Bochette laughed, but there was no warmth, just menace and evil, laced with enjoyment. ‘You’re not the only one with connections,’ she said.
‘But you … I hit you … you were …’ I couldn’t finish. The words lodged in my throat.
She laughed again. ‘You thought I was dead. I suppose I should be, but God has better plans for me and I wanted to let you know that I’m coming for you.’
‘You stay away from me,’ I hissed. ‘I’ll have you arrested. You’re a spy for Germany.’
‘Don’t get ahead of yourself, little one. How are they going to arrest me when they don’t know where I am?’
‘They’ll find you.’ I hoped I sounded more confident that I felt.
‘I wouldn’t count on that,’ said Bochette. ‘I’ve got into England without being found. Do you think they’ll find me now?’
‘What do you want?’
‘I want revenge and also you have something that needs to be returned.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Come now, don’t play the innocent. The sketchbook. We know about the codes.’
‘You’re bluffing,’ I said, as I tried to work out who had told her about the codes.
‘Tache turned out to be very talkative in the end,’ said Bochette. ‘He tried to protect you for as long as possible but there’s only so much a man of his age can deal with. Still, he’s out of his misery now. Forever.’
My heart wanted to break at the thought of Monsieur Tache being tortured. ‘I don’t have the book anymore,’ I said.
‘Maybe I should pay a visit to Bignor Manor. Your cousin might be able to enlighten me on the whereabouts of the book and dress. I’m sure where one is, the other is too.’
I gripped the phone tighter. My legs felt weak. ‘You stay away from there,’ I hissed, trying to keep my voice down. I glanced back through to the living room and Geraldine gave me a concerned look. I turned away and whispered down the telephone. ‘You stay away from there. If you go anywhere near Bignor, I will make it my personal mission in life to hunt you down, and this time I will succeed. Just so we are clear, I will kill you if you go anywhere near Odile.’
‘And I’m supposed to fear you and your little bitch cousin? I think I will enjoy visiting her. I think it’s me who needs to make myself clear.’
The line went dead. I replaced the receiver with a trembling hand. I felt physically sick. My breathing was coming in short, rapid gasps and finally my knees buckled and I slumped into the chair at the foot of the stairs.
Geraldine rushed out, calling for Lottie to bring some water. Between them, they helped me back into the lounge and once I had assured them both I was all right, Lottie left us alone.
‘What’s wrong?’ asked Geraldine. ‘Who was on the telephone?’
‘It was the Home Office,’ I said, hurriedly thinking up an excuse. ‘They want to ask me some more questions about when I was in Paris.’
‘Oh dear, you poor child.’ Geraldine squeezed my hand. ‘I don’t know what you’ve been through, but I know it was bad. Thomas hasn’t said as much, but I’m his mother and I can read between the lines.’
I nodded. ‘I’m sorry I can’t say anything either.’
‘No, of course you can’t, my dear.’ She gave a sigh. ‘Maybe Thomas will go with you, so you don’t have to go alone.’
‘Yes, that’s a good idea,’ I replied.
‘Now, I have to go out shortly. Are you going to be all right today?’ asked Geraldine, getting to her feet.
‘I’ll be fine,’ I replied. ‘In fact, I think I’ll go to my room and have a rest.’
Offering Geraldine a reassuring smile, I went upstairs. Closing the door behind me, I leaned against it. I shut my eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. I needed to work out what I was going to do.
I walked over to the window and formulated a plan. The Sussex countryside stretched out beyond the edge of the garden, the rolling hills, patches of farmland and many an acre of dense woodland. It was beautiful here, and it reminded me of the Breton countryside.
I had to be strong. I couldn’t let Gaston and Rachelle down. I couldn’t let my aunt and uncle down, either. They had all trusted me to take care of Odile and it was down to me to keep her safe.
