With that, I strode off back across the opening to the hut, just as Gaston emerged with Rachelle.
‘If you’ve come for another argument, then save your breath,’ he said, folding his arms across his chest.
‘I’ve not come for a fight. I’ve come to apologise,’ I said. The relief on his face was clear. His shoulders relaxed, and he dropped his hands. ‘I’m sorry for asking you to help. I realise now it was wrong.’
‘Glad to hear it,’ said Gaston, although there was a note of suspicion in his voice. ‘And that’s it?’
‘Yes. You don’t have to worry about me. I’m sorry and I’m sorry Rachelle had to bring me out here.’
Gaston nodded. ‘As long as you make it back to the farm safely, then no harm done.’
‘Yes, we should get back,’ said Rachelle. ‘I’m just going to quickly see one of the boys from the village. I have a message from his mother. Won’t be long.’
I hadn’t realised that Rachelle was a messenger for the group and their families. She’d never said, but as everyone around me was keen to point out, everything was on a need-to-know basis. I felt a swell of pride for my cousin and, if I was honest, a fraction of me was jealous that she was actively playing a part in the Resistance. She was doing something which, on the face of it, seemed minor, but in reality was a very important role. Passing messages back and forth kept morale and spirits high. It meant families didn’t feel estranged from their loved ones and loved ones didn’t feel alone. It reminded them of what they were doing and why.
It was something I wanted. I wanted to do something meaningful.
Gaston said his goodbyes and went back over to the group of men, waving Marcel over.
Marcel stopped in front of me. ‘You made your peace?’
‘Yes. All sorted.’
‘But you’re still going to go ahead with your crazy idea of getting revenge, aren’t you?’ It wasn’t so much of a question as a statement from Marcel.
I couldn’t resist tapping the side of my nose. ‘Need-to-know basis.’
He cursed under his breath and let out a long sigh. ‘Look, if you’re determined to do this, then letmehelp you. Let me teach you.’
‘What? You’ve changed your mind suddenly?’
‘I’d sooner you were taught by the best than by some French farmer who has only ever used a twelve bore.’
‘Thank you,’ I said as relief and anticipation fought for first place.
‘You have to let me teach you properly, though, and it won’t take five minutes. It takes a long time to get good at it.’
‘That’s fine. I’m here for the next few weeks, anyway.’
‘Damn. I’m going to regret this, I can tell.’ He let out a sigh and looked up to the sky, giving a slight shake of his head, before heading off to join Gaston.
Chapter 14
Nathalie
I had agreed to meet Marcel the next day on the edge of the forest at one o’clock.
I had already prepared a cover story in case anyone, especially the Germans, should appear and ask me what I was doing. I had a stick with me and I would say I was scaring off the fox that kept hanging around the chicken coop.
I heard someone whistle from the trees and paused to see if it was repeated. If so, then I would know it was the signal that Marcel was there. The whistle came again, and I gave a quick look around to make sure no one was watching me before I made my way into the forest.
‘Psst. Over here,’ whispered Marcel.
I spun around but couldn’t see him. ‘Where are you?’
‘Here,’ the voice came from a different direction. Then again from somewhere else, this time followed by a chuckle.
‘You’re not funny,’ I whispered.
