and for once, my abilities will be appreciated.”
Words clogged Ivy’s throat, stung her eyes. How could Fern do such a thing?
Fern released a sigh. “If only it weren’t necessary. Bill left me without provision, and you can’t keep the practice afloat. But my wages will help. Saving the practice is up to me.”
